Population ecology and habitat preferences of juvenile flounder Platichthys flesus (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectidae) in a temperate estuary

The European flounder Platichthys flesus is a widely distributed epibenthic species and an important component of demersal fish assemblages in the European Atlantic coastal waters. In Portuguese estuaries, this species reaches high densities, especially in Minho estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula, Europe), potentially playing an important role in the system's ecology. In this context, the population structure, production and the habitat use of juvenile P. flesus were investigated. Sampling took place monthly, from February 2009 until July 2010 along the entire estuarine gradient (5 sampling stations distributed in the first 29 km from the river mouth, with S1 located near the river mouth, S2 inside a salt marsh, S3 in a salinity transition zone, while S4 and S5 were located in the upper estuary). Flounder's density varied significantly among sampling stations and seasons (two-way PERMANOVA: p < 0.001), with the majority of the individuals being found during the spring (30.1%) and in S3 and S4 (72.6%). Males and females presented an even distribution, with a higher proportion of males observed during summer. Fish length also differed among sampling stations and seasons (two-way PERMANOVA: p < 0.001), with larger fishes being found in S1 during the autumn (168.50 ± 59.50 mm) and the smallest in S4 during the spring (33.80 ± 3.12 mm). Size classes associated differently with environmental variables, with larger juveniles being more abundant in the downstream areas of the estuary, whereas smaller juveniles were related to higher water temperatures, suggesting a habitat segregation of P. flesus of different sizes. The fish condition of P. flesus in Minho estuary was higher than in other systems, probably due to the dominance of juveniles on the population. Also, the densities found in this estuary were up to 32 times higher than in other locations, suggesting that Minho estuary is an important nursery area for the species. The estimated secondary production of P. flesus was lower than previous studies acknowledged in the system (0.037 g.WWm^− 2.year^− 1), indicating that the production estimates of this species in estuaries can vary considerably depending on of several factors such as the sampling year and strategy, population and fish size.     

Winter and spring phytoplankton composition and production in a shallow eutrophic Baltic lagoon

Taxonomic composition and productivity of winter and spring phytoplankton in a eutrophic estuary have been investigated in order to elucidate the carbon flux under conditions of limitation by physical factors – light and temperature. In spite of the important differences in nutrients, solar radiation and water temperature between winter and spring season, mean concentrations of particulate organic carbon were equal to 13.2 and 13.0 mgC l⁻¹, respectively. Chlorophyll a averaged at 79 μgChl l⁻¹ in winter, that is 69% of spring. Although community respiration accounted for only 6–26% of light saturated photosynthesis, integrated net primary production of the 1.2 m deep water column was negative until April. High attenuation of the water body (K_o = 2.9 m⁻¹) lead to a negative carbon balance (net heterotrophy) below 35 cm for all sampling dates. Thus, the high winter POC and phytoplankton values can only originate from summer or autumn primary production. This assumption was supported by a carbon loss rate of just 3% of total organic carbon per day for the whole water column. The composition of phytoplankton was very constant through both seasons: 39% Chlorophyceae, 33% Cyanobacteria and 25% Bacillariophyceae. As expected, phytoplankton was low light acclimated, having high α values (slope of light limited photosynthesis), but moderate maximum photosynthesis rates at saturating irradiances, which were heavily affected by temperature. Calculation of net carbon flux yet showed net heterotrophy of the Bodden waters in winter and early spring were caused by external physical limitation (low surface irradiance and low temperature) in combination with a high light attenuation of the water body.     

