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Chen XL, Wu LJ, Miao LL, Li L, Qiu LM, Zhu HQ, Si XR, Li HF, Zhao QL, Qi PZ, Hou TT. Chronic polystyrene microplastics exposure-induced changes in thick-shell mussel (Mytilus coruscus) metaorganism: A holistic perspective. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116961. [PMID: 39208580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have emerged as a significant global concern, particularly in marine ecosystems. While extensive research has focused on the toxicological effects of microplastics on marine animals and/or their associated microorganisms as two separate entities, the holistic perspective of the adaptability and fitness of a marine animal metaorganism-comprising the animal host and its microbiome-remains largely unexplored. In this study, mussel metaorganisms subjected chronic PS-MPs exposure experienced acute mortality but rapidly adapted. We investigated the response of innate immunity, digestive enzymes and their associated microbiomes to chronic PS-MPs exposure. We found that PS-MPs directly and indirectly interacted with the host and microbe within the exposure system. The adaptation was a joint effort between the physiological adjustments of mussel host and genetic adaptation of its microbiome. The mussel hosts exhibited increased antioxidant activity, denser gill filaments and increased immune cells, enhancing their innate immunity. Concurrently, the gill microbiome and the digestive gland microbiome respective selectively enriched for plastic-degrading bacteria and particulate organic matter-utilizing bacteria, facilitating the microbiome's adaptation. The microbial adaptation to chronic PS-MPs exposure altered the ecological roles of mussel microbiome, as evidenced by alterations in microbial interactions and nutrient cycling functions. These findings provided new insights into the ecotoxicological impact of microplastics on marine organisms from a metaorganism perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Lu Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China
| | - Lin-Jun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Li-Li Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lei Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China; East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Long-Mei Qiu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China
| | - Hui-Qiang Zhu
- Fishery College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China
| | - Xi-Rui Si
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China
| | - Hong-Fei Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China
| | - Qiao-Ling Zhao
- Zhoushan Institute for Food and Drug Control, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316000, China
| | - Peng-Zhi Qi
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China
| | - Ting-Ting Hou
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316022, China.
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2
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Armitage P, Burrows MT, Rimmer JEV, Blight AJ, Paterson DM. Multidecadal changes in coastal benthic species composition and ecosystem functioning occur independently of temperature-driven community shifts. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17482. [PMID: 39189596 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Rising global temperatures are often identified as the key driver impacting ecosystems and the services they provide by affecting biodiversity structure and function. A disproportionate amount of our understanding of biodiversity and function is from short-term experimental studies and static values of biodiversity indices, lacking the ability to monitor long-term trends and capture community dynamics. Here, we analyse a biennial dataset spanning 32 years of macroinvertebrate benthic communities and their functional response to increasing temperatures. We monitored changes in species' thermal affinities to examine warming-related shifts by selecting their mid-point global temperature distribution range and linking them to species' traits. We employed a novel weighted metric using Biological Trait Analysis (BTA) to gain better insights into the ecological potential of each species by incorporating species abundance and body size and selecting a subset of traits that represent five ecosystem functions: bioturbation activity, sediment stability, nutrient recycling and higher and lower trophic production. Using biodiversity indices (richness, Simpson's diversity and vulnerability) and functional indices (richness, Rao's Q and redundancy), the community structure showed no significant change over time with a narrow range of variation. However, we show shifts in species composition with warming and increases in the abundance of individuals, which altered ecosystem functioning positively and/or non-linearly. Yet, when higher taxonomic groupings than species were excluded from the analysis, there was only a weak increase in the measured change in community-weighted average thermal affinities, suggesting changes in ecosystem functions over time occur independently of temperature increase-related shifts in community composition. Other environmental factors driving species composition and abundance may be more important in these subtidal macrobenthic communities. This challenges the prevailing emphasis on temperature as the primary driver of ecological response to climate change and emphasises the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the temporal dynamics of complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Armitage
- Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Åbo Akademi University, Environmental and Marine Biology, Turku, Finland
| | | | - James E V Rimmer
- Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Andrew J Blight
- Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - David M Paterson
- Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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3
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Jarman S, Alexander JB, Dawkins KL, Lukehurst SS, Nester GM, Wilkinson S, Marnane MJ, McDonald JI, Elsdon TS, Harvey ES. Marine eDNA sampling from submerged surfaces with paint rollers. Mar Genomics 2024; 76:101127. [PMID: 38905943 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2024.101127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses of species present in marine environments is the most effective biological diversity measurement tool currently available. eDNA sampling methods are an intrinsically important part of the eDNA biodiversity analysis process. Identification and development of eDNA sampling methods that are as rapid, affordable, versatile and practical as possible will improve rates of detection of marine species. Optimal outcomes of eDNA biodiversity surveys come from studies employing high levels of sampling replication, so any methods that make sampling faster and cheaper will improve scientific outcomes. eDNA sampling methods that can be applied more widely will also enable sampling from a greater range of marine surface micro-habitats, resulting in detection of a wider range of organisms. In this study, we compared diversity detection by several methods for sampling eDNA from submerged marine surfaces: polyurethane foam, nylon swabs, microfibre paint rollers, and sediment scoops. All of the methods produced a diverse range of species identifications, with >250 multicellular species represented by eDNA at the study site. We found that widely-available small paint rollers were an effective, readily available and affordable method for sampling eDNA from underwater marine surfaces. This approach enables the sampling of marine eDNA using extended poles, or potentially by remotely operated vehicles, where surface sampling by hand is impractical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jarman
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; eDNA Frontiers, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
| | - Jason B Alexander
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Georgia M Nester
- Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Shaun Wilkinson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Wilderlab, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Marnane
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Chevron Technical Center, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Justin I McDonald
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Sustainability and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Hillarys, 6025, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Travis S Elsdon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Chevron Technical Center, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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Coppo GC, Pereira AP, Netto SA, Bernardino AF. Meiofauna at a tropical sandy beach in the SW Atlantic: the influence of seasonality on diversity. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17727. [PMID: 39011380 PMCID: PMC11249015 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sandy beaches are dynamic environments housing a large diversity of organisms and providing important environmental services. Meiofaunal metazoan are small organisms that play a key role in the sediment. Their diversity, distribution and composition are driven by sedimentary and oceanographic parameters. Understanding the diversity patterns of marine meiofauna is critical in a changing world. Methods In this study, we investigate if there is seasonal difference in meiofaunal assemblage composition and diversity along 1 year and if the marine seascapes dynamics (water masses with particular biogeochemical features, characterized by temperature, salinity, absolute dynamic topography, chromophoric dissolved organic material, chlorophyll-a, and normalized fluorescent line height), rainfall, and sediment parameters (total organic matter, carbonate, carbohydrate, protein, lipids, protein-to-carbohydrate, carbohydrate-to-lipids, and biopolymeric carbon) affect significatively meiofaunal diversity at a tropical sandy beach. We tested two hypotheses here: (i) meiofaunal diversity is higher during warmer months and its composition changes significatively among seasons along a year at a tropical sandy beach, and (ii) meiofaunal diversity metrics are significantly explained by marine seascapes characteristics and sediment parameters. We used metabarcoding (V9 hypervariable region from 18S gene) from sediment samples to assess the meiofaunal assemblage composition and diversity (phylogenetic diversity and Shannon's diversity) over a period of 1 year. Results Meiofauna was dominated by Crustacea (46% of sequence reads), Annelida (28% of sequence reads) and Nematoda (12% of sequence reads) in periods of the year with high temperatures (>25 °C), high salinity (>31.5 ppt), and calm waters. Our data support our initial hypotheses revealing a higher meiofaunal diversity (phylogenetic and Shannon's Diversity) and different composition during warmer periods of the year. Meiofaunal diversity was driven by a set of multiple variables, including biological variables (biopolymeric carbon) and organic matter quality (protein content, lipid content, and carbohydrate-to-lipid ratio).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C Coppo
- Grupo de Ecologia Bentônica, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Araiene P Pereira
- Grupo de Ecologia Bentônica, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Sergio A Netto
- Marítima Estudos Bênticos, Laguna, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Angelo F Bernardino
- Grupo de Ecologia Bentônica, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
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Berlino M, Mangano MC, Di Bona G, Lucchese M, Terzo SMC, De Vittor C, D'Alessandro M, Esposito V, Gambi MC, Del Negro P, Sarà G. Functional diversity and metabolic response in benthic communities along an ocean acidification gradient. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106520. [PMID: 38685145 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Altered ocean chemistry caused by ocean acidification (OA) is expected to have negative repercussions at different levels of the ecological hierarchy, starting from the individual and scaling up to the community and ultimately to the ecosystem level. Understanding the effects of OA on benthic organisms is of primary importance given their relevant ecological role in maintaining marine ecosystem functioning. The use of functional traits represents an effective technique to investigate how species adapt to altered environmental conditions and can be used to predict changes in the resilience of communities faced with stresses associated with climate change. Artificial supports were deployed for 1-y along a natural pH gradient in the shallow hydrothermal systems of the Bottaro crater near Panarea (Aeolian Archipelago, southern Tyrrhenian Sea), to explore changes in functional traits and metabolic rates of benthic communities and the repercussions in terms of functional diversity. Changes in community composition due to OA were accompanied by modifications in functional diversity. Altered conditions led to higher oxygen consumption in the acidified site and the selection of species with the functional traits needed to withstand OA. Calcification rate and reproduction were found to be the traits most affected by pH variations. A reduction in a community's functional evenness could potentially reduce its resilience to further environmental or anthropogenic stressors. These findings highlight the ability of the ecosystem to respond to climate change and provide insights into the modifications that can be expected given the predicted future pCO2 scenarios. Understanding the impact of climate change on functional diversity and thus on community functioning and stability is crucial if we are to predict changes in ecosystem vulnerability, especially in a context where OA occurs in combination with other environmental changes and anthropogenic stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Berlino
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90149, Palermo, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, DiSTeM, Università degli Studi di Palermo Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - M C Mangano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90149, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - G Di Bona
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, DiSTeM, Università degli Studi di Palermo Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Lucchese
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, DiSTeM, Università degli Studi di Palermo Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - S M C Terzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, DiSTeM, Università degli Studi di Palermo Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Viale Fernando Stagno d'Alcontres 3, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via A.F. Acton, Molosiglio, Napoli, 80133, Italy
| | - C De Vittor
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - M D'Alessandro
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - V Esposito
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources Department, Via Po 25, 00198, Roma, Italy
| | - M C Gambi
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, Italy; Previous at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Integrative Ecology (EMI), Ischia Marine Center, Ischia Napoli, Italy
| | - P Del Negro
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Sarà
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, DiSTeM, Università degli Studi di Palermo Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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6
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Zuelow AN, Danilchik NM, Donahue HS, Henkel SK. Seasonal variability in energetic value of Crangon alaskensis and effects of marine heatwaves in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 197:106475. [PMID: 38569399 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Research cruises were conducted to sample the invertebrate community along the shelf off the central coast of Oregon from 2010 to 2018. A large marine heatwave (MHW) hit the northeast Pacific in fall 2014 and persisted locally through 2015. Here, we assessed the caloric content changes of Crangon alaskensis (a common sandy shrimp) before, during, and after the 2014-2015 MHW. We found significant reductions in the caloric density of shelf populations of C. alaskensis during summer 2015. Oceanographic indices like the Biologically Effective Upwelling Transport Index (BEUTI) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) had greater predictive power for caloric density and biomass than in situ conditions, although bottom temperature and dissolved oxygen were also significantly correlated with caloric density. Caloric density of C. alaskensis was highest in 2018, indicating favorable conditions after the intense MHW of 2014-2015 allowed the caloric density to rebound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina N Zuelow
- Hatfield Marine Science Center, Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, USA.
