Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Environmental Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 November 2022) | Viewed by 101379

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Ecosystem Science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6, Canada
Interests: oil spills; bioremediation; oil dispersants; oil–particle interactions; aquatic toxicology; microbial ecology; produced water; environmental assessments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE) aims to provide an open-access forum for peer-reviewed review papers on current and emerging issues of interest in the fields of oceanography, marine biology, microbial ecology and environmental science/engineering. Emphasis for this Topical Collection will be placed on scholarly research that advances our knowledge and understanding of processes that influence and/or impact the health of the marine ecosystem (geochemical cycles, microbial ecology, marine pollution, climate change, etc.) and the development and application of marine ecosystem restoration strategies (oil spill countermeasures, habitat engineering, etc.). We invite researchers and their colleagues to contribute review papers on the state-of-knowledge, new developments as well as recommendations for future research in marine environmental science and engineering.

Manuscripts submitted to JMSE should neither be published previously nor be under consideration for publication in another journal. JMSE has no restrictions on the length of manuscripts, provided that the text is concise and comprehensive. The quality and impact of submissions will be evaluated under a peer-review process.

Types of articles considered (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jmse/instructions) include reviews and systematic reviews providing concise and precise updates on the latest progress made in their area of research.

Prof. Dr. Kenneth Lee
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • Biogeochemical cycling
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Eutrophication
  • Climate change
  • Environmental biology
  • Oil spills
  • Remediation
  • Microbial ecology

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 1820 KiB  
Article
A Response Guide for Sunken Oil Mats (SOMs): Formation, Behavior, Detection, and Recovery
by Jacqueline Michel and Philip Bambach
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030368 - 4 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2332
Abstract
Based on past spills, the conditions under which floating oil mixes with enough sand to form sunken oil mats (SOMs) are identified. SOMs form mostly during spills of heavy crudes or heavy fuel oils, but also highly weathered and viscous crude oils. They [...] Read more.
Based on past spills, the conditions under which floating oil mixes with enough sand to form sunken oil mats (SOMs) are identified. SOMs form mostly during spills of heavy crudes or heavy fuel oils, but also highly weathered and viscous crude oils. They usually form when oil and sand are both suspended in the water column by breaking waves or by the erosion of heavily oiled sand from the beach. The oil–sand mixture needs an area in the nearshore where it can accumulate into mats, such as in troughs or inside lagoons, where wave energy is reduced. SOMs can be oily (>40% oil) or sandy (<<40% oil), with oily SOMs posing risks of the oil separating from the sand and refloating. Methods are described for SOMs detection and recovery based on their location, in either the surf zone or the open-water environment seaward of the surf zone. A matrix provides guidance on methods based on effectiveness and environmental impacts for different site conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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Review

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59 pages, 11564 KiB  
Review
Key Environmental Impacts along the Mediterranean Coast of Israel in the Last 100 Years
by Ehud Spanier and Dov Zviely
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010002 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6422
Abstract
In the last 100 years, the population of the land of Israel has increased dramatically, accompanied by a very intense and accelerated economic and industrial growth. The objective of the present review is to reveal how these major changes have affected the Mediterranean [...] Read more.
