bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behaviour of iron and manganese in the Yarra estuary
Authors: Ellaway M , Beckett R , Hart BT
Published: November 2005

The behaviour of iron and manganese in the Yarra estuary (a rather small, well-stratified estuary) is shown to be closely linked with the magnitude of the Yarra River inflow. When river flows are average to high, the filterable metals are present largely in bound or non-ion- exchangeable forms (iron > 90%, manganese 70-80%). Filterable iron levels in surface water from the estuary decreased with increasing salinity, and the filterable manganese levels firstly increased in the upper, low-salinity region of the estuary and then decreased with increasing salinity. Possible reasons for these changes are discussed. When low river flows existed, the concentration of filterable iron and manganese both increased markedly in the bottom, saline water of the estuary. Mixing of small amounts of these enriched bottom waters with outflowing surface waters resulted in the concentrations of filterable metal in surface water increasing with increasing salinity.
Haemocyanin concentrations in field populations of three species of southern Australian abalone
Authors: Ainslie A
Published: November 2005

Haemocyanin concentrations in the blood of West Island populations of three species of southern Australian abalone, Haliotis roei, H. laevigata and H. ruber, were monitored for 2 years. Considerable variation in haemocyanin concentration was found between individuals in a given sample, and between sample means from different sampling periods in all species. Some animals sampled more than once showed little or no change in haemocyanin concentration after periods of up to 9 months, while others showed marked changes (both increases and decreases in concentration) over shorter periods. The variation in monthly means and individual concentrations could not be correlated with season, water temperature, feeding behaviour, or reproductive state in any species. Despite the variation it seems likely that even at the lowest recorded concentration, haemocyanin would still contribute more significantly to the respiratory oxygen supply than would oxygen in solution. It is suggested that the higher haemocyanin concentration of H. roei may be associated with the more active character of this species.
Salinty tolerance and osmoregulation of the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor Clark (Decapoda : Parastacidae)
Authors: Mills BJ , Geddes MC
Published: November 2005

The lethal and sublethal effects of increased salinity on adult and juvenile crayfish, and the effects of increased salinity on osmotic behaviour of adult crayfish were investigated. Lethal experiments, using a wide salinity range, indicated little difference in the salinity tolerance of adults and juveniles, but when 96-h median tolerance limits were estimated using a narrow salinity range: the juvenile value was 25. Sow while that for adults was 29.90‰. Sublethal effects, as determined by 'threat' and 'escape' behavioural responses with increased salinity, indicated that normal behaviour in adults and juveniles is maintained up to c. 12‰, lost between c. 12 and 25‰,. and death results above c. 25‰,. It is suggested that the field salinity tolerance range of C. destructor is restricted to salinities where behavioural patterns are unaffected. C. destructor is a hyperosmotic regulator, maintaining its blood concentration at approximately 410 mOsm up to 14‰, above which the blood concentration follows the isosmotic line. The possible evolution of this species is briefly discussed in terms of osmotic behaviour.
Allozyme variation between populations of baitfish species Stolephorus heterolobus and St. devisi (Pisces : Engraulidae) and Spratelloides gracilis (Pisces : Dussumieriidae) from Papua New Guinea waters
Authors: Daly JC , Richardson BJ
Published: November 2005

Allozyme variation of two species of anchovies, St. heterolobus and St. devisi, and one presumptive species of sprat, Sp. Gracilis, was examined. Three populations of the two anchovies showed marked differences in the allele frequencies of two polymorphic enzyme loci: adenosine deaminase (Ada) and malate dehydrogenase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) (NADP+) (Mod) in St. heterolobus and adenosine deaminase and guanine deaminase (Gda) in St. devisi. It is proposed that populations of these anchovies are semi-isolated. The two colour morphs of Sp. Gracilis were observed in both populations studied. They appear to be fixed for alternate alleles in at least five enzyme loci and so are probably two separate species.
Chemical studies of four swamps on the northern tablelnds New South Wales
Authors: Briggs SV
Published: November 2005

Concentrations of calcium. magnesium, sodium, potassium. nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate-phosphorus, and conductivity, total alkalinity, pH and water level were measured monthly in four swamps on the northern tablelands of New South Wales. The order of cationic dominance in the wetlands was Na ≥ Mg > Ca > K  One wetland had markedly higher ionic concentrations than the rest, possibly because of an urban area in its catchment. Rainfall, water level and the effects of season on nutrient uptake and release by aquatic vegetation accounted for much of the temporal variation in ionic concentrations and loadings in the wetlands. There was no obvious correlation between water chemistry of the wetlands and waterbird densities.
Tritium measurments in the Tasman Sea and the Southern Ocean
Authors: Harries JR , Calf GE
Published: November 2005

