Managing offshore multi-use settings: Use of conceptual mapping to reduce uncertainty of co-locating seaweed aquaculture and wind farms.

The offshore Multi-use Setting (MUS) is a concept that aims to co-locate marine industrial activities, including wind farms and aquaculture. MUS is considered an innovative approach to promoting efficiency in space and resource use whilst contributing global policy priorities. However, the impacts of MUS development across social, economic, and environmental domains are uncertain, hindering the commercialisation of the concept. In this study, we initially demonstrate the potential consequences of co-locating seaweed aquaculture and a wind farm as a step towards MUS. Using a hypothetical case study and modified Delphi methodology, 14 subject matter experts predicted potential outcomes across social and environmental objectives. Five Cognitive maps and impact tables of 58 potential consequences were generated based on experts' perspective on co-locating seaweed aquaculture and a wind farm. The findings highlight the potential to exasperate pressures in the area, including those already attributed to wind farm operations, such as species mortality and stakeholder conflict. However, it may also enhance social-ecological conditions, such as resource provisioning and promoting habitat functionality in the region, through the addition of seaweed aquaculture. The cognitive maps demonstrate the complexity of managing MUS implementation, where high degree of variability and uncertainty about the outcomes is present. The findings of this study provide the vital entry point to performing further integrative assessment and modelling approaches, such as probabilistic analysis and simulations, in support of MUS decision-making. The research also strongly recommends alternative strategies in the pursuit of combining seaweed production and wind farms to avoid significant financial (among many other) trade-offs and risks. More broadly, we have found that our approach's ability to visually represent a complex situation while considering multiple objectives could be immensely valuable for other bioeconomy innovations or nature-based solutions. It helps mitigate the potential for expensive investments without a comprehensive evaluation of the associated risks and negative impacts, as necessitated by the principles of sustainability in decision-making.

Cost benefit analysis of survey methods for assessing intertidal sediment disturbance: A bait collection case study.

Coastal management requires cost-effective, yet accurate, assessments of habitat condition, especially in areas protected by statutory conservation measures. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) provide alternatives to manned aircraft and walk-over (WO) surveys. To support coastal managers with method selection, we compare the costs and benefits of the three techniques using the extent of bait collection (sediment scarring from manual digging) on intertidal mudflats from three UK sites. UAV and WO surveys were conducted in parallel and aerial photography was downloaded from the Channel Coastal Observatory (CCO). Digging was digitised from estimations on foot (WO) or by manually labelling imagery with confidence assigned (UAV/CCO). Method efficacy is compared with respect to spatial coverage, control over survey time/location, spatial resolution, positioning accuracy, and area of digging detected. Personnel hours and up-front costs (e.g. training/equipment), costs for personnel time standardised by shore area, personnel risk, and environmental impact are also compared. Regarding efficacy, CCO imagery had extensive shore coverage compared to UAV and WO, however, assessments are restricted to times/locations with available imagery. Each method's resolution was sufficient to detect digging. WO achieved the highest resolution (on foot), but the lowest positioning accuracy, in contrast to accurate feature delineation on aerial imagery. An additive two-way ANOVA revealed a significantly higher percent area of 'dug' sediment (all confidence levels) recorded by UAV than WO. CCO was the most cost-effective with no fieldwork/equipment costs. UAV had the highest up-front costs, but WO was more costly for personnel hours/km2 for survey time and digitisation. For all methods, digitisation was the most time-consuming aspect. Compared to WO, UAV achieved rapid shore surveys and the CCO and UAV methods minimise personnel risks. UAV and WO both cause wildlife disturbance, with trampling an additional WO impact. With each method suited to sediment disturbance assessment, selection will depend on resources and objectives and will be aided by this holistic cost-benefit analysis. Cost-effectiveness will improve with evolving regulations that facilitate UAV use and technological developments (e.g. machine learning for disturbance detection) that could significantly expedite imagery analysis and enable broadscale assessments from CCO or satellite imagery.

Baseline Karnofsky performance status is independently predictive of death within 30 days of intracranial radiation therapy completion for metastatic disease.

