Liver lesions in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) from Jamaica Bay,New York: Indications of environmental degradation

Liver sections of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) collected from Jamaica Bay and Shinnecock Bay, New York, in 1989, were examined microscopically to determine the pervasiveness of liver lesions observed previously in Jamaica Bay winter flounder. Neoplastic lesions were not detected in fish from Jamaica Bay or the Shinnecock Bay reference site. Twenty-two percent of Jamaica Bay winter flounder examined (n=103) had unusual vacuolization of hepatocytes and biliary pre-ductal and ductal cells (referred to hereafter as the vacuolated cell lesion). The lesion, identical to that found in 25% of Jamaica Bay winter flounder examined in 1988, has previously been identified in fishes taken from highly polluted regions of the Atlantic coast (e.g., Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, and Black Rock Harbor, Connecticut). Prevalence of the vacuolated cell lesion in winter flounder from Jamaica Bay was significantly greater (p<0.0001) than in 102 specimens collected from Shinnecock Bay. Current scientific literature indicates vacuolated hepatocytes and cholangiocytes are chronically injured and that the extent of their deformity is consistent with the action of a hepatotoxicant. The high prevalence of vacuolated hepatocytes in Jamaica Bay winter flounder and absence of the lesion in flounder from reference sites strongly supports the hypothesis that this impairment is a manifestation of a toxic condition in at least some portions of Jamaica Bay.     

Economic potential of the ultramafic rocks of Jamaica and Tobago: two contrasting geological settings in the Caribbean

Ultramafic rocks in Jamaica are dunites with minor lherzolite, often serpentinised, and are part of a dismembered ophiolite complex. In Tobago, dunites, wehrlites, pyroxenites and hornblendites form the lower part of a plutonic complex of island arc affinity. The mineral assemblages and chemistry reflect these differences. Chromite in Jamaica is high in Al and Mg, whereas in Tobago it is rich in Fe, as in Alaskan-type intrusives. Ni-Cu-PGE assemblages in Jamaica are pentlandite, with later low temperature heazlewoodite, awaruite and native copper, the latter with Pt and Pd. In Tobago an assemblage of pentlandite, pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite is much less affected by later alteration. PGE phases also occur. The dunites in Jamaica have sufficient MgO to be a potential source of olivine. The higher Fe in olivine from Tobago indicates that olivine cumulates in plutonics from island arc settings are a less suitable source of the mineral. Ni-laterites in Jamaica are unlikely because of high topographic relief. The prospect for Ni-laterites in Tobago is low as there is little Ni in the olivines. Chrysotile asbestos, talc and magnesite are absent in both islands. This is probably a consequence of the lack of secondary serpentine recrystallisation to form fibrous chrysotile veins, the deep tectonic level and lack of hydrothermal circulation for magnesite to form, and the absence of metamorphic/metasomatic events and/or late stage extension tectonics which might have yielded talc. Received: 14 September 1998 / Accepted: 4 March 1999     

Geological excursion guide 9: Jamaica

Apart from its obvious attractions for the visiting tourist, Jamaica is geologically significant, with a rock record dating from the Cretaceous and occupying a position at the north–east end of the Nicaraguan Rise, adjacent to the North Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone. During the Cretaceous, Jamaica was part of an island arc, but since the Eocene the rock record has been dominated by limestones.     

Pioneers of Jamaican geology and the Jamaica Group of the Geologists’ Association (1955–1959)

