Coastal Bay Systems Research Articles

Linking Intertidal and Subtidal Food Webs: Consumer-Mediated Transport of Intertidal Benthic Microalgal Carbon.

We examined stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios for a large variety of consumers in intertidal and subtidal habitats, and their potential primary food sources [i.e., microphytobenthos (MPB), phytoplankton, and Phragmites australis] in a coastal bay system, Yeoja Bay of Korea, to test the hypothesis that the transfer of intertidal MPB-derived organic carbon to the subtidal food web can be mediated by motile consumers. Compared to a narrow δ13C range (−18 to −16‰) of offshore consumers, a broad δ13C range (−18 to −12‰) of both intertidal and subtidal consumers indicated that 13C-enriched sources of organic matter are an important trophic source to coastal consumers. In the intertidal areas, δ13C of most consumers overlapped with or was 13C-enriched relative to MPB. Despite the scarcity of MPB in the subtidal, highly motile consumers in subtidal habitat had nearly identical δ13C range with many intertidal foragers (including crustaceans and fish), overlapping with the range of MPB. In contrast, δ13C values of many sedentary benthic invertebrates in the subtidal areas were similar to those of offshore consumers and more 13C-depleted than motile foragers, indicating high dependence on phytoplankton-derived carbon. The isotopic mixing model calculation confirms that the majority of motile consumers and also some of subtidal sedentary ones depend on intertidal MPB for more than a half of their tissue carbon. Finally, although further quantitative estimates are needed, these results suggest that direct foraging by motile consumers on intertidal areas, and thereby biological transport of MPB-derived organic carbon to the subtidal areas, may provide important trophic connection between intertidal production and the nearshore shallow subtidal food webs.

Controls on residence time and exchange in a system of shallow coastal bays

Patterns of transport and residence time influence the morphology, ecology and biogeochemistry of shallow coastal bay systems in important ways. To better understand the factors controlling residence time and exchange in coastal bays, a three-dimensional finite-volume coastal ocean model was set up and validated with field observations of circulation in a system of 14 shallow coastal bays on the Atlantic coast of the USA (Virginia Coast Reserve). Residence times of neutrally buoyant particles as well as exchange among the bays in the system and between the bays and the ocean were examined with Lagrangian particle tracking. There was orders of magnitude variation in the calculated residence time within most of the bays, ranging from hours in the tidally refreshed (repletion) water near the inlets to days–weeks in the remaining (residual) water away from the inlets. Residence time in the repletion waters was most sensitive to the tidal phase (low vs. high) when particles were released whereas residence time in the residual waters was more sensitive to wind forcing. Wind forcing was found to act as a diffuser that shortens particle residence within the bays; its effect was higher away from the inlets and in relatively confined bays. Median residence time in the bays significantly decreased with an increase in the ratio between open water area and total area (open water plus marsh). Exchange among the bays and capture areas of inlets (i.e., exchange between the bays and the ocean) varied considerably but were insensitive to tidal phase of release, wind, and forcing conditions in different years, in contrast to the sensitivity of residence time to these factors. We defined a new quantity, termed shortest-path residence time, calculated as distance from the closest inlet divided by root-mean-square velocity at each point in model domain. A relationship between shortest-path residence time and particle-tracking residence time provides a means of estimating residence time over an entire model domain.

Eelgrass restoration by seed maintains genetic diversity: case study from a coastal bay system

