environmental_1999-2018

Environmental studies 1999 - 2018

Authors: Bart Shepherd, Matt Wandell, Hudson T. Pinheiro, and Luiz A. Rocha Accompanying the recent technological innovations in remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), submersibles, technical SCUBA, and closed-circuit rebreather diving gear, new discoveries are being made on mesophotic coral ecosystems around the world. However, collecting live fishes from mesophotic depths (60–150 m) is challenging, given the difficulty of accessing the habitat, catching the fishes, and the barotrauma that can result from rapid decompression during their transport to the surface. The authors designed and tested the performance of a portable, submersible hyperbaric chamber, the SubCAS, which they used to safely surface reef fishes from mesophotic depths.

Authors: H. A. Shiels, G. L. J. Galli, B. A. Block Studies of how animals can adapt to their environment are helpful to understand how humans can adapt in the future. This paper discusses studies regarding the capacity of Pacific bluefin tuna to endure the thermal challenge, which is partially due to the enhanced activity of proteins involved in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, which improve its cardiomyocyte function (Cardiomyocytes are cells responsible for contracting the heart, and the control of the rhythmic beating of the heart), and thus the animal performance during temperature change.

Authors: Maja Berden Zrimec, Mojca Poklar, Dean Mozetic, Dusko Vranac. This document is a presentation of the challenges and relevant techniques for underwater mapping using photogrammetry.

Authors: A. Fais, M. Johnson, M. Wilson, N. Aguilar Soto, & P. T. Madsen The sperm whale carries a hypertrophied nose that generates powerful clicks for long-range echolocation. However, how this apex predator catches its prey remains a conundrum. Several hypotheses have been advanced to propose both active and passive means to acquire prey, including acoustic debilitation of prey with very powerful clicks. In this paper, the authors test these hypotheses by using sound and movement recording tags in a fine-scale study of buzz sequences to relate the acoustic behaviour of sperm whales with changes in acceleration in their head region during prey capture attempts.

Authors: Gardenio Diogo Pimentel Da Silva and David Alves Castelo Branco. This paper gives an overview of the environmental impacts caused by conventional and floating photovoltaics systems with a particular interest in large-scale units. It addresses and compares the effects at all phases of project implementation, such as planning, construction, operations, and decommissioning, focusing on ambient located in the tropics.

27 - Mapping of seafloor hydrothermally altered rocks using geophysical methods: Marsili and Palinuro seamounts, southern Tyrrhenian Sea.

Authors: Marco Ligi, Luca Cocchi, Giovanni Bortoluzzi, Filippo D’Oriano, Filippo Muccini, Fabio Caratori Tontini, Cornel E. J. de Ronde, Cosmo Carmisciano The authors present the results of recent geophysical investigations of Marsili and Palinuro volcanic complexes and the southern Tyrrhenian Sea during 2010 TIR10 and 2011 MAVA2011 cruises by the R/V Urania.

Authors: G. Nyamadzawo, F. Mapanda, M. Wutaz. Nyamangara, P. yamugafata and Z. Jiri Disposal of wastes from sulphate mining operations has been a perennial problem to the environment in many countries, because these wastes usually continue to produce acid mine drainage (AMD) for a long time after the wastes have been generated. The impacts of AMD include reduction in the quality of water. This review is a synthesis of all the research work that has been done at Iron Duke Mine (IDM) that extracts pyrite minerals in Zimbabwe.

Author: James Everts An estimated 20% of the global corals are threatened by exposure to toxic substances. The main chemical threats are pollution by oil and oil dispersants, industrial chemicals from discharges, pesticides from run-off, antifouling compounds, and chemical fishing practices.

Author: Stephane Le Floch The chemical industry is today at the hub of the global economy and must often overcome vast distances between production and consumption areas. These geographical constraints require large volumes of hazardous substances to be transported, often by sea. Shipping generates steadily rising risks due to the ever- increasing size of vessels and the pressure of world markets. In the event of an incident, these risks lead to different problems than those encountered in the case of oil spills. The threat of a chemical spill concerns many stakeholders.

