Vancouver workshop: overview and synthesis

Investigators from the six PICES member nations conducted a May, 1999 interdisciplinary research assessment of Vancouver Harbour, BC, Canada. Sediment contaminants were analyzed at several sites along an assumed pollution gradient extending eastward into the harbour from the relatively less-impacted Howe Sound area (located outside and seaward, to the west). Subsets of a few representative benthic biota (English sole for general contaminants; specific mollusks for TBT) at the sampling sites were concurrently assessed for specific tissue contaminants. Measurements of biotic response to contaminants-across a wide spectrum of biological and ecosystem organization, and ranging from selected biomarkers and tissue responses, to observations at the organism and community level-were likewise conducted. Parameters examined included: P-450 expression, EROD induction and histopathologic assessment of toxicopathic liver lesions in English sole; prevalence and frequency of imposex in neogastropods; perturbations in benthic community responses to pollutants; tissue assays of various bivalve shellfish species for PSP. Results affirmed a consistent east-to-west trend in declining contaminant-associated effects, across a range of biological assessments, thus providing strong evidence that these effects are pollution-related. Specific findings revealed a significant distortion of benthic community structure along the pollution gradient, as well as biomarker evidence of histological and biochemical stress in English sole from central and inner harbour sites. Although the study reaffirms prior assumptions that various species of neogastropods have been extirpated from the harbour, most likely from the antifoulant uses of tributyltin, some of the adverse impacts from TBT may be declining. Also noted were strong biochemical inferences that sediments in the relatively "uncontaminated" Howe Sound, may well contain significant P450-inducing pollutants which were not included as analytes in the design of this limited and preliminary assessment. During the brief sampling period, PSP contamination did not appear to be a significant issue for the harbour.     

Toxicopathic liver lesions in English sole and chemical contaminant exposure in Vancouver Harbour,Canada

The prevalence of toxicopathic liver lesions in English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) was determined along a presumed gradient of chemical contamination in Vancouver Harbour, Canada. Fish were captured from five sites in or near Vancouver Harbour, British Columbia, Canada. No toxicopathic lesions were observed in fish examined at the reference site (Howe Sound outside Vancouver Harbour), or at the outer harbour site. In contrast, 20-23% of the fish from three sites located in the central harbour, Indian Arm and Port Moody Arm had one or more types of toxicopathic lesions. Likewise, aromatic hydrocarbon (AH) metabolites measured in bile exhibited a gradient in levels from lower concentrations at the reference site to significantly higher levels in fish from Indian Arm and Port Moody Arm harbour sites. The occurrence of toxicopathic liver lesions was statistically associated with concentrations of AHs measured in sediment and AH metabolite levels measured in bile.     

Organic and trace metal contaminants in sediments and English sole tissues from Vancouver Harbour,Canada

As part of a multinational workshop on marine environmental quality, sediments were collected from seven sites in Vancouver Harbour and analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorines (OCs), and for trace metals. English sole were collected from five sites, and muscle was analyzed for trace metals and liver for OCs. As expected, sediment PAH and OC concentrations and tissue OC concentrations were higher at sites east of the First Narrows, compared to the outer harbor and reference sites. Sediment PAH concentrations east of the First Narrows were similar to concentrations at moderately contaminated sites in Puget Sound, south of Vancouver Harbour. In contrast, concentrations of OCs in sediments and tissue were low to moderate, even at relatively contaminated sites within Vancouver Harbour. Although several trace metals in sediments were higher than in contaminated sediments from Puget Sound, trace metals measured in fish muscle were lower.     

