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Continental margins usually have a high degree of environmental heterogeneity, which, in turn, promotes high benthic biodiversity. The South-Southeast regions concentrate the most well-mapped areas of the Brazilian continental margin regarding seafloor geomorphology and physical oceanography. However, the structure of the soft-sediment benthic fauna of the continental slope is still unknown. Characterization and understanding of the Brazilian continental slope biota are imperative since human activities are increasing in the last decades, especially after the discovery of the pre-salt reservoir in Santos Basin. In this study, we aimed to establish a baseline of the spatial distribution of the benthic macrofaunal communities regarding their latitudinal and bathymetric patterns in the Santos Basin to support future environmental monitoring activities in the region. As part of the Santos Project - The Santos Basin Regional Environmental Characterization (PCR-BS) - coordinated by CENPES/PETROBRAS, a benthic oceanographic cruise was carried out in 2019. Sediment samples were collected using a GOMEX-type box corer in 47 stations distributed in eight transects (4002,400 m depth range). In total, 12 additional stations (1,300-2,200 m) were defined to cover an area where oil and gas are exploited. Our results showed that macrofaunal assemblages of the Santos Basin present strong depth zonation related to changes in organic matter input, as well as to temperature, carbonate, and grain size. At local scale, the northern sector stood out for having a higher abundance of macrofauna in the upper slope (400 m) and it probably reflects the oceanographic processes and the organic enrichment caused by the upwelling events that occur at Cabo Frio region. The zonation pattern and the dominance of some polychaete, peracarid crustacean, and bivalve families were similar to other SE Brazilian continental margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevention of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern in Japan. The effects of the relationship between eating behavior and nutritional intake on MetS remained unclear. To evaluate nutrition's role in preventing or exacerbating MetS, we examined the associations among eating behavior, nutritional intake, and MetS for the baseline study in the cohort subjects undergone health checkups. Methods: Four thousand and four hundred forty-seven Japanese men and women were enrolled at the Saku Central Hospital. They received an anthropometric and clinical examination and were assessed for present illness, lifestyle factors such as physical activity, smoking, drinking, and dietary habits at the enrollment. Eating behavior was analyzed by the Sakata's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Dietary assessment was made using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. Two thousand and six hundred two men and 1844 women aged more than 20 were analyzed. Results: The mean age in men and women were 59.2 and 58.4 years old and the mean body mass index (BMI) were 23.7 and 22.3 kg/m2, respectively. The percentages of MetS were 20.6 in men and 6.1 in women. In some nutrients, significantly higher energy-adjusted intakes in subjects without MetS than with Mets appeared both in men and women after age adjustment. After adjusting by age, energy-adjusted intake beverages in men and cereals in women were significantly higher in subjects with MetS than those without MetS. The scores of all the categories in eating behavior were significantly worse in subjects with MetS than those without MetS. Conclusions: The differences in dietary intake between subjects with Mets and without Mets were relatively small. The scores of all the categories in eating behavior were worse in subjects with MetS than without MetS. It was suggested that the problem lay in the quality of diet, not in the quantity, caused by bad eating habits. The potential influence of eating behavior and nutritional intake on MetS was presented in men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This preliminary investigation aimed to detect concentrations of chlorinated pesticides and PCBs in 40 sediment samples from three desert oases located in Kharga, Dakhla and Farafra in western Egypt. The residues of 18 PCBs and 16 chlorinated pesticides were measured by GC–MS/MS (SRM) method. The results showed that PCBs and pesticides were present in all studied samples. The concentrations of individual PCBs ranged from undetected to 3.99 ng/g dw in all these sediment samples. The total residue of pesticides (ng/g, dry weight) in sediment samples also varied from 5.18 to 25.92, 5.41 to 29.49, and 5.93 to 24.19 ng/g dw for the Kharga, Dakhla and Farafra Oases, respectively. The concentrations of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides detected in these oasis sediments were lower than that reported for other worldwide locations. According to the recorded concentrations in this baseline study of PCBs and total DDTs, the results revealed the minimal risks to organisms and people in the studied area according to the Effects Range-Low (ERL) and Effects Range-Median (ERM) guideline values. • Pesticides and PCBs residues in the Dakhla, Kharga and Farafra Oases sediment. • Pesticides and PCBs concentrations are still lower than in other Egyptian sites. • 18 PCBs and 16 pesticides were measured in sediments by GC–MS/MS (SRM) method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates are an emerging class of environmental pollutants whose distribution and effects in aquatic environments are not well characterized. We analyzed intertidal and emerged beach sediments from the Abruzzo coastline, along the Adriatic Sea, finding significant phthalate concentrations in marine sediments. Phthalate baseline levels in the intertidal environment, marked by substantial interplay of sediment, water and air, were determined. We used statistical rank methods to select representative phthalate compositions, for which we derived risk levels for ingestion, dermal absorption and inhalation. Our study shows that phthalates are a major cause of pollution along the Abruzzo coast, with river transport of sediments a continuous source of replenishment. Phthalate concentrations in two specific sites were determined to be of the same order of magnitude as the safety, remediation-warranting, threshold set by Italian