Distribution of Alkalinity, Ph, Salinity and Carbon Dioxide Components in the Coastal Waters of Alexandria

The ara studied is located between El-Dikheila Harbour in Elmex Bay and Mandara, at longitude 29° 47' and 30° East and latitude 31° 17' North. the aim of the work is to look at carbon dioxide components in this areA and the effect of waste water discharged on their concentrations. Surface and bottom water samples were collected from 12 stations during January, April, August and November, 1995. Total alkalinity, salinity, temperature and pH were measured. Carbonate alkalinity, total alkalinity, partial pressure and dissolved carbon dioxide, carbonate and bicarbonate ions were calculated, since the studied area includes two differetn sources of pollution. It wAs found conventient to refer El-Mex Bay as region “A” which contains stations from I to VI and the area located between Kayet Bey outfall and Mandara which contains stations from VII to XII as region “B”. When specific alkalinity is used As A tracer for El-Umum drain water it is observed that the drain water could reach Sidi Bishr area especially in August and November, while in January and April drain water did not reach this area.     

The Relationship Between Iodine, Chlorinity, Ph, Reactive Phosphate, Nitrite and Organic Matter in the Coastal Water of Alexandria

Water samples were taken from 12 stations at El-Dikheila Harbour, El-Mex Bay, Western Harbour, Qayet Bey outfall, Eastern Harbour, El-Ibrahemiya, Gleem, Sidi Bishr and Mandara, during January, April, August and November 1995. the area lies between latitude 31˚ 8' and 31˚ 17' North and longitude 29˚ 47' and 30˚ East. the annual mean of chlorinity (11.69-20.5%₀), pH (7.9-8.3), reactive phosphate (0.31-2.24 μM), nitrite (0.18-1.98 μM), oxidizable organic matter (1.97-8.95 mgO₂ 1^-1), iodide (21.14-46.74 μg 1^-1) and iodate (4.61-2.04 μg 1^-1) were measured. Iodide content in water is three times higher than iodate. Iodide is positively correlated with chlorinity (r=0.65) and iodate (r=0.45), while it is negatively correlated with nitrite (r= -0.72), oxidizable organic matter (r= -0.55) and pH (r= -0.4).     

Influence des conditions hivernales sur les productions phyto- et zooplanctoniques en Méditerranée nord-occidentale. I. Structures hydrologiques et distribution des sels nutritifs

During two periods (1 to 15 March and 3 to 17 April, 1969), the R.V. “Jean Charcot” accomplished hydrological, chemical, and biological observations in the northern portion of the Western Mediterranean Sea. The main aim was to study the influence of the intensive vertical mixing of water masses on primary and secondary productions during winter. Earlier work in this area had revealed, in the offshore region, relatively large biomasses and high production rates during spring; considering the low potential fertility of Mediterranean waters, this finding may be explained by the effective vertical transport of nutrients upwards to the photic zone. The present paper discusses the hydrological features and the distribution of nutrients (phosphates and nitrates), in these areas, where, in winter, formation of deep water occurs. Observations were made down to 1,000 m on a grid of stations centred at 42°N; 5° E (“région provençale”) and another series of stations in the region “Corse-Côte d'Azur”. These two areas are characterized by cyclonic gyres, in which each centre shows a sector of high surface density (σ _t > 29.00). The surface mixed layer encountered is not deeper than 100 m; however, the Medoc Group (1970) has described formation of a homogeneous layer down to more than 1000 m. Many well-mixed water columns (maximum temperature and salinity at any depth do not exceed 13°C and 38.45‰, respectively) remain and occupy the western portion of the high surface density area; everywhere, the Mediterranean 3-layer system (superficial, intermediate and deep waters), more or less affected by mixing, remains well developed in the coastal region, and especially in the region of Côte d'Azur and Corsica. At some places, relatively high surface temperature (>13°C) associated with high salinity shows that the intermediate water fraction reaches the surface not only by direct vertical mixing, but also by any other dynamic lifting process, which constitutes another way of nutrient transport to the photic layer. The highest surface nutrient (0.3μ atg/l P?PO₄; 5 μ atg/l N?NO₃) and the lowest surface oxygen content (saturation <90%) are encountered in the mixed area; they are the best indicators of recently upwelled water. The surface layer around the cyclonic area is characterized by the low nutrient content of water of Atlantic origin. The lower salinity (<38%) of this water does not allow deep vertical mixing. During 3 to 17 April, 1969, the survey carried out on the same grid and sections reveals heating effects on all surface waters; the resulting stability in the most superficial layer accomodates the general spring bloom of phytoplankton. Nutrient consumption by photosynthesis in the upper 100 m layer of the surveyed area south of Marseilles was calculated to be: 129.1×10⁶ g-at P?PO₄ per 16,000 km² per month, converted on the atomic basis of P:C=1:106 represents almost 75% of the carbon production obtained by ¹⁴C-uptake measurements.     

