Habitat selection of stone and starry flounders in an estuary in relation to feeding and survival

Juveniles of both stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus and starry flounder Platichthys stellatus utilize estuaries as nursery grounds. To understand their habitat selection and the functions of habitats such as food supply, we defined the seasonal distribution of recently settled fish of these species in shallow nursery areas and investigated their feeding habits in the Natori River estuary, Japan. Distribution of stone flounder was limited to the lower estuary (<3 km upriver from the mouth) and stone flounder were most abundant near the mouth. Recently settled starry flounder were first detected further upstream in areas characterized by low salinity <10 and by the absence of the predatory sand shrimp Crangon uritai. Early juvenile stone and starry flounders consumed mainly siphons of the bivalve Nuttallia olivacea and the mysid Neomysis awatschensis, respectively; however, 1- and 2-yr-old fish of both stone and starry flounders fed mainly on the bivalve siphons. These results indicate that habitat selections of juvenile stone and starry flounders enable utilization of preferred prey and predator avoidance, respectively, and that non-overlap of these species' habitats results in avoidance of inter-specific competition for food between these two species.     

长江口浮游动物生态分布特征及其与环境的关系

采用2002年8月监测资料,对长江口海域的浮游动物生态分布特征(种类组成、群落结构及多样性等)分四个区域进行了分析,并探讨了浮游动物个体数、生物量分布与环境因子的关系。结果表明,调查海域共鉴定出浮游动物74种,桡足类28种,水母类7种,毛颚类6种,另外还鉴定出多种浮游虾类和浮游幼体。长江口外海区浮游动物种类最多,为55种,长江口混合区其次,为42种,长江口南支和南汇嘴附近海域种类较少,分别为11种和13种。长江口南支和南汇嘴附近海域优势种类为火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia)和虫肢歪水蚤(Tortanus vermiculus),长江口混合区为背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus)、真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta),而中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)和肥胖箭虫(Sagitta enflata)为长江口外海区的优势种类。浮游动物个体数大小为:长江口南支<长江口混合区<长江口外海区<南汇嘴;而生物量高低依次为:长江口外海区>长江口混合区>南汇嘴>长江口南支。长江口外浮游动物种类丰富,多样性指数较高,均匀度较好。经相关分析结果表明,浮游动物个体数与生物量存在明显的正相关,个体数与Hg呈正相关,与化学需氧量呈负相关;生物量与盐度、酸碱度、叶绿素a呈正相关,与溶解氧、化学需氧量、活性磷酸盐、无机氮表现为负相关。     

Spatial and seasonal distribution of intertidal macrobenthos with their biomass and functional feeding guilds in the Naf River estuary,Bangladesh

The Naf River estuary is one of the most productive ecological ecosystems in Bangladesh providing an important feeding area for fishes and other aquatic animals.However,detailed information on macrobenthic communities is rarely available in this area.Our study focused on the seasonal and spatial variability of macrobenthic community structure with their biomass and functional guilds.In total,fortyseven taxa were identified under nine major groups and seven functional feeding guilds.Among macrobenthic taxa,Polychaeta was dominant in both seasons and all over the estuary contributing 60%of total benthos.The mean abundance of macrobenthos was higher during the pre-monsoon(2 972±1 994 inds./m^2)than the monsoon(1 572±361 inds./m^2)being maximum at mid-estuary region and minimum at upper and lower estuary regions.Of the diversity indices,density(P=0.01,P=0.003),the number of taxa(P=0.000 3,P=0.000 9)and Margalef′s Index(P=0.000 4,P=0.001)of macrobenthos were significantly different among stations and seasons.Shannon-Weiner index(P=0.009,P=0.12)and Pielou’s evenness index(P=0.03,P=0.14)had significant differences among stations but not among seasons.Cluster analysis suggested that distribution of macrofauna is strongly influenced by seasonality.Among the feeding types,carnivorous were found to be dominant at the upper and mid-estuarine regions,and herbivorous were at lower estuarine regions.Carnivorous species were dominant in both seasons.Omnivores have shown to be the most abundant feeding type in terms of biomass though herbivores were highest during monsoon.     

