Post-stocking perturbations in a population of subarctic whitefish,Coregonus lavaretus (L.): effects on growth,condition and cestode infection

Lake Kilpisjärvi was stocked with a total number of 440 000 migratory and benthic whitefish fry during the period of 1959–1964. Thereafter, the Diphyllobothrium ditremum plerocercoid infection became a problem decreasing the feasibility and commercial exploitation of the whitefish stock. Since dense fish populations may cause stunting, all stockings in the study area were stopped in an attempt to enhance the fisheries. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of the cessation of the stocking on the growth, condition, catches and D. ditremum infection of the whitefish population. A total of 1594 whitefish were sampled with benthic gill nets. Growth was estimated from length-at-age and mass–length relationship was estimated with a non-linear regression in 1982–1983, 1992–1993 and 1997. Parasite infection was studied in 1992–1993 and 1997. Growth and condition were poor in the beginning of the 1980s. In 1992–1993, the growth and condition of the fish improved as the numerical catch per unit effort decreased from 1982 to 1992. The mean catches of other fish species were low. There were no significant changes in whitefish growth or condition from 1992–1993 to 1997. From the 1970s to 1982–1983, during slow growth and poor condition of the fish, the median gillraker count was decreasing to 19 (min–max 14–26). In 1992–1993, the gillraker count had increased significantly to 23 (min–max 19–26). However, the improved growth and condition did not cause decrease in the D. ditremum burden. On the contrary, based on our own results and literature notes, the parasite abundance seems to increase during the observation period of 1964–1997.     

Tidal reduction and its effects on intertidal hard-substrate communities in the Oosterschelde estuary

Developments of intertidal hard-substrate communities in the Oosterschelde estuary were examined in perpendicular transects between high-water line and low-water line in the period 1982–1992. Prior to the beginning of the Oosterschelde estuary works a typology of communities was established and an overall survey of the estuary was carried out. The communities contain flora (algae) as well as fauna. Due to asphalting of dikes in 1986, much of the surface of several communities has been destroyed. The originally well developed communities with large species-richness have not returned. The small reduction in tidal amplitude due to the construction of the storm-surge barrier had a minor effect on the zonation of communities. In the upper part of the intertidal zone the boundaries of the communities moved 0.5–1.0 m downward in the transects along the dike-slopes. At an average inclination of 18° this means a vertical shift of about 15–30 cm. This reflects the reduction of the tidal amplitude: the high-water line shifted ca 22 cm downward. In a number of places sedimentation has caused a reduction in the number of smaller seaweed species in the lower eulittoral zone. At monitoring locations presence of the original communities is rather unchanged. Rare species like Pelvetia canaliculata, Actinia equina and Gelidium pusillum have been able to maintain quite successfully.     

Zonation of intertidal macrobenthos in the estuaries of Schelde and Ems

Based on data, collected in 1980–1990, the intertidal benthic macrofauna of the Schelde and Ems estuaries was compared. The spatial occurrence of the benthic macrofauna along the salinity gradient, including the freshwater tidal area was emphasized. Both estuaries appeared to have a very similar species composition, especially at genus level. The higher number of species observed in the Schelde estuary was probably due to a greater habitat diversity. In both estuaries species diversity decreased with distance upstream. The total density did not vary along the estuarine gradient, whereas biomass is highest in the polyhaline zone.In both estuaries distinct intertidal benthic communities were observed along the salinity gradient: a marine community in the polyhaline zone, a brackish community in the mesohaline zone, and a third community in the oligohaline and freshwater tidal zones of the estuary. These three communities were very similar between both estuaries. Their main characteristics were discussed together with the occurrence and distribution of the dominant species.For the Schelde estuary and to a lesser extent also for the Ems estuary, there was evidence that anthropogenic stress had a negative effect on the intertidal macrobenthic communities of the oligohaline/freshwater tidal zone. Only Oligochaeta were dominating, whereas the very euryhaline and/or true limnetic species were missing. In the mesohaline zone, the Schelde estuary was dominated by large numbers of short-living, opportunistic species, whereas in the Ems estuary relatively more stable macrobenthic communities were observed. A comparison with some other European estuaries showed in general similar trends as those observed for the Schelde and Ems estuaries.     

