Declining Oxygen Levels Research Articles

Ru(dpp)3]Cl2-Embedded Oxygen Nano Polymeric Sensors: A Promising Tool for Monitoring Intracellular and Intratumoral Oxygen Gradients with High Quantum Yield and Long Lifetime.

Unraveling the intricacies between oxygen dynamics and cellular processes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) hinges upon precise monitoring of intracellular and intratumoral oxygen levels, which holds paramount significance. The majority of these reported oxygen nanoprobes suffer compromised lifetime and quantum yield when exposed to the robust ROS activities prevalent in TME, limiting their prolonged in vitro usability. Herein, the ruthenium-embedded oxygen nano polymeric sensor (Ru-ONPS) is proposed for precise oxygen gradient monitoring within the cellular environment and TME. Ru-ONPS (≈64±7nm) incorporates [Ru(dpp)3]Cl2 dye into F-127 and crosslinks it with urea and paraformaldehyde, ensuring a prolonged lifetime (5.4 µs), high quantum yield (66.65±2.43% in N2 and 49.80±3.14% in O2), superior photostability (>30 min), and excellent stability in diverse environmental conditions. Based on the Stern-Volmer plot, the Ru-ONPS shows complete linearity for a wide dynamic range (0-23 mg L-1), with a detection limit of 10 µg mL-1. Confocal imaging reveals Ru-ONPS cellular uptake and intratumoral distribution. After 72 h, HCT-8 cells show 5.20±1.03% oxygen levels, while NIH3T3 cells have 7.07±1.90%. Co-culture spheroids display declining oxygen levels of 17.90±0.88%, 10.90±0.88%, and 5.10±1.18%, at 48, 120, and 216 h, respectively. Ru-ONPS advances cellular oxygen measurement and facilitates hypoxia-dependent metastatic research and therapeutic target identification.

Growth Responses and Adventitious Root Formation of Cucumber Hybrid Lines in a Waterlogged Condition

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) F1 hybrids are grown commercially in open-field or greenhouse conditions. Hybrids are well adapted to these settings due to directed breeding. In protected cultivation systems, a small rhizosphere volume and intensive, continuous fertigation predispose the roots to waterlogging (WL) conditions and potentially to hypoxia. However, high productivity is expected and achieved under these conditions. The aim of this study was to identify traits that play a role in this surprising behavior. Initial observations revealed the presence of a significantly higher number of adventitious roots (ARs) in three greenhouse (7–14) vs. three open-field cultivars (less than two) grown under normal conditions. Further on, two contrasting representative hybrids typically grown in open-field and in greenhouse conditions were subjected to WL stress. Declining oxygen levels in the media and increased alcohol dehydrogenase activity (ADH) in the roots were experienced during the WL treatment in both hybrids, with anaerobic metabolism triggered less intensively (~4-fold less ADH activity) in the greenhouse-type ‘Oitol’. The induction characteristics of cysteine oxidase (CysOx) genes, key components of the hypoxia sensing pathway, were used to confirm the hypoxic stress experienced by the roots. The lower extent of upregulation in CysOx genes expression agreed with the milder level of hypoxic stress in the roots of ‘Oitol’ than in ‘Joker’. The more efficient induction of AR formation with a ~50% increase upon waterlogging stress was found to be a prominent trait in ‘Oitol’, apparently helping root internal aeration and mitigating hypoxia. The shoot growth of neither hybrid was set back by hypoxic root conditions. ‘Joker’ plants maintained the same growth rate as that of the control, while the growth of ‘Oitol’ accelerated when its root system was flooded with nutrient solution. Acclimation processes to hypoxia were proposed to explain the lack of growth retardation in both varieties. This corresponded well with a general abundance of AR development in greenhouse-type (slicing) cucumbers that are typically cultivated in soilless systems.

