Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment cores of the microtidal coastline of Lagos lagoon were investigated for the occurrence, sources and depositional contamination history. Sediment core samples were collected using the Wildco @ hand corer (50 cm) SS kit and extracted using a 40 mL mixture of hexane and acetone (1:1), and cleaned-up using 10 mm ID

The past few decades have seen a massive increase in global coastal eutrophication, for which nitrogen enrichment is usually the primary causative agent. Based on field monitoring data from coastal waters during dry, wet, and normal flow seasons in 2016, the distribution characteristics of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and its influencing factors were studied. The level of DIN pollution was evaluated

In recent decades, maritime traffic has been increasing globally. Introduction vectors involving ships, hull fouling and ballast water are often cited as having high risk for introducing marine non-indigenous species (NIS) worldwide. Due to its geographical location, Madeira Island (Portugal) had a significant role in past maritime connections, with the ability to serve as a “port of call” facility

Methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in three different species from different trophic levels with different amounts of Hg exposures were determined for the first time in the EEZ of Qatar. Sampling was conducted during autumn 2017 in two nearshore (Palm Tree and Al-Besheriya Islands) and two offshore locations (Sherawoo and Ishat Islands). Fish muscle and liver tissues were analyzed according to the

In temperate regions, macroalgae are naturally abundant habitat builders for many organisms of ecological and economic importance. Hence, macroalgae are good targets for monitoring studies based on colonization processes as, through them, it is possible to sample the epifauna that uses them as habitat. Nevertheless, macroalgae collection may not be sustainable, can compromise the survival of the target

Marine litter (ML) survey was conducted on 10 beaches along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in summer period 2017. The distribution of most common Single-use plastics (SUPs) and Fishing gear containing plastics was evaluated, with SUPs representing 28.3% and Fishing gear - 3.4% of the total ML, as well as items from Fishing activities being 5.5% of the total ML.Top three of the SUPs were: Cigarette butts

The variability of thermal fronts in eastern ocean boundaries has received increased attention because of being active regions of vertical fluxes of tracers and biological activity. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) images from three distinct satellite products are used to identify areas with enhanced surface thermal gradients (i.e. SST fronts) in the coastal ocean off central–southern Chile. The main

The structure of the black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) population from the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula was analyzed by means of genetic similarities among three separated (155–250 km) locations: Celestun, Dzilam, and Alacranes Reef. A total of 150 specimens were genetically characterized by means of five microsatellite DNA markers of the genome of this species amplified by PCR specific

Three elasmobranch species of the genus Deania are currently reported in NE Atlantic waters: D. calcea, D. hystricosa and D. profundorum; however, in north Spanish waters (NE Atlantic), only D. calcea and D. profundorum have been caught. Among the criteria used to discriminate Deania species one is dermal denticle length and body colour. In this study the authors explore the feasibility of these criteria

The constructed mass balanced Ecopath model illustrates the trophic interactions among 22 defined functional groups of Chilika lagoon ecosystem. The estimated trophic levels (TL) in this model are in the range of 1.0 to 3.416. Elopiformes were found as the top predator with a TL value of 3.416 followed by Belonids (3.411). Zooplankton was found as the most utilized group expressing the highest ecotrophic

Several intertidal and supratidal systems were investigated in the Brunei Bay to assess the diversity and assemblage structure of grapsoid crabs (Brachyura: Grapsoidea) in different salinity and substrate conditions, type of vegetation, and distance from water bodies. The structure of the assemblages differed remarkably across and within sites, and several taxa were not previously recorded from this

Rocky shore habitats are common in the Arabian Gulf region, however, there is little knowledge of the patterns of spatial and temporal distribution of key intertidal organisms. The spatial and seasonal distribution of Leptodius exaratus, a keystone species rocky shores on the Kuwait coast, were investigated to better understand the ecology of the species and to gain a wider knowledge of the ecology

An intense heterotrophic dinoflagellate bloom caused by Protoperidinium quinquecorne was observed at Port Blair Bay during May 2017. The bloom appeared during a period of significantly higher (p< 0.05) temperatures (35.85 ±1.66°C) and seawater salinity (33.21 ± 0.27 PSU) than the pre-bloom and post-bloom phase. Subsequently, we investigated the bloom impact on water quality and plankton community structure

