In this study, Reverse phase dispersive liquid–liquid micro extraction (RP-DLLME) technique have been successfully developed to preconcentrate trace amount of phenol from sediment samples as a prior step to its derivatization with 4-aminoantipyrine and enhanced determination by UV–Vis spectrophotometry after primary ultrasonic extraction. In this procedure, 50μL 0.7M NaOH solution was chosen as extraction solvent and other factors including pH, extraction time, concentration of 4-aminoantipyrine, type and volume of dispersive solvents were optimized. Under selected conditions, the limit of detection, the linearity range, relative standard deviation and enrichment factor of method were obtained 15μg·kg−1, 50–1800μg·kg−1, 4.8% (n=10) and 33, respectively. Finally, using the high sensitivity, low organic solvent consumption and waste generation method, total phenol content in marine sediments from several locations in Chabahar Bay (southeast Iran) was estimated at 55.8–73.2μg·kg−1.

Knowledge of the levels of pollutants to which the occupants of a residential home are exposed is important, because of the potential adverse effect of the pollutants on the occupants' health. This study presents the first indoor-to-outdoor ratio (IOR) prediction models for CO2, NO2, and the lung-deposited nanoparticles (defined as particulate matters of 10–1000 nm in diameter). The IORs of CO2, NO2, and the lung-deposited nanoparticles (LDN) were measured in 20 residential homes in Seoul, South Korea, and meteorological information, building characteristics, and information relating to occupants' indoor activities were collected as predictor candidates. A correlation analysis and a multistep multivariate linear regression analysis were performed to develop the IOR models. Based on the analysis, the selected predictors of the IOR for a home are the number of occupants, the type of stove, and the number of cooking activities for CO2, the temperature and number of cooking activities for NO2, and the number of occupants and floor level on which the home is located for LDN. The accuracies of the models were examined in terms of R2, and were found to be 0.70, 0.54, and 0.79 for CO2, NO2, and LDN models, respectively.

In this study, we analyzed the relationship between concentration of metals in the host-parasite system (cod - acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus gadi) and Fulton's condition factor (FCF) of the host. The relationship between metal (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, Zn) concentrations in E. gadi and cod tissues was expressed as a bioconcentration factor (BCF), the ratio of the concentration in the parasite tissue to that in host tissues. Acanthocephalans accumulated mainly toxic metals (Cd, Pb), as well as Sr, Ca, Na. Cadmium showed the highest bioconcentration in parasites (BCF >200) compared to fish muscle. Significant negative correlation was detected between FCF and the concentration of Cd and Hg in cod liver. In contrast, FCF was positively correlated with the concentration of Hg in acanthocephalan tissues.

The present study is focused on assessing the growth and hydrocarbon-degrading capability of the psychrophilic strain Oleispira antarctica RB-8T. This study considered six hydrocarbon mixtures that were tested for 22days at two different cultivation temperatures (4 and 15°C). During the incubation period, six sub-aliquots of each culture at different times were processed for total bacterial abundance and GC–FID (gas chromatography–flame ionization detection) hydrocarbon analysis.Results from DNA extraction and DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining showed a linear increase during the first 18days of the experiment in almost all the substrates used; both techniques showed a good match, but the difference in values obtained was approximately one order of magnitude. GC–FID results revealed a substantial hydrocarbon degradation rate in almost all hydrocarbon sources and in particular at 15°C rather than 4°C (for commercial oil engine, oily waste, fuel jet, and crude oil). A more efficient degradation was observed in cultures grown with diesel and bilge water at 4°C.

Ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm) samples, collected in a 8-week wintertime sampling program in two residential sites of Bhilai, India during the Indian Diwali festival in November 2012, were chemically characterized for 38 chemical species including eight speciated carbonaceous fractions (SCFs) of elemental (EC) and organic carbon (OC), twenty one metallic elements, and nine water soluble ionic species. Our objectives were to investigate: 1) relative abundances of SCFs contained in PM2.5during the Diwali festival period compared to normal days, and 2) enrichment pattern of potential inorganic markers of firework emission in ambient PM2.5during the festival days. Eight-fold increase inPM2.5mass concentrations were measured during the Diwali festival days compared to concentrations occurring in normal days. Bursting of firecrackers in the residential streets have shown significant contribution to the emission markers (K, Mg, Zn, S, EC and OC) along with crustal markers (Ca, Fe, Al) in ambient PM2.5aerosol samples. Concentrations of water soluble ionic species were found to be 10 times greater than those found in normal days. Further, the anion/cation ratios were found to reach a factor of 2; indicating the acidic character of emissions resulting from fireworks. The relative abundance of SCFs and higher ratios of OC to EC during the Diwali episode suggested the significant formation of secondary organic carbon (SOC) aerosols. We estimate that aerosols emitted from firework bursting contribute up to 32% of total ambient PM2.5 during the Diwali festival.

