Oxidative stress responses in two populations of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute and chronic exposure to copper

Acute (4 days) and chronic (14 days) effects of copper were evaluated on the antioxidant defenses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta) collected in unpolluted (UP) and polluted (P) sites. In the acute assay (125 and 250 micro g Cu/l) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities did not change, whereas catalase (CAT) increased in worms from both the sites. Lipid peroxidation was higher in copper exposed worms from the P site. In the chronic assay (62.5 micro g Cu/l) polychaetes from the P site showed enhanced activities of SOD, GST and CAT and higher contents of metallothionein-like proteins and sulfhydrils compared to worms from UP. Differences in responses between polychaetes from UP and P sites suggest that organisms from the polluted site, P, are more susceptible to oxidative stress conditions.     

The European coastal zone: characterization and first assessment of ecosystem metabolism

The geomorphic, oceanographic, terrestrial and anthropogenic attributes of the European coastal zone are described and published data on ecosystem function (primary production and respiration) are reviewed. Four regions are considered: the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the European Atlantic coast including the North Sea. The metabolic database (194 papers) suffers from a non-homogeneous geographical coverage with no usable data for the Black Sea which was therefore excluded from this part of our study. Pelagic gross primary production in European open shelves is, by far, the most documented parameter with an estimated mean of 41 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹, the lowest value is reported in the Mediterranean Sea (21 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹) and the highest one in the Atlantic/North Sea area (51 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹). Microphytobenthic primary production, mostly measured in shallow areas, is extrapolated to the entire 0–200 m depth range. Its contribution to total primary production is low in all regions (mean: 1.5 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹). Although macrophyte beds are very productive, a regional production estimate is not provided in this study because their geographical distribution along the European coastline remains unknown. Measurements of pelagic community respiration are clearly too sparse, especially below the euphotic zone, to yield an accurate picture of the fate of organic matter produced in the water column. With a mean value of 17 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹, benthic community respiration consumes approximately 40% of the pelagic organic matter production. Estuaries generally exhibit high metabolic rates and a large range of variation in all parameters, except microphytobenthic primary production. Finally, the problem of eutrophication in Europe is discussed and the metabolic data obtained in the framework of the Land–Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) project are compared with available direct measurements of net ecosystem production.     

Observations on the Burrows and Burrowing Behaviour of the Red Band-Fish, Cepola rubescens L.

Abstract. The red band-fish, Cepola rubescens L., lives in burrows in sublittoral muddy sediments. The authors first presented information on the burrows of this species in the 1970s. The present paper presents new information on burrow structure, describes the method of excavation, and comments on the bioturbatory significance of the species. The work derives from field and laboratory studies. A burrow typically consists of a vertical shaft which opens into an expanded terminal chamber. In some cases a side shaft may be added. The paper includes a size analysis of 130 burrows measured in the field and detailed morphological information from a selection of burrows which were cast with polyester resin. The fish burrows are frequently intersected by the burrows of other species and interspecific associations may develop. Burrow size reflects the size of the occupant and may approach 1 m in depth. The biogenic movement of water and particles to this depth is often overlooked in bioturbation studies and is discussed. Burrow distribution is aggregate, which has implications for the bioturbatory impact of the species. Burrows are constructed by mouth excavation and this is described in detail. Fish transport fine material within their mouths and coarse material is grasped in the jaws. Large spoil heaps occur at burrow openings. One obvious effect of this bioturbatory activity at the field site was the redistribution of coarse material (shell gravel) from depth to the sediment surface.     

Response of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis L. following exposure to PAHs or contaminated sediment

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene significantly reduced the feeding rate of mussels. For both compounds the tissue concentration resulting in a 50% reduction of the clearance rate (TEC₅₀) was calculated. At high tissue concentrations both aromatic compounds reduced the tolerance of mussels to aerial exposure, whereas at low tissue concentrations an improved response was noticed. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were elevated only at low tissue concentrations of fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene. At the highest measured tissue concentrations the activity of both enzymes was reduced, possibly due to a narcotic effect. The reproductive success rate of mussels appeared to be affected negatively by the investigated hydrocarbons. The results of a pilot experiment indicate that mussels can be used also for the testing of contaminated sediments.     

Phytoremediation of small-scale oil spills in fresh marsh environments: a mesocosm simulation

Research was conducted to assess the impact of oiling on fresh-marsh plant communities and to test the efficacy of techniques that may be used to enhance the bioremediation of crude oil spills in these environments while minimizing secondary anthropogenic impacts. To emulate field conditions, a mesocosm facility was used that houses 120 mesocosm vessels, each of 200-1 capacity. A five-way factorial treatment arrangement was used that included two substrates (inorganic, organic), two nutrient regimes (fertilized, not fertilized), two aeration levels (substrate aeration, no aeration), three oiling concentrations (0-, 5-, 10-1 m(-2) of South Louisiana Sweet Crude oil), and four vascular plant species (Alternanthera philoxeroides, Panicum hemitomon, Phragmites australis, Sagittaria lancifolia, and an unplanted control). Under the 5- and 10-1 m(-2) oiling concentrations, S. lancifolia displayed a short-term response of increased productivity, whereas P. hemitomon had the highest biomass production and photosynthetic rates at the end of the 18-month experiment. Overall plant growth and productivity, as well as oil degradation, were significantly higher in the inorganic substrate, indicating that biodegradation of oil spills in organic substrates may require a longer time period. Time-released fertilizer also stimulated plant productivity and resulted in higher soil respiratory quotients, suggestive of greater microbial activity, particularly in aerated mesocosms. The amount of oil remaining after 18 months was lowest in aerated and fertilized mesocosms containing either P. hemitomon or S. lancifolia and a substrate of low organic matter content.     

A phase-resolving cross shore sediment transport model for beach profile evolution

A phase-resolving wave transformation module is combined with an intra-wave sediment transport module to calculate the on-/offshore sediment transport rates. The wave module is based on the Boussinesq equations extended into the surf zone. The vertical variation of the mean undertow and the intra-wave sediment concentrations are calculated. The net sediment transport rates are calculated, and the equation for conservation of sediment is solved to predict the beach profile evolution. The results of the present paper showed that the undertow contribution to the sediment transport rates is not dominating in all parts of the surf zone, even for eroding beaches, suggesting that other contributions should not be neglected. The present model also showed that for the same offshore wave energy the time series of the oscillatory motion is important and that the effect of wave groups cannot be disregarded.     

An overview and general results of the Lopez island OBS experiment

The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effects of coupling and bottom currents on ocean bottom seismometers. Twelve operational OBSs, three specially designed three-component systems, and a hydrophone were compared with each other. Unlike seismometers placed on hard rock at land stations, ocean bottom seismometers can be affected by soft sediments (which act as lossy mechanical springs) and by buoyancy. Coupling through soft sediments can modify the response to ground motion much as a low pass filter does, and high buoyancy tends to counteract this effect. These effects are observed in the Lopez data, which consist of signals from mechanical transient tests, cap shots, airgun pulses, and general background noise. The modification of response is pronounced for some instruments and barely noticeable in others. Instruments that stand high in the water relative to their base width tend to be susceptible to rocking motion that shows up as a mechanical cross coupling between horizontal and vertical motion. Correlation of Lopez results with coupling theory suggests that it is possible to design ocean bottom seismometers that will couple well to any sediment. Current levels at the Lopez site (<5 cm s^-1) were too small to produce noticeable effect on any of the instruments; however, the same design criteria that will minimize coupling problems will also lessen problems caused by ocean currents.Hawaii Institute of Geophysics Contribution No. 1171.