Phosphorus and nitrate run‐off in hill pasture and forest catchments,Taita, New Zealand

Abstract

Phosphorus and nitrogen were measured in stream run‐off from the four catchments of the Taita Experimental Basin (41° 11′ S, 174° 58′ E). The land is used as exotic conifer forest, native forest, and hill pasture. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate chemical losses per unit area in floods and at low flows.

At low flows, the hill pasture (fertilised with lime at 630 kg·ba^?1·y^?1, and superphosphate at 380 kg·ha^?1·y^?1) tended to lose more phosphorus and nitrate than the forested land, but differences were small, and not always significant. During large floods, the hill pasture (No. 5 Catchment) lost about 3 times as much reactive phosphate and 2–5 times as much total phosphorus as the forested land, and 130–190 times as much nitrate as land in the Exotic Forest and Native Forest 2 Catchments. Nitrate losses from land in the No. 4 Catchment (mainly native forest) were as high as those from the hill pasture, so high nitrate loss is not associated solely with agriculture.

Losses of total phosphorus via the catchment streams were estimated as: No. 5 Catchment (hill pasture), 293 g·ha^?1·y^?1; Native Forest 2 Catchment, 201 g·ha^?1·y^?1; No. 4 Catchment, 124 g·ha^?1·y^?1; Exotic Forest Catchment, 71 g·ha^?1.y^?1. Nitrate‐N losses were estimated to have been 1356 g·ha^?1·y^?1, 11.5 g·ha^?1·y^?1, 1436 g·ha^?1·y^?1, and 44 g·ha^?1·y^?1 respectively. Phosphorus and nitrate concentrations were similar in the Exotic Forest and Native Forest 2 streams, but the Exotic Forest tended to lose smaller amounts because it yielded about 50% less water per unit area.

Over the 2‐y study, an estimated 47–70% of phosphorus losses and up to 83% nitrate losses occurred in large floods; 31% and 48% respectively were apparently lost from the hill pasture catchment in a single flood. Less than 20% of estimated phosphorus losses and as little as 1% of nitrate losses occurred at low flows.

Run‐off of phosphorus and nitrate was spasmodic, and this should be considered in assessing the impact of surface run‐off on the biology and chemistry of receiving waters.     

Saldanha Bay,South Africa III: new production and carrying capacity for bivalve aquaculture

Measurements of NH₄, NO₃, urea and HCO₃ uptake using 15N and 13C stable isotope tracers were undertaken in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, between January 2012 and January 2013. These studies provide the first direct measurements of N utilisation by the plankton in the bay. Primary production in the bay is driven predominantly by the advection of nutrients from the neighbouring shelf environment during upwelling events, with terrestrial and other sources providing minor inputs. New production (NO₃-based) was calculated from the f-ratio and total primary production and was used to provide estimates of potential carrying capacity for bivalve culture. Despite the apparent light limitation of NO3 uptake in the winter, the availability of NO₃ appeared to exert the major influence on new production throughout the year. In addition, new production was modulated by NH₄ availability as shown by the suppression of NO₃ uptake by concentrations higher than 1?1.5?mmol m^?3. The estimated areal new production of 0.60?g C m^?2 d^?1 yielded a bay-wide annual estimate of 9 811 t C ha^?1 y^?1, slightly higher than previous calculations based on physical models. It is estimated that the total annual production of mussels and oysters, respectively, for a 1 000-ha cultivation area is approximately 40 000–53 000 t y^?1 (mainly Mytilus galloprovincialis) and 4 600–6 000 t y^?1 (Crassotrea gigas). The combined total production figures constitute only 24–31% of the surplus new production. A combined harvestable carrying capacity of 74 000–82 000 t y^?1 can be calculated from this surplus. However, from a management and ecological perspective, bivalve culture should be limited to well below this theoretical maximum. Even with this constraint, there appears to be considerable scope for expansion of bivalve farming over the modest, present levels with little jeopardy to ecological integrity.     

