Tracing flocculent industrial and domestic sewage transport on San Pedro Shelf,Southern California,by nitrogen and sulphur isotope ratios

Domestic and industrial sewage is discharged at a depth of 60 m near Whites Point on the San Pedro Shelf, Southern California borderland. A density-stratified thermocline, above the outfall at a depth of 20 to 30 m, is thought to prevent most effluent particles from reaching shallower depths and recreational facilities. In this investigation, measurement of the natural abundance of nitrogen isotopes (${}^{15}\text{N}{}^{14}\text{N}$) is used to determine the level of sewage contribution to flocculent suspended material persisting at water depths of 7, 13 and 20 m. Organic nitrogen at 20 m depth was shown to be predominantly of sewage-origin and at 7 m, predominantly of marine origin. Organic nitrogen at 13 m depth and within 3 km of the outfall pipes is predominantly sewage in origin.Stable isotope composition of sulphur (${}^{32}\text{S}{}^{34}\text{S}$) in the flocculent material indicates that the effluent particles contain metabolic sulphur, incorporated from dissolved seawater, as well as bacterially produced mineral sulphide.     

Inorganic and organic nitrogen cycling in the Southern California Bight

On the basis of mass balance calculations performed for nitrogen (N) uptake experiments in the Southern California Bight (SCB), it has been suggested that a significant portion of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) uptake results in the production of dissolved organic N (DON). To investigate this process, the fate of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) uptake was quantified within the euphotic zone at three coastal stations in the SCB using ¹⁵N tracer techniques. Several trends in the fate of DIN and the production of DON were observed. First, production of particulate N (PN), from both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻, was quantitatively more important in near surface waters, while DON release dominated within the nitracline. Second, the percentage of gross N uptake released as DON was generally higher when NO₃⁻, rather than NH₄⁺, was the substrate. Third, the percentage of N released as DON was higher at night, relative to the day. Fourth, rates of DON release were significantly correlated to NH₄⁺ regeneration, suggesting that similar mechanisms are responsible for both processes—presumably grazing. The results of this study indicate that the DON pool is a sink for DIN uptake on the time scale of hours. One implication of this finding is that new production estimates based on ¹⁵NO₃⁻ uptake rates will likely underestimate particle flux out of the surface layer because the rate of NO₃⁻ uptake is underestimated due to loss of DO¹⁵N during the incubation. On time scales of months to years, however, the N that is taken up as NO₃⁻ and released as DON will likely contribute to export flux via incorporation of the dissolved phase during seasonal mixing into sinking particles or transport. The export of DON on these time scales argues for the use of gross uptake rates to calculate f-ratios.     

Distribution and sources of organic carbon, nitrogen and their isotopes in sediments of the subtropical Pearl River estuary and adjacent shelf, Southern China

The isotopic composition (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN, organic plus inorganic) content of 37 carbonate-free surficial sediments of the subtropical Pearl River estuary and the adjacent shelf of South China Sea (SCS) was determined. The δ¹³C values indicate that the sediment organic material is a mixture from two sources, terrestrial and marine. Several of the sediments have extremely low (< 4) OC / TN ratios, which could be due to low OC contents and/or to a significant fraction of the TN present as inorganic nitrogen adsorbed on clays. In general, the spatial patterns of OC, TN, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N are similar. Values are low at the river mouth and on the western coast, suggesting proportionally greater accumulation of terrestrial particulate organic matter relative to marine phytodetritus, which is limited by low productivity in the turbid plume of the Pearl River. Algal-derived organic carbon (al-OC) content is estimated to be low (≤ 0.06%) at the river mouth and higher (up to 0.57%) on the adjacent inner shelf based on a mixing model of end members.     

