Early to intermediate ontogenetic stages of trees are important in forest regeneration. However, these critical life stages are often overlooked due to survey intensity and impracticality and/or disinterest in characterizing early life stage cohorts. This problem is particularly pervasive in mangrove forests where visibility of smaller stature trees may be limited by tidal flooding and younger cohorts

Advanced satellite technology and algorithms are making substantial progress in meeting the need for improved environmental monitoring of coastal waterways. Integrating high-resolution satellites with in-situ radiometric equipment is essential for effectively monitoring algal blooms and managing coastal resources. Our work has built a model to examine geographical and temporal fluctuations in chlorophyll-a

Phaeocystis globosa is the most common species making up harmful algal blooms. For better detect P. globosa bloom, a multispectral approach was developed based on extensive in-situ investigation and MODIS remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) dataset. A novel proxy RPG was created based on the feature of Rrs spectral shape and P. globosa bloom was identified when RPG was >1.6. Normalized Fluorescence Line

This study investigated the spatial distribution and chemical characteristics of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in road-deposited sediments (RDS) at the Port of Busan by size fraction. Enrichment factor (EF) values for Zn, Cd, and Sb in fine RDS <250 μm were 52–69, 49–78, and 46–44, respectively, indicating ‘extremely high enrichment’. Various statistical analyses, including PCA and PMF models,

Hangzhou Bay, one of the fastest economy and population growth region in China, was heavily polluted by a large amounts of industrial waste water and domestic sewage containing harmful heavy metal pollutants. To investigate the status of heavy metals pollution and assess the ecological risks in Hangzhou Bay, seven heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg and As) concentrations of water and sediments were

Suspended sediment and salinity stresses may escalate under climate change in inshore turbid habitats. We test whether fertilization and embryonic development of Acropora tumida and Platygyra carnosa are less prone to both stressors in turbid coral habitats compared to thresholds reported in literature for species found in clear water reefs. Under optimal sperm concentration (106 sperm mL−1), fertilization

This study developed an intelligent method for identifying and quantifying water pollution sources in estuarine areas. It characterized the excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectra from seven end-members, including seawater, rainwater, and five pollution sources typical of these areas. A deep learning model was established to identify and quantify these pollution sources in mixed water

Accurate estimation of coastal and in-land water quality parameters is important for managing water resources and meeting the demand of sustainable development goals. The water quality monitoring based on discrete water sample analysis is limited to specific locations and becomes less effective to offer a synoptic view of the water quality variability at different spatial and temporal scales. The optical

Visual observation surveys from ships are commonly used for monitoring floating marine debris, but their detection performance has not yet been fully verified. Here, simultaneous visual observation surveys and surface trawling were conducted in three coastal areas of South Korea, each with distinct characteristics. The extent of floating debris missed by visual observations was assessed, and the characteristics

Present study investigated heavy metal pollution in the continuous upper river−estuary−sea systems of the Yellow River Delta (YRD). Significant seasonal differences (p < 0.05) for the heavy metal overall profile were observed, although there were no significant spatial variations among the different water bodies. Positive matrix factorization indicated that heavy metals primarily originated from anthropogenic

Marine plastic pollution is a global issue affecting ecosystems and various aspects of human life. The scientific community is exploring new monitoring and containment approaches. Because in-situ sampling campaigns are time and resource demanding, there is a focus on integrating different approaches for marine litter monitoring. Data of two in-situ surveys (using a manta net) were compared to sea surface

Several coastal regions require operational forecast systems for predicting the transport of pollutants released during marine accidents. In response to this need, surrogate models offer cost-effective solutions. Here, we propose a surrogate modeling method for predicting the residual transport of particle patches in coastal environments. These patches are collections of passive particles equivalent

The categories, sources, and distribution of floating marine macro litter (FMML) in the offshore waters of the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea (BYS) in the summer and autumn of 2021 and the spring of 2022 were investigated by visual ship transect surveys based on imaging video. The average FMML density of the BYS was estimated to be 26.09 ± 130.51 items/km2. From spring to autumn, the density of FMML significantly

Microplastics (MPs) were assessed in water and sediment samples along the Salado Estuary, an estuarine system composed of a complex river drainage network in Guayas, Ecuador. MPs were quantified and categorized according to shape, size, and composition. Pellet morphology (237,490 MP/L) and transparent color MPs (252,990 MP/L) were the most common in water, while fragments (27,330 MP/m3) and silver

Plastic contamination in the Southern Ocean is a growing issue. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of marine microplastics (MPs) (0.1–5 mm) in surface sediments in Potter Cove and nearby areas around Argentina's Carlini station (25 de Mayo/King George Island, South Shetlands). Sediment samples from 31 sites (2020−2022) were collected to examine whether MP pollution originates from

