Bioavailability and toxicity of aluminium in a model planktonic food chain (Chlamydomonas-Daphnia) at neutral pH

Dissolved aluminium (Al) is generally at low concentrations in neutral freshwater due to its insolubility. However, a fall in pH resulting from acid deposition and mining alters the mobility of Al and so entry to adjacent neutral waters. The present study examines the environmental behaviour, cell-associated surface adsorption/absorption and toxicity of Al at neutral pH to the alga Chlamydomonas gigantea in the presence and absence of the key Al-binding ligand silica. We then examined transfer of Al from C. gigantea to the planktonic crustacean Daphnia pulex. Finally, the effect of Al on the elemental composition (and hence nutritional value) of the two organisms was compared to unexposed controls. C. gigantea increased the amount of Al in the algal culture medium. Binding of Al to extracellular glycoprotein is probably the reason why only one-third of the biosorbed Al was absorbed (accumulated) by C. gigantea. Aluminium concentrations between 50 and 500 μg l⁻¹ reduced growth of C. gigantea at 16 days exposure to the metal. Silica reduced biosorption, accumulation and toxicity of Al by C. gigantea. The concentration of Al in D. pulex fed Al-contaminated C. gigantea for 16 days did not differ from those fed alga grown in the absence of added Al. C. gigantea contaminated with Al contained less sulphur, magnesium, potassium and sodium although only sulphur fell in D. pulex subsequently fed the contaminated alga. Chloride, calcium, iron and silicon were significantly higher in D. pulex.     

Gene flow within and between regions: The population genetic structure of the phantom midge Chaoborus crystallinus (Diptera: Chaoboridae)

To determine the gene flow of Chaoborus crystallinus, populations throughout Europe were sampled. To test if the gene flow is higher within regions than between regions and to investigate if regional populations may act as metapopulations, four regions with several populations each were examined. For a detailed analysis of the regional gene flow, subregions within one region were analysed. Allozymes and mitochondrial restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to estimate the relative amounts of gene flow. On the European scale gene flow between populations within regions is higher than between regions. On the regional scale, gene flow between subregions is higher than between populations within subregions. Generally, the genetic differentiation between populations within regions is higher for the mitochondrial RFLP data than for the allozyme data. These results suggest that most of the dispersal is female dominated and mostly takes place between populations within regions. Due to this extensive regional gene flow, local adaptation may be influenced by regional processes. This might have interesting implications for the coevolution of the predator C. crystallinus and its plankton prey.     

PCB exposure in sea otters and harlequin ducks in relation to history of contamination by the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Exposure to contaminants other than petroleum hydrocarbons could confound interpretation of Exxon Valdez oil spill effects on biota at Prince William Sound, Alaska. Hence, we investigated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in blood of sea otters and harlequin ducks sampled during 1998. PCB concentrations characterized by lower chlorinated congeners were highest in sea otters from the unoiled area, whereas concentrations were similar among harlequin ducks from the oiled and unoiled area. Blood enzymes often elevated by xenobiotics were not related to PCB concentrations in sea otters. Only sea otters from the unoiled area had estimated risk from PCBs, and PCB composition or concentrations did not correspond to reported lower measures of population performance in sea otters or harlequin ducks from the oiled area. PCBs probably did not influence limited sea otter or harlequin duck recovery in the oiled area a decade after the spill.     

Interspecific introgression and changes in population structure in a flatfish species complex after the Prestige accident

Oil spills cause aggressive impacts on marine ecosystems affecting immense areas and the species inhabiting them. If wastes are not cleaned up properly, the remnants may affect local populations for a long time. This work focuses on the long-term impacts of the Prestige spillage that occurred off Galician coast (Spain) in November 2002. Model species were two sympatric flatfish, the megrims Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and Lepidorhombus boscii. Samples obtained before and nine years after the Prestige accident from affected and unaffected areas were genotyped for six hypervariable nuclear markers and for the mitochondrial D-loop sequence. The results revealed a high proportion of post-F1 interspecific hybrids in the area affected, and also increased intraspecific population differentiation likely due to such localized introgression of foreign genes. These changes suggest the appearance of a hybrid zone following the accident and emphasize the need of paying special attention to potential evolutionary impacts of oil spills.     

