Marine ecosystems - pollution

Title

Reference

The ISME Journal (2012) 6, 451–460; doi:10.1038/ismej.2011.91;
published online 4 August 2011

Author(s)

Zhenmei Lu , Ye Deng, Joy D Van Nostrand, Zhili He, James Voordeckers, Aifen Zhou, Yong-Jin Lee, Olivia U Mason, Eric A Dubinsky, Krystle L Chavarria, Lauren M Tom, Julian L Fortney, Regina Lamendella, Janet K Jansson, Patrik D'haeseleer, Terry C Hazen and Jizhong Zhou

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the deepest and largest offshore spill in the United State history and its impacts on marine ecosystems are largely unknown. Here, we showed that the microbial community functional composition and structure were dramatically altered in a deep-sea oil plume resulting from the spill. A variety of metabolic genes involved in both aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation were highly enriched in the plume compared with outside the plume, indicating a great potential for intrinsic bioremediation or natural attenuation in the deep sea. Various other microbial functional genes that are relevant to carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and iron cycling, metal resistance and bacteriophage replication were also enriched in the plume. Together, these results suggest that the indigenous marine microbial communities could have a significant role in biodegradation of oil spills in deep-sea environments.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

oil spill; deep-sea plume; microbial community; metagenomics; functional gene arrays; GeoChip

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http://www.nature.com/ismej/journal/v6/n2/full/ismej201191a.html
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jzhou@ou.edu

Title

Disturbance and Recovery of Salt Marsh Arthropod Communities following BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Reference

PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (3): e32735
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032735

Author(s)

Brittany D. McCall, Steven C. Pennings

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Oil spills represent a major environmental threat to coastal wetlands, which provide a variety of critical ecosystem services to humanity. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is a hub of oil and gas exploration activities that historically have impacted intertidal habitats such as salt marsh. Following the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we sampled the terrestrial arthropod community and marine invertebrates found in stands of Spartina alterniflora, the most abundant plant in coastal salt marshes. Sampling occurred in 2010 as oil was washing ashore and a year later in 2011. In 2010, intertidal crabs and terrestrial arthropods (insects and spiders) were suppressed by oil exposure even in seemingly unaffected stands of plants; however, Littoraria snails were unaffected. One year later, crab and arthropods had largely recovered. Our work is the first attempt that we know of assessing vulnerability of the salt marsh arthropod community to oil exposure, and it suggests that arthropods are both quite vulnerable to oil exposure and quite resilient, able to recover from exposure within a year if host plants remain healthy.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0032735

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spennings@uh.edu

Title

Nanoporous polystyrene fibers for oil spill cleanup

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 64, Issue 2, February 2012, Pages 347–352

Author(s)

Jinyou Lin, Yanwei Shang, Bin Ding , Jianmao Yang, Jianyong Yu, Salem S. Al-Deyab

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The development of oil sorbents with high sorption capacity, low cost, scalable fabrication, and high selectivity is of great significance for water environmental protection, especially for oil spillage on seawater. In this work, we report nanoporous polystyrene (PS) fibers prepared via a one-step electrospinning process used as oil sorbents for oil spill cleanup. The oleophilic–hydrophobic PS oil sorbent with highly porous structures shows a motor oil sorption capacity of 113.87 g/g, approximately 3–4 times that of natural sorbents and nonwoven polypropylene fibrous mats. Additionally, the sorbents also exhibit a relatively high sorption capacity for edible oils, such as bean oil (111.80 g/g) and sunflower seed oil (96.89 g/g). The oil sorption mechanism of the PS sorbent and the sorption kinetics were investigated. Our nanoporous material has great potential for use in wastewater treatment, oil accident remediation and environmental protection.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies >> Pollution control >> Water treatment
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Polystyrene; Nanoporous fibers; Electrospinning; Oil sorption

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X11005790

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binding@dhu.edu.cn

Title

What are the costs and benefits of biodiversity recovery in a highly polluted estuary?

Reference

Water Research
Volume 46, Issue 1, 1 January 2012, Pages 205-217

Author(s)

M. Pascual, A. Borja, J. Franco, D. Burdon, J.P. Atkins, M. Elliott

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Biodiversity recovery measures have often been ignored when dealing with the restoration of degraded aquatic systems. Furthermore, biological valuation methods have been applied only spatially in previous studies, and not jointly on a temporal and spatial scale. The intense monitoring efforts carried out in a highly polluted estuary, in northern Spain (Nervión estuary), allowed for the economic valuation of the costs and the biological valuation of the benefits associated with a 21 years sewage scheme application. The analysis show that the total amount of money invested into the sewage scheme has contributed to the estuary's improvement of both environmental and biological features, as well as to an increase in the uses and services provided by the estuary. However, the inner and outer parts of the estuary showed different responses. An understanding of the costs and trajectories of the environmental recovery of degraded aquatic systems is increasingly necessary to allow policy makers and regulators to formulate robust, cost-efficient and feasible management decisions.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental economics >> Ecosystem services   
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Water >> Water quality >> Wastewater treatment

Keywords

Biodiversity valuation; Water treatment investment; Recovery of aquatic systems; Nervión estuary; Basque country

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135411006518
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mpascual@azti.es

Title

Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Woldwide: Sources and Sinks

Reference

Environmental Science & Technology, 2011; 111004074039000
DOI: 10.1021/es201811s

Author(s)

Mark Anthony Browne, Phillip Crump, Stewart J. Niven, Emma Teuten, Andrew Tonkin, Tamara Galloway, Richard Thompson

