Occurrence of PSP-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamiyavanichii in Bingo-Nada, the central coastal water of the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

During surveillance of the distribution of the paralytic shellfish poison (PSP)-producing dinoflagellate in 2003, 2004 and 2005 along the coastlines of the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, some species of toxic phytoplankton were isolated from the eastern coasts, Bingo-Nada, the central regions of the Seto Inland Sea. It was rather unexpectedly revealed from the basis of the morphological characteristics that they were unambiguously identified as Alexandrium tamiyavanichii and Alexandrium catenella. Two strains (ATY041106, ATY051018) of A. tamiyavanichii showed a specific toxicity of 38.7 x 10(-6) and 111.5 x 10(-6)MU/cell, respectively. These values seemed to be several times or much higher than that of A. catenella (AC030816, AC040614), having a specific toxicity of 4.5 x 10(-6) and 4.1 x 10(-6)MU/cell, respectively, isolated in the same area. From the results of HPLC-furuorometric analysis, it revealed that the toxins in ATY041106 exist almost exclusively as beta-epimers (C2, GTX3, GTX4), which accounted for 72.7 mol%. The toxin profiles of this strain are featured by the presence of a large amount of GTX3 (59.1 mol%) and a small amount (20.6%) of C1 and 2 in comparison with the PSP compositions of A. tamarense, which is isolated as the main responsible species in Hiroshima Bay, a western part of coastal sea in Hiroshima Prefecture. On the other hand, it revealed that the toxin profiles of two strains (AC030816, AC040614) of A. catenella exist almost exclusively as beta-epimers (C2, GTX3, GTX4), which accounted for 81.8 and 56.5 mol%, as the same manner. The toxin profiles of these two strains are featured by the presence of a large amount of C2 (80.5 and 46.3 mol%) in comparison with the PSP compositions of A. tamiyavanichii. To our knowledge, this is the first record to show the distribution and harmful influence of A. tamiyavanichii and A. catenella in Bingo-Nada in Hiroshima Prefecture. Though contamination of bivalves with these PSP-producing planktons in this area has not occurred yet so far, attention should be paid to this species as well as the other causative dinoflagellate from the stand point of public health and food hygiene.     

Fate of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in purple clam Hiatula rostrata,in outdoor culture and laboratory culture

Purple clams (Hiatula rostrata Lighttoot) accumulate paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins produced by a toxic strain of the dinoflagellate Alexandriun minutum Halim. The results confirm the data of our previous study concerning the muscle and siphon that were not showing a gradual rise in toxicity when shellfish accumulated more A. minutum. However, muscle and siphon are intermittently toxic both in exposure and depuration period in laboratory cultured purple clams. PSP toxins were detected in outdoor cultured purple clams, whereas no A. minutum were found in the culture pond during most of the survey time. The outdoor cultured purple clams need longer time to decrease toxicity to allowable levels than laboratory cultured purple clams. It was shown that laboratory data may not predict times over which pond-cultured purple clams may prove toxic to consumers.     

Monitoring of DSP toxins in small-sized plankton fraction of seawater collected in Mutsu Bay,Japan, by ELISA method: relation with toxin contamination of scallop

Monitorings were conducted on DSP toxins in mid-gut gland of scallop (mouse assay), cell numbers of toxic dinoflagellate species of Dinophysis, and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins in small-sized (0.7-5 microm) plankton fraction of seawater collected from surface (0 m) and 20 m depth at a station in Mutsu Bay, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, in 2000. A specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for the analysis of DSP toxins in small-sized plankton fraction using a mouse monoclonal anti-okadaic acid antibody which recognizes okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, and dinophysistoxin-3. DSP toxins were detected twice in the mid-gut gland of scallops at 1.1-2.3 MU (mouse units) g(-1) on 26 June and at 0.6-1.2 MU g(-1) on 3 July, respectively. Relatively high cell densities of D. fortii were observed on 26 June and 11 September, and may only contribute to the bivalve toxicity during late June to early July. D. acuminata did not appear to be responsible for the toxicity of scallops in Mutsu Bay in 2000. ELISA monitoring of small-sized plankton fraction in seawater could detect DSP toxins two weeks before the detection of the toxin in scallops, and could do so two weeks after the loss of the bivalve toxicity by mouse assay. On 17 July, toxic D. fortii was detected at only small number, <10 cells l(-1), but DSP toxins were detected by the ELISA assay, suggesting a presence of other toxic small-sized plankton in seawater. For the purpose of reducing negative impacts of DSP occurrences, monitorings have been carried out hitherto on DSP toxins of bivalve tissues by mouse assay and on cell densities of "toxic" species of Dinophysis. Here we propose a usefulness of ELISA monitoring of plankton toxicity, especially in small-sized fraction, which are possible foods of mixotrophic Dinophysis, as a practical tool for detecting and predicting DSPs in coastal areas of fisheries grounds of bivalve aquaculture.     

