The experimental research of sorption and destruction of diesel fuel by fucus algae of the Barents sea

There was shown the role of live and dry algae Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae) in the purification of the coastal waters from petroleum products. It was revealed that live algae can be effectively used for preventive, daily purification of marine water, when the content of diesel fuel does not exceed 3 mg/l. For the first time, the prospect of using dry fucus for bioremediation of marine water in emergencies creating a concentration of petroleum products in water of 1 g/l has been determined. In the case of using living plants to neutralize toxicant, the decisive role in the process belongs to the symbiotic association of algae and hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria. In case of using dry algae, dried macrophytes become a reservoir for the accumulation of diesel fuel. The main work on the destruction of hydrocarbons, probably, lies on HOB, as well as on physicochemical processes. Metabolic processes inherent in living algae and leading to the destruction of petroleum hydrocarbons weren’t determined in this case.

Screening Life Cycle Environmental Impacts and Assessing Economic Performance of Floating Wetlands for Marine Water Pollution Control

The growing environmental awareness of society, the advancement of nature-based solutions (NbSs), and the need for reliable and cost-effective solutions create a favorable environment of opportunities for floating wetlands as alternative solutions for marine water pollution control. The aim of this work was to screen, through OpenLCA, the environmental impacts of floating wetlands for marine water pollution control at various life cycle stages of the system, and assess its economic performance and contribution to the welfare of society. The stage of raw materials production and acquisition was found to be responsible for the main environmental impacts of the floating wetlands, especially on global warming potential, whereas the main impact of the operational stage was related to the eutrophication potential due to N and P residuals in the effluent. The economic performance indicators of economic net present value (ENPV), economic rate of return (ERR), and benefits/costs ratio (B/C ratio) indicate, although marginally, that floating wetlands may constitute a viable investment with potential positive socioeconomic impacts. However, there are still several scientific challenges and technical issues to be considered for the operational application of such systems at full-scale in marine environments.

Water Quality Assessment Using Daphnia: A Brief Review

Due to the need to discover methods that can measure the toxicity level of fresh and marine water quality, this study aimed to present a systematic review of the literature, indicating the culture conditions and toxicological tests used for different Daphnia species in the evaluation of water quality. Thus, the applied methodology was a systematic review that identified studies that addressed the application of Daphnia in the assessment of water quality. The results obtained from this research consisted of a compilation of articles, which presented the parameters most analyzed in Daphnia species, such as mobility and mortality, which can change when exposed to different chemical substances.

Acanthamoeba species isolated from marine water in Malaysia exhibit distinct genotypes and variable physiological properties

The present study identifies the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in five marine waters in Malaysia. Fifty water samples were collected between January and May 2019. Physical parameters of water quality were measured in situ, whereas chemical and microbiological analyses were conducted in the laboratory. All samples had undergone filtration using nitrocellulose membrane and tested for Acanthamoeba using cultivation and polymerase chain reaction by targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was identified using physiological tolerance tests. Thirty-six (72.0%) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba. Total coliforms (p = 0.013) and pH level (p = 0.023) displayed significant correlation with Acanthamoeba presence. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 27 samples belonged to genotype T4, four (T11), two (T18) and one from each genotype T5, T15 and T20. Thermo- and osmo-tolerance tests signified that three (8.3%) Acanthamoeba strains displayed highly pathogenic attributes. This study is the first investigation in Malaysia describing Acanthamoeba detection in marine water with molecular techniques and genotyping. The study outcomes revealed that the marine water in Malaysia could be an integral source of acanthamoebic strains potentially pathogenic in humans. Thus, the potential risk of this water should be monitored routinely in each region.

Market Survey of Fresh and Marine Water Fishes and Socioeconomic Conditions of Fish Retailers in Three Markets of Chattagram City

The study was carried out to survey the fresh and marine water fishes sold out in three markets of Chattagram city and socioeconomic condition of the fish retailers. Overall 29 fresh water and 24 marine water fish species were found to be sold in the three markets. Prices of fishes were higher in Kazirdewri Bazar followed by Riazuddin Bazar and Bohaddarhat Bazar. Data of fish retailers were collected through questionnaires in terms of age, income source, living standards, family size, financial facilities, literacy and education. Sole income came from fish business for 97% of the fish retailers, whilst 3% of the retailers did other business as well. Among 45 retailers interviewed, 40% were below 45 years, 53% were between 45-55 years and remaining 7% were above 55 years age. For coping with the business, 15% of the retailers were self-sufficient, 53% took loan from bank, whilst 32% took loan from local money lenders. Of the fish retailers, 34% was illiterate and 66% was literate, where 36% received up to primary level, 16% secondary level, 10% S.S.C and 4% H.S.C levels of education. In comparison with their education status their children were more educated (93%). Although their income was low, they tried to make their children educated, which is a good sign for our education sector. Transport cost, unhygienic market place, lack of sanitary facilities, poor ice-supply, exploitation by the middlemen, lack of proper management, lack of capital and the political disturbances were the common constraints of fish marketing. Necessary measures were recommended to overcome these problems. Bangladesh J. Zool. 49 (2): 277-288, 2021

Port Dickson Surface Water Quality Status: A Year with COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a planetary concern that affecting the sustenance of the human population all around the globe. The effective measured has been taken in Malaysia to control the virus transmission by limiting the human vitality which unsurprisingly propitious to the environment. A monitoring study was conducted to assess the water quality status of surface seawater along the Port Dickson coast based on the Malaysian Marine Water Quality Index (MMWQI) and Malaysian Marine Water Quality Standards (MMWQCS) with an interval period of a year (March 2020-March 2021). In situ, water quality parameters incorporate temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured at 14 sampling sites to evaluate the biochemical characteristics of water. Surface water samples were collected from the same sites and transported back to Universiti Putra Malaysia for nitrate (NO3-), ammonia (NH3), phosphate (PO4), biochemical oxygen demands (BOD), fecal coliform (Escherichia coli), and total suspended solids (TSS) analyses. The MMWQI showed the status of surface water from the Port Dickson coast was classified as moderate quality (50.41 - 64.05) for both sampling events. However, there are some indexes that showed significant decreases (p< 0.05) in the latter year. The concentration of nutrient pollution such as phosphate, nitrates, ammonia, fecal coliform as well as oil and grease, was decreased by 11.12%, 77.39%, 82.4%, 90.26%, and 99.9% respectively. The water parameters namely TDS, pH, and BOD levels were significantly decreased by 1.77%, 20.73%, and 77.16%. Certain parameters listed in the MMWQS such as temperature, pH, ammonia, fecal coliform, oil and grease were classified as Class 1 in March 2021. These occurrences recorded were greatly influenced by the reduction of the substantial human activities around the recreational beach of Port Dickson followed by the declaration of Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia.