ALBERT

Description: Skin and hair samples of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) found dead along the west coast of northern Germany in 1988 were analysed for total mercury, cadmium and lead. Cadmium and lead concentrations were below the detection limit in most skin samples. The mercury content of the hair (median: 23.1 μg g−1 wet wt) was several magnitudes higher than the mercury content of the skin (0.27 μg g−1 wet wt). Mercury concentrations in hair samples were significantly higher than lead concentrations (0.54 μg g−1 wet wt), which significantly exceeded cadmium levels (0.09 μg g−1 wet wt). Female seals revealed lower cadmium concentrations in the hair than male seals. Accumulations of metals with age were observed for cadmium and lead in hair samples and for mercury in skin samples of male seals. A connection between metal accumulation and pigmentation or rather moult was clearly recognizable.

Description: The spreading of Mediterranean Water (MW) released through the Straits of Gibraltar is studied with hydrographic data, oxygen, nutrients and for the first time with chlorofluoromethane (CFM, compounds F11 and F12) distributions along seven sections in the Gulf of Cadiz, and with measurements in the Western Alboran Sea and west of the Gulf. The properties of MW entering the Gulf are deduced from CFM-salinity correlations east and west of the Straits as well as from property-depth profiles in the Western Alboran Sea. At the time of the survey, the outflow originated from depths above the salinity maximum of the Intermediate Water in the Alboran Sea. It turned out that the F11/F12 ratio of the outflow is equal to the ratios found in the Atlantic water in the Gulf of Cadiz; thus the ratio carries no time information in the region. A model is developed to describe mixing of the MW undercurrent with overlying North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) from different depths. The contribution of each layer to the mixing is parameterized by a weighting factor, which has to satisfy the balances of potential temperature (θ), CFMs, oxygen and nutrients in the MW undercurrent. It is shown that entrainment of water from shallower depths into the undercurrent is important near the Iberian Continental Shelf. Farther west and south, the undercurrent mainly mixes with water from near the salinity minimum of the NACW. For regions where the undercurrent has left the bottom, additional mixing with North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) has to be taken into account. The percentage of MW in the undercurrent decreases from 76% hear the Straits to about 34% at 7°30′W for the lower core (MI) and about 22–24% for the upper core (Mu). Assuming an outflow of undiluted MW through the Straits of 1.0 Sv, the transport of the undercurrent can be calculated by determining an average dilution factor for each section. The undercurrent transports 2.0 Sv just west of the Straits and 3.6 Sv leave the Gulf of Cadiz. At 36°N, 9°54′W, a meddy with unusually high temperatures and salinities below 500 m was found, covering the density range for both cores, Mu and Ml. From the θ−S characteristics and the evaluated mixing scheme of the meddy it appears to have formed near 7°W in the Gulf, a region up to now not proposed in the literature, and moved westward without much further mixing.

Description: In April 1990, 488 marine fish belonging to 30 species from central Phillipine waters were examined for flesh parasitic infections that may affect their consumability. One species of hemirhamphids and 3 species of belonids harboured plerocercoids of Otobothrium penetrans Linton, 1907 (Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum33, 85–126). This is the first record of this parasite from Pacific fish species. The highest intensity of infection found was 8 in Tylosurus crocodilus. Most of the larvae were located between the dorsal spines of the vertebral column, only 32% were found in the fillets. Based on the present material we give a description of the plerocercoid stage of the species using scanning electron microscopy of the armature and morphometrical measurements. Comparison to results from earlier findings of O. penetrons by Linton (1907; 1924, Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum64, 1–114) and to O. kurisi by Shields (1985, International Journal for Parasitology15: 635–643) lead to the conclusion that the latter species is a synonym for O. penetrans.

Description: New light is shed on Worthington's concept of the North Atlantic circulation, postulating the existence of two anticyclonic gyres. This concept, which seems to have been laid to rest in the last decade, has now been reinforced by the results of a simple linear Sverdrup circulation model yielding a band of westward transport all across the North Atlantic at about the Azores latitude. This narrow band is called the Azores Countercurrent (AzCC) and matches the position of westward flow required by Worthington's “northern gyre.” An anomaly in the meridional change of the wind-stress curl in the eastern North Atlantic has been identified as the driving mechanism. A comparison with observations shows that the AzCC is verified in many analyses of historical datasets and synoptic surveys. A lack of the AzCC in other analyses is probably due to missing meridional sections, strong smoothing, and the superimposed Ekman flow close to the sea surface directed to the southeast. The AzCC has not been verified in low-resolution general circulation models applying simplified wind-stress fields and large friction coefficients, but there is evidence for its existence in recent high-resolution models driven by realistic wind stresses. Based on these findings, a new pattern for the wind-driven upper ocean circulation of the midlatitude North Atlantic is presented.

Description: Nine large box cores collected in the western Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian (GIN) Sea were analyzed for calcium carbonate content and coarse fraction components. Stratigraphic control is based on oxygen isotope records performed on four of the cores. All cores were correlated using oxygen and carbon isotope data, fluctuations in calcium carbonate content, coarse terrigenous particle content and volcanic ash beds. Glacial and interglacial cycles are documented by a number of terrigenous particle events and differentiated calcium carbonate production which can be correlated to major paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic shifts. In the older core sections, extensive deposition of ice-rafted detritus (IRD) persisted until about oxygen isotope stage 9 and document a relatively stable environment in this area, strongly influenced by cold surface water masses. The following interval was characterized by variations in the general surface water circulation pattern, although high amounts of IRD are still present in Iceland Sea sediments. Pronounced shifts in terrigenous input and pelagic carbonate records were identified close to the oxygen isotope stage Full-size image (〈1 K) and Full-size image (〈1 K) boundaries, indicating massive melting of icebergs in the western GIN Sea. These enormous inputs of debris were followed by an increase in calcium carbonate production caused by maximum intrusion of warm Atlantic surface waters. Relatively high calcium carbonate contents also show that only little dilution by fine-grained material and a minimum of ice melting occurred during these warm phases. During oxygen isotope stage 5, conditions were more uniform indicating a less pronounced westward penetration of Atlantic waters as compared to the Holocene. The last glacial (stages 4-2) is characterized by the occurrence of “Heinrich”-like events, although high IRD contents were present throughout this interval. A distinct contrast between the northernmost cores and the cores in the south is indicative of a rather strong westward penetration of Atlantic water in the north and of an area dominated by cold water east of the Kolbeinsey Ridge during the Holocene. However, conditions west of Jan Mayen seem to have remained constantly dominated by cold surface waters throughout the whole time investigated.

Description: Horizontal distribution of myctophid fishes were studied from two transects in the Arabian Sea in 1987. Species numbers exhibited a south-north decline in diversity, with only half of the fish taxa occupying the northeastern region. Diaphus arabicus was the dominant species both in the south and north. All recorded myctophid fish species migrate in a diel pattern, residing during daytime at depths of extremely low oxygen levels (〈0.1 ml O2 1−1) and foraging in the oxygen-rich surface layer at night. Feeding patterns were determined for the six most abundant myctophid species. All species appeared to be opportunistic predators that prey on a comparatively narrow food spectrum consisting principally of small to medium sized copepods. Numerically, non-calanoid copepods (with Oncaea conifera and O. venusta dominating) made up to 70% of the diet of D. arabicus and Bolinichthys longipes. Of the 26 calanoid copepod species identified from the six myctophid taxa, the genera Euchaeta, Pleuromamma and Candacia generally dominated in the stomachs, with P. indica constituting between 21 and 95% (by numbers) of the calanoid copepod prey.

Description: Particulate fluxes of aluminium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, lead, vanadium and zinc in the northeast subtropical Atlantic Ocean have been determined from sediment trap samples collected between 1 December 1986 and 30 April 1987 at 1020 and 4120 m below the ocean surface. The fluxes of most elements (except Cd and P) show small variations between the different layers, and are closely associated with the vertical transport of aluminium. Elemental composition and flux rates suggest that aerosol loadings from northeast trade winds are the major contributor of these elements to depositing material. Extremely low fluxes of copper, lead and zinc also indicate that anthropogenic perturbations are of insignificant importance in this region.

Description: Within the framework of the JGOFS Pilot Study in 1989 mesozooplankton (0.2–20 mm) was sampled by means of a Hydro-Bios multinet in five depth strata (0–25, 25–50, 50–100, 100–200, 200–500 m) during four Lagrangian drift experiments of 8–14 days' duration at 18, 33, 46 and 58°N, to follow the seasonal progress of the phytoplankton spring bloom development in the northeast Atlantic. Mesozooplankton standing stock, measured as dry weight and ash-free dry weight, increased by a factor of about 6 from 18 to 58°N. Day/night differences amounted to 10–20% of the average and were—with one exception at 18°N—not statistically significant. Using the data on weight-specific respiration rates measured by colleagues on the same cruise, the ingestion rates and potential community grazing of mesozooplankton on phytoplankton within the upper 100 m of the water column were calculated. During all four drift experiments, quasi-steady-state conditions were observed in phyto- and zooplankton standing stock, primary production and daily sedimentation at 100 m depth. The maximum potential grazing rate by mesozooplankton accounted for about half of the daily primary production. Since sedimentation of fresh phytoplankton was negligible, it is concluded that the grazing pressure exercised by mesozooplankton together with micro- and nanozooplankton was responsible for keeping the phytoplankton standing stock at a more or less constant level during the investigated spring bloom in the four areas. Particle flux was thus dominated by zooplankton faecal material.

