Temporal and spatial structure in the suprabenthic community of a shallow estuary (western Portugal: Mondego river estuary)

The suprabenthic fauna of the Mondego river estuary (western Portugal) was sampled monthly between June 1996 and June 1997. Quantitative samples were taken, with a suprabenthic 500-μm mesh size net, at regularly spaced stations covering the entire south arm of the estuary. The diversity of the samples and the distribution of the species were assessed. Suprabenthic communities were identified using a divisive multivariate statistical technique and species composition, density and biomass of the dominant species of each community were compared among communities. Diversity was highest in the mouth of the estuary where density and biomass were lowest. Diversity decreased upstream and was lowest in the mid and inner estuary where density and biomass reached maximal values. Suprabenthic animals, mainly the mysid Mesopodopsis slabberi, reached high densities in inner and upstream stations, whereas the more seaward stations had lower densities but a higher number of species. The spatial patterns dominated over the temporal patterns.     

长江河口浮游动物的种类组成、群落结构及多样性

于1999年枯水期(2—3月份)、丰水期(8月份)、2000年枯水期(2—3月份)对长江河口浮游动物采样调查,研究了长江河口浮游动物的种类组成、群落结构及多样性并初步探讨了三峡工程对长江河口浮游动物的影响及长江河口水环境的生物监测。调查共发现浮游动物87种,甲壳动物占绝对优势,共59种。在所有浮游动物中挠足类31种。其次为水母类,有9种,此外,枝角类、毛颚类各8种。3次采样浮游动物的优势种主要有河口半咸水种和近岸低盐种类如华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus sinensis)、火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia)、虫肢歪水蚤(Tortanus vermiculus),真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta)等,还有长江径流带到河口的淡水种如近领剑水蚤（Cyclops vicinus vicinus)、英勇剑水蚤（Cyclops strenuus）、透明溞（Daphnia hyalina)等。一些浮游动物可作为水系指示种,其分布、数量反映了不同水系分布变化,长江河口浮游动物有;类水系指示种。通过对长江河口浮游动物群落聚类分析发现。1999、2000年枯水期浮游动物群落结构相似。可分为河口类群、近岸类群和近外海类群。1999年丰水期只形成近岸和近外海类群。浮游动物种类数由口门内向口门外方向有逐渐增加的趋势。浮游动物种类数由北向南变化趋势一致。大潮与小潮、涨憩与落强等潮汐作用对浮游动物影响往往因采样时间与区域等的不同而不同。对长江河口3次采样的物种多样性指数和均匀度指数进行了计算,结果表明：浮游动物多样性指数1999年枯水期最低,1999年丰水期最高。     

Changes in phytoplankton biomass and primary production between 1991 and 2001 in the Westerschelde estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands)

The Westerschelde estuary is a very polluted and turbid estuary, but the last decade the waterquality improved. Dredging activity also increased in 1997 to allow bigger ships to enter the port of Antwerpen. This could potentially decrease the light conditions for the phytoplankton. Because of all these recent changes in the estuary we studied primary productivity in 2001 and compared it to values in 1991. The results show that due to a decrease in discharge in particulate and dissolved organic carbon the oxygen concentrations in general have increased in the upstream region, although in spring and summer low oxygen concentrations (10–30% saturation) can still be found. Phosphate and ammonia concentrations have decreased and the zone of nitrification which was very large in 1991 has become very small and is now located in the uppermost upstream region of the estuary. Si-concentrations have remained the same. All nutrient concentrations are still high enough not to limit phytoplankton growth. Turbidity remained unaltered as a result of the dredging works, and as a result phytoplankton biomass in most of the estuary did not show a decrease, although there were signs that in the upstream region phytoplankton biomass decreased, possible caused by increased grazing pressure. The relationship between phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity did not change, and from the data it can be concluded that the dredging activity will not influence the gross and net primary productivity of the phytoplankton.     

3D-numerical modelling of cohesive suspended sediment in the Western Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands)

A cohesive sediment transport model considering the effects of flocculation, deposition and erosion is used in an attempt to simulate the suspended sediment distribution in a mesotidal estuary. The numerical model solves the three-dimensional (3D) advection-diffusion equation using a two-time level scheme, and a semi-implicit finite difference approach. The transport model is coupled to a 3D-barotropic hydrodynamic model for the simulation of the major tidal components reproducing the non-linear effects. An application of these models in the Western Scheldt estuary is described. The results of the different tests show that the adopted approach provides a useful basis for a good understanding of the physical processes involved in sediment transport and for the study of practical problems. The sensitivity of the model to key parameters controlling the simulation of bed sediment/water exchanges, shows the importance of a good definition of bottom sediment characteristics and the importance of further development of a consolidation algorithm.     

