Characteristics of Vertical Distributions of Fatty Acids in Surface Sediments of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea

Fatty acids(FAs) in sediment collected from three different stations in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea were analyzed for their distributions and to determine evidence of harmful algal blooms in the sediment core.Less diverse FAs were found in the Yellow Sea(YS) station,whereas in the two stations of the East China Sea(ECS) the FAs were more diverse.Concentrations of some FA species in the two ECS stations displayed an occasional surge in their vertical profile.The highest concentration of FAs was found in the surface layer of station QT3(43.28 μg g~(-1)).Monounsaturated FAs were more susceptible to degradation compared to their saturated counterparts,and changes of 16:0,18:2 and 20:5 accounted for the most variability in total concentrations of FAs as those species made up most of the quantified FAs.The origins of the major fraction of FAs were attributed to autotrophic sources,and bacterial FAs accounted for only a small fraction of the total FAs in the region.Nutrient availability was a possible regulating factor controlling bacteria abundances in marine sediments in the ECS and the YS.A principal component analysis(PCA) was applied to analyze the FA dataset and to reveal the principal environmental factors that control the composition of FAs in the sediments.PC2,which explains 15% of the variance,was estimated to reflect the diagenetic effects on the FA compositional changes in sediments influenced by bacterial degradation.     

Distribution and source of main contaminants in surface sediments of tidal flats in the Northern Shandong Province

Twenty-nine samples of surface sediments from tidal flats in the Northern Shandong Province were collected for grain size, heavy metal(Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cr), and oil pollution analyses. The geoaccumulation index(Igeo) and factor analysis were introduced to evaluate sediment quality and source of contaminants. The mean concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and oil in the surface sediments in the study area are 0.033, 17.756, 19.121, 55.700, 0.291, 59.563, and 14.213 μg g-1, respectively. The heavy metal contamination in the old delta lobe is slightly higher than that in the abandoned delta lobe; however, the opposite was observed for oil pollution. The Igeo results revealed that the overall quality of the surface sediments in the study area is in good condition. The heavy metal pollution levels show a descending order: Cd Hg Cr Cu Zn Pb, Cd being the main pollutant. The contamination level for in the study area is relatively lower than those for China's other tidal flats. Heavy metals are mainly derived from natural sources of rock weathering and erosion, partly influenced by industrial and agricultural discharge. However, oil pollution is mainly from runoff input, motorized fishing boat sewage, and oil exploitation.     

Organic carbon losses by eroded sediments from sloping vegetable fields in South China

Soil Organic Carbon(SOC) is the most important component of soil. Though small, it determines soil fertility and prevents soil losses. In this study, we examined relationships between the Particle–Size Distribution(PSD) of the eroded sediment and SOC loss, and evaluated the effects of plant coverage ratios(0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 90%), slope lengths(2 m, 4 m), fertilizer treatments(unfertilized control(CK), compound N–P–K fertilizer(CF), and organic fertilizer(OF)) on SOC loss and the SOC enrichment ratio(ERSOC) in the eroded sediments. The experimental results showed that longer slope length and lower surface cover ratios produced larger surface runoff and the eroded sediments, resulting in larger SOC losses. The average SOC loss was greatest in the OF treatment and SOC loss was mainly associated with the eroded sediment. Surface runoff, which causes soil erosion, is a selective transportation process, hence there were more claysized particles(2 μm) and silt-sized particles(2-50 μm) in the eroded sediments than in the original soils. SOC was enriched in the eroded sediments relative to in the original soil when ERSOC 1. ERSOC was positively correlated with ER_(clay)(2 μm)(R~2 = 0.68) and ERfine silt(2–20 μm)(R~2 = 0.63), and from all thesize particle categories of the original soil or the eroded sediments, more than 95% of SOC was concentrated in small-sized particles(50 μm). The distribution of SOC in different-sized particles of the original soil and the eroded sediment is primarily associated with clay-sized particles and fine silt-sized particles, thus we conclude that as the eroded sediment particles became finer, more SOC was absorbed, resulting in more severe SOC loss.     

