Assessment of nitrogen loading from the Kiso-Sansen Rivers into Ise Bay using stable isotopes

Concentrations of particulate organic nitrogen (PN), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and their nitrogen isotope ratios (δ ¹⁵N) in the Kiso-Sansen Rivers were determined from monthly observations over the course of a year to assess variations in the form and sources of riverine nitrogen discharged into Ise Bay. The δ ¹⁵N values of NO₃ ⁻ observed in the Kiso-Sansen Rivers showed a logarithmic decreasing trend from 8 to 0‰, which varied with the river discharge, indicating mixing between point sources with high δ ¹⁵N and non-point sources with low δ ¹⁵N. The influence of isotope fractionation of in situ biogeochemical processes (mainly DIN assimilation by phytoplankton) on δ ¹⁵N of NO₃ ⁻ was negligible, because sufficient concentrations of NH₄ ⁺ for phytoplankton demand would inhibit the assimilation of NO₃ ⁻. A simple relationship between river discharge and δ ¹⁵N of NO₃ ⁻ showed that the fraction of total NO₃ ⁻ flux arising from point sources increased from 4.0–6.3% (1.1–1.8 tN day⁻¹) during higher discharge (>600 m³ s⁻¹) to 30.2–48.3% (2.6–4.1 tN day⁻¹) during lower discharge (<300 m³ s⁻¹). Riverine NO₃ ⁻ discharge from the Kiso-Sansen Rivers can explain 75% of the variations in surface NO₃ ⁻ at the head of Ise Bay over the year.     

Gas hydrates and active mud volcanism on the South Shetland continental margin, Antarctic Peninsula

During the Antarctic summer of 2003–2004, new geophysical data were acquired from aboard the R/V OGS Explora in the BSR-rich area discovered in 1996–1997 along the South Shetland continental margin off the Antarctic Peninsula. The objective of the research program, supported by the Italian National Antarctic Program (PNRA), was to verify the existence of a potential gas hydrate reservoir and to reconstruct the tectonic setting of the margin, which probably controls the extent and character of the diffused and discontinuous bottom simulating reflections. The new dataset, i.e. multibeam bathymetry, seismic profiles (airgun and chirp), and two gravity cores analysed by computer-aided tomography as well as for gas composition and content, clearly shows active mud volcanism sustained by hydrocarbon venting in the region: several vents, located mainly close to mud volcanoes, were imaged during the cruise and their occurrence identified in the sediment samples. Mud volcanoes, vents and recent slides border the gas hydrate reservoir discovered in 1996–1997. The cores are composed of stiff silty mud. In core GC01, collected in the proximity of a mud volcano ridge, the following gases were identified (maximum contents in brackets): methane (46 μg/kg), pentane (45), ethane (35), propane (34), hexane (29) and butane (28). In core GC02, collected on the flank of the Vualt mud volcano, the corresponding data are methane (0 μg/kg), pentane (45), ethane (22), propane (0), hexane (27) and butane (25).     

Pumping rates of the mud shrimpCallianassa japonica

Pumping rate of a mud shrimp,Callianassa japonica, in its burrow was measured by continuous monitoring of dye concentration in the burrow water. Measurement of dilution in two directions from stained overlying seawater to normal burrow water andvice versa, gave no significant difference in results. The rate of exchange (v) of burrow water was estimated from,v=(u _t−u ₀)V/(m−u _t−1)t, whereV is volume of burrow water,u ₀,u _t−1 andu _tis dye concentration of burrow water at time 0,t−1 andt, respectively, andm is dye concentration of overlying water. The pumping rate ranged from 0.63 to 5.46 ml min⁻¹, which corresponded to a turnover time for the burrow water of 7–51 min. Short term changes in the pumping rate were correlated to intermittent behaviour of the shrimp in the burrow.     

