Dynamics and sources of suspended particulate organic matter in the Marennes-Oléron oyster farming bay: Insights from stable isotopes and microalgae ecology

The aim of this study was to distinguish between sources of the complex variety of Marennes-Oléron Bay suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) contributing to the tropho-dynamics of the Marennes-Oléron oyster farming bay. Basic biomarkers (Chl a, C/N and POC/Chl a ratios), carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from SPOM were analyzed and the microalgae community was characterized. The sampling strategy was bimonthly from March 2002 to December 2003; samples were taken from an intertidal mudflat. Four main sources contributed to the SPOM pool: terrigenous input from rivers, neritic phytoplankton, resuspended microphytobenthos and periodic inputs from intertidal Zostera noltii meadows. Seasonal fluctuations were observed in both years of the study period: (1) SPOM collected in the spring of 2002 (δ¹³C = −25‰ to −23‰) was mainly composed of fresh estuarine inputs; (2) SPOM from the summer and fall of 2002 and 2003 was predominantly neritic phytoplankton (δ¹³C = − 22‰ to −19‰); (3) SPOM from the winter of 2002, spring of 2003 and winter of 2003 (δ¹³C = −21 to −23‰) was composed of a mixture of decayed terrigenous river inputs and pelagic phytoplankton, which was predominantly resuspended microphytobenthos. In the summer of 2003—the warmest summer on record in southern France and Europe—SPOM was particularly enriched for ¹³C, with δ¹³C values ranging from −14‰ to −12‰. Pulses in δ¹³C values, indicative of ¹³C-enriched decaying materials, extended into the fall. These were attributed to benthic intertidal inputs, including both resuspended microphytobenthos and Z. noltii detritus. Changes in SPOM sources in Marennes-Oléron Bay may lead to differences in the quality of the trophic environment available for reared oysters.     

Physical and biological characteristics of the pelagic system across Fram Strait to Kongsfjorden

The Fram Strait is very important with regard to heat and mass exchange in the Arctic Ocean, and the large quantities of heat carried north by the West Spitsbergen Current (WSC) influence the climate in the Arctic region as a whole. A large volume of water and ice is transported through Fram Strait, with net water transport of 1.7–3.2 Sv southward in the East Greenland Current and a volume ice flux in the range of 0.06–0.11 Sv. The mean annual ice flux is about 866,000 km² yr⁻¹. The Kongsfjorden–Krossfjorden fjord system on the coast of Spitsbergen, or at the eastern extreme of Fram Strait, is mainly affected by the northbound transport of water in the WSC. Mixing processes on the shelf result in Transformed Atlantic Water in the fjords, and the advection of Atlantic water also carries boreal fauna into the fjords. The phytoplankton production is about 80 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ in Fram Strait, and has been estimated both below and above this for Kongsfjorden. The zooplankton fauna is diverse, but dominated in terms of biomass by calanoid copepods, particularly Calanus glacialis and C. finmarchicus. Other important copepods include C. hyperboreus, Metridia longa and the smaller, more numerous Pseudocalanus (P. minutus and P. acuspes), Microcalanus (M. pusillus and M. pygmaeus) and Oithona similis. The most important species of other taxa appear to be the amphipods Themisto libellula and T. abyssorum, the euphausiids Thysanoessa inermis and T. longicaudata and the chaetognaths Sagitta elegans and Eukrohnia hamata. A comparison between the open ocean of Fram Strait and the restricted fjord system of Kongsfjorden–Krossfjorden can be made within limitations. The same species tend to dominate, but the Fram Strait zooplankton fauna differs by the presence of meso- and bathypelagic copepods. The seasonal and inter-annual variation in zooplankton is described for Kongsfjorden based on the record during July 1996–2002. The ice macrofauna is much less diverse, consisting of a handful of amphipod species and the polar cod. The ice-associated biomass transport of ice-amphipods was calculated, based on the ice area transport, at about 3.55 × 10⁶ ton wet weight per year or about 4.2 × 10⁵ t C yr⁻¹. This represents a large energy input to the Greenland Sea, but also a drain on the core population residing in the multi-year pack ice (MYI) in the Arctic Ocean. A continuous habitat loss of MYI due to climate warming will likely reduce dramatically the sympagic food source. The pelagic and sympagic food web structures were revealed by stable isotopes. The carbon sources of particulate organic matter (POM), being Ice-POM and Pelagic-POM, revealed different isotopic signals in the organisms of the food web, and also provided information about the sympagic–pelagic and pelagic–benthic couplings. The marine food web and energy pathways were further determined by fatty acid trophic markers, which to a large extent supported the stable isotope picture of the marine food web, although some discrepancies were noted, particularly with regard to predator–prey relationships of ctenophores and pteropods.     

