Close correlation between Sr/Ca ratios in bulk sediments from the southern Cape Basin and the SPECMAP record

High-resolution records of Ca and Sr were obtained from shipboard XRF analyses of bulk sediments in five gravity cores from the southern Cape Basin, South Atlantic Ocean. Sr/Ca ratios display regular glacial/interglacial variations of 14–40% and reveal a close correlation with the SPECMAP record, minimum Sr/Ca ratios appearing during glacial (¹⁸ O) maxima, distinct increases during periods of deglaciation, and highest ratios in interstadials. Shifts in carbonate-producing phytoplankton and/or zooplankton assemblages over glacial/interglacial cycles are suggested to be the main cause for the observed variations in Sr/Ca patterns. Quick assessment of the relationship between Sr/Ca ratios and the SPECMAP record made it possible to easily transfer an age model to the newly collected cores already during the cruise.     

Algal Growth Potential and the limiting nutrient in Mikawa Bay

The Algal Growth Potential (AGP) of water samples collected off Gamagori in Mikawa Bay was measured from May 1978 through February 1979, and the limiting nutrient was determined using regression analysis and enrichment bioassays. The surface and bottom water samples had AGP that produced increments of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 2.1 mg l^–1 and 3.1 mg l^–1, respectively, on average. These values ofCOD correspond to 46% and 97% of the average COD values of the raw water samples at the surface and bottom, respectively. Seasonal changes of AGP showed a close correlation with those of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentration. Enrichment bioassays showed that DIN was the most deficient nutrient. The DIN:phosphate-phosphorus (PO₄ ^3–-P) ratios and DIN: dissolved phosphorus (DP) ratios in the water samples were below the cellular N:P ratios of the natural algal populations. These results suggest that AGP was mainly limited by DIN concentration.     

利用孔隙水Br/Cl、I/Cl比和氯同位素组成来示踪南海北部东沙海域浅层流体来源

The Dongsha area is one of the most promising target areas for gas hydrate exploration in the South China Sea(SCS).The study of pore water geochemistry has played a key role in Chinese gas hydrate exploration.Br/Cl,I/Cl and δ37Cl in pore water were applied here in tracing gas hydrate occurrence,chemical evolution of pore fluids and water/rock interactions in low temperature sediment environments.The samples were collected from Sites HD255 PC and HD309 PC in the Dongsha area in 2004.At Site HD255 PC,we found the elevated Br/Cl,I/Cl and decreased SO_4/Cl at the depth of 4–5 m,suggestive of a laterally migrated fluid probably generated from the gas hydrate occurrence.The range of δ37Cl is –0.54‰ to +0.96‰,and positive δ~(37)Cl at 4–5 m interval should be related with different diffusion rates between ~(35)Cl and ~(37)Cl.At Site HD309 PC,a laterally migrated fluid was also found at the depth of 3–4 m,with the Br/Cl two times to that of the seawater and decreased I/Cl,indicating the fluid has no relationship with the gas hydrate.In this site,the chlorine isotopic composition varies from –0.7‰ to+1.9‰.Extra high Br/Cl might relate with the deep generated fluid.At higher temperature and pressure,the Br/Cl of the fluid is elevated during the hydrous silicate formation,while positive δ37Cl is also associated with the same mechanism.     

Biogeochemistry of organic matter in the Laurentian Trough, II. Bulk composition of the sediments and relative reactivity of major components during early diagenesis

