Relationships between benthic community condition, water quality, sediment quality, nutrient loads, and land use patterns in Chesapeake Bay

Associations between macrobenthic communities, measures of water column and sediment exposure, and measures of anthropogenic activities throughout the watershed were examined for the Chesapeake Bay, U.S. The condition of the macrobenthic communities was indicated by a multimetric benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) that compares deviation of community metrics from values at reference sites assumed to be minimally altered by anthropogenic sources of stress. Correlation analysis was used to examine associations between sites with poor benthic condition and measures of pollution exposure in the water column and sediment. Low dissolved oxygen events were spatially extensive and strongly correlated with benthic community condition, explaining 42% of the variation in the B-IBI. Sediment contamination was spatially limited to a few specific locations including Baltimore Harbor and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and explained about 10% of the variation in the B-IBI. After removing the effects of low dissolved oxygen events, the residual variation in benthic community condition was weakly correlated with surrogates for eutrophication—water column concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophylla. Associations between benthic conditions and anthropogenic inputs and activities in the watershed were also studied by correlation analysis. Benthic condition was negatively correlated with measures of urbanization (i.e., population density, point source loadings, and total nitrogen loadings) and positively correlated with watershed forestation. Significant correlations were observed with population density and nitrogen loading below the fall line, but not above it, suggesting that near-field activities have a greater effect on benthic condition than activities in the upper watershed. At the tributary level, the frequency of low dissolved oxygen events and levels of sediment contaminants were positively correlated with population density and percent of urban land use. Sediment contaminants were also positively correlated with point source nutrient loadings. Water column total nitrogen concentrations were positively correlated with nonpoint nutrient loadings and agricultural land use while total phosphorus concentrations were not correlated with land use or nutrient loadings. Chlorophylla concentrations were positively correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the water column and with agricultural land use but were not correlated with nutrient loads.     

遗迹化石对显生宙5大生物-环境事件的响应

通过系统梳理与奥陶纪-志留纪、晚泥盆世弗拉期-法门期、二叠纪-三叠纪、三叠纪-侏罗纪、白垩纪-古近纪之交 的5次生物大灭绝期遗迹化石记录相关的生物和环境事件,发现遗迹化石对5次大灭绝事件为负响应,即在大灭绝事件之后 的残存期和复苏期期间,遗迹化石的多样性、丰度、潜穴直径、生物扰动强度、遗迹组构阶层都大为减小.遗迹化石反映的造迹 生物行为习性和觅食策略在5次生物大灭绝事件后也各有不同,食沉积物性觅食策略在晚奥陶世和晚白垩世大灭绝事件之 后占据主导,滤食性觅食策略在晚三叠世大灭绝事件之后占据主导,机会主义遗迹(如Planolites)、食沉积物性和滤食性等多 种觅食策略和行为习性在晚泥盆世F-F和晚二叠世两次大灭绝事件之后占据主导.晚泥盆世F-F和晚二叠世两次大灭绝事件 之后,遗迹化石记录了底栖生物系统由简单向复杂、由二维向三维生态空间拓展的变化趋势.      

Contaminants in Long Island Sound: Data Synthesis and Analysis

We synthesized existing data on chemical contaminants in Long Island Sound (LIS) from published reports and unpublished databases. We found several cases of systematic differences between data sources, which complicated the tasks of understanding the health of LIS and of identifying trends over time. Of the three media examined—water, sediment, and biota—sediment (especially in western LIS) most often exhibited pollutant concentrations that were high relative to guidelines and to other estuaries. These high sediment concentrations did not appear to be efficiently transmitted to biota. With the exception of Cd, median pollutant levels in embayment sediments were not higher than in open-water sediments, but the highest levels found in embayments were much higher than at open-water sites, especially for Ag and Hg. Trends over time in contaminant levels were mixed. We identify the most problematic contaminants in LIS and recommend adding Ag to the LIS Study’s List of Contaminants of Concern.     

