Interactions of marine plankton with transuranic elements

In a series of laboratory experiments, the biokinetics of ²⁴¹Am, an important transuranium element, was studied in Meganyctiphanes norvegica, a euphausiid common in the northwestern Mediterranean. The euphausiids accumulated Am from water by passive adsorption onto exoskeletons, achieving wet weight concentration factors on the order of 10² after 1 wk exposure; concentration factors varied inversely with the size of the euphausiids and linearly with their surface area:wet weight ratios. Essentially all (96±10%) of the Am taken up from water was associated with the exoskeleton, so that negligible Am was retained by the euphausiids after molting. The retention half-time of Am in molts was 2.9 d. Euphausiids could also concentrate Am from feeding suspensions by ingesting Am-labelled diatom cells, although there was negligible Am assimilation (3±2% after 4 d feeding); after passage through the gut, virtually all (99%) of the ingested Am was defecated within 1 wk. The retention half-time of Am in fecal pellets was 41 and 51 d at 13° and 5°C, respectively. In oceanic waters, where the preponderance of ²⁴¹Am is in the dissolved phase, uptake of Am from water by euphausiids would be the dominant route of bioaccumulation. The results underscore the importance of sinking biogenic debris from zooplankters in mediating the vertical transport of Am in the sea. Given their retention half-times for ²⁴¹Am and their rapid sinking rates, fecal pellets and discarded molts have the potential to deliver most of their Am to the sediments.     

Some experiments on phosphate assimilation by coastal marine plankton

A study of phosphate assimilation by coastal marine plankton revealed that both phytoplankton and microheterotrophs incorporated radioactive phosphorus (³³P). Size fractionation of the particulate matter (using 1 m pore diameter Nucleopore^® membrane filters), antibiotic treatment (using garamycin), and independent estimaties of photoautotrophic (¹⁴CO₂ uptake) and heterotrophic (³H-glucose uptake) activities were employed to separate phyto- and bacterioplankton phosphate uptake. Results indicated that phytoplankton ³³P-uptake was best estimated by the fraction of particulate matter retained on the 1 m membrane filters. Usually, less than 10% of the phytoplankton (based on chlorophyll a measurements) passed the 1 m pore-diameter filters, whereas about 90% of the heterotrophic activity passed. At least 50% of the ³³P-uptake was associated with the <1 m fraction. It may be possible to resolve the phytoplankton and bacterial contributions to ³³P-uptake by comparing the percent of total ³³P-uptake with the percent of total ³H-glucose uptake associated with the >1 m fraction.     

Cycling of organic nitrogen in marine plankton communities studied in enclosed water columns

Concentrations of fluorescamine-positive substances (primary amines) and turnover rates of L-leucine pools were measured concurrently in seawater samples taken from 1300 m³ plastic enclosures moored in Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada. Concentration and turnover rates of dissolved free amino acids were calculated and then used to determine the instantaneous flux of dissolved free amino acids, which ranged from 0.09 to 2.42 M d^-1 (i.e.,5 to 145 gC l^-1 d^-1). This flux was highest in the euphotic zone, and was related to net primary production but not to the type of dominant primary producer. Comparison of the flux to changes in the concentration of ammonia in deep water suggested that amino acid degradation accounted for 60% of the flux into the ammonia pool. For a given sample, the amino acid carbon flux ranged from 17 to 210% (mean=78%) of the primary production. Such fluxes of amino acid carbon, if used exclusively by the bacterioplankton, would give growth rates ranging from 0.3 to 3.0 (mean=1.7) bacterial doublings d^-1. These calculations indicate that a large fraction of the community carbon and nitrogen flux passes through the bacterioplankton.     

