Ecological assessment data of the marine flora and fauna of Point Lookout in 2014 (PLEA)

In 2014, UniDive (The University of Queensland Underwater Club) conducted an ecological assessment of the Point Lookout Dive sites for comparison with similar surveys conducted in 2001. Involvement in the project was voluntary. Members of UniDive who were marine experts conducted training for other club members who had no, or limited, experience in identifying marine organisms and mapping habitats. Since the 2001 detailed baseline study, no similar seasonal survey has been conducted. The 2014 data is particularly important given that numerous changes have taken place in relation to the management of, and potential impacts on, these reef sites. In 2009, Moreton Bay Marine Park was re-zoned, and Flat Rock was converted to a marine national park zone (Green zone) with no fishing or anchoring. In 2012, four permanent moorings were installed at Flat Rock. Additionally, the entire area was exposed to the potential effects of the 2011 and 2013 Queensland floods, including flood plumes which carried large quantities of sediment into Moreton Bay and surrounding waters. The population of South East Queensland has increased from 2.49 million in 2001 to 3.18 million in 2011 (BITRE, 2013). This rapidly expanding coastal population has increased the frequency and intensity of both commercial and recreational activities around Point Lookout dive sites (EPA 2008). Methodology used for the PLEA project was based on the 2001 survey protocols, Reef Check Australia protocols and Coral Watch methods. This hybrid methodology was used to monitor substrate and benthos, invertebrates, fish, and reef health impacts. Additional analyses were conducted with georeferenced photo transects. The PLEA marine surveys were conducted over six weekends in 2014 totaling 535 dives and 376 hours underwater. Two training weekends (February and March) were attended by 44 divers, whilst biological surveys were conducted on seasonal weekends (February, May, July and October). Three reefs were surveyed, with two semi-permanent transects at Flat Rock, two at Shag Rock, and one at Manta Ray Bommie. Each transect was sampled once every survey weekend, with the transect tapes deployed at a depth of 10 m below chart datum. Fish populations were assessed using a visual census along 3 x 20 m transects. Each transect was 5 m wide (2.5 m either side of the transect tape), 5 m high and 20 m in length. Fish families and species were chosen that are commonly targeted by recreational or commercial fishers, or targeted by aquarium collectors, and that were easily identified by their body shape. Rare or otherwise unusual species were also recorded. Target invertebrate populations were assessed using visual census along 3 x 20 m transects. Each transect was 5 m wide (2.5 m either side of the transect tape) and 20 m in length. The diver surveying invertebrates conducted a 'U-shaped' search pattern, covering 2.5 m on either side of the transect tape. Target impacts were assessed using a visual census along the 3 x 20 m transects. Each transect was 5 m wide (2.5 m either side of the transect tape) and 20 m in length. The transect was surveyed via a 'U-shaped' search pattern, covering 2.5 m on either side of the transect tape. Substrate surveys were conducted using the point sampling method, enabling percentage cover of substrate types and benthic organisms to be calculated. The substrate or benthos under the transect line was identified at 0.5m intervals, with a 5m gap between each of the three 20m segments. Categories recorded included various growth forms of hard and soft coral, key species/growth forms of algae, other living organisms (i.e. sponges), recently killed coral, and, non-living substrate types (i.e. bare rock, sand, rubble, silt/clay).

Spatial compartmentalization of free radical formation and mitochondrial heterogeneity in bivalve gills revealed by live-imaging techniques, supplementary material

Live-imaging techniques (LIT) utilize target-specific fluorescent dyes to visualize biochemical processes using confocal and multiphoton scanning microscopy, which are increasingly employed as non-invasive approach to physiological in-vivo and ex-vivo studies. Here we report application of LIT to bivalve gills for ex-vivo analysis of gill physiology and mapping of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species formation in the living tissue. Our results indicate that H2O2, HOO. and ONOO- radicals (assessed through C-H2DFFDA staining) are mainly formed within the blood sinus of the filaments and are likely to be produced by hemocytes as defense against invading pathogens. The oxidative damage in these areas is controlled by enhanced CAT (catalase) activities recorded within the filaments. The outermost areas of the ciliated epithelial cells composing the filaments, concentrated the highest mitochondrial densities (MTK Deep Red 633 staining) and the most acidic pH values (as observed with ageladine-a). These mitochondria have low (depolarized) membrane potentials (D psi m) (JC-1 staining), suggesting that the high amounts of ATP required for ciliary beating may be in part produced by non-mitochondrial mechanisms, such as the enzymatic activity of an ATP-regenerating kinase. Nitric oxide (NO, DAF-2DA staining) produced in the region of the peripheral mitochondria may have an effect on mitochondrial electron transport and possibly cause the low membrane potential. High DAF-2DA staining was moreover observed in the muscle cells composing the wall of the blood vessels where NO may be involved in regulating blood vessel diameter. On the ventral bend of the gills, subepithelial mucus glands (SMG) contain large mucous vacuoles showing higher fluorescence intensities for O2.- (DHE staining) than the rest of the tissue. Given the antimicrobial properties of superoxide, release of O2.- into the mucus may help to avoid the development of microbial biofilms on the gill surface. However, cells of the ventral bends are paying a price for this antimicrobial protection, since they show significantly higher oxidative damage, according to the antioxidant enzyme activities and the carbonyl levels, than the rest of the gill tissue. This study provides the first evidence that one single epithelial cell may contain mitochondria with significantly different membrane potentials. Furthermore, we provide new insight into ROS and RNS formation in ex-vivo gill tissues which opens new perspectives for unraveling the different ecophysiological roles of ROS and RNS in multifunctional organs such as gills.

