Mercury levels in some species of fish from the coast of Lebanon

The muscle tissue of 266 fish caught along the coast of Lebanon from Beirut to Tyre (85 km) were analysed for total mercury content. The mean levels for the 13 species ranged from 0·028 mg/kg of wet tissue for Siganus rivulatus to 0·0.54 mg/kg for Mullus barbatus. Whereas no significant differences (P < 0·05) in mercury levels were noted between species, in most cases a direct relationship was found between the weight or length of fish of the same species and total mercury content. Similarly, there were no significant differences (P < 0·05) between herbivore and carnivore species, nor between resident and migrant ones. All of the values obtained in the present study fall below the widely accepted limit of 0·5mg/kg of edible tissue.     

Proloculus size variation in recent benthic Foraminifera: Implications for paleoclimatic studies

Ratios of dimorphic (microspheric/megalosperic) forms of Foraminifera are affected by temperature and hence are useful in paleoclimatic studies. In some cases, however, it is not possible to distinguish between the dimorphic forms and, therefore, mean proloculus size is useful: a higher ratio means more microspheric forms and thus a lower mean size of the proloculus. To test this possibility, the mean proloculus size of Cavarotalia annectens (Parker & Jones) was measured in 14 surface sediment samples from the near-shore region along the west coast of India (Bombay to Kannyakumari), covering a stretch of 10° latitude. In this region, temperature varies from 27·5 to 29·25°C and salinity from 33·7 to 36·0‰. The results show that mean proloculus size varies from 0·045 to 0·103 mm, and is inversely proportional to temperature (r = −0·78) and salinity (r = −0·71) variations. It is proposed, therefore, that this parameter (mean proloculus size of Foraminifera) can be used as an additional tool in paleoclimatic studies.     

Seasonal fluctuations and compositions of two populations of small demersal fishes on the west coast of Scotland

The soft sediment fish communities below 20 m depth were studied at two sites on the west coast of Scotland (Irvine Bay, Firth of Clyde and the Lynn of Lorne) using small meshed beam trawls. In both cases the emphasis was on the small demersal fish (<15 cm) within these communities. The Irvine Bay community was studied between May 1978 and December 1979 and the Lynn of Lorne community between February 1975 and October 1976.Twenty-seven fish species were recorded in Irvine Bay and 32 in the Lynn of Lorne. In both communities four species constituted more than 78% of the total annual abundance, two gobies (Lesueurigobius friesii and Pomatoschistus norvegicus) were high in the dominance ranking for both sites. The species abundance lists were similar for both sites (0·62 level of similarity) but the species lists for each site were different (0·36 level of similarity). The overall mean density of small demersal fish was similar for both sites (Irvine Bay = 0·045 individuals m^?2 and the Lynn of Lorne = 0·047 individuals m^?2). There were two periods of high abundance for both communities (late autumn to winter and late spring). There was, however, a low repeatability between successive years. The species richness (D) was relatively high (Irvine Bay = 1·5-3·08, Lynn of Lorne = 1·4-3·34) as was the species diversity (H′) (Irvine Bay = 1·17-1·97, Lynn of Lorne = 1·23-1·95). The proportional representation ($\text{J′}$) of each species within the community was greater in Irvine Bay ($\text{J′}$ = 0·57-0·77) than in the Lynn of Lorne ($\text{J′}$ = 0·50-0·72). Therefore these two communities of small demersal fish appeared to be similar at the community level but the way in which this was achieved was different.     

Reduced survival and condition of the bivalves Protothaca staminea and Mytilus edulis buried by decomposing bark

The bivalves Protothaca staminea and Mytilus edulis were exposed to five depths of decomposing bark from an active log transfer facility for 13–96 days in a field experiment at Auke Bay, Alaska. Survival and condition of both species was inversely related to depth and duration of bark coverage. As little as 6 cm of bark reduced survival; survival declined most rapidly between 10 and 15 cm of bark. The depths of bark under which half the animals died after 96 days of exposure were 12·8 ± 1·6 cm for P. staminea and 10·9 ± 1·5 cm for M. edulis. Interstitial water in the bark deposits had low concentrations of dissolved O₂ (2·5–5·3 mg/liter) and elevated concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (1·0–8·1 mg/liter total sulfide) and ammonia (46–131 μg-at N/liter) compared to the surface water from the control treatment. Survival of P. staminea and M. edulis was inversely related to concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia and directly related to dissolved O₂ concentrations.     

