Variations in grain‐size and sorting on two kaikoura beaches

Two exposed, high‐energy beaches on the Kaikoura coast of New Zealand are composed of sand and gravel derived from a greywacke terrain. Both beaches can be classified as mixed beaches although the sediment varies from dominantly gravel at the ends of the beach to dominantly sand at the centre, through transition zones in which sand and gravel are mixed. Sixty‐four surface samples were analysed for grain size; two sediment parameters, mean grain size (M_z) and sorting (σ_I), were calculated.

A striking feature of the cumulative frequency curves is that both unimodai and bimodal distributions include median sizes over the whole range of sampled material, even though bimodal samples display two strong modes in the sand and gravel grades. The general deficiency lof sediment dn the very coarse sand and granule classes (0 to — 2 _F ) noted by numerous authors in many parts of the world is apparent in the poorly‐sorted bimodal samples. However, the best‐sorted samples also occur in these two classes.

Mean grain size of samples ranges from medium sand (1.820) to medium pebbles (—4.7 _F ), and sorting ranges from very well sorted (0.250) to very poorly sorted (2.69 _F ). Mean erain size on the northern beach is significantly greater than on the southern beach, but values of sorting are comparable. The greater mean size on one beach compared with the other is thought to be a function of the grade of material supplied by local rivers; the similarity in sorting presumably reflects the similarity of the processes acting on the two beaches.

Mixed sand‐shingle beaches are relatively rare on a world scale but common in New Zealand. Sediment distributions along the Kaikoura beaches do not reveal a regular decrease in size away from the rivers which supply material to shore at present. Instead, the beaches are differentiated into a number of sediment zones composed of either sand, or mixed sand‐gravel, or gravel. On each beach a gravel zone is located furthest from the river outlets. Sorting generally improves toward the Kaikoura Peninsula. Explanations for these trends are not given. Variations in size and sorting across the two beaches do not show a well developed zonation because of the high level of wave energy which continually mixes the material across the beach.     

Does sediment grain size affect diatom grazing by harpacticoid copepods?

Estuarine soft sediments support a diverse group of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms though the role of the sediment per se for the functioning of these organisms remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to test the effect of sediment grain size on the grazing activities of harpacticoid copepods. In controlled experiments, two common intertidal harpacticoid species (Paramphiascella fulvofasciata and Nitokra spinipes) were each offered a mix of two benthic diatom species (Navicula phyllepta and Seminavis robusta) in different sedimentary conditions. Several microcosms were created using a variety of sediment types, including fine silt (<63 microm), coarser grained sands (125-250, 250-450, 100-300 microm), artificial 'sediments' of glass beads (250-500, 2000 microm) and even the absence of sediment was tested. The diatoms were enriched in the stable carbon (13)C to facilitate tracing in the harpacticoids. Both copepod species were able to graze on the diatoms with highest uptake when sediment was absent. In contrast, both harpacticoid species showed no uptake in silty conditions. In general, grazing was favoured when mean sediment grain size increased. The strong negative effect of fine grains on the grazer's efficiency can be explained by the resulting differences in the structure (and accessibility) of the diatom biofilm on the one hand and the mobility of the grazer on the other hand. In view of the subtle equilibrium between primary producers and grazers, these results might have important implications for the effect of siltation of tidal flats due to, e.g., human activities.     

Spatial organization of particle size composition in an eddy–jet system off California

