Spatial distribution of persistent organochlorines in ringed seal (Phoca hispida) blubber

Blubber samples, taken through the entire blubber column, were collected from three different anatomical locations on ringed seals (Phoca hispida). The outer and inner layers of these samples were analysed for concentrations of sigma PCBs (sum of the analysed congeners, polychlorinated biphenyls) and p,p'-DDE (4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene). No significant differences were found in blubber thickness or in per cent extractable lipid when comparing age- and sex-groups, or in extractable lipid content when comparing anatomical locations of the blubber or blubber depth. No significant differences were found between the three different anatomical locations with respect to the concentrations of sigma PCBs or p,p'-DDE. However, the concentrations of both sigma PCB and p,p'-DDE were significantly higher in the outer blubber layer compared to the inner. Higher levels of both sigma PCB and p,p'-DDE were found in males compared to females and juveniles in both the inner and outer parts of the blubber column. The most commonly used blubber sampling devices are biopsy tools that penetrate only the outer layer of the blubber. Analyses of such samples will not reflect the real body burden of organochlorines. Standard methods for sampling blubber of marine mammals should be developed so that comparative studies and longitudinal monitoring programs of pollutants in marine mammals can be conducted in a meaningful way.     

The feasibility of assessing the diets of minke whale (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Balaenoptera acutorostrata</Emphasis>) in the East Sea through fatty acid composition in blubber and stable isotopic ratio of skin

To track the diet of minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the East Sea (Japan Sea), a conjoint analysis of fatty acids and C and N stable isotopes was performed on blubber and skin from the whale and its potential prey. The total lipid content in the blubber of minke whales ranged from 37.9% to 82.7% of wet mass (mean ± SD, 63.1 ± 17.2%), with triacylglycerols being the dominant lipids (96.9%–99.2% of total lipids). The lipid and fatty acid (FA) contents were systematically stratified throughout the depth of the blubber layers; contents of the dominant monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), including 18:1ω9 and 16:1ω7, increased from the innermost layer to the outermost layer, whereas contents of saturated FAs (SFAs) and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) were higher in the innermost layer than in the outermost layer. This stratification is related to the different physiological roles of the blubber layers; e.g., thermoregulation, streaming, and buoyancy. A comparison of the FA compositions of the innermost layer of minke whales with those of potential prey indicates that FA compositions in the whales are similar to those of Pacific herring. In addition, stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) suggest that minke whale and Pacific herring have the same or similar diets. Therefore, the diets of minke whale from the East Sea (Japan Sea) could be inferred from information on the diet of the Pacific herring, although FA compositions and stable isotope ratios for Pacific herring would not exactly reflect the whale’s diet. Although the very limited number of samples was used in this study, our preliminary findings are very promising to help understand the feeding ecology of minke whales in the East Sea (Japan Sea).     

Intra- and inter-species differences in persistent organic contaminants in the blubber of blue whales and humpback whales from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada

Biopsy samples of blubber from adult male and female blue whales, and from female and young-of-the-year humpback whales were collected during the summers of 1992-1999 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. In blue whales, concentrations of 25 PCB congeners, DDT and metabolites and several other organochlorine compounds were present at higher concentrations in the blubber of males relative to females; reflecting maternal transfer of these persistent contaminants from females into young. Sex-related differences in concentrations were not observed with less persistent contaminants, such as HCHs. In humpback whale samples, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of PCBs and organochlorine compounds in the blubber of females and calves. These data indicate that calves quickly bioaccumulate contaminants by transplacental and lactational routes to concentrations that are in equilibrium with females. In comparisons between contaminant concentrations and patterns in the blubber of female blue and humpback whales, there were no significant differences in concentrations, but the proportions of some PCB congeners, HCH isomers, and DDT and its metabolites were different in the two baleen whale species. These may reflect differences in the diet of the two species, since fish comprise a large part of the diet of humpback whales and blue whales feed exclusively on euphausiid crustaceans (i.e. krill).     

