Late Quaternary siliciclastic/carbonate sedimentation model for the Capricorn Channel,southern Great Barrier Reef province,Australia

A model is presented for hemipelagic siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentation during the last glacial–interglacial cycle in the Capricorn Channel, southern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Stable isotope ratios, grainsize, carbonate content and mineralogy were analysed for seven cores in a depth transect from 166 to 2892 m below sea level (mbsl). Results show variations in the flux of terrigenous, neritic and pelagic sediments to the continental slope over the last sea level cycle.During the glacial lowstand terrigenous sediment influenced all the cores down to 2000 mbsl. The percentages of quartz and feldspar in the cores decreased with water depth, while the percentage of clay increased. X-ray diffraction analysis of the glacial lowstand clay mineralogy suggests that the siliciclastic sediment was primarily sourced from the Fitzroy River, which debouched directly into the northwest sector of the Capricorn Channel at this time. The cores also show a decrease in pelagic calcite and an increase in aragonite and high magnesium calcite (HMC) during the glacial. The influx of HMC and aragonite is most likely from reworking of coral reefs exposed on the continental shelf during the glacial, and also from HMC ooids precipitated at the head of the Capricorn Channel at this time. Mass accumulation rates (MARs) are high (13.5 g cm^? 3 kyr^? 1) during the glacial and peak at ~ 20 g cm^? 3 kyr^? 1 in the early transgression (16–14 ka BP). MARs then decline with further sea level rise as the Fitzroy River mouth retreats from the edge of the continental shelf after 13.5 ka BP. MARs remain low (4 cm^? 3 kyr^? 1) throughout the Holocene highstand.Data for the Holocene highstand indicate there is a reduction in siliciclastic influx to the Capricorn Channel with little quartz and feldspar below 350 mbsl. However, fine-grained fluvial sediments, presumably from the Fitzroy River, were still accumulating on the mid slope down to 2000 mbsl. The proportion of pelagic calcite in the core tops increases with water depth, while HMC decreases, and is present only in trace amounts in cores below 1500 mbsl. The difference in the percentage of HMC in the deeper cores between the glacial and Holocene may reflect differences in supply or deepening of the HMC lysocline during the glacial.Sediment accumulation rates also vary between cores in the Capricorn Channel and do not show the expected exponential decrease with depth. This may be due to intermediate or deep water currents reworking the sediments. It is also possible that present bathymetry data are too sparse to detect the potential role that submarine channels may play in the distribution and accumulation of sediments.Comparison of the Capricorn Channel MARs with those for other mixed carbonate/siliciclastic provinces from the northeast margin of Australia indicates that peak MARs in the early transgression in the Capricorn Channel precede those from the central GBR and south of Fraser Island. The difference in the timing of the carbonate and siliciclastic MAR peaks along the northeast margin is primarily related to differences in the physiography and climate of the provinces. The only common trend in the MARs from the northeast margin of Australia is the near synchronicity of the carbonate and siliciclastic MAR peaks in individual sediment cores, which supports a coeval sedimentation model.     

The biogeochemistry of mercury at the sediment–water interface in the Thau lagoon. 1. Partition and speciation

Solid sediment, pore and epibenthic waters were collected from the Thau lagoon (France) in order to study the post-depositional partition and mobility of mercury in organic rich sediment. Total Hg (HgT) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) profiles were produced in both dissolved and solid phases. The distribution of HgT in the solid phase appeared to be related to the historical changes in the Hg inputs into the lagoon. HgT was in equilibrium between solid and solution phases in the sulfidic part of the cores, with a mean log K_d of 4.9 ± 0.2. The solid phase appeared to be a source of HgT for pore water in the upper oxic to suboxic parts of the cores. The MMHg represented a small fraction of HgT: 3–15% and 0.02–0.80% in the dissolved and solid phases, respectively. Its distribution was characterized by a main peak in the superficial sediments, and another deeper in the core within the sulfide-accumulating zone. In addition, high dissolved MMHg concentrations and methylated percentage were found in the epibenthic water. Ascorbate (pH 8) dissolution of the sediments and analyses of the soluble fraction suggest that the amorphous oxyhydroxides played a major role in controlling total and methylmercury mobility throughout the sediment–water interface. These features are discussed in terms of sources, transfer and transformations. Diffusive fluxes of HgT and MMHg from sediment to the water column for the warm period were estimated to be 40 ± 15 and 4 ± 2 pmol m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively.     

