Seasonal population structure,vertical distribution and migration of the chaetognath Sagitta elegans in the Celtic Sea

The biology of the chaetognath Sagitta elegans Verrill has been much researched, but detailed studies of population structure have generally been conducted in coastal water where dynamic tidal conditions may cause difficulty in interpretation of data. The resolution of sampling examining vertical distribution and diurnal migration has also been rather coarse. During a series of eight cruises to a seasonally thermally stratified sampling site in the Celtic Sea in 1978 and 1979, detailed vertical zooplankton profiles were taken to study the seasonal population structure, vertical distribution and migration of this species. The overwintering stock of S. elegans (22 to 52 individuals m^-2, 0 to 90 m) had a wide range of lengths (5 to 20 mm) and matured in 1978 from early March, spawning several times before dying out by late July. Young produced by the overwintering stock started to mature in July and population numbers reached their highest in August (2483 m^-2, 132.8 mg C m^-2) when sea temperature peaked (17.1°C). By October, the population of S. elegans declined (284 m^-2), which was thought to be due to a combination of lower sea-water temperature, competition for and availability of food, and predation. Because of the length range of the overwintering population (5 to 20 mm), it is assumed that reproduction continued at a low level over the winter, although eggs were not found in January and February, the coldest months of the year. In summer, the smallest S. elegans (2 to 6 mm) were found in the near-surface waters and did not migrate, but as their lengths increased they occupied deeper depth ranges and a portion of the population started to migrate diurnally. Individuals which did not migrate and stayed in the warmer surface waters, or those which migrated into it, matured faster than those remaining in the colder water below the thermocline. Migration to surface waters by mature individuals seemed to be stopped by high surface temperatures (17°C) and a sharp thermocline (3 C°). As sea temperature increased during the year from the winter minimum of 7.7°C, S. elegans matured at a progressively shorter length (14 mm in March 1978 to 10 mm in August). There are probably only three generations of S. elegans a year in the Celtic Sea.     

Population biology of hyperbenthic crustaceans in a cold water environment (Conception Bay,Newfoundland). I.<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Mysis mixta</Emphasis> (Mysidacea)

Seasonal population dynamics of Mysis mixta Lilljeborg were studied from December 1998 to November 2000 at a 240 m deep site in Conception Bay, Newfoundland. At this depth, temperature was <0°C and salinity between 32.0 and 34.0 psu year-round. The spring phytoplankton bloom began in early or late March and reached a maximum in late April to mid-May. M. mixta exhibited a highly synchronised life cycle, with spawning and mating occurring in October to November, embryos brooded for ~5 months, and juveniles released during spring bloom sedimentation in April and May. Females were semelparous and died at age 2.5 years, following release of juveniles in spring, whereas the majority of mature males died at age 2 years, following mating in November. The biennial life cycle of this population resulted in the presence of two cohorts in the hyperbenthos at any given time. Variation in density and biomass was low among cohorts but high within cohorts, the latter probably due to the high motility of mysids. Densities in 1999 and 2000 were 242±379 and 544±987 ind. per 100 m³ (mean±SD), respectively. Although growth rates were similar between years, rates measured from changes in dry mass differed both seasonally and among life-history stages (range from –4 to 7 mg month^–1). Annual secondary production was estimated at 29–73 mg C m^–2 in 1999 and 53–205 mg C m^–2 in 2000. The annual P/B ratios were 1.62 and 1.19 in 1999 and 2000, respectively.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Population biology of hyperbenthic crustaceans in a cold water environment (Conception Bay,Newfoundland). II.<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Acanthostepheia malmgreni</Emphasis> (Amphipoda)

