Negative effects of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Flensborg fjord,Denmark

The effect of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds was studied from June 2004 to July 2005 in Flensborg fjord, Denmark. The field experiments were conducted at two stations, one with only Z. marina (Eelgrass station) present and one where M. edulis were present in the Z. marina beds (Mixed station). Zostera marina parameters were measured (growth of leaves, shoot density, leaf length, and nutrient content) in combination with epiphyte cover and sediment parameters (sulphate reduction rates, sediment nutrient fluxes, organic content, C, N and P content) to examine possible positive and negative effects of the mussels on eelgrass performance. The fluxes of ammonium from the sediments were stimulated at all sampling dates at the Mixed station, and possibly stimulated epiphyte growth at this station. Further ¹⁵N signals in epiphytes from the Mixed station suggested that excretion products from the mussels were important nitrogen sources at this station. Sulphate reduction rates were enhanced at the Mixed station and also sediment sulphide concentrations increased under mussel influence, which may have resulted in sulphide toxicity and decreased growth of Z. marina at this station. The study indicates that for Z. marina beds in Flensborg Fjord the effects of M. edulis in seagrass beds are primarily negative, and raises the question whether this leads to negative effects on the stability and expansion of Z. marina beds.     

Current status and ecological roles of Zostera marina after recovery from large-scale reclamation in the Nakdong River estuary,Korea

Large Zostera marina meadows (covering 13.6 km²) existed in the Nakdong River estuary on the south coast of Korea until the mid-1980s, but these Z. marina beds nearly disappeared due to reclamation of adjacent mud flats for the construction of a port and industrial complex during the late 1980s. Partial recovery of Z. marina meadows occurred recently, and Z. marina coverage of about 0.3 km² was observed in this estuary. In this study, shoot morphology, density, biomass, productivity, and tissue nutrient content were measured to evaluate the current status of the Z. marina meadows by comparing these data to those for persistent seagrass meadows in similar geographical areas. Additionally, we examined the ecological roles of Z. marina in this estuary after recovery from the large-scale disturbance. Shoot density (151 shoots m⁻²) and total biomass (141 g DW m⁻²) in the estuary were similar to those reported from other Z. marina meadows in Korea. Annual leaf production (1726 g DW m⁻² y⁻¹) was higher than generally observed for Z. marina in other geographical areas. These results imply that the existing Z. marina meadows in this estuary have adjusted to local environmental conditions that changed after large-scale reclamation. Estimated annual whole plant carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) incorporations based on shoot production and tissue C and N content were 810.0 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ and 59.7 g N m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. These values were equivalent to 2.4 × 10⁵ kg C y⁻¹ and 1.8 × 10⁴ kg N y⁻¹ for all Z. marina beds in the Nakdong River estuary. This high C and N incorporation into Z. marina tissues suggests that existing Z. marina meadows play important roles in C and N cycles in this estuary. Although the currently existing Z. marina beds in this estuary are persisting and play an important ecological role, anthropogenic factors that cause seagrass declines still affect the estuary. Thus, effective management and monitoring of Z. marina beds and environmental factors are critical to protecting and conserving this invaluable component of the Nakdong River estuary.     

High mortality of Zostera marina under high temperature regimes but minor effects of the invasive macroalgae Gracilaria vermiculophylla

The present study tested for density-dependent effects of the invasive drift macroalgae Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss on growth and survival of the native eelgrass, Zostera marina L., under different temperature levels. Three weeks laboratory experiments were conducted in Odense, Denmark, combining three algae densities (control, low 1.9 kg WW m⁻², high 4.5 kg WW m⁻²) with typical Danish summer temperatures (18 °C) and elevated temperatures (21 °C and 27 °C). There was a significant effect of temperature on shoot survival with on average 68% mortality in the high temperature treatment but almost no mortality at the two lower temperatures. The higher mortality was probably caused by high sulphide levels in the sediment pore water (0.6 mmol l⁻¹ at 18 °C compared to 3.7 mmol l⁻¹ at 27 °C). Above-ground growth of the surviving shoots was also significantly affected by temperature, with leaf elongation rates being negatively affected, while the leaf plastochrone interval increased. Relative growth rate was significantly higher at 21 °C than at 18 °C or 27 °C, whereas rhizome elongation was significantly lowest at 27 °C. Elemental sulphur content in the plant tissues increased significantly with temperature and was up to 34 times higher (S⁰ in rhizomes) at 27 °C compared to the lower temperatures. In contrast to the temperature effects, cover by G. vermiculophylla did not cause significant effects on any seagrass responses. However, there was a (non-significant) negative effect of algal cover at the highest temperature, where the seagrass is already stressed. The latter results suggest that more studies should test for interaction effects between temperature and other anthropogenic stressors given that temperature is predicted to increase in the near future.     