PCBs in the fish assemblage of a southern European estuary

The Mondego estuary fish assemblage was studied for the accumulation of PCBs. Three sampling stations were visited along an estuarine salinity gradient, and, in total, 15 species were collected. Analysis of PCBs revealed no significant differences among the sampling stations, although differences were observed among the fish assemblages. Fish assemblages could be divided into three groups. The first group comprised those with higher concentration (more than 10 ng g^− 1, dw), included the species Gobius niger, Sardina pilchardus, Anguilla anguilla, Pomatoschistus microps, Chelidonichthys lucerna and Liza ramada; the second group with medium concentration (5–10 ng g^− 1, dw), included the species Pomatoschistus minutus, Dicentrarchus labrax, Atherina presbyter, Chelon labrosus, Diplodus vulgaris, Platichthys flesus and Cilata mustela; and a third group with low concentration (less than 5 ng g^− 1, dw), included the species Solea solea and Callionymus lyra. A positive correlation was found between lipid content and PCB concentrations. To evaluate the influence of the residence time of species on the accumulation of PCBs, species were divided into two groups: species that spend more than 3 years in the estuary, and species that spend less than 3 years in the estuary. Species that spend more than 3 years in the estuary presented higher concentrations than species that spend less than 3 years in the estuary. CBs 138 and 153 had higher concentration, and tended to increase with time spent in the estuary.     

Fish settlement in the ocean vs. estuary: Comparison of pelagic larval and settled juvenile composition and abundance from southern New Jersey,U.S.A.

To describe the larval and juvenile fish fauna and to evaluate the relative contribution of the ocean and the estuary as settlement areas for benthic species, we compared the composition and abundance of larval fish supply to that of recently settled juvenile fishes in both ocean and an adjacent estuary habitats in southern New Jersey. The study was conducted from May to November 1992 in the Great Bay–Little Egg Harbor estuary (<1–8 m sampling depth) and on the adjacent inner continental shelf in the vicinity of Beach Haven Ridge (8–16 m). During the study more larvae nearing settlement (postflexion) were captured in the estuary than in the ocean. Settlement occurred earlier in the estuary than in the ocean perhaps under the influence of earlier, seasonal warming of estuarine waters. There appeared to be two spatial patterns of settlement in the study area based on the dominant species (n = 17) represented by a sufficient number of individuals (n ≥ 25 individuals). There were species that primarily settle in the estuary, as represented by both estuarine residents (n = 3) and transients (n = 4), and those that settle in both the estuary and the ocean (n = 10). However, there were no species whose larvae were present in the estuary yet settle in the ocean. The fact that many of the species settle in both the estuary and the ocean indicates an overlap between these habitats because, at least for some species, these habitats may function in the same way. Further resolution of fish settlement patterns, and its influence on recruitment will need to rely on synoptic comparisons between estuaries and the ocean over multiple years.     

A note on salt intrusion in funnel-shaped estuaries: Application to the Incomati estuary,Mozambique

Salt intrusion in estuaries is important for ecological reasons as well as water extraction purposes. The distance salt intrudes upstream depends on a number of factors, including river discharge, tidal and wind mixing and gravitational circulation. In this paper, an analytical solution is presented for the salt intrusion in a well mixed, funnel-shaped estuary whose cross sectional area decreases exponentially (with decay coefficient β) with distance, x, inland, and in which longitudinal mixing is constant along the length of the estuary. The solution predicts that a graph of the logarithm of salinity against exp (βx) should be a straight line, with slope proportional to the mixing coefficient K_x. The solution is tested against observations from 15 surveys over a four-year period in the Incomati estuary. Good straight line fits, as predicted, are observed on all surveys, with a mean R² = 0.97. The average value of K_x for all surveys is 38 m² s⁻¹. The solution is used to make predictions about the minimum river flow required to prevent salt intruding to an extent where it causes a detrimental effect on water extraction. The minimum recommended river flow required to prevent this is 35 m³ s⁻¹. In recent years, flow has fallen below this level for several months each year.     

