Abundance and biomass of heterotrophic microbes in the Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Abundance and biomass of heterotrophic microbes were investigated usingepifluorescense microscopy in August 2004 along a transect in the Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord inthe high arctic, located in the north-western part of Svalbard. A bacterial abundance was low atouter fjord stations (on average 2.29 x 10~8 ind./dm^3) and was higher at inner fjord stations (onaverage 3.52 x 10~8 ind./dm^3).The biomass of bacteria ranged from 3.69 to 8.01 mg/m^3.The abundanceof bacteria was low at the surface of water(0 m), whereas the higher abundances often occurred atdepths of 30～50 m.The abundance of heterotrophic flagellates varied from 2.785 to 8.891 x 10~4 ind./dm^3. The assemblage was numerically dominated by less than 5 μm heterotrophic flagellates(78.67%～94.80%).The biomass of heterotrophic flagellates varied from 0.37 to 2.30 mg/m^3.The meanbiomass distribution for all stations was 4.91% for less than 5 μm heterotrophic flagellates,86.74% for 6～20 μm flagellates and 8.35% for greater than 20 μm sized flagellates.The low biomassof heterotrophic flagellates often occurred at the surface of water (0 m),while the maximum valueof biomass occurred at different depths. The biomass of total heterotrophic microbial communityranged from 4.20 to 10.03 mg/m^3.The mean biomass distribution for all stations was 82.58% forbacteria, 15.77% for flagellates and 1.66% for ciliates.

Variability of Nonionellina labradorica Dawson in Surface Sediments from Kongsfjorden,West Spitsbergen

Kongsfjorden is a fjord in Spitsbergen（Svalbard archipelago）that lies adjacent to both Arctic and Atlantic water masses and is therefore a suitable site to understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems.To decipher the effect of the lateral advection of transformed Atlantic water （TAW）within the fjord,spatial variations of foraminiferal tests,their test size variations and stable isotopic composition（δ^（13）C andδ^（18）O）in the surface sediments were studied.Total organic carbon and textural analyses were also carried out.The dominant benthic foraminifera included Nonionellina labradorica,Elphidium excavatum,Cassidulina reniforme,Quinqueloculina stalkeri and Islandiella islandica.Nonionellina labradorica was the predominant species in the outer fjord,whereas Elphidium excavatum and Cassidulina reniforme were dominant in the inner fjord.Total organic carbon and the test size of Nonionellina labradorica within the fjord were highly correlated（r=0.97）and both showed a decreasing trend towards the inner fjord.Based on the distribution and abundance of Nonionellina labradorica as well as temperature profiles,we suggest that there was little or no major change in the lateral advection of TAW within the fjord in the immediate past.

Spatial heterogeneity of a microbial community in Kongsfjorden,Svalbard during late summer 2006 and its relationship to biotic and abiotic factors

The 16S and 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes of microbial organisms collected from the contrasting environments （temperature, salinity, silicate, phosphate and nitrate, p 〈0.05） of the inner and outer basins of Kongsfjorden （Spitsbergen, Arctic） were studied using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis（DGGE） fingerprinting. Comparison of the microbial fingerprints and the physicochemical parameters revealed that molecular methodology exhibited a greater sensitivity. Sequences obtained from bacterial DGGE were affiliated with four main phylogenetic groups of bacteria：Proteobacteria（Alpha, Beta and Gamma）, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia and Cyanobacteria. The relationships between the genotype distribution of these microbes and associated biotic/abiotic factors, revealed by canonical correspondence analysis, showed that Station 1 at 30 m （outer fjord） was grouped separately from the other sites. This difference could be a consequence of the thermocline and base of the euphotic layer at this depth where the Atlantic and Arctic-type waters overlapped.

The adaptation of Arctic phytoplankton to low light and salinity in Kongsfjorden (Spitsbergen)

The basic environmental variables and adaptability ofphytoplankton communities to low light and salinity were stud- ied using incubation experiments in Kongsfjorden, a high Arctic fjord of Spitsbergen, in late summer 2006. Chlorophyll a concentrations were steady or decreased slightly in darkness after one day or one week incubation. Chlorophyll a concentrations showed an initial decline when exposed to natural light after one week incubation in darkness, and then increased significantly. In a salinity experiment, the maximal growth rate was observed at a dilution ratio of 10%, however, higher dilution ratios （≥0%） had an obvious negative effect on phytoplankton growth. We suggest that the phytoplankton communities in fjords in late summer are dark- ness adapted, and the inflow of glacial melt water is favorable for phytoplankton growth in the outer fiords where the influence of freshwater is limited.

