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Despite the urgent need for accurate and robust observations of microplastics in the marine environment to assess current and future environmental risks, existing procedures remain labour-intensive, especially for smaller-sized microplastics. In addition to this, microplastic analysis faces challenges due to environmental weathering, impacting the reliability of research relying on pristine plastics. This study addresses these knowledge gaps by testing the robustness of two automated analysis techniques which combine machine learning algorithms with fluorescent colouration of Nile red (NR)-stained particles. Heterogeneously shaped uncoloured microplastics of various polymers—polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—ranging from 100 to 1000 µm in size and weathered under semi-controlled surface and deep-sea conditions, were stained with NR and imaged using fluorescence stereomicroscopy. This study assessed and compared the accuracy of decision tree (DT) and random forest (RF) models in detecting and identifying these weathered plastics. Additionally, their analysis time and model complexity were evaluated, as well as the lower size limit (2–4 µm) and the interoperability of the approach. Decision tree and RF models were comparably accurate in detecting and identifying pristine plastic polymers (both > 90%). For the detection of weathered microplastics, both yielded sufficiently high accuracies (> 77%), although only RF models were reliable for polymer identification (> 70%), except for PET particles. The RF models showed an accuracy > 90% for particle predictions based on 12–30 pixels, which translated to microplastics sized < 10 µm. Although the RF classifier did not produce consistent results across different labs, the inherent flexibility of the method allows for its swift adaptation and optimisation, ensuring the possibility to fine-tune the method to specific research goals through customised datasets, thereby strengthening its robustness. The developed method is particularly relevant due to its ability to accurately analyse microplastics weathered under various marine conditions, as well as ecotoxicologically relevant microplastic sizes, making it highly applicable to real-world environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal pollution is a worldwide problem and one of the greatest threats to ecosystem integrity due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation in biological systems. Anthropogenic pollution impacts marine organisms and host-parasite dynamics, with the northern Chilean coast experiencing elevated copper levels in marine waters and sediments due to mining activities. In this study, we assessed the effects of exposure to copper concentrations at low and high-water temperatures on the survival and longevity of the marine parasite Himasthla sp. cercariae (Trematoda: Digenea) using the snail Echinolittorina peruviana as its first intermediate host. Snails were collected from intertidal rocky pools in northern Chile (23°S). To assess parasite survival and longevity, cercariae were collected from a pool of infected snails, and their mortality was recorded every 6 hours until all cercariae were dead. In a preliminary experiment conducted at 19°C, cercariae were exposed to different copper concentrations (0.2, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/L) for 78 hours. Cercariae showed tolerance to copper. However, at the higher copper concentration (6 mg/L), survival was negatively impacted (50%) at 54 hours. In contrast, at the lower concentration (0.2 mg/L) and in the control group, cercariae sustained a 73–90% survival rate even after 54 hours. Based on these findings, we conducted subsequent experiments involving two copper treatments (0.2 and 3.0 mg/L) and two temperatures (14 and 22°C). Survival and longevity were significantly higher at lower temperature and copper concentration (14°C and 0.2 mg/L). Conversely, at higher temperature and copper concentration (22°C and 3 mg/L), survival and longevity decreased to only 66 hours. Our results show that Himasthla sp. cercariae tolerated most copper concentrations, with vulnerability observed primarily in high water temperatures, indicating an adverse effect on cercariae performance. This study contributes valuable insights into how parasites respond to environmental pollution, in marine ecosystems influenced by anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of hydrocarbons (HC) into the marine environment has serious consequences, both economically and ecologically. This work presents an efficient process to remove HC pollution from seawater: cloud point extraction (CPE), considered to be a reliable, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly method, using the readily biodegradable nonionic surfactants Lutensol ON30 and Tergitol 15‐S‐7. A real salt water sample with a high chemical oxygen demand (COD = 1700 mg O2/L) was thus treated. First, the phase diagrams of the binary systems (water–surfactant), and the pseudo‐binary systems (water–surfactant–HC), were determined. Second, after a 24 h settling time, considered as optimal, the extraction results, that is, residual soluble COD, residual percentage of surfactant in the dilute phase and volume fraction of coacervate at equilibrium, were expressed in terms of temperature and initial surfactant concentration. For each parameter, the results obtained were modeled using the response surface methodology and represented on three‐dimensional diagrams. They show that the COD can be reduced to 10 and 15 mg O2/L, using Lutensol ON30 and Tergitol 15‐S‐7, respectively, under seawater temperature conditions. Finally, it was shown that the surfactant can be recycled. The present work demonstrates that CPE can reduce the HC content of seawater on a laboratory scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine plastic pollution has become a major concern as it threatens marine life and human health. Most of the plastic that enters the ocean is either consumed by animals and/or trapped in sediments. However, there is little information on how sediment properties might be affected. In this article, we explore the impact of microplastic inclusions in marine settings by using PVC plastic chips and two soil samples as analogues. We conducted a comprehensive experimental study to investigate changes in compressibility, strength, stiffness, thermal and hydraulic conductivity, and particle migration by varying plastic content. Results show that as low as 1% of plastic content by volume can lead to irreversible consequences in sediment behavior while coarse particles display a heightened sensitivity than pure fines. As plastic content in sediment increases year-by-year, we anticipate significant repercussions in marine life, the future landscape of the seafloor and subsurface phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust environmental monitoring system is highly essential for the instant detection of environmental microfiber pollutants for the sustainable management of the environment and human health. The extent of microfiber pollution is growing exponentially across the globe in both terrestrial and marine environments. An immediate and accurate environmental monitoring system is crucial to investigate the composition and distribution of these micropollutants. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy are vibrational spectroscopic techniques that have the novel ability to detect microfibers within a minute concentration from diverse environmental samples. The major micropollutants which have been analyzed are polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon 6, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. After a detailed and critical study of the various aspects of spectroscopic analysis, the review is concluded with a comprehensive discussion of the significance of these robust methods and their application in future aspects for further preventing microfiber pollution in the marine environment. This study highlights the utilities and significance of vibrational spectroscopic detection techniques for the immediate and accurate identification of synthetic microfibers. This review also evaluated the implementation of spectroscopic methods as a precise tool for the characterization and monitoring of microfiber pollutants in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of chemical pollutants, including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), anionic surfactants, and total organic carbon (TOC), in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) waters in the northern Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from five MPAs during the winter and summer of 2022. The study identified significant seasonal variations, with higher pollutant levels recorded in winter compared to summer. Concentrations of ∑19PCBs (ng/L), anionic surfactants (µg/L), TPHs (mg/L), and TOC (mg/L) ranged from 0.72 to 4.66, 10 to 79, ND to 134.63, and 0.5 to 114.58 in winter, and from 2.49 to 5.05, 11 to 30, ND to 20.26, and 0.15 to 5.27 in summer, respectively. The pollution patterns revealed the Mond protected area as a major pollution hotspot, compromising its ecological health. The results highlight the critical need for targeted pollution control and enhanced conservation measures in the region's MPAs to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Taking the 'W': Environmental Democracy's Role in Taming Deregulatory Neoliberalism" in Diplomatic History discusses the environmental diplomacy needed for common areas like the atmosphere and oceans. It highlights the efforts of grassroots activists, particularly women, who successfully pressured U.S. policy makers to ban ocean incineration of toxic waste. The article also explores the shift in ideology regarding ocean pollution and the eventual worldwide ban on ocean incineration in 1989, emphasizing the importance of environmental democracy and translocal activism in shaping policy decisions. [Extracted from the article]

