Spatial patterns of sub-tidal seagrasses and their tissue nutrients in the Torres Strait,northern Australia: Implications for management

The distribution and nutritional profiles of sub-tidal seagrasses from the Torres Strait were surveyed and mapped across an area of 31,000 km². Benthic sediment composition, water depth, seagrass species type and nutrients were sampled at 168 points selected in a stratified representative pattern. Eleven species of seagrass were present at 56 (33.3%) of the sample points. Halophila spinulosa, Halophila ovalis, Cymodocea serrulata and Syringodium isoetifolium were the most common species and these were nutrient profiled. Sub-tidal seagrass distribution (and associated seagrass nutrient concentrations) was generally confined to northern-central and south-western regions of the survey area (<longitude 142.60), where mean water depth was relatively shallow (approximately 13 m below MSL) and where sediments were comprised primarily muddy sand to gravelly sand. Seagrass nitrogen and starch content, the most important nutrients for marine herbivores, were significantly correlated with species and with the plant component (above or below ground). For all seagrass species, the above-ground component (shoots and leaves) possessed greater nitrogen concentrations than the below-ground component (roots and rhizomes), which possessed greater starch concentrations. S. isoetifolium had the highest total nitrogen concentrations (1.40±0.05% DW). However, it also had higher fibre concentrations (38.2±0.68% DW) relative to the other four species. H. ovalis possessed the highest starch concentrations (2.76±0.12% DW) and highest digestibility (83.24±0.66% DW) as well as the lowest fibre (27.2±0.66% DW). The high relative abundance (found at 55% of the sites that had seagrass) and nutrient quality characteristics of H. ovalis make it an important source of energy to marine herbivores that forage sub-tidally in the Torres Strait. There were two regions in Torres Strait (north-central and south-western) where sub-tidal seagrass meadows were prevalent and of relatively higher nutritional value. This spatial and nutritional information can be used by local agencies to manage and to protect the ecological, economic and cultural values of the sub-tidal seagrass ecosystems and associated fisheries of the Torres Strait.     

Background levels of heavy metals in nine tropical seagrass species in Indonesia

Tropical marine environments are increasingly threatened by heavy metal pollution and yet very little is known about the effects of these trace elements upon coral reefs and adjoining seagrass beds. Natural background levels for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were estimated in 9 tropical seagrass species (Cymodocea rotundata, C. serrulata, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, H. pinifolia, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Halophila ovalis) from pristine coastal localities in the Flores Sea, Indonesia. Above- and below-ground plant parts were analysed separately and showed extremely low metal values for most seagrass species compared to its literature data. Natural accumulation of heavy metals may occur in certain seagrass species. It is suggested that seagrasses may be used as indicator organisms for heavy metal contamination and bioavailability at the start of the food chain in marine habitats.     

Spatial and temporal dynamics of size-structured photosynthetic parameters (PAM) and primary production (13C) of pico- and nano-phytoplankton in an atoll lagoon

Atoll lagoons display a high diversity of trophic states due mainly to their specific geomorphology, and probably to their level and mode of human exploitation. We investigated the functioning of the Ahe atoll lagoon, utilized for pearl oyster farming, through estimations of photosynthetic parameters (pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry) and primary production (¹³C incorporation) measurements of the size structured phytoplankton biomass (<2 μm and >2 μm). Spatial and temporal scales of variability were surveyed during four seasons, over 16 months, at four sites within the lagoon. While primary production (P) was dominated by the picophytoplankton, its biomass specific primary productivity (P^B) was lower than in other atoll lagoons. The variables size fraction of the phytoplankton, water temperature, season, the interaction term station * fraction and site, explained significantly the variance of the data set using redundancy analysis. No significant trends over depth were observed in the range of 0–20 m. A clear spatial pattern was found which was persistent over the seasons: south and north sites were different from the two central stations for most of the measured variables. This pattern could possibly be explained by the existence of water cells showing different water residence time within the lagoon. Photoacclimation strategies of the two size fractions differed through their light saturation coefficient (higher for picophytoplankton), but not through their maximum photosynthetic capacity (ETR_max). Positive linear relationships between photosynthetic parameters indicated that their dynamic was independent of light availability in this ecosystem, but most probably dependent on nutrient availability and/or rapid changes in the community structure. Spatial and temporal patterns of the measured processes are then further discussed in the context of nutrient availability and the possible role of cultured oysters in nutrient recycling.     