Description: Accurate congener-specific determination of chlorobiphenyl congeners (all 209 congeners) is finally possible with the use of multidimensional gas chromatography-electron-capture detection techniques. The effectiveness of this technique for environmental analyses is enhanced by ultraclean laboratory practices, non-destructive extraction and clean-up steps and the use of low-volume, high-efficiency HPLC separation for various classes of organic contaminants. In the light of these new developments conventional procedures for chlorobiphenyl analysis are evaluated.

Description: The productivity regime and size structure of phytoplankton are described for three different epipelagic systems in the Arabian Sea during the inter-monsoon period in spring 1987: (1) the coast of Oman; (2) the central Arabian Sea; and (3) the shelf off Pakistan. These results are related to the functioning of the specific ecosystem. Off the coast of Oman, the transition from a surface maximum of autotrophic biomass and production to a more oligotrophic system, with a chlorophyll subsurface maximum, was observed. Concomitantly, the size spectrum changed towards a higher significance of picoplankton. In the central Arabian Sea, a typical oligotrophic system with a pronounced subsurface maximum of autotrophic biomass and primary production was encountered. Here, the epipelagic system could be divided into two distinct sub-systems: the surface layer “regenerated” production, the predominance of picophytoplankton and minor losses due to sedimentation, thus a “closed” system; and the subsurface maximum layer at the nutricline characterized by higher sedimentation losses and more diatoms. Both sub-systems showed about the same productivity, the turnover in the surface layer having been much greater than in the subsurface maximum. The system on the shelf off Pakistan is seen as a decay stage of the open ocean system when water from offshore is transported onto the shelf during the onset of monsoon winds.

Description: A sigma-coordinate, primitive equation ocean circulation model is used to explore the problem of the remnant generation of trapped waves about a tall, circular, isolated seamount by an incident oscillatory barotropic current. The numerical solutions are used to extend prior studies into the fully nonlinear regime, and in particular to quantify and interpret the occurrence of residual circulation. Specific attention is also devoted to the dependence of the resonance and rectification mechanisms on stratification, forcing frequency, and choice of subgrid-scale viscous closure. Resonantly generated trapped waves of significant amplitude are found to occur broadly in parameter space; a precise match between the frequency of the imposed incident current and the frequency of the trapped free wave is not necessary to produce substantial excitation of the trapped wave. The maximum amplification factors produced in these numerical solutions, O(100) times the strength of the incident current, are consistent with previous studies. In the presence of nonlinear advection, strong residual currents are produced. The time-mean circulation about the seamount is dominated by a strong bottom-intensified, anticyclonic circulation closely trapped to the seamount. Maximum local time-mean current amplitudes are found to be as large as 37% of the magnitude of the propagating waves. In addition to the strong anticyclonic residual flow, there is a weaker secondary circulation in the vertical-radial plane characterized by downwelling over the top of the seamount at all depths. Maximum vertical downwelling rates of several tens of meters per day occur at the summit of the seamount. The vertical mass flux implied by this systematic downwelling is balanced by a slow radial flux of mass directed outward along the flanks of the seamount. Time-mean budgets for the radial and azimuthal components of momentum show that horizontal eddy fluxes of momentum are responsible for transporting net radial and azimuthal momentum from the far field to the upper flanks of the seamount. There, Coriolis and pressure gradient forces provide the dominant balances in the radial direction. However, the Coriolis force and viscous effects provide the primary balance for the azimuthal component.

Description: In February 1988, 60 near surface samples were taken on a track between 2°W in the English Channel, the Pentland Firth and the inner German Bight. Determinations were made on filtered and unfiltered samples. Concentrations of dissolved metals in the North Sea normalized to a salinity of 34.5 were Al 31, Cd 0.13, Co 0.13, Cu 3.4, Mn 6.2 and Ni 3.9 nM. In July 1984 the equivalent concentrations were Al 11, Cd 0.15, Co 0.15, Cu 4.3, Mn 12 and Ni 3.6 nM. Distinct regional differences were detectable which can be related to the origin of the water, differing river inputs, and solution-solid phase exchange reactions. The degree of the influence of exchange reactions was investigated through the concept of Kd, the distribution coefficient. A Kd of 105 ml g−1 for Al is consistent with other observations and explains the relatively high concentrations of dissolved Al detected in the English Channel on this cruise. The data suggest a higher Kd for Mn approaching 106 ml g−1. The high Mn Kd coupled to higher suspended sediment loads in winter may be sufficient to explain the lower concentration of dissolved Mn in winter. Comparison of concentrations across the shelf break suggests that for all the metals studied, the European Shelf is a source of dissolved metals to the deep sea. Calculations based on the limited available data indicate that this export is of similar magnitude to the fresh water input of dissolved metals.

Description: An overview is given of the multinational investigations carried out at 47°N 20°W for the period 24 April–31 May, with the main emphasis on the succession of plankton communities and the flux of organic carbon through various plankton components. The depth of the upper mixed layer decreased rapidly after 25 April, triggering the start of the spring bloom that developed within a 2-week period. Chlorophyll a stocks integrated to 80 m water depth reached peak concentrations during the first 10 days in May. The observed decline was partly due to the seasonal development, but also may have been influenced by changes in water masses associated with a cyclonic eddy. Primary production ranged from 50 to 150 mmol C m−2 day−1 with highest values in the first half of May. After the first bloom phase, dominated by diatoms, nanophytoplankton gained more importance as primary producers when silicate was depleted. Stocks of bacteria, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton increased in the second half of May. Bacterial production averaged 30% of primary production and probably metabolized a large amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) per day, but due to uncertain carbon conversion efficiencies total bacterial carbon consumption is difficult to estimate. Largely daily changes in the DOC standing stock could not be reconciled with the measured primmary production and are probably an expression of spatial rather than temporal variations. Microzooplankton was found to consume around 64% of primary production in the second half of May. Grazing estimates for mesozooplankton varied but seem to be small (〈5% of primary production) for most of the investigation period. The small mesozooplankton size classes (〈1 mm) dominated biomass and grazing. Vertical particulate organnic carbon (POC) flux measured by sediment traps in 150 m depth was around 9.8 mmol C m−2 day−1 representing approximately 11% of primary production. The spring bloom pulse of particle flux reached the deep ocean and benthos 4–6 weeks after the surface water peak.

Description: Altimetric data from Geosat and some critical hydrographic measurements were used to estimate in real time the mesoscale physical oceanographic environment surrounding the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) 1989 North Atlantic Bloom Experiment. Three cyclonic eddies, including an exceptionally large one, evolved and interacted over the 10 weeks of observations. Subsequent analysis of all available hydrographic data confirmed the real time estimates and provided further quantitative information concerning the mesoscale and submesoscale structure of the upper ocean. Remotely sensed indicators of near-surface chlorophyll content reveal significant biological variability on these wavelengths. The altimetric and hydrographic data have been assimilated into a dynamical model to produce optimal estimates of physical fields of interest as they evolve in time for use in physical and biological process studies

Description: The influence of increasing amounts of surfactants on the toxicity of hydrocarbons was determined using the bioluminescence inhibition test (Microtox test). Three biogenic and three synthetic surfactants were tested against the water-soluble fractions (WSF) of crude and weathered Ekofisk oil, phenol, and naphthalene. Surfactant concentrations below 100 mg litre−1 lowered the toxicity of the WSF, indicating an antagonistic interaction reducing the toxicities of surfactants and hydrocarbons. At concentrations greater than 100 mg litre−1 the toxicity rose again and was higher than the untreated WSF. The point of reversal seemed to be the critical micelle concentration, at which the formation of oil/water emulsions is possible.

Description: Biological and fishery features of the waves of abundance of Illex argentinus in three fishery regions −52°S (shelf with 180–230 m depths in exclusive economic zone of Argentina—EEZA), 46° and 42°S (continental slope with 600–800 m depths off the EEZA) in April–June 1990 were studied. According to age analysis of 629 statoliths made aboard, age-length structure of each wave of abundance were determined. In April–June active spawning migrations of I. argentinus were observed from feeding grounds located in limits 50–52°S along the continental slope northwards through 46° and 42° fishery regions. Only winter-hatched squids (hatched from June to September of the previous year) took part in migrations which were observed as waves of abundance in all three regions. Each migratory wave of abundance consisted of 2–4 successive monthly generations. The start of spawning movement was corresponded with the age and maturity state of the squid. Squid of all monthly generations began migrating from the 52°S region at a mean age of approximately 250 days, passed through 46°S at mean age 280 days and through 42°S at mean age 295 days. Males migrated 2–3 weeks earlier than females of the same generation. Rates of somatic growth were very low during migrations from 52° to 46°S (RDGR - 0.13% mantle length (ML) in mature males and 0.2% ML in maturing females). During movement from 46° to 42°S and, obviously further, mature squids practically ceased somatic growth. Estimated rate of migrations was 23.2–28.9 km day−1 (including current velocity), or 26–30 cm s−1 (0.47 body length s−1). Spawning was considered to occur on the continental slope of Uruguay and Brazil north of 35°S in July–August. Methodical approaches of efficient determination of squid age, growth and stock structure by means of investigation of squid biological features and statolith microstructure in each distinguished wave of abundance were elaborated.