Use of a high-resolution profiling sonar and a towed video camera to map a Zostera marina bed,Solent, UK

Seagrasses are flowering plants that develop into extensive underwater meadows and play a key role in the coastal ecosystem. In the last few years, several techniques have been developed to map and monitor seagrass beds in order to protect them. Here, we present the results of a survey using a profiling sonar, the Sediment Imager Sonar (SIS) and a towed video sledge to study a Zostera marina bed in the Solent, southern UK. The survey aimed to test the instruments for seagrass detection and to describe the area for the first time.     

天鹅湖大叶藻种苗补充情况调查

本研究以山东荣成典型潟湖——天鹅湖内的大叶藻(Zostera marina L.)海草床为研究对象,从2015年3月到6月对大叶藻种子萌发形成的幼苗进行进了月度调查,包括春季大叶藻种苗的密度、株高、叶鞘高、叶数、叶宽以及分枝情况。结果表明,天鹅湖大叶藻种子在3月即开始萌发,但萌发量较少,种苗密度较低;4月种子大量萌发,种苗密度不断升高,并达到峰值,为(481.77?303.42)株/m2;5月份种子萌发结束,种苗密度下降,同时开始克隆生长;6月份种苗不断生长,分枝数增多,种苗开始出现有性生殖枝。至此,春季种苗的萌发过程结束,进入有性生殖过程。     

Diagenesis of Organic Matter in Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Vegetated Sediments

Oceanology - In February and July 2014, multidisciplinary geochemical studies of the sediments were carried out at two stations. One of them was located in Voevoda Bight, which has a bottom depth...     

近江牡蛎作为重金属污染生物指示种的初步研究

对近江牡砺作为监测广东岸海域Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ，Ｃｄ，Ｐｂ污染的生物指示种的可能性进行了初步研究和评价，应用ＰＯＬＹＤＩＶ统计技术对采自广东沿岩海域１４个站点的近江牡盛的重金属含量进行了统计分析，结果表明近江牡蛎受Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ，Ｃｄ污染的地理分布类型与广东沿海排放的工业废水的分布以及潮间带生物和表层沉积物的Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ，Ｃｄ含量分布相一致，因此，近江牡蛎可作为监测研究Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ，Ｃｄ污染的可靠生物指示种，但能     

移植操作胁迫对天鹅湖大叶藻存活、生长及光合色素含量的影响

2009年4月利用植株枚订移植法在山东荣成天鹅湖海域开展大叶藻植株移植,于5~10月监测移植大叶藻植株的存活率,并逐月采集自然和移植大叶藻植株,比较了植株生长、叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量的变化,分析了移植操作胁迫对大叶藻存活、生长、叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量的影响。结果显示,移植后1~2个月,移植植株的平均成活率较高,至移植后4个月,平均成活率降至57.8%,之后保持稳定。移植后6个月内,叶长移植植株均极显著低于自然植株;根长和茎节长在移植后1个月时移植植株显著低于自然植株,移植2个月后与自然植株无明显差异,甚至显著高于自然植株;叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量在移植后1个月时移植植株显著低于自然植株,移植2个月后则与天然植株无明显不同,甚至显著高于自然植株,但10月份移植植株的叶绿素含量明显下降。结果表明,移植操作对大叶藻植株的地上部分产生了严重的胁迫作用和较长的胁迫时间,而移植植株的地下部分及叶片叶绿素和类胡萝卜素在经过短期胁迫后,能够通过自身的补偿机制分别实现快速生长和显著增加,从而利于植株的扎根、固着和提高植株的光合作用能力。     

