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Metal concentrations were measured in predominant coastal fauna of the Caspian Sea including six macro-invertebrates (Mnemiposis leidyi, Balanus improvisus, Pontogammarus maeoticus, Palaemon adspersus, Cerastoderma glucaum and Adacna vitrea) and three species of small fish (Atherina caspia, Neogobius caspius and N. pallasi) to determine potential bio-indicators (for the first time to our knowledge). It is to be noted that metal concentrations have also never been reported in M. leidyi and A. vitrea. The lowest levels of metal were observed in muscles of fishes. Most of metals were detectable in the macro-plankton M. leidyi suggesting that this species could be used for water pollution monitoring, worldwide. Our results suggest the use of C. glucaum and A. vitrea as indicators of Ni and Cd contamination, respectively. B. improvisus has a high potential as an indicator for Zn and Cu pollution, while P. adspersus and P. maeoticus showed this capacity for Cu. This study provides a baseline for biomonitoring programs elsewhere in the Caspian Sea. Furthermore, the species C. glucaum and B. improvisus could be used for comparisons of metal contamination worldwide.

The distribution and diversity of macrofoulers along the coastal areas of Tarapur Atomic Power Plant(19.86°N , 72.68 °E) and Dahanu Thermal power Station(19.97, 72.73 ) °E in Palghar district of Maharashtra state. Macrofoulers being a prominent community in rocky coasts, the influence of environmental parameters on the prevailing species was also explored. FeyotnfeHydroideselegans, Pernaviridis, Modiolusmodiolus, Modiolusstriatulus, Modiolus undulates, Balanus Amphitrite, Crassostreacuttackensis, Saccostreacuculata, Ilyanassaobsoleta ,Chiton,Nassariussp. ,Mytilusgalloprovincialis, Myaarenaria, Martesiastriata, Pholas sp., Bankiasp.,etc. There was a wide variation in the colonies of macrofoulers. The overall dominant species were hydroids and barnacles throughout the study period. In Tarapur coast, hydroids were dominant during January, followed by barnacles and amphipods. Additionally, complete dominance of barnacles was observed in the Dahanu coast during May. Barnacles were found dominant on the bottom of boats during April, followed by hydroids and crabs. Barnacles formed a major contribution of the macro fouling organisms throughout the study period. Significant variation in the occurrence and abundance of fouling organisms was observed between two coastal sites. Physico-chemical parameters including Depth, temperature, pH, Salinity, DO, BOD, Nitrates, Nitrites, total nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a , phyophytin and phytoplankton showed significant variations during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons.

Hybrid materials (HMs) offer unique properties as they combine inorganic and organic components into a single material. Here, we developed HM coatings for marine antifouling applications using sol-gel chemistry and naturally occurring polysaccharides. The coatings were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, AFM, and ATR-FTIR, and their stability was tested in saline media. Marine antifouling and fouling-release properties were tested in laboratory assays against the settlement of larvae of the barnacle Balanus improvisus and against the settlement and removal of the diatom Navicula incerta. Furthermore, laboratory data were confirmed in short-term dynamic field assays in Florida, USA. All hybrid coatings revealed a superior performance in the assays compared to a hydrophobic reference. Within the hybrids, those with the highest degree of hydrophilicity and negative net charge across the surface performed best. Alginate and heparin showed good performance, making these hybrid materials promising building blocks for fouling-resistant coatings.

An immersion experiment was conducted in the Manila South Harbor to document the development of sessile biofouling communities. Test panels were submerged below the sea surface in April 2012 for short- (one and three months) and long-term (one year) exposures in seawater, then foauling types and occurrences were scored based on digital images of panel surfaces. The short-term immersed panels were found with significant cover of soft fouling (undet.), slime, and the invasive Balanus (=Amphibalanus) amphitrite. These also filled the long-term immersed panels, although some fell off due to mortality from crude oil smothering. Perna viridis, native but also invasive, successfully established and then dominated the fouling cover by the 12th month (April 2013). Oysters, bryozoans (Watersipora sp.), colonial tunicates, polychaetes (Hydroides sp.), and green algae contributed minor to fouling cover. These fouling communities in the Manila South Harbor consisted of organisms that were cosmopolitan in port waters of SE Asia. A similar study must be carried out in other major ports of the country and then compared.

