Temporal Variations in the Dissolved Nutrient Stocks in the Surface Water of the Western North Atlantic Ocean

Changes in patterns of undetectability and molar ratios of dissolved nutrients in the euphotic zone of the oligotrophic western North Atlantic Ocean were investigated utilizing the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) data set of the US Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS). Our aim was to examine the temporal dynamics of nutrient stocks over a decade (1989∼1998) and to gain insight into the interactions between the different biotic and abiotic factors underlying BATS. Patterns of nutrient undetectability clearly revealed the depleted nature of the nutrients in surface water at the BATS location, particularly phosphorous. The N:P ratio was consistently far above the nominal Redfield ratio (mean, 38.5) but was significantly lower during the 1993∼1994 period (22.1). Over the same period the proportion of samples depleted in N only increased while the proportion of samples depleted in P only decreased. This indicates an overall reduction of N relative to P in the surface water at BATS during the 1993∼1994 period, the reasons for this anomaly, though, are not clear. The correlation analysis between the biotic and abiotic variables at BATS has indicated some interesting relationships that can help understand some of the parameters affecting nutrient stocks in the euphotic zone and their consequent impacts on marine biota. Although nutrient stocks in the oligotrophic environment are limited, they might be subject to interannual variation that may become anomalous in some cases. These variations might underlay significant feedback mechanisms by affecting marine productivity, the prime factor controlling the sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ by the oceans. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A comparative study of microalgal production in a marine versus a river-dominated temporarily open/closed estuary, South Africa

Temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) account for almost 71% of the total number of South African estuarine systems. To date the dynamics of microalgal production and biomass in TOCEs is poorly understood. A survey was therefore conducted in two TOCEs along the KwaZulu-Natal coast: the river-dominated Mdloti and the marine-dominated Mpenjati. The aims of this investigation were: (1) to compare the variability of benthic and pelagic microalgal production and biomass in these two contrasting systems; (2) to determine the key environmental parameters influencing primary production in these TOCEs. Results show a similar pattern of primary production and biomass in both estuaries. High benthic microalgal biomass with low primary production and low phytoplankton biomass with high rates of pelagic primary production were observed in both estuaries. Possible explanations for this include: (a) optimum light conditions in the water column, compared to the sediment surface; (b) high impact of grazing by zooplankton in the water column; and (c) settling of phytoplankton. Significant correlations were observed between primary production and environmental parameters (K_d, PAR, temperature, DIN and DIP), during the open and closed phases of both estuaries. A BIOENV (PRIMER) analysis showed that patterns of primary production in both estuaries were influenced primarily by interactions of multiple independent parameters. Comparisons between measured hourly pelagic primary production rates at the Mpenjati and Mdloti and the composite parameter (P_c) of Cole and Cloern (1987) revealed highly significant relationships (r² = 0.8; p < 0.001) between these differently derived variables.     

胶州湾水体、浮游生物和沉积物中的锡

对胶州湾水体、浮游生物、悬浮颗粒物和沉积物中锡的测定、形式、生物累积等进行研究。不同季节(1987年和1988年)的水体、浮游植物和沉积物测定表明:1.水体总还原无机锡和总锡含量分别为4.2～38.8ng/dm~3,65.6～209ng/dm~3;浮游植物总锡含量为22.4～414mg/kg(干重);沉积物总锡含量为0.015～0.98mg/kg(干重),且在胶州湾港口区测得水体总锡的最大值209ng/dm~3。以上结果与目前世界其它海域、河口类似。2.有些区域有机锡含量已达到或超过某些生物的致毒阈值(对双壳类,其TBT≤0.1μg/dm~3)从而引起水质恶化。3.水体总锡含量与悬浮颗粒量密切相关;浮游植物对锡的生物富集因子高达10~5,说明无机或有机颗粒及生物体在水体锡的循环迁移过程中起重要作用。     

对虾养殖生态系不同粒级浮游生物呼吸率和初级生产率测定

1997年6～8月于山东省海阳市黄海集团公司养虾场,用5个实验围隔研究了对虾池不同粒级浮游生物的呼吸率和初级生产率.结果表明:(1)小型、微型及超微型浮游生物的呼吸率平均分别为0.07,0.38及0.31mg/(dm3·d),占各粒级浮游生物总呼吸率的9%,50%及41%.小型、微型及超微型浮游植物的生产率平均分别为0.04,1.26及0.15mg/(dm3·d),占相应粒级浮游植物总生产率的3%,87%及10%.各粒级浮游生物呼吸率占相应粒级浮游植物生产率的比例为:小型浮游生物175%;微型浮游生物30%;超微型浮游生物207%.(2)小型浮游动物、超微型浮游动物(含细菌)的呼吸率显著高于相应粒级浮游植物呼吸率,微型浮游植物的呼吸率明显高于微型浮游动物呼吸率.不同粒级浮游植物呼吸率的大小顺序为微型、超微型、小型,不同粒级浮游动物呼吸率顺序为超微型(含细菌)、微型、小型.     

