The effects of artificial ammonium enhancement on riverine periphytic diatom communities

An experiment to ascertain the influence of artificially enhanced ammonium concentrations on riverine periphytic diatom communities was conducted during an 80 day period in winter 1988/89 (temperature: 5°C). During an initial 47 day enrichment phase, ammonium chloride at different concentrations was added to O₂-saturated river water in experimental channels. Compared to a control, the addition of 1.2 mg NH ₄ ⁺ -N·l^–1 resulted in only slight changes in the species composition of the diatom community. The addition of 5.1 mg NH ₄ ⁺ -N·l^–1 and more (60 µg NH₃-N·l^–1) resulted in a decrease in the biomass and a drastic change in the species composition. After the 42 day enrichment period, the diatom speciesFragilaria capucina var.vaucheriae, Navicula saprophila, Navicula atomus andGomphonema parvulum, all of which are known to be tolerant to organic pollution, were found with relative abundances of 44.8%, 35.6%, 2.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Changes in species composition of the periphytic diatom communities occurred within the first two weeks of the subsequent recovery phase. After a month of recovery, all periphytic diatom communities exhibited a high degree of structural similarity with the control.     

Effects of heavy metals on the survival and feeding behaviour of the sandy shore scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus (Powys)

The effects of Cu, Cd, Zn and Cr on the survival and feeding behaviour of the sandy shore scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus were compared. The 96-h LC₅₀ for Cu, Cd, Zn and Cr were 0.36, 1.52, 1.76 and 36.9 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Four sublethal concentrations of each metal plus a control were prepared and the snails were exposed to experimental solutions for 96 h. Feeding behaviour was studied after the snails were starved for five days. As compared with the control, the number of individuals feeding was significantly reduced by exposure to 0.05 mg l⁻¹ Cu, 0.2 mg l⁻¹ Zn, 0.5 mg l⁻¹ Cd and 5 mg l⁻¹ Cr. The time spent feeding was greater for individuals exposed to greater concentrations of Zn and Cd but no effect was found for Cu and Cr. Chemoreception of food was studied by placing the snails at a fixed distance of 15 cm from the bait. The success rate of reaching the bait was less for individuals exposed to Cr but no effect was found for Zn, Cu or Cd. The time required for an individual to reach the bait decreased as the concentration of Zn increased. In contrast, a longer time was required for individuals exposed to Cr whereas the effect of Cd and Cu was insignificant. The potential of using feeding behaviour and chemoreception in contaminant evaluations is discussed.     

Importance of ciliated protozoa in relation to the bacterial and phytoplanktonic biomass in an oligo-mesotrophic lake,during the spring diatom bloom

The abundance and the biomass of bacterial, phytoplanktonic, and ciliate communities were estimated at different depths during the spring planktonic development in an oligo-mesotrophic lake (the Pavin lake).The bacterial population, which consists mainly of free bacteria (94% of the total bacterial abundance), displays only low cell densities (0.6 to 7 × 10⁵ cells · ml^–1) and represents low biomass values (0.9 to 11.5 µgC·l^–1) The bacteria represent from 0.9 to 23.8% (M = 9.7%) of the microplanktonic biomass (with the exclusion of heterotrophic nanoflagellates, i.e. bacteria + phytoplankton + ciliates, size range 0.2–160 µm). The abundance of the phytoplankton varies between 0.5 and 1.8 × 10⁶ cells·l^–1, and the biomass values between 12 and 118 µC·l^–1. The phytoplankton population constitutes the largest part of the microplanktonic biomass (51.9 to 96.6%, M = 80.6%), and the diatomMelosira italica subsp.subarctica is the largely dominant species of this community. The population of ciliates, essentiallyOligotrichida andScuticociliatida, displays densities between 1.3 and 38.3 × 10³ cells·l^–1 (M = 6.7 × 10³ cells·l^–1), and biomass values vary from 0.10 to 16.30 µgC·l^–1 (M = 6.01 µgC·l^–1). The ciliates constitute thus from 0.1 to 26.4% (M = 9.8%) of the microplanktonic biomass. Whereas the oligotrichs are best represented in the euphotic zone, the small-sized scuticociliates dominate in the hypolimnion. Besides, species having symbionts and considered to be mixotrophic (Strobilidium gyrans, Strombidium viride, Stokesia vernalis) develop preferentially in the epilimnion and constitute more than 50% of the total ciliate biomass.     