Authors: Amelia S. Wenger, Katharina E. Fabricius, Geoffrey P. Jones, and Jon E. Brodie This paper reviews the direct and indirect effects of these three forms of marine pollution on the behavior, physiology, life histories, and communities of coral reef fishes, and the potential consequences of altered fish abundances for the ecology of coral reefs. Increased sediment, both in suspension and settled, can directly affect reef fishes by reducing visual and chemical cues, disrupting the feeding of planktivores and herbivores, and altering predator–prey interactions.

Author: Albert Palanques, Josep Caixach, Marc Belzunces, and Arantxa Bartolome In 2000 and from 2006 to 2011, a monitoring program was followed along the Catalan inner shelf, using homogeneous analytical methods and sampling strategies and focusing on the main sites of river sediment accumulation. Adjacent areas that are potentially vulnerable to pollution were also selected. Trace metals and organic pollutants were analyzed in surface sediment samples.

Author: Ahmed Minhaz Farid, Alam Lubna, Ta Goh Choo, Mohamed CheAbd Rahim, and Mokhtar Mazlin Langat River, in Malaysia, is a significant source of drinking water and development and needs special care to reduce pollution. The Environmental Quality Report of the Department of Environment from 1997 to 2013 addressed that the river possessed the status of class III, which required extensive treatment before drinking. However, more than one of the nine water treatment plants in the basin had to remain closed several times during 2012-2015 due to the high concentration of chemical pollution in the river.

38 - A dual center study to compare breath volatile organic compounds from smokers and non-smokers with and without COPD

Authors: A Gaida, O Holz, C Nell, S Schuchardt, Lavae-Mokhtari, L Kruse, U Boas, J Langejuergen, M Allers, S Zimmermann, C Vogelmeier, A R Koczulla, and J M Hohlfeld There is increasing evidence that breath volatile organic compounds (VOC) have the potential to support the diagnosis and management of inflammatory diseases such as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which refers to a group of conditions that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. This study used a novel breath-sampling device to search for COPD- related VOCs.

Authors: N. Karkashadze, K. Ebralidze, V. Tsitsishvili, M. Luarsabishvili, I. Mikadze The development of industry and transport and intensified agricultural chemicalization is accompanied by systematic environmental pollution. Pollutants in the biosphere undergo various chemical conversions: they interact with each other, are photochemically oxidized, polymerized, etc. Incidentally, new highly toxic substances (the so-called “secondary pollutants”) are often produced. The “longevity” of a chemical pollutant in the biosphere depends on the chemical nature of this substance, its reactivity as well as on the conditions of the environment.

41 - Developing European operational oceanography for Blue Growth, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and ecosystem-based management.

Authors: Jun She, Icarus Allen, Erik Buch, Alessandro Crise, Johnny A. Johannessen, Pierre-Yves Le Traon, Urmas Lips, Glenn Nolan, Nadia Pinardi, Jan H. Reißmann, John Siddorn, Emil Stanev, and Henning Wehde. Operational approaches have been increasingly widely developed and used for providing marine data and information services for different Blue Growth socio- economic sectors and advancing knowledge about the marine environment. The objective of operational oceanographic research is to develop and improve this approach's efficiency, timeliness, robustness, and product quality. This white paper addresses critical scientific challenges and research priorities for developing operational oceanography in Europe for the next 5–10 years

Publisher: Canadian Council on Animal Care The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is the national peer review agency responsible for setting and maintaining standards for the care and use of animals used in research, teaching and testing throughout Canada. In addition to the Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, vol. 1, 2nd ed., 1993 and vol. 2, 1984, which provide the general principles for the care and use of animals, the CCAC also publishes detailed guidelines on issues of current and emerging concerns. The CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing is the seventh of this series.

Authors: Nikolaos P. Ventikos, Konstantinos Louzis, Alexandros Koimtzoglou and Pantelis Delikanidis The potential leakage of oil trapped in the hull of fully or partially submerged shipwrecks has been a growing concern worldwide, mainly due to major uncertainties therein and the great potential for environmental damage. The high cost of either preventing or reacting to potential oil discharges from shipwrecks into the environment mandates the use of risk analysis methods in order to identify the most dangerous cases and prioritize the allocation of resources. The purpose of this study is to present a probabilistic risk assessment method that will incorporate the various uncertainties into a structured and quantitative approach.