Our study examines nitrogen sources and transformations in Xiamen Bay, where eutrophication has increased due to higher nitrogen levels. By analyzing dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nitrate stable isotopes (δ15N-NO3−and δ18O-NO3−), the study finds that nitrate in low salinity areas is influenced by freshwater-seawater mixing and biogeochemical processes, while in high salinity areas, it is mainly

N mineralization and immobilization are important N cycling pathways. While they are widely studied in individual coastal habitats, they are rarely compared across different habitats along the river-estuary-sea continuum. We addressed this gap by investigating gross nitrogen mineralization (GNM) and gross ammonium immobilization (GAI) in urban rivers, estuary, and adjacent sea of the Yangtze River-Estuary-East

Plastic pollution continues to prevail across Arctic marine environments, readily available for marine organisms to ingest, especially seabirds. Seabird plastic ingestion datasets often lack standardized time series that allow for trend analysis. We examine the recent status of plastic ingestion (≥ 1 mm) in thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) using standardized methods to assess spatial differences and

A coupled physical-biogeochemical model is used with numerical experiments to investigate the dynamics controlling the spatiotemporal variability of dissolved oxygen (DO) distribution in the Bohai Sea. The model reproduces distinct seasonal variability of DO concentration in the Bohai Sea as characterized by low in summer with large vertical gradient and high in winter with enhanced ventilation. The

The potential of microplastics to carry coexisting pollutants and contribute to combined pollution is a significant health concern. Here we investigate the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in both intracellular ARGs (iARGs) and extracellular ARGs (eARGs) forms, on microplastics collected from the coastal waters of the East China Sea. Our findings revealed that both iARGs and eARGs were

Ocean oil spills pose a severe threat to the marine environment. This research addresses the significant challenge of detecting low-contrast oil spills on the sea surface, a problem exacerbated by the presence of specular reflections from sunlight in visible light images and thermal noise in infrared images. A novel environment-adaptive dual-light image enhancement framework is proposed for marine

The Thane Creek-Ulhas estuary confluence region acts as a naturally active infiltration system, crucial for altering water quality in the area and Arabian Sea. Particle-water exchange, hydrodynamics, and anthropogenic discharge influence nutrient transfer and transformation, highlighting the need for effective water quality management in this urbanized ecosystem. We analyzed monthly hydrography and

The accelerated processes of urbanization and industrialization globally have resulted in an increased risk to aquatic environments, posing a significant threat to the sustainable management of water resources and the health of ecosystems. Accurate prediction of water environmental risks is crucial for the prompt identification of potential pollution sources, the safeguarding of water resources, the

Coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis underpins coral reef resilience and influences conservation success, given the relationship's role in coral bleaching. Here, we transplanted Guam's dominant staghorn coral, Acropora pulchra, across four coral gardens and monitored their endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (family Symbiodiniaceae) for ∼15 months (May 2021–August 2022). Transplantation and predation resulted

The present study investigates the potential interaction between nano‑titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) and the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil and associated chemicals on bioavailability and biotransformation responses in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). An in vivo (48-h) waterborne exposure with nano-TiO2 (10 mgL−1), crude oil WAF (0.068 gL−1), alone and in combination was

Egypt faces increasing difficulties in ensuring the availability of sufficient water resources that meet high-quality and acceptable standards. Factors including population growth, economic expansion, and various human activities collectively contribute to the degradation of surface water characteristics. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the current condition of Idku Lake and propose

Understanding litter dynamics on riversides is challenging due to the need for extensive data. A seven-year citizen science study with schoolchildren showed no major changes in litter density, composition, and sources on German riversides. The study categorized 26,757 macrolitter items (> 2.5 cm in size), mainly consisting of plastic and cigarette butts, with a median litter density of 0.28 items m−2

This study sought to identify the causes of gear loss and determine the main fishing grounds where losses occurred. Data were collected between 2003 and 2023 from 17 ports along the Peruvian coast. Of 8742 fishing sets analyzed, bottom longlines reported the most incidents, (n = 456 with 38,130 hooks lost) of gear loss. The reported main causes of gear loss across all gear types assessed included bad

In order to reduce the contamination of marine ecosystems by plastic materials, the scientific community is engaged in the development of biodegradable substitutes for conventional plastics. While certain candidates have been successfully tested in coastal marine environments, the degradation process in deep-sea environments remains poorly understood. This study examined the degradation of two industrial

Seagrass meadows in oceanic coral atoll settings play key roles in sediment stabilisation and biodiversity enhancement. However, seagrass is susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance including nutrient input. Here, we experimentally enriched Thalassia hemprichii meadows with N-based fertiliser in two similar reef-top settings with different recent histories of disturbance, in Laamu atoll, Maldives.