Export fluxes of particulate organic carbon in the Chukchi Sea: A comparative study using 234Th/238U disequilibria and drifting sediment traps

Large-volume sampling of ²³⁴Th and drifting sediment trap deployments were conducted as part of the 2004 Western Arctic Shelf–Basin Interactions (SBI) spring (May 15–June 23) and summer (July 17–August 26) process cruises in the Chukchi Sea. Measurements of ²³⁴Th and particulate organic carbon (POC) export fluxes were obtained at five stations during the spring cruise and four stations during the summer cruise along Barrow Canyon (BC) and along a parallel shelf-to-basin transect from East Hanna Shoal (EHS) to the Canada Basin. ²³⁴Th and POC fluxes obtained with in situ pumps and drifting sediment traps agreed to within a factor of 2 for 70% of the measurements. POC export fluxes measured with in situ pumps at 50 m along BC were similar in spring and summer (average = 14.0 ± 8.0 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 16.5 ± 6.5 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively), but increased from spring to summer at the EHS transect (average = 1.9 ± 1.1 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 19.5 ± 3.3 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively). POC fluxes measured with sediment traps at 50 m along BC were also similar in both seasons (31.3 ± 9.3 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 29.1 ± 14.2 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively), but were approximately twice as high as POC fluxes measured with in situ pumps. Sediment trap POC fluxes measured along the EHS transect also increased from spring to summer (3.0 ± 1.9 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 13.0 ± 6.4 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively), and these fluxes were similar to the POC fluxes obtained with in situ pumps. Discrepancies in POC export fluxes measured using in situ pumps and sediment traps may be reasonably explained by differences in the estimated POC/²³⁴Th ratios that arise from differences between the techniques, such as time-scale of measurement and size and composition of the collected particles. Despite this variability, in situ pump and sediment trap-derived POC fluxes were only significantly different at a highly productive station in BC during the spring.     

The influence of sea state on formation speed of alongshore variability in surf zone sand bars

The formation time of alongshore morphological variability in surf zone sand bars has long been known to differ from one beach to the other and from one post-storm period to another. Here we investigate whether the type of sea state, i.e. distant swell waves or locally generated short period wind sea, affects the formation time of the emerging alongshore topographic variability.A numerical modeling approach is used to examine the emergence of alongshore variability under different shore-normal wave forcing. A research version of Delft3D, operating on the time-scale of wave groups, is applied to a schematised bathymetry with a single bar. The model is then used to investigate several wave scenarios, examining the impact of peak period, frequency spread and directional spread on the formation time of alongshore variability.Results show that an increase in wave period has a large effect, changing the formation time up to O (250%) in case the wave period is changed from a representative value for the Dutch coast (T_p ~ 5–6 s) to an Australian South East coast value (T_p ~ 10–12 s). In contrast, modifications in the directional and frequency spread of the wave field result only in a minor change in the formation time.Examination of hydrodynamics and potential sediment transport shows that the variations in formation time are primarily related to changes in the magnitude of the time-averaged flow conditions. Variations in the magnitude of very low frequency (f < 0.004 Hz) or infragravity (0.004 < f < 0.04 Hz) surf zone flow velocities do not affect the mean sediment transport capacity. Consequently the formation speed of patterns is primarily governed by positive feedback between mean flow and morphology, and low frequency flow fluctuations are of minor importance.These findings indicate that the development of alongshore topographic variability may be faster at swell dominated open coasts, primarily due to the occurrence of longer period swell. Also, at a given site, the arrival of a long wave period swell after a storm can accelerate the emergence of variability.     

Microbial biomass and viral infections of heterotrophic prokaryotes in the sub-surface layer of the central Arctic Ocean

Seawater samples were collected for microbial analyses between 55 and 235 m depth across the Arctic Ocean during the SCICEX 97 expedition (03 September–02 October 1997) using a nuclear submarine as a research platform. Abundances of prokaryotes (range 0.043–0.47×10⁹ dm⁻³) and viruses (range 0.68–11×10⁹ dm⁻³) were correlated (r=0.66, n=150) with an average virus:prokaryote ratio of 26 (range 5–70). Biomass of prokaryotes integrated from 55 to 235 m ranged from 0.27 to 0.85 g C m⁻² exceeding that of phytoplankton (0.005–0.2 g C m⁻²) or viruses (0.02–0.05 g C m⁻²) over the same depth range by an order of magnitude on average. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we estimated that 0.5% of the prokaryote community on average (range 0–1.4%) was visibly infected with viruses, which suggests that very little of prokaryotic secondary production was lost due to viral lysis. Intracellular viruses ranged from 5 to >200/cell, with an average apparent burst size of 45±38 (mean±s.d.; n=45). TEM also revealed the presence of putative metal-precipitating bacteria in 8 of 13 samples, which averaged 0.3% of the total prokaryote community (range 0–1%). If these prokaryotes are accessible to protistan grazers, the Fe and Mn associated with their capsules might be an important source of trace metals to the planktonic food web. After combining our abundance and mortality data with data from the literature, we conclude that the biomass of prokaryoplankton exceeds that of phytoplankton when averaged over the upper 250 m of the central Arctic Ocean and that the fate of this biomass is poorly understood.     