Rates of coastal erosion and accretion in New Zealand

Abstract

Rates of coastal erosion and accretion for New Zealand are calculated for the period since early European colonisation. Methods used for calculating rates from cadastral plans, vertical aerial photographs and field measurements are described, evaluated, and illustrated with examples. The most natural reference line for measurements of shoreline changes and for defining the seaward boundary of land is the seaward limit of land vegetation. Measurements made from air photographs and plans at scales larger than 1:4000 have errors less than ± 1 m. As scales become small, errors increase proportionately. Along depositional shorelines, erosion and accretion generally occur at 0.5–4.0 m.y^?1. Maximum erosion and accretion rates are 25.4 m.y^?1 at North Kaipara Head and 68.9 m.y^?1 at Farewell Spit respectively. Cliff recession generally occurs at 0.25 ‐ 1.0 m.y^?1 with maximum rates of 2.25 m.y^?1 for mudstone cliffs at Cape Tumagain and 3.46 m.y^?1 for conglomerate cliffs at Ngapotiki.     

Factors influencing biodeposit production by the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii

Laboratory experiments on the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii were used to investigate the short-term effects (7–8 days) of food type on rates of biodeposition and benthic substrate respiration. Post-feeding biodeposition rates ranged from 0.34 to 1.52?mg?g^?1?h^?1 (mean?=?0.50?mg g^?1?h^?1) and were unaffected by the addition of toxin-producing Microcystis. Addition of suspended sediment (30?mg?L^?1) visibly altered substrate composition, and increased total and inorganic biodeposit production rates by 24–33% compared to mussels fed commercial phytoplankton stock. Biodeposition rates of mussels in lake bed substrates were 38% higher than those in silica sand for identical feeding regimes, suggesting that a significant proportion of material produced in this experiment could have been derived from feeding on organic matter in the lake bed sediments. Respiration rates were higher in treatments with Microcystis but were unaffected by the presence of mussels. This laboratory study suggests that biodeposition by E. menziesii is resilient to short-term exposure to Microcystis, and highlights the ability of mussels to alter benthic substrate composition by incorporating suspended sediment into substrates.     

Dynamic patterns of dissolved nitrogen in the Southern Bight of the North Sea

Spatial and temporal variations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) have been assessed in onshore and offshore areas of the Southern Bight on the basis of several years' measurements. They indicate that both the residual flow lines and DIN isoconcentration lines run parallel with the coast except in the vicinity of important freshwater discharge points such as the Scheldt estuary. Evidence was found that the seasonal DIN oscillations are not created through fluctuations in input conditions at the lateral boundaries, despite considerable fluctuations in these inputs which include the English Channel (from 500 tons(t) N day^?1 in June up to approximately 2000 t N day^?1 in February) and also rivers such as the Scheldt estuary (up to 50 t N day^?1 in January but less than 5 t N day^?1 in June–July). In both the onshore and offshore areas the sum of daylight phytoplanktonic nitrogen intake and sediment release of nitrogen corresponds to the observed DIN variations during most of the year. Pelagic N-mineralization from natural or grazing mortality of phytoplankton (220 mg N m^?2 day^?1 onshore at its maximum) can account for the differences (200 mg N m^?2 day^?1 onshore at its maximum), especially at the end of the phytoplankton spring bloom. Although the causes of DIN oscillations onshore and offshore are the same, the results differ because offshore (1) the vegetative season lasts longer, and (2) DIN is exhausted at the end of the phytoplankton spring bloom.     

Water quality in a polluted lowland stream with chronically depressed dissolved oxygen: Causes and effects

Abstract

The Whangamaire Stream (North Island, New Zealand) has high concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO^? ₃‐N), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), and Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) as a result of catchment land use practices. The lower reaches of the stream drain intensively farmed land and have dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 10–50% saturation. The dominant riparian vegetation, Apium nodiflorum, provides a large organic loading by intercepting nutrients in run‐off and then decaying in the stream channel. Water quality and reaeration aspects of the stream were studied in order to explain the observed low DO levels. Measurements of the reaeration coefficient at 20°C, K₂ ²⁰, using methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) as a gas tracer, yielded values of 1.1–3.0 d^?1 for the upper part of the study reach and 15.5–16.2 d^?1 for the lower reach (overall average 12.5 ± 2.5 d^?1). These were in agreement with values inferred from single‐station diurnal curve analysis, which also showed that respiration was dominant in the lower reach where photo‐synthetic activity was inhibited by shade. The relatively large reaeration coefficients ensure that parts of the stream do not become anoxic at night time. Better riparian management and reduced nutrient inputs are likely to improve stream water quality.     