Coral Ba/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios as proxies of precipitation and terrestrial input at the eastern offshore area of Hainan Island

Geochemical ratios in coral reef skeletons could be used as proxies to reconstruct past climatological and environmental records in data-poor regions. Using a 103-year data set(1902 to 2005), the annual variations in Ba/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios of Porites lutea skeletons at an eastern offshore area of Hainan Island(19?12'28.4'N, 110?37'38.8'E) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectrometry(ICP-OES). The analysis results showed that Ba/Ca ratios varied from a minimum of 3.120 μmol mol~(-1) in 1903 to a maximum of 10.064 μmol mol~(-1) in 1944, with an average of 5.256 μmol mol~(-1). Mn/Ca ratios varied from 0.206 to 5.708 μmol mol~(-1) with an annual average of 1.234 μmol mol~(-1), with peak values in 2001, 1964 and 1932, that correlated with strong rainfall events caused by typhoons. Variation in Ba/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios were compared with available river discharge and precipitation records, providing insight into past climatological events. Human activities and their indirect effects could impact the strength of the relationship between Ba/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios and observed precipitation and terrestrial input in the future.     

Clay minerals and geochemistry of the bottom sediments in the northwestern East China Sea

Clay minerals of 34 sediments collected from the northwestern continental shelf of the East China Sea have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The clay mineral distribution is mainly controlled by the sediment source and the dominant circulation pattern. The predominant clay mineral in our study area is illite comprising more than 67% of the whole clay fraction. The highest concentration of illite (>68%) is found in the southeastern offshore parts beyond the reach of terrigenous input from the Jeju Island. It means that these illites are largely transported by the Kuroshio Current from the South China Sea (SCS). Smectite is highly concentrated in the northwest middle part and in the outer-shelf mud patch. It seems to be due to the high supply of smectite transported from China where fine-grained sediments are discharged from modern and ancient Huanghe (Yellow) River. The relatively high abundant kaolinite is likely derived from the Changjiang (Yangtze) River via the Taiwan Warm Current. In contrast, large amounts of chlorite and high chlorite/kaolinite ratios occur in the northwestern area, reflecting the transportation by the Yellow Sea Coastal Current from the southern Yellow Sea. The discrimination diagrams clearly show that the sediments in the northwestern East China Sea are ultimately sourced from Chinese rivers, especially from the Huanghe River, whereas the sediment in the northeast part might come from the Jeju Island. The muddy sediments of the Changjiang River’s submerged delta have much lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.716 2–0.718 0) than those of the Shandong Peninsular mud wedge (0.721 6–0.724 9), which are supposed to be originated from the Huanghe River, suggesting the distribution pattern of 87Sr/86Sr ratios as a new tracer to discriminate the provenance of shelf sediments in the study area. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the outer-shelf muddy sediments ranged from 0.7169 to 0.7216 in a wide range and was between those of the Huanghe River and Changjiang River sediments, suggesting multiple sources of the sediment in the area.     

Behavior of different phosphorus species in suspended particulate matter in the Changjiang estuary

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary in June 2006 was separated into five fractions via water elutriation: clay-very fine silt (<8 μm), fine silt (8–16 μm), medium silt (16–32 μm), coarse silt (32-63 μm) and sand (>63 μm). The SPM and fractionated particles were sequentially analyzed by a modified SEDEX sequential extraction method to obtain six species of phosphorus: exchangeable or loosely-sorbed P, organic P, Fe-bound P, authigenic P, detrital P and refractory P. The results indicated that all particulate phosphorus species except for detrital P were negatively correlated to particle size; a high detrital P content was found in coarse silt and very coarse silt. From the inside of the river mouth to the gate of the river mouth, organic P, Fe-bound P and refractory P in the suspended particles decreased and a higher amount of exchangeable P appeared around the gate of the river mouth. From the gate of the river mouth to the sea, exchangeable P and organic P in suspended particles increased distinctly. The total particulate P flux into the estuary from the Changjiang River was about 45.45×10⁸ μmol/s during sampling. Of this, about 8.27×10⁸ μmol/s was associated with the “truly suspended” fraction. The bio-available particulate P flux was about 13.58×10⁸ μmol/s. Of this, about 4.24×10⁸ μmol/s was transported by “truly suspended” particles.     

