Effects of Listriolobus pelodes (Echiura) on coastal shelf benthic communities and sediments modified by a major California wastewater discharge

The Palos Verdes coastal zone off Los Angeles receives over 1·4×10⁹ l of primary treated wastewaters daily. Benthic effects from this discharge include elevated organic matter and trace contaminants in sediments, generation of H₂S among sediment porewaters and altered biological community structure. In 1973 large numbers of the echiuran Listriolobus pelodes settled in shelf sediments several kilometers from the outfalls. By 1975 the centre of Listriolobus distribution had shifted towards the outfall region, where peak numbers (1500 m⁻²) and biomass (2 kg m⁻²) developed. Populations declined in 1977 and the echiuran had virtually disappeared from the shelf by 1978. The echiurans' burrowing, respiratory, and feeding activities aerated and reworked sediments, and thus reduced wastewater impacts on the ocean bottom, enabling a diverse fauna to develop in the outfall region. With the disappearance of the echiuran, sediment quality and benthic communities reverted towards former conditions. However, because of improvements made in effluent quality during the echiuran period, wastewater impacts were of lower magnitude than before the Listriolobus invasion.     

Effects of oilfield brine effluent on sediments and benthic organisms in trinity bay,Texas

Field studies have established the concentrations of naphthalenes in bay sediments and water in the vicinity of an oil separator platform and their effects on the benthic fauna. Fifteen stations were occupied monthly, from July, 1974 to December, 1975, along three transects extending from the separator platform outfall outwards for a distance of 4·0 to 5·6 km. A lesser number of stations were occupied from April, 1974 to June, 1974. Bottom sediments at each station were analysed for total naphthalenes content and for number of species and individuals. All stations were located in 2 to 3 m of water. The outfall was located 1 m off the bay bottom.There was a definite correlation between sediment naphthalenes concentration and number of species and individuals. As expected, the first station, located 15 m from the outfall, had the highest concentration of naphthalenes of all stations sampled. The naphthalenes levels dropped sharply from the outfall to the stations located 75 m from the platform where levels were about 20–50% of those found 15 m from the outfall. Naphthalenes concentrations then decreased gradually to near background levels at stations farther out. Hydrocarbon concentrations in bottom water 15 m from the outfall were three orders of magnitude lower than those in the full strength effluent, but sediments 15 m from the outfall had hydrocarbon concentrations four times as great as in the full strength effluent. There were approximately four orders of magnitude more hydrocarbons in the sediment than in the overlying water.The bay bottom was almost completely devoid of organisms within 15 m of the effluent outfall. Stations located 150 m from the outfall had severely depressed benthic faunas but not to the extent of stations nearer the outfall. Stations located 455 m from the platform were unaffected. Both numbers of species and individuals increased with distance from the platform and reached a peak at the first station medial to the control on each transect (685 to 1675 m from the platform) and then dropped at the control station. Physical environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, water depth and sediment type were essentially the same at all stations.The temporary use of a second outfall located 275 m from the main platform outfall resulted in a rapid build up of naphthalenes in surrounding sediments which persisted for at least six months following the termination of use of the second outfall. The benthic fauna was also severely depressed in the vicinity of the second outfall. The use of multiple outfalls, located some distance apart, appears to be more harmful than the use of a single outfall.Trinity Bay, Texas, the site of this investigation, has a mean depth of 2·5 m. The bay water is highly turbid due to the presence of a high concentration of clay-sized particulate material. The brine outfall was located approximately 1 m above the bay bottom. These special conditions undoubtedly contributed significantly to the observed impact of the brine. Therefore, extrapolations from the results of this study to offshore oil production and brine disposal should be made with extreme caution.     

Mercury pollution in sediments,benthic organisms and inshore fishes of Haifa Bay,Israel

Total mercury concentrations were determined in surficial sediments, eleven species of benthic organisms and six species of fish from Haifa Bay, Israel. The results show that essentially all of the shallow water zone of the Bay receives anthropogenic mercury. A mercury-cell chlor-alkali plant was identified as the source of pollution. Surficial sediments in the vicinity of the plant, containing up to 0·99 μg Hg/g dry weight, were up to 157 times enriched in mercury relative to an unpolluted area. Mercury levels in the benthic organisms reflected the levels in the sediments. Maximal concentrations reaching 38·7 and 18·2 μg Hg/g dry weight were found in the carnivorous gastropod molluscs Arcularia circumcinta and Arcularia gibbosula, respectively. In all fish species, specimens caught in Haifa Bay had higher mercury concentrations in the muscle tissue than specimens caught south of the Bay. A maximal value of 1·66 μg Hg/g wet weight was recorded in Diplodus sargus.     

