Multi-level assessment of chronic toxicity of estuarine sediments with the amphipod Gammarus locusta: II. Organism and population-level endpoints

This study aimed to test the performance of the amphipod Gammarus locusta (L.) in chronic sediment toxicity tests. It constitutes part of a multi-level assessment of chronic toxicity of estuarine sediments, integrating organism and population-level endpoints with biochemical markers responses. Here we account for organism and population-level effects, while biomarker responses were reported in a companion article. Five moderately contaminated sediments from Sado and Tagus estuaries were tested, comprising 3 muddy and 2 sandy sediments. These sediments either did not show acute toxicity or were diluted with control sediment as much as required to remove acute toxicity. Subsequent chronic tests consisted of 28-day exposures with survival, individual growth and reproductive traits as endpoints. Two of the muddy sediments induced higher growth rates in the amphipods, and improved reproductive traits. This was understood to be a consequence of the amount of organic matter in the sediment, which was nutritionally beneficial to the amphipods, while concurrently decreasing contaminant bioavailability. Biomarker responses did not reveal toxicant-induced stress in amphipods exposed to these sediments. One of the sandy sediments was acutely toxic at 50% dilution, but in contrast stimulated amphipod growth when diluted 75%. This was presumed to be an indication of a hormetic response. Finally the two remaining contaminated sediments showed pronounced chronic toxicity, affecting survival and reproduction. The sex ratio of survivors was highly biased towards females, and offspring production was severely impaired. The particulars of the responses of this amphipod were examined, as well as strengths versus limitations of the sediment test. This study illustrates the utility of this chronic test for toxicity assessment of contaminated estuarine sediments, with potential application all along Atlantic Europe.     

Relationships between sediment contamination and toxicity in San Francisco Bay

Sediment contamination and toxicity were monitored at 14 sites in San Francisco Bay between 1991 and 1996. Sediment contamination patterns were different in the major reaches of the Bay, and at each site. Several contaminants were consistently above concentrations previously associated with toxicity at most sites. Bulk sediment bioassays using the amphipod Eohaustorius estuarius and sediment elutriate bioassays using larval bivalves (Mytilus spp., Crassostrea gigas) also indicated different patterns of sediment toxicity in space and time. Sediments were most toxic to the amphipods at Redwood Creek (90% of the tests), and were toxic in at least half the tests conducted at five other sites. Sediment elutriates severely reduced normal bivalve larval development at the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers in all samples, but toxicity occurred in less than a third of the tests in the Central and South Bays. Toxicity could not be statistically related to seasonal freshwater flow or rainfall in the Bay, but seasonal variation in contaminant concentrations and toxicity was observed. Amphipod toxicity was inversely and significantly related to the mean effects range-median quotient, suggesting that cumulative concentrations of several contaminants were related to toxicity. Further analysis identified suites of specific contaminants at each site that were variably related to amphipod toxicity at each site. Chlordanes, cadmium, and silver were significantly related to amphipod survival in the North Bay. Seasonal patterns in low, and high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were related to toxicity at Alameda, and metals and PAHs were related to toxicity at Castro Cove. Larval bivalve toxicity was associated with metals in bulk sediments, but elutriate chemistry was not measured, and relationships with toxicity could not be examined. Hypotheses about effective concentrations of several individual contaminants and mixtures of contaminants were posed.     

Multi-level assessment of chronic toxicity of estuarine sediments with the amphipod Gammarus locusta: I. Biochemical endpoints

We report on biomarker responses conducted as part of a multi-level assessment of the chronic toxicity of estuarine sediments to the amphipod Gammarus locusta. A companion article accounts for organism and population-level effects. Five moderately contaminated sediments from two Portuguese estuaries, Sado and Tagus, were assessed. Three of them were muddy and two were sandy sediments. The objective was to assess sediments that were not acutely toxic. Three of the sediments met this criterion, the other two were diluted (50% and 75%) with clean sediment until acute toxicity was absent. Following 28-d exposures, the amphipods were analysed for whole-body metal bioaccumulation, metallothionein induction (MT), DNA strand breakage (SB) and lipid peroxidation (LP). Two of the muddy sediments did not cause chronic toxicity. These findings were consistent with responses at organism and population levels that showed higher growth rates and improvement of reproductive traits for amphipods exposed to these two sediments. Two other sediments, one muddy and one sandy, exhibited pronounced chronic toxicity, affecting SB, MT induction (in muddy sediment), survival and reproduction. Potential toxicants involved in these effects were identified. The last sandy sediment exhibited some loss of DNA integrity, however growth was also enhanced. Present results, together with the organism/population-level data, and also benthic communities information, were analysed under a weight-of-evidence approach. By providing evidence of exposure (or lack of it) to contaminants in sediments, the biomarkers here applied assisted in distinguishing toxicants' impacts in test organisms from the confounding influence of other geochemical features of the sediments.     