INTRODUCTION: For patients with brain metastases, palliative radiation therapy (RT) has long been a standard of care for improving quality of life and optimizing intracranial disease control. The duration of time between completion of palliative RT and patient death has rarely been evaluated. METHODS: A compilation of two prospective institutional databases encompassing April 2015 through December 2018 was used to identify patients who received palliative intracranial radiation therapy. A multivariate logistic regression model characterized patients adjusting for age, sex, admission status (inpatient versus outpatient), Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and radiation therapy indication. RESULTS: 136 consecutive patients received intracranial palliative radiation therapy. Patients with baseline KPS <70 (OR = 2.2; 95%CI = 1.6-3.1; p < 0.0001) were significantly more likely to die within 30 days of treatment. Intracranial palliative radiation therapy was most commonly delivered to provide local control (66% of patients) or alleviate neurologic symptoms (32% of patients), and was most commonly delivered via whole brain radiation therapy in 10 fractions to 30 Gy (38% of patients). Of the 42 patients who died within 30 days of RT, 31 (74%) received at least 10 fractions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that baseline KPS <70 is independently predictive of death within 30 days of palliative intracranial RT, and that a large majority of patients who died within 30 days received at least 10 fractions. These results indicate that for poor performance status patients requiring palliative intracranial radiation, hypofractionated RT courses should be strongly considered.

Radiosurgery dose reduction for brain metastases on immunotherapy (RADREMI): A prospective phase I study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Up to 20% of patients with brain metastases treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy and concomitant stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) suffer from symptomatic radiation necrosis. The goal of this study is to evaluate Radiosurgery Dose Reduction for Brain Metastases on Immunotherapy (RADREMI) on six-month symptomatic radiation necrosis rates. METHODS: This study is a prospective single arm Phase I pilot study which will recruit patients with brain metastases receiving ICI delivered within 30 days before SRS. All patients will be treated with RADREMI dosing, which involves SRS doses of 18 Gy for 0-2 cm lesions, 14 Gy for 2.1-3 cm lesions, and 12 Gy for 3.1-4 cm lesions. All patients will be monitored for six-month symptomatic radiation necrosis (defined as a six-month rate of clinical symptomatology requiring steroid administration and/or operative intervention concomitant with imaging findings consistent with radiation necrosis) and six-month local control. We expect that RADREMI dosing will significantly reduce the symptomatic radiation necrosis rate of concomitant SRS + ICI without significantly sacrificing the local control obtained by the present RTOG 90-05 SRS dosing schema. Local control will be defined according to the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria. DISCUSSION: This study is the first prospective trial to investigate the safety of dose-reduced SRS in treatment of brain metastases with concomitant ICI. The findings should provide fertile soil for future multi-institutional collaborative efficacy trials of RADREMI dosing for this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04047602 (registration date: July 25, 2019).

Impact of the American Tax Payer Relief Act on stereotactic radiosurgery utilization in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is delivered predominantly via two modalities: Gamma Knife, and linear accelerator (LINAC). Implementation of the American Tax Payer Relief Act (ATRA) in 2013 represented the first time limitations specifically targeting SRS reimbursement were introduced into federal law. The subsequent impact of the ATRA on SRS utilization in the United States (US) has yet to be examined. METHODS: The National Cancer Database from 2010-2016 identified brain metastases patients from non-small cell lung cancer throughout the US having undergone SRS. Utilization between GKRS and LINAC was assessed before (2010-2012), during (2013-2014) and after (2015-2016) ATRA implementation. RESULTS: In 2013, there was a substantial decrease of LINAC SRS in favor of GKRS in non-academic centers. Over the 3-year span immediately preceding ATRA implementation, 39% of all eligible SRS cases received LINAC. There was a modest decrease in LINAC utilization over the 2 years immediately following ATRA implementation (35%), followed by an increase over the next two years (40%). SRS modality showed differences over the three time periods (unadjusted, p = 0.043), primarily in non-academic centers (unadjusted, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: ATRA implementation in 2013 caused an initial spike in Gamma Knife SRS utilization, followed by a decline to rates similar to the years before implementation. These findings indicate that the ATRA provision mandating Medicare reduction of outpatient payment rates for Gamma Knife to be equivalent with those of LINAC SRS had a significant short-term impact on the radiosurgical treatment of metastatic brain disease throughout the US, serving as a reminder of the importance/impact of public policy on treatment modality utilization by physicians and hospitals.