Oysters provide a critical habitat, are a food resource for higher trophic levels and support important commercial fisheries throughout the world. Oyster reefs can improve water quality by removing phytoplankton. While sediment denitrification may be enhanced adjacent to oyster reefs, little is known about nitrification and denitrification associated with living oysters and their shells. We measured nitrification and denitrification in living oysters (Crassostrea virginica and Crassostrea gigas) and empty oyster shells. Nitrification was similar between live oysters and empty oyster shells, however, denitrification was enhanced significantly on living oysters compared to shells. This is the first demonstration of nitrification and denitrification associated with living oysters and their shells. Our data suggest that loss of historic oyster reefs has likely affected the resilience of estuaries to eutrophication. The additional benefit of oyster mediated denitrification should be considered in restoration of oyster reefs as a tool for managing eutrophication.

Free-ranging individual fish were observed using a baited remote underwater video (BRUV) system during sound playback experiments. This paper reports on test trials exploring BRUV design parameters, image analysis and practical experimental designs. Three marine species were exposed to playback noise, provided as examples of behavioural responses to impulsive sound at 163–171dB re 1μPa (peak-to-peak SPL) and continuous sound of 142.7dB re 1μPa (RMS, SPL), exhibiting directional changes and accelerations. The methods described here indicate the efficacy of BRUV to examine behaviour of free-ranging species to noise playback, rather than using confinement. Given the increasing concern about the effects of water-borne noise, for example its inclusion within the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the lack of empirical evidence in setting thresholds, this paper discusses the use of BRUV, and short term behavioural changes, in supporting population level marine noise management.

Qatar's once extensive coral communities have undergone considerable change in recent decades. We quantitatively surveyed three coral assemblages in Qatar to assess current status, and compared these against 14 sites in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to evaluate Qatar in a larger biogeographic context. Umm Al-Arshan had the highest species richness of 17 sites examined in the southern Arabian Gulf, as well as the highest coral cover and the only Acropora observed on sites in Qatar. Coral cover and richness were more modest at Fuwayrit and Al-Ashat, reflecting greater impacts from earlier stress events. Two distinct communities were identified across the southern Gulf, with Umm Al-Arshan clustering with high-cover, mixed merulinid/poritid assemblages that were less impacted by earlier bleaching and long-term stress, while Fuwayrit and Al-Ashat grouped with a lower-cover, stress-tolerant community characteristic of more extreme environments in the southern Gulf. We recommend implementation of a nation-wide baseline assessment of coral communities to guide development of an MPA network and long-term coral monitoring program for Qatar.

The distribution, sources and risk assessment of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of surface sediments in the Luan River Estuary, China, have been investigated in the research. The results indicated that the total concentrations of 16 PAHs in surface sediments of the Luan River Estuary ranged from 5.1 to 545.1ngg−1dw with a mean value of 120.8ngg−1dw, which is relatively low in comparison with other estuaries around the world. The PAHs in the study area were mainly originated from pyrogenic sources. Besides, PAHs may be contaminated by petrogenic PAHs as indicated by the selected ratios of PAHs, the 2-tailed Pearson correlation analysis and principal components analysis at different sites. The result of the ecological risk assessment shows little negative effect for most individual PAHs in surface sediments of the Luan River Estuary, China.

Six percent of the world's coral reefs occur around the Arabian Peninsula, providing a valuable ecological, economic and scientific resource for the nations bordering its shores. We provide the first region-wide assessment of the current status and historical trends in coral reef research, focusing on research in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Arabian Gulf. In total, 633 regional reef publications have been produced since the 1930s, covering a wide variety of themes and taxa. Our results show a great deal of commonality in regional reef research, but also highlight important differences in research among the various seas as well as knowledge gaps that represent opportunities for future research. A regionally-integrated approach to future research is essential. There is a growing need for large-scale research to guide management of reefs and their stressors, as these operate at much larger scales than the national borders within which most research currently occurs.