Potential effects of sea level rise on the soil-atmosphere green-house gas emissions in Kandelia obovata mangrove forests

Mangrove forests are under the stress of sea level rise(SLR)which would affect mangrove soil biogeochemistry.Mangrove soils are important sources of soil-atmosphere greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,including carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),methane(CH_(4))and nitrous oxide(N_(2)O).Understanding how SLR influences GHG emissions is critical for evaluating mangrove blue carbon capability.In this study,potential effects of SLR on the GHG emissions were quantified through static closed chamber technique among three sites under different intertidal elevations,representing tidal flooding situation of SLR values of 0 cm,40 cm and 80 cm,respectively.Compared with Site SLR 0 cm,annual CO_(2) and N_(2)O fluxes decreased by approximately 75.0%and 27.3%due to higher soil water content,lower salinity and soil nutrient environments at Site SLR 80 cm.However,CH_(4) fluxes increased by approximately 13.7%at Site SLR 40 cm and 8.8%at Site SLR 80 cm because of lower salinity,higher soil water content and soil pH.CO_(2)-equivalent fluxes were 396.61 g/(m^(2)·a),1423.29 g/(m^(2)·a)and 1420.21 g/(m^(2)·a)at Sites SLR 80 cm,SLR 40 cm and SLR 0 cm,respectively.From Site SLR 0 cm to Site SLR 80 cm,contribution rate of N_(2)O and CH_(4) increased by approximately 7.42%and 3.02%,while contribution rate of CO_(2) decreased by approximately 10.44%.The results indicated that warming potential of trace CH_(4) and N_(2)O was non-negligible with SLR.Potential effects of SLR on the mangrove blue carbon capability should warrant attention due to changes of all three greenhouse gas fluxes with SLR.

Environment drives the co-occurrence of bacteria and microeukaryotes in a typical subtropical bay

The co-occurrence of bacteria and microeukaryote species is a ubiquitous ecological phenomenon,but there is limited cross-domain research in aquatic environments.We conducted a network statistical analysis and visualization of microbial cross-domain co-occurrence patterns based on DNA sampling of a typical subtropical bay during four seasons,using high-throughput sequencing of both 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes.First,we found obvious relationships between network stability and network complexity indices.For example,increased cooperation and modularity were found to weaken the stability of cross-domain networks.Secondly,we found that bacterial operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were the most important contributors to network complexity and stability as they occupied more nodes,constituted more keystone OTUs,built more connections,more importantly,ignoring bacteria led to greater variation in network robustness.Gammaproteobacteria,Alphaproteobacteria,Bacteroidetes,and Actinobacteria were the most ecologically important groups.Finally,we found that the environmental drivers most associated with cross-domain networks varied across seasons(in detail,the network in January was primarily constrained by temperature and salinity,the network in April was primarily constrained by depth and temperature,the network in July was mainly affected by depth,temperature,and salinity,depth was the most important factor affecting the network in October)and that environmental influence was stronger on bacteria than on microeukaryotes.

Factors regulating population dynamics of the amphipod Ampithoe valida in a eutrophic subtropical coastal lagoon

Year-round investigations were carried out to address the population dynamics of amphipod Ampithoe valida and its potential regulating factors in the Yundang Lagoon (a eutrophic subtropical coastal lagoon in Xiamen City, China) from October 2007 to October 2008. The results show that A. valida population was largely composed of juveniles and reached a peak abundance (12.02 × 10 3 ind./m2 ) in March, but sharply shrunk in July. The monthly variation pattern of A. valida seemed to follow that of Ulva lactuca which is the main food resource for A. valida, indicating a strong influence of food availability on A. valida population dynamics. Life cycle studies in laboratory indicate that A. valida adopted an r-selected life strategy, e.g., rapid growth rate (0.216-0.302 mm/d), consecutive breeding (4-10 times), short reproductive rhythm (9-17 d) and huge fecundity (24-192 eggs or 6-94 juveniles per brood), which contributed to the fast population growth of A. valida from January to March. Although temperature may also be a significant cause, A. valida could grow quickly and show normal reproductive traits (i.e., the timing of sexual differentiation or maturity, the reproductive rhythm, the number of broods all through its lifespan and offspring production) in temperature between 15-30 C. Therefore, the temperature variation in the lagoon water should not account for the sharp variation of A. valida population by affecting the survival, growth and reproduction of the amphipod. However, negative correlation between water temperature and U. lactuca biomass in the lagoon suggested that temperature could have indirectly affected the population dynamics of A. valida by affecting its food availability. The authors conclude that, in the Yundang Lagoon, the population dynamics of A. valida was mainly controlled by the food availability rather than water temperature.

