Nutrient enrichment caused by in situ fish farms at Eilat, Red Sea is detrimental to coral reproduction

Recent studies report conflicting results concerning the effects of eutrophication on coral reproduction. The present study examines reproductive effort in the brooding coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to chronic eutrophication caused by in situ fish cages (FC) in the northern Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba). Histological studies of 20 S. pistillata colonies transplanted to each of two study sites, one close to the nutrient enriched FC site and the other at a reference site (IUI), 8 km southwest of the FC site, show that, overall, corals from the FC site have a significantly higher percentage of polyps containing oocytes and testes than corals from the IUI site. However, average oocyte size and the percentage of oocytes reaching the size at which fertilization occurs (i.e., >200 microm) were both significantly greater in colonies at the IUI site compared to the FC site. As the reproductive season progressed, colonies at the IUI site exhibited a decrease in the percentage of polyps containing oocytes, concomitant with an increase in the number of polyps containing planulae, indicating successful development of oocytes into planulae. In contrast, in colonies at the FC site oocyte numbers were greatest at the end of the reproductive season, and overall, numbers of planulae were significantly lower compared with the IUI colonies, suggesting relative failure of oocyte maturation, fertilization and ensuing larval development. The significantly higher lipid content found during the reproduction season in IUI colonies compared with FC colonies corroborates this assertion. This data strongly suggest that nutrients released from the fish farms have adverse effects on successful production of larvae of S. pistillata. In view of the recent severe deterioration of the coral reefs of Eilat and their present critical state of health, the only chance for their renewal is the use of immediate, prudent and rational protection measures against all man-made perturbations.     

Metal contents in Porites corals: Anthropogenic input of river run-off into a coral reef from an urbanized area, Okinawa

In order to monitor pollutants from urban areas to coral reefs, metal contents in Porites coral samples collected from the Hija River mouth and at nearby sites from the estuary were analyzed. The corals were cleaned by oxidative and reductive treatments to effectively eliminate detritus and organic materials. Metal-to-calcium (Me/Ca) ratios in the samples were determined by ICP-MS. Filtered samples of river water were also measured similarly for metal concentrations. The extent of anthropogenic contribution by riverine input was assessed by comparing the Me/Ca values in corals to those of Rukan-sho, an unpolluted coral reef. High riverine inputs of Mn, Cd, Zn and Ag were observed from Me/Ca values in the coral samples. Manganese in the coral samples showed strong dependence on salinity, varying inversely to the distance from terrestrial sources. Considering a lead background of 25.0 nmol/mol measured in the Rukan-sho corals, Pb/Ca in corals of the Hija River estuary that are two and three times higher may indicate lead enrichment in the river mouth. Because Pb is only moderately high in the Hija River water compared to its concentration in surface seawater, lead may have accumulated in the estuarine water and sediments, resulting in an elevated concentration of lead available for coral uptake.     

Oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathology biomarker responses in mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) liver from Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of environmental contaminants on oxidative stress, genotoxic and histopathologic biomarkers in liver of mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) collected from a polluted coastal lagoon (Bizerte Lagoon) in comparison to a reference site (the Mediterranean Sea). Antioxidant enzyme activities were lower in fish from the polluted site compared with fish from the reference site, suggesting deficiency of the antioxidant system to compensate for oxidative stress. DNA damage was higher in both fish species from the contaminated site indicating genotoxic effects. The liver histopathological analysis revealed alterations in fish from Bizerte Lagoon. Hepatocytes from both fish species featured extensive lipid-type vacuolation and membrane disruption. Results suggest that the selected biomarkers in both fish species are useful for the assessment of pollution impacts in coastal environments influenced by multiple pollution sources.     

