Exploring ecological changes in Cook Inlet beluga whale habitat though traditional and local ecological knowledge of contributing factors for population decline

The Cook Inlet beluga whale, one of five Alaskan stocks, is genetically distinct and geographically isolated from other populations. Historically, Cook Inlet whales were hunted commercially, for sport, and for subsistence uses. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 ended commercial and sport hunting; in 1999, subsistence hunting voluntarily ended. In 2008, Cook Inlet beluga whales were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act after annual aerial surveys indicated the population was not recovering as expected. A combination of natural and anthropogenic factors may be affecting this population’s recovery. This study documented traditional and local ecological knowledge of Alaska Native subsistence hunters and fishers and commercial fishers through participatory research to explore ecological changes in Cook Inlet over time and to identify potential factors impacting this beluga whale population. Study results identified potential environmental and climate change factors including prey competition, health of beluga and their prey, and the presence of killer whales, the majority of which may indicate an ecosystem regime shift in the Cook Inlet region. Human-related factors included fisheries management and related prey reduction, water contamination, and anthropogenic-related noise. These results corroborate identified threats to beluga whales and also identify potential new areas of scientific investigation and management. As such this study demonstrates the value of incorporating traditional and local ecological knowledge into ongoing science and management.     

Parallel structure among environmental gradients and three trophic levels in a subarctic estuary

We assessed spatial and temporal variability in the physical environment of a subarctic estuary, and examined concurrent patterns of chlorophyll α abundance (fluorescence), and zooplankton and forage fish community structure. Surveys were conducted in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, during late July and early August from 1997 through 1999. Principle components analysis (PCA) revealed that spatial heterogeneity in the physical oceanographic environment of lower Cook Inlet could be modeled as three marine-estuarine gradients characterized by temperature, salinity, bottom depth, and turbidity. The gradients persisted from 1997 through 1999, and PCA explained 68% to 92% of the variance in physical oceanography for each gradient-year combination. Correlations between chlorophyll α abundance and distribution and the PCA axes were weak. Chlorophyll was reduced by turbidity, and low levels occurred in areas with high levels of suspended sediments. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was used to order the sample sites based on species composition and to order the zooplankton and forage fish taxa based on similarities among sample sites for each gradient-year. Correlations between the structure of the physical environment (PCA axis 1) and zooplankton community structure (DCA axis 1) were strong (r = 0.43-0.86) in all years for the three marine-estuarine gradients, suggesting that zooplankton community composition was structured by the physical environment. The physical environment (PCA) and forage fish community structure (DCA) were weakly correlated in all years along Gradient 2, defined by halocline intensity and surface temperature and salinity, even though these physical variables were more important for defining zooplankton habitats. However, the physical environment (PCA) and forage fish community structure (DCA) were strongly correlated along the primary marine-estuarine gradient (#1) in 1997 (r = 0.87) and 1998 (r = 0.82). The correlation was poor (r = 0.32) in 1999, when fish community structure changed markedly in lower Cook Inlet. Capelin (Mallotus villosus), walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), and arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) were caught farther north than in previous years. Waters were significantly colder and more saline in 1999, a La Niña year, than in other years of the study. Interannual fluctuations in environmental conditions in lower Cook Inlet did not have substantial effects on zooplankton community structure, although abundance of individual taxa varied significantly. The abundance and distribution of chlorophyll α, zooplankton and forage fish were affected much more by spatial variability in physical oceanography than by interannual variability. Our examination of physical-biological linkages in lower Cook Inlet supports the concept of “bottom-up control,” i.e., that variability in the physical environment structures higher trophic-level communities by influencing their distribution and abundance across space.     

