Speciation of heavy metals in Albanian coastal sediments

This article presents results on heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) speciation in the coastal sediments of Albania. Sediment samples were collected within the framework of the activities of the Interreg Italia–Albania Project, carried out in the Southern Adriatic Sea in 2000–01. This study shows that Albanian coastal sediments are highly influenced by river input, as the decreasing concentrations from coast to offshore confirm. Pb represents an exception of the general trend; meteoric inputs are prevalent for this metal. Ni, Cr, Fe, Zn and Cu correlate significantly and positively in the entire area, indicating a common origin for these metals in the analyzed sediments. All metals result mostly associated to the most refractory phases, which constitute up to 80% of the total concentration. Nevertheless a recent input of Cr, Ni, Cu and Mn can be observed, as the result of mining and industrial activities, in some selected areas, such as the Drin Bay and Durres. Their high concentration in the bioavailable phase can determine toxic effect upon biota.     

Mapping of the benthic communities in the Taranto seas using side-scan sonar and an underwater video camera

Side-scan sonar and underwater video camera records as well as dredging samples were used to map the bottom morphology and biocoenoses in the Taranto seas. A 1:20,000 scale chart has been produced with all the data recorded. Most of the study area consists of biocoenoses affected by the anthropogenic activities of the town of Taranto. Some native broadly tolerant species seem to benefit from these activities and become increasingly dominant. Environmental modifications also seem to favour the settlement of exotic species.     

Biochemical composition of a meso-bathyal lobster

To characterise some traits of the life strategies of Polycheles typhlops, a deep-sea small lobster usually encountered as by-catch within deep trawls in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea), we analysed the biochemical composition of the caudal muscles of 49 specimens collected in March and April 2007. Differences in the biochemical composition between females and males were weak, but relevant differences in protein (>90% of the organic C) and lipid (4–6%) contents were observed between developmental stages both in females and males. These differences are likely to be related to different food items and/or to the metabolic shifts associated with their reproduction. We argue that this deep-sea lobster could cover a relevant role in the meso-pelagic food webs and attract future commercial interest.     

Relationships Between Copper Species and Forms,Hydrographic and Biomass Parameters in the Taiwan Erhjin Chi Coastal Area

The first incident of green oysters (Crassostrea gigas) was reported in Taiwan in the Charting coastal area in January, 1986 and mortality was reported three months later. the cause of the greened oysters was identified as copper pollution. the copper content of the green oysters was extremely high - 2100 ppm, 2225 ppm, and 4400 ppm dry weight, in January, 1986, February 1987, and January 1989, respectively. in this paper we summarize the seasonal and regional distributions of copper species (complexed by inorganic and organic ligands, labile and non-labile, polar and non-polar) and forms (dissolved and particulate) and the hydrographic and biomass parameters (mainly particulate organic carbon, chloropyll -α, adenosine triphosphate and primary production) in sea water in the Erhjin Chi coastal area. in general, high concentrations of particulate material (0.24 to 724 ppb) and non-labile organic copper (0.03 to 21.5 ppb) were observed. Low values of polar organic copper (<0.02 to 16.5 ppb) indicated that non-polar organic complexes (0.3 to 20.4 ppb) from man-made organic pollutants were the major complexes in the area studied. On the basis of this data, the cause of greening and mortality in oysters is evaluated in relation to the bioavailable copper (sum of particulate and labile copper) and copper assimilative capacity (detoxicant). Finally, the correlations between the species and forms of copper, hydrographic and biomass parameters are also discussed.     

Gas Transfer Coefficient Evaluation in the Mediterranean Sea Using Bomb Produced Radiocarbon

A study on the carbon dioxide exchange at the water-air interface in the Western Mediterranean Sea was carried out. the attention was focused on the mean air-sea flux estimations by radiocarbon profiles and bomb ¹⁴C concentration atmospheric data. Sampling techniques and analytical methods are reported; mass balance evaluations on data recorded during the MED'92 cruise are presented and discussed briefly.     

秦皇岛主要入海河流污染及其对近岸海域影响研究

利用饮马河、洋河、汤河和戴河的水文和水质监测资料,分析了各河流的污染状况、营养状态、污染物入海通量及其对海域水质的影响。结果表明：秦皇岛市入海河流中饮马河和洋河污染较重;通过污染分担率分析,秦皇岛入海河流的首要污染物为DIN、COD,其次为PO43--P;采用综合营养状态指数法评价,汤河处于轻度富营养状态,戴河处于中度富营养状态,而洋河和饮马河都已达到重度富营养化状态,可见秦皇岛入海河流的富营养化现象非常严重;秦皇岛主要河流污染物入海通量近年来基本呈减小趋势,饮马河和洋河年均入海污染物量占到秦皇岛市陆源入海污染物总量的94.91%;通过相关分析表明,秦皇岛近岸海域的水质主要受入海河流影响,尤其是CODMn、DIN、PO43--P在河、海间存在线性关系,具有强相关性。因此应加强对入河污染物的管理,重点应放在生活污水、农业面源污染的治理上,从而改善近岸海域的水质状况。     

