Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel, a harmful microalga, and its production of dimethylsulfoniopropionate

The production of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and its cleavage products (DMS) are well studied in phytoplankton worldwide. However, less is known about their sources, distributions, and impacts in the coast of China. We examined the production of DMSP and DMS in Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel and other benthic macroalgae from the South China coast in relation to environmental conditions. P. globosa was a harmful marine microalgal species and its bloom took place in the eutrophic waters along the South China Sea frequently. It also produced high content of DMSP at different growth stages, with the highest concentration usually observed in the stationary period. Moreover, the production of DMSP in P. globosa was significantly affected by salinity and temperature with the highest contents associated with high salinity (e.g. 40) and low temperature (e.g. 20°C). In field benthic macroalgae, there was also a marked difference in the DMSP of various species or different samples of the same species. Chlorophyll a contents were also determined for each macroalgal species. The highest chlorophyll a (238.7 ng/g fresh weight) was recorded in Chlorophyta Ulva lactuca at Guishan Island (Zhuhai), while the lowest value (1.5 ng/g fresh weight) was found in Rhodophyta Gracilaria tenuistipitata in Zhanjiang. Further correlation analysis indicated that there was no significant relationship between the content of DMSP and chl-a in macroalgae samples (P > 0.05). All the results suggested that the production of DMSP in marine algae was not only species- and stage-related, but also greatly affected by various environmental factors.     

Effects of temperature,salinity, and irradiance on the growth of harmful algal bloom species Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel(Prymnesiophyceae) isolated from the South China Sea

Blooms of Phaeocystis globosa have been frequently reported in Chinese coastal waters, causing serious damage to marine ecosystems. To better understand the ecological characteristics of P. globosa in Chinese coastal waters that facilitate its rapid expansion, the effects of temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of P. globosa from the South China Sea were examined in the laboratory. The saturating irradiance for the growth of P. globosa( I s) was 60 μmol/(m 2 ?s), which was lower than those of other harmful algal species(70–114 μmol/(m~2 ?s)). A moderate growth rate of 0.22/d was observed at 2 μmol/(m~2 ?s)(the minimum irradiance in the experiment), and photo-inhibition did not occur at 230 μmol/(m~2 ?s)(the maximum irradiance in the experiment). Exposed to 42 different combinations of temperatures(10–31°C) and salinities(10–40) under saturating irradiance, P. globosa exhibited its maximum specific growth rate of 0.80/d at the combinations of 24°C and 35, and 27°C and 40. The optimum growth rates(0.80/d) were observed at temperatures ranging from 24 to 27°C and salinities from 35 to 40. While P. globosa was able to grow well at temperatures from 20°C to 31°C and salinities from 20 to 40, it could not grow at temperatures lower than 15°C or salinities lower than 15. Factorial analysis revealed that temperature and salinity has similar influences on the growth of this species. This strain of P. globosa not only prefers higher temperatures and higher salinity, but also possesses a flexible nutrient competing strategy, adapted to lower irradiance. Therefore, the P. globosa population from South China Sea should belong to a new ecotype. There is also a potentially high risk of blooms developing in this area throughout the year.     

中国北部湾沿海蕨藻科的分类研究

【目的】对2016-2019年在北部湾沿海采集的绿藻门蕨藻类的样品进行分类学研究。【方法】利用形态学方法,对蕨藻科样品进行形态鉴定。【结果与结论】经过鉴定,确定该水域蕨藻科2属4种/变种,即拟蕨藻属(Caulerpella)的含糊拟蕨藻(Caulerpella ambigua)和蕨藻属(Caulerpa)的盾叶蕨藻(Caulerpa chemnitzia)、总状蕨藻大叶变种(C. racemosa var.macrophysa)和棒叶蕨藻长柄变型(C. sertularioides f. longipes)4种。     

Nutrients distribution and trophic status assessment in the northern Beibu Gulf,China

