The extent of microplastic pollution (<5mm) in the southern hemisphere, particularly southern Africa, is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa, looking at whether bays are characterised by higher microplastic densities than open stretches of coastline in both beach sediment and surf-zone water. Microplastic (mean±standard error) densities in the beach sediment ranged between 688.9±348.2 and 3308±1449particles·m−2, while those in the water column varied between 257.9±53.36 and 1215±276.7particles·m−3. With few exceptions there were no significant spatial patterns in either the sediment or water column microplastic densities; with little differences in density between bays and the open coast (P>0.05). These data indicate that the presence of microplastics were not associated with proximity to land-based sources or population density, but rather is governed by water circulation.

Particulate matter samples were collected from several locations during September 2011 and September 2012 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition to determining particulate matter (as PM10) concentrations, the samples were analyzed for several metals and ions. PM concentration was approximately 3 times higher than the Country’s ambient air quality standards respectively. Metals and ions contributed to about 21.5% and 16.2% of the PM concentrations respectively. Summer vs. winter comparison showed that PM concentrations were approximately 84% higher in summer and the crustal matter species such as Fe, Mn, Ti, Ca+2, Mg+2 increased several folds in summer, primarily attributed to dust storms. The weekdays PM concentrations were 17% more than the weekend concentrations, indicating weekday activities contribute to the concentrations. The dust storms lead to over 200% increase in the PM and some elements primarily Al, Fe, Mg and Ca. Spatial comparison at industrial and residential locations revealed about 60% increase in PM concentrations and substantial increase in Zn, Mn, B, Mg, Fe, and Al and the ions K+, SO4--, and Cl- at industrial locations. Bivariate correlations among the metals and ions demonstrated that strong correlation existed between Al, Fe, Mg, K and Mn suggesting a common origin for these species i.e. the crustal mineral aerosols. The correlations among cations and anions implied the presence of compounds in the atmosphere such as CaSO4, (NH4)2SO4, KCl, KSO4, and also to some extent MgSO4. An investigation of ionic ratios revealed that ratios SO4-2/NO3-, Ca+2/K+, and Ca+2/Na+ could be possible indicators to identify scenarios industrial over residential locations, storm days over no storm days and summer over winter periods respectively.

Genotoxic agents may exert damage that may be active through following generations. Micronuclei are cytoplasmic chromatin masses outside the main cell nucleus, indicators of chromosomal damage. This study applied micronuclei test to evaluate genetic damage of fish in three breeding and nursery areas of commercially important fishes exposed to differing degrees of anthropogenic impact: Pando, Solís Chico and Solís Grande sub-estuaries. The micronuclei test revealed differences in the presence and concentrations of genotoxic components in these sub-estuaries. Fish in the urban and industrialized Pando sub-estuary presented the highest percentages of micronuclei. The absence of seasonal changes in micronuclei in Pando fish could be explained by physical characteristics of the sub-estuary and by regional weather conditions. Odontesthes argentinensis (Valenciennes, 1835) was the species most susceptible to genotoxic components. It is recommended the use of a battery of biomarkers to better explain the health of organisms in that important nursery area.

To assess the potential for nutritional exploitation of caged-fish-derived waste through the use of extractive co-cultured species in a pilot system for an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), we compared their C and N stable isotope ratios with those of uncultured macroinvertebrates in and around the system. Black rockfish were co-cultured with sea cucumber, oyster, and two macroalgae as extractive species. Isotope signatures of the co-cultured sea cucumber at the IMTA site differed from those at the control site, indicating their assimilation of aquaculture wastes. In contrast, δ13C and δ15N of individual taxa of the cultured oyster and uncultured invertebrates were consistent between sites, suggesting a minor contribution of the aquaculture waste to benthic and pelagic food chains in and around the IMTA system. These results provide evidence of the suitability of using sea cucumber as an extractive species to reduce the impact of a monoculture system on the ambient environment.

Compositions, changes and biomass of attached Ulva species on Porphyra rafts along the radial sandbank in the Yellow Sea were investigated, and potential contributions to green tides was analyzed. Ulva prolifera, Ulva flexuosa and Ulva linza were all appeared throughout the investigated period. U. prolifera and U. flexuosa dominated attached Ulva population on Porphyra rafts. Attached Ulva species biomass showed obviously spatial and temporal variations. Temperature, Ulva microscopic propagules and human activities were main factors to influence attached Ulva species biomass. The total attached Ulva species biomass was more than 20,000 fresh weight tons in April, and the green tide causative species U. prolifera accounted 51.03% in April 2013 before green tides occurred. The high biomass of attached Ulva species would contribute most to green tides in the Yellow Sea. But how attached Ulva species on Porphyra rafts contributing to green tides in the Yellow Sea should be further studied.

