中华蚊母树(Distylium chinense)幼苗对秋、冬季淹水的生长及生理响应

为阐明三峡库区岸生植物中华蚊母树(Distylium chinense)幼苗对水淹的耐淹机理,通过设置对照组(CK)、半淹组(PF)、全淹组(CF)3个水淹处理,模拟库区消落带秋、冬季淹水情况,研究中华蚊母树幼苗在不同水淹时间和深度下的生长及生理生化特性.结果表明,淹水显著影响中华蚊母树幼苗的生物量,水淹150 d后,PF组植株和CF组植株根、茎、叶生物量均呈显著降低趋势,同时受水淹影响,植株根冠比也显著降低;中华蚊母树幼苗在水淹前90 d 2组水淹处理植株叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量均与CK组植株差异不显著,水淹120 d后,中华蚊母树幼苗叶片MDA含量显著增加,且随着水淹深度的增加而逐渐升高;可溶性蛋白在各水淹处理中的变化有所差异,水淹前60 d,淹水并没有影响CF组植株可溶性蛋白含量,但从水淹90 d开始,CF组植株可溶性蛋白含量有所上升,而PF组植株可溶性蛋白含量在整个淹水期间均与CK组植株差异不显著;2组水淹处理植株脯氨酸在水淹前期均显著上升,但自水淹90 d后逐渐下降至CK组水平;与MDA对水淹的响应一致,水淹前期PF组和CF组植株抗氧化酶活性(超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶)均没有出现明显影响,但水淹后期2组水淹处理植株抗氧化酶活性均显著升高;可溶性糖含量在不同水淹处理下有所差异,PF组植株叶片可溶性糖含量在整个淹水期间均与CK组植株差异不显著;而CF组植株叶片可溶性糖含量随着水淹时间的延长逐渐降低.研究证明,中华蚊母树幼苗生长及生理特性对秋、冬季水淹环境具有一定的调节能力,是中华蚊母树幼苗能够在库区消落带存活生长的一个重要原因.     

三峡库区消落带土壤有机质和全氮含量分布特征

在三峡库区消落带落干期间(2010年4月),对库区巫山-重庆主城区段消落带土壤有机质(OM)和全氮(TN)含量分布及与土壤理化性质的相关性进行了调查研究.结果表明该区域消落带土壤OM和TN含量均较低,分别为10.70±4.03和0.84±0.39 mg/g,且服从正态分布.消落带土壤碳氮比(C/N)较低,推测消落带土壤无机氮在淹水期间存在向上覆水体释放的可能性.在与其它关于土壤OM和TN含量研究的比较中,研究区域内土壤OM和TN含量处于偏低的水平;而在与对照带样品的比较分析中发现,消落带样品的OM和TN含量变异系数均偏低,因此消落带干湿交替可减小不同区域消落带之间土壤OM和TN含量差异.相关性分析表明,消落带土壤pH、ORP、TN与OM之间呈显著正相关,可见研究范围内消落带土壤氮形态可能主要以有机氮的形式存在于有机质中,而C/N与TN呈负相关,与OM相关性不显著,表明C/N的大小主要取决于TN含量.     

不同水位和竞争模式对典型湿地植物生态化学计量特征的影响

以洞庭湖典型湿地植物辣蓼为目标植物,短尖苔草为邻近植物,通过控制实验研究不同水位(30、0和-30 cm)和竞争(无竞争、全部竞争、地上竞争和地下竞争)模式下目标植物生长及生态化学计量特征的变化.结果表明:水位处理显著影响不同竞争模式下的生物量积累,辣蓼生物量随水位增加显著降低;-30 cm水位无竞争模式下生物量最大,为10.84±1.52 g.在30 cm和0 cm水位梯度下,不同竞争模式下的生物量间无显著差异.但-30 cm水位下,地下竞争模式下的辣蓼生物量积累较全竞争模式和地上竞争模式下显著增多,说明非胁迫条件下,辣蓼和苔草的竞争以地上竞争为主.水位处理对辣蓼叶片、茎和根的氮、磷含量影响显著,30 cm水位下,叶片氮、磷含量显著高于其他水位下的含量.在-30cm水位下,叶片C∶N和C∶P显著高于其他水位下的比值,分别为48.08±3.85、590.3±43.4.相比于对照处理(无竞争),竞争作用下的辣蓼总氮含量降低,而C∶N值增加,N∶P值降低,这可能是因为竞争作用导致辣蓼对氮的吸收减少所致.     

