Microplastic in Commercial Fish in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Part 1: The Mediterranean Sea

Microplastic has become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Microplastic in the oceans has detrimental effects on aquatic organisms. The presence of microplastic in marine fish heightens the chance of finding microplastic in seafood targeted for human consumption. The Mediterranean Sea is known to suffer from significant plastic pollution. It is also one of the most thoroughly studied water bodies in regard to microplastic contamination. The manuscript reviews the available literature of 2015-2021 on the presence of microplastic in commercially important fish species in the Mediterranean Sea. The literature data on microplastic content on beaches, in subtidal sediment, in the sediment from the ocean floor and in surface water of different regions of the Mediterranean Sea is reviewed, also.

Pulsed export of carbon in the north-western Mediterranean Sea

The short term(hourly scale)variability of heterotrophic prokaryote(HP)vertical distribution and respiratory activity,was investigated in the north-western(NW)Mediterranean Sea.HP vertical distribution was determined on board by flow cytometry analysis of seawater samples collected by series of CTD casts.Cell counts and viability were determined for all samples.HP respiratory rates were determined later in the laboratory from filtered seawater samples(23 dm^(3))from 300-1150-m depth.The average cell viability was 94.8%±2.2%(n=240).There was no accumulation of dead cells,due to quick decay of damaged cells.In the epipelagic layer,three HP groups were distinguished,two(HNA1,HNA2)who se cells exhibited a high nucleic acid content and one(LNA)with low nucleic acid content cells.HNA2 was most populated at 50 m but not detected at 90 m and below,presumably aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic bacteria(AAPs).The variability in HP abundance was mainly confined in the upper 80 m.A few secondary peaks of HP abundance were observed(80-150 m)in connection with abundance troughs in the surface layer.HP cells were continuously present in a wide layer around 500 m(mean 191×10^(3)cells/cm^(3)).Below this layer,HP abundance randomly exhibited peaks,coupled to respiratory rate peaks.The HP abundance and variability in the water column was suppressed during a strong wind event.The observed sporadic variability was tentatively interpreted through a pulsed carbon-export mechanism induced by the microorganism production of dissolved poly saccharide s,followed by flocculation and rapid sinking.This mechanism would thus contribute to(ⅰ)preventing organic matter accumulation in the epipelagic layer,(ⅱ)seeding the water column with live HP cells,and(ⅲ)supplying the aphotic water column with fre sh and labile organic matter.This important vertical flux mechanism needs further observations and modelling.

Impact of Sea Surface Temperature on COSMO Forecasts of a Medicane over the Western Mediterranean Sea

The paper describes and analyzes the sensitivity of an operational atmospheric model to different SST （sea surface temperature） estimates. The model＇s sensitivity has been analyzed in a Medicane （Mediterranean hurricane） test case. Numerical simulations have been performed using the COSMO （consortium for small-scale modeling） atmospheric model, in the COSMO-ME configuration. The model results show that the model is capable of capturing the position, timing and intensity of the cyclone. Sensitivity experiments have been carried out using different SSTs surface boundary conditions for the COSMO forecasts. Four different experiments have been carried out： the first two using SST fields obtained from the OSTIA （operational sea surface temperature and sea ice analysis） system, while the other two using the SST analyses and forecasts from MFS （Mediterranean Forecasting System, Tonani et al., 2015; Pinardi and Coppini, 2010）. The different boundary conditions determine differences in the trajectory, pressure minimum and wind intensity of the simulated Medicane. The sensitivity experiments showed that a colder than real SST field determines a weakening of the minimum pressure at the vortex center. MFS SST analyses and forecasts allow the COSMO model to simulate more realistic minimum pressure values, trajectories and wind speeds. It was found that MFS SST forecast, as surface boundary conditions for COSMO-ME runs, determines a significant improvement, compared to ASCAT observations, in terms of wind intensity forecast as well as cyclone dimension and location.

Neutron Activation Analyses Used to Study Elemental Accumulation in Some Marine Macrophytes (Mediterranean Sea Coast of Egypt)

The concentrations of Na, Mg, Al, S, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Th and U in 6 types of marine macrophytes (algae and seagrass): Gelidium pusillum (Stackhouse) Le Jolis, Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus, Amphiroa rigida J.V. Lamouroux, Hypnea sp., Cystoseira sp. and Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile (seagrass) collected from 3 stations along the Mediterranean Sea coast of Egypt were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The contents of elements in marine macrophytes indicated that they accumulated elements at different levels depending on their type of species (brown, red, green and seagrass) and the ambient water conditions. However, the concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Se, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cs, La, Sm, Eu, Yb, Hf, Ta, Au and U were very similar in all samples. In general the levels of classically investigated elements, particularly Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Zn determined in the macrophytes in the present study are lower or within the wide range of values previously reported for species of these genera sampled along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast.

Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Water and Sediment at Marsa-Matrouh, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt

In an attempt to evaluate the environmental quality of Marsa-Matrouh city which covered the most famous beaches in Egypt, an environmental risk assessment was performed, including a screening level ecological risk assessment. The aim of this work was to determine which metals could possibly pose toxic adverse ecological effects to marine organisms and to determine whether hot spots exist or not. To fulfill the goals of study, surfacial sediment and water samples were collected from ten different locations covering Marsa-Matrouh city during four seasons (2010-2011). The average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were 2.381 ± 3.389, 9.307 ± 14.159, 68.969 ± 9.397, 2.642 ± 1.004, 16.712 ± 8.469, 31.168 ± 15.322 μg/l in water and 0.755 ± 0.240, 5.363 ± 1.581, 962.131 ± 975.084, 3.972 ± 2.180, 15.210 ± 4.434 and 24.608 ± 7.706 μg/g dry weight in sediment respectively. The concentrations of the investigated six metals in water were within the acceptable limits except for two stations (Cleopatra and El-Obayed) which exhibited higher values than the permissible level of Cd during autumn 2010. Metal pollution assessment for both water and sediment was studied. Heavy metal pollution index indicates that water is not critically polluted with respect to the investigated metals. For sediment samples, threshold effect concentrations (TEC HQ) were lower than 1 except for Cd which showed higher value than 1, indicating the possibility of occurrence of toxic adverse ecological effects to benthic organisms for Cd, while rare adverse ecological effects are expected to occur with respect to Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.

Truth and consequences:the bioinvasion of the Mediterranean Sea

Over 660 alien marine multicellular species have been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea,with many establishing viable populations and subsequently dispersing from their points of entry.A brief overview is presented of the current state of knowledge of bioinvasions in the Mediterranean Sea,with particular attention paid to gelatinous invasive species.A database of alien species records was used to characterize their identity,pattern of expansion and native region,and to discuss the relative importance of different taxa and vectors in the various regions of the sea.The temporal and spatial spread of 4 alien scyphozoans and 2 alien ctenophores is outlined.Although thermophilic species constitute the majority of Mediterranean aliens,Erythrean aliens are predominant in the east,with shipping and mariculture being mainly responsible for introductions in the northwest.The propagule pressure driving the Erythrean invasion is powerful in the establishment and spread of alien species in the eastern Mediterranean.The implications of the enlargement of the Suez Canal,reflecting patterns in global trade and economy,are briefly discussed.Finally,as alien species inventories play a pivotal role in informing regional policy and management decisions and identifying resource priorities,the scientific community is called upon to pay particular attention to their accuracy and veracity.

Spring phytoplankton variability along a south coast of Sfax at the water-sediment interface(Tunisia,Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

Objective:To compare the composition of the phytoplankton classes during the two spring studies,to study whether the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton is stable or not between spring 2010 and spring 2011 and to estimate the abiotic factor that mostly affects the structure and the richness of phytoplankton.Methods:Phytoplankton sub-samples were counted under an inverted microscope using the Utermöhl method.Phytoplankton identification was made from morphological criteria after consulting various keys.Results:Results showed a significant difference from spring 2010 to spring 2011 regarding nitrate/phosphate ratio,with high value in spring 2010(30.19±25.70).Relatively low nitrate/phosphate ratio(1.13±0.53)during spring 2011 might result from phosphogypsum.Phytoplankton was characterised by the proliferation of Bacillariophyceae(46%–78%of the total microphytoplankton)and by the large number of Euglenophyceae.Thirty two Bacillariophyceae species were identified at every station,represented essentially by Amphora sp.,Navicula sp.,Coscinodiscus sp.and Grammatophora sp.The results advise that Bacillariophyceae are usually adapted to particular ecological environment.Conclusions:This study shows that hydrological conditions in the south coast of Sfax present a high spatial and seasonal variability.The phytoplankton community distribution showed clear variations along the coastal stations during a spring cruises conducted in May 2010 and May 2011.The phytoplankton community found along the coast was dominated by opportunistic Bacillariophyceae species.

