Heavy metals in marine sediments of Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)

Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn concentrations have been determined in surface sediment samples collected in the Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy) in order to evaluate their levels and spatial distribution in this important area of the Mediterranean Sea. For various metals, the geoaccumulation index has been calculated as a criterion to assess if their concentrations represent contamination levels or can be considered as background levels. The results show that metals concentrations in sediments can be considered near the background levels found in the Mediterranean Sea.Analytical results have been elaborated by using a Geographical Information System (GIS) software to show metals accumulation areas. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we evaluate the possibility to distinguish the sampling stations, in relation to their geographical position. Results have showed metals distribution in the Taranto Gulf is principally influenced by industrial and urban wastes, located mostly in the northern coastal area of the Ionian Sea. Rivers in the Basilicata region and prevailing anticlockwise marine currents are further factors influencing metal accumulation in sediments.     

海水和海洋沉积物中有机磷酸酯的研究进展

有机磷酸酯(OPEs)已广泛应用于阻燃剂和增塑剂,但由于其具有较高毒性、难降解和远距离迁移等特点,从而引发的一系列海洋环境问题也逐渐受到关注。本文基于国内外海水和沉积物中OPEs的最新研究数据,分析了海水和海洋沉积物中OPEs的分析检测技术、迁移转化、分布特征和影响因素等,并针对当前研究的不足进行了讨论和展望。通过本文总结发现,海水中OPEs主要来自河流输入和大气沉降的输送,且浓度分布特征表现为表层高于底层,三种氯代有机磷酸酯[磷酸三(2-氯乙基)酯(TCEP)、磷酸三氯丙酯(TCPP)和磷酸三(1, 3-二氯-2-丙基)酯(TDCPP)]是海水中OPEs的主要组分;海洋沉积物中OPEs的含量分布表现出港湾、近岸海域和沿岸城市经济发达区域较高的趋势,其主要组分存在差异,受辛醇-水分配系数(lg Kow)和总有机碳(TOC)两个因素的影响较大。     

Plutonium in intertidal coastal and estuarine sediments in the Northern Irish Sea

Surface intertidal sediments from 35 sites in the Irish Sea have been analysed for their ²³⁸Pu and ^239,240Pu activities, together with an intensive study of plutonium in sediments of the Esk Estuary (NW England). The range of plutonium activities for the whole survey were 0·14–4118 and 1·3–16 026 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²³⁸Pu and ^239,240Pu, respectively. The levels of Pu activity, derived from the Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing effluents, in sediments are controlled by lithological factors and the influence of transport and post-depositional processes. Grain size distribution is particularly important, the major part of plutonium activity being in the mud fraction of all sediments.The data suggest that over the Irish Sea coastline, dynamic mixing of sediment grains by reworking and resuspension and/or by dispersion in tidal currents are important in determining plutonium distributions. The exponential decrease in sediment plutonium activities away from the Sellafield source is attributed to the progressive mixing with older contaminated and uncontaminated sediments.     

Plankton Distribution Patterns in a Mediterranean Dilution Basin: Amvrakikos Gulf (Ionian Sea, Greece)

Abstract. The present work describes Amvrakikos Gulf (Ionian Sea, Greece) as a dilution basin and provides information concerning the relationships between the hydrology and plankton composition and distribution.
Amvrakikos Gulf is characterized by a differentiated planktonic system which is apparently directly influenced by the input of the rivers located at the northern part of the gulf.     

