Surfactant components of marine organic matter as agents for biogeochemical fractionation and pollutant transport via marine aerosols

The role of surfactant organic matter in marine aerosol production has been studied under conditions in which there is a large coverage of whitecaps on the sea surface. To improve the knowledge of matter exchange and pollutant recycling from the sea surface into the atmosphere, a spray drop adsorption model (SDAM) was developed and the validity of the proposed model verified by the following experimental results: (1) an increase of surfactant matter on the sea surface during rough sea conditions (‘surface wave concentration'); (2) an (hyperbolic-like) increase of the enrichment ratio (ER) of surfactant fluorescent organic matter (SFOM), made up predominantly by humic substances (HS), as the particle size decrease; (3) a similar behaviour for elements with pollutant properties, and which are known to interact with HS and other surfactant materials, considered pollution tracers. An additional laboratory experiment, based on the adsorption model conditions, gives enrichment ratio greater than unity for K and Ca. The first results on marine aerosols trapped in marine clouds (at 1000 m above sea level and at 100 km from the coast) seem to further support the proposed model and its ability to predict the transition from saline to almost entirely organic particles for the smaller fractions of marine aerosols. The possible contribution of these particles to the recycling and to the long range transport of pollutants via marine aerosols has been considered.     

Evidence for discrete subpopulations of sea perch (Helicolenus ercoides) across four fjords in Fiordland,New Zealand

In coastal populations of invertebrates and fishes, the distribution of discrete subpopulations is influenced by adult and larval dispersal, as well as by the effects of habitat heterogeneity on site fidelity or connectivity. Here, we examine evidence for spatial structure of sea perch, Helicolenus percoides, populations among four fjords in the Fiordland region of southwestern New Zealand. We examine patterns in adult morphology, length-at-age, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of muscle tissue, and trace elemental composition of whole otoliths as proxies for population isolation among the four inner fjord regions. A multivariate analysis of morphometrics reveals significant differences among populations from each of the four sites, suggesting existence of four distinct subpopulations. These patterns are consistent with observed differences in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, and length-at-age estimates among the four subpopulations. Differences in whole otolith concentrations of Sr, Ba, Mg and Li, and high classification scores based on the whole otolith elemental fingerprint are also consistent with significant subdivision among areas. Patterns across all four markers are consistent with discrete subpopulation structure of adult sea perch among the four study sites. These data indicate that the newly implemented network of marine protected areas in Fiordland is likely to contain discrete populations of sea perch.     

Riverine dominance of a nearshore marine demersal food web: evidence from stable isotope and C/N ratio analysis

The Thukela Bank, KwaZulu-Natal, supports a diverse ecosystem and South Africa’s only prawn fishery. Oceanographic studies suggest riverine input is not important for the biology of this system, whereas biological studies suggest the contrary, with prawn catches increasing with increased fluvial run-off. The aim of this study was to determine (i) the importance of riverine and marine organic matter for the Thukela Bank food web; and (ii) whether there are seasonal changes in the Thukela River stable isotope values, and, if so, whether these are reflected in the isotope values of demersal organisms. Estuarine organic matter, sediments and demersal organisms were collected from several sites across the bank in the wet and dry seasons of 2008, 2009 and 2010. Marine particulate organic matter was also collected in 2010 and analysed for δ13C and δ15N, as well as C/N ratios. There were strong seasonal changes in isotopic values of organic matter and fauna, especially faunal δ13C. There was an apparent time-lag in organisms assimilating riverine organic matter isotopic values, with the isotopic signature of demersal organisms reflecting that of riverine organic matter from the previous season, which is likely the result of tissue turnover time. In 2010, Thukela Bank sediment organic matter was of riverine origin and this maintained the demersal food web. We conclude that Thukela River organic matter is an important input to the food web of the Thukela Bank, indicating that any future damming of the catchment area could have serious consequences for this ecosystem.     

The role of sea ice in coastal and bottom dynamics in the Pechora Sea

This article deals with the morpho- and lithodynamic role of ice in shaping the Arctic coasts. Taking the Pechora Sea as an example, the direct and indirect impact of ice on the sea floor and shores is described. Active gouging by ice floes, ice-rafting of sedimentary material, formation of strudel scour depressions and frozen rocks on shallows are all direct impacts. The indirect impact of ice that arrests the coastal zone for most of the year is a considerable reduction of the overall energy of waves and currents. Based on the performed analysis, we plot a schematic zonation of the Pechora Sea according to the probable impact of ice on the shores and seafloor.     

PCBs and PAHs in sea-surface microlayer and sub-surface water samples of the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are two classes of micropollutants intensively monitored and regulated due to their toxicity, persistency and wide diffusion. Their concentrations have been investigated in sea-microlayer (SML) and sub-surface water (SSW) samples collected at two sites of the Venice Lagoon, a fragile ecosystem highly influenced by industrial and anthropogenic emissions. The total sigmaPCB concentration varies from 0.45 ng/l to 2.1 ng/l in SSW while a clear enrichment is observed in the SML, where it ranges from 1.2 ng/l to 10.5 ng/l. The total sigmaPAH concentration shows marked differences between the two stations and varies from 12.4 ng/l to 266.8 ng/l in SSW; in SML it is more uniform and ranges from 19.6 ng/l to 178.9 ng/l. The enrichment factors are not larger than 1 for both pollutants in the 'dissolved' phase, while they are most significant for the 'particulate' phase (sigmaPCB: 5-9; sigmaPAH: 4-14).     

