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Artificial sweeteners are high-priority emerging contaminants that are widespread in surface waters worldwide as a result of municipal wastewater discharges into the aquatic environment. Given that these substances can cause toxic effects on aquatic organisms, they represent a potential risk for the river ecosystem as a whole. Although sediments have not often been the subject of scientific research on pollution with artificial sweeteners, there is a possibility that these substances pose a risk to sediment-dwelling organisms. Aspartame and neotame are sweeteners that have a high sorption affinity for organic-rich particles and partition to sediment in the water-sediment system. In order to determine the possible risk for benthic biota, an ecological risk assessment of detected aspartame and neotame in sediments from five rivers in Serbia was performed. In addition to the risk assessment of individual sweeteners, “the cocktail effect” of their mixture was also estimated. Detected levels were compared with the lowest predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values for sediment organisms from the Norman Ecotoxicology Database, based on experimental ecotoxicity data and QSAR model predictions for aquatic organisms.

The present work assess the bioconcentration kinetics of atenolol (ATN) and carbamazepine (CBZ) in common marine organisms including Holothuria tubulosa, Anemonia sulcata and Actinia equina under controlled laboratory conditions. CBZ exhibited higher uptake and excretion rates resulting higher bioconcentration factor (BCF) (41–537 L/kg for CBZ vs 7–50 L/kg for ATN) although both are below the limits established by the European Union (EU). The measured BCF using kinetic data showed some differences with those predicted using the concentrations measured at the steady-state, probably explained because the steady state was not ready reached. The animal-specific BCF followed the order of Holothuria tubulosa > Actinia equina > Anemonia sulcata for ATN while was the opposite for CBZ. The study highlighted between-tissues differences in the digestive tract and the body wall of the Holothuria tubulosa. The work presented is the first to model bioconcentration of ATN and CBZ in holothurian and anemone animal models.

An increased risk of adverse biological effects of metals in sediments may be accompanied by high labile metal fluxes as measured by the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique. To improve the usefulness of the DGT technique for sediment quality risk assessments, we used the simpler and more cost-effective piston DGTs rather than planar DGT probes to measure bioavailable metal fluxes in naturally contaminated sediments with widely varying composition (properties, metals and concentrations) and assessed their prediction of toxicity to amphipod reproduction in a flow-through microcosm. DGT pistons were deployed in sediments under different conditions, both in the field (in situ) and in the laboratory in sediment cores (lab-equilibrated) and in homogenized sediments (lab-homogenized). We demonstrated that the metal flux toxic units, DGTTU, measured in situ best predicted the magnitude of toxicity to amphipod reproduction. For sediments that had been highly disturbed before testing, DGTTU were less predictive for observed toxicity, but the copper flux alone (DGTTU-Cu) was effective, indicating copper was the primary cause of toxicity in these highly perturbed sediments. Overall, our study highlighted that the adverse effects induced by excessive bioavailable metals in contaminated sediments can be consistently sensed by the DGT pistons. © 2020 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

An increased risk of adverse biological effects of metals in sediments may be accompanied by high labile metal fluxes as measured by the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique. To improve the usefulness of the DGT technique for sediment quality risk assessments, we used the simpler and more cost-effective piston DGTs rather than planar DGT probes to measure bioavailable metal fluxes in naturally contaminated sediments with widely varying composition (properties, metals and concentrations) and assessed their prediction of toxicity to amphipod reproduction in a flow-through microcosm. DGT pistons were deployed in sediments under different conditions, both in the field (in situ) and in the laboratory in sediment cores (lab-equilibrated) and in homogenized sediments (lab-homogenized). We demonstrated that the metal flux toxic units, DGTTU, measured in situ best predicted the magnitude of toxicity to amphipod reproduction. For sediments that had been highly disturbed before testing, DGTTU were less predictive for observed toxicity, but the copper flux alone (DGTTU-Cu) was effective, indicating copper was the primary cause of toxicity in these highly perturbed sediments. Overall, our study highlighted that the adverse effects induced by excessive bioavailable metals in contaminated sediments can be consistently sensed by the DGT pistons. © 2020 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Habitat connectivity is central to several key evolutionary and ecological processes, having implications for the spatial structuring of marine populations. For benthic species that have no or little mobility as adults, connectivity is evaluated by analyzing the dispersal of propagules across the seascape. We investigate fine-scale connectivity of coralligenous habitats in Marseille Bay (located in the north-western Mediterranean) sea using high-resolution cartography and a particle-tracking model ran over a range of parameters derived from the biological traits of potential target species. We present annual and seasonal means of various connectivity diagnostics measuring the retention and exchange of propagules among coralligenous patches. A synthetic view is obtained by clustering individual patches into “coralligenous provinces” (ensemble of patches tightly connected by ocean currents). When discussing our results against historical observations, we highlight some genetic breaks, sharp community changes and ecological clusters that fit well our simulated connectivity patterns. Consistent findings include reduced biodiversity along Côte Bleue, high biodiversity at Planier Island and the presence of various dispersal barriers, which evolve with dispersal durations and provide the backbone of habitat connectivity. Our results help to apprehend and test hypothesis on marine population structures, providing useful information for ecologists and conservationists.

