Efecto de las distancias entre surcos sobre la incidencia de malezas en cultivo de nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L.) y entomofauna asociada, en Diriamba, Nicaragua

El nopal ( Opuntia ficus indica L.), es una planta perteneciente a la familia de las Cactáceas que sobrevive en zonas áridas o semiáridas, tiene un papel ecológico importante, ya que detiene la degrad ación del suelo deforestado, convirtiendo tierr as improductivas en productivas. E ste c ultivo es práctica mente desconocido en Nicaragua y hay pocos datos de manejo agronómico a nivel local . Por esta razón se estableció el presente experimento en la finca Gu adarrama, en la co munidad Buena Vista Sur, km 56 carretera a Diriamba - La Boquita . É ste se inició en el mes de julio del 2006, con el objetivo de conocer la incidencia de malezas en diferentes distancias e ntre surcos en cultivo de nopal. U tilizándose un di seño de Bloques Completos al Azar, con cuatro di stanciamientos entre surcos 0.5, 1.0 , 1.5 y 2.0 metros respectivamente, siendo las distancias entre plantas de 0.5 m en todos los casos . L as variables medidas fueron abundancia, dominancia ( % cobertura , bioma sa ) y diversidad. Los resultados obtenidos muestran un 80 % de arvenses monocotiledóneas y un 20 % de dicotiledóneas. No existió significancia estadística según Tukey al 95 % para ambos grupos de malezas , sin embargo existi eron d iferencias numéricas. L as m onocotiled óneas dominaron sobre dicotiledóneas presentando peso s entre 746 y 1 348 kg/ha . L a maleza más dominante fue Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. de la familia de las Poáceas y la dicotiledónea correspondió a Chamaescyse hirta (L.) Mill spaugh de la famili a Euforbiáceas . S e encontraron 15 especies de insectos, 5 pertenecen al ó rden Lepidóptera, 3 H omóptera, 2 O rthoptera, los demás pertenecen a los ó rdenes D íptera , H ymenóptera, M antodea, M iriápodos y H emíptera

Efecto de diferentes dosis de compost en epoca seca sobre el rendimiento, crecimiento y rentabilidad del nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L.), Diriamba, Carazo, 2009

El nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L.), por su facilidad de adaptación y supervivencia en condiciones de sequía extrema, le confieren amplia posibilidad en zonas áridas y semiáridas. El ensayo se estableció el 06 de febrero de l 2009 en Buena Vista Sur, Diriamba, Carazo, en diseño de Bloques completos al azar (BCA). Las variables evaluadas fueron sobrevivencia, número, ancho, longitud de brotes, brotes a cosecha y rendimiento; los tratamientos fueron un testigo absoluto y diferentes dosis de compost: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 y 2.5 kg.planta-1. Los tratamientos se distribuyeron en 4 bloques de manera azarizada, los cuales se aplicaron en el momento de la siembra. Antes de la siembra se realizó un control manual de arvenses. La semilla fue recolectada en zonas aledañas al en sayo. La cosecha se realizó a los 120 días después de la siembra, encontrándose que ninguno de los tratamientos presentaron significancia estadística en cuanto a número, ancho y longitud de brotes, sin embargo en cuanto a la sobrevivencia, T3 (1.0 kg.planta-1) y T5 (2.0 kg.planta-1) presentaron 100% de sobrevivencia y el que presentó menor porcentaje (91 %) fue el T6 (2.5 kg.planta-1); el mayor ancho (5.25 cm) y mayor longitud (12.18 cm), se obtuvo en el T3 (1.0 kg.planta-1); el menor ancho (3.81 cm) fue el testigo absoluto y menor longitud (8.37 cm) fue el T4 (1.5 kg.planta-1); el mayor número de brotes (4.25 brotes.planta-1) fue el T5 (2.0 kg.planta-1) y el que presentó menor número de brotes (1.75 brotes.planta-1), fue el testigo absoluto; las únicas variables evaluadas que presentaron significancia estadística fueron, brotes a cosecha y rendimiento. En lo que respecta brotes a cosecha los tratamiento que presentaron mayor número de brotes a cosecha (16,667 brotes.ha-1), fueron, T3 (1.0 kg.planta-1) y T5 (2.0 kg.planta-1); y el tratamiento que presentó menor número de brotes a cosecha fue el testigo absoluto con (5,000 brotes.ha-1); en lo que refiere al rendimiento los tratamiento que presentaron mayor rendimiento fueron T5 (2.0 kg.planta-1) con (1,543 kg.ha-1) y el T3 (1.0 kg.planta-1) con (1,503 kg.ha-1) y el tratamiento que presentó menor rendimiento fue el testigo absoluto con (297 kg.ha-1).

