Harbour Bay Research Articles

Stable Isotope Ratio and Elemental Analysis (CNS) in Mangrove Leaves in the Creek Ecosystem: An Indicator of Coastal Marine Pollution

AbstractThe stable isotopes ratio and elemental composition in the mangrove leaves are excellent indicators for coastal marine pollution. The present study investigated the composition of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur, δ13C and δ15N values in mangrove leaves to identify the source of pollution and energy to the mangroves in the creek ecosystem of Mumbai Harbour Bay. The oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope ratios (δ18O and δ2H) of leaf water were estimated to understand the relative contribution of freshwater and seawater to the mangrove's water source. The Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur contents were found to vary from 37.79 to 42.55% (Average: 40.06 ± 1.54%), 2.13–3.79% (Average: 2.94 ± 0.45%) and 0.37–0.81% (Average: 0.53 ± 0.14%) in the mangrove leaves, respectively. The δ13C and δ15N values were found to vary from − 30.43 to − 28.41‰ (Average: − 29.46 ± 0.74‰) and from − 2.67 to 5.54‰ (Average: 2.21 ± 3.20%), respectively. The δ18O and δ2H values were found to vary from − 2.7 to 0.83‰ and − 6.86 to 5.43‰ with an average of − 0.94 ± 0.83 and − 2.03 ± 3.52‰ respectively. According to the observed δ18O and δ2H values, mangroves in the northern part had a relatively higher contribution of freshwater input compared to southern part of the study area. The lower values of δ15N towards the northern end of the creek indicate a relatively higher contribution of nitrogen from industrial discharges. Similar values of δ13C in mangrove in the region suggest a common source of carbon. Mangroves found near discharge locations have different elemental composition and δ15N values compared to those mangroves that are not located near discharge location. These differences can be used as potential markers to identify the coastal marine pollution. The results of the present study may be used for developing rational approaches for protection and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem in the bay.

PENGARUH KEPERCAYAAN MEREK DAN PROMOSI TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN PELANGGAN PADA RESTORAN SEDERHANA DI HARBOUT BAY BATAM

This research aims to know and analyze the influence of brand trust and promotion towards customer buying decision at Sederhana’s Restaurant at Harbour Bay Batam. Brand trust is a set of thinking or other perception measurement to be commuted for obtaining confidence level of acceptance product or services.. Promotion is communication for assuring potential consumer about services and goods. Buying decision is a final action after selecting and concluding what next to do based on the information gathered. Sample were taken using purposive sampling method, and data collecting technique using survey method, through questionnaire. Sample size was taken t100 respondent, and final analysis were used multiple regression. This research aims to obtain outcome on the analysis of brand trust and promotion to consumer buying decision. The result of this study or test shown or conclude that brand trust has significant influence to the buying decision. It meant first hypotheses in this research was proved, or accepted. Promotion has significant influence to the buying decision. It meant secondary hypotheses in this research was proved, or accepted. And the result for the simultaneous test of two variables shown influence to the buying decision.It meant,third hypotheses can be proved or accepted.

Shoreline Solutions: Guiding Efficient Data Selection for Coastal Risk Modeling and the Design of Adaptation Interventions

