The impact of sewage discharges at ocean outfalls on phytoplankton populations in waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands

Primary production rates, chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations, particulate carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, Secchi depths and submarine light levels were measured at stations within, and near, the zone of mixing of the Sand Island and Mokapu Point ocean sewage outfalls near the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. Multiyear averages of several parameters indicated that the Sand Island outfall had no adverse impact on phytoplankton communities or water quality. The major effect of the Mokapu Point outfall was a reduction in photosynthetic rates, probably due to the rapid uptake of nutrients introduced into the mixed layer with the secondarily treated sewage. The Sand Island outfall, which discharged coarsely screened raw sewage within the thermocline, had less of an impact because the inorganic nutrient concentrations in the sewage were lower and because the sewage rarely rose into the mixed layer. The results indicate that, under appropriate conditions, ocean outfalls may be preferable to estuarine or freshwater outfalls and that secondary treatment is not always necessary to reduce the impacts of ocean outfalls to an acceptable level.     

Impacts of stormwater discharges on the nearshore benthic environment of Santa Monica Bay

Although large loads of potentially toxic constituents are discharged from coastal urban watersheds, very little is known about the fates and eventual impacts of these stormwater inputs once they enter the ocean. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of stormwater discharges on the benthic marine environment of Santa Monica Bay. Sediment samples were collected across a gradient of stormwater impact following significantly sized storm events offshore Ballona Creek (a predominantly developed watershed) and Malibu Creek (a predominantly undeveloped watershed). Sediments offshore Malibu Creek had a greater proportion of fine-grained sediments, organic carbon, and naturally occurring metals (i.e., aluminum and iron), whereas sediments offshore Ballona Creek had higher concentrations of anthropogenic metals (i.e., lead) and organic pollutants (i.e., total DDT, total PCB, total PAH). The accumulation of anthropogenic sediment contaminants offshore Ballona Creek was evident up to 2 km downcoast and 4 km upcoast from the creek mouth and sediment concentrations covaried with distance from the discharge. Although changes in sediment texture, organic content, and an increase in sediment contamination were observed, there was little or no alteration to the benthic communities offshore either Ballona or Malibu Creek. Both sites were characterized as having an abundance, species richness, biodiversity and benthic response index similar to shallow water areas distant from creek mouths throughout the Southern California Bight. There was not a preponderance of pollution tolerant, nor a lack or pollution sensitive, species offshore either creek mouth.     

舟山海域陆源溶解有机质变化及其对近岸羽状流的响应

2007年夏季在东海舟山海域河口锋区开展了陆源溶解有机质的调查研究。测定了有色溶解有机质(CDOM)在激发波长370 nm/发射波长460 nm处的荧光强度和在λ=355 nm处的吸收系数,用于代表陆源CDOM浓度,并测定了荧光指数以指示CDOM来源。结果表明,CDOM的荧光值和紫外吸收系数之间呈显著正相关性,陆源CDOM浓度大体有向海方向降低的趋势,但是纵向上存在一些"突跃"现象。在舟山海域东北角不时观测到表层水体含有高浓度的CDOM,但变异性很大,推测可能该海区受到长江口羽状流的影响。在连续观测站发现陆源CDOM浓度在低平潮时往往比高平潮时要高。河海水在混合过程中CDOM浓度与盐度呈显著的线性负相关关系。在低盐度的悬沙锋区(S<24)CDOM浓度明显低于理论稀释值,而在较高盐度的羽状锋区,CDOM浓度接近于理论稀释值。在盐度为24~31范围内,大部分水样的荧光指数在1.50上下波动,表明其中CDOM来源以陆地来源为主;在较低盐度(S<24)的水样中荧光指数在1.70至1.90以上,表明CDOM以海洋来源为主,这与其陆源组分在高浊度的低盐度区存在显著的去除过程有关。研究表明,舟山海域水质存在着显著的变异性,与近岸羽状流密切相关,陆源溶解有机质的分布特征对此有较好的响应。     

Factors controlling the temporal and spatial variations in Synechococcus abundance in a monsoonal estuary