Long-term Trends of Benthic Habitats Related to Reduction in Wastewater Discharge to Boston Harbor

A combination of methods (infaunal grabs and sediment profile cameras) were used to monitor the response of Boston Harbor benthic habitats to reductions in wastewater associated with movement of the outfalls to the mouth of the harbor and then offshore. From 1992 to 2006, there was strong evidence that benthic habitats within Boston Harbor have shifted from a more anaerobic state to a more aerobic state and that these changes are directly related to changes in carbon loading associated with outfall placement and improvements in wastewater treatment. Over the period of 1992 to 2000, when the ocean outfall started to operate, there was >90% reduction in organic loadings to Boston Harbor from 11,400 to 1,200 t C per year. There were also corresponding decreases in primary production due to reduced nutrient loadings. The most apparent change in harbor benthos was the widespread increase in 1992 and subsequent decline by 2005 in Ampelisca spp. tube mats. The long-term increase in thickness of the apparent color redox potential discontinuity layer was consistent with reductions in organic loading and increases in bioturbation. The optimal organic loading for maintaining large areas of amphipod tube mats and high bioturbation rates was around 500 g C per square meter per year. Above and below this level, the area of tube mats in Boston Harbor declined.     

Multiple stressors in an estuarine system: Effects of nutrients, trace elements, and trophic complexity on benthic photosynthesis and respiration

The effects of nutrients, trace elements, and trophic complexity on benthic photosynthesis and respriation were studied in the Paxtuxent River estuary near St. Leonard, Maryland. Experiments were conducted over three years (1995–1997) in mesocosms containing riverine sediment and water. The experimental design was 2×2×3 factorial with two levels of nutrients (ambient and + nutrients), two of trace elements (ambient and + trace elements) and three of trophic complexity (plankton, plankton + fish, and plankton + fish + benthos). Trace elements included arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd). The experiment was conducted three times in 1995 and 1997 and four times in 1996. In 1995 and 1996, sediments were muddy, while in the final year sediments were sandy. In mesocoms with sandy sediments, nutrient additions increased benthic photosynthesis overall, while trace element additions increased benthic photosynthesis in two of three experimental runs. Benthic photosynthesis in these mesocosms appeared to be related to nitrogen loading. Benthic respiration increased in nutrient and trace element amended mesocosms with sandy sediments, apparently in response to higher benthic photosynthesis. Increasing trophic complexity, particularly the presence of benthic organisms, also increased benthic respiration in mesocosms with sandy sediments. There were no effects of nutrient or trace element additions on benthic photosynthesis and respiration when the sediments were muddy. The lack of consistent responses to nutrient additions was surprising given that benthic respiration rates (and presumably nutrient regeneration) were similar in all three years, regardless of sediment type. Muddy, sediments did not mask, the effects of nutrient addition by supplying more nutrients to benthic microalgae than sandy sediments. In 1996, the presence of filter feeding bivalves increased the relative heterotrophy of sediments, measured as production: respiration. Consistent with increased heterotrophy, effluxes of ammonium and soluble reactive phosphorus from sediments were greater in mesocosms containing benthic organisms. Anthropogenically-induced changes in estuaries, such as loading of nutrients and trace elements or reduced trophic complexity, can have important effects on benthic processes and potentially pelagic processes through feedback mechanisms.     

Influence of Organic Enrichment and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spisula subtruncata</Emphasis> (da Costa, 1778) on Oxygen and Nutrient Fluxes in Fine Sand Sediments

The role of labile organic material and macrofaunal activity in benthic respiration and nutrient regeneration have been tested in sublittoral fine sand sediments from the Gulf of Valencia (northwestern Mediterranean Sea). Three experimental setups were made using benthic chambers. One experiment was performed in-situ through the annual cycle in a well-sorted fine sand community. The remaining experiments were carried out with mesocosms under laboratory conditions: one with different concentrations of organic enrichment (mussel meat and concentrated diatoms culture), and the other adding two different densities of the endofaunal bivalve Spisula subtruncata. Biochemical variables in surface sediment and changes in oxygen consumption and nutrient fluxes throughout incubation period were studied in each experiment. In the in situ incubations, dissolved oxygen (DO) fluxes showed a strong correlation with sedimentary biopolymeric fraction of organic carbon. Organic enrichment in the laboratory experiments was responsible for increased benthic respiration. However, sediment response (expressed as DO uptake and dissolved inorganic nitrogen—DIN—release) between oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions was more intense than between eutrophic and hypertrophic conditions. S. subtruncata abundances close to 400 and 850 ind m^?2 also intensified benthic metabolism. DO uptake and DIN production in mesocosms with added fauna were between 60 and 75 % and 65–100 % higher than in the control treatment respectively. The results of these three experiments suggest that the macrobenthic community may increase the benthic respiration by roughly a factor of two in these bottoms, where S. subtruncata is one of the dominant species. Both organic enrichment and macrobenthic community in general, and S. subtruncata in particular, did not seem to have a relevant role in P and Si cycles in these sediments.     

