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  1. Article ; Online: Assessing human and physical drivers of macro-plastic debris spatially across Queensland, Australia.

    Gacutan, Jordan / Tait, Heidi / Johnston, Emma L / Clark, Graeme F

    Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)

    2023  Volume 330, Page(s) 121731

    Abstract: Plastic pollution poses environmental and socio-economic risks, requiring policy and management interventions. The evidence-base for informing management and evaluation of their effectiveness is limited. Partnerships with citizen scientists provide ... ...

    Abstract Plastic pollution poses environmental and socio-economic risks, requiring policy and management interventions. The evidence-base for informing management and evaluation of their effectiveness is limited. Partnerships with citizen scientists provide opportunities to increase the spatio-temporal scale of monitoring programs, where training and standardised protocols provides opportunities for the use of data in addressing multiple hypotheses. Here, we provide a baseline of debris trends and infer debris drivers of abundance across 18° of latitude, using 168 surveys from 17 beaches across Queensland, Australia through the ReefClean project. Plastics were the dominant material (87% of total debris, with hard, soft and foam plastics aggregated), although linking recovered debris to sources was limited, as 67% of items were fragmented. We tested potential drivers of specific debris types (i.e., plastics, commercial fishing items, items dumped at-sea, and single-use items) and identified significant relationships between debris accumulation with distance from the nearest population centre and site characteristics (modal beach state, beach orientation and across-beach section). Management efforts should consider beach type and orientation within site selection, as an opportunity to maximise the amount recovered, alongside other criteria such as the risks posed by debris on environmental, economic, and social values. This study demonstrates the utility of citizen science to provide baselines and infer drivers of debris, through data gathered at scales that are infeasible to most formal monitoring programs. The identified drivers of debris may also differ from regional and global studies, where monitoring at relevant scales is needed for effective management.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Waste Products/analysis ; Queensland ; Environmental Monitoring/methods ; Plastics ; Bathing Beaches ; Australia
    Chemical Substances Waste Products ; Plastics
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-04-28
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 280652-6
    ISSN 1873-6424 ; 0013-9327 ; 0269-7491
    ISSN (online) 1873-6424
    ISSN 0013-9327 ; 0269-7491
    DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121731
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: Plastic Debris As a Vector for Bacterial Disease: An Interdisciplinary Systematic Review.

    Beloe, Charlotte J / Browne, Mark Anthony / Johnston, Emma L

    Environmental science & technology

    2022  Volume 56, Issue 5, Page(s) 2950–2958

    Abstract: Pathogens and polymers can separately cause disease; however, environmental and medical researchers are increasingly investigating the capacity of polymers to transfer pathogenic bacteria, and cause disease, to hosts in new environments. We integrated ... ...

    Abstract Pathogens and polymers can separately cause disease; however, environmental and medical researchers are increasingly investigating the capacity of polymers to transfer pathogenic bacteria, and cause disease, to hosts in new environments. We integrated causal frameworks from ecology and epidemiology into one interdisciplinary framework with four stages (colonization, survival, transfer, disease). We then systematically and critically reviewed 111 environmental and medical papers. We show 58% of studies investigated the colonization-stage alone but used this as evidence to classify a substratum as a vector. Only 11% of studies identified potential pathogens, with only 3% of studies confirming the presence of virulence-genes. Further, 8% of studies investigated μm-sized polymers with most (58%) examining less pervasive cm-sized polymers. No study showed bacteria can preferentially colonize, survive, transfer, and cause more disease on polymers compared to other environmental media. One laboratory experiment demonstrated plausibility for polymers to be colonized by a potential pathogen (
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Anthozoa ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Infections ; Plastics ; Polymers
    Chemical Substances Plastics ; Polymers
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-02-07
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Systematic Review
    ISSN 1520-5851
    ISSN (online) 1520-5851
    DOI 10.1021/acs.est.1c05405
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article ; Online: Land use and COVID-19 lockdowns influence debris composition and abundance in stormwater drains

    Sherow, Brie / Gacutan, Jordan / Tait, Heidi / Johnston, Emma L. / Clark, Graeme F.

    Science of the Total Environment. 2023 May, v. 871 p.161908-

    2023  

    Abstract: Stormwater drains act as a pathway for anthropogenic debris from land to sea, particularly in urbanised estuaries where impervious surfaces expedite the process. Debris type and abundance in stormwater drains may vary due to land use and human activity, ... ...

