Creek Mouth Research Articles

The impact of dredging on residence time in the Amba estuary, west coast of India

In this study, residence time (RT) and flushing characteristics of the Amba estuary were estimated using a 2D depth-averaged model driven by hydrodynamics resulting from the bathymetry changes due to dredging carried out for ease of navigation. The model was calibrated and verified using observed data for the estuary and the model results of tides, currents, and Lagrangian paths are in good agreement with the field observations. The spatial variability of RT evaluated by releasing 93 particles in the model domain during low water and high water slacks of spring and neap for the pre- and post-dredging scenarios in dry and wet seasons indicates very high RTs in the mouth segment during flood due to the transport of particles in the eastern shallow regions. The lower neap RTs, as compared to spring during wet season, are due to the resultant seaward transport of particles facilitated by the freshwater discharge against weak neap currents. With meager dry season river discharge the trend is reversed with high neap RTs as compared to spring. Average RTs in the Amba estuary has decreased marginally by 0.2 days after dredging. The spatial variations show that the RTs are decreased in a larger area in the post-dredging period except at central parts of open boundary and at mouths of Patalanganga estuary and Karanja creeks. Flushing time calculations for monsoon season show slight increase from 1.2 to 1.3 tidal cycles after dredging.

Arsenic removal from contaminated brackish sea water by sorption onto Al hydroxides and Fe phases mobilized by land-use

This study examines the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of arsenic (As) in solid and aqueous materials along the mixing zone of an estuary, located in the south-eastern part of the Bothnian Bay and fed by a creek running through an acid sulfate (AS) soil landscape. The concentrations of As in solution form (<1kDa) increase steadily from the creek mouth to the outer estuary, suggesting that inflowing seawater, rather than AS soil, is the major As source in the estuary. In sediments at the outer estuary, As was accumulated and diagenetically cycled in the surficial layers, as throughout much of the Bothnian Bay. In contrast, in sediments in the inner estuary, As concentrations and accumulation rates showed systematical peaks at greater depths. These peaks were overall consistent with the temporal trend of past As discharges from the Rönnskär smelter and the accompanied As concentrations in past sea-water of the Bothnian Bay, pointing to a connection between the historical smelter activities and the sediment-bound As in the inner estuary. However, the concentrations and accumulation rates of As peaked at depths where the smelter activities had already declined, but a large increase in the deposition of Al hydroxides and Fe phases occurred in response to intensified land-use in the mid 1960's and early 1970's. This correspondence suggests that, apart from the inflowing As-contaminated seawater, capture by Al hydroxides, Fe hydroxides and Fe-organic complexes is another important factor for As deposition in the inner estuary. After accumulating in the sediment, the solid-phase As was partly remobilized, as reflected by increased pore-water As concentrations, a process favored by As(V) reduction and high concentrations of dissolved organic matter.

Trophic Dynamics of Filter Feeding Bivalves in the Yangtze Estuarine Intertidal Marsh: Stable Isotope and Fatty Acid Analyses.

Benthic bivalves are important links between primary production and consumers, and are essential intermediates in the flow of energy through estuarine systems. However, information on the diet of filter feeding bivalves in estuarine ecosystems is uncertain, as estuarine waters contain particulate matter from a range of sources and as bivalves are opportunistic feeders. We surveyed bivalves at different distances from the creek mouth at the Yangtze estuarine marsh in winter and summer, and analyzed trophic dynamics using stable isotope (SI) and fatty acid (FA) techniques. Different bivalve species had different spatial distributions in the estuary. Glauconome chinensis mainly occurred in marshes near the creek mouth, while Sinonovacula constricta preferred the creek. Differences were found in the diets of different species. S. constricta consumed more diatoms and bacteria than G. chinensis, while G. chinensis assimilated more macrophyte material. FA markers showed that plants contributed the most (38.86 ± 4.25%) to particular organic matter (POM) in summer, while diatoms contributed the most (12.68 ± 1.17%) during winter. Diatoms made the largest contribution to the diet of S. constricta in both summer (24.73 ± 0.44%) and winter (25.51 ± 0.59%), and plants contributed no more than 4%. This inconsistency indicates seasonal changes in food availability and the active feeding habits of the bivalve. Similar FA profiles for S. constricta indicated that the bivalve had a similar diet composition at different sites, while different δ13C results suggested the diet was derived from different carbon sources (C4 plant Spartina alterniflora and C3 plant Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter) at different sites. Species-specific and temporal and/or spatial variability in bivalve feeding may affect their ecological functions in intertidal marshes, which should be considered in the study of food webs and material flows in estuarine ecosystems.