Integrative assessment of sediment quality in terms of chemical contamination in Jinhae Bay,South Korea

The assessment of sediment quality by considering chemical contaminants is required for the effective management of coastal environments. In this study, complex data sets of heavy metals and organic pollutants were integrated to evaluate sediment quality. Thirty-two target pollutants were quantitatively determined in surface sediments from 80 stations in Jinhae Bay, South Korea. A sediment quality index (SQI) was derived by combining the functions of “scope” (the number of variables that do not meet guideline objectives) and “amplitude” (the magnitude by which these variables exceed the guideline objective). The SQI reflects the spatial gradient and differences in the contamination status with regard to heavy metals and organic pollutants in Jinhae Bay. Fifty-nine out of eighty stations surveyed (74%) were classified as being in “excellent” or “good” condition according to the SQI, and no stations were in a “poor” condition. The mean sediment quality guideline quotient (mSGQq) ranged from 0.06 to 0.31 (from nontoxic to marginally toxic). Acute sediment toxicity leading to amphipod mortality was recorded at 17 stations (21%) of the 80 surveyed, where the mortality rate was slightly over 20%. No significant relationship was observed between sediment toxicity and the concentration of each toxicant or mSQGq.     

Water quality impacts of stormwater discharges to Santa Monica Bay

Urban stormwater runoff is a major source of contaminants to southern California's coastal waters, yet little is known about the fate and effects of these discharges. A 3-year multidisciplinary project was conducted to investigate the dispersion of stormwater plumes in Santa Monica Bay and the resultant impacts on the water column and benthos. This paper describes the toxicity component of the study. Sea urchin fertilization toxicity tests were conducted on stormwater from the two largest discharges into the bay: Ballona Creek, which drains a highly urbanized watershed, and Malibu Creek, which receives runoff from a largely undeveloped watershed. Every sample of Ballona Creek stormwater tested was toxic (usually >5 toxic units), while Malibu Creek stormwater had a lower frequency and magnitude of toxicity (usually <4 toxic units). Surface water samples collected within the Ballona Creek stormwater discharge plume were always toxic whenever the concentration of stormwater in the plume exceeded 10%. The toxic portion of the Ballona Creek stormwater plume extended more than 4 km offshore on one occasion. Toxicity identification studies indicated that zinc was the primary cause of toxicity in both Ballona Creek stormwater and the discharge plume. No acute sediment toxicity (10-day amphipod survival) was present in the study area, although interstitial water toxicity was present at some stations located near the mouth of Ballona Creek. Differences in watershed characteristics likely were responsible for the greater toxicity of the Ballona Creek stormwater discharge plume. The Ballona Creek watershed contained a greater degree of urbanization (83% versus 12% for Malibu Creek) and the presence of a network of concrete flood control channels resulted in a stormwater plume containing elevated concentrations of toxins that received less initial dilution (compared to Malibu Creek) in the nearshore environment.     

Method for assessing the chronic toxicity of marine and estuarine sediment-associated contaminants using the amphipod Corophium volutator

Acute sediment toxicity tests do not test key life stage events such as moulting and reproduction and therefore do not reveal the longer-term effects of contaminant exposure. A laboratory method is described for determining the chronic toxicity of contaminants associated with whole sediments. The test is conducted using neonates of the estuarine amphipod Corophium volutator at 15 degrees C, salinity 25 psu and a 12 h light:12 h dark photoperiod. The endpoints are survival and growth after 28 days and survival, growth and reproduction of amphipods upon termination of test i.e. reproduction within all control vessels (ca 75 days). The sediment chronic toxicity test was used to investigate the effects of sediments spiked with environmentally relevant preparations of slightly weathered Alaskan North Slope crude oil, including a water-accommodated-fraction (WAF) and a chemically-dispersed (Corexit 9527) WAF. Sediment oil concentrations were quantified using ultra-violet fluorescence. The amphipods exposed to chemically dispersed oil had higher mortality and lower growth rates than control-, Corexit 9527- and WAF-exposed organisms, resulting in reduced reproduction. The described method supplements the standard acute sediment test and would be particularly useful when long-term ecological effects are suspected but acute tests reveal no significant mortality. The sediment chronic test reported herein has shown that sediment that was not evidently toxic during 10-day acute tests could have population-level effects on sediment-dwelling amphipods.     