Time-series observation of POC fluxes estimated from 234Th in the northwestern North Pacific

Time-series measurements of ²³⁴Th activities and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were made at time-series stations (K1, K2, K3, and KNOT) in the northwestern North Pacific from October 2002 to August 2004. Seasonal changes in POC export fluxes from the surface layer (∼100 m) were estimated using ²³⁴Th as a tracer. POC fluxes varied seasonally from approximately 0 to 180 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ and were higher in spring–summer than in autumn–winter. The export ratio (e-ratio) ranged from 6% to 55% and was also higher in spring–summer. Annual POC fluxes were estimated to be 31 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ in the subarctic region (station K2) and 23 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ in the region between the subarctic and subtropical gyres (station K3). POC fluxes and e-ratios in the northwestern North Pacific were much higher than those in most other oceans. The annual POC flux corresponded to 69% of annual new production estimated from the seasonal difference of the nutrient in the Western Subarctic Gyre (45 g C m⁻² y⁻¹). These results indicate that much of the organic carbon assimilated in the surface layer of the northwestern North Pacific is transferred to the deep ocean in particulate form. Our conclusions support previous reports that diatoms play an important role in the biological pump.     

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of mercury in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and tautog (Tautoga onitis) from the Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island,USA)

We examined the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of mercury in two marine finfish species, striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and tautog (Tautoga onitis), collected from the Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA). For each of these target fish, white muscle tissue was analyzed for total mercury (Hg) and results were evaluated relative to fish age, body size, and Hg content of preferred prey. Dietary and stable isotope analysis was also used to elucidate the effect of trophic processes on Hg concentrations in fish. The Hg content of muscle tissue was positively correlated with fish age and length for both species, although striped bass accumulated Hg faster than tautog. Accelerated Hg bioaccumulation in striped bass is consistent with its high trophic level (trophic level = 4.07) and Hg-enriched prey (forage fish and macrocrustaceans; mean Hg content = 0.03 mg Hg kg wet wt^?1). In contrast, tautog maintain a lower trophic status (trophic level = 3.51) and consume prey with lower Hg levels (mussels and crabs; mean Hg content = 0.02 mg Hg kg wet wt^?1). Despite differences in Hg bioaccumulation between target fish, the mean Hg concentration of tautog exceeded levels in striped bass (0.24 and 0.16 mg Hg kg wet wt^?1, respectively) due to a disparity in age-at-catch between sampled groups (mean age of tautog and bass = 11.3 and 4.3 yr, respectively). Taking into account legal minimum catch lengths further revealed that 75.0% of legal-size striped bass (>70.2 cm TL; n = 4) and 44.8% of tautog (>40.6 cm TL; n = 29) had Hg levels beyond the US EPA regulatory threshold of 0.3 mg Hg kg wet wt^?1. Moreover, Hg-length relationships suggest that each target fish meets this threshold near their minimum legal catch length. Our findings reiterate the value of species ecology to improve predictions of fish Hg and permit better management of human contamination by this important dietary source.     

Kinetic study reveals weak Fe-binding ligand,which affects the solubility of Fe in the Scheldt estuary