贵州草海湿地不同水位梯度土壤碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量比分布特征

对贵州草海湿地4种水位梯度下(农田区、过渡区、浅水区和深水区)表层土壤(0~10 cm)碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量比进行研究,以期揭示草海湿地不同水位梯度下土壤碳、氮、磷生态化学计量比的分布特征及其影响因素.结果表明:土壤总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)及总磷(TP)含量在不同水位梯度之间均差异显著,由过渡区至深水区,土壤TOC及TN含量均呈递增趋势,而TP含量呈先降低后增加的趋势;农田区土壤TN含量显著高于浅水区,但深水区土壤TP含量显著低于农田区.不同水位梯度土壤碳氮比(C/N)、碳磷比(C/P)和氮磷比(N/P)也存在显著差异,由过渡区至深水区,土壤C/P和N/P均呈递增趋势,而C/N呈先增加后降低的趋势;与过渡区相比,农田区土壤C/N、C/P和N/P总体偏低.相关性分析表明:土壤C/N、C/P和N/P的空间分布与土壤TOC、TN、含水量等理化性质有关.可见,草海湿地水位变化对土壤TOC、TN和TP含量以及C/N、C/P及N/P的空间分布具有显著影响,且水位升高有利于增强土壤碳、氮、磷的固存潜力.     

抚仙湖沉水植物分布及其碳、氮和磷化学计量学特征

目前对于沉水植物碳(C)、氮(N)和磷(P)化学计量学的野外研究主要集中在中营养或富营养化水体,而对于贫营养水体中沉水植物C、N和P的积累特征研究较少.基于对贫营养湖泊抚仙湖沉水植物的调查,研究抚仙湖9种常见沉水植物C、N和P化学计量学特征及其种间和种内差异.结果表明:1)抚仙湖沉水植物主要分布在湖岸浅水区域,分布水深范围为0.5~14.0 m,平均分布水深为3.6 m;2)抚仙湖沉水植物地上部分C、N和P含量平均值分别为381.89、18.59和2.13 mg/g,N∶P比平均值为9.21,且C、N和P含量之间呈显著正相关;3)抚仙湖沉水植物地上部分C、N和P含量及C∶N比和C∶P比值种间差异大于种内差异,而N∶P比种内差异大于种间差异;4)抚仙湖沉水植物C含量和N:P比平均值要大于长江中下游一些富营养化湖泊的沉水植物,抚仙湖沉水植物的生长可能潜在地受到P的限制.     

洱海苦草(Vallisneria natans)水深分布和叶片C、N、P化学计量学对不同水深的响应

湖泊水深是影响沉水植物生长、繁殖与分布的重要环境因子,水深增加改变了水下光照、风浪和底泥特性等,因而可能导致沉水植物的生理生化指标发生相应变化.本研究通过对云南洱海沉水植物苦草(Vallisneria natans)随水深分布的情况进行调查,并分析了定植于不同水深的苦草叶片碳(C)、氮(N)和磷(P)含量及其比率,以阐明水深变化对苦草叶片生态化学计量学的影响.结果表明洱海苦草定植的水深范围为0.5~5.6 m,在1.5~2.4 m处达到最大频度,在2.5~3.4 m处达到最大相对生物量,这表明苦草在洱海中的最适生长深度在1.5~3.4 m范围内;苦草叶片C、N和P含量平均值分别为356.10、26.13和3.54 mg/g,C:N、C:P和N:P的平均值分别为14.38、113.46和7.85;苦草叶片C含量、C:N和C:P均随水深增加而降低,N和P含量则随水深增加而升高,N:P在0.5~1.4 m较高,其余水深梯度之间则没有显著差异.总体上,苦草叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征显著地受到了湖泊水深的影响.另外,本研究还发现水深的增加使得苦草叶片N、P含量发生聚敛,这导致其N、P之间的耦合性变弱.     