We describe here the results of an interdisciplinary study conducted off the coast of northern and central California during September 1993 in which we deployed an Optical Plankton Counter. This instrument counted and measured particles in the size range between 0.27 and 9.8 mm equivalent spheric diameter (ESD) occurring between the surface and 240 m depth. The survey region was characterized by the presence of the California Current jet and a cyclonic and an anticyclonic eddy. We analyzed the spatial (horizontal and vertical) distribution of planktonic particles and their relation to this hydrodynamic structure. We used specific analytical methods that take into account spatial constraints, i.e. autocorrelation analysis, constrained agglomerative clustering and contiguity constraints permutation analysis of variance. Horizontal spatial organization of particles was revealed at three different spatial scales (5, 18 and 100 km), while vertical patterns were described at a much smaller scale (20 m). We could detect some degree of similarity between particle size category spatial organization and hydrodynamic structure both by size category association independent of current movements and by comparison of dynamically differentiated areas. Five groups of similar size composition were detected that had some relation to the dynamic structure. Four sub-regions were determined a priori by their different hydrodynamic heights. We could describe a variability of particle abundance among these regions, both for total particles and for some size categories. Particles were more abundant inside the cyclonic eddy and less abundant inside the anticyclonic eddy. We also found deep concentration maxima inside the anticyclonic eddy and shallower concentration maxima inside the cyclonic eddy, with particles >2 mm ESD at deeper levels, for both daytime and nighttime sampling. No systematic difference was detected between daytime and nighttime samples in 0–240 m integrated total particle abundance. However, at night particles appeared to be concentrated into three depth strata (10–50, 70–90 and 90–230 m) of different size-abundance composition, while during the day particles were distributed into one shallow (10–50 m) and one deeper stratum (70–240 m). Smaller particles always occupied the most shallow depths     

A spectral response approach for detecting dominant phytoplankton size class from satellite remote sensing

An important goal in ocean colour remote sensing is to accurately detect different phytoplank- ton groups with the potential uses including the validation of multi-phytoplankton carbon cycle models; synoptically monitoring the health of our oceans, and improving our understanding of the bio-geochemical interactions between phytoplankton and their environment. In this paper a new algorithm is developed for detecting three dominant phytoplankton size classes based on distinct differences in their optical signatures. The technique is validated against an independent cou- pled satellite reflectance and in situ pigment dataset and run on the 10-year NASA Sea viewing Wide Field of view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data series. Results indicate that on average 3.6% of the global oceanic surface layer is dominated by microplankton, 18.0% by nanoplankton and 78.4% by picoplankton. Results, however, are seen to vary depending on season and ocean basin.     

Protecting window‐size female American lobster,Homarus americanus,to increase egg production

A new conservation measure aimed at protecting the larger broodstock (females with a carapace length between 115 and 129 mm, i.e., window‐size females, WSF) to enhance egg production was implemented in 2003 for the American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. To assess the effectiveness of this new measure, a tagging project was carried out between 2004 and 2007 in the Hillsborough Bay area with the collaboration of local harvesters. Based on a single mark‐recapture Petersen model, the estimated catch rates of WSF not carrying eggs under the abdomen in the study area varied between 40% and 53%. The catch‐per‐unit‐effort (animals per 100 traps) of both berried (egg‐bearing) and non‐berried WSF increased from 0.2 to 0.8 and 1.0 to 1.6, respectively, between 2004 and 2007. Based on the estimated number of non‐berried WSF in the population observed during the spring fishery between 2004 and 2007, the potential total egg production for WSF was estimated at 1.1 billion in the study area. From this total, 515 million eggs would have been produced by WSF directly protected by the conservation measure, i.e., females that would have been harvested if not for the new regulation. Finally, the contribution of berried WSF to the annual egg production in the study area increased from 4% to 23% between 2003 and 2007 based on the at‐sea sampling programme and the fecundity curve. WSF that represented 10% of the total berried female population in 2007 contributed 23% of the annual egg production. Hence, the protection of WSF seems to be an effective conservation measure to increase egg production based on the catch‐per‐unit‐effort and egg production.     

Preliminary study on concentrations and size distribution of marine aerosols over the East China Sea

In summer and winter, 1987,and in spring and autumn, 1988, the concentrations and size distribution of marine aerosols were measured over the East China Sea and the South Japan Sea. This paper deals with the study on the seasonal variation of the marine aerosols with the meteorological parameters, the differences and the relations between the marine and continental aerosols. The results show that the marine aerosol concentrations and size distribution over the East China Sea have distinct seasonal change characteristics, which may be attributed to the East Asian atmospheric circulation. The size distribution is discussed by using a three-parameter size distribution model.     

