Marine Environmental Monitoring Programs Research Articles

UK long-term monitoring dataset: assessing factors affecting biomarkers commonly used in environmental programmes

Long-term programmes like the UK Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme (CSEMP) rely on biological effects techniques, including biomarkers, to assess if chemical pollutants are affecting sentinel species in the aquatic environment. In this study, we have applied mixed and fixed effect linear models to the long-term CSEMP dataset (2005-2018) to evaluate if factors such as region (location), sex, age, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and condition factor (CF), contribute to the variability observed in the levels of 3 well established biomarkers (inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in muscle-AChE, induction of hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase-EROD and presence of biliary 1-hydroxypyrene-1-OH pyrene) used to monitor biological effects of contaminants in dab (Limanda limanda) around UK waters. Regional differences (location) were a significant explanatory variable for the 3 biomarkers. Substantial differences were found in regional average muscle AChE activity, overall indicating the East Coast regions as likely more impacted by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. organophosphates and carbamates). We report for the first time that, while accounting for region, sex and gonadosomatic index are significant predictors of muscle acetylcholinesterase isoform in dab (R2 = 0.13-0.15), and therefore advise the future analysis of this marker should be done by sex when reporting for marine environmental purposes. Dab condition factor is also a significant predictor for both enzymatic markers (AChE and EROD) but not for 1-OH pyrene. Sex and age, and their interaction, were the strongest variables (R2 = 0.46) influencing hepatic EROD, showing that although overall females had higher hepatic EROD, male dab hepatic EROD increased with age. Correlations between the three biomarkers might assist in discerning types of prevalent regional contamination over the studied period. Our results highlight the factors to account for when assessing if environmental contamination is contributing to the responses of these 3 biomarkers in dab, and other flatfish species, used in marine environmental monitoring programmes.

Spatiotemporal assessment of marine environmental monitoring programme based on DIN concentration in the Yangtze River estuary and its adjacent sea

The marine environment is rigorously protected in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) and its adjacent sea, and routine monitoring is constantly upgraded. Therefore, scientific and efficient monitoring programmes are needed. Nitrogen is one of the most serious pollutants in the YRE. Obtaining the precise pollution areas of water quality grades (WQGs) are a scientific and management issue that requires optimization of monitoring programmes and interpolation methods. Based on spatiotemporal regression point means of surface with non-homogeneity (STR-PMSN), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were estimated in a stratified heterogeneous estuary. The annual average areas of DIN Grades I and II were classified by interpolating the concentrations; the values were 3145 km2, 1626 km2, 2320 km2 and 3758 km2 for February, May, August and November, respectively. This means that November had the best water condition, and May had the worst. Meanwhile, DIN area changes showed that the water condition changed due to removal of data much more in August and May than in February and November. The descending order of importance was August, May, February and November. Every month represented different runoff periods. Monitoring frequency should not be reduced. Removal of sampling data for the third stratum had a significant effect on the area. When the sampling data for outer boundary meshes of the third stratum were removed, the water condition became worse. However, when the sampling data for inner boundary meshes were removed, the water condition improved. New sites should be added to the outer boundary region to avoid interpolation instability and reduce the sensitivity of the existing sites. This study assesses the spatiotemporal effect of the marine environmental monitoring programmes on pollutant distribution by STR-PMSN, and it offers guidance for more precise data acquisition and processing methods in the YRE and its adjacent sea.

A new marine sediment certified reference material (CRM) for the determination of persistent organic contaminants: IAEA-459.

A new marine sediment certified reference material (IAEA 459) with very low concentrations (μgkg-1) for a variety of persistent organic contaminants (POPs) listed by the Stockholm Convention, as well as other POPs and priority substances (PSs) listed in many environmental monitoring programs was developed by the IAEA. The sediment material was collected from the Ham River estuary in South Korea, and the assigned final values were derived from robust statistics on the results provided by selected laboratories which demonstrated technical and quality competence, following the guidance given in ISO Guide 35. The robust mean of the laboratory means was assigned as certified values, for those compounds where the assigned value was derived from at least five datasets and its relative expanded uncertainty was less than 40% of the assigned value (most of the values ranging from 8 to 20%). All the datasets were derived from at least two different analytical techniques which have allowed the assignment of certified concentrations for 22 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, 6 organochlorinated (OC) pesticides, 5 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs). Mass fractions of compounds that did not fulfill the criteria of certification are considered information values, which include 29 PAHs, 11 PCBs, 16 OC pesticides, and 5 PBDEs. The extensive characterization and associated uncertainties at concentration levels close to the marine sediment quality guidelines will make CRM 459 a valuable matrix reference material for use in marine environmental monitoring programs.