Aberrant hetero-disulfide bond formation by the hypertriglyceridemia-associated p.Gly185Cys APOA5 variant (rs2075291).

OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V) is a low-abundance plasma protein that modulates triacylglycerol homeostasis. Gene transfer studies were undertaken in apoa5 (-/-) mice to define the mechanism underlying the correlation between the single-nucleotide polymorphism c.553G>T in APOA5 and hypertriglyceridemia. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/8-mediated gene transfer of wild-type apoA-V induced a dramatic lowering of plasma triacylglycerol in apoa5 (-/-) mice, whereas AAV2/8-Gly162Cys apoA-V (corresponding to the c.553G>T single-nucleotide polymorphism: rs2075291; p.Gly185Cys when numbering includes signal sequence) had a modest effect. Characterization studies revealed that plasma levels of wild-type and G162C apoA-V in transduced mice were similar and within the physiological range. Fractionation of plasma from mice transduced with AAV2/8-G162C apoA-V indicated that, unlike wild-type apoA-V, >50% of G162C apoA-V was recovered in the lipoprotein-free fraction. Nonreducing SDS-PAGE immunoblot analysis provided evidence that G162C apoA-V present in the lipoprotein-free fraction, but not that portion associated with lipoproteins, displayed altered electrophoretic mobility consistent with disulfide-linked heterodimer formation. Immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of human plasma from subjects homozygous for wild-type APOA5 and c.553G>T APOA5 revealed that G162C apoA-V forms adducts with extraneous plasma proteins including fibronectin, kininogen-1, and others. CONCLUSIONS: Substitution of Cys for Gly at position 162 of mature apoA-V introduces a free cysteine that forms disulfide bonds with plasma proteins such that its lipoprotein-binding and triacylglycerol-modulation functions are compromised.

Gene transfer of apolipoprotein A-V improves the hypertriglyceridemic phenotype of apoa5 (-/-) mice.

OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein (apo) A-V is a low abundance protein with a profound influence on plasma triacylglycerol levels. In human populations, single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations in APOA5 positively correlate with hypertriglyceridemia. As an approach to preventing the deleterious effects of chronic hypertriglyceridemia, apoA-V gene therapy has been pursued. METHODS AND RESULTS: Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/8 harboring the coding sequence for human apoA-V or a control AAV2/8 was transduced into hypertriglyceridemic apoa5 (-/-) mice. After injection of 1×10(12) viral genome AAV2/8-apoA-V, maximal plasma levels of apoA-V protein were achieved at 3 to 4 weeks, after which the concentration slowly declined. Complementing the appearance of apoA-V was a decrease (50±6%) in plasma triacylglycerol content compared with apoa5 (-/-) mice treated with AAV2/8-ß-galactosidase. After 8 weeks the mice were euthanized and plasma lipoproteins separated. AAV2/8-apoA-V-transduced mice displayed a dramatic reduction in very low-density lipoprotein triacylglycerol content. Vector generated apoA-V in plasma associated with both very low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein fractions. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the data show that gene transfer of apoA-V improves the severe hypertriglyceridemia phenotype of apoa5 (-/-) mice. Given the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, apoA-V gene therapy offers a potential strategy for maintenance of plasma triacylglycerol homeostasis.

Analysis of Retrospective Versus Prospective Peer Review in a Multisite Academic Radiation Department.