Sensitivity analysis of nitrogen and carbon cycling in marine sediments

Biogeochemical cycles in coastal sediments encompass numerous interconnected processes and are sensitive to a high number of external forces. Usually a small subset of these factors is considered when developing state-of-the-art models of marine nutrient cycling. This study therefore aims to assess the degree of complexity required in the model to represent the dependency of major biogeochemical fluxes on both intrinsic as well as external factors. For this, a sensitivity analysis (SA) of the generic Integrated Sediment Model (ISM) was performed comparing two different model setups: 1) a back barrier tidal flat in the German Wadden Sea and; 2) a deep sea site in the Argentine Basin. Both setups were first calibrated to fit pore water profiles of SO₄²⁺, NH₄⁺ and CH₄. We then employed a new type of SA that evaluates parameter impact rather than targeting variable change.General structural stability of the model is demonstrated by similar sensitivity patterns of both setups regarding carbon and nitrogen cycling. Mean temperature, organic carbon bio-availability, bacterial adaptation and sediment texture emerge as the most influential parameters of ubiquitous importance. It appears that in coastal settings, transport and sediment mixing and the composition of suspended particles in the bottom water are especially important. The nitrogen cycle displays a high responsiveness to internal feedback mechanisms as well as interdependencies to carbon and metal cycling, which is statistically reflected by sensitivities to 79% of all parameters. In contrast, the carbon cycle appears to be mainly controlled by organic matter decay. The SA also pointed to unexpected responses of the sediment system, which are analyzed by further scenario calculations. These, for example, reveal a nonlinear response of nitrification, denitrification and benthic fluxes of NH₄ and NO₃ to changing bioturbation and bioirrigation due to the interactions of different metabolic pathways.     

Seasonal changes of concentrations of inorganic and organic nitrogen in coastal marine sediments

The seasonal fluctuations of the concentration of nitrogenous compounds in sediments was investigated for three regions of the Seto Inland Sea in Japan; the variation of nitrogenous compounds in sediments was also studied in a laboratory experiment.The amounts of ammonium, dissolved organic nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate, as percentages of the dissolved total nitrogen of the interstitial water, were in the ranges of 47–99%, 10–50%, 0·1–0·6% and 0·3–4·1%, respectively. Ammonium was the major component and organic nitrogen was the next most important. The concentrations of these nitrogenous compounds changed seasonally: dissolved total nitrogen was higher in the warm month of September than in May; ammonium increased in warm months and decreased in cold months, but nitrite and nitrate increased in cold months. It was possible to explain the seasonal fluctuation of nitrogenous compounds in terms of the rates of the metabolic pathways of nitrogen in the sediments.Ammonium was not necessarily correlated with dissolved organic nitrogen. From this, it was considered that ammonium did not occur from solubilization of particulate organic nitrogen followed by mineralization, but from direct mineralization of particulate organic nitrogen in sediments.For the sediments of Suho Nada, Hiuchi Nada and station B-47 in Beppu Bay, the ratio of dissolved ammonium to adsorbed ammonium in the sediments was in the range 10–25%, but the ratio was 60–70% of adsorbed ammonium in the considerably anaerobic sediments at station B-45 in Beppu Bay. The ratio of dissolved ammonium to adsorbed ammonium increased with the increase of the concentration of sulfide in sediments. It was recognized that the anaerobic conditions of the sediments led to the dissolution of adsorbed ammonium.     

Heavy metals behavior in coastal sediments of southern California: a critical review and synthesis

The present paper reviews and discusses the studies on heavy metals behavior in coastal sediments of southern California which have been published since 1970.The available data allow for the estimation of pollution-free ‘base-line’ concentrations of some heavy metals in southern California sediments (Ag, 0.4 ppm; Cd, 0.4 ppm; Cr, 25 ppm; Cu, 9 ppm; Ni, 15 ppm; Pb, 10 ppm; and Zn, 44 ppm) which may be used as references for monitoring future metal pollution.The transport of most, if not all, heavy metals through the near-shore and shelf environments is controlled by their association with particles, a significant fraction of which is sewage-derived and rich in organic carbon. Changes in the relative abundances of the heavy metals are brought about mainly by settling differentiation of their host particles, and much less so by diagenetic solubilization. The bulk of the heavy metals are transported, within fine-grained particles, out from the shelf into deep ocean regions.Simple linear mixing of polluted outfall materials with clean natural sediments cannot explain the distribution of heavy metals in near-shore and basinal sediments in southern California, unless significant protective effects of organic coatings (near outfalls) and of grain-size distributions are taken into account. Heavy metal pollution from oil seepages are significant for only a very limited number of metals (Ni, Ba, etc.) and only on a local scale.The urgent need for standardization of heavy metal leaching techniques is demonstrated and emphasized.     

