Sea Marine Research Articles

Connecting young people to Country through marine turtle conservation: exploring three case studies in Western Australia’s Pilbara region

The world’s oceans are confronting many challenges, which are affecting threatened species such as marine turtles. To address these challenges, it is imperative that pro-environmental behaviors are cultivated in the wider community, and young people are provided opportunities to overcome socio-economic and geographical barriers to meaningfully experience nature. In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Aboriginal Traditional Custodians share a deep connection and caring relationship with Country. Collaboration and partnership between Traditional Custodians and conservation programs are essential for empowering Aboriginal young people as future conservation leaders and to achieve long-term conservation goals. Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, a government department, has been working with schools and community organisations across the Pilbara to support access to remote Sea Country and marine turtle conservation experiences for Aboriginal young people. By examining three case studies demonstrating the collaboration among the North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program, West Pilbara Turtle Program, Waalitj Foundation, Onslow School and Roebourne District High School, this article explores the importance of building partnerships, providing additional on-Country opportunities for young people, and enabling future pathways for the longevity of long-term conservation programs and the health of the environment and communities.

Shewanella youngdeokensis sp. nov. Isolated from Marine Sediment and Sea Water of East Sea in Republic of Korea

The strain DAU334T, which was obtained from samples of sea water and sediments collected from the East Sea in the Republic of Korea, is a rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative bacterium. It is facultative and positive for the oxidase and catalase enzymes. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA sequences, it was determined that strain DAU334T had the highest degree of similarity to several strains of Shewanella species, i.e., S. schlegeliana HRKA1T (99%), S. halifaxensis HAE-EB4T (99%), S. pneumatophori SCRC-2738T (99%), S. sairae SM2-1T (99%), and S. marinintestina IK-1T (1419/1440, 99%), respectively. The complete genome sequence consisted of one contig with 4 343 646 bp, and the genome G+C content was 43.12%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and average amino acid identity (AAI) between strain DAU334T and its closest relatives were 77.85‒71.10, 82.14‒67.07, and 22.60‒19.70%, respectively. The major fatty acids (>10%) of strain DAU334T were iso-C13:0 and Summed feature 3 (C16:1 w7c and/or C16:1 w6c). The respiratory quinones were ubiquinone 7 (Q7), ubiquinone 8 (Q8), menaquinone 7 (MK-7), menaquinone 8 (MK-8), methylated menaquinone 7 (MMK-7), and an unidentified one. According to the results of polyphasic analyses, the strain DAU334T belongs to a novel species within the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanellayoungdeokensis sp. nov. (type strain DAU334T = KCTC 72428T = JCM 35745T = KCCM 43479T) is proposed.

The evolutionary path of the epithelial sodium channel δ-subunit in Cetartiodactyla points to a role in sodium sensing.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays a key role in osmoregulation in tetrapod vertebrates and is a candidate receptor for salt taste sensation. There are four ENaC subunits (α, β, γ, δ) which form αβγ- or δβγ ENaCs. While αβγ-ENaC is a 'maintenance protein' controlling sodium and potassium homeostasis, δβγ-ENaC might represent a 'stress protein' monitoring high sodium concentrations. The δ-subunit emerged with water-to-land transition of tetrapod vertebrate ancestors. We investigated the evolutionary path of ENaC-coding genes in Cetartiodactyla, a group comprising even-toed ungulates and the cetaceans (whales/dolphins) which transitioned from terrestrial to marine environments in the Eocene. The genes SCNN1A (α-ENaC), SCNN1B (β-ENaC) and SCNN1G (γ-ENaC) are intact in all 22 investigated cetartiodactylan families. While SCNN1D (δ-ENaC) is intact in terrestrial Artiodactyla, it is a pseudogene in 12 cetacean families. A fusion of SCNN1D exons 11 and 12 under preservation of the open reading frame was observed in the Antilopinae, representing a new feature of this clade. Transcripts of SCNN1A , SCNN1B and SCNN1G were present in kidney and lung tissues of Bottlenose dolphins, highlighting αβγ-ENaC's role as a maintenance protein. Consistent with SCNN1D loss, Bottlenose dolphins and Beluga whales did not show behavioural differences to stimuli with or without sodium in seawater-equivalent concentrations. These data suggest a function of δ-ENaC as a sodium sensing protein which might have become obsolete in cetaceans after the migration to high-salinity marine environments. Consistently, there is reduced selection pressure or pseudogenisation of SCNN1D in other marine mammals, including sirenians, pinnipeds and sea otter.