Microphytobenthic biomass and species composition in intertidal flats of the Nakdong River estuary, Korea

Intertidal microphytobenthos (MPB) were investigated monthly from August 2006 to March 2008 at four different sites in the sand flats of Nakdong River estuary, Korea. Samples of surface sediment (ca. 1 cm) were collected, and chlorophyll a was extracted as biomass estimation. Species identification and enumeration were carried out by light microscopy, assisted where necessary by scanning electronic microscopy. Biomass varied between 0.47 and 16.58 μg cm⁻³, abundance changed from 5.25 to 414.75 × 10³ cells cm⁻³, while the Shannon diversity indexes ranged between 0.69 and 2.35 H′. Thirty-nine MPB taxa were identified, primarily composed of epipelic diatoms, among which Amphora and Navicula were the most abundant genera. Based on the biomass, abundance, species composition and their dynamics, MPB assemblages of sampling sites were grouped into three distinct communities corresponding to their sediment composition characteristics. Multivariate correlation analysis revealed that biomass was positively related to mud and very fine sand, negatively related to fine and medium sand, but not significantly related to environmental factors such as pore water nutrients, light intensity and salinity, which fluctuated rapidly during emersion period. Cluster analysis corroborated the division of MPB communities according to site types on seasonal scales, and also showed seasonality between sites by cluster of all summer groups. Principal component analysis identified that variability in species composition was significantly affected by mud, very fine sand, fine sand, light intensity, and sediment temperature. This study suggests that sediment composition plays an important role in the functioning of intertidal MPB communities in estuarine ecosystems.     

长江河口潮波时空特征再分析

长江河口的潮波传播受到近岸及河口浅水地形及长江径流的显著影响,表现出很强的时空变化特征。已有相关研究主要关注徐六泾以下的河口段,还缺少对河口系统的潮波特征分析。本文基于大通、南京、徐六泾和牛皮礁4站的年内连续潮位资料,分析了主要天文分潮和浅水分潮的振幅沿程变化、季节变化特征和规律,认识到洪季大径流对江阴以上的近口段潮汐衰减作用显著大于枯季,而河口段的平均潮差有一定的半年周期变化,年内秋季最大。口内高频浅水分潮振幅在河口下段最大,且洪季大于枯季,低频浅水分潮则在河口上游振幅最大,由此反应径流对潮汐改造的非线性作用。这些认识可为水道航运及相关河口研究提供基础认识。最后本文也指出关于长江河口潮汐特征尚需进一步研究的若干问题,以期下一步工作取得相应进展。     

茅尾海钦江河口光滩时空变化过程研究

河口潮滩一般由生长于中高潮滩的植被和植被前缘光滩（裸滩）构成,光滩的时空变化直接关联潮滩冲淤及植被演替状态。本文基于Landsat 5 TM及Sentinel-2 MSI等多期遥感影像,利用随机森林分类算法与数字岸线分析系统探讨茅尾海钦江河口光滩在1986—2021年期间的变化过程。结果表明：①近40年钦江河口光滩面积总体呈现明显损失的状态,可分为1986—2002年冲淤平衡、2002—2007年快速淤积、2007—2014年急剧降低和2014—2021年缓慢淤涨4个阶段;②光滩淤积的区域主要分布于钦江沙井河口口门及内侧河槽与潮汐通道边缘,侵蚀出现在钦江沙井河口及钦江沙冲河口航道及潮沟区域;③茅尾海清淤工程是引起钦江河口光滩自2008年到2014年面积减少的直接因素,潮间带植被扩张和2015年之后大范围生蚝养殖引起的水动力减弱导致光滩向海淤涨。当前海平面上升未对光滩造成明显影响,但入海泥沙的变化一定程度上影响光滩冲淤演变。本研究可为区域河口潮滩资源的可持续高效利用提供部分理论与技术支撑。     

Food sources of benthic animals on intertidal and subtidal bottoms in inner Ariake Sound,southern Japan,determined by stable isotopes

To evaluate the relative importance of possible food sources, including riverine particulate organic matter, reeds, benthic microalgae, seaweeds, cultured laver (Porphyra) and coastal phytoplankton, for commercial bivalves and co-occurring benthic animals, 73 macrofaunal species were collected from intertidal and subtidal soft bottoms in the inner part of Ariake Sound, Kyushu, southern Japan, and their isotopic compositions were analyzed. The results revealed that (1) both intertidal and subtidal food webs were constituted of 3 trophic levels, (2) suspension-feeding bivalves utilize a mixture of benthic microalgae and coastal phytoplankton, and omnivores and carnivores incorporate benthic microalgae and phytoplankton through their intermediate prey, and (3) 3 bivalves (Scapharca kagoshimensis, Modiolus metcalfei and Atrina lischkeana) inhabiting both intertidal and subtidal bottoms showed similar seasonal fluctuations, suggesting no difference in the diet composition among the species and between the 2 habitats. We conclude that a large biomass of benthic microalgae which was approximately equal to that of phytoplankton and the strong tidal currents that would resuspend benthic microalgae and transport them to subtidal bottom areas account for the benthic microalgal and phytoplankton based trophic structure in the inner part of Ariake Sound.     