Temporal and spatial variations in Synechococcus abundance were investigated over an annual cycle (February'10–January'11) along a salinity gradient (0–35) in the tropical Zuari estuary, influenced by south-west monsoons. Synechococcus exhibited salinity preferences with phycoerythrin-rich cells at salinities >2 (Synechococcus-PEI), >20 (Synechococcus-PEII) and <1 (Synechococcus-PEIII) whereas phycocyanin-rich (Synechococcus-PC) dominant at lower salinities. Downstream stratification during monsoon caused Synechococcus group segregation in the surface and near-bottom waters. During monsoon-break and non-monsoon period stabilized waters, increased salinity, temperature, solar radiation and low rainfall favored high Synechococcus abundance whereas unstable waters, increased turbidity and low solar radiation during active monsoon lowered abundance. SYN-PC positively co-related with nitrate and phosphate and SYN-PEI with phosphate. Synechococcus contribution to phytoplankton carbon biomass ranged from 9 to 29%. In monsoonal estuaries, rainfall intensity regulates freshwater runoff which modulates the estuarine environment, creating temporal–spatial niche segregation of Synechococcus groups thereby serving as indicator organisms of the estuarine hydrodynamics.     

Fish assemblage structure of Koycegiz Lagoon–Estuary, Turkey: Spatial and temporal distribution patterns in relation to environmental variation

Spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure of Koycegiz Lagoon–Estuarine System (KLES), located on the northwestern Turkish coast of Mediterranean, was investigated along an estuarine gradient where salinity ranged from 5 in upper reaches to 40 in lower reaches during October 1993–September 1994. Throughout the study, 42 species, consisting of marine (25), marine–estuarine-dependent (12), freshwater (3), catadromous (1), and estuarine resident (1) forms, were collected in trammel nets. Although species richness of marine species was greater than that of other groups, numerical contribution by marine species to the total catch was only 16%. Tilapia spp., the most abundant species mostly during summer and early spring at upper reaches, contributed 17% of the total samples. Among the seven species of Mugilidae, which contributed 42% of the total catch, Mugil cephalus, Liza aurata, and Liza salines contributed 10, 13, and 10% of the total catch, respectively. Consistent with findings from other studies, species richness and abundance were highest during late spring and summer and the lowest during winter and early spring. Samples from sites at or near the sea had more marine species. Samples from upper reaches had more freshwater and marine–estuarine-dependent species. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that salinity and turbidity were the most important environmental parameters affecting fishes. Sites near the sea were associated with high salinity and low turbidity, and sites in upper reaches had low salinity and high turbidity. Thus, the pattern observed in fish assemblage structure appears to be strongly influenced by species' responses to dominant salinity and turbidity gradients.     

Macroalgal associations of motile epifaunal invertebrate communities on coral reefs

Small grazing motile epifaunal invertebrates play an important ecosystem role on coral reefs, influencing both the abundance and composition of macroalgal communities and acting as a key food source for a range of predatory fishes. The first aim of this study was to investigate the associations between motile epifaunal communities and four common macroalgal species (Lobophora variegata, Dictyota divaricata, Microdictyon marinum and Halimeda opuntia) on fore‐reef environments in the Exuma Cays (Bahamas, wider Caribbean). Secondly, we investigated the implications of the well documented rise of Caribbean macroalgal cover on invertebrate densities by surveying sites inside and outside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), where increases in parrotfish grazing intensity inside the marine reserves have led to reductions in macroalgal cover. Therefore, surveys compared similar reefs with significantly different macrolagal cover. Comparisons between macroalgal species revealed a four to fivefold difference in motile epifaunal densities per unit volume of macroalgae. Post‐hoc tests revealed that this difference was significant only for Lobophora, with no difference observed among the other species. As macroalgae provide both a refuge from predation and a food source for grazing epifauna, the higher densities of epifauna observed in Lobophora may be attributed to either refuge from visual predators through morphological features (high cover of overlapping blades close to the substrate) or lack of palatability for parrotfish grazing, providing a more stable refuge. Our results revealed no significant differences in diversity, density or community structure of motile epifauna per unit volume of macroalgae between sites inside and outside the ECLSP. Since canopy height and invertivore biomass did not vary systematically across reserve boundaries, this suggests that algal cover does not affect the density of epifaunal invertebrates. However, areal cover was consistently higher for all macroalgal species at sites outside the ECLSP than those inside the reserve. Therefore, when scaled by aerial cover of macroalgae, total abundance of epifauna was twofold higher outside the ECLSP. We suggest that the increasing abundance of macroalgae on Caribbean reefs may be having dramatic effects on epifaunal invertebrate populations and potentially their ecological functions.     