Distinctive stable isotope ratios in important zooplankton species in relation to estuarine salinity gradients: Potential tracer of fish migration

To assess the potential of stable isotope ratios as an indicator of fish migration within estuaries, stable isotope ratios in important zooplankton species were analyzed in relation to estuarine salinity gradients. Gut contents from migratory juveniles of the euryhaline marine fish Lateolabrax japonicus were examined along the Chikugo River estuary of the Ariake Sea, which has the most developed estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) in Japan. Early juveniles in March and April preyed primarily on two copepod species; Sinocalanus sinensis at lower salinities and Acartia omorii at higher salinities. Late juveniles (standard length > 40 mm) at lower salinities preyed exclusively on the mysid Acanthomysis longirostris until July and complementarily on the decapod Acetes japonicus in August. These prey species were collected along the estuary during the spring–summer seasons of 2003 and 2004, and their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were evaluated. The δ¹³C values of prey species were distinct from each other and were primarily depleted within and in close proximity to the ETM (salinity < 10); S. sinensis (−26.6‰) < Acanthomysis longirostris (−23.3‰) < Acartia omorii (−21.1‰) < Acetes japonicus (−18.5‰). The overall gradient of δ¹³C with salinity occurred for all prey species and showed minor temporal fluctuations, while it was not directly influenced by the δ¹³C values in particulate organic matter along the estuary. In contrast to δ¹³C, the δ¹⁵N values of prey species did not exhibit any clear relationship with salinity. The present study demonstrated that δ¹³C has the potential for application as a tracer of fish migration into lower salinity areas including the ETM.     

Vodyanitskii mud volcano,Sorokin trough,Black Sea: Geological characterization and quantification of gas bubble streams

Vodyanitskii mud volcano is located at a depth of about 2070 m in the Sorokin Trough, Black sea. It is a 500-m wide and 20-m high cone surrounded by a depression, which is typical of many mud volcanoes in the Black Sea. 75 kHz sidescan sonar show different generations of mud flows that include mud breccia, authigenic carbonates, and gas hydrates that were sampled by gravity coring. The fluids that flow through or erupt with the mud are enriched in chloride (up to ∼650 mmol L⁻¹ at ∼150-cm sediment depth) suggesting a deep source, which is similar to the fluids of the close-by Dvurechenskii mud volcano. Direct observation with the remotely operated vehicle Quest revealed gas bubbles emanating at two distinct sites at the crest of the mud volcano, which confirms earlier observations of bubble-induced hydroacoustic anomalies in echosounder records. The sediments at the main bubble emission site show a thermal anomaly with temperatures at ∼60 cm sediment depth that were 0.9 °C warmer than the bottom water. Chemical and isotopic analyses of the emanated gas revealed that it consisted primarily of methane (99.8%) and was of microbial origin (δD-CH₄ = −170.8‰ (SMOW), δ¹³C-CH₄ = −61.0‰ (V-PDB), δ¹³C-C₂H₆ = −44.0‰ (V-PDB)). The gas flux was estimated using the video observations of the ROV. Assuming that the flux is constant with time, about 0.9 ± 0.5 × 10⁶ mol of methane is released every year. This value is of the same order-of-magnitude as reported fluxes of dissolved methane released with pore water at other mud volcanoes. This suggests that bubble emanation is a significant pathway transporting methane from the sediments into the water column.     

Isotopic analyses of nitrate and nitrite from reference mixtures and application to Eastern Tropical North Pacific waters

Isotopic analyses of nitrate by the denitrifier method, and indeed by many other analytical methods, do not discriminate between nitrate and nitrite. For samples containing both chemical species, accurate isotopic analysis of nitrate requires either removal of nitrite or independent isotopic analysis of nitrite and subtraction of its contribution to the mixed isotopic signal. This study evaluates the application of a variety of available analytical approaches to the isotopic analysis of mixed nitrate and nitrite solutions, with the goal of producing accurate coupled isotopic analyses of both nitrate and nitrite. These methods are tested on mixtures of standard solutions of nitrate and nitrite, and then applied to the coupled δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O analyses of nitrate and nitrite in waters of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP). Results from standard mixtures show that even for extreme values of nitrate and nitrite δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O, both nitrite removal by ascorbate and nitrite isotopic analysis and subtraction from the mixed isotopic signal yield nitrate δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values that are close to the expected values. Application of these analyses to samples from the ETNP yielded δ¹⁵N_NO3 and δ¹⁸O_NO3 values as high as 21‰ vs. AIR and 19‰ vs. VSMOW, respectively. Conversely, very low δ¹⁵N values were observed in nitrite, with values ranging from − 7.2 to − 18.5‰ vs. AIR. Removal of nitrite from ETNP samples thus revealed differences of up to 5‰ between NO₃^- and NO₂^- + NO₃^- for both δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O. Moreover, the δ¹⁵N offset between co-occurring nitrate and nitrite is greater than expected from the action of denitrification alone and may provide a unique constraint on the processes involved in the cycling of nitrite in and around oxygen deficient zones. Finally, subtraction of the nitrite δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O from ETNP samples allows the extension of the Δ(15,18) tracer into suboxic regions containing nitrite. The magnitude and distribution of Δ(15,18) in these samples suggests an important role for nitrite reoxidation in nitrate isotope variations.     