Toxicity of sediments from around a North Sea oil platform: are metals or hydrocarbons responsible for ecological impacts?

Discharges of contaminated drill cuttings have caused appreciable ecological change of the benthos adjacent to many oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Many platforms have large piles of cuttings lying beneath them and these probably present the greatest potential hazard to the environment during platform decommissioning and removal. There is, however, a lack of consensus on which aspects of drill cuttings are responsible for the adverse ecological effects. This hinders risk assessment of management options. Here we report data on the toxicity of sediments from around the North West Hutton platform to the amphipod Corophium volutator, the polychaete Arenicola marina and the Microtox" acute test system. Sediment was acutely toxic to Corophium out as far as 600 m from the platform. Sediment from 100 m from the platform remained acutely toxic to Corophium when 3% contaminated sediment was mixed with clean sediment. A 10% dilution of this sediment also inhibited Arenicola feeding almost completely. Sediment elutriates did not inhibit Microtox light output, but organics extracted by dichloromethane were very toxic. Fifteen minute EC50 values were as low as 0.25 mg ml(-1) and were strongly correlated with hydrocarbon concentrations. Metal concentrations in whole sediments were correlated with their toxicity to Corophium but the relationship was much weaker when data on dilutions were included. Except at sites immediately adjacent to the platform, metal concentrations were well below ERL values from the literature, so were too low to explain sediment toxicity. Toxicity of sediments to Corophium was closely correlated with their hydrocarbon content, even when tests on dilutions were included in the analysis. We conclude that hydrocarbons are the most significant cause of toxicity in these sediments contaminated with oil based drill cuttings and that polar organics, sulphide. ammonia and other water soluble substances are of much lower significance. Applying OSPAR guidelines to our data on the toxicity of cuttings pile material to Corophium data would give a maximum allowable concentration of 0.03% in clean sediments. The Microtox data indicate that sediments from deeper in the pile would require an even greater dilution than this.     

Influence of sample manipulation on contaminant flux and toxicity at the sediment-water interface

Toxicities of sediments from San Diego and San Francisco Bays were compared in laboratory experiments using sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) embryos exposed to pore water and at the sediment-water interface (SWI). Toxicity was consistently greater to embryos exposed at the SWI to intact (unhomogenized) sediment samples relative to homogenized samples. Measurement of selected trace metals indicated considerably greater fluxes of copper, zinc, and cadmium into overlying waters of intact sediment samples. Inhibition of sea urchin embryo development was generally greater in sediment pore waters relative to SWI exposures. Pore water toxicity may have been due to elevated unionized ammonia concentrations in some samples. The results indicate that invertebrate embryos are amenable to SWI exposures, a more ecologically relevant exposure system, and that sediment homogenization may create artifacts in laboratory toxicity experiments.     

Application of the sea urchin sperm bioassay to sewage treatment efficiency and toxicity in marine waters

A newly standardized 60-minute sea urchin (and sand dollar) sperm bioassay was used to measure the toxicity of sewage at each stage in the treatment process. The sensitivity of the sperm bioassay was compared to the results of 48- to 96-hour bioassays with sea urchin and oyster embryos and crab zoeae in side-by-side tests of each sewage type. These data were then used to estimate the dilutions necessary to protect sensitive life stages of marine animals around a proposed sewage outfall in Puget Sound and to select the best bioassay procedure for a post-discharge program for monitoring water column toxicity.Results showed that very little acute toxicity was removed by the primary treatment process but that toxicity was greatly reduced by secondary treatment. A high degree of toxicity was reintroduced by chlorination but this source of toxicity was essentially eliminated by dechlorination. The simple and rapid sperm assay proved more sensitive to all stages of sewage than did the longer embryo and larval assays. Based on the results of the comparative testing and the ease, rapidity and year-round availability of the sea urchin sperm assay (sea urchins in winter, sand dollars in summer), this test was recommended for post-discharge monitoring of sewage effluent-related toxicity in the receiving waters.     

