ALBERT

Description: The cartilaginous tubercles of the mantle of the squid Cranchia scabra have been examined with the scanning electron microscope. Some tubercles are small, simple nodules whereas others are large with a complex Maltese cross form. The varying shapes and sizes probably represent a developmental sequence. The possible role of the tubercles is discussed.

Description: Investigations indicate that the Iceland Ice Sheet was reduced in size during MIS 3 but readvanced to the shelf break at the LGM. Retreat occurred very rapidly around 15 k–16 k cal. yr BP. By contrast, the margin of the ice sheet on the East Greenland shelf, north of the Denmark Strait, was at or close to the shelf break during MIS 3 and 2 and retreat starting ∼17 k cal. yr BP. Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of the 〈2 mm sediment fraction was undertaken on 161 samples from Iceland and East Greenland diamictons, and from cores on the slopes and margins of the Denmark Strait. Weight% mineralogical data are used in a principal component analysis to differentiate sediments derived from the two margins. The first two PC axes explain 52% of the variance. These associations are used to characterise sediments as being affiliated with (a) Iceland, (b) East Greenland or (c) mixed. The contribution from Iceland becomes prominent during MIS 2. The extensive outcrop of early Tertiary basalts on East Greenland between 68° and 71° N is an alternative source for basaltic clasts and North Atlantic sediments with εNd(0) values close to ±0.

Description: Two cores were recovered in the southeastern part of Lake Shkodra (Montenegro and Albania) and sampled for identification of tephra layers. The first core (SK13, 7.8 m long) was recovered from a water depth of 7 m, while the second core (SK19, 5.8 m long) was recovered close to the present-day shoreline (water depth of 2 m). Magnetic susceptibility investigations show generally low values with some peaks that in some cases are related to tephra layers. Naked-eye inspection of the cores allowed the identification of four tephra layers in core SK13 and five tephra layers in core SK19. Major element analyses on glass shards and mineral phases allowed correlation of the tephra layers between the two cores, and their attribution to six different Holocene explosive eruptions of southern Italy volcanoes. Two tephra layers have under-saturated composition of glass shards (foiditic and phonolitic) and were correlated to the AD 472 and the Avellino (ca. 3.9 cal. ka BP) eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius. One tephra layer has benmoreitic composition and was correlated to the FL eruption of Mount Etna (ca. 3.4 cal. ka BP). The other three tephra layers have trachytic composition and were correlated to Astroni (ca. 4.2 cal. ka BP), Agnano Monte Spina (ca. 4.5 cal. ka BP) and Agnano Pomici Principali (ca. 12.3 cal. ka BP) eruptions of Campi Flegrei. The ages of tephra layers are in broad agreement with eight 14C accelerator mass spectrometric measurements carried out on plant remains and charcoal from the lake sediments at different depths along the two cores. The recognition of distal tephra layers from Italian volcanoes allowed the physical link of the Holocene archive of Lake Shkodra to other archives located in the central Mediterranean area and the Balkans (i.e. Lake Ohrid). Five of the recognised tephra layers were recognised for the first time in the Balkans area, and this has relevance for volcanic hazard assessment and for ash dispersal forecasting in case of renewed explosive activity from some of the southern Italy volcanoes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: This paper presents a temperature reconstruction of the past 1000 years for Central Europe, based on chronological records. The advantages and limitations of this hermeneutic, text-based approach are discussed and the statistic methodology is introduced. Historical documents represent direct observation of weather and atmospheric conditions with highest temporal resolution available and precise dating. A major advantage of these extensive data is that they allow the reconstruction of large numbers of variables such as winter temperature, precipitation, pressure patterns or climate extremes as well as floods or storms. Within this hermeneutic climatological research approach, even human impacts and social dimensions of climate development can be examined. In order to quantify the historical information, statistical methods are applied, based on an index approach.

Description: The dry weight and the crest length of the upper and lower beak, the length of the radula ribbon, the average width of the base of the six proximal and distal rachidian teeth as well as the total number of these teeth have all been related to the live body weight of octopuses between 1.1 and 4440 g. From any one of these parameters it is possible to estimate the size and approximate age of the animal.

Description: Features of the brain of this oceanic squid have been investigated and related, as far as possible, to its habits and mode of life. The body and arms are much vacuolated for buoyancy and the animal probably lives with the head upwards. The very long whip-like tentacles are not vacuolated and perhaps hang downwards. They are covered by numerous minute pedunculated suckers, perhaps providing a sticky surface. A special nerve running outside the brain carries signals from the arms and tentacles to the magnocellular lobe, which is very large and of complex structure. However, there are no giant cells and the mantle is weak. Propulsion is mainly by the large fins, which are controlled from the magnocellular lobe, presumably using the information from the arms and tentacles.

Description: Meiobenthos densities and higher taxon composition were studied in an active gas seepage area at depths from 182 to 252 m in the submarine Dnieper Canyon located in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The meiobenthos was represented by Ciliata, Foraminifera, Nematoda, Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Amphipoda, and Acarina. Also present in the sediment samples were juvenile stages of Copepoda and Cladocera which may be of planktonic origin. Nematoda and Foraminifera were the dominant groups. The abundance of the meiobenthos varied between 2397 and 52,593 ind.·m−2. Maximum densities of Nematoda and Foraminifera were recorded in the upper sediment layer of a permanent H2S zone at depths from 220 to 250 m. This dense concentration of meiobenthos was found in an area where intense methane seeps were covered by methane-oxidizing microbial mats. Results suggest that methane and its microbial oxidation products are the factors responsible for the presence of a highly sulfidic and biologically productive zone characterized by specially adapted benthic groups. At the same time, an inverse correlation was found between meiofauna densities and methane concentrations in the uppermost sediment layers. The hypothesis is that the concentration of Nematoda and Foraminifera within the areas enriched with methane is an ecological compromise between the food requirements of these organisms and their adaptations to the toxic H2S.

Description: An automatic food dispenser was designed for use with Octopus vulgaris Lamarck. One live crab was delivered each time the octopus pulled a white shape attached to the dispenser. The apparatus provided a continuous record of the time and frequency of feeding over periods of up to 15 days.

Description: This paper presents an event stratigraphy based on data documenting the history of vegetation cover, lake-level changes and fire frequency, as well as volcanic eruptions, over the Last Glacial–early Holocene transition from a terrestrial sediment sequence recovered at Lake Accesa in Tuscany (north-central Italy). On the basis of an age–depth model inferred from 13 radiocarbon dates and six tephra horizons, the Oldest Dryas–Bølling warming event was dated to ca. 14 560 cal. yr BP and the Younger Dryas event to ca. 12 700–11 650 cal. yr BP. Four sub-millennial scale cooling phases were recognised from pollen data at ca. 14 300–14 200, 13 900–13 700, 13 400–13 100 and 11 350–11 150 cal. yr BP. The last three may be Mediterranean equivalents to the Older Dryas (GI-1d), Intra-Allerød (GI-1b) and Preboreal Oscillation (PBO) cooling events defined from the GRIP ice-core and indicate strong climatic linkages between the North Atlantic and Mediterranean areas during the last Termination. The first may correspond to Intra-Bølling cold oscillations registered by various palaeoclimatic records in the North Atlantic region. The lake-level record shows that the sub-millennial scale climatic oscillations which punctuated the last deglaciation were associated in central Italy with different successive patterns of hydrological changes from the Bølling warming to the 8.2 ka cold reversal. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: The movements of the isolated buccal mass of Octopus vulgaris have been investigated. The beaks undergo rhythmic cycles of activity in the absence of applied stimulation and after electrical stimulation of the inter-buccal connective. Initial opening, closing, retraction and re-opening phases of movement are described. This cycle of movements is taken to resemble those in the intact animal. Anatomical and electrical evidence identifies the superior mandibular muscle as being partly responsible for the closing and retraction phases of movement. The inferior buccal ganglion determines the sequence of these buccal movements, but modification by sensory feed-back from the musculature is also implied. The preparation will allow a closer comparison of the control of movement in cephalopods and gastropods.

Description: Taonius megalops is a neutrally buoyant oceanic squid, very different in form when young and old. The young, has a round, sac-like mantle and relatively long tentacles, while the adult has an elongated cone-like mantle and relatively short tentacles. The transition in shape and form is gradual and has been followed in animals of between 3 and 180 mm dorsal mantle length. Statistical tests on various parameters investigated, both external and internal, revealed good correlation with the dorsal mantle length and confirmed the descriptions of the development of the chromatophores and subocular light organs with growth. It was concluded that these animals, captured in the Atlantic Ocean, all belonged to the species T. megalops Prosch 1849. This study has permitted us to suggest a tentative outline of the life cycle, although no adults were present in the material available.

Description: A crab which has been captured and paralysed by an octopus but retrieved 1 1/2 min later cannot at first be pulled apart by the experimenter: 27 min later it can be dismembered easily. This demonstrates that there is external digestion when Octopus vulgaris feeds upon crabs. However, it is strictly limited at this stage to the arthrodial membrane and the musculo-skeletal attachment mechanisms as the exoskeleton separates at the joints allowing the muscles to be drawn out of the appendages. And yet, two hours after capture, pieces of crab meat are still recognizable in the octopus's stomach. The process of paralysing and cleaning a crab was noticeably slowed after the surgical removal of the radula, salivary papilla or the lateral buccal palps.

Description: The changes in body weight of 12 octopuses, fed on fish or crabs, were followed under laboratory conditions for periods of 1 to 7 1/2 months. The food intake was estimated and compared with the changes in body weight of the octopuses; 25 to 55% of the total intake of food appeared to be incorporated. The range of the average increase in weight over the whole observation period of each of the animals was 1.9 to 7.7g per day (1 to 7 1/2 months); the mean value was 4.8g per day. The effect of changing the diet of small octopuses (fish or crab)was followed for four weeks but there was no evidence that alteration of the diet affected the rate of changes in body weight of animals of more than 47g initial body weight.

