Photochemical activity in waters of the Great Barrier Reef

Photochemical activity in waters of the Great Barrier Reef was investigated through studies on the vertical, horizontal and temporal distribution of hydrogen peroxide and factors influencing its generation and decay processes. Surface hydrogen peroxide concentrations varied from 15 to 110 nM and generally decreased with depth, though a number of anomalies were detected. Photochemical activity decreased with increasing distance from the coast reflecting the positive influence of terrestrial inputs to the hydrogen peroxide generation and decay processes. Increases in photochemical activity were observed in the proximity of coral reefs. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the region were influenced by wind-induced mixing processes, atmospheric inputs, anthropogenic activity and seasonal light regimes.     

Dynamics of hypersaline coastal waters in the Great Barrier Reef

The coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are hypersaline (salinity ∼37) during the dry season as a result of evaporation greatly exceeding rainfall, of shallow waters, and of the presence of numerous bays along the coast preventing rapid flushing. These hypersaline waters are not flushed out by salinity-driven baroclinic currents because these waters are vertically well-mixed. Instead these waters are transported by a longshore residual current and thus form a coastal boundary layer of hypersaline waters. As a result the hypersalinity distribution is 2-D with both cross-shelf and longshore gradients of salinity. The cross-shelf gradients are largely controlled by turbulent diffusion, while the longshore gradients are controlled by the residual currents that transport hypersaline waters longshore south ward in the central and southern regions of the GBR. Because every bay supplies hypersaline waters, the width of the coastal hypersaline layer increases southwards. Steady state is reached in about 100 days, which is the typical duration of the dry season. The dynamics of the GBR hypersaline coastal boundary layer thus differ from the classical inverse hypersaline systems, e.g. in Saloum River Estuary, Laguna San Ignacio, Mission Bay, Tomales Bay, San Diego Bay, Hervey Bay, Shark Bay, Coorong Coast Lagoon, Spencer Gulf, Gulf of California and many others where the salinity gradient is mainly 1-D with a dominant along-channel salinity gradient.     

Wet season fine sediment dynamics on the inner shelf of the Great Barrier Reef

Fine sediment dynamics were recorded in February 2007 in coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef during a moderate flood of the Tully River. An estuarine circulation prevailed on the inner continental shelf with a surface seaward velocity peaking at 0.1 m s⁻¹ and a near-bottom landward flow peaking at 0.05 m s⁻¹. Much of the riverine mud originating from eroded soils was exported onto a 10 km wide coastal strip during the rising stage of the river flood in the first flush. In coastal waters, suspended sediment concentration peaked at 0.2 kg m⁻³ near the surface and 0.4 kg m⁻³ at 10 m depth during calm weather, and 0.5 kg m⁻³ near the surface and 2 kg m⁻³ at 10 m depth during strong winds when bottom sediment was resuspended. Diurnal irradiance at 4 m depth was almost zero for 10 days. The sedimentation rate averaged 254 (±33) g m⁻² d⁻¹ over the 28-day study period, and concentrations of dissolved and particulate nutrients originating from the river were high. The observed low irradiance would have prevented coral photosynthesis, while the sedimentation rate would have been lethal to some juvenile corals. The mud may ultimately be minnowed out over long periods, however, flushing of the mud occurs at time scales much longer than the flood event and the mud is likely to affect coral physiology for significant periods after the flood has subsided. The data show the need to better control erosion on farmed land for the conservation of coral reefs on the inner shelf of the Great Barrier Reef.     

Influence of Trichodesmium blooms on cadmium and iron speciation in Great Barrier Reef lagoon waters

Studies carried out on lagoon, coastal and estuarine waters of the Great Barrier Reef region at Townsville have established marked changes in the chemical speciation of cadmium and iron during blooms of the blue-green alga Trichodesmium. Cadmium speciation was monitored using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry on unacidified, acidified and ultra-violet irradiated samples. Dissolved and particulate forms of iron were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It was established that during Trichodesmium blooms, labile forms of cadmium, and dissolved and particulate forms of iron markedly increased, and that these increases occurred during high concentrations of ‘marine humic acid’, associated with the presence of Trichodesmium.     

