Urbanised beaches of the Ligurian coastal area (NW Mediterranean): A classification based on organic-matter characteristics and hydrolytic enzymatic activities

The beaches of Liguria have been intensively affected by human activities for over a century, transforming nearly the entire coastline from natural to urbanised and significantly upsetting beach ecological properties. The present study aims to investigate 9 Ligurian beaches characterised by different degree of urbanisation, to test if and to what extent the organic-matter (OM) recycling processes can be linked to the human activity. Swash zone sediment, sampled during the spring–summer–autumn period, when the anthropogenic influence is at its maximum due to tourism, was analysed for OM features and recycling processes. Multivariate statistical analyses showed that huge amounts of detrital OM accumulated in the more urbanised sites, where the anthropogenic influence was at its peak, deriving from higher inhabitant number and density, from the presence of crowded roads very near to the swash zone and sewage treatment plants. The presence of torrent outlets on the beaches provided further OM accumulation. Lipids, carbohydrates and degraded autotrophic pigments were the OM fractions mainly responsible of the differentiation, and rather constant, high labile phosphorus contents were found in the more urbanised sites. The high activity values of the hydrolytic enzymes indicate the response of the microbial system to the OM accumulation in the urban sites. However, a decoupling of the trends of some enzymatic activities (namely glucosidase and lipase) and their target OM was observed in the highly urbanised conditions.     

Lipid biomarker composition in surface sediments from the Carlsberg Ridge near the Tianxiu Hydrothermal Field

Hydrothermal venting has a profound effect on the chemical and biological properties of local and distal seawater and sediments. In this study, lipid biomarkers were analyzed to examine the potential influence of hydrothermal activity on the fate of organic matter(OM) in surface sediments around Tianxiu Hydrothermal Field in the Carlsberg Ridge(CR), Northwest Indian Ocean. By comparing the biomarker distributions of the samples with that of other typical hydrothermal sediments in the mid ocean ridge, it is shown that the location of the samples is not affected by the hydrothermal activity. The relatively low abundances of terrestrial n-alkyl lipids and riverine1,15-C32 diol suggested a minor contribution of terrigenous OM to the study area. The bacteria contributed predominantly to sedimentary marine OM; however, other marine source organisms, e.g., eukaryotes(i.e.,phytoplankton and fungi) could not be completely neglected. The marine-originated biomarkers showed significantly variable distributions between the two sediments, suggesting different dynamic physical and biogeochemical processes controlling the fate of marine OM. This study identified various diagnostic biomarkers(5,5-diethyl alkanes, diols and β-OH FAs), which may have significant environmental implications for future works in this region.     

Long-term response of an arctic fiord system to lead-zinc mining and submarine disposal of mine waste (Maarmorilik, West Greenland)

Contamination by lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was studied in seawater, sediments, seaweeds and blue mussels near the former Black Angel Pb-Zn Mine in Maarmorilik, West Greenland. The mine operated during the period 1973-90 when mine waste (tailings and later waste rock) was discharged directly into the sea. Metal concentrations peaked during the mining period and Pb and Zn in seawater within the discharge area were measured up to 440 and 790 μg L?1, respectively. Pb in fiord sediments, seaweeds and blue mussels just outside the discharge area were measured in concentrations up to 190, 84 and 2650 and Zn up to 300, 360 and 1190 μg g?1 dry wt., respectively. Within the discharge area, seawater metal concentrations (especially Pb) decreased abruptly after mine closure. Metals concentrations in sediments and biota, however, decreased more slowly and two decades after mine closure seaweeds and blue mussels were still contaminated 12 km from the mine.     

东海颗粒碳的垂直转移过程

在１９９３年和１９９４年两个航次中，利用震动式取样从东海陆架取得３个柱状岩芯样品。对其进行了ＰＯＣ，ＰＩＣ，ＰＯＮ含量和粒度分析，并同其上覆水体的ＰＯＣ，ＰＩＣ以及总颗粒物的垂直通量和悬浮体作了比较。     

长江口邻近海域溶解氧的时空分布及影响因素研究

基于2018年早春和夏季长江口邻近海域的调查数据,分析溶解氧(DO)的时空分布,并讨论其影响因素.结果表明,夏季DO浓度变化范围为1.58～9.37 mg/L,浮游生物光合作用产生的DO是夏季表层水体过饱和的主要因素;夏季调查海域受台湾暖流北上引起海水层化加强,同时水体富营养化导致表层生物大量繁殖所引起有机碎屑的沉降和耗氧分解作用是底层低氧区存在的主要因素.夏季在台湾暖流影响下底层水体表观耗氧量(AOU)与营养盐成正相关关系,底层有机物耗氧降解过程与营养盐的再生密切相关.早春DO浓度变化范围为7.90～10.1 mg/L,长江口外北部海域和浙江近岸海域海水混合均匀,DO浓度主要受温度控制,而台湾暖流影响区海水出现层化现象,其低DO含量也为低氧区的形成奠定了基础.     