Dusky dolphins Lagenorhynchus obscurus and Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus: fatty acid composition of their blubber and prey species

The fatty acid composition of the blubber of five dusky dolphins Lagenorhynchus obscurus and five Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus from the northern Benguela ecosystem (South-East Atlantic) and their main prey was determined. Differences in fatty acid composition of the inner and outer blubber layer of the dolphins were substantial, with higher relative amounts of monoenic fatty acids with 14, 16 and 18 carbons in the outer layer and higher relative amounts of saturated, long-chain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the inner layer. This stratification is similar to the general pattern that has been observed in a variety of marine mammals, but the degree of stratification is the highest yet observed, with the long-chained (n3) fatty acids being more than 20 times more abundant in the inner than in the outer layer. On the other hand, the seals’ blubber consisted of only one uniform layer, densely supported by connective tissue. The whole-body fatty acid composition of the prey was species specific. The dolphins and seals had significantly different fatty acid composition of their blubber. In both species, the blubber fatty acid composition was different from the composition of the prey, indicating that a phylogenetic component is involved in the determination of the fatty acid composition of the blubber.     

Use of chemical tracers in assessing the diet and foraging regions of eastern North Pacific killer whales

Top predators in the marine environment integrate chemical signals acquired from their prey that reflect both the species consumed and the regions from which the prey were taken. These chemical tracers-stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen; persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations, patterns and ratios; and fatty acid profiles-were measured in blubber biopsy samples from North Pacific killer whales (Orcinus orca) (n=84) and were used to provide further insight into their diet, particularly for the offshore group, about which little dietary information is available. The offshore killer whales were shown to consume prey species that were distinctly different from those of sympatric resident and transient killer whales. In addition, it was confirmed that the offshores forage as far south as California. Thus, these results provide evidence that the offshores belong to a third killer whale ecotype. Resident killer whale populations showed a gradient in stable isotope profiles from west (central Aleutians) to east (Gulf of Alaska) that, in part, can be attributed to a shift from off-shelf to continental shelf-based prey. Finally, stable isotope ratio results, supported by field observations, showed that the diet in spring and summer of eastern Aleutian Island transient killer whales is apparently not composed exclusively of Steller sea lions.     

Some features of the dynamic structure of a deep estuary

A boundary layer formulation for the dynamic structure of a deep estuary is developed. Cross-stream averages are used, but the boundary layer structure is shown to depend on the cross-stream geostrophic constraint. A similarity transformation and a weighted residual method are used to derive an approximate solution for the velocity and salinity structure of the upper layer. This solution indicates that, in the central regime of the estuary, outflow extends through the entire halocline. Inflow takes place in a much less stratified lower layer, and mass exchange between the layers is by upwelling. This structure is modified in the outer regime of the estuary, where mixing between the layers develops, and in the inner regime, where a sharp halocline develops and where the dynamics are dominated by river runoff. The implications of the dynamics for the flushing process and for pollutant movement and dispersion are discussed.     

Species, tissue and gender-related organochlorine bioaccumulation in white-sided dolphins, pilot whales and their common prey in the northwest Atlantic

Organochlorine concentrations were measured in white-sided dolphins, pilot whales, and their prey from the Gulf of Maine and used to identify species, tissue, and gender differences, and trophic transfer trends, in bioaccumulation. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations ([PCB]) in dolphin blubber (13 +/- 7.1 micrograms/g fresh wt.) were twice those in pilot whales, but pesticide concentrations (20 +/- 13 micrograms/g fresh) were similar between species. 4,4'-DDE, trans-non-achlor, Cl6(153) and Cl6(138) concentrations were highest. Skin tissues had more recalcitrant organochlorines than the internal organs. Male dolphins bioaccumulated higher concentrations of nonmetabolizable PCBs and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, whereas pilot whales had no gender-related differences in bioaccumulation. Pilot whales, mackerel, and herring had proportionately higher concentrations of DDTs, whereas [PCB] were higher in dolphins and squid. Although these odontocetes feed at the same trophic level and store a similar suite of contaminants, dolphins bioaccumulated higher and potentially hazardous 4,4'-DDE and PCB concentrations from food in their more geographically restricted range.     

