Warm eyes provide superior vision in swordfishes

Large and powerful ocean predators such as swordfishes, some tunas, and several shark species are unique among fishes in that they are capable of maintaining elevated body temperatures (endothermy) when hunting for prey in deep and cold water [1-3]. In these animals, warming the central nervous system and the eyes is the one common feature of this energetically costly adaptation [4]. In the swordfish (Xiphias gladius), a highly specialized heating system located in an extraocular muscle specifically warms the eyes and brain up to 10degreesC-15degreesC above ambient water temperatures [2, 5]. Although the function of neural warming in fishes has been the subject of considerable speculation [1, 6, 7], the biological significance of this unusual ability has until now remained unknown. We show here that warming the retina significantly improves temporal resolution, and hence the detection of rapid motion, in fast-swimming predatory fishes such as the swordfish. Depending on diving depth, temporal resolution can be more than ten times greater in these fishes than in fishes with eyes at the same temperature as the surrounding water. The enhanced temporal resolution allowed by heated eyes provides warm-blooded and highly visual oceanic predators, such as swordfishes, tunas, and sharks, with a crucial advantage over their agile, cold-blooded prey.

Modelling the effects of inflow parameters on lake water quality

A one-dimensional lake water quality model which includes water temperature, phytoplankton, phosphorus as phosphate, nitrogen as ammonia, nitrogen as nitrate and dissolved oxygen concentrations, previously calibrated for Lake Calhoun (USA) is applied to Uokiri Lake (Japan) for the year 1994. The model simulated phytoplankton and nutrient concentrations in the lake from July to November. Most of the water quality parameters are found to be the same as for Lake Calhoun. To predict probable lake water quality deterioration from algal blooming due to increased nutrient influx from river inflow, the model was run for several inflow water conditions. Effects of inflow nutrient concentration, inflow volume, inflow water temperatures are presented separately. The effect of each factor is considered in isolation although in reality more than one factor can change simultaneously. From the results it is clear that inflow nutrient concentration, inflow volume and inflow water temperature show very regular and reasonable impacts on lake water quality.

Year-round presence of dugongs in Pumicestone Passage, south-east Queensland, examined in relation to water temperature and seagrass distribution

Pumicestone Passage is a narrow waterway that lies to the north of and adjacent to Moreton Bay, and between mainland Queensland and Bribie Island, Australia. Anecdotal reports have suggested that the Passage is home to dugongs year-round despite winter water temperatures that are known to cause dugongs to migrate elsewhere. To examine the pattern of distribution and abundance of dugongs within the passage on a year-round basis, eight years of sightings data collected by a charter boat operator were examined. Dedicated aerial surveys of the passage were also conducted at two-monthly intervals over two years, and more intensively over a single winter. Dugong sightings were examined in relation to water temperatures and seagrass prevalence. The number of dugongs sighted in the area on any one survey varied from 0 to 13. Dugongs were seen in all months of the year and in each of the eight winters, indicating that Pumicestone Passage is used year-round despite winter water temperatures dropping to below 18 degrees C from June to August inclusive and below 16 degrees C in June. All dugong sightings occurred in the southern part of the passage, south of Tripcony Bight. Dugongs were associated with shallows that support Halophila and Halodule species of seagrass, food species that are favoured elsewhere in their range. The northern part of the passage also supports seagrasses that are eaten by dugongs and has water temperature ranges that are not appreciably different to those of the southern passage. However, the narrow channels and very shallow nature of the northern passage provides little to no deep-water refugia for dugongs and the seagrass beds are less extensive. This study suggests that southern Pumicestone Passage requires protection concomitant with it being a year-round refuge of the vulnerable dugong.

Ecophysiology of the marine cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula (Oscillatoriaceae) in Moreton Bay, Australia

Large blooms of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula in Moreton Bay, Australia (27 degrees 05'S, 153 degrees 08'E) have been re-occurring for several years. A bloom was studied in Deception Bay (Northern Moreton Bay) in detail over the period January-March 2000. In situ data loggers and field sampling characterised various environmental parameters before and during the L. majuscula bloom. Various ecophysiological experiments were conducted on L. majuscula collected in the field and transported to the laboratory, including short-term (2h) C-14 incorporation rates and long-term (7 days) pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry assessments of photosynthetic capacity. The effects of L. majuscula on various seagrasses in the bloom region were also assessed with repeated biomass sampling. The bloom commenced in January 2000 following usual December rainfall events, water temperatures in excess of 24 degrees C and high light conditions. This bloom expanded rapidly from 0 to a maximum extent of 8 km(2) over 55 days with an average biomass of 210 g(dw)(-1) m(-2) in late February, followed by a rapid decline in early April. Seagrass biomass, especially Syringodium isoetifolium, was found to decline in areas of dense L. majuscula accumulation. Dissolved and total nutrient concentrations did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) preceding or during the bloom. However, water samples from creeks discharging into the study region indicated elevated concentrations of total iron (2.7-80.6 mu M) and dissolved organic carbon (2.5-24.7 mg L-1), associated with low pH values (3.8-6.7). C-14 incorporation rates by L. majuscula were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated by additions of iron (5 mu M Fe), an organic chelator, ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (5 mu M EDTA) and phosphorus (5 mu M PO4-3). Photosynthetic capacity measured with PAM fluorometry was also stimulated by various nutrient additions, but not significantly (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the L. majuscula bloom may have been stimulated by bioavailable iron, perhaps complexed by dissolved organic carbon. The rapid bloom expansion observed may then have been sustained by additional inputs of nutrients (N and P) and iron through sediment efflux, stimulated by redox changes due to decomposing L. majuscula mats. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A trace element study of siderite-jasper banded iron formation in the 3.45 Ga Warrawoona Group, Pilbara Craton - Formation from hydrothermal fluids and shallow seawater