乳山湾的污染与异养微生物的调查分析

于1985年5—10月定期采取了乳山湾内和岸边养虾池的水样及底泥进行了异养微生物的分析。菌数的平均值池内高于湾内,其最高值和水中COD的最高值同时出现在养虾旺季的8月份。在湾泥和池泥中的硫酸盐还原菌数均高达10~6个/克以上,与同期内硫化物的最高含量(326mgS/kg)相一致。并发现病原性弧菌也广泛存生。异养菌种群的组成,假单胞杆菌占有最大的比值,反映出该水域为污染类型。上述结果表明该湾的水质条件已远超出国家渔业水质标准,呈现高度的有机物污染状态,其污染源与湾边周围开展大面积的养虾有关。     

Microbial biomass response to different quantities and sources of organic matter in Brazilian coastal sediments

This study investigates the benthic microbial responses to organic matter (OM) variations in quantity and sources in two shallow water bays (Fortaleza and Ubatuba Bays) on the SE coast of Brazil on six occasions during the year. The pelagic and benthic compartments of the bays were evaluated by: (i) nutrients and chlorophyll a (Chl a) in the water column; (ii) quantity and sources of OM in the sediment (Chl a, total organic carbon and total nitrogen and lipid biomarker composition); and (iii) microbial biomass in sediments as an indicator of active benthic response. Although there were changes in water‐column nutrients during the year, Chl a was fairly constant, suggesting a regular supply of microalgae‐derived OM to the sea bottom. Based on the composition of lipid biomarkers in sediments, OM sources were classified as mostly marine and with high contributions of labile (microalgae‐derived) OM. Labile OM composition varied from diatoms in the summer to phytoflagellates in the winter and tended to accumulate in areas protected by physical disturbances in one of the bays. Microbial biomass followed this trend and was 160% higher in protected than in exposed areas. This study suggests that the coupling between labile OM and benthic microbial biomass occurs primarily in protected areas, irrespective of the time of the year. Since meio‐ and macrofaunal assemblages depend upon secondary microbial production within the sediments, this coupling may have an important role for the benthic food‐web.     

The fate of terrestrial organic matter in two Scottish sea lochs

Sea lochs are zones of rapid organic matter (OM) turnover. Most of this OM is of allochthonous origin, being introduced into the lochs via freshwater input. In this study the behaviour of terrestrially derived OM was elucidated using a combination of parameters which indicate OM diagenesis in the near surface sediments from two Scottish sea lochs, Loch Creran and Loch Etive. Alkaline CuO oxidation was used to determine lignin phenols which serve as biomarkers for terrestrial OM in sediments. Stable carbon isotope, total carbon and nitrogen and total OM (including the labile and refractory fractions) compositions were also determined.     

Distribution of green algal mats throughout shallow soft bottoms of the Swedish Skagerrak archipelago in relation to nutrient sources and wave exposure

Distribution and biomass of green algal mats were studied in marine shallow (0–1 m) soft-bottom areas on the Swedish west coast from 1994 to 1996, by combining aerial photography surveys with ground truth sampling. Filamentous green algae, dominated by species of the genera Cladophora and Enteromorpha, were generally present throughout the study area during July and August, and largely absent in late April and early May. These algae occurred at 60 to 90% of the locations investigated during the summer, and were estimated to cover between 30 and 50% of the total area of shallow soft bottoms of the Swedish Skagerrak archipelago. The distributional patterns were similar during the three years of the investigation and appeared unrelated to annual local nutrient inputs from point sources and river discharge. We postulate that the apparent lack of such a relationship is due to an altered state of nutrient dynamics throughout the archipelago. Mechanisms are likely to involve long-term, diffuse elevations in nutrient levels in coastal waters of the Skagerrak and the Kattegat over several decades leading to current eutrophic conditions, exceeding nutrient requirements for abundant filamentous algal growth. Patterns of algal abundance in our study were largely related to physical factors such as exposure to wind, waves and water exchange under conditions where nutrient loads among embayments seemed to be unlimited. Further, our results show that sediments covered by algal mats had higher carbon and nitrogen contents than unvegetated sediments. We hypothesise that sustained high nutrient loads, manifested in extensive biomass of filamentous algae during summer months, are re-mineralised via decay and sedimentation in the benthic realm. Hence, accumulated carbon and nutrients in the sediment could, in turn, constitute the basic pool for future algal mat production overlying soft bottoms in areas where tidal exchange is limited.     