Environmental Controls on Predator and Prey Body Size in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The Mississippi River delivers vast quantities of nutrient-rich freshwater to the northern Gulf of Mexico, fueling primary productivity in the coastal zone. Aerobic decomposition of these phytoplankton blooms has resulted in one of the most extensive dead zones on Earth. In contrast, primary productivity and hypoxia are more limited in the northeastern Gulf, where coastal environments are fed by smaller watersheds. How do environmental factors such as primary productivity, oxygen availability, and sea surface temperature shape coastal food webs? Here, we investigate environmental correlates of predator and prey body size in benthic mollusks using Holocene death assemblages. Results of linear mixed effects models indicate that bivalve size and the frequency of drilling predation are both influenced by dissolved oxygen concentrations; bivalve size increases and drilling frequency decreases with declining oxygen levels. Sea surface temperature is positively associated with predator and prey size, whereas net primary productivity has little effect on the size of predators or prey. Predator-to-prey size ratios were not significantly associated with any of the environmental factors considered. Larger bivalves found in oxygen-limited areas may be due to decreased predation pressure, resulting in greater prey longevity. Warmer waters with sufficient dissolved oxygen may also provide suitable growth conditions to increase the size of bivalves and predatory gastropods. Holocene death assemblages can be used to test long-standing hypotheses regarding environmental controls on predator-prey body size distributions through geologic time and provide baselines for assessing the ongoing effects of anthropogenic eutrophication and warming on coastal food webs.

About the Cover

Next article FreeAbout the CoverPDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMoreThe cover image illustrates a key but underappreciated threat of global change—that oxygen levels are declining in many aquatic ecosystems. These declines are caused by human-induced inputs of nutrients, as well as rising temperatures, which increase stratification. At the same time, rising temperatures and other climatic stressors increase metabolic demand for oxygen in many organisms. Together, these effects are starting to cause oxygen deficits and hence energy deficits, affecting the physiology, ecology, and evolution of aquatic animals.Because the vast majority of the energy that fuels animal life comes from aerobic metabolism, we urgently need to understand how declining oxygen levels affect responses of aquatic animals to changing global conditions. This special symposium issue brings together an integrative set of papers to examine the importance of oxygen for aquatic life, with perspectives ranging from molecular adaptations to organisms and ecosystems. Collectively, the papers examine where, how, and why oxygen availability is changing, the importance of interactions between oxygen availability and other climate stressors, the mechanisms that underlie these interactions, and suites of potential biological responses to changing oxygen availability. These responses range from short-term molecular, cellular, and physiological responses to medium-term acclimation and longer-term ecological and evolutionary changes. Together, the symposium papers provide an integrative overview of the role of oxygen, demonstrating its pervasiveness and illustrating the importance of oxygen in a broad suite of potential responses to climate change.Credits: Image from Earth-Erde.jpg: Heikenwaelder Hugoderivative work: HAF 932, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cover design, Olivia Kinker, University of Chicago Press. Next article DetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Biological Bulletin Volume 243, Number 2October 2022An Oxygen Perspective on Climate Change Published in association with the Marine Biological Laboratory Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/724026 © 2022 The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

The impact of chronic mild hypoxia on cerebrovascular remodelling; uncoupling of angiogenesis and vascular breakdown

BackgroundChronic mild hypoxia (CMH, 8% O2) stimulates robust vascular remodelling in the brain, but it also triggers transient vascular disruption. This raises the fundamental question: is the vascular leak an unwanted side-effect of angiogenic remodelling or is it a pathological response, unrelated to endothelial proliferation, in which declining oxygen levels trigger endothelial dysfunction?MethodsTo answer this question, mice were exposed to CMH (8% O2) for periods up to 14 days, after which, brain tissue was examined by immunofluorescence (IF) to determine which type of blood vessel (arteriole, capillary or venule) was most commonly associated with endothelial proliferation and vascular leak and how this correlated with tight junction protein expression. Vascular perfusion was examined using DiI. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison post-hoc test.ResultsThe following was observed: (1) most endothelial proliferation and extravascular fibrinogen leak occurred in capillaries and to a lesser degree in venules, (2) much to our surprise, endothelial proliferation and extravascular fibrinogen leak never colocalized, (3) interestingly however, endothelial proliferation was strongly associated with an intravascular fibrinogen staining pattern not seen in stable blood vessels, (4) DiI perfusion studies revealed that angiogenic vessels were adequately perfused, suggesting that fibrinogen retention in angiogenic vessels is not due to temporary closure of the vessel, but more likely because fibrinogen is retained within the vessel wall, (5) bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling as a means to more permanently label proliferating endothelial cells, confirmed lack of any connection between endothelial proliferation and extravascular fibrinogen leak, while (6) in contrast, proliferating microglia were detected within extravascular leaks.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings support the concept that in the short-term, hypoxia-induced endothelial proliferation triggers transient fibrinogen deposition within the walls of angiogenic blood vessels, but no overt vascular leak occurs in these vessels. Importantly, endothelial proliferation and extravascular fibrinogen leaks never co-localize, demonstrating that extravascular leak is not an unwanted side-effect of angiogenic endothelial proliferation, but rather a dysfunctional vascular response to hypoxia that occurs in a distinct group of non-angiogenic blood vessels.

