Land grant and sea grant: Implications and limitations of the model

Abstract

The National Sea Grant College Program was created by Congress in 1966 to assist the development of marine resources through science and technology as well as through education, research, and advisory services. The structure of the program resulted from the explicit effort of early Sea Grant supporters to forge the system as an oceans equivalent of Land Grant colleges. This discussion provides a brief history of the creation of Sea Grant based on the Land Grant analogy; it compares the size, scope, and major concerns of the two systems, including criticisms of the Land Grant program and their relevance to Sea Grant; and it suggests way in which Sea Grant might avoid some of the conditions which led to these criticisms of the Land Grant network.     

Science,sovereignty, and the third law of the Sea Conference

Abstract

The international law of marine scientific research is currently in flux. Efforts are under way at the Third Law of the Sea Conference to produce a treaty that, among other things, would make the law of research more uniform and certain. Sortie areas of disagreement certainly still exist in the Conference negotiations. Nonetheless, the negotiations have produced proposed treaty provisions concerning the law of research that have met with substantial approval. At this point, it does not appear likely that the Conference will produce major alterations in the main body of these provisions. These proposed treaty provisions indicate the future direction the law of research will take. Even if a workable treaty does not result from the negotiations, these provisions will undoubtedly inform customary international law. This article examines both the areas of agreement and the areas of disagreement at the Third Law of the Sea Conference in an effort to understand the probable future legal regime under which marine scientific research will be conducted.     

Marine scientific research under emerging ocean law

Abstract

The traditional “fifth freedom”; of the high seas—freedom of scientific research—has been considerably eroded by recent coastal state claims to 200‐mile offshore zones. Insofar as these claims include competence to regulate marine scientific research, they are about to be endorsed in the adoption of a new Law of the Sea Convention by the Third U.N. Conference on the Law of the Sea. The author assesses the significance of the claims and examines the features of the “consent regime”; established through the negotiations at the Conference.     

Exploring the taxonomic and functional diversity of marine benthic micro-Eukaryotes along the Red Sea coast of Jeddah city

BackgroundsDiverse marine habitats along Jeddah's Red Sea coast support rich biodiversity. Few studies have been done on its diverse communities, especially its microbial counterparts. Metagenomic analysis of marine benthic micro-eukaryotic communities was performed for the first time on the Red Sea coast of Jeddah. This research looks into their community structure and metabolic potential.MethodsNext-generation sequencing was used to examine the micro-eukaryotic communities of seven sedimentary soil samples from four Jeddah coast locations. After isolating DNA from seven benthic sedimentary soil samples, the 18S rDNA V4 regions were amplified and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq. It was also verified using an Agilent Technologies 2100 Bioanalyzer with a DNA 1000 chip (Agilent Technologies, Fisher Scientific). A standard curve of fluorescence readings generated by qPCR quantification using the Illumina library was achieved using the GS FLX library. Metagenomic data analysis was used to evaluate the microbial communities' biochemical and enzymatic allocations in studied samples.ResultsBlast analysis showed that the top ten phyla were Annelida, Eukaryota, Diatomea, Porifera, Phragmoplastophyta, Arthropoda, Dinoflagellata, Xenacoelomorpha Nematoda, and uncultured. Annelida was also found in the highest percentage (93%), in the sample M followed by Porifera (64%), the most abundant in the control sample then Eukaryotes (61%), Phragmatoplastophyta (55%), Arthropoda, and Diatomea (the least common) (32%). community diversity analysis: using Shannon and inverse Simpson indices showed sediment composition to be effective. Also, PICRUST2 indicated that the most abundant pathways were pyruvate fermentation to isobutanol, pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotide phosphorylation, adenosine ribonucleotide de novo biosynthesis, guanosine ribonucleotide de novo biosynthesis, NAD salvage pathway I, the super pathway of glyoxylate bypass and aerobic respiration I (cytochrome c).ConclusionResults showed that high throughput metagenomics could reveal species diversity and estimate gene profiles. Environmental factors appear to be more important than geographic variation in determining the structure of these microbial communities. This study provides the first report of marine benthic micro-eukaryotic communities found on the Red Sea coast of Jeddah and will serve as a good platform for future research.     