Purpose: Our multisite academic radiation department reviewed our experience with transitioning from weekly primarily retrospective to daily primarily prospective peer review to improve plan quality and decrease the rate of plan revisions after treatment start. Methods and Materials: This study was an institutional review board-approved prospective comparison of radiation treatment plan review outcomes of plans reviewed weekly (majority within 1 week after treatment start) versus plans reviewed daily (majority before treatment start, except brachytherapy, frame-based radiosurgery, and some emergent plans). Deviations were based on peer comments and considered major if plan revisions were recommended before the next fraction and minor if modifications were suggested but not required. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 distribution tests of independence; means were compared using independent t tests. Results: In all, 798 patients with 1124 plans were reviewed: 611 plans weekly and 513 plans daily. Overall, 76 deviations (6.8%) were noted. Rates of any deviation were increased in the daily era (8.6% vs 5.2%; P = .026), with higher rates of major deviations in the daily era (4.1% vs 1.6%; P = .012). Median working days between initial simulation and treatment was the same across eras (8 days). Deviations led to a plan revision at a higher rate in the daily era (84.1% vs 31.3%; P < .001). Conclusions: Daily prospective peer review is feasible in a multisite academic setting. Daily peer review with emphasis on prospective plan evaluation increased constructive plan feedback, plan revisions, and plan revisions being implemented before treatment start.

Genomic analysis of human brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery reveals unique signature based on treatment failure.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of limited brain metastasis (BM); however, the effects of SRS on human brain metastases have yet to be studied. We performed genomic analysis on resected brain metastases from patients whose resected lesion was previously treated with SRS. Our analyses demonstrated for the first time that patients possess a distinct genomic signature based on type of treatment failure including local failure, leptomeningeal spread, and radio-necrosis. Examination of the center and peripheral edge of the tumors treated with SRS indicated differential DNA damage distribution and an enrichment for tumor suppressor mutations and DNA damage repair pathways along the peripheral edge. Furthermore, the two clinical modalities used to deliver SRS, LINAC and GK, demonstrated differential effects on the tumor landscape even between controlled primary sites. Our study provides, in human, biological evidence of differential effects of SRS across BM's.

Can the global marine aquarium trade (MAT) be a model for sustainable coral reef fisheries?

Globally, 6 million coral reef fishers provide ~25% of emergent countries' catch, but species have low value. The marine aquarium trade (MAT) targets high-value biodiversity, but missing data amplify draconian governance and demand for international prohibition. To stimulate sustainability and reef conservation investment, we generate a fiscal baseline using the first global analysis of numbers, diversity, and biomass of MAT-traded organisms. Each year, ~55 million organisms worth US$2.15 billion at retail are traded comparable with major fisheries, e.g., tuna. A sustainable MAT also requires overexploitation assessments. We identify 25 species/genera with "Extremely High" risk ratios and place the Indonesian and Sulu-Celebes Seas in the highest exploitation category. Despite predicted hobbyist number increases, unabated reef degradation and low governance will transform the MAT into an aquaculture-dominated industry decoupled from communities (i.e., culture located in importing countries). A "MAT-positive" future requires evidence-based management/governance, consumer education, and sustainable practice incentivization but can address the biodiversity and social and economic inequality crises.

Genomic Analysis of Human Brain Metastases Treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery Under the Phase-II Clinical Trial (NCT03398694) Reveals DNA Damage Repair at the Peripheral Tumor Edge.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is one of the leading treatment modalities for oligo brain metastasis (BM), however no comprehensive genomic data assessing the effect of radiation on BM in humans exist. Leveraging a unique opportunity, as part of the clinical trial (NCT03398694), we collected post-SRS, delivered via Gamma-knife or LINAC, tumor samples from core and peripheral-edges of the resected tumor to characterize the genomic effects of overall SRS as well as the SRS delivery modality. Using these rare patient samples, we show that SRS results in significant genomic changes at DNA and RNA levels throughout the tumor. Mutations and expression profiles of peripheral tumor samples indicated interaction with surrounding brain tissue as well as elevated DNA damage repair. Central samples show GSEA enrichment for cellular apoptosis while peripheral samples carried an increase in tumor suppressor mutations. There are significant differences in the transcriptomic profile at the periphery between Gamma-knife vs LINAC.

Analysis of bioactive oxysterols in newborn mouse brain by LC/MS.

