Effects of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons on lysosomal membranes in molluscs

Lysosomal sequestration of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAHs), a major class of environmental contaminant, is a well-established phenomenon;¹ considerably less is known about their pathological effects on lysosomes. Marine molluscs contain a number of lysosome-rich tissues and PNAHs are known to induce deleterious alterations in lysosomal structure and latency of lysosomal enzymes.² The latter are presumed to involve destabilisation of the lysosomal membrane, resulting in increased permeability and reduced enzyme latency. If lysosomal injury involves derangement of membrane-lipid structure due to the interaction of PNAHs then it would be expected that membrane damage would be closely linked to the structural characteristics of the intruding molecule. Our results show that the effects of the isomeric PNAHs phenanthrene and anthracene on digestive cell lysosomal stability were markedly different in the marine mussel (Mytilus edulis) over the same range of tissue concentrations. Lysosomal membrane stability was determined using a cytochemical test for enzyme latency.³     

An analysis of 3.5 kHz acoustic reflections and sediment physical properties

Near-bottom normal incidence acoustic reflection data and sediment physical property data are used to study the relationships between acoustic reflections and sediment physical properties. A pinger-hydrophone experiment was performed to obtain the necessary acoustic reflection data. In addition, a standard piston core was retrieved in the acoustic survey area for physical property analysis. The piston core was sampled and 13 properties were measured at 55 locations within the top 12 m of the core. Correlation studies amongst the sediment physical properties resulted in the following strong correlations: acoustic impedance ($\text{Z}$) and porosity ($\text{N}$), (0.96); water content ($\text{WC}$) and $\text{Z}$, (0.95); bulk density ($\text{BD}$) and $\text{Z}$, (0.99).The empirical orthonormal function (EOF) method was employed for acoustic signal analysis. This method assumes no a-priori models of the sediment or causality. The EOF method reduced the acoustic data to 8 functions that contained 97.6% of the sample variance. The EOFs were subsequently analysed by using cepstrum analysis which reveals time delay information and enhances detecting zones of reflectivity. The result of the sediment physical property and cepstrum analysis indicates that zones of reflectivity are essentially zones of relatively high acoustic impedance, low porosity, and low phi (high mean grain size).     

Study of the fauna inhabiting the holdfasts of Laminaria hyperborea (gunn.) fosl. along some environmental and geographical gradients

A survey of the holdfast fauna of Laminaria hyperborea was carried out at thirty-five sites around the UK, mostly along the North Sea and south coasts.Data from different age classes of holdfast from a polluted and unpolluted site indicate that volume of holdfast space is a most important measurement of sample size, a minimum size of sample being one litre and, preferably, three.Gradients of increased heavy metals were defined down the North Sea and west coasts and, by utilising measurements of kelp penetration, water clarity gradients were determined as increasing northwards on the west coast and both north and southwards on the North Sea coast from a point near Tyne and Wear county. Analysis of holdfast fauna showed numerous gradients of total numbers, species and diversity which correlate closely with the heavy metal and water clarity gradients, or with undetermined parameters analogous to latitude and longitude. Where there were increases of heavy metals or decreases of water clarity, various reciprocal relationships between suspension feeders and all other trophic groups were commonly observed. In the North Sea numbers of suspension feeders increased while numbers of all other trophic groups declined. On the west coast a heavy metal increase correlated with a decreasing species richness of all trophic categories except suspension feeders, while with total numbers only suspension feeders showed an increase. On the south coast transect neither gradient existed, and only here did all trophic categories covary, except at one very polluted site where the same reciprocal relationship was again indicated.In terms of species similarity the North Sea showed a greater pool of common species than occurred between sites of other regions and between North Sea sites with other regions, despite the widest range of heavy metal levels and wate clarity that existed there. Between-site similarity appeared to be much more dependent on geographical proximity than on the two measured environmental factors. It is suggested that effects of clarity-reduction can be measured by trophic analysis more successfully than by species presence or absence, and that changes of holdfast fauna along the North Sea coast are due largely to pollution.     