Tritium concentrations have been determined for seawater samples collected from the Tasman Sea and from the Southern Ocean south of Tasmania. The volume of the samples was reduced from 2000 to 16 ml by electrolysis to concentrate the tritium before counting in a liquid scintillation spectrometer. Profiles of tritium concentrations are presented for four stations in the Southern Ocean and nine in the Tasman Sea. The tritium concentrations correlated well with the water density, regardless of their origin in the eddy field. The water must be well mixed on the isopycnal surfaces within a time scale which is much shorter than the tritium half-life of 12.3 years. The tritium concentration in water of density σt = 26.8 collected in the Tasman Sea was only about 60% of the concentration found in the Southern Ocean for water of the same density. This lower tritium concentration is explained by a combination of two processes: radioactive decay during the time taken for water to flow from the Southern Ocean to the Tasman Sea, and dilution by mixing with water of low tritium concentration.
Effect of physical and culture conditions on uptake of cadmium by Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Authors: Gipps JF , Coller BAW
Published: November 2005

The effects of pH, temperature, concentrations of Cd2+ and P43-, and density of algal suspension on the uptake of cadmium by C.pyrenoidosa were studied. Uptake occurred in at least two phases: fast (8 min) and slow (24 h). The slow uptake was dependent on pH (greater at pH 8.0 than 6.5) and temperature (faster at 25 than 4ºC) whereas the fast uptake was not. Both phases of uptake were affected by the density of the algal suspension. Dependence on the concentration of Cd2+, at pH 8.0, was limited by the concentration of PO43- and also possibly by the concentration of CO3-2. Results were generally consistent with the model of initial ion-exchange uptake onto the cell wall and much slower transport across the cell membrane.
Models for describibg shape and allometry, illustrated by studies of Australian species of Uca (Brachyura : Ocypodidae)
Authors: Williams MJ , Veitch LG , Correll RL
Published: November 2005

Morphometric data for males of three species of Uca and females of two species have been summarized in terms of concepts of shape and allometry using the multivariate linear model. Differences among species are greatest in the males where U. vocans develops a major chela with broad palm, greatly elongated fingers and large gape, while U. lactea produces a long narrow palm with long, widely separated fingers. The major chela of U. polita is approximately intermediate in shape between that of U. vocans and U. lactea. Differences among the patterns of development in the meral lengths of the supporting pereiopods are also marked and these relate not so much to the morphometric details of the major chela but to the crab's use of the major chela in agonistic interactions. Because the study is cross-sectional, the observed differences do not entirely describe growth patterns. Biases almost certainly exist due to differential death rates of given sizes and sampling difficulties. In this work there has been an emphasis on statistical procedures which reflects our expository aim.
Ecological effects of mine effluents on the South Esk River, north-eastern Tasmania. I. Study area and basic water characteristics
Authors: Norris RH , Lake PS , Swain R
Published: November 2005

The drainage basin of the South Esk River has a temperate climate with moderate rainfall and temperature. Most of the rainfall, which may be unevenly distributed over the catchment, is in winter. although there may be wide fluctuations in successive years. The discharge of the South Esk River reflects the rainfall and is subject to wide short-term fluctuations in winter and the reverse in summer. The dissolved oxygen concentrations of the river were at, or near, saturation levels. pH was slightly acid and was constant along the river course at any one time, indicating a reasonably well-buffered natural water. pH correlated positively with alkalinity and calcium, magnesium and sodium concentrations, all reaching their highest levels in the summer of 1975-76 after heavy rainfall in 1975. Dissolved carbon dioxide concentrations were generally above saturation levels. The major cation concentrations generally increased down-river. Low levels of phosphate. chloride and nitrate indicate that the South Esk River was free of organic contamination by domestic and agricultural effluents.
Movement and home range of brown trout, Salmo trutta Linnaeus, in the Aberfeldy River, Victoria
Authors: Jackson PD
Published: November 2005

Studies of the movement of marked brown trout in a section of the Aberfeldy River between 31 January 1972 and 6 February 1974 showed that the home range of 1 + and older trout was about 60 m of river; that of 0 + fish was about 370 m. Some fish strayed outside this restricted range. The age structure of trout populations in sections of the Aberfeldy River at different times of the year suggests that 0 + fish moved up-stream into small tributaries but did not spawn there. The trout probably spawned throughout the main river.
Heavy metal content of Callianassa spp. in Western Port
Authors: Ahsanullah M , Negilski DS , Tawfik F
Published: November 2005

Baseline levels of the metals cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in C. arenosa, C. australzensis and C. limosa from Western Port, Victoria, are presented. The data show that C. australiensis from the North Arm contained the highest levels of cadmium, lead and zinc.
Effect of temperature on activity of predators of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli in estuarine water
Authors: Mc Cambridge J , McMeekin TA
Published: November 2005

The survival of S. typhimurium was compared with that of E. coli in estuarine water samples at various incubation temperatures. Both organisms exhibited similar survival curves, and their presence resulted in the growth of comparable numbers of predacious micro-organisms at all temperatures. Bacterial decline was found to be dependent on the presence of both bacterial and protozoan predators, the latter having a temperature optimum of 15-20ºC and the former becoming more important as the incubation temperature increased.
Growth of spanner crabs, Ranina ranina, off the east coast of Australia
Authors: Chen Y. , Kennelly S. J.
Published: November 2005