Hazard evaluation of lead effects using marine protozoan communities

Protozoan communities developed in laboratory microecosystems were used to evaluate the toxic effects of lead ion. The lead was added as lead acetate in different concentrations (50 g · l^–1, 20 g · l^–1, 10 g · l^–1 and 1 g · l^–1). The protozoans were taxonomically identified and classified into functional groups according to their common nutritional type. The population dynamics of protozoa has been studied. In the control the most frequent groups were bacterivore-detritivores and photosynthetics (more than 75% of abundance). Noticeable lead effects were observed after 24 hours of exposure to metal in all fractions. In general, the lead caused reductions in the number taxa, in total protozoan abundance and in protozoan biomass. The diversity values decreased in more than two nep respect to control in the different fractions. At the end of assay, the protozoan communities structure was simplified in the fractions with lead and some species of little flagellates were dominant. The information provided by this microecosystems of protozoan community was more complex than the one provided by single-species bioassays. Community protozoan bioassays may give more information about the toxic effects to compare with actual ecosystems.     

Control of primary productivity and the significance of photosynthetic bacteria in a meromictic kettle lake. Mittlerer Buchensee,West-Germany

During 1986 planktonic primary production and controlling factors were investigated in a small (A₀ = 11.8 · 10³ m², Z_max = 11.5 m) meromictic kettle lake (Mittlerer Buchensee). Annual phytoplankton productivity was estimated to ca 120 gC · m^–2 · a^–1 (1,42 tC · lake^–1 · a^–1). The marked thermal stratification of the lake led to irregular vertical distributions of chlorophylla concentrations (Chla) and, to a minor extent, of photosynthesis (A_z). Between the depths of 0 to 6 m low Chla concentrations (< 7 mg · m^–3) and comparatively high background light attenuation (k_w = 0,525 m^–1, 77% of total attenuation due to gelbstoff and abioseston) was found. As a consequence, light absorption by algae was low (mean value 17,4%) and self-shading was absent.Because of the small seasonal variation of Chla concentrations, no significant correlation between Chla and areal photosynthesis (A) was observed. Only in early summer (June–July) biomass appears to influence the vertical distribution of photosynthesis on a bigger scale. Around 8 m depth, low-light adapted algae and phototrophic bacteria formed dense layers. Due to low ambient irradiances, the contribution of these organisms to total primary productivity was small. Primary production and incident irradiance were significantly correlated with each other (r² = 0.68). Although the maximum assimilation number (P_opt) showed a clear dependence upon water temperature (Q₁₀ = 2.31), the latter was of minor importance to areal photosynthesis.     

Respiratory adaptations to oxygen lack in three species of Glossiphoniidae (Hirudinea) in Lake Esrom, Denmark

The weight-specific respiration rate (μl O₂ mg⁻¹ AFDW h⁻¹) of three species of leech from Lake Esrom, Denmark, Glossiphonia concolor, G. complanata and Helobdella stagnalis was measured in a closed stirred chamber with a micro electrode. At declining oxygen concentration (mg O₂ l⁻¹) all three species expressed moderate ability to regulate respiration, in G. concolor and G. complanata down to 2 mg O₂ l⁻¹, in H. stagnalis down to 0.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹. Survival in anoxia was measured in closed bottles. The time to 50% survival (LD₅₀) was 30 days in G. concolor at 20 °C and 30 and 4 days in H. stagnalis at 10 and 20 °C, respectively. The results were discussed in relation to habitat and spatial distribution of the three species in the lake.     