Long term study on the influence of eutrophication, restoration and biomanipulation on the structure and development of phytoplankton communities in Feldberger Haussee (Baltic Lake District, Germany)

Feldberger Haussee provides a classic example of eutrophication history of hardwater lakes in the Baltic Lake District (Germany) and of changes in their algal flora during the 20th century. The lake originally was regarded as slightly eutrophic. A process of drastic eutrophication from the 1950s until the end of the 1970s caused mass developments of blue-green and green algae. A restoration program was started in the 1980s to improve the water quality of the lake using both diversion of sewage outside the catchment area, and biomanipulation by altering the fish community. This restoration program led to positive changes in the lake ecosystem. Direct effects of biomanipulation resulted in an increase of herbivorous zooplankton, a decrease of phytoplankton biomass, and an increase of water transparency. The recovery of Feldberger Haussee also may have been indirectly enhanced by an increase in nutrient sedimentation as a consequence of intensified calcite precipitation, decrease in phosphorus remobilization due to a pH-decrease, increased NIP-ratio, and recolonization of the littoral zone by macrophytes. This paper concentrates on the long term development of the phytoplankton community as a response to changes in the food web structure as well as to alterations in the chemical environment of the algae. Both are reflected in four major stages passed by the algal assemblage between 1980 and 1994: (1) From 1980-summer 1985 dense green algal populations were found indicating similar conditions as in the 1970s during the period of maximum eutrophication. (2) A diverse phytoplankton community during summer 1985–1989 showed the first effects of a recovery. (3) From 1990–1992 the phytoplankton was characterized by ungrazeable filamentous blue-green algae first of all as a response to increased herbivory of zooplankton on edible species and to increasing N/P-ratios. (4) Finally, the algal species diversity increased in 1993 and 1994 whereas the phytoplankton biomass decreased showing the success of the combined restoration measures.     

Changes in the Tagus nursery function for commercial fish species: some perspectives for management

The Tagus estuary has long been subjected to several human activities and uses. Changes in the estuarine fish community were evaluated based on beam trawl surveys in 1978–1980 and 1994–1996. There was a decrease of abundance of many species that use the Tagus as a nursery, namely bib (Trisopterus luscus), five bearded rockling (Ciliata mustela), tub gurnard (Trigla lucerna), and flounder (Platichthys flesus), possibly due to reduction of the water quality. In 1994–1996, only sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), sole (Solea solea) and Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858, were found within the nursery grounds, showing an irregular pattern of abundance. Condition and vacuity index were highly variable. The major problems affecting the fish community, namely pollution, fishery regulation and waterflow regulation, are discussed in relation to the management and conservation of this estuarine system.     

