Comparison of sedimentary organic carbon loading in the Yap Trench and other marine environments

Knowledge about organic carbon loadings(ratio of sedimentary organic carbon(SOC)content to specific surface area(SSA))and the fate of organic carbon(OC)is critical to understand the marine carbon cycle.We investigated the variations in the patterns of OC loadings and the preservation capacities of sedimentary OC in the Yap Trench and other marine environments.The average OC loading in sediment cores from various marine environments decreases with increasing water depth at a rate of^0.06 mg OC/(m^2·km)(R^2=0.23,P<0.01).Distinct low OC loadings(0.09±0.04 mg OC/m^2)were observed in the Yap Trench,with the lowest values as^0.02 mg OC/m^2.A further comparative analysis indicated that OC/SSA=0.2 mg OC/m^2 is a good indicator to distinguish between oxic deep-sea regions and suboxic energetic deltaic areas.Regression analysis between OC loading and bulk carbon isotope compositions indicates that marine OC(δ13C^-20.4‰to-18.6‰)dominates the lost OC within the Yap Trench and does not differ from that of the abyssal zone.In contrast,terrestrial OC withδ13C values of approximately-27.4‰to-20.5‰was the major source of remineralized OC in the sublittoral zone.The ratios of OC loadings in the bottom layer relative to those in the top layers of sediment cores indicate that the preservation capacities of hadal trenches are much lower than those of other environments,and only approximately 30%of the SOC deposited in hadal trenches is finally buried.The value is equivalent to 0.066%of the primary production-derived OC and much lower than the global ocean average(~0.3%).Overall,the hadal zone exhibits the lowest OC loading and preservation capacity of SOC of the different marine environments investigated,despite the occurrence of a notable funneling effect.

^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar ages of seamount trachytes from the South China Sea and implications for the evolution of the northwestern sub-basin

A chronological study of seamount rocks in the South China Sea basin provides a great opportunity to understand the expansion and evolution history of the sea basin.In this paper,we analyzed the40Ar/39Ar age of trachytic samples collected from the Shuangfeng seamounts in the northwestern sub-basin of the South China Sea.The two samples yielded plateau ages of 23.80 0.18 and 23.29 0.22 Ma,respectively,which indicate magmatic activity in late Oligocene which helpful constraints the expansion time of the northwest sub-basin.Previous studies suggested that the northwestern sub-basin and southwestern sub-basin have experienced a relatively consistent expansion in the NWeSE direction followed by a late expansion of the eastern sub-basin.We concluded that the expansion of the northwestern sub-basin began prior to ca.24 Ma,which also implicated magmatic events of a late or stop expansion of the northwestern sub-basin combined with our results of40Ar/39Ar age data and previous geophysical data.

Calcareous Nannofossils and Molecular Fossils in Cobalt-rich Crusts and their Response to the P/E Global Event

A biostratigraphic study on calcareous nannofossils from the CM3D06 Co-rich ferromanganese crust from the Magellan seamounts in the northwestern Pacific enabled estimation of depositional age.The bio-imprinting of calcareous nannofossils and other fossil species suggests six age ranges for the nannofossils: late Cretaceous,late Paleocene,(early,middle,late) Eocene,middle Miocene,late Pliocene,and Pleistocene.Gas chromatography(GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were used to test the Co-rich crusts,and a variety of molecular fossils were detected,such as chloroform bituminous "A",n-alkane,isoprenoid and sterol.Peak carbon and molecular indices(such as ΣC23 /ΣC24 +,CPI,Pr/Ph,Pr/nC17,Ph/nC18 and δ13C) indicate that the parent organic matter is dominated by marine phytoplankton and thallogen whereas there is little input of terrestrial organic matter.Researches on calcareous nannofossils,molecular fossils and molecular organic geochemistry data reveal that the Paleocene/Eocene(P/E) global event is recorded in the cobaltrich crusts from the northwestern Pacific Ocean.A succession of biomes can be observed near the 85 mm boundary(about 55 Ma),i.e.,the disappearance of the late Cretaceous Watznaueria barnesae and Zigodicus spiralis,and Broisonia parka microbiotas above the P/E boundary,and the bloom of Coccolithus formosus,Discoaster multiradiatus,Discoaster mohleri and Discoaster sp.below the boundary.Typical parameters of molecular fossils,such as saturated hydrocarbon components and carbon-number maxima,Pr/Ph,Pr/C17,Ph/C18,distribution types of sterols,Ts/Tm ratios and bacterial hopane,also exhibit dramatic changes near the P/E boundary.These integrated results illustrate that the biome succession of calcareous nannofossils,relative content of molecular fossils and molecular indices in the cobalt-rich crusts near the 85 mm boundary faithfully record the P/E global event.