Laboratory observation of boundary layer flow under spilling breakers in surf zone using particle image velocimetry

A boundary layer flow under spilling breakers in a laboratory surf zone with a smooth bottom is investigated using a high resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. By cross-correlating the images, oscillatory velocity profiles within a viscous boundary layer of O(1) mm in thickness are resolved over ten points. Using PIV measurements taken for an earlier study and the present study, flow properties in the wave bottom boundary layer (WBBL) over the laboratory surf zone are obtained, including the mean velocities, turbulence intensity, Reynolds stresses, and intermittency of coherent events. The data are then used to estimate the boundary layer thickness, phase variation, and bottom shear stress. It is found that while the time averaged mass transport inside the WBBL is onshore in the outer surf zone, it changes to offshore in the inner surf zone. The zero Eulerian mass transport occurs at h/h_b ≈ 0.92 in the outer surf zone. The maximum overshoot of the streamwise velocity and boundary layer thickness are not constant across the surf zone. The bottom shear stress is mainly contributed by the viscous stress through mean velocity gradient while the Reynolds stress is small and negligible. The turbulence level is higher in the inner surf zone than that in the outer surf zone, although only a slight increase of turbulent intensity is observed inside the WBBL from the outer surf zone to the inner surf zone. The variation of phase inside and outside the WBBL was examined through the spatial velocity distribution. It is found the phase lead is not constant and its value is significantly smaller than previous thought. By analyzing instantaneous velocity and vorticity fields, a remarkable number of intermittent turbulent eddies are observed to penetrate into the WBBL in the inner surf zone. The size of the observed large eddies is about 0.11 to 0.16 times the local water depth. Its energy spectra follow the − 5/3 slope in the inertial subrange and decay exponentially in the dissipation subrange.     

Comparing the distribution of ciliate plankton in inner and outer areas of a harbor divided by an artificial breakwater

The distribution of ciliate plankton was compared between inner and outer areas of a harbor divided by an artificial breakwater in Kuryongpo, on the eastern coast of Korea, from February 2001 to October 2003. Less dissolved oxygen and higher concentrations of nitrogenous nutrients and phosphate were observed in the inner area. The abundance of oligotrich ciliates peaked in February 2001, when nanoflagellates bloomed in the inner area. The photosynthetic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum showed differing population dynamics annually, with blooming peaks in October 2001 in the inner area and in February 2003 in the outer area. The tintinnid species Tintinnopsis beroidea and Helicostomella subulata were generally more abundant in the outer area. Total ciliates were significantly related to oligotrich abundance in the inner area, and to tintinnid abundances in the outer area. Ciliate distribution showed quantitative and qualitative differences between the inner and outer areas in connection with the distribution of other plankton communities: oligotrich ciliate abundance increased with nanoflagellate blooms; dominance of M. rubrum was consistent with blooming of micro-sized phytoplankton (diatoms and dinoflagellates); large-sized tintinnids concurred with small dinoflagellates; and ciliate abundances decreased with mesozooplankton increases. The results indicate that the breakwater induces eutrophication in the inner area and provides suitable conditions for nanoflagellate blooms, which serially trigger opportunistic increases in oligotrich ciliates.     

