Plankton Distribution Patterns in a Mediterranean Dilution Basin: Amvrakikos Gulf (Ionian Sea, Greece)

Abstract. The present work describes Amvrakikos Gulf (Ionian Sea, Greece) as a dilution basin and provides information concerning the relationships between the hydrology and plankton composition and distribution.
Amvrakikos Gulf is characterized by a differentiated planktonic system which is apparently directly influenced by the input of the rivers located at the northern part of the gulf.     

Studies on Migratory Movements of the Prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskal, 1775) at Amvrakikos Gulf, Western Greece

Abstract. The prawn Penaeus kerathurus completes its life cycle in Amvrakikos Gulf. The reasons for not entering the open sea depend on the status of biotic and abiotic factors of the gulf. The migratory movements of the species in the gulf are described by a simple square model, in each corner of which, the wintering, spawning, nursery, and recruitment area exist. The wintering area is located below the 25m isobath and wintering period lasts from late December to late March. Spermatophores on females are observed throughout the year but the highest percentages between April and August. The spawning season begins late in spring and continues through the summer. The spawning area is located below the 10m isobath, mainly around 25m. The nursery area of Penaeus kerathurus is in shallow waters near river estuaries, and the temporal limits were determined to be between mid-summer and mid-autumn. Finally, the recruitment area is located near the nursery area, with recruitment taking place in autumn, while the major stock renewal is restricted to winter.     

Analysis of the spatial and temporal distributions of ecological variables and the nutrient budget in the Beibu Gulf

Based on a hydrodynamic-ecological model, the temperature, salinity, current, phytoplankton(Chl a),zooplankton, and nutrient(dissolved inorganic nitrogen, DIN, and dissolved inorganic phosphorous, DIP)distributions in the Beibu Gulf were simulated and the nutrient budget of 2015 was quantitatively analyzed. The simulated results show that interface processes and monsoons significantly influence the ecological processes in the gulf. The concentrations of DIN, DIP, phytoplankton and zooplankton are generally higher in the eastern and northern gulf than that in the western and southern gulf. The key regions affected by ecological processes are the Qiongzhou Strait in winter and autumn and the estuaries along the Guangxi coast and the Red River in summer.In most of the studied domains, biochemical processes contribute more to the nutrient budget than do physical processes, and the DIN and DIP increase over the year. Phytoplankton plays an important role in the nutrient budget; phytoplankton photosynthetic uptake is the nutrient sink, phytoplankton dead cellular release is the largest source of DIN, and phytoplankton respiration is the largest source of DIP. The nutrient flux in the connected sections of the Beibu Gulf and open South China Sea(SCS) inflows from the east and outflows to the south. There are 113 709 t of DIN and 5 277 t of DIP imported from the open SCS to the gulf year-around.     

Hydrography of the Artabro Gulf in summer: western coastal limit of Cantabrian seawater and wind-induced upwelling at prior cape

The Artabro Gulf (1500 km² north-west of the Iberian Peninsula) has been studied based on data obtained in August 1993, under typical summer meteorological conditions (COPLA 893 cruise). This is the first study on the summer hydrography of the Artabro Gulf. During this season, the hydrography of this area is quite complex and must be understood in terms of three factors: 1) upwelling, 2) two different eastern North Atlantic Central Water (ENACW) water masses and 3) rias water exchange. A local wind-induced upwelling of ENACW_p (subpolar) occurs off Prior Cape. The plume is located off the gulf coastline, but inside the continental shelf. The frontal zone, rich in nutrients and chlorophyll, is parallel to the gulf line, starting in the Prior region and ending at the convergence of ENACW_p and ENACW_t (subtropical), giving it an arched shape. The Artabro Gulf is the place off the Galicia coast where ENACW_t and ENACW_p are observed and the gulf is the western limit of coastal Cantabrian Sea influence. The upwelling is strongly influenced by the topographic presence of the gulf which generates an ‘upwelling shadow’ where the rias water exchange is confined near the coast and the ENACW_p does not penetrate into the rias. The opposite occurs at the southernmost Rias Bajas, where ENACW_t upwells inside the rias.     

