The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom--summary of the EDMAR programme. Endocrine Disruption in the Marine Environment

This paper summarises results of the EDMAR programme which is investigating oestrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruption in UK coastal waters. Most of the data concern fish. Four species (flounder, viviparous blenny and two sand gobies) are experiencing feminisation in industrialised estuaries. In males this includes vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis, ovotestis induction and/or feminised sexual characteristics. Although reproductive success may be impaired in some cases, implications for fish populations are still unclear. Suspected causative contaminants include natural oestrogenic substances and synthetic oestrogen mimics. The majority of the oestrogenic activity is adsorbed to sediments, and routes of exposure may include benthic food chain transfer. Some natural androgenic substances are also being discharged to estuaries, but their activity appears low.     

Taxonomic reexamination and geographic distribution of copepods known asAcartia clausi in Japanese Coastal and inlet waters

Abundant planktonic copepods which have been attributed toAcartia clausi in Japanese coastal and inlet waters were revised by examining specimens from various localities. It is concluded that they consist of two species,A. omorii andA. hudsonica, and no other closely related species occur in Japanese waters.A. omorii is widespread in coastal waters and bays, whileA. hudsonica is strictly confined to brackish waters and closed embayments, in which the two species usually co-occur. The two species are readily distinguished by the shape of the inner lobe of the 3rd segment of the right 5th leg in the male. But the relative lengths of the 2nd and 3rd segments of the male left 5th leg, which separate the two species in Bradford's key to the subgenusAcartiura, did not differ clearly between the specimens of the two species examined here. The body size is also an important distinctive character of the two species especially when water temperature is low.1985 11 29, 1986 2 10, 1986     

Assessment of the genotoxicity of produced water discharges associated with oil and gas production using a fish embryo and larval test

Widespread discharge of produced waters (PW) into brackish and marine waters of the northwest Gulf of Mexico, which serve as spawning grounds for many commercially important species of fish, has raised concern over the potential impact that these complex mixtures may have on aquatic life. In the present study, the results of investigations which assess the clastogenic effects of production water discharged as the result of oil and gas production activity at two coastal sites are reported. In order to assess the impact of the PW discharges on spawning populations of aquatic organisms, chromosome aberration analysis was performed on Cyprinodon variegatus embryos 4–7 days old, which were exposed directly to varying dilutions of PW collected at Pass Fourchon and Timbalier Island for a period of 5 days. Metaphase chromosomes were scored (percentage aberration per 100 metaphases) for aberrations at a magnification of 1000 ×. When compared to the control treatment, higher levels of chromosomal aberrations were observed for treatments (2 and 4% PW) in which embryos were exposed to PW from Pass Fourchon or Timbalier Island. A maximum frequency of 13% was found to occur at the highest test concentration (4% PW), with most of these expressed as breaks (chromatid and chromosome). In contrast, exposure to water from the enclosed canal at Fourchon resulted in the formation of chromosome breaks and changes in ploidy.     

Nitrite-induced enhancement of toxicity of phenanthrene in fish and its implications for coastal waters

Coastal areas are prone to varying degrees of anthropogenic chemical contamination. In many coastal environments experiencing reducing conditions in the water column, nitrite is produced as a result of denitrification. With a view to determining the effect of a natural stress such as the presence of nitrite in water on the xenobiotic metabolism in fish, the euryhaline cichlid Oreochromis mossambicus was exposed for up to 9 days to environmentally relevant concentrations of water-borne nitrite and phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.Analyses of different biomarkers in the treated fish indicated significant increase in the metabolism of phenanthrene as a result of exposure to nitrite. For example, the activity of the biotransformation enzyme measured as 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity was, in the presence of 1 μM nitrite, nearly twice that produced by phenanthrene alone. Similarly, biliary fixed fluorescence values reflecting phenanthrene and its metabolites were rendered 1.7 times higher when exposed simultaneously to nitrite. Contact with nitrite and phenanthrene together also led to severe hepatic damage with possible cell death as inferred from the large enhancement in sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in the serum and reduced liver somatic index.     