Growth rates of the infaunal bivalve Soletellina alba (Lamarck, 1818) (Bivalvia: Psammobiidae) in an intermittent estuary of southern Australia

Caging and a mark–recapture design were used to estimate the growth rate of the brittle, infaunal bivalve Soletellina alba in the Hopkins River estuary. The growth of both caged and uncaged individuals was monitored at three sites near the mouth of the estuary over 180 days. Growth rates did not differ for caged and uncaged bivalves, or for bivalves subject to different amounts of handling, or between sites. Growth did differ between consecutive time intervals, which was attributable to negligible growth occurring during the colder months of autumn/winter. Comparisons of the condition (as indicated by total mass for length³) of S. alba were inconsistent between sites for caged and uncaged bivalves and for those subject to different amounts of handling. Soletellina alba is a rapidly growing bivalve with mean growth rates for the three time intervals being 0.04±0.002 mm day⁻¹ in summer, 0.02±0.001 mm day⁻¹ in autumn and 0.03±0.001 mm day⁻¹ from summer to winter. Using existing literature, it was shown that a significant relationship exists between maximum shell length and onset of sexual maturity in bivalve molluscs. This relationship predicts that S. alba should reach the onset of sexual maturity at 15.8 mm length. Therefore, it appears that it may be possible for juvenile S. alba (<1 mm) to grow, reach sexual maturity and reproduce in between annual mass-mortality events caused by winter flooding.     

Fatty acid composition of surface sediments in the subtropical Pearl River estuary and adjacent shelf,Southern China

Surface sediments (10 cm) of the subtropical Pearl River estuary and adjacent shelf, Southern China were collected. Fatty acids and compound-specific carbon isotopic analyses were determined to infer their sources and biogeochemical cycle of this lipid in the subtropical Pearl River estuary and adjacent northern South China Sea (SCS). The total concentrations of fatty acids ranged from ∼1.28 to ∼42.25 μg g⁻¹ dry weight. The levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were low (0.2–4.8% of total fatty acids), suggesting that fatty acids derived from algae were effectively recycled during the whole settling and depositing process. Bacterial fatty acids were significantly high and terrigenous fatty acids were low in the sediments. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data also indicates that a clear separation of the biogeochemical sources can be seen. The δ¹³C values of bacterial fatty acids, i.e., i/aiC₁₅ (−22.9‰ to −29.4‰) suggest that bacteria within the sediments mainly utilize a labile pool of organic matter derived from algae for their growth in the subtropical Pearl River estuary system.     

Temporal and spatial distributions of larval fish assemblages in the Lima estuary (Portugal)

The Lima estuary (NW Portugal) is at the end of an international watershed, whose potential role as a spawning and nursery habitat for local fish populations has not been previously examined. To address this knowledge gap, fortnightly plankton surveys were conducted between April 2002 and April 2004. A total of 12,903 larvae, belonging to 20 families and 50 taxa were collected, with a mean abundance of 8 individuals per 100 m³. Gobiidae was the most abundant family comprising 71% of the total catch, followed by Clupeidae with 12% of the total. The top six abundant taxa (Pomatoschistus spp., Sardina pilchardus, Ammodytes tobianus, unidentified Clupeidae, Symphodus melops and Solea senegalensis) represented 91% of the total catch. Fish larvae showed a seasonal trend with abundances increasing during spring and summer. Diversity was generally low (H′ = 0.65) with high dominance of very few taxa. Near the ocean, the larval fish assemblage was more diverse due to the presence of marine species. In the lower estuary Channel zone, abundance was lower than in the two upstream salt marsh zones (North and South zones) and no statistical differences in abundance or diversity values were found within the latter zones. ANOSIM results demonstrated seasonal differences in the species composition, mainly during the second winter period which was typified by a pelagic species A. tobianus. The community in the Channel zone was more diverse in comparison with the other zones, which were highly dominated by the most abundant species. The spatial and temporal trends of the most abundant species were typical for Iberian estuaries, with the exception of the low abundance of anchovy larvae and the unusually high numbers and frequency of S. pilchardus, usually mentioned as accidental in estuarine systems. Overall results suggest that the Lima estuary larval fish assemblage has a strong seasonality and affinity to the salt marsh zones. It seems that spawning seasonality controlled the presence of temporary estuarine residents, while environmental aspects controlled the general abundance trend of the resident species.     

