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Thesis record
Marine PollutionBulletin
Edited by D. V. Ellis Marine Pollution Bulletin will publish records of university theses relevant to marine pollution in the format shown below. Theses can be from any relevant discipline such as Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Medicine, Economics, etc. Contributions should be 50-100 word descriptions of thesis content, with emphasis on the marine pollution aspects. They should be sent to the Thesis Record editor (Dr. D. V. Ellis, Biology Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., Canada V8W 2Y2), with a copy of the officially endorsed thesis title page and abstract. Copy of a title page alone may be submitted (by any interested person) in which case the record will consist of author, year, title, degree, university and supervisor. Contributions should be for theses accepted for M.Sc. or Ph.D. degrees during the past five years, although in exceptional circumstances a contribution recording an older thesis will be accepted for publication.
GHAFFAR, M. 1988. The ultrastructural localization of trace metals in Littorina littorea (L). (Gastropoda: Prosbranchia) collected from the Tees estuary. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). The ultrastructural organization of the cytoplasmic granules in the stomach epithelium and ctenidium cell of Littorina littorea (L) is described. Tissues were compared from animals collected from polluted (Tees Estuary) and clean sites (Cullercoats Bay). The majority of granules were usually compartmentalized within membrane delineated vesicles. X-ray elemental microanalysis of these granules is also described. It has been shown that granules in the stomach epithelium have ligands which facilitate the binding of iron while ctenidium epithelial cells have ligands (possibly sulphur) responsible for binding copper. Both ligands in the stomach and ctenidial cells appear to be responsible for preventing the interaction of other metal pollutants such as chromium, vanadium, nickel etc. with cellular processes. The value of identification and analysis of intracellular granules in Littorina as metal indicators in the marine environment is discussed. Correspondence to: Mr M Ghaffar, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, LockedBag No. 62, Sabah, Malaysia.
GoH, B. 1988. The development of a marine bioassay for the oil dispersant Corexit 9527 using the algal/ coelenterate symbiosis. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). The effect of three concentrations of the oil dispersant Corexit 9527 on the symbiotic zooxanthellae within the temperate anemone Anemonia viridis was studied. The mitotic index and percentage of degenerate zooxanthellae cells within the host anemone increased with increasing concentrations of the dispersant. Statistically significant increases in the percentage of degenerate cells were obtained from the lowest treatment concentration, 10 ppm after 24 h. The mitotic index increased significantly from 20 ppm Corexit 9527 after 24 h. The number of zooxanthellae 570
cells expelled from the anemone also increased with treatment concentrations. Significant treatment effects were observed at dispersant concentrations of 20 ppm and 40 ppm, 36 h after the start of the bioassay. Centrifugation yielded a more accurate and realistic estimate of the number of zooxanthellae expelled compared with estimation of algal numbers from subsamples. The most sensitive indicator of stress after exposure to Corexit 9527 in this study was the percentage of degenerate zooxanthellae cells. Number of expelled zooxanthellae cells was also a useful parameter but was not as sensitive as the former test. Correspondence to: Miss B. Goh, Department of Zoology, National Universityof Singapore,LowerKent Ridge Road, Singapore0511.
