Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in red mullet (Mullus bavbatus) and sediments from the Eastern Aegean Sea

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and sediment samples in the eastern Aegean Sea. The data were collected during cruises in July and November 1994, in the framework of National Marine Measurement and Monitoring Programme in the Aegean Sea. PAHs were detected in the tissue of Mullus barbatus of different sex and size from nine sampling sites throughout the study area ranging from 0.03 to 0.46 ug/g (fresh weight). The observations show the high levels of PAHs were found in tissues of females. The average concentration of PAHs in Aegean Sea sediments ranged from 0.20 to 1.8 ug/g (dry weight). No significant correlation was observed between PAH and sedimentary organic carbon.     

Trace metal distribution in different chemical fractions of marine sediments along the eastern Aegean shelf

The major objective of this study was to carry out sequential chemical extraction for the partitioning of particulate trace metals in sediment samples, collected along the eastern Aegean shelf during cruises July‐August 1994, in the framework of a National Marine Measurement and Monitoring Programme for the Aegean Sea.

Five metals, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr were examined in each of sediment samples. Three chemical fractions of the sediments were separated and concentrations of the trace metals were determined by AAS techniques. The three different leaches used were hydroxylamine hydrochloride‐acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and nitric‐perchloric acids.

Metals were concentrated mainly in the fraction extracted by nitric‐perchloric acids. Lead in the first fraction were found in the sediments of Northern part of Aegean, where the concentration of organic material was high.

The total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr were higher in Izmir Bay than the other sampling points. The distribution of Pb concentrations was the highest in Edremit Bay and Izmir Bay.     

Mesozooplankton communities in the Aegean and Black Seas: a comparative study

An attempt was made for a comparative study of the mesozooplankton communities between the Aegean and Black Seas. These areas are in connected through the Sea of Marmara, the Bosporus and the Dardanelles straits. The comparison was mainly based on data collected both in coastal and offshore waters, by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (Greece), the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (Russia), the Institute of Biology of Southern Seas (Ukraine) and the Institute of Oceanology (Bulgaria). Our data revealed important differentiation in terms of species composition and interannual fluctuations of zooplankton quantity. Among the common copepod species, those presenting an eurytherm and/or euryhaline character (e.g. Acartia clausi, Paracalanus parvus, Penilia avirostris, Podon polyphemoides) were found dominant in the Black Sea and common in the Aegean Sea. Decreased dissimilarity of species composition seems to exist between the North Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, as well as between the coastal areas of the Black Sea and those affected by pollution in the Aegean Sea. A common feature of both seas is the existence of spatial differentiation in terms of the quantity of zooplankters due to anthropogenic and/or natural influences. The pattern of this differentiation seems to vary interannually in the Black Sea, depending either on the abundance of mesozooplankton predators (indigenous or invasive species) or on global climatic changes. Although the Black Sea is generally richer in zooplankton than the Aegean Sea, the significant decrease in the quantity of zooplankton from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, due to the above factors, resulted in quasi-similar values in both areas. Black Sea mesozooplankton has revealed strong interannual variability both quantitatively and qualitatively, whereas no significant variability was detected in the Aegean Sea. This difference could be attributed both to variant anthropogenic forcing on these ecosystems and to the sensitive character of the semi-enclosed Black Sea.Communicated by M.E. Vinogradov, Moscow     

The cladocerans of the Aegean Sea: Occurrence and seasonal variation

The little-known cladoceran population of the Aegean Sea was studied. One hundred and seventy-six planktonic samples were collected during 8 cruises in the Aegean Sea (4 in the northern part, 4 in the southern part). From these samples, the following 4 species of Cladocera were determined: Evadne spinifera Muller, Evadne tergestina Claus, Penilia avirostris Dana, Podon intermedius Lilljeborg. All species were found both in the north and in the south Aegean Sea, with the exception of P. avirostris, which was found only in the northern Aegean Sea. Its absence from the southern part is attributed to the higher salinities and the pelagic character of the area. With regard to abundance, E. spinifera is by far the commonest in this area; P. avirostris and E. tergestina could be characterised as frequent forms; P. intermedius is scarce. P. avirostris, E. spinifera and E. tergestina are thermophilic; their occurrence is more or less restricted to the warm season; P. intermedius is psychrophilic and appears only in winter.     

Hydrology and pollution of lake vistonis in Northern Greece

The basic objective of this study is the understanding of the hydrology and hydraulic characteristics of Lake Vistonis, a very shallow lake in Northern Greece, connected to the Aegean Sea through an irregular shallow channel. In this paper we estimate the pollutant residence time and the discharge of lake to the Aegean Sea as a function of lake elevation. Also we determine the seasonal variations of salinity of the lake.     