| | - Nikolai M Danilchik
- Hatfield Marine Science Center, Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Hope S Donahue
- Hatfield Marine Science Center, Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, USA; College of Life Science and Agriculture, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Sarah K Henkel
- Hatfield Marine Science Center, Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, USA
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Bradshaw C, Iburg S, Morys C, Sköld M, Pusceddu A, Ennas C, Jonsson P, Nascimento FJA. Effects of bottom trawling and environmental factors on benthic bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna communities and benthic ecosystem processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 921:171076. [PMID: 38382611 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Soft sediment marine benthic ecosystems comprise a diverse community of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna, which together support a range of ecosystem processes such as biogeochemical cycling. These ecosystems are also fishing grounds for demersal species that are often caught using bottom trawling. This fishing method can have deleterious effects on benthic communities by causing injury or mortality, and through alteration of sediment properties that in turn influence community structure. Although the impacts of bottom trawling on macrofauna are relatively well studied, less is known about the responses of meiofauna and bacteria to such disturbances, or how bottom trawling impacts benthic ecosystem processes. Quantifying trawling impacts against a background of natural environmental variability is also a challenge. To address these questions, we examined effects of bottom trawling and a range of environmental variables (e.g. water chemistry and physical and biochemical surface sediment properties) on a) bacterial, meiofaunal and macrofaunal community structure and b) benthic ecosystem processes (nutrient fluxes, extracellular enzyme activities and carbon turnover and degradation rates). We also investigated the link between the benthic macrofauna community and the same ecosystem processes. While there was a significant effect of bottom trawling intensity on macrofaunal community structure, the same was not seen for bacterial or meiofaunal community composition, which were more affected by environmental factors, such as surface sediment properties. The labile component of the surface sediment carbon pool was higher at highly trawled sites. Carbon degradation rates, extracellular enzyme activities, oxygen fluxes and some nutrient fluxes were significantly affected by trawling, but ecosystem processes were also strongly linked to the abundance of key bioturbators (Macoma balthica, Halicryptus spinulosus, Scoloplos armiger and Pontoporeia femorata). Although benthic ecosystems were affected by a combination of trawling and natural variability, disentangling these showed that the anthropogenic effects were clearest on the larger component of the community, i.e. macrofauna composition, and on ecosystem processes related to sedimentary carbon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Bradshaw
- Stockholm University, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Sven Iburg
- Stockholm University, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claudia Morys
- Stockholm University, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Sköld
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Marine Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lysekil, Sweden
| | - Antonio Pusceddu
- University of Cagliari, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Claudia Ennas
- University of Cagliari, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Patrik Jonsson
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Marine Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lysekil, Sweden
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Liu Q, Liao Y, Zeng J, Tang Y, Zhang R, Liu Q, Shou L. Decadal changes of macrofauna community in a semi-enclosed Bay of Yueqing in East China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116239. [PMID: 38498968 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
To reveal the long-term variation of macrofauna community in Yueqing Bay, an aquacultural bay famous for its shellfish culturing in the East China Sea, macrofauna samples were collected in three period from 2002 to 2003 and 2006-2007 to 2020-2021. The results show that macrofaunal community structure in this area has changed significantly (ANOSIM, p < 0.01) in nearly two decades with significant decreases in species number, biodiversity index and average biomass. Meanwhile, the taxa composition also changed significantly as the dominance of annelid increased while that of mollusks, echinoderms and vertebrates decreased. As a consequence of the variation of taxa composition and total biomass, macrofauna community showed a tendency of miniaturization as individuals with smaller body size and lower biomass dominated the community. According to the results of CCA analysis, temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen content were the main environmental factors that restricted the species composition of macrofauna community. Further studies still needed to reveal the main reasons that cause the variation of macrofauna community. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the present status of Yueqing Bay benthic ecosystem is concerning from a macrobenthos perspective, as the biodiversity index and biomass of macrofauna decreased significantly. Effective measures should be taken in urgently to restrain the safety and function of coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghe Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Yibo Liao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Jiangning Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Yanbin Tang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Rongliang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Lu Shou
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China.
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Yang N, Li Y, Lin L, Niu L, Zhang W, Wang L. Transition of organic matter from allochthonous to autochthonous alters benthic nutrient dynamics via microbial food webs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170186. [PMID: 38278244 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The impoundment of rivers by dams has significantly modified sedimentation patterns and trophic structures. As a result, the algal-derived organic matter (OM), as opposed to terrestrial-derived OM, plays an increasingly important role along the river-reservoir gradient. This study utilized water-sediment microcosms to explore the impacts of allochthonous and autochthonous OM deposition on benthic nutrient dynamics mediated by microbial food webs. Our results revealed that OM addition led to increased fluxes of NH4+ and CO2, with the highest flux induced by cyanobacteria OM, followed by diatom and allochthonous OM. N2 release flux was promoted by allochthonous and diatom OM deposition but inhibited by cyanobacteria OM deposition. The amendment of autochthonous OM increased the activity of dehydrogenase and urease, while allochthonous OM with a higher C/N ratio enhanced the catalytic abilities of polyphenol oxidase and β-glucosidase. Furthermore, OM deposition significantly reduced microbial community richness and diversity, except for eukaryotic richness, and induced pronounced changes in bacterial and eukaryotic community structures. Allochthonous OM deposition stimulated the utilization of bacteria and protozoan on native OM, resulting in a positive priming effect of 26.78 %. In contrast, diatom and cyanobacteria OM additions exerted negative priming effects of -44.53 % and -29.76 %, respectively. Bayesian stable isotope mixing models showed that diatom OM was primarily absorbed by protozoan and metazoan, while cyanobacteria OM was more easily decomposed by bacteria and transferred to higher trophic levels through microbial food webs. In addition, bacterial ammonification accounted for 74.5 % of NH4+ release in the allochthonous OM deposition treatment, whereas eukaryotic excretion contributed separately 83.3 % and 83.1 % to NH4+ release in the diatom and cyanobacteria OM addition treatments. These findings highlight the significance of accounting for the regulatory capacity of OM deposition when studying benthic metabolism within river-reservoir systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yang
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Geography and Remote Sensing, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
| | - Li Lin
- Key Laboratory of Basin Water Resource and Eco-Environmental Science in Hubei Province, Basin Water Environmental Research Department, Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan 430010, PR China
| | - Lihua Niu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Longfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
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10
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Virta L, Hedberg P. Declining salinity and increasing temperature reduce the diversity and resilience of benthic diatoms. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16569. [PMID: 38221510 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Climate change will modify the marine ecosystem in several ways, but the effects of changing climate on benthic diatoms, which are one of the most important photosynthesizing organism groups in benthic habitats, are poorly studied. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to investigate the effects of increasing temperature and decreasing salinity on the taxonomic and functional diversity of benthic diatoms. We showed that decreasing salinity affects the taxonomic and functional composition of communities, and the threshold salinity for community composition is ~5. This indicates that when climate change leads to decreasing salinity in brackish systems, the most pronounced changes in communities occur in areas where salinity decreases from >5 to <5. We also showed that both increasing temperature and decreasing salinity exert stress on communities and, hence, lead to the decrease of the alpha and beta diversity of communities. This indicates that climate change reduces the size of the species pool of diatoms. Our results show that, along with the changing climate, we can expect benthic diatom communities to become less diverse and less resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Virta
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Per Hedberg
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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11
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Rosa Filho JS, Alves RVA, Santos IT, Oliveira MA, Frédou FL, Craveiro N. The role of habitat heterogeneity and timescales on the recovery of reef epifaunal communities affected by a massive oil spill in the tropics. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:116001. [PMID: 38199040 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.116001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
From August 2019 to January 2020 the Brazilian Coast was impacted by the largest oil spill in the Tropical oceans ever since. Paiva Beach, one of the most preserved sandy beaches in the northeast tropical Brazilian coast, was among the most affected regions by the oil spill in October 2019. This area has important reef systems that harbor abundant macroalgal assemblages with very diverse epifaunal communities. The present study aims to evaluate the impacts of the 2019 oil spill on epifauna associated with the seaweed species Jania capillacea and Penicillus capitatus collected in Paiva Beach from July 2019 to October 2022, and use the interaction macroalgae/epifauna/timescale as a proxy to quantify the effects of oil spills on communities structure and recovery. The epifauna of both algae did not suffer severe changes in abundance immediately after the spill, however, the abundance of taxa like echinoderms, sea spiders (Pycnogonida) and peracarid crustaceans dropped during or soon after the event, whereas others, like sabellid worms, had strong increase in abundance, possibly related to the spill. Both phytal assemblages also had distinct temporal patterns in species diversity and abundance, the last being strongly correlated to amphipod abundance for some taxa. The epifauna of J. capillacea had a short-term tendency of decrease in taxonomic diversity, whereas the epifaunal communities of P. capitatus gained a few taxa in the months immediately after the disaster. The diversity profiles of both communities returned to pre-spill conditions a few months later, with a slower abundance recovery in J. capillacea. Local environmental characteristics like landscape heterogeneity, connectivity with other environments, and critical-species (mainly amphipods) were possibly the main buffering factors for the phytal communities after the oil spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- José S Rosa Filho
- Laboratório de Bentos, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50740-550 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo V A Alves
- Laboratório de Bentos, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50740-550 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ingrid T Santos
- Laboratório de Bentos, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50740-550 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Matheus A Oliveira
- Laboratório de Zooplâncton, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50740-550 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Flávia L Frédou
- Laboratório de Estudos de Impactos Antrópicos na Biodiversidade marinha e Estuarina, Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Nykon Craveiro
- Laboratório de Bentos, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50740-550 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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12
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Ok Lee I, Kim H, Kwon I, Kwon BO, Kim JS, Lee J, Nam J, Noh J, Seong Khim J. Ecological interruption on food web dynamics by eutrophic water discharge from the world's longest dike at Saemangeum, Yellow Sea. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 184:108468. [PMID: 38340403 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The man-made sea dike has disrupted the natural link between riverine and marine ecosystems and caused eutrophication within the aquatic ecosystem. The eutrophic water discharge has also raised concerns. As a representative tidal flat with the longest dike in the world, Saemangeum has experienced the problem of eutrophication. To elucidate the discharge water effects on the benthic food web dynamics, a four-year round sampling was conducted in/outside of the Saemangeum sea dike. Stable isotope analysis was applied to benthos (a total of 54 species) and their potential diets. Water discharge tripled in period II (2021-2022) compared to the period I (2019-2020). However, there were no significant impact changes in food web structure between the two periods due to improved lake water quality in period II. A positive correlation of nutrient concentration between the inner and outer areas of the dike revealed a direct effect of the water discharge on the outer tidal flat. The water discharge altered the spatial environmental conditions and the food web structure of the outer tidal flat. High TN concentrations stimulated the biomass of microphytobenthos (MPB) near the water gates, which in turn increased MPB consumption by benthos, demonstrating the in/direct impacts of water discharge on the food web. Furthermore, filter feeders exhibited a more sensitive response to spatial organic matter distribution compared to deposit feeders in diet utilization. Overall, our novel findings on food web dynamics in a representative tidal flat with artificial structures emphasize the necessity of continuous monitoring to ensure the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Ok Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hosang Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Inha Kwon