广东省千灯湖拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii)的形态和产毒能力的株间差异及系统进化

拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii)是一种入侵蓝藻,能够产生拟柱孢藻毒素(cylindrospermopsin,CYN),严重危害人类健康.现有研究表明该藻已在我国广泛分布,更是华南地区常见的水华蓝藻,但目前对其产毒和起源还缺乏了解.本研究以中国广东省千灯湖分离出的10株拟柱孢藻为材料,对它们的生长、形态和产毒特性进行了观测,并构建了基于nif H和rpo C1基因的双基因系统进化树.结果表明,10株拟柱孢藻藻丝体形态均呈笔直型,除QDH1藻株外,其他的拟柱孢藻均可产生端生异形胞,厚壁孢子也常有出现;10藻株丝体的平均长度在41.0~77.7μm之间,宽度在2.433~3.125μm之间,它们的长宽比值差异显著.10藻株的比生长速率差异极显著,为0.075~0.174 d-1.检测发现10株藻中仅QDH7藻株可检测到6个CYN合成酶基因,液相色谱串联质谱法(LC-MS/MS)分析表明该藻株主要产生deoxy-CYN异构体,其浓度可达1745.19 ng/mL.系统进化分析表明千灯湖的拟柱孢藻与澳大利亚、欧洲和国内其他地区的藻株同源性较高,但基于rpo C1和nif H基因不能区分千灯湖的产毒藻株和非产毒藻株.本研究证实了广东省水体中存在产毒拟柱孢藻,需防范这类新型产毒蓝藻水华所带来的生态风险.     

Life-stage differences in the diet of Parabroteas sarsi (Daday) (Copepoda, Calanoida): A field study

The diet of P. sarsi in different life-stages from copepodid I to adult was investigated. Gut contents of copepodid I to II consisted mainly of algae such as diatoms and dinoflagellates. From copepodid III to adult stages the composition of the diet changed towards the inclusion of nauplii, cladocerans and copepods. The importance of the algae on the diet decreased with the inclusion of the prey items. Copepods were the most important components of the diet from C V to adult. Differences in the capture and ingestion of cladocerans and copepods were found. Diet of P. sarsi can be characterized as diverse consisting of diatoms, phagotrophic algae, protozoans, rotifers and nauplii from C I to C III and consisting mainly of carnivorous items from C IV to adult. The ability to eat a variety of food allows the copepods to modify their diet with varying conditions in the food environment. The effect of these diversity in the diet seems to be advantageous, specially in stressed environments imposed by episodes of drying.     

Shifting styles of basaltic explosive activity during the 2002–03 eruption of Mt. Etna, Italy

The 2002–03 flank eruption of Etna was characterized by two months of explosive activity that produced copious ash fallout, constituting a major source of hazard and damage over all eastern Sicily. Most of the tephra were erupted from vents at 2750 and 2800 m elevation on the S flank of the volcano, where different eruptive styles alternated. The dominant style of explosive activity consisted of discrete to pulsing magma jets mounted by wide ash plumes, which we refer to as ash-rich jets and plumes. Similarly, ash-rich explosive activity was also briefly observed during the 2001 flank eruption of Etna, but is otherwise fairly uncommon in the recent history of Etna. Here, we describe the features of the 2002–03 explosive activity and compare it with the 2001 eruption in order to characterize ash-rich jets and plumes and their transition with other eruptive styles, including Strombolian and ash explosions, mainly through chemical, componentry and morphology investigations of erupted ash. Past models explain the transition between different styles of basaltic explosive activity only in terms of flow conditions of gas and liquid. Our findings suggest that the abundant presence of a solid phase (microlites) may also control vent degassing and consequent magma fragmentation and eruptive style. In fact, in contrast with the Strombolian or Hawaiian microlite-poor, fluidal, sideromelane clasts, ash-rich jets and plumes produce crystal-rich tachylite clasts with evidence of brittle fragmentation, suggesting that high groundmass crystallinity of the very top part of the magma column may reduce bubble movement while increasing fragmentation efficiency.     