The chemistry of dissolved Fe(III) was studied in the Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands). Two discrete size fractions of the dissolved bulk (< 0.2 μm and < 1 kDa) were considered at three salinities (S = 26, 10 and 0.3).Within the upper estuary, where fresh river water meets seawater, the dissolved Fe concentration decreases steeply with increasing salinity, for the fraction < 0.2 μm from 536 nM at S = 0.3 to 104 nM at S = 10 and for the fraction < 1 kDa from 102 nM to 36 nM Fe. Further downstream, in the middle and lower estuary, this decrease in the Fe concentration continues, but is far less pronounced. For all samples, the traditionally recognised dissolved strong organic Fe-binding ligand concentrations are lower than the dissolved Fe concentrations.Characteristics of dissolved Fe-binding ligands were determined by observing kinetic interactions with adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. From these kinetic experiments we concluded that apart from the well-known strong Fe-binding organic ligands (L, logK′ = 19–22) also weak Fe-binding ligands (P) existed with an α value (binding potential = K′ · [P]) varying between 10^11.1 and 10^11.9. The presence of this relatively weak ligand explained the high concentrations of labile Fe present in both size fractions in the estuary. This weak ligand can retard or prevent a direct precipitation after an extra input of Fe.The dissociation rate constants of the weak ligand varied between 0.5 × 10^− 4 and 4.3 × 10^− 4 s^− 1. The rate constants of the strong organic ligand varied between k_d = 1.5 × 10^− 3–17 × 10^− 2 s^− 1 and k_f = 2.2 × 10⁸–2.7 × 10⁹ M^− 1 s^− 1. The dissociation rate constant of freshly amorphous Fe-hydroxide was found to be between 4.3 × 10^− 4 and 3.7 × 10^− 3 s^− 1, more labile or equal to the values found by Rose and Waite [Rose, A.L., Waite, T.D., 2003a. Kinetics of hydrolysis and precipitation of ferric iron in seawater. Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 3897–3903.] for freshly precipitated Fe in seawater.Kinetic rate constants of Fe with the ligand TAC (2-(2-Thiazolylazo)-p-cresol) were also determined. The formation rate constant of Fe(TAC)₂ varied between 0.1 × 10⁸ and 3.6 × 10⁸ M^− 1 s^− 1, the dissociation rate constant between 0.2 × 10^− 5 and 17 × 10^− 5 s^− 1 for both S = 26 and S = 10. The conditional stability constant of Fe(TAC)₂ (β_Fe(TAC)2′) varied between 22 and 23.4 for S = 10 and S = 26 more or less equal to that known from the literature (logβ_Fe(TAC)2′ = 22.4; [Croot, P.L., Johansson, M., 2000. Determination of iron speciation by cathodic stripping voltammetry in seawater using the competing ligand 2-(2-Thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC). Electroanalysis, 12, 565–576.]). However, at S = 0.3 the logβ_Fe(TAC)2′ was 25.3, three orders of magnitude higher. Apparently the application of TAC to samples of low salinity can only be done when the correct β_Fe(TAC)2′ is known.     

Population dynamics and secondary production of the cockle Cerastoderma edule: A comparison between Merja Zerga (Moroccan Atlantic Coast) and Arcachon Bay (French Atlantic Coast)

Cockle (Cerastoderma edule) population dynamics were studied at the southern limit of the distribution of this marine bivalve in Merja Zerga, Morocco. Parameters such as growth, mortality, and production were compared with those of a population at Arcachon Bay (France) a site in the center of the cockle's range. At each sampling period between two and three cohorts were simultaneously observed at each site and the average total abundance was usually higher at Merja Zerga. Recruitment occurred at both sites in spring when temperature rose above 19 °C, independently of the month. In Merja Zerga, winter recruitment was also observed at one occasion, following high sediment disturbance. The first year (2005–06) at Merja Zerga, the mortality rate was close to nil for juveniles and was Z = 1.5 yr^? 1 for adults, providing a high production (64 g dry weight m^? 2 yr^? 1). At Arcachon during the same period, the juvenile mortality rate was Z = 10.9 yr^? 1, the adult mortality rate was 3.4 yr^? 1 and production was 26 gDW m^?2 yr^? 1. The second year (2006–07), mortality after recruitment was much higher (Z = 8.6 yr^? 1, for juveniles) and similar to what was observed at Arcachon (Z = 8.4 yr^? 1). Mortality rate of adults was higher at Merja Zerga (Z = 3.0 yr^? 1) than at Arcachon (Z = 1.5 yr^? 1). Production was lower at Arcachon than at Merja Zerga although growth performances were higher at Arcachon. The higher growth performance at Arcachon (Φ′ = 3.3) was mainly due to high asymptotic length (L_∞ = 38 mm) and was related to low intraspecific competition compared to Merja Zerga where cockle abundance was higher (Φ′ = 3.1, L_∞ = 31 mm). P/B was low in both sites and slightly higher at Arcachon (1.1–1.5 against 1.0–1.1 yr^? 1). At Arcachon, recruitment was correlated with temperature, a peak occurring when temperature rose above 19 °C (June–July). At Merja Zerga, recruitment was already 2–3 months earlier but was not significantly correlated to temperature.This study showed that population dynamics of cockles at the southern limit of this distribution fell in the range of what was observed elsewhere in the North-Eastern Atlantic coast. Most factors that were involved in population regulation (intraspecific competition, predation and sediment dynamics) were not strictly dependent on latitude. The direct role of temperature (latitude dependent factor) was not obvious. Variation in temperature could explain the recruitment delay between Arcachon and Merja Zerga and the low maximum shell length at Merja Zerga.     

