The circulation of the western Mediterranean Sea in spring 2005 as inferred from observations and from model outputs

In situ observations and numerical model simulations have been used to study the circulation of the western Mediterranean Sea during April–May 2005. A hydrological survey and direct current measurements carried out in the western Mediterranean Sea are analyzed with an inverse box model. The model result is a mean circulation of the region during spring 2005 along with simultaneous evaluation of water fluxes through eight transects and associated uncertainties. In order to evaluate the consistency of the results and the weight of currents at shorter temporal and spatial scales, an inter-comparison of differently achieved results is performed. The inverse solution is evaluated against both instantaneous current measurements and simulated velocity fields from a General Circulation Model. The results obtained and the general agreement between the three approaches are encouraging and confirms that the inverse box model is a powerful instrument to investigate flow fields in wide areas of the sea. The picture coming out confirms the previous qualitative knowledge on the mean circulation at all levels, providing, in addition, robust quantitative estimations of the water masses fluxes throughout the western Mediterranean basin.     

Movements in the harlequin fish (Othos dentex), a large predatory serranid from southern Australia: implications for detection and protection

The harlequin fish (Othos dentex) is the largest serranid found in the temperate waters of southern Australia. Acoustic telemetry was used to continuously track the movements and activity patterns of 10 harlequin fish (330–620?mm total length; 0.5–3?kg weight) for a 16-month period at a coastal reef site. Data showed that the harlequin fish is a site-attached, diurnal predator, with a relatively small home range in comparison with other temperate reef fishes from Australia and New Zealand. These characteristics indicate that the harlequin fish is susceptible to localised depletions from fishing, but that it can be protected within no-take marine protected areas and can be detected with appropriate daytime monitoring techniques. Individuals also displayed discrete depth preferences on the reef slope, evidence of a nocturnal home base, and homing ability following disturbance from an extreme storm event.     

Source-rock maturation characteristics of symmetric and asymmetric grabens inferred from integrated analogue and numerical modeling: The southern Viking Graben (North Sea)

We present the results of an integrated analogue and numerical modeling study with a focus on structural, stratigraphic and thermal differences between symmetric and asymmetric grabens. These models enable fault interpretation and subsidence analyses in studies of active rifting and graben migration. We imported the surface topography and crustal thinning factors from the analogue models into tectono-stratigraphic forward models which allowed an assessment of the relative importance of sediment stacking in the generation of symmetric and asymmetric grabens. Effects on source-rock maturation zones were calculated through 1D-thermal modeling for different graben types. Combined analogue-numerical modeling appears to be a useful method to simulate natural examples, as shown in this study of the southern Viking Graben in the northern North Sea. This area was formed by Early Permian-Late Jurassic extension, with rifting most intense during the Late Jurassic. The thermal structure of the model, constrained by lithospheric and sedimentary parameters for this region, compares well with actual source-rock maturation data on the southern Viking Graben.     

Vertical distribution of diapausing Calanus pacificus (Copepoda) and implications for transport in the California undercurrent

Migration to deep water during diapause may contribute to the retention of several dominant oceanic calanoid copepod populations in eastern boundary current systems, where the mean flow of poleward undercurrents is in opposition to mean equatorward surface flow. The vertical distributions of Calanus pacificus late copepodid stages were measured at a 1200-m deep, open-ocean station in the Southern California Bight on 13 dates between April 2000 and March 2001 using a MOCNESS (multiple opening and closing net and environmental sensing system). Copepod vertical distribution was compared to the vertical position of the California Undercurrent. Diapausing C. pacificus were primarily found between 300 and 400 m at the beginning of the diapause season, in June and July, and between 250 and 350 at the end of the diapause season, in November and January. Depth distributions were broader from August to October, ranging from about 350 m to the maximum depth sampled, 1100 m, and the median depth of diapausing C. pacificus was deeper, up to 800-900 m, during this period. Maximal depths of diapausing C. pacificus, 1100-1000 m, were greater than have previously been reported. The mean depth of the California Undercurrent was 250 m, and its approximate depth range was 110-430 m. Diapausing C. pacificus CV were abundant in the California Undercurrent at the beginning and end of the diapause season, in June to July and late-November to January, suggesting that poleward transport of diapausing copepods in the California Undercurrent contributes to C. pacificus population retention in the California Current System.     

