大窑湾养殖区赤潮甲藻孢囊种类组成及分布的研究

2006—2007年对大窑湾养殖区的甲藻孢囊进行了研究,结果检出10种甲藻孢囊,分属于4大类9种甲藻孢囊,其中原多甲藻类孢囊2种,膝沟藻类孢囊5种,钙质类孢囊1种,裸甲藻类孢囊1种,一种艉杆藻(Ensiculifera Balech)和一种易碎藻(Fragilidium mexicanum)是中国沿海新记录的两个种类,此外还有一种无法鉴定到种的一种原多甲藻孢囊。膝沟藻类孢囊的种类数占绝对优势,占50%,其次是原多甲藻类孢囊占30%,钙质类孢囊和裸甲藻类孢囊各占10%。10种孢囊中有3种异养型孢囊和7种自养型孢囊。并发现两种产麻痹性贝毒(PSP)的孢囊—塔玛亚历山大藻/链状亚历山大藻复合体(Alexandrium tamarense/A.catenella)和链状裸甲藻(Gymnodinium catenatum)。孢囊密度的季节分布呈现明显的双峰型,在2007年1月份和2007年的8月份出现了两个高峰。2007年的1月份达到了调查全年的孢囊密度最高值,达到了1.09×103 cysts/g湿重,2007年的8月份出现的第二次高峰期孢囊密度达到了0.86×103 cysts/g湿重。孢囊密度最低值出现在2007年的10月,只有280 cysts/g湿重。全年孢囊平均密度为695.5 cysts/g湿重。甲藻孢囊的多样性指数除了2007年的9月和10月以外,相差不大,变化范围为0.17—0.55,全年的平均值为0.46。     

中国渤海海域甲藻孢囊的种类多样性和生态地理分布

在渤海湾24个站位采集0–10 cm表层沉积物144份样品, 进行甲藻孢囊的种类多样性和生态地理分布研究, 并分析渤海海域水体的富营养化趋势。在渤海海域共采集鉴定出6类32种甲藻孢囊, 包括原多甲藻类孢囊11种、裸甲藻类孢囊6种、膝沟藻类孢囊7种、钙质类孢囊5种、翼藻类孢囊2种及Tuberculodinioid类孢囊1种。其中, 自养型甲藻孢囊17种, 优势种为锥状斯氏藻(Scrippsiella trochoidea)孢囊, 丰富的孢囊库为锥状斯氏藻赤潮提供种源, 可作为该海域发生锥状斯氏藻赤潮的参考依据; 异养型甲藻孢囊15种, 优势种为无纹多沟藻(Polykrikos schwartzii)和锥形原多甲藻(Protoperidinium conicum)孢囊; 发现1种产麻痹性贝类毒素的孢囊--塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium tamarense)孢囊, 但是仅在S6、S8和S14三个站位发现, 且孢囊数量较少。渤海甲藻孢囊组成与世界其它海域相似, 异养型甲藻孢囊种类丰富, 提示渤海海域富营养化程度较高。每个站位沉积物样品分为3层(每层约3 cm), 春夏两季表层、中层和底层之间孢囊组成差异不大, 平均种类数为5.58–7.29, 孢囊的平均密度范围在58.82–103.57 cysts·g^–1 DW之间; 孢囊种类丰富的站点, 孢囊密度也较高, 如S9、S14站位。对渤海海区表层沉积物中甲藻孢囊的生物多样性进行了统计分析, 发现表、中、底3层甲藻孢囊的平均种类多样性指数在春季(5月)分别为1.69、1.61和1.52; 略低于夏季(8月)的1.83、1.89和1.60。     