锦州湾沾污沉积物急性毒性的海洋端足类检验

１９９２年９月￣１９９３年１月对锦州湾沾污沉积物的海洋端足类急性毒性效应进行了研究。从锦州湾湾顶到湾口沿西南－－东北方向每２ｋｍ等距离采集２７个表层沉积我校 品,应用海洋端足类Ａ ｍｐｅｌｉｓｃａ ａｂｄｉｔａ对这些样品进行了１０ｄ直流式急性毒性检验,检验指标为死亡率。结果表明,五里河河口处受试生物死亡率最高,为１００％,从湾顶该河口处沿东北方向随着距离增加,死亡率逐渐递减,笔架山处最低,仅为２．     

Wetland plant seedlings as indicators of near-coastal sediment quality: interspecific variation.

The toxicities of whole sediments collected from an urbanized Florida bayou-estuary were determined for the epibenthic mysid, Mysidopsis bahia, and the infaunal amphipod, Ampelisca abdita. In addition, the phytotoxicities of the same sediments were evaluated using rooted macrophytes, Scirpus robustus Pursh and Spartina alterniflora Loisel. The results of the 24 bioassays conducted for 7-28 days, were compared for interspecific differences. Toxicity to the benthic invertebrate species was predicted to be likely in all cases, based on comparison to effects-based sediment quality assessment guidelines. However, acute toxicity was uncommon and occurred at only one of the six sampling stations. In contrast, several sediments were either significantly phytostimulatory or phytoinhibitory (P < 0.05) relative to a reference estuarine sediment. The results show the importance of considering interspecific variation and phytoassessment in contaminated sediment evaluations. Phytoassessment, the focus of this research, provided useful information that would have been missing if only the animal test species were used. For this reason, the phytotoxicity data base needs to be increased to better evaluate the relevance of most current contaminated sediment evaluations for coastal areas and also to determine the realism of proposed numerical sediment quality assessment guidelines and criteria.     

海洋沉积物中酸溶硫化物对二价金属镉的地球化学特征及生物毒性的影响

通过海洋沉积物镉加标实验、沉积物间隙水分析和对加标沉积物毒性的10天底栖端足类生物检验，重点探讨在硫化物存在条件下，二介有毒金属镉在沉积物－间隙水系统中的地球化学分配和化学活性，及镉在沉积物中的化学活性与生物毒性间的关系。研究结果表明，镉加标沉积物的毒性与间隙水中镉浓度呈正相关，而与沉积物镉总量无关。在硫化物存在条件下，沉积物－间隙水系统中，二价镉在固、液两相同的分配主要受酸溶硫化物（AVS）影响。AVS归一化沉积物中二价镉含量可作为预测和评价二价有毒金属镉的化学分配行为和生物可获性或毒性的有效方法。酸解硫化物时同步提取的金融镉SEMCd^2 与AVS的摩尔浓度之比[SEMCd^2 ]/[AVS]可用作评价缺氧状况下镉沾污沉积物的环境质量和毒性的判据。     

The impact of commercial and recreational harvesting for Paracentrotus lividus on shallow rocky reef sea urchin communities in North-western Sardinia, Italy

The fishery for the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus is of great importance to many European regions, although in some of them this species has shown a wide scale decline in recent years. This paper reports on direct (on P. lividus) and indirect (on the co-occurring but not fished echinoid, Arbacia lixula) effects of sea urchin harvesting in shallow rocky reefs in North-western Sardinia (Italy, central-western Mediterranean Sea), where this activity is intensively practised. Density, size (test diameter), and biomass of both species were assessed in autumn 2004 at two locations impacted by P. lividus fishery, and at two controls within an adjacent Marine Protected Area. Density of P. lividus and A. lixula was significantly greater at the controls than at the exploited locations. The average test diameter of P. lividus was also significantly larger at the controls, where large-sized specimens (i.e. >5 cm) were notably more abundant. The average size of A. lixula did not significantly differ between the impacted locations and the controls. The average biomass of P. lividus was significantly greater at the controls than at the exploited locations, whereas no differences were detected for A. lixula. These results reveal the existence of a heavy fishing impact on P. lividus in North-western Sardinia and the need for regulation of its harvesting to prevent severe direct effects on its populations. Since no indirect effects on A. lixula have been detected, it could be hypothesized that this species did not benefit from P. lividus fishery due to an only moderate competition for habitat and resources between these two echinoids. Implications for management of edible sea urchin fishery are also discussed.     

