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.     

Influence of water logging time on the growth of candel seedlings

Influence ofwaterlogging time on the growth ofKandeliacandel(L.) Druce seedlings grown for 70 d in the artificial-tidal tanks' simulated semidiumal tide under greenhouse is studied. Sand and soil act as the substrate and artificial sea-water with salinity of 15 is used in cultivation. Shorter waterlogging time (inundated for about 2 ～ 4 h) promotes thegrowth of K. candel seedlings, while longer time(inundated more than 8 h) or no waterlogging(0 h) inhibits theirgrowth. The number and length of aerating roots increase with the increase ofwaterlogging time. Under existing condi-tions, the optimalwaterlogging time for the growth of K. canoel seedlings is about 2 ～ 4 h in every tide cycle. Com-pared with other treatments, the 2 h sanded treatments obtain the highest biomass of seedlings, have the lowest massloss ofhypocotyl and broaden the photosynthetic area by increasing the area per leaf after 70-d cultivation. And the soiltreatments have the similar tendeney. However, waterlogging for 8 h in every tide cycle is critieal for normal develop-ment of seedlings. K. candel seedlings are highly tolerant to waterlogging and a proper waterlogging is beneficial to thegrowth ofK. candel seedlings.     

盐度和营养限制对蓝杆藻(Cyanothece. sp)113菌株生长和胞外多糖产量的影响

蓝杆藻113菌株为海洋微藻，实验室培养证明其单位体积胞外多糖产量高。用改进的F／2改良培养液培养，添加70g／L时的NaCl盐度是该菌株胞外多糖释放的最适盐度。不添加NaCl时的盐度是菌体细胞生长的最适盐度。NaNO2营养限制抑制该菌株细胞的生长，促进该菌株胞外多糖的释放。NaH2PO4营养限制抑制该菌株细胞的生长，但对胞外多糖产量的影响不明显。MgSO4营养限制则同时抑制该菌株细胞生长和胞外多糖释放。该研究结果有助于蓝杆藻113菌株胞外多糖的生产及该菌株其它方面的开发利用。     

Growth Aspects and Magnesium Carbonate Concentrations of the Reef Building Octocoral Heliopora coerulea (Pallas) after Transplantation

Abstract. An experiment to test C have's hypothesis on temperature dependent MgCO₃ concentrations in marine calcareous skeletons was undertaken by transplanting colonies of Heliopora coerulea. The corals were transferred from a shallow lagoon with high average temperatures to the outer bottom of a fringing reef, 16 m depth, with low average temperatures. Against expectation, a statistically significant increase of average mol % concentrations from 0.48 to 0.54 % for upper growth regions and from 0.49 to 0.62% for lower growth regions was obtained. Temperature records during the experimentation period and the above data indicate that the mol% MgCO₃ concentration in the skeleton of living Heliopora colonies increases when transplanted to an environment with a lower temperature average than that of their original growth site, and with seasonal temperature fluctuations which are smaller in the experimental site than in the control site. Temperature fluctuations at the control site were up to 2.5 times greater than at the experimental site for most of the observation months. This supports the conclusion that the parameters a) minimum temperature and b) temperature stability of the environment are essential for the incorporation of Mg into the carbonate skeleton matrix of marine organisms. Within this study the results of a quantitative chemical analysis of the carbonate skeleton of H. coerulea are presented and growth data of transplanted colonies compared with those from the control site.     

Otolith chemical signature and growth of Chaetodon speculum in coastal areas of New Caledonia