Nitrogen loads to New Zealand aquatic receiving environments: comparison with regulatory criteria

ABSTRACT

There is concern about the deteriorating nutrient status of aquatic receiving environments in New Zealand. We estimated the amount by which current nitrogen (N) concentrations and loads exceed criteria in rivers, lakes and estuaries nationally. Criteria corresponded to national ‘bottom-line’ (i.e. minimal) environmental objectives set by government policy. Three metrics were evaluated: (1) degree of compliance describes the current TN loads in receiving environments relative to criteria; (2) catchment N status describes the acceptability of catchment N loads compared to criteria; and (3) excess load indicates the amount by which the N load exceeds the maximum allowable load (kg yr^?1). Non-compliance with N criteria was broadly distributed nationally particularly in low-elevation catchments. Catchments with unacceptable N status constituted at least 31% of New Zealand’s land area, which corresponds to at least 43% of the country’s agricultural land. The national excess load was estimated to be at least 19.1 Gg yr^?1. We are 97.5% confident that estimated excess loads exceed zero for nine of 15 regions and for the nation as a whole. The analyses provide a strategic assessment of where reductions in N emissions are required to achieve the minimal national objectives.     

Chemistry of sediments in relation to trophic condition of eight Rotorua Lakes

Abstract

Chemical parameters (pH, Eh, carbon, Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, 0.5M H₂SO₄‐extractable phosphorus, organic phosphorus, and water‐soluble phosphorus) were measured in the surface layers of sediments collected from various depths in Lakes Rotowhero, Okaro, Ngapouri, Rotokakahi, Okareka, Tikitapu, Okataina, and. Rotoma during October 1972. The sediments of the productive geothermal lake, Rotowhero, were markedly different from those of the cold‐water lakes: they had relatively low pH values, high carbon (mean 8.5%) and organic phosphorus (mean 4160 μg.g^?1) concentrations, and very high total phosphorus concentrations (mean 4770 μg.g^?1), probably as a result of enrichment by hot springs.

The mean concentrations in the sediments of the cold‐water lakes were carbon 3.2–7.9%, Kjeldahl nitrogen 3380–8310 μg.g^?1 and phosphorus 690–1780 μg.g^?1. These concentrations are within the ranges for New Zealand terrestrial topsoils, but the lake sediments appear enriched in phosphorus relative to local topsoils. Total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations of sediments tended to be highest in the eutrophic lakes (Okaro, Ngapouri) although the deep oligotrophic lakes (Okataina, Rotoma) had relatively high total phosphorus concentrations (means 1400, 1510 μg.g^?1). Overall, the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations of the sediments showed little relationship to the trophic state of the lake.

Organic phosphorus concentrations of the surface layers of sediments were similar in all the cold‐water lakes (mean 319 μg.g^?1). The proportion of the total phosphorus apparently ‘fixed’ in mineral material was minimal (0–1%) in sediments from the eutrophic and mesotrophic lakes, but in the oligotrophic lakes was similar to that in New Zealand topsoils (9–14%). Reducing conditions may cause solution of a high proportion of the ‘fixed’ phosphorus in the eutrophic lakes.

The water‐soluble phosphorus concentrations in the sediments of the five shallow cold‐water lakes (Okaro, Ngapouri, Rotokakahi, Okareka, Tikitapu) correlated positively with trophic state and with concentrations of dissolved phosphorus in the lake waters.

Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations in the sediments tended to vary with overlying water depth. This should be considered when comparisons are made between lakes.     

How much runoff do riparian wetlands affect?

