Assessment of marine pollution in Izmir Bay: nutrient, heavy metal and total hydrocarbon concentrations

Izmir Bay (western Turkey) is one of the great natural bays of the Mediterranean. Izmir is an important industrial and commercial centre and a cultural focal point. The main industries in the region include food processing, oil, soap and paint production, chemical industries, paper and pulp factories, textile industries and metal processing. The mean concentrations showed ranges of 0.01-0.19 and 0.01-10 microM for phosphate, 0.10-1.8 and 0.12-27 microM for nitrate+nitrite, and 0.30-5.8 and 0.43-39 microM for silicate in the outer and middle-inner bays, respectively. The TNO(x)/PO(4) ratio is significantly lower than the Redfield's ratio and nitrogen is the limiting element in the middle-inner bays. Diatoms and dinoflagellates were observed all year around in the bay and are normally nitrogen limited. Metal concentrations ranged between Hg: 0.05-1.3, Cd: 0.005-0.82, Pb: 14-113 and Cr: 29-316 microg g(-1) in the sediments. The results showed significant enrichments during sampling periods from Inner Bay. Outer and middle bays show low levels of heavy metal enrichments except estuary of Gediz River. The concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb in the outer bay were generally similar to the background levels from the Mediterranean. The levels gradually decreased over the sampling period. Total hydrocarbons concentrations range from 427 to 7800 ng g(-1) of sediments. The highest total hydrocarbon levels were found in the inner bay due to the anthropogenic activities, mainly combustion processes of traffic and industrial activities. The concentrations of heavy metals found in fish varied for Hg: 4.5-520, Cd: 0.10-10 and Pb: 0.10-491 microg kg(-1) in Izmir Bay. There was no significant seasonal variation in metal concentrations. An increase in Hg concentration with increasing length was noted for Mullus barbatus. A person can consume more than 2, 133 and 20 meals per week of fish in human diet would represent the tolerable weekly intake of mercury, cadmium and lead, respectively, in Izmir Bay. Heavy metal levels were lower than the results in fish tissues reported from polluted areas of the Mediterranean Sea.     

Time-series sampling of Ra and Ra at the inlet to Great South Bay (New York): a strategy for characterizing the dominant terms in the Ra budget of the bay

Ra isotopes are a powerful tool for quantifying the flux of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into the sea. Previous studies of ²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra mass balances in coastal embayments have shown that the Ra balance is dominated by supply via SGD, exchange with the open ocean and radioactive decay. The current study shows that a single time series over a tidal cycle at the principal inlet to Great South Bay (NY, US) is sufficient to determine the net flux of Ra across the inlet, and also can be used to estimate the decay of short-lived Ra in the bay. Estimates of the net Ra flux obtained from a single tidal time-series by using three different approaches agree with those determined from a more time-consuming survey of Ra within the bay, and may represent a first step of estimating SGD in bays and coastal lagoons.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in coastal sediments of the Izmit Bay (Marmara Sea): case studies before and after the Izmit Earthquake

Izmit Bay and its coastal environment was strongly affected by the August 17th, 1999 Izmit Earthquake. The changes in the Bay ecosystem and its chemical oceanography have been studied in detail previously [Okay, O.S., Tolun, L, Telli-Karako?, F., Tüfek?i, V., Tüfek?i, H. And Morko?, E. 2001. Yzmit Bay ecosystem after Marmara earthquake and subsequent fire: The long-term data. Marine Pollution Bulletin 42, 361-369; Balkys, N. 2003. The effect of Marmara (Izmit ) Earthquake on the chemical oceanography of Izmit Bay, Turkey. Marine Pollution Bulletin 46, 865-878.]. In this study surface sediments collected from the Izmit Bay before and after the earthquake have been analysed for total and individual (14 compounds) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Analyses have been performed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FD). Before the earthquake, total PAH concentrations in the Bay sediments ranged from 120 to 8900 ng/g while after the earthquake PAH concentrations varied between 240 and 11,400 ng/g. Molecular indices based on isomeric PAH ratios used to differentiate the pollution sources, clearly indicate the differences in molecular distribution of PAHs before and after the earthquake. Sediment data obtained before the earthquake shows that most of the contamination originated from high temperature pyrolytic inputs while after the earthquake it originated from petrogenic sources. This difference emphasises the environmental impact of uncontrolled discharges from petroleum industries after the earthquake. The LMW/HMW ratio (sum of the low molecular weight PAHs / the sum of higher molecular weight PAHs) predominance also changed after the earthquake as a result of the strong water movements. According to the characteristics of aromatic rings distributed in the bay sediments, the soluble parts of the total PAH were probably transferred to the water column after the earthquake as a result of resuspension process. The TEL/PEL (Threshold Effect Level / Probable Effect Level) analysis suggests that the Izmit Bay sediments were likely contaminated by acutely toxic PAH compounds.     