Two new species of free-living nematodes of genus Tripyloides (Nematoda: Enoplida: Tripyloididae) from mangrove wetlands in the Xiamen Bay, China

Two new species of free living nematodes Tripyloides mangrovensis n.sp.and Tripyloides amoyanus n.sp.of genus Tripyloides de Man,1886 are described from mangroves of the Tong’an Bay and Haimen Island in the Xiamen Bay,China.The two species are both characterized by six stout outer labial setae,male without preanal papillae,tail conico-cylindrical without swollen terminally.Tripyloides mangrovensis n.sp.can be additionally by its buccal cavity consisting of two parts,amphid circular,distinct proximal conical and distal slender cylindrical portions,2/3 of the tail cylindrical.Tripyloides amoyanus n.sp.is distinguished by buccal cavity consisting of three parts with small tooth,amphid small,rounded,like a comma-shaped loop,1/3 of the tail cylindrical gubernaculum with four denticles.

Two New Species of Free-Living Marine Nematodes of the Desmodoridae from Mangrove Wetlands of Xiamen Bay, China

Mangroves are unique in their biodiversity,but studies on their meiobenthic biodiversity in China are scarce.Despite the importance of mangroves,little work has been done on the classification of nematodes in mangrove wetlands.Fujian Province is the most northern point of China’s natural mangrove distribution,and it is also one of the provinces with the earliest constructed mangrove forest.In this paper,two new free-living marine nematode species of Desmodoridae from the Xiamen mangrove wetlands in China are described.Metachromadora xiamenensis sp.nov.is characterized by a cylindrical body,and smooth head capsule set off from the rest of the body.The cuticle is finely annulated and thickened at the midbody.Lateral ridges run from the posterior end of the pharynx to the middle of the tail.The amphid foveae is loop shaped and opens at the top with a double contour amphidial,pharynx with bipartite cuticularized internal cavity.There are 18 tubular precloacal supplements and tail with three small protuberances.Molgolaimus euryformis sp.nov.is characterized by a relatively short and plump body with finely annulated cuticle,which is particularly obvious in the tail.The head is small and wide with intensive striates.The inner and outer labial sensilla are indistinct with short spicules and ventral apophysis,a gubernaculum with a block-shaped hook,a swollen conical-cylindrical tail and an absence of precloacal supplements.

Cold acclimation improves photosynthesis by regulating the ascorbate–glutathione cycle in chloroplasts of Kandelia obovata

As the most northerly mangrove species in China, Kandelia obovata may undergo extreme cold event stress. Enhancing the cold tolerance of this species is crucial to its successful afforestation. This study aimed to determine the resistance of K. obovata seedlings to low temperature stress by cold acclimation and to explain the mechanisms for alleviating cold injury. To understand these mechanisms, seedlings that were acclimatized and not acclimatized were exposed to 5℃/- 2℃(day/night)for 48 h.Results showed that low temperature stress reduced leaf photosynthesis of non-acclimatized seedlings by inducing oxidative stress and structural damage to chloroplasts. These phenomena were shown by increasing levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), O2-and H2O2, as well as decreasing enzyme activities in the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle. However, cold-acclimatized seedlings had improved photosynthetic rates and efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) under low temperature stress. Compared with non-acclimatized seedlings, leaves of coldacclimatized seedlings under low temperature stress for 48 h exhibited higher anti-oxidative enzyme activities, lower levels of O2^- and H2O2, less damage to chloroplast structure, and removed 33.7% of MDA at low temperature stress for 48 h. The data indicate that cold acclimation enhances photosynthetic capacity by effectively regulating activation in the PSII electron transport and the AsA–GSH cycle to scavenge excess ROS in chloroplasts, while the latter is more important.

