Food sources of benthic animals on intertidal and subtidal bottoms in inner Ariake Sound,southern Japan,determined by stable isotopes

To evaluate the relative importance of possible food sources, including riverine particulate organic matter, reeds, benthic microalgae, seaweeds, cultured laver (Porphyra) and coastal phytoplankton, for commercial bivalves and co-occurring benthic animals, 73 macrofaunal species were collected from intertidal and subtidal soft bottoms in the inner part of Ariake Sound, Kyushu, southern Japan, and their isotopic compositions were analyzed. The results revealed that (1) both intertidal and subtidal food webs were constituted of 3 trophic levels, (2) suspension-feeding bivalves utilize a mixture of benthic microalgae and coastal phytoplankton, and omnivores and carnivores incorporate benthic microalgae and phytoplankton through their intermediate prey, and (3) 3 bivalves (Scapharca kagoshimensis, Modiolus metcalfei and Atrina lischkeana) inhabiting both intertidal and subtidal bottoms showed similar seasonal fluctuations, suggesting no difference in the diet composition among the species and between the 2 habitats. We conclude that a large biomass of benthic microalgae which was approximately equal to that of phytoplankton and the strong tidal currents that would resuspend benthic microalgae and transport them to subtidal bottom areas account for the benthic microalgal and phytoplankton based trophic structure in the inner part of Ariake Sound.     

The Irish Sea: Is it eutrophic?

The question of whether the Irish Sea is eutrophic is addressed by reviewing the evidence for anthropogenic nutrient enrichment, elevated phytoplankton production and biomass and undesirable disturbance in the context of the EU and OSPAR definitions of eutrophication. Winter concentrations of dissolved available inorganic phosphate (DAIP), nitrogen (DAIN as nitrate and nitrite) and silicate (Si) in coastal waters and concentrations of DAIP and Si in offshore waters of the Irish Sea are elevated relative to winter Celtic Sea shelf break concentrations (0.5 μM DAIP, 7.7 μM DAIN and 2.7 μM Si). Significant, negative nutrient salinity relationships and analysis of the Isle of Man nutrient time-series indicate that the elevated Irish Sea levels of DAIP and DAIN are the result of anthropogenic enrichment with highest concentrations (≈2.0 μM DAIP, 30 μM DAIN and 17 μM Si) measured in near shore eastern Irish Sea waters.     

浮游植物多样性与表观增氧量的关系及其在赤潮预警中的应用

近年来应用微型围隔生态实验探讨了浮游植物多样性与表观增氧量(AOI)的关系及其在赤潮预警与评价中的应用。结果显示,在赤潮发生过程中,浮游植物多样性与生物量(以AOI计)存在显著的相关关系。多样性指数H'与AOI呈密切的负相关关系,优势度D₂呈密切的指数正相关关系。该研究以赤潮预警与评价的AOI参考指标为依据,利用H'和D₂与AOI的相关模式,提出了赤潮预警与评价的H'和D2的指标值,赤潮预警的H'和D₂指标分别为0.72和0.36,赤潮判别的H'和D₂指标分别为0.66和0.51。     

Degradation of phytoplankton-derived organic matter: Implications for carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry in coastal ecosystems

Experiments were conducted using seawater from the Oregon continental shelf to determine: (1) rates of phytoplankton-derived particulate organic matter (POM) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) degradation by natural microbial communities, and (2) whether inorganic nutrients or flagellate grazing limit the bacterial response to, and subsequent degradation of, the DOM. In the initial seawater samples, nutrients were depleted and organic matter concentrations were elevated above concentrations found in upwelled water, indicative of recent bloom conditions. In whole water treatments incubated for 3 d, an average of 24% of the total organic C and 33% of the POC was degraded, with some portion of the POC being converted to DOC. In treatments incubated after POM was removed by filtration, DOC degradation was initially rapid and then proceeded at a slower rate. After 3 d, an average of 41% of the DOC was degraded. Selective degradation of the C-component of both the POM and DOM relative to the N-component was observed. Reductions in flagellate grazing resulted in increases in bacterial abundance and enhanced DOC degradation, while inorganic nutrient amendments had little effect. Overall, these results suggest that a fraction of the phytoplankton-derived POM and DOM can be rapidly degraded, contributing to oxygen consumption on the continental shelf. The long degradation time of a less labile DOC fraction relative to potential offshelf transport mechanisms suggests that Oregon's coastal waters may be a source of DOC to adjacent offshore waters of the North Pacific.     

