Seasonal Blooms of the HAB Dinoflagellate Alexandrium taylori Balech in a New Mediterranean Area (Vulcano, Aeolian Islands)

Abstract. High-biomass blooms of A. taylori Balech have recently been spreading over new Mediterranean areas, with evident adverse effects on the marine ecosystem. In 1999–2000, a new Mediterranean locality was affected by blooms of A. taylori: the West Bay of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Tyrrhenian Sea), with maximum cell densities of 1.2 × 10⁷ cells 1⁻¹ in August 1999 and 4.0 × 10⁶ cells 1⁻¹ in August 2000 observed together with yellowish water discoloration. The seawater samples contained high concentrations of nutrients as DIN (Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen), especially NH₃-N with values of 14.4 μM and TOT-P (Total Phosphorus) with values of 3.2 μM due to the anthropic presence and discharge of untreated sewage. The climatic conditions also seem to influence the occurrence and spreading of the A. taylori blooms in the Vulcano Bay. Clonal cultures of A. taylori , established from Italian and Spanish seawater samples, were used for the sequence analyses of the 5.8S rDNA gene and ITS regions in order to study the genetic variability of different geographical populations of Alexandrium species in the Mediterranean area and to further develop the molecular markers for HAB key-species.     

Effects of UVB on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu

PCNA has been considered as a useful marker for the estimation of growth rates of marine phytoplankton at the species level. Since dinoflagellates are noted for having many prokaryotic features in that they are the only eukaryotes to have permanently condensed chromosomes as well as lacking histones and a nucleosome, the sensitivity to UVB radiation and the validity of PCNA as a maker of growth rate in dinoflagellate need to be evaluated.Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu was investigated to valuate the UVB sensitivity in relation to cellular and molecular aspects of PCNA as a growth indicator.The effects of UVB radiation on PCNA were studied using the methods of western blots technology and whole-cell immunoflurescence with one mono-antibody. UVB changed the cell morphology, halted the growth and increased the cell size, even caused cell death to a certain extent after treatment with UVB radiation in P. donghaiense. Compared with the control, treating the algal cultures in exponential phases with UVB radiation for 24 h caused chromatin release and increases in protein levels of PCNA.     

Abundance and distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in Xiamen Western Harbor

In a grid investigation, dinoflagellate cysts were collected from sediments in Xiamen Western Harbor in May of 2000,from which five species of cysts were identified: Alexandrium tamarensis, A. minutum, Lingulodinium polyedra,Gonyaulax scrippsae and Gymnodinium catenatum, account for about 21% in the species composition. The quantitative analysis of the sediments shows that the number of dinoflagellate cysts varies from 51 to 256 cysts/g of sediment, the highest value (>200 cysts/g) being recorded at the stations of the central part of the bay, while the lowest (＜100 cysts/g) at the bay mouth. A good linear relationship is found between cyst amount and fine-grained sediments. Complex physiognomies on the seabed, topographty in the bay and weak water exchange are the main factors not only in cyst accumulation but also in their distribution pattern, and have resulted in the difference in cyst densities between the inner bay and the outer bay in the harbor.     

用钨酸钠分离法研究诏安湾甲藻休眠孢子

本文介绍了一种分离富集沉积物中甲藻休眠孢子的新方法－钨酸钠法，并用这种方法在诏安湾沉积物中分离到了12种甲藻休眠孢子。     

Use of Cell-Specific PAM-Fluorometry to Characterize Host Shading in the Epiphytic Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus

Abstract. Cell‐specific fluorescence characteristics were used to characterize the light tolerance of the toxic benthic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus. The fluorescence parameter F_v : F_m was measured using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry on individual cells collected from foliose red algae growing in the sub‐tidal margin of South Water Cay, Belize. Samples were collected over several days during sunny and cloudy conditions and compared to samples incubated in situ. The data from individual cells were used to generate both F_v : F_m frequency histograms and averages. Maximum individual cell values of F_v : F_m reached 0.81 in pre‐dawn samples, a value near the theoretical maximum for PAM fluorometry. In field samples from macroalgal hosts, average F_v : F_m values declined only slightly during the day, but cells incubated in bottles under 47 % incident sunlight showed a significant mid‐day depression. In freshly collected samples, near‐maximum F_v : F_m values could be found in individual cells during the entire day; however, the frequency histograms indicated a greater range in F_v : F_m values during the afternoon than in the morning. In contrast, cultures of G. toxicus showed a tight distribution around a mean. Field samples showed a rapid recovery to near‐maximum F_v : F_m within 2 min when assayed using a standardized actinic light series. Similar results were obtained in laboratory cultures of G. toxicus grown at 73 µmol photons · m^‐2 · s^‐1, but not at 383 µmol photons · m^‐2 · s^‐1. These data provide empirical support for suggestions that G. toxicus exploits the three‐dimensional structure of the algal host thallus to minimize light exposure. This strategy permits G. toxicus, a high‐light intolerant species in culture, to thrive in shallow, well‐lit tropical seas. It may also partially explain the observed preference of G. toxicus for complex, foliose macroalgae as hosts.     

