Effects of oil exposure on oxygen consumption of cod eggs and larvae

The oxygen consumption reflects the aerobic energy production of an animal. For fish eggs and larvae the normal oxygen consumption represents the optimal conditions for growth and development. Under the stress of environmental pollution gross deviation in oxygen uptake rate of the developing fish embryo may reflect metabolic disturbances and impede the development. Since the eggs and larvae of cod (Gadus morhua L.) are likely to be exposed to oil pollution from offshore installations in the North Sea we decided to investigate the effects of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of North Sea crude oil on the oxygen consumption of cod eggs and larvae. The results showed that oxygen consumption of the larvae at the time of final yolk absorption (5–7 days post hatching at 5°C) is strongly suppressed by oil exposure at concentrations down to 50 ppb. No effect on the oxygen uptake, however, was found during the egg stage.     

Oil well produced water discharges to the North Sea. Part II: comparison of deployed mussels (Mytilus edulis) and the DREAM model to predict ecological risk

Large volumes of water often are produced with oil and gas from offshore platforms. The produced water is separated from the oil and gas and either reinjected into a deep formation or discharged to the ocean. The Norwegian oil and gas industry advocates ecological risk assessment as the basis for managing produced water discharges to the North Sea. In this paper, we compare estimates of ecological risks to water-column communities based on data on hydrocarbon residues in soft tissues of blue mussels deployed for a month near offshore platforms and based on predictions of the Dose related Risk and Effect Assessment Model (DREAM). The study was performed near produced water discharges to the Tampen and Ekofisk Regions of the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea. Because polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered the most important contributors to the ecological hazard posed by produced water discharges, comparisons made here focus on this group of compounds. The mussel approach is based on predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of individual PAH, estimated from PAH residues in mussels following deployment for a month near several produced water discharges, and predicted no effects concentrations (PNECs) based on a K(ow) regression model. In the DREAM method, PECs for three PAH fractions are estimated in the three-dimensional area around produced water discharge with the DREAM model. PNECs for each fraction are based on the chronic toxicity of a representative PAH from each fraction divided by an assessment factor to account for uncertainty in the chronic value. The mussel method gives much lower estimates of ecological risk than the DREAM method. The differences are caused by the much lower PNECs used in DREAM than derived from the regression model, and by the lower concentrations of aqueous PAH predicted by DREAM than estimated from PAH residues in mussel tissues. However, the two methods rank stations at different distances from produced water discharges in the same order and both identify 2- and 3-ring PAHs as the main contributors to the ecological risk of produced water discharges. Neither method identifies a significant ecological risk of PAH in the upper water column of the oil fields. The DREAM model may produce an overly conservative estimate of ecological risk of produced water discharges to the North Sea.     

Changes in North Sea macrofauna communities and species distribution between 1986 and 2000

The North Sea Benthos Project 2000 was initiated as a follow-up to the 1986 ICES North Sea Benthos Survey with the major aim to identify changes in the macrofauna species distribution and community structure in the North Sea and their likely causes.The results showed that the large-scale spatial distribution of macrofauna communities in the North Sea hardly changed between 1986 and 2000, with the main divisions at the 50 m and 100 m depth contours. Water temperature and salinity as well as wave exposure, tidal stress and primary production were influential environmental factors on a large (North Sea-wide) spatial scale.The increase in abundance and regional changes in distribution of various species with a southern distribution in the North Sea in 2000 were largely associated with an increase in sea surface temperature, primary production and, thus, food supply. This can be most likely related to the North Sea hydro-climate change in the late 1980s influenced by the variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Only one cold-temperate species decreased in abundance in 2000 at most of the stations. Indications for newly established populations of offshore non-native species were not found.Differences in macrofauna community structure on localised spatial scales were predominantly found north of the 50 m depth contour off the British coast along the Flamborough Head Front towards the Dogger Bank, off the coast of Jutland and at the Frisian Front. These changes were most likely attributed to stronger frontal systems in 2000 caused by the increased inflow of Atlantic water masses in relation to the hydro-climate change in the late 1980s.     