Effects of sediment burial on tropical ruderal seagrasses are moderated by clonal integration

Seagrasses are clonal plants that grow submerged in dynamic sedimentary environments where burial is a common occurrence. Clonal organisms may respond to burial in very different ways depending on how strongly integrated they are through horizontal rhizomes, but the effect of clonal integration under conditions of stress such as burial is poorly studied for seagrasses. We test the effect of burial on tropical seagrasses that occur in multispecific meadows by subjecting plants in mixed stands to burial of 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 cm for 27 days. Treatments were divided into those where rhizomes were severed and those where rhizomes were left intact. We hypothesize that species withstand burial better if clonal integration is maintained (intact rhizomes). Results showed that all species tolerated burial of up to 4 cm without adverse effects but significant reductions in shoot density and biomass become evident at 8 cm of burial. Furthermore, Cymodocea serrulata and Syringodium isoetifolium were strong integrators, i.e. they provide support for buried shoots, whereas Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis were weak integrators that did not show evidence of subsidizing buried shoots. Vertical elongation was observed for C. serrulata and H. uninervis as a response to burial only when rhizomes were severed, leading us to speculate on whether species rely on vertical elongation as an escape strategy only in the absence of resource translocation. Our distinction between the responses of treatments with intact rhizomes from those with severed rhizomes may be extended to an interpretation of burial scale (intact rhizomes=broad spatial?scale burial; severed rhizomes=fine spatial?scale burial). We concluded that broad spatial?scale burial exceeding 4 cm leads to rapid loss or reduction of all species. However, fine spatial–scale burial exceeding 4 cm, such as those caused by shrimp mounds (bioturbation), is expected to favor C. serrulata and S. isoetifolium, while H. ovalis and H. uninervis are disadvantaged. Clonal integration is an important trait in moderating the response of seagrasses to sediment burial and in this way, helps them to cope in high-stress habitats.     

Relationship of photosynthetic carbon fixation with environmental changes in the Jiulong River estuary of the South China Sea, with special reference to the effects of solar UV radiation

Phytoplankton cells in estuary waters usually experience drastic changes in chemical and physical environments due to mixing of fresh and seawaters. In order to see their photosynthetic performance in such dynamic waters, we measured the photosynthetic carbon fixation by natural phytoplankton assemblages in the Jiulong River estuary of the South China Sea during April 24-26 and July 24-26 of 2008, and investigated its relationship with environmental changes in the presence or the absence of UV radiation. Phytoplankton biomass (Chl a) decreased sharply from the river-mouth to seawards (17.3-2.1 μg L⁻¹), with the dominant species changed from chlorophytes to diatoms. The photosynthetic rate based on Chl a at noon time under PAR-alone increased from 1.9 μg C (μg Chl a)⁻¹ L⁻¹ in low salinity zone (SSS < 10) to 12.4 μg C (μg Chl a)⁻¹ L⁻¹ in turbidity front (SSS within 10-20), and then decreased to 2.1 μg C (μg Chl a)⁻¹ L⁻¹ in mixohaline zone (SSS > 20); accordingly, the carbon fixation per volume of seawater increased from 12.8 to 149 μg C L⁻¹ h⁻¹, and decreased to 14.3 μg C L⁻¹ h⁻¹. Solar UVR caused the inhibition of carbon fixation in surface water of all the investigated zones, by 39% in turbidity area and 7-10% in freshwater or mixohaline zones. In the turbidity zone, higher availability of CO₂ could have enhanced the photosynthetic performance; while osmotic stress might be responsible for the higher sensitivity of phytoplankton assemblages to solar UV radiation.     