Dynamics of dissolved and biogenic silica in the freshwater reaches of a macrotidal estuary (The Scheldt, Belgium)

Temporal evolution of dissolved and biogenic silica concentrations along the Scheldt tidal river and in its tributaries was investigated during 1 year in 2003. In the tributaries, dissolved silica (DSi) concentrations remained high and biogenic silica (BSi) concentrations were low throughout the year. In the tidal river during summer, DSi was completely consumed and BSi concentrations increased. Overall, most of the BSi was associated with living diatoms during the productive period in the tidal river. Nevertheless, the detrital BSi was a significant fraction of the total BSi pool, of which less than 10% could be attributed to phytoliths. The tidal river was divided into two zones for budgeting purposes. The highest productivity was observed in the zone that received the highest water discharge, as higher riverine DSi input fluxes induced presumably a less restrictive DSi limitation, but the discharge pattern could not explain all by itself the variations in DSi consumption. Silica uptake and retention in the tidal river were important at the seasonal time-scale: from May to September, 48% of the riverine DSi was consumed and 65% of the produced BSi was deposited, leading to a silica (DSi + BSi) retention in the tidal river of 30%. However, when annual fluxes were considered, DSi uptake in the tidal river amounted to 14% of the DSi inputs and only 6% of the riverine silica (DSi + BSi) was retained in the tidal river.     

Spatial and temporal variation in community composition and photosynthetic characteristics of phytoplankton in the upper Westerschelde estuary (Belgium,SW Netherlands)

Community composition, biomass and primary production of phytoplankton were studied in the east- ernmost section of the Westerschelde estuary in 1984. Photosynthetic characteristics were compared with distribution of some dominant phytoplankton species along a salinity gradient from 5 to 22 Spring phytoplankton, with Cyclotella meneghiniana (freshwater) and Skeletonema costatum (marine) as the dominant species grew faster than summer phytoplankton. In summer, biomass achieved its maximum, due to the riverine Scenedesmus species and the marine diatoms Thalassiosira levanderi and Ditylum brightwellii, as dominants. Growth conditions were more favourable to phytoplankton communities above 15%, than below this salinity. The data were compared with previous studies (1972) of species composition in the area.     

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.     

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10-year experience in a community hospital

garcía-solano j., sánchez-sánchez c., montalbán-romero s., sola-pérez j. and pérez-guillermo m. (1998) Cytopathology 9, 248–262
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10-year experience in a community hospital
A retrospective reappraisal is made of the smears of 29 testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) studied by FNA in which both orchiectomy specimens and histologic diagnoses were available. In 22 cases (75.86%) the yield was sufficient and contained cells suitable for cytologic diagnosis; in these 22 cases a diagnosis of malignancy was reached. In four cases (13.79%) the yield was sparse and diagnostic cells were partially obscured by haemorrhage and necrosis; these cases were categorized as suspicious of malignancy. In three cases (10.34%) the yield was not suitable for cytologic evaluation because haemorrhage and necrosis hampered evaluation of diagnostic cells. The cytologic findings that enable a reliable diagnosis of TGCT are described and those cytologic features that may lead the less experienced cytopathologist into an erroneous diagnosis are discussed. Pure TGCT can be confidently diagnosed with FNA and mixed TGCT can be successfully diagnosed, although it is difficult to recognize every cytologic subtype observed in the histologic sections. Despite the advantages of FNA for the prompt diagnosis of TGCT, FNA can not fully replace the histologic diagnosis and should rather be considered as a helpful tool in the work-up of testicular tumours.     