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Publisher: San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge East Span Seismic Safety Project This report assesses the impact on fisheries resources in San Francisco Bay during the Pile Installation Demonstration Project (PIDP) for the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) East Span Seismic Safety Project (East Span Project). It discusses regulatory issues and presents the results of the PIDP fish monitoring and experimental program.

Authors: UNESCO Parameters important for hydro(geo)logy vary greatly over time and space. Combining Earth Observation (EO) data with in-situ data can be very helpful. This combination is useful for producing detailed lists of water resources, creating important maps for hydrogeological studies (such as land cover, surface geology, and geomorphology), and determining various environmental factors (such as water quality, temperature, and soil moisture).

Authors: Per G. Reinhall, Peter H. Dahl Underwater noise from impact pile driving was analyzed using a finite element model for sound generation and a parabolic equation model for propagation. The study compared the results with measurements taken at the Vashon Island ferry terminal near Seattle in November 2009 using a vertical line array. The tests revealed that the primary underwater noise generated by impact driving is from the Mach wave caused by the radial expansion of the pile, which travels down the pile at supersonic speed after impact.

Authors: Jim Laughlin This technical report covers the underwater sound levels recorded when a 30-inch steel pile was driven at the Seattle Ferry Terminal on the 10th of February 2012. The pile was driven at an angle next to the wing wall on the north side of the slip. The project took place just west of downtown Seattle, at the north end of Colman Dock, Washington.

Author: Peter Dahl, Christ A. F. de Jong, Arthur N Popper Impact pile driving is a method used to install piles in marine and inland water construction projects using high- energy impact hammers. This process, especially when using hollow steel piles, generates high sound levels in both water and air. As offshore wind projects continue to expand, there is a growing concern about the impact of construction-related underwater noise on marine life, including mammal and fish populations.

Author: Anthony D. Hawkins & Arthur N. Popper When examining the impact of aquatic developments, it is crucial to determine whether the underwater sounds associated with them could harm fish. Risk assessment helps to evaluate new and existing technologies to prevent, control, or mitigate their impacts. It is necessary to understand which sound levels could harm various fish species and which levels are likely harmless. The development and utilization of impact criteria for fish are still in the early stages.

Publisher: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services This document provides an overview and explanation of the purpose, structure, and audience of toxicological profiles prepared by the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It outlines the guidelines followed in creating these profiles, the type of information included, the intended audience, and the review process to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.

Authors: S.L. Miller, D.W. Swanson, & M. Chiappone This study, conducted in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), assessed the differences in coverage, density, and condition of benthic organisms between no- fishing zones and reference sites. It highlights the spatial variation at multiple scales and the importance of considering a range of variables beyond common metrics, such as coral cover.

Author: Anne Spurgeon This study is a historical and analytical account of the recognition and controversy surrounding "organic solvent syndrome" as an occupational disease. It traces the condition's origins, describes its symptoms and the substances causing it, and discusses the varying acceptance and rejection of the disease in different countries, focusing on the skepticism and rejection in the UK. The study also explores the social, cultural, and professional factors that influence the recognition of occupational diseases and examines why organic solvent syndrome was not widely accepted in Britain despite its recognition elsewhere.

Authors: John A S Ross, Sean Semple, Rodger Duffin, Frank Kelly, Joerg Feldmann, & Andrea Raab This report analyzes particle size, concentration, and composition and assesses the dust's toxicity. The findings highlight the dust's presence of various metals and non- metallic substances, its nanoparticulate nature, and its potential oxidative and inflammatory effects on human lung cells. The authors also underscore the importance of appropriate measurement techniques and respiratory protection for workers involved in hyperbaric welding.

Authors: A Fernández, E. Sierra, V. Martín, M. Méndez, S. Sacchini, Y. Bernaldo de Quirós, M. Andrada, M. Rivero, O. Quesada, M. Tejedor, & Arbelo This article discusses an incident involving the stranding of Ziphius cavirostris (Cuvier's beaked whales) in the Canary Islands in July 2004. It describes the circumstances surrounding the stranding, including the use of high- intensity mid-frequency sonar during international naval exercises, the results of necropsies performed on the stranded whales, and the subsequent establishment of an anti-sonar moratorium in the Canary Islands, highlighting the correlation between the use of sonar and the mass stranding event, as well as the measures taken to prevent future occurrences.