Basin-scale variability of phytoplankton biomass,production and growth in the Atlantic Ocean

The latitudinal distributions of phytoplankton biomass, composition and production in the Atlantic Ocean were determined along a 10,000-km transect from 50°N to 50°S in October 1995, May 1996 and October 1996. Highest levels of euphotic layer-integrated chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration (75–125 mg Chl m⁻²) were found in North Atlantic temperate waters and in the upwelling region off NW Africa, whereas typical Chl a concentrations in oligotrophic waters ranged from 20 to 40 mg Chl m⁻². The estimated concentration of surface phytoplankton carbon (C) biomass was 5–15 mg C m⁻² in the oligotrophic regions and increased over 40 mg C m⁻² in richer areas. The deep chlorophyll maximum did not seem to constitute a biomass or productivity maximum, but resulted mainly from an increase in the Chl a to C ratio and represented a relatively small contribution to total integrated productivity. Primary production rates varied from 50 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ at the central gyres to 500–1000 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ in upwelling and higher latitude regions, where faster growth rates (μ) of phytoplankton (>0.5 d⁻¹) were also measured. In oligotrophic waters, microalgal growth was consistently slow [surface μ averaged 0.21±0.02 d⁻¹ (mean±SE)], representing <20% of maximum expected growth. These results argue against the view that the subtropical gyres are characterized by high phytoplankton turnover rates. The latitudinal variations in μ were inversely correlated to the changes in the depth of the nitracline and positively correlated to those of the integrated nitrate concentration, supporting the case for the role of nutrients in controlling the large-scale distribution of phytoplankton growth rates. We observed a large degree of temporal variability in the phytoplankton dynamics in the oligotrophic regions: productivity and growth rates varied in excess of 8-fold, whereas microalgal biomass remained relatively constant. The observed spatial and temporal variability in the biomass specific rate of photosynthesis is at least three times larger than currently assumed in most satellite-based models of global productivity.     

The seasonal succession of zooplankton in the Southern Ocean south of Australia,part II: The Sub-Antarctic to Polar Frontal Zones

Between October 2001 and March 2002 six transects were completed at monthly intervals in the Sub-Antarctic Zone (SAZ) and Inter-Sub-Antarctic Front Zone (ISAFZ)/Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) in the Southern Ocean south of Australia. Zooplankton were collected with a Continuous Plankton Recorder and NORPAC net and multivariate analysis was used to analyse the seasonal succession of communities. Despite strong, seasonally consistent, biogeographic differences between the SAZ and ISAFZ/PFZ, community structure in all zones was dominated by a suite of common taxa. These included the ubiquitous Oithona similis, foraminiferans and appendicularians (Core taxa), occurring in >97% of samples and contributing an average of 75% to total sample abundance, and Calanus simillimus, Rhincalanus gigas, Ctenocalanus citer, Clausocalanus brevipes, Clausocalanus laticeps, Oithona frigida, Limacina spp. and chaetognaths (Summer taxa), present in >57% of samples and occurring at seasonally high densities. Because of the dominance of the Core and Summer taxa, the seasonal succession was most clearly evident as a change in zooplankton densities. In October densities averaged <15 ind m⁻³, rising to 52 ind m⁻³ (max=92 ind m⁻³) in November, and subsequently increasing slowly through to January (ave=115 ind m⁻³; max=255 ind m⁻³). Densities peaked abruptly in February (ave=634 ind m⁻³; max=1593 ind m⁻³), and remained relatively high in March (ave=193 ind m⁻³; max=789 ind m⁻³). A latitudinal lag in seasonal development was observed with peak densities occurring first in the SAZ (February) and then in the ISAFZ/PFZ (March). The seasonal community succession was strongly influenced by species population cycles. The role of zooplankton in biogeochemical cycling in the SAZ and ISAFZ/PFZ was discussed in the light of past sediment trap data collected from the study area.     

Fish farming enhances biomass and nutrient loss in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile

Fish farming impact on the seasonal biomass, carbon and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) balance of the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica was assessed in the Aegean Sea (Greece) in order to detect changes in magnitude and fate of seagrass production and nutrient incorporation with organic loading of the meadows. Phosphorus concentration in the leaves, rhizomes and roots was enhanced under the cages throughout the study. Standing biomass was diminished by 64% and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus standing stock by 64%, 61% and 48%, respectively, under the cages in relation to those at the control. Seagrass production decreased by 68% and element (C, N, P) incorporation by 67%, 58% and 58%, respectively, under the cages. Leaf shedding was reduced by 81% and loss of elements (C, N, and P) through shedding by 82%, 74% and 72%, respectively, under the cages. Leaf and element (C, N, P) residual loss rate, accounting for grazing and mechanical breakage of leaves, was decreased by 79%, 85%, 100% and 96%, respectively, at the control station. At the control station, 13.98 g C m^?2 yr^?1, 1.91 g N m^?2 yr^?1 and 0.05 g P m^?2 yr^?1 were produced in excess of export and loss. In contrast, under the cages 12.69 g C m^?2 yr^?1, 0.31 g N m^?2 yr^?1 and 0.04 g P m^?2 yr^?1 were released from the meadow. Organic loading due to fish farm discharges transformed the seagrass meadow under the cages from a typical sink to a source of organic carbon and nutrients.     

