Gotowa bibliografia na temat „Marine invertebrates – North Sea – Identification”

Seamounts are globally important and essential ecosystems for supporting and maintaining marine biodiversity. In the Mallorca Channel, three prominent seamounts are present: Ausias March, Ses Olives and Emile Baudot. Currently, this area is being evaluated for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. For this objective three surveys were conducted in the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel during July 2018 and July 2020. Samples of macro-invertebrates obtained in the deep sea revealed a rich fauna of Mollusca (68 species belonging to 40 families). New Mollusca occurrences included: four species of Gastropoda: Colus jeffreysianus, Cantrainea peloritana, Fusiturris similis, Gymnobela abyssorum, and seven species of Bivalvia: Pododesmus squama, Allogramma formosa, Asperarca nodulosa, Cetomya neaeroides, Spondylus gussonii, Haliris granulata and Policordia gemma. Where possible, the identification of these species was confirmed using the DNA barcoding method (sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I). This study contributes towards filling the gap in knowledge of deep-sea mollusc fauna of the north-western Mediterranean.

Abstract Greenstreet, S. P. R., Fraser, H. M., and Piet, G. J. 2009. Using MPAs to address regional-scale ecological objectives in the North Sea: modelling the effects of fishing effort displacement. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 90–100. The use of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to address regional-scale objectives as part of an ecosystem approach to management in the North Sea is examined. Ensuring that displacement of fishing activity does not negate the ecological benefits gained from MPAs is a major concern. Two scenarios are considered: using MPAs to safeguard important areas for groundfish species diversity and using them to reduce fishing impacts on benthic invertebrates. Appropriate MPAs were identified using benthic invertebrate and fish abundance data. Fishing effort redistribution was modelled using international landings and fishing effort data. Closing 7.7% of the North Sea to protect groundfish species diversity increased the fishing impact on benthic invertebrates. Closing 7.3% of the North Sea specifically to protect benthic invertebrates reduced fishing mortality by just 1.7–3.8%, but when combined with appropriate reductions in total allowable catch (TAC), 16.2–17.4% reductions in fishing mortality were achieved. MPAs on their own are unlikely to achieve significant regional-scale ecosystem benefits, because local gains are largely negated by fishing effort displacement into the remainder of the North Sea. However, in combination with appropriate TAC reductions, the effectiveness of MPAs may be enhanced.

Size-based analyses of marine animals are increasingly used to improve understanding of community structure and function. However, the resources required to record individual body weights for benthic animals, where the number of individuals can reach several thousand in a square metre, are often prohibitive. Here we present morphometric (length–weight) relationships for 216 benthic species from the North Sea to permit weight estimation from length measurements. These relationships were calculated using data collected over two years from 283 stations. For ten abundant and widely dispersed species we tested for significant spatial and temporal differences in morphometric relationships. Some were found, but the magnitude of differences was small in relation to the size-ranges of animals that are usually present and we recommend that the regression relationships given here, based on pooled data, are appropriate for most types of population and community analyses. Our hope is that the availability of these morphometric relationships will encourage the more frequent application of size-based analyses to benthic survey data, and so enhance understanding of the ecology of the benthic/demersal component of marine ecosystems and food webs.

The distribution patterns of many marine benthic invertebrates are not well known, and when records exist they are usually in the form of presence and absence data with little or no information on the relative density of populations from area to area.

