Effects of light intensity on the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomonas</Emphasis> sp. (Cryptophyceae)

Laboratory culture experiments have been conducted to evaluate the effects of light intensity on the growth of Cryptomonas sp. (Cryptophyceae) and the discrepancy in absorption of iron and phosphorus under different light conditions. Results show that there is an exponential correlation between algal growth rate and light intensity. The saturating and semi-saturating light values for Cryptomonas sp. cells are 150 and 47 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. More uptake of Fe, P, and other trace elements such as Zn, Mn, Co, and Mo is observed in the low light cultures, although the algal growth rates are slow. The growth rate at 10 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ is only 10% of that at 150 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, whereas Fe and P uptake increases by 150 and 100%, respectively. These results suggest potential implications of differentiation in absorption of iron and phosphorus at different light intensities for the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). The mechanisms of light intensity regulating nutrient uptake as well as the occurrence of HABs are also discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">An </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">Inconvenient Truth</Emphasis>: a focus on its portrayal of the hydrologic cycle

An Inconvenient Truth (AIT) has earned Al Gore an Oscar and a share of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and has been widely acclaimed by the mass media. However, significant errors exist in the film, owing to alarmism and exaggeration. As this forum does not provide for a detailed examination of these errors, this paper will focus only on the portrayal of the hydrologic cycle by AIT—precipitation and floods, soil moisture and droughts, and storminess. AIT argues that precipitation and intense rainfalls, floods, droughts, and the total number, intensity, and duration of tropical cyclones have all increased due exclusively to anthropogenically-driven climate change; indeed, AIT paints a picture of near scientific certainty with an overwhelming bias toward catastrophe scenarios. A closer look at the science, however, reveals that the data do not support these claims and that the scientific community is divided as to what the impact of anthropogenic climate change on the hydrologic cycle will be. Thus, the film gives a false impression of both the current state of climate change and that ‘the science is settled’.

Toxicity effects of four typical nanomaterials on the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium tumefaciens</Emphasis>

To offer an insight into the toxicity of nanomaterials (NM) on the growth of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens (A. tumefaciens) were exposed to nano-Au, nano-Ag, nano-Fe and fullerene (C₆₀) in this study. As an effective bactericide, nano-Ag induced high toxicity on these three bacteria; C₆₀ could inhibit their growth; however, B. subtilis and E. coli could recover as exposure time extended. Nano-Au and nano-Fe had hardly any effect on three bacteria. A. tumefaciens showed the lowest resistance and slowest growth rate during exposure. Images obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that nano-Ag could cause damage to the cell structure of three bacteria at 1 μg/mL. Slight damage on E. coli was found when exposed to C₆₀, whereas no obvious physical damage was found after exposure to nano-Au or nano-Fe. It is assumed that surface activities of NM might be responsible for the different toxic effects on these bacteria.     

New thermoelastic parameters of natural <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>2/<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis> omphacite

The compressibility at room temperature and the thermal expansion at room pressure of two disordered crystals (space group C2/c) obtained by annealing a natural omphacite sample (space group P2/n) of composition close to Jd₅₆Di₄₄ and Jd₅₅Di₄₅, respectively, have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Using a Birch–Murnaghan equation of state truncated at the third order [BM3-EoS], we have obtained the following coefficients: V ₀ = 421.04(7) Å³, K _T0 = 119(2) GPa, K′ = 5.7(6). A parameterized form of the BM3 EoS was used to determine the axial moduli of a, b and c. The anisotropy scheme is β _c  ≤ β _a  ≤ β _b , with an anisotropy ratio 1.05:1.00:1.07. A fitting of the lattice variation as a function of temperature, allowing for linear dependency of the thermal expansion coefficient on the temperature, yielded α_V(1bar,303K) = 2.64(2) × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹ and an axial thermal expansion anisotropy of α _b  ≫ α _a  > α _c . Comparison of our results with available data on compressibility and thermal expansion shows that while a reasonable ideal behaviour can be proposed for the compressibility of clinopyroxenes in the jadeite–diopside binary join [K _T0 as a function of Jd molar %: K _T0 = 106(1) GPa + 0.28(2) × Jd_(mol%)], the available data have not sufficient quality to extract the behaviour of thermal expansion for the same binary join in terms of composition.     

