Analysis of seafloor backscatter strength dependence on the survey azimuth using multibeam echosounder data

The sediment backscatter strength measured by multibeam echosounders is a key feature for seafloor mapping either qualitative (image mosaics) or quantitative (extraction of classifying features). An important phenomenon, often underestimated, is the dependence of the backscatter level on the azimuth angle imposed by the survey line directions: strong level differences at varying azimuth can be observed in case of organized roughness of the seabed, usually caused by tide currents over sandy sediments. This paper presents a number of experimental results obtained from shallow-water cruises using a 300-kHz multibeam echosounder and specially dedicated to the study of this azimuthal effect, with a specific configuration of the survey strategy involving a systematic coverage of reference areas following “compass rose” patterns. The results show for some areas a very strong dependence of the backscatter level, up to about 10-dB differences at intermediate oblique angles, although the presence of these ripples cannot be observed directly—neither from the bathymetry data nor from the sonar image, due to the insufficient resolution capability of the sonar. An elementary modeling of backscattering from rippled interfaces explains and comforts these observations. The consequences of this backscatter dependence upon survey azimuth on the current strategies of backscatter data acquisition and exploitation are discussed.     

A Preliminary Genetic Linkage Map of Sinonovacula constricta(Lamarck, 1818) Based on Microsatellites Derived from RAD Sequencing

Sinonovacula constricta is one of the important economic aquaculture species in China. In this study, we constructed genetic linkage maps of S. constricta based on 300 microsatellite markers derived from RAD-seq using an F1 full-sib family. The female map contained 204 microsatellites assigned to 22 linkage groups, which covered 1529.5 cM with an average interval of 10.3 cM. The male consisted of 187 microsatellites in 19 linkage groups corresponding to the haploid chromosome number(n(28)19), which spanned 1429.3 cM with an average interval of 8.7 cM. The genome coverage was approximately 83.5% and 81.4%, respectively. An integrated map was constructed according to the common markers in parental linkage groups, which had a total length of 1683.8 cM with an average interval of 7.3 cM. The genome coverage of the integrated map was approximately 86.3%. The genetic linkage map would form the foundation for further studies on the quantitative trait loci(QTL), as well as accelerating the breeding process of this species.     

Levels of Metabolic Enzymes and Nitrogenous Compounds in the Swimming Crab Portunus trituberculatus Exposed to Elevated Ambient Ammonia-N

This study investigated the effects of ammonia-N(control and 1 and 5 mg L~(-1)) on the changes of metabolic enzymes activities and nitrogenous compounds levels in the gills, hepatopancreas, muscles, and hemolymph of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Results showed that the levels of hemolymph ammonia increased significantly at 6 h and then decreased to control level at 12 h. The activities of key enzymes involved in biosynthesis pathways of glutamine(Gln) and urea, such as glutamate dehydrogenase(GDH), glutamine synthetase(GS), and arginase(ARG), increased remarkably in different tissues of P. trituberculatus. Gln level was the highest in muscles, while urea content was the largest in hepatopancreas. The m RNA expression level of xanthine dehydrogenase(XDH) was downregulated sharply in gills but upregulated in the hepatopancreas and muscles. A small amount of uric acid was detected in the hemolymph. This result suggests that Gln in muscles may be used as an intermediary nitrogen repository, while urea may be primarily synthesized in the hepatopancreas and then transferred to other tissues via the hemolymph. Uric acid could be synthesized by the anabolism of purine nucleotides, in additon to the inhibitory activities of gills. In addition, the levels of Gln, urea and uric acid exhibited dose-and time-dependent effects with ammonia content. Therefore, P. trituberculatus could possibly convert ammonia into Gln, urea, or uric acid to detoxify ammonia during high ambient ammonia-N stress.     

砂质基底领海基点的保护范围选划及管理研究——以外磕脚领海基点为例

领海基点对于维护国家海洋权益等意义重大。文章基于外磕脚领海基点的保护实践工作,从前期准备、现场调查方法、保护范围选划结果3个方面,开展砂质基点领海基点保护范围选划的案例研究,据此提出砂质基底领海基点保护范围的选划依据和方法。研究表明:砂质基底领海基点的保护范围选划应依据海岛的特殊属性,由保护对象的边界向外延伸至潮汐水道,并充分体现地貌整体性和连续性。针对砂质基底领海基点保护,文章建议应加强工程手段实现基底稳定,维护领海基点安全;加强领海基点外业调查,夯实领海基点地形水文资料基础;加大领海基点巡查力度,持续推进领海基点实时动态监视监测;加强部门沟通协调,完善领海基点信息管理系统;加大宣传教育,树立全民海洋海岛意识等保护管理建议,为领海基点的保护管理工作提供理论和实践探索。     