Four marine bacterial strains, designated KMM 3587T, KMM 3586, KMM 3821 and KMM 3822, were isolated from the sipuncula Phascolosoma japonicum, a common inhabitant of Troitza Bay in the Gulf of Peter the Great (Sea of Japan region), and from an unidentified hydrocoral species collected in Makarov Bay (Iturup Islands), Kuril Islands, North-West Pacific Ocean. The strains were characterized to clarify their taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequences of KMM 3587T and KMM 3586 indicated 99 % similarity to Shewanella colwelliana. Despite such a high level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments demonstrated only 45–52 % binding with DNA of S. colwelliana ATCC 39565T. The DNA G+C contents of the novel strains were 45 mol% and the shared level of DNA hybridization was conspecific (81–97 %), indicating that they represent a single genospecies. The novel strains were mesophilic (able to grow at 10–34 °C), neutrophilic and haemolytic, and able to degrade gelatin, casein and Tween 20, 40 and 80, but not starch, agar, elastin, alginate or chitin. The major fatty acids were i13 : 0, i15 : 0, 16 : 0, 16 : 1ω7 and 17 : 1ω8 (68·9 % of total). The major isoprenoid quinones were Q7 (47–62 %) and Q8 (26–47 %). Eicosapentaenoic acid was produced in minor amounts. Based on these data, the strains are assigned to a novel species, Shewanella affinis sp. nov. (type strain KMM 3587T=CIP 107703T=ATCC BAA-642T).

AbstractAnalysis of offshore data at scales varing from macroscopic to kilometric suggest the former presence of permafrost in the North Sea. However due to the nature of marine data, the techniques used in recognizing features due to former permafrost differ from that used on land. The evidence can also occur in forms unique to the marine field. Awareness of the former existence of permafrost in the North Sea will aid geological assessment of offshore site investigations.

Throughout all kingdoms of life, a large number of adhesive biomolecules have evolved to allow organisms to adhere to surfaces underwater. Proteins play an important role in the adhesion of numerous marine invertebrates (e.g. mussels, sea stars, sea urchins) whereas much less is known about the biological adhesives from marine plants, including the diatoms. Diatoms are unicellular microalgae that together with bacteria dominate marine biofilms in sunlit habitats. In this study we present the first proteomics analyses of the diatom adhesive material isolated from the tenacious fouling species Amphora coffeaeformis . We identified 21 proteins, of which 13 are diatom-specific. Ten of these proteins share a conserved C-terminal domain, termed GDPH domain, which is widespread yet not ubiquitously present in all diatom classes. Immunofluorescence localization of a GDPH domain bearing protein (Ac629) as well as two other proteins identified in this study (Ac1442, Ac9617) demonstrated that these are components of the adhesive trails that are secreted by cells that glide on surfaces. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transdisciplinary approaches to the study of adhesion and adhesives in biological systems’.

Marine yeasts can occur in a wide range of habitats, including in marine invertebrates, in which they may play important roles; however, investigation of marine yeasts in marine invertebrates is scarce. Therefore, this study aims to explore the diversity of yeasts associated with corals and zoanthids in the Gulf of Thailand. Thirty-three coral and seven zoanthid samples were collected at two sampling sites near Mu and Khram islands. Fifty yeast strains were able to be isolated from 25 of the 40 samples collected. Identification based on sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed a higher number of strains in the phylum Basidiomycota (68%) than in the phylum Ascomycota. The ascomycetous yeasts comprised nine known species from four genera (Candida, Meyerozyma, Kodamaea, and Wickerhamomyces), whereas the basidiomycetous yeasts comprised 10 known species from eight genera (Vishniacozyma, Filobasidium, Naganishia, Papiliotrema, Sterigmatomyces, Cystobasidium, Rhodotorula, and Rhodosporidiobolus) and one potentially new species. The species with the highest occurrence was Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) ordination, no marked differences were found in the yeast communities from the two sampling sites. The estimation of the expected richness of species was higher than the actual richness of species observed.