Hypoxia Tolerance of 10 Euphausiid Species in Relation to Vertical Temperature and Oxygen Gradients.

Oxygen Minimum Zones prevail in most of the world’s oceans and are particularly extensive in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems such as the Humboldt and the Benguela upwelling systems. In these regions, euphausiids are an important trophic link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. The species are known as pronounced diel vertical migrators, thus facing different levels of oxygen and temperature within a 24 h cycle. Declining oxygen levels may lead to vertically constrained habitats in euphausiids, which consequently will affect several trophic levels in the food web of the respective ecosystem. By using the regulation index (RI), the present study aimed at investigating the hypoxia tolerances of different euphausiid species from Atlantic, Pacific as well as from Polar regions. RI was calculated from 141 data sets and used to differentiate between respiration strategies using median and quartile (Q) values: low degree of oxyregulation (0.25 < RI median < 0.5); high degree of oxyregulation (0.5 < RI median < 1; Q1 > 0.25 or Q3 > 0.75); and metabolic suppression (RI median, Q1 and Q3 < 0). RI values of the polar (Euphausia superba, Thysanoessa inermis) and sub-tropical (Euphausia hanseni, Nyctiphanes capensis, and Nematoscelis megalops) species indicate a high degree of oxyregulation, whereas almost perfect oxyconformity (RI median ≈ 0; Q1 < 0 and Q3 > 0) was identified for the neritic temperate species Thysanoessa spinifera and the tropical species Euphausia lamelligera. RI values of Euphausia distinguenda and the Humboldt species Euphausia mucronata qualified these as metabolic suppressors. RI showed a significant impact of temperature on the respiration strategy of E. hanseni from oxyregulation to metabolic suppression. The species’ estimated hypoxia tolerances and the degree of oxyconformity vs. oxyregulation were linked to diel vertical migration behavior and the temperature experienced during migration. The results highlight that the euphausiid species investigated have evolved various strategies to deal with different levels of oxygen, ranging from species showing a high degree of oxyconformity to strong oxyregulation. Neritic species may be more affected by hypoxia, as these are often short-distance-migrators and only adapted to a narrow range of environmental conditions.

The evolving response of mesopelagic fishes to declining midwater oxygen concentrations in the southern and central California Current

AbstractDeclining oxygen concentrations in the deep ocean, particularly in areas with pronounced oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), are a growing global concern related to global climate change. Its potential impacts on marine life remain poorly understood. A previous study suggested that the abundance of a diverse suite of mesopelagic fishes off southern California was closely linked to trends in midwater oxygen concentration. This study expands the spatial and temporal scale of that analysis to examine how mesopelagic fishes are responding to declining oxygen levels in the California Current (CC) off central, southern, and Baja California. Several warm-water mesopelagic species, apparently adapted to the shallower, more intense OMZ off Baja California, are shown to be increasing despite declining midwater oxygen concentrations and becoming increasingly dominant, initially off Baja California and subsequently in the CC region to the north. Their increased abundance is associated with warming near-surface ocean temperature, the warm phase of the Pacific Decadal oscillation and Multivariate El Niño-Southern Oscillation Index, and the increased flux of Pacific Equatorial Water into the southern CC.