Description: Diosmetin, 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone shows chemopreventive, antimutagenic, and antiallergic effects. On the other hand, chrysoeriol, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone induced nodABC-lacZ in Rhizobium meliloti. Both of them belong to hydroxymethoxy- flavones. One major difference between diosmetin and chrysoeriol is the substituted position of hydroxyl and methoxyl groups. In order to elucidate the relationships between their structures and activity, one of the first things to be done is the determination of their structures. However, most flavones occur widely in nature, and thus it is difficult to obtain in sufficient amounts from natural sources to identify their structures. Assignments of NMR data of several hydroxymethoxyflavones may help us to identify novel flavonoid compounds isolated from natural sources based on their NMR experiments. Therefore, we report here the complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data of 13 hydroxymethoxyflavones.

Description: Reproductive mechanisms in the seven species of the thecosomatous pteropod genus Limacina are described and compared. All species are protandrous hermaphrodites. Five species–L. bulimoides, L. helicina, L. lesueuri, L. retroversa and L. trochiformis–have a similar reproductive anatomy in which the gonoduct leading from the gonad to the common genital pore functions as a seminal vesicle in the male and is elaborated into mucous and albumen glands in the female. The male system consists of a prostate gland and penis connected to the common genital pore by an external ciliary tract. All five species have a free-swimming veliger stage which hatches from free-floating egg masses. Limacina helicoides has the same reproductive anatomy but is ovoviviparous, with embryos retained in capsules in the mucous gland until they are juveniles of 50 mm in shell diameter. Limacina inflata lacks mucous and albumen glands and a penis; a spermatophore formed by the prostate gland is used in aphallic sperm transfer. This species exhibits brood protection with un-encapsulated embryos retained in the mantle cavity until they are released as veligers measuring 0067 mm in diameter. L. inflata is the most abundant of the seven species despite lowered fecundity; reasons for its ecological success are discussed.

Description: Myrionecta rubra, a ubiquitous planktonic ciliate, has received much attention due to its wide distribution, occurrence as a red tide organism, and unusual cryptophyte endosymbiont. Although well studied in coastal waters, M. rubra is poorly examined in the open ocean. In the Irminger Basin, North Atlantic, the abundance of M. rubra was 0–5 cells/ml, which is low compared with that found in coastal areas. Distinct patchiness (100 km) was revealed by geostatistical analysis. Multiple regression indicated there was little relationship between M. rubra abundance and a number of environmental factors, with the exception of temperature and phytoplankton biomass, which influenced abundance in the spring. We also improve on studies that indicate distinct size classes of M. rubra; we statistically recognise four significantly distinct width classes (5–16, 12–23, 18–27, 21–33 μm), which decrease in abundance with increasing size. A multinomial logistic regression revealed the main variable correlated with this size distribution was ambient nitrate concentration. Finally, we propose a hypothesis for the distribution of sizes, involving nutrients, feeding, and dividing of the endosymbiont.

Description: Understanding the influence of growth temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) on seed quality in terms of seed composition, subsequent seedling emergence and early seedling vigour is important under present and future climates. The objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of elevated temperature and CO2 during seed-filling of parent plants on seed composition, subsequent seedling emergence and seedling vigour of red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Plants of cultivar ‘Montcalm’, were grown at daytime maximum/nighttime minimum sinusoidal temperature regimes of 28/18 and 34/24 °C at ambient CO2 (350 μmol mol−1) and at elevated CO2 (700 μmol mol−1) from emergence to maturity. Seed size and seed composition at maturity and subsequent per cent emergence, early seedling vigour (rate of development) and seedling dry matter production were measured. Elevated CO2 did not influence seed composition, emergence, or seedling vigour of seeds produced either at 28/18 or 34/24 °C. Seed produced at 34/24 °C had smaller seed size, decreased glucose concentration, but significantly increased concentrations of sucrose and raffinose compared to 28/18 °C. Elevated growth temperatures during seed production decreased the subsequent per cent emergence and seedling vigour of the seeds and seedling dry matter production of seed produced either at ambient or elevated CO2.

Description: Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a high spatial resolution analytical method which has been applied to the analysis of silicic tephras. With current instrumentation, around 30 trace elements can be determined from single glass shards as small as ∼ 40 µm, separated from tephra deposits. As a result of element fractionation during the ablation process using a 266 nm laser, a relatively complex calibration strategy is required. Nonetheless, such a strategy gives analyses which are accurate (typically within ±5%) and have an analytical precision which varies from ∼ ±2% at 100 ppm, to ∼ ±15% at 1 ppm. Detection limits for elements used in correlation and discrimination studies are well below 1 ppm. Examples of the application of trace element analysis by LA-ICP-MS in tephra studies are presented from the USA, New Zealand and the Mediterranean. Improvements in instrumental sensitivity in recent years have the potential to lower detection limits and improve analytical precision, thus allowing the analysis of smaller glass shards from more distal tephras. Laser systems operating at shorter wavelengths (e.g. 193 nm) are now more widely available, and produce a much more controllable ablation in glasses than 266 nm lasers. Crater sizes of 〈10 µm are easily achieved, and at 193 nm many of the elemental fractionation issues which mar longer wavelengths are overcome. By coupling a short wavelength laser to a modern ICP-MS it should be possible to determine the trace element composition of glass shards as small as 20 µm and, providing sample preparation issues can be overcome, the determination of the more abundant trace elements in glass shards as small as 10 µm is within instrumental capabilities. This will make it possible to chemically fingerprint tephra deposits which are far from their sources, and will greatly extend the range over which geochemical correlation of tephras can be undertaken.

Description: Absolute barriers to dispersal are not common in marine systems, and the prevalence of planktonic larvae in marine taxa provides potential for gene flow across large geographic distances. These observations raise the fundamental question in marine evolutionary biology as to whether geographic and oceanographic barriers alone can account for the high levels of species diversity observed in marine environments such as coral reefs, or whether marine speciation also operates in the presence of gene flow between diverging populations. In this respect, the ecological hypothesis of speciation, in which reproductive isolation results from divergent or disruptive natural selection, is of particular interest because it may operate in the presence of gene flow. Although important insights into the process of ecological speciation in aquatic environments have been provided by the study of freshwater fishes, comparatively little is known about the possibility of ecological speciation in marine teleosts. In this study, the evidence consistent with different aspects of the ecological hypothesis of speciation is evaluated in marine fishes. Molecular approaches have played a critical role in the development of speciation hypotheses in marine fishes, with a role of ecology suggested by the occurrence of sister clades separated by ecological factors, rapid cladogenesis or the persistence of genetically and ecologically differentiated species in the presence of gene flow. Yet, ecological speciation research in marine fishes is still largely at an exploratory stage. Cases where the major ingredients of ecological speciation, namely a source of natural divergent or disruptive selection, a mechanism of reproductive isolation and a link between the two have been explicitly documented are few. Even in these cases, specific predictions of the ecological hypothesis of speciation remain largely untested. Recent developments in the study of freshwater fishes illustrate the potential for molecular approaches to address specific questions related to the ecological hypothesis of speciation such as the nature of the genes underlying key ecological traits, the magnitude of their effect on phenotype and the mechanisms underlying their differential expression in different ecological contexts. The potential provided by molecular studies is fully realized when they are complemented with alternative (e.g. ecological, theoretical) approaches.

Description: Groundwater seeps are known to occur in Eckernförde Bay, Baltic Sea. Their discharge rate and dispersion were investigated with a new schlieren technique application, which is able to visualize heterogeneous water parcels with density anomalies down to Drt ¼ 0.049 on the scale of millimeters. With the use of an inverted funnel, discharged fluids can be captured and the outflow velocity can be determined. Overall, 46 stations could be categorized by three different cases: active vent sites, seep-influenced sites, and non-seep sites. New seep locations were discovered, even at shallow near-shore sites, lacking prominent sediment depression, which indicate submarine springs. The detection of numerous seeps was possible and the groundwater-influenced area was defined to be approximately 6.3 km2. Flow rates of between 0.05 and 0.71 l m)2 min)1 were measured. A single focused fluid plume, which was not disturbed by the funnel was recorded and revealed a flux of 59.6 ± 20 ml cm)2 min)1 and it was calculated that this single focused plume would be strong enough to produce a flow rate through the funnel of 1.32 ± 0.44 l m)2 min)1. The effect of different seep-meter funnel sizes is discussed.

Description: Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of the 〈2mm sediment fraction was carried out on 1257 samples (from the seafloor and 16 cores) from the Iceland shelf west of 188 W. All but one core (B997-347PC) were from transects along troughs on theNW to N-central shelf, an area that in modern and historic times has been affected by drift ice. The paper focuses on the non-clay mineralogy of the sediments (excluding calcite and volcanic glass). Quartz and potassium feldspars occupy similar positions in an R-mode principal component analysis, and oligoclase feldspar tracks quartz; these minerals are used as a proxy for ice-rafted detritus (IRD). Accordingly, the sum of these largely foreign minerals (Q&K) (to Icelandic bedrock) is used as a proxy for drift ice. A stacked, equi-spaced 100 a record is developed which shows both low-frequency trends and higher-frequency events. The detrended stacked record compares well with the flux of quartz (mg cm-2 a-1) at MD99-2269 off N Iceland. The multi-taper method indicated that there are three significant frequencies at the 95% confidence level with periods of ca. 2500, 445 and 304 a. Regime shift analysis pinpoints intervals when there was a statistically significant shift in the average Q&K weight %, and identifies four IRDrich events separated by intervals with lower inputs. There is some association between peaks of IRD input, less dense surface waters (from d18O data on planktonic foraminifera) and intervals of moraine building.

