Esterase activities in the bivalve mollusc Adamussium colbecki as a biomarker for pollution monitoring in the Antarctic marine environment

Marine environments are continuously being threatened by a large number of xenobiotics from anthropogenic sources. Even in sparsely populated and relatively pristine areas, such as Antarctica, hazardous chemicals can pose a serious environmental problem. The main aims of the present study were to (1) validate and optimize an analytical technique utilizing a microtitre-plate photometer to ascertain background levels of esterase activities in the Antarctic bivalve Adamussium colbecki, (2) carry out in situ monitoring of esterase activities to assess any potential environmental impacts of the Italian Scientific Antarctic Base "Terra Nova Bay" on the surrounding marine area. Results showed the presence of organophosphorous-sensitive cholinesterase (ChE) and carboxylesterase (CbE) activities in the gills of A. colbecki and optimal assay conditions were comparable with those found for bivalve species from temperate areas. A higher sensitivity of ChE versus acetylthiocholine activity in A. colbecki to chlorpyrifos compared to species from temperate areas may also be inferred. The in situ study indicated no differences in the environmental quality of the three study sites located around the Italian Base.     

Morphology and stratigraphy of the late Quaternary lower Brazos valley: Implications for paleo-climate, discharge and sediment delivery

A shallow coring and geophysical logging program has recorded the sedimentary fill of the Brazos River valley in the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Thermoluminescence dates together with new and recalibrated published radiocarbon dates show the valley fill to include extensive, sandy, buried falling stage and lowstand Oxygen Isotope Stage (OIS) 3 and 2 deposits. These alluvial deposits are punctuated by numerous paleosoil horizons that record alternating periods of cutting, bypass and accumulation. Maximum valley incision and two periods of terrace formation preceded marine lowstand conditions, suggesting significant discordance between preserved fluvial and classical marine system tracts. The latest Pleistocene incision and fill history appears related to cycles of increased discharge and incision, followed by system equilibration and terrace formation. Analysis of the Brazos River incised valley and its contained paleochannels indicates that latest Pleistocene mean annual discharge was as much as four times greater than that of today. This magnitude of discharge in the Brazos would require a two-fold increase in precipitation across the drainage basin. Such an increase is comparable to the present day measured positive El Niño winter precipitation anomaly across the region. Paleochannel geometries and the stratigraphic and sedimentologic data from this investigation support the hypothesis that periods of high-amplitude, El Niño-like climatic perturbations characterized the late Quaternary climate of the south-central and southwestern U.S. This period of high discharge coincides, at least in part, with late OIS 3 progradation of the Brazos delta to the shelf margin, OIS 3 and 2 valley incision across the Texas shelf, and concomitant sand bypass to intraslope basins beyond the shelf edge.     

Multi-proxy evidence of postglacial climate and environmental change at Two Frog Lake,central mainland coast of British Columbia,Canada

Pollen and diatoms preserved in the radiocarbon dated sediments of Two Frog Lake in the Seymour-Belize Inlet Complex of the central mainland coast of British Columbia document postglacial climate change. Two Frog Lake was isolated from the sea prior to 11,040 ± 50 yr BP (13,030 cal. yr BP) when the climate was cool and dry, and open Pinus contorta woodlands covered the landscape. These woodlands were replaced by a mixed conifer forest ca. 10,200 yr BP (ca. 12,300 cal. yr BP) when the climate became moister. A relatively dry and warm early Holocene climate allowed Pseudotsuga menziesii to migrate northward to this site where it grew with Picea, Tsuga heterophylla and Alnus. The climate became cooler and moister at ca. 8,000 yr BP (ca. 9,200 cal. yr BP), approximately 500–1,000 years prior to sites located south of Two Frog Lake and on the Queen Charlotte Islands, but contemporary with sites on the northern mainland coast of British Columbia and south coastal Alaska. Climate heterogeneity in central coastal British Columbia appears to have occurred on a synoptic scale, suggesting that atmospheric dynamics linked to a variable Aleutian Low pressure system may have had an important influence on early Holocene climate change in the Seymour-Belize Inlet Complex. The transition to cooler and moister conditions facilitated the expansion of Cupressaceae and the establishment of a modern-type coastal temperate rainforest dominated by Cupressaceae and T. heterophylla. This was associated with progressive lake acidification. Diatom changes independent of vegetation change during the late Holocene are correlative with the mid-Neoglacial period, when cooler temperatures altered diatom communities.     

Full-glacial southwestern United States: Mild and wet or cold and dry?

This paper considers a model of cold and dry full-glacial climates for the southwestern United States in the light of published studies. The evidence from fossil plants is shown to be reconcilable with temperatures some 10°C below their present levels and a concomitant shift of the upper timberline which varied according to regional summer lapse rates. Fossils of “thermophilous” or “mesophytic” plants are cited by some writers as evidence for mild, pluvial conditions although today these plants occur in relatively cold and dry situations. Mean annual and July temperatures for the United States as a whole, derived from the model, are in accord with periglacial and palynological evidence.     