Municipal wastewater contamination in the southern california bight: Part I—metal and organic contaminants in sediments and organisms

Sediments and organisms were examined for concentrations of organic and metal contaminants from near the Los Angeles County (JWPCP) municipal outfall at Palos Verdes (PV) station 7-3, the Los Angeles City (Hyperion) municipal outfall at Santa Monica Bay (SMB) station 6-4 and reference station SMB 2–3 near Malibu Beach. Flows and mass emission rates of suspended solids, PCBs, Cd and Zn were similar at the two outfalls. Mass emission rate of copper was almost twice as high from Hyperion as from JWPCP, while mass emission rate of DDTs was an order or magnitude higher from JWPCP than from Hyperion.Surficial sediments at PV 7-3 were enriched in most contaminants relative to SMB 6-4 and relative to the mass emission rates of contaminants from the JGVPCP and Hyperion outfalls. Some of this enrichment could be accounted for by the greater accumulation of organic material, measured as total volatile solids, at PV 7-3 relative to SMB 6-4. Some might be accounted for by resurfacing of more contaminated historical deposits buried at PV 7-3. Some of the enrichment of DDTs relative to PCBs could be accounted for by the greater abundance of oxygenated metabolites of PCBs (PCBols) relative to DDTs (DDTols) in sediments.The degree of contamination of organisms by DDTs increased with proximity to PV 7-3 but contamination by PCBs was similar at PV 7-3 and SMB 6-4. DDT concentrations in fish livers ranged from 12 ± 4 ( ) mg/wet kg in longspine combfish from SMB 2–3 to 610 ± 105 (n = 5) mg/wet kg in Pacific sanddab from PV 7-3. DDT concentrations in fish gonads ranged from 0·003 ± 0·003 (n = 5) mg/wet kg in yellowchin sculpin from SMB 6-4 to 1.5 ± 6 (n = 3) mg/wet kg in Pacific sanddabs from PV 7-3. PCB concentrations in fish livers ranged from 1·2 ± 0·4 (n = 4) mg/wet kg in yellowchin sculpin from SMB 2–3 to 16 ± 3 (n = 6) in Pacific Sanddab from SMB 6-4. DDT and PCB concentrations in invertebrate hepatopancreas were only slightly lower than those in fish livers. DDTols and PCBoIs comprised an average of 91 % of the total of parent compounds and oxygenated metabolites in sediments and 66 % in livers and hepatopancreas. Trace metals were frequently decreased in livers and hepatopancreas from near outfalls even though they were highly elevated in sediments.Comparison of sediment and tissue chlorinated hydrocarbon data with that from Elliot and Commencement Bays, Puget Sound, indicated that none of the southern California coastal stations considered in this study were sufficiently lacking contamination to be considered as adequate control sites.     

Effects of wild fish and motile epibenthic invertebrates on the benthos below an open water fish farm

A manipulative caging experiment was carried out to evaluate the role of wild fish and motile epibenthic invertebrates on the benthic system influenced by an open water fish farm. Chemical and biological parameters of the sediment were measured as indicators of the ecological benthic status. The combination of wild fish and currents notably lowered aquaculture waste sedimentation below the fish farm. The limited waste sedimentation rate could have limited the scavenger and predation activity of wild fish on the benthos, whose role may be taken over by motile epibenthic invertebrates. The interaction of these motile epibenthic invertebrates with the sediment differed from that observed with fish. The motile epibenthic invertebrates led to more reduced conditions with lower redox values, significantly decreased the number of species of macrofaunal benthic assemblages and significantly modified macrofaunal benthic assemblages. Therefore, epibenthic invertebrates do not seem to have an ameliorative effect on the benthic status produced by fish farming. Since the effects of epibenthic species on the benthic system can greatly vary according to their identity, further experiments should be performed to better understand the drivers that influence the epibenthic species identity that modulate the benthic system affected by fish farming.     