Abstract

Nitrate runoff from pastoral fanning is of concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. Surface flow in wetlands is a measure of the runoff likely to experience nitrate attenuation. This study assessed the potential of small headwater wetlands to reduce catchment nitrate loads by quantifying the proportion of total runoff that occurred as surface flow at the outlet of wetlands. Surface flow can be measured from wetlands in side valleys (valley wetlands) with well defined flow channels, but not in those parallel to the stream (riparian wetlands) with distributed flow. This study, from November 2004 to June 2008: (1) measured the mean specific flow yield (mm yr^?1) at the outlet of 6 wetlands; (2) classified wetlands into 3 types based on hydrology; (3) mapped and classified all wetlands in the catchment; and (4) calculated the area‐weighted mean specific yield of wetlands for the whole catchment. The 6.6 km² study catchment at Taupo, North Island, New Zealand, was predominantly pasture on volcanic soils where flows were baseflow dominated. Riparian and valley wetlands occupied 5% of catchment area. Type 1 wetlands flowed continuously, were dominated by baseflow (81–83%), and had a mean annual yield (± SE) of 167 ± 46 mm (34% of stream yield). Type 2 wetlands dried up during droughts and type 3 wetlands dried up each summer. Both latter types had a low baseflow component (20%) and a yield of 66±18 mm (13% of stream yield). In one tributary, gaugings over 4 days in summer during a wet year indicated that 27% of streamflow originated from wetlands. For the catchment as a whole, wetland baseflow accounted for 11± 4% of mean annual streamflow and wetland quickflow another 8 ± 2%, although these percentages are likely underestimates because seepages occurred downslope from measurement points. Although riparian and valley wetlands occupied only 5% of the catchment area, they could potentially have attenuated nitrogen in 11–19% of runoff. Other catchments may have different hydrology and wetland nitrate attenuation, and the methods outlined here could be used to quantify these differences.     

An assessment of participation,catch and effort in the KwaZulu-Natal shore-based marine linefishery,with comments on management effectiveness

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of current management of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) shore-based marine linefishery. Methods used included a stratified-random creel survey and an associated questionnaire survey. The study was undertaken between February 2009 and January 2010. Total participation ranged between 41 283 and 68 087 shore-anglers. Results show that there has been little change in participation in the KZN shore-fishery since 1994–1996. In contrast, total angler effort (779 382–843 702 angler-days y^?1) has decreased substantially over the past 13 years. Overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the KZN shore-linefishery amounted to 0.18 ± 0.3 fish angler^?1 h^?1 or 0.07 ± 0.13 kg angler^?1 h^?1. In all, 84 fish species, belonging to 39 families, were recorded in catches of shore-anglers during the study period. Only five species accounted for 75% of the catch recorded along the coast (Sarpa salpa 34.8%, Pomatomus saltatrix 14.7%, Diplodus capensis 14.5%, Pomadasys olivaceum 6.5% and Rhabdosargus holubi 4.9%). The total annual catch for the KZN shore-linefishery was estimated between 249.2 and 276.7 t y^?1 (or 636 589–706 995 fish y^?1). Analysis of overall CPUE, catch composition and total catch in the shore-based linefishery of KZN suggested that it is currently in a relatively stable condition and that little change has occurred over the past 13 years. However, comparisons of species-specific CPUE values from this study with recent literature suggest that some species (e.g. Argyrosomus japonicus) are severely overexploited. Over the past few decades there seems to have been a gradual transition in landings from long-lived, high trophic-level, piscivorous fish (e.g. A. japonicus) to more short-lived, low trophic-level species (e.g. S. salpa). The results therefore suggest that present exploitation levels may not be sustainable for certain slow-growing, long-lived fish species. Current management regulations appear to have limited effectiveness based on poor angler compliance and knowledge of the regulations. In this regard, it is important to consider alternate management measures that may offer more effective protection to fish and at the same time be more easily understood by all anglers in the linefishery. Recommendations for improved management and the importance of the establishment of an effective MPA network are briefly discussed.     

Anthropogenic increases of catchment nitrogen and phosphorus loads in New Zealand

Spatial regression models were used to predict yields (kg?ha^?1?yr^?1) of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) discharged from catchments throughout New Zealand under natural and current conditions. The models were derived using loads (kg?yr^?1) of TN, NO₃-N, TP and DRP calculated for 592 river water quality monitoring sites. Anthropogenic increases in yields above natural levels were associated with the proportions of catchments occupied by the intensive agricultural land cover and were unevenly distributed across regions. Anthropogenic increases in national loads of TN, NO₃-N, TP and DRP exported to the ocean were 74%, 159%, 48% and 18%, respectively. Increases in loads exported to the ocean varied considerably at smaller scales, with catchments having significant load increases between 4- and 26-fold for N and 6- to 9-fold for P. Predictions of yields and loads reported here have utility in the development of strategies to manage nutrients.     