Spanner crab, Ranina ranina, is the target of an
important fishery off the east coast of Australia, yet its rate of growth is
unknown. Descriptions of growth rates for spanner crabs, like those for other
crustaceans, are difficult because during each moult all hard parts that might
be used for ageing are lost, and because, as a result of moulting, the growth
process is discontinuous. Tag–recapture data were used to model the
relationships between the probability of moulting and the number of days at
large and between the size increments per moult and the size at tagging. For
crabs in similar size classes, males moulted about twice as often as females
and had larger increments in size per moult. The relationship between
increment per moult and size at tagging was not strong (small
r2 ), but statistically
significant. Size increments per moult tended to increase with the pre-moult
sizes, indicating that larger crabs tended to grow more in a moult than
smaller crabs. However, small crabs moulted more often than large crabs. A
probabilistic stepwise growth simulation was used to generate a distribution
of growth curves that mimics discontinuous growth patterns and samples the
variation in the data.
Sexual and local variation in head morphology of snapper, Pagrus auratus, Sparidae, in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia
Authors: Moran M. , Burton C. , Caputi N.
Published: November 2005

Sexual dimorphism is demonstrated in pink snapper,
Pagrus auratus (Sparidae), from the Shark Bay region of
Western Australia, by canonical variate analysis of 13 morphometric
measurements of the head. Snapper of both sexes develop a prominent hump on
the forehead as they grow to large size, but the males do so to a greater
extent than the females. Males also develop a bulge on the snout which was not
found in females. Snapper with humps are less well accepted in an export
market and this may result in high-grading problems in the quota-managed
commercial fishery. Morphometric differences between localities were also
found, with three regions previously recognized as containing separate genetic
stocks being clearly distinct. Snapper from four areas within one of these
stocks, the widespread ocean stock, were compared and found to show lesser
differences. These four population samples fell into two groups, interpreted
as a resident inshore group and an offshore group which migrates inshore for
spawning. The local differences indicate incomplete mixing which has
implications for fisheries management and stock assessment.
Digesta composition and retention times in wild immature green turtles, Chelonia mydas: a preliminary investigation.
Authors: Brand S. J. , Lanyon J. M. , Limpus C. J.
Published: November 2005

Digesta retention time (DRT) of particulate matter (the calculated time for
elimination of 50% of marker beads) and food intake levels were
measured in three wild immature green turtles,
Chelonia mydas, by using inert plastic markers. DRTs
were long, ranging from 156 to 325 h (6.5–13.5 days).
Circulation and mixing characteristics of a seasonally open tidal inlet: a field study
Authors: Ranasinghe Roshanka , Pattiaratchi Charitha
Published: November 2005

Tidal inlets in microtidal, wave-dominated coastal environments tend to close
to the ocean seasonally. This obstructs navigation and could cause degradation
of water quality in the estuary/lagoon connected to the inlet. Hence,
engineering solutions are often implemented to prevent inlet closure. However,
a prior knowledge of circulation and mixing processes within the estuary is
crucial for the sustainability of any engineering solution. This paper
attempts to provide insight into circulation and mixing characteristics of
seasonally open estuaries based on the results of a field study undertaken at
Wilson Inlet, a typical seasonally open estuary, in south-western Australia.
Results of the study indicate that this type of estuary may have two distinct
behavioural patterns, in winter and in summer. During winter, solar heating
causes density stratification during daytime, and convective cooling causes
overnight de-stratification; a horizontal cyclonic gyre is established during
winter by the combined action of the Coriolis force and streamflow. During
summer, strong sea breezes (~10 m s–1 ) cause
vertical mixing during daytime, and convective cooling vertically mixes the
water column at night. When the inlet is open, sea water propagates into the
estuary during flooding tides unless streamflows are very high.
A trial of artificial neural networks for automatically estimating the age of fish
Authors: Robertson Simon G. , Morison Alexander K.
Published: November 2005

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have the potential to automate routine
ageing of fish with the benefit of increased speed in processing, greater
objectivity and repeatability of estimates, and a mechanism for quantifying
uncertainty of age estimates. ANN models were tested as a means of objectively
replicating the age estimates of an experienced human reader. Feed-forward
back- propagation ANNs, with three layers of neurons (input, hidden and
output), were trained to classify the age of previously aged samples of three
temperate species. Three ANN structures, where the number of neurons in the
hidden layer was varied, were tested for each species. Inputs to each ANN were
pixel brightness values along transects across images of sectioned otoliths.
The ANN predicted age-class membership by the position of the neuron in the
output layer with the highest value. After training, at least one of the three
ANN structures correctly classified the age of fish from unseen transects for
two members of the Sparidae family
Acanthopagrus butcheri and
Pagrus auratus at an accuracy level approaching that of
an expert reader. For a member of the Merlucciidae family,
Macruronus novaezelandiae, however, which is a species
with more complex otolith structure, error rates were high for all three ANN
structures tested.
Population ecology of Noctiluca scintillans Macartney, a red-tide-forming dinoflagellate
Authors: Murray Shauna , Suthers Iain M.
Published: November 2005

