The larval fish and zooplankton assemblages were studied in the permanently open Sundays Estuary on the south-east coast of South Africa, using standard boat-based plankton towing methods. A total of 8174 larval and early juvenile fishes were caught, representing 12 families and 23 taxa. The Clupeidae, Gobiidae and Blenniidae were the dominant fish families. Common species included Gilchristella aestuaria, Caffrogobius gilchristi, Omobranchus woodi, Liza dumerilii, Glossogobius callidus and Myxus capensis. Estuarine resident species (Category I) predominantly in the preflexion developmental stage, dominated the system. A total of 19 zooplankton taxa were recorded. Copepoda dominated the zooplankton community. Dominant species included Pseudodiaptomus hessei, Acartia longipatella, Halicyclops sp., Mesopodopsis wooldridgei, and the larvae of Paratylodiplax edwardsii and Hymenosoma orbiculare. Mean larval fish density showed similar trends seasonally, spatially and across salinity zones, with mean zooplankton density in the Sundays Estuary. Gut content analysis of five larval fish species: Gilchristella aestuaria, Pomadasys commersonnii, Monodactylus falciformis, Myxus capensis and Rhabdosargus holubi, revealed species specific diet and prey selection. Although larval fish diet contained a variety of prey items, guts were dominated by P. hessei, chironomid larvae, Corophium triaenonyx, copepod eggs and insect larvae. Physico-chemical drivers and the interactions between these two plankton communities provide information that enables a more holistic view of the dynamics occurring in the Sundays Estuary planktonic ecosystem.

The zooplankton community of the main channel of the Mngazana estuary was investigated on six occasions over one year. Spatial and temporal variability in zooplankton abundance and distribution were sampled using two slightly modified WP2 plankton nets of 200 μm mesh and 57 cm mouth diameter. Nets were fitted with calibrated Kahlsico 005 WA 130 flow meters. A set of environmental variables were also measured at each site. The water column of the main channel of Mngazana estuary was stratified in summer but well mixed in winter. Temperature progressively increased from the lower stations to the upper reaches of the estuary. Maximum vertical temperature differences occurred in the middle estuarine reaches. Salinity progressively decreased from the lower reaches to the upper reaches, but was generally above 26 from Station 3 to Station 8. Only during November 2005, were salinity readings low due to heavy rains. Summer salinity values were always lower than the winter salinity values as a result of summer rainfall. A total of 76 zooplankton taxa were identified. The estuarine copepods Acartia natalensis and Pseudodiaptomus hessei dominated the assemblage, with maximum abundances in the middle to upper reaches. Acartia natalensis reached high densities in winter (> 50 000 m-3) although lowest abundances were recorded when maximum rainfall was received (November 2005). Wooldridge (1977) and Deyzel (2004) recorded maximum densities during summer. Pseudodiaptomus hessei reached high densities (> 17 000 m-3) during the highest rainfall month. Previous studies indicated that this pioneer species is able to recover quickly after a flood and subsequently increase rapidly in numbers. The mysid, Mesopodopsis africana reached high densities (> 5 000 m-3) in the middle estuarine reaches during summer. Ichtyofauna, brachyura and anomura were important contributors to the merozooplankton component of the community. The maximum number of species was recorded during winter in the lower estuarine reaches, when vertical differences in salinities were minimal.

