Nutrient (N,P and Si) and carbon partitioning in the stratified NW Mediterranean

The distribution of nutrients and carbon in the different pools present in the three functional layers (the upper, biogenic layer, the thermocline layer, and the deeper, biolythic layer) of the stratified NW Mediterranean Sea was examined. The stoichiometry between dissolved inorganic nutrients, which had low concentrations in the surface waters, indicated a deficiency in nitrogen, relative to phosphorus, and an excess nitrogen relative to phosphorus within the thermocline, as well as a general silicate deficiency relative to both N and P, even extending to the biolythic layer. The dissolved organic matter was highly depleted in N and, particularly, in P relative to C, with average DOC/DON ratios >60 and DOC/DOP ratios >1500 in all three layers. The particulate pool was also depleted in N and P relative to C, particularly in the biolythic layer. The concentration of biogenic silica was low relative to C, N and P, indicating that diatoms were unlikely to contribute a significant fraction of the seston biomass. Most (>80%) of the organic carbon was present as dissolved organic carbon. Total organic N and P comprised 50–80% of the N and P pool in the biogenic layer, and decreased with depth to represent 10–25% of these nutrient pools in the biolythic layer. The high total N:P ratios in all three depth layers (N/P ratio >20) indicated an overall phosphorus deficiency in the system. The high P depletion of the dissolved organic matter must derive from a very rapid recycling of the P-rich molecules within DOM, and the increasing C/N ratio of DOM with depth indicates that N is also recycled faster than C in the DOM. Because of the uniform depth distribution of the total dissolved nitrogen concentration, the increase in the percent inorganic N and the decline in the percent dissolved organic N with depth indicates that there must be biological transformations between these pools, with a dominance of DON production in surface waters and remineralisation in the underlying layers, from which dissolved inorganic nitrogen is supplied back to the biogenic layer. Downward fluxes of DON and DOC were estimated at 200–250 μmol N m⁻² d⁻¹ and 1.4–2.1 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively, while there should be little or no export of P as dissolved organic matter. The downward DON flux exceeded the diffusive DIN supply of about 145 μmol N m⁻² d⁻¹ to the biogenic layer, suggesting that allochthonous N inputs must be important in the region.     

Basin-To-Basin and Year-To-Year Variation of Temperature and Salinity Characteristics in the East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Analysis of CTD data from four CREAMS expeditions carried out in summers of 1993–1996 produces distinct T-S relationships for the western and eastern Japan Basin, the Ulleung Basin and the Yamato Basin. T-S characteristics are mainly determined by salinity as it changes its horizontal pattern in three layers, which are divided by isotherms of 5°C and 1°C; upper warm water, intermediate water and deep cold water. Upper warm water is most saline in the Ulleung Basin and the Yamato Basin. Salinity of intermediate water is the highest in the eastern Japan Basin. Deep cold water has the highest salinity in the Japan Basin. T-S curves in the western Japan Basin are characterized by a salinity jump around 1.2–1.4°C in the T-S plane, which was previously found off the east coast of Korea associated with the East Sea Intermediate Water (Cho and Kim, 1994). T-S curves for the Japan Basin undergo a large year-to-year variation for water warmer than 0.6°C, which occupies upper 400 m. It is postulated that the year-to-year variation in the Japan Basin is caused by convective overturning in winter. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Facies character and depositional architecture of hydrothermal travertine slope aprons (Pleistocene,Acquasanta Terme,Central Italy)