Marine environmental quality assessment using polychaete taxocene characteristics in Vancouver Harbour

Polychaete taxocene characteristics from seven stations in Vancouver Harbour obtained during the PICES Practical Workshop are presented. Thirty families and 79 polychaete species were identified. Polychaete density ranged from 194.0 individuals m(-2) in Port Moody Arm to 846.0 individuals m(-2) in the Central Harbour, with a mean abundance over the seven stations of 428.9 individuals m(-2). Biomass varied from 3.0 g wet wt. m(-2) to 28.5 g wet wt. m(-2), with a mean biomass for the seven stations of 12.9 g wet wt. m(-2). High species diversity and richness of polychaete taxocene were observed at two stations, the West Vancouver Laboratory in the Outer Harbour and at a far field reference station in Thornborough Cannel. Sediment quality assessment indicated severe adverse effects at two sites in Port Moody Arm, where high concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons and some trace metals were found. A limited number of species, dominance of pollution-tolerant Tharyx multifilis, and the lowest values of polychaete biomass and indices of richness and diversity were detected in Port Moody Arm. Rich species composition and domination of pollution-sensitive species provided evidence of unstressed communities at the far field reference station. Sites in the Outer Harbour, Central Harbour and Indian Arm were characterised by intermediate pollutant exposure.     

The benthic macroinvertebrates of the Block Island Sound

The benthic invertebrates of Block Island Sound have not been adequately studied, in contrast to other adjacent southern New England sounds. This study examines the species composition, abundance and biomass of benthic macrofaunal invertebrates at nine locations within Block Island Sound. The sites sampled, represent a wide range of subtidal habitats within the Sound, and were visited in February and September.Some 224 species were identified, of which almost half (104) were polychaetes. The benthic assemblages at most stations were dominated numerically by tube dwelling, surface detritus or suspension feeding amphipods, e.g. Ampelisca agassizi and A. vadorum, as well as the protobranch bivalve, Nucula proxima. This dominant Ampelisca-Nucula assemblage was associated with silty fine sand sediments. The average macrofaunal biomass for all stations was 158 g (wet weight) m^?2, two thirds the average benthic biomass of Georges Bank, an important fishery area. Based on the examination of the records of earlier surveys in Block Island Sound, there is evidence that this silty-sand, ampeliscid-dominated assemblage has persisted since at least the mid-1940s.     

Effects of acid mine drainage from an abandoned copper mine, Britannia Mines, Howe Sound, British Columbia, Canada, on transplanted blue mussels (Mytilus edulis)

Juvenile mussels (Mytilus edulis) were transplanted to Howe Sound, British Columbia, Canada, along an apparent pollution gradient of acid mine drainage (AMD) from an abandoned copper (Cu) mine. Cages containing 75 mussels each were placed at a total of 15 stations and were exposed to concentrations of dissolved Cu in surface waters ranging from 5 to 1009 micrograms/l for a period of 41 days. Mussels located at stations closer to the source of AMD at the mouth of Britannia Creek bioaccumulated higher concentrations of Cu and zinc (Zn) in their tissues. Mussel growth was adversely affected by Cu tissue concentrations above 20 micrograms/g dry wt., while declines in survival and condition index occurred in mussels that bioaccumulated greater than 40 micrograms/g dry wt. Cu. Tissue Zn concentrations (117-192 micrograms/g dry wt.) were likely not high enough to have a direct impact on mussel health. Reduced survival of transplanted mussels was supported by an absence of natural mussels in contaminated areas. Phytoplankton was also severely reduced in areas contaminated by mine waters. Based on the weight of evidence, AMD from the Britannia mine had a deleterious impact on mussel survival in a zone extending at least 2.1 km to the north and 1.7 km to the south of Britannia Creek on the east shore of Howe Sound.     

黄河口大型底栖动物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的耦合分析

为探究复杂环境下的河口大型底栖生物群落结构特征,研究了黄河口及其毗邻海域内14个站位的底栖生物群落结构及其与主要环境因子的耦合关系。研究结果表明调查海域底栖生物群落组成和结构的空间异质性较高。底栖生物优势度不明显,优势物种集中于河口附近站位。生物多样性随离河口距离增加而增加,物种丰富度和生物多样性指数等的高值区均出现在远离河口的渤海湾和渤海中部站位,低值区位于近河口站位。对底栖生物群落的非参数多维排序(nMDS)和等级聚类分析显示,底栖生物群落结构相似性较低。丰度/生物量曲线(ABC曲线)分析显示,黄河口底栖生物群落整体上处于稳定状态,但近河口和莱州湾中西部站位受到干扰影响,群落结构不稳定。研究还表明生物量大的底栖生物(软体动物)倾向于向重金属含量较高的站位聚集。综合沉积物化学、预测毒性和底栖生物群落结构变化的评价结果可知,远离黄河口的沉积物环境质量普遍较好,而河口附近的沉积物环境质量较差。     