Using historical and 2010 field data, the distribution of nutrients in the northern Beibu Gulf of China is described. There was a decreasing trend in the concentration of nutrients from the north coast to offshore waters of the northern Beibu Gulf, reflecting the influence of inputs from land-based sources. High concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen （DIN） and phosphate （PO4-P） occurred mainly at Fangchenggang Bay, Qinzhou Bay, and Lianzhou Bay. Four different methods were used to assess eutrophication. The trophic status of the Beibu Gulf was characterized using the single factor, Eutrophication index （El）, Trophic index （TRIX） and Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status （ASSETS） methods. Based on nutrient concentrations, 73.9% of DIN and 26.7% of PO4-P samples exceeded the fourth grade Seawater Quality Standard of China. Eutrophication index values varied widely, but higher levels of eutrophication were generally found in bays and estuaries. TRIX values ranged from 2.61 to 7.27, with an average of 4.98, indicating a mesotrophic and moderately productive system. A positive correlation between TRIX and harmful algal species richness and abundance was observed. The ASSETS model evaluates eutrophication status based on a Pressure-State-Response approach, including three main indices： influencing factors, overall eutrophic condition, and future outlook. The Beibu Gulf was graded as moderate using ASSETS. The single factor and Chinese nutrient index methods were considered inadequate for the assessment of trophic status. TRIX can be used as an indicator of trophic state and ASSETS showed good potential to assess eutrophication. The results of TRIX and ASSETS depend on threshold values. To establish these values, further research is required within the northern Beibu Gulf.     

Phaeocystis globosa Bloom Monitoring: Based on P. globosa Induced Seawater Viscosity Modification Adjacent to a Nuclear Power Plant in Qinzhou Bay,China

The mucus produced by the outbreak of Phaeocystis globosa in the adjacent waters of the Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant(FCGNPP) in China has blocked the entrance of the cooling water filtration system of the FCGNPP, and posed a threat to the safe operation of the FCGNPP. At present, there is no related research on whether the changes in seawater viscosity could be used as a new method for monitoring and providing early warning of P. globosa tide. During a complete red tide cycle, the temporal and spatial changes in the hydrological conditions(temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen), chlorophyll-a(Chl-a), composition and abundance of phytoplankton, number and size of P. globose colonies, concentration of transparent exopolymer particles(TEP) and the seawater viscosity were measured in this study. The results indicate that there was an extremely significant negative correlation between the physical seawater viscosity η_(T,S) and temperature, and the correlation coefficient reached-0.998. The biological seawater viscosity η_(Bio) was positively correlated with the number of P. globosa colonies, and the correlation coefficients is 0.747. Because the increase in phytoplankton abundance, especially during the outbreak of P. globosa and a large amount of mucus produced by the colonies could significantly increase seawater viscosity, we suggest that biological factors were the main reasons for the increase in seawater viscosity. The η_(Bio) was completely consistent with the occurrence process of P. globosa bloom and could be used as a valuable index for P. globosa bloom monitoring.     

北部湾斑鳍白姑鱼群体结构特征与时空分布

2010-2011年在北部湾以底拖网方式按季节定点采样,采集到斑鳍白姑鱼(Pennahia pawak)样本共2 425尾,通过生物学测定及耳石年轮鉴定,研究北部湾斑鳍白姑鱼种群结构及时空分布特征。结果显示:样品体长65~203 mm,体质量5.2~224.0 g,优势体长组为81~130 mm(占84%),优势体质量组为10.1~50.0 g(占83%),平均体长为107 mm,平均体质量为32.5 g;年龄组成主要是0~2龄,大部分1龄以下,未发现3龄及以上样品;1龄样品平均体长153 mm,2龄样品平均体长180 mm。北部湾斑鳍白姑鱼的繁殖期为春季,其渔业资源主要分布在108°~110°E,19°~22°N的湾内海域,资源密度有明显的季节性波动,出现频率、资源密度范围、平均资源密度春季最小,分别为28%、1.59~18.78 kg/km2、1.6 kg/km2,夏季、秋季逐渐递增,冬季最大,分别为56%、5.24~74.80 kg/km2、19.0 kg/km2。     

Determining suspended sediment concentration and settling velocity from PC-ADP measurements in the Beibu Gulf, China

Modeling sediment transport depends on several parameters, such as suspended sediment concentration (SSC), shear stress, and settling velocity. To assess the ability of Pulse-Coherent Acoustic Doppler Profiling (PC-ADP) to non-intrusively quantify spatial and temporal SSC and settling velocity at seabed, a field experiment was conducted in the Beibu Gulf (Tonkin Gulf), in the South China Sea. The spatial profiles and temporal variations in SSC at 1 m above bottom were derived from PC-ADP acoustic backscatter intensity determinations after being calibrated with the optical backscatter sensor (OBS) measurements at the same elevation. The PC-ADP and OBS results agreed well. The temporal settling velocity obtained from Rouse profiles agreed well with the Soulsby formula based on size information by LISST (laser in situ scattering and transmissometry). Tides and tidal currents are diurnal in the gulf. SSC increased with increasing ebb and flood flow, and it rapidly decreased with the increase of distance from the seabed. The maximum SSC at 0.16 m and 1.3 m above bottom reached 816 mg/L and 490 mg/L during spring tides, respectively. The sediments consisted of mineral particles 23-162 μm in diameter and 0.05-2.04 cm/s in settling velocity. Generally, both the SSC and settling velocity followed variations in the bottom friction. Results suggest that PC-ADP is able to provide reasonable SSC and settling velocity measurements of both profiles and time series for a long study period.     