The population ecology of the large heterotrophic dinoflagellate
Noctiluca scintillans Macartney was examined in the
coastal ocean and two estuaries in south-eastern Australia from July 1996 to
June 1997. High concentrations (>100 cells L–1)
occurred in spring and again in late summer, and low concentrations (<5
cells L–1) in mid summer and mid winter.
Abundances were greater in coastal waters than in the estuaries during all
months in which concentration exceeded 1 cell L–1.
During the spring bloom, Noctiluca cells from coastal
stations had small diameters (340–450 µm), a high nutritional
status and a high proportion of division stages, indicative of good condition.
During the late summer blooms, poor-condition cells were found in coastal
waters and especially in the near-surface concentrations of red tides
(>104 cells L–1), and
were characterized by large diameters (400–1200 µm), cell lysis
and uniformly low nutritional status; at this time,
Noctiluca cells from estuaries were generally fewer,
smaller and in better condition. Overall, cell concentrations were higher in
coastal waters than in the estuaries, and red tides of
Noctiluca probably developed along the local coast (in
spring) or were advected into the area from northern regions (in late summer).
Reproductive mode and spawning information based on gonad analysis for the King George whiting (Percoidei:Sillaginidae) from South Australia
Authors: Fowler A. J. , McLeay L. , Short D. A.
Published: November 2005

The reproductive biology of the King George whiting,
Sillaginodes punctata, was investigated for populations
at two localities in South Australia. Analyses involved determination of
gonadosomatic indices, macroscopic staging of gonads, size frequencies of
oocytes, spawning fractions of females, and batch fecundities that were
related to fish size and age. Size–frequency distributions of oocytes,
measured from histological slides and whole preserved oocytes, were
multi-modal but were continuous amongst development stages. All development
stages of oocytes co-occurred in some gonads, and hydrated oocytes and
post-ovulatory follicles also co-occurred. Such characteristics suggest that
the King George whiting is a multiple batch spawner with asynchronous
development and indeterminate fecundity. Spawning occurred at least through
the months of March–May, with a peak in April. On one occasion spawning
occurred in the early afternoon on a flooding tide. Fish ranged in age from 3
to 17 years, and most, regardless of sex or size, showed active gonad
development. Estimates of batch fecundity ranged from 5250 to 152191 hydrated
oocytes per ovary, and were linearly related to fish weight and length, but
less well to age. The linear relationships between batch fecundity and fish
size differed significantly between the two localities.
Age and stock structure of gemfish (Rexea solandri) in New Zealand waters
Authors: Horn P. L. , Hurst R. J.
Published: November 2005

Age determination of gemfish by counting hyaline zones in otoliths was
validated by following the progression of modes in length–frequency
distributions and the progression of strong and weak year classes in
age–frequency distributions. Length–frequency and otolith samples
were examined from four areas (west Northland, east Northland and Bay of
Plenty, Wairarapa coast, and the Stewart- Snares shelf). Age–frequency
distributions and von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated and
compared between areas. Two gemfish stocks are indicated on the basis of
patterns of year class strengths, trends in commercial landings and likely
spawning areas; one off the east and north of the North Island, and another
off the west and south of the South Island. Estimates of natural mortality are
presented for the two stocks.
Role of akinetes in the development of cyanobacterial populations in the lower Murray River, Australia
Authors: Baker Peter D.
Published: November 2005

Planktonic populations and benthic resting stages (akinetes) of the common
bloom-forming cyanobacteria Anabaena circinalis
Rabenhorst and Anabaena flos-aquae f.
flos-aquae (Lyngb.) Komárek were monitored in the
Murray River near Nildottie and in adjacent floodplain wetlands (lagoons) from
1995 to 1997, to determine the extent of sporulation and the contribution of
recruitment from the sediments to seasonal development of blooms. Physical and
chemical characteristics of the water in the river and the lagoons were
examined in relation to the succession of key life-cycle stages and growth.
The warm, shallow lagoons supported considerably higher populations of
Anabaena in the summer than did the river, with
correspondingly higher incidence of sporulation. Viable akinetes were abundant
in the sediments of both the river channel and the lagoons, providing a
potentially significant inoculum for cyanobacterial growth. The apparent
germination of akinetes early in summer and immediately following sporulation
in mid summer indicated a strategy for both initiation and maintenance of
populations. A. circinalis also persisted as a
planktonic population throughout winter. Germination is considered more likely
to occur in the shallow lagoons than in the main channel, principally because
of frequent resuspension of sediments containing resting stages to the
euphotic zone or because of direct penetration of light to the sediments.
Effect of temperature on the behaviour of the endeavour prawns Metapenaeus endeavouri (Schmitt) and Metapenaeus ensis (De Haan) (Decapoda : Penaeidae)
Authors: Park Y. C. , Loneragan N. R.
Published: November 2005

