Tidal,diel and semi-lunar changes in the faunal assemblage of an intertidal salt marsh creek

The utilisation of a brackish estuarine marsh by nekton was investigated over a semi-lunar cycle in August 1994. Nekton migrating in and out of the intertidal creeks of the marsh ‘Het Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe’ in the Westerschelde estuary, SW Netherlands, was sampled passively during seven complete tidal cycles. Sampling one tidal cycle yielded three consecutive flood samples and four consecutive ebb samples. Sampling occurred every 2–3 days, covering diel, tidal and semi-lunar situations, thus allowing comparison of tidal, diel and semi-lunar influences on the composition of the intertidal fauna.Two different tidal-migration modes were observed. The mysid shrimp, Mesopodopsis slabberi, showed maximum abundance around high tide. For the remaining common species, the mysid (Neomysis integer), the shrimp (Palaemonetes varians), the crab (Carcinus maenas) and the goby (Pomatoschistus microps) and the amphipod (Corophium volutator), highest densities were recorded during lower water heights. The faunal assemblage shifts between the different tidal stages.On two occasions, consecutive day and night samples were taken. Total densities were higher during the night samples. During spring tide, difference in community composition was noticed between the night and the day samples. During neap tide, day–night differences were less clear. Recorded total densities were highest during spring tide and lowest during neap tide. At maximum water levels, a drop in total density was observed. A shift in community composition occurred between spring and neap tides.     

Spatio‐temporal dynamics of the surf‐zone faunal assemblages at a Southern Oregon sandy beach

Sandy beach/surf‐zone ecosystems are unique environments that, despite the harsh and highly variable hydrodynamic conditions, present a diverse and heterogeneous fauna. However, the dynamics of these ecosystems are currently poorly understood. In this study we tested the hypothesis that surf‐zone assemblages vary with temporal factors such as time of day, tide and tidal height. To test this hypothesis, the surf‐zone community of Bastendorff, a Southern Oregon sandy beach was sampled during the summer of 2006. Samples were collected to (i) describe the smaller, benthic and larger swimming assemblages, (ii) determine whether assemblage compositions, densities, species richness and diversity vary with time of day, tide and tidal height, (iii) explore potential reasons for the variation by correlating environmental factors to the assemblages, and (iv) identify particular species that most strongly exhibit these variations. A hyperbenthic sledge, a sediment corer and a beach seine were used to collect the smaller swimming, benthic and larger swimming fauna, respectively. Sampling occurred during day and night, spring and neap tide, and high, mid and low tide. A total of 76,743 individuals belonging to 105 species were collected. Ninety‐one invertebrate (72,904 individuals), 15 invertebrates (2234 individuals), and 19 invertebrate and vertebrate species (1605 individuals) were collected with the sledge, corer and seine, respectively. Nine species of fish were caught, 98% of which were juveniles. The smaller and larger swimming assemblages varied most strongly with the time of day, suggesting certain species will actively move to the shallow surf‐zone at night. The three assemblages also varied with the tide, potentially due to the larger waves and higher abundance of detached macrophytes observed during spring tides when compared to neap tides, which could push individuals into the surf zone. The benthic assemblage most strongly varied with tidal height and sand grain size, confirming the presence of different faunal zones within Oregon sandy beaches. Finally, several variables of the swimming assemblages varied with temperature and salinity, suggesting that downwelling favorable conditions may have transported species close to shore. Bastendorff presents a complex and diverse surf‐zone community that appears to be influenced by diel species movements, environmental variables such as wave height and abundance of detached macrophytes, and regional oceanographic conditions.     