The migration patterns of the European flounder Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pleuronectidae,Pisces) at the southern limit of its distribution range: Ecological implications and fishery management

This study aims to determine the diversity of migration patterns of the European flounder (Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758)) present in the Minho estuary and in the adjacent coastal area (NW-Iberian Peninsula). Assessing the diversity of flounder migration patterns at the southern limit of its distribution allows the determination of characteristics of the species' ecology and provides useful information for fishery managers, since it is a regionally important estuarine fishery. An unexpected result of our study was that flounder appears to spawn in both estuarine and coastal areas and not just in coastal areas as was previously widely accepted. Our interpretation of otolith strontium distribution patterns from flounder specimens collected in the freshwater tidal area of the Minho estuary and in the lower estuary suggested that the flounders hatched in the estuary, while only 6.7% of those captured in the coastal area hatched in the coastal area. Ultimately, studies aimed at collecting larval stages and adult flounders must be made to confirm that flounders spawn in the estuary and to define new and better scientifically supported fishing policies, or simply to confirm the existing ones regarding temporal and spatial closures for each gear used in the Minho estuary.     

The distribution and morphology of tintinnids (ciliate protozoans) from the coastal waters around New Zealand

Tintinnids from the surface plankton of New Zealand coastal waters are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. Brief notes are given on their taxonomy, and their use of silica grains, diatom valves, and coccoliths in construction of the lorica is discussed. Distributional data are given for each species and these are related to the hydrological regime.     

Quantitation of metallothionein mRNA from the New Zealand common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus) and its implications for biomonitoring

Metallothionein (MT) is a protein found in most eukaryotes where its primary role is the regulation of homeostasis of the essential metals copper and zinc. MTs have an additional protective role through their binding of toxic metals such as cadmium and mercury. Increased expression of MT in response to harmful levels of these metals has been demonstrated for several aquatic species. In this study, the expression of MT in the liver tissue of the New Zealand common bully Gobiomorphus cotidianus was measured by quantifying MT mRNA. A statistically significant increase in MT expression was observed in fish exposed to copper for 48 h, but not those exposed to zinc. Field sampling of common bullies showed a wide variation in individual hepatic MT mRNA levels which did not correlate with fish age, sex, or sampling location. A comparison of two populations of common bullies from a polluted and a control site showed a two‐fold higher mean MT mRNA level in fish from the polluted site. Implications for using MT expression in the common bully as a bio‐monitoring tool are discussed.     

The morphology and tectonics of the Mark area from Sea Beam and Sea MARC I observations (Mid-Atlantic Ridge 23° N)

High-resolution Sea Beam bathymetry and Sea MARC I side scan sonar data have been obtained in the MARK area, a 100-km-long portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rift valley south of the Kane Fracture Zone. These data reveal a surprisingly complex rift valley structure that is composed of two distinct spreading cells which overlap to create a small, zero-offset transform or discordant zone. The northern spreading cell consists of a magmatically robust, active ridge segment 40–50 km in length that extends from the eastern Kane ridge-transform intersection south to about 23°12′ N. The rift valley in this area is dominated by a large constructional volcanic ridge that creates 200–500 m of relief and is associated with high-temperature hydrothermal activity. The southern spreading cell is characterized by a NNE-trending band of small (50–200 m high), conical volcanos that are built upon relatively old, fissured and sediment-covered lavas, and which in some cases are themselves fissured and faulted. This cell appears to be in a predominantly extensional phase with only small, isolated eruptions. These two spreading cells overlap in an anomalous zone between 23°05′ N and 23°17′ N that lacks a well-developed rift valley or neovolcanic zone, and may represent a slow-spreading ridge analogue to the overlapping spreading centers found at the East Pacific Rise. Despite the complexity of the MARK area, volcanic and tectonic activity appears to be confined to the 10–17 km wide rift valley floor. Block faulting along near-vertical, small-offset normal faults, accompanied by minor amounts of back-tilting (generally less than 5°), begins within a few km of the ridge axis and is largely completed by the time the crust is transported up into the rift valley walls. Features that appear to be constructional volcanic ridges formed in the median valley are preserved largely intact in the rift mountains. Mass-wasting and gullying of scarp faces, and sedimentation which buries low-relief seafloor features, are the major geological processes occurring outside of the rift valley. The morphological and structural heterogeneity within the MARK rift valley and in the flanking rift mountains documented in this study are largely the product of two spreading cells that evolve independently to the interplay between extensional tectonism and episodic variations in magma production rates.     

