Marine bioinvasion: concern for ecology and shipping

Marine bioinvasion - introduction of marine organisms alien to local ecosystem through ship hulls and ballast water - has serious consequences to native biota, fishery and general coastal ecosystem. Over 80% of the world cargo is mobilized transoceanically and over 12 billion tones of ballast water is filled at one part of the ocean and discharged at the other. These ballast waters offer conducive situation for bacteria, viruses, algae, dinoflagellates and a variety of macro-faunal larval/cyst stages to translocate to alien regions, usually along the coasts of the continents. As an example, there are over 18 species of animals and plants documented along the Indian coasts as those that might have got invaded and established. They can cause deleterious effects to local flora and fauna through their toxigenic, proliferative and over-competitive characteristics. This article points out the threats arising out of marine bioinvasion and various technological developments needed to deal with this unavoidable scourge in global shipping transport

Marine Tar Residues: a Review

Abstract Marine tar residues originate from natural and anthropogenic oil releases into the ocean environment and are formed after liquid petroleum is transformed by weathering, sedimentation, and other processes. Tar balls, tar mats, and tar patties are common examples of marine tar residues and can range in size from millimeters in diameter (tar balls) to several meters in length and width (tar mats). These residues can remain in the ocean envi-ronment indefinitely, decomposing or becoming buried in the sea floor. However, in many cases, they are transported ashore via currents and waves where they pose a concern to coastal recreation activities, the seafood industry and may have negative effects on wildlife. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on marine tar residue formation, transport, degradation, and distribution. Methods of detection and removal of marine tar residues and their possible ecological effects are discussed, in addition to topics of marine tar research that warrant further investigation. Emphasis is placed on ben-thic tar residues, with a focus on the remnants of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in particular, which are still affecting the northern Gulf of Mexico shores years after the leaking submarine well was capped

<I>Echinosphaeria pteridis</I> sp. nov. and its <I>Vermiculariopsiella</I> anamorph

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Seaweeds and their communities in polar regions

Polar seaweeds typically begin to grow in late winter-spring, around the time of sea-ice break up. They can grow under very low light enabling distributions to depths of ≥40 m. Moreover, they are physiologically adapted to low temperatures. Intertidal species exhibit a remarkable stress tolerance against freezing, desiccation and salinity changes. Endemism is much greater in the Antarctic compared to the Arctic species. On rocky shores of the Antarctic Peninsula and of Spitsbergen >80% of the bottom can be covered by seaweeds with standing biomass levels ≥20 kg wet wt m-2. Species richness and biomass declines, however, towards higher latitudes. Seaweeds are the dominant organisms in coastal waters and thus play important roles in benthic food webs and are likely to be of particular importance to benthic detrital food chains. Chemical defenses against herbivores are common in Antarctic, but not in Arctic seaweeds. More research is needed especially to study the effects of global climate changes

Benthic Studies in Goa Estuaries. Part III - Annual Cycle of Macrofaunal Distribution, Production & Trophic Relations

189-200Macrobenthos in Mandovi, Cumbarjua canal and Zuari estuaries, a physically interconnected tropical estuarine system which undergoes large seasonal changes in salinity distribution due to heavy monsoonal precipitation, is very rich (111 species) and varied. Fauna is most continuously distributed showing high degree of aggregation, less affinity, lowest degree of association and high diversity. Six faunal assemblages based on dominant species and faunal associates are identified. Polychaetes and bivalves together contribute 70% of the macrofauna, by number and weight. Biomass production, inspite of large temporal and spatial variations, is high (54.17 g m-2) with proportionately high organic matter production of 4.08 g C m-2 y-1. Estimated annual benthic production, based on standing stock measurements, is 49.95 g m-2 or 5 tonnes km-2

Ecology of clam beds in Mandovi, Cumbarjua canal and Zuari estuarine system of Goa

122-126Observations on environmental parameters clearly indicate two independent ecosystem at Ribandar and Banastrim clam beds in Mandovi-Cumbarjua canal-Zuari estuarine system of Goa. Maximum size attained by Meretrix casta in this estuarine system is 55 mm. Recruitment to the clam population at Banastrim is earlier and more prolonged than at Ribandar. Length-frequency studies indicate that M. casta at Banastrim breeds throughout the year, whereas at Ribandar, breeding is suspended during peak summer. Low salinity adversely affects the growth. Year-class composition at Ribandar is dominated by 1-yr class and at Banastarim by 0-yr class. Possibility of migration of adult clams at Banastrim is postulated. Dimensional relationship marks out the existence of different stocks of M. casta in this estuarine system of Goa. An overall appraisal of the results reveal the possibilities of culture of clams in the estuaries of Goa

C-reactive protein and procalcitonin after congenital heart surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass: When should we be worried?

INTRODUCTION: To assess the efficacy of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) at identifying infection in children after congenital heart surgery (CHS) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies with data regarding CRP and/or PCT after CHS with CPB. The primary variables identified to be characterized were CRP and PCT at different timepoints. The main inclusion criteria were children who underwent CHS with CPB. Subset analyses for those with and without documented infection were conducted in similar fashion. A p value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included for CRP with 1655 patients and a total of 9 studies were included for PCT with 882 patients. CRP peaked on postoperative Day 2. A significant difference was noted in those with infection only on postoperative Day 4 with a level of 53.60 mg/L in those with documented infection versus 29.68 mg/L in those without. PCT peaked on postoperative Day 2. A significant difference was noted in those with infection on postoperative Days 1, 2, and 3 with a level of 12.9 ng/ml in those with documented infection versus 5.6 ng/ml in those without. CONCLUSIONS: Both CRP and PCT increase after CHS with CPB and peak on postoperative day 2. PCT has a greater statistically significant difference in those with documented infection when compared to CRP and a PCT of greater than 5.6 ng/ml should raise suspicion for infection

Biochemical changes in mangrove foliage during growth and decomposition

104-106Biochemical changes during 5 developmental stages of mangrove foliage and subsequent decomposition resulting into detritus have been studied, taking into consideration the nutritional value of foliage. Carbohydrate and lipid decrease during growth and decomposition of the two species (Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia officinalis). Protein values, on the other hand show a gradual increase probably as a result of microbial colonization and thus enhancing the nutritional value of detritus. C:N ratio in general shows a downward trend in different stages of mangrove foliage