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Oh Kwon
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sung Kim
- Water and Eco-Bio Corporation, Jungboo Building, Kunsan 54150, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Lee
- Department of Environmental Education, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungho Nam
- Marine Policy Research Division, Korea Maritime Institute, Busan 49111, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsung Noh
- Department of Environment & Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Silberberger MJ, Koziorowska-Makuch K, Reiss H, Kędra M. Trophic niches of macrobenthos: Latitudinal variation indicates climate change impact on ecosystem functioning. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17100. [PMID: 38273561 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Benthic food-web structure and organic matter (OM) utilization are important for marine ecosystem functioning. In response to environmental changes related to the ongoing climate change, however, many benthic species are shifting their ranges to colder regions, which may lead to altered community composition, but it remains largely unknown how it will affect ecosystem functioning. Here, stable isotope analysis was used to study benthic OM utilization and food-web structure and to assess whether their spatial patterns reflect today's community differentiation among biogeographic regions and depth zones. Benthic fauna and OM mixtures were collected from two depth zones (100-150 m vs. 200-250 m) within a temperate, two sub-Arctic, and an Arctic fjord along a latitudinal gradient (59-78° N) that was used as a space-for-time substitution to assess the impact of climate change. Our results showed that Arctic and temperate communities are functionally different. Arctic communities were characterized by a strong resource partitioning among different feeding types, irrespective of depth zone. In contrast, all feeding types in temperate communities seemed to rely on sedimentary OM. The sub-Arctic presented a transition zone. In the sub-Arctic, shallower communities resembled Arctic communities, suggesting a functional transition between temperate and sub-Arctic regions. Deeper sub-Arctic communities resembled temperate communities, suggesting a functional transition between the sub-Arctic and Arctic regions. This implies that the regions north of the current transitions (deep Arctic and shallow sub-Arctic) are most likely to experience functional changes related to an altered OM utilization in benthic food webs in response to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J Silberberger
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
- Department of Fisheries Oceanography and Marine Ecology, National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Gdynia, Poland
| | | | - Henning Reiss
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Monika Kędra
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
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14
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Audzijonyte A, Delius GW, Stuart-Smith RD, Novaglio C, Edgar GJ, Barrett NS, Blanchard JL. Changes in sea floor productivity are crucial to understanding the impact of climate change in temperate coastal ecosystems according to a new size-based model. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002392. [PMID: 38079442 PMCID: PMC10712853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The multifaceted effects of climate change on physical and biogeochemical processes are rapidly altering marine ecosystems but often are considered in isolation, leaving our understanding of interactions between these drivers of ecosystem change relatively poor. This is particularly true for shallow coastal ecosystems, which are fuelled by a combination of distinct pelagic and benthic energy pathways that may respond to climate change in fundamentally distinct ways. The fish production supported by these systems is likely to be impacted by climate change differently to those of offshore and shelf ecosystems, which have relatively simpler food webs and mostly lack benthic primary production sources. We developed a novel, multispecies size spectrum model for shallow coastal reefs, specifically designed to simulate potential interactive outcomes of changing benthic and pelagic energy inputs and temperatures and calculate the relative importance of these variables for the fish community. Our model, calibrated using field data from an extensive temperate reef monitoring program, predicts that changes in resource levels will have much stronger impacts on fish biomass and yields than changes driven by physiological responses to temperature. Under increased plankton abundance, species in all fish trophic groups were predicted to increase in biomass, average size, and yields. By contrast, changes in benthic resources produced variable responses across fish trophic groups. Increased benthic resources led to increasing benthivorous and piscivorous fish biomasses, yields, and mean body sizes, but biomass decreases among herbivore and planktivore species. When resource changes were combined with warming seas, physiological responses generally decreased species' biomass and yields. Our results suggest that understanding changes in benthic production and its implications for coastal fisheries should be a priority research area. Our modified size spectrum model provides a framework for further study of benthic and pelagic energy pathways that can be easily adapted to other ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asta Audzijonyte
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Gustav W. Delius
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Rick D. Stuart-Smith
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Camilla Novaglio
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Graham J. Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Neville S. Barrett
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Julia L. Blanchard
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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15
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Jiang S, Fan W, Chen L, Chen J, Li B. Spatio-temporal distribution of macrobenthos and benthic ecological health status in the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115671. [PMID: 37866052 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The Bohai Sea (BS) and the northern Yellow Sea (NYS) are threatened by anthropogenic activities and climate change. To accurately assess the benthic ecological quality status in this region, macrobenthos were selected as the research subject in this investigation. The results showed that the macrobenthos community structure had spatio-temporal differences in the BS and the NYS through principal coordinate analysis, especially in Laizhou Bay, and the Yellow River Delta was significantly different from that in the NYS. Specifically, in the BS, the abundance of macrobenthos in autumn was significantly higher than that in summer (p = 0.003). The dominant species composition also had seasonal differences. Overall, the macrobenthic community was slightly disturbed, but the benthic ecological health was "good". The values of negative cohesion were higher than those of positive cohesion in the macrobenthos community, revealing that there was more competition, ensuring that the community was relatively stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyu Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 10049, China
| | - Wenzheng Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Baoquan Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.
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16
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Higueruelo A, Santín A, Salazar J, Ambroso S, Soler-Membrives A, Grinyó J. Coexistence of megabenthic assemblages and artisanal fishers: The case of Cap de Creus Marine Protected Area (North-Western Mediterranean Sea). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 192:106211. [PMID: 37801780 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal fisheries, although considered less harmful, can still endanger marine ecosystems, especially in areas with long-standing tradition. In Cap de Creus, where artisanal fisheries has likely occurred for centuries, the status of benthic communities in fishing grounds was poorly understood. Through collaboration with local fishers, the benthic assemblages in three artisanal fishing grounds within Cap de Creus Marine Protected Area (MPA) were studied. Using video transects recorded by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the diversity and distribution of species were analysed in relation to substrate type, slope, and depth. The study also assessed the impacts on these communities by examining marine litter, lost fishing gear, and the condition of gorgonian populations. The findings identified three megabenthic assemblages and revealed higher fishing pressure and impact in the Maça d'Oros area, likely due to multiple fishing guilds converging. However, the study demonstrated lower impact in MPAs compared to unprotected Mediterranean areas, highlighting the importance of coastal management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Higueruelo
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Santín
- Institut de Ciències Del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de La Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - J Salazar
- Institut de Ciències Del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de La Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Programa de Ciències Del Mar, Facultat de Ciències de La Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Ambroso
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia I Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Soler-Membrives
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Grinyó
- Department of Ocean Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Den Burg, Netherlands
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17
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Broman E, Abdelgadir M, Bonaglia S, Forsberg SC, Wikström J, Gunnarsson JS, Nascimento FJA, Sjöling S. Long-Term Pollution Does Not Inhibit Denitrification and DNRA by Adapted Benthic Microbial Communities. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2357-2372. [PMID: 37222807 PMCID: PMC10640501 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02241-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Denitrification in sediments is a key microbial process that removes excess fixed nitrogen, while dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) converts nitrate to ammonium. Although microorganisms are responsible for essential nitrogen (N) cycling, it is not yet fully understood how these microbially mediated processes respond to toxic hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) and metals. In this study, we sampled long-term polluted sediment from the outer harbor of Oskarshamn (Baltic Sea), measured denitrification and DNRA rates, and analyzed taxonomic structure and N-cycling genes of microbial communities using metagenomics. Results showed that denitrification and DNRA rates were within the range of a national reference site and other unpolluted sites in the Baltic Sea, indicating that long-term pollution did not significantly affect these processes. Furthermore, our results indicate an adaptation to metal pollution by the N-cycling microbial community. These findings suggest that denitrification and DNRA rates are affected more by eutrophication and organic enrichment than by historic pollution of metals and organic contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Broman
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Mohanad Abdelgadir
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Stefano Bonaglia
- Department of Marine Sciences, Gothenburg University, 413 19, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sara C Forsberg
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Johan Wikström
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas S Gunnarsson
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francisco J A Nascimento
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Sjöling
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden
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18
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Chellapurath M, Khandelwal PC, Schulz AK. Bioinspired robots can foster nature conservation. Front Robot AI 2023; 10:1145798. [PMID: 37920863 PMCID: PMC10619165 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2023.1145798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We live in a time of unprecedented scientific and human progress while being increasingly aware of its negative impacts on our planet's health. Aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems have significantly declined putting us on course to a sixth mass extinction event. Nonetheless, the advances made in science, engineering, and technology have given us the opportunity to reverse some of our ecosystem damage and preserve them through conservation efforts around the world. However, current conservation efforts are primarily human led with assistance from conventional robotic systems which limit their scope and effectiveness, along with negatively impacting the surroundings. In this perspective, we present the field of bioinspired robotics to develop versatile agents for future conservation efforts that can operate in the natural environment while minimizing the disturbance/impact to its inhabitants and the environment's natural state. We provide an operational and environmental framework that should be considered while developing bioinspired robots for conservation. These considerations go beyond addressing the challenges of human-led conservation efforts and leverage the advancements in the field of materials, intelligence, and energy harvesting, to make bioinspired robots move and sense like animals. In doing so, it makes bioinspired robots an attractive, non-invasive, sustainable, and effective conservation tool for exploration, data collection, intervention, and maintenance tasks. Finally, we discuss the development of bioinspired robots in the context of collaboration, practicality, and applicability that would ensure their further development and widespread use to protect and preserve our natural world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrudul Chellapurath
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pranav C. Khandelwal
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andrew K. Schulz
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
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19