阳澄西湖叶绿素a的时空分布及其与环境因子的关系

根据2015年3月~2016年2月对阳澄西湖水体叶绿素a和水质理化因子的逐月监测结果表明,阳澄西湖叶绿素a浓度存在着明显的季节变化,其全年变化范围为11.93μg/L~66.67μg/L,平均值为27.54μg/L±20.34μg/L。最小值出现在2016年1月,最大值出现在2015年8月。叶绿素a在空间分布上也存在着差异,叶绿素a在断面Ⅰ浓度最高,其次是断面Ⅱ和断面Ⅳ,断面Ⅲ最低。根据综合营养状态指数法计算阳澄西湖营养状态,得出综合营养状态指数范围为50.7~59.3,年平均值为55.6,水体总体处于"轻度富营养"状态。综合pearson相关系数和逐步回归方程,结果表明叶绿素a与水温呈极显著正相关,与溶解氧呈极显著负相关,与透明度呈极显著负相关。结合生产实践对阳澄西湖总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和氮磷比(N/P)取对数进行pearson相关性分析并建立一元线性回归方程,结果表明叶绿素a浓度与总氮无相关关系,与总磷呈极显著正相关,与氮磷比呈极显著负相关,阳澄西湖可能是一定程度的磷限制湖泊。     

汛前供水期神农溪库湾倒灌异重流特性及其对营养盐分布的影响

为研究三峡水库神农溪库湾水动力特性及其对营养盐分布的影响,于2013年汛前供水期对神农溪库湾水文、水质及水生态进行空间定点监测与分析。结果表明:2013年汛前供水期三峡水库干流水体依次以底层、中上层和表层倒灌异重流形式潜入神农溪库湾。受干流倒灌异重流影响,库湾营养盐自下游向上游逐渐降低,干流水体对库湾营养盐具有明显补给作用。水位变化过程会影响倒灌异重流的模式和范围,可通过水库调度来解决支流库湾水华和富营养化问题。     

The changes of T-PAH levels and health status of mussels in Izmit bay (Turkey) after Marmara earthquake and subsequent refinery fire

As is well known, a powerful earthquake along the North Anatolian Fault struck the eastern part of the Marmara region on August 17, 1999. Izmit Bay, which is known as one of the most polluted sites of Turkey, was also affected by the quake and the subsequent refinery fire. The measurements performed just before and after the earthquake showed that T-PAH levels increased significantly after the event [Okay OS, Tolun L, Telli-Karako? F, Tüfek?i V, Tüfek?i H, Morko? E. Izmit Bay (Turkey) ecosystem after Marmara earthquake and subsequent refinery fire: the long-term data. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2001;42:361-9]. In the framework of ecotoxicological studies, the Bay ecosystem was continuously monitored for T-PAH levels in seawater, sediments and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) to find out whether change occurred during the 2-year period following the earthquake. For that purpose, after the earthquake, the samples were collected six times between the period of September 1999 and March 2001 at coastal stations of the Bay situated away from the mouth of main discharges. The responses of the mussels were also measured by means of the lysosomal stability of the blood cells and feeding rate biomarker techniques at two different sites of the bay. Although the T-PAH levels in all matrices generally showed a decreasing trend, they were found to be still high especially at stations near the refinery. Both biomarker results showed that the health status of the mussels is very poor in the Bay ecosystem, based on the results obtained from the two sites monitored.     