β-escin reverses multidrug resistance through inhibition of the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway in cholangiocarcinoma

AIM: To develop a safe and effective agent for cholangiocarcinoma(CCA) chemotherapy. METHODS: A drug combination experiment was conducted to determine the effects of β-escin in c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h c h e m o t h e ra p y o n C C A c e l l s. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the effects of β-escin and common chemotherapeutics on the proliferation of human CCA cells(QBC939, Sk-Ch A-1, and MZ-Ch A-1). Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the expression of P-glycoprotein(P-gp) protein. Luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The protein levels of P-gp, p S9-GSK3β, p T216-GSK3β, GSK3β, β-catenin, and p-β-catenin were further confirmed by western blotting.RESULTS: The drug sensitivity of QBC939 and QBC939/5-fluorouracil(5-FU) cells to 5-FU, vincristine sulfate(VCR), or mitomycin C was significantly enhanced by β-escin compared with either agent alone(P < 0.05). In addition, the combination of β-escin(20 μmol/L) with 5-FU and VCR was synergic with a combination index < 1. Further investigation found that the m RNA and protein expression of P-gp was downregulated by β-escin. Moreover, β-escin induced GSK3β phosphorylation at Tyr-216 and dephosphorylation at Ser-9, resulting in phosphorylation and degradation of β-catenin. Interestingly, activation of the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway induced by Wnt3 a resulted in upregulation of P-gp, which was effectively abolished by β-escin, indicating that β-escin down-regulated P-gp expression in a GSK3β-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: β-escin was a potent reverser of P-gpdependent multidrug resistance, with said effect likely being achieved via inhibition of the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway and thus suggesting a promising strategy of developing combination drugs for CCA.

Phosphorus deficiency affects multiple macromolecular biosynthesis pathways of Thalassiosira weissflogii

Phosphorus(P) is one of the key nutrients for the growth of phytoplankton. In this study, we used a method coupling label-free quantitation with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry(LFQ–LC–MS/MS) to track the change of relative protein abundance between P-replete and P-deficient treatments in a non-model diatom, Thalassiosira weissflogii. Out of the 631 proteins identified, 132 were found to have significant changes in abundance(>1.5 folds) between the two treatments, especially those proteins involved in macromolecular biosynthesis pathways. For example, the up-regulation of sulfolipid biosynthesis protein in the P-deficient culture suggested a switch from using phospholipids to sulfolipids. In addition, the ribosome subunits and tRNA synthetases were down-regulated, which might explain the decrease in protein content in the P-deficient culture. A vacuolar sorting receptor homologous protein was found to be 9.2-folds up-regulated under P-deficiency, indicating an enhancement in the vacuolar sorting pathway for protein degradation. Our results show that T. weissflogii has sophisticated responses in multiple macromolecular metabolism pathways under P-deficiency, a mechanism which can be critical for this species to survive under various levels of P availability in the environment.

