一株嗜碱兼性好氧反硝化菌Marinobacter sp.B3的分离鉴定及脱氮性能研究

为获得反硝化脱氮效率较好的菌株,实验从海水螺旋藻培养体系中分离获得一株嗜碱兼性好氧反硝化菌, 通过观察细菌形态以及16S rRNA基因序列的同源性分析, 鉴定该菌株为海杆菌属, 命名为Marinobacter sp. B3。为明确该海杆菌的反硝化性能及氮转化途径, 研究开展了溶解氧(DO), 碳氮摩尔比(C/N), pH和温度等不同单因素对反硝化性能影响实验和氮平衡实验。单因素影响实验结果表明, 当硝酸钾(KNO₃)作为唯一氮源, NO₃^--N的初始浓度为100 mg/L, 盐度32, 振荡速度为150 r/min (初始DO质量浓度是5.6 mg/L), C/N=10, pH=8.0±0.2, 温度为35 °C时, 可获得最大脱氮效果。氮平衡实验结果得出, 在好氧环境下, 有20.11%的NO₃^--N转化为胞内氮, 5.58 mg/L的NO₃^--N转化为其他形态(NO₂^--N、NO₄⁺-N和有机氮), 74.72%转化为N₂释放; 厌氧环境下, 有26.65%的NO₃^--N转化为胞内氮, 72.86%的NO₃^--N转化为气态产物释放。最终实验结果表明, Marinobactersp. B3在好氧和厌氧条件下, 48 h对NO₃^--N的去除率分别为99.89%和93.80%, 具有较好的反硝化脱氮能力, 且在好氧条件下NO₃^--N去除效率更高, 在海水工厂化循环水养殖尾水处理方面具有良好的应用前景。     

小长山岛3种大型海藻组织碳、氮含量和δ15N值的环境指示意义

大型海藻组织碳、氮含量及δ¹⁵N值的变化对于指示营养盐来源及营养盐评价研究具有重要的意义。为探究大型海藻组织碳、氮含量及δ¹⁵N值的变化特征,于2020年7月至2021年6月逐月分析了小长山岛潮间带孔石莼（Ulva pertusa）、角叉菜（Chondrus ocellatus）、鼠尾藻（Sargassum thunbergii）3种大型海藻组织的碳、氮含量和δ¹⁵N值的变化,并对其生长环境中海水的理化因子进行了测定。结果发现：孔石莼组织的氮含量与海水中的NO₃-N和DIN含量之间存在显著的相关性,角叉菜组织的氮含量与海水中的NH₃-N含量之间也存在显著的相关性。然而,大型海藻组织的碳含量和C/N比值与海水中的碳、氮营养盐之间并无显著的相关性。孔石莼组织的δ¹⁵N值与海水中的NO₃-N和DIN含量之间也存在显著的相关性。因此,孔石莼适于用作NO₃-N和DIN来源的指示藻种。结果指示小长山岛潮间带海水中具有供大型海藻生长利用的充足的营养盐,其主要受到生活污水和养殖排放的影响。     

小球藻对不同盐度海水养殖尾水的净化效果研究

微藻处理养殖尾水已成为热点研究方向,有关一定盐度范围内海水养殖尾水的微藻处理研究较少。本试验调配了两种盐度(16和26)的海水养殖尾水,以空白组作对照,设置小球藻(Chlorella salina)初始接种密度梯度(5×10⁵、1×10⁶、2×10⁶和3×10⁶个/mL),研究小球藻对海水养殖尾水中不同形态氮和磷的去除效果。结果表明,小球藻在海水养殖尾水中生长良好,可有效去除尾水中的氮磷营养盐,16盐度组中各初始藻密度组对NH₄⁺、NO₃^-和总溶解态氮(total dissolved nitrogen,TDN)的去除率分别为85.03%~85.87%、60.87%~63.70%和54.53%~57.64%,组间无显著差异(P>0.05);26盐度组中除5×10⁵组外,其余藻密度组对NH₄⁺、NO₃^-和TDN的去除率分别为87.23%~88.16%、56.70%~57.79%和53.31%~54.62%,且组间无显著差异(P>0.05),表明小球藻初始接种密度对尾水中氮盐的去除无显著影响。除5×10⁵个/mL组外,16与26盐度组中对TDN的去除率无显著差异,表明盐度变化对氮的去除无影响。随着初始藻密度的升高,16和26处理组对总溶解态磷(total dissolved phosphorus,TDP)的去除率均上升,分别为76.13%~99.53%和63.72%~96.83%,表明藻初始接种密度的升高可促进尾水中磷的去除,且盐度升高没有影响小球藻对磷的去除。本研究获得了不同初始接种密度小球藻对一定盐度范围的海水养殖尾水的吸收利用特点,可为海水养殖尾水的生态化处理提供一定的理论基础。     