Form drag is a major component of bed shear stress associated with tidal flow in the vicinity of an isolated sand bank,Torres Strait,northern Australia

Tidal current and elevation data were collected from five oceanographic moorings during October 2004 in Torres Strait, northern Australia, to assess the effects of large bedforms (i.e., sand banks) on the drag coefficient (C_D) used for estimating bed shear stress in complex shallow shelf environments. Ten minute averages of tidal current speed and elevation data were collected for 18 days at an on-bank site (<7 m water depth) and an off-bank site (<10 m). These data were compared to data collected simultaneously from two shelf locations (<11 m) occupied to measure regional tidal behaviour. Overall C_D estimates at the on- and off-bank sites attained 7.0±0.1×10⁻³ and 6.6±0.1×10⁻³, respectively. On-bank C_D estimates also differed between the predominant east–west tidal streams, with easterly directed flows experiencing C_D=7.8±0.18×10⁻³ and westerly directed flows C_D=6.4±0.12×10⁻³. Statistically significant differences between the off-bank and on-bank sites are attributed to the large form drag exerted by the sand banks on the regional tidal currents, and statistically significant differences between the westward and eastward flows is ascribed to bedform asymmetry. Form drag from the large bedforms in Torres Strait comprises up to 65% of the total drag coefficient. When constructing sediment transport models, different C_D estimates must therefore be applied to shelf regions containing steep bedforms compared to regions that do not. Our results extend the limited inventory of seabed drag coefficients for shallow shelf environments, and can be used to improve existing regional seabed mobilisation models, which have direct application to environmental management in Torres Strait.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of dominant tree species and canopy in the broadleaved Korean pine forest of Changbai Mountains

Based on the light-photosynthesis response measurement at leaf level, combined with over-and under-canopy eddy covariance measurements, research on photosynthetic characteristics of single trees and forest canopy was conducted. The relationship between light intensity and photosynthetic rates for leaves and canopy can be well fitted by a non-rectangular hyperbola model. Mongolian oak presented a high light compensation point, L _cp (28 μmol·m^?2·s^?1), a light saturation point L _sp (>1800 μmol·m^?2·s^?1), and a maximal net photosynthetic rate P _max (9.96 μmol·m^?2·s^?1), which suggest that it is a typical heliophilous plant. Mono maple presented the highest apparent quantum efficiency α (0.066) but the lowest, L _cp (16 μmol·m^?2·s^?1), L _sp (≈800 μmol·m^?2·s^?1), and P _max (4.51 μmol·m^?2·s^?1), which suggest that it is heliophilous plant. Korean pine showed the lowest α value but a higher P _max, which suggest that it is a semi-heliophilous plant. At the canopy level, the values of both α and P _max approached the upper limit of reported values in temperate forests, while L _cp was within the lower limit. Canopy photosynthetic characteristics were well consistent with those of leaves. Both showed a high ability to photosynthesize. However, environmental stresses, especially high vapor pressure deficits, could significantly reduce the photosynthetic ability of leaves and canopy.     

The influence of precipitate formation on the chemical oxidation of TCE DNAPL with potassium permanganate

A three-dimensional two-phase flow model is coupled to a non-linear reactive transport model to study the efficacy of potassium permanganate treatment on dense, non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source removal in porous media. A linear relationship between the soil permeability (k) and concentration of manganese dioxide precipitate ([MnO_2(s)]), k = k_o + S_rind [MnO_2(s)], is utilized to simulate nodal permeability reductions due to precipitate formation. Using published experimental column studies, an S_rind = −5.5 × 10⁻¹⁶ m² L/mg was determined for trichloroethylene (TCE) DNAPL. This S_rind was then applied to treatment simulations on three-dimensional TCE DNAPL source zones comprising either DNAPL at residual saturations, or DNAPL at pooled saturations.     