Risks of hypoxia and acidification in the high energy coastal environment near Victoria, Canada's untreated municipal sewage outfalls

Wastewater disposal often has deleterious impacts on the receiving environment. Low dissolved oxygen levels are particularly concerning. Here, we investigate the impacts on dissolved oxygen and carbon chemistry of screened municipal wastewater in the marine waters off Victoria, Canada. We analyzed data from undersea moorings, ship-based monitoring, and remotely-operated vehicle video. We used these observations to construct a two-layer model of the nearfield receiving environment. Despite the lack of advanced treatment, dissolved oxygen levels near the outfalls were well above a 62 μmol kg−1 hypoxic threshold. Furthermore, the impact on water column oxygen at the outfall is likely <2 μmol kg−1. Dissolved inorganic carbon is not elevated and pH not depressed compared to the surrounding region. Strong tidal currents and cold, well-ventilated waters give Victoria's marine environment a high assimilative capacity for organic waste. However, declining oxygen levels offshore put water near the outfall at risk of future hypoxia.

New insights into cell non-autonomous mechanisms of theC. eleganshypoxic response

The hypoxic response is a well-studied and highly conserved biological response to low oxygen availability. First described more than 20 y ago, the traditional model for this response is that declining oxygen levels lead to stabilization of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs), which then bind to hypoxia responsive elements (HREs) in target genes to mediate the transcriptional changes collectively known as the hypoxic response.(1,2) Recent work in C. elegans has forced a re-evaluation of this model by indicating that the worm HIF (HIF-1) can mediate effects in a cell non-autonomous fashion and, in at least one case, increase expression of an intestinal hypoxic response target gene in cells lacking HIF-1.

Primary productivity controls on opportunistic bivalves during Early Jurassic oceanic deoxygenation

Severe paleoclimatic change during the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) oceanic anoxic event (OAE) was characterized by a negative δ 13 C excursion, increased weathering, higher seawater temperatures, oceanic deoxygenation, and mass extinction. We present abundance and size data (n ≈ 36,000) for the two dominant epifaunal bivalve species from the Toarcian OAE, Yorkshire, UK. We statistically correlate the biotic data with geochemical proxies for environmental change and show that our results are comparable with changes in present-day ecosystems affected by hypoxia. Bositra radiata dominated during declining oxygen levels immediately before the Toarcian OAE sensu stricto, and shell size doubled when δ 13 C org was decreasing, indicating a connection with primary productivity. Small Pseudomytiloides dubius dominated during the Toarcian OAE and varied sharply in abundance, indicating that it was highly opportunistic. P. dubius shell size is strongly related to Mo concentration, [Mo]; this indicates a relationship between size and N 2 -fi xing primary productivity via [Mo] limitation. A secondary factor contributing to small shell size was lower oxygen levels. After the Toarcian OAE diversity increased, P. dubius was less abundant and shell size doubled, indicating that bivalve populations were less limited by resources and conditions were more favorable. Size frequency distributions show that both Toarcian species had short life spans, rapid generation times, high recruitment, and high juvenile mortality. The opportunist Mulinia lateralis is a present-day analog for P. dubius. This research provides a case study for the long-term impacts of deoxygenation upon marine ecosystems, including that being observed today.

A Novel Role for Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells As Hypoxia Sensors During Initiation of Neo-Vasculogenesis in Vivo