A wave model for the Great Barrier Reef

A new wind wave generation model, WAMGBR, is presented that has been adapted from WAM especially for use in the complex geometry of the Great Barrier Reef. A technique (reef parameterization) has been presented that incorporates sub-grid scale dissipation caused by coral reefs. Three other improvements to WAM have been proposed. An explicit/implicit finite difference scheme has been implemented that allows for more efficient modelling (longer time steps) while maintaining diffusive characteristics that are at least as good as those of WAM. An offset in discrete angles creates more uniform diffusive characteristics. And, a transformed spherical coordinate system allows for more efficient grid sizes and smaller grid dependent refraction. Comparisons between modelling techniques and between model and measured data show that WAMGBR produces very good results in the difficult challenge of modelling both non-cyclonic and tropical cyclone waves in the geographically complex environment of the Great Barrier Reef.     

Anaerobic metabolism in lagoon sediments from Davies Reef,Great Barrier Reef

Sulphate reduction rates were measured in the lagoon sediments at Davies Reef, on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Sulphate reduction rates averaged 0·622 mmol sulphate m⁻² day⁻¹, over the 0–12 cm depth of sediment, compared to an average heterotrophic oxygen uptake rate by the sediment of 27 mmol oxygen m⁻² day⁻¹. Thus sulphate reduction to acid-volatile sulphide appeared to account for only about 5% of the total organic matter degradation, although the proportion may be greater if sulphate reduction to tin-reducible sulphide was taken into account. Although dissolved sulphate concentration in the sediment pore water was that of sea water, a large excess (equivalent to about 0·8% of the sediment dry weight) of precipitated sulphate was present in the sediment. This excess could not be attributed to precipitated strontium sulphate, and there was no exchange between the dissolved and precipitated sulphate. Methane formation in these superficial sediments was not detectable.     

Dissolved nutrient fluxes from the nearshore sediments of Bowling Green Bay,central Great Barrier Reef Lagoon (Australia)

The fluxes of dissolved inorganic N, P, and Si from the nearshore sediments of the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon are significantly lower than those reported from sediments in temperate regions at similar temperatures. The directly measured fluxes range from −23 to +28, −154 to +890, and −990 to +1750 μmol m⁻² day⁻¹ for PO₄³⁻, ΣN(=NH₄⁺ + NO₂⁻ + NO₃⁻) and Si, respectively. Estimates suggest that sediments are the major source of dissolved N to near-shore waters of the Lagoon greatly exceeding the dissolved flux from rivers. Resuspension of up to 1 cm of sediment during storms would have a very small effect on the PO₄³⁻ or Si(OH)₄ concentration of the overlying water, but would significantly raise the ΣN concentration. The productivity of these waters may be controlled at various times by the balance between the steady-state sedimentary flux of nutrients, the fluvial input, and storm resuspension.     

Aliphatic hydrocarbons in Great Barrier Reef organisms and environment

This investigation was undertaken to assess the chemical nature, occurrence, and possible origin of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments, water, and a suite of seven species from widely separated coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef area were analysed by gas chromatography, and by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The hydrocarbons found were substantially of biogenic origin. The major components were n-pentadecane, n-heptadecane, pristane and mono-alkenes based on heptadecane, and were believed to originate from benthic algae and phytoplankton. There was no evidence to suggest that lipid content had any influence on hydrocarbon content. Hydrocarbons from the organisms and sediments have characteristic composition patterns which would be altered by the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons. An unresolved complex mixture, usually considered indicative of petroleum contamination, was found in greater than trace amounts only in Holothuria (sea cucumber) and Acropora (coral) from the Capricorn Group, and in some sediment samples from the Capricorn Group and Lizard Island area.     

