Fractionation, spatial distribution, ecological and health risk assessment of cobalt and nickel in surface sediment of a bay along the southeast coast of China.

The fractionation and distribution of two potentially toxic elements (Co and Ni) were investigated in surface sediments to explore the pollution in Xiamen Bay, a special zone experiencing rapid economic growth and enormous environmental pressure. Relatively high concentrations were observed in nearshore areas with frequent human activities. The dominant fractions for Co and Ni were found to be residual, followed by exchangeable phase.

Phytoplankton community structure and environmental factors during the outbreak of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish in Xisha Islands, South China Sea.

The "larval starvation hypothesis" proposed that the growing frequency of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS) outbreaks could be attributed to increased availability of phytoplankton. However, comprehensive field investigation on the living environment of CoTS larvae and the availability of phytoplankton are still lacking. A cruise was conducted in June 2022 in Xisha Islands, South China Sea, to study the interaction between environmental conditions and phytoplankton communities during CoTS outbreak period.

Characterization, source identification, risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the surface water and sediment of the Beibu Gulf, China.

The concentrations, distribution, and risk of seven potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, in seawater and sediment from the eastern Beibu Gulf of China were studied using national standard methods. Results showed that the concentrations of PTEs in seawater exhibited significant spatial and seasonal variations, resulting in tolerable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for both adults and children. The sediment concentrations of PTEs were generally lower than historical values, indicating an acceptable pollution level and ecological risk, except for Hg.

Potentially hazardous metals in the sediment of a subtropical bay in South China: Spatial variability, contamination assessment and source apportionment.

Potentially hazardous metals (PHMs) in the coastal environment have become a great concern due to their easy bioaccumulation, poor biodegradability and high toxicity. Surface sediment samples were collected in a subtropical bay in South China to analyse the spatial variations, contamination level and potential sources of PHMs. The results indicated that the order of average contents of PHMs in Qinzhou Bay sediment was Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > As > Hg > Cd.

Radium and Lead Radioisotopes Composition of Sediment and Its Biogeochemical Implication in Polymetallic Nodule Area of Clario-Clipperton Zone.

Radioactivity levels of Pb and Ra were detected in a sediment core obtained using a multi-corer from the polymetallic nodule area inside the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a contract area of the China Ocean Mineral Resources Association (COMR) in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The profile of excess Pb (Pb) shows that the specific activity of Pb has three parts with different distributions at depths of 0-16 cm (I), 17-36 cm (II), and 37-48 cm (III). When the I section of nonlocal mixing was excluded, using a steady-state diffusion mode, the bioturbation coefficients of the core were estimated to be 24.

Assessment of manta trawling and two newly-developed surface water microplastic monitoring techniques in the open sea.

The ubiquitous microplastic (MP) pollution across the waterways, sediments, biota, and atmosphere has amplified concerns at a global scale. Unfortunately, harmonized MP monitoring protocols are absent for accurate evaluation on MP pollution. Few large-scale MP sampling programs involving different designs have been implemented in the open sea.

Distribution, source and risk assessment of heavy metals in the seawater, sediments, and organisms of the Daya Bay, China.

Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg and As in seawater, sediment and organisms of the Daya Bay, Guangdong province, China were measured to acquire the comprehensive understanding on distribution, sources and risk assessment of heavy metals (HMs) in the marine ecosystem. The concentrations were relatively ideal, and the Pb was the major pollutant in the seawater and sediment. The contents of HMs were highest in spring; the concentrations near the sewage outlet and shore were noticeable.

Distribution, source identification and environmental risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the surface sediment of Sanmen Bay, Zhejiang Province, China.

In this paper, the distribution, degree of pollution and sources of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, As, Co, Ni and Hg in the surface sediment of Sanmen Bay were studied. The average concentrations of the identified potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were in the following order: Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > As>Cd > Hg. Almost all PTEs had a significant positive correlation with TOC, clay and Al; Cr had no significant correlations.

Pollution, ecological risk, and source identification of potentially toxic elements in sediments of a landscape urban lagoon, China.

