The potential sources and ecotoxicological risks of 26 aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) were investigated in coastal water and sediments of Khark Island, SW Iran. The major sources of the contamination were petroleum and petroleum combustion based on the PCA analysis and diagnostic indices of AHs and PAHs, and also ring classification of PAHs. The ecological risk of both individual and multiple PAHs was quite low in sediments compared with screening benchmarks. Likewise, the low concentration of TEQ, MEQ and TEQcarc of sediments suggest low toxicity of PAHs in the study area. However, environmental control is recommended to reduce the pollution burden of PAHs in seawater. The human health risk assessment for PAHs through dermal adsorption indicated that the possibility of negative adverse effects of PAHs in sediments is rare but swimming in the vicinity of industrial facilities should be done cautiously.

Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) and shrimps (Pandalus borealis) are regular foodstuffs for communities in northern Norway and important species for the coastal fishing industry. This is the first study to present a comprehensive overview of the contaminant status of these species, with emphasis on unregulated perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). The contaminant concentrations were low and within tolerable levels for human dietary exposure. Median Σpolychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were 4.9 and 2.5ng/g ww for halibut and unpeeled shrimps, respectively. Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) – the most abundant PFASs – were 0.9 and 2.7ng/g ww in halibut and shrimp, respectively. The halibut fillets were dominated by PCBs, which contributed to 50% of the total POPs load, followed by ΣDDTs; 26% and PFASs (18%), whereas shrimps were dominated by PFASs (74%). ΣPBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) contributed to 1–4% of the total POP load. Local sources are not contributing significantly to the contaminant burden in these species.

The Laje de Santos Marine State Park (LSMSP) and Xixová-Japuí State Park (XJSP) are two protected areas (PA), close to the Santos Bay in the south Brazilian coast. The region encompasses both important biodiversity and anthropogenic activities. This study aims to serve as a first reference survey of the underwater soundscape of these PAs. Additionally it evaluates the presence of the anthropogenic and biological sound in these areas. One month of continuous recorded underwater sound, at selected locations in XJSP and LSMSP, is used in this study. The data were characterized by its spectral content and by the temporal evolution of Sound Pressure Levels (SPL). Both locations showed sound events with daily periodicities, mainly related with boats and fish chorus.

Size distributions of particulate matter and twelve constituent elements were measured at a high traffic site in New Delhi, India during winter 2013. While PM was found to be trimodal, individual elements showed varying size distribution patterns. Three key types of size distributions were observed including unimodal with peaks either in the coarse (Al, Si) or fine (Pb) modes, bimodal with peaks in the fine range (S) and multimodal with peaks in accumulation and coarse (Cu, Sb) modes. Elements such as Al, Si and Fe were found to be in predominantly in the coarse range while Cu, Zn, Pb and Sb were found to be in the fine size range. Two modes dominate the size distribution. One is coarse (ca. 3 μm) and contains mainly crustal elements and hence arises from sources such as soil, road dust, construction dust and possible coal fly ash. The other, more intense mode is fine (ca. 0.6 μm) and appears to comprise sulphate and anthropogenic trace metals which have entered the droplet mode through hygroscopic particle growth in the very high humidity conditions of the Delhi winter. A third, less intensive mode ca. at 0.2 μm probably arises from relatively fresh anthropogenic emissions which have not grown into the droplet mode.

Passive air samplers (PAS) have become recurrent methods for environmental monitoring. However, the influence of environmental variables, such as temperature, over these devices has not been fully investigated. Since climate change is likely to induce major environmental changes, the role of the temperature needs to be studied to assure the suitability of PAS for the long-term monitoring of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and their utility to compare data from different locations. This study aimed at evaluating the potential loss of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PAS containing disks of polyurethane foam (PUF) at different temperatures. The gradient of temperature inside and outside the PAS was firstly determined, being noted an internal/external difference of up to 5 °C. Secondly, a lab-controlled experiment was performed by daily analyzing PAHs in PUF-based PAS exposed to 25 °C and 38 °C, for a period of 7 days. A significant loss of PAHs in PUFs was not observed for any of both scenarios, remaining constant through time. Moreover, PAH levels were not significantly different according to the temperature. These findings indicate that the environmental temperature does not affect the stability of PAHs in PAS. Once PAHs have been uptaken, they are not easily volatilized from these devices. Consequently, PAS are good environmental monitors independently on the ambient conditions of temperature, being suitable for the comparability of data, either temporally or spatially, on the airborne concentrations of PAHs.

