In situ experimental decomposition studies in estuaries: A comparison of Phragmites australis and Fucus vesiculosus

The decomposition rates of Phragmites australis and Fucus vesiculosus were experimentally determined in an estuarine system using the leaf-bag technique. The study was conducted in fifteen sites arranged in five areas, extending from freshwater, outside the tidal range, to the marine environment, near the mouth of the estuary. The leaf-bags (5 mm mesh), were set up with 3.0 g of dried substrate, submerged in the experimental sites at day 0 and collected at days 3, 7, 15, 30 and 60, to follow biomass loss. The biomass loss through the leaching phase (day 3) was about 16% for Phragmites australis and 33% for Fucus vesiculosus and was independent of salinity for both substrates. The difference in the remaining biomass between the two species increased with time and the decomposition rates differed along the salinity gradient. For F. vesiculosus, the decomposition rate was highest near the mouth of the estuary, corresponding to the preferential distribution area of the algae, and decreased towards freshwater. For Phragmites australis, the fastest decay was observed in the mid estuary, where Phragmites australis occurs naturally, confirming previous studies. The decomposition rates measured at different time intervals (0–15, 0–30 and 0–60 days) were always higher for the algae and decreased with time for both species. These results indicate that the use of decomposition rates as a measure of ecosystem integrity or quality status in transitional waters will not be straightforward and must take into account, among others, the test species, the study area positioning along the estuarine gradient, and the time interval for the calculation of the decomposition rate.     

近海沉积物与水体中天然大分子聚合物降解菌的原位富集与多样性分析

本研究选取5种海洋动植物大分子高聚物或其天然组织,包括虾壳、鱼鳞、海带叶片、几丁质和壳聚糖,分别在海水表层和沉积物环境中进行富集,定期取样,通过高通量测序分析菌群多样性。结果发现,不同有机物原位富集的细菌多样性存在较大的差异,而且同种底物在海水表层与沉积物中的降解菌菌群差异较大。从物种多样性看,在海水表层环境中富集的鱼鳞样品种群最丰富,而沉积物环境中富集的海带叶片样品菌群多样性最低,除其优势菌群为热袍菌门外,其他所有富集物中优势菌均为变形菌门。其中脱硫杆菌科、黄杆菌科、脱硫弧菌科和弧菌科占有较大比例,脱硫杆菌科在所有样品中优势较大,黄杆菌科在海水表层环境样品中为优势菌群,弧菌科在沉积物样品几丁质和壳聚糖样品中占比较高。本研究通过对同种海洋环境中不同富集样品之间以及同种底物不同环境中富集菌群之间的比较,分析结果得到了原位条件下参与大分子聚合物降解的菌群种类,但有待于在更多不同的海域富集物中进行验证。     

The biogeochemistry of mercury at the sediment–water interface in the Thau lagoon. 1. Partition and speciation

Solid sediment, pore and epibenthic waters were collected from the Thau lagoon (France) in order to study the post-depositional partition and mobility of mercury in organic rich sediment. Total Hg (HgT) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) profiles were produced in both dissolved and solid phases. The distribution of HgT in the solid phase appeared to be related to the historical changes in the Hg inputs into the lagoon. HgT was in equilibrium between solid and solution phases in the sulfidic part of the cores, with a mean log K_d of 4.9 ± 0.2. The solid phase appeared to be a source of HgT for pore water in the upper oxic to suboxic parts of the cores. The MMHg represented a small fraction of HgT: 3–15% and 0.02–0.80% in the dissolved and solid phases, respectively. Its distribution was characterized by a main peak in the superficial sediments, and another deeper in the core within the sulfide-accumulating zone. In addition, high dissolved MMHg concentrations and methylated percentage were found in the epibenthic water. Ascorbate (pH 8) dissolution of the sediments and analyses of the soluble fraction suggest that the amorphous oxyhydroxides played a major role in controlling total and methylmercury mobility throughout the sediment–water interface. These features are discussed in terms of sources, transfer and transformations. Diffusive fluxes of HgT and MMHg from sediment to the water column for the warm period were estimated to be 40 ± 15 and 4 ± 2 pmol m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively.     