Twelve-Year Mapping and Change Analysis of Eelgrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis>) Areal Abundance in Massachusetts (USA) Identifies Statewide Declines

In 1994, 1995, and 1996, seagrasses in 46 of the 89 coastal embayments and portions of seven open-water near-shore areas in Massachusetts were mapped with a combination of aerial photography, digital imagery, and ground truth verification. In the open-water areas, 9,477.31 ha of seagrass were identified, slightly more than twice the 4,846.2 ha detected in the 46 coastal embayments. A subset of the 46 embayments, including all regions of the state were remapped in 2000, 2001, and 2002 and again in 2006 and 2007. We detected a wide range of changes from increases as high as 29% y⁻¹ in Boston Harbor to declines as large as −33% y⁻¹ in Salem Harbor. One embayment, Waquoit Bay, lost all of its seagrass during the mapping period. For the 12-year change analysis representing all geographic regions of the state, only three embayments exhibited increases in seagrass coverage while 30 of the original 46 embayments showed some indication of decline. For the decadal period, rates of decline in the individual embayments ranged from −0.06% y⁻¹ to as high as −14.81% y⁻¹. The median rate of decline by region ranged from −2.21% y⁻¹ to −3.51% y⁻¹ and was slightly less than the recently reported global rate of decline for seagrasses (−3.7% y⁻¹). Accounting for the gains in three of the embayments, 755.16 ha (20.6%) of seagrass area originally detected was lost during the mapping interval. The results affirm that previously reported losses in a few embayments were symptomatic of more widespread seagrass declines in Massachusetts. State and Federal programs designed to improve environmental quality for conservation and restoration of seagrasses in Massachusetts should continue to be a priority for coastal managers.     

Pleistocene oceanographie changes indicated by deep sea benthic foraminifera in the northern Indian Ocean

An attempt has been made to understand the Pleistocene bottom water history in response to the paleoclimatic changes in the northern Indian Ocean employing quantitative analyses of deep sea benthic foraminifera at the DSDP sites 219 and 238. Among the 150 benthic foraminifera recorded a few species show dominance with changing percent frequencies during most of the sequence. The dominant benthic foraminiferal assemblages suggest that most of the Pleistocene bottom waters at site 219 and Early Pleistocene bottom waters at site 238 are of North Indian Deep Water (NIDW) origin. However, Late Pleistocene assemblage at site 238 appears to be closely associated with a water mass intermediate between North Indian Deep Water (NIDW) and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). Uvigerina proboscidea is the most dominant benthic foraminiferal species present during the Pleistocene at both the sites. A marked increase in the relative abundance ofU. proboscidea along with less diverse and equitable fauna during Early Pleistocene suggests a relative cooling, an intensified oceanic circulation and upwelling of nutrient rich bottom waters resulting in high surface productivity. At the same time, low sediment accumulation rate during Early Pleistocene reveals increased winnowing of the sediments possibly due to more corrosive and cold bottom waters. The Late Pleistocene in general, is marked by relatively warm and stable bottom waters as reflected by low abundance ofU. proboscidea and more diverse and equitable benthic fauna. The lower depth range for the occurrence ofBulimina aculeate in the Indian Ocean is around 2300 m, similar to that of many other areas.B. aculeata also shows marked increase in its abundance near the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary while a sudden decrease in the relative abundance ofStilostomella lepidula occurs close to the Early/Late Pleistocene boundary.     