Understanding spatial and temporal dynamics of key environmental characteristics in a mesotidal Atlantic estuary (Douro,NW Portugal)

Ecosystem management and decision making process are dependent of a good knowledge of ecosystem functioning. Conceptual models allow knowledge organization through representation of relationships between variables and processes, facilitating management decisions. In this study, spatial and temporal characterization of key environmental variables, as well as relationships between them, was studied aiming the design of a conceptual model of the Douro estuary. This temperate mesotidal estuary is limited upstream by a hydroelectric power dam that controls freshwater inflow and prevents the propagation of the tide upstream, which, in turn, influences water circulation and biogeochemical dynamics of the system. During one year, from December 2002 to December 2003, water column data were collected monthly at 10 stations along the estuary, during ebb and flood tides. Spatial and temporal variability of water column salinity, temperature, nutrients, phytoplankton biomass, total particulate matter (TPM), phytoplankton primary production (PP), faecal coliform bacteria (FC) and community respiration (CR) were analysed. Salinity stratification was assessed by means of the Estuary Number (Ne) and variation of this index as well as other key characteristics with river flow was analysed. Freshwater discharge controlled salinity stratification and freshwater residence time. Ne indicated that the Douro was stratified for river flows <300 m³ s⁻¹, and freshwater residence time was >1 day for the same conditions. A decaying exponential relationship between PP and river flow was found, whereas nitrate and TPM increased logarithmically and linearly, respectively, with river flow. Regarding spatial distribution, nitrate and PP decreased downstream, showing that the river was a source of nutrients and phytoplankton, while the opposite trend was found for TPM, FC, ammonium and CR. The latter increase was probably due to untreated sewage discharge in the urbanized middle and lower estuarine stretches. Reduction of nitrate coming from the watershed and of bacterial contamination in the urban stretches of this highly modified water body, according to the European Water Framework Directive, emerges as the main water quality issues for this estuarine ecosystem.     

Short-time scale variation of phytoplankton succession in Lisbon bay (Portugal) as revealed by microscopy cell counts and HPLC pigment analysis

The phytoplankton distribution and composition in Lisbon bay was studied, at a short time scale based on a weekly sampling, during one year (April 2004 – May 2005), using microscopic examination and pigment analysis with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This work is a contribution to the knowledge on species succession and ecology of coastal communities. The frequency of the sampling permitted monitoring peak blooming and decaying, a process which frequently occurred within 1 –2 weeks.     

The effects of vertical sampling resolution on estimates of plankton biomass and rate calculations in stratified water columns

The effects of vertical sampling resolution on estimates of plankton biomass and grazing calculations were examined using data collected in two different areas with vertically stratified water columns. Data were collected from one site in the upwelling region off Oregon and from four sites in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, three within the Mississippi River plume and one in adjacent oceanic waters. Plankton were found to be concentrated in discrete layers with sharp vertical gradients at all the stations. Phytoplankton distributions were correlated with gradients in temperature and salinity, but microzooplankton and mesozooplankton distributions were not. Layers of zooplankton were sometimes collocated with layers of phytoplankton, but this was not always the case. Simulated calculations demonstrate that when averages are taken over the water column, or coarser scale vertical sampling resolution is used, biomass and mesozooplankton grazing and filtration rates can be greatly underestimated. This has important implications for understanding the ecological significance of discrete layers of plankton and for assessing rates of grazing and production in stratified water columns.     

南麂海域浮游植物的分布特征

通过对南麂海域2003～2005年4个季节8个航次浮游植物样品的观察,对不同季节浮游植物的种类组成和数量分布进行了分析。研究结果表明,从调查样品中鉴定出浮游植物为3门34属128种。南麂海域的浮游植物密度从4月下旬到12月中、上旬(除赤潮消亡期外),基本保持在107个/m3以上。春季浮游植物以甲藻为主,夏季和冬季以硅藻为主;秋季大部分时间浮游植物以硅藻为主,有时以甲藻为主。能形成该区域赤潮的生物有14种,其中已引发赤潮的生物占6种(甲藻3种,硅藻3种)。春季赤潮为有色赤潮,有较大的危害性;其它季节的赤潮为无色赤潮,未出现危害现象。     

夏季珠江口邻近海域表层浮游植物的碳叶绿素比值及其碳含量

Chlorophyll a(Chl a),particulate organic carbon(POC)and biogenic silica(BSi)were determined in coastal waters adjacent to the Zhujiang(Pearl)River Estuary(ZRE)during summer,in order to examine the C:Chl a ratio of phytoplankton and phytoplankton carbon in the plume-impacted coastal waters during summer,as well as to assess the relative contribution of diatoms to the phytoplankton biomass,by the regression between Chl a,POC and BSi.Our results showed that the C:Chl a ratio(g/g)of phytoplankton was high(up to 142),likely due to high light intensity and nutrient limitation.The river plume input stimulated phytoplankton growth,especially diatoms,resulting in higher relative contribution of phytoplankton carbon(55%)and diatoms(34%)to POC in the plume-impacted region than those(33%and 13%)in high salinity area,respectively.Phytoplankton carbon(up to 538μg/L)in the plume-impacted region was much higher than that(<166μg/L)in high salinity area.Our findings were helpful to improve the biogeochemical model in coastal waters adjacent to the ZRE.