Study of physico-chemical characteristics of water bodies around Jaipur

The present study has been undertaken to evaluate physico-chemical parameters (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, alkalinity and hardness) and zinc concentration in water bodies in and around Jaipur. Water samples from Jalmachal Lake, Nevta Lake, Amer Lake and Ramgarh Lake were analysed. Results reveal that the water of Jalmahal Lake is most polluted due to high pH, hardness, alkalinity, free carbon dioxide, zinc content, and a low level of dissolved oxygen. Contrarily Ramgarh Lake is least polluted, as it has high dissolved oxygen and low pH, alkalinity, free carbon dioxide, hardness and zinc content.     

Limnology of Kharland (saline) ponds of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra in relation to prawn culture potential

The coastal saline soils, Kharlands, have great potential for their use in aquaculture. This study has been taken up to understand the limnology of the ponds in Kharland area for assessing their prawn culture potential. This study was carried out during September, 1999 to August, 2001. Each Kharland pond has an area of 0.045 hectare. During the study, depth of pond water was 47.7 to 120.0 cm, temperature varied from 25.7 to 34.5 degrees C; transparency from nil to 65.0 cm; specific conductivity from 1.78 to 94.5 microS.cm(-1); total dissolved solids from 0.89 to 27.55 ppt; pH 5.42 to 8.25; dissolved oxygen 1.6 to 8 mg.l(-1); free carbon dioxide 10.00 to 44.00 mg.l(-1); total alkalinity 5.00 to 142.00 mg.l(-1); salinity 0.45 to 39.55 ppt; total hardness 245.00 to 5945.00; calcium 56.05 to 1827.6; magnesium 110.74 to 4507.75 mg.l(-1); dissolved organic matter 1.45 to 9.68 mg.l(-1); ammonia 1.00-8.00 microg.l(-1); nitrite nil to 20.00 micro l(-1) and nitrate 7.5 to 17.5 microg.l(-1). These Kharland ponds are unique in physio-chemical characteristics during their seasonal cycle. From July to October, these ponds have nearly freshwater while from November to May pond water becomes saline. Thus, there is a great possibility of taking up monoculture of both the freshwater and brackish water prawns as well as polyculture of prawns and fishes in the Kharland ponds.     

Field survey of the occurrence and significance of regeneration in Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from Galway Bay,west coast of Ireland

The Boreo-Mediterranean amphiurid Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) occurs in high densities within Galway Bay. This burrowing species consistently shows signs of recent regeneration (of both arms and disc “cap”) at the above locality. Specimens were collected by SCUBA in March, April and May 1980, May 1981, and April 1982. Biomass assays have revealed that individuals with up to 50% (mean ca. 25%) of their entire body weight consisting of regenerated tissue are not uncommon. The occurrence of arm breakage and regrowth was found to be more frequent in the proximal (basal) and mid-arm regions than in the exposed arm tip portions. Roughly 3% of the population were found to be in the process of regenerating the disc “cap” or covering. Preliminary results from gut analyses of potential predators at the sampling station indicate that young flatfish (plaice and dab) actively “crop” the arms of A. filiformis. Records from north western Europe of this species occurring in the diets of fish and invertebrates are considered. In this long-lived species, the continual necessity to regenerate is deemed to be a major drain on bodily resources.     

