Environmental studies 2023 - Part A
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Authors:
W. Corredor-Santamaría, I.C. Calderón-Delgado, Z. Arbeli,
J.M. Navas, Y.M. Velasco-Santamaría Petro.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are present in all
environmental matrices. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-
rich wastewater from the oil industry is discharged into
natural water bodies. Detritivorous fish show the effects of
pollutants in water. Biomarkers of effect make it possible to
demonstrate exposure to xenobiotics such as polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons. The present study aimed to
evaluate the hepatic and erythrocyte response in
Aequidens metae, an etritivorous fish exposed to polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons in terms of morphological,
biochemical, and genotoxic changes.
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Authors: Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak, Lina
Mohammed Shaker, and Ahmed Al-Amiery
Once fundamental difficulties such as active sites and
selectivity are fully resolved, metal-free catalysts such as 3D
graphene or carbon nanotubes (CNT) are very cost-
effective substitutes for the expensive noble metals used
for catalyzing CO2. A viable method for converting
environmental wastes into useful energy storage or
industrial wealth, and one which also addresses the
environmental and energy problems brought on by
emissions of CO2, is CO2 hydrogenation into
hydrocarbon compounds.
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Authors: Martyna A. Rzetala, Robert Machowski,
Maksymilian Solarski, Daniel Bakota, Arkadiusz
Płominski, and Mariusz Rzetala
The bottom sediments were studied within the basins of
water bodies used for recreational purposes (e.g., bathing,
fishing, and diving) in the Silesian Upland and its periphery
in southern Poland. It was found that bottom sediments
were contaminated to varying degrees with toxic metals,
metalloids, and non-metals, as evidenced by the values of
geoecological indicators. It was concluded that the
presence of harmful elements (e.g., lead, zinc, cadmium,
chromium, strontium, and arsenic) in bottom sediments
should be considered when classifying water bodies as
suitable for recreational use.
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Authors:
Daniel Ierodiaconou, Dianne McLean, Matthew Jon Birt,
Todd Bond, Sam Wines, Ollie Glade-Wright, Joe Morris,
Doug Higgs, and Sasha K. Whitmarsh
This study uses a decade of industry remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) imagery to describe fish, invertebrate, and
benthic communities on gas field infrastructure. Sampling
was conducted over 22 km of flowline, three wells and
one manifold in the temperate waters of Bass Strait, south
east Australia in depths of 155 to 263 metres.
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Authors:
Kirsten F. Thompson, Kathryn A. Miller, Jake Wacker,
Solène Derville, Christopher Laing, David Santillo, and Paul
Johnston
Deep seabed mining operations, if permitted, could
present significant risks to ocean ecosystems. Disturbance
on any scale is likely to be long lasting and irreversible.
Scant research to date has examined the impact that deep
sea minerals extraction would have on cetaceans.
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Author: Safia Akli-Bidi
Eucyclops are small crustaceans that are important
members of aquatic food webs. Examination of Eucyclops
populations coming from Algerian water bodies and
identified as Eucyclops cf. serrulatus showed three
morphotypes 1, 2 and 3, based on the morphometric
characters and the microcharacters. The morphotype 1
was the most abundant, collected in the East and the
West of Algeria. The morphotype 2 was sampled in the
south of the country, characterized by posterolaterally
elongated thoracic segments and the fourth thoracic
segment has cilia on its lateral angles. The morphotype 3
was found in a small temporary pond in the north and
was the smallest one.
Authors: Maciej Liro, Anna Zielonka, Tim H.M. van
Emmerik
The process of macroplastic fragmentation results in the
production of plastic particles, which threaten biota and
human health and are difficult to remove from the
environment. The global coverage and long retention
times of macroplastic waste in fluvial systems, ranging from
years to centuries, create long-lasting and widespread
potential for its fragmentation and the production of
secondary micro- and nanoplastics. However, the
pathways and rates of this process are mostly unknown,
and existing experimental data is not fully informative,
which constitutes a fundamental knowledge gap in our
understanding of macroplastic fate in rivers and the
transfer of produced microparticles throughout the
environment.