New discovery of seafloor hydrothermal activity on the Indian Ocean Carlsberg Ridge and Southern North Atlantic Ridge-progress during the 26th Chinese COMRA cruise

The 26th Chinese COMRA (China Ocean Mineral Resources Research & Development Association) cruise was an important cruise. The Carlsberg Ridge (CR) of the Northwest Indian Ocean and the North Atlantic Ridge (NAR), in which less investigation has been carried out for hydrothermal activities, were investigated and studied during the first two legs of the 26th COMRA cruise. During the first leg, we found one hydrothermal activity field located in the CR at 3.5 -3.8 N on the Northwest Indian Ocean Ridge (NWIR), and sampled seafloor polymetallic sulfide deposits where only abnormalities were found before. During the second leg, we found a new hydrothermal anomaly field located in the NAR at 4 -7 N. The discovery of two hydrothermal and anomaly fields filled in the gap of hydrothermal investigation and study in the corresponding regions for China.

Macrobenthic assemblages of the Changjiang River estuary (Yangtze River, China) and adjacent continental shelf relative to mild summer hypoxia

To assess the effects of hypoxia, macrobenthic communities along an estuarine gradient of the Changjiang estuary and adjacent continental shelf were analyzed. This revealed spatial variations in the communities and relationships with environmental variables during periods of reduced dissolved oxygen(DO) concentration in summer. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in macrobenthic community composition among the three zones: estuarine zone(EZ), mildly hypoxic zone(MHZ) in the continental shelf, and normoxic zone(NZ) in the continental shelf(Global R =0.206, P =0.002). Pairwise tests showed that the macrobenthic community composition of the EZ was significantly different from the MHZ(pairwise test R =0.305, P =0.001) and the NZ(pairwise test R =0.259, P =0.001). There was no significant difference in macrobenthic communities between the MHZ and the NZ(pairwise test R =0.062, P =0.114). The taxa included small and typically opportunistic polychaetes, which made the greatest contribution to the dissimilarity between the zones. The effects of mild hypoxia on the macrobenthic communities are a result not only of reduced DO concentration but also of differences in environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations caused by stratification.

Different vertical distribution of zooplankton community between North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and Western Pacific Warm Pool: its implication to carbon flux

The mesozooplankton in both epipelagic and mesopelagic zones is essentially important for the study of ecosystem and biological carbon pump. Previous studies showed that the diel vertical migration (DVM) pattern of mesozooplankton varied among ecosystems. However, that pattern was largely unknown in the Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP). The vertical distribution, DVM and community structure of mesozooplankton from the surface to 1 000 m were compared at Stas JL7K (WPWP) and MA (North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, NPSG). Two sites showed similarly low biomass in both epipelagic and mesopelagic zones, which were in accordance with oligotrophic conditions of these two ecosystems. Stronger DVM (night/day ratio) was found at JL7K (1.31) than that at MA (1.09) on surface 0–100 m, and an obvious night increase of mesopelagic biomass was observed at JL7K, which was probably due to migrators from bathypelagic zone. Active carbon flux by DVM of zooplankton was estimated to be 0.23 mmol/(m2·d) at JL7K and 0.16 mmol/(m2·d) at MA. The community structure analysis showed that calanoid copepods, cnidarians and appendicularians were the main contributors to DVM of mesozooplankton at both sites. We also compared the present result with previous studies of the two ecosystems, and suggested that the DVM of mesozooplankton was more homogeneous within the WPWP and more variable within the NPSG, though both ecosystems showed typically extremely oligotrophic conditions. The different diel vertical migration strength of mesozooplankton between NPSG and WPWP implied different efficiency of carbon pump in these two ecosystems.

