Atsushi Watanabe

High gas‐transfer velocity in coastal regions with high energy‐dissipation rates

[1]xa0We measured the gas-transfer velocity (k) and analyzed factors regulating k at coral reefs and an estuary at Ishigaki Island, Japan, using the floating-chamber method and the measured energy-dissipation rate (ɛ) to represent turbulence in a small-eddy model. We confirmed the validity of the floating-chamber method quantitatively for the first time by the comparing ɛ values inside and outside the chamber device. We also compared k to ɛ and empirical parameters such as wind and current speeds. Measured k had a low correlation with the empirical parameters and a high correlation with ɛ, as indicated by the small-eddy model. The high ɛ values may have been regulated by topographic conditions, e.g., corals or seagrasses that generate wakes, and complex coastlines or large-scale (on the order of kilometers) topographic factors that generate horizontal current shear. Our measurements indicate that coastal k is regulated by ɛ and cannot be accurately determined using wind or current speeds. Topographic conditions in coastal regions are important factors that regulate ɛ; thus, a quantitative analysis of the effects of these conditions is necessary to accurately determine coastal air–water gas flux.

Distribution of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a coral reef

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations in a fringing coral reef were measured for both carbon and nitrogen with the analytical technique of high-temperature catalytic oxidation. Because of high precision of the analytical system, not only the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC and DON, respectively) but the C:N ratio was also determined from the distribution of DOC and DON concentrations. The observed concentrations of DOC and DON ranged 57–76 and 3.8–5.6xa0μmolxa0l−1, respectively. The C:N ratios of the DOM that was produced on the reef flat were very similar between seagrass- and coral-dominated areas; the C:N ratio was 10 on average. The C:N ratio of DOM was significantly higher than that of particulate organic matter (POM) that was produced on the reef flat. Production rates of DOC were measured on the reef flat during stagnant periods and accounted for 3–7% of the net primary production, depending on the sampling site. The production rate of DON was estimated to be 10–30% of the net uptake of dissolved inorganic N in the reef community. Considering that the DOM and POM concentrations were not correlated with each other, a major source of the reef-derived DOM may be the benthic community and not POM such as phytoplankton. It was concluded that a widely distributed benthic community in the coral reef released C-rich DOM to the overlying seawater, conserving N in the community.

Estimation of nearshore groundwater discharge and its potential effects on a fringing coral reef

Radon (²²²Rn) measurements were conducted in Shiraho Reef (Okinawa, Japan) to investigate nearshore submarine groundwater discharge (SGD(nearshore)) dynamics. Estimated average groundwater flux was 2-3 cm/h (maximum 7-8 cm/h). End-member radon concentration and gas transfer coefficient were identified as major factors influencing flux estimation accuracy. For the 7-km long reef, SGD(nearshore) was 0.39-0.58 m³/s, less than 30% of Todoroki Rivers baseflow discharge. SGD(nearshore) was spatially and temporally variable, reflecting the strong influence of subsurface geology, tidal pumping, groundwater recharge, and hydraulic gradient. SGD(nearshore) elevated nearshore nitrate concentrations (0.8-2.2 mg/l) to half of Todoroki Rivers baseflow NO₃⁻-N (2-4 mg/L). This increased nearshore Chl-α from 0.5-2 μg/l compared to the typically low Chl-α (< 0.1-0.4 μg/l) in the moat. Diatoms and cyanobacteria concentrations exhibited an increasing trend. However, the percentage contributions of diatoms and cyanobacteria significantly decreased and increased, respectively. SGD may significantly induce the proliferation of cyanobacteria in nearshore reef areas.

A coral polyp model of photosynthesis, respiration and calcification incorporating a transcellular ion transport mechanism

A numerical simulation model of coral polyp photosynthesis, respiration and calcification was developed. The model is constructed with three components (ambient seawater, coelenteron and calcifying fluid), and incorporates photosynthesis, respiration and calcification processes with transcellular ion transport by Ca-ATPase activity and passive transmembrane CO2 transport and diffusion. The model calculates dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity in the ambient seawater, coelenteron and calcifying fluid, dissolved oxygen (DO) in the seawater and coelenteron and stored organic carbon (CH2O). To reconstruct the drastic variation between light and dark respiration, respiration rate dependency on DO in the coelenteron is incorporated. The calcification rate depends on the aragonite saturation state in the calcifying fluid (Ωacal). Our simulation result was a good approximation of “light-enhanced calcification.” In our model, the mechanism is expressed as follows: (1) DO in the coelenteron is increased by photosynthesis, (2) respiration is stimulated by increased DO in the light (or respiration is limited by DO depletion in the dark), then (3) calcification increases due to Ca-ATPase, which is driven by the energy generated by respiration. The model simulation results were effective in reproducing the basic responses of the internal CO2 system and DO. The daily calcification rate, the gross photosynthetic rate and the respiration rate under a high-flow condition increased compared to those under the zero-flow condition, but the net photosynthetic rate decreased. The calculated calcification rate responses to variations in the ambient aragonite saturation state (Ωaamb) were nonlinear, and the responses agreed with experimental results of previous studies. Our model predicted that in response to ocean acidification (1) coral calcification will decrease, but will remain at a higher value until Ωaamb decreases to 1, by maintaining a higher Ωacal due to the transcellular ion transport mechanism and (2) the net photosynthetic rate will increase.