Towards a more ecologically relevant assessment of the impact of heavy metals on the photosynthesis of the seagrass, Zostera capricorni

This in situ study used photosynthetic activity (measured as chlorophyll a fluorescence) and photosynthetic pigment concentrations to assess the effect of copper, cadmium, lead and zinc on the seagrass Zostera capricorni. Custom-made portable in situ exposure (PIE) chambers were developed so seagrasses could be dosed within the meadow. Z. capricorni was exposed to 0.1 and 1 mg l⁻¹ of metal solutions for 10 h. During this time and for the subsequent four-day recovery period, the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PS II) (ΔF/Fm^′) was measured. While the results were variable, copper and zinc exposed samples had a depressed ΔF/Fm^′ during the exposure period. Samples exposed to zinc recovered to pre-exposure levels but those exposed to copper did not. Cadmium and lead did not impact on the chlorophyll a fluorescence and the chlorophyll pigment data supported these findings. This study presents an innovative new application of chlorophyll a fluorescence stress assessment.     

Effects of 4-nonylphenol exposure in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and crabs (Carcinus aestuarii) with particular emphasis on vitellogenin induction

Since it is often difficult to estimate possible adverse effects due to contamination in selected ecosystems, multi-species biomonitoring may provide more information, taking into account different routes of exposure, ecological roles and metabolic capabilities of animals. In this context, we exposed for 7 days the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the crab Carcinus aestuarii to 4-nonylphenol (NP), a well-known xenoestrogen. In mussels (0–0.2 mg NP l⁻¹), we measured NP bioaccumulation in soft tissues and vitellogenin (Vg)-like protein levels in digestive glands from both males and females by the alkali-labile phosphate assay (ALP). As no reference data were available for crab exposure, the NP 96-h LC₅₀ value was previously determined. Then, in sublethally exposed (0–1.0 mg NP l⁻¹) male crabs, NP bioaccumulation and Vg levels were measured in hemolymph, gonads and digestive gland. Bioaccumulation of NP increased from 43 to 371 μg g⁻¹ d.w. in mussels, and from 3.6 to 37 μg g⁻¹ d.w. in crabs, depending on the NP concentration in water. Dose-dependent Vg-like protein induction was observed in both species, appearing to be related to NP bioaccumulation, although a partial decrease was recorded at the highest concentration tested. A similar trend was observed in both digestive gland and gonad of exposed crabs; Vg increased to a lesser extent, although significantly, in hemolymph. Results demonstrated that NP induces Vg synthesis both in male and female mussels, as well as in male crabs. On the basis of the responsiveness of both species investigated, a multi-species approach is indicated in biomonitoring programmes.     

Effect of prolonged hypoxia on food consumption, respiration, growth and reproduction in marine scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus

The effects of prolonged exposure to reduced oxygen levels (3.0 and 1.5 mg O₂ l⁻¹) on marine scavenging gastropods Nassarius festivus were studied for 8 weeks. The percentages of individuals engaged in feeding and amount of food consumed were reduced as oxygen level decreased; absorption efficiency, however, did not vary significantly with oxygen level. Oxygen consumption rates and specific oxygen consumption rates were lower at reduced oxygen levels. Reproduction occurred at all oxygen levels with less egg capsules being produced at lower oxygen levels. Egg size and number of eggs per capsule, however, were not significantly affected by oxygen level. The increase in shell length was 12%, 6% and 5% at 6.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹ (normoxia), 3.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹ and 1.5 mg O₂ l⁻¹, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the amount of energy allocated to growth and reproduction decreased at reduced oxygen levels with values obtained at 3.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹ and 1.5 mg O₂ l⁻¹ being 48% and 70% lower than those at 6.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹. At all oxygen levels, most of the accumulated energy was allocated to shell growth and reproduction, and the amount allocated to somatic growth was relatively insignificant. The reduction in energy allocated to reproduction was greater than that to shell growth as the oxygen level was reduced, indicating a strategic energy allocation of marine scavengers under stressful conditions to enhance survival.     

