State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health

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WE PROTECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENTS OF HONG KONG, SOUTH CHINA, AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

To serve as a leading international research centre advancing marine environmental research to strengthen the protection and management of marine ecosystems, as well as promote sustainable development.

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WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH Member Prof. Jason Lam Honoured in the 2026 "40 Under 40 Recognition Program" by AAEES
Congratulations to SKLMEH member Prof. Jason Chun-Ho Lam (School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong), for being recognised in the 2026 “40 Under 40 Recognition Programme” by The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)!
 
Founded in 1955, the AAEES is one of the preeminent organisations for environmental engineers and scientists. This programme was introduced to acknowledge exceptional individuals under the age of 40 who have significantly contributed to the advancement of Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering within the past year.
 
With interests in combatting climate change and environmental pollution, Prof. Lam’s research direction focuses on applying electrocatalysis to transform renewable feedstock and waste materials into chemicals and fuels. Prof. Lam is also interested in designing electrocatalyst to degrade persistent organic pollutants in wastewater.
 
This prestigious recognition highlights Prof. Lam’s outstanding contributions to the development of practical green electrochemical technologies that address pressing environmental challenges and support a more sustainable future.
 
Once again, applause to Prof. Lam for this well-deserved recognition!
 
For more details of the programme, please refer to: https://www.aaees.org/40under40
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH Member Prof. Ling Jin's Team Reveals Aquatic Plastisphere as Reservoir for Antifungal-Resistant Fungi
A research team led by SKLMEH member Prof. Ling Jin has uncovered that plastic debris in urban waterways acts as a reservoir for pathogenic and antifungal-resistant fungi, expanding the ecological and health risks of plastic pollution beyond bacteria. This study demonstrates that the "plastisphere" may serve as a mobile vector for spreading dangerous, drug-resistant fungi across aquatic ecosystems.
 
Plastic pollution has created unique microbial habitats known as the "plastisphere," where microorganisms selectively colonise synthetic surfaces and form distinct biofilm communities. While previous studies have established that plastics can accumulate bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, the role of the plastisphere in harbouring fungal threats remained largely unexplored. In a study titled "Aquatic Plastisphere as a Reservoir for Pathogenic and Antifungal-Resistant Fungi", recently published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the research team reveals that environmental plastic waste may carry pathogenic fungi and promote the maintenance and spread of antifungal resistance.
 
The study was led jointly by Dr. Changchao Li and Prof. Ling Jin, together with co-first authors Mr. Shing King Zhou and Dr. Chunlan Fan. By analyzing 27 plastic samples collected from urban waterways in the Boston area, the team employed an integrated approach combining metagenomic sequencing, fungal strain isolation, antifungal susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing. Through metagenomic screening, the team identified 32 pathogenic fungal species on plastic surfaces, including 13 listed on the WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List—among them Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida auris, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans. Notably, all 32 pathogenic species carried genetic signals associated with antifungal drug resistance, with at least one known resistance mutation detected in each species.
 
Culture-based experiments further confirmed that plastics host viable, living fungal isolates. The team successfully cultured Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Candida parapsilosis from plastic surfaces. Antifungal susceptibility testing against 11 agents revealed that most isolates exhibited resistant phenotypes, with some strains showing multidrug resistance. Cross-substrate comparisons showed that plastic particles carried significantly higher loads of resistance-associated fungi than the surrounding water column or natural particles, indicating that plastic surfaces act as environmental "hotspots" where pathogenic and drug-resistant fungi are selectively enriched.
 
The research team calls for the inclusion of plastisphere associated fungal pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance profiles in future monitoring programmes and regulatory guidelines. They also highlight the urgent need for further studies to investigate the potential transmission of these fungi through direct contact, food chain transfer, and aerosolisation, particularly in urban coastal regions and aquaculture zones.
 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.6c00486
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH Director Prof. Kenneth Leung signs agreement with Indonesia’s IPB University to promote marine research and talent exchange
CityUHK’s State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries – Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies, IPB University (IPB) of Bogor, Indonesia. The two institutions will work together to advance academic research and exchange top talent in marine science, jointly enhancing regional marine scientific research capabilities.
 
Under the framework of this agreement, both parties will focus on nurturing outstanding talent in marine scientific research. By leveraging their exceptional faculty and world-class research resources, CityUHK and IPB will offer joint supervision of PhD students, facilitate the exchange of academics and research personnel, and implement professional training initiatives to cultivate rising stars in marine research equipped with global vision, international competitiveness and innovative capabilities. Additionally, the two universities will collaborate on research addressing critical global issues, such as marine pollution and biodiversity conservation.
 
