Conditions In Marine Ecosystems Research Articles

Exploring the Influence of the Digital Economy on Marine Pollution Mitigation: A Spatial Econometric Study of Coastal China

This work employs the spatial econometric model to explore the potential relation between the condition of marine ecosystems and the rapid development of the digital economy (DE), focusing on the coastal area of China. While the environmental benefits of the DE are well studied regarding the land and atmospheric pollution, its influence on marine pollution (MP) remains underexplored, and this work aims to fill in this gap. By analyzing panel data from 42 coastal cities in China using a spatial Durbin model to examine both the direct and indirect impacts of the DE on MP, the results highlight the positive role that the DE plays in reducing MP, benefitting not only the local marine environments but also those of neighboring areas through non-negligible spatial spillover effects. In addition, we find a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between the DE and MP. These results are further confirmed through extensive robustness tests. This work enriches the field of environmental economics by reporting the first empirical study on the marine benefits of the DE and offers policy recommendations to optimize digital technologies for marine environmental preservation.

Strategy for Restoration and Increasing the Sustainability of Fish Resources: A Holistic Analysis in Fisheries Management

This research aims to design a comprehensive strategy to restore and improve the sustainability of fish resources. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we investigate the impacts of environmental change, fishing patterns and economic sustainability on fish populations. We also consider social aspects, including impacts on the livelihoods of fishing communities and the involvement of local communities in fisheries management. Ecological studies include evaluating the condition of marine ecosystems, assessing risks to biodiversity, and identifying sustainable fishing practices. From an economic perspective, we evaluate operational efficiency, analyze costs related to conservation policies, and opportunities for sustainable economic development in the fisheries sector. Social aspects are analyzed through surveys and direct interaction with fishing communities. We identify the impact of fisheries management policies on livelihoods, understand the social dynamics of coastal communities, and explore opportunities to strengthen the role of communities in fish resource management. It is hoped that the results of this research can provide a basis for developing policies that are sustainable and can be widely applied in the context of fisheries management. This research not only focuses on restoring fish resources but also on improving the welfare of coastal communities, creating harmony between ecological, economic and social sustainability.

Impact of the lockdown period during the COVID-19 pandemic on the metal content of the anemone Anemonia sulcata in the Canary Islands (CE Atlantic, Spain)

Anemones, specifically the species Anemonia sulcata, are cnidarians that serve as bioindicators in marine ecosystems, indicating the health of the environment and changes in environmental conditions. Monitoring anemone populations and studying their well-being and distribution provide valuable insights into marine ecosystem conditions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the metal content of Anemonia sulcata. Over a six-year period (2017–2022), twenty specimens of Anemonia sulcata were collected in Tenerife, Spain. The results showed that in 2020, during the two-month lockdown in Spain from March to May when tourism was halted, A. sulcata exhibited the lowest concentrations of various metals studied (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn). This finding suggests that the reduced anthropogenic pressure on the coast due to the absence of tourism significantly decreased pollution levels. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting sustainable tourism worldwide. The research highlights that minimizing human impact on coastal areas through responsible tourism practices can effectively reduce pollution in marine ecosystems.

Evaluation of the ecological condition of marine ecosystems (exemplified by the gulf of Odessa)

Evaluation of the ecological condition of marine ecosystems (exemplified by the gulf of Odessa)

COI metabarcoding of large benthic Foraminifera: Method validation for application in ecological studies.

