Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in deep Gulf of Mexico sediments

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements were determined for surface (top 2 cm) sediment samples collected during the deep Gulf of Mexico benthos (DGoMB) study .These elements and compounds are known to be toxic to organisms at high concentrations and may affect biological communities. There is no indication of major anthropogenic input of the elements Be, Co, Cr, Fe, Si, Tl, V, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Zn, based on normalization to Al. The concentrations of these metals in the sediment are a function of the relative amounts of trace-metal-rich Mississippi River-derived silicate material and trace-metal-poor plankton-derived carbonate. This is not true for the elements Ba, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Cu and Mn, whose concentrations show considerable scatter when normalized to Al and a general enrichment. On a normalized basis, Mn is enriched 5–10 fold, Cu and Ni 2–3 fold and Pb 2 fold over Mississippi River-derived material. These enrichments are likely the result of remobilization of metals from depths in the sediment column where reducing conditions exist. The Ba concentrations at selected sites are higher than those of average clay-rich sediments, but are typical of sediments from near oil well platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In the case of Ba, it seems likely that the enrichments, as high as a factor of 10, are due to disposal of oil well drilling mud. The Ba-enriched samples are from the three shallowest water sites in the Mississippi Trough (sites MT1, 2 and 3) and from site C1 and WC5. All are in an area of intense petroleum exploration and development. PAH concentrations are also elevated at MT1, MT3 and C1. The total PAH concentration ranged from not detected (ND) to 1033 ng/g with a mean of 140 ng/g. Even at the sites most enriched in PAHs and trace elements, the concentrations are not at the levels expected to adversely affect the biota. However, these predicted non-effects are based on research using mostly near-shore estuarine species, not on the indigenous species at the sampling sites.     

Nutrient Concentrations are High in the Turbid Waters of the Colorado River Delta

We studied the seasonal change of the spatial distribution of nitrite (NO^-₂), nitrate (NO^-₃), reactive phosphate (PO^3-₄), and silicate (SiO₂) in the Colorado River Delta. We also generated 24-h time series at one location to study their short-period variability. The delta is a negative estuary. During summer, salinity may be as high as 40. Amplitude of spring tides is as large as 9 m, and this causes great water turbidity by sediment resuspension. Nutrient concentrations were high throughout the whole year, with lower values towards the oceanic region. Maximum nutrient values in the river delta were 15, 53, 11·5 and 92 μM, for NO^-₂, NO^-₃, PO^3-₄, and SiO₂, respectively. Most values were under 2, 40, 5, and 60 μM, for NO^-₂, NO^-₃, PO^3-₄, and SiO₂, respectively. Our nutrient data show no clear seasonal pattern. Possibly, high NO^-₃ values in the delta are due to groundwater input, mostly at the internal extreme, and high NO^-₂, PO^3-₄, and SiO₂ values are due to resuspension of sediments and mixing of porewaters with the water column, caused mainly during spring tides. In the case of NO^-₂, oxidation of NH⁺₄ in the water column would be part of the mechanism. This would explain the high negative correlation between NO^-₃ and sea-level, and the relatively low correlation between the other nutrients and sea-level, for the time series generated at a single location.     

Trace metal composition of and accumulation rates of sediments in the Upper Gulf of Thailand

Sediment cores and grab samples were collected in the Upper Gulf of Thailand to determine sedimentation rates and to determine if metal concentrations reflect anthropogenic inputs.Accumulation rates of sediments in the Upper Gulf measured using the ²¹⁰Pb method, appear to vary from ca. 4 to 11 mm yr^?1. Sediment budgets suggest that little of the sediment delivered to the Upper Gulf by the major rivers is ultimately transported to the Lower Gulf. Metal concentrations in Upper Gulf sediments appear to be dominantly controlled by natural inputs.     

Upstream dams and downstream clams: growth rates of bivalve mollusks unveil impact of river management on estuarine ecosystems (Colorado River Delta, Mexico)

We studied how the extensive diversion of Colorado River water, induced by dams and agricultural activities of the last 70 years, affected the growth rates of two abundant bivalve mollusk species (Chione cortezi and Chione fluctifraga) in the northern Gulf of California. Shells alive on the delta today (‘Post-dam’ shells) grow 5.8–27.9% faster than shells alive prior to the construction of dams (‘Pre-dam’ shells). This increase in annual shell production is linked to the currently sharply reduced freshwater influx to the Colorado River estuary. Before the upstream river management, lower salinity retarded growth rates in these bivalves. Intra-annual growth rates were 50% lower during spring and early summer, when river flow was at its maximum. Growth rates in Chione today are largely controlled by temperature and nutrients; prior to the construction of dams and the diversion of the Colorado River flow, seasonal changes in salinity played an important role in regulating calcification rates.Our study employs sclerochronological (growth increment analysis) and geochemical techniques to assess the impact of reduced freshwater influx on bivalve growth rates in the Colorado River estuary. A combination of both techniques provides an excellent tool to evaluate the impact of river management in areas where no pre-impact studies were made.     