Benthic fluxes and porewater concentration profiles of dissolved organic carbon in sediments from the North Carolina continental slope

Numerous studies of marine environments show that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in sediments are typically tenfold higher than in the overlying water. Large concentration gradients near the sediment–water interface suggest that there may be a significant flux of organic carbon from sediments to the water column. Furthermore, accumulation of DOC in the porewater may influence the burial and preservation of organic matter by promoting geopolymerization and/or adsorption reactions. We measured DOC concentration profiles (for porewater collected by centrifugation and “sipping”) and benthic fluxes (with in situ and shipboard chambers) at two sites on the North Carolina continental slope to better understand the controls on porewater DOC concentrations and quantify sediment–water exchange rates. We also measured a suite of sediment properties (e.g., sediment accumulation and bioturbation rates, organic carbon content, and mineral surface area) that allow us to examine the relationship between porewater DOC concentrations and organic carbon preservation. Sediment depth-distributions of DOC from a downslope transect (300–1000 m water depth) follow a trend consistent with other porewater constituents (ΣCO₂ and SO₄²⁻) and a tracer of modern, fine-grained sediment (fallout Pu), suggesting that DOC levels are regulated by organic matter remineralization. However, remineralization rates appear to be relatively uniform across the sediment transect. A simple diagenetic model illustrates that variations in DOC profiles at this site may be due to differences in the depth of the active remineralization zone, which in turn is largely controlled by the intensity of bioturbation. Comparison of porewater DOC concentrations, organic carbon burial efficiency, and organic matter sorption suggest that DOC levels are not a major factor in promoting organic matter preservation or loading on grain surfaces. The DOC benthic fluxes are difficult to detect, but suggest that only 2% of the dissolved organic carbon escapes remineralization in the sediments by transport across the sediment-water interface.     

Intra-annual Variability in Primary Producer Groups and Nitrogen Dynamics in an Intermittently Closed Estuary Exposed to Mediterranean Climate

Nutrient dynamics in estuaries are temporally variable in response to changing physical–chemical conditions and biogeochemical processes involving primary producer groups such as phytoplankton, microphytobenthos, seagrass and macroalgae. In order to reveal intra-annual changes in the biomass of primary producer groups and associated changes in estuarine nutrient dynamics, we developed a box model, coupling water inflows and outflows and nitrogen dynamics in Wilson Inlet, a large, central-basin-dominated, intermittently closed estuary exposed to a Mediterranean climate in Western Australia. The model is calibrated and validated with monitoring data, aquatic plant biomass estimates and biogeochemical rate measurements. Macrophytes and their microalgal epiphytes appear to rapidly assimilate nutrients from the first flush from the catchment in winter, but this buffer capacity then ceases, and a phytoplankton ‘bloom’ develops in response to subsequent river runoff events in spring. Significant amounts of bioavailable nitrogen are exported to the ocean because phytoplankton predominance occurs while the sand bar is breached. Surface sediments play a key role for nitrogen dynamics: In late spring to autumn, high light availability at the sediment surface stimulates high primary production by microphytobenthos, leading to reduced benthic ammonium fluxes particularly in the deep basin. Microphytobenthos contributes about 60% of annual whole-system primary production. Despite high benthic primary production, nitrogen release from sediments is the biggest nitrogen source to the estuary.     

Micro-scale biogeochemical heterogeneity in sediments: A review of available technology and observed evidence

The hypothesis that reducing conditions exist in localized zones of high organic matter, termed microniches, was first suggested over a century ago, but only relatively recently have high-resolution techniques been available to investigate them. In any sediment containing benthic fauna, bioturbation affects the distribution of a number of redox-sensitive components. Direct faecal deposition and the death of fauna may be expected to cause particles of labile organic matter (microniches) to be distributed heterogeneously within the sediment. This review discusses the significance and future direction of microniche studies by considering, exclusively, data obtained on a sub-mm scale that provide significant evidence for the existence and properties of microniches. Microelectrodes and planar optodes have shown the significant effect of burrowing organisms on localized O₂ distributions and revealed distinct depletions in O₂ due to microniches. Localized increases in pCO₂ and decreases in pH measured by optodes were attributed to elevated activity at microniches. Diffusive gradients in thin-films have shown isolated supersaturation of metals and sulphide, providing evidence for possible simultaneous oxidation of organic matter by sulphate and iron oxides. The stochastic nature of these data and the lack of information for the same precise location hinders interpretation in terms of sediment diagenesis. If microniches are known to account for a significant proportion of organic matter degradation, re-examination of the current understanding of sedimentary diagenesis may be needed. Further investigation on the distribution and frequency of microniches is required, including a wider range of analytes, in order to estimate their cumulative effect on element diagenesis, immobilisation/remobilisation processes and ultimately pollutant fate.     

