Review
Engineering, Marine
Viviana Di Tuccio, Pasquale De Luca, Giovanna Romano
Summary: The sea urchin embryo is a widely used model system to study biological processes and investigate molecular and cellular responses to external stress factors. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a regulated molecular mechanism that plays a central role in tissue rearrangement and development, especially during metamorphosis, and is activated in response to abiotic stress. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the involvement of PCD processes in sea urchin embryos exposed to pollutants and provides information about the occurrence of physiological apoptosis during development.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biology
Athanasios Nikolaou, Konstantinos Tsirintanis, Gil Rilov, Stelios Katsanevakis
Summary: This study examines the distribution and status of macroalgal communities in the Mediterranean Sea. Invasive herbivorous fish are pushing canopy algae towards shallow waters in the South Aegean and Levantine Sea, while native sea urchins have become rare. In the North Aegean, native sea urchins still exert grazing pressure on macroalgal forests.
Article
Biology
A. W. E. Galloway, S. A. Gravem, J. N. Kobelt, W. N. Heady, D. K. Okamoto, D. M. Sivitilli, V. R. Saccomanno, J. Hodin, R. Whippo
Summary: The recent collapse of predatory sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) due to sea star wasting disease (SSWD) has led to the proliferation of sea urchin barrens and loss of kelp forests on the North American west coast. Experiments and a model were used to test whether restoring Pycnopodia populations could help recover kelp forests by consuming nutritionally poor purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) found in barrens. The results show that Pycnopodia has a significant impact on regulating sea urchin populations and maintaining healthy kelp forests.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dulce Maria Moreno-Garcia, Monica Salas-Rojas, Eduardo Fernandez-Martinez, Ma del Rocio Lopez-Cuellar, Carolina G. Sosa-Gutierrez, Armando Pelaez-Acero, Nallely Rivero-Perez, Adrian Zaragoza-Bastida, Deyanira Ojeda-Ramirez
Summary: Sea urchins are benthic invertebrates that possess an innate immune system and a rich source of bioactive compounds. They have potential for drug discovery and treatment of various diseases. This study reviews the known biological activities of different sea urchin species and identifies the compounds responsible for these effects.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruber Rodriguez-Barreras, Eduardo L. Tosado-Rodriguez, Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
Summary: Sea urchins play a critical role in marine ecosystems and the microbial communities associated with them in their natural environments are crucial for their ecological functions. Data collected show significant differences in microbial communities among different sea urchin species and trophic niches, providing a comprehensive understanding of the microbial ecology of four important Caribbean echinoids.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fanshuang Zeng, Luo Wang, Hao Zhen, Chao Guo, Anzheng Liu, Xinglong Xia, Honglin Pei, Changkun Dong, Jun Ding
Summary: Nanoplastics in the ocean have caused severe environmental pollution and worsened the health of aquatic organisms. This study investigated the toxic effects of NPs on marine invertebrates and found that NPs significantly decreased the growth rate and enzyme activity of the organisms, as well as caused atrophy in the intestine and changes in gut bacteria community structure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaomei Chi, Xiang Li, Mingfang Yang, Jia Luo, Tongdan Zhang, Xiyuan Huang, Yaqing Chang, Chong Zhao
Summary: Sea urchins sense alarm cues from crushed conspecifics and exhibit anti-predation behaviors. This study reveals that alarm cues have fitness costs in terms of fertilization and hatching rates, indicating that sea urchins experience adaptation costs. However, no significant differences were observed in deformity rates and larval size. Additionally, smaller larvae are more likely to survive in environments with alarm cues.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anzheng Liu, Fanshuang Zeng, Luo Wang, Hao Zhen, Xinglong Xia, Honglin Pei, Changkun Dong, Yanmin Zhang, Jun Ding
Summary: In this study, the impact of high temperature on DNA methylation and gene expression in sea urchin was investigated using MethylRAD-seq and RNA-seq. DNA methylation driver genes were identified and it was found that high temperature significantly affected DNA methylation, transcriptome, and growth. The findings suggest that DNA methylation regulates important metabolic processes such as energy metabolism, immune response, and antioxidant functions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Francesco Rendina, Annalisa Falace, Giuseppina Alongi, Maria Cristina Buia, Joao Neiva, Luca Appolloni, Giuliana Marletta, Giovanni Fulvio Russo
Summary: This study reports the discovery of healthy and dense marine forests formed by Fucales in the Santa Maria di Castellabate Marine Protected Area in Cilento, Italy. The presence of 10 Cystoseira taxa and the high ecological value of this area highlight the importance of marine protected area management and regional monitoring programs for the conservation of these valuable yet fragile coastal ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guillaume Vigouroux, Elina Kari, Jose M. Beltran-Abaunza, Petteri Uotila, Dekui Yuan, Georgia Destouni
Summary: The study in the Baltic Sea reveals that different coastal waters have varying levels of eutrophication impact and key influencing factors, highlighting the need to distinguish between more and less isolated coastal waters. Trends in eutrophication in open sea and coastal waters are related to climatic and hydrospheric drivers, while coastal waters are significantly influenced by anthropogenic land-based nutrient loads and sea ice cover duration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Valentina Pitacco, Lovrenc Lipej