中国近海甲藻环沟藻属2个新记录种:纺锤环沟藻和莫氏环沟藻

甲藻环沟藻属于一类无色素体、表面有脊的裸甲藻, 因可捕食一些重要的赤潮生物而在海洋生态系统中扮演着重要的角色。有关中国近海环沟藻属的物种多样性信息非常有限。本文报道了2个新记录种——纺锤环沟藻(Gyrodinium fusiforme)和莫氏环沟藻(G. moestrupii)。纺锤环沟藻细胞呈纺锤形, 长48.0-58.0 μm, 宽18.0-23.0 μm, 长宽比为2.4-3.0, 和模式种相比体型和长宽比都较小。莫氏环沟藻细胞也呈纺锤形, 长约30 μm, 宽约15 μm。我们测定了纺锤环沟藻和莫氏环沟藻大亚基的部分序列, 并根据大亚基序列利用最大似然法和贝叶斯法建立了系统发育树。结果显示环沟藻属是单源的, 纺锤环沟藻和裂缝环沟藻(G. fissum)聚合在一起, 但是与螺旋环沟藻(G. spirale)分离。纺锤环沟藻和莫氏环沟藻分别可以摄食米氏凯伦藻(Karenia mikimotoi)和具齿原甲藻(Prorocentrum dentatum), 前者在米氏凯伦藻赤潮中的大量出现显示它可以促进赤潮的消退。     

甲藻孢囊在长江口海域表层沉积物中的分布

为了了解长江口海域赤潮爆发潜势,于2002年4月至5月用采泥器采集了位于122°～123．5°E、29°～32°N之间12个站位的表层沉积物,分析沉积物中甲藻孢囊的分布．共分析鉴定出孢囊类型29种,其中自养型11种,异养型18种．每个站位的孢囊种类在10～21之间,孢囊密度为11．7～587孢囊·g-1干泥之间．远岸海域孢囊种类较为丰富,密度也较高．在调查区域内,孢囊密度及种类自西向东、自北向南逐渐增加．亚历山大藻孢囊分布广泛,最高密度为40．4孢囊·g-1干泥,其他赤潮种类的孢囊如链状裸甲藻、多边舌甲藻、锥状斯氏藻、科夫多沟藻和无纹多沟藻等都在长江口海域有分布．     

大亚湾近代沉积物中甲藻孢囊的垂直分布

用TFO采泥器于 2 0 0 1年 8月采集了大亚湾大鹏澳海域 6个采样点 8— 18cm柱状沉积物样品 ,分层研究了甲藻孢囊在该海域表层沉积物中的垂直分布。在 35个沉积物样品中共分析鉴定出甲藻孢囊 4 8种 ,其中自养型 2 0种 ,异养型 2 8种 ,优势种类为锥状斯氏藻。每个样品中所分析鉴定的孢囊种类数为 12— 2 9种 ,孢囊的香农—威弗种类多样性指数 (Shannon WeaverDiversityIndex,H′)为 0 6 1— 4 13,并且在 2— 4cm层次处 ,随深度的增加 ,两者均有一个明显上升趋势。除鱼类养殖区的上表层较高外 ,孢囊丰度大多为 10 0 0— 2 0 0 0cysts/gDWt,最高为 2 38× 10 4cysts/gDWt。亚历山大藻孢囊分布广泛且密度较高 ,最高丰度为 5 0 3cysts/gDWt,同时表层沉积物中高密度的亚历山大藻孢囊为该藻赤潮的发生提供了丰富的种源 ,而且也是该海域贝类体内冬季PSP毒素积累及高含量的重要原因。     

甲藻分类历史沿革及中国近海部分甲藻分类地位修订

甲藻自发现至今已有200多年的历史.一方面,甲藻的分类地位越来越受到学者的重视;另一方面,随着研究的深入,出现了越来越多的争议和困惑,在一定程度上阻碍了甲藻分类学的发展.本文简述了国内外甲藻分类研究的历史沿革,主要介绍了几次较大的分类地位的变革.另外,目前中国近海甲藻的分类体系与国际上通用的分类体系还有很多差异,为了更好地促进国内甲藻的分类学研究,方便国际间的合作与交流,我们对国际国内的甲藻分类体系(分别以algaeBASE数据库和《中国海洋生物名录》为代表)进行比较,发现目水平上的分类体系基本相同,但在科、属的划分上有很多差异.针对这些差异点查阅文献,寻根溯源,最终提出了一个较为合理的划分.本文所作的主要调整有:将凯伦藻属(Karenia)、卡罗藻属(Karlodinium)和塔卡藻属(Takay ama)3个属从裸甲藻科(Gymnodiniaceae)中分出,单独成凯伦藻科(Kareniaceae);角藻属(Ceratium)中的大部分海洋种改为新角藻属(Neoceratium);亚历山大藻属(Alexandrium)从屋甲藻科(Goniodomataceae)中分出,归入膝沟藻科(Gonyaulacaceae);取消异沟藻科(Heteraulacus),由屋甲藻科取而代之;成立2个新目,即尖尾藻目(Oxyrrhinales)和梨甲藻目(Pyrocystales).     