Hydrothermal travertines develop various depositional geometries, from tabular to high-relief mounds or aprons with steep slopes, under the control of local topography, location and geometry of the vents, fault activity, hydrology, water physico-chemical properties, rates of thermal water flow and carbonate precipitation rates. This study focuses on two Pleistocene, tens of metres thick, travertine slope aprons accumulated on fluvial terraces in the Tronto River Valley (Acquasanta Terme, Central Italy) to investigate their facies character, geochemical signature, porosity and evolution of the depositional geometry through time.The two travertine aprons consist of four aggradational-progradational units, vertically and laterally stacked with onlap and downlap stratal terminations, separated by erosional unconformities produced by events of non-deposition and erosion, due to temporary interruptions of vent activity, shifts of the vent location and/or deviation of the flow directions. The travertine units include various depositional environments: 1) smooth slope, 2) terraced slope with metre-scale sub-horizontal pools separated by rounded rims and vertical walls, and 3) sub-horizontal, tens of metres wide ponds. Smooth slope clinoforms are made of centimetre to decimetre thick layers of crystalline dendrite cementstone, laminated boundstone and radial coated grain grainstone, precipitated by fast-flowing water on inclined substrates. Rims and walls of terraced slopes are built by crystalline dendrites and laminated boundstone. Sub-horizontal layers of terrace pools and ponds consist of facies precipitated by slow-flowing to standing water (clotted peloidal micrite dendrite, coated bubble boundstone, raft rudstone) associated with radial coated grains and laminated boundstone. Carbonate coated reeds occur in distal ponds adjacent to toe of slopes or overlie packstone/rudstone with travertine intraclasts and substrate extraclasts, marking events of subaerial exposure and erosion. Travertine facies porosity and permeability range from 4 to 21% and 0.03 to 669 mD, respectively, showing no direct correlation. Stable isotope values (δ¹³C: 5.7–9.3‰; δ¹⁸O −9.6‰ to −12.2‰) are similar to other travertines precipitated by thermal water in Central Italy.This study identifies the centimetre-scale travertine facies variability linking it to the environment of deposition and to the depositional geometry of travertine units affected by the substrate topography and lateral shifts of the active springs. Despite the different scale and facies composition, the geometry of aggradational-progradational units of travertine aprons might resemble marine flat-topped high-relief carbonate platforms. Travertine units in the subsurface, if present with sizes that can be seismically resolved, might be wrongly interpreted as carbonate platforms with steep slopes without a detailed facies analysis.     

On the necessity of creating a series of oceanographic climatic research atlases (SOCRAT)

In this paper, an integration method is proposed for a system of ocean dynamics equations (3DPEM) for creating a series of atlases with the joint title SOCRAT so that circulation in lower ocean layers can be adjusted to circulation in upper layers, avoiding smoothing of the intensity in upper layers caused by long integration or poor resolution. Specific simulations are presented, which were carried out by the author with a group of colleagues. These results conserve the realistic features of circulation thanks to the short integration period and high resolution. It is shown that due to long integration and/or simulation with rough resolution, simulations lose the main feature of ocean dynamics: intense alongshore currents; as a result, a nonexistant stable physical state uncharacteristic of an ocean is imposed.     

Isothermal,mixed, and barrier layers in the subtropical and tropical Atlantic Ocean during the ARAMIS experiment

The ARAMIS project (Altimétrie sur un Rail Atlantique et Mesures In Situ) provides a long term survey (2002–2008) for thermohaline structures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Here, these data are used to address questions regarding the existence and formation of barrier layers. The analysis presented which uses different criteria to calculate isothermal layer depth and mixed layer depth, shows the sensitivity of different methods to a variety of variables. A 0.5 °C criterion for the isothermal layer and its equivalent in density change for the mixed layer are found to be the most adaptable due to their robustness. Barrier layers observed with ARAMIS data sets are in good agreement with climatologies and in-situ Argo floats along the route. Three systems of barrier layers are observed during the voyages. Their variability and formation as described in previous works concerned with the tropical Atlantic are analyzed. Different processes such as subduction, frontal activity, and precipitation are needed to explain their presence.     

