Estimation of inherent optical properties using quasi-analytical algorithm along the coastal waters of southeast Arabian Sea

Ocean Dynamics - An integrated Satlantic hyperspectral profiler was used to collect radiometric quantities and fluorescence up to a depth of 50 m. Remote sensing reflectance (rrs)...     

Sea waves in coastal waters of the British isles

Ocean Dynamics - Wave records obtained from the Smith's Knoll and Morecambe Bay light vessels are used to obtain relationships between wind speed and wave height and period in shallow water...     

Biomonitoring of the coastal waters of the Black Sea

Morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters were determined in Scorpion fish Scorpaena porcus L. from two bays in the area of Sevastopol, which experience a high anthropogenic load. The effect of natural and anthropogenic factors on the size, weight, and age composition, as well as on the sex ratio of the fish from both populations, was studied. The relationships between the concentrations of chlororganic substances in the water of the bays, their accumulation in the liver and gonads of the fish, the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the blood, and the fractional composition of serum proteins were determined. A possibility for the use of the Scorpion fish as a indicator species for the biomonitoring and assessment of the environmental conditions in the coastal waters of the Black Sea was considered.Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 2, 2005, pp. 238–246.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Rudneva, Shevchenko, Zalevskaya, Zherko.     

Spectral wave characteristics in the coastal waters of the central west coast of India during tropical cyclone Kyarr

Ocean Dynamics - The study presents the assessment of spectral wave conditions in the coastal waters of the central west coast of India based on data from waverider buoys at two locations during...     

On sediment pollution in selected german coastal waters of the Baltic Sea

In order to determine and assess their status sediments from the German coastal waters of the baltic sea were analyzed for structural parameters and for several groups of harmful substances. Regarding all groups of harmful substances, i.e. nutrients, heavy metals and organic toxicants the sediments of the eastern sections investigated (Strelasund, Peenestrom and Stettin Lagoon) are generally more polluted than the sediments of the other ones.The sediments of the examined sections of the Baltic coast compare with North Sea sediments by factors of between 0.05 and 4 with regard to heavy metals.Because of the variability of the concentration of harmful substances in the various coastal sections, it is imperative to make a differentiated assessment of the polluted sediments and to set district-related targets for the various sections of the Baltic coast.     

The distribution of dissolved lead in the coastal waters of the East China Sea

The distribution of dissolved lead in the coastal waters of the East China Sea was investigated seasonally. The average concentrations in surface waters during the spring and autumn were 0.52 nM and 0.27 nM, respectively. In the spring, the concentration of dissolved Pb in the surface waters and bottom waters ranged from 0.13 to 1.86 nM and from 0.15 to 0.94 nM, respectively. For both the surface water and the bottom water, the highest values were observed at the Yangtze River Estuary. Seasonal variability of D-Pb between spring and autumn in the ECS was observed. These results suggested that riverine inputs and atmospheric inputs may be the main sources of lead in this area, while adsorption and co-precipitation on suspended particles at the river estuary and biological process may be the major sinks.     

Trace element accumulation in fishes collected from coastal waters of the Caspian Sea

Concentrations of 13 trace elements (V, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Hg, Tl and Pb) were determined in muscle of bony fishes collected from coastal areas of the Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran). In all the fishes, Zn concentration was highest, followed by Cu, Se, Mn and Co, while levels of toxic elements (Ag, Cd, Cd, Tl and Pb) were relatively low. Concentrations of several elements were significantly varied between the species in each sampling area. For most of the trace elements examined, the concentrations decreased significantly with body weight of fishes. In contrast, a positive correlation with body weight was found for Co, Se and Pb concentrations in one fish species, and Hg in 2 fish species. Geographical difference in the concentrations of trace elements was examined using the Caspian roach collected from five stations of Iranian coastal waters. The concentrations of Co, Mo, Ag, Cd and Tl were higher in fishes from western stations than those from eastern stations, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Hg, indicating that local sources of trace metal pollution may be present in the Iranian coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. Levels of trace elements in Caspian fishes were relatively low in comparison to those of other regions, but Zn and Hg levels in some specimens exceeded the guideline values for food.     

The silica supersaturated waters of northern Evia and eastern central Greece

The area of north Evia and eastern central Greece is characterized by strong geomorphological contrast and is built up mainly of consolidated rocks. Unconsolidated young sediments of Pleistocene to Holocene age cover the valley and basin flats, forming the most productive aquifers in this area. However, two more types of aquifers can be distinguished within the consolidated rock area. The first one is associated with karstified limestones and the second with strongly tectonized ultramafic rocks. The schist–chert formation, with intercalations of shales and cherts, seals the ultramafic masses underneath. Surface and spring waters associated with ultramafic rocks in north Evia and eastern central Greece were studied. Two types of water can be distinguished: (1) high Mg²⁺ and SiO₂ , bicarbonate as the dominant anion, pH 7·4–9·2, temperature 9·5–16·3 °C, low TDS (total dissolved solutes) (459–1037 mg/l), found both in peridotite and serpentinite areas, classified as Mg–HCO₃ type; (2) high Ca²⁺, low Mg²⁺ and SiO₂ , hydroxyl ion as the major anion, pH 11·2, temperature 28 °C, very low TDS (122 mg/l), found in peridotite areas, classified as Ca–OH type. The studied waters are highly supersaturated with respect to quartz, amorphous silica, brucite and most low temperature magnesium silicates (antigorite, sepiolite, talc, etc.). These waters show relatively narrow SiO₂ concentration ranges and a trend parallel to the amorphous silica saturation surface. The silica supersaturated waters have the potential to precipitate silica and consequently could affect the people of the local communities that use it as drinking water, causing health problems (kidney stones). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dispersion of dissolved trace metals from the Irish Sea into Scottish coastal waters