Viral diseases of olive flounder in Korean hatcheries

In order to elucidate the state of diseases, especially viral diseases, and to prevent viral diseases from occurring in olive flounder hatcheries, a range of studies, including epidemiological study, were performed from 1997 to 2003. The location of the hatcheries investigated includes several representative sites in the east （Kangnung, Uljin, Pohang, Yangsan, Ulsan, Pusan）, south （Wando, Changheung, Goheung, Yeosu, Namhae, Tongyeong, Geoje, Jeju） and west （Seosan, Kunsan, Gochang, Yeongkwang, Mokpo, Chindo） costal areas of the Korea Peninsula. A total of 2000 cases have been examined in 7 years, in which mortality caused by viral agents accounts for 22%, or 446 cases. Mortalities associated with viral infection considerably increased from 14% in 1997 to 27% in 2003. A variety of viral diseases were observed, and the occurrences of viral epidermal hyperplasia, viral ascites and viral deformity, viral nervous necrosis, and hirame rhabdoviral disease are 14%, 51%, 25%, and 8% respectively. By investigating the viral infection of broodstock flounder, the infection rate of marine birnavirus （MABV） in hatcheries was identified to be approximately 30%, therefore, it is highly necessary to acquire and keep non-infected broodstock fishes.     

PAH-degrading microbial consortium and its pyrene-degrading plasmids from mangrove sediment samples in Huian, China

PAH-degrading microbial consortium and its pyrene-degrading plasmids were enriched from the sediment samples of Huian mangroves. The consortium YL showed degrading abilities of 92.1%, 87.6%, 92.3%, and 95.8% for pyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and fluoene at 50 mg l(-1) after 21 days incubation, respectively. The dynamics of pH changes in the cultures was consistent with that of PAH concentration change. Bacillus cereus Py5 and Bacillus megaterium Py6 were isolated from the consortium and observed consuming 65.8% and 33.7% of pyrene (50 mg l(-1)) within three weeks, respectively. The enriched Escherichia coli DH5alpha cells containing the plasmids of YL were demonstrated to degrade 85.7% of the original pyrene concentration at the 21st day.     

Isolation, characterization of Rhodococcus sp. P14 capable of degrading high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic hydrocarbons

Rhodococcus sp. P14 was isolated from crude oil-contaminated sediments. This strain was capable of utilizing three to five rings polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including phenanthrene (Phe), pyrene (Pyr), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) as a sole carbon and energy source. After cultivated with 50mg/L of each PAH, strain P14 removed 43% Phe, 34% Pyr and 30% BaP in 30 d. Four different hydroxyphenanthrene products derived from Phe by strain P14 (1,2,3,4-hydroxyphenanthrene) were detected using SPME-GC-MS. Strain P14 also was capable of degrading mineral oil with n-alkanes of C17 to C21 carbon chain length. Compared with glucose-grown cells, PAHs-grown cells had decreased contents of shorter-chain length fatty acids (≤ C16:0), increased contents of C18:0, Me-C19:0 and disappeared odd-number carbon chain fatty acids. The contents of unsaturated C19:1, Me-C19:0 increased and C18:0 decreased in mineral oil-grown cells. At the same time, the strain P14 tended to float when cultivated in mineral oil-supplemented liquid medium. The degradation capability of P14 to alkane and PAHs and its floating characteristics will be very helpful for future's application in oil-spill bioremediation.     

Metal tissue levels in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups

The endangered Western population of the Steller sea lion declined for three decades for uncertain reasons. We present baseline data of metal concentrations in pups as a first step towards investigating the potential threat of developmental exposures to contaminants. Seven metals were investigated: arsenic, cadmium, silver, aluminum, mercury, lead and vanadium. Vanadium was detected in only a single blubber sample. Mercury appears to be the most toxicologically significant metal with concentrations in the liver well above the current action level for mercury in fish. The concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, silver, cadmium and lead were present in one-fourth to two-thirds of all samples and were at either comparable or below concentrations previously reported. Neither gender nor region had a significant effect on metal burdens. Future work should consider metal concentrations in juveniles and adults and toxicological studies need to be performed to begin to assess the toxicity of these metals.     