Abstract 613 Background:Hypoxia is a major stimulus of neo-vasculogenesis. Under hypoxic conditions endothelial colony-forming progenitor cells (ECFCs) arrange tubular structures, which can connect to the pre-existing vasculature forming functional perfused vessels. The current view is that mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSPCs) or their pericyte progeny are recruited subsequently to stabilize vessels. So far, clinical applications of endothelial progenitors to restore tissue oxygenation after ischemia, cardiovascular disease or stroke largely failed to meet medical needs. Based on previous work demonstrating patent vessel formation after MSPC/ECFC co-transplantation in vivo (Blood 2009), we hypothesized that MSPCs have a decisive role in the vasculogenic response to hypoxia. Here we show for the first time that ECFCs in hypoxic conditions in vivo strictly require the presence of functional MSPCs not only to stabilize but primarily to initiate neo-vasculogenesis by a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF)-dependent mechanism. Methods:Adult human ECFCs were isolated from blood and MSPCs from bone marrow aspirates and expanded under humanized culture conditions. Progenitor cell phenotype, long-term proliferation, HIF stabilization, wound repair as well as migratory and vasculogenic functions were monitored under severe hypoxia (1% O2), venous oxygen (5% O2) and standard ambient air culture conditions (20% O2). ECFC and MSPC crosstalk in vivo was studied in immune-deficient NSG mice (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) after subcutaneous transplantation in various extracellular matrices (matrigel, collagen/fibronectin, human platelet lysate gel). Cell type-specific chemical and genetic inhibition of HIF (YC-1, shRNA) was used to delineate the role of hypoxia sensing in MSPCs and ECFCs, respectively, during vasculogenesis in vivo. To determine if downstream target proteins of HIF-1α could substitute for MSPC presence during vasculogenesis, selected growth factors and cytokines were tested. Results:Progenitor proliferation and function in vitro were reduced with declining oxygen levels. ECFCs stabilized hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) only at 1% O2, while MSPCs stabilized HIF-1α already at 5% O2. In an NSG mouse model, ECFCs transplanted into a hypoxic environment did not stabilize HIF-1α, while transplanted sole MSPCs or MSPCs in co-transplants showed strong nuclear HIF-1α stabilization 1 day after transplantation preceding any vessel formation or perfusion. In the absence of MSPCs, the majority of ECFCs underwent apoptosis within 24h in vivo. Inhibition of HIF-1α stabilization in MSPCs but not in ECFCs significantly abrogated vessel formation in vivo. Blocking the prominent HIF-1α down-stream target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) resulted in the expected inhibition of neo-vasculogenesis. Interestingly, substitution of VEGF alone could not restore vessel formation, neither when injected together with sole ECFCs nor in a model where ECFCs were co-transplanted with HIF-depleted MSPCs. Substitution of a complex mixture of platelet-derived factors in vivo partly restored the vasculogenic function of HIF-depleted MSPCs. Conclusions:MSPCs react to a low oxygen environment by stabilizing HIF-1α earlier and more sensitively than ECFCs. MSPCs promote vessel formation at least in part by rescuing ECFCs from hypoxia-induced apoptosis in the initial phase of vasculogenesis by a HIF-dependent trophic mechanism. Surprisingly, therapeutic vasculogenesis can occur independently of endothelial HIF stabilization. These results argue in favor of MSPC/ECFC co-transplantation as a promising strategy for vascular regenerative therapy. The observation that VEGF alone could not compensate for the vasculogenic competence of pericyte precursors in vivo underlines the complexity of the hypoxia-induced cytokine network. The fact that hypoxia sensing in MSPCs but not in ECFCs is crucial to initiate vascular regeneration supports a shift of focus from endothelial cells to perivascular mesenchymal cells as a therapeutic target in anti-angiogenic therapy. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Controls on body size during the Late Permian mass extinction event

This study examines the morphological responses of Late Permian brachiopods to environmental changes. Quantitative analysis of body size data from Permian-Triassic brachiopods has demonstrated significant, directional changes in body size before, during and after the Late Permian mass extinction event. Brachiopod size significantly reduced before and during the extinction interval, increased for a short time in more extinction-resistant taxa in the latter stages of extinction and then dramatically reduced again across the Permian/Triassic boundary. Relative abundances of trace elements and acritarchs demonstrate that the body size reductions which happened before, during and after extinction were driven by primary productivity collapse, whereas declining oxygen levels had less effect. An episode of size increase in two of the more extinction-resistant brachiopod species is unrelated to environmental change and possibly was the result of reduced interspecific competition for resources following the extinction of competitors. Based on the results of this study, predictions can be made for the possible responses of modern benthos to present-day environmental changes.

Hemoglobin enhances oxygen uptake in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) but only under conditions of extreme hypoxia