Commercially-cultured oysters (Crassostrea gigas) exert top-down control on intertidal pelagic resources in Willapa Bay,Washington, USA

The capacity of filter feeders to reduce seston and phytoplankton concentrations in the water column has important implications for restoration and management of coastal ecosystems. We directly measured changes in chlorophyll a concentration on commercially stocked intertidal oyster beds (Crassostrea gigas) in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA by recording water properties near small drifters as they tracked parcels of water across tide flats. Chlorophyll declined 9.6% per half hour in water passing on-bottom adult oysters and 41% for longline adult oysters, whereas chlorophyll concentrations increased as water flowed across tide flats without adult oysters. Field filtration rates, which were fit to exponential declines in chlorophyll and accounted for oyster density and water depth, averaged 0.35 L g^− 1 h^− 1 (shucked dry weight) for on-bottom aquaculture and 0.73 L g^− 1 h^− 1 for longline culture, compared to values of 2.5–12 L g^− 1 h^− 1 reported from laboratory studies of C. gigas. Field filtration rates may be lower than laboratory rates due to unfavorable field conditions (e.g., low initial chlorophyll concentrations) or masked by resuspension of benthic microalgae. In addition to distinctions among on-bottom, longline, and no-oyster habitats, Akaike's Information Criterion analysis showed temperature, initial chlorophyll concentration, and depth related to chlorophyll decline. This research corroborates mathematical models suggesting that benthic suspension feeders are exerting top-down control of pelagic production in this estuary, with strong patterns in chlorophyll emerging across extensive tideflats populated by C. gigas despite low field filtration rates.     

Latitudinal distribution of microbial plankton abundance,production, and respiration in the Equatorial Atlantic in autumn 2000

Phytoplankton and bacterial abundance, size-fractionated phytoplankton chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and production together with bacterial production, microbial oxygen production and respiration rates were measured along a transect that crossed the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean (10°N–10°S) in September 2000, as part of the Atlantic Meridional Transect 11 (AMT 11) cruise. From 2°N to 5°S, the equatorial divergence resulted in a shallowing of the pycnocline and the presence of relatively high nitrate (>1 μM) concentrations in surface waters. In contrast, a typical tropical structure (TTS) was found near the ends of the transect. Photic zone integrated ¹⁴C primary production ranged from ∼200 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ in the TTS region to ∼1300 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ in the equatorial divergence area. In spite of the relatively high primary production rates measured in the equatorial upwelling region, only a moderate rise in phytoplankton biomass was observed as compared to nearby nutrient-depleted areas (22 vs. 18 mg Chl-a m⁻², respectively). Picophytoplankton were the main contributors (>60%) to both Chl-a biomass and primary production throughout the region. The equatorial upwelling did not alter the phytoplankton size structure typically found in the tropical open ocean, which suggests a strong top-down control of primary producers by zooplankton. However, the impact of nutrient supply on net microbial community metabolism, integrated over the euphotic layer, was evidenced by an average net microbial community production within the equatorial divergence (1130 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹) three-fold larger than net production measured in the TTS region (370 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹). The entire region under study showed net autotrophic community metabolism, since respiration accounted on average for 51% of gross primary production integrated over the euphotic layer.     

Air–sea CO2 fluxes in the north-eastern shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz (southwest Iberian Peninsula)

An intra-annual investigation of the fugacity of CO₂ (fCO₂) has been conducted in surface waters of the north-eastern shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Iberian Peninsula) in four cruises made in 2006 and 2007. Intra-annual variability of fCO₂ was assessed and is discussed in terms of mixing, temperature and biology. In the study area of the shelf, thermodynamic control over fCO₂ predominates from early May to late November, and this is opposite and similar in magnitude to the net biological effect. However, biological control over fCO₂ predominates during winter. The results suggest that surface waters in the coastal area are under-saturated with respect to atmospheric CO₂ during most of the year; therefore they represent a sink for atmospheric CO₂ between November and May (? 1.0 mmol m^? 2 day^? 1), but a weak source in June (1.3 mmol m^? 2 day^? 1). In contrast, the coastal ecosystems studied (the lower estuary of Guadalquivir Estuary and Bay of Cádiz) acted as a weak sink for atmospheric CO₂ during February (? 1.3 mmol m^? 2 day^? 1) and as a source between May and November (2.6 mmol m^? 2 day^? 1). The resulting mean annual CO₂ flux in the north-eastern shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz was ? 0.07 mol m^? 2 year^? 1 (? 0.2 mmol m^? 2 day^? 1), indicating that the area acts as a net sink on an annual basis.     

