不同水力停留时间和进水硝酸盐浓度下香蕉杆为碳源的固相反硝化性能研究

固相反硝化去除水产养殖尾水中硝酸盐氮(NO33–-N)具有广阔的应用前景,水力停留时间(hydraulic retention time, HRT)和进水硝酸盐浓度(influent nitrate concentration, INC)是影响反硝化系统反硝化性能的主要因素之一,需要对HRT进行优化,掌握其最大NO3–-N处理能力。本研究首次以香蕉杆为反硝化反应器的外加碳源,在流场环境下,测定不同HRT和INC下反硝化系统对NO3–-N、亚硝酸盐氮(NO2–-N)、氨氮(NH4+-N)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和化学需氧量(COD)的去除效果。并采用基于Illumina Miseq测序平台的高通量测序技术,对反硝化系统运行初期及末期的细菌群落进行16S rDNA V3和V4区测序分析。结果显示,香蕉杆反应器的最佳HRT为20 h,对应NO3–-N去除率为(96.71±1.36)%,且无NO2–-N积累。在最佳HRT的基础上,反应器的出水硝酸盐浓度(effluent nitrate concentration, ENC)和硝酸盐去除速率(nitrate removal rate, NRR)均随INC的增加而显著增加(P<0.05),出水COD随INC的增加而降低。此外,反应器在整个实验期间能完全去除NH4+-N。高通量测序结果显示,经过长期运行后,反应器内的优势菌门包括变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、弯曲杆菌门(Campilobacterota)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),它们的相对丰度分别增至31.20%、6.67%、3.08%和4.26%,保证了反应器的高效运行。此外,在属水平上,反应器初期和末期的优势菌存在明显差异。本研究为农业废弃物作为养殖尾水反硝化碳源的工艺优化提供了理论参考。     

不同进水硝酸盐浓度和温度下聚己内酯/玉米芯复合固体碳源的反硝化性能探究

以人工高分子聚合物+农业废弃物为复合碳源的反硝化系统兼具高效脱氮和低脱氮成本的优势。进水硝酸盐浓度(INC)和温度(T)是生物反硝化过程的重要影响因素，本研究以质量比为1∶1的聚己内酯(PCL)和玉米芯(CC)为复合碳源构建反硝化系统，设置3种INC和温度，测定了脱氮能效、有机物利用情况、微生物群落结构和功能基因丰度来判定这2个因素对反硝化的影响。实验结果显示，反应器最佳的INC为30 mg/L，60~90 d的平均硝酸盐去除率(NRE)达到99.12%，且无明显亚硝酸盐氮积累；在不同INC下，优势菌门均为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)，其丰度随INC升高而下降，分别为54.46%、39.96%和24.77%；T=25 ℃为最佳温度条件，其功能基因表达量除napA外均最高，后30 d的NRE为99.21%；T=30 ℃和T=25 ℃优势菌门均为变形菌门，丰度分别为55.86%和38.85%，而T=20 ℃的系统中丰度最高的为拟杆菌门(Bacteroidota)(28.87%)；各系统的优势菌属都为红细菌属(Rhodobacter)。各系统产生的短链脂肪酸中，乙酸占比最高且其与丙酸的比值均>1，同时未检出丁酸，有利于反硝化进行。本研究认为，人工高分子聚合物+农业废弃物形式的复合碳源可为海水养殖尾水固相反硝化的工艺优化提供理论依据。     

