Phytoplankton biomass size structure and its regulation in the Southern Yellow Sea (China): Seasonal variability

Phytoplankton size structure plays a significant role in controlling the carbon flux of marine pelagic ecosystems. The mesoscale distribution and seasonal variation of total and size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass in surface waters. as measured by chlorophyll a (Chl a), was studied in the Southern Yellow Sea using data from four cruises during 2006-2007. The distribution of Chl a showed a high degree of spatial and temporal variation in the study area. Chl a concentrations were relatively high in the summer and autumn, with a mean of 142 and 1.27 mg m(-3), respectively. Conversely, in the winter and spring. the average Chl a levels were only 098 and 0.99 mg m(-3) Total Chl a showed a clear decreasing gradient from coastal areas to the open sea in the summer, autumn and winter cruises. Patches of high Chl a were observed in the central part of the Southern Yellow Sea in the spring due to the onset of the phytoplankton bloom. The eutrophic coastal waters contributed at least 68% of the total phytoplankton biomass in the surface layer. Picophytoplankton showed a consistent and absolute dominance in the central region of the Southern Yellow Sea (>40%) in all of the cruises, while the proportion of microphytoplankton was the highest in coastal waters The relative proportions of pico- and nanophytoplankton decreased with total biomass, whereas the proportion of the micro-fraction increased with total biomass. Relationships between phytoplankton biomass and environmental factors were also analysed. The results showed that the onset of the spring bloom was highly dependent on water column stability. Phytoplankton growth was limited by nutrient availability in the summer due to the strong thermocline. The combined effects of P-limitation and vertical mixing in the autumn restrained the further increase of phytoplankton biomass in the Surface layer. The low phytoplankton biomass in winter was caused by vertical dispersion due to intense mixing. Compared with the availability of nutrients. temperature did not seem to cause direct effects on phytoplankton biomass and its size structure. Although interactions of many different environmental factors affected phytoplankton distributions. hydrodynamic conditions seemed to be the dominant factor. Phytoplankton size structure was determined mainly by the size-differential capacity in acquiring resource. Short time scale events, such as the spring bloom and the extension of Yangtze River plume, can have substantial influences, both on the total Chl a concentration and on the size structure of the phytoplankton. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of water temperature on digestive enzyme activity and gut mass in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), with special reference to aestivation

The effect of water temperature on gut mass and digestive enzyme activity in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, including relative gut mass (RGM), amylase, lipase, pepsin and trypsin activities were studied at temperatures of 7, 14, 21, and 28A degrees C over a period of 40 days. Results show that RGM significantly decreased after 40 days at 21A degrees C and markedly decreased over the whole experiment period at 28A degrees C; however, no significant effect of duration was observed at 7 or 14A degrees C. At 14A degrees C, trypsin activity significantly decreased over 10 and 20 days, then increased; amylase and trypsin activity significantly decreased after 40 days at 28A degrees C. However, no significant effect of duration was found on amylase, pepsin or trypsin activities in the other temperature treatment groups. At 28A degrees C, lipase activity peaked in 20 days and then markedly decreased to a minimum at the end of the experiment. On the other hand, pepsin activity at 28A degrees C continuously increased over the whole experimental period. Principle component analysis showed that sea cucumbers on day 40 in the 21A degrees C group and in the previous 20 days in the 28A degrees C group were in the prophase of aestivation. At 28A degrees C, sea cucumbers aestivated at 30-40 days after the start of the experiment. It is concluded that the effect of temperature on the digestion of A. japonicus is comparatively weak within a specific range of water temperatures and aestivation behavior is accompanied by significant changes in RGM and digestive enzyme activities.

Variation characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in the south Yellow Sea surface sediments

Eight cruises were conducted on the south Yellow Sea (SYS) from 1998 to 2005. Variations and the potential ecological risk of heavy metals were studied using the survey data collected during October 2003. The metal content (except for As) was high in the central area where the fine grain size sediments were dominant, and low inshore area where more coarse sediments were present. This suggested that grain size was important in determining distributions of heavy metals. In some local areas, other influencing factors, such as organic content, sedimentation rate, burial efficiency and metal's existing form were discussed. The annual averages of metals showed a stable trend with appreciable fluctuations in 8 years. Using potential ecological risk index (E (RI)) to evaluate the integrated pollution effect of heavy metals, 38.7% of the investigated area was in a moderate degree of contamination, while 77.8% was under moderate ecological risk. However, no distinct correlation was found between E (RI) and plankton biomass. In conclusion, the sediment quality of SYS was good, and the ecological risk was low in general.

