Spatial changes in a macrozoobenthic community along environmental gradients in a shallow brackish lagoon facing Sendai Bay, Japan

The spatial distribution, abundance, and assemblage structure of macrozoobenthos were examined at 45 stations in a brackish lagoon (Idoura Lagoon, Japan) to examine the animal–environmental relations in estuarine soft-bottom habitats. We found a total of 23 taxa; the polychaetes Heteromastus sp., Hediste spp., and Prionospio japonica and the isopod Cyathura muromiensis numerically dominated the community. Cluster analysis and one-way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) identified seven groups of stations that had significantly different macrozoobenthic communities; these were subsequently consolidated into five habitat groups according to their association with environmental characteristics. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that salinity, silt-clay content, and the oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) of the sediment strongly affected the macrozoobenthos distribution pattern in the lagoon, whereas other factors (e.g., relative elevation of the habitat and sediment organic content) had much weaker effects. Similarity percentages (SIMPER) procedures indicated that the polychaete Notomastus sp. and the bivalve Macoma contabulata were specific to habitats with low salinity and reduced mud, whereas the bivalve Nuttallia olivacea was specific to sandy bottoms. Heteromastus sp. and Hediste spp. achieved their highest densities in rather oxidized sediments. The acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) content in the sediment was suggested as another possible factor affecting macrozoobenthic density. Our results clearly demonstrate that macrozoobenthic assemblages in estuarine soft-bottoms have high spatial heterogeneity on a small scale (e.g., hundreds of meters) related to physical and chemical environmental changes. Our data also suggested the importance of sediment redox condition (e.g., ORP and AVS content) and sediment grain size as structuring factors in estuarine soft-bottom communities as well as the salinity in the habitat.     

Evaluation of the ocean governance system in Korea

Considering the small land, dense population and poor natural resources, the oceans are important to Korea, but the recognition of oceans has been weak in Korean society. So ocean governance was fragmented in both institution and policies, which resulted in serious problems in the coastal waters and oceans. However, a series of maritime accidents and failures of policies increased the recognition of the coastal waters and resources and led to the establishment of one single ocean-related governmental agency in 1996. Over the last decade, the ocean governance in Korea has been successful and strong.     

The influence of increased iron concentration on survival and growth of seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina

Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for plants but toxic at high concentrations. We subjected seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina to different seawater iron concentrations (500, 600, 700, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 μg/L) for 30 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Natural seawater without added iron (500 μg/L) was used as reference seawater. No sediments were provided to avoid iron scavenging by particle surfaces in the sediment. We measured plant response in terms of survivorship, morphology, growth rate and productivity. Survival analysis combined with morphological, dynamic and productive assessment suggested that the optimum seawater iron concentration for the establishment of Z. marina seedlings and young plants is 700 μg/L. The no observed effect concentration, lowest observed effect concentration, lethal concentration that caused an increase in mortality to 10% of that of the control, and the effect concentration that caused a decrease in growth to 10% of that of the control values of young plants were significantly lower than those of seedlings, implying an increased sensitivity to high Fe concentrations (>1,000 μg/L). This study further develops our understanding of the physiological ecology of the early life stages of Z. marina and provides data that could prove helpful in the development of successful eelgrass restoration and conservation.     

Feeding,defaecation and absorption efficiency in the Cape rock lobster jasus lalandii

In order to estimate the absorption rate of carbon by the palinurid lobster Jasus lalandii, the net quantity of ingested carbon and gross carbon content of faeces must be known. Experimental animals were selected for consistent feeding and subsequently starved for 72 h. Ingested carbon was established by determining the carbon content of the prey mussel Choromytilus meridionalis under controlled aquarium conditions through five eating/defaecating cycles. The losses of particulate and dissolved organic carbon due to messy feeding were measured and amounted to 20,1 per cent of the food presented. Of the net carbon ingested, 20,5 per cent was voided as faeces, thereby giving a mean absorption efficiency of 79,5 per cent (n = 15, SD = 4,6%). J. lalandii, as a top carnivore in the inshore Benguela ecosystem, is therefore highly efficient in the utilization of ingested carbon. In animals of commercial size (≥ 89 mm carapace length), small variations in absorption efficiencies exhibited were neither dependent on body mass nor ingested mass, but may rather be attributed to scatter inherent in all biological systems.     

平湖地区ZST构造X井平湖组储层特征研究

以平湖地区ZST构造X井区有限的钻井资料为基础,利用岩石铸体薄片、扫描电镜、X-衍射等测试技术手段,对该井区平湖组的岩石学特征、粒度、储层物性等方面开展了系统研究。研究揭示：该储层的岩石类型主要为长石岩屑砂岩,属中孔中渗砂岩储层。平湖组储层物性受沉积环境和成岩作用的双重影响。沉积环境控制储层物性,潮间带和潮下带发育的潮道砂、砂坪是较好的储层;成岩作用对储层物性优劣起主导作用,胶结作用导致储层物性变差,溶蚀作用（长石溶蚀作用）改善了本井平湖组的储层物性。     