海南西北部近岸海域浮游动物群落结构

为探讨海南西北部近岸海域浮游动物群落结构,根据2016年11月(秋季)、2017年2月(冬季)、2017年5月(春季)和2017年8月(夏季) 4个季节的浮游动物调查数据,对该海域浮游动物的种类组成、优势种及其生态类群、丰度和生物量进行了分析。结果表明:4个季节共鉴定浮游动物7门113属215种(含未定种),秋季最多(134种),冬季(113种)和春季(111种)较为接近,夏季(94种)最少,各季节均以桡足类和水螅水母类占优势。浮游动物种类的空间分布上,秋季和冬季整体呈现近岸和远岸较中间高,而春季和夏季由近岸到远岸呈逐渐增加的变化趋势。浮游动物种类随季节变动不大,但优势种更替较为明显,仅亚强次真哲水蚤(Subeucalanus subcrassus)和肥胖箭虫(Sagitta enflata)为4个季节共有优势种。优势种生态类群主要可分为暖温种、广温广盐种、近岸暖水种、热带暖水种及暖水广布种。浮游动物丰度均值秋季(124. 75 ind./m3)与冬季(152. 43ind./m3)相近,春季(64. 76 ind./m3)和夏季(74. 44 ind./m3)相近,春季、夏季的丰度均值要明显低于秋季、冬季,平面分布上秋季和冬季呈现近岸高远岸低,但不同的是水深在大于20 m以上的海域,冬季平均丰度要稍高于秋季,而春季和夏季呈现近岸低远岸高的变化特点。浮游动物生物量冬季(263. 68 mg/m3)最高,秋季(147. 38 mg/m3)次之,春季(59. 13 mg/m3)和夏季(61. 45 mg/m3)相近,平面分布上与丰度分布趋势相似。     

台湾北部近岸海域春末浮游动物的组成及分布特征

本研究于2003年5月5日至6日对台湾北部近岸海域，具有地区特征的5个测站进行浮游动物数量、组成等调查研究．结果共发现22大类浮游动物，桡足类为此次调查的主要优势大类，约占总浮游动物个体数量的42．57％，其次为桡足幼体(copepodids)。占27．38％，两者在各测站的出现率皆高达100％．根据浮游动物丰度比较、群聚分析与水文状况，可将东北3个测站与西北2个测站分为两个不同的群落．其中，西北部测站可能因沿岸溪流大量有机物的注入，有利浮游动物增生，因此丰度较高，但5个测站的浮游动物多样性皆不高，与台湾其它沿岸海域研究结果相似．     

Bedload sediment transport dynamics in a macrotidal embayment, and implications for export to the southern Great Barrier Reef shelf

Keppel Bay is a macrotidal embayment on a tectonically stable, tropical coast, which links the Fitzroy River with the Great Barrier Reef continental shelf. Estuaries and deltas act as conduits between catchments and inner shelf environments. Therefore, understanding sediment transport pathways in these complex systems is essential for the management of ecosystems such as coral-reefs that are potentially vulnerable to enhanced river sediment loads. Furthermore, the morphology and sediment dynamics of subtidal sand ridges and dunes are relatively poorly characterised in macrotidal estuaries, particularly in turbid, episodic systems such as the Fitzroy River and Keppel Bay. Our sedimentological analysis of seabed samples, shear-stress modelling and three-dimensional acoustic imaging reveals that Keppel Bay is a mixed wave- and tide-dominated estuarine system. Areas of sediment starvation and shoreward transport characterise the offshore zone, whereas a complex of both active and relict tidal sand ridges, and associated subaqueous dunes, dominate the relatively protected southern Keppel Bay. Transport within this region is highly dynamic and variable, with ebb-dominated sediment transport through tidal channels into the outer bay where there is a switch to wave-dominated shoreward transport. Ultimately, bedload sediments appear to be reworked back inshore and to the north, and are gradually infilling the bedrock-defined embayment. Our characterisation of the Keppel Bay system provides a detailed example of the physiography of the seaward portion of a tide-dominated system, and shows that sediment transport in these areas is influenced by a variable hydrodynamic regime as well as relict channels and bedrock topography.     

