Distinctive copepod community of the estuarine turbidity maximum: comparative observations in three macrotidal estuaries (Chikugo, Midori, and Kuma Rivers), southwestern Japan

Copepods are considered to be a vital component connecting the unique macrotidal environment to the high productivity and high biodiversity of the Ariake Sea. To examine the spatiotemporal succession of copepod communities, we conducted monthly sampling (vertical hauls of a 100-μm mesh plankton net) in three neighboring macrotidal estuaries between 2005 and 2006. Irrespective of the season, three copepod communities were recognized in relation to the relatively long gradients of salinity and turbidity along the Chikugo and Midori River estuaries. The oligohaline community (salinity 1–10) was observed at higher turbidities (>100 NTU), whereas the freshwater (salinity <1) and meso/polyhaline (salinity >10) communities were associated with lower turbidities (<100 NTU). The oligohaline calanoid Sinocalanus sinensis occurred only in the Chikugo River estuary, maintaining a large biomass (dry weight >10 mg m^?3) in or close to the well-developed estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) throughout the year. In the Midori River estuary, the oligohaline community lacked S. sinensis and showed a minimum biomass during winter (<10 mg m^?3). In both estuaries, the freshwater community always remained at a small biomass (<1 mg m^?3), whereas the meso/polyhaline community showed marked seasonal changes in biomass (0.1–657 mg m^?3). The prevalence of higher salinities allowed only the meso/polyhaline community to occur in the Kuma River estuary. In summary, S. sinensis characterized the copepod community distinctive of the well-developed ETM, potentially serving as an important link to higher trophic levels during winter when copepods are scarce in other areas.     

Mercury and the estuarine marsh clam, Rangia cuneata gray. II. uptake, tissue distribution and depuration

During a two-week period, Rangia rapidly accumulates mercury (as mercuric chloride) from dilute solution (0·03–0·05 ppm) with the majority being located in gill and mantle tissue. Initial depuration (5 h) in clean seawater is rapid in all tissues. From 10–192 h concentrations of mercury in gill, foot and adductor muscles remain stable while mantle, haemolymph and viscera levels continue to fluctuate in a manner suggesting internal redistribution of mercury. After eight days of depuration, the viscera contains the most mercury and appears to be the only tissue to increase its proportionate share of the total tissue mercury. After fifteen weeks of depuration, residual mercury in whole clams is about 20% of initial concentrations. Acute decreases in salinity (15% S to 2% S) enhance Rangia's ability to depurate mercury.     

Carbon disulfide in the estuarine, coastal, and oceanic environments

The concentration of carbon disulfide (CS₂) in surface water and relevant hydrographic parameters were determined in coastal waters of the eastern USA (Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay, including the Potomac River; 7–11 September 1986). The CS₂ concentration varied extensively along the cruise track, from 4 to 510 pmol S(CS₂) l⁻¹ (n = 103). The average values in estuarine, shelf, and oceanic waters were found to be 118 ± 100 pmol S(CS₂) l⁻¹ (n = 54), 51 ± 34 pmol S(CS₂) l⁻¹ (n = 14), and 28 ± 12 pmol S(CS₂) l⁻¹ (n = 35), respectively. To help interpret the geochemical behavior of CS₂, we analyzed the depth distribution of CS₂ in the North Atlantic Ocean during an earlier cruise (23 April–2 May 1986). In most cases, these depth profiles show a near-surface maximum at about 10–20 m depth and a relatively steep gradient below this maximum. Based on the distribution pattern in the water column and evidence provided by earlier workers, we propose that diffusion of CS₂ from bottom sediments may contribute to CS₂ levels in surface seawater. The atmospheric concentration of CS₂ was also investigated at some locations during the September cruise. Except during periods when there was a significant anthropogenic input, the concentration of CS₂ in air was generally in the range of 4–15 pptv (parts per trillion by volume) with a mean of 10.4 ± 4.0 pptv (n = 10). The calculated sea-to-air emission rates of CS₂ at each of our sampling stations show a decreasing trend across estuarine, shelf, and oceanic areas, in agreement with the trend in surface water concentrations.     