蓝藻生消对巢湖沉积物phoD碱性磷酸酶基因细菌群落结构的影响

phoD基因编码的碱性磷酸酶驱动沉积物有机磷矿化并释放生物可利用磷,促进了富营养化湖泊蓝藻的生长与暴发,但对富营养化湖泊蓝藻生消周期phoD基因细菌群落动态变化的认识依然有限.本文研究了中国典型富营养化湖泊巢湖蓝藻生消过程沉积物碱性磷酸酶活性（APA）、phoD基因细菌多样性和群落结构的动态变化及其与环境的关系.结果显示：巢湖沉积物APA活性在蓝藻生长与暴发阶段显著升高,且与水温、pH、溶解氧（DO）等环境因子显著相关.蓝藻生消各阶段沉积物phoD基因细菌群落的优势菌属均由Pseudonocardia和Friedmanniella构成;与蓝藻潜伏期和衰亡期相比,生长初期与暴发期大多数样点沉积物Pseudonocardia的丰度显著降低而Friedmanniella显著升高.携带phoD基因的菌属丰度呈显著的时空变化,其中菌属丰度的空间异质性较高.蓝藻生长初期与暴发期的phoD基因细菌群落的Ace指数与Shannon多样性指数显著大于潜伏期与衰亡期.研究表明,携带phoD基因细菌群落结构的变化主要受APA、DO、叶绿素a、水温、总磷以及无机磷的驱动;春季蓝藻的生长消耗大量上覆水溶解性无机磷,激发了沉积物APA活性并诱发Friedmanniella生长从而缓解水体磷限制.     

Rare and vulnerable species in the mollusc communities in the mining subsidence reservoirs of an industrial area (The Katowicka Upland, Upper Silesia, Southern Poland)

Pollution of the water environment by mining waters is a problem not only in Poland, but worldwide. This study investigated the mollusc communities in seven mining subsidence reservoirs affected by coal mine output (the Katowicka Upland, Upper Silesia, Southern Poland). The objective of the survey was to determine the relationship between the molluscs and their environments and to evaluate the ecological-conservation value of freshwater habitats which support rare and vulnerable molluscs. From 1993 to 2005, 23 mollusc species were recorded. Our result confirmed an invasion by Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843), whose density varied from 2 to 2422 individuals/m² in the waters of the Katowicka Upland. A few rare and vulnerable species were found, e.g. Acroloxus lacustris (Linnaeus, 1758), Hippeutis complanatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Ferrissia wautieri (Mirolli, 1960), Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758), Musculium lacustre (O.F. Müller, 1774) or Pisidium casertanum (Poli, 1791). Principal component analysis showed a positive correlation between mollusc density and pH, the concentration of chlorides, the total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids, and a negative correlation between the number of species and phosphates. Because of the distinctive environmental features of the mining subsidence reservoirs in Czułów, the research area has provided a refuge for wildlife.     

Phytoplankton biomass size structure and its regulation in the Southern Yellow Sea (China): Seasonal variability

Phytoplankton size structure plays a significant role in controlling the carbon flux of marine pelagic ecosystems. The mesoscale distribution and seasonal variation of total and size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass in surface waters, as measured by chlorophyll a (Chl a), was studied in the Southern Yellow Sea using data from four cruises during 2006–2007. The distribution of Chl a showed a high degree of spatial and temporal variation in the study area. Chl a concentrations were relatively high in the summer and autumn, with a mean of 1.42 and 1.27 mg m⁻³, respectively. Conversely, in the winter and spring, the average Chl a levels were only 0.98 and 0.99 mg m⁻³. Total Chl a showed a clear decreasing gradient from coastal areas to the open sea in the summer, autumn and winter cruises. Patches of high Chl a were observed in the central part of the Southern Yellow Sea in the spring due to the onset of the phytoplankton bloom. The eutrophic coastal waters contributed at least 68% of the total phytoplankton biomass in the surface layer. Picophytoplankton showed a consistent and absolute dominance in the central region of the Southern Yellow Sea (>40%) in all of the cruises, while the proportion of microphytoplankton was the highest in coastal waters. The relative proportions of pico- and nanophytoplankton decreased with total biomass, whereas the proportion of the micro-fraction increased with total biomass. Relationships between phytoplankton biomass and environmental factors were also analysed. The results showed that the onset of the spring bloom was highly dependent on water column stability. Phytoplankton growth was limited by nutrient availability in the summer due to the strong thermocline. The combined effects of P-limitation and vertical mixing in the autumn restrained the further increase of phytoplankton biomass in the surface layer. The low phytoplankton biomass in winter was caused by vertical dispersion due to intense mixing. Compared with the availability of nutrients, temperature did not seem to cause direct effects on phytoplankton biomass and its size structure. Although interactions of many different environmental factors affected phytoplankton distributions, hydrodynamic conditions seemed to be the dominant factor. Phytoplankton size structure was determined mainly by the size-differential capacity in acquiring resource. Short time scale events, such as the spring bloom and the extension of Yangtze River plume, can have substantial influences, both on the total Chl a concentration and on the size structure of the phytoplankton.     