Using trace elements in skin to discriminate the populations of minke whales in southern hemisphere

Concentrations of 12 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, and Hg) were determined in liver and skin tissues of minke whales from various regions within the Antarctic Ocean. Cd concentrations in livers of southern minke whale were apparently higher than those in cetaceans from other regions, while Hg concentrations were lower. There were significant positive correlations between body length and concentrations of Cd and Hg in the liver. The concentrations of all trace elements in the skin were lower than those in other cetaceans reported previously. Significant positive correlations between liver and skin were found for Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cd, and Cs, implying that the concentrations of these trace elements in the skin reflect those of internal organs. Large interannual variation of the accumulation pattern of trace elements in the skin was observed for the southern minke whales from Area V. There were significant differences in the skin element concentrations among Areas III, IV, and V, especially for males. Also, discriminant analysis between geographically two different groups collected during 1995/1996 austral summer season, based on the concentrations of trace elements in the skin, allowed for a correct classification of 90% of these minke whales. These results suggest that measurement of trace elements in skin samples could provide valuable information on the status of contamination and possible geographic differences in the accumulation levels in southern minke whales.     

Synoptic surveys of lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti

Surface and bottom water samples were collected from 39 widely spaced stations in Lake Rotorua in February 1967 and from 12 stations in Lake Rotoiti in March 1967. In Lake Rotorua, data obtained from these samples showed that small horizontal differences existed between the southern and northern parts of the lake probably related to the higher inflow of plant nutrients at the southern end and to the prevailing southerly wind concentrating phytoplankton populations at the northern end. Lake Rotoiti, which differed from Lake Rotorua in being thermally stratified, showed no important horizontal differences, Vigorous mixing in the strata probably being accomplished by deep seiches except in the shallow western basin of the lake, where the inflow from Lake Rotorua occurs. Serial vertical hauls for a zooplankton survey of Lake Rotoiti were taken from three stations in March 1967. The distribution of zooplankton was complex because diurnal vertical migrations of the animals were combined with horizontal movement of the water layers.     

中国近海四分量地震资料解释及应用

莺歌海盆地中浅层存在大量的密度型、低速型和钙质型亮点，只有低速型亮点才是气藏亮点，单纯用纵波地震难以准确预测出亮点类型；莺歌海盆地中深层可能还存在中弱振幅型的气层，用纵波地震预测这种形式的气层也是很困难的。四分量地震可较好地解决上述问题。浅层气层的纵横波振幅比、速度比、泊松比远远低于水层和泥岩层，中深层气层的纵横波速度比和泊松比明显低于其它层。用纵横波地震参数比可较好地预测岩性和气藏。应用不同方向的转换横波的走时差异、准各向异性系数的大小及横向（Y）分量的转换横波的反射能量的强弱来预测地层岩石各向异性的强弱。总结出了一套适合于中国近海四分量地震勘探资料解释和应用的流程。四分量地震技术在改善莺歌海盆地的构造成像、浅层气层检测及岩石各向异性（裂隙预测）方面的效果是很好的。乐东8－1等构造中深层的储层发育，储盖组合和储层物性均较好，中深层的勘探前景是比较好的。     

青岛近海碳钢锈层中细菌群落结构的多样性

研究海水环境中Q235碳钢锈层中微生物群落的多样性。应用16SrDNA基因文库技术,分别对实海全浸一年的Q235碳钢内外锈层中的微生物进行基因文库的构建和分析。通过克隆测序构建了含有64个OTUs的细菌16SrRNA基因文库,结果表明锈层中微生物种类丰富,主要分布于13个已知的菌门,包括变形菌门;拟杆菌门;硅藻门;酸杆菌门;浮霉菌门;硝化螺旋菌门;厚壁菌门;绿弯菌门;疣微菌门;绿菌门;放线菌门;红藻门以及螺旋体门。内外锈层的优势菌均为变形细菌门,分别占文库序列的46%和53%,其中α-变形菌纲又为门中优势类群,但在内外锈层中还存在明显的系统发育学分歧。     