Monitoring community composition of Foraminifera (single-celled marine protists) provides valuable insights into environmental conditions in marine ecosystems. Despite the efficiency of environmental DNA (eDNA) and bulk-sample DNA (bulk-DNA) metabarcoding to assess the presence of multiple taxa, this has not been straightforward for Foraminifera partially due to the high genetic variability in widely used ribosomal markers. Here, we test the correctness in retrieving foraminiferal communities by metabarcoding of mock communities, bulk-DNA from coral reef sediment samples, and eDNA from their associated ethanol preservative using the recently sequenced cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) marker. To assess the detection success, we compared our results with large benthic foraminiferal communities previously reported from the same sampling sites. Results from our mock communities demonstrate that all species were detected in two mock communities and all but one in the remaining four. Technical replicates were highly similar in number of reads for each assigned ASV in both the mock communities and bulk-DNA samples. Bulk-DNA showed a significantly higher species richness than their associated eDNA samples, and also detected additional species to what was already reported at the specific sites. Our study confirms that metabarcoding using the foraminiferal COI marker adequately retrieves the diversity and community composition of both the mock communities and the bulk-DNA samples. With its decreased variability compared with the commonly used nuclear 18 S rRNA, the COI marker renders bulk-DNA metabarcoding a powerful tool to assess foraminiferal community composition under the condition that the reference database is adequate to the target taxa.

Framework to Extract Extreme Phytoplankton Bloom Events with Remote Sensing Datasets: A Case Study

The chlorophyll-a concentration (CHL) is an essential climate variable. Extremes of CHL events directly reflect the condition of marine ecosystems. Here, we applied the statistical framework for defining marine heatwaves to study the extremes of winter CHL blooms off the Luzon Strait (termed as LZB), northeastern South China Sea (SCS), from a set of remote sensing data. The application was enabled by a recent gap-free CHL dataset, the SCSDCT data. We present the basic properties and the long-term trends of these LZB events, which had become fewer but stronger in recent years. We further statistically analyze the LZB events’ controlling factors, including the submesoscale activity quantified by a heterogeneous index or surface temperature gradients. It was revealed that the submesoscale activity was also a vital modulating factor of the bloom events in addition to the well-understood wind and upwelling controls. This modulation can be explained by the stratification introduced by submesoscale mixed-layer instabilities. In the winter, the intensified winter monsoon provides a background front and well-mixed upper layer with replenished nutrients. During the wind relaxation, submesoscale baroclinic instabilities developed, leading to rapid stratification and scattered submesoscale fronts. Such a scenario is favorable for the winter blooms. For the first time, this study identifies the bloom events in a typical marginal sea and highlights the linkage between these events and submesoscale activity. Furthermore, the method used to identify extreme blooms opens up the possibility for understanding trends of multiple marine extreme events under climate change.

Cultured rainbow trout gill epithelium as an in vitro method for marine ecosystem toxicological studies

Accurate assessment of the toxic potential of waterborne chemicals is vital to pollution control and management in aquatic ecosystems. However, there is a global advocacy for the reduction, replacement, and refinement of the use of whole organisms in chemical screening studies. This has encouraged the development of alternative in vitro and computer-based techniques. In this study we investigated the possibility of optimising cultured rainbow trout gill epithelium to tolerate seawater and its use to assess toxicity of waterborne chemicals. Gill cells were obtained from rainbow trout acclimated to freshwater or to artificial seawater and were cultured in L-15 culture medium supplemented with or without cortisol. Intact gill epithelia were subjected to 20‰, 25‰ or 30‰ artificial seawater for 24 h and cell viability was assessed. The viability of gill cells obtained from freshwater or artificial seawater acclimated fish and grown without cortisol reduced to less than 80% compared to controls. The addition of cortisol to culture medium improved cell viability in seawater with 94%–95% viability compared to controls. The optimised gill cell epithelium was exposed to trace elements at concentrations previously reported as causing 50% response or mortality (EC/LC50) using other cell-based and in vivo studies. Viability of the gill cells were compared to the 50% response or survival reported. The gill cells were found to be more sensitive than other isolated primary seawater-fish cells, having 5%, 16% and 37% survival on exposure to arsenic, cadmium, and lead, respectively. Results from this study has shown that cultured rainbow trout gill epithelia can be optimised to tolerate seawater and can be used in toxicological evaluations of pollutants resuspended in seawater, mimicking marine ecosystem conditions. The optimised gill cell system can serve as a viable in vitro method for marine ecosystem toxicological studies which would facilitate effective pollution control and management.