Marine scientific research and marine pollution in China

Abstract

In recent years coastal states everywhere in the world have paid attention to the preservation of the marine environment and the conduct of marine scientific research. The scope and nature of China's marine scientific research have been expanded and diversified since the late 1970s because of the growing importance of the ocean for the “Four Modernization “ programs. More and more programs have been designed and executed to find fishing resources, search for offshore oil and gas, promote maritime defense, help alleviate the marine pollution problems, reinforce China's territorial claim in the South China Sea, participate in Antarctic scientific research, and to better understand the whole marine environment. This article first examines China's attitude toward the legal regimes of marine pollution and marine scientific research. It depicts China's marine scientific research activities from the early 1950s. Finally it suggests that more scientific research programs will be designed in support of China's ocean development plans in the future.     

Life history and feeding habits of the marine nematode,Chromadora macrolaimoides steiner

Summary Chromadora macrolaimoides Steiner, a free-living nematode present in the aufwuchs assemblages of several marine macrophytes located in North Sea Harbor, Southampton, New York, was isolated from Enteromorpha intestinalis and established in laboratory culture, where its life history and feeding habits were studied. Under the experimental conditions (25 C and 26 S) the worm has an average generation time (22 days) and average life span (45 days) similar to other chromadorids which have been studied in the laboratory.Tracer-feeding experiment with ³²P-labelled bacteria, diatoms and chlorophytes indicate selectivity by the worm in both the ingestion and apparent digestion of potential food organisms, with the diatoms and chlorophytes being the preferred foods. Out of a total of 20 species of algae and 14 species of bacteria, two species of diatoms (Nitzschia acicularis and Cylindrotheca closterium) were found which are capable of sustaining indefinite growth. Bacteria-free culture has not been established, however, due to the extreme sensitivity of the worm to antibioties.A comparison of the feeding habits of C. macrolaimoides with Rhabditis marina, another marine nematode fed the same potential food organisms is made, and the influence of selective feeding on the spatial and temporal distribution of marine nematodes is discussed.This work was supported by National Science Foundation Grant GB-19245Contribution No. 15 from the Institute of Oceanography, City University of New York     

Implications of the UNCLOS Marine Scientific Research Regime for the Current Negotiations on Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

Abstract

Access to marine genetic resources (MGRs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and the sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of these resources are among the most contentious at the UN Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. This article examines the applicability of the marine scientific research (MSR) regime of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to the access and benefit-sharing issues. It concludes that the MSR regime of UNCLOS provides the legal basis for setting up nonmonetary-benefit sharing obligations, including the dissemination of information, data, and research results concerning MGRs at the UN negotiations on marine biodiversity in the ABNJ.     

French marine policy in the 1970s and 1980s

Abstract

France, hitherto more “continental”; than “maritime,”; increasingly developed its ocean activities in the 1970s and 1980s. This article describes the different sectors of its marine activities and evolvement of a different outlook concerning the sea. Important events such as the 1976 Proclamation and subsequent implementation of the French 200‐nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone, and 1981 formation of a new Socialist government in France after 23 years of uninterrupted “Gaullist”; rule, offered a unique opportunity to restructure marine policy. The new Ministry of the Sea was intended to integrate marine policy and cater to a developing ocean “constituency.”; It was eventually downgraded to a “Secrétariat d'Etat,”; but its impact was undeniably important.     