Influences of Nutrient Outwelling from the Mangrove Swamp on the Distribution of Phytoplankton in the Matang Mangrove Estuary, Malaysia

Distributions of dissolved nutrients and Chl. a were investigated in the Sangga Besar River Estuary in the well-managed Matang Mangrove Forest in West Malaysia. In the estuary, spring tide concentrations of ammonium, silicate and phosphate were higher than those in the neap tide, which suggests that these nutrients are flushed from the mangrove area by the inundation and tidal mixing of the spring tide. Ammonium comprised over 50% of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen in the spring tide, while nitrite tended to dominate in the neap tide, indicating the predominance of nitrification inside the estuary in neap tides. Nutrient concentrations in the creek water were higher than those of estuarine water, indicating the nutrient outwelling from the mangrove swamp and ammonium regeneration from mangrove litter in the creek sediments. The maximum concentration of Chl. a in spring tides reached 80 g/l while it was below 20 g/l in the neap tides. These variations in the phytoplankton biomass and nutrients probably reflect the greater nutrient availability in the spring tide due to outwelling from the mangrove swamp and creek.     

Tidal exchange of zooplankton between Lough Hyne and the adjacent coast

Plankton samples collected in November 2002, February, May and August 2003 were used to examine seasonal variation in tidal exchange of zooplankton biomass, abundance and species composition between Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve and the adjacent Atlantic coast. Micro- to mesozooplankton were collected by pump over 24-h sampling periods during spring and neap tides from the narrow channel connecting the semi-enclosed water body to the Atlantic. Sample biomass (dry weight) and total zooplankton abundance peaked in the summer and were lowest in winter, showing a positive relationship with temperature. Zooplankton biomass, total abundance and numbers of holo- and meroplankton revealed import during some diel cycles and export in others. However, the tidal import of these planktonic components was generally dominant, especially during May. The greatest import of numbers of holoplankters and meroplanktonic larvae occurred during May and August, respectively. There was no significant variation in sample biomass between periods of light and dark, but some variation in zooplankton abundance could be explained by this diel periodicity. Significant differences in sample assemblage composition between flood and ebb tide samples were always observed, except during winter neap tides. There was a net import of the copepods Temora longicornis and Oithona helgolandica and the larval stages of Mytilus edulis during spring and summer. Proceraea cornuta and Capitellid trochophores were imported during winter, and a hydrozoan of the genus Obelia during the spring spring tides. Seasonal export from the lough was shown by Pseudopolydora pulchra larvae (autumn and spring), Serpulid trochophores (autumn) and veligers of the bivalve Anomia ephippium (summer). It is suggested that the direction of tidal exchange of meroplanktonic taxa is related to the distribution of the adult populations. Copepod naupliar stages dominated the assemblages except during May spring tides when the copepod Pseudocalanus elongatus made up over 22% of the abundance. The general import of micro- to mesozooplankton may, in part, explain the higher densities of this size-class of zooplankton within the semi-enclosed system of Lough Hyne.     

长江口北支悬沙浓度在潮周期内和大小潮周期尺度的变化特征及输运研究

Profiles of tidal current and suspended sediment concentration(SSC) were measured in the North Branch of the Changjiang Estuary from neap tide to spring tide in April 2010. The measurement data were analyzed to determine the characteristics of intratidal and neap-spring variations of SSC and suspended sediment transport. Modulated by tidal range and current speed, the tidal mean SSC increased from 0.5 kg/m3 in neap tide to 3.5 kg/m3 in spring tide. The intratidal variation of the depth-mean SSC can be summarized into three types: V-shape variation in neap tide, M-shape and mixed M-V shape variation in medium and spring tides. The occurrence of these variation types is controlled by the relative intensity and interaction of resuspension, settling and impact of water exchange from the rise and fall of tide. In neap tide the V-shape variation is mainly due to the dominant effect of the water exchange from the rise and fall of tide. During medium and spring tides, resuspension and settling processes become dominant. The interactions of these processes, together with the sustained high ebb current and shorter duration of low-tide slack, are responsible for the M-shape and M-V shape SSC variation. Weakly consolidated mud and high current speed cause significant resuspension and remarkable flood and ebb SSC peaks. Settling occurs at the slack water periods to cause SSC troughs and formation of a thin fluff layer on the bed. Fluxes of water and suspended sediment averaged over the neap-spring cycle are all seawards, but the magnitude and direction of tidal net sediment flux is highly variable.     