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Plastic debris <1 mm (defined here as microplastic) is accumulating in marine habitats. Ingestion of microplastic provides a potential pathway for the transfer of pollutants, monomers, and plastic-additives to organisms with uncertain consequences for their health. Here, we show that microplastic contaminates the shorelines at 18 sites worldwide representing six continents from the poles to the equator, with more material in densely populated areas, but no clear relationship between the abundance of miocroplastics and the mean size-distribution of natural particulates. An important source of microplastic appears to be through sewage contaminated by fibers from washing clothes. Forensic evaluation of microplastic from sediments showed that the proportions of polyester and acrylic fibers used in clothing resembled those found in habitats that receive sewage-discharges and sewage-effluent itself. Experiments sampling wastewater from domestic washing machines demonstrated that a single garment can produce >1900 fibers per wash. This suggests that a large proportion of microplastic fibers found in the marine environment may be derived from sewage as a consequence of washing of clothes. As the human population grows and people use more synthetic textiles, contamination of habitats and animals by microplastic is likely to increase.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es201811s
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mark.browne@ucd.ie

Title

Adsorption of trace metals to plastic resin pellets in the marine environment

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 160, January 2012, Pages 42-48

Author(s)

Luke A. Holmes, Andrew Turner, Richard C. Thompson

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Plastic production pellets collected from beaches of south west England contain variable concentrations of trace metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) that, in some cases, exceed concentrations reported for local estuarine sediments. The rates and mechanisms by which metals associate with virgin and beached polyethylene pellets were studied by adding a cocktail of 5 μg L−1 of trace metals to 10 g L−1 pellet suspensions in filtered seawater. Kinetic profiles were modelled using a pseudo-first-order equation and yielded response times of less than about 100 h and equilibrium partition coefficients of up to about 225 ml g−1 that were consistently higher for beached pellets than virgin pellets. Adsorption isotherms conformed to both the Langmuir and Freundlich equations and adsorption capacities were greater for beached pellets than for virgin pellets. Results suggest that plastics may represent an important vehicle for the transport of metals in the marine environment.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Plastic pellets; Trace metals; Adsorption; Kinetics; Seawater

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111005057
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aturner@plymouth.ac.uk

Title

Quantification of undersea gas leaks from carbon capture and storage facilities, from pipelines and from methane seeps, by their acoustic emissions

Reference

Proc. R. Soc. A  doi: 10.1098/rspa.2011.0221

Author(s)

T. G. Leighton and P. R. White

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In recent years, because of the importance of leak detection from carbon capture and storage facilities and the need to monitor methane seeps and undersea gas pipelines, there has been an increased requirement for methods of detecting bubbles released from the seabed into the water column. If undetected and uncorrected, such leaks can generate huge financial and environmental losses. This paper describes a theory by which the passive acoustic signals detected by a hydrophone array can be used to quantify gas leakage, providing a practical (as opposed to research), passive and remote detection system which can monitor over a period of years using simple instrumentation. The sensitivity in detecting and quantifying the flux of gas is shown to exceed by more than two orders of magnitude the sensitivity of the current model-based techniques used commercially for gas leaks from large, long pipelines.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Geoengineering
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

carbon sequestration, methane seeps, gassy marine sediments, acoustic, leak monitoring

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N/A

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http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/10/14/rspa.2011.0221
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tlg@soton.ac.uk

Title

Organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in the atmosphere of the North Sea

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 3660-3665

Author(s)

Axel Mölle , Zhiyong Xie, Armando Caba, Renate Sturm, Ralf Ebinghaus

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Air samples collected in the German part of the North Sea from March to July 2010 were investigated for organophosphorus compounds (OPs) being applied as flame retardants and plasticizers. The ∑8OPs concentration ranged from 110 to 1400 pg m-3 while tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) dominated all samples with individual concentrations up to 1200 pg m-3. The highest concentrations were observed in continental air masses showing the high influence of industrialized regions including production sites on atmospheric emissions and concentrations. The occurrence of OPs even in oceanic/Arctic air masses shows that OPs can undergo long-range atmospheric transport. Dry particle-bound deposition fluxes from 9 to 240 ng m−2 d-1 for ∑8OPs were estimated leading to a minimum annual flux of 710 ± 580 kg y-1 OPs into the German North Sea. This study presents the first occurrence of OPs in the marine atmosphere together with important information on their long-range transport potential.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Industrial emissions
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution                    

Keywords

Organophosphorus flame retardants; TCPP; TCEP; Plasticizer; North Sea

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111003927
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axel.moeller@hzg.de

Title

Rapid microbial respiration of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in offshore surface waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Reference

Environmental Research Letters 6 (July-September 2011) 035301
doi:10.1088/1748-9326/6/3/035301

Author(s)

Bethanie R Edwards, Christopher M Reddy, Richard Camilli, Catherine A Carmichael, Krista Longnecker and Benjamin A S Van Mooy

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was one of the largest oil spills in history, and the fate of this oil within the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem remains to be fully understood. The goal of this study—conducted in mid-June of 2010, approximately two months after the oil spill began-was to understand the key role that microbes would play in the degradation of the oil in the offshore oligotrophic surface waters near the Deepwater Horizon site. As the utilization of organic carbon by bacteria in the surface waters of the Gulf had been previously shown to be phosphorus limited, we hypothesized that bacteria would be unable to rapidly utilize the oil released from the Macondo well. Although phosphate was scarce throughout the sampling region and microbes exhibited enzymatic signs of phosphate stress within the oil slick, microbial respiration within the slick was enhanced by approximately a factor of five. An incubation experiment to determine hydrocarbon degradation rates confirmed that a large fraction of this enhanced respiration was supported by hydrocarbon degradation. Extrapolating our observations to the entire area of the slick suggests that microbes had the potential to degrade a large fraction of the oil as it arrived at the surface from the well. These observations decidedly refuted our hypothesis. However, a concomitant increase in microbial abundance or biomass was not observed in the slick, suggesting that microbial growth was nutrient limited; incubations amended with nutrients showed rapid increases in cell number and biomass, which supported this conclusion. Our study shows that the dynamic microbial community of the Gulf of Mexico supported remarkable rates of oil respiration, despite a dearth of dissolved nutrients.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

microbial respiration, Deepwater Horizon, oil spill, hydrocarbon degradation, Gulf of Mexico, petroleum hydrocarbon