Summary: Canopy-forming macroalgae, especially those from the Fucales order, are forming productive brown algal forests that serve as important biological indicators in assessing coastal belt conditions in the Mediterranean. However, these macroalgae are rapidly disappearing along Mediterranean rocky coasts, being replaced by smaller turf-forming algae due to human activities. This study aimed to investigate the decline in canopy-forming taxa and the loss of Cystoseira species in the northern Adriatic Sea, which could lead to improved conservation efforts for critical benthic habitats.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vasilis Gerakaris, Ioanna Varkitzi, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Katerina Kikaki, Patricija Mozetic, Polytimi-Ioli Lardi, Konstantinos Tsiamis, Janja France
Summary: This study explores the coupled responses of benthic and pelagic primary producers to eutrophication pressures on a large scale, based on a large dataset from three Mediterranean sub-basins. The results show that increased nutrient concentrations in both seawater and the water column have negative effects on macroalgal communities. The study also highlights the regulating effect of light availability on the ecological status of seagrass meadows.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Estefania Paredes, Sara Campos, Alba Lago, Tracy Bueno, Julien Constensoux, Damian Costas
Summary: This study provides important scientific support for the biodiversity conservation of five different sea urchin species through research on the handling, reproduction, and cryopreservation of their cells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Qian Liu, Jie Liu, Dawei Xu, Chaoran Liu, Zhe Lu, Dipan Xuan, Zhuang Wang, Yueyuan Ye, Duo Wang, Shuirong Li, Dechao Wang, Zhifeng Zheng
Summary: Binder-free bimetallic oxides, especially NiCo2O4, with unique double layer structure were prepared as electrode materials for asymmetric supercapacitors. The optimized hydrothermal time resulted in the highest specific surface area and specific capacitance. The assembled supercapacitor showed excellent capacitance retention rate and high energy density.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Natalya Ageenko, Konstantin Kiselev, Nelly A. Odintsova
Summary: This review presents the history, biosynthesis, and biological activity of quinoid compounds, with a focus on the quinoid pigments of sea urchins. The marine environment is a rich source of bioactive compounds, many of which have potential medical applications. Quinone pigments are products of secondary metabolism and can have complex structures, making them valuable for the development of new natural products. The biosynthesis of quinoid compounds can occur via different pathways, including polyketide and shikimate pathways.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Atefeh Zendehboudi, Azam Mohammadi, Sina Dobaradaran, Gabriel E. De-la-Torre, Bahman Ramavandi, Seyed Enayat Hashemi, Reza Saeedi, Emran Moradpour Tayebi, Ahmad Vafaee, Amirhossein Darabi
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics (MPs) in ballast water for the first time, and found high levels of MP pollution. These findings contribute to our understanding of the sources and risks of microplastics in marine ecosystems.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rose Boahemaa Pinto, Linda Bogerd, Martine van der Ploeg, Kwame Duah, Remko Uijlenhoet, Tim H. M. van Emmerik
Summary: Catchment-scale plastic pollution assessments provide insights into the sources, sinks, and pathways of plastic pollution. We propose an approach to quantify macroplastic transport and density in the Odaw catchment, Ghana, and find that the urban riverine zone has the highest transport, while the urban tidal zone has the highest riverbank and land macroplastic density.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aliya Baidourela, Qian Sun, Gongxin Yang, Umut Halik, Zhongkai Dong, Kaixu Cai, Guili Sun, Wenya Zhang, Sisi Cheng
Summary: The study focused on heavy metal pollution in the green vegetation of a suburban industrial area in Tuokexun County, Xinjiang, China. The results showed that the overall level of heavy metal pollution in the soil was minor, with mercury (Hg) being the most severe contamination, likely caused by human activities. The composition of heavy metal elements in trees was more stable compared to grass and shrubs, with varying concentrations across different vegetation. Shrubbery was found to be the most effective in heavy metal restoration, and there were disparities in heavy metal enrichment among different vegetation types.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James H. Bridson, Hayden Masterton, Beatrix Theobald, Regis Risani, Fraser Doake, Jessica A. Wallbank, Stefan D. M. Maday, Gavin Lear, Robert Abbel, Dawn A. Smith, Joanne M. Kingsbury, Olga Pantos, Grant L. Northcott, Sally Gaw
Summary: Plastic pollution has significant environmental impacts, largely due to chemical additives. However, the behavior of plastic additives in marine environments is not well understood. A marine deployment experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of weathering on the extractables profile of four types of plastics in New Zealand over a period of nine months. The concentration of additives in polyethylene and oxo-degradable polyethylene was strongly influenced by artificial weathering, while polyamide 6 and polyethylene terephthalate showed minimal change. These findings emphasize the importance of considering leaching and weathering effects on plastic composition when assessing the potential impact and risk of plastic pollution in receiving environments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alan G. Scarlett, Francis D. Spilsbury, Steven J. Rowland, Marthe Monique Gagnon, Kliti Grice
