Meiofauna of the deep Eastern Mediterranean Sea: distribution and abundance in relation to bacterial biomass, organic matter composition and other environmental factors

Quantitative information on the abundance and biomass of metazoan meiofauna was obtained from samples collected at 15 deep-sea stations in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (533–2400m). Meiofaunal abundance was compared to bacterial biomass and other environmental factors such as the total sedimentary organic matter content, the concentrations of the main biochemical classes of organic compounds (i.e. proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) and to ATP. To estimate the sedimentation potential of primary organic matter, sediment bound chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE) were assayed. Meiofaunal density was very low ranging from 4 ind.10cm⁻² (Station A4, 1658m depth) to 290 ind.10cm⁻² (Station A12, 636m depth). Nematodes were the numerically dominant taxon (68% of total meiofauna) and were usually confined to the top 6cm of the sediments. Total meiofaunal biomass ranged from 2.78μgC 10cm⁻² (Station A4) to 598.34μgC 10cm⁻² (Station 15A). There was a significant decrease in the density of metazoan meiofauna with water depth. Bacterial biomass largely dominated the total biomass (as the sum of bacterial and meiofaunal biomass) with an average of 73.2% and accounted for 35.8% of the living biomass (as ATP carbon) whereas meiofaunal biomass accounted only for 6.56%. Bacterial biomass was significantly related to the DNA concentrations of the sediment. A significant correlation between ATP concentration and CPE content was also found. No correlations were found between meiofauna, ATP and CPE, or between meiofauna and bacterial parameters. The significant relationship between meiofaunal density and the ratio of labile organic matter/total organic matter indicates that deep-sea meiofauna inhabiting an extremely oligotrophic environment (such as the Eastern Mediterranean) may be more nutritionally dependent upon the quality than on the quantity of sedimentary organic matter.     

利用大地水准面起伏模拟琉球海沟洋坡岩石圈的挠曲

利用大地水准面起伏模拟琉球海沟南、中、北段岩石圈的挠曲,经非线性最小二乘拟合,得到琉球海沟洋坡各段岩石圈的有效弹性厚度(T4)。模拟结果表明,琉球海沟洋坡的T4中段小,南北段大;南北段相比,南段小,北段大;与其他海沟相比琉球海沟洋坡的T4非常小。不同的Te值表明俯冲板片与岛孤之间不同的耦合程度,为进一步研究西太平洋边缘沟一弧一盆体系的动力学问题提供了新的视角。     

Meiofauna of the western continental shelf of India,Arabian Sea

Meiofaunal standing stock and nematode community structure were investigated in the western continental shelf of India by collecting samples from every degree square of the shelf during two cruises of the FORV (Fishery and Oceanographic Research Vessel) Sagar Sampada, conducted in 1998 and 2001. Samples were collected from 30, 50, 100 and 200 m depths using a Smith Mc Intyre grab. Meiofaunal density ranged from 8 Ind. 10 cm⁻² to 1208 Ind. 10 cm⁻² and biomass from 0.07 mg 10 cm⁻² to 6.11 mg 10 cm⁻². Nematodes were the dominant meiofaunal group, contributing 88% of the density and 44% of the biomass. Harpacticoid copepods were the second important taxa, contributing 8% of both biomass and density. Altogether, 154 species of nematodes belonging to 28 families were recorded from the study area. Numerically, Desmodora spp., Dorylaimopsis sp., Tricoma spp., Theristus spp. and Halalaimus spp. were the dominant species. In general, there was a decrease in biomass and density of meiofauna and species diversity of nematodes with increase in depth. There was a 67% drop in species number from 51 to 100 m (106 species) to the shelf edge (35 species). Species richness and diversity indices showed consistent decrease with depth. The species dominance index was higher below 150 m depth. ANOSIM (from PRIMER) showed a significant difference between the nematodes of the near shore and shelf edge. Latitudinal variation was observed only in the number of nematode species. Biomass and abundance of nematodes were found to increase from coarse to fine sediment, while copepods showed an opposite trend. Multivariate analyses of nematode communities did not reveal any latitudinal or substratum differences. Variables such as depth, latitude, organic matter (OM) and amount of clay were the most relevant parameters influencing the biomass and density of meiofauna, while depth and temperature were the important parameters explaining the distribution of the nematode communities along the western Indian shelf.     

