Phytoplankton distributions in the Shackleton Fracture Zone/Elephant Island region of the Drake Passage in February–March 2004

The Drake Passage region near Elephant Island in the Southern Ocean displays patchy phytoplankton blooms. To test the hypothesis that natural Fe addition from localized sources promoted phytoplankton growth here, a grid of stations (59°S to 62°S, 59°W to 53°W, as well as four stations in the eastern Bransfield Strait) were occupied from 12 February–24 March 2004. Phytoplankton abundance was measured using shipboard flow cytometry (70 stations), with abundances conservatively converted to biomass, and compared with measurements of dissolved iron (dFe) at a subset of stations (30 stations). Based on T–S property plots, stations were divided into Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), Water On Shelf (WOS), Bransfield Strait (BS), and Mixed water stations, the latter representing locations with T–S properties intermediate between ACC and WOS stations. The highest integrated phytoplankton biomass was found at Mixed water stations, however, the highest integrated abundance was found at WOS stations, demonstrating that abundance and biomass do not necessarily show the same patterns. The distributions of nano- and micro-phytoplankton (<20 and >20 μm diameter cells, respectively) were also examined, with nano- and micro-plankton contributing equally to the total biomass at WOS and BS stations, but micro-plankton representing ∼2/3 of the biomass at Mixed and ACC stations. Increased inventories of dFe did not always correspond to increases in phytoplankton biomass – rather stations with lower mean light levels in the mixed layer (<110 μEinsteins m⁻² s⁻¹) had lower biomass despite higher ambient dFe concentrations. However, where the mean light levels in the mixed layer were >110 μEinsteins m⁻² s⁻¹, total biomass shows a positive trend with dFe, as does micro-phytoplankton biomass, but neither regression is significant at the 95% level. In contrast, if just nano-phytoplankton biomass is considered as a function of dFe, there is a significant correlation (r²=0.62). These data suggest a dual mechanism for the patterns observed in biomass: an increasing reservoir of dFe allows increased phytoplankton biomass, but biomass can only accumulate where the light levels are relatively high, such that light is not limiting to growth.     

Manganese nodule distribution in different topographic domains of the Central Indian Basin

Manganese nodule distribution is primarily influenced by seafloor topography. Nodule distribution at 479 locations vis‐à‐vis seabed topography is studied by superimposing sampling location on the topographic profile and assigning appropriate domain (hilltop, valley, slope, or plain) for the sampling location. Highest mean abundance is observed at the valleys (6.94 kg /m²), followed by hilltops, slopes, and least on plains. Frequency distributions are regular (Gaussian) on plains, whereas on valleys and hilltops they are irregular (Rayleigh type). Fe and Co content is highest in nodules from hilltops and lowest in those from plains. Conversely, Mn, Cu, and Ni content is highest on plains and least on valleys. Fe: Mn and Co: Mn are negatively correlated in all the domains. Mn and total metal content (Ni + Cu + Co) show direct relationship in all the domains. An inverse relation between nodule abundance and composition is found. Cluster analysis on chemical and abundance data shows two distinct groups in all domains. Abundance and Fe and Co content typically form one group, while all other elements form another group. Genesis of nodules depends on the availability of supply of transition elements to the abyssal environment, maintenance of nodules in the sediment‐water interface, and sedimentation rates.     