A survey on Anthomedusae(Hydrozoa: Hydroidomedusae) from the Taiwan Strait with description of new species and new combinations

New data on Anthomedusae are included. Seven new species and 2 new combinations are described. An additional Teissiera polypofera Xu, Huang and Chen, 1991 is redescribed and its position of taxonomy is discussed. Other lists of species on Anthomedusae are summarized.     

阿根廷巴塔哥尼亚陆架拉氏南美南极鱼(Patagonotothen ramsayi)不同组织中脂肪酸分布及食物来源指示

作为南美南极鱼科中数量最为丰富的一个种,拉氏南美南极鱼(Patagonotothen ramsayi)在巴塔哥尼亚海域食物网能量流动中起着重要的传递作用。目前针对该鱼种的营养及摄食生态学研究主要集中于反映短期摄食的传统胃含物分析上。为此,本研究分析了拉氏南美南极鱼3种组织(肌肉、肝脏和性腺)中脂肪酸含量及分布情况,并就3种组织中的脂肪酸是否能表征其食性及食性转换进行了探究。结果表明,拉氏南美南极鱼体内共检测出27种脂肪酸;由于涉及生长、繁殖等因素影响,肝脏、性腺组织对于脂肪酸的储存及使用情况并不适用于指征食性,而肌肉组织更新时间相对较长,故能够较好地反映其对食物中脂肪酸的吸收。对不同体长组拉氏南美南极鱼肌肉组织中脂肪酸分析可知,未成熟拉氏南美南极鱼(100～240 mm)主要摄食浮游性生物;随着体长增加对底栖生物的摄食也随之增加,由浮游性摄食方式转变为浮游-底栖性摄食。另外,因拉氏南美南极鱼摄食一定量的渔业丢弃物,导致腐生食物链和捕食食物链的贡献率特征弱化。研究结果进一步显示,针对大洋性鱼类,与肝脏和性腺相比,肌肉组织脂肪酸更适用于表征食物来源。     

New heat flow measurements in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Sea of Japan): relationship to local BSR depth, and implications for regional heat flow distribution

In July 2007, new marine heat flow data were collected at ten sites (HF01–10) in the central and southwestern sectors of the Ulleung Basin (East Sea or Sea of Japan) as part of regional gas hydrate research. In addition, cores were collected at five of these sites for laboratory analysis. The results show that the geothermal gradient ranged from 103–137 mK/m, and the in-situ thermal conductivity from 0.82–0.95 W/m·K. Laboratory measurements of thermal conductivity were found to deviate by as much as 40% from the in-situ measurements, despite the precautions taken to preserve the cores. Based on the in-situ conductivity, the heat flow was found to increase with water depth toward the center of the basin, ranging from 84–130 mW/m². Using a simple model, we estimated the heat flow from the depths of the BSR, and compared this with the observed heat flow. In our study area, the two sets of values were quite consistent, the observed heat flows being slightly higher than the BSR-derived ones. The evaluation of regional pre-1994 data revealed that the heat flow varied widely from 51–157 mW/m² in and around the basin. Due to a large scatter in these older data, a clear relationship between heat flow and water depth was not evident, in contrast to what would be expected for a rifted sedimentary basin. This raises the question as to whether the pre-1994 data represent the true background heat flow from the underlying basin crust since the basin opening, and/or whether they contain large measurement errors. In fact, evidence in support of the latter explanation exists. BSRs are generally found in the deep parts of the basin, and vary by only ±15 m in depth below the seafloor. From the average BSR depth, we inferred the background heat flow using a simple model, which in the case of the Ulleung Basin is approximately 120 and 80 mW/m² for 2.5 and 1 km below sea level, respectively.