The tidal flushing of multiple-loop animal burrows

Tidal flushing of animal burrows in mangrove swamps provides an effective and important mechanism for transport of salt and other soluble substances. The burrows have complex morphologies consisting of multiple loops. Using established computational modelling techniques, burrow geometries were simulated from characteristic burrow dimensions and the effect of multiple loops on flushing is studied. The computational models show that flushing is enhanced in multiple-loop burrows as upper loops can be completely evacuated, increasing the volume of burrow water removed. The models indicate that there may be a depth limit to which flushing occurs in complex burrow structures. Periscope loops extend further than one characteristic loop depth and are shown to affect the flushing of burrows if the surface-water plume penetrates to their lower depth. Periscope loops with surface openings on the downstream side of the burrow, relative to the tidal inundation, most frequently experience this condition and thus have a great impact on burrow flushing. Field measurements of salinity agree with the hypothesis that there is a depth limit of flushing for complex burrows that is independent of burrow salinity, and suggest a value of 30–35 cm. The measurements also support the suggestion that significant flushing of burrows occurs within a single tidal event. An experiment considered the movement of animals across the interface created by low-salinity surface water and high-salinity burrow water after a partial flushing event. The motion enhances the effective diffusion coefficient of salt by a factor of at least 10², as compared with free diffusion of salt in water, resulting in a more even distribution of dissolved salt in the burrow water between tidal inundations. This distribution may lead to an increase in the depth to which flushing occurs during subsequent inundations.     

Chlorophyll distribution in continental shelf sediments off West Palm Beach,Florida and west end,Bahamas

Measurements were made of chlorophyll-a and phaeophytin-a in calcareous sediments along transects off the east coast of Florida (75–190 m) and the west coast of Grand Bahama Island (170–300 m). Solvent partitioning showed that chlorophyll-a concentrations never exceeded 0·1 mg m^?2 at either location, most as degradation products. Total pigment concentrations (chlorophyll and phaeopigments) ranged from 0·18–1·83 mg m^?2 in sediments off Grand Bahama Island and 2·50 to 20·65 mg m^?2 off West Palm Beach. Pigments, expressed per gram dry weight of sediments, increased with depth across the Florida Continental Shelf. This is probably due to differences in sediment character between near-shore and off-shore sediments.     

Study of metal contents of elasmobranch fishes: part 1—metal concentration in the muscle tissues of a dogfish, squalus mitsukurii

Concentrations of Hg, Zn, Fe, Cd and Cu in the muscle tissues of a dogfish, Squalus mitsukurii, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and found to be in the ranges of f0·019–2·13, 1·8–3·6, 1·5–5·7, 0·001–0·018 and 0·12–0·70 μg/g wet weight, respectively. The frequency distributions of concentrations, with the exception of mercury, were found to be log-normal. The correlation coefficient between mercury content and total length was positive and large and statistically highly significant. For other metals negative correlations were observed. Mercury concentration in the muscle was found to increase in proportion to the total length cubed. Regression of mercury concentration on age of sharks was shown to be linear. Analysis of covariance showed that the difference between sexes was not statistically significant, either in slope or in height. The concentration of mercury in the muscle tissues of embryos was considerably lower, Cd roughly the same and Zn and Fe higher than those of mothers. The concentrations of Zn, Fe and Cu are higher in the embryonic stage and immediately after birth than in later stages of growth.     

