Aniva Bay Research Articles

On the Capture of Strongylura anastomella (Belonidae) in Aniva Bay (Sea of Okhotsk) and Information on Its Captures in Other Coastal Areas of Sakhalin Island

On the Capture of Strongylura anastomella (Belonidae) in Aniva Bay (Sea of Okhotsk) and Information on Its Captures in Other Coastal Areas of Sakhalin Island

Rational use of resources of red algae Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis

Resources of red algae Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis (Kanno et Matsubara) and volumes of this alga storm releases in the Okhotsk and Japan Seas are considered. In the last decade, the stable commercial stocks are maintained in the Izmena Bay (about 70∙103 t) and Peter the Great Bay (about 45∙103 t); the field in Aniva Bay is depressed with a tendency to disappear. Storm releases accumulate annually on shores of Peter the Great Bay about 5,000 t of A. tobuchiensis suitable for use in agriculture. Prospects for using the red algae as a source of various chemical compounds in the food industry and agriculture are described. Particular attention is paid to polysaccharides, pigments, polyphenols, peptides and other biologically active compounds. Recommendations are given for processing the storm emissions of A. tobuchiensis, primarily in organic farming.

Structure of phytoplankton for the coastal waters in the eastern Aniva Bay of the Okhotsk Sea in 2018

Species composition, distribution density and biomass of phytoplankton were surveyed in the coastal area of eastern Aniva Bay in May-October 2018. In total, 297 species and intraspecific taxa of microalgae belonged to Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, Crysophyta were found. Their total abundance ranged from 14.8 . 103 to 1024.7 . 103 cells/L, biomass was 19.4–324.6 mg/m3. Two peaks in the abundance (in June and October) and five peaks in the biomass (in May, June, September and October) were noted. The bulk of population was formed by diatoms in spring and autumn, and flagellates in summer. A bloom of potentially toxic diatoms of genus Pseudo-nitzschia was registered. In this connection, monitoring of toxic species is necessary for planning and development of aquaculture farms.

Tectonic, Geological and Hydrogeological Risks of CO2 Placement in Aquifers in the South of Sakhalin Island

The tectonic, geological and hydrogeological features of the south of Sakhalin Island have been considered in connection with the assessment of the possibility of placing CO2 in aquifers. It has been found that at the regional and zonal level of criteria, this territory can be classified as unpromising one. It has been concluded that implementation of landfill projects for the placement of CO2 in aquifers will face great geological risks for the drinking water supply to the population, and can also lead to serious environmental consequences for nature, including a shift in the balance in the aquatic ecosystem of Aniva Bay.

Assessment of the Hydrochemical Characteristics of the Carbon Observational Site ‘Carbon-Sakhalin’ (Aniva Bay, Sea of Okhotsk)

Following a tendency of many economies to shift towards carbon neutrality, there came the necessity for certain regions to be assessed in terms of their greenhouse gas emissions from the ocean. A carbon polygon was created in Sakhalin Oblast in order to evaluate the carbon balance of this marine ecosystem in a sub-arctic region, with the possibility of deploying carbon farms for additional CO2 absorption. To obtain such an assessment, it seems crucial to analyze hydrochemical parameters that reflect the situation of the marine environment in Aniva Bay as a basis of the carbon polygon. The article presents the results of the analysis of hydrochemical parameters in Aniva Bay waters and their spatial and seasonal variability. This research was based on available published sources and measurement databases for the period of 1948–1994. Additionally, the review uses hydrochemical data for Aniva Bay in 2001–2013 weather station data for the period of 2008–2023 and weather station data for 2008–2023. Some tendencies were discovered for spatial and temporal distributions of oxygen, pH, and biogenic matter (inorganic phosphorus, inorganic nitrogen, silicon). In surface layers, the mean oxygen year maximum (9.1 mg/L) is registered with the beginning of photosynthesis, i.e., immediately after the ice melting in April. The highest pH values 8.26 are registered in the euphotic layer in May. The lowest pH values was in August (7.96) in the near-bottom layer. The maximum annual P-PO4 registered on the surface (>18 µg/L) immediately after ice melting, with a minimum (7.17 µg/L) at the end of July. Si-SiO3 concentrations have two maximums: at the end of June and at the beginning of October. N-NO2 concentration on the surface is >2 µg/L in mid-July and on the 50 m depth it is >3.5 µg/L in mid-September. Some spatial patterns of hydrochemical parameters were shown based on the analysis of maps.