光谱法测定海水中溶解态无机氮的研究进展

溶解态无机氮（dissolved inorganic nitrogen, DIN）主要由亚硝酸盐-氮（NO^-₂-N）、硝酸盐-氮（NO^-₃-N）和铵氮（NH⁺₄-N）组成,它们在海洋的生物地球化学循环过程中起重要作用。但人类活动向海洋输入了大量无机氮,导致一系列环境问题。为了更好地开展海洋氮循环研究和环境污染管理,需对海水中的DIN进行测定。在众多分析方法中,光谱法因其通用性好、适用范围广、所需设备简单,成为测定海水DIN的首选。本文总结了近10年来基于光谱法测定海水DIN的研究进展,包括紫外分光光度法测定NO^-₃-N、萘乙二胺分光光度法测定NO^-₂-N和NO^-₃-N、次溴酸盐氧化-分光光度法测定NH⁺₄-N、靛酚蓝分光光度法测定NH⁺₄-N、酸碱指示剂-分光光度法测定NH⁺₄-N、荧光法和化学发光法测定DIN等,比较了各分析方法的特点,并展望了光谱法测定海水DIN的发展趋势。总的来说,在分析方法上,新试剂的使用以及一些新合成材料的出现,丰富了DIN的分析手段;在分析仪器上,以流动分析技术为基础的分析仪器在DIN的实验室及现场分析中得到了广泛应用。DIN的分析方法均朝着简单便捷、全自动化、分析速度快、精确度高、可适用范围广的方向发展。     

球形棕囊藻同化吸收硝酸盐的氮氧稳定同位素分馏研究

球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)赤潮是一种全球范围的生态灾害,而硝酸盐稳定同位素技术是研究海洋富营养化与赤潮暴发机制的前沿技术。为将该技术应用于球形棕囊藻赤潮暴发机制方面的研究,首先需了解其同化吸收硝酸盐的稳定同位素分馏特征。为此开展了球形棕囊藻室内培养实验,获取培养过程中氮、磷、硅等营养盐的浓度及硝酸盐氮、氧稳定同位素(δ¹⁵N-NO₃^-、δ¹⁸O-NO₃^-)等参数的变化特征,计算球形棕囊藻同化吸收硝酸盐的稳定同位素分馏系数。结果显示,NO₃^-和PO₄^3-浓度随培养时间均呈现先明显下降后稳定的特征,同时伴随直径2~3mm的囊体出现并生长至2~3cm。NH₄⁺浓度先后两次出现升高,推测可能是受到有机氮矿化过程的补充所致。随NO₃^-浓度降低,δ¹⁵N和δ¹⁸O的值分别在第13天和第7天达到相对峰值。经计算,球形棕囊藻同化吸收硝酸盐过程δ¹⁵N和δ¹⁸O分馏系数分别为3.32‰±0.38‰和3.12‰±0.59‰,而前者的分馏系数呈逐渐降低的特点,原因可能是随球形棕囊藻生长,发生酶还原的NO₃^-较参与跨膜运输的NO₃^-比例逐渐升高。研究首次给出了球形棕囊藻同化吸收硝酸盐过程的氮、氧稳定同位素分馏系数及其变化特征,补充了海洋微藻同位素分馏数据库,为稳定同位素技术研究球形棕囊藻赤潮暴发的营养机制提供了重要的基础数据。     

