Measuring reproductive condition in the Greenshell™ mussel Perna canaliculus

The annual reproductive cycle of Perna canaliculus (Gmelin) was investigated for 1 year by collecting monthly gonad samples from an intertidal population. Gonads of 50 animals were dissected and photographically recorded on video before being fixed for histological sectioning. The histological gonad sections were examined both qualitatively, using a classification and scoring system (S) and quantitatively, using image analysis technology. The quantitative measures used were the proportion of: (1) sections comprising follicles (FC); (2) sections comprising gametes (GC); and (3) the proportion of follicles comprising gametes (G/F). Significant consecutive monthly changes in the qualitative and quantitative measures indicated major spawning events. Gametogenesis occurred during winter with a spawning in August‐September. Gonad condition remained low during the spring and early summer until a development period between January and March. A second major spawning event occurred between March and April. There was a high degree of synchrony in reproductive status observed between the sexes. When comparing the four measurement methods using the f statistic as an index of power the GC measure was found to be the most reliable. A gonad visual grading system was developed for rapid assessment of gonad reproductive status and tested. Visual grades of pre‐recorded gonad samples were compared to the histological measures. Increasing visual grade correlated strongly with increases in all of the histological measurements.

The visual grading was a good predictor of the spawning activity of female P. canaliculus.     

Two-Year Observation of Fossil Fuel Carbon Dioxide Spatial Distribution in Xi'an City

The need for atmospheric carbon dioxide(CO_2) reduction in the context of global warming is widely acknowledged by the global scientific community.Fossil fuel CO_2(CO_(2ff)) emissions occur mainly in cities,and can be monitored directly with radiocarbon(~(14) C).In this research,annual plants [Setaria viridis(L.) Beauv.] were collected from 26 sites in 2013 and2014 in the central urban district of Xi'an City.The △~(14)C content of the samples were analyzed using a 3 MV Accelerator Mass Spectrometer,and CO_(2ff) concentrations were calculated based on mass balance equations.The results showed that the CO_(2ff) mixing ratio ranged from 15.9 to 25.0 ppm(part per million,equivalent to μmol mol~(-1)),with an average of 20.5 ppm in 2013.The range of measured values became larger in 2014,from 13.9 ppm to 33.1 ppm,with an average of 23.5 ppm.The differences among the average CO_(2ff) concentrations between the central area and outer urban areas were not statistically significant.Although the year-to-year variation of the CO_(2ff) concentration was significant(P 0.01),there was a distinctly low CO_(2 ff) value observed in the northeast corner of the city.CO_(2 ff) emiissions from vehicle exhaust and residential sources appeared to be more significant than two thermal power plants,according to our observed CO_(2 ff) spatial distribution.The variation of pollution source transport recorded in our observations was likely controlled by southwesterly winds.These results could assist in the optimal placement of regional CO_2 monitoring stations,and benefit the local government in the implementation of efficient carbon emission reduction measures.     

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.     

Induction, adaptation and recovery of lysosomal integrity in green-lipped mussel Perna viridis

Biomarkers are generally applied to detect pollution in environmental monitoring. Such biological responses should accurately reflect the stress over time in a quantitative manner. As such, the initial and maximum responses induced by stress, as well as adaptation and recovery of these biomarkers, need to be fully understood or else erroneous false-negative or false-positive may be arrived. However, most of the biomarker studies only provided information on initially induced responses under different concentrations of toxicants, while biological adaptation and recovery were poorly known. In this study, the time required for induction, adaptation and recovery of lysosomal integrity in green-lipped mussel Perna viridis upon exposure to benzo[a]pyrene was investigated over a period of 62 days. Maximum induction occurred on day 6 when lysosomal integrity was significantly reduced by 51%, and no further change or adaptation was detected thereafter. When mussels were depurated in clean seawater after 18 days of exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, a gradual recovery was observed, with lysosomal integrity returning to its background level and showing a complete recovery after 20 days of depuration. Lysosomal integrity was significantly correlated with the body burden concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and condition index of the mussels. The relatively fast induction (6 days) and recovery (20 days) without apparent adaptation suggested that lysosomal integrity in P. viridis can serve as a good biomarker in biomonitoring, as its response is not likely to generate both false-negative and false-positive results.     

温度、盐度和光照条件对翡翠贻贝滤水率的影响

在实验室的条件下,研究照度、温度、盐度对翡翠贻贝（Ｐｅｒｎａ ｖｉｒｉｄｉｓ）滤水率的影响。结果表明,在一定温度（１６￣３１℃）和盐度（１６￣３２）范围内,滤水率与温度、盐度呈正相关关系。但温度和盐度的交互作用不明显。开始时翡翠贻贝的滤水率随温度的上升而增加,当温度达到２６℃以上时,滤水率的变化趋缓或不再增加。翡翠贻贝的滤水率随盐度的长高而增大,特别是在低温的条件下,滤水率随盐度的变化更为明显。此     