Year-round accumulation of particulate organic matter in the estuarine turbidity maximum: comparative observations in three macrotidal estuaries (Chikugo, Midori, and Kuma Rivers), southwestern Japan

The inner part of the Ariake Sea is one of the most productive estuarine systems in Japan. To examine potential food items for estuarine organisms, we conducted monthly observations of the dynamics of particulate organic matter along the macrotidal Chikugo River estuary in 2005 and 2006. In the neighboring macrotidal Midori and Kuma River estuaries, comparative observations were made. High turbidity and strong vertical mixing were observed only at low salinities (<10) in the Chikugo River estuary. In contrast, the Midori and Kuma River estuaries were characterized by less turbid and less mixed waters. Concentrations of particulate organic carbon often exceeded 5?mg?l^?1 in or close to the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) of the Chikugo River estuary. However, such high concentrations were rarely observed in the other two estuaries. The observed differences could be attributable to different hydrodynamic processes related to the different lengths of tidal reaches: 23, 8, and 6?km in the Chikugo, Midori, and Kuma Rivers, respectively. In the Chikugo River estuary, spatiotemporal changes of chlorophyll a suggested that phytoplankton occurred abundantly up- and/or downstream from the ETM especially during the warm season. In contrast, pheophytin (i.e., plant detritus) always accumulated in or close to the ETM. Carbon stable isotope ratios and carbon to nitrogen ratios indicated that the plant detritus was derived from phytoplankton and terrestrial plants. The Chikugo River estuary has a high potential to support the production of estuarine organisms through abundant plant detritus in the well-developed ETM all the year round.     

Kinetics of hepatic phase I and II biotransformation reactions in eight finfish species

Hepatic microsomes and cytosols of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), hybrid striped bass (M. saxatilis × M. crysops), and bluegill (Lepomis macrochuris) (n = 8) were used to study the kinetics of phase I (ECOD, EROD, PROD, BROD) and phase II (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT)-, sulfotransferase (ST)- and glutathione-s-transferase (GST)-mediated) reactions. The best catalytic efficiency for ECOD and GST activities was performed by channel catfish, Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and tilapia. The highest EROD catalytic efficiency was for Atlantic salmon. None of the species had either PROD or BROD activities. Rainbow trout had very similar UDPGT catalytic efficiency to tilapia, channel catfish, Atlantic salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill. Sulfotransferase conjugation had no significant differences among the species. In summary, tilapia, channel catfish, Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout had the best biotransforming capabilities; striped bass, hybrid striped bass and bluegill were low metabolizers and largemouth bass shared some capabilities with both groups.     

基于浮标观测的长江口外海流特征分析

为了揭示长江口外海域海流的特征及其季节和垂向变化规律,于2006年8月1日-2007年7月31日在长江口外海域（平均水深约46.0m）利用大型浮标进行了1年的分层海流流速流向观测。结果表明：（1）该海域海流为顺时针方向的旋转流,在垂向上流向较一致,季节变化不显著。（2）长江口外海域水平流速总体较大,夏季表层最大流速为128.5cm/s,冬季最大表层流速为105.5cm/s;垂线平均流速相近（差异<8.0 cm/s）,夏季流速最大为47.0cm/s,冬季为40.8cm/s。小潮的平均流速为26.5cm/s,大潮平均流速为小潮的2倍。（3）剖面各层流速垂向差异明显,最大流速出现在表层（春季和冬季）或次表层（夏季和秋季）,最小流速均出现在底层;各层的最大平均流速为57.9cm/s,出现在夏季的18m层。（4）垂线平均余流为7.5~11.3 cm/s,春季最强冬季最弱;春季和冬季各层余流均为东向,夏季和秋季基本为东北向或北向。（5）观测海域海流受长江冲淡水、台湾暖流、季风、潮汐等动力作用的共同制约。     

Molecular and biochemical tricks of the research trade: -omics approaches in finfish aquaculture

Profitability of fish farming can be undermined by a suite of biological constraints. Effects of these constraints on the biology of the animal, the functioning of a tissue, or the quality of the final filleted product can be detected with very sensitive hi-tech approaches, grouped by the term ‘-omics’. These -omics technologies further present powerful tools for the genetic selection of diverse traits and, as such, will contribute substantially to the future development of the aquaculture sector. Sustainability issues of importance to the industry, such as environmental impacts, use of therapeutants, fish health management and fishmeal replacement, can again be aided, at least in part, through the effective use of -omics technologies. It thus appears that -omics technologies may be a key tool for the responsible growth of intensive aquaculture in the 21st century. In this paper we review the current status of -omics technologies and the potential for application within the aquaculture industry.     