An integrated monitoring framework for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Monitoring provides important feedback on how social and environmental systems are tracking and whether or not human activities, including management activities, are having an impact. This paper describes an approach applied to develop an integrated monitoring framework to inform adaptive management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, a complex, multi-jurisdictional, multi-sectoral marine system of international importance. It identifies the gaps and opportunities to integrate the existing long-term, short-term and compliance-related monitoring and reporting initiatives to provide the information for more effective and efficient (adaptive) management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. And as importantly it aligns expectations among different agencies about how monitoring will inform management. Fifty two high priority values, processes and pressures for management were identified along with 65 existing monitoring programs. Developing the monitoring framework was useful in several ways. First it brought together scientists, policy-makers, managers, and other interested stakeholders with different agendas, philosophies and incentives and established a common purpose, lexicon and language for an integrated monitoring program. Second, it highlighted the importance and usefulness of qualitative conceptual models as a framework for focused discussion around a set of hypotheses with relevance for management. Third, the process started an important conversation about defining and setting a realistic number of monitoring priorities for management. Finally, it has provided direction for how to build on existing initiatives to develop an integrated monitoring program for a globally significant world heritage area.     

Foliose Dictyoceratida of the Australian Great Barrier Reef III. Preliminary Electrophoretic Systematics

Abstract. Techniques of starch-gel electrophoresis were applied in a taxonomic assessment of a difficult group of dictyoceratid sponges. A phylogenetic tree derived from the resultant electrophoretic characters agreed well with a recent taxonomic revision of this group produced in a companion study. However, this must be seen as a preliminary result, as the electrophoretic character set was restricted to only three enzyme systems due to the extensive effects of a nonspecific enzyme which precluded the effective interpretation of most other enzymes assayed. This non-specific enzyme may be linked to a highly developed relationship between this group of sponges and symbiotic cyanobacteria.     

New evidence for drowned shelf edge reefs in the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

We present four new high-resolution multibeam bathymetry datasets from the shelf edge of the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Analysis of these data, combined with Chirp sub-bottom profiles and existing submersible observation data provides a fresh insight into the detailed morphology and spatial distribution of submerged reefs and terraces at the shelf edge. An extensive and persistent line of drowned shelf edge reefs exist on the GBR margin in about 40 to 70 m. They appear as barrier reefs up to 200 m wide and comprising twin parallel ridges of rounded pinnacles. Subtle yet consistent terrace and step features lie between 78 and 114 m seaward of the shelf edge reefs in the southern study area. Submersible observations confirm that the drowned reefs now provide a favorable hard substrate for live soft corals and algae. They form a consistent and extensive seabed habitat that extends for possibly 900 km along the GBR shelf edge. The submerged reef and terraces features may reflect a complex history of growth and erosion during lower sea-levels, and are now capped by last deglaciation reef material.     

Benthic Foraminifera as ecological indicators for water quality on the Great Barrier Reef

Benthic foraminifera are established indicators for Water Quality (WQ) in Florida and the Caribbean. However, nearshore coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and other Pacific regions are also subjected to increased nutrient and sediment loads. Here, we investigate the use of benthic foraminifera as indicators to assess status and trends of WQ on GBR reefs. We quantified several sediment parameters and the foraminiferan assemblage composition on 20 reefs in four geographic regions of the GBR, and along a water column nutrient and turbidity gradient. Twenty-seven easily recognisable benthic foraminiferan taxa (>63 μm) were distinguished. All four geographic regions differed significantly (p < 0.05, ANOSIM) in their assemblage composition, and a redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that sediment parameters only explained a small proportion of the variance in the assemblage composition. On nine reefs along a previously studied water quality gradient, foraminifera showed a distinct shift in assemblage composition towards larger symbiont-bearing taxa from turbid inner shelf towards clearer outer shelf reefs. A RDA separated symbiotic and aposymbiotic (heterotrophic) taxa. In addition, total suspended solid and water column chlorophyll a concentrations were negatively correlated, and optical depth and distance to the mainland were positively correlated, with the abundance of symbiont-bearing taxa. Several large foraminifera were identified as indicators for offshore, clear water conditions. In contrast, heterotrophic rotaliids and a species retaining plastids (Elphidium sp.) where highly characteristic for low light, higher nutrient conditions. Application of the FORAM index to GBR assemblage composition showed a significant increase in the value of this index with increased distance from the mainland in the Whitsunday region (r² = 0.75, p < 0.001), and therefore with increasing light and decreased nutrient availability. We conclude that it will be possible to apply this index to GBR and possibly other Pacific reefs after some adaptations and additional experimental work on species-specific limiting factors.     