鄱阳湖阻隔湖泊沉积物中溞属枝角类卵鞍密度的长期变化及其与营养盐的关系:以军山湖为例

本文研究了典型的鄱阳湖阻隔湖泊——军山湖沉积物(0~36 cm)中溞属枝角类卵鞍密度的长期变化.1~#和2~#采样点36 cm沉积层对应的年代分别为1839和1857年.1958年前,军山湖沉积物的沉积速率呈现较高的水平,而1959年建坝后的沉积速率明显减小.1958年前,军山湖沉积物中总氮和总磷含量相对稳定,但建坝后总氮含量呈现明显增加的趋势.在军山湖沉积物中,鉴定出中华拟同形溞(Daphnia similoides sinensis)、盔形溞(D.galeata)和蚤状溞(D.pulex)的卵鞍.1~#和2~#沉积柱中3种溞属种类总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率和密度呈现较一致的变化.1958年前,3种溞属种类总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率和密度均处于较低水平(1~#沉积柱:0~1.51×10~3ind./(m~2·a)和0~0.63 ind./(g·dw);2~#沉积柱:0~0.70×10~3ind./(m~2·a)和0~0.22 ind./(g·dw));1959年建坝后,10~1 cm的沉积层中3种溞属种类总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率和密度呈现逐步增加的趋势,尤其是在3~1 cm(2009-2015年)的沉积层.Pearson相关性显示,军山湖1~#沉积柱中的总氮含量与3种溞属种类的总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率之间均存在极显著相关性.2~#沉积柱中的总氮和总磷含量均与3种溞属种类总卵鞍的累积速率之间存在显著相关性.2~#沉积柱的总氮和总磷含量还与中华拟同形溞的含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率之间均存在显著相关性.结果表明,沉积物中营养盐含量和溞属种类卵鞍(或休眠卵)的长期变化能够反映湖泊富营养化和溞属种群的历史演变过程.     

The glutathione antioxidant system as a biomarker suite for the assessment of heavy metal exposure and effect in the grey mangrove, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh

Alterations in the glutathione antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation in Avicennia marina were studied under laboratory and field conditions. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was found to respond to Zn exposure, and a significant positive relationship between leaf Zn concentration and GPx activity was observed after 96 h and 8 weeks. Lipid hydroperoxides increased proportionally with increasing leaf Zn concentration after 2 and 8 weeks, while no changes in total glutathione were observed. Induction of GPx at 96 h predicted effects at the individual level at a later time interval (reduced biomass at 8 weeks). Results from the field revealed that increasing leaf metal concentration (Zn, Cu or Pb) produced a proportional increase in GPx activity whereas lipid hydroperoxides and total glutathione were not affected. The utility of GPx as an early warning biomarker is suggested, since GPx activity increases in a dose-dependant fashion in response to accumulated leaf metals, and is predictive of later effects on growth.     

Effects of chronic exposure to dispersed oil on selected reproductive processes in adult blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and the consequences for the early life stages of their larvae

Mussels (Mytilus edulis) were continuously exposed to dispersed crude oil (0.015-0.25 mg/l) for 7 months covering the whole gamete development cycle. After 1 month exposure to 0.25 mg oil/l, the level of alkali-labile phosphates (ALP) and the volume density of atretic oocytes in female gonads were higher than those in the gonads of control females, indicating that oil affected the level of vitellogenin-like proteins and gamete development. Spawning of mussels was induced after 7 months oil exposure. Parental oil exposure did not affect subsequent fertilization success in clean seawater but this was reduced in 0.25 mg oil/l. Parental exposure to 0.25 mg oil/l caused both slow development and a higher percentage of abnormalities in D-shell larvae 2 days post-fertilization; reduced growth 7 days post-fertilization. These effects were greatly enhanced when larval stages were maintained at 0.25 mg oil/l. Similar studies are warranted for risk assessment prognosis.     

