Benthic Response to Mucilaginous Aggregates in the Northern Adriatic Sea: Biochemical Indicators of Eutrophication

Abstract

In summer 1997, gelatinous aggregates appeared in the Adriatic Sea, covering large areas of the northern basin. This study deals with the comparison between the biochemical composition of the sedimentary organic matter in summer, 1996 (when no aggregates appeared), and in summer, 1997 (during the appearance of aggregates). the biochemical composition of organic matter in surface sediments (determined in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, phytopigments and nucleic acids) has been investigated in two areas along the coast of the NW-Adriatic Sea in order to characterize benthic processes during aggregate deposition on the sea floor. During mucilage accumulation, a significant increase of biochemical compounds was observed, and chlorophyll-a and carbohydrate concentrations doubled their concentrations. in contrast, protein concentrations decreased, so that overall biopolymeric carbon content (expressed as the sum of lipid, protein and carbohydrate carbon equivalents) did not display significant differences between sampling periods (1579.3 in June, 1996 1678.8 μgCg^?1 and June, 1997). the protein to carbohydrate ratio decreased from 4.9 in June, 1996 to 1.8 in June, 1997. Mucilage production in June, 1997, modified significantly the biochemical composition of the sedimentary OM, thus affecting the potential availability of OM to benthic consumers. We hypothesise that the production of highly refractory composition of the sedimentary OM during mucilage accumulation might have an important biogeochemical implications.     

Research On Zooplankton in the Gulf of Rapallo

Zooplankton samples, collected in autumn 1996 from two stations in the Gulf of Rapallo, Ligurian Sea (Rapallo Harbour and Prelo Bay, which is a more open site with lower human impacts) were analysed. at both stations, the community was dominated by copepods (mainly juveniles and adults of different species of Acartia and Oithona) and meroplankton (mainly polychaete larvae). Total zooplankton abundance in the harbour waters was significantly higher than in the nearby bay. the occurrence of Acartia grani in Rapallo Harbour and Pteriacartia josephinae in Prelo Bay is noteworthy, as they are reported for the first time in the Ligurian Sea, and A. grani has not previously been recorded to the Italian coastline. A three-day benthic chamber experiment aimed to quantify nutrient fluxes between the sediment and water column was performed in the Rapallo Harbour: the profound effects of confinement on the composition and abundance of zooplankton within the incubation chamber are discussed.     

厦门海岸带湿地变化的研究

通过“压力-状态-响应”分析模型，对厦门海岸带湿地变化的主要原因（压力）、成分退化和结构改变（状态）以及对厦门海岸带生态系统的主要影响（响应力）之间的作用机制进行了探讨。提出厦门海岸带湿地面临的主要压力来自海岸带围垦造地、近海滩涂养殖和九龙江河口输入；状态变化突出表现在浅海海域面积的减少。红树林的面积减少。近岸泥沙淤积。沉积物类型改变和沉积物污染；主要影响是造成厦门海域水质下降、近海底橙生物类型改变、航道泥沙淤积、水产养殖产量下降和珍稀海洋物种分布和数量改变。     

Presence–Absence versus Abundance Data for Monitoring Threatened Species

Abstract:  Effective detection of population trend is crucial for managing threatened species. Little theory exists, however, to assist managers in choosing the most cost-effective monitoring techniques for diagnosing trend. We present a framework for determining the optimal monitoring strategy by simulating a manager collecting data on a declining species, the Chestnut-rumped Hylacola ( Hylacola pyrrhopygia parkeri ), to determine whether the species should be listed under the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List. We compared the efficiencies of two strategies for detecting trend, abundance, and presence–absence surveys, under financial constraints. One might expect the abundance surveys to be superior under all circumstances because more information is collected at each site. Nevertheless, the presence–absence data can be collected at more sites because the surveyor is not obliged to spend a fixed amount of time at each site. The optimal strategy for monitoring was very dependent on the budget available. Under some circumstances, presence–absence surveys outperformed abundance surveys for diagnosing the IUCN Red List categories cost-effectively. Abundance surveys were best if the species was expected to be recorded more than 16 times/year; otherwise, presence–absence surveys were best. The relationship between the strategies we investigated is likely to be relevant for many comparisons of presence–absence or abundance data. Managers of any cryptic or low-density species who hope to maximize their success of estimating trend should find an application for our results.     