2016年秋季热带西太平洋网采浮游植物群落结构

作者于2016年9月27日～10月25日对热带西太平洋(0°～20°N, 120°～130°E)10个站位的网采浮游植物群落结构进行了采样调查。应用Uterm?hl方法对调查海域浮游植物的物种组成、细胞丰度、优势物种以及群落多样性等相关生态特征进行了分析。希望为热带西太平洋提供一些基础的背景资料,为以后的研究奠定基础。结果表明, 鉴定出浮游植物共计4门、66属、243种(包括变种、变型), 含硅藻门(Bacillariophyta)34属、103种, 甲藻门(Pyrrophyta)28属、133种, 金藻门(Chrysophyta)2属、4种,蓝藻门(Cyanophyta)2属、3种。浮游植物细胞丰度1 965.573×10³ 细胞/m³ , 其中蓝藻的细胞丰度为1 945.169×10³ 细胞/m³ , 决定了浮游植物的分布格局, 占总细胞丰度的98.96%, 高值区分布在0°N130°E-10°N130°E的4个站位(E130-13、E130-15、E130-17、E130-19); 硅藻丰度在20°N断面N20-4站位存在高值区; 甲藻丰度在130°E断面的3个站位(E130-10、E130-13、E130-15)存在高值区。本次调查的优势种依次为铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebaultii)、扁形原甲藻(Prorocentrum compressum)、扁豆原甲藻(Prorocentrum leniculatum)、胞内植生藻(Richelia intracellularis)、菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides)、细弱海链藻(Thalassiosira subtilis)、具边线形圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus marginato-lineatus)、科氏角藻(Ceratium kofoidii)、鲁比膝沟藻(Gonyaulax lurbynaii)、中华半管藻(Hemiaulus sinensis)、霍氏半管藻(Hemiaulus hauckii)、小等刺硅鞭藻(Dictyocha fibula)。Shannon-Weiner多样性指数的均值为2.440,Pielou 均匀度指数的均值为0.163。相关分析结果显示浮游植物空间分布主要受PO₄-P、NH₄-N的影响,且由蓝藻的相关性决定的。聚类分析得出群落结构分为大洋群聚和近岸群聚两种类型(其中大洋群聚的站位又划分为0°～10°N纬度范围聚集和10°～20°N纬度范围聚集)。     

莱州湾及潍河口夏季浮游植物生物量和初级生产力的分布

于1998年6月黄河断流期在潍河口及其邻近海域进行了水文、化学和生物等专业综合外业调查.对此海区浮游植物叶绿素a浓度、脱镁色素浓度和初级生产力的变化进行了分析.研究结果表明,叶绿素a浓度介于0.089～5.444mg/m3之间,平均值为1.331mg/m3;脱镁色素浓度介于0.176～3.402mg/m3之间,平均值为0.905mg/m3.叶绿素a和脱镁色素浓度高密度区分布在小清河口附近、潍河口内及潍河口以外临近海域.初级生产力介于13.58～301.54mg/(d·m2)之间,平均值为62.49mg/(d·m2).水柱初级生产力高值区分布在小清河口和37.30°N,119.47°E附近.对水文、化学和浮游动物等环境因子与浮游植物生物量和初级生产力的相关性分析表明,整个调查区,浮游植物生物量和初级生产力与海区潮汐、光照、磷酸盐、硅酸盐和微型浮游动物等环境因子密切相关,同氨盐、硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐的作用不明显,其中潍河口内浮游植物的生物量分布同潮汐的关系最为密切.夏季此海域浮游植物生长主要受磷酸盐和硅酸盐的限制.调查海域浮游植物生物量及生产力水平较历史同期有所增加.     

Spatial segregation of two common Gobius species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in the northern Adriatic Sea

The habitat characteristics and spatial segregation of the two common gobies Gobius fallax Sarato, 1889 and Gobius auratus Risso, 1810 were investigated by fish frequency and abundance estimates through visual counts in the northern Adriatic Sea. The latter species is represented by a recently described, unusual colour morph in the northern Adriatic Sea. Gobius fallax was observed at five of the nine locations examined and its abundance did not differ between two of three transect locations at Piran (Slovenia) and at the western coast of Cres (Kvarner region, Croatia). Gobius auratus was not found in the Gulf of Trieste but was present at several Kvarner locations, and co‐occurred with G. fallax at one location at Cres. Both inhabit rocky substrates but they show different preferences for substrate inclinations and bathymetric segregation. Gobius fallax was most frequent between 2 and 8 m depth and was most abundant on substrate inclining less than 30°. Its highest abundance over entire transects was 0.3 indiv.·m^?2 but within certain transect sections this increased to 1.25 indiv.·m^?2. Gobius auratus attained its highest abundance in depths below 8 m and at substrate inclinations between 30 and 90°. This species attained its highest values at the western coast of Cres, where it reached a maximum of 1.5 indiv.·m^?2 over entire transects but even up to 3.0 indiv.·m^?2 in certain transect sections. At Krk, the maximum abundance over entire transects was only 0.3 indiv.·m^?2.     

