Microbial respiration in the aphotic zone of the Ross Sea (Antarctica)

In January–February 2001, we measured microbial biomass as ATP and community respiration as ETS activity of organisms < 200 μm in the aphotic zone of the Ross Sea. Microbial respiration amounted to 2.14 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 in the depth range 200–1000 m. Our daily estimates of carbon export are close to the daily percentage of net community production (NCP), removed as sinking biogenic particles from the upper 100 m in the entire Ross Sea, but lower than those of other oceanic systems. Comparing remineralization determined in this study with that obtained by sediment traps in the Ross Sea, it appeared that about 63% of organic carbon remineralized by respiration derived from POC pool. Such evidence highlighted POC source as the main organic fuel of the biological pump in the Ross Sea.     

Diatom quantification and their distribution with salinity brines in coastal sediments of Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

Benthic diatoms represent an important element of global nutritional productivity; to raise attention on their role, which is often neglected due to analytical difficulties, surface (1 cm top layer) coastal sediments from Gerlache inlet to Penguin Bay at Terra Nova Bay were collected and stored at -20 °C. DNA amplification by real-time PCR, based on diatom-specific oligonucleotide primers designed on small-subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA), was performed in addition to diatom conventional cell counting and spectrophotometric determination of photo-pigments. Moreover, cations and anions were determined in sediments with the aim to identify factors involved in the control of diatom abundance. Diatom distribution was found quite heterogeneous displaying significant differences from site to site. The salinity in sediments ranged from 45.1 at Gerlache inlet to 76.2 at Penguin Bay and it was correlated with cell abundance, biodiversity, amount of pigments and amplified DNA. The dominant species, Fragilariopsis curta, was associated to sediment salinity brines.     

南极普里兹湾1.5万年来气候演变的沉积记录

南极普里兹湾两沉积柱样代表了1.5万年来的沉积记录.其粒度特征、矿物成分、硅藻分布和地球化学等沉积特征表明,沉积记录对气候变化的反应十分敏感,尤其是发现14310aBP前后的Heinrich事件,据此将该区1.5万年来的古气候演化划分为8个阶段.     

南极菲尔德斯半岛环境微生物含量估计

对 1 993～ 1 994年南极夏季取自菲尔德斯半岛地区的空气、雾、雨、冰、雪、海、淡水、陆上、湖泊和海滨的土、砂、石、不同深度湖泊沉积物的 2 0 6份样品的微生物 ,包括海洋性细菌、陆源性细菌、菌物 (即真菌 )、大肠埃希氏菌、耐铬、镉、汞、银、铁、阴离子洗涤剂 (LAS)菌、耐酸菌及烃氧化菌等的含量做了分析 ,对该区域生态环境中的微生物状况有了更深的了解     

Microbial Biomass Dynamics Along a Trophic Gradient at the Atlantic Barrier Reef off Belize (Central America)

Abstract. Recent findings indicate that heterotrophic bacteria and not phytoplankton are the most numerous biomass components even in the euphotic zone of oligotrophic, open oceans. In this study it was hypothesized that the microbial biomass components change within a few hundred meters as oligotrophic water flows across the reef and becomes enriched with nutrients. Along a trophic gradient, four stations at the Atlantic Barrier Reef off Belize (Central America) were sampled for microbial biomass components. Phytoplankton biomass (measured as chlorophyll a) ranged from the most oligotrophic station (St. 1) to the most eutrophic station (St. 4) from 6.9–415.5 μg CI"' (assuming a C:chl a ratio of 30): heterotrophic bacterial biomass increased 4-fold (from 10.1–46.4μg C 1^-1), heterotrophic nanoflagellate (HNAN) biomass increased from 4.6-19ug C 1^-1, and cyanobacteria from 0.9-4.5 μg C-1^-1. Production estimates derived from seawater cultures revealed a 5-fold increase in bacterial production from the oligotrophic station (3.7 ug C 1^-1 d^-1) to the eutrophic St. 4 (17.8ug C-1-d1^-1)- Cyanobacterial production rose from 1.1–3.5ug C-1–d^-1 and HNAN production from 0.65-1.13 μg C-1^-1 -d^-1. While cyanobacteria contributed between 13 and 20% to the autotrophic plankton component in the oligotrophic waters, their contribution dropped to about 1 % at the eutrophic stations.     

