Challenges associated with pre-border management of biofouling on oil rigs

The potential for oil rigs to transport diverse, reef-like communities around the globe makes them high risk vectors for the inadvertent spread of non-indigenous species (NIS). This paper describes two case studies where a suite of pre-border management approaches was applied to semi-submersible drilling rigs. In the first case study, a drilling rig was defouled in-water prior to departure from New Zealand to Australia. Risk mitigation measures were successful in reducing biosecurity risks to the recipient region, but they resulted in the unintentional introduction of the non-indigenous brown mussel (Perna perna) to New Zealand when the rig was defouled in-water by divers. In the second case study, lessons learned from this high-profile incursion resulted in a more structured approach to pre-border management, and this serves as a useful template for future rig transfers.     

The Influence of Metoclopramide and Melatonin on Activity and Schooling Behaviour in Chromis viridis (CUVIER, 1830; Pomacentridae, Teleostei)

Abstract. The role of prolactin (PRL) in the neuroendocrine control of schooling behaviour and activity in the demoiselle Chromis viridis is analysed by administration of a prolactin-releasing drug, metoclopramide (Paspertin®). In addition, the dependence of the activity state, schooling time, and colour changes on the administration of an epiphysial hormone, melatonin, is examined. Each substance tested affects schooling behaviour and activity by a different mechanism.     

翡翠贻贝足丝器的组织结构观察

用光镜和电镜技术初步探讨了翡翠贻贝Ｐｅｒｎａｖｉｒｉｄｉｓ足丝器（Ｂｙｓｓａｌａｐｐｒａｔｕｓ）的三大组成部分之间的空间结构关系，着重观察足丝柄部发生器（ＢＳＧ）的片层结构，揭示小片具有典型的胶原原纤维电镜特征。此外，通过足丝丝部的表面结构观察，发现可用众多的突起来解释足丝表面对放射性碘的强机械吸附作用；利用足丝丝部横切片，计算出其长径约１０５μｍ，短径约４０μｍ。     

广西沿海翡翠贻贝移殖试验

1964年至1974年在广西沿海进行野生翡翠贻贝移殖试验,其结果是种贝在试养海区能够正常生长和繁殖,半人工采苗和人工育苗均获成功,幼苗下海养殖生长情况正常。28年(1967-1995年)来,每年在部分海区的固形物上面都发现有相当数量附着生长的翡翠贻贝稚贝和成贝,已在海区形成自然种群,说明广西沿海的环境条件适合翡翠贻贝的生长繁殖。广西沿海东起合浦英罗港、西至防城珍珠港、南达北海涠洲岛的河口湾外的广阔潮下带海区是适宜进行翡翠贻贝人工增、养殖的。     

Uptake and depuration of PAHs and chlorinated pesticides by semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis)

Semi-batch seawater experiments were conducted to follow the uptake and release of selected PAHs (anthracene, fluorathene, pyrene and B[a]P) and organochlorine pesticides (α-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, p,p′-DDT) in semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis). Mathematical models were applied to describe the uptake and elimination curves of the contaminants for SPMDs, and kinetic parameters, such as uptake rate constants, and equilibrium triolein/water partitioning coefficients were calculated. SPMD data showed a good fit to estimate rate constant and partition coefficient equations, but only those contaminants which partitioned mainly in the dissolved phase (α-HCH and dieldrin) were well explained for mussels. Poor conformity of the other contaminants indicated mussels uptake by routes other than diffusion, such as ingestion of algae. An apparent equilibrium state was only noted for α-HCH in mussels. Aldrin was not detected in mussels in the first few days of exposure, indicating potential metabolism of this compound. B[a]P was not detected in the triolein of SPMDs, which suggests that the membrane may act as a reservoir. Loss of spiked B[a]P from the triolein was evident in a depuration experiment, which may indicate transfer to the membrane. Rate constants for mussels were higher than those for SPMDs, but the reverse was true for partition coefficients. Overall, mussels and SPMDs had similar uptake rates for all compounds in this study, excluding p,p′-DDT and dieldrin. Contaminant elimination took place more rapidly in mussels, implying that SPMDs are better candidates for detecting episodic discharge of organic contaminants.     

The River Odra Estuary as a Gateway for Alien Species Immigration to the Baltic Sea Basin

The river Odra estuary belongs to those water bodies in the Baltic Sea area which are most exposed to immigration of alien species. Non-indigenous species that have appeared in the Szczecin Lagoon (i.a. Dreissena polymorpha, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Corophium curvispinum) and in the Pomeranian Bay (Cordylophora caspia, Mya arenaria, Balanus improvisus, Acartia tonsa) in historical time and which now are dominant components of animal communities there as well as other and less abundant (or less common) alien species in the estuary (e.g. Branchiura sowerbyi, Eriocheir sinensis, Orconectes limosus) are presented. In addition, other newcomers – Marenzelleria viridis, Gammarus tigrinus, and Pontogammarus robustoides – found in the estuary in the recent ten years are described. The significance of the sea and inland water transport in the region for introduction of non-indigenous species is discussed against the background of the distribution pattern of these recently introduced polychaete and gammarid species.     

