Marine Geodesy (1975–1979)— to the International Association of Geodesy,Section 1

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been developed during the last decade. Their land‐based applications range from land information management, urban planning, and environmental research to engineering design and management in the utility and oil industries, geological subsurface analysis, and others. However, applications of GIS in the marine environment are still in the initial stages. This may be due to, among other things, the large marine data sets, the demands of 3D data processing, and the difficulty of ocean data acquisition.

This article presents the result of the development of an integrated Marine Geographic Information System (MGIS) for the exploration and development of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the U.S. Pacific Islands region by the Pacific Mapping Center, University of Hawaii. Features such as spatial marine data processing, integration of GIS and mapping systems, 3D data structures, and simulation and animation of marine operations are developed and applied in this system. Since MGIS applications in EEZ are related to many disciplines in marine sciences and engineering, an operational MGIS should be an integrated system in which both basic GIS and marine application systems are combined into a single geo‐referenced system, In addition to other applications, this MGIS has been used: (1) to select a potential deep‐water research site off the island of Hawaii for the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, and Development (DBED); (2) to generate a three‐dimensional database and use it for the navigation and simulation of underwater operations of an underwater research vehicle; and (3) to produce two 2° × 2° mosaic sheets of sonar images, which meet the USGS standard for a sonar image atlas.     

Combining pixel and object based image analysis of ultra-high resolution multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for habitat mapping in shallow marine waters

Habitat mapping data are increasingly being recognised for their importance in underpinning marine spatial planning. The ability to collect ultra-high resolution (cm) multibeam echosounder (MBES) data in shallow waters has facilitated understanding of the fine-scale distribution of benthic habitats in these areas that are often prone to human disturbance. Developing quantitative and objective approaches to integrate MBES data with ground observations for predictive modelling is essential for ensuring repeatability and providing confidence measures for habitat mapping products. Whilst supervised classification approaches are becoming more common, users are often faced with a decision whether to implement a pixel based (PB) or an object based (OB) image analysis approach, with often limited understanding of the potential influence of that decision on final map products and relative importance of data inputs to patterns observed. In this study, we apply an ensemble learning approach capable of integrating PB and OB Image Analysis from ultra-high resolution MBES bathymetry and backscatter data for mapping benthic habitats in Refuge Cove, a temperate coastal embayment in south-east Australia. We demonstrate the relative importance of PB and OB seafloor derivatives for the five broad benthic habitats that dominate the site. We found that OB and PB approaches performed well with differences in classification accuracy but not discernible statistically. However, a model incorporating elements of both approaches proved to be significantly more accurate than OB or PB methods alone and demonstrate the benefits of using MBES bathymetry and backscatter combined for class discrimination.     

Ontogenetic patterns of concentration indicate lagoon nurseries are essential to common grunts stocks in a Puerto Rican bay

Estimates of abundance and size of three commercially exploited grunt species indicate ontogenetic changes in habitat utilization concentrate their juveniles within the lagoon of the Bay of La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Eleven biotopes, defined by four benthic structures (reef, mangrove, vegetation beds and unconsolidated sediments) and three geographic zones (inner lagoon, outer lagoon and bank shelf) were sampled randomly by visual surveys. French, bluestriped and white grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum, Haemulon sciurus and Haemulon plumeri) were common in the bay and appeared to exhibit similar life history patterns of cross-shelf migration and habitat selection. Recently settled grunts were dispersed over vegetated and unconsolidated soft-bottom sediments of the bay. The juvenile stage occurred in highest densities in shallow lagoon biotopes among the submerged prop-roots of mangrove stands and on inshore reefs. Length data indicates that grunts migrate offshore to adult habitat via increasingly deep reefs. Indices of biotope nursery function based on standing stock estimates of juveniles identified three biotopes, all within the inner lagoon as essential habitat for juveniles of 5–10 cm length interval. This concentration of juveniles within biotopes of the lagoon could represent a bottleneck to recruitment for grunt stocks. Evidence that quantity and quality of lagoon nurseries may limit recruitment indicates that these areas represent a key component of a marine protected area designed to restore fisheries within the bay.     