Distribution of dissolved organic carbon in and near the Prydz Bay, Antarctica

INTRODUCTIONDissolvedorganiccarbon (DOC)makesupthesecondlargestofthebioactivepoolsofcar bonintheocean ,secondtothelargestpoolofdissolvedinorganiccarbon .Theglobaldissolvedorganiccarbonpoolisestimatedtobe 6 85Gt,avaluecomparabletothemassofCO2 intheat mosphere (Hedges,1 992 ) .Thesizeofthereservoir,aswellasitsdynamics ,indicatesthatDOCplaysacentralroleintheoceancarboncycle .AsitrelatestogreenhousegasessuchasCO2 andassociatesclimatecycle ,oceanicDOCbiogeochemicalcycleshavebeenoneoftheh…     

An isotopic perspective on the correlation of surface ocean carbon dynamics and sea ice melting in Prydz Bay (Antarctica) during austral summer

The stable carbon isotope composition of particulate organic carbon (δ¹³C_POC) and naturally occurring long-lived radionuclide ²²⁶Ra (T_1/2=1600 a) were applied to study the variations of upper ocean (<100 m) carbon dynamics in response to sea ice melting in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica during austral summer 2006. Surface δ¹³C_POC values ranged from −27.4‰ to −19.0‰ and generally decreased from inner bay (south of 67°S) toward the Antarctic Divergence. Surface water ²²⁶Ra activity concentration ranged from 0.92 to 2.09 Bq/m³ (average 1.65±0.32 Bq/m³, n=20) and increased toward the Antarctic Divergence, probably reflecting the influence of ²²⁶Ra-depleted meltwater and upwelled ²²⁶Ra-replete deep water. The fraction of meltwater, f_i, was estimated from ²²⁶Ra activity concentration and salinity using a three-component (along with Antarctic Summer Surface Water, and Prydz Bay Deep Water) mixing model. Although the fraction of meltwater is relatively minor (1.6–11.9%, average 4.1±2.7%, n=20) for the surface waters (sampled at ~6 m), a positive correlation between surface δ¹³C_POC and f_i (δ¹³C_POC=0.94×f_i−28.44, n=20, r²=0.66, p<0.0001) was found, implying that sea ice melting may have contributed to elevated δ¹³C_POC values in the inner Prydz Bay compared to the open oceanic waters. This is the first time for a relationship between δ¹³C_POC and meltwater fraction to be reported in polar oceans to our knowledge. We propose that sea ice melting may have affected surface ocean δ¹³C_POC by enhancing water column stability and providing a more favorable light environment for phytoplankton photosynthesis, resulting in drawdown of seawater CO₂ availability, likely reducing the magnitude of isotope fractionation during biological carbon fixation. Our results highlight the linkage of ice melting and δ¹³C_POC, providing insights into understanding the carbon cycling in the highly productive Antarctic waters.     

Microalgal Communities of the Sea Ice, Ice-Covered and Ice-Free Waters of Wood Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) During the Austral Summer 1993 – 94

Abstract. During the austral summer 1993 – 94, microalgal density and biomass were investigated in the sea ice, in the underlying water column, in the melt water and during the formation of the sea ice. Of the 96 taxa identified, 59 were diatoms and 32 were dinoflagellates. Among the remaining five species, Pseudopleurochloris antarctica  was very abundant both in the sea ice and in the ice-free waters. Cell densities and biomass of microalgae were higher in the bottom of the sea ice and during the formation of the ice than in the seawater, and diatoms were the dominant group at higher microalgal biomass. Among these, Entomoneis kufferathii , Chaetoceros dichaeta and Fragilariopsis species were the most common taxa.     

A Comparison of Phytoplankton Biomass Estimators and Their Environmental Correlates in the Mali Ston Bay (Southern Adriatic)

Abstract. Phytoplankton biomass estimators – total cell number (CN), total cell volume (CV), chlorophyll a (Chl a ). phytoplankton organic carbon (PC), and their response to environmental variables, with a special emphasis on the vertical variability in the structure of the water column – were examined in the Mali Ston Bay (Southern Adriatic). Correlations among biomass estimators as well as with physical-chemical parameters varied according to hydrodynamic characteristics of the water column. The amount of Chl a per cell ranged from 0.28.06–10^-6μg during stratification to 0.7–2.0.10^-6μg during the mixing period. Most frequent values for PC/Chl a ratios and for Chl a /CV in mixed natural phytoplankton populations were 20–25 and 1–2, respectively.     