The effect of water temperature on the duration of emergence and speed of
movement of adult endeavour prawns,
Metapenaeus endeavouri and
M. ensis, was investigated in the laboratory under
controlled conditions from 20˚ to 32˚C. The behaviour of 50 prawns
was recorded on videotape over 48 h at five temperatures (20˚, 23˚,
26˚, 29˚ and 32˚C). In general, both species emerged from the
substratum during dusk and remained on the substratum until dawn or just
before dawn when they buried again. At 32˚C, however, some
M. endeavouri emerged for much less time and started to
bury shortly after midnight. The mean daily duration of emergence for
M. endeavouri varied with temperature and was higher at
26˚ and 29˚C (653 40 min per day) than at other temperatures. In
contrast, the mean duration of emergence for M. ensis was not significantly
affected by temperature (range of times 663 45 to 693 9 min). The pattern of
the mean hourly speed of movement for M. endeavouri
varied with temperature, whereas that for M. ensis was
bimodal at most temperatures: they were more active during dusk (1700 to 1800
hours) and dawn (0400 to 0500 hours) than at other times.
Internal waves detected with a continental shelf current-meter array
Authors: Cresswell GR
Published: November 2005

A 1-km square current-meter array at 130 m depth on the Sydney continental shelf revealed an internal wave packet at 100 m depth propagating coastward at 0.5 m s-1 with a period of c. 15 min and a wavelength of c. 400 m. Current meters at 35 and 70 m depth on one mooring showed what was possibly an independent packet that was detected 20 min before the deeper one and that showed depressions of the temperature structure (of 20 m) and shear flow between the two meters.
Numerical modal of the tides in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Arafura Sea
Authors: Webb DJ
Published: November 2005

A numerical model of the tides in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Arafura Sea is described and its results presented. The model is linear. time-independent and uses curved boundaries. The results show that the diurnal tide has an amphidromic point near the centre of the Gulf of Carpentaria and that the semidiurnal tide has two amphidromic points-one in the north of the Arafura Sea and a second, virtual one, at Mornington Island. The model also shows that both frictional and resonant effects are important in determining the tides of the region.
Trace metal contamination of shallow marine sediments near a lead smelter, Spencer Gulf, South Australia
Authors: Ward TJ , Young PC
Published: November 2005

The surface (< 10 cm) marine sediments of Spencer Gulf, a hypersaline seagrassed embayment, near Port Pirie, South Australia; were examined for concentrations of Ca, Cd, Cu, Mg. Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, total organic carbon, clay, silt, sand. shell, and 'undissolved fraction' (resistant plant debris). Elevated concentrations of Pb, Cu. Zn, Mn and Cd were found in sediments adjacent to the liquid effluent discharge from a lead smelter. Outside the immediate discharge area the concentrations of Cu and Mn rapidly approached background levels where their concentrations were correlated to those of non- contaminant sediment parameters. The highest concentrations of Cd were found further from the source of effluent than those of the other four contaminant metals (Cu, Mn, Pb: Zn), and decreased to undetectable levels at the furthest sites. Pb and Zn also occurred at background concentrations at sites away from the effluent discharge. but no correlations were found between these two metals and other sediment parameters. At sites away from the immediate discharge area no interaction was detected between contaminant metals, sediment parameters, and presence or type of seagrass meadow.
Effects of a barrage on flushing and water quality in the Fitzroy River estuary, Queensland
Authors: Connell DW , Bycroft BM , Miller GJ , Lather P
Published: November 2005

Tidal exchange was found to flush the Fitzroy River estuary at a comparatively slow rate, leading to residence times of substances in the estuary of approximately 8 months both before and after barrage construction. The principal mechanism of flushing is displacement by freshwater inflow which gives residence times of 0.2-3.5 months. Freshwater inflow has been decreased by barrage construction and residence times consequently increased. Salinity and dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, filterable reactive phosphorus, oxidized nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations were measured at stations located 20 to 110 km upstream from the mouth of the Fitzroy River. This included that section containing the barrage which was constructed 5 km upstream from Rockhampton. Under conditions of high river discharge (22.6 × 108 m3) little variation in water quality was found, but under low discharge conditions (0.035 × 108 m3) substantial reductions in dissolved oxygen concentration and increases in nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations were noted in the zone below the barrage. These results are indicative of the impact of barrage construction on water quality, but more detailed chemical and biological investigations would be needed to unequivocally evaluate water quality status.
Distribution of poycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from estuaries of south-eastern Australia
Authors: Bagg J , Smith D , Maher WA
Published: November 2005