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/6/3/035301
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E-mail: bvanmooy@whoi.edu

Title

Monitoring plastic ingestion by the northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis in the North Sea

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 2609-2615
EU funded

Author(s)

Jan A. van Franekera, Christine Blaizeb, Johannis Danielsenc, Keith Faircloughd , Jane Gollane , Nils Gusef , Poul-Lindhard Hanseng , Martin Heubeckh , Jens-Kjeld Jenseni , Gilles Le Guillouj , Bergur Olsenk , Kåre-Olav Olsenl , John Pedersenm , Eric W.M. Stienenn , Daniel M. Turnero

Study type

Peer Review Journal / Report

Abstract

The abundance of plastics in stomachs of northern fulmars from the North Sea is used in the OSPAR Ecological Quality Objective (EcoQO) for marine litter. The preliminary EcoQO defines acceptable ecological quality as the situation where no more than 10% of fulmars exceed a critical level of 0.1 g of plastic in the stomach. During 2003-2007, 95% of 1295 fulmars sampled in the North Sea had plastic in the stomach (on average 35 pieces weighing 0.31 g) and the critical level of 0.1 g of plastic was exceeded by 58% of birds, with regional variations ranging from 48 to 78%. Long term data for the Netherlands since the 1980s show a decrease of industrial, but an increase of user plastics, with shipping and fisheries as the main sources. The EcoQO is now also used as an indicator for Good Environmental Status in the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Fulmarus glacialis; Plastic ingestion; Marine debris; Environmental monitoring; OSPAR EcoQO; MSFD-GES

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111003344
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Jan.vanfraneker@wur.nl

Title

The economic cost and control of marine debris damage in the Asia-Pacific region

Reference

Ocean & Coastal Management
Volume 54, Issue 9, September 2011, Pages 643-651

Author(s)

Alistair McIlgorm, Harry F. Campbell and Michael J. Rule

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Oceans in the Asia-Pacific region are being impacted by increasing levels of marine debris, with many governments unaware of the extent that marine debris damages marine industries, the economy and the marine environment. We examine the economic costs associated with marine debris and present a simple marine debris cycle model to discuss the costs and benefits of prevention, clean-up and the benefits of using biodegradable materials. For the 21 economies of the Asia- Pacific rim we estimate that marine debris-related damage to marine industries costs US$1.26bn per annum in 2008 terms. Marine debris imposes an avoidable cost that can be reduced through policy implementation to economically optimal levels. Options to control debris, using regulations, technical intervention and market based instruments, may have a role. In this pollution policy area, additional economic cost data are required to inform governments on the most economical ways to control levels of marine debris.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental economics >> Economic impacts of environmental change
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569111000688
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amcilgor@uow.edu.au

Title

Seabird feathers as monitors of the levels and persistence of heavy metal pollution after the Prestige oil spill

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 2454-2460
Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity

Author(s)

Rocío Moreno, Lluís Jover, Carmen Diez, Carola Sanpera

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We measured heavy metal concentrations in yellow-legged gulls (n = 196) and European shags (n = 189) in order to assess the temporal pattern of contaminant exposure following the Prestige oil spill in November 2002. We analysed Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni and V levels in chick feathers sampled at four colonies during seven post-spill years (2003–2009), and compared results with pre-spill levels obtained from feathers of juvenile shag corpses (grown in spring/summer 2002). Following the Prestige wreck, Cu (4.3-10 µg g^-1) and Pb concentrations (1.0-1.4 µg g^-1) were, respectively, between two and five times higher than pre-spill levels (1.5-3.6 and 0.1-0.4 µg g^-1), but returned to previous background concentrations after three years. Our study highlights the suitability of chick feathers of seabirds for assessing the impact of oil spills on heavy metal contamination, and provides the best evidence to date on the persistence of oil pollution after the Prestige incident.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Long-term effects; Atlantic ocean; Phalacrocorax aristotelis; Larus michahellis; Oil spill

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111003617
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rocio@rociomoreno.com

Title

Hypoxia Is Increasing in the Coastal Zone of the Baltic Sea

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technol., 2011, 45 (16), pp 6777-6783

Author(s)

Daniel J. Conley, Jacob Carstensen, Juris Aigars, Philip Axe, Erik Bonsdorff, Tatjana Eremina, Britt-Marie Haahti, Christoph Humborg, Per Jonsson, Jonne Kotta, Christer Lannegren, Ulf Larsson, Alexey Maximov, Miguel Rodriguez Medina, Elzbieta Lysiak-Pastuszak, Nijole Remeikaite-Nikiene, Jakob Walve, Sunhild Wilhelms, and Lovisa Zille

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Hypoxia is a well-described phenomenon in the offshore waters of the Baltic Sea with both the spatial extent and intensity of hypoxia known to have increased due to anthropogenic eutrophication, however, an unknown amount of hypoxia is present in the coastal zone. Here we report on the widespread unprecedented occurrence of hypoxia across the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. We have identified 115 sites that have experienced hypoxia during the period 1955-2009 increasing the global total to ca. 500 sites, with the Baltic Sea coastal zone containing over 20% of all known sites worldwide. Most sites experienced episodic hypoxia, which is a precursor to development of seasonal hypoxia. The Baltic Sea coastal zone displays an alarming trend with hypoxia steadily increasing with time since the 1950s effecting nutrient biogeochemical processes, ecosystem services, and coastal habitat.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords:

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es201212r
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daniel.conley@geol.lu.se

Title

Including impacts of particulate emissions on marine ecosystems in life cycle assessment (LCA): The case of offshore oil and gas production

