Upstream dams and downstream clams: growth rates of bivalve mollusks unveil impact of river management on estuarine ecosystems (Colorado River Delta, Mexico)

We studied how the extensive diversion of Colorado River water, induced by dams and agricultural activities of the last 70 years, affected the growth rates of two abundant bivalve mollusk species (Chione cortezi and Chione fluctifraga) in the northern Gulf of California. Shells alive on the delta today (‘Post-dam’ shells) grow 5.8–27.9% faster than shells alive prior to the construction of dams (‘Pre-dam’ shells). This increase in annual shell production is linked to the currently sharply reduced freshwater influx to the Colorado River estuary. Before the upstream river management, lower salinity retarded growth rates in these bivalves. Intra-annual growth rates were 50% lower during spring and early summer, when river flow was at its maximum. Growth rates in Chione today are largely controlled by temperature and nutrients; prior to the construction of dams and the diversion of the Colorado River flow, seasonal changes in salinity played an important role in regulating calcification rates.Our study employs sclerochronological (growth increment analysis) and geochemical techniques to assess the impact of reduced freshwater influx on bivalve growth rates in the Colorado River estuary. A combination of both techniques provides an excellent tool to evaluate the impact of river management in areas where no pre-impact studies were made.     

酶解条件对条斑紫菜单细胞成活率影响的比较研究

该文分别选用不同浓度的海螺酶 ;葡萄糖、蔗糖、甘露醇、山梨醇、氯化钠 5种渗透剂 ;维生素 C和甘露醇 2种抗氧化剂 ;对条斑紫菜酶解单细胞的成活率进行了研究。实验结果表明 :用浓度为 10 %的海螺酶酶解条斑紫菜 ,成活率最高 ;选用 2 mol/ L葡萄糖作渗透剂 ,效果最好 ,成活率达85.2 % ;加入抗氧化剂对细胞成活率没有影响     

东太平洋赤道海域茎柔鱼小型群体资源分布及其渔场环境特征

茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)是我国远洋渔业的重要捕捞对象。当前针对茎柔鱼渔场分布及其与环境关系的研究多集中于秘鲁海域,针对赤道海域茎柔鱼特定种群小型群体资源分布及其渔场环境特征研究较少。根据2019年12月至2020年2月茎柔鱼生物学数据,2019年12月至2020年4月生产和环境数据,运用胴长-体重关系拟合、地统计插值、广义可加模型(GAM)探究其资源分布及渔场环境状况。结果表明：东太平洋赤道海域茎柔鱼胴长范围为136~407 mm,体重范围为117~1557 g；2019年12月至2020年4月各月渔获量呈先增加后减小趋势,2月渔获量最高；CPUE曲线除2月增加外,总体呈下降趋势；渔场集中分布于0°~3°S、105°W~114°W海域,不同月份渔场重心经向变化明显；渔场最适SST范围是24.5~25.5 °C,最适Chl-a范围是0.16~0.20 mg/m3,月份是影响茎柔鱼CPUE的主要因子。研究表明：该海域茎柔鱼渔获主要为小型群体；小型群体生长发育期(2–3月)对渔场分布有重要影响,生长发育期前茎柔鱼集群度高,生长发育期后逐渐分散活动；单一影响因子与茎柔鱼CPUE相关性不显著,综合考虑其他环境因素及其交互影响是今后的研究方向。     

Effects of tributyltin at environmental levels on monooxygenase system of digestive gland in hard clam Meretrix meretrix

The effects on ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase （EROD）, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and NADH cytochrorne b5 reductase activities of digestive gland in Meretrix meretrix exposed to tributyltin （TBT） at environmental levels （0.1,1.0,10.0 ng/dm as stannum concentration）,in experimental condition, were evaluated. The EROD, NADH cytochrorne b5 reductase activities were significantly inhibited after exposure to 10.0 ng/dm^3 TBT for 8 and 20 d, the NADPH cytochrorne c reductase activities were significantly inhibited after exposure to 0.1,1.0 and 10.0 ng/dm TBT for 8 d and to 1.0 and 10.0 ng/dm for 20 d, as compared with the matched control, while NADH cytochrorne b5 reductases and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were induced after exposure to 10.0 ng/dm^3 TBT for 2 d. The EROD activity in the 10 ng/dm^3 group,and the NADH cytochrome b5 reductases activities in 1.0 and 10.0 ng/dm groups, were significantly induced when transferred to clean recovery tanks for 7 d. The three enzymic activities in the clams exposed to TBT were recovered to the level corresponding to that of the control group after transfer to clean recovery tanks for 20 d. NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity in Meretrix meretrix seems to be more sensitive to exposure of TBT than that of the EROD and NADH cytochrome b5 reductases. The results suggest that induction and inhibition by TBT to the monooxygenase system enzymic activity in Meretrix meretrix would simultaneously exist. The enzymic activities were inhibited by exposure for a long time. The results suggest that inhibition of the monooxygenase system should be an indication of the exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TBT for a long time.     