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Fagiano V, Compa M, Alomar C, Morató M, Deudero S. The hyperbenthic environment: A forgotten habitat for plastic pollution. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115291. [PMID: 37459771 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the abundances and composition of microplastics (MP) among the shallow layers of a coastal Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (Cabrera MPA), seafloor sediments, hyperbenthic environment, and the water column. The mid waters samples were collected mid-way between the sea surface and the seafloor and hyperbenthic samples at the water layer adjacent to the seafloor. Sampling was carried out on patchiness seafloor of Posidonia oceanica meadows. The seafloor sediments showed a mean abundance of 378,769.20 ± 508,109.11 MPs/m3, three orders of magnitude higher than the hyperbenthic (209.17 ± 117.07 MPs/m3), and the mid waters layer (106.48 ± 107.17 MPs/m3). An increasing vertical gradient in MP abundances, mainly composed of fibers was observed. Fibers were made-up mainly of polystyrene (PS, 25 %), expanded polystyrene (EPS, 18 %) and cellulose acetate (CA, 16 %). The results stress the need to increase efforts to find solutions to mitigate fiber pollution in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fagiano
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain; University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - M Compa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - C Alomar
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - M Morató
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - S Deudero
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
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20
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Fortune J, Butler ECV, Gibb K. Estuarine benthic habitats provide an important ecosystem service regulating the nitrogen cycle. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 190:106121. [PMID: 37531677 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Globally, a key ecosystem service provided by sedimentary estuarine habitats is the regulation of nutrient cycles. The nitrogen (N) cycle is driven by complex biogeochemical transformations within these sediments-including nitrogen fixation, denitrification, assimilation and anaerobic ammonia oxidation-mediated by microorganisms. Evaluating ecosystem processes and their functional value is a knowledge gap for the wet-dry tropics and even more limited for macrotidal estuaries. The capacity of these important environments to withstand and assimilate increasing nitrogenous loads as a consequence of accelerating development pressures in tropical Australia is largely unknown. Because of the critical role nitrogen cycling plays in estuarine ecosystems, identifying important habitats that underpin N cycling, particularly denitrification known to mitigate anthropogenic N inputs, is important. Detailed benthic habitat mapping of the Darwin-Bynoe region of northern Australia has provided a rare opportunity to demarcate its key habitats, such as intertidal mudflats, seagrass, mangroves, reef and saltmarsh. Combined with new measurements of benthic nitrogen fluxes, it has been possible for the first time to map these processes and develop a simple integrated functional value for N cycling across key benthic habitats of a tropical macrotidal estuary. Maps generated in this process have provided broadscale identification of the functional importance of habitats with relevance to N removal processes. The role of intertidal sediments in denitrification has been highlighted. Furthermore, the study emphasises connectivity across benthic seascapes, where multiple services are likely to interact, in supporting overall function and ecosystem health. The distillation of composite processes in this mapping format allows resource managers and scientists to communicate outputs visually with a simple classification scheme which could be superimposed with additional data to support environmental assessment and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fortune
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
| | - Edward C V Butler
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Arafura Timor Research Facility, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Ultramarine Concepts, PO Box 476, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
| | - Karen Gibb
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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21
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Jordà-Molina È, Renaud PE, Silberberger MJ, Sen A, Bluhm BA, Carroll ML, Ambrose WG, Cottier F, Reiss H. Seafloor warm water temperature anomalies impact benthic macrofauna communities of a high-Arctic cold-water fjord. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 189:106046. [PMID: 37295307 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Amid the alarming atmospheric and oceanic warming rates taking place in the Arctic, western fjords around the Svalbard archipelago are experiencing an increased frequency of warm water intrusions in recent decades, causing ecological shifts in their ecosystems. However, hardly anything is known about their potential impacts on the until recently considered stable and colder northern fjords. We analyzed macrobenthic fauna from four locations in Rijpfjorden (a high-Arctic fjord in the north of Svalbard) along its axis, sampled intermittently in the years 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2017. After a strong seafloor warm water temperature anomaly (SfWWTA) in 2006, the abundance of individuals and species richness dropped significantly across the entire fjord in 2007, together with diversity declines at the outer parts (reflected in Shannon index drops) and increases in beta diversity between inner and outer parts of the fjord. After a period of three years with stable water temperatures and higher sea-ice cover, communities recovered through recolonization processes by 2010, leading to homogenization in community composition across the fjord and less beta diversity. For the last two periods (2010-2013 and 2013-2017), beta diversity between the inner and outer parts gradually increased again, and both the inner and outer sites started to re-assemble in different directions. A few taxa began to dominate the fjord from 2010 onwards at the outer parts, translating into evenness and diversity drops. The inner basin, however, although experiencing strong shifts in abundances, was partially protected by a fjordic sill from impacts of these temperature anomalies and remained comparatively more stable regarding community diversity after the disturbance event. Our results indicate that although shifts in abundances were behind important spatio-temporal community fluctuations, beta diversity variations were also driven by the occurrence-based macrofauna data, suggesting an important role of rare taxa. This is the first multidecadal time series of soft-bottom macrobenthic communities for a high-Arctic fjord, indicating that potential periodic marine heatwaves might drive shifts in community structure, either through direct effects from thermal stress on the communities or through changes in environmental regimes led by temperature fluctuations (i.e. sea ice cover and glacial runoff, which could lead to shifts in primary production and food supply to the benthos). Although high-Arctic macrobenthic communities might be resilient to some extent, sustained warm water anomalies could lead to permanent changes in cold-water fjordic benthic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Èric Jordà-Molina
- Nord University, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, 8049, Bodø, Norway.
| | - Paul E Renaud
- Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre for Climate and Environment, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway; University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, N-9170, Norway
| | - Marc J Silberberger
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712, Sopot, Poland
| | - Arunima Sen
- Nord University, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, 8049, Bodø, Norway; University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, N-9170, Norway
| | - Bodil A Bluhm
- UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Michael L Carroll
- Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre for Climate and Environment, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - William G Ambrose
- Office of Polar Programs, Antarctic Organisms and Ecosystems, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314, USA
| | - Finlo Cottier
- UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway; Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Henning Reiss
- Nord University, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, 8049, Bodø, Norway
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22
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Zhulay I, Iken K, Renaud PE, Kosobokova K, Bluhm BA. Reduced efficiency of pelagic-benthic coupling in the Arctic deep sea during lower ice cover. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6739. [PMID: 37185804 PMCID: PMC10130029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33854-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pelagic-benthic coupling describes the connection between surface-water production and seafloor habitats via energy, nutrient and mass exchange. Massive ice loss and warming in the poorly studied Arctic Chukchi Borderland are hypothesized to affect this coupling. The strength of pelagic-benthic coupling was compared between 2 years varying in climate settings, 2005 and 2016, based on δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes of food-web end-members and pelagic and deep-sea benthic consumers. Considerably higher isotopic niche overlap and generally shorter isotopic distance were found between pelagic and benthic food web components in 2005 than in 2016, suggesting weaker coupling in the latter, low-ice year. δ15N values indicated more refractory food consumed by benthos in 2016 and fresher food reaching the seafloor in 2005. Higher δ13C values of zooplankton indirectly suggested a higher contribution of ice algae in 2005 than 2016. The difference in pelagic-benthic coupling between these years is consistent with higher energy retention within the pelagic system, perhaps due to strong stratification in the Amerasian Basin in the recent decade. Weaker coupling to the benthos can be expected to continue with ice loss in the study area, perhaps reducing benthic biomass and remineralization capacity; monitoring of the area is needed to confirm this prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Zhulay
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Katrin Iken
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, USA
| | - Paul E Renaud
- Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre for Climate and the Environment, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Arctic Biology, University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - Ksenia Kosobokova
- Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Bodil A Bluhm
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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23
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Williams GN, Nocera AC. Bio-optical trends of waters around Valdés Biosphere Reserve: An assessment of the temporal variability based on 20 years of ocean color satellite data. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 186:105923. [PMID: 36854223 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Satellite Image Time Series are becoming increasingly available and will continue to do so in the coming years thanks to the launch of space missions which aim to provide a high spatial resolution coverage of the Earth every few days. Bio-optical characteristics and their variation over time have been poorly studied in the Patagonian shelf. In this paper, we present the trends of time series analysis from satellite images that allows us to interpret the variations of bio-optical properties throughout time and their implications for planktonic organisms. The annual and seasonal trends of six variables were analyzed for two different gulfs, Nuevo and San José, in northern Patagonia from January 2003-December 2021. We present the dynamic temporal changes of chlorophyll a (Chla-sat), phytoplankton absorption (Ab_phy), detritus absorption as well as environmental features changes for the sea surface temperature (SST), depth of the euphotic zone (Z_eu) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). We found positive trends for SST, Ab_phy at 443 nm and PAR, but negative for Z_eu in Nuevo and San José gulfs. The positive trendlines for SST and negative for Z_eu suggest less availability of nutrients and light. These trends could change the bloom phenology and modify the phytoplankton community structure with implications for the entire food web and the ecosystem services in the VBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela N Williams
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
| | - Ariadna C Nocera
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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24
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Rodríguez-Gijón A, Buck M, Andersson AF, Izabel-Shen D, Nascimento FJA, Garcia SL. Linking prokaryotic genome size variation to metabolic potential and environment. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:25. [PMID: 36973336 PMCID: PMC10042847 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00231-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
While theories and models have appeared to explain genome size as a result of evolutionary processes, little work has shown that genome sizes carry ecological signatures. Our work delves into the ecological implications of microbial genome size variation in benthic and pelagic habitats across environmental gradients of the brackish Baltic Sea. While depth is significantly associated with genome size in benthic and pelagic brackish metagenomes, salinity is only correlated to genome size in benthic metagenomes. Overall, we confirm that prokaryotic genome sizes in Baltic sediments (3.47 Mbp) are significantly bigger than in the water column (2.96 Mbp). While benthic genomes have a higher number of functions than pelagic genomes, the smallest genomes coded for a higher number of module steps per Mbp for most of the functions irrespective of their environment. Some examples of this functions are amino acid metabolism and central carbohydrate metabolism. However, we observed that nitrogen metabolism was almost absent in pelagic genomes and was mostly present in benthic genomes. Finally, we also show that Bacteria inhabiting Baltic sediments and water column not only differ in taxonomy, but also in their metabolic potential, such as the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway or the presence of different hydrogenases. Our work shows how microbial genome size is linked to abiotic factors in the environment, metabolic potential and taxonomic identity of Bacteria and Archaea within aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Rodríguez-Gijón
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Moritz Buck
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders F Andersson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gene Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dandan Izabel-Shen
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Francisco J A Nascimento
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarahi L Garcia
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.