Microbial activity promotes the enrichment of cobalt over nickel on hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts

The different mineral phases of the ferromanganese (Fe–Mn) crusts stem from the interaction of biotic and abiotic components. It is therefore vital to study the activity of these components to decipher their contribution to the enrichment/depletion of metals in the crust. Thus, the present study examined sorption and release of Co and Ni by Fe-Mn crusts with associated microbial communities in the presence and absence of the metabolic poison sodium azide (15?mM). The study was conducted in the presence (G⁺) and absence (G^?) of added glucose (0.1%) at temperatures of 4?±?1°C and 28?±?2°C. Results showed that the microbial community had maximal sorption of Co of 66.12?µg?g^?1 at 4?±?1°C in the absence of added glucose and 479.75?µg?g^?1 at 28?±?2°C in the presence of added glucose. Maximum sorption of Ni in the absence of added glucose was 1.89?µg?g^?1 at 4?±?1°C and release of Ni was 51.28?µg?g^?1 in the presence of added glucose. Under abiotic conditions with 15?mM sodium azide as a metabolic inhibitor, significant amounts of Co and Ni were released in the G⁺ medium. Total cell counts on the Fe-Mn crust in the presence of added glucose increased by an order of magnitude from 10⁶ to 10⁷ cells g^?1 and in the absence of added glucose remained within the order of 10⁶ cells?g^?1 irrespective of temperature of incubation. Microscopic observation of the samples from biotic incubations showed numerous bacterial cells, exopolysaccharides, and structures resembling secondary minerals formed by bacteria. The results indicate that bacteria promote the enrichment of Co and Ni on the hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts by sorption processes and release of Ni by reductive dissolution of the oxides. The higher enrichment of Co than Ni is attributed to the way in which microbes interact with the metals.     

A sediment budget for the Choptank River estuary in Maryland,U.S.A.

A sediment budget for the Choptank River, one of the three largest estuaries on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, was developed from measurements of sediment carried in upland runoff, shore erosion, sedimentation, and levels of suspended sediments in estuarine waters. Shore erosion was the major source of sediment (340 × 10⁶ kg y^?1), contributing seven times more sediment than upland runoff. Low relief, the rural character of the Coastal Plain drainage basin, and the susceptibility of poorly consolidated shoreline materials to erosion contributed to the dominance of shore erosion over runoff as a sediment source. Box modelling indicated a net annual flux (14–44 × 10⁶ kg y^?1) of sediment from the Choptank River to Chesapeake Bay. A mass balance estimate of sedimentation, calculated as the difference between total inputs and loss at the mouth of the estuary, (350 × 10⁶ kg y^?1) agreed well with an estimate based on ²¹⁰Pb profiles (340 × 10⁶ kg y^?1) measured along the longitudinal axis of the estuary. Lead-210 sedimentation rates correspond to accumulation rates of 1·5–7·9 mm y^?1.     

Metabolism and chemical composition of zooplankton from 500 to 5,000?m depth of the western subarctic Pacific Ocean

Respiration (=oxygen consumption) rates of 28 zooplankton species belonging to 10 taxa from 500 to 5,000?m depth of the western subarctic Pacific Ocean were determined as 0.027–0.44?μLO₂ mg dry mass^?1 h^?1 at in situ temperatures (1.5–3?°C), which are 80?% lower than the rates of the epipelagic Antarctic zooplankton with similar body mass and at a comparable temperature. In terms of adjusted metabolic rate to 1?mg body N (AMR; μLO₂?mg?N^?0.8?h^?1) at 1?°C, the present results (mean 1.66) fall well within the range (0.84–3.32) reported for copepods, chaetognaths, and mixed crustaceans from 500 to 7,000?m in the subarctic Pacific Ocean and Antarctic waters. Judging from their body C:N elemental ratios and ash-free dry mass (=organic matter) data, the major component of organic matter is deduced to be protein (C:N?=?3.4–8.1, by mass) for 19 out of 28 species and lipids (C:N?=?8.6–13.0) for the remaining 9 species.     

Chemical determination of particulate nitrogen in San Francisco Bay. Nitrogen: chlorophyll a ratios in plankton

