Bioaccumulation of Pb^2＋ and Its Effects on Growth, Morphology and Pigment Contents of Spirulina （Arthrospira）platensis

A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the bioaccumulation of Pb2 and its effects on growth,morphology andpigment contents of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis.The specimen cultured in Zarrouk liquid medium was treated with variousinitial metal concentrations (0,5,10,30,50 and 100 μgmL-1).The growth of S.platensis was adversely affected by Pb2 at high con-centrations (30,50 and 100 μg mL-1).However,at low concentrations (5 μg mL-1),Pb2 could stimulate its growth slightly.The pig-ment contents (chlorophyll α and β carotene) were decreased in a dose-dependent manner.The highest reductions (67% and 53%respectively in chlorophyll α and β carotene) were observed in 100 μg mL-1 treatment group.The LC50 (96 h) of Pb2 was measured as75.34μg mL-1.Apart from a few cases of filament breakages at elevated concentrations (50 and 100μg mL-1),morphological abnor-malities are not specific.Metal bioaccumulation increased with Pb2 concentrations,but decreased with exposure time.The maxi-mum accumulated amount was 188 mgg-1 dry weight.The bioconcentration factor (BCF) reached to a peak at day 2,followed by agradual reduction for all the exposure concentrations.S.platensis is able to tolerate considerably high Pb2 concentrations.Conse-quently it can be used as a potential species to remove heavy metal from contaminated waters.     

Combined effects of light intensity and NH^＋4-enrichment on growth,pigmentation, and photosynthetic performance of Ulva prolifera （Chlorophyta）

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of light intensity and enhanced nitrogen supply on the growth and photosynthesis of the green-tide macroalga, Ulva prolifera. Thalli of U. prolifera were grown in natural or NH 4 +-enriched seawater under two different light intensities for 7 days, and then the growth rate, pigmentation, and photosynthetic performance of the thalli were evaluated. The results show that the relative growth rate(RGR) was markedly higher under the high light level than under the low light level. Enrichment with NH 4 + enhanced the RGR under high light intensity, but did not affect RGR under low light intensity. In low light conditions, NH 4 +-enrichment resulted in a marked decrease in the maximal photosynthetic rate( P m) and the maximum carbon fixation rate( V max), but it did not affect the half saturation constant for carbon( K 0.5) or the ratio of V max to K 0.5, which reflects the carbon acquisition efficiency. In high light conditions, P m, K 0.5, and the dark respiration rate( R d) increased under NH 4 + enrichment, but V max and the V max / K 0.5 ratio decreased. Regardless of the light intensity, NH 4 +-enrichment did not affect the apparent photosynthetic efficiency( α), which refl ects the ability of the alga to use light energy at low light levels. Under both low and high light intensities, the chlorophyll a(Chl a), chlorophyll b(Chl b), and carotenoids(Car) contents in thalli were higher in NH 4 +-enriched than in natural seawater, except that there was a decrease in the Chl b content of thalli in NH 4 +-enriched seawater under low light intensity. Therefore, NH 4 + enrichment improved the growth and photosynthetic performance of U. prolifera under high light intensity, but not under low light intensity. We discuss the possible mechanisms underlying these physiological responses.     

Effect of temperature and irradiance on the growth and reproduction of Enteromorpha prolifera J. Ag. （Chlorophycophyta, Chlorophyceae）

Effect of temperature and irradiance on growth and reproduction of Enteromorpha prolifera that bloomed offshore along the Qingdao coast in summer 2008, was studied. It was showed that E. prolifera propagated mainly asexually with specific growth rate (SGR) of 10.47 at 25°C/40 μmol m-2s-1. Under this condition, gametes with two flagellate formed and released in 5 days. At the beginning of the development, the unicell gamete divided into two cells with heteropolarity, and then the apical cell developed into thalli primordial cells, whereas the basal cell developed into rhizoid primordial cells. In 8-day culture, the monoplast gamete developed into juvenile germling of 240 μm in length. Unreleased gametes can develop directly within the alga body. E. prolifera could either reproduce through lateral branching or fragmenting except apomixis revealed by Microscopic observation. On aged tissue of E. prolifera, although the degraded pigments partially remained in faded algal filaments, numerous vegetative ceils could still divide actively in the algal tissues.     