Temporal dynamics of estuarine phytoplankton: A case study of San Francisco Bay

Detailed surveys throughout San Francisco Bay over an annual cycle (1980) show that seasonal variations of phytoplankton biomass, community composition, and productivity can differ markedly among estuarine habitat types. For example, in the river-dominated northern reach (Suisun Bay) phytoplankton seasonality is characterized by a prolonged summer bloom of netplanktonic diatoms that results from the accumulation of suspended particulates at the convergence of nontidal currents (i.e. where residence time is long). Here turbidity is persistently high such that phytoplankton growth and productivity are severely limited by light availability, the phytoplankton population turns over slowly, and biological processes appear to be less important mechanisms of temporal change than physical processes associated with freshwater inflow and turbulent mixing. The South Bay, in contrast, is a lagoon-type estuary less directly coupled to the influence of river discharge. Residence time is long (months) in this estuary, turbidity is lower and estimated rates of population growth are high (up to 1–2 doublings d^–1), but the rapid production of phytoplankton biomass is presumably balanced by grazing losses to benthic herbivores. Exceptions occur for brief intervals (days to weeks) during spring when the water column stratifies so that algae retained in the surface layer are uncoupled from benthic grazing, and phytoplankton blooms develop. The degree of stratification varies over the neap-spring tidal cycle, so the South Bay represents an estuary where (1) biological processes (growth, grazing) and a physical process (vertical mixing) interact to cause temporal variability of phytoplankton biomass, and (2) temporal variability is highly dynamic because of the short-term variability of tides. Other mechanisms of temporal variability in estuarine phytoplankton include: zooplankton grazing, exchanges of microalgae between the sediment and water column, and horizontal dispersion which transports phytoplankton from regions of high productivity (shallows) to regions of low productivity (deep channels).Multi-year records of phytoplankton biomass show that large deviations from the typical annual cycles observed in 1980 can occur, and that interannual variability is driven by variability of annual precipitation and river discharge. Here, too, the nature of this variability differs among estuary types. Blooms occur only in the northern reach when river discharge falls within a narrow range, and the summer biomass increase was absent during years of extreme drought (1977) or years of exceptionally high discharge (1982). In South Bay, however, there is a direct relationship between phytoplankton biomass and river discharge. As discharge increases so does the buoyancy input required for density stratification, and wet years are characterized by persistent and intense spring blooms.     

Feeding and reproductive biology of the currito,Hoplosternum littorale,in the Venezuelan llanos with comments on the possible function of the enlarged male pectoral spines

Synopsis The reproductive biology of roach, Rutilus rutilus, was investigated during 1980–1982 in a small tributary of the eutrophic Lake rungen, southeastern Norway. The upstream migration started in early May with medium or falling water levels and water temperatures of 6–10° C, and lasted until late May or early June. Roach (both males and females) migrating early in the season were larger than roach migrating late in the season. Males matured on average one year younger than females. The first males were mature at age 2 years, the first females were mature at age 3 years. Males were smaller than females in all age groups. There was no significant year to year variation in mean length of male and female roach in the various age-groups. Mean population fecundity during 1980–1982 was estimated to be 19 × 10⁶ eggs or 63300 eggs m^–2 of spawning area. The survival rate of eggs and small roach varied considerably due to rapid and unpredictable changes in water and silt levels. Mean annual survival rates for mature male and female roach were 0.30 and 0.52, respectively. The survival rates did not vary with age.     

Overwintering waterfowl on Swiss lakes: how are abundance and species richness influenced by trophic status and lake morphology?

During the period 1980–1990 long-term physical, chemical and ecological studies were carried out, to study the changes induced by the building of a storm-surge barrier in the mouth of the Oosterschelde estuary and two large auxiliary compartment dams in the rear ends of the estuary. The storm-surge barrier was constructed in the mouth of Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands) during the period 1979–1986. The barrier allows the tides to enter the estuary freely, and, on the other hand, the barrier guarantees safety for the human population and their properties when a stormflood threatens the area.Oosterschelde estuary is isolated from the river input, the rear ends of the ecosystem were separated from the estuary by sea-walls and the strongly decreased tidal exchange with the North Sea induced sheltered circumstances. The Oosterschelde changed from a turbid estuary into a tidal bay, and yet primary production responses appear to be robust and resilient, and the biological communities showed only quantitative shifts from the dominance of specific species assemblages to other assemblages. In many cases predicted changes in the structure of the biological communities could not be verified owing to the large natural variability mainly caused by physical factors (e.g. temperature).     