Size partitioning of microbial and meiobenthic biomass and respiration on Brown's Bank, south-west Nova Scotia

Biomass and respiration (oxygen consumption) of bacteria, microfauna, and meiofauna were measured in coarse sand sediment from Brown's Bank (172 m) off Nova Scotia, Canada. Community biomass, excluding macrofauna, had a median value of 35 mg C m⁻², dominated by bacteria (51%), microfauna (25%), and a minor meiofauna component (2·5%). Protozoan microfauna were mostly microflagellates (colourless cryptomonads). The experimental design allowed partitioning of benthic metabolism without using subtraction from whole community rates. Addition-removal experiments with fauna separated into size categories were used to construct a respiration-biomass regression for all taxa. Respiration rates for faunal groups were then calculated from their biomass in the natural sediment. Total microbial and meiofaunal community respiration had a median rate of 0·55 ml O₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ which was partitioned into median proportions of bacteria (50%) microflagellates (27%), and metazoan meiofauna (4%). Correlations among faunal biomass values from incubated vials of sediment suggested that bacteria were important prey for protozoans. With added biomass of meiofauna, protozoans also became a potentially important source of prey. The results demonstrated the significance of microflagellate protozoans in these sediments and their metabolic and trophic importance relative to meiofauna and even bacteria.     

南大西洋洋中脊调查区小型底栖生物丰度和生物量研究

“大洋一号”调查船于2011年5—6月在南大西洋中脊14°S附近进行了7个站位的小型底栖生物采样。共鉴定出小型底栖生物10个类群。小型底栖生物平均丰度为(60.63±54.77) ind/10 cm²,平均干重生物量为(9.42±8.92) μg/10 cm²。线虫是其中的优势类群,丰度为(47.42±47.99)ind/10 cm²,占总丰度的78.21%,另外,肉鞭动物和桡足类分别占总丰度的16.63%和3.91%。生物量前3位的类群依次为桡足类、线虫和肉鞭动物。小型底栖生物密度随沉积物深度增加而减少,约73.55%的生物丰度分布在0～2 cm层内。个体大小方面,有75.32%的小型底栖生物粒径处于32～125 μm范围内。     

Preliminary study on community structures of meiofauna in the middle and eastern Chukchi Sea

Sediment core samples were collected from 17 stations in the middle and eastern Chukchi Sea during the sixth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition(CHINARE-Arctic) in summer 2014.The samples were analyzed for composition,abundance,biomass,vertical distribution,size spectra,and ecological indexes of meiofauna.A total of 14 meiofauna taxa were detected,and the free-living marine nematodes comprised the most dominant taxon,accounting for 97.21% of the average abundance.The abundance and biomass of meiofauna were within ranges of(218.12±85.83)-(7 239.38±1 557.15) ind./(10 cm~2) and(130.28±52.17)-(3 309.56±1 751.80) μg/(10 cm~2),with average values of(2 391.90±1 966.19) ind./(10 cm~2) and(1 549.73±2 042.85) μg/(10 cm~2)(according to dry weight)respectively.Furthermore,91.26% of the individuals were distributed in the top layer of 0-5 cm of surface sediment,and 90.84% had sizes of 32-250 μm.Group diversity index of meiofauna in the survey area was low,and the variation of abundance was the main difference in meiofauna communities among all stations.Abundance and biomass of meiofauna were not significantly correlated with environmental factors except concentration of nutrient Si in bottom seawater.Abundance of meiofauna in shallow water of marginal seas in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean is likely at a same level and higher than that in most of China sea areas,suggesting that the shallow water of the summer Chukchi Sea is a continental shelf area with rich resources of meiofauna.The Chukchi Sea is important for studying the ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean and environmental responses.However,studies on meiofauna in the Chukchi Sea are still not enough,and in the future,natural and human disturbances may increase due to global warming,the Arctic channel opening,and other factors.Thus,more studies on meiofauna should be required,in order to know more about how the Arctic benthic community would alter.     