Description: The effects of feeding a prepared surimi diet (fish-based) and a prepared pelleted diet (shrimpbased) on the survival, growth and feeding rate of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis L. were evaluated during a 45-day experiment. One hundred and twenty juveniles of laboratory cultured cuttlefish (74.5 ± 12.36 g) were divided into three treatments and were fed thawed shrimp (control), pellets or surimi. Survival rates on these diets were 95.0%, 67.5% and 22.5%, respectively. Preliminary data indicated that the low survival of cuttlefish fed surimi may have been caused by low levels of copper in their blood (131 vs 244 μg/ml) since copper is required for their respiratory blood pigment, hemocyanin. Instantaneous growth rates were 2.71 % body weight BW/day for cuttlefish fed raw shrimp, 0.33% BW/day for cuttlefish fed pellets, and 0.54% BW/day for cuttlefish fed surimi. The feeding rate of cuttlefish fed shrimp was high (6–8% BW/day). The feeding rate on pellets increased with time (from 〈 1 to 3% BW/day) but never reached the level for raw shrimp. The feeding rate on surimi increased to equal the rate for raw shrimp during days 1–30 (8 to 9% BW/day) and thereafter decreased (〈4% BW/day). In conclusion, there was a major distinction between the palatability of a prepared diet and the ability of that diet to support growth. Surimi was highly palatable but resulted in poor survival, suggesting low nutritional quality. In contrast, pellets were less palatable but produced maintenance growth. Development of practical surimi diets will require supplementation of the surimi with soluble micro- and macronutrients.

Description: Changes in marine ecosystems can be manifested in many different ways, on different temporal and spatial scales. Seabirds are top consumers in marine foodwebs and offer opportunities to detect and assess the biological effects of changes in physical parameters (sea-surface temperature [SST], salinity, depth of thermocline etc.) of the marine ecosystem. We compare six-eight years' of data on the biology (diet, and breeding success) of four species of seabird (arctic tern Sterna paradisaea and common tern S. hirundo, which feed at the sea surface; and Atlantic puffin Fratercula antica and razorbill Alca torda, which dive 30-60 m for their prey) breeding on Machias Seal Island (MSI) in the Bay of Fundy with both our own meteorological and oceanographic measurements, and with standard measurements from conventional sources. These are compared with fisheries data on changes in the main prey of all the seabirds concerned (juvenile or '0-group' herring Clupea harengus) which are the most direct link between the seabirds and the physical properties of the marine system. We explore relationships between seabird productivity and diet, and other aspects of both herring biology (larval surveys, and fat content) and oceanography (SST data from the island, and remotely sensed data from the entrance to the Bay of Fundy). Timing of laying by puffins followed SST variation at neither the local (MSI) nor regional scales, but at the scale of the North Atlantic, following the trend of populations breeding off northern Norway. The proportion of herring in the diet of terns over 6 years varied inversely with herring larval abundance the previous fall; this relationship was not statistically significant in the puffin and razorbill. A major new finding is the considerable (approximately 50%) inter-annual variation in the energy density (fat content) of juvenile herring that are the main seabird prey; breeding success of both species of tern varied in parallel with the energy density of juvenile herring in the diet until the last two years of the study, when sandlance (Ammodytes sp.) and euphausid shrimp predominated in the diet. Our long-term research approach combines traditional population monitoring (of numbers of breeding birds) with demographic, behavioural and environmental monitoring, to provide new understanding of the marine ecosystem as well as of seabirds.

Description: Productivity regime and phytoplankton size structure are described for two different epipelagic systems in the tropical/subtropical Northeast Atlantic Ocean investigated during 9–11 day drift studies in spring 1989 in the JGOFS North Atlantic Bloom Experiment, 18°N, 30°W and 33°N, 20°W. At the 18°N study site, an oligotrophic system was encountered. The water column above the main pycnocline at about 50–60 m depth was nutrient-depleted, and both chlorophyll and primary production displayed subsurface maxima at the nutricline. Picoplankton was the dominant size fraction, accounting for 78–90% of chlorophyll and 83–98% of primary production. Synechococcus-type coccoid cyanobacteria were the dominant picoplankters. The hydrographic situation was characterized by high small-scale variability; the most interesting feature was the intrusion of nutrient-depleted Subtropical Salinity Maximum Water into the euphotic zone, whose impacts on the productivity regime are discussed. At 33°N study site, a post-bloom situation was encountered. Although the euphotic zone was nutrient-depleted, higher amounts of larger phytoplankton were present, the contribution of picoplankton being 42–53% of chlorophyll and 42–86% of primary production. Over the course of the drift study, subsurface maxima of chlorophyll and productivity evolved, the contribution of picoplankton having increased. Picocyanobacteria again were the dominant picoplankters. At both study sites the profiles of abundance ratios of picocyanobacteria to picoeucaryotes cell numbers proved to be a useful tool to characterize water masses.

Description: The origin and the spreading of the shallow Mediterranean water core (Ms) in the Iberian basin is discussed with a quasi-synoptic hydrographic data set enhanced by chlorofluoromethane (CFM) measurements. Its characteristic density level is found to be σt = 27.4. Characterized by high temperature and CFM values, Ms enters the Iberian basin in the region of Cape St Vincent between depths of 500–750 dbar. A heat anomaly of 〉11.8 × 109 J m−2 is chosen as the boundary between the presence of Ms and the background field. The core is found in a tongue-like shape as well as in separate isolated eddies of both cyclonic and anticyclonic circulation. Using the optimum multiparameter analysis (Tomczak and Large, 1989, Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 16141–16149), the North Atlantic Central Water (NACW), which mixes with the Mediterranean outflow to form Ms, turned out to be in the mean 1°C warmer and 0.11 saltier than in regions with minor Mediterranean influence. This points to the Gulf of Cadiz as the origin of Ms, where the Mediterranean oufflows is in contact with NACW of the appropriate characteristics.

Description: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of organic concentrates from eastern Mediterranean surface water show that dissolved fossil fuel residues are dominated by unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatics and thus resemble products of incomplete combustion. Deviating from this interpretation, preferential photochemical oxidation of alkyl-substituted aromatics is suggested as the principal causative mechanism, although, especially near land-based sources. the influence of combustion-derived unsubstituted aromatics is not defined. Total concentrations of dissolved aromatics as determined by GC-FID (flame ionization detection) and GC-MS from a limited data subset were in reasonable agreement with UV fluorescence measurements of dissolved/dispersed oil residues. The same preponderance of unsubstituted aromatics over their alkyl derivatives was found in extracts of the particulate phase, but concentrations were small relative to alkanes and/or alkenes of recent marine biosynthetic origin. CPI (carbon preference index) values of higher molecular weight n-alkanes indicated varying contributions of plant waxes to the particulate hydrocarbon pool. CPI values of corresponding dissolved n-alkanes were found to be near unity, indicating fossil fuel origin. Despite differences in higher molecular weight n-alkane CPI values and the predominance of recent biosynthetic aliphatics, the similarity of dissolved and particulate aromatic fractions suggests limited adsorption by particles of fossil fuel derived hydrocarbons and heterocyclics.

Description: Saudi Arabian coastal waters near sandy beaches, severely contaminated with crude oil released in Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War, as well as underlying sediments and a few bivalves, were analysed to assess concentrations and composition of petrogenic hydrocarbon mixtures and structurally related oxidation products. Concentrations of dissolved oil residues determined by UV spectrofluorometry (UVF) near oil deposits on beaches did not exceed 3.5 μg l−1; concentrations dropped to approximately 1/10th of this value a few miles offshore. Gravimetric concentrations of unfractionated lipophilic material extracted from large volumes of seawater at the same stations were up to 10 times those determined by UVF. After chromatography on silica gel, individual petroleum hydrocarbons in the low polarity fractions and oxidation products in the polar fractions were characterized by their spectra (GC/MS) and quantitated by Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) GC/MS. Concentrations of oxidation products (ketones, aldehydes, alcohols) of aromatic hydrocarbons exceeded those of their parent compounds by more than an order of magnitude. Significant concentrations were also found of the presumably pyrogenic triplett sensitizer anthraquinone. Contributions to polar fractions of water extracts by biosynthesized lipids were negligible. UVF determinations appear to underestimate concentrations of dissolved oil residues, because many oxidation products have lower fluorescence quantum yields than the respective parent hydrocarbons. Their ecotoxicological properties are unknown. Concentrations measured in sediments by UVF ranged from 13 to 540 μg g−1 dry wt and 0.5 to 103 μg g−1 as measured by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (FID GC). Bivalves ranged from 0.8 to 1.5 μg mg−1 extractable organic matter (EOM) by UVF, and 0.1 to 0.3 μg mg−1 EOM by GC analysis. PAHs were identified in sediment and bivalve extracts by GC/MS and quantitated by SIM GC/MS. None of the relatively water soluble alkylbenzene photo-oxidation products found in water samples nor any higher molecular weight quinones could be detected in sediment extracts. However, ion chromatograms strongly suggest the presence of numerous high molecular weight aromatics in that matrix.