A hydrobiological study to interpret the presence of desmids in Lake Zirahuén, México

Monthly collections of phytoplankton were supported by physical–chemical data and measures of chlorophyll a concentrations in the search for particular environmental factors that could explain the constant presence of desmids in a Mexican tropical lake, a characteristic not common among the phytoplanktic communities of Mexican lakes. Samplings were taken from the water column in the deepest part of the lake (40 m) and intensified in the metalimnetic zone, whose establishment was monitored by observations of temperature and oxygen profiles. The general behavior of Lake Zirahuén was typical of warm monomictic tropical lakes at high elevation: a short mixing phase during the hemispheric winter. The depth of Z_MIX and Z_eu revealed a well-illuminated epilimnion, suggesting that phytoplankton communities are not likely to be light-limited. The oligotrophic nature of the lake is indicated by discrete concentrations of inorganic nutrients, P_TOT in the interval of 0.01–0.03 mg l⁻¹ and chlorophyll a between 0.23 and 3.98 μg l⁻¹. These characteristics together with a low concentration of calcium, define a lacustrine environment different from other Mexican lakes, and one that could be suitable for desmids communities.     

Nutrient-chlorophyll trajectories across trophic gradients

We estimate the response of chl-a (mg · m^–3) to changes in concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) by calculating the slopeS = chl-a/TP in chl-a =f(TP) graphs. Results show that in years where algae are P-limited oligotrophic lakes respond less (median slope 0.21) to changes in nutrient concentrations than eutrophic lakes, (median slope 0.31) and these again less than hypereutrophic lakes, (median slope 1.02). We find no saturation value for the slope within the TP range considered (6–480 mg · m^–3). Chl-a in eutrophic lakes responds more frequently to non-nutrient factors than oligotrophic and hypereutrophic lakes. Results obtained by replacing TP with a new nutrient parameter, TP = 0.056 · TP · IN^0.226, in which inorganic nitrogen, IN, is factored in, suggest that nitrogen has an influence on chl-a in oligotrophic lakes. Blue-green algae respond less to changes in TP than other algal species, e.g., diatoms.     

Survival of crucian carp,Carassius carassius,exposed to a high low-molecular weight inorganic aluminium challenge

Crucian carp were exposed to three combinations of pH and inorganic aluminium concentrations for 25 days. Mortality, plasma chloride and haematocrit, and gill aluminium content were investigated. No mortality was observed in any of the three exposures. Crucian carp survived acidic Al-rich water (pH 5.17) with a high concentration of low-molecular weight inorganic Al species (242 µgl^–1) for 25 days. These fish had lowered plasma chloride levels and high amounts of aluminium on their gills compared to fish exposed to acidic Al-poor water (pH 5.16 and 12 µgl^–1 Al_i) and control water (pH 6.29 and 4 µgl^–1 Al_i). Haematocrit was the same in all three exposures. Because aluminium was not acutely toxic to the anoxia tolerant crucian carp, the present results give support to the hypothesis that Al polymerization with subsequent hypoxia is of high importance for the mechanism of acute Al toxicity to fish.     