The late Pleistocene–early Holocene transition period was characterized by rapid environmental change. Here, we investigate the impact of these changes on the marine invertebrates living in a shallow inlet of the post-glacial Goldthwait Sea. The site is located near Baie-Comeau (QC, Canada), where a number of remarkably well-preserved shell deposits are found along the Rivière aux Anglais Valley on the north shore of the St. Lawrence maritime estuary. Seven phyla of marine invertebrates with a minimum of 25 species or taxa were inventoried in a shell deposit, dominated by a community of Hiatella arctica with Mytilus edulis and barnacles composing the subcommunity. The majority of taxa identified in the shell deposit are boreal and sub-Arctic species; however, temperate species that exist today in the St. Lawrence maritime estuary have not been found. Based on marine invertebrate diversity and δ18O(CaCO3) of Mytilus edulis, the water in the shallow inlet of the Goldthwait Sea must have been cold and saline. The range of AMS 14C ages from 15 Mytilus edulis, constrained to 10,900 and 10,690 cal. yr BP, and exceptional state of preservation of adult and juvenile molluscan specimens suggest the abrupt mortality of entire invertebrate communities due to changing hydrodynamic conditions that included the combined effect of freshwater discharge from the receding Laurentide Ice Sheet and rapid isostatic uplift.

A massive attack of caprellids is reported here, that is related to a local mortality event of gorgonians in North Sulawesi. Three species of sea fans were affected by the presence of Metaprotella sandalensis, a caprellid widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. The degree of damage here documented was in relation to the skeletal features of the gorgonian species. The amphipod gut contents were analysed, highlighting an unusual trophic source for caprellids and a new predator for gorgonians. This phenomenon is discussed also evidencing parallels between colonial marine invertebrates and their predators and terrestrial plant–herbivore interactions.

Abstract Echinoderms (Phylum Echinodermata), which include sea urchins, starfish, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers, have a distinctive radial pattern which may take the form of five arms radiating from a central disc or a more globular or cylindrical shape, again with structures arranged in five rays (or multiples of five) (Fig. 12.1). A few exceptional types have more than five radii and in others a bilateral shape has been superimposed on the basic radial plan. Echinoderms are relatively large invertebrates and, with rare exceptions, they are benthic (bottom living) and very slow moving.

Abstract Numerous studies have shown that grazing by large invertebrates can be important in shaping seaweed assemblage structure, and that such grazing may have been important to macroalgal evolution. The questions of how important this interaction is to assemblage structure along the temperate shores of the north-east Pacific, and how important it may have been to evolution in this geographic region are reviewed. The reported effects of grazing on foliose algal cover at spatial scales from geographic to small patches suggest that grazing is generally (at most of the sites studied) important only in high intertidal-splash zone assem blages, where limpets, littorines, and other herbivores prevent the establishment of most seaweeds. While sea urchins can greatly reduce the cover of foliose plants in subtidal assemblages, this effect is highly variable in space and time. The importance of grazing to patch structure at scales of centimetres to metres is potentially high but remains largely unexplored. While grazers may have large effects in cleared areas during the early stages of intertidal succession, these effects are short-lived and grazer densities are only weakly correlated with recovery rate.

Abstract Most echinoderms have a distinctive radial pattern which may take the form of five arms radiating from a central disk (Fig. 15. I) or a more globular or cylindrical shape, again with structures arranged in five rows (or multiples of five) (Fig. 15.2). A few exceptional types have more than five radii and in others a bilateral shape has been superimposed on the basic radial plan. Compared to many other groups of marine invertebrates, echinoderms are large animals and, with rare exceptions, they are benthic (bottom living) and very slow moving. They are characterized by a number of unique internal organ systems and external appendages, the detailed form of the latter being used in precise identification of species. Up-to-date accounts of the general biology of the group are given in several good textbooks, some of which are listed in the bibliography. For the present purposes it is necessary to mention only selected characters.