    Abstract Stormwater drains act as a pathway for anthropogenic debris from land to sea, particularly in urbanised estuaries where impervious surfaces expedite the process. Debris type and abundance in stormwater drains may vary due to land use and human activity, and knowledge of this variation is necessary to manage the growing threat of debris. Surveys of stormwater debris can inform targeted reduction and remediation efforts by intercepting and identifying pollutants near their source. We surveyed replicate stormwater gross pollutant traps across four land use zones (city centre, shopping centre, transportation hub, industrial precinct) before and during COVID-19 measures to assess the effects of changing human activities. Gross pollutant traps were installed in 120 drains in Greater Melbourne, Australia, and citizen scientists trained by Tangaroa Blue Foundation weighed and classified debris at 6-week intervals between October 2019 and October 2020. Four survey cycles were conducted before lockdowns were implemented, then another four during lockdowns. COVID-19 lockdowns and patterns of debris type and abundance across land use revealed how changes in human activity might impact the flow of debris. Cigarette butts were the most abundant macro debris (>5 mm) item in every survey cycle, regardless of lockdowns. Industrial land use zones had the lowest macro debris counts but contained over 90 % of the micro debris (1–5 mm). The amount of total macro debris decreased during lockdowns, however the most abundant and problematic debris items such as cigarettes and single-use plastics did not decrease as much as might be expected from the concomitant reductions in human activity. Occupational health and safety items, such as masks and gloves, increased (144 %) during COVID-19 lockdowns. Micro debris counts did not change in industrial zones during lockdowns, suggesting that workplace interventions may be necessary to reduce this debris leakage. Tracing the pathway of debris from source to sea can inform reduction and long-term management strategies.
    Keywords COVID-19 infection ; cigarettes ; environment ; humans ; industrial sites ; land use ; occupational health and safety ; pollutants ; remediation ; stormwater ; surveys ; transportation ; urbanization ; working conditions ; Australia ; Marine debris ; Microplastics ; Citizen science ; Urban estuary ; Stormwater drains ; Marine litter
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2023-05
    Publishing place Elsevier B.V.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Note Use and reproduction
    ZDB-ID 121506-1
    ISSN 1879-1026 ; 0048-9697
    ISSN (online) 1879-1026
    ISSN 0048-9697
    DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161908
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  4. Article ; Online: Understanding the role of microhabitats in intertidal rock pools to guide future eco-engineering designs

    Schaefer, Nina / Mayer-Pinto, Mariana / Johnston, Emma L. / Dafforn, Katherine A.

    Mar Biol. 2023 Apr., v. 170, no. 4 p.44-44

    2023  

    Abstract: Intertidal rock pools support diverse assemblages. While there is much research on the importance of rock pools in supporting mobile diversity on rocky shores, there is limited knowledge regarding the role of physical features (microhabitats) within ... ...

    Abstract Intertidal rock pools support diverse assemblages. While there is much research on the importance of rock pools in supporting mobile diversity on rocky shores, there is limited knowledge regarding the role of physical features (microhabitats) within these habitats. Understanding the features of pools that support diversity is crucial to conserve and potentially mimic these important intertidal habitats in restoration projects. Here, we classified and quantified the types of physical features, hereafter “microhabitats” (overhangs and pits), within rock pools at different locations in and around a highly urbanised estuary, Sydney Harbour, Australia. The use of different microhabitats within rock pools by mobile macro-invertebrates was also examined in one location. We surveyed natural rock pools in summer (2 times) and winter (2 times) at seven sites: two sites from each of the inner and outer zones of Sydney Harbour, and three sites along the open coast of Sydney. We found that the type and size of microhabitats within pools decreased from the coastal towards inner harbour sites. Along the open coast, the richness of mobile taxa increased in rock pools with overhangs or pits. Only rock pools with overhangs had increased mobile abundances, likely driven by the gastropod Nerita melanotragus. Several species occurred in greater frequency in pools with overhangs. There was no effect of pits on abundances. This survey suggests that some microhabitats may play an important role in the diversity and abundance of mobile macro-invertebrates in rock pools. A detailed understanding of the local and regional scales of microhabitats should be used to inform eco-engineering of intertidal foreshores.
    Keywords Gastropoda ; coasts ; estuaries ; littoral zone ; macroinvertebrates ; summer ; surveys ; urbanization ; winter ; Australia
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2023-04
    Size p. 44.
    Publishing place Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Document type Article ; Online
    ZDB-ID 1117-4
    ISSN 1432-1793 ; 0025-3162
    ISSN (online) 1432-1793
    ISSN 0025-3162
    DOI 10.1007/s00227-023-04196-2
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  5. Article ; Online: Assessing human and physical drivers of macro-plastic debris spatially across Queensland, Australia