A paleolimnological record of Holocene climate and environmental change in the Temagami region,northeastern Ontario

The Arcellacean (Thecamoebian) fauna was assessed in five Holocene sediment cores obtained from James and Granite lakes in the Temagami region of northeastern Ontario. In addition, palynological analysis was carried out on two of these cores, one each from James and Granite lakes. The first indication of postglacial colonization by plants was the appearance of rare Cupressaceae pollen, dated to 10,800 yr BP. Plant diversity began to increase by 10,770 yr BP when Pinus spp. and Larix migrated into the area. The first appearance of arcellaceans occurred after 9650 yr BP in assemblages dominated by Centropyxis constricta and opportunistic Centropyxis aculeata. High abundances of charophytes in the cores until 8800 yr BP indicated that macroalgae were proliferating at this time. This deposition is interpreted to have occurred during the draining of an ice-marginal lake following the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Based on pollen analysis, warmer conditions associated with the Holocene Hypsithermal prevailed in the area from 6250 to 4115 yr BP. The stable, open Great Lakes – St. Lawrence type forest that developed here at the beginning of the Hypsithermal continues to prevail to the present. The periodic colonization of the lake by beavers (Castor canadensis) acted as a control on water-level and eutrophication through the Holocene. Evidence of eutrophication was indicated in the core samples by the abundance of high levels of the alga Pediastrum and the arcellacean Cucurbitella tricuspis. Eutrophication periodically developed when beavers dammed a site, causing the rate of flow in drainage streams to slow and stagnant conditions occurred. When the site became depleted of the nearby trees, which were preferred by beaver (Betula, Alnus and Populus), the dam would be abandoned, causing the water-level to drop. Stagnant conditions were reduced as flow levels increased, reducing eutrophication and resulting in recovering forest stands. In addition, the lowering water levels would result in encroachment of the forest along the lake shore. This cycle occurred many times in the history of this lake as indicated by fluctuations in the size of arcellacean populations.     

Seasonal differences in the physiology of Carcinus maenas (Crustacea: Decapoda) from estuaries with varying levels of anthropogenic contamination

This study reports the seasonal variability in aspects of the physiology of the shore crab Carcinus maenas from three estuaries in South-west England, each with varying anthropogenic inputs: Avon Estuary (‘relatively low’ impact), Yealm Estuary (‘intermediate’ impact) and Plym Estuary (‘relatively high’ impact). Crabs collected over 12 months from the Avon had a significantly ‘lower’ physiological condition in winter and spring compared to summer and autumn; in particular, haemocyte phagocytic capability (a general indicator of immune function) was significantly higher in winter and spring compared to summer and autumn, and total haemolymph antioxidant status (an indicator of oxidative stress) was significantly lower in winter compared to the remainder of the year. Potentially, shore crabs may be more susceptible to the effects of contaminant exposure, such as increased immunotoxicity (thus, reduction of immune function) and/or oxyradicals (or reactive oxygen species) exposure) especially in seasons of increased susceptibility i.e. summer/autumn (lower phagocytic capability) and winter (lowest antioxidant function). As the Avon was taken to represent the ‘reference’ site, this pattern is considered to reflect the ‘normal’ seasonal variability in shore crab physiology. Shore crab physiological condition from the ‘relatively high’ impact estuary (Plym) revealed increased cellular viability and antioxidant status in autumn and winter compared with that of the ‘standard’ pattern (Avon) However, crabs from the intermediate impact estuary (Yealm) only demonstrated significant physiological differences in summer as shown by a lower cellular viability. All crabs had been exposed to PAHs (confirmed by the presence of PAH metabolites in their urine) which may account for the observed differences in shore crab physiology. In conclusion, to aid understanding of the potential contaminant impacts on biota it is imperative that the ’normal’ seasonal variability of physiological condition be established. Biological effects-based monitoring studies should therefore be employed seasonally to potentially highlight ‘windows of sensitivity’ to contaminant impact.     

The metabolic and fitness costs associated with metal resistance in Nereis diversicolor

The population of Nereis diversicolor inhabiting the upper reaches of Restronguet Creek, Cornwall, UK is highly resistant to acute zinc and copper toxicity. Here we employ bioenergetic accounting and fecundity counts to demonstrate the energetic costs associated with this phenomenon in terms of the worms’ allocation of metabolic resources and reproductive output [P_r]. Metal-resistant animals exhibited a scope for growth that was 46-62% less than that of animals from two non-resistant reference populations, corresponding to a mean metabolic cost of 1.31 mJ h⁻¹ mg DW⁻¹. The resistant population also contained 13% less lipid than animals from the reference populations and 73-81% less carbohydrates. Consequently, mass-specific fecundity was reduced in resistant animals by 39-45%, although material investment in individual gametes did not appear to vary. This demonstrates fitness costs associated with metal resistance in this ecologically important polychaete and adds to our understanding of phenotypic trade-offs associated with resistance.