Geochemistry of pore waters from the Xisha Trough, northern South China Sea and their implications for gas hydrates

This paper reports all available geochemical data on sediments and pore waters from the Xisha Trough on the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. The methane concentrations in marine sediments display a downhole increasing trend and their carbon isotopic compositions (δ ¹³C = −25 to −51‰) indicate a thermogenic origin. Pore water Cl⁻ concentrations show a range from 537 to 730 mM, and the high Cl⁻ samples also have higher concentrations of Br⁻, Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺, implying mixing between normal seawater and brine in the basin. The SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations of pore waters vary from 19.9 to 36.8 mM, and show a downhole decreasing trend. Calculated SMI (sulfate-methane interfaces) depths and sulfate gradients are between 21 and 47 mbsf, and between −0.7 and −1.7 mM/m, respectively, which are similar to values in gas hydrate locations worldwide and suggest a high methane flux in the basin. Overall, the geochemical data, together with geological and geophysical evidence, such as the high sedimentation rates, high organic carbon contents, thick sediment piles, salt and mud diapirs, active faulting, abundant thermogenic gases, and occurrence of huge bottom simulating reflector (BSR), are suggestive of a favorable condition for occurrence of gas hydrates in this region.     

Evidence of subsurface anaerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons and potential secondary methanogenesis in terrestrial mud volcanoes

The assessment of gas origin in mud volcanoes and related petroleum systems must consider post-genetic processes which may alter the original molecular and isotopic composition of reservoir gas. Beyond eventual molecular and isotopic fractionation due to gas migration and microbial oxidation, investigated in previous studies, we now demonstrate that mud volcanoes can show signals of anaerobic biodegradation of natural gas and oil in the subsurface. A large set of gas geochemical data from more than 150 terrestrial mud volcanoes worldwide has been examined. Due to the very low amount of C₂₊ in mud volcanoes, isotopic ratios of ethane, propane and butane (generally the best tracers of anaerobic biodegradation) are only available in a few cases. However, it is observed that ¹³C-enriched propane is always associated with positive δ¹³C_CO2 values, which are known indicators of secondary methanogenesis following anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum. Data from carbon isotopic ratio of CO₂ are available for 134 onshore mud volcanoes from 9 countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Turkmenistan, Trinidad, Italy, Japan and Taiwan). Exactly 50% of mud volcanoes, all releasing thermogenic or mixed methane, show at least one sample with δ¹³C_CO2 > +5‰ (PDB). Thermogenic CH₄ associated with positive carbon isotopic ratio of CO₂ generally maintains its δ¹³C-enriched signature, which is therefore not perturbed by the lighter secondary microbial gas. There is, however, high variability in the δ¹³C_CO2 values within the same mud volcanoes, so that positive δ¹³C_CO2 values can be found in some vents and not in others, or not continuously in the same vent. This can be due to high sensitivity of δ¹³C_CO2 to gas–water–rock interactions or to the presence of differently biodegraded seepage systems in the same mud volcano. However, finding a positive δ¹³C_CO2 value should be considered highly indicative of anaerobic biodegradation and further analyses should be made, especially if mud volcanoes are to be used as pathfinders of the conditions indicative of subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations in unexplored areas.     

Egg production rate of the copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calanus sinicus</Emphasis> off the Korean coast of the Yellow Sea during spring

The egg production rate (EPR) of Calanus sinicus was measured from March 2007 to April 2010 at three stations along the Korean coast of the Yellow Sea (in coastal waters off Saemangum, Yeongheungdo, and Asan Bay) to estimate in situ maximum egg production rate (MEPR) and to understand whether the females were limited in their growth or fecundity in the field. The mean EPR of C. sinicus at each sampling date ranged from 10.3–34.9 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹ (mean 23.4 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹), and the EPR of individual copepods ranged from 0–81 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹. The mean EPR was positively correlated with the body weight of female copepods. The MEPR at each sampling date ranged from 40–81 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹ (mean 50.4 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹). Over 84% of eggs spawned hatched successfully. The weight-specific growth rate (WSGR) ranged from 0.038–0.111 d⁻¹ (mean 0.082 d⁻¹), indicating that 3.8–11.1% of the carbon in an adult female was produced daily as female growth. The WSGR was negatively correlated with water temperature. The ratio of mean EPR to observed mean MEPR ranged from 20–70% (mean 46%), indicating that ∼54% of a female’s growth might be limited in the field. We suggest that the ratio of observed EPR to mean MEPR of copepod can be applied to understand how the copepod responds to environmental changes, as well as EPR and hatching success.     