The characteristics of gas hydrates recovered from the Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope

Systematic analyses have been carried out on two gas hydrate-bearing sediment core samples, HYPV4, which was preserved by CH₄ gas pressurization, and HYLN7, which was preserved in liquid-nitrogen, recovered from the BPXA-DOE-USGS Mount Elbert Stratigraphic Test Well. Gas hydrate in the studied core samples was found by observation to have developed in sediment pores, and the distribution of hydrate saturation in the cores imply that gas hydrate had experienced stepwise dissociation before it was stabilized by either liquid nitrogen or pressurizing gas. The gas hydrates were determined to be structure Type I hydrate with hydration numbers of approximately 6.1 by instrumentation methods such as powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and solid state ¹³C NMR. The hydrate gas composition was predominantly methane, and isotopic analysis showed that the methane was of thermogenic origin (mean δ¹³C = −48.6‰ and δ_D = −248‰ for sample HYLN7). Isotopic analysis of methane from sample HYPV4 revealed secondary hydrate formation from the pressurizing methane gas during storage.     

Importance of seagrass as a carbon source for heterotrophic bacteria in a subtropical estuary (Florida Bay)

A stable carbon isotope approach was taken to identify potential organic matter sources incorporated into biomass by the heterotrophic bacterial community of Florida Bay, a subtropical estuary with a recent history of seagrass loss and phytoplankton blooms. To gain a more complete understanding of bacterial carbon cycling in seagrass estuaries, this study focused on the importance of seagrass-derived organic matter to pelagic, seagrass epiphytic, and sediment surface bacteria. Particulate organic matter (POM), seagrass epiphytic, seagrass (Thalassia testudinum) leaf, and sediment surface samples were collected from four Florida Bay locations with historically different organic matter inputs, macrophyte densities, and primary productivities. Bulk (observed and those reported previously) and compound-specific bacterial fatty acid δ¹³C values were used to determine important carbon sources to the estuary and benthic and pelagic heterotrophic bacteria. The δ¹³C values of T. testudinum green leaves with epiphytes removed ranged from −9.9 to −6.9‰. Thalassia testudinum δ¹³C values were significant more enriched in ¹³C than POM, epiphytic, and sediment samples, which ranged from −16.4 to −13.5, −16.2 to −9.6, and −16.7 to −11.0‰, respectively. Bacterial fatty acid δ¹³C values (measured for br14:0, 15:0, i15:0, a15:0, br17:0, and 17:0) ranged from −25.5 to −8.2‰. Assuming a −3‰ carbon source fractionation from fatty acid to whole bacteria, pelagic, epiphytic, and sediment bacterial δ¹³C values were generally more depleted in ¹³C than T. testudinum δ¹³C values, more enriched in ¹³C than reported δ¹³C values for mangroves, and similar to reported δ¹³C values for algae. IsoSource mixing model results indicated that organic matter derived from T. testudinum was incorporated by both benthic and pelagic bacterial communities, where 13–67% of bacterial δ¹³C values could arise from consumption of seagrass-derived organic matter. The IsoSource model, however, failed to discriminate clearly the fraction of algal (0–86%) and mangrove (0–42%) organic matter incorporated by bacterial communities. These results indicate that pelagic, epiphytic, and sediment surface bacteria consumed organic matter from a variety of sources. Bacterial communities incorporated consistently seagrass-derived organic matter, the dominant macrophyte in Florida Bay, but seagrass δ¹³C values alone could not account fully for bacterial δ¹³C values.     

Particle fluxes in San Pedro Basin, California: A four-year record of sedimentation and physical forcing