环境污染对小清河口大型底栖动物多样性的影响

利用2008年7月小清河口和黄河口各8个站位的底栖动物调查资料,运用多种多样性指数对两河口底栖动物群落多样性特征进行了比较,并运用Spearman相关分析分析了14个环境因素和底栖动物群落多样性特征的相关关系。结果显示,小清河口共有大型底栖动物4门6纲17目35科37属38种,平均分类差异指数为85.7,分类差异变异指数为585.6,黄河口共有大型底栖动物6门9纲24目42科45属48种,平均分类差异指数为89.3,分类差异变异指数为435.8。小清河口的多样性指数(H’)仅约为黄河口的1/3。Spearman相关分析表明,H’与铵盐、硝酸盐、铜和汞含量呈负相关性,说明底栖动物群落多样性随着富营养化程度的提高而相应降低,营养物质氮的大量输入和重金属的污染对小清河口大型底栖动物群落产生了一定负面影响。ABC曲线法分析显示,小清河口底栖动物的丰度优势度曲线与生物量优势度曲线相交,表明小清河口底栖动物群落处于中度干扰状态;BOPA指数显示,小清河口8个站位中有4个站位受到不同程度的环境污染,生活污水和工业废水的排放可能对小清河口底栖动物生态特征带来巨大影响,加强工业和生活污水排放管理,强化清洁生产,加强工业污染源的治理力度,对恢复小清河流域水质、改善生态环境具有重要意义。     

Assessment of the eutrophication of Al Massira reservoir (Morocco) by means of a survey of the biogeochemical balance of phosphate

The biogeochemical balance of phosphate was studied in Al Massira reservoir (Morocco) from February 1991 to end January 1992. The study concerned P-supplies and losses by the Oum errbia river, sedimentation rate and water-sediment exchange.Supply and loss of phosphate were calculated from samples collected every 48 hours. Phosphate sedimentation rate was measured with sediment traps. The assessment of phosphate release at the water-sediment interface during either low oxic or anoxic conditions was made in situ with a benthic chamber.The results showed that phosphate input was higher than phosphate output resulting in a progressive increase of the internal phosphorus stock. The sedimentation flux ranged between 9 and 19 mg m^–2 d^–1 of P. Release of phosphate depended on the oxygen concentrations in the water.We suggest that a drastic control of phosphate input into the water must be achieved through a programme of dephosphorylation of the tributaries to avoid accumulation of calcium-bound phosphate which may become a source of upward release of bioavailable phosphate.Further investigations of this flux should be carried out to check the quantitative influence on phytoplankton community dynamics.     

The organic carbon budget of a shallow arctic tundra lake on the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula,N.W.T., Canada

The organic carbon cycle of a shallow, tundra lake (mean depth 1.45 m) was followed for 5 weeks of the open water period by examining CO₂ fluxes through benthic respiration and anaerobic decomposition, photosynthesis of benthic and phytoplankton communities and gas exchange at the air-water interface. Total photosynthesis (as consumption of carbon dioxide) was 37.5 mmole C m^–2 d^–1, 83% of which was benthic and macrophytic. By direct measurement benthic respiration exceeded benthic photosynthesis by 6.6 mmole C m^–2 d^–1. The lake lost 1.4 × 10⁶ moles C in two weeks after ice melted by degassing C0₂, and 6.8 mmole C m^–2 d^–1 (1.5 × 10⁶ moles) during the remainder of the open water period; 2.2 mmole C m² d^–1 of this was release Of CO₂ stored in the sediments by cryoconcentration the previous winter. Anaerobic microbial decomposition was only 4% of the benthic aerobic respiration rate of 38 mmole C m^–2 d^–1. An annual budget estimate for the lake indicated that 50% of the carbon was produced by the benthic community, 20% by phytoplankton, and 30% was allochthonous material. The relative contribution of allochthonous input was in accordance with measurement of the ¹⁵N of sedimented organic matter.     

Benthic microalgae in coral reef sediments of the southern Great Barrier Reef,Australia