Bathymetrically controlled velocity‐shear front at a tidal river confluence

AbstractNonbuoyant front formation at the confluence of Nanjemoy Creek and the main Potomac River (MD) channel is examined. Terra satellite ASTER imagery reveals a sediment color front emerging from Nanjemoy Creek when the Potomac is near maximum ebb. Nearly contemporaneous ASTER and Landsat ETM+ imagery are used to extract surface velocities, which suggest a velocity shear front is collocated with the color front. In situ velocities (measured by RiverRay traverses near the Nanjemoy Creek mouth) confirm the shear front's presence. A finite‐element simulation (using ADCIRC) replicates the observed velocity‐shear front and is applied to decipher its physics. Three results emerge: (1) the velocity‐shear front forms, confined to a shoal downstream of the creek‐river confluence for most of the tidal cycle, (2) a simulation with a flat bottom in Nanjemoy Creek and Potomac River (i.e., no bathymetry variation) indicates the velocity‐shear front never forms, hence the front cannot exist without the bathymetry, and (3) an additional simulation with a blocked‐off Creek entrance demonstrates that while the magnitude of the velocity shear is largely unchanged without the creek, shear front formation is delayed in time. Without the Creek, there is no advection of the M6 tidal constituent (generated by nonlinear interaction of the flow with bottom friction) onto the shoals, only a locally generated contribution. A tidal phase difference between Nanjemoy and Potomac causes the ebbing Nanjemoy Creek waters to intrude into the Potomac as far south as its deep channel, and draw from a similar location in the Potomac during Nanjemoy flood.

Assessing the Relationship between Gulls Larus spp. and Pacific Salmon in Central California Using Radiotelemetry

AbstractPredation by marine birds has resulted in substantial losses to runs of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., in some cases necessitating management action. Recovery of PIT tags on a seabird breeding colony (Año Nuevo Island) indicated that western gulls Larus occidentalis prey upon federally listed Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and steelhead O. mykiss in central California. Whereas salmonid populations in central California have decreased in recent decades, the western gull population on Año Nuevo Island has increased. We observed gulls Larus spp. within estuaries to document predation and used radiotelemetry to examine gull movement in relation to the availability of salmonids. During 2008 and 2009, observed predation events of out‐migrating salmonids by gulls were rare; 21 events occurred during 338 h of observations at two estuaries. During the prehatch and chick‐rearing phases of breeding, which coincided with migration of salmonids from fresh to salt water, 74% of the detections of radio‐tagged western gulls occurred within 25 km of Año Nuevo Island, suggesting that the relative susceptibility of predation by western gulls using Año Nuevo Island decreased with distance from the island. Western gull presence at creek mouths was greatest during daylight hours (91% of detections), while juvenile salmonids were present predominantly at night (65% of detections). The greatest overlap between western gulls and salmonids occurred at dusk, and predation of out‐migrating salmonids was likely opportunistic. Deterring gulls from creek mouths when overlap between predator and prey might otherwise occur may buffer out‐migrating salmonids from predation. Our results will inform management strategies to most effectively reduce the impacts of gull predation on central California salmonids.Received May 8, 2014; accepted March 11, 2015

Spatial and temporal variability of carbon dioxide and methane fluxes over semi-diurnal and spring–neap–spring timescales in a mangrove creek