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Authors:
Charlie Short, Joanna L. Smith, John Bones, Steve Diggon,
Aaron Heidt, Chris Mcdougall, Kylee A. Pawluk
This paper describes the development and
implementation of a zoning framework for the Marine
Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) in
British Columbia, Canada. The framework was designed to
guide decisions related to coastal and marine economic
development, resource management, and conservation. It
explains the framework's creation process, including
stakeholder consultation and incorporating lessons from
other planning efforts. It also details the three main
requirements for the framework, the stakeholder advisory
process, and the resulting zone categories.
Author: Yuan Yang
This paper explores and proposes ways to achieve robust
risk regulation in offshore drilling operations in China,
identify the factors that affect risk regulation's robustness,
and compare different regulatory regimes from various
countries (the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States,
and China). It discusses the theoretical debate between
command-and-control regulation and self-regulation,
suggesting that both modes are necessary for optimal
regulatory outcomes in China.
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Author: Jade Lindley
This paper discusses the problem of non-compliance with
fishing regulations among a segment of the Australian
fishing community. It highlights the challenges regulators
face due to limited resources and the resistance of some
fishers to educational initiatives. It also highlights the
importance of understanding the reasons for non-
compliance and fishermen's attitudes towards sanctions
and suggests that a better understanding of these factors,
informed by criminological theory, could help to promote
a culture of compliance through the effective use of
sanctions.
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Authors: J.S. Zimmerhackel, J. Clifton, F. Ackermann, M.P.
Burton, C.E. Elrick-Barr, G. Hill, & E.S. Harvey
This paper aims to inform and present research findings
on the socio-economic impacts of man-made marine
structures (MMS) and propose an integrated framework
for marine planners. This framework aims to reconcile
competing stakeholder interests by understanding and
categorizing socio-economic values and the rules and
norms that influence them. The ultimate goal is to assist
planners in enhancing benefits and minimizing conflicts
related to MMS.
Authors:
Jessica M. Kendall-Bar, Terrie M. Williams, Ritika
Mukherji, Daniel A. Lozano, Julie K. Pitman, Rachel R.
Holser, Theresa Keates, Roxanne S. Beltran, Patrick W.
Robinson, Daniel E. Crocker, Taiki Adachi, Oleg I. Lyamin,
Alexei L. Vyssotski, Daniel P. Costa
This study monitored the electroencephalographic activity
of northern elephant seals while diving in Monterey Bay,
California, to understand how they manage their sleep
requirements in a marine environment. The findings
revealed that the seals take short naps while diving and
average only 2 hours of sleep per day over a period of 7
months, which is comparable to the least sleep recorded
among all mammals.
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Author: Makoto Seta
This paper highlights the challenges faced by port states
during the COVID-19 pandemic when dealing with cruise
vessels carrying infected passengers. It discusses the legal
and humanitarian dilemmas, the financial burdens, and
the need for a new international legal framework to
address these issues. The text suggests that a compulsory
insurance system for medical care during pandemics
could help distribute the economic burden more fairly,
making port states more willing to accept such vessels.
.
Authors: Samson Afewerki, Tonje Osmundsen, Marit Schei
Olsen, Kristine Vedal Størkersen, Andreas Misund,
Trine Thorvaldsen
This paper discusses the sustainability challenges facing
the Norwegian salmon farming industry and analyzes the
impact of a new innovation policy instrument, known as
development licenses, introduced by the Norwegian
authorities in 2015. Based on a mapping of technology
development projects and in-depth interviews, it is shown
how this policy has initiated a sustainable restructuring
process within the industry. The findings suggest that the
policy has been successful in the short term by
reconfiguring innovation networks for aquaculture
production technologies.
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Author: Xuefei Shi
This document analyzes and discusses the impact of
international advocacy on China's Distant Water Fisheries
(DWF) policies. It highlights the focus areas of both
international advocacy documents and China's official
responses, noting the emphasis on politics and
transboundary governance. It also points out the differing
priorities of China and international advocates, with China
focusing on agro-food production and international
advocates on environmental consequences.