Grain size composition and transport of sedimentary organic carbon in the Changjiang River(Yangtze River) Estuary and Hangzhou Bay and their adjacent waters

Surface sediments from the Changjiang River(Yangtze River) Estuary,Hangzhou Bay,and their adjacent waters were analyzed for their grain size distribution,organic carbon(OC) concentration,and stable carbon isotope composition(δ13C).Based on this analysis,about 36 surface sediment samples were selected from various environments and separated into sand(>0.250 mm,0.125–0.250 mm,0.063–0.125 mm) and silt(0.025–0.063 mm)fractions by wet-sieving fractionation methods,and further into silt-(0.004–0.025 mm) and clay-sized(<0.004mm) fractions by centrifugal fractionation.Sediments of six grain size categories were analyzed for their OC andδ13C contents to explore the grain size composition and transport paths of sedimentary OC in the study area.From fine to coarse fractions,the OC content was 1.18%,0.51%,0.46%,0.42%,0.99%,and 0.48%,respectively,while theδ13C was –21.64‰,–22.03‰,–22.52‰,–22.46‰,–22.36‰,and –22.28‰,respectively.In each size category,the OC contribution was 42.96%,26.06%,9.82%,5.75%,7.09%,and 8.33%,respectively.The OC content in clay and fine silt fractions(<0.025 mm) was about 69.02%.High OC concentrations were mainly found in offshore modern sediments in the northeast of the Changjiang River Estuary,in modern sediments in the lower estuary of the Changjiang River and Hangzhou Bay,and in Cyclonic Eddy modern sediments to the southwest of the Cheju Island.Integrating the distribution of terrestrial OC content of each grain size category with the δ13C of the bulk sediment indicated that the terrestrial organic material in the Changjiang River Estuary was transported seaward and dispersed to the Cyclonic Eddy modern sediments to the southwest of the Cheju Island via two pathways:one was a result of the Changjiang River Diluted Water(CDW) northeastward extending branch driven by the North Jiangsu Coastal Current and the Yellow Sea Coastal Current,while the other one was the result of the CDW southward extending branch driven by the Taiwan Warm Current.

Community structure of picoplankton abundance and biomass in the southern Huanghai Sea during the spring and autumn of 2006

During spring and autumn of 2006,the investigations on abundance,carbon biomass and distribution of picoplankton were carried out in the southern Huanghai Sea(Yellow Sea,sHS) . Three groups of picoplankton-Synechococcus(Syn) ,Picoeukaryotes(PEuk) and heterotrophic bacteria(BAC) were identified,but Prochlorococcus(Pro) was undetected. The average abundance of Syn and PEuk was lower in spring(5.0 and 1.3 × 10 3 cells/cm 3,respectively) than in autumn(92.4 and 2.7 × 10 3 cells/cm 3,respectively) ,but it was opposite for BAC(1.3 and 0.7 × 10 6 cells/cm 3 in spring and autumn,respectively) . And the total carbon biomass of picoplankton was higher in spring(37.23 ± 11.67) mg/m 3 than in autumn(21.29 ± 13.75) mg/m 3 . The ratios of the three cell abundance were 5:1:1 341 and 30:1:124 in spring and autumn,respectively. And the ratios of carbon biomass of them were 5:7:362 and 9:4:4 in spring and autumn,respectively. Seasonal distribution characteristics of Syn,PEuk,BAC were quite different from each other. In spring,Syn abundance decreased in turn in the central waters(where phytoplankton bloom in spring occurred) ,the southern waters and inshore waters of the Shandong Peninsula(where even Syn was undetected) ;the high values of PEuk abundance appeared in the central and southern waters and the inshore of the Shandong Peninsula;the abundance of BAC was nearly three order of magnitude higher than that of photosynthetic picoplankton,and high values appeared in the central waters. In autumn,Syn abundance in central waters was higher than that in surrounding waters,while for PEuk abundance,it decreased in turn in the inshore waters of the Shandong Peninsula,the southern waters and the central waters;BAC presented a complicated blocky type distribution. Sub-surface maximum of each group of picopalnkton appeared in both spring and autumn. Compared with the available literatures concerning the studied area,the range of Syn abundance was larger,and the abundance of BAC was higher. In addition,the conversion factors for calculating picoplanktonic carbon biomass were discussed,with the conversion factors which are different from previous studies in the same surveyed waters. The result of regression analysis showed that there was distinct positive correlation between BAC and photosynthetic picoplankton in spring(r=0.61,P <0.001) ,but no correlation was found in autumn.

