Intertidal gastropod assemblages shaped by key environmental variables across the northern Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Omanss

Variations in environmental factors can alter the species distribution pattern in intertidal rocky shores. The Persian Gulf (PG) and the Gulf of Oman (GO) vary substantially with respect to environmental and oceanographic conditions. The abundance and biodiversity of intertidal rocky gastropods in five locations across the northern PG and the GO were compared, and the environmental variables underlying the distribution pattern of these organisms were investigated. A total of 67 gastropod species were identified. The largest average density (294 ind./m²) and diversity (N = 43) for gastropods occurred in the Hotel Lipar station (LIP) located in Chabahar Bay in the GO. Clypeomorus bifasciata (107.43 ind./m²) followed by Cerithium caeruleum (94.67 ind./m²) were the most abundant species. Planaxis sulcatus and Siphonaria spp. occurred in all locations during both sampling occasions. Species richness and abundance of gastropods showed significant differences between LIP and remaining locations. A significant difference was found in assemblage structure across locations. In general, the species richness and density in the locations at GO were significantly larger than those locations in the PG, suggesting that the harsh environmental condition in the PG might be the forcing factor for this diminish. Distinct grouping was observed in both assemblage structure and species composition between locations in the PG and the GO. The spatial and temporal distribution patterns of gastropods assemblages were significantly correlated with variation in salinity and substrate rugosity.     

Morphology and Late Quaternary sedimentation in the Gulf of Oman Basin

The morphology of the Gulf of Oman Basin, a 3,400 m deep oceanic basin between Oman and southern Pakistan and southern Iran, ranges from a convergent margin (Makran margin) along the north side, a passive type (Oman margin) along the south side, translation types along the basin's west (Zendan Fault-Oman Line) and east (Murray Ridge) sides and a narrow continental rise and a wide abyssal plain in the centre of the basin. Sediment input into the basin during the Late Quaternary has been mainly from the north as a result of the uplift of the Coast Makran Mountains in the Late Miocene-Pliocene. Today most of this detritrus is deposited on the shelf and upper continental slope and perched basins behind the fold/fault ridges on the lower slope. The presence of fans and channels on the continental rise on the north side of the basin indicate, however, that continental derived debris was, and possibly is, being transported to the deep-sea by turbidity currents via gaps in the ridges on the lower slope. In addition to land derived terrigenous sediments, the basin deposits also contain biogenic (organic matter and calcium carbonate), eolian detritus and hydrates and authigenic carbonates from the tectonic dewatering of the Makran accretionary wedge. The eolian sediment is carried into the Gulf of Oman Basin from Arabia and the Mesopotamia Valley by the northwesterly Shamal winds. This type of detritus was particularly abundant during the glacial arid periods 21,000–20,000 and 11,000 (Younger Dryas) years ago when exposure of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf increased the area of dust entrainment and shifted the position of the source of the eolian sediments closer to the basin.     

Zooneuston and zooplankton abundance and diversity in relation to spatial and nycthemeral variations in the Gulf of Aqaba and northern Red Sea

Zooplankton and zooneuston observations were made at seven stations(four from the Gulf of Aqaba and three from the northern Red Sea), during September and October 2016. The main objective of this study was to assess the variability of nycthemeral fauna in relation to the sampling methods using two different types of nets namely,WP2 net and Neuston net along the two study sites, i.e., the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea. Zooplankton was sampled vertically using a standard WP2 net from a depth of 200 m to the surface, whereas zooneuston was made using a standard Neuston net from a depth of 0–10 cm of the water surface. Total zooplankton density was maximum during night time((617.83 ± 201.84) ind./m~3) at the Gulf of Aqaba and total zooneuston was maximum during night at the northern Red Sea((60.94±29.48) ind./m~3), respectively. The most abundant taxa were Copepoda, Gastropoda, Bivalva, Chaetognatha, Tunicata and Ostracoda. The abundance was almost 50% higher at night time at both the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea. Overall, 30 taxa covering 10 phyla and 27 taxa covering 8 phyla were recorded in the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea.     