北海湾近10 年来溶解无机氮含量变化及其与环境因子的关系

根据北海湾1995～2004 年10a 间8 个航次的调查资料, 分析研究了该湾溶解无机氮的含量变化及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明: 该湾溶解无机氮(DIN)含量具有春夏季较高、秋冬季较低的变化特点, 突出了南流江迳流的重大贡献作用; 在DIN 中, 所有航次均具有NO₃^-含量较高、NH₄⁺含量次之、NO₂^- 含量最低的分布特征, 而且除2004 年秋季外, NO₃^- 所占DIN 的比值均在63.38%以上, 已成为该湾DIN 的主要存在形式; 通过不同时期的对比分析, 得出该湾DIN 具有春秋季显著上升、冬夏季显著下降的变化规律, 增养殖排废起主导影响作用; 相关分析显示, DIN 与环境因子之间的相关性, 以与盐度出现的机率最多、显著性也最高, 与COD 的相关性次之, 与其余环境因子的相关性依次排列为pH>DO>Chl.a, 与3 种形态氮之间则以NO₃^- 和NO₂^- 最为密切, 7 个航次达到了显著正相关水平, 而与NH₄⁺的显著正相关只出现在迳流影响较小的秋冬季节。     

铵锌镉还原法测试硝酸盐氮、氧同位素方法研究

本研究利用铵锌镉还原法将海水、湖水和自来水水体中硝酸盐转化为N₂O气体测试氮、氧同位素, 结果表明当反应体系的pH值在6～8之间, NO₃^-还原为NO₂^-的转化率大于95%, NO₂^-还原为N₂O的转化率大于99%。配置5种丰度的硝酸盐氮、氧同位素标样, 将实验结果与理论值绘制校准曲线, 氮同位素校准曲线斜率为0.48, 相关性良好(R²=0.999 8), 5种丰度δ¹⁵N_N2O标准偏差在0.18‰～0.43‰之间(n=5);氧同位素校准曲线斜率为0.70, 相关性良好(R²=0.999 6), 5种丰度δ¹⁸O_N2O标准偏差在0.27‰～0.46‰之间(n=5)。铵锌镉还原法与镉柱还原法测定硝酸盐氮、氧同位素结果的精密度和准确度一致, 同时海水、湖水和自来水3种不同类型水样的硝酸盐氮、氧同位素测试数据满足实验要求, 而且在实验流程的简洁性和高效性方面更具优势。     

Encystment and excystment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gyrodinium instriatum</Emphasis> Freudenthal et Lee

In the present study, we have investigated the conditions influencing encystment and excystment in the dinoflagellate Gyrodinium instriatum under laboratory conditions. We incubated G. instriatum in modified whole SWM-3 culture medium and in versions of modified SWM-3 from which NO₃ ⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, NO₃ ⁻ + PO₄ ³⁻, or Si had been omitted and observed encystment. Percentage encystment was high in the media without N and without P, while the percentage encystment in the medium lacking both N and P was highest. Moreover, to investigate N or P concentration which induced the encystment, Gyrodinium instriatum was also incubated in media with different concentrations of inorganic N and P; the concentrations of NO₂ ⁻ + NO₃ ⁻ and PO₄ ³⁻ were measured over time. The precursors of cysts appeared within 2 or 3 days of a decrease in NO₂ ⁻ + NO₃ ⁻ or PO₄ ³⁻ concentration to values lower than 1 μM or 0.2 μM, respectively. When cysts produced in the laboratory were incubated, we observed excystment after 8–37 days, without a mandatory period of darkness or low temperature. We incubated cysts collected from nature at different temperatures or in the dark or light and observed excystments. Natural cysts excysted at temperatures from 10 to 30°C, in both light and dark, but excystment was delayed at low temperatures. These studies indicate that G. instriatum encysts in low N or P concentration and excysts over a wide temperature range, regardless of light conditions, after short dormancy periods.     