This research examined heavy metals distribution and potential environmental impact in seven locations along the Bhavnagar coast in Gujarat, India. The study used several analyses, including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and correlation analysis to investigate the harmful heavy metals present in the area. To evaluate the possible risk of Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Co, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Fe to the marine environment, pollution indices such as contamination factors (Cf), enrichment factor (Ef), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk factor (Er), ecological risk index (RI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) applied. Based on the results, the mean concentration of heavy metals was ranked in the following order (mg/kg): Fe (561.4) > Mn (58.9) > Cr (42) > Zn (12.5) > Pb (8.2) > Ni (7) > Cu (5.2) > Co (2.7) > Cd (.3). Compared to the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, the results showed a diluting impact on heavy metal concentrations during the monsoon season. The spatial distribution of the heavy metals indicated that the geogenic source and anthropogenic source were the primary contributors to pollution in the studied region. Principal component analysis suggests that Cd, Pb, Co and Cr may have come from shipbreaking activities, municipal discharge and industrial operations. Cf, Igeo, and Ef demonstrated no pollution to moderate pollution, with a maximum contribution of Cd, and the coastal sediment poses a minimal ecological risk for all heavy metals investigated. Shipbreaking, urban runoff, salt-marine, and agricultural runoff release toxic metals into the coastal environment. In conclusion, the information obtained from this geochemical characterization could be valuable to policymakers and stakeholders in developing effective management measures for the Bhavnagar coastal region, Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, 18 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds were measured in marine sediments collected from 49 offshore stations in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in 2019. After the last oceanographic cruise in 2006, no study has been performed on the offshore sediments of this region, and this is the first study on the PCBs in this area. The total amount of PCB compounds in the sediment samples ranged from 74.38 ng kg−1 (near Abu Musa Island) to 1212.98 ng kg−1 (near Siri and Kish Island). The maximum and minimum values of the individual detected PCB compounds were 175.88 ng kg−1 (PCB52) and 2.09 ng kg−1 (PCB156), respectively. The levels of total PCBs detected in sediments were lower than the Canadian interim sediment quality guideline value of 21500 ng kg−1 for marine sediments. The sedimentary mass inventories for Σ18PCBs were 0.6 and 0.2 mt for the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a spatial and temporal distribution of tributyltin (TBT) and TBT pollution assessment of the Croatian Adriatic coast in the period 2016 - 2023. The monitoring of TBT pollution was carried out within the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). TBT concentrations were measured at 63 sites in coastal and transitional waters in three compartments - water, sediments and mussels. The ranges of TBT concentrations were <0.06 - 6.40 ng(TBT)/L in the water column, <1 - 2546 ng (TBT)/g(d.w.) in sediments, and <1 - 655 ng(TBT)/g(d.w.) in mussels, while transitional waters were in general more polluted than coastal waters. Monitoring of TBT concentrations in water showed that 30% of monitored sites were continuously polluted with TBT with average annual concentrations exceeding AA-EQS [0.2 ng (TBT)/L], while 20% of the sites had concentrations in sediments above the proposed EQS for sediments [1.6 ng(TBT)/g(d.w.)]. In mussels, TBT was detected at 70% of the sites with more than 60% of the sites exceeding the OSPAR criteria [12.6 ng(TBT)/g (d.w.)], indicating that the occurrence of imposex in gastropods at these sites is very likely. Only a slight decrease in TBT levels was observed over the investigated period, but concentrations at most contaminated sites did not fall below the EQS. This study shows that, despite the ban of TBT-based antifouling paints more than 15 years ago (except for public and military vessels), contamination of the Croatian Adriatic coast with TBT still exists and regular monitoring is essential. The TBT distribution was primarily determined by the vicinity of the pollution source, i.e. shipping traffic, but the role of physicochemical parameters, such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and transparency of the water column, should not be disregarded as well as the influence of hydrodynamics in the transitional waters. Although monitoring of TBT concentrations in water is an established approach to assess recent pollution, this long-term study has shown that mussels can be the most reliable indicator of pollution in a given area over the last several months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vietnam suffers from a distressing predicament: It ranks among the most heavily contaminated nations on earth. Its coastal and marine domains are plagued by an excess of plastic waste. Vietnam has consistently discharged a substantial amount of waste into the oceans, ranging from 0.28 to 0.73 million metric tons annually. Numerous areas have emerged as focal points of plastic pollution throughout its extensive seashore and marine areas. The escalating presence of marine litter poses an increasingly grave threat to the intricate equilibrium of Vietnam's marine ecosystems. This comprehensive policy study reveals that the mounting problem of ocean plastic pollution, characterized by the abundance of floating plastic debris, imperils both plant and animal life, placing various marine species such as seabirds, fish, turtles, and cetaceans at risk. The consumption of minuscule plastic particles and the harmful impact of chemical pollutants from plastic waste in the ocean not only endangers the vitality of marine life but also poses a substantial hazard to human well‐being because plastic waste infiltrates the food chain. This research reveals that, despite the existence of numerous laws and policies—including the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, the Marine Plastic Waste Management Initiative for the Fisheries Sector 2020–2030, and the National Action Plan for Management of Marine Plastic Litter—a significant amount of plastic waste is infiltrating the river network and eventually infiltrating oceans as a result of improper monitoring and ineffective enforcement of these legislations. Relying primarily on existing data released by the government and other sources and a wide range of gray literature retrieved from reputable databases, this study aims to evaluate the role of Vietnam's legal framework for combating the critical issue of marine plastic pollution in the South China Sea. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2088–2106. © 2024 SETAC Key Points: Vietnam has consistently discharged a substantial amount of waste into the oceans, ranging from 0.28 to 0.73 million metric tons annually.Vietnam is responsible for 60% of the plastic pollution in the South China Sea.Marine litter threatens the intricate equilibrium of marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine white pollution, i.e., plastic pollution, is currently a major challenge to the marine environment. Microplastics(MPs), as an emerging pollutant, are attracting widespread global attention. Due to the special properties of plastic, it is widely used, but the plastic waste generated during its use is difficult to recycle or utilize, so it gradually accumulates in the environment. Marine MPs mainly come from industrial discharge, domestic sewage discharge, and direct discharge during maritime transportation and operations. After MPs enter the marine environment, they will change the distribution status of MPs in the marine environment, thereby bringing varying degrees of impact to the marine environment and posing potential risks to the security of marine ecosystems. The article summarizes the sources, distribution characteristics, pollution status, and potential ecological risks of MPs in the marine environment, in order to provide scientific basis for solving and repairing marine microplastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coral reefs along Pakistan's coastline are of ecological and economic significance. However, they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic threats and climate change. These vulnerable ecosystems are