Automated in situ instrumentation captured high-resolution surface water pCO2, CH4 and 222Rn data at the creek mouth, and ∼500m upstream in a sub-tropical mangrove ecosystem (Southern Moreton Bay, Australia, S27.78°, E153.38°) over a spring-neap-spring tidal cycle (∼15days) during November 2013. The partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) ranged from 385 to 26,106μatm, CH4 from 1.8 to 889nM, and 222Rn from 280 to 108,172dpmm−3. Average surface water pCO2, CH4 and 222Rn were 4-fold higher at the upstream station. Surface water fluxes of CO2 and CH4 ranged from 9.4 to 629.2mmolCO2m−2d−1 and 13.1 to 632.9μmolCH4m−2d−1 depending upon the gas transfer model used and station location. Creek pCO2, CH4 and 222Rn displayed changes over both semi-diurnal and spring–neap–spring tidal scales. Semi-diurnally, all gases had a significant inverse relationship with water depth. Over the spring–neap–spring cycle, all gases exhibited an inverse relationship with tidal amplitude, with higher values during neap tides than spring tides. Estimated fluxes, porewater observations, and the significant positive relationship between surface water pCO2 and CH4, and 222Rn suggests groundwater exchange (i.e., tidal pumping) drives pCO2 and CH4 within the mangrove creek. We hypothesize that a combination of hourly and weekly groundwater–surface water exchange processes drive surface water pCO2 and CH4 in mangrove creeks. Semi-diurnally, flushing of crab burrows leads to high pCO2 and CH4 concentrations at low tide. During the spring–neap–spring cycle, older groundwater enriched in CO2, CH4 and 222Rn seeps into the creek as tidal amplitude decreases, leading to higher concentrations at neap tides.

Predictors of mercury spatial patterns in San Francisco Bay forage fish

Pollution reduction efforts should be targeted toward those sources that result in the highest bioaccumulation. For mercury (Hg) in estuaries and other complex water bodies, carefully designed biosentinel monitoring programs can help identify predictors of bioaccumulation and inform management priorities for source reduction. This study employed a probabilistic forage fish Hg survey with hypothesis testing in San Francisco Bay (California, USA). The goal was to determine what pollution sources, regions, and landscape features were associated with elevated Hg bioaccumulation. Across 99 sites, whole-body Hg concentrations in Mississippi silversides (Menidia audens) and topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) followed a broad spatial gradient, declining with distance from the Guadalupe River (Pearson's r = -0.69 and -0.42, respectively), which drains historic mining areas. Site landscape attributes and local Hg sources had subtle effects, which differed between fish species. Topsmelt Hg increased in embayment sites (i.e., enclosed sites including channels, creek mouths, marinas, and coves) and sites with historic Hg-contaminated sediment, suggesting an influence of legacy industrial and mining contamination. In 2008, Mississippi silverside Hg was reduced at sites draining wastewater-treatment plants. Fish Hg was not related to abundance of surrounding wetland cover but was elevated in some watersheds draining from historic Hg-mining operations. Results indicated both regional and site-specific influences for Hg bioaccumulation in San Francisco Bay, including legacy contamination and proximity to treated wastewater discharge.

Evaluation of impact of industrial effluents on intertidal sediments of a creek

A large amount of material in the form of industrial effluents and urban sewage containing metal contaminants directly enters Dudh creek. Metals on entering the creek tend to settle at the bottom and become part of the sediments. The distribution of metals with depth reflects changes in their supply as well as diagenetic modifications with time. In the present study, an attempt has been made to understand the impact of waste discharged from Tarapur Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation on Dudh creek. Two cores were collected, one close to the creek mouth and the other in the inner part of the creek. Sediment component, organic carbon and metal (vanadium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, manganese, iron and aluminium) analyses were carried out on the two cores. The variation in the distribution of sediment components with depth reflects changes in hydrodynamic condition of the creek over the years. Increase in concentration of most of the metals in the upper part of the cores indicates additional input in recent years. The core collected in the inner part of the creek showed higher metal and organic carbon concentration as compared to the downstream core. This was very well supported by distribution of points on an isocon plot. Enrichment factor and index of geoaccumulation were used to find the extent of pollution in sediments of the creek. Correlation and R-mode factor analysis have also been computed to understand the association and source of metal input in sediments of Dudh creek.