Water mass ages of coastal ponds estimated using Ra and Ra as tracers

Measurements of the naturally occurring radioisotopes ²²³Ra (t_1/2 = 11.4 days) and ²²⁴Ra (t_1/2 = 3.66 days) in southern Rhode Island salt ponds were combined with a simple model to obtain independent estimates of the age of these coastal waters. Surface water and porewater samples were collected quarterly in Winnapaug, Quonochontaug, Ninigret, Green Hill, and Pt. Judith-Potter Ponds, as well as nearly monthly in the surface water of Rhode Island Sound, beginning January 2002 through August 2003. Surface water activities ranged from 1–78 dpm 100 L^− 1 and 5–885 dpm 100 L^− 1 for ²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra, respectively. Porewater radium activities ranged from 3 to 715 dpm 100 L^− 1 for ²²³Ra, and 57–4926 dpm 100 L^− 1 for ²²⁴Ra. Results indicate seasonally varying water mass ages for Ninigret (5–12 days), Winnapaug (2–6 days) and Pt. Judith-Potter Ponds (1–9 days) and, in contrast, relatively constant ages for Green Hill (5–7 days) and Quonochontaug Ponds (3–6 days).     

Triterpenoids as molecular indicators of paleoseepage in recent sediments of the Southern California bight

Petroleum-derived hydrocarbons have been identified in sediments by analysis of the n-alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons and branched and cyclic components (humps). The detection of low levels of petroleum input to sediments can be ambiguous due to the presence of syngenetic biolipids. Triterpenoids, especially the (17αH, 21βH)-hopanes, have been proposed as sensitive molecular markers of petroleum pollution.Recent sediments from the Southern California Bight to subbottom depths of about 30 cm (pre-anthropogenic) contain lipids of syngenetic origin with major humps of branched and cyclic material and triterpenoids consisting mainly of the (17αH, 21βH)-hopanes ranging from C₂₇ to C₃₅. Extended hopanes (> C₃₁) are found as 1:1 mixtures of the 22R and 22S diastereomers. The 17α(H),18α(H), 21β(H)-28,30-bisnorhopane is the dominant triterpane for most of these sediments and appears to be a potential molecular marker characteristic of the Southern California petroleums. Extended tricyclic diterpanes ranging from C₁₉ to C₂₇ are also present and their structures make them further possible indicators of petroleum. Southern California Bight sediments therefore appear to contain petroleum products from both seepage and anthropogenic activity.Recent sediments from other areas (e.g. Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California; Cook Inlet, Alaska; Eastern Bering Sea; Walvis Bay, Southwest Africa; and Mangrove Lake, Bermuda) contain predominantly (17βH, 21βH)-hopanes and hopenes, indicating recent synthesis and no petroleum pollution.     

南极普里兹湾沉积物中有机碳和总氮的含量与分布

利用中国多次南极科学考察获得的沉积物样品,对普里兹湾沉积物中有机碳(OC)、总氮(TN)的含量和分布以及OC/TN进行了分析。结果表明:普里兹湾表层沉积物中OC和TN的含量变化范围分别为0.14%~1.20%和0.02%~0.20%,平均值分别为0.63%和0.11%。OC/TN的变化范围为5.5~8.2,平均值为6.8。OC和TN含量呈现明显的正相关性,表明有机质来源相同,比值接近6.6,说明有机质主要为海洋生源沉积。两者平面分布趋势非常一致,且与沉积物中泥质含量呈显著正相关,湾内73°E以西区域OC和TN含量较低,而以东区域含量较高,这是上层水体生产过程和冰川携带陆源砂等因素共同作用的结果。垂直分布上,OC和TN含量总体上表层高于深层,OC含量随深度增加逐渐降低,达到一定深度后趋于稳定。较高的沉积速率加速OC的埋藏,5根柱样中OC的埋藏率为39%~91%,平均为66%,表明普里兹湾是重要的碳汇区。     

山东南部近海沉积物中碳、氮、磷的分布特征

对山东近海31个站位表层沉积物中的总氮、总磷和总有机碳的含量和分布特征进行了研究。结果表明,总氮、总磷和总有机碳含量均较低,高值区主要分布在胶州湾及湾口和北部海域,总氮浓度范围为0.31～0.75mg/g,平均值为0.52mg/g,总磷浓度范围为0.18～0.32mg/g,平均值为0.24mg/g,总有机碳浓度范围为0.17%～0.49%,平均值为0.33%。相关性分析表明,总氮和总有机碳的相关性较好,总有机碳和总氮比值(TOC/TN)略高于Redfield比值,表明这两种生源要素的来源可能是一致的。     

Vertical distributions of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in the Southern Ocean

Detailed vertical profiles of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON) and DOC/DON ratios in the Australian sector of the Southern Ocean (56°–65°S around 140°W transect) were obtained by a high-temperature catalytic oxidation method with a modified Shimadzu TOC-5000 unit. The simultaneous analyses of DOC and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) gave high precision results (±0.7 μMC and ±0.3 μMN). In surface layers, DOC concentrations were lower (45–55 μM) than those generally obtained from other oceanic environments (60–90 μM). The surface concentrations of DON varied from 4 to 9 μM, but within the range generally reported for other ocean regions. Surface excesses of DOC and DON were calculated against nearly constant subsurface concentrations. A consistent contribution of low C/N ratio (2.7–5.0) was found in the mid-surface layer (30–75 m), suggesting more extensive degradation of carbon-enriched materials and/or enhanced supply of nitrogen-enriched ones.     