The shell of Mytilus as an indicator of zonal variations of water quality within an estuary

Variations in the mineralogy and chemistry of the shells of the filter-feeding organism Mytilus edulis have allowed discrimination of subenvironments of growth within the Tay estuary. Aragonite proportions higher than those predictable for the temperate, tidal, growth conditions are associated with stretches of the estuary affected by organic pollution. Accumulation and concentration of copper (Cu) in the organic periostracum suggest that Mytilus shell may also prove useful as a monitor of metallic element pollution.The relatively fragile nature of the polylayer shell of Mytilus and the layer specific distribution of components require the use of either complete, undamaged specimens or population groups to discriminate significant variations.     

Mytilus californianus as an indicator of heavy metals on the northwest coast of Baja California, Mexico.

Samples of Mytilus californianus were analyzed to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of Ag, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations on the northwest coast of Baja California and to compare the results with levels reported for California, USA. The samples were collected at eight sites from the US-Mexican border to San Quintín, BC (300 km south of the border) in February and July 1982 and 1994. During both years, north-south gradients in the concentration of Ag and Pb were observed, with the highest values close to the US-Mexican border (Ag = 0.60-1.54 and Pb = 0.21-2.89 micrograms g-1) and the lowest in the southern part of the study area (Ag = 0.05-0.10 and Pb = not detectable-0.03 microgram g-1). The Ag and Pb gradients suggest that their distributions are affected by anthropogenic activities close to the US-Mexican border. South-north gradients in the concentration of Cd (minimum = 0.59-2.16 and maximum = 2.61-12.93 micrograms g-1), for both 1982 and 1994, were observed. The geographic annual means of Pb for California (average of six stations along the entire state) were significantly higher than those of this study (average of the eight sampling sites) in 1982 and 1994. Cu in California was significantly greater than that of this study only in 1994. Cluster analyses on all metals indicate three similar geographic zones in 1982 and 1994, suggesting a relative consistency in the processes that determine the spatial variability of the concentration of some metals in M. californianus on the northwest coast of Baja California.     

Decreased fitness of cod (Gadus morrhua L.) from polluted waters

The rotatory-flow technique was applied to cod, Gadus morrhua L., from different regions of Scandinavia. Fish from three area (Vikanes, Norway and Kristineberg and Gårdby, Sweden) in which the water is relatively unpolluted did not differ significantly as to the mean reaction quotient. Experiments to determine the fitness of cod from the Kristineberg and Stenungsund areas were conducted during a 29-month period. The mean reaction quotients for Stenungsund cod were significantly lower than those for Kristineberg cod for all the experiments except for the final tests conducted during November, 1975. They did not vary inversely to the amounts of monomethyl mercury, PCB and DDT analysed in the trunk muscles of tested specimens.In order to determine the effect of these toxic compounds on the efficiency of the fish from Kristineberg, cod were treated with sublethal doses given by oral intubation. A significant decrease in the reaction quotients was obtained with the lowest level of DDT used (1 ppm), the decreases in the reaction quotients being linearly correlated (r = 0·60) with the amount of DDT in the muscle tissue (mean value 0·36 ppm wet tissue). For PCB and mercury the corresponding mean levels in muscles were 1·8 and 1·5 ppm, respectively. These amounts are about 10, 30 and 75 times greater, respectively, than those found in the Stenungsund cod. It is, however, doubtful whether the distribution of the toxicants within the fish body corresponded to that occurring in the sea.     

Trace metals in the common porpoise, Phocoena phocoena

Mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations in brain, liver, kidney, heart and spleen of twenty-six specimens of the common porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) are presented. Mercury and cadmium levels in liver and kidneys tended to increase with length of animal, but copper and zinc levels show no such trends. The proportion of methylmercury to total mercury (9%–57%) in the liver decreased with increasing total mercury concentrations. Lead, chromium, nickel and cobalt levels were below the analytical detection limits (0·5, 1·0, 1·0 and 2·5 μg^?1, respectively).     