KUMAR, A. 1988. The suitability of tropical marine bivalves and corals as indicators of heavy metals. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). With the growing dependence on the ocean for food and other resources and increasing pollution there is an immediate necessity to identify indicator organisms to evaluate the levels of pollution in coastal regions, especially in the tropics where very little work has been done on indicator organisms. In this study two filter feeding tropical species Saccostrea cucullata and lsognomon isognomon, are considered in conjunction with a massive coral Porites lutea to be used as indicator organisms for metal pollution. The site considered here has been subjected to high levels of metal from dredging and smelting activities for the past 18 years. Both the filter feeding organisms seem to have the potential to be used as indicator species and necessary areas for further research have been identified. Iron bands in massive corals have been observed by previous workers from these locations. As it is not known how the coral incorporates metals in the skeleton, an attempt has been made here to study the pattern and location of iron incorporation in the skeleton. It was observed that iron is in the form of coatings on the aragonite lattice as oxides and oxyhydroxides in the banded and non banded sections. Very little iron was found to be associated with carbonate fraction (aragonite lattice) or the organic fraction (organic matrix) suggesting that a negligible amount of iron is incorporated in the coral skeleton as a result of direct uptake by the tissue. Correspondence to: Mr A. Kumar, Chemical Oceanography Division, National Instituteof Oceanography.Dona Paula. Goa 403004, India. NGANRO, N. 1988. The development of a marine bioassay to assess the effects of stress in coelenterates. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). The present study, using a temperate analogue Anernonia viridis, has shown that cellular responses may be quantified and that the technique may have potential for studying the effect of perturbations on reef-building corals. This study shows that the effect of increasing concentations of Corexit 9527 was an increased production of mucus cells by the anemones. Results of histological work viewed under T E M were rupture of membrane structure of tissue and mucus
Volume 22/Number 11/November 1991
cells at 40 ppm Corexit; the appearance of tissues of the animal exposed to 10 and 20 ppm of Corexit could not be distinguished from the control, while the response of mucus cell numbers was significantly different. Behavioural responses of the anemone showed tentacle retraction in all doses of Corexit during 24 h exposure; mesenterial filament extrusion was obvious only at 40 ppm. A comparison of the two bioassay techniques conducted in this study would suggest that mucus cell responses were a more sensitive and accurate parameter than tentacle retraction for measuring environmental stress in coelenterates. Correspondence to: Mr N. Nganro, Jl Bungursari IV, Blok C35, Bumi Asri-Padasuka, Bandung, Indonesia.
GILKES, L. 1989. Comparison of the health of the flounder, Platichthysflesus (L.) at three estuarine sites in North-east England. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. N. V. C. Polunin). The monitoring of pollution-associated environmental stress in fish is reviewed. One species of fish which has shown to be particularly useful in the context of estuarine water quality assessment is the flounder, Platichthys flesus (L.). The health of the flounder, Platichthys flesus, from the Tyne, Wear and Tees estuaries was investigated. The parameters used to assess health were 1. body condition (length-weight, gonad weight-body weight and liver weight-body weight relationships), 2. biochemical (blood enzyme and steroid levels) and 3. incidence of external disease (e.g. lymphocystis, ulcers). Some of the health parameters studied (length-weight relationship, liver weight-body weight relationship and lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphotase levels) indicated a difference in the health of flounder from the three estuaries, but there were no specific trends indicating that the health of flounder from one particular estuary was obviously better, or worse, than flounder from the other estuaries. The inconclusiveness of the results is discussed in the context of the investigation and other factors, and possibilities for future research developing the methods employed in this study are suggested. The value of long-term investigations into the health of the flounder in the Tyne, Wear and Tees is emphasized. Correspondence to: Miss L. Gilkes, ICLARM, South Pacific Office, P.O. Box 438, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
HARTOKO, A. 1989. Effects of plant species and agrochemicals on carbon dynamics in mangrove leaf-detrital microcosms. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. N. V. C. Polunin). The decomposition rate and the partitioning of organic carbon in 11 species of mangrove leaf-litter from Papua New Guinea were compared with an identical microcosm. The main elements of interest are organic carbon as major representative of organic matter. The pattern of mineralization of complex organic carbon by microbial biodegradation activity was measured on particulate and dissolved organic carbon due to leaching of water soluble components. The biological fate of the organic carbon during decomposition process was also measured by the
changes of C/N ratio. The effect of common agrochemicals (pesticide and fertilizer) on the decomposition characteristic of three selected species was also examined. Decomposition process of leaf-litter was set in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask onto automatic shaker with artificial seawater and mangrove sediment as microcosms in a constant temperature room. Particulate organic carbon and nitrogen dissolved organic carbon was analysed using a Dohrman DC-80 organic carbon analyser (infrared spectrophotometry). There were no clear differences in the carbon content among 11 species, but there was a clear difference in the C/N ratio in the original leaf-litter as well as during the decomposition process. The average C/N ratio in day 1 was 92.93 then decreased to 88.34 on day 5, 84.22 on day 15 and 78.50 on day 25. There were no significant differences in POC (%) among 11 species but they varied significantly with time difference. The average DOC on day 5 was 9.58%, 7.28% on day 15 and 6.78% on day 25. The average POC among 11 species during the decomposition process was 58.20%, 7.88% DOC and 33.91% as CO 2. DOC (mg/1) in pesticide treated samples were significantly higher than those in nutrient (fertilizer) treated as well as in control samples. Anaerobic gram positive micrococcus, gram negative rod-bacillus and filamentous bacteria were three types of cellulolytic bacteria and two major celluloytic fungi Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp had been identified in playing an important role in the microbial biodegradation process. Correspondence to: Mr A. Hartoko, LPWP, University of Dipononegoro, Jalan Pantai Kartini, Jepara, Indonesia.