The abundance and productivity of benthic microalgae in coral reef sediments are poorly known compared with other, more conspicuous (e.g. coral zooxanthellae, macroalgae) primary producers of coral reef habitats. A survey of the distribution, biomass, and productivity of benthic microalgae on a platform reef flat and in a cross-shelf transect in the southern Great Barrier Reef indicated that benthic microalgae are ubiquitous, abundant (up to 995.0 mg chlorophyll (chl) a m^–2), and productive (up to 110 mg O₂ m^–2 h^–1) components of the reef ecosystem. Concentrations of benthic microalgae, expressed as chlorophyll a per surface area, were approximately 100-fold greater than the integrated water column concentrations of microalgae throughout the region. Benthic microalgal biomass was greater on the shallow water platform reef than in the deeper waters of the cross-shelf transect. In both areas the benthic microalgal communities had a similar composition, dominated by pennate diatoms, dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria. Benthic microalgal populations were potentially nutrient-limited, based on responses to nitrogen and phosphorus enrichments in short-term (7-day) microcosm experiments. Benthic microalgal productivity, measured by O₂ evolution, indicated productive communities responsive to light and nutrient availability. The benthic microalgal concentrations observed (92–995 mg chl a m^–2) were high relative to other reports, particularly compared with temperate regions. This abundance of productive plants in both reef and shelf sediments in the southern Great Barrier Reef suggests that benthic microalgae are key components of coral reef ecosystems.Communicated by Environmental Editor, B.C. Hatcher     

Production rates of Eurytemora affinis in the Elbe estuary,comparison of field and enclosure production estimates

Production rates of the calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis were estimated from field studies in the Elbe estuary and from an enclosure experiment. As one basic parameter of production rates, the body length, was compared between both investigations. Most of the copepodid stages in the enclosure experiment reached a significant greater length than the copepodids in the estuary. The differences in length between copepods from the field and the experiment could mainly be explained by a four times higher chlorophyll-a level in the enclosure experiment. The better food supply also results in a higher individual growth rate for all instars in the enclosure experiment. Therefore the population of Eurytemora affinis in the Elbe estuary was regarded as food limited during certain times of the year, especially in late spring and summer.Maximum daily production rate in the enclosure experiment (40 µg dw l^–1 d^–1) was four times higher than in the estuary (12 µg dw l^–1 d^–1). The mean daily P:B ratio in the enclosure was 0.301 d^–1 compared to 0.11 d^–1 in the estuary.     

Long-term changes in the population of Eurytemora affinis (Copepoda,Calanoida) in the Gironde estuary (1978–1992)

Long-term changes in the population of Eurytemora affinis were investigated during 15 years (1978–1992) at a fixed station in the Gironde estuary (South West France). Total numbers, sex-ratio, % ovigerous females, proportion of copepodites and clutch-size were taken into account and their long-term distribution was related to temperature, river flow, salinity, suspended matter and chlorophyll a concentrations after the seasonal effect was removed for all variables.There was a great decrease of the river flow during the period of investigation, due to a general deficit in pluviosity. On the contrary, the general trend for salinity was an increase from 1978 to 1992. The same pattern was observed for chlorophyll, indicating an intrusion of marine phytoplankton. Water temperature increased significantly during the study period, following the general increase in air temperature observed in the area. For the suspended particulate matter (SPM), an increase was observed between 1978 and 1981–1982, then a very sharp decrease occurred from 1984 onwards.Numbers of E. affinis were inversely correlated with temperature and salinity, and positively correlated with the river flow. E. affinis was negatively correlated with chlorophyll concentration because of the covariation with salinity. No clear long-term trend was observed for the sex-ratio. A significant correlation was found between females carrying egg-sacs and SPM concentration, probably due to a decrease of the predation pressure in very turbid waters. The percentages of copepodites tended to decrease with time and were inversely correlated with temperature. Clutch-size significantly decreased during the 15-year period. This trend was mainly explained by temperature and salinity.It is concluded that, in the absence of strong human alteration in the Gironde estuary the long-term distribution of zooplankton can be explained by the natural environmental variability. The dominant factors are the river flow which governs the movement of the populations along the estuary and the temperature which influences the reproductive processes. Any change in climate will have consequences on the pelagic community.     