In the last 100 years, the population of the land of Israel has increased dramatically, accompanied by a very intense and accelerated economic and industrial growth. The objective of the present review is to reveal how these major changes have affected the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment. The present review analyzes the global, regional, and local factors and processes that cause substantial environmental changes affecting a variety of marine habitats and taxa. During the past century these include: (1) seawater warming that enhances the considerable introduction and establishment of non-indigenous tropical, i.e., Lessepsian, species; (2) overfishing of native biota that seems to contribute to this process; (3) sea-level rise, associated with climate change, which may threaten the sensitive intertidal abrasion platforms; (4) chemical, noise, and light pollution and marine debris; (5) massive sand mining from the beaches, which caused severe erosion in many coastal sections and was banned in Israel in 1964; (6) extensive dredging in the sea, mainly related to the construction and development of large ports, which can be detrimental for the benthic biota, especially in rocky substrates; and (7) marine structures (harbors, marinas, detached breakwaters) that interfere with the natural pattern of sand transport along the coast and cause morphological changes (sand erosion or accumulation) on nearby beaches and the seabed. Israel’s coast is presently characterized by intense anthropogenic activity and many stakeholders with considerable conflicts between them and with the marine ecosystem. A few environmental impacts have ceased, and others have been reduced considerably, but the extent of many additional types have increased significantly, and new impacts have appeared in recent years. Some environmental impacts are beyond our control, and others can be reduced by proper management, but it is predicted that certain major environmental impacts, such as Lessepsian migration, will continue in the future at enhanced rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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30 pages, 671 KiB  
Review
Review of Hollow Fiber (HF) Membrane Filtration Technology for the Treatment of Oily Wastewater: Applications and Challenges
by Mahsa Keyvan Hosseini, Lei Liu, Parisa Keyvan Hosseini, Anisha Bhattacharyya, Kenneth Lee, Jiahe Miao and Bing Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(9), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10091313 - 16 Sep 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5228
Abstract
Oily wastewater has been recognized as a threat to the environment due to its hazardous nature and it can negatively affect the ecosystem, and threaten wildlife and human health. Physical, chemical, and biological technologies demonstrated a mixed performance in oily wastewater treatment, and, [...] Read more.
Oily wastewater has been recognized as a threat to the environment due to its hazardous nature and it can negatively affect the ecosystem, and threaten wildlife and human health. Physical, chemical, and biological technologies demonstrated a mixed performance in oily wastewater treatment, and, therefore, a proper treatment technology for oily wastewater needs to be addressed. Membrane filtration using a hollow fiber (HF) membrane is a promising alternative to remove emulsified oil from oily wastewater. This review discusses different sources of oily wastewater, various treatment methods, and membrane technology. The assessment has been focused on the parameters affecting HF membrane performance and applications of HF membrane-based technology to treat oily wastewater. This review paper reveals that HF membrane filtration systems have been previously used for the treatment of oily wastewater in bench-scale studies and few pilot-scale applications, which proved to be favorable in the treatment of recalcitrant wastewater containing oil and high salinity. Limitations associated with membrane fouling and the reduction of membrane permeability and membrane lifespan can be tackled and alleviated through modifying membrane chemistry and adjusting operational parameters. The compilation of studies showed that a low food/microorganism (F/M) ratio, long solid retention time (SRT) with high sludge age, long hydraulic retention time (HRT), and moderate aeration were the preferred operational parameters when treating oily wastewater. Based on this review, future studies should focus on optimizing the hydrodynamic conditions of the HF system, the commercialization of modified HF membranes, and the utilization of green technology in HF membrane construction to broaden HF membrane technology applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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20 pages, 949 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review of Canadian Marine Oil Spill Response System through the Lens of Decanting Regulations and Practices
by Naznin Sultana Daisy, Mohammad Hesam Hafezi, Lei Liu and Kenneth Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(9), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10091310 - 16 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4001
Abstract
Marine oil spill response operations could generate a large volume of liquid oily wastes (e.g., emulsified oil, non-emulsified oil, and wastewater) that can be up to 30 to 40 times greater than the original volume of spilled oil. Oil decanting technologies are used [...] Read more.