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. They are currently exposed to increasing levels of anthropogenic perturbations. Several recent reviews point to the lack of good indicators for these perturbations especially to monitor their effects on fish populations or fish assemblages. The SW lagoon of New Caledonia is an ideal location to test indicator species in this context as contrasting sites are present within a small geographical range. This study analysed fish from four sites, one with heavy industrial pollution, another dominated by domestic waste, a third with historic mining activities, and the fourth as a control. The butterfly fish, Chaetodon speculum, was chosen to determine C. speculum's potential as an indicator species due to its link to coral, its sedentary behaviour and its wide geographical distribution. The size distribution, growth rate, age distribution and whole otolith composition were analysed at each site. Age and mean growth rate were analysed from daily increments of the otoliths. The concentrations of eight elements (Li, Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Ba) were measured by ICP-MS in the otoliths of a subset of individuals. The sites under anthropogenic impact were distinct from the control site by fish size frequencies, age distributions, and the chemical content of their otoliths. The chemical elements Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, and Rb showed differences amongst sites. Fish belonging to the sites furthest from Nouméa could be discriminated in nearly 80% of samples or 60% of the cases when otolith weight or fish age respectively were taken into account. Ni concentrations of the otoliths were also higher in the bays where water concentrations of this element were known to be higher, but these differences were no longer significant once corrected for otolith weight. These results should be mitigated by the fact that: (1) despite significant differences between sites in age distribution and size frequencies there were no differences in growth rates or body condition; (2) differences in age or size were not correlated to perturbation levels; and (3) discrimination between sites based on chemical levels in the otoliths, even though significant, was not sufficient to identify the origin of the fish at a level useful for screening tests. The hypothesis that environmental differences between sites would be reflected in the otolith chemical composition is therefore not fully supported by our results.     

煤体静载破坏微震、电磁辐射及裂纹扩展特征研究

为研究型煤在单轴压缩破裂过程中产生的微震、电磁辐射信号与裂纹演化特征的对应关系,利用自主设计的低噪声静态加载试验系统,对0～0.25、0.25～0.5、0.5～1.0、1～2 mm共4种不同粒度的型煤进行了单轴压缩破坏试验,同步采集了煤样破坏过程中的微震、电磁辐射信号及破坏视频图像,提出了一种煤体裂纹快速提取方法并计算了型煤裂纹面积的变化规律。研究结果表明:型煤在单轴压缩过程中产生的微震、电磁辐射信号及裂纹面积在时域上具有良好的同步性。型煤破坏过程中裂纹面积随时间变化曲线可分为4个阶段。第1阶段为压实阶段,煤样所受应力值较小,其表面的裂纹面积以极为缓慢的速率增加。第2阶段为初始破裂阶段,随着应力的增加和内部弹性势能的积聚,型煤表面裂纹面积的增加速率较压实阶段有明显提高,伴随产生许多细小裂纹。第3阶段为加速破裂阶段,随着应力继续增加以及材料内部积聚弹性能的释放,试样变形过程加速,导致裂纹面积增速进一步增大。第4阶段为卸压阶段,试样的裂纹面积达到最大值,承载能力急剧降低,发生失稳破坏。     

砂粒粒径与砂层厚度对单体筐养养殖系统中三疣梭子蟹幼蟹摄食行为与生长特性的影响研究*

提要 在梭子蟹的单体筐养养殖系统中,试验了生态掩体(砂盒)中不同的砂粒粒径大小以及砂层厚度对梭子蟹幼蟹摄食行为与生长特性的影响。砂粒粒径设三个水平,分别为：>2 mm、<0.2 mm以及混合砂;砂层厚度有0cm、2cm、5cm、8cm四个水平。试验共进行6天,结果表明：砂粒粒径及砂层厚度对梭子蟹幼蟹的摄食与生长都有明显的影响。从砂粒粒径看,幼蟹在细砂(SPS)中挖洞休息,蟹体与砂面呈30-45°角,仅露眼睛及触角在外。一天内有3-6次进食,总进食时间为142.7±22.52 min,在摄食次数、总进食时间、平均摄食量(0.2427±0.0137 g/gBW)、以及脱皮及成活率都远高于其他粒径组,该组中幼蟹的体重增长最快,增加了0.814±0.113 g,增长率为91.5±3.43%;而该组的饵料系数(FCR)最低为1.17±0.11。因此,筐养养殖系统砂掩体的砂粒粒径最好为0.2 mm以下。砂层厚度也有类似结果,5 cm以上厚度养殖效果最佳。平均摄食量为0.2087±0.0046 g/gBW,该厚度下,幼蟹无死亡、100%脱皮,体重也增加最快,增加了0.791±0.121 g,增长率为88.9±3.74%,饵料系数(FCR)达到1.37±0.23,表明筐养系统掩体中砂层厚度要在5 cm以上。三种保护性酶类(SOD, POD, CAT)活性随着砂粒粒径变小和砂层厚度增加而降低,而消化酶类(淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂酶)活性则表现与保护性酶类相反特性。从两类酶的活性变化也能证实,在优选条件下(细砂、厚度>5 cm),幼蟹所受的胁迫在降低。