Concentrations (�g/kg dried sediment) of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and perylene have been measured in sediments taken from three locations in south-eastern Australia: a highly urbanized estuary (Yarra River), a marine bay (Corio Bay), and an estuary remote from urban activity (Mallacoota Inlet). Most concentrations of B[a]P lay in the range 200-800 �g/kg and these values are comparable to values found in similar situations in other parts of the world. The minimum concentration of B[a]P observed was 20�g/kg in Mallacoota Inlet; the maximum concentration was 6800 �g/kg at one location in a tributary of the Yarra River where the sediment was visibly contaminated with oil. The ratio of B[a]P:perylene was 1.0-2.0 in all three areas and this ratio is significantly lower than for aerosols in the Melbourne atmosphere, suggesting that deposition of aerosol is not the major contributor to PAH in sediments.
Fish movement upstream through a central Queensland (Fitzroy River) coastal fishway
Authors: Kowarsky J , Ross AH
Published: November 2005

A two-part study was made of fish movement past the Fitzroy River barrage at Rockhampton. Queensland. to assess the feasibilities of routes other than that through the simple pool and weir fishway situated at the barrage, and to monitor fish passage upstream through the fishway by placing a V-trap cage immediately above the fishway exit. Neither of the alternative routes to the fishway, namely via the inundated floodplain or under open barrage gates, appeared to be feasible pathways for fish to move to areas above the barrage. Sixteen species of fish over a relatively wide size range were found to pass through the fishway. Greatest species diversity. and rates of passage of particular species, occurred in the summer months. Variation in levels of the tidal tailwater and the headwater, which could be controlled to some extent by raising or lowering the barrage gates, influenced the numbers, sizes and species of fish passing through the fishway. It is concluded that while there is a need for facilitating fish movement upstream past the barrage. the present fishway does not seem to be particularly effective in this regard. Structural and management changes to the fishway which may improve its efficiency are proposed.
Insect drift in Condor Creek, Australian Capital Territory
Authors: Bailey PCE
Published: November 2005

Samples of benthos and drift were taken in the same locality in March, April, June and July 1978. Most species appeared in both benthos and drift. The benthos was dominated by Atalophlebioides sp. (Ephemeroptera) and Helicopsyche sp. (Trichoptera) in April and June, plus Glossosomatinae (Trichoptera) in July. The principal taxa occurring in the drift were Leptoceridae sp. 1 (27%), Atalophlebioides sp. (15%), Chironomidae pupae (8%), Leptoceridae sp. 2 (6%) and Chironomidae larvae (5.473. A major spate in May caused changes in the proportions of the benthic and drifting fauna, probably due to the differential effect of scouring on different behavioural strategies. Drift rate varied temporally (nocturnal maximum) and with creek discharge. High numbers of caseless larvae of some Trichoptera in the nocturnal drift are believed to be indicative of case-building activity. Incidental evidence is provided to support the hypothesis of previous authors that moonlight depresses drift rates. Mean diel drift rates for 24 taxa are given. Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were more prevalent at night and Chironomidae pupae during the day. The Ephemeroptera larvae drifting during the day were, on average, smaller than those drifting at night.
Diel activity patterns in nymphs of an Australian mayfly Atalophlebioides sp. (Ephemeroptera : Leptophlebiidae)
Authors: Bailey PCE
Published: November 2005

Activity of nymphs of Atalophlebioides sp. on the surface of a stone in a laboratory stream was greatest at
night, with peak activity occurring at about 2400 h. Most nymphs remained on the lower surface of the stone
during the day, but there was gradual movement on to the upper surface at night. Although nymphs showed
anocturnal maximum in both drift rates (field observation) and activity. peaks of activity did not correspond
with peaks in drift rates.
Nymphs at high density (15 per stone) showed a significantly greater level of activity during light hours
(1200-1800 h) and the first two hours of darkness compared with nymphs at lower densities (five and two per
stone) but there was no significant difference in activity between the two lower densities for the period 1200-
2400 h. Feeding behaviour was observed at all three densities, but activities in the form of rapid darting
(duration < 1 s) and a 'swimming' response occurred at the higher density. It is postulated that a
relationship exists between the swimming response (as a result of competition for space) and the insect's
propensity to drift.
Faunal assemblages of some saline lakes near Marchagee, Western Australia
Authors: Halse SA
Published: November 2005

Five saline lakes near Marchagee. with salinities ranging from 10-71‰, were sampled every two months between March and September 1979. The lakes contained faunal assemblages of 6-13 invertebrate species; only two species were common to all lakes. Fish (Pseudogobius olorum) were found in one salt lake. Austrochiltonia subtenuis was recorded at a salinity of 71‰ twice the salinity it was previously thought to tolerate. Pseudogobius olorum was collected at a salinity of 55‰ and is the second species of fish to be collected from highly saline Australian lakes. Mytilocypris mytiloides was collected at a total dissolved solids concentration of 45‰ a much higher level of salinity than it tolerates in eastern Australia. Necterosoma pensillatus was found at a salinity of 10.5‰ the lowest yet recorded for the species.
Seasonal salinty variations in Cleveland Bay, northern Queensland
Authors: Walker T
Published: November 2005

