Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Abstract

Marine pollution is of global interest due to close interactions between human and oceans. The presence of toxic chemicals in oceans has long been studied, but the occurrence of emerging contaminants has renewed interest in this complex research area. In this presentation, I will focus on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and antifouling booster biocides in the marine environment. Data will be shown on the occurrence, environmental behavior, persistence and potential biological effects of EDCs such as estrone and 17 β -estradiol, antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol, sulfadiazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfathiazole, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfaquinoxaline, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, oxycyclinehyclate, chlorotetracycline, erythromycin and roxithromycin, and antifouling biocides such as Irgarol 1051 and diuron. The study areas include coastal waters of Southern England, English Channel, and the Yangtze Estuary and its coastal zone. The findings suggest that a range of emerging contaminants are routinely detected in coastal waters, and some of which demonstrate seasonal variations coinciding with their application seasons. Potential biological damages are expected at some of the highest concentrations being detected.

Biography

John Zhou completed Ph.D. in 1991 from University of Manchester, and postdoctor at University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. He has lectured at Universities of Wales, Sussex, and London South Bank. He is an assessor for EU (FP6, FP7), UK (EPSRC, NERC, Defra, Royal Society), Luxembourg (National Research Fund), USA (NSF, Sea Grant Committee), China (NNSFC, 973 High-Tech Program), Italy (Fondazione Cariplo), Romania (National Council). He has published 90 SCI papers, some are top 1% most highly cited. He is recipient of K.C. Wong science research prize, Royal Society of Chemistry fellowship, Royal Society research grant, and Yangtze Scholar.