The short term response to eutrophication abatement

We compare results of a new model for predicting the short term inter annual changes in chlorophyll-a (chl-a) in lakes after reductions in total phosphorus (TP) to predictions made by least squares regression models. In the new method, slopes of chl-a/TP graphs (both axes in mg · m^–3) are depicted in frequency diagrams and used to extract information on the expected, short term chl-a/TP response. The short term response for nine shallow (< 10 m deep) and nutrient rich lakes to changes in TP was found to be: Chl-a = 0.49 · TP + 17.3, and for nine deep, P-limited lakes: Chl-a = 0.08 · TP + 3.5. If the TP-reduction is known to be greater than 10 mg · m^–3, the expected slope increases to 0.58 for shallow lakes and to 0.26 for deep lakes. The slope, 0.58, is 8% lower than the slope for the long term response calculated by regression for the shallow lakes. For deep lakes the slope, 0.26, is 2 to 3 times higher than that calculated by regression, indicating that reductions in TP for deep lakes give greater effects than least squares regression equations suggest. We have also calculated the reduction in TP which will give about 80% probability that a reduction in chl-a will be observed next year. For shallow, P-limited lakes this reduction is about 30 mg · m^–3 (5% of average initial in-lake TP concentration), and for deep lakes about 14 mg · m^–3 (35% of average initial in-lake TP concentration).     

Microcosm experiments on the effect of nutrient enrichment and a soil layer on the development of freshwater plankton

We investigated the response of phytoplankton and zooplankton to experimental alteration of nitrate and phosphate levels in outdoor enclosures. Experiments were conducted in summer and winter and in the absence and presence of a layer of soil. The tubs (12 in all) except the two plain water controls were manured initially with a mixture of fresh cowdung (50g 1⁻¹), mustard oil cake (25 g l⁻¹) and poultry wastes (25 g l⁻¹; mostly excreta), prior to enrichment. Water samples were collected from the experimental tubs twice a week to measure selected physico-chemical and biological variables. Water temperature in the summer experiments ranged from 20–30 °C and during the winter experiments from 11–15 °C. The pH values ranged from 8.0 to 9.5 and the dissolved oxygen levels from 8.2–10.0 mg l⁻¹. The levels of soluble reactive phosphorus and nitrate nitrogen ranged from undetectable levels to 1800 μg l⁻¹ and 6000 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The increase in chlorophyll-a following enrichment was rapid (3–7 days) during summer, but slower in winter (7–14 days). The predominant phytoplankton species observed in the tubs belong to the genera Sphaerocystis, Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Cosmarium, Ulothrix, Zygnema, Gonium and Pandorina. The rotifer species observed were Brachionus calyciflorus, Rotaria neptunia, Lecane bulla, L. luna, L. unguitata, Euchlanis dilatata, Asplanchna intermedia, Pseudoharringia spp., Eosphora spp., Lepadella ovalis, Epiphanes brachionus, Hexarthra mira and Cephalodella gibba. The cladocerans observed were Macrothrix spp. and Alona spp.     

A fracture mechanics study of subcritical tensile cracking of quartz in wet environments

Load relaxation and cross-head displacement rate-change experiments have been used to establish log₁₀ stress intensity factor (K) versus log₁₀ crack velocity (v) diagrams for double torsion specimens, of synthetic quartz cracked on thea plane in liquid water and moist air.For crack propagation normal toz and normal tor at 20°C,K _Ic (the critical stress intensity factor) was found to be 0.852±0.045 MN·m^–3/2 and 1.002±0.048 MN·m^–3/2, respectively.Subcritical crack growth at velocities from 10^–3 m·s^–1 to 10^–9 m·s^–1 at temperatures from 20°C to 80°C is believed to be facilitated by chemical reaction between the siloxane bonds of the quartz and the water or water vapour of the environment (stress corrosion). The slopes, of isotherms in theK-v diagrams are dependent upon crystallographic orientation. The isotherms have a slope of 12±0.6 for cracking normal tor and 19.9±1.7 for cracking normal toz. The activation enthalpy for crack propagation in the former orientation in liquid water at temperatures from 20°C to 80°C is 52.5±3.8 kJ·mole^–1.A discussion is presented of the characteristics of theK-v diagrams for quartz.     