Behavioural responses of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana (da Costa) subjected to short-term copper (Cu II) concentrations

Short-term (6 h) behavioural responses and mortality of Scrobicularia exposed to low concentrations of copper in sea water (31%, S) have been investigated.Scrobicularia can detect copper at a concentration of 0·01 ppm. The initial response is valve closure resulting in a rapid drop in heart rate. In concentrations of 0·05, 0·01 and, to a lesser extent, 0·1 ppm copper added to sea water, the clams begin to interact with the polluted water after 2–3 h. In 0·5 ppm, the valves remain closed and the heart rate is maintained at a low level over the 6-h exposure period.Mortality increases with time in 0·5 ppm copper concentration, reaching 50% in 5–7 days. In 0·05 and 0·01 ppm, no mortality was recorded over this period.There is an increase in mantle cavity water calcium concentration after 6 h in 0·5 ppm, in contrast to 0·1, 0·05 and 0·01 ppm. Aspects of anaerobiosis, accumulation of heavy metals and survival are discussed in relation to the behaviour of Scrobicularia exposed to various copper concentrations.     

The excretion of heavy metals by the salt marsh cord grass,Spartina alterniflora,and Spartina&#x27;s role in mercury cycling

Excreted salts and leaves from the Salt Marsh Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora were collected from two different sites. One site, Piles Creek (PC), is near heavily industrialized Linden, New Jersey, USA. The other site, Big Sheepshead Creek (BSC), is located near non-industrialized Tuckerton, New Jersey, USA. PC soil concentrations of mercury were 18·17 ± 7·67 ppm, while BSC soil concentrations were 0·22 ± 0·04 ppm. Spartina leaves from PC contained 0·16 ± 0·07 ppm of mercury, and BSC leaves contained 0·02 ± 0·0 ppm. Laboratory studies showed that S. alterniflora from both sites was capable of excreting mercury. Field collected salts from PC Spartina plants contained 0·11 ± 0·02 ppm of mercury, 2·60 ± 0·52 ppm of cadmium and 11·98 ± 0·94 ppm of zinc. These levels of heavy metals were as much as five- and-a-half times the concentrations of these metals found in ambient sea salts.     

210Pb in a tropical coastal lagoon sediment core

Excess ²¹⁰Pb in a core from a Mexican Coastal Lagoon, which has no connection with the sea shows a small but measurable decay over the length of the core, when different approaches were compared (excess and corrected ²¹⁰Pb activity with depth, total and inorganic cumulative weights) significant differences in the values for the sedimentation rate are obtained. The best coefficient correlation was calculated when corrected ²¹⁰Pb activity for the uneven distribution of organic matter and cumulative inorganic weight is considered ($\text{ω}\text{= 0·93 cm yr}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$, R = ?0·86; ω = 0·51 cm yr^?1 for the top 13 cm, R = ?0·90 and 1·52 cm yr^?1 for the interval 14–46 with R = ?0·96).Time frames in the sedimentary column were in agreement between the ²¹⁰Pb calculated time and the appearance of shells fragments probably associated with the disturbances caused by the 1961 hurricane Tara.The surface accumulation rate is equivalent to a mean deposition of 262·5 g m^?2 yr^?1 or organic matter which is minor but comparable to some salt marshes of United States.     

Experimental study of fluid transport processes in the matrix system of the European organic-rich shales: I. Scandinavian Alum Shale

This contribution presents results from a laboratory study investigating the fluid (gas/water) transport properties in the matrix system of the Scandinavian Alum Shale. The maturity of the organic matter of the shale samples ranged between 0.5 and 2.4% vitrinite reflectance (VR_r). Gas (He, Ar, CH₄) and water flow properties were determined at effective stresses ranging between 5 and 30 MPa and a temperature of 45 °C. The effects of different controlling factors/parameters on the fluid conductivity including permeating fluid, moisture content, anisotropy, heterogeneity, effective stress, pore pressure, and load cycling were analyzed and discussed. Pore volume measurements by helium expansion were conducted under controlled “in situ” effective stress conditions on a limited number of plugs drilled parallel and perpendicular to bedding.For Alum Shale the intrinsic permeability coefficients measured parallel and perpendicular to bedding (6·10⁻²²–8·10⁻¹⁸ m²) were within the range previously reported for other shales and mudstones. Permeability coefficients were strongly dependent on permeating fluid, moisture content, anisotropy, effective stress and other sample-to-sample variations. The intrinsic/absolute permeabilities measured with helium were consistently, higher (up to five times) than those measured with argon and methane. Permeability coefficients (He, CH₄) measured on a dry sample were up to six times higher than those measured on an “as-received” sample, depending on effective stress. The effect of moisture on measured permeability coefficients became more significant as effective stress increased. Permeability coefficients (He, CH₄) measured parallel to bedding were up to more than one order of magnitude higher than those measured perpendicular to bedding. Parallel to bedding, all samples showed a nonlinear reduction in permeability with increasing effective stress (5–30 MPa). The stress dependence of permeability could be well described by an exponential relationship.     