Shale-normalised rare earth element and yttrium (REE + Y) patterns for siderite-jasper couples in a banded iron formation of the 3.45 Ga Panorama Formation, Warrawoona Group, eastern Pilbara Craton, display distinct positive Y and Eu anomalies and weak positive La and Gd anomalies, combined with depleted light REE relative to middle and heavy REE. Ambient seawater and hydrothermal fluids are identified as major sources of REE + Y for the BIF. In the case of siderites, strong correlations between incompatible trace elements and trace element ratios diagnostic of seawater indicate variable input from a terrigenous source (e.g. volcanic ash). We propose a volcanic caldera setting as a likely depositional environment where jasper and siderite precipitated as alternating bands in response to episodic changes in ambient water chemistry. The episodicity was either driven by fluctuations in the intensity of hydrothermal activity or changes in magma chamber activity, which in turn controlled relative sea level. In this context, precipitation of jasper probably reflects background conditions during which seawater was saturated in silica due to evaporative conditions, while siderites were deposited most likely during intermittent periods of enhanced volcanic activity when seawater was more acidic due to the release of exhalative phases (e.g. CO2). © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A bloom of Lyngbya majuscula in Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia: An important feeding ground for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Lyngbya majuscula, a toxic cyanobacterium, was observed blooming during June-July (winter) 2002 in Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia, an important feeding area for a large population of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). The bloom was mapped and extensive mats of L majuscula were observed overgrowing seagrass beds along at least 18 km of coast, and covering a surface area of more than I I km(2). Higher than average rainfall preceded the bloom and high water temperatures in the preceding summer may have contributed to the bloom. In bloom samples, lyngbyatoxin A (LA) was found to be present in low concentration (26 mu g kg(-1) (dry weight)), but debromoaplysiatoxin (DAT) was not detected. The diet of 46 green turtles was assessed during the bloom and L. majuscula was found in 51% of the samples, however, overall it contributed only 2% of the animals' diets. L. majuscula contribution to turtle diet was found to increase as the availability of the cyanobacterium increased. The bloom appeared to have no immediate impact on turtle body condition, however, the presence of a greater proportion of damaged seagrass leaves in diet in conjunction with decreases in plasma concentrations of sodium and glucose could suggest that the turtles may have been exposed to a Substandard diet as a result of the bloom. This is the first confirmed report of L. majuscula blooming in winter in Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia and demonstrates that turtles consume the toxic cyanobacterium in the wild, and that they are potentially exposed to tumour promoting compounds produced by this organism. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nanoscale tubular vessels for storage of methane at ambient temperatures

Novel carbon nanostructures can serve as effective storage media for methane, a source of clean energy for the future. We have used Grand Canonical Monte Carlo Simulation for the modeling of methane storage at 293 K and pressures up to 80 MPa in idealized bundles of (10,10) armchair-type single-walled carbon nanotubes and wormlike carbon pores. We have found that these carbon nanomaterials can be treated as the world's smallest high-capacity methane storage vessels. Our simulation results indicate that such novel carbon nanostructures can reach a high volumetric energy storage, exceeding the US FreedomCAR Partnership target of 2010 (5.4 MJ dm(-3)), at low to moderate pressures ranging from 1 to 7 MPa at 293 K. On the contrary, in the absence of these nanomaterials, methane needs to be compressed to approximately 13 MPa at 293 K to achieve the same target. The light carbon membranes composed of bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes or wormlike pores efficiently physisorb methane at low to moderate pressures at 293 K, which we believe should be particularly important for automobiles and stationary devices. However, above 15-20 MPa at 293 K, all investigated samples of novel carbon nanomaterials are not as effective when compared with compression alone since the stored volumetric energy and power saturate at values below those of the bulk, compressed fluid.

Optimization of slitlike carbon nanopores for storage of hythane fuel at ambient temperatures

Carbons with slitlike pores can serve as effective host materials for storage of hythane fuel, a bridge between the petrol combustion and hydrogen fuel cells. We have used grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation for the modeling of the hydrogen and methane mixture storage at 293 K and pressure of methane and hydrogen mixture up to 2 MPa. We have found that these pores serve as efficient vessels for the storage of hythane fuel near ambient temperatures and low pressures. We find that, for carbons having optimized slitlike pores of size H congruent to 7 angstrom ( pore width that can accommodate one adsorbed methane layer), and bulk hydrogen mole fraction >= 0.9, the volumetric stored energy exceeds the 2010 target of 5.4 MJ dm(-3) established by the U. S. FreedomCAR Partnership. At the same condition, the content of hydrogen in slitlike carbon pores is congruent to 7% by energy. Thus, we have obtained the composition corresponding to hythane fuel in carbon nanospaces with greatly enhanced volumetric energy in comparison to the traditional compression method. We proposed the simple system with added extra container filled with pure free/adsorbed methane for adjusting the composition of the desorbed mixture as needed during delivery. Our simulation results indicate that light slit pore carbon nanomaterials with optimized parameters are suitable filling vessels for storage of hythane fuel. The proposed simple system consisting of main vessel with physisorbed hythane fuel, and an extra container filled with pure free/adsorbed methane will be particularly suitable for combustion of hythane fuel in buses and passenger cars near ambient temperatures and low pressures.