Responses of phytoplankton and its satellite bacteria to exogenous ethanol

The response of phytoplankton and its satellite bacteria to various concentrations(0.01%-10%v/v)of ethanol is studied.To elucidate the effect of ethanol,single-strains of phytoplankton(SSP)culture,pure strains of satellite bacteria isolated from nonaxenic SSP cultures,and Escherichia coli were screened.Results indicate that ethanol could promote the growth and photo synthetic efficiency(F_(v)/F_(m))of S SP at 0.01%and the growth of satellite bacteria at 0.01%-1%.Nevertheless,ethanol inhibited the growth and F_(v)/F_(m)of SSP at 0.1%-1%,and killed bacteria and SSP at 10% concentration.Further investigation on a satellite bacterium(Mameliella alba)revealed that ethanol promotes growth by serving as a growth stimulant rather than a metabolic carbon source.The 16 S rRNA gene amplicon indicated that all nonaxenic S SP cultures harbor distinct satellite bacteria communities where the SSP culture of Skeletonema costatum,Phaeodactylum tricornutum,and Dunaliella bardawil were dominated by bacteria genera of Marivita(~80%),Dinoroseobacter(~47%),and Halomonas(~87%),respectively,indicating that every SSP cultures have their own distinct satellite bacterial community.The bacteria family Rhodobacteraceae was dominant in the two marine diatoms,whereas Halomonadaceae was dominant in the saline green microalga.Compared to their respective controls,the supply of 0.5% ethanol to SSP cultures promoted the growth of the satellite bacteria but did not cause a significant difference in species composition of satellite bacteria.Therefore,a low concentration of ethanol can promote the growth of bacteria in a non-selective way.This study enriched our knowledge about the effect of ethanol on aquatic microbes and provided a baseline for basic and applied biotechnological re search in the aquatic environment in the future.

Constructing demonstration zones to promote the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

After the United Nations Agenda 2030 was officially launched in September 2015,governments around the world have taken actions to implement the ambitious plan.This paper summarizes the actions and policies taken in China for promoting the implementation of the UN’2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,with emphasis on promoting the development of demonstration zones for delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).The Chinese government has taken two types of measures.One is to formulate a series of national plans and strategies and the other is to construct pilot and demonstration zones.Two approaches were presented to optimize the selection criteria for demonstration zones:a problem-based approach;and a major function-based approach.Both provided priority regions and major themes for selection and construction of demonstration zones.Suggestions for promoting the development of demonstration zones include:(1)building a monitoring system for the implementation of SDGs in each demonstration zone and establishing an open online platform to track the progress;(2)forming an effective stakeholder participation mechanism.The experiences in constructing innovation-driven demonstration zones are insightful for other countries to take practical actions in the delivery of SDGs.

Amphipods fail to suppress the accumulation of Ulva lactuca biomass in eutrophic Yundang Lagoon

The Gross growth efficiency(GGE) is defined as the amount of consumer carbon produced relative to the amount of prey ingested in a given time interval. In population ecology, it can be considered as an index for the ability of a consumer to convert the biomass of food into its population production. In this study, it was firstly applied to estimate the role of amphipods grazing in the biomass dynamics of macroalgae(Ulva lactuca) in Yundang Lagoon(a subtropical eutrophic coastal lagoon, Xiamen City, China). It was found that amphipods were the dominant group(82.2%–98.7%) in the benthic assemblage, in which five amphipod species(Corophium uenoi, Ampithoe valida, Grandidierella japonica, Grammaropsis laevipalmata and Caprella panantis) were observed in the lagoon. However, only A. valida significantly consumed U. lactuca among these amphipod species. A series of experiments were conducted to estimate the consumption of U. lactuca by A. valida. It was suggested that the monthly secondary production(P) of A. valida using size frequency method ranged from 2.39 to 13.68 g/m2. GGE of A. valida exponentially reduced with body size and was closely associated with water temperature. Therefore, GGE equation for different months using the temperature recorded during the field investigation was fitted. The monthly consumption of U. lactuca was figured out to be 86.7–1 549.0 g/m2 by the sum of consumption(P/GGE) by A. valida at different size, accounting for 2.0%–37.5% of U. lactuca production. It indicates that the grazing effect of A. valida did play a role in reducing the accumulation of U. lactuca biomass when A. valida was abundant, but it finally fails to limit the U. lactuca growth in Yundang Lagoon. Low abundance of A. valida and high nutrient loading may be two major reasons for the outbreak of U. lactuca bloom in the lagoon.