Moored sediment traps were deployed from January 2004 through December 2007 at depths of 550 and 800 m in San Pedro Basin (SPB), CA (33°33.0′N, 118°26.5′W). Additionally, floating sediment traps were deployed at 100 and 200 m for periods of 12-24 h during spring 2005, fall 2007, and spring 2008. Average annual fluxes of mass, particulate organic carbon (POC), ??¹³C_org, particulate organic nitrogen (PON), ??¹⁵N-PON, biogenic silica (bSiO₂), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and detrital material (non-biogenic) were coupled with climate records and used to examine sedimentation patterns, vertical flux variability, and organic matter sources to this coastal region. Annual average flux values were determined by binning data by month and averaging the monthly averages. The average annual fluxes to 550 m were 516±42 mg/m² d for mass (sdom of the monthly averages, n=117), 3.18±0.26 mmol C/m² d for POC (n=111), 0.70±0.05 mmol/m² d for CaCO₃ (n=110), 1.31±0.21 mmol/m² d for bSiO₂ (n=115), and 0.35±0.03 mmol/m² d for PON (n=111). Fluxes to 800 and to 550 m were similar, within 10%. Annual average values of ??¹³C_org at 550 m were −21.8±0.2‰ (n=108), and ??¹⁵N averages were 8.9±0.2‰ (n=95). The timing of both high and low flux particle collection was synchronous between the two traps. Given the frequency of trap cup rotation (4-11 days), this argues for particle settling rates ≥83 m/d for both high and low flux periods. The moored traps were deployed over one of the wettest (2004-2005, 74.6 cm rainfall) and driest (2006-2007, 6.6 cm) rain years on record. There was poor correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 95% confidence interval) of detrital mass flux with: C_org/N ratio (r=0.10, p=0.16); ??¹⁵N (r=−0.19, p=0.02); and rainfall (r=0.5, p=0.43), suggesting that runoff does not immediately cause increases in particle fluxes 15 km offshore. ??¹³C_org values suggest that most POC falling to the basin floor is marine derived. Coherence between satellite-derived chlorophyll a records from the trap location (±9 km² resolution) and SST data indicates that productivity and export occurs within a few days of upwelling and both of these parameters are reasonable predictors of POC export, with a time lag of a few days to 2 weeks (with no time lag—SeaWiFS chlorophyll a and POC flux, r=0.25, p=0.0014; chlorophyll a and bSiO₂ flux, r=0.28, p=0.0002).     

A preliminary investigation of the fish food web in the Gironde estuary,France, using dietary and stable isotope analyses

Carbon and Nitrogen stable isotopes and stomach contents analyses were used to investigate an estuarine fish food web and identify the contribution of these two methods to the knowledge and understanding of the food web's structure and its functioning. The nine most abundant fish species during the warm period in the Gironde estuary (southwest France, Europe) are examined. Observation of the stomach contents reflects a variety of feeding modes between fish species that consume a diverse assortment of prey, with limited dietary overlap. Nevertheless, when regarding the whole fish community, few prey species dominate the stomach contents. Nitrogen isotope ratios indicate a high intraspecific variability inducing an interspecific covering of the signatures. However, a tendency to δ¹⁵N enrichment according to the trophic position of the species studied was observed. Fish assemblages show a trend towards enrichment of their carbon isotopic signatures from the upper estuary (−20.8 ± 1.8‰) towards the lower estuary (−18.3 ± 1.6‰). But whatever the capture zone considered, most of the individual δ¹³C values for each fish analysed are comprised between −22 and −16‰. Only few specimens, belonging to migratory amphihaline species, have significantly lighter values.     

Food web structure of the epibenthic and infaunal invertebrates on the Catalan slope (NW Mediterranean): Evidence from ��C and ��N analysis

The food-web structure of the epibenthic and infaunal invertebrates on the continental slope of the Catalan Sea (Balearic basin, NW Mediterranean) was investigated using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes on a total of 34 species, and HPLC pigment analyses for three key species. Samples were collected close to Barcelona (NE Iberian Peninsula), between 650 and 800 m depth and between February 2007 and February 2008. Mean ??¹³C values ranged from −21.0‰ (small Calocaris macandreae and Amphipholis squamata) to −14.5‰ (Sipunculus norvegicus). Values of ??¹⁵N ranged from 4.0‰ (A. squamata) to 12.1‰ (Molpadia musculus). The stable isotope ratios of benthic fauna displayed a continuum of values (e.g. ??¹⁵N range of 8‰), confirming a wide spectrum of feeding strategies (from active suspension feeders to predators) and complex food webs. According to the available information on diets of benthic fauna, the lowest values were found for surface deposit feeders (small C. macandrae and the two ophiuroids A. squamata and Amphiura chiajei) and active suspension feeders (Abra longicallus and Scalpellum scalpellum) feeding on different sizes of particulate organic matter (POM), among which small particles may exhibit lower ??¹⁵N. High annual mean ??¹⁵N values were found among sub-surface deposit feeders, exploiting refractory or frequently recycled organic matter that is enriched in ??¹⁵N. Carnivorous polychaetes (Nephtys spp., Oenonidae and Polynoidae) and large decapods (Geryon longipes and Paromola cuvieri) also displayed high ??¹⁵N values. ??¹³C ranges were particularly wide among surface deposit feeders (ranging from −21.0‰ to −16.4‰), suggesting exploitation of POM of both terrigenous and oceanic origins. Correlation between ??¹³C and ??¹⁵N was generally weak, indicating multiple carbon sources, likely due to the consumption of different kinds of sinking particles (e.g. marine snow, phytodetritus, etc.), sedimented and frequently recycled POM, together with macrophyte remains. The stronger ??¹³C-??¹⁵N correlations found in February and April suggest that during the period of water column homogeneization (winter-spring), the benthic community was sustained by phytodetritus inputs originating from the peak of surface primary production in February. Conversely, weaker ??¹³C-??¹⁵N correlations were observed during the period of water column stratification (beginning in June-July), suggesting that the benthic community in this period was sustained, with a delay of ca. 2/3 months, by multiple carbon sources including continental inputs from river discharge (with the maxima in April-May). Thus both advective and vertical fluxes seem to be food sources for benthos on the Catalonian slope. Pigments in the guts of key species were generally degraded, and only the active suspension feeder A. longicallus ingested fresh chlorophyll during periods of high primary production at the surface (February and April 2007).     