Distributions and Relationships of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, O<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and Dimethylsulfide in the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary and Its Adjacent Waters in Summer

The distributions and relationships of O₂, CO₂, and dimethylsulfide (DMS) in the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary and its adjacent waters were investigated in June 2014. In surface water, mean O₂ saturation level, partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), and DMS concentrations (and ranges) were 110% (89%–167%), 374 μatm (91–640 μatm), and 8.53 nmol L^?1 (1.10–27.50 nmol L^?1), respectively. The sea-to-air fluxes (and ranges) of DMS and CO₂ were 8.24 μmol m^?2 d^?1 (0.26–62.77 μmol m^?2 d^?1), and ?4.7 mmol m^?2 d^?1 (?110.8-31.7 mmol m^?2 d^?1), respectively. Dissolved O₂ was oversaturated, DMS concentrations were relatively high, and this region served as a sink of atmospheric CO₂. The pCO₂ was significantly and negatively correlated with the O₂ saturation level, while the DMS concentration showed different positive relationships with the O₂ saturation level in different water masses. In vertical profiles, a hypoxic zone existed below 20 m at a longitude of 123°E. The stratification of temperature and salinity caused by the Taiwan Warm Current suppressed seawater exchange between upper and lower layers, resulting in the formation of a hypoxic zone. Oxidative decomposition of organic detritus carried by the Changjiang River Diluted Water (CRDW) consumed abundant O₂ and produced additional CO₂. The DMS concentrations decreased because of low phytoplankton biomass in the hypoxic zone. Strong correlations appeared between the O₂ saturation level, pCO₂ and DMS concentrations in vertical profiles. Our results strongly suggested that CRDW played an important role in the distributions and relationships of O₂, CO₂, and DMS.     

Allelopathic effects of macroalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corallina pilulifera</Emphasis> on the red-tide forming alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heterosigma akashiwo</Emphasis> under laboratory conditions

Over the past few years, harmful algal blooms (HABs), such as red tides, have been frequently observed in coastal zones worldwide. The natural allelopathic interactions among macroalgae and red tide microalgae can alter the structure and succession of aquatic ecosystems. We investigated the influence of four environmental factors (temperature, salinity, light, and pH) on the allelopathic effects of the macroalgae Corallina pilulifera on red-tide forming Heterosigma akashiwo under laboratory conditions. Each of the factors had four levels: temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30°C), salinity (10, 20, 30, and 40), light (20, 100, 200 and 400 μmol/(m²?s)), and pH (5.5, 7, 8.5, and 10. Two-factor experiments were designed for each two environmental factors, with six combination treatments (temperature-salinity, temperature-light, temperature-pH, salinity-light, salinity-pH, and light-pH). Results showed that the allelopathic effect was significantly influenced by temperature, salinity, light, and pH. As single factors, the low temperature (15°C), low salinity (10), high-intensity light (400 μmol/(m²?s)), and high pH (10) treatments substantially enhanced the allelopathic effect. The strongest allelopathic effect of C. pilulifera on H. akashiwo was observed under the following treatments: 15°C and salinity of 40, 25°C and pH 10, 25°C with medium- to high-intensity light at 200–400 μmol/(m 2 ?s), 400 μmol/(m²?s) and salinity of 10, 400 μmol/(m²?s) and pH 10, and pH 10 with a salinity of 40.     