Microbial modulation in the biomass and toxin production of a red-tide causing alga

The effect of S₁₀, a strain of marine bacteria isolated from sediment in the Western Xiamen Sea, on the growth and paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) production in the alga Alexandrium tamarense (A. tamarense) was studied under controlled experimental conditions. The results of these experiments have shown that the growth of A. tamarense is obviously inhibited by S₁₀ at high concentrations, however no evident effect on its growth was observed at low concentrations. Its PSP production was also inhibited by S₁₀ at different concentrations, especially at low concentrations. The toxicity of this strain of A. tamarense is about (0.95–12.14) × 10⁻⁶ MU/cell, a peak toxicity value of 12.14 × 10⁻⁶ MU/cell appeared on the 14th day, after which levels decreased gradually. The alga grew well in conditions of pH 6–8 and salinities of 20–34‰. The toxicity of the alga varied markedly at different pH and salinity levels. Toxicity decreased as pH increased, while it increased with salinity and reached a peak value at a salinity of 30‰, after which it declined gradually. S₁₀ at a concentration of 1.02 × 10⁹ cells/ml inhibited growth and the PSP production of A. tamarense at different pH and salinity levels. S₁₀ had the strongest inhibitory function on the growth of A. tamarense under conditions of pH 7 and a salinity of 34‰. The best inhibitory effect on PSP production by A. tamarense was at pH 7, this inhibitory effect on PSP production did not relate to salinity. Interactions between marine bacteria and A. tamarense were also investigated using the flow cytometer technique (FCM) as well as direct microscope counting. S₁₀ was identified as being a member of the genus Bacillus, the difference in 16S rDNA between S₁₀ and Bacillus halmapalus was only 2%. The mechanism involved in the inhibition of growth and PSP production of A. tamarense by this strain of marine bacteria, and the prospect of using it and other marine bacteria in the bio-control of red-tides was discussed.     

拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）及其毒素的研究进展与展望

随着水体富营养化程度的加剧,淡水蓝藻水华在全球范围内频繁暴发.拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii)作为一类有害水华蓝藻,具有一定的产毒能力和较强的入侵性,日渐受到人们的广泛关注.近年来,拟柱孢藻不断由热带、亚热带地区向温带地区扩张,并在众多水体中出现暴发现象,若其毒素进入到饮用水中,无疑将对人类健康造成潜在威胁.本文从拟柱孢藻的分布演变、生态生理特征、毒性、检测和去除等研究前沿方面进行了综述,并对相关研究领域进行展望,为进一步研究拟柱孢藻的生态毒理、有效控制和去除提供科学依据.     

Cyanobacterial toxins in Lake Baringo, Kenya

This paper presents data on the first identification, characterization and quantification of hepatotoxic microcystins and neurotoxic anatoxin-a in water samples of Lake Baringo, Kenya. The shallow turbid Lake Baringo was investigated five times between June 2001 and May 2002. The phytoplankton community was mainly dominated by the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Due to the high turbidity the phytoplankton biomass was low, ranging between 1.5 and 8.2 mg L⁻¹. High mean total phosphorus concentration (1.0 mg L⁻¹) and mean total nitrogen concentration (2.8 mg L⁻¹) typical for hypertrophic lakes were found. Using HPLC technique the hepatotoxins microcystin-LR, -RR and -YR and the neurotoxin anatoxin-a were detected in the water samples. The microcystin concentrations varied from 310 to 19800 μg microcystin-LR equivalents g⁻¹ DW and the anatoxin-a concentration ranged from 270 to 1260 μg g⁻¹ DW. To our knowledge this is the first evidence of cyanobacterial toxins in Lake Baringo.     

Integrative assessment of organotin contamination in a southern European estuarine system (Ria de Aveiro, NW Portugal): tracking temporal trends in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the EU ban

Organotin (OT) compounds have been used as biocide agents in antifouling paints since the mid 1960s and are now ubiquitous in the marine environment. Due to their high toxicity to non-target species they were banned from antifouling paints in the European Union in 2003 (2002/62/EC directive). The aim of the present work is to assess any obvious decline of the OT environmental levels at Ria de Aveiro (NW Portugal) after the ban. The organotins - monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), tributyltin (TBT), monophenyltin (MPT), diphenyltin (DPT), triphenyltin (TPT), monoctyltin (MOT), dioctyltin (DOT) and trioctyltin (TOT) - were quantified in the gastropod Nassarius reticulatus, in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and in sediments. Imposex (imposition of male characters on females of gonochorist gastropods) in N. reticulatus was additionally used as a biomarker of TBT pollution. Time comparisons show a slight decrease of imposex between 2003 and 2005 probably as a consequence of the EU ban, though in some cases this trend seems to have started earlier since 2000. The fraction of TBT relatively to its metabolites has been decreasing over the last years but still remains high suggesting that there are still recent inputs of this compound into the study area.     