Particle size effect on the saturation of methane hydrate in sediments – Constrained from experimental results

Except for those occurring at seafloor, most of natural gas hydrate form in sediments and are subject to the influence of sediment. Among these factors, the particle size effect on hydrate saturation level in sediment have been studied with a series of silica sands with various sizes, and the results obtained clearly indicate that particle size does play an important role in affecting the saturation level of hydrate in sediments. The proton relaxation times of water confined in the same series of silica sands, which were determined with NMR measurement, show logarithmic relationship with particle size. By comprehensive consideration of the results of hydrate saturation and water proton relaxation times, the particle size effect observed is tentatively explained by the water availability for hydrate formation in sediments.     

Trap‐based indicators of egg production following increases in minimum legal size in Homarus americanus fisheries

Minimum legal size (MLS) is an important conservation measure in trap fisheries for Homarus americanus. MLS has increased in several management areas in the Canadian Maritimes since 1987. A key conservation objective has been to increase egg production, with predictions of the effects of MLS increase based on egg‐per‐recruit models. We evaluated whether expectations of increases in ovigerous females (OF) were realised when MLS was increased. Data were examined from at‐sea samples of the commercial trap catch from 11 ports from 1986 to 2003. OF indicators were developed based on the OF catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) of different sizes, and on the percentage (PCT) of females that were ovigerous. Because there were within‐season increases in CPUE and PCT, annual indicators were based on regressions of CPUE on day in the season. There was considerable variability in all the time series of OF annual indicators and any effects of smaller MLS increases could not be detected. Increases in OF indicators were evident in areas that undertook the largest MLS increases (6–6.5 mm CL).     

Effect of body size and body mass on δC and δN in coastal fishes and cephalopods

Carbon and nitrogen isotopes have been widely used in the investigation of trophic relations, energy pathways, trophic levels and migrations, under the assumption that δ¹³C is independent of body size and that variation in δ¹⁵N occurs exclusively due to ontogenetic changes in diet and not body size increase per se. However, several studies have shown that these assumptions are uncertain. Data from food-webs containing an important number of species lack theoretical support on these assumptions because very few species have been tested for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N variation in captivity. However, if sampling comprises a wide range of body sizes from various species, the variation of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N with body size can be investigated. While correlation between body size and δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N can be due to ontogenetic diet shifts, stability in such values throughout the size spectrum can be considered an indication that δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in muscle tissues of such species is independent of body size within that size range, and thus the basic assumptions can be applied in the interpretation of such food webs. The present study investigated the variation in muscle δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N with body size and body mass of coastal fishes and cephalopods. It was concluded that muscle δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N did not vary with body size or mass for all bony fishes with only one exception, the dragonet Callionymus lyra. Muscle δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N also did not vary with body size or mass in cartilaginous fishes and cephalopods, meaning that body size/mass per se have no effect on δ¹³C or δ¹⁵N, for most species analysed and within the size ranges sampled. The assumption that δ¹³C is independent of body size and that variation in δ¹⁵N is not affected by body size increase per se was upheld for most organisms and can be applied to the coastal food web studied taking into account that C. lyra is an exception.     

First encounter with a live male blanket octopus: The world's most sexually size‐dimorphic large animal

The first encounter with a live male blanket octopus, Tremoctopus violaceus Chiaie, 1830, illustrates the most extreme example of sexual size‐dimorphism in a non‐microscopic animal. Females attain sizes of up to 2 m long—almost 2 orders of magnitude larger than the 2.4‐cm‐long male. Weight ratios between the sexes are at least 10 000:1 and are likely to reach 40 000:1. Sexual selection and the unique defensive strategy of carrying cnidarian stinging tentacles may both have contributed to the evolution of this extreme size‐dimorphism. Such dimorphism is not seen in any other animal remotely as large.     