南黄海和渤海近海海域中华哲水蚤的现场摄食研究

桡足类是海洋生态系统中初级生产者和较高营养级消费者之间的关键联系环节,掌握桡足类的现场食物组成对于准确评估海洋食物网中的营养关系和能量转移至关重要。本研究中,我们以中华哲水蚤这一在中国、日本以及韩国近海具有重要生态地位的大型哲水蚤属桡足类为研究对象,应用之前开发的基于PCR的克隆技术,通过分析中华哲水蚤所摄食生物的18S rDNA序列,研究了中华哲水蚤的现场食物组成。结果揭示了南黄海（Y19站位）和渤海（B49站位）中华哲水蚤食物组成的多样性。共检测出43个操作分类单元（OTUs）,分别隶属于13个类群：硅藻（Bacillariophyta）、甲藻（Dinoflagellata）、硅鞭藻（Dictyochophyceae）、金藻（Chrysophyta）、Katablepharidophyta、浮生藻（Pelagophyceae）、无根虫（Apusozoa）、水螅水母（Hydrozoa）、栉水母（Ctenophora）、棘皮动物（Echinodermata）、被囊动物（Tunicata）、毛颚动物（Chaetognatha）以及海洋真菌。结果还表明,当发生藻类暴发时,中华哲水蚤可以摄食引发藻类暴发的藻种。当周围海域浮游植物的丰度相对较低时,中华哲水蚤可以选择摄食各种后生动物尤其是水螅水母和栉水母的卵、幼虫或者有机碎屑。我们的研究结果表明中华哲水蚤是一种杂食性桡足类,它对食物的选择依赖其生活海域中食物的可获得性。     

Allelopathy at the land/sea interface: Microalgae and Brazilian pepper

Microalgae are significant contributors to biodiversity and primary production in shallow coastal habitats. The invasive Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) can occupy former mangrove habitats in disturbed areas, and its allelopathic capability can affect growth rates of microalgae. The four microalgae tested against dilution extracts of Schinus fruits varied in their growth response, suggesting variable but unpredictable impacts on microalgal biodiversity, primary production, and community structure.     

Allelopathy at the land/sea interface: microalgae and Brazilian pepper

Microalgae are significant contributors to biodiversity and primary production in shallow coastal habitats. The invasive Brazilian pepper (Schinusterebinthifolius) can occupy former mangrove habitats in disturbed areas, and its allelopathic capability can affect growth rates of microalgae. The four microalgae tested against dilution extracts of Schinus fruits varied in their growth response, suggesting variable but unpredictable impacts on microalgal biodiversity, primary production, and community structure.     

A study of particle exchange at the sediment–water interface in the Benguela upwelling area based on 234Th/238U disequilibrium

The natural isotope ²³⁴Th is used in a small-scale survey of particle transport and exchange processes at the sediment–water interface in the Benguela upwelling area. Results from water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples from the uppermost and lowermost water column as well as the underlying sediment of three stations are compared. The stations are situated in different sedimentological environments at 1200–1350 m water depth at the continental slope off Namibia. Highly differing extent and particle content of the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) are determined from transmissometer data. Three models are presented, all explaining the ²³⁴Th depletion of the BNL and ²³⁴Th excess of the surface sediment that were observed. While the first model is based solely on local resuspension of surface sediment particles, the second evaluates the influence of vertical particle settling from the surface waters on the ²³⁴Th budget in the BNL. The third model explains ²³⁴Th depletion in the BNL by sedimentation of particles that were suspended in the BNL during long-range transport. Particle inventory of the BNL is highest at a depocenter of organic matter at 25.5°S, where strong deposition is presently taking place and lateral particle transport is suggested to predominate sediment accumulation. This is supported by the high settling flux of particles out of the BNL into the sediments of the depocenter, exceeding the vertical particle flux into sediment traps at intermediate depth in the same area by up to an order of magnitude. High particle residence/removal times in the BNL above the depocenter in the range of 5–9 weeks support this interpretation. Comparison with carbon mineralization rates that are known from the area reveals that, notwithstanding the large fraction of advected particles, organic carbon flux into the surface sediment is remineralized to a large extent. The deployment of a bottom water sampler served as an in situ resuspension experiment and provided the first data of ²³⁴Th activity on in situ resuspended particles. We found a mean specific activity of 86 disintegrations per minute (dpm) g⁻¹ (39–339 dpm g⁻¹), intermediate between the high values for suspended particles (in situ pump: 580–760 dpm g⁻¹; CTD rosette: 870–1560 dpm g⁻¹) and the low values measured at the sediment surface (26–37 dpm g⁻¹). This represents essential information for the modeling of ²³⁴Th exchange processes at the sediment–water interface.     