The agreement was signed by Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, Vice-President (Research) of CityUHK and Director of the SKLMEH, and Professor Luky Adrianto, Head of the International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries of IPB. Following the signing ceremony, Professor Leung was invited to discuss the SKLMEH’s experience and technologies in environmental and ecosystem monitoring, as well as its innovative achievements in ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. He also engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions with faculty members and students on topics in marine science research.
 
Professor Leung noted that IPB possesses rich experience and outstanding achievements in marine, fisheries and coastal resource research. He expressed confidence that this collaboration will synergise the unique strengths of both universities to unlock more pioneering research in key areas such as marine environmental monitoring, ecological conservation, pollution control and ocean governance for sustainable development, whilst fostering the transformation of scientific research outcomes and knowledge exchange. He looked forward to strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia in marine science through collaborative initiatives, including academic and researcher exchanges, joint research projects and talent cultivation, to support the sustainable development of the oceans, regionally and globally.
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

A New Study in Water Research X! SKLMEH Member Prof. Ling Jin’s team reveals Microalgae and associated ecological risks in the coastal plastisphere

Great News! SKLMEH Member Prof. Ling Jin’𝘀 team has published a new study in Water Research X titled "Microalgae and associated ecological risks in the coastal plastisphere".
 
Based on 92 paired plastic-seawater samples collected from Hong Kong and Qingdao coasts, the team systematically unpacks microalgal communities within coastal plastisphere.
 
Key findings:
• Plastisphere hosts more diverse microalgae and forms buffered microhabitats less sensitive to environmental fluctuations.
• Multiple toxic & harmful diatoms are significantly enriched on floating plastics, with 14 harmful microalgal taxa exclusively detected on plastic debris.
• Floating plastic waste acts as mobile carriers for toxic microalgae, amplifying risks of harmful algal blooms, fisheries loss and marine ecosystem damage globally.
 
This study expands plastisphere risk research from bacteria to microalgae, providing critical evidence for integrated coastal plastic pollution governance.
 
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH member Prof. Moriaki Yasuhara's team received prestigious Best Paper Award
Huge congratulations to SKLMEH member Prof. Moriaki Yasuhara (School of Energy and Environment, CityUHK), and his team members Dr. He Wang and Dr. Pedro Jimenez , on receiving the prestigious Best Paper Award from the Palaeontological Society of Japan!
 
This study focused on Holocene ostracods from a core in the Bosten Lake in Xinjiang of the ACA area. By comparing ostracod records, including radiocarbon dating results, with ostracod and salinity records from other cores within Bosten Lake, the team revealed that precipitation patterns in the region were governed by westerly intensity, which in turn was linked to North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. These climatic shifts directly drove changes in local ostracod communities, offering valuable insights into the linkages between atmospheric circulation, hydrology, and biotic responses in the mid-latitudes.
 
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

What a joyful way to wrap up 2026 Summer School of Future Ocean
From 4 to 9 July, 2026, the 2026 Summer School of Future Ocean was successfully held in Hong Kong. The event was jointly organized by City University of Hong Kong, Xiamen University, Peking University, Tongji, and Ocean University of China.
 
This year's Summer School addressed cutting‑edge topics including marine health, environmental resilience, and sustainable development. The curriculum spanned marine ecosystem dynamics, emerging contaminants, climate-ocean interactions, blue carbon sinks, renewable marine resources, and pathways toward a sustainable blue economy. Through a comprehensive program featuring keynote lectures, field trips, and student presentations, this event offered an interdisciplinary platform for young scholars.
 
On the morning of 5 July, Prof. Kenneth Mei Yee LEUNG , Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH) at CityUHK, together with four representatives from the four co-hosting universities, delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony. They emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing marine research and talent development, extended a warm welcome to all participants, and encouraged them to gain knowledge, spark inspiration, and build lasting friendships throughout the event.
 
On 7 July, participants went on educational visits to WEEE·PARK and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. By engaging directly with modern industrial circular economy facilities alongside traditional maritime heritage, students gained firsthand insights into how theoretical concepts apply directly to environmental resilience and societal sustainability.
 
The summer school featured 22 oral presentations and 34 poster presentations covering topics such as marine chemical pollution, microplastics contamination, environmental behavior of PFAS, environmental DNA (eDNA) biodiversity monitoring, AI-driven water quality monitoring, coral reef soundscape monitoring, and marine viral ecology. To encourage academic innovation, the organizing committee presented awards for Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster. During the oral session on 8 July, 22 students presented their latest research findings and engaged in lively academic exchanges with committees.
 
