Asymmetric tidal straining across an inlet: Lateral inversion and variability over a tidal cycle

Tidal straining is a phenomenon of temporal variations in stratification and mixing resulting from the interaction of a longitudinal salinity gradient with the vertical shear of the horizontal tidal velocity. As a result, the theory predicts stronger and weaker stratification during ebb/low tide and flood/high tide, respectively. In contrast to this well-known temporal asymmetry, in this study, we document in situ measurements demonstrating a lateral asymmetry and lateral inversion of tidal straining at Barataria Pass, a narrow (∼600 m wide) tidal inlet of Barataria Bay in southeastern Louisiana. During flood, the eastern side of the channel had strong stratification of 4 PSU salinity change over a 1.5 m thin layer while the western side had a 2 PSU change over a 12 m water column. This strong lateral difference decreased as flood continued until near the end of the flood when it reached vertically well-mixed condition across the channel. During ebb it was just the opposite such that the western side became stratified while the eastern end was well-mixed. This resulted to a small correlation coefficient of −0.05 for stratification between the west and east sides, although the central channel and east side have a high correlation coefficient of 0.88. The tidally averaged salinity was higher on the western end than the eastern end except in a narrow boundary layer close to the eastern shore. This is an apparent contradiction to what the Coriolis effect would produce in classical estuarine dynamics. Our hypothesis for the observed difference arises from the influence of the river water coming out of the Mississippi River through the Southwest Pass of the Birdfoot Delta. This water mass may have played a role in the observed, complicated lateral inversion of the tidal straining. This study underlines the complexity of estuarine dynamics proximal to large deltaic systems and we anticipate that these results will underscore the need for a modeling study to further investigate this dynamic process.     

Nursery fidelity,food web interactions and primary sources of nutrition of the juveniles of Solea solea and S. senegalensis in the Tagus estuary (Portugal): A stable isotope approach

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were used to assess site fidelity of Solea solea and Solea senegalensis juveniles, to investigate food web interactions and to determine the dominant nutrient pathways in two nursery areas in the Tagus estuary, Portugal. Samples of water from the main sources and from the nursery areas and respective saltmarsh creeks were collected for isotope analysis, as well as sediment, benthic microalgae, saltmarsh halophytes, S. solea, S. senegalensis and its main prey, Nereis diversicolor, Scrobicularia plana and Corophium spp. While site fidelity was high in 0-group juveniles, it was lower for 1-group juveniles, possibly due to an increase in mobility and energy demands with increasing size. Analysis of the food web revealed a complex net of relations. Particulate organic matter from the freshwater sources, from each nursery's waters and saltmarsh creeks presented similar isotopic composition. Sediment isotopic composition and saltmarsh halophytes also did not differentiate the two areas. All components of the food web from the benthic microalgae upwards were isotopically different between the nursery areas. These components were always more enriched in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N at the lower nursery area than at the nursery located upstream, appearing as if there were two parallel trophic chains with little trophic interaction between each other. A mixture of carbon and nitrogen sources is probably being incorporated into the food web. The lower nursery area is more dependent upon an isotopically enriched energy pathway, composed of marine particulate organic matter, marine benthic microalgae and detritus of the C₄ saltmarsh halophyte Spartina maritima. The two nursery areas present a different level of dependence upon the freshwater and marine energy pathways, due to hydrological features, which should be taken into account for S. solea and S. senegalensis fisheries and habitat management.     

Behaviour of colloidal trace metals (Cu, Pb and Cd) in estuarine waters: An approach using frontal ultrafiltration (UF) and stripping chronopotentiometric methods (SCP)

The frontal cascade ultrafiltration (UF) technique in conjunction with stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) has been evaluated for determining the colloidal distribution of Cu, Pb and Cd in estuarine waters. Metallic concentrations in seven size fractions (0.45 μm–0.22 μm; 0.22 μm–300 kDa; 300–50 kDa; 50–30 kDa; 30–10 kDa; 10–5 kDa; <5 kDa) were determined with the aim to investigate their changes along the salinity gradient of the Penzé system (NW France). These data, completed by analysis of the total dissolved metals at 10 stations over the whole freshwater–seawater mixing zone, provided some insights in the removal and addition processes that affect Cu, Pb and Cd in estuaries.     