Spatial and temporal variation of picoplankton distribution in the Yellow Sea, China

七调查在 4 月， 9 月， 10 月， 2006 年 12 月和三月被执行， 5 月，在黄海的 2007 年 8 月，中国。在 Synechococcus， picoeukaryotes 和不是自养的细菌的空间、时间的分发的变化用流动 cytometry 被确定。Synechococcus 和不是自养的细菌从迟了的春天是很丰富的到秋天，当 picoeukaryotes 集中在春天高时。Synechococcus 和不是自养的细菌在春天和秋天在黄海的西北部分高专注，当 picoeukaryotes 在西方上在沿海的区域除了一个小正面的地区在整个学习区域上均匀地散布了时(在春天) 并且中央黄海(在里面秋天) 。在混合条件下面，三个 picoplankton 组的垂直分发显示出一个混合得好的模式。在生长得很好的层化之上，最大的许多 picoplankton 发生在混合的层深度(30 m ) 上面。Synechococcus 和 picoeukaryotes 的房间尺寸被向前变换估计从 cytometry 分析散布信号(FSC ) 到房间直径，为 picoeukaryotes 为 Synechococcus 和 0.851.08 m 显示出 0.650.82 m 的结果。平均的综合的碳 biomasses 变化了为 Synechococcus，为 picoeukaryotes 的 18.5461.57 mgC/m2，和为不是自养的细菌的 402.63818.46 mgC/m2 的 15.26312.62 mgC/m2。Synechococcus 和不是自养的细菌的分发是温度依赖者，并且 picoplankton 存在在黄海冷水团中是差的。

Seasonal distribution of macrobenthos and its relationship with environmental factors in Yellow Sea and East China Sea

Macrobenthos samples were collected from the Yellow and East China Seas in four seasons during 2011 to 2012. The seasonal distribution of macrobenthos and its relationship with environmental factors were analyzed. A total of 562 macrobenthic species were identified, with polychaetes and mollusks accounting for 67% of the total number of species. A similarity percentage(SIMPER) analysis showed that the dominant species were bivalve mollusks in the Yellow Sea and small-sized polychaetes in the East China Sea. A two-factor analysis of variance showed significant seasonal variations in species number, density and diversity index, and significant regional differences of biomass and density. Two-factor community similarity analysis also showed significant seasonal and regional differences in macrobenthic communities. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the main environmental factors af fecting the macrobenthic communities were water depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and inorganic nitrogen. The results demonstrate significant regional differences and seasonal variations in macrobenthos in the two seas. Sediment properties and water mass characteristics are speculated to be the causes of regional differences.