Reference

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management

DOI: 10.1002/ieam.246

Author(s)

Karin Veltman, Mark A.J. Huijbregts, Henrik Rye, Edgar G. Hertwich

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly used to assess the environmental performance of fossil energy systems. Two of the dominant emissions of offshore oil and gas production to the marine environment are the discharge of produced water and drilling waste. While environmental impacts of produced water are predominantly due to chemical stressors, a major concern regarding drilling waste discharge is the potential physical impact due to particles. At present, impact indicators for particulate emissions are not yet available in LCA. In this paper, we develop characterization factors (CF) for two distinct impacts of particulate emissions: an increased turbidity zone in the water column and physical burial of benthic communities. The characterization factor for turbidity is developed analogous to characterization factors for toxic impacts and ranges from 1.4 to 7.0·103 PAF·m³·day·g p^-1 for drilling mud particles discharged from the rig. The characterization factor for burial describes the volume of sediment that is impacted by particle deposition on the seafloor and equals 2.0·10^-1PAF·m³·day·kg p^-1 for cutting particles. This CF is quantified based on initial deposition layer characteristics, such as height and surface area, the initial benthic response, and the recovery rate. We assessed the relevance of including particulate emissions in an impact assessment of offshore oil and gas production. Therefore, the total impact on the water column and on the sediment was quantified based on emission data of produced water and drilling waste for all oil and gas fields on the Norwegian continental shelf year in 2008. Our results show that cutting particles contribute substantially to the total impact of offshore oil and gas production on marine sediments, with a relative contribution of 55% and 31% on the regional scale and the global scale, respectively. In contrast, the contribution of particulate emissions to the total impact on the marine water column is of minor importance. We conclude that particles are an important stressor in marine ecosystems, particularly for marine sediment, and particulate emissions should therefore be included in a (life cycle) impact assessment of offshore oil and gas production.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

LCA; characterization factors; offshore oil and gas production; particulate emissions; marine ecosystems

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.246/abstract
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karin.veltman@ntnu.no

Title

Accumulation of heavy metals to assess the health status of swordfish in a comparative analysis of Mediterranean and Atlantic areas

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 1920-1925

Author(s)

Simone Damiano, Patrizia Papetti and Paolo Menesatti

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

During the last few decades, the combined effects of natural and human activities acting on the Mediterranean Sea basin have caused a reduction in the swordfish (Xiphias gladius, L. 1758) population. In this project, we investigated the accumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) levels in the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of swordfish during a five-year survey. In the marine environment, top predators such as swordfish accumulate high concentrations of toxic metals, and thus, potentially incur a high toxicological risk. Furthermore, heavy metals, such as chemical pollutants, have strong long-term effects on fish, and thus, constitute a high risk for the resource and humans that consume it. The aim of this work is to contribute to the assessment of the state of European swordfish population health. We analyzed muscle tissue from 56 specimens captured in Mediterranean and Atlantic areas for trace elements. Mean concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb were in the following ranges: 0.66-2.41, 0.04-0.16, and 0.97-1.36 mg/kg ww, respectively. These data suggest a need for continuous monitoring to avoid reductions in the population of this fish species of high commercial and ecological interest

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Accumulation, Heavy metals, Swordfish, Mediterranean, Atlantic

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

To be filled in later by editorial team

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1100230X
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papetti@eco.unicas.it

Title

Biological responses to contaminants in the Humber Estuary: Disentangling complex relationships

Reference

Marine Environmental Research
Volume 71, Issue 4, May 2011, Pages 295-303

Author(s)

J. García-Alonso, G.M. Greenway, A. Munshi, J.C. Gómez, K. Mazik, A.W. Knight, J.D. Hardege and M. Elliott

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Due to the ecological importance of estuaries, it is necessary to understand the biological effects that potentially toxic contaminants induce in bioindicator species. A key aspect is whether effects at lower levels of biological organisation transfer through the system to higher levels. In understanding such processes, characterising multivariate relationships between contaminants, sediment toxicities and detoxification processes are important. Worms (Hediste diversicolor) and sediments were collected along the Humber Estuary, England, and inorganic and organic contaminants were quantified. Sediment toxicities and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) activity in the ragworm were analysed. Concentrations of metals were highest near urban and industrial areas, whereas organic contaminants appeared at upstream locations. GST activity correlated with heavy metals. The genotoxicity, oestrogenicity, dioxin and dioxin-like activity were higher at upstream locations. Oestrogenicity correlated with alkylphenols and some organochlorines, whilst genotoxicity correlated with organochlorines and heavy metals. Despite this, higher level biological responses could not be predicted, indicating that homeostasis is operating.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems>>Marine pollution

Keywords

Trace metals, Organic pollutants, GST, Sediment toxicity, Environmental homeostasis, Humber Estuary

Entry Source:

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113611000250
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j.garcia-alonso@nhm.ac.uk

Title

First health and pollution study on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) living in the German Elbe estuary

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2010; 60 (11): 2079
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.07.011

Author(s)

Antje Kakuschke, Elizabeth Valentine–Thon, Simone Griesel, Juergen Gandrass, Octavio Perez Luzardo, Luis Dominguez Boada, Manuel Zumbado Peña, Maira Almeida González, Mechthild Grebe, Daniel Pröfrock.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The Elbe is one of the major rivers releasing pollutants into the coastal areas of the German North Sea. Its estuary represents the habitat of a small population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Only little is known about the health status and contamination levels of these seals. Therefore, a first-ever seal catch was organized next to the islands of Neuwerk and Scharhörn in the region of the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park. The investigations included a broad set of health parameters and the analysis of metals and organic pollutants in blood samples. Compared to animals of other Wadden Sea areas, the seals showed higher γ-globulin levels, suggesting higher concentrations of pathogens in this near-urban area, elevated concentrations for several metals in particular for V, Sn, Pb, and Sr, and comparable ranges for chlorinated organic contaminants, except for elevated levels of hexachlorobenzene, which indicates characteristic inputs from the Elbe.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems>>Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems>>Marine pollution