Attenuation of rare earth elements in a boreal estuary

This study focuses on attenuation of rare earth elements (REE) when a boreal creek, acidified and loaded with REE and other metals as a result of wetland drainage, empties into a brackish-water estuary (salinity<6‰). Surface water was collected in a transect from the creek mouth to the outer estuary, and settling (particulate) material in sediment traps moored at selected locations in the estuary. Ultrafiltration, high-resolution ICP-MS and modeling were applied on the waters, and a variety of chemical reagents were used to extract metals from the settling material. Aluminium, Fe and REE transported by the acidic creek were extensively removed in the inner/central estuary where the acidic water was neutralised, whereas Mn was relatively persistent in solution and thus redistributed to particles and deposited further down the estuary. The REE removal was caused by several contemporary mechanisms: co-precipitation with oxyhydroxides (mainly Al but also Fe), complexation with flocculating humic substances and sorption to suspended particles. Down estuary the dissolved REE pool, remaining after removal, was fractionated: the <1kDa pool became depleted in the middle REE and the colloidal (0.45μm–1kDa) pool depleted in the middle and heavy REE. This fractionation was controlled by the removal process, such that those REE with highest affinity for the settling particles became most depleted in the remaining dissolved pool. Modeling, based on Visual MINTEQ version 3.0 and the Stockholm Humic Model after revision and updating, predicted that the dissolved (<0.45μm) REE pool in the estuary is bound almost entirely to humic substances. Acid sulphate soils, the source of the REE and other metals in the creek water, are widespread on coastal plains worldwide and therefore the REE attenuation patterns and mechanisms identified in the studied estuary are relevant for recognition of similar geochemical processes and conditions in a variety of coastal locations.

Tidal exchange of total mercury and methylmercury between a salt marsh and a Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary

We examined the net exchange of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) between a tidal marsh and its adjacent estuary over a 1-year period from August 2007 to July 2008. Our objectives were to estimate the importance of tidal salt marshes as sources and sinks of mercury within the Chesapeake Bay system, and to examine the hydrologic and biogeochemical controls on mercury fate and transport in tidal marshes. Tidal flows and water chemistry were measured at an established tidal flume at the mouth of the principal tidal creek of a 3-ha marsh section at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Fluxes were estimated by combining continuous tidal flow measurement for the entire study year, with discrete, hourly, flow-weighted measurements of filterable and particulate THg and MeHg, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and suspended particulate matter (SPM) made over 20 tidal cycles during the year. We found that the marsh was a relatively small net tidal source of MeHg, mainly during the warmer growing season. We also confirmed that the marsh was a substantial source of DOC to the adjacent estuary. DOC was a significant predictor of both filterable THg and MeHg fluxes. However, although the marsh was a source of filterable THg, it was overall a net sink for THg because of particulate trapping. The net per-area annual flux of MeHg from tidal marshes is greater than other MeHg pathways within Chesapeake Bay. The annual load of MeHg from tidal marshes into Chesapeake Bay, however, is likely small relative to fluvial fluxes and efflux from bottom sediment. This study suggests that MeHg production within the tidal marsh has greater consequences for biota inhabiting the marsh than for the efflux of MeHg from the marsh.

Variation in nutrient limitation and seagrass nutrient content in Bahamian tidal creek ecosystems

The traditional model of nutrient availability in coastal estuarine ecosystems is based on predictable inputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) via riverine and oceanic sources, respectively. But coastlines with low nutrient input from these sources may not fit into this simple framework. Here we use observational (seagrass nutrient content) and experimental (nutrient enrichment assays) data for assessing nutrient availability and limitation for primary producers along a spatial transect extending from the mouth (nearest to the ocean) to the terminal portion (boundary with the terrestrial ecosystem) of three coastal mangrove-lined tidal creeks in The Bahamas. Compiling seagrass nutrient content from all sites showed a negative relationship between seagrass nutrient limitation (either N or P) and distance from mouth, but this pattern differed across sites with respect to which nutrient was more limiting. Our experimental results demonstrated patterns of decreased response by microalgae to dual nutrient enrichment in one site with distance from the creek mouth, and increased response to single nutrient enrichment in another, with the third showing no trend along this gradient. Our findings show that Bahamian mangrove wetlands are extremely nutrient-limited ecosystems, and that the most limiting nutrient varied among sites. In general, these ecosystems deviate from the typical paradigm of spatial nutrient limitation patterns in estuaries. We suggest that various site-specific biological and physical factors may be more important than large-scale hydrologic factors in driving trends of nutrient availability in coastal ecosystems under strong nutrient constraints, such as in The Bahamas. Our findings suggest that even minor changes in nutrient loading rates can have significant implications for primary production in subtropical oligotrophic systems.