Weekly salinity measurements have been collected over 34 months at a 10 m deep station in Cleveland Bay. Minimum salinity during the summer wet season varied considerably from year to year and was mainly dependent on the discharge of small local rivers and the Burdekin River to the south-east. During the dry months, evaporative concentration generated a gradient of decreasing salinity from the shore across the continental shelf.
Trace metal speciation in three Victorian lakes
Authors: Hart BT , Davies SHR
Published: November 2005

The speciation of the trace metals iron. cadmium. copper, lead and zinc was determined in Lake Tarli Karng,
Tarago Reservoir and East Basin Lake using membrane filtration. Chelex resin and dialysis to provide
information on particulate, filterable, ion-exchangeable. dialysable and bound metal fractions. The total
metal concentrations and distribution between particulate and filterable fractions varied considerably
between the three lakes. Two major factors controlling these observed differences will be the water chemistry
and the hydrological properties of the lakes. The major proportion of the total cadmium, copper. lead and
zinc in each lake was in filterable forms, with a considerable amount of this in ion-exchangeable forms. Free
metal ionic species, simple inorganic complexes and organic complexes, including metal-fuivic acid
complexes. will be ion-exchangeable. The bound forms of these metals are not known. Iron was found to
exist predominantly in bound forms, most probably as particulate and colloidal iron hydroxyoxides,
although it is also possible that very strong organic complexes, such as iron hydroxamate siderophores,
could also form part of the bound fraction.
Benthic communities in an estuary with periodic deoxygenation
Authors: Rainer SF , Fitzhardinge RC
Published: November 2005

The relationship between spatial patterns in the physical environment and patterns in community and trophic structure in the benthic fauna was investigated in an estuary with periodic deoxygenation of the near- bottom water. Six sites were sampled between intertidal mangroves and an 8 m deep basin of Port Hacking, N.S.W. A total of 163 species was collected, ranging from 11 to 94 at each site. Both frequency and biomass were least in the central basin and highest in a bed of the seagrass Zostera capricorni Aschers. The abundances at these sites encompass the range of values previously recorded for estuaries on the east coast of Australia. The dominant species differed from those reported from other New South Wales estuaries, although the same species were usually present. The distribution of common species was limited by fluctuations in dissolved oxygen levels, but not obviously so by sediment differences or short-term fluctuations in water temperature or salinity. Frequency-based diversity and evenness values were similar to those from other estuarine areas. Biomass-based values were lower at most sites than frequency-based values. Patterns of diversity and evenness could not be simply interpreted as indicators of environmental harshness in the community.
Carbon and nitrogen content of food and the assimilation efficiencies of penaeid prawns in the Gulf of Carpentaria
Authors: Moriarty DJW , Barclay MC
Published: November 2005

The food of seven species of penaeid prawns from the Gulf of Carpentaria consists predominantly of Foraminifera, small molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes. Measurements of organic and inorganic carbon, organic nitrogen and bacterial biomass were made. Foregut contents of adult prawns contained between 72 and 223 mg organic carbon/g dry wt. Protein constituted between 43 and 64% of the organic matter. Approximate assimilation efficiencies of food in prawns caught in the gulf, determined for four species, varied from 48 to 77% of organic carbon and from 42 to 77% of organic nitrogen. The food of juvenile Penaeus merguiensis was examined for two growing seasons. In the 1976-1977 season the foregut contents contained a mean of 41 mg organic nitrogen /g dry wt and 181 mg organic carbon /g dry wt. In the 1977-1978 season, significantly lower proportions of organic nitrogen and carbon were eaten, viz, 21 mg organic nitrogenlg dry wt and 101 mg organic carbon /g dry wt. Improved assay procedures for muramic acid have shown that bacteria are less important in the food of prawns than previously reported. Bacteria constituted less than 2% of the organic matter in the adults of all species, but in many juvenile P. merguiensis bacteria were more important, constituting up to 14% of organic matter.
Revison of Australian species of Branchinella (Crustacea : Anostraca)
Authors: Geddes MC
Published: November 2005

The taxonomic utility of various characters is discussed. Generic characters of Branchinella are listed and discussed. The preyiously known number of Australian species of Branchinella is reduced from 19 to 16 by synonymy: material belonging to 15 of these species is studied and taxonomic notes and drawings are provided. Where necessary species are redescribed; four new species are described. Keys are provided to the genera of Australian Anostraca and to the Australian species of the genus Branchinella. The distribution of species and some ecophysiological aspects that may determine distribution are discussed.
Physical properties of the Great Barrier reef Lagoon waters near Townsville. II. Seasonal variations
Authors: Wolanski E , Jones M , Williams WT
Published: November 2005

