Variability of epifauna and temperature in the northern North Sea

Benthic epifauna in three areas of the northern North Sea was studied from 1999 to 2007 to investigate the effect of temperature changes on community structure and species abundance and biomass. Abundance and/or biomass of 16 epifauna species was significantly correlated with temperature anomalies of the mean sea surface temperature (SST) from 1971 to 2000. The response of species to SST changes was different in the study areas depending on species life history and, most likely on food supply, which in turn is strongly influenced by the timing and duration of primary production and regional hydrographical conditions (e.g. stratification). Also, changes in community structure were obvious in the three areas between 2002 and 2003 coinciding with high temperature anomalies and SST. On the other hand, these changes were mainly caused by the variability in abundance of dominant species and altogether no clear trends in community structure were found. In contrast to epifauna communities in the shallow southern North Sea temperature changes in the northern North Sea affected only single epifauna species until now.     

Biochemistry and microbiology of some Irish Sea sediments: II. Bacteriological analyses

The numbers, distribution, some physiologicla properties and, to a small extent, the taxonomy of heterotrophic bacteria from several Irish Sea cores are described. The presence of molds in the cores is also reported. An attempt is made to compare the physiological properties of the organisms, particularly those involving organic nitrogen requirements and extracellular proteolytic enzyme production, with the known biochemical characteristics of the sediments from which they were taken.     

Biochemistry and microbiology of some Irish Sea sediments: I. Amino-acid analyses

Cores of sedimentary mud, collected on a transect between the Isle of Man and Ireland, were qualitatively analysed for free amino acids by thin-layer chromatography of the dansylated (DNS) derivatives. The DNS derivatives of isoleucine/leucine and α-aminobutyric acid were found in all samples, while the derivatives of phenylalanine, valine, arginine and ammonia were usually present. Acid hydrolysis followed by treatment with ninhydrin showed the presence of peptidyl amino acids in half the DNS-reacted extracts. No distribution pattern of amino acids was found either with geographical location or down the depths of the cores. Attempts to quantify the method were unsuccessful. Other analyses indicated the presence of glucose/galactose, but no neutral or phospholipids or recognizable plant pigments were identified.     

Production of Nephrops norvegicus larvae in the Irish Sea

Plankton survey data from 1982, 1985 and 1995 were used to estimate the annual production of Nephrops norvegicus (L.) larvae in the Irish Sea. The larval abundance data from each set of surveys were analysed using the same temperature-to-stage-duration relationships. The production of larvae was similar in all 3?yr at approx. 360?×?10⁹ Stage I larvae per year. The estimated production in the eastern Irish Sea was 5% of the value for the western Irish Sea. This corresponded well to the sizes of the fisheries and the relative areas of the mud patches. Larvae in both areas were found to hatch over 5½?wk, centred on the first week in May. The time lag between onset of production of each stage reflected the estimated stage durations, but the lag between maximum production of each stage was much shorter than expected.     

Distribution of glycosylglycerols and oligosaccharides in the marine environment and their ecological significance in the deep sea

Determination of low molecular weight carbohydrates in marine environments indicated that 1-O--D-galactosylglycerol, 6-O--D-galactosyl-1-O--D-galacto-sylglycerol, sucrose, laminaribiose and laminaritriose are widely distributed in seawaters, suspended and sinking particles, and sediments in coastal as well as in deep-sea waters [e.g. Mikawa Bay and Sagami Bay, Kumano Nada (offshore Japan), and northwest North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea and Antarctic Ocean: collections during 1978–1984]. Identification of these glycosylglycerols and oligosaccharides in algal cells such as a flagellate (Olisthodisus luteus), blue-green algae (e.g.Trichodesmium sp.) and a diatom (Reptocylindrus denicus) strongly suggests that these sugars are photosynthetically produced by algae in the euphotic zone and are then rapidly transported to the deep sea as sinking particles which can be collected by sediment-trap experiments. The rapid decay rate of low molecular weight carbohydrates by microorganisms suggests that the transported sugars provide energy substrates for microorganisms living in the deep sea.Please address all requests for reprints to Dr. Handa at Nagoya University     