Spatial and temporal variability of POC in the northeast Subarctic Pacific

Particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations from 0 to 1000 m were quantified in size-fractionated particulate matter samples obtained by the multiple unit large volume in situ filtration system (MULVFS) in 1996 and 1997 along the 1600 km long “line P” transect from continental slope waters near southern Vancouver Island to Ocean Station PAPA (OSP, 50°N, 145°W). Regression of in situ POC vs. beam attenuation coefficient, c, from a simultaneously deployed 1-m pathlength SeaTech transmissometer gave slope, intercept and r² values of 6.15±0.19×10⁻⁵ m⁻¹ (nmol C l⁻¹)⁻¹, 0.363±0.003 m⁻¹, and 0.951 (n=145), respectively. This result agreed within several percent of calibrations obtained from two 2600-km-long transects of the equatorial Pacific in 1992 (Bishop, 1999). Data from other, more frequently deployed transmissometers were standardized against the 1-m instrument, and the combined optical data set was used to document POC variability at finer spatial and temporal scales than could be sampled directly using either conventional water bottle casts or MULVFS. Published bottle POC vs. c relationships show much more variability and remain problematic. Along the line P transect in the salinity-stratified upper 100 m, POC isolines shoaled from winter to summer in concert with seasonal stratification. At the same time, POC was progressively enriched in subeuphotic zone waters to depths greater than 500 m. Near-surface POC fields sampled in the winter time showed strong temporal POC variability over time scales of days as well as between years. POC concentrations at OSP in February 1996 were higher than those found at any other time of year. Less variability was found along line P in other seasons. In May 1996, kilometer-scale spatial variability of POC at OSP was small; dawn vs. dusk variations of c were used to calculate 0–100 m POC turnover times shorter than 6 d. Calculations also suggest that 25–50% of primary productivity was expressed as dissolved organic carbon at OSP in May 1996.     

Recruitment of flatfish species to an estuarine nursery habitat (Lima estuary,NW Iberian Peninsula)

One of the present concerns of fish biologists involves defining and identifying nursery habitats in the context of conservation and resource management strategies. Fish nursery studies usually report upon nursery occupation during the latter juvenile stages, despite the fact that recruitment to nurseries can start early in life, during the larval phase. Here we investigated the use of a temperate estuarine nursery area, the Lima estuary (NW Portugal), by initial development stages of flatfish species before and after metamorphosis, integrating the larval and juvenile phases. The Lima estuarine flatfish community comprised twelve taxa, seven of which were present as pelagic larvae, six as juveniles and three as adults. There was a general trend of increasing spring–summer abundance of both larvae and juveniles, followed by a sharp winter decrease, mainly of larval flatfishes. The Lima estuary was used by Solea senegalensis, Platichthys flesus and Solea solea as a nursery area, with direct settlement for the two first species. In contrast, indirect settlement was suggested for S. solea, with metamorphosis occurring outside the estuarine area. Estuarine recruitment of S. senegalensis varied between years, with young larvae occurring in the estuary throughout a prolonged period that lasted 6–9 months, corroborating the protracted spawning season. P. flesus, the second most abundant species, exhibited a typical spring estuarine recruitment, without inter-annual variations. Developed larvae arrived in the estuary during spring, whereas the 0-group juveniles emerged in the following summer period. The present study contributes new insight to our understanding of the economically important S. senegalensis, and highlights the importance of integrating the planktonic larval phase into traditional flatfish nursery studies.     