Spring phenological responses of marine and freshwater plankton to changing temperature and light conditions

Shifts in the timing and magnitude of the spring plankton bloom in response to climate change have been observed across a wide range of aquatic systems. We used meta-analysis to investigate phenological responses of marine and freshwater plankton communities in mesocosms subjected to experimental manipulations of temperature and light intensity. Systems differed with respect to the dominant mesozooplankton (copepods in seawater and daphnids in freshwater). Higher water temperatures advanced the bloom timing of most functional plankton groups in both marine and freshwater systems. In contrast to timing, responses of bloom magnitudes were more variable among taxa and systems and were influenced by light intensity and trophic interactions. Increased light levels increased the magnitude of the spring peaks of most phytoplankton taxa and of total phytoplankton biomass. Intensified size-selective grazing of copepods in warming scenarios affected phytoplankton size structure and lowered intermediate (20–200?μm)-sized phytoplankton in marine systems. In contrast, plankton peak magnitudes in freshwater systems were unaffected by temperature, but decreased at lower light intensities, suggesting that filter feeding daphnids are sensitive to changes in algal carrying capacity as mediated by light supply. Our analysis confirms the general shift toward earlier blooms at increased temperature in both marine and freshwater systems and supports predictions that effects of climate change on plankton production will vary among sites, depending on resource limitation and species composition.     

Silicon and the ecology of marine plankton diatoms. II. Silicate-uptake kinetics in five diatom species

The variation of the rate of silicate uptake with varying silicate concentration in the medium was investigated in short-term experiments with the following marine diatom species:Skeletonema costatum, Thalassiosira pseudonana, T. decipiens, Ditylum brightwellii, andLicmophora sp. The uptake conformed to Michaelis-Menten kinetics only after a correction had been made for reactive silicate that apparently could not be utilized by the diatoms. The magnitude of this correction was in the range of 0.3 to 1.3 g-at Si/l. Mean values of the half-saturation constant of silicate uptake were calculated for the different species. The lowest value was found inS. costatum (0.80 g-at Si/l) and the highest inT. decipiens (3.37 g-at Si/l). Growth limitation by low silicate concentrations could be a cause of species succession in marine plankton-diatom blooms.     

Light quality in relation to growth,photosynthetic rates and carbon metabolism in two species of marine plankton algae

The effect of light quality on growth, photosynthesis and carbon metabolism in two species of marine algae,Cyclotella nana (Hustedt) andDunaliella tertiolecta (Butcher), was examined. Relative growth constants forC. nana were 0.37, 0.29 and 0.25 in blue, white and green light, respectively. Corresponding constants were 0.41, 0.31 and 0.29 forD. tertiolecta. Photosynthetic rates in both species were higher in blue light and lower in green light compared with white light of the same intensity. More than 60% of¹⁴C assimilated byC. nana orD. tertiolecta grown in blue or green light was incorporated into the ethanol-insoluble fraction, compared with 10 to 30% in this fraction in white light. The relative importance of the various components within this fraction was independent of light quality. Although less¹⁴C was assimilated into the ethanol-soluble fraction in blue or green light, there was a relative increase in some amino acids and organic acids in this fraction and a decrease in sugars and sugar phosphates relative to white light of the same intensity. These differences were independent of light intensity, photosynthetic rate and cell density in the cultures.     

Temperature and plankton

The relationship between temperature and metabolism was studied in Artic copepods with regard to the concept of metabolic cold adaptation of polar poikilotherms. Temperature tolerance and respiration rates of the dominant copepods Calanus finmarchicus (Gunnerus), C. glacialis (Jaschnov), C. hyperboreus (Krøyer) and Metridia longa (Lubbeck), collected in Fram Strait, Greenland Sea, in July 1983, were studied at different temperatures. Temperature tolerance in the boreal C. finmarchicus was slightly higher than in the three Arctic species. Respiration rates at lower temperatures followed the Arrhenius equation in all species, with values for (temperature characteristics) between 11.05 and 22.95, corresponding to a Q₁₀ between 2.05 and 4.5. This increase in metabolic rate with rising temperature was not related to an increase of swimming activity, as was shown by videoanalysis. Activity was determined as average swimming speed and as frequency of certain locomotor patterns. Average swimming speed remained unchanged at all temperatures and was ca 1 cm s^-1 for all species, when only periods of active swimming were considered. The time spent with active swimming did not change with temperature in M. longa and C. finmarchicus, but decreased in c. glacialis. In C. hyperboreus it increased at 5°C and decreased again at higher temperatures. It is suggested that the increase in oxygen consumption is fully accounted for by the basal metabolism.     

