Microscale patchiness of plankton within a sharp pycnocline

Microscale distributions of plankton around the pycnocline werestudied over a 24 h period in the southern Kattegat, using agradient sampler which collects 20 samples over a 3 m depthinterval. Moderately elevated concentrations of phyto- and zooplanktonwere observed at the pycnocline. Microscale variance was highestfor adult copepods. Nauplii and copepodites were equally wellrepresented by sampling with ordinary vertical 5 1 water bottlesas with the horizontal 1.5 1 bottles of the gradient sampler.Adult copepods were underestimated by the vertical bottles.No vertical migration of dinoflagellates was observed over the3 m interval covered by the gradient sampler. Microscale correlationsbetween copepods and phytoplankton within the gradient samplerwere weak. Copepodites (mainly Oithona sp.) and the dinoflagellateProrocentrum micans showed the best correlation.     

Vertical microscale patchiness in nano- and microplankton distributions in a stratified estuary

Microscale (decimetre) vertical heterogeneity in the distributionof nano- and microplankton was studied on August 23, 1999 attwo different sites (separated by ~40 m) in Aarhus Bay, Denmark.At the time of sampling, the water column was stratified withrespect to both temperature and salinity and a subsurface fluorescencemaximum (corresponding to ~10 µg chlorophyll a l^-1) occurredimmediately below the primary pycnocline (9 m). Samples forspecies identification were taken at the surface, near the bottomof the water column and at 20 15-cm intervals in and aroundthe depth of maximum fluorescence. The plankton communitiesrecorded in the three different regions of the water columndiffered dramatically from one another. In addition, significantdifferences were found in the distribution patterns of speciesand functional groups in the region of sampling around the fluorescencepeak. The same patterns in vertical species distributions wereobserved at the two stations. In the region surrounding thesubsurface fluorescence peak, diatoms were, generally, regularlydistributed, although the total diatom biomass decreased slightlywith depth. Dinoflagellate species were mainly non-regularlydistributed and could be divided into two groups: (i) autotrophicor potentially mixotrophic species (Dinophysis norvegica, Dinophysisacuminata, Dinophysis cf. dens, Prorocentrum micans, Gymnodiniumchlorophorum and Ceratium macroceros) that mainly decreasedin numbers with depth or were aggregated in their distribution;and (ii) heterotrophic or potentially mixotrophic species (Ceratiumlineatum, Ceratium longipes, Ceratium furca, Ceratium tripos,Ceratium fusus, Protoperidinium curtipes, Protoperidinium steinii,Diplopsalis spp. and Katodinium glaucum). In the latter group,the species mainly increased in numbers with depth or were randomlydistributed. Most ciliates were uniformly distributed verticallyin the water column. However, small cells of the photosynthesizingciliate Mesodinium rubrum were most abundant at the depth ofmaximal fluorescence while large M. rubrum cells were equallyabundant at all the depths sampled, suggesting the two sizegroups of this organism may differ ecologically. Overall, thestudy demonstrates that traditional plankton sampling methodsmay lead to misinterpretations of speciesco-existence and interactions.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of the dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella O.F. Müller within a small productive lake

The growth of Ceratium hirundinella in Esthwaite Water, a small productive lake, was investigated during 1975; the horizontal distribution of the alga was studied on four occasions over a 3-week period. Measurements of lake temperature, oxygen concentration, and vertical stratification of Ceratium at close intervals of depth, were also made. Lake population estimates from large samples at many stations were compared with small samples at the regular sampling station. On two occasions the means of these samples were significantly different (P<0·01). On one date, the estimate of Ceratium abundance in the lake from the large sample at many stations was more than twice the value obtained from the sample collected at the regular sampling station. The population of Ceratium was contagiously distributed in all the large samples. On 3 days the horizontal distribution showed an increase in Ceratium numbers towards the windward shore of the lake. Very large accumulations of Ceratium were found in the metalimnion, just above the anaerobic hypolimnion, during late afternoon. Possible mechanisms of horizontal pattern development are considered, based on the measurements of the vertical distribution of Ceratium, and meteorological factors. The ecological consequences for Ceratium of vertical and horizontal movements, and its spatial distribution in the lake, are discussed.     