Reconstruction of Hourly Gap-Free Sea Surface Skin Temperature from Multi-Sensors

The sea surface skin temperature (SSTskin) is of critical importance with regard to air–sea interactions and marine carbon circulation. At present, no single remote sensor is capable of providing a gap-free SSTskin. The use of data fusion techniques is therefore essential for the purpose of filling these gaps. The extant fusion methodologies frequently fail to account for the influence of depth disparities and the diurnal variability of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) retrieved from multi-sensors. We have developed a novel approach that integrates depth and diurnal corrections and employs advanced data fusion techniques to generate hourly gap-free SST datasets. The General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) is employed to model the diurnal variability of the SST profile, incorporating depth and diurnal corrections. Subsequently, the corrected SSTs at the same observed time and depth are blended using the Markov method and the remaining data gaps are filled with optimal interpolation. The overall precision of the hourly gap-free SSTskin generated demonstrates a mean bias of −0.14 °C and a root mean square error of 0.57 °C, which is comparable to the precision of satellite observations. The hourly gap-free SSTskin is vital for improving our comprehension of air–sea interactions and monitoring critical oceanographic processes with high-frequency variability.

Time Series Clustering of Sea Surface Temperature in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Marine System

ABSTRACTSea surface temperature (SST) is a significant climatic variable that affects the climate of the Earth. Monitoring a location's SST pattern is useful for several research areas, including weather forecasting and climate change. In this study, the emerging hot spot and cold spot patterns of SST in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Marine System (MBMS) were examined, the spatial distribution characteristics and temporal changes of SST in the sub‐basins were analysed, and future predictions were made. A distinctive aspect of the research lies in the introduction of novel techniques, specifically the application of space time cube and evolving hot spot analysis, for visualising and evaluating SST in the MBMS. This approach sets the study apart by pioneering the utilisation of these methods in this particular context. In the examined region, SST demonstrates a decreasing trend from east to west and from south to north. The forecast suggests that this spatial distribution pattern will persist in 2033, further accentuated by the intensification of the warming effect. Nine different time series clusters are defined within this distribution pattern. Although it changes seasonally, the prevailing statistically significant hot spots in the study area are primarily characterised by new hot spots, intensifying hot spots, sporadic hot spots and oscillating hot spots. The trends of hot and cold spot clusters, along with SST values, were assessed for all sub‐basins in the MBMS. Conversely, the observed clustering category among statistically significant cold spots is identified as persistent cold spots, diminishing cold spots, sporadic cold spots, oscillating cold spots and historical cold spots. The spatiotemporal analysis in this research has provided notable insights, offering a spatial context to the previously explored temporal trends of SST in the MBMS.

Three New Antibacterial Mycophenolic Acid Derivatives from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. HN-66.

Three new mycophenolic acid derivatives, penicacids L-N (1-3), together with four known analogues, were isolated from a fungus Penicillium sp. HN-66 derived from a South China Sea marine sediment. The structures of compounds 1-3 were determined on the basis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR (1H, 13C, HSQC and HMBC) data analyses, and comparison of optical rotations. Antimicrobial activities of 1-7 were tested. The results showed that compounds 1-3 and 5-7 had weak inhibitory effects against E. coli ATCC 25922 with the MIC values of 50 μg/mL.

Bioassay-guided isolation and in Silico characterization of cytotoxic compounds from Hemimycale sp. Sponge targeting A549 lung cancer cells

Bioassay-guided fractionation approach led to identification of two novel compounds; (4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methoxy-1H-pyrazol (1) and mycalene (2), alongside with four known metabolites; octadecane (3), hexatriacontane (4), 1-heneicosanol (5) and heptatriacontanoic acid (6) from the Red Sea marine sponge Hemimycale sp. The ethyl acetate fraction showed a noticeable cytotoxic activity against the lung cancer cell line (A549) with IC50 value of 75.54 µg/ mL. Structural elucidation was achieved using a combination of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). To elucidate the potential mechanism of action behind the cytotoxic effects against lung cancer, a multi-faceted approach combining in silico network pharmacology, experimental validation, and molecular docking studies were employed. Both compounds, designated as 1 and 2, demonstrated significant binding affinities to predicted target proteins, with docking scores of -4.789 and − 4.421 kcal/mol, respectively. These results lay the groundwork for further investigation into the therapeutic potential of these novel compounds from Hemimycale sp. as promising candidates for lung cancer treatment.

