The Blue Economy and the United Nations’ sustainable development goals: Challenges and opportunities

The “Blue Economy (BE)” is an increasingly popular concept as a strategy for safeguarding the world’s oceans and water resources. It may emerge when economic activity is in balance with the long term capacity of ocean ecosystems to support the activity in a sustainable manner. Importantly, the concept of BE posits the inherent conflicts between two discourses—growth and development, and protection of ocean resources. The inherent conflicts require solutions to embrace the opportunities associated with the ocean economy while recognizing and addressing its threats. The potential solutions on a global scale are advocated by the United Nations in their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, we notice that the identification of the scope and boundaries of the BE in line with the UN’s SDGs is vague even challenging, and the key stakeholders and their interests and roles in the BE are also vague. This review examines the scientific evidence of the association between the BE and the UN’s SDGs, and relevance and alignment of stakeholders on the link between the BE and SDGs. Based on a literature survey between 1998 and 2018, we find that BE is highly associated with SDGs 14–17. Notably, we find that stakeholders prefer SDG 3 Good Health & Well-Being and SDG 8 Decent Work & Economic Growth in the BE context. As stakeholder involvement shows some differences and variations in the relationship between the BE and SDGs, we consider that stakeholders can play some roles directly or indirectly in the BE-SDGs context. In order to set achievable goals and targets in BE-SDGs, we support that key stakeholders should be identified to play several important roles in prosperous economic, societal development and setting tolerable ranges for the ocean biosphere

First confirmed report of Nassarius sinarum (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in Korea

The marine gastropod mollusc Nassarius sinarum has attracted attention due to its status as a potential invasive species and the ecological impact it may have on local environments and the fishing industry. It was observed exclusively within China initially, but its distribution now seems to have expanded into Japan and Korea. Accurate identification of N. sinarum, particularly in its juvenile stage, is vital for understanding its ecological influences and distribution patterns.This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of N. sinarum samples from Korea. It includes morphological examination, scanning electron microscopy images and molecular sequencing. Two live specimens were collected from the Yeongsan River estuary in Korea and their morphological features were analysed and compared to those of samples from China and Japan. The samples’ species were confirmed by molecular identification, based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and histone H3 (H3) genetic markers.It was observed that juvenile N. sinarum shells lack key species-characteristic morphological traits, such as a thick outer lip and diminishing axial ribs. However, COI marker-based molecular identification affirmed that these Korean specimens were N. sinarum. The H3 region was registered with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis of the H3 region did not resolve species distinctions within the Nassarius, suggesting that the H3 marker is not suitable for species identification within this genus. In this context, multiple genetic markers, when used appropriately, can also be applied to genus-level searches, enhancing species identification accuracy and reducing misidentification.The sequences provided in this study can serve as a valuable reference for future DNA barcoding research. Additional samples and surveys should be conducted through collaborative efforts amongst national and institutional organisations to further clarify the ecological status of N. sinarum and to investigate its distribution and potential impact around East Asia. Finally, a new Korean name, (No-lan-jul-job-ssal-mu-nui-go-dung; 노란줄좁쌀무늬고둥) has been proposed for N. sinarum

Blue economy and the total environment: Mapping the interface

The term ‘Blue Economy (BE)’ is increasingly popular in modern environmental research. The concept seeks to explore ocean-based development opportunities with environmental stewardship and protection. Yet different scholars and actors adopt this term often in conflicting ways without attempting to explore the relevance and the link between the blue economy and the broader environment viz., total environment. The potential opportunities to resolve the conflicts require a better understanding of the impacts and/or interactions of the BE on the total environment. This paper aims to map the interface between the two for a better understanding of the total environment and implications for the BE. Using a systematic literature review, this study finds that the field of the blue economy in association with the total environment is very new and emerging in the literature, and the link between the BE and the total environment is increasingly being invoked, yet clarity on the link or interactions remain vague. By analysing the co-occurrence of selected keywords and networks, we present six clusters (three for general relationship, and the other three for specific dimensions of total environment). In a general relationship between the BE and the total environment, clusters of environmental sustainability, marine resource, and economic development are identified to link directly to the BE. In specific dimensions of the total environment, clusters of growth and sustainable development, spatial planning and environmental management, and environmental sustainability and the BE are presented. The analysis outcomes show that specific areas from the total environment (growth, spatial planning, environmental management, and environmental sustainability) are directly linked to the BE where a call for a wider range of studies in the future is identified