Description: An experimental study was performed to disentangle parental and environmental effects on the growth of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae and juveniles. Eggs were collected during the spawning season from spawning pairs (families) kept separately in specially designed spawning compartments. Newly hatched larvae were released simultaneously into two mesocosms of 2500 and 4400 m3. Larval growth was monitored by sampling over a 10 week period, after which juveniles were transferred to on-growing tanks, where they were tagged and kept for up to 2 years. Maternal origin was determined by individual microsatellite genotyping of the larvae (n = 3949, 24 families) and juveniles (n = 600). The results showed significant positive correlations between egg size and larval size during the whole mesocosm period. Correlations, however, weakened with time and were no longer significant at the first tank-rearing sampling at an age of 9 months. Significant family-specific differences in growth were observed. The coefficient of variation (c.v.) was calculated in order to examine variation in standard length of larvae during the mesocosm period. Inter-family c.v. was on average 69% of intra-family c.v. Differences in zooplankton densities between the two mesocosms were reflected in larval growth, condition factor and c.v. Low food abundance appeared to reduce c.v. and favour growth of larvae that showed relatively slow growth at high food abundance. It is suggested that genetically determined variation in growth potential is maintained by environmental variability.

Description: The annual cycle of extreme 1-day precipitation events across the UK is investigated by developing a statistical model and fitting it to data from 689 rain gauges. A generalized extreme-value distribution (GEV) is fit to the time series of monthly maxima, across all months of the year simultaneously, by approximating the annual cycles of the location and scale parameters by harmonic functions, while keeping the shape parameter constant throughout the year. We average the shape parameter of neighbouring rain gauges to decrease parameter uncertainties, and also interpolate values of all model parameters to give complete coverage of the UK. The model reveals distinct spatial patterns for the estimated parameters. The annual mean of the location and scale parameter is highly correlated with orography. The annual cycle of the location parameter is strong in the northwest UK (peaking in late autumn or winter) and in East Anglia (where it peaks in late summer), and low in the Midlands. The annual cycle of the scale parameter exhibits a similar pattern with strongest amplitudes in East Anglia. The spatial patterns of the annual cycle phase suggest that they are linked to the dominance of frontal precipitation for generating extreme precipitation in the west and convective precipitation in the southeast of the UK. The shape parameter shows a gradient from positive values in the east to negative values in some areas of the west. We also estimate 10-year and 100-year return levels at each rain gauge, and interpolated across the UK.

Description: Epipelagic pterotracheid heteropods and young cranchiid squids rely primarily on transparency for concealment; yet they have opaque structures, the eyes and visceral organs that compose the visceral nuclei, which can only be camouflaged in other ways. These two groups have achieved convergent solutions to this problem. The visceral nucleus has a narrow and conical shape and a covering layer of iridophores that lies parallel to the surface of the organ. The eyes also have iridophore layers and tapered shapes. A minimal ventral silhouette results when the long axes of the visceral nucleus and eyes are oriented vertically, with the narrowest ends directed downward. In pterotracheids, this is actively achieved by tilting the nucleus and eyes and flexing the body and proboscis. In cranchiids, tilting of the organs alone suffices and adjustments are accomplished much more rapidly than in the pterotracheids.

Description: Coccoliths were studied from the ODP Hole 1002C and core PL07-39PC in the Cariaco Basin. Increases in Emiliania huxleyi are synchronous with decreases of Gephyrocapsa oceanica and vice versa. A new index (GEX) based on the relative abundances of these two taxa is proposed, and correlates with various other proxies. It is shown that GEX can serve as upwelling proxy. This confirms that the Intertropical Convergence Zone shifted north during the Bølling/Allerød, south during the Younger Dryas and back north during the Preboreal. The upwelling proxy shows few discrepancies with the terrigenous record.

Description: A visible tephra horizon in the NGRIP ice core has been identified by geochemical analysis as the Fugloyarbanki Tephra, a widespread marker horizon in marine cores from the Faroe Islands area and the northern North Atlantic. An age of 26 740 ± 390 yr b2k (1s uncertainty) is derived for this tephra according to the new Greenland Ice Core Chronology (GICC05) based on multiparameter counting of annual layers. Detection of this tephra for the first time within the NGRIP ice core provides a key tie-point between marine and ice-core records during the transition between MIS 3 and 2. Identification of this volcanic event within the Greenland records demonstrates the future potential of using tephrochronology to precisely correlate palaeoarchives in widely separated localities that span the last glacial period, as well as providing a potential method for examining the extent of the radiocarbon marine reservoir effect at this time.

Description: A study of the diet of Sepia officinalis and S. elegans in the Ria de Vigo has shown that crustaceans are the most abundant prey in both species, followed by fish. Changes in the food composition of both species occur with growth. The type of prey eaten by the two sexes of these species is very similar. The possibility of trophic competition between juveniles of S. qficinalis and S. elegans is discussed.

Description: Natural communities are constantly changing due to a variety of interacting external processes and the temporal occurrence and intensity of these processes can have important implications for the diversity and structure of marine sessile assemblages. In this study, we investigated the effects of temporal variation in a disturbance regime, as well as the specific timing of events within different regimes, on the composition and diversity of marine subtidal fouling assemblages. We did this in a multi-factorial experiment using artificial settlement tiles deployed at two sites on the North East coast of England. We found that although there were significant effects of disturbances on the composition of assemblages, there were no effects of either the variation in the disturbance regime or the specific timing of events on the diversity or assemblage composition at either site. In contrast to recent implications we conclude that in marine fouling assemblages, the variability in disturbance regimes (as a driving force) is unimportant, while disturbance itself is an important force for structuring robust ecosystems.

Description: Archived scales and otoliths constitute a unique source of DNA that potentially enables extension of the temporal scale of genetic studies of fish populations by decades and even centuries. We review recent insights into fish population and conservation genetics obtained using analysis of DNA from archived samples. This involves both new knowledge about demographic parameters and population structure in wild populations and insights into consequences of anthropogenic pressure resulting from over-harvesting, habitat degradation and stocking. We show that the latter category of studies have led to significant changes of management practices. Ongoing improvement of genetic methods will undoubtedly further expand the ability to utilize historical DNA samples. We envisage that temporal comparisons of large numbers of coding genes will lead to novel insights into selective responses of fish populations to anthropogenic challenges, particularly fisheries-induced selection and global warming. However, both acquisition and storage of historical DNA samples can be hurdles to temporal genetic analyses, while degradation and low copy number in historical DNA samples render genetic data from such sources prone to technical artefacts. We summarize recommendations for storage of samples and DNA extraction and provide checklists for validation of genotyping results. Finally, we stress that validation procedures also involve documentation of the time and population of origin of historical samples, and the inferences drawn should account for the technical and statistical uncertainties associated with historical DNA analysis.

Description: Intra‐plate volcanism in western Europe shows statistically significant episodicity during the Quaternary period. By comparing the known ages for eruptions in France and Germany, which are compiled here, with a composite oxygen isotope record, we have investigated the link between this episodic volcanism and the climate record over the last two million years. We show that increased volcanism between 415–400 ka and 17–5 ka correlates with warming phases at the end of the last Weichselian (Devensian) and earlier Elsterian (Anglian) glacial stages. The three significant caldera explosions in the eastern Eifel, Germany, are all associated with warming phases at the onset of interglacials. The growth and decay of nearby ice sheets suggest that surface changes in continental mass distribution during glacial Milankovich cycles could provide a mechanism for this correlation by means of the distal effects of flexural loading on the lithosphere.

Description: An analysis of mass (M) and standard length (LS) data for larval, juvenile and adult sprat (Sprattus sprattus; Clupeidae) revealed marked changes in the allometric scaling factor (b in inline image). For sprat 〈44 mm LS, b was 5·0, whereas in larger juveniles and adults, b was c. 3·4 indicating a relatively protracted metamorphic period for this species.

Description: To investigate and disentangle the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐based ‘good genes' and ‘compatible genes' in mate choice, three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus with specific MHC IIB genotypes were allowed to reproduce in an outdoor enclosure system. Here, fish were protected from predators but encountered their natural parasites. Mate choice for an intermediate genetic distance between parental MHC genotypes was observed, which would result in intermediate diversity in the offspring, but no mate choice based on good genes was found under the current semi‐natural conditions. Investigation of immunological variables revealed that the less‐specific innate immune system was more active in individuals with a genetically more divergent MHC allele repertoire. This suggests the need to compensate for an MHC‐diminished T‐cell repertoire and potentially explains the observed mate choice for intermediate MHC genetic distance. The present findings support a general pattern of mate choice for intermediate MHC diversity (i.e. compatible genes). In addition, the potentially dynamic role of MHC good genes in mate choice under different parasite pressures is discussed in the light of present and previous results.

Description: Individual behaviour of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in the presence of hypoxic water was measured in situ in the vertically stratified Bornholm Basin of the Baltic Sea. Considering all recaptured individuals, the use of hypoxic habitat was comparable to data derived by traditional survey data, but some G. morhua had migrated towards the centre of the c.100 m deep basin and spent about a third of their time at oxygen saturation 〈50%, possibly to forage on zoobenthos. Maximal residence time per visit in such hypoxic water was limited to a few hours, allowing for the digestion of consumed prey items in waters with sufficient dissolved oxygen.

Description: The seasonal growth trajectories of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar juveniles by age group within the Margaree River, Canada, are described. Circuli counts from scales were used to infer growth rates at different ages and these were used to predict the proportions of age 2‐ and 3‐year old smolts from different portions of the watershed. In the wild Atlantic salmon juveniles from the Margaree River, there was no bimodality in fork length frequencies and no 1 year old smolts were produced. Water temperature differences during the growing season were insufficient to explain the differences in growth rates and size at age among the sites sampled. There was a positive association between the growth rate in the first year and the subsequent age at smoltification. In the Margaree River, differences in tributary specific growth rates and size at age were expected to produce important differences in the relative ages at smoltification.