Mathematical modelling as a management tool for water quality control [2pt] of the tropical Beberibe estuary,NE Brazil

Sewage disposal in natural waters is a common problem in most countries. Large inputs of organic matter and nutrients from raw sewage to a weak hydrodynamic environment may lead to deterioration of the water quality. Widely available riverine and estuarine models such as QUAL-2E and MUDLARK can be used to adequately model these situations. Beberibe is a low hydrodynamic estuary that runs through a densely populated region in the Recife Metropolitan Area (RMA), Northeast Brazil, and receives untreated domestic sewage from aproximately 200000 inhabitants. The mouth of the estuary is shallow and tortuous, causing a large reduction in tidal propagation. The low river flow is strongly influenced by rain seasonality at the upstream boundary, with mean values varying from 4.9 m³ s^–1 in the wet winter to 1.4 m³ s^–1 during the dry summer. A major program to build sewage plants was planned to increase the water quality of the RMA rivers. This study focuses on water quality modelling of the Beberibe estuary basin, formed by the Beberibe River and two small tributaries. Numerical simulations of temperature, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate and faecal coliforms were carried out, targeting the expected population growth in the following 20 years. The QUAL-2E and the MUDLARK models were coupled at the tidal intrusion limit, with the estuarine sector modelled by the MUDLARK while QUAL-2E was used in the upper river. A longitudinal dispersion coefficient related to tidal excursion was introduced into the MUDLARK algorithm to better determine the tidal effect on the distribution of water quality variables. Both models were calibrated successfully and verified with a 4 year water quality data series from the Pernambuco State Environmental Agency (Companhia Pernambucana do Meio Ambiente – CPRH). Results showed that the river flow is a major factor controlling the water quality. Even the most efficient treatment applied was not able to bring water quality up to all desirable levels during dry summer months, mainly considering dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand. Results also confirm that the spring-neap cycle does not significantly affect water quality, probably due to the strong tidal attenuation at the estuary mouth.     

Dynamics and distribution of microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a in the Western Scheldt estuary (SW Netherlands)

The temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a in the layer 0–1 cm were determined in the Western Scheldt estuary over the period 1991–1992. Connections between the annually averaged benthic chlorophyll-a and station elevation and sediment composition (as a measure of the hydrodynamic energy caused by currents and waves) were also examined.Microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a showed one main peak in early summer and a smaller peak in autumn. The mean chlorophyll-a concentration of 113 mg Chl-a m^–2 in the upper centimeter is of the same order of magnitude as in other estuarine areas. The average annual primary production of the microphytobenthos has been estimated at 136 g C m^–2 y^–1 The primary production of sediment inhabiting microalgae is at least 17% of the total primary production in the estuary.Considerable differences in annually averaged chlorophyll-a emerges between the stations. These differences are related mainly to the interaction between station elevation and clay content of the sediment.     

Bioturbation by Nereis sp. and its effects on the phosphate flux across the sediment-water interface in the Palmones River estuary

The effects of Nereis sp. on the flux of dissolved phosphate across the sediment-water interface has been studied in Palmones River estuary using benthic flux-chambers and intact cores. Diffusive fluxes of phosphate were calculated from pore water gradient concentration and compared with those obtained from benthic chambers experiments. The high abundance of Nereis in the upper sediment layers appears to play an important part in the dissolved oxygen profiles in the overlying water, but had no effect on the redox potential. A negative relationship was found between the Nereis abundance and the phosphate gradient; this gradient ranged between 40 µmol 1^–1 cm^–1 with 340 Nereis individuals m^–2 and 20 µmol 1^–1 cm^–1 with 900 Nereis individuals m^–2. The ratio of the in situ flux to the flux gradient concentration for dissolved phosphate increased with the abundance of Nereis (from 1.7 at low abundance to 5.8 at high abundance).     