A benthic index of biological integrity for assessing habitat quality in estuaries of the southeastern USA

A benthic index of biotic integrity was developed for use in estuaries of the southeastern USA (Cape Henry, VA; St. Lucie Inlet, FL) using a modification of the method developed by Weisberg et al. (1997. An estuarine benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) for Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries, 20 (1), 149–158). Data from non-degraded stations sampled in 1993 and 1994 were analyzed using classification analysis of species composition to define major habitat types relative to selected physical parameters. Various benthic metrics were then tested on a larger 1994 data set for each major habitat to determine those that discriminated between non-degraded and degraded sites classified on the basis of dissolved oxygen, sediment chemistry, and sediment toxicity results. Scoring criteria for each metric were developed based on the distribution of values at non-degraded sites. Average scores from different combinations of the most sensitive metrics were compared to derive the final index, which integrates the average scores of four metrics (number of taxa, abundance, dominance, and percent sensitive taxa). An independent data set representing sites sampled in 1993 and 1995 was used to validate the index. The final combined index correctly classified 93% of stations province-wide in the developmental data set and 75% of stations in the validation data set. Comparison of the index results with those of individual benthic measures and sediment bioassays from stations sampled in 1993 and 1995 showed that the index detected a higher percentage of samples where bioeffects were expected (based on sediment chemistry) than did any of these other measures individually.     

Biodiversity and seasonal variation of benthic macrofauna in Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India

From the Indian coast only limited data are available on the benthic fauna of the seagrass communities. In this study, seasonal variation in the distribution of macrobenthos and influence of environmental parameters was explored at four seagrass beds and two mangrove stations along the Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India, from September 1999 to August 2001. A total of 160 macrobenthic species from eight major groups represented the macrofauna of the Minicoy Island. Of the identified taxa, molluscs 70（gastropods 41.46%, bivalves 7.5%）, polychaetes 27（16.88%）, crustaceans 30（18.75%）, echinoderms 11（6.88%） and remaining others. Average seasonal abundance of benthic macrofauna ranged from 219 to 711 ind./m2, species diversity varied from 1.45 to 3.64 bits per individual, species richness index ranged from 4.01 to 26.17, evenness 0.69 to 1.66. In general, the higher abundance and species diversity was noticed in southern seagrass stations and northern seagrass stations, but in the mangrove stations comparatively low species diversity was observed. Three-way analysis of variance indicated that all communities resulted as being significantly different between seagrass and mangrove station, mainly when the seasonal interaction was considered. Multivariate analyses were employed to help define benthic characteristic and the relationship between environmental parameters at the six monitoring stations. Results of cluster analyses and multidimensional scale plot suggest that for mangrove region, different physiographic provinces, lower salinity, dissolved oxygen and sediment biotic structure have a higher influence on the species composition and diversity than other oceanographic conditions.     

Macrobenthos monitoring in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt

The biogeography of macrobenthic communities with large-scale differences in species distribution and abundance was studied along the eastern and western coastal regions of the Gulf of Suez to indicate biodiversity of benthos in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions. In general, benthos have a wide variety of species of mainly polychaet worms, crustaceans, bivalves, and other bottom invertebrates living in burrows in/or on the sediment surface. Coastal development clearly affects the ecosystem after the construction of coastal projects. The highest values of benthic diversity, evenness, richness and dominance are found at the Gulf of Suez （WG 1, WG 3）, Ras Gharib （WG 7, WG 8） and Ras Shukier （WG 9a） by contrast to others. The abundance of macrobenthic organsims along the coasts of Gulf of Suez can be arranged in the following sequence： other groups （34%） greater than crustaceans （25%） greater than polychaetes （22%） greater than molluscs （17%） greater than echinoderms （2%）. The biomass of benthic assemblages at different sampling sites can also be ranked as follows： echinoderms （52%） greater than molluscs （27%） greater than crustaceans （16%） greater than polychaetes （2%） greater than other groups （3%）. Some benthic groups or species indicated a distinctive correlation to pollution sources in the marine ecosystem which obviously increased in the coastal areas due to the extension of the coastal development. These activities needed regular information to establish database for the biology and distribution of marine benthic communities. The density and diversity of benthos are significantly affected by eutrophication at Ain Sukhna, whereas the benthos in the open Gulf of Suez do not seem to be adversely affected by pollution.     