Quality standard codes of reference of Jordanian coastal waters of the Gulf of Aqaba,Red Sea

Back in 1992, the Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan (GAEAP), a collaboration between the Aqaba Region Authority (ARA), Jordan and the World Bank, gave considerable emphasis to the environmental protection of the Gulf of Aqaba [The World Bank. Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan. Report No. 12244JO (1993).]. The document recommended the establishment of a marine reserve and the long term monitoring of the coastal habitats’ environmental quality. The combination of a dedicated follow up, the collaborative efforts of ARA and the Marine Science Station (MSS), and the founding of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) have turned the recommendations into reality. A comprehensive monitoring program of the Jordanian coastal habitats commenced in 1999. The first three years of the program were financed by a donation from The Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In return, Jordan has committed itself to the maintenance of the monitoring program as an ongoing tool for sustainable coastal management. The monitoring program includes observations on benthic habitat, fish communities, bottom sediments and seawater quality. This paper focuses on the results of seawater-quality monitoring in the first three years. Records of weather conditions, coastal currents, seawater temperature, transparency, salinity, density, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, particulate matter, chlorophyll a, zooplankton biomass, total coliform, fecal coliform, hydrocarbons and sedimentation rate have been generated monthly since January 1999 at six coastal stations, and one offshore reference station, in the Jordanian waters of the Gulf of Aqaba. The coastal stations are located at sites with different benthic habitats and are occupied by different human activities. Offshore records of density (thermohaline structure), nutrients and chlorophyll a depicted two well-defined seasons; a nutrient-/chlorophyll a-rich, mixed water winter from December to April and a nutrient-/chlorophyll a-poor, stratified water summer from June to October. Short transition seasons appeared in May and November. The mixing and stratification seasons were also clearly depicted in the coastal waters. Statistical analysis of the three-year data collected at the offshore station revealed no significant inter-annual differences in the upper 125 m of the water column with respect to any of the measured parameters. At coastal stations, the water quality at the two northernmost stations was significantly different in comparison to the upper 125 m at the offshore station and to the other coastal stations, with respect to the two key indicator parameters: inorganic nitrogen and chlorophyll a. The three-year findings of the monitoring program are employed to suggest standard codes of reference for the coastal water quality.     

Foraging habitats and migration corridors utilized by a recovering subpopulation of adult female loggerhead sea turtles: implications for conservation

From 1998 to 2008, 68 adult female loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were instrumented with platform transmitter terminals at nesting beaches in Georgia, North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC) on the East Coast of the United States of America (30°48′N, 81°28′W to 33°51′N, 77°59′W). The majority of post-nesting loggerheads (N = 42, 62 %) migrated to foraging habitats in the Mid-Atlantic Bight during May–October, with a subsequent migration occurring during November–March to foraging habitats south of Cape Hatteras, NC. Nine (13 %) loggerheads initially foraged in the near-shore, coastal areas of the South Atlantic Bight, but moved to offshore habitats—closer to the Gulf Stream—during November–March, while fourteen (21 %) loggerheads remained in foraging areas along the mid-continental shelf off of the eastern coast of Florida and/or continued southward to Florida Bay and the Bahamas. The present study delineates important, post-nesting foraging habitats and migration corridors where loggerheads may interact with commercial fisheries—providing managers opportunities to develop and implement optimally effective conservation actions for the recovery of this threatened species.     

Poecilogony in Polydora hoplura (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from commercially important molluscs in South Africa

Females of the polychaete Polydora hoplura (Claparède 1869) that produced planktotrophic and adelphophagic larvae were compared genetically to determine whether the different reproductive morphs represented sibling species or poecilogony. Worms were collected from Saldanha Bay, South Africa (33°0′37.71S, 17°56′59.74E), and cultured in a laboratory setting from November 2012 to April 2013. The results based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (Cyt b and ATPSα, respectively) showed shared haplotypes between reproductive morphs for both markers. Additionally, variation in mtDNA sequences was significantly higher within morphs than between morphs (95.8 and 4.2 %, respectively). A comparison of developmental modes found that broods of planktotrophic larvae were larger than broods of adelphophagic larvae, while the latter had larger eggs and larvae at hatching. Developmental time from oviposition to settlement for planktotrophic and adelphophagic larvae was 40.2 and 16.6 days, respectively. Polydora hoplura represents the fifth confirmed case of poecilogony in the Spionidae.     