Phytoplankton community response to reservoir aging, 1968–92

The effects of reservoir aging on the phytoplankton community of amidwestern U.S. reservoir constructed in 1965 (Pawnee Reservoir) werestudied by comparing algal biovolume and species composition from April 1992through November 1992 to surveys conducted in 1968–73 and 1990. Meansummer total phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, Secchi disk depth, totalsuspended solids, chlorophyll a, and phytoplankton species composition datacharacterized Pawnee Reservoir during 1968–69 as a high nutrient,relatively clear water environment. Phytoplankton biomass was relativelylow, consisting mainly of cyanophytes and non-flagellated chlorophytes.During 1970–73, water clarity was poor, total suspended solids werehigh, and total phosphorus was lower, but was still greater than 100 µgl^–1. The 1970–73 phytoplankton biomass was high and wasdominated by cyanophytes. Mean summer total phosphorus remained >100µg l^–1, water clarity remained poor, but phytoplanktonbiomass decreased significantly during 1990–92. The dramatic drop inchlorophyll a and low mean volatile suspended solids indicated thatinorganic suspended sediments, rather than phytoplankton, accounted for themajority of the turbidity in 1990-92. In addition to lower phytoplanktonbiomass, community composition shifted away from buoyancy-regulatingcyanophytes toward flagellated chlorophytes. These data suggest that asreservoirs located in agricultural watersheds age, (1) inorganic suspendedsediments have a significant effect on the light environment as well asphytoplankton biomass and species composition, (2) the control ofphytoplankton biomass and species composition shifts away from nutrients tolight and suspended sediments, and (3) there is a 1–2 year lag in theresponse of phytoplankton biomass to maximum nutrient loading during thetrophic upsurge period. Thus, sedimentation has been shown to be a primarydeterminant of plankton and benthic macroinvertebrate community compositionas Pawnee Reservoir aged.     

Seasonal Dynamics of Soft Bottom Macrobenthic Communities of the Sublittoral in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

Seasonal dynamics of macrobenthos were studied at five stations located at depths of 10–60 min in the Far East State Marine Reserve (southern Peter the Great Bay) during 1984–1987. Sampling was conducted at stations once per season. Stable seasonal fluctuations of the population density and the biomass in basic taxonomic groups were found. As a rule, the quantitative parameters were augmented in spring and summer, and decreased in fall and winter. This was caused, first of all, by summer fluctuations of the number of small and short-lived species of polychaetes and bivalve molluscs. The amplitude of fluctuations decreased with increasing depth. Variation in the quantitative parameters was significant at the community level only at the most shallow-water stations. It was assumed that this phenomenon might be caused by the seasonal consumption of macrobenthos by bottom fish and by the periodicity of detritus supply to the bottom from the water column with a background of varying environmental temperature parameters and of mass settling of benthic larvae. The seasonal changes in parameters began and ceased earlier in 1986–1987 than 1984–1985, which was related to an appreciable decrease in water temperature in 1986. During the period of study, an increasing trend of parameters, apparently part of a long-term cycle, was recorded both for individual groups and for entire communities, and was the most appreciable at greater depths (47–60 m).     

The temporal and spatial occurrence of Tetrastemma fozensis (Hoplonemertini) in intertidal bivalves

The bivalve Scrobicularia plana, which iscommonly found on tidal flats in northwestern Europe,has disappeared from many locations during the pasttwo decades. Its local disappearance has beensuspected to be a result of pollution, but otherfactors such as parasites have also been discussed. The occurrence of Tetrastemma fozensis, a smallhoplonemertine inhabiting the mantle cavity of S. plana,was examined in bivalves from six differentestuaries in northern Spain. The bivalves are easilycollected, and the nemertines leave the bivalves whenplaced in a small jar with seawater for 72 h. Regularexaminations at 6–10 wk intervals of S. planafrom the estuary of Plencia revealed that thepercentage of bivalves containing nemertines T. fozensisdecreased during the summer months, but wasabove 70% during the rest of the year. In mostestuaries about 40–60% of the bivalves containednemertines, but in March 1994, 100% of the bivalvesfrom the estuary of Hendaye were hosts for nemertines.Nemertines were not found in S. plana from thehighly polluted estuary of Bilbao in either March orSeptember 1994. The number of nemertines withinindividual bivalves was positively correlated with thesize of the bivalves in locations where the percentageof bivalves containing nemertines was above 75%. Inone estuary where the nemertines disappeared almostcompletely from the bivalves between March 1994 andSeptember 1994, parasitic copepods appeared withinsome bivalves in September 1994. The ecology of thenemertine T. fozensis still remains largelyunknown, but we suspect that the nemertines may bebeneficial for their hosts.