Recent advances in environmental DNA-based biodiversity assessment and conservation

Special issue Environmental DNA‐based biodiversity assessment and conservation management in the Anthropocene.-- 4 pagesKnowledge of species distribution across space and time is critical to ecological conservation and environmental management at the local, regional and global scales (Albert et al., 2021). Traditional morphology-based surveys on either single-celled protists or larger animals and plants are time-consuming and largely expert-dependent (Baird & Hajibabaei, 2012; Liu et al., 2017; Yang et al., 2017). Recently, there has been considerable interest in the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) fragments to allow species identification and monitoring within different environments, including soil, sediment, water, snow or air (Abdullah et al., 2021; Rees et al., 2014; Xie et al., 2018). The eDNA analysis can be used to detect common, endangered, invasive or rare species (Liu et al., 2019; Sepulveda et al., 2020), and provide a potent tool for elucidating mechanistic insights into ecological and evolutionary processes (Baird & Hajibabaei, 2012; Bohmann et al., 2014; Pawlowski et al., 2021). In past decades, eDNA metabarcoding has been increasingly used to study the present and past biodiversity from population to community levels, and eDNA-based surveys have revolutionized studies in ecology and biodiversity sciences, particularly in aquatic ecosystems (Euclide et al., 2021; Valentini et al., 2016). The significance of various human activities has resulted in multiple interacting environmental stressors in all types of ecosystems (Pukk et al., 2021; Yang et al., 2022). Such stressors, including global climate change, invasive species, chemical pollution and habitat loss, have led to biodiversity crises and threatened the human sustainability and ecosystem health (Osathanunkul & Minamoto, 2021; Yang et al., 2017). Comprehensive biodiversity assessment and conservation management are prerequisites for addressing these significant challenges in the Anthropocene (Mace et al., 2012; Sepulveda et al., 2020). Indeed, effective biodiversity assessment and conservation management require a deep understanding of organisms’ geographical distributions and their respective roles in ecosystem processes and services (Mo et al., 2021; West et al., 2021). However, researchers and conservation managers have encountered numerous obstacles in answering these fundamental and applied research questions at the local, regional and global scales. The aim of this special issue—Environmental DNA-based biodiversity assessment and conservation—was to provide a selection of studies that highlight the utility and diversity of eDNA-based research for biodiversity assessment and conservation management within marine and freshwater ecosystems. This special issue includes 12 articles that advance our knowledge of eDNA. Together, these studies deliver compelling evidence for successful applications of eDNA-based surveys in aquatic ecosystems in the AnthropoceneThis work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91851104) and the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA23040302)With the institutional support of the ‘Severo OchoaCentre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)Peer reviewe

Chapter 6 MARINE BIODIVERSITY IN KOREA: A REVIEW OF MACROZOOBENTHIC ASSEMBLAGES, THEIR DISTRIBUTIONS, AND LONG-TERM COMMUNITY CHANGES FROM HUMAN IMPACTS

oceanography, climate change, reefs, marine science, marine conservation, marine researc

Methodological advances and future directions of microalgal bioassays for evaluation of potential toxicity in environmental samples: A review