Description: Speciation and the maintenance of recently diverged species has been subject of intense research in evolutionary biology for decades. Although the concept of ecological speciation has been accepted, its mechanisms and genetic bases are still under investigation. Here, we present a mechanism for speciation that is orchestrated and strengthened by parasite communities acting on polymorphic genes of the immune system. In vertebrates, these genes have a pleiotropic role with regard to parasite resistance and mate choice. In contrasting niches, parasite communities differ and thus the pools of alleles of the adapted major histocompatibility complex (MHC) also differ between niches. Mate choice for the best‐adapted MHC genotype will favour local adaptations and will accelerate separation of both populations: thus immune genes act as pleiotropic speciation genes –‘magic traits’. This mechanism should operate not only in sympatric populations but also under allopatry or parapatry. Each individual has a small subset of the many MHC alleles present in the population. If all individuals could have all MHC alleles from the pool, MHC‐based adaptation is neither necessary nor possible. However, the typically small optimal individual number of MHC loci thus enables MHC‐based speciation. Furthermore, we propose a new mechanism selecting against species hybrids. Hybrids are expected to have super‐optimal individual MHC diversity and should therefore suffer more from parasites in all habitats.

Description: Human activities have differentially altered biogeochemical cycling at local, regional and global scales. We propose that a stoichiometric approach, examining the fluxes of multiple elements and the ratio between them, may be a useful tool for better understanding human effects on ecosystem processes and services. The different scale of impacts of the elements carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and the different nature of their biogeochemical cycles, imply a large variation of their stoichiometric ratios in space and time and thus divergent impacts on biota. In this paper, we examine the effects of anthropogenic perturbations on nutrient ratios in ecosystems in two examples and one case study. Altered stoichiometry in agricultural systems (example 1) can affect not only crop yield and quality but also the interactions between plants and their pollinators, pests and pathogens. Human activities have also altered stoichiometry in coastal ecosystems (example 2). Increased N loading has especially lead to increased N:P and reduced Si:N ratios, with detrimental effects on ecosystem services derived from coastal pelagic food webs, such as fish yield and water quality. The terrestrial–aquatic linkage in stoichiometric alterations is illustrated with a case study, the Mississippi River watershed, where anthropogenic activities have caused stoichiometric changes that have propagated through the watershed into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Coupled with altered stoichiometric nutrient inputs are the inherent differences in variation and sensitivity of different ecosystems to anthropogenic disturbance. Furthermore, the connections among the components of a watershed may result in downstream cascades of disrupted functioning. Applying a multiple element perspective to understanding and addressing societal needs is a new direction for both ecological stoichiometry and sustainability.

Description: Elf sternbildende Bakterienstämme aus Brackwasser der Ostsee und der Elbemündung wurden mit Agrobacterium stellulatum und A. ferrugineum verglichen. Eleven star-forming bacterial strains from brackish water of the Baltic Sea and the River Elbe have been compared with Agrobacterium stellulatum and A. ferrugineum.

Description: Das Ergebnis der RNS-Messung über die Orcin-Methode wird durch zwei Verbesserungen präzisiert: 1. Ribose als Eichsubstanz erhöht die Reproduzierbarkeit. 2. Der Einfluß interferierender Zucker, wie Glucose Galactose und Mannose, wird durch die Messung bei zwei Wellenlängen eliminiert. Damit läßt sich der tatsächliche RNS-Gehalt berechnen, sofern das ungefähre Gewichtsverhältnis der die Bestimmung störenden Zucker bekannt ist.

Description: Von September 1968 bis August 1969 wurde die Harpacticidenfauna der sublitoralen Weichböden in der östlichen Kieler Bucht untersucht. Von den 31 aufgefundenen Arten erwiesen sich 11 als neu für das Gebiet der Kieler Bucht. Eine neue Unterart konnte beschrieben werden: Robertsonia tenuis (BRADY u. ROBERTSON) kieliensis ssp. nov. Bei folgenden Arten werden taxonomische Fragen erörtert: Halectinosoma herdmani, Haleclinosoma fumarchium, Pseudobradya minor, Robertsonia tenuis, Typhlamphiascus typhlops, Amphiascoides debilis, Amphiascoides dispar und Arthropsyllus serratus. Ferner werden einige ökologische Gesichtspunkte behandelt. The Copepoda Harpacticoidea of sublitoral muddy bottoms in the eastern part of the Kieler Bucht were studied from September 1968 till August 1969. From 31 species found 11 are new for the Kieler Bucht region. One new subspecies is described: Roberseniar tenuis (BRADY + ROBERTSON) kieliensis ssp. nov. Besides taxonomical studies concerning the following species, Halectinosoma herdmani, Halectinosoma finmarchicum, Pseudobradya minor, Robertsonia tenuis kieliensis, Typhlamphiascus typhlops, Amphiascoides debilis, Amphiascoides dispar and Arthropsyllus sceratus some ecological aspects are discussed.

Description: Relevant literature and the author's own research support the assumption that apparently homogeneous plankton communities arc subject to marked variability with regard to the physiological condition of individual organisms. This gives rise to difficulties when conducting analyses for productivity, as only integrating methods have hitherto been in use. Thc difference between the obtained values and their postulated precision becomes even greater when the investigation is extended to include normally heterogeneous natural plankton communities. A combination of integrating and cytological methods can effectively overcome such difficulties without involving an unreasonably greater expenditure of time and labour. Adequate cytological methods are searched for. By reason of their high sensitivity and convenience, fluorometric methods are particulary suitable. Here the primary fluorescence of chlorophyll and the seconclary fluorescencc induced by berberine sulphate and primulin are employed. Thus s visual separation of phytoplankton organisms into categories according to chlorophyll content, nucleic acid content and living state becomes feasible. The possibilities opened by more quantitative fluorometric analyses are shortly summarized. Moreover, a mechanisation of these analysis methods, so essential to planktology, is projected.

Description: Mit Datenmaterial, das bei Messungen in der Eckernförder Bucht im Frühjahr 1968 gewonnen wurde, wird versucht, einen Überblick über die unterschiedlichen Temperaturschichtungen beim Übergang von der nahezu homogenen Schichtung im Winter zur sommerlichen Zweischichtung mit ausgeprägter Sprungschicht zu gewinnen und zu klären, wie weit regional bedingte Einflüsse für die Variation der Temperaturschichtung von Bedeutung sind. Es lagen in fünfminütigem Abstand auf einer Position wiederholte Registrierungen des vertikalen Temperaturprofils über drei Monate und zusätzlich meteorologische, Seegangs- und Strommessungen vor. Die Temperaturprofile wurden mit einem verankerten Unterwasserwinden-System erhalten. Eine Darstellung des Meßverfahrens wird gegeben. Mittlere Jahresgänge der Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsschichtung und des Windes für das Untersuchungsgebiet aus früheren Messungen werden dargestellt und mit den Meßdaten für die Frühjahrserwärmung 1968 verglichen. Der Zusammenhang zwischen Wassertemperaturschichtung und der Erwärmung von der Atmosphäre wird diskutiert.

Description: Es wird ein Verfahren beschrieben, wie aus der Messung von Frequenz und Wellenlänge von Schallwellen die Schallgeschwindigkeit bestimmt werden kann. Die Messung der Wellenlänge geschieht mit Hilfe von optischen Interferometern, deren Aufbau und Konstruktion näher beschrieben wird. The paper describes a method for absolute determination of velocity of sound in water by measuring wavelength and frequency of acoustical sinewaves. The measurement of wave-length is done by optical interferometers. The arrangement of these interferometers and the construction of themselves are described in this paper.

Description: Von 39 Agrobacterium-Stämmen aus Brackwasser, die auf Geißeln gefärbt wurden, besaßen 33 Fimbrien. Lange polare Fimbrien, die einzeln oder in Büscheln auftraten, waren am häufigsten (23 Stämme). Ein Stamm besaß peritriche Fimbrien, 9 weitere Isolierungen wiesen beide Anordnungen auf. Für einen ungewöhnlich breiten Fimbrientyp wurde die Entwicklung in Abhängigkeit von den Wachstumsbedingungen untersucht. Frühere Befunde über Geißelanordnungen wurden bestätigt. Of 39 Agrobacterial strains from brackish water stained for flagella, 33 possessed fimbriae. Long polar filaments occutring singly or in tufts were most common(23 strains). One strain bore pritrichous fimbriae only, and 9 isolations both arrangements. For an unusually wide fimbrial type the development in dependence of the growth conditions was studied. Former findings about the flagellar arrangement were confirmed.

Description: Die Toxizität und Nesselwirkung von sieben mediterranen Aktinien unterschiedlicher taxonomischer Stellung wird untersucht und mit der Morphologie der Nesselkapseln, speziell der p-Rhabdoiden, verglichen. Obwohl die Toxizitätsunterschiede auch bei nahverwandten Arten relativ groß sind, ergeben sich folgende Befunde: 1. Die Toxizität, gemessen an der Reaktion von Carcinus maenas nach parenteraler Applikation von Rohtoxin, entspricht nicht der Nesselwirkung (=lokale Reaktion der menschlichen Haut bei Berührung) und dem Grad der morphologischen Differenzierung der Nesselkapseln. Es wird vermutet, daß Toxizität und Nesselwirkung durch unterschiedliche Stoffe hervorgerufen werden. 2. Arten mit morphologisch differenzierteren Nesselkapseln und starker Nesselwirkung können von Arten mit einfacher gebauten Nesselkapseln und schwacher Nesselwirkung aber mit höherer Toxizität gefressen werden. Arten mit gleichen Nesselkapseltypen können unterschiedlich toxisch sein. 3. Hohe Nesselwirkung und große, morphologisch stärker differenzierte Nesselkapseln sind die Kennzeichen ursprünglicher Aktinienarten. Phylogenetisch jüngere Aktinienarten nesseln dagegen nur schwach und weisen kleinere, weniger differenzierte Nesselkapseln aber eine größere Toxizität auf. Daraus ist zu schließen, daß die morphologische Differenzierung und die Nesselwirkung der Nesselkapseln im Verlauf der Stammesgeschichte der Aktinien reduziert und durch eine zunehmende Toxizität kompensiert wurden.