Electrocardiogram of a marine fish,Pagrus major,exposed to red tide plankton,Chattonella marina

Examinations of the electrocardiogram of Pagrus major exposed to Chattonella marina, a planktonic organism causing red tide, were made to determine the physiological effects on fish. The heart rate decreased as a result of the extention in the interval between T and P waves. The decrease in heart rate with the extended intervals between T and P waves was also recognized in the condition of decreased dissolved oxygen. Also, the decrease in heart rate of the fish exposed to the red tide occurred while the fish was struggling. This reduction seems to be caused by the strong tension of the vagal nerve. Upon exposure to C. marina at high cell concentration, the heart beat at a very low frequency after 30 min. The very low heart rate is expected to limit seriously the oxygen uptake by the gill, because the cardiac output is probably very low in this situation.     

Light quality and concentration of proteins,RNA, DNA and photosynthetic pigments in two species of marine plankton algae

Chlorophyll, protein, DNA and RNA concentrations in cultures ofCyclotella nana (Hustedt) andDunaliella tertiolecta (Butcher) were higher in blue light and lower in green light than in white light of the same intensity. Total carotenoid concentrations were highest in green light. Total pigment concentrations were highest in cells grown in blue light, lowest in those from green light. The relative changes in pigment concentrations associated with differences in spectral composition of the radiation are comparable to those often observed in phytoplankton from various depths in stratified natural water. Light adaptation in algae as a response to light quality is suggested. The chemical composition of plankton algae can be expected to vary considerably with depth.     

55Fe in Pacific Ocean plankton

The specific activity of ⁵⁵Fe in plankton increased from below detectable limits at 20°N to a maximum of 130 nCi/g Fe at 20°S and then decreased to 5 nCi/g Fe at 50°S. Along an east-west track near 15°S a peak of 90 nCi/g Fe occurred at 135°W. It is suggested that this maximum is the result of fallout from French nuclear tests at Mururoa Atoll (22°S; 139°W). The increase in ⁵⁵Fe at high latitudes observed in previous studies in the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean did not occur in the South Pacific Ocean which supports the suggestion that belts of high tropospheric fallout accounted for the increase in the Northern oceans.     

Thallium in the Environment and Health Effects

Thallium is present in the natural environment in low concentration, being found most frequently in the sulphide ores of a number of heavy metals. Atmospheric emission and deposition from industrial sources has resulted in raised levels in the vicinity of mineral smelters, coal burning power plants, brick works and cement plants. In contaminated areas, raised levels are found in vegetables, fruit and in farm animals. Thallium is used industrially in small quantities, with uses in electronics, in the production of certain glasses and crystals and in medical diagnostics. It has in the past been commonly used as a rodenticide, but its use has now been banned in many countries. Thallium salts are now considered to be amongst the most toxic compounds known. With regard to population exposure, an epidemiological study in an area with high thallium concentrations in soil and garden vegetables centred on a cement plant, has found evidence of a dose response relationship between thallium concentration in urine and a number of non-specific subjective symptoms. Much further research is required to investigate the possible adverse health effects of thallium following population exposure.     

