Size-dependent uptake of nitrate and ammonium as a function of light in well-mixed temperate coastal waters

The effect of light on nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) uptake by natural communities was investigated in relation to cell size (<10 and >10 μm) in the well-mixed coastal waters of the English Channel. Nitrogen (N) uptake kinetics as a function of irradiance were assessed using ¹⁵N tracer techniques, for a seasonal cycle of populations collected at 50% and 1% light penetration depth. The nitrogen uptake responses to irradiance can be represented by the formulation used to describe the photosynthesis versus irradiance relationships and modified by the addition of a dark uptake parameter. The response curves of two size fractions of phytoplankton collected at 50% and 1% of incident light did not differ significantly, which suggested that the physiological characteristics of N uptake were not affected by the light intensity at which the phytoplankton assemblages were sampled. The kinetics parameters indicated that the NO₃⁻ uptake system was more strongly dependent on light than the NH₄⁺ uptake system. They also showed that N uptake was less limited by the light intensity in the small size fraction than it was in the large size fraction. At the mean light intensity in the water column, kinetics analysis predicted a NH₄⁺ uptake that was on average 1.8 (±0.6) and 2.4 (±1.0) times greater than the NO₃⁻ uptake, for <10 and >10 μm size fractions, respectively. The kinetics also predicted, at the in situ mean light intensity, that the mean ability to take up nitrogen was twice as high (1.8±0.5) for the small than for the large cells when the N substrate was NH₄⁺ and more than twice as high (2.6±1.5) when the substrate was NO₃⁻. These results added to our understanding of the light effect on N uptake processes in well-mixed waters, and can largely explain the phytoplankton production, mainly regenerated and dominated by small cells, that has been observed in these waters.     

Determination of Partition Coefficients of Metals in Natural Tropical Water

The values for the partition coefficient (K_d) were calculated for Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn at 19 sites in the Capivara hydroelectric reservoir in Brazil. It was found that the relative values of K_d follow the order: Cr > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn > Ni > Pb > Ca > Cd, differing from the values reported for K_d in aquatic systems in the northern hemisphere. A hierarchical cluster analysis and linear correlations showed that Cr is strongly associated with Fe and Cu, and that Cd is the only metal found in complexation with organic matter, explaining its higher solubility.     

Analysis of thermohaline and current distribution characteristics of Zhejiang and Fujian waters in summer

This paper analyzed the distribution of thermohaline and circulation characteristics of Zhejiang and Fujian waters, based on the cross-sectional thermohaline data and on current data (up to 30 d duration) at fixed-point moorings, collected in the summer of 2006. We also performed low-pass filtering and spectrum analysis on the mooring submersible buoy data. Based on that analysis, we discussed the characteristics of low frequency currents and time-variations in these waters. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) There is a low salinity pinnate area near the Hangzhou Bay in summer, and outside the low salinity area, an obvious salinity front is present from surface to bottom near 123°E. There is also a temperature front below the surface at a corresponding position. (2) Bottom water of the Taiwan Warm Current comes from the subsurface of Kuroshio. (3) The direction of low frequency current at fixed anchor stations is N-NE or S, which mainly depends on the interaction of control currents in this waters. (4) Significant spectral peaks at all mooring stations are typically semidiurnal and diurnal tides. Semidiurnal tidal waves are the main ones in these waters, and have more energy closer to the shore. (5) Significant energy spectral peaks of middle period (3 to 8 d) of currents are responses to weather frequency. (6) Significant energy spectral peaks of long periods at the surface or bottom are probably responses to seasonal wind or bottom friction, while, the long period peaks of other depths can reflect cyclical changes of interactions between currents. We conclude that the pulsation period of the Taiwan Warm Current in these waters is 10-17 d.     

The characteristics of the nematode faunas in subtidal sediments of a large microtidal estuary and nearshore coastal waters differ markedly

The present study examines traditional paradigms regarding the differences between faunas in estuaries vs coastal waters. The ecological characteristics of the free-living nematode faunas of nearshore, subtidal sediments in downstream and upstream areas of the large, microtidal Swan River Estuary are compared with those similarly recorded seasonally in subtidal sediments along an adjacent part of the coast of temperate south-western Australia. Overall, the nematode species richness recorded in the upstream (38) and downstream estuarine areas (58) and from throughout the estuary (61) were substantially less than in marine waters (75). In addition, the value for Simpson’s diversity index was marginally less in the estuary and the dominance of the most abundant species greater. In contrast, the mean nematode species richness and diversity in individual cores followed the reverse trend, reflecting a combination of less variability among the species compositions and far greater densities in the cores from estuarine sediments. Furthermore, the mean density (numbers 10 cm⁻²) was far higher in both upstream (341) and downstream (903) areas of the estuary than in marine waters (87). Although the compositions of the assemblages in upstream and downstream estuarine areas differed markedly from each other at the species, genus and family levels, these differences were less pronounced than those between either of these areas and marine waters. The trophic compositions at the moderately sheltered and fully exposed marine sites differed from that in both areas of the estuary, whereas that at the most sheltered marine site was similar to that in the downstream estuarine area, with both containing substantial proportions of epistrate-grazing species. The variations among the species richness, diversity, densities and taxonomic and trophic compositions of nematode assemblages in the sediments of the two estuarine areas and nearby marine waters appear to reflect differences in 1) salinity regimes, 2) extents of exposure to wave action and its related effects and 3) amounts and types of food available to nematodes.     