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25
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Klawonn I, Van den Wyngaert S, Iversen MH, Walles TJW, Flintrop CM, Cisternas-Novoa C, Nejstgaard JC, Kagami M, Grossart HP. Fungal parasitism on diatoms alters formation and bio-physical properties of sinking aggregates. Commun Biol 2023; 6:206. [PMID: 36810576 PMCID: PMC9944279 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04453-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytoplankton forms the base of aquatic food webs and element cycling in diverse aquatic systems. The fate of phytoplankton-derived organic matter, however, often remains unresolved as it is controlled by complex, interlinked remineralization and sedimentation processes. We here investigate a rarely considered control mechanism on sinking organic matter fluxes: fungal parasites infecting phytoplankton. We demonstrate that bacterial colonization is promoted 3.5-fold on fungal-infected phytoplankton cells in comparison to non-infected cells in a cultured model pathosystem (diatom Synedra, fungal microparasite Zygophlyctis, and co-growing bacteria), and even ≥17-fold in field-sampled populations (Planktothrix, Synedra, and Fragilaria). Additional data obtained using the Synedra-Zygophlyctis model system reveals that fungal infections reduce the formation of aggregates. Moreover, carbon respiration is 2-fold higher and settling velocities are 11-48% lower for similar-sized fungal-infected vs. non-infected aggregates. Our data imply that parasites can effectively control the fate of phytoplankton-derived organic matter on a single-cell to single-aggregate scale, potentially enhancing remineralization and reducing sedimentation in freshwater and coastal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Klawonn
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 16775, Stechlin, Germany.
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), 18119, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Silke Van den Wyngaert
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 16775, Stechlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Morten H Iversen
- Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM) and University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Tim J W Walles
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 16775, Stechlin, Germany
| | - Clara M Flintrop
- Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM) and University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat, 8810302, Israel
| | - Carolina Cisternas-Novoa
- Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR), 24148, Kiel, Germany
- Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Jens C Nejstgaard
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 16775, Stechlin, Germany
| | - Maiko Kagami
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba, 274‑8510, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 240‑8502, Japan
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 16775, Stechlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam University, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
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26
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Eglite E, Mohm C, Dierking J. Stable isotope analysis in food web research: Systematic review and a vision for the future for the Baltic Sea macro-region. AMBIO 2023; 52:319-338. [PMID: 36269552 PMCID: PMC9589642 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01785-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Food web research provides essential insights into ecosystem functioning, but practical applications in ecosystem-based management are hampered by a current lack of knowledge synthesis. To address this gap, we provide the first systematic review of ecological studies applying stable isotope analysis, a pivotal method in food web research, in the heavily anthropogenically impacted Baltic Sea macro-region. We identified a thriving research field, with 164 publications advancing a broad range of fundamental and applied research topics, but also found structural shortcomings limiting ecosystem-level understanding. We argue that enhanced collaboration and integration, including the systematic submission of Baltic Sea primary datasets to stable isotope databases, would help to overcome many of the current shortcomings, unify the scattered knowledge base, and promote future food web research and science-based resource management. The effort undertaken here demonstrates the value of macro-regional synthesis, in enhancing access to existing data and supporting strategic planning of research agendas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvita Eglite
- Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Clarissa Mohm
- Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Dierking
- Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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27
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Kreutzer A, Reininghaus M, Meyer J, Kröncke I, Seiler TB, Hollert H, Witt G. Application of equilibrium passive sampling to assess the influence of anthropogenic activities and bioturbation on the distribution of hydrophobic organic chemicals in North Sea sediment cores. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120876. [PMID: 36528202 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The pollution state in the German Bight was investigated by determination of pollutant concentrations of sediment samples using equilibrium passive sampling. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in the pore water of North Sea sediment. The freely dissolved pore water concentration (Cfree) was measured applying Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) by using PDMS-coated glass fibers. The obtained results show that the North Sea contamination level with the investigated pollutants is relatively low. However, the stations close to the sediment-dumping site were higher contaminated. A macrofauna analysis showed that bioturbation activities were mostly present in the upper sediment layers, but a direct bioturbation influence on the sediment concentration distribution could not be shown. Overall, the contamination load was below baseline toxicity, but considering that several other priority pollutants will also make a contribution to the baseline toxicity, it can be counted as relatively high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kreutzer
- Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Faculty Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany; Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, 21033, Germany
| | - Mathias Reininghaus
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, 21033, Germany
| | - Julia Meyer
- Senckenberg Am Meer, Marine Research, Südstrand 40, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Ingrid Kröncke
- Senckenberg Am Meer, Marine Research, Südstrand 40, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | | | - Henner Hollert
- Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Faculty Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany
| | - Gesine Witt
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, 21033, Germany.
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28
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Fagiano V, Compa M, Alomar C, Rios-Fuster B, Morató M, Capó X, Deudero S. Breaking the paradigm: Marine sediments hold two-fold microplastics than sea surface waters and are dominated by fibers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159722. [PMID: 36309280 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We conducted one of the first studies to integrate the quantification and characterization of microplastics (MPs), including fibers, in different habitats (sea surface, seafloor and beach sediments) of a coastal Mediterranean marine protected area, analyzing their ingestion in several marine species. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the distribution of MPs according to shape and polymer, to assess the contribution of fibers to local plastic pollution and to evaluate their ingestion in fish and invertebrates species that inhabit the study area (Pagrus pagrus, Serranus scriba, Spondyliosoma cantharus, Diplodus vulgaris, Oblada melanura, Holothuria forskalii, Holothuria tubularis, Holothuria polis, Arbacia lixula, Paracentrotus lividus, Modiolus barbatus, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Arca noae). A total of 111 environmental samples were analyzed. The mean abundance of MPs (excluding fibers) quantified in beach sediments (13,418.86 ± 28,787.99 MPs/m2) was two orders of magnitude higher than that found in seafloor sediments (76.92 ± 108.84 MPs/m2), which in turn was two orders of magnitude higher than sea surface samples (0.17 ± 0.39 MPs/m2). The fibers were the most abundant shape of MPs identified in all habitats. Variability in MPs ingestion was detected between species, with ingestion rates ranging from 43 % to 100 % for general MPs and ranging from 7 % to 100 % for fibers. The highest ingestion was observed in Holoturians, representing suitable bioindicators for plastic pollution. The composition of the polymer varies weakly depending on habitats and biota, but the result is strongly correlated with the morphology of the plastic. Fibers were mainly composed of cellulose acetate (29 %), styrofoam of polystyrene (18 %), and filaments, films and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene. The results highlighted the need to expand integrated approaches to effectively study marine plastic pollution and to undertake efficient actions to limit the input of plastics, particularly fibers, into the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fagiano
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain; University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - M Compa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - C Alomar
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - B Rios-Fuster
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - M Morató
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - X Capó
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - S Deudero
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
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29
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Striebel M, Kallajoki L, Kunze C, Wollschläger J, Deininger A, Hillebrand H. Marine primary producers in a darker future: a meta‐analysis of light effects on pelagic and benthic autotrophs. OIKOS 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maren Striebel
- Inst. for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky Univ. Oldenburg Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | - Liisa Kallajoki
- Inst. for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky Univ. Oldenburg Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | - Charlotte Kunze
- Inst. for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky Univ. Oldenburg Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | - Jochen Wollschläger
- Inst. for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky Univ. Oldenburg Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | - Anne Deininger
- Centre for Coastal Research, Univ. of Agder Kristiansand Norway
- Norwegian Inst. for Water Research (NIVA) Oslo Norway
| | - Helmut Hillebrand
- Inst. for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky Univ. Oldenburg Wilhelmshaven Germany
- Helmholtz Inst. for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Univ. Oldenburg Oldenburg Germany
- Alfred Wegener Inst., Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research Bremerhaven Germany
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30
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Manzuk RA, Maloof AC, Kaandorp JA, Webster M. Branching archaeocyaths as ecosystem engineers during the Cambrian radiation. GEOBIOLOGY 2023; 21:66-85. [PMID: 36017532 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid origination and diversification of major animal body plans during the early Cambrian coincide with the rise of Earth's first animal-built framework reefs. Given the importance of scleractinian coral reefs as ecological facilitators in modern oceans, we investigate the impact of archaeocyathan (Class Archaeocyatha) reefs as engineered ecosystems during the Cambrian radiation. In this study, we present the first high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of branching archaeocyathide (Order Archaeocyathida) individuals from three localities on the Laurentian paleocontinent. Because branched forms in sponges and corals display phenotypic plasticity that preserve the characteristics of the surrounding growth environment, we compare morphological measurements from our fossil specimens to those of modern corals to infer the surface conditions of Earth's first reefs. These data demonstrate that archaeocyaths could withstand and influence the flow of water, accommodate photosymbionts, and build topographically complex and stable structures much like corals today. We also recognize a stepwise increase in the roughness of reef environments in the lower Cambrian, which would have laid a foundation for more abundant and diverse coevolving fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Manzuk
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Adam C Maloof
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jaap A Kaandorp
- Computational Science Lab, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Webster
- Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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31
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Pelletier MC, Charpentier M. Assessing the relative importance of stressors to the benthic index, M-AMBI: An example from U.S. estuaries. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114456. [PMID: 36502776 PMCID: PMC9813808 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
M-AMBI, a multivariate benthic index, has been used by European and American (U.S.) authorities to assess estuarine and coastal health and has been used in scientific studies throughout the world. It has been shown to be related to multiple pressures and stressors, but the relative importance of individual stressors within a multiple stressor context has not generally been assessed. In this study, we assembled data collected between 1999 and 2015 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency using consistent methods. These data included sediment and water quality measures and benthic invertebrate data which were used to calculate M-AMBI. We further assembled watersheds for all US estuaries with benthic data and calculated land use metrics. Random forest (RF) was used to identify those variables most strongly related to M-AMBI. Because RF is a compilation of multiple, nonlinear models, we then assessed which of these variables had a direct relationship with M-AMBI. The resulting variables were then assessed using RF to identify the subsets of variables that produced an effective and parsimonious model. This process was conducted at the national and ecoregional scale and the variables identified as being most important to predict M-AMBI were compared with literature reports of ecological patterns in a given area. At the national scale, better condition was correlated with clearer waters, lower amounts of agriculture in the watershed, and lower carbon and metal concentrations in estuarine sediments. Other stressors were identified as being important at the ecoregional scale, although sediment metal concentrations and watershed agriculture were identified as being important in most ecoregions. Our results suggest that this technique is useful to identify the most important variables impacting M-AMBI at broad spatial scales, even when the percentage of sites in Bad or Poor condition is low. This technique also provides an initial identification of important stressors that can be used to target more intensive local studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite C Pelletier
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, US EPA, ORD, CEMM, Narragansett, RI, USA.