深圳湾表层沉积物中甲藻孢囊的垂直分布

采集了深圳湾3个采样点约20cm的表层沉积物样品,研究了甲藻孢囊的垂直分布。共分析鉴定出孢囊类型37种,其中5种为我国沿海未报道的新记录类型,原多甲藻类孢囊是该海域种类最丰富的孢囊类型。除上表层沉积物外,深圳湾甲藻孢囊密度较低,孢囊密度大多在500cysts／gDWt以下,总孢囊密度变化范围为83～4036cysts／gDWt之间。锥状斯氏藻是深圳湾甲藻孢囊的优势种类,上表层沉积物中该孢囊密度的急剧上升证实了2000年附近海域所发生的该藻赤潮。而裸甲藻类孢囊含量明显比南海其他海域高。孢囊的香农-威弗种类多样性指数为1．50～3．96之间,并且在非养殖区、离岸海域及较深层次沉积物中较高,而孢囊密度则呈相反的变化趋势。种类多样性的下降及孢囊密度的上升在一定程度上说明深圳湾污染的变化趋势,富营养化程度非养殖区大于养殖区,近岸海域大于离岸海域,并且近年来污染逐渐加剧。     

长江口塔玛亚历山大藻孢囊的形成、发展及其与赤潮动力学的关系

有毒甲藻棗塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium tamarense(Leboru)Balech)在低氮的F\2培养液中会形成休眠孢囊.在试验的递度中,f\20NO3-诱导效率最高,一次性培养中孢囊形成率达到2%.大约73.2%和17.6%的孢囊在接种后的第八天和第九天形成.新形成的孢囊3d后红色体开始出现,并持续地分泌粘性物质,这可能有助于孢囊的扩散和生存.孢囊在15和20℃保存下的休眠期分别为15和10d.孢囊需要温度的改变就能萌发,在20℃条件下孢囊密度分别降到了4.5和0.9个\g,说明2002年亚历山大大藻孢囊在春季和各有一次萌发.赤潮发生过程中产生的孢囊会很快通过萌发回到水体中,无论季节和水温如何.2003年5月DG-26站位表层沉积物中亚历山大藻孢囊密度只有3.3个\g,但这些孢囊均是新形成的.在长江口,种群初始的大小不是决定塔玛亚历山大藻赤潮发生的关键因素.     

汾河源头周丛藻类植物群落结构特征

基于对汾河源头流域周丛藻类植物群落进行的生态调查,共鉴定出周丛藻类植物24属47种,分别隶属于蓝藻(Cyanophyta)、红藻(Rhodophyta)、黄藻(Xanthophyta)、硅藻(Bacillariophyta)和绿藻(Chlorophyta)5个门。汾河源头流域的周丛藻类群落主要有5类,即颤藻群落(Oscillatoria community)、刚毛藻群落(Cladophora community)、无隔藻群落(Vaucheria community)、水绵-双星藻群落(Spirogyra-Zygnema community)和串珠藻群落(Batrachospermum community)。文章还对该地区的周丛藻类群落的种类组成、结构特征等进行了研究,分析了该流域中不同海拔梯度的变化对周丛藻类群落种类数的影响。结果表明海拔对周丛藻类植物的生长影响不明显,周丛藻类植物种数与水流速度之间存在负相关性。通过对周丛藻类植物种类组成、群落结构特征的研究,为汾河源头流域的环境保护和生物资源保护提供基础资料。     