The Caribbean is affected by climate change due to an increase in the variability, frequency, and intensity of extreme weather events. When coupled with sea level rise (SLR), poor urban development design, and loss of habitats, severe flooding often impacts the coastal zone. In order to protect citizens and adapt to a changing climate, national and local governments need to investigate their coastal vulnerability and climate change risks. To assess flood and inundation risk, some of the critical data are topography, bathymetry, and socio-economic. We review the datasets available for these parameters in Jamaica (and specifically Old Harbour Bay) and assess their pros and cons in terms of resolution and costs. We then examine how their use can affect the evaluation of the number of people and the value of infrastructure flooded in a typical sea level rise/flooding assessment. We find that there can be more than a three-fold difference in the estimate of people and property flooded under 3m SLR. We present an inventory of available environmental and economic datasets for modeling storm surge/SLR impacts and ecosystem-based coastal protection benefits at varying scales. We emphasize the importance of the careful selection of the appropriately scaled data for use in models that will inform climate adaptation planning, especially when considering sea level rise, in the coastal zone. Without a proper understanding of data needs and limitations, project developers and decision-makers overvalue investments in adaptation science which do not necessarily translate into effective adaptation implementation. Applying these datasets to estimate sea level rise and storm surge in an adaptation project in Jamaica, we found that less costly and lower resolution data and models provide up to three times lower coastal risk estimates than more expensive data and models, indicating that investments in better resolution digital elevation mapping (DEM) data are needed for targeted local-level decisions. However, we also identify that, with this general rule of thumb in mind, cost-effective, national data can be used by planners in the absence of high-resolution data to support adaptation action planning, possibly saving critical climate adaptation budgets for project implementation.

Distribution and structure of coastal ichthyoplankton communities of the Bay of Fundy in southern New Brunswick, Canada

Ichthyoplankton communities from Saint John Harbour and Passamaquoddy Bay on the New Brunswick shore of the Bay of Fundy, Canada, were sampled seasonally between 2011 and 2014. Saint John Harbour is an industrialised port whereas Passamaquoddy Bay is less developed, with a focus on aquaculture. In total, 32 species of fish eggs and larvae were recorded: 26 species in Saint John Harbour and 25 in Passamaquoddy Bay. Nineteen species were common to both areas. The dominant species in Passamaquoddy Bay were Enchelyopus cimbrius, Urophycis sp., Scophthalmus aquosus, and Tautogolabrus adspersus. In Saint John Harbour, E. cimbrius, Urophycis sp., Clupea harengus, and Pseudopleuronectes americanus were most abundant. The communities of the two areas were significantly different. This was most pronounced in summer when Saint John Harbour had a much higher proportion of C. harengus and much lower overall abundances, relative to Passamaquoddy Bay. Saint John Harbour demonstrated higher taxonomic diversity than Passamaquoddy Bay, attributable to the wider variety of salinity regimes present within the harbour. In both areas, the ichthyoplankton communities were strongly seasonal with the highest abundance and diversity in summer. Surface temperature was the best predictor of community composition. Given its industrialisation, Saint John Harbour had a surprisingly diverse ichthyoplankton community, comparable to the less impacted Passamaquoddy Bay. The strong flushing in the harbour by high riverine output and tidal exchange may diminish industrial impact. We strongly recommend incorporating ichthyoplankton into the long-term monitoring of Saint John Harbour and provide guidance to this end.

Estimation of apparent water age and mixing process of water in the creek ecosystem of Mumbai Harbour Bay

Short-lived Ra isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) were used to estimate the apparent water age and mixing process, in the creek ecosystem of Mumbai Harbour Bay. The apparent water age was estimated using the Radium Age Model and the Radium Balance Approach. The apparent water age for three different sampling trips in the creek varies from 3.65 ± 1.22 to 4.51 ± 1.51 days using the Radium age model. Whereas using the Radium Balance Approach in the creek, the apparent water age was estimated to be 6.51 ± 1.67 days. Similar apparent water age from both approaches was found for the creek ecosystem under steady state. The longitudinal variation of the 224Ra and 223Ra activity ratio from the middle of the creek indicated net water mass movement towards the open sea. The flushing rate of the creek water towards the open sea was estimated to be 6.67 ± 0.89 km day−1. The horizontal mixing coefficient (Kh) of the creek water was estimated to be 800 ± 107 m2s−1 indicating rapid dispersion of the tracer.