Keywords

Harbor seal, Phoca vitulina, Elbe estuary, North Sea, Health, Pollution

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

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antjekakuschke@web.de

Title

Science Applications in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Special Feature: CompoQWsition and fate of gas and oil released to the water column during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Reference

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101242108

Author(s)

Christopher M. Reddy, J. Samuel Arey, Jeffrey S. Seewald, Sean P. Sylva, Karin L. Lemkau, Robert K. Nelson, Catherine A. Carmichael, Cameron P. McIntyre, Judith Fenwick, G. Todd Ventura, Benjamin A. S. Van Mooy, Richard Camilli.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Quantitative information regarding the endmember composition of the gas and oil that flowed from the Macondo well during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is essential for determining the oil flow rate, total oil volume released, and trajectories and fates of hydrocarbon components in the marine environment. Using isobaric gas-tight samplers, we collected discrete samples directly above the Macondo well on June 21, 2010, and analyzed the gas and oil. We found that the fluids flowing from the Macondo well had a gas-to-oil ratio of 1,600 standard cubic feet per petroleum barrel. Based on the measured endmember gas-to-oil ratio and the Federally estimated net liquid oil release of 4.1 million barrels, the total amount of C1-C5 hydrocarbons released to the water column was 1.7 x 1011 g. The endmember gas and oil compositions then enabled us to study the fractionation of petroleum hydrocarbons in discrete water samples collected in June 2010 within a southwest trending hydrocarbon-enriched plume of neutrally buoyant water at a water depth of 1,100 m. The most abundant petroleum hydrocarbons larger than C1-C5 were benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes at concentrations up to 78 µg L-1. Comparison of the endmember gas and oil composition with the composition of water column samples showed that the plume was preferentially enriched with water-soluble components, indicating that aqueous dissolution played a major role in plume formation, whereas the fates of relatively insoluble petroleum components were initially controlled by other processes

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/07/15/1101242108
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creddy@whoi.edu.

Title

Developing safety indicators for preventing offshore oil and gas deepwater drilling blowouts

Reference

Safety Science
Volume 49, Issues 8-9, October 2011, Pages 1187-1199

Author(s)

Jon Espen Skogdalen, Ingrid B. Utne and Jan Erik Vinnem

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

An important question with respect to the Macondo blowout is whether the accident is a symptom of systemic safety problems in the deepwater drilling industry. An answer to such a question is hard to obtain unless the risk level of the oil and gas (O&G) industry is monitored and evaluated over time. This article presents information and indicators from the Risk Level Project (RNNP) in the Norwegian O&G industry related to safety climate, barriers and undesired incidents, and discusses the relevance for deepwater drilling. The main focus of the major hazard indicators in RNNP is on production installations, whereas only a limited number of incident indicators and barrier indicators are related to mobile drilling units. The number of kicks is an important indicator for the whole drilling industry, because it is an incident with the potential to cause a blowout. Currently, the development and monitoring of safety indicators in the O&G industry seems to be limited to a short list of 'accepted' indicators, but there is a need for more extensive monitoring and understanding. This article suggests areas of extensions of the indicators in RNNP for drilling based on experience from the Macondo blowout. The areas are related to schedule and cost, well planning, operational aspects, well incidents, operators' well response, operational aspects and status of safety critical equipment. Indicators are suggested for some of the areas. For other areas, more research is needed to identify the indicators and their relevance and validity.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents

Keywords

Deepwater drilling, Risk management, Safety indicators, Macondo blowout

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N/A

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ingrid.b.utne@ntnu.no jon.e.skogdalen@uis.no

Title

PAH body burden and biomarker responses in mussels (Mytilus edulis) exposed to produced water from a North Sea oil field: Laboratory and field assessments

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 7, July 2011, Pages 1498-1505

Author(s)

Rolf C. Sundt, Daniela M. Pampanin, Merete Grung, Janina Baršiene and Anders Ruus

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In order to study the impact of produced water (PW) from a North Sea oil field on blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), chemical and biological markers were selected. A laboratory exposure (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.5% of PW) and a field study (6 stations 0.2-2 km from a PW discharge point) were conducted. In the laboratory study, PAH bioaccumulation increased in mussel soft tissue even at the lowest exposure dose. Micronuclei frequency demonstrated a dose-response pattern, whereas lysosomal membrane stability showed tendency towards a dose-response pattern. The same markers were assessed in the field study, biomarker analyses were consistent with the contamination level, as evaluated by mussel polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons body burden. Overall, obtained results confirmed the value of an ecotoxicological approach for a scientifically sound characterisation of biological effects induced by offshore oilfield operational discharges.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Ecosystem impacts
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Produced water, Mussel, Lysosomal membrane stability, Micronuclei, Bioaccumulation, Monitoring

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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rolf.sundt@iris.no

Title

Implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive: A methodological approach for the assessment of environmental status, from the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay)

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 5, May 2011, Pages 889-904

Author(s)

Ángel Borja, Ibon Galparsoro, Xabier Irigoien, Ane Iriondo et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is directing European marine research towards the coordinated and integrated assessment of sea environmental status, following the ecosystem-based approach. The MSFD uses a set of 11 descriptors which, together, summarise the way in which the whole system functions. As such, the European Commission has proposed an extensive set of indicators, to assess environmental status. Hence, taking account of the large amount of data available for the Basque coast (southern Bay of Biscay), together with a recent proposal for assessment within the MSFD, an integrated environmental status assessment approach is developed (for the first time) in this contribution. The strengths and weaknesses of the method, combined with proposals from the MSFD, are discussed.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Environmental status, Methodological approach, Implementation, Quality assessment