The effects of nitrogen,phosphorus, vitamins and trace metals on the growth of the red tide organismProrocentrum Micans

Laboratory culture experiments showed that <100μ mol/L nitrate, amonium or mixture of amino acids promote the growth of the red tide organismProrocentrum micans Ehrenb, but that >100μmol/L of ammonium, or mixture of glycine and glutamate was harmful to growth, and that orthophosphate wasP. micans’ main phosphorous source in the ocean. Presence of 80μ mol/L EDTA, 0.5 to 1 μmol/L Fe³⁺, 1.0 to 20.0 μ mol/L Mn²⁺ 0.1 to 0.4 μmol/L Co²⁺ in the culture medium could improve the growth ofP. micans. Vitamin B₁ promoted growth, but vitamin B₁₂ and biotin did not. The estimated minimum cell quotas (q _o) for nitrogen and phosphorus being 0.74 pmole/cell and 0.045 pmole/cell show that phosphorus (more than nitrogen) limits the growth ofP. micans in the study area. This project was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province.     

Effects of a Potential Autochthonous Probiotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> 2-1 on the Growth and Intestinal Microbiota of Juvenile Sea Cucumber, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apostichopus japonicus</Emphasis> Selenka

The effects of Bacillus subtilis 2-1 from the intestine of healthy sea cucumber on the growth, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal microbiota of juvenile sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) were determined in the present study. Sea cucumber was fed with Sargassum thunbergii powder supplemented with B. subtilis 2-1 at different concentrations varying among 0 (control), 10⁵, 10⁷, and 10⁹ CFU g^?1 for 8 weeks. Results showed that the growth performance and intestinal amylase and trypsin activities were significantly increased by dietary B. subtilis 2-1 at 10⁹ CFU g^?1 (P < 0.05). However, dietary B. subtilis 2-1 had no significant influence on the lipase activity in sea cucumber (P > 0.05). The polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that dietary B. subtilis 2-1 at 10⁵ and 10⁷ CFU g^?1 inhibited most of the Proteobacteria including those in genus Vibrio. Dietary B. subtilis 2-1 at 10⁹ CFU g^?1 not only decreased the abundance and species of genus Vibrio, but also increased the intensity of genera Psychrobacter and Bacillus. A specific dosage of dietary B. subtilis 2-1 could increase the growth and modulate the intestinal microbiota of sea cucumber; thus it might be a novel probiotic for keeping the health of sea cucumber.     

Long-Term Characterization of Sea Conditions in the East China Sea Using Significant Wave Height and Wind Speed

In this study, the statistical characterization of sea conditions in the East China Sea(ECS) is investigated by analyzing a significant wave height and wind speed data at a 6-hour interval for 30 years(1980–2009), which was simulated and computed using the WAVEWATCH Ⅲ(WW3) model. The monthly variations of these parameters showed that the significant wave height and wind speed have minimum values of 0.73 m and 5.15 ms~(-1) and 1.73 m and 8.24 ms~(-1) in the month of May and December, respectively. The annual, seasonal, and monthly mean sea state characterizations showed that the slight sea generally prevailed in the ECS and had nearly the highest occurrence in all seasons and months. Additionally, the moderate sea prevailed in the winter months of December and January, while the smooth(wavelets) sea prevailed in May. Furthermore, the spatial variation of sea states showed that the calm and smooth sea had the largest occurrences in the northern ECS. The slight sea occurred mostly(above 30%) in parts of the ECS and the surrounding locations, while higher occurrences of the rough and very rough seas were distributed in waters between the southwest ECS and the northeast South China Sea(SCS). The occurrences of the phenomenal sea conditions are insignificant and are distributed in the northwest Pacific and its upper region, which includes the Southern Kyushu-Palau Ridge and Ryukyu Trench.     