McCuE, J. 1989. The use and potential use of geographical information systems (GIS) in coastal zone management. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. A. J. Edwards). The use and potential use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in disparate coastal management issues are investigated, both for the developed and the developing world. The use and cost effectiveness of GIS in the Caister Sea Wall Study, carried out by consulting engineers Posford Duvivier of Peterborough is presented as a case study. The capability of a GIS to be used in coastal resource management is highlighted, outlining particular areas of potential use. Such areas include coastal zone environmental impact assessment, coastal area management planning, risk assessment and coastal ecosystem management. A questionnaire was sent out to 20 GIS experts worldwide. Respondents were asked to present their opinions regarding the use and the cost effectiveness of using GIS in coastal zone management, both in the developed and the developing world. Results suggest that there is undoubtedly enormous potential for using GIS in assisting coastal decision making. However, a GIS should never be thought of as an answer in itself as there are numerous constraints which may prove to be a barrier to the systems widespread establishment, notably finance, trained manpower, data quality and data availability. Correspondence to: Mr J. McCue, Halcrow Consulting Engineers, Burderop Park, Swindon SN4 0QD, UK.
571
Edited by D. V. Ellis Marine Pollution Bulletin will publish records of university theses relevant to marine pollution in the format shown below. Theses can be from any relevant discipline such as Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Medicine, Economics, etc. Contributions should be 50-100 word descriptions of thesis content, with emphasis on the marine pollution aspects. They should be sent to the Thesis Record editor (Dr. D. V. Ellis, Biology Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., Canada V8W 2Y2), with a copy of the officially endorsed thesis title page and abstract. Copy of a title page alone may be submitted (by any interested person) in which case the record will consist of author, year, title, degree, university and supervisor. Contributions should be for theses accepted for M.Sc. or Ph.D. degrees during the past five years, although in exceptional circumstances a contribution recording an older thesis will be accepted for publication.
GHAFFAR, M. 1988. The ultrastructural localization of trace metals in Littorina littorea (L). (Gastropoda: Prosbranchia) collected from the Tees estuary. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). The ultrastructural organization of the cytoplasmic granules in the stomach epithelium and ctenidium cell of Littorina littorea (L) is described. Tissues were compared from animals collected from polluted (Tees Estuary) and clean sites (Cullercoats Bay). The majority of granules were usually compartmentalized within membrane delineated vesicles. X-ray elemental microanalysis of these granules is also described. It has been shown that granules in the stomach epithelium have ligands which facilitate the binding of iron while ctenidium epithelial cells have ligands (possibly sulphur) responsible for binding copper. Both ligands in the stomach and ctenidial cells appear to be responsible for preventing the interaction of other metal pollutants such as chromium, vanadium, nickel etc. with cellular processes. The value of identification and analysis of intracellular granules in Littorina as metal indicators in the marine environment is discussed. Correspondence to: Mr M Ghaffar, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, LockedBag No. 62, Sabah, Malaysia.