褐煤的碳缓释特征及其对池塘底泥脱氮作用的影响

厌氧氨氧化和反硝化作用是底泥生物脱氮的主要过程，碳源是调控厌氧氨氧化和反硝化作用的关键因子。本研究以褐煤为对象，对褐煤的静态碳释情况及其对池塘底泥中脱氮作用的影响进行了研究。结果显示，褐煤在室温条件下的碳释放规律符合二级动力学方程，具备作为反硝化碳源的可行性；在脱氮实验中，发现褐煤对底泥上覆水体中的亚硝酸盐氮(NNO₂^--N)的去除具有促进作用，NNO₂^--N的去除率随褐煤浓度的增加而升高，当褐煤质量浓度为40 g/L时，N\${\rm{O}}_2^ - $\-N去除率最高达99.61%，此时硝酸盐氮(NO₃^--N)的浓度也最低；同时发现，水体中氨氮(NH₄⁺-N)氧化的最适褐煤质量浓度为10 g/L，其去除率达99.39%；对底泥中的厌氧氨氧化菌群进行Illumina高通量测序发现，其中浮霉菌门占比最大(39.6%~71.8%)，优势菌属为Candidatus Brocadia (13.9%~35.8%)和Desulfovibrio (17.1%~34.8%)，添加褐煤组Candidatus Scalindua菌属比例高于未添加组；荧光定量PCR得出，随着褐煤质量浓度升高，底泥中的反硝化菌丰度呈增长趋势，而厌氧氨氧化菌丰度则低于无褐煤添加组，表明添加褐煤对底泥反硝化有促进作用，而对厌氧氨氧化有一定的抑制作用。研究表明，褐煤具备作为反硝化碳源的条件，可用于池塘养殖底泥脱氮作用。     

复合垂直流人工湿地基质理化性质对nirS和nirK型反硝化菌多样性的影响

采用Illumina高通测序技术,探讨喀斯特地区复合垂直流人工湿地基质理化性质对nirS和nirK型反硝化菌多样性的影响。结果表明,复合垂直流人工湿地中4个池子（即一级垂直流下行池、一级垂直流上行池、二级垂直流下行池、二级垂直流上行池）的基质理化性质存在显著差异。其中,pH在中4个池子中均呈中性,DO呈先下降后升高趋势,下行池的基质电导率EC均比上行池要高;TN、TP含量随着人工湿地梯级呈显著下降趋势,未出现厌氧现象;NO3--N和NH4+-N含量在二级垂直流下行池中大量积累并达到峰值。在AlpHa和Beta多样性分析中,nirS、nirK型两类反硝化细菌丰度随着人工湿地梯级呈先降低后升高的趋势,多样性随人工湿地级数逐渐降低,且下行池丰度多样性显著高于上行池。基质中nirS型反硝化细菌鉴定为5门9属,nirK型为6门14属,变形菌门是nirS、nirK型反硝化菌群的共同优势菌门,相对丰度为55.36%~65.72%、30.06%~45.66%。其中,优势菌属为红杆菌属（Rhodobacter）、脱氯单胞菌属（Dechloromonas）、红假单胞菌属（Rhodopseudomonas）、慢生根瘤菌属（Bradyrhizobium）和氏菌属（Bosea）。红杆菌属和脱氯单胞菌属相对丰度在空间上随着人工湿地级数升高总体呈上升趋势,红假单胞菌属、慢生根瘤菌属和氏菌属在空间上随人工湿地级数升高总体呈下降趋势,此2类优势菌属在空间上存在显著差异（P<0.01）。韦恩图表明nirS型反硝化菌群丰度明显高于nirK型,且各级池中反硝化菌群相似度较高。冗余分析表明基质中nirS和nirK反硝化菌群的构建主要受pH、NH4+-N、DO、TP、TN影响,且nirS型对pH,以及nirK型对NH4+-N的响应更为强烈。综上,本文研究了人工湿地nirS、nirK型反硝化菌多样性特征及其与环境因子的关系,为复合垂直流人工湿地高效脱氮提供理论依据。     