Total mercury and methylmercury in garfish (Belone belone) of different body weights,sizes, ages,and sexes

BackgroundGarfish, (Belone belone) is a migratory pelagic fish that inhabits the waters of coastal Europe, North Africa, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea. Little information about garfish has been disseminated mainly because of its low abundance and its brief occurrence in various water bodies. Data is lacking on mercury compounds, particularly dangerous the toxic organic form of methylmercury (MeHg), which endangers the health of fish and their consumers.MethodsThe research material was garfish caught off the southern Baltic Sea coast in Puck Bay during the spawning period. Total mercury (THg) content was assayed with the cold vapour atomic absorption method in an AMA 254 mercury analyser. The MeHg extraction procedure was based on three-step sequential extraction method: hydrolysis using of hydrochloric acid, extract by toluene, bind the MeHg by L-cysteine.ResultsThe concentrations of THg and MeHg was determined in the muscle of garfish. The highest concentrations of THg (0.210 mg kg-1) and MeHg (0154 mg kg-1) were detected in the longest specimens (80 cm). The THg and MeHg concentrations in garfish muscles increased with specimens length, weight and age, which was confirmed by positive correlations. Differences were also noted depending on sex. Males accumulated more THg and MeHg than did females. The mercury in garfish from the southern Baltic Sea occurred mainly in its organic form MeHg and accounted for 84.7% of the THg.ConclusionSignificant differences were noted in mercury concentrations depends on length, weight, age and sex. Concentration of MeHg in garfish must be done by length class, and fish sex when selecting this fish for contamination studies and risk assessment. The toxic MeHg in garfish tissues did not pose a threat to the health of consumers, as indicated by the low values of EDI, TWI and THQ indices.     

Phylogeography of Padina boryana (Dictyotales,Phaeophyceae) around the Thai-Malay Peninsula

The Indo-Pacific Ocean is a biodiversity hotspot for marine organisms. In this area, most of the research has focused on marine animals, such as reef fish, molluscs and other associated coral fauna, but very little has been done on macroalgae. The Thai-Malay Peninsula is an important north–south barrier in this area, which faces two different oceans – the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. This study aims to investigate genetic distribution patterns of Padina boryana Thivy around the Thai-Malay Peninsula, where it is common. Three DNA marker regions, the mitochondrion-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 gene (cox3); the plastid rbcL, and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were used to evaluate genetic diversity and the relationships within and between populations. Samples were collected from both the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand sides of the peninsula. Parsimony networks and maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses showed clearly that there are two separated P. boryana lineages, one restricted to the Gulf of Thailand and the other to the Andaman Sea and other areas of the Indo-Pacific. The effect of different ocean currents along the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand may have shaped these populations of P. boryana. This phylogeographic separation, based on persistent currents in the area, may affect other marine organisms along the Thai peninsula.     

Ecology of the North Sea: Problems,successes, failures,future needs

After defining ‘ecology’, outlining the basic categories of ecological research and listing examples of modern ecological investigations, this introductory paper focusses on basic considerations; it is, in essence, a programmatic contribution. Research details on the ecology of the North Sea are the subject of the following papers. Theproblems of ecological North Sea research are formidable. Hydrological and biological fluctuations and variabilities are pronounced. Exchange patterns with the Atlantic are complex, and the inputs of rivers and rain defy exact measurement and prediction. Season, weather, climate—and as yet insufficiently known and controlled human-caused impacts—further complicate the situation. All this results in an unusually high degree of uncertainty. New questions and problems arise before the old ones can be answered or solved. Nevertheless, ecological North Sea research has achieved manysuccesses. The North Sea is the most intensively investigated sea area on our planet. Generations of zoologists, botanists and hydrographers — and more recently microbiologists, meteorologists, climatologists, chemists, pathologists and toxicologists — have produced an impressive body of knowledge. Slowly we are beginning to understand the forces that govern energy budgets and balances, material fluxes, and the factors that control and direct ecosystem dynamics. Essential driving forces of ecosystem dynamics result from microbial, especially bacterial, activities. Ecological modelling has paved the way for new theories and insights, and holds promise for progress towards a predictive ecology.Failures and shortcomings include insufficient long-term research, inadequately designed experiments, and misconceptions in environmental protection. Net changes in ecological processes of an heterogeneous and intensely varying environment such as the North Sea can only be comprehended adequately against the background of sustained measurements over decades.Future needs include: more long-term research; and new patterns of management, institutional organization and financial support. Essential breakthroughs in field-work demand more teamwork, in-situ experimentation and surveys from space. Studies on the health status of organisms and ecosystems should receive more attention. Finally, there is need for changes in human behaviour: we must use our insight and willpower to meet the deadly consequences of our self-made scientific-technological evolution by an equally self-made ethical evolution aimed at achieving a re-harmonization with nature.     