辽河口邻近海域小型底栖生物的空间分布及季节变化

本文研究了辽河口邻近海域2013年8月、10月和2014年5月3个航次小型底栖生物的种类及其空间分布,分析了小型底栖生物丰度和生物量的季节变化。结果表明,3个航次（夏季、秋季和春季）小型底栖生物的平均丰度分别为（264±83） ind/（10 cm2）、（216±85） ind/（10 cm2）和（227±67） ind/（10 cm2）,平均生物量分别为（272±125）μg/（10 cm2）、（207±89）μg/（10 cm2）和（244±103）μg/（10 cm2）。与其他研究海域相比,辽河口小型底栖的丰度和生物量处于较低水平。共鉴定出了14个小型生物类群,按照丰度排序,线虫是最优势的类群,夏季、秋季和春季3个航次占总丰度的比例分别为94.0%、92.5%和90.8%;其他优势类群为多毛类、桡足类和双壳类。小型底栖生物量的优势类群则为多毛类（41.1%~44.0%）,高于线虫（33.8%~36.5%）,其次是双壳类（2.6%~6.7%）。水平分布的研究表明,调查海域近岸入海口小型底栖生物的丰度和生物量普遍低于近海海域,但是秋季时近岸分布与近海差距不大。垂直分布的研究表明,95.9%的小型底栖生物分布于0~5 cm的表层沉积物中。小型底栖生物的丰度和生物量在夏季时都达到高峰值。与环境因子的相关分析表明,小型底栖生物的数量分布与盐度和水深呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,与叶绿素a呈显著正相关（P<0.05）。     

Organic waste impact of capture-based Atlantic bluefin tuna aquaculture at an exposed site in the Mediterranean Sea

A variety of pelagic and benthic parameters were measured at an aquaculture farm used for the fattening of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) which is located at an exposed site (700 m from the coast, average bottom depth of 45 m and average current speed of 6 cm s⁻¹) in the Mediterranean Sea. The objective was to test whether modern off-shore tuna fattening industries can exert a sustainable organic waste impact on the receiving environment as has been reported for the offshore culture of more traditional Mediterranean species such as sparids. In the water column, the concentration of phytopigments, organic matter, heterotrophic bacteria and the taxonomic abundance of mesozooplankton (at the species level) were assessed. In the sediment, we assessed the concentration of reduced sulphur pools, phytopigments, organic matter, heterotrophic bacteria and the taxonomic abundance of meiofauna (at the taxa level) and nematodes (at the genus level). For most parameters, we found no substantial differences between farm and control sites. Deviations of farm values from control values, when they occurred, were small and did not indicate any significant impact on either the pelagic and benthic environment. Deviations were more apparent in the benthic compartment where lower redox potential values, higher bacterial production rates and a change in nematode genus composition pointed out to early changes in the sediment's metabolism. In addition, indigenous potential pathogenic bacteria showed higher concentration at the fish farm stations and were a warning of an undesirable event that may become established following aquaculture practice in oligotrophic environments. The overall data from this study provide extensive experimental evidence to support the sustainability of modern offshore farming technology in minimizing the hypertrophic-dystrophic risks associated with the rapidly-expanding tuna-fattening industry in the Mediterranean Sea.     

Dynamics of heterotrophic dinoflagellates off the Pearl River Estuary,northern South China Sea

Variations in abundance, biomass, vertical profile and cell size of heterotrophic dinoflagellates (HDFs) between summer and winter and its controlling factors were studied in the northern South China Sea (SCS). It was found that HDF abundance and carbon biomass were 4–102 × 10³ cells L⁻¹ and 0.34–12.3 mg C L⁻¹ in winter (February 2004), respectively, while they were 2–142 × 10³ cells L⁻¹ and 0.22–31.4 μg C L⁻¹ in summer (July, 2004), respectively, in the northern SCS. HDF abundance and carbon biomass decreased from the estuary to inshore and then offshore. Vertical profiles of HDF abundance were heterogeneous, which accorded well with that of chlorophyll a (Chl.a). Higher abundance of HDFs was often observed at a depth of 30–70 m offshore waters, matching well with the Chl.a maximum, while it showed high abundance at the surface in some coastal and estuary stations. Small HDFs (≤20 μm) dominated the assemblage in term of abundance accounting for more than 90%. However, large HDFs (>20 μm) generally contributed equally in terms of carbon biomass, accounting for 47% on average. HDFs showed different variation patterns for the different study regions; in the estuarine and continental shelf regions, abundance and biomass values were higher in summer than those in winter, while it was the reverse pattern for the slope waters. Hydrological factors (e.g. water mass, river outflow, monsoon and eddies) associated with biological factors, especially the size-fractionated Chl.a, seemed to play an important role in regulating HDF distribution and variations in the northern South China Sea.     