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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aborja@azti.es

Title

Overview of eutrophication indicators to assess environmental status within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Reference

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Volume 93, Issue 2, 10 June 2011, Pages 117-131

Author(s)

João G. Ferreira, Jesper H. Andersen, Angel Borja, Suzanne B. Bricker et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In 2009, following approval of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), the European Commission (EC) created task groups to develop guidance for eleven quality descriptors that form the basis for evaluating ecosystem function. The objective was to provide European countries with practical guidelines for implementing the MSFD, and to produce a Commission Decision that encapsulated key points of the work in a legal framework. This paper presents a review of work carried out by the eutrophication task group, and reports our main findings to the scientific community. On the basis of an operational, management-oriented definition, we discuss the main methodologies that could be used for coastal and marine eutrophication assessment. Emphasis is placed on integrated approaches that account for physico-chemical and biological components, and combine both pelagic and benthic symptoms of eutrophication, in keeping with the holistic nature of the MSFD. We highlight general features that any marine eutrophication model should possess, rather than making specific recommendations. European seas range from highly eutrophic systems such as the Baltic to nutrient-poor environments such as the Aegean Sea. From a physical perspective, marine waters range from high energy environments of the north east Atlantic to the permanent vertical stratification of the Black Sea. This review aimed to encapsulate that variability, recognizing that meaningful guidance should be flexible enough to accommodate the widely differing characteristics of European seas, and that this information is potentially relevant in marine ecosystems worldwide. Given the spatial extent of the MSFD, innovative approaches are required to allow meaningful monitoring and assessment. Consequently, substantial logistic and financial challenges will drive research in areas such as remote sensing of harmful algal blooms, in situ sensor development, and mathematical models. Our review takes into account related legislation, and in particular the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD - 2000/60/EC), which deals with river basins, including estuaries and a narrow coastal strip, in order to examine these issues within the framework of integrated coastal zone management.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Water >> River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Eutrophication, chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, harmful algae, Marine, coastal, assessment methods, Europe, marine Strategy Framework Directive, water, Framework Directive

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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joao@hoomi.com

Title

Methylation of inorganic mercury in polar marine waters

Reference

Nature Geoscience, 2011; DOI: 10.1038/ngeo1134

Author(s)

Igor Lehnherr, Vincent L. St. Louis, Holger Hintelmann, Jane L. Kirk.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Monomethylmercury is a neurotoxin that accumulates in marine organisms, with serious implications for human health. The toxin is of particular concern to northern Inuit peoples, for example, whose traditional diets are composed primarily of marine mammals and fish. The ultimate source of monomethylmercury to marine organisms has remained uncertain, although various potential sources have been proposed, including export from coastal and deep-sea sediments and major river systems, atmospheric deposition and water-column production. Here, we report results from incubation experiments in which we added isotopically labelled inorganic mercury and monomethylmercury to seawater samples collected from a range of sites in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Monomethylmercury formed from the methylation of inorganic mercury in all samples. Demethylation of monomethylmercury was also observed in water from all sites. We determined steady-state concentrations of monomethylmercury in marine waters by incorporating the rate constants for monomethylmercury formation and degradation derived from these experiments into a numerical model. We estimate that the conversion of inorganic mercury to monomethylmercury in the water column accounts for around 47% (±62%, standard deviation) of the monomethylmercury present in polar marine waters, with site-to-site differences in inorganic mercury and monomethylmercury levels accounting for most of the variability. We suggest that water-column methylation of inorganic mercury is a significant source of monomethylmercury in pelagic marine food webs in the Arctic, and possibly in the world's oceans in general.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Biogeochemistry, Oceanography

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v4/n5/full/ngeo1134.html
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lehnherr@ualberta.ca

Title

Response of single benthic metrics and multi-metric methods to anthropogenic pressure gradients, in five distinct European coastal and transitional ecosystems

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 3, March 2011, Pages 499-513

Author(s)

Angel Borja, Enrico Barbone, Alberto Basset, Gunhild Borgersen, Marijana Brkljacic, Michael Elliott, Joxe Mikel Garmendia, João Carlos Marques, Krysia Mazik, Iñigo Muxika, João Magalhães Neto, Karl Norling, J. Germán Rodríguez, Ilaria Rosati, Brage Rygg, Heliana Teixeira and Antoaneta Trayanova

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In recent times many benthic indices have been proposed to assess the ecological quality of marine waters worldwide. In this study we compared single metrics and multi-metric methods to assess coastal and transitional benthic status along human pressure gradients in five distinct environments across Europe: Varna bay and lake (Bulgaria), Lesina lagoon (Italy), Mondego estuary (Portugal), Basque coast (Spain) and Oslofjord (Norway). Hence, 13 single metrics (abundance, number of taxa, and several diversity and sensitivity indices) and eight of the most common indices used within the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) for benthic assessment were selected: index of size spectra (ISS), Benthic assessment tool (BAT), Norwegian quality index (NQI), Multivariate AMBI (M-AMBI), Benthic quality index (BQI), (Benthic ecosystem quality index (BEQI), Benthic index based on taxonomic sufficiency (BITS), and infaunal quality index (IQI). Within each system, sampling sites were ordered in an increasing pressure gradient according to a preliminary classification based on professional judgement. The different indices are largely consistent in their response to pressure gradient, except in some particular cases (i.e. BITS, in all cases, or ISS when a low number of individuals is present). Inconsistencies between indicator responses were most pronounced in transitional waters (i.e. IQI, BEQI), highlighting the difficulties of the generic application of indicators to all marine, estuarine and lagoonal environments. However, some of the single (i.e. ecological groups approach, diversity, richness) and multi-metric methods (i.e. BAT, M-AMBI, NQI) were able to detect such gradients both in transitional and coastal environments, being these multi-metric methods more consistent in the detection than single indices. This study highlights the importance of survey design and good reference conditions for some indicators. The agreement observed between different methodologies and their ability to detect quality trends across distinct environments constitutes a promising result for the implementation of the WFD's monitoring plans. Moreover, these results have management implications, regarding the dangers of misclassification, uncertainty in the assessment, use of conflicting indices, and testing and validation of indices.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Indices; Multi-metric methods; Benthic fauna; Pressure gradient; Coastal and transitional waters; Water framework directive