Temporal variability and characterization of physicochemical properties in the neritic area of Sagami Bay,Japan

Seasonal and interannual variations in physicochemical properties were investigated in the neritic area of Sagami Bay, Kanagawa, Japan, from December 2000 to December 2005. Physicochemical properties (i.e. temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentration) revealed clear seasonal variations, which were similar to each other during all 5 years. Temperature, salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients showed rapid, drastic variations within a few days and/or weeks. These variations are related to sea levels, principally due to the shifting effects of the Kuroshio Current axis: they were strongly affected by the Kuroshio Water and other waters, when sea level difference was greater than ca. 35 cm and lower than ca. 15 cm, respectively. Temperature difference (DF _T ) increased with sea level difference, and the difference of salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients (NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₃ ⁻+NO₂ ⁻-N, NH₄ ⁺+NO₃ ⁻+NO₂ ⁻-N, PO₄ ³⁻-P and SiO₂-Si) increased and decreased with DF _T , respectively. All these correlations are significant. Total dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and silicate (Si) revealed seasonal variations in the ranges of 0.57–16.08, 0.0070–0.91 and 0.22–46.38 μM, respectively. From the regression equations between these elements allowed the following relation to be obtained; Si:N:P = 14.8:13.4:1. Dissolved inorganic nutrients were characterized by Si and/or P deficiency, especially in the upper layer (0–20 m depth) during summer. Single and/or combined elements are discussed on the basis of potential and stoichiometric nutrient limitations, which could restrict phytoplankton (diatom) growth as a limiting factor.     

清洗频率对固定床生物滤器水处理性能的影响

本实验基于一种新型的具有自洁功能的固定床生物滤器, 研究了不同的清洗频率: 0.5次/d (S1)、1次/d(S2)和2次/d(S3)对生物滤器的硝化性能、截污能力和硝酸盐氮积累的影响。研究表明: 清洗频率对生物滤器去除氨氮(NH₄⁺-N)没有显著影响(P > 0.05); 在第6~9 d对生物滤器内亚硝酸盐氮(NO₂^–-N)的浓度有显著影响(P < 0.05), 第11 d后均无显著影响(P > 0.05); 在整个实验过程中, S3处理组与S1、S2处理组相比总固体悬浮物(TSS)去除分别提高53.52%和19.01%, 化学需氧量(COD_Mn)去除分别提高57.94%和27.01%, 差异性显著(P < 0.05); 在硝酸盐氮(NO₃^–-N)积累方面, S3处理组积累最少, 在整个实验过程期间与S1、S2处理组相比分别降低16.04%和23.01%, 差异性显著(P < 0.05)。总体来说, 高清洗频率对生物滤器的硝化性能无显著影响, 但能使生物滤器截留的TSS快速排出系统, 从而减少系统内的水处理负荷和硝酸盐氮积累, 有利于系统的长期稳定运行。     