东海陆架盆地海相中生界及其与邻近古海洋关系探讨

多道反射地震、地磁、钻井资料表明，东海存在中生代地层。区域地层、古生物、古地理环境分析表明，东海陆架盆地南部赋存发育海相中生界的可能性。中生代期间，包括台西南、粤东、闽西在内的中国东南沿海一带存在一海相沉积环境，它可能是西太平洋、也可能是从南海东部或中部经过的中特提斯洋伸向陆地的一个支角。该支角北部可能抵达东海陆架盆地南部。     

Hydrophysical state of the Gulf of Feodosia in May 2015

Distribution of Sea of Azov water on the Crimean shelf and its penetration into the Gulf of Feodosia result in significant changes in the hydrophysical and hydrochemical structure of the water area. This inflow is also estimated as a major source of anthropogenic pollution in the region. At the same time, the Gulf of Feodosia is one of the least investigated areas of Russian Black Sea coast. The paper focuses on the hydrophysical structure of the Gulf of Feodosia and southeastern part of the Crimean shelf. The results of a field survey in May 2015 made it possible to reveal the presence of Sea of Azov water in the gulf and describe its thermohaline properties, along with the character of distribution. It is shown that contamination of Sea of Azov water in the gulf could mostly be determined by the synoptic dynamic processes in the area rather than by the seasonal variability of discharge in the Kerch Strait. The possible influence of the distribution of Sea of Azov water on the formation of cyclonic gyres in the coastal area of the region is indirectly confirmed by in situ measurements.     

Relationships of Phytoplankton with Certain Environmental Factors in the South Euboikos Gulf (Greece)

Abstract. The abundance and taxonomic diversity of phytoplankton have been studied in relation to certain environmental factors in the South Euboikos Gulf, a restricted tidal embayment on the eastern coast of Greece. The northern part of the gulf with higher tidal current, influenced by sewage and industrial effluents, showed high concentrations of nutrients, a greater total density of phytoplankton, relatively high chlorophyll a content, and a lower taxonomic diversity when compared with the southern part. The phytoplankton cycle was largely due to changes in diatom concentration. A slight variation in the occurrence of species and dominance could be observed along the salinity gradients.     

Quaternary evolution of the Gulf of İzmit (NW Turkey): a sedimentary basin under control of the North Anatolian Fault Zone

The Quaternary evolution of the Gulf of İzmit, situated on the tectonically active North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ), was investigated using seismic reflection, paleontologic, and sediment textural data. On the basis of seismic stratigraphic and sedimentologic-paleontologic interpretations, four depositional units were distinguished within the Plio-Quaternary sequence of the Gulf of İzmit. According to these data, Plio-Quaternary deposits supplied from the northern terrestrial area started to accumulate during a progradational phase, in a south-facing half-graben. A coarse-grained sedimentary unit prograding into the gulf from the south since 200 ka b.p. indicates a dramatic variation in the evolution of the gulf, with the initiation of a new strike-slip fault of the NAFZ and a corresponding uplift of the Armutlu Peninsula in the south of the gulf. During the evolution of this fault from a wide shear zone consisting of right-stepped strike-slip faults and pull-apart basins to a localized principal fault zone, sediments were deposited under the influence of northerly prograding terrestrial and shallow-marine conditions due to relative sea-level fluctuations in the Marmara Sea. During this period, the Gulf of İzmit was invaded mainly by Mediterranean and partly by Black Sea waters. In the latest glacial period, shallow areas in the gulf became subaerially exposed, whereas the central and western sub-basins of the gulf turned into lakes. The present evolution of the Gulf of İzmit is controlled by the after effects of the new rupture of the NAFZ and the estuarine nature of the gulf environment.     

Meiofauna distributions at the oxygen minimum zone in Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary waters

1 IntroductionOxygen minimum zone (OMZ) is a midwaterregion in the open ocean where dissolved oxygen con-centrations fall below 0.5 ml/L (0.714 mg/dm3,Kamykowski and Zentara, 1990; Levin et al.,1991). It results from the biological oxygen demandand is wel…     

