First Report of Tumor-Like Anomalies on the Copepods and their Seasonality from the Obhur Creek,Jeddah Coast,Central Red Sea

Monthly abundance of the subclass Copepoda was analyzed from the zooplankton samples collected at Obhur Creek, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during December-2011 till December-2012. Zooplankton samples were collected through surface horizontal tows by a modified WP2 net(via. mouth diameter 50 cm, length 180 cm, 150 μm mesh size). Order Calanoida dominated the abundance with mean annual average of 75.29%. We observed abnormal protuberances on copepods, known as tumour-like anomalies(TLAs). Calanoida showed more frequent and prominent TLAs on its dorsal surface with highest mean percentage occurring during Jun. 2012(1.64%). The percentage prevalence of TLAs on the Copepoda was highest during Jun. 2012(1.36%) and least during Nov. 2012(0.03%). It is suggested that these TLAs might be caused due to the presence of potentially high levels of toxic substances, which weakens the exoskeleton and thereby making them more susceptible to infections or due to wounds from parasites or might be related to the occurrence of symbiotic tantulocarids or might be due to the radiation stress as a control measure. Whatever the reason, these TLAs have become a serious emerging threat to the aquatic food web. Our investigation is the first of its kind in the coastal waters of the Saudi Red Sea, which needs further investigations in order to elucidate the possible reasons for these abnormalities.     

Antifouling potential of bacteria isolated from a marine biofilm

Marine microorganisms are a new source of natural antifouling compounds. In this study, two bacterial strains, Kytococcus sedentarius QDG-B506 and Bacillus cereus QDG-B509, were isolated from a marine biofilm and identified. The bacteria fermentation broth could exert inhibitory effects on the growth of Skeletonema costatum and barnacle larvae. A procedure was employed to extract and identify the antifouling compounds. Firstly, a toxicity test was conducted by graduated pH and liquid-liquid extraction to determine the optimal extraction conditions. The best extraction conditions were found to be pH 2 and 100% petroleum ether. The EC50 value of the crude extract of K. sedentarius against the test microalgae was 236.7 ± 14.08 μg mL-1, and that of B. cereus was 290.6 ± 27.11 μg mL-1. Secondly, HLB SPE columns were used to purify the two crude extracts. After purification, the antifouling activities of the two extracts significantly increased: the EC50 of the K. sedentarius extract against the test microalgae was 86.4 ± 3.71 μg mL-1, and that of B. cereus was 92.6 ± 1.47 μg mL-1. These results suggest that the metabolites produced by the two bacterial strains are with high antifouling activities and they should be fatty acid compounds. Lastly, GC-MS was used for the structural elucidation of the compounds. The results show that the antifouling compounds produced by the two bacterial strains are myristic, palmitic and octadecanoic acids.     

Heavy metal content in coral reef sediments from Red Sea of Yemen and its significance on marine environment

In order to determine and assess the concentrations of trace elements in coral reefs sediments from Red Sea of Yemen, sediment samples were collected, treated and analyzed for cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, iead, iron, zinc and vanadium by the atomic absorption spectrometric analysis. The result is that cadmium, cobalt and lead concentrations were high and other elements are low or the same as natural background. It is concluded that the high cadmium, cobalt and lead levels in coral reefs sediments will have negative effects on marine life of the sites, so further researches are needed to characterize the sources fate, biogeochemical processes and impacts of these trace elements on coral reefs and marine of the region.     

Heavy metal content in coral reef sediments from Red Sea of Yemen and its significance on marine environment

In order to determine and assess the concentrations of trace elements in coral reefs sediments from Red Sea of Yemen, sediment samples were collected, treated and analyzed for cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, iron, zinc and vanadium by the atomic absorption spectrometric analysis. The result is that cadmium, cobalt and lead concentrations were high and other elements are low or the same as natural background. It is concluded that the high cadmium, cobalt and lead levels in coral reefs sediments will have negative effects on marine life of the sites, so further researches are needed to characterize the sources fate, biogeochemical processes and impacts of these trace elements on coral reefs and marine of the region.     

