Phosphorus metabolism in anthropogenically transformed lagoon ecosystems: The Comacchio lagoons (Ferrara, Italy)

Inorganic phosphorus dynamics were investigated with the use of ³²P in the hypertrophic Comacchio lagoons (NE Adriatic) during an extremely dense, quasi-permanent bloom of picocyanobacteria. Concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) in waters of the blooming lagoons were usually near the detection limit (0.01 μmoles·dm⁻³). DIP uptake rates by microplankton at near-ambient concentrations (0.01 to 0.1 μmoles·dm⁻³) were in the range of 9.6 to 16.1 nmoles P·dm⁻³·min⁻¹, and turnover times were 1.5 to 3 min. The turnover time was >40 h in the eutrophic coastal waters of the adjacent Adriatic Sea. The uptake rate of DIP depended on its initial concentration. In water samples artificially enriched with DIP, the uptake rate rose to its maximum of 0.10 to 0.13 μmoles P·dm⁻³·min⁻¹ (or 6 to 7 μmoles·dm⁻³·h⁻¹) when the initial concentration of DIP was elevated to 10 to 20 μmoles·dm⁻³. The potential capacity of microplankton in the water samples to consume and retain DIP was estimated at 25 μmoles·dm⁻³. Specific features are discussed of phosphorus metabolism in the anthropogenically transformed lagoon ecosystem with an anomalous food web with few animals.     

Changes in the metal content of surficial sediments of Boston Harbor since the cessation of sludge discharge

Temporal trends of metals in surficial sediments (1991-1998) at two sites in Boston Harbor were analyzed to evaluate the effect of stopping sludge dumping in December 1991. Metal contents of sediments from the old sludge disposal site were higher than those of a station in the central Harbor. Since 1991, carbon, copper, and lead contents have significantly decreased in sediments from the disposal site. Chromium and Zn have shown smaller decreases while Fe, and Mn, have remained relatively constant. Metal content in the central Harbor station, located in an area of sediment reworking, has been quite variable, but, with the exception of Zn which has shown a large decrease relative to iron, the changes seemed to be well correlated with changes in the organic carbon content at this site due to resuspension. Ratios of metals in the sediments are fairly similar at both sites and similar to those of sewage-derived particles, with the exception of Cr, which appears to be enriched in the sediments.     

温度和盐度对几种大型海藻生长率和NH4-N吸收的影响

温度和盐度对细基江蓠繁枝变型(Gracilaria tenuistipitata var.liui)、孔石莼(Ulva pertusa)和蜈蚣藻(Grateloupia filicina)生长率及细基江蓠繁枝变型NH₄-N吸收的影响进行了实验研究.结果表明,温度和盐度对上述3种海藻生长率及NH₄-N吸收均有显著影响.3种海藻的生长适宜温度和盐度范围分别为细基江蓠繁枝变型20～30℃,15～30,孔石莼15～25℃,15～40,蜈蚣藻20～25℃,25～35;最大日特定生长率(SGR)分别为8.66%,12.28%,2.24%;N饥饿细基江蓠繁枝变型对NH₄-N的吸收存在短期的快吸收.细基江蓠繁枝变型NH₄-N吸收的最适温度和盐度范围分别为15～25℃,10～25.生长率及NH₄-N吸收速率与温度和盐度之间分别存在以下关系:SGR_G.t.=0.873(S-5.487)(T-9.007)e(-0.0708S-0.0745T);SGR_U.p.=0.222(S-2.665)e-0.047S(T-9.98)e-0.00057(T-9.98)2.7;SGR_G.f.=2.6×10-4(S-10.856)(T-11.704)e0.156T-3.36×10-6STe0.219T;V_upt=11.812(S-4.081)(T-9.221)e-0.1S-0.148T.     

The physiology of the larva of the Chilean oyster Ostrea chilensis and the utilisation of biochemical energy reserves during development: An extreme case of the brooding habit

In the oyster Ostrea chilensis the adult female broods the young for almost the entire developmental period, releasing a large pediveliger larva (450 μm shell length) with an extremely short pelagic phase. In this study of the larval physiology, the dry weight of the embryo or larva remained constant during the early developmental stages (as far as, and including, the trochophore), but the veliger grew steadily to reach 8 μg at 450 μm shell length, the stage at which it was ready for release. During this growth period the veliger consumed metabolic reserves (62% protein and 38% lipid). Carbohydrate levels were negligible. Chilean oyster veligers larger than 275 μm shell length were able to remove particles from suspension, but clearance rate (2 μl h^− 1 larva^− 1 at 450 μm shell length) was much lower than published values for planktotrophic veligers. Low clearance rate in the veliger of O. chilensis is probably attributable to the absence of the postoral ciliary band. Oxygen uptake increased from 19 – 22 nl O₂ h^− 1 ind^− 1 for pre-veliger stages to 32 nl O₂ h^− 1 ind^− 1 for a veliger 450 μm long, which is consistent with published values for veligers in general when corrected for body weight. Excretion rate was low, increasing from 0.04 ng NH₄-N h^− 1 larva^− 1 in the trochophore to 0.13 ng NH₄-N h^− 1 larva^− 1 in a pediveliger of shell length 450 μm. Biochemical energy reserves were insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of the developing larva, suggesting that uptake of particles and/or dissolved organic matter from the mantle cavity of the female is necessary for successful development.     

