Short-Term Benthic Recolonization after Dredging in the Harbour of Ceuta, North Africa

Abstract. The benthic recovery after dredging (area: 2625 m²) was studied in a polluted and enclosed area of the harbour of Ceuta, in which the recolonization through the water column (larvae and adult bedload transport) could be limited by the lack of renewal. The benthos was sampled at two sites (control and dredged) using a van Veen grab and adopting a BACI (Before, After, Control, Impacted) approach. Five samplings were conducted after dredging (3, 15, 30, 90, 180 days). The proportion of gravel in the sediment of the dredged site increased after dredging, while the organic matter decreased. The impact on the community was estimated at species level, using both univariate and multivariate analyses. The maximum negative effect on benthic macrofauna was a reduction by 65% for species richness (15 days after dredging) and by 75% for abundance (3 days after dredging). Between 15 and 30 days after dredging, the abundance of some species such as the molluscs Parvicardium exiguum and Retusa obtusa and the polychaete Pseudomalacoceros tridentata increased considerably in the dredged site, while typical ‘opportunistic’ species such as Capitella capitata were disfavoured by the disturbance. For this small‐scale dredging, about 6 months are required for the disturbed area to re‐establish a sediment structure and a macrobenthic community similar to the undisturbed area. Small‐patch dredging operations are proposed in harbour management whenever possible, since they allow a quick re‐adjustment of the initial sediment structure and benthic communities.     

North Pacific Subtropical Mode Waters Observed in Long XBT Cross Sections along 32.5°N Line

The S/V Shoyo, of the Hydrographic Department, Japan Coast Guard, has conducted high-density expendable bathythermograph (XBT) measurements along the 32.5°N line in the North Pacific every year from 1990 to 1993 as a part of the Japanese-World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE). These XBT data are analyzed here, focusing on year-to-year variations of the inventory and core layer temperature (CLT) of the North Pacific subtropical mode water (NPSTMW). Large year-to-year changes are found in the NPSTMW CLTs estimated in longitudes between 140°E and 160°E. CLT values were found of 17.4°C in 1990, 17.1°C in 1991, 17.3°C in 1992 and 17.6°C in 1993. Inspection of the wintertime westerlies over the formation area and sea surface temperature distribution revealed that this change in CLT can be qualitatively attributed to the strength of atmospheric cooling in the formation area in the previous winter. Although a large year-to-year variation of NPSTMW inventory was also found, it is hard to state any relationship between CLT and atmospheric forcing. There is a possibility that different observational seasons may affect the inventory. It has also been found that the thermocline depth in 1991 was shallower in the sea area east of 180° than in 1992 and 1993. Associated with this change, the North Pacific central mode water (NPCMW), characterized by thermostad with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 11°C, appears in the sea area east of 180° in the 1992 and 1993 cross sections. The 1993 cross section, which ranged from the Japanese coast to the west coast of North America, possessed another thermostad in the surface layer, with a temperature of about 17°C in the eastern part of the cross section, off California. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

南海中部和冲绳海槽沉积物中的氨基酸物质

本文通过对南海中部和冲绳海槽三个深海沉积物柱状样腐植物质水解氨基酸的研究,试图阐述南海和冲绳海槽沉积物的演化与沉积环境。     

晚新生代洛川典型风尘堆积序列的延伸

对中国黄土标准剖面———洛川黄土剖面之下的上新世红黏土进行了沉积特征和磁性地层学的研究,结果表明洛川红黏土堆积于约2.6~3.2 MaBP期间,从而确定世界惟一的黄土类地质公园的风尘开始堆积的年代约为3.2 MaBP。古气候替代性指标磁化率和粒度的分析表明,洛川风尘堆积序列记录了上新世到第四纪古气候的重大转型。     

The Spatial Distribution of Caprellidea (Crustacea: Amphipoda): A Stress Bioindicator in Ceuta (North Africa, Gibraltar Area)

Abstract. The caprellid (Crustacea: Amphipoda) community associated with the alga Cystoseira usneoides (L.) Roberts 1967 was studied on a spatial scale in relation to the influence of environmental factors on the coast of Ceuta (North Africa) using multivariate analyses. Twenty-two stations were sampled and five environmental factors were tested (hydrodynamics, silting, suspended organic matter, organic matter in silt and suspended solids). The spatial distribution of the caprellid community reflected the physico-chemical conditions of the coast. Phtisica marina Slabber 1769 was the only species present at the stations of the harbour of Ceuta, characterised by the lowest values of hydrodynamics and the highest values of silting, suspended organic matter and suspended solids. The most exposed stations (high hydrodynamics and low values of silting, dissolved organic matter and suspension solids) were mainly dominated by Caprella danilevskii Czerniavskii 1868 and C. penantis Leach 1814. These two species have developed a "parallel" posture that enables them to attach strongly to the substratum and thus inhabit areas subjected to heavy exposure or strong currents. Caprella acanthifera Leach 1814 and Pseudoprotella phasma (Montagu 1804) preferred stations characterised by moderate values of silting and suspended solids, such as those located in the coastal areas in front of the city of Ceuta, but these species were not found at the most stressed harbour stations.     