碳源及C/N对反硝化细菌净化循环养殖废水的影响

针对目前循环养殖废水水质处理过程中存在脱氮碳源不足的问题,本文以高NO3--N降解能力和低NO2--N积累量为碳源优化指标,研究了乙醇、丙三醇、葡萄糖、蔗糖、乙酸钠和酒石酸钾钠6种碳源及不同碳氮比（C/N）对复合菌群净化循环养殖废水效果的影响。试验结果显示,不同碳源及C/N对养殖废水的NH4 -N去除率并无显著差异,且各处理组的NH4 -N去除率高达98%左右,显著地高于对照组（p<0.05）;当以葡萄糖、蔗糖等糖类物质为外加碳源时,试验过程中有明显的NO2--N积累现象;当以醇类物质为外加碳源时,NO2--N积累量几乎为零,且NO3--N去除率高达90%左右,显著地高于对照组（58.96%）;特别是以乙醇为外加碳源且C/N为3.0时,复合菌群对养殖废水的TN、NH4 -N和NO3--N去除率分别高达93.28%、98.90%和91.82%。虽然外加碳源短期内会引起水体CODMn含量大幅升高,但可被反硝化细菌迅速降解;此外,外加碳源还能改善水体pH值,经处理组净化后的水体pH值维持在7.5左右。试验结果表明,循环养殖废水水质净化过程中添加相应的碳源及并适当控制C/N比能显著改善池水水质,提高生物脱氮效率。     

水力停留时间对养殖污水固相反硝化处理效果的影响研究

为考察水力停留时间(HRT)对不同硝酸盐氮(NO3--N)浓度的养殖污水脱氮效果的影响,建立以聚己内酯(PCL)为碳源和生物膜载体的固相反硝化反应器,经历20 d培养,反应器成功启动。试验结果表明,当进水NO3--N浓度分别为100 mg/L以下、150 mg/L、200~300 mg/L时,反应器的最佳HRT分别为4、5.5和6 h,出水NO3--N浓度达到最低值,分别为17.9 mg/L、23.9 mg/L和34.1~47.4 mg/L,同时溶解性有机碳(DOC)没有大幅增加。反应器对氨氮(NH4+-N)亦有一定的去除效果,在反应器启动运行后,出水NH4+-N浓度明显下降,且在不同进水NO3--N及HRT下均稳定在5 mg/L左右,出水亚硝酸盐氮(NO2--N)一直维持在0.14 mg/L以下;同时,反应器对养殖污水中的溶氧(DO)和p H变化有一定抗性,缓冲能力较强。本研究对水产养殖脱氮的实验室研究和实际运行、管理具有参考意义。     

墨瑞鳕循环水养殖系统中不同生物膜反应器水处理效率及微生物群落对比分析

固定床生物膜反应器(fixed-bed biofilm bioreactor, FBBR)和移动床生物膜反应器(moving- bed biofilm reactor, MBBR)在养殖水体氨氮(NH4+-N)和亚硝酸氮(NO2–-N)污染控制中已有较为广泛的研究,然而相关研究大多是在实验室完成的,目前尚缺乏实际生产的循环水养殖系统(recirculating aquaculture system, RAS)中FBBR和MBBR水体净化效能的对比研究。因此,本研究将FBBR (弹性毛刷滤料)和MBBR (PVC多孔环滤料)并联接入实际生产的墨瑞鳕(Macculochella peeli) RAS中,实现二者的同步连续运行(35 d),考察了其出水水质变化和微生物群落结构。出水水质变化表明,FBBR和MBBR中氨氧化能力的形成快于亚硝氮氧化能力,硝化能力渐趋成熟,可以有效控制养殖水体中的NH4+-N和NO2–-N浓度,但会导致养殖水体中硝酸氮(NO3–-N)积累和pH下降;单因素方差分析表明,FBBR出水中NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N浓度和pH与MBBR出水无显著差异,两反应器的硝化效率相似。FBBR和MBBR在微生物群落上的相同点在于：优势菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria) (相对丰度分别为69.42%和86.92%),优势菌纲为γ-变形菌纲(γ-Proteobacteria) (40.71%和63.36%)和α-变形菌纲(α-Proteobacteria) (26.58%和21.74%),优势菌属为不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter) (27.50%和53.29%);硝化菌由亚硝化单胞菌属(Nitrosomonas)和硝化螺菌属(Nitrospira)构成;硝化螺菌属的相对丰度远高于亚硝化单胞菌属,两反应器中可能存在完全氨氧化菌。两反应器在微生物群落上的不同点在于FBBR微生物群落的丰富度和多样性以及硝化菌的相对丰度均高于MBBR。本研究可以为RAS养殖水体净化提供技术支撑,助推循环水养殖模式的推广应用。     