Scattering and anelastic attenuation of seismic energy in northern Greece

The relative contribution of scattering (Q _s ^–1 ) and intrinsic (Q _i ^–1 ) attenuation to the totalS-wave attenuation for the frequencies of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12.0 Hz has been studied by applying the radiative energy transfer theory, Data of local earthquakes which occurred in northern Greece and were recorded by the permanent telementered network of the Geophysical Laboratory of the University of Thessaloniki have been used. The results show that in this area the scattering attenuation is dominant over all frequencies while intrinsic attenuation is significantly lower. The estimatedQ _s ^–1 andQ _i ^–1 values have frequency dependences off ^–0.72 andf ^–0.45, respectively. The frequency dependence ofQ _s ^–1 is the same as that of the codaQ _c ^–1 , obtained by applying the single scattering model, which probably implies that the frequency dependence of the coda wave attenuation is attributed to the frequency dependence of the scattering attenuation.Q _c ^–1 values are very close to scattering attenuation for short lapse times, (10–20 sec), and intermediate between scattering and intrinsic attenuation for the longer lapse times, (50–100 sec). This difference is explained as the result of the depth-dependent attenuation properties and the multiple scattering effects.     

Scattering attenuation and intrinsic absorption using uniform and depth dependent model – Application to full seismogram envelope recorded in Northern Chile

Two seismic wave attenuation factors, scatteringattenuation Q _s ^-1 and intrinsicabsorption Q _i ^-1 are measured using theMultiple Lapse Time Window (MLTW) analysis method forthree different frequency bands, 1–2, 2–4, and 4–8 Hz.Data from 54 temporally deployed seismic stationslocated in northern Chile are used. This methodcompares time integrated seismic wave energies withsynthetic coda wave envelopes for a multiple isotropicscattering model. In the present analysis, the waveenergy is assumed to decay with distance in proportionto1/GSF·exp(- (Q _s ^-1+Q _i ^-1)· r/v), where r, and v are the propagationdistance, angular frequency and S wave velocity,respectively, and GSF is the geometricalspreading factor. When spatial uniformity of Q _s ^-1, Q _i ^-1 and v isassumed, i.e. GSF = 4r ², theestimates of the reciprocal of the extinction length,L _e ^-1 (= (Q _s ^-1+Q _i ^-1)·/v), are 0.017,0.012 and 0.010 km^-1, and those of the seismicalbedo, B ₀ (= Q _s ^-1/ (Q _s ^-1+Q _i ^-1)), are 0.48, 0.40and 0.34 for 1–2, 2–4 and 4–8 Hz, respectively, whichindicates that scattering attenuation is comparable toor smaller than intrinsic absorption. When we assumea depth dependent velocity structure, we also findthat scattering attenuation is comparable to orsmaller than intrinsic absorption. However, since thequantitative estimates of scattering attenuationdepend on the assumed velocity structure (strength ofvelocity discontinuity and/or Moho depth), it isimportant to consider differences in velocitystructure models when comparing attenuation estimates.     

Chemical evidence of water movements in the deepest part of Lake Leman (Lake Geneva)

Regular surveys of bottom water chemistry (SiO₂, O₂, Fe, Mn) have been carried from 1978 to 1986 in the deepest 30 m of Lake Léman (max. depth 309 m) including interface waters sampled with a Jenkins Mortimer corer. When compared to normal chemical gradients near bottom, i.e. O₂ decrease and SiO₂ increase, three types of anomalies (lens, interface, and behaviour) have been observed on O₂ and SiO₂, the most sensitive chemical species. These anomalies were found throughout the year, in several stations of the deepest part of the lake and even along the slope of the lake basin. Major anomalies (O₂ + 3 to 10 mg ·l^–1; SiO₂ -1 to 2 mg·l^–1) were generally found at the sediment water interface and may extend 10–20 m above the sediment and last 10 weeks. Others marked lens anomalies could be observed for 3 to 4 months. Several mechanisms are probably responsible for this injection of surface waters along the lake slope (accumulation of turbid water on lake banks after severe windstorms; river density currents due to temperature and/or turbidity difference with lake waters). These water-inputs do not represent important volumes ( 1% total lake volume) but, when occuring at the interface, they ensure a sufficient oxygen level to prevent diffusion of phosphate and ammonia from pore waters when winter lake overturns do not reach bottom layers (from 1972 to 1980). Complete overturns, as observed in 1980/81, are connected with major interface anomalies (bottom O₂ moves up from 2 to 10 mg·l^–1) occuring before surface mixing reaches the deepest layers.     