GoH, B. 1988. The development of a marine bioassay for the oil dispersant Corexit 9527 using the algal/ coelenterate symbiosis. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). The effect of three concentrations of the oil dispersant Corexit 9527 on the symbiotic zooxanthellae within the temperate anemone Anemonia viridis was studied. The mitotic index and percentage of degenerate zooxanthellae cells within the host anemone increased with increasing concentrations of the dispersant. Statistically significant increases in the percentage of degenerate cells were obtained from the lowest treatment concentration, 10 ppm after 24 h. The mitotic index increased significantly from 20 ppm Corexit 9527 after 24 h. The number of zooxanthellae 570
cells expelled from the anemone also increased with treatment concentrations. Significant treatment effects were observed at dispersant concentrations of 20 ppm and 40 ppm, 36 h after the start of the bioassay. Centrifugation yielded a more accurate and realistic estimate of the number of zooxanthellae expelled compared with estimation of algal numbers from subsamples. The most sensitive indicator of stress after exposure to Corexit 9527 in this study was the percentage of degenerate zooxanthellae cells. Number of expelled zooxanthellae cells was also a useful parameter but was not as sensitive as the former test. Correspondence to: Miss B. Goh, Department of Zoology, National Universityof Singapore,LowerKent Ridge Road, Singapore0511.
KUMAR, A. 1988. The suitability of tropical marine bivalves and corals as indicators of heavy metals. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). With the growing dependence on the ocean for food and other resources and increasing pollution there is an immediate necessity to identify indicator organisms to evaluate the levels of pollution in coastal regions, especially in the tropics where very little work has been done on indicator organisms. In this study two filter feeding tropical species Saccostrea cucullata and lsognomon isognomon, are considered in conjunction with a massive coral Porites lutea to be used as indicator organisms for metal pollution. The site considered here has been subjected to high levels of metal from dredging and smelting activities for the past 18 years. Both the filter feeding organisms seem to have the potential to be used as indicator species and necessary areas for further research have been identified. Iron bands in massive corals have been observed by previous workers from these locations. As it is not known how the coral incorporates metals in the skeleton, an attempt has been made here to study the pattern and location of iron incorporation in the skeleton. It was observed that iron is in the form of coatings on the aragonite lattice as oxides and oxyhydroxides in the banded and non banded sections. Very little iron was found to be associated with carbonate fraction (aragonite lattice) or the organic fraction (organic matrix) suggesting that a negligible amount of iron is incorporated in the coral skeleton as a result of direct uptake by the tissue. Correspondence to: Mr A. Kumar, Chemical Oceanography Division, National Instituteof Oceanography.Dona Paula. Goa 403004, India. NGANRO, N. 1988. The development of a marine bioassay to assess the effects of stress in coelenterates. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. B. E. Brown). The present study, using a temperate analogue Anernonia viridis, has shown that cellular responses may be quantified and that the technique may have potential for studying the effect of perturbations on reef-building corals. This study shows that the effect of increasing concentations of Corexit 9527 was an increased production of mucus cells by the anemones. Results of histological work viewed under T E M were rupture of membrane structure of tissue and mucus
Volume 22/Number 11/November 1991
cells at 40 ppm Corexit; the appearance of tissues of the animal exposed to 10 and 20 ppm of Corexit could not be distinguished from the control, while the response of mucus cell numbers was significantly different. Behavioural responses of the anemone showed tentacle retraction in all doses of Corexit during 24 h exposure; mesenterial filament extrusion was obvious only at 40 ppm. A comparison of the two bioassay techniques conducted in this study would suggest that mucus cell responses were a more sensitive and accurate parameter than tentacle retraction for measuring environmental stress in coelenterates. Correspondence to: Mr N. Nganro, Jl Bungursari IV, Blok C35, Bumi Asri-Padasuka, Bandung, Indonesia.