胶州湾小型底栖生物的丰度和生物量

1995年 5月— 1 996年 1月 ,在胶州湾北部软底水域进行每 2月一次的调查。结果表明 ,小型底栖生物的年平均丰度为 1 .51× 1 0 6ind/m2 ,最高值出现在 95B1和 95B2站 ,分别为 2 .73× 1 0 6 和 2 .75× 1 0 6ind/m2 ,最低值出现在 95B3站 ,数量为 0 .46× 1 0 6ind/m2 。小型底栖生物的年平均生物量为 1 .32 g/m2 (干重 )。皮尔逊相关分析表明 ,小型生物的数量与以碳和氮表示的浮游植物的生物量呈负相关 ,相关系数分别为 - 0 .969和 - 0 .947(P <0 .0 5)。共鉴定出 1 4个小型生物类群。自由生活的海洋线虫占总数量的 86.6% ,底栖桡足类居第 2位 ,占总数量的 5.7%。按生物量 ,海洋线虫 (35.9% )、介形类 (32 .6% )、多毛类 (1 3.7% )和桡足类 (8.3% )共同构成小型动物的优势类群 ,80 %以上的小型生物分布在 0— 2cm以浅表层内。与国内外同类研究结果进行了比较 ,并对小型生物在胶州湾生态系中的作用进行了探讨     

Nanoplanktonic assemblages in the upwelling area off Concepción (∼36°S), central Chile: Abundance, biomass, and grazing potential during the annual cycle

The structure and functioning of nanoplanktonic assemblages in coastal upwelling areas have usually been overlooked in explorations of the productivity of these areas. As part of a multidisciplinary, time-series station in the coastal area off Concepción, seasonal variations (upwelling and non-upwelling) in the abundance and biomass of these assemblages were investigated. Hydrographic measurements and biological samples were taken monthly over a 2-year period (18 August 2004-28 July 2006). Nanoflagellates dominated the total integrated abundance (3-317 × 10⁹ cells m⁻²; 0-80 m). Diatoms and dinoflagellates usually contributed to a lesser degree (<20%) but sporadically made important contributions to the total integrated nanoplankton biomass (0.02-10.6 g C m⁻²). Most of the nanoplankton was concentrated in surface waters (<30 m) during all the samplings and no seasonal differences in abundance or biomass were found in this layer, although the mean values and dispersions around them were highest during the upwelling period along with maximum integrated (0-80 m) chlorophyll-a values, as total or in the <20 μm fraction. Changes in nanoplankton abundance were significantly but weakly (r < 0.4) correlated with changes in the hydrographic variables; the highest correlation values were positive for temperature and oxygen, factors that varied with depth and date. The potential grazing rates of heterotrophic nano-predators (flagellates and dinoflagellates) on prokaryotic prey, estimated with a generic model, ranged from 3 to 242 bacterioplankton predator⁻¹ h⁻¹ and from 0.1 to 14 cyanobacteria predator⁻¹ h⁻¹. Our results imply a small impact of seasonal hydrographic variability on the abundance and biomass of nanoplanktonic assemblages and suggest that grazing by nanoheterotrophs might control the prokaryotic picoplankton populations in the upwelling area off Concepción.     

Small benthic size classes along the N.W. European Continental Margin: spatial and temporal variability in activity and biomass

In the context of the European OMEX Programme this investigation focused on gradients in the biomass and activity of the small benthic size spectrum along a transect across the Goban Spur from the outer Celtic Sea into Porcupine Abyssal Plain. The effects of food pulses (seasonal, episodic) on this part of the benthic size spectrum were investigated. Sediments sampled during eight expeditions at different seasons covering a range from 200 m to 4800 m water depth were assayed with biochemical bulk measurements: determinations of chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE), the sum of chlorophyll a and its breakdown products, provide information concerning the input of phytodetrital matter to the seafloor; phospholipids were analyzed to estimate the total biomass of small benthic organisms (including bacteria, fungi, flagellata, protozoa and small metazoan meiofauna). A new term ‘small size class biomass' (SSCB) is introduced for the biomass of the smallest size classes of sediment-inhabiting organisms; the reduction of fluorescein-di-acetate (FDA) was determined to evaluate the potential activity of ester-cleaving bacterial exoenzymes in the sediment samples.At all stations benthic biomass was predominantly composed of the small size spectrum (90% on the shelf; 97–98% in the bathyal and abyssal parts of the transect). Small size class biomass (integrated over a 10 cm sediment column) ranged from 8 g C m⁻² on the shelf to 2.1 g C m⁻² on the adjacent Porcupine Abyssal Plain, exponentially decreasing with increasing water depth. However, a correlation between water depth and SSCB, macrofauna biomass as well as metazoan meiofauna biomass exhibited a significantly flatter slope for the small size classes in comparison to the larger organisms.CPE values indicated a pronounced seasonal cycle on the shelf and upper slope with twin peaks of phytodetrital deposition in mid spring and late summer. The deeper stations seem to receive a single annual flux maximum in late summer. SSCB and heterotrophic activity are significantly correlated to the amount of sediment-bound pigments. Seasonality in pigment concentrations is clearly followed by SSCB and activity. In contrast to macro- and megafauna which integrate over larger periods (months/years), the small benthic size classes, namely bacteria and foraminifera, proved to be the most reactive potential of the benthic communities to any perturbations on short time scales (days/weeks). The small size classes, therefore, occupy a key role in early diagenetic processes.     