Genetic diversity is positively associated with plant fitness, stability, and the provision of ecosystem services. Preserving genetic diversity is therefore considered an important component of ecosystem restoration as well as a measure of its success. We examined the genetic diversity of restored Zostera marina meadows in a coastal bay system along the USA mid-Atlantic coast using microsatellite markers to compare donor and recipient meadows. We show that donor meadows in Chesapeake Bay have high genetic diversity and that this diversity is maintained in meadows restored with seeds in the Virginia coastal bays. No evidence of inbreeding depression was detected (FIS −0.2 to 0) in either donor or recipient meadows, which is surprising because high levels of inbreeding were expected following the population contractions that occurred in Chesapeake Bay populations due to disease and heat stress. Additionally, there was no evidence for selection of genotypes at the restoration sites, suggesting that as long as donor sites are chosen carefully, issues that diminish fitness and survival such as heterosis or out-breeding depression can be avoided. A cluster analysis showed that, in addition to the Chesapeake Bay populations that acted as donors, the Virginia coastal bay populations shared a genetic signal with Chincoteague Bay populations, their closest neighbor to the north, suggesting that natural recruitment into the area may be occurring and augmenting restored populations. We hypothesize that the high genetic diversity in seagrasses restored using seeds rather than adult plants confers a greater level of ecosystem resilience to the restored meadows.

Seed addition facilitates eelgrass recovery in a coastal bay system

Seed addition facilitates eelgrass recovery in a coastal bay system

A Three‐Year Survey of Penaeid Shrimp and Callinectid Crabs from Texas Coastal Waters for Signs of Disease Caused by White Spot Syndrome Virus or Taura Syndrome Virus

AbstractThe Gulf of Mexico has the largest shrimp industry in the United States, including both natural fisheries and aquaculture resources. Aquaculture production comes primarily from Texas shrimp farms. With intensification of the farmed shrimp industry and international commerce in aquatic species, the incidence of infectious disease outbreaks has become a growing problem. In 1995, the Texas farmed shrimp industry suffered heavy losses during an outbreak of Taura syndrome virus. Rapid disease transmission, in conjunction with high pond mortalities during the grow‐out season, revealed the need for a structured preventive health plan with stringent biosecurity measures. In addition, native indigenous shrimp and crab species have never been systematically evaluated for infectious disease agents. Concern for these native species prompted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to initiate a survey to evaluate the general health status of select indigenous marine invertebrate species along the Texas coast. From October 1997 through September 2000, 5,399 commercially important wild penaeid shrimp (2,009 white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus, 2,868 brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus, and 522 pink shrimp F. duorarum) and 935 crabs (630 blue crabs Callinectes sapidus and 305 lesser blue crabs C. similis) were collected from randomly selected locations in nine Texas coastal bay systems and evaluated for known viral pathogens with the use of histopathology and in situ hybridization. In this study, only the virus Baculovirus penaei was detected in three brown shrimp. Taura syndrome virus and white spot syndrome virus were not detected within the testing limitations of this study.

Trophic importance of benthic microalgae to macrozoobenthos in coastal bay systems in Korea: dual stable C and N isotope analyses

The role of benthic microalgae as the source of primary organic matter for the macro- zoobenthos community was examined in 3 bay systems of the south coast of the Korean peninsula using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) as a dual tracer. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N of riverine particulate inputs, primary producers and macrozoobenthos collected from the intertidal and subtidal habitats of the bays were measured and compared with those from adjacent offshore waters. Extensive intertidal flats occurred with wide marsh plains (primarily Phragmites australis) at the uppermost part of the intertidal zone in all 3 bay systems, but different hydrologic features were exhibited among bay systems. There were no systematic variations in δ 13 C for the same plant taxa, but different producer groups were clearly separated by their δ 13 C values. Benthic microalgae and macroalgae, which had similar δ 13 C values, were separated by their δ 15 N values. The δ 13 C values of macrozoobenthos collected from the offshore areas were similar to those of phytoplankton. Macro- zoobenthos collected from all 3 bay habitats had similar δ 13 C ranges, and their δ 13 C values (means of all consumers, feeding types and species) were less negative than those of the offshore macro- zoobenthos. Isotopic linkage between sources and benthic consumers, based on the documented trophic fractionation for C and N, indicated that benthic microalgae and phytoplankton are the major sources of organic matter supporting macrobenthic consumers in the bay systems. A 2-source mixing model revealed that pelagic feeders in both the intertidal and subtidal habitats subsisted in equal shares on marine phytoplankton and benthic microalgae, whereas the food source of benthic feeders was derived predominantly from benthic microalgae. Phragmites or riverine particulate inputs appeared to have made little contribution to the diets of consumers in the bay systems. Our collective isotopic data set suggested that benthic microalgae, along with phytoplankton, constituted the organic matter that forms the trophic base of pelagic as well as benthic food webs in the coastal bays, despite differing vegetational composition and hydrology.

