![[PukiWiki]](image/pukiwiki.png "[PukiWiki]")
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were quantified in archive samples of dorsal white muscle of the wild Bluefin tuna (BFT) (n = 9) collected in the central Adriatic. PCBs were the predominant organochlorine (OC) compounds (60.8-69.4% of the total OC load) found. The contribution of HCB and ΣHCHs was significantly lower, ranging from less then LOD (α- and β-HCH) to 1.5% (γ-HCH). p,p'-DDE was the predominant OCP compound (60-89% of the ΣOCPs). https://www.selleckchem.com/products/derazantinib.html PCB and DDT levels were comparable to the values previously found for tuna from the Mediterranean Sea, known as one of the areas most polluted by PCBs.St Georges Bay of Lebanon's coast is an open bay to the Mediterranean Sea. It is exposed to numerous anthropogenic activities such as industrial effluent, untreated wastewater discharge and maritime activities resulting in increasing chemical contamination, especially with trace metals. Contamination with trace metals (Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, As, Ag and Hg) and the influence of early diagenesis on their distribution were studied on both sediments and waters. For this purpose, sediment cores were collected, then treated under inert atmosphere to retrieve pore waters and solid fraction. The area appears to be seriously impacted by the materials transported by the Beirut River and/or by direct inputs, and recent land reclamation using dumpsite material. The sediments showed a significant level of contamination. Element mobility was studied by selective extraction on sediments. The mobility of trace elements from solid fraction to pore waters is controlled by the Fe/Mn cycle and organic matter.Global warming is a big concern for all organisms and many efforts have been made to reveal the potential effects of temperature elevation on aquatic organisms. However, limited studies on molecular mechanistic approaches on physiological effects due to temperature changes are available. Here, we investigated the effects of temperature changes on life parameters (e.g., population growth [total number of rotifers], and lifespan), oxidative stress levels and antioxidant activities (e.g., glutathione S-transferase [GST], catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD]) with expression levels in the monogonont marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. The changes in temperatures led to significant reduction (P less then 0.05) in lifespan, possibly due to significant decrease (P less then 0.05) in antioxidant activities, reducing the potential to cope with significant elevation in the temperature-induced oxidative stress in B. plicatilis. To further assess the actual induction and clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), N-acetyl-L-cysteine was used to examine whether the temperature-induced oxidative stress could be successfully scavenged. Furthermore, expression patterns of the antioxidant-related genes (GSTs, SODs, and CATs) were down- or upregulated (P less then 0.05) in response to different temperatures in B. plicatilis. Overall, these findings indicate that ROS-mediated oxidative stress led to cellular damage and antioxidant defense system, resulting in deleterious effects on life parameters in rotifer.The release of oil and gas at Mississippi Canyon Block 20 into the Gulf of Mexico has vexed response officials since 2004 when a regional seafloor failure toppled the Taylor Energy Company platform. Despite the completion of nine intervention wells, releases continue from the seafloor, mostly captured by a recently installed containment system. Toward informing resolution, this work applies chemical forensic and statistical analyses to surface sheens, sediments, and reservoir oil samples. Our results indicate sheens are chemically heterogeneous, contain remnant synthetic hydrocarbons likely discharged from well interventions prior to 2012, and require mixing of multiple chemically-distinct oil groups to explain observed variability in diagnostic ratios. Given the respite and opportunity afforded by containment we suggest leveraging ongoing collection activities to assess release dynamics, as well as engaging the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, to evaluate potential solutions, associated risks, and to consider policy ramifications.Determining the overall effects of human activities on the estuaries, seas and coasts, as a precursor to marine management, requires quantifying three aspects. These are (a) the area in which the human activities take place, (b) the area covered by the pressures generated by the activities on the prevailing habitats and species, in which pressures are defined as the mechanisms of change, and (c) the area over which any adverse effects occur. These features can be respectively termed the activities-footprints, the pressures-footprints and the effects-footprints. The latter in turn incorporates both the effects on the natural system and the effects on ecosystem services from which society extracts goods and benefits. This viewpoint article explains the rationale behind this typology and proposes definitions for each of these three types of footprints.We examined the spatial distribution and local characteristics of microplastics (0.33-5 mm) in surface water from six semi-enclosed bays and two coastal waters in Korea. Surveys were conducted in July from 2015 to 2017 using a Manta trawl. The mean abundance of total microplastics ranged from 1.12-4.74 particles/m3 among sites; the microplastics were mostly expanded polystyrene (EPS), paint particles, fragments and fibers. The mean microplastic abundance (2.85 particles/m3) in urban areas was about 1.5 times higher than in rural areas (1.86 particles/m3) (p less then 0.05). EPS dominated at rural sites, while fragments, paint particles, and fibers were relatively more dominant in urban areas. The different types and quantities of microplastic particles indicated that the region-specific occurrence of microplastics is likely to be related to differences in human activities between urban and rural areas, even though fibers were distributed throughout the study area.Shark fin is one of Asia's most valued dried seafood products, with over 80 shark species traded in Hong Kong [HK]. We analyzed processed shark fins from mainland China and HK markets (n = 267) for mercury, methyl‑mercury, and arsenic, to inform consumers, policy makers and public health officials on the health risks of ingesting fins from nine of the most common shark species in the fin trade. Fins from all species frequently exceed Hg limits established by HK authorities. Most of the mercury found is in the form of methyl‑mercury (69.0 ± 33.5%). Five species surpass methyl‑mercury PTWIs and blue shark fins can exceed inorganic arsenic BMDL0.5. Species-of-origin was a significant predictor of heavy metal concentrations, with higher mercury concentrations associated with coastal sharks and lower arsenic levels found with increasing shark trophic level. Species-specific labeling would help consumers avoid shark fin products that pose the highest health risk.