Towards a clean Izmit Bay

The elongated semi-enclosed Bay of Izmit, which receives both domestic and industrial wastes, has been monitored by measuring its physical and biochemical parameters for 2 years, 1994-1995. It is clear that there are two distinct water masses. The upper layer has been occupied by the less saline (22-26 ppt) waters of the Black Sea origin; whereas the lower layer contains saline (38.5 ppt) Mediterranean waters. The seasonal variations in the biochemical characteristics were dependent on the bay's two-layer flow system. If one considers the distribution of transparency in the upper bay waters, it has been observed that the Secchi disk depth (SDD) decreases from west to east. Furthermore, these depths are limited by the high primary productivity associated with the low concentrations of nutrients observed during the spring. Discharges of wastes into the surface waters significantly affect the biological production and oxygen consumption in the lower layer. Within the last 10 years, 80% of organic matter has been removed from industrial wastewater. However, organic loads from the domestic wastewaters have doubled because of the growth in the surrounding population. Fortunately, as a result, the total organic loads in the bay have not changed significantly within the last 10 years.     

Ecological footprints and shadows in an urban estuary, Narragansett Bay, RI (USA)

Because the rise of cities in North America was much later than in many other parts of the world, their connections to the hinterland were influenced early in their development by railroads and steam-powered water transport. These fossil fuel-based links made it possible to widely separate the ??upstream?? autotrophic supporting systems from the heterotrophic cities. Here, we take a different look at the connection between a city (Providence, RI, USA) and its supporting natural systems by focusing on the export of industrial and metabolic wastes from the city to the ??downstream?? coastal ecosystem in Narragansett Bay. In this way, we can track the history of a city by examining the concentrations of nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons in the water and sediments of the estuary. In the greater Providence metropolitan area at the head of Narragansett Bay, there was rapid population and industrial expansion during the 1800s without the proper infrastructure to deal with water supply for public safety and health. On the other hand, the absence of a public water supply kept industrial and metabolic wastes largely on land. However, from the fall of 1871, on with the construction of a public water supply and sewer system, human wastes began flowing into the estuary. By reconstructing the historical record of metals and other pollutants, we illustrate clear temporal and spatial gradients of urban impact on the bay. Unfortunately, while numerous studies during the 1970s and 1980s focused on documenting metal and hydrocarbon pollution in the bay, there has been little effort to quantify the impact of mitigation efforts that have greatly reduced the input of metals and hydrocarbons to the system. Nutrient reductions are more recent and ongoing.     

Human and crab exposure to mercury in the Caribbean coastal shoreline of Colombia: impact from an abandoned chlor-alkali plant

Human hair samples from male and female people aged 6-85 years, as well as muscle of crabs (Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes bocourti) were collected from different fishing places along the Caribbean coastal shoreline of Colombia and analyzed for total mercury (T-Hg) in order to establish the impact of mercury-polluted sediments in Cartagena bay on the ecosystem. Hair T-Hg in inhabitants varied between 0.1 and 21.8 microg/g, with average and median of 1.52 microg/g and 1.1 microg/g, respectively. Differences between sampling locations were significant (P<0.01) and median values decreased in the order: Ca?o del Oro (1.5 microg/g)相似文献   