Nutrient fluxes in a semi-arid microtidal mangrove wetland in the Gulf of California

Nutrient (C, N and P) fluxes were monitored in a microtidal semi-arid mangrove system, which links a semi-enclosed shallow coastal lagoon with the Gulf of California. We assessed the role of the mangrove ecosystem as a nutrient sink/source and determined how mangrove litterfall rates, tidal regime and climate factors influence these fluxes. Despite high seasonal differences in DOC, POC, N-NO₃⁻ and TP levels, nutrient concentrations were only marginally influenced by either hydrological variables or the concentration of these fractions in the adjacent lagoon. The carbon budget appeared to be balanced throughout the study. Retention rates in the mangrove system were related to litterfall rates. Export of DIN was observed mainly in the wet season due to the low nitrogen assimilation efficiency of the system. Import of organic nitrogen was related to the high retention efficiency of particulate organic nitrogen. Phosphorus fractions were imported and retained in the mangrove supporting previous findings that mangroves are phosphorus sinks. Finally, through a simple meta-analysis we tested the quantitative importance of main variables (tidal flow, tidal elevation, tidal range, rainfall, mangrove catchment area, litterfall) controlling mangrove nutrient dynamics. Although results suggest that generalizations can be made about factors regulating nutrient export from mangroves, the lack of statistical significance highlights the relative importance of the local environment for the magnitude of nutrient exchange in mangroves. Future research should focus on finding mechanistic models to explain these general patterns, taking into account the main biogeochemical processes and their roles in coastal ecosystem ecology.     

2015年春季长江口表层沉积物生源要素分布和来源

根据2015年5月对长江口及其邻近海域的生态环境调查资料, 探讨长江口春季表层沉积物总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和生源硅(BSi)4类生源要素的空间分布和来源。结果表明: 2015年春季长江口表层沉积物TOC、TN、TP和BSi平均含量分别为0.315%、0.041%、0.066%和0.450%, 其中, 沉积物中TOC、TN受到陆源输入和海洋自生输入双重影响, 且海洋自生组分的贡献较大, 二者空间分布均呈现南部分布最高并沿西北方向递减趋势; TP分布主要受陆源输入影响, 并呈西北向东南递减趋势; BSi来源于生物沉积, 总体呈现南部高、北部低的分布趋势。与2007年相比, 长江口表层沉积物有机碳、氮含量降低, 东南外海区域替代浑浊区域成为表层沉积物生源要素含量最高区域, 且陆源输入对长江口表层沉积物生源要素的贡献趋于减弱。     

The Gulf of California: Review of ecosystem status and sustainability challenges

The Gulf of California is unique because of its geographical location and conformation. It hosts diverse ecosystems and important fisheries that support industry and provide livelihood to coastal settlements. It is also the site of interests and problems, and an intense interaction among managers, producers, and conservationists. In this report, we scrutinize the abiotic (hydrography, climate, ocean circulation, and chemistry) and biotic (phyto- and zooplankton, fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, and turtles) components of the marine ecosystem, and some particular aspects of climate variability, endemisms, harmful algal blooms, oxygen minimum layer, and pollution. We also review the current conditions and conflicts around the main fisheries (shrimp, small and large pelagic fishes, squid, artisanal and sportfishing), the most important human activity in the Gulf of California. We cover some aspects of management and conservation of fisheries, especially the claimed overexploitation of fish resources and the ecosystems, and review proposals for creating networks of marine protected areas. We conclude by identifying main needs for information and research, particularly the integration of data bases, the implementation of models and paleoreconstructions, establishment of monitoring programs, and the evaluation of fishing impacts and management actions.     

