珠江口表层沉积物中重金属污染及生态风险评价

研究珠江口表层沉积物中重金属的污染现状,为珠江口海域的生态环境保护提供科学依据。2015年1月和4月对珠江口水域18个采样站位进行了2次取样调查,测定了表层沉积物中6种重金属(Cr、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni)含量,采用污染指数法、地质累积指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对重金属污染水平及潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果显示,珠江口表层沉积物中Cr、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn的平均含量分别为114.70、0.80、58.73、80.01、191.57 mg/kg,均高于国家标准(GB 18668-2002)第一类沉积物质量标准限值,但未超过第二类标准值;Ni的平均含量为51.89 mg/kg。6种重金属的含量变化趋势基本一致,由北向南逐渐降低,西部站位的含量高于东部站位。评价结果显示,本次研究区域的沉积物环境已经受到一定程度的污染,其中Cd是目前珠江口表层沉积物中污染较严重的重金属污染物。     

东山湾巴非蛤养殖区海水、沉积物重金属的含量分布与潜在生态危害评价

2003年5月、8月和10月对东山湾巴非蛤养殖区环境状况进行调查,根据调查资料,分析了巴非蛤养殖区海水、表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的含量分布,并进行生态环境质量评价及潜在生态危害评价.结果表明:东山湾巴非蛤养殖区海水中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的平均含量分别为1.75 μg.L-1,1.69 μg.L-1,0.02 μg.L-1,2.84 μg.L-1,其季节变化从高到低依次为10月＞8月＞5月;沉积物中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的平均含量分别为14.0 mg.kg-1、34.8 mg.kg-1、0.031 mg.kg-1、97.5 mg.kg-1.生态质量评价结果表明,养殖区海水重金属的含量符合第二类海水水质标准要求,处于清洁水平.养殖区沉积物重金属的含量符合第一类海洋沉积物质量标准,属于较清洁水平.生态危害评价表明,Pb和Cd的潜在生态危害系数大于Cu和Zn,但整个养殖区沉积物中重金属的潜在危害属于轻微,养殖环境良好.     

福建安海湾五种重金属和砷在不同介质中的分布特征研究

据2014年5月和8月福建安海湾9个站位的调查资料,分析海水、水中悬浮物和表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Hg等5种重金属和类金属As的含量及分布特征,用单因子指数法、潜在生态危害评价法评价湾内重金属污染程度。结果表明,海水分布从湾顶往湾内和湾口逐渐降低,以湾顶值最高;水中悬浮物Cu、Pb、Zn、As、Hg含量以AH5站最高,Cd含量以AH6站最高,并向周边逐渐降低;表层沉积物含量从AH5站向湾内及湾口逐渐降低。部分站位海水和沉积物中Cu、Zn含量相对偏高,Pb、Cd、As、Hg含量均符合海水及沉积物质量标准的第一类要求。安海湾海域不同介质中悬浮物的含量最高,表层沉积物次之,海水的含量最低。水中悬浮物8月含量潜在生态危害程度远大于5月,以AH5站的潜在生态危害程度最强,主要潜在生态危害元素为Cd和Hg;表层沉积物以AH1、AH5站的潜在生态危害程度稍强,主要潜在生态危害元素为Cd,Hg次之。安海湾海域环境受到不同程度的重金属污染,陆源重金属污染物排放成为主要来源,本研究为安海湾海域生态环境防治提供科学依据。     

阿哈水库柱状沉积物中重金属分布特征及潜在生态危害风险评价

阿哈水库是贵阳市重要的饮用水源地,及时掌握其沉积物中重金属的污染现状和存在的潜在生态风险具有非常重要的现实意义。本文对阿哈水库库区4个采样点的柱状沉积物中重金属铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)、铬(Cr)、镍(Ni)6种毒性重金属进行了检测分析。结果表明,6种重金属含量在空间分布上有显著差异。在水平方向上,库心沉积物中的Cu、Cr和Pb含量最高,南郊水厂取水口的Zn和Cd含量最高,金钟河和游鱼河入库口沉积物中的6种重金属含量都相对较低。垂直方向上,南郊水厂取水口和库中心这两个采样点中Cr、Pb、Cu、Ni、Zn、Cd6种重金属峰值均出现在10-15 cm处。Zn、Cu和Pb平均含量都超过背景值,Cd富集系数最高,污染最严重。同时,潜在生态风险评价结果显示,水库沉积物重金属潜在生态危害风险从大到小依次为Cd,Cu,Pb,Ni,Zn,Cr,Cd是生态风险贡献因子,阿哈水库沉积物重金属总体上还是存在轻微的生态危害风险及处于轻微的污染状态。     