Previous studies of the coral communities in Hong Kong focused on the characterisation of benthic cover, with little attention given to colony size structure. We conducted transect surveys at 52 sites across a gradient of water quality, identified 6774 coral colonies to 23 genera and measured the size of each colony. The southern waters harboured less diverse (1–9 genera) and fewer corals (2–28 colonies)

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of transient extreme climate events that can be catastrophic for ecological communities. We studied the 2014–2022 period along the northern coasts of Sicily (Western Mediterranean Sea), evaluating the ecological impacts on three macroalgae (Ericaria amentacea, Jania rubens, and Padina pavonica) and one complex of species (Laurencia complex) inhabiting

This study assessed different reef zones (lagoon, reef crest, reef slope) in three urban locations around Okinawa Island (Mizugama, Ginowan, Sunabe) and two marine protected areas around nearby Aka Island (Hizushi, Sakubaru) for marine litter pollution and litter interactions with reef organisms. A total reef area of 2250 m2 was surveyed by scuba diving, and 46 marine litter items were recorded. Litter

Nutrient pollution intensifies the strain on coastal ecosystems globally. Despite wetlands' significant nutrient removal potential, process-based assessments of nutrient removal in large-scale coastal wetlands face limitations that hinder accurate quantification of water quality improvements. This study proposes a novel quantitative approach by developing a coupled hydrodynamic-water quality-wetland

Antarctica is one of the most remote regions on the planet, where many species of penguins inhabit. One of these species is the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), which occupies a high trophic level. Blood is an important indicator of short-term exposure to mercury (Hg) in avian species, however there are few publications investigating methylmercury (MeHg) in Antarctic penguin blood. During the austral

Marine ecosystems are contaminated by plastic products, particularly microplastics (MPs), which settle on the seafloor and affect benthic organisms. This study explores the toxicity of irregular fibril-shaped MPs of various sizes and lengths on Artemia franciscana. We exposed juvenile A. franciscana to irregular-shaped MPs of three sizes, small (<20 μm), medium (40–70 μm), and large (>120 μm), and

The extensive use of sunscreen products has led to an increase in the amount of UV filters being detected in marine ecosystems. While the hazards associated with organic UV filters are relatively well-studied, the effects of inorganic UV filters like nano‑titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on corals remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of nano-TiO2 UV filters on the fertilization success,

Microplastics are both pervasive in the marine environment and highly detrimental to it. In this study, we investigate the abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in surface waters on a transect spanning 6 major ocean current regions in the Atlantic Ocean from Scheveningen (the Netherlands) to Montevideo (Uruguay). 50 surface trawls were completed with a manta net (mesh 500 μm

The vector effects of microplastics (MPs) in natural marine environments and their contribution to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bioaccumulation in fish are still unknown. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effects of MPs on carrying PAHs under conditions close to the actual marine environments. The PAH content sorbed onto MPs from seawater positively correlated with the octanol/water

This study investigates the distribution, sources, and ecological risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in marine and beach sediments of Tangier Bay, Southwestern Mediterranean. Sediments from 22 locations were analyzed for physicochemical properties and concentrations of metals such as As, Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu. Elevated levels of As (up to 40.28 mg/kg), Cr (40.60 mg/kg), and Zn (57.29 mg/kg)

Harmful Algal Blooms involving the dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum continue to increase in ecosystems suffering the climate warming and anthropogenic pressure. Changes in the total proteome and physiological traits of the Mediterranean A. pacificum SG C10–3 strain were measured in response to increasing temperature (24 °C, 27 °C, 30 °C) and trace metal contamination (Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cd2+). Warming

In this study the levels of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn and Se:Hg molar ratios, in muscle and liver of the endemic catshark Galeus piperatus from the northern Gulf of California (NGC) and relationships with biological parameters, were determined. Arsenic presented the highest levels for both tissues and Pb the lowest. The Se:Hg molar ratios were >1. Sex was not a determining factor in accumulation of

The interplay of global climate change and anthropogenic activities has significantly affected the carbon cycle in coastal ocean environments. Consequently, further investigation into the carbonate system, carbon source and sink processes, and acidification mechanisms is essential. This study examined the surface carbonate system offshore of Qingdao, utilizing data from nine spring cruises in 2011–2019

This study investigates the sources and morphological characteristics of plastic waste across diverse Egyptian environments—marine (Mediterranean and Red Seas), freshwater (River Nile), and terrestrial (urban streets). Predominant plastics found in various marine areas include polyethylene and polypropylene, originating from both maritime and urban sources. In the Mediterranean, these plastics show

This study of the combined toxic effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano- and microplastics (NMPs) on the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus demonstrates that co-exposure leads to significant physiological disruptions. The presence of NMPs increased the acute toxicity of ZnO compared to ZnO-only exposure, particularly in NP rather than MP. Combination exposure reduced both reproduction and population