Parasitic inventory of Balistes capriscus(Teleostei:Balistidae)from the Gulf of Gabès(Southern Tunisia,Central Mediterranean Sea)

Objective:To investigate the parasitic inventory of Balistes capriscus(Teleostei:Balistidae)(B.capriscus)from the Gulf of Gabès(Southern Tunisia,Central Mediterranean Sea).Methods:A parasitological survey of the grey triggerfish B.capriscus(Gmelin,1788)from the Gulf of Gabès(Southern Tunisia,Central Mediterranean Sea)was conducted monthly from May 2007 to April 2009.A total of 480 fishes were collected from commercial catches by pelagic trawl net at different fishing ports at Chebba(34°14'N,11°06'E),Kerkennah(34°45'N,11°17'E)and Zarzis(33°41'N,11°48'E).The weight,the size,the sex,the date and the area of capture of each specimen were recorded.B.capriscus were then examined to search for ectoparasites and endoparasites.For each parasite species,parasitological indices were calculated.Results:Five species of parasites were identified,among which a new species of Digenea Hypocreadium caputvadum was discovered and two species of parasites were reported for the first time in the Mediterranean.Conclusions:It is the first inventory of the ecto and endoparasites of grey triggerfish collected from the Gulf of Gabès Mediterranean Sea.

Relations between Low-Frequency Modes of Climate Variability and Air-Sea Heat Flux at the Mediterranean Interface

The main objective of this work is to examine statistical causality relationships between low-frequency modes of climate variability and winter （December to February） anomaly of net heat flux at the Mediterranean air-sea interface. The introduction of the concept of Granger causality allowed us to examine the influence of these climates indices on the net heat flux anomaly and to select Mediterranean surface regions that really influenced by each index. Results show that the winter anomaly of the net heat flux in the Algerian basin south and the gulf of Lion is mainly caused by the Arctic Oscillation. El Nifio-Southern Oscillation influences much more the Algerian basin north and the northern lonian Sea. The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation affects only the Alboran and the Tyrrhenian Seas. But the Adriatic and Levantine basin are impacted by any climate index. They also show that these climate indices can increase explained variance in winter variations of air-sea net heat flux by 10% to 15%, with a lag of three seasons. These relationships are less persistent and spatially limited.

Mercury speciation in aquatic environment south eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea,Egypt

This study aims to describe distribution and speciation of Hg in coastal water,fish and sediments from the Western harbour(main harbour)in Egypt and has been studied in two surveys.The slightly high annual mean of total dissolved mercury TDHg value(1.81 mg/L)in the surface layer might reflect the highest average surface value(6.09 mg/L),selected at the outer part,due to the entering the water loaded by industrial pollutants from El Mex Bay to the harbour water.In addition to the internal activities as petroleum Quay(petroleum basin)and in front of Noubaria Canal outfall(5.13 and 5.32 mg/L respectively).On the other hand,the increased levels of mercury in suspension(particulate form)during the study period may be due to the effects of heavy winter rain over the highly industrialized area,also the surface input of mercury and its regeneration at the sediment/water interface in the Harbour.In the present study,the total and methyl mercury in the studied fish was exceeded the regulatory limit of the European Union for mercury concentration in fishes.The contamination of S.luridus species was higher than that of the other studied species due to its habitat,represented by small schools in very shallow water close to the bottom sediments,and its different approach in nutrition.The present study of surface sediments reveals that,there were probably an uncomplexed strong Hg-binding site available in the sediments,the major portion of mercury found in these sediments is in organo-chelated form followed by acid reducible form.Vis,mercury in residual fraction(mercury of natural origin)is the relatively low portion observed.Even though the percentage of the first three fractions of mercury is relatively high,absolute values of these mobile Hg fractions are quite high due to the high total mercury values.

Contribution of the Sea Surface Temperature over the Mediterranean-Black Sea to the Decadal Shift of the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation

Recent observational study has shown that the southern center of the summer North Atlantic Oscillation （SNAO） was located farther eastward after the late 1970s compared to before. In this study, the cause for this phenomenon is explored. The result shows that the eastward shift of the SNAO southern center after the late 1970s is related to the variability of the Mediterranean-Black Sea （MBS） SST. A warm MBS SST can heat and moisten its overlying atmosphere, consequently producing a negative sea level pressure （SLP） departure over the MBS region. Because the MBS SST is negatively correlated with the SNAO, the negative SLP departure can enhance the eastern part of the negative-phase of the SNAO southern center, consequently producing an eastward SNAO southern center shift. Similarly, a cold MBS SST produces an eastward positive-phase SNAO southern center shift. The reason for why the MBS SST has an impact on the SNAO after the late 1970s but why it is not the case beforehand is also discussed. It is found that this instable relationship is likely to be attributed to the change of the variability of the MBS SST on the decadal time-scale. In 1951 1975, the variability of the MBS SST is quite weak, but in 1978 2002, it becomes more active. The active SST can enhance the interaction between the sea and its overlying atmosphere, thus strengthening the connection between the MBS SST and the SNAO after the late 1970s. The above observational analysis results are further confirmed by sensitivity experiments.

