Ria Formosa, located in the Algarve region of Portugal, is a vital habitat for marine biodiversity and supports key economic activities. Recognized as both a Natural Park and a Ramsar site, this coastal lagoon accounts for approximately 80% of Portugal’s clam production.

CONNECT Ria Formosa is a high-resolution coastal monitoring and forecasting service tailored to the Ria Formosa lagoon. The service integrates model-based forecasts with in-situ and satellite observations to provide real-time and forecast information on physical, chemical, and biological variables. It extends the broader CONNECT coastal service by introducing capabilities specifically designed to support shellfish aquaculture and ecosystem management. These include:

- high-resolution daily forecasts of physical (e.g., water levels, currents, temperature, salinity, waves), biogeochemical (e.g., chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen), and microbiological (e.g., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus) variables, through downscaling of the Copernicus Marine Service’s regional IBI model;

- enhanced access to new near-real-time in-situ observations and high-resolution satellite data from the Copernicus Marine Service;

- physical and water quality indicators, including those specific to shellfish waters;

- on-demand simulation of discharges using a high-resolution particle tracking model.

The coastal service supports decision-making in areas such as compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), shellfish aquaculture management, and environmental risk assessment. By delivering high-resolution and timely information, the service enhances the monitoring and management of water quality, ecosystem health, and aquaculture operations in one of Portugal’s most valuable coastal regions.

The natural processes taking place in coastal zones—such as erosion, sea level rise, and alien species invasion—combined with increasing anthropogenic pressure, have significantly affected the population of Pancratium maritimum in Greece. This is particularly evident in regions like northwestern Crete, where the dual identity of intense tourist development and ecological significance creates a challenging management landscape. The present study focuses on a 22 km stretch of the NW coastline of Chania, a part of Crete that not only includes Natura 2000 protected areas but also exemplifies the island’s role as a tourism hotspot, contributing directly to 33% of Greece’s tourism GDP. Sampling involved recording the presence and abundance of the species, as well as soil parameters such as soil moisture, temperature, pH, and intervention factors (irrigation, fencing, pollution, existence of umbrellas). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed two distinct axes of pressure. The first Principal Axis, PC1 was mainly associated with anthropogenic parameters, while PC2 was mainly associated with natural/environmental factors ( soil moisture, temperature, and pH). Through the visualization of heat maps of PC1 and PC2, sections of the coastline with intense anthropogenic pressures were highlighted, as well as areas with more natural, favorable dynamics for the presence of the plant. Classification through k-means clustering grouped the study points into three categories depending on the pressure profiles. Finally, a GLM (Quasi-Poisson) model highlighted soil temperature as the most important factor that negatively affects the presence of Pancratium maritimum. The findings underscore the importance of targeted coastal ecosystem management tailored to the ecological needs of priority species, particularly in high pressure areas where economic and environmental interests intersect.

Marine bacteria usually attach to available wetted surfaces, as a response to environmental conditions, and live in communities called biofilms. The hydrodynamic conditions of the local environment influence biofilm development, structure and population dynamics. It has been observed during bacteria cultivation under laboratory conditions in shake flasks that rotating fluid creates hydrodynamic shear in multiple directions and different mass transfer conditions, and cell adhesion occurs at the highest point reached by the rotating liquid. A multiphysics Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was developed to represent cultivation broth hydrodynamics in Erlenmeyer flasks to assess the conditions that physically lead to the cells adhering to the walls of the flasks and the formation of a biofilm. To validate the CFD model, a prodigiosin production bioprocess using a marine Serratia rubidaea strain was used. This choice was based on experimental observations showing cell adhesion at the highest point reached by the rotating liquid, as evidenced by the formation of a red halo. The value for the highest liquid height reached was used as a parameter to validate the equations of motion for the model. With the CFD model, it was possible to determine that low friction against the passage of the liquid and frequent wetting favoured cell adhesion onto the glass. Insights into how the flask geometry affects the dissolved oxygen concentration in the liquid could also be obtained.