Spatiotemporal variations in CO2 flux in a fringing reef simulated using a novel carbonate system dynamics model

A carbonate system dynamics (CSD) model was developed in a fringing reef on the east coast of Ishigaki Island, southwest Japan, by incorporating organic and inorganic carbon fluxes (photosynthesis and calcification), air–sea gas exchanges, and benthic cover of coral and seagrass into a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The CSD model could reproduce temporal variations in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity in coral zones, but not in seagrass meadows. The poor reproduction in seagrass meadows can be attributed to significant contributions of submarine groundwater discharge as well as misclassification of remotely sensed megabenthos in this area. In comparison with offshore areas, the reef acted as a CO2 sink during the observation period when it was averaged over 24xa0h. The CSD model also indicated large spatiotemporal differences in the carbon dioxide (CO2) sink/source, possibly related to hydrodynamic features such as effective offshore seawater exchange and neap/spring tidal variation. This suggests that the data obtained from a single point observation may lead to misinterpretation of the overall trend and thus should be carefully considered. The model analysis also showed that the advective flux of DIC from neighboring grids is several times greater than local biological flux of DIC and is three orders of magnitude greater than the air–sea gas flux at the coral zone. Sensitivity tests in which coral or seagrass covers were altered revealed that the CO2 sink potential was much more sensitive to changes in coral cover than seagrass cover.

OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL STUDIES ON POLYPYRROLE AND POLY(4,4 prime -BIPHENYLYLENE).

Abstract Absorption and reflection spectra of polypyrrole and poly(4,4-biphenylylene) are shown over the wide wavelength region, and the best fit of the calculated reflection or absorption spectra is presented to the observed spectra. Based on these results, the conduction mechanism of polypyrrole and poly(4,4-biphenylylene) is discussed.

ESR and solid state high resolution 13C NMR in AsF5-doped poly para-phenylene

Abstract Paramagnetic susceptibilities of AsF5-doped poly(paraphenylene),{C6H4(AsF5)y}x were observed by the low field Shumacher-Slichter and X-band methods. The results were expressed by the sum of inverse-T (Curie) part and temperature-independent (Pauli) part. The Pauli part gradually appeared from about y~0.05 and finally attained 1.5×10−6 emu/mo1e-carbon. This is half of that of polyacetylene. The Curie part lineally increased with y up to y˜0.10. This is in contrast to the case of polyacetylene. The Knight shifts corresponding to the susceptibilities were searched by the 13C CP/MAS high resolution NMR method. The shift was not observed within the experimental accuracy of ±1 ppm.

Combination effects of cisplatin, vinorelbine and irinotecan in non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines in vitro

Abstractu2002Purpose:u2002Isobologram analysis has been widely used for evaluating the combined effect of two antitumor drugs in vitro as a pre-clinical screening test. In this study, we tried to extend two-dimensional isobologram analysis to three dimensions for evaluating the effects of a three-drug combination. Methods:u2002We selected three anticancer agents, cisplatin, vinorelbine and irinotecan. Each of them has been classified as having good single-agent activity against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Human NSCLC cell lines (EBC-1, PC-3, RERF-LC-MS) were incubated for 4 days in the presence of the three drugs and cytotoxic activities were determined by a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT assay). The data were analyzed by three dimensional isobologram analysis. Results:u2002The effects of the three drugs were additive against EBC-1 (a squamous cell carcinoma cell line), subadditive against PC-3 (an adenocarcinoma cell line) and from subadditive to supraadditive against RERF-LC-MS (an adenocarcinoma cell line). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the effects of cisplatin, vinorelbine and irinotecan incombination are additive against NSCLC in vitro. These results encourage clinical trials of the three agents in combination chemotherapy for the treatment of NSCLC.

17-year change in species composition of mixed seagrass beds around Santiago Island, Bolinao, the northwestern Philippines

Effects of fish culture can alter the adjacent ecosystems. This study compared seagrass species compositions in 2012 with those in 1995, when fish culture was less intensive compared to 2012 in the region. Observations were conducted at the same four sites around Santiago Island, Bolinao: (1) Silaqui Island, (2) Binaballian Loob, (3) Pislatan and (4) Santa Barbara, and by using the same methods as those of Bach et al. (1998). These sites were originally selected along a siltation gradient, ranging from Site 1, the most pristine, to Site 4, a heavily silted site. By 2012, fish culture had expanded around Sites 2, 3 and 4, where chlorophyll a (Chl a) was greater in 2012 than in 1995 by one order of magnitude. Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea serrulata, which were recorded in 1995, were no longer present at Site 4, where both siltation and nutrient load are heavy.

Heterogeneous dissolved organic nitrogen supply over a coral reef: first evidence from nitrogen stable isotope ratios

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) potentially plays a major role in sustaining the high productivity and biological diversity of coral reefs. However, data are scarce regarding sources and sinks of DON. This study, for the first time, determined the 15N isotopic composition of total dissolved nitrogen (δ15NTDN), reflecting the isotopic signature of DON, in the water column over a coral reef. The uniformity in δ15NTDN during high tide (3.2xa0±xa00.3xa0‰) indicated that the DON was mainly derived from offshore waters. In contrast, higher spatial heterogeneity of δ15NTDN (3.1xa0±xa00.9xa0‰) and DON concentrations during low tide indicated the existence of local DON sources patchily distributed over the reef. Low δ15NTDN values located mid-reef were indicative of DON release from organisms that obtained their N via N2 fixation, whereas high δ15NTDN appeared to reflect localized release of DON by organisms exposed to dissolved inorganic nitrogen with elevated 15N, such as from terrestrial and offshore inputs. Collectively, the results highlight the importance of spatial patterns in DON release from reef communities in the N cycling of coral reefs.