Environmental impact of historical harbour city Zadar (Croatia) on the composition of marine sediments and soils

Sediment samples and soils along the coast line of the Adriatic Sea were sampled along a transect near the coast line at Zadar/Croatia, ranging from north-western suburbs via the historical centre and the industrial area to south-east suburbs. The sediments were dominated by carbonates and clay minerals, and contaminations with Cd-Cu-Pb-Zn-TOC (total organic carbon) at the historical centre and the industrial site were detected, as well as P and Mo input at the mouth of a small creek, probably from agriculture. No trends between the composition of surface and subsurface sea sediments were seen. At the historic harbour site, total element concentrations versus grain size showed a minimum in the fine silt fraction for most of the elements analysed. The soil samples behind the shoreline were not carbonaceous, but dominated by Fe-Al- oxides, some contained high levels of Be-Cd-Cu-Sn-Zn. Surprisingly, high TOC values within the soils might be assigned to human impacts, not to humus. Contrary to data from street dust samples from Seoul city/Korea, which were measured within our laboratory at the same time, Pt-Ir-Au were at ambient levels due to the limited use of catalysts in cars in the Zadar area at the time of sampling.

History and Trends of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals Within and Close to a Marine Area of National Interest: The Ligurian Sea off Cogoleto-Stoppani (Genoa, Italy)

Due to its remarkable sediment pollution caused by past industrial activities, the Mediterranean coastal area facing the town of Cogoleto (near Genoa) has been declared of “national interest”. Seven sediment cores were analysed to provide information on history and trend of heavy metal inputs, with a particular focus on Cr. Grain-size compositions and 210Pb chronologies account for a strong influence of terrigenous inputs near the coast and the mouth of the Lerone Creek (draining the industrial settlement), with sand contents and accumulation rates varying from 40.3% and 0.7 cm year−1 near shore to 2.5% and 0.1 cm year−1 offshore. Heavy metal concentrations are high, notably Cr and Ni, and to a lesser extent, Ag, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn. Cr, that shows past values up to 3,642 µg g−1, presents only minor recent decreases. In the area, it has both natural and anthropogenic sources and their relative contributions were distinguished on the basis of Cr/Ni ratios. These are 1–1.5 in soils and rocks of the Lerone Creek catchment area but reach very high values (up to 10) in marine sediments due to the anthropogenic contribution. The anthropogenic influence is higher near the creek mouth, gradually decreases offshore and is negligible at the most distal site (ca. 2.9 km from the coast).

Morphological characters and occurrence patterns of juveniles of two estuarine gobies, Acentrogobius kranjiensis and Acentrogobius malayanus, verified by molecular identification

Juveniles of two Acentrogobius species collected in a mangrove estuary in Sikao Creek, southern Thailand, were identified by morphological and molecular methods. A total of 1315 Acentrogobius specimens were collected and grouped into types A (n = 1107, 4.4-12.0 mm standard length, L(S)) (melanophore absent or indistinct on posterodorsal contour of caudal peduncle; two rows of melanophore blotches on lateral midline) and B (n = 208, 4.8-12.6 mm L(S)) (distinct melanophore on posterodorsal contour of caudal peduncle; a single row of melanophore blotches on lateral midline). Based on the reverse series method, the melanophore patterns of larger juveniles were linked with the smallest specimens possessing adult characters. The homogeneities of mitochondrial cytochrome b region sequences between the two juvenile types and adult Acentrogobius species collected in the study area indicated type A to be A. kranjiensis (homogeneity between type A and A. kranjiensis: 99.3-100%), and type B to be A. malayanus (homogeneity between latter 98.1 and 99.7%). No Acentrogobius juveniles were collected from the surf zone outside the creek mouth, both species apparently spending most of their life histories within the estuarine habitat. During their pelagic phase, A. kranjiensis and A. malayanus dispersed in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the creek. On the other hand, occurrence patterns during the benthic phase of A. kranjiensis and A. malayanus differed, the former showing upstream movement and the latter downstream movement with growth. These results emphasize the necessity of analysing early fish life histories at the species level, and the collaboration between morphological and molecular methods should prove valuable in accurately identifying of larvae and juveniles.