中国拟鸡冠菜属的一个新种

对1958年4月采自西沙群岛永兴岛的红翎菜科麒麟菜族标本AST 58-4195号、AST 58—4154A号和AST 58-4158号进行切片与染色的分类研究。将其与该科中相近的麒麟菜属、琼枝藻属和卡帕藻属的不同种一起，进行了营养体的外部形态和内部构造，尤其是囊果的形态与切面特征的详细比较、研究和鉴定。结果表明，这些标本是我国目前尚未报道的红翎菜科拟鸡冠菜属的一个新种：具花拟鸡冠菜Meristiella florigia sp．nov．。     

Ontogenetic Shifts in Resource Use and Shoaling Tendency Related to Body Size in Red Sea Goatfish (Parupeneus forsskali, Mullidae)

Abstract. Red Sea goatfish show marked behavioral differences related to body size in food searching, substrate use, and shoaling tendency. While smaller fish mainly use their barbels to search for food hidden in the upper sediment layers or in crevices of corals, the largest fish frequently burrow with their mouths in deeper layers of the sediment. The conspecific shoaling tendency decreases with increasing size. Only smaller-sized fish are found in mixed-species shoals. The data are discussed with regard to the relations between ontogenetic changes in body size, resource utilization, and socialization patterns.     

嫁■消化系统的组织学研究

利用光学显微镜研究了嫁(Cellana toreuma(Reeve))消化系统的组织结构。嫁的消化系统由消化道(口区、食道、嗉囊、胃、肠、直肠、肛门)和消化腺(食道腺、肝胰腺)组成。口中具有齿舌和颚片,分别通过发达的肌肉与软骨相连;食道中部膨大成食道腺;胃和肠非常长。消化道壁由黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层和外膜构成,黏膜上皮主要为单层柱状上皮细胞,肌层主要为环肌。胃壁和肠壁非常薄,黏膜下层和外膜均不发达。肝胰腺由无数肝小叶组成,每一肝小叶由位于基膜上的单层腺细胞和胚细胞组成。     

Tectonics of an extinct ridge-transform intersection,Drake Passage (Antarctica)

New swath bathymetric, multichannel seismic and magnetic data reveal the complexity of the intersection between the extinct West Scotia Ridge (WSR) and the Shackleton Fracture Zone (SFZ), a first-order NW-SE trending high-relief ridge cutting across the Drake Passage. The SFZ is composed of shallow, ridge segments and depressions, largely parallel to the fracture zone with an `en echelon' pattern in plan view. These features are bounded by tectonic lineaments, interpreted as faults. The axial valley of the spreading center intersects the fracture zone in a complex area of deformation, where N120° E lineaments and E–W faults anastomose on both sides of the intersection. The fracture zone developed within an extensional regime, which facilitated the formation of oceanic transverse ridges parallel to the fracture zone and depressions attributed to pull-apart basins, bounded by normal and strike-slip faults.On the multichannel seismic (MCS) profiles, the igneous crust is well stratified, with numerous discontinuous high-amplitude reflectors and many irregular diffractions at the top, and a thicker layer below. The latter has sparse and weak reflectors, although it locally contains strong, dipping reflections. A bright, slightly undulating reflector observed below the spreading center axial valley at about 0.75 s (twt) depth in the igneous crust is interpreted as an indication of the relict axial magma chamber. Deep, high-amplitude subhorizontal and slightly dipping reflections are observed between 1.8 and 3.2 s (twt) below sea floor, but are preferentially located at about 2.8–3.0 s (twt) depth. Where these reflections are more continuous they may represent the Mohorovicic seismic discontinuity. More locally, short (2–3 km long), very high-amplitude reflections observed at 3.6 and 4.3 s (twt) depth below sea floor are attributed to an interlayered upper mantle transition zone. The MCS profiles also show a pattern of regularly spaced, steep-inclined reflectors, which cut across layers 2 and 3 of the oceanic crust. These reflectors are attributed to deformation under a transpressional regime that developed along the SFZ, shortly after spreading ceased at the WSR. Magnetic anomalies 5 to 5 E may be confidently identified on the flanks of the WSR. Our spreading model assumes slow rates (ca. 10–20 mm/yr), with slight asymmetries favoring the southeastern flank between 5C and 5, and the northwestern flank between 5 and extinction. The spreading rate asymmetry means that accretion was slower during formation of the steeper, shallower, southeastern flank than of the northwestern flank.     