Effect of temperature and irradiance on the growth and reproduction of Enteromorpha prolifera J. Ag. （Chlorophycophyta,Chlorophyceae）

Effect of temperature and irradiance on growth and reproduction of Enteromorpha prolifera that bloomed offshore along the Qingdao coast in summer 2008, was studied. It was showed that E. prolifera propagated mainly asexually with specific growth rate （SGR） of 10.47 at 25℃/40 μmol m^-2s^-1. Under this condition, gametes with two flagellate formed and released in 5 days. At the beginning of the development, the unicell gamete divided into two cells with heteropolarity, and then the apical cell developed into thalli primordial cells, whereas the basal cell developed into rhizoid primordial cells. In 8-day culture, the monoplast gamete developed into juvenile germling of 240 μm in length. Unreleased gametes can develop directly within the alga body. E. prolifera could either reproduce through lateral branching or fragmenting except apomixis revealed by Microscopic observation. On aged tissue of E. prolifera, although the degraded pigments partially remained in faded algal filaments, numerous vegetative cells could still divide actively in the algal tissues.     

Effects of algal concentration and initial density on the population growth of Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin （Crustacea, Cladocera）

The effects of algal concentration and initial density on the population growth of the estuarine cladocera,Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin,were evaluated in an indoor experiment.A 2 × 4 layout that included two algal concentrations(Chlorella pyrenoidosa,1 × 106 and 3 × 106 cell/mL) and four inoculation densities(100,200,300 and 400 ind./L) were established.Diaphanosoma celebensis were reared in 150 mL flasks containing 50 mL of algal medium at 22°C,under salinity of 10 and a photoperiod of 12 h L:12 h D.T...     

Effects of temperature and salinity on the development of embryos and larvae of the veined rapa whelk Rapana venosa （Valenciennes, 1846）

The major population of the veined rapa whelk Rapana venosa(Valenciennes, 1846), which is an important fishery resource, is facing a large decline in China. We studied the effects of incubation temperature(16–34℃ at salinity 30) and salinity(5–45 at 25℃) on the incubation period and subsequent larval development. In the temperature experiment, the shortest incubation period was 12 days at 34℃, the lower temperature limit was 16℃, the longest mean shell length(1 193±17 μm) occurred at 25℃ and the highest survival rate 72.28%±5.62% was observed at 28℃. In the salinity experiment, the shortest incubation period was 15 days at 25. The salinity tolerance range was 15–40, the longest mean shell length(855±9 μm) and the highest survival rate 72.93%±4.85% were both observed at 35. This study demonstrated that, during the egg–mass stage, temperature and salinity regimes infl uence later growth and survival of larvae. These observations deepen our understanding of the ecology and conservation of natural populations of Rapana venosa.     

Effects of supplemental coated or crystalline methionine in low-fishmeal diet on the growth performance and body composition of juvenile cobia Rachycentron canadum （Linnaeus）

We evaluated the effects of supplemental coated and crystalline methionine （Met） on the growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile cobia （Rachycentron canadum Linnaeus） in a 60-d feeding trial. Fish groups were fed one of six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets： 1） fishmeal control; 2） un- supplemented experimental （low-fish-meal diet deficient in Met）; or 3） one of four Met diets supplemented with crystalline L-Met, cellulose-acetate-phthalate coated L-Met, acrylic-resin coated L-Met, or tripalmitin- polyvinyl alcohol coated L-Met. The test diets were fed to triplicate groups of cobia （initial body weight 5.40-4-0.07 g） twice a day. The weight gain and specific growth rate of the fish fed the RES diet were highest among the Met-supplemented groups and were 23.64% and 7.99%, respectively, higher than those of the fish fed with the un-supplemented experimental diet （P〈0.05）. The protein efficiency ratio of the fish fed the MET diet was significantly higher than that of the fish fed the un-supplemented experimental diet and the fish in the other methionine supplementation groups （P〈0.05）. Our results suggest that supplementation of crystalline Met in low-fish-meal diets promotes the growth performance of juvenile cobia.     