The long-term effects of crude oil on microbial processes in subarctic marine sediments

Subarctic marine sediments were exposed to fresh and ‘weathered’ crude oil from Cook Inlet, Alaska. The crude oil was thoroughly mixed with the sediment at various concentrations and some of the oil-sediment mixtures were placed on top of unamended sediments. Both sediments with added oil and those overlain by oiled sediments were investigated. These sediments were placed either in trays or aquaria. The trays were incubated in situ near the site from which the sediments were originally collected. The aquaria were maintained at simulated in situ conditions by maintaining a continuous flow of fresh seawater through them. The sediments were exposed to crude oil for periods up to 1.5 years. Sediments exposed to 50‰ fresh crude oil showed significant decreases in nitrogen fixation and denitrification rates and redox potentials. Also observed were increases in CO₂ production rates and methane concentrations. These same changes were observed in sediments exposed to 1‰. When ‘weathered’ crude oil was added to the sediments, the same changes were observed except there was no reduction in nitrogen fixation activity. In most cases, the observed effects were less marked when the sediments were amended with ‘weathered’ crude oil than with the same concentration of fresh crude oil. Untreated sediments that were overlain with treated sediments showed the same changes as those sediments that were thoroughly mixed with crude oil. The presence of fresh crude oil at 50‰ essentially eliminated burrowing activity of the benthic infauna. Under these conditions, there was an accumulation of detritus particles on the oiled sediments that was not present in the untreated controls.     

Triterpenoids as molecular indicators of paleoseepage in recent sediments of the Southern California bight

Petroleum-derived hydrocarbons have been identified in sediments by analysis of the n-alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons and branched and cyclic components (humps). The detection of low levels of petroleum input to sediments can be ambiguous due to the presence of syngenetic biolipids. Triterpenoids, especially the (17αH, 21βH)-hopanes, have been proposed as sensitive molecular markers of petroleum pollution.Recent sediments from the Southern California Bight to subbottom depths of about 30 cm (pre-anthropogenic) contain lipids of syngenetic origin with major humps of branched and cyclic material and triterpenoids consisting mainly of the (17αH, 21βH)-hopanes ranging from C₂₇ to C₃₅. Extended hopanes (> C₃₁) are found as 1:1 mixtures of the 22R and 22S diastereomers. The 17α(H),18α(H), 21β(H)-28,30-bisnorhopane is the dominant triterpane for most of these sediments and appears to be a potential molecular marker characteristic of the Southern California petroleums. Extended tricyclic diterpanes ranging from C₁₉ to C₂₇ are also present and their structures make them further possible indicators of petroleum. Southern California Bight sediments therefore appear to contain petroleum products from both seepage and anthropogenic activity.Recent sediments from other areas (e.g. Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California; Cook Inlet, Alaska; Eastern Bering Sea; Walvis Bay, Southwest Africa; and Mangrove Lake, Bermuda) contain predominantly (17βH, 21βH)-hopanes and hopenes, indicating recent synthesis and no petroleum pollution.     

A climatology of mesoscale model simulated low-level wind jets over Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait, Alaska

Weather in the North Gulf of Alaska is characterized by a high frequency of deep synoptic-scale low-pressure systems, especially during the cold season. The strong pressure gradients of these storms interact with the extremely rugged terrain of the coastal mountains to produce a variety of channeled flows. These surface wind regimes are not well documented in the scientific community, due to the paucity of observations. Modeling of these phenomena in regions of complex terrain is of great interest to those working with hydrodynamic, wave, and pollutant transport models in coastal and shelf areas. Such models, when coupled with ocean and coastal-ecology counterparts, give a broad view of the role surface winds play in shaping local coastal marine ecosystem in this region. This paper presents a climatology of simulated low-level wind jets over the domain of Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait along Alaska's south-central coast. Daily simulations using the RAMS model were conducted in a 36-h forecast mode for the cold-season period 10/1/03 to 3/31/04. Systematic analysis of the resulting simulated low-level wind field makes it possible to characterize these jets and gap flows in spatial and temporal detail. The comparison between the RAMS winds and the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-derived winds when available verifies the existence of these wind jets and the capability of the model to simulate these cases. Clearly, the results of a study in this region depend on the fidelity of the model at these scales (O[5 km]). The SAR comparisons attempt to help establish this. From the 6 months of simulations over Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait, the low-level wind jets are classified into 10 different regimes by location and orientation. These regimes are categorized into four more general groups: cross-channel westerly, easterly, and up and down Inlet flows. The nature of a particular regime is largely a function of pressure gradient orientation and local topography. Jets in the same group have a similar occurrence distribution with time. Some form of jet occurred in the study region almost daily each month of the period, with December 2003 having the highest frequency of wind jets.     