Complexity of coral interactions: Influence of time,location of interaction and epifauna

The potential role of competition for space in a community depends on the arrangement of interaction relationships. A survey (255 m²) of the interactions between corals (Scleractinia) on a Caribbean reef (depth 10–30 m) indicated the outcome of 17–35% of the aggressive and defensive interactions to be unpredictable. Experiments on the reef (depth 7–13 m) with pairs of interacting corals — Madracis mirabilis (Duchassing & Michelotti), Agaricia agaricites (L), Montastrea annularis (Ellis & Solander), Eusmilia fastigiata (Pallas) — showed that, after the initial contest through extracoelenteric digestion, there are at least two additional processes which can result in a reversal of dominance: interference by epifauna and sweeper tentacle development. Moreover, the impact of extracoelenteric digestion and the extent of sweeper tentacle development varied over the surface of the corals. Employing laboratory and field experiments to distinguish between the impact of extracoelenteric digestion, epifauna behaviour and sweeper tentacles, we show the three processes combined to explain the coral interaction process in toto. The outcome of the interaction process on the reef depends on numerous, partly unpredictable, variables, including mode of contact and effects of position. Consequently, patterns of community organization resulting from spatial competition will be slow to emerge and easily erased prematurely by disturbances.     

Mesoscale, finescale and microscale distribution of micro- and nanoplankton in the Irish Sea, with emphasis on ciliates and their prey

We examined the degree of mesoscale (km), finescale (m), and microscale (cm) patchiness of ciliates and their prey in waters of varying hydrographic conditions. Samples were taken throughout the water column, along a transect across the Irish Sea (54°N), at scales ranging from 0.15 to 10⁵ m. We examined physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The eastern and western Irish Sea were stratified, with a pycnocline at ∼20 to 30 m. The central waters were mixed and had adjacent frontal regions. Euphotic depth was ∼20 to 35 m. Generally, the upper waters were nitrogen-limited, with elevated levels associated with frontal regions and deeper waters. Microphytoplankton exhibited fine-mesoscale patchiness: diatom numbers were low in stratified waters, with higher levels in mixed and frontal regions; dinoflagellates were abundant in subsurface waters near the fronts. Nanoflagellate numbers and biomass decreased with depth below the pycnocline, and exhibited microscale distribution in upper waters; these micropatches may provide increased food levels for ciliates. Microscale distribution of ciliates was rare and only occurred at mixed/frontal sites; finescale ciliate patches were a more prominent feature of the water column. These finescale patches can be composed of a variety of taxa but can also be virtually monospecific. Finescale patches may produce localised regions of high productivity that is available to fishes and copepods, but may also be a sink, as patches can be short-lived and thus unavailable to predators. Received: 28 September 1998 / Accepted: 26 January 1999     

Suspended particulates in the Irish Sea and feeding conditions for fish larvae

The size distributions (2 to 160 m equivalent spherical diameter) of suspended particulate material sampled on two cruises along a transect in the Irish Sea in 1988 are described in relation to hydrographic conditions, chlorophylla concentration and carbon to nitrogen ratios. Particulates were more abundant and larger size modes in the distribution were more evident, in the upper mixed layer of stratified water than in areas where the water column was fully mixed. The detrital content was estimated at 52% of total particulate matter above the thermocline in stratified regions and at around 97% at mixed water sites. In stratified regions the predominance of larger sized phytoplankton and lower levels of detritus is argued to support a more direct and efficient transfer of energy to fish larvae via larger sizes of copepods. Conversely, in mixed areas of high detrital loading the smaller size spectrum of particulates incorporates a less efficient transfer of energy through bacterial cycling and smaller copepods.     