This study determined the levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn in the soft tissues and shells of barnacles (Balanus sp.) collected from the Kuala Juru, Sebatu, Sg. Ayam and Kg. Pasir Puteh, Peninsular Malaysia, obtained in 2008. The metal concentrations (μg/g dry weight) in the soft tissues of Balanus sp. received from four sites in Peninsular Malaysia ranged from 2.93-4.17 for Cd, 20.2-92.5 for Cu, 480-1193 for Fe, 6.40-18.0 for Ni, and 224-414 for Zn. Based on the present data, the trace metal bioavailability’s to the Balanus in all the populations, especially in a known polluted site at Kg. Pasir Puteh is low. Overall, this preliminary baseline data can be used for regular ecological monitoring for the effective management of the coastal area in Malaysia.

For the first time, features of the formation of the total number and biomass of permanent members and temporary members) of meiobenthos in periphyton of natural stony substrates are described for the shelf of the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The material for the scientific analysis was quantitative samples collected during 2012, 2014, and 2015. On two polygons of the North-Western shelf of the Black Sea in the coastal zone of Odessa Bay in the area of the Hydrobiological Station ONU I.I. Mechnikov. Representatives of the following large meiobenthos taxa were found on a stony substrate at a depth of 3–10.7 m: Foraminifera, Nematoda, Ostracoda, Harpacticoida, Halacaridae, Turbellaria, Oligochaeta, young Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Balanus, Amphipod, Cumidae, Crayfish. Kinohryncha and Gastrotricha were absent. The species composition of the main meobenthic groups (Nematoda, Harpacticoida and the young Polychaeta) and their numbers are given. Indicators of the total abundance of meiofauna in the periphyton of the stony substrate varied from 59000 to 341500 ind.·m-2 (average density 156107 ind.·m-2), which was dominated by eumeiobenthos, making up 64% of the total number of organisms. At 57% of the stations studied, representatives of the meiobenthos of the harpacticoids dominated in the density of the settlements, which accounted for 53.2–80% of the total number of organisms. Polychaetes belonging to meiobenthos were unevenly distributed in fouling of a stony substrate. Their average number was 18786 ind.·m-2, an average of 12.7% of the total number of organisms. The share of nematodes in the total number of stones was 20%. Their average density is 23,864 ind.·m-2. Studies have shown that the biodiversity of the meiobenthic community of organisms in the periphyton of natural stony substrates is much poorer than on the loose soils of the adjacent water areas.

Causes and consequences of jellyfish bloom formation are subject to controversial discussions worldwide. While medusae have been studied to a broader extent, the knowledge on polyp stages of scyphozoans is limited thus hampering reliable prediction of jellyfish bloom formation. This study describes the occurrence, abundance, habitat characteristics and interactions of scyphozoan Aurelia sp. polyp colonies with other fouling organisms in intertidal and subtidal sectors of Trondheimsfjorden (Norway). In total, 982 polyps were found on 70 substrata of varying material types during a field survey in spring-summer 2018 along a longitudinal gradient within and outside Trondheimsfjorden. The polyps were identified as Aurelia sp. based on molecular species identification. Most polyps were found in bays with macroalgae canopy on the down facing side of artificial and natural substrata (rocks, concrete, iron) and inside rock cracks. Polyp microhabitats included the surface of Ascidia mentula (solitary ascidian), increments of Pomatoceros triqueter (polychete) tubes and dead Balanus balanoides (barnacle) shells. Based on the deployment of settling plates, abundance of Aurelia sp. polyps ranged from 1.2 (± 0.7) to 0.12 (± 0.07) polyps cm–2. Settlement occurred either directly on the PVC settling plates or as epibionts on the ascidian Ascidia mentula and on barnacle shells of Balanus balanoides. This study provides insights into the potential of local Aurelia sp. polyps contributing to the seasonal occurrence and abundance of Aurelia sp. in fjord systems, where intensive blooms occur annually.