海南岛三亚港现代沉积速率的研究

对１９８８年所采集的海南岛三亚港６个沉积柱样作了沉积结构及＾２１０Ｐｂ放射性分析。结果表明，三亚港潮汐通道及航道上，沉积物主要为细颗粒的粉砂、粘土，沉积速率为０．９１－１．２４ｃｍ／ａ，近年来砂质物的输入，反映了疏浚等人类活动对该区的影响；外港浅滩砂洲区的沉积速率小于０．４ｃｍ／ａ；潮汐通道中过剩＾２１０Ｐｂ总量亦明显大于港口的其它区域。     

春、夏季惠州市海水环境质量及其有机污染评价

为加强惠州市海洋生态环境保护工作,并为其提供科学依据,文章利用2016年春季和夏季惠州市海洋环境综合调查数据,选取溶解氧、化学需氧量、无机氮和活性磷酸盐4个环境因子,分析其近岸海域和海洋基本功能区的海水环境质量,并评价海水有机污染状况。研究结果表明:春季近岸海域海水环境质量优于夏季,无机氮和活性磷酸盐为主要超标因子;港口航运区海水环境质量良好,其他功能区均有环境因子超标现象;近岸海域受到有机污染,旅游休闲娱乐区在2个季节均受到有机污染;海水环境尚未对海洋生物产生影响。     

Distribution of surface-active substances in the northern Adriatic Sea

Spatial distribution and seasonal variability of surfactant activity (SA) of seawater were studied in the northern Adriatic Sea and compared to the temperature and salinity patterns in the 2-year period from February 1998 to January 2000, based on monthly surveys. Surface-active substances (SAS) were determined with alternating current voltammetry (in-phase mode) using o-nitrophenol as an electrochemical probe. A general characteristic of the SA seasonal variability for the northern Adriatic is the sinusoidal change of SA within the period of 1 year; similar behaviour was observed for the seasonal variations of temperature. Maximum SA values appeared during the summer period, while minimum SA values were measured in winter, during the period of well-mixed water layers and lower phytoplankton production. In May and October, the highest SA values were obtained in the upper seawater layer, which was ascribed to the influence of high inflow of nutrient-rich Po River freshwater. Riverine inputs indirectly favour autochthonous production processes, which result in increased concentration of organic matter (OM), particularly surface-active substances.     

大亚湾石化区第2条排污管线排污口海域生态环境质量研究

2018年12月8日和15日对大亚湾石化区第2条排污管线排污口海域进行了采样调查,分析了排污口海域海水、沉积物中的污染因子含量,并采用单因子污染指数法进行评价。研究表明,该海域海水中富营养化因子污染水平较低,重金属污染较严重,主要原因是大亚湾海域海水中重金属背景值较高。沉积物中各污染因子均属于低污染水平,主要的重金属污染因子为铬、铅和锌。第2条排污管线投入使用以来,对周边海域的影响尚在较小范围内。     

Nutrient dynamics at the sediment-water interface in a Mediterranean lagoon (Thau, France): influence of biodeposition by shellfish farming activities

The Thau Lagoon, a French Mediterranean shallow lagoon, is a site where extensive shellfish farming occurs. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the role of this activity on nutrient exchange at the sediment-water interface in relation to organic matter (OM) sedimentation and degradation. Two stations inside (C5) and outside (C4) of the shellfish farming areas were sampled at three seasons. Porewater chemistry surveys and calculated diffusive fluxes were used to evaluate the trophic status of the Thau lagoon. Quantitative (Particulate Organic Carbon) as well as qualitative OM (Hydrogen Index, Carbohydrates) analyses were performed on sediments to assess OM characteristics. Results emphasized that surficial sediments at C5 are always more enriched in OM. Porewater nutrient concentrations are 10-20 times higher at C5 than at C4. In June 2003, the porewater profiles exhibit a sharp gradient at the bottom waters, indicating a hypereutrophic status, leading to an anoxic crisis.     

A two-dimensional particle tracking model for pollution dispersion in A Coruña and Vigo Rias (NW Spain)

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model coupled to a particle tracking model is applied to study the dispersion processes and residence time in two Galician rias (A Coruña and Vigo, NW Spain) under summer conditions. In A Coruña a long residence time was found in the harbour area due to the existence of a dock, and a short one in the river area. On the contrary, in Vigo, the residence time is smaller in the harbour area, due to the Rande Strait, beyond which the river effect is negligible.     