Statistical analysis of estuarine profiles: III. Application to nitrate,nitrite and ammonium in the Tamar estuary

Estuarine profiles of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium concentration taken over a period of six years were analysed by a statistical procedure. While nitrate profiles indicate conservative mixing, those of nitrite and ammonium exhibit maxima indicative of an estuarine input. Calculations using an advective analogue suggest that production of nitrite by oxidation throughout the water column would require unduly high populations of nitrifying bacteria (>10⁶ cells l⁻¹). Sedimentary production rates required to sustain the observed nitrite maxima are compatible with combined nitrification and denitrification rates observed elsewhere (1–2μmol m⁻² d⁻¹). The relative displacement of the nitrite and ammonium maxima and the frequent presence of a turbidity maximum in the Tamar estuary suggest that nitrite production in the sediment is probably augmented by water column nitrification in the region of the freshwater/brackish water interface. Simulations on the advective analogue provide circumstantial support for this suggestion.     

厦门海沧进港航道口门浅滩的形成与演变

本文报道了九龙江口口门浅滩地貌，沉积特征和水文泥沙特性，探讨了九龙江口口门浅滩特别是厦门海沧进港航道（即鸡屿北水道）口门浅滩的形成与演变。结果表明，厦门海沧进港航道口门浅滩是在江流，海潮，咸淡水交汇等多种因素综合作用和影响下形成的，其冲淤演变过程与屿河口沙坝不断淤积扩大有着直接的关系。     

Acute sublethal toxicity of MV Rena contaminants (heavy fuel oil,oil dispersant and cryolite) to finfish and rock lobster

ABSTRACT

The wreck of the MV Rena in October 2011 discharged large quantities of potentially toxic materials in the coastal marine environment of the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. We evaluated sublethal effects of the water soluble fractions of physically and chemically dispersed heavy fuel oil (HFO) and the water soluble fraction of cryolite on the haematology of subadult or adult snapper (Chrysophrys auratus), spotted wrasse (Notolabrus celidotus) and red rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii). Small but transient effects occurred, the most significant of which were changes in circulating immune cell populations in fish and lobster that recovered by the conclusion of a 96-h exposure period. No post-exposure effects were observed during a 10-day recovery in toxicant-free seawater. Corexit 9500 oil dispersant increased polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) uptake from HFO in fish and lobster by around two-fold and four-fold, respectively, and caused a larger change in immune cell abundance in snapper than exposure to HFO alone. While depuration of PAHs was more rapid in fish than lobster, significantly elevated PAH levels were still evident after 10 days of depuration.     

The chemical, physical and structural properties of estuarine ice in Great Bay, New Hampshire

The purpose of this study was to provide general information on the chemical, physical and structural properties of estuarine ice and show how it compares with sea ice found at higher latitudes in order to determine whether the ice in Great Bay can be used as an analog in the study of arctic sea ice.Ice cores and water samples were collected during the 1983–1984 winter season at Adams Point in Great Bay, New Hampshire. Concentrations of chloride, nitrogen (as nitrate and nitrite), bromide, phosphate, sulfate and silicate were determined for samples chosen on the basis of identifiable stratigraphic layers (i.e. bubble size and shape, sediment layers, etc.).Similarities between ice formation in Great Bay and those in the arctic regions include the nature of the freezing process and the ice types produced. In addition, the distribution and concentration of chemical constituents were found to be similar to those observed in arctic sea ice. Factors affecting the chemistry of the ice in Great Bay include rainfall during the freezing season, the presence of sediment layers in the ice cores, the nature of incorporation of brine into the crystal structure of the ice and the drainage of brine.     