Seasonal population dynamics of the gammarid Acanthostepheia malmgreni Goës in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, were examined from October 1998 to November 2000. This species exhibited a 2.5-year life span, with the reproductive cycle correlating with seasonal phytoplankton flux. Females were semelparous and died following a 5-month brooding period and the subsequent release of juveniles in April and May. The biennial life cycle of this population should result in the presence of two cohorts in the hyperbenthos at any given time. However, the cohorts alternated in strength from year to year, which affected annual density, biomass and production during the study period. Densities were 64±87 ind. per 100 m³ in 1999 and 491±492 ind. per 100 m³ (mean±SD) in 2000. Secondary production was estimated at 18–44 mg C m^–2 in 1999 and 180–311 mg C m^–2 in 2000. The annual P/B ratios were 0.89 and 2.27 in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Growth varied both among and within cohorts, with different life-history stages exhibiting variable growth rates ranging from 0 to 12 mg dry mass month^–1.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Seasonal variation in reproduction and population structure of the bivalve Limopsis tajimae in the upper bathyal zone of Suruga Bay, Japan

Seasonal variation in reproduction and population size structure was investigated for the suspension-feeding bivalve Limopsis tajimae Sowerby inhabiting the upper bathyal zone (300 m deep) of Suruga Bay, central Japan. The bivalve was collected at 1- to 4-month intervals for a period of 22 months, and bottom environment was monitored concurrently to detect factors affecting seasonality in the bivalve. Bottom water temperature, organic carbon and nitrogen contents in the sediments did not exhibit seasonal variation. Size-adjusted soft-tissue weight varied slightly, but statistically significantly between stations and months. However, its seasonal pattern was not obvious, and the pattern of temporal variation was totally different between stations. The sex ratio did not deviate from 1:1, and there was no significant difference between shell lengths of females and males. Females possess both immature small oocytes and large developed oocytes in their ovaries throughout the year, suggesting that they can potentially undergo year-round continuous reproduction. The proportion of developed oocytes in each female varied greatly from month to month, although no seasonal cycle was obvious. Population size structure of L. tajimae was polymodal. A mode of the smallest size class occurred in most months, suggesting long periods of bivalve recruitment. These findings indicate that seasonal variation in reproduction of the bivalve was negligible, probably reflecting constant physical and nutritive conditions of the bottom environment. Received: 6 January 1998 / Accepted: 19 May 1998     

Heterotrophic flagellates from the water column in Shark Bay, Western Australia

The diversity of heterotrophic flagellates in the water column at Denham, in Shark Bay, Western Australia, was examined in April 1995 by observations of living cells in freshly collected samples, and in enrichment cultures. Observations were also made of cells on whole-mount preparations, using light and electron microscopy. A total of 41 species are described, drawn from the apusomonads, cercomonads, choanoflagellates, cryptomonads, euglenids, heteroloboseids, stramenopiles and groups of uncertain taxonomic affinities (Protista incertae sedis). A new species, Percolomonas denhami, is described and assigned to the Heterolobosea. Three-quarters of the species seen have not previously been reported from southern sub-tropical regions. The biogeography of the species seen in Western Australia is discussed with reference to studies in other localities. It appears that many heterotrophic flagellates have a cosmopolitan distribution. Received: 11 June 1996 / Accepted: 13 December 1996     

渤海湾海岸带表层沉积物中黑碳的分布特征

在渤海湾西海岸潮间带、近海和主要河流采集了85个表层沉积物样品,对黑碳（BC）的质量分数及其分布规律进行了研究,并探讨了BC与沉积物粒度的关系。结果表明：（1）渤海湾海岸带表层沉积物中BC的平均质量分数为（0.65±0.42）mg·g^-1,占总有机碳的比例为16.8%±7.5%,均高于我国其它海岸带;（2）潮间带沉积物中BC的质量分数存在明显的南北分区差异（以天津港码头为界）,北区（0.92mg·g^-1）比南区（0.22mg·g^-1）平均高4倍以上;近海和河流样品BC的质量分数也有一定程度的＂北高南低＂趋势,表明BC在海岸带运移扩散的继承性,河流输入可能是主要途径;（3）潮间带沉积物粒度表现为＂北区细＂（以粘土质粉砂主）而＂南区粗＂（以砂为主）,反映两个区域的水动力条件和沉积环境不同,是造成BC质量分数区域差异的主要原因。     