    Gacutan, Jordan / Tait, Heidi / Johnston, Emma L. / Clark, Graeme F.

    Environmental Pollution. 2023 Aug., v. 330 p.121731-

    2023  

    Abstract: Plastic pollution poses environmental and socio-economic risks, requiring policy and management interventions. The evidence-base for informing management and evaluation of their effectiveness is limited. Partnerships with citizen scientists provide ... ...

    Abstract Plastic pollution poses environmental and socio-economic risks, requiring policy and management interventions. The evidence-base for informing management and evaluation of their effectiveness is limited. Partnerships with citizen scientists provide opportunities to increase the spatio-temporal scale of monitoring programs, where training and standardised protocols provides opportunities for the use of data in addressing multiple hypotheses. Here, we provide a baseline of debris trends and infer debris drivers of abundance across 18° of latitude, using 168 surveys from 17 beaches across Queensland, Australia through the ReefClean project. Plastics were the dominant material (87% of total debris, with hard, soft and foam plastics aggregated), although linking recovered debris to sources was limited, as 67% of items were fragmented. We tested potential drivers of specific debris types (i.e., plastics, commercial fishing items, items dumped at-sea, and single-use items) and identified significant relationships between debris accumulation with distance from the nearest population centre and site characteristics (modal beach state, beach orientation and across-beach section). Management efforts should consider beach type and orientation within site selection, as an opportunity to maximise the amount recovered, alongside other criteria such as the risks posed by debris on environmental, economic, and social values. This study demonstrates the utility of citizen science to provide baselines and infer drivers of debris, through data gathered at scales that are infeasible to most formal monitoring programs. The identified drivers of debris may also differ from regional and global studies, where monitoring at relevant scales is needed for effective management.
    Keywords citizen science ; foams ; humans ; issues and policy ; latitude ; pollution ; socioeconomics ; Queensland ; Environmental monitoring ; Debris management ; Coastal management ; Plastic pollution ; Marine debris
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2023-08
    Publishing place Elsevier Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Note Use and reproduction
    ZDB-ID 280652-6
    ISSN 1873-6424 ; 0013-9327 ; 0269-7491
    ISSN (online) 1873-6424
    ISSN 0013-9327 ; 0269-7491
    DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121731
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  6. Article ; Online: Land use and COVID-19 lockdowns influence debris composition and abundance in stormwater drains.

    Sherow, Brie / Gacutan, Jordan / Tait, Heidi / Johnston, Emma L / Clark, Graeme F

    The Science of the total environment

    2023  Volume 871, Page(s) 161908

    Abstract: Stormwater drains act as a pathway for anthropogenic debris from land to sea, particularly in urbanised estuaries where impervious surfaces expedite the process. Debris type and abundance in stormwater drains may vary due to land use and human activity, ... ...