Summary: This study used diamondoid hydrocarbon distributions to identify the sources of environmental oil contamination. A suite of 20 diamondoids was found to accumulate in fish adipose tissue. The scatter plots of indices between fish and exposure oils showed a close to ideal 1:1 relationship, which can be used to determine the origin of the oil.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shan Jiang, Mengmeng Wan, Kun Lin, Yanshan Chen, Rui Wang, Liju Tan, Jiangtao Wang
Summary: In this study, the concentration, composition, distribution, and sources of PCBs in surface seawater of the Bohai Bay were analyzed. The results showed that PCBs in the Bohai Bay had high concentrations and were primarily derived from land-based sources such as port activities and river inputs. The PCBs in the Bohai Bay may come from commercial PCBs and their incineration products, municipal landfills, wood and coal combustion, and industrial activities, etc.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Icaro S. A. Porto, Saulo V. A. Dantas, Caio S. A. Felix, Francisco A. S. Cunha, Jailson B. de Andrade, Sergio L. C. Ferreira
Summary: This study evaluated the risks of mercury levels in sardines consumed by low-income population in Salvador, Brazil. The results showed that the mercury content in the sampled sardines posed no risks to human health. This study is significant as most sardines in Salvador come from Todos os Santos Bay, which has a history of mercury contamination.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiahui Chen, Chengyu Yuan, Guanqun Zhai, Guangcheng Chen, Heng Zhu, Jun Liu, Yong Ye
Summary: This study investigated the combined influences of species selection and site elevation on greenhouse gas fluxes from restored mangrove soils. The results suggest that Avicennia marina should be selected for mangrove restoration to minimize carbon release and reduce the influence of greenhouse gas fluxes on the global greenhouse effect.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emmanuel Onyeabor, Uju Obuka
Summary: The Gulf of Guinea region in Africa is a significant area for coastal countries, playing a vital role in their economic and environmental development. This study aims to reduce marine plastic pollution in the region by utilizing legal instruments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuanli Liu, Stephan Luttjohann, Alvise Vianello, Claudia Lorenz, Fan Liu, Jes Vollertsen
Summary: Large area attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (LAATR-FTIR) is a novel technique for detecting small microplastics, with limited accuracy for large microplastics. However, it shows promise in homogeneous matrices. The spectra quality is comparable between transmission mode and LAATR mode.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phuc T. D. Le, Andrew M. Fischer, Britta D. Hardesty, Heidi J. Auman, Chris Wilcox
Summary: This study explores the relationship between ocean currents and the accumulation of floating marine debris (FMD) and finds that higher concentrations of FMD are associated with frontal frequencies (FF). FMD is primarily trapped in accumulation zones between fronts and the coastline, which have high biodiversity value.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosa Sawan, Perine Doyen, Florence Viudes, Rachid Amara, Celine Mahfouz
Summary: Few studies have examined the impact of urbanization and meteorological events on microplastics discharged into the sea through rivers. Surface water samples were collected from two Lebanese rivers, with differing degrees of urbanization, during dry and wet periods. The results showed that the most industrialized river had a significantly higher abundance of microplastics compared to the less-industrialized river. There was also a correlation between particle contamination and the season at each site, with microplastic concentrations highest on the first day of the wet season. These findings highlight the importance of considering meteorological events in accurately assessing plastic pollution influx into coastal waters.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katherine R. Shaw, Jonathan L. Whitney, Eileen M. Nalley, Madeline C. Schmidbauer, Megan J. Donahue, Jesse Black, Raquel N. Corniuk, Kellie Teague, Rachel Sandquist, Catherine Pirkle, Rachel Dacks, Max Sudnovsky, Jennifer M. Lynch
Summary: This study examines the ingestion of plastic in reef fish in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Plastic particles were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of multiple fish species. However, further analysis revealed that these particles were actually natural materials and posed no threat to human consumers.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Revati Hardikar, C. K. Haridevi, Shantaj Deshbhratar
Summary: This study investigated the variability in phytoplankton functional structure using a trait-based approach and explored the relationship between species traits and environmental factors, as well as their impact on ecosystem functioning. The results revealed that morphological traits, temperature, and ammonia played a decisive role in the seasonal succession of phytoplankton species. It was found that certain traits favored higher biomass production but might hinder energy transfer efficiency. The strong correlation between environmental variables and phytoplankton functional structure supports the practical implementation of a trait-based approach in studying phytoplankton community dynamics under different environmental conditions.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Engki A. Kisnarti, Nining Sari Ningsih, Mutiara R. Putri, Nani Hendiarti, Bernhard Mayer
Summary: This study examines the movement patterns of plastic marine debris in Indonesian waters, revealing that Indonesia contributes significantly to transboundary marine debris in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the South China Sea. Most of the debris remains in Indonesian waters and moves back and forth due to the influence of monsoon currents.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)