Distribution of dissolved free amino acids, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and chlorophyll a in the surface microlayer and subsurface water of the Yellow Sea, China

Concentrations of 14 different dissolved free amino acids (DFAA), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and chlorophyll a were determined in the surface microlayer and subsurface waters at 41 stations in the Yellow Sea, China in April 2006. The concentrations of DFAA in the subsurface water ranged from 0.13 to 1.62 μM, with an average of 0.57±0.05 μM, while those in the surface microlayer varied between 0.22 and 2.6 μM, with an average of 0.94±0.08 μM. Major constituents of DFAA present in the study area were glycine, alanine, glutamic acid, serine and histidine. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference in average mol fractions of DFAA between microlayer and subsurface water (F=0.0440, P=0.8355). Hierarchical cluster analysis of the station similarity based on the DFAA composition in both the surface microlayer and subsurface water separated three clusters of stations at the 70% Bray–Curtis similarity level. The average concentrations of chlorophyll a and DIN were 1.18 (0.34–4.44) μg L⁻¹ and 16.57 (3.98–49.59) μM in the subsurface water, and those in the surface microlayer were 1.30 (0.24–3.97) μg L⁻¹ and 18.56 (5.77–48.93) μM, respectively. Our results showed that concentrations of chlorophyll a (r²=0.7940, n=41, p<0.0001), DIN (r²=0.6939, n=41, p<0.0001) and DFAA (r²=0.2416, n=41, P=0.0011) in the microlayer were, respectively, correlated with their subsurface water concentrations, implying that there was a strong exchange effect between the microlayer and subsurface water. The enrichment factor of DFAA in the microlayer ranged from 0.47 to 2.24 with a mean of 1.88±0.16.     

Temporal and spatial variations of dimethylsulfide (DMS) and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea

Temporal and spatial distributions of dimethylsulfide (DMS) and its precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) were determined in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea during June-July, 2006 and January-February, 2007. The concentrations of DMS and total DMSP in surface water in the study area were 5.64 (1.79-12.24) and 28.25 (13.98-44.93) nmol L⁻¹ in summer, and were 1.79 (1.02-3.51) and 11.01 (6.90-17.98) nmol L⁻¹ in winter, respectively. The distributions of DMS and DMSP in the study area were obviously influenced by the Yangtze River effluent and the Kuroshio water. Even under highly variable hydrographic conditions, a significant relationship was observed between DMS and chlorophyll a concentrations in summer as well as in winter, suggesting that phytoplankton biomass might play an important role in controlling DMS distribution in the study area. The summer ratios of DMS/chlorophyll a and DMSP/chlorophyll a were approximately twofold higher than winter values, corresponding with the temporal variation in phytoplankton community structure between summer and winter. The sea-to-air fluxes of DMS were estimated to be 5.32 and 11.92 μmol m⁻² d⁻¹ using the equations of Liss and Merlivat (1986) and Wanninkhof (1992), respectively.     

DMSP and DMS in coastal fast ice and under-ice water of Lützow-Holm Bay, eastern Antarctica

The combined concentration of total dimethylsulfoniopropionate and dimethylsulfide (DMSP+DMS) were measured in Antarctic fast ice on the coast of Lützow-Holm Bay, eastern Antarctica. High bulk-ice DMSP+DMS and chlorophyll a concentrations were found at the bottom of the sea ice, and these concentrations were higher than those in the under-ice water. The bulk-ice DMSP+DMS and chlorophyll a concentrations were highly correlated (r²=0.68, P<0.001), suggesting that the high bulk-ice DMSP+DMS concentrations were caused mainly by the presence of algae assemblages in the ice. The calculated brine DMSP+DMS concentrations were as high as 1100 nM in the bottom ice layer, and the vertical profile patterns of brine DMSP+DMS concentrations were almost the same as for the bulk ice, mainly because of the small amount of variability in the vertical brine volume fraction. DMSP+DMS and chlorophyll a concentrations in the under-ice water increased, whereas the salinity of the under-ice water decreased, during the sampling period. These results reflect the supply of freshwater containing high levels of DMSP+DMS to the water just under the ice as the ice melted. These results suggest that sea-ice melting could be important to sulfur cycling in coastal ice-covered regions of the polar oceans.     