The historical legacy of the TITANIC defies a brief manuscript of 20- plus pages. Much better, and more detailed work has been done to give the subject a “modern” context, notably by the United States Coast Guard in the Summer 2012 issue of Proceedings of the Marine Safety and Security Council, vol.69, no. 2, from which the following remarks draw heavily. The night of April 14, 1912 – the famous “night to remember,” chosen by Walter Lord as the title of his excellent history – presents us with many questions that will probably never be answered. Most of these are technical: the “what ifs” that, in one form or another, haunt us after, but usually not before, a disaster at sea. The importance of safety at sea is shown by the pictures available since 1985, showing the broken fragments of wreckage lying on the ocean floor south of Cape Race. Since the wreckage was located, we can see the pairs of empty shoes and boots that mark where human remains once lay. The TITANIC facts are familiar: at 11:40 P.M. on April 14, 1912, she collided with an iceberg. Two hours and 40 minutes later, the pride of the White Star Line began her two-mile plunge to the bottom of the North Atlantic. Of the 2,224 passengers and crew aboard, only 710 survived. While there have been sea disasters that produced greater loss of life, the sinking of TITANIC is probably the most famous and far-reaching maritime disaster in history. While the loss of TITANIC has been described as “perhaps the most documented and least commonly understood marine casualty in maritime history”, a positive result of the TITANIC disaster, and of course many other tragedies at sea that have occurred since, has been to establish a formal protocol of goals and procedures for analysis and investigation. These goals, from the point of view of the investigator/flag state, other governments, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and other regulators, is the identification of unsafe conditions, in order to identify them in advance of future disasters. Today, responsible regimes charged with administration of the safety of life at sea are said to follow a philosophy of prevention first and, then, response. The 1985 discovery of the wreck of the TITANIC sparked a new round of forensic investigation. The bow section was found largely intact with the stern section in hundreds of pieces approximately 2,000 feet away. The realization that TITANIC’s hull had broken at some point during the sinking added a new understanding of the already famous disaster. The discovery of the wreck also provided new forensic evidence in the form of recovered artifacts and detailed surveys. It was these new clues and advances in computer-driven engineering tools that gave rise to a revision of previously held beliefs. The significance of the TITANIC, and the events that led to such a large loss of life, remain with us today.