Nitrogen utilisation by size‐fractionated phytoplankton assemblages associated with an upwelling event off Westland,New Zealand

Abstract

Uptake rates of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺ ), nitrate (NO₃ ^? ), and urea by three subgroups of phytoplankton (< 200, < 20, < 2 μm) off Westland, were measured using ¹⁵ N tracer techniques in midwinter 1988, after a recent upwelling. For all size fractions at surface irradiance (I₁₀₀), nitrogen (N) was taken up primarily as NO₃ ^?. This accounted for 67–85% of total N uptake (SρN), whereas at 40 and 7% of surface irradiance, the regenerated N (NH₄ ⁺ ) and urea) made up 31–72% of SρN. Depth profile experiments for all three size components showed that uptake of NO₃ ^? was most light‐sensitive, followed by that of NH₄ ⁺ and urea. The irradiance and nutrient availability plot indicated that light was substantially more important than the nutrient concentrations in controlling the assimilation of N by microplankton (20–200 μm). Nano‐ (2–20 μm) and picoplankton (< 2 μm) however, were not as sensitive to either light or nutrient concentrations. High winds and the resulting deep mixing, combined with offshore and alongshore advection in the midwinter, were suggested to be the major cause of the low biomass and N productivity.     

What do egg size distributions in marine invertebrates tell us about validity of fecundity‐time models?

An early mathematical model of egg size evolution in marine invertebrates (American Naturalist, 1973a, 107 , 353) traded fecundity against development time and resulted in a U‐shaped optimality curve suggesting that only extremes of egg sizes should be evolutionary stable. It was later suggested that the model predicts a bimodal distribution of egg sizes and therefore can be tested by examining histograms of egg sizes. More recent fecundity‐time models (American Naturalist, 1997, 150 , 48; American Naturalist, 2000, 156 , 175) came up with predictions of intermediate optimal egg sizes; however, comparisons of optimality curves with histograms of egg sizes remained central to model testing. Here the question whether the bimodality assumption has any basis has been addressed theoretically. Simulation modeling and analysis show that egg size distributions generally do not match the optimality curves produced by fecundity‐time models and that the shape of predicted frequency distributions depends on both the optimality curve and other model parameters. Therefore, egg size frequency distributions alone cannot be used for model testing.     

Impact of minimum legal size increases on egg‐per‐recruit production,size structure,and ovigerous females in the American lobster (Homarus americanus) population off the Magdalen Islands (Quebec,Canada): A case study

In the mid 1990s, American lobster (Homarus americanus) from Canadian waters was considered overfished based on estimated levels of egg‐per‐recruit production (EPR). In 1997, the Department of Fisheries Oceans responded by adopting a goal of doubling the level of EPR from its 1996 level. In the Magdalen Islands (Quebec), results from a simulation model indicated that doubling EPR could be reached by increasing the minimum legal size (MLS) from 76 mm to 83 mm carapace length. This was done at a pace of 1 mm per year from 1997 to 2003. Following the increase of MLS, the size structure, mean size, and the abundance of ovigerous females improved significantly in the catches. However, levels of fishing effort are still very high. This could cause undesirable effects such as altering sex ratios and size structure of males, which could lead to sperm limitation, and reducing the contribution of multiple spawners to egg production, which could become an issue if egg quality is important. Consideration of these issues leads to the recommendation of a multidimensional approach to lobster conservation.     

Does one size fit all? An evaluation of length–weight relationships for New Zealand's freshwater fish species

Length–weight relationships are a fundamental tool for assessing populations and communities in fisheries science. Many researchers have collected length–weight data throughout New Zealand, yet parameters describing these relationships remain unpublished for many species of freshwater fish. We compiled 285,124 fish records from researchers and institutions across New Zealand to parameterise length–weight equations, using both power and quadratic models, for 53 freshwater species belonging to 13 families. The influence of location and sex on length–weight relationships was also assessed. Location, in particular, generated different length–weight relationships for 65% of the species examined. Length–weight equations were validated by comparing predicted weights against independently measured weights from 25 electrofished sites across New Zealand and the equations were highly accurate (R²>0.99). Recommendations are made about how to robustly apply this new resource which should assist freshwater fisheries researchers throughout New Zealand.     