翡翠贻贝鳃的组织形态学和超微结构观察

应用光镜和透射电镜观察翡翠贻贝鳃的组织形态学和超微结构．翡翠贻贝身体两侧各有一对鳃瓣,覆盖在内脏团之上,鳃瓣由众多鳃丝组成．与其它种类贻贝相似,翡翠贻贝鳃丝上皮可区分为前微绒毛柱状细胞、前侧纤毛柱状细胞、立方或扁平细胞和后微绒毛柱状细胞等4个不同区带．电镜水平下可观察到鳃丝上具微绒毛柱状细胞、具纤毛柱状细胞、立方或扁平细胞、间质细胞和粘液细胞等5种细胞类型．本文对鳃丝的组织形态学及各类细胞的超微结构与功能作了描述及讨论．     

Biomonitoring of heavy metals and trace organics using the intertidal mussel Perna viridis in Hong Kong coastal waters

This paper presents the results of a 6-year (1998–2003) survey of trace toxics in the intertidal mussel Perna viridis conducted by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. Concentrations of heavy metals and trace organics were measured in the soft bodies of P. viridis collected from five sites in Hong Kong waters, i.e. Wu Kai Sha (Tolo Harbour), Ma Wan (Northwest), Tsim Sha Tsui (Victoria Harbour), Tai Tam (Hong Kong South) and Lamma Island (Southern Waters) in order to establish the spatial patterns of contaminants in mussels. Among the metals analysed, Cd showed a significant concentration gradient in Hong Kong waters. The levels of Cd in P. viridis were significantly higher at Ma Wan as compared to the other sites studied. Ma Wan also had relatively higher concentrations of Pb. Mn concentrations were particularly prominent at Wu Kai Sha. Significantly higher concentrations of Hg and Cu were recorded at Tai Tam and Tsim Sha Tsui. Tai Tam and Wu Kai Sha had higher levels of V; whereas higher Ni concentrations were recorded at Lamma Island and Tai Tam. No clear spatial patterns for Al, As, Cr, Fe and Zn were observed.

Higher concentrations of PAHs in P. viridis were observed around urban centres impacted by sewage discharges (e.g. Tsim Sha Tsui); whereas higher PCB levels were found not only in Tsim Sha Tsui but also in less urbanised areas such as Lamma Island and Tai Tam, suggesting that these may be due to non-sewage related inputs. The study also shows that Northwest and Southern waters are subject to a higher degree of DDT pollution compared with other sites. Of the 17 dioxin compounds analysed, positive data were mostly recorded for two compounds which are of low toxicity (i.e. OCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD) whereas the most toxic congeners (i.e. 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD) were not detected in the 6 years of monitoring. In general, the levels of OCDD in P. viridis were found to be higher in Tai Tam and Lamma Island in Southern Waters of Hong Kong.

This study found that the levels of some highly toxic heavy metals (i.e. Cd, Hg and Pb) in the mussel P. viridis did not exceed the recommended limits for shellfish as food in Hong Kong (i.e. Cd: 2.0 ppm; Hg: 0.5 ppm; Pb: 6.0 ppm wet weight). The levels of As and Ni in P. viridis were also well below the action limits set by the US FDA (i.e. As: 86 ppm; Ni: 80 ppm wet weight). DDT and PCB contaminations in P. viridis were below the concentrations of concern. Compared with data obtained in the 1980s, the current levels of DDTs in P. viridis were 4–16 times lower; whereas Pb concentrations recorded in Tsim Sha Tsui have also been lowered significantly. This is mainly related to reduction in local and regional pollution sources in the past 20 years.     

翡翠贻贝软体部营养成分的研究

分析了翡翠贻贝Pernaviridis软体部的营养成分。其中蛋白质及氨基酸含量较高 ,必需氨基酸占总氨基酸量的 33 2 %。粗脂肪和脂肪酸含量丰富 ,特别是EPA和DHA总量占总脂肪酸的 2 6 0 1 %。除富含Ca,Mg ,Fe等无机元素外 ,Se的含量也较高。     

Relationships of rainfall,river flow,and salinity to faecal coliform levels in a mussel fishery

Faecal coliform levels were determined for sea water and shellfish flesh from farms of the green mussel, Perna canaliculus, in Pelorus Sound, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Simple linear models were developed to relate logarithmically transformed data on the faecal coliform levels to measures of fresh water entering the mussel beds. These models support guidelines to restrict harvesting following periods of heavy rain in order to comply with shellfish sanitation standards. Alternative guidelines are suggested based on the volume of river water entering the sound or salinity.