Regional Studies in Marine Science最新文献

{"title":"Key factors regulating springtime phytoplankton primary production in the coastal waters of South Korea","authors":"Hye Min Choi ,&nbsp;Kwanwoo Kim ,&nbsp;Hyo Keun Jang ,&nbsp;Jun Sik Woo ,&nbsp;Yejin Kim ,&nbsp;Sanghoon Park ,&nbsp;Jaesoon Kim ,&nbsp;Myung Joon Kim ,&nbsp;Yoon Ji Lee ,&nbsp;Ye Hwi Kim ,&nbsp;Hayoung Choi ,&nbsp;Da Won Goh ,&nbsp;Sang Heon Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104494","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104494","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phytoplankton primary production is fundamental to marine ecosystems, serving as the foundation of the ecological pyramid. However, little information is currently available on the primary production in coastal waters of South Korea. To address this knowledge gap, primary production was measured using a ¹³C stable isotope tracer in May 2022 and 2023. The mean daily primary production during the observation period were 403.5 ± 317.8 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ in the coastal Yellow Sea (YS), 722.0 ± 464.6 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ in the coastal East Sea (ES), and 739.8 ± 594.1 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ in the coastal South Sea (SS), respectively. In the coastal YS, northern stations, including the Geum River estuary, showed significantly higher primary production than southern stations (Mann-Whitney <em>U</em> test, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), with station W44 exhibiting an exceptionally high value among the southern stations. Similarly, notable regional variation was observed in the coastal SS, where the primary production in the eastern region was approximately 6-fold higher then the western region (Mann-Whitney <em>U</em> test, <em>p </em>&lt; 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) identified chlorophyll <em>a</em> concentration and light intensity as the key factors regulating the primary production across the regions. These findings highlight the critical role of these factors in shaping productivity patterns and underscore the need for ongoing monitoring of primary production to further enhance understanding of coastal ecosystems in South Korea.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 104494"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular systematics of the emperor fishes (Teleostei: Lethrinidae) from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman: New insights into cryptic diversity","authors":"Ehsan Damadi ,&nbsp;Faezeh Yazdani Moghaddam ,&nbsp;Mehdi Ghanbarifardi","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104492","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104492","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emperor fishes, <em>Lethrinus</em> Cuvier, 1829, are generally considered to be ecologically and economically important fishes, occurring primarily in coral reef areas of the Indo-Pacific including the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The systematics and taxonomy of this genus are complicated due to subtle morphological differences among species. In addition, few molecular studies have investigated the genetic variability of <em>Lethrinus</em> species due to the limited number of taxa and restricted geographic distribution. To achieve this, we constructed a robust phylogenetic tree, various molecular species delimitations and phylogeographic analyses using mitochondrial COI sequences to determine phylogenetic relationships and reveal hidden species diversity in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Our phylogenetic results revealed five major clades within <em>Lethrinus</em> with moderate to strong support at nodes. Our findings indicate the existence of at least four unconfirmed candidate species that are well supported by the haplotype network and multiple molecular species delimitations, a finding that contradicts previous taxonomic classification. These results suggest that <em>Lethrinus crocineus</em>, with two genetically distinct lineages, and <em>L. nebulosus</em>, with at least three evolutionarily distinct lineages, represent a cryptic species complex deserving recognition at the species level. In addition, <em>L. lentjan</em> was discovered as a third cryptic species with a robust genetic structure. Five distinct phylogenetic lineages in these complexes were observed in the ecoregions of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which have been proven to be hotspots of endemic biodiversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104492"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145105521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatiotemporal dynamics and environmental drivers of gross primary productivity in mangrove ecosystems of Hainan Island","authors":"Yinqi Zheng ,&nbsp;Xian Shi ,&nbsp;Ruoxi Lu ,&nbsp;Shenshen Guo ,&nbsp;Xiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Tangzhe Nie ,&nbsp;Peng Wang ,&nbsp;Zhongyi Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mangrove ecosystems are crucial for blue carbon sequestration (carbon captured and stored by oceans and coastal ecosystems), with gross primary productivity (GPP) acting as a key indicator of their carbon capture potential. However, estimating regional-scale GPP for mangrove ecosystems and their response to environmental factors remains challenging. In this study, we focused on the mangrove ecosystems of Hainan Island, utilizing high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery to derive the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR). We combined machine learning techniques with the mangrove vegetation photosynthesis light use efficiency (MVP-LUE) model to retrospectively estimate historical fAPAR and project GPP over two decades. Spatiotemporal distribution patterns were analyzed, and environmental driving factors were quantified using partial differential attribution. Our findings can be summarized in three major points. First, the optimized ensemble model demonstrated high accuracy in estimating mangrove ecosystem fAPAR (<em>R</em>² = 0.77, RMSE = 0.08). Second, the mangrove ecosystems of Hainan Island exhibited an overall increasing trend in annual GPP at a rate of 3.46 gC m⁻² y⁻² over the study period. Peak GPP occurred during the transition from dry to rainy season (213.73 gC m⁻² mo⁻¹), with minimum GPP in the mid-dry season (76.07 gC m⁻² mo⁻¹). Spatially, GPP was higher in the eastern and northern regions. Finally, changes in the GPP of mangrove ecosystems were primarily driven by fAPAR. The quantification of environmental effects on mangrove GPP enhances our understanding of carbon cycling dynamics within these highly productive ecosystems, informing protection and restoration efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104454"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145057093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating public risk perception and governance options for microplastic contamination in the Yellow Sea","authors":"Tingting Zhang ,&nbsp;Weigang Wei ,&nbsp;Jun Huang ,&nbsp;Liu Cheng ,&nbsp;Zhao Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104480","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104480","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Marine microplastics (MMP), are less than 5 mm in diameter, are a growing environmental pollutant of worldwide interest. They are hazardous to marine life and pose a potential risk to human health. The proper governance process requires public awareness and support, although there is limited information on how risk perception influences choices regarding management strategies. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine people's perceptions of the risks associated with MMP in Jiaozhou Bay, China, (2) to assess the governance choices, and (3) to investigate the impact of socio-demographic factors and perceived risks on willingness to pay (WTP) to mitigate them. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 442 Qingdao residents using a structured questionnaire. Respondents rated the perceived health and environmental risks of MMP and evaluated governance scenarios using the Choice Experiment Model (CEM). Latent class analysis and hybrid logistic regression were used to determine the determinants of preferences and heterogeneity in governance support. The majority of respondents (69.2 %) also identified MMP as a severe threat to human health, but few identified strong ecological risks. The policy variables that were most popular among the population included monitoring programs, average restrictions on single-use plastics, and ambivalent attitudes towards recycling systems. The younger and more educated respondents were more willing to pay, whereas the older respondents were less supportive of recycling actions. Latent class analysis identified two categories: one with a comprehensive management approach, which preferred all three strategies, and one with a preventive regulation approach, which preferred monitoring and plastic restrictions but weakly supported recycling. The results highlight the importance of aligning governance with social values. Enhancement of monitoring networks and open data sharing should be emphasized as a way of establishing confidence and awareness. Bans on plastic must be implemented gradually by investing in biodegradable substitutes and improving recycling systems, with community participation necessary to control MMP over the long term. Research highlights the importance of risk perception in determining the outcome of social support, providing evidence-based advice on the adaptive governance of new marine pollutants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104480"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145105525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the effect of human activity on sediment load in the Second Songhua River Basin, Northeast China, based on the SWAT model","authors":"Guilin Lai ,&nbsp;Jinxing Sun ,&nbsp;Juan Xiao ,&nbsp;Zexiang Li ,&nbsp;Juan Du ,&nbsp;Xiangxiang Wen ,&nbsp;Xiangming Xu ,&nbsp;Lihong Meng ,&nbsp;Xiujuan Li ,&nbsp;Keyuan Zhong","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104491","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104491","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human activity is a significant factor contributing to sediment load changes. Many studies have assessed the effect of human activity on sediment load using mathematical statistical methods, such as linear regression, without considering the physical processes of sediment transport. This study aims to use a distributed hydrological model to reconstruct the sediment load under natural conditions and assess the effect of human activity on sediment load in the Second Songhua River Basin (SSRB), Northeast China. The double cumulative curve method is applied to identify the point where the relationship between precipitation and runoff with sediment load changes abruptly. In addition, it employs