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Authors:
Daniel J. Skerritt, Anna Schuhbauer, Sebastian Villasante,
Andres M. Cisneros-Montemayor, Nathan J. Bennett,
Tabitha G. Mallory, Vicky W.L. Lam, Robert I. Arthur,
William W.L. Cheung, Louise S.L. Teh, Katina Roumbedakis,
Maria L.D. Palomares, U. Rashid Sumaila
This text highlights the detrimental effects of harmful
fisheries subsidies on global overfishing and its
environmental and societal impacts. It emphasizes the
need for international cooperation to address these issues,
as the negative consequences of such subsidies extend
beyond the jurisdictions of the subsidizing nations, calling
for mapping the distribution and flows of these subsidies
to inform multilateral reforms and empower affected
nations.
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Authors: Maria Clara Iruzun Martins, Matt ID Carter, Sally
Rouse, Debbie JF Russell
This document intends to highlight the need for and the
development of a comprehensive spatial database of man-
made structures (MMS) in the North Sea, such as oil and
gas platforms, pipelines, and wind turbines. It emphasizes
the importance of this database for informing effective
policy decisions, understanding the impact of MMS on the
ecosystem, and supporting various stakeholders, including
ecologists, engineers, policymakers, industry advisors, and
geoscientists. It also points out the current challenges due
to the lack of accurate and up-to-date metadata in existing
databases, which can lead to incorrect decisions.
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Authors:
Yolanda L. Waters, Kerrie A. Wilson, Angela J. Dean
This paper discusses the debate on whether focusing on
small lifestyle changes, such as reducing plastic use, can
distract from broader sustainability goals like mitigating
climate change or whether such small actions can lead to
"behavioral spillover," encouraging more significant
climate-related actions. The research findings indicate that
while messages about plastic pollution can increase
climate-related behaviors, this effect is more pronounced
when past behaviors are highlighted and is less effective
for already engaged audiences. The authors advise
caution in using plastic messaging strategies if the primary
goal is to achieve behavioral spillover for reef conservation.
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Authors: Natali Pearson, Benjamin S. Thompson
This study explores ways to integrate the conservation of
marine biodiversity with the protection of underwater
cultural heritage. The text outlines a framework for
identifying and leveraging synergies between these two
areas through spatial analyses and case studies to inform
and guide marine managers, policymakers, and
practitioners in related economic activities on how to
achieve better conservation outcomes by recognizing and
utilizing the overlaps and potential collaborative
opportunities between marine biodiversity and
underwater cultural heritage.
Authors:
Ziaul Haque Munim, Mohammed Mojahid Hossain
Chowdhury, Hasan Mahbub Tusher, Theo Notteboom
This study evaluates the prospects of using alternative fuels
in Bangladesh's maritime industry. It aims to rank the
sustainability and viability of seven different energy sources
for shipping using expert data and specific analytical
methods (Bayesian Best-Worst Method and PROMETHEE-
GAIA). The findings are intended to guide policymakers in
Bangladesh in promoting sustainable and viable energy
sources for the maritime sector.
Authors: Miriam Püts, Alexander Kempf, Christian
Mollmann, Marc Taylor
This document highlights the need for a comprehensive
marine spatial planning framework in the North Sea,
particularly in light of the competing objectives of
renewable energy production (offshore wind farms) and
marine conservation (marine protected areas). It
emphasizes the importance of assessing trade-offs
between stakeholders and ecosystem health using a
spatially explicit trophic model. It also suggests that
closures to fisheries need to be carefully managed and
accompanied by additional measures to avoid negative
impacts.
Authors:
Fei Tian, Erfeng Zhang, Chen Yang, Dehua Sun, Weidong
Shi, and Yonghua Chen
This paper presents research findings on the optimal
design of submersible mixers for improving the mixing
uniformity of activated sludge in water pollution control. It
discusses the use of numerical simulations to analyze the
solid-liquid two-phase flow characteristics at various
installation heights using the coupled Computational Fluid
Dynamics (CFD) and Discrete Element Method (DEM
method to understand how installation height affects flow
patterns, particle mixing and aggregation, providing
insights for better engineering practices in designing
mixing flow fields.
Authors: William Frodella, Guglielmo Rossi, Luca Tanteri,
Ascanio Rosi, Luca Lombardi, Francesco Mugnai,
Riccardo Fanti, and Nicola Casagli
This document provides information about the use of
Infrared Thermography (IRT) as a monitoring tool during
the salvage operations of the Costa Concordia wreck. It
details the implementation and outcomes of IRT
monitoring, highlighting its effectiveness in detecting
thermal anomalies related to vessel deformations and oil
spills, presenting the innovative application of IRT in
maritime and environmental disaster response, and
showcasing its potential as a versatile tool in such
scenarios.