Evaluacion del crecimiento, rendimiento, mortalidad y rentabilidad utilizando seis dosis de compost en nopal (Opuntia ficus - indica L.) Diriamba, Carazo, 2009

El experimento se llevo a cabo en el Centro Experimental Jardín Botánico, propiedad de ADECA (Asociación para el desarrollo de Carazo), ubicado en el kilómetro 51 ¼ carretera, Diriamba la Boquita-Casares, en el departamento de Carazo, el 28 de agosto de 2009, con el objetivo de evaluar el crecimiento, rendimiento, mortalidad y rentabilidad utilizando seis dosis de compost en el cultivo de nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica L.). El experimento consistió en un diseño de bloques completos al azar (BCA), con seis tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones, las variables evaluadas fueron: número, ancho y longitud de brotes, número y peso de brotes comerciales y mortalidad. Los tratamientos fueron: un testigo absoluto y diferentes dosis de compost: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 y 2.5 kg planta-1. Lasemilla se recolecto en la ciudad de Diriamba. La cosecha se realizó a los 120 días después de la siembra el 18 de diciembre de 2009. Estadísticamente las variables de crecimiento: numero, ancho y longitud de brotes no presentaron diferencia significativa, sin embargo numéricamente al momento de la cosecha, el mayor número de brotes lo presentaron los tratamientos(0.5, 1 y 2.5 kg planta-1), con 26 brotes, los tratamientos (1.5 y 2 kg planta-1), presentaron el menor número de brotes con (24), brotes, el mayor ancho (7.63cm) con el tratamiento (2 kg planta-1), menor ancho (6.55cm), y menor longitud (14.45 cm) , con el tratamiento (1.5 kg planta-1), mayor longitud (16.78cm), con el tratamiento (testigo absoluto); mayor numero de brotes comerciales(39999 brotesha-1), se obtuvo con el tratamiento (0.5 kg planta-1), el tratamiento(1kg planta-1) presentó menor número de brotes comerciales con (25000 brotes ha -1). Las variables que presentaron diferencias significativas fueron: peso de brotes comerciales y mortalidad, el mayor rendimiento(2383 kg ha-1), fue obtenido con el tratamiento (0.5 kg planta-1), el menor rendimiento (990 kg ha-1), lo presentó el testigo absoluto. Con respecto a la mortalidad el tratamiento con mas plantas afectadas fue el testigo absoluto con un 33.3 %, el tratamiento (0.5 kg planta-1), presentó 100 % de sobrevivencia.

Efecto de diferentes dosis de compost sobre el crecimiento, rendimiento y rentabilidad en el cultivo de nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica L.), Las Esquinas, Carazo, 2010

El nopal ( Opuntia ficus - indica (L)) es una planta perteneciente a las familia de las Cactáceas que sobrevive en zonas áridas y semiáridas. En Nicaragua la problemática de erosión, generando gran variabilidad genética y posibilidades de adaptabilidad no requiere de mucha agua para su cultivo siendo una alte rnativa para zonas que están teniendo problemas por bajos rendimientos debido al empobrecimiento paulatino de los suelos, la falta de alimento humano y animal hace de este cultivo una planta importante para resolver estos problemas de hoy en día . El ensayo se estableció el 19 de mayo del 2010 en la finca Ecolote Ave María, ubicada en Las Esquinas Carazo, en el km 37 ½ carretera Managua, San Marcos Carazo donde se estableció en un diseño de Bloque Completamente al Azar (BCA), con 4 repeticiones y seis trat amientos (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5), kg de compost por planta, el área de estudio comprendió 117 m 2 considerada como el área experimental . Al realizar un análisis de los datos tomados en campo con una duraci ón de 4 meses las variables e valuadas no pres entan un comportamiento normal por esta razón se utilizó la técnica no paramétrica Kruskal Wallis , demostrando que no existen diferencias estadísticas significativas en ninguna de las variables evaluadas en el ensayo ; sobrevivencia, n úmer o de brotes, ancho de brotes, longitud de brotes, b rotes totales y brotes a cosecha y r endimiento en cuanto a las aplicaciones de compost . Determinando así que la apl icación de compost no influyó en los rendimientos obtenidos en el experimento.