the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate sediment load under natural conditions to quantify the impact of human activities on sediment load. The results indicated that precipitation and runoff exhibit insignificant changes (P &gt; 0.05), while the sediment load shows a significant decrease (P &lt; 0.001) in the SSRB. <em>Ens</em> and <em>R</em>^<em>2</em> are greater than 0.4, and <em>Re</em> is less than 10 % on annual and monthly scales. These outcomes demonstrated that the SWAT model can effectively simulate runoff and sediment load in the SSRB. From 1978–2014, human activities led to a decrease of 2.11 × 10⁵ t in sediment load, accounting for 57.02 % of the total sediment load. The decrease in sediment load is primarily caused by water conservancy projects, which reduce sediment load in the basin by trapping upstream sediment and regulating flood flows. These results can provide references for soil and water conservation and disaster warning in the basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 104491"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Storm surge dynamics in Nuevo Gulf, Argentina: Observational analysis and conceptual modeling","authors":"Luciano Banegas ,&nbsp;Romina Mezher ,&nbsp;Alejandro Godoy ,&nbsp;Diego Moreira ,&nbsp;Claudia Campetella ,&nbsp;Walter Dragani","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104485","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyzed tide gauge records from 2010 to 2023 in Puerto Madryn, Nuevo Gulf, Argentine Patagonia, to identify and characterize positive storm surge events and examine associated synoptic atmospheric patterns. A positive storm surge event was defined as a sea level (after removing the tidal signal) exceeding the 99th percentile (&gt;0.66 m) and remaining above the 95th percentile (0.39 m) for at least 6 h. A total of 167 events were identified, with a maximum peak of 1.46 m and an average duration of 14.7 h. Wind analysis at surge peaks showed a notable increase in southerly wind frequency compared to the general wind pattern. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of surface atmospheric pressure fields during surge peaks revealed that the first three components explained 68 %, 7 %, and 5 % of the variance, respectively, highlighting the dominant atmospheric patterns during these events. A common pattern identified was the predominance of southwesterly winds along the Patagonian continental shelf. Based on these findings, a conceptual model to describe storm surge dynamics in Nuevo Gulf was proposed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104485"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Citizen science as a tool for monitoring microplastics: The case study of Elba Island","authors":"Anastasia Angela Biancardi ,&nbsp;Federica Laface ,&nbsp;Federica Rotta ,&nbsp;Johanna Wiedling ,&nbsp;Enrico Zambianchi ,&nbsp;Roman Lehner","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Globally, different numbers have been published on the occurrence, concentration and distribution of microplastics (MPs). To better predict and understand the MP pollution problem, more data is needed. Citizen Science (CS) has emerged as an efficient tool for data collection, increasing research capacity, while also raising awareness, and providing social and environmental benefits. Sampling was carried out by citizen scientists participating in a one-week workshop organized by the Sail &amp; Explore Association (SEA) on Elba Island in June 2024. This event aimed to map, for the first time, the occurrence and distribution patterns of MPs ranging from 0.3 to 5 mm on and around the island. Volunteers and researchers collected surface water samples using a manta trawl, and beach sediment samples following standardized scientific protocols across six beaches and ten sea surface transects. The study yielded a comprehensive dataset of 1907 MP particles (645 beached MPs and 1262 floating MPs). Fragments were the predominant type, representing 72.9 % of all samples. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze approximately 10 % of the collected data, revealing that polyethylene (PE) was the principal polymer (55.3 % of beach samples and 62.9 % of sea surface samples). The dominant color of all plastic collected was white (311 particles for beach samples and 650 particles for sea samples). This study provides crucial baseline data for the Tuscan Archipelago and highlights the importance of CS in collecting extensive environmental data, providing a foundation for future research and policymaking to address plastic pollution in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104481"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial indicator levels and environmental influences in the Chilika: A tropical coastal lagoon","authors":"Athan Vashi ,&nbsp;Subrat Naik ,&nbsp;Subhasis Pradhan ,&nbsp;U.K. Pradhan ,&nbsp;R.K. Dalai ,&nbsp;Pravakar Mishra ,&nbsp;S.R. Marigoudar","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104487","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104487","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microbial pollution poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems globally; therefore, periodic monitoring of pathogenic microbial communities is essential for determining the health of coastal water quality. The current study assesses microbial contamination levels in Chilika Lake, the largest lagoon in tropical Asia, and investigates how hydrological factors influence these communities. Subsurface water samples were collected