The role of crabs (Macrophthalmus japonicus) burrows on organic carbon cycle in estuarine tidal flat,Japan

The objective of this study is to elucidate the burrow structure and to clarify the role of burrows in material cycle in the tidal flat. In our work, we focused on the dominant species in muddy tidal flat, crab Macrophthalmus japonicus.Burrow structure of Macrophthalmus japonicus was investigated on a Katsuura river tidal flat in Tokushima prefecture, Japan, using in situ resin casting. Sampling was conducted in August 2006, and a total of 48 burrow casts were obtained. Burrows consisted mainly of J-shaped structures (98%) while the rest belonged to U-shaped structures (2%). The maximum measured burrow volume was 120 cm³ and wall surface area was 224 cm², while maximum burrow length and depth were 23.2 cm and 16.5 cm, respectively. Burrow volume and surface area were strongly correlated with carapace width of M. japonicus. Investigation of the individual number of M. japonicus in 13 quadrats (50 × 50 × 20 cm) was conducted using 2 mm sieve. The number of M. japonicus was 15–31 ind./m². Using cohort analysis we estimated that surface area of burrows was 0.07–0.15 m²/m².CO₂ emission rate was measured at the surface sediment during the period from June to December 2008. Results varied from 13.8 ± 2.2 to 49.4 ± 3.2 mg CO₂/m²/h, and organic carbon decomposition was 3.8 ± 0.6–13.5 ± 0.9 mg C/m²/h. This leads the increase of organic carbon decomposition by 1.1 times, because of the expansion of the tidal flat surface area by burrowing activity. Organic carbon decomposition in burrow walls therefore contributed to organic matter decomposition in the tidal flat. These results indicated that in situ activities of Macrophthalmus japonicus significantly influence the material cycle and it is important to consider the existence of burrow in order to understand the fluxes of materials and to evaluate the purification function of the tidal flat.     

Physical drivers of phytoplankton production in the southern Benguela upwelling system

Investigations of primary production (PP) were undertaken in the southern Benguela ecosystem during two research surveys in October 2006 and May 2007. Significant differences in environmental conditions, as well as biomass and PP, were observed between October and May. During October, integrated biomass and PP were significantly higher, ranging from 20.43 to 355.01 mg m⁻², and 0.71 to 6.98 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively, than in May, where the range was 47.92–141.79 mg m⁻², and 0.70–3.35 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively. Distribution patterns indicated low biomass and PP in newly upwelled water along the coast, higher biomass and PP in the mid-shelf region, while lower values were observed at and beyond the shelf edge. Latitudinal variations showed consistently higher biomass and PP in the St. Helena Bay region compared to biomass and PP south of Cape Town. During both surveys, phytoplankton communities were comprised primarily of diatoms and small flagellates, with no significant differences. Phytoplankton adaptation to environmental variability was characterised by increased P_m^B and E_k under elevated temperatures and irradiance, while no clear relationships were evident for α^B. Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) showed that photosynthetic parameters were all significant predictors of photosynthesis rates (P_z), with P_m^B being the most important, accounting for 36.97% of the deviance in P_z. However, biomass levels and environmental conditions exerted a much greater influence on P_z, with irradiance explaining the largest proportion (68.24%) of the deviance. Multiple predictor GAMs revealed that 96.26% of the deviance in P_z could be explained by a model which included nitrate, chlorophyll a, and irradiance.     

Dimethylsulphide and dimethylsulphoniopropionate in Antarctic sea ice and their release during sea ice melting

This study presents concentrations of dimethylsulphide (DMS) and its precursor compound dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) in a variety of sea ice and seawater habitats in the Antarctic Sea Ice Zone (ASIZ) during spring and summer. Sixty-two sea ice cores of pack and fast ice were collected from twenty-seven sites across an area of the eastern ASIZ (64°E to 110°E; and the Antarctic coastline north to 62°S). Concentrations of DMS in 81 sections of sea ice ranged from < 0.3 to 75 nM, with an average of 12 nM. DMSP in 60 whole sea ice cores ranged from 25 to 796 nM and showed a negative relationship with ice thickness (y = 125x^− 0.8). Extremely high DMSP concentrations were found in 2 cores of rafted sea ice (2910 and 1110 nM). The relationship of DMSP with ice thickness (excluding rafted ice) suggests that the release of large amounts of DMSP during sea ice melting may occur in discrete areas defined by ice thickness distribution, and may produce ‘hot spots’ of elevated seawater DMS concentration of the order of 100 nM. During early summer across a 500 km transect through melting pack ice, elevated DMS concentrations (range 21–37 nM, mean 31 nM, n = 15) were found in surface seawater. This band of elevated DMS concentration appeared to have been associated with the release of sea ice DMS and DMSP rather than in situ production by an ice edge algal bloom, as chlorophyll a concentrations were relatively low (0.09–0.42 μg l^− 1). During fast ice melting in the area of Davis station, Prydz Bay, sea ice DMSP was released mostly as extracellular DMSP, since intracellular DMSP was negligible in both hyposaline brine (5 ppt) and in a melt water lens (4–5 ppt), while extracellular DMSP concentrations were as high as 149 and 54 nM, respectively in these habitats. DMS in a melt water lens was relatively high at 11 nM. During the ice-free summer in the coastal Davis area, DMS concentrations in surface seawater were highest immediately following breakout of the fast ice cover in late December (range 5–14 nM), and then remained at relatively low concentrations through to late February (< 0.3–6 nM). These measurements support the view that the melting of Antarctic sea ice produces elevated seawater DMS due to release of sea ice DMS and DMSP.     