Compliance Monitoring Devices (CMDs) are instruments indicating if the 10–50 μm organism abundance in ballast water complies with the International Maritime Organizations' discharge standard. For that, they trade the presumed accuracy of detailed methods for speed and simplicity. In an experiment using UV-treated water, four CMDs were compared, using a Cohen's kappa analysis (ISO 3725), with two detailed

Our study explores genomic signs of adaptation in A. lixula to different water pH conditions. To achieve this, we analysed the genomics variation of A. lixula individuals living across a natural pH gradient in Canary Islands, Spain. We use a 2b-RADseq protocol with 74 samples from sites with varying pH levels (from 7.3 to 7.9 during low tide) and included a control site. We identified 14,883 SNPs,

Rising pressures from local and global stressors on marine benthic habitats require understanding of their effects on habitat forming species like Crustose Coralline Algae (CCA), which play a crucial role in ecosystem diversity and structure. Here, the impact of mechanical damage and warming on the CCA species Lithophyllum stictiforme was investigated in the Mediterranean Sea using a manipulative field

The Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) play a critical role in promoting the so-called “blue carbon pathway” by producing a large amount of fast-sinking faecal pellets (FPs) which facilitate the transport of CO2 through the water column. Here we assess how exposure to negatively (PS-COOH) and positively (PS-NH2) charged polystyrene nanoparticles, impacts degradation of krill FPs (i.e. change in peritrophic

The penetration of towed fishing gears into the seabed is directly related to contact drag, fuel consumption, habitat alteration and to the depletion of benthic fauna. Hence, is an important parameter in relation to the environmental and ecological impact of towed demersal fishing gears.

Aquatic debris is considered a major threat to cetaceans. China is subject to severe marine plastic waste that may threaten cetaceans. However, the impact of aquatic debris on cetaceans in Chinese waters has remained poorly studied. In this study, social media platforms were used to collect data on potential evidence of interactions between cetaceans and aquatic debris in China. Results indicate that

Coral reefs, the rainforests of the sea, are vital hotspots for marine biodiversity. However, the persistent challenge of climate change directly threatens the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems, impacting myriad species and critical ecosystem services. Therefore, this comprehensive review critically discusses the associated challenges in assessing and preserving coral reef diversity, emphasizing

Estuaries offer favorable conditions for human settlement. As a result, pollutants, such as metals, have been released to these systems. Those are adsorbed by particulate material that tend to settle at the bottom and sink in the sediment. This article analyses the results of metals in sediments of the Sado estuary (Portugal) on a large spatial scale, to differentiate areas according to their impacts

Reproductive timing in organisms can influence reproductive success and longevity, yet its long-term effects remain underexplored. This study monitored the first- and last-born offspring of Brachionus plicatilis across five generations to examine the impact of breeding timing on fertility and longevity. The last-born group produced more offspring in the F1 and F2 generations. However, the first-born

This research aimed to assess the potential of emerging contaminants as environmental quality indicators for short-term monitoring programs, in contrast with traditional contaminants. Thirteen sediment samples from from Piratininga, a coastal lagoon subjected to anthropogenic impact, were analyzed for the following compounds: napropamide, diclofenac, naproxen, triclosan, ibuprofen, 17β-estradiol, bisphenol

Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) in fish otoliths is an indicator of arbitrarily tiny variations between bilateral otolith characters, and it serves as an effective indicator of growth and developmental differences due to environmental conditions. Due to their unique resident traits, the Coilia brachygnathus can provide a potential insight to the environmental pressure reflected by its otolith FA. In this

We tested an integrated multi-isotopic analysis framework to quantitatively estimate anthropogenic organic matter (OM) loads in different land-use types of a watershed (Lake Shihwa, South Korea). The isotopic signatures of increased bulk-element abundances in urban areas and industrial complexes may reflect the mixed contributions of natural and anthropogenic sources. Together with the predominant

Mercury, cadmium, and selenium contents were quantified in sharks Mustelus henlei, M. californicus, Sphyna zygaena, and Isurus oxyrinchus, which represent important fishery resources in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Sample compliance estimations with Mexican dietary standards and human health risks, according to provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), were provided for critical

Omics technology has been employed in recent research on algicidal bacteria, but previous transcriptomic studies mainly focused on bacteria or algae, neglecting their interaction. This study explores interactions between algicidal bacterium Maribacter dokdonesis P4 and target alga Karenia mikimotoi KMHK using proteomics. Proteomics responses of KMHK after co-culture with P4 in separate compartments

The busy maritime traffic and occurrence of ship accidents have led to a growing recognition of the necessity to maritime emergency resources allocation. The port emergency resource allocation is of significant importance for the maritime safety. This paper presents an optimized allocation model for port emergency resources based on the improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization (IMOPSO)