Spatial analysis of the trophic interactions between two juvenile fish species and their preys along a coastal–estuarine gradient

Coastal and estuarine systems provide nursery grounds for many marine fish species. Their productivity has been correlated with terrigeneous inputs entering the coastal–estuarine benthic food web, thereby favouring the establishment of fish juveniles. Studies in these ecosystems often describe the nursery as a single large habitat without verifying nor considering the presence of contiguous habitats. Our study aimed at identifying different habitats based on macrozoobenthic communities and morpho-sedimentary characteristics and assessing the trophic interactions between fish juveniles and their benthic preys within these habitats. It included 43 sampling sites covering 5 habitats in which we described taxonomically and quantitatively the invertebrates and fish communities with stable isotopes and gut contents. It suggested that the benthic common sole Solea solea displayed feeding plasticity at the population level, separating the juveniles (G0) from the older fish (G1) into different “feeding sub-populations”. Size-based feeding plasticity was also observable in the spatial occupancy of that species in the studied bay. The demersal pouting, Trisopterus luscus, equally used the different habitats but displayed low feeding plasticity across and inside each habitat. Stable isotopes proved to be powerful tools to study the spatial distribution of trophic interactions in complex ecosystems like the bay of Vilaine and to define optimal habitats for fish that use the coastal–estuarine ecosystem as nursery grounds.     

Floating mucus aggregates derived from benthic microorganisms on rocky intertidal reefs: Potential as food sources for benthic animals

Mucus films, flocs or foams consisting of fine sand, algae and detritus frequently occur in the surface waters of rocky intertidal reef flats during incoming tide. These masses are referred to as mucus aggregates. We examined the developmental process of mucus aggregates and their abundance, distribution, migration and trophic composition. The trophic composition of mucus aggregates was then compared to those of sediments to evaluate their potential nutritional value for benthic animals. The organic matter content, chlorophyll a concentration, microalgal density and bacteria-derived fatty acid contents of mucus aggregates were higher than those observed in sediment, suggesting that mucus aggregates contain not only high levels of organic matter but also dense concentrations of microalgae and bacteria; therefore, mucus aggregates may serve as a qualitatively more energetic food source for benthic fauna compared to sediments. Benthic diatoms were the most abundant organisms in mucus aggregates. Large numbers of diatoms were trapped in fine mineral particles and mucilage-like strings, suggesting that a portion of the mucus is secreted by these benthic microalgae.Mucus aggregate accounted for only 0.01-3.9% of the daily feeding requirements of the dominant detritivore, Ophiocoma scolopendrina (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) over the entire sampling area. In contrast, for the species population on the back reef, where mucus aggregates ultimately accumulate, mucus aggregates provided from 0.4 to 113.3% of food for this species. These results suggest that mucus aggregate availability varies spatiotemporally and that they do not always provide adequate food sources for O. scolopendrina populations.     

Assessment of Aliphatic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Trace Elements in Coastal Sediments of the Saronikos Gulf,Greece (Eastern Mediterranean)

Surface sediments from the Saronikos Gulf were analyzed for their aliphatic hydrocarbon (AHC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentrations of Fe, Cr, As, Sb, Co and Sc were also determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA). The survey was performed at the beginning of the operation of Athens’ sewage primary treatment unit and the results can be used to monitor the unit's long-term effects in the area. The composition of aliphatic hydrocarbons indicated a chronic oil-pollution in the Saronikos Gulf sediments. The industrially impacted Elefsis Bay sediments suffered from heavy petroleum pollution, while the sediments near the sewage outfall had a moderate degree of pollution. Mixed source patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with dominant pyrolytic inputs have been identified in the sediments. Total concentrations of Fe, As and Sb along with their Sc normalized values presented elevated values in Elefsis Bay sediments. Chromium was found enriched in the sediments near the Athens sewage outfall. Factor analysis results showed that a part of As and Sb in Elefsis Bay sediments could be associated with organic or sulphidic phases. In addition, the lithogenic fraction of the sediments and the Fe oxides/hydroxides were important trace element carriers. Chromium and PAH inputs from the sewage outfall were also detected. Comparison of PAH and trace element concentrations with internationally-used sediment quality guidelines (SQG) revealed that Elefsis Bay sediments had the greatest potential of causing adverse effects in benthic organisms.     

Aliphatic hydrocarbons in Great Barrier Reef organisms and environment

This investigation was undertaken to assess the chemical nature, occurrence, and possible origin of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments, water, and a suite of seven species from widely separated coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef area were analysed by gas chromatography, and by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The hydrocarbons found were substantially of biogenic origin. The major components were n-pentadecane, n-heptadecane, pristane and mono-alkenes based on heptadecane, and were believed to originate from benthic algae and phytoplankton. There was no evidence to suggest that lipid content had any influence on hydrocarbon content. Hydrocarbons from the organisms and sediments have characteristic composition patterns which would be altered by the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons. An unresolved complex mixture, usually considered indicative of petroleum contamination, was found in greater than trace amounts only in Holothuria (sea cucumber) and Acropora (coral) from the Capricorn Group, and in some sediment samples from the Capricorn Group and Lizard Island area.     