Assessing and monitoring local and long-range-transported hydrocarbons as potential stressors to fish stocks

The Arctic is poorly described and understood compared to the North Sea and other boreal areas. We need to learn how knowledge obtained at boreal conditions may be applied at Arctic conditions. Increasing activity of the hydrocarbon industry may cause exposure stress from discharges. Within a joint industry research programme (Biosea) we studied how responses in fish from oil exposure may differ at North Sea boreal and Barents Sea Arctic conditions. Hydrocarbon uptake, metabolites, and enzymatic and genotoxic biomarker type of effect responses were measured in cod (Gadus morhua L.). Hydrocarbon metabolites remain longer in fish bile than original hydrocarbons, which are eliminated fast from tissues. The metabolites may be measured to background concentrations. They describe exposure and they constitute a link to other effects. Body burden, biliary polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolite concentration, and quantities of Cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) and DNA adducts increased with oil in water concentration. The extent of biomarker expression was lower for some biomarkers and elimination was slower at the lowest temperature. The results show that several factors have to be accounted for if warm-water biomarker data are to be applied in cold water.     

A tentative environmental risk assessment of the UV-filters 3-(4-methylbenzylidene-camphor), 2-ethyl-hexyl-4-trimethoxycinnamate,benzophenone-3, benzophenone-4 and 3-benzylidene camphor

UV-filters are increasingly used in cosmetics and in the protection of materials against UV-irradiation. The widespread occurrence of UV-filter residues in aquatic systems has been reported, but still little is known about their environmental effects. Some of these compounds negatively interact with the hormone system of fish, resulting in decreased fecundity and reproduction. Here we report on acute and chronic effects of UV-filters 3-(4-methylbenzylidene-camphor) (4MBC), 2-ethyl-hexyl-4-trimethoxycinnamate (EHMC), benzophenone-3 (BP3) and benzophenone-4 (BP4) on Daphnia magna. The acute toxicity increased with log Pow of the compound. The LC50 values (48 h) of 4MBC, EHMC, BP3 and BP4 were 0.56, 0.29, 1.9 and 50 mg/L, respectively. A tentative preliminary environmental risk assessment (ERA) based on a limited set of data indicates that individual UV-filters should undergo further ecotoxicological analysis, as an environmental risk cannot be ruled out. Consequently new data on the environmental occurrence and the effects of UV-filters are needed for a more accurate ERA. When regarded as a mixture occurring in surface waters they may pose a risk for sensitive aquatic organisms.     

Shifts in the timing of spawning in sole linked to warming sea temperatures

Phenotypic traits such as peak spawning time may vary within and differ between populations in relation to environmental factors, such as temperature. Sole (Solea solea) is a valuable, commercially exploited species that spawns in late winter or spring. The date of peak spawning was estimated for each year for seven stocks from monthly fish samples collected from commercial fisheries since 1970. Four out of seven stocks showed a significant long-term trend towards earlier spawning (Irish Sea, east-central North Sea, southern North Sea, eastern English Channel) at a rate of 1.5 weeks per decade. The other three stocks (Bristol Channel, western English Channel and western-central North Sea) failed to show a relationship, but the available time series were limited for these stocks (< 10 years). Sea surface temperature during winter significantly affected the date of peak spawning, although the effect differed between stocks. The implications of the effect of winter temperature on the timing of spawning for the population dynamics are discussed.     

A GIS modelling framework to evaluate marine spatial planning scenarios: Co-location of offshore wind farms and aquaculture in the German EEZ

The concept of co-location of marine areas receives an increased significance in the light of sustainable development in the already heavily used offshore marine realm. Within this study, different spatial co-location scenarios for the coupling of offshore aquacultures and wind farms are evaluated in order to support efficient and sustainable marine spatial management strategies. A Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) techniques were combined to index suitable co-sites in the German exclusive economic zone of the North Sea. The MCE was based on criteria such as temperature, salinity or oxygen. In total, 13 possible aquaculture candidates (seaweed, bivalves, fish and crustaceans) were selected for the scenario configuration. The GIS modelling framework proved to be powerful in defining potential co-location sites. The aquaculture candidate oarweed (Laminaria digitata) revealed the highest suitability scores at 10–20 m depth from April to June, followed by haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) at 20–30 m depth and dulse (Palmaria palmata) and Sea belt (Saccharina latissima) at 0–10 m depth between April and June. In summary, results showed several wind farms were de facto suitable sites for aquaculture since they exhibited high suitability scores for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems combining fish species, bivalves and seaweeds. The present results illustrate how synergies may be realised between competing needs of both offshore wind energy and offshore IMTA in the German EEZ of the North Sea. This might offer guidance to stakeholders and assist decision-makers in determining the most suitable sites for pilot projects using IMTA techniques.     