Hydroclimatology of the Volta River Basin in West Africa: Trends and variability from 1901 to 2002

Long-term historical records of rainfall (P), runoff (Q) and other climatic factors were used to investigate hydrological variability and trends in the Volta River Basin over the period 1901-2002. Potential (E_p) and actual evaporation (E), rainfall variability index (δ), Budyko’s aridity index (I_A), evaporation ratio (C_E) and runoff ratio (C_Q) were estimated from the available hydroclimatological records. Mann-Kendall trend analysis and non-parametric Sen’s slope estimates were performed on the respective time series variables to detect monotonic trend direction and magnitude of change over time.Rainfall variability index showed that 1968 was the wettest year (δ = +1.75) while 1983 was the driest (δ = −3.03), with the last three decades being drier than any other comparable period in the hydrological history of the Volta. An increase of 0.2 mm/yr² (P < 0.05) was observed in E_p for the 1901-1969 sub-series while an increased of 1.8 mm/yr² (P < 0.01) was recorded since 1970. Rainfall increased at the rate of 0.7 mm/yr² or 49 mm/yr between 1901 and 1969, whereas a decrease of 0.2 mm/yr² (6 mm/yr) was estimated for 1970-2002 sub-series. Runoff increased significantly at the rate of 0.8 mm/yr (23 mm/yr) since 1970. Runoff before dam construction was higher (87.5 mm/yr) and more varied (CV = 41.5%) than the post-dam period with value of 73.5 mm/yr (CV = 23.9%). A 10% relative decrease in P resulted in a 16% decrease in Q between 1936 and 1998. Since 1970, all the months showed increasing runoff trends with significant slopes (P < 0.05) in 9 out of the 12 months. Possible causes, such as climate change and land cover change, on the detected changes in hydroclimatology are briefly discussed.     

Spectral attenuation of solar radiation in Patagonian fjord and coastal waters and implications for algal photobiology

The spectral attenuation of solar irradiation was measured during summer in two types of coastal waters in southern Chile, a north Patagonian fjord (Seno Reloncaví) and open coast (Valdivia). In order to relate the light availability with the light requirements of upper subtidal seaweeds, the saturating irradiance for photosynthesis (E_k) from P–I curves was measured. In addition the UV risk was assessed. Based on the z_1% of PAR, the lower limit of the euphotic zone in the studied systems averaged 21 m (K_d 0.24 m^?1) in Seno Reloncaví and 18 m (K_d 0.27 m^?1) in the coast of Valdivia. Photosynthesis of the studied seaweeds was saturated at markedly lower irradiances than found in their natural depths at the time of the study. Solar radiation penetrating into these depths at both locations largely supports the light requirements for the photosynthesis of subtidal species: 50–160 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for seaweeds from Seno Reloncaví (7 m tidal range) and 20–115 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for Valdivia assemblages (2 m tidal range). Optimal light conditions to saturate photosynthesis (E_k) were present at 10–16 m water depth. The attenuation of solar irradiation did not vary significantly between the fjord and coastal sites of this study. However, the underwater light climates to which seaweeds are exposed in these sites vary significantly because of the stronger influence of tidal range affecting the fjord system as compared with the open coastal site. The patterns of UV-B penetration in these water bodies suggest that seaweeds living in upper littoral zones such as the intertidal and shallow subtidal (<3 m) may be at risk.     

Polar thermospheric response to solar magneticcloud/coronal mass ejection interactions with themagnetosphere

The Solar Magnetic Cloud (SMC)/Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) event of January1997 triggered auroral displays in all sectors of the auroral oval as well as in the polar cap region.Near infrared emissions from these auroras were recorded simultaneously in the night sector overSondrestromfjord (Sonde), Greenland, in the day sector over Longyearbyen, Svalbard and in thepolar cap region over Eureka, Canada. The spectral distributions of these emissions indicateprecipitation of electrons with average energy (E_AV) of (500±100) eV,dissipating most of their energy around (180±20) km height (h_max) in thethermosphere. These findings are consistent with the concurrent auroral ionization profilesrecorded by the Incoherent Scatter Radar soundings at Sonde. In contrast, most of the nighttimeauroras, not related to SMC/CME events, are excited by electrons with E_AV > a few keV and peak in the lower thermosphere with h_max around 110 km.Similarly, normal dayside cusp auroras and polar cap drizzle excited emissions emanate from theupper thermosphere above 200 km altitude. SMC/CME related auroras were also observed inOctober 1995 at Sonde, and in May 1996 as well as in May 1997 at the South Pole Station inAntarctica. Spectral characteristics, and hence E_AV and h_max, of all these other SMC/CME related auroras, are similar to those of the January 1997event. These observations suggest that during a significant part of the period when SMC/CMEplasmas and fields interact with the magnetosphere, relatively low energy electrons precipitate inthe thermosphere. Such SMC/CME triggered auroras interact with the middle thermosphereconstituents in the 160–200 km height region. The latter region is inaccessible for remote sensingits composition and thermodynamics in normal auroras, which generally peak at lower heights; theSMC/CME events provide the opportunity for such investigations.     

