三沙湾表层沉积物中重金属赋存形态及环境风险评价

利用BCR四步分级提取法分析三沙湾表层沉积物中6种重金属(Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb)不同赋存形态的含量,阐述了重金属赋存形态与其环境因子关系,并采用次生相与原生相分布比法(RSP)和潜在生态危害指数法评价沉积物中重金属环境风险程度。结果表明,Pb主要以铁锰氧化物结合态为主,其他重金属以残渣态为主。重金属Co、Ni、Cu、Cr相互之间呈显著正相关,Pb与Zn呈显著正相关,有机碳与Co、Ni、Cu、Cr、Zn呈显著正相关。评价结果显示Pb总体表现为中度污染,具有中等环境风险,其他重金属为无污染到轻度污染,环境风险较低。     

燕尾港近岸海域表层沉积物重金属的分布与污染评价

测定了燕尾港近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属的含量,运用地累积指数就其污染程度进行了分析与评价。结果表明Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Ni、Mn的平均含量分别为20．2,264,54．0,1．52,69．8,38．8,35．7,684 mg/kg。Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As的平均含量低于国家海洋沉积物质量标准的二级标准值,重金属Cd的平均值高于国家海洋沉积物质量标准的二级标准值;地累积指数评价结果表明,Cd在调查海域污染程度重,7种重金属的污染程度依次为Cd＞ As＞ Pb＞Zn＞Cr＞Ni＞Cu。对结果进行主成分分析和聚类分析后发现,前2个主成分的贡献率分别为62．41％、12．52％,表明此海域表层沉积物中重金属的主要来源是工业废水和农业灌溉水的排放及大气沉降。     

马鞍列岛人工鱼礁修复海域沉积物重金属形态组成及垂直分布特征

为了解马鞍列岛人工鱼礁海域沉积物重金属形态组成及垂直分布特征,于2018年6月采集该海域附近柱状沉积物样品,通过测定柱状沉积物粒度组成,同时采用改进后沉积物重金属形态分析的连续提取法(European community bureau of reference, BCR)分析了7种重金属(Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As、Ni)各形态含量,并结合地累积指数法(Igeo)、相关性以及潜在生态危害指数等分析方法,探索了马鞍列岛海域沉积物中重金属的垂直分布特征及其来源。结果显示,柱状沉积物粒度组成(D [3,2])以细粉砂粒为主;柱状沉积物重金属的含量总体上随深度呈锯齿状波动,在0.5 m和2.0 m时达到极值;7种重金属总量均可满足我国海洋沉积物质量I类标准;重金属Cd以次生相为主,可交换态及碳酸盐结合态(F1)、Fe/Mn氧化物结合态(F2)及有机物及硫化物结合态(F3)3种形态百分组成基本相当,其余6种重金属均以残渣态为主要赋存形态;7种重金属有效态垂直变化趋势具有周期性和一致性;以惰性元素Ni作为参比,综合3种分析方法进行来源识别,结果显示,柱状沉积物中的重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As、Ni主要是自然沉积的结果,而Cd在个别深度存在污染累积,是否存在生态风险,还待进一步研究;后续可结合稳定同位素测年法,探索重金属含量及形态随年代的变化,进一步确定重金属污染的历史记录。研究表明,马鞍列岛附近海域重金属受人为因素影响较小,污染程度较低,可较准确地反映该海域沉积物重金属的本底值。     

东碇临时海洋倾倒区及邻近海域表层沉积物重金属污染及潜在生态风险评价

本文分析了2005—2015年其中4年东碇临时海洋倾倒区及邻近海域表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Hg、As共6种重金属含量及时空分布特征,并采用潜在生态风险指数对重金属污染现状及潜在生态风险进行评价。结果表明:历次调查重金属含量均较低,符合国家海洋沉积物质量一类标准;Cd、Cu的空间分布不均匀,其余4种重金属指标空间分布差异不大,在表层沉积物中,As、Pb、Zn富集程度相对较高,而Cu、Hg、Cd较低;东碇临时海洋倾倒区及邻近海域沉积物重金属综合潜在生态风险处于较低水平,风险排序为AsPbHgCdCuZn,其中As、Pb和Hg为主要潜在生态风险因子。     