Private rights,public benefits: Industry-driven seabed protection

New Zealand has a large exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that contains a variety of marine habitats and commercially-important species. The commercial fishing industry operating within New Zealand's EEZ is of significant value to the economy and fisheries resources are managed through the extensive use of Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs). One of the benefits of ITQs has been to better align some of the private incentives of quota owners with the public interest. These incentives contributed to an initiative proposed by the fishing industry to close large areas of New Zealand's EEZ to protect the seabed from trawling. These closed areas are termed benthic protection areas (BPAs) and protect the benthic biodiversity of about 1.1 million square kilometres of seabed—approximately 30% of New Zealand's EEZ. A significant proportion of New Zealand's known seamounts and active hydrothermal vents are protected by these closed areas. We describe and discuss the criteria used to select BPAs and some of the criticism of this marine protection initiative. We argue that the assignment of strong property rights in fishing resources was an important precondition to an industry initiative that has a significant public benefit. Where private and public interests are well aligned, government can adopt an enabling and facilitation role, ceding direct control of processes in order to get the results the align with the public interest.     

Beneficiation and digestion of Georgia offshore phosphates

Abstract

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted beneficiation and digestion tests to evaluate the potential of recovering P₂O₅ from an apatite deposit located 10 nautical miles offshore Savannah, GA, in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A 1.8 metric ton sample containing 1.0–1.5% P₂O₅ was obtained in a cooperative drilling project involving the Bureau of Mines, the Marine Minerals Technology Center‐Continental Shelf Division, the Minerals Management Service, and the Georgia Nonenergy Minerals Offshore Task Force. Beneficiation methods were evaluated with the goal of producing a 29–31% P₂O₅ concentrate with a CaO: P₂O₅ratio of less than 1.6: 1. These specifications were obtained using a combination of gravity separation and flotation. Comparative leaching tests conducted using EEZ, Idaho, and Florida phosphate concentrates showed that these EEZ phosphates behaved similarly to land‐based phosphates. The results suggest that as land‐based phosphate deposits are depleted, ocean phosphates represent a feasible alternate source.     

黄海底栖纤毛虫的群落结构与时空变化

采用密度梯度离心结合定量蛋白银染色(Ludox-QPS)方法,对2010年7月和11月获自黄海海域沉积物中的底栖纤毛虫进行了群落结构研究,并结合环境因子进行了分析。结果表明:7月浒苔暴发期间,纤毛虫现存量以北黄海、南黄海近岸和长江口外海域较高,南黄海离岸站位较低;11月的纤毛虫丰度和生物量均明显高于7月,南黄海近岸站位的丰度和生物量较高,且向外海随水深增大呈减少的趋势。11月丰度和生物量前三位的类群与7月一致,前口类丰度所占比例最高,核残迹类生物量所占比例最高。肉食性纤毛虫均是两个月份的最优势摄食类群。11月纤毛虫的物种数、Margalef指数和香农-威纳指数均高于7月,且均以南黄海近岸海域较高,而离岸海域较低;纤毛虫丰度、生物量、物种数、Margalef和香农-威纳指数与底层水温度和沉积物中值粒径呈显著正相关。冷水团对底栖纤毛虫群落结构和分布有一定的影响,且是多个环境因子的共同影响。两个月份纤毛虫群落间的Jaccard相似系数值高于单个月份南北黄海和冷水团内外的系数值,表明黄海底栖纤毛虫的物种组成在季节间的差异可能小于不同海域之间的差异。7月南黄海近岸较高的纤毛虫现存量和多样性表明,浒苔的死亡和降解可能通过级联效应促进了近岸站位纤毛虫的生长。     

Mesoscale and microscale spatial variability of bacteria and viruses during a Phaeocystis globosa bloom in the Eastern English Channel