Distributions of carbohydrates, including uronic acids, in estuarine waters of Galveston Bay

The concentrations of carbohydrates, including uronic acids, in dissolved (≤0.45μm) and colloidal (1 kDa—0.45 μm) phases were measured in estuarine waters of Galveston Bay, TX, in order to study their role in heavy metal detoxification. The concentrations of dissolved monosaccharides (MCHO) in Galveston Bay ranged from 13 to 62 μM-C, and those of dissolved polysaccharides (PCHO) ranged from 10 to 42 μM-C. On average, MCHO and PCHO contributed about 11% and 7% to dissolved organic carbon (DOC), respectively. The colloidal carbohydrates (CCHO) in Galveston Bay varied from 7 to 54 μM-C, and accounted for 9% to 24% of the colloidal organic carbon (COC), with an average value of 17%, suggesting that CCHO is abundant in the high molecular weight (HMW) fraction of DOC. The concentration of CCHO is generally significantly higher than that of PCHO. This result is attributed to entrainment of low molecular weight (LMW) carbohydrates into the retentate fraction during ultrafiltration. The concentration of total dissolved uronic acids (DUA) in the same samples varied from 1.0 to 8.3 μM-C, with an average value of 6.1 μM-C, while the colloidal uronic acids (CUA) ranged from 0.8 to 6.4 μM-C, with an average value of 4.8 μM-C. The concentrations of DUA are higher than the previously reported values in coastal waters. Furthermore, CUA represent a dominant component of DUA in Galveston Bay waters. More importantly, significant correlations of PCHO and DUA to dissolved Cu concentrations (≤0.45 μm) were found, suggesting that acid polysaccharides were produced in response to trace metal stressors.     

Characteristics and landcover of estuarine boundaries: implications for the delineation of the South African estuarine functional zone

This study investigated whether the current lateral boundary for estuaries in South Africa, i.e. the estuarine functional zone (EFZ), includes all estuarine habitats. The EFZ covers 173 930 ha in 304 estuaries/outlets nationally. Field surveys and analysis of available aerial images showed that 82 (12 956.70 ha) of these estuaries (26%) had estuarine habitats occurring outside of this boundary. As a result of mapping scale, the National Vegetation Map does not represent habitats that are associated with small estuaries (approximately 50% of South Africa's estuaries). For estuaries in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces, most habitats have been lost due to urban development, whereas in subtropical areas (northern Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal), cultivation has removed estuarine habitat. Although delineation of boundaries can be complicated by landcover changes, the estuarine lateral boundary in Cape estuaries could be identified based on sediment characteristics (moisture content, organic content, electrical conductivity), groundwater characteristics (salinity, conductivity and depth) and plant species. The delineation of the EFZ needs to be consistent, inclusive of all estuarine physical and biological processes, and cost-effective to identify so that it can protect estuarine habitats.     

Coastal and estuarine habitat mapping, using LIDAR height and intensity and multi-spectral imagery

The airborne laser scanning LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) provides high-resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTM) that have been applied recently to the characterization, quantification and monitoring of coastal environments. This study assesses the contribution of LIDAR altimetry and intensity data, topographically-derived features (slope and aspect), and multi-spectral imagery (three visible and a near-infrared band), to map coastal habitats in the Bidasoa estuary and its adjacent coastal area (Basque Country, northern Spain). The performance of high-resolution data sources was individually and jointly tested, with the maximum likelihood algorithm classifier in a rocky shore and a wetland zone; thus, including some of the most extended Cantabrian Sea littoral habitats, within the Bay of Biscay. The results show that reliability of coastal habitat classification was more enhanced with LIDAR-based DTM, compared with the other data sources: slope, aspect, intensity or near-infrared band. The addition of the DTM, to the three visible bands, produced gains of between 10% and 27% in the agreement measures, between the mapped and validation data (i.e. mean producer's and user's accuracy) for the two test sites. Raw LIDAR intensity images are only of limited value here, since they appeared heterogeneous and speckled. However, the enhanced Lee smoothing filter, applied to the LIDAR intensity, improved the overall accuracy measurements of the habitat classification, especially in the wetland zone; here, there were gains up to 7.9% in mean producer's and 11.6% in mean user's accuracy. This suggests that LIDAR can be useful for habitat mapping, when few data sources are available. The synergy between the LIDAR data, with multi-spectral bands, produced high accurate classifications (mean producer's accuracy: 92% for the 16 rocky habitats and 88% for the 11 wetland habitats). Fusion of the data enabled discrimination of intertidal communities, such as Corallina elongata, barnacles (Chthamalus spp.), and stands of Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis, which presented misclassification when conventional visible bands were used alone. All of these results were corroborated by the kappa coefficient of agreement. The high classification accuracy found here, selecting data sources, highlights the value of integrating LIDAR data with multi-spectral imagery for habitat mapping in the intertidal complex fringe.     