北冰洋西部表层沉积物粘土矿物分布及环境指示意义

楚科奇海及邻近的北冰洋深水区表层沉积物中粘土矿物的分布受源区母岩和海区环流结构所制约。来自加拿大马更些河的物质富含高岭石和伊利石,对研究区东北部和北部沉积物的影响较大;来自阿拉斯加西北部的河流和海岸带物质富含绿泥石,高岭石含量变化较大,对阿拉斯加西北部近海沉积物的影响明显;来自西伯利亚的物质富含绿泥石,对研究区西部沉积物的影响较为明显。自白令海峡进入的太平洋水携带富含蒙皂石的育空河物质横穿楚科奇海陆架向北扩散,导致楚科奇海中部沉积物中的蒙皂石含量高;同时,粘土矿物自身的粒度分异在某种程度上也促使蒙脱石在离岸距离较远的中部海区富集。     

Toxic contributions of specific drilling mud components to larval shrimp and crabs

We investigated the toxicities of six drilling muds, toxicities of mud fractions (supernatants and suspensions) and the toxicities of common mud components—barite and bentonite (particulates) and ferrochrome lignosulfonate (soluble)—to the stage I larvae of six species of shrimp and crab. The drilling muds we tested were not very toxic to these larvae: LC₅₀'s for supernatants ranged from 0·6 to 82% (vol/vol). Shrimp larvae were slightly more sensitive than crab larvae.Drilling muds were not rapidly toxic, in contrast to toxicants such as the water-soluble fractions of oil. Supernatants, prepared by centrifuging whole muds, were mildly toxic. Suspensions were more toxic than supernatants and toxicity was greatest when particulates remained suspended: for example, used Cook Inlet mud suspensions were about seven times more toxic than supernatants. The toxicity of used Cook Inlet mud was therefore primarily due to suspended solids (88%) rather than chemical toxicity: ferrochrome lignosulfonate was relatively toxic alone, but accounted for only about 6% of the toxicity of used Cook Inlet mud suspensions. Contributions of particulates to mud toxicities varied considerably. Barite and bentonite were not very toxic when tested alone. The toxicity of one mud was caused by its high alkalinity.     

Accumulation of Phosphorus and Heavy Metals in the Peel-Harvey Estuary in Western Australia: Results of a Preliminary Study

Concentrations of P and of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) were determined in sediment cores from the Peel-Harvey Estuary in Western Australia. Two cores were extracted, each representing one of the two basins of the estuary. Sediments were dated by surplus²¹⁰Pb, by¹³⁷Cs and by changes in the Fe/S ratio. Increasing exports of P from the mainly agricultural catchments have resulted in more than a doubling of both total P and acid extractable inorganic P in sediments of the estuary. Accumulation of P in the estuary is less than expected for complete retention of inputs of P from the major tributaries. Historical data show that since 1950 average concentrations of dissolved inorganic P have approximately doubled in the Peel Inlet and increased by times seven in the Harvey Estuary. Increases in concentrations in surface sediments of acid extractable Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu are noticeable in the Peel Inlet, and of Zn and Cd in the Harvey Estuary. The greatest increase, relative to background, is shown by Zn. Concentrations of extractable Zn and Cd in surface sediments are similar to those estimated from average concentrations in the water column for equilibrium adsorption to organic matter in sediments. Extractable Pb is greater than estimated for equilibrium adsorption to sediments. Extractable Cu is of the order of what can be expected for equilibrium adsorption to sediments in the Peel Inlet, but is less than expected in the Harvey Estuary.     