The role of hemoglobin (Hb) in O(2) uptake by zebrafish larvae ranging in age from 5 to 42 days postfertilization was assessed under conditions of normoxia, moderate hypoxia and extreme hypoxia. This was achieved by exposing larvae with and without functional Hb to continuously declining oxygen levels (P(O(2))) in closed-system respirometers. Exposure to 5% CO for 2-4 h was used to render Hb effectively non-functional in terms of its ability to transport O(2). Routine metabolic rate (rM(O(2))), critical dissolved oxygen level (P(c)) and residual oxygen level (P(r)) were determined and used, respectively, as indicators of response in normoxia, moderate hypoxia and extreme hypoxia. rM(O(2)) was defined as the average rate of O(2) uptake before O(2) became limiting (i.e. at high P(O(2))s). P(c) is the P(O(2)) at which rM(O(2)) first becomes O(2)-limited and P(r) is the P(O(2)) below which larvae are no longer able to extract O(2) from the ambient medium. CO poisoning had no significant impact on rM(O(2)) or P(c) at any age, indicating that the lack of functional Hb does not impair routine O(2) usage in normoxia or at moderate levels of hypoxia [down to at least 25-50 torr (1 torr approximately 0.133 kPa), depending on age]. P(r), however, was significantly lower overall for control larvae (6.7+/-1.1 torr; mean +/- 95%CI) than for CO-poisoned larvae (11.2+/-2.1 torr). It would appear that the presence of functional Hb allows zebrafish larvae to extract O(2) from water down to lower P(O(2))s under conditions of extreme hypoxia. This is the first documented (as opposed to inferred) benefit of Hb in developing zebrafish. However, given the relatively small magnitude of the effect it is unclear if this benefit on its own is sufficient to balance the costs associated with Hb production and maintenance.

Persistently declining oxygen levels in the interior waters of the eastern subarctic Pacific

Fifty years of measurements at Ocean Station Papa (OSP, 50°N, 145°W) show trends in the interior waters of the subarctic Pacific that are both impacted by short term (few years to bi-decadal) atmospheric or ocean circulation oscillations and by persistent climate trends. Between 1956 and 2006, waters below the ocean mixed layer to a depth of at least 1000 m have been warming and losing oxygen. On density surfaces found in the depth range 100–400 m ( σ θ = 26.3–27.0), the ocean is warming at 0.005–0.012 °C y −1, whereas oxygen is declining at 0.39–0.70 μmol kg −1 y −1 or at an integrated rate of 123 mmol m −2 y −1 (decrease of 22% over 50 years). During this time, the hypoxic boundary (defined as 60 μmol O 2 kg −1) has shoaled from ∼400 to 300 m. In the Alaska Gyre, the 26.2 isopycnal occasionally ventilates, whereas at OSP 26.0 σ θ has not been seen at the ocean surface since 1971 as the upper ocean continues to stratify. To interpret the 50 year record at OSP, the isopycnal transport of oxygenated waters within the interior of the subarctic Pacific is assessed by using a slightly modified “NO” parameter [Broecker, W., 1974. “NO” a conservative water-mass tracer. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 23, 100–107]. The highest nitrate–oxygen signature in interior waters of the North Pacific is found in the Bering Sea Gyre, Western Subarctic Gyre and East Kamchatka Current region as a consequence of winter mixing to the ∼26.6 isopycnal. By mixing with low NO waters found in the subtropics and Okhotsk Sea, this signature is diluted as waters flow eastward across the Pacific. Evidence of low NO waters flowing north from California is seen along the coasts of British Columbia and SE Alaska. Oxygen in the subsurface waters of the Alaskan Gyre was supplied ∼60% by subarctic and 40% by subtropical waters during WOCE surveys, whereas such estimates are shown to periodically vary by 20% at OSP. Other features discernable in the OSP data include periods of increased ventilation of deeper isopycnals on an ∼18 year cycle and strong, short term (few month) variability caused by passing mesoscale eddies. The potential impacts of declining oxygen on coastal ecosystems are discussed.

The reaction of young coho Oncorhynchus kisutch to declining oxygen levels during long-term exposure

The respiration of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, weighing between 20 and 45 g was measured at gradually declining oxygen levels and at temperatures ranging between 14 and 17 °C. The maximum and minimum oxygen concentrations tested were 235 and 41 μmol/L, respectively. Respiration rates were measured for 24 h at 235 μmol/L before the oxygen concentration was lowered stepwise to 157 and 81 μmol/L. In one single trial, the oxygen level was lowered to 66, 53, and 41 μmol/L. Respiration was highly variable in time. Peak activities always occurred during the night. The standard metabolic rate at normoxic conditions was estimated to be around 4 μmol oxygen/g/h. The highest rates reached values close to 15 μmol oxygen/g/h. At reduced oxygen levels the standard oxygen demand slightly increased to 4.5 μmol oxygen/g/h, indicating a higher demand for vital metabolic functions. Due to the decrease of swimming activity, the maximum oxygen uptake rates dropped to < 8 μmol oxygen/g/h below 81 μmol/L oxygen concentration. Under long-term conditions, physiological and behavioural adaptations play an important role for survival and need to be considered for the design and operation of fish farm facilities.