From biomass mining to sustainable fishing — using abundance and size to define a spatial management framework for deep-water lobster

Based on the assumption that depleted stocks would have recovered during a six-year layoff from fishing, trapping for deep-water spiny lobster Palinurus delagoae and slipper lobster Scyllarides elisabethae off eastern South Africa resumed in 2004 until 2007. A generalised linear modelling approach was used to investigate the effects of year, sampling area, depth, month and trap soak-time on catch and lobster size, and to construct standardised abundance indices. The renewed trapping rapidly reversed partially restored nominal catch rates. Fishing strategy changed from targeting spiny lobsters during the first months of each fishing season to targeting slipper lobsters during later months. Small spiny lobsters were abundant in the southern area, identified as a recruitment hotspot. Spiny lobster abundance and size in this area increased over four years of fishing, but conversely, large adult spiny lobsters predominated in the central and northern areas, where trapping depleted their abundance over time. The adult populations in the central and northern areas are upstream from the recruitment hotspot, and are presumably a source of larvae. Slipper lobster abundance peaked in 2005, remained relatively constant across areas, and increased with depth. Trapping for deep-water lobster is unlikely to be sustainable in its present form. However, the clear gradients in spiny lobster size and abundance by sampling area and depth provide a good framework for spatial management planning.     

Resource partitioning among air‐breathing marine predators: are body size and mouth diameter the major determinants?

Although the body size of consumers may be a determinant factor in structuring food webs, recent evidence indicates that body size may fail to fully explain differences in the resource use patterns of predators in some situations. Here we compared the trophic niche of three sympatric and sexually dimorphic air‐breathing marine predators (the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, the South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, and the Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus) in three areas of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Río de la Plata and adjoining areas, Northern Patagonia and Southern Patagonia), in order to assess the importance of body size and mouth diameter in determining resource partitioning. Body weight and palate/bill breadth were used to characterize the morphology of each sex and species, whereas the trophic niche was assessed through the use of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. The quantitative method Stable Isotope Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) was used to compute the area of the Bayesian ellipses and the overlap of the isotopic niches. The results showed that morphological similarity was significantly correlated with isotopic distance between groups within the δ¹³C–δ¹⁵N bi‐plot space in the Río de la Plata area, but not in Northern and Southern Patagonia. Furthermore, resource partitioning between groups changed regionally, and some morphologically distinct groups exhibited a large trophic overlap in certain areas, such as the case of male penguins and male sea lions in Southern Patagonia. Conversely, female sea lions always overlapped with the much larger males of the same species, but never overlapped with the morphologically similar male fur seals. These results indicate that body size and mouth diameter are just two of the factors involved in resource partitioning within the guild of air‐breathing predators considered here, and for whom – under certain environmental conditions – other factors are more important than morphology.     

Atypical size selection of captive school prawns,Metapenaeus macleayi,by three recreational fishing gears in south‐eastern Australia

Three manipulative experiments were done to estimate the selectivity of conventional and new sizes and configurations of mesh for school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi, in three south‐eastern Australian recreational fishing gears (haul, push, and scoop nets). The treatment meshes examined were: (1) conventional‐sized, diamond‐shaped mesh used in all gears (20 mm in scoop nets and 30 mm in push and haul nets); (2) 30 mm in scoop nets; and (3) 40‐mm diamond‐ and (4) 23‐mm square‐shaped mesh in all gears. In all experiments, known quantities of school prawns (6–24 mm carapace length (CL)) were placed in purpose‐built enclosures, monitored to ensure no experimental‐induced stress (as measured by changes in L‐lactate in their haemolymph) and the replicate treatments of the various gear configurations deployed. Escapees from the various treatment nets were collected from the enclosures using fine‐meshed nets. Logistic selection curves were derived for all treatment nets and specific comparisons made within and among gears. All nets had 50% retention lengths (L₅₀) comparable to other penaeid‐catching gears with similar mesh sizes, but most had selection ranges (SRs) that were atypically inflated. The large SRs were attributed to a combination of factors that included the mesh geometry and towing speed of the gears and the behaviour of school prawns. The 20‐mm scoop net had the smallest selection parameters, retaining >99% of individuals larger than 13 mm CL. Mesh size in this gear would need to be increased to at least 30 mm to allow some maturing prawns (>18 mm CL) to escape.     

