A case study of mollusc and polychaete soft-bottom assemblages submitted to sedimentary instability in the Mediterranean Sea

In the Strait of Messina (Sicily, Central Mediterranean Sea) strong tidal currents, very irregular hydrological regime and related solid load, and local seismic activity cause sediment instability; this area represents therefore a case‐study of a naturally disturbed soft‐bottom environment. In this paper, mollusc and polychaete assemblages of the northern part of the Strait were described. Composition, community structure, eco‐ethological features, trophic guilds and sediment‐type relationships were studied in 64 stations sampled located between 3.5 and 50 m depth in October 1992 by means of a Van Veen grab. A total of 131 species (65 molluscs and 66 polychaetes) were identified. A dense population of the tubicolous polychaete Ditrupa arietina was recognized, together with the occurrence of other species tied to a high sedimentation rate, such as Corbula gibba and Tellina distorta, as well as widespread, mud‐tolerant species (e.g.Chone spp., Hyalinoecia tubicola). Diversity (H′) showed a peak at intermediate depths (10/20 m) and a clear decrease beyond this depth, corresponding to the Ditrupa core population. Multivariate comparison between sediment features and community composition throughout the bathymetric gradient showed a narrow ecocline between two environments subjected to opposite hydrodynamic constraints. In the shallower zone, a wide typology of trophic‐ethological guilds was related to community patchiness, in contrast to a greater functional uniformity of the deeper assemblage, dominated by sessile, semi‐infaunal suspension feeders. A possible role played by a phase of increased rainfall to increase bottom instability, locally emphasized by a previous human activity, is also discussed.     

Distributions and associations of benthic invertebrates in a sheltered water soft‐bottom environment (Marlborough sounds,New Zealand)

Distribution patterns of benthic invertebrates in the Marlborough Sounds are related to depth and sediment grade. The assemblage of species found living in this sheltered water soft‐bottom area is characterised by two species of polychaete of the genus Asychis, Echinocardium cordatum, and Amphiura rosea The relationship of this association in the Marlborough Sounds to similar associations in other areas is briefly discussed.     

南海北部陆坡峡谷区海底沉积物工程地质特征及区域稳定性评价

The upper part of the continental slope in the northern South China Sea is prone to submarine landslide disasters,especially in submarine canyons. This work studies borehole sediments, discusses geotechnical properties of sediments, and evaluates sediment stability in the study area. The results show that sediment shear strength increases with increasing depth, with good linear correlation. Variations in shear strength of sediments with burial depth have a significantly greater rate of change in the canyon head and middle part than those in the canyon bottom. For sediments at the same burial depth, shear strength gradually increased and then decreased from the head to the bottom of the canyon, and has no obvious correlation with the slope angle of the sampling site. Under static conditions, the critical equilibrium slope angle of the sediments in the middle part of the canyon is 10° to 12°, and the critical slope angle in the head and the bottom of the canyon is 7°. The results indicate that potential landslide hazard areas are mainly distributed in distinct spots or narrow strips on the canyon walls where there are high slope angles.     

Warped temperature profiles observed in the sediment of geothermally active areas in the Japan Sea— A hypothesis of double diffusive sinking

Some temperature profiles observed in sea floor sediments of the Japan Sea, west of the northern part of Honshu, show distinct gradients changing with depth, for which we use the term warping. Using a simplified model, this warping can be attributed to an abrupt temperature change in the bottom water just above the sediment. The bottom water temperature change might be explained by the hypothesis that warm and salt surface water in the region sank to the sea bottom, through colder and less saline water, maintaining a relatively warmer temperature than the bottom water which originates from ordinary lateral intrusion.     

