Retrospective analysis of spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a in the Curonian Lagoon

The Curonian Lagoon, the largest in Europe (total surface area 1584?km²), is located in the southern part of the Baltic Sea, from which it is separated by a narrow sand bar and to which it is connected by the Klaipeda Straits. It is characterised by shallow eutrophic waters (mean depth 3.8?m) with average low salinity (<5??) due to the nutrient-rich freshwaters discharged by the river Nemunas. Cyanobacteria blooms, including species producing toxic metabolites, have been a frequent phenomenon in summer. In this study a series of MERIS Full Resolution (FR) satellite images acquired between 2004 and 2009 during summer periods were used to assess the temporal evolution and spatial variability of the lagoon water quality in terms of chlorophyll-a. The models/algorithms were calibrated/validated with field data collected in 2009, based on in situ radiometric (remote sensing reflectance -Rrs-) and limnological (chlorophyll-a concentrations -chl-a-) measurements. The chl-a concentrations were estimated by developing a semi-empirical band ratio (Rrs(708)/Rrs(664)) equation applied to MERIS images after correction for atmospheric effects with the 6S code. Results from this study suggest elevated spatial and temporal variability of chl-a. Spatial variability probably arises from the mosaic of situations within the Curonian lagoon in terms of bottom sediment features, nutrient availability in the water column, water depth and hydrodynamics. Temporal variability is probably linked to complex and interplaying metereological and environmental constraints such as the length of the ice cover period, average water temperatures, wind-induced sediment re-suspension, the pattern of precipitations and river-associated nutrient transport to the lagoon. This study stresses the importance of remote sensing as a valid tool for long-term whole ecosystem studies. The preliminary results need more through analyses and intersection with other environmental data in order to better comprehend algal bloom determinants in complex and extremely dynamic systems such as coastal lagoons.     

太湖叶绿素a浓度分布的时空特征及其影响因素

基于2005—2009年20次太湖采样期间的水质监测数据,研究了太湖叶绿素a浓度的主要分布特征,分析了水环境因子对叶绿素a浓度分布的季节性和空间性影响.结果表明,太湖叶绿素a浓度分布的空间差异较大,主要表现为梅梁湾、竺山湾、太湖西部和西南部湖区为叶绿素a浓度距平经验正交分解(EOF)第一模态空间分布的显著正值区,太湖湖心和东南湖区则为负值区;影响叶绿素a浓度的因子有水温、溶解氧、总氮、磷酸根和总磷,但总磷和水温的影响相对更为显著,而各季节叶绿素a浓度的影响因子则略有差异;影响藻类生长的因子存在较大的空间分布差异,但总磷、水温和溶解氧是其主要限制性因子,氮类营养盐的影响则处于次要地位.     

桑沟湾海域叶绿素a的时空分布特征及其影响因素研究

2009年4月-2010年2月对山东荣成典型养殖海湾—桑沟湾海域水体中的叶绿素a（Chl-a）进行了6个航次的监测,分析该海区表底层海水中Chl-a的质量现状,探讨Chl-a在桑沟湾海区的时空分布特征,以及与水温和营养盐等主要环境因子的相关性。结果表明,桑沟湾海域表层海水Chl-a质量浓度范围为0.36～9.77μg L-1,平均值为2.17μg L-1;底层海水Chl-a质量浓度范围为0.40～7.46μg L-1,平均值为2.14μg L-1。Chl-a质量浓度的季节性变化呈现一定的模式,夏季〉秋季〉春季〉冬季。Chl-a的质量浓度在春季和冬季呈现由湾内向湾外递减的分布特征,而夏季和秋季则没有明显的分布规律。垂直分布上,夏季表层Chl-a质量浓度高于底层,冬季则是底层高于表层,春秋2季表底层垂直分布比较均匀。相关分析显示桑沟湾Chl-a与水温呈较显著正相关,但与营养盐溶解无机氮（DIN）不具显著意义的相关关系。总体看来,桑沟湾海域Chl-a的时空分布受养殖环境状况、水文环境及陆地径流和外源输入的共同影响,贝藻养殖活动及营养盐的陆源输入是影响Chl-a分布格局的重要因素。     