南极普里兹湾邻近海域海冰生消发展特征分析

利用美国冰雪数据中心发布的2003—2008年高分辨率海冰密集度数据,分6个阶段对普里兹湾区域海冰季节性变化的空间分布特征进行了研究,并根据普里兹湾海区的地形和环流对这些特征的成因进行了分析。结果表明,普里兹湾海冰冻结过程和融化过程分别经历7个月和5个月,海冰融化速度最快月份是10月和11月,主要表现形式为海冰密集度的减少;海冰冻结速度4月和6月最快,海冰外缘线向北扩展。由于普里兹湾近岸达恩利角冰间湖、普里兹湾冰间湖和Barrier湾冰间湖的存在,海冰的融化呈现大洋区由北向南、近岸区由南向北的双向融化特征;而在普里兹湾口、弗拉姆浅滩和四女士浅滩均存在不易融化的冰舌,两者之间的低密集度海冰区,则对应于暖水侵入普里兹湾的通道。南极绕极流在流经凯尔盖朗海台中部时向北偏转,造成此处在盛冰期较其它经度的海冰外缘更靠北,可达57°S。南极辐散带的表层流场和上升暖流抑制海冰冻结和聚集,形成了低海冰密集度区域。     

2000年夏季南极普里兹湾及邻近海域浮游植物研究

报道了2000年夏季(1月)在62°~69°S,70°30'~75°30'E的南极普里兹湾邻近海域浮游植物种类组成、丰度分布、叶绿素a浓度及其环境调控.结果表明,调查海区共有浮游植物4门33属65种、变种和变型.浮游植物平均细胞丰度为32.67×103个/dm3.浮游植物细胞丰度和叶绿素a浓度高值均出现在水体较稳定的近岸海湾和冰间湖及毗邻陆架,在大陆坡和深海区它们的值明显减小.浮游植物细胞丰度和叶绿素a浓度在0~50m水层最大,100m以下水层随深度的增加而减小.浮游植物丰度呈昼夜变化,在13:00丰度最高.浮游植物优势种为短菱形藻(Nitzschiacurta),占总丰度的24.8%.浮游植物种类组成和细胞丰度与浮冰和水团稳定性有关.经回归分析,浮游植物细胞丰度与水温、溶解氧成显著正相关,与无机磷(PO_{43--P)和无机氮(NO3--N)成显著负相关.}     

Sediment geochemistry in coastal maritime Antarctica (Admiralty Bay, King George Island): Evidence from rare earths and other elements

We report the concentrations of 22 elements in short coastal sediment cores of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) determined by Neutron Activation Analysis. We focus the discussion on rare earth elements (REE) because their fractionation patterns in sediments relative to local sources may offer insights about weathering, transportation, deposition, and diagenetic processes. We found strong correlations between REE and Th, indicating detrital origin. Despite strong Eh gradients, the Th-normalized redox-sensitive elements (e.g., Eu, Ce, Fe, As, and others) showed little variability within the sedimentary environment. The exceptions were U (depleted in the upper few centimeters) and Br (enriched in the upper few centimeters). While U appears to be removed from seawater via uptake across the boundary of reducing sediments, the mechanisms driving Br accumulation are unclear, but perhaps related to increasing diatom production driven by regional warming. A comparison with published concentrations from rocks representing the regional eroding units showed that the characteristics of source rock could be recognized in the REE fractionation patterns in our sediments. These results imply no significant alteration during weathering and sediment transport in the coastal region of Admiralty Bay and the prevalence of strong periglacial erosion in ice-free areas of maritime Antarctica in spite of the relatively mild regional environmental setting (e.g., high moisture and high temperatures).     

