Bacteriological indicators of anthropogenic impact prior to and during the recovery of water quality in an extremely polluted estuary, Golden Horn, Turkey

Five years of monthly data of indicator bacteria from 1998 to 2002 were evaluated to find out the changes in water quality during the rehabilitation of the Golden Horn, an estuary severely polluted from industrial and domestic discharges since the 1950s. Surface fecal coliform was above 10(6) CFU/100 ml at the inner part in 1998. Following the achievement of healthy water circulation and control of most surface discharges, fecal coliform and fecal streptococci counts decreased below 10(3) CFU/100 ml in the summer of 2002. However, the decrease was interrupted by sudden shifts in rainy periods. Runoff, enhanced by domestic inputs during rainfall, has become the main factor influencing water quality in the estuary today. Increasing values of fecal coliform were observed during periods of low salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and high ortho-phosphate, whilst decreasing values were detected during high salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen and low ortho-phosphate periods. Striking changes were observed within five years, promising that even an anoxic water body can turn into a recreational area with appropriate treatment.     

Isolation and characterization of Aeromonas species from an eutrophic tropical estuary

Isolation and characterization of Aeromonas species were undertaken in the Ebrié lagoon (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire) over a one year period. Overall 63% of 501 water samples were identified as positive for Aeromonas spp. A. sobria, A. hydrophila and A. caviae represent respectively 49.20%, 20.63% and 30.15% of the positive samples. Thirty nine of the positive samples were recovered from surface water samples; while 24 bottom water samples were positive for Aeromonas. Aeromonas species are most frequently (82.53) present in the Ebrié lagoon urban area during the rainy and flood seasons when the salinity is low and below 10‰. A lower isolation frequency is noticed during the dry season when water salinity is over 10‰. Finally, a higher isolation frequency occurred in samples with highest counts of Escherichia coli.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Zooplankton nutrition,storage and fecal lipid composition in different water masses associated with the Agulhas and Subtropical Fronts

Fecal pellets of zooplankton can be important carriers of organic matter from surface to deep waters of the oceans. The summer cruise ANTARES 4 gave us the opportunity to collect zooplankton from the frontal subantarctic zone (station 7 or s-ant) and adjacent subtropical waters (station 8 or s-trop). Triglyceride fatty acid profiles were used to assess the trophic position of two copepods (Metridia lucens and Pleuromamma spp.), three euphausiids (Euphausia spinifera, Nematoscelis megalops, and Thysanoessa sp) and a decapod Acanthephyra sp. The euphausiid E. spinifera was studied at the two sites and its reaction to contrasting trophic environments and hydrology was highlighted by variations in its lipid composition. Most species showed various degree of omnivory: E. spinifera from subantarctic showed the highest degree of herbivory on phytoplankton (high proportion of 16:4(n-1), 18:5(n-3), 16:1(n-7)), while the same species at the subtropical station, as well as Thysanoessa sp and M. lucens from the subantarctic station displayed more omnivorous feeding characteristics, partly linked to the abundance of microzooplankton cells. Acanthephirasp, N. megalops and Pleuromammasp from station 8 (s-trop) appear to be essentially carnivorous (high 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratio, high levels of 20:1(n-9) or 22:1(n-11)). The trophic position influenced the composition of feces, with higher PUFA percentages in fecal pellets from carnivorous species. Hence, the surface faunal assemblage and the season controlled not only the quantity but also the quality of the food supply as PUFA exported towards the benthic domain.     

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.     