Abstract Subsea conductors are the foundational elements of offshore drilling operations, serving a dual purpose as both the structural framework and the main conduit for casing installation and wellbore access. These cylindrical structures, often made from robust steel, extend from the seabed to the surface, piercing through the water column to provide a stable, continuous path for the drilling operations and subsequent production activities. As the initial point of contact with the subsea environment, they play a pivotal role in ensuring the structural integrity of the drilling operation and maintaining fluid communication between the subterranean layers and the surface facilities. The environments in which subsea conductors operate are among the most challenging on Earth, characterized by extreme pressures, corrosive saltwater, variable temperatures, and the mechanical stress imposed by dynamic sea conditions. These factors can severely impact the longevity and functionality of the conductors, making their integrity crucial to the safety, environmental stewardship, and efficiency of offshore drilling operations. Any compromise in their integrity—be it through corrosion, physical damage, or blockages—can have far-reaching consequences. These range from operational downtime, costly repairs, and loss of production to more severe outcomes like oil spills, which pose significant environmental hazards, and catastrophic failures, which present grave safety risks to personnel and marine life. Given these stakes, the regular and thorough inspection of subsea conductors is not merely a procedural step but a critical necessity. Advanced inspection techniques, including the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), ultrasonic testing, and magnetic flux leakage methods, are employed to detect anomalies such as cracks, corrosion, or deposits that could impede the flow of hydrocarbons or compromise the conductor’s structural integrity. These inspections are complemented by sophisticated maintenance strategies designed to preemptively address potential issues, thereby avoiding unplanned operational disruptions. Furthermore, the design and installation of subsea conductors demand meticulous planning and execution to ensure they can withstand the operational lifespan of the drilling platform, often several decades. Engineers must account for various factors, including the geological characteristics of the seabed, the anticipated load from the drilling operations, and the environmental forces, to design conductors that are both resilient and compliant with international standards and regulations. The use of a trash cap during offshore drilling operations is an essential practice for safeguarding the integrity of the wellbore and the surrounding marine environment. A trash cap, essentially a protective cover, is placed over the wellbore or the conductor pipe to prevent the ingress of debris, sediment, and other unwanted materials that could compromise the drilling process. This need arises from the potential for various types of refuse, ranging from natural debris carried by ocean currents to remnants of drilling activities, to obstruct the wellbore. Such blockages can lead to operational delays, increased costs, and, in severe cases, the abandonment of the drilling site. Moreover, the trash cap plays a critical role in environmental protection during drilling operations. By preventing pollutants and drilling by-products from escaping into the ocean, it helps mitigate the impact on marine life and water quality. The cap also serves as a barrier against accidental spills of drilling fluids or hydrocarbons, which can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems. In addition to these protective functions, the trash cap facilitates the maintenance and inspection activities essential for the efficient operation of offshore drilling. It allows for a controlled environment in which inspections can be carried out, and maintenance or repair work can be performed without the interference of external conditions. This is particularly important in harsh weather or when dealing with sensitive ecological areas. In summary, subsea conductors are not merely physical structures but critical components that underpin the viability and safety of offshore drilling operations. Their role extends beyond facilitating drilling activities to encompassing the safeguarding of environmental and personnel safety. As such, the integrity of these conduits is paramount, necessitating a regime of rigorous inspection, maintenance, and when necessary, repair, to mitigate the risks associated with their operation in the demanding offshore environment. This comprehensive approach ensures the continued efficiency, safety, and environmental compatibility of offshore drilling ventures, highlighting the sophisticated balance between engineering prowess and environmental responsibility in the pursuit of energy resources. The installation of subsea conductors during offshore drilling operations encompasses a range of complex challenges, stemming from both the harsh marine environment and the intricate engineering requirements of deep-water exploration. One of the foremost difficulties is the precise placement of these conductors on the seabed, which requires sophisticated navigation and positioning technologies to ensure accuracy in depths that can extend to several thousand feet. Environmental conditions such as strong ocean currents, high waves, and unpredictable weather further complicate this task, posing risks to both the equipment and the safety of the personnel involved. Additionally, the structural integrity of subsea conductors must be maintained against the immense pressures