胶州湾大沽河口小型底栖动物分布的季节变动

Sediment samples were collected in the intertidal zone of the Dagu River Estuary, Jiaozhou Bay, China in April,July and October 2010 and February 2011 for examining seasonal dynamics of meiofaunal distribution and their relationship with environmental variables. A total of ten meiofaunal taxa were identified, including free-living marine nematodes, benthic copepods, polychaetes, oligochaetes, bivalves, ostracods, cnidarians, turbellarians,tardigrades and other animals. Free-living marine nematodes were the most dominant group in both abundance and biomass. The abundances of marine nematodes were higher in winter and spring than those in summer and autumn. Most of the meiofauna distributed in the 0–2 cm sediment layer. The abundance of meiofauna in hightidal zone was lower than those in low-tidal and mid-tidal zones. Results of correlation analysis showed that Chlorophyll a was the most important factor to influence the seasonal dynamics of the abundance, biomass of meiofauna and abundances of nematodes and copepods. CLUSTER analysis divided the meiofaunal assemblages into three groups and BIOENV results indicated that salinity, concentration of organic matter, sediment sorting coefficient and sediment median diameter were the main environmental factors influencing the meiofaunal assemblages.     

Across shore variability and trophodynamic features of meiofauna in a microtidal beach of the NW Mediterranean

The across shore variability and trophodynamics of meiofauna were studied in a microtidal beach of the Thyrrenian Sea (NW Mediterranean). Two sites were sampled at Collelungo beach (Maremma Park, Italy) subjected to different regimes of sediment erosion and deposition. At each site, four levels were sampled in November 2002 and May 2003 along a transect from the supralittoral zone to the surf zone. Sediment cores were taken down to a depth of 10 cm and meiofaunal abundance and community structure were analyzed and related to the principal trophic resources (quantity and quality of organic matter, chlorophyll a, bacteria density and biomass).Meiofaunal abundance ranged between 14 ind. 10 cm⁻² and 716 ind. 10 cm⁻² in the top 0–10 cm of sediment. Abundance was lower in the surface (0–2 cm) than in the deeper (5–10 cm) sediment layers but no significant differences were found between the two sites.Multivariate BIOENV analysis showed that dryness, grain size (related to physical processes) and bacterial biomass, were the main variables explaining meiofauna distribution in these beaches. Meiofaunal densities and number of taxa were always higher at the swash level, while lower abundances were observed at the dry sampling level (+5 m). This across shore trend was also observed for the quality of the organic matter (PRT/CHO) and bacterial densities. Nematode assemblage structure at the swash sampling level showed a dominance of non-selective deposit feeders (1B), with Xyalidae as the dominant family (56%), followed by Thoracostomopsidae (14%) and Selachnematidae (12%).According to the findings, physical and biological variables at the swash level create optimal living conditions for the meiobenthos, making the swash a key area within the beach ecosystem, with potential implications within basic and applied ecological studies.     