진주만에서 저서 다모류의 시 · 공간 분포

피조개 양식장으로 이용되고 있는 남해 연안의 진주만에서 저서 다모류 분포를 밝히기 위하여 van Veen grab 채니기를 이용하여 1999년 8월부터 2000년 5월 사이에 계절별로 4회에 걸쳐 저서동물을 채집하였다. 조사기간 중 총 132종의 저서 다모류가 채집되어, 출현한 전체 저서동물 개체수 중 약 <TEX>$80\%$</TEX>를 차지하였다. 다모류의 평균 출현 개체수는 계절별로 뚜렷한 차이를 나타내지 않았으나 생체량은 여름 (8월)에 가장 높았던 반면, 종 다양도와 풍도는 여름철에 가장 낮았다. 이것은 계절에 따른 종조성 변동에 의한 다모류 군집 차이를 반영하는 것으로, 이와 같은 계절변동은 봄철에 소형의 몇몇 r-선택성 기회종과 여름철에 서관을 만드는 Mal-danidae과 종의 출현에 기인하였다. 한편, Capitella Capitata, No-tomastus latericeus 및 Lumbrineris sp.와 같이 유기물이 풍부한 해역에서 흔히 출현하는 종들이 만 전체적으로 연중 높은 밀도를 나타내었다. 남부의 피조개 양식장 수역은 상대적으로 낮은 개체수와 생체량을 나타내었는데, 종 다양도와 풍도 역시 상대적으로 낮은 경향을 보였다. 주성분 분석의 결과는 만내 다른 수역에서 우점하는 Maldanidae과는 물론 소형 기회종의 출현 빈도가 피조개 양식장 수역에서 대단히 낮아 피조개 양식장 수역 저서 다모류 군집이 인근 나머지 정점군들의 군집과 뚜렷이 구분된다는 것을 잘 보여주었다. 다모류 군집의 공간변동은 피조개 양식장 수역 퇴적물의 더욱 세립한 입도 조성과 높은 황화물 농도 및 북부 일부 정점의 낮은 염분 등에 의해서 부분적으로 설명될 수 있었지만, 다른 환경 변수에서 이와 같은 차이는 뚜렷하지 않았다. 진주만에서 다모류 군집의 공간분포는 오히려 봄철에 피조개 채취를 위한 퇴적물의 물리적 교란에 의해 크게 영향을 받는 듯 하였다. 않고 사육조 수면으로 공급되는 우회량이 많을 경우 용존산소는 증가하였으나 수처리 장치로 공급되는 유량이 작아 부유 고형물, 유기물 등의 수질 인자가 악화되는 현상을 보였다.대된다.. 창란젓갈 저장시 품질측정변수에 대한 상관관계를 조사한 결과병포장에서는 용기내 압력, pH, L값, VBN, 관능검사 등이 상관관계가 높아 젓갈 포장에서 품질지표항목으로 이용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.는 0.1 mM과 0.4 mM 및 0.8 mM 배양구는 배양 5시간 후에 최대값이 되어 각각 <TEX>$204\%$</TEX>, <TEX>$198\%$</TEX> 및 <TEX>$191\%$</TEX>로 증가하였다. 이처럼 BNF나 PB, MC는 명주조개에서도 미크로좀의 CYP 함량과 EROD 활성을 증가시키는 유도효과를 나타내었으며, 특히 MC에 의한 유도효과가 가장 강했고 BNF, PB의 순이었고, 대체로 약물의 농도가 높을수록 유도 효과도 큰 경향을 보였다.이 한국어와는 다른 것이라거나, 한국어 음성학을 공부하지 않고 한국어를 연구할 수 있다는 뜻은 아닙니다. 의학에도 분야마다 전문의가 있듯이, 언어학도 이제 복잡하고 광범한 학문이 되었으므로 분야별로 전문가가 나오게 된 것뿐입니다. 따라서 "나는 통사론에 관심이 있으므로 소리말에는 관심이 없다"고 말하는 언어학자가 있다면, 이 것은 크게 잘못된 것입니다. 마찬가지로 "나는 소리에만 관심이 있으므로 통사론에는 관심이 없다"고 말하는 음성학자가 있다면, 이 또한 안되는 일입니다. 문의 구성과 어휘 요소와 아무 관련이 없는 말소리의 차이가 무슨 소용이 있으며, 통사 구조를 표현하고 저달하는 말소리를 연구하지 않고 어떻게 통사론을 연구할 수 있겠습니까? 다시 간추리면, 언어는 본질적으로 소리말이고, 언어의 특성과 사용 및 습득도 모두 소리말 형태로 나타납니다. 따라서, 영국의 대학은 음성학이 대단히 중요함을 인식하고, 언어학을 올바르게 Seasonal quantitative van Veen grab sampling was conducted to characterize the composition and structure of the benthic polychaete community inhabiting the shellfish farming ground of a coastal bay system of Jiniu Bay (Korea). A total of 132 polychaete species were identified and the polychaetes accounted for about <TEX>$80\%$</TEX> of overall abundance of benthic animals. There was little significant seasonal difference in densities (abundances) of polychaetes, Maximum biomass was obseued in summer (August) and minimum value was recorded in winter (February) and spring (May). Conversely, diversity and richness were lowest in summer, indicating a seasonal variability in the polychaetous community structure, The cluster analysis indicated that such a seasonal variability resulted mainly from the appearance of a few small, r-selected opportunists in spring and the tubiculous species of the family Maldanidae in summer. On the other hand, several indicator species for the organically enriched environments such as Capitelia capitata, Notoniashs Jatericeus and hmbrineris sp. showed high densities during all the study period. Density and biomass of univariate measures of community structure were significantly lower in the arkshell-farming ground of the southern area than in the non-farming sites of the bay, A similar general tendency was also found in the spatial distributions of species diversity and richness. Principal component analysis revealed the existence of different groups of benthic assemblages between the arkshell-farming ground and non-farming sites, The lack of colonization of r-selected opportunists and/or tubiculous species in the former ground seemed to contribute to the spatial differences in the composition and structure of the polychaetous communities. Although finer granulometric composition and high sulfide concentration in sediments of the arkshell-farming ground and low salinity in the northern area were likely to account for parts of the differences, other environmental variables observed were unlikely. The spatial distribution of polychaetes in Jiniu Bay may be rather closely related to the sedimentary disturbance by selection of shells for harvesting in spring.