Concentrations of suspended matter and particulate cadmium,copper, lead and zinc in the Indian sector of the antarctic ocean

The concentrations of suspended matter and particulate Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined for 36 samples collected at 6 stations in the Antarctic Ocean during December, 1970 and January, 1971 using membrane filters. The concentration of suspended matter was determined gravimetrically and trace metal levels were determined using anodic stripping voltammetry. For waters deeper than 100 m the concentration of suspended matter was < 100 μg l^?1. Concentrations up to 542 μg l^?1 were recorded between surface and 100 m. Individual concentrations of the metals were scattered with depth. Average concentrations of particulate metals were: Cd, 3.5 ng l^?1; Cu, 100 ng l^?1; Pb, 35 ng l^?1; and Zn, 230 ng ;l^?1 These measurements represent non-steady state conditions of early Antarctic summer as the ice pack disintegrates and biological activity increases.     

Marine microbiological studies of mangrove swamps of Killai backwaters

The bacterial populations of mangrove swamps of Killai backwaters (11°21–11°29N, 79°46–79°50E, South India) were studied during August 1968 (Pre monsoon period) and December (post monsoon period). The presence of these groups such as agar digesters, algin digesters, cellulose digesters, sulphate reducers etc., bring about transformation of organic matter in the mangrove swamps. The presence of denitrifiers in mangrove swamps and in association with the molluscs may bring about the precipitation of calcium carbonate by removing the acid radicals such as sulphate and nitrite, increasing alkalinity. The luminiscent bacteria such asVibrio andAeromonas were also isolated in mangrove swamps of Killai backwaters. The iron bacteria likeLeptothrix sp. andGallionella sp. were also isolated from mangrove swamps of Killai backwaters.     

Cyclone and bioturbation effects on sediments from coral reef lagoons

Despite the severity of tropical cyclone ‘Winifred’, which crossed the Great Barrier Reef on 1 February 1986, there were little long-term effects on lagoon surface sediments from reefs in its path. Short-term effects were apparent only at one particularly exposed area. These were: an increase in proportion of the coarse fraction, the establishment of sand ripples, and the destruction of the mounds produced by callianassid shrimps (normally the dominant topographic feature). Within six weeks this area was indistinguishable from a typical reef lagoon. This is probably the result of sediment reworking by callianassid shrimp, involving selective burial of the coarse fragments and transport to the surface of finer particles. Sediment turnover rates by callianassids are commensurate with change to the sediment within the relatively short period observed. The sediment fauna responded quickly to the changes in sediment type. Immediately after the cyclone the disturbed area supported a fauna typical of the coarse sediments on the shallow reef flat, as the sediment reverted to a more normal type so the fauna changed back to that typical of a reef lagoon.     

Study of fluoride in polluted and unpolluted estuarine environments

Mindhola River estuary, which receives industrial waste containing high concentrations of fluoride, and Purna River estuary, which is free from fluoride contamination, have been investigated. While fluoride behaved conservatively in Purna River estuary, significant deviation from the theoretical dilution line (TDL) in the chlorinity range 0·5–8‰ was observed in Mindhola River estuary due to the externally added fluoride which largely remained in solution. The excess of fluroide over the theoretically calculated value was at a maximum around a chlorinity of 3‰. High natural fluoride content of the river waters resulted in F/Cl ratios exceeding 300 × 10⁻⁵ at low chlorinities. The ratio decreased rapidly with increasing chlorinity and the value near to that of seawater was observed at chlorinities above 14‰.     

Thickening of the oceanic layer in the Pacific Ocean

A statistical analysis of published seismic refraction results in the Pacific Ocean confirms the existence of a progressive thickening of the oceanic layer with age, following an inverse exponential law. There is no strong indication in the Pacific data of an increase in the thickness of layer 2 with decreasing spreading rate.Contribution No. 93 of the Département Scientifique of the Centre Océanologique de Bretagne, B.P. 337, 29200, Brest, France.     

The method of calculating the current velocity's verticla component in problems of fluid dynamics in reservoirs

A new algorithm for calculating the vertical velocity is suggested. Horizontal current velocity components are expressed through level inclination and wind/temperature forcing. The acquired relations are given in the difference form, with the accuracy being sufficiently high. The algorithm is tested using cases where a numerical solution is matched up with an exact one. The derived data are subsequently analysed. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.