不同培养条件对三角褐指藻生长及其生物活性成分积累的影响

以三角褐指藻(Phaeodactylum tricornutum)为研究材料,比较了Na NO3、NH4HCO3和CO(NH2)2为氮源的两种培养基(m L1和ASW培养基)对其生长和生物活性成分(岩藻黄素、金藻昆布糖和二十碳五烯酸(C20:5,EPA))时相积累的影响,同时分析了脂肪酸组成和总脂含量的变化。结果表明:以m L1培养基培养时,三角褐指藻的生物质质量浓度明显高于ASW培养基培养时的生物质质量质量浓度,尿素优于其他两种氮源,最大生物质质量质量浓度为3.7 g/L。不同培养条件下岩藻黄素含量的时相变化规律一致,均随着培养时间的延长呈现先增加后减少的趋势,其最高积累量分别为:13.27 mg/g(Na NO3)、13.23 mg/g(CO(NH2)2)和13.89 mg/g(NH4HCO3)(m L1);13.2 mg/g(Na NO3)、14.92 mg/g(CO(NH2)2)和13.6 mg/g(NH4HCO3)(ASW),由此可知氮源对岩藻黄素积累量影响不大。金藻昆布糖含量随着培养时间延长逐渐增加,其最大积累量分别为9.82 mg/g(NH4HCO3)(m L1)和8.59 mg/g(Na NO3)(ASW)。不同培养条件下其总脂含量变化不显著,均在培养末期达到最大值,分别为24.18%(NH4HCO3)(m L1)和23.79%(Na NO3)(ASW);其主要脂肪酸组成为:豆蔻酸(C14:0)、棕榈酸(C16:0)、棕榈油酸(C16:1)、硬脂酸(C18:0)、油酸(C18:1)、亚油酸(C18:2)、花生一烯酸(C20:1)、木焦油酸(C24:0)和EPA,其中,EPA含量随着培养时间延长逐渐下降,尿素最有利于EPA的积累。     

Inorganic nitrogen uptake and related enzymatic activity in the seagrass Zostera noltii

The preferential inorganic nitrogen source for the seagrass Zostera noltii was investigated in plants from Ria Formosa, South Portugal. Rates of ammonium and nitrate uptake were determined at different concentrations of these nutrients (5, 25 and 50 μm ), supplied simultaneously (NH₄NO₃) or separately (KNO₃ and NH₄Cl). The activity of the enzymes nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) was also assessed. The results showed that ammonium is the preferential inorganic nitrogen source for Z. noltii, but, in the absence of ammonium, the species also has a high nitrate uptake capacity. The simultaneous availability of both inorganic nitrogen forms enhanced the uptake rate of ammonium and decreased the uptake rate of nitrate compared to when only one of the nitrogen forms was supplied. The activity of both enzymes was much higher in the leaves than in the roots, highlighting the importance of the leaves as primary reducing sites in the nitrogen assimilation process.     

南极绿藻中类菌胞素氨基酸对UV-B胁迫的响应

南极上空臭氧层的破坏导致了紫外辐射日益增强,高强度的UV-B辐射会造成细胞中DNA的损伤,影响蛋白质、脂类和色素的代谢过程。生长在南极的绿藻具有一系列防御机制以应对增强的UV-B辐射,其中类菌胞素氨基酸(Mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs)是一类重要的紫外防御物质。为探究类菌胞素氨基酸对UV-B辐射的响应,本文以南极冰藻(Chlamydomonassp.ICE-L)、针丝藻(Raphidonema nivale Lagerheim, NIES-2290)和胶球藻(Coccomyxa subellipsoidea E.Acton, NIES-2166)三种生活在南极的绿藻为材料,采用UV-B辐射胁迫(强度0.35 W/m~2,短时处理3 h),并通过液相色谱-质谱联用法检测类菌胞素氨基酸的种类和含量的变化。Mycosporine-glycine为三种南极绿藻中共有的MAAs,在UV-B辐射胁迫下三种南极绿藻中Mycosporine-glycine含量变化不尽相同,表明不同的南极绿藻中MAAs对UV-B辐射的响应各有其特性。首次在绿藻(南极冰藻和胶球藻)中检测到Gadusol。Gadusol作为MAAs的合成前体,它的合成积累使得生活在海冰环境的南极冰藻和胶球藻具有良好的抗UV-B辐射能力。其中南极冰藻抗紫外能力最强,这可能得益于不同MAAs间的动态转化,含量升高的Palythine及Usujirene/Palythene可能对南极冰藻的紫外屏蔽起着至关重要的作用。     