Pattern of planktonic bioluminescence in the northern Sargasso Sea: Seasonal and vertical distribution

The vertical structure of bioluminescence potential (BPOT) and flash density (FD) were measured on five cruises to the northern Sargasso Sea in 1987 and 1988. Depth-integrated (0 to 150 m) BPOT did not vary seasonally, remaining within the range 9 to 15 × 10¹⁵ photons m^–2 in all months sampled. Conversely, depth-integrated FD was significantly higher (> 2 × 10⁵ flashes m^–2) during winter (November and March) than during summer (< 9 × 10⁴ flashes m^–2 in May and August). The vertical patterns of BPOT and FD were well correlated within a single profile, more highly so in summer than in winter. Despite intracruise variability in the vertical pattern of BPOT and FD, there were clear summer-winter differences in the vertical distribution of BPOT and FD. During winter, BPOT and FD were maximal and relatively uniform throughout the surface mixed layer; for example in November they declined sharply within the thermocline at 130 to 150 m. During summer, BPOT and FD were greatest (12 to 25 × 10¹³ photons m^–3 and 600 to 1 200 flashes m^–3, respectively) at subsurface depths. Commonly in summer, the upper depth limit of high BPOT and FD occurred at the base of the surface mixed layer (10 to 40 m) and the lower depth limit was located at the base of the subsurface fluorescence maximum (usually at 100 to 120 m).     

Life cycle, seasonal vertical distribution and feeding of Calanus finmarchicus in Skagerrak coastal water

 Day/night zooplankton sampling in Kosterfjorden, Sweden, gave information on population succession, vertical distribution and feeding of Calanus finmarchicus over 17 months. Copepodid Stage 1 and 2 (C-I, C-II) were present from December to August, indicating reproduction during most of the year. Mating and breeding for the overwintering generation mainly took place in February/March, resulting in peak abundance of C-I in March/April. Secondary breeding periods were in April and July/August, but the resulting recruitment from these were low. The relative recruitment success in the first spring was around 13 times higher than during the second spring. Low temperature in the surface water early in the year and depression of the spring phytoplankton bloom may have caused the failure in the second year. Population biomass peaked at >15 g dry weight m⁻² during the numeric peak of the youngest stages in March/April. A more sustainable level of high biomass of 8 to 10 g dw m⁻² was gradually built up during summer, mainly due to a continuous accumulation of C-Vs. Adults and C-Vs comprised the overwintering population, with 7 to 14% and 85 to 93%, respectively, for the 2 years, but only C-Vs staying in the deep water were in a resting state. Adult males showed a strong diurnal vertical migration (DVM) of the usual type from spring to early autumn and a reversed DVM during the cold season. They were in a feeding state throughout the year. Adult females showed the usual type of DVM during summer to autumn, but commonly a reversed DVM during winter to spring. They were usually in a feeding state, with no pronounced differences between surface and deep water or between day and night. C-Vs aggregated in the deep water from October to March and performed DVM in April to June. They were commonly feeding in the deep water between March and June but showed no or very low feeding activity there from July to February. C-Vs in the surface water were commonly feeding and showed the highest proportion of feeding in autumn, when the population in the deep water was inactive. C-V constituted up to nearly 100% of the population biomass, and therefore must be of profound ecological importance. Defined by this dominant role, the population of C. finmarchicus can be characterised as having an active period of feeding, reproduction and development from February to July with a following 6 to 7 months of resting in the deep water, when development is arrested and no feeding occurs. Received: 1 October 1999 / Accepted: 27 April 2000     

Seasonal variation of the concentrations of 137Cs in sediment,sea water,and some organisms collected from Izmir Bay and Didim

¹³⁷Cs in the marine environment mainly originates from fallout of atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, accidental releases from nuclear facilities, and from the Chernobyl accident. After the latter accident, many studies have been carried out in Turkey. The objective of this study is to assess the spatial distribution of ¹³⁷Cs in the coastal marine environment of the Aegean Sea.

The concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in sediment, sea water, mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), and fish samples collected from the coast of the Aegean Sea at Izmir Bay and near Didim (Akbük) have been monitored for seasonal variability by the means of gamma spectroscopy: they vary between 0.10 ± 0.01 and 1.5 ± 0.3 Bq kg^?1, 1.3 ± 0.1 and 4.3 ± 0.4 Bq m^?3, <0.2 and 1.3 ± 0.3 Bq kg^?1, and 0.20 ± 0.03 and 1.8 ± 0.3 Bq kg^?1, respectively.     

Intertidal distribution,population dynamics and production of the amphipod Uhlorchestia spartinophila in a Georgia,USA, salt marsh

The talitrid amphipod Uhlorchestia spartinophila Bousfield and Heard occurs in close association with the smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora Loisel in salt marshes along the U.S. Atlantic coast. In order to assess its potential as a prey resource for secondary consumers, we followed the population and production dynamics of this amphipod from 3 November 1990 to 2 October 1991 in a salt marsh on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Semimonthly samples were taken along an intertidal transect, which extended from a vegetated creekbank levee landward 140 m to a site near the upland edge of the marsh. Amphipod densities ranged from 9 to 826 indm^-2 and were greatest in the levee and high marsh habitats at opposite ends of the transect. The highest densities occurred in March to May and the lowest in November and December. Specific growth rates, which ranged from 0.001 to 0.024 mm mm^-1 d^-1 length and 0.003 to 0.068 mg mg^-1 d^-1 AFDW (ash-free dry weight), were least in winter and decreased with increasing amphipod size. Although some reproduction occurred year-round, most of the population's reproductive output was from January to May, when adults had the greatest size-specific mass. Sex ratio usually favored females, which were larger than males. Minimum adult female size was 5.4 mm total length (TL). Broods included from 1 to 28 eggs or young and increased with increasing body size, averaging 7.4 young for an average-size female of 7.6 mm TL. Annual production, which ranged from 0.769 to 1.444 g AFDW m^-2, was least in the low marsh and greatest in the levee habitat. Production:biomass ratios were 15.4 to 17.3 in different habitats. Such high turnover rates, together with the population's broad intertidal distribution, suggest a greater contribution to trophic dynamics than is implied by the relatively low standing stock biomass of U. spartinophila in this marsh system.     

Lunar influence on distribution of a calanoid copepod in the water column of a shallow,temperate estuary

Moonlight had a significant influence on the distribution of the copepodPseudodiaptomus hessei in the water column. Copepod samples were taken between March 1986 and March 1987 in the Sundays River estuary. South Africa. Late copepodid stages and adults showed vertical differences in abundance on moonlit nights, with more animals in bottom waters, but not on dark nights. Numbers of adults present in the water column were markedly lower on full moon nights compared with new moon nights. The strongest decrease in abundance was displayed by ovigerous females. These observed distribution patterns support published predation hypotheses.     

Seasonal and spatial differences in the fish assemblage of the non-estuarine Sulaibikhat Bay,Kuwait

In the period September 1986 to August 1987 fish were captured once a month, using an otter trawl, from the intertidal and subtidal regions of Sulaibikhat Bay, Kuwait. Correlation analysis revealed that numbers were not directly related to temperature at the time of sampling. The recruitment of large numbers of young of the year Liza carinata (Valenciennes) during March was related to low temperatures in November, the probable time of spawning of this species. Salinity at the time of sampling was inversely correlated with numbers. This result indicates that large numbers of 0+fish recruit to the Bay during the period of maximum fresh water outflow through the Shatt-al-Arab. Numbers of fish were significantly greater in the intertidal region, where they were present almost entirely as 0 group fish, than in the subtidal. The three dominant species of the assemblage are shown to use the two depth intervals in differnt ways. L. carinata was capture a almost exclusively in the intertidal region as 0+ fish. Pomadasys stridens (Forsskål) was captured as 0+ fish in both the intertidal and subtidal regions but in greater numbers in the intertidal region. Leiognathus brevirostris (Valenciennes) was captured as small, mostly 0+ individuals in the intertidal region and as larger fish in the subtidal region. The use made by the smaller fish of the intertidal region is related to the avoidance of sublittoral predators and reduction of intraspecific competition, whilst larger fish in the sublittoral region may be avoiding predation by piscivorous birds.     