Fluorescence Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter in East China Sea

Sea water samples were collected in the East China Sea in March and April, 2005, and three-dimensional fluorescence of dissolved organic matter was measured by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. The position, number and intensity of fluorescence peak in the spectra and the relations of the peaks were analyzed to determine the type, distribution and origin of the fluorescence dissolved organic matter. Seven types of fluorescence peaks were detected from the samples. There are protein-like fluorescence peaks B with Ex(max)/Em(max) = 275/300 nm, D with Ex(max)/Em(max) = 225/295-305 nm, T with Ex(max)/Em(max) = 280/345 nm, and S with Ex(max)/Em(max) = 225-240/320-350 nm, two humic-like peaks A with Ex(max)/Em(max) = 250-255/410-455 nm and C 335-345/410-440 ran, and marine humic peak M with Ex(max)/Em(max) = 305 nm/400-420 nm. Peaks B, S and A appeared in all surveyed area. Peaks T and D appeared in the north of the surveyed area. Peaks M and C only appeared in a few stations. In the surface layer, the source of the fluorescence dissolved organic matter might be the fresh water outflow of the Yangtze River, while the fluorescence dissolved organic matter in the middle layer had double sources from the Yangtze River and the phytoplankton. The good correlationships of different fluorescence peaks showed the same source or some relationship between the protein-like and the humic-like fluorescence dissolved organic matter.

Spring and autumn reproduction of Calanus sinicus in the Yellow Sea

The fecundity, hatching success and naupliar survival of Calanus sinicus were studied in the Yellow Sea during research cruises in April and October 2006, with emphasis on the regulation of reproduction. During both cruises, the egg production rate (EPR) showed large spatial variations (0 to 25.4 eggs female(-1) d(-1)), generally coinciding with the food availability. In April, the abundant phytoplankton and ciliates in the study area supported active reproduction, which would probably initiate the annual population development. In October, females remained immature in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass, likely due to the unfavorable environment (poor food and low temperature). However, reproduction and recruitment were high in the neritic region, which may explain the local population recovery in late autumn. Hatching success varied markedly among stations in April (4 to 85%), whereas it was high overall in the neritic region during October (> 90%). Based on the potential recruitment rates, the spring recruitment would be more important for the annual population dynamics, Female gonad maturity, body size and lipid reserve were examined in relation to fecundity. Regression analyses suggested that the reproductive index (defined as the proportion of females with mature gonads) could be an indicator for the EPR of C. sinicus. Among the regulating factors, external food (ciliates and phytoplankton) seems essential for reproduction, whereas inner lipid reserve may mainly serve metabolic needs. Moreover, fecundity is positively related to body size but independent of temperature, which might exert indirect influences on reproduction.

Bioenergetic responses of sub-adult sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) to temperature with special discussion regarding its southernmost distribution limit in China

1. This paper investigated the bioenergetic responses of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (wet weights of 36.5 +/- 1.2 g) to different water temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C) in the laboratory. 2. Results showed that theoretically the optimal temperatures for energy intake and scope for growth (SFG) of sub-adult A. japonicus was at 15.6 and 16.0 degrees C, respectively. The aestivation threshold temperature for this life-stage sea cucumber could be 29.0 degrees C by taking feeding cessation as the indication of aestivation. 3. Our data suggests that A. japonicus is thermo-sensitive to higher temperature, which prevents it from colonising sub-tropical coastal zones. Therefore, water temperature plays an important role in its southernmost distribution limit in China. 4. The potential impact of global ocean warming on A. japonicus might be a northward shift in the geographical distribution. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.

Distribution patterns of chlorophyll a in spring and autumn in association with hydrological features in the southern Yellow Sea and northern East China Sea

Two field studies were conducted to measure pigments in the Southern Yellow Sea (SYS) and the northern East China Sea (NECS) in April (spring) and September (autumn) to evaluate the distribution pattern of phytoplankton stock (Chl a concentration) and the impact of hydrological features such as water mass, mixing and tidal front on these patterns. The results indicated that the Chl a concentration was 2.43 +/- 2.64 (Mean +/- SD) mg m(-3) in April (range, 0.35 to 17.02 mg m(-3)) and 1.75 +/- 3.10 mg m(-3) in September (from 0.07 to 36.54 mg m(-3)) in 2003. Additionally, four areas with higher Chl a concentrations were observed in the surface water in April, while two were observed in September, and these areas were located within or near the point at which different water masses converged (temperature front area). The distribution pattern of Chl a was generally consistent between onshore and offshore stations at different depths in April and September. Specifically, higher Chl a concentrations were observed along the coastal line in September, which consisted of a mixing area and a tidal front area, although the distributional pattern of Chl a concentrations varied along transects in April. The maximum Chl a concentration at each station was observed in the surface and subsurface layer (0-10 m) for onshore stations and the thermocline layer (10-30 m) for offshore stations in September, while the greatest concentrations were generally observed in surface and subsurface water (0-10 m) in April. The formation of the Chl a distributional pattern in the SYS and NECS and its relationship with possible influencing factors is also discussed. Although physical forces had a close relationship with Chl a distribution, more data are required to clearly and comprehensively elucidate the spatial pattern dynamics of Chl a in the SYS and NECS.