Chlorella, a unicellular microalga, is widely recognized for its rapid growth and high nutritional value. This study investigated the effect of different inoculum concentrations on the growth performance of Chlorella spp. over nine days in batch culture. Cultures were grown in 250-mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing BG-11 medium under a 14-hour light (4800 lux)/10-hour dark photoperiod at 27 °C. The initial inoculation density was set to 2×10 6 cells/mL, and five inoculum concentrations (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were prepared from cultures harvested at the early stationary phase and tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Optical density (OD₆₈₀) was measured daily to monitor growth. All cultures exhibited exponential growth during the first five days, reflecting favorable environmental conditions and active cellular metabolism. By day seven, the 15% and 20% inocula achieved the highest biomass, reaching a maximum OD₆₈₀ of approximately 1.5–1.6. The 15% inoculum was identified as optimal, balancing biomass yield and resource efficiency by achieving comparable productivity to the 20% inoculum while requiring less initial biomass input. These results provide important insights into optimizing Chlorella spp. cultivation, particularly regarding inoculum concentration as a key factor for maximizing biomass productivity. The observed growth dynamics and biomass yields highlight the suitability of Chlorella spp. for integration into marine aquaculture systems, where efficient nutrient recycling and high-value biomass production are essential. Moreover, the robust growth under controlled conditions supports its potential application in biotechnology-based environmental remediation, such as wastewater treatment and carbon sequestration, due to its capacity to absorb excess nutrients and pollutants from aquatic environments.

Estuaries are highly dynamic ecosystems that are influenced by fluctuating environmental conditions and sediment-associated contamination. These factors can significantly affect microbiomes associated with their hosts. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiome of the bivalve Cerastoderma edule by integrating bacteria (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS) diversity data with sediment physicochemical parameters across three estuarine sites subjected to varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure. Sampling was conducted in the Sado Estuary (Portugal), a warm-temperate, mesotidal system. The selected areas, Tróia (TR), Gâmbia (GAM), and Navigator (NAV), represent contrasting environmental settings, from low-contaminated (TR) to more impacted zones influenced by industrial and aquaculture activities (GAM and NAV). Microbial diversity and composition were assessed on a seasonal basis using next-generation sequencing and multivariate analyses. Alpha diversity metrics revealed differences in bacterial communities between sites and seasons, whereas fungal diversity remained relatively stable across locations. This suggests that gut-associated fungi are more resilient to environmental pressures, although specific compositional shifts were observed in the impacted areas, with some taxa showing correlations with trace metal concentrations. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated strong associations between gut microbial composition and sediment parameters, including organic matter, salinity, and trace metals. In particular, the bacterial communities exhibited strong responses to trace metals, such as Hg, Zn, and Pb. Functional inference (FAPROTAX) highlighted the microbial involvement in nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon cycling, indicating potential adaptive responses to contamination. Together, these findings support the utility of the C. edule gut microbiome as a sensitive indicator of estuarine environmental status and host–environment interactions. Moreover, they underscored the importance of including both bacterial and fungal components to obtain a more holistic understanding of microbiome-mediated ecosystem functions.

Estuarine environments are highly productive coastal ecosystems with a large intrinsic ecological value. Notwithstanding, they are often impacted by chemical contamination originating from several types of pollutants. Among these, trace metals are highly toxic, have an accumulative behaviour and can be transported for long ranges in suspended particles, representing a large environmental burden. This study aimed to assess the levels of contamination by the trace metals cadmium (Cd), cupper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in the intertidal environments of the Óbidos Lagoon. The concentrations of metals were determined in water (dissolved and suspended fractions) and sediment samples, collected seasonally and over the course of 1 year in the intertidal water margins from four different sampling stations at the upper lagoon (Barrosa’s Branch: BB; Arnóia and Real rivers: AR; Covão dos Musaranhos: CM; Poça das Ferrarias: PF). In the water samples, Mn, Fe and Cd were the only metals observed in the dissolved fractions, while all the trace metals analysed were detected in the suspended fractions. The concentrations of the elements reflected the following patterns: Mn (0.077 ± 0.037 mg.L^-1) > Fe (0.026 ± 0.003 mg.L^-1) > Cd (0.026 ± 0.007μg.L^-1) for the dissolved fraction and Fe (14.553 ± 3.278 mg.L^-1) > Mn (1.116 ± 0.239 mg.L^-1) > Cu (0.028 ± 0.008 mg.L^-1) > Zn (0.021 ± 0.011 mg.L^-1) > Pb (3.060 ± 1.147 μg.L^-1) > Cd (0.073 ± 0.051 μg.L^-1) for the suspended fraction. The highest concentrations of metals in the water collum were observed at BB and AR stations during winter, highlighting the influence of precipitation and of the higher freshwater discharges from the main tributaries of the lagoon during this season. Sediments enriched with clay and with higher organic matter contents were prone to metal accumulation, presenting higher concentrations of all the analysed metals. Contamination by trace metals at the upper area of Óbidos Lagoon revealed to be of concern, and special caution as well as continuous monitoring should be encouraged for Cd and Pb.