Marine environmental impact assessment of abalone,Haliotis discus hannai,cage farm in Wan-do,Republic of Korea

To assess the marine environmental impacts of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, cage farms in Wan-do, we monitored the benthic environment on top of the sediment underneath cage farm stations and reference stations. We applied two methods for this assessment. One was the A- and B-investigation of the MOM system (Modeling–On fish farm–Monitoring) developed in Norway. The other was a general environmental monitoring method which is widely used. In this study, we found benthic animals in all samples that belonged to condition 1 which were based on group 1(presence of macrofauna) of the B-investigation method. The values of redox potential (group 2–pH, redox potential) in all samples were above +65 mV belonging to condition 1. Based on sensory results (group 3–gas, color, odor, thickness of deposits), five out of seven experiment samples showed condition 1 while stations 2 and 7 showed condition 2, which have been cultured for 10 years in semi-closed waters. As group 2 takes precedence over group 3, the level of the conditions for B-investigation results consequently showed condition 1 in all stations. We found that pollutants and trace metals in the sediment underneath cage farms were lower than the pollution standard. This led us to conclude that the environmental impacts of the cage farms in this study were not significant.     

Dispersal of Benthic Meiofauna by Wave and Current Action in Bogue Sound, North Carolina, USA

Abstract. Results from sediment trap experiments in Bogue Sound, North Carolina, indicate that meiofauna from a wide variety of taxa and benthic habitats are regularly suspended in the subtidal water column. Interstitial species are estimated to account for 10–30 % of the suspended meiofauna. Measurements of suspended nematode concentrations, when compared with wind and current velocity records, suggest that in Bogue Sound, shoaling and breaking waves are more important than tidal currents in controlling meiofauna erosion and deposition. Linear regression analysis indicates that 80% (r = 0.907) of the variation in suspended nematode density is correlated with changes in the mean onshore-offshore component of local wind velocity. Nematode turnover associated with spring and summer coastal wind patterns is estimated to be several hundred animals per m²per day. Once suspended, meiofauna may be carried up to 10 km per day by residual currents in the Sound. Although erosion, transport and deposition of benthic nematodes by wave and current action appears to provide an effective means of dispersal along continental coastlines, the high settling velocity of nematodes suspended in Bogue Sound (on the order of 10^-4m s^-1) suggests that net downward flux in shelf and slope waters probably prevents their dispersal across ocean basins by surface currents.     

Hepatic CYP1A levels and EROD activity in English sole: biomonitoring of marine contaminants in Vancouver Harbour

To assess chemical contaminant stress in the marine environment, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) expression were measured in 88 English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) collected during May and June 1999 from four sites in Vancouver Harbour and at an expected reference site outside the harbour. Hepatic microsomes were prepared from the fish and analyzed for total CYP content, EROD activity, and CYP1A protein levels. Hepatic EROD activity and CYP1A protein levels were elevated in fish from two sites in the inner harbour. A comparison with sediment chemistry data showed that fish with increased EROD activity and CYP1A levels came from sites containing relatively high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. Unexpectedly high levels of EROD activity and CYP1A protein were also found in fish from a reference site near Gibsons, in Howe Sound. The elevated EROD activity and CYP1A expression in fish from this site cannot be explained by the chemical analysis data collected.     