Matrilineal evidence for genetic structure and Late Pleistocene demographic expansion of the Ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The Persian Gulf and Oman Sea are characterized by an interesting paleoclimatic history and different ecological settings, and offer a unique study area to investigate the genetic structure of marine organisms including fishes. The Ornate goby Istigobius ornatus is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo‐West Pacific including the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. Here, we present the population structure, genetic diversity, and demographic history of four populations of I. ornatus from the latter two regions using the D‐loop marker of mitochondrial DNA. The results reveal a shallow genealogy, a star‐like haplotype network, significance of neutrality tests, and unimodal mismatch distribution. This is concordant with a recent demographic expansion of I. ornatus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea at about 63,000–14,000 years ago, which appears to be related to Late Pleistocene sea level fall and rise. The results of the pairwise Fst estimates imply high gene flow along the coast of the Persian Gulf, which is probably due to larval dispersion, whereas the Oman Sea population clearly differs from all Persian Gulf populations. The AMOVA result indicates that 7.74% of the variation is related to differences among ecoregions, while inter‐ and intra‐population differences explained ?3.20% and 95.47% of the variation, respectively. The haplotype network depicts two groups of haplotypes, most of them were specific to the Persian Gulf. No further evidence for geographic lineage substructuring was evident. The Mantel test result indicates that isolation by distance is not the main mechanism that promoted the genetic differentiation among the studied populations of I. ornatus. We suggest that cumulative effects of ecological and geographic barriers such as salinity, oceanographic conditions, and the presence of the Strait of Hormuz have shaped the genetic structure of I. ornatus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.     

Variability in the Hydrographic and Biological Features of the Gulf of Naples

Abstract. Recent observations of physico-chemical and biological parameters in the Gulf of Naples are summarized. The water masses present within the Gulf during the various periods of the year are described. The temporal and spatial distribution of surface nutrients (N-NO₃, P-PO₄, Si-SiO₄) and chlorophyll a are reported and the areas exposed to local eutrophication are identified. Biweekly sampling at a reference station has permitted us also to identify both phytoplankton and zooplankton seasonal cycles. The morphology of the basin and the uneven land runoff distribution are interpreted as causal to the variability of chemico-physical parameters and of the associated biological communities, giving rise to two subsystems (coastal and "open water") within the Gulf.     

海南岛近岸海域夏初浮游动物与环境因子的关系

根据2011年夏初在海南岛近岸海域采集的浮游动物样本,分析了该海域浮游动物的种类组成、优势种类、丰度、生态类群,生物多样性及均匀度,并对浮游动物与环境因子之间的关系进行了探讨。海南岛近岸海域共鉴定出终生性浮游动物164种,阶段性浮游幼体11个类群,其中以桡足类的种类最多,40属82种。优势种主要有棘皮动物幼体Echinodermata larva、鸟喙尖头溞Penilia avirostris、异体住囊虫Oikopleura dioica、长尾类幼体Macrura larva、肥胖软箭虫Ferosagitta enflata、羽长腹剑水蚤Oithona plumifera、小齿海樽Doliolum denticulatum、中型莹虾Lucifer intermedius、泡抱球虫Globigerina bulloides、微驼隆哲水蚤Acrocalanus gracilis等。海南岛近岸海域浮游动物丰度平均值为1 348.68ind/m3,东部海域浮游动物丰度最高,由近岸向远岸呈递减趋势,而北部湾海域和南部海域由近岸向远岸则呈先增后减的趋势。夏初由于受沿岸流和南海暖流的影响,海南岛近岸海域的生态类群以暖水沿岸种和广布暖水外海种为主。浮游动物多样性指数和均匀度平均值为3.03和0.72,东部海域的多样性指数和均匀度较低,主要原因是阶段性浮游幼体的偶然性暴发。相关性分析显示,海南岛近岸海域浮游动物丰度与pH值呈极显著负相关(p0.05,r=-0.360);与浮游植物丰度(PA)呈极显著正相关(p0.01,r=0.395);与盐度、DO、CODMn、NO3-N浓度、NH4-N浓度、PO4-P浓度成正相关,与温度、NO2-N浓度、SiO3-Si浓度呈负相关。     

The influence of physical and biological processes on the ichthyoplankton communities in the Gulf of Sirte (Southern Mediterranean Sea)

This paper reports on the first study on the ichthyoplankton community structure in the Gulf of Sirte and its spatial distribution in relation to environmental conditions and zooplankton abundance. The results make an important contribution to the future management of fisheries in this unexplored, but much exploited, area. Biological samples were collected in July 2008 using a Bongo40 net. In total, 1914 larvae were found and 1652 of these were identified. In particular, bathypelagic taxa were the most abundant, followed by demersal, mesopelagic, pelagic and epipelagic taxa. The ichthyoplankton community had a patchwork distribution influenced by oligotrophic conditions, the bottom depth and oceanographical features. The results suggest that environmental forcings were able to transport the ichthyoplankton to productive areas. Indeed, maximum fish egg densities were found in coastal stations in correspondence with the Atlantic Tunisian Current inflow, whereas larvae were mainly concentrated in the east side of the Gulf, probably as a result of advection by the anticyclonic circulation. Additionally, the distribution patterns of the total larvae density and the different assemblages were well matched with the abundance of the zooplankton, probably determining final larval survival, growth and recruitment.     