胶州湾污染海域半知菌群体结构多样性时空动态变化及与生境的关系（英文）北大核心CSCD

【目的】揭示胶州湾典型污染海域半知菌群体结构多样性动态变化与生境的关系。【方法】根据以往对近岸污染调查记录,分别确定胶州湾海泊河、李村河入海口为中度、重度污染采样站位,石老人潮间为轻度污染对照站位,利用PCR-DGGE指纹图谱方法,研究该生境半知菌群体结构多样性季节动态变化与污染的关系。【结果】结果证明,污染指标除总氮含量外,其他各项指标含量在三站位的变化趋势为石老人潮间带最低,海泊河居中,李村河含量最高;与石老人站位相比,海泊河、李村河站位污染指标在四季变化较显著。首次证明在重金属和氮磷严重超标的海域,仍存在数量和种类较多的半知菌。PCR-DGGE指纹图谱结果显示,同一站位相似污染程度采样点之间DGGE指纹图谱比较一致,不同站位、不同季节之间指纹图谱存在明显的差异。优势条带割胶测序分析显示,3个站位存在大量的不可培养真菌,青霉属为半知菌优势种,重度污染的李村河入海口除半知菌外,存在较大量的阿米巴虫、腐霉等动物病原菌。【结论】污染海域的半知菌群体结构与生境污染程度及季节具有较密切的联系。     

泉古菌醇与绿素在东海陆架区的分布及关系研究

【目的】研究东海陆架地区的沉积物中的泉古菌醇、绿素的分布及其相关关系。【方法】通过有机化学的方法将泉古菌醇和绿素从沉积物中萃取出来之后,利用高效液相色谱质谱连用对泉古菌醇进行定量检测,利用高效液相色谱对绿素进行定量检测。【结果】泉古菌醇和绿素在长江河口绝对量的分布在空间上呈现类似关系,并且受到陆源输入的影响较小。【结论】东海陆架区的泉古菌醇和绿素均为海洋产生,而非陆源输入,且两者呈现明显的相关关系,提示泉古菌醇具有指示历史时期东海表层初级生产力变化的潜在应用。     