Marine oil spill response operations could generate a large volume of liquid oily wastes (e.g., emulsified oil, non-emulsified oil, and wastewater) that can be up to 30 to 40 times greater than the original volume of spilled oil. Oil decanting technologies are used globally for recovering spilled oil and handling liquid wastes. Canada follows the standards set out in the MARPOL 73/78 Annex 1 International regulations in most areas, with more strict discharge requirements in certain locations. For instance, inland waters discharge should not exceed 5 ppm, and in special areas, such as the Great Lakes, the discharge standard is under 0 ppm. In the event of an oil spill, decanted seawater should be barged to shore for disposal, which significantly constrains the response capacity and efficiency of oil recovery by skimmers due to limited temporary storage space in barges and the long time and high cost of transportation. This has become one of the greatest challenges the Canadian governments and oil spill response industries are facing in Canada. Moreover, when the spill response team decides that decanting is an appropriate way to handle the spilled oil, the approval process may take a long time, which negatively impacts the spill that has already occurred. Moreover, Canada uses a 10,000-tonne planning standard for oil spill preparedness, whereas the United States uses a worst-case scenario, and Europe uses a 60,000 m3 planning standard. The existing planning threshold in Canada can cause the country to be not fully prepared when it comes to responding to a very large oil spill if one should occur. This study conducted a comprehensive review of the current Canadian oil spill response system and framework, regulations, roles and responsibilities of federal and provincial governments, existing decanting capabilities, and capacities of Canadian oil spill responders. More importantly, this study identified the gaps in the current oil spill response system and regulatory and technological barriers to oil decanting. Marine oil decanting regulations and practices in the US and selected European countries have also been reviewed to support addressing the challenges and improving the Canadian experience. It is expected that this study would help the stakeholders and professionals to better understand the oil spill response system and oil decanting status quo in Canada and facilitate Canadian governments and industries to better address the challenges in oil spill regulations and practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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17 pages, 1291 KiB  
Review
Review of Biological Processes in a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR): Effects of Wastewater Characteristics and Operational Parameters on Biodegradation Efficiency When Treating Industrial Oily Wastewater
by Anisha Bhattacharyya, Lei Liu, Kenneth Lee and Jiahe Miao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(9), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10091229 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4186
Abstract
Oily wastewater is generated from various sources within the petrochemical industry, including extraction, refining and processing, storage, and transportation. Over the years, large volumes of oily wastewater from this industry have made their way into the environment, negatively affecting the environment, human health, [...] Read more.
Oily wastewater is generated from various sources within the petrochemical industry, including extraction, refining and processing, storage, and transportation. Over the years, large volumes of oily wastewater from this industry have made their way into the environment, negatively affecting the environment, human health, and the economy. The raw waters from the petrochemical industry can differ significantly and have complex features, making them difficult to treat. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) are a promising treatment option for complex wastewater; it is a combined physical and biological treatment. The biological component of the MBR is one of the main contributing factors to its success. It is important to know how to control the parameters within the bioreactor to promote the biodegradation of hydrocarbons to improve the treatment efficiency of the MBR. There have been many reviews on the effects of the biological factors of membrane fouling; however, none have discussed the biodegradation process in an MBR and its impact on effluent quality. This review paper investigates the hydrocarbon biodegradation process in an aerobic MBR system by gathering and analyzing the recent academic literature to determine how oily wastewater characteristics and operational parameters affect this process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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19 pages, 4099 KiB  
Review
Application of Phase-Selective Organogelators (PSOGs) for Marine Oil Spill Remediation
by Huifang Bi, Chunjiang An, Catherine N. Mulligan, Zhi Chen, Kenneth Lee, Jiyuan Wen, Zhaonian Qu and Xinya Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(8), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10081111 - 12 Aug 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3335
Abstract
Oil spill incidents frequently cause serious impacts on the ecosystem, society, and economy. To cope with this problem, the use of phase-selective organogelators (PSOGs) has been developed in recent years as a promising oil spill response tool, which can congeal oils from biphasic [...] Read more.