One century record of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in core sediments from the southern Yellow Sea

Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 28 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured at a 2-cm interval in a core sample from the middle of the southern Yellow Sea for elucidating their historical variations in inflow and sources. The chronology was obtained using the Pb-210 method. PAHs concentrations decreased generally with depth and two climax values occurred in 14-16 cm and 20-22 cm layers, demonstrating that the production and usage of PAHs might reach peaks in the periods of 1956-1962 and 1938-1944. The booming economy and the navy battles of the Second World War might explain why the higher levels were detected in the two layers. The result of principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that PAHs were primarily owing to the combustion product. Down-cored variation of PCB concentrations was complex. Higher concentrations besides the two peaks being the same as PAHs were detected from 4 to 8 cm, depositing from 1980 to 1992, which probably resulted from the disposal of the out-dated PCB-containing equipment. The average Cl percentage of PCBs detected was similar to that of the mixture of Aroclor 1254 and 1242, suggesting they might origin from the dielectrical and heat-transfer fluid. The total organic carbon (TOC) content played a prevalent role in the adsorption of high molecular weight PAHs (>= 4-ring), while no obvious relationship among total PCBs, the concentration of congeners, and TOC was found.

Onshore-offshore variations of copepod community in northern South China Sea

Copepod communities in onshore and offshore waters show a gradient from primarily near shore to primarily oceanic species. Understanding the transition between these communities is fundamental to determining the range of coastal influence. Copepod communities in the northern South China Sea (nSCS) were studied based on samples collected by vertically towing a net in 10 February-6 March (winter) and 26 August-6 September (summer) of 2004. Calanoida species richness, total copepod abundance, Shannon-Weaver diversity index, and onshore-offshore occurrence of dominant species showed obvious change from onshore to offshore waters. Although the offshore stations had lower abundance than the shelf stations, they had more species and larger diversity index. Abundance of some species (groups) with dominance index > 5% (Calanus sinicus, Euchaeta spp., Temora spp., Paracalanus parvus, and Subeucalanus subtenuis) declined from onshore to offshore waters. Warm water species (Pleuromamma abdominalis, P. gracilis, and P. robusta) occurred in offshore waters in both cruises. Station (q-type) cluster analysis in winter and summer separated copepod community into onshore and offshore communities at similar to 40% level of similarity. The two communities were divided at the position of similar to 100-m isobath. In summer, C. sinicus occurred in the upwelling area east of Hainan Island, indicating the presence of an oversummering stock of this species.

Persistent organic pollutant residues in the sediments and mollusks from the Bohai Sea coastal areas, North China: An overview

The Bohai Sea costal area is one of the most developed zones of China and the sewage water from populous and developed cities, including Beijing, Tianjin. Qinhuangdao and Dalian is discharged into the Bohai Sea. Additionally, its semi-enclosed characteristic restricts water exchange, which leads to high accumulation of pollutants in the environment. This overview presents the residues of 6 classes of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). including PAHs, DDTs. HCHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs. in the sediments and mollusks of the Bohai Sea through analyzing previous literatures. In the sediments. the highest PAH concentrations were detected in the vicinities of Qinhuangdao, while the northeast corner of the Bohai Bay possessed the highest levels of DDTs and PCBs. The investigations on HCHs and PCDD/Fs distributions on the whole sea scale have not been reported. In mollusks, PAH concentrations were in the same order of magnitude in the whole Bohai Sea, so were DDTs. HCHs and PCBs, while the outlier maximum values of PCDDs and PCDFs occurred in Yingkou. In general, the POPs residues in mollusks collected from Shandong Province were higher than the other areas. The compositions of DDTs, HCHs and PCBs in sediments indicated their recent usage. By comparing POP concentrations in sediments with the recommended criterions, it was shown that some individual PAH compounds occasionally associated with adverse biological effects in the vicinities of the Liaodong Bay and Qinhuangdao, and the Liaohe River Estuary were heavily contaminated with DDTs, but PCBs were all below the thresholds. In order to reveal the transference and transformation of POPs in the environment, further studies concerning with their behavior, fate and bioaccumulation in the different trophic levels should be programmed. Moreover, laws and regulations should be enforced to ban the illegal usage of POPs-containing pesticides to guarantee health of the environment and human. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wintertime meso-scale horizontal distribution of large tintinnids in the southern Yellow Sea