长江口北支悬沙浓度及输移的时空变化

本文基于4次洪枯季同步水文观测资料,着重分析了长江口北支悬沙浓度的潮周期变化、垂向分布、纵向分布和悬沙输移及其时空差异。研究结果显示,悬沙浓度的潮周期变化过程在大中潮期以M型(双峰型)为主,下段主槽内在大潮期多出现V型,上段在枯季可出现涨潮单峰型;小潮期可出现无峰、单峰或双峰型。涨、落潮悬沙浓度峰值及均值,在枯季多涨潮大于落潮,洪季中小潮特别是小潮期易出现落潮大于涨潮;下段主槽内在大潮期易出现落潮大于涨潮。悬沙浓度的垂向分布及其变化特点,在大中潮期与悬沙的潮周期变化型式有关,其中M型存在显著的洪枯季差异。纵向上,最高悬沙浓度在枯季出现于中段灵甸港至三和港之间及附近河段,洪季则在下段三条港附近。潮周期悬沙净输移,枯季大多向陆特别是大中潮期,洪季中上段大多向海,下段大潮期多向陆、中小潮易出现向海;下段主槽内在大潮期易出现向海。     

A study of non-linear tidal propagation in shallow inlet/estuarine systems Part I: Observations

The offshore tide becomes strongly distorted as it propagates into shallow estuarine systems. Observations of sea surface elevation and horizontal currents over periods ranging from three days to one year, at nine stations within Nauset inlet/estuary, document the non-linear interaction of the off-shore equilibrium tidal constituents. Despite strong frictional attenuation within the estuary, the overtides and compound tides of M₂, S₂ and N₂, in particular, reach significant amplitude, resulting in strong tidal distortion. High frequency forced constituents in sea surface are phase-locked, consistently leading the forcing tides by 60–70°, resulting in a persistent distortion where falling tide is longer than rising tide. Forced constituents in currents are more nearly in phase with equilibrium constituents, producing flood currents which are shorter but more intense than ebb currents. A compound fortnightly tide, MS_f, modulates the mean water level such that lowest tides occur during neap phase instead of spring phase. This fortnightly tide can be contaminated by storm surge, changing the phase characteristics of this constituent. Implications of the overtides, compound tides, and lower frequency tides on near-bed, suspended and dissolved material transport are profound.     

Larval fish distribution in shallow coastal waters off North Western Iberia (NE Atlantic)

Monthly sampling for ichthyoplankton was conducted at three stations very near to the coast (near to shore shallow stations before the surf zone in direction to the shoreline) of Atlantic northwestern Portugal within contrasting localities: rocky shore, in front of a sandy beach receiving an estuary and a fishing port with heavy anthropogenic impact. Sampling was conducted from August 2002 to October 2003, always at full moon, at low tide and high tide in daylight hours, at the water column using a 48 cm diameter plankton net with 335 μm mesh. Analysis of the physico-chemical parameters pointed out the spatial (horizontal) homogeneity of the sampling area. Fish larvae from 41 taxa belonging to 17 families were identified; Blenniidae, Labridae, Ammodytidae, Clupeidae, Gobiidae, Soleidae and Gobiesocidae were the most representative during the study period. Parablennius gattorugine, Ammodytes tobianus, Symphodus melops, Sardina pilchardus, Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita were the most representative species (percentage contribution to total abundance). Peak abundance of fish eggs occurred during May, June and August 2003 and fish larvae occurred during May and July 2003 and August 2002 and 2003; there was a pronounced winter/early spring (March 2003) peak in larval abundance dominated by the small sandeel A. tobianus. This study identifies the occurrence of a conspicuous assemblage of larval fishes at very nearshore shallow environments of a variety of species with different adult habitats: the fish larvae assemblage was dominated by intertidal species. The present study has shown that temporal and spatial variations in the larval fish assemblage are related to environmental conditions and biological dynamics: the results suggest that abiotic conditions mediate biotic parameters, and that both abiotic and biotic characteristics regulated the larval fishes at very nearshore shallow environments.     