Effect of water residence time on annual export and denitrification of nitrogen in estuaries: A model analysis

A simple model of annual average response of an estuary to mean nitrogen loading rate and freshwater residence time was developed and tested. It uses nitrogen inputs from land, deposition from the atmosphere, and first-order calculations of internal loss rate and net export to perform a steady-state analysis over a yearly cycle. The model calculates the fraction of total nitrogen input from land and the atmosphere that is exported and the fraction that is denitrified or lost to other processes within the estuary. The model was tested against data from the literature for 11 North American and European estuaries having a wide range of physical characteristics, nitrogen loading rates, and geographical and climatic settings. The model shows that the fraction of nitrogen entering an estuary that is exported or denitrified can be predicted from the freshwater residence time. The first-order rate constant for nitrogen loss within an estuary, as a fraction of total nitrogen in the water column, is 0.30 mo⁻¹. Denitrification typically accounts for 69–75% of the total annual net nitrogen removal from the water column by processes within the estuary. The model makes explicit the dependence of nitrogen concentration in the water column on the loading rate of nitrogen, water residence time, estuary volume, and the rate constant for loss within the estuary.     

Nitrogen-15 Isotope Enrichment in Benthic Boundary Layer Gases of a Stratified Eutrophic Iron and Manganese Rich Lake

The applicability of the natural abundance of nitrogen gas isotope ratios was used to indicate the spatial distribution of nitrogen transformations in the water column and sediment pore waters of Lake Ngapouri, a small (area 0.19 km²), monomictic, eutrophic lake in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand. Samples were collected from the epilimnion, hypolimnion, benthic boundary layer and at 5-cm intervals from the sediment pore waters at monthly intervals for 1 year. Values of δ¹⁵N [N₂] ranged from −1 to 0.28‰ in the epilimnion, −1.5 to 1.25‰ in the hypolimnion, −1.8 to 12.2‰ in the benthic boundary layer and −0.7 to 3.5‰ in sediment pore waters. Values of δ¹⁵N [N₂] showed a strong seasonal pattern that was related to the loss of dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion during seasonal stratification. Increases in ¹⁵N-enriched dinitrogen take place in the benthic boundary layer during the periods of anoxia (taken to be dissolved oxygen concentrations <6.3 μM) and may be related to abundant ammonium substrate (up to 275 μM) to support denitrification. Nitrate concentrations increased up to 36 μM with increasing duration of anoxia. We hypothesise that an alternative electron acceptor besides oxygen is required to support the nitrification needed for the production of nitrate. Iron and manganese hydroxides and oxides from material sedimenting out of the water column may have induced chemo-nitrification sufficient to oxidise ammonium in the anoxic benthic boundary layer. The nitrate formed would mostly be rapidly denitrified so that the δ¹⁵N [N₂] would continue to become enriched during the presence of anoxia, as observed in hypolimnion and benthic boundary layer of Lake Ngapouri. The changes in δ¹⁵N [N₂] values indicate the potential use of isotope ratios to identify and quantify potential chemo-nitrification/denitrification in the water column and sediment pore waters of lakes.     

人类活动引起的营养物质输入对海湾生态环境的影响机理与调控原理

近几十年来,高强度人类活动导致海湾生态环境恶化、生态系统失衡,已严重威胁到海岸带地区经济和社会的可持续发展。营养物质输入是人类活动影响海湾生态环境的关键因素。海湾营养物质来源多样,形态转化多变,生态过程及其效应复杂,营养物质在海湾的迁移转化规律及其对海湾生态环境的影响过程与机理,是国际海洋生态环境研究的前沿。目前,国际海湾生态环境研究主要呈现出如下发展趋势:1从环境质量、生物群落结构等现象研究转向环境变化机理、生态系统结构与功能的响应机制研究;2从对海湾生态环境某个环节的研究转向对海湾生态系统的全过程、系统性研究;3从单纯研究海湾水体转向陆海相互作用的完整性研究,并从管理上提出海陆统筹的要求;4从对海湾生态环境某个时段变化的研究转向生态系统长期连续变化规律的研究。未来应重点开展的研究包括:营养物质在半封闭性海湾长期滞留聚集条件下的迁移转化规律;营养物质变化对海湾生态系统结构与功能的影响过程与机制;基于生态系统水平的海湾综合管理理论体系。     

Nitrogen, phosphorus, silica, and carbon in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia: Differential limitation of phytoplankton biomass and production

