洞庭湖氮磷时空分布及形态组成特征

为探究洞庭湖水体营养盐形态结构与时空分布特征,分别于2014年8月(丰水期)和2015年1月(枯水期)在入湖河流、湖体、出湖口设置16个代表性断面采集水样,分析了氮、磷营养盐的特征指标。结果表明:1洞庭湖水体中,总氮(TN)含量为1.60~3.65 mg/L,平均值2.25 mg/L,总磷(TP)含量为0.060~0.359 mg/L,平均值0.138 mg/L;颗粒态总氮(TPN)含量为0.07~1.39 mg/L,平均值0.25 mg/L,颗粒态总磷(TPP)含量为0.003~0.172 mg/L,平均值0.05 mg/L;2时空分布上,水体中氮、磷含量整体表现为丰水期高于枯水期,出湖口最高,东洞庭湖高于西、南洞庭湖,入湖河流差异大的特征,颗粒态氮磷呈现自西向东呈逐渐增加趋势,与悬浮物(SS)的空间分布一致;3形态组成上,洞庭湖水体中氮磷以溶解态为主(TDN/TN为88.0%、TDP/TP为66.7%),三峡工程2003年蓄水前后,洞庭湖磷营养盐形态组成发生了大的变化,由以颗粒态磷为主(TDP/TP 20.0%~35.6%)转变为以溶解态为主,而氮营养盐形态组成基本未变;4营养结构上,洞庭湖大多数断面TN/TP在10~22,且氮、磷浓度远高于水体富营养的限制阈值,比较适宜藻类生长。相关分析显示,洞庭湖TN、TP、TDN、TDP均与Chl-a相关性不显著,因此认为洞庭湖氮、磷营养盐对藻类生长的限制作用不明显。     

东洞庭湖水生态健康状况分析

一、东洞庭湖水生态健康状况 1.水质状况：根据洞庭湖多年水质监测数据分析，洞庭湖水体主要污染因子为TP、TN，参照GB3838-2002五类水质标准，采用水质单因子评价，洞庭湖水质类别取决于TP、TN含量。表1为2003-2008年东洞庭湖水质TP、TN含量及水质评价类别。由表1知，近几年TN浓度基本维持在1.40mg／L左右，     

阳澄西湖及其入湖港口的水质评价与分析

为了探明阳澄西湖湖区及其入湖港口的水质现状,为其后续水环境治理提供参考,选取湖区6个位点和4个港口,于2016年5月至2017年3月监测其水质,逢单月月初采样;监测的水质参数包括水深(H)、酸碱度(pH)、溶解氧(DO)、透明度(SD)、悬浮物(TSS)、总氮(TN)、氨氮(NH~+_4-N)、亚硝酸盐氮(NO~-_2-N)、总磷(TP)、活性磷酸盐(PO■-P)、叶绿素a (Chl-a)、高锰酸盐指数(COD_(Mn))、总有机碳(TOC)。运用主成分分析法探讨了水体主要污染因子,采用皮尔逊相关性分析法探究湖区TN、TP对Chl-a浓度的影响。结果显示,阳澄西湖水质综合营养状态指数年均值为57.9,主要水质参数的时空分布表现为枯水期(5-7月)优于丰水期(11-1月),湖区优于入湖港口,北部优于南部。湖区TN和TP年均值为2.63 mg/L和0.217 mg/L,Chl-a年均值为21.74μg/L,且以9月最低。主成分分析显示,NH~+_4-N、NO~-_2-N、PO■-P、TP、TN是湖区水质主要的污染因子,TP、NH~+_4-N、NO~-_2-N、TN是港口水质的主要污染因子。皮尔逊相关性分析显示,阳澄西湖的Chl-a浓度与TN呈正相关(P0.01),与TP的相关性不显著(P0.05),且相关系数为负值。研究表明,阳澄西湖的Chl-a对营养物质的响应不灵敏,后续治理中需加强对外源氮磷的拦截。     