Cadmium toxicity to three species of estuarine invertebrates

Three species of estuarine invertebrates, Palaemonetes pugio (grass shrimp), Pagurus longicarpus (hermit crab) and Argopecten irradians (bay scallop), were exposed to Cd in flowing seawater at concentrations of 0·06, 0·12, 0·25, 0·5 and 1·0 mg/litre. Incipient LC₅₀ values of 0·53 and 0·07 mg/litre were estimated for bay scallop and hermit crab, respectively. The toxicity curve for grass shrimp had not stabilised, but the incipient LC₅₀ value was estimated to fall within a range of 0·2 to 0·3 mg/litre. Short-term response, as measured by time to 50% mortality at the highest Cd concentration, was 10, 21 and 23 days for the bay scallop, hermit crab and grass shrimp, respectively. Scallop growth was inhibited at all exposure concentrations with a measured 42-day EC₅₀ value of 0·078 mg/litre Cd. Byssal thread detachment precedes death in bay scallops. An EC₅₀ value of 0·54 mg/litre Cd for byssal detachment was measured on day 8 of the bioassay before appreciable mortality. This compared favourably with the incipient LC₅₀ value of 0·53 mg/litre Cd. Cadmium accumulation occurred at all concentrations in bay scallop and grass shrimp.     

A comparison of ozone and chlorine toxicity to three life stages of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

The effects of ozone-produced oxidants (OPO) on three developmental stages of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, were evaluated. Both straight-hinge (48-h post fertilisation) and setting pediveliger larvae were exposed to a series of OPO concentrations ranging from 0·05 to 0·30 mg/litre OPO (as total residual chlorine) at 25°C for 96 h. Mortality was used as the response parameter and results were quantitatively compared with the effects of chlorine-produced oxidants (CPO) obtained from the literature on these same developmental stages. Adult oysters (2- to 4-year class) were exposed to OPO concentrations ranging from 0·01 to 0·50 mg/litre at 15°C for 5 days and to the same concentration range at 25°C for two consecutive 6-day periods. Shell deposition and faecal matter accumulation were used as the response parameters for this stage.Straight-hinge larvae were significantly more sensitive to OPO than setting pediveliger larvae. Both larval stages were significantly more sensitive to CPO than to OPO. Shell deposition was significantly inhibited at all OPO concentrations for both 15°C and 25°C acclimated adult oysters. No significant differences were found between the shell deposition response of oysters at the two acclimation temperatures. Faecal matter accumulation was significantly reduced at OPO concentrations ≥ 0·05 mg/litre at both 15°C and 25°C. It was significantly (p < 0·05) greater for 25°C acclimated oysters than for 15°C acclimated oysters at OPO concentrations < 0·10 mg/litre but not at higher concentrations.     

Evidence of bioturbation in the Cap-Ferret Canyon in the deep northeastern Atlantic

In the sedimentary column, a combined quantification of burrows and macrobenthic community provides evidence of bioturbation features in the submarine canyon of Cap-Ferret between 2000 and 3000 m depth. An image-processing technique allows accurate quantification of burrow volumes with depth in the sedimentary column. The major bioturbation mode seems to be different in the channel compared to the interfluve. Macrobenthic activity is more inclined to mix the sediment in the channel in response to increased organic matter supplies. Sediment mixing leads to burrow destruction in the upper mixed layer of sediment in the canyon. Burrows are better preserved on the interfluve where mixing is slower. Under the mixed zone, the volume of recorded burrows is higher when sedimentation rate increases, as in the upper canyon. In this transition layer, the burrow volume is estimated to be between 3 and 64% of the total sediment volume depending on the sediment depth. The fill-down of numerous burrows with surface sediment by bioregeneration suggests that anaerobic degradation of fresh organic matter is dominant in this canyon. In the sedimentary column, the negative relationship between carbonate content and macrobenthic abundance confirms that carbonate dissolution is largely influenced by bioturbation.     

