The combined effects of decreased pH and increased temperature values on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation were evaluated for the first time in the clam Chamelea gallina and the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, two bivalve species that are widespread along the northwestern coast of the Adriatic Sea. For 7days, bivalves were exposed to three pH values (8.1, 7.7 and 7.4) at two temperatures (22 and 28°C). Three independent experiments were carried out at salinity values of 28, 34 and 40psu. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities as well as lipid peroxidation were measured in the gills and digestive gland of the bivalves. The results demonstrated that the experimental conditions significantly influenced the biochemical parameters of the bivalves, although the variation pattern varied depending on the species and tissues analysed.

Franciscana dolphin is an endemic cetacean in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and is classified as Vulnerable A3d by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Cadmium accumulation was assessed in two geographic groups from Argentina; one inhabits the La Plata River estuary, a high anthropogenic impacted environment, and the other is distributed in marine coastal, with negligible pollution. Despite the environment, marine dolphins showed an increase of renal Cd concentrations since trophic independence; while in estuarine dolphins was from 6years. This is associated with dietary Argentine anchovy which was absent in the diet of estuarine dolphins, being a trophic vector of cadmium in shelf waters of Argentina. Cluster analysis also showed high levels of cd in association with the presence of anchovy in the stomach. The difference in the fine scale distribution of species influences dietary exposure to Cd and, along with other data, indicates two stocks in Argentina.

Breakwaters are widely used in coastal development. Breakwaters can alter habitats by undermining shallow coastal ecosystems, especially coral reefs. However, recent studies indicate that mature breakwaters can have well-developed corals and coral-associated fishes. Breakwaters with colonized corals may act as surrogates of natural coral reefs against the global coral crisis. Here, we examined the composition of corals, fishes, and benthic biota/abiota between natural reefs and mature breakwaters to evaluate the possibility of breakwaters supplementing natural reefs. We found equal or higher coral cover, fish abundance, and species richness on breakwaters. Conversely, differential coral growth forms and fish assemblages on mature breakwaters suggested the irreplaceability of natural reefs. Corals and coral reef fishes on mature man-made structures, however, may improve the resistance and resilience of coral reefs. Conclusively, despite high coral cover on mature man-made structures appropriate management (e.g., marine reserves) is still necessary to sustain the coral reefs.

The development of water quality assessment strategies investigating spatial and temporal changes caused by natural and anthropogenic phenomena is an important tool in management practices. This paper used cluster analysis, water quality index method, sensitivity analysis and canonical correlation analysis to investigate priorities in pollution control activities. Data sets representing 22 surface water quality parameters were subject to analysis. Results revealed that organic pollution was serious threat for overall water quality in the region. Besides, oil and grease, lead and mercury were the critical variables violating the standard. In contrast to inorganic variables, organic and physical-inorganic chemical parameters were influenced by variations in physical conditions (discharge, temperature). This study showed that information produced based on the variations and correlations in water quality data sets can be helpful to investigate priorities in water management activities. Moreover statistical techniques and index methods are useful tools in data – information transformation process.

The visibility data from 2010 to 2012 were obtained at Shenyang in Northeast China and the relations between visibility, PM mass concentration and meteorological variables were statistically analyzed. These results demonstrate that the monthly–averaged visibility over Shenyang was higher in March and September with values of approximately 19.0±4.3 km and 17.1±4.3 km, respectively. Low visibility over Shenyang occurred in January at approximately 11.0±4.7 km. Among the meteorological variables considered, wind speed was the main meteorological factor that influenced visibility and PM mass concentrations. The relation between visibility and PM indicates that fine particles are already a main source of pollutants, the existence of which is the most important factor in the deterioration of visibility in an urban area of Northeast China. The study also shows an obvious diurnal variation and weekend effects of visibility and PM, which are mainly caused by human activities. Results of this study highlight the significant impact of fine particles on air pollution and visibility in an urban area of Northeast China.

The sorption behaviour of estrone (E1) on marine sediments treated by different methods was systematically investigated. About 22h was required for sorption equilibrium of E1. Sorption isotherms of E1 were well fitted with Freundlich model. The sorption behaviour of E1 on HCl-treatment and H2O-treatment sediments related significantly with the sediment organic carbon contents. Additionally, clay minerals and surface areas of sediments played dominant roles in the sorption of E1 on H2O2-treatment sediments. Some external factors which could affect sorption behaviour of E1 were also investigated. Our results showed that the sorption capacity of E1 on the sediments increased with the increasing concentrations of cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene (80) sorbitan esters (Tween 80) and salinity of seawater. In contrast, the sorption capacity of E1 decreased with the increasing concentration of anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), pH value and temperature of seawater.

Forty-three sediment samples were collected from the beaches of Miri City, Sarawak, Malaysia to identify the enrichment of partially leached trace metals (PLTMs) from six different tourist beaches. The samples were analyzed for PLTMs Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn. The concentration pattern suggest that the southern side of the study area is enriched with Fe (1821–6097μgg−1), Mn (11.57–90.22μgg−1), Cr (51.50–311μgg−1), Ni (18–51μgg−1), Pb (8.81–84.05μgg−1), Sr (25.95–140.49μgg−1) and Zn (12.46–35.04μgg−1). Compared to the eco-toxicological values, Cr>Effects range low (ERL), Lowest effect level (LEL), Severe effect level (SEL); Cu>Unpolluted sediments, ERL, LEL; Pb>Unpolluted sediments and Ni>ERL and LEL. Comparative results with other regions indicate that Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn are higher, indicating an external input rather than natural process.

In this study, the levels, sources and historical trends (2007–2012) of PAH pollution in surface sediments in the northern Adriatic Sea (Croatia) have been assessed. In addition, ecotoxicological risks have been estimated by evaluating the PAH dataset against Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs). The results indicate that PAH in surface sediments are of pyrolitic origin with no clear positive or negative trend in PAH concentration over the investigated period. Evaluations against SQG and mSQGq indicate that surface sediments at all sampling sites have a low to medium ecotoxicological risk. In order to improve trend analysis and characterization of PAH pollution in surface sediments in this region an increase in spatial resolution of sampling points is recommended.

In Brazil, where reefs occur in markedly turbid environments, the relationship between sedimentation/organic matter and corals is poorly known. Thus, the ex situ effects of sediment with and without organic matter over the ΔF/Fm and physical state of Mussismilia braziliensis were analyzed. The ΔF/Fm and coral physical state, evaluated through the susceptibility index to sedimentation (SI), were measured in seven colonies exposed to sedimentation (0–450mgcm−2day−1) free of organic matter after 45days of exposure, and in 12 colonies exposed to sedimentation (0–500mgcm−2day−1) with organic matter content (10%), in which case ΔF/Fm was measured after 72h and SI after 120h. In both cases there were effects of increasing sedimentation on the SI with no effect on ΔF/Fm. Despite the tolerance to high sedimentation rates shown by this coral, we noted that the presence of organic matter might reduce its tolerance to sedimentation stress.

This paper quantifies the mixing and dispersion from an outboard motor by field experiments in a small subtropical waterway. Organic dye was used as a surrogate for exhaust emissions and was mixed with uncontaminated creek water before being dispersed into the creek. Dye concentrations were measured with an array of concentration probes stationed in the creek. The data were then processed and fitted with a power law function. The corresponding dispersion constants agreed well with the literature. However, the amplitude was lower than the IMO equation but higher than the correlation from laboratory tests. Results for dye concentration intermittency (presence of dye) are presented for the first time from such field measurements and show significant mixing in-homogeneity.