淮北临涣煤矿塌陷水域叶绿素a与相关因子分析

根据淮北临涣煤矿塌陷水域3个季节叶绿素a(Chl.a)及相关指标的监测数据,分析了叶绿素a含量的时空分布特征,讨论Chl.a与其他因子的相关关系.研究结果表明,临涣煤矿塌陷水域Chl.a的浓度均值特征为夏季较高21.5 mg·m-3,秋季11.8 mg·m-3,冬季10.0 mg·m-3.由于浮游植物生物量的高低、动物活动季节差异、补给水源入口、取水口位置、局部水深差异大等原因,研究水域夏季呈现西高东低、秋季四周高中间较低、冬季西高东低等空间分布差异性.相关性分析显示,Chl.a与水温、溶解氧、化学需氧量呈极显著正相关,与透明度、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、溶解性磷酸盐呈极显著负相关,与总磷显著负相关,与p H、总氮、氮磷比无显著相关关系;水温、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、总磷、溶解性磷酸盐可能是浮游植物生长的限制因子,溶解氧、化学需氧量、透明度是Chl.a的被动因子;研究水域已达到轻度富营养化水平,Chl.a浓度能够较好地反映该煤矿塌陷水域的富营养水平.     

大鹏湾中叶绿素-a的多年调查结果及其与环境因子的灰关联分析

依据1998-2009年145个航次的调查资料,简要描述和分析大鹏湾海水中叶绿素-a含量的空间分布和时间变化,并对其与各环境因子之间的灰关联进行分析。结果表明大鹏湾海水中的叶绿素-a含量夏、秋季较高,而冬、春季较低,且表层高于底层,平均为4．6μg-L^-1;由于受到香港和深圳陆源排放的影响,终年吐露港和沙头附近海域的叶绿素-a含量明显高于其他区域。lla（1999-2009）调查期间,香港海区叶绿素-a含量各航次均值的年际变化略呈下降趋势,表明大鹏湾海水的生态环境质量有所改善。灰关联分析结果表明各因子对叶绿素-a含量影响大小的排序为：亚硝酸盐≥硝酸盐≥5d生化需氧量≥磷酸盐≥酸碱度≥氨≥可溶性总氮≥盐度兰可溶性总磷≥溶解氧≥可溶性硅兰温度。     

高原深水湖泊程海氮磷形态分布特征及其与叶绿素a的相关性

湖泊水体氮、磷形态分布特征及其与藻类生长的关系是湖泊富营养化研究的重要方面。采用GPS定位,在程海湖设置了3个断面9个采样点,研究了氮、磷形态分布特征,并分析了各形态氮磷与叶绿素a的相关性。结果表明：总氮（TN）质量浓度为0.773 mg.L-1,总磷（TP）质量浓度为0.046 mg.L-1,叶绿素a质量浓度为0.024 mg.L-1。氮素的赋存形态特征是以溶解态总氮（DTN）占大部分,DTN中又以溶解态有机氮（DON）占绝大部分;磷素的存在特点是溶解态无机磷（DIP）含量比重较大。各形态氮、磷都有明显的季节性波动但区域性差异不明显,叶绿素a则有明显的季节节律和时空差异。叶绿素a很好地响应了总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）、溶解态总氮（DTN）、溶解态总磷（DTP）、颗粒态总氮（PTN）、颗粒态总磷（PTP）的变化。程海富营养化受氮和磷共同限制,控制富营养化必须同时削减氮和磷。     

Food size spectra,ingestion and growth of the copepodAcartia tonsa during development: Implications for determination of copepod production

Clearance rates on different sizes of spherically shaped algae were determined in uni-algal experiments for all developmental stages (NII through adult) of the copepodAcartia tonsa, and used to construct food size spectra. Growth and developmental rates were determined at 7 food levels (0 to 1 500 g C l^-1 ofRhodomonas baltica). The lower size limit for particle capture was between 2 and 4 m for all developmental stages. Optimum particle size and upper size limit increased during development from 7 m and 10 to 14 m for NII to NIII to 14 to 70 m and 250 m for adults, respectively. When food size spectra were normalized (percent of maximum clearance in a particular stage versus particle diameter/prosome length) they resembled log-normal distributions with near constant width (variance). Optimum, relative particle sizes corresponded to 2 to 5% of prosome length independent of developmental stage. Since the biomass of particulate matter is approximately constant in equal logarithmic size classes in the sea, food availability may be similar for all developmental stages in the average marine environment. Juvenile specific growth rate was exponential and increased hyperbolically with food concentration. It equaled specific female egg-production rate at all food concentrations. The efficiency by which ingested carbon in excess of maintenance requirements was converted into body carbon was 0.44, very similar to the corresponding efficiency of egg-production in females. On the assumptions that food availability is similar for all developmental stages, and that juvenile and female specific growth/egg-production rates are equal, female egg-production rates are representative of turnover rates (production/biomass) of the entireA. tonsa population and probably in other copepod species as well. Therefore, in situ estimates of female fecundity may be used for a rapid time- and site-specific field estimate of copepod production. This approach is shown to be fairly robust to even large deviations from the assumptions.     

Effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on growth, protein and chlorophyll-a content of Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis cells

In this study, effect of different 2,4 -dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) concentrations (0.0, 9.10(-5), 9.10(-4), 9.10(-3) and 9.10(-2) mM) on growth rate, content of protein and chlorophyll-a in Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis cells was investigated. The most stimulatory effect on growth rate, protein and pigment ratio of C. vulgaris and S. platensis was observed at 9.10(-4) mM concentrations of 2,4-D. The results show that low concentrations of 2,4-D have hormonal effect due to being a synthetic auxin. Cell number protein and pigment rates were inhibited at 9.10(-2) mM concentration in C. vulgaris. Such parameters were inhibited in S. platensis, both at 9.10(-3) and 9.10(-2) mM 2,4-D concentrations. This is due to herbicidal effect of high concentrations of 2,4-D. S. platensis was found to be more sensitive than S. vulgaris to 2,4-D applications. The use of algae as bio-indicators in herbicide contaminated fresh water habitats, was discussed.     

Population trends of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) with respect to remote sensing measures of chlorophyll-a in critical habitat

The recovery plan for Steller sea lions (SSL; Eumetopias jubatus) suggests critical habitat should be enhanced to incorporate the spatio-temporal variation in dynamic oceanographic features that influence the prey and survival of SSL. It is necessary, therefore, to determine which features affect SSL. Demographics for sub-regions of the endangered, western stock of SSL were examined with respect to corresponding average, maximum, and variance of chlorophyll-a data (SeaWIFS), a proxy for primary productivity. Overall, SSL trends (2000–2008) and pup productivity (1999–2009) were related to maximum values of chl-a in critical habitat. Additionally, conditions in critical habitat appeared worse in areas of decline (i.e., dispersed patterns of chl-a hotspots and greater distances from SSL sites to productive areas). Although there may be a low feasibility of mitigating the effects of dynamic features on the recovery of SSL, the interactive effects of primary productivity and other stressors should be investigated for safeguarding their prey.     

Determination of a limiting nutrient regulating algal biomass using in situ experiments of nutrient enrichment bioassay (NEB) and empirical relations of nutrients and chlorophyll-a

Long-term nutrient contents and nutrient ratios indicated that phosphorus was a potential limiting element for algal growth. In situ experiments of nutrient enrichment bioassay supported the evidence of P-limitation. However, regression analyses of log10-transformed chlorophyll-a (CHL) against TP (R2 values < 0.25) showed that seasonal CHL was not closely related to flux of phosphorus during all seasons. Also, two dimensional graphical approach of Trophic State Index (TSI) showed that most values of TSI (CHL) -TSI (TP) and TSI (CHL) -TSI (SD) were less than zero, indicating factors other than phosphorus limited algal biomass (CHL -TP < 0), and that non-algal particles dominated light attenuation (CHL -SD < 0). The weak empirical relations and trophic deviations were explained well by the experiment of NEB-II that was conduced during a period of high inorganic turbidity. Overall results suggest that phosphorus is the primary element regulating the system productivity, but the system also were highly influenced by rapid flushing and high inorganic turbidity.     