Author: Timo Molenkamp, Apostolos Tsouvalas, and
Andrei Metrikine
This paper discusses the challenges and advancements in
modeling the noise and seabed vibrations caused by
vibratory pile driving in offshore wind farm construction. It
highlights the limitations of current models, particularly in
accurately predicting noise due to the interaction
between the pile and the sediment. It describes a study
that introduces a new model allowing for slip conditions
at the pile-soil interface, which is then verified and
analyzed to understand its impact on noise generation. It
also concludes that existing models for impact pile driving
are unsuitable for vibratory pile driving due to the critical
role of pile-soil interaction in noise generation.
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Authors: Alexandra Karamitrou, Fraser Sturt, and Petros
Bogiatzis
This text discusses the use of supervised deep learning
methods for detecting shipwrecks on coral reefs by
identifying discoloration known as black reefs through
satellite images. It highlights the challenges of limited data
for training the model and presents the successful results
of using a simple neural network to identify and classify
black reefs, which indicate the presence of shipwrecks.
Additionally, it mentions the tool's utility in monitoring
ecological impacts over time.
02 - Residents' acceptability and response to the water-pricing policy
to reduce marine pollution caused by domestic sewage
Authors: Zhihua Xu, Chuwei Wang, Shuqin Li, and
Jingzhu Shan
This paper examines residents' acceptance of a water-
pricing policy in Qingdao, China, aimed at improving
sewage treatment technologies to reduce marine
pollution. Results show that residents can accept an
average increase of 0.90 CNY/m3 in water price, with
low-income individuals showing low acceptability. This
policy also positively influences water-saving behavior,
suggesting the need for a water-pricing policy to mitigate
sewage's negative impacts.
14 - Identification of marine oil spill pollution using hyperspectral
combined with thermal infrared remote sensing
Author: Junfang Yang, Yabin Hu, Jie Zhang, Yi Ma,
Zhongwei Li, and Zongchen Jiang
This paper investigates marine oil spill pollution types and
their impact on source tracing and disposal, using
hyperspectral and thermal infrared remote sensing data to
develop a hyperspectral recognition algorithm that,
combined with thermal infrared, can improve oil
recognition accuracy, but cannot distinguish crude oil and
high-concentration water-in-oil emulsions. This
combination can support emergency response and oil
spill monitoring in relevant departments.
15 - Vector acoustic properties of underwater noise from impact pile
driving measured within the water column
Authors: Peter H. Dahl, Alexander MacGillivray, and
Roberto Racca
This study examines underwater noise from impact pile
driving on steel piles, focusing on the characteristics of
Mach wave radiation caused by the pile's expansion from
hammer impact. Data from a 2005 study in Puget Sound,
Washington, were recorded using a four-channel
hydrophone system. It measured acoustic pressure in
three dimensions, allowing estimates of acoustic velocity
and acceleration exposure, highlighing the relationship
between dynamic and kinematic components of
underwater acoustics.
18 - Plastic waste and microplasticissues in Southeast Asia
Authors: Chi Huey Ng, Mohd Aizzan Mistoh, Siow Hwa
Teo, Andrea Galassi, Azreen Ibrahim, Coswald
Stephen Sipaut, Jurry Foo, Jeffrey Seay, Yun Hin
Taufiq-Yap, and Jidon Janaun
Plastic pollution in Southeast Asia is a pressing
environmental issue due to inadequate waste collection,
treatment, and management systems. The study examines
the current situation, current practices, and collective
commitment of governments, private sectors, social
organizations, stakeholders, and consumers to address
this issue.
Authors: Xue An, Pengxiang Duan, Weilun Li, Jing Yuan,
Yuwei Chen, Fei Fan, Xiaojun Deng, Yousheng
Xiao, Xi Chen, Ding Wang, Zhitao Wang, and
Kexiong Wang
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge's underwater noise
pollution may affect the distribution of local humpback
dolphins in the Pearl River Estuary. This study, which used
static passive acoustic monitoring, found that dolphin
biosonar signals were detected on 88.5% of days, with
higher activity at night and higher underwater noise
during the day. The negative correlation between
elevated underwater noise and dolphin sonar activity
suggests dolphins may avoid noisy waters for short
periods, possibly due to auditory stress.
