Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugenia Pasanisi, Gabriele Galasso, Cristina Panti, Matteo Baini, Matteo Galli, Dario Giani, Giacomo Limonta, Paola Tepsich, Eugenia Delaney, Maria Cristina Fossi, Giulio Pojana
Summary: Although the seafloor is a sink for marine litter, it is the least studied component due to its inaccessible environment. This study collected seafloor litter through Fishing for Litter initiatives using commercial bottom trawls in the Adriatic Sea. Over 600 kg of litter were removed and characterized, with synthetic polymers and packaging, fisheries, and aquaculture activities being the most common items found. Hotspots for marine litter were identified near the Venice lagoon, in the center of the northern basin, and at greater depths in the central Adriatic. This study highlights the importance of collaboration between fishermen and scientists to address seafloor litter.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
V. Lauria, D. Massi, F. Fiorentino, G. Milisenda, T. Cillari
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive literature review on the occurrence of Leiopathes glaberrima in the Mediterranean Sea and used predictive modeling to create a continuous map of its suitable habitat in the central sector. The results showed that bathymetry, slope, and aspect are the main drivers of spatial distribution for L. glaberrima. This research contributes valuable information on the spatial distribution of vulnerable deep-sea corals in the Mediterranean Sea, with implications for marine spatial planning and conservation efforts.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Marko Terzin, Maria Grazia Paletta, Kenan Matterson, Martina Coppari, Giorgio Bavestrello, Marco Abbiati, Marzia Bo, Federica Costantini
Summary: This study used genetic analysis to reveal significant genetic differentiation between coastal and offshore populations of the Mediterranean black coral A. subpinnata, with offshore populations also showing genetic distinctiveness from each other. Offshore gardens of A. subpinnata may be less resilient to human impact and unlikely to supply coral propagules to coastal populations. This highlights the importance of conservation measures to protect vulnerable Mediterranean black coral forests.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicole L. Allison, Andrew C. Dale, William R. Turrell, Bhavani E. Narayanaswamy
Summary: Beach-clean surveys on the west coast of Scotland revealed that although modelled particles from presumed land-based sources dispersed widely and reached remote areas, the majority of litter found on the beaches was marine-sourced. Land-sourced litter represented only a small portion of the items and weight collected, with the origin of the remaining litter being unidentified. The difference in litter distribution between windward and leeward coasts was significant, with windward coasts having a much higher count and weight of litter items compared to leeward coasts.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Gonzalez-Fernandez, G. Hanke, M. Pogojeva, N. Machitadze, Y. Kotelnikova, I. Tretiak, O. Savenko, K. Bilashvili, N. Gelashvili, A. Fedorov, D. Kulagin, A. Terentiev, J. Slobodnik
Summary: This study is the first to assess floating marine macro litter (FMML) in the Black Sea region, revealing relatively high litter densities across the basin and the presence of a garbage patch-like phenomenon in the offshore area of the eastern part.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lucy C. M. Omeyer, Emily M. Duncan, Neil Angelo S. Abreo, Jo Marie V. Acebes, Lea A. AngSinco-Jimenez, Sabiqah T. Anuar, Lemnuel V. Aragones, Gonzalo Araujo, Luis R. Carrasco, Marcus A. H. Chua, Muhammad R. Cordova, Lantun P. Dewanti, Emilyn Q. Espiritu, Jovanie B. Garay, Elitza S. Germanov, Jade Getliff, Eva Horcajo-Berna, Yusof S. Ibrahim, Zeehan Jaafar, Jose Isagani B. Janairo, Thanda Ko Gyi, Danielle Kreb, Cheng Ling Lim, Youna Lyons, Putu L. K. Mustika, Mei Lin Neo, Sirius Z. H. Ng, Buntora Pasaribu, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Cindy Peter, Lindsay Porter, Noir P. Purba, Ernesto T. Santa Cruz, Shahriar Shams, Kirsten F. Thompson, Daniel S. Torres, Rodney Westerlaken, Tuempong Wongtawan, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: Southeast Asia is highly biodiverse and a major contributor to global marine plastic pollution. However, knowledge about the impacts of plastic pollution on marine megafauna in the region is lacking. A literature review and expert elicitation were conducted to gather information on cases of entanglement and ingestion of plastic by various marine species in Southeast Asia. The study found a limited number of published cases, especially for seabirds, highlighting the need for additional funding and data to address this issue.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Bui Bich Xuan, Quach Thi Khanh Ngoc, Tobias Boerger