This study investigates the levels, composition profile and potential sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in surface water and fish tissues from Sundays (SDE) and Swartkops Estuaries (SWE). The concentration of Ʃ ∑6PBDEs ranged from 2.5 to 39.1 ng/L for SDE and 2.5 to 168.8 ng/L for SWE. BDE-17, BDE-47, and BDE-100 were the predominant congeners in the sample matrices from both estuaries

The reproductive cycle, maturity, sex ratio, and fecundity of the sawtooth barracuda Sphyraena putnamae was investigated from 1108 specimen samples along the Karnataka coast off the southeastern Arabian Sea. The sex ratio between males and females (1:1.08) was not significantly different. The fork length at 50% maturity (Lm50) for females and males was estimated at 39.4 cm and 38.0 cm, respectively

Compared to other coastal habitats, estuaries are widely recognized to provide an important habitat for early stage crustacean development, such as recruitment, growth and survival. Thus, estuaries contribute to the reproductive population via the ontogenetic migration of mature crustaceans to other habitats. This study describes the spatial–temporal dynamics of the different ontogenetic stages of

Quantitative assessment and management of small-scale fisheries is a persistent problem for fisheries. Crustaceans are particularly challenging for conventional techniques because their lack of permanent hard body parts makes ageing difficult. While a growing body of literature is aimed at developing alternative approaches to small-scale fisheries assessment there are concerns about the indiscriminate

Specific natural radionuclide (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) concentrations of wild and farmed European seabass collected from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey were measured and the radiological risk associated with their consumption was assessed. Gamma spectrometric measurement of radionuclide activities in the samples were performed with HPGe detector and the radiological risk associated with their ingestion

Trophic-functional patterns of periphytic protozoan communities are routinely used as a tool for marine bioassessment. In this study, a biofilm sampling approach was used to evaluate the effect of water depth on trophic-functional groupings of periphytic protozoa during the colonization process in Chinese coastal waters of the Yellow Sea. A total of 240 glass microscope slides were used to collect

Richards Bay Harbour, which was constructed in early 1976, is South Africa’s largest and busiest port. Despite comprising mostly deep channels (>15 m) and associated harbour and shipping activities, the system still functions as an estuarine system. Information on the macrozoobenthic community structure in Richards Bay Harbour is scarce. This study was therefore conducted to examine the status of the

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are highly heterogeneous, complex, and dynamic. The natural and socio-economic components associated with these fishery systems are subject to different drivers, issues, and challenges. Understanding SSF complexity requires an exercise to unpack the systems into manageable clusters that are easier to analyze and understand, and that can generate sound information to support

Quantifying phytoplankton and its changes in coastal waters is an important aspect of marine ecosystems. Synoptic observations of phytoplankton communities became possible with remote sensing technologies and spatial analysis methods. Using these advancements would assist the scientific community to gain better understanding of marine ecosystem dynamics and consequently contribute in sustaining and

Human pressure can cause a decrease in the abundance of beach macrofauna, especially supralittoral crustaceans. In studying the life history traits of supralittoral crustaceans, human impact and beach features (e.g. beach slope, grain size, swash width) are often considered separately. Ghost crabs are widely accepted as ecological indicators of beach quality and condition since their abundance decreases

The red mangrove crab is an omnivorous endemic species that lives in mangrove areas throughout the Brazilian coast and is a potential bio-accumulator of metals. These ecosystems are usually located in regions with intense anthropic activity. They also have physicochemical characteristics such as fine grained sediments, that favor the stabilization of metal contaminants. This study quantified the accumulation

Total suspended matter (TSM) is an important parameter of ocean water quality and for aquatic environmental assessment. The Zhoushan Islands are near the estuarine and coastal regions of the Yangtze River and Qiantang River and TSM occurs at very high concentrations and in long-term suspended states. The distribution and variation of TSM in the Zhoushan Islands has great impacts on its coastal water