GILKES, L. 1989. Comparison of the health of the flounder, Platichthysflesus (L.) at three estuarine sites in North-east England. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. N. V. C. Polunin). The monitoring of pollution-associated environmental stress in fish is reviewed. One species of fish which has shown to be particularly useful in the context of estuarine water quality assessment is the flounder, Platichthys flesus (L.). The health of the flounder, Platichthys flesus, from the Tyne, Wear and Tees estuaries was investigated. The parameters used to assess health were 1. body condition (length-weight, gonad weight-body weight and liver weight-body weight relationships), 2. biochemical (blood enzyme and steroid levels) and 3. incidence of external disease (e.g. lymphocystis, ulcers). Some of the health parameters studied (length-weight relationship, liver weight-body weight relationship and lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphotase levels) indicated a difference in the health of flounder from the three estuaries, but there were no specific trends indicating that the health of flounder from one particular estuary was obviously better, or worse, than flounder from the other estuaries. The inconclusiveness of the results is discussed in the context of the investigation and other factors, and possibilities for future research developing the methods employed in this study are suggested. The value of long-term investigations into the health of the flounder in the Tyne, Wear and Tees is emphasized. Correspondence to: Miss L. Gilkes, ICLARM, South Pacific Office, P.O. Box 438, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
HARTOKO, A. 1989. Effects of plant species and agrochemicals on carbon dynamics in mangrove leaf-detrital microcosms. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. N. V. C. Polunin). The decomposition rate and the partitioning of organic carbon in 11 species of mangrove leaf-litter from Papua New Guinea were compared with an identical microcosm. The main elements of interest are organic carbon as major representative of organic matter. The pattern of mineralization of complex organic carbon by microbial biodegradation activity was measured on particulate and dissolved organic carbon due to leaching of water soluble components. The biological fate of the organic carbon during decomposition process was also measured by the
changes of C/N ratio. The effect of common agrochemicals (pesticide and fertilizer) on the decomposition characteristic of three selected species was also examined. Decomposition process of leaf-litter was set in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask onto automatic shaker with artificial seawater and mangrove sediment as microcosms in a constant temperature room. Particulate organic carbon and nitrogen dissolved organic carbon was analysed using a Dohrman DC-80 organic carbon analyser (infrared spectrophotometry). There were no clear differences in the carbon content among 11 species, but there was a clear difference in the C/N ratio in the original leaf-litter as well as during the decomposition process. The average C/N ratio in day 1 was 92.93 then decreased to 88.34 on day 5, 84.22 on day 15 and 78.50 on day 25. There were no significant differences in POC (%) among 11 species but they varied significantly with time difference. The average DOC on day 5 was 9.58%, 7.28% on day 15 and 6.78% on day 25. The average POC among 11 species during the decomposition process was 58.20%, 7.88% DOC and 33.91% as CO 2. DOC (mg/1) in pesticide treated samples were significantly higher than those in nutrient (fertilizer) treated as well as in control samples. Anaerobic gram positive micrococcus, gram negative rod-bacillus and filamentous bacteria were three types of cellulolytic bacteria and two major celluloytic fungi Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp had been identified in playing an important role in the microbial biodegradation process. Correspondence to: Mr A. Hartoko, LPWP, University of Dipononegoro, Jalan Pantai Kartini, Jepara, Indonesia.
McCuE, J. 1989. The use and potential use of geographical information systems (GIS) in coastal zone management. M.Sc. University of Newcastle upon Tyne (Supervisor: Dr. A. J. Edwards). The use and potential use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in disparate coastal management issues are investigated, both for the developed and the developing world. The use and cost effectiveness of GIS in the Caister Sea Wall Study, carried out by consulting engineers Posford Duvivier of Peterborough is presented as a case study. The capability of a GIS to be used in coastal resource management is highlighted, outlining particular areas of potential use. Such areas include coastal zone environmental impact assessment, coastal area management planning, risk assessment and coastal ecosystem management. A questionnaire was sent out to 20 GIS experts worldwide. Respondents were asked to present their opinions regarding the use and the cost effectiveness of using GIS in coastal zone management, both in the developed and the developing world. Results suggest that there is undoubtedly enormous potential for using GIS in assisting coastal decision making. However, a GIS should never be thought of as an answer in itself as there are numerous constraints which may prove to be a barrier to the systems widespread establishment, notably finance, trained manpower, data quality and data availability. Correspondence to: Mr J. McCue, Halcrow Consulting Engineers, Burderop Park, Swindon SN4 0QD, UK.
571