莱州湾和牟平近海夏季小型底栖生物群落组成及环境状况分析

为探究莱州湾和牟平近海小型底栖生物群落组成及影响因子,作者于2016年7月在这两个海域采集了沉积物样品,并结合沉积环境因子进行了小型底栖生物群落组成分析。结果表明,在莱州湾和牟平近海各仅检获了7个小型底栖生物类群,且莱州湾的小型底栖生物平均丰度和生物量均明显低于牟平近岸海域。莱州湾线虫和桡足类平均丰度分别占小型底栖生物的91.9%和6.3%,牟平近海分别占92.1%和4.2%。对两个海域小型底栖生物群落组成与环境因子进行Pearson相关性分析,结果显示:小型底栖生物丰度与底层水溶解氧含量呈显著正相关;表层小型底栖生物丰度比与沉积物中叶绿素a含量、脱镁叶绿素含量、沉积物有机质含量以及水深呈显著正相关,与中值粒径和底层水温度呈显著负相关。本研究显示,基于不同沉积物类型中的参考比值,线虫和桡足类丰度比值(N/C)可用于莱州湾和牟平近海沉积环境有机污染状况的评估。研究还发现,牟平海域的小型底栖生物丰度和生物量呈现由近岸向外海增加的异常趋势,且小型底栖生物的数量和类群多样性较十年前显著降低,显示沉积环境受到了明显干扰。     

Temporal and spatial variation in the Nazaré Canyon (Western Iberian margin): Inter-annual and canyon heterogeneity effects on meiofauna biomass and diversity

The Nazaré Canyon on the Portuguese Margin (NE Atlantic) was sampled during spring-summer for three consecutive years (2005–2007), permitting the first inter-annual study of the meiofaunal communities at the Iberian Margin at two abyssal depths (~3500 m and ~4400 m). Using new and already published data, the meiofauna standing stocks (abundance and biomass) and nematode structural and functional diversity were investigated in relation to the sediment biogeochemistry (e.g. organic carbon, nitrogen, chlorophyll a, phaeopigments) and grain size. A conspicuous increase in sand content from 2005 to 2006 and decrease of phytodetritus at both sites, suggested the occurrence of one or more physical disturbance events. Nematode standing stocks and trophic diversity decreased after these events, seemingly followed by a recovery/recolonisation period in 2007, which was strongly correlated with an increase in the quantity and bioavailability of phytodetrital organic matter supplied. Changes in meiofauna assemblages, however, also differed between stations, likely because of the contrasting hydrodynamic and food supply conditions. Higher meiofauna and nematode abundances, biomass and trophic complexity were found at the shallowest canyon station, where the quantity, quality and bioavailability of food material were higher than at the deeper site. The present results suggest that even though inter-annual variations in the sedimentary environment can regulate the meiofauna in the abyssal Nazaré Canyon, heterogeneity between sampling locations in the canyon were more pronounced.     

Epi-benthic megafaunal zonation across an oxygen minimum zone at the Indian continental margin

The Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) impinges upon the Indian continental margin at bathyal depths (150-1500 m) producing changes in ambient oxygen availability and sediment geochemistry across the seafloor. The influence of these environmental changes upon the epi-benthic megafaunal assemblage was investigated by video survey at six stations spanning the OMZ core (540 m), lower boundary (800-1100 m) and below the OMZ (2000 m), between September and November 2008. Structural changes in the megafaunal assemblage were observed across the six stations, through changes in both megafaunal abundance and lebensspuren (biogenic traces). Most megafauna were absent in the OMZ core (540 m), where the assemblage was characterised by low densities of fishes (0.02-0.03 m⁻²). In the lower OMZ boundary, megafaunal abundance peaked at 800 m, where higher densities of ophiuroids (0.20-0.44 m⁻²) and decapods (0.11-0.15 m⁻²) were present. Total abundance declined with depth between 800 and 2000 m, as the number of taxa increased. Changes in the megafaunal assemblage were predicted by changes in abundance of seven taxonomic groups, correlated to both oxygen availability and sediment organic matter quality. Lebensspuren densities were highest in the OMZ boundary (800-1100 m) but traces of large infauna (e.g., echiurans and enteropneusts) were only observed between 1100 and 2000 m station, where the influence of the OMZ was reduced. Thus, changes in the megafaunal assemblage across the Indian margin OMZ reflect the responses of specific taxa to food availability and oxygen limitation.     