Unesterified cholesterol is a major component of plasma membranes. In the brain of the adult, it is mostly found in myelin sheaths, where it plays a major architectural role. In the newborn mouse, little myelination of neurons has occurred, and much of this sterol comprises a metabolically active pool. In the current study, we have accessed this metabolically active pool and, using LC/MS, have identified cholesterol precursors and metabolites. Although desmosterol and 24S-hydroxycholesterol represent the major precursor and metabolite, respectively, other steroids, including the oxysterols 22-oxocholesterol, 22R-hydroxycholesterol, 20R,22R-dihydroxycholesterol, and the C(21)-neurosteroid progesterone, were identified. 24S,25-epoxycholesterol formed in parallel to cholesterol was also found to be a major sterol in newborn brain. Like 24S- and 22R-hydroxycholesterols, and also desmosterol, 24S,25-epoxycholesterol is a ligand to the liver X receptors, which are expressed in brain. The desmosterol metabolites (24Z),26-, (24E),26-, and 7α-hydroxydesmosterol were identified in brain for the first time.

Inclusion of condition in natural capital assessments is critical to the implementation of marine nature-based solutions.

Current approaches to measure ecosystem services (ES) within natural capital (NC) and nature-based solutions (NbS) assessments are generally coarse, often using a single figure for ecosystem services (e.g., nutrient remediation or blue carbon sequestration) applied to the local or national habitat stock, which fails to take account of local ecosystem conditions and regional variability. As such, there is a need for improved understanding of the link between habitat condition and ES provision, using comparable indicators in order to take more informed management decisions. Here the UK, Solent Marine Sites (SEMS) is used as a case study system to demonstrate how Water Framework Directive (WFD) 'ecological status' and other indicators of ecosystem condition (state or quality) can be coupled with habitat extent information to deliver a more precise locally-tailored NC approach for active coastal and marine habitat restoration. Habitat extent and condition data are collected for seven NbS relevant coastal habitats (littoral sediment, mat-forming green macroalgae, subtidal sediment, saltmarsh, seagrass, reedbeds and native oyster beds). The workflow includes: 1) biophysical assessment of regulatory ES; 2) monetary valuation; and 3) compilation of future scenarios of habitat restoration and creation. The results indicate that incorporating classifications by condition indices into local NC extent accounts improved ES benefits by 11-67%. This suggests that omitting condition from NC assessments could lead to undervaluation of ES benefits. Future scenarios of restoration in the SEMS also show that the additional regulatory benefits of reaching 'Good' ecological status are £376 million annually, but could be as much as £1.218 billion if 'High'status and all habitat creation targets were met. This evidence of the potential value of restoration and importance of including condition indices in assessments is highly relevant to consider when investing in water ecosystems conservation and restoration as called for by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), and more generally in global nutrient neutrality and blue carbon policy strategies.

Literature review of management of brain metastases from germ cell tumors.

OBJECTIVE: In this review article, we discuss the role of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy in the treatment of brain metastases from germ cell tumors (GCT). BACKGROUND: GCT rarely metastasize to the brain and there is limited data to guide management. Most instances of brain metastases occur in patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). METHODS: We searched PubMed using the terms 'central nervous system (CNS) metastases' or 'brain metastases' and 'germ cell' from 2011 through August 2021. Review articles and prospective trials related to the treatment of brain metastases in GCT were included in addition to articles obtained by hand search of the references and clinical practice guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the importance of using chemotherapy as first-line therapy in most situations. We discuss the very minimal data regarding surgery and its primary role when there is significant mass effect or brain shift. We also compare whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) with the use of radiosurgery. We then provide overall recommendations based on the reviewed data and our experience as a referral center for GCT.

Discovery of increased number or interval growth of brain metastases on same-day GammaKnife™ planning MRI: Predicting factors and patient outcomes.

