Total mercury content found in edible tissues of top predator fish from the Gulf of California,Mexico

Fish at the top of the food chain bioaccumulate and biomagnify toxic metals including mercury (Hg), at a higher rate than nonpredatory fish. However, although some top predator fish species are important in the human diet, the risks for consumers in Mexico are difficult to evaluate due to the scarce baseline information available. In the present article, data on the total mercury (THg) concentrations found in edible tissues of different species of sharks, rays, large pelagic fishes and groupers from the Gulf of California are presented and compared with national and international health guidelines. During 2003 and 2004, 73 shark dorsal tissue samples, 52 ray samples, 66 large pelagic fish samples and 16 grouper samples were collected at different sites along the Gulf of California. Samples were digested in a microwave system and analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Thirty samples (14%) showed concentrations of Hg above the national statutory limit of 1?mg?kg^?1, from which 25 samples were sharks and 3 were large pelagic fishes. A positive correlation was found between the natural log of THg [ln(THg)] and total length (TL cm) in species of sharks, rays and groupers. The Teacapán estuary in Sinaloa was detected as a possible source of Hg into the Gulf of California due to historic mining in the watershed. Mean Hg concentrations exceeded the regulatory limit of 1?mg?kg^?1 in the following highly commercial shark species: smooth hammerhead, pelagic thrasher, pacific sharpnose shark, dusky shark, scalloped hammerhead, and whitenose shark, in that order. It is recommended that preventive food advisories be issued with respect to these species until further investigations are conducted.     

北部湾潮间带波纹巴非蛤体内石油烃和多氯联苯的分布及风险评价

2011年春季在北部湾沿岸潮间带布设9个站位,采集双壳类动物波纹巴非蛤(Paphia undulata)并测定其软组织中的石油烃(TPH)和多氯联苯(PCBs)含量,研究两种污染物的分布特征、评价其生物质量并对巴非蛤体内残留PCBs可能造成的人体健康风险进行评价.结果表明,各站位TPH和∑PCBs含量范围分别为56.76—199.49μg.g-1和14.19—52.71 ng.g-1(干质量(dw)),就PCBs的组成而言,高氯代PCBs(PCB153、PCB180、PCB194)为优势同族体,所占比重较大.污染指数计算结果显示,除北海西场海域外,各站位的巴非蛤均受到TPH的重度污染,港口区尤为严重;而所有站位的巴非蛤均未受到PCBs污染.健康风险评价结果显示,所有站位的巴非蛤体内PCBs的非致癌风险处于可接受水平(RQ<1),但是,大多数站位的致癌风险指数(0.83×10-6—3.53×10-6)高于可接受的致癌风险低值(1×10-6),而存在一定的潜在致癌风险.     

A general process-based mass-balance model for phosphorus/eutrophication as a tool to estimate historical reference values for key bioindicators,as exemplified using data for the Gulf of Riga