Untersuchungen über freie gelöste Aminosäuren in Meerwasser

In the literature concerning the determination of free dissolved amino acids in sea water, the evaluation of the various methods employed varies considerably. During our experiments, a two-stage preparatory method—evaporation of sea water to a small volume and desalination of the solution by ion exchange — which in principle was first used by Palmork (1963a), proved satisfactory. Recovery was about 80%, and reproduction of results sufficiently good. Following this preparatory method, and using the Beckman-Amino acid analyzer “Unichrom” for final analysis, a series of aged seawater samples was submitted to amino acid determination. The water samples always contained very small amounts of amino acids. A larger number of samples was collected in April and May, 1969, near Helgoland (54°11.3′ N, 7°54.0′ E). The samples were immediately filtered through a membrane filter (pore size 0.45 μ) and stored at-20°C until processed. Of the total amino acid content, glycine and serine were present regularly in the largest amounts, followed at some distance by lysine, glutamic acid, proline, and threonine. Quantitative determinations of aspartic acid were not usually possible, as it could not be separated sufficiently from another substance, probably methioninsulfoxide. Particular attention was paid to the danger of contamination of the samples by ninhydrinpositive compounds. The ion exchange resins used proved to be a considerable source of such foreign substances.     

Observation of black carbon aerosol in Beijing, 2003

The objective of this study was to determine the black carbon concentration in Beijing in 2003. The aerosol properties were measured using an Aethalometer and a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) on the roof of the Physics Building of Peking University (39.99° N, 116.31° E) from July to August 2003 and from November 2003 to January 2004. The average black carbon (BC) concentrations in the summer and winter were 8.80 and 11.4 μg/m³, respectively. During winter, two different cyclone cut offs were installed at the inlet of an aethalometer. The BC mass concentration in TSP, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 were obtained. The results indicated that in winter aerosol, 90% of BC exited in PM₁₀ and 82.6% of BC exited in PM_2.5. The BC in PM₁₀ accounted for 5.11% of the PM₁₀ mass.     

Limnological studies of Papnash pond, Bidar (Karnataka)

The Papnash pond is an oldest pond of Bidar, Kamataka state. It is situated at 77 degrees-32 longitude and 17 degrees-55 latitude, located 551 m above mean sea level. It has been used daily for bathing and washing of clothes by large number of pilgrims. The samples were collected fortnightly during October 1999 to September 2000 to analyze physico-chemical and biological status of water, such as temperature, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, chloride, organic matter, nitrite, phosphate, sulphate and algal flora. Variations in physico-chemical parameters were noted. The results also revealed that the pond water was hard, alkaline and polluted. Totally 39 species of algae were reported from the four classes.     

Quality standard codes of reference of Jordanian coastal waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

