Coastal Water Areas Research Articles

Isolation of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) nursery areas

This study examines the degree of isolation among 0-group Atlantic cod in a region where a number of resident adult congregations have been found. The location of key nursery areas in Scottish coastal waters was identified from trawl surveys of settled 0-group cod around the Scottish coast. Segregation among four of these key areas; within the Clyde, Shetland Isles, Moray Firth and Buchan was investigated using otolith elemental composition. Isotope concentrations in the otoliths of cod were analysed by solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of the whole otolith. Discriminant analyses showed a clear separation between nursery areas based on the concentrations of three elements (manganese, barium and magnesium). The concentration of these elements was not affected by the age or size of individuals. Classification accuracy exceeded 90% for all four sites. Evidence of temporal persistence in the relative spatial differences in elemental concentrations between two sites for 2 year-classes was found. The results suggest limited exchange between sites during some period of the early life history. The significance of this limited exchange is discussed in relation to recent evidence for adult fidelity and the utility of closed areas for protecting nursery grounds.

Spatial, seasonal and species variations of harmful algal blooms in the South Yellow Sea and East China Sea

The occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs), in terms of frequency and area in the Chinese coastal waters, have been increasing since 1980s and caused considerable economic losses. In the present study, we have analyzed spatial and seasonal characteristics of HAB events in the southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea along Chinese coast from 1933 to 2004. With a total 435 HAB records, the most frequent HAB occurrence area (FHA) is off the Yangtze River mouth and another two FHA areas are located south of the Yangtze River estuary along about isobaths of 30–60 m coastal water in the East China Sea. The time of HAB occurrence shifted during our study period: from autumn (August–October) before 1980s to July–August in 1980s, during May–July in 1990s, and May–June for the period of 2000–2004. Causative species were found to be different: Noctiluca scintillans and Skeletonema costatum were dominant causative species prior to 2000; and Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu was dominant from 2000 to 2004 and also caused large blooms in May. Trichodesmium sp. caused many HABs in autumn (August–October) prior to 1980s with only one HAB between 1980 and 2004. The changes of the dominant HAB species may have affected the timings of HAB occurrence, as well as the increasing HAB-affected areas in recent years.

Simulation of oil spills near environmentally sensitive areas in Egyptian coastal waters

AbstractOil spills in Egyptian coastal waters have a direct impact on the national economy because of the potential environmental damage, and the corresponding negative effect on tourism. Computer simulations of oil spills were performed for four environmentally sensitive areas along Egyptian coasts using an existing oil spill model that incorporates the important variables and processes affecting oil transport in seawater. The expected slick trajectory and variation of oil properties with time were calculated for a proposed spill scenario at each site. Water current maps, the most critical model input parameter with respect to spill trajectory, were developed for each location. The simulations demonstrated that the most important oil property affecting spill response decisions and operations is the emulsion viscosity, in that it indicates when, where, and how responders can intervene for cleanup.

Multiple Antibiotic Resistances of <i>Vibrio</i> Isolates from Coastal and Brackish Water Areas

An experiment was designed to assess the occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistances in Vibrio spp. from different (brackish and marine) environments. Water samples from nine marine landing sites and two coastal inland aquaculture farms were screened for the Vibrio spp. and assessed their resistance to twenty-two different antibiotics, which are commonly encountered in the aquatic ecosystem. Tissue samples (shrimp, mussel and sepia) were tested from the sampling site with highest antibiotic resistance. Of the total 119 Vibrio isolates, 16. 8% were susceptible to all antibiotics. Of the resistant (83.19%) Vibrio strains, 30.3% were resistant against three antibiotics, 55.5% were resistant against 4-10 antibiotics, 14.14% were resistant against more than 10 antibiotics and 54% have shown multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR). Antibiotic resistance index was higher in Coastal 3, 6, Aqua farm 2 in isolates from water samples and all the tissues tested. Interestingly, incidence of antibiotic resistance in isolates from water samples was comparatively lower in aquaculture farms than that observed in coastal areas. Highest incidence of antibiotic resistance was evident against Amoxycillin, Ampicillin, Carbencillin and Cefuroxime followed by Rifampicin and Streptomycin and lowest against Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Chlortetracycline, Furazolidone, Nalidixic acid, Gentamycin Sulphafurazole, Trimethoprim, Neomycin and Amikacin irrespective of the sampling sites. Results from various tissue samples collected from the sites of highest antibiotic resistance indicated that antibiotic resistance Vibrio spp. collected from fish and tissue samples were higher than that of water samples. Overall results indicated that persistent use of antibiotics against diseases in human beings and other life forms may pollute the aquatic system and their impact on developing antibiotic resistant Vibrio spp. may be a serious threat in addition to the use of antibiotics in aquaculture farms.