This work describes how a general, process-based mass-balance model (CoastMab) for phosphorus for coastal areas may be used as a tool to estimate realistic values of “natural” or preindustrial reference levels of key bioindicators in coastal science, including the Secchi depth, a standard measure of water clarity, the chlorophyll-a concentration, an operational measure of phytoplankton biomass and the concentration of cyanobacteria, a measure of the concentration of harmful algae. The CoastMab-model is an ecosystem model giving monthly predictions to achieve seasonal variations of basin-wide properties. The selected case-study area, the Gulf of Riga, is sensitive to nutrient loading because of its shallowness and low openness towards the Baltic Proper. The morphometry of any coastal area, as given by the size and form parameters, influences all internal processes, such as sedimentation, resuspension, diffusion in water and from sediments to water, biouptake and retention in biota, stratification, mixing and outflow. There has been no mass-balance modeling for nitrogen (N) in this work because empirical data (from the HELCOM database) clearly indicate that the monthly primary production in the Gulf of Riga is regulated by phosphorus (P) – the mean monthly total-N to total-P ratios are well over 7.2 (the Redfield-ratio) and generally higher than 15 for the data used in this study (from 1992 to 2005). At present anthropogenic loads, the average modeled monthly values for Secchi depth, chlorophyll (Chl), cyanobacteria (CB) and total-P (TP) are 3.2 m, 3.8 μg/l, 78 μg/l and 31.3 μg/l, respectively. If 50% of all anthropogenic sources to the Gulf of Riga via rivers, point sources and diffuse sources were to be removed, these values would be 3.6 m, 3.4 μg Chl/l, 63 μg CB/l and 29.1 μg TP/l. If 60% of the anthropogenic phosphorus fluxes to the Baltic Proper were to be omitted and as well as 75% of all direct anthropogenic sources to the Gulf of Riga, the values would be 4.6 m, 2.7 μg Chl/l, 45 μg CB/l and 25.4 μg TP/l. These values represent the “natural” reference levels and it is not realistic to expect that remedial measures would improve the conditions more than that. Using the CoastWeb-model, similar calculations can be made for any given coastal area and the data necessary for such calculations are discussed in this work.     

Hurricane Katrina‐linked environmental injustice: race,class, and place differentials in attitudes

Claims of environmental injustice, human neglect, and racism dominated the popular and academic literature after Hurricane Katrina struck the United States in August 2005. A systematic analysis of environmental injustice from the perspective of the survivors remains scanty or nonexistent. This paper presents, therefore, a systematic empirical analysis of the key determinants of Katrina‐induced environmental injustice attitudes among survivors in severely affected parishes (counties) in Louisiana and Mississippi three years into the recovery process. Statistical models based on a random sample of survivors were estimated, with the results revealing significant predictors such as age, children in household under 18, education, homeownership, and race. The results further indicate that African‐Americans were more likely to perceive environmental injustice following Katrina than their white counterparts. Indeed, the investigation reveals that there are substantial racial gaps in measures of environmental injustice. The theoretical, methodological, and applied policy implications of these findings are discussed.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of Cs in Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Horizontal and vertical dispersion in two regions

Caesium-137 activity concentration in the water columns of the Gulf of Patras (Central Greece) and the North-Eastern Aegean Sea (easterward to Lemnos Island) was investigated in selected sampling stations during the period September 2004–June 2006. The methodology followed was based on the sorption of caesium (Cs) on cotton wound cartridge filters impregnated by Cu₂[Fe(CN)₆] via in-situ pumping. In terms of the horizontal and vertical records, the activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in the Gulf of Patras ranged between 1.2 and 6.7 Bq m⁻³, depending on the sampling period and the prevailing physicochemical regime at the sampling station. The general pattern of the decreased activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs with increasing depth was reversed in the Gulf of Patras during the cold period attributed to the prevailing advective processes of the area. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in the North-Eastern Aegean Sea ranged from 2.6 to 12.8 Bq m⁻³, whereas significant stratified curves were observed during the warm period and also, in one station during the cold period. In terms of temporal variation, the discharges in the Gulf of Patras resulted in enhanced levels of ¹³⁷Cs, whereas in the North Aegean Sea the incoming water masses form the Black Sea had an apparent influence throughout the year by increasing the ¹³⁷Cs levels, hence presenting a weak seasonal variation. Comparing the two studied areas, one could say that the North Aegean Sea, as an open sea environment, presented higher concentrations due to the influence of the Black Sea water masses. The estimated inventories of ¹³⁷Cs in the Gulf of Patras ranged 0.25 ± 0.03–0.79 ± 0.03 kBq m⁻², whereas in the North-Eastern Aegean Sea they ranged 0.33 ± 0.02–0.92 ± 0.03 kBq m⁻².     