Flux of nutrients in the Gulf of California: Geostrophic approach

Continental margins exert a strong influence on global biogeochemical cycles; however there have been relatively few attempts to quantify either the magnitude or nature of temporal variability in material fluxes. At present here are no reports on nutrient fluxes at the mouth of the Gulf of California (GC) so further information is needed to provide estimated values from direct measurements. From 1995–1999 during five cruises covering all seasons, seawater samples were collected and measured the nutrient content from the surface to the bottom (some deeper than 2500 m) from a repeated hydrographic sections at the mouth of the GC. This chemical and physical database is unique because it covers an area with important biogeochemical signs, which has been detected as one of the highest in primary productivity of the world oceans. These sections are perpendicular to the coastlines of the Mexican states of Baja California Sur (BCS) and Sinaloa. In this section, the most dynamic area was the surface waters in February 1999 with strong geostrophic currents and temperatures of 20 ± 1.5 °C; salinity 35.091 ± 0.156; pH 8.16 ± 0.13; phosphate 0.85 ± 0.42 μM, nitrate + nitrite 2.35 ± 2.94 μM, and ammonia 2.00 ± 1.25 μM (average ± standard deviation).Geostrophic velocities were computed from high-resolution CTD sections across the entrance to the GC. During winter and spring, the outflow occurred near BCS and the inflow occurred either through the center of the section and/or along the Sinaloa coast. Both inflow and outflow cores were 45 km wide and extended deeper than 700 m. Summer and fall showed a complex pattern, alternating cores of inflow and outflow but with inflow along Sinaloa on all cruises. The maximum flow into the Gulf occurs during May in the center of the section while outflow was concentrated along BCS. Mascarenhas et al. [Mascarenhas, A., Castro, R., Collins, C.A., Durazo, R., 2004. Seasonal variation of geostrophic velocity and heat flux at the entrance to the Gulf of California, Mexico. Journal Geophysical Research, 2124.] calculated the section mean geostrophic velocity that was composed of two alternating cores of inflow and outflow. The two cores that were adjacent to either coast were broader and contained the highest inflow (0.40 m s^− 1) and outflow (− 0.25 m s^− 1) velocities, supporting the general idea of inflow along the Sinaloa and an outflow along BCS.The highest nutrient fluxes occur during El Niño conditions in November 1997 with outflows as high as 54.5 Tg yr^− 1 for Phosphate, 43.0 Tg yr^− 1 for Nitrate and 31.7 Tg yr^− 1 for Ammonia, this values were at least three times higher than in February 1999.     

Numerical simulation of larval shrimp dispersion in the Northern Region of the Gulf of California

The trajectories of shrimp larvae in the northern part of the Gulf of California were studied from a Lagrangian point of view using a three-dimensional numerical model. The advection of particles was carried out over fortnightly periods starting at spring and neap tides. The northernmost region of the gulf has important shrimp fisheries and nursery areas have been located off the coast of Baja California at San Felipe (SF) and off the Sonora coast at Santa Clara (SC). Though the reproduction zone is believed to be south of these nursery areas, there is much that remains unknown about the zone and the routes used by shrimps to reach these areas. Passive and active simulations of shrimp larvae drift were carried out in order to study the possible areas of shrimp spawning and their migratory routes. The active migration schemes were based on assumptions that the larvae can be advected only: (1) during the day, (2) at night or (3) when the currents flow in the northward direction toward the nursery areas. It was found that the larvae in Santa Clara and San Felipe came from different production zones. No differences were found between the spring and neap tide scenarios except for the diurnal migration experiments. The distance traveled by shrimp larvae was always less than 40–50 km, except in the cases when the larvae selected the appropriate direction to the nursery areas when the larvae travel 140 km to SC and 95 km to SF.     

Organic matter in deepwater sediments of the Northern Gulf of Mexico and its relationship to the distribution of benthic organisms

Sediment samples were selected from 28 sites across the deep (212–3527 m) northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) as part of the Deep Gulf of Mexico Benthos (DGoMB) program, and analyzed for geochemical parameters related to organic carbon (OC) distribution and characteristics. The results of this study indicate that the OC content of sediments in the deep northern GOM is controlled by several factors; including water depth, overlying water productivity, sediment carbonate content, sediment oxygen exposure time, OC sources, and regional influences. The best correlation between sediment OC content, on a CaCO₃-free basis, and other parameters examined was an inverse correlation of OC with water depth. The OC/SA ratio had a wide range of values and, along with variable sources of sedimentary OC, indicated that the organism-available concentration of metabolizable organic matter may not be simply related to sedimentary OC content. This was perhaps reflected in the observation that benthic macrofaunal and meiofaunal biomass abundances were well correlated with sedimentary OC, but the abundance of bacteria in sediments was not.     