Diagenetic model of the Bajo Barreal formation (Cretaceous) in the southwestern flank of the Golfo de San Jorge Basin (Patagonia, Argentina)

This paper analyses the diagenetic evolution of sandstones belonging to the Bajo Barreal Formation (Cretaceous) in the Golfo de San Jorge Basin (Patagonia, Argentina). The Bajo Barreal Formation includes the main reservoirs, which are located along the western area of the basin and is composed of sandstones, conglomerates, mudstones, tuffaceous mudstones and some layers of tuffs. The principal reservoirs comprise medium-to coarse-grained sandstones, which are dominated by feldspathic litharenites and contain minor amounts of litharenites and lithic arkoses. The authigenic minerals include kaolinite, smectite, chlorite, quartz overgrowths, microquartz and calcite, with minor proportions of megaquartz, siderite, analcime, laumontite, feldspar overgrowths and illite/smectite and chlorite/smectite mixed layers. Secondary porosity is much more important than primary porosity and is produced by the dissolution of feldspar, lithic clasts and clay cements. The diagenetic history of the Bajo Barreal sandstones can be divided into seven diagenetic stages, each of which is characterized by a specific assemblage of authigenic minerals and diagenetic processes. Eogenetic conditions occur in stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. Stage 1 corresponds to shallow burial characterized by the physical reduction of primary porosity by compaction; during stage 2, rim clay cements of chlorite, smectite and clinoptilolite, as well as thin quartz overgrowths, were formed. The precipitation of pore-filling cements of kaolinite, chlorite and smectite occurred during stage 3, while stage 4 records the intense dissolution of feldspar, lithic fragments and kaolinite cements. Mesogenesis occurs in diagenetic stages 5 and 6. The former corresponds to a new phase of authigenic kaolinite, while the latter records the significant dissolution of feldspar, lithic clasts and previous cements, which produced the highest values of secondary porosity. Finally, stage 7 corresponds to the highest degree of diagenesis in the Bajo Barreal Formation (mesogenesis), which resulted in the precipitation of cements of zeolites and calcite, as well as quartz and plagioclase overgrowths.     

Off-shore seismological experiments south of Provence in relation to “Glomar Challenger” deep sea drillings (JOIDES-DSDP,Leg 13)

The evaporitic layer located at 35 km south of Toulon, according to compressional-wave velocity measured in samples from JOIDES-DSDP Leg 13 drillings in the Mediterranean Sea, could be constituted by gypsum or anhydrite, halite having been deposited in the most central parts of the basin. These deductions are in favour of the supposed “bull's eye” structure for evaporitic layers in the Mediterranean Sea.     

胶州湾有毒藻华形成种里氏金色藻(Chrysochromulina leadbeateri)的分类学研究

利用光学显微镜和透射电镜对从青岛胶州湾海水样品中分离的一种微型鞭毛藻进行了超微结构和分类学研究。结果表明,该藻为里氏金色藻(Chrysochromulina leadbeateri Estep,Davis,Hargraveset Sieburth)。其特征为:细胞呈球形,直径4—6μm,两条鞭毛略不等长,分别为8—10μm和12—16μm。一条定鞭能够卷曲,完全伸展后约20—30μm。细胞外被两层不同类型的圆形鳞片,都具十字形中央。外层鳞片表面有放射状细纹,内层鳞片在周边环上有25—30个穿孔。细胞一般有两个色素体,每个色素体内有一个包埋的蛋白核。里氏金色藻曾在挪威沿岸形成大规模有毒藻华,并引起养殖鱼类大量死亡。该种为我国的新记录种。     

Changes in the pattern of water masses resulting from a poleward slope current in the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay)