The 2026 Summer School of Future Ocean officially concluded on the afternoon of 8 July with a closing ceremony. Prof. Yuhe HE from the School of Energy and Environment at CityUHK delivered a summary of the event, commending the participants for their active engagement and outstanding performance. Prof. Kenneth LEUNG and Prof. Yuhe HE then presented certificates and prizes to the recipients of the Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Awards.
 
Since its launch in 2008, this summer school series has spanned 18 years, standing witness to the continuous evolution of marine environmental research and the growth of young scholars. The successful hosting of this year’s event was made possible by the dedicated collaboration of all host institutions and the generous support of sponsoring organizations, to whom we extend our sincere gratitude.
 
Though the six day academic journey has drawn to a close, the exploration of our oceans continues. We hope all participants carry forward the insights gained here as they advance in their research endeavors.
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

2025 SKLMEH Annual Report has been released
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Annual Report of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH).
 
2025 was a milestone year – we celebrated our 15th anniversary and successfully restructured from the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution to the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health.
 
Over the past year, we continue to perform and innovate successfully, as evidenced by our publications, patents, prototypes, international awards, and the creation of start-up companies. Most importantly, we have been training 241 PhD students and 111 postdoctoral researchers, nurturing the next generation of scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, who will help support Hong Kong as an International Innovation and Technology Hub. We have also actively engaged in academic exchanges both locally and internationally, hosting multiple international conferences, workshops, and distinguished lectures, while launching diverse science outreach activities to promote marine conservation knowledge to the wider public.
 
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Prof. Kenneth Leung's Co-authored Paper Published in Nature Cities Revealing Hidden Health Risks in Urban Wetlands
Prof. Kenneth Leung’s co-authored paper “Urban wetlands as hotspots of antibiotic resistomes and their potential viral transmission” has been published in Nature Cities. Collaborated with Prof. ZHU Yong-Guan (CAS) and Prof. WU Feng-chang (CRAES), the team has shed light on a critical environmental health issue: the presence of "antibiotic resistomes" in urban wetlands.
 
By analysing samples from 17 urban wetlands across China, and comparing them with global datasets from natural lakes and urban raw sewage, the team finds that urban wetlands are hotspots of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), with average abundances about 9 times higher than natural lakes, and comparable to raw urban sewage. Bacterial pathogens associated with human diseases, along with signs that ARGs may undergo “horizontal gene transfer” among bacteria—potentially facilitated by viruses in urban wetland environments, are also detected.
 
The team recommended that stormwater shall be collected and treated before it flows into urban wetlands to better protect both wildlife and human health.
 
Learn more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44284-026-00433-z
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH member Jason Chun-Ho LAM Won the Excellent Award of the Water Cycle Conference
Prof. Jason Chun-Ho LAM, member of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (SKLMEH) and faculty of the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) has received the Excellent Award of the Water Cycle Conference at the 10th National Conference on Water Treatment and Reuse of China, held in Jinan from April 10–12, 2026.
 
In his award-winning presentation titled, “Application of Electrochemical Technology in Aquaculture Water Treatment: From Seawater Disinfection to Aromatic Hydrogenation for Enhanced Denitrification,” Prof. Lam introduced a pioneering electro-catalytic reductive treatment that converts recalcitrant aromatic pollutants into bioavailable aliphatic intermediates. This innovative approach significantly enhances microbial activity in biological water treatment systems such as denitrification, serving as a far more energy-efficient alternative to conventional advanced oxidation processes that fully mineralize pollutants to CO₂. The core findings of this research were recently published in Environmental Science & Technology. (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c00950)
 
He also highlighted collaborative work with Professor Sophia St. Hilaire on the development of electrochemical disinfection technology tailored for the fishery and aquaculture industry. This award underscores SKLMEH’s and SEE’s leadership in advancing sustainable electrochemical technologies for marine environmental protection and water reuse.
 
 
 
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH Member Prof. Jason Lam Honoured in the 2026 "40 Under 40 Recognition Program" by AAEES
Congratulations to SKLMEH member Prof. Jason Chun-Ho Lam (School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong), for being recognised in the 2026 “40 Under 40 Recognition Programme” by The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)!
 
Founded in 1955, the AAEES is one of the preeminent organisations for environmental engineers and scientists. This programme was introduced to acknowledge exceptional individuals under the age of 40 who have significantly contributed to the advancement of Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering within the past year.
 
With interests in combatting climate change and environmental pollution, Prof. Lam’s research direction focuses on applying electrocatalysis to transform renewable feedstock and waste materials into chemicals and fuels. Prof. Lam is also interested in designing electrocatalyst to degrade persistent organic pollutants in wastewater.
 