Methane in the Sevastopol coastal area, Black Sea

Concentrations of dissolved methane in seawater and bottom sediments, as well as of methane emanating from gas seeps were measured at 18 stations including several small bays in the Sevastopol coastal area (Black Sea) during 2007–2008. Methane concentrations in surface waters ranged from 10 to 2,970 nmol l^?1, and correlated well with values recorded for sediments. Methane concentrations in the water column were influenced by water depth, as well as by air and water temperatures. In the spring and summer of 2008, in situ CH₄ saturation relative to air was in the range of 970–71,900%. Maximum saturation was in summer. CH₄ fluxes to the atmosphere from the Sevastopol coastal area were estimated to vary from 190 to 1,550 μmol m^?2 day^?1. Gas bubbles escaping from the seepages contained about 57 vol% methane. Radiocarbon dating of the methane revealed an age not exceeding 150 years, implying a biogenic origin.     

末次盛冰期以来南海北部神狐海域沉积有机质的组成特征及其古气候/环境意义

通过对两根沉积柱GHE27L和GHE24L的总有机碳（TOC）、总氮（TN）、C/N比值及稳定碳同位素（δ13C_org）的分析,本文探讨了21.1 ka BP以来南海北部陆坡神狐海域沉积有机质的组成特征及可能的古气候/环境信息。沉积柱GHE27L的TOC含量、TN含量、C/N比值及δ13C_org值分别为0.53%~1.81%,0.07%~0.18%,8.2~16.0和-23.6‰~-20.3‰。沉积柱GHE24L各参数则分布为0.45%~1.65%,0.09%~0.24%,5.3~12.2和-22.6‰~-20.4‰。沉积柱总体有机质的剖面变化显示,末次盛冰期以来南海北部沉积有机质具有海洋和陆地混合来源,但以海洋有机质来源为主。冰期陆源有机质对总有机质的相对贡献比全新世高。末次盛冰期南海北部气候相对干旱,C₄植被发育。全新世夏季风增强、降雨增多。自2.0 ka BP以来,人类活动对南海北部海洋初级生产力产生一定的影响。     

湄洲湾北部海底地貌特征研究与分析

为对湄洲湾北部海底地形地貌特征及其影响因素进行系统的研究,作者利用多波束系统对湄洲湾北部海底地形进行探测,结合研究区内沉积物及潮流特征,对该区域海底地貌特征及其成因进行分析。研究区呈现中部低、南北高的地形格局,其中中部深水区又为近岸深、中间浅的特征,中轴为潮汐水道,水道两侧发育浅滩的海底地貌特征。研究区沉积物组分以砂和粉砂为主,由于研究区大部分表层沉积物中细粒沉积物占主要组分,沉积物具有较强的黏性,而实测资料显示潮流流速较小,因此研究区在常态水动力条件下,海底沉积物很难被冲刷,海底地形变化受潮流影响较小。通过将2012年与2013年研究区的调查结果进行对比发现,研究区海底地形整体变化不大,个别区域地形起伏变化较大,据推测可能是由于人为的挖沙、港口疏浚等因素造成的。因此,短期内影响研究区海底地形变化的主要因素为人为因素。     

Organic matter features, degradation and remineralisation at two coastal sites in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) differently influenced by anthropogenic forcing

Organic matter (OM) features, degradation and remineralisation were studied in the seawater of a natural coastal site (Marine Protected Area of Portofino) and at an urbanised coastal site (Quarto, Genoa city) of the Ligurian Sea. The accumulation of low trophic value OM and the persistence of phytoplanktonic biomass throughout the year were observed only at the urbanised site. Efficient OM degradation and remineralisation via high-activity (two times higher than at the Portofino site) hydrolytic enzymatic activities (alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase) were recorded. This active degradation indicated a generally good resistance of the Quarto system to environmental pressures (coastal inputs and anthropogenic influence). However, the high potential release of recycled inorganic nutrients and the favourable environmental conditions (i.e. higher seawater temperature at the Quarto site and allochthonous inputs), could encourage unpredictable development of the autotrophic fraction, including an already observed dystrophic blooming of toxic microalgae.     

福建罗源湾海水悬浮物的研究

于1986年11月－1987年9月对福建罗源湾海水悬浮的含量的观测结果表明，水动力条件引起的再悬浮过程和生物活分别是罗源湾冬季和夏季悬浮物分布及性质变化的主要影响因素。底部沉积物的再悬浮对水体营养盐的再生和补充及有机碎屑的提供起重要的作用，夏季颗粒有机碳的学降能量一般占水柱浮游植物初级生产量的67－85％，大部分初级生产的有机碳沉降海底。