Clay minerals in Arctic Kongsfjorden surface sediments and their implications on provenance and paleoenvironmental change

Kongsfjorden is a typical fjord on the edge of the ice cap of the Arctic Svalbard-Barents Sea. Its inner bay is connected with a modern glacier front along the direction of the fjord axis with a significant gradient change in the parameters of hydrology, sedimentation, and biology. In summer, ice and snow melt-water and floating ice collapse continuously and thus transport the weathering products on the surrounding land into the sea. Thus Kongsfjorden is regards as a natural laboratory for the study of unique sedimentation in polar fjords under modern glacial-sea water conditions. In this study, fifty-two surface sediments were collected in Kongsfjorden for clay mineral analysis to study the sediment source and sediment-transport process. Our results indicate that clay minerals in the surface sediments from Kongsfjorden are mainly composed of illite, chlorite, and kaolinite, and no smectite is found. Rocks from different periods exposed extensively in the surrounding areas of Kongsfjorden provide an important material basis for clay minerals in the Kongsfjorden. Kaolinite may be mainly derived from the fluvial deposits, weathered from reddish sandstones and conglomerates during the Carboniferous Period.Illite is mainly derived from Proterozoic low-grade and medium-grade metamorphic phyllite, mica schist, and gneiss. While chlorite is mainly from Proterozoic low-grade metamorphic phyllite and mica schist. In the direction from the fluvio-glacial estuary to the sea of the glacier front of Kongsfjorden, illite increase gradually,and the content of kaolinite declines gradually. However, the change pattern of chlorite is insignificant, which may be related to the provenance. Kongsfjorden detritus is mainly transported by the fluvio-glacial streams and icebergs into the sea and deposited in the inner bay. Coarse sediments are rapidly deposited in the glacier front,estuary, and near-shore areas. Clay fraction begins to deposit significantly by 200–400 m after flowing into the sea,which due to the crystal behavior of clay minerals, hydrodynamic condition and flocculation. Kaolinite and chlorite on the south of the bay near the Blomstrandhalv？ya Island is mainly affected by ice-rafted detritus and thus can reveal the trajectory of transportation by the floating ice while entering the sea.

Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water column of Kongsfjorden, Arctic

Kongsfjorden is known for its characteristic multi-layer water mass formed by the convergence of freshwaters from nearby glaciers and rivers and saline water from the Atlantic and Arctic.The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in the water column of Kongsfjorden was investigated and their potential sources were analyzed.The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in the surface seawater and river water were in the range of 33.4-79.8 ng/L(mean 48.5 ng/L)and 2.3-201.4 ng/L(mean 126.1 ng/L),respectively.Horizontally,PAHs were mainly concentrated around river estuaries and the glacier front in the dissolved phase.Vertically,the PAHs in the particulate phase followed surface-enrichment and depth-depletion patterns in most stations,with the maximum concentration found at 50 m depth in the central area of Kongsfjorden.The compositions of PAHs in seawater and rivers were similar,with two-ring and tricyclic PAHs comprising the majority of the dissolved and particulate phases.PAHs found in Kongsfjorden waters appeared to be derived from multiple sources such as petroleum and coal combustion.PAHs in the bay mouth of Kongsfjorden were mainly introduced by the West Spitsbergen Current and the Arctic waters,while in the inner bay,atmospheric deposition and local sources were the major contributors.The distribution of PAHs was mainly attributed to the suspended particulate distribution.

北极王湾海域浮游植物对光照和盐度变化的适应性研究

2006年夏末,对北极黄河站附近的王湾(Kongsfjorden)海域基础环境特征进行调查,并采用模拟实验研究了该海域浮游植物对光照和盐度变化的适应性。结果显示:浮游植物群落在无光照条件下培养1天或者1周后,叶绿素a浓度基本保持稳定或略有下降;随后将其置于自然光下培养,叶绿素a浓度呈现先明显下降、后稳步上升的趋势。在盐度实验中,稀释倍率为10%时,浮游植物群落生长速率达到最大值,但将稀释倍率增大到一定程度(≥40%)时,低盐会限制浮游植物生长。研究显示,夏末王湾海域浮游植物群落对低光照环境具有一定的适应性;另外,由于低稀释率能促进浮游植物的生长,湾外由于受到融水影响的程度较小,因而有益于浮游植物的生长。