Effects of heavy metals (Pb2+ and Cd2+) on the ultrastructure, growth and pigment contents of the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a model organism known for its unique combination of highly desirable molecular genetic, physiological and morphological characteristics, was employed in the present study. The species was cultured in BG11 liquid medium contained various initial concentrations of Pb2+ and Cd2+ (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/L). The experiment was conducted for six days and the metal induced alterations in the ultrastructure, growth and pigment contents were assessed. Alterations in the ultrastructure of the Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 ceils became evident with the increased (>4 mg/L Pb2+) metal concentration. The photosynthetic apparatus (thylakoid membranes) were found to be the worst affected. Deteriorated or completely destroyed thylakoid membranes have made large empty spaces in the cell interior. In addition, at the highest concentration (8 mg/L pb2+), the polyphosphate granules became more prominent both in size and number. Despite the initial slight stimulations (0.2, 3.8 and 6.5% respectively at 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L Pb2+), both metals inhibited the growth in a dose-dependent manner as incubation progressed. Pigment contents (chlorophyll a, βcarotene and phycocyanin) were also decreased with increasing metal concentration. Cells exposed to 6 mg/L Pb2+, resulted in 36.56, 37.39 and 29.34% reductions of chlorophyll a, β carotene and phycocyanin respectively over the control. Corresponding reductions for the same Cd2+concentrations were 57.83, 48.94 and 56.90%. Lethal concentration (96 h LC50) values (3.47 mg/L Cd2+ and 12.11 mg/L Pb2+) indicated that Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is more vulnerable to Cd2+ than Pb2+.     

Genetic improvement on Chinese shrimp （Fenneropenaeus chinensis）： growth and viability performance in F1 hybrids of different populations

Fenneropenaeus chinensis distributed in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Different geographical populations represent potentially different genetic resources. To learn further the characteristics of different geographical population, crosses among two wild and three farmed populations were produced. The two wild populations were from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea （WYP）, and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and coast （WKN）. The three farmed populations included the offspring of first generation of wild shrimp from coast in Korea （FKN）, the Huang Hai （the Yellow Sea in Chinese） No.1 （HH1）, and JK98. The phenotypes growth and survival rates of these populations were compared to confirm the feasibility for crossbreeding. The body length （BL）, carapace length （CL）. carapace width （CW）, height of the second and third abdominal segment （HST）, width of the second and third abdominal segment （WST）, length of the first abdominal segment （LF）, length of the last abdominal segment （LL）, live body weight （BW）, and survival rate were measured, Different combinations were statistically performed with ANOVA and Duncan＇s Multiple Range Test. The results show that the survival rate of JK98（♀）×WKN（♂） was the highest, followed by WYP（♀）×WKN（♂）, FKN（♀）×WYP（♂）, FKN（♀）×HHI（♂） and WYP（♀）×FKN（♂）; the body weight of FKN（♀）×HHI（♂） was the highest, followed by FKN（♀）×WYP（♂）, WYP（♀）×WKN（♂）, WYP（♀）×FKN（♂） and JK98（♀）×WKN（♂）; the total length had the same ranking as the body weight. All growth traits in hybrids JK98（♀）×WKN（♂） were the lowest among all combinations. F1 hybrids had significant difference （P〈0.05） in BL, CL, HST, LL, and BW; and insignificant difference （P〉0.05） in other growth traits and survival rate. The results of Duncan＇s Multiple Range Test are that BL and CL of J     

Effects of iron electrovalence and species on growth and astaxanthin production of Haematococcus pluvialis