Preliminary estimate of primary production by phytoplankton in Marennes-Oléron Bay,France

The macrotidal bay of Marennes-Oléron is the most important French site for shellfish production (oysters and mussels); yet the primary productivity of the phytoplankton compartment in this system is not well known. In this study, photosynthetic parameters were determined using ¹⁴C incubations of bottom and surface water samples, during fall, winter and summer (2001–2002), along a north–south transect in the bay. Estimates of primary productivity showed that water column primary production is light-limited in the bay and that a BZ_pI₀ type model can be applied. Spatial differences existed in the bay, with a more productive northern zone and less productive river area. With a water column primary production of 185 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, Marennes-Oléron Bay lies in the mean range for phytoplankton primary production capacity among European and North American estuaries.     

Nitrogen sources for new production in the NE Arabian Sea

New productivity measurements using the ¹⁵N tracer technique were conducted in the north-eastern (NE) Arabian Sea during six expeditions from 2003 to 2007, mostly in winter. Our results indicate that the NE Arabian Sea has a potential for higher new productivity during blooms. Nitrate uptake by plankton is the highest during late winter. New productivity and f-ratios in the NE Arabian Sea are mainly controlled by hydrodynamic and meteorological parameters such as wind strength, sea surface temperature (SST), mixed layer depth (MLD) and mixed layer nitrate. Deepening of the mixed layer supplies nitrate from below, which supports the observed nitrogen uptake. Higher f-ratios during blooms indicate the strong coupling between surface layers and sub-surface layers. Deepening of mixed layer below 100 m (from its inter-monsoon value between 30 and 40 m) transferred often more than 100 mmol N–NO₃ m^? 2 into the surface layers from below. The observed winter blooms in the region are supported by such input and are sustained for more than a month. Higher new productivity has been found in late winter, whereas transport of nitrate is maximum in early winter. In general, new production varies progressively during winter. Diurnal cycling of the mixed layer could be the reason for the under utilization of entrained nitrate during early winter. New productivity values and wind strength show significant differences during Feb–Mar 03 and Feb–Mar 04. These differences indicate that the winter cooling and parameters related the biological productivity also vary inter-annually. However, the difference between the new productivity values between Feb–Mar 03 and Feb–Mar 04 is much lower than the difference between Jan 03 and Feb–Mar 03. The results suggest that amplitude of seasonal variation is higher than the inter-annual variation in the region. During spring, Fickian diffusive fluxes of nitrate into the surface layer range from 0.51 to 1.38 mmol N–NO₃ m^? 2 day^? 1, and can account for 67% and 78% of the observed nitrogen uptake in the coastal and open ocean regions, respectively. We document the intra-seasonal and inter-annual variations in new productivity during winter and identify sources of nitrate which support the observed productivity during spring.     

Changes in the diet and feeding of the hake Merluccius merluccius at the shelf-break of the Balearic Islands: Influence of the mesopelagic-boundary community