Population parameters and dynamic pool models of commercial fishes in the Beibu Gulf, northern South China Sea

Length-frequency data of eight commercial fish species in the Beibu Gulf (Golf of Tonkin), northern South China Sea, were collected during 2006-2007. Length-weight relationships and growth and mortality parameters were analyzed using FiSAT II software. Five species had isometric growth, two species had negative allometric growth, and one species had positive allometric growth. Overall, the exploitation rates of the eight species were lower in 2006-2007 than in 1997-1999: for four species (Saurida tumbil, Saurida undosquamis, Argyrosomus macrocephalus, and Nemipterus virgatus) it was lower in 2006-2007 than in 1997-1999, for two species (Parargyrops edita and Trichiurus haumela) it remained the same, and for the other two species (Trachurus japonicus and Decapterus maruadsi) it was higher in 2006-2007 than in 1997-1999. The exploitation rates might have declined because of the decline in fishing intensity caused by high crude oil prices. The optimum exploitation rate, estimated using Beverton-Holt dynamic pool models, indicated that although fishes in the Beibu Gulf could sustain high exploitation rates, the under-size fishes at first capture resulted in low yields. To increase the yield per recruitment, it is more effective to increase the size at first capture than to control fishing effort.     

Lipids in sediments from Beibu Gulf South China Sea and their geochemical significance

Examination of solvent-extractable lipids in sediments from Beibu Gulf, South China Sea by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) resulted in the first identifications of β, γ-carotanes and their C₁₉ to C₃₁ homologs in the modern sediments from the China Seas. Distributional features of these (mainly triterpenoid and steroid hydrocarbons) biomarkers are discussed and the possibility of using these compounds as indicators of source of materials, diagenesis and depositional conditions is explored. It was found that the biomarkers in this region are mixtures of allochthonous (terrigenous and/or crude oil leak or pollution) and antochthonous (marine) organic components. The biomarders have proved to be of value for understanding sedimentation. Contribution No. 1888 from the Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica. This research is partially funded by the Organic Geochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Geochemistry. Academia Sinica.     

Size-dependent spatio-temporal dynamics of eukaryotic plankton community near nuclear power plant in Beibu Gulf,China

Pico-and nano-eukaryotic plankton are important members of marine ecosystems.To understand their community structure and spatio-temporal variations in the Beibu Gulf,and to study the impact of Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant(CNPP) located in the northwest coast of the Hainan Island on the eukaryotic plankton,we studied these issues in the coastal water near CNPP bimonthly from February 2018 to January 2019 via 18 S Illumina sequencing.The results reveal a higher genetic alphadiversity and less beta-diversity of the plankton community in small-size(0.45-5 μm and 5-20 μm)fractions than in large-size(20-200 μm and20 μm) fractions.The small-sized phytoplankton,including Micromonas(Chlorophyta) and Minutocellus(Bacillariophyta),as well as heterotrophic plankton,including Paraphysomonas(Chrysophyceae),Ellobiopsis(Dinoflagellates),and Syndiniales(Dinoflagellates),took up a considerable proportion in eukaryotic plankton community.In addition,it showed a slight temperature increase and no significant difference in eukaryotic plankton community between the outfall of CNPP and other sampling sites,suggesting that the impact of the thermal discharge from the CNPP on local eukaryotic plankton community was limited.     