Habitat connectivity is central to several key evolutionary and ecological processes, having implications for the spatial structuring of marine populations. For benthic species that have no or little mobility as adults, connectivity is evaluated by analyzing the dispersal of propagules across the seascape. We investigate fine-scale connectivity of coralligenous habitats in Marseille Bay (located in the north-western Mediterranean) sea using high-resolution cartography and a particle-tracking model ran over a range of parameters derived from the biological traits of potential target species. We present annual and seasonal means of various connectivity diagnostics measuring the retention and exchange of propagules among coralligenous patches. A synthetic view is obtained by clustering individual patches into “coralligenous provinces” (ensemble of patches tightly connected by ocean currents). When discussing our results against historical observations, we highlight some genetic breaks, sharp community changes and ecological clusters that fit well our simulated connectivity patterns. Consistent findings include reduced biodiversity along Côte Bleue, high biodiversity at Planier Island and the presence of various dispersal barriers, which evolve with dispersal durations and provide the backbone of habitat connectivity. Our results help to apprehend and test hypothesis on marine population structures, providing useful information for ecologists and conservationists.

Habitat connectivity is central to several key evolutionary and ecological processes, having implications for the spatial structuring of marine populations. For benthic species that have no or little mobility as adults, connectivity is evaluated by analyzing the dispersal of propagules across the seascape. We investigate fine-scale connectivity of coralligenous habitats in Marseille Bay (located in the north-western Mediterranean) sea using high-resolution cartography and a particle-tracking model ran over a range of parameters derived from the biological traits of potential target species. We present annual and seasonal means of various connectivity diagnostics measuring the retention and exchange of propagules among coralligenous patches. A synthetic view is obtained by clustering individual patches into “coralligenous provinces” (ensemble of patches tightly connected by ocean currents). When discussing our results against historical observations, we highlight some genetic breaks, sharp community changes and ecological clusters that fit well our simulated connectivity patterns. Consistent findings include reduced biodiversity along Côte Bleue, high biodiversity at Planier Island and the presence of various dispersal barriers, which evolve with dispersal durations and provide the backbone of habitat connectivity. Our results help to apprehend and test hypothesis on marine population structures, providing useful information for ecologists and conservationists.

Habitat connectivity is central to several key evolutionary and ecological processes, having implications for the spatial structuring of marine populations. For benthic species that have no or little mobility as adults, connectivity is evaluated by analyzing the dispersal of propagules across the seascape. We investigate fine-scale connectivity of coralligenous habitats in Marseille Bay (located in the north-western Mediterranean) sea using high-resolution cartography and a particle-tracking model ran over a range of parameters derived from the biological traits of potential target species. We present annual and seasonal means of various connectivity diagnostics measuring the retention and exchange of propagules among coralligenous patches. A synthetic view is obtained by clustering individual patches into “coralligenous provinces” (ensemble of patches tightly connected by ocean currents). When discussing our results against historical observations, we highlight some genetic breaks, sharp community changes and ecological clusters that fit well our simulated connectivity patterns. Consistent findings include reduced biodiversity along Côte Bleue, high biodiversity at Planier Island and the presence of various dispersal barriers, which evolve with dispersal durations and provide the backbone of habitat connectivity. Our results help to apprehend and test hypothesis on marine population structures, providing useful information for ecologists and conservationists.

Bioturbating benthic organisms have typically been characterised by how they modify the vertical sediment erosion thresholds. By means of several annular flume experiments, we aimed to understand how benthic organisms may affect grain-size sediment properties over time, and how this depends on the sediment type and the sediment loading of the water column. We compared the effect of two bioturbating macroinvertebrate species: a local dominant species, the cockle Cerastoderma edule and a spreading non-indigeneous species, the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Our results indicate that the effect of benthic organisms on sediment dynamics is strongly dependent on both the prevailing environmental conditions and the benthic species present. If sediment is sandy, the benthos can gradually enhance the silt content of the sediment by mixing in part of the daily tidal sediment deposition. In contrast, if sediment is muddy, benthos can gradually decrease the silt content of the sediment by specifically suspending the fine fraction. Moreover, we observed that the native cockles had a stronger impact than invasive clams. Therefore, bioturbating benthos can have an important effect in determining the local sediment properties, with the outcome depending both on the species in question and the environmental conditions the bioturbator lives in. Our findings show that sediment bioturbation may have strong implications for tidal flat stability undergoing major changes from natural or anthropogenic sources.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

