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Satellite services that deliver information about possible oil spills at sea currently use different labels of “confidence” to describe the detections based on radar image processing. A common approach is to use a classification differentiating between low, medium and high levels of confidence. There is an ongoing discussion on the suitability of the existing classification systems of possible oil spills detected by radar satellite images with regard to the relevant significance and correspondence to user requirements. This paper contains a basic analysis of user requirements, current technical possibilities of satellite services as well as proposals for a redesign of the classification system as an evolution towards a more structured alert system. This research work offers a first review of implemented methodologies for the categorisation of detected oil spills, together with the proposal of explorative ideas evaluated by the European Group of Experts on satellite Monitoring of sea-based oil Pollution (EGEMP).

Abstract The aim of this work is to assess trace metal pollution status (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the waters of Saronikos Gulf, Greece, in line with the WFD and MSFD European Directives, based on data collected over a decade (2000–2010). Dissolved metal background levels are estimated for the first time for Greek marine waters and the upper limits are: Cd: 0.574 nmol L−1; Cu: 8.26 nmol L−1; Ni: 7.94 nmol L−1; Pb: 2.60 nmol L−1; Zn: 115 nmol L−1. The variability of dissolved and particulate metals reflected the presence of several point sources and revealed the importance of natural mechanisms acting as non-point sources. The status of Saronikos Gulf is classified as ‘High’ for most metals studied. An exception to this is the enclosed Elefsis Bay where Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations are found above background. Our work will assist the implementation of WFD and MSFD directives in Greece.

The Beagle Channel is a remote subantarctic environment where mussel aquaculture initiatives have existedsince the early 1990s. Here we analyze phytoplankton biomass and composition, and the occurrence of harmfulmicroalgae species and their toxins at three sites during the period 2015?2016. The occurrence of potentiallyharmful algae was observed throughout the study period, including toxigenic dinoflagellates such asAlexandrium catenella (Group I of the A. tamarense complex), A. ostenfeldii, Dinophysis acuminata, Gonyaulaxspinifera, Azadinium sp., and the diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia australis and P. fraudulenta. Toxic dinoflagellates weredetected in low densities whereas a Pseudo-nitzschia bloom was observed in late February. Isolates of A. catenellaand P. delicatissima sensu stricto were phylogenetically characterized. The toxin profile of A. catenella wasdominated by GTX4, while P. delicatissima sensu stricto showed no production of the neurotoxin domoic acid inculture conditions. The results provide base-line information for the management of harmful algal blooms in thislittle explored subantarctic area. Fil: Almandoz, Gaston Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina Fil: Cefarelli, Adrián Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge: Sede Caleta Olivia - Santa Cruz | Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge: Sede Caleta Olivia - Santa Cruz | Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "san Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge: Sede Caleta Olivia - Santa Cruz; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Desarrollo Costero; Argentina Fil: Diodato, Soledad Lorena. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambientales y Recursos Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Montoya, Nora Gladys. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina Fil: Benavides, Hugo R.. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina Fil: Carignan, Mario Osvaldo. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina Fil: Hernando, Marcelo Pablo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina Fil: Fabro Cerreia Fus, Elena Ines. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina Fil: Metfies, Katja. Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung; Alemania Fil: Lundholm, Nina. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca Fil: Schloss, Irene Ruth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; Argentina. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; Argentina Fil: Álvarez, Marcela. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero. Dirección de Pesquerías Demersales. Programa Pesquerías de Peces Demersales Costeros; Argentina Fil: Ferrario, Martha Elba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina

Abstract The plankton was examined as an indicator of water quality in 14 shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei farms in Brazil in 2003. The ponds were categorized by high stocking density (>30 PL m −2 ) of phytoplankton, consisting of 51 species with concentrations ranging from 365,218 ± 416,615 cells mL −1 to 1,961,675 ± 3,160,172 cells mL −1 . Diatoms contributed to almost 70% of the species number and high densities resulted from Cyanophyta blooms, mainly Pseudanabaena cf limnetica . Forty zooplankton taxa were registered and were essentially composed of typical marine euryhaline species and suspension-feeders. Copepoda dominated (45%) the make-up, followed by Protozoa (18%), Rotifera (12%), and Mollusca (12%) larvae. Zooplankton varied from 972 ± 209 ind m −3 to 4235 ± 2877 ind m −3 . Enhanced nutrient input affected plankton density and composition. Diatom and Copepoda dominance was replaced by cyanobacteria, protozoan, and rotifers as nutrient concentrations increased with the cultured period, indicating that plankton structure is affected by eutrophic conditions.