Organochlorine residues in common terns and associated estuarine organisms,Massachusetts, USA, 1971–81

Organochlorine residues were measured in eggs of common terns Sterna hirundo at nine stations and in Atlantic silversides Menidia menidia at 11 stations in coastal Massachusetts, 1973–74. Tern eggs were sampled at one station from 1971 to 1981 and at another from 1973 to 1978. Mussels Mytilus edulis and various fish were sampled in 1975–76. PCBs were the predominant residues in all samples. DDE, TDE, DDT and HEOD were detected in most samples of fish. HE, Alpha-chlordane, oxychlordane and HCB were also detected in most samples of tern eggs. Concentrations of DDE, TDE and PCBs in tern eggs were highly correlated with those in fish at the same stations. Concentrations of PCBs in tern lipids were about 10 times those in the lipids of their prey. Except for HCB, concentrations of organochlorines were highest in urban areas (Boston Harbor and Buzzards Bay) and lowest in remote areas (outer Cape Cod). In Buzzards Bay, levels of DDE, HEOD, HCB and PCBs declined significantly between 1971 and 1981. However, on outer Cape Cod, only PCBs clearly declined after 1973, and by 1976 most of the urban-rural differences in levels of other organochlorines had disappeared. The geographical patterns in pesticide residue levels were associated both with urban uses and with specific agricultural uses. The highest levels of PCBs were associated with industrial effluents at New Bedford and Boston. Hatching failure in common terns was associated with elevated residues of DDE in one sample, but population effects of DDE were only marginal after 1971.     

河口冲刷时间的研究进展与问题

冲刷时间是表征河口水体交换的一个非常重要的物理量．本文在回顾潮汐河口冲刷时间研究现状的基础上，分析了影响冲刷时间的主要影响因子．结论表明冲刷时间不仅是潮棱体和淡水径流量的函数，而且与河口形态、天气要素密切相关，各要素之间的非线性关系更增加了冲刷时间研究的复杂性．在今后的研究中，应以河口界面的观点，加强河口冲刷时间界面机制的研究，并注重人类活动对冲刷时间的影响．     

Phosphorus distribution in the estuarine sediments of the Daliao river,China

The objective of this study was to investigate the phosphorus distribution in the estuarine sediments of the Daliao river, intensively affected by municipal effluent and agricultural activity for about 50 years. Surface sediment samples were taken at 35 sites in the estuarine area and phosphorus species and contents of total P, Al, Fe, and Ca in the sediments were measured. Results showed that the content of total P in the sediments ranged from 230 to 841 mg kg⁻¹, with an average of 549 mg kg⁻¹. Ca–bound P, residual P, Al–bound P, reductant–soluble P, Fe–bound P, and soluble and loosely bound P were averagely 44.5, 21.6, 13.6, 11.7, 8.9 and 0.2% of total P, respectively. With the gradual increase of total P content, Al–bound P, reductant–soluble P, and Fe–bound P generally increased, while the rest species of P did not. This might indicate that anthropogenic P is bound to Al and Fe oxides. Regression analysis showed that Al–bound P and sum of Fe–bound P and reductant–soluble P were correlated to the contents of total Al and Fe, respectively. On the other hand, Ca–bound P was not correlated to the content of total Ca in the sediment, probably suggesting that Ca–P was mainly from authigenic marine origin. Whereas the content of total P in the estuarine sediments of the Daliao river was within the range of total P content for Chinese and worldwide river estuaries as well as coastal sediments, non-calcium apatite phosphorus content in the estuarine sediments of the Daliao river was relatively higher, indicating higher release risk and bioavailability of P in the sediment. On the other hand, the molar ratio of total Fe to total P was 16–34 in the estuarine sediments of the Daliao river, suggesting that iron oxides/hydroxides in the sediments might be able to sequester more phosphorus. Therefore, the accumulation or release of P in/from the estuarine sediments might be dependent on the external loading of P and the estuarine eutrophication may be sustained by the internal bioavailable P pools following the decrease of the external P loading.