The formation of a geological society in Jamaica was dependent upon attaining a sufficient number of interested geologists on the island. Although the earliest study of Jamaican geology dated to the 1820s (De la Beche), few major geologists worked on the island in the 19th (Barrett, Sawkins, Hill) and early 20th centuries (Matley, Trechmann). A ‘critical mass’ of geologists was only attained in the 1950s after foundation of the third Geological Survey of the island, when, for the first time, the island had a resident geological intelligentsia. The director, V.A. Zans (1904–1961), was a Latvian geologist appointed from a camp for displaced persons. His staff included L.J. Chubb (1887–1971), who popularised geology in Jamaica. Chubb and his colleagues devised a three part plan for geological education in Jamaica: high schools were encouraged to introduce geology as an examination subject; introduction of geology as a part of the Natural Sciences curriculum at the University College of the West Indies was supported; and a local geological society for both amateurs and professionals was established. This society, the Jamaica Group of the Geologists’ Association, was established in 1955 and was the only such overseas group ever founded; Chubb was elected President. The first field trip was led by Zans and A.D. Foster in November 1955. The Group was reformed as the independent Geological Society of Jamaica (GSJ) in late 1959, again with Chubb as the first President. The GSJ remembers the name of its first President in the prestigious L.J. Chubb Award.     

A primitive tube-bearing antillocaprinid rudist bivalve,Parasarcolites sohli sp. nov,from Jamaica and Puerto Rico,West Indies

The new antillocaprinid rudist bivalve Parasarcolites sohli sp. nov. is described from the Maastrichtian rocks of Puerto Rico (El Rayo Formation) and Jamaica (Sunderland Inlier). The species shows that all tubes, one of the diagnostic features of the genus, arise by the development of flanges on costae to roof over the intercostal space between adjacent costae. This is the first time that this feature has been unequivocally shown in an antillocaprinid rudist and suggests that tubes in other antillocaprinid rudists arose in a similar way. The species occurs in early Maastrichtian deposits of Puerto Rico and Jamaica, and represents a potential marker species in future biostratigraphic studies.     

Secondary production of the amphipod Ampelisca abdita mills and its importance in the diet of juvenile winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) in Jamaica Bay,New York

The benthic amphipod Ampelisca abdita dominates mudbottom benthic communities in Jamaica Bay (New York). In this study, we investigated the trophic role of Ampelisca in relation to winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) populations—the most frequently trawled fish species in Jamaica Bay. Flounders collected by trawl during summer 1989 were primarily juveniles. Stomach analyses indicated that amphipod crustaceans contributed >99% of prey individuals, with A. abdita making up 88%. Density and size frequency analyses of Ampelisca at three sites indicated two overlapping cohorts: a spring cohort released in June and a summer cohort released in late summer. Most overwintering survivors come from the summer cohort. Secondary production of Ampelisca was estimated at three sites using the cohort summation of biomass method. Estimates of annual production ranged from 25 g DW to 47 g DW m^?2 (mortality + residual biomass); production due to growth ranged from 20 g DW to 26 g DW. Simulations of spring cohort production using a range of plausible growth and mortality schedules suggested that P∶B may be more sensitive to variability in survivorship than growth. Ampelisca secondary production in Jamaica Bay is compared with other amphipod species and with macrobenthic production in other coastal and estuarine systems. We conclude that observed amphipod production is probably more than sufficient to support local winter flounder populations in Jamaica Bay, and we speculate that high nutrient loadings may indirectly stimulate amphipod production. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY058 00010     

Horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in an urban estuary (Jamaica Bay, New York) and the potential for ecological restoration

We assessed the suitability of intertidal habitats for spawning by horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) at 12 proposed restoration sites identified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers along the shore of Jamaica Bay, a highly developed estuary in New York City. Based on beach geomorphology, we chose to quantify horseshoe crab activity at five of the sites during the May–July 2000 breeding season. Horseshoe crabs spawned intensively on small patches of suitable sand within larger areas of eroding shoreline with bulkheads and rubble fill. Small areas of sand behind grounded barges at Brant Point and Dubos Point had densities of over 100,000 eggs m⁻², which was equal to or greater than the egg densities on longer, more natural appearing beaches at Spring Creek and Dead Horse Bay, or at a sand spit at Bayswater State Park. There were no significant differences in the percentage of Jamaica Bay horseshoe crab eggs that completed development when cultured using water from Jamaica Bay or lower Delaware Bay, a less polluted location. Only 1% of the embryos from Jamaica Bay exhibited developmental anomalies, a frequency comparable to a previously studied population from Delaware Bay. We suggest that the distribution and abundance of horseshoe crabs at our study areas in Jamaica Bay is presently limited by the availability of suitable shoreline for breeding, rather than by water quality. Restoration efforts that increase the amount of sandy beach in this urban estuary have a good likelihood of benefiting horseshoe crabs and providing additional value to migrating shorebirds that use horseshoe crab eggs as food.     