云南阳宗海表层沉积物有机质组成结构对磷赋存形态特征的影响

利用连续提取分级的方法定量分析阳宗海表层沉积物磷赋存形态,阐明了沉积物C、N、H和O组成及溶解有机质(DOM)紫外-可见光谱特征,探讨沉积物元素组成及DOM组成结构对不同形态磷含量的影响.结果表明:(1)沉积物潜在可移动磷含量在68.67~124.70 mg/kg之间变化,平均占总磷含量的9.81%,表现为BD-PNa OH-nr PNH_4Cl-P;沉积物稳定磷含量在496.73~908.28 mg/kg之间变化,平均占总磷含量的60.86%.(2)沉积物C、N含量和疏水性DOM光谱参数A_(240-400)表现出北部高、南部低的变化趋势,但H/C、O/C和(N+O)/C摩尔比和亲水性DOM光谱参数A_(240-400)变化趋势则与之恰好相反.(3)沉积物NH4Cl-P含量与C、N和H含量之间呈显著正相关,但与H/C、O/C、(N+O)/C摩尔比和亲水性DOM光谱参数E_2/E_3值之间呈显著负相关;NaOH-rP和BD-P+NaOH-rP含量均与O含量及O/H摩尔比呈显著负相关;NaOH-rP、BD-P+NaOH-rP和HCl-P均与疏水性DOM光谱参数A_(240-400)值之间呈显著正相关.因此,天然有机质元素组成及官能团结构是影响沉积物磷赋存形态的重要因素.     

洱海4种沉水植物叶片的光合色素组成及C、N、P化学计量特征对水深的响应

水深与水体的多个环境要素(如光照、温度等)密切关联.因而水深会影响沉水植物的生长、繁殖和生理生化特征,包括叶片的光合色素组成和C、N、P化学计量特征.本研究通过对洱海4种沉水植物苦草(Vallisneria natans)、微齿眼子菜(Potamogeton maackianus)、光叶眼子菜(Potamogeton lucens)和篦齿眼子菜(Potamogeton pectinatus)在不同水深梯度的叶片色素组成和C、N、P化学计量特征进行分析,以阐明水深对这些指标的影响规律和机制.结果表明:水深对4种沉水植物叶片光合色素组成和C、N、P化学计量特征的影响具有种间差异性;苦草、微齿眼子菜和光叶眼子菜叶片N含量,苦草和光叶眼子菜叶片P含量都与叶片叶绿素含量呈显著正相关;苦草叶片N含量随水深增加而增加,可能是由苦草为应对深水弱光胁迫而加强光合色素和蛋白的合成导致的,而磷含量的增加可能还受其他因素的影响.     

鄱阳湖候鸟栖息地湖泊悬浮有机质的碳氮分布及来源分析——以大湖池和沙湖为例

以江西鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区的2个湖泊——大湖池和沙湖为研究对象,分析不同季节和水位悬浮有机质的碳氮稳定同位素（δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N）及碳氮比值（C/N）的变化特征,甄别悬浮有机质的来源.结果表明：在不同水位条件下,悬浮有机质的δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N均存在差异显著性.沙湖5月水位上涨时,悬浮有机质δ¹³C最正,均值为-26.4‰±0.9‰,10月退水后,δ¹³C最负,均值为-31.2‰±1.1‰.悬浮有机质δ¹⁵N值在5月和8月较低（范围为3.5‰~5.5‰）,10月也相对较低,均值为6.1‰±0.6‰,而12月相对较高（7.3‰~10.8‰）.悬浮有机质C/N值在10月最低,均值为6.5±0.6,小于7,与其他各月的C/N有显著差异,而其他各月C/N在7.8~8.7之间,不存在显著差异.大湖池悬浮有机质δ¹³C、δ¹⁵N各月的变化趋势与沙湖类似,并且两个湖泊在相同月份的δ¹³C、δ¹⁵N或C/N均不存在显著差异,但大湖池的δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N比沙湖的δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N均值略偏正0.1‰~0.5‰,C/N比沙湖的C/N略偏低0~0.4.有机δ¹³C、δ¹⁵N结合C/N示踪表明,大湖池和沙湖的悬浮有机质在5月水位上涨和8月丰水期主要来源于河流运输的土壤有机质,表层沉积物对5月悬浮有机质也有一定贡献（16%）,水生浮叶植物对8月悬浮有机质有一定贡献（25%）;10月秋季退水后悬浮有机质主要来源于藻类（77%）,表层沉积物有一定贡献（23%）;12、3和4月冬、春季枯水期悬浮有机质主要来源于表层沉积物,候鸟粪便对12月悬浮有机质有较大贡献（40%）,湿地植物碎屑对3和4月有较大贡献（47%和51%）.     