大亚湾裸甲藻种群动态及其关键调控因子

2008年1—12月对大亚湾养殖海域裸甲藻种群动态和主要环境因子进行了周年调查。结果表明,大亚湾海域裸甲藻类群以直径约为16～22μm的小型裸甲藻（Gymnodinium sp.）为主,另外米氏凯伦藻（Karenia mikimotoi）、链状裸甲藻（Gymnodnium catenatum）和血红哈卡藻（Akashiwo sanguinea）也有少量出现。裸甲藻种群密度呈现出明显的季节性变化特征：5月出现裸甲藻密度高峰,全年最大密度达到903 cells.mL-1,秋冬季节密度最小。不同站位裸甲藻密度也具有明显的空间分布差异,养殖及近岸海域密度普遍高于外海对照区。相关性分析结果表明,裸甲藻密度的关键调控因子包括温度、化学需氧量（COD）、可溶性有机氮（DON）和尿素浓度。裸甲藻高密度、高频率出现的温度范围在24～26℃,DON和尿素的质量浓度范围分别为N 156.38～187μg·L-1和N 17.4～38.9μg·L-1。在温度适宜的条件下,尿素等有机氮含量的增加可能成为裸甲藻赤潮的触发因子。     

Movements of farmed and wild Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) released in Trinity Bay,Newfoundland

Fishery scientists and managers are investigating the feasibility of enhancing annual recruitment to the northern Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) stock complex off Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland through the release of farmed fish back into the sea. Release of newly matured fish and adults with farm-advanced fecundity would increase the spawning biomass. Enhancement efforts might be measurably successful in major bays that are year-round habitats for cod. To determine if farmed cod would remain and spawn in Trinity Bay, 14 fish with surgically implanted transmitters were released in November 1992. Sonic tracking confirmed that farmed cod released on the western side of Trinity Bay overwintered within the bay, and integrated with wild cod approaching spawning condition in April 1993. Blood plasma antifreeze levels confirmed that these wild cod had overwintered inshore in subzero waters. A spawning aggregation was found in July 1993, providing evidence that northern cod reproduce in Newfoundland bays. These findings suggest that it may be possible to increase the number of cod spawning inshore through the release of farmed fish.     

Diurnal vertical migration of an estuarine cladoceran,Podon polyphemoides,in the Chesapeake Bay

Populations of the marine cladoceran Podon polyphemoides (Leuckart) in the Chesapeake Bay (USA) zooplankton typically occur in large patches, extending the length of the estuary. These patches are characterized by well defined maxima, which do not move seaward during a given season. During the day, the bulk of the population is situated in the upper part of the two-layered estuarine circulation, where it is subjected to transport by net non-tidal seaward current. One mechanism for maintaining the population within the estuary is provided by the diurnal behavior of the podonids, which migrate to deeper water during the night. The landward advection of the deeper currents, thus, helps to counterbalance seaward population loss during the day. The extent of the vertical movement of the population can be modified by various environmental factors, but a suggestive correlation with light was found. It is thought that the downward component of the migration is due to passive sinking.     

Mesozooplankton distribution,metabolism and grazing in an anticyclonic slope water oceanic eddy (SWODDY) in the Bay of Biscay