Arreglos de siembra y fertilización orgánica sobre el crecimiento del cedro rosado de la India (Acrocarpus fraxinifolius) en una plantación de dos años en la comarca Las Mercedes, Boaco

La situación actual de algunos productores del país es crítica debido al avance de la frontera agrícola y a los bajos rendimientos de sus cultivos, que trae como consecuencia una deforestación indiscriminada de los recursos forestales. Como alternativa ante esta problemática surge el Cedro Rosado de la India ( Acrocarpus fraxinifolius ), una especie forestal que puede contribuir a la reforestación y al aprovechamiento sostenible de la explotación maderera. Por tanto, el presente estudio procura aportar información sobre esta especie al evaluar dos densidades de siembra (400 y 625 plantas por hectárea) y cuatro niveles de lombrihumus (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 y 2.0 kilogramos por planta) sobre el crecimiento de A. fraxinifolius de dos años de desarrollo. El estudio se desarrolló a partir de febrero del 2005 en la finca La Cañada, comarca Las Mercedes, departamento de Boaco. Las unidades experimentales muestreadas en los lotes con densidades de siembra establecidas fueron agrupadas en tres bloques y la fertilización fue aplicada en parcelas dentro de cada densidad de siembra, lo que correspondió a un arreglo de parcelas divididas, en las que se evaluaron las variables de crecimiento. Se realizó análisis de varianza (ANDEVA) y agrupaciones mediante LSD (∞=0.05). Las variables no tuvieron significación estadística en las densidades de siembra; pero sí en la fertilización. Se obtuvieron 7.224 m en altura de planta, 4.584 m en altura del fuste comercial, 0.11 m en el diámetro a la altura del pecho, 0.33 m en el perímetro a la altura del pecho, 35.09 unidades de ramas, 0.0085 m 2 de área basal y 0.0422 m 3 de volumen. Los factores estudiados resultaron ser independiente. Los mayores valores en variables se alcanzaron con las dosis de lombrihumus y densidad poblacional más alta. La densidad de 625 plantas por hectáreas y 1.5 y 2.0 kilogramos por planta superaron los 30 m 3 de madera. Así mismo, el mayor beneficio costo se obtuvo con la densidad de 625 y 0.5 kilogramos de lombrihumus por planta, con una ganancia de 50.27 por cada dólar invertido.

Dosis de compost y su efecto en el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo de nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica L.), Las Esquinas, Carazo

El nopal ( Opuntia ficus-indica L.) es una planta perteneciente a la familia de las cactáceas que sobrevive en zonas áridas y semiáridas. En Nicaragua esta especie por su gran variabilidad genética, posibilidades de adaptabilidad y no requerir de importante cantidad de agua es una alternativa, principalmente en zonas con empobrecimiento paulatino de los suelos. La falta de alimento humano y animal, hace de este cultivo una planta importante para resolver este déficit alimentario. Este ensayo se estableció el 19 de mayo del 2010 en la finca Ecolote Ave María, ubicada en Las Esquinas, Carazo, en el km 37 ½ carretera Managua - San Marcos, Carazo. Se utilizó un diseño de Bloque Completo al Azar (BCA), con cuatro repeticiones y seis tratamientos (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) kg de compost por planta. El área de estudio comprendió 117 m 2 . El análisis de los datos registrados durante los cuatro meses del estudio se realizó mediante la técnica no paramétrica de Kruskal Wallis, la cual indica que no existen diferencias estadísticas en ninguna de las variables.

Influencia de diferentes densidades de siembra y métodos de control de malezas en piña (Ananas comusus L. Merr)

De agosto de 1988 hasta febrero de 1989 se llevo a cabo en el centro Experimental “Campos Azules “ un ensayo en el que se evaluaron dos densidades de siembre y seis métodos de control de malezas con el objetivo de determinar la influencia de diferentes densidades de siembra y métodos de control de malezas sobre el comportamiento de la cenosis. Crecimiento y desarrollo de la piña. Se observó que la mayor abundancia (Ind/M2) se presento en la distancia 1.20x0.40m encontrando que la mezcla Disoprop 1.2 Lt/ha + Fluazifop 0.1 lt/ha provocan fitotoxicidad en la piña. El Glyphosato en aplicaciones dirigidas a la calle, puede ser una buena alternativa por su amplio espectro de control de malezas en piña; Los r mejores resultados n control de malezas y favoreciendo el crecimiento y desarrollo de la piña lo presentaron las variantes limpias mecánicas mensualmente y la mezcla química Diuròn .075 lt/ha +- Atrazina 0.75lt/ha Las dos densidades de siembra no presentaron diferencias significativas en la mayoría de las variables de la piña (Altura de planta, numero de hojas, largo de frutos, diámetro de frutos y número de hijos /planta) favoreciendo generalmente a la distancia (0.90x0.40x0.30m).