Particulate nitrogen (PN) and chlorophyll a (Chla) were measured in the northern reach of San Francisco Bay throughout 1980. The PN values were calculated as the differences between unfiltered and filtered (0·4 μm) samples analyzed using the UV-catalyzed peroxide digestion method. The Chla values were measured spectrophotometrically, with corrections made for phaeopigments. The plot of all $\text{PN}\text{Chl}\text{a}$ data was found to be non-linear, and the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was found to be the best selector for linear subsets of the data. The best-fit slopes of $\text{PN}\text{Chl}\text{a}$ plots, as determined by linear regression (model II), were interpreted to be the N: Chla ratios of phytoplankton. The Y-intercepts of the regression lines were considered to represent easily-oxidizable detrital nitrogen (EDN). In clear water ( < 10 mg l^?1 SPM), the N: Chla ratio was 1·07 μg-at N per μg Chla. It decreased to 0·60 in the 10–18 mg l^?1 range and averaged 0·31 in the remaining four ranges (18–35, 35–65, 65–155, and 155–470 mg l^?1). The EDN values were less than 1 μg-at N l^?1 in the clear water and increased monotonically to almost 12 μg-at N l^?1 in the highest SPM range. The N: Chla ratios for the four highest SPM ranges agree well with data for phytoplankton in light-limited cultures. In these ranges, phytoplankton-N averaged only 20% of the PN, while EDN averaged 39% and refractory-N 41%.     

Resistance of Hong Kong waters to nutrient enrichment: assessment of the role of physical processes in reducing eutrophication

Hong Kong waters receive high nutrient loading from year-round sewage effluent and Pearl River discharge during the summer wet season. We assessed the role of physical processes in reducing eutrophication by calculating a eutrophication reduction index for four different hydrographical areas and four seasons. We used outdoor incubation experiments to assess the response of phytoplankton when physical (mixing and dilution) processes and mesozooplankton grazing were reduced. The primary regulator of phytoplankton growth in low nutrient eastern waters (reference site) shifted from nutrients in the wet season to increased vertical mixing in the dry season. In the highly flushed western waters and Victoria Harbour, the majority (>86?%) of the eutrophication impacts were reduced by strong hydrodynamic mixing (turbulence, vertical mixing, and flushing effects) all year. In southern waters, eutrophication effects were severe (chlorophyll a of up to ~73?μg?L^?1) and was regulated by the ambient phosphate (PO₄) concentration (~0.1?μM) during summer. In contrast, 62–96?% of the potential eutrophication impacts were reduced by physical processes during other seasons. Bioassays also revealed that the yield of chlorophyll from dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) that was taken up by phytoplankton [1.1–3.3?g?Chl (mol?N)^?1] was not significantly different in both N- and P-limited cases. In contrast, the uptake ratios of DIN:PO₄ (26:1–105:1) and Chl:P ratios [42–150?g?Chl (mol?P)^?1] in the P-limited cases were significantly (p?<?0.05, t test) higher than the N-limited cases [~16DIN:1P and 22–48?g?Chl (mol?P)^?1]. The C:Chl ratios ranged from 32 to 87?g?g^?1. These potential ranges in ratios need to be considered in future nutrient models.     

Sustainable shellfish aquaculture in Saldanha Bay,South Africa

The carrying capacity for bivalve shellfish culture in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, was analysed through the application of the well-tested EcoWin ecological model, in order to simulate key ecosystem variables. The model was set up using: (i) oceanographic and water-quality data collected from Saldanha Bay, and (ii) culture-practice information provided by local shellfish farmers. EcoWin successfully reproduced key ecological processes, simulating an annual mean phytoplankton biomass of 7.5 µg Chl a l^–1 and an annual harvested shellfish biomass of about 3 000 tonnes (t) y^–1, in good agreement with reported yield. The maximum annual carrying capacity of Small Bay was estimated as 20 000 t live weight (LW) of oysters Crassostrea gigas, or alternatively 5 100 t LW of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, and for Big Bay as 100 000 t LW of oysters. Two production scenarios were investigated for Small Bay: a production of 4 000 t LW y^–1 of mussels, and the most profitable scenario for oysters of 19 700 t LW y^–1. The main conclusions of this work are: (i) in 2015–2016, both Small Bay and Big Bay were below their maximum production capacity; (ii) the current production of shellfish potentially removes 85% of the human nitrogen inputs; (iii) a maximum-production scenario in both Big Bay and Small Bay would result in phytoplankton depletion in the farmed area; (iv) increasing the production intensity in Big Bay would probably impact the existing cultures in Small Bay; and (v) the production in Small Bay could be increased, resulting in higher income for farmers.     