The organic carbon of 280–320 m deep Laurentian Trough sediments at landward and seaward sites (13–24 mgN/g) consisted of carbohydrates (15–22%), hydrolysable amino acids (7–13%), lipids (1–5%), labile proteins (0.3–1%) and a non-characterized fraction (62–74%). Amino acids, proteins and uncharacterized compounds accounted for 21–43, 0.9–4 and 51–78%, respectively, of total nitrogen (1.2–2.2 mgN/g). A clear reactivity trend (pheopigments ? lipids > proteins > amino acids ≈ nitrogen > carbon > carbohydrates) was deduced from the concentration decreases between settling particles and surficial sediments. This was confirmed by one-year inventories in the top cm, burial rates at 35 cm depth, and one-G model calculations. Lipids were a dominant substrate near the sediment-water interface whereas carbohydrates and amino acids constituted the principal energy sources deeper in the sediment. In the porewaters, DOC levels were low (2–6 mg/l) in the top 4 cm, indicating rapid removal (i.e. consumption, irrigation, diffusion), and increased with depth (8–12 mg/l), reflecting the buildup of refractory products. There were also clear compositional changes of DOC with depth. Geographical differences in water column fluxes were recorded in the sediments. The organic contents and ratios were higher at the landward site due to higher rates of sedimentation, bioturbation and terrestrial and total organic inputs. At the seaward station, the lower rates of these processes and stronger marine influence resulted in lower ratios and a more complete decay of organic matter within the top 35 cm sediments.     

Contents of strontinm-90 and ruthenium-106 in beach and shallow water deposits of noto peninsula

⁹⁰Sr,¹⁰⁶Ru, natural strontium and major elements were studied in 12 samples of beach deposits from Togi, Fukuura and Shiga, and in 26 samples of shallow water sediments from sea off Fukuura, Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Pref., Japan.The average contents of natural strontium and⁹⁰Sr in the beach deposits were 488 ppm ranging from 247 to 1,550 ppm and 45±9 pCi kg^–1-dry mud ranging from 18 to 72 pCi kg^–1-dry mud, respectively. While the average contents of natural strontium,⁹⁰Sr and¹⁰⁶Ru in the sediments were 234 ppm ranging from 136 to 415 ppm, 22±6 pCi kg^–1-dry sand ranging from 7 to 48 pCi kg^–1-dry sand and 0.6 ±0.2 nCi kg^–1-dry ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 nCi kg^–1-dry, respectively.The average contents of each natural strontium and⁹⁰Sr in the beach deposits were about two times higher than those in the shallow water sediments. But no obvious relation of natural strontium to⁹⁰Sr was found in all the samples. The enrichment of⁹⁰Sr and¹⁰⁸Ru in the beach deposits or tthe sediments were as high as 150320 and of 2,0003,000 compared with average contents of⁹⁰Sr and¹⁰⁶Ru in a liter of surface water from the Japan Sea. It is to be noticed that the average¹⁰⁶Ru to⁹⁰Sr ratio of 27 for the shallow water sediments is much higher than the average of 1.0 for surface sea water of the Japan Sea.As to major elements of the samples, the beach deposits are rich in silicon (Av. 70.89 ±0.92% SiO₂), but poor in iron (Av. 2.99±0.32% Fe₂O₃). Whereas the shallow water sediments are poor in silicon (Av. 52.96±10.33% SiO₂) and rich in iron (Av. 5.50±1.90% Fe₂O₃), calcium (Av. 9.64±9.22% CaO) and magnesium (Av. 2.83±1.58% MgO).     

珠江口表层水中主要常量离子的研究

９９４年９月采集了珠江口表层海水水样,并对其溶解态的Ｋ＋、Ｎａ＋、Ｃａ２＋、Ｍｇ２＋、ＳＯ２－４、Ｃｌ等化学要素进行了测定。结果表明,珠江口调查海域表层水中溶解态的Ｋ＋、Ｎａ＋、Ｃａ２＋、Ｍｇ２＋、ＳＯ２－４主要受陆源淡水与外海水物理混合稀释的影响,与Ｃｌ具有良好的直线正相关;Ｃａ２＋／Ｃｌ、ＳＯ２－４／Ｃｌ明显高于大洋水相应比值,Ｎａ＋／Ｃｌ、Ｍｇ２＋／Ｃｌ略高,而Ｋ＋／Ｃｌ比大洋比值低;在与中国其它各主要河口表层水对应Ｃｌ比较中,珠江口的ＳＯ２－４／Ｃｌ较高,而Ｃａ２＋／Ｃｌ,Ｍｇ２＋／Ｃｌ比值居低;上述各主要常量离子和Ｃｌ的等值线均沿自北向南走向递增。     