Tributyltin pollution in sediments from Alexandria's coastal areas

Presence of Tributyltin (TBT) in Alexandria’s coastal water areas has been demonstrated by measuring concentrations of this compound. The TBT was measured in sediments from three docking areas namely: Western Harbour, Eastern Harbour and Abu Qir Bay. The sediment of those areas has been affected by marine traffic and other industrial activities. This is reflected by the distribution of TBT in the sediments nearby the shipyards in the three docking areas of the region where the average values of 258.6 ηg TBT/g for Western Harbour; 126.4 ηg TBT/g dw for Abu Qir Bay and 42.3 ηg TBT/g dw for the Eastern Harbour were recorded. This fact reflects the effect of industry and marine traffic on the marine environments of the Alexandria region.

The Role of the Oldest Mariculture Farm in Restoration of Stock of the Japanese Scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis (Jay, 1856) in Posyet Bay, Sea of Japan

The pilot mariculture facility for rearing commercial invertebrates has existed in Minonosok Bay of Posyet Bay, Sea of Japan, since 1971. This bay is one of the few in Primorsky Krai where the risk of destruction of mariculture plantations from the effect of storms is a minimum. The total annually yield of spat of the Japanese scallop varied from 6 to 10 million individuals. Two-thirds of this amount was placed in cages for further rearing, and the rest was seeded on the bottom or passed to other enterprises. From 1972 to 2002 there were 104 million individuals of fitted juveniles (yearlings) and 24 million young-of-the-year seeded on the bottom in coastal water areas of the Primorsky Krai from Minonosok Bay. Thanks to the activity of the mariculture farm (two farms since 1994) in Posyet Bay, the stock of the Japanese scallop, which had been depleted by over-fishing in 1934–1935, was completely restored, and, according to our assumption, the total stock of the Japanese scallop was increased two times in Peter the Great Bay.

Multiple Antibiotic Resistances of Vibrio Isolates from Coastal and Brackish Water Areas

Multiple Antibiotic Resistances of Vibrio Isolates from Coastal and Brackish Water Areas

The biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus in the upper ocean of the East China Sea

Natural activities of 32P ( t 1/2=14.3 days ) and 33P ( t 1/2=25.3 days ) in total dissolved P (TDP), suspended particulate matter, net-plankton and rainwater during the spring of 2001 were measured by an ultra-low level liquid scintillation counter. A continuous steady-state model was used to estimate residence times of various phosphorus pools and uptake rates of the biological food chain within the upper ocean of the East China Sea. 32P/ 33P ratios increased from the dissolved pools to the suspended matter and to net-plankton, reflecting that the age of P increased as one moved up through the food chain. The residence times of P in the dissolved pools of coastal water and mid-shelf area were very short (3–4 days), which suggests that low phosphorus concentrations could support relatively high levels of primary production. A phytoplankton assimilating flux of 189–814 mg C m −2 day −1 and a zooplankton grazing flux of 10–161 mg C m −2 day −1 were also estimated and show that grazing rates of carbon corresponded to 3–20% of primary production. In addition, the particulate organic carbon fluxes from the upper ocean were calculated by directly comparing the measured seawater inventory of 32P and 33P to that measured in rain, and were found to range between 8.5 and 81.0 mmol m −2 day −1. These results show that the naturally produced 32P and 33P can provide much needed information regarding the biogeochemical cycling of P in marine systems and can be of use in the development of ecosystem models that seek to address mechanisms that affect primary production in the ocean.

Molecular surveillance of enterovirus and norwalk-like virus in oysters relocated to a municipal-sewage-impacted gulf estuary.

