The relationships between mercury and selenium in plankton and fish from a tropical food web

Background, aim, and scope  Selenium (Se) has been shown to reduce mercury (Hg) bioavailability and trophic transfer in aquatic ecosystems. The study of methylmercury (MeHg) and Se bioaccumulation by plankton is therefore of great significance in order to obtain a better understanding of the estuarine processes concerning Hg and Se accumulation and biomagnification throughout the food web. In the western South Atlantic, few studies have documented trace element and MeHg in fish tissues. No previous study about trace elements and MeHg in plankton has been conducted concerning tropical marine food webs. Se, Hg, and MeHg were determined in two size classes of plankton, microplankton (70–290 μm) and mesoplankton (≥290 μm), and also in muscle tissues and livers of four fish species of different trophic levels (Mugil liza, a planktivorous fish; Bagre spp., an omnivorous fish; Micropogonias furnieri, a benthic carnivorous fish; and Centropomus undecimalis, a pelagic carnivorous fish) from a polluted estuary in the Brazilian Southeast coast, Guanabara Bay. Biological and ecological factors such as body length, feeding habits, and trophic transfer were considered in order to outline the relationships between these two elements. The differences in trace element levels among the different trophic levels were investigated. Materials and methods  Fish were collected from July 2004 to August 2005 at Guanabara Bay. Plankton was collected from six locations within the bay in August 2005. Total mercury (THg) was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. MeHg analysis was conducted by digesting samples with an alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution followed by dithizone-toluene extraction. MeHg was then identified and quantified in the toluene layer by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Se was determined by AAS using graphite tube with Pin platform and Zeeman background correction. Results and discussion  Total mercury, MeHg, and Se increased with plankton size class. THg and Se values were below 2.0 and 4.8 μg g⁻¹ dry wt in microplankton and mesoplankton, respectively. A large excess of molar concentrations of Se in relation to THg was observed in both plankton size class and both fish tissues. Plankton presented the lowest concentrations of this element. In fish, the liver showed the highest THg and Se concentrations. THg and Se in muscle were higher in Centropomus undecimalis (3.4 and 25.5 nmol g⁻¹) than in Micropogonias furnieri (2.9 and 15.3 nmol g⁻¹), Bagre spp (1.3 and 3.4 nmol g⁻¹) and Mugil liza (0.3 and 5.1 nmol g⁻¹), respectively. The trophic transfer of THg and Se was observed between trophic levels from prey (considering microplankton and mesoplankton) to top predator (fish). The top predators in this ecosystem, Centropomus undecimalis and Micropogonias furnieri, presented similar MeHg concentrations in muscles and liver. Microplankton presented lower ratios of methylmercury to total mercury concentration (MeHg/THg) (34%) than those found in mesoplankton (69%) and in the muscle of planktivorous fish, Mugil liza (56%). The other fish species presented similar MeHg/THg in muscle tissue (of around 100%). M. liza showed lower MeHg/THg in the liver than C. undecimalis (35%), M. furnieri (31%) and Bagre spp. (22%). Significant positive linear relationships were observed between the molar concentrations of THg and Se in the muscle tissue of M. furnieri and M. liza. These fish species also showed significant inverse linear relationships between hepatic MeHg and Se, suggesting a strong antagonistic effect of Se on MeHg assimilation and accumulation. Conclusions  Differences found among the concentrations THg, MeHg, and Se in microplankton, mesozooplankton, and fishes were probably related to the preferred prey and bioavailability of these elements in the marine environment. The increasing concentration of MeHg and Se at successively higher trophic levels of the food web of Guanabara Bay corresponds to a transfer between trophic levels from the lower trophic level to the top-level predator, suggesting that MeHg and Se were biomagnified throughout the food web. Hg and Se were positively correlated with the fish standard length, suggesting that larger and older fish bioaccumulated more of these trace elements. THg, MeHg, and Se were a function of the plankton size. Recommendations and perspectives  There is a need to assess the role of selenium in mercury accumulation in tropical ecosystems. Without further studies of the speciation of selenium in livers of fishes from this region, the precise role of this element, if any, cannot be verified in positively affecting mercury accumulation. Further studies of this element in the study of marine species should include liver samples containing relatively high concentrations of mercury. A basin-wide survey of selenium in fishes is also recommended.     