Tributary Plunging in an Urban Lake (Onondaga Lake): Drivers, Signatures, and Implications

Abstract: A combination of long-term fixed-frequency and robotic monitoring information for a polluted urban lake, Onondaga Lake, New York, and two of its tributaries is used to resolve the propensity for, and occurrences of, tributary plunging. Cooler temperatures (T) and higher salinity (S) are primarily responsible for the elevated density and plunging of one of these polluted streams for the summer through early fall interval. In-lake transport of this plunging tributary, which receives inputs from combined sewer overflows (CSOs), is tracked by its high S during dry weather, its high turbidity (Tn) with associated lower S (dilution with rainwater) following runoff events, and by its characteristic ionic composition. These signatures are documented extending from the creek mouth, through a connecting navigation channel, through the inflow zone of the lake, and into metalimnetic depths of pelagic portions of the lake. The entry of this polluted tributary below the depth interval(s) of primary production and contact recreation has important implications for the ongoing major rehabilitation program for this lake. The plunging phenomenon diminishes the benefits previously expected for related features of the lake’s water quality from ongoing management efforts to abate CSO inputs and reduce nonpoint nutrient loading from the tributary. Previously this tributary tended to instead enter the upper layers of the lake during the operation of an adjoining soda ash manufacturing facility (closure in 1986), as a result of high lake S caused by the industry’s ionic waste discharge.

PERFORMANCE OF CONTINUOUS AND STAGGERED TRAINING WORKS IN TIDAL REGIMES UNDER OBLIQUELY INCIDENT CURRENT

ABSTRACT The use of training works in the form of spurs/guide bunds and training jetties/breakwaters are common in river/estuarine environment to maintain the course of river or natural depths in navigational channel at inlets. However use of training works in the regions near the mouth of creek in the gulfs requires thorough understanding of flow/morphological processes, since flow conditions are more complicated due to presence of large regions, dynamic shoals and natural channels. The mathematical model studies to examine flow hydrodynamics around 1000 m long solid continuous and staggered training work under obliquely incident current at 90°, 60° and 45° orientation with the flow were carried out by setting up a sufficiently wide test channel with training work at its center. The studies carried out revealed that effect of continuous/staggered training work on flow regime is prominent up to a distance of about half the length of training work on up-flow side, while up to one and half times the length on down-flow side of it. The staggered training work with current/flow at 90° to it revealed that it helps in reducing flow/sediment carrying capacity behind training work compared to solid continuous training work. Also staggered training work at 45° orientations would be suitable for reducing flow/sediment carrying capacity in navigational channel on down flow side. Planning and constructing such training works at a distance of about one and half times its length on up-flow side of navigational channel would be beneficial to reduce siltation in navigational channel in complex tidal regimes like gulfs and creek confluence.

Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of the macrozoobenthos assemblage in the salt marshes of Tejo estuary (Portugal)

The present study focuses on the spatial and temporal distribution of the macroinvertebrate community of the salt marsh areas of the Tejo estuary, based on surveys conducted from autumn 1998 to summer 2000. Samples were collected quarterly in five different intertidal areas along an elevation gradient in: mudflats, creek mouths, creeks, pioneer salt marsh areas and middle marsh areas. A total of 36 benthic invertebrate taxa were identified. Insect larvae were the most well represented group, with 10 taxa identified. Oligochaetes and ostracods were the most numerically abundant taxa, whereas bivalves dominated in biomass. Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were dominated, both in number and biomass, by deposit feeders. Three distinct macroinvertebrate assemblages were distinguished along the elevation gradient, based on species presence, density and biomass: the unvegetated muddy areas with a macrobenthic assemblage composed mostly by infauna; the salt marsh pioneer areas of Spartina maritima in which several epibenthic taxa were found, as well as endobenthic taxa characteristic of muddy sediment; and the creek margins, with epifauna taxa such as insect larvae and crustaceans and a low abundance of benthic infauna. Total biomass in the unvegetated and Spartina areas was higher during spring and summer mainly due to the increase in biomass of Scrobicularia plana and Hydrobia ulvae. No decreases in the salt marsh macroinvertebrate biomass values were observed during the highest densities of their potential nektonic predators (summer). This fact might indicate that macroinvertebrates are not a limiting resource for the nektonic species, and that the natural biomass increment of these invertebrate species could be masking the predation/disturbance caused by the nektonic species.