Barnacles are key marine crustaceans in several habitats, and they constitute a common practical problem by causing biofouling on man-made marine constructions and ships. Despite causing considerable ecological and economic impacts, there is a surprising void of basic genomic knowledge, and a barnacle reference genome is lacking. We here set out to characterize the genome of the bay barnacle Balanus improvisus (= Amphibalanus improvisus) based on short-read whole-genome sequencing and experimental genome size estimation. We show both experimentally (DNA staining and flow cytometry) and computationally (k-mer analysis) that B. improvisus has a haploid genome size of ~ 740 Mbp. A pilot genome assembly rendered a total assembly size of ~ 600 Mbp and was highly fragmented with an N50 of only 2.2 kbp. Further assembly-based and assembly-free analyses revealed that the very limited assembly contiguity is due to the B. improvisus genome having an extremely high nucleotide diversity (π) in coding regions (average π ≈ 5% and average π in fourfold degenerate sites ≈ 20%), and an overall high repeat content (at least 40%). We also report on high variation in the α-octopamine receptor OctA (average π = 3.6%), which might increase the risk that barnacle populations evolve resistance toward antifouling agents. The genomic features described here can help in planning for a future high-quality reference genome, which is urgently needed to properly explore and understand proteins of interest in barnacle biology and marine biotechnology and for developing better antifouling strategies.

Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been widely used in numerous products, and may become a potential threat to marine organisms, but their behavior in the marine environments and potential toxicity to marine organisms remain little known. In the present study, we investigated the behavior of CuNPs in seawater, as well as the toxicity and bioaccumulation of CuNPs and copper sulfate (CuSO4) in barnacle larvae (Balanus amphitrite), a dominant fouling invertebrate in marine environment. CuNPs tended to aggregate in natural seawater and released Cu ion rapidly into seawater. The aggregation and release were especially higher at a lower concentration of CuNPs, e.g., 94–96% of CuNPs were released as Cu ions at 20 μg/L after 24 h. The larger size of CuNPs (40 nm) tended to display a higher solubility than the 20 nm CuNPs did. Humic acids enhanced the aggregation and inhibited the dissolution of CuNPs, and had a protective effect on the survival of nauplii II at higher Cu concentrations (100–200 μg/L). Comparison of the lethal concentrations showed that CuNPs were generally less toxic to the two stages of barnacle larvae (nauplii II and VI) than the Cu ions. The calculated 48-h LC50 values for nauplii II were 189.5 μg/L, 123.2 μg/L, and 89.8 μg/L for 20 nm CuNPs, 40 nm CuNPs, and CuSO4, respectively. However, the lethal concentrations of Cu bioaccumulation in the barnacle larvae were comparable between CuNPs and Cu ions when expressed by the actual tissue Cu bioaccumulation. Barnacle larval settlement decreased with an increase of Cu concentrations of both CuNPs and CuSO4, and was significantly inhibited at 100 μg/L CuSO4 and 150 μg/L CuNPs. Our results indicated that the toxicity of CuNPs could not be solely explained by the released Cu ions, and both CuNPs and the released Cu ion contributed to their toxicity and bioaccumulation in barnacle larvae.