Combined Impacts of Temperature, Sea Ice Coverage, and Mixing Ratios of Sea Spray and Dust on Cloud Phase Over the Arctic and Southern Oceans

AbstractWe analyze the importance of cloud top temperature, dust aerosol, sea salt aerosol, and sea ice cover for the thermodynamic phase of low‐level, mid‐level, and mid to low‐level clouds observed by CloudSat/CALIPSO over the Arctic and the Southern Ocean using an explainable machine learning technique. As expected, the cloud top temperature is found to be the most important parameter for determining cloud phase. The results show also a predictive power of sea salt and sea ice on the phase of low‐level clouds, while in mid‐level clouds dust shows predictive power. Over the Southern Ocean, strong zonal winds coincide with the aerosol distribution. While they can produce high mixing ratios of sea spray at lower levels, the strong zonal winds may prevent the pole‐ward transport of dust. Sea ice may prevent the release of sea salt aerosols and marine organic aerosols leading to higher liquid fractions in clouds over sea ice.

A gateway for access to solutions for underwater radiated noise

The SATURN (Solutions AT Underwater Radiated Noise) Virtual Research Environment (VRE) is a gateway for access to products generated by the SATURN project. The SATURN consortium aims to work in harmony with the purpose to identify: a. The sounds that are most detrimental to aquatic species and how they are produced and propagated. b. The short-term and cumulative long-term negative impacts of noise from shipping and boats on three representative groups of aquatic species in rivers and the sea (invertebrates, fish and marine mammals). c. The most promising options for measuring and reducing the negative impacts of ship noise that can be applied to current and future vessels. The objective of the present work is to outline some of the products, tools and methodologies of the SATURN Virtual Research Environment which intend to provide solutions and recommendations for underwater noise mitigation, while integrating the needs expressed by the user community. The SATURN VRE will foster use of data and data products, standardized methods, impact of URN on aquatic life, and solutions to decrease ship noise for usability beyond the project. The environment will be deployed and hosted by PLOCAN.

Chemical profiling, cytotoxicity and mode of action of sea urchin Echinometra mathaei exoskeleton extract in HepG2 cancer cell line

Marine organisms contain several secondary metabolites with potent biological and pharma­cological activities. This research aimed to study the cytotoxicity and mechanism of action of methanol (MeOH) extract from the exoskeleton (shell and spines) of the sea urchin Echinometra Mathaei on human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). E. mathaei was collected from the intertidal zone of the Red Sea, Al-Ain Al-Sokhna, Egypt. HepG2 cells were treated with the MeOH extract for 24 and 48 hours to assess the cytotoxic activity and the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression levels of apoptosis-, autophagy-, and cell proliferation-related genes and/or proteins were measured. In addition, metabolomic profiling of the extract was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The extract displayed cytotoxic activity on the liver cancer cells (IC50 29.47 and 14.97 µg/ml at 24 and 48 hours, respectively). It induced apoptosis, autophagy and inhibited cell proliferation of HepG2 cells. The metabolomic profiling showed that the extract is rich in fatty acids. These results demonstrated that the exoskeleton MeOH extract of E. mathaei induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells, confirming its cytotoxic effect. Therefore, a thorough investigation of its molecular target and structure is necessary to develop novel anticancer therapeutics from marine Sea urchins.

Of Clams and Clades: Genetic Diversity and Connectivity of Small Giant Clams (Tridacna maxima) in the Southern Pacific Ocean.