Sampling was conducted within inshore and offshore sites, characterized by highly dissimilar hydrodynamic and hydrobiological conditions, in the Eastern English Channel. The eutrophic inshore site was dominated by the influence of a dense bloom of the Prymnesiophyceae phytoplankton species Phaeocystis globosa, while the offshore site was characterized by more oceanic conditions. Within each site the microscale distributions of chlorophyll a and several flow cytometrically-defined subpopulations of heterotrophic bacteria and viruses were measured at a spatial resolution of 5 cm. The inshore site was characterized by comparatively high levels of microscale spatial variability, with concentrations of chlorophyll a, heterotrophic bacteria, and viruses varying by 8, 11 and 3.5-fold respectively across distances of several centimeters. Within the offshore site, microscale distributions of chlorophyll a and bacteria were markedly less variable than within the inshore site, although viruses exhibited slightly higher levels of heterogeneity. Significant mesoscale variability was also observed when mean microbial parameters were compared between the inshore and offshore sites. However, when the extent of change (max/min and coefficient of variation) was compared between meso- and microscales, the variability observed at the microscale, particularly in the inshore site, was substantially greater. This pattern suggests that microscale processes associated with Phaeocystis globosa bloom dynamics can generate heterogeneity amongst microbial communities to a greater degree than large scale oceanographic discontinuities.     

Beta diversity of tropical marine benthic assemblages in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia

In order to preserve diversity it is essential to understand how assemblages change across space. Despite this fact, we still know very little about how marine diversity is spatially distributed, especially among lesser‐studied invertebrate taxa. In the present study beta‐diversity patterns of sea urchins, sponges, mushroom corals and larger foraminifera were assessed in the Spermonde Archipelago (Indonesia). Using ordinations we showed that the inshore zone (<5 km offshore), midshore zone (5 < x < 30 km offshore) and distance offshore zone (>30 km offshore) all contained distinct assemblages of sponges and corals, while only foraminifera assemblages from the inshore (<5 km offshore) zone were distinct. There was a significant spatial pattern of community similarity for all taxa surveyed, but this pattern proved to be wholly related to environmental variables for sponges and foraminifera, and primarily for mushroom corals and sea urchins. The lack of a pure spatial component suggests that these taxa may not be dispersal limited within the spatial scales of this study (c. 1600 km²). The analyses of the corals and foraminifera were additionally tested at two spatial scales of sampling. Both taxa were primarily associated with local‐scale environmental variables at the local scale and larger‐scale variables at the larger scale. Mean inter‐plot similarity was also higher and variation lower at the larger scale. The results suggest that substantial variation in similarity can be predicted using simple locally assessed environmental variables combined with remotely sensed parameters.     

ScotMap: Participatory mapping of inshore fishing activity to inform marine spatial planning in Scotland

A detailed understanding of fishing activity in Scottish waters is required to inform marine spatial planning. Larger fishing vessels are fitted with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) offering spatial information on fishing activity. VMS does not cover smaller vessels (under 15 m), which fish predominantly in inshore waters where the competition for space is often greatest. To improve knowledge of the distribution of fishing activity and value of fisheries in Scotland's inshore waters, Marine Scotland conducted a participatory fisheries mapping project, known as ScotMap. The data were collected during face-to-face interviews with 1090 fishermen of Scottish registered commercial fishing vessels under 15 m in overall length and relate to fishing activity for the period 2007–2011. Interviewees were asked to identify the areas in which they fish, estimate the contribution these areas make to vessel earnings, and to provide associated information. The majority of interviews relate to creel fishing. The data collected were aggregated to provide mapped outputs of the monetary value, relative importance to fishermen and the usage of the seas around Scotland (number of fishing vessels and number of crew). ScotMap outputs provide information on the locations of inshore fishing activities and the economic importance of different sea areas at a much higher spatial resolution than was previously possible. Outputs have informed marine policy development, provide a valuable resource for marine spatial planning in Scotland and illustrate how participatory mapping can generate useful resources on the location and importance of inshore fishing areas.     