Recent researches of bioactive metabolites in marine organisms-associated microorganisms

1　Introduction　Sincetheearly 196 0s ,oceanhasbeenconsideredasanewanduntouchedsourceofpotentiallyusefulcom pounds .Theresultsfromtheresearchesontheorgan ismssuchassponges,softcorals ,algae ,ascidians ,bryozoansandmollusks ,havedemonstratedthatma rineorga…     

Biodiversity of free-living marine nematodes in the southern Yellow Sea,China

Biodiversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes were studied using specific,taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity measures in the southern Yellow Sea,China.The results showed that the average of Shannon-Wiener diversity index(H′) in the study area was 3.17.The higher values were distributed in the east part of Shandong coastal waters and north part of Jiangsu coastal waters,while the lower values were distributed in the southern Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(YSCWM).The average of taxonomic diversity(Δ) was 62.09 in the study region.The higher values were distributed in the transitional areas between the coastal areas and the southern YSCWM,while the lower values were distributed near the north part of Jiangsu coastal waters and the YSCWM.Results of correlation analysis of species diversity and taxonomic diversity showed that some of the two kinds of diversity index were independent,which suggested that combining the two kinds of diversity indices can reflect the ecological characteristics better.A test for 95% probability funnels of average taxonomic distinctness and variation in taxonomic distinctness suggested that Station 8794(in the YSCWM) was outside of the 95% probability funnels,which may be due to the environmental stress.Results of correlation analysis between marine nematodes biodiversity and environmental variables showed that the sediment characteristics(Md? and Silt-clay fraction) and phaeophorbide a(Pha-a) were the most important factors to determine the biodiversity patterns of marine nematodes.     

Chlorophenols in marine organisms from the southern coast of Hangzhou Bay,China, and an assessment of risks posed to human health

The composition of chlorophenols in marine organisms from the southern coast of Hangzhou Bay, China, was analyzed and the health risks posed to humans assessed. A total of 19 chlorophenols from 16 types of marine organism were analyzed across nine survey sections in Hangzhou Bay. The chlorophenols were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a DB-5MS quartz capillary column. The concentrations of monochlorophenol, dichlorophenol, trichlorophenol, tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol ranged from below the detection limit(ND) to 132 μg/kg, ND–51.0 μg/kg, ND–42.5 μg/kg, ND–69.0 μg/kg, and ND–9.06 μg/kg, respectively. Additionally, concentration differences between each type of chlorophenol were not significant( P 0.05). However, significant differences were found between monochlorophenol( F =8.13, P 0.01) and total chlorophenol(F =5.19, P 0.01) concentrations. As the noncarcinogenic risk indices were 0.1(10-5 –10-2) for all of the organisms, no high risk was posed by 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol to humans consuming marine organisms from the study area. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risks posed by 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol were lower than limits set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the US Environmental Protection Agency. However, the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks posed by chlorophenols in marine organisms from four of the survey sections(Sizaopu, Niluoshan, Longshan Town and Xinhong zha) were higher than the other survey sections.     

Diversity and bioactivity of actinomycetes from marine sediments of the Yellow Sea

Among the 116 actinomycetes collected from marine sediments of the Yellow Sea,56 grew slowly and appeared after 2?3 weeks of incubation.Among the 56 strains,only 3 required seawater(SW) for growth,and 21 grew well in the medium prepared with SW rather than distilled water(DW),while the remaining 32 grew well either with SW or with DW.Six representatives with different morphological characteristics,including 1 SW-requiring strain and 5 well-growing with SW strains,were selected for phy-logenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene.Two strains belong to Micrococcaceae and Nocardiopsaceae respectively.The other 4 strains belong to the family of Streptomycetaceae.In the analyzed 6 strains,one was related to Nocardiopsis spp.and the other three were related to Streptomyces spp.,representing new taxa.Bioactivity testing of fermentation products from 3 SW-requiring strains and 21 well-growing with SW strains revealed that 17 strains possessed remarkable activities against gram-positive pathogen or/and tumor cells,suggesting that they were prolific resources for natural drug discovery.     

The effect of the East China Sea Kuroshio Front on the marine atmospheric boundary layer

Various satellite data, JRA-25 (Japan reanalysis of 25 years) reanalyzed data and WRF (Weather Research Forecast) model are used to investigate the in situ effect of the ESKF (East China Sea Kuroshio Front) on the MABL (marine atmospheric boundary layer). The intensity of the ESKF is most robust from January to April in its annual cycle. The local strong surface northerly/northeasterly winds are observed right over the ESKF in January and in April and the wind speeds decrease upward in the MABL. The thermal wind effect that is derived from the baroclinic MABL forced by the strong SST gradient contributes to the strong surface winds to a large degree. The convergence zone existing along the warm flank of the ESKF is stronger in April than in January corresponding to the steeper SST (sea surface temperature) gradient. The collocations of the cloud cover maximum and precipitation maximum are basically consistent with the convergence zone of the wind field. The clouds develop higher (lower) in the warm (cold) flank of the ESKF due to the less (more) stable stratification in the MABL. The lowest clouds are observed in April on the cold flank of the ESKF and over the Yellow Sea due to the existence of the pronounced temperature inversion. The numerical experiments with smoothed SST are consistent with the results from the ovservations.     