Microalgal bioassays are widely applied to evaluate the potential toxicity of various persistent toxic substances in environmental samples due to multiple advantages, including high sensitivity, short test duration, and cost-effectiveness. Microalgal bioassay is gradually developing in method, and the scope of application to environmental samples is also expanding. Here, we reviewed the published literature on microalgal bioassays for environmental assessments, focusing on types of samples, sample preparation methods, and endpoints, and highlighted key scientific advancements. Bibliographic analysis was performed with the keywords ‘microalgae’ and ‘toxicity’ or ‘bioassay’, and ‘microalgal toxicity’; 89 research articles were selected and reviewed. Traditionally, most studies implementing microalgal bioassays focused on water samples (44%) with passive samplers (38%). Studies using the direct exposure method (41%) of injecting microalgae into sampled water mainly evaluated toxic effects by growth inhibition (63%). Recently, various automated sampling techniques, in situ bioanalytical methods with multiple endpoints, and targeted and non-targeted chemical analyses have been applied. More research is needed to identify causative toxicants affecting microalgae and to quantify the cause-effect relationships. This study provides the first comprehensive overview of recent advances in microalgal bioassays performed with environmental samples, suggesting future research directions based on current understanding and limitations

Arsenic speciation in environmental multimedia samples from the Youngsan River Estuary, Korea: A comparison between freshwater and saltwater

Differences in the distribution, partitioning, and bioaccumulation characteristics of arsenicals between freshwater and saltwater systems remain poorly understood. To determine the characteristics of distribution and behavior of arsenicals, multimedia environmental samples including water, suspended particles, zooplankton, sediments, and porewater were collected from inner (five sites, freshwater) and outer (five sites, saltwater) regions of the estuary dike of the Youngsan River Estuary in South Korea (Nov., 2012). Six organic and inorganic forms of As were separated and measured using HPLC ICP/MS equipped with an anion exchange column. Concentrations of arsenicals in water samples of the inner region (mean = 1.5 mu g As L-1) were significantly lower than in those of the outer region (mean = 5.2 mu g As L-1). Conversely, concentrations of As in suspended particles in the inner region (mean = 14 mu g As eg(-1)) were much greater than in the outer region (mean = 5.7 mu g As g(-1)). The field-based distribution coefficient(K-d) for As depended strongly on salinity; relatively greater K-d values were found in freshwater compared with saltwater. The As-V was found to be the major form of As in all water and particle samples in both inner and outer regions. The zooplankton species were significantly distinguishable between the inner and outer regions; cladocerans were the most dominant species in freshwater and cyclopoida were predominantly found in saltwater. The As concentrations in zooplankton were shown to be particle-concentration dependent, suggesting that dietary exposure plays a substantial role in the bioaccumulation of As. Inorganic arsenicals, such as As-V and As-III were the most dominant forms found in zooplankton. Partitioning behavior of As between porewater and sediments was similar to that in water particle distributions. The results of the present study enhance the understanding of As biogeochemistry in river and estuarine environments

First reliable report of the Nassarius sinarum (Mollusca, Gastropoda) from Korea as an invasive species

Two live specimens of the mud snail, Nassarius sinarum, was collected from the Yeongsan River estuary in Jeollanam-do, Korea, during June 2022. The species was identified based on its morphology and DNA barcoding.Morphological descriptions and photographs of N. sinarum were used to verify its occurrence in Korean waters as an invasive species. The species is characteristic in its axial ribs, which weaken towards the outer lip. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene showed that the specimen belonged to N. sinarum with 98.48–99.69% sequence similarity. The new Korean name of “No-lan-jul-job-ssal-mu-nui-go-dung; 노란줄좁쌀무늬고둥” was proposed for the species

A new species of Fogedia (Bacillariophyceae) from tidal flats of Northeast Asia

The genus Fogedia was first established in 1997 based on Navicula giffeniana as a type species. The important features of the genus were the presence of lateral area, the location of the internal raphe fissure, and the simple apical raphe endings. Later, the generic description of Fogedia has been emended with the reports of four new species to the science having the genus to include twelve members in total. A thirteenth member of the genus has been observed in tidal flats of the Yellow Sea, and here we describe the species as Fogedia orientalis sp. nov. based on observations with the light (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Regional distribution of the species in the Northeast Asia is also discussed. The new Fogedia species is morphologically similar to F. densa in terms of small cell size as wells as the absence of a lateral area, however, the density and pattern of striae are clearly different from each other. Morphological characteristics and global occurrences of the thirteen Fogedia species has been provided.N