The vegetation of the Mgeni Estuary, Mhlanga Estuary and Mdloti Estuary was analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method using quadrats of 4m2 and 25m2 in area placed subjectively and the Point-Centred Quarter method with points chosen whilst traversing. A classification of plant communities is given. These are described floristically and related to habitat variables. Indicator species of the climatic climax of coast forest occur within the study area. The absence of coast forest is ascribed to low altitude, tidal inundation and the consequent effect of salinity, basal inundation resulting in a high water-table and the influence of man. The floodplain of the Mgeni Estuary is dominated by mangrove vegetation comprising mainly Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Avicennia marina whereas vegetation established on Athlone Island is dominated by mesophytic thicket comprising mainly Schinus terebinthifolius, Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Cardiospermum grandiflorum. The floodplain of the Mhlanga Estuary is dominated by Phragmites australis. The shores of the Mdloti Estuary are dominated by Barringtonia racemosa, Phragmites australis and Echinochloa pyramidalis. Major differences in vegetation patterns of the three systems are related primarily to the differences in the open nature of the river mouths. This is controlled mainly by river flow and longshore drift. Differences in vegetation patterns within an estuary are dependent on differences in tolerances to salinity, basal inundation and shade, together with variations in altitude and edaphic factors and competition between species. Generally soils of Mgeni Estuary had higher contents of small sized fractions, bulk densities, reserve acidities, organic matter, salts and exchangeable bases and lower pH than soils at Mhlanga Estuary and Mdloti Estuary. Differences exist between mangrove and non-mangrove soils at Mgeni Estuary and differences between the non- mangrove soils at the three study sites. Major differences in soil characteristics are as a result of differences in tidal inundation, geogenetic parameters and biotic factors. Information on topography, hydrology, geology, climatic factors, biotic factors and historical background of the area is given. A check-list of vascular plants is included. The work is illustrated by 44 figures. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1986.

In order to delineate the potential sources and to understand the main controls on the biogeochemical cycling of dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM, POM) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) during estuarine mixing, comprehensive seasonal geochemical and isotopic and surveys across the freshwater-tidal interface were carried out in the Tyne and Tweed Estuaries, NE UK. This study provided a contrast between a relatively pristine system (Tweed) with one that is heavily influenced by anthropogenic activity (Tyne). Geochemical and isotopic (13C, 14C and 15N) analyses demonstrated the predominance of terrigenous organic matter in both these estuaries, with elevated river discharges leading to enhanced terrestrial loading. High pCO2 values in the Tyne (summer) and Tweed (winter) suggested that a significant fraction of this terrestrially-derived organic matter (both DOM and POM pools) is relatively labile and can potentially undergo significant mineralization during estuarine mixing. In both estuaries in situ processing of DIN was relatively minor, with mixing between different sources being the main factor in controlling the distribution of nitrate and ammonium across the salinity gradient. However, anthropogenic ammonium discharges in the Tyne were found to have an enormous direct and indirect impact on estuarine nitrogen cycling. Large, concave removals of terrigenous high molecular weight (HMW) DOC caused by flocculation, biodegradation, and/or photochemical oxidation were associated with a non-conservative 13C-enrichment in d13C signatures. Radiocarbon dates showed an export of young (modern) HMW DOC and old (100-1000s of years), terrigenous POC to the North Sea. 14C-enriched values in coastal North Sea HMW DOC were attributed to anthropogenic discharges originating from within the coastal North Sea environment. In the Tweed, seasonal changes in soil characteristics resulted in an older age for POM during the summer. In the Tyne, decreases in POC% with increasing salinity sometimes coincided with an increase in POC age. This was attributed to mixing with older sediment and to the possible preferential loss of the younger, more labile POC fraction during mineralization. This study has shown that land use patterns, sewage inputs, and freshwater flushing time are the main influences in determining the behaviour and origin of organic matter and DIN entering the coastal North Sea in these two systems.