浅部软弱层对走滑破裂引起的强地面运动影响的物理模型

报告了利用泡沫橡胶模拟浅部软弱层对走滑破裂引起的强地面运动影响的结果。走滑地震引起强地面运动的计算机模拟,有时与对断层浅部滑动特性的某些任意假设有关(如:断层面上部2km处的滑动固定为0)。断层滑动反演研究表明,走滑断层浅部的高频辐射通常低于断层深部。在多数情况下,(1)断层区上部几公里的断层可能较弱,不能维持地震高动能释放期间所要求的高水平的剪应力;(2)断层滑动可能具有不同的本构关系,例如,滑动强化。本文的目标是显示利用浅部软弱层进行物理模拟的结果,为假设断层浅部滑动引起长上升时间和高频脉冲降低提供物理基础。软弱区利用在泡沫橡胶模型中插入几英寸宽的软塑性层来模拟。软弱层长时间作用的强度比模型剩余部分低一个量级。瞬时速度强化的作用估计是动力滑动事件中滑动时的3倍。显示了沿走滑断层2km深的软弱区确实能降低浅部滑动的高频能量辐射,这种效果可以由在长得多的上升时间滑动突发时增加一较小幅值的短上升时间脉冲来描述。对15cm的软弱区,平均脉冲幅值降低了约4/10。对于20cm情形,降低了约2/10,30cm时降低了约1/10。根据这些结果可以看出,软弱层越厚,短上升时间加速度脉冲通过软弱层到达表层就越困难。软弱层速度强化特性进一步降低滑动运动和增长上升时间。在模拟研究中,如果已知断层浅部是软弱层或未储存大的剪应力,这些结果支持走滑断层浅部的高频辐射减少的结论。     

Phytoplankton distribution and productivity in a highly turbid, tropical coastal system (Bach Dang Estuary, Vietnam)

Phytoplankton diversity, primary and bacterial production, nutrients and metallic contaminants were measured during the wet season (July) and dry season (March) in the Bach Dang Estuary, a sub-estuary of the Red River system, Northern Vietnam. Using canonical correspondence analysis we show that phytoplankton community structure is potentially influenced by both organometallic species (Hg and Sn) and inorganic metal (Hg) concentrations. During March, dissolved methylmercury and inorganic mercury were important factors for determining phytoplankton community composition at most of the stations. In contrast, during July, low salinity phytoplankton community composition was associated with particulate methylmercury concentrations, whereas phytoplankton community composition in the higher salinity stations was more related to dissolved inorganic mercury and dissolved mono and tributyltin concentrations. These results highlight the importance of taking into account factors other than light and nutrients, such as eco-toxic heavy metals, in understanding phytoplankton diversity and activity in estuarine ecosystems.     

Total and subcellular distribution of trace elements in the liver of a mother-fetus pair of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli)

Total and subcellular hepatic Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, V, Hg, Cd, and Ag were determined in a mother-fetus pair of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli). Except for higher fetal Cu concentration, all maternal elements were higher. Elements existed mostly in the cytosol of both animals except in the case of maternal Ag in the microsome and fetal Cu and Ag in the nuclei and mitochondria. In the maternal cytosol, Zn, Mn, Hg, and Ag were present in the high-molecular-weight substances (HMW); Se and V were present in the low-molecular-weight substances (LMW); Cu and Cd were mostly sequestered by metallothionein (MT). In the fetal cytosol, Zn, Se, Mn, Hg, Cd, and Ag were present in the HMW and V in the LMW, while Cu and Ag were mostly associated with MT. MT isoforms were characterized using the HPLC/ICP-MS. Two and four obvious peaks appeared in the maternal and fetal MT fractions, respectively. The highest elemental ion intensities were at a retention time of 7.8 min for the mother, and for the fetus the peak elemental ion intensities occurred at a retention time of 4.3 min, suggesting that different MT isoforms may be involved in elemental accumulation in maternal and fetal hepatocytosols.