Polychaete Fauna of Seagrass Beds (Halodule wrightii Ascherson) Along the Coast of Rio de Janeiro (Southeast Brazil)

Abstract.  The polychaete community structure from six Halodule wrightii seagrass beds along the Rio de Janeiro coast (Southeast Brazil) was investigated. Variations in species diversity, overall density and species composition in relation to sediment grain size, seagrass biomass and selected plant structural features such as root and shoot length from the study sites were analysed. Ten core samples (0.02 m²) were randomly collected from each site. Three additional samples were taken for grain size analysis of sediment. Sixty-eight species of polychaetes belonging to 24 families were found. The dominant species as well as species composition varied greatly among sites, showing that a typical polychaete community does not exist. The number of species was positively correlated with the silt-clay percent and sorting coefficient of the sediment. A positive correlation between polychaete density and plant biomass was also obtained. Multivariate analysis indicated that polychaete communities were influenced greatly by seagrass plant features: plants with longer shoots harbour mainly surface-deposit feeders such as Magelona papillicornis , whereas plants with a higher root-shoot length relation sheltered mainly suspension or interface feeders like Fabricia filamentosa . This study demonstrates that granulometric properties as well as plant architecture play an important role in structuring the polychaete community. As the community-level response can reflect changes in local seagrass beds, the structure of the polychaete community can be an important indicator for management plans and the restoration of seagrass ecosystems.     

日照港西部海域海底地形与表层沉积特征

利用单波束测深仪和蚌式取样器进行了日照石臼港扩建码头西侧约50km~2海域1:2 000~1:10 000的水深地形测绘和底质分析工作。调查结果表明,日照港西部海域可分4个水深区,其地形和沉积特征如下:1)航道区,浅水航道区等深线平行于码头岸线,水深11m,经过疏浚已形成向南倾斜的四级阶梯地形,疏浚中心处水深24m。航道区底质以分选中等的砾砂为主;2)港池区,水深6 m,等深线与港池岸线平行,水深向南渐增,海底地形平坦,坡降比3‰。底质以分选较好的粉砂和砂质粉砂为主,近岸有少量分选较差的泥质砂质砾;3)涛雒-付疃河口区,水下三角洲地形明显,5m以浅等深线呈弧形向东南方向凸出,坡降比最大可达14.2‰,底质类型为分选极好的砂和粉砂质砂;4)浅海区,海底地形平坦,平均坡降比1.9‰,6~10m等深线呈NE-SW向平行向外海增大,近南扩码头端向东偏转,底质类型为分选好的砂质粉砂和粉砂,并呈平行于海岸线向深水区呈粗-细-粗的带状分布。底质类型分布与水深条件基本吻合,但深水区出现的底质粗化现象,分析认为可能与南扩码头的挑流作用有关,海底沉积物呈向南运移趋势。     

Polychaete Communities Related to Plant Covering in the Médiolittoral and Infralittoral Zones of the Balearic Islands (Western Méditerranean)

Abstract. The polychaete fauna of the subtidal in the médiolittoral and the infralittoral hard bottom zones of the Balearic Islands at depths from 0 to 40m contained 220 species. Five different polychaete communities could be identified by changes in abundance, species richness, species composition, diversity, and trophic structure. In the very clear waters of these islands the infralittoral zone extends to a depth of 40 m and allows us to investigate whether former proposed models of polychaete distribution can be extended to this particular situation.     

Influence of Naineris laevigata (Polychaeta: Orbiniidae) on vertical grain size distribution,and dinoflagellate resting stages in the sediment

Short-term experiments were performed with the polychaete Naineris laevigata Grube, a conveyor-belt deposit feeder, to evaluate: the daily sediment reworking rate, the influence of the activity of this burrowing worm on the vertical redistribution of the sediment and dinoflagellate cysts. We also tested the germination success of cysts after their passage through the gut of the polychaete. Vertical particle distribution was studied in small aquaria with and without worms and with an initially layered sediment. After 30 days, sediment cores were collected in controls and treatments at 3 different depths (upper, intermediate and deep) and the diameter of 100 particles from each depth was measured to obtain the size-frequency distribution. The burrowing activity of 3 worms may completely mix a pre-existent layering within 30 days. The translocation of a mud layer from 4 cm depth towards the surface was observed. The mud layer deposited on the surface by the end of the experiment was at least 1 cm thick.Daily average production of faecal pellets was 0.443±0.032 g per worm. From the first day of the experiment, the particle size distribution of the faecal pellets released at the surface revealed the presence of sediment and cysts originating from underlying layers. Tests showed that the germination percentage of the cysts significantly diminished after passage through the guts of the worms.Our results indicate that N. laevigata is an effective vertical mixer of sediment and plays a role in the vertical transport and germination success of resting stages.     