Purpose: To determine factors associated with increased risk of finding new and/or enlarged brain metastases (BM) on GammaKnife™ (GK) MRI and their impact on patient outcomes. Results: 43.9% of patients showed BM growth, 32.9% had additional brain metastases (aBM), and 18.1 % had both. Initial brain metastasis velocity (iBMV) was associated with finding aBM. Time between diagnostic MRI (dMRI) and GK MRI was associated with interval growth and each day increased this risk by 2%. Prior brain metastasectomy and greater time between either dMRI or latest extracranial RT and GK MRI predicted both aBM and BM growth. aBM and/or BM growth led to management change in 1.8% of cases and were not associated with OS or incidence of distant intracranial failure. Conclusions: Number of metastases seen on dMRI and iBMV predicted both aBM and/or BM growth, however, these factors did not significantly affect survival or incidence of distant intracranial failure.

A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation.

The biodiversity of marine and coastal habitats is experiencing unprecedented change. While there are well-known drivers of these changes, such as overexploitation, climate change and pollution, there are also relatively unknown emerging issues that are poorly understood or recognized that have potentially positive or negative impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems. In this inaugural Marine and Coastal Horizon Scan, we brought together 30 scientists, policymakers and practitioners with transdisciplinary expertise in marine and coastal systems to identify new issues that are likely to have a significant impact on the functioning and conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity over the next 5-10 years. Based on a modified Delphi voting process, the final 15 issues presented were distilled from a list of 75 submitted by participants at the start of the process. These issues are grouped into three categories: ecosystem impacts, for example the impact of wildfires and the effect of poleward migration on equatorial biodiversity; resource exploitation, including an increase in the trade of fish swim bladders and increased exploitation of marine collagens; and new technologies, such as soft robotics and new biodegradable products. Our early identification of these issues and their potential impacts on marine and coastal biodiversity will support scientists, conservationists, resource managers and policymakers to address the challenges facing marine ecosystems.

Data on elemental concentrations in marine sediments from the South and South West of England.

The present Data In Brief methodological paper details the acquisition, mining and pre-processing of elemental concentration data in marine sediments (coastal and open sea) of Southern England, presented and discussed in the co-submitted Environment International paper entitled: "Three decades of trace element sediment contamination: the mining of governmental databases and the need to address hidden sources for clean and healthy seas" [1]. Elemental sediment concentration data were obtained from the two main UK environmental sources, i.e. the Environment Agency (EA) and the Marine Environment Monitoring and Assessment National (MERMAN) database managed by the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC). The merged database is the result of a rigorous data selection-validation process and provides spatially and temporally extensive records of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) concentrations for hundreds of sites over 31 years (1983-2013). Additional records of manganese (Mn), aluminium (Al), lithium (Li), tin (Sn) [and tributyltin (TBT)], barium (Ba), antimony (Sb), boron (B), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be), vanadium (V), titanium (Ti), sodium (Na), silver (Ag), thallium (Tl) and strontium (Sr) are also included. The full secondary database is hosted in the Mendeley Data repository and the geo-spatial information to map sites is given in supplementary files to the paper. To provide end-users with the relevant context on spatial and temporal coverage, monitoring statistics are given for the nine trace elements (TEs). Site-specific statistics include: the first and last year of sediment monitoring, the number of years monitored, and minimum, maximum, mean and median numbers of years monitored. Also given are summary data on the number of sites monitored each year, from the first records from 1983 to 2013. For the nine TEs (total and strong acid digestion techniques are considered separately for Cr and Fe), monitoring statistics are presented separately for coastal and open sea sites. Data are relevant to diverse end-users to assess the local and regional contaminant loads and to contextualize anthropogenic threats to benthic systems in multiple locations from the French/English Channel, southern North and Celtic Seas.

Three decades of trace element sediment contamination: The mining of governmental databases and the need to address hidden sources for clean and healthy seas.