Seasonal dynamics of zooplankton in Lake Huetzalin, Xochimilco (Mexico City, Mexico)

We quantified the seasonal changes in the zooplankton abundances collected from the Huetzalin Lake (Mexico City, Mexico) for two years (February 2003–January 2004 and then March 2005–February 2006). Selected physicochemical variables (Secchi depth, temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon and chlorophyll a concentration) were also measured at the time of zooplankton collection. The data on zooplankton abundances and the physicochemical variables were subjected to multiple correlation analysis and we also derived Shannon–Wiener species diversity index. Secchi depth ranged from 9 to 65 cm. Generally the lake was alkaline (pH 7–12). The conductivity ranged from 500–1000 mS cm⁻¹, while the mean water temperature was 20.5 °C. Dissolved oxygen levels were generally >3 mg L⁻¹ and were higher in the winter than warmer months. Nitrates (90–95 μg L⁻¹) and phosphates (.2–.5 mg L⁻¹) indicated that the water was eutrophic. Chlorophyll a levels ranged from 143 to 696 μg L⁻¹ during the study period. The zooplankton community was dominated by rotifers (46 species), followed by cladocerans (9 species) and there were only two copepod species. The dominant rotifer species were Brachionus angularis, Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus havanaensis, Brachionus quadridentatus, Lecane bulla and Polyarthra vulgaris. Rare rotifer species in Lake Huetzalin were Lecane ohioensis, Dicranophorus forcipatus, Lecane pyriformis, Lindia torulosa, Pleurotrocha petromyzon and Brachionus durgae. Highest densities (occasional peaks of 400 ind L⁻¹) of B. quadridentatus occurred between April and December, while B. havanaensis reached peak densities, during June to October. B. calyciflorus reached densities higher than 1240 ind L⁻¹ during May–September. Cladoceran and copepod densities in Lake Huetzalin were much lower than that of the rotifers. This study confirmed the earlier findings that Xochimilco system of canals is dominated by rotifers and the crustacean zooplankton have much lower abundances possibly due to predation from fish.     

Dissolved inorganic nutrients and organic substrates in the River Warnow (North-Eastern Germany) – Utilisation by bacterioplankton

After 1990, external loads of Central European rivers with inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and organic material were reduced because of changed environmental laws. However, in the eutrophic lowland River Warnow, North-Eastern Germany, nitrate concentrations remained high with 35–185 μmol l⁻¹ without a significant decrease since 1992. In contrast, phosphate concentrations, varying between 0.3 and 5.2 μmol l⁻¹ during the growth season 2002, decreased significantly over the years. However, its concentrations still exceeded 1 μmol l⁻¹ regularly in the growth seasons. This load led to a substantial accumulation of organic matter additional to high terrestrial inputs. Despite the high organic load, the remineralising bacteria were mainly inactive in River Warnow. Therefore, the composition of the dissolved organic material, especially its bioavailability, were investigated during the growth season 2002 and discussed with other potential controlling factors. River Warnow carried a high load of dissolved organic carbon (14 mg l⁻¹), especially of humic substances (5.5 mg C l⁻¹). Bacterial abundance (12×10⁶ ml⁻¹) as well as production (1.7 μg C l⁻¹ h⁻¹) depended on temperature. During late spring and summer at constantly higher temperatures, bacterial production correlated positively to readily utilisable substrates and to humic compounds. Thus, the bacterial community in River Warnow may be well adapted or contain enough species using the available amino acids and carbohydrates as well as humic matter compounds. However, calculated from protozoan biomass, grazing may control bacterial biomass and perhaps community composition profoundly, what lead to the low percentages of active bacteria.     