Date of marine annulus formation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and implications for retrospective growth analyses using scales.

Fish scales have increasingly been used to quantify annual and seasonal growth trends and in efforts to relate growth to environmental conditions. Understanding the timing of formation of an annulus (a group of narrowly spaced circuli) is critical when assessing the influence of marine ecosystem conditions on seasonal growth patterns of Atlantic salmon, yet the literature does not provide consistent answers regarding the timing or drivers of marine annulus formation. This study demonstrates a novel method for estimating stock-specific annulus formation timing based on marked individuals with known emigration and return/recovery dates. An equation was applied to estimate the date of annulus completion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using known dates, number of circuli after the most recent annulus and marine circulus deposition rate. Five marine circulus deposition rate scenarios were tested, some of which accounted for individual, seasonal and age-related variability and others which use previously published marine circulus deposition rates. Based on these results, an argument is presented to reconsider the practice of assigning annulus formation dates to winter solstice in favour of dates estimated by a scenario that accounts for individual, seasonal and age-related variation in circulus deposition. This scenario suggests that annulus formation occurs between mid-February and late March. In this case, the annulus would be formed during the coldest part of the year in the primary overwintering area for North American Atlantic salmon.

The Influence of Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Conditions on Fisheries and Socio-Economic Activities of Local Fishermen

Fisheries and socio-economic activities of fishermen, especially traditional local fishermen, largely rely on coastal and marine ecosystem condition. Degradation of coastal and marine resources, particularly coral reefs and fish, is widespread as a result of the increase in pressures on these resources, which tends to continue in parallel with the increase of economic activities in the coastal areas. The high potential of coastal and marine resources has triggered fishermen from outside to utilize these resources for profit without paying attention to their sustainability. This situation creates high competition over resources, leading to conflict of interests and overlapping fishing areas between local and domestic fishermen, as well as those from neighbouring countries. The local fishermen are in a weak position; their fleet, fishing equipment and bargaining position are much worse than the outsiders. Meanwhile, climatic conditions, especially the more frequent extreme weather, also have a major impact on fisheries activities, production and fishermen incomes. This paper discusses these issues in Natuna District, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia. It uses empirical data from Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and my related research activities in this location. Data is also collected from secondary sources, including related books, papers, documents, and research results.

Proposal of a Strategy for Three-dimensional Wide-area Ocean Observation with Swarm Intelligent Autonomous Underwater Gliders

The ocean absorbs heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and serves to mitigate rapid climate change caused by human activities. The ocean also has the function of maintaining natural cycles such as the oceanic general circulation, carbon cycle and providing us with fishery resources. A healthy, pollution-free marine environment is essential for the sustainable development of human society. However, global warming, ocean acidification, oxygen depletion, and accumulation of marine plastic waste are now facing serious threats to marine ecosystems. In order to conserve the abundant sea, it is very important to have a correct understanding of the ocean environment and marine ecosystem conditions over a long term and wide area. In this research, the authors assume the underwater glider with independently controllable main wings, SOARER developed at Osaka Prefecture University, and propose a threedimensional wide-area ocean observation strategy for Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Several cases of underwater cruise simulation with swarm intelligent autonomous underwater gliders were carried out to estimate the required number of underwater gliders which cover the Japan's EEZ and to consider its validity and effectiveness.

Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) as bioprobes: Fine-scale measurements of oceanographic properties using an instrumented large marine predator

Obtaining high resolution data on the physical and biological conditions in marine ecosystems is needed to better understand the impacts of environmental variability. The instrumentation of deep-diving, large marine predators has proven useful in sampling these conditions below the surface at fine spatio-temporal scales that would otherwise be extremely challenging. Data were retrieved from 94 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus; 25 males, 69 females) instrumented with Mk10-AF FastlocTM GPS devices on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada between 2009 and 2015. These devices were programmed to record high resolution location data every 15 min as well as depth (m), temperature (°C), and light level every 10 s during dives. Oceanographic data from 595,866 dive profiles were used to estimate mixed layer depth, sea-surface temperature, upper-water column temperature, and chlorophyll-a concentration. Sampling covered about 70% of the Scotian Shelf, with a monthly average of about 26%. These data allow for monitoring of areas that are ecologically important and serve to complement other methods of oceanographic sampling.

A New Long-Term Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Program for the Knowledge and Management in Marine Protected Areas of the Mexican Caribbean

In the Mexican Caribbean, 15 marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established for managing and protecting marine ecosystems. These MPAs receive high anthropogenic pressure from coastal development, tourism, and fishing, all in synergy with climate change. To contribute to the MPAs’ effectiveness, it is necessary to provide a long-term observation system of the condition of marine ecosystems and species. Our study proposes the establishment of a new marine biodiversity monitoring program (MBMP) focusing on three MPAs of the Mexican Caribbean. Five conservation objects (COs) were defined (coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, marine turtles, and sharks-rays) for their ecological relevance and the pressures they are facing. Coral reef, seagrass and mangroves have multiple biological, biogeochemical and physical interactions. Marine turtles are listed as endangered species, and the status of their populations is unknown in the marine area of the MPAs. Elasmobranchs play a key role as top and medium predators, and their populations have been poorly studied. Indicators were proposed for monitoring each CO. As a technological innovation, all information obtained from the MBMP will be uploaded to the Coastal Marine Information and Analysis System (SIMAR), a public, user-friendly and interactive web platform that allows for automatic data management and processing.

Measuring the impact of oceanographic indices on species distribution shifts: The spatially varying effect of cold‐pool extent in the eastern Bering Sea

AbstractOceanographers have spent decades developing annual indices that summarize physical conditions in marine ecosystems. Examples include the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, summarizing annual variation in the location of warm waters in the North Pacific, and cold‐pool extent (CPE), summarizing the area with cold near‐bottom waters in the eastern Bering Sea. However, these indices are rarely included in the species distribution models that are used to identify and forecast distribution shifts under future climate scenarios. I therefore review three interpretations of spatially varying coefficient models, explain how they can be used to estimate spatial patterns of population density associated with oceanographic indices, and add this option to the multivariate spatiotemporal model VAST. I then use a case study involving bottom trawl data for 17 fish and decapod species in the eastern Bering Sea 1982–2017 to answer: does a spatially varying coefficient model for CPE explain variation in spatial distribution for species in this region? And (2) does a spatially varying effect of CPE remain substantial even when local temperature is also included as a covariate? Results show that CPE and local bottom temperature are both identified as parsimonious by Akaike Information Criterion for 13 of 17 species, jointly explain nearly 9%–14% of spatiotemporal variation on average, and CPE does explain variation in excess of local temperature alone. I therefore conclude that spatially varying coefficient models are a useful way to assimilate oceanographic indices within species distribution models, and hypothesize that these will be useful to account for decadal‐scale variability within multidecadal forecasts of distribution shift.

MORPHOLOGICAL DEFORMITIES IN BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA TESTS AS INDICATORS OF MERINE ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS UNDER THE FRESHWATER RUNOFF