Population size and exploitation rate of snapper,Chrysophrys auratus,in the Hauraki Gulf from tagging experiments, 1975–76

The results of three snapper tagging cruises in the Hauraki Gulf area to estimate population size and annual exploition rate are presented. Eight hundred and thirty‐two snapper were tagged around Great Barrier Island in August 1975; in the inner Hauraki Gulf 1743 were tagged in June 1976 and 2685 in October 1976. Estimates of tag loss due to the combined effect of shedding of tags and tagging mortality were made, and the crude tag return rates were adjusted accordingly. The combined returns from commercial and amateur fishermen for the first year after tagging, adjusted for tag loss, were: Great Barrier Island, 19 (2.3%); inner Hauraki Gulf, June tagging, 98 (5.7%), October tagging, 179 (6.8%). Tag return rates from different parts of the study area varied considerably.

Calculations of the population size for the inner Hauraki Gulf (fishery statistical areas 006 and 007) were made from tag returns of longline and set net fishermen and their catch statistics taken from the monthly fishing returns; Petersen's method gave population sizes of 43 million (returns from June tagging) and 36 million (October). The catch statistics are thought to considerably under‐record the real landings, and better estimates of the population size may be 71 million and 60 million respectively.     

Observations and analyses of floc size and floc settling velocity in coastal salt marsh of Luoyuan Bay, Fujian Province, China

In coastal environments, fine-grain sediments often aggregate into large and porous flocs. ElectroMagnetic Current Meters (EMCM) and Laser In Situ Scattering and Transmissometry (LISST-ST) have been deployed within a Spartina alterniflora marsh of the Luoyuan Bay in Fujian Province, China, to measure the current velocity, the floc size and the settling velocity between 15 and 22 January 2008. During the observations, the near-bed water was collected in order to obtain the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and constituent grain size. Data show that: (1) the nearbed current velocities vary from 0.1 to 5.6 cm/s in the central Spartina alterniflora marsh and 0.1–12.5 cm/s at the edge; (2) the SSCs vary from 47 to 188 mg/dm 3 . The mean grain size of constituent grains varies from 7.0 to 9.6 μm, and the mean floc sizes (MFS) vary from 30.4 to 69.4 μm. The relationship between the mean floc size and settling velocity can be described as: w s =ad b , in which w s is the floc settling velocity (mm/s), a and b are coefficients. The floc settling velocity varies from 0.17 to 0.32 mm/s, with a mean value of 0.26 mm/s, and the floc settling velocity during the flood tide is higher than that during the ebb tide. The current velocity and the SSC are the main factors controlling the flocculation processes and the floc settling velocity.     

Variability of phytoplankton absorption in the northern South China Sea: influence of the size structure and pigment composition of algal populations

Data from three cruises conducted in the Zhujiang River (ZR), coastal waters of Guangdong (CWGD) and the northern South China Sea (NSCS) during 2003 and 2004 were examined for assessing the relative importance of pigment composition and packaging effect in modifying the specific absorption coefficients of phytoplankton. The three survey regions differ widely in their phytoplankton community with large cells dominating the ZR and CWGD waters and small cells dominating the NSCS region. Variations in the size structure and the accessory pigments have much effect on the chlorophyll a-specific absorption coefficient of phytoplankton. The size index accounted for about 42% and 33% of the variation of the specific absorption coefficient at 440 and 675 nm, respectively. Using the multiple regression analysis approach, pigment concentrations for each sample were calculated. The accessory pigments other than chlorophyll a contribute to absorption mainly in the blue-to-green region of the spectrum and their absorptions account for about 44%, 43% and 53% on the average of the total phytoplankton absorption at 440 nm for the ZR, CWGD and NSCS regions. Among the accessory pigments, the photosynthetic carotenoids (noted PSC) play a dominant role in the ZR and CWGD waters, while in the NSCS the nonphotosynthetic carotenoids (noted PPC) as well as PSC have important contributions. Because the variations of both the size structure and accessory pigments in algal populations contributed to the variability of the specific absorption coefficient in the study regions, these factors may be considered explicitly in future bio-optical algorithms to derive chlorophyll a concentration more accurately.