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Data are reported for an inland artificial lagoon (Ayla) to evaluate the impact of the lagoon’s modeled design and water replenishment system on its water quality and the coastal ecosystem. This study focused on Ayla’s upper lagoon (UL) only, due to its isolation from the two other lagoons and the ambient seawater in the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA). Nutrient measurements (nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, and silicate) in addition to Chlorophyll a (Chl a) data were collected between July 2012 and June 2013. Chl a values in the UL were not significantly different from ambient seawater in the GoA, and the UL did not show seasonal differences (p = 0.456). Significant variability for nitrite was observed in the UL between spring and summer (p < 0.0001) and between fall and winter (p < 0.0001). Nitrite showed a stronger seasonal effect in the GoA seawater than in the UL (p = 0.056). Phosphorus showed a seasonal effect and remained similar between the UL and GoA. Nutrient stoichiometry showed a Redfield-like nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N:P) ratio for the ambient GoA seawater around the inlet pumping source and an increased N:P ratio inside the UL. This study emphasizes the importance of modeled lagoon design and seawater replenishment system in preventing and inhibiting eutrophication of the lagoon and therefore minimizing contamination in the coastal ecosystem.

This work carries out a landscape analysis for the last 60 years to compare the degree of preservation of two areas on the same Italian coastline characterized by different environmental protection levels: a National designated protected areas and a highly tourist coastal destination. The conversion of natural land-covers into human land uses were detected for protected and unprotected coastal stretches highlighting that the only establishment of a protected area is not enough to stem undesirable land-use outcomes. A survey analysis was also conducted to assess attitudes of beach users and to evaluate their perception of natural habitats, beach and coastal water quality, and coastal dynamic over time. The results of 2071 questionnaires showed that there is similarity between subjective and objective data. However, several beach users perceived a bad quality of coastal water in the legally unprotected coastal area. The implications from a planning and management perspective are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll a (Chl a) is the predominant pigment in every single photosynthesizing organism including phytoplankton and one of the most commonly measured water quality parameters. Various methods are available for Chl a analysis, but the majority of them are of limited throughput and require considerable effort and time from the operator. The present study describes a high-throughput, microplate-based fluorometric assay for rapid quantification of Chl a in phytoplankton extracts. Microplate sealing combined with ice cooling was proved an effective means for diminishing solvent evaporation during sample loading and minimized the analytical errors involved in Chl a measurements with a fluorescence microplate reader. A set of operating parameters (settling time, detector gain, sample volume) were also optimized to further improve the intensity and reproducibility of Chl a fluorescence signal. A quadratic regression model provided the best fit ( r = 0.9998) across the entire calibration range (0.05-240 pg μL). The method offered excellent intra- and interday precision (% RSD 2.2 to 11.2%) and accuracy (% relative error −3.8 to 13.8%), while it presented particularly low limits of detection (0.044 pg μL) and quantification (0.132 pg μL). The present assay was successfully applied on marine phytoplankton extracts, and the overall results were consistent (average % relative error −14.8%) with Chl a concentrations (including divinyl Chl a) measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). More importantly, the microplate-based method allowed the analysis of 96 samples/standards within a few minutes, instead of hours or days, when using a traditional cuvette-based fluorometer or an HPLC system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination in both sediments and molluscs from the Egyptian Mediterranean coast was investigated. Seawater, sediments, and mollusc samples were collected from representative locations along the coastal area. Different representations of the data set, including, statistical methods (correlation matrix and cluster analyses), various sediment quality assessment methods, and bioaccumulation factor calculation, were combined to investigate the trends of heavy metals, identify pollution sources, and assess sediment quality from a toxicological point of view. The measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO) revealed to relatively well oxygenate surface water in all locations. There is a distinct change in the contents of heavy metals (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Hg) among the sampling sediments. The statistical interpretations showed that the bio-availability of the studied heavy metals is controlled by different factors, including the geo-chemistry of sediments, the hydrology of the system, the uptake of metals from sediments, as well as human anthropogenic activities. Although, there are still certain points of the Egyptian Mediterranean coast with a relatively high concentration of toxic metals, the toxicological approach suggests that the risk for living organisms is not high, but, in the long run, toxicological implications can appear. These results can provide useful information for the local managers and decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present investigation was to quantify the levels of trace elements (Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Cd and total Hg) in the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis (L.). Based on their levels, the quality of Montenegro seawater for future mussel farming was estimated. The mussel M. galloprovincialis (L.) was collected from four sites in the Montenegrin costal area in the period of two years to determine trace element concentrations and to classify the quality of the coastal water and possible health risks from its consumption. The mean metal concentrations in the mussels ranged from 133.5-205.9 for Zn, 7.50-14.5 for Cu, 4.42-13.3 for As, 4.70-12.9 for Pb, 1.73-2.41 for Cd and 0.07-0.59 for total Hg in mg/kg dry weight. The levels of toxic metals (except for Pb) in the mussels were within the maximum residual levels prescribed by the laws of Montenegro, the EU and the USFDA. In addition, the trace metal concentrations found in the mussels in this study were similar to regional data using this mussel as a biomonitoring agent of seawater quality.