Seasonal and Between-Substrate Variation in Mobile Epifaunal Community in a Multispecific Seagrass Bed of Otsuchi Bay, Japan

Abstract. A seagrass bed in Otsuchi Bay, northeastern Japan, consists of three seagrass species ( Zostera marina, Z. caulescens and Z. caespitosa ) that differ in morphology and phenology. We studied the mobile epifaunal community in the seagrass bed to examine (1) whether seasonal and between-substrate variation in the epifaunal community agrees with variation in seagrass abundance and morphological complexity, and (2) whether patterns of seasonal and between-substrate variation vary among epifaunal species. We collected mobile epifauna from each of Z. marina and Z. caulescens on 11 occasions between October 1995 and November 1996 (at 1 – 1.5 month intervals) using a hand-closing net. A total of 9 842 individuals of mobile epiphytic animals were collected and they were classified into 80 taxa. Abundance and species richness of the epifaunal community were high in summer to autumn and low in winter to spring, and diversity index and evenness were higher in Z. marina than Z. caulescens . However, patterns of seasonal and between-substrate variation in these parameters did not parallel those in seagrass abundance and complexity. Most of the dominant epifaunal species showed significant seasonal and between-substrate variation in abundance, although their patterns varied greatly among individual species. A cluster analysis recognized several distinct groups of animals showing similar seasonal and between-substrate variation. Our findings suggest that the observed variation in the epifaunal community is not determined by a single or some strong external factors but by complex interactions of multiple factors operating differently for each component species.     

Dynamics of recruitment of larval and juvenile Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi (Teleostei: Sparidae) into the Swartkops and Sundays estuaries,South Africa

Recruitment of early life stages into estuaries is an integral part of the life cycle of many marine fish species. Although estuaries are naturally environmentally dynamic, they also are subject to anthropogenic disturbances, including land use and climate change, which may affect recruitment. Rhabdosargus holubi is an endemic marine-spawning species predominantly associated with freshwater-rich estuaries which serve as nursery areas for postflexion larvae and juveniles. This study assessed the effect of environmental variables on the dynamics of recruitment of R. holubi larvae and juveniles into the Swartkops and Sundays estuaries, South Africa. Over a period of two years, fyke nets were set at each estuary mouth to monitor movement into the estuaries at each tidal phase over a 24 h cycle during two sampling sessions per season. Rhabdosargus holubi larvae recruited into estuaries primarily in summer and autumn and during the ebb tide at night, while juvenile movements showed no pattern. Salinity, turbidity and temperature were significantly important factors affecting R. holubi recruitment, with pH having no significant effect. Turbidity and salinity are affected by rainfall and freshwater abstraction which may thus influence recruitment. Rhabdosargus holubi is dependent on estuaries, so a combination of future changes in turbidity, salinity and temperature due to predicted climate change may place populations at risk.     

The environmental implication of diatom fossils in the surface sediment of the Changjiang River estuary(CRE) and its adjacent area

In order to depict the distribution of diatom fossils in surface sediments and to establish a reliable reference data for further paleoenvironmental study in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary and its adjacent waters, the diatom fossils from 34 surface sediment samples and their relationship with environmental variables were analyzed by principal component analysis and redundancy correspondence analysis. The diversity and abundance of diatom fossils were analyzed. Some annual average parameters of the overlying water (salinity, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, depth, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved inorganic phosphate and dissolved inorganic silicate) were measured at each sampling site. A total of 113 diatom taxa and one silicoflagellate species were identified in the investigation area. Diatom fossils were better preserved in fine sediments. The absolute abundance of diatom fossils did not significantly diff er between inshore and off shore areas, the species diversity decreased from inshore to off shore. This may be because high nutrients and low salinity promoted the growth of more brackish species in coastal waters. The diatom taxa were divided into three groups, on the basis of their response and indication to environmental changes. For example, Actinocyclus ehrenbergii and Cyclotella stylorum were dominant in coastal waters (Group 1 and Group 3) with high nutrients and low salinity;the relative abundances of Paralia sulcata and Podosira stelliger were significantly higher in off shore sites (Group 2, average 39.5%), which were characterized by high salinity and deep water. Four environmental variables (salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, temperature and water depth) explained the composition and distribution of diatom taxa independently ( P< 0.05), this finding can be applied in further paleoenvironmental reconstruction research in this area.     

Surf zone fishes in an exposed sandy beach at Sanrimatsubara,Japan: Does fish assemblage structure differ among microhabitats?