Durante la primavera de 2013 se realizaron muestreos bentónicos en cuatro sitios ubicados en ambas márgenes del estuario del río Gallegos. Se tomaron cinco muestras por nivel de marea en cada sitio siguiendo una transecta perpendicular a la costa. Se calculó la abundancia relativa de las especies, la dominancia, la riqueza específica, la equitatividad y el índice de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener. Los datos de abundancia fueron comparados mediante análisis multivariado, empleando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis y técnicas de ordenamiento no paramétrico. Se identificaron 14 especies de poliquetos, siendo Fabricinudasp. la más abundante, seguido por Notocirrus lorumy Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. La abundancia, la equitatividad y la diversidad mostraron diferencias significativas entre sitios. La mayor abundancia se registró en el nivel intermareal inferior de S1, adyacente a la ciudad de Río Gallegos,debido a la presencia de Fabricinuda sp. que forma estructuras biogénicas de gran extensión,con alta densidad de organismos. En ese mismo sitio se observó la mayor riqueza específica y la menor diversidad y equitatividad. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron la presencia de tres grupos principales de poliquetos, asociados a sedimentos con diferente contenido de materia orgánica y distinta composición granulométrica., During the spring of 2013, benthic samplings were conducted in four sites located on both banks of the Gallegos river estuary. Five samples were taken per tidal level at each site following a transect perpendicular to the coast. The relative abundance of the species, the dominance, the species richness, the equitability and the diversity index of Shannon-Wiener were calculated. The abundance data were compared by multivariate analysis, using the Bray-Curtis similarity index, and the nonparametric ordination technique. We identified fourteen polychaete species, being Fabricinuda sp. the most abundant, followed by Notocirrus lorum and Kinbergonuphis dorsalis. Abundance, equitability and diversity showed significant differences between sites. The highest abundance was recorded in the lower intertidal level of S1 site, next to Río Gallegos city, due to the presence of Fabricinuda sp. that forms biogenic structures of great extension with high density of organisms. In the same place, the highest species richness and the lowest diversity and equitability were observed. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated the presence of three main groups of polychaetes, associated with sediments with different organic matter content and different granulometric composition.

On February 27, 2010, the south central coast of Chile (ca., 34-39ºS) was affected by an earthquake magnitude Mw= 8,8, with the epicenter located offshore Cobquecura (ca., 36.29ºS). This earthquake originated continental uplift on that coastal areas closer to the trench between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates (i.e., Peninsula de Arauco and Isla Santa María) and subsidence along coastal areas located further north of that (the coast of the Maule Region), as well as in continental zones ordered in a west - east axis. In this study we tested the hypothesis that independent of the taxonomic group, the rocky shore sessile benthic organisms can be used as indicators of continental uplift. The methodology involved measurements of heights upper of distributional bands above the low tide level at the coast affected by the earthquake. The results show that the calcareous crustose algae Lithothamnium sp., the mytilid bivalve Perumytilus purpuratus and the macroalgae Mazzaella laminarioides and Lessonia spicata, are benthonic useful organisms to describe continental uplift, due to the fact that their vertical distributions after the earthquake follow the coastal deformation observed in the field. This allow to suggest that in studies aimed to evaluate this tectonic processes, more than a single species must be used in order to gain a full view of that along gradients of continental deformation. This due to the fact that a significant number of the benthic species of the rocky shore do not have continuous distribution; thus, to use a single species may well result in conclusions with low level of generalizations., Resumen: El 27 de febrero de 2010, la zona centro-sur de Chile (ca., 34-39ºS) fue afectada por un terremoto de magnitud Mw= 8,8, localizándose el epicentro en Cobquecura (ca., 36ºS), causando un levantamiento continental en las costas más cercanas a la fosa (i.e., Península de Arauco e Isla Santa María) y subsidencia en áreas costeras localizadas al norte de esas costas (Región del Maule). En este estudio se evaluó la hipótesis de que independientemente del grupo taxonómico, los organismos bentónicos intermareales adheridos al sustrato pueden ser utilizados como indicadores de levantamiento cosísmico continental. La metodología consistió en medir la altura del límite superior de las bandas de distribución de cada especie sobre el nivel de marea baja, a lo largo de la costa afectada por el terremoto. El alga calcárea Lithothamnium sp., el mitílido Perumytilus purpuratus y las macroalgas Mazzaella laminarioides y Lessonia spicata, son organismos bentónicos apropiados para describir el levantamiento continental cosísmico. Se sugiere que en estudios tendientes a evaluar este tipo de procesos tectónicos, se utilice más de una especie para tener una visión completa de tal proceso a lo largo de gradientes de deformación continental. Esto ya que, parte importante de las especies bentónicas de la costa rocosa no tienen distribución continúa, por lo que el uso de una sola especie puede resultar en conclusiones con bajo nivel de generalización.