PICES Press, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2007

PICES science – 2006 (pdf, 0.1 Mb) 2006 Wooster Award (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Thank you note from the Past-Chairman of PICES (pdf, 0.1 Mb) A comparison of regional mechanisms for fish production: Ecosystem perspectives (pdf, 0.3 Mb) 2006 CREAMS/PICES international workshop and summer school (pdf, 0.2 Mb) PICES Calendar (pdf, 0.2 Mb) 2006 Harmful Algal Bloom Section annual workshop (pdf, 0.1 Mb) 2006 PICES Workshop on “Modeling iron biogeochemistry and ocean ecosystems” (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Strolling through the NEMURO ecosystem model (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Climate and marine birds and mammals in the North Pacific (pdf, 0.2 Mb) Photo highlights of the PICES Fifteenth Annual Meeting (pdf, 3.5 Mb) Recent trends in waters of the subarctic NE Pacific: Cooler and fresher in summer of 2006 (pdf, 0.2 Mb) The state of the western North Pacific in the first half of 2006 (pdf, 0.3 Mb) Latest and upcoming PICES publications (pdf, 0.3 Mb) A seven-year effort of the PICES CCCC MODEL Task Team culminates in a dedicated issue of Ecological Modelling (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Japan joins PICES Marine Metadata Federation (pdf, 0.3 Mb) Argo: A 2006 status report (pdf, 0.3 Mb) New Chairmen in PICES (pdf, 0.2 Mb) PICES Interns (pdf, 0.2 Mb)

PICES Press, Vol. 14, No. 1, January 2006

The state of PICES science - 2005 (pdf, 0.2 Mb) 2005 Wooster Award (pdf, 0.4 Mb) Korea and U.S. federate metadata collection (pdf, 0.3 Mb) PICES Interns (pdf, 0.3 Mb) Studies on long-term variation of ocean ecosystem / climate interactions based on the Odate collection (pdf, 0.2 Mb) Hokkaido University Fisheries & Oceanographic Database CD-ROM (pdf, 0.2 Mb) Workshop on sardine and anchovy fluctuations (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Photo highlights of PICES XIV (pdf, 0.4 Mb) Workshop on SEEDS-II (pdf, 0.2 Mb) NPAFC-PICES joint symposium "The status of Pacific salmon and their role in North Pacific marine ecosystems" (pdf, 0.2 Mb) PICES Calendar (pdf, 0.2 Mb) New Chairman of the PICES Fishery Science Committee (pdf, 0.1 Mb) The state of the western North Pacific in the first half of 2005 (pdf, 0.4 Mb) Latest and upcoming PICES publications (pdf, 0.4 Mb) Recent trends in waters of the subarctic NE Pacific (pdf, 0.2 Mb) The Bering Sea: Current status and recent events (pdf, 0.1 Mb) PICES and GLOBEC to sponsor workshop on sub-arctic seas (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Professor Mikhail N. Koshlyakov - 75 (pdf, 0.1 Mb) Obituary - Dr. Al Tyler (pdf, 0.1 Mb)

PICES Press, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2005

The state of PICES science - 2004 (pdf 0.7 MB) 2004 Wooster Award (pdf 0.2 MB) Micronekton – What are they and why are they important? (pdf 0.5 MB) Upscaling for a better understanding of climate links to ecosystems (pdf 0.1 MB) PICES Interns (pdf 0.1 MB) Report of the APN workshop on “Climate interactions and marine ecosystems” (pdf 0.6 MB) Photo highlights of PICES XIII (pdf 0.3 MB) Recent trends in waters of the subarctic NE Pacific – summer 2004 (pdf 0.1 MB) The state of the western North Pacific in the first half of 2004 (pdf 0.3 MB) The Bering Sea: Current status and recent events (pdf 0.1 MB) Study Group on Fisheries Ecosystem Responses to Recent Regime Shifts completes its mandate for the provision of scientific advice (pdf 0.1 MB) PICES Calendar (pdf 0.1 MB) The new PICES Working Group on Ecosystem-based management (pdf 0.05 MB) CO2 data integration activity for the North Pacific (pdf 0.2 MB) Carbon cycle changes in the North Pacific (pdf 0.8 MB) New and upcoming PICES publications (pdf 0.8 MB)

