Accumulation of Zn,Cu and Cd by crabs and barnacles

The crab Carcinus maenas (L.) and the barnacle Elminius modestus Darwin were exposed to a range of dissolved concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cd for 21 days in artificial seawater. Accumulation of Zn and Cu by crabs has been interpreted in terms of the presence of a regulation mechanism to maintain constant body concentrations (83·2 ± 19·4 μg Zn g^?1 dry wt.; 39·8 ± 9·8 μg Cu g^?1 dry wt.) under varying external dissolved metal levels, until a threshold dissolved metal concentration (c. 400 μg Zn l^?1; c. 170 μg Cu l^?1) beyond which net accumulation of metal begins. Cadium appears to be accumulated by C. maenas at all exposures with no evidence for regulation of body cadmium concentrations. Exposure of E. modestus to Zn, Cu or Cd caused net accumulation of the respective metal in the bodies of the barnacles, with no evidence for regulation of body metal concentrations.     

Immediate profile and planform evolution of a beach nourishment project with hurricane influences

In this study, planform adjustment began during a period of calm weather immediately after nourishment and then the passage of one strong storm caused a substantial portion of the total profile equilibration. Weekly beach profiles, shoreline surveys, and nearshore wave measurements were conducted before, during, and immediately after construction of the 1100-m long Upham Beach nourishment project on the low-energy, west coast of Florida. This project was constructed in three segments: the wide north segment, the central segment, and the narrow south segment. With the exception of the relatively distant passage of Hurricane Charley, calm weather prevailed for 45 days following completion of the south and central segments. Construction of the wide north segment was completed on August 27, 2004. Substantial planform diffusion occurred prior to construction completion via formation of a 300-m long spit extending from the wide north segment. The shoreline orientation was changed abruptly due to this diffusion spit formation, as opposed to the gradual adjustment predicted by most long-term models. Planform adjustment was initiated prior to profile equilibration, and it did not require high-energy conditions. A simple vector sum model for determining the orientation of a potential diffusion spit was developed. This study recommends designing end transitions at the predicted diffusion spit orientation to avoid post-nourishment spit formation during future projects.     

An inexpensive instrument for measuring benthic current velocity and direction at sea

An instrument which measures the velocity and direction of benthic water currents at depths of up to 80 m is described. Characteristics of this meter include: (i) readings are not affected by water flow during sinking or retrieval; (ii) it is portable; (iii) it operates unattended; (iv) it is inexpensive; and (v) it requires only simple maintenance. A timing circuit which operates two time periods in succession is used to activate and de-activate a revolution counter and a fluidfilled compass which are mounted on a special frame and vane system. In the field, the instrument accurately measured average current velocities of up to 6 m s⁻¹. Data are presented which illustrate the usefulness of this instrument in describing the velocity and direction of benthic currents along the east coast of Australia and demonstrate a positive correlation between benthic current velocity and catch rates of the commercially-exploited spanner crab Ranina ranina.     

Reproductive Biology of Liocarcinus puber and L holsatus (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae) from the Gower Peninsula, South Wales

Abstract. Routine monthly samples of the commercially important portunid crab Liocarcimtx puber and the sympatric but ecologically separated L. holsatus were collected from the waters and shores around the Gowcr Peninsula, South Wales, between November 1983 and September 1985.
The pubertal moult in L. puber occurred at 38 mm CW (carapace width) (females) and 42 mm CW (males). In L. holsatus this occurred at 17 mm (females) and 18.5 mm CW (males). The median size of ovigcrous females was 49.2 ± 6.7 mm CW in L. puber and 26.5 ± 2.0 mm CW in L. holsatus.
Moulting and copulation occurred between spring and autumn, the moulting period of males being earlier than that of the females. Ovigcrous L. holsatus were recorded throughout the year, with highest proportions between February and April. L. puber were ovigcrous mainly between January and March; none was recorded between September and November. The number of eggs of the wild brood (range: 39,000–280,000 for L. holsatus and 40.000–262.000 for L. puber ) was related to female body size as y = 3.099.51 c^0.1126x, r = 0.90, n = 21 and y = 6,335.98 c^0.051x, r = 0.88, n = 23, respectively, where y = number of eggs and x = carapace width (mm).
Following successful copulation, females of both species were able to spawn more than once during an intcrmoult period.     