A seasonal sequence of diel distribution patterns for the planktonic dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella in a eutrophic lake

SUMMARY. 1. Diel depth distribution patterns of Ceratium hirundinella were studied during eleven sampling periods, covering the seasonal growth cycle. They were shown to result from short-term periodic or non-periodic external factors, endogenous responses of the alga, and interactions between these.
2. Diel variations in wind stress resulted in the net transport of algae into or out of the sampling position due to lateral water movements. A progressive surface accumulation of Ceratium , leading to a 3-fold increase in cell numbers at the sampling site over a 24 h period, was due to wind-induced upwelling of deeper cells. Near-surface accumulation of Ceratium on a completely overcast afternoon, similar to that associated with migrations, was attributable to advection.
3. Under sufficiently calm conditions, depth-differentiation of Ceratium was regulated by its vertical swimming movements with a diel periodicity. Migration patterns observed in earlier work were confirmed and extended. The alga migrated towards the surface during the daytime and downward during the night; this rhythm had an endogenous component.
4. At high surface illumination, the alga retreated from the surface and formed discrete sub-surface maxima; at low irradiance Ceratium showed positive phototaxis and concentrated near the surface. Under either condition of irradiance Ceratium actively aggregated at depths associated with irradiance levels of about 125–155 μEinsteins m ⁻² s ⁻¹. Downward movement was restricted by anoxic conditions and possibly by thermal/ density gradients. However, given sufficient light penetration, dissolved oxygen and nutrient availability, the thermal density gradient does not apparently eliminate downward movement by Ceratium.     

Species Richness and Invasion Vectors: Sampling Techniques and Biases

During a European Union Concerted Action study on species introductions, an intercalibration workshop on ship ballast water sampling techniques considered various phytoplankton and zooplankton sampling methods. For the first time, all the techniques presently in use worldwide were compared using a plankton tower as a model ballast tank spiked with the brine shrimp and oyster larvae while phytoplankton samples were taken simultaneously in the field (Helgoland Harbour, Germany). Three cone-shaped and 11 non-cone shaped plankton nets of different sizes and designs were employed. Net lengths varied from 50 to 300 cm, diameters 9.7–50 cm, and mesh sizes 10–100 μm. Three pumps, a Ruttner sampler, and a bucket previously used in ballast water sampling studies were also compared. This first assessment indicates that for sampling ballast water a wide range of techniques may be needed. Each method showed different results in efficiency and it is unlikely that any of the methods will sample all taxa. Although several methods proved to be valid elements of a hypothetical `tool box' of effective ship sampling techniques. The Ruttner water sampler and the pump P30 provide suitable means for the quantitative phytoplankton sampling, whereas other pumps prevailed during the qualitative trial. Pump P15 and cone-shaped nets were the best methods used for quantitative zooplankton sampling. It is recommended that a further exercise involving a wider range of taxa be examined in a larger series of mesocosms in conjunction with promising treatment measures for managing ballast water. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of a pumping system for sampling zooplankton

This study describes the sampling efficiency of a plankton pumpdesigned to operate from a moving research vessel. The samplingefficiency of the pump was evaluated by comparing the catchper unit volume of several planktonic taxa sampled simultaneouslywith the pump and with a modified Gulf V plankton sampler ora tube sampler. The estimates of plankton density obtained withthe pump sampler corresponded well with those obtained withthe modified plankton net and tube sampler. We conclude thatthe use of a plankton pump in zooplankton sampling gives resultscomparable to those found with traditional sampling, exceptthat the results were biased for the sampling of rotifers andcopepod eggs.     