Effects of different types of nutrient effluent from shrimp ponds on the seedling growth of Kandelia obovata

Extensive shrimp ponds are located next to the landward edges of most of mangrove forests in China. A shrimp pond may influence mangroves by(1) routine effluent between pond and tide, and(2) dredging effluent from pond-dredging at least once a year. Our study consisted of two experiments to study the effects of these two effluents on the seedling growth of Kandelia obovata. One experiment simulated the effects of routine effluents.The other simulated four sedimentation thicknesses(0 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, 8 cm) over mangrove soils by dredging effluent from pond-dredging, and revealed the cumulative effects of dredging effluents on K. obovata. At each of the three fixed salinities, i.e., 5, 15 and 25, routine effluent did not result in significant differences in each of the measured growth parameters of K. obovata seedlings. However, effects of dredging effluent on seedling growth of K. obovata were related with sedimentation thickness. Most growth parameters showed maximum values at sedimentation thickness 4 cm. The data indicated that K. obovata accelerated its growth under moderate sedimentation thicknesses and it was tolerant and adaptable to shrimp pond-cleaning effluent sediments up to about 8 cm in our experiment.

Determination of trophic levels of marine fish in the Yellow Sea and northern East China Sea using nitrogen stable isotope (δ^(15)N) analysis of otoliths

Fish otolithδ^(15) N(δ^(15) N_(oto))is a demonstrated source of information of dietary history for marine fi sh as it is available iN_(oto)lith archives and sedimentary deposits unlike white muscle tissue(WMT).WMT and stomach content data are insufficient for trophic level(TL)data of past fi shes which is important for the changes of marine fi shery resources over long time scales.To determine the correlation betweenδ^(15) N_(oto) and fi sh WMTδ^(15) N(δ^(15) N_(wmt))and the feasibility of usingδ^(15) N_(oto) in characterizing the TLs of marine fi shes,we conducted nitrogen stable isotope analysis(SIA)in the otolith and WMT of 36 marine fi sh species sampled from the Yellow Sea and northern East China Sea in 2011-2014.Bothδ^(15) N_(oto) andδ^(15) N_(wmt) were analyzed using an elemental analyzer coupled with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer(EA-IRMS).Multiple otoliths were combined to make each otolith measurement and were analyzed as-is without a carbonate dissolution pre-processing step.δ^(15) N_(oto) andδ^(15) N_(wmt) comparisons for species in the Yellow Sea and northern East China Sea are currently lacking and would be helpful for both regional studies and for increasing the number of species for whichδ^(15) N_(oto) andδ^(15) N_(wmt) have been compared.Additionally,to determine the relative accuracy of trophic level calculated usingδ^(15) N_(oto),we compared TL calculated fromδ^(15) N_(oto) to traditional trophic level metrics calculated usingδ^(15) N_(wmt).The results showed a positive and highly signifi cant correlation(R=0.780,P<0.001)betweenδ^(15) N_(oto) andδ^(15) N_(wmt).Trophic level estimation using WMT(TL wmt)and otolith(TL oto)showed congruence in our study,which is not entirely surprising given thatδ^(15) N_(oto) was regressed againstδ^(15) N_(wmt) and the resulting regression coefficient was used to convertδ^(15) N_(oto) toδ^(15) N_(wmt) prior to calculating TL oto.This conversion was required in order to be consistent with previousδ^(15) N_(wmt)-based calculations of TL for comparison.TL oto calculations resulted in TL values that were largely within 5%-10%of TL values calculated withδ^(15) N_(wmt).Our fi ndings show thatδ^(15) N_(oto) is a feasible technique for characterizing the TLs of marine fi sh and can also assist in food web and marine ecosystem studies.