Temporal changes of soft-bottom zoobenthic communities in and around Alsancak Harbor (Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea), with special attention to the autecology of exotic species

Temporal and spatial variation in soft‐bottom benthic communities following recovery from a pollution episode were studied between January and September 2004 in and around Alsancak Harbor, located in the polluted part of Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean). Samples were collected at seven stations by van Veen grab. Three additional stations were sampled by means of a beam trawl to take into account large mobile animals and for a better estimate of the local biodiversity. A total of 231 species belonging to 10 zoobenthic groups were found. Polychaetes contributed 90% of the total faunal populations and mollusks 87% of the total biomass in the area. Community parameters varied significantly among stations and sampling periods; number of species ranged from 2 to 79 per 0.1 m² grab sample; density from 20 to 81,720 ind·m^?2; biomass from 0.1 to 4190 g·m^?2; Shannon–Wiener diversity index (log₂ base) from 0.4 to 4.4; and Pielou's evenness index from 0.11 to 1.0. Collections indicate that a number of species, including those sensitive to pollution, have colonized the area where azoic conditions had been previously reported. A total of six exotic species, Streblospio gynobranchiata, Polydora cornuta, Hydroides dianthus, Hydroides elegans, Anadara demiri and Fulvia fragilis, probably transferred to the area via ballast water or hull fouling, dominated soft or hard substrata in and near Alsancak Harbor. The first two species accounted for more than 70% of the total population in the area, while A. demiri contributed the most to the biomass (93%, at station 7).     

海洋沉积物中碱性磷酸酶活力与水体污染的关系

厦门西港和香港维多利亚港近岸沉积物中碱笥磷酸酶活力与水体受污染程度的多项指标均表现出一定的相关性，如水体不ＢＯＤ５、无机氮、ＣＯＤ、无机磷等的含量及采样点离陆源排放点的距离等相关性较大，其相关性在水动力条件差的水域尤为显著。     

Modelling 3D hydrodynamics governing island-associated sandbanks in a proposed tidal stream energy site

A 3D numerical modelling study to investigate the existing hydrodynamic regime of the Pentland Firth Inner Sound Channel, Scotland, UK is presented. Hydrodynamics that govern some sensitive sedimentary deposits in the Inner Sound Channel are discussed. A 3D hydrodynamic model Delft3D is set up for Pentland Firth, located between Orkney Islands and mainland Scotland and a full sensitivity analysis of the numerical model is carried out. The current model set up sufficiently captures the existing hydrodynamics during a full spring-neap tidal cycle inside Pentland Firth. Using model results, the 3D structure of the dynamics of the tidal flows in the Inner Sound Channel is investigated. The temporal variability of tidal flows, the residual tidal flows in the channel and local flow interactions with the Island of Stroma are described. It is proved that the tidally dominant flows drive the sediment transport gradient model to explain the principle maintenance mechanisms of two island-associated sandbanks present in the Inner Sound. The present study provides detailed information on the physics of the tidal regime in the Inner Sound and explains the presence of sandbanks in an area of high tidal flows. Due to extremely high tidal flows, Inner Sound is considered as one of the most favourable sites for tidal energy extraction in the UK. The findings of this study will be very useful in assessing the significance of impacts of future tidal energy extraction on natural hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics of the area.     

底质细化对厦门潮下带文昌鱼栖息地大型底栖动物群落的影响

本文根据2014年至2017年在厦门文昌鱼保护区黄厝、南线十八线、鳄鱼屿和小嶝岛四处潮下带以及参照点白城潮下带获得的大型底栖动物和沉积物粒径数据,探讨底质细化对厦门潮下带文昌鱼栖息地大型底栖动物群落的影响。聚类分析表明个别黏土含量较高的取样站没有发现文昌鱼且大型底栖动物种数少。单因素方差分析表明,厦门潮下带部分大型底栖动物群落参数和优势种数量存在显著差异。底质粒径分析表明, 2017年9月,鳄鱼屿和白城潮下带黏土和粉砂含量高于黄厝、南线十八线和小嶝岛潮下带的黏土和粉砂含量。2016年夏季黄厝、南线十八线潮下带黏土和粉砂含量明显高于2014年夏季的黏土和粉砂含量。相关分析表明,5个大型底栖动物群落参数如物种数、栖息密度、生物量、多样性指数(H′)和丰度指数(d), 7个常见种的栖息密度和生物量与粉砂和黏土含量呈显著正相关,均匀度指数(J)和4种常见种的数量与粉砂和黏土含量无显著相关,白氏文昌鱼(Branchiostoma belcheri)的栖息密度和生物量与粉砂和黏土含量呈显著负相关。上述结果证实,黏土含量增加到15%和粉砂含量增加到60%有利于多数大型底栖动物栖息密度和生物量的增加,但导致白氏文昌鱼栖息密度和生物量的减少,而红角沙蚕(Ceratonereiserythraeenis)、滑指矶沙蚕(Eunice indica)、光滑倍棘蛇尾(Amphioplus laevis)受底质细化的影响较小。     