Microbial availability and degradation of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in two coastal areas

Microbial availability and degradation rates of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) were estimated at two coastal stations (Horsens Fjord and Darss Sill) in Denmark, by measuring the decrease in DOC and DON concentrations during long-term laboratory incubations (150 days). The experiments used two different treatments: one only receiving a microbial inoculum and another additionally to the inoculum, carbon and phosphate to ensure nitrogen limitation. The additions of carbon and phosphate led to increased DON bioavailability in all experiments. The incubations showed that bioavailable DOC (BDOC) accounted for 22 ± 13% of total DOC in Horsens Fjord and 14 ± 5% at Darss Sill. Bioavailable DON (BDON) accounted for 43 ± 10% (Horsens Fjord) and 28 ± 12% of DON (Darss Sill). The linear relations between BDOM and DOM suggested that the DOC variations in Horsens Fjord were controlled by the available fraction, while this was only partly the case for DOC at Darss Sill and DON (both stations), showing that the refractory pool to some degree controlled the seasonal variations in DOM at these coastal stations. Additionally we found that DOC and DON were cycled at approximately the same speed, probably due to a high carbon demand of the microbial community. Calculating the amounts of DON degraded within the two areas using the obtained decay rates showed that compared with the ambient inorganic nitrogen levels BDON contained a large proportion (52 ± 37%, Horsens Fjord and 74 ± 19%, Darss Sill) of the bioavailable nitrogen (BDON + DIN). These calculations further suggested that bioavailable DOM was washed out of the respective areas and could contribute to heterotrophic growth in adjacent waters.     

Effects of upwelling,tides and biological processes on the inorganic carbon system of a coastal lagoon in Baja California

The role of coastal lagoons and estuaries as sources or sinks of inorganic carbon in upwelling areas has not been fully understood. During the months of May–July, 2005, we studied the dissolved inorganic carbon system in a coastal lagoon of northwestern Mexico during the strongest period of upwelling events. Along the bay, different scenarios were observed for the distributions of pH, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) as a result of different combinations of upwelling intensity and tidal amplitude. DIC concentrations in the outer part of the bay were controlled by mixing processes. At the inner part of the bay DIC was as low as 1800 μmol kg⁻¹, most likely due to high water residence times and seagrass CO₂ uptake. It is estimated that 85% of San Quintín Bay, at the oceanic end, acted as a source of CO₂ to the atmosphere due to the inflow of CO₂-rich upwelled waters from the neighboring ocean with high positive fluxes higher than 30 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹. In contrast, there was a net uptake of CO₂ and HCO₃⁻ by the seagrass bed Zostera marina in the inner part of the bay, so the pCO₂ in this zone was below the equilibrium value and slightly negative CO₂ fluxes of −6 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹. Our positive NEP and ΔDIC values indicate that Bahía San Quintín was a net autotrophic system during the upwelling season during 2005.     

Seasonal changes in submarine groundwater discharge to coastal salt ponds estimated using Ra and Ra as tracers