甲藻赤潮与水体中营养盐的关系初探

作者在国家海洋局第三海洋研究所的陆基水池中，应用围隔实验技术，排除了水动力、盐度等环境因子的变动性的干扰，人工诱发甲藻赤潮．在这个围隔实验的两个围隔体中，分别发生了一种裸甲藻（Gymnodinium sp.）和海洋原甲藻（Prorocentum micans）的赤潮．在赤潮发生和发展过程中所监测到的营养盐数据表明有些甲藻增殖不一定需要水体中高营养盐；营养盐供给的多寡会导致甲藻赤潮优势种的差异和赤潮规模．     

Variations in some physico-chemical parameters in a hypersaline coastal lagoon of Baja California,Mexico

San Jose lagoon is a hypersaline body of water located in Mexico in the Baja California Peninsula. The lagoon belongs to a system that lies between the fault ridge known as San Jose Creek. Because of its marine origin, it can be considered as thalassohaline, but its isolation from the ocean has brought about changes in its salt composition. It has an area of 13,500 m², a mean depth of 80 cm and a total volume of 10,000 m³. It does not desiccate and can be considered as a permanent lagoon. Seasonal variations are small. TheArtemia population in San Jose produces cysts all year. To determine the physico-chemical conditions inducing permanent production of cysts, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH of the lagoon were monitored, as well as relative humidity and wind conditions in the region in different seasons of the year. From spring to summer, differences of 1 mg L^–1 of O₂, 1°C in water temperature, and 8 g L^–1 in salinity were observed, and from summer to winter differences of 3.3 mg L^–1, 6.5°C, and 14 g L^–1, respectively. Despite small seasonal variations, the lagoon exhibits strong spatial and daily changes that are important for cyst production.     

The cysts ofCeratium hirundinella: Their dynamics and role within a eutrophic (Lake Sempach,Switzerland)

The dynamics of theCeratium hirundinella population and the abundance of dinocysts in the plankton and sediments were studied in Lake Sempach in 1988. In 1987, a rich population ofCeratium (380 cells ml^–1) accompanied byPeridinium spp. developed in the lake. The dinocysts were found entrapped in a kind of flocs, in the deepest part of the lake, in the upper flocculent layer. The number of viable cysts ofCeratium in the sediments decreased gradually from April to July 1988. TheCeratium population increased slowly starting in April, and reached a maximum number in August (31 cells ml^–1).Peridinium willei reached 100 cells ml^–1. Newly formed cysts ofCeratium were recorded in the plankton and sediments at the end of July — beginning of August. They appear in the sediments as separate cells. Their number increased gradually, reaching a maximum of 600 cysts l^–1 at the end of October.Ceratium formed more cysts than didPeridinium, but the rate of survival of theCeratium cysts appears to be lower than that ofPeridinium cysts. In addition to their biological functions, the cysts also have an impact on the ecosystem as carriers of nutrients from down to up and from up to down.     

The Early and Middle Miocene transgression at the southern border of the North Sea Basin (northern Belgium)

The Lower–Middle Miocene Berchem Formation of northern Belgium is an essentially sandy sequence with a varying glauconite content and often abundant shelly intervals. The formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment and rests unconformably on stiff Rupelian clays or Chattian sands. The lithological recognition of the four members (Edegem Sands, Kiel Sands, Antwerpen Sands and Zonderschot Sands members) of the Berchem Formation solely based on lithological criteria proved to be difficult, especially in boreholes. The geometry of the Formation in the subsurface of northern Belgium remained largely unknown. Diverse and well preserved dinoflagellate cyst associations have been recovered from the four members in seven boreholes and two outcrops, and allow a refinement of the biostratigraphy of these deposits. A Miocene biozonation defined in mid‐latitude shallow marine deposits in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of the USA (Salisbury Embayment, Maryland) is readily applicable to this material, and has led to a detailed stratigraphic assessment of each member. Three detailed profiles depicting the distribution of the biozones in the subsurface of northern Belgium allow the reconstruction of the geometry and depositional history of the Berchem Formation. The oldest Miocene deposits are of early Burdigalian age and they testify to a transgression, which invaded Belgium from a north–northwestern direction. The maximum flooding took place during early Serravallian times. The upper boundary of the formation is a major erosional surface of late Serravallian or (slightly) younger age. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1998年春季珠江口海域大规模赤潮原因生物的形态分类和生物学特征Ⅱ

对 １９９８年 ４月 １５日采集于广东珠江口万山群岛桂山岛网箱养殖区的赤潮新鲜水样和福尔马林固定样品进行赤潮原因生物的形态分类和生物学特征的研究。结果发现,此次赤潮共有 ７种原因生物,全部属于裸甲藻类,其中最占优种三宅裸甲藻（Ｇｙｍｎｏｄｉｎｉｕｍ　 ｍｉｋｉｍｏｔｏｉ）和优势种斯氏多沟藻（Ｐｏｌｙｋｒｉｋｏｓ ｓｃｈｗａｒｔｚｉｉ）、螺旋螺沟藻（Ｇｙｒｏｄｉｎｉｕｍ ｓｐｉｒａｌｅ）的形态分类及生物学特征研究结果已在本系列论文的第一篇报道。本文报道其余 ４种红色裸甲藻（Ｇｙｍ．ｓａｎｇｕｉｎｅｕｍ）、灰白下沟藻（Ｋａｔｏｄｉｎｉｕｍ ｇｌａｕｃｕｍ）、螺沟藻９８型（Ｇｙｒｏｄｉｎｉｕｍ ｓｐ． ｔｙｐｅ－９８）和多环旋沟藻（Ｃｏｃｈｌｏｄｉｎｉｕｍ　 ｐｏｌｙｋｒｉｋｏｉｄｅｓ）的形态分类和生物学特征。其中,红色裸甲藻是此次赤潮的优势种之一,灰白下沟藻和多环旋沟藻在我国是新记录,螺沟藻９８型则可能是新种。