Trace elements (TEs) frequently contaminate coastal marine sediments with many included in priority chemical lists or control legislation. These, improved waste treatment and increased recycling have fostered the belief that TE pollution is declining. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of long-term robust datasets to support this confidence. By mining UK datasets (100s of sites, 31 years), we assess sediment concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) and use indices (PI [Pollution], TEPI [Trace Element Pollution] and Igeo [Geoaccumulation]) to assess TE pollution evolution. PI and TEPI show reductions of overall TE pollution in the 1980s then incremental improvements followed by a distinct increase (2010-13). Zn, As and Pb Igeo scores show low pollution, whilst Cd and Hg are moderate, but with all remaining temporally stable. Igeo scores are low for Ni, Fe and Cr, but increasing for Ni and Fe. A moderate pollution Igeo score for Cu has also steadily increased since the mid-1990s. Increasing site trends are not universal and, conversely, minimal temporal change masks some site-specific increases and decreases. To capture this variability we strongly advocate embedding sufficient sentinel sites within observation networks. Decreasing sediment pollution levels (e.g. Pb and Hg) have been achieved, but stabilizing Igeo and recently increasing TEPI and PI scores require continued global vigilance. Increasing Ni and Fe Igeo scores necessitate source identification, but this is a priority for Cu. Local, regional and world analyses indicate substantial 'hidden' inputs from anti-fouling paints (Cu, Zn), ship scrubbers (Cu, Zn, Ni) and sacrificial anodes (Zn) that are also predicted to increase markedly. Accurate TE input assessments and targeted legislation are, therefore, urgently required, especially in the context of rapid blue economic growth (e.g. shipping).

Detecting the effects of chronic metal exposure on benthic systems: Importance of biomarker and endpoint selection.

Understanding metal toxicity to benthic systems is still an ecotoxicological priority and, although numerous biomarkers exist, a multi-biomarker and endpoint approach with sediment as the delivery matrix combined with life-history relevant exposure timescales is missing. Here we assess potential toxicity by measuring a suite of biomarkers and endpoints after exposing the ecologically important polychaete Alitta(Nereis)virens to sediment spiked with environmentally relevant concentrations of copper and zinc (and in combination) for 3, 6 and 9 months. We compared biomarker and endpoint sensitivity providing a guide to select the appropriate endpoints for the chosen time frame (exposure period) and concentration (relevant to Sediment Quality Guidelines) needed to identify effects for benthic polychaetes such as A. virens. Target bioavailable sediment and subsequent porewater concentrations reflect the global contamination range, whilst tissue concentrations, although elevated, were comparable with other polychaetes. Survival reduced as concentrations increased, but growth was not significantly different between treatments. Metabolic changes were restricted to significant reductions in protein after 9 months exposure across all copper concentrations, and reductions in lipid at high copper concentrations (3 months). Significant changes in feeding behaviour and increases in metallothionein-like protein concentration were limited to the medium and high copper and zinc concentrations, respectively, both after 6 months exposure. Despite data highlighting A. virens' metal tolerance, DNA damage and protein concentrations are the most sensitive biomarkers. Copper and zinc cause biomarker responses at concentrations routinely found in coastal sediments that are characterised as low contamination, suggesting a reappraisal of the current input sources (especially copper) is required.

Evidence for self-sustaining populations of Arcuatula senhousia in the UK and a review of this species' potential impacts within Europe.

The invasive Asian date mussel (Arcuatula senhousia) inhabits diverse global coastal environments, in some circumstances posing significant ecological and economic risks. Recently recorded in the Greater North Sea ecoregion, an established population has not previously been confirmed. Combining historical and field data, we provided baseline information from the UK and recorded colonisation in a variety of habitats. Gonadal development was assessed using the gonadosomatic index (GSI) to determine if an intertidal soft-sediment population is self-sustaining. Arcuatula senhousia records from subtidal muddy/mixed-sediment within a major estuarine system from 2007 to 2016 were also analysed. First detected in 2011, spatial distribution was variable across the years within the subtidal, with individuals found at 4-9 out of 25 sites, and densities per site varying from 10 to 290 individuals per m2. The intertidal population was, in part, associated with seagrass (Zostera spp.) and attached to bivalves. In marinas, individuals were attached to concrete tiles, associated with live Mytilus edulis, and to dead Ostrea edulis. Mean GSI from the intertidal population differed across months, peaking in July before declining in September/October, but with high inter-individual variability. Arcuatula senhousia is reproducing and maintaining viable populations. Using a natural capital approach, we identify the potential impacts on Europe's functionally important habitats, fisheries and aquaculture if its spread continues.