Habitat Maps derived from Point Lookout Ecological Surveys (PLEA) of the Shag Rock, Manta Ray Bommie and Flat Rock dive sites at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, Australia, in 2014, in ArcGIS (shapefile) format

In 2014, UniDive (The University of Queensland Underwater Club) conducted an ecological assessment of the Point Lookout Dive sites for comparison with similar surveys conducted in 2001 - the PLEA project. Involvement in the project was voluntary. Members of UniDive who were marine experts conducted training for other club members who had no, or limited, experience in identifying marine organisms and mapping habitats. Since the 2001 detailed baseline study, no similar seasonal survey has been conducted. The 2014 data is particularly important given that numerous changes have taken place in relation to the management of, and potential impacts on, these reef sites. In 2009, Moreton Bay Marine Park was re-zoned, and Flat Rock was converted to a marine national park zone (Green zone) with no fishing or anchoring. In 2012, four permanent moorings were installed at Flat Rock. Additionally, the entire area was exposed to the potential effects of the 2011 and 2013 Queensland floods, including flood plumes which carried large quantities of sediment into Moreton Bay and surrounding waters. The population of South East Queensland has increased from 2.49 million in 2001 to 3.18 million in 2011 (BITRE, 2013). This rapidly expanding coastal population has increased the frequency and intensity of both commercial and recreational activities around Point Lookout dive sites (EPA 2008). Habitats were mapped using a combination of towed GPS photo transects, aerial photography and expert knowledge. This data provides georeferenced information regarding the major features of each of the Point Lookout Dive Sites.

Study of the fronts of Johnsons and Hurd Glaciers (Livingston Island, Antarctica) from 1957 to 2013, with links to shapefiles

The study of glacier fronts combines different geomatics measurement techniques as the classic survey using total station or theodolite, technical GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), using laser-scanner or using photogrammetry (air or ground). The measure by direct methods (classical surveying and GNSS) is useful and fast when accessibility to the glaciers fronts is easy, while it is practically impossible to realize, in the case of glacier fronts that end up in the sea (tide water glaciers). In this paper, a methodology that combines photogrammetric methods and other techniques for lifting the front of the glacier Johnsons, inaccessible is studied. The images obtained from the front, come from a non-metric digital camera; its georeferencing to a global coordinate system is performed by measuring points GNSS support in accessible areas of the glacier front side and applying methods of direct intersection in inaccessible points of the front, taking measurements with theodolite. The result of observations obtained were applied to study the temporal evolution (1957-2014) of the position of the Johnsons glacier front and the position of the Argentina, Las Palmas and Sally Rocks lobes front (Hurd glacier).

Secchi depth maps for the Baltic Sea, 2003-2012, with links to GeoTIFs

Secchi depth is a measure of water transparency. In the Baltic Sea region, Secchi depth maps are used to assess eutrophication and as input for habitat models. Due to their spatial and temporal coverage, satellite data would be the most suitable data source for such maps. But the Baltic Sea's optical properties are so different from the open ocean that globally calibrated standard models suffer from large errors. Regional predictive models that take the Baltic Sea's special optical properties into account are thus needed. This paper tests how accurately generalized linear models (GLMs) and generalized additive models (GAMs) with MODIS/Aqua and auxiliary data as inputs can predict Secchi depth at a regional scale. It uses cross-validation to test the prediction accuracy of hundreds of GAMs and GLMs with up to 5 input variables. A GAM with 3 input variables (chlorophyll a, remote sensing reflectance at 678 nm, and long-term mean salinity) made the most accurate predictions. Tested against field observations not used for model selection and calibration, the best model's mean absolute error (MAE) for daily predictions was 1.07 m (22%), more than 50% lower than for other publicly available Baltic Sea Secchi depth maps. The MAE for predicting monthly averages was 0.86 m (15%). Thus, the proposed model selection process was able to find a regional model with good prediction accuracy. It could be useful to find predictive models for environmental variables other than Secchi depth, using data from other satellite sensors, and for other regions where non-standard remote sensing models are needed for prediction and mapping. Annual and monthly mean Secchi depth maps for 2003-2012 come with this paper as Supplementary materials.

Gridded bathymetry from multibeam echosounder ELAC BottomChart MkII data of the cruise POS317/3 (2004)

Bathymetry based on data recorded during POS317-3 between 19.09.2004 and 13.10.2004 in the Black Sea. This cruise concentrated on bathymetric mapping and mapping of gas seeps by hydro-acoustic detection of gas flares in the water column and the quantification of microbial turnover of gassy sediments and microbial mats. The major objective during POS317-3 was the characterization and identification of microorganisms involved in the anaerobic methane oxidation in the sediment and in microbial mats. As part of these investigations characteristic organic molecules will be identified, which can be used as biomarkers for anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms.

(Figure 2) Suspended sediment concentration profiles from samples in the outer harbor of Emden, Germany

One particularly complex phenomenon is the episodic, tidally driven variation of navigable depth level as a result of fluid mud settlement. This paper presents results from dynamic cone penetration testing with pore pressure measurement (CPTU) as a nonacoustical, direct device to support surveying and management of these areas. The new technique is modular and uses a disk configuration for fluid mud detection. Both disk resistance and pore pressure measurements accurately identify suspended matter concentrations of 90 g/L or more, and the transition from fluid mud to consolidating mud once concentrations exceed 150 g/L. Hence, the procedure attests the potential for rapid, reliable assessment of a fluid mud layer and concurrent characterization of the underlying consolidated sediment by monitoring the pore pressure and strength changes during penetration.