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。     

A study of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems, found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are found in the transitional zones between land, sea, and rivers. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the most common environmental pollutants, and oil spills pose a great hazard to mangroves forests. This research was focused on the isolation and characterization of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove ecosystems at the Persian Gulf. Sixty‐one crude oil‐degrading bacteria were isolated from mangrove samples (plant, sediment, and seawater) that enriched in ONR7a medium with crude oil as only carbon source. Some screening tests such as growth at high concentration of crude oil, bioemulsifier production, and surface hydrophobicity were done to select the most efficient strains for crude oil degradation. Molecular identification of strains was carried out by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene by PCR. The results of this study were indicated that the quantity of crude oil‐degrading bacteria was higher in the root of mangrove plants compare to other mangrove samples (sediment and seawater). Also, identification results confirmed that these isolated strains belong to Vibrio sp. strain NW4, Idiomarina sp. strain BW32, Kangiella sp. strain DP40, Marinobacter sp. strain DW44, Halomonas sp. strain BS53, and Vibrio sp. strain DS35. The application of bioremediation strategies with these bacteria can reduce crude oil pollution in this important marine environment.     

Hyperiid Amphipods (Crustacea: Peracarida) and Spring Mesoscale Features in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract. The distribution and abundance of the hyperiid amphipods collected during April–May 1986 was analysed in order to study their relationship to mesoscale features in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Hyperiids were represented by 79 species, Lestrigonus bengalensis (65% of total hyperiids), Primno abyssalis (4.3%), Anchylomera blossevillei (2.3%) and Lestrigonus schizogeneios (2.3%) being the most abundant. Several mesoscale features (two cyclonic and three anticyclonic eddies, two upwelling areas) were active in the surveyed area. Cluster analysis of density and composition produced five groups of stations that were found to be related to some of these features. Overall, the mesoscale features that most influenced the local hyperiid community were the upwelling areas; they were related both with the highest and the lowest hyperiid densities and with high and low diversity figures. Overall day/night variations were normal, with highest night‐time densities; this pattern was not consistent in the different mesoscale features studied. Reverse migrations were possibly occurring, or migration patterns were lacking, at some of these systems. The hyperiid community structure related to the anticyclonic eddies differed somewhat among the eddies; however, the oceanographic exchange with the surrounding gulf waters probably obscured sharper faunistic differences between the communities.     

北部湾暖池水域表层沉积特征及其环境指示*

海洋暖池的发展、变化及其效应与沉积环境有密切关系。文章对北部湾暖池主要水域进行表层沉积物取样, 测试鉴定其粒度、化学元素、微体古生物化石, 并对数据进行分析比较。结果表明: 研究区物源来自陆区上陆壳风化, 在水动力作用下粒度组成分异明显, 平均粒径为1.1Φ~6.9Φ (Φ=-log₂d, d为直径, 单位: mm)。常量元素以SiO₂占优, 其平均质量分数最高达到66.61%, 其次为Al₂O₃; 微量元素的质量分数平均为9.05~297.00μg•g^-1, 稀土元素的平均质量分数为0.34~69.43μg•g^-1, 化学蚀变指数(CIA)平均为47.33, 轻重稀土元素分馏比为7.46~10.07。古生物多样性指数(H°)为0~2.52。在海湾尺度下化学要素分布的空间异质性显著。在研究区西部, 大部分化学元素质量分数高, 沉积物颗粒最细, 稀土元素分馏显著, CIA较高, 物质来源多样, 古生产力较高; 而东部则几乎表现相反, 以砂质沉积物为主, 除了CaO、MnO、Sr较高之外, 大部分元素质量分数低且稀土元素分馏弱, CIA低下, 古生产力偏低, 显示出物源有限和海洋自生碳酸盐沉积的可能性。浮游类有孔虫以表层暖水种占优, 硅藻为热带和亚热带种, 属种内在结构显示出暖水、高盐等特征。该暖池兼具一定的独立性和开放性, 对生物活动、生物多样性乃至碳酸盐沉积等具有维护作用。     