Description: Die Leistungsfähigkeit -zusammengesetzt aus Retention, Durchlaufgeschwindigkeit und Variabilität-verschiedener in der marinen Produktionsbiologie verwendeter Filtersorten wurde mit Hilfe der Chlorophyll-a Bestimmung untersucht. Jeweils zwei der zehn getesteten Filtersorten wurden mit dem t-Test (nach STUDENT) statistisch ausgewertet. Außer bei den vier untersuchten Glasfaserfiltern konnten keine bedeutenden Unterschiede in der Retention der untersuchten Filter festgestellt werden. Dies stimmt nicht überein mit den Ergebnissen anderer Autoren, die die 14C-Methode zur Bestimmung der Retention von photosynthetisierendem Phytoplankton durch Filter verschiedener Porengröße verwendeten. Eine Erklärung für diese Diskrepanz ist, daß viele Flagellaten durch die Filtration beschädigt werden. Das Zellplasma und die kleineren Organellen gehen dadurch verloren, die relativ großen und festen Chloroplasten werden jedoch von den meisten Filtern vollständig zurückgehalten. Filter efficiency, consisting of retention, variability and filtration time of different filters used in biological oceanography was tested with the help of the chlorophyll-a method. Of the ten filters tested, two were compared with one another in each case. The chlorophyll-a content of the filters after filtration was used as an index for their retention. The results obtained were statistically evaluated with the Student's t-test. With the exception of the four fibreglass-filters tested, no significant difference in the retention of the filters was found. This does not tally with the results of other authors who used the 14C method to determine the retention of photosynthesizing phytoplankton by filters of varying poresize. This discrepancy could be explained by the fact that many flagellates that are damaged in the course of filtration, lose their plasma and the smaller organelles; the large and firm chloroplasts however, are retained by most filters.

Description: The quantitative determination of hydrocarbons in nature with either gaschromatography or infrared has several major drawbacks. Therefore a special method was developed. The material obtained by extraction with non-polar solvent was separated on a very short thin layer plate of 10% AgN03 silica gel with hexane as the solvent. The saturated and benzyl hydrocarbons were found near the front, separated from non-hydrocarbon material. An attempt to separate the unsaturated hydrocarbons from non-hydrocarbon material was unsuccessful. The silica gel containing the hydrocarbons was eluted with hexane, and the hydrocarbons were determined in a CHN analyzer. Amounts as small as 1 μg could be determined. Dissolved hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons within particulate matter were determined in the Gotland Deep, a Baltic Basin. An average value of 57.2±4.2 μg C/l as non olefinic, dissolved hydrocarbon was determind, which is about 1,5% of the total dissolved organic carbon. The average of non-olefinic hydrocarbon on particulate material was 1.1±0,75 μg C/l, which is equivalent to 0.8% of the total particulate organic carbon. The ratio of particulate, non-olefinic hydrocarbon to total, particulate organic carbon was the highest at 110 m and lowest at 10 m. The hydrocarbon content had no significant influence on the Corg/N ratios of the particulate material.

Description: Bodenproben aus dem Aestuar des Rivers Leven, der Morecombe-Bay (Lancashire, Nord-England) und vom Meeresstrand an der Westküste Cumberlands wurden auf Niedere Pilze untersucht. Mit der Pinus-Pollen-Ködermethode konnten 7 Arten als häufigste Organismen identifiziert werden, wobei es sich teils um uniflagellate CHYTRIDIALES, teils um biflagellate Thraustochytriacea handelte. Während im Aestuar des Rivers Leven uni- und biflagellate Pilze nebeneinander angetroffen wurden, ergaben die Proben vom Meeresstrand nur biflagellate Formen. Es wird angenommen, daß der Salzgehalt eine wichtige Rolle bei dieser Verteilung der Organismen spielt. Soil-samples from River Leven estuary, the Morecombe-Bay (Lancashire, North-England), and from the sea shore of the west-coast of Cumberland have been investigated for Lower Fungi. By means of the pinus-pollen baiting-method 7 species have been identified as prevalent organisms, being partly uniflagellate CHYTRIDIALES, partly biflagellate Thraustochytriaceae. While in the estuary of River Leven and the Morecombe Bay uni- and biflagellate forms occured, from the samples of the sea shore (westcoast) only biflagellate fungi have been obtained. lt is suggested that salinity plays an important role in this distribution pattern.

Description: The contents of the stomach and intestine of 272 gobies of five species, viz. Ciystallogobius linearis, Aphia minuta, Chaparrudo flavescens, Pomatoschistus microps, and Pomatoschistus minutus, collected with Beyer's 50 cm epibenthic closing net were studied. All proved to be principally carnivorous and crustaceans were the most important food organisms. Although Diastylis rathkei was the most frequently found crustacean of suitable size in the net samples, this cumacean was of minor importance as food for P. minutus, the most common goby in the material. This discrepancy is explained by the nature of the exo-skeletone of Diastylis. In night samples the number of P. minutus caught was much higher than in the hauls taken during day, a result which might be due to higher nocturnal activity in the goby, and/or the fish perceiving the approaching net on daylight and being able to escape. A day and night feeding activity is suggested.

Description: Im Rahmen der Untersuchungen über die Abwasserbelastung der Küstengewässer der westlichen Ostsee wird über den Zustand der Untertrave im August 1967 berichtet. An Hand eines Längsschnittes durch dieses fjordartige Gewässer von 25 km Länge mit geringem Süßwasserdurchfluß und ausgeprägter Salzgehaltsschichtung wird gezeigt, daß sich die Wasserbeschaffenheit in diesem für städtische und industrielle Abwässer genutzten Vorfluter gegenüber den Befunden im Jahre 1950 trotz Sanierung der Stadtentwässerung nicht gebessert hatte. Sauerstoffarmes bzw. durch Schwefelwasserstoff verseuchtes und mit Nährstoffen angereichertes Wasser beherrschte nach wie vor den oberen Gewässerabschnitt im Bereich der Hansestadt Lübeck, erst im unteren Teil führte die Vermischung mit dem eindringenden Ostseewasser zum allmählichen Abbau der Verunreinigungen. In connection with investigations on the effect of sewage in coastal waters of the Western Baltic a report is given on the situation in the Untertrave in August 1967. By means of a longitudinal section through the river-like fjord 25 km in length with low fresh water influx and marked salinity stratification, it is demonstrated that the water condition in this outlet of waste waters showed no improvement compared with the situation in 1950, in spite of the renovation of the canalization. Water poor in oxygen or poisoned by H2S and enriched with nutrients still dominated in the upper part within the region of the Hanse town of Lübeck, only in the lower part the reduction of the polution was preceeding gradually by mixing with the inflowing Baltic sea water.

Description: In der Seeanemone Anemonia sulcata wurden zwei krabbenlähmende Toxine (I und II) nachgewiesen und partiell gereinigt. Es wurde gezeigt, daß es sich dabei um wasserlösliche, in saurer und neutraler Lösung recht hitzestabile Polypeptide handelt. Diese Neurotoxine kommen nicht nur in den Tentakeln, sondern auch im Anemonenkörper in annähernd gleicher Konzentration vor. Zur Extraktion der Toxine aus den zerkleinerten Seeanemonen wurde warmer 50%iger Äthanol verwendet. Die weitere Reinigung erfolgte durch fraktionierte Alkohol- und Acetonfällung, Kationenaustauscherchromatographie und Gelfiltration. Die Reinheit wurde mit der Stärkegel- und Polyacrylamidgelektrophorese geprüft. Die letale Dosis für Krabben liegt bei Toxin I unter 30 μ g/kg Carcinus maenas und bei Toxin II unter 7 μ g/kg. Auch an Warmblütern wurde eine stark krampfauslösende Wirkung der Toxine festgestellt. Das Molekulargewicht der toxischen Polypeptide liegt in der Größenordnung von 5000 bis 10000. Es wurde gezeigt, daß für die krabbenparalysierende Wirkung ausschließlich Polypeptidtoxine verantwortlich sind.

Description: Phagen für Agrobacterium stellulatum A 18 und A 22 sind im Wasser der Kieler Bucht regelmäßig anzutreffen. Die höchsten Werte lagen hier bei 3700 bzw. 8100 pfu/ml. Die Zahl der Phagen für A 18 ist unabhängig von Abwassereinflüssen. Die Phagenzahl sinkt mit fallenden Salzgehalten des Brackwassers, wenn 8‰ unterschritten werden. In der Kieler Förde zeigte die Entwicklung von Agrobakterien und Phagen kurzzeitige gleichsinnige Schwankungen. Hier wurden die absolut höchsten Phagenzahlen mit 25500 bzw. 36500 pfu/ml festgestellt. Phagen für A. stellulatum und A.ferrugineum befallen selektiv wenige Stämme der Art; zwischen den Arten erfolgt keine Reaktion. - Die Wurfgröße (burst-size) betrug für einen Phagen von A. stellulatum 35 Phagen/Zelle, für einen Phagen von A. ferrugineum 120 Phagen/Zelle. 105 pfu/ml des ersten Phagen starben in Brackwasser innerhalb 4 Wochen völlig ab. Beim zweiten Phagen starben 2·106 pfu/ml in 2 Wochen ab. Phages active against Agrobacterium stellulatum strains A 18 and A 22 are regularly found in water from the Kiel Bay. The highest values for this area were 3700 and 8100 pfu/ml, respectively. The number of phages against strain A 18 is independent of waste-water of domestic origine. Below S 8‰, the phage counts drop with decreasing salinities of brackish water. In the Kiel Fjord the development of Agrobacteria and phages show short-term fluctuations corresponding to each other. The highest phage counts in all made up 25500 and 36500 pfu/ml, respectively. Phages for A. stellulatum and A. ferrugineum react with comparatively few strains of the species. There are no cross-reactions between species. The burst-size of phage 369 active against A. stellulatum A 18 made up 35 phage particles per cell, that of phage 360 for A. ferrugineum A 7 was 120 phages per cell. 105 pfu/ml of the former died off in brackish water within 4 weeks, 2·106 pfu/ml of the latter died off within a fortnight.