Sulfate reduction and porewater chemistry in a gulf coast<Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus roemerianus</Emphasis> (Needlerush) marsh

Sulfate reduction rates were measured over the course of a year in the sediments of aJuncus roemerianus marsh located in coastal Alabama. Sulfate reduction rates were typically highest in the surface 0–2 cm and at depths corresponding to peak belowground biomass of the plants. The highest volume-based sulfate reduction rate measured was 1,350 μmol liter-sediment⁻¹ d⁻¹ in September 1995. Areal sulfate reduction rates (integrated to 20 cm depth) were strongly correlated to sediment temperature and varied seasonally from 15.2 mmol SO ₄ ²⁻ m⁻² d⁻¹ in January 1995 to 117 mmol SO ₄ ²⁻ m⁻² d⁻¹ in late August 1995. Despite high sulfate reduction rates porewater dissolved sulfide concentrations were low (<73 μM), indicating rapid sulfide oxidation or precipitation. Sulfate depletion data indicated that net oxidation of sediment sulfides occurred in March through May, following a period of infrequent tidal flooding and during a period of high plant production. Porewater Fe(II) reached very high levels (maximum of 969 μM; mean for all dates was 160 μM), particularly during periods of high sulfate reduction. The annual sulfate reduction rate integrated over the upper 20 cm of sediment was 22.0 mol SO ₄ ²⁻ m⁻² yr⁻¹, which is among the highest rates measured in a wetland ecosystem. Based on literature values of net primary production inJ. roemerianus marshes, we estimate that an amount equivalent to 16% to 90% of the annual belowground production may be remineralized through sulfate reduction.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Steak up to the horns</Emphasis>!

Recent conversations concerning organic food systems have focused on the conventionalization hypothesis, which posits that the organic food sector has become increasingly bifurcated between “historical” players in the organic movement on one side, and on the other by distributors and industrial operators recently arrived in the sector, who practice a more conventionalized form of organic agriculture which is now on the ascendancy. The most prominent explanations for the growth and dominance of a conventionalized organic food system have been economic, based in the logics of input costs, especially land rent. We use the cases of the Belgian Blue commodity system and the Belgian organic beef commodity system to argue that conventionalization is also cognitive. To understand the role of cognition in the ascendance of the conventional organic food sector, we utilize concept of “référentiel”—or system of cognitive references—as developed by Muller and Jobert. We believe that comparing organic and conventional practices as two systems of cognitive references makes a deeper understanding of conventionalization possible in two ways: first because it makes it clear that the two systems coexist on a cognitive level, understood in a broad sense as tightly knit sets of knowledges, beliefs, standards, and images. Secondly, the concept of référentiel enables one to understand how the conventional system can become irreversible (lock-in effect) and thus incompatible with the development of the organic system.

Light Requirements for Growth and Survival of Eelgrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> L.) in Pacific Northwest (USA) Estuaries

We developed light requirements for eelgrass in the Pacific Northwest, USA, to evaluate the effects of short- and long-term reductions in irradiance reaching eelgrass, especially related to turbidity and overwater structures. Photosynthesis-irradiance experiments and depth distribution field studies indicated that eelgrass productivity was maximum at a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of about 350–550 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹. Winter plants had approximately threefold greater net apparent primary productivity rate at the same irradiance as summer plants. Growth studies using artificial shading as well as field monitoring of light and eelgrass growth indicated that long-term survival required at least 3 mol quanta m⁻² day⁻¹ on average during spring and summer (i.e., May-September), and that growth was saturated above about 7 mol quanta m⁻² day⁻¹. We conclude that non-light-limited growth of eelgrass in the Pacific Northwest requires an average of at least 7 mol quanta m⁻² day⁻¹ during spring and summer and that long-term survival requires a minimum average of 3 mol quanta m⁻² day⁻¹.     