Tropical Storm and Hurricane Wind Effects on Water Level, Salinity, and Sediment Transport in the River-Influenced Atchafalaya-Vermilion Bay System, Louisiana, USA

Changes in circulation, water level, salinity, suspended sediments, and sediment flux resulted from Tropical Storm Frances and Hurricane Georges in the Vermilion-Atchafalaya Bay region during September 1998. Tropical Storm Frances made landfall near Port Aransas, Texas, 400 km west of the study area, and yet the strong and long-lived southeasterly winds resulted in the highest water levels and salinity values of the year at one station in West Cote Blanche Bay. Water levels were abnormally high across this coastal bay system, although salinity impacts varied spatially. Over 24 h, salinity increased from 5 to 20 psu at Site 1 on the east side of West Cote Blanche Bay. Abnormally high salinities were recorded in Atchafalaya Bay but not at stations in Vermilion Bay. On September 28, 1998, Hurricane Georges made landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, 240 km east of the study area. On the west side of the storm, wind stress was from the north and maximum winds locally reached 14 m s−1. The wind forcing and physical responses of the bay system were analogous to those experienced during a winter cold-front passage. During the strong, north wind stress period, coastal water levels fell, salinity decreased, and sediment-laden bay water was transported onto the inner shelf. As the north wind stress subsided, a pulse of relatively saline water entered Vermilion Bay through Southwest Pass increasing salinity from 5 to 20 psu over a 24-h period. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-14 reflectance imagery revealed the regional impacts of wind-wave resuspension and the bay-shelf exchange of waters. During both storm events, suspended solid concentrations increased by an order of magnitude from 75 to over 750 mg l−1. The measurements demonstrated that even remote storm systems can have marked impacts on the physical processes that affect ecological processes in shallow coastal bay systems.