Given the great importance of Yundang lagoon (China), a detailed evaluation and source identification of multiple potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is required. Low concentrations of the PTEs were found in the Diversion canal, while high in the Main canal, Inner lagoon, and Outer lagoon. Evaluation results indicated that the pollution of PTEs was widespread, and that the extremely high eco-risks and evident toxicity were owing to the great contributions of Hg and Cd.

Distribution of mercury isotope signatures in Yundang Lagoon, Xiamen, China, after long-term interventions.

Isotope signatures of mercury (Hg) were determined for Hg fractions in seawater, sediments, porewaters, core sediments and fish from the Yundang Lagoon, Xiamen, China. Sequential extraction was used to extract Hg fractions in sediments and the purge-trap method was used to preconcentrate Hg in seawater. A large variation in mass dependent fractionation (δHg: -2.

Heavy metal pollution and ecological risk assessment in the Maowei sea mangrove, China.

The level and ecological impact of heavy metal pollution in the Maowei Sea mangrove are poorly understood. This work first investigated the distribution and ecological risk of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in Maowei Sea mangrove sediments. The results showed that heavy metals were mainly concentrated in the top 10 cm of mangrove stands, declined up to 20 cm deep, and were constant afterwards.

Microplastic pollution and ecological risk assessment in an estuarine environment: The Dongshan Bay of China.

Microplastic (MP) pollution has spurred a wide range of concerns due to its ubiquity and potential hazards to humans and ecosystems, yet studies on MP abundance, distribution, and ecological impacts on the small-scale local estuarine systems are insufficient. We conducted the first study of MP pollution in surface water of Dongshan Bay in southern China. A total of six water samples were collected using a Manta trawl (length = 3 m, width = 1 m, height = 0.

Riverine microplastic pollution matters: A case study in the Zhangjiang River of Southeastern China.

Microplastics have pulled the alarm for its far-reaching impacts in the environment and potential risks to human health. Here, we first investigated the microplastic pollution in the Zhangjiang River of southeastern China. Water samples were collected across a river catchment using bulk sampling method.

Environmental implications of microplastic pollution in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Microplastics (MPs) contamination has been recognized as one of major threats to coastal marine environments. Although studies evidenced severe MPs contaminations to the Pacific Ocean, environmental implications of MPs concentrations, distributions, and characteristics have not been evaluated in sufficient detail. Here, we report on the distribution, abundance, and characteristics of MPs at the surface of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, from which environmental implications are assessed.

Prevalence of microplastic pollution in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.

People are increasingly aware of ubiquitous microplastic (MP) pollution in the world's ocean due to its far-reaching harmful impacts on marine ecosystem and potential hazards to human health, yet surprisingly comparatively limited studies about the abundance, source, transport, and fate of MPs in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean are available. We conducted the field survey of MPs pollution at the surface of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean between August 25 and September 26, 2017. MPs were collected from 18 sampling stations in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean using a manta trawl net with a mesh size of ∼330 μm and a rectangular net opening of 0.

Microplastics in the Northwestern Pacific: Abundance, distribution, and characteristics.

Prevalence of microplastics (MPs) throughout the world's oceans has raised growing concerns due to its detrimental effects on the environment and living organisms. Most recent studies of MPs, however, have focused on the estuaries and coastal regions. There is a lack of study of MPs pollution in the open ocean.

Total mercury flux and offshore transport via submarine groundwater discharge and coal-fired power plant in the Jiulong River estuary, China.

A mass balance of total mercury (Hg, dissolved+particulate) is constructed for China's Jiulong River estuary based on measured Hg concentrations in the surface water, sediment, porewater, and groundwater for May, August, and November 2009, combined with data from the literature. The Hg mass budget results show that the dominant source (39-55%) is desulfurized seawater discharged from the Songyu coal-fired power plant. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD)-derived Hg flux into the estuary is equivalent to 8-58% of the Hg input from the Jiulong River, which is remarkable when compared with SGD-derived Hg fluxes reported in coastal systems worldwide.