Förekomsten av plast i marina miljöer har under de senaste decennierna varit ett känt globalt problem. Flera nedbrytningsprocesser inverkar på plastavfallet, vilket orsakar fragmentering ned till fragment mindre än fem millimeter i storlek – kallade mikroplaster. Målet för denna studie är att öka förståelsen om mikroplaster i marina miljöer där följande frågeställningar bemöttes: Hur stor utbredning har mikroplaster i marina sediment och i vilka marina miljöer de återfinns. Kan mikroplasterna utgöra ett miljöproblem när de har sedimenterats i marina bottensediment? Metodiken gick ut på att samla data via databaser och sammanställa dessa för att besvara frågeställningarna. Mina resultat visar att mikroplasterna har nått en global utbredning i marina sediment, från djupet av Antarktiska oceanen till stränderna längs Hawaiis kust. Vidare finns det även flera utmaningar när mängderna mikroplast ska avgöras i marina sediment, såsom kontaminationsrisk av sedimentprover. Bentiska organismer kan interagera med mikroplasterna och via förtäring få skador på vävnader. Mikroplasterna kan adsorbera ämnen såsom långlivade organiska föroreningar (POP:s), tungmetaller och mikroorganismer, potentiellt sprida dessa till organismer eller nya marina miljöer. Dock är det fortfarande inte känt om mikroplaster kan orsaka negativa, kroniska effekter på hela bottenlevande populationer eller ekosystem., The abundance of plastic in marine environments has been a well-known global problem for the past decades. Multiple degrading processes effect plastic debris, causing fragmentation down to particle sizes smaller than five millimeters – named microplastics. The aim for this study is to extend the knowledge of microplastics in the marine environment by addressing the following questions: How wide-spread have microplastics become in the marine environments and in which settings can they be found? Are microplastics capable of causing environmental problems once deposited in marine sediments? The method for this literature study consisted of data base searches and compilation of relevant data aiming to answer the questions. My results show that microplastics have reached a global coverage in marine sediments, from the depths of the Southern Ocean to the beaches along the coast of Hawaii. But also, that several challenges are present when determining the amount of microplastics in marine sediments, for instance there is a large risk for contamination of the sediment samples. Benthic organisms can interact with microplastics and be affected with tissue damages by oral intake. Microplastics can adsorb substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POP:s), heavy metals and microorganisms, potentially spreading to other organisms or marine environments. But it is still not known if microplastics can cause negative, chronic effects on whole bottom-dwelling populations or ecosystems.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

Environmental monitoring typically assumes samples and sampling activities to be representative of the population being studied. Given a limited budget, an appropriate sampling strategy is essential to support detecting temporal trends of contaminants. In the present study, based on real chemical analysis data on polybrominated diphenyl ethers in snails collected from five subsites in Tianmu Lake, computer simulation is performed to evaluate three sampling strategies by the estimation of required sample size, to reach a detection of an annual change of 5% with a statistical power of 80% and 90% with a significant level of 5%. The results showed that sampling from an arbitrarily selected sampling spot is the worst strategy, requiring much more individual analyses to achieve the above mentioned criteria compared with the other two approaches. A fixed sampling site requires the lowest sample size but may not be representative for the intended study object e.g. a lake and is also sensitive to changes of that particular sampling site. In contrast, sampling at multiple sites along the shore each year, and using pooled samples when the cost to collect and prepare individual specimens are much lower than the cost for chemical analysis, would be the most robust and cost efficient strategy in the long run. Using statistical power as criterion, the results demonstrated quantitatively the consequences of various sampling strategies, and could guide users with respect of required sample sizes depending on sampling design for long term monitoring programs.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

Taihu Lake area is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world including diverse industrial activity. In the present study, the snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) and sediment were collected from the Taihu Lake area to investigate the contamination status, congener pattern, spatial distribution, and bioaccumulation effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The samples underwent liquid extraction, lipid removal by sulfuric acid, and acidic silica gel column, and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration of S22PCBs ranged between 90 and 680 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and between 0.018 and 0.82 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. Concentration of S24PBDEs varied from 25 to 200 ng g(-1) lipid weight in the snails and from 0.62 to 67 ng g(-1) dry weight in the sediments. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs observed were in the medium to low range compared with other studies in the world. CB-153 was the predominant PCB congener in both snails and sediments whereas BDE-209 showed a low bioavailability in the snails, even if it contributed up to 70% of S24PBDEs in the sediments. The spatial distribution showed that the highest concentration of PCBs and PBDEs were detected in samples from Zhushan Lake. East Taihu Lake and Dianshan Lake showed lower concentration of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sampling sites. Biota-sediment accumulation was found between snails and sediments of most of PCB and PBDE congeners except for the highly brominated BDEs (i.e., BDE-209). Therefore, sediment is suggested to be an appropriate matrix to monitor BDE-209 while aquatic species such as the snail could be good for monitoring of PCBs and lower brominated BDE congeners. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, two-tailed) of CB-153 (r = 0.54, p = 0.27) or BDE-47 (r = 0.60, p = 0.21) was found between snails and sediments.