Extraction of organochlorine pesticides in sediments using soxhlet,ultrasonic and accelerated solvent extraction techniques

The application of soxhlet, ultrasonic and accelerated solvent extraction techniques to the analysis of six organochlorine pesticides (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, o, p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT and p, p'-DDE) in Taihu Lake sediment samples is described. It was found that the limits of quantification ranged from 0.002μgg-1 to 0.004μgg-1, and the recoveries of organochlorine pesticides with the three extraction techniques were acceptable (>80.7%). With a mass selective detector, better results were obtained by accelerated solvent extraction using hexane-acetone (1:1) as compared with soxhlet and ultrasonic extraction. It was shown that the accelerated solvent extraction was the optimum technique for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides in sediments. The general features of the three extraction techniques are also presented.     

Speciation analysis of arsenic compounds in seafood by ion chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Ion chromatography-ultra violet-hydride generation-Atomic Florescence Spectrometry was applied to detect 5 arsenic species in seafoods. The arsenic species studied include arsenobetaine(As B), arsenite(As(III)), dimethylarsinic acid(DMA), monomethylarsonic acid(MMA), and arsenate(As(V)), which were extracted from samples using 2% formic acid. Gradient elution using 33 mmol L~(-1) CH_3COONH_4 and 15 mmol L~(-1) Na_2CO_3 with 10 mL CH_3CH_2OH at pH 8.4 allowed the chromatographic separation of all the species on a Hamilton PRP-X100 anion-exchange column in less than 8 min. In this study, an ultrasound extraction method was used to extract arsenic species from seafood. The extraction efficiency was good and the recoveries from spiked samples were in the range of 72.6%–109%; the precision between sample replicates was higher than 3.6% for all determinations. The detection limits were 3.543 μg L~(-1) for As B, 0.4261 μg L~(-1) for As(III), 0.216 μg L~(-1) for DMA, 0.211 μg L~(-1) for MMA, and 0.709 μg L~(-1) for As(V), and the linear coefficients were greater than 0.999. We also developed an application of this method for the determination of arsenic species in bonito, Euphausia superba, and Enteromorpha with satisfactory results. Therefore, it was confirmed that this method was appropriate for the detection of arsenic species in seafood.     

Phosphorus speciation in wetland sediments of Zhujiang (Pearl) River Estuary, China

Phosphorus fractions and adsorption-release characteristics of sediments in the Zhujiang(Pearl) River estuary wetland were investigated.Results showed that the total phosphorus(TP) content in surface sediments ranged from 648.9 mg/kg to 1064.0 mg/kg;inorganic phosphorus(IP) was the major fraction of TP and ranged from 422.5 mg/kg to 643.9 mg/kg.Among the inorganic phosphorus,the main fractions were phosphorus bound to Al and Fe(Fe/Al-P),and calcium-bound phosphorus(Ca-P),accounting for 23%–42% and 21%–67% of IP,respectively.The vertical distribution of TP contents were significantly positive correlated with organic phosphorus(Org-P) and Fe/Al-P contents.The bio-available phosphorus contents in vertical sediments varied from 128.6 mg/kg to 442.9 mg/kg,mainly existed in Fe-Al/P fraction,and increased from the bottom to top sediments.The transport of phosphorus in sediment-water interface was controlled by the soil characteristics.The active Fe and Al content was considered as the main factor that determines adsorption capacity in vegetated marsh wetland.The P buffering capacity of the sediments in vegetated marsh wetland was greater than that in mudflat wetland.The potential risk of eutrophication in the study area is high.Reducing terrestrial phosphorus discharge and preventing the sediment Fe/Al-P release to the interstitial water are the possible solutions to reduce the risk of eutrophication in estuary wetlands,and planting vegetation in estuary wetland can also reduce the release of phosphorus in surface sediment.     