十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)对刺参幼参的急性毒性

为探究表面活性剂对海洋棘皮动物的影响,测定了十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)对刺参(Stichopus japonicas)幼参的急性毒性。结果显示,SDS对刺参幼参的72h-LC_(50)和96h-LC_(50)分别为15.03和10.89mg·L~(-1)。刺参幼参相对于常见的几种水生生物对SDS的敏感性较高,其生命周期较长,活动能力较弱,生活相对固定于一定的区域,因此,在监测海洋水体SDS污染时,刺参幼参是一种值得关注的生物。     

基于Global-Malmquist-Luenberger指数的沿海地带陆海统筹发展水平测度及区域差异分析

沿海地区是陆海统筹发展的区域载体,基于沿海省市的陆海复合系统进行陆海统筹发展的区域评估对海洋强国建设的理论与实践具有重要意义。论文以陆海复合经济地域系统为前提,将沿海城市形成的区域作为沿海地带,基于各沿海城市的集合作为省级沿海地带进行比较分析,建立包括经济、社会、生态以及环境4个维度指标体系,在考虑“非期望”产出的情况下运用Global-Malmquist-Luenberger（GML）指数测算沿海地带陆海统筹发展水平并进行区域差异分析。结果表明：第一,总体上,沿海地带陆海统筹发展水平全要素生产增长率大多处于无效率状态,且不考虑非期望产出明显高估了全要素生产增长率的增长;时间上,陆域、海洋以及陆海综合GML指数的变动趋于一致,呈平稳的态势;效率分解,陆海统筹发展水平全要素生产率下降明显是由规模效率变动和技术规模变动的下降所影响。第二,沿海地带正经历从“重陆轻海”到逐步实现陆海统筹发展的过程;对沿海地带陆海统筹发展水平空间差异进行分类,浙江、福建及河北属于陆域效率驱动型,环渤海地区（除河北外）、江苏、广西和海南属于海洋效率驱动型,上海和广东属于陆海效率复合型;区域差异形成的原因主要有产业结构差异、海洋产业技术门槛、海洋资源承载力以及政府政策。     

Sea level rise and eelgrass (Zostera marina) production: A spatially explicit relative elevation model for Padilla Bay, WA

The dynamics that govern the elevation of a coastal wetland relative to sea level are complex, involving non-linear feedbacks among opposing processes. Changes in the balance between these processes can result in significant alterations to vegetation communities that are adapted to a specific range of water levels. Given that current sedimentation rates in Padilla Bay, Washington are likely less than historical levels and that eustatic sea level rise is accelerating, the extensive Zostera marina (eelgrass) meadows in the bay may be at risk of eventual submergence. We developed a spatially explicit relative elevation model and used it to project changes in the productivity and distribution of eelgrass in Padilla Bay over the next century. The model is mechanistic and incorporates many of the processes and feedbacks that govern coastal wetland elevation change. Accretion estimates made using ²¹⁰Pb dating of sediment cores, sediment characteristics measured within cores, and eelgrass productivity and decomposition data were used to initialize and calibrate the model. Validation was performed using an elevation change rate measured with a network of surface elevation tables. Both the field data and model simulations revealed a net accretion deficit for the bay. Simulations using current rates of sea level rise indicated an overall expansion of eelgrass within Padilla Bay over the next century as it migrates from the center of the bay shoreward.     

Bioactivity as an Options Value of Sea Cucumbers in the Egyptian Red Sea

Abstract:  The utility of a species can be divided into its direct, indirect, and options values. In the marine environment, direct consumptive values predominate and often lead to overexploitation at the expense of significant options values derived through bioprospecting for natural products. We surveyed the waters of the Egyptian Red Sea coast (Gulf of Aqaba [north] and the Red Sea [south]) for species of sea cucumbers and analyzed extracts from species for a range of bioactivities with potential biomedical applications. All habitat types were surveyed within these regions. We found 22 species of sea cucumber of which two, Holothuria fuscogilva and Holothuria flavomaculata , were recorded in Egypt for the first time. Although none of the species identified were unique to the Gulf of Aqaba, 10 species were only found in the Red Sea sector. Bioassay results showed that although no species had antibacterial activity, most extracts exhibited activity against Candida and Leishmania but were most active against a LoVo mammalian carcinoma cell line. Our most significant finding was the intraspecific variation in bioactivity in individuals collected from different habitat types and sectors of the coast. This variation may reflect the effect of environment on secondary metabolite production or may indicate significant genetic diversity between populations within a species. Our results indicate a potentially significant options value to sea cucumbers through bioprospecting. Given the importance of economic development in countries such as Egypt and the perceived low conservation value of invertebrates such as sea cucumbers, the linking of these factors to conservation is vital for the maintenance and sustainable exploitation of these animals .