To assess differences in fish assemblage structures among microhabitats within the surf zone of an exposed sandy beach, three microhabitats (onshore current, rip current, and river adjacent sites) were sampled at Sanrimatsubara Beach, western Japan, in May, August, and November 2002 and 2003. Although several physical variables (e.g. wave height, current speed, turbidity, salinity, and sand particle size) and major prey abundances (calanoid copepods and mysids) differed among the sites, no significant differences were apparent in the numbers of fish species and individuals among the sites in any month in either year. In addition, species and individual numbers of two dominant feeding groups (zooplankton feeders, and epiphytic and benthic crustacean feeders) did not show any significant responses to among-site differences in prey abundance. Cluster and ordination analysis confirmed the similarity in fish species composition among the three sites. These results indicated that the surf zone fish assemblage structures were similar among the microhabitats in spite of there being microhabitat-related differences in abiotic and biotic environments.     

[已撤稿] 三亚珊瑚礁珊瑚藻种类及其空间特征与环境因子的关系

珊瑚藻是珊瑚礁生态系统中重要的功能性群体。2010年通过水肺潜水分析了三亚珊瑚礁区的珊瑚藻种类组成和丰度, 以及群落空间特征与环境因子的关系。共鉴定出3科10属25种珊瑚藻, 其中珊瑚藻科占优势地位。三亚珊瑚礁区的珊瑚藻优势种分别为叉节藻Amphiroa ephedraea、拟中叶藻Mesophyllum simulans、串胞新角石藻Neogoniolithon fosliei、中叶藻M. mesomorphum、圆锥呼叶藻Pneophyllum conicum、孔石藻Porolithon onkodes和布氏水石藻Hydrolithon boergesenii。基于多元统计的分析结果, 将调查采样站位分为近岸型和离岸型2个主要集群, 其中近岸型的珊瑚藻种类以浊度、沉积速率(0~63μm)和悬浮物耐受种类为主, 离岸型则以光依赖-沉积物敏感种类为主。以珊瑚藻种类组成和丰度为基础的群落相似性分析结果表明, 其空间变异处于显著性水平。生物与非生物变量的相关分析结果表明, 最佳两变量组合(浊度和盐度)显著影响三亚珊瑚礁区2种类型调查站位中的珊瑚藻集合。在同一个研究站位, 因受干扰程度不同, 深水处的珊瑚藻的覆盖率比浅水处高。分析结果表明, 在三亚独特的珊瑚礁区中, 自然或人为的物理干扰因素都对调节珊瑚藻群落结构非常重要。     

叶绿素传感器海上应用影响因素研究进展

叶绿素浓度是衡量海洋浮游植物丰度的重要指标,快速准确地测定海水中的叶绿素含量,对于业务化监测和科学研究都具有重要的现实意义。基于活体荧光法的叶绿素传感器操作简便,可长期原位在线监测,能轻易获取大量实测数据,是当前海水叶绿素高精度测量手段的主要发展趋势。由于在海上应用时受到多种环境因素的影响,叶绿素传感器数据与实验室萃取法数值之间存在较大偏差。作者综述了科学界在浊度、光照、温度、盐度等海洋环境因素及藻类生理因素对叶绿素传感器测量的影响规律、影响机理和数据校正方法的研究进展,并对活体荧光法叶绿素传感器海上应用数据质量控制方法的研究思路进行了展望。     

Spatial patterns of epifaunal communities in San Francisco Bay eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds

Epifaunal invertebrate species, such as amphipods and isopods, have been shown to play key but varying roles in the functioning of seagrass habitats. In this study, we characterized patterns in the poorly known epifaunal communities in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in San Francisco Bay as a first step in understanding the individual and collective importance of these species, while testing predictions on spatial patterns derived from previous studies in other regions. Surveys conducted at five beds across multiple time periods (April, June, August and October 2007) showed that San Francisco Bay eelgrass beds varied strongly in epifaunal community composition, total, and relative abundance, and that abundance differed markedly among time periods. In contrast to findings by others, morphologically complex flowering shoots frequently harbored greater numbers of epifauna (>2× and up to 10× more individuals) than vegetative shoots, but not different species assemblages. Similar to previous studies, several abiotic factors did not explain patterns in distribution and abundance among beds. The proportion of introduced species was very high (>90% of all individuals), a finding unique among seagrass epifaunal studies to date. Defining numerical patterns in epifaunal communities will inform related efforts to understand effects of epifaunal species and assemblages on eelgrass growth dynamics, seed production, and higher order trophic interactions over space and time.     