An investigation has been undertaken into the dispersal of contaminants from the Irish Sea into coastal waters of Scotland via the North Channel. A total of 97 surface samples have been analysed for dissolved copper, cadmium and lead. Salinity and reactive phosphate have also been determined. Evidence is presented to suggest that copper, cadmium and reactive phosphate behave essentially conservatively on mixing into Scottish coastal waters. This behaviour is likened to the dispersal of¹³⁷Cs from the Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. It is suggested that this simple mechanism is inadequate to account for the lead distribution. It is proposed that this element is partly taken up by suspended particulates and sediments in the well-mixed turbid waters of the North Channel.It has been demonstrated elsewhere that contaminants from the Irish Sea, such as¹³⁷Cs enter the Firth of Clyde from the North Channel. In the present study North Channel waters are demonstrated to be an important source of trace metals to the Firth of Clyde. At the time of this survey however high concentrations of trace metals were not entering the Firth of Clyde from the North Channel. This is principally attributed to a salinity front associated with the entrance of the Firth which hinders transport across the sill.     

Physicochemical conditions in coastal waters off Syndney, central NSW, Australia

The continental shelf off Sydney is narrow and characterized by extensive areas of rocky reef and sandy sediment. The overlying coastal waters are dynamic with a complex current structure. Important oceanographic processes include East Australian Current (EAC) activity, northward propagating coastal trapped waves, local wind driven currents and relatively high frequency internal tides and waves. These produce influences on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. The activity of the EAC and its eddies has been associated with episodic incursions of waters which can quickly replace large parts of the shelf waters off Sydney. Thermal stratification and the episodic presence of cold, nutrient rich waters intruded from the continental slope are important features of the water column. Thermal stratification of up to 6°C generally exists for all but a few months of the year. Nutrient concentrations are generally low in surface waters but are higher and more variable at depth because of irregular intrusions of slope waters from depths greater than 150–200 m. The trace element levels in surface seawater entering the Sydney area are expected to be extremely low.     

Temporal and spatial biomonitoring of heavy metals in eastern Aegean coastal waters using Amphibalanus amphitrite

This biomonitoring study presents the spatial and temporal distributions of heavy metals in the soft tissues of a major fouling species Amphibalanus amphitrite living on hard substrate at different sites along the eastern Aegean coast. A. amphitrite has been chosen as a strong candidate for monitoring heavy metals. Sediment and seawater samples were also collected to detect their metal contents in order to gain more information on the environmental conditions and possible bioaccumulation patterns. The physico-chemical characteristics of sampling stations have been measured in order to characterize the sampling area. The order of metal concentrations in barnacles, sediment and seawater decreased in the following order Cu > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cd > Cr > Pb > Hg, Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Hg > Cd and Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd > Hg, respectively. These results showed that barnacles accumulate Cu in a higher degree than both sediment and seawater. Moreover, metal concentrations in barnacle have the potential for use in any future regulatory framework monitoring and eventually controlling ambient metal pollution levels.     

Ecogeographical assessment of the possible impact of mariculture on coastal waters in the Eastern Black Sea

Trends in mariculture development in Russia are studied. Global experience in controlling the after-effects of fish farm operation for the marine environment are analyzed. Statistical procesing of the data of field oceanographic surveys, carried out in 1957–1989 in a one-mile coastal zone in the Eastern Black Sea, was implemented. Results of studying natural factors determining the input of organic pollutants and the rate of their biogeochemical transformation, as well as the conditions of sediment accumulation and water aeration in the Russian part of the Black Sea coast were systematized. It was found that powerful natural self-purification mechanisms of aquatic environment act along the North Caucasian coast of the Black Sea. The conclusion on almost complete environmental safety of a marine underwater fish farm, which is under construction in the Sochi Region (Khosta Settl.) was made. Attention is attracted to the need to take into account the high hydrodynamic activity in the investigated region in the process of fixing keepnets on anchors while anchoring the fish farm.     