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Sun TC, Yan BY, Ning XC, Tang ZY, Hui C, Hu MZ, Ramakrishna S, Long YZ, Zhang J. A nanofiber hydrogel derived entirely from ocean biomass for wound healing. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 5:160-170. [PMID: 36605791 PMCID: PMC9765447 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00535b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Crustaceans and fish scales in the marine food industry are basically thrown away as waste. This not only wastes resources but also causes environmental pollution. While reducing pollution and waste, biological activity and storage of materials are urgent issues to be solved. In this study, by first preparing dry fibers and then making hydrogels, we prepared a fish scale/sodium alginate/chitosan nanofiber hydrogel (FS-P) by cross-linking the nanofibers in situ. From fish and other organisms, fish gelatin (FG), collagen and CaCO3 were extracted. Fish scale (FS)/sodium alginate/chitosan nanofibers were cross-linked with copper sulfide nanoparticles prepared by a one-step green method to obtain FS-P nanofiber hydrogels under mild conditions without catalyst and additional procedures. These fiber hydrogels not only have good tissue adhesion and tensile properties, but also have the antibacterial effect of natural antibacterial and CuS photothermal synergism, which can achieve 51.32% and 49.96% of the antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively, avoiding the generation of superbacteria. The nanofiber hydrogels have 87.56% voidage and 52.68% degradability after 14 days. The combined strategy of using marine bio-based fibers to prepare gels promoted angiogenesis and tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Cai Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
| | - Bing-Yu Yan
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
| | - Xu-Chao Ning
- Medical College, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Yue Tang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
| | - Chao Hui
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
| | - Mao-Zhi Hu
- Equipment Division, Qingyun County People's Hospital Dezhou 253000 P. R. China
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Center for Nanofibers & Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore Singapore 117574 Singapore
| | - Yun-Ze Long
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 P. R. China
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Quillen K, Santos N, Testa JM, Woodland RJ. Coastal hypoxia reduces trophic resource coupling and alters niche characteristics of an ecologically dominant omnivore. FOOD WEBS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2022.e00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Weinert M, Kröncke I, Meyer J, Mathis M, Pohlmann T, Reiss H. Benthic ecosystem functioning under climate change: modelling the bioturbation potential for benthic key species in the southern North Sea. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14105. [PMID: 36317120 PMCID: PMC9617549 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change affects the marine environment on many levels with profound consequences for numerous biological, chemical, and physical processes. Benthic bioturbation is one of the most relevant and significant processes for benthic-pelagic coupling and biogeochemical fluxes in marine sediments, such as the uptake, transport, and remineralisation of organic carbon. However, only little is known about how climate change affects the distribution and intensity of benthic bioturbation of a shallow temperate shelf sea system such as the southern North Sea. In this study, we modelled and projected changes in bioturbation potential (BPp) under a continuous global warming scenario for seven southern North Sea key bioturbators: Abra alba, Amphiura filiformis, Callianassa subterranea, Echinocardium cordatum, Goniada maculata, Nephtys hombergii, and Nucula nitidosa. Spatial changes in species bioturbation intensity are simulated for the years 2050 and 2099 based on one species distribution model per species driven by bottom temperature and salinity changes using the IPCC SRES scenario A1B. Local mean bottom temperature was projected to increase between 0.15 and 5.4 °C, while mean bottom salinity was projected to moderately decrease by 1.7. Our results show that the considered benthic species are strongly influenced by the temperature increase. Although the total BP remained rather constant in the southern North Sea, the BPp for four out of seven species was projected to increase, mainly due to a simultaneous northward range expansion, while the BPp in the core area of the southern North Sea declined for the same species. Bioturbation of the most important species, Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum, showed no substantial change in the spatial distribution, but over time. The BPp of E. cordatum remained almost constant until 2099, while the BPp of A. filiformis decreased by 41%. The northward expansion of some species and the decline of most species in the south led to a change of relative contribution to bioturbation in the southern North Sea. These results indicate that some of the selected key bioturbators in the southern North Sea might partly compensate the decrease in bioturbation by others. But especially in the depositional areas where bioturbation plays a specifically important role for ecosystem functioning, bioturbation potential declined until 2099, which might affect the biochemical cycling in sediments of some areas of the southern North Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Weinert
- Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Ingrid Kröncke
- Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Julia Meyer
- Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Moritz Mathis
- Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Thomas Pohlmann
- Institute of Oceanography, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henning Reiss
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
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Hilgendag IR, Swanson HK, Lewis CW, Ehrman AD, Power M. Mercury biomagnification in benthic, pelagic, and benthopelagic food webs in an Arctic marine ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156424. [PMID: 35662606 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous toxic metal that biomagnifies in food webs, and can reach high concentrations in top predators. Evaluating Hg biomagnification in Arctic marine food webs is critical for understanding Hg dynamics and estimating exposure to understudied fish and wildlife consumed by humans. The majority of studies conducted on Hg biomagnification in the Arctic have focused on pelagic food webs. Benthic and benthopelagic food webs in Arctic marine ecosystems also support many species of subsistence and commercial importance, and data are lacking for these systems. In this study, we investigated food web structure and Hg biomagnification for the benthic, pelagic, and benthopelagic marine food webs of inner Frobisher Bay in Nunavut. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N), as well as total (THg) and methyl (MeHg) mercury concentrations were measured in fish, invertebrates, and zooplankton. Biomagnification in each food web was quantified with Trophic Magnification Slopes (TMS) and Trophic Magnification Factors (TMF). The highest TMS and TMF values were exhibited by the benthopelagic food web (TMS = 0.201; TMF = 1.59), followed by the pelagic food web (TMS = 0.183; TMF = 1.52), and lastly the benthic food web (TMS = 0.079; TMF = 1.20), with δ15N explaining 88%, 79%, and 9% of variation in Hg concentrations, respectively. TMS and TMF values were generally low compared to other Arctic marine food webs. Results from food web structure analyses indicated that the benthic food web had the greatest trophic diversity, trophic redundancy, and largest isotopic niche area of all food webs studied. Greater food web complexity may thus result in reduced MeHg biomagnification, but further study is required. Acquiring Hg and food web structure data is critical for predicting the effects of climate-induced environmental change on Hg dynamics, especially in the context of Arctic marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel R Hilgendag
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Heidi K Swanson
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | | | - Ashley D Ehrman
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Michael Power
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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Sea MA, Hillman JR, Thrush SF. The influence of mussel restoration on coastal carbon cycling. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:5269-5282. [PMID: 35656817 PMCID: PMC9544040 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Increasing responsiveness to anthropogenic climate change and the loss of global shellfish ecosystems has heightened interest in the carbon storage and sequestration potential of bivalve-dominated systems. While coastal ecosystems are dynamic zones of carbon transformation and change, current uncertainties and notable heterogeneity in the benthic environment make it difficult to ascertain the climate change mitigation capacity of ongoing coastal restoration projects aimed at revitalizing benthic bivalve populations. In this study we sought to distinguish between direct and indirect effects of subtidal green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) on carbon cycling, and combined published literature with in-situ experiments from restored beds to create a carbon budget for New Zealand's shellfish restoration efforts. A direct summation of biogenic calcification, community respiration, and sediment processes suggests a moderate carbon efflux (+100.1 to 179.6 g C m-2 year-1 ) occurs as a result of recent restoration efforts, largely reflective of the heterotrophic nature of bivalves. However, an examination of indirect effects of restoration on benthic community metabolism and sediment dynamics suggests that beds achieve greater carbon fixation rates and support enhanced carbon burial compared to nearby sediments devoid of mussels. We discuss limitations to our first-order approximation and postulate how the significance of mussel restoration to carbon-related outcomes likely increases over longer timescales. Coastal restoration is often conducted to support the provisioning of many ecosystem services, and we propose here that shellfish restoration not be used as a single measure to offset carbon dioxide emissions, but rather used in tandem with other initiatives to recover a bundle of valued ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory A. Sea
- Institute of Marine Science, University of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Jenny R. Hillman
- Institute of Marine Science, University of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Simon F. Thrush
- Institute of Marine Science, University of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
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37
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Petersen GL, Lohrer AM, Bulmer RH, Pilditch CA. Altered nitrogen transformation pathways and a legacy of sediment organic matter enrichment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:114014. [PMID: 35939937 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are ecologically valuable ecosystems that process nutrients through complex biogeochemical processes. Here we identify drivers and inhibitors of nitrogen removal in unvegetated intertidal sandflats at six sites in Manukau Harbour (37° 2.00'S 174° 42.00'E) to quantify the exchange of solutes across the sediment-water interface, with nitrogen removal rates (NRR) measured at two contrasting sites (PI and CB) near and far, respectively, from an historical wastewater treatment plant. Solute fluxes were paired with sediment and macrofauna community data to identify drivers of ecosystem function. Fluxes of oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorous were found to vary among sites, with differences attributed to variation in sediment characteristics (grain size, chlorophyll a, organic content) and macrofauna community structure. Mean NRR was found to vary between sites (PI = 32.2 vs CB = 217.9 μmol N2/m2/h), with bioturbating macrofauna (bivalves Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana), microphytobenthic biomass, and exposure to nutrients likely key contributing drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grady L Petersen
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), PO Box 11-115, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand.