Consequences of coastal upwelling events on physical and chemical patterns in the central Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)

The consequences of a coastal upwelling event on physical and chemical patterns were studied in the central Gulf of Finland. Weekly mapping of hydrographical and -chemical fields were carried out across the Gulf between Tallinn and Helsinki in July–August 2006. In each survey, vertical profiles of temperature and salinity were recorded at 27 stations and water samples for chemical analyses (PO₄³⁻, NO₂⁻+NO₃⁻) were collected at 14 stations along the transect. An ordinary distribution of hydrophysical and -chemical variables with the seasonal thermocline at the depths of 10–20 m was observed in the beginning of the measurements in July. Nutrient concentrations in the upper mixed layer were below the detection limit and nutriclines were located just below or in the lower part of the thermocline. In the first half of August, a very intense upwelling event occurred near the southern coast of the Gulf when waters with low temperature and high salinity from the intermediate layer surfaced. High nutrient concentrations were measured in the upwelled water – 0.4 μmol l⁻¹ of phosphates and 0.6 μmol l⁻¹ of nitrates+nitrites. We estimated the amount of nutrients transported into the surface layer as 238–290 tons of phosphorus (P)-PO₄³⁻ and 175–255 tons of N-NO_x for a 12 m thick, 20 km wide and 100 km long coastal stretch. Taking into account a characteristic along-shore extension of the upwelling of 200 km, the phosphate-phosphorus amount is approximately equal to the average total monthly riverine load of phosphorus to the Gulf of Finland. It is shown that TS-characteristics of water masses and vertical distribution of nutrients along the study transect experienced drastic changes caused by the upwelling event in the entire studied water column. TS-analysis of profiles obtained before and during the upwelling event suggests that while welled up, the cold intermediate layer water was mixed with the water from the upper mixed layer with a share of 85% and 15%. We suggest that the coastal upwelling events contribute remarkably to the vertical mixing of waters in the Gulf of Finland. Intrusions of nutrient-rich waters along the inclined isopycnal surfaces in the vicinity of upwelling front were revealed. The upwelling event widened the separation of phosphocline and nitracline which in turn prevented surfacing of nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen during the next upwelling event observed a week after the upwelling relaxation. A suggestion is made that such widening of nutricline separation caused by similar upwelling events in early summer could create favourable conditions for late summer cyanobacterial blooms.     

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.     

Organic biomarkers for tracing carbon cycling in the Gulf of Papua (Papua New Guinea)