Macrobenthic community structure before and after pollution abatement in the Neches River estuary (Texas)

Macrobenthos and physicochemical conditions in the lower 39 km of the Neches River estuary were studied from August, 1984 to May, 1985. The results were compared with data collected in 1971–1972. Between 1972 and 1984 the permitted BOD waste load in the tidal Neches River was reduced from 123 125 kg d to 8717 kg d. River discharge and dissolved oxygen concentrations were consistently higher and salinity was lower, during the same seasons, during the 1984–1985 study. A total of 50 taxa of macrobenthos were collected in 1971–1972 and 104 taxa were collected in 1984–1985. The numbers of taxa per collection at each station in 1984–1985 were at least twice those found in 1971–1972. Minimum densities in 1984–1985 were much higher than the maximum densities in 1971–1972 at all stations. Patterns of dominance, Sorenson's similarity index, and diversity ( ) values indicated improved water quality in 1984–1985. Statistical analysis of macrobenthic diversity indicated significant differences between upper estuary and lower estuary stations in 1971–1972. No significant differences were found in 1984–1985. Significant differences in numbers of taxa, macrobenthos densities, and values between the two studies were found. Reductions of waste loads, increased river discharge, and deepening of the navigation channel were among the factors that probably contributed most to the changes in community structure of the macrobenthos observed.     

The influence of the spectral composition of irradiance on primary production in the Eastern Scheldt (The Netherlands)

The error inin vivo ¹⁴C incubator measurements of primary production in the Eastern Scheldt when neutral density filters were used and the error obtained when no account was taken of the spectral changes in submarine irradiance that occur with increasing depth, were evaluated theoretically. By multiplying the photosynthetic action spectra of two marine algae by calculated irradiance in the euphotic layer using Kd and Kd() respectively, the gross primary production P[Ed(400–700)] and P[Ed()] was computed. In the green-brown waters of the Eastern Scheldt estuary the use of neutral density filters was sufficient to simulate the underwater light conditions. In clear waters it can cause an overestimation of the gross production.     

Diatoms, silicic acid and biogenic silica dynamics along the salinity gradient of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands)

The Scheldt estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands) was sampled along the entire salinity gradient from 2003 to 2005 for silicic acid (DSi), biogenic silica (BSi), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and pigments. Net DSi consumption and/or release within the estuary were investigated by comparing measured DSi concentrations with (fully-transient) model simulations of the concentrations that would have been obtained in case of conservative transport. The DSi consumption was at maximum in May due to diatoms of presumably marine origin blooming in the lower estuary. DSi consumption decreased rapidly in July, probably because of the grazing pressure of copepods also of marine origin, and DSi was released from late summer onwards. Multiple regression analyses showed that most of the BSi did not follow the dynamics of the living diatoms but rather that of the SPM. They also suggested that diatoms were more silicified in the upper estuary than in the lower estuary. Phytoliths were not expected to contribute significantly to the BSi pool. As BSi dynamics strongly differed from those of diatoms and DSi, this study highlighted the importance of taking BSi into account when investigating estuarine silica dynamics. This study also revealed the fundamental role of the coupling between the biogeochemical and ecological functioning of the lower estuary and that of the adjacent coastal zone. This contrasts with the classical consideration that estuaries act as one-way filters for dissolved and particulate material of riverine origin.     

Seasonal and spatial patterns in cellular energy allocation in the estuarine mysid Neomysis integer (Crustacea: Mysidacea) of the Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands)

The seasonal and spatial patterns in cellular energy allocation of the estuarine mysid Neomysis integer (Leach, 1814) were investigated in the Scheldt estuary over a 2-year period. Using the recently developed cellular energy allocation (CEA) assay, energy reserves (protein, lipid and sugar) and energy consumption (as derived from the cellular respiration rate) were integrated into a general indicator of physiological stress. Total energy reserves were relatively unaffected by sampling season or location, whereas the individual energy reserve fractions of N. integer were differentially influenced by sampling location and season. Seasonal effects were apparent for mysid weight and were related to the population biology, whereas spatial effects on the weight of N. integer may depend on pollution-induced effects on cellular energy allocation in the two most upstream sites (Bath and Doel). These upstream sites coincide with the most polluted part of the sampled area and were characterized by a significant increase in energy consumption, resulting in a significantly lower CEA. Due to the recent amelioration in the oxygen concentration at these sites, it can be expected that N. integer will migrate further upstream, similar to what is observed in other European estuaries. It will, therefore, be important to assess the physiological consequences and potential population effects on mysids from these polluted areas in the Scheldt estuary. This study provides evidence that the CEA assay has potential under field conditions as an in situ biomarker of pollutant effects.     