A field study of physico-chemical states of artificial radionuclides in seawater

The physico-chemical states of artificial radionuclides,⁹⁰Sr,¹³⁷Cs and¹⁴⁴Ce in seawater were investigated by radiochemical analysis of filtered and unfiltered seawater. The difference of radionuclide concentrations between unfiltered and filtered seawaters was defined as the particulate form radioisotope and its particle ratio was discussed.Practically no particulate⁹⁰Sr, greater than 0.22 in size, was observed in both coastal and open seawaters, but some of¹³⁷Cs seemed to be insoluble in some circumstances, especially in coastal waters. A considerable amount of¹⁴⁴Ce was found to be particulate.An estimation of the radionuclides in particulate form was made for Kashima-nada seawaters collected in 1970 to 1972, and it was shown that the possible occurrence of particulate radionuclides, greater than 0.22 in size, were 1% or less for⁹⁰Sr and 6% for¹³⁷Cs. In the coastal water, 80 % of¹⁴⁴Ce were seemed to be in particulate form, but in the open seawater only a few%. The influences of suspended materials to¹³⁷Cs and¹⁴⁴Ce concentration levels in seawater were not negligible and further investigations are desirable.     

Studies on the red tide flagellates—VI

Extensive bloom of red tide, accompanying mass mortality of fish and the other animals, occurred in Bingo-Nada, the Seto Inland Sea, in August, 1970. Two species of microorganisms,Eutreptiella sp. andExuviaella sp., were isolated from the water and were obtained in axenic culture by micropipette washings.These organisms are stimulated by trace metals. The highest growth resulted from the addition of chelated Fe (<3 mg/l) or/and Mn (<2 mg/l) to enriched sea water. The organisms prefer low salinity. The optimal salinities are Cl 8.0–17.0 forEutreptiella sp., Cl >11.0 forExuviaella sp. respectively. These organisms can tolerate a wide range of pH.Exuviaella sp. needs vitamin B₁₂ for growth. The pattern of specificity toward B₁₂ analogues²⁾ is similar to that ofEuglena gracilis. On the other hand,Eutreptiella sp. requires B₁₂, biotin, and thiamine. The B₁₂ specificity fits toEscherichia coli. Both organisms prefer NH₄-N in lower concentrations than 1 mg/l (optimal 0.3 mg/l) as nitrogen sources.Exuviaella sp. also likes urea. Inorganic and organic phosphates are utilized by the organisms:Eutreptiella sp. utilizes Na₂-glycerophosphate, guanylic acid,Exuviaella sp. utilizes Na₂-glycerophosphate, adenylic acid. KH₂PO₄ is the most favorable to the growth of both organisms. All the purines, pyrimidines, plant hormones tested increase the growth ofExuviaella sp. Especially, guanine, xanthine, thymine, indoleacetic acid, and gibberellic acid promote the growth remarkably.These organisms do not grow to high densities without Fe or/and Mn in high concentrations even under the conditions provided by optimal temperature, salinities, pH, and essential nutrients. On the other hand, the coastal area of Fukuyama where the red tide first occurred has been fertilized with the nutrients essential to the organisms, and also polluted with trace metals such as Fe (Iwasaki, Inoue unpublished data). From these results, it can be considered that the great increase of the organisms is caused principally by the high concentration of iron in the sea water.     