As copper-coated cadmium granules, which are recommended for use in the standard method for analyzing nitrate, are environmentally unfriendly and forbidden in some countries, an alternative method is required. To enhance the method for determining low nitrate concentration in seawater, the optimal conditions for reducing nitrate to nitrite using zinc powder were assessed in this study. The modified zinc method was optimal at an 0.8:1 (v/v) ratio of buffer solution (pH 8.5) (4 ml) to water sample (5 ml) with 50 mg of zinc powder and a standing time of 30 min. The nitrite was reacted with sulfanilamide and N-(1-Naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride after nitrate reduction, and spectrophotometrically quantified at 543 nm. This modified method was found to have a linear dynamic range of 0.1–7.0 μM, a low detection limit (0.1 μM), good intra-day and inter-day reproducibility (<5% relative standard deviation), high-efficiency reduction (>95%), and excellent accuracy in analysis of certified reference material (95% relative accuracy). The results obtained using the modified method agreed well with those obtained using the conventional cadmium column method. Overall, this alternative green chemistry method is a simplified procedure for determining nitrate in seawater with a high efficiency. • Zinc powder can be employed as reductant for determining nitrate in seawater. • The limit of detection of this modified method was as low as 0.1 μM. • The nitrate results obtained using this method agreed well with the standard method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiamen is the epitome of having steady economic growth and non-negligible environmental stress over decades. Several restoration programs have been applied to address the conflicts between heavy environmental pressures and human activities, but the response of current coastal protection policies to the marine environment remains to be assessed. Therefore, to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of marine conservation policies under regional economic growth in Xiamen, quantitative techniques including elasticity analysis and dummy variable regression models were applied. Here we show the potential relationship between seawater quality (pH, COD, DIN and DRP) and economic growth including Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Ocean Product (GOP), to evaluate the ongoing related policies by using over 10 years of data (2007–2018). According to our estimates, a GDP growth rate of 8.5% represents a stable economic climate that is favorable for the overall rehabilitation of the local coastal environment. The results of the quantitative research indicate a strong relationship between economic development and seawater quality, with marine protection regulations serving as the direct cause. As GDP growth and pH are significantly positively correlated (coef. = 0.8139, p = 0.012), ocean acidification has decreased over the last decade. With an inversely proportional correlation with GDP (coef. = 0.8456, p = 0.002) and GOP (coef. = 0.8046, p = 0.005), the trend in COD concentrations effectively meets the targets of current pollution control legislation. By using a dummy variable regression model, we found that legislation is the most effective way in seawater recovery in the GOP section, and positive externalities of marine protection frameworks are also estimated. Meanwhile, it is predicted that the negative effects from the non-GOP section will gradually affect the coastal environmental quality gradually. An overall framework for controlling marine pollutant discharges, giving equal attention to maritime and non-maritime anthropogenic activities should be promoted and updated. • The coastal seawater conditions with economic growth in Xiamen Bay were proposed. • A systematic evaluation of environmental protection policies was formed. • The relationship between seawater quality and economic development was analyzed. • Quantitative methods were adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of policy. • To provide policy-making suggestions for sustainable coastal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal environment has been disturbed by human activities for a long time, especially in the rapidly urbanizing and industrializing areas. Although the surrounding area has achieved great economic success in the past 30 years, Western Xiamen Bay (China) is seriously affected by pollutants and is facing increasing ecological pressure. Because of this, Xiamen was selected in 1994 as a demonstration site for implementing an integrated coastal management program, which included a series of measures for protecting the coastal environment. However, coastal environment is dynamic, complex and site-specific, and thus a scientific quantitative evaluation framework is necessary for environment quality analysis and effective coastal management. In this study, we used oceanographic knowledge together with quantitative methods (Bai-Perron's structural break test) to analyze the long-term variations of water quality indices (pH, DO, COD, DIN, PO 4 -P and Oil) in Western Xiamen Bay. In addition, we compared with other coastal areas to identify the effectiveness of phosphorus-based nutrient management measures and predicted the probable variation trend in the future. The results show that in Western Xiamen Bay: (1) the concentrations of DO and Oil in seawater are effectively controlled by local coastal management measures; (2) seawater acidification will continue to worsen based on the present situation; and (3) the P-limitation treatment strategies are effective and PO 4 -P concentration starts to fall according to the multiple statistical analysis and Environmental Kuznets Curve. This paper hopes to provide an epitome of the conflicts and consolations between socioeconomic development and environmental quality in the past, and hints for coastal management in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra from seawater samples collected from sites along the coastline of Tianjin Bohai Bay