Oceanographic monitoring and modeling are both widely used to study the pathways and fate of marine pollutants such as anthropogenic hydrocarbons, marine litter and plastic, heavy metals, POPs, HNS, radionuclides, pharmaceutics, etc. This session focuses on monitoring frameworks, computational tools, lab experiments and emerging technologies related to tracing pollutants and their impacts on local, regional, and global scales. Coupling with met-ocean and biogeochemical datasets provided, for example, by the Copernicus Programme will also be discussed. State-of-the-art observational techniques and protocols, ensemble simulations, risk assessment algorithms and decision support systems are solicited topics. Integration of modeling, observations, and experimental data for both data assimilation and model validation are also very welcome.
We welcome studies based on in situ and lab observations, as well as modeling work looking at physical, chemical and biological transformation of pollutants such as fragmentation, degradation, biofouling, ingestion, adsorption/desorption. Discussions about newly discovered phenomena, as, for example, the mucilage outbreaks including harmful algal blooms (HABs), the role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS), and other ecotoxicological issues are also encouraged.
Studies that link single pollutant effects to broader ecosystem stressors like environmental degradation and climate change are particularly encouraged. Monitoring and modeling the pollutant transport under ice conditions, related to the increase in shipping traffic in the Arctic Ocean as a consequence of Polar ice melting, are also appreciated.
Key questions of the session include: Which factors affect the dispersion of pollutants in the marine environment and how do they influence pollutant fate at the ocean’s surface, in the water column, and sediments, thereby affecting marine habitats and resources?
The impact of other environmental stressors, such as artificial light, noise, and thermal pollution, on marine ecosystems, is a significant topic for discussion.