declining due to various factors such as sedimentation, climate change, overfishing, destructive fishing practices, marine pollution, and tourism development. We found that 29%, 24%, 26%, 16% and 18% of the studies exceeding, marine pollution, overfishing/destructive fishing, coastal tourism, climate change and sedimentation, respectively; thus, indicating inadequate water quality status in part of Pakistan coastal water. These influences lead to several negative impacts, such as jeopardized coral health, decline in biodiversity, and the simplification of reef structures. In response to these threats, conservation efforts are imperative. This literature review provides an in-depth analysis of anthropogenic threats, climate change and the conservation of coral reefs in Pakistan. This review provides suggestions on how the country could better conserve its coral reef ecosystem. These include (1) initiatives such as establishing marine protected areas (MPAs), (2) encouraging sustainable fishing practices and reducing pollution, (3) developing the country as an ecotourism destination and implementing climate change adaptation measures, and (4) community engagement through awareness campaigns and fostering collaboration among, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and scientists. These comprehensive conservation policies address human-caused and other challenges, safeguarding their ecological, economic, and cultural relevance for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bay of Bengal has been at the heart of human civilisation and trade for many centuries. Accordingly, this oceanic space has seen influx of people from around the world including European traders who plundered natural wealth of this region for many years. Unabated exploitation of natural resources has been the primary reason for deterioration of environment of this part of the world. To add to this, supporting a growing population through unsustainable anthropogenic activities for decades is considered a primary cause for deterioration of marine life, habitats, coastal and marine ecosystems and numerous ocean ecosystem services of this oceanic space. Since the health of the oceanic space is critical for survival of life of Earth, a detailed study of the impacts of a growing population on the coastal environment of the Bay is considered important. Unfortunately, since the anthropogenic activities causing this deterioration are numerous, they cannot be covered in one paper. Hence, only a select few critical anthropogenic activities causing coastal erosion, resource degradation, and marine pollution are being analysed here. The study shows that as a result of increasing population, terrestrial activities such as increasing built up area, industries, land use activities, fisheries and aquaculture, and construction of shore protection structures have resulted in reduced coastal vegetation and increased pollution of the ocean. As a result the coastal landscape is witnessing increased coastal erosion, coastal flooding and inundation, loss of vegetation and faunal communities especially fishes. While local initiatives and projects reflect a positive commitment to address resource degradation and to create resilient coastal ecosystems, these efforts need to be transformed into achievements by dedicated and nuanced involvement of all stakeholders, especially the public, for the desired results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine plastic pollution poses a growing environmental threat, with microplastics accumulating in the global oceans. This study profiles the seasonal dynamics and taxonomic composition of the plastisphere, the microplastic ecosystem, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Using long-read 16 S and 18 S metabarcoding, we analyzed offshore microplastic and whole seawater samples across each season over a two-year period. The analysis revealed a higher richness of prokaryotic communities on microplastics compared to seawater, which was predominantly composed of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota and exhibited notable seasonal variability. Benthic eukaryotes were enriched on microplastics compared to the surrounding seawater. Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), in particular, showed significant enrichment within the microplastic eukaryotic community with primarily pennate diatoms of Amphora, Navicula, and Nitzschia genera, whereas the seawater included mostly centric diatoms. Seasonal fluctuations were less pronounced in the microplastic communities than in seawater, highlighting the relative stability of this new human-made ecosystem. These findings underscore the unique ecological niche of microplastic-associated communities in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 80% of goods are transported by shipping all over the world. Shipping plays an indispensable role in international transportation, as it is the most effective method. However, marine pollution from ships, such as accidental or operational discharge, is a recognised contributor to the worsening marine environment and ecosystem. It is known that approximately 27% of plastic pollution originates from marine-based sources. Shipping is a major contributor to marine plastics through fishing gear and container losses as well as recreational boating and passenger ships, among others. Given the statistics, this study proposes future regulatory recommendations for mitigating marine plastic pollution from ships. The uniqueness of this research lies in its emphasis on regulatory analysis specific to ship-source plastic pollution, which differs from the usual focus on land-based origins. Ultimately, the study seeks to heighten public awareness regarding the urgency of implementing regulatory measures. The research suggests the strengthening of enforcement regime over vessels, advocating for revisions to Annex V of the MARPOL 73/78 Convention, and enhancing collaboration between the IMO and the FAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines is one of the world's main contributors to global marine plastic pollution. However, field data remains scarce, so model estimates of riverine plastic pollution may be inaccurate. This paper aims to characterize the macrolitter observed along the Tullahan River, with focus on plastics, passing through the barangays of Quezon City and Valenzuela City in Metro Manila. The impact of solid waste management and land use activities on plastic flux were also investigated. For the floating litter, visual counting and float method were used to determine the plastic flux and river velocity, respectively. Riverbank litter was collected manually to characterize it based on plastic product and polymer type. Results show that the macroplastic flux was lowest on the site where residential houses are farthest from the stream. Waste characterization revealed that riverbank litter was primarily plastic - 30%-41% were residuals, and 5%-21% were recyclables. Both methods revealed that wrappers and thin PE plastics are the top contributors to riverine macroplastic pollution. Therefore, the entry of macroplastics into the river may be due to land use activities and weak enforcement of existing solid waste management (SWM) policies. The points discussed in the study can help in improving SWM and land use planning. The results can also increase the accuracy of model estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coastal tourism has become an important pillar of economic growth in China's coastal regions, yet no quantitative research has analyzed the relationship between coastal tourism and marine pollution. Methods: This study, within a multivariate framework, comprehensively examines the impact of coastal tourism on marine pollution by employing various econometric techniques and focusing on four different types of marine pollutant discharges: chemical oxygen demand (COD), petroleum (PET), ammonia nitrogen (NHN), and total phosphorus (TP). Results and discussion: Panel cointegration tests confirm a long-term relationship between coastal tourism and these four types of marine pollutant discharges. In the long run, coastal tourism has a significantly negative impact on COD, NHN, and TP. The results of Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimators show that for every 1% increase in coastal tourism revenue (TOUR), COD decreases by 0.734%, 0.536%, and 0.952% respectively; NHN decreases by 0.746%, 0.340%, and 1.633%; and TP decreases by 5.169%, 0.899%, and 0.334% respectively. However, the impact of coastal tourism on PET is not significant. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) panel causality test results indicate different causality patterns between coastal tourism and various marine pollutant discharges. Specifically, there is a bidirectional causality between coastal tourism and COD, NHN, and a unidirectional causality between coastal tourism and PET, TP. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis reveals that coastal tourism does not significantly reduce all marine pollutant discharges in low-and middleincome coastal regions. Furthermore, compared to the central and southern coastal regions, the coastal tourism of northern regions has not significantly reduced marine pollution. This study can provide policymakers with references for developing coastal tourism and reducing marine pollutant discharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine and ocean pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world. Marine plastics pose a significant threat to the marine ecosystem due to their negative effects. After passing through various processes, plastic waste accumulates on the seafloor and fragments into very small pieces known as microplastics. These microplastics are to blame for the extinction and death of aquatic life. This study obtained a hybrid underwater dataset containing 13,089 images, sized 300 × 300, including garbage and sea animals. In the proposed method, this dataset is used to develop our example projector deep feature generator. In this study, using the Resnet101 network in a sample projector build, the feature generator creates 6,000 features. Using NCA (Neighborhood Component Analysis), the best 1000 features from a pool of 6,000 are selected. The kNN (k-nearest neighbor) algorithm is then used to classify the resulting feature vectors. As validation techniques, both tenfold cross-validations were used. The hybrid dataset's best accuracy was calculated to be 99.35%. Our recommendation is successful based on the comparisons and calculated performance measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on 120 specimens of the shrimp Palaemon elegans collected in intertidal zones in eight selected areas. This study aimed to assess the suitability of P. elegans as a bioindicator of natural and anthropogenic marine pollution. Metal concentrations of aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were measured in shrimp collected from various sites in the Canary Islands, including areas affected by volcanic activity, industrial activity, and control zones. The determination of metal concentrations was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES). The results showed significant differences in metal concentrations across the studied sites, with the highest levels of Al, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn observed in areas impacted by the Tajogaite volcanic eruption and harbor activity. Sites near old landfills and sewage pipes also exhibited elevated levels of Cd, Cu, and Pb, indicating strong anthropogenic influence. Al was found in the highest concentration in Harbour, reaching 25.7 ± 6.2 mg/kg, while the lowest concentration was observed in Control Lp at 11.5 ± 0.69 mg/kg. Conversely, lower metal concentrations were detected in control zones and areas with high dinoflagellate presence, suggesting a potential role of bioremediation by marine phytoplankton. The ability of P. elegans to accumulate metals in its tissues, particularly in areas of high pollution, highlights its potential as a bioindicator species. This study underscores the importance of P. elegans in monitoring marine pollution and provides insights into the environmental impact of both natural and human-induced contamination on coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recent awareness highlights the significant impact of contaminants on the Mediterranean marine ecosystem and fishery resources. Monitoring these pollutants is crucial due to their accumulation in marine organisms and the health risks they pose through consumption. This study examines the levels of total mercury and PAHs in the muscle tissue of European hake from an important fishing ground in the Adriatic Sea. Seasonal and gender patterns as well as correlations with somatic indexes were explored to provide cost-effective bioindicators for pollution monitoring and mitigation. This research investigates the dynamics of contaminant exposure in European hake (Merluccius merluccius, L. 1758) from the Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) by examining the levels of total mercury (THg) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the muscle fish tissues. The study explores the correlations between these pollutants and somatic indexes to identify the early warning signals of pollution and ecological effects. The levels of pollutants are influenced by season and sex. Lipids appear to have a minimal effect on the PAH levels, whereas they exhibit a positive correlation with mercury levels in the muscle. No significant relationships between the pollutants and condition indexes were observed, except for a positive correlation between THg and the gonadosomatic index, indicating a potential impact on the reproductive health of fish. In contrast, PAHs showed no meaningful correlation with condition indexes. Differences in contaminant accumulations and lipid levels between sexes reflect variations in metabolic activity, reproductive costs, and adaptive strategies to seasonal changes and energy demands. This study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring to improve pollution management, environmental conservation, and the protection of marine organisms' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution in the marine environment is of concern, with evidence of harmful effects on marine biota and ecosystems. There is still a knowledge gap of the mass of plastics supplied to the ocean and plastics observed in the ocean, indicating a missing sink. Therefore, baseline and monitoring data are needed to inform policy and regulatory measures. The goal of this study was to collect harmonised data of microplastics from the surface of the ocean using the Neuston Microplastic Catamaran. This study shows that the surface water of the coastal ocean in the North Sea holds/sustains high concentrations of microplastic, which exceed previously recorded measurements from the North-East Atlantic and Scottish Waters, indicating that the total stock of plastics might be much higher than previously determined. Microplastics were detected in all samples with concentrations ranging from 857 to 25,462 items km-2. The majority of microplastics analysed were fragments of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in the size range of 1,000-5,000 µm. Mesoplastics (>5,000 µm) mainly in the form of filaments were found with concentrations ranging from 0 to 2,139 items km-2, and macroplastics (>5,000 µm) in the form of fragments and filaments were also found with concentrations ranging from 0 to 1,078 items km-2. These fragments and filaments likely originate from the break-up of common macrolitter items in the environment, such as plastic bags, bottles, and fishing gears, which are commonly comprised of similar polymers to those found in the present study. Our findings demonstrate that litters of all size classes are abundant in surface water, highlighting that it is a key compartment for the transport of marine litter and should be monitored to better our understanding of the fate and danger of plastic contamination in our ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research highlights that non-exhaust emissions from the abrasion of tires and other organic materials have emerged as a substantial source of airborne particulate matter and marine microplastics. Despite their growing impact, the underlying mechanisms driving these abrasion emissions have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we uncover that abrasion emissions from organic materials are fundamentally governed by a fatigue fracture process, wherein particles are progressively detached from the material surface under cyclic abrasion loads. Our findings demonstrate that these emissions increase significantly only when the applied abrasion loads surpass the material's toughness threshold. We establish a scaling relationship between the concentration of emitted particulate matter and the measurable crack propagation rate of the organic material, offering a robust quantitative method to estimate abrasion emissions. This work not only introduces a novel mechanistic framework for understanding particulate matter pollution from organic material abrasion but also provides a scientific basis for developing strategies to mitigate emissions of airborne particulates and marine microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 21 May 2024, the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered a ground-breaking and authoritative advisory opinion on States’ obligations under Part XII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC). After confirming its jurisdiction over the request, ITLOS ruled that greenhouse gas emissions cause ‘deleterious effects on the marine environment’ and therefore constitute pollution under the LOSC. ITLOS explained the relationship between obligations under the LOSC and climate law and clarified the due diligence nature of the LOSC obligations to prevent marine pollution and to protect the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exogenous DNA damage represents one of the most harmful outcomes produced by environmental, physical, or chemical agents. Here, a comparative analysis of DNA fragmentation was carried out on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos exposed to four common pollutants of the marine environment: vanadium, cadmium, gadolinium and selenium. Using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, fragmented DNA was quantified and localized in apoptotic cells mapping whole-mount embryos. This is the first study reporting how different chemicals are able to activate distinctive apoptotic features in sea urchin embryos, categorized as follows: (i) cell-selective apoptosis, showing DNA fragmentation restricted to a subset of extremely damaged cells, acting as an embryo survival mechanism; or (ii) total apoptosis, with fragmented DNA widespread throughout the cells of the entire embryo, leading to its death. Also, this is the first report of the effects of Se exposure on P. lividus sea urchin embryos. These data confirm the TUNEL assay as the most suitable test to study DNA fragmentation in the sea urchin embryo model system. Taken together, this research highlights embryos' ability to find alternative pathways and set physiological limits for development under stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment facilities can filter out some plastics before they reach the open environment, yet microplastics often persist throughout these systems. As they age, microplastics in wastewater may both leach and sorb pollutants and fragment to provide an increased surface area for bacterial attachment and conjugation, possibly impacting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) traits. Despite this, little is known about the effects of persistent plastic pollution on microbial functioning. To address this knowledge gap, we deployed five different artificially weathered plastic types and a glass control into the final maturation pond of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Ōtautahi-Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand. We sampled the plastic-associated biofilms (plastisphere) at 2, 6, 26, and 52 weeks, along with the ambient pond water, at three different depths (20, 40, and 60 cm from the pond water surface). We investigated the changes in plastisphere microbial diversity and functional potential through metagenomic sequencing. Bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes composition did not vary among plastic types and glass controls (P = 0.997) but varied among sampling times [permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), P = 0.001] and depths (PERMANOVA, P = 0.011). Overall, there was no polymer-substrate specificity evident in the total composition of genes (PERMANOVA, P = 0.67), but sampling time (PERMANOVA, P = 0.002) and depth were significant factors (PERMANOVA, P = 0.001). The plastisphere housed diverse AMR gene families, potentially influenced by biofilm-meditated conjugation. The plastisphere also harbored an increased abundance of genes associated with the biodegradation of nylon, or nylon-associated substances, including nylon oligomer-degrading enzymes and hydrolases. IMPORTANCE Plastic pollution is pervasive and ubiquitous. Occurrences of plastics causing entanglement or ingestion, the leaching of toxic additives and persistent organic pollutants from environmental plastics, and their consequences for marine macrofauna are widely reported. However, little is known about the effects of persistent plastic pollution on microbial functioning. Shotgun metagenomics sequencing provides us with the necessary tools to examine broad-scale community functioning to further investigate how plastics influence microbial communities. This study provides insight into the functional consequence of continued exposure to waste plastic by comparing the prokaryotic functional potential of biofilms on five types of plastic [linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), nylon-6, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, and oxygendegradable LLDPE], glass, and ambient pond water over 12 months and at different depths (20, 40, and 60 cm) within a tertiary maturation pond of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent decades, there has been significant advancement in scholarly research focused on detecting pollutants in marine environments and assessing the potential risks associated with seafood, particularly marine fish. The advancement has been predominantly influenced by the detection of microplastics, which have the ability to permeate food webs via both direct and indirect pathways. Microplastic pollution poses a substantial health risk to organisms at all levels of the food chain, including humans, who are top consumers. Despite the global concern, there is a lack of extensive research on microplastics in fish in Indonesia. The reliance of coastal communities in Indonesia on marine resources raises concerns regarding the potential impact of microplastic contamination. This study sought to assess the extent of microplastic pollutants in commercially caught marine fish from Jakarta Bay, a densely populated and industrialized coastal area accommodating more than 35 million inhabitants. METHODS: The study was conducted at five nearby fresh seafood markets in the northern part of Jakarta, where marine fish specimens were collected between December 2023 and January 2024. In total, 160 samples were gathered, with 20 individuals representing each of the eight diverse marine fish species. The approved protocol for extracting microplastics, which incorporates biological digestion, density separation, and microplastic identification, was strictly followed, although some adaptations were made as the process unfolded. Preventative actions were enacted in order to decrease the risk of microplastic cross-contamination. FINDINGS: It was determined through analysis that 93.75 percent (150 out of 160) of the fish studied contained microplastics, which were detected in samples obtained from both the gut and gill samples. On average, each fish had 3.65 ± 2.34 particles per individual, or approximately 0.12 ± 0.21 particles per gram. Microplastics were found in 81.25 percent of gut samples and 79.38 percent of gill samples. The abundance of microplastics in gut (1.79 ± 1.19 particles per individual) was slightly lower than in gills (1.86 ± 1.30 particles per individual). The variance in microplastic content between the two organs did not reach statistical significance. Fish with carnivorous feeding habits demonstrated a higher average microplastic content when contrasted with those utilizing omnivorous and planktivorous feeding strategies. Fish living in the benthopelagic region tended to have slightly more microplastic particles than those in benthic coastal water and pelagic coastal water. Most of the microplastics detected in commercial marine fish were in the size range of 2000-5000 micrometers, with the majority being in the form of fragments and fibers. The study also pinpointed seven specific polymer classifications, which consist of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester, polybutadiene, and polyethylene terephthalate. CONCLUSION: The escalating levels of microplastics in the environment present a substantial threat to food security, marine ecosystems, and human health. It is imperative to develop a standardized risk assessment mechanism utilizing advanced tools and methodologies to quantify the levels of microplastics in the environment and living organisms as the study moves forward. It is imperative that both capture fisheries and aquaculture undergo thorough assessments of risks and hazards. This study underscores the significance of monitoring plastic waste in the Greater Jakarta area and its adjacent coastlines. Further study is essential to evaluate the magnitude of plastic pollution in fish tissues that are consumed by humans, and to assess the potential consequences for food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hard corals are precious marine creatures that comprise a complex form of symbiosis between symbiont algae and coral holobiont. For decades, corals have been challenged by disastrous events of climatic and anthropogenic etiologies. Such complex interactions have resulted in devastating disease episodes among coral populations worldwide. There is a scarcity of information about diseases of hard corals in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate various diseases of hard corals in this pristine habitat within the Red Sea. Whitening and dark green dots were the most noticeable morphopathology among hard coral samples collected from Gulf of Aqaba. Some human-based pathogens, such as Rothia kristinae, Cupriavidus pauculus, and Delftia acidovorans, were isolated from some of the examined coral tissues, while the Burkholderia cepacia group was isolated from the nearby sediment. The final identities of the above-mentioned bacterial isolates have been molecularly confirmed using 16S RNA sequence analysis. Pathologically, diseased corals have been observed with changes such as some forms of tissue losses, degenerative changes, and eosinophilic granular amoebocytes/agranular cells infiltration. The frequent detection of some microbial pathogens of human origin could suggest deleterious forms of environmental pollution of anthropogenic origin. Ultimately, the entire existence of hard coral populations is mostly threatened by swiftly erupting climatic changes as well as environmental aquatic pollution. Thus, the current study concludes the real need for extensive ecological, biological, pathological, and immunological studies to determine the eminent threats and propose possible control means for better/sustainable hard coral populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of the utmost importance for every country to monitor and control maritime pollution within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has developed and implemented the