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Levanderina fissa</Emphasis>: How it blooms in Pearl River Estuary

Effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from different sources and at different concentrations on the growth of Levanderina fissa (= Gyrodinium instriatum) were studied in laboratory conditions. The findings might explain the recurrent blooms of this species in Pearl River Estuary, China. Results showed that nutrient limitation significantly inhibited the growth of L. fissa. The values of specific growth rate (μ _max) and half-saturation nutrient concentration (K _S) were 0.37 divisions/d and 8.49 μmol L^?1 for N, and 0.39 divisions/d and 1.99 μmol L^?1 for P, respectively. Based on K _S values, dissolved inorganic N level in PRE was sufficient to support the high proliferation of L. fissa, while dissolved inorganic P concentration was far lower than the minimum requirement for its effective growth. L. fissa was not able to utilize dissolved organic N (DON) compounds such as urea, amino acids, and uric acid. However, it grew well by using a wide variety of dissolved organic P (DOP) sources like nucleotides, glycerophosphate, and 4-nitrophenylphosphate. The results from this study suggested that the ability in DOP utilization of L. fissa offers this species a competitive advantage in phytoplankton communities. The high level and continuous supply of DIN, enrichment of DOP, together with warm climate and low salinity in the Pearl River Estuary provided a suitable nutrient niche for the growth of L. fissa, and resulted in the recurrent blooms in the estuary.     

Effect of Bacillus baekryungensis YD13 supplemented in diets on growth performance and immune response of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)

The effect of a potential probiotic on the growth performance and immune response of sea cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus) was investigated. Bacillus baekryungensis YD13 isolated from sea cucumber culturing ponds was added to sea cucumber basal feed as a probiotic in different doses(0, the control; 1×104(YD134), 1×106(YD136) and 1×108(YD138) CFU g-1 of diet), and administered orally to A. japonicus(initial mean wet weight 5.44 g ± 0.17 g). The sea cucumbers were fed in 20 aquaria, 5 each treatment, for 60 d. At the end of growth trial, 20 sea cucumbers from each treatment were challenged with Vibrio splendidus. A. japonicus in YD134 and YD136 exhibited significantly better growth performance than control(P 0.05). Five non-specific immune parameters including lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in coelomic fluid were measured to evaluate the immune response of A. japonicus to the probiotics. Results showed that all parameters were significantly improved when YD11 was supplemented in the dose of 1×106 CFU g-1(P 0.05). The cumulative incidence and mortality after the Vibrio splendidus challenge decreased significantly in sea cucumbers of YD136. Accordingly, 1×106 CFU g-1 of YD13 in diet was recommended for the growth promotion and immune enhancement of A. japonicus.     

The effect of chemical cues on the settlement of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) larvae

The effects of four ions and eight neuroactive compounds on inducing larval settlement of A. japonicus were assessed in the present study. All bioassays were conducted in 60 × 9 mm Petri dishes, each contained 10 mL of the test solution and 10 doliolaria larvae. There were significant inductive effects of K+(10- mmol L-1), NH+4(0.1 mmol L1), GABA(10-3 mol L-1), acetylcholine(10-5 mol L-1), L-DOPA(10-5 mol L-1), norepinephrine(10-5 mol L-1) and dopamine(10-7 mol L-1 and 10-5 mol L-1) on the settlement of sea cucumber larvae. L-DOPA and dopamine are the most efficient chemical cues to induce A. japonicus larvae to settle. The highest percentage of larval settlement was induced by 10-5 mol L-1 L-DOPA and dopamine(33% and 40%) compared to the control(7%). However, Ca2+, Mg2+, choline, serotonin, and epinephrine were less effective on larval settlement at all tested concentrations. This study evaluated the stability and feasibility of chemical cues for larval settlement in different culture systems, which can be applied to improve the hatchery production of this valuable species.     