Effects of Hydrological Flow Regime on Sediment-water Interface and Water Column Nitrogen Dynamics in a Great Lakes Coastal Wetland (Old Woman Creek, Lake Erie)

Sediment-water interface nitrogen (N) transformations and water column ammonium cycling rates were measured along a stream to lake gradient at three sites within Old Woman Creek (OWC) and one near-shore Lake Erie site during two hydrological regimes: one with open flow to the lake after a rain event (July 2003), and another with a sand barrier blocking flow (July 2004). Net N2 effluxes in OWC at all times and at the near-shore Lake Erie site in July 2003 suggest that sediments are a N sink via denitrification. Observed dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) may counteract some of this N removal, particularly when the creek mouth is closed. Upstream, a closed creek mouth led to higher sediment oxygen demand, net N 2 flux, potential DNRA, and potential denitrification rates. The lake site exhibited lower rates of these processes with the creek mouth closed except denitrification potential, which was unchanged. Denitrification in OWC appeared to drive N limitation in the lower wetland when the sand barrier was blocking flow to the lake. Higher potential versus in situ denitrification estimates imply that water column NO 3 − limits and drives denitrification in OWC. Water column to sediment regeneration ratios suggest that sediment recycling may drive primary production in the OWC interior when the creek mouth is closed and new N inputs from runoff are absent, but more data are needed to confirm these apparent trends. Overall, hydrological regime in OWC appeared to have a greater impact on sediment N processes than on water column cycling.

Beach morphology and coastal protection along Ennore coast in the north of Chennai city, southeast India

Baseline information on the beach Abstract: morphology along the Ennore coast, an industrial hotspot region in the East coast of Bay of Bengal, is presented. In order to assess the effect of human interference on the coastal zone, a baseline survey of the coastline is considered important. Such information enables to predict the future coastal morphology and settings. Based on the baseline data created, this study predicts that the accretion noticed in the southern side of the Ennore port will affect the port entrance channel in the future course. Therefore it warrants for immediate mitigation measures to curtail such accretion and also recommends for keeping the Ennore creek mouth open permanently. Ennore creek also serves as the coolant source for the two thermal power plant units. The study also put forward certain other mitigation measures which are relevant in the present event of developments. Adjacent to Pulicat Lake, the erosion is continuously taking place at an alarming rate making vulnerable for a striking storm to wash away the villages under the sea. It may also lead to the merger of the Pulicat Lake into the Bay of Bengal, thereby the brackish water ecosystem of the lake may altogether disappear causing several ecological and social problems. The study concludes that a long-term integrated coastal monitoring is the need of the hour

Ecology of benthic foraminifers in the littoral zone of Iturup Island

The composition and abundance of present-day benthic foraminifers in the littoral zone of Iturup Island are examined. The littoral zone is surveyed on the sides of both the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean. The greatest species diversity and the maximum foraminifer abundance were observed on the bench and at the sites of attachment of seaweeds and aquatic plants on silted sands and on sands with an admixture of coquina, silt, and detritus from the adjacent coast. The minimum diversity and abundance are confined to the mouths of rivers and creeks; over rocky plates, where sediments cannot be retained and there are no attached seaweeds and aquatic plants; and in areas not protected from wind-wave action. It was stated that the foraminifer assemblages on the sides of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean differ both in their species diversity and in their population density over the littoral zone. A morphological comparison between the species Buccella granulata and B. inusitata from different areas of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean is presented.