2014年春季季风间期东印度洋赤道及其邻近海域硅藻群落

2014年4月10日至5月13日在东印度洋赤道区及其邻近海域(10.08°N-6.00°S,80.00°~96.10°E)进行硅藻物种组成和群落结构的调查。分析了45个网采样品,共鉴定出浮游硅藻34属113种(包括变种、变形及未定名种),大部分物种为热带外洋性种以及暖海外洋性种,与该海区的热带及亚热带的环境特征一致。优势种为佛氏梯形藻(Climacodium frauenfeldianum)、地中海细柱藻(Leptocylindrus mediterraneus)、密聚角毛藻(Chaetoceros coarctatus)、美丽漂流藻(Planktoniella foromsa)、大西洋角毛藻那不勒斯变种(Chaetoceros atlanticus var. neapolitanus)、距端假管藻(Pseudosolenia calcar-avis,即距端根管藻Rhizosolenia calcaravis)、圆柱几内亚藻(Guinardia cylindrus)、达蒂角毛藻(Chaetoceros dadayi)、伏氏海线藻(Thalassionema frauenfeldii)、离心列海链藻(Thalassiosira excentrica)、瘤面角毛藻(Chaetoceros bacteriastroides)以及笔尖根管藻粗径变种(Rhizosolenia styliformis var. latissima)等。硅藻的平均细胞丰度为1.855×103个/m3,其平面分布不均匀,赤道断面细胞丰度较低,高值区出现在海区北部。聚类分析发现有7种生态类群,这些硅藻的种类和丰度平面分布与上层水体(200 m以浅)温度、盐度及营养盐的水柱平均值有较好的对应关系。     

Reefs at the edge: coral community structure around Rapa,southernmost French Polynesia

Rapa (27°36′ S, 144°20′ W) is a small (~40 km²) volcanic island isolated in the Southern Austral Archipelago, where direct anthropogenic stressors are extremely limited. Here, we present the results of the first quantitative survey of coral community structure across habitats and depths around the island. Despite its geographical isolation in the depauperate South Central Pacific, its small size and unfavourable environmental conditions (competition with macroalgae, low sea surface temperatures, reduced reef accretion), the diversity of scleractinian corals at Rapa is particularly high (112 species from 32 genera, including 37 species of Acropora) in comparison to other French Polynesian islands and subtropical Pacific locations. Our results indicate that the abundance (>100 colonies per 10 m² recorded at nine of the 17 sampling stations) and cover (>40% at four stations) of corals are relatively high for a marginal reef location. Strong spatial heterogeneity was found, with high variation in diversity, abundance, cover and community composition among stations. Variation in community composition was related to habitat types, with distinct assemblages among fringing reefs within bays, reef formations at bay entrances, and those on the submerged platform surrounding the island. On the platform, a depth gradient was detected, with generic richness, abundance and cover generally greater at deeper stations (18–20 m depth) compared with medium‐depth (10–12 m) and shallow (1–3 m) stations. A gradient was also recorded along bays, with increasing coral diversity and abundance from the bay heads to the bay entrances. The coral community at Rapa was characterized by the presence of several taxa not found in other French Polynesian archipelagos and the rarity of others that are common and abundant in the Society and the Tuamotu islands. Another distinctive feature of reef communities at Rapa is the high cover and dominance of macroalgae, particularly in the shallower parts of the surrounding platform, which probably explains the lower densities of coral colonies recorded there. These characteristics of the diversity and biogeographical composition of coral assemblages at Rapa provide considerable ecological grounds for its conservation.     

Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Zooplankton Community of Phosphorescent Bay, Puerto Rico

Nocturnal variations of zooplankton abundance and hydrographic conditions were examined at three locations (centre, north shore and south shore) in Phosphorescent Bay, Puerto Rico, from May 1992 through April 1993. Seven taxa accounted for approximately 96% of the annual mean zooplankton abundance:Oithonaspp. (43·5%),Acartia tonsa(31·5%), copepod nauplii (8·8%),Paracalanusspp.(6·7%), gastropod veligers (2·5%), larvaceans (1·7%) andPseudo-diaptomus cokeri(1·6%). Copepods dominated numerically throughout the year and comprised 94·3% of total zooplankton. Higher abundance of zooplankton (mean±1 SD=252 259±176 797 individuals m⁻³) was associated with cool water temperatures (24·9–27·4 °C) and dry conditions (0·3–2·9 cm precipitation/month) which prevailed between December and March relative to the period between April and November (warm/wet season) (mean±1 SD=59 773±26 861 individuals m⁻³), when temperature and precipitation were higher (27·3–30·3 °C, 3·1–20·6 cm month⁻¹). Fluctuations of zooplankton populations, particularly copepods, followed progressive increments in chlorophyllaconcentrations. This abundance pattern was consistent at the three sampling stations. Zooplankton abundance was higher on the north shore of the bay. The taxonomic composition of zooplankton was similar at the sampling stations studied.     