滨珊瑚Sr/Ca的种间和种内差异性*

滨珊瑚骨骼的锶和钙元素的比值(Sr/Ca)是重建热带海区海水表面温度(sea surface temperature, SST)变化最常用的地球化学代用指标之一。但是, 珊瑚作为生物体, 其生理活动会对骨骼内的Sr/Ca产生干扰从而影响重建的准确度。文章采用全谱直读等离子体原子发射光谱(Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer, ICP-OES)技术对南海北部涠洲岛两块滨珊瑚的Sr/Ca比值进行测量, 并结合卫星观测的SST值分别建立各个珊瑚个体的Sr/Ca-SST温度计方程。结果显示: 1) 该研究采集的两种滨珊瑚(澄黄滨珊瑚和普哥滨珊瑚)的Sr/Ca值和温度计具有显著的种间差异。因此在古气候重建时, 建议古珊瑚和现代珊瑚严格使用同一种滨珊瑚; 2) 同种滨珊瑚不同个体之间的Sr/Ca也存在差异性, 一方面是由于冬、夏季的极端低、高温对珊瑚生理产生胁迫, 从而造成Sr/Ca出现异常值; 另一方面则是取样误差导致, 尤其是夏季高温和冬季低温时期; 3) 同一珊瑚个体内的不同生长轴的生长率存在显著差异, 然而Sr/Ca却没有显著的差异性, 说明不同生长轴的取样对骨骼Sr/Ca没有显著影响。最后, 文章用多样品的平均值建立Sr/Ca温度计方程, 用于减小个体之间的差异性带来的误差, 得到Sr/Ca(mmol·mol^-1)= -0.04027×SST(℃)+9.623的方程。用该温度计对涠洲岛海域的SST后报的误差为±0.6℃(1σ), 达到了古海温重建的精度需求。     

南海北部冷泉碳酸盐岩中钙质生物壳体和自生碳酸盐矿物的Mg/Ca、Sr/Ca及其环境指示

南海北部冷泉碳酸盐岩具有包裹结构和孔洞结构,并且含有丰富的生物遗迹。利用电子探针对位于不同结构单元(包裹结构和基质)的自生碳酸盐矿物和钙质生物壳体进行了Mg/Ca和Sr/Ca分析,结果显示:自生碳酸盐矿物Mg/Ca变化范围为0.50~39.19mmol/mol,平均为12.50mmol/mol,Sr/Ca变化范围为0.06~2.90mmol/mol,平均为0.53mmol/mol;钙质生物壳体Mg/Ca变化范围为1.14~84.57mmol/mol,平均为24.57mmol/mol,Sr/Ca变化范围为0.77~1.84mmol/mol,平均为1.08mmol/mol。Mg/Ca和Sr/Ca的关系显示自生碳酸盐矿物均具有低到中等的Mg/Ca、低Sr/Ca的特征,没有明显分组现象;但是钙质生物壳体却根据其在岩石中的结构位置呈现明显的分组现象,基质钙质生物壳体具有高Mg/Ca、中等Sr/Ca的特征,包裹的钙质生物壳体具有低Mg/Ca、中等Sr/Ca的特征。根据碳酸盐矿物和钙质生物壳体的Mg/Ca特征,认为基质钙质生物壳体是在甲烷渗漏环境下钙化的,无机碳酸盐矿物的出现影响了其Mg/Ca;而包裹的钙质生物壳体是在非甲烷渗漏环境下钙化的,由于生物扰动、灌洗等作用以包裹团块的形式保存在碳酸盐岩中。依据Sr/Ca在成岩过程中的变化特点推测最初形成的基质钙质生物壳体可能具有较现在高的Sr/Ca。研究结果在甲烷渗漏信息地球化学指标提取方面具有一定意义。     