Calibration for the determination of 19 trace elements in serum and urine

A fast, high-throughput and accurate method was developed for determination of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, U, Zn, Sb, Sn, I and Hg in urine and serum by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The samples were directly analyzed after 1/20 (v/v) dilution in 0.4% (v/v) HNO₃ and 0.005% Triton X-100. Three calibration modes were tested: aqueous and matrix matching with urine and serum. The accuracy was tested using reference materials of serum, urine and spiking. Results showed that the use of matrix matching calibration reduced the interferences and improved the recoveries for Al, Co, Pb and I in urine. The matrix matching did not affect the results considerably for serum. When serum was spiked with As, Co, Cs, Pb, U, Hg, I, Ba, Al, Cr and Ni, only matrix matching presented good recoveries. Helium was used as a collision cell gas reducing effectively polyatomic interferences for Al, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, As and Fe. Selection of the best internal standard was carried out for each element. The use of diluted HNO₃ improved the limit of detection. Finally, the method was applied successfully in samples of urine from workers occupationally exposed.     

生物样品中氯苯类化合物的提取和测定

以水草和鱼样品为研究对象,采用超声波法提取生物样品中的氯苯类化合物(CBS)并用气相色谱进行定性和定量分析.结果表明:用超声波提取生物样品中CBS的最佳提取溶剂为正己烷,功率为25W,提取时间为20 min.植物和动物样品中CBS的提取方法稍有不同.在最佳提取条件下,鱼样中的平均加标回收率为75.2%～91.6%,水草中的平均加标回收率为88.2%～94.3%.另外,要根据污染物的检出限,确定生物样品中污染物提取的浓缩倍数.结论:用超声波法提取生物样品中的CBs的方法是可行的.     

电化学方法检测海水中铁的研究进展

海水中的痕量铁作为限制海洋浮游植物初级生产力的关键因素之一,在海洋生物地球化学循环中起着重要的作用.及时分析海水中铁的不同存在形态及其含量,对于进一步认识铁循环机制和有效预防海洋环境污染具有重要意义.电化学方法较其他分析方法在检测海水中痕量铁的含量,尤其是形态分析方面具有独特的优势.本文总结了运用电化学方法检测海水及其他自然水体中铁的分析方法,以期为发展准确、快速测定海水中痕量铁的形态及其含量的分析技术提供基础性参考.     

Pattern of benthic biomass size spectra from shallow waters in the East China Seas

Benthic biomass size spectra (BSS) and normalized biomass size spectra were constructed, and benthic secondary production was estimated by a size spectrum equation in the shallow waters in the East China Sea, ranging latitudinally from 40°N to 29°N. The BSS patterns were bimodal, two biomass peaks corresponding to meiofauna and macrofauna, respectively, separated by a trough of low biomass at 8–256 μg individual dry weight which varied in position with median sediment particle size. The BSS also displayed bimodality within meiofauna size ranges, which in most stations was due to the relative proportions of nematodes and other meiofauna taxa. Re-analysis of data from sites in the UK, South Africa, and Antarctic showed a similar bimodality in the adult species body size distribution within the meiofauna size range. Macrofaunal production estimated by the size spectrum equation was very similar to the results of Brey90 empirical equation. However, these production values were much lower than those calculated by Brey01. Different individual dry-to-wet conversion ratios, temperature deviation, and macrofauna taxonomic composition might be responsible for the between-model differences. The macrofaunal P/B ratios calculated by this equation ranged from 0.3 to 3.4 which were in accordance with values from Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes. Meiofaunal production estimates will need further empirical support.     

Genetic determination and plasticity in the sun orientation of natural populations ofTalitrus saltator

As has been previously shown, talitrid crustaceans have an inherited compass which causes them to head in a direction appropriate to their original shoreline (even after several generations in the laboratory), while learnt components can improve the correctness of orientation in natural conditions. In order to extend this analysis to a greater range of populations and to show differences in the determination of direction finding behaviour, seven natural populations ofTalitrus saltator (Montagu) from differently oriented shores of the Ligurian (Marina di Vecchiano, Pisa), Tyrrhenian (Castiglione della Pescaia and Tombolo di Feniglia, Grossetto) and Adriatic (Casal Borsetti, Ravenna; Torre Fantine, Marina di Lesina and Lido di Siponta, Foggia). Italian coasts were compared for their rigidity-plasticity in sun orientation. The study was conducted from 1982 to 1985. Differences were given in relation to the dynamics of the shorelines, the stability of which changes over the years due to natural and artificial causes. Furthermore, in order to reveal something about the genetic determination of the compass, mass-crosses between geographically distant populations (Ligurian-Tyrrhenian on one side and Adriatic on the other) were performed, and the F1 and F2 inexpert offspring tested for sun orientation. The results show a partial or total disruption of the compass in cross offspring which is discussed in the light of oligogenic and polygenic transmission mechanisms.     