Oil spill incidents frequently cause serious impacts on the ecosystem, society, and economy. To cope with this problem, the use of phase-selective organogelators (PSOGs) has been developed in recent years as a promising oil spill response tool, which can congeal oils from biphasic systems, accelerating oil removal and recovery and reducing impacts on the environment. This article systematically reviews reported technologies for the use of PSOGs for potential oil spill remediation in the literature from January 2016 to May 2022. It discusses several kinds of PSOGs based on molecular structures which are possible for gelling oil in the presence of water/seawater. Their mechanisms for phase-selective gelation are summarized, including hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking interactions, van der Waals force, hydrophobic interactions, etc. The currently possible deployment methods for the application of PSOGs are explored; carrier solvents and powder form are frequently used. Moreover, the challenges and the corresponding recommendations regarding standardized testing protocols and evaluation framework, gelation selectivity, as well as challenges in field tests, are further discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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14 pages, 1836 KiB  
Review
Climate Change Impacts on Coastal and Offshore Petroleum Infrastructure and the Associated Oil Spill Risk: A Review
by Jinxin Dong, Zunaira Asif, Yarong Shi, Yinying Zhu and Zhi Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(7), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10070849 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 10276
Abstract
Climate change has been observed worldwide in recent decades, posing challenges to the coastal and offshore oil and gas infrastructure. It is crucial to identify how climate change affects these infrastructures and the associated oil spill risk. This paper provides an analysis of [...] Read more.
Climate change has been observed worldwide in recent decades, posing challenges to the coastal and offshore oil and gas infrastructure. It is crucial to identify how climate change affects these infrastructures and the associated oil spill risk. This paper provides an analysis of the vulnerability of coastal and offshore oil and gas infrastructure in response to climate change. The paper examines oil spill incidents worldwide and addresses climate change’s possible influences on oil spill risk. Moreover, available oil spill modeling and decision support tools for oil spill response are reviewed considering climate change. The paper signals the need for emerging decision and modeling tools considering climate change effects, which can help decision-makers to evaluate the risk on time and provide early warnings to adapt or prevent the unforeseen impacts on the oil industry partially resulting from global warming, including oil spill accidents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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20 pages, 1990 KiB  
Review
Environmental Impacts and Challenges Associated with Oil Spills on Shorelines
by Zunaira Asif, Zhi Chen, Chunjiang An and Jinxin Dong
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(6), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10060762 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 95 | Viewed by 33348
Abstract
Oil spills are of great concern because they impose a threat to the marine ecosystem, including shorelines. As oil spilled at sea is transported to the shoreline, and after its arrival, its behavior and physicochemical characteristics change because of natural weathering phenomena. Additionally, [...] Read more.
Oil spills are of great concern because they impose a threat to the marine ecosystem, including shorelines. As oil spilled at sea is transported to the shoreline, and after its arrival, its behavior and physicochemical characteristics change because of natural weathering phenomena. Additionally, the fate of the oil depends on shoreline type, tidal energy, and environmental conditions. This paper critically overviews the vulnerability of shorelines to oil spill impact and the implication of seasonal variations with the natural attenuation of oil. A comprehensive review of various monitoring techniques, including GIS tools and remote sensing, is discussed for tracking, and mapping oil spills. A comparison of various remote sensors shows that laser fluorosensors can detect oil on various types of substrates, including snow and ice. Moreover, current methods to prevent oil from reaching the shoreline, including physical booms, sorbents, and dispersants, are examined. The advantages and limitations of various physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods and their application suitability for different shore types are discussed. The paper highlights some of the challenges faced while managing oil spills, including viewpoints on the lack of monitoring data, the need for integrated decision-making systems, and the development of rapid response strategies to optimize the protection of shorelines from oil spills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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18 pages, 1595 KiB  
Review
An Overview of Oil-Mineral-Aggregate Formation, Settling, and Transport Processes in Marine Oil Spill Models
by Xiaomei Zhong, Haibo Niu, Pu Li, Yongsheng Wu and Lei Liu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(5), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10050610 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2905
Abstract
An oil spill is considered one of the most serious polluting disasters for a marine environment. When oil is spilled into a marine environment, it is dispersed into the water column as oil droplets which often interact with suspended particles to form oil-mineral-aggregate [...] Read more.