Interactions between freshwater input, light, and phytoplankton dynamics on the Louisiana continental shelf

We examined the effects of freshwater flow and light availability on phytoplankton biomass and production along the Louisiana continental shelf in the region characterized by persistent spring–summer stratification and widespread summer hypoxia. Data were collected on 7 cruises from 2005 to 2007, and spatially-averaged estimates of phytoplankton and light variables were calculated for the study area using Voronoi polygon normalization. Shelf-wide phytoplankton production ranged from 0.47 to 1.75 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ across the 7 cruises. Shelf-wide average light attenuation (k_d) ranged from 0.19–1.01 m⁻¹ and strongly covaried with freshwater discharge from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers (R²=0.67). Interestingly, we observed that the euphotic zone (as defined by the 1% light depth) extended well below the pycnocline and to the bottom across much of the shelf. Shelf-wide average chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations ranged from 1.4 to 5.9 mg m⁻³ and, similar to k_d, covaried with river discharge (R²=0.83). Also, chl a concentrations were significantly higher in plume versus non-plume regions of the shelf. When integrated through the water-column, shelf-wide average chl a ranged from 26.3 to 47.6 mg m⁻², but did not covary with river discharge, nor were plume versus non-plume averages statistically different. The high integrated chl a in the non-plume waters resulted from frequent sub-pycnocline chl a maxima. Phytoplankton production rates were highest in the vicinity of the Mississippi River bird's foot delta, but as with integrated chl a were not statistically different in plume versus non-plume waters across the rest of the shelf. Based on the vertical distribution of light and chl a, a substantial fraction of phytoplankton production occurred below the pycnocline, averaging from 25% to 50% among cruises. These results suggest that freshwater and nutrient inputs regulate shelf-wide k_d and, consequently, the vertical distribution of primary production. The substantial below-pycnocline primary production we observed has not been previously quantified for this region, but has important implications about the formation and persistence of hypoxia on the Louisiana continental shelf.     

On the validity of Boltzmann's distribution law for the charges of aerosol particles in electrical equilibrium

Summary The validity ofBoltzmann's energy distribution law as applied to the charge distribution of monodisperse aerosols, i.e. aerosols which contain particles of one size only, was studied with improved equipment now available.Since monodisperse aerosols with particle size of about 10^–6 cm cannot yet be produced and because aerosols in general contain particles of different sizes, polydisperse aerosols stored in a large gasometer were used for the investigation. The composition and the average radius of these aerosols heterogeneous in particle size were determined by the Exhaustion Method employing a diffusion battery without end-pieces or connecting tubing.The experimental curve found for the ratio of the uncharged (N ₀) to the charged (N) nuclei versus radius (r) of the particles deviates for all investigated radii between 0.5 and 4.0·10^–6 cm from the theoretical curve of a monodisperse aerosol computed according to the Boltzmann law. For radii smaller than about 1.4·10^–6 cmN ₀/N is smaller than that given by Boltzmann's law, for radii greater than 1.4·10^–6 cm larger, or, in other words, forr<1.4·10^–6 cm the number of charged nuclei found in the aerosols investigated is greater than that predicted byBoltzmann's law, and forr>1.4·10^–6 cm smaller.The deviations from the theoretical curve forr>1.4·10^–6 cm can be fully explained by the polydispersity of the aerosols used; forr<1.4·10^–6 cm the deviations are too big to be attributed to polydispersity. From this it must be concluded thatBoltzmann's distribution law is not valid for the charge distribution of homogenous aerosols containing nuclei with radii smaller than about 1.4·10^–6 cm.The equivalent radius as deduced from a substitute monodisperse aerosol in charge equilibrium for which theBoltzmann law is assumed valid, deviates in the range of 1.0·10^–6<r<3.0·10^–6 cm (or 90%>100N ₀/Z>55%) on the average by up to 35% from the actual mean radius of the investigated polydisperse aerosols computed from the radii of their singly sized components.