Giant clams (Tridacna and Hippopus) are large marine bivalves occupying tropical and subtropical reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Giant clam populations have declined in many areas of the Indo-Pacific and continue to be threatened by harvesting and environmental change. The small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific and has been subject to several phylogeographic studies across its range. However, given its broad range, there are several areas where the genetic diversity and connectivity of T. maxima populations has not been characterised. Here, we analyse the mitochondrial marker cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) to examine the genetic diversity and connectivity of T. maxima in two regions: Australia's Coral Sea Marine Park and the Cook Islands. Samples were collected from 13 reefs within the Coral Sea Marine Park and ten islands within the Cook Islands archipelago. Tridacna maxima across the sampled region of the Coral Sea did not display any population structure, whereas significant population structure was detected for T. maxima within the Cook Islands. For the Cook Islands, most pairwise comparisons involving an island in the northern group (Manihiki) were significant, as were comparisons for Palmerston (a more centrally located island) and the southern islands, Rarotonga and Mangaia. Both regions displayed high haplotype diversities (> 0.90), indicating that they are important repositories of genetic diversity. Additional CO1 data from throughout T. maxima's distribution showed that the Coral Sea clams belonged to the clade occurring in the South-Western Pacific Ocean, whilst those from the Cook Islands belonged to a unique clade found in the Central Pacific Ocean. This clade extended from Fiji in the west to French Polynesia in the east and the atolls of Palmyra and Tarawa (Kiribati) in the north. Our assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in these regions will assist with management decisions for the species.

Event-based wave statistics for the Baltic Sea

Abstract. Typical statistics, such as mean or percentiles, provide an excellent baseline for studying variations and changes in physical variables that have socioeconomic relevance. Nonetheless, they lack information on how often, and for how long, a certain wave height is exceeded, which might be needed for practical applications, such as planning marine operations. Using a 29-year wave hindcast, we determined the individual events where the significant wave height exceeded warning thresholds for Baltic Sea marine traffic (2.5, 4, and 7 m). During the summer months (JJA), the significant wave height exceeded 2.5 m less than twice a month. During the winter months (DJF), a significant wave height of 2.5 m was exceeded on average once a week in the larger Baltic Proper and Bothnian Sea sub-basins. Events with wave heights of over 7 m occurred roughly once every other year in the larger sub-basins. Our case study for fish-farm-related operations compared two sites that are located 10 and 30 km from the coast in the Bothnian Sea, where we determined wave events that could affect operations at the cage – meaning a significant wave height over 1 m. During the growth period of rainbow trout (May–October) there were roughly twice as many possibly disruptive events at the location further offshore than at the location closer to the coast. Even at the less-exposed location half of the wave events lasted more than 12 h, with a few events in September and October lasting around a week.

Forecasting the Mediterranean Sea marine heatwave of summer 2022

Abstract. Early warning of marine heatwaves requires short-term forecasts to provide precise information on timings, local-scale coverage, and intensities of coming events. Here, we describe our successful efforts to track the onset, peak, and decay of the Mediterranean Sea marine heatwave of summer 2022 with the Copernicus MedFS short-term (10 d) forecast system. First, we show that the 2022 event eclipses the economically and ecologically damaging event of 2003 in terms of marine heatwave (MHW) activity (a measure of intensity and duration). Forecasts of MHW area and activity provide a means of basin-wide validation, highlighting the capability of MedFS to capture regional behaviour. On local scales, we found that the MHW occurrence in the Ligurian Sea and Gulf of Taranto, two regions of economic and ecological importance, was also reliably forecast. Encouragingly, we note that the forecast has demonstrated skill in capturing not just the season-long MHW cycle but also breaks in MHW persistence and abrupt changes in local activity. Subseasonal forecasts do not yet demonstrate the capacity to predict MHW response to short-lived weather patterns, but this study confirms that short-term forecasts, at least in the Mediterranean Sea, can fill this gap.

Variability of marine heatwaves’ characteristics and assessment of their potential drivers in the Baltic Sea over the last 42 years

This study examined Baltic Sea Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) using 42 years of satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) data. We found that MHWs in warmer months are more intense but shorter compared to MHWs in cooler months. Also, MHWs predominantly affect offshore areas in warmer months, whereas MHWs predominantly impacting coastal seas in cooler months, especially along the eastern coast. Our analysis of interannual variability revealed that, unlike in many other basins worldwide, Baltic MHWs tend to maintain a constant intensity, while their spatial extent has significantly increased over the last few decades. Shortwave radiation notably influences MHW intensity and spatial extent, with additional impacts from longwave radiation in cooler months and latent heat flux in warmer months. Northern Hemisphere teleconnections exhibit stronger correlations with MHWs in the Baltic Sea compared to global-scale climate oscillations, with the Eastern Atlantic pattern having a particularly significant effect on MHW variability in the region.