Description: As part of the NOAA/ROPME/MSRC sponsored assessment of the coast of Saudi Arabia, heavily impacted by the large oil spills of the 1991 Gulf War, we measured benthic community respiration (R) and primary production (P) rates in shallow subtidal basins near heavily oiled coastlines. Study sites were located in zones predicted to be basins of maximum deposition of any oiled sediments likely to wash off the adjacent coast and in reference bays predicted to be clean and unaffected. We measured oxygen exchange using in situ benthic respirometers and analysed petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) levels in the near surface sediments at five stations. We concentrated our efforts in mud habitats to complement related studies in seagrass habitats. Measured community R rates ranged from a low of 700 μM m2 h−1 in coarse sand sediments with total organic carbon content (TOC) of only 0.16% of dry wt to the highest rate of 2184 μm m−2 h−1 in finer mud-sand habitats with 0.39% TOC. All measured rates were in the range of literature values for shallow marine sediments at temperatures of 17 to 19°C. Sediment oil content was 13–540 μg g−1 dry wt by ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) analysis and 0.5–103 μg g−1 by gas chromatography (GC). Benthic P rates, calculated as light minus dark changes in dissolved oxygen, ranged from a low of 1162 μm m−2 h−1 at the most heavily oiled site to a high of 5216 μm m−2 h−1 at less oiled sites. While a weak inverse relationship between benthic P and sediment oil content was not significant statistically due to the small number of samples, a significant inverse relationship was found between the ratio of production to respiration (P/R) and the total petroleum content of the sediments by UVF. The effect appears to be driven more by differences in production than an effect on respiration which showed little relationship with either oil content or productivity. We conclude that within 1 year after the oil grounded on the intertidal sands of Saudi Arabia, the levels of oil in subtidal benthic sediments had decreased in most habitats to levels that did not show community stress by our oxygen measurements. Rather, long term damage to benthic subtidal habitats was limited only to enclosed bays adjacent to the most heavily oiled coastlines. Preliminary estimates of yearly P converted to carbon units indicates that the shallow mud sediments of the Gulf are at least as productive as most oligotrophic water columns. Since benthic habitats covered by seagrass, algae beds or coral reefs are likely to have even higher production rates, we conclude that benthic processes contribute significantly to the overall carbon flux in the Gulf ecosystem.

Description: A method for the collection of large-volume samples of oceanic particles is described. Near-surface seawater is pumped from below the ship to a continuous-flow centrifuge at rates of up to 1.2 m3 h−1. The seawater is in contact with polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon and titanium materials only. The retention efficiency of the centrifuge for marine particles is the same as for standard membrane filters, as shown by comparisons with separate samples from Go-Flo bottles. The pumping system is non-contaminating with respect to both particulate and dissolved species. Several subsampling facilities for additional chemical constituents and other parameters can be supplied simultaneously due to the modular design of the system and the high flow rates

Description: Sediments of 13 piston cores from opposite continental slopes of the South China Sea, off southern China and Sabah (northern Borneo), were analyzed by sedimentological methods and dated by oxygen isotope stratigraphy. Sediments mostly consist of hemipelagic clay with 20% carbonate off Sabah and 40% off China. We calculated terrigenous and carbonate accumulation rates for up to 11 time-slices from the Holocene to oxygen-isotope stage 6. Terrigenous accumulation rates generally increase with water depth and reach a maximum at the middle slope off Sabah and at the lower continental slope off China. During glacial and interglacial times this distribution pattern did not markedly change, despite an increase of accumulation rates for glacial periods by a factor of 2 to 5 compared to interglacial periods. Rates are negatively correlated with positions of sea level, which controls the partition of fluviatile terrigenous material for deposition on shelf, slope, and abyssal plain. Carbonate accumulation rates are higher off China by a factor of 2 compared to Sabah, probably indicating higher calcareous plankton productivity.

Description: Many occurrences of mineral resources in ocean water, on the ocean floor and in its deeper parts have long been well-known. This is readily understandable, because numerous ancient mineral products which are exploited on land were originally formed in marine milieus as far back as the Precambrian , e.g., marine sedimentary iron ores, rock salt, potassium, phosphate and manganese , as well as petroleum and natural gas. This book deals with ores in sediments, and in sedimentary and volcanic rocks. According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Fowler and Fowler , 1964), ore is defined as "solid native mineral aggregate from which valuable constituents not necessarily metal may be usefully extracted". Therefore , in tllis chapter only mineral resources of inorganic origin in ocean water and on the ocean floor are discussed and not those of organic derivation, although the existence of petroleum, natural gas and, to some extent, of coal in the subsurface of the ocean shelves is of greater economic importance. The amount of oil and gas produced in 1969 represented more than 90% by value of all mineral resources obtained from the oceans and ocean floors. Ore deposits in bed-rock formations of the shelf region, such as those which are exploited near Cornwall (England) and Newfoundland for example, are also irrelevant, as these are merely extensions of discoveries on the nearby mainland. The purpose of this chapter is to give a general review of the (inorganic) mineral resources of the oceans and the ocean floors . In this respect, not only are the economically important products which are already in use discussed, but also those materials which, in their oceanic environment, can become of economic value in the near or more remote future. For a better understanding of the existence of such materials, some deposits have also had to be reviewed which will not become of economic value . Since some contributions in this book are specifically dedicated to Recent marine ferromanganese deposits and Recent phosphorite deposits, these mineral resources are only briefly discussed in tllis chapter. (For details on Recent marine and lacustrine manganese deposits see Chapters 7 and 8 by Glasby/Read and by Callender/Bowser, respectively, in Volume 7.) The litarature on the mineral (inorganic) resources of the oceans and ocean floors is extremely extensive, so that a choice had to be made and, therefore, the bibliography added to this chapter consists mainly of recent publications.

Description: The Vema Channel represents a prominent location for the nortward flow of bottom water in the subtropical western South Atlantic. A recent multibeam echo-sounding survey of the Vema Sill on board F.S. Meteor revealed a narrow and shallow portion of the Vema Channel at 31°12′S, 39°24′W, the Vema Sill. The survey also showed the remarkably asymmetric shape of the sill region, suggesting an interaction between the bottom flow and the shape of the channel.

Description: The total transport of Antarctic Bottom Water across the Rio Grande Rise, including the western boundary, the Vema Channel, and the Hunter Channel is estimated from hydrographic measurements across these pathways. The contribution of the Vema Channel is greatest at 3.9 × 106 m3 s−1, which is very close to earlier estimates. The western boundary current contribution is 2.0 × 106 m3 s−1 and that of the Hunter Channel 0.7 × 106 m3 s−1. The lower values outside the Vema Channel are offset by the important source of mass they form to the lower density classes of bottom water. About 40% of the flow is concentrated in the highest density class representing the source of Weddell Sea Deep Water to the Brazil Basin. The flow structure is characterized by horizontal and vertical recirculation.

Description: Live observations, cytological characteristics and biometrical measurements on Miliolinella subrotunda (Montagu, 1803) sampled from the northern and southern Atlantic Ocean are presented.M. subrotunda facultatively constructs a long, detritic tube lifting the test several millimeters above the sediment surface. A thickened conical base anchors the construction on the sediment surface and a long, flexible tube protrudes into the velocity profile of the bottom currents. The miliolid test is placed on top, surrounded by the uppermost part of the tube. This construction allows the organisms to feed in the particle stream above the sediment surface. In comparison to species living in and on the surface sediments,M. subrotunda apparently shows higher nutritional values in food ingested and larger amounts of reserve substances. Characteristics of the shape and structure that reduce drag on the tubes include a broadened conical base, a flexible tube, and a rounded top. From biometrical measurements it is concluded, that the tubes are constructed over a short period of their ontogeny.

Description: The Houtman Abrolhos Islands, situated at the western passive margin of the Australian continent, consist of a series of shelf-edge coral reefs. The central platforms of the reefs are Late Pleistocene in age and are generally some 3–5 m above present sea level. The uppermost part of the Last Interglacial reefs normally has an upward-shallowing sequence, consisting of coral framestone, coralline algal bindstone and skeletal grainstone to rudstone. This sequence represents deposition in water depths of less than 2 m, and provides a good indicator of sea level. High-precision mass-spectrometric dates of corals from the Abrolhos reefs, including dates obtained from drill cores, arological, isotopic and stratigraphic criteria are established for the selection of suitable samples for dating and for assessing the reliability of dates. Using the screened dates and the stratigraphic evidence, the timing and character of the sea level variations of the Last Interglacial in the Abrolhos region are examined. The data show that sea level of the Last Interglacial in the Abrolhos was 4 m below its present height by ca. 134 ka BP and probably reached about 2 m above present height at ca. 133 ka BP. The exact time at which sea level reached its peak (6 m above present sea level) cannot be determined from our data. But it is clear that the sea level high stand of the Last Interglacial lasted until ca. 116 ka BP and that for much of the Last Interglacial sea level at the Abrolhos was at a height of about 4 m above its present level

Description: Accurately weighed aliquots of the ∼ 500-Ma-old interlaboratory standard hornblende MMHb-1 were mixed with known quantities of a ∼ 100 Ma-old Himalayan biotite and subjected to normal Full-size image (〈1 K) incremental heating analysis. The addition of the biotite created monotonically increasing apparent ages, similar to profiles interpreted as showing Ar diffusive loss in the literature. The release of Ar from biotite dominates the low-temperature portion of the spectra and lowers the observed age. Lower Ca/K ratios in the first increments are consistent with contamination, but do not distinguish the composition of the contaminant phase. A large number of published amphibole “diffusive loss” profiles may, in fact, be due to contamination by biotite or other phases which release Ar at low extraction temperatures.

Description: Moored Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) were used to analyse the daily vertical zooplankton migration and its seasonality. One-year records of vertical velocity and acoustic backscatter were obtained at four stations in the Greenland Sea. Both parameters exhibited a diurnal cycle typical for vertically migrating zooplankton. Upward and downward migration occured in short periods approximately 5 h long, and peak migration velocities were around 1.5 cm s−1. Similar structures were observed at all four mooring sites in the 200–300 m depth range. Farther down, between 1000 and 1400 m, no daily migration was observed. Strong seasonal variations are evident, and both the phase and intensity of the migration pattern change with daylight as the season progresses. In summer and during the polar night the migration became very weak and was only detectable in the displacement of scattering layers. When the day/ night contrast was large, intense upward or downward motion was accompanied by sloping backscatter isopleths. We observed two main scattering layers, a deep layer that varies in depth with season and an almost invariable shallow scattering layer at about 150 m depth. The deep layer was interpreted as the “resting depth” of the migrating plankter, and the latter as their “feeding horizon”. Changes in the “resting depth” from about 400 m in autumn and spring to about 200 m in winter lead to seasonal variations in the migration distance. This behaviour is discussed with respect to environmental conditions.