东海陆架海水和沉积物中藻类生物标志物的分布特征与比较

对东海内陆架杭州湾附近的季节性水体悬浮颗粒物和表层沉积物中的主要藻类生物标志物进行分析,如菜籽甾醇、甲藻甾醇和长链烯酮,分别对应于硅藻、甲藻和定鞭藻,分析探讨水体颗粒物和沉积物中藻类生物标志物的分布特征及控制因素。研究结果显示,东海内陆架表层沉积物中藻类生物标志物空间分布特征明显,由杭州湾近岸向海,含量随水深增加而增加;颗粒物中生物标志物含量的季节变化突出,夏季样品的含量最高。生物标志物的时空变化主要受控于藻类生产力的变化。由于营养盐丰富,高初级生产力主要分布在远离河口的冲淡水和外海海流交汇的水域;夏季由于长江冲淡水携带营养盐影响扩大,近岸浮游植物生产力最高。此外,结果还显示表层沉积物与颗粒物中优势甾醇有显著差异,颗粒物中菜籽甾醇占优势,而表层沉积物中甲藻甾醇占比更大。除了通常解释的颗粒物中有机质主要反映局部地点的瞬时性,而表层沉积物中有机质反映更广区域的多年平均性,我们认为沉积物中可能发生的菜籽甾醇后期氢化作用改造有巨大影响,导致沉积物中菜籽甾醇含量相对甲藻甾醇大量降低。本研究结果强调沉积物中生物标志物沉积历史的复杂性,理解表层沉积物中生物标志物的相对变化对于沉积记录中生物标志物的准确解读具有重要意义。     

Analysis of the experimental compressibility of deep water marine sediments from the Gulf of Guinea

This study strives to analyze the compressibility of deep water marine sediments originating from the Gulf of Guinea. Our approach is multi-scaled and, on the macroscopic level, based on two equations which link the overburden effective stress with the liquidity index, the Biarez & Favre equation on the one hand, and the Burland equation on the other hand (after calculation of the ICL expression as a function of the I_L parameter). On the local level, the evolution of the microstructures is analysed and compared with GoG remoulded clay. Two additional observation techniques have been used, the scanning electron microscope and the mercury intrusion porosimetry.     

Phosphorus regeneration and burial in near-shore marine sediments (the Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea)

According to bioassay studies and high dissolved nutrient N/P ratios in the seawater column, phosphorus (P) is thought to control marine productivity in the northern Adriatic Sea. P in near-shore marine sediments of the Gulf of Trieste, the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea, was investigated using pore water P distributions, and benthic P flux studies under oxic and anoxic conditions. The data show that P regeneration is up to three-fold more extensive in sediments overlain by oxygen-depleted waters and proceeds in parallel with Fe and Mn enhanced benthic fluxes. It appears from the incubation experiments that degradation of sedimentary organic matter is the main contribution to the flux of P at the sediment–water interface, while the release of phosphate adsorbed on the iron oxide surface is of minor importance.It appears that about 50% of P in the Gulf of Trieste is retained within in the sediments, probably bonded to clay minerals and carbonate grains or precipitated as fluoroapatite. In these sediments total P (P_tot) is preserved preferentially over organic C (C_org). P regenerated from surficial sediments contributes about 1/3 of the P that is assimilated by benthic microalgae. The phytoplankton P requirement should be entirely supplied from fresh-water sources. These results suggest that oxygen depletion in coastal areas caused by eutrophication enhances P regeneration from sediments, providing the additional P necessary for increased biological productivity. The development of anoxic bottom waters in coastal areas enhances the recycling of P, exacerbating the nutrient requirement in the area. A geochemical record of P burial in a longer sedimentary sequence revealed an increasing trend of P_tot and organic P (P_org) contents occurring approximately 50 years BP (after 1950), probably due to increasing use of inorganic fertilizers and detergents in the area.     

A Survey of Estuarine Benthic, Zoo-planktonic and Phytoplanktonic Communities of Amvrakikos Gulf, Ionian Sea

Abstract. The estuarine ecosystem of the Amvrakikos Gulf, a semi-enclosed embayment of the Ionian Sea, was surveyed at 9 stations in June, 1980. Quantitative and qualitative relationships among the phytoplanktonic, zooplanktonic and benthic populations were examined and related to environmental parameters. It was found that quantitative maxima of each of the three components occurred at different stations. When stations were grouped according to a similarity index of each community, it could be shown that the stations were very similar with regard to phytoplankton and slightly less similar with regard to zooplankton. The stations differed considerably as far as the benthos is concerned. The phytoplankton also exhibited a lower species diversity (0.08-0.82 bits-indiv.^-1) than the zooplankton (1.08-2.10 bits indiv.^-1) and the benthos (0.85-5.06 bits indiv.^-1). Differences in salinity among stations showed no significant correlation with the abundance or species diversity of phytoplankton, zooplankton or benthos.     