Present models of Holocene estuary evolution are driven largely by changes in relative sea-level (RSL) with little reference to long-term changes in fluvial regime and regional climate. Recent US studies of estuarine sequences have shown that decadal-centennial scale fluctuations in river discharge and freshwater inflow can be inferred by changes in estuarine palaeosalinity and that the timing of these events reflect changes in regional precipitation. It is therefore becoming apparent that estuarine sequences may hold an archive of mid-late Holocene climate change information, as well as being recorders of RSL change. The principal aim of this study is to produce a palaeosalinity-based climate record for southern England during the late Holocene, based on changes in climate-driven freshwater influx into the estuarine environment. The late Holocene palaeosalinity record of the inner Taw Estuary will be reconstructed using diatom salinity index as a proxy for salinity. Nine periods of below-average or above-average palaeosalinity have been recognised in the Taw Estuary since 300 cal.yr.BC. Four intervals of high river discharge are identified at 520-780, 850-1030, 1215-1315, and 1420-1900 cal.yr.AD. Five intervals of low river discharge are identified at 300-520, 780-850, 1030-1215, 1315-1420, and 1900-2000 cal.yr.AD. This shows that there has been significant climatic variation in southern Britain since c.300 cal.yr.AD, with climatic shifts evident in the estuarine record. In order to validate this record, the fluvial geomorphic history of the lower Taw valley was also investigated. There is a strong correspondence between the dry and wet climatic periods identified in the estuary and the geomorphic fluvial history and flood record of the lower Taw valley. Comparisons with other proxy climate records in the UK and Europe show a high degree of correspondence with the Taw Estuary palaeosalinity-based climate record. As the inner estuary environment will also be influenced by RSL change during the late Holocene, RSL change since c.6600 cal.yr.BP was successfully reconstructed in the Taw Estuary, with eleven new validated SLIPs providing evidence of former MSL. The magnitude and rates of RSL rise in north Devon are compared with other RSL records in southern Britain, suggesting that the isostatic history is similar to other areas bordering the Bristol Channel and with the central south coast of England. Fluctuations in palaeosalinity in the late Holocene are seen to be mainly controlled by centennial-scale changes in climate-driven river discharge, rather than RSL change.

O presente trabalho visa caracterizar, através de experimentos numéricos, a hidrodinâmica e o transporte de sedimentos em suspensão no sistema estuarino de Caravelas e Peruípe sob diferentes condições forçantes. O sistema é formado por canais que estabelecem a conexão entre os rios Caravelas e Peruípe. Dados de nível de água e velocidade de correntes, obtidos em coletas de campo foram utilizados para aplicar e calibrar o modelo numérico MOHID. Diferentes experimentos numéricos, simulando condições de maré de sizígia e de quadratura com diferentes condições de descarga fluvial, foram realizados. A partir destas simulações foram obtidas distribuições espaciais e pontuais da concentração de sedimentos em suspensão e das correntes forçadas pela maré integradas verticalmente. Em condições de sizígia o estuário é caracterizado por correntes mais intensas e assimétricas, com dominância de vazante. As maiores concentrações médias de sedimento em suspensão ocorreram em condições de sizígia e o transporte de sedimentos resultante foi em direção ao oceano, em função do domínio das correntes de maré vazante. Os experimentos numéricos mostram que os canais que conectam os dois estuários têm papel relevante na dinâmica local. Eles possuem influência na dinâmica sedimentar do sistema estuarino. A hidrodinâmica e o balanço sedimentar do sistema são principalmente modulados pela altura da maré, com pouca contribuição do aporte de água doce. / The aim of this work is to characterize, through numerical modeling experiments, the hydrodynamics and suspended sediment transport dynamics in the Caravelas ? Peruípe estuarine system under different forcing conditions. The system comprises channels that connect the Caravelas and Peruípe rivers. Water level and current velocity data obtained through field campaigns were used to apply and calibrate the MOHID numerical model. Different numerical experiments simulating spring and neap tides with different river discharge conditions have been conducted. Based on these simulations, the hydrodynamics and spatial and temporal distributions of suspended sediment concentrations have been analyzed. During spring tide the estuary is characterized by intense and asymmetric currents (ebb dominated). The highest average suspended sediment concentration occurred during spring tide conditions, with net sediment transport being seaward. The numerical experiments show that the connecting channels play a relevant role in the local suspended sediment dynamics. The hydrodynamic and sediment balance in the system are modulated mainly by the tidal range, with little influence from the freshwater supply.