The Southern Ocean marine ice record of the early historical, circum-Antarctic voyages of Cook and Bellingshausen

Abstract. The circumnavigations of Cook (second voyage, 1772–1775) and Bellingshausen (1819–1821) were attempts to find any great southern land mass poleward of ∼ 50° S and consequently involved sailing for three or two summers, respectively, in polar latitudes around Antarctica. Extensive sea ice eventually blocked each voyage's southern probes, although Bellingshausen, unknowingly at the time, saw the Antarctic continent. However, these attempts meant sea ice and iceberg records from the early historical period were collected nearly simultaneously from around much of Antarctica. Here, these records are extracted from journals, analysed, and compared to each other and the modern satellite record of both forms of marine ice. They generally show an early historical period with a more northerly record of both forms of marine ice than normal for today, but to a geographically varying degree. However, the early historical period in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean saw marine ice generally within the range of modern observations for the same time of year, but the Weddell Sea and Indian Ocean marine ice, particularly on Cook's voyage, then extended several degrees further north than in today's extreme ice years.

Future climate change and marine heatwaves - Projected impact on key habitats for herring reproduction

This study explores the impact of global climate targets on sea surface temperatures and marine heatwaves (MHWs) in the Baltic Sea. We further evaluate potential adverse climate effects on the reproductive success of the western Baltic Sea (WBS) herring stock, which underwent a dramatic decline during the past two decades. For this, we use refined ensemble climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. For the WBS herring spawning ground, the number of MHW days nearly triples from 34 days/year in the historical period, to 102 days/year already under the optimistic 1.5 °C target of global climate warming (Paris, 2015) and further increases at a rate of 36 to 48 [days yr−1]/0.5 °C beyond the 1.5 °C target. The average MHW surface extent more than doubles in the 1.5 °C target from ~8 % to 21 % in this area.This study finds the phenological winter climate considerably altered in response to future global warming and more frequent MHW days in the WBS. The winter duration reduces by ~25 % already in the 2.0 °C target but by ~60 % in the 4.0 °C target compared to the historical climate. Winter inceptions/terminations occur successively later/earlier and the share of missed winters, i.e. winters unsuitable to support herring reproductive success, increases by up to ~70 %. Days with heat stress on the cardiac function of herring larvae will likewise increase and occur earlier in the year. Consequently, the early life cycle of herring will face more often winter conditions that were unprecedented during the historical past, and the risk for future reproductive failure will increase. However, our results reveal that abiotic disturbances for the marine ecosystem can be partly mitigated if global warming remains compliant with the 1.5 °C target.

Total arsenic and arsenic species in selected seafoods: Analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography- inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and health risk assessment

The objective of the present study was to determine the inorganic and organic arsenic species and assess the actual risk of selected seafood produced in Sri Lanka in terms of inorganic arsenic species. A total of 80 samples, comprising 75 seafood samples and 5 freshwater samples, including mollusks, echinoderms, and crustaceans, were analyzed for their total arsenic (TA) levels and arsenic species. TA levels in seafood were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. Arsenic species, including arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenite (AsIII), arsenate (AsV), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), were selectively separated and quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ICP-MS, following water bath extraction with 30 mmol/L nitric acid. The TA levels in seafood ranged from 0.036 to 11.686 mg kg-1. The spike recovery values for the five arsenic species lay within 80 % to 120 %, and the chromatographic recovery percentages ranged from 85.5 % to 123.6 %. In most samples, 100 % AsB was detected. Sea cucumber and both marine and freshwater giant river prawns showed AsB percentages of the total arsenicals at 83.2 %, 39.7 %, and 21.3 %, respectively. DMA was found in sea cucumber and marine giant river prawn at levels of 0.065 mg kg-1 and 0.048 mg kg-1, respectively, while MMA was not detected in any samples. AsIII was found in marine water giant river prawn and freshwater giant river prawn at levels of 0.010 mg kg-1 and 0.044 mg kg-1, respectively. AsV was only found in marine giant river prawn at a concentration of 0.193 mg kg-1. No other samples contained detectable levels of inorganic arsenicals. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for marine and freshwater giant river prawn were 0.90 and 0.2, respectively, indicating no significant health risks since the THQ values were <1. Therefore, our study suggests that consuming the studied seafood does not pose any health risks in terms of arsenic.