137Cs Inventory in Abiotic Component and Biota From the Aegean and Ionian Sea - Greece

This study deals with ¹³⁷Cs dispersion and behaviour in the Aegean and Ionian Sea based on work done during the period 1984-1994, as a brief general review. Sea water, sediment and marine biota were analysed and measured by gamma spectrometry and the activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs were evaluated with consideration to the sources of pollution. According to ¹³⁷Cs levels the period is distinguished into three sub-periods, the pre-Chernobyl, the early Chernobyl influence and the late Chernobyl influence period. During the early period of the Chernobyl accident the ¹³⁷Cs levels in the Greek marine environment increased roughly up to an order of magnitude if compared with the pre-accident ones. Since 1988, the late impact of the accident is focused mainly in the North Aegean Sea, at the Dardanelles mouth, due to the Black Sea outflow.     

Population development of the invader ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, in the Black Sea and in other seas of the Mediterranean basin

In the last two decades of the twentieth century, the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassiz) has invaded the Black, Azov, Marmara and Aegean Seas, and, recently, the Caspian Sea. Here, we compare its spatial and temporal distribution, seasonal dynamics and the time and duration of reproduction. We also discuss factors that control its abundance throughout its invasive range and its effect on ecosystems. Observations are based on the long-term field data collected by three research institutes. An analysis of the effects of temperature, salinity, prey (zoo- and ichthyoplankton) availability and predation (by ctenophores of the genus Beroe) on M. leidyi population size, and the effects of M. leidyi on zoo- and ichthyoplankton, and on fish populations in the Black and Azov Seas is also provided. With the Black Sea current, M. leidyi spreads to the upper layers of the Sea of Marmara, where it now occurs around the year. At regular intervals, the Black Sea current also takes it to the northern Aegean Sea. In contrast, it has to re-invade the Sea of Azov every spring or summer, dying out during winter when the temperature drops below 4°C. The warm summer and mild winter temperatures, relatively low salinity and abundance of prey in the Black Sea are close to optimal for M. leidyi, while they are suboptimal in the northern Aegean Sea, where salinity and temperature are often too high. In the Black Sea the absence of gelatinous and other predators led to an enormous ctenophore abundance for a decade, but with the appearance of Beroe ovata in 1999, M. leidyi abundance greatly decreased. Analysis of seasonal dynamics of M. leidyi in the Black Sea and in other seas of the Mediterranean basin indicates similarities in the timing of maximum abundance and biomass, in spite of some differences in the initiation and duration of reproduction. A peak biomass and density occurred in 1989 in the Black and Azov Seas and in 1990 in the other seas. The M. leidyi invasion negatively affected the ecosystems of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The zooplankton, ichthyoplankton and zooplanktivorous fish stocks all underwent profound changes. Similar effects, but less pronounced, were recorded in the Sea of Marmara. Effects on Mediterranean food chains have, so far, remained insignificant. Salinity is probably supraoptimal here, and several predators prevent M. leidyi from reaching outbreak levels.     

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.     

WATER QUALITY IN A MEDITERRANEAN MARINE PROTECTED AREA (NORTH SPORADES ISLANDS, GREECE)

Pollution in the marine protected area of North Sporades Islands was investigated in July 1997. Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nutrients, organic carbon, hydrocarbons as well as dissolved and particulate trace metals were determined at 15 offshore and coastal stations. Dissolved organic carbon and inorganic nutrient concentrations indicate the mesotrophic character of the investigated waters. The dissolved forms of nitrogen were slightly higher at coastal stations. Dissolved and particulate Cu, Zn and Ni, were higher in coastal stations, whereas concentrations of Pb were generally low and likely of atmospheric origin. Dissolved/Dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) were close to detection limits at all stations. Temperature and salinity vertical profiles, nutrient and trace metal concentrations revealed the presence of a slight influence of the Black Sea water coming from Dardanelles straits.     

Elemental Analysis of Water and Sediments by External Beam Pixe Part 3: Axios (Vardar) River, Greece

The Axios (Vardar) River originates from the south west part of Yugoslavia, transverses Greece, and discharges into the Thermaikos bay in the north Aegean Sea.

The proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the elemental analysis of water and sediment samples, while measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen content, conductivity, pH, and the water flow were made in situ. Water samples were also analysed for total phosphates, nitrates, chlorophyll, and BOD. The data collected for a 16-month period indicate that the Axios River is polluted as far as the metal content is concerned; its primary productivity is low and it is slightly enriched during its course into the Greek territory.     

