A Compensated-Redlich-Kwong (CORK) equation for volumes and fugacities of CO2 and H2O in the range 1 bar to 50 kbar and 100–1600°C

We present a simple virial-type extension to the modified Redlich-Kwong (MRK) equation for calculation of the volumes and fugacities of H₂O and CO₂ over the pressure range 0.001–50 kbar and 100 to 1400°C (H₂O) and 100 to 1600°C (CO₂). This extension has been designed to: (a) compensate for the tendency of the MRK equation to overestimate volumes at high pressures, and (b) accommodate the volume behaviour of coexisting gas and liquid phases along the saturation curve. The equation developed for CO₂ may be used to derive volumes and fugacities of CO, H₂, CH₄, N₂, O₂ and other gases which conform to the corresponding states principle. For H₂O the measured volumes of Burnham et al. are significantly higher in the range 4–10 kbar than those presented by other workers. For CO₂ the volume behaviour at high pressures derived from published MRK equations are very different (larger volumes, steeper (P/T)_V, and hence larger fugacities) from the virial-type equations of Saxena and Fei. Our CORK equation for CO₂ yields fugacities which are in closer agreement with the available high pressure experimental decarbonation reactions.     

Genomic cloning and expression of vitellogenin gene from the self-fertilizing fish Rivulus marmoratus (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae)

We cloned the vitellogenin gene from the self-fertilizing fish Rivulus marmoratus, and sequenced 12,326 bp. The number of exons of R. marmoratus and rainbow trout vitellogenin genes were different, and also the splicing junctions are different throughout most of the exons and introns but the amino acid similarity of R. marmoratus vitellogenin gene to other species was rather high. In promoter region of R. marmoratus vitellogenin gene, there were several E2 binding sites and the estrogen response element (ERE). We discuss here the gene structure and expression of R. marmoratus vitellogenin gene.     

Extending the generality of ecological models to artificial floating habitats

Marine assemblages on natural hard substrata are generally different from those on artificial habitats. There is, however, the potential for certain ecological processes to operate on both types of structures. On the sides of floating pontoons in Sydney Harbour, there were strong patterns of vertical distribution of sessile epibiotic organisms and molluscan grazers across relatively small spatial scales (in three defined zones, namely splash, shallow and deep). Patterns of vertical distribution of the tubeworms Hydroides spp. were reversed depending on the cover of mussels. A manipulative experiment was done to test if patterns of vertical distribution of Hydroides spp. were due to (1) the functioning of mussels or (2) the structure provided by mussels. Neither the functioning nor structure of mussels accounted for the patterns of distribution of Hydroides spp. Mussels increased recruitment of Hydroides spp., in the shallow and deep zones, and this was not due to increased surface area of the mussel shells. Manipulation of numbers of grazers and covers of sessile epibiota showed that the observed negative relationship between grazers and epibiota was due to grazers reducing recruitment of epibiota and epibiota decreasing survival of grazers. Most importantly, processes that accounted for patterns of distribution of mobile and sessile organisms on artificial floating structures were similar to those repeatedly shown to create such patterns on natural rocky shores.     

Assessment of putative endocrine disrupters in an in vivo crustacean assay and an in vitro insect assay

Concern over endocrine disrupters in coastal ecosystems has stimulated global efforts to understand their potential impacts on fish and invertebrate communities. Given that marine crustaceans are sensitive to the effects of alkylphenols and other xenobiotics, we are currently investigating whether these responses may be caused via an endocrine mechanism. Tisbe battagliai (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) is representative of an ecologically important group of meiofauna, is sensitive to toxicants and is used as an international test species in marine ecotoxicology. A 21-day life-cycle test that incorporates assessment of survival, development, reproduction and sex ratios, has shown that populations of T. battagliai are not significantly affected by environmentally relevant levels of steroidal oestrogen agonists, or by related synthetic receptor agonists. The absence of in vivo effects due to these steroid agonists and antagonists prompted in vitro studies of ecdysteroid receptor activity of a range of reference compounds and environmental contaminants with an ecdysteroid receptor (EcR/USP)-based screening assay derived from the BII haemocyte line of Drosophila melanogaster. The implications for environmental monitoring of endocrine disrupters are discussed.     

Succession in Gulf of Mexico Cold Seep Vestimentiferan Aggregations: The Importance of Spatial Variability

Abstract. The slow rate of change in hydrocarbon seep communities on the upper ­Louisiana slope prevents the use of direct observation in studying successional trends. We used a chronosequence consisting of three presumed stages – juvenile, adult and senescent – to test a previous model which proposed that sulfide availability and vestimentiferan growth and physiological health decline over the lifespan of a vestimenti­feran aggregation. We replicated the chronosequence at two sites to simultaneously ­explore the influence of spatial heterogeneity on the characteristics of these communities. We determined environmental sulfide concentrations and vestimentiferan growth and condition in at least two vestimentiferan aggregations representative of each stage at each of these two sites. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations were highly variable both above and below the sediment's surface, and sulfide was present in high concentrations to sediment depths of 70  cm. Vestimentiferan growth and condition varied significantly on multiple spatial scales from sites separated by tens of kilometers, to aggregations separated by tens to hundreds of meters within a site, to individual vestimentiferans ­separated by tens of centimeters within an aggregation. The striking variability in both environmental sulfide and vestimentiferan growth and condition within individual ­aggregations suggests a crucial role for microhabitat variability in the persistence of vestimentiferan aggregations at these sites. Few significant successional trends in ­environmental sulfide or vestimentiferan growth and condition were found over the three stages tested.     

Determination of ammonium regeneration rates in the oligotrophic ocean by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the determination of ammonium concentration and isotopic enrichment in seawater samples at the low nanomolar range (10–100 nmol/kg). It is based on the reaction of phenol/hypochlorite with ammonium to form indophenol, with subsequent solid phase extraction, derivatisation and analysis by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. The precision of the method was maximised by incorporating a deuterated indophenol internal standard. A system was developed which generated seawater with extremely low ammonium concentrations thus matching sample and standard matrices for quantitative analysis. Data are presented from a study of ammonium regeneration rates at three stations in the oligotrophic North–East Atlantic where ambient ammonium concentrations were < 21 nmol/kg. Results suggested that ammonium availability for phytoplankton was limited by the rate of ammonium regeneration. Efficient ammonium assimilation contributed to the very low ambient ammonium concentrations measured at these stations. The study highlights the need for the accurate determination of ammonium regeneration rates in studies of new production, particularly in extreme oligotrophic conditions. If not corrected for isotope dilution, f-ratio estimates may be overestimated by 10.7–13.7%.