This prestigious recognition highlights Prof. Lam’s outstanding contributions to the development of practical green electrochemical technologies that address pressing environmental challenges and support a more sustainable future.
 
Once again, applause to Prof. Lam for this well-deserved recognition!
 
For more details of the programme, please refer to: https://www.aaees.org/40under40
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH Member Prof. Ling Jin's Team Reveals Aquatic Plastisphere as Reservoir for Antifungal-Resistant Fungi
A research team led by SKLMEH member Prof. Ling Jin has uncovered that plastic debris in urban waterways acts as a reservoir for pathogenic and antifungal-resistant fungi, expanding the ecological and health risks of plastic pollution beyond bacteria. This study demonstrates that the "plastisphere" may serve as a mobile vector for spreading dangerous, drug-resistant fungi across aquatic ecosystems.
 
Plastic pollution has created unique microbial habitats known as the "plastisphere," where microorganisms selectively colonise synthetic surfaces and form distinct biofilm communities. While previous studies have established that plastics can accumulate bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, the role of the plastisphere in harbouring fungal threats remained largely unexplored. In a study titled "Aquatic Plastisphere as a Reservoir for Pathogenic and Antifungal-Resistant Fungi", recently published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the research team reveals that environmental plastic waste may carry pathogenic fungi and promote the maintenance and spread of antifungal resistance.
 
The study was led jointly by Dr. Changchao Li and Prof. Ling Jin, together with co-first authors Mr. Shing King Zhou and Dr. Chunlan Fan. By analyzing 27 plastic samples collected from urban waterways in the Boston area, the team employed an integrated approach combining metagenomic sequencing, fungal strain isolation, antifungal susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing. Through metagenomic screening, the team identified 32 pathogenic fungal species on plastic surfaces, including 13 listed on the WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List—among them Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida auris, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans. Notably, all 32 pathogenic species carried genetic signals associated with antifungal drug resistance, with at least one known resistance mutation detected in each species.
 
Culture-based experiments further confirmed that plastics host viable, living fungal isolates. The team successfully cultured Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Candida parapsilosis from plastic surfaces. Antifungal susceptibility testing against 11 agents revealed that most isolates exhibited resistant phenotypes, with some strains showing multidrug resistance. Cross-substrate comparisons showed that plastic particles carried significantly higher loads of resistance-associated fungi than the surrounding water column or natural particles, indicating that plastic surfaces act as environmental "hotspots" where pathogenic and drug-resistant fungi are selectively enriched.
 
The research team calls for the inclusion of plastisphere associated fungal pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance profiles in future monitoring programmes and regulatory guidelines. They also highlight the urgent need for further studies to investigate the potential transmission of these fungi through direct contact, food chain transfer, and aerosolisation, particularly in urban coastal regions and aquaculture zones.
 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.6c00486
WS2MonoOrBilayersWebEng

SKLMEH Director Prof. Kenneth Leung signs agreement with Indonesia’s IPB University to promote marine research and talent exchange
CityUHK’s State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries – Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies, IPB University (IPB) of Bogor, Indonesia. The two institutions will work together to advance academic research and exchange top talent in marine science, jointly enhancing regional marine scientific research capabilities.
 
Under the framework of this agreement, both parties will focus on nurturing outstanding talent in marine scientific research. By leveraging their exceptional faculty and world-class research resources, CityUHK and IPB will offer joint supervision of PhD students, facilitate the exchange of academics and research personnel, and implement professional training initiatives to cultivate rising stars in marine research equipped with global vision, international competitiveness and innovative capabilities. Additionally, the two universities will collaborate on research addressing critical global issues, such as marine pollution and biodiversity conservation.
 
The agreement was signed by Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, Vice-President (Research) of CityUHK and Director of the SKLMEH, and Professor Luky Adrianto, Head of the International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries of IPB. Following the signing ceremony, Professor Leung was invited to discuss the SKLMEH’s experience and technologies in environmental and ecosystem monitoring, as well as its innovative achievements in ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. He also engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions with faculty members and students on topics in marine science research.
 
Professor Leung noted that IPB possesses rich experience and outstanding achievements in marine, fisheries and coastal resource research. He expressed confidence that this collaboration will synergise the unique strengths of both universities to unlock more pioneering research in key areas such as marine environmental monitoring, ecological conservation, pollution control and ocean governance for sustainable development, whilst fostering the transformation of scientific research outcomes and knowledge exchange. He looked forward to strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia in marine science through collaborative initiatives, including academic and researcher exchanges, joint research projects and talent cultivation, to support the sustainable development of the oceans, regionally and globally.

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