Spatial distribution of some large tintinnid species (nominally > 76 mu m) is investigated on samples vertically towed in the southern Yellow Sea in winters of 2001 to 2004. Nine tintinnid species are recorded: Codonellopsis morchella, Stenosemella pacifica, S. steini, Tintinnopsis schotti, T. radix, T. karajacensis, Eutintinnus tenuis, Parafavella sp., Leprotintinnus neriticus, of which C. morchella and T. radix dominated in the warm tongue-shaped zone of the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC), and S. pacifica is the next in abundance. Our study shows that these tintinnids occur repeatedly in certain special distribution patterns.

Fluorescence Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter in the East China Sea after Diatom Red Tide Dispersion

Fluorescence excitation-emission spectroscopy (EEMS) was employed to analyze the 3-dimensional fluorescence of dissolved organic matter in the East China Sea after diatom red tide dispersion. The relationships between fluorescence peak intensity, and salinity and chlorophyll-a were discussed. The centers of protein-like fluorescence peaks dispersed at Ex(max)/Em(max) = 270-280/290-315 nm (Peak B), 220-230/290-305 nm (Peak D), 230-240/335-350 nm(Peak S)and 280/320 nm(Peak T). Two humic-like peaks appeared at 255-270/435-480 nm (Peak A) and 330-350/420-480 nm(Peak C). High tyrosine-like intensity was observed in diatom red tide dispersion area, and tryptophan-like fluorescence was also found which was lower. High FIB/FIS showed that diatom red tide produced much tyrosine-like matter during dispersion. Peaks S, A and C had positive correlation with one another, and their distributions were similar, which decreased with distance increasing away from the shore. Good negative correlations between peaks S, A and C and salinity suggested that Jiangsu-Zhejiang coastal water was the same source of then-L Correlations between fluorescence peak intensity and chlorophyll-a were not remarkable enough to clear the relationship between fluorescence and living algal matter. It was supposed that the living algal matter contributed little to the fluorescence intensity of algal dispersion seawater.

Morphological and genetic study of Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu from the East China Sea, and comparison with some related Prorocentrum species

In this paper, the detailed morphology of Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu from both field samples and cultures was examined, and a taxonomic comparison was made between P donghaiense and some related Prorocentrum spp. using morphological and molecular data and other published information. There were distinct differences among these species in morphological characteristics that historically have been presented as conservative features. The discrepancies extended beyond that of individual variations within the same species due to environmental factors. Therefore, these morphological features may not be conservative but, rather, polymorphic depending on environmental conditions. Based on this analysis, we suggest that the high-biomass bloom-forming species in the East China Sea, previously reported as Prorocentrum dentatum Stein, is P donghaiense Lu. The species reported from the East China Sea and Japanese and Korean waters appear to be the same species. Molecular data also suggest that P. dentatum (CCMP1517) and P. donghaiense are genetically identical. Therefore, the geographic distribution of P. donghaiense may be much wider than expected. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Geochemical characteristics of nitrogen in the southern Yellow Sea surface sediments

Roles and distributions of various forms of nitrogen in biogeochemical cycling in the southern Yellow Sea surface sediments were investigated. The southern Yellow Sea could be divided into three regions (I, II and III) according to the proportion of fine-grained sediment in > 65%, 35-65% and < 35%, respectively. The ratios of different forms of nitrogen contents between each two of the three regions indicated that the nitrogen contents increased with the proportion of fine-grained sediment increasing. The quanta of exchangeable forms of nitrogen were similar in the three regions, while their releasing time increased from regions I to III, indicating that the cycle of nitrogen in fine-grained sediments was shorter than that in coarse-grained sediments. Nitrogen burial fluxes were also similar in these regions, while the burial efficiency increased from regions I to III. The highest burial efficiency was 30.21% in region III, indicating that more than 70% of nitrogen in the southern Yellow Sea surface sediments could be released to take part in biogeochemical recycling. When all the four forms of exchangeable nitrogen (nitrogen in ion exchangeable form (IEF-N), nitrogen in weak acid extractable form (WAEF-N), nitrogen in strong alkali extractable form (SAEF-N) and nitrogen in strong oxidant extractable form (SOEF-N)) were released to take part in recycling, their potential contributions were 80% (SOEF-N), 11% (IEF-N), 6% (SAEF-N), 3% (WAEF-N) respectively, which showed that SOEF-N was the predominant one, and its contribution to biogeochemical cycling was the highest. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.