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to coastal southern Rhode Island was estimated from measurements of the naturally-occurring radioisotopes ²²⁶Ra (t_1/2 = 1600 y) and ²²⁸Ra (t_1/2 = 5.75 y). Surface water and porewater samples were collected quarterly in Winnapaug, Quonochontaug, Ninigret, Green Hill, and Pt. Judith–Potter Ponds, as well as nearly monthly in the surface water of Rhode Island Sound, from January 2002 to August 2003; additional porewater samples were collected in August 2005. Surface water activities ranged from 12–83 dpm 100 L^− 1 (60 dpm = 1 Bq) and 21–256 dpm 100 L^− 1 for ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra, respectively. Porewater ²²⁶Ra activities ranged from 16–736 dpm 100 L^− 1 (2002–2003) and 95–815 dpm 100 L^− 1 (2005), while porewater ²²⁸Ra activities ranged from 23–1265 dpm 100 L^− 1. Combining these data with a simple box model provided average ²²⁶Ra-based submarine groundwater fluxes ranging from 11–159 L m^− 2 d^− 1 and average ²²⁸Ra-derived fluxes of 15–259 L m^− 2 d^− 1. Seasonal changes in Ra-derived SGD were apparent in all ponds as well as between ponds, with SGD values of 30–472 L m^− 2 d^− 1 (Winnapaug Pond), 6–20 L m^− 2 d^− 1 (Quonochontaug Pond), 36–273 L m^− 2 d^− 1 (Ninigret Pond), 29–76 L m^− 2 d^− 1 (Green Hill Pond), and 19–83 L m^− 2 d^− 1 (Pt. Judith–Potter Pond). These Ra-derived fluxes are up to two orders of magnitude higher than results predicted by a numerical model of groundwater flow, estimates of aquifer recharge for the study period, and values published in previous Ra-based SGD studies in Rhode Island. This disparity may result from differences in the type of flow (recirculated seawater versus fresh groundwater) determined using each technique, as well as variability in porewater Ra activity.     

Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in suspended matter and sediments from the Godavari estuary

Spatial distribution of the carbon and nitrogen content and their isotopic enrichment in suspended matter and sediments were measured in the Godavari estuary to identify the sources and transformation mechanism of organic matter. Significant variability in isotopic distribution was found over the entire length of the Godavari estuary, suggesting multiple sources of organic matter. The mean isotopic ratios (δ¹³C_sed −25.1 ± 0.9, δ¹³C_sus −24.9 ± 1, δ¹⁵N_sed 8.0 ± 2 and δ¹⁵N_sus 6.5 ± 0.9‰) and elemental concentrations (C_sed 0.45 ± 0.2%, C_sus 0.9 ± 0.7%, N_sed 0.07 ± 0.05% and N_sus 0.16 ± 0.1%) support a predominantly terrigenous source. Significant enrichment in the isotopic ratios of δ¹³C from the upper to lower estuary in both suspended (−27.5 and −24.3‰, respectively) and sedimentary (−26.2 and −24.9‰, respectively) phases indicates a decrease in the influence of terrigeneous material toward the mouth of the estuary. A significant positive relationship exists between the δ¹³C of suspended and sediment, which indicates that these two organic carbon pools are likely coupled in the form of a significant exchange between the two phases. A positive relationship exists between chlorophyll a and suspended organic matter, which may mean that a significant source of organic carbon is the in situ produced phytoplankton. But, applying a simple mixing model to our isotopes, data yielded about 46% as the contribution of the terrestrial source to suspended matter, which may support the excessive heterotrophic activity in the Godavari estuary reported earlier.     

百余年来珠江口及邻近西部海域有机碳来源及其埋藏记录

对珠江口外和粤西沿海的两个具百余年沉积历史的柱状样进行了基于支链与类戊二烯甘油四醚(glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether,GDGT)化合物比值的BIT(branched and isoprenoid tetraether)指标分析,该指标指示的是沉积有机质中陆源土壤来源有机质的相对输入贡献。结果发现,BIT值在两个柱状样中都小于0.26,显示水生有机质是沉积有机质的主要来源。BIT时间序列在两个柱状样中表现出一致的变化趋势:大约在1940年代以前,BIT保持在相对稳定的高值,此后表现出逐渐下降趋势,1990年以来下降趋势显著。这一下降趋势表明,半个多世纪以来沉积有机质中陆源有机质的相对贡献是持续减少的,或者水生有机质的相对贡献是持续增加的。在分析了陆源和水生有机碳沉积通量变化序列的基础上,认为水生生产力对沉积有机质的相对贡献持续增大是BIT指数持续降低的主要原因。水生有机碳输出通量半个多世纪来的上升趋势及其与广东省GDP变化趋势的相似性表明,陆地人类活动的不断增强导致了沿海水域营养化水平的不断升高。     