An 18-month survey was conducted to examine the prevalence of enteric viruses and their relationship to indicators in environmentally polluted shellfish. Groups of oysters, one group per 4 weeks, were relocated to a coastal water area in the Gulf of Mexico that is impacted by municipal sewage and were analyzed for enteroviruses, Norwalk-like viruses (NLV), and indicator microorganisms (fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and male-specific coliphages). The levels of indicator microorganisms were consistent with the expected continuous pollution of the area. Fourteen of the 18 oyster samples were found by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR to harbor NLV and/or enterovirus sequences. Of the four virus-negative oysters, three had exposure to water temperatures of >29 degrees C. Concomitant with these findings, two of these four oysters also accumulated the lowest levels of coliphages. PCR primers targeting pan-enteroviruses and the NLV 95/96-US common subset were utilized; NLV sequences were detected more frequently than those of enteroviruses. Within the 12-month sampling period, NLV and enterovirus sequences were detected in 58 and 42%, respectively, of the oysters (67% of the oysters tested were positive for at least one virus) from a prohibited shellfish-growing area approximately 30 m away from a sewage discharge site. Eight (4.6%) of the 175 NLV capsid nucleotide sequences were heterogeneous among the clones derived from naturally polluted oysters. Overall, enteric viral sequences were found in the contaminated oysters throughout all seasons except hot summer, with a higher prevalence of NLV than enterovirus. Although a high percentage of the oysters harbored enteric viruses, the virus levels were usually less than or equal to 2 logs of RT-PCR-detectable units per gram of oyster meat.

Differentiation of Heavy Minerals in the Alongshore Debris Flow and Modeling of Processes of Coastal-Marine Placer Formation

The mode of material transportation and differentiation in the coastal zone of shelf is analyzed with the Val'kumei coastal-marine tin placer (Chaun Gulf, East Siberian Sea) as example. The placer incorporates two zones of cassiterite concentration. The first zone with coarse-grained cassiterite is located within the beach and adjacent coastal water area. The second zone with relatively fine-grained cassiterite is located on the submarine coastal slope in the distal area. This type of placer structure reflects the polymodal grain-size distribution of cassiterite in the bedrock source and peculiarities of material distribution in the alongshore debris flow. The proposed mathematical diffusive–convective model of coastal-marine placer formation adequately reflects the real placer structure and makes it possible to predict placer parameters in unilateral (alongshore) debris flow areas based on the composition of placer-forming source and lithodynamic parameters of the coastal water area.

우리나라 서해남부해역의 새우류 어획물에 대한 자원생물학적 연구 -1. 어획물조성과 젓새우류의 산란시기-

우리나라 새우류 생산의 <TEX>$45\%$</TEX> 이상을 차지하는 서해남부해역의 새우어업에 대한 어획물 조성뿐만 아니라 주요 어획대상종인 젓새우류 (Acetes japonicus, A. chinensis)의 자원생물학적 특성치로서 성비, 체장과 체중 및 포란수와의 상관관계와 그들의 산란시기를 조사하였다. 어장에서 이용되는 주머니얽애그물의 어획물을 2000년 3월부터 2001년 2월까지 매월 채집하였다. 총 59종이 출현하였으며 새우류 14종, 어류 34종, 기타 갑각류 8종 및 두족류 3종으로 나타났다. 조사기간동안 새우류에 대한 부수어획물의 비는 2000년 4월에 2.42로 가장 높게 나타났으며, 2000년 8월과 2001년 2월을 제외하고 전 기간동안 1 미만으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 다른 지역이나 다른 국가에서 행해지는 새우어업과 비교해 볼 때 본 어법은 새우류에 대한 어구선택성이 탁월하고 다른 어종에 미치는 영향이 작다는 것을 지적해 주고 있다. 본 연구지역에서 출현량이 가장 많은 분류군은 젓새우류 (A.ja-ponicus, A. chinensis)로 나타났다. 이들의 평균 성비는 젓새우의 경우 1.44 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 0.42, 중국젓새우의 경우 1.44 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 0.43으로 나타나 두 종 모두 암컷이 더 많이 출현하는 경향을 보여주었으며, 특히 8월에 암컷의 비율이 가장 높게 나타났다. 젓새우의 평균 포란수는 4,812 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 1,511개로 나타났으며, 중국젓새우의 평균 포란수는 5,561 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 1,900개로 나타났다. 두 종에 있어서 성숙한 암컷개체는 5월에서 8월까지 나타났다. 또한 생식소 숙도지수 (GSI)는 7월과 8월에 높게 나타났으며, 7월에 가장 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 그들의 산란시기가 여름이라는 것을 지적해 주고 있다. Investigations were made on catch composition, sex ratio, relationships between carapace length, body weight and fecundity and spawning season of major target shrimps (Acetes chinensis, A. japonicus) in the shrimp fishing areas of south-western coastal waters, accounting for about <TEX>$45\%$</TEX> of annual shrimp landings in Korea. Catches were collected monthly in the fishing areas from March 2000 to February 2001, using single pocket-walled fishing gear, Total 59 species (shrimps 14, fishes 34, other crustaceans 8 and cephalopods 3 species) occurred. During the study period the bycatch-to-shrimp ratio of shrimp fishery was 2.42 in April 2000 and less than 1 for all months except for August 2000 and Febuary 2001. Compared with shrimp fishery of other areas and nations, these results indicate that effect of the fishing gear on catches of other species is minor, suggesting higher gear selectivity for shrimps. Of shrimps, there were two dominant species (A. chinensis, A. japonirus). Average sex ratio was 1.44 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 0.42 for A. japonicus and 1,44 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 0.43 for A. chinensis, which are dominant females in August. Average fecundity was 4,812 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 1,511 for A. japonicus and 5,561 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 1,900 for A. chinensis. In the two species mature females were found in the period from May to August. Similarly, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was higher in July and August, with a peak in July, These results indicate that their main spawning season was summer.

