Dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus is a wide-ranging estuarine-dependent Sciaenid and an important fishery species throughout most of its distribution. It is one of South Africa’s most valuable coastal fishery species. High levels of juvenile exploitation in estuaries and ineffective management regulations have led to stock collapse, highlighting the need to better understand the spatial and temporal aspects of estuarine-dependency and multiple habitat use. Habitat connectivity is a critical property of estuarine-associated fishes and it therefore follows that knowledge of this link is fundamental in understanding population dynamics and the nursery role of estuarine and/or marine habitats. While dusky kob occur in both estuaries and nearshore coastal zones, limited information on connectivity among these habitats exists. The aim of this study is to assess the role of estuarine nursery habitats in the life cycle of the dusky kob by examining multiple habitat connectivity and determining the drivers associated with estuarine use. A total of 96 dusky kob (237–1280 mm total length) were tagged with acoustic transmitters in both the estuarine and marine environments of Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa between May 2008 and September 2010. Their movements were monitored using a network of automated data-logging acoustic receivers deployed in the Sundays Estuary, seven neighbouring estuarine habitats, two commercial harbours and various sites within Algoa Bay. And more...

An investigation into the quality of surface water and ground water was conducted during 1988 in the 38,8 km² Hout Bay River catchment near Cape Town. The main objective of the study was to determine those areas and activities which constitute a pollution source and to ascertain the relative proportion which each contributes to the pollution problem and health risk of the surf zone of the beach at Hout Ba . The objective was achieved by monitoring the chemical and microbiological attributes of the Hout Bay River, its tributaries and stormdrains in wet and dry conditions on a routine basis and during storm events. Hout Bay is a rapidly developing residential area in which sewage disposal occurs by means of septic tank soakaway systems. Ground water quality was monitored to investigate the contribution to contamination by septic tank effluent. Results showed that stormdrain effluent in dry and wet conditions and surface runoff during rainfall were the main vectors of pollution. Although the pollution concentration was high during dry conditions the greatest pollution discharge to the surf zone of Hout Bay occurred during storm events. In view of the proposed residential development it is imperative that pollution control measures be undertaken so as to secure the future recreational and aesthetic value of Hout Bay

This study uses the predictive modeling program Sea-Levels Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to evaluate sea-level rise hazards, such as erosion and inundation, on coastal archaeological sites with a vertical rise of sea level of .98 meters from 2006 to 2100. In total 177 archaeological site locations were collected and georeferenced over GIS outputs maps of wetlands, erosion presence, surface elevation, and accretion. Wetlands data can provide useful information about characteristics of the wetland classes, which make a difference in the ability for coastal archaeological sites to combat sea level rise. Additionally, the study evaluated predicted erosion of archaeological sites by presence or absence of active erosion on a cell-by-cell basis. Elevation map outputs relative to mean tide level allowed for a calculation of individual archaeological site datums to use NOAA tidal databases to identify the potential for their inundation. Accretion maps acquired from the SLAMM run determined the potential for the archaeological site locations to combat rising sea levels and potentially provide protection from wave effects. Results show that the most significant hazard predicted to affect coastal archaeological sites is inundation. Approximately 54% of the total archaeological sites are predicted to be inundated at least half the time by 2100. The hazard of erosion, meanwhile, is expected to affect 33% of all archaeological sites by the end of the century. Although difficult to predict, the study assumes that accretion will not be able to keep pace with sea-level rise. Such findings of hazards prove that SLAMM is a useful tool for predicting potential effects of sea-level rise on coastal archaeological sites. With its ability to customize and as it is complementary, it provides itself not only an economical choice but also one that is adaptable to many scenarios.

Shark Bay is an extensive marine embayment located on the central coast of Western Australia that is recognised as a World Heritage Property on the basis of the Outstanding Universal Value of the natural environment of the region. This thesis examines the history of science at Shark Bay between the arrival of the first European explorers in the seventeenth century through to the official recognition of Shark Bay as a World Heritage Area in 1991. Each of the seven chapters is devoted to a different period in the development of scientific investigations, beginning with Dutch and English mariners and naturalists, passing on to French scientific explorers and British surveyors naturalists, and explorers, continuing through a variety of investigations in marine science and research in biogeography and evolution carried out by foreign expeditions and Australian field-workers, and culminating in the transformation of scientific investigations as a result of the rise and development of modern ecological science in the second half of the twentieth century. This development of science at Shark Bay is considered in light of existing frameworks for the development or spread of science in Australia, and in relation to current literature concerning the development or emergence of ecology in Australia. After evaluating the history of science at Shark Bay relative to existing knowledge of the spread of science and the emergence of ecology, the thesis concludes by proposing a new framework for the development of science and the emergence of ecology based on the experience at Shark Bay and with wider application to the history of science in Western Australia.

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

Throughout the Holocene, appreciable changes in bathymetry are hypothesized to have resulted in large changes to tidal datums in coastal and estuarine areas. An understanding of tidal change is an important contribution to the knowledge of relative historical sea-level change and future coastal planning. To test this hypothesis, the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) model was used, with representative bathymetric grids based on glacial isostatic adjustment models and semi-empirical sea level rise predictions, in order to model the time-varying tidal behavior of the Delaware Bay. Model runs were conducted at various time slices between 10,000 years before present and 300 years into the future on high resolution grids that allowed for inundation moving forward in time. Open boundary tidal forcing was held constant in time to highlight the effect of the changing regional bathymetry. With each change in sea level, the shape of the Delaware Bay was considerably altered, leading to changes in the tides. Resonance and shallow water dissipation appeared to be the primary mechanisms behind these changes. Results showed that tidal ranges have nearly doubled in the upper Delaware Bay over the past 3000 years, while decreasing in the lower bay by 8%. Tidal range change represents a possible correction to past sea level rise estimates from the geologic record. Scenarios incorporating future sea level predictions primarily showed a small decrease in tidal range, potentially impacting future water levels and tidal sediment transport. Trends modeled were consistent with field measurements of relative change over similar time periods. / Graduation date: 2012

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

In 1970 the Arrow oil spill off Cape Breton contaminated 305 kilometres of shoreline. Aerial and land surveys have demonstrated that natural weathering has occurred throughout this period, but it was relatively slow, especially in sheltered areas like Black Duck Cove lagoon. This study analyzed the microbial hydrocarbon degradation potential in the lagoon sediments using direct and culture-based techniques. Mineralization of hydrocarbon substrates (hexadecane, octacosane and naphthalene) indicated the presence of an active degradative microbial community, however, genes from known bacterial hydrocarbon degradation pathways (alkB, ndoB, phnAc) were not detected by direct extraction of sediment DNA and PCR amplification. Sediment enrichment cultures had increased mineralization rates for naphthalene and hexadecane, and a hexadecane-degrading pure culture, Rhodococcus sp. BDC14, with a typical alkB gene was isolated. PCR analysis of total community DNA extracted directly from the enrichments indicated the presence of the Alcanivorax borkumensis alkB1 genotype. The results demonstrated that there were notable differences between culture-based and direct molecular analytical techniques in characterizing the contaminated sediments.

No description available.