Temporal variability and characterization of physicochemical properties in the neritic area of Sagami Bay,Japan

Seasonal and interannual variations in physicochemical properties were investigated in the neritic area of Sagami Bay, Kanagawa, Japan, from December 2000 to December 2005. Physicochemical properties (i.e. temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentration) revealed clear seasonal variations, which were similar to each other during all 5 years. Temperature, salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients showed rapid, drastic variations within a few days and/or weeks. These variations are related to sea levels, principally due to the shifting effects of the Kuroshio Current axis: they were strongly affected by the Kuroshio Water and other waters, when sea level difference was greater than ca. 35 cm and lower than ca. 15 cm, respectively. Temperature difference (DF _T ) increased with sea level difference, and the difference of salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients (NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₃ ⁻+NO₂ ⁻-N, NH₄ ⁺+NO₃ ⁻+NO₂ ⁻-N, PO₄ ³⁻-P and SiO₂-Si) increased and decreased with DF _T , respectively. All these correlations are significant. Total dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and silicate (Si) revealed seasonal variations in the ranges of 0.57–16.08, 0.0070–0.91 and 0.22–46.38 μM, respectively. From the regression equations between these elements allowed the following relation to be obtained; Si:N:P = 14.8:13.4:1. Dissolved inorganic nutrients were characterized by Si and/or P deficiency, especially in the upper layer (0–20 m depth) during summer. Single and/or combined elements are discussed on the basis of potential and stoichiometric nutrient limitations, which could restrict phytoplankton (diatom) growth as a limiting factor.     

Phytoplankton pigment change as a photoadaptive response to light variation caused by tidal cycle in Ariake Bay,Japan

Underwater light environment and photosynthetic accessory pigments were investigated in Ariake Bay in order to understand how change of the pigments occurs in response to the tidal-induced changes in underwater light conditions. We hypothesize that phytoplankton increases photo-protective pigments and decreases light-harvesting pigments under higher light condition in the mixed layer caused by tidal cycle. Contribution rates of non-phytoplankton particles (a _nph (400–700)) for light attenuation coefficient (K _d ) was highest (32–85%), and those of phytoplankton particles (a _ph (400–700)), dissolved organic matter (a _g (400–700)) and water were 6–32, 6–21 and 5–23%, respectively. Mean K _d was higher during the spring tide (0.55 ± 0.23 m⁻¹) than the neap tide (0.44 ± 0.16 m⁻¹), and the K _d difference was caused by the substances resuspension due to the tidal current. In contrast, ratios of photo-protective pigments (diadinoxanthin and diatoxanthin) per chlorophyll a ((DD+DT)/Chl a) were higher during the neap tide (0.10 ± 0.03 mg mg-Chl a ⁻¹) than the spring tide (0.08 ± 0.03 mg mg-Chl a ⁻¹). And there was significant positive correlation between (DD+DT)/Chl a and mean relative PAR in the mixed layer ($ \overline {I_{mix} } $ \overline {I_{mix} } ). Moreover, there was significant negative correlation between ratios of light-harvesting pigments (fucoxanthin) per Chl a (Fuco/Chl a) and $ \overline {I_{mix} } $ \overline {I_{mix} } . These results suggested that phytoplankton in Ariake Bay increase photo-protective pigments and decrease light-harvesting pigments in the higher light condition of less turbid, shallower mixed layer during neap tide than spring tide.     

Microbial processes of the carbon and sulfur cycles in the Kara Sea

The results of microbiological, biogeochemical, and isotope geochemical studies in the Kara Sea are described. The samples for these studies were obtained during the 54th voyage of the research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in September 2007. The studied area covered the northern, central, and southwestern parts of the Kara Sea and the Gulf of Ob. The quantitative characteristics of the total bacterial population and the activity of the microbial processes in the water column and bottom sediments were obtained. The total population of the bacterioplankton (BP) varied from 250000 cells/ml in the northern water area to 3000000 cells/ml in the Gulf of Ob. The BP population depended on the content of the water suspension. The net BP production was minimal in the central water area, amounting to 0.15–0.2 μg C/(l day), and maximal (0.5–0.75 μg C/(l day)) in the Gulf of Ob. The organic material at the majority of the stations in the Ob transect predominantly contained light carbon isotopes (−28.0 to −30.18‰) of terrigenous origin. The methane content in the surface water layer varied from 0.18 to 2.0 μl CH₄/l, and the methane oxidation rate changed in the range of 0.1–100 nl CH₄/(l day). The methane concentration in the upper sediment layer varied from 30 to 300 μl CH₄/dm³; the rate of the methanogenesis was 44 to 500 nl CH₄/(dm³ day) and that of the methane oxidation, 30 to 2000 nl CH₄/(dm³ day). The rate of the sulfate reduction varied from 4 to 184 μg S/(dm³ day).     