Environmental change and fishery management in the northern Persian Gulf

Approximately 52% of the 380,000 tons of fish landings in Iran come from the northern Persian Gulf, with a total of 108,000 fishermen and 8900 fishing vessels (2003 data). The fishery in the region is very important for the local economy, but the major problems facing the Iranian fisheries are an uncertain availability of fish and over-fishing. The Persian Gulf is a sensitive marine ecosystem. The Gulf is a partially enclosed sea with an average depth of 35 metres and replacement of waters take some three to five years. Environmental factors have a major effect on fish stocks and fisheries in such a sensitive ecosystem. This study examines the influence of environmental changes in water temperature, rainfall, wind and sea level pressure on fish stocks in the northern Persian Gulf and estimates the maximum sustainable yields for fisheries management. Multivariate data and surplus production bio-economic models with environmental parameters are used to determine optimal harvest and forecasting. The study found that rainfall, water temperature and wind had significant positive effects whereas sea level pressure had a negative effect on the fisheries in the northern Persian Gulf. It is concluded that environmental parameters should be monitored concurrently with the fisheries to allow a greater understanding for fisheries management in the Persian Gulf.     

广西近海环境与经济可持续发展水平及协调性分析

通过精心选择泛北部湾经济区广西近岸海域水环境与经济系统指标,采用主成分分析法来计算水环境系统、经济系统的可持续发展水平.结果表明,1996～2005年间,在区域经济取得较快发展的同时,近岸海域水环境质量维持原有较好的质量水平并有所改善;通过计算区域近岸海域海洋环境年均协调系数,泛北部湾经济区广西近岸海域环境与经济发展属于协调类型.     

海南澄迈湾海洋生物多样性研究

海南澄迈湾潮间带西侧以沙质海岸为主,岸带由粗砂组成,间有细砂;东侧以岩礁海岸为主,波浪和水流冲刷较强,动物生态类型变化较大。海南澄迈湾生态环境质量对海口市的未来发展影响很大。2004年7月通过对澄迈湾海洋生物多样性监测,每个站位采样5次,分析和了解浮游生物、底栖生物等的分布特征、分布量、优势种类、生物多样性指数、均匀度等。结果表明:澄迈湾叶绿素a和初级生产力处于中等水平,浮游植物以硅藻为主,浮游动物分布相对较为均匀,各类型底栖生物分布较为均匀。     

Environmental Assessment of the Impact of Ozone to the Neuston of the Sea-Surface Microlayer of the Gulf of Mexico

Substantial amounts of NOx (146 000 t/y) and total hydrocarbons (294 000 t/y) are released to the marine atmosphere by the large number of oil and gas operations over Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Under appropriate meteorological conditions these emissions react to form ozone (0–54 g/m3 over-water) which can affect the marine environment. Using a dry deposition model, this work examines the amount of ozone derived from oil and gas offshore operations and deposited in the sea surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and assesses its impact on the neuston of the sea-surface microlayer. Surface integrated estimates of ozone deposited from oil and gas operations over the sea surface ranges from 400 kg to 1800 kg which results in sea surface concentrations of 15 g/m3. This estimate and the actual toxic ozone levels suggest no acute, toxic impacts to the neuston. However, indirect effects may occur through changes to the pelagic foodwebs and organic carbon pathways. Another potential pathway for ozone impacting the environment is through the production of bromate. Based on the concentrations and time scales (11–139 days) only sublethal effects appear to occur, but uncertainties associated with this assessment need to be further studied. From an ecological perspective, the environmental impacts and risks of NOx and VOC discharges from offshore platforms need to be assessed for neuston and other components of the marine ecosystem.     

影响赤潮的气象因素分析

以 1 998年 7～ 1 0月辽东湾海域赤潮为例 ,分析了气象因素对赤潮全过程的影响。分析表明 :气温、降水、光照、风速等气象因素与赤潮的发生、发展和消亡有密切的关系 ,气象条件是诱发赤潮的关键因素。在温度适宜的情况下 ,降水量的多少对赤潮的发生、发展有关键的作用。最后探讨了利用气象因素与赤潮的关系进行赤潮发生、发展的气象潜势预报的基本思路