Subtropical estuaries have received comparatively little attention in the study of nutrient loading and subsequent nutrient processing relative to temperate estuaries. Australian estuaries are particularly susceptible to increased nutrient loading and eutrophication, as 75% of the population resides within 200 km of the coastline. We assessed the factors potentially limiting both biomass and production in one Australian estuary, Moreton Bay, through stoichiometric comparisons of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si), and carbon (C) concentrations, particulate compositions, and rates of uptake. Samples were collected over 3 seasons in 1997–1998 at stations located throughout the bay system, including one riverine endmember site. Concentrations of all dissolved nutrients, as well as particulate nutrients and chlorophyll, declined 10-fold to 100-fold from the impacted western embayments to the eastern, more oceanic-influenced regions of the bay during all seasons. For all seasons and all regions, both the dissolved nutrients and particulate biomass yielded N:P ratios <6 and N:Si ratios <1. Both relationships suggest strong limitation of biomass by N throughout the bay. Limitation of rates of nutrient uptake and productivity were more complex. Low C:N and C:P uptake ratios at the riverine site suggested light limitation at all seasons, low N:P ratios suggested some degree of N limitation and high N:Si uptake ratios in austral winter suggested Si limitation of uptake during that season only. No evidence of P limitation of biomass or productivity was evident.     

Seasonal cycle and mass balance of cadmium in an estuary with an agricultural catchment: The Morlaix River estuary (Brittany,France)

Cadmium (Cd) variations were investigated over an annual cycle (12 surveys between February 1998–January 1999) in the Morlaix estuary (Brittany, France) in both the water column and the benthic compartment in relation to hydrological conditions. The drainage basin of the Morlaix River estuary is predominantly agricultural in character. Dissolved Cd concentrations in the water column varied from 0.04 to 0.48 nM. Particulate Cd concentrations ranged from 1 to 64 nmol g⁻¹. These concentrations reach levels commonly observed in estuaries affected by heavy industrial activities. Extensive agricultural activities in the drainage basin may be responsible for Cd levels above pristine conditions. Metal concentrations varied significantly over the seasonal cycle and the dissolved fraction exhibited high values in summer months. Particulate concentrations were always lowest during this season. In the benthic compartment, Cd concentrations in surface sediment varied from 0.4 to 5.0 nmol g⁻¹ and from 0.2 to 5.0 nM in porewaters. Concentrations in sediment were slightly affected by Cd contamination and temporal changes were important over the seasonal cycle. The variations seem to be controlled by the succession of sedimentation and erosion processes, which are tightly linked to seasonal changes in river discharge. A box model was constructed based on known Cd sources and sinks in the estuary. Cd is chiefly brought into the estuary by the Morlaix River and accumulates within the estuary. The accumulation within the estuary represents from 6.3 to 7.2 kg yr⁻¹.     

Diel oxygen dynamics and anoxic events in an eutrophic estuary of Waquoit Bay,Massachusetts

As a result of nutrient loading from septic systems, a thick canopy of macroalgae covers the bottom of Waquoit Bay, an embayment on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Using automated conductivity-temperature-oxygen recorders and manual profiles, we measured diel water column O₂ changes during summer in the Childs River, the estuary of the bay with the highest housing density. At dawn in midsummer, bottom waters in the Childs River are chronically hypoxic due to high rates of benthic respiration. On sunny days benthic photosynthesis drives bottom water O₂ to 10–15 mg l^?1 by afternoon. The extent of the daily O₂ excursion is directly proportional to daily irradiance. Large diel O₂ excursions in bottom water are due to limited mixing of surface and bottom water. Density stratification exceeded two sigma-t units 85% of the time during midsummer in the Childs River. Because of stratification, hypoxia and even anoxia occur in this estuary. The first of several anoxic events was observed in Waquoit Bay in 1988, and we have attempted to evaluate factors that trigger anoxia. High rates of benthic respiration result in anoxia when replenishment of O₂ during the day is limited by insufficient light. Our analysis of meteorological records during two recent anoxic events shows that anoxia develops overnight in midsummer during periods of peak summertime temperatures after several days of cloudy, moderately calm weather. Similarly critical conditions existed most summers since 1975, yet anoxic events in the bay have not been reported historically. If climatic warming occurs, anoxic events in the bay may occur more frequently even if algal stocks remain unchanged. Eutrophication of Waquoit Bay is similar to many other embayments in populated coastal areas, and anoxic events may indicate a chronic growing problem in these important ecosystems. However, in shallow, stratified embayments, anoxia may be transient and easily missed without frequent monitoring.     