The goal of the project was to develop and standardize a procedure using field deployable solid phase microextraction (SPME) for the measurement of freely dissolved porewater concentrations of hydrophobic organics and demonstrate the relationship of these measurements to contaminant flux, bioavailability, and bioaccumulation. In situ SPME is a passive sampling approach for measuring hydrophobic organic contaminants in porewater and involves the insertion of a polymer sorbent into the sediments for a specific period of time and measuring the contaminants sorbed to the polymer. The contaminant concentration on the polymer is directly proportional to the dissolved contaminant concentration in the porewater. The technology demonstrated here uses polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a polymer sorbent as a thin coating on a glass core but is essentially equivalent to SPME using other sorbents. The primary advantages of PDMS are cylindrical geometry (for ease of insertion into sediments), somewhat lower sorption capacity than POM and PE (which aids the rapid achievement of equilibrium), and commercial availability in a variety of sizes and polymer coating thicknesses. Simple approaches to shield the PDMS fiber and to segment and analyze the fiber were developed as part of the demonstration. Conventional analyses are employed that require no special processing or analytical techniques so any lab that can conduct polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analyses can support the technology. The work was conducted in sediments both in laboratory and field testing. Laboratory testing avoids problematic field deployments where placement and retrieval is too difficult or costly. This testing also allows coupling of availability measurements with laboratory bioassays under controlled conditions. The field testing allows determination of availability and cap performance under conditions that might not be reproducible in the laboratory., The original document contains color images.

Ecotoxicological effects of 2 carbonaceous and 7 mineral capping materials suggested for in situ remediation of contaminated sediments in the Grenland fjords, Norway, were investigated in a mesocosm experiment. The primary objective was to compare the various materials with regard to potentially harmful effects on the benthic ecosystem. The materials assessed were activated carbon, Kraft-lignin, sand and clay materials, and 3 industrial by-products. Using sediment box-core samples with intact benthic communities, effects on structural (bacterial, macro-and meiofauna diversity) and functional (sediment-to-water nutrient fluxes, oxygen fluxes and bacterial production) endpoints were assessed. Significant deviations from the control (no capping) were detected for all of the tested materials for at least one endpoint. Generally, materials similar to the indigenous sediment (clay, sand) had relatively low deviations from the control, whereas industrial products (plaster, 2 types of crushed marble) resulted in deviations for most endpoints and large reductions in community richness and abundance. For example, at the end of the experimental period, the number of macrofauna taxa was <10 in these treatments, compared to >27 in uncapped mesocosm and field control sediments. The results from the study show that reducing harmful ecosystem effects from thin-layer capping by selecting capping materials based on robust, multi-endpoint mesocosm bench-tests is both possible and recommendable. Potential ecosystem impacts are particularly important to consider when large areas and areas with adequate ecological status are considered for thin-layer capping., 7

Active or reactive capping, is the application of a relatively thin layer of reactive material to the sediment to physically and chemically reduce contaminant mobility and/or bioavailability. This project addressed high priority research needs related to developing/selecting active capping materials and cap designs for contaminant sequestration under a range of aquatic sediment conditions and assessing the ability of innovative amendments to immobilize a variety of organic and inorganic contamination and resist erosion in situ. The active capping technology under study consisted of the in situ application of phosphate materials, organoclays, and biopolymer products. The amendments were selected based on the proven ability of phosphate-based materials to stabilize metals, of organoclays to bind nonpolar pollutants such as PCBs and PAHs, and of biopolymers and their cross-link networks to act as plugging agents that bind contaminants. We theorized that phosphate amendments, organoclays, and the cross-link biopolymer products would complement each other to stabilize a wider range of organic and inorganic compounds than they could individually. This project included laboratory studies that researched fundamental aspects of active cap design followed by a pilotscale field study that evaluated newly developed active caps under realistic conditions. Numerical simulations were used to determine how active caps composed of promising amendments and amendment mixtures affected the diffusive and advective transport of contaminants from the sediment surface into the water column. Procedures were developed for making biopolymer materials that contributed to erosion resistance., The original document contains color images.

El estudio de las interacciones entre los organismos mediadas por sustancias químicas, lo que se denomina ecología química, nos da información sobre la biología de las especies implicadas, el funcionamiento de la comunidad en que viven y nos puede proporcionar además el conocimiento de nuevas sustancias que pueden ser útiles para el ser humano. En el marco de nuestros estudios sobre la ecología química de los invertebrados antárticos, en el proyecto ECOQUIM (2003-2006) se recolectaron numerosas muestras biológicas a partir de las cuales se obtuvieron extractos y sustancias naturales de invertebrados antárticos. En el proyecto ACTIQUIM (2007-actualidad), se ha evaluado el papel ecológico de estos extractos y sustancias naturales mediante experimentos de ecología química in situ (repelencia, defensa ante distintos tipos de macro y micro-depredadores, toxicidad, citotoxicidad y actividad antifouling) y también se ha analizado la actividad antitumoral de algunos compuestos obtenidos recientemente. Nuestros resultados demuestran, entre otras cuestiones, que las defensas químicas en los organismos antárticos son elevadas en las esponjas, los cnidarios, los tunicados, los briozoos, los equinodermos y los moluscos y que por lo tanto, estos grupos pueden ser una fuente rica en metabolitos secundarios con bioactividad, tanto a nivel ecológico como farmacológico., The study of the relationships between organisms mediated by chemicals (chemical ecology) can provide valuable information about the biology of the species, their role within the community and our knowledge of new molecules potentially useful to human beings. Within our ECOQUIM Project (2003-2006), we collected many biological samples that allowed us to obtain extracts and bioactive natural products from Antarctic benthic invertebrates. During the ACTIQUIM Project (2007 and on) the ecological activities of the marine natural products obtained have been determined by in situ chemical ecology experiments (repellence, defence, toxicity, cytotoxicity and antifouling). Also, the pharmacological potential has been analyzed by testing the antitumoral activity of selected compounds recently described. Our results show that chemical defences are abundant in Antarctic sponges, cnidarians, echinoderms, bryozoans, tunicates and mollusks, and that these zoological groups can be considered as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites of importance both in ecology and in pharmacology.