Pelagic larvae of benthic organisms comprise a substantial part of the coastal Arctic zooplankton community in spring–summer. We studied the timing, growth, and pelagic duration of Cirripedia larvae in Adventfjorden, a high-Arctic fjord in Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Two distinct abundance peaks were found: one in early May (~ 25.000 ind. m−3) and another one in late May (~ 35,580 ind m−3). DNA barcoding based on the COI gene was used to identify the barnacle larvae to species. Whereas both Balanus balanus and Semibalanus balanoides were present, the first one dominated (50–100%) the barnacle abundance. High resolution sampling and size measurements of Cirripedia larvae revealed that these larvae most likely originated from a single spawning event. Development of the larvae suggested a pelagic residence time of roughly 2 months for B. balanus and at least 1 month for S. balanoides in the Arctic. Long pelagic residence time, large potential for biofouling on ships and larger plastic debris, combined with the disappearance of landfast sea ice and less ice scouring opens up new opportunities for barnacles to colonize the high-Arctic littoral zone. In a future warmer Arctic, we therefore expect establishment of new, more temperate Cirripedia species in Svalbard.

Nine new cembrane diterpenes, named sarcoglaucins A-I (1–9) along with three known analogues, trochelioid (10), 7α-hydroxy-Δ8(19)-deepoxysarcophine (11), and (−)-sartrochine (12), were isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum collected at Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. The structures of all the compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of sarcoglaucins A and B with an unusual [10.3.2.1] cage-type structure were determined using X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculation methods. Sarcoglaucin B (2), sarcoglaucin E (5) and compounds 10–12 showed strong antifouling activity against the barnacle Balanus amphitrite.

Barnacles are one of the most prominent hardfouling organisms in the marine environment. They are able to adhere efficiently to nearly every surface underwater including artificial ones like ship hulls and maritime installations. This overgrowing can lead to huge economical costs. Previous studies have shown that specific microstructure types including micropillars can reduce the initial settlement of barnacles. However, it is not clear how adult barnacles are influenced by microstructured surfaces and whether microstructures can even decrease the resulting adhesion strength of them under natural conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically investigate the influence of height, diameter, aspect ratio and flexibility of fibrillar microstructures made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on initial settlement of barnacles as well as the permanent attachment of adult ones. Micropillars with three different heights (50 µm, 100 µm, 200 µm) and two different diameters (25 µm, 50 µm) were exposed to the Baltic Sea for 12 weeks. On a weekly basis, all barnacles (Balanus [= Amphibalanus] improvisus) were tracked individually to calculate the release-to-settlement ratio and to capture the average attachment duration prior to detachment. The results have shown that with increasing height, both initial settlement and fouling density development were reduced. An increase of diameter showed a similar relationship but at a much smaller scale. All tested microstructures decreased the detachment rates of barnacles from the surface compared to a flat PDMS control. However, they appear to complicate the development of a strong adhesive joint in the young adult phase. Some grade of flexibility in the microstructures appeared to increase the fouling retention. The results shed light in the interaction between adult barnacle adhesion and microstructures and may help in the development of new antifouling technologies.

Under natural conditions, barnacles, one of the most prominent marine hardfouling organisms, encounter a vast variety of heterogeneous surfaces including artificial ones, such as ship hulls on which they adhere efficiently. Despite intensive research in the last decades, it is still not clear, how material related factors influence the fouling development under natural conditions, and whether roughness at the micro scale affects the release dynamics of barnacles. In order to shed light on the relationship between these substrate factors and their effect on biofouling, both settlement and fouling development of Balanus (= Amphibalanus) improvisus was evaluated on epoxy resin and polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) substrates differing in their roughness (flat, asperity sizes: 0.3, 1, 3, 9, 12 μm) in a static field trial in the Baltic Sea for 17 weeks performed in 2014. All barnacles on these tested surfaces were individually tracked on a weekly basis, in order to calculate the release-to-settlement ratios (r/s), to evaluate the fouling- release performance and to monitor the actual attachment duration. It was demonstrated that both stiffness and surface free energy had no strong effect on initial settlement. The total fouling accumulation was nearly identical for epoxy resin and PVS, if fallen-off barnacles were included in the analysis. Roughness influenced initial settlement and fouling development. On PVS the r/s ranged between 0.5 and 0.7 and the attachment duration was around 4 weeks. However, samples with a roughness of 9 μm displayed a lower r/s ratio (0.35) and barnacles showed longer attachment durations (8 weeks). In a second field trial performed in 2017, attachment forces of barnacles were measured after the samples had been immersed for 10 weeks in the Baltic Sea. The shear stresses obtained were similar for substrates with different roughness with around 0.12 MPa and were independent of the barnacle’s size. These findings show that roughness even at the micro scale can impact the fouling release ability of a surface.