Spatiotemporal development of physical,chemical, and biological characteristics of stormwater plumes in Santa Monica Bay,California (USA)

This study characterized stormwater plume development and associated phytoplankton dynamics in a coastal marine ecosystem through shipboard monitoring. We focused on plumes within Santa Monica Bay, California (USA), a coastal system that is subject to rapid pulses of untreated runoff from the urbanized watershed of Los Angeles during the winter rainy season. The physical, chemical, and biological signatures of stormwater plumes were tracked over time after each of 4 precipitation events ranging in magnitude from 1.5 cm to 9 cm. Low salinity surface plumes persisted in Santa Monica Bay for at least 2 to 5 days over spatial scales of up to 15 km. This is consistent with a 6-day residence time for surface water plume parcels, which was estimated from a drifter trajectory in the bay. Shipboard sampling and salinity measurements in the surf zone showed that plumes often persisted even longer nearshore. Plume waters were generally characterized by higher concentrations of dissolved nitrogen, colored dissolved organic matter, and higher light attenuation than non-plume waters. The magnitude of the effect of stormwater runoff on phytoplankton dynamics was dependent on the size of each storm and subsequent residence time of runoff within the bay. Rain events led to increases in primary productivity, phytoplankton biomass, and specifically, increases in diatom biomass, as measured by concentrations of biogenic silica.     

Monitoring of coral communities in the inner Gulf of Thailand influenced by the elevated seawater temperature and flooding

There were two severe coral bleaching events at Ko Khang Khao, the inner Gulf of Thailand, occurred during the prolonged period of the elevated sea surface temperature (SST) in 2010 and low salinity as well as turbidity due to heavy flooding in 2011. The bleaching index (BI) and mortality index (MI) are calculated to compare the susceptibilities of coral species in the two bleaching events. The BI and MI vary significantly among the study sites and bleaching events. The most susceptible corals during both bleaching events are Acropora millepora, Pocillopora damicornis and Pavona decussate, while the most resistant species were Galaxea fascicularis, Fungia fungites, Pavona frondifera, Oulastrea crispate, and Symphyllia recta. The corals Favia favus, Goniopora columna, Platygyra pini, Symphyllia agaricia were relatively more tolerant to high SST but they are relatively more susceptible to low salinity. Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that the dissociation stress of the symbiotic relationship between zooxanthellae and their cnidarian host results in the reduction in photosynthetic pigment concentration. Among stressors, both prolonged exposure of high SST and low salinity, above and below their thresholds, respectively. The long-term resilience of coral communities at Ko Khang Khao and other coral communities close to the mouth of large rivers may depend on the frequency and duration of the exposure on the elevated SST due to atmospheric heating and low salinity due to river flooding.     

Birds, seals and the suspension culture of mussels in Bantry Bay, a non-seaduck area in Southwest Ireland

Concerns about the environmental impacts of mariculture have grown in recent years in response to the rapid expansion of the industry. The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) is the main product of shellfish mariculture in the Northeast Atlantic and Baltic Sea, with approximately one third of the harvest cultured using suspended longlines within sheltered marine areas. The main aim of this study was to examine the interactions, and assess the impacts (if any) of mussel suspension culture on the seabird and seal community, employing a simultaneous study of culture and control sites. The study spanned a 20-month period (from November 2001 to August 2003) and encompassed six sites in Bantry Bay (Southwest Ireland).There was no significant difference in species richness between mussel and control sites. Similarly, species diversity did not significantly differ between the mussel and control sites although control sites were generally more diverse than mussel sites, the latter particularly dominated by large numbers of Laridae.Significantly higher numbers of Phalacrocoracidae, Laridae and Alcidae were recorded in mussel sites than in control sites. However, no significant difference was found between Gaviidae or common seal (Phoca vitulina) numbers in mussel and control sites. Seasonal patterns of abundance were similar in mussel and control sites, with peak numbers of most species groups occurring in spring.Mussel suspension culture does not appear to have an adverse effect on the abundance of seabirds or common seals in this area. The safe perching platforms provided by suspension culture floats, combined with a number of other factors, contribute to an increased abundance of a number of seabird species, particularly Laridae. The possible interactions between vertebrate predators and mussel suspension aquaculture are discussed and possible explanations for the increased seabird abundance observed in these areas are offered.     