Environmental genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the offshore zones of the Baltic and the North Seas

Micronuclei (MN), nuclear buds (NB) and fragmented-apoptotic cells (FA) were analyzed in mature peripheral blood and immature cephalic kidney erythrocytes of flounder (Platichthys flesus), dab (Limanda limanda) and cod (Gadus morhua) from 12 offshore sites in the Baltic Sea (479 specimens) and 11 sites in the North Sea (291 specimens), which were collected during three research vessel cruises in December 2002, 2003 and in September 2004. The highest levels of environmental genotoxicity (frequencies of MN up to 0.5‰, NB – up to 0.75‰) and cytotoxicity (FA – up to 0.53‰) were observed in flatfishes from areas close to oil and gas platforms in the North Sea and in zones related to the extensive shipping and potentially influenced by contamination from large European Rivers (Elbe, Vistula, Oder). In dab from the offshore zones of the North Sea, the levels of nuclear abnormalities were higher as compared to those in dab from the Baltic Sea. Responses in immature kidney erythrocytes were higher than in mature erythrocytes from peripheral blood. MN frequency lower than 0.05‰ (the Baltic Sea) and lower than 0.1‰ (the North Sea) could be suspected as a reference level in the peripheral blood erythrocytes of flatfish.     

基于环境DNA技术的夏季东海鱼类物种多样性研究

为了解东海海域主要鱼类群落的种类组成,监测和保护其多样性,本研究利用环境DNA技术对东海鱼类进行物种多样性分析.通过海水样本的采集,环境DNA提取、扩增和高通量测序分析,从东海14个站点的环境DNA样本中共检测出2纲,23目,29科,42属,44种海水鱼类,大部分种类在东海传统渔业资源调查中均有出现.其中,相对丰度较高...     

中国南海极端风暴海况下固定式平台结构可靠性分析

基于中国南海海域风暴环境条件,研究分析南海海域固定式导管架平台结构整体性和可靠性,以及新建固定式平台结构设计准则。采用海洋环境数据后报方法,得到南海海域1972~2011共40年的风、浪、流联合数据,从中抽取风暴环境条件;利用通用荷载模型,将40年间的风暴环境数据转变成结构的荷载数据,即基底剪力或倾覆力矩;并计算得到风暴环境荷载的短期及长期分布,以及任意风暴下荷载的概率分布;根据结构可靠性模型,结合荷载的长期分布,研究基于结构暴露等级及失效概率的固定式平台结构强度储备比。根据计算,得到了不同暴露等级下中国南海平台的强度储备比,并与墨西哥湾及北海海域进行了比较,为新建平台提供设计参考。     

Evidence for estrogenic endocrine disruption in an offshore flatfish, the dab (Limanda limanda L.)

Dab (Limanda limanda) caught in UK offshore waters show evidence of being exposed to estrogenic endocrine disrupters at a relatively low level. Two of 449 males caught between June and July 2005 had markedly elevated levels of vitellogenin (VTG; 21 and 750 microg/ml) and the remainder ranged from <0.01 to 8.6 microg/ml. Omitting the two outliers, there was a very significant positive relationship with the mass of individual males (a feature noted in previous studies on cod). Mean VTG concentrations in males differed significantly between sites. The site with the highest mean (1.6 microg/ml) was North East of the Dogger Bank and the site with the lowest (0.04 microg/ml) was in Cardigan Bay. Mean VTG concentrations in all North Sea fish were significantly higher than English Channel and Irish Sea fish, but this difference disappeared when fish mass was taken into account. VTG concentrations showed no relationship to water depth, stage of sexual maturity or age of the males. Sixty selected male plasmas were assayed for 17beta-estradiol but only two had measurable amounts (assay limit 0.04 ng/ml). Despite being the start of summer, the gonads of many of the males and females (especially those caught in the North Sea) showed signs of sexual maturity (presence of sperm in males and vitellogenic eggs in females). Many females had high VTG concentrations (up to 14 mg/ml) and 78 out of 80 had measurable concentrations of 17beta-estradiol. The cause of elevated VTG levels in male dab is unknown. As seen in cod, the presence of affected males does not appear to be linked to proximity to land or to known point sources of endocrine disrupters. However, our data, showing that larger fish are more likely to have elevated VTG concentrations, suggests a gradual accumulation by marine fish, probably through feeding, of persistent (probably relatively weak) estrogenic compounds.     