大沽河泥沙来源的重矿物分析及其环境意义

应用矿物分析的方法研究大沽河下游泥沙的来源,研究表明,大沽河上游和小沽河流域的重矿物特征有很大的不同,大沽河上游段以高的普通角闪石含量为标志,绿帘石、钛铁矿具有较高的含量。小沽河和大沽河下游的重矿物组成以普通角闪石+绿帘石+透闪石+石榴石为主,重矿物特征相似性明显,其重矿物含量和主要重矿物相对含量都比较相似,数值相差不大,而且矿物的形态特征、矿物的种类也一致。这说明大沽河下游的泥沙主要来源于其支流小沽河,因此,小沽河流域的水土保持是大沽河河道以及胶州湾沉积环境整治的关键。     

西北冰洋表层沉积物黏土矿物分布特征及物质来源

西北冰洋表层沉积物黏土矿物分析结果显示其黏土矿物组成的区域分布和变化具有明显的规律性:从楚科奇海到北冰洋深水区,随着水深的增加,蒙皂石和高岭石含量增高,绿泥石和伊利石含量降低。自西往东,伊利石结晶度值降低,化学指数升高。根据Q型聚类分析获得的黏土矿物组合特征,结合周缘陆地的地质背景、河流及洋流情况,对研究区进行了黏土矿物组合分区,讨论了其黏土矿物来源。楚科奇海表层沉积物黏土矿物组合在靠近阿拉斯加一侧海域以Ⅰ类为主,靠东西伯利亚海一侧主要有Ⅱ类、Ⅲ类和Ⅳ类,中部主要为Ⅵ类,主要是西伯利亚和阿拉斯加的火山岩、变质岩以及一些含高岭石的沉积物以及古土壤等,经风化、河流搬运入海,在北太平洋的3股洋流及西伯利亚沿岸流的作用下沉积形成的。西北冰洋深水区表层沉积物的黏土矿物组合以Ⅰ类和Ⅴ类为主,表明其沉积物来源为欧亚陆架和加拿大北极群岛周缘海域的海冰沉积和大西洋水体的搬运以及加拿大马更些河的河流物质输入。     

Growth of a post-Little Ice Age submarine fan, Glacier Bay, Alaska

A small Holocene fan is forming where Queen Inlet, a hanging valley, enters West Arm fjord, Glacier Bay, Alaska. Queen fan formed in the last 80 years following retreat of the Little Ice Age glacier that filled Glacier Bay about 200 yr BP. It was built mainly by a turbidite system originating from Carroll Glacier delta, as the delta formed in the early 1900s at the head of Queen Inlet. The Late Holocene Queen fan is comparable to large Pleistocene fans that formed in the Gulf of Alaska and differs from trough-mouth fans formed by cooler climate glacier systems. Received: 7 January 1999 / Revision received: 3 June 1999     

两种密度三溴甲烷分离重矿物效果的对比分析

采用国内目前常用的两种密度三溴甲烷重液(重液1,密度为2.87 g/cm3;重液2,密度为2.80 g/cm3),分别对黄河、长江、珠江等河流以及东海、南海等海区沉积物中的0.063~0.25 mm粒级进行了重矿物分离及对比实验。结果表明,重矿物分离过程中,两种重液的密度均发生了一定程度的变化,其中重液2的密度变化较大且呈整体增加趋势,而重液1密度则较为稳定。比较而言,重液2分离出的重矿物质量分数较重液1的稳定,尤其处理白云石质量分数较高(如长江)的沉积物时,重液2较重液1分离出的重矿物质量分数明显偏高。由于能有效区分方解石和白云石,重液2在分离东海、长江沉积物中的重矿物效果要好于重液1。为使分离出来的重矿物质量分数保持稳定,每次提取完重矿物的剩余重液2需重新配平至密度为2.80 g/cm3。对两种重液分离出来的重矿物质量分数进行了回归分析,结果显示两者有一定的相关性,并可建立一元线性回归方程将两种结果进行粗略转换。由于在重矿物分离过程中,损失的碎屑矿物很低(一般在个样总质量的1%以内),其对重矿物质量分数的影响可忽略不计。     

冲绳海槽中南部不同环境表层沉积物质来源

对冲绳海槽中南部3种不同沉积环境(东海外陆架、东海陆坡和冲绳海槽)表层沉积物进行了稀土等元素地球化学分析,结果显示,冲绳海槽和陆坡表层沉积物具有与台湾物质来源类似的稀土元素配分模式,La/Sm-Gd/Yb散点图也显示海槽和陆坡沉积物主要分布在台湾物源端元区,表明冲绳海槽中南部海槽和陆坡表层沉积物主要来源于台湾,而外陆架...     