Extreme significant wave height climate in the Gulf of Guinea

This article investigates spatio-temporal trends for different return periods of extreme significant wave height (SWH) in the Gulf of Guinea (GG), northeastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, based on a 37-year (1980–2016) wave hindcast. High-resolution reanalysis windfield datasets were used to force the spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III. The wave hindcast information was validated using data gathered from the US National Data Buoy Center. The model performance was adequate. In a spatial analysis, the trends were less than 0.3 m decade^?1 in all parts of the GG, and were increasingly positive westwards, extending to the far western part of the GG; trends below 0.01 m decade^?1 dominated in the eastern part and some areas of the northern part of the gulf. Temporal analysis showed that the trends were negative in all cases. Spatio-temporal trends in the return periods for the 99th-percentile wave height were generally weak. Also, trends in the yearly, seasonal and monthly means of extreme SWH all generally increased from east to west in the GG. Furthermore, temporal trend analysis showed that extreme SWH exhibited an increasing trend of 0.0041 m y^–1 throughout the 37-year period; by season, it exhibited a declining trend of ?0.0005 m y^–1 in winter, and an increasing trend of 0.0048 m y^?1 in summer. The observed increasing positive trend of extreme SWH westward in the GG, however, suggests an increasing storminess towards the western part of the gulf, with potential implications for coastal flooding and erosion, and consequences for coastal structures.     

近50年来长江口及邻近海域溶解氧的时空分布变化

长江口及邻近海域是我国最重要的河口海岸区域之一。基于多源、长时间序列的溶解氧资料,本文对近50年来长江口及邻近海域溶解氧的时空分布特征进行了研究。结果表明,近50年来,长江口及邻近海域表层溶解氧基本保持稳定,仅冬季呈现出一定的上升趋势。冬、春两季溶解氧浓度范围在7-11 mg/L,夏、秋两季为6-8 mg/L。长江口及邻近海域低氧值首先出现于5月,浙闽沿岸底层海域形成低氧水舌。水舌在夏季不断向北推进,北部断面低氧程度明显高于南部断面。到了秋季,低氧区逐渐消退,至冬季完全消失。在过去的50年中,长江口及邻近海域的低氧现象始于20世纪80年代。2000年起,低氧程度逐渐加深,低氧分布深度逐渐升高。本文基于大量的溶解氧历史数据开展研究,研究结论对于探讨长江口及邻近海域低氧区的发展变化具有非常重要的意义。     

Sedimentological response to neotectonics and sea-level change in a delta-fed,complex graben: Gulf of Amvrakikos,western Greece

The Gulf of Amvrakikos is one of several E–W grabens developed in the Middle Quaternary almost orthogonal to the tectonic grain of the external Hellenides in western Greece and is critically located at the termination of the Kefallinia transform fault linking the Hellenic subduction zone to the Adriatic-Dinaride collision lineament. The tectonic evolution of the Gulf and the response of sedimentation have been investigated based on 3.5 kHz and sparker profiles. The Holocene stratigraphy results from rising eustatic sea-level breaching the tectonic sill north of Preveza and inundating the braid plain of the Arachthos river, which then prograded across the northern Gulf following the formation of the maximum flooding surface. Older major transgressive surfaces are recognised in sparker profiles. Interpretation of these transgressions in terms of eustatic sea-level changes allows a chronology to be established and estimates to be made of neotectonic rates of subsidence. Two sets of neotectonic faults are present: reactivated NNE-trending mid-Tertiary thrusts of the Ionian zone and more active E–W trending faults. The sedimentary succession in the Gulf of Amvrakikos is the result of a complex interplay between eustatic sea level changes, the neotectonic creation of accommodation, and autocyclic delta distributary switching. The details of this process are resolved for the Holocene and the general sedimentation pattern established back to marine isotope stage (MIS) 8 (245–300 ka). In general, MIS 8 shows greater evidence of terrestrial deposition, compared with MIS 6 (130–190 ka) and especially MIS 2–4 (10–80 ka), when there was lacustrine deposition and some marine incursions at intermediate eustatic sea levels. This implies that regional subsidence has been taking place at least since MIS 8. In addition, changing sediment supply plays a role in overall sediment architecture, but is only well resolved for the Holocene, with higher rates of fluvial supply recognised in the mid Holocene.     