Description: Die Sestonbestimmung hat den Vorteil, eine einfache, vielseitig anwendbare Methode in der biologischen Meereskunde zu sein. Ihre Genauigkeit hängt in erster Linie von der Beschaffenheit des Filtermaterials, der Größe der Filter und den Wägebedingungen ab. In diesem Zusammenhang werden drei Filtersorten miteinander verglichen: Papierfilter (Schleicher & Schüll 575), Sartorius-Membranfilter (SM 11304) und Glasfaserfilter (Whatman GF/C). Die Glasfaserfilter wurden hierbei, soweit bekannt, zum ersten Mal für die Sestonbestimmung benutzt. In der Filtrationsleistung sind sie den Membranfiltern vergleichbar. Aus voneinander unabhängigen Doppelbestimmungen wird die Standardabweichung der Methode bei der Verwendung der verschiedenen Filtersorten ermittelt. Die größte Genauigkeit erreichten Whatman-Glasfaserfilter (⌀ 2,5 cm) mit ± 0,15 mg auf der 95% Wahrscheinlichkeitsebene. Zum Schluß wird eine neue Filtationsapparatur beschrieben und eine ausführliche Arbeitsvorschrift gegeben. Seston determination has the advantage of being a simple method with a wide range of application in biological oceanography. Its accuracy depends mainly on the quality of the filter material, the size of the filters and the weighing conditions. Under these aspects three filter types are compared: paper filters (Schleicher& Schüll 575), Sartorius membrane filters (SM 11304) and glassfibre filters (Whatman GF/C). The glassfibre filters have been used here, as far as is known, for the first time for seston determination. Their filtration efficiency is comparable to that of the membrane filters. By means of independent double determinations the standard deviation of the method shown by the three filter types tested is calculated. The highest accuracy was attained by Whatman glassfibre filters (⌀ 2.5 cm) with ± 0.15 mg on the 95% probability level. Finally, a new filtration apparatus is described and detailed directions for determining seston given.

Description: Der Verfasser gibt in Form einer Tabelle eine Liste der 252 vom deutschen Meeresbereich bekannten Harpacticoiden-Arten (Crustacea Copepoda) mit Angaben über das Vorkommen an einzelnen Küstenabschnitten, in verschiedenen Lebensräumen und Zonen einschließlich der Halinitätsansprüche der einzelnen Arten. Heteropsyllus masculus KLIE 1950 (nicht SARS) wird in H. masculus n. sp. umbenannt. Parastenocaris törökae PONYI wird als synonym mit P. phyllura KIEFER betrachtet. The author gives as a table a list of the 252 harpacticoid species known from the german coast, with data on the occurence in the different districts, biotopes and zones, including their claims of halinity. The name of Heteropsyllus major KLIE (1950) not SARS -is changed into H. masculus n. sp. Parastenocaris törökae PONYI is considered synonymous with P. phyllura KIEFER.

Description: Lage und Bedeutung der Laichplätze sowie das Larvenwachstum konnten für beide Heringspopulationen (Frühjahrs- und Herbstlaicher) der westlichen Ostsee ermittelt werden. a) An der schleswig-holsteinischen Küste liegen die bedeutendsten Laichplätze des Frühjahrsherings in der Schlei und dem Nord-Ostsee-Kanal an der Kieler Förde. b) Die Laichplätze für den Herbsthering der Kieler Bucht befinden sich außerhalb dieses Meeresteils an den Ostküsten von Langeland und Fehmarn. Für diese Feststellung spricht sowohl der alljährliche Fang von Schwärmen laichreifer Herbstheringe als auch die Larvenverteilung kurz nach dem Schlüpfen. c) Die Herbstheringslarven werden mit Hilfe der "Larvenpumpe", eines Randeffekts des Austausches von Wassermassen der Beltsee und Ostsee, in die Kieler Bucht transportiert: Sowohl die geographische Lage dieses Gebietes an der wichtigsten Verbindung zwischen Ostsee und Kattegat als auch die Verteilung der Laichplätze nahe des nördlichen und östlichen Ausgangs bieten günstige Voraussetzungen dafür. d) Das Wachstum der Heringslarven ist temperaturabhängig. Es betrug für die Nachkommen des Herbstherings, die die westliche Ostsee bevölkern, im Oktober 1967 mehr als 0,2 mm/Tag.

Description: Zur Untersuchung des Einflusses verschiedener produktionsbiologischer Parameter auf die Sichttiefe wurden an sechs Stationen der Kieler Bucht monatliche Sichttiefenmessungen vorgenommen und je nach deren Größe 1 bis 5 Schöpfproben gewonnen und zur Bestimmung folgender Größen verwendet: Das Sestongewicht wurde gemessen und der Detritusgehalt berechnet. Das Phytoplankton wurden mittels Chlorophyllbestimmung und durch Auszählung der Zellzahlen erfaßt. Mit der Biuretmethode wurde der Eiweißgehalt des Gesamtplanktons bestimmt. Zur Kontrolle wurden Licht- und Durchsichtigkeitsmessungen durchgeführt. 1966 ergab sich zusätzlich die Möglichkeit, in der Nordsee von Bord eines Feuerschiffes aus (P 8) die dortigen Verhältnisse im Februar, im Mai und im August zu untersuchen. Wie sich aus den Untersuchungen in der Ostsee zeigt, kann man auf Grund mehrmaliger Sichttiefenmessungen einzelne Stationen in einem bestimmten Gebiet statistisch sicher unterscheiden. Die jahreszeitlichen Schwankungen der Sichttiefe an einem Ort können beträchtlich sein. Stationen, die im relativ freien Wasser außerhalb der Kieler Förde liegen, zeigen keinen statistisch gesicherten Unterschied. Die Sichttiefenbestimmungen in der Nordsee ergaben charakteristische Mittelwerte für die einzelnen Monate (Februar: 4,97 m; Mai: 8,27 m; August: 5,83 m). Den größten Einfluß auf die Sichttiefe übt der Sestongehalt aus. Da seine Beschaffenheit sehr variabel ist, beeinflußt eine bestimmte Sestonmenge die Sichttiefe verschieden stark. Mittels der Sestonwerte ließen sich die Stationen der Ostsee schlechter trennen als auf Grund der Sichttiefe. Bei einem Vergleich der Veränderung von Sichttiefe und Sestongehalt ergab sich für die gesamte Untersuchungsperiode in 70% der Fälle eine negative Korrelation zwischen ihnen. Die Probennahme auf P 8 zeigt, daß die negative Korrelation zwischen Sichttiefe und Sestongehalt beträchtlichen jahreszeitlichen Schwankungen unterworfen ist, was auf die verschiedene Zusammensetzung des Sestons zurückzuführen ist. So ergab sich für den Februar in 83,3% der Fälle eine negative Korrelation, während sie im Mai nur in 56,2% und im August in 54,5% der Fälle bestätigt werden konnte. Ähnliche Verhältnisse wie für den Sestongehalt wurden auch für das Verhalten des Detritusgehaltes gefunden. In 69,8 % der Fälle wurde während der gesamten Untersuchungsperiode für die Ostseestation eine negative Korrelation angetroffen. Die Verhältnisse auf P 8 zeigten, daß der Detritusgehalt jahreszeitlich bedingt eine verschieden stark ausgeprägte Korrelation zur Sichttiege aufweist. So fand sich im Februar in 83,3% der Fälle eine negative Korrelation, während im Mai nur 43,7% der Fälle eine negative Korrelation aufwiesen. Im August stieg der Prozentsatz wieder auf 54,5%. Die Beeinflussung der Sichttiefe durch das Gesamtplankton, gemessen mittels des Eiweißgehaltes, variierte stark. Die Ostseestationen ergaben für die gesamte Untersuchungsperiode in 46,6% der Fälle eine Bestätigung der negativen Korrelation. Die Probennahme auf P 8 ergab für den Februar in 66,6% der Fälle eine negative Korrelation, im Mai stieg sie auf 75,0% und fiel im August auf 40,9%. Für die Stationen in der Ostsee zeigte sich außerdem, daß eine signifikante Verschiedenheit der Stationen in bezug auf den Eiweißgehalt vorhanden ist. In 57,7% der untersuchten Fälle ließ sich eine negative Korrelation zwischen Sichttiefe und Chlorophyllgehalt für die Stationen der Ostsee und für den gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum feststellen. Im Februar 1966 fand sich in der Nordsee bei P 8 nur in 25,0% der Fälle eine negative Korrelation. Im Mai stieg sie auf 56,2% und fiel im August wieder auf 50,0% der untersuchten Fälle. Trotz der Verschiedenartigkeit der Phytoplanktonformen fand sich für die gesamte Untersuchungsperiode in der Ostsee in 51,1 % der untersuchten Fälle eine negative Korrelation zwischen Gesamtzellzahl und Sichttiefe. Eine Bestätigung der negativen Korrelation erfolgte für P 8 im Februar in 75,0% der Fälle, im Mai waren es 50,0%, im August 31,8%. Die Beleuchtungsmessungen an den Ostseestationen ergaben, daß im Mittel 9,40% des Oberflächenlichtes bis zur Sichttiefe dringt. Das sind, im Vergleich zum Feuerschiff P 8, geringe Werte. Dort fanden sich für den Februar 24,37% des Oberflächenlichtes in der Sichttiefe. Im Mai waren es 18,80%, im August 18,78%. Für das Zusammenfallen einer Sichttiefenzunahme (- abnahme) mit einer Zunahme (- abnahme) der Beleuchtungsintensität ergaben sich folgende Werte: Februar: 58,3% aller Fälle. Mai: In 50,0% aller Fälle. August: In 31,8% aller Fälle.