翡翠贻贝对塔玛亚历山大藻的摄食及毒素积累的初步研究

塔玛亚历山大藻是一种可产生PSP毒素的海洋微藻，通过室内摄食实验，初步研究了厦门港水产养殖动物翡翠贻贝对塔玛亚历山大藻的滤食率与光照度、温度、藻液浓度等因素的关系，并对比了翡翠贻贝对其它饵料微藻的摄食压力．同时对比了不同细胞密度的塔玛亚历山大藻浓度对翡翠贻贝毒素累积的影响．     

翡翠贻贝三个野生群体的生化遗传分析

采用聚丙烯酰胺梯度凝胶垂直平板电泳对湛江、北海和汕尾三地翡翠贻贝(Perna viridis)野生群体10种同工酶21个的位点的生化遗传特性进行分析.分析结果表明8个位点(Alp-1, Alp-2, G6pdh-1, Me-1, Me-2, Sdh-1, α-Est-5, β-Est-2)具有多态性.湛江、北海、汕尾群体的多态位点比例分别为0.381,0.286,0.381,平均期望杂合度分别为0.6 097, 0.5 407和 0.6 893.群体内杂合度较高,遗传多样性较丰富.群体间的基因分化系数在 0.0 140 ～ 0.0 389 范围内,北海和湛江群体间,湛江和汕尾群体间以及北海和汕尾群体间的遗传相似性分别为0.9 838,0.9 861 和 0.9 630; 聚类分析表明湛江和汕尾群体遗传距离极小,而与北海群体分歧稍明显.上述的结果表明,翡翠贻贝 3 个群体种质资源遗传多样性依然处于良好状态.     

Cytological and Physiological Biomarker Responses from Green Mussels, Perna viridis (L.) Transplanted to Contaminated Sites in Hong Kong Coastal Waters

Biological monitoring of marine contaminants often involves the analysis of metals accumulated in mussel tissues. Critiques of this type of monitoring suggest that although relatively good indications of ambient metal concentrations are determined, actual biological harm is not elucidated. Biomarkers, techniques originally developed in medicine, have recently been employed in an attempt to ascertain the health of marine mussels. Biomarkers have been used with good effect in temperate marine pollution monitoring programmes. The use of biomarkers in the toxicological evaluation of tropical and subtropical waters is, however, generally lacking, which is somewhat surprising, as considerable industrialisation and environmental degradation is taking place in the Pacific-rim countries of Southeast Asia. In the present study, a suite of cytological and physiological biomarkers have been measured from mussels (Perna viridis: Mytilidae) transplanted within the coastal waters of Hong Kong. Mussels from contaminated sites, had labile lysosomal membranes, whereas animals from a cleaner reference site had more stable membranes. These cytological responses have been related to metal-induced stress and are simple, cost-effective markers of pollution. Cardiac activity from mussels transplanted to polluted sites was generally similar to that of individuals from the reference site, although a mild tachycardia was associated with one site. The cause of the tachycardia and the use of heart rate in mussels as a biomarker is discussed. Integrated physiological responses to stress, condition indices, revealed mussels from a clean reference site had higher indices than animals from contaminated sites. The relative sensitivities of the cytological and physiological biomarkers deployed in this study and their application to pollution monitoring is discussed.     

翡翠贻贝形态性状对软体部质量的影响

随机选择200个湛江南三岛翡翠贻贝野生个体,测量壳长(SL)、壳宽(SW)、壳高(SH)、韧带长(LL)和软体重(EW)等5个性状,计算性状间的相关系数,采用通径分析方法计算以壳性状和韧带长为自变量对软体重作依变量的通径系数、决定系数。结果表明:壳长、壳宽、壳高、韧带长与软体部质量相关极显著(P<0.01)。壳长对软体部质量的直接影响最大,壳高对软体部质量的直接影响次之;与壳长和壳高相比,壳宽、韧带长对软体部质量的直接影响较小。采用逐步回归分析方法建立了以壳长和壳高为自变量估计软体部质量的多元回归方程:YEW=-39.287+0.466XSL+0.994XSH,为翡翠贻贝选种提供了理论依据和测度指标。     

氮磷浓度对绿色巴夫藻生长及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

本文研究了绿色巴夫藻(Pavloca viridis)一次性培养过程中。不同氮浓度(0、100、880、7040μmol/L)和磷浓度(0、10、36.3、290.4μmol/L)对其生长及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。培养温度为20±1℃,盐度为31,光照强度为100μmol/Lolm~(-2)s~(-1)。单因子方差分析结果表明。在整个培养过程中,氮磷浓度对绿色巴夫藻的生长及各叶绿素荧光参数都有显著影响(P<0.05)。多重比较结果表明,绿色巴夫藻生长和进行光合作用的最适氮浓度为880μmol/L、磷浓度为36.3μmol/L。此条件下,该藻的细胞密度、叶绿素相对含量、F_v/F_m(PSⅡ的最大光化学效率)、ΦPSⅡ(PSⅡ的实际光能转化效率)、ETR(电子传递效率)、qP(光化学淬灭)显著高于其他浓度组。qN、NPQ(非光化学淬灭)开始处于较低水平,随着培养时间的延长逐渐增加至最高水平。