Circalittoral Macrobenthic Assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea)

Abstract. Six macrobenthic assemblages of the circalittoral zone found in Strymonikos Gulf, North Aegean Sea, are described and compared with the corresponding ones from other Mediterranean and Atlantic areas. For the delimination of these assemblages and the evaluation of the major environmental gradients governing their distribution, several numerical techniques were used.     

海洋沉积物微量元素地球化学特征对天然气水合物勘探的指示意义

天然气水合物与资源和全球环境变化等重大科学问题密切相关。前期关于甲烷渗漏区地球化学特征的研究主要集中于浅表层沉积物（＜20 m）,而浅层沉积物（＞20 m）地球化学特征知之甚少。为探讨海洋浅层沉积物微量元素特征与天然气水合物勘探的相关关系,对南海神狐海域沉积物进行了4个站位的钻探取样,分析了样品主、微量元素和有机碳地球化学特征,并采用氧化还原状态以及Mo与TOC相关关系的分析方法进行探讨。结果显示,沉积物主量元素特征主要受到陆源碎屑物质输入的主导,与天然气水合物富集无明显关系。水合物赋存段及附近沉积物中Ba和Mo元素高度富集,存在明显的“Ba峰”和“Mo峰”,主要是由于天然气水合物分解释放大量甲烷产生的硫化环境所导致。因此,沉积物中的Ba和Mo富集特征可作为识别可能存在天然气水合物分布的重要地球化学指标。     

Lipid biomarkers in surface sediments from the Gulf of Genoa,Ligurian sea (NW Mediterranean sea) and their potential for the reconstruction of palaeo-environments

A series of molecular organic markers were determined in surface sediments from the Gulf of Genoa (Ligurian Sea) in order to evaluate their potential for palaeo-environmental reconstructions. Allochthonous input can be characterized by the distributions of n-C₂₉ and n-C₃₁ alkanes, n-C₂₆ and n-C₂₈ alkanols and branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), whose concentrations are generally highest near the river mouths. In the open basin however, terrestrial n-alkanes and n-alkanols may have an additional, eolian source. Autochthonous input is represented by crenarchaeol and isoprenoid GDGTs. Their concentrations are highest in the open basin showing the preference of Thaumarchaeota for oligotrophic waters. Indications of a significant degradation of sterols and C₃₇ alkenones exclude these lipids as reliable productivity proxies. Using terrestrial and aquatic lipids as end-members allows estimating the percentage of terrestrial organic matter between 20% and 58% in the coastal area decreasing to 1–30% in the deep basin. The spatial distribution of sea surface temperature (SST) estimates using the alkenone-based U^K′₃₇ index is very similar to the autumnal (November) mean satellite-based SST distribution. Conversely, TEX^H₈₆-derived SST estimates are close to winter SSTs in the coastal area and summer SSTs in the open basin. This pattern reflects presumably a shift in the main production of Thaumarchaeota from the coastal area in winter to the open basin in summer. This study represents a major prerequisite for the future application of lipid biomarkers on sediment cores from the Gulf of Genoa.     

南海中部沉积物颗粒组分特征

为研究南海中部沉积物的粒度特征及其蕴含的古海洋信息,对南海中部中沙以南的陆坡和海盆区表层沉积物及分别位于陆坡和海盆的2根柱样进行了粒度、扫描电镜、CaCO3和生物硅含量的分析.结果显示,南海中部沉积物由三类颗粒组分构成,其中,第一类颗粒组分的峰值粒径在5～10μm之间,主要由陆源矿物碎屑组成;第二类组分的峰值粒径在40～70 μm之间,主要由有孔虫和硅藻组成;第三类颗粒组分的峰值粒径＞ 400 μm,由生物骨骼碎屑组成.这三类颗粒组分中第一类在研究区表层沉积物中均存在,第三类则随机分布,第二类颗粒组分多以有孔虫为主,其含量受水深控制.在南海中部碳酸钙临界补偿深度[Dc(CaC03)]以浅的陆坡区,因有孔虫含量较多,沉积物粒度曲线多为双峰形态,而在Dc(CaCO3)值以下的海盆区,因大部分有孔虫被溶解,沉积物中第二类颗粒组分为含量相对较低的硅藻,沉积物粒度曲线呈单峰或双峰形态.无论是陆坡区还是海盆区的柱样沉积,其平均粒径、第二类颗粒组分含量的变化均反映了有孔虫或硅藻含量的变化,因此,可以作为研究南海中部古生产力的替代性指标.     