An occurrence of cadmiferous phosphorite soil concretions in Jamaica

Bauxite exploration drilling revealed the presence of phosphate minerals through the chemical and XRD analysis of recovered drill hole samples at Spitzbergen, in Manchester Parish, Jamaica. A subsequent pit led to the discovery of phosphorite concretions composed of hard competent masses of finely crystalline fluorapatite, with some minor crandallite. The phosphorite contains anomalously high levels of Zn (>5000 mg kg⁻¹), Cd (>1.1%), Ag (>20 mg kg⁻¹), Be (>80 mg kg⁻¹) and, to a lesser extent, U. Textural and geochemical evidence indicates that the phosphorite concretions were most likely formed by the replacement of limestone by secondary deposition proximal to fossil guano deposits, postulated to be Late Miocene or Pliocene sea-bird colonies. Mechanical dispersion of the phosphorite concretions through karst weathering processes has led to their wider spatial distribution than the original guano deposits. Subsequent weathering of the concretions and the admixture of their decomposition products into the bauxitic and Terra Rossa soils is postulated to be the cause of the widespread anomalous levels of Zn, Cd and Be in these soils in central Jamaica, and the elevated levels of P in the bauxite.     

We are not all the same!: Comparative climate change vulnerabilities among fishers in Old Harbour Bay,Jamaica

There is a general consensus that Small Island Developing States are among the most vulnerable to experience climate injustices. Vulnerability studies of climate change effects on communities have often focused on differences between communities given these climate injustices. However, there is a need to also focus on vulnerability within communities, referred to here as comparative vulnerabilities. Climate justice therefore becomes even more important with more focused attention given to the nuances within groups that fall within the vulnerable category. This article examines comparative vulnerabilities for the fishing community in Jamaica. A survey of 241 fishers from Old Harbour Bay, the largest fishing village in Jamaica, was conducted to examine the level of vulnerability of different fishers to climate change. A vulnerability index was constructed for the community and then comparative vulnerabilities were determined based on socio-demographic characteristics. Overall for the sample 46.9% of respondents would be considered as experiencing a comparatively high level of vulnerability to climate change. Climate change vulnerability was influenced by a number of socio-demographic variables with unique profiles emerging for groups that can be ranked as low, moderate, and high vulnerability. The paper therefore argues that within vulnerable populations there are comparative vulnerabilities based on economic factors and social capital, which must be taken into consideration for adaptation strategies to be implemented. Given these comparative vulnerabilities a more targeted approach to coping and adaptation strategies can then be taken. This will assist in building resilience of these communities that must now adjust to a new normal with climate change effects currently occurring.     

Heavy metals distribution in Jamaica Bay sediments

Ninety-two sediment samples collected at 53 stations in Jamaica Bay from November 1970 to October 1973 were analyzed for Pb, Cr, V, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, and percent organic carbon (ORC). Selected samples were analyzed for Hg. The concentrations of all metals correlate with each other and with organic carbon. Vanadium, cobalt, and nickel stand out as a separate component and are enriched relative to other metals in areas affected by petroliferous pollution. The metal concentrations are strongly influenced by the strength of tidal currents and proximity to pollution sources. Amount of rainfall and/or season affects metal concentrations in Grassy Bay (a deep restricted body of water within Jamaica Bay).     