Planktonic algae and epiphyton of the littoral in lake Peipsi, Estonia

The littoral plankton of Lake Peipsi (3555 km², mean depth 7.1 m) was studied in summer 1980 and 2000–2002, and the epiphyton was studied on two dominating macrophytes, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and Potamogeton perfoliatus L., in 2000. The purpose of the study was to estimate to what extent the littoral phytoplankton and epiphytic algae (their biomass, chlorophyll a content and dominant species) can be used as a criterion for the trophic state of the lake. In wind-open areas, phytoplankton biomass in the littoral is commonly more than ten times higher than in open water due to the presence of the macroscopic cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata (J.S. Smith) P. Richter. This alga is abundant in the moderately eutrophic northern lake's part and rare in the strongly eutrophic southern part; hence also biomass in the southern part is considerably lower. In open water, phytoplankton biomass increases southward with increasing trophy. Algal biomass in the littoral depends on wind direction and can change completely in a few days. Epiphyton biomass and Chla content increased southward with increasing trophic state. They both revealed significant Spearman correlations (P < 0.05) with wind index and transparency (negative), and with abundance of the host plant, both reed and pondweed (positive). The phytoplankton biomass of the littoral of the large and shallow Lake Peipsi can not be used as a criterion of trophic state, however, the species composition of the dominants, particularly cyanobacteria, is well applicable for this purpose. The biomass and Chla content of the epiphyton can be used as a criterion for trophic state.     

铁对拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii)和角星鼓藻(Staurastrum spp.)季节动态和生长的影响——以广东大沙河水库为例

拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）和角星鼓藻（Staurastrum spp.）是热带亚热带浮游植物群落中的常见优势种类,为了解铁对2种浮游植物季节动态和生长的影响,本文通过对典型热带水库的野外调查,分析铁与2种藻生物量和相对生物量的季节动态的关系,并通过室内实验分别以无机磷（KH₂PO₄）和有机磷（C₆H₁₃O₉P）为磷源,比较3种铁浓度（0.029、0.29和0.689 mg/L）下拟柱孢藻（C.raciborskii,N8）和角星鼓藻（Staurastrum sp.,FACHB-1449）的比生长速率、铁载体产量和碱性磷酸酶活性的差异.结果显示,拟柱孢藻和角星鼓藻是浮游植物群落的主要优势种类,两者的生物量最大占到总生物量的82%以上;两者对环境变量响应的区别主要体现在对溶解性铁浓度变化的响应差异上,拟柱孢藻生物量与溶解性铁有显著的线性回归关系,但角星鼓藻的生物量与铁没有显著线性回归关系.室内实验中,拟柱孢藻N8的比生长速率在无机磷源铁浓度为0.689 mg/L条件下最大,为0.098±0.01 d^-1,2种磷源条件下比生长速率均随铁浓度降低而显著降低,6个实验组均检到铁载体：6个实验组角星鼓藻FACHB-1449的比生长速率没有明显差异,平均为0.079±0.001 d^-1,均未检出铁载体,磷源和铁浓度对其比生长速率的影响不显著;有机磷源条件下,拟柱孢藻N8实验组碱性磷酸酶活性均显著高于角星鼓藻FACHB-1449实验组,拟柱孢藻N8实验组酶活性随铁浓度降低而显著降低,但角星鼓藻FACHB-1449各实验组的碱性磷酸酶活性无明显差异.以上结果表明,水体中溶解性铁的供应对拟柱孢藻的种群动态和优势有重要作用,与角星鼓藻相比,拟柱孢藻的生长更易受到铁的限制,尤其在无机磷缺乏、磷源主要以有机磷形式供应时,铁对拟柱孢藻生长的限制作用增强.     