To increase the cell concentration and the accumulation of astaxanthin in the cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis, effects of different iron electrovalencies (Fe²⁺-EDTA and Fe³⁺-EDTA) and species (Fe-EDTA, Fe(OH)_x^32x and FeC₆H₅O₇) addition on cell growth and accumulation of astaxanthin were studied. Results show that different iron electrovalencies have various effects on cell growth and astaxanthin accumulation of H. pluvialis. Compared with Fe³⁺-EDTA, Fe²⁺-EDTA stimulate more effectively the formation of astaxanthin. The maximum astaxanthin content (30.70 mg/g biomass cell) was obtained under conditions of 18 μmol/L Fe²⁺-EDTA, despite the lower cell density (2.3×10⁵ cell/ml) in such condition. Fe³⁺-EDTA is more effective than Fe²⁺-EDTA in improving the cell growth. Especially, the maximal steady-state cell density, 2.9×10⁵ cell/ml was obtained at 18 μmol/L Fe³⁺-EDTA addition. On the other hand, all the various species of iron (EDTA-Fe, Fe(OH)_x^32x, FeC₆H₅O₇) are capable to improve the growth of the algae and astaxanthin production. Among the three iron species, FeC₆H₅O₇ performed the best. Under the condition of a higher concentration (36 μmol/L) of FeC₆H₅O₇, the cell density and astaxanthin production is 2 and 7 times higher than those of iron-limited group, respectively. The present study demonstrates that the effects of the stimulation with different iron species increased in the order of FeC₆H₅O₇, Fe(OH)_x^32x and EDTA-Fe. Supported by Xiamen Scientific and Technologic Projects (No. 3052Z20031086), Xiamen University Alumni Association Foundation in Singapore, and the First National College Students Innovative Experimental Project     

Formation and early development of tetraspores of Polysiphonia urceolata （Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta）

Polysiphonia urceolata is one type of potential commercial red seaweeds used for breeding and cultivation, because of its significant biochemical and biomedical application. However, the information of breeding and seedling incubation for cultivation is limited, especially the early development. In this study, tetrasporohyte and gametophyte of P. urceolata were taken as the study materials in Huiquan Bay, Qingdao, China. The cleaned and sterilized tetrasporophytes and gametophytes were pre-cultured in sterilized seawater, then nurtured at 18°C, 25 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ in 12:12 h (light:dark) photoperiod. Continuous observation under microscope showed that the early development consists of bipolar division stage and seedling stage. In the division stage, tetraspores germinate into bipolar sporelings that further differentiate into a colorless rhizoidal portion and a lightly pigmented upright shoot. The lightly pigmented rhizoidal cell develops to a rhizoid and the larger pigmented cell transforms to an erect axis. In the seedling stage, several quasi-protuberances appear on the erect axis and form juvenile seedlings. The results demonstrate the culture of P. urceolata from tetraspores under laboratory conditions. Supported by National Key Technology Support Program, Development Program of China (No.2006AA09Z21), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40618001 and N_CUHK438/06) and Shandong Agricultural Seed Stock Breeding Project     

Effects of salinity, light and temperature on growth rates of two species of Gracilaria （Rhodophyta）

Effects of temperature, salinity and light intensity on growth rates of Gracilaria lichenoides and G. tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia were tested. Eight to ten levels of each factor were first tested separately. The best growth rate was obtained under the conditions of 32°C, 30 and 240 μmol/(m²·s) for G. lichenoides, and 24°C, 20 and 200 μmol/(m²·s) for G. tenuistipitata, respectively. Then a uniform design was used to evaluate the optimal combinations of the three factors. The best conditions for the highest daily specific growth rates (% increase in wet weight) are determined to be 31.30°C, 32.10, and 287.23 μmol/(m²·s) for G. lichenoides (16.26%/d), and 25.38°C, 21.10, and 229.07 μmol/(m²·s) for G. tenuistipitata (14.83%/d), respectively. Supported by the 908 Special Program (908-02-04-07), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, No. 2006CB400608), and K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University     

Variability of surface velocity in the Kuroshio Current and adjacent waters derived from Argos drifter buoys and satellite altimeter data