Estimation of submarine groundwater discharge using radium mass-balance in Mumbai Harbour Bay, Mumbai, India

The Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB), Mumbai, India houses a large number of ports, industrial units and urban settlements thus the groundwater may be highly contaminated. In the present study short lived Ra isotopes (223Ra and 224Ra) input sources (viz. water exchange from Arabian Sea, input from Rivers and wastewater discharge, Diffusion of Ra from bottom sediments and desorption from suspended particles) and pathways of removal (radioactive decay and export during the low tide) were estimated in MHB individually. A mass balance for 223Ra and 224Ra in the bay indicated an imbalance of 53.38% and 71.68% respectively. The imbalance was assigned to contribution from submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and using the concentration in the shallow groundwater (at 2 m depth) of 223Ra and 224Ra the SGD were estimated. Based on 223Ra and 224Ra, the SGD was estimated and found to be 33.4 × 109 L day−1 and 64.9 × 109 L day−1 respectively.

Distribution of uranium in sediment of creek ecosystem

The present study was carried on distribution of uranium isotopes and Thorium in marine sediment from creek of Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB) using radiochemical separation followed by alpha spectrometry. The activity concentration of uranium and thorium in sediment of MHB has ranged between 1–4 and 1.8–4.5 ppm respectively. The activity ratio of 234U/238U in sediment was found close to unity at most of the locations of creek suggesting a conservative behaviour. The observed Th/U ratio (0.9) in comparison to global Th/U ratio (≅3.5) in the creek sediment indicates that it receives low radiogenic nature of terronenous input.

Measurement of 224Ra and 223Ra activity using MnO2 based in situ pre-concentration technique coupled with delayed coincidence counting in creek ecosystem of Mumbai Harbour Bay

Measurement of short lived radium isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) in seawater samples collected from Mumbai Harbour Bay was carried out using MnO2 based in situ pre-concentration technique coupled with delayed coincidence counting. Standardisation and validation of various parameters required for quantification was carried out. Longitudinal variation of 224Ra and 223Ra found in the range 17.74–98.66 and 0.56–2.26 dpm 100 L−1 respectively. Elevated concentration of 224Ra and 223Ra was found near shore sampling points where reused seawater and surface water from land intrudes in creek. Higher concentration in creek compared to offshore locations indicates presence of submarine groundwater discharge.

Sediment accumulation and bio-diffusion mixing rates derived from excess 210Pb and 137Cs profiles in sediment cores of Mumbai Harbor Bay

Bio-diffusion mixing rates (Db) were estimated from depth profiles of excess 210Pb and 137Cs in three sediment cores collected from Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB) using a steady state vertical advection - diffusion model. The mean of 210Pb and 137Cs derived Db values along the studied area were obtained to be about 23 and 36 cm2y−1 respectively. These derived values were within the range of literature values reported for other equivalent environment internationally. The relatively higher Db values for 137Cs profiles demonstrated that particles have diffused more intensely within the surface layer of sediments over 1 year. Conversely, low Db values for 210Pb indicate slow mixing rates in the sediment profile which might be resulted from low 210Pb flux and diffusion of 222Rn to the seafloor. The significant differences between 210Pb and 137Cs derived Db values among cores indicate that there appeared to be as regional differences in sediment properties and local variability in the intensity of seafloor mixing. Furthermore, Db values also depend on differences in characteristic time and depth scales of radionuclides in cores, benthic fauna abundances, organic carbon flux to the sediments and primary production in overlying surface waters. Comparison of 210Pb derived Db values with those calculated from 137Cs distributions reveals better agreement for core 2 than core 1 and 3. The agreement may be fortuitous because 137Cs appears significantly deeper than 210Pb in all cores. It was also observed that Db values increases as sediment accumulation rate increases for both radionuclide.