An Analysis of the Coastal Fish Assemblage of the Ustica Island Marine Reserve (Mediterranean Sea)

A study of the coastal fish assemblages in the marine park of Ustica Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean) was conducted from June 1994 to September 1995 and from June 1996 to September 1997. The principal aims of the research were to: (1) define the faunistic features of local fish communities; (2) assess the effectiveness of the protection regime of the marine park on the fish assemblages ('reserve effect'); (3) provide information on the distribution of some Epinephelus and Diplodus species in the shallowest depth zone of the island. During seasonal surveys, underwater visual censuses were carried out at several sites located in three zones of the island, each with a different level of protection. Observations were made along 250 m² transects at 3–5, 10–15 and 25–30 m depth ranges. Additional surveys were made by SCUBA diving and snorkelling. A statistically significant effect of depth on the fish community parameters was observed, whereas differences linked to protection level, zones, sites and seasons were not significant. The abundance and frequency of occurrence of some species, particularly dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus , were positively correlated with the degree of protection of the different zones of the marine park. Certain sites of the island are important as nursery areas for three species of the genus Diplodus ( i.e., D. puntazzo, D. sargus and D. vulgaris ).     

Temporal Variations of Nutrients, ­Chlorophyll a and Particulate Matter in Three Coastal Lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf (Ionian Sea, Greece)

Abstract. The temporal variations of nutrients, chlorophyll a (chl a ), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were measured over 12 months in three shallow coastal brackish water lagoons of the Amvrakikos Gulf, Ionian Sea. Two of the lagoons, Tsoukalio and Rodia, are interconnected but separated from Logarou by a narrow strip of land. Logarou has a better water exchange with the sea as indicated by the higher salinity and dissolved oxygen concentrations and the smaller variation of the above-mentioned parameters. Nitrate concentrations were largely the same in the three lagoons and higher than in the Amvrakikos Gulf. Phosphate concentrations in Logarou exceeded by far those of Tsoukalio/Rodia; the increased phosphate levels recorded in January caused an extended phytoplankton bloom with chl a concentrations higher than in the other two lagoons. Chl a in Tsoukalio was positively correlated with nitrate whereas in the most shallow lagoon, Logarou, it showed a positive correlation with light winds (force 4 and lower), probably caused by resuspension from the sediment. Increased phytoplankton biomass in Logarou coupled with the better water exchange may be related to the higher fish production in this lagoon.     

One new species of free-living marine nematodes (Enoplida,Anticomidae, Cephalanticoma) from the Huanghai Sea

One new species of free-living marine nematodes Cephalanticoma filicaudata sp. nov. from the Huanghai Sea, China is described and illustrated. Cephalanticoma filicaudata sp. nov. is characterized by well developed cephalic capsule, three teeth at the anterior of oesophagus, excretory pore opens posterior to cervical setae, only two cervical setae per file, body length longer than 5 200 μm, tail long and no ventral-lateral seta between the supplement and the cloacal opening. Types are deposited in the College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China.     

Paleoecological Relations of Foraminifera in a Desert-Enclosed Sea -The Gulf of Aqaba (Elat), Red Sea

Abstract. Planktonic and benthonic foraminifera live in the desert-enclosed, hypersaline and oligotrophic Gulf of Aqaba and northernmost Red Sea near the edge of their ecological tolerance. Marked changes in foraminiferal abundance patterns in the past, resulting from hydrological shifts related to global climatic fluctuations, facilitate a high-resolution ecostratigraphic subdivision of deep-sea records covering the last 150,000 years. Of particular significance are the foraminiferal plankton/benthos ratios, the presence/absence pattern of such species as Globigerinoides sacculifer , as well as the frequency variation of Globigerina bulloules-falconensis, Buliminacea, Miiiolacea and various "rotaliform" species. Paleoceanographic interpretation of the shifts in assemblage composition and of stable oxygen isotope data obtained on planktonic foraminifera and pteropods indicates that during glacial intervals - because of global cooling, lowered sea-level and reduced water exchange at the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb - the temperature of the upper waters fell by about 4–6 ^oC (to 15–17 ^oC), salinity rose by about 10%o to more than 50%₀ while residence time of the water became longer and the input/output ratio of nutrients became higher. As a consequence, fertility of the photic zone was higher, the organic content of the sediments increased and oxygen levels in the deep basin became reduced. Thus, sea level-oscillations and strait-dynamics played a major role in the foraminiferal paleoecology of the Red Sea.     