By combining Argos drifter buoys and TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter data, the time series of sea-surface velocity fields in the Kuroshio Current (KC) and adjacent regions are established. And the variability of the KC from the Luzon Strait to the Tokara Strait is studied based on the velocity fields. The results show that the dominant variability period varies in different segments of the KC: The primary period near the Luzon Strait and to the east of Taiwan Island is the intra-seasonal time scale; the KC on the continental shelf of the ECS is the steadiest segment without obvious periodicity, while the Tokara Strait shows the period of seasonal variability. The diverse periods are caused by the Rossby waves propagating from the interior ocean, with adjustments in topography of island chain and local wind stress. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, Nos. 2007CB411804, 2005CB422303), the NSFC (No. 40706006), the Key Project of International Science and Technology Cooperation Program of China (No. 2006DFB21250) and the “111 Project” (B07036), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NECT-07-0781)     

Effect of outplanting time on commercial cultivation of kelp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria saccharina</Emphasis> at the southern limit in the Atlantic coast,N.W. Spain

The aim of the study is to examine the influence of the outplanting time on the cultivation of the kelp Laminaria saccharina in the northwestern Spain, close to its southern limit of distribution in the North Atlantic coast. We compared two L. saccharina cultures outplanted in February and December. We found that the starting time of outplanting affects to the yield and the substantiality value, as well as the growth rate. The yield, the substantiality value and the growth rates of L. saccharina sporophytes obtained for the trial outplanted in December were significantly higher than those in February. These results can be mainly explained by the effect of temperature on the growth of L. saccharina sporophytes during cultivation. On the other hand, our results show that even in the southern limit of distribution of L. saccharina, the cultivation of this species was very profitable in high yield and quality.     

Effects of diet and body size on phosphorus utilization of Liza haematocheila T. ＆ S.

A 21-d laboratory experiment was conducted to study, the phosphorus （P） utilization of two different diets by redlip mullet Liza haematocheila T. ＆ S. Sand-filtered water in salinity 30 and temperatare 25℃ was used. Twenty-nine fish individuals were divided into three groups： 11 to group 1 （G1） fed on diet 1, 11 to group 2 （G2） fed on diet 2, and 7 to contrast group. Diet 1 was a commercial feed, more valuable in nutrition than diet 2 that similar to natural detritus. The results show the intake phosphorus （IP） of G1 was significantly higher than that of G2, and both increased linearly with body size at a certain amount of diet. The retention phosphorus （RP） in fish of G1 was lower than G2. The relationship between retention phosphorus and body size was positive and stronger in G2. Significant difference in faecal phosphorus （FP） was found between G1 and G2. Body size significantly impacted the excretion phosphorus （EP） in G1 but G2. The loss of intake phosphorus in G1 was 10.83-20.27 mg per g fish weight gain, higher than that in G2 for 6.63-9.56. Of the phosphorus, about 10% was allocated into growth, 50% in faeces, and the rest lost in excretion. The main part of phosphorus was lost in faeces but excretion. The phosphorus budget of the fish could be described as 100IP = 7.40RP ＋ 47.39FP ＋ 36.63EP （Diet 1） or 100IP = 11.93RP ＋ 56.64FP ＋ 21.76EP （Diet 2）.     

Inheritance mode of microsatellite loci and their use for kinship analysis in the Pacific oyster （Crassostrea gigas）

Five full-sib families of the Pacific oyster （Crassostrea gigas） larvae were used to study the mode of inheritance at eight microsatellite loci, and the feasibility of these markers for kinship estimate was also examined. All eight microsatellite loci were compatible with Mendelian inheritance. Neither evidence of sex-linked barriers to transmission nor evidence of major barriers to fertilization between gametes from the parents was shown. Three of the eight loci showed the presence of null alleles in four families, demonstrating the need to conduct comprehensive species-specific inheritance studies for microsatellite loci used in population genetic studies. Although the null allele heterozygotes were considered as homozygotes in the calculation of genetic distance, offspring from five full-sib families were unambiguously discriminated in the neighbor-joining dendrogram. This result indicates that the microsatellite markers may be capable of discriminating between related and unrelated oyster larvae in the absence of pedigree information, and is applicable to the investigation of the effective number of parents contributing to the hatchery population of the Pacific oyster.