Recolonization patterns of benthic assemblages after relict sand dredging in the central Tyrrhenian sea

Recolonization patterns of benthic assemblages after relict sand dredging were investigated in an area offshore of Capo d’Anzio (central Tyrrhenian Sea). Surveys were performed before, during, and after dredging in 2007. Sampling stations were located within and outside the dredging site in water depths between 40 and 56 m. Defaunation due to sand extraction was the main impact observed in the inner stations and in stations located in proximity of the dredging site. At the inner stations, 9 months after dredging, a significant increase in species richness and diversity was observed: the sediment removal led to an increase of the sandy sediment fraction, favouring the settlement of sabulicolous species. A decrease in number of individuals and species was also observed in most of the outer stations, probably due to fine sediment redeposition. Recolonization of macrobenthic assemblages was essentially achieved at inner stations both in terms of abundance and species richness, while at outer stations it was still in progress. Results of this study, providing a picture of recovery times and processes in the Tyrrhenian Sea, could be used to develop predictions of the effects of future offshore sand dredging projects in comparable areas. Monitoring programs and research have a key role to provide a more detailed overview of biological recovery processes and times in different regions and with different dredging intensity.     

Abundance and biomass of meiobenthos in the spawning ground of anchovy (Engraulis japanicus) in the southern Huanghai Sea

1 Introduction Meiofauna is an important group in benthic small food web energetically due to their small size, high abundance and fast turnover rates. The production of meiofauna is equal to or higher than that of macrofau- na in estuaries, shallow waters and deep sea (Gerlach, 1971; Platt and Warwick, 1980; Heip et al., 1985; Zhang et al., 2004). A role of meiofauna may be the recycling of nutrients. Marine nematodes may keep the bacterial colonies on sand grains in active phase of growth …     

Benthic responses to organic matter variation in a subtropical coastal area off SE Brazil

Organic matter quality, expressed as the proportion of chlorophyll a (Chl a) to degraded organic material (i.e. phaeopigments), is known to influence the structure of benthic associations and plays an important role in the functioning of the ecosystem. This study investigates the vertical distribution of microbial biomass, meiofauna and macrofauna with respect to organic matter variation in Ubatuba, Brazil, a southeastern, subtropical coastal area. On three occasions, samples were collected in exposed and sheltered stations, at high and low hydrodynamic conditions. We hypothesize that benthic assemblages will have high meio‐ and macrofaunal densities and high microbial biomass at the sediment surface at the sheltered site, and lower and vertically homogeneous microbial biomass and densities of meio‐ and macrofauna are expected at the exposed site. The accumulation of fresh organic matter at the sediment surface was observed at both stations over the three sampling dates, which contributed to the higher densities of meiofauna in the first layers of the sediment column. Macrofauna followed the same trend only at the exposed station, but changes in the number of species, biodiversity and feeding groups were registered for both stations. Microbial biomass increased at the sheltered station over the three sampling dates, whereas at the exposed station, microbial biomass was nearly constant. Physical exposure did not influence organic matter loading at the sites and therefore did not affect overall structure of benthic assemblages, which negates our original hypothesis. Most of the benthic system components reacted to organic matter quality and quantity, but relationships between different‐sized organisms (i.e. competition and/or predation) may explain the unchanged microbial profiles at the exposed site and homogeneous vertical distribution of macrofauna at the sheltered site. In conclusion, the high quality of organic matter was a crucial factor in sustaining and regulating the benthic system, but coupled results showed that interactions between micro‐, meio‐ and macrofauna can be highly complex.