Description: Sediments from Baltic basins, the relatively well aerated Bornholm Basin and the poorly aerated Gotland Deep, were collected in order to see what effect a relative lack of oxygen at the sediment-water interface has on the diagenesis of organic material deposited in nature. From hydrographic considerations one can assume that the Gotland Deep has a perennial deficiency of oxygen when compared to the Bornholm Basin. This was also shown from the manganese (HARTMANN, 1964) content in the two sediments. Both sediments were also found to have a similar mineral composition and particle size distribution. That they were of a similar age could be shown by the fact that they both had a relatively large amount of organic material (GRIPENBERG, 1955) and similar concentrations of ammonia. Since the two basins have different rates of primary productivity, it was necessary to adjust the quantitative results with a compensating factor. This factor was based upon the pristane, a highly stable hydrocarbon, content, and it was determined that the Bornholm Basin had a primary productivity 1.5 times as high as the Gotland Deep. Quantitatively the lower oxygen concentrations in the Gotland Deep resulted in the preservation of more total soluble amino acids, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and organic carbon. In addition a greater percentage of the total organic carbon in the Gotland Deep was, in a non-condensed form. Qualitatively no major difference was found in the distribution in the two sediments of the total soluble amino acids (with the possible exception of tyrosine), fatty acids, or hydrocarbons, however unsaturated fatty acids and hydrocarbons showed considerable difference in their qualitative distribution. The low oxygen basin was found also to contain considerable more unsaturated compounds, and its material seemed to have been less influenced by bacteria, as determined by a higher linear/iso fatty acid ratio. A study of the fatty acids and hydrocarbons that were released from the mineral matrix of the sediments by acid digestion, indicates an additional preservative effect in that a still greater degree of unsaturation was present and in that the linear/iso ratios were higher. This preservative effect in the relatively well aerated basin was either less or absent.

Description: Das Makrobenthos der tieferen Teile der Kieler Bucht wurde im Jahr 1968 auf 24 Bodengreiferstationen im Abstand von zwei Monaten quantitativ erfaßt, um ein Bild der Nahrungsvoraussetzungen für bodenlebende Fische zu erhalten. Im einzelnen wurden der Anteil von Fischnährtieren am Gesamtbenthos, die Menge an Fischnahrung in wichtigen Fischereigebieten sowie jahres- und tageszeitliche Veränderungen des Nahrungsangebots untersucht. Nach einem Vergleich von Biomasse und Produktion verschiedener Benthosarten wird der Versuch gemacht, die Mindestproduktion an Makrobenthos für die Abra alba-Zönose der Kieler Bucht abzuschätzen. A quantitative study of macrobenthos in the deeper parts of Kiel Bay was conducted every two months in 1968 to get a picture of the food available for demersal fish. The share of fish food in the total benthos, the amount of food animals in important trawling localities, and seasonal and diurnal changes in the food offer are particularly discussed. After a comparison of biomass and production of different benthos species, the minimum production of macrobenthos in the Abra alba-coenosis of Kiel Bay is fixed by estimate.

Description: Der Polyp einer neuen Art der Gattung Dipurena wird ausführlich beschrieben. Für das zugehörige Medusenstadium wird eine vorläufige Beschreibung gegeben. D. spongicola ist die erste bekanntgewordene Hydrozoenart, die ihr gesamtes Polypenstadium im Innern eines Schwammes (Halichondria panicea PALLAS) vollendet und die erste Dipurena-Art, die im Kattegat und der nördlichen Kieler Bucht nachgewiesen wird. Die wesentlichsten Unterscheidungsmerkmale zu drei ähnlichen Arten werden diskutiert. Es werden erste Angaben zur Ökologie und Biologie des beschriebenen Hydroiden gemacht. A detailed description of the hydroid and a preliminary one of the medusa stage of a new Dipurena-species is given. Dijmrena spongicola is the first Hydrozoan known to spend its whole hydroid stage inside sponges (Halichondria panicea PALLAS). lt is the first species of the genus Dipurena recorded from the Kattegat and the northern Kiel Bay. The most important characters distinguishing it from three other species are discussed. Preliminary observations concerning the ecology and biology of the new species are reported.

Description: Gelegentlich einer Bearbeitung des Cyprina islandica-Bestands der Kieler Bucht im Jahr 1968 wurde auch der Befall dieser Muschel mit dem kommensalischen Nemertinen Malacobdella grossa ermittelt. Von insgesamt 534 untersuchten Islandmuscheln waren ca. 27% befallen; die Befallsrate ging in den letzten 60 Jahren um mehr als die Hälfte zurück. Größere Muscheln enthielten den Nemertinen wesentlich häufiger als kleine. Regional bestehen Unterschiede, die aber nicht mit der Häufigkeit von Cyprina korrelierbar sind. Juvenile und adulte Nemertinen traten das ganze Jahr hindurch auf; eine Periode intensiver Fortpflanzung war nicht zu erkennen. Eine Schädigung befallener Islandmuscheln durch den Kommensalen ist nicht nachzuweisen. On the occasion of a study of the soft clam (Cyprina islandica L.) stock in Kiel Bay during 1968, the infestation of this bivalve with the entocommensal rhynchocoelan Malacobdella grossa was noted. Of a total of 534 soft clams investigated, about 27% were infested; this is less than half the rate found 60 years ago. Larger bivalves contained the nemertean much more frequently than smaller specimens. There are regional differences, which can, however, not be correlated with the abundance of Cyprina. Juvenile and adult nemerteans occured throughout the year; a period of intensive breeding was not noticed. A negative effect of the commensal on its host cannot be proved.

Description: An bakterienfreien Kulturen von Amphidinium höfleri in vollsynthetischem Nährmedium konnte mit dem Coulter-Counter gezeigt werden, daß gelöste Aminosäuren in Konzentrationen von 50 mg/l eine Erhöhung des Zellvolumens der Population um 6,1% bewirken. Eine Beeinflussung der Generationszeit konnte nicht festgestellt werden. Wurden die Aminosäuren in Konzentrationen von 200 µg/l, also in Konzentrationen, wie sie im Pelagial des Meeres vorkommen, geboten, so konnte keine Förderung des Wachstums nachgewiesen werden. With axenic cultures of Amphidinium höfleri it was shown by using the Coulter-Counter, that dissolved amino-acids in concentrations of 50 mg/l will increase the cellvolume by 6.1%. There was no effect on the generation time. If the aminoacids were added in concentrations of 200 µg/l - the concentration of natural sea water - then there was no effect.

Description: Untersucht wurden die Komponenten Bremsfallschirm, Kunststoffseil, Sollbruchstelle und federgesteuerter Auslöser. Der Bremsfallschirm hat die Aufgabe, die Sinkgeschwindigkeit des Ankersteins während der Freifallphase zu vermindern. Das Kunststoffseil stellt einen vollwertigen Ersatz für Stahlseile in großen Wassertiefen dar, die einzelnen Komponenten der Verankerung miteinander zu verbinden. Sollbruchstelle und federgesteuerter Auslöser sind Teile des Sicherheitssystems zur Wiedergewinnung der Verankerung. Der Test des Bremsfallschirms zeigte die obere Grenze der Belastbarkeit auf, die mit über 2200 kp den Forderungen genügt. Öffnungsverhalten und Richtungsstabilität ließen nichts zu wünschen übrig. Die geprüften Kunststoffseile mit Nylon und Polypropylen als Ausgangsmaterial ließen das Problem der Seilmachart deutlich werden. Nylonseile mit monofilem Charakter sind geflochtenen Polypropylenseilen überlegen. Geringe Dehnung und mäßiges Kriechen unter Last zeichnen das geprüfte Nylonseil aus. Für die Sollbruchstelle liegt aufgrund der Ergebnisse eine Standardform mit Standarddurchmessern vor, so daß auf zeitraubende Prüfungen vor Beginn einer neuen Expedition bei dieser wichtigen Komponente verzichtet werden kann. Die Ergebnisse der Tests des Federauslösers weisen auf die Schwierigkeit hin, Korrosionsglieder als zeitbestimmende Elemente einzusetzen. Das erstellte Kennfeld erlaubt nunmehr, nach Abschätzung der Einflußgrößen die obere und untere Grenze des Auslöseintervalls zu ermitteln. In einer Sicherheitsbetrachtung wird hervorgehoben, daß die Federkraft in jedem Fall ausreicht, den Auslöser zu betätigen. Die Belastung, die aufgrund von Festigkeitsbetrachtungen für zulässig angenommen wird, stimmt gut mit der als Sicherheitsgrenze definierten Kraft von ca. 2000 kp überein.

Description: In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wird eine erste Bestandsaufnahme der quantitativen Hefeverteilung in der westlichen Ostsee gegeben. Zur Begründung der gefundenen zeitlichen und räumlichen Hefeverteilung werden verschiedene biotische und abiotische Faktoren untersucht. Es ergab sich eine starke Abhängigkeit von der jeweils vorherrschenden hydrographischen Situation, der Temperatur und dem Nährstoffgehalt des Ostseewassers. Die Frühjahrs- und Herbstmaxima der Hefeentwicklung traten in der Kieler Förde vor den vergleichsweise ermittelten Maxima der Bakterienzahlen auf. Mit zunehmender Küstenentfernung nimmt die „Biomasse" der Hefen stärker ab als die der Bakterien, im Durchschnitt wird eine Relation von 1 : 124 erreicht. In steril filtriertem Ostseewasser entstand und überlebte eine größere Zellzahl bei niedrigen Temperaturen (4°C, 12°C) als bei höheren Temperaturen (20°C, 25°C) (Rhodotorula-Stamm). Zur ersten Orientierung wurde die Generationszeit des Rhodotorula-Stammes H 25 in Ostseewasser durch eine kontinuierliche Kultur annäherungsweise ermittelt. Sie betrug 178 Stunden (25°C) bei einer Zelldichte von 5020 Zellen/ml und 263 Stunden (12°C) bei einer Zelldichte von 23800 Zellen/ml.