A polysaccharide-degrading marine bacterium Flammeovirga sp. MY04 and its extracellular agarase system

Bacteria of the genus Flammeovirga can digest complex polysaccharides (CPs), but no details have been reported regarding the CP depolymerases of these bacteria. MY04, an agarolytic marine bacterium isolated from coastal sediments, has been identified as a new member of the genus Flammeovirga. The MY04 strain is able to utilize multiple CPs as a sole carbon source and grows well on agarose, mannan, or xylan. This strain produces high concentrations of extracellular proteins (490 mg L-1 ± 18.2 mg L-1 liquid culture) that exhibit efficient and extensive degradation activities on various polysaccharides, especially agarose. These proteins have an activity of 310 U mg-1 ± 9.6 U mg-1 proteins. The extracellular agarase system (EAS) in the crude extracellular enzymes contains at least four agarose depolymerases, which are with molecular masses of approximately 30-70 kDa. The EAS is stable at a wide range of pH values (6.0-11.0), temperatures (0-50℃), and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations (0- 0.9 mol L-1). Two major degradation products generated from agarose by the EAS are identified to be neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose, suggesting that β-agarases are the major constituents of the MY04 EAS. These results suggest that the Flammeovirga strain MY04 and its polysac-charide-degradation system hold great promise in industrial applications.     

Effects of exposure to four endocrine disrupting-chemicals on fertilization and embryonic development of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus)

The toxicities of 4 common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), 17β-estradiol (E2), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and tributyltin (TBT), to sperm motility, fertilization rate, hatching rate and embryonic development of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) were investigated in this study. The duration of sperm motility was significantly shortened by exposure to the EDCs at the threshold concentrations of 10 ng L^?1 for E2 and TBT, 1 μg L^?1 for NP and 100 μg L^?1 for DDE, respectively. The fertilization rate was substantially reduced by the EDCs at the lowest observable effect concentrations (LOECs) of 10 ng L^?1 for E2 and TBT and 10 μg L^?1 for DDE and NP, respectively. Of the tested properties of S. curriculus, larval deformity rate was most sensitive to EDC exposure and was significantly increased by DDE at the lowest experimental level of 0.1 μg L^?1. Other EDCs increased the larval deformity rate at the LOECs of 1 ng L^?1 for E2, 10 ng L^?1 for TBT and 1 μg L^?1 for NP, respectively. Despite their decreases with the increasing EDC concentrations, the hatching rate and larval survival rate of S. curriculus were not significantly affected by the exposure to EDCs. The results indicated that all the 4 EDCs affected significantly and negatively the early life stages of the freshwater fish S. curriculus. Overall, E2 and TBT were more toxic than NP and DDE, while DDE might be more toxic to larval deformity rate than to other measured parameters. Thus, the 4 EDCs showed potential negative influences on natural population dynamics of S. curriculus. Our findings provided valuable basic data for the ecological risk assessment of E2, DDE, NP and TBT.     

Acid volatile sulfide and simultaneously extracted metals in superficial sediments from Baihua Lake, China

The bioavailability of five divalent cationic heavy metals(Pb,Cd,Cu,Zn and Ni) in 10 superficial sediment samples from Baihua Lake was assessed based on the molar ratio of simultaneously extracted metals(SEMs) to acid volatile sulfide(AVS).Atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS) and X-ray powder diffraction(XRD) were used to determine the heavy metal concentrations and examine the mineralogy of the crystalline phases,respectively.The AVS loadings in sediments from Baihua Lake ranged from 64.30 to 350.08 μmol/g(dry weight).The corresponding SEM levels for the sampling sites varied from 1.770 to 14.660 μmol/g.The molar ratio of SEMs to AVS ranged from 0.014 to 0.084 with a mean value of 0.034.The XRD analysis also confirmed the presence of some metal sulfides in sediments from Baihua Lake.The SEMs/AVS ratios for all sampling sites were significantly lower than 1.0,indicating that AVS in the sediments was sufficient to bind the five heavy metals;thus,these heavy metals are currently not significantly bioavailable to benthic organisms.Comparing the SEMs results to published guideline values for metal toxicity to benthic organisms in sediments,however,suggests that Zn and Ni pose a risk at some sampling locations in Baihua Lake.