The use of surface alkaline phosphatase activity in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica as a biomarker of eutrophication

Eutrophication is one of the most relevant man‐induced changes occurring in coastal waters. The identification and assessment of specific responses to eutrophication in seagrasses can provide a useful tool for the detection of changes in the water quality in coastal zones, given the wide range of distribution of these organisms. In this study, we combine a correlational (across‐sites comparison) and a manipulative (fertilization experiment) approach to evaluate the usefulness and potential of alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica as an eutrophication biomarker. Our results showed that APA decreases promptly following nutrient additions, the response being maintained except during the winter period. APA also varies across natural meadows under different levels of nutrient discharges at scales relevant for monitoring purposes. AP activity seems to be an optimal ‘physiological biomarker’ that responds promptly and reliably to a pulse of eutrophication exposure. However, other considerations, such as the seasonality (the response disappears in winter), suggest its use with some caution and, as far as possible, as a complement of other bio‐indicators.     

山东省大中型水库浮游生物研究──Ⅲ、浮游植物与环境因子的关系

报道１９８９年山东省３０多个大中型代表水库浮游植物总生物量（ＴＢ）、微型浮游植物生物量（ｎａｎＢ）和各类主要浮游植物与８种理化因子的相关关系。结果表明，与浮游植物生物量相关的较为重要的理化因子依次是总磷（ＴＰ）、化学耗氧量（ＣＯＤ）、硬度（Ｈ）、透明度（ＳＤ）和深度（Ｚ）．总体上，ＴＰ、ＣＯＤ和Ｈ与浮游植物生物量呈正相关，而ＳＤ和Ｚ则呈负相关．各种理化因子与ＴＢ的关系和与ｎａｎＢ的趋于一致；与各主要藻类的关系主要是隐、裸藻类，其次是绿藻和硅藻与各理化因子相关性较大．重要理化因子与各主要藻类的关系也同对ＴＢ的相似，只是硅藻生物量百分比与ＳＤ呈极显著的正相关关系。     

Description of the Phytoplanktonic Community of the Oligotrophic Waters of the SE Aegean Sea (Mediterranean)

Abstract. A seasonal sampling program of five stations off the Island of Rhodes (SE Aegean Sea) was carried out in 1983–1984. Temperature, salinity, Secchi disk transparency, P-PO₄, N-NO₃, N-NO₂, N-NH₃, Si-SiO₂, and chl a were measured and phytoplankton species recorded. Cell concentrations and chl a varied seasonally. with the highest values in summer (l.2 times 10⁴ -1^--¹ total mean cells; 0.13 mgam^-3 total mean chl a ) and the lowest in winter (2.3 times 10³, 1^--¹ total mean cells; 0.06 mg^.m-^- total mean chl a ). A variation in cell abundance among stations was also noted. Quantitative relationships among the recorded taxa showed that diatoms and dinoflagellates were richer in species composition (88 and 58 total species, respectively) than coccolithophores (8 species) and other flagellates (8 species). Comparison of phytoplankton samples from different depths and stations by cluster analysis showed an irregularity or discontinuity in species associations. The SE Aegean Sea was characterized as oligotrophic on the basis of the estimated nutrient and phytoplankton concentration levels.     

胶州湾中汞的含量及其形态的分布规律

1987年5月、9月和1988年1月调查了胶州湾表层海水、浮游植物和表层沉积物中汞含量。溶解无机汞含量的变化范围为0.63—4.4ng/dm~3,溶解总汞含量的变化范围为2.5—40ng/dm~3,浮游植物含量变化范围为1.1—25ng/g(湿重)。测定结果表明,胶州湾中汞含量和分布规律与浮游植物的盛衰和陆地迳流有关。有机汞和COD之间存在着线性关系,溶解无机汞含量随叶绿素a含量增加呈指数下降,表明浮游植物对汞的富集及其在海水中形态的转化起着十分重要的作用。