台湾海峡铀的来源及保守性混合

Seawater samples are collected in the spring of 2013 from the Taiwan Strait for the analysis of uranium(U)concentrations and isotopic compositions using MC-ICP-MS, and the geochemical behavior patterns of U in the Taiwan Strait are then investigated. Average concentrations of individual U isotopes are(3.23±0.14) μg/kg for 238 U,(2.34±0.09)×10~(–2) μg/kg for ~(235)U and(2.05±0.07)×10~(–4) μg/kg for 234 U. Correspondingly, the U isotopic compositions are 155±18 for δ234U and 138±2 for 238U:235U. The U concentrations and isotopic ratios in the Taiwan Strait are similar to those of open ocean seawater, suggesting the dominance of the open ocean input to the strait's U pool.However, river input, as suggested by the slightly lower salinity than that of the open ocean, also affected the U concentrations and isotopic compositions in the strait. From a compilation of U concentrations in the Taiwan Strait and adjacent areas, including the Jiulong Estuary and Zhujiang Estuary, the Xiamen Bay and the northern South China Sea, a strong and significant relationship between U concentration and salinity [U:S; U=(0.093 4±0.002 4)S+(0.092 0±0.061 5)] is revealed, suggesting conservative mixing of U in the Taiwan Strait. To better understand the U geochemistry in the Taiwan Strait, a multiple endmembers mixing model is applied to estimate the contributions of potential sources. The open ocean seawater contributed 69%–95% of U in the Taiwan Strait, with river water approximately 2%, and dust deposition only around 0.13%. Therefore, the model results supported the open ocean input source and the conservative mixing behavior of U derived from the observation of U concentrations and isotopic ratios and U:S ratios. The sediment interstitial water may be an important source of U to the Taiwan Strait with a possible contribution of 3%–29%, consistent with previous investigations based on radium isotopes.However, further investigations are warranted to examine the U concentration in the sediment interstitial water and its input to the overlying seawater in the Taiwan Strait.     

黄海南部野生银鲳和鮸鱼的耳石元素微化学研究

利用电子显微探针元素分析技术(EPMA)对黄海南部野生银鲳和鮸鱼的耳石进行了锶和钙沉积特征的初步分析。定量线分析结果表明,两种鱼类耳石的Sr/Ca之间存在显著的种间差异。银鲳耳石Sr/Ca比,在耳石核心及相邻处为低值区(5.86±0.92);3段Sr/Ca高值区分别为近核心部(7.88±1.28)、第1龄处(9.44±1.82)及耳石边缘(7.91±1.38);揭示银鲳孵化和早期发育应需要盐度适中的生境,当龄鱼在后期的生长中需洄游经过两段高盐生境(其中之一在第1龄时)。鮸鱼耳石Sr/Ca比波动表现为耳石核心处(7.72±0.97)高于其余部分,反映了鮸鱼孵化及初期发育阶段可能生活在高盐度生境,而当龄鱼随后阶段的生长和发育过程则会洄游至盐度有所降低的生境中进行。     

海南岛南岸三亚湾海水Sr/Ca、Mg/Ca变化及对珊瑚微量元素温度计的响应

本文对海南岛南岸三亚湾2008~2009年海水的周间隔取样,用全谱直读等离子体原子发射光谱(ICP-AES)分析方法对其Sr/Ca、Mg/Ca比值进行了测定。结果显示其比值（Sr/Ca=8.558~9.227mmol/mol,Mg/Ca=4.924~5.403 mol/mol）与全球各大洋和主要珊瑚礁区有明显地高异常偏差,而且在春末夏初和秋末冬初两个过渡期,三亚湾海水Sr/Ca比值波动幅度比Mg/Ca相对较大,且体现了一定的差异性。在此基础上,结合海水的Sr/Ca、Mg/Ca比值在时间和地域空间上的变化对珊瑚温度计标定的影响,及对不同站点建立的珊瑚Sr/Ca温度计进行了重新校正,并与分配系数法对比分析,我们认为利用珊瑚的Sr/Ca、Mg/Ca比值重建古SST记录时必须综合考虑包括海水微量元素比值变化在内的各种影响因素对温度计标定的干扰。     

X-Ray fluorescence analysis of the principal elements of the seawater salt composition in the tropical Atlantic

This paper reports on the results of determining the chlorine, potassium, calcium and sulphur concentrations obtained by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) during the 37th cruise of the R/VAkademik Vernadsky in the tropical Atlantic. The determination accuracies for the ratios of K/Cl, Ca/Cl, and S/Cl were 0.45, 0.58, and 2.5%, respectively. As follows from the data obtained, the variations of these ratios exceed the accuracy of the measurements at all stations, and they are connected with the structural features of the hydrochemical fields.Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