长江中下游湖泊群落水平下沉水植物碳、氮、磷化学计量特征及其影响因素

以长江中下游14个湖泊沉水植物为研究对象,分析群落水平下沉水植物碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)的化学计量特征及其影响因素.结果显示,沉水植物群落C含量平均为386.93±25.80 mg/g,范围为315.98~441.97 mg/g,N和P含量的平均值分别为26.10±4.84和2.64±0.99 mg/g,范围分别为13.75~40.89和1.01~5.92 mg/g.与物种水平研究相比,群落水平下沉水植物C、N、P化学计量特征变异系数较小,内稳定性更强.群落C含量与P含量具有显著相关性,而与N含量不相关,这说明C元素与N和P之间的耦合关系并不一致;N∶P比与P含量之间具有极显著的负相关关系,但与N含量不相关,说明沉水植物群落P含量的变异对N∶P比起主导作用.冗余分析表明,环境因子解释了沉水植物群落化学计量特征总变异的30.2%,在P0.01水平下对沉水植物群落化学计量特征具有显著影响的环境因子为底泥总磷、底泥N∶P比、水深和消光系数.变差分解结果表明,底泥和上覆水分别独自解释了化学计量特征总变异的5.21%和10.19%,其交互作用解释了总变异的5.25%.通过该研究结果推测,在恢复湖泊水生植被的实践过程中,相对于底泥,对上覆水光照条件进行控制可能更加迫切.     

Planktonic algae and epiphyton of the littoral in lake Peipsi, Estonia

The littoral plankton of Lake Peipsi (3555 km², mean depth 7.1 m) was studied in summer 1980 and 2000–2002, and the epiphyton was studied on two dominating macrophytes, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and Potamogeton perfoliatus L., in 2000. The purpose of the study was to estimate to what extent the littoral phytoplankton and epiphytic algae (their biomass, chlorophyll a content and dominant species) can be used as a criterion for the trophic state of the lake. In wind-open areas, phytoplankton biomass in the littoral is commonly more than ten times higher than in open water due to the presence of the macroscopic cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata (J.S. Smith) P. Richter. This alga is abundant in the moderately eutrophic northern lake's part and rare in the strongly eutrophic southern part; hence also biomass in the southern part is considerably lower. In open water, phytoplankton biomass increases southward with increasing trophy. Algal biomass in the littoral depends on wind direction and can change completely in a few days. Epiphyton biomass and Chla content increased southward with increasing trophic state. They both revealed significant Spearman correlations (P < 0.05) with wind index and transparency (negative), and with abundance of the host plant, both reed and pondweed (positive). The phytoplankton biomass of the littoral of the large and shallow Lake Peipsi can not be used as a criterion of trophic state, however, the species composition of the dominants, particularly cyanobacteria, is well applicable for this purpose. The biomass and Chla content of the epiphyton can be used as a criterion for trophic state.     

内蒙古河套灌区3种沉水植物种子休眠及萌发特性

沉水植物在湖泊生态系统中具有重要作用,它不仅是湖泊生态系统食物链中重要的生产者,同时还对湖泊的营养物沉积和循环有着重要的意义,并由此影响着湖泊的富营养化进程.本文以黄河内蒙古段河套灌区湖泊中常见的3种沉水植物篦齿眼子菜(Potamogeton pectinatus)、穿叶眼子菜(Potamogeton perfoliatus)和狐尾藻(Myriophyllum verticillatum)为研究对象,对其种子休眠及萌发特性进行了初步研究.结果表明:狐尾藻种子休眠率较高但休眠易破除,通过切破种皮、低温层积、硝酸钾和赤霉素处理均可显著提高萌发率;篦齿眼子菜种子休眠性较强,低温层积及赤霉素浸泡处理能够显著提高其萌发率;穿叶眼子菜有较深的休眠特性,破除硬实、硝酸钾、赤霉素及低温层积处理均不能有效解除其休眠.     

Rare and vulnerable species in the mollusc communities in the mining subsidence reservoirs of an industrial area (The Katowicka Upland, Upper Silesia, Southern Poland)

Pollution of the water environment by mining waters is a problem not only in Poland, but worldwide. This study investigated the mollusc communities in seven mining subsidence reservoirs affected by coal mine output (the Katowicka Upland, Upper Silesia, Southern Poland). The objective of the survey was to determine the relationship between the molluscs and their environments and to evaluate the ecological-conservation value of freshwater habitats which support rare and vulnerable molluscs. From 1993 to 2005, 23 mollusc species were recorded. Our result confirmed an invasion by Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843), whose density varied from 2 to 2422 individuals/m² in the waters of the Katowicka Upland. A few rare and vulnerable species were found, e.g. Acroloxus lacustris (Linnaeus, 1758), Hippeutis complanatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Ferrissia wautieri (Mirolli, 1960), Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758), Musculium lacustre (O.F. Müller, 1774) or Pisidium casertanum (Poli, 1791). Principal component analysis showed a positive correlation between mollusc density and pH, the concentration of chlorides, the total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids, and a negative correlation between the number of species and phosphates. Because of the distinctive environmental features of the mining subsidence reservoirs in Czułów, the research area has provided a refuge for wildlife.     