The case ofBougainvillia triestinaHartlaub 1911 (Hydrozoa, Cnidaria): a 100-year-long struggle for recognition

Bougainvillia triestina was described by Hartlaub in 1911 from specimens collected in the Gulf of Trieste (North Adriatic, Italy). Two years later, after re-examination of the same specimens, Neppi & Stiasny (1913) concluded that these were in fact juvenile medusae of Bougainvillia autumnalis (now synonymized with Bougainvillia muscus). Based on unique morphological traits and genetic analyses (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, COI) of specimens of different stages recently collected in the shallow and enclosed coastal area of Ploce Harbour and Mali Ston Bay (South Adriatic, Croatia), we can confirm, 100 years after its first description, B. triestina as a valid, distinct species, clearly distinguishable from B. muscus (Allman 1863). Based on its occurrence in the Adriatic Sea, B. triestina seems to prefer productive coastal areas with a wide range of temperatures and salinities. Therefore, we expect that this species inhabits other coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea as well as those of other seas and oceans. Given this, it is probable that in previous investigations some records of B. triestina were incorrectly attributed to B. muscus.

We are not all the same!: Comparative climate change vulnerabilities among fishers in Old Harbour Bay, Jamaica

There is a general consensus that Small Island Developing States are among the most vulnerable to experience climate injustices. Vulnerability studies of climate change effects on communities have often focused on differences between communities given these climate injustices. However, there is a need to also focus on vulnerability within communities, referred to here as comparative vulnerabilities. Climate justice therefore becomes even more important with more focused attention given to the nuances within groups that fall within the vulnerable category. This article examines comparative vulnerabilities for the fishing community in Jamaica. A survey of 241 fishers from Old Harbour Bay, the largest fishing village in Jamaica, was conducted to examine the level of vulnerability of different fishers to climate change. A vulnerability index was constructed for the community and then comparative vulnerabilities were determined based on socio-demographic characteristics. Overall for the sample 46.9% of respondents would be considered as experiencing a comparatively high level of vulnerability to climate change. Climate change vulnerability was influenced by a number of socio-demographic variables with unique profiles emerging for groups that can be ranked as low, moderate, and high vulnerability. The paper therefore argues that within vulnerable populations there are comparative vulnerabilities based on economic factors and social capital, which must be taken into consideration for adaptation strategies to be implemented. Given these comparative vulnerabilities a more targeted approach to coping and adaptation strategies can then be taken. This will assist in building resilience of these communities that must now adjust to a new normal with climate change effects currently occurring.

Depth-wise core sediment profile of tissue free and organic bound tritium in dynamic marine environment

Down core variation of tissue free and organic bound tritium in sediment cores was evaluated to assess the retention of tritium (H-3) by bottom sediment in the dynamic marine environment of Mumbai Harbour Bay. Tissue free water tritium (TFWT) was evaluated by extraction of H-3 from the sediment by extracting it in tritium free water whereas total H-3 by alkaline digestion of core sediment sample. OBT in various core fractions was evaluated by measuring the difference between total H-3 content and TFWT. Total H-3 content in the sediment core varies in the range of 0.41–8.01 Bq g−1 whereas OBT varies between 0.1 and 0.86 Bq g−1. Experimental results clearly indicate that total H-3 content in various fractions of the core sediment samples is dependent on the availability of exchangeable hydrogen which were either associated with clay minerals or organic molecule.

An investigation of 210Po distribution in marine organisms in the Mumbai Harbour Bay

The manuscript describes the 210Po activity concentration in different varieties of marine organism collected from Mumbai Harbour Bay as well as from major fish collection centre of India. 210Po in the edible portion of organisms and in the sea water were carried out by alpha spectrometry by using 209Po tracer as yield monitor. In fish varieties, 210Po was observed to be in the range of <0.002–17.06 Bq kg−1 wet. In prawns, the activity concentration was in the range of <0.002–31.07 Bq kg−1 wet, while in Crab samples 210Po activity concentration was in the range of 0.035–12.03 Bq kg−1. Ingestion dose based on the consumption of the sea food was observed to be in the range of 7.06 × 10−04–2.04 µSv yr−1.