On the composition of talassobathyal ichthyofauna and commercial productivity of Mozambique Seamount (the Indian Ocean)

Ichthyofauna of the Mozambique Seamount of the Indian Ocean, judging from the results of YugNIRO from the 1970s to the 1980s numbers about 130 species of bathyal and bathyal-pelagic fish that belong to 44 families. Most species belong to the families Macrouridae (16), Alepocephalidae (14), Ophidiidae (13), Squalidae (8), and Gempylidae (6). Among them, the greatest numbers and prospects of commercial importance, as over other seamounts, have about ten species: Centroscymnus coelolepis (Somniosidae), Etmopterus granulosus (Etmopteridae), Diastobranchus capensis and Synaphobranchus oregoni (Synaphobranchuidae), Alepocephalus australis, A. productus, and Rouleina attrita (Alepocephalidae), Cetonurus globiceps (Macrouridae), and Allocyttus verrucosus (Oreosomatidae); to the number of potential items of fishery one can also assign Hydrolagus africanus (Chimaeridae), Chlamydoselachus anguinus (Chlamydoselachidae), Apristurus indicus (Scyliorhinidae), Halosaurospis microchir (Halosauridae), Bathytyphlops marionae (Ipnopidae), Coelorhinchus acanthiger, and Coryphaenoides striatura (Macrouridae), Antimora rostrata (Moridae), Lamprogrammus niger and Selachophidium guentheri (Ophidiidae), and Holostethus atlanticus (Trachichthyidae). Pelagic deep-water fish (Gonostomatidae, Sternoptychidae, Myctophidae, etc.) apparently do not form aggregations having a commercial importance.     

Primary productivity of the upper reaches of a South African estuary (Swartvlei)

Primary productivity, using the ¹⁴C technique was measured in the expanded lake-like upper reaches of a South African estuary during 1972. Maximal assimilation per unit volume ranged between 5.0 and 13.1 mg C m^?3 h^?1 and areal productivity ranged between 13.1 and 36.9 mg C m^?2 h^?1. For most of the period the euphotic zone (level of 1% of surface light) extended to only 4.5 m. The poor light conditions in the estuary were due to the heavy content of humic material and suspended detrital matter. Light, therefore, was a major factor limiting primary productivity. The PO₄-P concentration reached an undetectable level following a large diatom increase and nutrient limitation may have occurred. The phytoplankton population of the upper reaches of Swartvlei was dominated by nannoplanktonic (< 60 μm) diatoms and dinoflagellates. The ecological advantages that these small organisms might have in an environment such as Swartvlei are discussed.     

Dynamics of biogenic Si in freshwater tidal marshes: Si regeneration and retention in marsh sediments (Scheldt estuary)

The sequestration and recycling of biogenic silica (BSi) in freshwater tidal marshes was modelled through the combination of short-term year round sediment trap data with a long-term sedimentation model, MARSED. The modelling was implemented through the complete evolution from a young rapidly rising marsh to a marsh with an elevation close to mean high water. BSi in imported suspended matter was higher in summer (10.9 mg BSi g⁻¹ sediment) than winter (7.6 mg BSi g⁻¹ sediment). However, the deposition of BSi on the marsh surface was higher in winter compared to summer, due to the higher sedimentation rates. Deposition of BSi was correlated to the suspended matter deposition. In the old marsh, yearly about 40 g BSi m⁻² was deposited, while in the young marsh deposition could rise up to 300 g m⁻². Young marshes retained up to 85% of the imported biogenic silica. Recycling efficiency (60%) increased drastically for older marshes. The study shows that marshes act as important sinks for BSi along estuaries. The recycling of the imported BSi to DSi in summer and spring is most likely an essential factor in the buffering role of tidal marshes for estuarine DSi concentrations.     

The population structure and growth of juvenile Rhabdosargus holubi (Steindachner) (Teleostei: Sparidae) in a closed estuary

The population structure and growth rate of Rhabdosargus holubi (Steindachner) in the closed West Kleinemond estuary in south east Africa, from 1971–973, are described. Juvenile R. holubi invade the estuary at a length of 1–2 cm but migrate back to the sea at a length of about 14 cm without attaining maturity in the estuary. Adult R. holubi are rarely encountered in estuaries. The annual growth increment of O group R. holubi was 6 cm, almost all occurring in summer. The growth of Lithognathus lithognathus (Cuvier) was also measured in the same closed estuary and O group fish of this species also grew 6 cm per annum although 1 + fish grew 8 cm per annum.     