| | - Andrew M Lohrer
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), PO Box 11-115, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
| | - Richard H Bulmer
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), PO Box 11-115, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand; Tidal Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Conrad A Pilditch
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
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38
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Vainio RK, Jormalainen V, Dietz R, Laaksonen T, Schulz R, Sonne C, Søndergaard J, Zubrod JP, Eulaers I. Trophic Dynamics of Mercury in the Baltic Archipelago Sea Food Web: The Impact of Ecological and Ecophysiological Traits. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11440-11448. [PMID: 35921287 PMCID: PMC9387095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We investigated trophic dynamics of Hg in the polluted Baltic Archipelago Sea using established trophic magnification (TMFs) and biomagnification factors (BMFs) on a comprehensive set of bird, fish, and invertebrate species. As different ecological and ecophysiological species traits may affect trophic dynamics, we explored the effect of food chain (benthic, pelagic, benthopelagic) and thermoregulatory strategy on trophic total Hg (THg) dynamics, using different approaches to accommodate benthopelagic species and normalize for trophic position (TP). We observed TMFs and most BMFs greater than 1, indicating overall THg biomagnification. We found significantly higher pelagic TMFs (3.58-4.02) compared to benthic ones (2.11-2.34) when the homeotherm bird species were excluded from models, but not when included. This difference between the benthic and pelagic TMFs remained regardless of how the TP of benthopelagic species was modeled, or whether TMFs were normalized for TP or not. TP-corrected BMFs showed a larger range (0.44-508) compared to BMFs representing predator-prey concentration ratios (0.05-82.2). Overall, the present study shows the importance of including and evaluating the effect of ecological and ecophysiological traits when investigating trophic contaminant dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riikka K. Vainio
- Department
of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | | | - Rune Dietz
- Department
of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Postbox 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Toni Laaksonen
- Department
of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Ralf Schulz
- iES
Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, DE-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department
of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Postbox 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Department
of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Postbox 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jochen P. Zubrod
- iES
Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, DE-76829 Landau, Germany
- Zubrod
Environmental Data Science, Friesenstrasse 20, DE-76829, Landau, Germany
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Department
of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Postbox 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Norwegian
Polar Institute, FRAM Centre, Postboks 6606 Stakkevollan, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Garrison JA, Nordström MC, Albertsson J, Nascimento FJA. Temporal and spatial changes in benthic invertebrate trophic networks along a taxonomic richness gradient. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8975. [PMID: 35784047 PMCID: PMC9168554 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Species interactions underlie most ecosystem functions and are important for understanding ecosystem changes. Representing one type of species interaction, trophic networks were constructed from biodiversity monitoring data and known trophic links to assess how ecosystems have changed over time. The Baltic Sea is subject to many anthropogenic pressures, and low species diversity makes it an ideal candidate for determining how pressures change food webs. In this study, we used benthic monitoring data for 20 years (1980-1989 and 2010-2019) from the Swedish coast of the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak to investigate changes in benthic invertebrate trophic interactions. We constructed food webs and calculated fundamental food web metrics evaluating network horizontal and vertical diversity, as well as stability that were compared over space and time. Our results show that the west coast of Sweden (Skagerrak) suffered a reduction in benthic invertebrate biodiversity by 32% between the 1980s and 2010s, and that the number of links, generality of predators, and vulnerability of prey have been significantly reduced. The other basins (Bothnian Sea, Baltic Proper, and Bornholm Basin) do not show any significant changes in species richness or consistent significant trends in any food web metrics investigated, demonstrating resilience at a lower species diversity. The decreased complexity of the Skagerrak food webs indicates vulnerability to further perturbations and pressures should be limited as much as possible to ensure continued ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Garrison
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | | | - Jan Albertsson
- Umeå Marine Sciences CentreUmeå UniversityHörneforsSweden
| | - Francisco J. A. Nascimento
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Baltic Sea CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
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40
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Zhong W, Zhang J, Wang Z, Lin J, Huang X, Liu W, Li H, Pellissier L, Zhang X. Holistic Impact Evaluation of Human Activities on the Coastal Fish Biodiversity in the Chinese Coastal Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6574-6583. [PMID: 35510674 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ecological qualities and resources in coasts are threatened by various human activities, such as pollution and fishery. Impact evaluation of environmental stressors over a wide coastal stretch has been limited due to lack of efficient and standardizable biodiversity monitoring and assessment tools. Integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) and ecological traits, a holistic approach was developed to assess the impact of pollution and aquaculture on fish biodiversity in Chinese coastal areas. Taking the Yalujiang Estuary (YLJK) from the Yellow Sea and the Nan'ao Island Area (NAO) from the South China Sea as cases, the performance of the eDNA biomonitoring workflow was validated. First, the eDNA results of 22 sampling sites reached more than 85% of the asymptotes of species or ASVs in each area. A total of 115 fish species in both areas were detected and NAO was 1.8 times richer than YLJK using eDNA and the fish eDNA composition was consistent with the historical data. eDNA recovered distinct variations of fish sequence, taxonomic and functional diversity, and the corresponding trends following the offshore distance between the two areas. Fish sequence diversity was decreased primarily by estuarine pollution factors (chemical oxygen demand and zinc) in the YLJK. Compared with no breeding areas, lower fish sequence diversity was in breeding areas in the NAO. By integrating ecological traits, the eDNA approach offers promising opportunities for future fish biodiversity monitoring and assessment in national and global coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Coastal Ecosystem, National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jianqing Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, P. R. China
| | - Xiangyun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Wenhua Liu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, P. R. China
| | - Hongjun Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Coastal Ecosystem, National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf 8903, Switzerland
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental System Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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Sohma A, Imada R, Nishikawa T, Shibuki H. Modeling the life cycle of four types of phytoplankton and their bloom mechanisms in a benthic-pelagic coupled ecosystem. Ecol Modell 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.109882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Fonseca VG, Kirse A, Giebner H, Vause BJ, Drago T, Power DM, Peck LS, Clark MS. Metabarcoding the Antarctic Peninsula biodiversity using a multi-gene approach. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:37. [PMID: 37938273 PMCID: PMC9723778 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-022-00118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Marine sediment communities are major contributors to biogeochemical cycling and benthic ecosystem functioning, but they are poorly described, particularly in remote regions such as Antarctica. We analysed patterns and drivers of diversity in metazoan and prokaryotic benthic communities of the Antarctic Peninsula with metabarcoding approaches. Our results show that the combined use of mitochondrial Cox1, and 16S and 18S rRNA gene regions recovered more phyla, from metazoan to non-metazoan groups, and allowed correlation of possible interactions between kingdoms. This higher level of detection revealed dominance by the arthropods and not nematodes in the Antarctic benthos and further eukaryotic diversity was dominated by benthic protists: the world's largest reservoir of marine diversity. The bacterial family Woeseiaceae was described for the first time in Antarctic sediments. Almost 50% of bacteria and 70% metazoan taxa were unique to each sampled site (high alpha diversity) and harboured unique features for local adaptation (niche-driven). The main abiotic drivers measured, shaping community structure were sediment organic matter, water content and mud. Biotic factors included the nematodes and the highly abundant bacterial fraction, placing protists as a possible bridge for between kingdom interactions. Meiofauna are proposed as sentinels for identifying anthropogenic-induced changes in Antarctic marine sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- V G Fonseca
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth, UK.
| | - A Kirse
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany
| | - H Giebner
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany
| | - B J Vause
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK
| | - T Drago
- Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Tavira, Portugal
- Institute Dom Luiz (IDL), University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - D M Power
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), Faro, Portugal
| | - L S Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK
| | - M S Clark
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK
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Krishnan S, Patil JS, Anil AC. Benthic-pelagic coupling assessed using phytoplankton marker pigments: a case study from the Paradip port, East Coast of India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:27761-27778. [PMID: 34981378 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study addresses the seasonal distribution of phytoplankton marker pigments (PMP) and the ratios (indicating freshness and fate) from water and surface sediments from the coastal port ecosystem (Paradip port, Odisha, east coast of India) and its utility in understanding phytoplankton pelagic-benthic linkages. Chlorophyll and PMP (for different groups and degradation) distribution revealed distinct seasonality, but the seasonal trend was different for water and sediments. High and low values were observed in the water column during inter-monsoons (fall/spring) and monsoons (southwest/northeast), respectively, whereas, in sediments, the reverse was recorded. However, the contribution of group-specific PMP was different: fucoxanthin > chlorophyll b > zeaxanthin > alloxanthin > peridinin dominated in water and chlorophyll b > zeaxanthin > fucoxanthin > alloxanthin > peridinin in sediment. Selective grazing and stability of sedimentary PMP (fucoxanthin, diatoms PMP, is least stable than other groups) could contribute to such differences. Relatively high chlorophyll:pheopigment ratios in the water and low pheophorbide: pheophytin in sediments indicated the dominance of actively growing microalgae and chlorophyll degradation via chlorophyllidae pathway in the water but not in sediments. These findings suggest that (i) much of the phytoplankton (primarily diatoms) is lost due to herbivory before reaching bottom sediments, and (ii) pigment contribution is determined by selective grazing in water and PMP decay constants in sediments. Documenting such information will give new insights into ecosystem assessment and algal bloom research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathish Krishnan
- CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, 403 004, Goa, India
- School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, 403 206, Goa, India
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Pascal L, Chaillou G, Nozais C, Cool J, Bernatchez P, Letourneux K, Archambault P. Benthos response to nutrient enrichment and functional consequences in coastal ecosystems. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 175:105584. [PMID: 35168006 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As land use intensifies, many coastal waters are becoming enriched with otherwise limiting nutrients, leading to eutrophication. While the extreme effects of eutrophication on benthic communities are well documented, there is still a lack of knowledge about how nutrient enrichment alters biogeochemical interactions occurring at the sediment-water interface. Using ex-situ experiments, this study explores the consequences of nutrient enrichment on sediment characteristics, macrofauna community and benthic fluxes. The quantity of sedimentary organic matter and porewater concentration of NH4+, NOx and PO43- increased in enriched treatments. These changes did not affect the macrobenthic community structure. However, macroinfauna buried less deep and increased their ventilation activity. As consequences, nutrient efflux increased, thereby favouring eutrophication processes. These effects were reduced in presence of seagrass, thus illustrating the buffering capacity of seagrass in the context of environmental changes, and particularly, of eutrophication. Overall, this study highlights that the functional consequences of nutrient enrichment involve interconnected processes that are variable in space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Pascal
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Québec-Océan, Canada Research Chair in Geochemistry of Coastal Hydrogeosystems, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1, Canada.