in China were subjected to multivariate partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis. Calibration models were developed for monitoring chemical oxygen demand (COD) and concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC). Three different PLS models were developed using the spectra from raw samples (Model-1), diluted samples (Model-2), and diluted and raw samples combined (Model-3). Experimental results showed that: (i) possible nonlinearities in the signal concentration relationships were well accounted for by the multivariate PLS model; (ii) the predicted values of COD and TOC fit the analytical values well; the high correlation coefficients and small root mean squared error of cross-validation (RMSECV) showed that this method can be used for seawater quality monitoring; and (iii) compared with Model-1 and Model-2, Model-3 had the highest coefficient of determination (R2) and the lowest number of latent variables. This latter finding suggests that only large data sets that include data representing different combinations of conditions (i.e., various seawater matrices) will produce stable site-specific regressions. The results of this study illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and its potential for use as a seawater quality monitoring technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developed models can estimate mussel production during climate change events. • High RCP causes mussel mortality due to salinity reduction and thermal stress. • In all RCPs, the mussel productions were forecasted to decrease over time. • High mussel density is more sensitive to climate change than low mussel density. • Appropriate seedling and harvest periods can be forecasted using the model. This research developed a green mussel cultivation model to assist sustainable production for farmers under climate change events. The model consists of 4 sub-models: mussel growth, phytoplankton population, the effect of seawater quality on mussel density, and the influence of atmospheric parameters on seawater quality. The integrated model was constructed by STELLA software and was calibrated with field observation data. The model was employed to simulate the impact of climate change on mussels based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: The Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC AR5) projection. Results demonstrated that mussel production varied due to differences in the available phytoplankton, the initial mussel weight, the cultivation period, the air temperature, and the rainfall pattern. The model simulations showed that under the greater radiative forcing scenario (Representative Concentration Pathways: RCPs), higher rainfall and air temperatures resulted in salinity reduction and thermal stress on green mussels. Consequently, mussel production was forecasted to decline over time. The simulations also revealed that during extreme weather events, low mussel density, high aeration, and being far from freshwater discharge could avoid mass mussel mortality. Using the results of the developed model, an appropriate cultivation period can be forecasted. However, it depends on the site-specific climate pattern in each cultivation area. Results can be employed as a climate change adaptation tool for mussel farmers. Finally, the information can assist other researchers interested in sustainable mussel cultivation under extreme events. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first systematic assessment conducted on fouling communities to determine the current status of six non-native marine invertebrates that were first recorded in Hong Kong three decades ago. They include the solitary ascidian, Ciona intestinalis; the slipper limpet, Crepidula onyx; the bryozoan, Bugula californica; the Caribbean bivalve, Mytilopsis sallei; the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis; and the boring isopod, Sphaeroma walkeri. Field surveys were conducted at 31 locations during wet (2011) and dry (2012) seasons and included fouling communities on piers and mariculture zones from estuarine to oceanic zones. The sampling was conducted by using photo-quadrats, destructive quadrats and field observations. To detect temporal changes in the abundance and recruitment of the sedentary non-native species, three piers were monitored with permanent photo-quadrats and recruitment panels for a one year period. We examined the relationship between seawater quality data available for Hong Kong and the abundances of fouling and non-native species. Only four of the six target non-native species were recorded in this survey. The isopod Sphaeroma walkeri was common and widely distributed in fouling communities in Hong Kong, while Ciona intestinalis, Crepidula onyx, and Mytilopsis sallei were uncommon and mainly restricted to areas with intensive human activities and poor seawater quality. These findings suggest that near shore human activities and poor water quality could increase the risk of establishment of non-native species in Hong Kong's marine fouling communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coral reef ecosystems of Nanwan Bay, Southern Taiwan are undergoing degradation due to anthropogenic impacts, and as such have resulted in a decline in coral cover. As a first step in preventing the continual degradation of these coral reef environments, it is important to understand how changes in water quality affect these ecosystems on a fine-tuned timescale. To this end, a real-time water quality monitoring system was implemented in Nanwan Bay in 2010. We found that natural events, such as cold water intrusion due to upwelling, tended to elicit temporal shifts in coral spawning between 2010 and 2011. In addition, Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs), a commonly utilized predictor of coral bleaching, were 0.92 and 0.59 in summer 2010 and 2011, respectively. Though this quantity of DHW was below the presumed stress-inducing value for these reefs, a rise in DHWs in the future may stress the resident