Temporal and spatial trends in heavy metal concentrations in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis from the Western Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands)

Since the first North Sea Conference (1984, Bremen), all countries bordering the North Sea made commitments to reduce discharge of hazardous substances into the North Sea. From Belgium and The Netherlands, large reductions (upto 90) in heavy metal emissions from land-based sources have been reported between 1985 and 2000. Recently, some studies in the Western Scheldt estuary (WS) have shown that total metal concentration in the water, sediments and suspended particles have decreased compared to levels in the 70s. However, data on aquatic organisms is still very limited and it is therefore difficult to confirm whether the reductions in pollution input and generally improving water quality in the WS have a corresponding impact on the levels of heavy metals in aquatic organisms. The current study measured metal concentrations in the soft tissues of mussels, Mytilus edulis (known to be good indicators of environmental metal pollution) during the period 1996–2002. Spatial (salinity and pollution gradients), temporal and seasonal variations were also studied. Results showed a down-stream decreasing trend for the metals studied (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) during all sampling campaigns. There was also a significant seasonal effect on tissue metal concentrations, with a peak observed around spring in both WS and the nearby less polluted Eastern Scheldt (ES). On temporal trends, a clear drop of metals in mussels was observed in the early 80s coinciding with the start of the efforts to reduce chemical pollution input into the North Sea. Since those early reductions, metal concentrations in mussels generally remained unchanged upto mid 90s. However, in recent times metal concentration in mussels have increased significantly, for example Cd in 2002 was almost 10 times the values in 1983 and similar to levels seen during the peak in the 70s. Other metals also increased in the 90s also reaching levels seen in the 70s. As there is no indication of recent increase in metal input into the estuary, we suggest that increased metal concentrations observed in mussels in recent years especially in the upper estuary are most likely a result of changes in physical and chemical speciation and metal bioavailability. Such changes may be caused by changes in some water quality parameters in the estuary (i.e. increased dissolved oxygen, concentration of organic matter), resulting in conditions that favour releases of sediment-bound metals into the water column. The relationship between metal content and season showed very similar annual profiles in the polluted WS and less polluted ES. Thus, seasonal variations in metal concentrations appear to be largely controlled by biological processes, while total body burdens are dependent on environmental levels and bioavailability.     

Nutrient biogeochemistry in the water column (N,P, Si) and porewater (N) of sandy sediment of the Scheldt estuary (SW-Netherlands)

The Scheldt river drains a densely populated and industrialized area in northern France, western Belgium and the south-west Netherlands. Mineralization of the high organic load carried by the river leads to oxygen depletion in the water column and high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Upon estuarine mixing, dissolved oxygen concentrations are gradually restored due to reaeration and dilution with sea water. The longitudinal redox gradient present in the Scheldt estuary strongly affects the geochemistry of nutrients. Dissolved nutrients in the water column and dissolved nitrogen species in sediment porewaters were determined for a typical summer and winter situation. Water column concentration-salinity plots showed conservative behaviour of dissolved Si during winter. During summer (and spring) dissolved Si may be completely removed from solution due to uptake by diatoms. The geochemistry of phosphorus was governed by inorganic and biological processes. The behaviour of nitrogen was controlled by denitrification in the anoxic fluvial estuary, followed by nitrification in the upper estuary (prior to oxygen regeneration). In addition, nitrogen was taken up during phytoplankton blooms in the lower estuary. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen species in porewaters from the upper 20 cm of sediments were obtained from a subtidal site in the middle of the lower estuary. Dissolved nutrient concentrations were low in the upper 10–15 cm of the sandy and organic poor (<1% POC) sediments mainly as a result of strong sediment mixing. The porewater profiles of ammonium and nitrate were evaluated quantitatively, using a one-dimensional steady-state diagenetic model. This coupled ammonium-nitrate model showed ammonification of organic matter to be restricted to the upper 4 to 7 cm of the sediments. Total nitrification ranged from 3.7–18.1 mmol m^?2 d^?1, converting all ammonium produced by ammonification. The net balance between nitrification and denitrification depended on the season. Nitrate was released from the sediments during winter but is taken up from the water column during summer. These results are in good agreement with data obtained from the independently calibrated water column model for the Scheldt Estuary (VAN GILSet al., 1993).