Authors: John A. S. Ross, Jennifer I. MacDiarmid, Sean Semple, Stephen J. Watt, Gill Moir, George Henderson This study investigated the health-related quality of life and cognitive symptomatology among three groups of male workers: professional divers who had worked as welders, professional welders who had not dived, and offshore oil field workers who had neither dived nor welded. Its purpose was to assess whether there was any association between cognitive symptoms and exposure to welding fumes or diving experience. The results indicate that cognitive symptomatology is not significantly related to either welding fume exposure or diving experience, and the levels of cognitive symptoms in all groups were within normative values.

21 - Differentiating between Underwater Construction Noise of Monopile and Jacket Foundations for Offshore Windmills: A Case Study from the Belgian Part of the North Sea

Authors: Alain Michel Jules Norro, Bob Rumes, and Steven Johan Degraer This study analyzes the underwater noise generated during the piling activities of steel monopiles and jacket pinpiles in offshore wind farms in the Belgian part of the North Sea to quantify and compare the noise levels, sound exposure levels, and spectra for both types of piling, and to assess their impact on marine life, specifically the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena.

Author: Kenneth P. Sebens, Giacomo Bernardi, Mark R. Patterson, and Deron Burkepile This article highlights the advancements in coral reef research facilitated by the advent of scuba diving and associated underwater technologies. It emphasizes how these technologies have significantly enhanced the understanding of various aspects of coral biology and coral reef ecosystems and how they continue to provide valuable insights into the impact of changing ocean conditions on corals and reefs.

Author: J. Fredrik Lindgren, Ida-Maja Hassellöv, Hanna Landquis, & Ingela Dahllöf This study examined the development of tolerance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine microbes over 90 days. It focused on the effects of PAH exposure on nitrification and denitrification processes and changes in microbial community composition. The results indicate that marine microbes developed tolerance to PAHs, affecting nitrification efficiency and altering nitrifying bacteria proportions. That highlights the importance of considering tolerance development in environmental monitoring and the potential impacts on marine microbial health and ecosystem functions.

58 - Advancing marine biological observations and data requirements of the complementary essential ocean variables (EOVs) and essential biodiversity variables (EBVs) frameworks

Authors: Frank E. Muller-Karger, Patricia Miloslavich, Nicholas J. Bax , Samantha Simmons, Mark J. Costello, Isabel Sousa Pinto, Gabrielle Canonico, Woody Turner, Michael Gill , Enrique Montes , Benjamin D. Best, Jay Pearlman, Patrick Halpin, Daniel Dunn , Abigail Benson, Corinne S. Martin, Lauren V. Weatherdon, Ward Appeltans , Pieter Provoost, Eduardo Klein, Christopher R. Kelble, Robert J. Miller, Francisco P. Chavez, Katrin Iken, Sanae Chiba, David Obura, Laetitia M. Navarro, Henrique M. Pereira, Valerie Allain, Sonia Batten, Lisandro Benedetti-Checchi, J. Emmett Duffy, Raphael M. Kudela, Lisa-Maria Rebelo, Yunne Shin, & Gary Geller This document emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts between various global initiatives and organizations, such as the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), to streamline marine observation programs.

4 - Volunteers in Marine Conservation Monitoring: a Study of the Distribution of Seahorses Carried Out in Collaboration with Recreational Scuba Divers

Authors: Stefano Goffredo, Corrado Piccinetti, and Francesco Zaccanti This study involved recruiting and training recreational scuba divers to report seahorse sightings, using a specially formulated questionnaire. It highlights the importance of population monitoring for conservation purposes due to habitat degradation and overexploitation. It also discusses the findings of the study, including the abundance and distribution of seahorses, preferred habitats, and the role of divers in contributing to scientific data collection and reducing costs. The study concludes by suggesting that recreational divers and other resource users can actively participate in marine environment monitoring

Publisher: Jacqueline Michel, Trevor Gilbert, Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, Robert Urban, Jon Waldron and Charles T. Blocksidge This document analyzes the risks and issues associated with oil pollution from sunken wrecks to raise awareness about the potential environmental threats posed by these wrecks and discusses the complexities involved in addressing these threats, including regulatory, financial, and technological challenges. It proposes considerations for mitigating these risks, such as developing a worldwide database of potentially polluting wrecks, evaluation of regulatory frameworks, assessment of technological feasibility for oil removal, and the need for systematic risk assessment and prioritization of oil removal efforts.