Detection of 36 antibiotics in coastal waters using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more attention to the threat of antibiotics to coastal ecosystems, researchers have often focused on relatively few antibiotics, because of the absence of suitable analytical methods. We have therefore developed a method for the rapid detection of 36 antibiotic residues in coastal waters, including tetracyclines (TCs), sulfanilamides (SAs), and quinolones (QLs). The method consists of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode. The SPE was performed with Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation on a C18 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.1% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 67.4% to 109.3% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), was below 14.6% for all the compounds. The limits of detection (LODs) varied from 0.45 pg to 7.97 pg. The method was applied to determine the target analytes in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea in Liaoning, China. Among the tested antibiotics, 31 were found in coastal waters, with their concentrations between the LOD and 212.5 ng/L. These data indicate that this method is valid for analysis of antibiotics in coastal waters. The study first reports such a large number of antibiotics along the Yellow Sea coast of Liaoning, and should facilitate future comprehensive evaluation of antibiotics in coastal ecosystems.     

Eddy viscosity and tidal cycles in a shallow sea

The very pronounced spring-neap tidal cycle in the South Australian Gulfs leads to an unusually large variation in the magnitude of the tidal currents. Measurements of the currents in these Gulfs show that the non-tidal circulation depends on the strength of the tidal currents and hence on the spring-neap cycle. A simple model is produced in which the vertical eddy viscosity is a function of both wind strength and tidal currents. Results from the model agree with the observations and suggest a means whereby variations in tidal mixing may be accounted for in hydrodynamic modelling of the circulation in shallow seas.     

大亚湾网箱养殖区异养细菌和弧菌的数量动态

研究了大亚湾网箱养殖水体中细菌的数量动态，以探讨其变化规律与鱼病的关系。结果表明：总细菌、弧菌的数量变化各异，网箱内、网箱外和对照海区细菌数量分布与变化不同。养殖区异养细菌丰值期在4-5月份，5月份最高；网箱水体弧菌的丰值期在6-11月，最高在8月；网箱外丰值期在7-9月，最高在8月，对照海区最高值在9月．其他时间变化不大。无论是异养菌还是弧菌，细菌值大小顺序为网箱内、网箱外、对照海区。弧菌数量与部分环境因子相关性较为密切，但相关程度随不同空间而不同，可能受其他环境条件影响。弧菌的高值期与弧菌病的流行期相吻合，鱼体受伤或其他原因引起细菌感染也会使水体中细菌数量升高。     

Geochemistry of rare-earth elements in thermal waters of Uzon-Geyzernaya hydrothermal system (Kamchatka)

Precisional analyses of the abundances of La, Ce, and major elements in thermal waters and rocks of the Uzon-Geyzernaya volcanotectonic depression, supplemented by published data on a number of modern high-temperature hydrothermal systems of Kamchatka and two other areas of the world, allowed defining genetically important patterns of rare-earth elements (REE) distribution. The La and Ce abundances positively correlate with silica contents both in fresh igneous rocks of the study areas and in the products formed by hydrothermal processes.All studied hydrothermal clays are enriched in La and Ce. The general enrichment trend is similar to the pattern of positive correlation between the La and Ce abundances. Geothermal waters display a strong relationship between REE enrichment and pH. Enhanced REE enrichment trend is observed in thermal waters with abundant SO₄^2 ? and K. The REE versus Cl and B diagrams show two individual fields reflecting the level of acidity-alkalinity of thermal waters. These data demonstrate that La and Ce concentrations in the products of modern hydrothermal systems (in fluids and secondary mineral phases) are governed by wallrock composition, anionic water composition, and pH/Eh-dependent adsorption processes.     

北极海域渔业资源开发现状及对策

随着全球变暖,北极海冰覆盖面积逐年减少。在全球海洋渔业资源衰退的大背景下,北极渔业资源的开发和合理利用备受世界各国关注,越来越多的国际组织和科学家开始对北极渔业进行探索研究。由于北极地区环境恶劣,海洋鱼类的种类和资源量相比其他地区较少,但随着北极海冰的融化,北极渔业资源开发和利用成为可能,北极潜在的未充分开发利用的渔业资源正吸引着有关国家的高度关注。为此,本文通过收集国内外相关文献,对北极渔业种类、资源状况及其开发现状进行了分析,同时提出了中国参与北极渔业资源开发和利用的对策与建议。     

Carbon sequestration and decreased CO2 emission caused by terrestrial aquatic photosynthesis: Insights from diel hydrochemical variations in an epikarst spring and two spring-fed ponds in different seasons

Whether carbonate weathering could produce a stable carbon sink depends primarily on the utilization of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) by aquatic phototrophs (the so-called Biological Carbon Pump-BCP effect). On this basis, water temperature (T), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and dissolved oxygen (DO) were synchronously monitored at 15-min resolution for one and two days respectively in January and October 2013 in Maolan Spring and the spring-fed midstream and downstream ponds in Maolan Nature Reserve, China. A thermodynamic model was used to link the continuous data to allow calculation of CO₂ partial pressures (pCO₂) and calcite saturation indexes (SI_C). A floating static chamber was placed on the water surface successively at all sites to quantify CO₂ exchange flux between atmosphere and water so as to evaluate the BCP effect. Results show that, in both winter and autumn, remarkable diel variations of hydrochemical parameters were present in the midstream pond where DO, pH, and SI_C increased in the day and decreased during the night while EC, $\left[{{\text{HCO}}_3}^{-}\right]$, [Ca²⁺] and pCO₂ showed inverse changes mainly due to the metabolic processes of the flourishing submerged plants, with photosynthesis dominating in the day and respiration dominating at night. However, hydrochemical parameters in the spring and downstream pond show less change since few submerged plants developed there. It was determined that the BCP effect in the midstream pond was 285 ± 193 t C km⁻² a⁻¹ in winter and 892 ± 300 t C km⁻² a⁻¹ in autumn, indicating a potential significant role of terrestrial aquatic photosynthesis in stabilizing the carbonate weathering-related carbon sink.