Visitors’ perceptions on the management of an important nesting site for loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta L.): The case of Rethymno coastal area in Greece

Tourism has important impacts, both positive and negative, on the management of coastal areas with high biodiversity value. It is therefore important to investigate visitors’ perceptions concerning environmental policy alternatives for these areas along with the factors influencing these perceptions. The present paper aims to investigate visitors’ perceptions of an important nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles located in a highly touristic area of Greece (Rethymno, Crete) registered in the Natura 2000 network. The paper focuses on the level of environmental awareness of visitors and their perceptions of two proposed policy instruments which will secure funding for the improvement of the environmental management of the area: an entrance fee to the beach and a tax to be levied on local accommodation costs. The influence of social and institutional trust on these perceptions is also explored. According to the results of the study, awareness of the existence of the Natura 2000 site was low. Furthermore, the accommodation tax was regarded as a more effective policy when compared to the entrance fee. Average Willingness to Pay (WTP) was also explored for the two policies, estimated at €1.13 for the daily accommodation tax and €1.59 for the entrance fee. The influence of social and institutional trust had a significant influence both on the perceived level of effectiveness of the proposed policies and the stated Willingness to Pay. The study concludes that the accommodation tax would be a more appropriate policy for the management of Rethymno beach taking into consideration visitors’ perceptions and the current level of trust.     

Baja California's Biological Transition Zones: Refuges for the California Sardine

The information on the transitional areas between the temperate and tropical domains at the southern extent of the California Current System is reviewed and described, particularly searching for the relative isolation or interchange between the western coast of the Baja California peninsula and the Gulf of California, as well as mechanisms that permit the existence of sizeable stocks of California sardine. Biological Action Centers that have high productivity throughout the year, as opposed to the rest of the coastal area, are found in both the western coast of the peninsula at the Sebastián Vizcaíno—Punta Eugenia region and in the Ballenas Channel inside the gulf; these features support large biomasses of sardine throughout the full year and serve as long term refuges during adverse periods. The role of the Sebastián Vizcaino sardine stock as the primary group for expansion is examined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

北部湾海域叶绿素a质量浓度时空分布研究

叶绿素a质量浓度是水体富营养化的重要指标,及时和有效地对水体叶绿素a质量浓度进行监测和评价,对环境保护十分必要。本文基于2011年至2016年的卫星遥感数据,分析了北部湾海表叶绿素a质量浓度的时空分布特征。研究结果表明:北部湾叶绿素a质量浓度有明显的月变化和季节性变化,北部湾叶绿素a月平均质量浓度在8月和1月分别达到峰值,北部湾冬季与夏季的叶绿素a季平均质量浓度高于春季和秋季,夏季北部湾海域表层的叶绿素a质量浓度开始迅速升高,秋季北部湾中南部叶绿素a质量浓度呈下降的趋势。在空间分布上,北部湾近岸海域叶绿素a质量浓度平均水平较高,叶绿素a质量浓度高值区集中在湾北部雷州半岛西部沿岸的浅水区海域,而低值区在湾中部以及湾南部的深水区海域。     

Submarine structures in the Gulf of İzmit,based on multichannel seismic reflection and multibeam bathymetry

Multichannel seismic reflection and multi-beam bathymetry data were used to study the active tectonic and syn-tectonic stratigraphic setting of the Gulf of ?zmit in the Marmara Sea (Turkey). The gulf and its near surroundings are deformed by the northern strand of the dextral North Anatolian Fault. Three connected basins of the gulf, the western (Dar?ca), central (Karamürsel) and eastern (Gölcük) basins are formed by active faults, as observed in the stacked and migrated seismic sections, as well as the bathymetry map. The main branch and its surrounding sedimentary strata are confined by normal faults to the north and south. These normal faults converge at depth towards the main fault, forming a negative flower structure in the gulf. The average maximum sedimentation rate is 0.4 mm/year according to the three most recent seismo-stratigraphic units that are located to the south of the main fault branch within the central basin. A 20° south-dipping major discontinuity along the northern shoreline of the gulf represents the top of Paleozoic basement.     