海洋浮游生物氮吸收动力学及其粒级特征

于１９９１年秋－１９９２年夏在中国科学院生态网络站之一的胶州湾进行了４个季节的现场实验，运用＾１５Ｎ同位素示踪方法研究胶州湾浮游生物群落对两种主要源铵态氮和硝态氮的吸收动力学及其粒级特征。研究初步阐明自然浮游生物落在不同季节，对不同氮源的吸收特性和受控机制，首次在群落水平上给出不同粒级浮游生物氮吸收特征的定量描述，从而为新生产力研究，生态系能流分配和生源要素生物地化循环研究提供重要参数。     

Effects of Dredging Activities on Growth of Laminaria saccharina

Abstract. The possible effects of fine-grained deposits on the photosynthesis, growth, and nutrient uptake of Laminaria have been studied in field and laboratory experiments. Some of the plants were treated with fine-grained material for two hours and then transplanted in rows together with untreated plants. At two-week intervals the treatment was repeated and samples collected. The macroalgae were analyzed for growth as well as chlorophyll a , nitrogen, and phosphorus content. In the laboratory experiments, plants of a uniform size were incubated in Plexiglas containers after leaf-marking and treatment in a sediment suspension. At weekly intervals, photosynthesis, growth, chlorophyll a , and nutrients were analyzed.
The field study showed that Laminaria growth was significantly affected by the fine-grained material. The growth in the control experiment was 20% higher than in the treated plants. The chlorophyll a concentrations in the treated plants were significantly lower than in the control experiment, and the results indicated a reduced nutrient uptake in the treated plants. In the laboratory experiments the growth of the treated plants was only 30% of the controls, but no differences in photosynthetic capacities were detected. Nitrogen uptake was reduced in the treated plants, but no effects were observed on phosphorus uptake. Thick layers of fine-grained material caused direct harmful effects and rotting.
The results are discussed in relation to dredging activities; it is concluded that in heavy sedimentation areas, Laminaria growth may be significantly reduced beyond the indirect effect of shading from suspended material in the water.     

Mobilization of metal-contaminated sediment by ice-jam floods

 A large river ice jam and associated flooding in February 1996 on the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers of western Montana mobilized large amounts of fine-grained sediment. Metal concentrations in sediment downstream from a reservoir containing large amounts of contaminated sediment were enriched in metals after the ice jam, while open reaches above the reservoir were diluted by ice-jam processes. This varied response shows the importance of understanding ice jam events to sediment and metal transport and suggests that ice jams must be considered as important agents affecting sediment metal concentrations in rivers. Received: 4 December 1997 · Accepted: 23 February 1998     

Soil water dynamics and water balance on a tropical coral island

Understanding soil water dynamics and the water balance of tropical coral islands is important for the utilization and management of their limited freshwater resources, which is only from rainfall. However, there is a significant knowledge gap in the influence of soil water on the water cycle of coral islands. Soil water dynamics and the water balance of Zhaoshu Island, Xisha Archipelago were thus investigated using soil moisture measurements and the Hydrus-1D model from October 2018 to September 2019. Over the study period, vegetation transpiration, soil evaporation, groundwater recharge and storage in the vadose zone were approximately 196, 330, 365 and 20 mm, occupying 22%, 36%, 40% and 2% of annual rainfall total (911 mm), respectively. For the wet season (from May to October) these values became 75, 202, 455 and 40 mm, occupying 10%, 26% and 59% and 5% of the seasonal rainfall total (772 mm), respectively. During the dry season (from November to April), a dry soil layer between 40 and 120 cm depth of the soil profile was identified that prevented water exchange between the upper soil layers and the groundwater resulting in the development of deep roots so that vegetation could extract groundwater to supplement their water requirements. Vegetation not only consumes all dry season rainfall (140 mm) but extracts water deeply from groundwater (90 mm) as well as from the vadose layer (20 mm). As such, the vegetation appears to be groundwater-dependent ecosystems. The research results aid us to better understand the process of water dynamics on coral islands and to protect coral island ecosystems.     

Assessment of the historical trace metal contamination of sediments in the Elizabeth River, Virginia

Two sediment cores (Southern Branch, PC-1, and Western Branch, WB-2) were taken from the highly industrialized Elizabeth River, Virginia. The concentrations of trace metals cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc, major elements iron, manganese and aluminum, organic carbon content and the specific surface area of the sediments were determined in each of the cores. Down-core variations in metals varied significantly in each core with maximum contamination events occurring at different times in different portions of the river. In PC-1, maximum metal concentrations were seen after the appearance of (137)Cs. In contrast, the highest levels in WB-2 occurred well before the appearance of (137)Cs. Although stricter environmental regulations have caused a decrease in metal concentrations since the 1980s, the concentrations in the surface sediments of many trace metals were elevated to levels 2-5 times higher than the levels at the bottom of the cores in both the Southern and Western Branches of the river.     

The Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain): A singular natural ecosystem threatened by human activities

The Mar Menor lagoon is one of the most important ecological singularities in the Mediterranean area. At the same time, it is an area where many economic and industrial activities meet. The sum of the impacts of mining, agriculture and urban development in the surroundings to the lagoon during the last decades has affected its ecosystem. In this paper, we have reviewed the studies done by researchers over two decades regarding the impacts of human activities in the lagoon, reporting data of contamination levels and the effects generated in the ecosystem of the lagoon. The discharge of enriched nutrient waters seems to be the most important input in the lagoon. Changes to more friendly agricultural techniques in the surrounding areas are therefore necessary. After our review, we can conclude that it is necessary to have higher efforts from the public administrations and stricter environmental regulations in order to preserve, on one hand, the important ecological values of the lagoon, and on other hand, public health.