闽江河口区湿地生态旅游环境容量研究

本文讨论了生态旅游环境容量的定义及内涵，分析了生态旅游环境容量的特征及构成，在此基础上估算了闽江河口区湿地生态旅游环境容量．结果表明：闽江河口区湿地生态旅游环境容量的限制因子是鳝鱼滩自然保护区生态旅游环境空间容量．鳝鱼滩旅游步行道可分成南路和北路，北路为水路游线，南路为陆路游线．北路游线环境空间日容量为800人次／d，南路游线环境空间日容量为1144人次／d．鳝鱼滩湿地生态旅游环境空间年容量为451202人次／a．这一环境容量可作为闽江河口区湿地生态旅游活动环境容量的最高限制量．     

杭州湾大型底栖动物季节分布及环境相关性分析

对杭州湾大型底栖动物进行了夏(2006年7-8月)、冬(2006年12月-2007年1月)、春(2007年4月)、秋(2007年10-11月)季调查,分析了大型底栖动物的季节分布及其与环境的关系。结果表明:本海域四季共鉴定出113种大型底栖动物,多毛类、软体动物和甲壳类是该海域大型底栖动物的主要类群;主要优势种为双鳃内卷齿蚕、西方似蛰虫和多鳃卷吻沙蚕等多毛类。方差分析表明,除甲壳类丰度外,杭州湾大型底栖动物群落参数无显著季节差异,群落分析表明,杭州湾群落特点比较单一,未分辨出显著差异的群落;丰度/生物量比较法分析表明,秋季杭州湾海域受到了污染的扰动;典范对应分析表明,多毛类主要受物理因子(如温度、盐度、水深等)影响,而软体动物、甲壳类和其他类动物主要受生物化学因子(如叶绿素、总有机碳、浮游生物等)影响。从典范对应分析的结果,可以推断出杭州湾大型底栖动物受自然环境特征的影响较人类活动的影响大。     

Benthic macroinvertebrates' vertical distribution in the Tagus estuary (Portugal): The influence of tidal cycle

In this work we evaluated the vertical distribution pattern of benthic infauna during the tidal cycle at one of the most important mudflats of the Tagus estuary. Samples were collected hourly during 24 h periods at four complete tidal cycles, using a corer specifically designed for the study purpose that allowed easy and effective separation of 15 different sediment layers. A particular case of general linear models, the hurdle model, was used to analyse data sets. We found that different species have different distribution and abundance according to sediment layers. Results showed that individuals tend to go deeper into sediment with a lower water column height and that these migrations are more visible during spring tides.     

Spatial and temporal variations of mesozooplankton in the Pearl River estuary, China

This paper examines spatial and temporal variations of mesozooplankton abundance, biomass and community structure during three cruises of July 2002 (summer), January 2003 (winter), and April 2003 (spring) in the Pearl River estuary, China. Zooplankton abundance and biomass fluctuated widely and showed distinct heterogeneity in the Pearl River estuary. A total of 154 species were identified during three surveys. The number of zooplankton species richness was strongly linked to salinity. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three zooplankton groups during this study. Estuarine, neritic and pelagic groups corresponded to the upper, middle and lower reaches in the Pearl River estuary. The difference among groups could be mainly ascribed to changes in the relative contributions of the dominant species. The fluctuations in the zooplankton abundance, biomass and community structure were determined by the interactive effects of freshwater inflow, tidal and coastal currents, chlorophyll a, salinity and temperature. Significant spatial variability in the distribution of zooplankton species, abundance and biomass can be ascribed to the virtual presence of a horizontal gradient in salinity.     