广东流沙湾4个测站2个周日潮流观测的准调和分析

采用短期资料的潮流准调和分析方法,对水深为4.4～17.0 m的流沙湾4个测站2个周日潮流观测获得的表、中、底层的潮流资料进行了分析,分别计算了4个测站O1、K1、M2、S2、M4、MS4共6个主要分潮的潮流调和常数,并给出了各观测站位在各层的潮流椭圆要素.计算结果表明：流沙湾主要为日潮流海区,其中湾外为规则日潮流,湾内为不规则日潮流;湾外主要分潮流的北分量一般大于东分量,而湾内主要分潮流的北分量一般小于东分量.观测期间余流的流向主要呈西北向,最大余流流速出现在湾内地形突然收窄处,且在湾内中层余流流速要大于表、底层余流流速.整个海区潮流的可能最大流速表层在57～107 cm/s之间,中层在53～106 cm/s之间,底层在34～98 cm/s之间.流沙湾湾外潮流主要为顺时针的旋转流运动,湾内为带有旋转流的往复流运动.     

Area usage estimation and spatiotemporal variability in distribution patterns of southern right whales,Eubalaena australis,of southern Brazil

Southern right whales—Eubalaena australis (Desmoulins, 1822)—migrate seasonally from high‐latitude feeding grounds to coastal breeding and calving grounds at lower latitudes such as the southern coast of Brazil. Understanding how these whales are distributed along the coast is important for monitoring their postwhaling recovery and defining management strategies. In this study, we applied Kernel density estimators to aerial survey data to determine main occurrence and concentration areas of right whales in southern Brazil and investigate inter‐ and intra‐annual distribution patterns between 2003 and 2012. Our results show considerable variation in area usage within and among years, and changes in the general distribution pattern of right whales in the last years of the study. Intra‐annually, higher concentration area tended to expand from July to September and decrease in November. Some areas stood out as high‐density areas for right whales: Ribanceira/Ibiraquera, Itapirubá Sul/Sol, and from Arroio to Gaivota. Some evidences also suggest preferential areas for mother–calf pairs. The higher concentration area of right whales in southern Brazil was estimated at 52,541 km² and the occurrence area was 682.69 km², which is the whole study area. As right whale distribution in the region is likely expanding due to this population's current recovery, our study provides essential information for management plan of the Right Whale Environmental Protection Area.     

辽河兴隆台构造带原油类型及分布特征

对原油地球化学特征进行对比分析,将辽河西部凹陷兴隆台构造带原油划分成4种类型。各类原油的正构烷烃碳数分布曲线、甾萜类成熟度参数、Pr/Ph等指标有较大差异,并在该区呈规律分布。总体表现为第三系原油由南至北成熟度参数和Pr/Ph值呈降低的趋势,正构烷烃碳数从单峰变化为双峰分布;太古宇潜山内幕及潜山表层原油性质相似,其成熟度明显高于第三系原油。原油分布主要受控于南北洼陷生油层成烃演化差异及与断裂发育时期的相互配置关系。     

2008年夏季南海北部海区生物光学特性的垂向变化特征

Vertical variability in the bio-optical properties of seawater in the northern South China Sea(NSCS) including inherent optical properties(IOPs) and chlorophyll a concentration(Chl) were studied on the basis of in situ data collected in summer 2008 using an absorption/attenuation spectrophotometer. An empirical model was developed to estimate Chl profiles based on the absorption line height at long wavelengths, with a relative root mean square error of 37.03%. Bio-optical properties exhibited large horizontal and vertical spatial variability. As influenced by coastal upwelling and the Zhujiang River(Pearl River) discharge, both IOPs and Chl exhibited high values in the surface waters of the inner shelf, which tended to decrease with distance offshore. Subsurface maximum layers of IOPs and Chl were observed in the middle and outer shelf regions, along with significantly higher values of attenuation coefficients beneath this layer that rapidly increased towards the bottom. In the open ocean, both IOPs and Chl exhibited consistent variability, with the subsurface maximum layer typically located at34–84 m. Phytoplankton were found to be one of the major components in determining the vertical variability of bio-optical properties, with their vertical dynamics influenced by both physical forcing and light attenuation effects. The depth of the subsurface maximum layer was found to be closely related to the fluctuation of the oceanic thermocline and the depth of the euphotic zone, which also affected the total integrated biomass of the upper ocean. Typically high values of attenuation coefficients observed in the bottom waters of the continental shelf reflected the transport of particulate matter over the bottom boundary layer. Our results reveal large spatial differences in bio-optical profiles in response to complex marine ecodynamics in the NSCS. From the perspective of marine research, high-resolution optical measurements are clearly advantageous over conventional bottle sampling.     