Authors: Deborah French McCay , Danielle Reich , Jacqueline Michel , Dagmar Schmidt Etkin , Lisa Symons , Doug Helton and John Wagner This presentation, designed to be used on a large screen, describes a probabilistic modeling analysis conducted to evaluate the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of oil spills from sunken vessels in U.S. waters. It aims to identify high-risk vessels for potential salvage operations and assist decision-makers in planning response strategies, such as equipment deployment and resource protection, outlining oil spill scenarios and the probability and magnitudes of impacts.

39 - In-situ Corrosion Measurements of WWII Shipwrecks in Chuuk Lagoon, Quantification of Decay Mechanisms and Rates of Deterioration

Author: Ian D. MacLeod This study focuses on the corrosion of WWII shipwrecks resulting from Operation Hailstone in Chuuk Lagoon. It involves a series of measurements to understand how various environmental factors affect the corrosion rates of materials like cast iron and mild steel in these shipwrecks. In addition, the study highlights the conservation management challenges posed by bunker fuel in the wrecks.

Author: James P. Delgado, Lisa C. Symons, Kelley Elliott, Frank Cantelas, and Robert V. Schwemmer This document relates a collaborative effort by NOAA and The Boeing Company to conduct a deep-water archaeological survey of the USS Independence shipwreck in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to provide details about the survey's findings, which confirmed the shipwreck's identity and assessed its condition, revealing no detectable levels of radioactivity. Additionally, it addresses public concern and media speculation regarding potential pollution risks, suggesting that these concerns may be exaggerated based on current evidence and declassified reports.

Authors: Hanna Landquist, Lars Rosén, Andreas Lindhe, and Ida- Maja Hassellöv This document describes a holistic risk assessment method for evaluating the environmental risks posed by potentially polluting shipwrecks that introduces a comprehensive approach known as VRAKA, which combines the probability of hazardous substance discharge with the potential environmental consequences. It also outlines the utility of this method in supporting decision-making and prioritizing risk mitigation measures for shipwrecks.

Publisher: The Russian Academy of Sciences This paper aims to inform readers about the conference's focus on climate change indicators in marine ecosystems, the development of methods for the prevention and assessment of natural and human-made disasters, and the facilitation of public discussion and involvement of the academic and commercial sectors. It also specifies the intended audience for the publication, which includes oceanographers, marine biologists, environmental monitoring experts, and students in related fields.

Authors: Christian Katlein, Martin Schiller, Hans J. Belter, Veronica Coppolaro, David Wenslandt, and Marcel Nicolaus This paper intends to inform the scientific community and interested parties about the development and capabilities of a new remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed for interdisciplinary research in polar sea ice environments. It highlights the importance of observing climate and ecosystem changes in polar regions, describes the technical features and operational capabilities of the ROV, and demonstrates its effectiveness through data from a campaign in the Arctic.

57 - Exposure to Crude Oil and Chemical Dispersant May Impact Marine Microbial Biofilm Composition and Steel Corrosion.

Author: Jennifer L. Salerno, Brenda Little, Jason Lee, and Leila J. Hamdan The release of hydrocarbons and chemical dispersants in oceans may harm benthic ecosystems, especially artificial reefs from shipwrecks. Experiments assessed the effects of crude oil, dispersed crude oil, and dispersants on microorganisms in seawater and biofilms on carbon steel, a common ship material. Results showed changes in bacterial community structure and function, higher corrosion in treated steel, and reduced hydrocarbon degradation genes in dispersant-treated biofilms.

59 - Herbivorous Fish Populations Respond Positively to a Shipwreck Removal and Associated Alteration of Benthic Habitat.