Modelling of natural and synthetic polyelectrolyte interactions in natural waters by using SIT, Pitzer and Ion Pairing approaches

In this paper SIT and Pitzer models are used for the first time to describe the interactions of natural and synthetic polyelectrolytes in natural waters. Measurements were made potentiometrically at 25 °C in single electrolyte media, such as Et₄NI and NaCl (for fulvic acid 0.1 < I /mol L^− 1 < 0.75), and in a multi-component medium simulating the composition of natural waters at a wide range of salinities (for fulvic and alginic acids: 5 < S < 45) with particular reference to sea water [Synthetic Sea Water for Equilibrium studies, SSWE]. In order to simplify calculations, SSWE was considered to be a “single salt” BA, with cation B and anion A representing all the major cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) in natural sea water, respectively. The ion pair formation model was also applied to fulvate and alginate in artificial sea water by examining the interaction of polyanions with the single sea water cation. Results were compared with those obtained from previous speciation studies of synthetic polyelectrolytes (polyacrylic and polymethacrylic acids of different molecular weights). Results indicate that the SIT, Pitzer and Ion Pairing formation models used in studies of low molecular weight electrolytes may also be applied to polyelctrolytes with a few simple adjustments.     

The vertical attenuation of light in Charlotte Harbor, a shallow, subtropical estuary, south-western Florida

The relative contribution of different components to the attenuation of photosynthetically active radiation was determined in the Charlotte Harbor estuarine system based on laboratory and in situ measurements. Agreement between laboratory and in situ measurements of the attenuation coefficient (k_t) was good (r² = 0·92). For all in situ measurements (n = 100), suspended, non-chlorophyll matter accounted for an average of 72% of k_t, dissolved matter accounted for 21%, suspended chlorophyll for 4%, and water for the remaining 3%.For individual determinations, suspended non-chlorophyll matter, dissolved matter, suspended chlorophyll, and water, each accounted for as much as 99%, 79%, 21%, and 18% of k_t. Attenuation by suspended matter was greatest near the mouth of the northern tidal rivers and was variable over the rest of the estuarine system. Attenuation by dissolved matter was greatest in the brackish tidal rivers and decreased with increasing salinity. Attenuation due to dissolved matter was positively correlated with water color. The source of the color was basin runoff. Wavelength transmittance changed along the salinity gradient. Maximum transmittance shifted from 500 to 600 nm in gulf waters to 650 to 700 nm in colored, brackish waters. Dissolved matter was primarily responsible for the large attenuation at short wavelengths (400–500 nm).     

Factors controlling excess radium in the Nakdong River estuary,Korea: submarine groundwater discharge versus desorption from riverine particles

The activities of naturally occurring radium isotopes (²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra) in estuarine water were measured downstream of the dam constructed in the Nakdong River, Korea. The sampling of surface waters for radium, silicate, and suspended solid (SS) analyses was conducted at 18 stations during three periods (July 1997, April 1998, and June 1999). In general, radium activities exceeded the value expected from the mixing of two freshwater and seawater endmembers. We characterized the responses of Ra and Si according to three different conditions: (1) when the freshwater discharge and the water level of the dam relative to the sea level at low tide were lower (April 1998), the excess Ra and Si contents were lower in the estuary; (2) when the fresh water discharge was larger following heavy precipitation (July 1997), both excess Ra and Si contents were higher in the estuary with conservative mixing of Si; and (3) when the water level of the dam relative to the sea level at low tide was highest under low freshwater discharge (June 1999), high excess Ra but low Si levels were observed. The occurrence of high Ra activity in June 1999 was likely due to the large submarine brackish groundwater discharge downstream of the estuary. Since brackish groundwater in general contains high concentrations of nutrients, Ba, Ra, etc, our result suggests an important role for the submarine groundwater discharge on the biogeochemistry of estuarine/coastal waters, especially when the water level of the dam (hydraulic head) is high.     

Environmental factors influencing the biodeposition of the suspension feeding bivalve Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas): Comparison of brackish and freshwater populations

Invasive suspension feeders have been particularly successful in shallow eutrophic estuarine and freshwater ecosystems. The impact of an invasive species is strong under favourable conditions. However, suboptimal feeding conditions may significantly reduce the impact to ambient environment. The invasive bivalve Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas) is able to colonize both fresh and brackish waterbodies. In an in situ experiment the seasonal variability in the biodeposition of D. polymorpha from fresh and brackish water populations was quantified at different temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a (Chl a) regimes. Salinity fluctuations in brackish water areas, temperature and water Chl a content were all important factors in the model of mussels' feeding. The results indicated that D. polymorpha fed significantly more in fresh than in brackish water. Mussels acclimated more easily to acute transfer from brackish to freshwater than vice versa. The biodeposition of zebra mussels increased with temperature and water Chl a content but these effects were less straightforward than that of salinity. The results suggest that the impact of D. polymorpha on recipient ecosystem is more pronounced in fresh than in brackish water environments.     