沉积物再悬浮对浮游藻类影响的模拟实验研究

作为浅水湖泊的重要特性之一,由风浪等动力作用引起的沉积物再悬浮对浮游藻类的初级生产力、群落结构具有重要意义。本研究通过生长季节(5-6月)在太湖梅梁湾湖岸的中宇宙模拟实验,比较在同样的外源负荷下浮游藻类对不同的沉积物再悬浮程度的影响特征,以及其主要的影响因子。实验在约250L的大桶中进行,通过位于沉积物-水界面的水泵的动力作用,模拟了三个不同程度沉积物再悬浮:无再悬浮即对照、弱悬浮和强悬浮程度。实验结果显示:(1)对照、弱悬浮和强悬浮之间悬浮物浓度呈显著性梯度变化,平均值分别为5、30、40 mg·L^-1,水下20cm光密度分别为表面光密度的80%、35%和25%。TN和TP在悬浮处理组显著高于对照组,但是弱悬浮和强悬浮之间差异不显著。生物可利用的各种溶解性营养盐形式对再悬浮的响应特征不明显。(2)浮游藻类生物量和群落结构对再悬浮的响应显著。对照组的Chla在整个实验阶段都很低,强悬浮组和弱悬浮组的平均Chla分别5倍和2倍于对照组。实验初始浮游藻类群落种类多样性低,优势种群主要为隐藻(隐藻属Cryptomonas spp.和蓝隐藻Chroomonas acuta)。再悬浮处理显著促进了隐藻的生长,但弱悬浮和强悬浮之间差异不显著。对照组优势种群演替为微小型种类蓝隐藻和绿藻门的纤维藻属(Ankistrodesmus sp.)。(3)以相对丰度为统计数据,浮游动物群落结构对再悬浮的响应显著,弱悬浮和强悬浮之间差异不显著。对照组的枝角类大型种类溞属(Daphnia spp.)丰度显著高于再悬浮处理组,枝角类小型种类象鼻溞属(Bosmina spp.)和网纹溞属(Ceriodaphnia spp.)、轮虫丰度则呈相反趋势。可见,再悬浮促进了沉积物营养盐的释放和水下光照的衰减,还影响了浮游动物的群落结构,使其向摄食藻类能力较差的种类演替,从而在上行(bottom-up)和下行(top-down)两个方面影响了浮游藻类的现存量和群落结构。     

In situ hatching of invertebrate diapausing eggs from ships' ballast sediment

Ships that enter the Great Lakes laden with cargo carry only residual ballast water and sediment in ballast tanks. These ships are designated ‘no ballast on board’ (NOBOB) and constitute > 90% of inbound traffic. We conducted in situ experiments using emergence traps to assess the viability and the introduction potential of invertebrate diapausing stages present in ships’ ballast sediment. All trials commenced while vessels operated on the lower lakes (Erie, Ontario) and were completed 6–11 days later at ports on the upper lakes (Michigan, Lake Superior). Eight trials were conducted on four ships using five different ballast sediments. Hatching was observed on every ship, although not from all sediments on all ships. Overall hatch rates were very low (0.5 individuals per 500 g sediment), typically involving activation of < 0.05% of total eggs present. Five species of rotifers and copepod nauplii were hatched from ballast sediments, although only one or two species typically hatched from any one sediment. Results of this study indicate that hatching of diapausing eggs contained in ballast sediment of NOBOB ships poses a relatively low risk of invasion to the Great Lakes. However, as reproduction may occur in tanks, and non‐indigenous species may be involved in numerous introduction events, the risk posed by this vector is small but potentially important. While dormancy is a characteristic enabling enhanced survival during transportation in ballast tanks, it becomes a hindrance for introduction.     

Transport of diatom and dinoflagellate resting spores in ships' ballast water: implications for plankton biogeography and aquaculture

Diatom and dinoflagellate species that are not endemic to aregion can be inadvertently introduced when their resistantresting stages are discharged with the ballast-tank waters andsediments of bulk cargo vessels. A survey of 343 cargo vesselsentering 18 Australian ports showed that 65% of ships were carryingsignificant amounts of sediment on the bottom of their ballasttanks. All of these samples contained diatoms, including speciesthat are not endemic to Australian waters. Diatom resting spores,especially of Chaetoceros, were also detected. Dinoflagellateresting spores (cysts) were present in 50% of the sediment samples.Of the 53 cyst species identified, 20 (including Diplopelta,Diplopsalopsis, Gonyaulax, Polykrikos, Protoperidinium, Scrippsiellaand Zygabikodinium spp.) were successfully germinated to produceviable cultures. Such diversity of diatom and dinoflagellatespecies in ships' ballast water suggests that the apparent cosmopolitanismof many coastal phytoplankton species may be due partly to theglobal transport of seawater ballast. Of considerable concernwas the detection in 16 ships of cysts of the toxic dinoflagellatesAlexandrium catenella, Alexandrium tamarense and Gymnodiniumcatenatum. One single ballast tank was estimated to contain>300 million viable A.tamarense cysts, some of which weresuccessfully germinated in the laboratory to produce toxic cultures.These toxic dinoflagellate species, which can contaminate shellfishwith paralytic shellfish poisons, pose a serious threat to humanhealth and the aquaculture industry. Ballast-water quarantinemeasures recently introduced in Australia are discussed. Mid-oceanexchange of ballast water is only partially effective in removingdinoflagellate cysts which have settled to the bottom of ballasttanks. The present work indicates that the most effective measureto prevent the spreading of toxic dinoflagellate cysts via ships'ballast water would be to avoid taking on ballast water duringdinoflagellate blooms in the water column of the world's ports.     