Isolation and characterization of a marine bacterium producing protease from Chukchi Sea, Arctic

A Gram negative bacterium Ar/W/b/75°25＇N/1 producing extracellular alkaline protease was isolated from surface water of latitude 75°25＇N, and longitude 162°25＇W in Chukchi sea, Arctic. The strain can grow at the temperature range from 7℃ to 30℃, and grow better at 30(℃. It can not grow at 40℃. Keeping certain salinity concentration in medium is necessary for cell growth. It grows well in medium containing salinity concentration from 0. 5 % to 10 % sodium chloride. Glucose, sucrose and soluble starch can be utilized by the strain, among which glucose is the optimal carbon source. Peptone is the optimal organic nitrogen source for cell growth and protease producing, and ammonium nitrate is the optimal inorganic nitrogen source.About 75.7% of total protease of the strain are extracellular enzyme. Optimal temperature for proteolytic activity is at 40℃. Protease of the strain keeps stable below 40℃, and shows high proteolytic activity within the pH range from 7 to 11.     

Antialgal and antilarval activities of bioactive compounds extracted from the marine dinoflagellate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphidinium carterae</Emphasis>

With the global ban on the application of organotin-based marine coatings by the International Maritime Organization, the development of environmentally friendly, low-toxic and nontoxic antifouling compounds for marine industries has become an urgent need. Marine microorganisms have been considered as a potential source of natural antifoulants. In this study, the antifouling potential of marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae, the toxic and red-tide microalgae, was investigated. We performed a series of operations to extract the bioactive substances from Amphidinium carterae and tested their antialgal and antilarval activities. The crude extract of Amphidinium carterae showed significant antialgal activity and the EC₅₀ value against Skeletonema costatum was 55.4 μg mL^?1. After purification, the isolated bioactive substances (the organic extract C) exhibited much higher antialgal and antilarval activities with EC₅₀ of 12.9 μg mL^?1 against Skeletonema costatum and LC₅₀ of 15.1 μg mL^?1 against Amphibalanus amphitrite larvae. Subsequently, IR, Q-TOFMS, and GC-MS were utilized for the structural elucidation of the bioactive compounds, and a series of unsaturated and saturated 16- to 22-carbon fatty acids were detected. The data suggested the bioactive compounds isolated from Amphidinium carterae exhibited a significant inhibiting effect against the diatom Skeletonema costatum and Amphibalanus amphitrite larvae, and could be substitutes for persistent, toxic antifouling compounds.     

THE EVOLUTION OF STENOLS AND STANOLS IN MARINE SEDIMENT CORE FROM BEIBU BAY, THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

Ten stenols and stanols were identified by TLC , GC and GC-MS-DS in a marine sediment core from Beibu Bay , the South China Sea .C27, C28 and C29 A5 stenols and 5a- stanols mainly come from zoopiankton, algae and phytoplankton in marine environment. C29 24-ethylcholest- 5 - en- 3B- ol is thought to indicate input of terrigenous organic matter . The increase of C27 . C28 and C29 5a-stanol /5 stenol ratios with sediment depth shows the evolution of stenols and stanols in the marine sediment core .     

A new free-living marine nematode species of Rhinema from the South China Sea

A new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Rhinema belonging to the family Monoposthiidae was collected from marine sediments in the Qiongzhou Strait of the South China Sea,and it is described here as Rhinema longispicula sp.nov.The new species is characterized by coarsely annulated cuticle with 12 longitudinal ridges(alae) marked as reversed V-shaped.The first and second annuli broader and form a kind of a cephalic capsule.The amphideal fovea circular,situated in the middle of the broad second annulus,not surrounded by dense annulations.Buccal cavity cylindrical with a large dorsal tooth.Pharynx with a prominent anterior pharyngeal bulb and an elongated terminal bulb.Elongate spicules strongly curved,with cephalated proximal end and pointed distal end.Gubernaculum boat-shaped,without apophysis.A long and blunt precloacal seta present.Female with two opposed,outstretched ovaries.     