藻体部位、藻质量、碳源、水流对铁钉菜和羊栖菜营养盐吸收的影响

采用实验室生态学研究方法,进行了藻体部位、藻质量、碳源质量浓度及水流流速对铁钉菜(Ishige foliaceaokamurai)和羊栖菜(Sargassum fusiforme)氮磷营养盐吸收影响的研究。结果表明:2种大型海藻不同部位对营养盐的吸收速率不同,铁钉菜下部的吸收速率最大,其次是固着器;羊栖菜顶部的吸收速率最大,其次是中部。铁钉菜藻质量1.0g的吸收速率最大,其次是1.5g;羊栖菜藻质量0.5 g的吸收速率最大,其次是1.0g;2种藻类2.0g和2.5g的吸收速率相差不多。碳源质量浓度为1200mg/L时,铁钉菜的吸收速率最大,其次是碳源800mg/L;碳源质量浓度为800mg/L时,羊栖菜的吸收速率最大,其次是碳源400mg/L;2种海藻对照组的吸收速率均相对较低。相同流速下,2种海藻均以PO4-P对照组的吸收速率最大;NO3-N、NH4-N吸收速率在流速为50cm/s时最大。     

浒苔对NH+4-N与NO-3-N吸收的相互作用

在国内首次研究了大型海洋绿潮藻浒苔(Ulva prolifera)对NH4+-N与NO 3--N两种氮源的选择吸收作用。结果表明:当两种氮源等浓度比例存在时,随着NH4+-N与NO3--N浓度升高,藻体对NH4+-N的吸收速率逐渐升高,而对NO3--N吸收受到抑制;当NO3--N和NH 4+-N高浓度比存在时,藻体对NH4-N的吸收速率随着NO3--N/NH4+-N比例的升高和NH4-N浓度的下降而降低;当NO3--N和NH4+-N低浓度比存在时,藻体对NH+4-N保持较高的吸收速率,而对NO3--N的吸收效率随着NO3--N浓度的降低而降低;浒苔具有同时利用水体中较高浓度的NH+4-N和NO3--N的能力,只有当NH4+-N或NO3--N浓度较低时,才以吸收相对应的氮源为主。这说明浒苔能够快速、大量地吸收水体中氮源,为爆发性增殖贮备物质条件。同时,即便两种氮源同时存在,浒苔对NH+4-N的吸收速率也远高于对NO3--N的吸收速率,因此,控制NH4+-N的大量输入仍是预防浒苔绿潮爆发的关键。     

Nutrients (organic C, P, N, Si) in the eutrophic River Loire (France) and its estuary

The Loire estuary has been surveyed from 1982 to 1985 by 13 isochronous longitudinal profiles realized at low tide. Nutrient (SiO₂, NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, PO³⁻₄, particulate organic carbon or POC) patterns are very variable depending on the season, the estuarine section [river, upper-inner estuary, upstream of the fresh-water-saline-water interphase FSI, the lower-inner estuary characterized by the high turbidity zone (HTZ), the outer estuary] and the river discharge. Biological processes are dominant. In the eutrophied River Loire (summer pigment > 100 μg l⁻¹), the high algal productivity (algal POC > 3 mg l⁻¹) results in severe depletion of SiO₂, PO₄³⁻, NO₃⁻. The enormous biomass (55 000 ton algal POC/year) is degraded in the HTZ where bacterial activity is intense. As a result, there is generally a regeneration of dissolved SiO₂ and PO₄³⁻, a marked NH₄⁺ maximum, while NO₃⁻ is conservative or depleted when the HTZ is nearly anoxic. Other processes can be considered including pollution from fertilizer plans (PO₄³⁻, NH₄⁺) and from a hydrothermal power plant (NH₄⁺). In the less turbid outer estuary, nutrients are generally conservative. Major variations of concentrations are observed in the lowest chlorinity section (Cl⁻ < 1 g kg⁻) and also upstream the FSI, defined here as a 100% increase in Cl⁻. Nutrient inputs to the ocean are not significantly modified for SiO₂ and NO₂⁻, but are increased by 70% and 180% for PO₄³⁻ and NH₄⁺ and depleted by 60% for POC. Odd hydrological events, especially some floods, may perturbate or even mask the usual seasonal pattern observed in profiles.     