East-west distribution of POC fluxes estimated from <Superscript>234</Superscript>Th in the northern North Pacific in autumn

Observations of primary productivity, ²³⁴Th, and particulate organic carbon (POC) were made from west to east across the northern North Pacific Ocean (from station K2 to Ocean Station Papa) during September–October 2005. Primary productivities in this region varied longitudinally from approximately 236 to 444 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹ and clearly indicate the West High East Low (WHEL) trend. We estimated east-west variations in the POC flux from the surface layer (0–100 m) by using ²³⁴Th as a tracer. POC fluxes in the western region (44–53 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹) were higher than those in the eastern region (21–34 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹). However, the export ratios (e-ratios) ranged from approximately 8% to 16% and did not show the WHEL trend. Contrary to our expectation, no relation between POC flux (or e-ratio) and diatom biomass (or dominance) was apparent in autumn in the northern North Pacific.     

Particulate organic carbon (POC) in surface sediments of the Baltic Sea

In this study, particulate organic carbon (POC) contents and their distribution pattern in surficial sediments of the Baltic Sea are presented for 1,471 sampling stations. POC contents range from approx. 0.1% in shallow sandy areas up to 16% in deep muddy basins (e.g. Gotland Basin). Some novel relationships were identified between sediment mass physical properties (dry bulk density (DBD), grain size) and POC levels. Notably, the highest POC concentrations (about 10–17 mg cm^–3) occur in sandy mud to mud (60–100% mud content) with intermediate POC contents of about 3–7% and DBDs of 0.1–0.4 g cm^–3. Areas with this range in values seem to represent the optimum conditions for POC accumulation in the Baltic Sea. The maximum POC contents (8–16%) are found in fluid mud of the central Baltic Sea characterized by extremely low DBDs (<0.1 g cm^–3) and moderate POC concentrations (4–7 mg cm^–3). Furthermore, sediment mass accumulation rates (MAR), based on ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs measurements and available for 303 sites of the Baltic Sea, were used for assessing the spatial distribution of POC burial rates. Overall, these vary between 14 and 35 g m^–2 year^–1 in the mud depositional areas and, in total, at least 3.5 (±2.9) Mt POC are buried annually. Distribution patterns of POC contents and burial rates are not identical for the central Baltic Sea because of the low MAR in this area. The presented data characterize Baltic Sea sediments as an important sink for organic carbon. Regional differences in organic carbon deposition can be explained by the origin and transport pathways of POC, as well as the environmental conditions prevailing at the seafloor (morphology, currents, redox conditions). These findings can serve to improve budget calculations and modelling of the carbon cycle in this large brackish-water marginal sea.     

Photosynthesis-irradiance relationship of phytoplankton and primary production in the vicinity of Kuroshio warm core ring in spring

The light-saturated maximum value (P ^B _max) and initial slope (α) of the photosynthesis-irradiance (P-E) curve were examined in a warm streamer, a cold streamer and a warm core ring off the Sanriku area in the subarctic western North Pacific Ocean during an ADEOS/OCTS Sanriku field campaign in early May 1997. BothP ^B _max and α were within the ranges of temperate populations. A regional difference was apparent inP ^B _max: populations in the warm streamer tended to show higher value ranging between 1.92 and 4.74 mgC (mgChla)⁻¹h⁻¹ than those in the cold streamer and the warm core ring (1.35–2.87 mgC (mgChla)⁻¹h⁻¹). A depth variation was also observed in α in both the warm streamer and the warm core ring: shallow populations tended to have lower α than deep populations. The depth variations in bothP ^B _max and α resulted in a lower light intensity of the light saturation in a deeper population than that of a shallower one. These depth-related variations in the P-E parameters were likely a manifestation of “shade-adaptation” of photosynthesis. Photoinhibition was not observed over in situ surface light intensity varying below ca 1600 μmol photon m⁻²s⁻¹. Water-column primary productivity was biooptically estimated to be 233 to 949 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹ using vertical distributions of the P-E parameters, chlorophylla, phytoplankton light absorption and underwater irradiance. Applicability of surface data sets for estimation of water-column productivity is discussed.     