Quantitative estimation of seafloor features from photographs and their application to nodule mining

Methods developed for quantitative estimation of seafloor features from seabed photographs and their application for estimation of nodule sizes, coverage, abundance, burial, sediment thickness, extent of rock exposure, density of benthic organisms, and their lebensspuren have been presented. Digitization of the photographs shows variable nodule size (< 1 to 10 cm), coverage (< 1 to 75%) and abundance (< 1 to 20 kg/m²). Nodule population is inversely proportional to the coverage of the sediment (10–100%) and its thickness (0 to > 10 cm), which causes differential burial (0–100%) of nodules. Correlation between nodule parameters (diameter and coverage) in the photographs and grab recovery is used to evolve empirical relationships for estimating nodule abundance in different seabed settings. The rock outcrops (basalts) with a coverage of 6–100% are the sources of nuclei for the nodules, the distribution of which is controlled by the local topography. Higher concentrations of nodules are observed along the slopes, followed by the crests of seamounts, and are lowest in the valleys and plains. A population density of 6–7 benthic organisms per 100 m² belonging to 7 different phyla is observed, with a high frequency of lebensspuren (4–12 traces/m²) in association with nodules. Estimation of these parameters can be used as important inputs in the design of the nodule collector, as it will have to encounter a variety of seafloor conditions, such as patchy nodule distribution, rock outcrops, steep slopes, and frequent microtopographic changes, as well as benthic life. The distribution and relation of various features with one another can also be used to understand the possible impact of nodule mining on the seabed. Estimates show that for a yield of 3 million tonnes of nodules per year, the volume of sediment disturbed will be between 200 × 10⁷ and 500 × 10⁷ m³over an area of 300–600 km², depending upon the average abundance of nodules. Hence, the nodule collector will have to be a self‐propelled system, with photographic and acoustic sensors, to enable selective mining and avoid unfavorable areas.     

Distribution pattern and morphochemical relationships of manganese nodules from the Central Indian Basin

In the Central Indian Basin manganese nodule abundance was variable in all sediment types. Mean abundance varied from 1.5 in calcareous ooze to 10.2 kg/m² in terrigenous-siliceous ooze sediments. Nodule grade and growth rates are positively correlated only up to 10 mm/My (million years), and grade shows no distinct relationship with abundance. Relationships between the morphochemical characteristics of the nodules and host sediment types are subtle. Both hydrogenetic and diagenetic nodules (with smooth and rough surfaces respectively) occur on almost all sediments, but in variable proportions. Thus, the overall distribution pattern shows that small nodules (<4-cm diameters) of lower grade (average value Ni+Cu+Co=1.21%) with smooth surfaces are more common on red clay, terrigenous, and terrigenous-siliceous ooze transition-zone sediments. By contrast, large nodules (>4-cm diameters) of higher grade (average value Ni+Cu+Co=1.80%) with rough surfaces are more prevalent on siliceous ooze, siliceous ooze-red clay, and calcareous ooze-red clay transition-zone sediments. This implies an enhanced supply of trace metals from pore waters to rough-surface nodules during early diagenesis.     

胶州湾大型底栖动物的丰度、生物量和生产量研究

为了研究胶州湾大型底栖动物的丰度、生物量和生产量,于2002年3月、6月、8月和12月,在胶州湾北部软底区、大沽河口、黄岛养殖区及养殖区邻域选取4个站位进行采样,对大型底栖动物进行了定量研究。共采到大型底栖动物138种,总平均丰度、平均生物量(湿质量)和年生产量(有机碳)分别为1 719个/m2,27 g/m2,2.2 g/(m2.a),初步估算,胶州湾大型底栖动物的总次级生产量为2.8万t/a。与渤海和南黄海大型底栖动物的丰度和生物量比较,丰度和生物量均低于这两个海域,但是胶州湾大型底栖动物的总次级生产量高于渤海。本研究对于了解胶州湾大型底栖动物现状及湾内养殖对大型底栖动物的影响具有重要的意义。     

