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Bioaccumulation and biological effects of pollution were assessed in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) caged for one month at three sites in the Oiartzun estuary (south-eastern Bay of Biscay, Spain) with the aim of evaluating their usefulness within the investigative monitoring defined in the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). The highest concentrations of organic contaminants determined in mussels' tissue were detected towards the inner part of the estuary but no gradient pattern was found for metal bioaccumulation. Population fitness responses measured as condition index, stress on stress and gonad index were similar in all caged mussels and did not follow the organic pollution gradient. However, biomarkers determined at tissue, cell and protein level (histopathology, micronuclei frequency, malondialdehyde levels and vitellogenin-like protein levels) revealed a higher stress syndrome at the inner part of the estuary showing signs of genotoxicity, oxidative stress and endocrine disruption. Overall, the integrated chemical–biological approach in connection with mussel caging technique proved to be a useful tool to assess environmental pollution, allowing a better understanding of the cause–effect relationship within the investigative monitoring defined in the WFD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Marine regional Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from the Basque coast (SE Bay of Biscay) were determined, on the basis of sediment chemistry, toxicity and benthic community disturbance from analysis of 756 estuarine and coastal samples. The SQG were calculated using a percentile approach (based upon effect and non-effect data), using non-normalised and normalised concentration, by total organic carbon. However, normalisation by total organic carbon did not result in any improvement in accuracy compared with non-normalised values. Hence, this study proposes non-normalised SQG values for assessment of the chemical and physicochemical status in marine waters in the Basque Country, within the Water Framework Directive: 24.6–29 μg kg−1for total PCBs; 164–285 μg kg−1for low molecular weight PAH; 922–1537 μg kg−1for high molecular weight PAH; and 1607–2617 μg kg−1for total PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution characterises the sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the Basque coast (Bay of Biscay). Different source characterisation approaches (i.e. GIS assisted-chemometrics, PAH diagnostic ratios and analyses of composition profiles) were used in combination to successfully identify the factors determining the origin and distribution of PAHs. Urban/industrial combustion processes were identified as the main PAH source. However, the analysis of PAH composition patterns and diagnostic ratios identified secondary natural and petrogenic PAH sources on small spatial scales. The median ∑18PAH concentration ranged from 66 μg kg−1(d.w.) to 7021 μg kg−1(d.w.). The Ibaizabal estuary, which supports most of the anthropogenic pressure in the region (i.e. urban development, industrialisation, commercial and recreational harbours), also showed the highest PAH concentrations. On the shelf, human activities, hydrodynamic conditions and geomorphological features led to spatial differences in the PAH concentrations among sectors: the offshore and west sectors were characterised by higher concentrations, while the lowest values were found in the mid and east sectors. The results enhance the knowledge on PAH-related contamination processes and could be used to support the environmental assessment process required under current European marine legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) for metals from the Basque Country (northern Spain) were determined. These guidelines are proposed to be used for management purposes, within the Water Framework Directive (WFD). SQG were determined on the basis of sediment chemistry, toxicity and benthic community disturbance, from 961 estuarine and coastal samples. The guidelines were calculated using a percentile approach (effect and non-effect data), following normalisation on the fine-sediment content and with non-normalisation. The feasibility of SQG was quantified by the incidence of adverse effects, that is, the ratio of effect/no-effect data, which increased significantly with increasing SQG ranges. The study proposes the following formula to calculate SQG: SQG  μg·g−1/FC. 10−2 (where FC is fine-sediment content and SQG* is the normalised SQG). The SQG* were 13.5 μg·g−1 for As, 1 μg·g−1 for Cd, 39 μg·g−1 for Cr, 55 μg·g−1 for Cu, 0.53 μ g·g−1 for Hg, 23 μg·g−1 for Ni, 78 μ g·g−1 for Pb and 249 μg·g−1 for Zn. The use of four different organisational biological levels ensures an improvement in the determination of metal regional SQG for the assessment of the chemical and physicochemical status in marine waters, within the WFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, considerable interest has been generated in the wave energy production. As a new use of the ocean, a Spatial Planning approach is proposed to provide a mechanism to achieve consensus among the sectors operating at present, together with the identification of the most suitable locations to accommodate the Wave Energy Converters (WECs), in the near future. In this contribution: (a) a methodology for the establishment of a Suitability Index (SI) for WECs installation location selection is proposed; (b) the spatial distribution of the SI is mapped; and finally, (c) the accessible wave energy potential has been calculated for the entire Basque continental shelf. As the SI represents the appropriateness of several locations for WECs installation, while minimizing the conflict with other marine uses, the first step in the development of the analysis involved gathering all such information that may be likely to determine, or influence, the decision-making process. Seventeen information layers (among them 10 technical, 4 environmental, and 3 socioeconomical), corresponding to the identified key factors, including the theoretical wave energy in the study area, were generated to define their spatial distribution. Geographical Information System algorithms were used then in the assessment of the total theoretical energy potential and the accessible theoretical energy potential; these were calculated excluding areas where conflicts with other uses occur, such as navigation regulations or designated Marine Protected Areas. The resulting map indicates that, taking into account the zones not affected by “use conflicts,” together with the estimated energy performance of the most advanced WECs technology, the potential energy produced in the study area could supply between 37% and 50% of the electrical consumption of households in the Basque Country. This contribution could avoid the annual emission of 0.96 to 1.54 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]