The Humboldt-El Niño scenario: coastal benthic resources and anthropogenic influences,with particular reference to the 1982/83 ENSO

The coastal waters of Peru and Chile are among the most productive of the world's oceans. A striking source of interannual variability in this upwelling ecosystem, El Niño, results in large population and community variations. During El Niño the seasonal upwelling ceases and warm, clear oceanic waters occur close inshore, setting a unique oceanographic scenario in which the performance of populations and communities can be studied. While most attention has been focused on the pelagic components of such systems, numerous changes occur in inshore, benthic populations. Likewise, little attention has been paid to the critical role of humans as predators or active users of inshore, benthic resources. Humans as components of the ecosystem can impose significant alterations on population and community structure. In this paper the fishery statistics of three economically important inshore, benthic resources (the gastropod Concholepas concholepas, the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris and the kelp Lessonia nigrescens) are analysed in relation to the strong 1982/83 El Niño event. In particular, trends are described for landings in the far northern regions of Chile, where the marked effect of El Niño was concurrent with high levels of exploitation of C. concholepas and L. nigrescens.     

A 21-year ichthyoplankton collection confirms sardine spawning in KwaZulu-Natal waters

Pelagic eggs of marine fish were collected weekly from shelf waters at Park Rynie on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast from 1987 to 2007 to investigate seasonal and annual patterns in the abundance of sardine Sardinops sagax eggs. After a sudden appearance in June each year, sardine eggs were found persistently throughout the winter–spring period before disappearing in early summer. From changes in the cross-shelf distribution of eggs, it is inferred that sardine shoals are close inshore in June, as they arrive in KwaZulu-Natal waters from the south, then the shoals disperse offshore and thereafter return inshore before their return migration southward in early summer. The period 2001–2007 yielded significantly fewer eggs than the previous 14 years of the study.     

Fisheries in the context of marine spatial planning: Defining principal areas for fisheries in the German EEZ

A method is presented to define principal areas for fisheries at high spatial resolution applicable to be implemented into marine spatial planning procedures. Vessel monitoring system (VMS) data from 2005 to 2006 are acquired to determine vessel-based fishing effort. Principal areas for the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are defined as areas in which 75% of the effort of either year is carried out. Examples are given for the 5 most abundant fisheries in the German EEZ in terms of vessel-based effort, i.e. gill netting, pelagic trawling, demersal otter board trawling and beam trawling >300 and <300 HP. A historical comparison for demersal otter board trawling shows relative stability of spatial utilization patterns in the North Sea section of the EEZ.     

Biogeochemistry of sterols in plankton, settling particles and recent sediments in a cold ocean ecosystem (Trinity Bay, Newfoundland)

In the context of a multidisciplinary study to determine current and past ecosystem health and the relative contributions of sources of organic matter (marine vs. terrestrial and natural vs. anthropogenic input), sterols were determined in plankton, settling particles and sediments from Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, a sub-polar Atlantic Ocean ecosystem. The centric diatoms Chaetoceros spp., Thalassiosira spp. and Leptocylindrus danicus were all prominent in the plankton samples, and centric diatoms predominated in the settling particles. Plankton samples contained 0.4±0.4 mg/g dw (1995) or 1.4±1.3 mg/g dw (1996) total sterols, with cholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol (mean 26% of total sterols), cholest-5-en-3β-ol (24%) and cholesta-5,22(E)-dien-3β-ol (13%) chief among these, denoting diatom and zooplankton sources. In settling particles, the prominence of cholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol (24%), cholest-5-en-3β-ol (24%), cholesta-5,22(E)-dien-3β-ol (13%) and 24-methylcholesta-5,22(E)-dien-3β-ol (9%) again suggested mainly marine sources. The sterol composition of plankton and settling particles from different sampling periods showed a high degree of consistency. Higher plant C₂₉ sterols (notably 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol, 9–26%) were prominent in sediments from both inshore and offshore sites. No decreasing trend in total or individual sterols was observed down the 30-cm sediment cores, suggesting good overall preservation. No 5β-stanols such as 5β-cholestan-3β-ol (coprostanol) were detected in offshore sediments, plankton or settling particles, with only low levels (5β-cholestan-3β-ol max. 4.4%, 5β-cholestan-3α-ol max. 5.1%) in certain inshore sediments. This suggests that raw sewage discharges in rural Newfoundland are being efficiently degraded or dispersed, or that inputs are highly localized. Source apportionation of organic matter in the sediment samples based on sterol composition was attempted. This highlighted the large terrestrial contribution to the sterols in marine sediments (up to 58% of sterols inshore, 24% offshore) and suggests either degradation or effective recycling of marine sterols.     

