Anthropogenic debris results in detrimental interactions with many marine species. Several seabirds include debris items in their nests, which can lead to entanglement of chicks and adults, resulting in injury or death. Anthropogenic debris was found in 4–67% of kelp gull Larus dominicanus nests in seven colonies in the Western Cape, South Africa. Nests contained two types of litter: items included in the nest structure during construction (mainly ropes and straps), and regurgitated items (mainly bags and food wrappers) that probably accumulate primarily during the chick-rearing period. Debris used in nest construction was more likely to injure gulls, and was found mainly at coastal sites where there was little natural vegetation for construction. Distance to the nearest urban waste landfill significantly affected the occurrence of debris items in nests, especially dietary-derived items. The amount of debris in kelp gull nests highlights the need for improved debris management in South Africa.

Existing literature illustrates inconsistent responses of seagrasses to oil exposure, both in the field and in the laboratory. Here, we add a new study that combined morphometric, demographic and photophysiology assessments to determine the potential oiling impacts to eelgrass (Zostera marina) from the 2007 Cosco Busan event in San Francisco Bay. Shoot densities, reproductive status, and rhizome elongation of Z. marina were examined at sites with pre-spill data, and eelgrass photosynthetic efficiency was measured post-spill. Shoot densities and percent elongation of rhizome internodes formed after the oil spill varied but with no consistent relationship to adjacent shoreline cleanup assessment team (SCAT) oiling categories. Similarly, differences in seagrass photosynthetic efficiency were not consistent with SCAT oiling categories. While thresholds for negative impacts on seagrass in general remain to be defined, conclusive oiling indicators for degree and duration of exposure would be important considerations and need examination under controlled study.

Thirty-five and eleven air samples were collected using, respectively, active samplers (filter + PUF) and passive samplers (PUF disks), over two consecutive four-month periods (spring and autumn-winter), in urban, urban/industrial, and rural (background) sites in São Paulo, Brazil. All the samples were extracted with toluene:acetone (9:1) in a Soxhlet apparatus, and the extracts were then purified. Analysis for polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and for dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) were made by High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). Human exposure risk was evaluated using inhalation risk assessment. Results showed: (1) there are statistical differences for PCDD/F concentrations in air between periods 1 and 2 (p = 0.03), whereas dl-PCB levels were not statistically different (p = 0.52); (2) PCDD/F and dl-PCB air levels were in the following order: urban/industrial > urban > rural for both active and passive samples; (3) PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations ranged from 7.76 to 453 fg TEQ/m³ in active air samples, and from 6.11 to 469 fg TEQ/m³ in passive air samples; (4) sampling rates for PCDD/Fs by the two approaches used showed considerable differences; (5) average daily intake by inhalation ranged from 18.1 to 55.6 fg TEQ/kg day, respectively, for adults and children, representing 1.8–5.6% of the lower range of the Tolerable Daily Intake recommended by the World Health Organization. Based on these results, the inhalation risk for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs, for local São Paulo residents, should be considered low.

Perfluorocarbons (PFC) are important greenhouse gas. In the aluminum electrolysis industry, PFC emission had been valued. The electrolytic reduction of rare earth metals in fluoride/oxide system with carbon anode and tungsten cathode also has PFC emission. But the PFC emission in rare earth metals industry received less attention. The PFC emissions during the electrolysis were studied by tracking the change of CF4 concentration in the flue gas of neodymium electrolysis and dysprosium-iron alloy electrolysis. The results showed that there were continuous CF4 overflows in the electrolysis process. The CF4 was outburst when anode effect occurred. The anode effect was always accompanied with the low electrolysis temperature. In addition, because of the electrolytic dysprosium-iron alloy requires higher cell voltage, the PFC emissions are higher than rare earth electrolysis. In general, PFC emissions from rare earth metal electrolysis are quite same as the aluminum electrolysis industry.

Phosphorus is an indispensable element for plants, but its role in alleviating the cadmium toxicity of mangrove seedlings is poorly documented. In this study, mangrove seedlings were grown in hydroponics and exposed to various Cd and P treatments. Data suggested that the inhibitory effect of Cd on the rate of radial oxygen loss and root porosity was alleviated by P. A. marina had a higher rate of ROL and POR, indicating that it had a stronger adaptability to anaerobic environment. K. obovata induced a higher Fe concentration in iron plaque under co-application of Cd and P, which may relate to higher biomass. Furthermore, P increased Cd concentration in iron plaque, implying that iron plaque can be an obstacle to prevent Cd entering into the plant, but most Cd was still distributed in its roots. These findings highlight a novel mechanism of Cd detoxification with P addition in mangrove seedlings.