2001/2002年夏季南极普里兹湾及其邻近海域的浮游植物

报道了 2 0 0 1 /2 0 0 2年夏季南极普里兹湾邻近海域 3 7个大面测站浮游植物的调查结果。经初步鉴定共有浮游植物 3门 3 7属 86种 ,其中硅藻在种类和细胞丰度上占绝对优势 ,其次为甲藻。主要优势种为克格伦拟脆杆藻 (Fragilariopsiskerguelensis)、细条伪菱形藻 (Pseu do nitzschialineola)、短拟脆杆藻 (Fragilariopsiscurta)和赖氏束盒藻 (Trichotoxonreinboldii)等南极特有种类和常见种类。调查区浮游植物分为两个群集 ,分布在 6 7°S以南的普里兹湾内的群集主要以克格伦拟脆杆藻、短拟脆杆藻、胡克星脐藻 (Asteromphalushookeri)和南极弯角藻 (Eu campiaantarctica)等南极特有种类和常见种类为主 ;分布在 6 7°S以北的大洋海域的群集主要以细条伪菱形藻、赖氏束盒藻、拟膨胀伪菱形藻 (Pseudo nitzschiaturgiduloides)和羽状环毛藻(Corethronpennatum)等南极常见种为主。调查区浮游植物的平均细胞丰度为 (8796± 2 92 85 )ind/L ,细胞多分布于海水的表层 ,密集区分布在 6 7°S以南的普里兹湾内 ,浮游植物的细胞丰度同硝酸盐的浓度密切相关。调查区浮游植物的多样性程度是低的。     

Resource Assessment of Polymetallic Nodules Using Acoustic Backscatter Intensity Data from the Korean Exploration Area,Northeastern Equatorial Pacific

A high level of confidence in resource data is a key prerequisite for conducting a reliable economic feasibility study in deep water seafloor mining. However, the acquisition of accurate resource data is difficult when employing traditional point-sampling methods to assess the resource potential of polymetallic nodules, given the vast size of the survey area and high spatial variability in nodule distribution. In this study, we analyzed high-resolution acoustic backscatter intensity images to estimate nodule abundance and increase confidence levels in nodule abundance data. We operated a 120 kHz deep-towed sidescan sonar (DSL-120) system (1×1 m resolution) across a 75 km² representative area in the Korean Exploration Area for polymetallic nodules in the Northeastern Equatorial Pacific. A deep-towed camera system was also run along two tracks in the same area to estimate the abundance of polymetallic nodules on the seafloor. Backscatter data were classified into four facies based on intensity. The facies with the weakest and strongest backscatter intensities occurred in areas of high slope gradient and basement outcrops, respectively. The backscatter intensities of the two other facies correlated well with the nodule abundances estimated from still-camera images. A linear fit between backscatter intensity and mean nodule abundance for 10 zones in the study area yielded an excellent correlation (r² = 0.97). This allowed us to compile a map of polymetallic nodule abundance that shows greater resolution than a map derived from the extrapolation of point-sampling data. Our preliminary analyses indicate that it is possible to greatly increase the confidence level of nodule resource data if the relationship between backscatter intensity and nodule abundance is reliably established. This approach has another key advantage over point sampling and image analyses in that detailed maps of mining obstacles along the seafloor are produced when acquiring data on the abundance of polymetallic nodules. The key limitation of this work is a poor correlation between nodule coverage, as observed from photographs, and nodule abundance. Significant additional ground truth sampling using well located box cores should be completed to determine whether or not there is a real correlation between the backscatter and abundance.     

受扰动海域大型底栖动物群落特征及基于AMBI和M-AMBI指数的生态健康评价：以山东烟台辛安河口为例

To understand the ecological status and macrobenthic assemblages of the Xin'an River Estuary and its adjacent waters, a survey was conducted for environmental variables and macrobenthic assemblage structure in September 2012(Yantai, China). Several methods are adopted in the data analysis process: dominance index,diversity indices, cluster analysis, non-metric multi-dimentional scaling ordination, AMBI and M-AMBI. The dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus of six out of eight sampling stations were in a good condition with low concentration. The average value of DO((2.89±0.60) mg/L) and p H(4.28±0.43) indicated that the research area faced with the risk of ocean acidification and underlying hypoxia. A total of 62 species were identified, of which the dominant species group was polychaetes. The average abundance and biomass was577.50 ind./m2 and 6.01 g/m2, respectively. Compared with historical data, the macrobenthic assemblage structure at waters around the Xin'an River Estuary was in a relatively stable status from 2009 to 2012.Contaminant indicator species Capitella capitata appeared at Sta. Y1, indicating the animals here suffered from hypoxia and acidification. AMBI and M-AMBI results showed that most sampling stations were slightly disturbed,which were coincided with the abiotic measurement on evaluating the health conditions. Macrobenthic communities suffered pressures from ocean acidification and hypoxia at the research waters, particularly those at Stas Y1, Y2 and Y5, which displays negative results in benthic health evaluation.     