MODELING THE DYNAMICS OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATION IN WATERS OF THE ANIVA BAY (THE SEA OF OKHOTSK)

To determine the risks for mariculture farms, the intra-annual change of dissolved О2 concentration was simulated for five zones in the Aniva Bay using the CNPSi model. Zone 1 differed sharply from other zones as the most shallow and freshened. Zone 2 is characterized by a pronounced water exchange with Zone 3 and Zone 4: during spring two layers were formed and stood out in these zones, in the summer the water column was homogeneous. Zone 3 has free water exchange with the open waters of the La Perouse Strait. An outstanding feature of Zone 4, in the deep-water part of the bay, was a distinctive subsidence of waters in the centre of the anticyclonic circulation and the maximum thermocline depth (up to 60-70 m). Zone 5 extends along the western coast of the Tonino-Aniva Peninsula and is characterized by the constant upwelling of waters during the icefree period, which is clearly expressed by lower water temperatures. The calculation showed that in the areas suitable for mariculture farms coastal waters were provided with oxygen throughout the year. Anaerobic conditions developed in spring only in the deepest parts of the bay. An additional source of oxygen in the Aniva Bay is natural thickets of macrophytes, among which the Japanese saccharin (Saccharina japonica) dominates in terms of biomass and area. Annually, Japanese saccharin itself absorbed at least 1200 tons of C in its biomass and supplied at least 3100 tons of О2. Unlike the artificially grown biomass, the biomass of all macrophytes would remain in the system and be destroyed during the life cycle, and the oxygen would be consumed for oxidation. The carbon accumulated in the biomass would again return to the rapid cycle, with the exception of the amount transported to the deep central part of the bay, where it would slowly decompose under nearly anaerobic conditions. It would be possible to place additional algae plantations in the bay, which could absorb up to 49 500 tons of C annually, while supplying up to 132 000 tons of О2. The obtained model estimates could be a starting point for determining the “baseline” of the content of dissolved oxygen and compiling balance equations for gas flows in the ocean-atmosphere system in the Aniva Bay before the development of seaweed plantations, which simultaneously act as carbon farms.

Thermogravimetric analysis of gasification and pyrolysis of algae biomass

In the present paper, the case of the brown algae Saccharina japonica from Aniva Bay (Sea of Okhotsk, Sakhalin Island) was investigated by a thermogravimetric analysis up to 700°C at different atmospheres. The elemental composition, lower heating value, ash content, and biochar yield of the algae were examined. The analysis showed that carbohydrates like alginate, mannitol, fucoidan, and laminarin were decomposed between 250-350°C, while proteins and lipids were burned out between 500-550°C.

New data on biology and captures of <i>Erimacrus isenbeckii</i> (Decapoda: Cheiragonidae) in the Shelikhov Bay (northern Okhotsk Sea)

New data on biology of hair crab Erimacrus isenbeckii are presented and ecological and geographical variability of this species is discussed. Molting, growth, sex and size structure of the crab are considered on the data collected in the Shelikhov Bay of the Okhotsk Sea in September-October, 2022. The male : female ratio of E. isenbeckii in the trap catches was 14 : 1. Gender differences in their age, weight, and carapace width were not significant (p < 0.05). The maximum size of E. isenbeckii in the Shelikhov Bay was 104 mm that is less the size values at the western coast of Kamchatka, southward from Kamchatka, and in the Aniva Bay of Sakhalin Island, and much smaller the crabs from the waters of Hokkaido Island and Alaska Peninsula. Rather high portion of the males on the 3rd intermolting stage was detected (57 %). The age composition of males varied significantly in dependence on stage of molting (p < 0.05). A freshly molted female on the 1st intermolting stage with an unoccluded genital opening was caught together with its exuvia. After molting, within the crab trap, it had increased the width of carapace in 6 mm. This new information could be used in monitoring of the E. isenbeckii population in the Shelikhov Bay.

Monitoring survey on run of spawners of pink salmon <i>Oncorhynchus gorbuscha</i> by means of UAV in the spawning rivers of Sakhalin Island in 2022

Monitoring of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) migration to the estuaries and spawning grounds in the rivers of southeastern and southwestern Sakhalin, including the Aniva Bay, was conducted in summer 2022 using a no-tipping technique with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Abilities, advantages and disadvantages of UAV use for such surveys are discussed to provide a scientific basis for improved management of salmon fishery in the Far East of Russia.