Authors: Kathryn Davis, Peter M. Carlson, and Jennifer E. Caselle Shipwrecks can cause serious local damage to shallow coral reefs, affecting the water's chemical makeup and harming benthic organisms. At Palmyra Atoll, a grounded fishing vessel led to a shift to the corallimorph, Rhodactis howesii. After its removal in 2013, R. howesii cover decreased significantly, while fish biomass changes were observed. Herbivorous fish increased, indicating potential for reef recovery.

Authors: Valerie J. Brown Three wars have accumulated a plethora of sunken ships along Iraq's coastline, many of which contain petroleum products, unexploded ordnance, and potentially toxic chemicals. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) looks at the potential environmental hazards posed by these sunken ships.

6 - Iraq’s Toxic Shipwrecks

9 - Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) mapping reveals coral mound distribution, morphology, and oceanography in deep water of the Straits of Florida

Author: Mark Grasmueck, Gregor P. Eberli, David A. Viggiano, Thiago Correa, Glenda Rathwell, and Jiangang Luo This document discusses operations using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that surveyed a 48 km2 coral mound field in 600-800 m water depth at the Great Bahama Bank base. The AUV acquired 1-3 meter resolution acoustic backscatter and bathymetry, resolving over 200 mounds up to 90 m height. The recorded data fills the gap between low-resolution surface-based mapping and visual observations, revealing the dynamic environment and spatial relationships of the entire coral mound field.

17 - The Influence of Intense Chemical Pollution on the Community Composition, Diversity and Abundance of Anammox Bacteria in the Jiaojiang Estuary (China)

Authors: Baolan Hu, Lidong Shen, Ping Du, Ping Zheng, Xiangyang Xu, Jiangning Zeng This study regarding chemical pollution in the Jiaojiang Estuary of the East Sea found that most anammox sequences were associated with Kuenenia, while different communities were found in subtidal sediments. Redundancy analysis revealed that sediment nitrobenzene and organic content significantly impacted the distribution of anammox communities in the intertidal sediments, while nitrobenzene content, NO3 concentration, and salinity influenced the subtidal sediments.

20 - Dispersants as Used in Response to the MC252-Spill Lead to Higher Mobility of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Oil- Contaminated Gulf of Mexico Sand

Authors: Alissa Zuijdgeest, Markus Huettel After the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, crude oil washed onto beaches and sublittoral sands in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Laboratory-column experiments showed that adding chemical dispersants increases the mobility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in saturated permeable sediments by up to two orders of magnitude. The mobility of PAHs depends on their hydrophobicity and species specificity. The addition of dispersants allows crude oil components to penetrate deeper into permeable saturated sands, potentially extending the persistence of harmful PAHs in the marine environment.

Authors: Andrés Cózar, Marina Sanz-Martín, Elisa Martí, J. Ignacio González-Gordillo, Bárbara Ubeda, José Á. Gálvez, Xabier Irigoien, Carlos M. Duarte The Mediterranean Sea is a significant plastic accumulation region, with an average density of 1 item per 4 m2 and frequency of occurrence comparable to five subtropical ocean gyres. The Mediterranean surface waters are dominated by millimeter-sized fragments, but have a higher proportion of large plastic objects. The high human pressure and hydrodynamics of the basin contribute to the pollution's impact on marine and human life.

29 - Plastic Accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea

32 - Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria Exhibit a Species-Specific Response to Dispersed Oil while Moderating Ecotoxicity

Authors: Will A. Overholt, Kala P. Marks, Isabel C. Romero, David J. Hollander, Terry W. Snell, Joel E. Kostka This study examined the response of two hydrocarbon- degrading bacteria to Macondo crude oil and Corexit 9500A-dispersed oil. Results showed that bacterial treatment significantly reduced toxicity associated with dispersed oil, while Corexit inhibited Acinetobacter's growth and crude oil degradation potential. Both strains grew with Corexit as the sole carbon and energy source. Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria exhibit a unique response to dispersed oil compared to crude oil.