Sediment traps were deployed in the Gulf of Papua in June–July 1997, to determine fluxes of organic matter and inorganic elements from the photic zone to deeper waters at the base of the continental slope and in the northern Coral Sea. Three stations, ranging from 900 to 1500 m depth, had “shallow” traps at 300 m below the water surface and “deep” traps set 100 m above the bottom. Infiltrex II water samplers collected particulate and dissolved organic matter from the Fly, Purari and Kikori rivers, and near-surface water from the shelf of the Gulf of Papua. Samples were analysed for molecular organic biomarkers to estimate the sources of organic carbon and its cycling processes.Dry weight fluxes from the shallow traps ranged from 115 to 181 mg m⁻² day⁻¹ and particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes ranged from 1.2 to 1.9 mM OC m⁻² d⁻¹ with molar organic carbon to particulate nitrogen ratios (C/N) ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. Fluxes in deep traps were likely influenced by both early diagenesis and entrapment of resuspended shelf sediments. Dry weight fluxes in deep traps ranged from 106 to 574 mg m⁻² day⁻¹ and POC fluxes ranged from 0.6 to 1.5 mM OC m⁻² d⁻¹, with C/N ratios ranging from 8.5 to 10.8. ¹³C/¹²C ratios were −20.2‰ to −21.7‰ in all trap samples, indicating that most of the settling POC was “marine-derived”. Shallow traps had δ¹⁵N values of 6.3‰ to 7.2‰ while the values in deep traps were 4.9–5.0‰, indicating the N-rich near-surface OC was less degraded than that in the deep traps. The biogenic lipids consisted of hydrocarbon, sterol and fatty acid biomarkers indicative of marine zooplankton, phytoplankton and bacteria. Sterol markers for diatoms and dinoflagellates were abundant in the water samples. Highly branched isoprenoid alkenes, usually attributable to diatoms, were also detected in both water and shallow traps. Traces of C₂₆–C₃₄ n-alcohols indicative of land–plant biomarkers, were found in river water samples and in the shallow sediment traps. A large unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of hydrocarbons, and a uniform distribution of n-alkanes, indicative of petroleum hydrocarbons, were also detected in the traps. Hopane and sterane biomarkers detected in the trap oil were characteristic of a marine carbonate source, and the aromatic hydrocarbon composition distinguished at least two different oil signatures.We concluded that mass and POC fluxes were similar to those reported for other continental shelves and marginal oceans in tropical and subtropical regions. There was a dramatic decrease in POC as particles sank, due to zooplankton repackaging and photochemical and bacterial decomposition. Carbon isotopic and biomarker patterns showed most of the POC in the sediment traps was marine-sourced with only traces of terrestrial input. There was a significant flux of petroleum, which may signal the existence of natural petroleum seeps in this region.     

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.     

Sources of chloride in hydrothermal fluids from the Valles caldera, New Mexico: a Cl study

The Valles caldera in New Mexico hosts a high-temperature geothermal system, which is manifested in a number of hot springs discharging in and around the caldera. In order to determine the fluid pathways and the origin of chloride in this system, we measured ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios in waters from high-temperature drill holes and from surface springs in this region. The waters fall into two general categories: recent meteoric water samples with low Cl⁻ concentrations (< 10 mg/L) and relatively high ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios [(300–1000) × 10⁻¹⁵]; and geothermal brines with high Cl⁻ concentrations (800–9400 mg/L) but low ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios [(11–26) × 10⁻¹⁵]. The ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios for meteoric waters are slightly higher than expected for this region, suggesting a small addition of anthropogenic ³⁶Cl. Because of low ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios and high Cl⁻ concentrations in the brines, chloride in these waters must be derived from subsurface sources. A comparison between the observed ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios in the brines and those calculated for potential source formations in this region indicates that the present host formations, mainly volcanic tuffs, cannot be major sources of chloride, and that formations at greater depth, such as the Paleozoic and Precambrian formations are more likely to be sources of chloride in the brines. The results suggest that brines are meteoric waters which penetrated into the basement where they derive chloride from leaching of basement rocks and/or from saline pore fluids trapped there, along with likely addition of chloride from Paleozoic strata. Although these fluids have since come to reside in the intracaldera volcanic sequence after convective upwelling, they do not derive much Cl⁻ from the volcanic strata; and residence times of fluids in the volcanics are < 100,000 years.     

Polyfluorinated compounds in waste water treatment plant effluents and surface waters along the River Elbe, Germany

Polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were investigated in waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and surface waters of the River Elbe from samples collected in 2007. Concentrations of various PFCs, including C₄–C₈ perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs), C₆ and C₈ perfluorinated sulfinates, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, C₅–C₁₃ perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), C₄ and C₈ perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides and 6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 unsaturated fluorotelomercarboxylic acids were quantified. ∑PFC concentrations of the river water ranged from 7.6 to 26.4 ng L⁻¹, whereas ∑PFC concentrations of WWTP effluents were approximately 5–10 times higher (30.5–266.3 ng L⁻¹), indicating that WWTPs are potential sources of PFCs in the marine environment. PFC patterns of different WWTP effluents varied depending on the origin of the waste water, whereas the profile of PFC composition in the river water was relatively constant. In both kinds of water samples, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the major PFC, whereas perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) was the predominant PFSA.     