Emon: an R‐package to support the design of marine ecological and environmental studies, surveys and monitoring programmes

Summary Marine systems and their biota are always changing, in response to environmental and human pressures such as climate variation and change, eutrophication, fisheries exploitation, litter, noise and accidental releases or regular discharges of contaminants, radioactivity and hazardous substances. Studies, surveys and monitoring help to describe and understand system responses to these pressures, and provide evidence to assess the needs for, and effects of, management interventions. Studies, surveys and monitoring are often costly, especially offshore, so small investments in preliminary data collection and systematic planning of these activities can help to make best use of resources and inform trade‐offs between budgets and expectations. To meet recognised needs for accessible tools to plan some aspects of studies, surveys and monitoring, we developed the R package emon. Emon includes routines for study design through power analysis (assuming independence of observations) and feature detection; which are the focus of this paper. We hope that access to the functions in emon, many drawing on work which was previously published but without code for implementation, will raise awareness of what marine studies, surveys and monitoring can achieve, thus encouraging cost‐effective, needs‐ and evidence‐based designs.

Integrated indicator framework and methodology for monitoring and assessment of hazardous substances and their effects in the marine environment

Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes which include the measurement of chemical contaminants and related biological effects. How best to integrate data obtained in these two types of monitoring into meaningful assessments has been the subject of recent efforts by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Groups. Work within these groups has concentrated on defining a core set of chemical and biological endpoints that can be used across maritime areas, defining confounding factors, supporting parameters and protocols for measurement. The framework comprised markers for concentrations of, exposure to and effects from, contaminants. Most importantly, assessment criteria for biological effect measurements have been set and the framework suggests how these measurements can be used in an integrated manner alongside contaminant measurements in biota, sediments and potentially water. Output from this process resulted in OSPAR Commission (www.ospar.org) guidelines that were adopted in 2012 on a trial basis for a period of 3 years. The developed assessment framework can furthermore provide a suitable approach for the assessment of Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

Marine environmental monitoring programs: tips on design, measurement and interpretation

Marine environmental monitoring programs are these days a standard requirement for the oil and gas industry in all jurisdictions. Monitoring programs are generally required during the construction and siting of infrastructure in or near the marine environment and then also for the operational phases of that infrastructure. The types and scales of monitoring programs developed and implemented vary enormously from project to project and typically reflect the complex interplay between often competing factors such as legislative framework, environmental and political sensitivities, cost, industry standards, existing information, predicted levels of impact, access to technology, and the level of professional expertise engaged. With so many factors influencing the design of a program it is sometimes difficult to focus on the core requirements of any marine environmental monitoring program. Using case examples this paper provides some advice on choosing which potential impacts are important to monitor, developing a good study design (including the importance of baseline data collection and pilot studies), choosing the right parameters to monitor, avoiding the seduction of technology, and selecting appropriate statistical tests. The other topic covered is some advice on the interpretation of results with emphasis on the need for clarity at the beginning of a monitoring program about what the data collected will, or can, be used for.

Swimming speed alteration of Artemia sp. and Brachionus plicatilis as a sub-lethal behavioural end-point for ecotoxicological surveys

In this study, we investigated the possibility to improve a new behavioural bioassay (Swimming Speed Alteration test-SSA test) using larvae of marine cyst-forming organisms: e.g. the brine shrimp Artemia sp. and the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Swimming speed was investigated as a behavioural end-point for application in ecotoxicology studies. A first experiment to analyse the linear swimming speed of the two organisms was performed to verify the applicability of the video-camera tracking system, here referred to as Swimming Behavioural Recorder (SBR). A second experiment was performed, exposing organisms to different toxic compounds (zinc pyrithione, Macrotrol MT-200, and Eserine). Swimming speed alteration was analyzed together with mortality. The results of the first experiment indicate that SBR is a suitable tool to detect linear swimming speed of the two organisms, since the values have been obtained in accordance with other studies using the same organisms (3.05 mm s(-1) for Artemia sp. and 0.62 mm s(-1) for B. plicatilis). Toxicity test results clearly indicate that swimming speed of Artemia sp. and B. plicatilis is a valid behavioural end-point to detect stress at sub-lethal toxic substance concentrations. Indeed, alterations in swimming speed have been detected at toxic compound concentrations as low as less then 0.1-5% of their LC(50) values. In conclusion, the SSA test with B. plicatilis and Artemia sp. can be a good behavioural integrated output for application in marine ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring programs.