Variability in dry weight and vertical distributions of decapod larvae in the Irish Sea and North Sea during the spring

Accumulation of waterborne cadmium in Littorina littorea, Mytilus edulis and Carcinus maenas (collected in 1988 and 1989 around the island of Funen, Denmark) was investigated in a matrix of salinities (10 to 30) and calcium concentrations (2.9 to 8.9 mM Ca⁺⁺). Cadmium accumulation rates in soft parts of L. littorina, soft parts and shells of M. edulis and whole bodies and exoskeletons of C. maenas decreased with increasing salinity. Changes in the calcium concentrations accounted for 72% of the salinity effect on cadmium accumulation rates in L. littorina, whereas calcium concentrations had little or no effect on cadmium accumulation in M. edulis. Cadmium accumulation in the whole body of C. maenas was affected equally by calcium concentrations and total salinity, whereas accumulation in the exoskeleton was mainly affected by changes in total salinity. Individual variability in cadmium accumulation in the organs of C. maenas was greater than the variation attributable either to changes in ambient calcium concentrations or total salinity. An appreciable amount of the inter-individual variability in the cadmium accumulation in all three species was correlated with wet:dry weight ratios of the tissues and size of the organisms.     

Results from a hydrodynamical mathematical model of the Irish Sea

Results are recorded from an integrated hydrodynamical numerical model of the Irish Sea using, as boundary conditions, first current meter data and secondly sea elevations from the 1971 BISOP exercise. These data are utilised at time intervals of less than a tidal cycle.When current meter data were used as boundary conditions the comparison between the calculated results and observed current meter vectors, averaged over a tidal period, showed discrepancies in both magnitude and direction. This comparison was much improved when the northern open boundary conditions were replaced by sea elevations.The significance of these results to the process of modelling marine ecosystems is discussed.     

Leaf epifauna of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum

The abundance, composition and trophic relationships of metazoan leaf epifauna of the marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum König were studied in Barbados, West Indies. Approximately 90 species from 11 phyla consisted chiefly of nematodes, harpacticoid copepods, crustacean nauplii, ostracods, and turbellarians. Epiflora- and detritus-feeders dominated the epifauna. Increasing leaf epiphytism was accompanied by faunal changes, most notably increased nematode, harpacticoid and polychaete density. Faunal composition was very similar to that of the temperate seagrass analogue Zostera marina.     

Stochastic theory of ecological interactions

It is possible, using the distribution of random numbers of random variables, to derive bimodal vertical distributions of phytoplankton biomass similar to those observed in nature. On the basis of the distribution of pseudorandom events, equations for the probability of individual mortality from one of several reasons, and for the capture of one of several preys by the predators were obtained. From these theoretical formulations the empirical equations of Beverton and Holt, Ricker and Ivlev were derived. An equation for the average feed intake of one individual interacting in a swarm, feeding on aggregated food, is derived from an estimate of the average interval between the random encounters of aggregates, in the nodes of an α-dimensional net.     

Recent distribution and size structure of gelatinous organisms in the southern Black Sea and their interactions with fish catches

The spatial distributions of gelatinous organism were studied during three cruises in 2006–2007. These were the first such studies conducted in the southern Black Sea for last decade. Additionally, the different methods of estimating gelatinous organism biomass presently in use were compared and recent situation of pelagic fishery interacting with zooplankton in the Black Sea were overviewed. Biomasses and abundances of both invading Mnemiopsis leidyi, and the resident Aurelia aurita and Pleurobrachia pileus were remarkably reduced (total gelatinous biomass: 417–537 g m⁻² in May, June, and 150 g m⁻² in October) as compared with those before the 1997 with invasion Beroe ovata in the southern Black Sea. Specimens of B. ovata were detected only in October when individuals with lengths of 10–50 mm comprised 93% of its population. Length–weight based biomasses were significantly variable for all species depending on the size structure in time. Larger sized individuals (>30 mm) of M. leidyi appeared as compared with those before year 1997. The ecosystem of the Black Sea has been suppressed both bottom–up through decreased eutrophication and top–down through reduced grazing on mesozooplankton by M. leidyi that are in turn controlled by grazing by B. ovata. The catch of anchovy was abruptly reduced to 120,000 tons due presumably to the considerably increased catch of its predator, the bonito (64,000 tons) in the year 2005.     