The distribution of salinity, temperature, suspended particles, light transmissivity, chlorophyll a and phaeopigments across the Great Barrier Reef lagoon offshore Townsville, was measured from 9 January 1979 to 23 January 1980 at approximately weekly intervals. Previous observations at Low Isles. 400 km to the north, on seasonal variations of temperature and salinity were generally applicable here. A shallow summer thermocline was frequently observed in offshore waters, in the dry season and in calm weather. As a result of evaporation from the lagoon and adjoining mangrove swamps during the dry season, an inverse estuarine circulation can exist when high salinity, sediment-rich, nearshore waters sink below the less saline offshore waters. Only nearshore were bottom sediments strongly entrained in the water column during strong winds, principally in winter.
Equilibrium status of some mineral springs in Victoria
Authors: Schaefer BA , Kecskemeti M
Published: November 2005

The chemical composition of 26 mineral springs in the Daylesford district of Victoria was determined at regular intervals over about 2 years, and the possible equilibria examined. All the springs have a similar composition, but a common reservoir is doubtful. A similar mechanism for the origin of the waters appears to operate throughout the region. For the springs on a line approximately east-west and about 1 km north of the Dividing Range, the water compositions are those expected for an equilibrium between kaolinite and montmorillonite (Ca and Na). To the north of this line the composition is appropriate to water in equilibrium with montmorillonite, while to the south the water composition relates to kaolinite. The geographical distribution of the composition shows a rough relationship to the rainfall, with the higher rainfall associated with the equilibrium line. An equilibrium with K = [Na+]/[K+] = 50 appears to be generally established in the district and may involve the potassium and sodium feldspars. The concentration of CO2 is about 14% in excess of the calculated equilibrium value for the existing conditions of pH, HCO3- and temperature. Evidence is given confirming that the probable source of the CO2 lies in the vicinity of Babbington's Hill. It is suggested that the main source of the cations in solution is the basalt rather than the altered sediments of the region.
Effects of dredging and reclamation on the sediments of Botany Bay
Authors: Jones G
Published: November 2005

Bottom sediments in Botany Bay were surveyed and analysed for particle size using a wet-sieving volumetric determination. Sediments are predominantly clean sands. although substantial changes in sediment type have occurred in the northern region of the bay since 1968. Large areas which were formerly clean sand, now contain significant amounts of mud. This increase in fine sediments is particularly marked in the dredged areas protected by the Port Botany revetment and the Kingsford-Smith Airport runway extension. These changes have not been the result of exposure by dredging of silt and clay lenses within the underlying sediments, but have probably been caused by the combined effects of deposition of fine material discharged during dredging and reclamation, and increased deposition of fluvial suspended matter due to changes in tidal circulation following the development of port and airport facilities. Sediments in the Port Botany harbour area are expected to become progressively more muddy. Water turbidity in turn may increase as a result of resuspension of fine material by shipping movements.
Effects of dredging on the macrobenthic infauna of Botany Bay
Authors: Jones G , Candy S
Published: November 2005

The macrobenthic. infauna of dredged and undredged areas in Botany Bay were sampled. Data were analysed using tests of significance and computer classification. While dredging has not significantly affected average species density per sample, the benthic fauna of dredged areas differs from that of nearby undredged areas with respect to species composition and richness. both of which appear to be strongly associated with sediment type. Species richness. in particular. is generally higher in areas characterized by sand than in those characterized by, mud. Thus, where dredging has brought about a change in sediment type from sand to mud, species richness has decreased. This has occurred in the dredged areas near the Kingsford-Smith Airport extension and Port Botany revetment. However, in the region of the entrance to the bay, where harsh conditions of high swell and current exposure apparently normally limit benthos. the deeply dredged entrance channel supports a particularly diverse and abundant fauna. It is concluded that the major influence of dredging on the macrobenthos in Botany Bay has been indirect, through permanent modification of its physical environment. Extension of the present facilities at Port Botany are expected to lead to a significant decrease in the benthic species diversity of this area.
Satellite observations of internal waves on the Australian north-west shelf
Authors: Baines PG
Published: November 2005

This paper describes the results of a search of the existing Landsat (1 and 2) imagery catalogue for tidally generated internal waves over the continental shelves of Australia and New Zealand. The only area where such waves were observed was the Australian north-west shelf where they were found in abundance from the North West Cape to the latitude of Darwin. Wavelengths were in the range 300-1000 m with typical speeds of 0.5-1 m s-1, and spacing between wave packets of 25 km.
Further observations on a bucephalid trematode infection in scallops (Pecten alba) in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Authors: Sanders MJ , Lester RJG
Published: November 2005

Of 1250 scallops sampled from four areas over a 16-month period, 387 (31%) were infected by the trematode Bucephalus sp. Parasitized gonads reached their maximum weight in January, 3 months after non-parasitized gonads had reached their maximum and 2 months after the normal spawning period. In the same month, cercariae first appeared within the sporocysts. They were present for the next 5 months during which time the weight of the gonad and muscle decreased. The muscle weight returned to and exceeded the weight of controls in September-October, a time when cercariae were not being produced and when normal unparasitized scallops were spawning. The characteristic red colour of parasitized gonads occurred at all times of the year. It was not related to the stage of maturity of the parasite.