CleanSeaNet (CSN) satellite monitoring system to aid in the surveillance and control of hydrocarbon and hazardous substance spills in the ocean. This system's primary objective is to alert European Union (EU) coastal states to potential spills within their EEZs, enabling them to take the necessary legal and operational actions. To reduce operational costs and increase response capability, the feasibility of implementing a national network (NN) of unmanned vehicles (UVs), both surface and aerial, was explored using a Portuguese case study. The following approach and analysis can be easily generalized to other case studies, bringing essential knowledge to the field. Analyzing oil spill alert events in the Portuguese EEZ between 2017 and 2021 and performing a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, essential information has been proposed for the optimal location of an NN of UVs. The study results demonstrate that integrating spill alerts at sea with UVs may significantly improve response time, costs, and personnel involvement, making maritime pollution combat actions more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The uncontrolled discharge of untreated ballast water, which is essential for a ship's optimal operation, is one of the major causes of sea environmental pollution by shipping. Among the disinfection methods available for ballast water treatment, ozonation is a commonly used method, but its performance is limited by the rapid ozone auto‐decomposition rate. Nanobubbles (NBs) technology has attracted much scientific interest as it is characterized by a long residence time in the aqueous phase and a high surface area; therefore, ozone nanobubbles (OzNBs) are expected to enhance disinfection capacity and residual activity. The present study was designed to provide further insight into the inactivation of heterotrophic bacteria in saline water and to examine the use of OzNBs for disinfection of saline water. RESULTS: The survival rate of Escherichia coli (E. coli), which was used as indicator microorganism, along with the ozone consumption at different salinities (1.5, 4, 8 and 15 PSU) and bacterial concentrations (107, 106, and 105 CFU mL−1) with and without supplementation of OzNBs were investigated. The results indicated a statistical difference in the residual concentration of total residual oxidants (TRO) with the presence of OzNBs at salinity level 1.5 PSU and at 4 PSU only at the lowest bacterial content. At a low salinity and high bacterial concentration, the concentration of TRO was 6‐fold higher in the presence of OzNBs. CONCLUSION: The salinity of water has a strong impact on the residual concentration of ozone. When salinity is increased, ozone reacts more rapidly with the bromide and chloride ions. The use of OzNBs exhibited a greater disinfection performance and higher residual activity. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microparticles of anthropogenic origin, such as microplastics and microfibers, are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment of the world. These microparticles pollute water and can be ingested by biota; however, while microplastics are often monitored, very few studies focus on microfibers. Coastal areas, such as beaches, are more vulnerable to pollution due to their location between terrestrial and marine environments and their recreational and touristic functions. In this study, microparticle occurrence frequency was investigated along the Calabria coast, Italy, in one touristic beach in comparison with an unpopular one. High amounts of microparticles of anthropogenic origin were found in all sediment samples, despite the evident different tourist exploitation of the two examined beaches. Sediments of the most touristic beach had values between 729.5 ± 212.3 and 1327 ± 125.8 items/kg, instead, the less popular beach between 606.3 ± 102.8 and 1116.5 ± 226.9 items/kg (average and st. dev). Microparticle abundance varied before and after the touristic summer season, increasing in the most popular beach and decreasing in the unpopular one. Differences in microparticle abundance between foreshore and backshore were present too; however, statistical analyses did not show evident relations between microparticle abundance and the distance from the see. Grain size influenced the abundance of microparticles in sediments. Our results improve knowledge on microparticle pollution in marine environments, highlighting information about micropollution in coastal areas. Future studies are needed to understand better microparticle dynamics and ecological impacts in marine and terrestrial systems, implementing new strategies to monitor pollution state, enhancing the natural intermediate environments, and providing useful and sustainable measure of conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial colonization of plastic polymers in Antarctic environments is an under-investigated issue. While several studies are documenting the spread of plastic pollution in the Ross Sea, whether the formation of a plastisphere (namely the complex microbial assemblage colonizing plastics) may favor the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in this marine environment is unknown yet. A colonization experiment was performed in this ecosystem, aiming at exploring the potential role of plastic polymers as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance. To this end, the biofilm-producing activity and the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacterial strains isolated from biofilms colonizing submerged polyvinylchloride and polyethylene panels were screened. The colonization experiment was carried out at two different sites of the Ross Sea, namely Road Bay and Tethys Bay. Most of bacterial isolates were able to produce biofilm; several multidrug resistances were detected in the bacterial members of biofilms associated to PVC and PE (also named as the plastisphere), as well as in the bacterial strains isolated from the surrounding water. The lowest percentage of ARB was found in the PE-associated plastisphere from the not-impacted (control) Punta Stocchino station, whereas the highest one was detected in the PVC-associated plastisphere from the Tethys Bay station. However, no selective enrichment of ARB in relation to the study sites or to either type of plastic material was observed, suggesting that resistance to antibiotics was a generalized widespread phenomenon. Resistance against to all the three classes of antibiotics assayed in this study (i.e., cell wall antibiotics, nucleic acids, and protein synthesis inhibitors) was observed. The high percentage of bacterial isolates showing resistance in remote environments like Antarctic ones, suffering increasing anthropic pressure, points out an emerging threat with a potential pathogenic risk that needs further deepening studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manned submersible dives in the northwest South China Sea encountered substantial amounts of plastic litter accumulated at the base of scours along the floor of a submarine canyon, which may associate with the depositional behaviors of turbidity currents. In this study, we conduct numerical simulations using field‐scale bathymetry to investigate the relationship between the canyon floor morphology, flow processes, and the locations and sizes of the plastic litter piles. The consistent deposition pattern caused by the numerical turbidity currents with different input parameters indicate that morphology of the canyon may exert a dominant influence on turbidite deposition. This is attributed to a significant reduction in shear velocity as simulated turbidity currents flowing through the scours on the canyon floor. Spatial correspondence between deposits of turbidity currents and plastic litter accumulation suggests that suspended sediments and plastic may undergo simultaneous dynamic processes during the transportation of turbidity currents. Plain Language Summary: The issue of marine plastic litter has attracted wide attention, particularly in terms of its transportation mechanisms and locations of accumulation on the ocean floor. Turbidity currents are subaqueous sediment‐gravity flows that can transport large amounts of sediment, nutrients and pollutants into the deep sea, yet there is sparse research on the dynamics of plastic litter transport under the control of turbidity currents, and its accumulation in the deep sea. Here, we present a series of numerical simulations of turbidity currents in a submarine canyon with various input parameters, when combined with observational data on topography and plastic litter distribution, confirm that turbidity currents constitute a plausible mechanism for the transport of plastic litter and for its accumulation in response to changes in flow associated with scours. In addition, we find that the concavity of the scours is also necessary for plastic litter accumulation, since it induces significant fluctuations in the shear velocity and the corresponding depositional process. Key Points: Numerical simulations were applied to investigate turbidity currents as a cause for plastic litter accumulations in a submarine canyonThe simulated turbidite deposits and observed plastic litter accumulations exhibit a strong spatial correspondenceThe morphology of the canyon floor may exert dominant influence on the plastic litter accumulations in submarine canyons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mercury pollution status in the northwestern Sea of Okhotsk remains largely unexplored. In this study, hair samples were collected from 40 bearded seals harvested between August and October 2021 in the region. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in the samples exhibited a wide range from 137 to 1885 ng/g (median: 407 ng/g). While no significant differences in THg concentrations were found between male and female seals, distinctions were observed between young and potentially mature seals. Stable nitrogen isotope analysis indicated that juveniles and mature adults did not differ, although sample sizes were limiting. The higher THg concentrations in juveniles were attributed to variations in the seals' diets and/or variations in foraging locations during the juvenile stage which likely contribute to THg differences due to greater seasonal migration to offshore habitats. Notably, THg levels in bearded seals from the northwestern Sea of Okhotsk were lower in comparison to other pinniped species in the North Pacific. These findings, representing the first dataset for this pinniped species in the Russian segment of its habitat, contribute insights into mercury exposure in the Sea of Okhotsk mammalian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Understanding plastic litter in cities is crucial to preventing marine pollution. • Citizen science is suitable for long-term, extensive data collection. • Despite human error, ∼30 % of data could be used to visualize and quantify litter. • Litter in cities was studied using Pirika and deep learning-based image processing. • Trained models exhibited high precision and recall in classifying litter types. Cities are a major source of litter pollution. Determination of the abundance and composition of plastic litter in cities is imperative for effective pollution management, environmental protection, and sustainable urban development. Therefore, here, a multidisciplinary approach to quantify and classify the abundance of litter in urban environments is proposed. In the present study, litter data collection was integrated via the Pirika smartphone application and conducted image analysis based on deep learning. Pirika was launched in May 2018 and, to date, has collected approximately one million images. Visual classification revealed that the most common types of litter were cans, plastic bags, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, cigarette boxes, and sanitary masks, in that order. The top six categories accounted for approximately 80 % of the total, whereas the top three categories accounted for more than 60 % of the total imaged litter. A deep-learning image processing algorithm was developed to automatically identify the top six litter categories. Both precision and recall derived from the model were higher than 75 %, enabling proper litter categorization. The quantity of litter derived from automated image processing was also plotted on a map using location data acquired concurrently with the images by the smartphone application. Conclusively, this study demonstrates that citizen science supported by smartphone applications and deep learning-based image processing can enable the visualization, quantification, and characterization of street litter in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the scale of the marine economy continues to expand, the problems of environmental pollution and the over-exploitation of marine resources have become increasingly severe. The purpose of this study is to realize the sustainable growth of the marine economy, the rational utilization of resources, and the coordinated development of environmental protection. Method: This research first adopts the system dynamics (SD) model. It then uses the entropy method to weigh the evaluation indicators and create a coupling coordination degree (CCD) assessment simulation of the marine economic–resource–ecological environment. We use the created SD model to build and simulate four standard scenarios: current, economic, resource, and environmental. Finally, we propose suitable recommendations for the long-term development of the marine economy based on the coordination evaluation results of the CCD model. Results: Results show the following: (1) In the immediate term, the economic scenario is poorly coordinated, whereas the environmental scenario is more effectively coordinated. However, in the long-term development process, the resource scenario is reasonably well coordinated. (2) Priority attention must be given to improving the energy mix and protecting the natural environment to promote the sustainable development of the marine economy. (3) To achieve a virtuous cycle between marine economic development and environmental protection, governments, businesses, and all sectors of society need to work together to formulate and implement relevant policies and initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transboundary pollution is a major global challenge and monitoring beach litter along international borders can reveal some of the pathways by which litter enters water bodies, and hence advance the implementation of measures to prevent pollution emissions into international waters. Methods: In this paper, participatory mapping was used to detect beach litter in Imperial Beach, California, along the U.S.-Mexico international border. This study implemented a 3-step protocol including an introductory awareness workshop, a macro-debris survey to categorize and remove beach litter, and a qualitative assessment of pollution drivers. Results: Results show that plastic litter is the most dominant across all transects (304 debris, 52.6% of all litter observations), with an average density of 76 pieces/transect, with plastic being the most common material. Participants identified some of the major causes of pollution with paucity of waste management facilities, tourism activities near/on the beach, and inflow of pollution across the border. Discussion: The paper highlights the role of citizen science in monitoring pollution along large and border regions. Implications of this study include methodological and practical contributions to the study of marine pollution to supplement the current paucity of information on pollution movement and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to address the issue of environmental pollution resulting from marine oil spills by evaluating the oil adsorption performance of commonly used fence materials. Conventional oil adsorption materials exhibit limited rates and capacities for oil adsorption. Existing methods have proven insufficient in meeting the requirements for efficient and rapid oil–water separation. A new oil-absorbing barrier was developed by utilizing high oil adsorption resin as the primary material and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as the binder, leveraging the exceptional oil adsorption and hydrophobic properties of P(BMA-SMA-St)/MIL-101(Fe) resin. The oil-absorbing fence was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The oil adsorption rates of carbon tetrachloride, toluene, diesel and gasoline by the oil adsorption fence with 25 g/L resin content were 101.26 g/m2, 68.12 g/m2, 35.19 g/m2, and 46.69 g/m2, respectively. After 120 h of UV irradiation, the coating's oil absorption capacity remained nearly unchanged, and it demonstrated outstanding mechanical, chemical, and wear resistance. As a result, the oil adsorption fence possesses the capability to rapidly absorb oil from the water's surface during the process of containing oil pollution, leading to positive social and economic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are contaminants in marine ecosystems, posing great threats to biota and human health. In this work, we provide an overview of the progress made in understanding microplastic prevalence in tropical coastal environments, focusing on the Johor and the Singapore Straits as a case study. We examine the sources, distribution, transport, and ecological impact of microplastic pollution in this region through a systematic review. All papers relating to marine microplastics in Singapore's sand and benthic sediments, seawater, and marine biota were used for analysis, from 2004 to 2023. In addition, we discuss the influence of envi-ronmental factors such as coastal morphology and anthropogenic activities on patterns of microplastic accumulation. We emphasize that microplastic pollution is more prevalent along the eutrophic Johor Strait compared to the Singapore Strait due to hydrological conditions. Rainfall is also a key factor that influences mi-croplastic abundance during the monsoon seasons. Furthermore, the bacterial and plankton assemblages of organisms on microplastic surfaces are diverse, with eutrophic waters enhancing the diversity of organisms on microplastic surfaces. Novel harmful cyanobacteria and bloom species of phytoplankton were also found on microplastic surfaces. By synthesizing existing research findings and highlighting regional characteristics, this paper contributes to ongoing efforts to mitigate microplastic pollution in tropical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Magnisi peninsula is a small portion of land located near the largest Italian petrol-chemical pole of