The role of Nuta (large amorphous particles) as a nutrient regenerator in Osaka Bay

Large amorphous particles (Nuta) observed in coastal areas after phytoplankton blooms and red tide outbreaks were collected by Nuta traps. These particles are always thickly attached to mooring ropes and/or fishing nets. From the decomposition experiments of Nuta and the sinking particles, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) regenerations were active in Nuta, but were not active in sinking particles. In Nuta, regeneration abundances during 10 days were 567 g-N/mg of initial particulate organic nitrogen (PON), and 583 -P/mg of initial particulate phosphorus (PP), respectively. Thus DIP was more regenerated from Nuta than DIN. Ten days integral regeneration abundances of DIN and DIP from Nuta were estimated to be 36% and 79% of in situ DIN and DIP standing stocks, respectively. Nuta contributes an important role of nutrient regeneration particularly DIN, in coastal water. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of suspended particles, sinking particles and Nuta indicated that these three different type of particles were almost the same origin, and thus Nuta in the coastal water should be made from phytoplankton debris.     

渤、黄海大泷六线鱼耳石微化学特征与群体判别

为探究中国近海大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammosotakii)耳石微化学成分特征及群体分化状况,采集了连云港、青岛、威海、烟台、秦皇岛、大连、丹东7个野生群体和1个威海养殖群体的大泷六线鱼样本。利用LA-ICPMS技术测定耳石中的微量元素,以微量元素与钙的比值进行了分析,结果显示大泷六线鱼耳石中, Na/Ca、Sr/Ca、Fe/Ca、Mg/Ca较高,而Mn/Ca、Ba/Ca、Zn/Ca、Li/Ca较低。耳石1龄前元素比值的组间比较(S-N-K检验)结果显示:Na/Ca、Sr/Ca、Fe/Ca在群体间具显著性差异(P<0.05)。耳石边缘区元素与环境中元素比较发现,Li、Mn元素在耳石中富集程度较大,Sr在耳石的中元素含量远远大于水环境中的浓度,说明耳石中的元素沉积与海水中元素并不是简单的线性关系。判别分析结果显示:耳石1龄前元素指纹的判别分析结果表明,大泷六线鱼群体的判别成功率为63.0%,判别正确范围为30.0%～80.0%,耳石边缘区元素的判别正确率为57.1%,判别正确范围20.0%～80.0%,秦皇岛群体有高的判别成功率80.0%。耳石元素指纹可以用于不同大泷六线鱼群体的...     

Water flooding of the Oseberg Øst oil field,Norwegian North Sea: Application of formation water chemistry and isotopic composition for production monitoring

This case study demonstrates how natural heterogeneities of formation and injection waters can be applied to a number of production related applications, extending into the mature life of a reservoir. Break-through of injection water, identification and characterisation of production intervals and evaluation of responses to operational events are some of the possible applications during production.The Oseberg Øst oil field in the North Sea represents a complex situation with commingled production from all Brent Group formations. The Sr isotope composition is an excellent parameter for defining the natural baseline of formation water, with a good spatial resolution and vertical stratification. Aquifer water from the Utsira Formation is injected for pressure support, and reinjection of produced water has also been applied since the onset of water production. Utsira Formation water has high Mg, low Ba and low Sr content compared to the reservoir formation waters. Isotopic compositions (δD and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) are also distinct. A non-reactive behaviour of Ba and Sr is verified from binary cross-plots and geochemical modelling. Break-through of injection water could be identified in five production wells based on Ba/Mg ratios. In one of the reservoir compartments (Beta Saddle), water injection points were changed after approximately three years. The Ba/Mg ratio could also identify the second injection water break-through in one of the wells due to an intermediate period of higher formation water content. Since the Sr content in the Utsira water is low, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio is a good natural tracer for formation water movements even at high ratios of injected water. In particular, the vertical stratification of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr is useful for quantifying production from different intervals in commingled wells. A methodology for using operational events, such as production allocations or shut-ins, for characterisation of production zones is discussed.     