El estudio de las interacciones entre los organismos mediadas por sustancias químicas, lo que se denomina ecología química, nos da información sobre la biología de las especies implicadas, el funcionamiento de la comunidad en que viven y nos puede proporcionar además el conocimiento de nuevas sustancias que pueden ser útiles para el ser humano. En el marco de nuestros estudios sobre la ecología química de los invertebrados antárticos, en el proyecto ECOQUIM (2003-2006) se recolectaron numerosas muestras biológicas a partir de las cuales se obtuvieron extractos y sustancias naturales de invertebrados antárticos. En el proyecto ACTIQUIM (2007-actualidad), se ha evaluado el papel ecológico de estos extractos y sustancias naturales mediante experimentos de ecología química in situ (repelencia, defensa ante distintos tipos de macro y micro-depredadores, toxicidad, citotoxicidad y actividad antifouling) y también se ha analizado la actividad antitumoral de algunos compuestos obtenidos recientemente. Nuestros resultados demuestran, entre otras cuestiones, que las defensas químicas en los organismos antárticos son elevadas en las esponjas, los cnidarios, los tunicados, los briozoos, los equinodermos y los moluscos y que por lo tanto, estos grupos pueden ser una fuente rica en metabolitos secundarios con bioactividad, tanto a nivel ecológico como farmacológico., The study of the relationships between organisms mediated by chemicals (chemical ecology) can provide valuable information about the biology of the species, their role within the community and our knowledge of new molecules potentially useful to human beings. Within our ECOQUIM Project (2003-2006), we collected many biological samples that allowed us to obtain extracts and bioactive natural products from Antarctic benthic invertebrates. During the ACTIQUIM Project (2007 and on) the ecological activities of the marine natural products obtained have been determined by in situ chemical ecology experiments (repellence, defence, toxicity, cytotoxicity and antifouling). Also, the pharmacological potential has been analyzed by testing the antitumoral activity of selected compounds recently described. Our results show that chemical defences are abundant in Antarctic sponges, cnidarians, echinoderms, bryozoans, tunicates and mollusks, and that these zoological groups can be considered as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites of importance both in ecology and in pharmacology.

In order to study further the genetic structure of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera in French Polynesia with a special consideration for the sampling scale, we analyzed or re-analyzed sets of data based on nuclear DNA markers obtained at different spatial scales. At a large scale (several 1,000 km), the remote Marquesas Islands were confirmed to be significantly differentiated from Tuamotu-Gambier and Society archipelagos, with a marked difference however for the two main islands that are different from each other. At a medium scale (several 10 to several 100 km), overall homogeneity was observed within and between these two archipelagos, with some exceptions. This could be attributed both to large-scale larval dispersal and to human-driven spat translocations due to pearl oyster cultivation. These results contrast with those observed (1) at a small scale (less than 10 km) in a lagoon heavily impacted by translocation and cultural practices, where significant genetic differentiation was detected among three laying beds, and (2) at a micro scale where we detected an important variability of the genetic composition of young spat recruited on artificial collectors. Such patterns could result from a high variance in the number of genitors at the origin of each cohort, or from pre- or post-settlement selection on linked loci. Altogether, our data support the hypothesis that under certain conditions populations of bivalves may exhibit patterns of chaotic genetic patchiness at local scale, in line with the increasing report of such patchiness in marine benthic organisms. This underlines the importance of sampling scale that should be rigorously defined depending on the questions to be answered. Nevertheless, a survey of about 80 articles dealing with population genetics of marine invertebrates showed that only 35% of those studies disclosed details about the sampling strategy (particularly the area explored). These results emphasize the need for cautious interpretat