Comparison of juvenile coral assemblages between Australia’s Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks

Densities of juvenile corals (≤ 50 mm diameter) are expected to vary between geographically isolated and more spatially proximate reefs, and may constrain local recovery potential. This study compared juvenile coral densities and their relationships with local abundance of adult congenerics at geographically isolated reefs within Australia’s Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP) versus highly connected reefs within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). Three latitudinal regions and two habitats (reef crest and slope) were examined within both marine parks to test for spatial variation. Densities of juvenile corals in the CSMP (13.99 ± 0.72 juveniles 10 m−2) were significantly lower compared to those in the GBRMP (23.72 ± 1.86 juveniles 10 m−2). Specifically, there were significantly less Acropora and Pocillopora juveniles on the reef crest in the central CSMP compared to the GBRMP. Relationships between juvenile abundance and percent coral cover were greatest for Acropora and Pocillopora in the GBRMP. This may be due to the low range of coral cover estimates recorded in the CSMP, especially for Acropora (0–15%). Low juvenile coral abundance, and in particular, the lack of fast-growing juvenile corals (e.g., Acropora) in the Central CSMP, in combination with low cover of broodstock (particularly Acropora) on CSMP reefs, poses a significant constraint on post-disturbance recovery capacity, possibly attributable to isolation and limited connectivity among reefs in this region.

Heavy metals concentration in sediment and their bioaccumulation in several organisms in Benoa Bay and Lembongan Island, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract. Putri PYA, Rastina, Prartono T, Ismet MS. 2024. Heavy metals concentration in sediment and their bioaccumulation in several organisms in Benoa Bay and Lembongan Island, Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 3230-3238. Human activities could be responsible for introducing heavy metals into coastal areas, and it can contaminate coastal waters such as the tourism area of Benoa Bay and coastal ecosystems of Lembongan Island, Bali, Indonesia. This study aimed to assess the extent of heavy metals on the sediment of those area and their accumulation rate in several marine organisms, including macro-algae (Ulva sp.), seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii), and sea urchin (Diadema sp.). Samples of surface sediments and marine organisms were collected at six stations for both areas and the presence of five heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Cr) was determined using the AAS method. The concentration those metals varied significantly across the six stations. The geo-accumulation index showed that the sediment has been contaminated by Pb and Cd. The ecological risk of heavy metals contamination in Benoa Bay was apparently higher compared to that in Lembongan Island. Marine organisms in Benoa Bay also significantly accumulated heavy metals than those observed in Lembongan Island. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) shows that Cd, Cr, and Pb were the most accumulated heavy metals in marine organisms (BCF&gt;1). It, therefore, suggest that future studies of the bioavailability of heavy metals and exploration the varying capacities of marine organisms are required. Such important information can be used to predict the accumulation of heavy metals in human bodies, and the possibly daily consumption of marine organisms caught from Benoa Bay and Lembongan Island waters.

Southern Ocean sea ice, icebergs, and meteorological data from maritime sources for the period 1929 to 1940

AbstractMaritime historical documentary sources of weather and state of sea surface including sea ice can aid in filling a known climate knowledge gap for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica for the first half of the 20th century. This study presents a data set of marine climate, sea ice and icebergs recovered from a collection of logbooks from mainly Norwegian whaling factory ships that operated in the Southern Ocean during 1929–1940. The data set comprises some 8000 weather and 4000 sea ice/open sea records from austral summers of the study period. This paper further discusses the structure and content of most common Norwegian maritime documentary sources of the period along with the practices of logging information relevant for the study, such as time keeping, positioning and making weather observations. An emphasis was made on recovery of notes on sea ice and icebergs and their interpretation in terms of WMO categories of sea ice concentration. Data, including ship‐related metadata from all individual documents are homogenized and structured to a common machine‐readable format that simplifies its ingestion into relevant climate data depositories.