When mud volcanoes sleep: Insight from seep geochemistry at the Dashgil mud volcano,Azerbaijan

The worlds >1500 mud volcanoes are normally in a dormant stage due to the short duration of eruptions. Their dormant stage activity is often characterized by vigorous seepage of water, gas, and petroleum. However, the source of the fluids and the fluid–rock interactions within the mud volcano conduit remain poorly understood. In order to investigate this type of activity, we have combined satellite images with fieldwork and extensive sampling of water and gas at seeping gryphons, pools and salsa lakes at the Dashgil mud volcano in Azerbaijan. We find that caldera collapse faults and E–W oriented faults determine the location of the seeps. The seeping gas is dominated by methane (94.9–99.6%), with a δ¹³C (‰ V-PDB) in the −43.9 to −40.4‰ range, consistent throughout the 12 analysed seeps. Ethane and carbon dioxide occur in minor amounts. Seventeen samples of seeping water show a wide range in solute content and isotopic composition. Pools and salsa lakes have the highest salinities (up to 101,043 ppm Cl) and the lowest δ¹⁸O (‰ V-SMOW) values (1–4‰). The mud-rich gryphons have low salinities (<18,000 ppm Cl) and are enriched in ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O = 4–6‰).     

Methane-derived authigenic carbonates from active hydrocarbon seeps of the St. Lawrence Estuary,Canada

Nearly 2000 pockmarks with diameters ranging from a few tens of meters up to 700 m are present on the seafloor of the St. Lawrence Estuary in eastern Canada. Coring of some pockmarks resulted in the recovery of various-sized and shaped carbonate concretions in a predominantly silty mud matrix. Petrographic and geochemical data on four authigenic carbonate concretions are reported as well as data from shell material in the unconsolidated sediment. Video observations and echo-sounder images indicate that the sampled pockmarks are actively gas venting. The video images show significant look-alike microbial mats in areas where gas is venting. The carbonate concretions are primarily made up of carbonate cements with varying percentage of shell fragments, micrite particles and fine-grained clastics. Orthorhombic crystal morphology and diagenetic fabrics including isopachous layers and botryoids characterize the aragonite cement. Oxygen isotopes ratios for the cement crusts do not record any thermal anomaly at the site of precipitation with δ¹⁸O_VPDB ratios (+3‰) in equilibrium with cold (5 °C) deep marine waters, whereas significant negative δ¹³C_VPDB ratios (−9.9 to −33.5‰) for cement and shell material within concretions indicate that the carbonates largely derive from the microbial oxidation of methane. The δ¹³C_VPDB ratios of aragonite shells (−2.7 to −5.6‰) taken from unconsolidated sediments at some distance from the concretions/vents show variable dilution of HCO₃⁻ with negative δ¹³C_VPDB ratios derived from microbial oxidation of methane with isotopically normal (0‰) marine bicarbonate. These results are in agreement with other lines of evidence suggesting that pockmarks formed through the recent and still active release of gas from a reservoir within the Paleozoic sedimentary succession.     

Plankton dynamics due to rainfall,eutrophication, dilution,grazing and assimilation in an urbanized coastal lagoon