Physical and Geotechnical Properties and Assessment of Sediment Stability on the Continental Slope and Basin of the Bransfield Basin (Antarctica Peninsula)

Our investigation is centred on the continental slope of the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent basin. Type of sediments, sedimentary stratigraphy, and physical and geotechnical characterization of the sediments have been integrated. Four different types of sediments have been defined: diamictons, silty and muddy turbidites, muddy, silty and muddy matrix embedded clast contourites. There is a close correspondence between the physical properties (density, magnetic susceptibility and p-wave velocity) and the texture and/or fabric as laminations and stratification. From a quantitative point of view, only a few statistical correlations between textural and physical properties have been found. Within the geotechnical properties, only water content is most influenced by texture. This slope, with a maximum gradient observed (20°), is stable, according to the stability under gravitational loading concepts, and the maximum stable slope that would range from 22° to 29°. Nevertheless, different instability features have been observed. Volcanic activity, bottom currents, glacial loading-unloading or earthquakes can be considered as potential mechanisms to induce instability in this area.     

Physical and Geotechnical Properties and Assessment of Sediment Stability on the Continental Slope and Basin of the Bransfield Basin (Antarctica Peninsula)

Our investigation is centred on the continental slope of the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent basin. Type of sediments, sedimentary stratigraphy, and physical and geotechnical characterization of the sediments have been integrated. Four different types of sediments have been defined: diamictons, silty and muddy turbidites, muddy, silty and muddy matrix embedded clast contourites. There is a close correspondence between the physical properties (density, magnetic susceptibility and p-wave velocity) and the texture and/or fabric as laminations and stratification. From a quantitative point of view, only a few statistical correlations between textural and physical properties have been found. Within the geotechnical properties, only water content is most influenced by texture. This slope, with a maximum gradient observed (20°), is stable, according to the stability under gravitational loading concepts, and the maximum stable slope that would range from 22° to 29°. Nevertheless, different instability features have been observed. Volcanic activity, bottom currents, glacial loading-unloading or earthquakes can be considered as potential mechanisms to induce instability in this area.     

南极中山站邻近区域麦氏贼鸥Catharactamaccormicki繁殖生态研究

对中国南极中山站附近麦氏贼鸥繁殖种群的产卵、孵化和育雏等繁殖活动进行了系统的观察研究，记录产卵２１枚，育雏１８只，育成７只。第一卵的卵容量常大于第二卵，所需卵化时间通常长于后者，并使第一雏鸟在发育初期便处于有利地位；雏鸟成长常因缺少食物、气候恶劣以及敌害等夭折，尤其第二雏鸟的大量损失，使育成率低，仅为３８．９％。另外，人类活动对本区麦氏贼鸥繁殖习性和繁殖率所产生的影响不可忽视。     

A seismo-stratigraphic analysis of glaciomarine deposits in the eastern Riiser-Larsen Sea (Antarctica)

Multichannel seismic data from the eastern parts of the Riiser-Larsen Sea have been analyzed with a sequence stratigraphic approach. The data set covers a wide bathymetric range from the lower continental slope to the abyssal plain. Four different sequences (termed RLS-A to RLS-D, from deepest to shallowest) are recognized within the sedimentary section. The RLS-A sequence encompasses the inferred pre-glacial part of the deposits. Initial phases of ice sheet arrival at the eastern Riiser-Larsen Sea margin resulted in the deposition of multiple debris flow units and/or slumps on the upper part of the continental rise (RLS-B). The nature and distribution of these deposits indicate sediment supply from a line or a multi-point source. The subsequent stage of downslope sediment transport activity was dominated by turbidity currents, depositing mainly as distal turbidite sheets on the lower rise/abyssal plain (RLS-C). We attribute this to margin progradation and/or a more focussed sediment delivery to the continental shelf edge. As the accommodation space on the lower rise/abyssal plain declined and the base level was raised, the turbidite channels started to backstep and develop large channel–levee complexes on the upper parts of the continental rise (RLS-D). The deposition of various drift deposits on the lower rise/abyssal plain and along the western margin of the Gunnerus Ridge indicates that the RLS-D sequence is also associated with increased activity of contour currents. The drift deposits overlie a distinct regional unconformity which is considered to reflect a major paleoceanographic event, probably related to a Middle Miocene intensification of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.     