Evaluation of spatial and temporal variations of inorganic nutrient species in the eastern Aegean Sea waters

In this study, the state of the five stations’ quality was assessed on the basis of determination of temporal and spatial variability of nutrients with physicochemical variables. Besides this, organic matter of sediment, secchi disc depth and suspended solids were also determined. The samples were collected seasonally from different areas such as harbor and important touristic marinas along the eastern Aegean during June 2008–2009. As a result, the nutrients ranged between NH₄: 0.10–25.6, NO₂: 0.01–1.5, NO₃: 0.19–7.0, o.PO₄: 0.17–6.8, TPO₄: 0.32–9.6 and Si: 0.30–13.8 μM, respectively. Precipitation leads to large changes in temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients. The highest nutrient values in this study were observed during the rainy season except o.PO₄-P and TPO₄-P. However, the physico-chemical variables have exhibited considerable temporal variations while nutrients showed spatial differences. The relatively high nutrient increase in the sampling stations coupled with surface runoff events during rainy period and pollution arising from both point and non-point sources.     

Monsoon driven changes in phytoplankton populations in the eastern Arabian Sea as revealed by microscopy and HPLC pigment analysis

Like the rest of the Arabian Sea, the west coast of India is subject to semi-annual wind reversals associated with the monsoon cycle that result in two periods of elevated phytoplankton productivity, one during the northeast (NE) monsoon (November–February) and the other during the southwest (SW) monsoon (June–September). Although the seasonality of phytoplankton biomass in these coastal waters is well known, the abundance and composition of phytoplankton populations associated with this distinct and predictable seasonal cycle is poorly known. Here we present for the first time, the results of a study on the community structure of phytoplankton for this region, derived from HPLC pigment analysis and microscopic cell counts. Our sampling strategy allowed for large spatial and temporal coverage over regions representative of the coastal and offshore waters, and over seasons that included the NE and the SW monsoon. Monthly observations at a fixed coastal station in particular, allowed us to follow changes in phytoplankton community structure associated with the development of anoxia. Together these measurements helped establish a pattern of seasonal change of three major groups of phytoplankton: diatoms, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria that appeared to be tightly coupled with hydrographic and chemical changes associated with the monsoonal cycle. During the SW monsoon when nitrate concentrations were high, diatoms were dominant but prymnesiophytes were present as well. By October, as nitrate fell to below detection levels and anoxic conditions began to develop on the shelf below the shallow pycnocline, both diatom and prymensiophytes declined sharply giving way to dinoflagellates. In the well oxygenated surface waters, where both nitrate and ammonium were below detection limits, pico-cyanobacterial populations became dominant.During the NE monsoon, a mixed diatom-dinoflagellate population was quickly replaced by blooms of Trichodesmium erythraeum and Noctiluca miliaris with higher amounts of zeaxanthin, β-carotene, Chl b and prasinoxanthin. Trichodesmium trichomes were noticed in the water column as early as December when nitrate concentrations became limiting. The low phytoplankton biomass and high ammonium concentrations argue that active grazing populations may be responsible for preventing diatom-dinoflagellate populations from establishing themselves to bloom proportions in the eastern Arabian Sea during the early NE monsoon. Trichodesmium continued its dominance well into May, when nutrient enrichment associated with its death and decay helped simulate the growth of both diatoms and dinoflagellates. Given that anoxic conditions are becoming more pervasive in the eastern Arabian Sea, our observations in particular, those of a shift towards dinoflagellate dominance during the development of anoxia assume particular importance.     

Dissolved organic matter in coastal waters at Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

Water samples collected during April 1982–April 1983 from Red Sea coastal waters at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were investigated for dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, dissolved lipid, dissolved organic phosphorus, dissolved monosaccharides, total dissolved sugars and dissolved polysaccharides. All showed extremely high values at two stations. This can be attributed to the direct effect of untreated wastes on these two locations and the limited water exchange between the study area and the open sea.     

A baroclinic coastal trapped wave event in the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea)

In this study, a baroclinic coastal trapped wave, with period ~?4.5 days and cross-shore scale ~?3 km, is identified in the outputs of a very-high-resolution ocean circulation model of the Campania coastal system (central Tyrrhenian Sea; including the Gulfs of Salerno, Naples, and Gaeta). The outputs are from a simulation spanning June 2003, a month in which the surface winds were always weak, except for a strong northeasterly wind event that lasted 1 day (20 June). This event is found to generate a strong upwelling along the Campania coasts, whose relaxation—virtually free, because of the weakness of the winds—produces coastal current fluctuations that propagate to the north, spanning the three gulfs. The dynamics (analyzed with a focus on the Gulf of Naples) is found to share important features with baroclinic Kelvin waves in a two-layer model, such as the sharp cross-shore decrease of the perturbation amplitude and the vertical reversal of the long-shore current velocities. The simulated phase speed, cross-shore extension, and wavelength of the perturbation are also close to those obtained using a two-layer approximation of the dynamics. Moreover, the propagation described by the models is shown to be compatible with current measurements that were made in June 2003 at the southern entrance of the Gulf of Naples. Experimental implications related to the specific oceanographic problem are finally discussed, and an experimental strategy—inspired by our modeling approach—aimed at identifying the phenomenon is proposed.