Contrasting life-histories,secondary production,and trophic structure of Peracarid assemblages of the bathyal suprabenthos from the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic) and the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean)

The life-histories and the secondary production of four dominant peracarid crustaceans (the mysids Boreomysis arctica and Parapseudomma calloplura, the amphipod Rhachotropis caeca, and the isopod Ilyarachna longicornis) in bathyal depths of the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic; between 383 and 420 m) and the Catalan Sea (Northwestern Mediterranean; between 389 and 1355 m) were established. Both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean populations of the major part of the target-species had two generations/year with mean cohort-production intervals (CPI) ranging from 5.5 mo for Ilyarachna longicornis to 6.3 mo for Parapseudomma calloplura. The Hynes method showed secondary production to vary in the Bay of Biscay between 0.113 mg DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ for I. longirostris and 3.069 mg DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ for P. calloplura, with P/B ratios between 4.57 (I. longirostris) and 7.93 (Boreomysis arctica). In the Catalan Sea, production varied between 0.286 mg DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ for I. longirostris and 1.096 mg DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ for P. calloplura, with P/B between 5.72 (I. longirostris) and 6.66 (P. calloplura). Application of two different empiric models to the whole peracarid assemblage gave similar levels of secondary production in both study areas (between 29.26 and 32.14 mgDWm⁻² yr⁻¹ in the Bay of Biscay; between 26.23 and 26.54 mg DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the Catalan Sea). From the analysis of gut contents of 22 species the dominant species in each study area were assigned to two basic trophic levels, detritus feeders and predators. Also, cumulative curves of dominance showed high diversity (low dominance) for peracarid assemblages distributed at mid-bathyal depths (524–693 m) both in the Bay of Biscay off Arcachon and in the Catalan Sea off Barcelona. We also discuss and compare, both within and between areas, how environmental features may explain the observed diversity patterns, the trophic structure, and the production results obtained for the suprabenthos assemblages.     

Seasonal patterns in the fish and epibenthic crustaceans community of an intertidal zone with particular reference to the population dynamics of plaice and brown shrimp

The intertidal zone of a sandy beach located on the French coast of the Eastern Channel, was sampled during spring and summer 2000 to analyse the community structure of fish and epibenthic crustaceans. The presence of many juvenile fish (mainly O-group) and crustaceans indicated the important role played by the intertidal zone as a nursery ground. The brown shrimp, Crangon crangon and O-group plaice, Pleuronectes platessa are the two most abundant species of the intertidal ecosystem.Plaice settlement period extended from mid-March to early June. Over the survey period, densities increased to maximum numbers of about 27 ind. 10 m⁻² in mid-April. In the following week, density rapidly decreased due to mortality and migration into deeper waters. The mortality was attributed mainly to predation by brown shrimp (C. crangon) and to a lesser extent by the shore crab (Carcinus maenas). The mean size of 0-group plaice increased from 19 mm in mid-April to 58 mm in July. Growth of juvenile 0-group plaice is described by an exponential equation: total length (TL, mm) = 12.602 e^{0.022 (post-settlement age)}. Post-settlement growth rates, estimated by otolith microstructure analysis, were 0.38 mm d⁻¹ for plaice ≤30 mm and 0.61 mm d⁻¹ for plaice >30 mm. Settlement of juvenile brown shrimp started in mid-April, peaked in early June (93 ind. 10 m⁻²) and continued with fluctuating intensity throughout the summer. Growth rate of juvenile C. crangon, estimated after the settlement peak, was 0.163 mm d⁻¹. Growth conditions of juvenile plaice and C. crangon were analysed by comparing estimated growth in the field with predicted maximum growth according to temperature-growth rate models from experimental studies of growth with unlimited food supply. For plaice, the estimated growth rate was lower (plaice ≤30 mm) but similar (plaice >30 mm) to the predicted maximum growth suggesting a food limitation only for newly settled individual. The observed increase in mean length of juvenile C. crangon was lower than the maximum possible growth. The function of the intertidal zone in the early juvenile stages of marine species is discussed.