北部湾东北部表层沉积物主微量元素空间分布特征

A multi-index analysis including grain size, major and trace elements is performed on the surface sediments from the northeastern Beibu Gulf to trace the sources of the sediments and to understand the controlling factors for elements distribution. The mean grain size exhibits a wide variation ranging from 0.09Φ to 8.05Φ with an average value of 5.33Φ. The average contents of major elements descend in an order of c(SiO_2)c(Al_2O_3)c(Fe_2O_3)c(CaO)c(MgO)c(K_2O)c(Na_2O)c(TiO_2)c(P_2O_5)c(MnO), while those of trace elements exhibit a descending order of c(Sr)c(Rb)c(V)c(Zn)c(Cr)c(Pb)c(Ni)c(Cu)c(As). On the basis of elementary distribution characteristics and statistical analyses, the study area is divided into the four zones: Zone I is located in the northeastern coastal area of the gulf, which receives large amount of fluvial materials from local rivers in Guangxi and Guangdong, China, and the Qiongzhou Strait; Zone Ⅱ is located in the center of the study area, where surface sediments exhibits a multiple source; Zone Ⅲ is located in the Qiongzhou Strait, where surface sediments are dominated by materials from the Zhujiang River and Hainan; Zone IV is located in the southwest of the study area, where surface sediments are mainly originated from the Red River and Hainan. The statistical analyses of sediment geochemical characteristics reveal that the grain size, which is mainly influenced by hydrodynamics and mineral composition of terrigenous materials, is the leading factor controlling the elementary distribution.Meanwhile, impacts from anthropogenic activities and marine biogenic process will also be taken into consideration.     

黄河水下三角洲高浓度黏性泥沙流变特性及其影响因素

黏性泥沙在黄河水下三角洲广泛分布,其在外部载荷作用下易引发泥沙淤积、冲刷、海床流化等问题,对港口、航道、海底管线等工程设施构成巨大威胁。利用黄河水下三角洲埕岛海域所取海底表层沉积物,制备不同固结时间和不同含水率的高浓度黏性泥沙样品。采用R/S流变仪,对所制备高浓度黏性泥沙样品进行全剪切速率下的流变试验,分析黄河水下三角洲高浓度黏性泥沙流变特性及含水率和固结时间对流变特性的影响。结果表明,高浓度黏性泥沙在剪切荷载作用下流化失稳,发生相态转化;屈服应力在固结120 min后增加了35%;含水率50%以上高浓度黏性泥沙在高剪切速率下表现出剪切增稠行为,且随含水率增加剪切增稠行为越明显;Power模型适用于含水率大于50%的高浓度黏性泥沙在高剪切速率下的流变行为。本研究可为海底黏性泥沙运动过程数值模拟与海底重力流等灾害预测提供参考。     

Diagnosis of trace metal contamination in sediments: the example of Ensenada and El Sauzal, two harbors in Baja California, Mexico

Total metal concentrations in sediments from within Ensenada and El Sauzal Harbors are generally higher than at the mouths. Grain-size analyses suggested that this enrichment could be due to the presence of fine-grained sediments in the inner part of the harbors rather than to anthropogenic perturbations. The (Me/Al)(sample) ratios for Pb, Co, Ni and Fe were significantly higher for Ensenada Harbor relative to El Sauzal Harbor, whereas the ratios for Cd, Mn, Zn and Cu were statistically equivalent for both harbors. Calculated enrichment factors [EF(Me)=(Me/Al)(sample)/(Me/Al)(shale)] indicated that the metals showing slight enrichment were those associated with anthropogenic contamination (Pb, Zn), or probably related to primary productivity in the water column (Cd, Co). The levels of most of the metals were not greatly enriched, a consideration that is of the utmost importance when contamination issues are at stake.     

Social indicators of vulnerability for fishing communities in the Northern Gulf of California,Mexico: Implications for climate change

Marine fisheries support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. These fisheries and the communities that depend on them are highly vulnerable to climate change and other interacting anthropogenic threats. The cumulative and interacting effects of these stressors could potentially produce declines in fish production, which would significantly impact artisanal fishers. Assessing relative vulnerability of fishing communities to anthropogenic stressors is an important first step to identifying mitigation or adaptation strategies. This study assessed the vulnerability of 12 coastal communities in the Northern Gulf of California to disruptions in fishing activities from anthropogenic stressors, including climate change. The Northern Gulf is a megadiverse area and a major source of fishery resources. Quantitative indicator indices based on secondary and primary data were developed to assess the three aspects of vulnerability: sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity. The key components of vulnerability varied amongst communities. Vulnerability was higher in communities with higher fishing dependence and lower socioeconomic diversification. The approach presented here provides important insights into the type of policy actions that might be needed in different communities for adaptation and mitigation.     