Reduction of sand demand for shore protection

Beach nourishment is an environmentally preferred method of shore protection, but the annual sand requirement may lead to substantial maintenance costs. The shoreline processes, involving the surf zone, beach and dune, are reviewed with the aim of reducing the annual sand requirement of eroding shorelines. It is shown that surf zones with equilibrium profiles, on which the wave energy conversion is evenly distributed across the surf zone, from experience for given conditions indicate least loss of sand. On steep, eroding shorelines it may be difficult to establish an equilibrium profile. For such cases, the use of perched surf zones is recommended, which are supported at the seaward limit by an underwater sill. For reduction of littoral transport, the use of pervious pile groynes is recommended. These are arguably more efficient than impervious groynes. The sand loss from a usually dry beach by raised water levels is shown to be a function of the beach slope and is least when the storm waves at raised water levels do not cut an erosion escarpment. The loss of sand from a dune by infrequent severe storm tides can be prevented with the aid of a built-in membrane. These sand losses are usually large and constitute an uneconomic use of this sand resource. The proposed concepts and measures are linked to existing knowledge, augmented by data from the large wave flume (LWF) in Germany and field data from the North and Baltic Sea coasts.     

虾蟹类亲体生殖营养需求研究的进展

本文综述了虾蟹类生殖营养的最新研究成果,并讨论了各营养素对虾蟹类亲体成熟、生殖和幼体质量的影响．此外,就今后在虾蟹类亲体生殖营养方面开展深入研究提出了一些建议。     

中国沿海10 种方蟹16S rRNA 基因序列分析及系统发育研究

中国沿海10种方蟹线粒体16S rRNA基因部分片段的序列长度为517 bp～533 bp。它们的核苷酸序列A、T、G、C的含量相似,A+T的含量(69.8%～76.0%)明显高于G+C的含量;10种方蟹的16S rRNA基因序列比对获得541 bp的同源序列(含插入/缺失位点),除插入/缺失位点外共检测到146个变异位点,其中81个为简约信息位点。4种厚蟹与2种近方蟹的遗传距离(0.054～0.085)都显著小于与其他方蟹之间的遗传距离,甚至明显小于与4种厚蟹原本属于同一相手蟹科的2种相手蟹之间的遗传距离(0.105～0.155);而基于16S rRNA基因片段序列采用NJ法构建的系统进化树的拓扑结构也显示,原本属于相手蟹科的侧足厚蟹、天津厚蟹、日本仿厚蟹和伍氏仿厚蟹没有与2种相手蟹聚为一支,而是最终与属于弓蟹科的2种近方蟹聚为一大支,且有高达99%的支持率。结果表明,4种厚蟹与2种近方蟹的亲缘关系相对较近,而与2种相手蟹等其他方蟹的亲缘关系则相对较远。因此,研究结果支持将4种厚蟹从相手蟹科移到弓蟹科。此外,属于相手蟹科的2种相手蟹聚为一支,属于方蟹科的白纹方蟹和属于斜纹蟹科的瘤突斜纹蟹又各自成为一支;表明16S rRNA基因的分子数据支持其形态学分类结果的正确性,提示上述4科蟹类可能分别为单系。     

Frost weathering and the saturation of coastal rocks

Measurements were made of the water content in coastal rocks, by simulating tidal oscillations in the laboratory, and by field measurement in eastern Canada. If rapid freezing takes place upon exposure to the air, saturation levels may be high enough to permit frost weathering in fine grained rocks in the lower portions of the intertidal zone. Near the high tidal level, however, it may be dependent upon a supply of water from the ice foot and from melting snow. If freezing is slow, frost action may be inhibited by desorption of the rocks while they are exposed by the ebb tide. There was no evidence of a level of permanent sea water saturation within the intertidal zone. Ambient temperature and humidity may affect the rate of rock desorption.