Planktonic and benthic microalgal community composition as indicators of terrestrial influence on a fringing reef in Ishigaki Island, Southwest Japan

Microalgal-based indicators were used to assess terrestrial influence on Shiraho coral reef of Ishigaki Island (Okinawa, Japan). A typhoon occurred on 4-5 August 2005 and sampling were made on three occasions thereafter (6, 8, and 11 August). Pre-typhoon sampling was conducted on 26 July. The typhoon-enhanced terrestrial discharges increased reef nutrient levels (e.g. average NO(3)(-)-N: 0.088mg/L pre-typhoon to 0.817mg/L post-typhoon). This elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations by four times and shifted phytoplankton composition (spectral class-based) from an initial dominance of diatoms and green microalgae to the dominance of bluegreen microalgae (cyanobacteria) and cryptophytes. Cyanobacteria later increased by more than 200% and accounted for as much as 80% of total chl-a ( approximately 0.29microg/L), possibly assisted by favorable nutrient availability. In outer reef waters, diatoms and green microalgae predominated whereas cyanobacteria and cryptophytes were nearly undetectable. Due to detrital decomposition and river discharge, the CDOM was much higher in the inner reef than in the outer reef. Benthic bluegreen microalgae were relatively more abundant in areas close to the river mouth and coastal agricultural fields. At these locations, nutrient concentrations were much higher due to river discharge and potentially significant groundwater discharge. Thus, phytoplankton and benthic microalgae can serve as indicators of terrestrial influence on coral reefs.     

Circular plumes in Lake Pontchartrain estuary under wind straining

Circular shaped density plumes of low turbidity, low fecal indicator (Escherichia coli and enterococci) concentrations, and high salinity have been observed near the Industrial Canal in Lake Pontchartrain, north of the City of New Orleans. A conceptual model in polar coordinates and a numerical model are developed, together with data analysis, to illustrate the dense plume. It is demonstrated that the northward expansion of the plume occurs under northerly winds. The northward expansion of the plume occurs under northerly winds that drive downwind flow at the surface and upwind radial flow at the bottom. Northerly wind-induced straining, similar to tidal straining, promotes vertical stratification. As a result, the water becomes stratified near a thin bottom layer (<1 m), within which density currents are facilitated. The stability of the stratified plume suppresses wind-induced turbulent mixing inside the plume. The bottom water outside of the plume is more effectively stirred by the wind, the result being that the suspended sediment concentration outside of the plume area is much higher than inside. This contrast in mixing makes the plume visible from the surface by satellites even though the stratification is at the bottom. Laterally, wind stress produces a torque (vorticity) in areas of non-uniform depth such that upwind flow is developed in deep water and downwind flow in shallow water. The continuity requirement produces an upwind flow along the axis of the Industrial Canal (IC). The upwind flow is balanced by the downwind flow over the shallower peripheral areas along the coast.     

Characterizing sources of groundwater to a tropical coastal lagoon in a karstic area using radium isotopes and water chemistry

Radium isotopes (²²³Ra, ²²⁴Ra, ²²⁶Ra, and ²²⁸Ra) and water chemistry were used to identify two chemically distinct sources of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in Celestún Lagoon, Yucatán, Mexico. Low salinity groundwater discharging from springs within the lagoon has previously been identified and extensively sampled for nutrient concentrations. However, a second type of groundwater discharging into the lagoon was detected during this study using radium isotope activity measurements. This second type of groundwater is characterized by moderate salinities (within the range of lagoon salinities) and very elevated radium activities in comparison to the low salinity groundwater, mixed lagoon water, and seawater. Further analysis showed that the two types of groundwater also have distinct chloride, strontium, and sulfate ratios, along with slightly different nutrient concentrations. Groundwater discharge occurs through large and small springs scattered throughout the lagoon, and both types of groundwater were detected discharging from one of the larger springs. The relative proportions of low salinity groundwater and brackish high radium groundwater varied over the tidal cycle. In order to better understand the relative contributions of each type of groundwater to the lagoon, a three end-member mixing model based on the distinct chemical and isotopic compositions of both types of groundwater and of seawater was used to estimate the distribution of each water type throughout the lagoon in different seasons. This study suggests that substantial groundwater discharge to the lagoon can occur during both dry and rainy seasons. The presence of two groundwater sources has implications for monitoring and protection of the Celestún Lagoon Biosphere Reserve, since the two sources may have different susceptibilities to anthropogenic contamination depending on their respective recharge area and recharge rates.     

Sources and implications of particulate organic matter from a small tropical river—Zuari River,India