Distribution and Variability of the Meiobenthic Assemblages near the Korean Polymetallic Nodule Claim Area of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (Subequatorial NE Pacific)

This study was carried out as part of a baseline long-term environmental project in the proposed mining areas for an environmental impact assessment of future mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ). The community structure and distributional pattern of meiobenthos were investigated in the deep-sea bottom of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone of the northeastern Pacific in July 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and August 2004, 2005. Twenty one meiobenthic groups were found at the stations in the study area. The most abundant meiobenthos comprised nematodes followed by benthic foraminiferans and harpacticoid copepods. The maximum density of meiobenthos was 306 ind/10 cm² at the station located at 11°N (water depth, 4833 m), and the minimum density was 6 ind/10 cm² at the station located at 14°N (water depth, 5037 m). Oligotrophic conditions in the CCFZ seem to directly reflect the lower standing stocks of meiobenthos in the CCFZ compared to other deep-sea plains of similar depth. The latitudinal distribution pattern of meiobenthos in the study area seemed to be related with surface water primary productivity, which was connected to the water circulation pattern of the Pacific Ocean near the Equator, diverging at 8ºN latitude and converging at 5°N. The horizontal distribution of meiobenthic organisms in the study area showed high densities at the stations within 135–136°W. The densities of meiobenthic organismas within the CCFZ were high at stations with few manganese nodules on the sediment surface at low-latitude sites. In 1998, the observed relative high values of meiobenthic abundance were at stations from 5° to 6°N. Other stations from 7° to 10°N showed no significant fluctuations during the interannual sampling periods. It is considered that the inter-annual fluctuation of meiobenthos abundance is intimately related with a regime shift that may have occurred in the north Pacific between 1998 and 1999, the El Niño period. Vertical distribution of meiobenthic organisms showed the highest individual numbers in the surface sediment layers of 0～2 cm depth and a steep decreasing trend as sediment becomes deeper at the stations of high latitude located in 16～17°N. Size distribution analyses showed that organisms that fit into the sieve mesh size of 0.063 mm were abundant.     

胶州湾春季大型底栖生物多样性及群落结构特征

基于2018年5月胶州湾海域共计20个站位所获取的生物及环境数据，研究胶州湾大型底栖生物多样性以及群落结构特征。调查海域共发现大型底栖生物208种，大型底栖生物总平均丰度和生物量分别为2 654.38 ind./m²和1 024.512 2 g/m²，大型底栖生物物种数、丰度和生物量均呈现北部高、南部低的分布趋势；调查海域优势种以多毛类为主，I_RI值最高的物种为菲律宾蛤仔Ruditapes philippinarum；香农维纳指数与ABC曲线均表明调查海域底栖生态环境整体清洁；在40%相似性水平上，可将调查海域大型底栖生物划分为4个群落；底温和底盐影响调查海域大型底栖生物丰度分布。     

Hydrography of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the North Atlantic

The distribution and optical absorption characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were systematically investigated along three meridional transects in the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea conducted as part of the 2003 US CLIVAR/CO₂ Repeat Hydrography survey. Hydrographic transects covered in aggregate a latitudinal range of 5° to 62° north along longitudes 20°W (line A16N, Leg 1), 52°W (A20), and 66°W (A22). Absorption spectra of filtered seawater samples were collected and analyzed for depths ranging from the surface to ∼6000 m, sampling all the ocean water masses in the western basin of the subtropical North Atlantic and several stations on the North and South American continental slopes. The lowest surface abundances of CDOM (< 0.1 m⁻¹ absorption coefficient at 325 nm) were found in the central subtropical gyres while the highest surface abundances (∼0.7 m⁻¹) were found along the continental shelves and within the subpolar gyre, confirming recent satellite-based assessments of surface CDOM distribution. Within the ocean interior, CDOM abundances were relatively high (0.1–0.2 m⁻¹ absorption coefficient at 325 nm) except in the subtropical mode water, where a local minimum exists due to the subduction of low CDOM surface waters during mode water formation. In the subthermocline water masses of the western basin, changes in CDOM abundance are not correlated with increasing ventilation age as assessed using chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) concentrations and the atmospheric CFC history. But dissolved organic carbon (DOC) mass-specific absorption coefficients of CDOM increase with increasing ventilation age in the deep sea, indicating that CDOM is a refractory component of the DOC pool. The overall CDOM distribution in the North Atlantic reflects the rapid advection and mixing processes of the basin and demonstrates that remineralization in the ocean interior is not a significant sink for CDOM. This supports the potential of CDOM as a tracer of ocean circulation processes for subducted water masses.     