Encystment and excystment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gyrodinium instriatum</Emphasis> Freudenthal et Lee

In the present study, we have investigated the conditions influencing encystment and excystment in the dinoflagellate Gyrodinium instriatum under laboratory conditions. We incubated G. instriatum in modified whole SWM-3 culture medium and in versions of modified SWM-3 from which NO₃ ⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, NO₃ ⁻ + PO₄ ³⁻, or Si had been omitted and observed encystment. Percentage encystment was high in the media without N and without P, while the percentage encystment in the medium lacking both N and P was highest. Moreover, to investigate N or P concentration which induced the encystment, Gyrodinium instriatum was also incubated in media with different concentrations of inorganic N and P; the concentrations of NO₂ ⁻ + NO₃ ⁻ and PO₄ ³⁻ were measured over time. The precursors of cysts appeared within 2 or 3 days of a decrease in NO₂ ⁻ + NO₃ ⁻ or PO₄ ³⁻ concentration to values lower than 1 μM or 0.2 μM, respectively. When cysts produced in the laboratory were incubated, we observed excystment after 8–37 days, without a mandatory period of darkness or low temperature. We incubated cysts collected from nature at different temperatures or in the dark or light and observed excystments. Natural cysts excysted at temperatures from 10 to 30°C, in both light and dark, but excystment was delayed at low temperatures. These studies indicate that G. instriatum encysts in low N or P concentration and excysts over a wide temperature range, regardless of light conditions, after short dormancy periods.     

Diatoms grow faster using ammonium in rapidly flushed eutrophic Dokai Bay,Japan

The importance of the nitrogen source for phytoplankton growth in a highly eutrophic embayment, Dokai Bay, was investigated. The DIN concentration often exceeded 100 μM of which 40–70% was NH₄ ⁺. During two incubation experiments, the natural assemblage of mainly diatoms took up NH₄ ⁺ instead of NO₃ ⁻. The growth of two Skeletonema species isolated in Dokai Bay were significantly faster on NH₄ ⁺ (1.86 and 1.27 div. d⁻¹ respectively) than on NO₃ ⁻ (1.55 and 1.04 div. d⁻¹ respectively). Our results indicated that these diatoms could grow faster by using NH₄ ⁺ compared to NO₃ ⁻ in this eutrophic bay.     

Nitrate-nitrogen isotopic patterns in surface waters of the western and central equatorial pacific

To understand the processes transporting nitrate to the surface layer of the western and central equatorial Pacific, we measured the nitrogen isotopic ratio of nitrate (δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ ), which is a very useful tracer of the source of nitrate, above 200 m depth in this region in December 1999. δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ is higher (about 13.0‰) in the surface water than in the subsurface water (where it is about 6.5‰) due to isotopic fractionation during nitrate uptake by phytoplankton. The δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ value has a roughly linear relationship with the natural logarithm of nitrate concentration (ln[NO ₃ ⁻ ]). However, for values above 150 m depth, the intercept of this linear relationship varies with position from east to west. On the other hand, the data at 200 m depth at all observation stations are concentrated around a single point (ln[NO ₃ ⁻ ] = 2.5 and δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ = 6.5‰) and do not fit the linear relationships for the shallower values. To examine the meaning of the observed distributions of δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ and nitrate concentration we developed a box model including nitrogen and nitrogen isotopic cycles. By reproducing the observed relationship between δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ and nitrate concentration using this model we found that most nitrate is transported horizontally from the eastern equatorial Pacific. We also conducted case studies and investigated the effects of differences in pathways of nitrate transport on the distributions of δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ and nitrate concentration. From these studies we concluded that the observed linear relationships between δ ¹⁵NO ₃ ⁻ and ln[NO ₃ ⁻ ], having a common slope around 6‰ but different intercepts at each station, are evidence of the significant horizontal transport of nitrate to the surface water in this area.     