The size-fractionated chlorophyll a and primary productivity in the Bering Sea during the summer of 2003

Investigations of chlorophyll a and primary productivity were carried out in the Bering Sea along the BR line and the BS line during the Second Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in the summer of 2003. The results showed that the surface chlorophyll a concentrations were 0.199~1.170 μg/dm3, and the average value was 0.723 μg/dm3 on the BR line. For the BS line, the surface chlorophyll a concentrations were 0.519~4.644 μg/dm3 (average 1.605 μg/dm3) and 0.568~14.968 μg/dm3 (average 5.311 μg/dm3) during the early and late summer, respectively. The average value in the late summer was much higher than that in the early summer. The high values (more than 4.0 μg/dm3) occurred at stations of the BS line in the southern Bering Strait. The chlorophyll a concentrations in the subsurface layer were higher than those in the surface layer. The results of the size-fractionated chlorophyll a showed that the contribution of the picoplankton to total chlorophyll a was the predominance at the early summer and the contribution of the netplankton was the predominance at the late summer. The carbon potential primary productivities varied between 0.471 and 1.147 mg/(m3·h) on the BR line, with average rates of 0.728 mg/(m3·h). The primary productivities on the BS line were much higher than those of the BR line, ranging from 1.227 mg/(m3·h) at the early summer to 19.046 mg/(m3·h) at the late summer. The results of the size-fractionated primary productivity showed that the contribution of the nanoplankton to total productivity was the predominance at the early summer and the contribution of the netplankton was predominance at the late summer. The assimilation number of photosynthesis was 0.45~2.80 mg/(mg·h) in the surveyed stations.

Distribution and Sources of Organic Matter in Surface Sediments of the Northern Bering and Chukchi Seas by Using Bulk and Tetraether Proxies

The organic matter (OM) preserved in Arctic Ocean sediments is of great importance to the global carbon budget. How-ever, works that apply multiple proxies to determine the distribution and concentration of organic carbon (OC) in the surface sedi-ments of the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas remain limited. Here a multiproxy approach based on bulk OM parameters and the branched vs. isoprenoid tetraether (BIT) index was used to investigate the distribution and sources of OM in the surface sediments of the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas. Binary and ternary mixing models were applied to trace the contribution of different OC sources to the total OC in the study area. The δ13C values of the sediments provided by the binary model showed that the proportion of terrestrial OC fell in the range of 27.4%–79.8% (46.2% on average). The BIT index returned the lowest fraction (4.8%–27.3%, 12.0% on average). The ternary mixing model was employed to determine the plant-, soil-, and marine-derived fractions of the total OM. The ternary model showed that 11.5%±6.3%, 31.4%±9.5%, and 57.1%±12.4% of OM in the sediment of the study area was derived from soil, plants, and marine sources, respectively. The differences in OM composition between the west and east sides of the Chukchi Sea were controlled by OM inputs from key water masses (i.e., Anadyr Water and Alaska Coastal Water), river discharge, and the nutrient supply from the Pacific inflow that supports marine productivity.

Picoplankton distribution in different water masses of the East China Sea in autumn and winter

Picoplankton distribution was investigated in different water masses of the East China Sea in November,2006 and February,2007.The autumn and winter cruises crossed three major water masses:the coastal water mass(CWM),the mixed water mass(MWM),which forms on the continental shelf,and the Kuroshio water mass(KWM).Picoplankton composition was resolved into four main groups by flow cytometry,namely Synechococcus,Prochlorococcus,picoeukaryotes,and heterotrophic bacteria.The average abundances of Synechococcus,picoeukaryotes,and heterotrophic bacteria were(0.63±10.88)×103,(1.61±1.16)×103,(3.39±1.27)×105 cells/mL in autumn and(6.45±8.60)×103,(3.23±2.63)×103,(3.76±1.37)×105 cells/mL in winter,respectively.Prochlorococcus was not found in the CWM and seldom observed in surface samples in either season.However,Prochlorococcus was observed in the MWM and KWM(approximately 10 3 cells/mL) in both autumn and winter.Synechococcus distribution varied considerably among water masses,with the highest levels in KWM and lowest levels in CWM.The depth-averaged integrated abundance of Synechococcus was approximately 5-fold higher in KWM than in CWM,which may be due primarily to water temperature.In the MWM,Synechococcus was resolved as two subgroups;the presence of both subgroups was more common in autumn.Picoeukaryote abundance varied less among water masses than Synechococcus,and heterotrophic bacteria depth-averaged integrated abundance exhibited the smallest seasonal variations with respect to water mass.Correlation analysis showed that relationships between picoplankton abundances and environmental factors(temperature,nutrients,and chlorophyll a) differed among the three water masses,suggesting that the three water masses have different effects on picoplankton distribution(particularly Synechococcus).