太湖主体湖区对梅梁湾藻类影响定量化研究

针对太湖梅梁湾独特的地理位置和富营养化严重的问题,利用太湖水量水质模型和梅梁湾藻类生长模型,在对模型进行了率定、验证的基础下,模拟了在东南风和西北风两种常见风向的条件下,太湖主体湖区对梅梁湾内营养盐浓度和藻类浓度的影响情况,并将其影响定量化。本次模拟较好地反映了太湖主体湖区在两种常见风场的条件下对梅梁湾内水质影响情况。模拟得到以下结果：在不考虑风场和流场的情况下,梅梁湾内部2001年8月藻类平均浓度为43.18 mg/m³,总氮浓度为2.48 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.248 mg/L,只考虑东南风引起流场的情况下,藻类浓度为41.92 mg/m3,总氮浓度为2.07 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.231 mg/L;考虑东南风风场和流场两个因素的情况下,藻类浓度为53.86 mg/m3,总氮浓度为2.06 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.229 mg/L;同期,只考虑西北风风场的情况下,藻类浓度为42.55 mg/m³,总氮浓度为2.19 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.232 mg/L;考虑西北风风场和流场两个因素的情况下,藻类浓度为50.71 mg/m³,总氮浓度为2.17 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.233 mg/L。结果表明,梅梁湾内部的氮、磷等营养盐浓度受到由太湖主体湖区的风场变化引起的湖流扰动的一定影响;太湖主体湖区对梅梁湾内部藻类浓度的影响主要是由藻类漂移引起的,由营养盐浓度改变而引起的藻类浓度变化非常小。     

三峡水库春季浮游植物群落特征及影响因素

浮游植物群落特征是水域生态系统的一个基础信息,三峡水库作为长江经济带环境保护的重要区域,而关于三峡水库全水域浮游植物群落特征及其影响因素的研究报道仍不多见。为了解三峡水库浮游植物群落特征差异及影响因素等一系列基础信息,于2015年4月对三峡水库进行了大范围的调查,调查范围包括17个长江断面(共51个样点)及22条支流库湾(共122个样点)。结果显示:共采集到浮游植物7门39属61种,以绿藻门、硅藻门、甲藻门为主,其中绿藻门有26种,占据总种数的42.62%;硅藻门有16种,占据总种数的26.23%;甲藻门有7种,占据总种数的11.48%。丰度方面,硅藻门占绝对优势,比例为34.26%,其次是隐藻门(23.72%)、蓝藻门(20.96%)。生物量方面,则是甲藻门占绝对优势,其比例达到了44.18%,随后是隐藻门(29.92%)、硅藻门(14.32%)。丰度和生物量分别变化在2.22×10~4～5.12×10~(7 )cells/L和0.001 8～120.99 mg/L之间,且存在一致的趋势,从三峡大坝往长江上游,丰度值和生物量值逐渐增加。支流库湾浮游植物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数显著高于长江干流(Mann-Whitney U检验,P0.001)。冗余分析(Redundancy Analysis,RDA)表明,在长江干流中,水温(WT)、可溶性硅酸盐(DSi)是影响浮游植物群落结构的主要环境因子(P0.001);在支流库湾中,硝态氮(NO~-_3-N)、水温(WT)是影响浮游植物群落结构的主要环境因子(P=0.002)。该研究的成果有助于全面认识了解三峡水库长江干流和支流库湾春季浮游植物种类组成和影响因子,同时对三峡水库水资源管理和水生态保护具有一定参考价值。     

The pollution status and the toxicity of surface sediments in Izmit Bay (Marmara Sea), Turkey

Izmit Bay is one of the most polluted and populated enclosed sea in Turkey. It has been the centre of industrial activities for the last 30 years. Seven major sources enter the bay waters along the north coastline of the bay. This investigation forms part of continuing ecotoxicology studies in the Izmit Bay designed to constrain and minimise the pollution caused by flourishing industry and a growing population. Sediments sampled from the mouths of the major discharges of Izmit Bay were analysed for their organic carbon, total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (t-PAH) and trace inorganic element (Cd, Al, As, Pb, Hg and Cu) contents and compared with those found in the sediments from the reference station in the outer bay (in the Marmara Sea). The toxicity of sediments was determined in the bulk and elutriate samples by using algal (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) batch bioassays. Chemical data showed that the sediments collected from the inner sites of the bay have been contaminated with Cd, Hg, As and PAHs. Organic carbon contents were also found higher. All the major industrial discharges into the bay are now biologically treated but bioassays performed with bulk sediments revealed that the recent sediments are toxic to the microalgae throughout the bay. The results are consistent with the previous toxicity studies performed with the industrial discharges.     