and corrosive elements found in deep-sea environments. This necessitates the use of materials and coatings that can withstand such conditions over long periods, alongside innovative design solutions to counteract the physical stresses imposed by the water depth and seabed conditions. The variability of the seabed’s geology also presents a significant challenge, as soft sediments may require different installation techniques compared to more stable rock formations. Another critical issue is the potential for environmental impact, which demands meticulous planning and execution to minimize disturbances to marine ecosystems. The installation process must adhere to stringent environmental regulations and best practices to prevent damage to marine life and habitats. Furthermore, the logistical complexities of transporting and handling the heavy and cumbersome conductor pipes and installation equipment in the open sea cannot be underestimated. This requires not only specialized vessels and machinery but also highly skilled personnel to execute the operations safely and efficiently. Overcoming these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines advanced technological solutions, detailed environmental assessments, and robust engineering and operational planning. The ability to adapt to the dynamic and demanding conditions of offshore drilling is crucial for the successful installation of subsea conductors, underscoring their critical role in the exploration and production of offshore hydrocarbon resources. This paper delves into the intricacies of a state-of-the-art drop-down camera system, meticulously designed and engineered for the internal inspection of subsea conductors. The emphasis is on the system’s development, from conceptualization through to testing and operational deployment, highlighting its role in preempting operational issues by identifying and removing debris or obstructions within the conductors. The deployment of this technology at the North Safa platform represents a significant advancement in subsea inspection methodologies. GUPCO, a joint venture between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and a Dragon oil which is a leading international oil company, has played a pivotal role in harnessing the potential of the North Safa Oil Field through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. The camera system is equipped with high-resolution imaging capabilities, bolstered by powerful LED lighting to ensure clarity and visibility in the deep-sea environment. A key feature of the system is its flexibility, facilitated by a durable tether that allows the camera to navigate the complex architecture of subsea conductors with precision. This flexibility is critical for the thorough inspection of conductor slots, which can vary widely in design and condition. Operational deployment involves lowering the camera system into the conductor from the platform. A subsea Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) plays a pivotal role in guiding the system through the conductor’s slots, a task that requires meticulous control and navigation to avoid damaging the conductor’s internal surfaces. The inspection process is comprehensive, focusing on the identification of potential obstructions, debris, and signs of wear or damage that could compromise the conductor’s integrity. The real-time data transmission capability of the camera system is a significant technological advancement, enabling instant analysis and decision-making. This feature is particularly beneficial for offshore operations where time is of the essence, and rapid responses to potential issues are necessary to prevent downtime or accidents. Results from the system’s deployment on the North Safa platform have been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting and eliminating potential threats to conductor integrity. The high-resolution cameras provide detailed imagery of the conductor walls, revealing even the smallest particles or blockages that could pose a risk to drilling operations. This level of detail is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of offshore drilling activities. The implications of this technology extend far beyond the immediate benefits of cleaner and safer conductors. By enhancing the reliability of subsea infrastructure, the camera system contributes to the overall operational efficiency of offshore drilling operations. It represents a proactive approach to maintenance and safety management, reducing the likelihood of unforeseen disruptions and the associated costs. Moreover, the adoption of such sophisticated inspection technologies underscores the offshore industry’s commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. By ensuring the integrity of critical infrastructure, the industry can mitigate the risks of spills and accidents, contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems. In conclusion, the development and deployment of the drop-down camera system for subsea conductor inspection mark a significant technological leap in offshore drilling operations. Its success in the North Safa platform demonstrates the system’s potential for broader industry adoption, offering a viable solution for enhancing the safety and efficiency of subsea drilling activities. The system’s ability to provide detailed, real-time insights into the condition of subsea conductors sets a new standard for operational excellence in the offshore oil and gas industry. As the industry continues to explore and exploit deep-water reserves, the importance of such advanced inspection technologies will only increase, underscoring their role in ensuring the sustainable and safe development of offshore resources.