Experiment on growing of japanese scallop <i>Mizuhopecten yessoensis</i> in cages in the Aniva Bay

Results of experimental growing of japanese scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis in the first three years of life in cages mounted in the Aniva Bay (southern Okhotsk Sea) are presented. Mean size and weight of the mollusks are determined and their growth rate and survival are compared with these indices for juvenile scallops from natural settlements in the Aniva Bay and other habitats located in the Far East region. Feasibility of the cage method for commercial cultivation of the scallop in conditions of the Aniva Bay is concluded.

Morphological variation in Northwest Pacific Devaleraea mollis and description of D. inkyuleei sp. nov. (Palmariaceae, Rhodophyta)

ABSTRACT We assessed the range of morphological variation in Devaleraea mollis from the Northwest Pacific. Genetic analyses based on the 5' end of the genes coding for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI-5'), cytochrome oxidase b (cob) and photosystem I reaction centre apoprotein A1 (psaA), as well as the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 (ITS) fragment of rDNA, revealed that the morphospecies D. mollis includes two species. The alga from Japan previously identified as ‘Palmaria palmata’ resolved as sister to D. stenogona and is here described as D. inkyuleei sp. nov. The species is morphologically similar to D. mollis, but it has a more southern range. Devaleraea inkyuleei is only known from Japan (Honshu and Hokkaido) and from Aniva Bay (Sakhalin Island, Russia).

Modern state for stocks of Sakhalin-Hokkaido herring Clupea pallasii at the coast of Sakhalin Island and southern Kuril Islands

Data of bottom trawl surveys at southwestern Sakhalin and surveys of the herring spawning grounds at southern Sakhalin and Kuril Islands are summarized, with assessment of the spawning grounds size and the eggs density in clutches. Fishery statistics and media reports are overviewed, as well. The stock of the Sakhalin-Hokkaido population increases since 2015, both off southwestern and southeastern coasts of Sakhalin, in the Aniva Bay, and at southern Kuril Islands. Number of the spawning herring increases everywhere within the Russian waters, as well as the size of spawning grounds and the density of eggs laying. In particular, the biomass of spawning herring was estimated in 2020 as 35.5 . 103 t at southwestern Sakhalin and 62.5 . 103 t at southeastern Sakhalin; it was 21.6 . 103 t in the Aniva Bay in 2021; the total catch of herring in the waters at Sakhalin Island and southern Kuril Islands reached 8.3 . 103 t in 2021. The stock of Sakhalin-Hokkaido herring is restoring after long depression, so this species is capable to return to the list of the major objects for fishery in the Sakhalin- Kuril region of Russia.

State of the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) population in the Losos Bight (Sakhalin Island) in 2013–2020

The state of the aggregation of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) in the Losos Bight (Aniva Bay) in 2013–2020 was assessed. For now, this aggregation has been in depression as a result of intense fishing. The abundance of the aggregation of commercial individuals (shell height >120 mm) was poor two recent years. The total stock estimated is 31.5 t; the commercial stock – 4.7 t.

Экологические аспекты многолетнего распределения камчатского краба Paralithodes camtschaticus в заливе Анива (о. Сахалин)

Regularity of localization and distribution of clusters of commercial individuals of the Red King Crab Paralithodes camtschaticus in Aniva Bay (Sakhalin Island) and possible reasons for the transformation of the range of this species in the bay are considered in the interannual aspect. The prospects of restoring this species in the bay have been assessed, the changes in habitat conditions being taken into account. Available reporting (SakhNIRO) and literature data on trawl (trap) catches of the Red King Crab in this area are analyzed and summarized in order to solve these problems. The analysis of the location of the main concentrations of larvae during the period of the highest number of the object is performed. The functional structure of the Red King Crab settlements in Aniva Bay is analyzed according to literary sources, and an assessment of possible problems in the implementation of the reproductive strategy proper to the Red King Crab by the population is carried out. Significant negative changes in the distribution and functional structure of this crab species in Aniva Bay are noted. It is shown that the aggregations of commercial individuals of the Red King Crab have been widespread in both the western and eastern parts of Aniva Bay until 2001. Both parts of the bay were self-sufficient in terms of reproduction, with each showing the signs of juvenile production processes. First of all, this can be seen by the distribution of the places of catching of non-migratory juveniles and larvae. From 2004 to the present, even single catches of the Red King Crab have disappeared in the eastern part of Aniva Bay. At the same time, the dynamics of its reserve recovery is observed in the west of the bay, although in general this process is noticeably slow. We believe that the reason for the deterioration of living conditions and reproduction of the Red King Crab in Aniva Bay is a critical transformation of substrates in the eastern part of the bay, namely, a sharp reduction in the area of soils suitable for the development of epifauna, the presence of which is one of the conditions for the survival of crab juveniles. This transformation became possible due to a significant expansion (up to 20 %) of silty soils in the bay caused by soil dumping in 2003–2006 during the construction of a liquefied natural gas plant.