Estimation of Uplift Capacity of Rapidly Loaded Plate Anchors in Soft Clay

Plate anchors are extensively used in civil engineering constructions as they provide an economical alternative to gravity and other embedded anchors. The rate of loading is one of the important factors that affects the magnitude of soil resistance as well as soil suction force. This article outlines the effect of pullout rate on uplift behavior of plate anchors (70 mm diameter) buried in soft saturated clay by varying the pullout rate from 1.4 mm/min to 21.0 mm/min. The variation of breakout force and suction force with embedment depth and rate of pull are presented. A correlation between the rate of increase of undrained strength of clay and anchor capacity with rate of strain has been established. Finally an empirical equation has been proposed that includes the rate of pull in the estimation of breakout capacity of anchors.     

围垦的社会经济价值及其对海洋环境影响的评估

从围垦滩涂与保护湿地的关系着手,针对浙江省的滩涂围垦现状,讨论了沿海滩涂实施围垦工程所创造的社会经济价值,分析了湿地生态的环境特征及其对自然界的贡献,指出并探讨了海岸带资源开发与海岸工程建设所带来的问题,从湿地保护和经济可持续发展的角度提出了相关的建议。     

赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelus akaara)精子超微结构及环境因子对精子活力的影响

为揭示赤点石斑鱼精子的超微结构及环境因子对其精子活力的影响,利用扫描电镜和透射电镜观察赤点石斑鱼精子的超微结构,设置不同梯度的温度、盐度、pH值及不同浓度的NaCl、KCl、CaCl₂、MgCl₂、EDTANa₂溶液,探究这些因子对赤点石斑鱼精子活力的影响。结果表明:赤点石斑鱼成熟精子的结构特点是细胞核圆形或卵圆形,核内染色质致密,没有核泡(核空隙)。精子尾部细长,横切面为典型的"9+2"微管结构。温度、盐度、pH值等环境因子对精子活力的影响表明,精子活力的适宜温度范围为23~31℃,27.5℃时精子寿命最长为37min;适宜的盐度范围为15~35,盐度15时精子寿命最长为50min;适宜的pH范围为7~9,pH为9时精子的运动时间最长为33min。赤点石斑鱼精子在EDTANa₂溶液中呈抑制状态,在400~700 mmol/L的NaCl溶液、400~600mmol/L的KCl溶液和500 mmol/L的CaCl₂溶液中精子均具有较好的活动能力。在MgCl₂溶液中赤点石斑鱼精子的活动能力不佳。赤点石斑鱼精子的最适温度范围与繁殖季节的最适水温范围符合,适宜盐度范围较广,对pH值的变化适应性较强。赤点石斑鱼精子在NaCl、KCl、CaCl₂溶液中活力较佳,在MgCl₂溶液和EDTANa₂溶液中呈抑制状态。     

Discussion: A review on the behaviour of helical piles as a potential offshore foundation system

Abstract

Helical piles have emerged as an attractive foundation system for offshore applications with renewed interest from the offshore community. Significant research gap currently exists in transferring this technology offshore and this paper discusses how existing and emerging knowledge can be successfully used to bridge some of the gaps. We focus on the Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian (CEL) large deformation finite element (LDFE) modelling technique that is commercially available and can be used to model the three-dimensional installation process with consideration of strain rate and softening effects in soft offshore clays. A helical pile of L?=?7.5?m long is modelled with one or two large-diameter helices (D?=?2?m) attached to a central shaft of d?=?0.5?m in diameter.The net effect of strain rate and softening is to increase the installation torque. The measured torque is within the range of 200–400?kN.m for the offshore clay and the pile geometry studied. Additional helices increase the uplift force but to a lesser degree than that of the measured torque. Remoulding induced strength reduction is found to be within the range of 25–33% of the intact clay strength. Issues of extracting and reusing offshore helical pile foundations are discussed.     

Nutrient Limitation in Macroalgae (Ulva and Enteromorpha) from the Rías Baixas (NW Spain)

Abstract.  Photosynthesis and growth rates in samples of two green seaweeds ( Ulva and Enteromorpha ) were monitored in the laboratory. The macroalgae were collected every 15 days from four coastal embayments in Galicia (NW Spain). Ulva samples were found to be nutritionally limited, particularly in summer. The physiological activity of Enteromorpha did not appear to be as affected by nutrient scarcity, although it may have suffered from phosphorus limitation. The subsistence quotas, critical concentrations and storage capacity for N and P in Ulva were comparable to those obtained by other investigators in similar studies. The trace metals analysed apparently did not negatively affect the macroalgae at the measured concentrations; one explanation is that many of these metals function as essential micronutrients. The complex physiological interactions between metals and nutrients, however, may complicate interpretation of the results.