Trophic relationships in the demersal fish community off Namibia

The benthic fish community off Namibia (between the Cunene River and Walvis Bay) in 50–650 m of water was studied during three bottom trawl surveys. The community was investigated on the basis of distribution, abundance and diet of 51 species, constituting 95 per cent of the demersal fish biomass. Dietary studies revealed the existence of three major trophic groups, one containing species that prey on pelagic and nektonic organisms, a second dominated by predators that feed on benthic polychaetes and copepods and a third group containing predators of benthic crabs, demersal shrimps and fish. Well differentiated from these groups are a few species that prey mainly on jellyfish and ophiuroids. Because for most of the species, their trophic level changes with growth, they were divided into size classes which are analysed independently. To describe interactions between the size classes, a similarity index combining diet affinity with spatial coincidence was applied. Cluster analysis showed that, for Merluccius capensis, Raja straeleni, R. clavata and Trachurus trachurus, there is a large difference in both geographic distribution and dietary preference between the size classes. For species such as Hoplostethus atlanticus, Austroglossus microlepis and Coelorinchus flabellispinis, the different size classes seem to share the same ecological niche. Variation in the number of species and the parameters mean abundance and niche width are described to enhance knowledge of the general structure of the community.     

Spatial and diurnal distribution of invertebrate and fish fauna of a Zostera marina bed and nearby unvegetated sediments in Damariscotta River, Maine (USA)

Fish, epibenthos and macroinfauna were collected in a Zostera marina bed and nearby unvegetated sediments in the estuary of the Damariscotta River, on the mid-coast of Maine. Samples of epibenthic fauna and fish were collected at low tides both during day and night, and samples of infauna at low tides during the day. The mean density of Zostera shoots in the study area was 335 m⁻². Abundance and species number of fish were greater at night than during the day and greater in eelgrass beds (Z. marina) than in unvegetated habitats. Daytime fish collections were dominated by Atlantic silversides (Medinia medinia), while juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) dominated night collections. Also Zostera-associated epifaunal abundances and number of species were significantly higher at night than during the day. Mysis stenolepis, Idotea balthica and Littorina obtusata were dominant species in the epifauna samples. Of the total of 37 invertebrate species encountered, only five occurred both in the infaunal and epifaunal samples. Nineteen different taxa were collected from the benthic core samples. The most abundant invertebrate infaunal taxa were sipunculids, the polychaete Nereis virens, and oligochaetes. Infaunal invertebrate abundances and species diversity were significantly higher in eelgrass beds than in unvegetated sediments. The abundance and number of species of benthic invertebrates were also positively correlated to seagrass biomass. Community diversity values (H′) were relatively low but fit well in the general pattern of decreasing diversity towards northern latitudes.     

Feeding habits of Solea senegalensis in earthen ponds in Sado estuary

The senegale sole, Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858, is a commercially valuable fish and it is beginning to be cultured in a semi-intensive way in fish farms in southern European countries. The present study was initiated to investigate the diet of S. senegalensis under semi-extensive conditions. The feeding habits of sole were studied in two earthen ponds of a fish farm in the Sado estuary. In one earthen pond, artificial fish ration was given. S. senegalensis feeds on few prey items, its diet is mainly composed of insect larvae (Chironomus salinarus) and polychaeta (Hediste diversicolor). The diet composition of this species suggests feeding specialization, by consuming mainly annelids and insect larvae and by avoiding other items, extremely abundant in the environment, such as gastropods. In the water reservoir where ration was given, some fish consumed simultaneously benthic organism together with ration. However, benthic organisms seem to be the most important component of S. senegalensis diet.     