秦皇岛近岸海水和沉积物中 重金属的含量分布及生态风险评价

对秦皇岛海域46个站位的海水和表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Hg、As的含量进行了分析。海水中Cu、Cd、As含量在第一类海水水质标准范围内波动,部分站位Pb、Zn、Hg含量超过第一类海水水质标准,符合第二类海水水质标准,调查海域北部海水重金属综合污染指数略高,各季节综合污染指数比较稳定,海水没有受到重金属污染。表层沉积物中重金属全部符合第一类海洋沉积物质量标准,重金属潜在生态危害指数高的区域主要位于戴河口以北的近岸海域,6种重金属潜在生态危害由大到小依次为Hg>Cd>As>Cu>Pb>Zn,调查海区表层沉积物没有受到重金属污染,多种重金属总的潜在生态危害程度低。     

夏季渤海中部表层沉积物重金属空间分布及污染评价

为了解渤海中部海域沉积物中重金属的污染状况,于2013年8月采集了渤海中部海域34个站点的表层沉积物,检测了Pb、Cd、Hg、Cu、Zn和As 6种重金属的含量,分析了Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn 4种重金属的空间分布特征,采用污染指数法和潜在生态风险评价法对其表层沉积物重金属污染状况进行评价。结果显示,渤海中部海域表层沉积物重金属含量较低,符合海洋沉积物质量(GB 18668-2002)Ⅰ类标准的要求。表层沉积物重金属的空间分布总体呈现由近岸向中心海域降低的趋势。Cu、Zn和Pb含量空间变化趋势比较明显,靠近渤海湾海域重金属含量高,离岸距离越远,重金属含量逐渐降低。Cd含量在靠近黄河入海海域最高,呈现自高值区向东西两边海域减小的趋势。各个站位的重金属单因子污染程度较轻,单因子污染系数均值大小顺序为PbCuZnAsCdHg;重金属综合污染指数都小于5,表现为低污染水平。除1号站位的Hg单因子潜在生态风险系数为54.44之外,其他站位表层沉积物Hg、As、Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd的单因子潜在生态风险系数Eir小于40,范围为0.39～38.80,风险程度由高到低依次为Hg、Cd、As、Pb、Cu和Zn;其综合潜在生态风险系数小于150,范围为16.39～79.57。其中,1号站位综合潜在生态风险系数最高达到79.57。研究表明,此海域属于低潜在生态风险水平,风险指数高值区出现在唐山大清河口海域。     

长江口邻近海域沉积物中V、Cr、Co、Ni的形态特征及潜在风险分析

为补充长江口邻近海域沉积物中V、Cr、Co、Ni分布研究的历史基础数据，为后续相关研究提供数据对比和参考，对2011年9月长江口邻近海域28个站位沉积物中重金属V、Cr、Co、Ni的分布特征、赋存形态、影响因素和潜在生态风险进行了分析。结果显示，沉积物中V、Cr、Co、Ni总含量在杭州湾北部(金山沿海)和舟山群岛附近(浙江省钱塘江入海口外)有两个明显的高值区。形态分析表明，各重金属主要以残渣态存在，其中V和Cr的活性形态远小于残渣态。各金属元素活性形态的高值区出现在北部近岸和南部外海，其在北部海域有随离岸距离的增加而显著降低的趋势，而在南部海域变化不明显，说明这些金属活性形态受陆源和海源共同影响。各金属的有机结合态和残渣态呈现出随离岸距离的增加而降低的趋势，表现为陆源属性；而碳酸盐和铁锰氧化物结合态在外海海域含量相对较高，表现为海源属性。V和Co的活性形态以碳酸盐结合态为主，易受酸碱度的影响；而Cr和Ni的活性形态以铁锰氧化物结合态为主，易受氧化还原条件的影响。富集因子评价结果表明，沉积物中各金属元素基本没有富集。次生相与原生相分布比值法评价可知，V、Cr为无污染，Ni为基本无污染，C...     