Use of N stable isotope and microbial analyses to define wastewater influence in Mobile Bay, AL

We assessed short-term ecological and potential human health effects of wastewater treatment plant (WTP) effluent by measuring δ¹⁵N‰ and microbial concentrations in oysters and suspended particulate matter (SPM). We also tested male-specific bacteriophage (MSB) as an alternative to fecal coliforms, to assess potential influence of wastewater contamination on shellfish. WTP effluent did not affect oyster growth or survival, but SPM and oysters acquired wastewater-specific δ¹⁵N‰. δ¹⁵N values were depleted near the WTP, typical of low-level processed wastewater. Fecal coliform and MSB concentrations were higher in samples taken closest to the WTP, and MSB values were significantly correlated with δ¹⁵N‰ in oyster tissues. Overall, oysters demonstrated relatively rapid integration and accumulation of wastewater-specific δ¹⁵N‰ and indicator microorganisms compared to water samples. These data suggest oysters were superior sentinels compared to water, and MSB was a more reliable indicator of wastewater influence on shellfish than fecal coliforms.     

Hydrogen peroxide production in marine bathing waters: Implications for fecal indicator bacteria mortality

Hydrogen peroxide concentrations [H(2)O(2)] have been measured over the last two decades in multiple studies in surface waters in coastal, estuarine and oceanic systems. Diurnal cycles consistent with a photochemical production process have frequently being observed, with [H(2)O(2)] increasing by two orders of magnitude over the course of the day, from low nM levels in the early morning to 10(2)nM in late afternoon. Production rates range from <10 for off-shore ocean waters to 20-60nMh(-1) for near-shore coastal and estuarine environments. Slow night-time loss rates (<10nMh(-1)) have been attributed to biological and particle mediated processes. Diurnal cycles have also frequently been observed in fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) levels in surf zone waters monitored for microbial water quality. Measured peak peroxide concentrations in surface coastal seawaters are too low to directly cause FIB mortality based on laboratory studies, but likely contribute to oxidative stress and diurnal cycling. Peroxide levels in the surf zone may be increased by additional peroxide production mechanisms such as deposition, sediments and stressed marine biota, further enhancing impacts on FIB in marine bathing waters.     

Impacts of stormwater runoff in the Southern California Bight: Relationships among plume constituents

The effects from two winter rain storms on the coastal ocean of the Southern California Bight were examined as part of the Bight ‘03 program during February 2004 and February–March 2005. The impacts of stormwater from fecal indicator bacteria, water column toxicity, and nutrients were evaluated for five major river discharges: the Santa Clara River, Ballona Creek, the San Pedro Shelf (including the Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana Rivers), the San Diego River, and the Tijuana River. Exceedances of bacterial standards were observed in most of the systems. However, the areas of impact were generally spatially limited, and contaminant concentrations decreased below California Ocean Plan standards typically within 2–3 days. The largest bacterial concentrations occurred in the Tijuana River system where exceedances of fecal indicator bacteria were noted well away from the river mouth. Maximum nitrate concentrations (~40 μM) occurred in the San Pedro Shelf region near the mouth of the Los Angeles River. Based on the results of general linear models, individual sources of stormwater differ in both nutrient concentrations and the concentration and composition of fecal indicator bacteria. While nutrients appeared to decrease in plume waters due to simple mixing and dilution, the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria in plumes depends on more than loading and dilution rates. The relationships between contaminants (nutrients and fecal indicator bacteria) and plume indicators (salinity and total suspended solids) were not strong indicating the presence of other potentially important sources and/or sinks of both nutrients and fecal indicator bacteria. California Ocean Plan standards were often exceeded in waters containing greater than 10% stormwater (<28–30 salinity range). The median concentration dropped below the standard in the 32–33 salinity range (1–4% stormwater) for total coliforms and Enterococcus spp. and in the 28–30 salinity range (10–16% stormwater) for fecal coliforms. Nutrients showed a similar pattern with the highest median concentrations in water with greater than 10% stormwater. Relationships between colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and salinity and between total suspended solids and beam attenuation indicate that readily measurable, optically active variables can be used as proxies to provide at least a qualitative, if not quantitative, evaluation of the distribution of the dissolved, as well as the particulate, components of stormwater plumes. In this context, both CDOM absorption and the beam attenuation coefficient can be derived from satellite ocean color measurements of inherent optical properties suggesting that remote sensing of ocean color should be useful in mapping the spatial areas and durations of impacts from these contaminants.