Rapid response to changing light environments of the calanoid copepod<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Calanus sinicus</Emphasis>

Calanus sinicus is a large calanoid copepod and a dominant species in the coastal waters of Japan. During a research cruise in Sagami Bay on 18 June 1996, we found C. sinicus performing an unusual diel vertical migration (DVM), a behavior that has not been reported in previous studies on this species. This study examined the DVM of C. sinicus under different light environments and revealed the copepods characteristic response to light. Field and laboratory results show that the DVM of C. sinicus is flexible and also confirmed its sensitivity and its rapid response to changing light environments. It is suggested that C. sinicus reacts to changes in absolute light intensity. This feature may be common in oceanic copepod species. The copepods quick reaction to light variation provides decreased predation risks and increased feeding opportunities, which make them a dominant survivor in coastal water habitats.Communicated by T. Ikeda, Hakodate     

Distribution,life history,and production of three species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neomysis</Emphasis> in Akkeshi-ko estuary,northern Japan

Spatial and seasonal distribution pattern, life history and production of three species of Neomysis (Mysidacea) which commonly occur in northwestern subarctic Pacific coastal waters, were investigated throughout the year in the Akkeshi-ko estuary, northern Japan. The most abundant species Neomysis awatschensis (annual mean density: 179.8 inds. m⁻², biomass: 108.8 mg DW m⁻²) occurred at the inner part of the estuary including low salinity areas with no clear preference for the seagrass bed. The second most abundant Neomysis mirabilis (mean density: 95.8 inds. m⁻², biomass: 90.1 mg DW m⁻²) occurred at relatively saline seagrass site throughout the year. Occurrence of Neomysis czerniawskii in the estuary was limited to the seagrass bed during summer when their population mainly consisted of juveniles, suggesting that this species is a seasonal migrant between the estuary and the marine environment. Both N. awatschensis and N. mirabilis populations were composed of two generation types, a larger sized overwintering and smaller sized spring/summer generations; however, each species had a different reproductive strategy. N. awatschensis was characterized by fast growth to maturity at a smaller size than N. mirabilis with a relatively high fecundity during warm season, suggesting that this species is an r-strategist which can utilize opportunistically a wide variety of habitats. In contrast, the seagrass bed resident N. mirabilis was a K-strategist which matures at a larger size producing fewer but larger offspring. The annual production of N. awatschensis (0.57–0.70 g DW m⁻², mean of the whole estuary) and N. mirabilis (0.58–0.68 g DW m⁻², mean of the seagrass bed) at their respective habitats was comparable. Consequently, species-specific life history and distribution pattern are concluded to allow Neomysis spp. to coexist in the estuary and the high carrying capacity of seagrass bed is suggested to contribute to maintain their high biomass level.     

Studies on the accumulation and transformation of arsenic in freshwater organisms II. Accumulation and transformation of arsenic compounds by Tilapia mossambica

Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic (As) compounds in freshwater Tilapia mossambica was investigated. The direct accumulation of As by T mossambica was proportional to the concentration of arsenicals in water. Small amounts of accumulated As were transformed to methylated As, including trimethylarsenic (TMA) species. Accumulation and transformation of As(III) by T. mossambica via freshwater food chain results in the transformation of As(III) to As(V) with little biomethylation of accumulated As. Approximately 90% of accumulated As was depurated to water.     

Evaluation of biological water purification functions of inland lakes using an aquatic ecosystem model

An effective measure to cope with eutrophication of lakes is to remove nutrients that can cause algal blooming by taking advantage of natural water purification processes. Here the term “purification” is defined, in a wide sense, as the potential role of a water body to contribute to the reduction of pollutants and thus controlling eutrophication. Also regarded as a kind of ecological regulating services, biological purification involves various processes concerning seasonal nutrient fixation, such as uptake by aquatic macrophytes, biofouling onto foliage substrates, feeding by organisms in higher trophic level, and eternal loss or removal of substance from the water. In order to evaluate the water purification ability, a numerical lake ecosystem model highlighting the role of macrophyte colonies in the shore zone was developed and applied to Lakes Suwa, Kasumi and Biwa, as well as five small lakes attached to Lake Biwa.     

Investigation and modeling of diurnal variation in suburban ambient formaldehyde concentration

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a naturally occurring compound found in ambient air which can induce cancer and sick-building syndrome. It plays an important...