Feeding ecology of hairtail Trichiurus margarites and largehead hairtail Trichiurus lepturus in the Beibu Gulf, the South China Sea

We evaluated the feeding ecology of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) and hairtail (T. margarites). We collected specimens from fishing ports in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) from October 2008 to September 2009 and analyzed their gut contents. We collected 857 T. lepturus and 666 T. margarites samples. The number of stomachs examined in this study was sufficient to describe the monthly and ontogenetic diet shifts for the two species, as indicated by the trophic diversity curves. T. lepturus was a general omnivore, feeding primarily on Bregmaceros rarisquamosu, Decapterus maruadsi, and Acetes chinensis. Conversely, T. margarites preyed primarily on D. maruadsi, B. rarisquamosus, B. nectabanus, and A. chinensis. Both species exhibited distinct ontogenetic diet shifts. Although the two hairtail specie fed on similar sources in the same habitat, the diet overlap was relatively low. Our results suggest that hairtail play an important role in controlling small pelagic and benthic fish populations in the gulf. This trophic correlation shall be used for developing a marine ecosystem model for the Beibu Gulf.     

南海北部湾秋季蓝圆鲹与竹筴鱼的摄食生态及食物竞争

【目的】研究南海北部湾海域秋季蓝圆鲹与竹筴鱼的摄食生态特征和种间食物竞争。【方法】采用胃含物分析法,对2017年10月北部湾底拖网调查和港口随机取样收集的119尾蓝圆鲹(Decapterusmaruadsi)和198尾竹筴鱼(Trachurus japonicus)胃含物样品进行分析,通过肉眼直接观察或显微镜间接观察胃中残留的饵料,饵料种类鉴定、计数、称重等对食性做定量分析,以估算两种鱼类的营养级和生态位宽度,并利用生态位重叠研究两种鱼类的食物竞争关系。【结果与结论】蓝圆鲹的饵料种类19种(属),以桡足类和小型鱼类为主,优势饵料生物为布氏半棱鳀(Encrasicholinapunctifer);竹筴鱼的饵料种类18种(属),以小型鱼类和浮游甲壳类为主,优势饵料为中国毛虾(Acetes chinensis)。两种鱼类均为游泳动物食性,均存在摄食转换,随着叉长的增长,蓝圆鲹的饵料生物由小型浮游动物为主转变为小型鱼类为主,竹筴鱼的饵料生物由小型鱼类为主转变为以樱虾类和较大鱼类为主。蓝圆鲹和竹筴鱼的空胃率、竹筴鱼的平均胃饱满指数均随个体生长呈显著变化(P<0.05),但蓝圆鲹的平均胃饱满指数随个体生长无显著变化(P>0.05)。蓝圆鲹和竹筴鱼的营养级分别为3.63和3.40,营养生态位宽度分别为1.70和1.24,生态位重叠系数0.56,表明两种鱼类之间存在一定的食物竞争。     

北部湾江洪扇贝养殖区的污损生物

2006年8月至2007年7月,对北部湾江洪扇贝养殖区的污损生物进行周年调查。结果表明:该海区养殖网笼的污损生物有8门20种,优势种为藤壶、钩虾、苔藓虫,其次是翡翠贻贝、牡蛎、海鞘、大型藻类和水螅。污损生物附着高峰在8、11和12月,1月的附着数量最少;藤壶附着高峰在8、11和12月,附着生物量占污损生物总量的56.0%,是养殖区污损生物防除的重点对象;钩虾附着高峰出现在8、9月,12和2月附着量也较高,其生物量占污损生物总量的18.0%;草苔虫附着高峰出现在4月,其生物量占污损生物总量的8.4%。污损生物附着量呈现由表层向底层递减的趋势。     

Population identification of red-fin pargo,Parargyrops edita Tanaka,in Taiwan strait and Beibu Gulf

This paper deals with population identification ofParargyrops edita Tanaka. Samples of spawning stocks were collected from Niushan-Penghu, Minnan-Taiwan shoal (Southern Fujian-Taiwan shoal) and Beibu Gulf during the spawning period 1981–1982. Morphological characters, both meristic and morphometric, are counted and measured respectively. The stock concept and intraspecific categories have been discussed. Some meristic characters as the number of left or right ventral fin spine, right ventral fin rays and abdominal vertebrae of this fish may be constant, others as the numbers of left or right pectoral fin rays and gill-rakers may have obvious geographical variation. Morphological characters have not attained the level of subspecific distinctness, no sub-species could be found among these stocks by means of coefficient of difference (C.D.). Basing upon the comparative analysis ofM _diff, the authors consider that stocks of Minnan-Taiwan shoal and Niushan-Penghu belong to the same local population, Taiwan Strait local population. By means of the discriminant function analysis and linear relationship analysis, statistical differences will be found to exist in meristic characters between the stock of Minnan-Taiwan shoal and that of Niushan-Penghu, so that the two are virtually different stocks or subpopulations. The stock of Beibu Gulf belongs to another called the Beibu Gulf local population. These two local populations are of allopatric distribution and show statistically significant difference between themselves. Among these stocks, the Minnan-Taiwan shoal stock is strongly influenced by the much more complicated environmental conditions of the mixed boundary region of the subtropical Sino-Japanese Subregion in the north and the tropical Indo-Malayan Subregion in the south. Thus its coefficient of variability (C.V.) is greater than those of the other two in the mean values of various meristic characters. This paper was published in Chinese inOceanologia et Limnologia Sinica 14 (6): 511–520.     