ВЛИЯНИЕ МЕСТ НАГУЛА НА СОДЕРЖАНИЕ ТЯЖЕЛЫХ МЕТАЛЛОВ В ГОРБУШЕ (ONCORHYNCHUS GORBUSCHA, SALMONIDAE)

The microelement composition of the organs and tissues of the summer Japanese Sea pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) which returned to the shores of Sakhalin Island after sea feeding: to the Aniva Bay (pre-estuary zone of the Taranay River) and to the southwestern coast abeam Nevelsk in June-July 2019 was assessed. The fish were dissected by organs and tissues on Sakhalin, the samples were frozen and delivered to Vladivostok for chemical analysis. All elements were determined from acidic mineralizates according to GOST 26929-94 on a Shimadzu AA 6800 atomic absorption spectrophotometer in a flame (Zn, Ni, Cu, and Fe) and in a graphite cell (Pb, Cd). Confirming the results of previous studies, it was found that the content of microelements in the Japanese Sea pink salmon, indicating anthropogenic (Zn, Cu) and technogenic (Ni) impact on the environment, significantly exceeded that in fish from the Sea of Okhotsk. The number of microelements in the organs and tissues of the Sea of Japan pink salmon, indicating anthropogenic and technogenic influence during the feeding period (Zn, Cu and Ni) exceeded the corresponding indicators in the Sea of Okhotsk pink salmon by several times, for example, Ni – by 5.4, Zn – 8.8 times. The Sea of Okhotsk pink salmon twice crossed the impact geochemical and high-feeding Kuril-Kamchatka zone during its life cycle, accumulating in its organs and tissues an increased content of lead and cadmium, witnesses of underwater and surface volcanism, as well as upwellings. The content of Pb and Cd, witnesses of the natural impact situation affecting the salmon stocks of the Sea of Okhotsk, was several times higher in the organs and tissues of the Kuril and Sakhalin (from the southeastern coast) pink salmon.

Пигменты в донных отложениях зал. Анива (Охотское море)

The data of spectrophotometric determination of the content of plant pigments in the bottom sediments of Aniva bay (the Sea of Okhotsk) obtained in autumn 2013 are presented. The content of sedimentary pigments is shown to be quantitatively related to the hydrological characteristics of the water column and the typological indicators of bottom sediments. The content of chlorophyll a with phaeopigments in the sediments of the bay is generally characterized by values of the oligotrophic category. The pigment characteristics of the bottom sediments of the bay are represented by the values of indicators that differ significantly from those of functioning plant organisms due to the strong degradation of the pigment fund. The prevalence of the concentration of phaeopigments over chlorophyll a, an increase in the contribution of additional chlorophylls to their total amount, as well as an increase in total carotenoids compared to chlorophyll a were noted. The ecological interpretation of the data obtained on pigments and pigment ratios gives an idea of the mechanism of interaction between production and destruction processes in water bodies, which gives to the pigment characteristics meaning of integral ecosystem indicators.

Influence of Total Water-Temperature Value on the Size and Weight Characteristics of Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) in the Aniva Bay (Sakhalin Island) According to Satellite Data

Influence of Total Water-Temperature Value on the Size and Weight Characteristics of Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) in the Aniva Bay (Sakhalin Island) According to Satellite Data

Marine Fungal Cerebroside Flavuside B Protects HaCaT Keratinocytes against Staphylococcus aureus Induced Damage.