    Abstract Stormwater drains act as a pathway for anthropogenic debris from land to sea, particularly in urbanised estuaries where impervious surfaces expedite the process. Debris type and abundance in stormwater drains may vary due to land use and human activity, and knowledge of this variation is necessary to manage the growing threat of debris. Surveys of stormwater debris can inform targeted reduction and remediation efforts by intercepting and identifying pollutants near their source. We surveyed replicate stormwater gross pollutant traps across four land use zones (city centre, shopping centre, transportation hub, industrial precinct) before and during COVID-19 measures to assess the effects of changing human activities. Gross pollutant traps were installed in 120 drains in Greater Melbourne, Australia, and citizen scientists trained by Tangaroa Blue Foundation weighed and classified debris at 6-week intervals between October 2019 and October 2020. Four survey cycles were conducted before lockdowns were implemented, then another four during lockdowns. COVID-19 lockdowns and patterns of debris type and abundance across land use revealed how changes in human activity might impact the flow of debris. Cigarette butts were the most abundant macro debris (>5 mm) item in every survey cycle, regardless of lockdowns. Industrial land use zones had the lowest macro debris counts but contained over 90 % of the micro debris (1-5 mm). The amount of total macro debris decreased during lockdowns, however the most abundant and problematic debris items such as cigarettes and single-use plastics did not decrease as much as might be expected from the concomitant reductions in human activity. Occupational health and safety items, such as masks and gloves, increased (144 %) during COVID-19 lockdowns. Micro debris counts did not change in industrial zones during lockdowns, suggesting that workplace interventions may be necessary to reduce this debris leakage. Tracing the pathway of debris from source to sea can inform reduction and long-term management strategies.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Waste Products/analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; Communicable Disease Control ; Plastics ; Environmental Pollutants
    Chemical Substances Waste Products ; Plastics ; Environmental Pollutants
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-02-01
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 121506-1
    ISSN 1879-1026 ; 0048-9697
    ISSN (online) 1879-1026
    ISSN 0048-9697
    DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161908
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  7. Article ; Online: Evaluating the social and ecological effectiveness of partially protected marine areas.

    Turnbull, John W / Johnston, Emma L / Clark, Graeme F

    Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology

    2021  Volume 35, Issue 3, Page(s) 921–932

    Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary tool for the stewardship, conservation, and restoration of marine ecosystems, yet 69% of global MPAs are only partially protected (i.e., are open to some form of fishing). Although fully protected areas have ... ...

    Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary tool for the stewardship, conservation, and restoration of marine ecosystems, yet 69% of global MPAs are only partially protected (i.e., are open to some form of fishing). Although fully protected areas have well-documented outcomes, including increased fish diversity and biomass, the effectiveness of partially protected areas is contested. Partially protected areas may provide benefits in some contexts and may be warranted for social reasons, yet social outcomes often depend on MPAs achieving their ecological goals to distinguish them from open areas and justify the cost of protection. We assessed the social perceptions and ecological effectiveness of 18 partially protected areas and 19 fully protected areas compared with 19 open areas along 7000 km of coast of southern Australia. We used mixed methods, gathering data via semistructured interviews, site surveys, and Reef Life (underwater visual census) surveys. We analyzed qualitative data in accordance with grounded theory and quantitative data with multivariate and univariate linear mixed-effects models. We found no social or ecological benefits for partially protected areas relative to open areas in our study. Partially protected areas had no more fish, invertebrates, or algae than open areas; were poorly understood by coastal users; were not more attractive than open areas; and were not perceived to have better marine life than open areas. These findings provide an important counterpoint to some large-scale meta-analyses that conclude partially protected areas can be ecologically effective but that draw this conclusion based on narrower measures. We argue that partially protected areas act as red herrings in marine conservation because they create an illusion of protection and consume scarce conservation resources yet provide little or no social or ecological gain over open areas. Fully protected areas, by contrast, have more fish species and biomass and are well understood, supported, and valued by the public. They are perceived to have better marine life and be improving over time in keeping with actual ecological results. Conservation outcomes can be improved by upgrading partially protected areas to higher levels of protection including conversion to fully protected areas.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Biomass ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Fisheries ; Fishes ; South Australia
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-01-14
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 58735-7
    ISSN 1523-1739 ; 0888-8892
    ISSN (online) 1523-1739
    ISSN 0888-8892
    DOI 10.1111/cobi.13677
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  8. Article ; Online: Organic enrichment reduces sediment bacterial and archaeal diversity, composition, and functional profile independent of bioturbator activity.

    Gonzalez, Sebastian Vadillo / Dafforn, Katherine A / Gribben, Paul E / O'Connor, Wayne A / Johnston, Emma L

    Marine pollution bulletin

    2023  Volume 196, Page(s) 115608

    Abstract: Eutrophication is a worldwide issue that can disrupt ecosystem processes in sediments. Studies have shown that macrofauna influences sediment processes by engineering environments that constrain microbial communities. Here, we explored the effect of ... ...