Authors: Roger C. Prince Crude oil has been present in marine environments for millions of years, attracting microbes that use its energy and carbon. Catastrophic oil spills stimulate these organisms to bloom, providing enough nutrients for microbial growth. Most hydrocarbons are degraded in aerobic marine waters, while oil reaching shorelines is concentrated, lower in nutrients, and has a longer residence time. Understanding petroleum biodegradation in marine environments requires comprehensive data from ecosystems to molecular levels.

35 - Marine Oil Biodegradation

44 - Challenging Oil Bioremediation at Deep-Sea Hydrostatic Pressure

Authors: Alberto Scoma, Michail M. Yakimov, and Nico Boon Bioremediation is the only available biotechnology to combat spills, but questions about petroleum- hydrocarbon fate and constraints in hydrostatic pressures and low temperatures remain unanswered. This mini- review aims to highlight missing information and propose a holistic approach integrating in situ and ex situ studies to reveal the principal mechanisms accounting for deep-sea oil bioremediation.

48 - Assessment ecological risk of heavy metal caused by high- intensity land reclamation in Bohai Bay, China

Authors: Gaoru Zhu, Zhenglei Xie, Tuoyu Li, Zongwen Ma, Xuegong Xu The article analyzes the rapid coastal reclamation in Bohai Bay, China, from 1974 to 2010, revealing that 910.7 km2 of coastal wetlands have been reclaimed and converted to industrial land, demonstrating low ecological risk of heavy metals, but higher risks of cadmium and arsenic. The study emphasizes the need for ecosystem-based coastal protection and management for sustainable ecosystems.

52 - Chemical dispersants enhance the activity of oil-and gas condensate-degrading marine bacteria

Authors: Julien Tremblay, Etienne Yergeau, Nathalie Fortin, Susan Cobanli, Miria Elias, Thomas L King, Kenneth Lee, and Charles W Greer Researchers simulated oil spill conditions and evaluated hydrocarbon degradation rates in near-surface sea water near oil production facilities. Results showed rapid structural shifts in microbial populations after exposure to oil, oil with dispersant, and dispersant alone. The addition of dispersant enhanced oil degradation rates and favored the abundance and expression of oil-degrading genes from Thalassolituus sp., suggesting it could be an important oil degrader.

54 - Thermophilic endospores associated with migrated thermogenic hydrocarbons in deep Gulf of Mexico marine sediments

Authors: Anirban Chakraborty, Emily Ellefson, Carmen Li, Daniel Gittins, James M. Brooks, Bernie B. Bernard, Casey R. J. Hubert Thermospores, dormant endospores of thermophilic bacteria, can be found in cold marine sediments after high-temperature incubation. These thermospores may be dispersed from deep biosphere oil reservoir habitats, where petroleum fluids at hydrocarbon seeps transport viable cells into the ocean. Geochemical and microbiological analyses of 111 marine sediments from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico confirmed the presence of thermogenic hydrocarbons in 71 locations, indicating seepage from deep-sourced petroleum.

55 - A Review of Plastic-Associated Pressures: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Australian Shearwaters as Case Studies

Authors: Maria Cristina Fossi, Cristina Panti, Matteo Baini, and Jennifer L. Lavers Debris impacts marine fauna, affecting over 1,400 species. Entanglement and ingestion are common, with over 60% of cetacean species affected. Seabirds are also affected, with the number of species negatively impacted increasing over the past two decades. These species are considered reliable sentinels of ocean change due to their position near the top of the food web and reliance on marine resources. They face various adversities, including weather, food shortages, predators, parasites, disease, and human-induced effects.

Author: Nina Bednarsek, Richard A. Feely, Marcus W. Beck, Olivier Glippa, Mirella Kanerva, and Jonna Engström-Öst The study investigates the impact of multiple stressors on pelagic mollusks in coastal ecosystems like the California Current System, demonstrating that low aragonite saturation state activates oxidative stress biomarkers, leading to increased lipid peroxidation. It also highlights a synergistic interaction between low aragonite, deoxygenation, and thermal stress. Oxidative stress biomarkers can provide early warnings of multiple stressors.

56 - El Nino-Related Thermal Stress Coupled With Upwelling-Related Ocean Acidification Negatively Impacts Cellular to Population- Level Responses in Pteropods Along the California Current System With Implications for Increased Bioenergetic Costs