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Benthic Oxygen Demand and Nutrient Regeneration in an Anthropogenically Impacted New England Estuary

Strong benthic–pelagic coupling is an important characteristic of shallow coastal marine ecosystems. Building upon a rich history of benthic metabolism data, we measured oxygen uptake and nutrient fluxes across the sediment–water interface along a gradient of water column primary production in Narragansett Bay, RI (USA). Despite the strong gradients seen in water column production, sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and benthic nutrient fluxes did not exhibit a clear spatial pattern. Some of our sites had been studied in the 1970s and 1980s and thus allowed historical comparison. At these sites, we found that SOD and benthic fluxes have not changed uniformly throughout Narragansett Bay. In the uppermost portion of the bay, the Providence River Estuary, we observed a significant decrease in dissolved inorganic phosphorus fluxes which we attribute to management interventions. At another upper bay site, we observed significant declines in SOD and dissolved inorganic nitrogen fluxes which may be linked to climate-induced decreases in water column primary production and shifts in bloom phenology. In the 1970s, benthic nutrient regeneration supplied 50% to over 200% of the N and P needed to support primary production by phytoplankton. Summer nutrient regeneration in the Providence River Estuary and Upper bay now may only supply some 5–30% of the N and 3–20% of the P phytoplankton demand.     

南海北部近6 Ma以来中层水体演化的底栖有孔虫证据

本文对南海北部陆坡SH7B孔底栖有孔虫群落结构组成及壳体氧碳同位素值变化特征进行研究,旨在了解该区晚中新世以来的中层水体演化历史。利用因子和聚类分析对该钻孔128个样品中的35个底栖有孔虫优势属种的相对百分含量数据进行统计分析,识别出4个组合:Globocassidulina subglobosa-Stilostomella spp.（Gs-St）,Chilostomella mediterranensis-Globobulimina spp. (Cm-Gl),Hoglundina elegans-Pyrgo spp. (He-Py),Melonis affinis-Pyrgo spp. (Ma-Py)。晚中新世晚期至上新世早期（5.8~2.8 Ma）相对高海平面温暖期,SH7B孔底栖有孔虫为相对稳定的Gs-St组合,反映了低到中等营养物质供给的低氧水体环境。其中5.8~3.79 Ma底栖有孔虫壳体碳同位素偏负和强烈的碳酸盐溶解现象在全球其他海区均有发现,指示当时南海北部陆坡底层水体低氧环境可能受到因全球大洋环流格局变化影响的太平洋偏腐蚀性的缺氧中层水体影响。3.79~2.8 Ma底栖有孔虫丰度和喜氧类表生种含量逐渐增加,指示水体流通性趋于增强,水体氧含量稍有增加。晚上新世2.4 Ma以来,底栖有孔虫组合与氧碳同位素值波动变化频繁,反映了中等到高表层输出生产力的富氧到缺氧中层水体环境,南海北部陆坡底栖有孔虫的分布主要受陆源有机质输入量的多寡和南海中深层水体的循环状况共同控制。     

Remote Sensing of Biologically Reworked Sediments: A Laboratory Experiment

The present study aims to test the application of remote sensing to address the impact of bioturbation on physical sediment properties. Therefore, a laboratory experiment was developed, using microcosms mimicking a marine intertidal water–sediment interface to test the influence of Corophium volutator densities on sediment properties. Three main variables (water content, clay content, and mean grain size) were measured in three treatments (no Corophium, 5,000 Corophium per square meter, and 20,000 Corophium per square meter) after 16 days of bioturbation. Results obtained with conventional—destructive—techniques showed a significant increase of water content and a significant, but small decrease of clay content in the presence of Corophium. The remote sensing technique detected the impact of Corophium on water content as an increase in absorption at 1,450 nm, but was not able to detect the animal impact on clay content. This study demonstrates that remote sensing data could be significantly modified by bioturbation activities and that remote sensing can be applied in the laboratory to address the impact of bioturbation on sediment properties. This possibly opens new perspectives for long-term experiments concerning the role of bioturbation on sedimentary processes.