Circulation of Intermediate and Deep Waters in the Philippine Sea

The circulation of intermediate and deep waters in the Philippine Sea west of the Izu-Ogasawara-Mariana-Yap Ridge is estimated with use of an inverse model applied to the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) Hydrographic Program data set. Above 1500 m depth, the subtropical gyre is dominant, but the circulation is split in small cells below the thermocline, causing multiple zonal inflows of intermediate waters toward the western boundary. The inflows along 20°N and 26°N carry the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) of 11 × 10⁹ kg s⁻¹ in total, at the density range of 26.5σ_θ–36.7σ₂ (approximately 500–1500 m depths), 8 × 10⁹ kg s⁻¹ of the NPIW circulate within the subtropical gyre, whereas the rest is conveyed to the tropics and the South China Sea. The inflow south of 15°N carries the Tropical Salinity Minimum water of 35 × 10⁹ kg s⁻¹, nearly half of which return to the east through a narrow undercurrent at 15–17°N, and the rest is transported into the lower part of the North Equatorial Countercurrent. Below 1500 m depth, the deep circulation regime is anti-cyclonic. At the density range of 36.7σ₂, – 45.845σ₄ (approximately 1500–3500 m depths), deep waters of 17 × 10⁹ kg s⁻¹ flow northward, and three quarters of them return to the east at 16–24°N. The remainder flows further north of 24°N, then turns eastward out of the Philippine Sea, together with a small amount of subarctic-origin North Pacific Deep Water (NPDW) which enters the Philippine Sea through the gap between the Izu Ridge and Ogasawara Ridge. The full-depth structure and transportation of the Kuroshio in total and net are also examined. It is suggested that low potential vorticity of the Subtropical Mode Water is useful for distinguishing the net Kuroshio flow from recirculation flows. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Time-series observation of dissolved inorganic carbon and nutrients in the northwestern North Pacific

Time-series measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and nutrient concentrations were conducted in the northwestern North Pacific from October 2002 to August 2004. Assuming that data obtained in different years represented time-series seasonal data for a single year, vertical distributions of DIC and nutrients showed large seasonal variabilities in the surface layer (∼100 m). Seasonal variabilities in normalized DIC (nDIC) and nitrate concentrations at the sea surface were estimated to be 81–113 μmol kg⁻¹ and 12.7–15.7 μmol kg⁻¹, respectively, in the Western Subarctic Gyre. The variability in nutrients between May and July was generally at least double that in other seasons. In the Western Subarctic Gyre, estimations based on statistical analyses revealed that seasonal new production was 39–61 gC m⁻² and tended to be higher in the southwestern regions or coastal regions. The seasonal new productions in the northwestern North Pacific were two or more times higher than in the North Pacific subtropical gyre and the northeastern North Pacific. It is likely that this difference is due to spatial variations in the concentrations of trace metals and the species of phytoplankton present. In addition, from estimations of surface pCO₂ it was verified that the Western Subarctic Gyre is a source of atmospheric CO₂ between February and May and a sink for CO₂ between July and October.     

Reproductive ecology of the dominant dinoflagellate, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratium fusus</Emphasis>, in coastal area of Sagami Bay,Japan

The seasonal abundance of the dominant dinoflagellate, Ceratium fusus, was investigated from January 2000 to December 2003 in a coastal region of Sagami Bay, Japan. The growth of this species was also examined under laboratory conditions. In Sagami Bay, C. fusus increased significantly from April to September, and decreased from November to February, though it was found at all times through out the observation period. C. fusus increased markedly in September 2001 and August 2003 after heavy rainfalls that produced pycnoclines. Rapid growth was observed over a salinity range of 24 to 30, with the highest specific rate of 0.59 d⁻¹ measured under the following conditions: salinity 27, temperature 24°C, photon irradiance 600 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹. The growth rate of C. fusus increased with increasing irradiance from 58 to 216 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹, plateauing between 216 and 796 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ under all temperature and salinity treatments (except at a temperature of 12°C). Both field and laboratory experiments indicated that C. fusus has the ability to grow under wide ranges of water temperatures (14–28°C), salinities (20–34), and photon irradiance (50–800 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹); it is also able to grow at low nutrient concentrations. This physiological flexibility ensures that populations persist when bloom conditions come to an end.     