Spatio‐temporal variability of zooplankton biomass and environmental control in the Northern Benguela Upwelling System: field investigations and model simulation

Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of zooplankton are highly variable in the Northern Benguela Upwelling System. We studied the distribution of zooplankton (size class ≥ 0.33 mm) and used field data from four cruises that took place between March 2008 and February 2011, as well as simulation results of a regional ecosystem model. Remotely sensed sea surface temperatures (SST) and surface chlorophyll concentrations were analysed to investigate environmental influences on zooplankton biomass. The Intense Benguela Upwelling Index showed a distinct seasonal signal throughout the years and the highest upwelling peaks in August/September. Even though surface chlorophyll concentrations were very variable throughout the year, the highest concentrations were always detected in September, following the upwelling of nutrient‐rich water. In field catches, zooplankton biomass concentration in the upper 200 m was highest above the outer shelf and shelf‐break in December 2010 and February 2011, i.e. 6 months after the upwelling peaks. In contrast, zooplankton biomass simulated by the model in the surface water was highest in September. In March/April, biomass maxima were typically measured in the field at intermediate water depths, but the vertical distribution was also affected by extensive oxygen minimum zones. The ecosystem model reproduced this vertical pattern. Although general trends were similar, simulation data of zooplankton standing stocks overestimated the field data by a factor of 3. In upwelling systems, food webs are generally considered to be short and dominated by large cells. However, our field data indicate more small‐sized zooplankton organisms above the shelf than offshore.     

Fault seal prediction of seismic-scale normal faults in porous sandstone: A case study from the eastern Gulf of Suez rift,Egypt

A study of normal faults in the Nubian Sandstone Sequence, from the eastern Gulf of Suez rift, has been conducted to investigate the relationship between the microstructure and petrophysical properties of cataclasites developed along seismic-scale faults (slip-surface cataclasites) and smaller displacement faults (deformation bands) found in their damage zones. The results help to quantify the uncertainty associated with predicting the fluid flow behaviour of seismic-scale faults by analysing small faults recovered from core, a common procedure in the petroleum industry. The microstructure of the cataclasites was analysed as well as their single-phase permeability and threshold pressure. Faulting occurred at a maximum burial depth of ∼1.2 km. The permeability of deformation band and slip-surface cataclasites varies over ∼1.5 orders of magnitude for a given fault. Our results suggest that the lowest measured deformation band permeabilities provide a good estimate for the arithmetic-mean permeability of the major slip-surface cataclasites. This is because the cataclastic permeability reduction is mostly established early in the deformation history. Stress at the time of faulting rather than final strain appears to be the critical factor determining fault rock permeability. For viable predictions it is important that the slip-surface cataclasites and deformation bands originate from the same host. On the other hand, a higher uncertainty is associated with threshold pressure predictions, as the arithmetic-mean slip-surface cataclasite threshold pressure exceeds the highest measured deformation band threshold pressure by at least a factor of 4.     

A spatio-temporal ecosystem model to simulate fishing management plans: A case of study in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia)

The Gulf of Gabes located in southern Tunisia is one of the most productive ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its ecological importance, it is subject to high fishing pressure affecting the different components of the ecosystem. Given the multispecies, multigear nature of the fishery, there is a need to manage trade-offs between environmental and economic objectives. In this study, an Ecospace model was developed based on the previously constructed Ecopath model of the Gulf of Gabes and calibrated for the period 1995–2008 to investigate the response of the ecosystem to a set of alternative spatial management scenarios. These scenarios were derived from the current fishery regulation owing the important interest expressed by local fishery managers to assess new management measures. The results showed for each management scenario how bottom trawling and coastal fishing impact the different trophic groups and the complexity of interaction between these two fishing activities. Furthermore, spatially explicit simulations were performed to identify regions where the management measures are effective. Results suggested that for some trophic groups, these regions are well-defined which would be interesting to propose more accurate spatial measures. Finally, several indicators were calculated to evaluate the proposed management plans and provide managers with a straightforward set of decision rules to describe the potential trade-offs and fulfill both fisheries and conservation management objectives in the context of an ecosystem approach. The decision rules were based on observed trends to reduce uncertainty relative to the model complexity and provide consistent advice to decision-makers.