西南极菲尔德斯半岛海豹粪土沉积物有机地球化学特征

本文研究了位于西南极菲尔德斯半岛海豹粪土的沉积泥芯HN1的分子地球化学组成特征.HN1沉积物的正烷烃以短链及n-C23为主,主要来源可能为湖相沉积的藻类、细菌和苔藓的输入.醇类组分以高浓度的植物甾醇和粪便甾醇为主,分别代表了植被和海豹粪土沉积的输入,指示了研究区域历史时期的生态变化.脂肪酸组分偶奇优势明显,以C16,C...     

Guest editorial

Surficial sediments rich in apatite pellets were recovered from an 80‐m‐deep area that runs parallel to the eastern coast of Vizcaino Bay, Baja California. This area is subject to intense seasonal upwelling, the sediments presenting elevated phosphate (P₂O₅), organic carbon (C_org), and carbonate concentrations. The pellets are moderately well sorted, concentrated mainly in the 3ø size class within a poorly sorted sediment matrix. Abundant nodular apatite and phosphatized bone fragments were found in only one of the pellet‐bearing samples. This sample has a P₂O₅concentration of over 20%, the ≥ — 2.5ø to 0.5ø grain size classes alone being formed of up to 32% P₂O₅. The high proportion of fragmented nodules and the presence of volcanic rock pebbles indicate that at least part of this deposit is allochthonous. The apatite pellets have a flat to concave‐downward heavy rare earth (HREE) shale normalized pattern and, except for La, are depleted in light rare earth elements (LREE). The close resemblance between the HREE patterns and the relatively high La concentration in the pellets of Vizcaino Bay, and the onland phosphorites of the southern Baja California Peninsula, suggest similar depositional histories for these deposits. No significant Ce anomalies were observed, but a negative Eu deviation is common in all of the pellet‐bearing sediments. The depletion of LREE in the pellets of Vizcaino Bay may indicate the preferential removal of these elements by weathering processes.     

Biogenic debris from the pelagic tunicate, Oikopleura dioica, and its role in the vertical transport of a transuranium element

The accumulation and retention of ²⁴¹Am by the pelagic tunicate Oikopleura dioica were examined using laboratory cultures and radiotracer methodology. Animals (i.e., trunks and tails) and discarded empty houses accumulated Am from seawater, giving volume/volume concentration factors of 59±8 and 10±1, respectively. The half-time for retention of Am in empty labelled houses transferred to non-contaminated seawater was 29 h; the retention half-time of Am in houses discarded by larvaceans feeding on Am-labelled diatoms was 219 h; the half-time of Am in fecal pellets produced by animals feeding on a monospecific diet of diatoms was 134 h, and 247 h for fecal pellets from animals fed a mixed diet. Approximately 30% of filtered cells remained in houses after the houses were discarded. Sinking rates of discarded houses and fecal pellets were found to vary with temperature and size, ranging from 26–157 m day^?1 (house) and from 25–166 m day^?1 (fecal pellets). The ubiquity and abundance of appendicularians, together with their prodigious production of houses (e.g., 10±2 houses day^?1 at 17°C for each experimental animal) point to their potential significance in the vertical transport of Am, and probably other reactive metals, to intermediate depths in the ocean.     

Use of coprostanol as a specific allochthonous fecal indicator in surface sediment of the Lake of Neuchâtel

Coprostanol has been proven to be a good specific allochthonous fecal indicator in sedimentary surface samples of the lake of Neuchâtel (Switzerland). Its concentration is slightly affected in surface sediment by the microbial reduction of cholesterol to cholestanol and coprostanol.     

Lipid composition of the pelagic crab Pleuroncodes planipes, its feces, and sinking particulate organic matter in the Equatorial North Pacific Ocean

Fecal pellets from the pelagic crab Pleuroncodes planipes were a substantial portion of the particulate organic matter in a sediment trap deployed at the bottom of the mixed layer in the eastern tropical North Pacific Ocean. The lipids of fresh P. planipes feces were compared to lipids of the sediment trap material, of mixed zooplankton which may comprise part of the diet of the crab, and of the crab itself in order to elucidate the source of organic compounds found in the trap. Hydrocarbons, wax esters, triacylglycerols, steroidal alcohols, steroidal ketones, and fatty acids were determined by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Significant input of lipids via sedimentation of crab fecal material is indicated, and modification of dietary lipid within the gut of the crab is inferred. Labile dietary fatty acids are depleted and sterols enriched in the fecal pellets and trap material relative to the zooplankton and crab. Nuclear saturated and unsaturated 3-ketosteroids and unsaturated steroidal hydrocarbons were detected in the crab, its feces, and in the sediment trap particulate material.     