Contamination of recreational waters with fecal waste, indicated by the presence of enterococci, can have consequences for human and ecosystem health. The difficulty in determining the extent and origin of fecal pollution in dynamic estuarine systems is compounded by contributions from sources including septic tanks and agricultural runoff. This study investigated fecal pollution at five sites with variable hydrological conditions in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. The distribution and occurrence of enterococci was assessed using traditional cultivation. A human-associated microbial source tracking assay was validated and applied in these estuaries using qPCR. Results demonstrated a correlation between enterococci concentrations, rainfall, and salinity. The human-associated assay was sensitive and specific in the lab; however, human fecal pollution was not detected in the field even though samples contained high levels of enterococci. This study highlights the importance of expanding the range of water quality assessment. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Anthropogenic hydrologic alterations can affect the quality of lake littoral zone habitats for wading birds, such as the great egret (Ardea alba), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). One such lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, has experienced a marked decline in wading bird nesting since the 1970’s, concomitant with changes in lake level management. It’s hypothesized that a reduction in foraging habitat has led to the nesting decline; however, there is little quantitative evidence of this link. A habitat suitability model was developed for Lake Okeechobee wading birds that incorporate the spatial and temporal dynamics of environmental factors that affect wading bird foraging and tests whether foraging habitat is linked to numbers of nests. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A composição, distribuição, abundância, biomassa e produção secundária do zooplâncton do Sistema estuarino de Santos foram estudadas na baía de Santos (4 estações), canal de Santos (3 estações) e canal da Bertioga (4 estações), entre novembro de 2004 e outubro de 2005, em relação à temperatura, salinidade, material em suspensão, nutrientes dissolvidos e clorofila-a. Nas 114 amostras analisadas, o zooplâncton foi constituído de 101 táxons distribuídos em 10 filos: Arthropoda (subfilo Crustacea), Annelida (classe Polychaeta), Bryozoa, Chaetognatha, Chordata (subfilo Tunicata), Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Echinodermata, Mollusca e Phoronida, sendo o primeiro dominante. Os copépodes constituíram, em média, 85,5% do zooplâncton total. A comunidade zooplanctônica das três áreas incluiu táxons estuarinos, costeiros e oceânicos, sendo dominantes Oithona hebes, Oithona oswaldocruzi, Acartia lilljeborgi, Acartia tonsa, Bestiolina similis, Balanus spp. (náuplios), Paracalanus quasimodo, Paracalanus spp. (copepoditos), Parvocalanus scotti, Euterpina acutifrons, Pseudodiaptomus acutus, Oikopleura dioica e as larvas de Polydora spp., Aonides spp., Spionidae e Bivalvia. A abundância, biomassa e a produção secundária zooplanctônica foram maiores no canal da Bertioga, enquanto a produtividade foi maior na baía de Santos. Esses fatores estiveram associados, principalmente, à salinidade, temperatura da água e material em suspensão total. / The zooplankton´s composition, distribution, abundance, biomass and secondary production of Santos estuarine system were studied on Santos bay (4 stations), Santos channel (3 stations) and Bertioga channel (4 stations) between November 2004 and October 2005 in relation to temperature, salinity, suspended matter, dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll-a. On the 114 analyzed samples, zooplankton was constituted of 101 taxa distributed among 10 phyla: Arthropoda (subphylum Crustacea), Annelida (class Polychaeta), Bryozoa, Chaetognatha, Chordata (subphylum Tunicata), Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Echinodermata, Mollusca and Phoronida, being Arthropoda the dominant phylum. Copepoda (subphylum Crustacea) constituted on average 85,5% of total zooplankton. The zooplankton community among the three areas included estuarine, coastal and oceanic taxa, being Oithona hebes, Oithona oswaldocruzi, Acartia lilljeborgi, Acartia tonsa, Bestiolina similis, Balanus spp. (naupli), Paracalanus quasimodo, Paracalanus spp. (copepodite), Parvocalanus scotti, Euterpina acutifrons, Pseudodiaptomus acutus, Oikopleura dioica and the larvae of Polydora spp., Aonides spp., Spionidae and Bivalvia dominant. The abundance, biomass and zooplanktonic secondary production were higher on Bertioga channel, whereas the productivity was higher on Santos bay. These factors were associated mainly to salinity, water temperature and total suspended matter.