Summary: Marine litter pollution is a global environmental problem with significant impacts on marine ecosystem services, maritime economic activity, public health, and aesthetics. A study on fishers' preferences for controlling abandoned, lost, and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in Vietnam reveals variations in perceived effectiveness among fishers and fisheries, suggesting the need for tailored approaches. Awareness raising and onshore collection are perceived as most effective measures by fishers, while the use of biodegradable gear and gear-lost reports are seen as least effective.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Francesca De Domenico, Cristina Ped, Claudio Berti, Pierpaolo Consoli, Francesco Longo, Silvestro Greco, Teresa Romeo
Summary: This study investigates the environmental impact of plastic fish aggregating devices (aFADs) in the Mediterranean and highlights the issues in the Italian fishery context. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between stakeholders and policymakers to manage fisheries in a sustainable way, to protect the environment and socio-economic development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rozalina Chuturkova, Anna Simeonova
Summary: The sources and categories of marine litter pollution along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in 2019 were identified, with public litter and non-sourced litter being the major contributors. Public litter, primarily caused by recreational activities, accounted for the largest portion of the pollution.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Coskun Eruz, Yahya Terzi, Rafet Cagri Ozturk, Fatma Telli Karakoc, Koray Ozseker, Ahmet Sahin, Neira Purwanty Ismail
Summary: The abundance and characteristics of benthic marine litter in the southern Black Sea shelf were demonstrated. Plastic was the most abundant material. Further research is needed to understand the factors influencing transportation and accumulation of marine litter in the Black Sea.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emily M. Duncan, Nina Vieira, Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Irusta, Carlos Dominguez-Carrio, Telmo Morato, Marina Carreiro-Silva, Joachim Jakobsen, Kirsten Jakobsen, Filipe Porteiro, Nina Schlapfer, Laura Herrera, Manuela Ramos, Yasmina Rodriguez, Joao M. Pereira, Laurence Fauconnet, Luis Rodrigues, Hugo Parra, Christopher K. Pham
Summary: Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a significant source of global plastic pollution and has impacts on marine ecosystems. This study analyzed 15 years of seafloor video footage in the Azores region to estimate the distribution and abundance of ALDFG. Potential hotspots of ALDFG were identified, and entanglements with benthic organisms were observed. The use of predictive distribution modeling for ALDFG can support ecosystem-based management and identify high-risk areas. Understanding the sources, amounts, fates, and impacts of ALDFG is crucial for addressing the global issue of plastic pollution and the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pierpaolo Consoli, Valentina Esposito, Pietro Battaglia, Patrizia Perzia, Gianfranco Scotti, Michela D'Alessandro, Simonepietro Canese, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo
Summary: The Aeolian Archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea is an active volcanic arc hosting several hydrothermal sites, with derelict fishing gear being the main source of marine debris. Plastics constituted most of the marine litter, and while the observed mean litter density was relatively low, no differences were found in litter densities between hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal zones. The study highlights the need for prevention and mitigation measures to protect this sensitive ecosystem, with suggestions for establishing a Marine Protected Area or a Site of Community Importance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sabrina Lo Brutto, Davide Iaciofano, Vincenzo Lo Turco, Angela Giorgia Potorti, Rossana Rando, Vincenzo Arizza, Vita Di Stefano
Summary: Microplastics and nanoplastics pose harm to marine life due to their fragmentation and resistance to degradation. Marine coastal sediment has shown an increasing amount of microplastics, with certain species serving as monitors for environmental and health hazards. Amphipod crustaceans are effective tools for detecting and monitoring plasticizers, providing insights into the spread of chemicals in geographical areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Soto-Navarro, G. Jorda, M. Compa, C. Alomar, M. C. Fossi, S. Deudero