A GIS-based tool for flood damage assessment and delineation of a methodology for future risk assessment: case study for Annotto Bay,Jamaica

Natural Hazards - Flood risk assessments and damage estimations form integral parts of the disaster risk management in Jamaica, owing its vulnerability to hydrometeorological hazards. Although...     

Trends in indicators of eutrophication in Western Long Island Sound and the Hudson-Raritan Estuary

Significant improvements in water quality have been observed for several decades throughout much of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, primarily as a result of regional abatement of municipal and industrial discharges. These improvements include area-wide, order-of-magnitude reductions in ambient coliform concentrations and significant increases in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. In contrast to these improvements, DO in bottom waters of the western Long Island Sound (WLIS) appears to have decreased in the last two decades. Although there is no consensus as to why hypoxia in WLIS may have recently become more severe, several related hypotheses have been suggested, including an increase in eutrophication, increased density stratification, and changes in wastewater loads. To determine if eutrophication has increased in WLIS, trends in several indicators of eutrophication were examined from a long-term water quality data set. Since the mid-1980s surface DO supersaturation has increased, bottom minimum DO has decreased, and vertical DO stratification has increased in WLIS. Other areas of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, such as Jamaica Bay and Raritan Bay, exhibit similar evidence of declining water quality and may be experiencing increasing eutrophication. Temporal changes in vertical density stratification indicate that surface to bottom temperature differences have increased to a greater extent and have had a more significant impact on bottom DO depletion in WLIS than in the shallower Jamaica Bay and Raritan Bay. Additional factors contributing to the observed decline in water quality include recent changes in wastewater loads and possible increases in upstream and nonpoint source loads.     

Annual periodicity of the 18O16O and 13C12C ratios in the coral Montastrea annularis

The isotopic ratios ${}^{18}\text{O}{}^{16}\text{O}$ and ${}^{13}\text{C}{}^{12}\text{C}$ show an annual periodicity in the coral Montastrea annularis from Bermuda, Jamaica and Barbados. The abundances of ¹⁸O and ¹³C are positively correlated in the Jamaica and Barbados samples, but inversely related in the Bermuda sample. Annual high density growth bands are formed during the season of warmest water temperature at all 3 sites and are enriched in ¹⁶O. M. Annularis has a constant displacement from oxygen isotopic equilibrium and accurately records seasonal temperature variations via the temperature-dependent aragonite-water fractionation factor. Light intensity, through the activity of the coral's endosymbiotic algae, regulates the depth-dependent and seasonal variations in the skeletal carbon isotopic composition.     

Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Kingston Basin,Kingston, Jamaica

The Kingston Basin in Jamaica is an important hydrologic basin in terms of both domestic and industrial sector. The Kingston hydrologic basin covers an area of approximately 258 km² of which 111 km² underlain by an alluvium aquifer, 34 km² by a limestone aquifer and the remainder underlain by low permeability rocks with insignificant groundwater resources. Rapid development in recent years has led to an increased demand for water, which is increasingly being fulfilled by groundwater abstraction. A detailed knowledge of the water quality can enhance understanding of the hydrochemical system, promoting sustainable development and effective management of groundwater resources. To achieve this, a hydrochemical investigation was carried out in the Kingston Basin. Results showed that the water is Na–Ca–Cl–HCO₃ and Na–Ca–HCO₃ type with higher concentrations of nitrate, sodium and chloride as the leading causes of contamination in most of the wells. High concentrations of nitrate correlate with wells from areas of high population density and could be attributed to anthropogenic causes, mainly involving improper sewage treatment methodologies or leaking sewer lines. Jamaica, owing to its island nature, has the continuous problem of saline water intrusion, and this is reflected in the higher levels of chloride, sodium and conductivity in the water samples collected from the wells. The wells studied show higher concentrations of chloride ranging from around 10.2 mg/l in wells located approximately (4931.45 m) from the coast to around 234 mg/l in the well located near to the coast. The conductivity values also closely correlate with the chloride levels found in the wells.     