DNA metabarcoding provides a rapid and effective identification tool of macroinvertebrate species. The accuracy of species-level assignment, and consequent taxonomic coverage, relies on comprehensive DNA barcode reference libraries, which, due to incompleteness, are currently a recognized limitation for metabarcoding applications. In this study, we assembled a comprehensive reference library of DNA

Dolphinfish is targeted by small-scale fisheries and is part of the bycatch of drifting surface longline targeting tuna and swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea. The main aim of the present study is to understand the effect of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the dolphinfish bycatch of the Spanish longline fisheries in the Western Mediterranean Sea and, likewise on the catch of small-scale fisheries

Inadequate utilization of available food resources constitutes a major problem regarding the growing population, the increased demand for food and the current need to reduce the global footprint exerted on the planet. Understanding value chains, identifying pressure points and room for improvement using new technological solutions, are important steps to enhance raw material utilization for the individual

Climate-driven environmental change is predicted to accelerate over the coming decades. Anticipating the ecological consequences requires a fundamental understanding of how environmental variables influence key habitats and species. Southeastern Australia is a marine climate change hotspot, characterised by rapidly increasing sea surface temperatures, strengthening currents and increasing storm frequency

The accumulation and persistence of chemical pesticides in aquatic ecosystems represent serious threats to both fish and humans. Useful tools for ecotoxicological studies of marine ecosystems are based on biomarker application to key fish species. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of pesticides in a coastal marine environment, as the tourist port of Bagnara Calabra on

Research on the long-term characteristics of ocean conditions is becoming increasingly necessary as the impact of climate change is becoming conspicuous. This study measured the variabilities of wind and wave by simulating the wind speeds and significant wave heights from 1988 to 2017 over the Taiwan Strait. The validation shows that the simulated results are in agreement with the observations. From

There is a dearth of knowledge of the ecology and population status of horseshoe crabs in Indonesia. To avoid the high costs of sampling and monitoring horseshoe crabs, a questionnaire-based survey was designed and administered to local people to collect local knowledge on the population status, distribution, and potential threats that horseshoe crabs face at 35 sites in Indonesia. The results from

The current scenario of global change and the increase of human population in coastal areas is leading to the introduction of numerous man-made structures into the coastal environment. Those artificial structures provide different services at the expenses of habitat loss and a range of widely documented ecological impacts. Limpets are keystone species that are worldwide established in these artificial

Seagrass meadows are influenced by anthropogenic activities occurring in the littoral, generally resulting in an intense regression in the last decades. This study examines the evolution of the Z. noltei coverage from 1989 to 2014 in two seagrass meadows located in the Ría de Vigo (Arcade and A Ramallosa), subjected to different degrees of coastline alteration, anthropogenic land cover, population

A red tide of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium leei occurred at the beginning of April 2017 in Nomi Bay, Japan, killing aquacultured fishes, such as red sea breams and great amberjacks. This was the first known reported case of an ichthyotoxic red tide of A. leei in Japan, so we collected basic information about this dinoflagellate in the field and laboratory. Wild and cultured A. leei cells from Japan

Little information on phytoplankton is currently available for Garolim and Asan bays, which are important spawning and nursery grounds for various commercial fish. The objectives of this study were to investigate the spatial and seasonal variations in the biochemical components (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) and primary production by phytoplankton and to determine the major environmental factors

The Cold Eddy to the Northeast of Diaoyu Island (CEND) was examined in detail using the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS). Model results indicated the presence of a cyclonic semi-closed circular current in the upper 30 m of the East China Sea. This current is present from May to November, and extends over the area between 26.2 ∘N–27.5 ∘N and 122.5 ∘E–124 ∘E with a center at 26.8 ∘N, 123.5∘E. Simulations

The variability of the zooplankton community over a spatial and a tidal scale, the relationship between physico-chemical variables, and the abundance of zooplankton were studied in the temperate and turbid Bahía Blanca Estuary (Southwestern Atlantic, Argentina). Samples were taken by pumps during 12-h tidal cycles, at 3-h intervals, from two depths and three sites across the main channel in the inner