洞庭湖表层沉积物营养盐和重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

为探究洞庭湖表层沉积物中营养盐和重金属的空间分布特征与生态风险,2012年2月和2013年4月在东、南、西洞庭湖各取3个共计9个具有代表性样点的表层沉积物,测定其有机质（OM）、总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）、镉（Cd）、汞（Hg）、砷（As）、铅（Pb）和铬（Cr）的含量。结果表明,洞庭湖表层沉积物中 OM、TN 和 TP 的含量分别为1．48％～4．22％、382～2217 mg／kg 和142～716 mg／kg,与国内其他湖泊（水库）相比,OM和 TN 含量处于中等水平;OM和 TN 的空间分布相似,表现为南洞庭湖区＞东洞庭湖区＞西洞庭湖区,TP 表现为东洞庭湖区＞西洞庭湖区＞南洞庭湖区。洞庭湖表层沉积物中,Cd、Hg、As、Pb 和 Cr 的含量分别为0.60～20．70 mg／kg、0.090～0．640 mg／kg、10．4～83．7 mg／kg、16．9～95．8 mg／kg 和59．0～199．0 mg／kg,其中 Cd 和 As 超过土壤环境质量三级标准,是主要的重金属污染物;Cd 和 Hg 的空间分布相似,表现为南洞庭湖区＞西洞庭湖区＞东洞庭湖区;As、Pb 和 Cr 的空间分布相似,表现为南洞庭湖区＞东洞庭湖区＞西洞庭湖区。初步评价结果显示,除 TP 外,其余营养盐和重金属均具有引起较低生态风险的可能性,横岭湖和虞公庙的 Cd、As 和 Cr 以及洞庭湖出口的 Cr 具有引起较高生态风险的可能性;受 Cd 和 As 含量较高的影响,南洞庭湖区具有较高的生态风险。     

汉丰湖富营养化综合评价与水环境容量分析

2012、2013年季节性监测了汉丰湖水体理化指标,采用综合营养状态指数法对其富营养化状态进行了评价,采用沃伦威德尔模型(Vollenweider)和狄龙模型(Dillon)计算了化学需氧量、总氮、总磷的水环境容量。结果表明:汉丰湖水质总体处于地表水Ⅱ类~Ⅳ类标准,TN 0.76~2.24 mg/L、平均1.41 mg/L,NH3-N 0.17~0.95 mg/L、平均0.41 mg/L,TP 0.010~0.106 mg/L、平均0.069 mg/L,CODMn2.34~14.60 mg/L、平均4.22 mg/L。东河区域水质优于小江干流、南河区域,秋季污染程度最轻;汉丰湖水体营养状态介于中营养到轻度富营养型,其中南河区域的营养程度相对较高;从单个评价因子看,总氮的营养状态最高,持续处于轻度、中度至重度富营养状态。汉丰湖化学需氧量、总氮、总磷水环境容量分别为37 335、109.1和1 643.84 t/a,为达到汉丰湖水功能区划Ⅱ类水的管理目标,总氮、总磷削减率分别为38%和56%。     

典型湖泊边缘区丰水期营养状态及其影响因子研究—以蚌湖为例

为探讨影响典型湖泊边缘区藻类生长的主要水质因子,于2011年7月测定了蚌湖的叶绿素a含量,并对其分布特征及相关性进行分析。结果表明,叶绿素a(Chl.a)浓度的变化范围为0.55～1.56mg/m3,表现出一定的空间差异性,以入湖口处和湖尾区最大。总氮(TN)为0.699～2.596mg/L,以湖尾区最高;总磷(TP)浓度整体较低,最大值仅为0.0318mg/L;N/P浓度比均大于30,表明蚌湖为磷限制性湖泊。根据修正的卡尔森营养状态指数,丰水期蚌湖均处于贫-中营养水平,其中湖尾区条件最适宜藻类繁殖。由相关性分析结果可知,TN、TP、pH、COD和NO-3-N为藻类生长的主要影响因子;其中,Chl.a含量与COD呈显著正相关,一定浓度范围内的COD增长会促进藻类生长繁殖;不同于国内大多数淡水湖泊,Chl.a含量与pH值呈显著负相关,主要原因是蚌湖水体碱度较高,大部分区域pH值超过了藻类生长的最适范围。     

河蟹池塘生态养殖对水环境的影响

为了评价整个河蟹养殖周期对水环境的影响,于2019年5—11月在上海宝山某水产养殖专业合作社对4个典型河蟹养殖池塘和引水水源进行了1个养殖周期内4个阶段的水质监测。结果表明:(1)水源水主要超标项目为总氮(TN),平均值高达2.79 mg/L,说明引水水质氮超标较严重;池塘水主要表现为总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和高锰酸钾指数(COD_(Mn))超标,平均值分别为2.29、0.24和8.71 mg/L,说明池塘水除了N、P超标,也存在有机污染;(2)池塘组养殖初期水质指标超标个数和超标倍数均较高,此阶段水质最差;养殖末期水体中N、P指标及COD_(Mn)均低于初期,TN从(5.93±0.03)mg/L降低到(1.53±0.01)mg/L,TP从(0.33±0.00)mg/L降低到(0.13±0.00)mg/L,已优于地表水Ⅲ类标准,因此河蟹生态养殖不会对周围水环境造成N、P污染;而COD_(Mn)虽从(9.54±0.11)mg/L降低到(8.28±0.09)mg/L,但仍远高于地表水Ⅲ类标准,因此,养殖尾水如不进行处理直接排放,可能会造成水体有机污染。     