Long-term change of the marine environment and plankton in the Xiamen Sea under the influence of climate change and human sewage

ABSTRACT

Long-term observations of the Xiamen Sea in Fujian Province were used to analyze variations in sea temperature, salinity, inorganic nitrogen (N), activated phosphate (P), and phytoplankton, as well as the features of red tides. Results showed that in recent decades, sea temperature and concentrations of N and P nutrients increased while salinity decreased attributed to climate warming, rainfall, and human sewage. In addition, reduction in the number of phytoplankton species and rising abundance of phytoplankton indicated that the structure of phytoplankton community presented a simplified and minimized trend which magnified the dominance of dominant phytoplankton species. Since 2000, red tides have occurred more frequently, and the eutrophic-type diatom species, Skeletonema costatum appears to be the predominant species. Data suggested that variations of N and P nutrients exert a potent and rapid influence on phytoplankton than sea temperature and ocean salinity.     

The feeding mechanisms in plankton eaters

The feeding mechanisms of 15 whitefish Coregonus lavaretus (Lin.) from the Gulf of Bothnia near Holmsund were studied. The fishes were very susceptible to infection. Different preparation and anaesthesia methods were tested. Careful dissections revealed a vestigial epibranchial organ extending from the dorsal part of the fifth gill slit. It is suggested that this little sac receives and accumulates plankton organisms which may then be carried to the oesophagus via a special pharynx groove. In this way the whitefish could effectively use small plankton as a complementary food source to larger food particles.     

A controlled-temperature plankton wheel

A controlled-temperature plankton wheel is described that is suitable for use on board a ship. The IMER plankton wheel system allows the use of various sizes of experimental bottles, up to 2.2 litres, the simulation of ambient light regimes and variable speed control for the rotation of the experimental bottles. The flexibility of the system was demonstrated by investigating the relationship between temperature and ingestion rate of an herbivorous copepod. Using four of the IMER plankton wheels simultaneously at four different temperatures (5°, 10°, 15° and 20° C), the ingestion rate of Calanus helgolandicus, feeding on Thalassiosira weissflogii, was shown to increase with increasing temperature; from a transformation of log_e (ingestion rate), this relationship was calculated as a Q₁₀ (10° to 20°C) for Copepodite Stage V (Q₁₀ 4.5) and adult female (Q₁₀ 2.7) C. helgolandicus. The possibility of damaging cells, by rotation at 2 rpm, was investigated using the spinose form of the diatom T. weissflogii. Such rotation did not cause any damage to the spines of T. weissflogii, but mixing this diatom with a magnetic stirrer bar did damage the spines to varying degrees, depending on the volume being mixed.     

Langmuir circulations and plankton patchiness

A computer simulation model of oceanic Langmuir circulations illustrates the role of these vortical water movements as physical forcing mechanisms affecting the horizontal and vertical distributions of planktonic organisms. The diel migration of omnivorous and herbivorous zooplankton (approximately by literature values for the swimming speeds of Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Calanus finmarchicus, respectively) and the sinking of phytoplankton interact with the Langmuir cells, resulting in a spatially heterogeneous community. The patchy distributions, in turn, affect the prey—predator interactions in this simple food web. Situations involving threshold and non-threshold feeding strategies as well as constant and changing circulations are investigated. The simulations are restricted to twilight and nocturnal events.     

Simple and reliable methods for the fixation,mounting and staining of small and delicate marine plankton for light microscopic identification

The fixation capacity of mixtures of acrolein, glutaraldehyde, and tannic acid, was investigated to arrive at a fixative for small and delicate marine plankton that is more universal than the current selective fixatives. A mixture containing 4% acrolein, 4% glutaraldehyde and 2% tannic acid added 1:1 to the cell suspension proved to be satisfactory. Mounting of the material in euparal before staining is recommended. Of several dyes tried, fuchsin acid proved suitable for observation of flagella and cell shapes. Delafield haematoxylin staining gave the best results for internal details. Fuchsin base staining, requiring a complex procedure, is recommended when it is necessary to search for flagellar hairs as found in Ochromonas spp. Schedules for the fixation, mounting and staining are given.     