Microplastics (MPs) are observed to be present on the seafloor ranging from coastal areas to deep seas. Because bioturbation alters the distribution of natural particles on inhabited soft bottoms, a mesocosm experiment with common benthic invertebrates was conducted to study their effect on the distribution of secondary MPs (different-sized pieces of fishing line<1mm). During the study period of three weeks, the benthic community increased MP concentration in the depth of 1.7–5.1cm in the sediment. The experiment revealed a clear vertical gradient in MP distribution with their abundance being highest in the uppermost parts of the sediment and decreasing with depth. The Baltic clam Macoma balthica was the only study animal that ingested MPs. This study highlights the need to further examine the vertical distribution of MPs in natural sediments to reliably assess their abundance on the seafloor as well as their potential impacts on benthic communities.

Three mangroves located in southern Brazil, Carijós (CA), Rio Tavares (RT) and Itacorubi (ITA), with distinct anthropogenic influences, were assessed with regard to the presence of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In this study, the n-alkane concentrations ranged from 1.9μg g−1 (CA) to 55.6μg g−1 (ITA) (dry weight). The carbon preference index (CPI) ranged from 2.1 to 7.9 and values for the terrestrial/aquatic ratio (TAR) were >1. Thus, both indexes indicated the predominance of sediment of terrestrial origin, mainly comprised of higher plants. Concentrations of total PAH ranged from 6.8ng g−1 (RT) to 437.3ng g−1 (ITA). The PAH isomeric ratios indicated that these compounds originated mainly from pyrogenic sources. Nevertheless, levels of n-alkanes in the three mangroves were relatively low and they are considered typical of uncontaminated surface sediments, while the level of contamination with PAH was classified as low to moderate.

The evaluation on island ecological vulnerability (IEV) can help reveal the comprehensive characteristics of the island ecosystem and provide reference for controlling human activities on islands. An IEV evaluation model which reflects the land–sea dual features, natural and anthropogenic attributes, and spatial heterogeneity of the island ecosystem was established, and the southern islands of Miaodao Archipelago in North China were taken as the study area. The IEV, its spatial heterogeneity, and its sensitivities to the evaluation elements were analyzed. Results indicated that the IEV was in status of mild vulnerability in the archipelago scale, and population pressure, ecosystem productivity, environmental quality, landscape pattern, and economic development were the sensitive elements. The IEV showed significant spatial heterogeneities both in land and surrounding waters sub-ecosystems. Construction scale control, optimization of development allocation, improvement of exploitation methods, and reasonable ecological construction are important measures to control the IEV.

Particulate matter is potentially harmful to human health but green tree species act as air filters to adhere these particulates. The elemental composition, number density, and size fractions of particles on leaf surfaces of 14 urban green from Xizhimen overpass and the Olympic Forest Park in Beijing, China were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry. Particles that accumulated on leaves were comprised mainly of C, O, Si, Ca, Fe, and Pb. The number density of particles was 50,961.5 mm−2, and 52.9% and 25% of the particles were submicron (<1 μm) and fine (<2.5 μm), respectively. The densities and size fractions of the particles deposited on the adaxial and abaxial side of leaves were significantly different, and 24% of the particles were deposited on the abaxial side of leaves. The densities of the particles in four size fractions differed significantly among the species at the two sampling sites. Salix matsudana, Euonymus japonicus, Magnolia denudate, Sophora japonica, Amygdalus persica, and Salix babylonica efficiently captured all particle sizes on their leaf surfaces. S. matsudana, E. japonicus, M. denudate, S. japonica, Fraxinus chinensis, and Ginkgo biloba efficiently captured submicron and fine particles, which can have serious effects on human health. These differences among species provide more insight into the sink capacity of green tree species, and the efficiencies of plant species for trapping particulates can be used to guide urban tree planning and decrease air pollution.

This paper analyses the 2016 environmental benchmark performance of the port sector, based on a wide representation of EcoPorts members. This is the fifth time that this study has been conducted as an initiative of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). The data and results are derived from the Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), a concise checklist against which port managers can self-assess the environmental management of their port in relation to the performance of the EcoPorts membership. The SDM tool was developed in the framework of the ECOPORTS project (2002–2005) and it is managed by ESPO. A total number of 91 ports from 20 different European Maritime States contributed to this evaluation. The main results are that air quality remains as the top environmental priority of the respondent ports, followed by energy consumption and noise.In terms of environmental management, the study confirms that key components are commonly implemented in the majority of European ports. 94% of contributing ports have a designated environmental manager, 92% own an environmental policy and 82% implement an environmental monitoring program. Waste is identified as the most monitored issue in ports (80%), followed by energy consumption (73%) and water quality (70%).