组合湿地系统对养殖尾水的净化效果

利用组合湿地系统对湖区池塘养殖尾水进行净化,以实现水体循环再利用,减少对周围水环境的污染。组合湿地系统由3个莲藕净化塘、1个生态沟渠和1个人工湿地组成,面积分别为2.1 hm2、1.47 hm2和0.52 hm2,其中净化塘莲藕的覆盖度分别为0%、30%、60%。沿程采样测定水化学指标。结果显示,组合系统能够有效降低养殖尾水中的总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、氨氮(NH4+-N)和化学耗氧量(COD)等指标。TN、TP由初始值1.3 mg/L、0.76 mg/L降到0.4 mg/L、0.09 mg/L,去除率分别为41.5%、77.5%;NH4+-N、COD由初始值0.27 mg/L、42 mg/L降到0.06 mg/L、27 mg/L,去除率分别为77.7%、35%。研究表明,该组合湿地系统能有效净化养殖尾水,实现水体循环再利用,可有效缓解南四湖的入湖污染负荷。     

洞庭湖水系水沙特性及参数间的相关性研究

研究洞庭湖水文泥沙参数间的相关性,分析泥沙的冲於演变规律,为正确评价洞庭湖的淤积特性和江湖淤积的有效治理提供理论支撑。基于湘潭站等9座重要水文站2002-2016年间的水文泥沙监测资料,系统梳理洞庭湖水系的水沙特性及水文泥沙参数间的相关性。研究表明:松滋西河、澧水和洞庭湖2016年的年径流量相比2002年增大0.3%～16.2%,其他河道降低2.9%～34.2%;资水的泥沙中值粒径2002-2016年降低57.1%,其他河道增大26.7%～300%;资水和洞庭湖2016年的年均含沙量、年输沙量相比2002年分别增大21.5%～22.2%、5.7%～40.6%,其他河道分别降低13.6%～82.9%、6.7%～88.8%;参数间相关性由强到弱排序为年均含沙量-年输沙量、年径流量-年输沙量、年径流量-年均含沙量、年均含沙量-中值粒径、年输沙量-中值粒径、年径流量-中值粒径;东、南洞庭湖入湖泥沙量和淤积量在时序上分别下降29.9%、144.73%,出湖泥沙量、排沙比分别增大55.72%、113.7%;西洞庭湖入湖泥沙量、出湖泥沙量、淤积量、排沙比在时序上降低24.06%～88.24%。三峡水库蓄水拦沙的作用降低了洞庭湖的入湖沙量、淤积量,增大了排沙量和排沙比,有利于洞庭湖寿命的延长。     

淮河干流水环境质量时空变化特征及污染趋势分析

研究淮河水质时空变化趋势,为淮河生态环境保护提供科学依据。选取1999-2019年淮河干流9个典型断面长序列水质数据,采用单因子评价法和综合污染指数法,对20年来淮河干流水环境质量进行评价,同时运用spearman秩相关系数法、Mann-Kendall检验法研究淮河水质及主要污染因子变化趋势和突变特征。结果表明：Ⅰ～Ⅲ类水质断面比例总体呈上升趋势,1999年劣Ⅴ类水质断面占44.4%,2007年后无Ⅴ类、劣Ⅴ类水质断面;综合污染指数从1999年的1.35逐步下降至2019年的0.42;氨氮、化学需氧量、高锰酸盐指数和五日生化需氧量浓度均呈显著下降趋势,总磷浓度呈显著上升趋势;非汛期总磷浓度变化稳定,汛期总磷浓度显著上升;淮南大沟涧、吴家渡断面水质相对较差、年际变化幅度大,老坝头断面水质较好、年际变化幅度较小。淮河干流主要污染因子发生结构性转变,由氨氮、化学需氧量、高锰酸盐指数逐渐转变为总磷,说明流域面源污染特征逐步显现,农业面源污染的控制已成为改善淮河流域水环境的重要任务。     

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.