DIPLANOAGAP: Distribution of Plastics in the North Atlantic Garbage Patch Ponta Delgada (Portugal) – Malaga (Spain) 17.08. – 12.09.2019 The expedition POS 536 is part of a multi-disciplinary research initiative of GEOMAR investigating the origin, transport and fate of plastic debris from estuaries to the oceanic garbage patches. The main focus will be on the vertical transfer of plastic debris from the surface and near-surface waters to the deep sea and on the processes that mediate this transport. The obtained data will help to develop quantitative models that provide information about the level of plastic pollution in the different compartments of the open ocean (surface, water column, seafloor). Furthermore, the effects of plastic debris on marine organisms in the open ocean will be assessed. The cruise will provide data about the: (1) abundance of plastic debris with a minimum size of 100 μm as well as the composition of polymer types in the water column at different depths from the sea surface to the seafloor including the sediment, (2) abundance and composition of plastic debris in organic aggregates (“marine snow”), (3) in pelagic and benthic organisms (invertebrates and fish) and in fecal pellets, (4) abundance and the identity of biofoulers (bacteria, protozoans and metazoans) on the surface of plastic debris from different water depths, (5) identification of chemical compounds (“additives”) in the plastic debris and in water samples.

Description: Shipping is responsible for a range of different pressures affecting air quality, climate, and the marine environment. Most social and economic analyses of shipping have focused on air pollution assessment and how shipping may impact climate change and human health. This risks that policies may be biased towards air pollution and climate change, whilst impacts on the marine environment are not as well known. One example is the sulfur regulation introduced in January 2020, which requires shipowners to use a compliant fuel with a sulfur content of 0.5% (0.1% in SECA regions) or use alternative compliance options (Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, EGCS) that are effective in reducing sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions to the atmosphere. The EGCS cleaning process results in large volumes of discharged water that includes a wide range of contaminants. Although regulations target SOx removal, other pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals and combustion particles are removed from the exhaust to the wash water and subsequently discharged to the marine environment. Based on dilution series of the Whole Effluent Testing (WET), the impact of the EGCS effluent on marine invertebrate species and on phytoplankton was found to vary between taxonomic groups, and between different stages of the invertebrate life cycle. Invertebrates were more affected than phytoplankton, and the most sensitive endpoint detected in the present project was the fertilisation of sea urchin eggs, which were negatively affected at a sample dilution of 1 : 1,000,000. Dilutions of 1: 100,000 were harmful to early development of several of the tested species, including mussels, polychaetes, and crustaceans. The observed effects at these low concentrations of EGCS effluent were reduced egg production, and deformations and abnormal development of the larvae of the species. The ecotoxicological data produced in the EMERGE project were used to derive Predicted No Effect Concentration values. Corresponding modelling studies revealed that the EGCS effluent can be considered as a single entity for 2-10 days from the time of discharge, depending on the environmental conditions like sea currents, winds, and temperature. Area 10-30 km outside the shipping lanes will be prone to contaminant concentrations corresponding to 1 : 1,000,000 dilution which was deemed harmful for most sensitive endpoints of WET experiments. Studies for the Saronikos Gulf (Aegean Sea) revealed that the EGCS effluent dilution rate exceeded the 1 : 1,000,000 ratio 70% of the time at a distance of about 10 km from the port. This was also observed for 15% of the time within a band of 10 km wide along the shipping lane extending 500 km away from the port of Piraeus. When mortality of adult specimens of one of the species (copepod Acartia tonsa) was used as an endpoint it was found to be 3-4 orders of magnitude less sensitive to EGCS effluent than early life stage endpoints like fertilisation of eggs and larval development. Mortality of Acartia tonsa is commonly used in standard protocols for ecotoxicological studies, but our data hence shows that it seriously underestimates the ecologically relevant toxicity of the effluent. The same is true for two other commonly used and recommended endpoints, phytoplankton growth and inhibition of bioluminescence in marine bacteria. Significant toxic effects were reached only after addition of 20-40% effluent. A marine environmental risk assessment was performed for the Öresund region for baseline year 2018, where Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PECs) of open loop effluent discharge water were compared to the PNEC value. The results showed modelled concentrations of open loop effluent in large areas to be two to three orders of magnitude higher than the derived PNEC value, yielding a Risk Characterisation Ratio of 500-5000, which indicates significant environmental risk. Further, it should be noted that between 2018-2022 the number of EGCS vessels more than quadrupled in the area from 178 to 781. In this work, the EGCS discharges of the fleet in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea area were studied in detail. The assessments of impacts described in this document were performed using a baseline year 2018 and future scenarios. These were made for the year 2050, based on different projections of transport volumes, also considering the fuel efficiency requirements and ship size developments. From the eight scenarios developed, two extremes were chosen for impact studies which illustrate the differences between a very high EGCS usage and a future without the need for EGCS while still compliant to IMO initial GHG strategy. The scenario without EGCS leads to 50% reduction of GHG emissions using low sulfur fuels, LNG, and methanol. For the high EGCS adoption scenario in 2050, about a third of the fleet sailing the studied sea areas would use EGCS and effluent discharge volumes would be increased tenfold for the Baltic Sea and hundredfold for the Mediterranean Sea when compared to 2018 baseline discharges. Some of the tested species, mainly the copepods, have a central position in pelagic food webs as they feed on phytoplankton and are themselves the main staple food for most fish larvae and for some species of adult fish, e.g., herring. The direct effect of the EGSE on invertebrates will therefore have an important indirect effect on the fish feeding on them. Effects are greatest in and near shipping lanes. Many important shipping lanes run close to shore and archipelago areas, and this also puts the sensitive shallow water coastal ecosystems at risk. It should be noted that no studies on sub-lethal effects of early 19 life stages in fish were included in the EMERGE project, nor are there any available data on this in the scientific literature. The direct toxic effects on fish at the expected concentrations of EGCS effluent are therefore largely unknown. According to the regional modelling studies, some of the contaminants will end up in sediments along the coastlines and archipelagos. The documentation of the complex chemical composition of EGCS effluent is in sharp contrast to the present legislation on threshold levels for content in EGCS effluent discharged from ships, which includes but a few PAHs, pH, and turbidity. Traditional assessments of PAHs in environmental and marine samples focus only on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of 16 priority PAHs, which includes only parent PAHs. Considering the complex PAHs assemblages and the importance of other related compounds, it is important to extend the EPA list to include alkyl-PAHs to obtain a representative monitoring of EGCS effluent and to assess the impact of its discharges into the marine environment. An economic evaluation of the installation and operational costs of EGCS was conducted noting the historical fuel price differences of high and low sulfur fuels. Equipment types, installation dates and annual fuel consumption from global simulations indicated that 51% of the global EGCS fleet had already reached break-even by the end of 2022, resulting in a summarised profit of 4.7 billion €2019. Within five years after the initial installation, more than 95% of the ships with open loop EGCS reach break-even. The pollutant loads from shipping come both through atmospheric deposition and direct discharges. This underlines the need of minimising the release of contaminants by using fuels which reduce the air emissions of harmful components without creating new pollution loads through discharges. Continued use of EGCS and high sulfur fossil fuels will delay the transition to more sustainable options. The investments made on EGCS enable ships to continue using fossil fuels instead of transitioning away from them as soon as possible as agreed in the 2023 Dubai Climate Change conference. Continued carriage of residual fuels also increases the risk of dire environmental consequences whenever accidental releases of oil to the sea occur.