Imposex levels and concentrations of organotin compounds (TBT and its metabolites) in Nassarius nitidus from the Lagoon of Venice

Specimens of Nassarius nitidus were collected in seven stations of the Venice Lagoon to assess the levels of tributyltin (TBT) and its metabolites monobutyltin and dibutyltin in the tissues and monitor their effect on organisms, in particular the phenomenon of imposex (superimposition of male sexual characteristics on females). The following values of population indices were found: vas deferens sequence: 1.2 ± 0.7–4.0 ± 0.5; relative penis length: 6–47%. The least impacted station was situated in the northern part of the Lagoon, where females without imposex were found and Butyltin (BuTs) concentrations in the organisms (average sum of BuTs = 43 ± 14 ng Sn g⁻¹ w.) were significantly lower than in the other stations (range of average sum of BuTs: 101 ± 22–217 ± 27 ng Sn g⁻¹ d.w.). Population indices were found to be related to the TBT content in the tissues. In particular VDSI had a significant logarithmic correlation: r = 0.95, n = 8, p < 0.05.     

Phytoplankton absorption spectra along the water column in deep North Patagonian Andean lakes (Argentina)

During a summer period we studied the vertical variation of in vivo and chlorophyll a specific phytoplankton absorption spectra in relation to the underwater light climate of ten deep North Patagonian Andean lakes of Argentina. The lakes were thermally stratified, and the underwater light climate was characterized by extended euphotic zones which included highly illuminated epilimnetic layers (both UVR and PAR) and metalimnia exposed to dim blue-green light. Most of the lakes presented the development of Deep Chlorophyll Maxima (DCM) at the metalimnetic layers, near 1% of surface PAR irradiance. Analyzing the fourth-derivative plots of in vivo phytoplankton absorption spectra [d^IVa_ph(λ)], we were able to identify several maxima absorption values attributed to different pigments. Considering lakes with DCM, a significant positive linear relationship was found between d^IVa_ph (495–500 nm) normalized by chlorophyll a and downward irradiance. Indeed, a negative significant relationship was found between d^IVa_ph (495–500 nm) normalized by chlorophyll a and diffuse PAR attenuation coefficients. These results point out an increase in the relative concentration of different carotenoids at surface layers indicating the role of photoprotection of these pigments. On the other hand, significant negative linear relationships were found between fourth-derivative spectra normalized by chlorophyll a at 650, 590–595, 560–565 and 520–525 nm and downward irradiance. These results indicated an increase in the relative concentration of photosynthetic accessory pigments at deep layers of the euphotic zone. Furthermore, we found a decrease in depth of specific absorption spectra at 440, 670 nm and in the ratio a_ph* (440 nm) to a_ph* (670 nm). This pattern was associated with the package effect concept. The increase in relative photosynthetic accessory pigment concentrations and the decrease in values of specific absorption spectra at the bottom of the euphotic zone were attributed to changes in phytoplankton communities between surface and deep layers. These outcomes pointed out that the underwater light climate and temperature water structure are, like in marine systems, very important factors governing the distribution of phytoplanktonic organisms. In addition, the possession of specific photosynthetic accessory pigments suggests that dominant species in the DCM are well adapted to these dim blue-green light scenarios.     