Distribution and abundance of ctenophores and their zooplankton food in the Black Sea. II. Mnemiopsis leidyi

The distribution of Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz, 1865 in the Black Sea was determined using plankton samples collected above the anoxic zone (maximum depth 200 m) in the summer, winter, and spring from 1991 to 1995. Distribution was patchy. Average biomasses of 15 to 500 g m⁻² were measured, and abundances varied from 10 to 180 ind m⁻². Biomass and abundance peaked in winter, and there was a secondary peak in the summer. The distribution of M. leidyi was correlated with hydrographic features in the Black Sea with higher concentrations in anticyclonic gyres. The centers of the two main cyclonic gyres generally had a low biomass of M. leidyi. From July 1992 to March 1995, the populations were largely offshore. M. leidyi were confined to the upper part of the mixed layer both day and night. Some individuals displayed a negative taxis to daylight and were concentrated below the thermocline at night. Smaller M. leidyi (1.5 to 2 cm) were present in the winter, and individuals reached maximum size in the summer. Although reproduction was continuous throughout the year, there were two distinct peaks: the larger peak in the summer and the smaller peak in the winter. Microscopic analysis of stomach contents showed that copepods and molluscs form their main diet. Received: 1 November 1997 / Accepted: 30 August 1999     

The trophic status of two northern Irish Sea loughs

Studies were conducted on nutrient cycling in two coastal embayments; Strangford Lough and Belfast Lough, in order to classify these coastal waters in compliance with the European Union Urban Waste Water Treatment and Nitrates Directives. Analysis of the data suggests that Strangford Lough is nitrogen-limited throughout much of the growing season with chlorophyll-a levels comparable to the open Irish Sea. In contrast, much of Belfast Lough is never nitrogen-limited and, with chlorophyll-a levels at times exceeding 50 μg/l, is exhibiting symptoms of eutrophication.     

Transuranic nuclides in plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) from the North-Eastern Irish Sea

The concentrations of a number of -emitting nuclides, ²³⁸Pu, ^239/240Pu, ²⁴¹Am, ²⁴²Cm and ^243/244Cm have been determined in the organs of plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., caught in the vicinity of a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. Fish were taken for analysis every 3 months for a period of 2 years. During this period, the highest concentrations of plutonium and americium nuclides were found in the kidney and the lowest in muscle. In all of the organs analysed, the concentrations of americium were greater than those of plutonium: they were also greater than plutonium when related to the rates of discharge of these two elements and gave higher concentration factors over samples of filtered shore-line sea water taken from the area.     

Distribution and abundance of ctenophores, and their zooplankton food in the Black Sea. I. Pleurobrachia pileus

The distribution of Pleurobrachia pileus Müller, 1776 in the Black Sea was determined using plankton samples collected above the anoxic zone (maximum of 200 m) in the winter, spring, and summer of 1991 to 1995. The summer samples were collected in 1991 to 1993 (for a previous) and are included in this paper for comparative purposes. High concentrations of P. pileus were found at the northern edges of anticyclonic eddies along the southern coastal regions. The biomass and abundance of P. pileus increased from winter through spring to a peak in summer. The highest mean wet weight during a sampling period was 250 g m⁻², while the maximum wet weight was 1429 g m⁻². P. pileus was mostly found in a layer extending from the lower parts of the thermocline down to the anoxic zone, where the temperature was <8 °C. The vertical distribution of P. pileus biomass had two clear maxima at night: an upper maximum at 20 to 40 m was less pronounced than the lower maximum at 90 to 120 m depth. Mean body length of P. pileus did not exceed 12 mm. Smaller individuals (9 to 10 mm length) occurred in winter. P. pileus had two length classes in early spring (March 1995) and late summer (August 1993), indicating the presence of both newly hatched and larger individuals. Overall, the stomach contents of P. pileus consisted mainly of Copepoda (90%), Cladocera (1%), Mollusca (1%), fish eggs and larvae (1%), and other taxa (7%). The preferred food of P. pileus (frequency of occurrence) was: Calanus euxinus (39%), Pseudocalanus elongatus (30%), Acartia clausi (28%), Oithona similis (2%), and Paracalanus parvus (1%). The endoparasite Hysterothylacium aduncum was commonly found in P. pileus. Abundances of Mnemiopsis leidyi and P. pileus were either negatively correlated (r = −0.5 to −0.7) or positively correlated at a low significance level (r = 0.25 to 0.3) with abundance of A. clausi in different months of the year. Aurelia aurita abundance was correlated mainly with the abundance of C. euxinus from June 1991 to March/April 1995. Over the same period the abundance of P. pileus was significantly correlated with the abundance of P. elongatus, an important prey species. Received: 1 November 1997 / Accepted: 30 August 1999     