Seasonal variation of zinc in the barnacle, Balanus balanoides (L.) maintained on a raft in the Menai Strait

A population of the intertidal barnacle, Balanus balanoides (L.) maintained on a raft in the Menai Strait was sampled regularly over a two-year period and pooled fractions analysed for zinc and other trace metals. The seasonal variation of zinc in three fractions (body, other soft tissues and shell) has been followed and related to physiological condition. The body accumulates zinc almost continuously whilst this trace metal accumulates in the ovary only as it develops and is lost in the gametes when these are laid. The newly formed egg-masses therefore may be the more useful sample for indicating zinc pollution.     

Meiobenthic communities of seagrass beds (Zostera capricorni) and unvegetated sediments along the coast of New South Wales,Australia

Seagrass beds have higher biomass, abundance, diversity and productivity of benthic organisms than unvegetated sediments. However, to date most studies have analysed only the macrofaunal component and ignored the abundant meiofauna present in seagrass meadows. This study was designed to test if meiobenthic communities, especially the free-living nematodes, differed between seagrass beds and unvegetated sediments. Sediment samples from beds of the eelgrass Zostera capricorni and nearby unvegetated sediments were collected in three estuaries along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Results showed that sediments below the seagrass were finer, with a higher content of organic material and were less oxygenated than sediments without seagrass. Univariate measures of the fauna (i.e. abundance, diversity and taxa richness of total meiofauna and nematode assemblages) did not differ between vegetated and unvegetated sediments. However multivariate analysis of meiofaunal higher taxa showed significant differences between the two habitats, largely due to the presence and absence of certain taxa. Amphipods, tanaidacea, ostracods, hydrozoans and isopods occurred mainly in unvegetated sediments, while kinorhyncs, polychaetes, gastrotrichs and turbellarians were more abundant in vegetated sediments. Regarding the nematode assemblages, 32.4% of the species were restricted to Z. capricorni and 25% only occurred in unvegetated sediments, this suggests that each habitat is characterized by a particular suite of species. Epistrate feeding nematodes were more abundant in seagrass beds, and it is suggested that they graze on the microphytobenthos which accumulates underneath the seagrass. Most of the genera that characterized these estuarine unvegetated sediments are also commonly found on exposed sandy beaches. This may be explained by the fact that Australian estuaries have very little input of freshwater and experience marine conditions for most of the year. This study demonstrates that the seagrass and unvegetated sediments have discrete meiofaunal communities, with little overlap in species composition.     

Latitudinal comparison of spawning season and growth of 0-group sole, Solea solea (L.)

0-Group sole, Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758) were sampled in four nursery grounds: two on the Northern French coast and two on the Portuguese coast. Juvenile sole were collected at the Vilaine estuary (Northern Bay of Biscay) in 1992, in the Authie estuary (Eastern English Channel) in 1997, and in the Douro and Tagus estuary (Northern and central Portugal, respectively) in 2005. Left lapilli otoliths were used to estimate age and investigate variability in growth rates and hatch dates. In the French study areas nursery colonisation ended in early June in the Vilaine estuary and in late June in the Authie estuary. In the Portuguese estuaries nursery colonisation ended in May in the Douro estuary and in late June in the Tagus estuary. Growth rates were higher in the Portuguese estuaries, 0.767 mm d⁻¹ in the Tagus estuary and 0.903 mm d⁻¹ in the Douro estuary. In the French nurseries, growth rates were estimated to be 0.473 mm d⁻¹ in the Villaine estuary and 0.460 mm d⁻¹ in the Authie estuary. Data on growth rates from other studies shows that growth rates are higher at lower latitudes, probably due to higher water temperature. Spawning took place between early January and early April in the Villaine estuary's coastal area in 1992. In 1997, in the Authie estuary spawning started in late January and ended in early April. On the Douro estuary's adjacent coast spawning started in mid-January and ended in late March, in 2005, while on the Tagus estuary's adjacent coast spawning started in mid-February and ended in mid-April, in the same year. Literature analysis of the spawning period of sole along a latitudinal gradient ranging from 38°N to 55°N in the Northeast Atlantic indicated that there is a latitudinal trend, in that spawning starts sooner at lower latitudes. Results support that local conditions, particularly hydrodynamics, may overrule general latitudinal trends.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water,mussels (Brachidontes sp., Tagelus sp.) and fish (Odontesthes sp.) from Bahía Blanca Estuary,Argentina