Despite many theories, the recent evident decreases in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) abundance in southern Norway and western Sweden (eastern North Sea) have not yet been explained. To test the possible role of increased predation, an ongoing mesocosm experiment exploring general effects of two mesopredators on the structure of littoral macroalgal and macrofaunal communities was used. These mesopredators were the green crab (Carcinus maenas) and the goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) which were distributed in a crossed manner to 12 large mesocosms containing diverse rocky shore communities. For the purposes of this study, boulders covered with recently recruited blue mussels and barnacles (Balanus improvisus) from a natural shore were brought in to the mesocosms during two seasons (August and October), and the coverage of the animals (just blue mussels in summer, both mussels and barnacles in autumn) was registered repeatedly over 24 hours. The mussels were rapidly consumed by crabs and wrasses, whereas high survival was recorded on boulders in the controls without predators. The barnacles were only eaten by the crabs and not before most of the mussels had been consumed. As both the green crab and the goldsinny wrasse have been reported to increase in abundance, probably related to overfishing of top predators, the resulting higher predation pressure on especially small blue mussels (recruits) may contribute to the mussel decline along these temperate rocky shores.

Barnacles are the only sessile crustaceans, and their larva, the cyprid, is supremely adapted for attachment to surfaces. Barnacles have a universal requirement for strong adhesion at the point of larval attachment. Selective pressure on the cyprid adhesive has been intense and led to evolution of a tenacious and versatile natural glue. Here we provide evidence that carbohydrate polymers in the form of chitin provide stability to the cyprid adhesive of Balanus amphitrite. Chitin was identified surrounding lipid-rich vesicles in the cyprid cement glands. The functional role of chitin was demonstrated via removal of freshly attached cyprids from surfaces using a chitinase. Proteomic analysis identified a single cement gland-specific protein via its association with chitin and localized this protein to the same vesicles. The role of chitin in cyprid adhesion raises intriguing questions about the evolution of barnacle adhesion, as well as providing a new target for antifouling technologies., Nick Aldred et al. show that chitin provides stability in the cyprid adhesive of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. They show that a single cement gland-specific protein associates with chitin, and that freshly attached cyprids can be removed from surfaces using chitinase.

Biofouling community structure was studied in a tropical monsoon-influenced Mandovi estuary in Goa, west coast of India. Monthly, seasonal and yearly observations on biofouling on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panels immersed at subsurface water level were recorded and photographed from May 2012 to September 2013. The barnacle Balanus amphitrite was the dominant fouling organism followed by calcareous polychaetes. The settlement and recruitment of barnacles took place year-round, with the exception of July 2012 and June 2013 (monsoon months). However, their peak abundance was observed during the later months of monsoon (August and September). Polychaetes were dominant during late post-monsoon and pre-monsoon months (December 2012 to April 2013). Silt and slime were observed throughout the observation period. Comparing the fouling pressure of barnacles in the two monsoon seasons (2012 and 2013), fouling was more intense during the monsoon of 2013, indicating an inter-annual variation in the fouling community.