Assessment of the vertical distribution of larval lake sturgeon drift in the Peshtigo River, Wisconsin, USA

Drift nets have been used to document reproductive success of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. Current net designs and methods for collecting drifting larvae only sample a portion of the water column, which require assumptions of either a benthic or uniform distribution of larvae when estimating abundance or production. The objective of this study was to describe the vertical distribution of larval lake sturgeon in the Peshtigo River, Wisconsin, and to determine if drift was benthic or uniform in distribution. A net was designed to assess the vertical distribution of drifting larvae in 0.2-m increments at depths up to 1.4 m; however, during this sampling, maximum depth did not exceed 0.78 m. The distribution of larval lake sturgeon was neither benthic nor uniform. Only 5% of larvae were captured in the lowest 0.2-m increment, followed by 18% from 0.2 to 0.4 m, 41% from 0.4 to 0.6 m, and 36% from 0.6 m to the surface. Although results will likely differ among years, systems, and the precise location of sampling, our study illustrates the importance of and provides a technique for testing assumptions of the vertical distribution of larval lake sturgeon drift.     

Spatial Pattern Analysis of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

Spatial patterns of Meloidogyne incognita, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Helicotylenchus dihystera, and Criconemella ornata were analyzed using Hill''s two-term local quadrat variance method (TTLQV), spectral analysis, and spatial correlation. Data were collected according to a systematic grid sampling plan from seven tobacco fields in North Carolina. Different estimates of nematode cluster size were obtained through TTLQV and spectral analysis. No relationship was observed between either estimate and nematode species, time of sampling (spring vs. fall), or mean density. Cluster size estimates obtained from spectral analysis depended on sampling block size. For each species examined, spatial correlations among nematode population densities were greater within plant rows than across rows, indicating that clusters were ellipsoidal with long axes oriented along plant rows. Analysis of mean square errors indicated that significant gains in sampling efficiency resulted from orienting the long axis of sampling blocks across plant rows. Spatial correlation was greater in the fall than in spring and was greater among 1 × 1-m quadrats than among 3 × 3-m quadrats.     

A new quantitative air-lift sampler for collecting macroinvertebrates on stony bottoms in deep rivers

SUMMARY. 1. As three previous comparative studies of deep-water samplers for benthic macroinvertebrates in rivers highlighted the need for a quantitative sampler for use on stony substrata, a new air-lift sampler was developed. It can be operated from a small boat by two people, weighs 13.5–20.0 kg, depending on the length of riser used, and extends the maximum range of substrata that may be sampled quantitatively from 16–32 mm to 128—256 mm. The sampling area is isolated by forcing a collecting cylinder into the substratum, and rapid evacuation of the contents is assisted by a vibrator.
2. All the major specifications of the sampler were determined experimentally in a large tank using three sizes of substrata and plastic pellets to represent invertebrates. The sampler performed accurately to a depth of at least 8 cm on substrata ranging from gravel (2–4 mm) to large stones (32–36 mm long).
3. The performance of the sampler was compared with that of a Ponar grab and Pearson el at. air-lift sampler at two sites on a large river and also with a Naturalist's dredge and a diver-operated Hess-Waters sampler at one of the sites where there were large stones up to 280 mm long. In terms of both mean taxa per sample and mean numbers m⁻², samples taken using the new air-lift sampler provided estimates comparable to or belter than those obtained with the other samplers.     

An inexpensive device for sampling large volumes of lake water from discrete depths

SUMMARY 1. A sampler was developed that displaces surface water which is replaced with water from a sampling tube at a set depth.
2. The displacement sampler is inexpensive, easy to build, and is capable of collecting water at 7.5 I min⁻¹.
3. Phytoplankton photosynthesis was higher in water from the displacement sampler than in water collected with a Van-Dorn bottle. Subsequent experiments indicated this was due to inhibition caused by the Van-Dorn bottle.     

Efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo implementation of Bayesian analysis of additive and dominance genetic variances in noninbred pedigrees

Accurate and fast computation of quantitative genetic variance parameters is of great importance in both natural and breeding populations. For experimental designs with complex relationship structures it can be important to include both additive and dominance variance components in the statistical model. In this study, we introduce a Bayesian Gibbs sampling approach for estimation of additive and dominance genetic variances in the traditional infinitesimal model. The method can handle general pedigrees without inbreeding. To optimize between computational time and good mixing of the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) chains, we used a hybrid Gibbs sampler that combines a single site and a blocked Gibbs sampler. The speed of the hybrid sampler and the mixing of the single-site sampler were further improved by the use of pretransformed variables. Two traits (height and trunk diameter) from a previously published diallel progeny test of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and two large simulated data sets with different levels of dominance variance were analyzed. We also performed Bayesian model comparison on the basis of the posterior predictive loss approach. Results showed that models with both additive and dominance components had the best fit for both height and diameter and for the simulated data with high dominance. For the simulated data with low dominance, we needed an informative prior to avoid the dominance variance component becoming overestimated. The narrow-sense heritability estimates in the Scots pine data were lower compared to the earlier results, which is not surprising because the level of dominance variance was rather high, especially for diameter. In general, the hybrid sampler was considerably faster than the blocked sampler and displayed better mixing properties than the single-site sampler.     