Problem Statement and Purpose. This article represents the results of studying the lateral distribution of morphological deformations in foraminifera shells on the Roma­nian shelf of the Black Sea in connection with the influence of the freshwater inflow of the Danube River. In comparison with other organisms, features of the morphology and life cycle of benthic foraminifera offer a number of advantages for this kind of study, allowing using them to be readily used as indicators of various conditions in marine ecosystems. The purpose of this project is to study morphological features of foraminifera in connection with the influence on them of river inflow.Materials S Methods. The study area includes the northwestern part of the Black Sea shelf adjacent to the Romanian part of the Danube delta. Seventeen stations were sampled on-board the Romanian research vessel «Mare Nigrum» on 3-7 May 2012 (Cruise MN-103) within the framework of the WAPCOAST project. Sediments were recovered by 0.1 m2 Van Veen Grab. For foraminiferal analysis, the sediment samples were recovered by grab from undisturbed surface (0-2 cm) sediment. All specimens were morphologically examined and taxonomically identified. Examples of all spe­cies were imaged using Scanning Election Microscopy (SEM) at the University of Manitoba. Winnipeg. Canada.Results. 15 species of benthic foraminifera were recovered. Deformations were found in 6 species: Ammonia tepida, Ammonia compacta, Ammonia ammoniformis, Porosononion subgranosus mediteiraniens, Nonion matagordanus, and Canalifera parkerae. After statistical analysis, only 3 species gave significant correlation coef­ficients with parameters of the bottom environment: Ammonia tepida, Porosononion subgranosus mediterranicus, and Nonion matagordanus. There are two main types of abnormalities: simple and combined. The basic simple deformations are "tumors" on test chambers, breaking the spiral of the test. "Siamese twins." (accreted tests), underdevelopment and swelling of the test. In the article, only simple deformations are considered. The most common simple deformations for all the species encountered were tumors. Most often, these appear in the species Ammonia tepida. The taxonomic diversity and quantitative characteristics of foraminifera on the Romanian Black Sea shelf suggest three main factors at work. Factor 1 (the main one) is the distance from the coast. The second most significant is Factor 2, which is the eutrophication of the water column. Factor 3 is anthropogenic pollution of the bottom layer of water that enters the study area from the Danube.The Danube River creates stressfiil conditions for the individual development of A. tepida and P. subgranosus mediterranicus, and. accordingly, it may cause the morphological deformations. Deformations of the "Siamese twins" type can be used as indicators of deterioration hi the oxygen regime of the basin, and the swelling of the tests - an excess of nutrients. The findings are consistent with the results of previous studies that have shown that freshwater drainage causes stress in marine ecosystems.

Detection of Horizontal Transfer of Housekeeping and Hydrocarbons Catabolism Genes in Bacterial Genus with Potential to Application in Bioremediation Process

In silico analysis can be useful to infer about the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as well as to deduce about the evolutionary relations of catabolic genes. In this study, we performed the analysis of two housekeeping genes (fabD and rpoD) and two catabolic genes (alkB and catA) from 12 bacterial genus usually founded in marine environments. Comparing the trees obtained from Bayesian Inference hypotheses of these genes with 16S rDNA sequences, we noted the topologies are different among housekeeping or catabolic genes trees comparing to 16S gene tree. The HGT may be used with the purpose to spread genes within bacterial community according to environmental conditions in marine ecosystems. In this way, using our analysis, we concluded that hydrocarbons catabolism genes as well as housekeeping genes can be subject to horizontal gene transfers among marine bacterial communities.

Assessment of water quality from the Normanby River catchment to coastal flood plumes on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Understanding the flux and fate of nutrients and sediments from rivers is of global importance because of the effects of these materials on coastal ecosystems. The present study followed three flood events from upper tributaries of the Normanby River to Princess Charlotte Bay in the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon, Australia. During each event, nutrients and suspended sediment concentrations were measured along a freshwater to marine transect. The upper catchment provided the majority of suspended sediments and nutrients supplied to the river system, although concentrations of most materials decreased by 52–85% between the upper catchment and estuary. As an exception, ammonium concentrations doubled within the estuary, indicating that undisturbed coastal ecosystems can provide a significant source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen to tropical river flood plumes. The dissolved nutrients in floodwaters stimulated phytoplankton blooms that inundated seagrass meadows and coral reefs. Northern GBR marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change and catchment development. The results of this study show that increased anthropogenic loads of nutrients and sediments from the upper Normanby catchment have the potential to affect the condition of marine ecosystems at Princess Charlotte Bay.