Augusta–Priolo–Melilli (40 km2), which, since the 1950s, devastated the local environment and landscape and unloaded directly into the sea an impressive quantity of pollutants. Unlike the terrestrial part of the area, where a Natural Oriented Reserve (NOR) called "Saline di Priolo" was established in the 2000s, no concrete legislative action has been implemented or proposed for the marine environment. At the same time, the fauna of the marine environment has not been studied in the same way as that of the terrestrial environment. As concerns the molluscan fauna, most of the information dates back to the 1800s. These studies were exclusively focused on the shells of some mollusks in the area. Instead, no study related to this area has ever been carried out on the group of sea slugs. This study conducted between 2022 and 2023, through snorkeling activities, allowed to provide the first faunistic list of the sea slugs of this area, together with information on the biology and ecology of these gastropods, highlighting the potential biodiversity present in this small stretch of coastline affected by high industrial pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are ubiquitous in marine environments and have been documented across all ocean compartments, especially surface waters, across the world. Even though several studies identify the presence of microplastics in the world's five oceans, there remains an overt problem of large inconsistencies in their sampling, extraction, and consequent quantification. Despite the complexity of these methodologies, researchers have tried to explore microplastic abundance in ocean surface waters. Using a systematic review approach, a dataset was derived from 73 primary studies undertaken since the year 2010 following the Oslo and Paris Conventions (OSPAR) guidelines to monitor and harmonise marine debris. The results showed differences in the abundance and distribution of microplastics in surface waters across oceans. The overall concentration of microplastics in all five oceans ranged between 0.002 and 62.50 items/m3, with a mean abundance of 2.76 items/m3. The highest mean concentration of microplastics was found in the Atlantic (4.98 items/m3), while the least was observed in the Southern Ocean (0.04 items/m3). While challenging, this paper recommends harmonisation of the sampling, separation, and identification methods across the globe to aid in the design of the appropriate mitigation strategies for reducing marine plastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents novel information on sponge (Porifera) colonization of artificial substrates in the framework of the LIFE EU Strong Sea Life Project, focusing on the northwestern Sardinian Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea). Five abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gears (ALDFGs) of the local artisanal fishery from circum-seas of the Asinara Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) were focused. The composition, taxonomic richness, relative abundance, and lifestyle of sponge assemblages are reported. Taxonomic richness is notably high with 2 classes and 13 orders comprising 26 families, 36 genera, and 47 species of Porifera displaying miniaturized body size and dominant encrusting to massive/erect growth forms. New records at species level are reported for the MPA, the Sardinian Sea, and the Western Mediterranean Sea. The successful colonization of the recovered ghost fishing gears by sponges highlights that adaptive strategies of these basal metazoans support their ability to settle and persist on synthetic materials. This dataset contributes to the inventory of (i) recovered ALDFGs in MPAs, (ii) exogenous substrata as suitable substrata for sponge settlement, and (iii) species richness of an MPA and (iv) promotes the biodiversity assessment of the plastisphere in a global context of ocean pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) has an established dynamism by which it can incorporate newly developed concepts concerning the environment and environmental harms. This dynamism consists of two methods that function in conjunction with each other: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal development of the LOSC is realised by its interplay with treaties and international documents, particularly under Part XII. Vertical development takes place within each treaty regime through protocols and annexes, and amendments thereto. Vertical development of the London Convention regime on dumping can support the horizontal development of the LOSC. For that purpose, precise assessment as to whether newly emerging matters fall under the London Convention regime, being mindful of its objects and purposes, is critically important. From this perspective, Japan's discharge of treated water containing tritium from land , which is not dumping, falls outside the London Convention regime on dumping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses another means of protecting the ocean to that of the London Convention regime, which prohibits or restricts the dumping of waste at sea, namely through compensation under the existing liability and compensation regimes relating to the spills of oil and other hazardous and noxious substances. Some main features of the existing liability regimes relating to ship-source spills – namely spills from oil tankers, spills of bunker oil from other ships and releases of other hazardous and noxious substances – are presented and their advantages and weaknesses are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The London Convention and London Protocol are the two main international treaties of global application addressing the protection of the marine environment from pollution caused by the dumping of wastes and other matter into the sea. This article describes how the treaties were developed and adopted, explores their relationship with the overarching 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) and examines how the treaties are administered to implement their vision of 'two instruments, one family'. The article also highlights the ground-breaking steps the London Convention and London Protocol have taken to address new threats to the ocean, which include regulating new climate change mitigation technologies that have the potential to cause harm to the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three challenges specific to the Bay of Bengal region in the context of climate change. Firstly, this is a climate-sensitive region that sits on the brink of several climate and human-induced environmental changes and challenges. Secondly, it is still a relatively understudied geographic area from the perspective of climate risks. Third, the process of securitisation of climate change and long-term risks to resources in this region has not taken place fully as traditional security challenges, geopolitics, and great power competition have become primary concerns. This paper looks at the climate vulnerabilities and risks prevalent in this region. It also looks at human-induced challenges like marine pollution and IUU fishing. It then evaluates the reasons why several of the collective promises in the region remain unfulfilled. It is followed by a brief discussion on the security implications of climate change which is followed by a conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the issue of marine plastic pollution and its impact on coastal communities in Maryland, Florida, Hawai'i, and Alaska. These communities, which rely heavily on the marine environment, are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. The article emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in addressing this issue, as they possess valuable knowledge and practices that can complement scientific research. It also highlights the historical and cultural significance of these communities' connections to the ocean and the need for environmental justice and community involvement in conservation efforts. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to analyze the microplastic contamination of fresh and pindang fish and its health impact on the coast of Muncar, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. In this study, a total of 115 respondents participated, providing questionnaire data on their fish consumption habits and health problems. Subsequently, spearman's correlation coefficient, a non-parametric statistical test, was used to analyze the questionnaire data. This study also included 100 samples of marine fish, consisting of 89 fresh fish and 11 pindang fish from various types of marine species. The content of microplastic polymers detected through FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) was around 3-5 microplastic polymers/fish samples, and the most dominant were Polyethylene, Polyester, Polycaprolactam (Nylon 6) and Polyamide. This study showed that 94 percent of fish samples contained microplastics and only 6 percent of samples did not contain microplastics. The intensity of pindang fish consumption was positively correlated with respondents' health symptoms and problems. Subsequently, implementing effective waste management systems and educational programs in the coastal areas is crucial in reducing the pollution of seawater resulting from inadequate waste disposal practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]