Chronic light reduction reduces overall resilience to additional shading stress in the seagrass Halophila ovalis

Seagrasses have substantial capacity to survive long periods of light reduction, but how acclimation to chronic low light environments may influence their ability to cope with additional stress is poorly understood. This study examines the effect of temporal light reduction by adding two levels of shading to Halophila ovalis plants in two meadows with different light histories, one characterized by a low light (turbid) environment and the other by a relatively high light (clear) environment. Additional shading resulted in complete mortality for both shading treatments at the turbid site while the clear site showed a pattern of decreased shoot density and increased photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) with increased shading. These contrasting results for the same species in two different locations indicate that acclimation to chronic low light regimes can affect seagrass resilience and highlights the importance of light history in determining the outcome of exposure to further (short-term) stress.     

A probabilistic model of seismicity: Kamchatka earthquakes

The catalog of Kamchatka earthquakes is represented as a probability space of three objects {Ω, $ \tilde F $ \tilde F P}. Each earthquake is treated as an outcome ω _i in the space of elementary events Ω whose cardinality for the period under consideration is given by the number of events. In turn, ω _i is characterized by a system of random variables, viz., energy class k_i, latitude φ _i , longitude λ _i , and depth h _i . The time of an outcome has been eliminated from this system in this study. The random variables make up subsets in the set $ \tilde F $ \tilde F and are defined by multivariate distributions, either by the distribution function $ \tilde F $ \tilde F (φ, λ, h, k) or by the probability density f(φ, λ, h, k) based on the earthquake catalog in hand. The probabilities P are treated in the frequency interpretation. Taking the example of a recurrence relation (RR) written down in the form of a power law for probability density f(k), where the initial value of the distribution function f(k ₀) is the basic data [Bogdanov, 2006] rather than the seismic activity A ₀, we proceed to show that for different intervals of coordinates and time the distribution f _elim(k) of an earthquake catalog with the aftershocks eliminated is identical to the distribution f _full(k), which corresponds to the full catalog. It follows from our calculations that f ₀(k) takes on nearly identical numeral values for different initial values of energy class k ₀ (8 ≤ k ₀ ≤ 12) f(k ₀). The difference decreases with an increasing number of events. We put forward the hypothesis that the values of f(k ₀) tend to cluster around the value 2/3 as the number of events increases. The Kolmogorov test is used to test the hypothesis that statistical recurrence laws are consistent with the analytical form of the probabilistic RR based on a distribution function with the initial value f(k ₀) = 2/3. We discuss statistical distributions of earthquake hypocenters over depth and the epicenters over various areas for several periods     

Inter-annual and seasonal variations in the air–sea CO2 balance in the central Baltic Sea and the Kattegat

We estimated the net annual air–sea exchange of carbon dioxide (CO₂) using monitoring data from the East Gotland Sea, Bornholm Sea, and Kattegat for the 1993–2009 period. Wind speed and the sea surface partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂^w), calculated from pH, total alkalinity, temperature, and salinity, were used for the flux calculations. We demonstrate that regions in the central Baltic Sea and the Kattegat alternate between being sinks (−) and sources (+) of CO₂ within the −4.2 to +5.2 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹ range. On average, for the 1994–2008 period, the East Gotland Sea was a source of CO₂ (1.64 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹), the Bornholm Sea was a source (2.34 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹), and the Kattegat was a sink (−1.16 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹). Large inter-annual and regional variations in the air–sea balance were observed. We used two parameterizations for the gas transfer velocity (k) and the choice varied the air–sea exchange by a factor of two. Inter-annual variations in pCO₂^w between summers were controlled by the maximum concentration of phosphate in winter. Inter-annual variations in the CO₂ flux and gas transfer velocity were larger between winters than between summers. This indicates that the inter-annual variability in the total flux was controlled by winter conditions. The large differences between the central Baltic Sea and Kattegat were considered to depend partly on the differences in the mixed layer depth.     