近40年来南四湖湿地NDVI变化特征及其控制因子分析

利用Landsat系列卫星的MSS、TM和ETM+遥感数据,计算了研究区的归一化植被指数(NDVI),并以此为湿地植被活动的指标,研究1973 2011年间该湿地植被变化特征及年内季节变化特征,揭示植被活动在年内和年际变化的控制因子以及湿地植被对于气候变化、人类活动和极端干旱事件的响应特征.结果表明:(1)近40年来南四湖湿地植被各个季节的变化特征不尽相同.春季NDVI呈现先降低后增加的特征,主要先后受到研究区围垦、渔业养殖等人为活动和气候变化(增温)的影响;夏季和冬季的NDVI呈现显著降低趋势,主要受到围垦、渔业养殖等人类活动的影响;秋季NDVI的变化不显著.(2)年内季节变化方面,湿地植被面积和NDVI都呈现单峰的变化特征,从春季开始增加,在夏季末(全年的第202和205 d)达到最大值,然后开始下降,到冬季降至最低.植被的年内季节变化特征主要受到月均温度的控制.(3)干旱在一定程度上不是湖泊湿地NDVI增加的限制因子.干旱导致湖泊水位下降,滨湖滩地及湖底露出,可能会促进湿地植被生长和植被面积的扩大,使得湿地NDVI增加.     

Field validation, in Scotland and Iceland, of the artificial mussel for monitoring trace metals in temperate seas

The artificial mussel (AM), a novel chemical sampling device, has been developed for monitoring dissolved trace metals in marine environments. The AM consists of Chelex-100 suspended in artificial seawater within Perspex tubing and enclosed with semi-permeable polyacrylamide gel at both ends. To validate the field performance of the AM in temperate waters, we deployed AMs alongside transplanted blue mussels Mytilus edulis in coastal environments in Scotland (Holy Loch, Loch Fyne, Loch Striven and Millport) and Iceland (Reykjavikurh?fn, Gufunes, South of thornerney, Hofsvik, Hvalfj?rethur and Sandgerethi) for monitoring trace metals. While uptake patterns of Cd between the AM and M. edulis were highly comparable, discrepancies were found in the accumulation profiles of the other metals (Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn), in particular Zn. Nonetheless, the AMs gave a better resolution to accurately reveal the spatial difference in dissolved metal contamination when compared with M. edulis. AMs complement the use of mussels since AMs indicate dissolved metals in seawater, whereas uptake by mussels indicates a mixture of dissolved and particulate metals. Our results also indicated that historical metal exposure of the transplanted M. edulis could significantly confound their metal concentrations especially when the deployment period was short (i.e. <34d). This study suggested that the AM can overcome problems associated with variable biological attributes and pre-exposure history in the mussel, and provides a standardized and representative time-integrated estimate of dissolved metal concentrations in different marine environments.     

PSP-toxicification of the carnivorous gastropod Rapana venosa inhabiting the estuary of Nikoh River, Hiroshima Bay, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

During surveillance on the toxicity of invertebrates such as bivalves inhabiting the coasts of Hiroshima Bay in 2001 and 2002, the carnivorous gastropod rapa whelk Rapana venosa collected in the estuary of Nikoh River, was found to contain toxins which showed paralytic actions in mice; the maximum toxicities (as paralytic shellfish poison, PSP) were 4.2 MU/g (May 2001) and 11.4 MU/g (April 2002). Their total toxicities were 224 and 206 MU/viscera of one specimen throughout the monitoring period. Attempts were made to identify the toxic principle in the gastropod. The viscera were extracted with 80% ethanol acidified with acetic acid, followed by defatting with dichloromethane. The aqueous layer obtained was treated with activated charcoal and then applied to a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. The unbound toxic fraction was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography techniques. The gastropod toxin was rather unexpectedly identified as PSP. It was comprised of high toxic component (gonyautoxin-3; GTX3, GTX2, saxitoxin; STX) as the major components, which accounted for approximately 91 mol% of all components along with C1 and C2, which are N-sulfocarbamoyl derivatives. Judging from their toxin patterns, it is suggested that the PSP toxification mechanism of the gastropod that PSP toxins produced by phytoplankton such as Alexandrium tamarense, are transferred to and accumulated in plankton feeders such as the short-necked clam, and then transferred to this carnivorous rapa whelk R. venosa through predation.     