下辽河平原—辽东湾的新构造运动

通过地质、地貌及地球物理资料分析研究,发现下辽河平原—辽东湾的新构造运动的主要特征除了断裂发育、火山活动早期剧烈而晚期衰弱、现代地震活跃以及地壳差异和反差升降运动明显之外,还显示了:(1)深大断裂的控制性,(2)沉降中心的迁移性,(3)构造运动的阶段性和旋回性.     

Vertical Distribution of Phytoplankton in the Central and Northern Part of the Gulf of California (June 1982)

Abstract. Vertical profiles of temperature, nutrients (silicate, phosphate, and nitrate), chlorophyll a and phytoplankton abundance are given for six stations located in the Gulf of California, June 1982, above 1 % of light intensity. The vertical distribution of phytoplankton was related to the water column structure: stratified stations had a defined nutricline and subsurface chlorophyll and phytoplankton abundance maxima were present, which were found to be related to the depth of the principal thermocline; vertical distribution of taxa was not uniform and low affinity values (< 0.5) were calculated among depths at these stations. Despite the irregular vertical distribution of chlorophyll and cell number, there was a great affinity in the species composition throughout the euphotic zone at well-mixed or weakly stratified stations. Nanoplankton organisms, mainly coc-colithophorids, were the most important numerical contributors at the chlorophyll maxima, except when this was superficial, in which case diatoms were the most numerous group. Some patterns of the vertical distribution of the main phytoplankton groups ( e.g. , diatoms, dinoflagellates, and microflagellates) are shown. The spectrum of diversity in the water column was useful only for mixed-waters. The relationship between stability, nutrients, and phytoplankton - regarding their vertical distribution - and the importance of physical and biological processes on phytoplankton ecology are discussed.     

Influence of Rhodolith-Forming Species and Growth-Form on Associated Fauna of Rhodolith Beds in the Central-West Gulf of California, México

Abstract.  Rhodoliths provide a stable and three-dimensional habitat to which other seaweeds and invertebrates can attach. Although ecological factors affecting rhodolith beds have been studied, little is known about the effect of rhodolith species and growth-form on associated fauna. Experiments were conducted at three rhodolith beds in the central-west Gulf of California. Faunal abundance differed significantly in relation to rhodolith-forming species, but no significant differences were observed between different growth-forms. Rhodolith structure differs between the species Lithophyllum margaritae and Neogoniolithon trichotomum , and the combination of structure differences and rhodolith abundances may be responsible of the significant differences in faunal abundance and richness. Crustaceans, polychaetes and molluscs were the most important taxa in all three rhodolith beds. The amphipod species Pontogeneia nasa and the cnidarian Aiptasia sp. were dominant in both rhodolith beds, El Requesón and Isla Coyote, in Bahía Concepción. The Isla Coronados rhodolith bed was dominated by an unidentified harpacticoid copepod (Copepoda sp.1). Rhodolith species is more important than growth-form in determining abundance and richness of the associated fauna. Nevertheless, factors such as wave motion, depth, bioturbation and others should be considered when studying organisms associated with rhodolith beds.     

鸭绿江端元粒度分级样品常量元素控制因素分析及物源识别

对鸭绿江河口表层沉积物陆源组分进行了水动力敏感粒度分级,以消弱"粒度效应"对沉积物地球化学组成的影响。通过多元统计方法,对不同粒级样品内常量元素含量特征、控制因素、源区特征等内容进行了探讨,并与全样测试结果进行对比分析。结果表明:源区化学风化程度是控制常量元素分布的主要因素,"粒度效应"和表生环境下的自生作用对常量元素的分布也有一定的控制作用,但"粒度效应"主要控制8μm以下样品内元素分布;源区目前处于以斜长石风化为主的中等化学风化程度阶段,风化产物未遭受钾交代影响;Al2O3、Fe2O3、MgO、MnO、TiO2、P2O5六种元素在>63μm、32~63μm和8~32μm 3个粒级内含量相近,8μm以下样品随粒级减小元素含量显著增加,CaO、Na2O两种元素在各粒级内含量分布特征与上述6种元素相反,高K2O含量且未受"粒度效应"控制,可作为鸭绿江端元的指示性元素。根据流域岩性特征分析,>2μm粒级样品可能主要来自鸭绿江中下游地区变质基底和花岗质侵入体的风化产物;而<2μm粒级样品则可能主要来自鸭绿江上游地区基性侵入体的风化产物。此外,对比分析还表明,全样测试结果仅相当于分粒级样品的均值水平,极大地掩盖了不同粒级内元素地球化学特征的差异性和规律性。因此,在利用全样地球化学特征进行物源示踪时需综合考虑。