Description: 50 m of Middle Eocene pure radiolarian ooze were drilled at ODP Site 660 in the equatorial East Atlantic, 80 km northeast of the Kane Gap. The oozes comprise a 10 m high and 2 km broad mound of seismic reverberations, covered by manganese-rich sediment, and contain trace amounts of sponge spicules and diatoms, negligible organic carbon (0.15%), clay, and variable amounts of pyrite. The yellow to pale brown silty sediments are relatively coarse-grained (30–45% coarser than 6 μm), little bioturbated, and commonly massive or laminated on a cm-scale. The unlithified radiolarian ooze may indicate an interval of high oceanic productivity, probably linked to a palaeoposition of Site 660 close to the equatorial upwelling belt during Middle Eocene time. The absence of organic matter, however, and both the laminated bedding and the mound-like structure of the deposit on the lower slope of a continental rise indicate deposition by relatively intense contour currents of oxygen-rich deep water, which passed through the Kane Gap, winnowed the fine clay fraction, and prevented the preservation of organic carbon. The ooze may be either a contourite-lag deposit, or a contourite accumulation of displaced radiolarians, originating south of the Kane Gap and being deposited in its northern lee, thus documenting the passage of a strong cross-equatorial bottom-water current formed near Antarctica. These Eocene contourites may be an analogue for ancient radiolarites in the Tethyan Ocean.

Description: In situ observations of microhabitat preferences of living benthic foraminifera are presented from sediments of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, the upwelling area off northwestern Africa and the shallow-water Kiel Bight (Baltic Sea). Certain foraminiferal species (e.g.Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi andRupertina stabilis) can be regarded as strictly epibenthic species, colonizing elevated habitats that are strongly affected by bottom water hydrodynamics. Large epibenthic foraminifera (e.g.Rhabdammina abyssorum andHyperammina crassatina) colonize the sediment surface in areas where strong bottom currents occur and might have by virtue of their own size an impact on the small-scale circulation patterns of the bottom water. Motile species changing from epifaunal to infaunal habitats (e.g.Pyrgo rotalaria, Melonis barleeanum, Elphidium excavatum clavatum, Elphidium incertum, Ammotium cassis andSphaeroidina bulloides) are regarded here as highly adaptable to changes in food availability and/or changing environmental conditions. This flexible behaviour is regarded as a dynamic adaptation to optimize food acquisition, rather than a static concept leading to habitat classification of these ubiquitous rhizopods.

Description: The Houtman Abrolhos reefs, situated on the western continental margin of Australia, occupy a transitional position between cool-water shelf carbonate sediments to the south and more tropical environments to the north. Their existence at the outer limits of the geographical range for coral reef growth is a result of the warm, poleward-flowing Leeuwin Current. Though the modern reefs differ ecologically from tropical reefs, their geological characteristics have been little known until recently. Each of the three island groups in the Abrolhos consists of a central platform of Last Interglacial reefs, about which windward and leeward Holocene reefs have developed asymmetrically. In the Easter Group the subtidal windward reef in the west is ca. 10 m thick and is backed by a leeward-prograding, lagoon sand sheet which is 0–3 m thick. The emergent parts of the leeward reefs in the east consist of an upward-shallowing sequence comprising reef facies, peritidal rudstone facies, and coral rubble storm ridges. This is underlain by over 26 m of Holocene reef facies. Coring and dating of the Holocene reefs (using both TIMS and 14C methods) in the Easter Group has shown significantly different lithofacies in the windward and leeward reefs, and has allowed reconstruction of Holocene reef growth and sea-level history. Coralline algal bindstones and interbedded coral framestone facies characterise the relatively slow-growing windward Holocene reefs, whereas the fast-growing leeward reefs consist of coral framestone facies which are dominated by Acropora. The leeward reefs commenced growth about 10,000 years ago and the Morley reef grew to 0.3 m above present sea level by 6400 years B.P., recording a relative high sea-level event. This generated Holocene constructional topography characterised by “blue-hole” terrain. Windward Holocene reef growth commenced after 8200 years B.P. following erosion of the windward part of the Last Interglacial platform. High wave energy and competition with macroalgae limited coral growth, and the coralline algal-dominated windward reefs grew more slowly to sea level. The Holocene sea-level record provided by dates from the 26 m core of the Morley reef (a “keep-up” reef) is the first such record from the western continental margin of Australia.

Description: The space-time structure and predictability of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon was investigated. Two comprehensive datasets were analyzed by means of an advanced statistical method, one based on observational data and the other on data derived from an extended-range integration performed with a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model. It is shown that a considerable portion of the ENSO-related low-frequency climate variability in both datasets is associated with a cycle involving slow propagation in the equatorial oceanic beat content and the surface wind field. The existence of this cycle implies the ability of climate predictions in the tropics up to lead times of about one year. This is shown by conducting an ensemble of predictions with our coupled general circulation model. For the first time a coupled model of this type was successfully applied to ENSO predictions.

Description: A hybrid coupled model (HCM) of the tropical ocean–atmosphere system is described. The ocean component is a fully nonlinear ocean general circulation model (OGCM). The atmospheric element is a statistical model that specifies wind stress from ocean-model sea surface temperatures (SST). The coupled model demonstrates a chaotic behavior during extended integration that is related to slow changes in the background mean state of the ocean. The HCM also reproduces many of the observed variations in the tropical Pacific ocean-atmosphere system. The physical processes operative in the model together describe a natural mode of climate variability in the tropical Pacific ocean–atmosphere system. The mode is composed of (i) westward-propagating Rossby waves and (ii) an equatorially confined air–sea element that propagates eastward. Additional results showed that the seasonal dependence of the anomalous ocean–atmosphere coupling was vital to the model's ability to both replicate and forecast key features of the tropical Pacific climate system. A series of hindcast and forecast experiments was conducted with the model. It showed real skill in forecasting fall/winter tropical Pacific SST at a lead time of up to 18 months. This skill was largely confined to the central equatorial Pacific, just the region that is most prominent in teleconnections with the Northern Hemisphere during winter. This result suggests the model forecasts of winter SST at leads times of at least 6 months are good enough to be used with atmospheric models (statistical or OGCM) to attempt long-range winter forecasts for the North American continent. This suggestion is confirmed in Part II of this paper.

Description: During a R.V. Meteor JGOFS-NABE cruise to a tropical site in the northeast Atlantic in spring 1989, three different vertical regimes with respect to nitrate distribution and availability within the euphotic zone were observed. Besides dramatic variations in the depth of the nitracline, a previously undescribed nose-like nitrate maximum within the euphotic zone was the most prominent feature during this study. Both the vertical structure of phytoplankton biomass and the degree of absolute and relative new production were related to the depth of the nitracline, which in turn was dependent on the occurrence/non-occurrence of the subsurface subtropical salinity maximum (S(max)). The mesoscale variability of the nitracline depth, as indicated from a pre-survey grid, and published data on the frequent occurrence of the S(max) in tropical waters suggest higher variability of new production and F-ratio than usually expected for oligotrophic oceans. The importance of salt fingering and double diffusion for nitrate transport into the euphotic zone is discussed.

Description: A 26-year integration has been performed with a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (CGCM). The oceanic part resolves all three oceans in the latitude band 70°N–70°S but is dynamically active only between 30°N and 30°S. The atmosphere is represented by a global low-order spectral model. The coupled model was forced by seasonally varying insolation. Although the simulated time-averaged mean conditions in both atmosphere and ocean show significant deviations from the observed climatology, the CGCM realistically simulates the interannual variability in the tropical Pacific. In particular, the CGCM simulates an irregular ENSO with a preferred time scale of about 3 years. The mechanism for the simulated interannual variability in the tropical Pacific is related to both the “delayed action oscillator” and the “slow SST mode.” It therefore appears likely that either both modes can coexist or they degenerate to one mode within certain locations of the parameter space. This hypothesis is also supported by calculations performed with simplified coupled models, in which the atmospheric GCM was replaced by linear steady-state atmosphere models. Further, evidence is found for an eastward migration of zonal wind anomalies over the western Pacific prior to the extremes of the simulated ENSO, indicating a link to circulation systems over Asia. Because an earlier version of the CGCM did not simulate interannual variability in the tropical Pacific, additional experiments with a simplified coupled model have been conducted to study the sensitivity of coupled systems to varying mean oceanic background conditions. It is shown that even modest changes in the background conditions can push the coupled system from one flow regime into another.

Description: Al- and Ti-rich smectites associated with alkaline volcanic rocks were dredged during several cruises of the German research vessel “SONNE” as part of an extensive survey of manganese crusts in the Central Pacific seamount region. X-ray diffraction, chemical composition and infrared spectroscopy suggest that the smectites are constituents of the nontronite-beidellite solid solution series. X-ray fluorescence analyses yield considerable amounts of Al2O3 and Fe2O3 averaging 14.5 and 12.4 wt%, respectively. According to ASTM data the smectites are Al-rich nontronites rather than Fe-rich beidellites. A TiO2 content of up to 4.9 wt% is thought to be due to anatase impurities. δ18O-values in the range of +23.8 to +21.0‰ vs. SMOV indicate formation temperatures of 32–48°C. The rare-earth element patterns of the nontronitic smectites and associated alkaline volcanics are almost identical, showing a relative enrichment of light and a depletion of heavy rare-earth elements. It is concluded that the smectites formed as low-temperature alteration products during interaction of seawater with cooling basaltic/alkaline rocks rather than by mixing of hydrothermal fluids with seawater.