长江口海域生态环境状况及保护对策

为加快推进长江口海域的生态环境保护和修复工作,结合长江经济带大保护,系统总结分析了近20年长江口环境质量和生态监控区的监测结果.结果表明:①长江口海域生态系统长期处于亚健康状态.②长江径流总量呈现波动变化,年均流量无明显的变化,而长江口海域海水环境状况一直较差.③营养盐污染严重,主要污染物是无机氮和活性磷酸盐;浮游生物和底栖生物群落结构不稳定,存在生境破碎化严重、外来生物入侵、赤潮频发、低氧区等诸多生态问题.为加强长江口海域生态环境的保护与修复,建议:①加强顶层设计,推进落实陆海统筹;②科学规划临港产业布局,加强涉海产业的污染管理;③加强污染物入海排放管控,提升海洋环境保护意识;④保障海洋生态建设资金,强化海洋生态保护与建设.      

基于主成分分析法的黄河口及其邻近水域水质评价

于2013年6、7、10月在黄河口及邻近水域进行了3个航次的环境调查,获取了盐度、营养盐、COD及重金属等指标数据,利用主成分分析法(PCA)研究该海域的水质状况,并分析影响该海域水质的主要驱动因子.结果表明:应用主成分分析将14项调查指标转换提取为4种主成分,共解释了67.31%的结果.相关分析表明,影响该水域水质的主要驱动因子为氮营养盐、盐度、SiO32--Si和砷.主成分综合得分分析表明,黄河口及邻近水域2013年10月、7月、6月水质污染状况依次降低;空间上总体呈现出以黄河入海口为中心,向邻近海域递减,河口附近及南部水域污染较严重的格局.黄河径流污染物是主要污染源,应加强黄河口及其上游的水环境保护,从而改善黄河口及邻近水域水质状况.     

洋河-戴河河口海域COD时空分布特征研究

首先应用MIKE 21软件建立了洋河-戴河河口海岸水域水动力与污染物输运数学模型,然后采用实测潮流和化学需氧量(COD)浓度对数学模型进行了验证,最后模拟分析了河口海岸水域COD的输运过程.结果表明,洋河-戴河近岸海域潮波为驻波;潮流为顺岸往复流,涨潮流方向为NE向SW,落潮流方向为SW向NE.涨、落急时刻,河口至外海水域潮流流速递增.COD输运方向与涨落潮潮流方向一致.涨憩时刻,COD高浓度区向河道推进,其面积最小;落憩时刻,COD高浓度区向外海推进,其面积最大;葡萄岛周围潮流流速低,在潮周期内小于0.14m/s,对COD的稀释作用较弱.     

南海表层海水参与卡尔文循环的固碳基因多样性研究

为揭示南海北部表层海水中参与卡尔文循环的固碳基因多样性及其与环境因子的关系,本研究以卡尔文循环中的关键酶核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶(Rubis CO)的Ⅰ、Ⅱ型基因(cbbL、cbbM)作为分子标记,采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术对海水中的固碳基因多样性进行分析,并结合多元统计分析的方法,探讨了固碳基因多样性与环境因子的关系.结果显示,在南海北部表层海水中,含cbbL基因固碳基因主要归属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、蓝藻门(Cyanobacteria)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),其中,优势亚群分别是γ-变形菌亚门(45.3%)、蓝细菌(30.9%)和β-变形杆菌亚门(23.8%);而含cbbM基因的固碳菌群未检测到;近岸的A9站位与其他站位物种组成有一定的差异,异着色菌属(Allochromatium)、硫杆菌属(Thiobacillus)和硫单胞菌属(Thiohalomonas)为其特有菌属.相关性和冗余分析(RDA)结果显示,含cbbL基因的固碳基因丰度与水温、盐度呈显著负相关(p0.01),与硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐、硅酸盐呈显著正相关(p0.01).     

烟台夹河河口海水混合过程的地球化学特征研究

海(咸)水混入是河口河水重要的地质过程,深刻地影响河水地球化学过程。本文系统采集夹河河口水样,分析海淡水混合过程的地球化学特征。结果表明,远离河口段(J10~J14)为淡水性质,主要受水-岩作用及人类活动等影响;近河口段(J1~J8)海水混入严重,F~-、Cl~-、Br~-、SO~(2-)_4、Na~+、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、盐度等明显较高,主要受海水混入影响。近河口段存在Na-Ca离子交换过程,约占Na~+总量的0.9%~1.5%,离子交换量随海水混入比例增加而增加,Na~+离子交换量与K~+,Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Br~-、F~-、SO~(2-)_4离子交换量相关,且河水离子含量与盐度回归系数略低于与盐度、Na~+交换量回归系数,表明河口段河水离子交换影响河水地球化学特征。     