O Rio Ribeira nasce no estado do Paraná e tem sua foz no município de Iguape estado de São Paulo. Possui 470 km de extensão e recebe o nome de Ribeira de Iguape em sua porção final, onde existe uso intensivo do solo para a agricultura (bananicultura), atividades industriais como mineração, eliminação de esgoto e um pouco de pecuária. Estas atividades contribuem com o aporte de nutrientes nitrogenados e fosfatados para o corpo hidrológico, atingindo o Complexo Estuarino-Lagunar de Cananéia-Iguape por meio do Canal do Valo Grande, em Iguape. O presente trabalho caracterizou o sistema hídrico por meio de parâmetros hidrológicos e hidroquímico como: temperatura da água, salinidade, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, material em suspensão, teores de nitrogênio e de fósforo, matéria orgânica em suspensão e turbidez. Foi realizado um diagnóstico do setor norte do sistema em relação às condições estuarinas naturais presentes no setor sul, correlacionando os valores observados de componentes nitrogenados e fosfatados com a carga estimada de fertilizante empregada nos cultivos de banana, principal cultura da área estudada. Entre Registro e Iguape, a bananicultura localizada na região marginal ao rio foi estimada, com o uso de imagens, em aproximadamente 744 hectares. Foram feitas quatro coletas (invernos 2012 e 2013, verões 2013 e 2014) com 20 estações ao longo do Rio-Valo Grande-Sistema Estuarino Lagunar de Cananéia Iguape. No setor norte foram obtidos os mais altos teores de nitrato, 15,72 µmol L-1 no rio e 14,59 µmol L-1 no Valo Grande indicando o grande aporte deste nutriente via rio e com contribuição significativa da adubação da cultura da banana. Quanto ao fosfato, os valores foram extremamente altos em toda a amostragem no setor norte, sobretudo no Inverno de 2012, onde o máximo teor foi de 12,45 µmol L-1 no Rio. Este aporte alto é contínuo e deve receber contribuição suplementar via afluentes, com forte indicativo da proveniência da exploração de rochas fosfatadas, na região de Cajati, cujos efluentes podem atingir o Rio Ribeira de Iguape por meio do Rio Jacupiranga. As cargas de N e P provenientes da agricultura foram de 44,22 t ano-1 para N (1,6% da carga total do rio) e 5,36 t ano-1, para P (0.12% da carga total do rio). O desbalanceamento da entrada de P na relação N:P mostra esta entrada suplementar de P no norte do sistema indicando a forte influência antrópica na região em relação aos dois nutrientes, mas com maior carga para P e uma diluição em relação ao sul que deve ser monitorada. / The Ribeira River rises in the state of Paraná- Brazil and outfalls in Iguape, state of São Paulo (Brazil). The river is 470 km long, and in its final portion, which is aproximately 70 km long, is called Ribeira de Iguape River. In this area an intense use of the soil can be found regarding the growth of bananas crops, there are also industrial mining activities, sewage disposal and some livestock. These activities contribute to the supply of nitrogenous and phosphate nutrients input for the hydrological body, which further reaches Cananéia-Iguape Estuary-Lagoon Complex through Valo Grande Channel, in Iguape. This study characterized the water system through hydrological and hydrochemical parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended matter and turbidity. It was conducted a diagnosis of the northern sector of the system in relation to the natural estuarine conditions present in the south sector. The observed values of nitrogen and phosphate were correlated with the estimated load of fertilizer used in banana plantations, which is the main crop in the study area. The banana plantation located in the river\'s margins, between the cities of Registro and Iguape, was estimated with the use of images, and resulted in approximately 744 hectares. Four campaigns of water sampling were made: winter of 2012 and 2013; summers 2013, 2014) with 19 stations along the River - Valo Grande channel - Cananéia Iguape Estuarine Lagoon System. Highest levels of nitrate were obtained in the river sample of 15.72 µmol L-1, and 14.59 µmol L-1 in the Channel, indicating the great contribution of this nutrient via river and significant contribution of the banana crop fertilization. Regarding the phosphate levels, they were extremely high throughout the sampling in the northern sector, especially in winter 2012, where the maximum level was 12.45 µmol L-1 in the River. This high contribution is ongoing and might receive additional contribution via tributaries, with strong indication of provenance from exploiting phosphate rocks, in the region of Cajati- SP, where effluent can reach the Ribeira de Iguape River through Jacupiranga River. The agricultural load of N and P were estimated in 44.22 t N year-1 (1.62% of total river load) and 5.36 t year-1 P (0.15% of total river load). The imbalance of P input in N:P shows this additional input of P- Phosphate in the north of the system, indicating the strong anthropogenic influence in the region in the two nutrients, but with higher load for P and a dilution towards south, which should be monitored.