Combining echo sounding,sediment and biological data to map benthic habitats in a coastal area of the Persian Gulf

Mapping surveys of coastal benthic habitat in Qeshm Island Geopark, Persian Gulf, were conducted using a combination of biological, sedimentological and echo‐sounding data. The survey area covered approximately 233 km² in a depth range of 5–25 m, and the data were acquired from a single beam echo sounder, grab, video and still photography. Sediment and macrofauna samples were collected by grab at 76 stations and subjected to classification and ordination analyses. Two acoustic classes were identified differentiating along the near/offshore axis. Sediment texture was dominated by fine grain sizes, with five distinct sub‐sediment types. In total, 214 macrobenthic taxa were identified, of which polychaetes accounted for 60%. Other dominant groups included young sponges, nematodes, malacostracan crustacean, bivalves, ostracods and ophiuroids. Underwater videos and still photos integrated the macrofaunal and sedimentary data and revealed a range of biogenic sedimentary features such as burrows and tubes. The biological data identified six main biological assemblages showing an inshore/offshore pattern. The macrobenthic abundance did not demonstrate a significant difference with depth, although polychaetes were positively correlated with depth. The highest abundance and species richness were observed at median depths. Species distribution and diversity did not show any correlation with sediment type. A preliminary habitat mapping of the south coast of the Qeshm Island Geopark has been carried out, integrating acoustic, sediment and biological data.     

Attachment and feeding of pelagic copepods on larvacean houses

The attachment and feeding of pelagic copepods on discarded and occupied oikopleurid larvacean houses were investigated from May 1989 to August 1991 at an offshore station in the Nansei Islands, which is strongly influenced by the Kuroshio Current, and an inshore station in the central Seto Inland Sea.Oncaea spp.,Microsetella norvegica, and other calanoid and cyclopoid copepods were found attached onto discarded and occupied houses throughout the year at the offshore station, whereas neither discarded nor occupied houses, carried copepods at the inshore station at any time. The feeding behavior ofOncaea sp. in a discarded house was observed with a video tape recorder system.     

Detection of deep water benthic macroalgae using image-based classification techniques on multibeam backscatter at Cashes Ledge,Gulf of Maine,USA

Benthic macroalgae form an important part of temperate marine ecosystems, exhibiting a complex three-dimensional character which represents a vital foraging and spawning ground for many juvenile fish species. In this research, image-based techniques for classification of multibeam backscatter are explored for the detection of benthic macroalgae at Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine, USA. Two classifications were performed using QTC-Multiview, differentiated by application of a threshold filter, and macroalgal signatures were independently extracted from the raw sonar datagrams in Matlab. All classifications were validated by comparison with video ground-truth data. The unfiltered classification shows a high degree of complexity in the shallowest areas within the study site; the filtered demonstrates markedly less variation by depth. The unfiltered classification shows a positive agreement with the video ground-truth data; 82.6% of observations recording Laminaria sp., 39.1% of Agarum cribrosum and 100.0% (n = 3) of mixed macroalgae occur within the same acoustically distinct group of classes. These are discrete from the 8.1% recorded agreement with absences and nulls (>40 m) of macrophytes (n = 32) from a total of 86 ground-truth locations. The results of the water column data extraction (WCDE) show similar success, accurately predicting 78.3% of Laminaria sp. and 30.4% of A. cribrosum observations.     

Summer larval fish assemblages in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea)

The purpose of this paper was to study the community structure, in terms of species composition, abundance and spatial distribution, of fish larvae in a wide coastal area of Sicily facing the Southeastern Tyrrhenian Sea, extending for 2300 km² from Cape Cefalù to the west, to Cape Rasocolmo in the east. This study analyses how species are assembled in relation to an inshore–offshore gradient and also how environmental conditions, determined by surface circulation patterns occurring in the Central Mediterranean at the local scale, determine the distribution patterns. Samples from 39 stations were collected using a 60‐cm Bongo net during an ichthyoplanktonic survey carried out in June 2006. In all, 62 taxa, representing 32 families, were identified. Cyclothone braueri (59.6%), Engraulis encrasicolus (9.2%) Lampanyctus crocodilus (4.3%) and Lampanyctus pusillus (4.1%) were the most abundant species. The results showed that the highest abundance value (14830.6 fish larvae per 10 m² sea surface) was observed in the western part of the study area. MDS, SIMPER and CCA analyses revealed well defined groups of stations and assemblages of larvae in accordance with an inshore–offshore gradient. The results of this study could have implications for the management of marine resources because the investigated area has already been identified as a nursery area for many pelagic and coastal fishes and a natural habitat for many species of high commercial interest.     