Polychaete Depth Distribution in a Posidonia oceanica Bed (Rhizome and Matte Strata) and Neighbouring Soft and Hard Bottoms

Abstract. The study was carried out in a Posidonia oceanica bed and in the neighbouring sandy and rocky bottoms, at Ponza Island (Central Tyrrhenian Sea), in order to investigate the distributional pattern of the polychaete community at different depths. A total of 15232 individuals of polychaetes belonging to 218 species was collected and three new species of Syllidae were found. The polychaete community of the matte can be clearly distinguished from the neighbouring communities; this is due to the high species richness in Posidonia , which is related to the heterogeneity of the biotope. In the Posidonia bed the shallow stations (1 m and 5 m depth) were the richest in terms of species numbers and individuals due to the high shoot density of the seagrass bed. In the shallow waters polychaete community structure changed according to the different exposure to water movement. Rocky bottom species, which preferentially inhabit crevices, were more abundant in the matte exposed to water movement (5–10 m depth). In contrast, soft-bottom species were more abundant in the sheltered zone (1 m depth) as well as in the deeper zone due to the reduction of the Posidonia bed.     

浙江三门湾猫头深潭风暴快速沉积研究

三门湾频受热带风暴的影响,风暴期出现剧烈的滩冲、槽淤的泥沙交换,而在风暴后的正常天气条件下,则产生滩淤、槽冲的泥沙交换过程.通过猫头深潭(槽)9417号台风前后剖面水深重复测量、沉积特征及沉积物放射性同位素(210Pb,137Cs)测年等资料,揭示猫头深潭风暴快速沉积(骤淤).正常天气条件下风暴沉积产生再悬浮随潮运移,深潭水深得以恢复.在连续强热带风暴的影响下,又遇强的风暴增水,风暴沉积难以完全被冲刷,部分残留在深潭内,在猫头深潭沉积层中储存着风暴沉积的信息     

潮流场对渤、黄、东海陆架底质分布的控制作用

运用二维潮流数学模型，模拟了渤、黄、东海陆架的M2潮汐、潮流。结果表明，渤、黄、东海陆架的潮流有强弱之分以及往复流和旋转汉之别。在此基础上，计算了8种粒径沙的湖平均悬移输沙率、潮平均推移输沙以及相应的输沙率散度。根据输沙率散度的正负，划分了海底冲刷区与淤积区。根据不同粒径泥沙输沙率散度的相对大小，确定出海底的主要底质类型为砂质沉积、粉砂质泥沉积和以粉砂为主的混合沉积。计算结果表明，海底3种主要底负类型的分布格局与海底的冲淤格局以及与输沙率矢量的发散和聚合状况基本一致。在渤、黄、东海陆架，沙脊主要在强往复流区形成，沙席主要在强或较强的旋转流区形成，泥质沉积主要在弱潮流区形成。砂质沉积、泥质沉积以及混合沉积这3种主要底质类型并非孤立存在，而是受渤、黄、东海陆架潮流场控制而形成的一个完整的潮流沉积体系。渤、黄、东海陆架的砂质沉积与泥质沉积并非残留沉积，而是潮流沉积。在没有冷涡的情况下，黄、东海陆架的典型泥质沉积在弱潮流环境中同样可以形成，因此，认为冷涡并非黄、东海陆架典型泥质沉积形成的必要条件。     