Water quality in a mediterranean marine protected area (North Sporades Islands,Greece)

Pollution in the marine protected area of North Sporades Islands was investigated in July 1997. Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nutrients, organic carbon, hydrocarbons as well as dissolved and particulate trace metals were determined at 15 offshore and coastal stations. Dissolved organic carbon and inorganic nutrient concentrations indicate the mesotrophic character of the investigated waters. The dissolved forms of nitrogen were slightly higher at coastal stations. Dissolved and particulate Cu, Zn and Ni, were higher in coastal stations, whereas concentrations of Pb were generally low and likely of atmospheric origin. Dissolved/Dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) were close to detection limits at all stations. Temperature and salinity vertical profiles, nutrient and trace metal concentrations revealed the presence of a slight influence of the Black Sea water coming from Dardanelles straits.     

Differential patterns of mesozooplankters’ distribution in relation to physical and biological variables of the northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean)

Mesozooplankton group composition was examined in the Northeastern Aegean Sea (NEA) over a grid of 30 stations sampled during July 2004. The surface water layer influenced by the low salinity Black Sea waters (BSW) is considered in this paper. We attempted to study horizontal distribution patterns of major mesozooplankters within a more comprehensive framework, taking into account not only hydrology but also available, concurrently collected data on lower trophic levels (autotrophic and microbial heterotrophic communities). BSW was mainly restricted in the eastern part of the surveyed area where it was entrapped in a ca. 50-km wide anticyclone (the “Samothraki” gyre). High Chlα concentrations, autotrophic biomass as well as abundance and biomass of mesozooplankton were associated with the BSW, with the highest values recorded inside the gyre as well as at its coastal northern periphery and the lowest values towards the western and offshore part of the surveyed area characterized by high salinity waters of Levantine origin. Among mesozooplankters, cladocerans (mainly Penilia avirostris) showed a high abundance within the gyre in contrast to the very low abundance of copepods and appendicularians. Low salinity-high temperature gyre waters were characterized by the dominance of cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus in autotrophic biomass and the significant contribution of heterotrophic nanoflagellates in microbial heterotrophic biomass. Based on existing knowledge on ecophysiological traits and prey size-spectra selectivity, we discuss the observed distribution patterns of major mesozooplankton groups in terms of ambient abiotic parameters and the possible biological interactions among these groups as well as with lower or upper trophic levels.     

Spatial Variations of Heavy Metals in the East China Sea Continental Shelf Surface Sediments

Surface sediments collected from continental shelf of the East China Sea were analyzed for heavy metals (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium), carbonate, organic carbon contents, and grain sizes. the range of concentrations observed were iron: 0.3-1.3 wt%, manganese: 2.3-14 μmole/g, copper: 7.1-184 μmole/g, zinc: 0.16-0.77μmiole/g, lead: 15-98 μmole/g, cadmium: 0.17-3.9 μmole/g, carbonate: 3.6-87 wt%, sand: 10-100%, silt: 0-70% and clay: 0-50%.

A zonal distribution pattern of the heavy metals was found in the East China Sea Continental shelf sediments. High concentrations of most heavy metals, organic carbon and fine-grained sediments were observed in the inner shelf zone, especially those near the discharge of the Yangtze River. Concentrations of these heavy metals decreased from the inner shelf to the shelf break region. High concentrations of metals were also found in sediments near Taiwan. Iron concentrations decreased north-east of the central shelf region. High concentrations of cadmium were found in the shelf break region where biogenic carbonate is predominant. This study showed that biogenic carbonate in the East China Sea shelf break region and the terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River and island of Taiwan were the major sources of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations were strongly influenced by the content of the coarse-grained quartz sand present in the sediments.     

Spatial Variations of Heavy Metals in the East China Sea Continental Shelf Surface Sediments

Surface sediments collected from continental shelf of the East China Sea were analyzed for heavy metals (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium), carbonate, organic carbon contents, and grain sizes. the range of concentrations observed were iron: 0.3-1.3 wt%, manganese: 2.3-14 μmole/g, copper: 7.1-184 μmole/g, zinc: 0.16-0.77μmiole/g, lead: 15-98 μmole/g, cadmium: 0.17-3.9 μmole/g, carbonate: 3.6-87 wt%, sand: 10-100%, silt: 0-70% and clay: 0-50%.

A zonal distribution pattern of the heavy metals was found in the East China Sea Continental shelf sediments. High concentrations of most heavy metals, organic carbon and fine-grained sediments were observed in the inner shelf zone, especially those near the discharge of the Yangtze River. Concentrations of these heavy metals decreased from the inner shelf to the shelf break region. High concentrations of metals were also found in sediments near Taiwan. Iron concentrations decreased north-east of the central shelf region. High concentrations of cadmium were found in the shelf break region where biogenic carbonate is predominant. This study showed that biogenic carbonate in the East China Sea shelf break region and the terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River and island of Taiwan were the major sources of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations were strongly influenced by the content of the coarse-grained quartz sand present in the sediments.     