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Zusammenfassung Die Gültigkeit desBoltzmannschen Gesetzes der Energieverteilung für die Ladungsverteilung von monodispersen Aerosolen, das heisst Aerosolen, welche Teilchen von nur einer Grösse enthalten, wurde mit den jetzt zur Verfügung stehenden verbesserten Mitteln studiert.Da monodisperse Aerosole mit Teilchengrössen von ungefähr 10^–6 cm noch nicht erzeugt werden können und Aerosole im allgemeinen Teilchen von verschiedenen Grössen enthalten, wurden für die jetzige Untersuchung polydisperse Aerosole, welche in einem grossen Gasometer gespeichert waren, benützt. Die Zusammensetzung und der mittlere Radius dieser Aerosole mit heterogener Teilchengrösse wurden nach der Exhaustions-Methode unter Benützung einer Diffusionsbatterie ohne Endstücke oder Verbindungsröhren bestimmt.Die experimentell gefundene Kurve, welche das Verhältnis der ungeladenen (N ₀) und geladenen (N) Kerne als Funktion des Radius (r) darstellt, weicht für alle untersuchten Radien zwischen 0.5 und 4.0·10^–6 cm von der theoretischen Kurve eines monodispersen Aerosols, wie sie nachBoltzmann's Gesetz berechnet wird, ab. Für Radien kleiner als ungefähr 1.4·10^–6 cm ist das VerhältnisN ₀/N kleiner als es durchBoltzmann's Gesetz gegeben wird, für Radien grössen als 1.4·10^–6 cm grösser oder, mit anderen Worten, fürr<1.4·10^–6 cm ist die Zahl der geladenen Teilchen, die in den untersuchten Aerosolen gefunden wurde, grösser als die vonBoltzmann's Gesetz vorausgesagte, und fürr>1.4·10^–6 cm kleiner.Die Abweichungen von der theoretischen Kurve fürr>1.4·10^–6cm können vollkommen durch die Polydispersität der benützten Aerosole erklärt werden; fürr<1.4·10^–6 cm sind die Abweichungen zu gross, als dass sie der Polydispersität zugeschrieben werden könnten. Daraus muss geschlossen werden, dassBoltzmann's Verteilungsgesetz für die Ladungsverteilung eines homogenen Aerosols, welches Kerne mit Radien kleiner als ungefähr 1.4·10^–6 cm enthält, nicht gültig ist.Der äquivalente Radius, wie er von einem im Ladungsgleichgewicht befindlichen, monodispersen Ersatz-Aerosol, für welchesBoltzmann's Gesetz als gültig angenommen wird, abgeleitet werden kann, weicht im Bereich von 1.0·10^–6<r<3.0·10^–6 cm (oder 90%>N ₀/Z>55%) durchschnittlich bis zu 35% vom tatsächlichen mittleren Radius des untersuchten polydispersen Aerosols ab.

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The research reported in this article has been supported in part by the Geophysics Research Directorate of the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, through the European Office of the Air Force Research Division, United States Air Force under Contract AF 61(052)-26, by the United States Department of Army, through its European Research Office, Contract DA-91-591-EUC-1282 & 1657 and by the Instrumentation Engineering Physics & Analysis Laboratory of the General Electric Co., Schenectady, New York under Retainer Agreement.