Description: Dissolved silica (Si) and inorganic germanium (Ge) concentrations were measured in hydrothermal fluids from black smoker vents on the East Pacific Rise (21°N EPR) and the Southern Juan de Fuca Ridge (45°N SJdFR: North and South Cleft Sites, Axial Volcano). These typically display end-member concentrations ranging from 16 to 23 mM (Si) and 150 to 280 nM (Ge), and end-member Ge/Si ratios clustering between 8 and 14 × 10−6, more than 10-fold greater than the ratio entering the ocean via rivers (0.54 × 10−6) and being recycled in seawater (0.7 × 10−6). ‘Excess’ concentrations of dissolved Si and Ge above oceanic background are observed in mid-water hydrothermal plumes over mid-ocean ridge (MOR) spreading centers on the Southern EPR (SEPR) (10°–20°S) and the SJdFR. The largest Si and Ge concentration anomalies occur over the North Cleft Segment of the SJdFR. These are a factor of three greater than anomalies over the SEPR (10°–20°S). Excess Ge correlates with excess3He in plumes at a Ge/3He molar ratio of about 1 × 104, approximately the same ratio as in black smokers. These observations, combined with low abundances of Ge in Fesingle bondMn-rich metalliferous sediments, suggest that Ge (and Si) behave conservatively in mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal plumes. A simple ocean Si and Ge balance, constrained by the global river silica flux and Ge/Si ratios in hydrothermal vents, rivers and biogenic silica, suggests that the global hydrothermal silica flux is about 1–4 × 1011 mole yr−1, much lower than that estimated from3He. Either (1) 70–80% of the Ge flux to the ocean is removed in as-yet undiscovered sinks (not opal), or (2) only 10% of the mantle to ocean3He and heat fluxes is associated with MOR hydrothermal convection through the 350°C isotherm (90% is off-ridge), or (3) the oceanic Ge/Si,3He/ (and87Sr86Sr) balances today are far from steady-state.

Description: A complete set of linearly independent relationships among the different cross spectral components obtained from pairs of moored instruments is derived which can be utilized to test whether or not the observed fluctuations within the internal wave frequency band represent a field of propagating internal waves. A further complete set of relationships is derived which enables to test whether or not the internal wave field is horizontally isotropic and (or) vertically symmetric. These relations are compared with corresponding relations for alternative models (standing internal wave modes, three-dimensional isotropic turbulence) and their capability to discriminate between the various models is investigated. The tests are applied to a set of data for which it is found that the observed fluctuations are consistent with both propagating and standing internal waves whereas isotropic turbulence must be rejected for the most part of the internal wave frequency band.

Description: A mechanistic account of skeletal density band formation in massive colonies of Porites is developed by linking observations from vital staining of growing skeletons with measurements of density band characteristics, dissepiment spacing and the depth to which skeleton was occupied by tissue. Three growth processes contribute to density band formation. First, addition of new skeleton at the outer surface of the colony. Second, thickening of existing skeleton through the depth of the tissue layer (tissue usually occupies skeleton formed over the last 4–13 months). Third, the density pattern is then modified by periodic and abrupt uplift of the lower margin of the tissue layer which occurs about every 30 days. Uplift is associated with formation of new dissepiments and produces a fine density band at the lower margin of the tissue layer. Less regular, fine bands are formed within the tissue layer probably as a result of variations in calcification at the colonial surface. X-radiography of skeletal slices compresses and combines the results of these mechanisms making it difficult to distinguish the contribution of individual mechanisms to the overall X-ray image. The relative importance of the three mechanisms — extension, thickening and tissue uplift — to overall skeletal growth may differ between individual colonies. Variability in the way the mechanisms operate and combine may account for widely differing reports of coral density banding.

Description: 1. The salivary enzymes of the octopus Eledone cirrhosa were separated using isoelectric focusing techniques (IEF) and HPLC. 2. The use of casein zymograms allowed the detection of at least 10 caseinolytic bands in analytical IEF gels and a preliminary, based on pI values, is described. 3. There appear to be two salivary chitinases. 4. Using HPLC, it was possible to separate the most cationic of these from the proteolytic enzymes of similar pI.

Description: The Hg concentration in horned octopus was studied in relation to its biological cycle. The metal was measured in the muscle tissue of specimens of different size, sex and maturity. This species proved to be a strong accumulator of mercury, whose concentration was found to be correlated with length independently of the sex. The relationship with size was found also for the organic form. Consideration was given to the danger of frequent consumption of this cephalopod and to its use as a biomonitor of environmental mercury impact.

Description: U/Th (TIMS) and 14C (AMS) measurements are presented from two coral cores from the Easter group of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands between 28°S and 29°S on the western continental margin of Australia. The U/Th measurements on the Morley core from Morley Island cover a depth interval from 0.2 m above present sea level to 24.4 m below present sea level and comprise eleven samples. The ages vary between 6320 ± 50 a, at 0.2 m above sea level, and 9809 ± 95 a, at 24.4 m below sea level (all errors are 2σ). The mean growth rate is 7.1 ± 0.9 m/ka. The 14C dates of selected Morley core corals show that the 14C ages are ∼ 1000 a younger than their corresponding U/Th ages, which agrees with previous results. The main purpose of our 14C measurements is to be able to compare them precisely with other coral cores where no U/Th measurements are available. The U/Th measurements of the Suomi core from Suomi Island cover a depth interval from 0.05 m to 14.2 m below present sea level and consist of four samples. The ages vary between 4671 ± 40 a, at 0.05 m below sea level, and 7102 ± 82 a, at 14.2 m below sea level, with a mean growth rate of 5.8 ± 0.2 m/ka. The growth history of both cores is explained by a simple model in which the growth rates of the Morley core can be interpreted as reflecting local rates of sea level rise, whereas the Suomi core is interpreted as reflecting lateral growth during the past ∼ 6000 a. Our results indicate that sea level relative to the western margins of the Australian continent was about 24 m lower than present at about 9800 a B.P. (14C gives a date of 8500 a B.P.). Sea level then rose and reached a highstand, slightly higher than the present position at about 6300 a B.P (14C date: 5500 a). This highstand declined but was still higher than present at 4600 a B.P. This is in agreement with previous observations along the Australian coastal margins and with observations from the Huon peninsula (Papua New Guinea). Our results are very similar to theoretical numerical models, which take into consideration water loading and isostatic compensation and viscous mantle flow. In contrast, coral cores from Barbados show that corals with a 14C age of ∼ 5500 a B.P. are some ∼ 10 m b.p.s.l. We interpret the difference between the Barbados core and the Morley core as resulting from additional “flooding” of Barbados by water redistribution, due to changes in the Earth's geoid but not reflecting global sea level rise or major addition of melt waters over the past ∼ 6000 a. The difference in the geoid at Barbados between ∼ 6000 a B.P. and the present will require a refinement in the geophysical models. Precise230Th (TIMS) measurements on continental coasts will be required to provide an adequate data base for modelling deformation, flow of mantle material and sea-level height

Description: Ocean deep velocity profiles were obtained by lowering a self-contained 153.6-kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) attached to a CTD-rosette sampler. The data were sampled during two Meteor cruises in the western tropical Atlantic. The ADCP depth was determined by integration of the vertical velocity measurements, and the maximum depth of the cast was in good agreement with the CTD depth. Vertical shears were calculated for individual ADCP velocity profiles of 140-300-m range to eliminate the unknown horizontal motion of the instrument package. Subsequent raw shear profiles were then averaged with respect to depth to obtain a mean shear profile and its statistics. Typically, the shear standard deviations were about 10(-3) s-1 when using up and down traces simultaneously. The shear profiles were then vertically integrated to get relative velocity profiles. Different methods were tested to transform the relative velocities into absolute velocity profiles, and the results were compared with Pegasus dropsonde measurements. The best results were obtained by integrating the raw velocities and relative velocities over the duration of the cast and correcting for the ship drift determined from the Global Positioning System. Below 1000-m depth a reduction of the measurement range was observed, which results either from a lack of scatterers or instrumental problems at higher pressures.

Description: Coupling between surface water plankton and abyssal benthos was investigated during a mass development of salps (Salpa fusiformis) in the Northeast Atlantic. Cyanobacteria numbers and composition of photosynthetic pigments were determined in faeces of captured salps from surface waters, sediment trap material, detritus from plankton hauls, surface sediments from 4500–4800 m depth and Holothurian gut contents. Cyanobacteria were found in all samples containing salp faeces and also in the guts of deep-sea Holothuria. The ratio between zeaxanthin (typical of cyanobacteria) and sum of chlorophyll a pigments was higher in samples from the deep sea when compared to fresh salp faeces, indicating that this carotenoid persisted longer in the sedimenting material than total chlorophyll a pigments. The microscopic and chemical observations allowed us to trace sedimenting salp faeces from the epipelagial to the abyssal benthos, and demonstrated their role as a fast and direct link between both systems. Cyanobacteria may provide a simple tracer for sedimenting phytodetritus.

Description: Inertial separation of a western boundary current from an idealized continent is studied in a homogeneous ocean circulation model. A number of processes are identified that either encourage or prevent separation at a coastal promontory in this model. For a single-gyre wind forcing a free-slip boundary condition forces the stream to follow the coastline, whereas the no-slip condition allows separation at a sharp corner. A prescribed countergyre to the north of the stream is not necessary to achieve separation if the no-slip condition is used. "Premature" separation occurs for wind fields that do not extend beyond the latitude of the cape. For a more realistic wind field and coastline two distinct states of the stream are found. At small Reynolds numbers the current fails to separate and develops a stationary anticyclonic meander north of the cape. Stronger currents separate and drive a recirculation in the lee of the continent.