基于现场观测与MyOcean模式数据的印度洋东南部Aquarius反演海表盐度的评价与纠正

The in situ sea surface salinity(SSS) measurements from a scientific cruise to the western zone of the southeast Indian Ocean covering 30°–60°S, 80°–120°E are used to assess the SSS retrieved from Aquarius(Aquarius SSS).Wind speed and sea surface temperature(SST) affect the SSS estimates based on passive microwave radiation within the mid- to low-latitude southeast Indian Ocean. The relationships among the in situ, Aquarius SSS and wind-SST corrections are used to adjust the Aquarius SSS. The adjusted Aquarius SSS are compared with the SSS data from My Ocean model. Results show that:(1) Before adjustment: compared with My Ocean SSS, the Aquarius SSS in most of the sea areas is higher; but lower in the low-temperature sea areas located at the south of 55°S and west of 98°E. The Aquarius SSS is generally higher by 0.42 on average for the southeast Indian Ocean.(2) After adjustment: the adjustment greatly counteracts the impact of high wind speeds and improves the overall accuracy of the retrieved salinity(the mean absolute error of the Zonal mean is improved by 0.06, and the mean error is-0.05 compared with My Ocean SSS). Near the latitude 42°S, the adjusted SSS is well consistent with the My Ocean and the difference is approximately 0.004.     

一株假单胞菌的亚硝酸盐降解特性及其对鱼池底泥的净化作用

从海水养殖池的底泥中筛选到一株对亚硝酸盐有强降解作用的假单胞菌(Pseudomonas sp.)SF1,在实验室条件下研究了SF1 的亚硝酸盐降解特性及其对高污染鱼池底泥的净化作用。研究结果表明,SF1 具有高效降解转化高浓度亚硝酸钠的能力, 其适宜降解条件为: 亚硝酸钠质量浓度范围为1～1 000mg/L; 菌种接种量为10%; 中量充气发酵; 发酵时间为12～36 h;发酵pH 值为6.5～8.0。直接接种SF1发酵液(接种量10%, 菌液A 值0.36)到鱼池底泥, 36 h 后, 底泥的亚硝酸盐去除率达到67%, 显示了SF1对鱼池底泥较强的净化作用。     

一株假单胞菌的亚硝酸盐降解特性及其对鱼池底泥的净化作用

从海水养殖池的底泥中筛选到一株对亚硝酸盐有强降解作用的假单胞菌（Pseudomonas sp．）SF1,在实验室条件下研究了SF1的亚硝酸盐降解特性及其对高污染鱼池底泥的净化作用。研究结果表明,SF1具有高效降解转化高浓度亚硝酸钠的能力,其适宜降解条件为：亚硝酸钠质量浓度范围为1～1000mg／L;菌种接种量为10％;...     

Microbial nitrogen transformations in sediments and inorganic nitrogen fluxes across the sediment/water interface on the South Island West Coast,New Zealand

In January 1982, sediment microbial N transformations and inorganic N fluxes across the sediment/water interface were studied at nine sites off the South Island West Coast, New Zealand. The sediments showed a great variety in physical, chemical and biological properties. The sediment organic matter had a molar $\text{C}\text{N}$ ratio of 5.9–10.9, and the total $\text{N}\text{P}$ ratio was 1.2–4.0. The denitrification capacity in the top 7.5 cm of sediment was 0.1–77.2 mmol N m^?2 day^?1 and generally declined with increasing sediment depth. The in situ denitrification rate was 0.02–1.84 mmol N m^?2 day^?1 and highest activities were generally found in surface sediments and at 6–7.5 cm depth. Denitrification accounted for 82–100% of total nitrate reduction. Net N mineralization was indirectly estimated at 0.6–2.4 mmol N m^?2 day^?1, and the experimental determination of this N transformation gave 0.6–3.2 mmol N m^?2 day^?1. Denitrification accounted for 3–75% of net N mineralization. The diffusive flux of ammonium and nitrate across the sediment/water interface was 0.1–0.7 and 0.1–0.6 mmol N m^?2 day^?1, respectively.     