Diet and dietary variation of New Zealand hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae

The diet of hoki was determined from examination of stomach contents of 1992 fish of 26–112 cm total length (TL) sampled at depths of 209–904m on Chatham Rise, New Zealand, from summer research trawl surveys and seasonal commercial fishing trawls, during 2004–2008. Prey was predominantly euphausiids, mesopelagic fishes and natant decapods. Multivariate analyses using distance-based linear models, non-parametric multi-dimensional scaling and similarity percentages indicated that the best predictors of diet variability were the position of the fish in relation to the subtropical front (STF), fish size and longitude. Pasiphaeids were more important to the north of the STF, and sternoptychid fishes and euphausiids more important in the STF convergence area. Euphausiids and sternoptychid fishes were important for smaller hoki (26–55 cm TL), myctophid fishes and natant decapods for larger hoki, and macrourids for the largest hoki (>84 cm TL). The longitudinal effect was characterised by pasiphaeids, euphausiids and sternoptychids to the west, and myctophids in the centre of Chatham Rise. Feeding activity was analysed using generalised additive models, and was found to vary with time of day, sample source (research or commercial), longitude, hoki size and depth. The variability in diet suggested hoki forage opportunistically within their preferred habitat and biological limits.     

Epibiotic assemblages on the pen shell Pinna rudis (Bivalvia,Pinnidae) at Matiota Beach,São Vicente Island,Cabo Verde

The rough pen shell Pinna rudis Linnaeus, 1758 (family Pinnidae), a mollusc with an Atlantic–Mediterranean distribution, is able to live in coarse sandy substrates. Considering its shell structure and ecological characteristics, P. rudis can enhance biodiversity by providing a substrate for settlement on its shell. For this reason, we compared the diversity of benthic taxa around P. rudis shells with the species diversity on P. rudis shells, at Matiota Beach, São Vicente Island, Cabo Verde. We sampled an area of 900 m2 and recorded data in situ to estimate the population size of P. rudis and the epibiotic and benthic community diversity. The average density of P. rudis estimated in the sampled area was 6.6 ind. 100 m–2 and the highest density was found at between 2 and 3 m depth, mostly in biogenic and sandy substrates. The epibiotic species diversity on P. rudis shells was significantly higher than the species diversity in the microhabitat around the shells. The P. rudis shell seems to play an important role in increasing the biodiversity of the ecosystem, with some species found only as epibionts on P. rudis.     

Chemical characterization of cloud episodes at a ridge site in Tuscan Appennines, Italy

Cloudwater samples were collected from November 1992 to March 1995 in Vallombrosa, a mountain site of the Tuscan Apennines (central Italy). Chemical analyses show that all examined inorganic ions contributed significantly to the total ionic content (TIC). The ratio SO₄²⁻/NO₄⁻ ranged from 0.92 to 3.46 and was >1 for 86% of samples. There is a wide range in the chemical composition of the cloudwater. The total ionic content ranged from 640 to 7476 μeq l⁻¹ and pH from 3.17 to 6.22. The liquid water content (LWC) ranged from 0.06 to 0.94 g m⁻³ and electrical conductivity from 47 to 485 μΩ⁻¹. The total ionic content decreases while the liquid water content increases. Also analyzed were soluble trace metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Mn, Cd, Al), synthetic anionic surfactants and the methanesulphonic acid. Chemical analyses evidenced in some cases a high concentration of organic matter. The meteorological analysis for a few samples of individual passages was carried out for the possibility of establishing a correspondence between meteorological events and chemical composition. The sources (marine, crustal and anthropogenic) of chemical components were deduced.     

Asexual origin of brooding in the sea anemones Actinia equina and A. schmidti: molecular evidence from the Portuguese shore

Reproduction by sexual or asexual viviparity is a common phenomenon in some anemone species. In this short communication, the origin of the brooded young of Actinia equina and A. schmidti from the Portuguese shore was investigated. DNA was extracted from 56 brooding adult Actinia sp. and the nuclear gene that codes for the 28S ribosomal subunit was sequenced. Species identity was then assessed using GenBank. In total, 50 individuals were A. schmidti, five were A. equina and one had a hybrid origin. Three adult anemones (the hybrid, one A. equina and one A. schmidti) possessed two different 28S sequences and so their offspring was selected for further analysis using the same molecular procedure. Each brooded polyp was found to possess the exact same sequence as its parent, strongly suggesting the asexual origin of broods in A. equina and A. schmidti.     

中原油气区侏罗系地层特征

综述中原油气区侏罗系地层古生物特征,提出该区存在下侏罗统—中侏罗统,未确证存在上侏罗统,过去所称上侏罗统—下白垩统归入下白垩统为宜。提出了区内北部临清坳陷的下侏罗统—中侏罗统地层可划分为中一下侏罗统的坊子组和中侏罗统的三台组、西南部济源凹陷下侏罗统的鞍腰组和中侏罗统马凹组、东南部黄口凹陷仅存在中侏罗统的三台组、南部中牟凹陷的侏罗纪地层与济源凹陷的相近,并提出了它们之间的对比意见。