An oil spill is considered one of the most serious polluting disasters for a marine environment. When oil is spilled into a marine environment, it is dispersed into the water column as oil droplets which often interact with suspended particles to form oil-mineral-aggregate (OMA). Knowing how OMA form, settle, and are transported is critical to oil spill modelling which can determine the fate and mass balance of the spilled volumes. This review introduces oil weathering and movement, and the commonly used numerical models that oil spill specialists use to determine how a spill will evolve. We conduct in-depth reviews of the environmental factors that influence how OMA form and their settling velocity, and we review how OMA formation and transport are modelled. We point out the existing gaps in current knowledge and the challenges of studying OMA. Such challenges include having to systematically conduct laboratory experiments to investigate how the environment affects OMA formation and settling velocities, and the need for a comprehensive algorithm that can estimate an OMA settling velocity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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24 pages, 2710 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Functional Materials for Wastewater Treatment: From Materials to Technological Innovations
by Nadia Khan, Zahra A. Tabasi, Jiabin Liu, Baiyu H. Zhang and Yuming Zhao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(4), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10040534 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4969
Abstract
The growing concerns about climate changes and environmental pollution have galvanized considerable research efforts in recent years to develop effective and innovative remediation technologies for contaminated soils and water caused by industrial and domestic activities. In this context, the establishment of effective treatment [...] Read more.
The growing concerns about climate changes and environmental pollution have galvanized considerable research efforts in recent years to develop effective and innovative remediation technologies for contaminated soils and water caused by industrial and domestic activities. In this context, the establishment of effective treatment methods for wastewater has been critically important and urgent, since water pollution can take place on a very large scale (e.g., oceanic oil spills) and have massive impacts on ecosystems and human lives. Functional materials play a central role in the advancement of these technologies due to their highly tunable properties and functions. This article focuses on reviewing the recent progress in the application of various functional materials for wastewater treatment. Our literature survey is first concentrated on new modification methods and outcomes for a range of functional materials which have been actively investigated in recent years, including biofilm carriers, sand filters, biomass, biopolymers, and functional inorganic materials. Apart from the development of modified functional materials, our literature survey also covers the technological applications of superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic meshes, hybrid membranes, and reusable sponges in oil–water separation. These devices have gained significantly enhanced performance by using new functional materials as the key components (e.g., coating materials), and are therefore highly useful for treatment of oily wastewater, such as contaminated water collected from an oil spill site or oil–water emulsions resulting from industrial pollution. Based on our state-of-the-art literature review, future directions in the development and application of functional materials for wastewater treatment are suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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21 pages, 961 KiB  
Review
Lagrangian Modeling of Marine Microplastics Fate and Transport: The State of the Science
by Mostafa Bigdeli, Abdolmajid Mohammadian, Abolghasem Pilechi and Mercedeh Taheri
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(4), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10040481 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6434
Abstract
Microplastics pollution has led to irreversible environmental consequences and has triggered global concerns. It has been shown that water resources and marine food consumers are adversely affected by microplastics due to their physico-chemical characteristics. This study attempts to comprehensively review the structure of [...] Read more.