渤海湾潮下带底栖线虫群落的垂直分布

2007年春季在渤海湾天津潮下带采集小型底栖生物样品,分析沉积物中自由生活线虫的垂直分布情况。多元统计分析结果表明,底栖线虫的垂直分布和沉积物深度有关。在较深的5～10cm层,线虫群落与其上层次的差异较大:0～2cm层和5～10cm层差异极显著(P=0.001),2～5cm层和5～10cm层间差异显著(P=0.016)。不同站点间底层的线虫群落差异明显。而沉积物0～2cm层和2～5cm间的线虫群落差异不明显(P=0.541)。列出了SIMPER分析中16种明显影响表层-底层群落的线虫,13种明显影响中层-底层间群落比较的线虫。在研究和比较线虫群落时,应该考虑取样深度的影响。     

莱州湾07钻孔沉积物晚更新世以来的元素地球化学特征

在莱州湾南岸的07孔岩心进行高分辨率采样的基础上,采用X荧光光谱法(XRF)、离子质谱法(ICP-MS)以及原子荧光光谱法(AF)等方法测试了研究区07孔的48种常微量元素以及稀土元素的含量,并对元素相对含量、随深度变化规律、特征比值以及稀土元素配分模式进行了研究。结果表明,07孔主要元素及特征比值在海陆地层分界处有明显变化,可以作为地层划分的指标之一。其中,Mn、Mg、Ca、Fe、Mg/Ca及K/Na等对沉积环境响应比较明显,Ba、Zr、Rb、Si/A1、Ti/A1和Rb/Sr对源区的母岩类型、风化程度及搬运距离的变化敏感;07孔常微量元素垂向变化较大,在3次海侵地层中呈明显变化,并对应多个峰值。化学元素的变化规律所反映的地层特征与晚更新世以来的气候和海平面的变化有较好的对应关系。07孔不同深度沉积物的稀土元素球粒陨石标准化配分模式与黄河沉积物的相似,呈轻稀土元素富集的右倾型。说明黄河是莱州湾南岸弥河-潍河多源河流三角洲沉积体系的物源之一,且对莱州湾南岸一定深度范围内的沉积地层有部分贡献。     

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in killer whales (Orcinus orca) from the Crozet Archipelago, southern Indian Ocean

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants of which significant concentrations are reported in upper trophic level animals. In 1998, we collected blubber biopsy samples (n = 11) from killer whales (Orcinus orca) inhabiting the coastal waters around Possession Island, Crozet Archipelago, southern Indian Ocean, for contaminant analyses. Despite inhabiting an isolated region far removed from industrial activities, these killer whales can presently be considered among the most PCB-contaminated cetaceans in the southern hemisphere, with concentrations ranging from 4.4 to 20.5 mg/kg lipid weight (lw). PCDD levels ranged from below the detection limit (5 ng/kg) to 77.1 ng/kg lw and PCDF levels from below the detection limit (7 ng/kg) to 36.1 ng/kg lw. Over 70% of our study animals had PCB concentrations which exceeded a 1.3 mg/kg PCB threshold established for endocrine disruption and immunotoxicity in free-ranging harbour seals, suggesting that organic contaminants cannot be ruled out as an additional threat to this declining population.