Entry Source:

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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aborja@azti.es

Title

Magnitude and oxidation potential of hydrocarbon gases released from the BP oil well blowout

Reference

Nature Geoscience
Volume:4, Pages:160-164 Year published:(2011)

Author(s)

Samantha B. Joye, Ian R. MacDonald Ira Leifer & Vernon Asper

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The deep-sea hydrocarbon discharge resulting from the BP oil well blowout in the northern Gulf of Mexico released large quantities of oil and gaseous hydrocarbons such as methane into the deep ocean. So far, estimates of hydrocarbon discharge have focused on the oil released, and have overlooked the quantity, fate and environmental impact of the gas. Gaseous hydrocarbons turn over slowly in the deep ocean, and microbial consumption of these gases could have a long-lasting impact on oceanic oxygen levels. Here, we combine published estimates of the volume of oil released, together with provisional estimates of the oil to gas ratio of the discharged fluid, to determine the volume of gaseous hydrocarbons discharged during the spill. We estimate that the spill injected up to 500,000t of gaseous hydrocarbons into the deep ocean and that these gaseous emissions comprised 40% of the total hydrocarbon discharge. Analysis of water around the wellhead revealed discrete layers of dissolved hydrocarbon gases between 1,000 and 1,300m depth; concentrations exceeded background levels by up to 75,000 times. We suggest that microbial consumption of these gases could lead to the extensive and persistent depletion of oxygen in hydrocarbon-enriched waters.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems>>Marine pollution
Risk assessment>> Hazards>>Industrial accidents

Keywords

Biogeochemistry Oceanography

Entry Source:

N/A

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v4/n3/full/ngeo1067.html
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mjoye@uga.edu

Title

Occurrence of priority pollutants in WWTP effluents and Mediterranean coastal waters of Spain

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 3, March 2011, Pages 615-625

Author(s)

N. Martí, D. Aguado, L. Segovia-Martínez, A. Bouzas and A. Seco

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

A comprehensive study aimed at evaluating the occurrence, significance of concentrations and spatial distribution of priority pollutants (PPs) along the Comunidad Valenciana coastal waters (Spain) was carried out in order to fulfil the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Additionally, PP concentrations were also analysed in the effluent of 28 WWTPs distributed along the studied area. In coastal waters 36 organic pollutants of the 71 analysed, including 26 PPs were detected although many of them with low frequency of occurrence. Only 13 compounds, which belong to four different classes (VOCs, organochlorinated pesticides, phthalates and tributyltin compounds (TBT)) showed a frequency of occurrence above 20% in coastal waters. In the results obtained until now, octylphenol, pentachlorobenzene, DEHP and TBT exceeded the annual average concentration (EQS-AAC), and only TBT surpassed the maximum allowable concentration (EQS-MAC). The most frequent contaminants determined in coastal waters were also present in WWTP effluents.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems>>Marine pollution
Water >>River basin management (WFD)
Water >> Water quality>>Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Coastal waters; Environmental quality standards (EQS); Priority pollutants (PPs); Water Framework Directive (WFD); WWTP effluents

Entry Source:

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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nuria.marti@uv.es

Title

Methylmercury photodegradation influenced by sea-ice cover in Arctic marine ecosystems

Reference

Nature Geoscience (2011)
DOI:10.1038/ngeo1049

Author(s)

D. Point, J. E. Sonke, R. D. Day, D. G. Roseneau, K. A. Hobson, S. S. Vander Pol, A. J. Moors, R. S. Pugh, O. F. X. Donard and P. R. Becker

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Atmospheric deposition of mercury to remote areas has increased threefold since pre-industrial times. Mercury deposition is particularly pronounced in the Arctic. Following deposition to surface oceans and sea ice, mercury can be converted into methylmercury, a biologically accessible form of the toxin, which biomagnifies along the marine food chain. Mass-independent fractionation of mercury isotopes accompanies the photochemical breakdown of methylmercury to less bioavailable forms in surface waters. Here we examine the isotopic composition of mercury in seabird eggs collected from colonies in the North Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea and the western Arctic Ocean, to determine geographical variations in methylmercury breakdown at northern latitudes. We find evidence for mass-independent fractionation of mercury isotopes. The degree of mass-independent fractionation declines with latitude. Foraging behaviour and geographic variations in mercury sources and solar radiation fluxes were unable to explain the latitudinal gradient. However, mass-independent fractionation was negatively correlated with sea-ice cover. We conclude that sea-ice cover impedes the photochemical breakdown of methylmercury in surface waters, and suggest that further loss of Arctic sea ice this century will accelerate sunlight-induced breakdown of methylmercury in northern surface waters.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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David.point@lmtg.obs-mip.fr

Title

Fate of Dispersants Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Reference

Environmental Science & Technology, 2011;
DOI: 10.1021/es103838p

Author(s)

