Peter G. Wells

Gulfwatch: monitoring spatial and temporal patterns of trace metal and organic contaminants in the Gulf of Maine (1991-1997) with the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis L.

Gulfwatch, established in 1991, is an international contaminant monitoring program in which the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is used as an indicator of the level and extent of contamination in the Gulf of Maine. Since 1991, trace metals, PAHs, PCBs, and OC pesticides have been measured in mussel tissues at 56 sites. The distribution of most metals was relatively uniform throughout the Gulf with the exception of Ag, Pb and Cr. However, the concentration of organic contaminants increased in a north-to-south direction. High concentrations of contaminants were correlated with large human population density and proximity to large rivers. Temporal analysis of five sites revealed that the majority of contaminant concentrations were either unchanged or decreasing. The concentrations of most contaminants were lower than the median of the National Status and Trends (NS & T) Mussel Watch with the exceptions of Cr, Hg, Pb and sigma PCB24. Hg concentrations at > 80% of the Gulfwatch sites exceeded the NS & T median +1 SD. Gulfwatch continues as a primary contaminant monitoring program in the Gulf of Maine.

Biomonitoring the Health of Coastal Marine Ecosystems – The Roles and Challenges of Microscale Toxicity Tests

Abstract Coastal marine ecosystems in many parts of the world are under unrelenting stress caused by urban development, hazardous or toxic substances, overfishing, habitat destruction, the introduction of exotic species and natural toxins. Biomonitoring plays a vital role in governmental and industrial strategies to identify, assess, control and reduce these problems. Sensitive and practical techniques in biomonitoring are needed in all of the strategic approaches – from toxic chemical rating and classification, to pollution source control, status and trends monitoring, and assessments of “marine ecosystem health”. Due to the shear magnitude and scope of the challenge, biomonitoring coastal ecosystems demands new and innovative approaches that are relatively easy and cheap to deploy and that provide timely and accessible information to environmental managers and policy makers. This paper explores recent developments in microscale toxicity testing – a branch of aquatic toxicology involving the discovery and application of small-scale, innovative, sensitive, practical, inexpensive and frequently automated biological techniques. Highlights of a recent unique synthesis (Wells et al., 1998) are given, describing microscale tests at various biological and phylogenetic levels. Many of these tests are marine and focus on gametes, embryos and other young life stages. They can be utilized in the field (in vivo), with field collected samples, and in the laboratory. Their low cost, sensitivity, practicality and speed are their strengths, and commercial test kits have been developed as a result. But being largely “single-species” and sub-individual-level biomonitors, do such microscale tests provide information directly useful to protecting vital ecosystem processes? Indeed, how can this question be addressed? The needs and challenges of matching the most promising of the microscale tests with higher level (population, community, ecosystem) measurements to protect habitats and biodiversity are discussed. Improving marine biomonitoring and protecting coastal ecosystem health demands such new techniques within the context of new paradigms and rigorous approaches for their application.

Beach tar on bermuda: Recent observations and implications for global monitoring☆

Abstract Petroleum residues (pelagic tar) have been reported from beaches all over the world since the 1960s, and have been quantitatively measured at a few locations. At the south-facing open ocean beaches of Bermuda, rapid exchange of tar with the sea makes it possible to use the quantity of beach tar as a measure of open-ocean petroleum pollution. Brief surveys conducted as part of a summer course from 1989-96 are reported here and compared with previously published results. A correlation between beach tar on Bermuda and the estimated input to the North Atlantic from accidents and operations is presented. We recommend continued systematic monitoring of ocean-facing beaches for petroleum residues as a simple and inexpensive way of verifying changes in pollution input from shipping and the effectiveness of international laws such as MARPOL 73 78 .

Managing ocean information in the digital era – Events in Canada open questions about the role of marine science libraries

Information is the foundation of evidence-based policies for effective marine environmental protection and conservation. In Canada, the cutback of marine science libraries introduces key questions about the role of such institutions and the management of ocean information in the digital age. How vital are such libraries in the mission of studying and protecting the oceans? What is the fate and value of the massive grey literature holdings, including archival materials, much of which is not in digital form but which often contains vital data? How important is this literature generally in the marine environmental sciences? Are we likely to forget the history of the marine pollution field if our digital focus eclipses the need for and access to comprehensive collections and skilled information specialists? This paper explores these and other questions against the backdrop of unprecedented changes in the federal libraries, marine environmental science and legislation in Canada.