Spartina densiflora demonstrates high tolerance to phenanthrene in soil and reduces it concentration

The present study was conducted to investigate the tolerance of Spartina densiflora to phenanthrene, and to test its ability in phenanthrene dissipation. A glasshouse experiment was designed to investigate the effect of phenanthrene from 0 to 1000 mg kg⁻¹ on growth and photosynthetic apparatus of S. densiflora by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, gas exchange and photosynthetic pigments. We also performed chemical analysis of plant samples, and determined the concentration of phenanthrene remaining in soil. S. densiflora survived to concentrations as high as 1000 mg kg⁻¹ phenanthrene in soil; in fact, there was no significant difference in RGR among the treatments after 30 days. Otherwise, phenanthrene affected photosynthetic apparatus at 100 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹; thus, the lower Φ_PSII could be explained by the declined photosynthetic pigment concentrations. Soil extraction indicated a more marked rate of phenanthrene disappearance in the soil in the presence of S. densiflora.     

Distribution and photoreactivity of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in northern Gulf of Mexico shelf waters

The distribution and photoreactivity of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the northern Gulf of Mexico along the Louisiana coastal shelf were examined during three cruises in summer 2007, fall 2007, and summer 2008. The influence of the Mississippi River plume was clearly evident as CDOM levels (defined as a₃₀₅) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were well-correlated with salinity during all cruises. Elevated CDOM and CDOM:DOC ratios of surface samples collected offshore of Atchafalaya Bay and the Breton-Chandeleur Sound complex indicated emanations of organic-rich waters from coastal wetlands are also an important source to nearshore shelf waters. Generally, CDOM and DOC levels were highest in surface waters and decreased with depth, but during summer 2007 and summer 2008, CDOM levels in near-bottom samples were occasionally higher than at mid-depths without concomitant increases in DOC. CDOM photobleaching was measured during 24 irradiations using a SunTest XLS+ solar simulator with photobleaching rate coefficients (k₃₀₅) ranging from 0.011 to 0.32 h⁻¹. For fall 2007 and summer 2008, higher k₃₀₅ values were generally observed in samples with higher initial CDOM levels. However, samples collected during summer 2007 did not exhibit a similar pattern nor were there differences in photobleaching rates between surface and bottom samples. Spectral slope coefficients (S_275-295 or S_350-400) and DOC levels were largely unchanged after 24 h irradiations. Modeled CDOM photobleaching for northern Gulf of Mexico mid-shelf waters predicts that during the summer when solar irradiance is high and the water column becomes stratified, nearly 90% of the CDOM in the upper 1 m may be lost to photobleaching, with losses up to 20% possible even at 10 m depth.     

Impact of multispecies diatom bloom on plankton community structure in Sundarban mangrove wetland,India

A multispecies bloom caused by the centric diatoms, viz. Coscinodiscus radiatus, Chaetoceros lorenzianus and the pennate diatom Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii was investigated in the context of its impact on phytoplankton and microzooplankton (the loricate ciliate tintinnids) in the coastal regions of Sagar Island, the western part of Sundarban mangrove wetland, India. Both number (15–18 species) and cell densities (12.3 × 10³ cells l⁻¹ to 11.4 × 10⁵ cells l⁻¹) of phytoplankton species increased during peak bloom phase, exhibiting moderately high species diversity (H′ = 2.86), richness (R′ = 6.38) and evenness (E′ = 0.80). The diatom bloom, which existed for a week, had a negative impact on the tintinnid community in terms of drastic changes in species diversity index (1.09–0.004) and population density (582.5 × 10³ to 50 × 10³ ind m⁻³). The bloom is suggested to have been driven by the aquaculture activities and river effluents resulting high nutrient concentrations in this region. An attempt has been made to correlate the satellite remote sensing-derived information to the bloom conditions. MODIS-Aqua derived chlorophyll maps have been interpreted.