Back in 1992, the Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan (GAEAP), a collaboration between the Aqaba Region Authority (ARA), Jordan and the World Bank, gave considerable emphasis to the environmental protection of the Gulf of Aqaba [The World Bank. Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan. Report No. 12244JO (1993).]. The document recommended the establishment of a marine reserve and the long term monitoring of the coastal habitats' environmental quality. The combination of a dedicated follow up, the collaborative efforts of ARA and the Marine Science Station (MSS), and the founding of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) have turned the recommendations into reality. A comprehensive monitoring program of the Jordanian coastal habitats commenced in 1999. The first three years of the program were financed by a donation from The Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In return, Jordan has committed itself to the maintenance of the monitoring program as an ongoing tool for sustainable coastal management. The monitoring program includes observations on benthic habitat, fish communities, bottom sediments and seawater quality. This paper focuses on the results of seawater-quality monitoring in the first three years. Records of weather conditions, coastal currents, seawater temperature, transparency, salinity, density, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, particulate matter, chlorophyll a, zooplankton biomass, total coliform, fecal coliform, hydrocarbons and sedimentation rate have been generated monthly since January 1999 at six coastal stations, and one offshore reference station, in the Jordanian waters of the Gulf of Aqaba. The coastal stations are located at sites with different benthic habitats and are occupied by different human activities. Offshore records of density (thermohaline structure), nutrients and chlorophyll a depicted two well-defined seasons; a nutrient-/chlorophyll a-rich, mixed water winter from December to April and a nutrient-/chlorophyll a-poor, stratified water summer from June to October. Short transition seasons appeared in May and November. The mixing and stratification seasons were also clearly depicted in the coastal waters. Statistical analysis of the three-year data collected at the offshore station revealed no significant inter-annual differences in the upper 125 m of the water column with respect to any of the measured parameters. At coastal stations, the water quality at the two northernmost stations was significantly different in comparison to the upper 125 m at the offshore station and to the other coastal stations, with respect to the two key indicator parameters: inorganic nitrogen and chlorophyll a. The three-year findings of the monitoring program are employed to suggest standard codes of reference for the coastal water quality.     

Biology of euphausiids in the subarctic waters north of Iceland

The seasonal abundance, maturity, spawning, and population dynamics of Thysanoessa inermis (Krøyer, 1846), T. longicaudata (Krøyer, 1846), and Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars, 1857) were studied in the subarctic waters north of Iceland from February 1993 to February 1994. The material was sampled at approximately monthly intervals along a transect of eight stations extending from 66°16′ to 68°00′N at 18°50′W. Information on temperature and chlorophyll a concentrations is also presented. Spring warming of the water began in March to April and maximum temperatures were recorded in August (3.8?°C). The spring bloom of the phytoplankton started in late March and highest chlorophyll a concentrations were measured during middle to late April (7.0?mg chlorophyll a m^?3). T. inermis was the dominant species in the samples, constituting 77% of juvenile, male and female euphausiids present. The greatest abundance of juvenile, male and female T. inermis and M. norvegica was observed during autumn and winter, with lower abundance in spring and summer. T. longicaudata showed only limited changes in seasonal abundance. Male T. inermis had spermatophores in their ejaculatory ducts from February to May, while mature females had spermatophores attached during April and May. T. longicaudata males bore spermatophores from February to July, whereas females only bore spermatophores in April and May. M. norvegica males had spermatophores from February to April, while the single female with spermatophores was caught in February. Euphausiid eggs were first recorded during the latter part of April; the highest numbers of eggs were observed in the samples taken in late May. Maximum numbers of nauplii of both Thysanoessa spp. and M. norvegica were recorded in late May. The main spawning of the euphausiids coincided with the phytoplankton spring bloom. Most male T. inermis took part in breeding at 1 yr of age while most females appeared not to mature until 2 yr of age. T. inermis has a life span of just over 2 yr, T. longicaudata appears to live just over 1 yr. Limited data did not allow the life span of M. norvegica to be determined.     

Reproductive periodicity of the scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa from the Trondheim Fjord, Norway

Between 2002 and 2008, samples of the cold-water scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa were collected from the Trondheim Fjord in Norway to examine reproductive periodicity. Collections were made from three locations: Tautra, (63°35.36′N, 10°31.23′E at 40–70 m), Stokkbergneset (63°28.18′N, 09°54.73′E at 110–500 m), and Røberg (63°28.88′N, 09°59.50′E at 250 m). Populations of L. pertusa from the Trondheim Fjord initiated oogenesis in January and spawning occurred from late January to early March the following year. Gametogenic cycles of the female L. pertusa samples overlapped by approximately 2 months, with oogonia visible in January, but this was not evident in the males. This paper provides the most complete gametogenic cycle to date and spawning observations for this important structure-forming species. The results from fjord populations are compared with published and preliminary data from other regions and are discussed in the context of regional differences in physical and biological variables, particularly food supply. Differences in gametogenic cycles within a single species provide a rare opportunity (especially in deep-sea species) to examine potential drivers of reproduction.     