corals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the marine economy industry, human exploitation of marine resources is increasing, which is contributing to the growing trend of eutrophication and frequent occurrence of red tide. Accordingly, investigations of seawater quality have attracted a great deal of attention. This study was conducted to construct a seawater environmental quality assessment model based on the variable fuzzy recognition model. The uncertainty and ambiguity of the seawater quality assessment were then considered, combining the monitoring values of evaluation indicators with the standard values of seawater quality. Laizhou Bay was subsequently selected for a case study. In this study, the correct variable model for different parameters was obtained according to the linear and nonlinear features of evaluation objects. Application of the variable fuzzy recognition model for Laizhou Bay, water quality evaluation and comparison with performance obtained using other approaches revealed that the generated model is more reliable than traditional methods, can more reasonably determine the water quality of various samples, and is more suitable for evaluation of a multi-index, multi-level, nonlinear marine environment system; accordingly, the generated model will be an effective tool for seawater quality evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We compare marine environment effects of artificial island reclamation techniques. [•] Underwater explosion treatment seriously impacts the water quality and fishery. [•] Silt dredging technique mildly impacts marine environment, and it is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In July 2001, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, co-sponsored by the Kenting National Park Headquarters and Taiwan’s National Science Council, launched a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program to monitor anthropogenic impacts on the ecosystems of southern Taiwan, specifically the coral reefs of Kenting National Park (KNP), which are facing an increasing amount of anthropogenic pressure. We found that the seawater of the reef flats along Nanwan Bay, Taiwan’s southernmost embayment, was polluted by sewage discharge at certain monitoring stations. Furthermore, the consequently higher nutrient and suspended sediment levels had led to algal blooms and sediment smothering of shallow water corals at some sampling sites. Finally, our results show that, in addition to this influx of anthropogenically-derived sewage, increasing tourist numbers are correlated with decreasing shallow water coral cover, highlighting the urgency of a more proactive management plan for KNP’s coral reefs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present study has been to analyze the effect of Mytilus sp. on the quality of raw seawater (organic compounds and heavy metals concentrations). The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions. Two groups of the sea mussel were used in the experiments: small (S group; mean shell length 28.54±1.69mm) and large ones (L group; mean shell length 35.07±1.83mm). The highest removal efficiency of organic compounds, Zn, Pb and Ni was observed for the water retention time in a reactor of 9 or 12h. The differences between removal efficiencies of COD, Zn, Pb and Ni were significant and mainly dependent on the water retention time, less – on the mussels’ size (two-way ANOVA, p <0.05). Unlike the other examined heavy metals, Cr revealed no significant concentration changes, which may suggest that sea mussels are unable to remove Cr from seawater quickly. The results suggest that it might be possible to use Mytilus sp. as a kind of biofilter for the improvement of seawater quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present the kinetics of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) after dilution of wastewater in seawater under laboratory conditions (at 208C). We studied the decay rates of FIB, which were found in raw sewage and in the effluent of secondary treatment. After dilution in seawater there was a rapid destruction of the microorganisms at a rate faster than that has undergone through a secondary treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The large discharges of wastewater in different natural receiving environments, particularly the marine environment, have massively contributed to pollution. This study examined the physicochemical and microbiological quality of wastewater discharged along the Mediterranean Sea. This investigation is one of the few works carried out by scientists along with the Mediterranean countries. Wastewater sampling was carried out in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Italy. Analyses confirmed that the quality of treated wastewater was always better than the ones registered as raw wastewater. In addition, the quality of the treated wastewater and seawater appeared to be adequate and satisfied the standard and recommended limits in vigor in all these Mediterranean countries. These results showed that the wastewater treatment process used in Italy allowed a higher reduction in most tested parameters (COD: 80.44%, BOD5: 58.9%, OM: 70.74%, TOC: 78.4%). The bacteriological quality of these waters and their diversification was assessed by the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. Firmicutes, Gamma-Proteobacteria, and Beta-Proteobacteria in 42% of the DGGE DNA bands, and predominately some lineages affiliated to cultivable and non-cultivable clones of Bacteroides (58%), were found. The examination of antibiotic susceptibility at the level of 18 strains isolated from various arbitrary water samples showed that most of these isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic family, and 11 isolates exhibited 100% resistance against aztreonam. This result confirms the large antibiotic-resistance spreading and circulation registered these last decades in the natural environment, conditioned by the extensive and non-controlled use of antibiotics for human therapy and animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A