Hepatic insufficiency in spawning Pacific salmon

The variability of some morpho-ecological factors was studied in 6 pelagic copepods from the North Aegean Sea. From the different findings it is concluded that temperature has a significant influence on body length; the higher the temperature of the environment during development, the shorter the body at maturity. The ratio of males to females is high in species which prefer warmer, and very low in species which prefer colder, waters. The percentage of copepodids in the entire population increases in winter and decreases considerably in summer.     

The influence of water stability on the vertical structure of a phytoplankton community

The vertical distribution of the phytoplankton community in association with water column stability was examined for 1 year in an inshore area of the Southern Aegean Sea. An analysis of variance model (split-plot design) was applied to evaluate the variations in the vertical profile of diatoms, flagellates and coccolithophores. When either weak stratification or mixing conditions prevailed, diatoms in general were uniformly distributed throughout the water column while flagellates and coccolithophores appeared occasionally stratified. During the strong stratification period, all taxa demonstrated significant variations in abundance between depths in most cases. However, none of these taxa was confined to a single depth stratum during either the water mixing or the stratification period, but were all present at all depths during all seasons. The results demonstrate clearly that the parameter taxon is an important component in ecological observations on the vertical distribution of phytoplankton.     

Annual cycle,species diversity and succession of phytoplankton in lower Saronicos Bay,Aegean Sea

Phytoplankton cycles of lower Saronicos Bay, Aegean Sea, are described on the basis of net samples collected during 1967. The annual cycle is largely due to changes in diatom concentrations (cells/liter). The diatom summer poverty is due mainly to high light intensities, phosphate depletion and extensive grazing. The species succession and diversity have been examined, and the results are discussed.     

Elemental Analysis of Water and Sediments By External Beam Pixe Part 4. Aliakmon River, Greece

The Aliakmon River originates in the North Western part of Greece, traverses the Western part of Macedonia, and discharges into the Thermaikos Bay in the North Aegean Sea. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the determination of the metallic elements in the waters and sediments of the Aliakmon River. the pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and total phosphate and nitrate concentrations were also monitored in the water samples. Data collected for a 20-month period indicate that the Aliakmon River can be still considered as an unpolluted river.     

Genetic structure of the flounders Platichthys flesus and P. stellatus at different geographic scales

The genetic structure of the flounders Platichthys flesus L. and P. stellatus Pallas was investigated on different spatial scales through analysis of allozyme variation at 7 to 24 polymorphic loci in samples collected from different regions (Baltic Sea, North Sea, Brittany, Portugal, western Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea and Japan) in 1984 to 1987. No geographic variation was evident within a region. Some pattern of differentiation by distance was inferred within the Atlantic, while the Mediterranean comprised three geographically isolated populations and was itself geographically isolated from the Atlantic (fixed allele differences at up to three loci were found among P. flesus populations from the Atlantic, the western Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea and also P. stellatus from the coast of Japan). Sea temperature during the reproductive period probably acts as a barrier to gene flow between populations. Genetic distances among European flounder populations (P. flesus) were higher than, or of the same magnitude as, the genetic distance between Pacific (P. stellatus) and European flounder populations, suggesting that P. flesus is paraphyletic and/or there is no phylogenetic basis to recognising P. stellatus as a different species. The divergence between P. flesus and P. stellatus was thus inferred to be more recent than the divergence between the present P. flesus populations from the NE Atlantic and eastern Mediterranean. The eastern Mediterranean populations are thought to originate from the colonisation of the Mediterranean by a proto-P. flesus/P. stellatus ancestor, whereas the present western Mediterranean population has undergone a more recent colonisation event by P. flesus. Patterns of mitochondrial DNA variation, established on a smaller array of P. flesus samples, were in accordance with the geographic patterns inferred from the allozyme survey. In addition, they supported the hypothesis of a two-step colonisation of the western Mediterranean. These results contribute to our understanding of the biogeography of the Mediterranean marine fauna, especially the group of boreal remnants to which P. flesus belongs. Received: 7 February 1997 / Accepted: 26 March 1997     

Elemental Analysis of Water and Sediments By External Beam Pixe Part 4. Aliakmon River,Greece

The Aliakmon River originates in the North Western part of Greece, traverses the Western part of Macedonia, and discharges into the Thermaikos Bay in the North Aegean Sea. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the determination of the metallic elements in the waters and sediments of the Aliakmon River. the pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and total phosphate and nitrate concentrations were also monitored in the water samples. Data collected for a 20-month period indicate that the Aliakmon River can be still considered as an unpolluted river.