A Distribution of pH and Temperatures in Palopo Coastal Water, South Sulawesi

The construction work in coastal and marine zones has an impact of environmental quality degradation. It causes an environmental pollution which has brought changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water environment. Temperature and pH as physical parameters can directly affect marine ecosystem conditions. This research aims to study the pH and temperature conditions and to simulate distributions of these components in Palopo seawater. Direct pH and temperature measurements are provided in eleven stations and implemented on December, 2017. Also, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Surfer 13 software are applied to analyze all obtained data. The results of pH and surface temperature measurements in the Palopo's coastal waters, it showed that surface pH values range from 6 to 6.5. This value is below the quality standards for sea water pH to marine biota around at pH7-8,5, while the surface temperature value is at around 31,5 - 33,3oC. This value has passed the sea water quality standard for marine biota at 28-30oC. A simulation mapping result indicates that the distribution of pH and surface temperature is affected by increased community activity in coastal waters.

Spatial and temporal changes in cumulative human impacts on the world's ocean.

Human pressures on the ocean are thought to be increasing globally, yet we know little about their patterns of cumulative change, which pressures are most responsible for change, and which places are experiencing the greatest increases. Managers and policymakers require such information to make strategic decisions and monitor progress towards management objectives. Here we calculate and map recent change over 5 years in cumulative impacts to marine ecosystems globally from fishing, climate change, and ocean- and land-based stressors. Nearly 66% of the ocean and 77% of national jurisdictions show increased human impact, driven mostly by climate change pressures. Five percent of the ocean is heavily impacted with increasing pressures, requiring management attention. Ten percent has very low impact with decreasing pressures. Our results provide large-scale guidance about where to prioritize management efforts and affirm the importance of addressing climate change to maintain and improve the condition of marine ecosystems.

An integrated ocean circulation, wave, atmosphere, and marine ecosystem prediction system for the South Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Mexico

An integrated nowcast/forecast modelling system covering the South Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Mexico (SABGOM) is in operation, utilizing sophisticated model coupling and parallel computing techniques. This three-dimensional, high-resolution, regional nowcast/forecast system provides a nowcast and an 84 h forecast of marine weather, ocean waves and circulation, and basic marine ecosystem conditions to the public via a Google Map interface. The SABGOM system runs automatically daily and supports a series of user-defined online applications. Extensive model validations were performed online against in situ and satellite-observed ocean conditions. The SABGOM system exhibits a reliable capability of providing valuable forecasts.

Functional groups of marine ciliated protozoa and their relationships to water quality

Ciliated protozoa (ciliates) play important ecological roles in coastal waters, especially regarding their interaction with environmental parameters. In order to increase our knowledge and understanding on the functional structure of ciliate communities and their relationships to environmental conditions in marine ecosystems, a 12-month study was carried out in a semi-enclosed bay in northern China. Samples were collected biweekly at five sampling stations with differing levels of pollution/eutrophication, giving a total of 120 samples. Thirteen functional groups of ciliates (A-M) were defined based on their specific spatio-temporal distribution and relationships to physico-chemical parameters. Six of these groups (H-M) were the primary contributors to the ciliate communities in the polluted/eutrophic areas, whereas the other seven groups (A-G) dominated the communities in less polluted areas. Six groups (A, D, G, H, I and K) dominated during the warm seasons (summer and autumn), with the other seven (B, C, E, F, J, L and M) dominating in the cold seasons (spring and winter). Of these, groups B (mainly aloricate ciliates), I (aloricate ciliates) and L (mainly loricate tintinnids) were the primary contributors to the communities. It was also shown that aloricate ciliates and tintinnids represented different roles in structuring and functioning of the communities. The results suggest that the ciliate communities may be constructed by several functional groups in response to the environmental conditions. Thus, we conclude that these functional groups might be potentially useful bioindicators for bioassessment and conservation in marine habitats.