From September to December 1995, three hydrographic surveys were carried out in the eastern Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay). Changes in the water masses pattern were examined to study the variability and main energetic features in the area. At the beginning of December, an intense Poleward Current (PC), which had come from Portuguese slopes, entered the eastern Cantabrian Sea. This current was the most energetic event in this area in winter. The PC waters increased temperature by about 2 °C (subsurface layers) and salinity by 0.2 (surface layers) in the pattern of water masses in the eastern Cantabrian Sea in winter. The core current was approximately 10 km width and 120 m depth and the water transport, estimated from geostrophic current profiles, was of about 1.3 Sv.A well-defined wavelike front with two significant ridges in the western and eastern sampling area, was observed. The variability and meandering flow of the PC were driven by dominantly baroclinic instabilities, which are due to strong vertical velocity shear. In this synoptic-scale system, the potential vorticity advection, the differential vorticity advection, and the geopotential tendency have shown to be the cause of the ageostrophic motion and the main baroclinic disturbances.One important consequence of the entrance of the PC in the eastern Cantabrian Sea was the profound effect on the pattern of nutrients. The current-induced stratification pattern drives the distribution of nutrients in the different layers and the instabilities and meandering pattern of the PC was an important mechanism of fertilisation offshore.     

Fe–Mn-(hydr)oxide-carbonate crusts from the Kebrit Deep,Red Sea: Precipitation at the seawater/brine redoxcline

Lithified crusts located within the sediment and recovered from the Kebrit Deep (Red Sea) are composed of Fe- and Mn-(hydr)oxides, carbonates, and sulfides. Mineralogical and geochemical features of these crusts suggest that they are metalliferous layers lithified by carbonates and formed in the narrow band where the transition zone between the anoxic brine and deep seawater crossed the seafloor. Carbonates cementing the Fe–Mn-(hydr)oxides precipitated from normal saline seawater at T = 20–30 °C. Precipitation of Fe–Mn-(hydr)oxides was superimposed the carbonate precipitation in the transition zone. A pumping mechanism involving cyclic Fe- and Mn-(hydr)oxide precipitation/redissolution operated through the transition zone and produced an enrichment of a number of elements in the crusts. The microbiota played an important role in the geochemical cycle of the elements through the redoxcline and in the mineralogy of the sediments underlying the redoxcline waters. Diagenetic processes led to formation of bi- and ternary carbonates, and disulfides.     

Mesozooplankton spatial distribution and community structure in the South Adriatic Sea during two winters (2015, 2016)

Whereas the data on mesozooplankton in the epipelagic offshore Mediterranean Sea are extensive, less information is available about plankton in the deeper layers. The present study aims to describe the vertical and horizontal structure and distribution of mesozooplankton species and their associations down to 1,200 m in the water of the Southern Adriatic Sea. Zooplankton were sampled using a Nansen net of 200‐μm mesh size during two cruises in the winters of 2015 and 2016, extending from the coast to the open sea. In total, 203 zooplankton taxa were identified. The community was dominated by copepods, representing between 67% and 91% of the total abundance. The highest total densities were recorded in the upper layers where a high proportion (up to 36%) of appendicularians was also observed in the first sampled year. Five groups of samples were determined based on their community structure. In 2015 communities were distinct between the 0 and 50 m layer and the underlying one (50–100 m), whereas in 2016 epipelagic waters were inhabited by a more uniform mesozooplankton community. The mesopelagic and deep‐water fauna, especially copepods, showed a relatively stable composition in both sampling years Overall, our study confirms the oligotrophic character of the Southern Adriatic, with occasional density outbreaks of appendicularians under favourable conditions.     

Bioconstructional features of the coral Cladocora caespitosa (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

The Mediterranean endemic Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767) is a colonial scleractinian coral belonging to the family Faviidae and the only zooxanthellate coral from Mediterranean whose colonies may fuse in reef‐like structures (hermatypic). Recent surveys are focused on three locations where banks occur in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia): near Prvi? Island in the northern Adriatic, near Pag Island in the central Adriatic and in Veliko jezero (Mljet National Park) in the southern Adriatic. The C. caespitosa bank in Veliko jezero covers an area more than 650 m² and is thus the largest bank of C. caespitosa found to date. The strong sea currents, which occur as a result of tidal exchange in the channel, appear to favour the growth of the bank. The goal of the study was to present the influence of major environmental factors upon the build‐up process of the coral bank. Biometrical parameters in the C. caespitosa colonies like diameter of the calyces, polyp ash free dry weight (AFDW), corallite linear growth rate and index of sphericity were investigated and compared from these three locations. The morphology of coral banks from the Adriatic Sea and the disposition of the biometrical values are affected by the sea currents, temperature and sedimentation.     