Screening and isolation of the algicidal compounds from marine green alga Ulva intestinalis

Twenty species of seaweed were collected from the coast of Zhejiang, China, extracted with ethanol, and screened for algicidal activity against red tide microalgae H eterosigma akashiwo and Prorocentrum micans. Inhibitory eff ects of fresh and dried tissues of green alga U lva intestinalis were assessed and the main algicidal compounds were isolated, purifi ed, and identifi ed. Five seaweed species, U. intestinalis, U. fasciata, Grateloupia romosissima, Chondria crassicaulis, and Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis, were investigated for their algicidal activities. Fresh tissues of 8.0 and 16.0 mg/m L of U. intestinalis dissolved in media signifi cantly inhibited growth of H. akashiwo and P. micans, respectively. Dried tissue and ethyl acetate(Et OAc) extracts of U. intestinalis at greater than 1.2 and 0.04 mg/m L, respectively, were fatal to H. akashiwo, while its water and Et OAc extracts in excess of 0.96 and 0.32 mg/m L, respectively, were lethal to P. micans. Three algicidal compounds in the Et OAc extracts were identifi ed as 15-ethoxy-(6z,9z,12z)-hexadecatrienoic acid(I),(6E,9E,12E)-(2-acetoxy- β- D-glucose)-octadecatrienoic acid ester(II) and hexadecanoic acid(III). Of these, compound II displayed the most potent algicidal activity with IC_(50) values of 4.9 and 14.1 μg/m L for H. akashiwo and P. micans, respectively. Compound I showed moderate algicidal activity with IC_(50) values of 13.4 and 24.7 μg/m L for H. akashiwo and P. micans, respectively. These fi ndings suggested that certain macroalgae or products therefrom could be used as ef fective biological control agents against red tide algae.     

Impact of two typhoons on the marine environment in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea

This study investigated the ef fects of two typhoons(Nari and Wipha) on sea surface temperature(SST) and chlorophyll- a(Chl- a) concentration. Typhoons Nari and Wipha passed through the Yellow Sea on September 13, 2007 and the East China Sea(ECS) on September 16, 2007, respectively. The SST and Chl- a data were obtained from the Aqua/Terra MODIS and NOAA18, respectively, and the temperature and salinity in the southeast of the study area were observed in situ from Argo. The average SST within the study area dropped from 26.33°C on September 10 to a minimum of 22.79°C on September 16. Without the usual phenomenon of ‘right bias', the most striking response of SST was in the middle of the typhoons' tracks, near to coastal waters. Strong cooling of the upper layers of the water column was probably due to increased vertical mixing, discharge from the Changjiang River estuary, and heavy rainfall. During the typhoons, average Chl-a increased by 11.54% within the study area and by 21.69% in the off shore area near to the southeast ECS. From September 1 to 13, average Chl-a was only 0.10 mg/m~3 in the of fshore waters but it reached a peak of 0.17 mg/m~3 on September 18. This large increase in Chl-a concentration in of fshore waters might have been triggered by strong vertical mixing, upwelling induced by strong typhoons, and sedimentation and nutrient infl ux following heavy rainfall.     

The selection of alkaline protease-producing yeasts fi＇om marine environments and evaluation of their bioactive peptide production

A total of 400 yeast strains from seawater, sediments, saltern mud, marine fish guts, and marine algae were obtained. The protease activity of the yeast cultures was estimated, after which four strains (HN3.11, N11b, YF04C and HN4.9) capable of secreting extracellular alkaline protease were isolated. The isolated strains were identified as Aureobasidium pullulans, Yarrowia lipolytica, Issatchenkia orientalis and Cryptococcus cf. aureus. The optimal pH of the protease activity produced by strains HN3.11, YF04C, and HN4.9 was 9.0, while that of the protease produced by strain N11b was 10.0. The optimal temperature for protease activity was 45°C for strains HN3.11, N11b, and YF04C, and 50°C for strain HN4.9. After digestion of shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) protein and spirulina (Arthospira platensis) protein with the four crude alkaline proteases, the filtrate from spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) powder digested by the crude alkaline protease of strain HN3.11 was found to have the highest antioxidant activity (61.4%) and the highest angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activities (68.4%). The other filtrates had much lower antioxidant activity and ACE-inhibitory activities.     

Chemical Defense of Soft Coral Sinularia polydactyla from the Red Sea Against Marine Biofilm-Forming Bacteria

Soft corals are an important group of organisms that live in reef ecosystems. In this study, the chemical defense of soft coral Sinularia polydactyla against biofilm-forming bacteria was assessed. The soft coral S. polydactyla was collected from the Obhur creek of the Red Sea and the bioactive compounds were extracted under different conditions using methanol and hexane as solvents. Results revealed that the bioactive compounds produced by the soft coral S. polydactyla were active against the growth, hydrophobicity and extracellular polymeric substances production of the biofilm-forming bacteria. However, the damage or injury in soft coral tissue caused a decrease in the activity against biofilm-forming bacteria. GC-MS analysis revealed that sesquiterpenes were abundant in normal coral sample extract while cembranoids were abundant in damaged coral sample extracts. In general, the results indicated that the soft corals either under stress or with damage may not have a strong chemical defense against the colonizing marine organisms and competitors.