长江河口近底层悬沙和沉积物的交换过程研究

大河河口的动力沉积过程一直是陆海相互作用研究的核心内容,其中水体泥沙的垂向交换是河口动力-沉积机制分析中的关键环节。基于2011年12月对长江河口及其邻近海湾采集的大范围、高密度的近底层悬沙、海床表层1~2cm(表层沉积物)和垂向向下约2~10cm的沉积物(次表层沉积物)同步3组303个样品,利用经验正交函数方法,对河口地区的悬沙和沉积物交换过程进行研究。结果表明:近底层水体悬沙的空间分布模式主要以粉砂粒级为主,空间分布差异性不大;表层及次表层沉积物的空间分布模式相似,但较近底层水体悬沙的分布复杂,存在明显的区域性特征,其中南汇边滩水域中部辐散区的沉积物表现为粗粉砂-细砂模式,其他区域由粉砂组分模式组成。近底层水体悬沙、表层和次表层沉积物的第一模态主要反映了粒径较细的泥沙运动,第二模态主要反映了粒径较粗的泥沙运动。在近底层水体悬沙与表层沉积物的垂向交换中,主要交换粒级为粉砂组分粒级。在表层沉积物与次表层沉积物的垂向交换中,南汇边滩中部辐散区的主要交换粒级为粗粉砂-细砂组分粒级,其他区域主要为粉砂组分粒级。     

Polychaete Associations in a Subtropical Environment (São Sebastião Channel, Brazil): A Structural Analysis

Abstract. Analysis of polychaetes from 60 quantitative soft bottom samples (November 1993 – August 1994) from the São Sebastião Channel at 10 to 45 m yielded 126 species from a total of 12,003 individuals. The distribution of both the bottom sediment type and species was patchy. Abundance data were analysed with multivariate techniques and revealed a strong correlation between species and sediment variables. Polychaetes were more diverse, abundant and richer in species number in those sites with higher sandy fractions. On the other hand, sites where silt, clay and organic carbon predominated showed a poor annelid fauna. Here, pollution by the sewage discharge of a submarine pipe, the oil terminal activities and the clandestine oil tank washing have an important impact on the bottom fauna. Only little temporal variation in the composition of the polychaete associations was found during the study period.     

Spatial changes in a macrozoobenthic community along environmental gradients in a shallow brackish lagoon facing Sendai Bay, Japan

The spatial distribution, abundance, and assemblage structure of macrozoobenthos were examined at 45 stations in a brackish lagoon (Idoura Lagoon, Japan) to examine the animal–environmental relations in estuarine soft-bottom habitats. We found a total of 23 taxa; the polychaetes Heteromastus sp., Hediste spp., and Prionospio japonica and the isopod Cyathura muromiensis numerically dominated the community. Cluster analysis and one-way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) identified seven groups of stations that had significantly different macrozoobenthic communities; these were subsequently consolidated into five habitat groups according to their association with environmental characteristics. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that salinity, silt-clay content, and the oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) of the sediment strongly affected the macrozoobenthos distribution pattern in the lagoon, whereas other factors (e.g., relative elevation of the habitat and sediment organic content) had much weaker effects. Similarity percentages (SIMPER) procedures indicated that the polychaete Notomastus sp. and the bivalve Macoma contabulata were specific to habitats with low salinity and reduced mud, whereas the bivalve Nuttallia olivacea was specific to sandy bottoms. Heteromastus sp. and Hediste spp. achieved their highest densities in rather oxidized sediments. The acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) content in the sediment was suggested as another possible factor affecting macrozoobenthic density. Our results clearly demonstrate that macrozoobenthic assemblages in estuarine soft-bottoms have high spatial heterogeneity on a small scale (e.g., hundreds of meters) related to physical and chemical environmental changes. Our data also suggested the importance of sediment redox condition (e.g., ORP and AVS content) and sediment grain size as structuring factors in estuarine soft-bottom communities as well as the salinity in the habitat.     

波浪-海流-微地形耦合的沉积动力模式建立及应用

沙纹微地形普遍存在于海底,沙纹的消长能改变底部应力进而影响泥沙的运移。以往研究较多侧重于波致沙纹,并已应用于波浪模式的底摩擦计算,而较少考虑波流联合效应产生的沙纹,也未将其应用于综合的水动力模式和沉积物输运模式。本文在POM水动力模式中嵌入新南威尔士大学泥沙模式,通过耦合波流共同作用的微地形模型与波流相互作用底边界层模型,发展了波浪-海流-微地形（沙纹）耦合的沉积动力模式。本文将该模式应用于澳大利亚Jervis湾,针对波主导和波流联合主导沙纹两种类型,分别进行了沙纹发展状态、几何形态的分布及悬浮泥沙的模拟。结果表明:波致沙纹比波流联合作用的沙波具有更大的波高和波长,因此当波主导时沙纹对悬浮泥沙起着关键作用。通过考虑随沙纹变化的粗糙度,相比于以往模式设置均一的粗糙度,该模型能对悬浮物浓度的骤升过程进行更精细的预测。     

