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.     

Effect on benthic communities of a major input of organic matter and other pollutants (coast off Barcelona,Western Mediterranean)

Benthic communities on soft bottoms off Barcelona, at and around two main pollution sources, the mouth of the Besòs River and the outlet of the submarine pipeline draining wastewater and organic sludges from the wastewater treatment plant of Sant Adrià del Besòs, have been studied. Samples were obtained with a Van Veen grab from 36 stations covering a 100 km² grid, between 10 and 70 m in depth. The effect of both pollution sources is clearly seen both at the species (the following macrofauna groups have been studied: Polychaeta, Mollusca, Echinodermata and Crustacea Decapoda) and community levels. The distribution of species and individuals numbers, species diversity and a pollution index, and of some selected (indicator) polychaeta species, all clearly define the degree of environmental degradation and the extent of the areas under the influence of the organic pollution.     

Response of benthic foraminifera to heavy metal contamination in marine sediments (Sicilian coasts,Mediterranean Sea)

To examine the suitability of benthic foraminifera and their test deformations as bioindicators of pollution in coastal marine environments, we studied foraminifera and metal concentrations in 72 marine sediment samples, collected from the inner shelf along the Sicilian coast (Gulfs of Palermo and Termini) and on the south-eastern coast of Lampedusa Island. These areas are characterised by different environmental conditions. On the basis of pollution sources and foraminiferal assemblages, we recognised different zones in the Gulf of Palermo. The most polluted zones showed high metal concentrations, and low diversity of benthic foraminifera with species typical of stressed environments. By contrast, the lowest polluted zones showed a high population density and the highest percentages of epiphytes. Epiphytes were abundant where a Posidonia oceanica meadow was present and decreased in the most polluted zones. Sediments of the Gulf of Termini and Lampedusa exhibited high percentages of benthic foraminifera typical of well-oxygenated waters and low concentrations of metals, with the exception of sites located near sewage outfalls and harbour areas. Furthermore, even though deformed tests are commonly known in natural stressed environmental conditions, this study shows that in the most polluted zones, benthic foraminifera were characterised by the highest percentages of deformed individuals.     

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.     

Use of an Airborne Lidar System to Model Plant Species Composition and Diversity of Mediterranean Oak Forests

Abstract: Airborne lidar is a remote‐sensing tool of increasing importance in ecological and conservation research due to its ability to characterize three‐dimensional vegetation structure. If different aspects of plant species diversity and composition can be related to vegetation structure, landscape‐level assessments of plant communities may be possible. We examined this possibility for Mediterranean oak forests in southern Portugal, which are rich in biological diversity but also threatened. We compared data from a discrete, first‐and‐last return lidar data set collected for 31 plots of cork oak (Quercus suber) and Algerian oak (Quercus canariensis) forest with field data to test whether lidar can be used to predict the vertical structure of vegetation, diversity of plant species, and community type. Lidar‐ and field‐measured structural data were significantly correlated (up to r= 0.85). Diversity of forest species was significantly associated with lidar‐measured vegetation height (R²= 0.50, p < 0.001). Clustering and ordination of the species data pointed to the presence of 2 main forest classes that could be discriminated with an accuracy of 89% on the basis of lidar data. Lidar can be applied widely for mapping of habitat and assessments of habitat condition (e.g., in support of the European Species and Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]). However, particular attention needs to be paid to issues of survey design: density of lidar points and geospatial accuracy of ground‐truthing and its timing relative to acquisition of lidar data.     

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。