A late Holocene paleo-productivity record in the western Gulf of Maine,USA, inferred from growth histories of the long-lived ocean quahog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctica islandica</Emphasis>)

To investigate environmental variability during the late Holocene in the western Gulf of Maine, USA, we collected a 142-year-old living bivalve (Arctica islandica) in 2004, and three fossil A. islandica shells of the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) and late MWP / Little Ice Age (LIA) period (corrected ¹⁴C_AMS = 1030 ± 78 ad; 1320 ± 45 ad; 1357 ± 40 ad) in 1996. We compared the growth record of the modern shell with continuous plankton recorder (CPR) time-series (1961–2003) from the Gulf of Maine. A significant correlation (r ² = 0.55; p < 0.0001) exists between the standardized annual growth index (SGI) of the modern shell and the relative abundance of zooplankton species Calanus finmarchicus. We therefore propose that SGI data from A. islandica is a valid proxy for paleo-productivity of at least one major zooplankton taxa. SGIs from these shells reveal significant periods of 2–6 years (NAO-like) based on wavelet analysis, multitaper method (MTM) analysis and singular spectrum analysis (SSA) during the late Holocene. Based on established physical oceanographic observation in the Gulf of Maine, we suggest that slope water variability coupled with North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) dynamics is primarily responsible for the observed SGI variability. Special Issue: AGU OS06 special issue “Ocean’s role in climate change—a paleo perspective”.     

Utilization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites</Emphasis>-Derived Dissolved Organic Matter by Bacteria and Ribbed Mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Geukensia demissa</Emphasis>) from Delaware Bay Salt Marshes

Phragmites australis has been invading Spartina-alterniflora-dominated salt marshes throughout the mid-Atlantic. Although, Phragmites has high rates of primary production, it is not known whether this species supports lower trophic levels of a marsh food web in the same manner as Spartina. Using several related photochemical and biological assays, we compared patterns of organic matter flow of plant primary production through a key salt marsh metazoan, the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa), using a bacterial intermediate. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was derived from plants collected from a Delaware Bay salt marsh and grown in the laboratory with ¹⁴C-CO₂. Bacterial utilization of plant-derived DOM measured as carbon mineralization revealed that both species provided bioavailable DOM to native salt marsh bacteria. Total carbon mineralization after 19 days was higher for Spartina treatments (36% ¹⁴CO₂ ± 3 SE) compared with Phragmites treatments (29% ±2 SE; Wilcoxon–Kruskal–Wallis rank sums test, P < 0.01). Pre-exposing DOM to natural sunlight only enhanced or decreased bioavailability of the DOM to the bacterioplankton during initial measurements (e.g., 7 days or less) but these differences were not significant over the course of the incubations. Mixtures of ¹⁴C-labeled bacterioplankton (and possibly organic flocs) from ¹⁴C-DOM treatments were cleared by G. demissa at similar rates between Spartina and Phragmites treatments. Moreover, ¹⁴C assimilation efficiencies for material ingested by mussels were high for both plant sources ranging from 74% to 90% and not significantly different between plant sources. Sunlight exposure did not affect the nutritional value of the bacterioplankton DOM assemblage for mussels. There are many possible trophic and habitat differences between Spartina- and Phragmites-dominated marshes that could affect G. demissa but the fate of vascular plant dissolved organic carbon in the DOM to bacterioplankton to mussel trophic pathway appears comparable between these marsh types.     

Distribution,Abundance and Domoic Acid Analysis of the Toxic Diatom Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudo-nitzschia</Emphasis> from the Chesapeake Bay