Domoic acid in benthic flatfish on the continental shelf of Monterey Bay,California, USA

Within Monterey Bay, California, USA, the food web transfer of domoic acid (DA), a neurotoxin produced by diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, has led to major mortality events of marine mammals and birds. Less visible, and less well known, is whether invertebrates and fish associated with the benthos are also affected by blooms of DA-producing Pseudo-nitzschia spp. This study examines the presence of DA in benthic flatfish offshore of Davenport, California, (37°0′36″N, 122°13′12″W) and within Monterey Bay, California (36°45′0″N, 122°1′48″W), including species that feed primarily in the sediment (benthic-feeding) and species that feed primarily in the water column (benthopelagic-feeding). Flatfish caught between 10 December 2002 and 17 November 2003 at depths of 30–180 m had concentrations of DA in the viscera ranging from 3 to 26 μg DA g⁻¹ of viscera. Although the DA values reported are relatively low, benthic-feeding flatfish were frequently contaminated with DA, especially as compared with the frequency of contamination of flatfish species that feed in the water column. Furthermore, on days in which both benthic-feeding and benthopelagic-feeding flatfish were collected, the former had significantly higher concentrations of DA in the viscera. Curlfin turbot, Pleuronicthys decurrens, the flatfish with both the highest level and frequency of DA contamination, are reported to feed exclusively on polychaetes, suggesting that these invertebrates may be an important vector of the toxin in benthic communities and may pose a risk to other benthic-feeding organisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Factors affecting enumeration and isolation of actinomycetes from Chesapeake Bay and Southeastern Atlantic Ocean sediments

Studies of the seasonal distribution of heterotrophic bacteria in Chesapeake Bay (USA) led us to the observation that fungizone was selective for actinomycetes without appreciably altering the total viable aerobic, heterotrophic bacterial counts. A study of the actinomycete populations in the Bay was undertaken, with several media compared for ability to enrich for actinomycetes: basal, casein, Czapek, starch-casein, glycerol-glycine, chitin and oil agar No. 2. Between 40 and 100% of the colonies appearing on chitin and oil No. 2 media were found to be actinomycetes, compared with <2% for the other media employed. It was also found that if sediment samples are frozen, a practice followed when laboratory facilities are not available in the field, a decrease in the total counts and in the actinomycete colony counts occurred. However, on a proportional basis, a slight increase in the percent actinomycetes was noted. A minimum of 21 days incubation time is recommended for recovery of actinomycetes. Also, the absence of NaCl from the actinomycete isolation media and incubation temperatures ≥15°C should give good recoveries of actinomycetes. A seasonal distribution of actinomycetes was noted for Chesapeake Bay, with maximal populations of actinomycetes observed in March and November. Actinomycetes were isolated in the ocean from depths ranging from 7 to 7,790 m. Greater numbers of actinomycetes were isolated using an incubation temperature of 25°C for the estuarine stations and 15°C for the deep-ocean stations. Greater numbers of actinomycetes were associated with polluted environments close to shore.     

Feeding ecology of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) at rocky reefs in western South Atlantic

Feeding ecology of green turtles was investigated between January 2005 and April 2008 at Arvoredo Reserve, Brazil (27°17′S, 48°18′W). Data were obtained through the performance of observational sessions, geo-referenced counts, benthic surveys, capture and recapture of individuals, and oesophageal lavages. This protected area was identified as an important green turtle feeding ground, used year-round by juveniles (curved carapace length = 32–83 cm). Turtles fed close to the rocky shores of the area and selected grazing sites commonly at hard-to-reach, near-vertical portions of the rocks. They were less active in cold months, and more abundant at shallow areas of the reef (0–5 m), where their preferred food items occurred. Their diet was dominated by macroalgae species but invertebrates were also present. Their main food item was the red algae Pterocladiella capillacea, which seems to be eaten through periodical cropping of its tips. Observational methods such as the ones applied here could be incorporated to other research programs aiming to understand the relationships between Chelonia mydas feeding populations and their environment.