Synthesizing decades of work, but up-to-date, this book focuses on organism-level responses to pollutants by marine animals, mainly crustaceans, molluscs, and fishes. Emphasizing effects on physiological processes (feeding/digestion, respiration, osmoregulation), life-cycle (reproduction [including endocrine disruption], embryo development, larval development, developmental processes later in life (growth, regeneration, molting, calcification, cancer), and behaviour, the book also covers bioaccumulation and detoxification of contaminants, and the development of tolerance. The major pollutants covered are metals, organic compounds (oil, pesticides, industrial chemicals), nutrients and hypoxia, contaminants of emerging concern, and ocean acidification. Some attention is also devoted to marine debris and noise pollution.​

The ocean has absorbed a significant portion of all human-made carbon dioxide emissions. This benefits human society by moderating the rate of climate change, but also causes unprecedented changes to ocean chemistry. Carbon dioxide taken up by the ocean decreases the pH of the water and leads to a suite of chemical changes collectively known as ocean acidification. The long term consequences of ocean acidification are not known, but are expected to result in changes to many ecosystems and the services they provide to society. Ocean Acidification: A National Strategy to Meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean reviews the current state of knowledge, explores gaps in understanding, and identifies several key findings. Like climate change, ocean acidification is a growing global problem that will intensify with continued CO2 emissions and has the potential to change marine ecosystems and affect benefits to society. The federal government has taken positive initial steps by developing a national ocean acidification program, but more information is needed to fully understand and address the threat that ocean acidification may pose to marine ecosystems and the services they provide. In addition, a global observation network of chemical and biological sensors is needed to monitor changes in ocean conditions attributable to acidification.

This book discusses in detail the facts and findings related to the X-Press Pearl container vessel accident that occurred in May 2021 off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship was carrying a large consignment of chemicals and diverse hazardous materials that caused a disastrous and vast environmental and social catastrophe in the region. Through many case studies, accumulated knowledge, and experiences, the authors discuss the accident response, risk mitigation, investigation, and damage assessment activities from the very onset of the accident. It helps researchers and regulators understand the facts of this unique marine chemical accident and to formulate necessary future regulations as well as to develop robust safety and sustainability management systems and safety cultures. Features: Written by authorities who led the team involved in accident response and damage assessment Focuses on identifying plausible root causes, pitfalls in accident response, and weaknesses in current regulatory and management protocols Delivers in-depth understanding of a unique marine chemical accident to help formulate necessary future policies and regulations related to such disasters Includes many case studies related to the accident illustrated with photos and figures that are true evidence of the disaster, the response, and the mitigation Explains and discusses key research findings in a streamlined manner understandable for a wide audience A valuable resource for readers in environmental management and policy creation, as well as for researchers, professionals, academics, and students involved in environmental science, chemical engineering, technical safety and sustainability management, maritime, polymer, and ocean sciences. Countries where maritime disasters are a concern will also find this book is an important guide for taking a responsible approach when handling similar situations in the future; not least to avert such events from occurring.

Physiology and Behavior of Marine Organisms covers the proceedings of the 12th European Symposium on Marine Biology, held in University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland on September 5-12, 1977. This book is organized into six parts encompassing 45 chapters. The first part deals with metabolism-related topics in marine organisms, including nutrition, enzyme activity, respiration, and physiological adaptation. The succeeding parts consider the mechanism of osmoregulation, ionic transport, biological permeation, and the structure and function of chloride cells in gills. These parts also explore the physiological aspects of marine animals in the water's chemical environment. These topics are followed by discussions of the mechanisms of immobilization and detoxification of heavy metals and other pollutants by marine organisms, as well as the interspecies differences in pollutant tolerance of several marine creatures. The concluding parts look into the behavior, reproduction, and development of other marine animals. This book will be of great value to marine biologists, physiologists, researchers, and advance students.

Aquaculture Pathophysiology, Volume II. Crustacean and Molluscan Diseases is a concise, practical reference on shellfish diseases of significant risk to aquaculture. Its value to the veterinarian, fish health biologist or extensionist, fish pathologist and fish health diagnostician is its easy reach for critical information on the diagnosis and management of significant infectious and non-infectious diseases for the major temperate, subtropical and tropical shellfish species of commercial and fisheries importance. This volume should be read in partnership with volume one on finfish diseases as the principles and approach to the diagnosis and management of aquacultured animal species are similar. This comprehensive resource is ideal for researchers, teachers, students, diagnostic laboratory scientists, aquaculture technicians, and farmers who need to be competent across both finfish and shellfish health issues. - Presents a focus on the disease process of major or emerging viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections affecting aquacultured shellfish species e.g., shrimp, lobsters, crayfish, crabs, oysters, mussels, abalone and scallops - Focuses on important or emerging environmental, nutritional, genetic, deformity, toxicological, endocrine disruption, and neoplastic diseases in crustaceans and mollusks - Provides a review of the immunology of shellfish relevant to a practical understanding of disease diagnosis and management - Includes an overview of laboratory diagnostic methods relevant to the detection of shellfish diseases - Discusses the diverse risk factors of shellfish diseases and options for their control

This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.

Since the early 1970s, experts have recognized that petroleum pollutants were being discharged in marine waters worldwide, from oil spills, vessel operations, and land-based sources. Public attention to oil spills has forced improvements. Still, a considerable amount of oil is discharged yearly into sensitive coastal environments. Oil in the Sea provides the best available estimate of oil pollutant discharge into marine waters, including an evaluation of the methods for assessing petroleum load and a discussion about the concerns these loads represent. Featuring close-up looks at the Exxon Valdez spill and other notable events, the book identifies important research questions and makes recommendations for better analysis ofâ€"and more effective measures againstâ€"pollutant discharge. The book discusses: Inputâ€"where the discharges come from, including the role of two-stroke engines used on recreational craft. Behavior or fateâ€"how oil is affected by processes such as evaporation as it moves through the marine environment. Effectsâ€"what we know about the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine organisms and ecosystems. Providing a needed update on a problem of international importance, this book will be of interest to energy policy makers, industry officials and managers, engineers and researchers, and advocates for the marine environment.