锰含量对LiNi_(0.85-x)Co_(0.15)Mn_xO_2结构及形貌的影响

采用共沉淀法先合成出氢氧化物前驱体Ni0.85-xCo0.15Mnx(OH)2,其中X=0、0.1、0.2和0.4,前驱体与Li2CO3在空气气氛中固相烧结制得正极材料LiNi0.85-xCo0.15MnxO2。用XRD、SEM研究了锰含量对材料结构和形貌的影响。研究发现,LiNi0.85Co0.15O2的X射线衍射图中存在微量第二相,而锰掺杂有利于减小反应过程中锂离子损失和镍离子占据锂位,容易形成有序层状结构材料。随着Mn离子替代Ni离子量的增加,晶胞参数a减小,晶胞参数c、c/a及I003/I104值增大。SEM结果表明前驱体和最终产物形貌均随锰含量增加颗粒均匀性增强,粒子尺寸变小,粒径分布变窄。

Length of concentrate finishing affects the fatty acid composition of grass-fed andgenetically lean beef: an emphasis on trans-18:1 and conjugated linoleic acid profiles

2.4. The author may post the VoR version of the article (in PDF or HTML form) in the Institutional Repository of the institution in which the author worked at the time the article was first submitted, or (for appropriate journals) in PubMed Central or UK PubMed Central or arXiv, no sooner than one year after first publication of the article in the Journal, subject to file availability and provided the posting includes a prominent statement of the full bibliographical details, a copyright notice in the name of the copyright holder (Cambridge University Press or the sponsoring Society, as appropriate), and a link to the online edition of the Journal at Cambridge Journals Online.

Ecological condition of coastal ocean waters along the U.S. Western Continental Shelf: 2003