Sea urchin sperm bioassay for sewage and chlorinated seawater and its relation to fish bioassays

Bioassays were conducted with sea urchin and sand dollar sperm to determine the toxicity of chlorinated and unchlorinated sewage effluent and chlorinated and brominated seawater. The sperm cells were exposed to seawater dilutions of each toxicant for 5–15 min. The fertilisation of eggs served as the indicators of sperm viability. The effective concentrations which reduced fertilisation success by 50% (EC50) averaged 2·2 and 4·8% chlorinated and unchlorinated sewage in seawater, respectively. The sperm cells were extremely sensitive to chlorinated seawater at concentrations from 0·002 to 0·020 mg/litre total residual oxidant (TRO). Brominated seawater proved toxic to sperm in one test at 0·015 mg/litre TRO. Results of the sperm bioassays are compared with previous acute and chronic bioassays with fish.     

A laboratory study of the accumulation and toxicity of contaminants at the sea surface from sediments proposed for dredging

Microcosm laboratory experiments assessed the impact of floatable materials and associated contaminants transported to the surface millilayer (SMIL) after sediments composed of potential dredged materials were disturbed. Urban bay sediments collected from the Everett Harbor, WA, and clean sediments from Sequim Bay, WA, were mechanically disturbed and the resulting floatable fractions transported to the SMIL during a 48-h period were removed for analysis. Sediment, water and SMIL concentrtaions oforganic carbon, suspended solids, a suite of hydrocarbons, metals, sulfides and extractale mtaerials were quantified and compared to EPA's water quality criteria. Bioassay experiments examined the effects produced by exposing sea urchin embryos to these impaired SMIL samples.Contaminants transported to the surface layer within 48h were 0% to 0·2% of the total mass of contaminants in the test sediments. These experimental results were compared with those predicted by a computer model with reasonably close agreement. Contaminant concentrations in one SMIL impacted by Everett Harbor sediments exceeded EPA water quality criteria limits established for Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg and PAH. The other Everett Harbor sediment sample exceeded the water quality standards for Cu and Pb. Both of these samples were toxic to the developmental phases of sea urchins as shown by the bioassay. According to the numerical model, these SMIL contaminant concentrations would require high dilution ratios before background concentrations could be achieved. The experimental results suggest that dredged material disposal may influence the chemistry and biology of the ocean's surface layer.     

Abundance and distribution of meiofauna in the Chukchi Sea

The metazoan meiofauna in the Chukchi Sea were collected from seven shallow water stations(depths ranging 46 to 52 m) and five deep sea stations(depths ranging between 393 and 2 300 m) during the 4th Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in 2010. The results showed that abundance of meiofauna was higher in shallow water sediments(average of 2 445 ind./(10 cm2)) than in deep sea sediments(407.06 ind./(10 cm2)). A UNIANOVA test for difference between the two different regions was highly significant(F=101.15, p0.01). Nematodes were numerically dominant, representing(96.6±4.6)% of the total meiofaunal abundance at the shallow water stations and(98.90±1.42)% at deep sea stations. The number of higher taxonomic groups and abundance of meiofauna were higher at Stas CC1, CC4, and R06 near the Bering Strait and the continent, than at the rest of the shallow water and deep sea stations. The primary factors causing the differences were concentrations of nutrients P and Si of bottom seawater(R=0.831, p0.003), followed by depth(R=-0.655, p0.05) and sand fractions of sediments(R=0.632, p 0.05). The numbers of meiofauna on the 65 μm and 32 μm sieves were significantly higher than those on the rest of the screens. Differences in numbers of meiofauna retained on screens with different mesh openings were highly significant among all sampling stations(F=31.60, p0.01). The highest numbers of individuals on screens with 32 μm mesh openings were found at deep sea stations. The number of meiofauna in the top 0–1, 1–2, and 2–4 cm segments constituted 84.4% of the total and was significantly higher than those in the bottom 4–6 and 6–10 cm segments(F=15, p0.01).     