北极王湾2010年夏季水体营养盐分布及影响因素

王湾海域位于北极斯瓦尔巴群岛西北侧,其水体特征主要受到北极冰川与大西洋的共同影响。为了研究冰川融水与大西洋水对王湾营养盐分布以及生态系统的影响,在2010年夏季黄河站考察期间,对王湾海水与地表径流进行采样分析,并测定了营养盐和叶绿素a。结果表明:2010年夏季王湾是大西洋水影响较弱的年份,以低温低盐高营养盐的本地变异水为主导。2010年7月王湾水体可以划分为4个水团,表层水(SW)、中层变异水(TIW)、本地变异水(TLW)和大西洋变异水(TAW),其中,表层水与中层变异水营养盐浓度较低,随着深度增加,本地变异水与大西洋变异水营养盐浓度都较高。大西洋变异水主要影响200m以深水柱,其营养盐浓度低于本地变异水影响的底部值,本地变异水中营养盐浓度的增加主要来自于颗粒物中营养盐的再生。表层水主要来源于地表径流与冰川融水,这些淡水输入与浮游植物的初级生产作用共同决定了表层水的营养盐浓度水平及结构。本地变异水中在水深100m上下出现的铵盐高值可能与浮游动物和/或微生物的代谢过程有关。

北极王湾冰海沉积物类型及沉积作用

王湾作为发育于现代冰盖边缘的开放性峡湾,具有典型的冰海沉积特征,使其成为研究冰海沉积作用的良好场所。对湾内54个表层沉积物进行了粒度分析,并计算了其粒度参数。表层沉积物与其他地区冰碛物、冰水沉积物及冰海沉积物的对比,验证了应用粒度参数散点图在区分冰川亚环境过程中的有效性。参照冰海沉积物划分方案,将王湾的冰海沉积物划分为3类:基本缺乏粉砂和泥的Ⅰ型残副冰碛物、含砂砾的Ⅲ型沉积物和基本缺乏砂砾的Ⅳ型混合副冰碛物。对王湾沉积物的来源和沉积作用作了初步的探讨。

A characteristic study of humic acids isolated from Arctic fjord sediments

Humic substances are ubiquitous natural materials found in sediments as a product of biochemical transformation reactions representing a significant proportion of organic carbon cycle on earth. This study involves the analysis of humic substances with special emphasis on humic acids(HAs) in sediments collected from the Kongsfjorden System of Arctic region in June, 2017. The characterization of the isolated HAs were done using various spectroscopic techniques viz. UV-visible, Fluorescence, FTIR and NMR. Isolated HAs were also undergone for elemental analysis along with other characterization. The UV spectral analysis results with a lower E4/E6 ratio suggesting the presence of HAs with high degree of aromaticity and condensation. Indications for the presence of hydroxyl, methyl, methylene, carbonyl, carboxyl, phenol, alcohol and amide groups were obtained from the FTIR spectrums of HAs. NMR spectral characteristics also confirm the presence of OH group as well as the presence of CH protons adjacent to C=X, were X can be any electronegative element. This also confirms the presence of carbonyl group which is also evident in the FTIR spectral studies. Presence of aliphatic regions slightly more dominated with long chain and/or alicyclic moieties rather than methyl groups was also inferred from the results of NMR.

Distribution of gamma-ray radionuclides in surface sediments of the KongsQorden, Arctic: Implications for sediment provenance

The Kongsfjorden is highly sensitive region to climate variability,however,the study of gamma-ray radionuclides in related areas is relatively scarce.In this study,the grain size,total organic carbon(TOC),13 Corg isotopes,and specific activities of seven gamma nuclides were analysed in surface sediments of the Kongsfjorden in the Arctic during the summer of 2017.The specific activities of 210 Pb_(ex),137 Cs,238 U,226 Ra,228 Ra,228 Th,and 40 K were 12–256 Bq/kg,0–3.8 Bq/kg,25–42 Bq/kg,24–38 Bq/kg,22–40 Bq/kg,22–40 Bq/kg,and 354–738 Bq/kg,respectively,with average values of(121±94)Bq/kg,(2.0±1.2)Bq/kg,(34±6)Bq/kg,(32±4)Bq/kg,(32±6)Bq/kg,(33±6)Bq/kg,and(611±119)Bq/kg.This study observed a significant positive correlation(r=0.845,p<0.05)between TOC and 210 Pb_(ex),highlighting the strong influence of organic matter on the distribution of 210 Pb_(ex).The boundary scavenging of210 Pb from the open sea contributed 27.5%–46.2%to the total 210 Pb_(ex) in the sediments of the outer Kongsfjorden.The grain size was an important factor affecting the activity distribution of several radionuclides(238 U,228 Ra,228 Th,226 Ra,and 40 K).The specific activity of 137 Cs indicated the transport of terrestrial materials from the exposed area of the Kongsfjorden.The sediments in the Kongsfjorden were derived from various material contributions of glacial meltwater debris,glacial rivers,bare soil,atmospheric deposition,and marine sources.This study explains the source of the Kongsfjorden sediment and the distribution characteristics of radionuclides,and illustrateas the main factors affecting the distribution of radionuclides,which provides a reference for the behavior of polar radionuclides in future research.