Summary: A novel methodology to assess the risk of marine litter pollution in the Mediterranean Sea was implemented in this study. Results indicated that hot-spots for the ML risk concentrate in coastal regions, mainly influenced by biodiversity. Furthermore, analysis on marine protected areas revealed that proximity to ML sources plays a key role in controlling the risk, and current protection levels are not effective in reducing the impact of ML pollution.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nora Exposito, Joaquim Rovira, Jordi Sierra, Jaume Folch, Marta Schuhmacher
Summary: The Mediterranean Sea is a significant accumulation zone for marine litter, with Western Mediterranean Sea identified as a region of microplastics accumulation. The study in Tarragona coastal region found high levels of MPs in seawater, sediments, and beaches, originating from various land-based sources, wastewater treatment plants, and discharge outlets. It is important to develop protocols and guidelines for MPs analysis to ensure harmonized and comparable results.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Angela Mazzeo, Jacopo Aguzzi, Marcello Calisti, Simonepietro Canese, Fabrizio Vecchi, Sergio Stefanni, Marco Controzzi
Summary: This article describes the commonly used grippers and tools in scientific underwater sampling and reviews the current state of research in underwater gripping technologies. The results indicate that commonly used grippers can perform the basic actions required for sampling and their functionality can be extended by using proper tools. The focus of research in recent years has shifted from validating specific technologies for marine applications to addressing the specific needs of underwater manipulation. The article also summarizes the environmental and operational requirements to consider in the design of an underwater gripper.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Angela Mazzeo, Jacopo Aguzzi, Marcello Calisti, Simonepietro Canese, Michela Angiolillo, A. Louise Allcock, Fabrizio Vecchi, Sergio Stefanni, Marco Controzzi
Summary: This paper extracts the basic actions and functional requirements of marine sampling through interviews with researchers and ROV technical operators, and points out that the deep-sea environment requires a versatile sampling system with rapid switching of external tools.
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carmen Rizzo, Erika Arcadi, Rosario Calogero, Valentina Sciutteri, Pierpaolo Consoli, Valentina Esposito, Simonepietro Canese, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo
Summary: Marine hydrothermal systems are extreme environments that strongly impact living organisms. They are of ecological and biotechnological importance, serving as natural laboratories for studying the effects of global environmental changes and as sources of isolated microbes for biotechnological purposes.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pietro Battaglia, Cristina Peda, Danilo Malara, Giacomo Milisenda, Brian R. MacKenzie, Valentina Esposito, Pierpaolo Consoli, Teresa Manuela Vicchio, Maria Giulia Stipa, Luca Pagano, Francesco Longo, Teresa Romeo
Summary: The study investigated the influence of the lunar cycle on bluefin tuna prey composition in the Strait of Messina through stomach content analysis. It found that the lunar phases can determine changes in mesopelagic prey composition and abundance, with factors such as lunar irradiance and strength of currents affecting availability of mesopelagic prey. Overall, specific hydrodynamic and biological features of the area strongly depend on upwelling currents, influenced by the lunar cycle, leading to increased availability of mesopelagic prey for tuna. Lunar irradiance also contributes to the success of visual predation on these resources in the water column.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Carlo Pipitone, Davide Agnetta, Arturo Zenone, Vincenzo Maximiliano Giacalone, Fabio Badalamenti, Fabio Fiorentino, Paola Rinelli, Mauro Sinopoli, Tomas Vega Fernandez, Giovanni D'Anna
Summary: This paper reports the results of a 15-year trawl ban imposed in 1990 in the Gulf of Castellammare (GCAST: NW Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea) and its effects on the biomass and size structure of demersal finfish and shellfish and on the proportion of different commercial categories of fish. The ban resulted in significantly higher biomass in the GCAST, particularly for highly commercial species. However, the recovery of size structure was not as clear-cut as biomass recovery. Overall, the trawl ban in the Gulf of Castellammare serves as an example of an effective fisheries management tool that promotes fish stock rebuilding and economic sustainability for artisanal fisheries.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Sciutteri, Cristina Peda, Francesco Longo, Rosario Calogero, Giuseppe Cangemi, Luca Pagano, Pietro Battaglia, Matteo Nannini, Teresa Romeo, Pierpaolo Consoli