九龙江口微塑料与抗生素抗性基因污染的分布特征

河口区域普遍存在微塑料（MPs）和抗生素抗性基因（ARGs）污染,同时微塑料还可能富集ARGs,从而扩大ARGs的传播范围.本研究以福建省九龙江口为调查区域,首次分析了九龙江口不同采样点水样以及沉积物中的MPs分布特征,同时测定各样品中8种常见的ARGs丰度,并对二者之间的丰度进行相关性分析.结果表明：①九龙江河口水环境中微塑数浓度范围为2~66 n ·L^-1,沉积物中含量范围（以dw计）为8~85 n ·kg^-1,85%以上的微塑料粒径在1 mm以下,微塑料材质主要为聚乙烯（PE）、聚丙烯（PP）和聚苯乙烯（PS）;②九龙江河口优势的ARGs为四环素类抗性基因tetC和tetG以及磺胺类抗性基因sul2,水中ARGs丰度随盐度增加呈递减趋势;③九龙江水体中MPs浓度、ARGs相对丰度和一类整合子基因intI1丰度呈两两正相关性,说明微塑料可能促进了水体中ARGs的传播和水平基因转移（HGT）.     

中国主要河口海湾富营养化特征及差异分析

针对我国65个沿海河口海湾,基于自然地理数据及2007~2012年水质监测数据,采用箱须图法、聚类分析、相关性分析和主成分分析等方法,探讨河口海湾间富营养化特征、差异性及主要原因.结果表明,大型河口海湾的富营养化状态指标值相对较高,但河口海湾间富营养化响应指标值存在一定差异.DIN、PO₄^3--P和COD是河口海湾富营养化特征的第1主成分,DO和Chl-a是第2主成分,盐度、水深、潮差和面积等是第3主成分,河口海湾水体Chl-a浓度与TN入海量(P<0.01)、DIN(P<0.01)、PO₄^3--P(P<0.05)、流量(P<0.01)、温度(P<0.05)呈显著性正相关,同时与潮差(P<0.05)和盐度(P<0.01)和DO(P<0.01)呈显著性负相关.表明营养盐入海量增多是引起河口海湾一系列富营养化症状的主要因素,但河口海湾自然属性会调节其富营养化状态,造成系统间响应特征的差异.潮差小于2.5m的河口海湾,其营养盐转化效率明显高于潮差大于2.5m的河口海湾.说明河口海湾潮差可通过改变水体滞留时间、垂直混合和光照条件等,调节浮游植物生物量对营养盐的敏感性.此外,与外海的水体交换,海洋生物的捕食,及其他形态营养盐的供给等作用,也会影响河口海湾水体Chl-a的水平.人类活动带来的营养盐输入,以及河口海湾特有的自然属性,共同决定了其富营养化特征的差异和程度.     

辽河口湿地沉积物硝化细菌及硝化作用研究

2009年6月和8月,采用现场培养和实验室模拟培养相结合的方法对辽河口湿地表层沉积物硝化细菌数量、硝化速率及影响因素进行了研究.结果表明,辽河口湿地表层沉积物氨氧化细菌(ammonia-oxidizing bacteria,AOB)数量6月在0.54×104～5.69×104个.g-1之间,平均值为(2.21±2.32)×104个.g-1,8月在1.90×104～7.90×104个.g-1之间,平均值为(3.61±2.87)×104个.g-1;沉积物潜在硝化速率6月在9.72～16.45 mmol.(m2.h)-1之间,平均值为(12.54±3.14)mmol.(m2.h)-1,8月在14.66～24.62 mmol.(m2.h)-1之间,平均值为(18.71±4.21)mmol.(m2.h)-1;净硝化作用速率6月(S1站)为0.41 mmol.(m2.h)-1,8月在0.20～0.53 mmol.(m2.h)-1之间,平均值为(0.35±0.16)mmol.(m2.h)-1.潜在硝化速率显著高于净硝化速率,AOB数量、净硝化作用速率和潜在硝化作用速率均表现为8月高于6月,芦苇根际效应对硝化作用有促进作用.通过SPSS 13.0软件统计分析,表明影响辽河口湿地表层沉积物硝化作用的主要环境因子有上覆水NH 4+-N浓度和沉积物pH、有机质、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、NH 4+-N含量以及AOB数量(p0.05),其中上覆水NH 4+-N浓度和沉积物总磷(TP)、NH 4+-N含量对硝化作用影响较大,是辽河口湿地硝化作用影响的关键因素.根据研究结果估算辽河口湿地沉积物硝化作用每天可以将1.14×105kg的NH 4+-N转化为NO 3--N,对河口湿地氮的循环具有重要意义.     

闽江口重金属污染特征及潜在生态风险评价

调查分析了闽江口表层沉积物中Cd、Pb、Cu、Hg、As含量及分布特征,并对重金属的潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明：闽江口表层沉积物中的重金属平均含量大小为Pb〉Cu〉As〉Cd〉Hg;重金属生态风险属Cd—Hg复合污染型,单个重金属潜在生态危害大小为Cd〉Hg〉As〉Cu〉Pb。