Sulphide mineralisation in the deep sea hydrothermal vent polychaete, Alvinella pompejana: implications for fossil preservation

Hydrothermal vent fauna, particularly vestimentiferan and polychaete worm tubes, are occasionally preserved in the geological record. The early stages of mineralisation are particularly important in defining whether or not preservation will occur, and they are poorly understood. Tube samples of the polychaete worm Alvinella pompejana collected from 13°N on the East Pacific Rise have been studied to identify the processes occurring during early pyrite/marcasite mineralisation. Iron sulphide mineralisation is present within the walls of the organic dwelling tube, and is induced by microbial fauna preserved within the tube micro-layers. Various microorganisms were observed coating the inner tube surfaces, together with 10-100 μm-sized Fe- and Zn-sulphide particles precipitated from vent fluids. The microbes and particulate sulphides become entombed within the tube wall as further layers of organic material are secreted by the worm, during tube-building episodes. This results in a laminated tube structure being formed, composed of alternating layers of tube material and microbial/sulphide-rich interlayers. The microbial/sulphide layers provide a template for further mineralisation and replacement of the microbes with pyrite while degradation of the organic components occurs. The iron monosulphides mackinawite and greigite have been identified as intermediatory phases that occur as precursor minerals during the formation of pyrite. Later marcasite mineralisation is observed to form over some of the pyritised organic layers. Once mineralisation has replaced most of the organic tube material, the structure will then be preserved along with the host sulphide body. These observations enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of fossil pyritisation in fine-scaled organic structures throughout the geological record.     

Diffusive and total oxygen uptake of deep-sea sediments in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean:in situ and laboratory measurements

Total O₂ uptake rates were measured by the benthic flux chamber lander ELINOR, and O₂ microprofiles were measured by the profiling lander PROFILUR in the eastern South Atlantic. Diffusive O₂ fluxes through the diffusive boundary layer and the depth distribution of O₂ consumption rates within the sediment were calculated from the obtained microprofiles. The depth integrated O₂ consumption rate agreed closely with the diffusive O₂ uptake at all stations. Total O₂ uptake was 1.2–4.2 times the diffusive O₂ uptake, and the difference correlated with the abundance of macrofauna in the sediment. Diffusive O₂ uptake and O₂-penetration depths correlated with the organic content of the sediments and exhibited an inverse correlation with water depth. Total and diffusive rates of in situ O₂ uptake were higher than previously published data for shelf and abyssal sediments in the Atlantic, but were comparable to rates from upwelling areas in the eastern Pacific. Laboratory measurements on recovered sediment cores showed lower O₂ penetration depths and higher diffusive uptake rates than in situ measurements. The differences increased with increasing water depth. We primarily ascribe this compression of O₂ profiles to a transiently increased temperature during recovery and enhanced microbial activity in decompressed sediment cores. Total O₂ uptake rates measured in the laboratory on macrofauna-rich stations were, in contrast, lower than those measured in situ because of underrepresentation and disturbance of the macrofauna.     

Rhythms at the bottom of the deep sea: Cyclic current flow changes and melatonin patterns in two species of demersal fish

We have studied physical and biological rhythms in the deep demersal habitat of the Northeastern Atlantic. Current velocity and direction changes occurred at intervals of 12.4 h, demonstrating that they could have an impact of tidal activity, and also showed indications of other seasonal changes. As an indicator of biological rhythms, we measured the content of pineal and retinal melatonin in the grenadier Coryphaenoides armatus and the deep-sea eel Synaphobranchus kaupii, and determined the spontaneous release of melatonin in long-term (52 h minimum) cultures of isolated pineal organs and retinae in S. kaupii. The results of the release experiments show statistically significant signs of synchronicity and periodicity suggesting the presence of an endogenous clock. The melatonin content data show large error bars typical of cross-sectional population studies. When the data are plotted according to a lunar cycle, taken as indication of a tidal rhythm, both species show peak values at the beginning of the lunar day and night and lower values during the second half of lunar day and night and during moonrise and moonset. Statistical analysis, however, shows that the periodicity of the melatonin content is not significant. Taken together these observations strongly suggest that (1) biological rhythms are present in demersal fish, (2) the melatonin metabolism shows signs of periodicity, and (3) tidal currents may act as zeitgeber at the bottom of the deep sea.     