Short spatio–temporal variations in the feeding intensity and the diet of the European hake, Merluccius merluccius, together with the abundance of their potential prey were studied between August 2003 and June 2004 at two locations, northwest (Sóller) and south (Cabrera), off the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean) at depths between 150 and 750 m. The two areas present different oceanographic conditions. Hake was mainly distributed along the shelf-slope break and the upper slope (between 166 and 350 m) where recruits (TL<18 cm) were dominant. The hake's diet varied as a function of size. Recruits fed mainly on micronektonic prey, and the diet was influenced primarily by seasonality, with two dietary patterns (identified by MDS analyses) corresponding to August–September 2003 (summer) and to November 2003/February–April 2004 (autumn–winter). The summer pattern was consistent with a thermally stratified water column, while November and April were consistent with homogenized temperature and salinity throughout all the water column. The main prey of recruits were the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica and the midwater fish Maurolicus muelleri in autumn–winter and myctophids (mainly Ceratoscopelus maderensis) in summer. In contrast to recruits, the geographic factor (NW vs. S) was the main factor influencing the diets of post-recruits (TL between 18 and 21.9 cm) and adults (TL?22 cm). Hake recruits (and to a lesser extent post-recruits) and their preferred prey occupied different depth ranges during daylight periods. Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Ceratoscopelus maderensis were, for instance, distributed as much as 500 m deeper than hake that had eaten them. All these trends were especially obvious at NW, an area with a more abrupt slope and with a greater influence by northern winter intermediate water (WIW) inflow in early spring than the S area. These factors probably enhanced micronekton aggregation in April, when feeding intensity (stomach fullness) increased among recruits and post-recruits only at NW. All these factors may have a crucial role in the diet, distribution and probably recruitment success of small hake. Biological factors were also important in trophic shifts in the diet and feeding of hake. Multi-linear regression models pointed to a trend of higher fullness with higher hepato-somatic index (HSI). Therefore greater food consumption by hake may enhance its metabolic condition. Within the framework of shelf-break and slope ecology, we show how the ‘boundary’ mesopelagic community inhabiting the middle slope sustains the trophic requirements of hake, a species distributed at shallower depths along the shelf-slope break. Mesopelagic euphausiids and myctophids are often found in the diets of shelf-break fish. Because the boundary mesopelagic community is distributed worldwide, the high levels of fish biomass often found at shelf-slope breaks could be sustained trophically by deeper, offshore mesopelagic communities, an inverse energy transfer from deep to shallow-water marine ecosystems.     

Commercially-cultured oysters (Crassostrea gigas) exert top-down control on intertidal pelagic resources in Willapa Bay,Washington, USA

The capacity of filter feeders to reduce seston and phytoplankton concentrations in the water column has important implications for restoration and management of coastal ecosystems. We directly measured changes in chlorophyll a concentration on commercially stocked intertidal oyster beds (Crassostrea gigas) in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA by recording water properties near small drifters as they tracked parcels of water across tide flats. Chlorophyll declined 9.6% per half hour in water passing on-bottom adult oysters and 41% for longline adult oysters, whereas chlorophyll concentrations increased as water flowed across tide flats without adult oysters. Field filtration rates, which were fit to exponential declines in chlorophyll and accounted for oyster density and water depth, averaged 0.35 L g^− 1 h^− 1 (shucked dry weight) for on-bottom aquaculture and 0.73 L g^− 1 h^− 1 for longline culture, compared to values of 2.5–12 L g^− 1 h^− 1 reported from laboratory studies of C. gigas. Field filtration rates may be lower than laboratory rates due to unfavorable field conditions (e.g., low initial chlorophyll concentrations) or masked by resuspension of benthic microalgae. In addition to distinctions among on-bottom, longline, and no-oyster habitats, Akaike's Information Criterion analysis showed temperature, initial chlorophyll concentration, and depth related to chlorophyll decline. This research corroborates mathematical models suggesting that benthic suspension feeders are exerting top-down control of pelagic production in this estuary, with strong patterns in chlorophyll emerging across extensive tideflats populated by C. gigas despite low field filtration rates.     

Natural and anthropogenic sources of Hg,Cd, Pb,Cu and Zn in seawater and sediment of Mljet National Park,Croatia

Distributions of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in seawater and sediment from Mljet National Park, Adriatic Sea are presented for the first time. Natural and anthropogenic factors play an important role in determining resultant trace metals' concentrations in the region. We place particular emphasis on the saline “lakes” of Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero, which have restricted flows of seawater. In Malo Jezero lake, fresh karstic spring water generated by flooding, and weathering of dolomites are the main sources of naturally elevated Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations (20.7 ± 1.6, 289 ± 19, 1260 ± 0.08 ng L^?1, respectively); anthropogenic input is negligible. In Veliko Jezero lake enhanced Cu and Zn contents originate from anthropogenic input (tourism and agriculture). Distributions of the Pb and Zn in the water columns of both lakes are influenced by natural aragonite precipitation and sedimentation. Exceptionally high total Hg concentrations of 24.2 and 33.7 ng L^?1 in the water column of Malo Jezero, sampled during periods of high rainfall associated with strong eastern winds, suggest an airborne input. Total Hg concentrations in waters of both lakes are elevated because of inefficient mixing. Two different metal distribution patterns exist in the sediment columns. First, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn show elevated concentrations in recent sediments due to anthropogenic input. Second, Cd content increases with depth due to reprecipitation via a downward redox boundary shift.Described natural processes, as well as anthropogenic influence, enhance levels of trace metals. Careful study followed by suitable interpretation based on geochemical data were necessary to distinguish natural from anthropogenic sources.     