Mechanisms of feeding by the invasive gastropod Rapana venosa from different biotopes of 11 sites along the Black Sea coast are discussed. Two methods – edge-drilling and suffocation – are used, but the prevailing method in a particular biotope depends on the type of bivalve prey. Drill signs were present on almost all shells of Chamelea gallina, captured by rapa whelks in field conditions, while in a field experiment, only 11% of all empty Mytilus galloprovincialis had drilling signatures. The degree of radula abrasion was also dependent on the available bivalves: it was the highest in biotopes with C. gallina and juvenile mussels, and the lowest in biotopes with large mussels. Intermediate degrees of abrasion were observed in biotopes with mixed prey: C. gallina and Anadara kagoshimensis, C. gallina and mussels, or small and large mussels. Since we observed only initial signs of drilling, simultaneous application of boring and suffocation could take place.

The depollution of the Mediterranean Sea by 2020 is the overarching goal of Horizon 2020 Initiative (H2020). The first phase (2007–2013) tackled the main land-based pollution sources; municipal waste, urban wastewater and industrial emissions. As part of the H2020 roadmap implementation, the ENPI-SEIS project focused on the first H2020 review mechanism that included a) establishing a process for regular environmental reporting in the European Neighbourhood Policy South countries, and b) generating the knowledge necessary to assess the progress in depolluting the Mediterranean Sea. This paper reviews the process in line with the “Shared Environmental Information System” principles and its three pillars (content, cooperation, infrastructure). The main outcomes of the thematic assessment, based on a set of regional H2020 indicators, are also presented. This assessment highlights the major drivers and their implications on marine protection. It also identifies areas that require further attention in the next phase of H2020 (2014–2020).

The presence of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was monitored in Tapes decussatus harvested in two Sardinian ponds (Cabras and Tortolì, Italy) in spring and summer. After solid phase extraction, samples were analyzed using a screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) followed by a liquid chromatographic coupled to tandem mass spectrometer (LC–MS/MS) analysis. Results obtained through the ELISA test showed the presence of microcystins with a maximum concentration in August for Cabras pond (0.55ng/g) and in September for Tortolì pond (0.85ng/g). The LC–MS/MS analysis did not confirm the presence of MC-LR suggesting that results obtained with the ELISA technique could be due to the presence of other microcystins. According to the tolerable daily intake suggested by the World Health Organization, these results hint that clams harvested in these ponds are safe for human health. These data can contribute to enrich the knowledge about the healthiness of Sardinian ponds and of their products.

Monitoring of marine polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) is crucial, as they are considered persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention. Data on PCNs in marine environment are scarce. In this study, 19 air samples were collected during a cruise in the equatorial Indian Ocean on board the Chinese research vessel Shiyan I from 4/2011 to 5/2011. PCN concentration of these air samples ranged from 0.033 to 2.56pgm−3, with an average of 0.518pgm−3, equal to or lower than the values reported for other oceans, seas, and lakes worldwide. Tri- and tetra-CNs were the main homologues in most samples. Reemission of Halowax mixtures and incineration processes were the major sources of atmospheric PCNs in the study area. The PCN-corresponding toxic equivalency values ranged from 0 to 0.190fgm−3 (average: 0.038fgm−3), falling in the low end of global range.

Washing clothes made from synthetic materials has been identified as a potentially important source of microscopic fibres to the environment. This study examined the release of fibres from polyester, polyester-cotton blend and acrylic fabrics. These fabrics were laundered under various conditions of temperature, detergent and conditioner. Fibres from waste effluent were examined and the mass, abundance and fibre size compared between treatments. Average fibre size ranged between 11.9 and 17.7μm in diameter, and 5.0 and 7.8mm in length. Polyester-cotton fabric consistently shed significantly fewer fibres than either polyester or acrylic. However, fibre release varied according to wash treatment with various complex interactions. We estimate over 700,000 fibres could be released from an average 6kg wash load of acrylic fabric. As fibres have been reported in effluent from sewage treatment plants, our data indicates fibres released by washing of clothing could be an important source of microplastics to aquatic habitats.