崇明东滩潮沟浮游动物数量分布与变动

根据2008年4-12月对上海市崇明岛东滩潮沟进行4个季节的浮游动物调查资料,研究了崇明东滩潮沟浮游动物的数量分布及变动。结果表明,调查区浮游动物总丰度较高,四季变化明显。受潮汐作用的影响,夏、秋、冬三季落潮时丰度大于涨潮时,春季涨潮时丰度则大于落潮时。浮游动物在6条潮沟的平面分布不均匀,春季东旺沙边滩区和北八边滩区的数量明显多于近团结沙边滩区,夏、秋季分别以东旺沙边滩区和北八滧边滩区的数量最多,冬季则以近团结沙边滩区的数量最多。主要优势种细巧华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus tenellus)、中华华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus sinensis)、火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia)、四刺窄腹剑水蚤(Limnoithona etraspina)和四刺破足猛水蚤(Mesochra quadrispinosa)等数量的季节、潮汐变化及各时期的空间分布格局差异明显,其数量分布情况决定了浮游动物总数量的分布。盐度是影响冬、春季涨潮时浮游动物总丰度分布的主要因子,水温则是影响夏、秋季涨潮时总丰度分布的主要因子。此外,径流及潮流等动力因素对潮沟浮游动物数量的时空分布也产生重要影响。     

Tidal asymmetry in a tidal creek with mixed mainly semidiurnal tide,Bushehr Port,Persian Gulf

This study investigated the tidal asymmetry imposed by both the interaction of principal tides and the higher harmonics generated by distortions within a tidal creek network with mixed mainly semidiurnal tide in the Bushehr Port, Persian Gulf. Since velocity and water-level imposed by principal triad tides K₁-O₁-M₂ are in quadrature, duration asymmetries during a tidal period in this short, shallow inverse estuary should be manifest as skewed velocities. The principal tides produce periodic asymmetries including a strong ebb-dominance and a weak flood-dominance condition during spring and neap tides respectively. The higher harmonics induced by nonlinearities engender a flood-dominance condition where the convergence effects are higher than frictional effects, and an ebbdominance condition where intertidal storage are extended. Since the triad K₁-O₁-M₂ driven asymmetry is not overcome by higher harmonics close to the mouth, the periodic asymmetry dominates within the creek in which higher harmonics reinforce the weak flood-dominance (strong ebb-dominance) condition in the convergent channel (divergent area). Also, the maximum flood and the maximum ebb from all harmonic constituents occurred close to high water slack time during both spring and neap tides in this short creek. Since occational wetting of intertidal areas happened close to the high water (HW) time during spring tide, the water level flooded slowly close to the HW time of the spring tide.     

Decreases in turbidity during neap tides initiate late winter blooms of Eucampia zodiacus in a macrotidal embayment

Eucampia zodiacus Ehrenberg is harmful, as it causes reduction in the quality of the aquacultured Porphyra thalli owing to nutrient depletions during dense blooms in the late winter in the macrotidal Ariake Sea, Japan. To understand the mechanism of bloom development, changes in the abundance of E. zodiacus during a bloom were investigated along vessel transects from February to April 2012. In addition, marine environmental variables were continuously monitored by the Ariake Sea Monitoring Tower, which revealed that turbidity periodically decreased during neap tides. During the 16 February neap tide, a high Secchi depth (4.3 m) was recorded at offshore stations and the Z _1% depth, at which the light intensity attenuates to 1 % of that at the sea surface, exceeded the water depth. On 16 February, the abundance of E. zodiacus was 52–732 cells mL^?1, peaking at 7.0 m depth offshore. Subsequently, abundance increased at all stations. During the 22 February spring tide, abundance became vertically uniform. On 19 March, abundance at the tower reached 3758 cells mL^?1 at the surface. We conclude that an improvement in light conditions in the deeper layer triggered the bloom, although the size and the duration of the bloom were determined by nutrient availability. Thus, decreases in turbidity during neap tides and subsequent strong vertical mixing during spring tides may be instrumental in the population dynamics of the large diatom E. zodiacus in macrotidal environments.     