Microplastics pollution has led to irreversible environmental consequences and has triggered global concerns. It has been shown that water resources and marine food consumers are adversely affected by microplastics due to their physico-chemical characteristics. This study attempts to comprehensively review the structure of four well-known Lagrangian particle-tracking models, i.e., Delft3D—Water Quality Particle tracking module (D-WAQ PART), Ichthyoplankton (Ichthyop), Track Marine Plastic Debris (TrackMPD), and Canadian Microplastic Simulation (CaMPSim-3D) in simulating the fate and transport of microplastics. Accordingly, the structure of each model is investigated with respect to addressing the involved physical transport processes (including advection, diffusion, windage, beaching, and washing-off) and transformation processes (particularly biofouling and degradation) that play key roles in microplastics’ behavior in the marine environment. In addition, the effects of the physical properties (mainly size, diameter, and shape) of microplastics on their fate and trajectories are reviewed. The models’ capabilities and shortcomings in the simulation of microplastics are also discussed. The present review sheds light on some aspects of microplastics’ behavior in water that were not properly addressed in particle-tracking models, such as homo- and hetero-aggregation, agglomeration, photodegradation, and chemical and biological degradation as well as additional advection due to wave-induced drift. This study can be regarded as a reliable steppingstone for the future modification of the reviewed models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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19 pages, 2515 KiB  
Review
The Formulation, Development and Application of Oil Dispersants
by Majid D. Farahani and Ying Zheng
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(3), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030425 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 9743
Abstract
Oil spills in open waters pose a significant threat to marine life. The application of dispersant as an oil-spill response is a promising approach to minimize the environmental burden caused by these accidental events. Dispersants have been accepted and applied by many countries [...] Read more.
Oil spills in open waters pose a significant threat to marine life. The application of dispersant as an oil-spill response is a promising approach to minimize the environmental burden caused by these accidental events. Dispersants have been accepted and applied by many countries around the world as a countermeasure in responding to oil spills due to their great success and advancements in recent years. This review covers different approaches for design and development of chemical formulas of oil dispersants with the aim to improve dispersing efficiencies, followed by formulating non-chemical dispersants, which are more environmentally friendly approaches. The encouraging properties motivate scientific communities to research and develop these non-chemical-based dispersants. In general, this review intends to offer a multi-perspective overall picture of progress made in recent years to develop and apply different dispersants suitable for combating oil spills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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26 pages, 2622 KiB  
Review
Anticipating and Adapting to the Future Impacts of Climate Change on the Health, Security and Welfare of Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) Communities in Southeastern USA
by Thomas Allen, Joshua Behr, Anamaria Bukvic, Ryan S. D. Calder, Kiki Caruson, Charles Connor, Christopher D’Elia, David Dismukes, Robin Ersing, Rima Franklin, Jesse Goldstein, Jonathon Goodall, Scott Hemmerling, Jennifer Irish, Steven Lazarus, Derek Loftis, Mark Luther, Leigh McCallister, Karen McGlathery, Molly Mitchell, William Moore, Charles Reid Nichols, Karinna Nunez, Matthew Reidenbach, Julie Shortridge, Robert Weisberg, Robert Weiss, Lynn Donelson Wright, Meng Xia, Kehui Xu, Donald Young, Gary Zarillo and Julie C. Zinnertadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(11), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111196 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5830
Abstract
Low elevation coastal zones (LECZ) are extensive throughout the southeastern United States. LECZ communities are threatened by inundation from sea level rise, storm surge, wetland degradation, land subsidence, and hydrological flooding. Communication among scientists, stakeholders, policy makers and minority and poor residents must [...] Read more.
Low elevation coastal zones (LECZ) are extensive throughout the southeastern United States. LECZ communities are threatened by inundation from sea level rise, storm surge, wetland degradation, land subsidence, and hydrological flooding. Communication among scientists, stakeholders, policy makers and minority and poor residents must improve. We must predict processes spanning the ecological, physical, social, and health sciences. Communities need to address linkages of (1) human and socioeconomic vulnerabilities; (2) public health and safety; (3) economic concerns; (4) land loss; (5) wetland threats; and (6) coastal inundation. Essential capabilities must include a network to assemble and distribute data and model code to assess risk and its causes, support adaptive management, and improve the resiliency of communities. Better communication of information and understanding among residents and officials is essential. Here we review recent background literature on these matters and offer recommendations for integrating natural and social sciences. We advocate for a cyber-network of scientists, modelers, engineers, educators, and stakeholders from academia, federal state and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, residents, and the private sector. Our vision is to enhance future resilience of LECZ communities by offering approaches to mitigate hazards to human health, safety and welfare and reduce impacts to coastal residents and industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews in Marine Environmental Science and Engineering)
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