Elizabeth B. Kujawinski, Melissa C. Kido Soule, David L. Valentine, Angela K. Boysen, Krista Longnecker, Molly C. Redmond.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Response actions to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill included the injection of 771,000 gallons (2,900,000 L) of chemical dispersant into the flow of oil near the seafloor. Prior to this incident, no deepwater applications of dispersant had been conducted, and thus no data exist on the environmental fate of dispersants in deepwater. We used ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to identify and quantify one key ingredient of the dispersant, the anionic surfactant DOSS (dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate), in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater during active flow and again after flow had ceased. Here we show that DOSS was sequestered in deepwater hydrocarbon plumes at 1000-1200 m water depth and did not intermingle with surface dispersant applications. Further, its concentration distribution was consistent with conservative transport and dilution at depth and it persisted up to 300 km from the well, 64 days after deepwater dispersant applications ceased. We conclude that DOSS was selectively associated with the oil and gas phases in the deepwater plume, yet underwent negligible, or slow, rates of biodegradation in the affected waters. These results provide important constraints on accurate modeling of the deepwater plume and critical geochemical contexts for future toxicological studies.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution
Chemicals >> Management >> Remediation of pollutants

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es103838p
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ekujawinski@whoi.edu

Title

Diffuse pollution by persistent organic pollutants as measured in plastic pellets sampled from various beaches in Greece

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 2, February 2011, Pages 312-317

Author(s)

H.K. Karapanagioti, S. Endo, Y. Ogata and H. Takada

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Plastic pellets found stranded on beaches are hydrophobic organic materials and thus, they are a favourable medium for persistent organic pollutants to absorb to. In the present study, plastic pellets are used to determine the diffuse pollution of selected Greek beaches. Samples of pellets were taken from these beaches and were analyzed for PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, and PAHs. The observed differences among pellets from various sampling sites are related to the pollution occurring at each site. Plastic pellets collected in Saronikos Gulf beaches demonstrate much higher pollutant loading than the ones collected in a remote island or close to an agricultural area. Based on data collected in this study and the International Pellet Watch program, pollution in Saronikos Gulf, Greece, is comparable to other heavily industrialized places of the world. The present study demonstrates the potential of pellet watch to be utilized as a detailed-scale monitoring tool within a single country.

Policy theme(s)

Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Plastic pellets, Greece, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X10004698
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shige@cc.tuat.ac.jp

Title

Ocean Fertilization: A scientific summary for policy makers

Reference

Author(s)

UNESCO report

Study type

Report

Abstract

Failure to tackle rising greenhouse gas emissions effectively has led to intensifying debate on geoengineering - deliberate large-scale schemes to slow the rate at which Earth is heating up. The public debate often mixes opinion with fact so scientists have now released the first summary for policymakers on ocean fertilization, one of the earliest geoengineering proposals. The authors report that the chances of success of using ocean fertilization to deal with climate change is low.
Ocean fertilization involves adding iron or other nutrients to the surface of the ocean to trigger growth of microscopic marine plants.  These plants use dissolved carbon dioxide to grow, which led to the idea that deliberate fertilization of the ocean on a large scale would remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  
 Lead author of the report Professor Doug Wallace from the Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR) says: "The published findings suggest that even very large-scale fertilization would remove only modest amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over 100 years".
 For two decades, marine scientists have been carrying out a series of small-scale fertilization experiments to understand how ocean ecosystems respond to environmental change. However the experiments were not designed to address issues relating to geoengineering. Proposals to scale up this approach to slow climate warming or be included within emissions trading schemes to generate carbon credits have stimulated intense debate and criticism amongst scientists and the public.
The new summary, involving independent scientists from seven countries, explains the complexity of the underlying science and brings the detailed findings together in an accessible form for policymakers.
The summary notes that there are still major knowledge gaps. For example, it is unclear whether findings from small-scale experiments apply fully to larger scales. And a major concern is the possibility of large-scale fertilization having unintended consequences for ecosystems. The summary points out the extreme difficulty of assessing long-term effectiveness or unintended side effects.
"It's vastly more complex than assessing carbon storage in a forest" says Wallace "the carbon, and many of the potential impacts, are largely invisible and likely to be spread over vast distances".
Publication of the summary coincides with a symposium in California (La Jolla) on the ecosystem impacts of proposed geoengineering schemes and organized by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. The one-day symposium, streamed live online, will bring together the world's leading experts in this area of research.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Carbon capture and storage
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001906/190674e.pdf
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http://ioc-unesco.org/

Title

Risk acceptance criterion for tanker oil spill risk reduction measures

Reference

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 62, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 116-127

Author(s)

George PsarrosRolf Skjong and Erik Vanem

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper is aimed at investigating whether there is ample support for the view that the acceptance criterion for evaluating measures for prevention of oil spills from tankers should be based on cost-effectiveness considerations. One such criterion can be reflected by the Cost of Averting a Tonne of oil Spilt (CATS) whereas its target value is updated by elaborating the inherent uncertainties of oil spill costs and establishing a value for the criterion's assurance factor. To this end, a value of $80,000/t is proposed as a sensible CATS criterion and the proposed value for the assurance factor F = 1.5 is supported by the retrieved Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs' Annual Reports. It is envisaged that this criterion would allow the conversion of direct and indirect costs into a non-market value for the optimal allocation of resources between the various parties investing in shipping. A review of previous cost estimation models on oil spills is presented and a probability distribution (log-normal) is fitted on the available oil spill cost data, where it should be made abundantly clear that the mean value of the distribution is used for deriving the updated CATS criterion value. However, the difference between the initial and the updated CATS criterion in the percentiles of the distribution is small. It is found through the current analysis that results are partly lower than the predicted values from the published estimation models. The costs are also found to depend on the type of accident, which is in agreement with the results of previous studies. Other proposals on acceptance criteria are reviewed and it is asserted that the CATS criterion can be considered as the best candidate. Evidence is provided that the CATS approach is practical and meaningful by including examples of successful applications in actual risk assessments. Finally, it is suggested that the criterion may be refined subject to more readily available cost data and experience gained from future decisions.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Marine ecosystems >> Marine pollution

Keywords

Risk acceptance criteria, Risk informed decision-making, Oil spill, Probabilistic modelling, Environmental protection and the marine, environment

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X10004029
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George.Psarros@dnv.com