Characterisation of choline esterases and their tissue and subcellular distribution in mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Acetylcholinesterase in mussel is potentially a useful biomarker of exposure to organophosphates (OP) in the marine environment. This study looked at cholinesterase activity in subcellular fractions of various tissues from the common mussel, Mytilus edulis. Measurement of enzyme rates demonstrated that although highest specific activity was found in foot 'mitochondrial' fraction, recovery of activity was very low. Gill 'microsomal' fraction had the second highest specific activity with a useful level of recovery and therefore was the most suitable tissue fraction for biomarker applications. Comparative studies of alternative alkylthiocholine substrates and competitive inhibitors suggest there is a single cholinesterase enzyme type present in this fraction. Inhibition of alkylcholine hydrolysis by BW284C51, specific to acetylcholinesterase in vertebrates, showed that cholinesterase activity in gill 'microsomal' fraction is inhibited by this compound but to a lesser extent than in vertebrate AChE. Inhibition of cholinesterase activity by azamethiphos in gill 'microsomal' fraction gave an IC50 of approximately 100 microM and showed both time and concentration dependence. However this indicates a lower potency compared to other animals and it is debatable whether mussel cholinesterase activity is useful as a biomarker of exposure in the field.     

Re-identifying Grateloupia yangjiangensis (Rhodophyta, Halymeniaceae) based on morphological observations, life history and rbcL sequence analyses

On the basis of morphological observations, life history and molecular phylogeny, Grateloupia yangjiangensis, which is similar to G. filicina, G. orientalis, G. catenata, and G. ramosissima in appearance, was re-examined. The results are as follows:(1) the auxiliary-cell ampullae of G. yangjiangensis were of Grateloupia type, thalli was fleshy and gelatinous in texture, and the erect axes were compressed; the cortex was 0.25–0.30 mm thick, consisting of five to seven outer layers, and there were five inner layers of triangular or stellate cells;(2) there was no filamentous stage in the development of the carpospores;(3) the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene(rbcL) sequence of four G. yangjiangensis examined showed that there was no intergeneric divergence among them, and for the phylogenetic tree, four sequences of G. yangjiangensis formed a single monophyletic subclade within the large Grateloupia clade of Halymeniaceae. In conclusion, G. yangjiangensis was a single species within the genus Grateloupia. This research provided criterion for identification and cultivation of G. yangjiangensis.     

Morphology of a Pre-collisional, Salt-bearing, Accretionary Complex: The Mediterranean Ridge (Eastern Mediterranean)

The Eastern Mediterranean Sea is a remnant of a deep Mesozoic oceanic basin, now almost totally consumed as a result of long-term plate convergence between Eurasia and Africa. The present-day surface morphology of the Eastern Mediterranean relates both to the early history of formation of the deep basins and the recent geodynamic interactions between interfering microplates. Among the most conspicuous morphologic features of the basin is an arc-shape, elongated and wide, bathymetric swell bisecting the entire basin from the Ionian to Levantine areas, known as the Mediterranean Ridge. During the last decade this tectono-sedimentary accretionary prism, which results from the Hellenic subduction, has been intensively surveyed by swath mapping, multichannel seismic profiling and deep dives. We present here, and briefly discuss, the main morphological characteristics of this feature as derived from swath bathymetric data that considerably help to better assess the lateral and north–south morphostructural variability of the Mediterranean Ridge. This study reveals that the characteristics and morphostructural variability of the Mediterranean Ridge are related to: (1) a specific incipient collision geodynamic setting south of Crete, where the African and Aegean continental margins are nearly in contact, (2) a unique regional kinematics, controlled by frontal convergence south of Crete (central Mediterranean Ridge) and oblique subduction with opposite sense of shear for the western (Ionian) and eastern (Levantine) domains of the Mediterranean Ridge, that explain the lateral variations of deformation and (3) particularities of its sedimentary cover, which includes massive salt layers within the outer Mediterranean Ridge and local salt deposits within the inner domains, that control the north–south morphostructural variability of the sedimentary wedge.