Monitoring and Evaluation of Present Situation of Environmental Quality in the Sea Area near the Aojiang Estuary in Wenzou

Based on the monitoring results of environmental quality in the sea area near the Aojiang estuary in Wenzou during 2010-2012,the present situation of environmental quality in the sea area was analyzed and evaluated. The results show that p H,DO,CODMn,petroleum,and heavy metals( Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Hg,As and Cr) in the sea area near the Aojiang estuary did not exceed the second-class standard of Seawater Quality Standard( GB 3097-1997),but both inorganic nitrogen and reactive phosphate in the sea area exceeded the second-class standard seriously,and the water quality of the sea area was in an eutrophic state; domestic sewage and fertilizer loss were the main sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. The standard index of most evaluation factors of sediment quality except for Zn was smaller than 1,meeting the demands of sediment quality for environmental protection.

Interannual Variations of Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Chlorophyll a in the Arctic Seas and Their Relations to ENSO and AO

To study effects of variations in climate-marine environment in the Arctic Ocean on ecology,based on the actual and reestablished data by biomarkers of algae in sediment in 1997,1999,2003,2008,and 2010,the interannual and spatial variations of phytoplankton,zooplankton and chlorophyll a concentration in the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea as well as their relations to El Nino-Southern Oscillation( ENSO) and Arctic Oscillation( AO) were analyzed. The results show that there were spatial and temporal anomalies in the phytoplankton community structure reestablished by biomarkers of algae in the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea in 1999 and 2010. The total content of biomarkers( brassicasterol,dinosterol,C37 alkenones and chlesterol) in sediment collected in 2010 was far lower than that in 1999,but brassicasterol was dominant in the two years,that is,diatom was dominant,which was consistent with the actual structure and distribution of phytoplankton community in 1999 and 2010; there were great changes in the dominant species of plankton in the two seas in 1999 and 2010,which could be regarded as the ecological response of the North Pole under the background of global warming. Chlorophyll a concentration in the water of the Bering Sea was 0. 720 μg/dm^3 at 0 m and 0. 765μg/dm^3 at 10 m in 1997 and 0. 723 μg/dm^3 at 0 m and 0. 731 μg/dm^3 at 10 m in 2003,and the concentration was very close to each other,which was affected by El Ni1 o and the negative phase of AO. It was 0. 395 μg/dm^3 at 0 m in 1999 and 0. 399 μg/dm^3 at 0 m and 0. 357 μg/dm^3 at 10 m in 2008,which was influenced by La Ni1 a and the positive phase of AO. The phases and intensity of AO and ENSO had various effects on the quantity and dominant species of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea. During the period of AO with positive or negative phase and El Ni1o( in 1997 and 2003),their combination was favorable to the growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton,while the combination of negative phase of AO and La Nina( in 2010) had adverse effects on the growth of phytoplankton. The combination of AO with positive phase and strong La Nina( in 1999 and 2008) had small effects on phytoplankton community.

Monitoring and Assessment of Current Situation of Environmental Quality in Yueqing Bay

Based on the monitoring results of environmental quality in Yueqing Bay during 2007-2014,the current situation of environmental quality in the bay was analyzed and assessed. The results show that pH,DO,CODMn,petroleum,and heavy metals( Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Hg,As and Cr)in the seawater of Yueqing Bay did not exceed the second class standard of Seawater Quality Standard( GB 3097-1997),but inorganic nitrogen and reactive phosphate in the seawater of Yueqing Bay exceeded the second class standard seriously,and the water quality of the bay was in an eutrophic state; the standard index of evaluation factors of sediment quality was smaller than 1,meeting the demands of sediment quality for environmental protection.