The effect of habitat and environmental history on otolith chemistry of barramundi Lates calcarifer in estuarine populations of a regulated tropical river

We examine the microchemistry of otoliths of cohorts of a fished population of the large catadromous fish, barramundi Lates calcarifer from the estuary of a large tropical river. Barramundi from the estuary of the large, heavily regulated Fitzroy River, north-eastern Australia were analysed by making transects of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope and trace metal/Ca ratios from the core to the outer edge. Firstly, we examined the Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, Mg/Ca and Mn/Ca and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios in otoliths of barramundi tagged in either freshwater or estuarine habitats that were caught by the commercial fishery in the estuary. We used ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios to identify periods of freshwater residency and assess whether trace metal/Ca ratios varied between habitats. Only Sr/Ca consistently varied between known periods of estuarine or freshwater residency. The relationships between trace metal/Ca and river flow, salinity, temperature were examined in fish tagged and recaptured in the estuary. We found weak and inconsistent patterns in relationships between these variables in the majority of fish. These results suggest that both individual movement history within the estuary and the scale of environmental monitoring were reducing our ability to detect any patterns. Finally, we examined fish in the estuary from two dominant age cohorts (4 and 7 year old) before and after a large flood in 2003 to ascertain if the flood had enabled fish from freshwater habitats to migrate to the estuary. There was no difference in the proportion of fish in the estuary that had accessed freshwater after the flood. Instead, we found that larger individuals with of each age cohort were more likely to have spent a period in freshwater. This highlights the need to maintain freshwater flows in rivers. About half the fish examined had accessed freshwater habitats before capture. Of these, all had spent at least their first two months in marine salinity waters before entering freshwater and some did not enter freshwater until four years of age. This contrasts with the results of several previous studies in other parts of the range that found that access to freshwater swamps by larval barramundi was important for enhanced population productivity and recruitment.     

Primary production and chlorophyll distributions in the subtropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the autumn of 2002

In October and November 2002, high and relatively high values of the chlorophyll a concentration at the sea surface (C _chl) were observed in the English Channel (0.47 mg/m³), in the waters of the North Atlantic Current (0.25 mg/m³), in the tropical and subtropical anticyclonic gyres (0.07–0.42 mg/m³), and also in the southwestern region of the southern subtropical anticyclonic gyre (usually 0.11–0.23 mg/m³). The central regions of the southern subtropical anticyclonic gyre (SATG) and the North Atlantic tropical gyre (NATR) were characterized by lower values of C _chl (0.02–0.08 mg/m³ for the SATG and 0.07–0.14 mg/m³ for the NATR). At most of the SATG stations, the values of the surface primary production (C _phs) varied from 2.5 to 5.5 mg C/m³ per day and were mainly defined by the fluctuations of C _chl (r = +0.78) rather than by those of the assimilation number (r = +0.54). The low assimilation activity of phytoplankton in these waters (1.3–4.6 mg chl a per hour) pointed to a lack of nutrients. An analysis of the variability of their concentration and the composition of photosynthetic pigments showed that, in the waters north of 30° N, the growth of phytoplankton was mostly restricted by the deficiency of nitrogen, while, in more southern areas, at the majority of stations (about 60%), the phosphorus concentrations were the minimum. At the low concentrations of nitrates and nitrites, ammonium represented itself as a buffer that prevented planktonic algae from extreme degrees of nitric starvation. In the tropical waters and in the waters of the SATG, the primary production throughout the water column varied from 240 to 380 mg C/m² 30° per day. This level of productivity at stations with low values of C _chl (<0.08 mg/m³) was provided by a well-developed deep chlorophyll maximum and a high transparency of the water. The light curves of photosynthesis based on in situ measurements point to the high efficiency of utilizing the penetrating solar radiation by phytoplankton on cloudy days.