In order to study further the genetic structure of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera in French Polynesia with a special consideration for the sampling scale, we analyzed or re-analyzed sets of data based on nuclear DNA markers obtained at different spatial scales. At a large scale (several 1,000 km), the remote Marquesas Islands were confirmed to be significantly differentiated from Tuamotu-Gambier and Society archipelagos, with a marked difference however for the two main islands that are different from each other. At a medium scale (several 10 to several 100 km), overall homogeneity was observed within and between these two archipelagos, with some exceptions. This could be attributed both to large-scale larval dispersal and to human-driven spat translocations due to pearl oyster cultivation. These results contrast with those observed (1) at a small scale (less than 10 km) in a lagoon heavily impacted by translocation and cultural practices, where significant genetic differentiation was detected among three laying beds, and (2) at a micro scale where we detected an important variability of the genetic composition of young spat recruited on artificial collectors. Such patterns could result from a high variance in the number of genitors at the origin of each cohort, or from pre- or post-settlement selection on linked loci. Altogether, our data support the hypothesis that under certain conditions populations of bivalves may exhibit patterns of chaotic genetic patchiness at local scale, in line with the increasing report of such patchiness in marine benthic organisms. This underlines the importance of sampling scale that should be rigorously defined depending on the questions to be answered. Nevertheless, a survey of about 80 articles dealing with population genetics of marine invertebrates showed that only 35% of those studies disclosed details about the sampling strategy (particularly the area explored). These results emphasize the need for cautious interpretat

In order to study further the genetic structure of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera in French Polynesia with a special consideration for the sampling scale, we analyzed or re-analyzed sets of data based on nuclear DNA markers obtained at different spatial scales. At a large scale (several 1,000 km), the remote Marquesas Islands were confirmed to be significantly differentiated from Tuamotu-Gambier and Society archipelagos, with a marked difference however for the two main islands that are different from each other. At a medium scale (several 10 to several 100 km), overall homogeneity was observed within and between these two archipelagos, with some exceptions. This could be attributed both to large-scale larval dispersal and to human-driven spat translocations due to pearl oyster cultivation. These results contrast with those observed (1) at a small scale (less than 10 km) in a lagoon heavily impacted by translocation and cultural practices, where significant genetic differentiation was detected among three laying beds, and (2) at a micro scale where we detected an important variability of the genetic composition of young spat recruited on artificial collectors. Such patterns could result from a high variance in the number of genitors at the origin of each cohort, or from pre- or post-settlement selection on linked loci. Altogether, our data support the hypothesis that under certain conditions populations of bivalves may exhibit patterns of chaotic genetic patchiness at local scale, in line with the increasing report of such patchiness in marine benthic organisms. This underlines the importance of sampling scale that should be rigorously defined depending on the questions to be answered. Nevertheless, a survey of about 80 articles dealing with population genetics of marine invertebrates showed that only 35% of those studies disclosed details about the sampling strategy (particularly the area explored). These results emphasize the need for cautious interpretat

The long term goal is a quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the relationship between infaunal ecology and the consequent modification of sediments, including the creation and destruction of heterogeneities and the modes and rates of sediment component mixing., code 1 only.

Recent advances in underwater robotics and imaging technology now enable the rapid acquisition of large datasets of near-bottom high-resolution digital imagery. These images provide the potential for developing a non-invasive technique for fisheries data acquisition that reveals the organisms in their natural habitat and can be used to identify important habitat characteristics. Using these large datasets effectively, however, requires the development of computer-based techniques that increase the efficiency of data analysis. This document describes one such tool, FISH_ROCK, which was developed for a group of fisheries researchers using the SeaBED AUV during a research cruise in October 2005. FISH_ROCK is a graphical user interface (GUI) that is executed within Matlab, and allows users digitally generate a database that includes organism identification, quantity, size and distribution as well as details about their habitat. Further development of this GUI will enable its use in different oceanographic environments including the deep sea, and will include modules that perform data analysis., Funding was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under Grant No. AB133F05SE5828.

Recent advances in underwater robotics and imaging technology now enable the rapid acquisition of large datasets of near-bottom high-resolution digital imagery. These images provide the potential for developing a non-invasive technique for fisheries data acquisition that reveals the organisms in their natural habitat and can be used to identify important habitat characteristics. Using these large datasets effectively, however, requires the development of computer-based techniques that increase the efficiency of data analysis. This document describes one such tool, FISH_ROCK, which was developed for a group of fisheries researchers using the SeaBED AUV during a research cruise in October 2005. FISH_ROCK is a graphical user interface (GUI) that is executed within Matlab, and allows users digitally generate a database that includes organism identification, quantity, size and distribution as well as details about their habitat. Further development of this GUI will enable its use in different oceanographic environments including the deep sea, and will include modules that perform data analysis., Funding was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under Grant No. AB133F05SE5828.

Recent advances in underwater robotics and imaging technology now enable the rapid acquisition of large datasets of near-bottom high-resolution digital imagery. These images provide the potential for developing a non-invasive technique for fisheries data acquisition that reveals the organisms in their natural habitat and can be used to identify important habitat characteristics. Using these large datasets effectively, however, requires the development of computer-based techniques that increase the efficiency of data analysis. This document describes one such tool, FISH_ROCK, which was developed for a group of fisheries researchers using the SeaBED AUV during a research cruise in October 2005. FISH_ROCK is a graphical user interface (GUI) that is executed within Matlab, and allows users digitally generate a database that includes organism identification, quantity, size and distribution as well as details about their habitat. Further development of this GUI will enable its use in different oceanographic environments including the deep sea, and will include modules that perform data analysis., Funding was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under Grant No. AB133F05SE5828.