Benthic Foraminiferal Density,Species Composition and Biomass in Deep-Sea Atlantic Mediterranean Transect(Transmed Cruise,2007):Preliminary Results

Previous studies on deep modern benthic foraminifera in the Mediterranean Sea are not abundant and generally are focused at the fossilizing polythalamous component of the foraminiferal assemblages.We present preliminary results of living(Rose Bengal stained)benthic foraminiferal faunas in bathyal and abyssal sediments.Benthic foraminiferal density, species composition and biomass are determined at 10 sites across a transect from the

Characterization of Mediterranean Magnetotactic Bacteria

Magnetotactic bacteria are a diverse group of motile prokaryotes that are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats and cosmopolitan in distribution. In this study, we collected magnetotactic bacteria from the Mediterranean Sea. A remarkable diversity of morphotypes was observed, including multicellular types that seemed to differ from those previously found in North and South America. Another interesting organism was one with magnetosomes arranged in a six-stranded bundle which occupied one third of the cell width. The magnetosome bundle was evident even under optic microscopy. These cells were connected together and swam as a linear entire unit. Magnetosomes did not always align up to form a straight linear chain. A chain composed of rectangle magnetosomes bent at a posi- tion with an oval crystal. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the crystal at the pivotal position suggested uncompleted formation of the crystal. This is the first report of Mediterranean magnetotactic bacteria, which should be useful for studies of biogeochemical cycling and geohistory of the Mediterranean Sea.

Long-term changes in sea surface temperature(SST)within the southern Levantine Basin

Knowledge of sea surface temperature(SST)behaviour is vital for long-term climate scenarios.This study highlights essential outcomes about the distinguishable and unsurprising warming of the SST along the southern border of the Levantine Basin.The analysis is based on monthly SST data for the period 1948-2018.The southern Levantine Basin has undergone SST increase,during the last 71 years.In this study,a consistent warming trend has been found for the analysed SST data series,with a rate of 0.04℃/a,i.e.,0.4℃/(10 a).From 1975 to 1991 the mean annual SST was 17.1℃,and this increased to be 19.2℃,over the period 2002-2018.Results revealed two opposite trends of variability:a decreasing trend(−0.06℃/a)over the period 1975-1991,and an increasing trend(0.2℃/a)from 2002 to 2018.Over the period 1948-2018,positive mean annual SST anomalies had an average of 1.8℃,and negative anomalies had an average of−1.1℃.The lowest SST total increase was found from January to April,with values about 0.03℃,while the highest warming appeared from June to September.The driving mechanisms behind the SST changes need to be more investigated,to understand the future trends and impacts of climate change in the Levantine Basin.

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Metazoan Parasites of the Mediterranean Garfish <i>Belone belone gracilis</i>(Teleostei: Belonidae) as a Tool for Stock Discrimination

The aim of the present study was to provide a current survey of metazoan parasites of the Mediterranean garfish Belone belone gracilis Lowe, 1839 off Tunisian coast and their potential use as biological tags for discriminate stocks. Parasitological analysis of 453 specimens of B. b. gracilis along the eastern Tunisian coast revealed the presence of ten species of metazoan parasites: one monogenean Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794;four digeneansLecithostaphylus retroflexus (Molin, 1859), Tergestia acanthocephala (Stossich, 1887) Stossich, 1899, Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 and Condylocotyla pilodora(metacercaria) Pearson et Prévot, 1985;one copepod Bomolochus bellonesBurmeister, 1835;two isopods Irona nana Schioedte et Meinert, 1884 andNerocila orbignyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1832);1 acanthocephalan Telosentis exiguus (Von Linstow, 1901) and one nematod Anisakid larvae. Discriminant analysis using parasites as biological tags, allowed identifying two stocks ofB. b. gracilis. Digenea L. retroflexus, A. laguncula and Anisakid larvae were the most important species in determining the position of sampled fishes from the central coast off Tunisia. Metacercaria C. pilodora characterized specimens from the Southern coast off Tunisia. These results were corroborated by comparing parameters of prevalence and mean abundance between zones. Discriminant analysis used for the separation of B. b. gracilis between seasons in both localities showed that a seasonal variation affected mainly specimens from the center suggesting seasonal move of fishes.