广西北部湾茅尾海浮游真菌群落结构及其影响因子

浮游真菌在海洋食物网和生物地球化学循环中发挥着关键作用。【目的】为解析广西北部湾茅尾海不同季节浮游真菌群落结构及其关键环境影响因子，于2017年7月(夏季)、9月(秋季)、12月(冬季)和2018年3月(春季)期间在该海域设置7个站点，采集表层海水样品。【方法】利用内部转录间隔区(internal transcribed spacer, ITS)基因高通量测序技术，分析茅尾海浮游真菌群落结构与多样性。【结果】茅尾海海域浮游真菌隶属6个门、26个纲、71个目、167个科、282个属和374个种。主要浮游真菌类群为子囊菌门(Ascomycota, 82.14%)和担子菌门(Basidiomycota, 10.74%)，共占浮游真菌总丰度的92.88%。茅尾海浮游真菌群落Shannon指数和Simpson指数在春季最高，Chao1指数和丰富度(richness)指数在冬季最高。主坐标分析(principal coordinates analysis, PCoA)和相似性分析(analysis of similarities, ANOSIM)结果显示，不同季节浮游真菌群落的β多样性具有极显著差异(R=0.591 2, P<0.001)。通过随机森林模型分析(random forest modeling analysis, RF)，发现黄曲霉(Aspergillus flavus)、二色胶孔菌(Gloeoporus dichrous)、杂色曲霉(Aspergillus subversicolor)和微扁沃利雅炭皮菌(Whalleya microplaca)、翹鱗香菇(Lentinus squarrosulus)等20种海洋浮游真菌对环境变化敏感，可用于评估茅尾海富营养化状况。Spearman相关性分析表明，浮游真菌α多样性与海水pH、盐度和溶解氧(dissolved oxygen, DO)呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05)，与温度、叶绿素-a (chlorophyll a, Chl-a)以及总有机碳(total organic carbon, TOC)呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)。方差分解分析(variance partitioning analysis, VPA)发现营养因子是浮游真菌群落结构的主要驱动因子。【结论】本研究可为揭示北部湾海洋浮游真菌多样性提供理论参考，并为茅尾海生态环境监测与资源利用提供科学依据。     

舟山群岛不同功能区划海域细菌群落结构分析

浮游细菌在海洋生态系统中不可或缺,在海洋生物地球化学循环过程中起着关键性作用。【目的】为了解舟山群岛不同功能区划海域细菌群落结构及丰度变化,探索海洋生态因子对细菌群落结构的影响。【方法】于2016年夏季(8月)在舟山群岛不同功能区划海域共设置8个典型站位采集表层海水,基于细菌16S rRNA基因进行高通量测序;利用流式细胞术揭示各海域细菌丰度;利用典范对应分析(Canonical correspondence analysis,CCA)探讨海洋生态因子与细菌多样性之间的关系。【结果】共获取到305487条原始序列,基于97%相似性水平进行OTU(Operational Taxonomic Units)聚类分析,共得到1088个OTUs,包括29个门、62个纲、138个目、239个科、416个属。细菌群落组成在各个站位之间不尽相同,但都主要包括Flavobacteria、Alphaproteobacteria、Gammaproteobacteria三大优势菌纲。CCA结果表明细菌群落结构和多样性情况与站位分布和所在站位的环境因子息息相关,Cyanobacteria受硝酸盐影响显著,Parcubacteria受温度影响最大,而磷酸盐对本实验海域菌群影响甚微。对海洋菌群潜在功能进行预测的结果显示,各海域菌群在氨基酸代谢、碳水化合物代谢、膜运输等方面功能较为突出,为今后舟山海洋微生物研究提供了新的方向。【结论】高通量测序分析可以更精确地揭示海洋菌群的群落结构信息。该研究为细菌群落结构与环境因素的关联提供参考。本研究所取得的大量数据既可以作为对舟山市海洋功能区划施行情况的响应,又将为舟山及其邻近海域浮游细菌群落结构的进一步研究奠定基础。     

On the physical oceanography of the Kattegat and Clyde Sea area, 1996–98, as background to ecophysiological studies on the planktonic crustacean, Meganyctiphanes norvegica (Euphausiacea)

 The euphausiid, Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars), has an extremely wide distribution around the North Atlantic, from Canada to the Arctic to the western Mediterranean. It appears to be adaptable to life under quite different oceanographic conditions, yet no morphological features have been identified that distinguish any of the populations occurring in different areas between which exchange must be supposed to be restricted. The genetic, physiological, behavioural and ecological investigations that are being carried out on M. norvegica in the Kattegat, the Clyde Sea area and the Ligurian Sea (the EU MAST III PEP Project) in order to study its adaptability must be closely related to the physical environment within which the respective populations occur. This paper presents a summary of the hydrographic conditions found in the Kattegat and the Clyde Sea area in summer and in winter, during each research cruise, and places them in the context of current understanding of the hydrography in each area. An account of the hydrography of the Ligurian Sea is in preparation (Dallot et al., in preparation). The data will be used in the further analysis of genetic, physiological and behavioural adaptability of M. norvegica, and will be available for use as appropriate to supplement other hydrographic studies in the regions concerned. Received: 2 February 1999 / Accepted: 6 April 1999     