신항만부지에서의 유동 및 수질에 관한 유한요소해석

Water flow simulations for environmental problems often require local detailed analyses for better understanding and accurate prediction of the fate of pollutant in water bodies. This study deals with the development and application of a two-dimensional flow an dispersion model to the coastal water area to find out possible changes due to the wide port development plan. As far as the spatial discretization is concerned, the finite element method is attractive because of its flexibility and ability to naturally treat complex coastal geometries. The model uses finite element theory and the Galerkin weighted-residual approach as its basis. Developed model is applied to the Busan New harbor Construction site. Results from the model were compared with the measured water level and flows in four stations. The flow pattern by the model shows to be similar to the observed data away from the construction site where the flow is not affected. From the simulation results, it is concluded that the model may be useful for numerous other studies for planning and management purposes, especially flow and pollution dispersion in the coastal water bodies where the flow is so complicated

Toxic contaminants and their biological effects in coastal waters of Xiamen, China.: II. Biomarkers and embryo malformation rates as indicators of pollution stress in fish

Baseline information is presented on embryo malformation rate and biomarkers in fish as indicators of sub-lethal stress caused by pollution in coastal waters of Xiamen, PR China. Fish and eggs were sampled from several areas in Xiamen coastal waters (Xiamen Harbour, Maluan and Tongan Bays and East Channel), where varying levels of pollutant input have been documented. Comparative sampling was done at a “cleaner” reference site at Dongshan Island. Embryonic malformation rates, which indicate general water quality, varied with location and species of fish, and exceeded background levels for unpolluted waters (assumed ∼5%) by up to eightfold at some sites. Generally, sites around Xiamen Harbour show signs of poor water quality having highest mean levels of embryo deformity (20–30%) and these decreased towards open waters (Tongan Bay, Eastern Channel) where abnormalities approached background levels. An indication that toxic contaminants may be having a localised effect in the region, particularly in the harbour was reinforced by the biomarker assays. However, activities of the biomarkers ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase in fish livers indicate no clear pattern, and there is no evidence that fish from the four sampling areas have been more or less exposed to PAHs and other compounds that induce these biomarkers. Antioxidant biomarkers (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) suggest that exposure to xenobiotics appears to be lowest in Dongshan and Maluan and highest in the harbour and Tongan. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in fish muscle indicated possible effects by organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in Xiamen waters and these effects may be greatest in the area of the harbour.

Behavior of Strontium, Fluorine, and Boron in the Kuban and Don Mouth Areas

The distributions of concentrations of dissolved Sr, Ca, F, and B in the Kuban and Don mouth areas are studied. It is found that the behavior of F and B is conservative, whereas that of Sr and Ca is slightly nonconservative and is associated with the spatial heterogeneity of the structure of the zone where the river and sea waters are mixing (this heteromogeneity can arise because of dissimilar transformation of continental river runoff in different areas of the near-mouth coastal waters). It is shown that the parameters of linear relationships between the concentrations of Sr and Ca and the chlorides content of water differ in accordance with the seasonal variations in the chemical composition of the river and the Sea of Azov waters; for F and B, such regularity is not found.