珠江河口咸潮期间浮游植物的群落特征

根据2007年底至2008年初珠江河口咸潮入侵期间大潮和小潮的两次调查资料, 对浮游植物的种类组成、种数和细胞密度的分布等群落特征进行了分析, 并探讨环境因素对浮游植物群落的影响。共鉴定浮游植物76种, 包括38种硅藻、18种绿藻、14种甲藻、4种蓝藻和2种裸藻。浮游植物种数分布有明显的空间变化, 一般从河口上段至下段种数减少; 大潮时浮游植物的种数低于小潮时, 并且各水层之间浮游植物种数分布不均匀。优势种以淡水硅藻为主, 如颗粒直链藻Melosira granulata、颗粒直链藻最窄变种 Melosira granulata v. angustissima、小环藻 Cyclotella sp.和海链藻Thalassiosira sp.等; 河口上段的站优势种突出, 密度分布不均匀, 均匀度值比较低。大潮和小潮期间浮游植物细胞密度的平均值分别为53.80×104个.L-1和62.21×104个.L-1, 变化范围为(1.48— 290.41)×104个-L-1和(1.52—283.62)×104个.L-1; 二者的平面分布趋势基本相同, 由河口上段至下段呈递减的格局; 硅藻类的细胞密度占明显优势。浮游植物的种类组成、种数和细胞密度的分布受盐度、营养盐等环境因子的影响, 并且具有明显的潮周期性。     

Fortnightly shifts of intrusion depth of oceanic water into Ise Bay

To clarify the time change in water exchanges between Ise Bay and the adjacent ocean, repeated hydrographic observations were conducted along the longitudinal section in Ise Bay. The results show that the mixing condition at the bay mouth (Irago Strait) changed fortnightly in summer. During the spring tides, the strait water below the pycnocline was well-mixed and nearly homogeneous. By contrast, it was weakly stratified during the neap tide. There is a strong negative correlation between the tidal range and the density difference between the upper and lower layers at the strait. In summer, the intrusion depth of oceanic water into the bay and consequent hydrographic conditions inside the bay changed frequently according to the tidal strength. During the spring tides a prominent bottom front was created at the bay mouth, indicating that the strait water, which is a mixture of oceanic and bay waters, intruded through the middle layer. On the other hand, during the neaps, cold and saline oceanic water intruded through the bottom layer into the bay. The intrusion depth is significantly correlated with the tidal range. It is considered that the wellmixed strait water, which has a density equivalent to the middle layer inside the bay, is lighter than the bottom bay water and thus intrudes through the middle layer during the spring tides, while insufficient mixing makes the bottom water at the strait heavier than the bay water, leading to the bottom intrusion during the neap tides.     

Sampling and computational design of nutrient flux from a southeastern U.S. saltmarsh

A sampling and computational approach for estimating nutrient fluxes from a salt marsh ecosystem is presented. Extensive and intensive sampling of tidal velocities, water depths, and nutrient concentrations was made synoptically across three tidal creeks, connecting a 34 km² South Carolina salt marsh with surrounding coastal waters. An estimate of nutrient exchange over each sampling period is based on measurements over four tidal cycles during a neap and spring tidal regime. The computation of instantaneous fluxes of NO₃^?NO₂^?, NH₄⁺, and o-PO₂^4? was based on the cross-multiplication of concentration, velocity, and integrated over the cross-sectional area of each tidal creek. The net flux of nutrients was estimated using a least-squares regression model which included periodic functions simulating tidal and diurnal cycles. This computational approach allows for a rigorous test of the statistical significance of the measured nutrient fluxes and a basis on which interpretations of the ecological significance of the exchange can be made.Tidal patterns in inorganic nutrient concentrations and the corresponding exchanges are presented for a spring time sampling. Nitrate-nitrite was exported consistently from the marsh to the coastal ocean with a mean value of 8.0 kg per tidal cycle for the neap sampling set and 15.6 kg per tidal cycle for the spring set. This corresponded to high concentrations of nitrate-nitrite (0.6 μM) on the ebb tide with low concentrations (0.1 μM) on the flood tide. Ammonia flux was variable and did not portray a consistent tidal concentration pattern. Concentrations ranged from 1 to 6 μM. Ammonia flux was exported to the coastal ocean only during the spring tidal set with a mean value of 114 kg per tidal cycle. Ortho-phosphate was also exported only on the spring tidal set with a mean flux of 40.0 kg per tidal cycle. A tidal concentration pattern of high concentrations (0.6 μM) on the ebb tide and low concentrations (0.05 μM) on the flood was consistent for ortho-phosphate during both neap and spring tidal sets.     