In the current study, data on Greek marine recreational fisheries regarding the number of individual recreational fishing and vessel licenses issued until 2014 are given. Moreover, using information from a questionnaire-based survey, based on 52 responses, recreational catches in two localities in the Aegean Sea (GSA 22: Thermaikos Gulf and Alonissos Island) are presented. According to data from the

Darwin Harbour is a macrotidal estuary located in the wet–dry tropics of Northern Australia. This largely unmodified oligotrophic harbour is also a working port, where the largest proportion of the Northern Territory population reside and future industrial and urban development are planned. A contemporary examination of nitrogen sources and loading is presented to aid further evaluation of this pressure

Mangroves are inundated through tidal action, which mobilizes a large quantity of suspended and dissolved particles, including both decomposed mangrove and terrigenous materials. Sediments brought in by tidal water and trapped by mangrove roots contribute to the productivity of coastal, tropical mangrove ecosystems. They play an important role in the nutrient cycling of these ecosystems. However, there

The composition and dynamics of microalgae play an important role in shellfish aquaculture, since phytoplankton is the main source of energy for filter-feeding bivalves as well as the main potential toxicity risk. Together with the increase in world aquaculture production in the last decades, there is recent interest in the implementation of shellfish aquaculture on the Basque coast (southeastern Bay

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) were analyzed to evaluate the environmental quality in sediments from Liaohe Estuary (LHE), northern China. The concentration of ∑24PCBs ranged from 106.7 to 270.0 pg g−1 dry weight, with a mean value of 186.6 pg g−1 in surface sediments. The PCBs concentrations in the eastern region of Gaizhou Beach (GZB) were higher than those in the western

In recent decades, the management of urban surface runoff in coastal regions has become a global priority. However, in Brazil, whose coastline is 8,500 km, these actions are still scarce. This study aimed to characterise, for the first time, the structure of the benthic assemblages near urban drainage channels, whose waters flow permanently to four beaches of Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil. Collection

The coastal areas of Stone Town, on the island of Unguja that is part of Zanzibar, are subjected to different anthropogenic activities and receive untreated municipal wastes that are likely to carry organic pollutants that can bio-accumulate in marine organisms. Sediments and polychaete worms Capitella capitata collected from coastal sites north and south of Stone Town were analysed for organochlorine

The biogeochemical characteristics of Mahanadi estuarine system in eastern India were investigated to understand the seasonality in carbon parameters and their influence on sea–air CO2 gradient. In general, the stations close to the estuary had higher salinity and total alkalinity; and lower pCO2(water) relative to the inner most stations. In contrast, the riverine stations had low pH and high pCO2(water)

Over the past decade, massive outbreaks of Ulva prolifera have occurred in the Yellow Sea, China, and caused negative effects to the coastal environments. In response, many scientific investigations have been conducted to ascertain the origins of and reasons for the algal bloom that has resulted in continuous green tides. In this work, we explored the influences of iron and dissolved inorganic carbon

Tropical cyclones are one of the primary driving forces that cause beach evolution in South China. Because of the harsh working conditions, few high-frequency in situ observations of beach responses to tropical storms have been reported. In this study, high-frequency in situ measurements were conducted over six and a half days at Qing’an Bay beach, Xuwen County, Guangdong Province, China, during the

The present study provided the first information about the population structure, reproduction, growth and mortality rates of Upogebia omissa Gomes Corrêa, 1968 from the southwestern Atlantic coast. Shrimp were collected monthly between October 2011 and October 2012. A total of 1578 specimens were examined. The overall sex ratio was significantly male-biased. Carapace length ranged from 2.9 mm to 12

The rapid urbanization processes in island coastal areas has led to serious pollution in the marine environment. Less is known about the trace metal speciation and ecological risk (ER) in the coastal sediments of island areas under various human activities pressures, which is essential to address the connection between metal pollution and anthropogenic impacts. We report here the trace metals concentration

The lionfish invasion in the Western Atlantic is understood to be one of the worst marine invasions in history, and they have recently just invaded the Mediterranean. Lionfish are a marine ‘pest’ species in invaded areas, mostly due to their venomous spines combined with their insatiable appetites. The devil firefish’s (Pterois miles) Mediterranean invasion began in 2012 in Lebanon and has since been