Downward transport of organic carbon by diel migratory micronekton in the western equatorial Pacific:: its quantitative and qualitative importance

Using simultaneous sampling with a commercial-sized trawl, a zooplankton net, and a sediment trap, we evaluated the contribution of vertically migrating micronekton to vertical material transport (biological pump) at two stations (3°00′N, 146°00′E and 3°30′N, 145°20′E) in the western equatorial North Pacific. The gravitational sinking particulate organic carbon flux out of the euphotic zone was 54.8 mg C m⁻² day⁻¹. The downward active carbon flux by diel migrant mesozooplankton was 23.53 and 9.97 mg C m⁻² day⁻¹, and by micronekton 4.40 and 2.26mg C m⁻² day⁻¹ at the two stations. Assuming that the micronekton sampling efficiency of the trawl was 14%, we corrected the downward carbon flux due to micronekton respiration to 29.9 and 15.2mg C m⁻² day⁻¹, or 54.6 and 27.7% of the sinking particle flux at the two stations. The corrected micronekton gut fluxes were 1.53 and 0.97mg C m⁻² day⁻¹. The role of myctophid fish fecal matter as a possible food resource for deep-sea organisms, based on its fatty acid and amino acid analysis, is discussed.     

Latitudinal changes (6°S-20°N) of summer ciliate abundance and species compositions in surface waters from the Java Sea to the South China Sea

Ciliates play a curial role in energy transfer from pico-and nano-phytoplankton to mesozooplankton in marine ecosystems. In order to visualize their geographical distributions from the Java Sea to the South China Sea (6°S to 20°N), the authors investigated the ciliate abundance and species composition in surface waters during May 18 to 27 of 2010. The ciliate abundance decreased latitudinally from 3 080 ind./L (～6°S) to 40 ind./L (～3°N), and then increased to 1 180 ind./L (～16°N) at the end of the survey. A total of 22 ciliates belonging to 15 genera were identified with the tintinnids accounted for 50% (11 species); and the species number showed a same spatial change as the ciliate abundance. Moreover, the Strombidium occupied over 50% of total ciliate abundance in most stations and Mesodinium and Tintinnopsis contributed to about 18.7% and 11.4%, respectively. In particular, our results indicate that the geographical changes in ciliate abundance were positively regulated by larger nano-and micro-phytoplankton biomass, rather than smaller pico-phytoplankton in the investigated waters.     

2014年夏季南海北部浮游植物群落结构

2014年8月20日-9月6日对南海北部(18°~22°N,114°~116°E)的11个站位进行了浮游植物群落结构的调查,其中2个站位为时间连续站。共鉴定出浮游植物4门68属229种(包括变种、变型及未定种),其中硅藻门43属147种,甲藻门20属75种。浮游植物平均细胞丰度为16.318×103 cells/L,硅藻的平均细胞丰度为14.653×103 cells/L,占总丰度的89.80%,硅藻的分布决定了浮游植物的分布。近岸冲淡水含有丰富的营养盐,因此近岸海域的细胞丰度高于大洋海域,垂直分布表现出先增加后降低的趋势。本次调查的优势种为铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebautii)、中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)、拟脆杆藻(Fragilariopsis sp.)、短孢角毛藻(Chaetoceros brevis)、菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides)、柔弱伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima)、尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens)、扁面角毛藻(Chaetoceros compressus)、洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)以及海洋角毛藻(Chaetoceros pelagicus),各优势种的分布趋势相似,呈现出近岸高于外海的趋势。Shannon-Weiner多样性指数与Pielou均匀度指数的平均值分别为2.37和0.56。浮游植物昼夜垂直变化明显。典范对应分析结果显示浮游植物空间分布主要受总氮盐、硅酸盐、微型浮游动物与盐度的影响。根据细胞丰度进行的站位的聚类分析显示浮游植物群落明显可划分为近岸群聚与大洋群聚。