水温分层对香溪河库湾浮游植物功能群季节演替的影响

三峡水库水环境问题近年来引起社会广泛关注,以浮游植物功能群为基础,通过对2010年1~12月香溪河库湾水温、浮游植物等进行跟踪监测,探究支流库湾浮游植物群落结构演替趋势及其影响因子。结果表明：香溪河库湾2010年共出现18个浮游植物功能群,其中B、X1、P、Y、X2、D、LO、J、MP、G是代表性功能群;水温分层的季节性发育和消失是浮游植物群落结构演替的主要影响因素;冬季以耐受水温及光照限制的CS/S策略藻种为主;春季弱分层时,CR/R策略藻种适宜生长;夏季汛期时,呈现CR/R/C/CS多种策略藻种混生格局,强分层时,适宜稳定生境的S型策略藻种占据优势;秋季分层被打破,群落结构演替为耐受频繁波动环境的R型群落格局占优势     

基于海湾空间的海洋经济差异分析——以辽东湾、渤海湾、莱州湾为例

以辽东湾、渤海湾、莱州湾为海湾地理空间尺度,引入泰尔指数和变差系数、灰色关联法研究三大海湾地区的海洋经济规模总量和海洋产业关联效应的差异,运用多种预测模型预测未来十年三大海湾间地区海洋经济对区域经济发展影响和贡献的差异。结果显示:三大海湾空间地区海洋经济差异呈现先增大后减小趋势,2007年后呈现协调优化发展趋势;滨海旅游业、海洋交通运输和海洋油气业、海洋交通运输和海洋渔业分别对应辽东湾、渤海湾、莱州湾三大经济区的拉动效应较大,形成各具区域特色的重要优势海洋产业;据模型预测结果分析,到2015年辽东湾、渤海湾、莱州湾地区海洋经济比重将分别达到34%、21%、25%;莱州湾、渤海湾的海洋经济直接贡献率分别平均以2%和1%的速度递增,而辽东湾则平均以0.1%的速度递减,到2020年辽东湾、渤海湾、莱州湾的海洋经济直接贡献率将分别为36%、29%、46%。     

Factors controlling metal distributions in the surface sediments of the Erdek Bay, Sea of Marmara, Turkey

A geochemical study of the Erdek Bay sediments in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey, was carried out to investigate the heavy metal distributions and sources. The bay has an average depth of 34 m and a two-layer water column stratification, with a pycnocline at 20 m. The distribution of "total" metal (Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn and Hg) concentrations, together with sequential selective extraction analyses, shows that the relatively high metal concentrations are mainly due to land-based natural inputs from the erosion products of mineralized zones and mafic-ultramafic rocks delivered to the bay by two rivers from the south. However, some Pb, Zn and Cu occur in the Fe-Mn-oxyhydroxide and organic fractions, suggesting, in part, some anthropogenic inputs in addition to the predominantly natural inputs. The vertical distribution of metal/A1 ratios in a gravity core in the bay shows no significant change with depth, except for an early diagenetic enrichment at 0.7-1.6 m below sea floor (mbsf) above a 4750-3500-year-old sapropelic layer. This distribution is a further indication of the insignificant antropogenic metal pollution in the bay.     

Composition, sources, and potential toxicological significance of PAHs in the surface sediments of the Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, China

Twenty-five surface sediment samples were collected from Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, China, in 2003. The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), identified as priority pollutants by the USEPA, were determined by gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS). Total concentrations of the PAHs ranged from 1207 to 4754 ng/g dry weight. Sediment samples with the highest PAH concentrations were from the northern site of the bay, which is in proximity to the incoming PAH source; the PAH levels in the southern part were relatively low. The observed PAH levels were higher than those in river sediments in China but were lower than those found in sediments of urban areas and harbors. According to the observed molecular indices, PAHs originated largely from the high-temperature pyrolytic process, whereas the petrogenic process was more commonly responsible for PAH contamination in harbors. A good correlation existed between the benzo[a]pyrene level and the total PAH concentration (r=0.97), making benzo[a]pyrene a potential molecular marker for PAH pollution. According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guideline (SQGs) of the United States, the levels of PAHs at most studied sites in Meiliang Bay, except some sites in the northern part of the bay, should not exert adverse biological effects. In the northern part of the bay, the PAH levels at sites 21 and 22 exceed the effects range low (ERL) and could thus cause acute biological impairments, in comparison with the sediment quality guidelines. The total PAH levels were expressed as the B[a]P toxicity equivalents (TEQs(carc)) and compared to the contaminated sediments from Guba Pechenga, Barents Sea, Russia.     