Comparison of Phytoplankton Communities Between Melt Ponds and Open Water in the Central Arctic Ocean

Climate warming has a significant impact on the sea ice and ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean.Under the increasing numbers of melt ponds in Arctic sea ice,the phytoplankton communities associated with the ice system are changing.During the 7th Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition cruise in summer 2016,photosynthesis pigments and nutrients were analyzed,revealing differences in phytoplankton communities between melt ponds and open water in the central Arctic.Photosynthetic pigment analysis suggested that Fuco(5-91μg m^-3)and Diadino(4-21μg m^-3)were the main pigments in the open water.However,the melt ponds had high concentrations of Viola(7-30μg m^-3),Lut(4-59μg m^-3)and Chl b(11-38μg m^-3),suggesting that green algae dominated phytoplankton communities in the melt ponds.The significant differences in phytoplankton communities between melt ponds and open water might be due to the salinity difference.Moreover,green algae may play a more important role in Arctic sea ice ecosystems with the expected growing number of melt ponds in the central Arctic Ocean.

Short-and Long-Term Response of Phytoplankton to ENSO in Prydz Bay, Antarctica: Evidences from Field Measurements, Remote Sensing Data and Stratigraphic Biomarker Records

The study provides one of the first lines of evidence showing linkages between Antarctic phytoplankton abundance and composition in response to ENSO, based on historical reconstruction of sediment biomarkers. In addition to sediment biomarkers, field measured and remote sensing data of phytoplankton abundance were also recorded from Prydz Bay, Eastern Antarctica. Community structure of field measured phytoplankton showed significant El Nino/La Nina-related succession during 1990 to 2002. In general, the number of algae species decreased during El Nino and La Nina years compared to normal years. Austral summer monthly variation of remotely sensed chlorophyll-a(Chl-a), particulate organic carbon(POC), and sea surface temperature(SST) indicated that ENSO impacted the timing of phytoplankton blooms during 2007 to 2011. Phytoplankton blooms(indicated by Chl-a and POC) preceded the increases in SST during El Nino years, and lagged behind the SST increases during La Nina years. Stratigraphic record of marine sedimentary lipid(brassicasterol, dinosterol and alkenones) biomarkers inferred that the proportions of different algae(diatoms, dinoflagellates and haptophytes) changed significantly between El Nino and La Nina events. The relative proportion of diatoms increased, with that of dinoflagellates being decreased during El Nino years, while it was reversed during La Nina years.

Weak coupling between heterotrophic nanoflagellates and bacteria in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass area

A study was carried out to investigate the grazing pressure of heterotrophic nanoflagellates(HNF) on bacteria assemblages in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(YSCWM) area in October, 2006. The results show that the HNF abundance ranges from 303 to 1 388 mL-1, with a mean of 884 mL-1. The HNF biomass is equivalent to 10.6%–115.6% of that of the bacteria. The maximum abundance of the HNF generally occurred in the upper 30 m water layer, with a vertical distribution pattern of surface layer abundance greater than middle layer abundance, then bottom layer abundance. The hydrological data show that the YSCWM is located in the northeastern part of the study area, typically 40 m beneath the surface. A weak correlation is found between the abundances of HNF and bacteria in both the YSCWM and its above water layer. One-way ANOVA analysis reveals that the abundance of HNF and bacteria differs between inside the YSCWM and in the above water mass. The ingestion rates of the HNF on bacteria was 8.02±3.43 h-1 in average. The grazing rate only represented 22.75%±6.91% of bacterial biomass or 6.55%+4.24% of bacterial production, implying that the HNF grazing was not the major factor contributing to the bacterial loss in the YSCWM areas.

A new record of Candacia varicans Giesbrecht, 1892 (male)(Crustacea: Copepoda: Candaciidae) from the South China Sea

The male of Candacia varicans Giesbrecht,1892 from the South China Sea was recorded and described.In general,the male of C.varicans is morphologically similar to those of C.armata and C.curta.However,it is distinguished with them by below several morphological characters:(1)posterolateral corners of the fifth thoracic segment prominently sharp and symmetrical;(2)right side of posterior edge of genital segment with a small backward protuberance;and(3)the dorsal surface of the third segment of the fifth pereiopod with a squamashaped protuberance.