High-throughput sequencing of microbial assemblages has been proposed as an alternative methodology to the traditional ones used in marine monitoring and environmental assessment. Here, we evaluated pico- and nanoplankton diversity as ecological indicators in NW Mediterranean coastal waters by comparing their diversity in samples subjected to varying degrees of continental pressures. Using metabarcoding of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, we explored whether alphadiversity indices, abundance of Operational Taxonomic Units and taxonomic groups (and their ratios) provide information on the ecological quality of coastal waters. Our results revealed that only eukaryotic diversity metrics and a limited number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa displayed potential in assessing continental influences in our surveyed area, resulting thus in a restrained potential of microbial plankton diversity as an ecological indicator. Therefore, incorporating microbial plankton diversity in environmental assessment could not always result in a significant improvement of current marine monitoring strategies This work is an outcome of the DEVOTES (Development of innovative tools for understanding marine biodiversity and assessing GEnS) project, funded by the European Union (grant agreement n° 308392), and the Spanish grant GRADIENTS (Fine-scale structure of cross-shore gradients along the Mediterranean coast, CTM2012-39479-C02) With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI) 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, supplementary material https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111691 Peer reviewed

Water Quality issues in many Pacific countries are rising, with the increase in coastal populations and associated urban runoff but management requires contamination issues in the aquatic environment to be identified and prioritised. In Vanuatu and Solomon Islands there are few laboratories and resources to assess for the presence or impact of complex chemical contaminants. The extent and impact of chemical contamination of the marine and coastal environment is poorly described. Passive chemical samplers were used to measure a range of aquatic pollutants around the capital cities, Honiara (Solomon Islands) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). We detected a range of chemicals indicative of agricultural and industrial contamination and a few sites had concerning concentrations of specific hydrocarbons and pesticides. The rapid ecotoxicology test, Microtox, indicated toxic impacts in rivers, coastal sites and urban drains This work provides new data on chemical contamination and possible impacts of that contamination for both countries. The techniques could be applied widely across the region to generate critical data for environmental management, guide monitoring efforts and measure the impact of policy or land-use changes.

Sediment samples were randomly taken in March and August 2017 at the strandlines of nine locations along the coast of Slovenia (Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean). Microparticles were isolated by density separation in saturated aqueous NaCl-solutions and analysed by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). 11.3% of these particles were unambiguously confirmed as microplastics. Another 8.2% showed plastic characteristics but failed ATR-FTIR validation. 4.3% were naturally organic. The rest was unidentified material (76.2%). The average microplastic densities were 0.5 ± 0.5 MP kg−1 in March and 1.0 ± 0.8 MP kg−1 in August. The microplastics comprised fragments, fibres, films, and foams. The characteristics of the microplastics suggest origin from single-used plastic products and from aquaculture. Compared to other studies and sites, the microplastic pollution of the Slovenian coast appeared low. The validity of the results is discussed with respect to microplastic distribution and patchiness, sampling strategies, methodology, and scientific claims.

Marine bivalves are known to ingest microplastics, but information on the consequences for their physiological performance is limited. To investigate a potential exposure pathway that has not yet been addressed, we mimicked the resuspension of microplastics from the sediment in a laboratory exposure experiment. For this, we exposed the Asian green mussel Perna viridis to 4 concentrations (0mg/l, 21.6mg/l, 216mg/l, 2160mg/l) of suspended polyvinylchloride (PVC) particles (1-50μm) for two 2-hour-time-periods per day. After 44days, mussel filtration and respiration rates as well as byssus production were found to be a negative function of particle concentration. Furthermore, within 91days of exposure, mussel survival declined with increasing PVC abundance. These negative effects presumably go back to prolonged periods of valve closure as a reaction to particle presence. We suggest that microplastics constitute a new seston component that exerts a stress comparable to natural suspended solids.