25 research outputs found
New tools and recommendations for a better management of harmful algal blooms under the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs), caused by various aquatic microalgae, pose significant risks to ecosystems, some socio-economic activities and human health. Traditionally managed as a public health issue through reactive control measures such as beach closures, seafood trade bans or closure of mollusc production areas, the multifaceted linkages of HABs with environmental and socio-economic factors require more comprehensive ecosystem-based management approach tools to support policies. This study promotes a coordinated understanding and implementation of HAB assessment and management under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), targeting the achievement of Good Environmental Status (GES) in European marine waters. We introduce two novel tools: GES4HABs (GES for HABs) decision tree, and MAMBO (environMental mAtrix for the Management of BlOoms), a decision support matrix. These tools aim to streamline HABs reporting and prioritize resource allocation and management interventions. The GES4HABs decision tree defines a sequence of decision steps to identify HAB management strategies according to their state (evaluated against predefined baselines) and causes (anthropic or natural). MAMBO is proposed to address different HABs and their interaction with human and environmental pressures. The matrix utilizes two axes: natural trophic status and level of human influence, capturing major aspects such as nutrient supply. While acknowledging the limitations of this simplified framework, MAMBO categorizes marine regions into quadrants of varying management viability. Regions with high human influence and eutrophic conditions are identified as most suitable for effective management intervention, whereas regions with minimal or mixed human influence are deemed less amenable to active management. In addition, we explore and describe various indicators, monitoring methods and initiatives that may be relevant to support assessments of HAB status and associated pressures and impacts in the MSFD reporting. Finally, we provide some recommendations to promote the consideration of HABs in ecosystem-based management strategies, intensify efforts for harmonizing and defining best practices of analysis, monitoring and assessment methodologies, and foster international and cross-sectoral coordination to optimize resources, efforts and roles
Le risque Ă©cotoxicologique dans le bassin de la Seine
National audienceLe PIREN-Seine sâintĂ©resse Ă la prĂ©sence dans le bassin versant de la Seine de contaminants dâorigines agricole, industrielle et domestique depuis une vingtaine dâannĂ©es. Ces polluants, qui se retrouvent parfois Ă des concentrations trĂšs faibles dans lâeau, peuvent avoir des impacts sur lâhomme et lâenvironnement qui restent peu connus. La prĂ©sence de ces substances toxiques suscite un intĂ©rĂȘt majeur auprĂšs des gestionnaires de la ressource comme des consommateurs. Les perturbations endocriniennes, les effets cancĂ©rigĂšnes, la prĂ©sence de rĂ©sidus de mĂ©dicaments sont autant de sujets dâinquiĂ©tude largement mĂ©diatisĂ©s et dĂ©battus. Pour garantir la protection de la santĂ© humaine et du milieu aquatique, la rĂ©glementation a dĂ©fini des normes de qualitĂ© environnementale, les NQE. En application de la directive cadre sur lâeau, des seuils de concentrations moyennes et maximales ont Ă©tĂ© Ă©dictĂ©es par la directive fille 2008/105/EC du 16 dĂ©cembre 2008 pour les 33 substances prioritaires initialement listĂ©es. Des NQE provisoires sont aussi disponibles pour plus de 100 autres substances. Les NQE reposent sur lâĂ©valuation approfondie des effets toxiques en laboratoire de ces molĂ©cules. LâĂ©cotoxicologie traite des effets toxiques des substances chimiques sur les organismes vivants et lâenvironnement. Ce thĂšme de recherche est Ă©tudiĂ© aujourdâhui par les Ă©quipes dâĂ©cotoxicologie, dâĂ©cologie et de chimie du PIREN-Seine, notamment via des Ă©tudes sur trois sites pilotes : le bassin de lâOrge, le bassin de la Vesle et lâaxe Seine. Comment mesurer lâimpact de ces substances ? Les analyses chimiques Ă©tant insuffisantes pour Ă©valuer le risque des substances toxiques dans le milieu, les scientifiques Ă©tudient dâautres mĂ©thodes. Les bio-essais rĂ©alisĂ©s en laboratoire en font partie. Regroupant un ensemble trĂšs vaste dâessais rĂ©alisĂ©s sur des Ă©chantillons de lâenvironnement, ils permettent de caractĂ©riser le «potentiel toxique», comme la prĂ©sence des perturbateurs endocriniens et la gĂ©notoxicitĂ© des masses dâeau. In situ, la bioaccumulation, mesurĂ©e sur des organismes «sentinelles» contribue Ă lâĂ©valuation de lâexposition aux micropolluants. Enfin, les biomarqueurs constituent une solution prometteuse pour diagnostiquer lâimpact sur lâenvironnement des contaminants chimiques
Potential transfer of aquatic organisms via ballast water with a particular focus on harmful and non-indigenous species: A survey from Adriatic ports
Ballast water discharges may cause negative impacts to aquatic ecosystems, human health and economic activities by the introduction of potentially harmful species. Fifty untreated ballast water tanks, ten in each port, were sampled in four Adriatic Italian ports and one Slovenian port. Salinity, temperature and fluorescence were measured on board. Faecal indicator bacteria (FIB), phyto- and zooplankton were qualitatively and quantitatively determined to identify the species assemblage arriving in ballast water. FIB exceeded the convention standard limits in 12% of the sampled tanks. Vibrio cholerae was not detected. The number of viable organisms in the size groups (minimum dimension) <50 and â„10âŻÎŒm and â„50âŻÎŒm resulted above the abundances required from the Ballast Water Management Convention in 55 and 86% of the samples, respectively. This is not surprising as unmanaged ballast waters were sampled. Some potentially toxic and non-indigenous species were observed in both phyto- and zooplankton assemblages
Towards a renewed research agenda in ecotoxicology
New concerns about biodiversity, ecosystem services and human health triggered several new regulations increasing the need for sound ecotoxicological risk assessment. The PEER network aims to share its view on the research issues that this challenges. PEER scientists call for an improved biologically relevant exposure assessment. They promote comprehensive effect assessment at several biological levels. Biological traits should be used for Environmental risk assessment (ERA) as promising tools to better understand relationships between structure and functioning of ecosystems. The use of modern high throughput methods could also enhance the amount of data for a better risk assessment. Improved models coping with multiple stressors or biological levels are necessary to answer for a more scientifically based risk assessment. Those methods must be embedded within life cycle analysis or economical models for efficient regulations. Joint research programmes involving humanities with ecological sciences should be developed for a sound risk management