南海北部湾东部海域表层沉积物地球化学特征

通过对南海北部湾东部海域61 个站位表层沉积物粒度和地球化学组成的相关分析和因子分析,探讨了其空间分布特征、元素相关性以及元素组合特征, 揭示了元素在区域上的分布规律和主控因素。结果表明: 绝大多数常微量元素具有相似的平面分布特征, 而MnO、Zr、CaO 和Sr 空间变异系数较大,在部分区域出现了异常高值, 表明其沉积环境受到正常陆源沉积以外其他因素的影响。元素和Al₂O₃的比值分布特征表明, 广西和海南岛近岸沉积物主要由陆源碎屑沉积组成, 在潮汐和近岸径流作用下,由近岸向远海输送; 而研究区西部海域沉积物主要为来自红河的物质。元素相关分析和因子分析结果表明, 研究区表层沉积物中绝大多数常微量元素主要受沉积物粒度的控制; CaO 和Sr 含量主要受生物活动活跃程度控制; Zr 含量分布主要受控于源区母岩矿物组成以及自源区的搬运距离; 而MnO 含量则受陆源、海底热液以及自生作用等多种来源共同影响。     

Sulfur speciation in marine sediments impacted by gas emissions in the northern part of the South China Sea

Three cores of marine sediments from the Shenhu area in the northern part of the South China Sea were analyzed by XANES analysis for sulfur speciation. The area has been investigated for the presence of hydrocarbons and potential gas hydrate formations. Cored samples of site 4B showed a specific profile of sulfur speciation with sharp and frequent variations in relative contents of sulfate and sulfide, which differed greatly from the profiles obtained for the sediments taken at sites 5B and 6A. The upper part of core 4B (of 0–95 cm) was soft and rich in pore water, containing mainly coarse silt sand. The lower part of the core (i.e., depth > 95 cm) was relatively dryer and darker in color, and dominated by silts and clay resembling sediments from mud volcanoes. The sulfur speciation results revealed that sulfate makes up almost 100 percent of all sulfur species in the upper part of the core 4B, which indicates strong oxidizing conditions, whereas the lower part of the same core has high relative contents of sulfide, sometimes close to 100% S²⁻. In the lower part of the core, the relative content of sulfide and sulfate changes rapidly and frequently, indicating rapid changes of oxidizing and reducing conditions. On the other hand, the vertical profiles of sulfur species for the cores from sites 5B and 6A are relatively consistent with lower sulfide contents indicative of stable and weaker reducing conditions. We hypothesize that the frequent and sharp variations in the ratios of sulfide to sulfate at site 4B may indicate some intermittent eruption of methane with clay from petroleum reservoirs underneath the sea floor over a relatively short period of time.     

海洋生物中硒的催化动力学光度测定与形态分布研究

建立了一种测定海洋生物中不同形态硒的催化动力学光度法。在pH=3的Clark—Lubs缓冲介质中，硒(Ⅳ)能催化溴酸钾氧化甲基紫的褪色反应，硒(Ⅳ)含量在0．14～8μg／L范围内与褪色反应速率成正比，生物样品经HNO3-HClO4消化后直接测定硒(Ⅳ)和有机硒含量，再经盐酸还原后测定总硒含量，两者差减得硒(Ⅵ)含量。结合MIBK(甲基异丁基酮)萃取分离干扰组分，该方法具有良好的选择性和准确度，用于海洋生物材料中不同形态硒的测定，操作简便快速，结果令人满意。对几种海藻和双壳贝类样品中硒的形态分析结果表明，在海洋生物中，硒主要以有机硒和硒(Ⅳ)的形式存在于难溶性的大分子蛋白质中，硒(Ⅵ)的含量普遍较低，且存在显著的种间差异。