33 - Biosonar activity of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin ( Sousa
chinensis ) near the tunnel section of the world’s longest cross-
sea bridge — the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge — is
negatively correlated with underwater noise
34 - Editorial: Plastic pollution in a changing marine environment:
effects and risk
Authors: Ana Isabel Catarino, Jana Asselman, Farhan R.
Khan, and Gert Everaert
Plastic litter in marine environments accumulates and has
potential effects on biota. Estimating the risk of plastic
particles requires high-quality data on exposure and
effects. Current data gaps are crucial for identifying litter
hotspots and developing mitigation strategies.
Understanding microplastic formation mechanisms is
essential for estimating particle sizes and their potential for
ingestion. This research aims to provide high-quality data
collection, report plastic litter accumulation, investigate UV
exposure, and discuss potential interactions with climate
change
35 - High concentrations of floating neustonic life in the plastic-rich
North Pacific Garbage Patch
Authors: Fiona Chong, Matthew Spencer, Nikolai
Maximenko, Jan Hafner, , Andrew C.
McWhirter, Rebecca R. Helm
Floating life, a crucial part of the ocean's food web, is only
found in the Sargasso Sea in the Subtropical North
Atlantic gyre. This study's authors hypothesize that it is also
concentrated in other gyres with converging surface
currents. They collected samples from the eastern North
Pacific Subtropical Gyre, specifically the North Pacific
"Garbage Patch" (NPGP), and found higher densities of
floating life inside the central NPGP. This has implications
for the ecology of subtropical oceanic gyre ecosystems.
Author: Sandra Pascoe Ortiz
Over the last ten years, plastic waste, particularly micro and
nano plastics, has emerged as a critical environmental
issue, overshadowing macro plastics. These tiny particles,
resulting from the breakdown of traditional and certain
bioplastics, infiltrate ecosystems and can be found even
within the human body. Ongoing research aims to trace
their impacts on health, revealing cellular-level changes
that could affect future generations.
31 - Assessing Seagrass Restoration Actions through a
Micro-Bathymetry Survey Approach (Italy, Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Sante Francesco Rende, Alessandro Bosman,
Fabio Menna, Antonio Lagudi, Fabio Bruno,
Umberto Severino, Monica Montefalcone,
Andrew D. Irving, Vincenzo Raimondi,
Sebastiano Calvo, Gerard Pergent, Christine
Pergent-Martini, and Agostino Tomasello
This article discusses the application of underwater
photogrammetry as a method to generate high-resolution
products, such as dense point clouds, 3D models, and
orthomosaics, essential for monitoring benthic
communities like seagrass beds. The study specifically
examines the efficacy of a photogrammetric approach in
assessing the restoration of Posidonia oceanica,
addressing the challenges of accuracy in 3D models for
surface and volume estimations.
32 - An Enhanced Photogrammetric Approach for the Underwater
Surveying of the Posidonia Meadow Structure in the Spiaggia
Nera Area of Maratea
Authors: Francesca Russo, Silvio Del Pizzo, Fabiana Di
Ciaccio, and Salvatore Troisi
This paper discusses the significance of Posidonia
oceanica meadows as indicators of marine ecosystem
health and their role in coastal conservation. It outlines a
methodology for their effective monitoring and mapping
through underwater photogrammetry. The study
emphasizes the impact of environmental factors on image
quality and introduces two algorithms to enhance image
processing. This approach facilitates the creation of a 3D
point cloud that allows for improved categorization and
assessment of Posidonia coverage across larger areas.
Authors: Giacomo Giorli, and Matthew H. Pinkerton
This study used underwater acoustic recorders deployed
in the Ross Sea (2018-2019) to investigate sperm whale
presence and seasonal patterns.
Two recorders were positioned at different latitudes: A3
on the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (63.7°S) and A1 on the Iselin
Bank (73.1°S). S
perm whales were detected year-round, though with
distinct patterns at each location. At A1, vocalizations
occurred February through November with peak activity
in February (0.310 detections/hour), while at A3,
detections occurred every month except February.
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