After a prolonged summer dry period, the effects of a distinctive and continuing rainfall on the nutrients and plankton of an urban coastal lagoon were investigated over 2 months. The lagoon filled up over 5 weeks from <10% of its maximum volume until it broke open to the sea. Nutrients (ammonia and oxidised nitrogen) significantly increased the day after initial rainfall, before returning to pre-rainfall conditions within 5 days. Phytoplankton biomass grew 10 fold within a week after initial rainfall in the 25–30 °C water and declined to near initial levels 2 weeks later. The assemblage of phytoplankton and zooplankton changed dramatically after 1 day and again by 6 days later, gradually returning to the original community by 2 weeks after the initial rainfall. Zooplankton responded within a day with a two fold increase in the adult stages of the calanoid copepod Oithona sp., followed a week later by nauplii and adult Acartia bispinosa. The influx of adult Oithona indicates resting populations that were previously under sampled by our plankton net. The plankton community returned to the initial state by 2 weeks, to being dominated by a centric diatom and A. bispinosa after 5 weeks. Dilution of the lagoon reached a maximum of 0.25 d⁻¹, while growth rates of the phytoplankton population reached a maximum of 1 d⁻¹, and A. bispinosa nauplii growth of 2.5 d⁻¹. Declines in chlorophyll biomass from the maximum 10 μg l⁻¹, at a rate of approximately 10% d⁻¹ are consistent with the modelled uptake by zooplankton. The nutrients from runoff, growth and the influx of new zooplankton into the water column, resulted in a depleted δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N stable isotope signature of A. bispinosa by 2–4 ppt within 1–2 weeks, consistent with diatom growth and the terrestrial supply of depleted nutrients. δ³⁴S of A. bispinosa was enriched by 2 ppt for 1–2 weeks after rainfall, but unlike C and N, returned to pre-rainfall levels by the end of the study period. We suggest that plankton studies in coastal lakes with variable water levels that are not tidally driven, should account for the influence of changes in water levels to help explain data variability.     

The oxygen isotope composition of water masses within the North Sea

Based on measurements of the ¹⁸O isotope composition of 247 samples collected over a 3-year period we have assessed the oxygen isotope composition of water masses in the North Sea. This is the first δ¹⁸O data set that covers the entire North Sea basin. The waters lie on a mixing line: δ¹⁸O (‰_VSMOW) = −9.300 + 0.274(S) with North Atlantic sub-polar mode water (SPMW) and surface waters, and Baltic Sea water representing the saline and freshwater end members respectively. Patterns exhibited in surface and bottom water δ¹⁸O distributions are representative of the general circulation of the North Sea. Oxygen-18 enriched waters from the North Atlantic enter the North Sea between Scotland and Norway and to a lesser extent through the English Channel. In contrast, oxygen-18 depleted waters mainly inflow from the Baltic Sea, the rivers Rhine and Elbe, and to a lesser degree, the Norwegian Fjords and other river sources. Locally the δ¹⁸O–salinity relationship will be controlled by the isotopic composition of the freshwater inputs. However, the range of local freshwater compositions around the North Sea basin is too narrow to characterise the relative contributions of individual sources to the overall seawater composition. This dataset provides important information for a number of related disciplines including biogeochemical research and oceanographic studies.     

Seasonal dynamics of sub-ice fauna below pack ice in the Arctic (Fram Strait)

Pronounced seasonality is a characteristic feature of polar ecosystems, but seasonal studies in the high-Arctic pack-ice zone are still scarce because of logistical constraints. During six expeditions (1994–2003) to the Fram Strait area between Greenland and Svalbard in winter, spring, early summer, late summer and autumn, the sub-ice habitat and fauna below the pack ice (0–1 m depth) were analyzed for seasonal patterns. Both environmental variables such as ice cover, temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a (chl a), as well as species composition, abundance and biomass of the sub-ice fauna showed distinct seasonal dynamics. Most species of the sub-ice fauna were found in early summer, followed by autumn, spring and late summer; the lowest number occurred in winter. The sub-ice fauna was dominated by copepod nauplii during all seasons. Next numerous was the small pelagic copepod Oithona similis, followed by occassional swarms of Pseudocalanus minutus and Calanus spp. Abundances of the sympagic fauna in the sub-ice water layer were much lower, with ectinosomatid copepods being usually the most numerous sympagic group. In the course of the year, total abundances of the sub-ice fauna showed a steep increase from the earliest sampling dates towards the end of winter/beginning of spring reaching maximum numbers then, and a decrease to minimum numbers in early summer. A second peak occurred in late summer, followed by a decrease towards autumn. This significant trend was due to the abundances of copepod nauplii and Oithona similis. Sympagic species were virtually absent during winter, and increased significantly in spring and early and late summer. A factor analysis revealed the variables ice cover and thickness, water temperature and salinity, as well as chl a as the major controlling factors for the seasonal patterns in different groups and species of the sub-ice fauna. Because of the special environmental conditions in the sub-ice habitat, and the unique species composition characterized by small taxa, young stages, and sympagic species, the seasonal dynamics of the Arctic sub-ice fauna differ substantially from those of the epipelagic zooplankton community in the Arctic Ocean.     