Description: Seabeam mapping in the central Pacific Ocean, southeast of Pitcairn Island, has revealed a number of large volcanic edifices, some of which appear to be currently active. Here we document the first isotope and trace element data obtained for dredge samples from these volcanoes which are believed to represent the present-day surface expression of the Pitcairn mantle plume. Striking linear trends in multi-isotope plots suggest the operation of a simple two-component mixing process in the genesis of these lavas with end-members of extreme EM-I and isotopically more depleted type. Isotope-trace element covariations allow limits to be placed upon the composition of the Pitcairn plume source, which is then compared with other EM-type oceanic islands. Current hypotheses for the generation of EM components are then evaluated in the light of these data. Temporal trends, similar to those seen on Pitcairn Island, are present within the seamount data, although samples equivalent to the post-shield formations on Pitcairn Island are not observed. These evolutionary trends suggest a high level origin for the depleted component rather than entrainment of asthenospheric material into a rising diapir. Three of the Pitcairn seamounts are much older, in the region of 20–25 Ma, and were probably formed in a near-ridge environment.

Description: The geochemistry of mid-oceanic ridge basalts from 86°N (Arctic Ocean) provides, for the first time, an insight into the composition of the mantle around the North Pole. Our data show the source region of the Arctic basalts to possess traces of an enrichment similar to the DUPAL signature. This is remarkable since up to now the DUPAL signature has been believed to be present only in Indian but not in Atlantic or Pacific MORB. These results also argue against a model of whole-mantle convection, in which upwelling of enriched material at the equator is balanced by downwelling of depleted material at the poles

Description: Temperature data are presented which were obtained by means of a towed thermistor cable during the expedition "Auftrieb '72" in the immediate vicinity of the continental slope within the NW African upwelling region. While most of the data have been sampled on the offshore side of the upwelling front, the front is crossed on a few occasions, and some data cover the area of the upwelling coastal jet. They reveal a very deep homogeneous surface ]ayer within the coastal jet, indicative for increased turbulent mixing. These conclusions from the temperature sections are confirmed by the temperature and salinity data from CTD casts made in the same area at the same time. In spite of the complicated hydrography of the area and the large number of water masses involved, the existence of a zone of increased turbulent mixing within the jet is indicated in the data.

Description: Biological, hydrographical and chemical parameters were analysed from surface survey maps, drogue experiments and tracks in the region between Cap Blanc and Cap Timiris off NW Africa between January and March 1972 during the "Meteor"­ Expedition "Auftrieb '72". The chemical data measured included the nutrients: nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, silicate and phosphate as well as oxygen, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen. In the area under investigation three different watermasses could be defined by nutrient content and salinity: namely "South Atlantic Central Water" (SACW), "Old Surface Water" and water from the Banc d' Arguin ("Bankwater"). The nutrient content and salinity of the fresh upwelled water at the surface showed that it consisted mainly of SACW that had always been mixed with one of the other watermasses. Mixing between Bankwater and SACW probably takes place close to the seabed on the shelf edge where cells of Bankwater were found several times. The surface survey maps show active upwelling only on the onshore ends of shelfedge canyons. This spatial heterogenity together with the discontinuities in the upwelling processes might explain the fact that no processes with time could be followed during buoyed parachute drogue experiments. The atomic ratio of nutrient uptake was found to be about N: Si: P = 15: 12 : 1 for the first few days of phytoplankton uptake in fresh upwelled water. From a comparison of the original concentration of the nutrients in fresh upwelled water and the calculated uptake, it follows that silicate might pose as a limiting factor after some days. Two sets of data from drogue experiments indicate that biological oxygen production as estimated from nitrate uptake, is sufficient to explain the oxygen input to fresh upwelled water. Thus physical solution of oxygen from the air appears to be slight.

Description: During the "Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX)" from Feb. 6th to 23rd, 1969, an intensive aerological programme and detailed measurements near the sea surface were carried out simultaneously from three ships in the Atlantic northeast trade. From these data the kinematics, the dynamics and the kinetic energy budget of the trade wind flow in the lowest 3 km are investigated in this paper. The vertical shear of the horizontal wind vector is small in the mixed layer (lowest 600 m); a weak maximum is indicated at 400 m. Below about 1OOO m the large-scale horizontal flow is always divergent. Consequently, a large-scale sinldng motion of 300 to 500 m per day is observed through that level; sinking motion is also present at the trade wind inversion (1400 m). A considerable weakening of the divergence is noted during a period when the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) overrides the southern portion of the ATEX triangle. The northward displacement of the ITCZ is accompanied with a low pressure system approaching from the middle latitudes. The thermal wind vector is constant below the inversion and directed almost opposite to the surface geostrophic wind vector. Consequently, the magnitude of the geostrophic wind decreases rapidly with height while its direction remains nearly constant. The difference between the actual and the geostrophic wind vanishes at about 1200 m. Convective motions contribute to the small-scale vertical momentum transport. At the wind maximum the convective momentum transport amounts to about 30% of the surface stress. In a layer extending 300 m above the wind maximum the momentum is transported downward against the vertical gradient of the mean motion. The kinetic energy of the mean motion generated by the large-scale pressure gradient within the lowest 1OOO m primarily serves to balance the loss of mean kinetic energy due to conversion into turbulent kinetic energy in the surface boundary layer (lowest 20 m). In order to provide a reasonable description of the turbulent kinetic energy budget below the inversion the effects of condensation and evaporation within the cloud layer have to be taken into account.

Description: In the tropics mean diurnal courses of air pressure and wind system show many similarities. To test the well known theoretical considerations data of three Atlantic "Meteor" expeditions are used: The "Meteor Expedition 1925 /27", the "Atlantic Expedition 1965 (IQSY)" and the "Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX) 1969". The results show the response of the atmosphere to the semi-diurnal pressure oscillation. The diurnal oscillation of the wind system cannot be described by simple models. The influence of the continents upon the diurnal pressure wave seems to be dominant. The measurements close to the Intertropical Convergence Zone point to a diurnal variation of the inflow into the ITCZ.

Description: During the driftage of R. V. "Meteor" within the "Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX) 1969" time series of wind velocity, air and sea temperature and humidity were measured on a buoy drifting windward of the disturbed zone of the ship. Using the profile method, vertical fluxes of momentum and sensible and latent heat were calculated. Time variations in the periodic range from 2.5 minutes to 5 days are analysed. Within the 18 days period the vertical fluxes of latent heat and momentum vary by a factor of 5 because of long period wind variations. For wind velocity, flux of momentum and flux of latent heat the variations in the range of periods greater than one day contribute most of spectral energy (65-85%) to total variance, while for air and water temperature, humidity and sensible heat flux the variations with periods smaller than one day represent more than 50% of total variance. For most of the mentioned variables the contribution of diurnal and semi-diurnal oscillations to total variance is small (3%), only for pressure, air and water temperature it is about 30% . The measurements during rain showers point out that even weak or moderate showers influence the surface layer right down to the sea surface. The amplitudes of the diurnal courses depends on the distance of the measurements to the air-sea interface. The diurnal course of water temperature follows the variation of incoming solar radiation, with increasing depth its amplitude is reduced and the phase is lagged. Applying the equation of diffusion to the diurnal harmonic water temperature oscillation down to 50 m depth, a coefficient of thermal diffusivity in water of K = 0.0525 - 0.00075 z (m2/s), decreasing with depth, was calculated. The diurnal variation of air temperature is influenced by the diurnal course of sea surface temperature. A semi-diurnal oscillation is superimposed by the semi-diurnal pressure wave because of adiabatic warming. The observed increase of the amplitude with height is caused by absorption of solar radiation. The stability of density stratification also shows a marked diurnal variation with a maximum of lability at night. This effects directly the variation of sensible heat flux. Humidity mainly shows a diurnal variation, the reason may be a diurnal variation of the divergence of vertical water vapor transport.

Description: By critical examination of the stratigraphical methods and interpretations applied to Eastern Mediterranean Quaternary sediments, "endemic" (Mediterranean) and "foreign" (non-Mediterranean) data are separated. Basing on the "endemic" data, cores of various authors are correlated by lithology as well as by Foraminifera frequency curves. Using "cycles" (containing a basal warm and the following cold period) a chronological interpretation of Foraminifera frequency curves, similar to that of PARKER (1958) is given. lt is applicable to curves of all authors.

Description: In the sediments of the NW African continental margin the mainly biogenic carbonate constituents become increasingly diluted with terrigenous material as one approaches the coast, as indicated by the carbonate-C02 content, the Al20a/Si02-ratios, and the presence of ammonia fixed to alumino-silicates, predominantly to illites. In the northern area of investigation - off Cape Blanc and Cape Bojador - the terrigenous constituents are mainly quartz from the Sahara Desert, whereas in the south - off Senegal - more alumino-silicates as clay minerals are admixed with the carbonate constituents. The organic carbon content of the continental slope sediments off Senegal is higher than in samples of the continental rise or of the shelf, indicating optimal conditions for the preservation of organic matter as a result of high production and relatively rapid sedimentation. The zone of manganese-oxide enrichment follows the redox potential of + 330 m V from the surface (0-5 cm) into the sediments (20-30 cm deep) at 2000-3000 m and 3700 m of water depths, respectively. At shallower water depths, low redox potentials preclude deposition of manganese oxides and cause their mobilization from the sediments. About 1/3 of the total sedimentary Zn and 1/4 of the Cu is associated with the carbonate mineral fraction, probably in calcium phosphate overgrowths as a result of the mineralization of phosphorus-containing organic matter. Besides the precipitation of calcium phosphate, the mineralization of organic matter mediated by bacterial sulfate reduction also results in calcium carbonate precipitation and the exchange of ammonia for potassium on illites. Because of these simultaneous reactions, the depth distribution of all mineralization constituents in the interstitial water can be determined using the actual molar carbon-to-nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios of the sedimentary organic matter. The amount of sulfide sulfur in this process indicates the predominance of bacterial sulfate reduction in the sediments off NW Africa. This process also preferentially decomposes nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing organic compounds so organic matter deficient in these elements is characteristic for the rapidly accumulating sediments. During the last glacial stage there were more biogenic carbonates and organic matter accumulating in the sedimcnts than today, indicating there was increased production of organic carbon compounds and more favorable conditions for their preservation. During the last interglacial times conditions were similar to those of today. This differentiation with time has also been observed in sediments from thc Argentine Basin and from the slope off South India indicating perhaps world-wide environmental changes throughout Late Quaternary times.