law. Phthalates, heavy metals, PAHs appear to be correlated. We discuss possible intervention and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace element concentration in the beach placer mining areas of Kanyakumari coast, South India was assessed. Sewage and contaminated sediments from mining sites has contaminated the surface sediments. Enrichment factor indicates moderately severe enrichment for Pb, minor enrichment for Mn, Zn, Ni, Fe and no enrichment for Cr and Cu. The Igeo values show higher concentration of Pb ranging in the scale of 3–4, which shows strong contamination due to high anthropogenic activity such as mining and terrestrial influences into the coastal regions. Correlation coefficient shows that most of the elements are associated with each other except Ni and Pb. Factor analysis reveals that Mn, Zn, Fe, Cr, Pb and Cu are having a significant loading and it indicates that these elements are mainly derived from similar origin. The cluster analysis clearly indicated that the mining areas are grouped under cluster 2 and non-mining areas are clustered under group 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive field work was conducted in order to assess the sediment pollution level and potential ecological risk on coral reef ecosystem. Thirty three surface sample was collected using grid sampling technique. The calcium carbonate and organic matter were primarily controlled by the distribution of coral rubbles and seagrass meadows. The concentration of trace elements is higher than the crustal average in few locations and the same result was derived from index calculations. However, the significant concentration of lead was observed throughout the study area. The elevated level of lead is probably due to coal incinerating power plants, and confluence of urban runoff from the nearby coastal areas. Based on the sediment pollution index, the majority of the sediments belongs to highly polluted to dangerously polluted category. The ecological risk indicates that the sediments are under low risk to moderate risk category and this result was proved by correlation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Majalaya area is a vital part of the Bandung Metropolitan Area economy, exemplifying an urbanized area prone to annual flooding in Indonesia. Even though multiple flood events occur yearly, Majalaya's floods have not received much attention. This study aims to simulate the 22 February 2018 flood event that caused massive damage to properties and the surrounding environment. The study used gauged and satellite precipitation measurements, stream flow records, Indonesian National DEM (DEMNAS), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and primarily surveyed topographic terrain data for flood modeling using HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS. The modeled flood extents were compared with the crowdsourced flood extent of a recent large flood event recorded by the local community. The observed and modeled hydrographs were very similar, with a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.88 and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 11.93. The disparities between the simulated and observed flood extend were identified, including the limitation of modeling, alteration of flow characteristics due to trash clogging, and the quality of crowdsourced flood records. Based on the flood simulation, the study identifies recommendations to manage the flood risk: increasing river conveyance, creating a large retention basin, and creating a designated floodway, while avenues for further studies are recommended. [Display omitted] • Majalaya flood exemplifies recurring floods in high population urban environment. • This study covers the flood's overview, data, and modeling. • Flood modeling used flood records, gauges, satellite, and primary surveyed data. • The results suggest management practices, uncertainties, and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Two long sediment cores were sampled at the Ferrol Ria (Galicia, NW Spain) and the heavy metal (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations measured in order to (i) state accurate background values providing baseline relationships with respect to a reference element and (ii) to investigate the recent metal contamination trends.Background values were found to agree well with the world average values for granite/schists-genisses rocks. However, Cu, Co, Pb and Zn were found to be lower than those previously reported as background values for the Galician Rias. Results emphasize the importance of using baseline relationships with respect to a normalizing element in order to reduce the scattering of data and to allow an accurate statement of background values.The distribution of metals in the cores showed an evident enrichment in the surface layers belonging to the industrial era. Normalized enrichment factors (NEF) for copper and zinc are in the order of 3–5 (certain/severe contamination) in the surface sediments, decreasing with depth. Lead contamination has decreased in the recent years from NEF of 3–7 down to a NEF of 2 (i.e. moderate contamination), probably due to the introduction of unleaded gasolines. Chromium, cobalt and nickel NEFs were always in the <1–2 range indicating null/low contamination by these metals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mining seafloor massive sulfides for metals is an emergent industry faced with environmental management challenges. These revolve largely around limits to our current understanding of biological variability in marine systems, a challenge common to all marine environmental management. VentBase was established as a forum where academic, commercial, governmental, and non-governmental stakeholders can develop a consensus regarding the management of exploitative activities in the deep-sea. Participants advocate a precautionary approach with the incorporation of lessons learned from coastal studies. This workshop report from VentBase encourages the standardization of sampling methodologies for deep-sea environmental impact assessment. VentBase stresses the need for the collation of spatial data and importance of datasets amenable to robust statistical analyses. VentBase supports the identification of set-asides to prevent the local extirpation of vent-endemic communities and for the post-extraction recolonization of mine sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]