Pteropods in Southern Ocean ecosystems

To date, little research has been carried out on pelagic gastropod molluscs (pteropods) in Southern Ocean ecosystems. However, recent predictions are that, due to acidification resulting from a business as usual approach to CO₂ emissions (IS92a), Southern Ocean surface waters may begin to become uninhabitable for aragonite shelled thecosome pteropods by 2050. To gain insight into the potential impact that this would have on Southern Ocean ecosystems, we have here synthesized available data on pteropod distributions and densities, assessed current knowledge of pteropod ecology, and highlighted knowledge gaps and directions for future research on this zooplankton group.Six species of pteropod are typical of the Southern Ocean south of the Sub-Tropical Convergence, including the four Thecosomes Limacina helicina antarctica, Limacina retroversa australis, Clio pyramidata, and Clio piatkowskii, and two Gymnosomes Clione limacina antarctica and Spongiobranchaea australis. Limacina retroversa australis dominated pteropod densities north of the Polar Front (PF), averaging 60 ind m⁻³ (max = 800 ind m⁻³) and 11% of total zooplankton at the Prince Edward Islands. South of the PF L. helicina antarctica predominated, averaging 165 ind m⁻³ (max = 2681 ind m⁻³) and up to >35% of total zooplankton at South Georgia, and up to 1397 ind m⁻³ and 63% of total zooplankton in the Ross Sea. Combined pteropods contributed <5% to total zooplankton in the Lazarev Sea, but 15% (max = 93%) to macrozooplankton in the East Antarctic. In addition to regional density distributions we have synthesized data on vertical distributions, seasonal cycles, and inter-annual density variation.Trophically, gymnosome are specialist predators on thecosomes, while thecosomes are considered predominantly herbivorous, capturing food with a mucous web. The ingestion rates of L. retroversa australis are in the upper range for sub-Antarctic mesozooplankton (31.2-4196.9 ng pig ind⁻¹ d⁻¹), while those of L. helicina antarctica and C. pyramidata are in the upper range for all Southern Ocean zooplankton, in the latter species reaching 27,757 ng pig ind⁻¹ d⁻¹ and >40% of community grazing impact. Further research is required to quantify diet selectivity, the effect of phytoplankton composition on growth and reproductive success, and the role of carnivory in thecosomes.Life histories are a significant knowledge gap for Southern Ocean pteropods, a single study having been completed for L. retroversa australis, making population studies a priority for this group. Pteropods appear to be important in biogeochemical cycling, thecosome shells contributing >50% to carbonate flux in the deep ocean south of the PF. Pteropods may also contribute significantly to organic carbon flux through the production of fast sinking faecal pellets and mucous flocs, and rapid sinking of dead animals ballasted by their aragonite shells. Quantification of these contributions requires data on mucous web production rates, egestion rates, assimilation efficiencies, metabolic rates, and faecal pellet morphology for application to sediment trap studies.Based on the available data, pteropods are regionally significant components of the Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystem. However, there is an urgent need for focused research on this group in order to quantify how a decline in pteropod densities may impact on Southern Ocean ecosystems.     

Tracing suspended organic nitrogen from the Yangtze River catchment into the East China Sea

Total suspended matter was collected along the Yangtze River (Changjiang) and in the East China Sea in April to May and in September 2003, respectively, to study origin and fate of particulate organic nitrogen. Concentrations of particulate organic carbon (POC), nitrogen (PN) and hydrolyzable particulate amino acids (PAA; d- and l-enantiomers) were higher in the Yangtze Estuary than in the river and decreased offshore towards the shelf edge. In the coastal area, higher values of PAA were observed in the surface layer than in the bottom water. Stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of POC increased from − 24.4‰ in the river to values around − 21‰ on the East China Sea Shelf. Dominant amino acids were aspartic acid + aspartine (Asx), glutamic acid + glutamine (Glx), glycine, alanine and serine. The proportions of Asx, Glx and isoleucine were higher in the marine than in the riverine samples contrary to the distributions of glycine, alanine, threonine and arginine. The proportions of d-amino acids were highest in the riverine suspended organic matter (6% of PAA) decreasing towards the shelf edge (1.5% of PAA). d-arginine, not reported in natural aquatic samples so far, was the most abundant d-amino acid in the river. The amino acid composition of the particulate organic matter (POM) in the Yangtze River indicates an advanced stage of degradation of POM. Highly degraded organic matter from soils is probably a main source of POM in the Yangtze River, but the relatively high δ¹³C values and low C/N ratios (7.7 ± 1.6) also indicate contribution from anthropogenic sources. The degraded riverine material was a dominant organic matter source in the estuary, where aquatic primary production had only a small overall contribution. In the East China Sea, gradual settling of riverine organic matter and the addition of fresher phytoplankton impacted the amino acid composition and δ¹³C values, and on the outer shelf relatively fresh phytoplankton-derived organic matter dominated.     