A quantitative sampler for collecting invertebrates associated with deep submerged vegetation

Only few of the numerous samplers for collecting invertebrate fauna associated with vegetation permit sampling at depths of more than approximately 0.5 m. This paper describes a sampler allowing collection of epifauna from submerged plants at a depth of up to approximately 2 m, growing in varied densities. The sampler is composed of two panels made of duralumin, connected on one side by means of piano-hinges. One of the panels has an opening covered with mesh, and the other is equipped with a cone-shaped net and detachable sample concentrator at its end. The sampler is coupled with a manipulator with a several meter extension for lowering the sampler under water, as well as for its opening, and closing. The initial assessment of the sampler efficiency, verified in beds of Potamogeton perfoliatus, provided similar results as two other, older and commonly used samplers. In comparison with the older devices, the sampler has the advantage of permitting collecting samples from greater depths. It also enables studying both the vertical and horizontal distribution of invertebrates within a plant patch.     

The effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and dynamic stretching techniques on vertical jump performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 different warm-ups on vertical jump performance. The warm-ups included a 600-m jog, a 600-m jog followed by a dynamic stretching routine, and a 600-m jog followed by a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) routine. A second purpose was to determine whether the effects of the warm-ups on vertical jump performance varied by gender. Sixty-eight men and women NCAA Division I athletes from North Dakota State University performed 3 vertical jumps on a Just Jump pad after each of the 3 warm-up routines. The subjects were split into 6 groups and rotated between 3 warm-up routines, completing 1 routine each day in a random order. The results of the 1-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the combined (p = 0.927), men's (p = 0.798), or women's (p = 0.978) results. The results of this study showed that 3 different warm-ups did not have a significant affect on vertical jumping. The results also showed there were no gender differences between the 3 different warm-ups.     

Influence of familiarization on the reliability of vertical jump and acceleration sprinting performance in physically active men

The purpose of the present study was to determine the number of familiarization sessions required to obtain an accurate measure of reliability associated with loaded vertical jump and 20-m sprint running performance. Ten physically active men attended 5 separate testing sessions over a 3-week period where they performed unloaded and loaded (10-kg extra load) countermovement (CMJ) and static (SJ) jumps, followed by straight-line 20-m sprints. Jump height was recorded for the vertical jumps using a jump mat, while the time for 10 m and 20 m was recorded during the sprints using photocells. The highest (jump conditions) and fastest (sprint) of 3 trials performed during each of the 5 testing sessions was used in the subsequent analysis. Familiarization was assessed using the scores obtained during the 5 separate testing sessions. Reliability was assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficient of variation (CV). No significant differences were obtained between the testing sessions for any of the measures. ICCs ranged from 0.89 to 0.95, while CVs ranged from 1.9 to 2.6%. These results indicate that high levels of reliability can be achieved without the need for familiarization sessions when using loaded and unloaded CMJ and SJ and 20-m sprint performance with physically active men.     

Making decisions about the optimal selection environment using Gibbs sampling

The use of Gibbs sampling in making decisions about the optimal selection environment was demonstrated. Marginal posterior distributions of the efficiency of selection across sites were obtained using the Gibbs sampler, a Bayesian method, from which the probability that the efficiency of selection lay between specified values and the variance of the distribution were computed, providing a lot of information on which to make decisions regarding the location of genetic tests. The heritability, genetic correlations and efficiencies of selection estimated using REML and Gibbs sampling were similar. However, the latter approach showed that the point estimates of the efficiencies of selection were subject to substantial error. The decision regarding selection at maturity was consistent with that obtained using point estimates from REML, but Gibbs sampling allowed the efficiencies of selection to be interpreted with more confidence. The decision regarding early selection differed from that based on REML point estimates. Generally, the decisions to make early selections at site B for planting at both site B and A, and to make selections at maturity at each individual site, were robust to different priors in the Gibbs sampling. Received: 19 June 2000 / Accepted: 18 October 2000     