baseline survey of macrobenthic fauna inhabiting shallow subtidal habitats was carried out around Huwar islands during two different cruises in May 2003. A total of 144 quadrats (0.25 m2), 48 subsurface seawater samples and replicate samples of sediments from 16 sites resulted in a collection of 119 species belonging to macrobenthos. Physicochemical parameters of the seawater namely depth (0.2 - 1.5 m), water temperature (28-32°C), pH (7.5-8.0), and dissolved oxygen (5.7-8.5 mg l-1) did not vary significantly between eastern and western shores. However, marked variation in salinity (46.5-54.5 ‰) and chlorophyll-a content of seawater (0.58-6.3 μ g l-1) were found. There was some indication that the eastern coast is more biologically diverse. Sediment organic content was slightly higher along the eastern coast. The substrate was typical of other areas around Bahrain and composed of sand, mud and harder encrustations. Grain size analysis indicated the dominance of fine to very fine sand fractions. Microbial indicators of seawater contamination were found in five of the sixteen sites and Enterococci were found at almost all sites with higher numbers recorded along the western coast. Similar results were found for Salmonella-Shigella counts. The total coliform count was over 100 Colony Forming Units with the exception of a few sites, and a considerable total vibrio count was also recorded. The island's coastal water was nevertheless considered relatively clean from pathogenic bacteria as compared to other areas around Bahrain. A monitoring of macrobenthos and pathogenic bacteria should be conducted in order to endure good water quality around Huwar. A survey of this sort requires dedicated time and resources in order to establish a monitoring program because of the fast rate in urban developments within this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Advanced analytical tools have been developed to allow thorough characterisation of seawater samples from many aspects: (i) inorganic characterisation, (ii) characterisation of the natural organic matter, (iii) quantification of the main algal pigments (chlorophyll, pheophytin), and (iv) enumeration of phytoplankton and bacteria. These analytical tools were used at a seawater reverse osmosis plant in Gibraltar and provided valuable information to quantify the risks of fouling. Indeed, in addition to the measurement of the Silt Density Index (SDI), the results of the advanced analyses provided a detailed characterisation of the raw seawater sources (surface seawater and well seawater) as well as a thorough assessment of the pretreatment performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The attribute recognition model (ARM) has been widely used to make comprehensive assessment in many engineering fields, such as environment, ecology, and economy. However, large numbers of experiments indicate that the value of weight vector has no relativity to its initial value but depends on the data of Quality Standard and actual samples. In the present study, the ARM is enhanced with the technique of data driving, which means some more groups of data from the Quality Standard are selected with the uniform random method to make the calculation of weight values more rational and more scientific. This improved attribute recognition model (IARM) is applied to a real case of assessment on seawater quality. The given example shows that the IARM has the merits of being simple in principle, easy to operate, and capable of producing objective results, and is therefore of use in evaluation problems in marine environment science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study examines the benthos within western inner Swansea Bay (Wales, UK), for the period before, during and immediately after the cessation of a major, sewage discharge from Mumbles Head. There have been significant improvements in seawater quality and changes in the species composition of the benthic communities following the cessation of the sewage discharge. There has been an increase in the diversity of deposit feeders, especially the amphipods, and a decrease in the diversity of the filter feeders, especially the polychaetes. Changes are not attributable either to sediment organic matter content or to gross changes in sediment type, but are related to the significant reduction in suspended particulate organic material and sewage contaminants discharged to the Bay. A recovery model has been proposed to describe how soft sediment benthic communities in a shallow, sublittoral, high tidal energy environment respond to the abrupt cessation of a major sewage discharge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Measuring the amount of pollution is of particular importance in assessing the quality and general condition of an ecosystem. In this paper, some of the results obtained as a consequence of the specific agreement between the Environmental Agency (Consejerı´a de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucı´a) and the University of Cadiz to assess the environmental condition of the marine bottom and waters are showed. Physical and chemical analyses in water and sediments were undertaken at various sampling sites close to urban and industrial locations. Later on, these results were studied under statistical analysis to reveal any possible relationships between the parameters employed, and to identify any analogous behaviour between the sampling sites. Physical–chemical data revealed that sediments and waters analysed were moderately contaminated and, in addition, no great differences were found between in rising and ebbing tide conditions. Finally, considering only the pollution level, from the cluster analysis of sediments two major groups appear, one of which corresponded to those sites located in the outer bay, and the other to those situated in the inner bay. However, number 6 and 14 sampling sites cannot be associated to those groups due to be related to points with important local discharges. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]