酸化过程对不同碳酸钙含量的海洋沉积物中总氮及其同位素分析的影响

为节约成本和样品,一些学者同时分析海洋沉积物中的碳、氮及其同位素（TOC、TN、δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N）。分析沉积物中的δ¹³C,需要对样品进行酸化去除无机碳,但是这一酸化过程会使TN和δ¹⁵N的分析结果产生偏差,且偏差范围与沉积物中无机碳含量（CaCO₃）有关。本研究选取了低CaCO₃含量（1-16%）和高CaCO₃含量（20-40%）的海洋沉积物样品,比较了酸化过程对TN和δ¹⁵N的影响。研究结果表明,酸化过程对海洋沉积物中TN和δ¹⁵N的分析结果产生了显著影响。对于低CaCO₃含量的样品,酸化导致样品中TN流失了约0-40%,δ¹⁵N偏移了约0-2‰;而对于高CaCO₃含量的样品,酸化导致样品中TN流失了约10-60%,δ¹⁵N偏移了约1-14‰。表明酸化对TN和δ¹⁵N的影响已经超过了仪器的误差范围0.002%（TN）和0.08‰（δ¹⁵N）,将影响TN和δ¹⁵N的环境指示意义。因此,即使海洋沉积物样品中CaCO₃含量很低,也必须用原样分析TN和δ¹⁵N以避免酸化过程的影响。     

Nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition of marine and terrestrial organic matter in Arctic Ocean sediments:: implications for nutrient utilization and organic matter composition

Relationships between organic carbon, total nitrogen and organic nitrogen concentrations and variations in δ¹³C_org and δ¹⁵N_org are examined in surface sediments from the eastern central Arctic Ocean and the Yermak Plateau. Removing the organic matter from samples with KOBr/KOH and determining residual as well as total N shows that there is a significant amount of bound inorganic N in the samples, which causes TOC/N_total ratios to be low (4–10 depending on the organic content). TOC/N_org ratios are significantly higher (8–16). This correction of organic TOC/N ratios for the presence of soil-derived bound ammonium is especially important in samples with high illite concentrations, the clay mineral mainly responsible for ammonium adsorption. The isotopic composition of the organic N fraction was estimated by determining the isotopic composition of the total and inorganic nitrogen fractions and assuming mass-balance. A strong correlation between δ¹⁵N_org values of the sediments and the nitrate concentration of surface waters indicates different relative nitrate utilization rates of the phytoplankton in various regions of the Arctic Ocean. On the Yermak Plateau, low δ¹⁵N_org values correspond to high nitrate concentrations, whereas in the central Arctic Ocean high δ¹⁵N_org values are found beneath low nitrate waters. Sediment δ¹³C_org values are close to −23.0‰ in the Yermak Plateau region and approximately −21.4‰ in the central Arctic Ocean. Particulate organic matter collected from meltwater ponds and ice-cores are relatively enriched in ¹³C (δ¹³C_org=−15.3 to −20.6‰) most likely due to low CO₂(aq) concentrations in these environments. A maximum terrestrial contribution of 30% of the organic matter to sediments in the central Arctic Ocean is derived, based on the carbon isotope data and various assumptions about the isotopic composition of the potential endmembers.     

Combined stomach content and δ13C/δ15N analyses of oilfish,escolar, snake mackerel and lancetfish in the western North Atlantic

Large, mesopelagic teleost fishes have a potentially keystone position in the ecology of the pelagic water column, yet remain relatively unstudied when compared with large, commercially important, epipelagic fishes. Here, the ecological roles of four, large, vertically migrating teleosts were examined. Stomach content analyses were performed on 48 oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosis), 35 escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum), 32 snake mackerel (Gempylus serpens) and seven lancetfish (Alepisaurus spp.) collected from pelagic longline gear in the Western North Atlantic Ocean from 2007 to 2010. Of these specimens, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were also performed on white dorsal muscle tissue from 33 oilfish, 16 escolar, 27 snake mackerel and seven lancetfish. Based on literature length‐at‐maturity values, all escolar, snake mackerel and lancetfish specimens were mature, while 13 of the 33 oilfish were juveniles. Crustaceans, annelids, salps, cephalopods and teleosts were present in the stomachs and were presumed to be prey items. A Kruskal–Wallis test showed the four species to be isotopically segregated in both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N. Escolar were the most depleted in δ¹³C, followed by adult oilfish, juvenile oilfish and lancetfish, with snake mackerel the most enriched. The depletion in δ¹³C of adult oilfish and escolar may have been attributable to high C/N values, which were strongly correlated with length in oilfish, weakly correlated with length in escolar and moderately correlated with length in snake mackerel and lancetfish. The high C/N was likely due to the high lipid concentration of these fishes. Other factors that may have contributed to the depletion in δ¹³C may include spawning or a change in carbon source within the ecosystem. Large escolar occupied the highest trophic level (δ¹⁵N = 10.20), followed by snake mackerel (δ¹⁵N = 9.66), adult oilfish (δ¹⁵N = 9.32), lancetfish (δ¹⁵N = 9.05) and juvenile oilfish (δ¹⁵N = 7.83). A marked change in oilfish δ¹³C and C/N at 30–35 cm fork length coincided with a presumed length‐at‐maturity.