Challenges for improved marine environmental protection

Abstract This paper considers progress made in the protection of the marine environment during the last 40 years. We conclude that the prevailing sectoral approach to marine policy and management has limited effectiveness and is overdue for replacement by a comprehensive overall strategy for social development and environmental protection. Two categories of scientific challenge, relating to marine pollution prevention in its broadest sense, are identified using material derived from the papers in this volume. The first involves science directed towards improvements in the reliability of assessments and predictions for current practices and chemicals. The second comprises areas of fundamental science that are crucial to developing knowledge required for long-term protection of the marine environment.

Integrated fate modeling for exposure assessment of produced water on the Sable Island Bank (Scotian shelf, Canada).

Produced water is the largest waste discharge from the production phase of oil and gas wells. Produced water is a mixture of reservoir formation water and production chemicals from the separation process. This creates a chemical mixture that has several components of toxic concern, ranging from heavy metals to soluble hydrocarbons. Analysis of potential environmental effects from produced water in the Sable Island Bank region (NS, Canada) was conducted using an integrated modeling approach according to the ecological risk assessment framework. A hydrodynamic dispersion model was used to describe the wastewater plume. A second fugacity-based model was used to describe the likely plume partitioning in the local environmental media of water, suspended sediment, biota, and sediment. Results from the integrated modeling showed that the soluble benzene and naphthalene components reach chronic no-effect concentration levels at a distance of 1.0 m from the discharge point. The partition modeling indicated that low persistence was expected because of advection forces caused by tidal currents for the Sable Island Bank system. The exposure assessment for the two soluble hydrocarbon components suggests that the risks of adverse environmental effects from produced water on Sable Island Bank are low.

Progress and trends in marine environmental protection: An introduction and tribute to Michael Waldichuk

Abstract This paper introduces the special issue prepared in Dr. Michael Waldichuks honour. Twenty-five papers illustrate some of the advances in scientific understanding and managerial practice that have occurred during the last 40 years, and the challenges that must be addressed for improved marine environmental protection. The papers discuss issues and directions, scientific and technological advances, and key elements of coastal environmental management. The final summary paper presents a perspective on scientific and managerial challenges for improved marine environmental protection. In this paper the themes of the issue are discussed with reference to Waldichuks distinguished career as a marine scientist and international advisor on marine pollution.

The iconic Torrey Canyon oil spill of 1967 - Marking its legacy

March 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the SS Torrey Canyon oil spill and cleanup, off the Cornwall coast in the English Channel. It was the worlds first major supertanker disaster. It was a signature event in the marine pollution field, especially related to oil spill response and the initiation of scientific studies of monitoring and researching the fate and effects of oil in the sea. This paper recalls this event, notes our growing understanding of marine pollution and global efforts for cleaner seas, and encourages further work on both oil and the many emerging environmental issues affecting the marine environment.

The Gulfwatch contaminants monitoring program in the Gulf of Maine: Are its data being used for ocean protection, with special reference to Nova Scotia, Canada?

The Gulfwatch Contaminants Monitoring Program is part of the Canada-US, Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GOMC). Programs monitoring legacy toxic substances, i.e., chemical contaminants, such as Gulfwatch, collect and analyse environmental samples (e.g., blue mussels), interpret the data, and report on chemical levels and trends (spatial and temporal) in coastal waters. This study explored the extent to which its extensive information (data, reports, papers) has been used broadly and by Nova Scotia, a GOMC member. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using quantitative and qualitative metrics. Citations to some Gulfwatch papers and analysis of use of the Gulfwatch website showed that its data and information were accessed, mostly by government departments. However, interviews revealed that the departments were not using the data to inform Nova Scotia provincial coastal policy or practices. Recommendations are presented to improve the visibility and use of information provided by long-term, environmental monitoring programs.

Observing the entocommensal ciliate fauna of sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus spp.—an exercise that illustrates the wonders of symbiosis

Sea urchins worldwide are known for the entocommensal or endosymbiotic ciliate protozoa inhabiting their enteric (i.e. gut) fluids. The ease of collecting and dissecting urchins and observing the ciliates makes a simple but highly instructive class exercise for studying and appreciating the wonders of ciliates and marine symbiosis.