North sea offshore structures

Existing and planned North Sea offshore structures for exploration (drillings) and structures for exploitation (production platforms) are mentioned. Introductorily the mereorological conditions, wave climate and bottom composition in the North Sea are reviewed briefly. They are determining factors for design as well as for operation. Furthermore a brief account on present and planned activities on exploration for and exploitation of oil and gas in the North Sea is given.     

The State of the Adriatic Sea Centered on the Small Pelagic Fish Populations

Abstract. The paper provides an overview of the state of the small pelagic fish in the Adriatic Sea. The North Adriatic is reviewed for the 1976–1998 period and the South Adriatic for the 1987–1998 period. First the fluctuations in time and in space of the pelagic biomass, as a whole and per species, are presented. Then the dramatic collapse of anchovy stock and its apparent association with the decrease of surface temperature is discussed. Finally the changes of the anchovy and sardine catches are compared and analysed with respect to their abundances in the sea. The conclusion is that acoustic and satellite methods are able to provide a large amount of information on the variability in the pelagic populations; this is essential for an appropriate management of these resources. There is still a need, however, to refine the methods and to integrate this kind of information with further environmental data (including natural predators).     

东海中南部鱼类群聚结构的空间特征

依据1997～2000年东海中南部(25°30'～29°00'N,120°30'～127°00'E)四个季节的底拖网调查资料,运用聚类分析和非度量多维标度(NMDS)的方法分析了东海中南部鱼类群聚结构的空间特征,结果显示,东海中南部鱼类群聚大致可分为近海群聚和外海群聚.在不同季节两个群聚的种类组成保持了相对的稳定,并且具有一定的持续性.近海群聚的特征种类为带鱼、发光鲷等.外海群聚的特征种类主要为黄鳍马面鲀、短尾大眼鲷、黄鲷等.鱼类群聚与环境因子水深有较好的相关关系.     

Foundation engineering for offshore gravity structures

This is the third in a series of three state‐of‐the‐art papers concerning the geotechnical engineering aspects of the installation of gravity platforms in the North Sea. Andresen et al. (1979) discuss the planning and execution of offshore site investigations and the procedures used to obtain soil engineering parameters. Eide et al. (1979) review the details of the different platform designs and the installation procedures for the thirteen gravity structures that so far have been placed in the North Sea in 70 m to 153 m of water. In this paper, the foundation engineering for gravity structures installed in the North Sea is reviewed including recommended analyses of permanent and cyclic foundation deformations, dynamic behavior, foundation stability, skirt penetration resistance and base contact stresses, potential piping and erosion problems, and stresses in oil wells and risers. Field performance observations are reported, and it is concluded that gravity structures may safely be installed in offshore areas with less favorable platform foundation conditions than so far encountered in the North Sea.     

Ecological risk assessment of the Marshall Islands longline tuna fishery

To support implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, ecological risk assessment (ERA) methods have recently been developed for the continuum of data-deficient to data-rich fisheries. A semi-quantitative ERA was conducted for the Marshall Islands longline bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) fishery. The study used information from analyses of observer data, surveys of captains and crew and inventories of gear and equipment. Relative risks were evaluated through a consideration of phylogenetic uniqueness, risk of population extirpation, risk of species extinction and importance in ecosystem regulation. The fishery presents a highest relative risk to leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas) and olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle Regional Management Units that overlap with the fishery, in that order. The next highest relative risk is to affected stocks of oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus), blue (Prionace glauca), and silky (Carcharhinus falciformis) sharks, in that sequence. Seabird bycatch is likely not problematic. There was inadequate information to assess risks to cetacean populations. Risks to stocks of market and non-market species of marine fishes with r-selected life history characteristics were not assessed. This is because estimates of critical threshold levels of local and absolute abundance and current biomass are not known for many of these stocks. Several best practice gear technology methods to mitigate problematic catch of vulnerable species groups are currently employed: monofilament leaders, whole fish for bait, single-hooking fish bait, no lightsticks, and no fishing at shallow submerged features. Setting terminal tackle below 100 m and carrying and using best practice handling and release equipment were methods identified to reduce fishing mortality and injury of vulnerable species. More information is needed to determine if weaker hooks should be prescribed to mitigate cetacean bycatch. The large benefit to sea turtles of replacing remaining J-shaped hooks with circle hooks might outweigh a possible small increase in elasmobranch catch rates. The consumption of 2024 l of fuel per tonne of landed catch, which is within the range of available estimated rates from similar fisheries, could be reduced, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, through more frequent maintenance and upgrading vessel equipment and materials. Observer data quality may be adequate to support a quantitative Level 3 ERA to determine the significance of the effect of various factors on standardized catch rates and to estimate population-level effects from fishing mortality.     