Cerebrosides are glycosylated sphingolipids, and in mammals they contribute to the pro-/anti-inflammatory properties and innate antimicrobial activity of the skin and mucosal surfaces. Staphylococcus aureus infection can develop, not only from minor scratches of the skin, but this pathogen can also actively promote epithelial breach. The effect of cerebroside flavuside B from marine sediment-derived fungus Penicillium islandicum (Aniva Bay, the Sea of Okhotsk) on viability, apoptosis, total caspase activity, and cell cycle in human epidermal keratinocytes HaCaT line co-cultivated with S. aureus, as well as influence of flavuside B on LPS-treated HaCaT cells were studied. Influence of flavuside B on bacterial growth and biofilm formation of S. aureus and its effect on the enzymatic activity of sortase A was also investigated. It was found S. aureus co-cultivated with keratinocytes induces caspase-depended apoptosis and cell death, arrest cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and increases in cellular immune inflammation. Cerebroside flavuside B has demonstrated its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, substantially eliminating all the negative consequences caused by co-cultivation of keratinocytes with S. aureus or bacterial LPS. The dual action of flavuside B may be highly effective in the treatment of bacterial skin lesions and will be studied in the future in in vivo experiments.

Characteristics of antioxidant activity for certain fractions of polyphenols from seagrass of genus Zostera

Some components of alcohol extracts from seagrass of genus Zostera were fractioned in the column filled with sorbent Sephadex LH-20 using the methods of size exclusion chromatography. Content of polyphenols in the fractions and their antioxidant activity were determined. The total content of polyphenols in the extracts from Zostera asiatica collected in the Rudnaya Bay (Japan Sea) and Zostera marina from the Aniva Bay (Okhotsk Sea) was 2.10 and 2.15 mg/mL, or 0.4 and 1.8 mg/g DW, respectively. The antioxidant activity varied by fractions in the range 19.1–118.0 μg of ascorbic acid per mL for Z. asiatica and 96.2–213.9 μg of ascorbic acid per mL for Z. marina, in dependence on qualitative and quantitative composition of the fractions. The alcohol extracts of Zostera were heterogeneous systems with different polyphenol components and included protein substances covalently bound with polysaccharides and/or polyphenols, that was confirmed by UV spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography. Phenolic acids, flavones and flavonols were presented in the extracts.

Spatial distribution and interannual variability of catches for pink salmon of artificial origin in the waters of eastern coast of Sakhalin Island in modern times

Mixed herds of pink salmon including the fish of both artificial and natural origin are exploited by fishery in many areas of Sakhalin Island. To separate the fish of different origin, large-scale tagging of the juveniles otoliths is conducted at salmon hatcheries since 2008. The hatcheries contribution to pink salmon catches in certain areas of East Sakhalin (from the Langeri River to Cape Crillon) is assessed for 2011–2017 on the base of previously published and new data on occurrence of the fish with marked otoliths. The specimens were sampled from commercial catches of 5–13 fixed nets and from research catches in 5–9 rivers throughout entire spawning season. In total, 40,992 otoliths of pink salmon were collected. The otoliths were prepared for microstructure analysis using standard methods of processing. All marked otoliths had the tags of hatcheries located on the eastern coast of Sakhalin. The fish of artificial origin were caught in all examined sites between Cape Soymonov and Cape Crillon every year, but in some years their distribution was wider, up to the northern limit of the investigated area (Langeri River). The fish of artificial origin migrated to all rivers within this area. The total annual landing of the pink salmon marked at artificial hatcheries in the East Sakhalin waters was estimated as 300–10600 t, by years. The rest of the fish of artificial origin (0.4–2.3 . 106 ind.) entered to the rivers and mostly reached the spawning grounds. Long-term dynamics of landing was compared for the pink salmon of artificial and natural origin and their independence was concluded. Distribution of pink salmon originated from certain artificial hatcheries by sites of catch was rather constant that allowed to extrapolate the results for marked fish to all released pink salmon. The highest contribution of pink salmon of artificial origin was noted for catches in the Aniva Bay (23.9 %, on average), it was lower for catches at the southeastern coast of Sakhalin (13.2 %), and more lower for catches in the Patience Bay (7.6 %). Total number of pink adults of artificial origin caught on a particular stretch of coast did not depend directly on the number of pink juveniles released from a local hatchery, but was determined mainly by number of fish migrated there from other hatcheries. The landing of pink salmon originated from artificial hatcheries directly in the rivers where these hatcheries were located and at their mouths was < 10 % of the total catch of pink salmon of artificial origin. Schemes of quantitative distribution of pink salmon with marked otoliths in the waters of East Sakhalin are presented.