土壤中元素碳的测定与研究

采用化学方法测定土壤中元素碳的含量。取黄土样品做本方法的平行性实验,平行性良好。取不同粒度周口店土样做对比实验,粒径小于710 mm的原始样元素碳回收最高。同时对元素碳的来源、测定方法、研究意义进行了初步探讨。     

Sex ratio determination and worker reproduction in the slave-making ant Harpagoxenus sublaevis

Summary In a population of the monogynous slave-making ant Harpagoxenus sublaevis in S.E. Sweden, the mean proportion of dry weight investment in queens was 0.54. This result differed significantly from 0.75 but not from 0.5, matching the prediction from the genetic relatedness hypothesis of sex ratio applied to slave-makers, given (as confirmed by this study) single mating of queens, population-wide mate competition, and relatively low levels of worker male production. Sex investment appeared unaffected by resource availability. In the same 47 colony population sample, fertile slave-maker workers were found in every queenless colony (ca. 30% of all colonies), and in 58% of queen-right colonies. Fertile workers occurred at a significantly higher frequency in the queenless colonies (19.2%) than in the queenright ones (9.8%), confirming that queenless conditions promote worker fertility. Fertile and sterile workers were similar in size. Electrophoretic allozyme analysis of ants from 49 colonies showed that: 1) queens mated singly; 2) female nestmates were full sisters (their regression coefficient of relatedness (±SE) was 0.735±0.044); 3) inbreeding did not occur; 4) queen and worker siblings were not genetically differentiated. Worker male production in queenright colonies was neither confirmed nor ruled out by the genetic data. However, production data indicated that queenless workers produced between 4.4 and 21.6% of all males. Overall colony productivity was largely determined by slave number, itself positively correlated with the number of slave-maker workers. There was an abrupt switch from all worker to all sexual production as colony size rose, as predicted by life history models. In queenright colonies, fertile slave-makers did not discernibly reduce colony productivity. Such workers occurred in queenright colonies with most slaves, suggesting they exploited energetic surpluses. Worker reproduction in H. sublaevis therefore appears to have greater influence at the level of individual behaviour than at colony or population level.     

Sex determination and the evolution of polyandry in honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Many hypotheses attempt to explain why queens of social insects mate multiply. We tested the sex locus hypothesis for the evolution of polyandry in honey bees (Apis mellifera). A queen may produce infertile, diploid males that reduce the viability of worker brood and, presumably, adversely affect colony fitness. Polyandry reduces the variance in diploid male production within a colony and may increase queen fitness if there are non-linear costs associated with brood viability, specifically if the relationship between brood viability and colony fitness is concave. We instrumentally inseminated queens with three of their own brothers to vary brood viability from 50% to 100% among colonies. We measured the colonies during three stages of their development: (1) colony initiation and growth, (2) winter survival, and (3) spring reproduction. We found significant relationships between brood viability and most colony measures during the growth phase of colonies, but the data were too variable to distinguish significant non-linear effects. However, there was a significant step function of brood viability on winter survival, such that all colonies above 72% brood viability survived the winter but only 37.5% of the colonies below 72% viability survived. We discuss the significance of this and other "genetic diversity" hypotheses for the evolution of polyandry.     

Simplified method for the determination of acid-soluble sulfides in marine sediments

A simple, rapid method for the measurement of acid-soluble sulfides from marine sediments, in the range of 0 to 350 g sulfide, was developed. Using the mean of 4 replicates, the maximum sensitivity of the method is ±5.48 g. The method is based on iodometric back titration after the reaction of a standard iodine solution with the sulfide, which is precipitated on paper wicks as zinc, sulfide. The mean coefficient of variation, based on raw titration data, is 0.71% for aliquots from field samples, 0.41% for standards, and 0.21% for blanks. The method is used to compare zinc acetate-fixed subsamples, one group having been stored for 1 month in a refrigerator at 5°C and the other having been analyzed immediately after collection. No significant differences in sulfide content between subsamples, at the 95% confidence level, were noted.