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

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

The behavior of iron,manganese and silicon in the Peconic River estuary,New York

The behavior of dissolved and particulate iron and manganese and dissolved silicon has been studied as a function of chlorinity in the Peconic River estuary, New York. This study sought to identify important geochemical processes in a relatively pristine estuary facing increasing anthropogenic impact.Dissolved iron behaved in the classical non-conservative manner exhibiting removal of nearly 80% at very low chlorinities, while particulate iron increased by a corresponding amount over the same chlorinity range. Dissolved manganese was enriched by up to 200% over its predicted concentration at low and intermediate chlorinities by desorption from suspended particulates and by a probable benthic flux. Dissolved silicon was enriched by up to 100% at low and intermediate chlorinities also from a probable benthic flux. These fluxes were estimated to be 5 μg cm^?2 day^?1 for dissolved manganese and 70 μg cm^?2 day^?1 for dissolved silicon.The quantity of both particulate iron and manganese increased at high chlorinities due to an influx of suspended inorganic particulates. In the intermediate to high chlorinity region, oxidation of sediment-derived manganese is believed to contribute to the observed increase in particulate manganese.Total iron was essentially conservative throughout most of the estuary, while total manganese was non-conservative presumably due to extensive remobilization of dissolved manganese from the sediments.     

Effect of salinity on heavy metal mobility and availability in intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary

The effect of the flood water salinity on the mobility of heavy metals was studied for intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium). Soils and sediments of 4 sampling sites were flooded with water of different salinities (0.5, 2.5, and 5 g NaCl L⁻¹). Metal concentrations were monitored in pore water and surface water. To study the potential effects of flood water salinity on metal bioavailability, duckweed (Lemna minor) was grown in the surface water. The salinity was found to primarily enhance the mobility of Cd and its uptake by duckweed. Cadmium concentrations in pore water of soils and sediments and surrounding surface waters significantly exceeded sanitation thresholds and quality standards during flooding of initially oxidized sediments. Moreover, the effect was observed already at lower salinities of 0.5 g NaCl L⁻¹. This implies that risks related to Cd uptake by organisms and Cd leaching to ground water are relevant when constructing flooding areas in the brackish zones of estuaries. These risks can be reduced by inducing sulphide precipitation because Cd is then immobilised as sulphide and its mobility becomes independent of flood water salinity. This could be achieved by permanently flooding the polluted sediments, because sulphates are sufficiently available in the river water of the brackish part of the estuary.     

伶仃洋有孔虫生物群和埋葬群的比较及河口沉积作用分析

对伶仃洋沉积物表层中的有孔虫生物群与埋葬群进行了比较分析,有效地分辨出河口湾内拦门沙区的高速沉积带、深槽里的有孔虫异地埋葬分子、东、西槽内陆架咸水作用的差异以及沉积物不同搬运方向等.证明用有孔虫生物群与埋葬群的对比分析可判释出沉积动力环境的更细微的差别和变化,较单纯据死有孔虫群的分析效果要好.     

九龙江河口区微生物多样性及群落结构的时空分布

河口区由于其独特的地理环境和理化条件,拥有丰富的微生物资源,在生物地球化学循环中起着重要作用.然而,由于人类活动带来的河口区环境因素改变,引起的微生物群落结构的时空变化目前还知之甚少.本研究选取九龙江河口区7个近年来遭受较为严重人类活动干扰的采样点,分别在丰水期和枯水期采集表层水体,采用流动注射法测定了水体的三氮、电导率、pH值和溶解性磷酸盐等环境参数,采用海水和淡水培养基,基于纯培养技术分析了可培养细菌的总数和分布特征,并通过构建16S rRNA基因克隆文库的方法研究细菌的多样性和群落结构变化.研究表明,变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)是各克隆文库中最优势的类群.在河口下游海水区,变形菌门微生物与放线菌门微生物的比例约为2∶1~3∶1,而在河口上游淡水区,变形菌门和放线菌门的比例约为1∶1.在河口下游海水区,α变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria)为变形菌门中的优势类群,而在河口上游淡水区,β变形菌纲(Betaproteobacteria)为优势类群.厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)是克隆文库中丰度占第四的类群,说明水体可能遭受畜牧养殖粪便污染.本研究表明,九龙江河口区微生物群落结构受水体盐度、温度、水文情况等时空因子及人类活动造成的营养物浓度上升、动物粪便污染等共同影响,呈现出独特的时空分布特点.     

Distribution pattern of zooplankton in the han river estuary with respect to tidal cycle

The monthly distribution of zooplankton communities in Han River estuary was investigated at two stations from July 1998 to June 1999. Monthly mean abundance of total zooplankton varied remarkably, with the range from 20 indiv.·m^-3 to 19,600 indiv.·m^-3. During the study period, dominant species of zooplankton community were dinoflagellateNoctiluca scintillans, copepodsParacalanus indicus, Paracaanus crassirostris, Acartia hongi, Acartia ohtsukai, and meroplanton cirriped larvae. According to tidal states, relative high abundance occurred at high tide without regard to season. The temporal distribution of abundance implied that the reduced salinity probably limited the zooplankton populations and the fluctuations of salinity were an important factor in the variation of abundance. However, the results of salinity tolerance test shows that the variations in salinity do not directly influence the decrease of abundance. This study shows that the relatively high abundance of zooplankton near high tide seems to be related with the expansion of abundant zooplankton inhabiting Incheon coastal waters through tidal currents.     