吐噶喇海峡内潮的能量收支和大小潮变化

吐噶喇海峡是西北太平洋重要的内潮产生区域,该区域内产生的内潮对于东海陆架和西北太平洋的混合和物质输运有十分重要的作用。水平分辨率为3km的JCOPE-T(JapanCoastalOcean PredictabilityExperiment—Tides)水动力学模式的结果表明,吐噶喇海峡的内潮主要产生在地形变化剧烈的海山和海岛附近,其引起的等密面起伏振幅可达30m。吐噶喇海峡的内潮在垂直于等深线方向分为两支向外传播:一支向西北方向传播,进入东海陆架后迅速减小;另一支向东南方向传播,进入西北太平洋。吐噶喇海峡潮能丰富,其在约半个月内的平均输入的净正压潮能通量为13.92GW,其中约有3.73GW转化为内潮能量。生成的内潮能量有77.2%在当地耗散,传出的内潮能通量为0.84GW,主要通过西北和东南两个边界传出。该区域潮能通量有显著的大小潮变化,大潮期间输入的正压潮净能通量和产生的内潮能通量均约为小潮期间的2倍,但其主要产生区域基本不变,且内潮能量耗散比率均在产生的内潮通量的76%—79%。另外,内潮能通量的传播方向也没有发生变化,仍主要通过西北和东南两个边界传出。因此,大小潮的变化仅影响吐噶喇海峡处产生的内潮能量的大小,不影响其产生区域、传播方向和耗散比率。     

杭州湾枯季水沙若干特征分析

根据2014年1月及2017年2月杭州湾大、小潮水沙资料,计算了流速、含沙量、单宽潮量、单宽输沙量,进而分析了潮周期断面净潮量、净输沙量和区域冲淤分布。研究发现杭州湾涨、落潮平均流速比值整体较20世纪八九十年代增大,绝大部分区域大于1.0,涨潮流相对增强,澉浦南岸和金山北岸尤为显著。含沙量平面上分布澉浦、杭州湾南岸两个高值区(大潮大于3 kg/m³,小潮大于1.3 kg/m³)以及北岸湾口至乍浦之间的低值区(大潮小于2 kg/m³,小潮小于0.9 kg/m³),随潮汛变化显著,最大含沙量浓度通常滞后于急流时刻。各测站涨、落潮量和输沙量呈现“大涨大落”和“大进大出”的特征,造成杭州湾短时间尺度内的“大冲大淤”。大潮两涨两落金山与乍浦、乍浦与澉浦之间区域净输沙量可达几千万吨,净冲淤则在几百万吨。     

Observed fluxes of water,salt and suspended sediment in a partly mixed estuary

Observations of the residual fluxes of water, salt and suspended sediment are presented for seven stations along the Tamar Estuary. The data include measurements over single spring and neap tidal cycles, and are generally applicable to medium or high run-off conditions.Surface to bed differences in salinity are typically of the order of several parts per thousand. Gravitational circulation is an important component of residual flow in the deep, lower reaches of the estuary. Here, Stokes drift is insignificant. In the shallow upper reaches, the major residual currents are generated by Stokes drift and freshwater inputs. Data are compared with predictions from Hansen and Rattray's (1966) model of estuarine circulation.Salt fluxes due to tidal pumping and vertical shear are directed up-estuary at spring tides, tidal pumping being dominant. Tidal pumping of salt is also directed up-estuary at neap tides, although it is insignificant in the lower reaches, where vertical shear dominates.Tidal pumping of suspended sediment is directed up-estuary near the head at spring tides, and probably contributes to the formation of the turbidity maximum. The existence of the turbidity maximum is predicted using a simplified model of the transport of water and sediment. The model shows that an additional mechanism for the existence of the turbidity maximum is an up-estuary maximum in the tidal current speeds (and thus resuspension). In the lower reaches, transport of suspended sediment is directed down-estuary at both spring and neap tides, and sediment is essentially flushed to sea with the fresh water.     