南四湖表层沉积物重金属的空间分布、来源及污染评价

为研究南四湖表层沉积物中重金属含量、分布与污染特征,采集了29个表层沉积物站点并测定了8种重金属含量。采用主成分、相关分析、聚类分析法分析了重金属来源,同时运用地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法综合评价了南四湖沉积物中重金属的污染现状和潜在生态风险。结果表明,（1）南四湖表层沉积物中,As、Hg、Pb、Cr、Cd、Cu、Zn、Ni的平均含量分别为14.41、0.048、25.69、71.10、0.22、30.14、87.55、35.33mg/kg,其中As、Hg、Pb、Cd均超过环境背景值,在空间上表现出上级湖高,下级湖低的分布特征;（2）相关性分析、主成分以及聚类分析显示,Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni具有同源性,为自然源元素;As和Cr具有同源性,为人为源元素;Hg元素主要来源与其他几种重金属不同,受自然地质背景与人类活动的双重影响。③地累积指数法评价结果表明,南四湖沉积物重金属元素的污染程度：Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cr＞Zn＞Ni＞Cu,Hg、Cd、As、Pb已处于无污染-中度污染程度,而其它元素无污染。④潜在生态指数法研究结果表明,南四湖表层沉积物单项重金属生态风险程度顺序为：Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Ni＞Cu＞Zn＞Cr,Hg、Cd具有较高的生态风险等级,为主要的生态风险贡献因子,其它7种重金属元素均为低生态风险等级。综合分析可见,Hg、Cd、As、Pb为南四湖表层沉积物主要重金属污染元素,各湖区沉积物污染程度由高至低依次为：南阳湖＞独山湖＞微山湖＞昭阳湖。     

辽东湾北部近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属生态效应与潜在生态风险

为查明辽东湾北部近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属Cd、Hg、As、Cu、Pb和Zn的含量特征、生态效应与潜在生态风险,2017年8月对辽东湾北部近岸海域进行了1个航次的现场调查。调查结果显示,重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Hg和As含量平均值分别为25.80、21.83、80.91、0.28、0.06和12.72mg/kg。生态效应评价显示,有7个站位的As含量位于效应浓度低值(ERL)与效应浓度中值(ERM)之间,只是偶尔会产生不利的生态效应,所有站位的Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd和Hg含量均低于ERL,几乎不会产生不利的生态效应。潜在生态风险分析结果显示,辽东湾北部近岸海域表层沉积物中,Cd、Hg和As的潜在生态风险系数较高,Cu、Pb和Zn的潜在生态风险系数相对较低,辽东湾北部近岸距离河口较近的海域是潜在生态风险较大区域。     

唐山附近海域春季表层沉积物重金属含量年际变化及污染评价

根据2006-2015年4个航次对唐山附近海域共70个采样站位的表层沉积物调查资料,分析了沉积物中Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Zn和As 7种重金属的含量和年际变化特征,并利用超标率统计法、地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对其污染状况进行了评价.结果显示,调查海域表层沉积物中重金属含量总体水平较低,除个别站位的Cu和As超过第Ⅰ类标准值外,其他调查站位的重金属含量均符合第Ⅰ类标准.2006-2015年调查海域表层沉积物中7种重金属含量的年际变化略有不同,其中,Cu、Pb、Cd和Zn4种重金属含量相对比较稳定,Hg和Cr的含量表现为先升高后降低的趋势,而As的变化趋势不明显.地累积指数法评价结果显示,7种重金属的地累积指数(Igeo)多年平均值为Hg＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞As＞Cr＞Zn;而潜在生态风险评价结果显示,7种重金属的潜在生态风险系数(Eri)多年平均值为Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Cr＞Zn;两种污染评价结果一致,均显示Hg是唐山附近海域表层沉积物的主要污染因子,潜在生态风险最大.综合潜在风险指数(RJ)年际变化范围为44.26-153.18,平均值为89.92,属于低生态风险水平;RI年际变化基本表现为先升高后降低的趋势,表明近年来调查海域表层沉积物重金属的污染状况有所改善.     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.