Transitional ecosystems,estuaries and the coastal seas,are distinctively affected by natural and anthropogenic factors.Organic matter(OM)originating from terrestrial sources is exported by rivers and forms a key component of the global biogeochemical cycles.Most previous studies focused on the bulk biochemical and anthropogenic aspects affecting these ecosystems.In the present study,we examined the sources and fate of OM entrained within suspended particulate matter(SPM)of the Zuari River and its estuary,west coast of India.Besides using amino acid(AA)enantiomers(L-and D-forms)as biomarkers,other bulk biochemical parameters viz.particulate organic carbon(POC),δ13C,particulate nitrogen(PN),δ15N and chlorophyll a were analyzed.Surprisingly no significant temporal variations were observed in the parameters analyzed;nonetheless,salinity,POC,δ13C,PN,δ15N,glutamic acid,serine,alanine,tyrosine,leucine and D-aspartic acid exhibited significant spatial variability suggesting source differentiation.The POC content displayed weak temporal variability with low values observed during the post-monsoon season attributed to inputs from mixed sources.Estuarine samples were less depleted than the riverine samples suggesting contributions from marine plankton in addition to contributions from river plankton and terrestrial C3 plants detritus.Labile OM was observed during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the estuarine region.More degraded OM was noticed during the pre-monsoon season.Principal component analysis was used to ascertain the sources and factors influencing OM.Principally five factors were extracted explaining 84.52%of the total variance.The first component accounted for 27.10%of the variance suggesting the dominance of tidal influence whereas,the second component accounted for heterotrophic bacteria and their remnants associated with the particulate matter,contributing primarily to the AA pool.Based on this study we ascertained the role of the estuarine turbidity maximum(ETM)controlling the sources of POM and its implications to small tropical rivers.Thus,changes in temporal and regional settings are more likely to affect the natural biogeochemical cycles of small tropical rivers.     

2000—2018 年福建近岸海域赤潮分布特征

收集2000—2018 年福建近岸海域224 次赤潮事件资料,通过综合分析结果表明：2000—2018 年福建近岸海域赤潮发现数量和面积分别占全国的17.3%和6.1%。2015—2018 年相对于2000—2004、2005—2009、2010—2014 年赤潮年均发现数量和面积有明显下降。赤潮发现月份和空间特征明显,5—6 月为高发期;宁德、福州、平潭、厦门、泉州海域是赤潮高发区;4 个时间段比较宁德和厦门海域年均发现赤潮数量下降明显,平潭海域略微下降,泉州海域增加。由甲藻门生物引发的赤潮数量、面积和损失均最高,诱发赤潮的生物类群存在南北差异,有毒赤潮占总赤潮数量的14.3%。根据提出的赤潮等级划分标准,福建近岸海域以小型赤潮为主。建议在宁德至平潭近岸海域、泉州近岸海域加强赤潮立体化监测系统的建设,5—6 月为监测的关键时期。     

论渔业法之渔业水域污染事故法律责任

优质的渔业水域环境是我国渔业可持续发展的重要保障,目前,我国渔业水域环境面临着较为严峻的污染问题,污染事故时有发生,严重影响了渔业的持续稳定发展。为了保护渔业水域环境、防治渔业水域污染事故,我国在《中华人民共和国渔业法》《中华人民共和国水污染防治法》《中华人民共和国海洋环境保护法》等法律中均规定了相关内容,基本形成了渔业水域污染事故的法律规制模式,但仍然存在许多法律问题,如法律规定缺乏实施细则,可行性较低;相关定义模糊不清;事故损害调查方式不够合理等。在此背景下,文章分析了目前渔业水域污染事故对应的民事法律责任、行政法律责任和刑事法律责任,并提出建议,为渔业水域污染事故的处理和归责提供参考。     

天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区砂壳纤毛虫群落的季节变化

于2015年夏季、秋季和2016年春季在天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区进行砂壳纤毛虫群落的调查。3个季节共鉴定出砂壳纤毛虫10属31种,拟铃虫属（Tintinnopsis）种类最多,夏季砂壳纤毛虫种类最多。砂壳纤毛虫丰度、生物量和群落多样性指数存在明显的季节差异。砂壳纤毛虫丰度夏季最高[（379±355）个/L],秋季最低[（173±190）个/L];生物量夏季最高[（2.74±2.82）μg C/L],秋季最低[（0.23±0.21）μg C/L]。砂壳纤毛虫壳的平均口径夏季最大[（49.64±6.90）μm],秋季最小（26.76±4.55 μm）。砂壳纤毛虫群落Shannon多样性指数夏季最高（2.025±0.574）,春季最低（0.922±0.437）;Pielou均匀度指数秋季最高（0.682±0.276）,春季最低（0.448±0.266）。春季鱼礁区和对照区砂壳纤毛虫优势种存在差异,夏季和秋季鱼礁区和对照区砂壳纤毛虫优势种相同;3个季节鱼礁区第Ⅰ优势种的优势度均明显高于对照区。3个季节鱼礁区砂壳纤毛虫丰度和生物量均高于对照区,这可能是由于投礁后砂壳纤毛虫的适口饵料——nano-浮游植物丰度增加导致;3个季节鱼礁区Shannon多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均低于对照区,可能是因为本次调查是在投礁1~2 a后开展的,时间较短,鱼礁区砂壳纤毛虫群落尚不稳定,鱼礁区独特生态系统的变化尚需更长的时间来进行跟踪监测。