Seasonal variation in the diel vertical distribution of the migratory alga Cryptomonas marssonii (Cryptophyceae) in a small,highly humic lake

The diel vertical distribution patterns of a migratory alga Cryptomonas marssonii in a small, steeply stratified humic lake were investigated during a summer season (10 diurnal experiments between May and September) using a close-interval Blakar-type sampler. The results indicate that the cells were phototactic; they were typically concentrated at the surface or subsurface during daylight, while in darkness the highest densities were recorded in deeper water, usually near the upper limit of anoxia. During a dense blue-green bloom in August the cells of C. marssonii were also concentrated by day into the same water layer, where oxygen was depleted. However, the cells seemed to avoid totally anoxic water. Because the vertical distribution pattern of C. marssonii had special diurnal and seasonal characteristics, care is needed when designing a sampling programme for a phytoplankton population dominated by this species.     

Using SPMDs to Assess Natural Recovery of PCB-contaminated Sediments in Lake Hartwell,SC: I. A Field Test of New In-Situ Deployment Methods

Results from the field testing of some innovative sampling methods developed to evaluate risk management strategies for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sediments are presented. Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were combined with novel deployment methods to quantify the availability of PCBs at the Sangamo-Weston Lake Hartwell Superfund Site in SC. Three locations in Lake Hartwell were examined: a background site (BKG) with little detectable contamination and two contaminated sites (T-M/N and T-O). PCB availability was quantified using sediment surface samplers designed to hold SPMDs in contact with surface sediments, benthic dome samplers designed to enclose and suspend SPMDs at the sediment-water interface, and commercially obtained SPMD cages suspended in the water column. A two-way analysis of variance showed significant effects by sampler type (P < 0.0001) and site (P < 0.0001) for mean time-weighted average (TWA) total PCBs (t-PCBs). Regardless of the SPMD sampler used, mean TWA t-PCBs were directly proportional to the level of contamination present (BKG < T-M/N < T-O). Water column and surface sediment sampler t-PCB uptake patterns were described by a significant linear fit of the data (r² = 0.9625, p < 0.0001, and r² = 0.8188, p < 0.0001, respectively). Dome and sediment surface SPMD samples had a higher percentage of higher chlorinated PCBs compared to water column samples.     

Automatic mechanical alveolar gas sampler for multiple-sample collection in field

A mechanical alveolar gas sampler using the revolver principle capable of collecting six individual expired gas samples is described. The 0.91-kg sampler collects 19-ml samples in pre-evacuated aluminum ampoules equipped with spring-loaded valves from a sampling chamber equipped with two removable one-way valves. On depression of external handles, one of six ampoules located in a removable cartridge is aligned and advanced into the sampling chamber where its valve is opened and then closed. Releasing the handles removes the ampoule from the sampling chamber and automatically rotates the cartridge through 60 degrees to position a new ampoule in preparation for the next sampling sequence. A lock-out mechanism prevents reexposure of any of the ampoules after six samples have been taken. The performance of the sampler is described including its successful use in the field to collect alveolar gas samples on the summit of Mount Everest.     

Improvement of terrestrial groundwater sampling method affects microbial community analysis

Groundwater sampling is a critical step in subsurface microbial ecology. Here, we compared two different sampling methods: commonly used disposable bailers (unimproved sampler) and an improved sampler, the latter of which was devised to minimize exposure to the aerobic atmosphere. Microbial community analysis using the 16S rRNA and methyl coenzyme-M reductase (mcrA) genes in the lignite seam groundwater revealed that the archaeal communities in samples obtained by the improved sampler were dominated by hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanobacterium. These results suggested that the improved sampler would be more favorable for obtaining methanogenic archaeal community than the unimproved one, and that the sampling method affected the microbial community analysis in the investigated subterranean lignite seams.