Habitats and Characteristics of the Sea Urchins Lytechinus variegatus and Arbacia punctulata (Echinodermata) on the Florida Gulf-Coast Shelf

Abstract Lytechinus variegatus and Arbacia punctulata have been studied primarily in inshore, shallow‐water areas. However, they are abundant in deeper waters on the Florida gulf‐coast shelf and seem important components of the benthic communities there. Lytechinus variegatus occurs alone on sand bottoms and A. punctulata occurs alone on rubble bottoms in these deeper waters. The species also co‐occur there on ­heterogeneous bottoms, each in a distinct microhabitat with A. punctulata on rubble and L. variegatus on surrounding sand. Characteristics of the sea urchins in these different deeper‐water habitat types and at one nearshore site with a heterogeneous rubble‐sand bottom were compared. Over the 2‐year study, offshore individuals of both species had low gut and gonad indices and the maximum size of individuals did not change. This suggests food limitation and low production. Offshore, A. punctulata had a higher Aristotle's lantern index and lower gut and gonad indices in populations where it ­co‐occurred with L. variegatus compared to populations where it occurred alone. The ­Aristotle's lantern index of L. variegatus did not differ among the offshore sites. Neither species seemed food limited at the nearshore site. Although productivity is lower at the offshore sites, both species extend their distribution and reproduction potential by existing there.     

A GIS modelling framework to evaluate marine spatial planning scenarios: Co-location of offshore wind farms and aquaculture in the German EEZ

The concept of co-location of marine areas receives an increased significance in the light of sustainable development in the already heavily used offshore marine realm. Within this study, different spatial co-location scenarios for the coupling of offshore aquacultures and wind farms are evaluated in order to support efficient and sustainable marine spatial management strategies. A Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) techniques were combined to index suitable co-sites in the German exclusive economic zone of the North Sea. The MCE was based on criteria such as temperature, salinity or oxygen. In total, 13 possible aquaculture candidates (seaweed, bivalves, fish and crustaceans) were selected for the scenario configuration. The GIS modelling framework proved to be powerful in defining potential co-location sites. The aquaculture candidate oarweed (Laminaria digitata) revealed the highest suitability scores at 10–20 m depth from April to June, followed by haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) at 20–30 m depth and dulse (Palmaria palmata) and Sea belt (Saccharina latissima) at 0–10 m depth between April and June. In summary, results showed several wind farms were de facto suitable sites for aquaculture since they exhibited high suitability scores for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems combining fish species, bivalves and seaweeds. The present results illustrate how synergies may be realised between competing needs of both offshore wind energy and offshore IMTA in the German EEZ of the North Sea. This might offer guidance to stakeholders and assist decision-makers in determining the most suitable sites for pilot projects using IMTA techniques.     

The effect of an offshore bank in attenuating waves

Waverider buoys were installed in approximately 16 m of water offshore of the Size-well-Dunwich Bank off the East Coast of England and in approximately 11 m of water inshore of it. Minimum water depth over the bank was approximately 4.5 m at mid-tide level. Simultaneous records were obtained for substantial periods between November 1978 and May 1979. These show negligible attenuation for small waves, but as the offshore waveheight increased, the inshore waveheight tended to saturate at an H_s of about 3 m. The form of the relationship between inshore and offshore waveheight is predicted theoretically assuming that high individual waves which cross the bank are limited by breaking. The theoretical curve agrees well with the measured data. The measured saturation level corresponds to a wave breaking when its height is approximately 0.5 the water depth, which is considerably lower than the usual engineering criterion. However, some published tank results also appear to show the same low value.