Supply-side invasion ecology: characterizing propagule pressure in coastal ecosystems

The observed rates and deleterious impacts of biological invasions have caused significant alarm in recent years, driving efforts to reduce the risk (establishment) of new introductions. Characterizing the supply of propagules is key to understanding invasion risk and developing effective management strategies. In coastal ecosystems, ships' ballast water is an important transfer mechanism (vector) for marine and freshwater species. Commercial ships exhibit a high degree of variation in ballast water operations that affect both the quantity and quality of propagule supply, and thereby invasion risk. The per-ship inoculation size from ballast water depends upon both the volume discharged and the organism density. Moreover, propagule quality will vary among source regions (ports) and voyage routes, due to differences in species composition and transport conditions, respectively. We show that significant differences exist in (i) the frequency and volume of ballast water discharge among vessel types, (ii) the frequency of vessel types and routes (source regions) among recipient ports, and (iii) the transit success (survivorship) of zooplankton in ballast tanks among voyage routes. Thus, propagule supply is not a simple function of total ship arrivals. For ships, as well as other vectors, variation in propagule quantity and quality must be explicitly considered to estimate invasion risk and advance predictive ability.     

Does saltwater flushing reduce viability of diapausing eggs in ship ballast sediment?

Flushing of ballast tanks with seawater has been proposed to reduce the risk of invasion associated with residual ballast in 'no ballast on board' ships. The efficacy of this procedure, however, has not been determined. Using diapausing eggs isolated from ballast sediments — as well as from Lake Erie sediment — this study investigated the impact of salinity (0, 8 and 35‰) and temperature (10, 20 and 30 °C) on the cumulative abundance and species richness of hatched zooplankton taxa. The rate and amount of hatching varied dramatically between sediments and across salinity–temperature regimes. Although exposure to saline water inhibited emergence of freshwater taxa during the exposure phase of all trials, mixed results were evident after diapausing eggs were returned to freshwater. The efficacy of salinity as a ballast treatment method was temperature dependent, although the direction of the effect was case-specific. Exposure of eggs to saline water was less effective at 10 and 30 °C than at 20 °C. Although flushing ballast tanks with open ocean water is expected to significantly reduce the number of active invertebrates living in residual ballast water (a potentially larger source of invaders), our results indicate that the most effective treatment conditions for reduction of diapausing egg viability is 8‰ salinity at 20 °C.     

Phytoplankton and bacterial assemblages in ballast water of U.S. military ships as a function of port of origin, voyage time, and ocean exchange practices