A Stable Carbon Isotope Study of the Food-web in a Freshwater-deprived South African Estuary, with Particular Emphasis on the Ichthyofauna

The importance of macrophytes as food sources for estuarine nekton is unclear. Previous carbon isotope investigations in the macrophyte-dominated, freshwater-deprived Kariega Estuary showed that the bivalveSolen cylindraceusdid not utilize the dominant estuarine macrophytes found within the estuary as a primary food source. This finding prompted questions as to what the nekton of this estuary utilize as primary energy sources. δ¹³C analyses of the principal autochthonous and allochthonous primary carbon sources, as well as the dominant invertebrate and fish species, indicate that there are two main carbon pathways within the Kariega Estuary. The littoral community, which incorporates the majority of crustaceans, gobies, mullet and a sparid, utilizes δ¹³C enriched primary food sources namelySpartina maritima,Zosteracapensis and epiphytes. The channel fauna, which includes the zooplankton, zooplanktivorous and piscivorous fish, utilizes a primary food source depleted in δ¹³C, which is most likely a mixture of phytoplankton, terrestrial plant debris and C₄macrophyte detritus. The C₃saltmarsh macrophytesSarcocornia perennisandChenolea diffusa, as well as benthic microalgae, appear to be less important as primary food sources to the nekton of the Kariega Estuary.     

南海中部海域障碍层特征及其形成机制

南海中部海域(10°~19°N,108°~122°E)存在显著的季节变化的障碍层.障碍层发生概率夏季最大(52.8%),秋季次之(41.0%),春季最小(10.5%).夏季(2000年8~9月)障碍层最显著,平均厚度约为14.2m;除114°E以东、吕宋岛以西海域为障碍层的多发区外,中南半岛东南海域(12°~14°N,110°~114°E)也存在显著的障碍层;春季(1998年4~6月)和秋季(1998年12月)障碍层平均厚度分别为6.8和11.2m,障碍层多位于114°E以东、吕宋岛以西海域.此外,吕宋岛以西海域(12°~16°N,116°~120°E)及中沙和西沙群岛附近(16°~18°N,110°~116°E)海域障碍层年发生几率超过20%,相对而言,其他海域障碍层年发生几率偏小.降水机制和层结机制分别是南海中部海域春、夏季和秋季障碍层形成的主要原因.其中,降水机制及东南向的Ekman平流较好的解释了春、夏季吕宋岛以西附近海域成为障碍层多发区的原因;此外,强降水是夏季中南半岛东南海域(12°~14°N,110°~114°E)障碍层产生的关键,反气旋涡(暖涡)有助于形成更强的障碍层,上升流对障碍层的影响有待进一步研究.     

长江口南支潮流的一个数值模拟

为了能够精确地拟合天然水域不规则的水陆边界,并能保持有限差分数值计算在矩形网格中进行,本文利用Thompson的数值网格生成技术,在长江口南支七丫口至横沙河段设计了一个椭圆型边界拟合坐标系,并在这个坐标系下建立了平面二维潮流数学模型。通过数值求解此数学模型,实现了计算区域内现状潮流的一个数值模拟,模拟结果表明,模式的设计是成功的。     

海山铁锰结壳基岩岩石学特征及其生长关系

为了研究海山铁锰结壳基岩类型与结壳壳层生长的关系。对麦哲伦海山及中太平洋海山区取得的铁锰结壳及其基岩样品在电子显微镜下进行了观察和研究。结果表明，上述2个区域基岩岩石类型主要有玄武岩，火山熔岩，火山碎屑岩，硅质岩和碳酸盐岩，其中麦哲伦海山玄武岩为块状构造，中太平洋海山玄武岩则主要为气孔-杏仁状构造，多发生蚀变或完全蚀变，硅质岩颗粒物质主要是硅藻，碳酸盐岩则以晶质灰岩为主，结壳壳层厚度在各类基岩类型上都有变化，以在玄武岩和碳酸盐岩上变化最大。     

天津港南部海区水体富营养化水平评价

根据2006年3月和7月的调查数据,对天津港南部海区海水的营养水平及动态变化进行了评价。考虑到水质状况和水体营养水平是水体中多项指标分析评价的综合结果.本文先通过单项指标评价法和营养指数法进行评价。然后又通过集对分析方法,选择化学需氧量(COD)、无机磷(DIP)、无机氮(DIN)、叶绿素a(Ch1—a)等作为评价指标,对该区海水富营养化水平进行了综合评价。评价结果表明集对分析方法更能反映海水的实际富营养化状况,计算结果显示天津港南部海域两期调查中除21,26.27和29站位在7月呈富营养化状态其余站位海水均在中营养(Ⅳ)及以下水平状况,未达到富营养化水平,水质状况较好。