Acute toxicity of heavy metals, tributyltin, ammonia and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to benthic amphipodgrandidierella japonica

Benthic amphipod,Grandidierella japonica widely inhabits the Korean coastal waters and is developed as a standard test species for sediment toxicity tests. We exposedG . japonica to various pollutants including 4 kinds of inorganic metals (Ag, Cd, Cu and Hg), tributyltin [TBT], ammonia and 7 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds (acenaphthene, chrysene, fluoranthene, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene) to estimate the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and the median lethal concentration (LC50) of each pollutant during the 96-hour acute exposure. Among all tested pollutants, TBT was most toxic toG. japonica, and Hg was most toxic among inorganic metals. The toxicity of pyrene toG. japonica was greatest among PAH compounds, followed by fluoranthene, phenanathrene, acenaphthene, fluorene and naphthalene. The toxicity of PAH compounds was closely related to their physico-chemical characteristics such as K_ow and water solubility.G. japonica responded adequately to pollutant concentrations and exposure durations, and the sensitivity ofG. japonica to various inorganic and organic pollutants was generally comparable to other amphipods used as standard test species in ecotoxicological studies, indicating this species can be applied in the assessment of environments polluted by various harmful substances.     

Effect of salinity on heavy metal mobility and availability in intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary

The effect of the flood water salinity on the mobility of heavy metals was studied for intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium). Soils and sediments of 4 sampling sites were flooded with water of different salinities (0.5, 2.5, and 5 g NaCl L⁻¹). Metal concentrations were monitored in pore water and surface water. To study the potential effects of flood water salinity on metal bioavailability, duckweed (Lemna minor) was grown in the surface water. The salinity was found to primarily enhance the mobility of Cd and its uptake by duckweed. Cadmium concentrations in pore water of soils and sediments and surrounding surface waters significantly exceeded sanitation thresholds and quality standards during flooding of initially oxidized sediments. Moreover, the effect was observed already at lower salinities of 0.5 g NaCl L⁻¹. This implies that risks related to Cd uptake by organisms and Cd leaching to ground water are relevant when constructing flooding areas in the brackish zones of estuaries. These risks can be reduced by inducing sulphide precipitation because Cd is then immobilised as sulphide and its mobility becomes independent of flood water salinity. This could be achieved by permanently flooding the polluted sediments, because sulphates are sufficiently available in the river water of the brackish part of the estuary.     

南黄海和东海毛颚类生态特征的研究Ⅰ.数量分布的特征

根据国家海洋局1977年12月份至1978年11月份在黄海南部和东海(28°~34°N,120°30'~127°00'E)广大海域进行周年逐月份的12航次综合调查资料,对该海域毛颚类数量变动、时空分布及其与环境因子的关系进行了分析.结果表明,本调查区毛颚类的数量以6~9月份较高,7月份为年最高值.1~4月份为年低值期,尤以4月份为最低谷.其中在数量上取主导作用的种类是肥胖箭虫(Sagitta enflata)、强壮箭虫(S.crassa)拿卡箭虫(S.nagae)和百陶箭虫(S.bedoti)等种类.在平面分布上,长江口以北毛颚类数量一般高于长江口以南的海域,在南黄海,除夏季外,其他季节均有出现高值.在东海高密集区一般出现在不同水系交汇区,尤其在长江冲淡水、沿岸水和外海高温高盐水交汇的锋面最为密集.这对于不同水系在研究区内运动和消长有一定的指示意义.     

我国瓯江口和珠江口凤鲚洄游模式和生境利用研究

Habitat use of the tapertail anchovy(Coilia mystus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Oujiang River Estuary and the Zhujiang(Pearl) River Estuary was studied by examining the environmental signatures of Sr and Ca in otoliths using electron probe microanalysis. Individuals from the Oujiang River had higher and varied Sr:Ca ratios(expressed as(Sr:Ca)×1 000, 3.83–13.0 average) in the otolith core regions, suggesting that they were born in brackish or sea waters, and that a freshwater habitat might not be necessary for egg hatching and larval growth.While, individuals from the Zhujiang River had lower Sr:Ca ratios(0.39–2.51 average) in the core regions,suggesting a freshwater origin. After hatching, anchovies from the Zhujiang River migrate downstream to the river estuary close to brackish water. Our results demonstrated varied habitat use for spawning during stages of early life history between the two populations, and suggested that such variations are promoting diversity of life history strategies of this species.     