The effect of tidal range on the flushing of ammonium from intertidal sediments of the Tagus estuary,Portugal

The time-course evolution of ammonium concentration has been examined in the flood water during the first 25 min of tidal inundation. The way this transport fluctuates with the tidal ranges and wind conditions was investigated. Flood water was collected at three sites, located along a transect from the lower to the upper intertidal area of the Tagus estuary. At spring and intermediate tides, the periods of air exposure vary slightly along the transect due to the high tidal amplitude and the flatness of the area, but the upper site remains uncovered at neap tide over the entire tidal cycle. At each site, sampling was performed at different tidal ranges covering the neap-spring tidal cycle and wind conditions. Ammonium was determined in the flood water at short time intervals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min. A clear pattern was observed along the transect: considerable quantities of ammonium were exported from the sediment to the water column at the beginning of the inundation, ranging from 0.2 to 4.8 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹. The highest transport was recorded at the lower intertidal site under spring tide conditions, which corresponds to the higher energetic situation and shorter emersion period. The lowest transport was observed at the upper intertidal site during the first inundation that followed three days of neap tide and continuous exposure of the sediment to the air. The value rates (0.2–4.8 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) were one order of magnitude higher than those calculated from molecular diffusion (0.07 – 0.16 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹). This study points to the importance of the tidal flushing of ammonium from the intertidal sediments, and its spatial and tidal fluctuation.     

Diel and seasonal variability in the fish community structure of a mud‐bottom estuarine habitat in the Gulf of Mexico

We hypothesized that temporal variation in fish species composition and community structure in a low complexity habitat in the Pueblo Viejo Lagoon, Mexico, is influenced by diel light/dark cycles and tidal stage, and by seasonal changes in salinity and temperature. We collected a total of 17,661 individuals during 2‐h interval sampling over six bi‐monthly 24‐h sampling cycles representing 53 species, of which 11 (～20%) were previously unknown in the system. Diel variation indicated that significantly higher numbers of individuals and species were caught at night, whereas diversity and evenness were higher during the day. Species richness was significantly higher in July and January, whereas diversity and evenness peaked around May; both were correlated with temperature. Diel variation in species composition was influenced primarily by the light/dark cycle. Cluster analyses of each diel cycle separated fish assemblages from midday samples from those of nocturnal samples, separated by an extended wide transition period as fish moved at dawn and during the late afternoon/dusk. Significant shifts (as determined by MANOVA) in assemblage structure occurred between months. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that temperature and day/night effects were the most important environmental variables structuring the fish community. This constrained ordination also defined species with specific habitat preferences as follows: (i) diurnal, warm temperature species (mainly planktivores) (Brevoortia gunteri, Cetengraulis edentulus, Diapterus auratus, and Membras martinica); (ii) nocturnal, warm temperature species (mainly predators) (Citharichthys spilopterus, Cathorops melanopus, and Bairdiella spp.); and (iii) low temperature, diurnal species (Brevoortia patronus and Mugil curema) or those with twilight and nocturnal distributions (Anchoa mitchilli, the most numerically abundant species). Our results indicate that diel and seasonal changes in fish community structure were mainly related to day/night cycles and temperature regimes.     

2003-2004年浙江沿岸海域浮游植物的分布特征及其与环境因子的关系

2003年夏季和2004年夏、秋季,分别在浙江沿岸海域10m等深线(以下称内侧海域)和50 m等深线(禁渔线附近,以下称外侧海域)处共设置37个站位,对采集于大、小潮汛期间的浮游植物样品进行了种类组成、优势种、细胞丰度分布和群落结构特征的调查研究,并分析了其分布特征与环境因子的关系.结果表明,调查海域共鉴定出浮游植物3...