Executive Summary: The western National Coastal Assessment (NCA-West) program of EPA, in conjunction with the NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS), conducted an assessment of the status of ecological condition of soft sediment habitats and overlying waters along the western U.S. continental shelf, between the target depths of 30 and 120 m, during June 2003. NCA-West and NOAA/NOS partnered with the West Coast states (Washington (WA), Oregon (OR), and California (CA)), and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) Bight ’03 program to conduct the survey. A total of 257 stations were sampled from Cape Flattery, WA to the Mexican border using standard methods and indicators applied in previous coastal NCA projects. A key study feature was the incorporation of a stratified-random sampling design with stations stratified by state and National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) status. Each of the three states was represented by at least 50 random stations. There also were a total of 84 random stations located within NOAA’s five NMSs along the West Coast including the Olympic Coast NMS (OCNMS), Cordell Bank NMS (CBNMS), Gulf of Farallones NMS (GFNMS), Monterey Bay NMS (MBNMS), and Channel Islands NMS (CINMS). Collection of flatfish via hook-and-line for fish-tissue contaminant analysis was successful at 50 EMAP/NCA-West stations. Through a collaboration developed with the FRAM Division of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, fish from an additional 63 stations in the same region and depth range were also analyzed for fish-tissue contaminants. Bottom depth throughout the region ranged from 28 m to 125 m for most stations. Two slightly deeper stations from the Southern California Bight (SCB) (131, 134 m) were included in the data set. About 44% of the survey area had sediments composed of sands (< 20% silt-clay), about 47% was composed of intermediate muddy sands (20-80% silt-clay), and about 9% was composed of muds (> 80% silt-clay). The majority of the survey area (97%) had relatively low percent total organic carbon (TOC) levels of < 2%, while a small portion (< 1%) had high TOC levels (> 5%), in a range potentially harmful to benthic fauna. Salinity of surface waters for 92% of the survey area were > 31 psu, with most stations < 31 psu associated with the Columbia River plume. Bottom salinities ranged only between 31.6 and 34.4 psu. There was virtually no difference in mean bottom salinities among states or between NMS and non-NMS stations. Temperatures of surface water (range 8.5 -19.9 °C) and bottom water (range 5.8 -14.7 °C) averaged several degrees higher in CA in comparison to WA and OR. The Δσt index of watercolumn stratification indicated that about 31% of the survey area had strong vertical stratification of the water column. The index was greatest for waters off WA and lowest for CA waters. Only about 2.6 % of the survey area had surface dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations ≤ 4.8 mg/L, and there were no values below the lower threshold (2.3 mg/L) considered harmful to the survival and growth of marine animals. Surface DO concentrations were higher in WA and OR waters than in CA, and higher in the OC NMS than in the CA sanctuaries. An estimated 94.3% of the area had bottom-water DO concentrations ≤ 4.8 mg/L and 6.6% had concentrations ≤ 2.3 mg/L. The high prevalence of DO from 2.3 to 4.8 mg/L (85% of survey area) is believed to be associated with the upwelling of naturally low DO water across the West Coast shelf. Mean TSS and transmissivity in surface waters (excluding OR due to sample problems) were slightly higher and lower, respectively, for stations in WA than for those in CA. There was little difference in mean TSS or transmissivity between NMS and non-NMS locations. Mean transmissivity in bottom waters, though higher in comparison to surface waters, showed little difference among geographic regions or between NMS and non-NMS locations. Concentrations of nitrate + nitrite, ammonium, total dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and orthophosphate (P) in surface waters tended to be highest in CA compared to WA and OR, and higher in the CA NMS stations compared to CA non-sanctuary stations. Measurements of silicate in surface waters were limited to WA and CA (exclusive of the SCB) and showed that concentrations were similar between the two states and approximately twice as high in CA sanctuaries compared to OCNMS or nonsanctuary locations in either state. The elevated nutrient concentrations observed at CA NMS stations are consistent with the presence of strong upwelling at these sites at the time of sampling. Approximately 93% of the area had DIN/P values ≤ 16, indicative of nitrogen limitation. Mean DIN/P ratios were similar among the three states, although the mean for the OCNMS was less than half that of the CA sanctuaries or nonsanctuary locations. Concentrations of chlorophyll a in surface waters ranged from 0 to 28 μg L-1, with 50% of the area having values < 3.9 μg L-1 and 10% having values > 14.5 μg L-1. The mean concentration of chlorophyll a for CA was less than half that of WA and OR locations, and concentrations were lowest in non-sanctuary sites in CA and highest at the OCNMS. Shelf sediments throughout the survey area were relatively uncontaminated with the exception of a group of stations within the SCB. Overall, about 99% of the total survey area was rated in good condition (<5 chemicals measured above corresponding effect range low (ERL) concentrations). Only the pesticides 4,4′-DDE and total DDT exceeded corresponding effect range-median (ERM) values, all at stations in CA near Los Angeles. Ten other contaminants including seven metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ag, Zn), 2-methylnaphthalene, low molecular weight PAHs, and total PCBs exceeded corresponding ERLs. The most prevalent in terms of area were chromium (31%), arsenic (8%), 2-methylnaphthalene (6%), cadmium (5%), and mercury (4%). The chromium contamination may be related to natural background sources common to the region. The 2-methylnaphthalene exceedances were conspicuously grouped around the CINMS. The mercury exceedances were all at non-sanctuary sites in CA, particularly in the Los Angeles area. Concentrations of cadmium in fish tissues exceeded the lower end of EPA’s non-cancer, human-health-risk range at nine of 50 EMAP/NCA-West and nine of 60 FRAM groundfish-survey stations, including a total of seven NMS stations in CA and two in the OCNMS. The human-health guidelines for all other contaminants were only exceeded for total PCBs at one station located in WA near the mouth of the Columbia River. Benthic species richness was relatively high in these offshore assemblages, ranging from 19 to 190 taxa per 0.1-m2 grab and averaging 79 taxa/grab. The high species richness was reflected over large areas of the shelf and was nearly three times