春季长江口及毗邻海域浮游动物空间分布及与环境因子的关系

于2009年4月15～23日在长江口及其邻近海域进行了32个站位的浮游动物生态调查,分析了浮游动物的种类组成、优势种、丰度和生物量的空间分布,并利用PRIMER生物统计学软件中的PCA、BIOENV和RELATE程序分析了浮游动物与环境因子的关系.共发现浮游动物成体72种,浮游幼虫9种,合计种类数为81.中华哲水蚤(C...     

Relationships between suspended particulate material, light attenuation and Secchi depth in UK marine waters

Measurements of sub-surface light attenuation (K_d), Secchi depth and suspended particulate material (SPM) were made at 382 locations in transitional, coastal and offshore waters around the United Kingdom (hereafter UK) between August 2004 and December 2005. Data were analysed statistically in relation to a marine water typology characterised by differences in tidal range, mixing and salinity. There was a strong statistically significant linear relationship between SPM and K_d for the full data set. We show that slightly better results are obtained by fitting separate models to data from transitional waters and coastal and offshore waters combined. These linear models were used to predict K_d from SPM. Using a statistic (D) to quantify the error of prediction of K_d from SPM, we found an overall prediction error rate of 23.1%. Statistically significant linear relationships were also evident between the log of Secchi depth and the log of K_d in waters around the UK. Again, statistically significant improvements were obtained by fitting separate models to estuarine and combined coastal/offshore data – however, the prediction error was improved only marginally, from 31.6% to 29.7%. Prediction was poor in transitional waters (D = 39.5%) but relatively good in coastal/offshore waters (D = 26.9%).SPM data were extracted from long term monitoring data sites held by the UK Environment Agency. The appropriate linear models (estuarine or combined coastal/offshore) were applied to the SPM data to obtain representative K_d values from estuarine, coastal and offshore sites. Estuarine waters typically had higher concentrations of SPM (8.2–73.8 mg l⁻¹) compared to coastal waters (3.0–24.1 mg l⁻¹) and offshore waters (9.3 mg l⁻¹). The higher SPM values in estuarine waters corresponded to higher values of K_d (0.8–5.6 m⁻¹). Water types that were identified by large tidal ranges and exposure typically had the highest K_d ranges in both estuarine and coastal waters. In terms of susceptibility to eutrophication, large macrotidal, well mixed estuarine waters, such as the Thames embayment and the Humber estuary were identified at least risk from eutrophic conditions due to light-limiting conditions of the water type.     

The use of surface alkaline phosphatase activity in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica as a biomarker of eutrophication

Eutrophication is one of the most relevant man‐induced changes occurring in coastal waters. The identification and assessment of specific responses to eutrophication in seagrasses can provide a useful tool for the detection of changes in the water quality in coastal zones, given the wide range of distribution of these organisms. In this study, we combine a correlational (across‐sites comparison) and a manipulative (fertilization experiment) approach to evaluate the usefulness and potential of alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica as an eutrophication biomarker. Our results showed that APA decreases promptly following nutrient additions, the response being maintained except during the winter period. APA also varies across natural meadows under different levels of nutrient discharges at scales relevant for monitoring purposes. AP activity seems to be an optimal ‘physiological biomarker’ that responds promptly and reliably to a pulse of eutrophication exposure. However, other considerations, such as the seasonality (the response disappears in winter), suggest its use with some caution and, as far as possible, as a complement of other bio‐indicators.     

The toxicity of effluents from a TiO2 plant to the harpacticoid copepod nitocra spinipes Boeck

The harpacticoid copepod, Nitocra spinipes Boeck, was used as an experimental animal in a series of tests where the toxicity of different fractions (solid and soluble) of TiO₂ industrial waste water was investigated. The tests were performed in brackish water (7). Water temperature was used as a variable in the fractionation of the waste water. Temperature was found to influence the acute toxicity of the waste water. LC₅₀ values for N. spinipes were 0·087 (± 4°C), 0·105 (+ 7°C)) and 0·12% (+ 21°C) of undiluted waste water. At room temperature the animal's fecundity was affected at two intervals, one in dilutions between 0·0003% and 0·001% and the other between 0·03% and 0·3%. An acute toxicity test with the dried solid metal fraction resuspended into clean brackish water had an acute LC₅₀ value of 7·6% of undiluted waste water. The results show that different fractions of the waste water have different harmful biological effects under different temperature conditions.     