Low-Temperature Thermal History Using Fission Track Dating in Three Wells in Southern Alaska Offshore Basins: Lower Cook Inlet,Shelikof Strait,and Stevenson Trough

Three wells, all offshore, in southern Alaska studied using apatite fission track dating make a transect southward from Lower Cook Inlet to the Kodiak Shelf and include ARCO Lower Cook Inlet COST #1 well (LCI well), Chevron OCS-0248 #1A well (Shelikof Strait), and Kodiak COST KSSD #1 OCS 77-1 well (Stevenson Basin, Kodiak). The ages of deep partially annealed samples from Lower Cook Inlet well suggest that the region cooled between ~100 and 75 Ma and or sometime after. Two scenarios are presented: (1) maximum heating before cooling in Late Creta ceous times and (2) maximum heating before cooling during mid-Tertiary times. Which is better is uncertain from the thermal and age data alone, but mid-Tertiary or later uplift, erosion, and cooling is preferred because data from Shelikof well suggests that the mid-Cretaceous unconformity was minor relative to the mid-Tertiary unconformity. Finally, because of the ~12 C warmer past than present bottom-hole temperature, the base of the LCI well is now ~500 m shallower than during maximum, burial (12 C/24 C/km geothermal gradient). Single-grain apatite fission track ages (20-25 Ma) from deep in the Shelikof well approach the age of the overlying mid-Tertiary (Miocene; ~23 Ma) unconform ity, suggesting significant and rapid exhumation. This suggests that strongly annealed, once deeply buried strata were uplifted and cooled quickly prior to onlap of the unconformity. The Miocene unconformity, therefore, is interpreted to be the major unconformity in the Shelikof well section. In this scenario the section was buried deepest, and was therefore hottest, until the onset of mid-Tertiary erosion. Approximately 665 m of late Tertiary and Quaternary strata have since been deposited in Shelikof Strait and have reburied the Shelikof section to within ~536 m of its original maximum burial depth. Including modern water depth, the Shelikof well section has experienced ~1 km of burial+submergence since ~25 Ma (832 m section+166 m water=998 m). It follows that the depth to the base of the well is now ~290 m shallower than it would have been during maximum burial. Single-grain apatite fission track ages deep in the Kodiak KSSD1 well are as young as 20-25 Ma and approach the age of overlap of a mid-Miocene regional unconformity (<23 Ma). The deepest Eocene samples were exhumed to within 574 m of the Miocene unconformity surface during Miocene time and were reburied by ~1.7 km of late Tertiary strata. The total section before exhumation was ~5 km; this suggests that Oligocene-age deposits may have existed in the Stevenson Basin. Together with the known Eocene strata, such deposits were exhumed during ~4.4 km of uplift and erosion during a short interval culminating in early to middle Miocene times (>25-23 Ma). Unique and anomalous apatite compositions (high F-, low Cl-, moderate OH-) from the Eocene section could provide a chemical tracer for determining their sediment source along the northeast Pacific rim prior to translation and accretion.     

廉州湾南部海域泥沙来源及运移趋势分析

重矿物组合、含量变化和特征矿物的分布及变化规律是沿海泥沙来源和运移趋势判断的重要手段之一。通过对廉州湾南部海域海底表层沉积物的重矿物分析 ,发现该区重矿物分布以北海地角为界 ,其百分含量和特征矿物南北有别 ,可能分别代表不同的物质来源区。其中廉州湾北部南流江流域来沙是该区主要物源 ,运移趋势为自 NE向 SW;地角西南岸段、岭南侧海岸侵蚀及银滩来沙也为该区提供了部分物源 ,运移趋势为绕过冠头岭沿海岸向 N方向运移。由于缺乏北海陆域陆相地层重矿物含量等相关资料 ,暂未做物质来源区的具体判断     