We characterized the physical/chemical conditions and the algal and bacterial assemblages in ballast water from 62 ballast tanks aboard 28 ships operated by the U.S. Military Sealift Command and the Maritime Administration, sampled at 9 ports on the U.S. West Coast and 4 ports on the U.S. East Coast. The ballast tank waters had been held for 2–176 days, and 90% of the tanks had undergone ballast exchange with open ocean waters. Phytoplankton abundance was highly variable (grand mean for all tanks, 3.21 × 10⁴ viable cells m⁻³; median, 7.9 × 10³ cells m⁻³) and was unrelated to physical/chemical parameters, except for a positive relationship between centric diatom abundance and nitrate concentration. A total of 100 phytoplankton species were identified from the ballast tanks, including 23 potentially harmful taxa (e.g. Chaetoceros concavicornis, Dinophysis acuminata, Gambierdiscus toxicus, Heterosigma akashiwo, Karlodinium veneficum, Prorocentrum minimum, Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries). Assemblages were dominated by chain-forming diatoms and dinoflagellates, and viable organisms comprised about half of the total cells. Species richness was higher in ballast tanks with coastal water, and in tanks containing Atlantic or Pacific Ocean source waters rather than Indian Ocean water. Total and viable phytoplankton numbers decreased with age of water in the tanks. Diversity also generally decreased with water age, and tanks with ballast water age >33 days did not produce culturable phytoplankton. Abundance was significantly higher in tanks with recently added coastal water than in tanks without coastal sources, but highly variable in waters held less than 30 days. Bacterial abundance was significantly lower in ballast tanks with Atlantic than Pacific Ocean source water, but otherwise was surprisingly consistent among ballast tanks (overall mean across all tanks, 3.13 ± 1.27 × 10¹¹ cells m⁻³; median, 2.79 × 10¹¹ cells m⁻³) and was unrelated to vessel type, exchange status, age of water, environmental conditions measured, or phytoplankton abundance. At least one of four pathogenic eubacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was detected in 48% of the ballast tanks, but toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae were not detected. For ships with tanks of similar ballasting history, the largest source of variation in phytoplankton and bacteria abundance was among ships; for ships with tanks of differing ballasting histories, and for all ships/tanks considered collectively, the largest source of variation was within ships. Significant differences in phytoplankton abundance, but not bacterial abundance, sometimes occurred between paired tanks with similar ballasting history; hence, for regulatory purposes phytoplankton abundance cannot be estimated from single tanks only. Most tanks (94%) had adequate records to determine the source locations and age of the ballast water and, as mentioned, 90% had had ballast exchange with open-ocean waters. Although additional data are needed from sediments that can accumulate at the bottom of ballast tanks, the data from this water-column study indicate that in general, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) ships are well managed to minimize the risk for introduction of harmful microbiota. Nevertheless, abundances of viable phytoplankton with maximum dimension >50 μm exceeded proposed International Maritime Organization standards in 47% of the ballast tanks sampled. The data suggest that further treatment technologies and/or alternative management strategies will be necessary to enable DoD vessels to comply with proposed standards.     

2004年春季长江口海域甲藻孢囊的分布研究

于2004年4月初,采集长江口(E122°～123°30',N29°～32°)10个站点0～15cm底泥样品,研究甲藻孢囊在这10个站点的水平和垂直分布情况。在30个样品中共鉴定出6大类24种甲藻孢囊。孢囊组成以异养型原多甲藻类孢囊为主,有13种,平均密度为157cysts·g^-1DW,为调查海域的最优势种群。两种产麻痹性贝类毒素(Paralytic shellfish poisoning,PSP)的孢囊,塔玛亚历山大藻和链状裸甲藻,在海区分布广泛但数量较低。10个站点甲藻孢囊的种类数在11～18种之间,平均密度为189～846cysts·g^-1DW,在远离河口的D6站点有一个明显的最高峰,位于最北部的D1站点孢囊密度最低。与其它海湾相比,属于孢囊密度较低的海区。Shannon-Weaver生物多样性指数(H')变化范围在2.57～3.27之间。甲藻孢囊的密度分布与生物多样性相关系数r=-0.72。3个不同深度的甲藻孢囊密度分别为351cysts·g^-1DW、412cysts·g^-1DW、432cysts·g^-1DW;生物多样性指数分别为3.22、2.95、2.98。     

Transport of the harmful bloom alga Aureococcus anophagefferens by oceangoing ships and coastal boats

It is well established that cyst-forming phytoplankton species are transported in ships' ballast tanks. However, there is increasing evidence that other phytoplankton species which do not encyst are also capable of surviving ballast transit. These species have alternative modes of nutrition (hetero- or mixotrophy) and/or are able to survive long-term darkness. In our studies of no-ballast-on-board vessels arriving in the Great Lakes, we tested for the presence of the harmful algal bloom species Aureococcus anophagefferens (brown tide) in residual (i.e., unpumpable) ballast water using methods based on the PCR. During 2001, the brown tide organism was detected in 7 of 18 ballast water tanks in commercial ships following transit from foreign ports. Furthermore, it was detected after 10 days of ballast tank confinement during a vessel transit in the Great Lakes, a significant result given the large disparity between the salinity tolerance for active growth of Aureococcus (>22 ppt) and the low salinity of the residual ballast water (approximately 2 ppt). We also investigated the potential for smaller, recreational vessels to transport and distribute Aureococcus. During the summer of 2002, 11 trailered boats from the inland bays of Delaware and coastal bays of Maryland were sampled. Brown tide was detected in the bilge water in the bottoms of eight boats, as well as in one live-well sample. Commercial ships and small recreational boats are therefore implicated as potential vectors for long-distance transport and local-scale dispersal of Aureococcus.     