Ecological aspects of plankton production

The study was carried out in the neritic and estuarine waters of Porto Novo, Coromandel Coast, Bay of Bengal, India during the period January, 1960 to December, 1967. The average displacement volume of plankton usually varied between 2 and 4 c²/m². During summer, with a season of high plankton productivity, the average plankton displacement volume rose to 8 c²/m³. Generally speaking, the average zooplankton density (standing crop) was usually between 80,000 and 100,000 organisms/m³, of which copepods alone comprised usually between 70,000 and 90,000 organisms/m³. The average copepod density per sample varied from 30,000 to 50,000 organisms/m³. However, in the summer months, the copepod density was usually not less than 100,000 organisms/m³; in some years this was even higher (from 125,000 to 170,000 organisms/m³). Copepods comprised between 80 and 95% of the zooplankton population. The maximum non-copepod population in the zooplankton seldom reached 30%, was ofter below 25%, and usually less than 20%. During the period March to October (in some years as early as February, and in some years up to November), either an increasing or a steady trend of plankton production was evident. It would appear that salinity and rainfall determine the occurrence and distribution of plankton in Porto Novo.Contribution No. 189 from the Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Marine Biological Station of Annamalai University, Porto Novo, Tamilnadu, India.     

A plankton study in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

A synoptic study of the phytoplankton and zooplankton distribution in the eastern Mediterranean Sea was carried out in the summer of 1965 during a cruise of R.V. “Pillsbury”. The phytoplankton maximum was normally found at 100 m, below the 1% level of surface light, with a frequent smaller peak at 40 m. In shallower waters, the main peak was at 80 m. The greatest number of phytophagous crustaceans was recorded at, or close to, the phytoplankton maximum. Depth relationships of phytoplankton and functionally phytoplanktonic species are discussed. Zooplankton was collected from depths down to 4,400 m, the deepest cast being in the Rhodes Deep. The most common species and genera of some selected groups of zooplankton were identified and their distribution considered in the light of some previous cruises in part of the area. The presence of Acantharia containing zooxanthellae with chlorophyll at, and below, 4,000 m was recorded for the first time. Potentially photosynthetic Ceratium vultur and C. carriense (Dinophyceae), both species in active division, were also found at these depths, as well as Halosphaera viridis (Prasinophyceae), which was recorded down to a depth of 1,000 m.     

A mathematical model of PCB bioaccumulation in plankton

In batch experiments exposing individual plankton constituents to Aroclor 1254 PCB, the rate at which the organism approaches partitioning equilibrium appears to be partly size-dependent while the extent of PCB accumulation is species-specific. The sorptive desorptive kinetics of PCB in these experiments can be described mathematically by a first-order expression. Employing this expression in a model plankton food web permits examination of the role of feeding and sorptive processes in determining PCB body burden under various environmental conditions. When ingestion rates exceed desorption and excretion rates, a consuming organism accumulates PCB above levels predicted by equilibrium partitioning relationships. Feeding-induced oscillations in PCB body burden could thus obscure the reduction of soluble PCB concentration which determine a “baseline” PCB body burden. Unless referenced to a specific set of biological and environmental conditions, the importance of direct partitioning from water vs. food uptake appears to be a moot topic.     

Hydrographic and plankton variability in the Saronikos Gulf

Five stations in the Saronikos Gulf were studied during 1983–1984. One located in Elefsis Bay an industrial area, and the others, located at a distance where the effects of effluents were minimized. A differential discharge of untreated urban wastes and industrial effluents adds to the distinctiveness of the two parts. Various physical, chemical and biological (Chlorophyll‐a, phytoplankton, Zooplankton) factors were measured seasonally. Temporal and spatial distribution of surface temperature, salinity, nutrients (N, P, Si), chlorophyll‐a, and plankton were reported and the areas exposed to local eutrophication identified. Significant correlations between phytoplankton standing crop, chlorophyll‐a Zooplankton and various environmental parameters were demonstrated.