The disturbance and subsequent dispersion of sediment arising from aggregate dredging results in increases in suspended sediment concentrations and, potentially, settlement of fine sediment or sand onto the bed, which may both cause adverse effects on local ecology. This subject is one area which has seen much research over many years and this paper sets out to synthesise some basic general conclusions for use when assessing the significance of planned operations. The literature detailing the dispersion of fine sediment plumes, and the longer term dispersion of sand released through the dredging process, is scrutinised, and in some cases re-evaluated, and used to identify an evidence-based footprint of potential impact.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown on Zn mine waste contaminated soils has caused unequivocal Cd effects on kidney and occasional bone disease (itai-itai) in subsistence rice farmers, but high intake of Cd from other foods has not caused similar effects. Research has clarified two important topics about how Cd from mine waste contaminated rice soils has caused Cd disease: (1) bioaccumulation of soil Cd into rice grain without corresponding increase in Zn, and (2) subsistence rice diets potentiate Cd absorption/bioavailability and risk to farm families. Absorption of Cd by rice roots occurs on the NRAMP5 Mn²⁺ transporter. Although other transporters can influence Cd uptake-transport to shoots and grain, making NRAMP5 null greatly reduces grain Cd. Zn²⁺ has little ability to inhibit Cd²⁺ transfer in rice but clearly inhibits Cd uptake in other plant species. The bioavailability of dietary Cd is increased for subsistence rice diets. Research has identified that low levels and bioavailability of Zn and Fe in polished rice grain cause upregulation of Cd absorption on the Fe²⁺ transporter of duodenum cells (DMT1). Added dietary Zn can also inhibit intestinal Cd absorption somewhat. Nutritional stress (Fe, Zn deficiency) in humans consuming subsistence rice diets thus promotes Cd accumulation and adverse effects. No other dietary (crop) Cd exposure has caused unequivocal Cd-induced renal proximal tubular dysfunction (the first adverse Cd effect) in humans. Recognition of the very unusual nature of Cd risk from rice compared to other crops should be taken into account in setting international limits of Cd in rice and other foods.

The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcal enterotoxins, as well as Salmonella spp. and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibilities of the isolates from fish samples. A total of 100 fish samples were analysed consisting of 30 anchovy, 35 trout and 35 sea bream. The presence of SEs was detected using ELISA and its genes confirmed by mPCR. Also, S. aureus and Salmonella spp. were detected in 9 (9%) and 5 (5%) samples, respectively. None of the S. aureus isolates had SEs and SEs genes. The resistance rates of the S. aureus isolates to erythromycin, tetracycline, and penicillin G were found to be 33% while Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin and neomycine in 20%, 20% and 80%, respectively of the samples. It is of utmost important for public health that retail fish markets need to use hygienic practices in handling and processing operations.

Marine litter is a significant environmental problem inherently linked to individuals’ purchasing, use and disposal behaviour. This research examined 176 British schoolchildren’s (aged 8–13years) baseline marine litter understanding and self-reported actions, and tested the impact of an educational intervention. All children participated in the educational intervention and completed a pre- and post-intervention questionnaire. At baseline, children were quite concerned about marine litter and recognised some of the causes and impacts of the problem. Children also reported taking a number of actions to help solve the problem. After the intervention, children were significantly more concerned, had a better understanding of the causes and negative impacts, and reported engaging in more actions to reduce the potential causes of marine litter. Understanding the perceptions and behaviours of children is crucial as they represent current and future actors and a potentially important source of social influence among their peers, parents and community.

Aerosols are among the most interesting topics investigated by researchers because of their complicated characteristics and poor quantification. Moreover, significant uncertainties are associated with changes in the Earth's radiation budget. Previous studies have shown numerous difficulties and challenges in quantifying aerosol influences. In addition, the heterogeneity from aerosol loading and properties, including spatial, temporal, size, and composition features, presents a challenge. In this study, we investigated aerosol characteristics over two regions with different environmental conditions and aerosol sources. The study sites are Penang and Kuching in Malaysia, where a ground–based AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) sun–photometer was deployed. The types of aerosol, such as biomass burning, urban/industrial, marine, and dust aerosols, for both study sites were identified by analyzing aerosol optical depth and angstrom exponent. Seasonal monsoon variation results in different aerosol optical properties, characteristics, and types of aerosols that are dominant in Penang and Kuching. Seasonal monsoon flow trend patterns from a seven–day back–trajectory frequency plotted by the Hybrid Single–Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model illustrated the distinct origins of trans–boundary aerosol sources. Finally, we improved our findings in Malaysian sites using the AERONET data from Singapore and Indonesia. Similarities in the optical properties of aerosols and the distribution types (referred to as homogeneous aerosol) were observed in the Penang–Singapore and the Kuching–Pontianak sites. The dominant aerosol distribution types were completely different for locations in the western (Penang–Singapore) and eastern (Kuching–Pontianak) parts of the South China Sea. This is a result of spatial and temporal heterogeneity. The spatial and temporal heterogeneities for the western and eastern portions of South China Sea provide information on the natural or anthropogenic processes that take place.