Effects of heavy metals on the survival and feeding behaviour of the sandy shore scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus (Powys)

The effects of Cu, Cd, Zn and Cr on the survival and feeding behaviour of the sandy shore scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus were compared. The 96-h LC₅₀ for Cu, Cd, Zn and Cr were 0.36, 1.52, 1.76 and 36.9 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Four sublethal concentrations of each metal plus a control were prepared and the snails were exposed to experimental solutions for 96 h. Feeding behaviour was studied after the snails were starved for five days. As compared with the control, the number of individuals feeding was significantly reduced by exposure to 0.05 mg l⁻¹ Cu, 0.2 mg l⁻¹ Zn, 0.5 mg l⁻¹ Cd and 5 mg l⁻¹ Cr. The time spent feeding was greater for individuals exposed to greater concentrations of Zn and Cd but no effect was found for Cu and Cr. Chemoreception of food was studied by placing the snails at a fixed distance of 15 cm from the bait. The success rate of reaching the bait was less for individuals exposed to Cr but no effect was found for Zn, Cu or Cd. The time required for an individual to reach the bait decreased as the concentration of Zn increased. In contrast, a longer time was required for individuals exposed to Cr whereas the effect of Cd and Cu was insignificant. The potential of using feeding behaviour and chemoreception in contaminant evaluations is discussed.     

Effects of nitrate and phosphate on growth and C2 toxin productivity of Alexandrium tamarense CI01 in culture

Growth and C2 toxin productivity of a marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense CI01 (ATCI01) which predominantly produces C2 toxin, were studied in unialgal batch cultures to optimize the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate for a maximal toxin yield. A range of start concentrations of the two major nutrients was determined in which algal growth was proportional to the nutrient concentrations used. The highest concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in this growth-enhancing range were 264 and 20 μM, respectively. In this concentration range, the C2 toxin yield (μg/l) and cellular toxin content (Qt, fmole per cell) reached a maximum at the lowest end of phosphate (5 μM) and the highest end of nitrate (264 μM). Further increase in the supply of nitrate continued to enhance the toxin yield. Our results indicated that the growth and toxin productivity of this algal strain in batch cultures had distinctly different optimal ranges of nitrate and phosphate concentrations. For a maximum toxin yield, a judicious use of phosphate under a nitrate-replete condition is called for.     

Early succession of the macroinvertebrate community in a shallow lake: Response to changes in the habitat condition

In the present study the initial succession of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a newly created shallow lake in a wetland area was monitored during 15 months. Three different types of macroinvertebrate samples (multihabitat, associated to the Phragmites australis stands and associated to the sediment) were collected monthly from May 2004 to July 2005. Additional samples were collected in the reed stand in 2007, when the reed belt had become much taller and thicker. Colonization of the lake was fast, and the colonization sequence was mainly related to the dispersal abilities of the taxa. Habitat-specific changes in the assemblage's structure and composition were registered. The communities associated to the sediment showed a decrease in overall biomass, density and species richness along time. The density of the gastropod Physella acuta and the chironomid species Dicrotendipes pallidicornis, Polypedilum nubifer and Tanytarsus horni decreased significantly, after Chara stands declined; while the chironomid Chironomus riparius became dominant. The epiphytic macroinvertebrate communities associated with the reed stands followed a seasonal pattern, with a warm-period community dominated by the chironomid species Ablabesmyia monilis and Psectrocladius sordidellus-group, and a cold-period community dominated by the chironomid species Cricotopus ornatus and D. pallidicornis.     

长江中下游流域刀鲚(Coilia nasus)生态表型的划分

长江流域是我国刀鲚(Coilia nasus)分布的重要水域传统意义上认为,刀鲚存在长颌鲚和短颌鲚2种表现型,其上颌骨的长或短是区分刀鲚溯河洄游、淡水陆封(湖鲚)和淡水定居3种生态型的关键外形指标然而这种主观分型经验尚需要野外调查数据验证本研究基于以往研究所获溯河洄游和淡水栖息刀鲚不同的耳石微化学图谱技术,首先对采集自长江中下游及附属湖泊的刀鲚群体共566尾个体有无溯河洄游"履历"进行了分析确认;再对其上颌骨长、头长、全长进行方差分析和回归分析结果发现长颌鲚、短颌鲚在早期发育阶段,长、短颌特征分化并不明显当发育至幼鱼阶段时,前者上颌骨长会长于头长;而后者全生活史过程中上颌骨长均短于头长发育至幼鱼阶段可能是刀鲚长、短颌鲚分型的临界生活史阶段此外,长颌鲚中同时存在溯河洄游和淡水定居两种生态型个体,其上颌骨长/头长比值(S/H)分别为1.170±0.075和1.165±0.064,两者S/H比值与形态上同为长颌的湖鲚比值(1.178±0.087)无显著性差异短颌鲚亦同时存在溯河洄游和淡水定居两种生态型个体,两者的S/H比值分别为0.922和0.918±0.062,与上述3类长颌鲚的S/H比值均差异极显著因此,建议把长江干流及太湖、鄱阳湖、洞庭湖等水域内3种传统生态型的刀鲚细分为溯河洄游型、淡水定居型长颌鲚,溯河洄游型、淡水定居型短颌鲚以及陆封型湖鲚5种生态表型.     