greater than levels observed in estuarine samples along the West Coast (e.g NCA-West estuarine mean of 26 taxa/grab). Mean species richness was highest off CA (94 taxa/grab) and lower in OR and WA (55 and 56 taxa/grab, respectively). Mean species richness was very similar between sanctuary vs. non-sanctuary stations for both the CA and OR/WA regions. Mean diversity index H′ was highest in CA (5.36) and lowest in WA (4.27). There were no major differences in mean H′ between sanctuary vs. nonsanctuary stations for both the CA and OR/WA regions. A total of 1,482 taxa (1,108 to species) and 99,135 individuals were identified region-wide. Polychaetes, crustaceans and molluscs were the dominant taxa, both by percent abundance (59%, 17%, 12% respectively) and percent species (44%, 25%, 17%, respectively). There were no major differences in the percent composition of benthic communities among states or between NMSs and corresponding non-sanctuary sites. Densities averaged 3,788 m-2, about 30% of the average density for West Coast estuaries. Mean density of benthic fauna in the present offshore survey, averaged by state, was highest in CA (4,351 m-2) and lowest in OR (2,310 m-2). Mean densities were slightly higher at NMS stations vs. non-sanctuary stations for both the CA and OR/WA regions. The 10 most abundant taxa were the polychaetes Mediomastus spp., Magelona longicornis, Spiophanes berkeleyorum, Spiophanes bombyx, Spiophanes duplex, and Prionospio jubata; the bivalve Axinopsida serricata, the ophiuroid Amphiodia urtica, the decapod Pinnixa occidentalis, and the ostracod Euphilomedes carcharodonta. Mediomastus spp. and A. serricata were the two most abundant taxa overall. Although many of these taxa have broad geographic distributions throughout the region, the same species were not ranked among the 10 most abundant taxa consistently across states. The closest similarities among states were between OR and WA. At least half of the 10 most abundant taxa in NMSs were also dominant in corresponding nonsanctuary waters. Many of the abundant benthic species have wide latitudinal distributions along the West Coast shelf, with some species ranging from southern CA into the Gulf of Alaska or even the Aleutians. Of the 39 taxa on the list of 50 most abundant taxa that could be identified to species level, 85% have been reported at least once from estuaries of CA, OR, or WA exclusive of Puget Sound. Such broad latitudinal and estuarine distributions are suggestive of wide habitat tolerances. Thirteen (1.2%) of the 1,108 identified species are nonindigenous, with another 121 species classified as cryptogenic (of uncertain origin), and 208 species unclassified with respect to potential invasiveness. Despite uncertainties of classification, the number and densities of nonindigenous species appear to be much lower on the shelf than in the estuarine ecosystems of the Pacific Coast. Spionid polychaetes and the ampharetid polychaete Anobothrus gracilis were a major component of the nonindigenous species collected on the shelf. NOAA’s five NMSs along the West Coast of the U.S. appeared to be in good ecological condition, based on the measured indicators, with no evidence of major anthropogenic impacts or unusual environmental qualities compared to nearby nonsanctuary waters. Benthic communities in sanctuaries resembled those in corresponding non-sanctuary waters, with similarly high levels of species richness and diversity and low incidence of nonindigenous species. Most oceanographic features were also similar between sanctuary and non-sanctuary locations. Exceptions (e.g., higher concentrations of some nutrients in sanctuaries along the CA coast) appeared to be attributable to natural upwelling events in the area at the time of sampling. In addition, sediments within the sanctuaries were relatively uncontaminated, with none of the samples having any measured chemical in excess of ERM values. The ERL value for chromium was exceeded in sediments at the OCNMS, but at a much lower percentage of stations (four of 30) compared to WA and OR non-sanctuary areas (31 of 70 stations). ERL values were exceeded for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, 2- methylnaphthalene, low molecular weight PAHs, total DDT, and 4,4′-DDE at multiple sites within the CINMS. However, cases where total DDT, 4,4′-DDE, and chromium exceeded the ERL values were notably less prevalent at CINMS than in non-sanctuary waters of CA. In contrast, 2-methylnaphthalene above the ERL was much more prevalent in sediments at the CINMS compared to non-sanctuary waters off the coast of CA. While there are natural background sources of PAHs from oil seeps throughout the SCB, this does not explain the higher incidence of 2-methylnaphthalene contamination around CINMS. Two stations in CINMS also had levels of TOC (> 5%) potentially harmful to benthic fauna, though none of these sites exhibited symptoms of impaired benthic condition. This study showed no major evidence of extensive biological impacts linked to measured stressors. There were only two stations, both in CA, where low numbers of benthic species, diversity, or total faunal abundance co-occurred with high sediment contamination or low DO in bottom water. Such general lack of concordance suggests that these offshore waters are currently in good condition, with the lower-end values of the various biological attributes representing parts of a normal reference range controlled by natural factors. Results of multiple linear regression, performed using full model procedures to test for effects of combined abiotic environmental factors, suggested that latitude and depth had significant influences on benthic variables regionwide. Latitude had a significant inverse influence on all three of the above benthic variables, i.e. with values increasing as latitude decreased (p< 0.01), while depth had a significant direct influence on diversity (p < 0.001) and inverse effect on density (p <0.01). None of these variables varied significantly in relation to sediment % fines (at p< 0.1), although in general there was a tendency for muddier sediments (higher % fines) to have lower species richness and diversity and higher densities than coarser sediments. Alternatively, it is possible that for some of these sites the lower values of benthic variables reflect symptoms of disturbance induced by other unmeasured stressors. The indicators in this study included measures of stressors (e.g., chemical contaminants, eutrophication) that are often associated with adverse biological impacts in shallower estuarine and inland ecosystems. However, there may be other sources of humaninduced stress in these offshore systems (e.g., bottom trawling) that pose greater risks to ambient living resources and which have not been captured. Future monitoring efforts in these offshore areas should include indicators of such alternative sources of disturbance. (137pp.) (PDF contains 167 pages)