The hydrodynamic response of the York River estuary to Tropical Cyclone Isabel, 2003

Hurricane Isabel made landfall along the North Carolina coast on September 18, 2003 (UTC 17:00) and the storm surge exceeded 2.0 m in many areas of the Chesapeake Bay and in the York River estuary. River flooding occurred subsequently, and the peak river discharge reached 317 and 104 m³ s⁻¹ in the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers, respectively. The York River estuary experienced both storm surge and river flooding during the event and the estuary dynamics changed dramatically. This study investigates the hydrodynamics of the York River estuary in response to the storm surge and high river inflows. A three-dimensional model was used to investigate the changes of estuarine stratification, longitudinal circulation, salt flux mechanisms, and the recovery time required for the estuary to return to its naturally evolved condition without the storm. Results show that the salt flux was mainly caused by advection, which was induced by the barotropic gradient during the storm event. The net salt flux increased by a factor of 30 during the rise of the storm surge. However, the large amount of salt transported into the estuary was quickly transported out of the estuary as the barotropic gradient reversed during the descent of the storm surge. Subsequent high freshwater inflow influenced the estuarine circulation substantially. The estuary changed from a partially mixed estuary to a very stratified estuary for a prolonged period. The model results show that it will take about 4 months for the estuary to recover to its naturally evolved salinity distribution after the impacts of the storm surge and freshwater pulse.     

Long-term abundance patterns of macroalgae in relation to environmental variables in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal)

Seasonal and inter-annual patterns of macroalgal abundance in a Tagus Estuary oyster reef are described. Macroalgal abundance was estimated as canopy percent cover by three permanent point intercept transects over a 7-year period. Four categories were defined, corresponding to bare substrate and three different macroalgal functional-form groups: (1) ULVA, foliose group, included Ulva spp.; (2) GRACIL, terete corticated macrophyte group, included only Gracilaria gracilis; and (3) FILAM, small (<10 cm) filamentous group, including eight species. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that: (1) ULVA were associated with long and hot days, being usually dominant during spring and especially summer; (2) FILAM were associated with mild temperatures and relatively long days, abundant in spring but showed frequent peaks in summer; and (3) GRACIL were also favoured by spring season, although associated to lower temperature and less daylight hours than FILAM. GRACIL and FILAM were present throughout the year. On the contrary, ULVA were absent or with low cover during colder periods. A negative correlation between GRACIL and FILAM seems to indicate competition between the two categories. The applied models explained 23.3% of the temporal variance in category abundance. Rainfall negatively affected macroalgal cover, as indicated by the positive correlation between rainfall and bare substrate. Our conclusions are in agreement with previous studies that consider algae as excellent environmental integrators, even on a small scale, due to a strong link between the macroalgal communities and relevant environmental variables. It is also relevant that this study used open-access databases of environmental variables, which open up new possibilities for mining existing data resources in new ways. Due to large inter-annual variability, long-term studies are essential to understand population dynamics in estuarine phytobenthic communities.     

涌潮沉积揭示长江河口湾全新世最高海面

海面变化对沿海地区的自然环境和社会经济有着重要影响,了解过去海面变化规律可以为预测未来海面上升情景提供参考依据。以长江古河口湾湾顶附近的扬州市昌建广场建筑工地所揭示的自然沉积剖面（CJGC剖面）为研究对象,通过详细调研,在剖面下部发现了保存有海相贝壳的涌潮沉积,为研究全新世最高海面和最大海侵提供了绝佳的地质材料。通过系统的沉积相与光释光（OSL）年代学研究,重建了古河口湾中全新世以来沉积环境的变化过程。结果表明,该地点中全新世以来经历了从陆相→潮滩→河口沙坝→河漫滩的沉积环境变迁,清晰显示了由海侵到海退的变化过程。OSL测年数据表明长江河口全新世最高海面和河口湾湾顶最大海侵出现的年代约为5.6 ka,当时对应的海面高度不低于海拔1.3 m,这一时期的高海面在世界多地均有记录。