Kinetic study reveals weak Fe-binding ligand,which affects the solubility of Fe in the Scheldt estuary

The chemistry of dissolved Fe(III) was studied in the Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands). Two discrete size fractions of the dissolved bulk (< 0.2 μm and < 1 kDa) were considered at three salinities (S = 26, 10 and 0.3).Within the upper estuary, where fresh river water meets seawater, the dissolved Fe concentration decreases steeply with increasing salinity, for the fraction < 0.2 μm from 536 nM at S = 0.3 to 104 nM at S = 10 and for the fraction < 1 kDa from 102 nM to 36 nM Fe. Further downstream, in the middle and lower estuary, this decrease in the Fe concentration continues, but is far less pronounced. For all samples, the traditionally recognised dissolved strong organic Fe-binding ligand concentrations are lower than the dissolved Fe concentrations.Characteristics of dissolved Fe-binding ligands were determined by observing kinetic interactions with adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. From these kinetic experiments we concluded that apart from the well-known strong Fe-binding organic ligands (L, logK′ = 19–22) also weak Fe-binding ligands (P) existed with an α value (binding potential = K′ · [P]) varying between 10^11.1 and 10^11.9. The presence of this relatively weak ligand explained the high concentrations of labile Fe present in both size fractions in the estuary. This weak ligand can retard or prevent a direct precipitation after an extra input of Fe.The dissociation rate constants of the weak ligand varied between 0.5 × 10^− 4 and 4.3 × 10^− 4 s^− 1. The rate constants of the strong organic ligand varied between k_d = 1.5 × 10^− 3–17 × 10^− 2 s^− 1 and k_f = 2.2 × 10⁸–2.7 × 10⁹ M^− 1 s^− 1. The dissociation rate constant of freshly amorphous Fe-hydroxide was found to be between 4.3 × 10^− 4 and 3.7 × 10^− 3 s^− 1, more labile or equal to the values found by Rose and Waite [Rose, A.L., Waite, T.D., 2003a. Kinetics of hydrolysis and precipitation of ferric iron in seawater. Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 3897–3903.] for freshly precipitated Fe in seawater.Kinetic rate constants of Fe with the ligand TAC (2-(2-Thiazolylazo)-p-cresol) were also determined. The formation rate constant of Fe(TAC)₂ varied between 0.1 × 10⁸ and 3.6 × 10⁸ M^− 1 s^− 1, the dissociation rate constant between 0.2 × 10^− 5 and 17 × 10^− 5 s^− 1 for both S = 26 and S = 10. The conditional stability constant of Fe(TAC)₂ (β_Fe(TAC)2′) varied between 22 and 23.4 for S = 10 and S = 26 more or less equal to that known from the literature (logβ_Fe(TAC)2′ = 22.4; [Croot, P.L., Johansson, M., 2000. Determination of iron speciation by cathodic stripping voltammetry in seawater using the competing ligand 2-(2-Thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC). Electroanalysis, 12, 565–576.]). However, at S = 0.3 the logβ_Fe(TAC)2′ was 25.3, three orders of magnitude higher. Apparently the application of TAC to samples of low salinity can only be done when the correct β_Fe(TAC)2′ is known.     