Cruise Report NOAA Ship McARTHUR II Cruise AR-04-04: Leg 2 (June 1-12, 2004): A pilot survey of deepwater coral/sponge assemblages and their susceptibility to fishing/harvest impacts at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS)

Summary: The offshore shelf and canyon habitats of the OCNMS (Fig. 1) are areas of high primary productivity and biodiversity that support extensive groundfish fisheries. Recent acoustic surveys conducted in these waters have indicated the presence of hard-bottom substrates believed to harbor unique deep-sea coral and sponge assemblages. Such fauna are often associated with shallow tropical waters, however an increasing number of studies around the world have recorded them in deeper, cold-water habitats in both northern and southern latitudes. These habitats are of tremendous value as sites of recruitment for commercially important fishes. Yet, ironically, studies have shown how the gear used in offshore demersal fishing, as well as other commercial operations on the seafloor, can cause severe physical disturbances to resident benthic fauna. Due to their exposed structure, slow growth and recruitment rates, and long life spans, deep-sea corals and sponges may be especially vulnerable to such disturbances, requiring very long periods to recover. Potential effects of fishing and other commercial operations in such critical habitats, and the need to define appropriate strategies for the protection of these resources, have been identified as a high-priority management issue for the sanctuary. To begin addressing this issue, an initial pilot survey was conducted June 1-12, 2004 at six sites in offshore waters of the OCNMS (Fig. 2, average depths of 147-265 m) to explore for the presence of deep-sea coral/sponge assemblages and to look for evidence of potential anthropogenic impacts in these critical habitats. The survey was conducted on the NOAA Ship McARTHUR-II using the Navy’s Phantom DHD2+2 remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which was equipped with a video camera, lasers, and a manipulator arm for the collection of voucher specimens. At each site, a 0.1-m2 grab sampler also was used to collect samples of sediments for the analysis of macroinfauna (> 1.0 mm), total organic carbon (TOC), grain size, and chemical contaminants. Vertical profiles of salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and pressure were recorded at each site with a small SeaCat conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profiler. Niskin bottles attached to the CTD also obtained near-bottom water samples in support of a companion study of microbial indicators of coral health and general ecological condition across these sites. All samples except the sediment-contaminant samples are being analyzed with present project funds. Original cruise plans included a total of 12 candidate stations to investigate (Fig. 3). However, inclement weather and equipment failures restricted the sampling to half of these sites. In spite of the limited sampling, the work completed was sufficient to address key project objectives and included several significant scientific observations. Foremost, the cruise was successful in demonstrating the presence of target deepwater coral species in these waters. Patches of the rare stony coral Lophelia pertusa, more characteristic of deepwater coral/sponge assemblages in the North Atlantic, were observed for the first time in OCNMS at a site in 271 meters of water. A large proportion of these corals consisted of dead and broken skeletal remains, and a broken gorgonian (soft coral) also was observed nearby. The source of these disturbances is not known. However, observations from several sites included evidence of bottom trawl marks in the sediment and derelict fishing gear (long lines). Preliminary results also support the view that these areas are important reservoirs of marine biodiversity and of value as habitat for demersal fishes. For example, onboard examination of 18 bottom-sediment grabs revealed benthic infaunal species representative of 14 different invertebrate phyla. Twenty-eight species of fishes from 11 families, including 11 (possibly 12) species of ommercially important rockfishes, also were identified from ROV video footage. These initial discoveries have sparked considerable interests in follow-up studies to learn more about the spatial extent of these assemblages and magnitude of potential impacts from commercial-fishing and other anthropogenic activities in the area. It is essential to expand our knowledge of these deep-sea communities and their vulnerability to potential environmental risks in order to determine the most appropriate management strategies. The survey was conducted under a partnership between NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) and included scientists from NCCOS, OCNMS, and several other west-coast State, academic, private, and tribal research institutions (see Section 4 for a complete listing of participating scientists). (PDF contains 20 pages)

Generating cluster submodels from a multistage stochastic mixed integer optimization model using break stage

We present a scheme to generate clusters submodels with stage ordering from a (symmetric or a nonsymmetric one) multistage stochastic mixed integer optimization model using break stage. We consider a stochastic model in compact representation and MPS format with a known scenario tree. The cluster submodels are built by storing first the 0-1 the variables, stage by stage, and then the continuous ones, also stage by stage. A C++ experimental code has been implemented for reordering the stochastic model as well as the cluster decomposition after the relaxation of the non-anticipativiy constraints until the so-called breakstage. The computational experience shows better performance of the stage ordering in terms of elapsed time in a randomly generated testbed of multistage stochastic mixed integer problems.