南极罗斯海柱样沉积物中有机碳和氮元素地球化学特征及其来源

南极周边海域沉积物中的有机碳和氮元素地球化学特征对于深入研究全球碳循环和海洋生态环境演变具有重要意义。本文对取自南极罗斯海的RBA08C柱状样沉积物进行了有机碳和氮元素地球化学特征分析。结果表明：RBA08C柱样中TOC含量在顶部0~12cm呈现随柱深增加而降低的趋势, 自12cm以深含量总体相对稳定; TN总体具有与TOC相同的变化趋势, 两者含量变化呈现较强正相关性, 说明可能具有相同来源; 沉积物TOC/TN比值和δ13C值揭示RBA08C柱样有机质主要为海洋生源沉积, 其含量变化应主要受控于上层水体生产力、沉积速率和氧化还原环境等因素的共同作用; RBA08C柱样的TOC埋藏率约为50%, 与位于普里兹湾埃默里冰架边缘的IS-4站柱样相同, 加之较为相近的TOC和TN含量及变化趋势, 表明两者可能具有相近的沉积速率, 其所在的海区是南极海域较重要的碳循环和碳储区。     

Fertility of domestic sewage and eutrophication in estuarine harbor

The concentration and partition ratio of various speciations of nutrients in domestic sewage were determined. The transformation and transportation among the speciations, as well as their biological effects during sewage-seawater mixing were simulated in laboratory. The results are compared with field observation and the following findings are: i) The suitable range of ratio DIN/DIP in seawater for growth of phytoplankton in subtropical estuary and harbor is quite wide. It could grow well even in the range of 15-55 in atom ratio, and is independ of the variation in levels of N and P. ii) The transformation rate among the speciations of phosphorus is within the range of 0. 5 to 1. 1 μmol/d . iii) Phytoplankton uptakes P prior to N during its growth. The growth rate for Skeletonema costatum (the major species) and field algae are 0. 34-0. 58/d and 0. 30-0. 31/d, respectively. iv) The red tide species Prorocentrum micans could become the dominant species to a density 107 cells/L after Skeletonema costatum     

Germination of phytoplankton resting cells from surface sediments in two areas of the Southern Chinese coastal waters

To understand the role of phytoplankton resting cells in the outbreak of algal blooms, particularly harmful algal blooms, surface sediments were collected monthly from April 2007 to March 2008 from two bays near the international ports in the Southern Chinese coastal waters. Sieved sediments were incubated for 20 and 40 days, and germinated vegetative cells were observed. Altogether, 97 taxa were recorded, of which 50 were diatoms and 35 dinoflagellates. Vegetative cells of cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, dictyophytes, euglenophytes, haptophytes, and raphidophytes were also observed. Centric diatoms such as Chaetoceros, Melosira, Skeletonema, and Thalassiosira dominated. Scrippsiella, Gymnodinium, and Alexandrium were common dinoflagellate taxa. Diatom spores germinated in samples from all seasons but were abundant in the autumn and winter samples. Low numbers of dinoflagellate cells germinated in the winter samples. The nanophytoplankton taxa, Gymnodinium corii and Chrysochromulina sp., which have not been recorded in the previous phytoplankton surveys, were abundant, suggesting either their new appearance in the water column or perhaps that they were overlooked in routine phytoplankton monitoring due to their small sizes. Vegetative cells of harmful or potentially harmful taxa were germinated, and some of them such as Amphidinium, Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, and Coolia have not previously been reported in the study area. Based on the results of the incubation of sediments from the two bays near the international ports, it is suggested that international shipping increases the risk of the introduction of new phytoplankton species and thus promotes the incidence of harmful algal blooms.     

Degradation of phytoplankton-derived organic matter: Implications for carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry in coastal ecosystems

Experiments were conducted using seawater from the Oregon continental shelf to determine: (1) rates of phytoplankton-derived particulate organic matter (POM) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) degradation by natural microbial communities, and (2) whether inorganic nutrients or flagellate grazing limit the bacterial response to, and subsequent degradation of, the DOM. In the initial seawater samples, nutrients were depleted and organic matter concentrations were elevated above concentrations found in upwelled water, indicative of recent bloom conditions. In whole water treatments incubated for 3 d, an average of 24% of the total organic C and 33% of the POC was degraded, with some portion of the POC being converted to DOC. In treatments incubated after POM was removed by filtration, DOC degradation was initially rapid and then proceeded at a slower rate. After 3 d, an average of 41% of the DOC was degraded. Selective degradation of the C-component of both the POM and DOM relative to the N-component was observed. Reductions in flagellate grazing resulted in increases in bacterial abundance and enhanced DOC degradation, while inorganic nutrient amendments had little effect. Overall, these results suggest that a fraction of the phytoplankton-derived POM and DOM can be rapidly degraded, contributing to oxygen consumption on the continental shelf. The long degradation time of a less labile DOC fraction relative to potential offshelf transport mechanisms suggests that Oregon's coastal waters may be a source of DOC to adjacent offshore waters of the North Pacific.