Mesozooplankton distribution, metabolism and feeding were investigated in the slope water oceanic anticyclonic eddy (SWODDY) AE6 during the cruise Gigovi-0898, which was conducted in August 1998 in the Bay of Biscay. According to the distribution of isotherms at 200 m depth, the sampling area was divided into three zones: SWODDY centre (C), edge (E) and outside the SWODDY (O). Multivariate analysis identified four different zooplankton assemblages. Such separation was closely related to the structure of the SWODDY, with each grouping associated to a particular zone of this mesoscale structure. Thus, two of the groups were located at the SWODDY centre and outside (groups C and O, respectively), whereas the two remaining station groupings (T_WE and T_NS) were situated at the SWODDY margin. The assemblages C and O differed clearly from each other in their taxonomic composition. In contrast, T_WE and T_NS were separated because of the differences observed in numerical abundance rather than by a different composition. Some taxa were found exclusively outside the SWODDY, while others were confined to the centre, suggesting a large degree of isolation of the SWODDY with respect to the surrounding waters. Phytoplankton and mesozooplankton biomass followed a similar pattern, with highest values in the SWODDY centre, although the differences between zones were significant only for phytoplankton. The highest grazing impact for both phytoplankton standing stock (3.4%) and primary production (12.7%) was observed outside the SWODDY. Ammonium released by mesozooplankton accounted for between 25.3% (outside the SWODDY) and 44.4% (SWODDY centre) of total phytoplankton nitrogen demands. The percentage of total phosphorus required to be fulfilled by phosphate excretion ranged from 14.0% at the edge to 17.5% outside. Mesozooplankton underwent intense vertical migrations, especially at the SWODDY edge. The role of the mesozooplankton in the biological pump releasing metabolic end-products below 200 m at night time is proposed as one of the main sources of downward export of biogenic material in these systems.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff     

太湖梅梁湾水体微囊藻毒素含量的季节变化特征及其影响因素研究

采用高效液相色谱法对太湖梅梁湾水体中微囊藻毒素的质量浓度进行春、夏、秋、冬4个季节的监测,分析了梅梁湾水体中微囊藻毒素(MC-RR,MC-YR,MC-LR)质量浓度的季节变化特征及其与水体中总氮、总磷、CODMn和浮游藻类等富营养化指标的相关关系。分析结果表明:MCs夏季(8月份)质量浓度最高,为(0.78±0.99)μg.L-1,其次为春季(5月份)和秋季(11月份),分别为(0.43±0.96)和(0.50±1.12)μg.L-1,冬季(2月份)质量浓度显著降低,为(0.14±0.27)μg.L-1;水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与常规水化学指标之间相关性分析表明:MC-LR的质量浓度与TP的质量浓度呈极显著正相关与TN/TP呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),与CODMn呈显著正相关(P<0.05);水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与浮游藻类生物量相关性分析表明:水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与微囊藻及蓝藻生物量有显著相关关系,太湖梅梁湾的藻毒素主要由微囊藻属(Microcystis)产生。     

太湖梅梁湾水体微囊藻毒素含量的季节变化特征及其影响因素研究

采用高效液相色谱法对太湖梅梁湾水体中微囊藻毒素的质量浓度进行春、夏、秋、冬4个季节的监测,分析了梅梁湾水体中微囊藻毒素（MC-RR,MC-YR,MC-LR）质量浓度的季节变化特征及其与水体中总氮、总磷、CODMn和浮游藻类等富营养化指标的相关关系。分析结果表明：MCs夏季（8月份）质量浓度最高,为（0.78±0.99）μg.L-1,其次为春季（5月份）和秋季（11月份）,分别为（0.43±0.96）和（0.50±1.12）μg.L-1,冬季（2月份）质量浓度显著降低,为（0.14±0.27）μg.L-1;水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与常规水化学指标之间相关性分析表明：MC-LR的质量浓度与TP的质量浓度呈极显著正相关与TN/TP呈极显著负相关（P〈0.01）,与CODMn呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）;水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与浮游藻类生物量相关性分析表明：水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与微囊藻及蓝藻生物量有显著相关关系,太湖梅梁湾的藻毒素主要由微囊藻属（Microcystis）产生。     

Occurrence,distribution and dynamics of perchlorate in soil,water, fertilizers,vegetables and fruits and associated human exposure in Chile

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Perchlorate (ClO4?) has been identified as a persistent environmental contaminant of concern. Perchlorate exposure is a potential health concern...