Semi Operational Prediction of the Dead Sea Evaporation—A Synoptic Systems Approach

The predictability of pan evaporation and air temperature in the southern part of the Dead-Sea region (Sdom) was investigated according to two approaches, prediction by mesoscale models and with the aid of synoptic classification. First, the predicted temperature, wind speed and relative humidity that directly affect the evaporation are obtained from the WRF mesoscale model predictions. Predictions according to multilinear regression equations and a Penman-Monteith approach were also validated against observations in Sdom. The WRF model predicts the temperature reasonably well. However, the wind speed and relative humidity predictions were found to be very poor. The unique approach in this paper is employing a semi-objective synoptic systems classification according to the global GFS model. Relationships were defined between the 19 Eastern Mediterranean’s (EM) synoptic systems and the Sdom evaporation, temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. A monthly evaluation was performed for each of the systems and the semi-objective prediction was verified by the semi-objective classification. Since some synoptic systems affect the evaporation and temperature similarly, the 19 synoptic systems were grouped into seven clusters, each containing systems with similar evaporation and temperature records. This method has yielded a significant improvement in the daily prediction of evaporation and temperature. Semi-objective definitions for the synoptic systems were performed for the ranges of 12 - 132 hours. The synoptic system approach succeeded in the prediction of the evaporation and temperature changes in Sdom for a few days in advance. The predictability skill for the 12 hour forecast achieved about 80% of success, dropping to 70% at 36 hours. For 60 to 132 hours the prediction stabilized at a skill of 60%.The method presented here is a new attempt to predict meteorological parameters by using a synoptic classification approach in the Dead-Sea area where even high-resolution mesoscale modeling forecasts are not very successful.

南海渔业资源可持续发展的中国方案建构

有效治理南海渔业资源问题,应以现实需求为导向探寻南海渔业资源可持续发展的总基调,这是建构中国特色治理方案的根本前提。同时,要不失时机地从立法、执法、司法角度深刻反思现有治理措施的缺陷,紧追全球海洋治理大势,借鉴地中海渔业合作治理经验,形成符合南海海洋治理需求的体系化方案。该方案需具有吸引力、感召力与引导力且全面展示中国在南海问题上的基本立场。中国可通过加强科学管理与法规建设、注重生态修复与增殖养护、推动国际合作与区域治理等可行途径实现南海渔业资源的可持续发展。

不同测高产品对地中海中尺度涡探测的影响

长期以来,人们利用海平面异常(Sea level anomaly,SLA)对中尺度涡旋进行了大量研究。然而,随着新的测高产品绝对动力地形(Absolute dynamic topography,ADT)的提出,SLA产品探测涡旋的准确性值得重新检验。因此,本文以地中海为例,使用26 a(1993—2018年)时间序列,提供了AVISO发布的中尺度涡旋轨迹图集(META数据集)和Tian等发布的海洋涡旋识别与追踪数据集(Tian数据集)这两种由不同测高产品衍生的涡旋数据集之间的比较分析。结果表明,在涡旋识别方面,META比Tian数据集捕获的涡旋数量更多,具有更大的振幅和更小的半径;在空间域上,META数据集更容易检测到永久、准永久性气旋涡。值得注意的是,由于SLA是平均海平面(Mean sea surface,MSS)的异常,而MSS的分辨率在高纬地区以及沿海区域并不高,造成了沿轨SLA不可避免地存在误差。因此,在时域上,SLA捕获的涡旋数量波动不断趋向ADT,使得META相较于Tian数据集质量更稳定。在涡旋追踪方面,Tian比META数据集追踪到的长寿涡(>6个月)普遍具有更长的寿命和更连续的轨迹,从而使涡旋显示出更强的鲁棒性。因此,本文建议,当关注的目标是单体涡旋时,应使用META数据集;当重点关注涡旋轨迹时,应采用Tian数据集。

地中海地区明显反差的岩石圈变形与岩浆活动的共存:陆-陆碰撞过程中地幔流的响应与表现

基于2004年参加意大利举行的第32届国际地质大会以及会后参加的野外地质考察期间学习和了解到的许多新成果,阐述了地中海地区明显反差的岩石圈变形和岩浆作用的共存,及其随时间的同步—同方向迁移,提出了陆 陆碰撞过程中地幔流的初步工作模型。