The Black Sea is increasingly impacted by pollution originating predominantly from land-based sources, with transboundary rivers such as the Danube, Don, and Dnieper serving as major conduits for plastic waste. These rivers introduce a complex mixture of plastic particles—macro-, meso-, micro-, and nanoplastics—into the marine environment. These particles not only persist but also act as vectors for various hazardous substances, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), bisphenol A, and phthalates, all of which pose ecological and human health risks. While the global impacts of microplastics (MPs) on marine organisms are well documented, studies evaluating MP contamination in the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea remain extremely limited, particularly in commercially important mussel species. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by assessing, for the first time in Bulgaria, the presence, quantity, composition, and size distribution of MPs in Mytilus galloprovincialis, surface waters, and sediments from the Black Sea. The project also examines the potential biological effects of MPs on mussels through the use of selected biochemical biomarkers indicative of physiological stress or toxicity. Furthermore, an evaluation of the potential risk to human health from the consumption of MP-contaminated mussels will be conducted. Environmental samples will be processed using advanced analytical techniques, including quantum cascade laser spectroscopy with the Agilent 8700 Laser Direct Infrared Chemical Imaging System, in collaboration with an accredited laboratory. The integrated approach of this project aims to contribute to a better understanding of the environmental and health implications of microplastic pollution in the Black Sea region.

Acknowledgement:
This study is funded by the Department of Scientific Research at the University of Plovdiv under project MUPD25BF001: “Research and assessment of the quantity, composition, and size of microplastic particles in commercially important mussels from the Black Sea area, their negative impact on specific biomarkers, and the risk to human health.”

The Research Assistant Module for Subsea Exploration and Analysis (RAMSea) is a scalable, low-cost underwater environmental monitoring system that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), data processing, and water quality sensors. Housed within a small watertight enclosure and designed to be either operated by a diver, or controlled remotely, the system integrates AI for real-time fish recognition, implemented on a Raspberry Pi using the YOLOv8 deep learning algorithms. External to the enclosure are a suite of environmental sensors measuring depth, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. By correlating fish species observations with environmental parameters directly in the field, RAMSea provides a simple but comprehensive approach to marine ecosystem analysis. The system will offer a significant improvement over traditional manual survey methods by providing richer, real-time data to inform environmental management, aquaculture practices, and biodiversity monitoring.

Initiated through a student internship program in May 2025, RAMSea has been designed to provide an innovative monitoring solution for the current Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) impacting over 500 km of South Australia’s coastline. Over the period of just a few months, this natural disaster has seen large numbers of dead marine animals washed up across South Australian coastlines, and has resulted in unprecedented impact on commercial and recreational fishing industries within the State. When fully developed, the RAMSea system could provide an effective solution to monitor the impact and evolution of this type of event. Not limited to the monitoring of HABs, RAMSea could also be applied to a multitude of other applications such as supporting reef conservation programs in the Great Barrier Reef, enhancing aquaculture health monitoring, and contributing to long-term climate impact studies.