Dynamics of Turbidity in the Tweed Estuary

Results are presented of turbidity measurements made in the Tweed Estuary during 14–29 September 1993. The observations covered a spring-neap period of very strong and relatively weak tides, which included strong wave activity at the mouth of the estuary, the aftermath of a strong freshwater inflow event and a minor inflow event which coincided with neap tides. Turbidity levels between the mouth and the limit of saline intrusion during this period were observed to lie in the range 2–30 ppm. Temperature–salinity relationships, based on rapid sampling throughout the estuary, often indicated conservative mixing between riverine and coastal waters. Turbidity–salinity relationships throughout the estuary were approximately linear for most of the lower salinity range (<30) although the relationships varied throughout a tidal cycle. At the highest salinities, in the lower 2·5 km of estuary, significantly enhanced turbidities occurred during strong, onshore swell-wave conditions. Near-mouth turbidities were very low (<5 ppm) at high-water (HW) when the swell-wave height was small (<0·3 m). There was no correlation between near-mouth turbidity at HW and tidal range, whereas the correlation between near-mouth turbidity and swell-wave height explained over 90% of the variance in near-mouth turbidity. The temporal trends in freshwater turbidity and freshwater inflow during the fieldwork period were fairly similar. A statistically significant relationship existed between these variables when freshwater turbidity was correlated against inflow 30 h earlier. A ‘ model ’ of turbidity, based on 5 days of inflows and used to hindcast turbidity from 14 days of inflows between 16–29 September, explained over 80% of the variance in freshwater turbidity. Therefore, inflow exerted a significant control on the fluvial turbidity. It appears that very fine-grained particles were responsible for the observed turbidity in the central and upper reaches of the Tweed. During the flood, in the presence of strong wave activity in the coastal zone, larger sediment was rapidly winnowed in the lower reaches, close to the mouth, whereas fine silt particles remained in suspension and reached the limit of saline intrusion.     

Phytoplankton blooms in the Urdaibai estuary during summer: Physico-chemical conditions and taxa involved

In the Urdaibai estuary, despite its small volume in relation to the tidal prism, phytoplankton grows massively in the upper and intermediate zones of the estuary during summer when rainfall is low to moderate. Data obtained in 23 sampling transects along the longitudinal axis of the estuary, undertaken in July 1993 and August 1994, showed three distinct zones in terms of the phytoplankton species composition: in the upper zone the phytoplankton assemblage was dominated by the diatoms Cyclotella spp., the dinoflagellate Glenodinium foliaceum, cryptophytes and euglenophytes; in the intermediate zone the diatom Chaetoceros ceratosporus, the dinoflagellates Peridinium quinquecorne and Prorocentrum minimum and cryptophytes were the most abundant; in the lower zone diatoms such as Leptocylindricus danicus and Skeletonema costatum together with the dinoflagellates Prorocentrum spp. were dominant. The distribution and abundance of these phytoplankton forms is discussed in relation to variations in salinity, water column stratification, nutrients and temperature, which in turn vary mainly as a function of meteorological conditions (i.e. rainfall, irradiance) and tidal amplitude. The longitudinal distribution of phytoplankton cells suggests that the diatoms Cyclotella spp. and Chaetoceros ceratosporus undergo a greater dispersion along the estuary during rain events than the flagellates, thus contributing to the transport of silica to the outer areas of the estuary.     

Suspended sediment dynamics on a seasonal scale in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries,central west coast of India

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected at regular stations from the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries indicates that the peaks of high SPM coincide with peaks of high rainfall and low salinity and also with peaks of moderate/low rainfall coupled with high salinity during the monsoon. The estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) is a characteristic feature, it occurs in the channel accompanying spring tide during the monsoon and pre-monsoon, and shifts to the bay on neap tide during post-monsoon. ETM remains at the same position in the Mandovi River, both during the monsoon and pre-monsoon, whereas in Zuari it stretched upstream during monsoon and migrates seaward of the channel during pre-monsoon. The ETM coincides with the freshwater–seawater interface during the monsoon and is formed by the interaction between tidal currents and river flows. The ETM during pre-monsoon is associated with high salinities and is generated by tidal and wind-induced currents. The turbidity maximum on neap tide during post-monsoon may be due to the erosion and resuspension of sediments from the emergent tidal flats and transport of these turbid waters into the bay. Funneling effect of the narrowing bay in the Zuari estuary and associated physical processes effectively enhance the magnitude of the currents and transports sediments to the channel. SPM retention percentage indicates that the estuarine channel is prone to siltation.