埃及Bakr—Amer油田古近系Eoc组储层特征

储层特征研究是评价碳酸盐岩储层物性、寻找油气富集区和落实剩余油分布的基础,通过对区域构造、地层和沉积特征的研究,利用统计和数学方法对Bakr-Amer油田Eoc储层物性、储集空间类型和控制因素进行了分析,认为受构造运动影响,储层在深部残余厚度大,但物性相对也较差,以压实、胶结和溶蚀作用为主。高部位残余厚度小,但受风化、淋滤和构造运动的影响,裂缝发育,储层物性好,以压实和溶蚀作用为主。     

Seismic and Petrophysical Relationships from UK Continental Shelf Rocks at Elevated Pressures

Abstract

There are few published seismic (P- and S-waves) properties for seafloor bedrocks. At low pressures (1 to 10 MPa), velocities and attenuations are determined mainly by open microcracks. At higher pressures, the microcracks close, and the velocities and attenuations depend primarily on the matrix porosity. We have investigated both the relationships between the acoustic, petrophysical, and geological properties of the rocks at 40 MPa pressure and the effect of microcracks on the acoustic properties at 10 MPa pressure. In this paper we discuss the former; the latter will be discussed separately.

P- and S-wave velocity and attenuation measurements were carried out on a suite of seabed sedimentary and igneous rocks at effective pressures from 10 to 40 MPa at ultrasonic frequencies. The porosities and permeabilities of the rocks ranged from 0% to 32% and 0 to 110 mDarcy, respectively. Characterization of the rocks revealed that most of the sandstones have a substantial clay content (kaolinite, illite, and chlorite) and fractures. Most of the igneous rocks are chloritized.

The seismic properties of the rocks are markedly lower than those of similar continental rocks because of the microporosity formed by the alteration of feldspars, micas, and mafic minerals to clays (e.g., chloritization of pyroxenes) and the corresponding reduction of the elastic moduli. The results of this study suggest that the values of velocities and quality factors used for ocean acoustic propagation models are lower than normally assumed.     

Composition and Useful Properties of Tailings of Marine Manganese Nodules and Crusts

ABSTRACT

Marine manganese nodules and crusts, when processed, yield tailings which may be utilized for environmental and economic benefit. The key to the reasonable and effective utilization of these tailings lies in making a systematic appraisal of their composition and properties. This article gives an introduction to the investigation of manganese tailings properties. The tailings have a high iron and/or manganese content, high surface area, high porosity, and fine grain size. Some tailings have a high rare earth element content which is valuable. They may also have high SO₃, arsenic, and uranium contents which are harmful. Depending on the process used to produce the tailings, there will likely be some differences in chemical composition, mineral assemblages, surface area and adsorption capability, pore diameter and volume, density and pH. In assigning potentially beneficial applications for these tailings, these differences should be taken into account to optimize utilization.     

Geotechnical characterization of slump scars,eroded slopes,and correlated deposits on continental margins: Gulf of Lions,Western Mediterranean sea

Abstract

Vertical variations of geotechnical properties in the uppermost sediment layers characterize the main sedimentary processes acting on the construction and destruction of progressive‐type continental slopes. In the Gulf of Lions, the original thicknesses and distribution of the uppermost sedimentary layers of the continental slope and rise, which consist of Holocene muds overlying Pleistocene muds, have been greatly modified by erosion and several kinds of slope failure processes. Each process is typified through sets of geotechnical properties measured in the eroded or slumped sections and in the associated sediment accumulations.

In slump scars, the water‐rich Holocene muds lie on fine, overconsolidated, Pleistocene muds with high plasticity and low shear strength. In bottom current‐eroded slopes, where modern sedimentation is extremely reduced, the Pleistocene muds frequently outcrop and may sometimes be overlain by a very thin layer of Holocene muds. The Pleistocene muds of eroded slopes are overconsolidated and more silty and less plastic than the Pleistocene muds from slopes affected by slope failure, their shear strength being 10 times greater.

Deposits at the toe of slumps are very often formed by several superposed three‐layer units (triplets of interstratified Holocene, transitional, and Pleistocene layers) issued from retrogressive slumping occurring in the slump scars above their head area. The main body of each layer is then relatively undisturbed, showing the usual burial geotechnical gradients due to overburden pressure (i.e., decrease of water content and increase of unit weight and shear strength). At the toe of bottom current‐eroded slopes, a thick and homogeneous layer of Holocene muds overlies the Pleistocene muds; this Holocene layer has unappreciable burial depth gradient of its geotechnical parameters because of a high rate of modem and continuous deposition.     

一株副溶血弧菌噬菌体VPp1 的分离鉴定及裂解性能

为探究副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)的生物防治方法,从水产品市场处污水中分离出一株副溶血弧菌噬菌体 VPp1.并借助噬菌斑形态、电镜、酶切等技术对其进行了分类鉴定,同时测定了其裂解谱、最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线以研究其裂解性能.分类鉴定结果表明,其核酸是线型双链DNA,大小在15 kb 左右.具有一个正二十面体的头部,头部直径大约为44 nm,无尾,属盖噬菌体科(Tectivirus);裂解性能研究结果表明,其在双层平板上培养12 h 可形成中心清亮的噬菌斑,周围有大而明显的晕环.最佳感染复数为0.0001,潜伏期为10 min,裂解量为90.3,是符合条件的潜伏期短裂解量大的理想噬菌体,可用作进一步的应用.