玉米芯强化生物反应器对罗非鱼循环养殖废水脱氮效果研究

研究了以玉米芯同时作为反硝化碳源和生物膜载体的人工强化生物反应器对罗非鱼(Oreochromis spp.)循环养殖废水的脱氮效果,并对新型反应器脱氮微生物多样性进行了分析。结果表明,实验室条件下,人工强化挂膜方式可明显缩短装置的启动时间,新型脱氮装置具有良好的脱氮效果,氨氮可从(8.00±2.22)mg·L~(-1)降至3.50 mg·L~(-1),硝酸盐可从(31.50±1.57)mg·L~(-1)降至0.5 mg·L~(-1),较好地实现了高溶氧养殖废水的同步硝化反硝化作用,总氮去除率达85%以上。微生物群落结构分析表明,人工富集培养的硝化菌和反硝化菌均较为成功,随着装置运行时间的延长,玉米芯表面生物膜菌群也随之发生变化,参与脱氮的硝化细菌菌属主要由亚硝酸螺菌属(Nitrosospira)、亚硝酸单胞菌属(Nitrosomonas)、亚硝酸球菌属(Nitrosococcus)3个属组成;丰度最大的反硝化菌属为产碱菌属(Alcaligenes)、副球菌属(Paracoccus)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)和脱氮硫杆菌(Thiobacillus denitrificans)。     

不同有机碳源及C/N对生物滤池净化效果的影响

利用生物滤池模拟装置,以实际养殖废水为处理对象,探讨了4种常见有机碳源(葡萄糖、乙醇、红糖和淀粉)及不同碳氮比对有机物去除、硝化反应和异养反硝化作用等生物滤池主要净化过程的影响.碳源初选结果显示,同种碳源下,当C/N从0升高至6过程中,生物滤池对TAN(总氨氮)的去除率呈先升高后降低趋势;当C/N较小时,各组对NO2--N的去除率差异性不显著(P＞0.05),随着C/N继续升高,NO2-N去除率则显著降低(P＜0.05);乙醇组除外,其他3组随着C/N升高,CODMn去除率先迅速增大然后趋于稳定;各组NO3-N和TN去除率呈先升高后降低趋势,且变化显著(P＜0.05),当C/N=4时,分别达到最高值.碳源复选结果显示,在C/N=4条件下,分别添加有机碳源(乙醇、淀粉、红糖和葡萄糖)的4组对TAN、NO3--N、TN和CODM的去除率显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);而对照组NO2--N的去除率最高,达到93.59％;添加乙醇,生物滤池对水体中TAN、NO2-N、NO3-N和TN的去除效果优于其他3种碳源.研究表明,当C/N=4时,乙醇作为外加碳源能很好地提高生物滤池的净化效率.     

水力停留时间对厌氧反应器脱氮效果的影响

本研究使用自主设计的厌氧反硝化器,以斜发沸石为填料,自然挂膜,与循环水养殖系统一级生物滤池串接,探索不同水力停留时间(HRT)下反应器的脱氮效果。结果显示,在实验过程中,反应器对无机氮(IN)、总氮(TN)均有较好的去除效果。在低水力停留时间(HRT7.43h)下,反应器主要去除的是氨氮(NH_4~+-N);高水力停留时间下(HRT≥7.43h),反应器主要去除的是硝酸盐氮(NO_3~–-N)。当HRT为17.52h时,反应器的脱氮效果最好,NO_3~–-N去除率为77.48%。此后,HRT延长,脱氮效果下降。脱氮效果越好,亚硝酸盐氮(NO_2~–-N)、NH_4~+-N积累越严重,NO_2~–-N最先开始积累。本研究可为厌氧反硝化装备的开发提供参考。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.