北部湾冬、夏季浮游桡足类群落的结构特征及环境适应性

根据2014年冬、夏季北部湾2个航次的调查数据,采用分层聚类和典范对应分析研究北部湾桡足类群落的结构特征及环境适应性。结果表明,冬、夏季共鉴定出桡足类124种,其中冬季62种,夏季108种;冬、夏季优势种均为7种,冬季以亚强真哲水蚤(Subeucalanus subcrassus)、锥形宽水蚤(Temora turbinata)、精致真刺水蚤(Euchaeta concinna)为主,夏季则以异尾宽水蚤(T.discaudata)、高斯光水蚤(Lucicutia gaussae)为主。北部湾桡足类大致可分为北部群落、中部群落和湾口群落等3个群落;冬季多样性一般(Ⅳ级水平),夏季多样性较好(Ⅱ或Ⅲ级水平)。典范对应分析表明,冬季主要影响因子是海平面高度,夏季则是水深。温度和盐度与北部群落呈负相关关系,与湾口群落呈正相关关系。冬、夏季桡足类空间分布格局差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。     

北部湾二长棘鲷生长、死亡及其群体组成

利用2006年7月至2008年3月北部湾渔业商业捕捞底拖网和刺网渔获物中采集的样本,对北部湾二长棘鲷的生长、死亡及其群体组成进行了初步研究。结果表明,北部湾二长棘鲷优势体长70～140 mm,占82.2%;优势体重为20～60 g,占54.29%;ARSS分析表明雌雄生长不存在显著性差异(P>0.05),繁殖期性比为1.21∶1;von Bertalanffy生长方程的主要参数分别为:L∞=292.8 mm,K=0.167,t0=-1.116;体重的生长拐点为5.463龄;总死亡系数、自然死亡系数和捕捞死亡系数分别为1.041 4、0.282 8和0.752 6,当前开发率为0.728。     

A New Record of Ponyfish Deveximentum megalolepis(Perciformes: Leiognathidae) in Beibu Gulf of China

A new record ponyfish, Deveximentum megalolepis Mochizuki and Hayashi, 1989, was documented based on its morphological characteristics and DNA barcode. Fifty specimens were collected from Beibu Gulf of China and identified as D. megalolepis by morphological characterization. The coloration, meristic traits, and morphometric measurements were consistent with previously published records. In general, it is a silver-white, laterally compressed and deep bodied ponyfish with 6–9 rows of scales on cheek; scale rows above lateral line 6–8; scale rows below lateral line 14–17. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I subunit(COI) gene fragment was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. There is no sequence variation of COI gene between the specimens collected in this study. The genetic distances between D. megalolepis and other congeneric species range from 3.6% to 14.0%, which were greater than the threshold for fish species delimitation. The COI sequence analysis also supported the validity of D. megalolepis at genetic level. However, the genetic distance between Chinese and Philippine individuals was about 1.2% and they formed two lineages in gene tree, which may be caused by the geographical distance.     

北部湾野生长毛明对虾(Fenneropenaeus penicillatus)体重和形态性状的关系

测量北部湾86尾野生长毛明对虾体长、头胸甲长、胸高、胸宽、第一腹节宽、第一腹节高、第三腹节高、额剑上刺数、额剑下刺数和体重等10个性状,采用逐步回归法分析9个性状和体重的关系。结果表明:体长、头胸甲长、胸高、第一腹节宽、第三腹节高和额剑下刺数6个性状与体重的相关系数达到了极显著水平(P<0.01),在单独的决定系数中:头胸甲长对体重的决定系数(14.44%)最大,共同决定系数中,体长与头胸甲长最大为21.13%。通过分析,建立长毛明对虾的体长、头胸甲长、胸高、第一腹节宽、第三腹节高、额剑下刺数对体重的最优理想回归方程,为长毛明对虾选育种和保种提供理想的测度指标。