Development of a high modulus paste fill using fine gold mill tailings

Summary In the mining industry today there is some caution about using fine tailings as a backfill material. Traditionally, hydraulic backfill has only used the coarse fraction of tailings, excluding the fines by a classification process. With the development of paste fill, the percentage of fine tailings being sent underground has increased, but still remains low due to the high percentages of sand and gravel which usually make up these fills. Sand and gravel have been added to paste fills to aid pumpability and to increase fill strength and stiffness. This leaves the remainder of fine tailings destined for surface disposal. The main focus of this paper is to evaluate what effect the addition of fine gold mill tailings in the form of agglomerated tailings pellets has on the strength and stiffness characteristics of a total tailings paste fill. The purpose is to create a high modulus fill which is made up entirely of fine tailings. A constant slump design of 20 cm (8 in) was used for each mix. Various binder dosages, curing periods and combinations of pellet to tailings ratio were studied. Raw fill slump and density, and cured fill compressive strength and modulus of elasticity were also examined. Results from the above study indicate that agglomerated tailings paste fill (ATPF) has superior strength and stiffness characteristics. Compressive strengths were enhanced while the modulus of elasticity values was tripled when compared to total tailings paste fills of the same binder content and consistency. ATPF minimizes the surface disposal of tailings and maximizes the utilization of fine tailings underground as a useful backfill material.     

Chlorophyll in Copepod Faecal Pellets: Changes in Pellet Numbers and Pigment Content during a Declining Baltic Spring Bloom

Abstract. Zooplankton stock as well as faecal pellet numbers were monitored over 2 weeks during May in the central Baltic. Considerable changes in concentrations of chlorophyll and its derivates in copepod faecal pellets as well as in surface sediments were found during this period. The maximum concentration of 1.05 ngchl. a faecal pellet^-1, measured on 12 May, decreased by the end of the month to 0.08 ngchl. a faecal pellet^-1. This decrease was positively correlated with the disappearance of intact diatoms inside faeces. A flux of 1.53mgchl. a -m^-2-day^-1 via faecal pellets was calculated for the deep water layer (60–80 m) in mid May. This decreased to 0.005mgchl. a m^-2 day^-1 by the end of May. Chi. a accounted for up to 10 % of total pigments in samples from the top centimetre of the sediment surface. The means of transportation of faecal pellets as well as their function as a food supply to deeper ecosystems are discussed.     

Dietary Preferences and Carbon Absorption by two Grazing Gastropods, G/bbula umbilicaris (LINNÉ) and Jujubinus striatus (LINNÉ)

Abstract. Ingestion rates and absorption efficiencies in Gibbula umbilicaris and Jujubinus striatus feeding on green algal films, diatoms, macro-epiphytes, and dead Posidonia ocean/'ca-Ieaves have been investigated in laboratory experiments.
For both gastropod species, ingestion rates were highest in diatoms and thin green algal films as food source. G. umbilicaris exhibited significant lower consumption rates when feeding on seagrass debris or macro-epiphytes, J. striatus consumed neither Posidonia-debris nor macro-epiphytes.
Highest carbon absorption efficiencies were found in both gastropod species when feeding on diatoms and green algal films. Significantly lower efficiencies were found in G. umbilicaris when consuming seagrass debris or macro-epiphytes.
Analyses of fecal material confirmed these findings. Highest organic carbon contents were measured in fecal pellets produced after consumption of seagrass debris or macro-epiphytes reflecting the presence of structural carbohydrates. SEM examinations of feces revealed mainly diatom frustules, refractory parts of macroalgal and other plant material. Analyses of gut contents gave similar results suggesting a basically microphagous herbivory for both gastropod species.
Since seagrass debris and macro-epiphytes are not used very effectively, the high absorption efficiencies when animals feed on the microfloral component of the periphyton are discussed as possible adaptation to limited food availability.     

Horizontal Transfer of Matter by a Cave-Dwelling Mysid

Abstract. The role of a cave-dwelling mysid population as a matter carrier was evaluated in a cave of the Medes Is. (NW Mediterranean) during 1988–89. Hemimysis spehmcola (Ledoyer , 1963) is a gregarious mysid whose swarms migrate daily from the inner end of the cave - where they remain during the day–to the exterior where they feed during the night. Fecal pellet composition, pellet egestion and pellet decomposition were measured in order to evaluate the transfer of matter by mysids. Based on the strong daily behavioural rhythms of these mysids. special importance was attached to the sampling frequency (every 2 h). In order to assess seasonal variability, four daily cycles were evaluated within a year. In situ incubations were carried out to determine changes on the egestion rates, morphology, weight and composition (AA. C: N ratios) of pellets in the course of a day. The number of pellets deposited inside the cave was estimated using containers distributed along the cave bottom by SCUBA divers. Fecal pellets showed an amorphous composition, whereby diatom frustules, dinoflagellate loricae and coccolithoporids were very scarce. About 25% of the body weight were estimated to be egested daily as fecal pellets, suggesting a detritivorous feeding habit. The population oscillated seasonally between 1 and 12 millions. Individuals egested between 1.6 and 3.5 pellets a day into the cave, each averaging from 9.4 to 11.9 μg DW, 0.5 to 1.0 μg C and 0.046 to 0.27 μg N. Therefore, the population carried daily about 20 407 g DW POM. 2–21 g C and 0.5 2.7 g N from outside to inside the cave. Pellets decomposed very quickly; between 20 to 50% of both C and N were released from pellets in less than 2 h after egestion. Oxidation of pellets theoretically consumes an amount of oxygen which agrees with the high BOD values previously reported for this cave. Marine caves are generally viewed as strictly oligotrophic systems; dense mysid populations, however, could strongly modify the trophic relationships in marine caves.