from 31 locations and analyzed for indicator and pathogenic bacteria with physicochemical parameters, including water temperature (WT), salinity, total suspended matter (TSM), dissolved oxygen (DO), and nutrients such as nitrite (NO₂), nitrate (NO₃), ammonia (NH₄), phosphate (PO₄), silicate (SiO₄), and chlorophyll-a (<em>Chl-a</em>). The results indicated that high average levels of total coliforms, measuring 1.5 × 10⁴ cfu/ml, suggest potential contamination from sewage, likely associated with human activities in the southern region. Faecal coliform (FC) levels consistently remained below the safe limit of 100 cfu/100 ml, ensuring the water was safe for recreational activities and fishing. In the northern sector of the lake, river inflow reduced salinity, which enhanced <em>Chl-a</em> and dissolved oxygen levels due to increased photosynthetic activity. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between total microbial populations and various environmental variables, including WT, DO, <em>Chl-a</em>, and nutrients such as NO₂ and NO₃. This study emphasizes the need for ecological measures to restore the lagoon and safeguard its ecosystem. It also underscores the importance of long-term monitoring for ecosystem health, enhancing tourism, fishing, and recreation decision-making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104487"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regional disparities in marine carbon sink development in china: From an opportunity inequality perspective","authors":"Kewei Chen ,&nbsp;Yixiong He ,&nbsp;Ziling Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Based on the theory of opportunity inequality, this study constructs an analytical framework encompassing nine opportunity inequality factors including national policies, demand dynamics, and talent support. Utilizing the MLD index and Shapley value decomposition method, we quantify the ocean carbon sink opportunity inequality index and its spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics across three major marine economic circles (northern, eastern, and Southern) from 2010 to 2022. The findings reveal that: (1) Temporospatial analysis demonstrates an overall fluctuating upward trend in opportunity inequality indices. The northern Marine Economic Circle exhibits the highest and continuously rising inequality index, followed by the southern Circle with significant growth, while the eastern circle maintains the lowest and relatively stable index. (2) Factor decomposition identifies national policies, demand dynamics, and coastline resources as key dynamic contributors to regional disparities in marine carbon sink development, though their relative contributions display temporal variability. (3) Mechanism analysis reveals that opportunity inequality factors indirectly amplify regional disparities through local blue carbon financial policies and factor inputs. The northern Circle demonstrates predominant influences from marine innovation investment and regional blue carbon policies, the southern circle shows highest contributions from marine environmental factors, while the eastern circle is primarily affected by marine innovation investment. Accordingly, this study proposes policy recommendations including establishing differentiated blue carbon financial support systems, enhancing policy coordination, and strengthening technological R&amp;D and talent cultivation in marine carbon sinks, aiming to promote regional equity and achieve the dual carbon goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104488"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First report on the occurrence of potentially toxic elements in coastal zones of the Cayos Cochinos Archipelago, Honduras","authors":"José E. Celis ,&nbsp;Winfred Espejo ,&nbsp;Andy Banegas-Medina ,&nbsp;Isis-Yelena Montes ,&nbsp;Marco Sandoval","doi":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104490","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This first comprehensive report examines the spatial distribution and concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in intertidal and supratidal zones across five islands of the Cayos Cochinos Archipelago, a marine protected area within the Meso-American Barrier Reef, Caribbean Sea. Seventy-five sand samples were collected during December 2022 and analyzed for chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) using inductively coupled plasma-optical spectrometry. The islets with the highest anthropogenic pressure exhibited the highest levels of As, Pb, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Cd. Significant spatial variations in PTE-concentrations were observed among sampling locations, with the supratidal zone generally showing higher PTE accumulation than those levels of the intertidal zone, excepting Pb with the highest levels (25.44 µg g⁻¹ d.w.) in sands of the intertidal zone. The toxicity of PTEs can have significant consequences for aquatic organisms in these delicate ecosystems, and can disrupt food chains through bioaccumulation. Future investigations should focus on expanded elemental analysis, and comprehensive ecological risk assessments to better understand the long-term environmental routes of toxic elements in fragile coastal marine areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21070,"journal":{"name":"Regional Studies in Marine Science","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 104490"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145105523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}