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one of the major groups of anthropogenic environmental pollutants, were firstly identified and measured in coastal waters, native mussels and fish of an industrialized South American estuary.     

大叶藻海草床的生态恢复: 根茎棉线绑石移植法及其效果

于2009年和2010年在青岛汇泉湾用根茎棉线绑石法进行大叶藻(Zostera marina L.)移植, 并于2012年4月20日至11月19日对移植大叶藻的生长情况进行观察(包括形态学变化、密度、茎枝高度、地上生物量、底质粒径几个方面)。观察期间水温为7.8～26.1℃。结果显示, 移植底质可定性为粉砂质;移植大叶藻的有性繁殖期为2012年4～8月; 无性繁殖在秋季达到高峰; 密度在6月和9月分别高达411茎枝/m²和481茎枝/m²; 高度与地上生物量的最大值出现在6～7 份。与2009年青岛湾天然大叶藻进行比较后可以发现, 移植大叶藻的高度、地上生物量及其季节变化与天然大叶藻基本保持一致,说明移植大叶藻的生长状况良好, 同时说明根茎棉线绑石法是一种高效且实用的海草床生态恢复方法。     

Reproductive success as an indicator of genotoxicity in the polychaete worm, Neanthes arenaceodentata

The effects on reproduction of single or chronic exposure to the direct-acting mutagen, radiation, were evaluated using Neanthes arenaceodentata as the model animal. In the first set of experiments, mated pairs were irradiated when oocytes were visible in the female and were given a single dose of either 0·5, 1·0, 2·0, 5·0, 10 or 50 Gy. In the second set of experiments, lifetime exposure was initiated upon the spawning of the P₁ female and was terminated upon the spawning of the F₁ female; the average total doses (0·55, 6·5 and 54 Cy) were delivered at a rate of 0·19, 2·1 or 17 mGyH⁻¹. Our results on embryo abnormalities and mortalities indicated that lethal mutations were most likely induced in the germ cells and had an adverse effect on reproductive success by reducing the survival of early life stages. Except for those mated pairs exposed acutely to 10 or 50 Gy or exposed chronically to 17 mGyh⁻¹, there was no evidence of gamete killing. However, evidence was obtained for mutagen-damage accumulation in developing gametes from continuous exposure to radiation.     

Cytogenetics of Anodonta cygnea (Mollusca: Bivalvia) as possible indicator of environmental adversity

Anodonta cygnea is a freshwater clam, belonging to the Unionidae family, which can be found in rivers and lagoons all over Europe and Northern America. As they appear as important case studies for ecological damage assessments, the various species of the Unionidae family have been submitted to a sort of recent studies on their chromosomal or cytogenetic status. In this study we confirmed the diploid chromosome number of 2n = 38 for this species, and established for the first time the karyotype, which comprised six metacentric, 12 submetacentric and one subtelocentric chromosome pairs. We also found a high percentage of cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes. Considering that karyotype disturbances in Unionids have been previously related with exposure to chemicals, either natural or produced by human activity, we determined the aneuploidy index for our population. The aneuploidy index is an excellent marker for pollutant presence/effect. The animals acclimatized in tap water and in natural water from the lake where the individuals were collected showed different levels of aneuploidy. The higher values were found in tap water. Chromosome analysis techniques seem a suitable tool to study the impact of contaminants referred above, and making A. cygnea a suitable organism for assessment of an eugenic damage in aquatic systems. On the other hand, our results also point out to the importance of doing the acclimatizing process of the collected animals in their own natural water.