Nutrient exchange across the sediment-water interface in the Potomac River estuary

The flux of ammonia, phosphate, silica and radon-222 from Potomac tidal river and estuary sediments is controlled by processes occurring at the sediment-water interface and within surficial sediment. Calculated diffusive fluxes range between 0·6 and 6·5 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for ammonia, 0·020 and 0·30 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for phosphate, and 1·3 and 3·8 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for silica. Measured in situ fluxes range between 1 and 21 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for ammonia, 0·1 and 2·0 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for phosphate, and 2 and 19 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for silica. The ratio of in situ fluxes to diffusive fluxes (flux enhancement) varied between 1·6 and 5·2 in the tidal river, between 2·0 and 20 in the transition zone, and from 1·3 to 5·1 in the lower estuary. The large flux enhancements from transition zone sediments are attributed to macrofaunal irrigation. Nutrient flux enhancements are correlated with radon flux enhancements, suggesting that fluxes may originate from a common region and that nutrients are regenerated within the upper 10–20 cm of the sediment column.The low fluxes of phosphate from tidal viver sediments reflect the control benthic sediment exerts on phosphorus through sorption by sedimentary iron oxyhydroxides. In the tidal river, benthic fluxes of ammonia and phosphate equal one-half and one-third of the nutrient input of the Blue Plains sewage treatment plant. In the tidal Potomac River, benthic sediment regeneration supplies a significant fraction of the nutrients utilized by primary producers in the water column during the summer months.     

Effects of dechlorinated seawater on fish behavior

Behavioral responses to chemically dechlorinated seawater were studied using two species of marine fish associated with power plant discharge areas off Southern California. Opaleye (Girella nigricans) neither avoided nor were attracted to chlorinated seawater containing 0·1 mg/liter total residual oxidants (TRO) which had been dechlorinated using equimolar or excess sodium thiosulfate. Blue-banded goby (Lythrypnus dalli) did not avoid dechlorinated seawater initially containing 0·1 or 0·9–1·0 mg/liter TRO. Previously it has been shown that opaleye avoided chlorinated seawater with oxidant concentrations of 0·1 mg/liter and blue-banded gobies avoided 0·9–1·0 mg/liter TRO. Elimination of chlorine-produced oxidants by thiosulphate dechlorination resulted in 100% survival in both species. The toxicological implications of exposure to dechlorinated seawater are discussed.     

Seasonal distribution of bacteria in salt marsh sediments in North Carolina

The number and size of bacteria at four depths (0–1, 5–6, 10–11 and 20–21 cm) in a North Carolina salt marsh were minotored by direct counts for 13 months. The number of bacteria reached a maximum of about 1·4 × 10¹⁰ cells cm^?3 at the sediment surface in October, corresponding to the period of Spartina alterniflora die-back. Cell numbers were lowest and most consistent throughout the year at the 20 cm depth of sediment. Cell volumes averaged 0·2 μm³ at the marsh surface and decreased with depth. Mean standing crop of bacteria to a depth of 20 cm of sediment was about 14 g bacterial carbon m^?2. In surface sediments bacteria contribute up to 15% and algae up to 10% of total living microbial biomass as estimated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Bacteria were the major biomass component at sediment depths of 5, 10 and 20 cm. At all depths the microbial community contributes < 4% total organic carbon and < 8% of total nitrogen.     

Individual and interactive effects of environmental stress on the embryonic development of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. I. The toxicity of copper and silver

Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas Thunberg, embryos were exposed to copper and silver salts, alone and in combination, through the completion of embryogenesis and metal effects upon normal embryonic development were monitored. Copper concentrations throughout the test period ranged from 0·0 to 12·0 μg litre^?1 while silver concentrations were between 0·0 and 18·0 μg litre^?1.Administered individually, silver and copper yielded decreasing per cent normal embryonic development with increasing metal concentration. However, both metals exhibited ‘plateaus’ wherein per cent normal embryonic development did not decrease with increasing metal concentration until a particular concentration was attained. A rapid decrease in per cent normal embryonic development occurred with increasing metal concentrations greater than 6·0 μg litre^?1 copper and 11·0 μg litre^?1 silver.The dose-response patterns of copper and silver appear to be similar with copper exhibiting somewhat greater toxicity. At a copper concentration of 10 μg litre^?1 only 50% of the embryos could be considered normally developed, whereas silver concentrations between 16·0 and 18·0 μg litre^?1 yielded 50% normal embryonic development.Response surface methodology indicated that copper and silver interacted additively, with embryonic development affected to a much greater degree by copper than by silver. Optimum development of Crassostrea gigas embryos was greatly influenced by copper concentrations and occurred at all silver concentrations wherein the corresponding copper concentrations were 6·0 μg litre^?1 or less. Above 6·0 μg litre^?1 copper, per cent normal embryonic development was significantly reduced, even at the lowest tested silver concentrations.Abnormal embryos exhibited retarded shell growth, reduced size and extremely erratic swimming behaviour. These sublethal effects probably have a biochemical origin and would limit the organism's capacity to feed properly, escape predation and develop normally, thereby reducing the chances of successful metamorphosis and recruitment into the adult population.     

Benthic diatoms and sulfide fluctuations: Upper basin of Pettaquamscutt River,Rhode Island

The purpose of this study was to determine if seasonal anoxia affects the community composition and abundance of benthic diatoms in an estuarine basin. Subtidal benthic diatoms were collected monthly at 1-m water depth intervals from 2 to 7 m in an estuarine basin of Pettaquamscutt River, Rhode Island, during 1981. Water samples were collected at the same depths to measure temperature, salinity, oxygen and sulfide levels. The basin became stratified above 7 m in June and the interface between oxic and anoxic waters remained at 5 or 5·5 m until December when it rose to above 4 m. Motile, biraphid diatoms dominated on the muddy sediments and live cell counts of these were insignificant below 5·5 m. At shallower depths, abundance was seasonally bimodal. In the spring, a peak began in April at 3 m (later in the season with increasing depth) and a smaller fall peak began in October at 4 and 5 m (later at shallower depths). Highest standing crop in August was at 5·5 m when 1% PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) was at 4 m.The position of the interface between oxic and anoxic waters after stratification of the water column affected both abundance and species composition of benthic diatoms within 1·5 m above it. Navicula gregaria Donkin and N. ammophila Grunow dominated the spring and summer assemblages at all depths, but after September N. gregaria vanished from the basin below 3 m. In fall and winter, distinctly different populations were present at 4–5·5 m and at 2 m. The assemblage at 4 m and below consisted of sulfide-tolerant species of Navicula. Healthy populations of Navicula ammophila Grunow, N. pseudocrassirostris Hustedt, and N. peregrina (Ehrenberg) Kützing together reached 138 × 10³ cells cm^?2 at less than 1% light levels and up to 88 μM sulfide.     

Proximate composition of albacore tuna,Thunnus alalunga,from the temperate South Pacific and Tasman Sea

The proximate composition was determined of the white muscle of albacore tuna, Thunnus alalunga, caught by surface trolling along the Subtropical Convergence Zone east of the South Island of New Zealand ("Area 1"), and to the north and west of the North Island ("Area 2"). Fish from Area 1 were 70 ± 10 cm (mean ± s.d.) in fork length, and higher in oil content (4.6 ± 2.9%), than Area 2 fish which measured 55 ± 10 cm and contained 2.8 ±1.7% oil. The ash content of the white muscle of all fish sampled was 1.2 ± 0.1%, and the soluble carbohydrate content 0.36 ± 0.04%. Crude protein contents were calculated at c. 25%. Statistical relationships between moisture and oil contents of both white and red muscle were determined; they can be used to predict oil content from a known moisture content. Oil content was positively correlated with fork length, and negatively correlated with the sea surface temperature at time of capture. Oil levels in the fillet were highest in the muscle layer immediately below the skin and decreased logarithmically with depth. In fish with low white‐muscle oil content (below 5%), the corresponding red‐muscle oil content was higher; above 6% white muscle oil content the corresponding red‐muscle oil content was lower. The proximate composition of whole fish, the head, frame, skin, and viscera is presented.