Transoceanic ships as vectors for nonindigenous freshwater bryozoans

Aim The transport of organisms in ships’ ballast tanks is a dominant vector for aquatic invasions worldwide. Until recently, efforts to manage this vector have overlooked the potential transport of invertebrate resting stages in the residual waters and sediments within emptied ballast tanks, i.e. NOBOB (‘No Ballast On Board’) tanks. The resting stages (statoblasts) of freshwater bryozoans are often buoyant and locally abundant and thus can be taken up easily during ballasting operations. They are also resistant to extreme environmental conditions and can generate new colonies after being dormant for decades; as such, they would likely remain viable propagules after lengthy transport in ship ballast tanks. This study quantified the occurrence of freshwater bryozoan statoblasts in ballast tank sediments of transoceanic ships. Location North American Great Lakes. Methods We quantified the frequency of occurrence, abundance and diversity of bryozoans (as statoblasts) in residual sediment samples taken from 51 NOBOB tanks of 33 transoceanic ships visiting the Great Lakes from 2000 to 2002. Results Our study identified 11 species, comprising nearly 12% of the total number of freshwater bryozoans known worldwide. These include two exotic species unrecorded in the Great Lakes (Fredericella sultana and Lophopus crystallinus), an exotic species already established in the region (Lophopodella carteri) and three cosmopolitan species (Plumatella casmiana, P. fungosa and P. repens). Our estimates suggest that a ship with NOBOB tanks may carry up to 10⁶ statoblasts. Main conclusions The discovery of species unrecorded in the Great Lakes and the potentially large numbers of statoblasts being transported in ship ballast tanks indicate a significant risk of new species introductions. Furthermore, the presence of cosmopolitan species and an exotic species already established in the Great Lakes suggests the strong possibility of cryptic invasions via the introduction of exotic genotypes.     

Temporal changes in the cyst densities of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum and other dinoflagellates in Manila Bay, Philippines

Temporal variation in the type and abundance of dinoflagellate cysts in Manila Bay, Philippines, is established using ²¹⁰Pb-dated sediment cores. At least 17 dinoflagellate cyst species, including those of the toxic species, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, were identified. P. bahamense may have been present in the area since at least the 1920s. Total cyst density has increased beginning about 1988 to 1998 coinciding with records of P. bahamense blooms in the area. Heterotrophs have always dominated the cysts assemblage. These changes in the dinoflagellate record and the P. bahamense blooms in recent years may have been induced by the interplay of warmer temperatures, high rainfall leading to higher river discharge and less turbulent waters due to passage of few tropical cyclones.     

Transport of the Harmful Bloom Alga Aureococcus anophagefferens by Oceangoing Ships and Coastal Boats

It is well established that cyst-forming phytoplankton species are transported in ships' ballast tanks. However, there is increasing evidence that other phytoplankton species which do not encyst are also capable of surviving ballast transit. These species have alternative modes of nutrition (hetero- or mixotrophy) and/or are able to survive long-term darkness. In our studies of no-ballast-on-board vessels arriving in the Great Lakes, we tested for the presence of the harmful algal bloom species Aureococcus anophagefferens (brown tide) in residual (i.e., unpumpable) ballast water using methods based on the PCR. During 2001, the brown tide organism was detected in 7 of 18 ballast water tanks in commercial ships following transit from foreign ports. Furthermore, it was detected after 10 days of ballast tank confinement during a vessel transit in the Great Lakes, a significant result given the large disparity between the salinity tolerance for active growth of Aureococcus (>22 ppt) and the low salinity of the residual ballast water (~2 ppt). We also investigated the potential for smaller, recreational vessels to transport and distribute Aureococcus. During the summer of 2002, 11 trailered boats from the inland bays of Delaware and coastal bays of Maryland were sampled. Brown tide was detected in the bilge water in the bottoms of eight boats, as well as in one live-well sample. Commercial ships and small recreational boats are therefore implicated as potential vectors for long-distance transport and local-scale dispersal of Aureococcus.