溯河洄游长江刀鲚(Coilia nasus)摄食虾类的调查

刀鲚(Coilia nasus)是长江的名贵经济鱼类.虽然传统上认为其溯河生殖洄游全过程不会摄食,但该问题一直尚未完全弄清.作为有效解明这一问题的第一步,本研究在前期长江流域干流和湖泊刀鲚资源调查的基础上,先利用耳石微化学技术筛选出长江河口区、江苏江段、安徽江段和鄱阳湖水域溯河洄游型的刀鲚个体,再对其胃、肠容物的大型游泳动物(鱼、虾类)进行调查分析.结果发现,在河口区、江苏和安徽江段所有刀鲚个体胃充塞度为0级,均未发现摄食有游泳动物;而鄱阳湖水域刀鲚个体的胃充塞度达4~5级,均发现有摄食淡水虾类的日本沼虾(Macrobrachium nipponense)和秀丽白虾(Exopalaemon modestus)的情况.其中29%和71%的刀鲚胃中分别含有1只和2只虾.所有刀鲚个体肠内均未发现有内容物.鉴于鄱阳湖已被确定为溯河洄游型刀鲚的产卵场之一,结果表明长江刀鲚在经河口,通过长江江苏和安徽江段干流到达鄱阳湖产卵场的过程中应该不会摄食大型游泳动物;而进入鄱阳湖产卵场后会开始摄食日本沼虾和秀丽白虾.这种两阶段的现象可能反映出了刀鲚的一种在洄游通道上节约能量,以利长距离溯河;而在产卵场补充能量,以利于性腺最终成熟的生存策略.     

Spatio-temporal comparisons of imposex status and tissue organotin concentration in the whelk Reishia clavigera collected along the coasts of Dapeng Bay and Daya Bay,Shenzhen, China

Organotin compounds (OTs) have caused widespread adverse effects on marine organisms. As no local restrictions on OT-based antifouling paints have been implemented in China, high concentrations of OTs still occur in coastal environments. In this study, we measured the imposex status and tissue concentrations of OTs in the whelk Reishia clavigera collected along the coast of Dapeng Bay and Daya Bay of Shenzhen, China in 2013. Our results showed that all female whelks suffered from the onset of imposex. The highest concentration of total OTs was 27,756 μg kg⁻¹ dry weight in the samples collected from Shuitousha. Triphenyltin was the most predominant residue, accounting for more than 97.8% of total OTs across all sites. Compared with the results from previous studies, the marine environment of this region is still heavily contaminated with OTs. Therefore, a tightened control is necessary to regulate the use and release of OTs in China.     

Alien aquatic plants in a thermally abnormal river and their assembly to neophyte-dominated macrophyte stands (River Erft, Northrhine-Westphalia)

Floristic surveys, vegetation mapping, and detailed transect analyses rendered a macrophyte flora of 14 native and five alien taxa of flowering plants in the River Erft, a contributory of the River Rhine in Northrhine-Westphalia. Water temperatures of this river do not fall below 10 °C all the year round, for reasons of geothermically heated water discharged from nearby opencast mining areas. Macrophyte stand structures, composed of the neophytes Azolla filiculoides and Lemna minuta (floating) and Myriophyllum aquaticum, Egeria densa, and Vallisneria spiralis (rooted in the muddy or sandy ground of the river) are described and the ecological requirements of these taxa are characterized. The alien species can be seen as elements that increase the α-diversity of the aquatic vegetation of the River Erft. They do not replace any of the native species, even if shifts in the competition dynamics occur. The colonization by neophytes of the abnormally warmed River Erft can be appreciated as paradigmatic for trends in the macrophyte vegetation of medium-sized rivers in Central Europe when climate-related or discharge-based heating of the waterbody occurs and propagules of alien plants imported by waterfowl or – more important – plants from aquarium waste will find suitable places of existence and spread.