Description: Dieser Artikel gibt eine kürzere Einführung in Eigenheiten des Klimas und Wetters für die freie und bodennahe Atmosphäre über der Ostsee und das die Ostsee umgebende Landgebiet. Es kann der Kürze halber kein Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit einer Behandlung des Klimas der Ostsee erhoben werden. Nach einer Zuordnung des Ostseeklimas zu zwei der Hauptklimaregionen der Erde werden die klimatischen Gegebenheiten in der freien Atmosphäre über der Ostsee, der mittlere Wärmeenergie-Haushalt für die Breitenzone der Ostsee (50°-70°N) und schließlich die klimatischen Eigenheiten an der Erdoberfläche für die Ostsee und angrenzende Landgebiete behandelt. Dann werden nacheinander spezielle Charakteristiken einzelner meteorologischer Elemente, wie Luftdruck, Wind, Luft- und Wassertemperatur, Niederschlag, Bewölkung und Sonnenschein; sowie Luftfeuchte, Wasserdampfgehalt und Nebel besprochen. Schließlich werden soweit es die Kürze dieses Artikels erlaubt, einige Ausführungen über Witterung und Wetter gemacht, die speziell auf die Wetterunruhe Bezug nehmen. This article presents a rather short introduction into basic facts about climate and weather for the free atmosphere and the atmosphere close to the surface above the Baltic Sea and the coastal land surrounding the Baltic Sea. Because of its briefness the subject dealt with can not be regarded as a complete climatic description. First the climate of the Baltic Sea is shown to belong to two of the main climatic regions of the world. Then the climatic facts in the free atmosphere above the Baltic Sea are dealt with. A third part is concerned with the mean heat energy-budget for the latitudinal zone (50°-70°N) and in the fourth part the climatic characteristics at the sea level for the Baltic Sea and surrounding land areas are described. Then special characteristics of individual meteorological elements such as air pressure, wind, air- and water temperature, precipitation, cloudiness and sunshine, as well as humidity, water vapour content and fog are discussed. Finally so far as the length of this article allows some statements are made about weather with special emphasis on weather unrest.

Description: In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wird zur Ergänzung der quantitativen Bestandsaufnahme (HOPPE 1972) eine taxonomische Übersicht über die im Bereich der westlichen Ostsee vorkommenden Hefen gegeben. Rhodotorula-, Debaryomyces- und Candida-Arten wurden in diesem Areal besonders häufig registriert. In dem Vorfluter für städtische Abwässer bei Bülk (Kieler Bucht) geht der Hefegehalt der Abwasserfahne mit zunehmender Küstenentfernung stark zurück. Dagegen erhöht sich der Anteil roter Hefen und relativ anspruchsloser Organismen an der gesamten Hefeflora beständig. In the present investigation, completing the quantitative record (HOPPE 1972), a taxonomic survey of the yeasts found in the western Baltic Sea is given. Rhodotorula-, Debaryomyces- and Candida-species were especially frequently registered in this area. At the sewage outlet for city waste-effluent at Bülk (Bay ofKiel), the yeast content of the waste water stream decreases, the greater the distance from the shore. On the other hand, the percentage of red yeasts and relatively unpretentious organisms of the total yeast flora continuously increases.

Description: In dieser Arbeit wird wahrscheinlich gemacht, daß der Modus der postmarsupialen Entwicklung von Heterotanais oerstedi (KRÖYER), wie ihn BÜCKLE-RAMIREZ beschrieben hat, für alle Tanaidaccen zutrifft. In this work the statement is made that the postmarsupial development of Heterotanais oerstedi (KRÖYER) found by BÜCKLE-RAMIREZ holds true for all species of Tanaidacea.

Description: Das Metanephridium des landlebenden Sipunculiden Phascolosoma (Physcosoma) lurco wurde elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Die Wand des Nephridiums besteht aus dem außen gelegenen sehr flachen und glykogenreichen Coelomepithel, einer Faserschicht, in die Muskel- und andere Zellen eingelagert sind, und einem innen gelegenen kubischen Epithel (Nephridialepithel), welches das Lumen des Nephridiums auskleidet. Dieses besitzt apikal Mikrovilli und Cilien; basal sind abschnittsweise sehr lange schmale Ausläufer oder ein basales Labyrinth ausgebildet. Das Cytoplasma ist durch Glykogenrosetten und eine Reihe verschiedener Einschlüsse gekennzeichnet, die in ähnlicher Form von Sabella pavonina (Polychaeta, Serpulimorpha) bekannt sind.

Description: A table of the electrical conductivity of sea water at atmospherical pressure as a function of salinity and temperature, compiled from values presented by THOMAS, THOMPSON, UTTERBACK, Cox, and REEBURGH, is approximated by a polynomial. In addition to the dependence of conductivity on pressure stated by BRADSHAW and SCHLEICHER a polynomial is determined which represents conductivity as a function of salinity, temperature and pressure. Furthermore a corresponding polynomial representing the velocity of sound as established by WILSON is used. From these quantities salinity and pressure are calculated approximately as functions of temperature, conductivity and sound speed, as well as salinity as a function of temperature, pressure and conductivity and presented in the form of polynomials, in the aim to obtain the basic quantities from those observed directly with apparatus of the continuous-profiling type. The calculation is formulated for use on an electronic computer. The derived formulae are valid for almost all regions of the oceans and for all depths with a precision meeting the usual rather high requirements provisionally in most cases. The effects of errors in the measurement of the directly measureable quantities, on salinity and on the anomaly of the specific volume are discussed.

Description: Es wird eine an einem Kabel hängende ozeanographische Meßbasis beschrieben, welche eine feste Richtung gegenüber einem äußeren Koordinatensystem einhält. Bezugssystem ist das Magnetfeld der Erde. Die Meßbasis dient zur Aufnahme von Sonden für richtungsabhängige ozeanographische Messungen. Ein auf dem Induktionsgesetz basierender Kompaß mißt die Richtung der Unterwasserbasis. Als Stellglied dient ein von einem Unterwassermotor angetriebenes Flügelrad. Mit Hilfe eines elektronisch gesteuerten Drehschäkels wird das von einer Verdrillung des Kabels herrührende Stördrehmoment auf einen kleinen Wert reduziert. Messungen während der 21. "Meteor"-Fahrt im Sommer 1970 ergaben, daß die Meßbasis in der Lage ist, eine Nutzlast in beliebiger Meerestiefe auf ± 2° genau auszurichten. An underwater basis is descibed, which hangs on a cable and keeps its direction relative to an outside coordination system. The reference system is the magnetic field of the earth. The basis is used to carry sensors for direction depending oceanographic measurements. The direction is measured by a compass which operates according to the law of induction. A bladed weel driven by an underwater motor serves as positioner. By means of a controlled electrical swivel the disturbance torque of the cable is reduced to a neclectable rate. Measurements during the 21th trip of the "Meteor" in summer 1970 have shown, that the underwater basis is able to fix an instrumentation load in its direction up to ± 2° in any depth of the ocean.

Description: Aus einer wäßrigen Lösung des Crustaceenäautungshormons Ecdysteron wurden Bakterien in Reinkultur isoliert, die das Hormon abzubauen vermögen. Die mögliche Bedeutung der bakteriellen Inaktivierung des Ecdysterons wird diskutiert. A bacterium which is able to degrade the crustacean malting hormone ecdysterone was isolated from an aqueous solution of the hormone. The possible significance of this inactivation by bacteria is discussed.

Description: Am Falckensteiner Strand bei Kiel wurden im August 1971 Untersuchungen über die Beeinflussung des Bakterien- und Hefegehaltes von Strandsand und ufernahem Ostseewasser durch die Badegäste angestellt. Demnach wirkt sich das sommerliche Strandleben deutlich auf die Menge und Zusammensetzung der im Strandsand befindlichen Mikroorganismen aus. So waren in den am stärksten beanspruchten Strandbereichen (Strandburgen, Weg, Kiosk) die Bakterien- und Hefezahlen z. T. beträchtlich größer und der Anteil der terrestrischen Formen höher als am übrigen Strand. Im ufernahen Wasser dagegen ließ sich ein entsprechender Einfluß des Badelebens auf die Mikroflora infolge der Einwirkung anderer Faktoren nicht sicher nachweisen. Auf Grund der starken Schwankungen gestattet die Untersuchung einzelner Wasser- und Sandproben keine zuverlässige Aussage über die bakteriologischen und mykologischen Verhältnisse eines Badestrandes. In August 1971 on the Falckenstein beach in Kiel, experiments were made on the influence of the seashore guests on the bacteria and yeast content of the beach sand and the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. Accordingly, the summer life on the beach clearly has an effect on the amount and composition of the microorganisms present in the beach sand. In the most populated beach areas (holes dug and occupied by the bathers, the pathway, around a snack bar), the bacteria and yeast counts are therefore sometimes considerably greater, and the percentage of terrestrial forms higher, than elsewhere on the beach. In the water near the shore, on the other hand, a comparable influence of the seaside life on the microflora could not be determined with certainty, due to other factors. As a result of strong fluctuations, the investigation of single isolated water and sand samples does not allow for a definite statement about the bacteriological and mycological conditions of a seaside bathing area.