Origin and decomposition of sinking particulate organic matter in the deep water column inferred from the vertical distributions of its δN, δ and δ

Sinking particles were analyzed for their nitrogen isotopic ratio δ¹⁵N) of total particulate nitrogen (PN), stable carbon isotopic ratio (δ¹³C) and radioactive isotopic ratio (δ¹⁴C) of total particulate organic carbon (POC), at three different latitudinal (temperate, subpolar and equatorial) and geomorphological (trench, proximal abyssal plain and distal abyssal plain) sites in the western North Pacific Ocean using year-long time series sediment trap systems, to clarify the common vertical trends of the isotopic signals in deep water columns. Although the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of sinking particulate organic matter (POM) were partly affected by the resuspension of sedimentary POM from the sea floor, especially in the trench, the changes in δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values owing to the resuspension could be corrected by calculation of the isotopic mass balance from δ¹⁴C of sinking POC. After this correction, common downward decreasing trends in δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values were obtained in the deep water columns, irrespective of the latitudes and depths. These coincidental isotopic signals between δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values provide new constraints for the decomposition process of sinking POM, such as the preferential degradation of ¹⁵N- and ¹³C-rich compounds and the successive re-formation of the sinking particles by higher trophic level organisms in the deep water column.     

Impact of drifting icebergs on surface phytoplankton biomass in the Southern Ocean: Ocean colour remote sensing and in situ iceberg tracking

Icebergs that calve from the Antarctic ice shelves and drift in the Southern Ocean melt to deliver fresh water, dust and minerogenic particles to the surface ocean along the iceberg's path. Each of these components may have an effect on growth conditions for phytoplankton, as might the mechanical effects of the iceberg keel disturbing the water. Although anecdotal and small-scale surveys suggest that drifting icebergs increase local primary production, no large-scale studies have been reported. An analysis of satellite and automated iceberg tracking data from the Weddell Sea, covering the months October to March, from 1999 to 2004, showed that the probability of increased surface phytoplankton biomass was up to one-third higher in the wake of a tracked iceberg compared to background biomass fluctuations. Only during the month of February were the effects of icebergs on surface biomass likely to be negative, whereas background biomass fluctuations were likely to be negative during March. These results confirm icebergs as a factor affecting phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean and highlight the need for detailed process studies so that responses to future changes in the Antarctic ice sheets may be predicted.     

In vitro alternatives to whole animal testing. Comparative cytotoxicity studies of divalent metals in established cell lines derived from tropical and temperate water fish species in a neutral red assay

A simple vital dye (neutral red) uptake method for investigation of the acute toxicity of seven divalent metal cations to cell lines derived from the turbot (TF) and bluegill (BF-2) was evaluated. The method was extremely reproducible between replicate experiments on a week to week basis as well as being reproducible between different laboratories. Whilst there were some species-dependent differences in the relative toxicities of the metals there were good correlations between toxicity and the chemical softness (Σp) of the metal ions and also between in vivo and in vitro toxicities. These studies demonstrate that this simple and relatively inexpensive technique carried out in 96-well microplates may be extremely useful for evaluation of structure-toxicity relationships between related groups of compounds.     

日本鳗鲡补充群体的日龄、全长、出生时间及耳石生长的变化

在中国大陆沿岸6个取样床搜集了日本鳗鲡白仔鳗,191尾用于长度测定,112尾鉴定了日龄及测定了耳石半径,近中心核的标记轮直径、耳石生长轮的宽度.补充群体长度平均值从(53.4±2.2)mm到(58.1±1.7)mm,长度与补充群体的地理分布之间无内在联系.补充群体日龄从(138.2±6.7)d至(155.2±9.0)d,长江口和温州地区补充群的日龄最低,以此为中心,向高纬度和低纬度走向分布,补充群的日龄都逐渐增大,补充群出生时间从1993年8月15日至1994年1月10日.低纬度的群体补充的时间早,其出生时间也早.纬度越高,补充的时间越迟,出生时间也晚.补充群耳石半径平均值从(142.5±8.4)μm至(155.8±14.5)μm,具有显着性差异(p<0.01).标记轮直径从(10.36±0.85)μm至(10.81±1.26)μm,其差异不具显著性(p>1.01).耳石生长轮平均宽度为(0.996-1.097) μm,其差异具有显著性(p<0.01),生长轮平均宽度以温州和长江口群体最大,以此为中心,向高纬度和低纬度分布的补充群的平均值分别逐渐减小.补充群耳石从中心至边缘生长轮宽度变化的共同点是在第90轮处平均宽度值最高.