Studies on natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in sediment and biota of Mumbai Harbour Bay

Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB) is a recipient of low level treated effluents from BARC, Trombay and its also a recipient of domestic and industrial wastes from the city of Mumbai and adjoining areas. Sediment samples were collected from various locations of MHB to determine the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides like 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K which varied between 4.0 and 26.0, 5.5 and 19.9, 249.6 and 557.6 Bq kg (dry) −1 respectively and are comparable to the worldwide average concentration. The mean value ratio of 228Ra/226Ra in sediment was found to be 1.4, indicating a relatively higher mobility of 238U compared to 232Th. The concentration of anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs in sediment and biota ranged between 3.6 and 54.5 Bq kg (dry) −1 , <0.08 and 0.5 Bq kg (wet) −1 respectively. The ingestion dose to ‘General Public’ due to 137Cs intake is 0.02 μSv years−1 which is negligible compared to the internationally accepted limit of 1,000 μSv years−1 to ‘members of public’.

Depth profile of Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Pb in the sediment cores of Mumbai Harbour Bay

A study was carried out in the Mumbai Harbour Bay sediment cores to measure concentration of biologically significant toxic elements such as Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Pb and to find out pattern of distribution in the sediment bed to follow the accumulation of elements with respect to depth. The range of concentration values of Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Pb in the sediment core fractions collected from three locations from Mumbai Harbour Bay sediment versus depth were plotted. Among the five elements, the concentration of Cr and Ni was found to be comparatively higher than all other elements with a range of 36 to 483 ppm and 24 to 155 ppm, respectively. The concentration of Co and Pb was observed to be lower in all the sediment cores and also evenly distributed in all the fractions with a range of 12-40 ppm and 10-270 ppm, respectively. Cu showed a range of 5-300 ppm.

Spatial distribution and accumulation of 226Ra, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs in bottom sediments of Mumbai Harbour Bay

The present work shows the activity levels of 226Ra, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs in bottom sediments collected from eight locations of Mumbai Harbour Bay. The study has shown that 40K and 228Ra concentration is nearly uniform throughout the studied area while 226Ra and 137Cs are more concentrated in the southern regions of the bay. The significant variation in the activity levels of radionuclides within the study site might be due to their sorption/desorption processes onto the surface of sediment materials. The low mean value of 226Ra/228Ra ratio (0.72) in the sediments indicates that 238U has relatively greater solubility and mobility than 232Th. Similarly, low activity ratio (0.18) for 137Cs/40K reflects the presence of very high content of 40K in sediment due to presence of primary minerals in sediment. Silt and clay were reported to dominate the composition of the sediment. A significant positive correlation between 226Ra and 228Ra and 137Cs and 40K suggest a similar origin of their geochemical sources and identical behavior during transport in the sediment system.

Adsorption and kinetic behavior of uranium and thorium in seawater-sediment system

The adsorption and kinetic mechanism of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) in seawater-sediments system of Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB) has been studied by Kd values of two sets of experimental determinations using a batch experiment. After equilibrium time (7 days), under static conditions, Kd for U and Th ranged from 25,030 to 55,662 mL/g (mean: 42,140 mL/g) and 24,926 to 38,561 mL/g (mean: 34,256 L/kg), respectively. Extraction studies showed that both U and Th were strongly bound to sediment components due to insignificant difference in their mean concentration in equilibrium solution. Rate constants (k) for transfer between seawater and the exchangeable fraction were found to be similar for the sediments as 1.02 ± 0.03 day−1 for uptake of U and Th. The resulting adsorption data were fitted to Freundlich, linear and Langmuir isotherm models. All the three models showed a significant correlation (R2 >0.9), indicating that there is more complex relationships with adsorption behavior of U and Th on sediment surface. Since, the Freundlich constant (n) for U and Th was found to be closer to unity. Therefore linear model was observed to be highly suitable. Based on the linear model, the distribution coefficient (kd) of Th was about 1.5 times higher than U. According to Freundlich model, sorption of U in sediments observed to be higher than Th. However, Langmuir model considered in opposite to Freundlich and showed a higher value of KL constant for Th than U. The pH (water) of the sediments ranged from 7.8 to 8.2 and the estimated total carbon (determined by C H N S–O elemental analyser) ranged from 1.7 to 3.4 %.