乳山湾沉积物重金属污染及其生态危害评价

根据2003年对乳山湾东湾表层沉积物中重金属调查结果，对重金属含量分布及富集特征进行分析，并采用瑞典科学家Hakanson提出的潜在生态危害指数法对其生态危害程度进行评价。结果表明，乳山湾沉积物中的重金属含量，除5月的Hg、As平均含量略低于8月外，其他重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd)平均含量5月高于8月。在表层沉积物中Cd的富集程度最大，除5月1号测站外，污染指数超过1．0。水平分布除Cd为湾口处含量较低外，其他重金属基本呈湾口和湾底含量较高的分布趋势。单个重金属潜在危害系数表明，Cd的E值大于其他重金属的E；值，其他重金属的E值均小于Hakanson所提出的沉积物重金属生态危害程度的轻微危害程度的划分标准，表明重金属对乳山湾生态环境具有潜在影响的元素主要是Cd，污染程度由高到低依次为Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Cu、Zn。与历史同期调查相比，表层沉积物中Cd含量升高幅度最大。从多个重金属的潜在生态危害指数看，两次RI调查均值小于150，属于轻微的生态危害。     

阿哈水库沉积物中重金属分布特征及潜在生态风险评价

研究阿哈水库沉积物中重金属空间分布特征和污染现状,评价潜在生态风险,为重金属污染防治提供参考依据和理论基础。2016年12月,在阿哈水库设置4个采样点,每个采样点采集20cm柱状沉积物,按5cm分层取样,检测分析铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)、铬(Cr)、镍(Ni)6种毒性重金属,用潜在生态危害指数法评价生态风险。结果表明,6种重金属含量在空间分布上有显著差异。水平方向,沉积物中Cu、Cr和Pb含量库心最高,Zn和Cd含量南郊水厂取水口最高,沉积物中的6种重金属含量在金钟河和游鱼河入库口都相对较低。垂直方向上,南郊水厂取水口和库心采样点Cr、Pb、Cu、Ni、Zn、Cd 6种重金属峰值均出现在10~15cm处。Zn、Cu和Pb平均含量都超过背景值,Cd富集系数最高,污染最严重。潜在生态风险评价结果显示,水库沉积物重金属潜在生态危害指数从大到小依次为Cd、Cu、Pb、Ni、Zn、Cr,Cd是生态风险主要贡献因子。阿哈水库沉积物重金属总体上存在轻微的生态风险及处于轻微的污染状态,南郊水厂取水口较高的生态风险应当引起足够的重视。     

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。     

双岛湾人工鱼礁区表层沉积物重金属的分布特征及污染评价

根据2012年3月、5月、8月、11月表层沉积物调查资料,分析了双岛湾附近人工鱼礁区表层沉积物重金属的分布特征,采用潜在生态风险评价法对重金属的生态危害进行了评价。结果表明:(1)研究海域表层沉积物中重金属含量较低,全部测站Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Hg、As的含量符合《海洋沉积物质量》(GB 18668-2002)Ⅰ类标准;(2)表层沉积物中重金属的分布较为规律,除Hg含量站间差异不明显外,鱼礁区内站点的Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、As重金属含量低于周边海域;(3)表层沉积物中重金属含量的月际变化比较明显,以8月最高、3月最低;(4)双岛湾附近海域重金属污染程度为低级,且总体潜在生态危害属轻微水平。     

2008年珠江口表层沉积物重金属含量及生态危害评价

2008年5、8月针对珠江口表层沉积物重金属的空间分布、相关性、超标倍数和超标率等进行了研究,并采用综合污染指数法和Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法对其污染特征和生态危害进行了评价。结果显示:研究期间珠江口表层沉积物中重金属Cu为63.2 mg/kg、Zn为261.0 mg/kg、Pb为96.7 mg/kg、Cd为6.7 mg/kg、Cr为167.4 mg/kg。同一口门5种重金属相关极显著(P<0.01);每种重金属含量在各口门间相关极显著,表明其具有较强的同源性。珠江口水域重金含量表现出整体的超标现象,超标率均不低于87.5%,Cd超标倍数最大。综合污染指数法评价显示,重金属污染处重度水平,潜在生态危害指数法显示,重金属潜在生态危害处于较严重水平;Cd对污染和潜在生态危害贡献率最大。     

深沪湾海水、沉积物及贝类体内重金属的含量与评价

利用1998年5月和9月深沪湾海域环境调查资料，着重分析了深炉湾海水、表层沉积物及褶牡蛎和菲律宾蛤仔体内重金属的含量及分布，结果表明：深沪湾海水中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn、Hg等含量均低于渔业水质标准，而表层沉积物的Pb、Zn含量大部分已超标，近岸水域海水和表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的含量明显高于湾中心水域，湾顶水域高于湾口水域。Hg的含量是湾南部水域高于北部水域。文中还根据全国海岸带污染综合调查专业组制定的海洋生物污染评价标准，对2种贝类的重金属污染程度进行评价，结果深沪湾的养殖贝类体内的重金属含量均未超标。     

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.