Balance Between Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Components and Processes in Microbenthic Communities of Sandy Sediments: A Field Study

The microscopic community of a microtidal sandy sediment on the Swedish west coast was studiedin situat two depths (0·5 and 4 m) on four occasions (January, April, August and October). Biomass of microalgae, bacteria, ciliates and meiofauna, as well as primary and bacterial productivity, were quantified. Meiofaunal grazing on algae and bacteria was measured simultaneously by radiolabelling intact sediment cores. Autotrophic biomass dominated the microbial community at both depths and on all sampling occasions, accounting for 47–87% of the microbial biomass. Meiofauna contributed 10–47%, while bacteria and ciliates together made up less than 6%. The microflora was dominated by attached (epipsammic) diatoms, but occasional ‘ blooms ’ of motile species occurred. Vital cells of planktonic diatoms contributed to benthic algal biomass in spring. Primary productivity exceeded bacterial productivity in April and August at both depths, while the balance was reversed in October and January. Meiofauna grazed between 2 and 12% of the algal biomass per day, and between 0·3 and 37% of the bacterial biomass. Almost an order of magnitude more algal (17–138 mg C m⁻²) than bacterial (0·1–33 mg C m⁻²) carbon was grazed daily. At the shallow site, primary productivity always exceeded grazing rates on algae, whereas at the deeper site, grazing exceeded primary productivity in October and January. Bacterial productivity exceeded grazing at both depths on all four occasions. Thus, meiofaunal grazing seasonally controlled microalgal, but not bacterial, biomass. These results suggest that, during summer, only a minor fraction (<10%) of the daily microbenthic primary production appears to enter the ‘ small food web ’ through meiofauna. During spring and autumn, however, a much larger fraction (≈30–60%) of primary production may pass through meiofauna. During winter, meiofaunal grazing is a less important link in the shallow zone, but at sublittoral depths, algal productivity may be limiting, and meiofauna depend on other food sources, such as bacteria and detritus.     

长江口及邻近陆架海区夏季小型底栖动物群落结构研究

根据2006年7月13日至8月30日在长江口及邻近陆架海区采集的小型底栖动物样品,对小型底栖动物类群组成,丰度、生物量的水平分布和垂直分布以及调查海区的环境因子进行了研究。结果表明：研究海域小型底栖动物有线虫、桡足类、多毛类、寡毛类、介形类、螨类、双壳类、腹毛类、动吻类、端足类和等足类等11个类群及无节幼体等。平均丰度为453.22±355.34 ind/10 cm2,最优势类群为线虫,占小型底栖动物总丰度的81.37%,次优势类群分别为底栖桡足类和多毛类,分别占小型底栖动物总丰度的10.13%和2.96%。平均生物量为622.65±505.07 μg/10 cm2,生物量占比最高的类群为多毛类,占总生物量的30.21%,其次分别为线虫和寡毛类,分别占小型底栖动物总生物量的23.69%和19.44%。水平分布上,从河口冲淡水区到东海陆架深水区,小型底栖生物丰度呈现由低到高的变化趋势,杭州湾小型底栖动物丰度为240.96±223.47 ind/10 cm2,长江口近岸区为442.91±304.16 ind/10 cm2,东海陆架深水区为865.42±553.88 ind/10 cm2。垂直分布上,小型底栖动物主要分布在0~2 cm层,丰度为290.28±250.03 ind/10 cm2;其次是2~5 cm层,丰度为132.81±128.74 ind/10 cm2;5~10 cm层分布最少,丰度为30.14±31.91 ind/10 cm2。其中线虫、多毛类、寡毛类与桡足类等主要类群的垂直分布与总分布趋势相同。与环境因子进行相关分析表明,调查海区小型底栖动物的丰度主要与水深、盐度和溶解氧显著相关,对小型底栖动物分布影响最大的环境因子组合为溶解氧和盐度。     

Spatial variability of meiofaunal communities at areas of contrasting depth and productivity in the Aegean Sea (NE Mediterranean)

The abundance and community structure of metazoan meiofauna were studied in deep-sea sediments from the north and south Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) in summer 1997 and spring 1998. The two areas varied in their surface primary productivity with the northern area being more productive. Meiofaunal densities displayed strong spatial variability while no temporal changes were observed. Total metazoan density ranged from 128 to 1251 ind./10 cm², with significantly higher values in the north. Meiofaunal biomass ranged from 27 to 391 μgC/10 cm² with higher values also in the north. At all stations nematodes dominated the community, comprising on average more than 91% of the total abundance. On a broad scale, meiofaunal densities displayed a positive correlation with food availability (sediment-bound chloroplastic pigments, carbohydrates and lipids); carbon mineralization (an indicator of organic matter turnover) was significantly higher in the northern Aegean, providing evidence of high organic-matter input and intense benthic-pelagic coupling. The spatial structure of the nematode community indicated that the two areas were similar in terms of their dominant genera (Halalaimus, Acantholaimus, and Thalassomonhystera).