Incorporation rate measurements of <Superscript>10</Superscript>Be, <Superscript>230</Superscript>Th, <Superscript>231</Superscript>Pa,and <Superscript>239,240</Superscript>Pu radionuclides in manganese crust in the Pacific Ocean: A search for extraterrestrial material

In order to estimate the deposition rate of extraterrestrial material onto a manganese crust in a search for supernova debris, we analyzed the contents of ¹⁰Be, ²³⁰Th, ²³¹Pa, and ^239,240Pu in a sample of manganese crust collected from the North Pacific Ocean. On the basis of the depth profile of ¹⁰Be, the growth rate of the manganese crust was determined to be 2.3 mm Myr⁻¹. The uptake rates of ¹⁰Be, ²³⁰Th, and ²³¹Pa onto the manganese crust were estimated to be 0.22–0.44%, 0.11–0.73%, and 1.4–4.5%, respectively, as compared to the deposition rates onto the deep-sea sediments near the sampling station, while that for ^239,240Pu was 0.14% as compared to the total inventory of seawater and sediment column. Assuming that sinking particles represent 0.11–4.5% of the uptake rates, the deposition rate of extraterrestrial material onto the manganese crust was estimated to be 2–800 μg cm⁻²Myr⁻¹ according to the uptake of ¹⁰Be onto the manganese crust. Further, our estimate is similar to the value of 9–90 μg cm^{− 2}Myr⁻¹ obtained using the integrated global production rate of ¹⁰Be and the deposition rate of ¹⁰Be onto the manganese crust.     

Evaluation of spatial correlation between nutrient exchange rates and benthic biota in a reef-flat ecosystem by GIS-assisted flow-tracking

A Geographic Information System (GIS)-aided flow-tracking technique was adopted to investigate nutrient exchange rates between specific benthic communities and overlying seawater in a fringing reef of Ishigaki Island, subtropical Northwestern Pacific. Net exchange rates of NO₃ ⁻, NO₂ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺, PO₄ ³⁻, Total-N and Total-P were estimated from concentration changes along the drogue trajectories, each of which was tracked by the Global Positioning System and plotted on a benthic map to determine the types of benthic habitat over which the drogue had passed. The observed nutrient exchange rates were compared between 5 typical benthic zones (branched-coral (B) and Heliopora communities (H), seaweed-reefrock zone (W), bare sand area (S), and seagrass meadow (G)). The dependence of nutrient exchange rates on nutrient concentrations, physical conditions and benthic characteristics was analyzed by multiple regression analysis with the aid of GIS. The spatial correlation between nutrient exchange rates and benthic characteristics was confirmed, especially for NO₃ ⁻ and PO₄ ³⁻, which were usually absorbed in hydrographically upstream zones B and W and regenerated in downstream zones H and G. NO₃ ⁻ uptake in zones B and W was concentration-dependent, and the uptake rate coefficient was estimated to be 0.58 and 0.67 m h⁻¹, respectively. Both nutrient uptake in zone W and regeneration in zone H were enhanced in summer. The net regeneration ratio of NO₃ ⁻/PO₄ ³⁻ in zone H in summer ranged 5.2 to 34 (mean, 17.4), which was somewhat higher than previously measured NO₃ ⁻/PO₄ ³⁻ for sediment pore waters around this zone (1.1–8.5). Nutrient exchanges in zone S were relatively small, indicating semi-closed nutrient cycling at the sediment-water interface of this zone. NH₄ ⁺ efflux from sediments was suggested in zone G. The data suggest that the spatial pattern of nutrient dynamics over the reef flat community was constrained by zonation of benthic biota, and that abiotic factors such as nutrient concentrations and flow rates, influenced nutrient exchange rates only in absorption-dominated communities such as zones B and W.