琼州海峡东部水进入北部湾对广西沿海环流的影响

本文通过对琼州海峡东部水域温盐资料和沿岸海洋站同步观测资料的对比发现：夏季,广西涠洲岛盐度变化规律和琼州海峡东部、中部变化规律一致,广西北海略受影响,而远离琼州海峡的龙门和白龙尾两站,则更多反映夏季陆地水文规律。同时,采用琼州海峡多年海流资料和涠洲岛定点站及近期测流站的海流观测资料对比看出,琼州海峡冬夏季余流方向仍然是自东向西。结合数值模拟计算结果,同样得出琼州海峡东部水自东向西进入北部湾的事实。这些温盐分布特征和余流观测结果进一步证实：粤西沿岸流是琼州海峡水向西输运的主要来源,形成粤西沿岸流这种现象的根源在于珠江冲淡水的西向流,它们通过琼州海峡进入北部湾,加强了北部湾北部气旋式环流的形成。夏季,在强的西南风作用下,产生较强北部湾西岸北向沿岸流,促使低盐冲淡水向外海输运,然后在东部涠洲岛附近形成更大范围内气旋式环流。琼州海峡东部水进入北部湾对广西沿海环流影响的研究,直接向琼州海峡冬夏季水体输运方向的传统结论提出了新的挑战。     

东北季风期台湾海峡的逆温现象

利用2006-2008年3个航次水文资料,结合日本海洋数据中心(JODC)的历史温度数据分析了东北季风期台湾海峡的逆温现象。结果显示,除台湾浅滩及海峡西岸浅水区外,几乎整个台湾海峡皆有逆温现象。逆温幅度和发生频率在海峡西部较高,海峡东部及粤东近海较低。逆温层上界深度春季较秋、冬季深,逆温频发区(发生频率大于60%)随着季节南北向移动,秋季频发区的最南端位于厦门近海,冬季扩展至台湾浅滩北部,春季回退至平潭近海。分析表明,浙闽沿岸水随季节南北向伸缩导致了逆温频发区的同步移动。除了季节变化外,逆温现象在2006年和2007年冬季有显著差异,2006年逆温仅出现在海峡西部近岸海域,2007年扩展至海峡东部且向南伸至粤东近岸,浙闽沿岸水的横向伸缩是造成此差异的主因。     

Seasonal changes of water properties and current in the northernmost gulf of aqaba,red sea

Seasonal changes of tide signal(s), temperature, salinity and current were studied during the years 2004-2005 in the northernmost Gulf of Aqaba, which is under developmental activities, to obtain scientific bases for best management and sustainability. Spectrum analysis revealed permanent signals of tide measurements during all seasons, which represented semidiurnal and diurnal barotropic tides. The other signal periods of 8.13, 6.10-6.32, 4.16 and 1.02-1.05 h were not detected in all seasons, which were related to shallow water compound and overtides of principle solar and lunar constituent and to seiches generated in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Spatial and temporal distribution of temperature, salinity and density showed significant differences between months in the coastal and offshore region and no significant differences among the coastal sites, between the surface and bottom waters and between coastal and offshore waters. Therefore, the temporal and spatial variation of water properties in the northernmost Gulf of Aqaba behave similarly compared to other parts. The coastal current below 12 m depth was weak (3-6 cms^-1) and fluctuated from east-northeastward to west-southwestward (parallel to the shoreline), which may be related to the effect of bottom topography and/or current density due to differential cooling between eastern and western parts in the study area, and windinduced upwelling and downwelling in the eastern and western side, respectively. The prevailing northerly winds and stratification conditions during summer were the main causes of the southward current at 6 and 12 m depths with average speed of 28 and 12 cms^-1, respectively.     

A synoptic survey of young mesoscale eddies in the Eastern Gulf of Alaska

Eddies in the Gulf of Alaska are important sources of coastal water and associated nutrients, iron, and biota to the high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll central Gulf of Alaska. Three primary eddy formation regions along the eastern boundary of the gulf have been identified, (from south to north, Haida, Sitka, and Yakutat). In the spring of 2005, three eddies (one of each type) were sampled soon after their formation. The subsurface eddy core water in all three eddies was defined by high iron concentrations and low dissolved oxygen compared with surrounding basin water. The Sitka and Yakutat core waters also exhibited a subsurface temperature maximum (mesothermal water) coincident in depth with the iron maximum, suggesting that eddies may play a role in the formation of temperature inversions observed throughout the Gulf of Alaska. The data suggest different formation regions, with the Yakutat eddy forming in shallow shelf water with riverine input, while the Sitka and Haida eddies appear to form in deeper water.