波浪作用下浮泥悬扬浓度特性研究

为研究不同波浪环境下,水底浮泥层产生泥沙悬扬后其浓度的分布特性,使用浊度计测定浊度的方法确定水体中泥沙的浓度,并在水槽实验中改变水深、浮泥厚度及造波机的频率和振幅,观察水槽中悬浮泥沙浓度的变化情况,获得水深、波浪频率、波幅以及浮泥厚度对底床泥沙悬扬的影响,分析泥沙浓度的垂向分布特征等。实验结果显示,水深对底床泥沙悬扬的影响最为显著,其他实验参数的影响均不十分显著。同时,通过垂向输沙平衡的分析,得到一个可描述泥沙垂向浓度分布的理论公式,并利用水槽实验结果进行验证。对比结果显示,理论公式所得曲线与实验结果曲线变化趋势一致,部分工况下,理论值稍稍偏大。     

A freshwater species wintering in a brackish environment: Habitat selection and diet of Slavonian grebes in the southern Baltic Sea

After the breeding season, Slavonian grebes (Podiceps auritus) leave their freshwater breeding habitats and migrate to wintering grounds in marine or brackish waters. The most important wintering area in northwestern Europe is located in the southern Baltic Sea, with the largest concentrations in the offshore area of the Pommeranian Bight. Analysis of ship-based surveys revealed that the habitat selection of Slavonian grebes in this brackish area is significantly influenced by water depth and bottom sediment type. The grebes prefer shallow waters of 4–14 m depth and occur only over sandy sediments. While the diving depths of endothermic animals is limited due to energetic constraints and thermoregulation, sediment type is regarded to be a proxy for food choice. The diet of Slavonian grebes in the Pomeranian Bight consists mainly of demersal gobies (Gobiidae) that frequently occur over sandy bottom substrates.     

鸭绿江河口最大浑浊带水动力特征对叶绿素分布的影响

在河口最大浑浊带有独特的生态动力过程。利用鸭绿江河口最大浑浊带上下游两个定点站和大面站的流速、叶绿素和浊度数据,在分析最大浑浊带形成的基础上探讨了悬沙浓度与叶绿素浓度分布的对应关系及最大浑浊带水动力特征对叶绿素分布的影响。分析结果表明,定点站大小潮涨落潮时均出现悬沙浓度与叶绿素a浓度的高值分布中心,该中心主要出现在底部,且高叶绿素a浓度与高悬沙浓度中心相对应。通过对最大浑浊带形成机制的分析发现,强烈的底部泥沙再悬浮是鸭绿江河口最大浑浊带形成的主要原因。最大浑浊带内悬沙浓度与叶绿素a浓度的相关关系均为底层大于表层,大潮高于小潮;高叶绿素a浓度与高悬沙浓度时刻有很好的对应关系,在一定程度上表明水动力特征对叶绿素a浓度在时间和空间上的分布有重要影响。初步分析认为鸭绿江河口最大浑浊带内的高叶绿素a浓度主要是由再悬浮作用使底部沉积物中的底栖藻类和沉积物一起聚集在水体的底部造成的,但是该结论还有待结合其他相关研究进一步检验。     

波浪对泥沙作用的数值研究及在渤海区域的检验

针对渤海海域开展了波致底切应力对泥沙作用的数值估计。针对浅水条件,通过理想试验估算了波致底切应力对波流耦合底切应力的贡献。针对渤海大风过程,利用ECOMSED模式,通过波流耦合底边界层模型模拟了渤海区域的泥沙浓度,并利用遥感资料对表层泥沙浓度的数值模拟进行了检验。对比结果表明,考虑波浪作用的情况下,模拟结果在总体分布上得到明显的改善。在大风过程中波浪对0~20 m近岸区域的泥沙再悬浮起主导作用。