A Comparative Analysis of Eutrophication Patterns in a Temperate Coastal Lagoon

The coastal bays and lagoons of Maryland extend the full length of the state's Atlantic coast and compose a substantial ecosystem at the land-sea margin that is characterized by shallow depth, a well-mixed water column, slow exchange with the coastal ocean, and minimal freshwater input from the land. For at least 25 years, various types of measurements have been made intermittently in these systems, but almost no effort has been made to determine if water quality or habitat conditions have changed over the years or if distinctive spatial gradients in these features have developed in response to changing land uses. The purpose of this work was to examine this fragmented database and determine if such patterns have emerged and how they may be related to land uses. Turbidity, dissolved inorganic phosphate, algal biomass, and primary production rates in most areas of the coastal bays followed a regular seasonal pattern, which was well correlated with water temperature. Nitrate concentrations were low (<5 μM), and only modestly higher in tributary creeks (<20 μM). Additionally, there was little indication of the spring bloom typical of river-dominated systems. There does appear to be a strong spatial gradient in water quality conditions (more eutrophic in the upper bays, especially in tributary creeks). Comparisons of water quality data collected between 1970 and 1991 indicate little temporal change in most areas and some small improvements in a few areas, probably related to decreases in point-source discharges. Seagrass communities were once extensive in these systems but at present are restricted to the eastern portion of the lower bays where water clarity is sufficient to support plant survival. Even in these areas, seagrass densities have recently decreased. Examination of diel dissolved oxygen data collected in the summer indicates progressively larger diel excursions from lower to upper bays and from open bays to tributary subsystems; however, hypoxic conditions (<2 mg 1−1) were rarely observed in any location. Nitrogen input data (point, surface runoff, groundwater and atmospheric deposition to surface waters) were assembled for seven regions of the coastal bay system; annual loading rates ranged from 2.4 g N m−2 yr−1 to 39.7 g N m−2 yr−1. Compared with a sampling of loading rates to other coastal systems, those to the upper and lower bays were low while those to tributaries were moderate to high. Regression analysis indicated significant relationships between annual nitrogen loading rates and average annual total nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations in the water column. Similar analyses also indicated significant relationships between chlorophyll a and the magnitude of diel dissolved oxygen changes in the water column. It is concluded that these simple models, which could be improved with a well-designed monitoring program, could be used as quantitative management tools to relate habitat conditions to nutrient loading rates.

Fatty Acid Profiles in Red Drum Muscle: Comparison between Wild and Cultured Fish

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus, a euryhaline fish species, is the target of considerable conservation effort by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. To aid the conservation effort, a study was conducted to determine if fatty acid profiles in muscles of subadult red drums (>30 cm total length and sexually immature) differ significantly between wild and cultured fish. This information may help regulatory enforcement by establishing fatty acid profiling as a forensic tool for conservation biologists and law enforcement officials who must distinguish cultured red drums from illegally marketed wild red drums. Red drums were sampled from summer 1990 to spring 1991 from four Texas coastal bay systems and from two commercial aquaculture ventures. Four fatty acids were identified as diagnostic. Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) was significantly lower in wild red drums than in cultured red drums. Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and adrenic acid (22:4n-6) were significantly higher in wild than in cultured fish. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6) was significantly higher in wild than in cultured red drums except in Matagorda Bay fish collected in the fall.