Biodiversity of Zoobenthos in the Coastal Zone of the South Coast of Crimea (Laspi Bay Area)

Based on data of a1996 benthos survey, the structure of soft bottom zoobenthos of Laspi Bay (South Coast of Crimea, the Black Sea) was examined. One hundred thirty-one species of macrozoobenthos, including 44 molluscan species, 43 annelids, 31 crustaceans and 13 species representing other groups, were recorded. Two biocenoses were distinguished: Chamelea gallina and Mytilus galloprovincialis within the depths 5–52 m. The first biocenosis was presented by two biocenosic complexes. Their structure was characterized using Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou indices. The representativeness of the basic taxonomic groups of the benthos was analyzed. The conclusion of the high species abundance of benthos in Laspi Bay was made. There were recorded changes in structure of the biocenoses, which were manifested in the development of sestonophage filterers (first of all, the mollusc Chamelea gallina) with increasing organic pollution of the coastal water areas of Black sea.

Oceanic Long-distance Navigation: Do Experienced Migrants use the Earth's Magnetic Field?

Albatrosses and sea turtles are known to perform extremely long-distance journeys between disparate feeding areas and breeding sites located on small, isolated, oceanic islands or at specific coastal sites. These oceanic journeys, performed mainly over or through apparently featureless mediums, indicate impressive navigational abilities, and the sensory mechanisms used are still largely unknown. This research used three different approaches to investigate whether bi-coordinate navigation based on magnetic field gradients is likely to explain the navigational performance of wandering albatrosses in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans and of green turtles breeding on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. The possibility that magnetic field parameters can potentially be used in a bi-coordinate magnetic map by wandering albatrosses in their foraging area was investigated by analysing satellite telemetry data published in the literature. The possibilities for using bi-coordinate magnetic navigation varied widely between different areas of the Southern Oceans, indicating that a common mechanism, based on a bi-coordinate geomagnetic map alone, was unlikely for navigation in these areas. In the second approach, satellite telemetry was used to investigate whether Ascension Island green turtles use magnetic information for navigation during migration from their breeding island to foraging areas in Brazilian coastal waters. Disturbing magnets were applied to the heads and carapaces of the turtles, but these appeared to have little effect on their ability to navigate. The only possible effect observed was that some of the turtles with magnets attached were heading for foraging areas slightly south of the control turtles along the Brazilian coast. In the third approach, breeding female green turtles were deliberately displaced in the waters around Ascension Island to investigate which cues these turtles might use to locate and return to the island; the results suggested that cues transported by wind might be involved in the final stages of navigation.

Shore-based lidar for monitoring coastal sea water areas

A shore-based lidar, which plays a vital role in the creation of continuous express monitoring of coastal sea water areas, is described. The results of testing in the region of the Blue Bay (Black Sea, near Gelendzhik) are reported. Echo-signal spectra were recorded by exciting water by light at wavelengths 532, 355 and 266 nm (second, third and fourth harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser). The dependence of the echo signal (Raman scattering of light by water molecules) on the sensing range is studied. The obtained results are in good agreement with the theory of remote laser sensing developed in this work for large sensing angles, in which the wind waves play a key role. A sensing range of 100 m was achieved using 532-nm, 10-ns laser pulses at a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz and the pulse energy of 10 mJ. The possibility of increasing the sensing range to 0.5–1 km is shown.

Change analysis using IRS-P4 OCM data after the Orissa super cyclone

The Orissa super cyclone hit the eastern coast of India in October 1999 and resulted in drastic changes to land and coastal water areas. This Letter demonstrates the use of IRS-P4 Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) data for mapping changes resulting from this cyclone. The results show pronounced change in the vegetation cover of Orissa province and also change in the chlorophyll and suspended matter concentrations of the ocean water. The eight spectral channel capability of OCM sensors enabled us to map land cover changes and changes in coastal water after the cyclone.

Change analysis using IRS-P4 OCM data after the Orissa super cyclone

The Orissa super cyclone hit the eastern coast of India in October 1999 and resulted in drastic changes to land and coastal water areas. This Letter demonstrates the use of IRS-P4 Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) data for mapping changes resulting from this cyclone. The results show pronounced change in the vegetation cover of Orissa province and also change in the chlorophyll and suspended matter concentrations of the ocean water. The eight spectral channel capability of OCM sensors enabled us to map land cover changes and changes in coastal water after the cyclone.

Corynosoma spp. may be useful biological tags for saithe in the northern North Sea

The acanthocephalan parasites Corynosoma spp. could be useful biological tags for estimating the proportions of saithe recruiting from nursery areas in Scottish and Norwegian coastal waters to the central northern North Sea.