This map depicts the geomorphology of the Chatham Sound area, British Columbia, and is based on bathymetry and backscatter data from multibeam sonar surveys, complemented by 3.5 kHz subbottom profiler data, grab samples, cores, and bottom photographs. The map encompasses three physiographic areas: 1) the easternmost portion of Dogfish Banks; 2) the north-south oriented Hecate trough; and 3) the maze of channels and inlets east of Hecate trough. The morphological and textural complexity reflects the underlying bedrock, glacial history, a complex pattern of postglacial relative sea-level change, and modern oceanographic processes. Hexactinellid sponge reefs are a significant component of the seafloor mosaic. The criteria for reef identification were positive relief, low backscatter strength, and acoustic transparency.

Cruise AL534/2 is part of a multi-disciplinary research initiative as part of the JPI Oceans project HOTMIC and sought to investigate the origin, transport and fate of plastic debris from estuaries to the oceanic garbage patches. The main focus of the cruise was on the horizontal transfer of plastic debris from major European rivers into shelf regions and on the processes that mediate this transport. Stations were originally chosen to target the outflows of major European rivers along the western Europe coast between Malaga (Spain) and Kiel (Germany), although some modifications were made in response to inclement weather. In total, 16 stations were sampled along the cruise track. The sampling scheme was similar for most stations, and included: 1) a CTD cast to collect water column salinity and temperature profiles, and discrete samples between surface and seafloor, 2) sediment sampling with Van Veen grab and mini-multi corer (mini-MUC), 3) suspended particle and plankton sampling using a towed Bongo net and vertical WP3 net, and 4) surface neusten sampling using a catamaran trawl. At a subset of stations with deep water, suspended particles were collected using in situ pumps deployed on a cable. During transit between stations, surface water samples were collected from the ship’s underway seawater supply, and during calm weather, floating litter was counted by visual survey teams. The samples and data collected on cruise AL534/2 will be used to determine the: (1) abundance of plastic debris in surface waters, as well as the composition of polymer types, originating in major European estuaries and transported through coastal waters, (2) abundance and composition of microplastics (MP) in the water column at different depths from the sea surface to the seafloor including the sediment, (3) abundance and composition of plastic debris in pelagic and benthic organisms (invertebrates), (4) abundance and identity of biofoulers (bacteria, protozoans and metazoans) on the surface of plastic debris from different water depths, (5) identification of chemical compounds (“additives”) in the plastic debris and in water samples.