Coastal areas play a crucial role in the economical, social and political development of most countries; they support diverse and productive coastal ecosystems that provide valuable goods and services. Globally flooding and coastal erosion represent serious threats along many coastlines, and will become more serious as a consequence of human-induced changes and accelerated sea-level rise. Over the past century, hard coastal defence structures have become ubiquitous features of coastal landscapes as a response to these threats. The proliferation of defence works can affect over half of the shoreline in some regions and results in dramatic changes to the coastal environment. Surprisingly little attention has been paid to the ecological consequences of coastal defence. Results from the DELOS (Environmental Design of Low Crested Coastal Defence Structures, EVK3-CT-2000-00041) project indicate that the construction of coastal defence structures will affect coastal ecosystems. The consequences can be seen on a local scale, as disruption of surrounding soft-bottom environments and introduction of new artificial hard-bottom habitats, with consequent changes to the native assemblages of the areas. Proliferation of coastal defence structures can also have critical impacts on regional species diversity, removing isolating barriers, favouring the spread of non-native species and increasing habitat heterogeneity. Knowledge of the environmental context in which coastal defence structures are placed is fundamental to an effective management of these structures as, while there are some general consequences of such construction, many effects are site specific. Advice is provided to meet specific management goals, which include mitigating specific impacts on the environment, such as minimising changes to surrounding sediments, spread of exotic species or growth of nuisance species, and/or enhancing specific natural resources, for example enhancing fish recruitment or promoting divers

In the current study, the bioconcentration behavior and acute toxicity of two polycyclic musks, Tonalide® 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6,-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN) and Galaxolide® 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexa-methyl-cyclopenta[γ]-2- benzopyran (HHCB), were studied in two benthic organisms. Polycyclic musks are frequently used fragrances, and they have been detected in different compartments of the environment. The aim of this study was to fill some empirical data gaps for AHTN and HHCB for benthic organisms. Results show that differences exist between both organisms. Chironomus riparius exhibited bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for AHTN and HHCB substantially lower than predicted for nontransformed organics. The BCFs for both chemicals increased after coexposure of the organism to the cytochrome P450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide. Thus, the low BCF values were the result of rapid biotransformation of AHTN and HHCB in the midge larvae. Bioconcentration kinetics indicated that both chemicals induced their own cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism. Acute toxicity of AHTN to midge larvae was reduced compared to predicted baseline toxicity and was similar for HHCB. Bioconcentration of AHTN and HHCB in the worm (Lumbriculus variegatus) is in agreement with predictions based on the octanol-water partition coefficients of these chemicals. Acute toxicity was found to be similar to predicted values for baseline toxicity. Summarizing, for AHTN and HHCB, acute toxicity and bioconcentration behavior in L. variegatus was in accordance with predicted data for nontransformed organics. In C. riparius, bioconcentration as well as toxicity were reduced.

1. The effects of towed bottom-fishing gear on benthic communities is the subject of heated debate, but the generality of trawl effects with respect to gear and habitat types is poorly understood. To address this deficiency we undertook a meta-analysis of 39 published fishing impact studies. 2. Our analysis shows that inter-tidal dredging and scallop dredging have the greatest initial effects on benthic biota, while trawling has less effect. Fauna in stable gravel, mud and biogenic habitats are more adversely affected than those in less consolidated coarse sediments. 3. Recovery rate appears most rapid in these less physically stable habitats, which are generally inhabited by more opportunistic species. However, defined areas that are fished in excess of three times per year (as occurs in parts of the North Sea and Georges Bank) are likely to be maintained in a permanently altered state. 4. We conclude that intuition about how fishing ought to affect benthic communities is generally supported, but that there are substantial gaps in the available data, which urgently need to be filled. In particular, data on impacts and recovery of epifaunal structure-forming benthic communities are badly needed.

This technical note describe monitoring considerations for capping projects, including establishing monitoring objectives, designing monitoring programs/plans, monitoring approaches, and monitoring equipment and techniques.

Dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) were measured in interstitial water samples squeezed from sediments collected in a variety of depositional environments. These sediments were further characterized by measurements of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, total hydrolyzable amino acids, and pore water-dissolved remineralization products., Sponsored in part by Grant NSF-OCE77-26180.

Trans. of Zoological Journal (USSR) v50 n5 p641-647 1971, by v. Astvazaturov.

Impact of fire on recreation stream water quality and spawning habitat - final report

Benthic Community Dynamics in Relation to Sedimentary Rehabilitation on Tributaries of the South Fork of the Salmon River

Ecology of Benthic Insects in Relation to Watershed Management Strategies on the Silver Creek Study Area, Idaho