Spatial and temporal variability of the ratios between the nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the Sea of Okhotsk

The relation between the nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the Sea of Okhotsk and the bordering waters of the Pacific Ocean were studied. The surveys were carried out in the autumn, spring, and summer of 2001–2002. For the deepwater part of the sea, the relation [NO^? ₃] = ((14.88 ± 0.07) × [PO^3? ₄] ? 5.46 ± 0.17) was found. The coefficients in the equation given are statistically different from those in the similar equation for the Pacific waters: [NO^? ₃] = (16.05 ± 0.15) × [PO^3? ₄]-(7.23 ± 0.36). In the northern part of the sea; on the shelf; in the slope area; and, especially, in the deep waters of the TINRO Depression, the linear dependence between the phosphate and nitrate concentrations was distorted. This feature was described in terms of nitrate deficiency. The maximum values of this deficiency were found in the near-bottom waters. The principal processes that might cause the nitrate deficiency were considered: the difference in the oxidation rates of the nitrogen and phosphorus organic compounds, the matter transfer between the continent and the sea, the different efficiency of the biogenic burial of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bottom sediments, and the denitrification in the upper layer of the bottom sediments. It was shown that the most probable cause of the nitrate deficiency was the denitrification. The loss of inorganic nitrogen owing to the supply of the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk to the Pacific Ocean was estimated as ～2.5 × 10¹¹ mol N/year.     

Inorganic nitrogen acquisition by the tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea

The tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea is dominant in most regions of the Indo‐Pacific and the Red Sea and was introduced into the Mediterranean Sea after the opening of the Suez canal. The species is considered invasive in the Mediterranean Sea and has been progressively colonizing new areas westward. Growth and photosynthetic responses of H. stipulacea have been described but no information is yet available on the nitrogen nutrition of the species. Here we simultaneously investigated the uptake kinetics of ammonium and nitrate and the internal translocation of incorporated nitrogen in H. stipulacea using ¹⁵N‐labelled substrates across a range of N_i levels (5, 25, 50 and 100 μm ). The ammonium uptake rates exceeded the nitrate uptake rates 100‐fold, revealing a limited capacity of H. stipulacea to use nitrate as an alternative nitrogen source. The uptake rates of ammonium by leaves and roots were comparable up to 100 μm ¹⁵NH₄Cl. At this concentration, the leaf uptake rate was 1.4‐fold higher (6.22 ± 0.70 μmol·g^?1 DW h^?1) than the root uptake rate (4.54 ± 0.28 μmol·g^?1 DW h^?1). The uptake of ammonium followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics, whereas nitrate uptake rates were relatively constant at all nutrient concentrations. The maximum ammonium uptake rate (V_max) and the half‐saturation constant (K_m) of leaves (9.79 μmol·g^?1 DW h^?1 and 57.95 μm , respectively) were slightly higher than that of roots (6.09 μmol·g^?1DW h^?1 and 30.85 μm , respectively), whereas the affinity coefficients (α = V_max/K_m) for ammonium of leaves (0.17) and roots (0.20) were comparable, a characteristic that is unique among seagrass species. No substantial translocation (<2.5%) of ¹⁵N incorporated as ammonium was detected between plant parts, whereas the translocation of ¹⁵N incorporated as nitrate was higher (40–100%). We conclude that the N_i acquisition strategy of H. stipulacea, characterized by a similar uptake capacity and efficiency of leaves and roots, favors the geographical expansion potential of the species into areas with variable water‐sediment N levels throughout the Mediterranean.     

Reference and current Trophic Level Index of New Zealand lakes: benchmarks to inform lake management and assessment

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of trophic status is fundamental to understanding the condition and function of lake ecosystems. We developed regression models to predict chlorophyll a concentrations (chl a) in New Zealand lakes for reference and current states, based on an existing dataset of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations for 1031 lakes. Models were then developed to predict Secchi depth based on chl a and a sediment resuspension term applicable to shallow lakes. Estimates of all four Trophic Level Index (TLI) variables (chl a, TN, TP and Secchi depth) were analysed to estimate reference and current state TLI for the nationally representative sample of 1031 lakes. There was a trend of eutrophication between reference and current states, with systematic differences among lake geomorphic types. Mean chl a increased 3.5-fold (2.42?mg?m^?3 vs. 8.32?mg?m^?3) and mean Secchi depth decreased (indicating lower clarity) by approximately one-third (9.62?m vs. 6.48?m) between reference and current states. On average, TLI increased by 0.67, with the TLI increase >1 in approximately one-third (31%) of lakes. This study informs the status of lake ecosystems in NZ and provides benchmarks to guide management and assessment.