Determination of organohalogenated contaminants in liver of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded on the Belgian North Sea coast

Peer reviewe

Feeding ecology of five commercial shark species of the Celtic Sea through stable isotope and trace metal analysis

In order to trace their feeding habits, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (delta(15)N and delta(13)C), as well as trace metal concentrations (Zn, Cd, Fe, Cu, Se and Hg) were analysed in the tissues of five commercial shark species from the Celtic Sea: the tope shark Galeorhinus galeus, the black-mouthed catshark Galeus melastomus, the starry smooth hound Mustelus asterias, the spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias and the lesser-spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. Our results were compared to previously described stomach contents and isotopic composition of potential preys. Isotopic ratio delta(15)N suggested that tope sharks fed at a higher trophic level (16.7 parts per thousand in the muscle) than the other species, reflecting its piscivorous diet. The lower values of spiny dogfish (11.6 parts per thousand in the muscle) might be explained, amongst other things, by either its migratory behaviour or its preference for preys from lower trophic levels. Cd and Hg were correlated with isotopic ratios delta(13)C and delta(15)N, and were shown to be diet-related whereas Zn, Fe and Cu seemed much more linked to species-specific metabolism. Although this multidisciplinary approach is revealed as a useful tool for the study of shark ecology, the lack of known trophic fractionation suggests that isotopic data be compared to traditional diet analyses. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Descriptors of Posidonia oceanica meadows: Use and application

The conservation of the coastal marine environment requires the possession of information that enables the global quality of the environment to be evaluated reliably and relatively quickly. The use of biological indicators is often an appropriate method. Seagrasses in general, and Posidonia oceanica meadows in particular, are considered to be appropriate for biomonitoring because of their wide distribution, reasonable size, sedentary habit, easy collection and abundance and sensitivity to modifications of littoral zone. Reasoned management, on the scale of the whole Mediterranean basin, requires standardized methods of study, to be applied by both researchers and administrators, enabling comparable results to be obtained. This paper synthesises the existing methods applied to monitor P. oceanica meadows, identifies the most suitable techniques and suggests future research directions. From the results of a questionnaire, distributed to all the identified laboratories working on this topic, a list of the most commonly used descriptors was drawn up, together with the related research techniques (e.g. standardization, interest and limits, valuation of the results). It seems that the techniques used to study meadows are rather similar, but rarely identical, even though the various teams often refer to previously published works. This paper shows the interest of a practical guide that describes, in a standardized way, the most useful techniques enabling P. oceanica meadows to be used as an environmental descriptor. Indeed, it constitutes the first stage in the process. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

C, N, P concentrations and requirements of flowering <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> shoots

The carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in flowering and nonflowering shoots were compared after an important flowering event occurred in the Posidonia meadow of the Bay of Calvi. The flower formation caused a significant increase of C and a significant decrease of N concentrations in intermediate and adult leaves. Minimum daily requirements in mg shoot-1 day-1 of 3.4 and 4.8 of C, 0.09 and 0.09 N, 0.01 and 0.02 of P respectively for nonflowering and flowering shoots were calculated. It shows that additional quantities of C and P are required for the inflorescence elaboration. The unchanged quantity of N required by the shoot for the inflorescence elaboration and the significant modification of N concentration in intermediate and adult leaves suggests that N is limited in the environment and that an efficient resorption of N occurs from leaves to ensure the inflorescence formation

Effect of transplantation on <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> shoots

Posidonia oceanica shoots sampled from the healthy meadow in the bay of Revelatta (Corsica, France) were transplanted on metallic grids at 10 m depth. Transplanted shoots have been regularly monitored by the measurement of growth, biomass and C, N and P contents in the leaves and the belowground parts. After six months of experiment, the survival rates varied from 14 to 84 % on the different transplantation sites. Leaf biomass on the transplanted cuttings was lower than biomass in the control shoots but root biomass raised from December 2000 to May 2001 on the transplanted shoots. Transplant growth (8,3 +/- 2,3 mm.d-1.shoot-1) after six months was similar to control growth (8,2 +/- 2,8 mm.d-1. shoot-1). The C, N and P contents in transplants were significatively lower than in control shoots suggesting that transplanted cuttings are unable to meet their nutrient requirements. The modifications of the C, N, P contents in the belowground parts of the transplanted shoots indicate a mobilization of these nutrients in those compartments to produce new roots and restore a normal nutrients absorption

Variation à différentes échelles spatiales de l'herbier à <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile ; effets sur les paramètres physico-chimiques du sédiment

The biometric parameters (shoot density, length and width of leaves, leaf and epiphyte biomasses, leaf surface) of the P. oceanica meadow present a significant spatial variability at the mesoscale level (100m2). All the parameters studied, excepting the number of leaves, decrease according to the depth. The horizontal spatial variations (centrifuge and centripetal distributions) reach a maximum in the shallower areas. The analysis of the microstructures (m2) of the meadow has not allowed a relationship to be established between the spatial variations of the biometric parameters and the environmental factors in the sediment (pH, water and organic matter content, red-ox potential, nutrient content). The heterogeneity of the meadow in the Revellata Bay quite probably results from the internal shoot and rhyzome growth dynamics. On the other hand, it appears that the presence of the prairie modifies the physical-chemical characteristics of the sediment. In fact, the sandy patches present different physical-chemical characteristics: lower organic matter, different granulometric and much higher interstitial water nutrient levels, as well as a higher pH and oxydo-reduction potential