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of sinking particles in the eastern bransfield strait (Antarctica)

A time-series sediment trap was deployed at 1,034 m water depth in the eastern Bransfield Strait for a complete year from December 25, 1998 to December 24, 1999. About 99% of total mass flux was trapped during an austral summer, showing distinct seasonal variation. Biogenic particles (biogenic opal, particulate organic carbon, and calcium carbonate) account for about two thirds of annual total mass flux (49.2 g m^-2), among which biogenic opal flux is the most dominant (42% of the total flux). A positive relationship (except January) between biogenic opal and total organic carbon fluxes suggests that these two variables were coupled, due to the surface-water production (mainly diatoms). The relatively low δ¹³C values of settling particles result from effects on C-fixation processes at low temperature and the high CO² availability to phytoplankton. The correspondingly low δ¹⁵N values are due to intense and steady input of nitrates into surface waters, reflecting an unlikely nitrate isotope fractionation by degree of surface-water production. The δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of sinking particles increased from the beginning to the end of a presumed phytoplankton bloom, except for anomalous δ¹⁵N values. Krill and the zooplankton fecal pellets, the most important carriers of sinking particles, may have contributed gradually to the increasing δ¹³C values towards the unproductive period through the biomodification of the δ¹³C values in the food web, respiring preferentially and selectively¹²C atoms. Correspondingly, the increasing δ¹⁵N values in the intermediate-water trap are likely associated with a switch in source from diatom aggregates to some remains of zooplankton, because organic matter dominated by diatom may be more liable and prone to remineralization, leading to greater isotopic alteration. In particular, the tendency for abnormally high δ¹⁵N values in February seems to be enigmatic. A specific species dominancy during the production may be suggested as a possible and speculative reason.     

青岛太平湾砂质潮间带小型底栖生物丰度和生物量的研究

于2004年10月~2005年10月对青岛太平湾砂质潮间带进行了小型底栖生物的逐月采样,对丰度和生物量进行定量研究。结果表明,小型底栖生物的年平均丰度为(1 025.40±268.84)ind.10cm-2,平均生物量为(1 195.87±476.53)μgdwt.10cm-2,平均生产量为(10 762.80±4 288.77)μg dwt.10cm-2a-1。小型底栖生物在丰度和生物量上呈现了明显的季节变化,高值主要出现在4,5,6月,而低值在8,9月。共鉴定出l2个类群,线虫在丰度上占绝对优势(89.2%)。按生物量,多毛类占46.9%,其次为线虫31%。其它较多的类群还有涡虫、桡足类、腹毛虫、寡毛类等。50%以上的小型底栖生物分布在0~4cm表层,冬季部分向下迁移。Pearson相关分析表明,小型底栖生物数量对间隙水溶氧表现出明显的滞后效应,而与盐度、pH和沉积物环境因子相关性不明显。     

Biomass, species composition and diversity of benthic diatoms in mangroves of the Houyu Bay, China

The biomass, species composition and diversity of benthic diatom assemblages in mud-flat soils in Kandelia candel (L.) Druce communities with and without vegetation were studied seasonally at the Houyu Bay in Fuding City, Fujian Province, China. A total of 103 taxa were identified (including varieties). Eighty-four taxa were found in the mud-flat with vegetation and 74 taxa in the mud-flat without vegetation, while the biomass was large in January and April and decreased from July to October. The most abundant species in the mud-flat with vegetation are Nitzschia cocconeiformis, Gyrosigma scalproides and N. fasciculata, compared with G. scalproides and N.obtusa var. scalpelliformis in the mud-flat without vegetation. High/P values at 2 sites during all seasons suggest that diatom assemblages in the sediments of the Houyu Bay represent an original environment. Multi-dimensional scaling of diatom assemblages from mud-flats with and without vegetation shows that a slight seasonal change and only a single association occur in the mangroves.     

南极普里兹湾外海沉降颗粒物通量、组成变化及其与罗斯海对比研究

在南极普里兹湾外开阔海域布放时间系列沉积物捕获器,研究沉降颗粒物中生源组分(生物硅、有机质、碳酸钙)通量、组成、来源及元素的摩尔比值的生物地球化学意义,结果表明Ⅲ-1+站在1000m处颗粒物总通量的变化为13.00~334.59mg/(d·m2),颗粒物中以生物硅为主,占总通量的80%以上;各组分通量呈现明显的季节性变化.结合罗斯海沉降颗粒物通量和元素的摩尔比值的对比研究表明,研究海域1000m深的沉降颗粒物中生物硅与有机碳元素摩尔比值、无机碳与有机碳的元素摩尔比值较高,表明研究海域生物硅与有机碳生物地球化学循环过程是非耦合的,生物活动有效地将CO₂由表层水中移出.