Differences in nitrous oxide fluxes from red soil under different land uses in mid-subtropical China

Red soil may play an important role in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions due to its recent land use change pattern. To predict the land use change effect on N₂O emissions, we examined the relationship between soil N₂O flux and environmental determinants in four different types of land uses in subtropical red soil. During two years of study (January 2005-January 2007), biweekly N₂O fluxes were measured from 09:00 to 11:00 a.m. using static closed chamber method. Objectives were to estimate the seasonal and annual N₂O flux differences from land use change and, reveal the controlling factors of soil N₂O emission by studying the relationship of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), water filled pore space (WFPS) and soil temperature with soil N₂O flux. Nitrous oxide fluxes were significantly higher in hot-humid season than in the cool-dry season. Significant differences in soil N₂O fluxes were observed among four land uses; 2.9, 1.9 and 1.7 times increased N₂O emissions were observed after conventional land use conversion from woodland to paddy, orchard and upland, respectively. The mean annual budgets of N₂O emission were 0.71-2.21 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ from four land use types. The differences were partly attributed to increased fertilizer use in agriculture land uses. In all land uses, N₂O fluxes were positively related to soil temperature and DOC accounting for 22-48% and 30-46% of the seasonal N₂O flux variability, respectively. Nitrous oxide fluxes did significantly correlate with WFPS in orchard and upland only. Nitrous oxide fluxes responded positively to MBC in all land use types except orchard which had the lowest WFPS. We conclude that (1) land use conversion from woodland to agriculture land uses leads to increased soil N₂O fluxes, partly due increased fertilizer use, and (2) irrespective of land use, soil N₂O fluxes are under environmental controls, the main variables being soil temperature and DOC, both of which control the supply of nitrification and denitrification substrates.     

南海大气环境对战术导弹结构可靠性的影响浅析

针对海上部署的战术导弹使用环境条件,分析了南海典型大气环境特点,主要包括高温、高湿度、高盐雾、强光照等,以及这些主要环境因素对典型战术导弹结构的作用效应和破坏模式,重点研究了南海大气环境导致腐蚀等对于结构可靠性的影响。最后,根据战术导弹结构的选用材料、结构形式等特点,提出了采取合理结构设计、选用耐腐蚀材料、采取表面处理防护技术、采取腐蚀检测/监测技术、建立数据库等措施建议,以期对提高南海地区导弹装备结构可靠性/耐久性提供参考。     

南海西部富颗石柱状样的矿物学特征

颗石藻生物矿化作用形成的方解石质颗石化石富含地球化学信息,是古海洋研究的理想材料,而典型样品的获取及其矿物学研究是前提与基础。选取南海西部越南岸外夏季上升流区MD05-2901孔柱状样,通过颗石分布特征、生源组分、矿物物相和红外光谱等矿物学特征研究,探讨了颗石化石关联的沉积环境信息,进而探索了古海洋研究的新思路和方法。结果显示：南海西部MD05-2901孔柱状样从顶部到底部（随着深度的增大）颗石化石含量具有表层较高、中部含量最高、底部含量少的分布特征;有机碳含量在1.19%—2.78%,平均含量为1.99%,随深度的增加逐渐减小;以颗石为主的碳酸钙质无机碳含量在0.85%—1.65%波动,平均含量为1.12%,变化呈现较明显的周期性,与颗石的分布特征有强相关性;柱状样C/N分析表明这一时期沉积物主要为海洋自生沉积。富颗石沉积样品矿物物相主要含有方解石、伊利石、蒙脱石、绿泥石、高岭石,以及少量石英等。FTIR分析表明蒙脱石中可能吸附有机质,值得矿物学家深入研究。颗石藻沉积环境的矿物学特征富含沉积信息,为古海洋研究提供了新的研究途径。     

Transport of pollutants in two estuarine systems on the coast of Georgia

The aim of the present study was to examine the distribution of pollutants in two coastal systems in Georgia: (1) Kubitskali river which flows into the Black sea through the city of Batumi and is polluted mainly from the effluents of an oil refinery; (2) Paliastomi lake, which is a shallow water body at the south-east of the city of Poti. During 2000-2001, two samplings took place in each system, one in the low-flow period and one in the high-flow period. During these samplings, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity were measured in situ, whereas water samples were collected for the analysis of trace metals, nutrients, and organic pollutants with standard methods. The results of the measurements indicate the significant pollution of both systems by ammonia and in the case of Kubitskali River also by oil products. The need for a sustainable management plan of the activities taking place in the river basin is urgent.     

The enemies within: intergenomic conflict, interlocus contest evolution (ICE), and the intraspecific Red Queen

Different loci within the genome of a single species can potentially coevolve in a manner that is analogous to the Red Queen process among species. The major factor driving this antagonistic coevolution among loci is intergenomic conflict, i.e., discord between individuals that is mediated by two or more gene products that are derived from different gene loci. We conclude that antagonistic coevolution is common among loci that code for social interactions, and that it has broad evolutionary implications, especially in the context of speciation and sex chromosome evolution. Received: 15 January 1997 / Accepted after revision: 14 April 1997     

EGG PRODUCTION AND HATCHING SUCCESS IN NORTH ADRIATIC SEA POPULATIONS OF THE COPEPOD Acartia clausi

Egg production, fecal pellet production and hatching success are reported for Acartia clausi females sampled during three cruises in February 1997, 1998 and June 1997 at 20-24 stations along 4 transects in the North Adriatic Sea. Dramatically low hatching rates were recorded during both diatom bloom events in February as opposed to much higher rates during post-bloom conditions in June, even though A. clausi productivity during the bloom was apparently high. These results are discussed in the light of recent findings on the negative impact of diatoms on copepod reproductive potential.