The fouling organisms at Songkhla Port were investigated from November 2011 to December 2012. Samples were collected using PVC panels (10 cm x 20 cm) submerged for one-month and three-month periods. Analysis of fouling panels was carried out using PhotoGrid software. In addition to slime and silt, three types of fouling organisms, namely encrusting bryozoa, barnacles and calcareous polychaetes, were observed on the submerged PVC panels. Calcareous polychaetes and molluscs were the most diverse groups (ten species) on panels that were submerged for one-month and three-month periods. Barnacles (Balanus spp.) were most abundant on panels submerged for three-month periods, while calcareous polychaetes dominated one-month panels. The dominant species of mollusc was the mussel Brachidontes sp. The major polychaetes identified were Ficopomatus macrodon, F. enigmaticus and Hydroides norvegicus. A highlight of this study was the first record of the Caribbean tubeworm Hydroides sanctaecrucis in Thailand, which has previously invaded and established in Australian waters through hull fouling.

Due to long–term military activities carried out in Nandikadal lagoon situated at Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka, there are high possibilities to impact water and biota with heavy metals. Balanus amphitrite (Barnacles) has been found as a strong candidate for biomonitoring of trace metals. Therefore, the present study describes the impacts of trace metal pollution on water and the soft tissues of Balanus amphitrite. Water samples and barnacles were collected from two locations of the lagoon for four months during the dry and wet seasons. Quantitative analysis of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn) were detected in the water and tissue samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Cd, Cr, Pb and Cu found in tissues of barnacles were several times higher than the International recommended level except for Zn. The concentration of Pb in tissues of barnacles showed a significant (p < 0.05) spatial variation. The Cd and Cu concentrations obtained in soft tissues showed significant (p < 0.05) seasonal variations. The concentration of Cr in water showed a significant (p < 0.05) spatial variation and other trace metals (Pb,Cd) except Zn, showed significant (p < 0.05) seasonal variations. There were significant positive correlations between water and soft tissues with respect to Cd (p=0.000 & r = 0.893) and Pb (p=0.002 & r=0.435). Zn found in samples showed negative correlation between water and soft tissues. According to this results Balanus amphitrite has an ability to accumulate trace metals several times greater than in the lagoon water. Therefore, Balanus amphitrite is a strong net–accumulator of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr. Hence, it is a good choice to be used as a bioindicator organism to find the level impact of trace metal contamination.

Barnacle shell (BSh)-associated bacteria, their culture supernatants (CS), and biofilm exopolymers (BE) are known to induce cyprid metamorphosis of Balanus amphitrite. Besides bacteria, the BSh also harbors diatoms. However, the roles of their CS and BE on cyprid metamorphosis were not known, and the same was evaluated using two epibiotic diatoms, Achnanthes longipes and Melosira nummuloides, isolated from the BSh. The CS of M. nummuloides, a waterborne cue, promoted cyprid metamorphosis only when isolated in the presence of BSh, whereas that of A. longipes inhibited the same. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of CS of both the diatoms indicated the dominance of arabinose, an inhibitory sugar. However, thiols were additionally present in the CS of M. nummuloides as indicated by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and are probably responsible for their promotory effect. The BE, a surface-bound cue, of both the diatoms facilitated metamorphosis only when isolated in the presence of BSh and were rich in N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG). Thus, the interaction of NAG with the shell proteins probably provides a set of cues that facilitate cyprid metamorphosis of B. amphitrite.

Barnacles are widespread and abundant inhabitants of rock surfaces in the intertidal zone, providing considerable contributions to the formation of carbonate sediments. The main goal of this study was to test two hypotheses: (1) the chemical composition of the Balanus balanus shell is mostly controlled biologically, and environmental factors have only minor influences, and (2) the chemical composition of B. balanus shells does not vary with size. To test these hypotheses, samples were collected in two fjords from two depths. This study revealed site-related differences in shell chemistry, although no variability in shell chemical compositions was detected between the depths and among the size categories. Barnacle shell plates had different accumulation patterns for different trace elements (Mg, S, Sr), with the operculum as the most distinctive shell plate. As those plates are precipitated under the same environmental conditions, the different accumulation patterns may indicate biological control of element uptake in cirripedes. We suggest that the specific chemical composition of the operculum may be related to the required mechanical properties of this shell part, and thus, it is likely that this organism regulates accumulation patterns within its shell, because such regulation increases its adaptive properties. Our results supported both presented hypotheses.