Determination of chronological heavy metal deposition and pollution intensity in the bottom sediments of Mumbai Harbour Bay, India using 137Cs as tracer

Downcore variation of trace metals in sediment cores along the coastal line is one of the markers to assess the intrusion of industrial pollutants into the aquatic environment. Fifty sediment core samples from the Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB), were studied for the trace element content. MHB is a recipient of effluents from different industries situated all along its coast around Thane–Belapur region. The average concentrations of Titanium (Ti), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and complemented by analysing with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In addition to this, depth profiles of K and Ca were also studied to assess the homogeneity of the geological strata of the region. Trace metals such as Cu, Ni and Zn show enrichment between 16 to 28 cm, whereas, uniform distribution through out the core was observed for K, Ca, Ti, Mn and Fe. Chronology of the heavy metal deposition was predicated based on the average sedimentation rate (0.92 ± 0.08 cm year−1) derived using depth-wise 137Cs concentration profile in core of bottom sediment. The results of the analysis showed that MHB had received excess inputs of Cu, Ni and Zn in the year 1981, 1988 and 1982, respectively. Surface concentration of Cu, Ni, Zn and Fe compared to the reference site indicates moderate pollution in the recent years whereas for elements K, Ca, Ti and Mn, the values are normal indicating MHB unpolluted for the latter elements.

Distribution of uranium at Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB)

Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB) is a recipient of low level treated effluents from BARC, Trombay. In addition, the Bay is also a recipient of domestic and industrial wastes from the city of Mumbai and adjoining areas. The average value of uranium concentration reported for Indian Bay water at Tarapur and Mumbai is ~3.0 ppb which is comparable with the reported value for Arabian sea. As such the global average is reported to be ~3.3 ppb by Oceanologists. The present study deals with the distribution of uranium in seawater of MHB. The uranium activity in MHB by alpha spectrometry was found to be between 1.0 and 4.4 ppb with an average concentration of 2.5 ppb which is comparable with the earlier reported average activity of 2.6 ppb in the MHB as well as those reported globally. To compare the results obtained by alpha spectrometry, uranium estimation was also carried out using Laser fluorimeter and the levels of uranium concentration have ranged between 0.8 and 4.9 ppb with an average concentration of 2.7 ppb.

Heavy metal (Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) concentrations in harvest-size white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei tissues from aquaculture and wild source

The present research project was undertaken to determine heavy metal (Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) concentrations in intensive aquaculture and wild white shrimp tissues (muscle, shell and liver), and to inform aquatic shrimp food safety. The aquaculture samples were obtained from ten intensive farms and wild animals from one station in Zhanjiang Harbour Bay. Heavy metal concentrations (mg kg −1, dry weight; means ± S.D.) in aquaculture white shrimp muscle, shell and liver tissues were, respectively: Cr – 20.86 ± 5.27, 28.70 ± 8.34 and 18.91 ± 5.50, Cu – 24.26 ± 8.36, 30.86 ± 9.84 and 126.42 ± 90.9, Fe – 61.35 ± 30.76, 55.07 ± 17.72 and 124.04 ± 56.15, Mn – 5.33 ± 2.5, 10.72 ± 4.34 and 8.79 ± 5.29, Zn – 171.56 ± 118.74, 51.84 ± 10.94 and 111.74 ± 84.67. Cadmium was observed only in liver tissue at 3.30 ± 1.29 mg kg −1. Lead could not be detected, and cobalt was detected only in wild shrimp liver tissue. Chromium and manganese mean concentrations in shell tissue were significantly higher than levels in muscle tissue ( P < 0.05), but the zinc mean concentration was significantly lower than noted in muscle tissue ( P < 0.05). Copper and iron mean concentrations in liver tissue were significantly higher than those in muscle or shell tissues ( P < 0.05). Overall, only chromium in white shrimp tissue was the primary risk for human health.