Biomarker responses to pollution in two invertebrate species: Scrobicularia plana and Nereis diversicolor from the Cádiz bay (SW Spain)

The clam Scrobicularia plana and the polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor were collected in several sites from a littoral enclosure in SW Spain. The aim of our study was to relate various biomarker responses in these species to a pollution gradient caused by untreated domestic discharges and to verify the adequacy of the selected species as sentinels in this habitat. The biomarkers selected were the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and DT-diaphorase (DT-D). In addition, the activities of cytochrome P450-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the neurotoxicity marker acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured. Metallothionein levels were selected as biomarkers of heavy metals exposure in both species. The results suggest a different response in the water filtering organism (clam) and the sediment eater (polychaete), probably as a consequent of different pollution exposure and that samples from the “Caño Sancti-Petri” were exposed to biologically active compounds that altered some of their biochemical responses. AChE was the most sensitive biomarker in both species and N. diversicolor proved to be a more robust sentinel in this ecosystem.     

黄海中南部近岸海域春季鱼类浮游生物群落空间格局研究

根据2015年春季在黄海中南部近岸海域进行的鱼类浮游生物大型浮游生物网水平拖网数据,采用生态多样性指数和多元统计分析等方法,研究了该海域鱼类浮游生物的种类组成和群落空间格局及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明,本次调查共采集到鱼类浮游生物35种,其中鱼卵21种,仔稚鱼23种。鱼类浮游生物隶属于8目18科34属,优势种为鳀（Engraulis japonicus）、鲬（Platycephalus indicus）、鱼衔属（Callionymus spp.）和小黄鱼（Pseudosciaena polyactis）。其中,鳀和鱼衔属主要分布于海州湾渔场海域,鲬主要分布于吕泗渔场海域,小黄鱼多分布于吕泗渔场北部海域。生态类型包括半咸水型、沿岸型和近海型种类。聚类分析表明,鱼类浮游生物群落可划分为以鱼衔属、鳀为优势种的站位组A（主要分布于海州湾海域）、以小黄鱼、黄鲫（Setipinna taty）等为优势种的站位组B（主要位于江苏沿岸海域）和以鲬为优势种的站位组C（主要位于江苏沿岸-近海海域）,以站位组B的群落物种多样性指数和均匀度指数最高。各站位组的鱼类浮游生物的生态类型和适温类型组成不同,这与其所处的海域生境有关。典范对应分析（CCA）表明,影响春季黄海中南部鱼类浮游生物群落空间结构的主要环境因子为水深和表层温度。同时也受洋流、底质类型等多种因素的综合影响。研究结果初步揭示了黄海中南部近岸海域鱼类浮游生物群落的空间格局,可为今后科学制定该海域水产种质资源保护区、资源量化管理等资源养护管理措施提供科学依据与技术支撑。     

Modelling of the propagation and transformation of riverine waters over the north-western shelf and in the abyssal part of the Black Sea

To study the propagation and transformation of riverine waters in the framework of a multilayer model based on primitive equations, the method of through counting is suggested, involving two types of grids, namely, a fine grid in the north-western shelf area and a large-sized grid in the deep sea. It has been shown that, in the absence of wind, riverine waters propagate over the shelf and along the western coast of the sea. North-easterly wind presses this flow against the shore, thus intensifying it; as a result of this, brackish waters turn out to be nearly entirely driven from the north-western shelf area and concentrate in the western section of the open sea where they form a layer that is quasi-homogeneous, in terms of salinity. Due to the forcing of the north-westerly wind, riverine waters penetrate into the interior of the shelf area and then move southward toward the open sea, mixing up with the upwelling abyssal saltier waters and forming a tongue of relatively brackish waters in the central part of the western half-basin. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

The aqueous photochemical transformation of acrylic acid

Acrylic acid in sea water is thought to occur mostly as the product of microbial cleavage of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), but could also be a pollutant introduced by waste waters of the organic chemical industry. Solutions of acrylic acid in natural and artificial sea water, and distilled and riverine water were photolyzed using a photochemical reactor and exposure to sunlight. The transformation of acrylic acid comprises the decarboxylation of the carboxylic group and subsequent polymerization to a polyethylene type molecule. Kinetic studies showed the lowest reaction rate in distilled water and somewhat higher and very similar rates in other aqueous media. The approximately similar reaction rates in all natural waters studied suggest that inorganic ions, especially Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and halides, and dissolved organic matter (probably humics) enhance the reaction rates. On studying the influence of different concentration ranges on the reaction kinetics, an exponential increase of rates with decreasing concentration was found. The reaction rate in the sea water solution in field conditions is rather slow. In thirty days exposure about 15% of the reactant was transformed. This reaction seems to be important in the marine environment in specific conditions, especially in phycospheres and macroaggregates where higher concentrations of acrylic acid inhibit the bacterial metabolism.