2011年夏季北极王湾细菌群落结构分析及浮游细菌丰度检测

采用PCR-DGGE方法,对2011年夏季北极王湾表层海水及沉积物细菌的群落分析结果表明,沉积物中的细菌多样性指数高于海水。深水站位(S1和S3)的沉积物细菌群落不但与浮游细菌群落存在差异,并且与浅水站位(S5)也存在差异。位于湾口、湾内的浮游细菌群落组成也存在一定差异。测序结果显示,王湾海洋细菌的多样性组成包括α-变形细菌、γ-变形细菌、δ-变形细菌、放线菌、拟杆菌及厚壁菌等类群。基于定量PCR方法的检测结果表明,位于湾口、湾内的浮游细菌丰度相似,但湾内玫瑰杆菌支系的丰度明显低于湾口。研究结果表明,与湾口相比,王湾湾内的细菌群落受陆源性淡水输入的影响明显,不但表现在细菌群落的多样性组成上,也表现在某些特定细菌类群的数量分布上。

北极王湾夏季海水中DMSP降解基因的丰度及分布调查

作为海洋中最丰富的有机含硫化合物之一,二甲基巯基丙酸内盐(DMSP)不仅在浮游植物细胞内具有重要的生理生化及生态功能,同时也是海洋微生物的重要营养物,其分解产物二甲基硫(DMS)还是海洋中最重要的还原态挥发性生源有机硫化物,因此DMSP的代谢在全球硫循环中扮演着重要角色。细菌可通过脱甲基与裂解这两条途径降解海水中的DMSP,从而决定硫元素是以含硫蛋白形式进入微生物食物网还是以DMS形式进入大气。截至目前,在高纬度北极海域开展的有关细菌降解DMSP的相关研究报道很少。本文采用荧光定量PCR技术,首次对北极王湾夏季(2015及2016年)海水中涉及细菌降解DMSP的两条主要代谢途径中的脱甲基酶基因dmdA及裂解酶基因dddP的丰度及分布进行了检测。结果显示,2015-2016年海水中DMSP降解酶基因(dmdA、dddP)与细菌16S rRNA基因的丰度比值的平均值分别为0.25%±0.31%、0.32%±0.58%。2015年水样中,除K5站位的dddP基因之外,表层水中dmdA及dddP的丰度相对值从湾口至湾内均呈递增趋势。但2016年的结果却显示出很大差异:湾口附近dmdA基因丰度相对值总体高于湾内;表层水中的dddP基因丰度相对值变化趋势不明显,而深层水中dddP基因丰度相对值从湾口到湾内总体呈递减趋势。本次研究的结果初步表明,含有DMSP降解基因的浮游细菌在王湾夏季水体中丰度很低,而且参与不同代谢途径的DMSP降解菌在海水中的时空分布存在很大变化。对于王湾水域中细菌参与DMSP分解代谢及其在当地硫元素循环中的生态地位的进一步认识,尚待后续研究工作的深入开展。

一株可利用二甲基巯基丙酸内盐生长的北极海洋细菌的分类鉴定及表型特征分析

二甲基巯基丙酸内盐(DMSP)是一种主要由海洋浮游植物生成的含硫化合物,在海洋中含量丰富,同时也是海洋细菌的重要营养物之一。采用生长选择性培养基从北极王湾海水中分离到一株细菌DMSP-1。基于16S rRNA基因序列及基因组平均核苷酸一致性(Average Nucleotide Identity,ANI)分析,将该菌鉴定为乳酸假单胞菌。该菌细胞呈杆状,有极生鞭毛;具有耐冷(可在5℃较快生长,适宜生长温度范围为22~29℃,最高生长温度为38℃)、耐盐(适宜生长盐度范围为0~4%NaCl、最高生长盐度为8%NaCl)等特性,表明该菌能较好地适应其所处的北极近岸环境。碳源生长实验证实该菌能以DMSP为唯一碳源进行生长。该菌具有乳酸假单胞菌的许多生理生化特征,但也存在差异,如色氨酸脱氨酶与脲酶为阳性、不能利用鼠李糖产酸等。对假单胞菌DMSP-1开展进一步的研究,将推动人们对于海洋细菌降解DMSP的代谢机制及其在北极海洋环境中生态功能的深入认识。