Tectono-stratigraphic development of the Coastal Group of south-eastern Jamaica

The sedimentary succession of southeastern Jamaica preserves a depositional record of accommodation changes and tectonic events for the last 14 Ma. The depositional systems which occur in the area have been classified according to distinct tectono-stratigraphic packages based on the depositional environments, rapid facies changes, and or significant erosion surfaces. This paper places the sedimentology and geochemistry within a tectonic evolutionary framework for the northern margin of the Caribbean Plate over the last 14 Ma. This involves considering issues of changing accommodation; deformation episodes including folding and faulting and the subsequent cutting of unconformities. A model for the tectono-stratigraphic development of southeastern Jamaica is also proposed. The model incorporates critical surfaces, major faults, subsidence and uplift which later influence the depositional environments.     

Economic damages due to extreme precipitation during tropical storms: evidence from Jamaica

Natural Hazards - This study investigates economic damage risk due to extreme rainfall during tropical storms in Jamaica. To this end, remote sensing precipitation data are linked to regional...     

拉丁美洲铝土矿地质特征及资源潜力

介绍拉丁美洲铝土矿资源概况、地质特征及成因类型。拉丁美洲铝土矿资源主要分在巴西、苏里南、牙买加、圭亚那、委内瑞拉等国家,储量为60.3×10~8t,占世界铝土矿总储量的21.54%。巴西为拉丁美洲最大的铝土矿生产国和出口国。拉丁美洲铝土矿成因类型主要为红土型和岩溶型2种,主要的铝土矿矿山有45座。牙买加岛弧、圭亚那地盾、中巴西地盾、圣弗朗西斯科地盾为4个铝土矿勘查开发潜力区。     

Sun, sand and sea urchins

Jamaica, land of holiday dreams, is also fascinating to the geologist. In particular, the fossil record is diverse, the ancient fauna containing many rarities. The fossil ochinoid fauna is especially large and varied for such a small island, with about 130 nominal species ranging from the late Cretaceous to the Pleistocene.     

Temporal Trends of Dissolved Trace Metals in Jamaica Bay,NY: Importance of Wastewater Input and Submarine Groundwater Discharge in an Urban Estuary

Jamaica Bay, NY, is a highly urbanized estuary within the boroughs of New York City conspicuously lacking published information on dissolved trace metal concentrations. The current study examines the distribution and cycling of trace metals in that embayment with data gathered during cruises in November 2004, April 2005, and June 2006. Most of the metal distributions (Fe, Zn, Co, Ag, Cu, Pb, Ni) in the water column are explained by the input of substantial volumes of treated wastewater effluent. However, several lines of evidence suggest that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is also an important source of dissolved Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, and isotopically distinct stable Pb ratios (²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb) in the Bay. Conversely, the recirculated seawater component of SGD is an apparent sink for dissolved Mo. This study provides the first measurements of dissolved trace metals in the Jamaica Bay water column and subterranean estuary and provides evidence for trace metal input due to SGD.     

Geoarchaeological investigations of St. Ann's Bay,Jamaica: The search for the Columbus Caravels and an assessment of 1000 years of human land use

A complex interbedded sequence of shallow bay, alluvial fan, and lagoon/marsh facies was revealed during geoarchaeological investigations of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica. Eighteen radiocarbon ages and time-diagnostic artifacts were obtained from these sediments. From these data, the landscape evolution of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, during the last 4800 years is reconstructed. The landscape reconstructions for St. Ann's Bay are used to identify areas where the two caravels abandoned by Christopher Columbus in A. D. 1504 might be located. In addition, two periods of rapid sedimentation, one from A. D. 1000 to 1300 (lagoon filling) and the other between A. D. 1700 and modern times (bay filling), are attributed to human land use around St. Ann's Bay. The earlier period of increased sedimentation corresponds to the introduction and expansion of native peoples to the north side of the island, who brought with them slash-and-burn agriculture. The later period of increased sedimentation in the bay corresponds to the intensification of agricultural use of the area by the Spanish and British. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.