Carapidae larvae (Acanthomorpha,Paracanthopterygii, Ophidiiformes) from the oceanic region of the southwest Atlantic Ocean off Brazil (12–22°S)

We report the occurrence and distribution of Carapidae larvae in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, between Real River (12°S) and São Tomé Cape (22°S), off Brazil. Carapidae larvae were collected during three oceanographic cruises: spring 1998, winter 1999 and autumn 2000. The hauls were conducted obliquely from a maximum depth of 200 m, during day and night, with bongo nets 330- and 500-μm mesh size. Three species were recorded in this study: Carapus bermudensis, Echiodon dawsoni and Snyderidia canina. Only one C. bermudensis was collected during the winter cruise off the Salvador coast (13°S). Twenty-one larvae of E. dawsoni were collected during the three cruises between 14.5° and 22°S, including some at the banks of Vitória–Trindade Ridge. One S. canina larva occurred, during the spring in the north coast of Rio de Janeiro (22°S).     

Stock and losses of trace metals from salt marsh plants

Pools of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in the leaf, stem and root tissues of Sarcocornia fruticosa, Sarcocornia perennis, Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima were analysed for a Tagus estuary (Portugal) salt marsh. Pools of Cu and Cd in the salt marsh were higher in spring/summer, indicating a net uptake of these metals during the growing season. Standing stocks of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in the leaf and stem biomass of S. fruticosa, S. perennis and H. portulacoides showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher values recorded in autumn. The metal-containing leaves and stems that shed in the autumn become metal-containing detritus. The amount of this material washed out from the total marsh area (200 ha) was estimated as 68 kg of Zn, 8.2 kg of Cu, 13 kg of Co and 0.35 kg of Cd. The high tidal amplitude, a branched system of channels and semi-diurnal tidal cycle greatly favour the export of the organic detritus to adjoining marsh areas.     

Life history of the bathyal octopus Pteroctopus tetracirrhus (Mollusca,Cephalopoda) in the Mediterranean Sea

The life cycle of the deep-sea octopus Pteroctopus tetracirrhus was studied from monthly samples obtained throughout the year in different areas of the western Mediterranean (mainly around the Balearic Islands and along the coast of the Iberian Peninsula). A total of 373 individuals (205 females, 168 males) were analyzed; females ranged from 4.5 to 14.0 cm mantle length (ML) and males from 4.5 to 11.5 cm ML. There were few small-sized octopuses (<7 cm ML) in the samples, which might indicate that these individuals inhabit rocky grounds that are not accessible to trawlers or waters deeper than the maximum depth sampled (800 m). The species occurred more frequently around the Balearic Islands than along the Iberian Peninsula as they appeared in 20% and 7%, respectively, of the hauls in these areas. The octopus inhabits the lower continental shelf and upper slope in both areas, primarily between 200 and 500 m depth. Modal lengths were followed from autumn, when recruits were caught by trawlers, to summer, when reproduction took place. Females grew from 8 to 10 cm ML from winter to spring, but this modal size did not increase further in summer; males grew from 7 to 9 cm ML from winter to spring. The total disappearance of large individuals after summer suggests a life cycle lasting a single year. The evolution of the monthly mean sizes showed that the growth was best described by log-linear functions in both sexes. The length at first maturity was clearly higher in females (12 cm ML) than in males (8 cm ML). A total of 30 different prey items, belonging to four major taxonomic groups (crustaceans, osteichthyes, cephalopods and gastropods), were identified in the stomach contents. The diet of the octopus was based on crustaceans and teleosts, which accounted for 75% and 23% of the prey items, respectively. Cephalopods and gastropods were accessory prey as they only represented 1.6% and 0.7%, respectively, of the total. The octopus showed a marked preference for the benthic fish Symphurus nigrescens and the endobenthic crustacean Alpheus glaber. The bathymetric distribution of P. tetracirrhus coincides with those of these two main prey, which suggests that the distribution of the octopus might be strongly linked to its trophic resources.