First Record of the Dwarf False Catshark, Planonasus parini (Carcharhniformes Pseudotriakis) from Sri Lanka
Description
The dwarf false catshark, Planonasus parini, is a soft, stout to slender bodied poorly known deepwater shark, known previously only from the Socotra Islands, southwestern India, and possibly off the Maldives. Here we report on the first record of the Dwarf False Catshark from Sri Lanka, Southwest Bay of Bengal. The specimen, estimated to be approximately 55 cm in total length, was caught by a local fisherman between 300 m and 600 m depth off Trincomalee Outer Harbour near Norway Inlet (08 29'.136N, 81 14'.783E).
In situ chemical mapping of dissolved iron and manganese in hydrothermal plumes,
Description
Hydrothermal vents along mid-ocean ridges are an important source of elements such as lithium, silicon, manganese and iron to the world's oceans. The venting produces both episodic and steady-state hydrothermal plumes with unique thermochemical signatures in the mid-water column. The particulate phases in these plumes (predominantly iron oxides and hydroxides) also scavenge phosphorus, vanadium, arsenic, lead, polonium and several rare-earth elements from sea water. Thus, on a global scale, hydrothermal plumes are both a source for some elements and a sink for others. Ultimately, the particulate metals precipitated from plumes form extensive regions of metalliferous sediments over the crests and flanks of mid-ocean ridges. Although the metalliferous sediment coverage is vast and well documented, only a tiny fraction of the vents responsible for these sediments have been located (Fig. 1a). To date, both the number and location of hydrothermal vents and the detailed distribution of chemical constituents within the resultant plumes are poorly understood because of under-sampling of the mid-ocean ridges and the overlying waters. Here we present the results of high-resolution mapping of the chemical and thermal characteristics of hydrothermal plumes in near real time using a novel submersible chemical analyser (Scanner) and a conductivity/temperature/depth/transmissometer instrument package (CTDT). We show that the kinetics of iron oxidation in the plume can be used to constrain estimates of the plume's age, and that variation in the ratio of manganese content to excess heat can be explained by the mixing of several different vent fluids., Cited By (since 1996):31, CODEN: NATUA, ,
Cobalt and copper distributions in the waters of Santa Monica Basin, California,
Description
The trace metals cobalt and copper are removed from the oceans interior by scavenging on to particle surfaces, but the mechanisms for removal of these two metals are probably quite different. Cobalt appears to be scavenged by manganese oxide particles, whereas organic compounds are the main carrier phase for copper. Remobilization of these metals in marine sediments therefore proceeds by different pathways. The differences in the pathways of remobilization are accentuated in oxygen-deficient environments: manganese oxide reduction is accelerated at low oxygen levels and organic carbon is preserved. Cobalt fluxes from sediments underlying oxygen-deficient waters should be enhanced and copper fluxes reduced. We report here measurements of the cobalt and copper distributions in the waters of an oxygen-deficient marine basin in the Southern California Bight. Cobalt concentrations near the bottom are raised four times above the background level, whereas copper concentrations show no increase. These measurements confirm features of existing models for the oceanic cycles of these metals., Cited By (since 1996):18,
Oceanography, CODEN: NATUA, ,