基于线粒体DNA控制区的南四湖湖鲚(Coilia ectenes taihuensis)群体遗传结构和种群扩散

为推断南四湖湖鲚种群来源,采用线粒体控制区(D-loop)基因序列测定技术,对3个不同水域湖鲚(Coilia ectenes taihuensis)种群的遗传结构特征及其变异进行研究,并分析它们之间的系统发育关系.结果表明3个不同湖鲚种群的平均单倍型多样性和核苷酸多样性分别为0.9646和0.0097,除3个单倍型共享外,不同地理单元中具有较高的单倍型多样性.AMOVA和成对Fst值分析均表明,不同湖泊群体间未发现明显的遗传分化,各地理单元中的单倍型相互散布在不同的种群中.系统发育分析结果显示,不同湖泊湖鲚种群的单倍型形成3个分支,但每一地理群体没有显示出明显的地理位置与单倍型间的对应关系.结合南四湖历史资料和当前渔业监测结果,推测湖鲚为2002年实施长江向南四湖应急补水时洪泽湖湖鲚迁移扩散进而在南四湖建群的.     

Potential link between exposure to fungicides chlorothalonil and mancozeb and haemic neoplasia development in the soft-shell clam Mya arenaria: A laboratory experiment

The aetiology of haemic neoplasia (HN) is unknown, so far but many causative factors are suggested such as viral, pollution and genetics. The aim of this study was to determine if, under chronic exposure, two major pesticides (chlorothalonil and mancozeb) which are used in potato production could induce HN in soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria). Short-term experiments with acute exposure were also performed. Clams were collected from an epizootic site (North River, PEI) and from a site free of the disease (Magdalen Islands, Quebec). The tetraploid level of haemocytes was assessed by flow cytometry for each clam to determine the HN status. The bioaccumulation of pesticides in tissues was quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for chlorothalonil while mancozeb and manganese were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP/MS). Long term exposure to fungicide Bravo 500^® did not induce high tetraploid levels on negative calm from North River and the analysis of the digestive gland and the mantle did not reveal any detectable level of chlorothalonil. In the Manzate 200 DF^®, some clams revealed high level of tetraploid cells but no difference were observed between the treatments and the control. The analysis of the digestive gland and the mantle for manganese did not highlight any significant difference in tissue concentration (p = 0.05). For the acute exposure, chlorothalonil analysis showed that the active ingredient is distributed between four chlorinated compounds: 99.5% for chlorothalonil isomers, 0.4% for pentachlorothalonil and 0.1% for trichlorothalonil isomers. For a 72 h experiment, the accumulation was within 4 h; the higher tissue concentration of chlorothalonil was 59.2 μg g⁻¹ in the mantle after 48 h, following by a decrease to an undetectable level at the end. For the manganese, the accumulation was detected after 4 h; the higher tissue concentration was 48.8 μg g⁻¹ in the mantle after 24 h and, over the following 48 h, the accumulation decreased until the end of the trial. Based on the data, the accumulation of these fungicides seems to be transitory. Chlorothalonil and mancozeb are both oxidative-stress promoters and could have induced cell dysfunction while in the tissue. Study on the effect of these fungicides on the p53 protein system is an example of strategy that would provide information on cellular events promoting neoplasia.     

Comparison of C and N stable isotope ratios between surface particulate organic matter and microphytoplankton in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean)

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of particulate organic matter (POM) in surface water and 63–200 μm-sized microphytoplankton collected at the fluorescence maximum were studied in four sites in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean), a marine area influenced by the Rhone River inputs, in May and November 2004. Some environmental (temperature, salinity) and biological (POM, Chlorophyll a and phaeopigments contents, phytoplankton biomass and composition) parameters were also analysed. Significantly different C and N isotopic signatures between surface water POM and microphytoplankton were recorded in all sites and seasons. Surface water POM presented systematically lower δ¹³C (∼4.2‰) and higher δ¹⁵N (∼2.8‰) values than those of microphytoplankton, due to a higher content of continental and detrital material. Seasonal variations were observed for all environmental and biological parameters, except salinity. Water temperature was lower in May than in November, the fluorescence maximum was located deeper and the Chlorophyll a content and the phytoplankton biomass were higher, along with low PON/Chl a ratio, corresponding to spring bloom conditions. At all sites and seasons, diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community in abundance, whereas dinoflagellate importance increased in autumn particularly in coastal sites. C and N isotopic signatures of phytoplankton did not vary with season. However, the δ¹⁵N of surface water POM was significantly higher in November than in May in all sites likely in relation to an increase in ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio of the Rhone River POM which influenced surface water in the Gulf of Lions. As it is important to determine true baseline values of primary producers for analysing marine food webs, this study demonstrated that C and N isotopic values of surface water POM cannot be used as phytoplankton proxy in coastal areas submitted to high river inputs.