Interannual variability of remotely sensed chlorophyll a during an autumn monsoon transitional period in the Taiwan Strait

The time series of multiple sources of satellite data are used to examine the interannual variability of chlorophyll a concentration(Chl a) and its relation to the physical environment during the autumn monsoon transitional period in the Taiwan Strait(TWS). The satellite data included the Chl a concentration and sea surface temperature(SST) derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)/ Aqua as well as the multi-sensors merged wind products from 2002 to 2012. The results show that the average Chl a concentration of the whole TWS is mainly contributed by the northern TWS. The average Chl a in the northern TWS is 3.6 times that in the southern TWS. The maximum variability of Chl a is located in the frontal regions between the cold Zhe-Min Coastal Water and the strait warm water. The temporal change of Chl a concentration is different in the northern and southern TWS. The changes in the relative strength of the cold and warm water masses is suggested to be the dominant processes in controlling the phytoplankton growth in the northern TWS, while there is wind-induced mixing in the southern TWS. Additionally, La Ni?a events exhibited complex effects on the interannual variability of Chl a concentration in autumn. The longterm time series of physical and biological observations are especially needed to better understand how the TWS complex ecosystem responds to climate variations.

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.

Geographical Variation in Oligochaete Density and Biomass in Subtropical Mangrove Wetlands of China

Oligochaetes play an important role in nutrient cycling and energy flow in benthic food webs as well as in mangrove wetlands. However, they have not been as extensively studied as other macrofaunal groups such as polychaetes, gastropods, bivalves, and crustaceans. Under the assumption that oligochaete density and biomass obey specific geographical distribution patterns in subtropical mangrove wetlands of China, we investigated these two parameters in the Luoyang Estuary of Quanzhou Bay, Zhangjiang Estuary and Gaoqiao mangrove wetlands. A geographical gradient in oligochaete density was present in Aegiceras corniculatum and Kandelia obovata habitats, whereby it decreased from lower latitudes to higher latitudes. Further, ANOVA tests on oligochaete distribution revealed that both oligochaete density and biomass were significantly influenced by region, season and region × season at the A. corniculatum and K. obovata habitats. The annual average oligochaete density and biomass at the A. corniculatum habitat were higher than that at the K. obovata habitat, in both the Luoyang and Zhangjiang estuaries. There were significant correlations between oligochaete density and biomass and sediment particle size parameters, confirming that sand, silt, and clay contents were the key environmental factors affecting oligochaete distribution.

Decadal variations in diatoms and dinoflagellates on the inner shelf of the East China Sea, China

Diatoms and dinoflagellates are two major groups of phytoplankton that flourish in the oceans, particularly in coastal zone and upwelling systems, and their contrasting production have been reported in several world seas. However, this information is not available in the coastal East China Sea(ECS). Thus, to investigate and compare the decadal trends in diatoms and dinoflagellates, a sediment core, 47-cm long, was collected from the coastal zone of the ECS. Sediment chlorophyll-a(Chl-a), phytoplankton-group specific pigment signatures of diatoms and dinoflagellates, and diatom valve concentrations were determined. The sediment core covered the period from 1961 to 2011 AD. The chlorophyll-a contents ranged from 2.32 to 73 μg/g dry sediment(dw) and averaged 9.81 μg/g dw. Diatom absolute abundance ranged from 29 152 to 177 501 valve/gram(v/g) dw and averaged 72 137 v/g dw. Diatom valve and diatom specific pigment marker concentrations were not significantly correlated. Peridinin increased after the 1980 s in line with intensified use of fertilizer and related increases in nutrient inputs into the marine environment. The increased occurrence of dinoflagellate dominance after the 1980 s can be mostly explained by the increase in nutrients. However, the contribution of dinoflagellates to total phytoplankton production(Chl-a) decreased during the final decade of this study, probably because of the overwhelming increase in diatom production that corresponded with the construction of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD) and related light availability. Similarly, the mean ratio of fucoxanthin/peridinin for the period from 1982 to 2001 was 6% less than for 1961 to 1982, while the ratio for 2001 to 2011 was 45.3% greater than for 1982 to 2001. The decadal variation in the fucoxanthin/peridinin ratio implies that dinoflagellate production had been gradually increasing until 2001. We suggest that the observed changes can be explained by anthropogenic impacts, such as nutrient loading and dam construction.