Hypoxia tolerance of Amazon fish: Respirometry and energy metabolism of the cichlid Astronotus Ocellatus

As a result of regular flood pulses, the Amazon basin exhibits large annual changes in its chemical and physical parameters. Ecology and distribution of fish communities seem to be directed by seasonal and diurnal oxygen level oscillations. Amazon fish have developed strategies to thrive under these varying conditions. Astronotus ocellatus normally survives large fluctuations in oxygen availability in varzea lakes. Respirometric and metabolic changes in A. ocellatus were studied during exposure to stepwise declining oxygen levels. Respiration rates were continuously recorded. Haematologic and metabolic parameters (lactate, glucose, cortisol and free fatty acids (FFA)) were determined. A. ocellatus was found to be hypoxia tolerant; it survives more than 16 h of severe hypoxia (pO 2≤0.4 mg l −1) and even 4 h of complete anoxia at 28°C. Its routine metabolic rate is 10.8 mg O 2 h −1 per 100 g fresh weight. A significant decrease in standard metabolic rate (SMR) starts at 20% air saturation, whereas a significant change of blood lactate does not start until 6% air saturation in water. We suggest therefore that A. ocellatus responses to environmental hypoxia are based mainly on suppressed metabolic rate, whereas under deep hypoxia or anoxia partial compensation is obtained from anaerobic glycolysis.

The respiration of young coho Oncorhynchus kisutch at gradually declining oxygen levels and during recovery from oxygen deprivation

The respiration of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, weighing between 15 and 50 g was measured at gradually declining oxygen levels and at temperatures ranging between 14 and 17°C. The maximum and minimum oxygen concentrations tested were 250 and 40 μmol L−1, respectively. Respiration rates were measured for 1 h periods before oxygen concentration was lowered by 12.5 or 25.0 μmol oxygen L−1. At the end of these endurance tests the oxygen level was returned to normoxic conditions and respiration rates were determined for the recovery period. Under normoxic conditions (> 200 μmol L−1) the respiration of coho levelled around 5.1 μmol g−1 wet weight h−1. At intermediate levels between 150 and 200 μmol oxygen L−1, the average rate increased to 5.8 μmol g−1 h−1, which could be attributed to higher spontaneous activity of the test animals. At low oxygen levels (< 150 μmol−1) average respiration rates dropped to values between 5.5 and 5.7 μmol g−1 h−1, reaching a minimum of 3.8 μmol g−1 h−1 at oxygen levels below 50 μmol Lμ. First mortality was observed in this range. After exposure to reduced oxygen levels the fish maintained a higher respiration rate when again exposed to normoxic oxygen levels above 200 μmol L−1. Increased respiration rates were observed for a recovery period of 6 h.

Long-Term Variation in Mesohaline Chesapeake Bay Macrobenthos: Spatial and Temporal Patterns

Macrobenthos, sediments, and environmental conditions were sampled in the mesohaline region of western Chesapeake Bay (1971–1984) and the Potomac River (1980–1984). The survey data were used to quantify variation in macrobenthos and the physicochemical environment due to seasonal dynamics, spatial pattern (regional and local), and annual as well as long-term trends. Field experiments were conducted to test hypotheses suggested by the analysis of the survey data. Long-term and regional changes in the physiochemical environment, particularly salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration, had major influences on regional and long-term abundance patterns of macrobenthos. Two major species groups were identified along the mesohaline salinity gradient: those characteristic of high and low mesohaline salinities. Salinity increased and dissolved oxygen concentration below the pycnocline declined over the 14 yr. Estuarine endemic and euryhaline marine species concomitantly decreased in abundance. Opportunist species responded to increasing salinity and declining oxygen levels with increases in abundance. Predation on macrobenthos by fish and crabs affected the amplitude of annual recruitment pulses. Food availability apparently determined the magnitude of summer macrobenthic mortality. Spring was a critical period for the establishment of distributional patterns. The macrobenthos of the upper Chesapeake Bay was relatively stable over the study period mainly due to the stability and predictability of physicochemical processes controlling recruitment patterns.