Antarctica and the law of the sea: An introductory overview

Abstract

This article examines the potential for conflict between the Antarctic Treaty regime and the Convention recently produced by the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. Should the UNCLOS III Convention enter into force, at least six issue‐areas seem susceptible to future controversy in Antarctic waters, namely (1) seaward territorial limits; (2) resource management and conservation; (3) local environment protection; (4) marine scientific research; (5) deep seabed mining; and (6) archipelagic‐island regimes. Accordingly, each issue‐area is assessed as to its relevance for the Southern Ocean vis‐a‐vis the Antarctic Treaty parties, with a particular view towards signaling possible problems which involve conflict of interest and overlapping jurisdiction.     

Tourism and Marine Wildlife: The Wild Dolphins of Tangalooma,Australia: A Case Report

Abstract

Tourist interest in experiencing marine wildlife in their natural environment is growing. In particular, opportunities for interaction with marine mammals such as dolphins are becoming increasingly popular. Such interaction between humans and solitary dolphins has occurred throughout history; however, the dolphins at Monkey Mia in Western Australia are the only recorded group of dolphins which regularly interact with tourists. A previously unreported case of tourist-dolphin interaction is being developed at Tangalooma in Queensland, Australia. The development of this program is outlined in this paper and the current management of this interaction is considered.     

Effective communication in technology sharing

Abstract

The paper emphasizes the importance of communication for the success of technology sharing and information dissemination programs. The concept of the “gatekeeper”; is discussed and placed in the organizational perspective. Several characteristics by which this vital individual can be identified are delineated.

The flow of information across and within organizations, communities and regions of interest is studied in the context of the gatekeeper, the liasion and the communication isolate—three groups of people identifiable within an organization. Information channels are next explored and a method of evaluating their effectiveness presented.

The authors suggest that a technology sharing program needs to deal with certain distinct audiences termed politicians, managers, scientists, technologists and workers. Patterns of communication among these audiences together with a system of communicating with outside expertise needs to be analyzed at the outset of any extension or cooperative endeavor.

This basic structure is then applied to a model indicating the role of a hypothetical International Sea Grant effort. The authors suggest that such an international program could best succeed when integrated with existing extension networks. Evaluation, feedback and follow‐up are mentioned as areas vital to the success of an extension or sharing program.

The paper then proceeds to present some perspectives on communication and change agents and warns against the possible dangers which could plague an extension system.

The authors conclude with some thoughts on an extension strategy.     

Arsenic speciation in marine sediments: A comparison between two sequential extraction procedures

ABSTRACT

Arsenic distribution and mobility in marine sediments was investigated by means of total extraction and two sequential extraction procedures i.e. a modified sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Standard, Measurementand Testing (SM&T) program, formerly the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) procedure and a five steps sequential extraction based on the Wenzel extraction procedure, called modified Wenzel extraction. Sediments were collected from Cagliari’s harbour and Cagliari’s gulf, in Western Mediterranean Sea, Italy. The modified Wenzel extraction provided a more detailed As binding pattern and turned out to be much more appropriate than the modified SM&T procedure for gaining information regarding the mobilization of As within marine sediments. In the harbour, the largest part of As is contained in the residual fraction. At the contrary, As concentration, which is higher in the Cagliari’s gulf, is primarily associated with amorphous and crystalline hydrous Fe(Mn, Al) oxide. Moreover, this study suggests the possibility to segregate different types of marine sediments depending of human or industrial activities and to trace As contaminated marine sediments to determine the origin of contamination following the percentile of As contained in each extraction steps.