Marine environmental monitoring programmes in South Africa: a review

South Africa uniquely lies at the junction of two major currents, the Agulhas and the Benguela. The waters overlying the continental shelf exhibit exceptionally high short-, medium- and long-term (days to inter-decadal) variability compared with most other shelf areas, and strongly contrasting oceanographic conditions are observed on the east and west coasts. South Africa is rich in fisheries resources and associated environmental data collected over more than a century. The South African marine scientific community has a history of multidisciplinary studies of marine foodwebs, from the driving forces such as wind, currents and solar heating, to the top predators, with the development of kelp bed, sub-tidal reefs and estuarine ecosystem studies in the 1970s; the Benguela Ecology Programme, which ran through four successive five-year stages, focused on the pelagic marine resources. Various approaches have been used to observe the continental shelf at different time and space scales, including: macroscale but frequent satellite imagery, mesoscale environmental and fishery surveys, dedicated crossshelf transects in key areas, measurements of dynamic processes, use of moored buoys and coastal weather stations, and integrated monitoring approaches, including modelling and simulation studies. Between 30 and 50 years of comprehensive marine data now exist, which are proving useful in the application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries monitoring and management, as decadal changes become discernible. These observations need to continue; even though the single-species stock assessment and operational management procedures have not yet formally used environmental factors for fisheries management advice, they help us to understand the factors affecting fish population fluctuations and early life histories and to identify large-scale regime shifts where marine trophic structure and functioning alter to a new state.

Morphometric alterations in Mytilus galloprovincialis granulocytes: A new biomarker

AbstractBivalve molluscs, particularly marine mussels, are used widely as sentinel organisms in environmental quality monitoring and assessment. Biochemical and cellular responses to pollutant exposure (i.e., biomarkers) increasingly are investigated in mussel tissues and their measurements largely used in marine environmental monitoring. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible pollutant‐induced morphometric alterations in Mytilus galloprovincialis granulocytes in view of future applications as a sensitive, simple, and quick biomarker for monitoring and assessment applications. Granulocyte morphometric alterations were determined by image analysis on Diff‐Quick® stained cells. For the first time, the rapid alcohol‐fixed Diff‐Quick stain protocol, utilized in clinical and veterinary applications for immediate interpretation of histological samples, was shown to be suitable for rapid cytological staining of M. galloprovincialis haemocytes. The present study was carried out in standardized laboratory conditions and further validated in field conditions. Results show consistent pollutant‐induced enlargement of mussel granulocytes. This was verified by standardized biomarkers such as metallothionein concentrations in the digestive gland or lysosomal membrane stability in laboratory and field exposures. Results further suggest that the observed morphometric alterations can be used as a biomarker of chemical stress. Because no single biomarker generally is adequate for describing the complexity of effects induced by environmental pollutants on the organisms, we propose that morphometric alterations of granulocytes should be used in a biomarker battery in marine environmental monitoring programs such as Mussel Watch.

MORPHOMETRIC ALTERATIONS IN Mytilus galloprovincialis GRANULOCYTES: A NEW BIOMARKER

Bivalve molluscs, particularly marine mussels, are used widely as sentinel organisms in environmental quality monitoring and assessment. Biochemical and cellular responses to pollutant exposure (i.e., biomarkers) increasingly are investigated in mussel tissues and their measurements largely used in marine environmental monitoring. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible pollutant-induced morphometric alterations in Mytilus galloprovincialis granulocytes in view of future applications as a sensitive, simple, and quick biomarker for monitoring and assessment applications. Granulocyte morphometric alterations were determined by image analysis on Diff-Quick stained cells. For the first time, the rapid alcohol-fixed Diff-Quick stain protocol, utilized in clinical and veterinary applications for immediate interpretation of histological samples, was shown to be suitable for rapid cytological staining of M. galloprovincialis haemocytes. The present study was carried out in standardized laboratory conditions and further validated in field conditions. Results show consistent pollutant-induced enlargement of mussel granulocytes. This was verified by standardized biomarkers such as metallothionein concentrations in the digestive gland or lysosomal membrane stability in laboratory and field exposures. Results further suggest that the observed morphometric alterations can be used as a biomarker of chemical stress. Because no single biomarker generally is adequate for describing the complexity of effects induced by environmental pollutants on the organisms, we propose that morphometric alterations of granulocytes should be used in a biomarker battery in marine environmental monitoring programs such as Mussel Watch.

Development of the in vivo chromosome aberration assay in oyster (Crassostrea gigas) embryo–larvae for genotoxicity assessment

Bioassay methods currently used to assess the toxicity of effluents, transitional and marine waters measure endpoints such as larval immobilisation or mortality, however, they offer limited data regarding important sub-lethal effects, including genotoxicity. The metaphase chromosome aberration (CAb) assay is routinely used in mammalian systems for testing samples for genotoxicity. In the current study, an in vivo CAb test system has been developed and optimised for use with the early (embryo-larval) life stages of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, a species used routinely in both effluent hazard assessment and marine environmental monitoring programmes. The method was validated with two reference mutagens: Methylmethanesulfonate, a direct acting mutagen; and benzo[a]pyrene an indirect acting reference mutagen.