A Minireview of Marine Algal Virus-Coccolithoviruses

Coccolithophorid is unicellular marine microalgae with a global distribution in temperate and sub-temperate oceanic regions and has the ability to produce ‘the coccoliths'. It is considered to be the second most productive calcifying organism on earth and becoming an important factor in the global carbonate cycle. Emiliania huxleyi is one of the only two bloom-forming coccolithophores and becomes a species crucial to the study of global biogeochemical cycles and climate modeling. Coccolithoviruse is a recently discovered group of viruses infecting the marine coccolithophorid E. huxleyi. They are a major cause of coccolithophore bloom termination, and DMSP concentration is increasing in the process of viral lysis. Phylogenetic evidences support that some genes are functional both in E. huxleyi and its virus(Eh V). Horizontal gene transfer(HGT) of multiple functionally coupled enzymes occurs in E. huxleyi and its DNA virus Eh V has been confirmed, which contributes to the diversification and adaptation of plankton in the oceans and also critically regulates virus-host infection by allowing viruses to control host metabolic pathways for their replication. Therefore, it is of particular interest to understand this host-virus interaction. On this issue, we have made a minireview of coccolithoviruses focusing on the basic characteristics, phylogenesis, horizontal gene transfer and the interaction between the host and its viruses, as well as its important role in global biogeochemical cycling.

Monitoring long-term ecological impacts from release of Fukushima radiation water into ocean

After 10 years of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident,Japan decided to release the nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean on 13 April 2021.It is apparent that Japan has chosen the most cost-efficient way to deal with the contaminated water,however,great opposition and concerns have been raised internationally due to the ecotoxicological features of radioactive materials and their harmful impacts on the environment.Here we an-alyze the ecological impacts caused by the nuclear accident and the potential impacts of releasing the nuclear wastewater into the ocean.Science-based solutions are proposed through a third-party evaluation and strict envi-ronmental assessment,multi-stakeholder public participation,integrated monitoring of the neighboring coastal countries,long-term international collaborative research,and setting up international convention for ecological compensation.

Biomass accumulation and organic carbon stocks of Kandelia obovata mangrove vegetation under different simulated sea levels

Mangrove forests are vulnerably threatened by sea level rise(SLR).Vegetation organic carbon(OC)stocks are important for mangrove ecosystem carbon cycle.It is critical to understand how SLR affects vegetation OC stocks for evaluating mangrove blue carbon budget and global climate change.In this study,biomass accumulation and OC stocks of mangrove vegetation were compared among three 10 year-old Kandelia obovata(a common species in China)mangrove forests under three intertidal elevations through species-specific allometric equations.This study simulated mangrove forests with SLR values of 0 cm,40 cm and 80 cm,respectively,representing for the current,future~100 a and future~200 a SLR of mangrove forests along the Jiulong River Estuary,China.SLR directly decreased mangrove individual density and inhibited the growth of mangrove vegetation.The total vegetation biomasses were(12.86±0.95)kg/m^2,(7.97±0.90)kg/m^2 and(3.89±0.63)kg/m^2 at Sites SLR 0 cm,SLR40 cm and SLR 80 cm,respectively.The total vegetation OC stock decreased by approximately 3.85 kg/m^2(in terms of C)from Site SLR 0 cm to Site SLR 80 cm.Significantly lower vegetation biomass and OC stock of various components(stem,branch,leaf and root)were found at Site SLR 80 cm.Annual increments of vegetation biomass and OC stock also decreased with SLR increase.Moreover,significant lower sedimentation rate was found at Site SLR 80 cm.These indicated that SLR will decrease mangrove vegetation biomass and OC stock,which may reduce global blue carbon sink by mangroves,exacerbate global warming and give positive feedback to SLR.