The distribution of life cycle stages of two deep-water pleuronectids,Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) and rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus), at the northern extent of their range in the Gulf of Alaska

Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) and rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) are both commercially valuable, long-lived pleuronectids that are distributed widely throughout the North Pacific. While their ecology and life cycle have been described for southern stocks, few investigations have focused on these species at higher latitudes. We synthesized historical research survey data among critical developmental stages to determine the distribution of life cycle stages for both species in the northern Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Bottom trawl survey data from 1953 to 2004 (25 519 trawls) were used to characterize adult distribution during the non-spawning and spawning seasons, ichthyoplankton data from 1972 to 2003 (10 776 tows) were used to determine the spatial and vertical distribution of eggs and larvae, and small-meshed shrimp trawl survey data from 1972 to 2004 (6536 trawls) were used to characterize areas utilized by immature stages. During the non-spawning season, adult Dover sole and rex sole were widely distributed from the inner shelf to outer slope. While both species concentrated on the continental slope to spawn, Dover sole spawning areas were more geographically specific than rex sole. Although spawned in deep water, eggs of both species were found in surface waters near spawning areas. Dover sole larvae did not appear to have an organized migration from offshore spawning grounds toward coastal nursery areas, and our data indicated facultative settling to their juvenile habitat in winter. Rex sole larvae progressively moved cross-shelf toward shore as they grew from April to September, and larvae presumably settled in coastal nursery areas in the autumn. In contrast with studies in the southern end of their range, we found no evidence in the GOA that Dover or rex sole have pelagic larval stages longer than nine months; however, more sampling for large larvae is needed in winter offshore of the continental shelf as well as sampling for newly settled larvae over the shelf to verify an abbreviated pelagic larval stage for both species at the northern end of their range.     

Elevated circulating erythrocyte micronuclei in fishes from contaminated sites off Southern California

Frequencies of circulating erythrocyte micronuclei in two marine fish species from contaminated areas off southern California were elevated relative to fishes from less contaminated sites. Micronuclei frequencies from contaminated sites were four times higher in white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) and eleven times higher in kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus). The increased micronuclei frequency was related to previously determined environmental concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDTs and PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites. However, micronuclei frequency was only weakly correlated to individual body burdens of chlorinated hydrocarbons in white croaker as determined in this study. Applications and limitations of piscine micronucleus measurements are discussed.     

On the ecology of meiofauna in an organically polluted estuarine mudflat

The structure, distribution and seasonal changes of the benthic meiofauna in an organically polluted, tidal, brackish-water mudflat in the Ems-Dollart estuary were analysed. Towards the outfall of polluted fresh water, macrofauna disappeared, numbers of meiofauna increased but the diversity of the meiofauna decreased. In the area surrounding the outfall the numbers and biomass of nematodes and oligochaetes increased rapidly in spring and remained high until autumn (c. 13 × 10⁶ individuals m⁻²; c. 2gCm⁻²). The benthic fauna comprised small numbers of species, dominated by a few fast-growing diatom-feeding nematodes (Eudiplogaster pararmatus and Dichromadora geophila) and oligochaetes (Amphichaeta sannio and Paranais litoralis). Eudiplogaster pararmatus exhibits brood care and it tolerates low salinities. Dichromadora geophila which is oviparous, behaved similarly regarding tolerances, life cycle and feeding but this species was less successful than Eudiplogaster in colonizing the mudflats near the outfall. The success of the two naidid oligochaete species results from their method of reproduction by means of binary fission.Most organisms fed on benthic diatoms. In spite of intensive mineralization in the mudflat, only one bacteria-feeding organism was found in abundance (the nematode Leptolaimus papilliger). The absence of macrofaunal organisms, e.g. Nereis diversicolor, is probably also responsible for the development of high densities of meiofauna in the upper sediment layers of the mudflats in the vicinity of the outfall.The heavy load of organic waste entering the Dollart reduced the diversity within the benthic ecosystem, but nevertheless a simple system remained, based on the recurrent reoxidation of the sediment surface.     

Enhanced superoxide anion production in activated peritoneal macrophages from English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) exposed to polycyclic aromatic compounds

As in mammals, macrophages play a vital role in the destruction of infective organisms in fish. The current study was done to determine if exposure to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), a group of chemical contaminants commonly found in the sediments of urban marine areas, alters the ability of peritoneal macrophages (MØs) from English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). Initially, assay conditions including concentration of MØs, type of in vitro stimulant, tissue culture media, and incubation time were optimized to measure production of superoxide anion (O₂⁻), the progenitor ROI, in English sole MØs. English sole were then injected with an organic solvent extract of a PAC-contaminated sediment equivalent to 20 g sediment (about 860 μg selected PACs) per kg fish, via their dorsal lymphatic sinus. Peritoneal MØs were harvested on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 post-injection. Elicited peritoneal MØs from English sole injected with the sediment extract produced significantly more O₂⁻ after stimulation in vitro with either opsonized zymosan on days 3 and 7 after exposure, or phorbol myristate acetate on day 7 when compared to the vehicle-injected or uninjected fish. Macrophages of fish injected with the vehicle responded comparably to those from uninjected individuals. No differences in the basal amounts of O₂⁻ production from activated peritoneal MØs were observed among the treatment groups. This study demonstrates that exposure of English sole to PACs altered macrophage production of O₂⁻. Although the direct effects of the enhanced production of this ROI are unknown, the higher levels of superoxide anion production within peritoneal macrophages may contribute to immunodysfunction and oxidative damage in P. vetulus.     