Socio-economic aspects of artificial reefs: Considerations for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Artificial reefs are used to enhance recreational fishing and diving opportunities in the marine environment. Until recently, demand for artificial reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) has been low due to the high value placed on the natural ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and the abundance of fishing and diving opportunities it provides. In the GBRMP, where there are multiple stakeholder groups with diverse and often conflicting values and opinions, the deployment of artificial reefs will be a complex and controversial social issue. We review the available socio-economic literature regarding the deployment, use, and management of artificial reefs, and aim to identify and understand potential socio-economic issues and information gaps surrounding deployment of artificial reefs in the GBRMP. We also outline a strategy to guide decision-making and maximize the socio-economic value of artificial reefs should they be deployed in the GBRMP.     

2018?2019年舟山近海浮游动物群落结构春季年际变化及其与水团的关系

根据2018?2019年春季两个航次在舟山近海进行的浮游生物调查结果,对舟山近海的浮游动物群落结构(类群组成、优势种数量)年际变化进行了研究,利用典范对应分析(Canonical Correspondence Analysis, CCA)研究了两年春季浮游动物类群组成差异、优势种变化的原因,初步探讨了春季浮游动物群落结构动态变化的机制。结果表明:根据表层温度(Sea Surface Temperature,SST)、表层盐度(Sea Surface Salinity,SSS)的聚类分析,将该区域分为3个水团:杭州湾内水团(I区)、舟山本岛上升流水团II区)、舟山近海水团(III区)。不同水团对浮游动物类群组成影响显著,引起2018年和2019年春季3个水团区差异的主要贡献种(贡献率>10%)均为中华哲水蚤,同一水团两年间年际差异的贡献种如下:I区为捷氏歪水蚤(56.91%)和真刺唇角水蚤(12.34%);II区为中华哲水蚤(72.64%)、五角水母(13.35%);III区为中华哲水蚤(41.93%)、夜光虫(22.94%)。CCA分析表明,第1 CCA轴(CCA1)和第2 CCA轴(CCA2)共解释了两年春季浮游动物优势种累计方差的46.14%和物种?环境累计方差的97.82%。CCA1主要反映了空间(近海水团和湾内水团)的差异。CCA2主要反映了2018年和2019年站位的年际差异。盐度是影响春季浮游动物群落结构空间差异的主要因素,而温度、叶绿素a浓度是春季浮游动物群落结构年际差异的主要因素。     

海洋桡足类滞育卵在海水养殖业中的应用及其前景

海洋桡足类作为小型甲壳动物 ,是鱼虾类良好的天然饵料 ,其繁殖和培养将在现代海水养殖业中发挥重要的作用。本文就桡足类滞育卵的产生、控制条件和在养殖业上的潜在价值等进行了综述     

Importance of wave-induced bed liquefaction in the fine sediment budget of Cleveland Bay,Great Barrier Reef

Data from a three-year long field study of fine sediment dynamics in Cleveland Bay show that wave-induced liquefaction of the fine sediment bed on the seafloor in shallow water was the main process causing bed erosion under small waves during tradewinds, and that shear-induced erosion prevailed during cyclonic conditions. These data were used to verify a model of fine sediment dynamics that calculates sediment resuspension by both excess shear stress and wave-induced liquefaction of the bed. For present land-use conditions, the amount of riverine sediments settling on the bay may exceed by 50–75% the amount of sediment exported from the bay. Sediment is thus accumulating in the bay on an annual basis, which in turn may degrade the fringing coral reefs. For those years when a tropical cyclone impacted the bay there may be a net sediment outflow from the bay. During the dry, tradewind season, fine sediment was progressively winnowed out of the shallow, reefal waters.