Description: The cruises "Valdivia" 10 and "Meteor" 39/1975 had geological and geophysical investigations as focal points. They covered the northwest African continental margin between Morocco (33.5° N) and the southernmost Senegal (12° N) with the purpose: 1) to fill gaps from previous "Meteor" cruises, 2) to contribute to post-site surveys for DSDP Leg 41 (sites 367-370) and 3) to provide pre-site surveys for DSDP Legs 47 and 51 and IPOD crustal site 7 area around 21° N/32° W. The equipment used was similar to "Meteor" cruise 25/1971 with the main exceptions being the new multi-channel, digital seismic system of the BGR (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Hannover) (Meteor 39-1), refraction seismic buoys, the Kiel multisonde for measuring physical oceanographic parameters (Meteor 39-2) and continuous television observations from a slowly moving ship (Valdivia 10-3). The activities are summarized in Table 1. The scien1ific goals, cruise log, equipment used, participants, profiles and station lists as well as some preliminary results form the contents of the report.

Description: Sedimentological and biostratigraphic investigations of 15 cores (total length: 88 m) from the vicinity of Great Meteor Seamount (about 30° N, 28° W) showed that the calcareous oozes are asymmetricaly distributed around the seamount and vertically differentiated into two intervals. East and west of the seamount, the upper "A"-interval is characterized by yellowish-brown sediment colors and bioturbation; ash layers and diatoms are restricted to the eastern cores. On both seamount flanks, the sediments of the lower "B"-interval are white and very rich in CaC03 with a major fine silt (2-16 μ) mode (mainly coccoliths). Lamination, manganese micronodules, Tertiary foraminifera and discoasters, and small limestone and basalt fragments are typical of the "B"-interval of the eastern cores only. The sediments contain abundant displaced miaterial which was reworked from the upper parts of the seamount. The sedimentation around the seamount is strongly influenced by the kind of displaced material and the intensity of its differentiated dispersal: the sedimentation rates are generally higher on the east than on the west flank (e.g. in "B" : 0.9 cm/1000 y in the W; 3.1 cm/1000 y in the E), and lower for the "A" than for the "B"-interval. The lamination is explained by the combination of increased sedimentation rates with a strong input of material poor in organic carbon producing a hostile environment for benthic life. The CaC03 content of the cores is highly influenced by the proportion of displaced biogenous carbonate material (mainly coccoliths). The genuine in-situ conditions of the dissolution fades are only reflected by the minimum CaCOs values of the cores (Fig. 23; CCD = about 5,500 m; first bend in dissolution curve = 4,000 m; ACD = about 3,400 m). The preservation of the total foraminiferal association depends on the proportion of in-situ versus displaced specimens. In greater water depths (stronger dissolution), for example, the preservation can be improved by the admixture of relatively well preserved displaced foraminifera. Carbonate cementation and the formation of manganese micronodules are restricted to microenvironments with locally increased organic carbon contents (e.g. pellets; foraminifera). The ash layers consist of redeposited, silicic volcanic glass of trachytic composition and Mio-Pliocene age; possibly, they can be derived from the upper part of the seamount. Siliceous organisms, especially diatoms, are frequent close to the ash layers and probably also redeposited. Their preservation was favoured by the increase of the Si02 content in the pore water caused by the silicic volcanic glass. The cores were biostratigraphically subdivided with the aid of planktonic foraminifera and partly also coccoliths. In most cases, the biostratigraphically determined cold- and warm sections could be correlated from core to core (Fig. 21). Almost all cores do not penetrate the Late Pleistocene. All Tertiary fossils are reworked. In general, the warm/cold boundary W2/C2 corresponds with the lithostratigraphic A/B boundary. Benthonic foraminifera indicate the original site of deposition of the displaced material (summit plateau or flanks of the seamount). The asymmetric distribtttion of the sediments around the seamount east and west of the NE-directed antarctic bottom current (AABW) is explained by the distortion of the streamlines by the Coriolis force; by this process the current velocity is increased west of the seamount and decreased east of it (Fig. 25). The different proportion of displaced material within the "A" and "B" interval is explained by changes of the intensity of the oceanic circulation. At the time of "B" the flow of the AABW around the seamount was stronger than during "A"; this can be inferred from the presence of characteristic benthonic foraminifera. The increased oceanic circulation implies an enhanced differentiation of the current velocities, and by that, also of the sedimentation rates, and intensifies the winnowing processes on the seamount plateau. The winnowed sediment material was transported downslope by turbid layers into the deep-sea, incorporated into the current system of the AABW, and asymmetrically deposited around the seamount.

Description: 1. 52 species of Crustacea Decapoda Reptantia, one of which new, were obtained on the cruises of R. V. "Meteor" dealt with in this paper. 2. The status of Euchirograpsus liguricus and E. americanus is discussed in some detail. It is shown that E. americanus is restricted to the western Atlantic, while E. liguricus occurs only in the eastern Atlantic. Records of E. americanus outside the western Atlantic are due to confusions with E. liguricus or other new species which have been described elsewhere (TÜRKAY 1975). 3. 3 species ( Polycheles crucifera, Munida iris ruttlandi, Cymonomus normani) are recorded for the first time from the Portuguese and 4 species ( Polycheles granulatus, Munida iris ruttlandi, Jaxea nocturna1, Macropipus rugosus) from the Moroccan coast. 4. The characterization of the Moroccan and Lusitanic province may be performed quantitatively rather than qualitatively. Further investigations are needed in order to get complete results.

Description: This paper deals with Euphausiacea collected in the upwelling region off Northwest Africa between Cap Blanc and Cap Mirik (Timiris) during the voyages 19 (1970) and 26 (1972) of the research vessel "Meteor". 20 species have been recorded, 4 of these dominate in the area under study. Euphttsia krohnii, Nematoscelis megalops and Thysanoessa gregaria are atlantic temperate species, whereas Nyctiphanes capensis inhabits neritic areas around the edge of the Banc d' Arguin, together with Euphausia hanseni from the Southern Atlantic. The population density of the euphausiids in the upwelling area is very high. The vertical distribution of the dominant species E. krohnii and N. megalops reveal significant differences. E. krohnii occurs down to a depth of 200 m, whereas N. megalops lives between 100 and 300 m. The shelf and the edge of the shelf (down to 2000 m) are populated by different species. On the shelf, adult and juvenile N. capensis predominate, but great numbers of juvenile N. megalops have also been found. Along the edge of the shelf E. krohnii, N. megalops and T. gregaria are most abundant. E. hanseni was represented by juveniles, both on the shelf and along its edge. Comparing the species composition of the area under study with that of other regions of the North Atlantic, the dominant species exhibit certain similarities with the species present near Cap Verde and Canary Island, but none similarities could be established with the Great Meteor Seamount. The reasons for this situation are discussed.

Description: On the cruises 3 and 15 of R. V. "Meteor" a number of benthic abyssal gastropods has been collected. Two of the species found in these samples belong to the subgenus Theta CLARKE, 1959 of the genus Pleurotomella. One of the species is Pleurotomella (Theta) lyronuclea CLARKE, 1959, hitherto only known by one single specimen from off Bermuda; CLARKE's description is completed, based on the additional specimens now available. The other one is a new species named Pl. (Theta) bathyiberica, which is described and photographed.

Description: Twentyone species of euthecosomes were present in the IIOE collections and most of them were very abundant in the upwelling and divergence areas such as the Somali coast, the South Arabian coast, the areas around India and Ceylon and off Java. The seasonal changes in the above areas were prominent. A gradual reduction in the number of species was found from South to North with the maximum (20) in the West Australian sea and minimum (12) in the northern Arabian Sea. L. lesueuri is named as the indicator of the subtropical watermass, C. globu­losa, the equatorial watermass and C. uncinata, the watermass around Andaman Islands. Ten patterns of distribution were traced with the biohydrographic boundaries at Bab el Mandeb, around Gulf of Oman, off central west coast of India, around 10° N, 10° S and 40° S. A distinct hydrological barrier found around 10° N has not only helped to explain the unique pattern of distribution in the north Indian Ocean but also supports the theory that the faunistic barrier exists in the open ocean.

Description: In this account 101 species of fishes derived from the bottom hauls on the shelves of the coast of Portugal and of Morocco, the Great Meteor Seamount, the Josephine Seamount and the Gettysburg Bank have been identified and arranged in systematic order. For all a few of the most relevant synonyms are mentioned, the material is enumerated and measurements are given under the stations it has been taken at. Only some of the most common and well-known species were not described, for others a short to detailed description is given, and some taxonomical and morphological points are discussed. The range of distribution of each species has been treated as comprehensively as possible. The stations, their dates, exact positions, depths and gear are given in a list.