Summary: Marine litter pollution poses a threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, particularly on seafloors where anthropogenic waste accumulates. This study reveals the high levels of plastic in seafloor litter and the ingestion of plastics by deep-sea fish. The results highlight the role of poor waste management practices in contributing to the accumulation of marine litter and plastic ingestion.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Mammone, Mar Bosch-Belmar, Giacomo Milisenda, Luca Castriota, Mauro Sinopoli, Alessandro Allegra, Manuela Falautano, Teresa Maggio, Sergio Rossi, Stefano Piraino
Summary: Knowledge of the reproductive strategy is essential for predicting population dynamics and invasiveness of species. The Lessepsian upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea andromeda, has established an outpost in the Mediterranean Sea with an asynchronous reproduction strategy. Oocytes were observed throughout the year, with two peaks of abundance in late spring and autumn, indicating imminent spawning events. The appearance of a new jellyfish cohort in winter suggests intense summer strobilation of polyps.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentina Costa, Valentina Sciutteri, Pierpaolo Consoli, Elisabetta Manea, Elisabetta Menini, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo, Roberto Danovaro
Summary: Hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, pockmarks, and seamounts are volcanic-associated marine ecosystems widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea. A systematic map with an updated database has been created as an online tool, providing scientific information and facilitating the implementation of more effective protection measures for these ecosystems. The study identifies over 100 volcanic-associated marine ecosystem sites in the Mediterranean, with less than 30% currently included in protected or regulated areas. The information can contribute to the achievement of the targets of the UN Agenda 2030.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Mauro Sinopoli, Fabio Badalamenti, Massimiliano Bottaro, Giovanni D'Anna
Summary: Fish aggregating devices (FADs) have a significant impact on the distribution and movement patterns of juvenile fish species. FADs arranged along an inshore-offshore gradient can facilitate the approach of young fish towards coastal habitats. Tagging experiments and underwater visual censuses confirm that FADs affect the dispersal of species towards the coast and their proper use can enhance the sustainable management of coastal fish resources.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biology
Pietro Battaglia, Cristina Peda, Carmen Rizzo, Maria Giulia Stipa, Erika Arcadi, Francesco Longo, Giovanni Ammendolia, Mauro Cavallaro, Ignazio Rao, Alberto Villari, Rosario Calogero, Pierpaolo Consoli, Mauro Sinopoli, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo
Summary: This study is the first to report on the research results of Mediterranean pelagic octopods in the Argonautoidea species, including Argonauta argo, Ocythoe tuberculata, Tremoctopus gracilis, and Tremoctopus violaceus. The study used information from stranded octopods, accidental fishing catches, and stomach contents of large predators. Through genetic analysis, the study provided further insights into the life and identity of these species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Pietro Battaglia, Simonepietro Canese, Eva Salvati, Silvestro Greco
Summary: The development of in situ observational tools has greatly improved the study of deep-sea cephalopods and their habitat. This paper presents in situ observations of rarely observed Mediterranean cephalopods, providing valuable insights into their behavior and characteristics. The findings contribute to the knowledge of elusive deep-sea species and highlight the importance of further exploration.