动物蛋白酶解物与无机氮、磷源的组合对小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)生长和生化指标的影响

采用三因素不完全正交设计方法,通过对细胞密度、干重、叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量的测定.确定了N、P源与蛋白酶解物之间的最佳组合,研究碳酸氢铵作为N源、磷酸二氢钠作为P源与动物蛋白酶解物之间的组合对小球藻生长和生化指标的影响.结果表明:(1)动物蛋白酶解物与N、P源间存在互作效应--影响小球藻细胞密度、叶绿素的主要因素分别是P浓度、蛋白酶解物浓度;而N浓度及蛋白酶解物浓度同时对小球藻的蛋白质含量起主要作用;(2)同时添加N 50mg/L、P 4mg/L、蛋白酶解物12ml/L能显著提高小球藻生物量,促进叶绿素和藻体蛋白质的合成(P<0.05).     

The influence of macronitrogen (NO3- and NH4+) addition with Ulva pertusa on dissolved inorganic carbon system

The influence of macronitrogen (NO - 3 and NH + 4 ) addition with Ulva pertusa on dissolved inorganic carbon system in seawater was studied. The results indicate that p(CO 2 ) and HCO 3 concentration decrease significantly, while pH and CO 2- 3 concentration increase significantly. When the concentration of NO 3 was less than 71 μmol/dm 3 or NH + 4 was less than 49.7 μmol/dm 3 , dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) absorption rates by Ulva pertusa generally increased with the increasing of nitrogen concentration. The DIC decreased 151 μmol/dm 3 with the addition of 71 μmol/dm 3 NO 3 and decreased 232 μmol/dm 3 with the addition of 49.7 μmol/dm 3 NH + 4 after the experiment compared with DIC measured without nitrogen addition. A significant negative-correlation was found between c(DIC) and growth rate (μ) of Ulva pertusa (r = -0.91, P <0.000 1, n=11). NH + 4 had more influence on the species of inorganic carbon system than NO 3 .     

Impact of a flood event on benthic and pelagic coupling in a sub-tropical east Australian estuary (Brunswick)

We examined the impact of a 1:3 year return period flood on benthic and pelagic coupling in the river-dominated sub-tropical Brunswick Estuary. The flood had a significant impact on the study site flushing it with freshwater, reducing the flushing time 0.6 days, increasing nutrient concentrations in the water column and scouring the sediment surface. In the three weeks post-flood the benthic and pelagic systems alternated between being coupled and un-coupled via dissolved, particulate and living material pathways. Immediately post-flood benthic and pelagic coupling via the deposition of phyto-detritus and viable algal cells was reduced due to the scouring of the top sediment layers, and benthic respiration and productivity and NH₄⁺ effluxes all decreased correspondingly. In contrast, benthic and pelagic coupling was enhanced via the uptake and denitrification of NO₃⁻ due to elevated NO₃⁻ concentrations in the water column. Some of the NO₃⁻ consumed by the sediments may have also been converted to DON. Two weeks post-flood benthic and pelagic coupling was significantly enhanced via the deposition of phyto-detritus and viable algal cells associated with a phytoplankton bloom in the water column. This increased supply of phyto-detritus and viable algal cells rapidly increased benthic respiration and productivity and NH₄⁺ efflux. The depletion of water column DIN by the phytoplankton bloom resulted in a de-coupling of the benthic and pelagic systems via the uptake and denitrification of NO₃⁻. However, benthic and pelagic coupling was enhanced via the uptake of NH₄⁺ by benthic microalgae. Three weeks post-flood the phytoplankton bloom had collapsed and the coupling between the benthic and pelagic systems via the deposition of phyto-detritus and living algal cells had diminished. Again benthic and pelagic coupling was enhanced via the uptake and denitrification of NO₃⁻ due to elevated NO₃⁻ concentrations in the water column associated with the recycling of bloom material. Overall the sediments became less heterotrophic (increasing benthic productivity/respiration ratio) following the flood. Floods can cause rapid and complex changes in the coupling between benthic and pelagic systems in sub-tropical estuaries.