Use of mode-converted waves in marine seismic data to investigate the lithology of the sub-bottom sediments in Isfjorden,Svalbard

The compression wavefield is efficiently converted to shear-wave energy at post-critical angles in areas of high impedance contrast at the sea floor. We have analysed mode-converted shear waves in a data set acquired with a hybrid marine/land geometry in Isfjorden, Svalbard. Through a kinematic 2D ray-tracing modellingV _p/V_s ratios for part of the uppermost 5km of the crust are obtained. Low values (V _p /V _s =1.65) are tentatively associated with the section of Devonian sandstones which appears to attain a minimum thickness of 1.5km below 3 km depth about 10km west of Kapp Thorden.     

Coda Q in the Kachchh Basin, Western India Using Aftershocks of the Bhuj Earthquake of January 26, 2001

Q_C-estimates of Kachchh Basin in western India have been obtained in a high frequency range from 1.5 to 24.0 Hz using the aftershock data of Bhuj earthquake of January 26, 2001 recorded within an epicentral distance of 80 km. The decay of coda waves of 30 sec window from 186 seismograms has been analysed in four lapse time windows, adopting the single backscattering model. The study shows that Q_c is a function of frequency and increases as frequency increases. The frequency dependent Q_c relations obtained for four lapse-time windows are: Q_c=82 f^1.17 (20–50 sec), Q_c=106 f^1.11 (30–60 sec), Q_c=126f^1.03 (40–70 sec) and Q_c=122f^1.02 (50–80 sec). These empirical relations represent the average attenuation properties of a zone covering the surface area of about 11,000, 20,000, 28,000 and 38,000 square km and a depth extent of about 60, 80, 95, 110 km, respectively. With increasing window length, the degree of frequency dependence, n, decreases marginally from 1.17 to 1.02, whereas Q₀ increases significantly from 82 to 122. At lower frequencies up to 6 Hz, Q_c⁻¹ of Kachchh Basin is in agreement with other regions of the world, whereas at higher frequencies from 12 to 24 Hz it is found to be low.     

Coda-Q before and after the 1983 Misasa earthquake of M 6.2, Tottori Prefecture,Japan

To detect any temporal change in coda-Q associated with an earthquake of M 6.2, digitized data from analog magnetic records of microearthquakes for a small confined region just around its hypocenter have been processed, with special attention to measuring errors. The M 6.2 earthquake took place at the Misasa town, Tottori Prefecture, in southwest Japan with preceding anomalous seismicity changes. TheQ values were elevated 20% around three years before the M 6.2 event for frequencies of 5 to 20 Hz, and tended to decrease around two years before. Data with high quality show undulated temporal variation with a period of 5–6 years before the earthquake, which is correlated with the regional seismic activity. There is a possibility that the observedQ change stands for precursory effect of the medium-scale earthquake. The aftershock sequence also shows an undulated temporal variation ofQ with a period of 150 days for around 10Hz, correlating also with the seismic activity. The fracturing processes by numerous microearthquakes may be responsible for the attenuation property of randomly scattered seismic waves.     

Spatial patterns in PCBs, pesticides, mercury and cadmium in the common sole in the NW Mediterranean Sea, and a novel use of contaminants as biomarkers

We assessed spatial patterns in 37 PCB congeners, eight pesticides, and the heavy metals mercury and cadmium in the flatfish Solea solea at four sites in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). Overall contaminant concentrations generally exceeded those reported for S. solea elsewhere, but fell into the range of other Gulf fishes, testifying of a relatively high contaminant load of this area. Spatial patterns in all three contaminant classes were highly significant, but differed among classes. PCB congener and chlorination class profiles also differed among sites. The observed patterns would be consistent with (1) PCB point-sources in the Eastern Gulf (Marseille, Rhone River) versus dominance of atmospheric input in the West, (2) pesticide input by the Rhone and from agricultural fields in the West, and (3) mercury point-sources near Marseille. The unique, site-specific contaminant profiles prove to be a powerful tool to differentiate between S. solea populations from different sites.