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michail Ragkousis, Argyro Zenetos, Jamila Ben Souissi, Razy Hoffman, Raouia Ghanem, Ergun Taskin, Mihaela Muresan, Evgeniia Karpova, Elena Slynko, Ertan Dagli, Ana Fortic, Victor Surugiu, Vesna Macic, Domen Trkov, Wafa Rjiba Bahri, Konstantinos Tsiamis, Alfonso A. Ramos-Espla, Slavica Petovic, Jasmine Ferrario, Agnese Marchini, Renato Sconfietti, Izdihar Ammar, Alaa Alo, Dori Edelist, Tatiana Begun, Adrian Teaca, Gokhan Tari, Mehmet Fatih Huseyinoglu, Paraskevi K. Karachle, Aikaterini Dogrammatzi, Giorgos A. Apostolopoulos, Fabio Crocetta, Eleni Kytinou, Markos Digenis, Grigorios Skouradakis, Fiona Tomas, Michel Bariche, Alexandros Kaminas, Kassiani Konida, Alan Deidun, Alessio Marrone, Simonetta Fraschetti, Vesselina Mihneva, Carlo Nike Bianchi, Carla Morri, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Lovrenc Lipej, Maria Sini, Luisa Mangialajo, Maria Zotou, Marius Skolka, Ernesto Azzurro, Adriana Vella, Thanos Dailianis, Panos Grigoriou, Carlos Jimenez, Konstantinos Tsirintanis, Georgios Oikonomidis, Emanuele Mancini, Orestis Papadakis, Vincenzo Di Martino, Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou, Mohamed Mourad Ben Amor, Emmanouela Vernadou, Yaprak Arda, Vasileios Minasidis, Annalisa Azzola, Louis Hadjioannou, Monica Montefalcone, Yacopo Baldacchino, Bessy Stancanelli, Andrea Bonifazi, Anna Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Sonia Smeraldo, Julian Evans, Gerasimos Kondylatos, Manuela Falautano, Luca Castriota, Aggelos Lamprou, Jamila Rizgalla, Borut Mavric, Evangelos Papadimitriou, Diego K. Kersting, Patrick J. Schembri, Faten Khamassi, Athanasios Nikolaou, Enric Ballesteros, Charalampos Dimitriadis, Maria Garcia, Athanasios Anastasiadis, Stefanos Kalogirou, Melina Nalmpanti, Maria Altamirano, Daniele Grech, Dimitrios Mavrouleas, Noel Vella, Sandra Agius Darmanin, Branko Dragicevic, Dimitris Poursanidis, Alexandros Tsatiris, Maria Corsini-Foka, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Gianni Insacco, Alexandros Tsalapatis, Danilo Scannella, Francesco Tiralongo, Jana Verdura, Sergio Vitale, Michail-Aggelos Valsamidis, Hocein Bazairi, Anna Maria Mannino, Riccardo Virgili, Fabio Collepardo Coccia, Radhouan El Zrelli, Savvas Nikolidakis, Lotfi Jilani Rabaoui, Sercan Yapici, Jeanne Zaouali, Bruno Zava, Neophytos Agrotis, Murat Bilecenoglu, Michele Luca Cinar, Manos L. Moraitis, Paolo G. Albano, Nassir Kaddouri, Ioanna Kosma, Fabio Falsone, Valentina Fossati, Michele Luca Geraci, Leon Lojze Zamuda, Francesco Paolo Mancuso, Antonis Petrou, Vasilis Resaikos, Ilker Aydin, Ioannis E. Batjakas, Arthur R. Bos, Najib El Ouamari, Giovanni Giallongo, Thodoros E. Kampouris, Khadija Ounifi-Ben Amor, Alper Dogan, Jakov Dulcic, Emine Sukran Okudan, Gil Rilov, Antonietta Rosso, Laura Royo, Mohamed Selfati, Martina Gaglioti, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Vasiliki Kousteni, Dragos Micu, Mircea Nicoara, Sotiris Orfanidis, Magdalene Papatheodoulou, Jonathan Tempesti, Maria Triantaphyllou, Theodora Tsourou, Ferhat Yalgin, Emanuel Baltag, Hasan Cerim, Halit Filiz, Constantinos G. Georgiadis, Paschalis Papadamakis, Dimitra Lida Rammou, Manuela Diana Samargiu, Francesco Sciuto, Mauro Sinopoli, Ali Turker, Antonia Chiarore, Laura Tamburello, Sahar Karray, Bilel Hassen, Stelios Katsanevakis
Summary: In order to enhance the understanding of the distribution of alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, a collaborative effort involving 173 marine scientists was conducted. A dataset containing 12,649 records from 23 countries was collected and harmonized, providing valuable information to the scientific community. The most abundant taxonomic groups were Chordata, Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Annelida, and the most numerous species included Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, and Caulerpa cylindracea.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Ocean
Mauro Sinopoli, Fabio Badalamenti, Giovanni D'Anna, Fabio Fiorentino, Carlo Pipitone, Germana Garofalo
Summary: The development and monitoring of ecological indicators are important for supporting the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries. This study used the Mean Life Span index to assess ecosystem status in two Mediterranean areas and found a slightly increasing trend. This suggests that measures like trawl ban and reduced fishing pressure may have an impact on ecological indicators.
2022 IEEE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON METROLOGY FOR THE SEA LEARNING TO MEASURE SEA HEALTH PARAMETERS (METROSEA)
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Ocean
Mauro Sinopoli, Fabio Badalamenti, Giovanni D'Anna
Summary: This study investigates the impact of offshore FADs on the distribution of juvenile fish and finds that the FAD systems have two different effects on their distribution: retaining associated fish for longer periods of time and facilitating the transition of fish from the pelagic to the benthic domain.
2022 IEEE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON METROLOGY FOR THE SEA LEARNING TO MEASURE SEA HEALTH PARAMETERS (METROSEA)
(2022)
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)