    Abstract Eutrophication is a worldwide issue that can disrupt ecosystem processes in sediments. Studies have shown that macrofauna influences sediment processes by engineering environments that constrain microbial communities. Here, we explored the effect of different sizes of the Sydney cockle (Anadara trapezia), on bacterial and archaeal communities in natural and experimentally enriched sediments. A mesocosm experiment was conducted with two enrichment conditions (natural or enriched) and 5 cockle treatments (small, medium, large, mixed sizes and a control). This study was unable to detect A. trapezia effects on microbial communities irrespective of body size. However, a substantial decrease of bacterial richness, diversity, and structural and functional shifts, were seen with organic enrichment of sediments. Archaea were similarly changed although the magnitude of effect was less than for bacteria. Overall, we found evidence to suggest that A. trapezia had limited capacity to affect sediment microbial communities and mitigate the effects of organic enrichment.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Archaea/genetics ; Geologic Sediments/chemistry ; Bacteria/genetics ; Microbiota ; Arcidae ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
    Chemical Substances RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-10-03
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2001296-2
    ISSN 1879-3363 ; 0025-326X
    ISSN (online) 1879-3363
    ISSN 0025-326X
    DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115608
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  9. Article ; Online: The long-lived deep-sea bivalve Acesta excavata is sensitive to the dual stressors of sediment and warming.

    Scanes, Elliot / Kutti, Tina / Fang, James K H / Johnston, Emma L / Ross, Pauline M / Bannister, Raymond J

    Marine pollution bulletin

    2024  Volume 202, Page(s) 116323

    Abstract: Human influence in the deep-sea is increasing as mining and drilling operations expand, and waters warm because of climate change. Here, we investigate how the long-lived deep-sea bivalve, Acesta excavata responds to sediment pollution and/or acute ... ...

    Abstract Human influence in the deep-sea is increasing as mining and drilling operations expand, and waters warm because of climate change. Here, we investigate how the long-lived deep-sea bivalve, Acesta excavata responds to sediment pollution and/or acute elevated temperatures. A. excavata were exposed to suspended sediment, acute warming, and a combination of the two treatments for 40 days. We measured O
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Geologic Sediments/chemistry ; Climate Change ; Bivalvia/physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Carbon/analysis
    Chemical Substances Carbon (7440-44-0)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2024-04-10
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2001296-2
    ISSN 1879-3363 ; 0025-326X
    ISSN (online) 1879-3363
    ISSN 0025-326X
    DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116323
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  10. Article: Plastic Debris As a Vector for Bacterial Disease: An Interdisciplinary Systematic Review

    Beloe, Charlotte J. / Browne, Mark Anthony / Johnston, Emma L.

    Environmental science & technology. 2022 Feb. 07, v. 56, no. 5

    2022  

    Abstract: Pathogens and polymers can separately cause disease; however, environmental and medical researchers are increasingly investigating the capacity of polymers to transfer pathogenic bacteria, and cause disease, to hosts in new environments. We integrated ... ...

    Abstract Pathogens and polymers can separately cause disease; however, environmental and medical researchers are increasingly investigating the capacity of polymers to transfer pathogenic bacteria, and cause disease, to hosts in new environments. We integrated causal frameworks from ecology and epidemiology into one interdisciplinary framework with four stages (colonization, survival, transfer, disease). We then systematically and critically reviewed 111 environmental and medical papers. We show 58% of studies investigated the colonization-stage alone but used this as evidence to classify a substratum as a vector. Only 11% of studies identified potential pathogens, with only 3% of studies confirming the presence of virulence-genes. Further, 8% of studies investigated μm-sized polymers with most (58%) examining less pervasive cm-sized polymers. No study showed bacteria can preferentially colonize, survive, transfer, and cause more disease on polymers compared to other environmental media. One laboratory experiment demonstrated plausibility for polymers to be colonized by a potential pathogen (Escherichia coli), survive, transfer, and cause disease in coral (Astrangia poculata). Our analysis shows a need for linked structured surveys with environmentally relevant experiments to understand patterns and processes across the vectoral stages, so that the risks and impacts of pathogens on polymers can be assessed with more certainty.
    Keywords Escherichia coli ; corals ; ecology ; environmental science ; epidemiology ; laboratory experimentation ; pathogens ; systematic review ; technology
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2022-0207
    Size p. 2950-2958.
    Publishing place American Chemical Society
    Document type Article
    ISSN 1520-5851
    DOI 10.1021/acs.est.1c05405
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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