| | - Gwénaëlle Chaillou
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Québec-Océan, Canada Research Chair in Geochemistry of Coastal Hydrogeosystems, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Christian Nozais
- Département de biologie, chimie et géographie, Québec-Océan, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC, G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Joannie Cool
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Québec-Océan, Canada Research Chair in Geochemistry of Coastal Hydrogeosystems, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Pascal Bernatchez
- Research Chair in Coastal Geoscience, Québec-Océan, Département de biologie, chimie et géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC, G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Kevin Letourneux
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Québec-Océan, Canada Research Chair in Geochemistry of Coastal Hydrogeosystems, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Philippe Archambault
- ArcticNet, Québec-Océan, Département de biologie, Université Laval, 2325 Rue de l'Université, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Albert S, Hedberg P, Motwani NH, Sjöling S, Winder M, Nascimento FJA. Phytoplankton settling quality has a subtle but significant effect on sediment microeukaryotic and bacterial communities. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24033. [PMID: 34911983 PMCID: PMC8674317 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03303-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In coastal aphotic sediments, organic matter (OM) input from phytoplankton is the primary food resource for benthic organisms. Current observations from temperate ecosystems like the Baltic Sea report a decline in spring bloom diatoms, while summer cyanobacteria blooms are becoming more frequent and intense. These climate-driven changes in phytoplankton communities may in turn have important consequences for benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but such questions are not yet sufficiently explored experimentally. Here, in a 4-week experiment, we investigated the response of microeukaryotic and bacterial communities to different types of OM inputs comprising five ratios of two common phytoplankton species in the Baltic Sea, the diatom Skeletonema marinoi and filamentous cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena. Metabarcoding analyses on 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) at the experiment termination revealed subtle but significant changes in diversity and community composition of microeukaryotes in response to settling OM quality. Sediment bacteria were less affected, although we observed a clear effect on denitrification gene expression (nirS and nosZ), which was positively correlated with increasing proportions of cyanobacteria. Altogether, these results suggest that future changes in OM input to the seafloor may have important effects on both the composition and function of microbenthic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séréna Albert
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius 20A, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Per Hedberg
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius 20A, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nisha H Motwani
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Sara Sjöling
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Monika Winder
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius 20A, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francisco J A Nascimento
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius 20A, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.,Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tidal variability of water quality parameters in a mesotidal estuary (Sado Estuary, Portugal). Sci Rep 2021; 11:23112. [PMID: 34848797 PMCID: PMC8633344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02603-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To establish effective water quality monitoring strategies in estuaries, it is imperative to identify and understand the main drivers for the variation of water quality parameters. The tidal effect is an important factor of the daily and fortnightly variability in several estuaries. However, the extent of that influence on the different physicochemical and biological parameters is still overlooked in some estuarine systems, such as the Sado Estuary, a mesotidal estuary located on the west coast of Portugal. The main objective of this study was to determine how the water quality parameters of the Sado Estuary varied with the fortnightly and the semidiurnal tidal variation. To achieve this goal, sampling campaigns were conducted in May/18, Nov/18 and Jun/19, under neap and spring tidal conditions, with data collection over the tidal cycle. Results were observed to be significantly influenced by the tidal variation, in a large area of the estuary. Flood seemed to mitigate possible effects of nutrient enrichment in the water column. Additionally, significant differences were also observed when considering the different sampling stations. Temperature, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and nutrients showed the highest values at low water. Lastly, the implications of the tidal variability in the evaluation of the water quality according to Water Framework Directive were also discussed, highlighting the importance of studying short-time scale variations and the worst-case scenario to ensure water quality is maintained. These findings are relevant for the implementation of regional management plans and to promote sustainable development.
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Warming winters in lakes: Later ice onset promotes consumer overwintering and shapes springtime planktonic food webs. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2114840118. [PMID: 34810251 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114840118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Global climate warming is causing the loss of freshwater ice around the Northern Hemisphere. Although the timing and duration of ice covers are known to regulate ecological processes in seasonally ice-covered ecosystems, the consequences of shortening winters for freshwater biota are poorly understood owing to the scarcity of under-ice research. Here, we present one of the first in-lake experiments to postpone ice-cover onset (by ≤21 d), thereby extending light availability (by ≤40 d) in early winter, and explicitly demonstrate cascading effects on pelagic food web processes and phenologies. Delaying ice-on elicited a sequence of events from winter to spring: 1) relatively greater densities of algal resources and primary consumers in early winter; 2) an enhanced prevalence of winter-active (overwintering) consumers throughout the ice-covered period, associated with augmented storage of high-quality fats likely due to a longer access to algal resources in early winter; and 3) an altered trophic structure after ice-off, with greater initial springtime densities of overwintering consumers driving stronger, earlier top-down regulation, effectively reducing the spring algal bloom. Increasingly later ice onset may thus promote consumer overwintering, which can confer a competitive advantage on taxa capable of surviving winters upon ice-off; a process that may diminish spring food availability for other consumers, potentially disrupting trophic linkages and energy flow pathways over the subsequent open-water season. In considering a future with warmer winters, these results provide empirical evidence that may help anticipate phenological responses to freshwater ice loss and, more broadly, constitute a case of climate-induced cross-seasonal cascade on realized food web processes.
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Bank MS, Frantzen S, Duinker A, Amouroux D, Tessier E, Nedreaas K, Maage A, Nilsen BM. Rapid temporal decline of mercury in Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 289:117843. [PMID: 34340180 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution in the ocean is an issue of global concern, however bioaccumulation regimes of this ubiquitous pollutant in marine apex predators have important knowledge gaps. Our fish length and stable isotope (δ15N and δ13C) normalized data of Greenland halibut (GH) (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) showed that Hg bioaccumulation in fillet tissue decreased by ~35-50 %, over a ten-year period from 2006 to 2015 (n = 7 individual sampling years). Hg was predominantly in the methylmercury form (>77 %). Results from a Bayesian information theoretic model showed that GH Hg concentrations decreased with time and its associated declines in Hg air emissions, estimated trophic position, and a potentially lower degree of demersal prey use as indicated by temporal trend shifts in nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) stable isotope values. GH trophic shifts accounted for about one third of the observed temporal reduction in Hg. Our study demonstrates the importance of simultaneously considering Hg emissions, food web dynamics and trophic shifts as important drivers of Hg bioaccumulation in a marine, deep water fish species and highlights the effectiveness of Hg regulations on ocean apex predator Hg concentrations and overall seafood safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bank
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway; University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | | | | | - David Amouroux
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physicochimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux (IPREM), Pau, France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physicochimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux (IPREM), Pau, France
| | | | - Amund Maage
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway; University of Bergen, Norway
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Arroyave Gómez DM, Bartoli M, Bresciani M, Luciani G, Toro-Botero M. Biogeochemical modelling of a tropical coastal area undergoing seasonal upwelling and impacted by untreated submarine outfall. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112771. [PMID: 34388450 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A coupled 3D hydrodynamic-ecological model was applied to the Santa Marta Coastal Area (SMCA, Colombian Caribbean) to provide insights into the role of external stressors (e.g. wastewater outfall and upwelling) on the water quality and benthic - pelagic coupling. The model was calibrated and validated based on benthic metabolic measurements, satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and sea surface temperature (SST) maps, field and literature water quality data. The model was able to reproduce the complex dynamics and fast transitions of temperature, nutrients, and phytoplankton, including the stratification and mixing periods during the non-upwelling (NUPW) and upwelling (UPW) seasons. Wide and fast changes in the temperatures and the highly flushed environment prevented excess phytoplankton growth and nutrient accumulation in the benthic and pelagic compartments. The model proved to be a reliable research tool to analyze the interactive effects of upwelling and untreated wastewater on the functioning of a tropical bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Arroyave Gómez
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Medellín, Facultad de Minas, OCEANICOS Research Group, Colombia.
| | - Marco Bartoli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Parma University, Italy; Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Lithuania
| | - Mariano Bresciani
- Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente Optical Remote Sensing-Water group IREA - CNR, Italy
| | - Giulia Luciani
- Politecnico di Milano - Lecco Campus, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Via Gaetano Previati, 1/c, 23900 Lecco, Italy
| | - Mauricio Toro-Botero
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Medellín, Facultad de Minas, OCEANICOS Research Group, Colombia
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50
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Sobczyk R, Czortek P, Serigstad B, Pabis K. Modelling of polychaete functional diversity: Large marine ecosystem response to multiple natural factors and human impacts on the West African continental margin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 792:148075. [PMID: 34465033 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polychaetes are one of the most diverse groups of marine organisms, characterized by high species richness, diversity of feeding guilds, life styles, and mobility types. Marine annelids are useful indicators of ecosystem responses to changes in environmental conditions. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on functional diversity of polychaete communities in the Gulf of Guinea, a large marine ecosystem (LME) located in West Africa. This area can be considered as a model marine ecosystem affected by various human influences, such as pollution associated with the oil industry. Material was collected in 2012 across the coast of Ghana. Samples were gathered along four transects, each with six sampling stations (25-1000 m depth range). Analyses of functional richness and evenness, based on generalized linear mixed-effect models and hierarchical partitioning, allowed for complex assessments of the interactions between polychaete communities and environmental factors (e.g., sediments, total organic matter, salinity, fluorescence, oxygen, concentration of toxic metals, total hydrocarbons). Overall species richness of polychaetes was outstandingly high, with 253 species recorded. Functional richness decreased along a depth gradient, while functional evenness increased with depth, and was positively correlated with Ba content, which reached the highest values in the upper bathyal. Gravel content was an important factor in shaping functional composition of shallow water communities. High values of functional richness observed in the shallows may be an expression of high stability of this ecosystem, at the same time indicating its high resilience. Elevated concentrations of lead also influenced community structure at a local scale. Our study demonstrated how a complex set of factors operating along a depth gradient can influence the functional composition of communities. These results are crucial for future management of industrial and environmental protection activities in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Sobczyk
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Patryk Czortek
- Institute of Botany - Bialowieza Geobotanical Station, University of Warsaw, Sportowa 19, 17-230 Bialowieza, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof Pabis
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
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