Reduction of flatfish habitat as a consequence of the proliferation of an invasive mollusc

Coastal bays provide habitats for juveniles and adults of many marine species. Mont Saint-Michel Bay (MSMB, France) hosts a highly diversified fish community and constitutes one of the most important nursery grounds for many commercially exploited marine species, such as sea bass, flatfish, clupeids and rays in the English Channel. Besides, MSMB also suffers from the massive invasion of an exotic mollusc, the American slipper-limpet (Crepidula fornicata, L.). This species arrived four decades ago and now represents the main filter-feeder biomass in the bay (150 Mt), an order of magnitude larger than local farmed and natural shellfishes. Recent analyses underlined the impact of this small gastropod on the trophic structure of this bay and its negative influence on juvenile sole densities in the nursery grounds. The present study uses a geostatistical approach to explore the effect of the extension of the slipper-limpet on flatfish (common sole Solea solea, L.; plaice Pleuronectes platessa, L.; brill Scophthalmus rhombus, L. and flounder Platichthys flesus, L.) spatial distribution. Data collected during survey of the MSMB at the end of the 1970s and three decades later have been used to build interpolated maps of (1) slipper-limpet and (2) flatfish spatial distributions. Slipper-limpets were concentrated in a small area, in the western part of the MSMB, in the 1970s while today they occupy half of the bay. This rapid proliferation led to the decrease of available surface for flatfishes, which previously occupied the whole bay and are now restricted to its eastern part. The present study highlighted that the negative influence on fish habitat in MSMB is apparently more related to changes in the substratum than to trophic interactions. This invasion has possible consequences on flatfish population renewal at a large scale and may also damage other benthic or demersal species, such as rays.     

The Effect of Temporal Changes and Environmental Trophic Condition on the Isotopic Composition (ω13C and ω15N) of Atherina boyeri (Risso, 1810) and Gobius niger (L., 1758) in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon (Lake of Sabaudia): Implications for Food Web Structure

Abstract. ω¹³C and ω¹⁵N of organic matter sources and consumers were employed to analyse trophic differentiation between a benthic consumer, Gobius niger (L., 1758) (Pisces, Osteichthyes), and a pelagic consumer, Atherina boyeri (Risso, 1810) (Pisces, Osteichthyes) in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Lake of Sabaudia) in winter and summer 1999. Trophic differences between the two species throughout the two sampling periods were related to the environmental trophic condition (i. e. nutrient and phytopigment concentrations). Although these two fish have different habitats, they both exploited benthic organisms, above all in summer. When the nutrient and phytopigment concentrations were higher (summer), the most abundant benthic organisms were the main food sources for both species. In winter A. boyeri apparently shifted its feeding preferences to include zooplankton, confirming its opportunistic feeding strategy. Par-ticulate organic matter and algae seemed to play the main trophic role in the food web structure. Benthic invertebrates used both sources, while zooplankton seemed to rely exclusively on the particulate fraction. The overlapping and very depleted signatures of sedimentary and particulate organic matter highlights a strong link between sediments and water column, rarely observed in other aquatic ecosystems using stable isotopes. Such a finding further substantiates the importance of particulate organic matter as a food source in the study area.     

Enteroviruses in mussels and marine sediments and depuration of naturally accumulated viruses by green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus)

Surveys were carried out over 16 months to assess the distribution of enteroviruses of human origin in sediments and mussels near two sewage outfalls on the North Taranaki Coast, New Zealand. Enteroviruses were present in high numbers in both sediments and shellfish near the New Plymouth sewage outfall with maximum virus levels of 32 000 pfu 100 g^‐1 of wet mussel tissue and 59 pfu 100 g^‐1 of wet sediment material. Viruses were recovered occasionally from sediments and mussels near the Waitara Borough outfall. Coxsackievirus B4 was the predominant virus type isolated but CB5 and Poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were also recovered. Attempts to depurate virus‐contaminated New Plymouth mussels, by keeping them in water for 8 days with daily water replacement, did not achieve a significant reduction in virus numbers.