Genetic variation of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) inferred from mitochondrial DNA provides novel insight into the fluctuation of resources

The small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) belongs to the family Sciaenidae, which is an offshore warm fish species and widely distributed in the western Pacific. In this study, the variation of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation among L. polyactis populations was analyzed by mitochondrial DNA control region. A total of 110 polymorphic sites were checked, which defined 134 haplotypes. High level of haplotype diversity (h=0.993±0.002) was detected in the examined range. Population genetic structure analyse (analysis of molecular variance, F_st) showed there were high gene flow among L. polyactis populations. The result showed that there were relatively high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation among the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea populations, which can be attributed to diverse habitats, wide distribution range and high mutation rate of control region. Using phylogenetic methods, coalescent analyses (neutrality tests, mismatch distribution analysis, Bayesian skyline analyses) and molecular dating interpreted in conjunction with paleoclimatic and physiographic evidence, we inferred that the genetic make-up of extant populations of L. polyactis was shaped by Pleistocene environmental impacts on the historical demography of this species. Besides, relatively constant genetic diversity and larger effective population size were detected in recent L. polyactis population. The result showed that the fishing policy certainly, such as the summer closed fishing, played a role in protecting resources of L. polyactis. This study can offer a wealth of biological novelties which indicates genetic structure of L. polyactis population and provides the foundation for resources protection and policy setting.     

浙江舟山近海仔稚鱼时空动态变化及与环境因子的关系

为探明舟山近海海域仔稚鱼丰度的分布、出现概率及与环境因素的综合关系,进一步研究该海域渔业资源的补充机制,根据2019年3、4、7、11月在舟山近海海域开展的4个航次仔稚鱼生态调查资料,研究了舟山近海仔稚鱼的出现概率、群落结构(种类组成及优势种数量)的动态变化,探讨仔稚鱼群落的季节变化和对环境变化的响应,以及环境变化对仔稚鱼补充量的影响。结果显示:空间上,调查海区水深范围5～50 m,仔稚鱼集中分布于水深10～20m的近岸河口岛礁区;时间上的季节变化比较大,春夏季丰度高,冬季少。GLM模型结果显示:近岸河口型仔稚鱼在近岸出现的概率为0.65～0.95,在近海出现的概率为0.26～0.60;近海型仔稚鱼在近岸出现的概率为0.12～0.34,在近海出现的概率为0.32～0.54。仔稚鱼优势种春夏季各出现1种,秋冬季各出现2种,全年仔稚鱼优势种有4种。数量分布为:仔稚鱼种类数春季(19种)、夏季(16种)、秋季(10种)、冬季(5种),具有明显的季节性变化。按种类适温属性划分,调查海区仅出现暖温性和暖水性两种,其中暖温性15种(占已知适温类型种类的60%),暖水性10种(占40%);按生态类型...     

Risk of environmental genotoxicity in the Baltic Sea over the period of 2009–2011 assessed by micronuclei frequencies in blood erythrocytes of flounder (Platichthys flesus), herring (Clupea harengus) and eelpout (Zoarces viviparus)

Environmental genotoxicity was investigated at 82 locations encompassing different regions of the Baltic Sea. Micronuclei (MN) analysis was performed in erythrocytes of 1892 specimens of flounder Platichthys flesus, herring Clupea harengus and eelpout Zoarces viviparus, three of the most common native fish species of the Baltic Sea collected in 2009–2011. MN background levels in fish were determined using data obtained in 2001–2011 from 107 Baltic sites. Extremely high genotoxicity risk zones were found for flounder at 11 stations out of 16 in 2009 and 33 stations of 41 in 2010–2011, for herring, at 5 of 18 stations in 2009 and 20 of 43 stations in 2010–2011, in eelpout only at one out of 29 stations. The sampling stations were restricted mainly to the southern and eastern Baltic Sea offshore zones and in most of them, MN frequencies in flounder and herring significantly exceeded the reference and background levels of micronuclei. This is a first attempt to evaluate the background MN responses, as well as low, high and extremely high genotoxicity risk levels for native fish species.