While initial deployment of RAMSea will be via a trained scuba diver, the project team is concurrently developing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that will carry the sensor module as a payload, thus alleviating the need for a trained diver. A future enhancement to the system will include an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) capable of autonomously controlling the ROV and sensor module from the surface while also communicating collected data to the cloud. This flexible configuration will deliver a modular and adaptable platform capable of operating in diver-operated, remotely operated, or fully autonomous modes.

The first prototype of RAMSea has been designed and constructed. Several tests have been conducted including qualifying the waterproof enclosure in a test tank, and sea testing from a jetty to validate the environmental sensors, the camera and the control code. Due to the low visibility in the water during the jetty test program, the fish recognition system could not be tested in the field. Instead, the real-time fish recognition system has undergone initial testing in a simulated environment involving various videos of fish in their natural environment. Field testing of the fish recognition system will take place in the upcoming test program, currently scheduled for March 2026. The results obtained from these trials have been promising and have already contributed to iterative improvements in both hardware and software and have validated the usability of the system.

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic country, lies between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, making it a critical region for studying oceanographic and climate processes. Understanding these dynamics requires long-term, continuous observations. However, coastal monitoring in Indonesia remains fragmented, with data scattered across regions and institutions. This study compiles information from multiple sources, including research institutions, international initiatives, official repositories, and national monitoring programs. A total of 550 coastal monitoring sites were identified, covering diverse measurements with varying levels of data quality and availability. Analysis of temporal coverage reveals that most sites are short-term: 81 stations (<2 years) and 185 stations (2–5 years). Only 45 stations (5–10 years) provide mid-term records, while none extend beyond 10 years. Furthermore, 239 stations lack sufficient metadata to determine monitoring duration, reflecting persistent challenges in data management and accessibility. The distribution highlights significant gaps in Indonesia’s coastal observation capacity. While short-term datasets support localized studies and project-based assessments, the absence of long-term (>10 years) time series restricts the ability to detect climate-driven trends, seasonal variability, and ecosystem responses. The imbalance is also spatial, with more coverage in western Indonesia compared to eastern and remote areas. Strengthening Indonesia’s coastal monitoring requires coordinated efforts to extend observation durations, promote standardized measurement protocols, and enhance open access data sharing. Establishing sustained monitoring sites would not only improve national capacity but also support global initiatives under the UN Ocean Decade and the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring science-based management of marine resources in a changing climate.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly important for modern technologies, from electronics to renewable energy, leading to rising environmental inputs and their recognition as emerging contaminants. Yet, our understanding of the ecological implications of REEs in marine ecosystems remains limited. This presentation will provide a brief overview of current knowledge on the ecotoxicological effects of REEs in marine organisms, integrating evidence from laboratory and field studies across multiple trophic levels. Although the majority of studies focus on bivalves, planktonic species at the base of the food web, where impacts could propagate through the ecosystem, remain largely unstudied. We will report novel experimental investigations on the marine branchiopod crustacean Artemia franciscana, a well-established model for preliminary toxicity screening and a key component of marine food webs, including seabirds and fish. Early life stages were exposed to Ce, Nd, Gd, and La for mortality assessment (48 h; 0.1–500 µg/L). Cerium is typically present at the highest concentration in seawater relative to other REEs, followed by Nd and La, while Gd shows increasing anthropogenic inputs because of its uses in medicine, with persistent Gd anomalies now commonly observed in coastal waters near urban areas. Additional assessments focused on Ce and Gd, assessing their effects on behavioural endpoints in juvenile and adult stages, specifically avoidance responses, swimming speed, and social interaction, in order to capture potential sublethal effects. Avoidance responses were tested in a six-compartment setup (0–600 µg/L), while movement and social spacing were quantified by tracking 10 adults for 3 min at five concentrations (0.1–500 µg/L), with movement speed, exploration area, and social spacing analysed using AnimalTA software. Even though A. franciscana is tolerant to a variety of environmental stressors, results revealed sublethal yet potentially ecologically relevant effects that may influence population dynamics, warranting further research on more sensitive planktonic species. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of potential ecological implications of REEs in marine systems and highlights the need for further research to better assess their environmental relevance and long-term impacts.