Distribution of euphausiid assemblages in the Mediterranean Sea

Eleven species of euphausiids from 24 Isaac-Kidd Midwater Trawl (IKMT) night collections taken at stations throughout the Mediterranean Sea were counted. The frequency of occurrence and dominance of individual species and percent similarity faunal analysis of the euphausiid community were used to describe changes in faunal composition between geographical areas and differences in vertical distribution. Although most species were widespread, three distinct patterns of abundance were apparent: Euphausia krohnii, Nematoscelis megalops, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, and Stylocheiron abbreviatum predominated in western basin areas west of the Tyrrhenian Sea; Euphausia hemigibba, Thysanopoda aequalis, and Stylocheiron longicorne predominated in the Tyrrhenian Sea and eastern Mediterranean Sea; Euphausia brevis and Stylocheiron suhmii predominated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Percent similarity analysis of data from the IKMT samples and data from Ruud (1936) indicates the Tyrrhenian Sea fauna at the time of the collections was more similar to eastern Mediterranean areas than to most other areas in the western basin, although the degree of similarity was dependent, to some extent, on the depth at which the samples were collected. The composition of euphausiids living above 150 m at night in this area was more similar to eastern basin areas, while the composition of deeper living forms was more similar to those of the rest of the western basin. Comparison of euphausiids collected at three points over a 60 year time-span in the Balearic Sea shows the similarity in composition to be greater within the area over time than between adjacent areas in the western Mediterranean Sea.Contribution No. 2732 from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. This research was supported by the Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT (30-1)-3862, ref. NYO-3862-49, National Science Foundation Grant GA 29303 and Office of Naval Research Contract N00014-71-C-0284.     

黄渤海表层沉积物中正构烷烃和甾醇的分布及来源研究

在黄海、渤海湾和莱州湾采集64个表层沉积物样品,分析正构烷烃（C15～C33）和甾醇（菜子甾醇、菜油甾醇、谷甾醇和豆甾醇）的质量分数和分子组合特征,探讨其来源,比较物质来源的空间差异。结果表明：（1）黄海表层沉积物中类脂生物标志物主要呈现陆源和海源共同影响的特征,其中北黄海以陆源输入为主,高碳数正构烷烃（〉C24）具有明显的奇碳优势,陆源高等植物的贡献较大;南黄海陆源输入与海洋自身贡献相当;渤海湾与莱州湾接受来自河流的大量陆源物质;（2）来源于陆源高等植物的甾醇（包括菜油甾醇、谷甾醇和豆甾醇）在黄海表层沉积物中的质量分数远小于渤海湾和莱州湾,但指示硅藻来源的菜子甾醇在整个研究区域均具有较高的质量分数。     

黄渤海表层沉积物中正构烷烃和甾醇的分布及来源研究

在黄海、渤海湾和莱州湾采集64个表层沉积物样品,分析正构烷烃(C15～C33)和甾醇(菜子甾醇、菜油甾醇、谷甾醇和豆甾醇)的质量分数和分子组合特征,探讨其来源,比较物质来源的空间差异。结果表明:(1)黄海表层沉积物中类脂生物标志物主要呈现陆源和海源共同影响的特征,其中北黄海以陆源输入为主,高碳数正构烷烃(>C24)具有明显的奇碳优势,陆源高等植物的贡献较大;南黄海陆源输入与海洋自身贡献相当;渤海湾与莱州湾接受来自河流的大量陆源物质;(2)来源于陆源高等植物的甾醇(包括菜油甾醇、谷甾醇和豆甾醇)在黄海表层沉积物中的质量分数远小于渤海湾和莱州湾,但指示硅藻来源的菜子甾醇在整个研究区域均具有较高的质量分数。