辽东湾表层沉积物碎屑矿物组合分布及其对物源和沉积物扩散的指示意义

对取自渤海辽东湾的128个表层沉积物样品进行了碎屑矿物鉴定,对矿物成分含量应用log-ratio法处理后进行统计分析。结果表明,研究区重矿物质量百分含量平均值为6.3%,高值区位于六股河口和湾西北近岸。共鉴定出7种轻矿物,38种重矿物,轻矿物以石英、斜长石和钾长石为主,重矿物以普通角闪石、绿帘石、磁铁矿、石榴子石、钛铁矿为主。根据碎屑矿物的组合分布特征,可将研究区划分为两个矿物组合区,其中又可细分为6个矿物亚区。六股河和湾西北近岸矿物亚区的碎屑矿物主要来源于六股河、湾西北入海小溪和海岸侵蚀物质,湾东北部矿物亚区沉积物主要来源于双台子河和大辽河,湾中部矿物亚区为多源混合区,湾南部矿物亚区受邻近海域和复州河沉积物影响大,湾东南部的辽东浅滩矿物亚区为潮流作用的产物。与河流入海沉积物相比,该区表层沉积物的石英/长石比值和ZTR指数明显增大。研究认为,物源是控制研究区碎屑矿物的组合与分布的主要因素,同时也受到海洋水动力和矿物性质等因素影响。     

江苏南通QC_5孔第四系碎屑矿物特征及其地质意义

南通QC_5孔第四系碎屑矿物达40余种。不同重矿物的含量垂向分布与沉积环境有关而呈“波状”变化。重矿物的组合分段大多与第四系中地层界线相对比。第四系碎屑矿物母岩以中酸性火成岩为主。F/Q值之大小是沉积物生成时间长短、古气候冷暖与沉积速率高低综合作用的结果。     

渤海、黄海、东海沉积物中矿物组合的研究

本文对黄海、渤海、东海以及长江、黄河、辽河表层沉积物中的轻、重矿物进行了研究。分析资料表明,调查区内共有三种类型的矿物:陆源矿物、自生矿物和海底火山喷发形成的火山型矿物。根据轻、重矿物组合的差异,可把调查区分成8个矿物区。其物质来源主要为黄河与长江。黄河物质主要沉积在黄海、渤海;长江物质沉积在东海陆架区,而冲绳海槽则发现有海底火山喷发物质与浊流沉积。     

北部湾VI钻孔岩芯的重矿物组合研究

本文对北部湾XI钻孔岩芯中各种沉积相中的重矿物组合分别作了研究,结果表明,在湖相沉积物中自生黄铁矿物含量高,滨海相沉积物中稳定矿物(钛铁矿、电气石、锆石)特别富集,浅海相沉积物中则出现大量的自生海绿石,由此说明,重矿物组合的研究对阐明沉积相是有其重要意义的。     

南海北部陆架表层沉积物重矿物分布特征及物源意义

该文根据2007～2010年间对南海北部陆架采集的292个表层沉积物样品0．063～0．125mm粒级矿物的鉴定和分析结果,研究了该海域表层沉积物重矿物的分布特征和物质来源．结果表明：该海域矿物组成以轻组分矿物为主,平均质量百分数高达98．49％,重组分矿物的含量较低,平均值为1．51％,最高质量百分数仅为10．38％,共发现了60种重矿物．影响南海北部陆架表层沉积物重矿物的含量和分布的首要因素是水动力条件,其次是物质来源,其他因素如沉积环境、矿物自身的变质程度等也在一定程度上影响其分布特征．根据因子分析的因子荷载分布及南海北部陆架的地形地貌,研究区可划分为4个主要矿物组合区和2个亚区．分析结果表明,华南沿海的众多河流特别是珠江的入海泥沙是南海北部陆架表层沉积物的主要物质来源．海南岛东南部海底峡谷区处于相对稳定的沉积环境,胶结于有孔虫壳内的海洋自生黄铁矿含量丰富．