Sea-surface microlayer toxicity off the Florida Keys

A survey of sea-surface microlayer (SSML) toxicity was initiated off the Florida Keys in early 1993. Ex situ toxicity tests, based on the development of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, demonstrated that 59.2% of SSML samples taken from visibly slicked areas (n=27) were toxic compared to collected subsurface water. A random subset of samples tested a second time using a fish early life-stage test with embryos from the spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, confirmed the presence of the toxicant. Results from a partial toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedure indicated that an organic compound(s) containing a non-polar functional group was the primary determinant of toxicity in all of the SSML samples tested. While subsequent GC-MS analyses failed to identify a specific compound, they did tend to rule out common xenobiotics, such as organochlorine pesticides as potential toxicants. Preliminary tests, done by an outside laboratory, indicated that two of the most toxic SSML samples contained a brevetoxin, a biotoxin produced by Gymnodinium breve. This is the first report of natural toxins concentrating in the SSML; however, without a completed TIE, including a Phase III—toxicity confirmation procedure, the identification of any toxic agent remains speculative.     

The sea-surface microlayer of puget sound: Part I. Toxic effects on fish eggs and larvae

The sea surface is an important habitat for the developmental stages (eggs and larvae) of many fish and invertebrates; it is also a concentration point for anthropogenic contaminants entering the sea. Studies were conducted to determine the extent to which the sea surface of Puget Sound was toxic to the early life history stages of fish. Three urban bays with suspected contamination, a rural reference bay, and a Central Sound site were compared. Surface-dwelling eggs and organisms (zooneuston) were collected with a surface-skimming neuston net and their densities enumerated. Sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus) embryos were exposed in the field and laboratory to the sea-surface microlayer. To develop a useful year-round approach to monitoring sea-surface toxicity, larval development of anchovies, kelp bass, and sea urchins was also evaluated as an indication of sea-surface microlayer toxicity.During the spawning season (February and March), urban boys in Puget Sound had lower concentrations of sand sole eggs and neustonic organisms on the sea surface than did the rural bayor Central Sound reference sites. Compared to the reference sites, laboratory exposure to surface microlayer samples collected from urban bay sites generally resulted in more chromsomal aberrations in developing sole embryos, reduced hatching success of sole larvae, and reduced growth in trout cell cultures. In situ hatching success of sole eggs was reduced by half or more in urban bays compared to reference sites.Toxicity was associated with visible surface slicks and, in urban bays, increased with increasing surface pressure (dynes cm⁻¹). Results to be reported separately (Part II) indicate that toxicity is strongly correlated with the presence of high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals in the sea-surface microlayer. The toxicity of SMIC samples was similar when evaluated by sole, anchovy, kelp bass, or sea urchin tests. A sea-surface monitoring program could use sea urchin embryos to evaluate site-specific sea-surface toxicity throughout the year.     

The Amphipod Community as a Bioindicator in Algeciras Bay (Southern Iberian Peninsula) Based on a Spatio-Temporal Distribution

Abstract. The amphipod population associated with Bugula neritina (L.), a verycommon bryozoan species in Algeciras Bay (Strait of Gibraltar), was studied on a spatio-temporal scale, in order to define its role as a bioindicator. Samples were collected in December, March, June and September along a transect running from the external to the internal sampling stations.
Fifty-three species belonging to 22 families were identified; the most abundant species were Jassa marmorata H olmes , Ischyrocerus inexpectatus (R uffo ) and Phtisica marina S labber .
The spatial evolution of the amphipod community reflected the physico-chemical conditions of Algeciras Bay, yielding a clear gradient from the outer to the inner stations. The stations located at the mouth of the bay, characterised by high hydrodynamism and low sedimentation, had a higher diversity and species richness than the inner stations with low water movement and higher sedimentation. Eight species preferred for the outer stations, while another nine species were typical of the inner harbours.
The most notable aspect of the seasonal evolution was the increased dominance of the tube-builder and deposit-suspension feeder Jassa marmorota .
Structural and ordination analyses corroborate the outer-inner gradient in the bay and illustrate the importance of hydrodynamic forces and sedimentation in the amphipod community.     

温度对光棘球海胆不同发育阶段的影响

于１９８８－１９９０年进行水温（０－３０℃）对光棘球海胆不同发育阶段的影响的试验。结果表明，水温对光棘球海胆各发育阶段的生长等均有显著影响，并且，不同发育阶段对水温的要求不同。其中，低于５℃或者高于２６℃时，受精卵不发育；低于１５℃或者高于２４℃时，浮游幼体发育不正常；低于０℃或者高至３０℃时，幼海胆难以生存，生长适温在１６－２２℃；成海胆，０℃时活力显著减弱但短期内无死亡，３０℃则大量死亡，生长