Deposition, mineralization, and storage of carbon and nitrogen in sediments of the far northern and northern Great Barrier Reef shelf

The flow of carbon and nitrogen in sediments of the far northern and northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef continental shelf was examined. Most of the organic carbon (81–94%) and total nitrogen (74–92%) depositing to the seabed was mineralized, with burial of carbon (6–19%) and nitrogen (8–20%) being proportionally less on this tropical shelf compared with other non-deltaic shelves. Differences in carbon and nitrogen mineralization among stations related best to water depth and proximity to river basins, with rates of mineralization based on net ∑CO₂ production ranging from 17 to 39 ( mean=23) mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹. The overall ratio of O₂:CO₂ flux was 1.3, close to the Redfield ratio, implying that most organic matter mineralized was algal. Sulfate reduction was estimated to account for ≈30% (range: 6–62%), and denitrification for ≈5% (range: 2–13%), of total C mineralization; there was no measurable CH₄ production. Discrepancies between ∑CO₂ production across the sediment–water interface and sediment incubations suggest that as much as 5 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ (≈25% of ∑CO₂ flux) was involved in carbonate mineral formation. Most microbial activity was in the upper 20 cm of sediment. Rates of net NH₄⁺ production ranged from 1.6 to 2.7 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹, with highly variable N₂ fixation rates contributing little to total N input. Ammonification and nitrification rates were sufficient to support rapid rates of denitrification (range: 0.1–12.4 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹). On average, nearly 50% of total N input to the shelf sediment was denitrified. The average rates of sedimentation, mineralization, and burial of C and N were greater in the northern section of the shelf than in the far northern section, presumably due to higher rainfall and river discharge, as plankton production was similar between regions. The relative proportion of plankton primary production remineralized at the seafloor was in the range of 30–50% which is at the high end of the range found on other shelves. The highly reactive nature of these sediments is attributed to the deposition of high-quality organic material as well as to the shallowness of the shelf, warm temperatures year-round, and a variety of physical disturbances (cyclones, trawling) fostering physicochemical conditions favorable for maintaining rapid rates of microbial metabolism. The rapid and highly efficient recycling of nutrients on the inner and middle shelf may help to explain why the coral reefs on the outer shelf have remained unscathed from increased sediment delivery since European settlement.     

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.     

The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Nannochloropsis limnetica (Eustigmatophyceae) and its implication for food web interactions, freshwater aquaculture and biotechnology

In the eustigmatophycean Nannochloropsis limnetica the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is extremely high in comparison to different planktonic green algal taxa in freshwater ecosystems. The sums of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in N. limnetica were ten-fold higher than in the other picoplankton Choricystis minor and Pseudodictyosphaerium jurisii, and higher than in the nanoplanktonic green algae Chlorella vulgaris, Monoraphidium neglectum and Scenedesmus obtusiusculus. The content of fatty acids in N. limnetica was highly variable under different culture conditions. The highest concentrations of PUFA in N. limnetica were found in non-aerated suspension cultures, with a high content of phosphate (40 mg l⁻¹ K₂HPO₄) in the culture medium: linoleic acid 22.19 mg g⁻¹ DW, arachidonic acid 10.52 mg g⁻¹ DW, and eicosapentaenoic acid 55.56 mg g⁻¹ DW. N. limnetica represent a high-quality food resource in freshwater food chains. Furthermore, cultures of this eustigmatophycean alga have a high potential for use in biotechnology and aquaculture.     

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Daya Bay, China: An in situ study of primary production and environmental impacts

A month-long investigation of phytoplankton biomass and primary production (PP) was carried out during a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in Daya Bay, China, in 2003. During the bloom, the phytoplankton community was dominated by Scrippsiella trochoidea and Chattonella marina. The phytoplankton biomass (Chl a) and PP reached peak levels of 519.21 mg m⁻³ and 734.0 mgC m⁻³ h⁻¹, respectively. Micro-phytoplankton was the key contributor to Chl a and PP in a cage-culture area and in the adjacent HAB-affected waters, with percentages of up to 82.91% and 84.94%, respectively. The HAB had complicated relationships with hydrological and meteorological factors in Daya Bay. However, the water around the cage-culture area always showed statistically greater phytoplankton biomass and nutrient loadings than in adjacent waters, suggesting that this was the “trigger area” of the bloom. The spatial and temporal distribution of diverse HABs in Daya Bay, their ecological characteristics, and their environmental impacts are also discussed in this paper.