STPIR和MW组合的北斗三频周跳探测与修复

针对载波相位观测值中出现周跳的问题及北斗卫星导航系统全星座播发三频信号的现状,提出一种三频相位电离层残差二阶历元差分(STPIR)的算法,克服了传统电离层残差法受观测数据采样间隔影响较大的问题,联合MW组合观测量进行周跳探测又可避免各自的探测盲区。两种组合观测量均很好地削弱了电离层延迟项的影响,联立方程组进行周跳求解时,直接取整即可得到周跳值。通过北斗三频实测数据验证,提出的组合方法在观测数据采样间隔较大时,可以准确探测出所有周跳,并有效修复。     

Characterization of Frequency and Aggregation of the Antarctic Krill (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphausia superba</Emphasis>) Using Acoustics

In this study, the dB difference and characteristics of krill swarms inhabiting Subarea 48.1, which includes the west and south of the South Shetland Island and the Elephant Island peripheries, were estimated to distinguish Antarctic krill, using acoustics. From April 13 to 24, 2016, acoustic data were collected along 24 survey lines using the frequencies 38 and 120 kHz, and middle trawling was performed at 7 stations. Using the difference between the dB values of two volume backscattering strength (Sv) frequencies (38 and 120 kHz), a clear acoustic distinction could be made between Antarctic krill (4.9 to 12.0 dB) and fish (?4.0 to ?0.2 dB). The distributions and mean Sv of krill swarms in the Elephant Island peripheries and south of South Shetland Island were higher than those in the west of South Shetland Island. The mean length/ height ratio of krill swarms in the west of the South Shetland Island (64.5) was higher than that in the south (35.9) and the Elephant Island peripheries (33.8), with the length of the aggregations exceeding their height. Most krill swarms were distributed between the surface layer (less than 10 m below sea level) and within 200 m of water depth. These results are expected to serve as baseline data for evaluating krill density and biomass by distinguishing them from fish, using acoustics.     

Fishery-induced Inter-annual Changes in the Mean Trophic Level,the Northern Sea of Oman off the Iranian Coast, 2002–2011

Ecosystem-based management is one of the most important approaches that may lead to reducing the impacts of fishing on ecosystems. In this context, we have assessed the impact of Iranian coastal fishing (using landing data of 49 exploited species) on the ecosystem of the North Sea of Oman (Sistan and Baluchestan Province), during the last decade (2002–2011), with emphasis on testing the occurrence of the “fishing down? phenomenon. The Mean Trophic Level (MTL) and Fishing-in-Balance (FiB) index are two indicators that we used for analysis. The data indicated that the increased total landings in this region might be related to the exploitation of marine fishery resources especially with regard to large pelagic fish. Over the past decade, moderate decreasing trends in MTL and an increasing trend in the FiB-index were observed. In this regard, an upward trend in the spatial expansion factor and also a downward trend in the piscivory index and in Primary Production Required (PPR) in the time period could all indicate a spatial expansion toward deep waters, the catching of the large pelagic piscivorous species, such as tuna, and a sign of fishing pressures on the ecosystem. The results suggest a range of fishery exploitation patterns throughout the food web but it seems that these patterns are not a consequence of ?fishing down?. We suggest that the monitoring research be continued in this region and these indicators should be used to make fisheries management decisions and to prevent the continuance of this trend in future.     

末次间冰期以来对宁黄土剖面的热释光测年

利用细颗粒热释光技术对陇西黄土高原会宁黄土剖面末次间冰期以来黄土、古土壤的8个样品进行了年龄测定,并在此基础上分别利用线性内插和多项式回归方法建立了会宁剖面深度-年代时间模式,以2种模式计算的S0/L1、L1/S1、S1/L2界线年龄与SPECMAP深海氧同位素1/2、4/5、5/6阶段的界线年龄可较好对比,这为末次间冰期以来会宁地区古气候演化的深入研究提供了基本时间框架。     

Cd~(2+)对青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)的毒性及蓄积过程研究

利用水生动物急性毒性实验方法,在6个浓度下Cd2+对青蛤的急性毒性进行测定,经回归分析后,得到Cd2+对青蛤96h半致死浓度为20.09mg/L,安全浓度为0.201mg/L。分别对半致死浓度和安全浓度下Cd2+在青蛤体内不同组织的蓄积情况进行了分析。结果表明,在半致死浓度条件下,168h青蛤各组织Cd2+的含量依次为肌肉内脏团鳃;而在安全浓度下,其结果为内脏团鳃肌肉,内脏团对于Cd2+富集能力远高于肌肉。讨论了青蛤的养殖环境及产品检验等问题。