Evaluation of purge-and-trap–high-resolution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of 27 volatile organic compounds in marine water at the ng l −1 concentration level

Purge-and-trap combined with high-resolution gas chromatography and detection by mass spectrometry was evaluated for the analysis of 27 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in marine water samples down to ng l −1 concentration levels. The target compounds included chlorinated alkanes and alkenes, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and covered a wide range of VOCs of environmental interest. Limits of detection ranged from 0.15 ng l −1 to 6.57 ng l −1 for all VOCs, except for dichloromethane (41.07 ng l −1), chloroform (19.74 ng l −1), benzene (22.05 ng l −1) and 1,4-dichlorobenzene (20.43 ng l −1). Precision and accuracy were determined at a concentration level of 25.97 to 66.68 ng l −1. Besides method validation, emphasis was put on quality control and assessment during routine determination of VOCs in marine water samples. Analytical quality control charts were plotted for all VOCs and a standard addition test was performed, as proposed by the QUASIMEME (Quality Assurance of Information in Marine Environmental Monitoring Programmes in Europe) working group. The analytical charts were incorporated in a working scheme containing guidelines to be applied during routine determinations, ensuring the long time reliability of the analytical method. Results yielded by the QUASIMEME interlaboratory exercise on organohalogen measurements in seawater are presented. The exercise was attended by seven out of eight laboratories who agreed to participate. Samples taken along the Scheldt estuary, from Breskens (The Netherlands) to Temse (Antwerp, Belgium) were analysed according to the developed technique. Concentrations as low as 0.33 ng l −1 (1,2-dichloropropane) were detected near the mouth of the river Scheldt, while concentrations up to 326 ng l −1 for tetrachloroethene and 461 ng l −1 for cyclohexane were found in the vicinity of Antwerp.

Marine Sediment Certified Reference Material for Tin Speciation

A certified reference material for organotin analysis (NIES CRM No. 12 Marine Sediment) was prepared at National Institute for Environmental Studies. The starting material was a surface sediment sampled at the center of Tokyo Bay in 1989. The chemical and physical properties of the material indicated homogeneity of this CRM at practical level. Certified values are given for tributhyltin (0.19±0.03 mg TBT/kg dry wt.) and total tin (10.7±1.4 mg/kg dry wt.) contents and a reference value for triphenyltin (0.008 mg TPT/kg dry wt.) based on the analytical results from collaborative analysis. The organotin levels in this CRM are higher than the current average level of, but within the range of, TBT and TPT found in marine sediment along the Japanese coast. This CRM will be of practical value in the quality assurance of organotin analysis in marine environmental monitoring programs.

Quality assurance of information in marine monitoring: A holistic approach

Quality Assurance and Quality Control of the chemical measurement of the mandatory determinands in the Marine Environmental Monitoring Programmes (MEMPs), e.g. the North Sea Task Force (NSTF) and the Joint Monitoring Group of the Oslo and Paris Commissions, are to be developed in an international total quality management project supported by the EC. The project, QUASIMEME, Quality Assurance of Information in Marine Environmental Monitoring in Europe, is a holistic approach that will cover the design of the programme, sampling, chemical analysis, and evaluation of the data. Elements of the programme will include the introduction of quality management in a marine laboratory. The project will establish and coordinate a network of some 80 laboratories who contribute chemical data to the Marine Environmental Monitoring Programmes (MEMPs).

Conceptual basis for environmental monitoring programs∗

For the past several years the Marine Board of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, has been working on a study on a systems analysis of marine environmental monitoring programs (NAS, 1989). As a result of that study, a set of general technical criteria for designing and evaluating monitoring programs were developed. This paper attempts to illustrate some of these technical criteria against two already existing monitoring programs for terrestrial systems—one in southern Chile that is to be used as an integrated global baseline monitoring program (Wiersma el al, 1986; Rovinsky and Wiersma, 1987; Wiersma et al, 1988) and the other in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming (Bruns et al., 1988). This author, using the technical criteria developed by the above committee as a guide, formulated a set of questions. These questions were designed to reflect the technical criteria and at the same time be phrased in a way useful for someone to evaluate an existing or proposed monitoring network. These questions are: Have the information needs been clearly stated? Does the monitoring design reflect cause and effect? Will the data sets support a multi‐media risk assessment? Have preliminary studies been identified, including what data are already available and how will they be used? Is the monitoring system designed for ecosystem level analysis? Can the design support large space and time scales? Are the study boundaries clearly defined? How will the information be disseminated? Each of these questions is addressed below set against the pilot study in southern Chile and/or the Wind River Mountains study.