Monitoring DNA damage in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis> from the Kaštela Bay in Croatia

The Kaštela Bay (Croatia) is known, by the use of Fast micromethod, as an area with the highest level of genotoxic agents along the Adriatic Sea. The genotoxic impacts in Kastela Bay and the neighbouring Trogir Bay using micronucleus test and Comet assay with mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) haemocytes were assesed during 2003 and 2004. This location received effluents from various industries (brewery, cement plant, etc.), ports (oil and general port), the Split shipyard, Vranjic shipworks along with domestic sewage and agricultural discharge that enters the bay without any treatment. In the meantime, a lot of industries were closed and the input of pollutants were discontinued. The tested mussels from the 2003–2004 confirmed that mussels from Kaštela Bay were affected by genotoxic contaminants. The aim of our study was to assess genotoxic impacts on Mytilus galloprovincialis in the same area after six years using Comet Assay test. Our survey showed decreses of genotoxic damage on mussel haemocytes.     

Annual variation in the levels of metals and PCDD/PCDFs in soil and herbage samples collected near a cement plant

In May 2000, the levels of a number of metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V and Zn) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in soil and herbage samples collected near a cement plant from Sta. Margarida i els Monjos (Catalonia, Spain). To determine the temporal variation in the concentrations of metals and PCDD/PCDFs, in May 2001 soil and herbage samples were again collected at the same sampling points and analyzed for the levels of metals and PCDD/PCDFs. In general terms, metal concentrations in soils did not change between May 2000 and May 2001, while significant decreases in the levels of Cr, Ni and V were found in herbage. On the other hand, no significant differences in the mean I-TEQ values of PCDD/PCDFs were found in soil and herbage samples. The results of this survey show that according to the annual variation in the levels of metals and PCDD/PCDFs the environmental impact of the cement plant on the area under its direct influence is not relevant.     

Long-term study of 99Tc in the marine environment on the Swedish west coast

The activity concentration of (99)Tc in brown seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus) and seawater were analysed in samples collected in 1991, 1995 and 2001 at several stations along the Swedish west coast. In addition to these locations, a well-defined site (S?rdal, 56.76 degrees N, 12.63 degrees E) was included with (99)Tc activity concentration data in seaweed from 1967 to 2000. Over the years, the major source of (99)Tc in the coastal waters of western Sweden has been the radioactive liquid discharge from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Sellafield (UK) transported via ocean currents in the North Sea. The (99)Tc activity concentration in seaweed at the S?rdal site increased from approximately 30 Bq kg(-1) up to 230 Bq kg(-1) (dry weight) between 1997 and 2000 due to the Sellafield EARP (Enhanced Actinide Removal Plant) discharges in 1995-1996, yielding an approximate transport time of 4-5 years between the Irish Sea and the Kattegat. Due to the very sharp gradient in (99)Tc concentration between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, (99)Tc is presently one of the best transit tracers for the recent ventilation events in the Baltic Sea.     

Modelling treated waste disposal in Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait biogeochemical and physical removal.

Large cities, such as Melbourne, generate substantial quantities of sewage, which, after treatment, must be disposed. Melbourne's sewage is disposed via two routes, that treated at the Western Treatment Plant (WTP) is discharged in enclosed Port Phillip Bay, while the Boags Rock outfall empties into the exposed Bass Strait. In Port Phillip Bay biogeochemical processes control the fate of waste, while in the Bass Strait physical mixing rapidly disperses the waste. These different processes require very different ecosystem models. Port Phillip Bay requires detailed modelling of water-column and in-sediment processes, in particular detailed models of recycling processes, and also modelling of benthos-water-column interactions. Interaction of these components gives the model a nonlinear response to change in load. The Bass Strait ecosystem model is simple with no modelling of the sediment and limited modelling of water-column recycling. This model's behaviour is largely controlled by the physical environment.