One major challenge to commercialization of natural antifoulants is to find the effective antifouling substances from natural flora and fauna with sufficient amount available. In this study, four cardenolides, odoroside A, digitoxigenin, oleandrin and odoroside H, were isolated from a widely distributed plant Nerium oleander L. These four compounds and their eight analogues were then evaluated for antifouling activity against the barnacle Balanus albicostatus cyprids. All of the tested compounds showed a strong inhibitory activity against barnacle settlement, with EC50 values ranging from 0.58 to 230.67 ng ml−1. Additionally, evaluation of their lethality against a non-target organism Artemia salina L., revealed LC50 values of 17.23 to above 100 μg ml−1, indicating moderate to low toxicity towards A. salina. Furthermore, investigation of the field antifouling performance of three N. oleander extracts containing cardenolides by incorporation into coatings revealed significant antifouling efficiency in marine water for 30 days. These findings indicate the commercial potential for these natural antifouling products from N. oleander as natural antifoulants.

In the present study, we analyzed the influence of untreated sewage exposure on carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic composition and several biochemical responses in the barnacle Balanus glandula. The main objective was to evaluate whether changes in stable isotopes signature do reflect biochemical sub-lethal effects in a sewage influence gradient. Stable isotopes analysis showed differences in isotope signatures between close sewage influence and distant sites, being δ13C signatures stronger than that of δ15N. Regarding biochemical effects, although organisms close to the effluent would be clearly exposed to contaminants (increased GST activity) the oxidative stress would not be too evident (peroxidases and ACAP not affected). The most affected physiological aspect was the digestive one, reflected in increased alkaline proteases and lipases activities. A clear relation between δ15N and GST activity was found, showing to δ15N as an indicator of potential exposure to chemical contaminants. Fil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Diaz Jaramillo, Mauricio Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Rodriguez, Yamila Eliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Ducos, Estela Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentina Fil: Panarello, Hector Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentina Fil: Fernandez Gimenez, Analia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina

This study assessed the microplastic contamination of 3 most abundant sessile and intertidal invertebrates (Rock Oyster: Saccostrea forskalii, Striped Barnacle: Balanus amphitrite, Periwinkle: Littoraria sp.) in 3 beaches of the eastern coasts of Thailand. The results showed a significant accumulation of microplastics in the invertebrates at rates of 0.2-0.6 counts/g indicating higher pollution levels along the coastline. Filter feeding organisms showed comparatively higher accumulation rates of microplastics. Thus, contaminated bivalves pose potential health risks for seafood consumers. The plastic pollutant prevalence in sessile and intertidal communities was corresponded with pollution characteristics of contaminated beach habitats where they live. Thus, bivalves, gastropods and barnacles can be used as indicators for contamination of microplastics in the areas. This study also demonstrated the need for controlling plastic pollution in Thai coastal areas.

This study was aimed to investigate the antifouling (AF) potentials and toxic properties of methanol extract from leaves of mangrove Excoecaria agallocha. Antimicrofouling activity results inferred that this extract strongly inhibited fouling bacterial and microalgal growth. This extract had also inhibited the settlement of brown mussel Perna indica and larvae of barnacle Balanus amphitrite. Further, EC50 1 together propagated non-toxic nature of the extract. Mollusk foot adherence assay result showed complete inhibition of foot spreading and loss of attachment of common rocky fouler Patella vulgata to the substrata. Field assay results affirmed that this extract effectively deterred settlement of biofoulers. Purification and GC-MS analysis of bioassay-guided active spot evidenced presence of three major compounds (> 85%) responsible for the promising AF activity. The identified lead compounds subjected to an estimation (BIOWIN™) program developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) predicts that they are biodegradable in nature. Graphical abstract.