Very little research has been conducted on mid-Atlantic estuarine populations of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia despite recent evidence of toxicity in regional isolates. We collected field samples from the Chesapeake Bay region from 2002 to 2007 for Pseudo-nitzschia enumeration and toxin analysis. Abundances of Pseudo-nitzschia were highest in the winter and spring at ∼10³ cells ml⁻¹. Domoic acid (DA) was detectable in 42% of samples tested, but concentrations were generally low, ranging from 0 to 1,037 pg DA ml⁻¹ (mean 176 pg DA ml⁻¹), and DA cell quota ranged from <0.1 to 49.4 pg DA per cell (mean 1.4 pg DA per cell). Although Pseudo-nitzschia populations were observed year round when salinity was ≥5, populations were highest from February to May when temperatures were low (2–15°C) and salinity relatively high (≥10). Six species of Pseudo-nitzschia were identified via transmission electron microscopy of the samples: P. pungens (Grunow ex Cleve) Hasle, P. calliantha Lundholm, Moestrup et Hasle, P. subpacifica (Hasle) Hasle, P. cuspidata (Hasle) Hasle emend. Lundholm, Moestrup et Hasle, P. fraudulenta (Cleve) Hasle and P. multiseries (Hasle) Hasle. P. calliantha was the most common and not previously reported from the Chesapeake Bay. Of these species, P. pungens, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. fraudulenta and P. multiseries are known to produce domoic acid.     

Thermoelasticity and high-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> behaviour of anthophyllite

The thermoelastic behaviour of anthophyllite has been determined for a natural crystal with crystal-chemical formula ^ANa_0.01 ^B(Mg_1.30Mn_0.57Ca_0.09Na_0.04) ^C(Mg_4.95Fe_0.02Al_0.03) ^T(Si_8.00)O₂₂ ^W(OH)₂ using single-crystal X-ray diffraction to 973 K. The best model for fitting the thermal expansion data is that of Berman (J Petrol 29:445–522, 1988) in which the coefficient of volume thermal expansion varies linearly with T as α _V,T  = a ₁ + 2a ₂ (T − T ₀): α₂₉₈ = a ₁ = 3.40(6) × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, a ₂ = 5.1(1.0) × 10⁻⁹ K⁻². The corresponding axial thermal expansion coefficients for this linear model are: α _a ,₂₉₈ = 1.21(2) × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, a _2,a  = 5.2(4) × 10⁻⁹ K⁻²; α _b ,₂₉₈ = 9.2(1) × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, a _2,b  = 7(2) × 10⁻¹⁰ K⁻². α _c ,₂₉₈ = 1.26(3) × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, a _2,c  = 1.3(6) × 10⁻⁹ K⁻². The thermoelastic behaviour of anthophyllite differs from that of most monoclinic (C2/m) amphiboles: (a) the ε ₁ − ε ₂ plane of the unit-strain ellipsoid, which is normal to b in anthophyllite but usually at a high angle to c in monoclinic amphiboles; (b) the strain components are ε ₁ ≫ ε ₂ > ε ₃ in anthophyllite, but ε ₁ ~ ε ₂ ≫ ε ₃ in monoclinic amphiboles. The strain behaviour of anthophyllite is similar to that of synthetic C2/m ^ANa ^B(LiMg) ^CMg₅ ^TSi₈ O₂₂ ^W(OH)₂, suggesting that high contents of small cations at the B-site may be primarily responsible for the much higher thermal expansion ⊥(100). Refined values for site-scattering at M4 decrease from 31.64 epfu at 298 K to 30.81 epfu at 973 K, which couples with similar increases of those of M1 and M2 sites. These changes in site scattering are interpreted in terms of Mn ↔ Mg exchange involving M1,2 ↔ M4, which was first detected at 673 K.     

Respiration and Calcification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>: Contribution of an Intertidal Invasive Species to Coastal Ecosystem CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Fluxes

Respiration and calcification rates of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas were measured in a laboratory experiment in the air and underwater, accounting for seasonal variations and individual size, to estimate the effects of this exotic species on annual carbon budgets in the Bay of Brest, France. Respiration and calcification rates changed significantly with season and size. Mean underwater respiration rates, deducted from changes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), were 11.4 μmol DIC g⁻¹ ash-free dry weight (AFDW) h⁻¹ (standard deviation (SD), 4.6) and 32.3 μmol DIC g⁻¹ AFDW h⁻¹ (SD 4.1) for adults (80–110 mm shell length) and juveniles (30–60 mm), respectively. The mean daily contribution of C. gigas underwater respiration (with 14 h per day of immersion on average) to DIC averaged over the Bay of Brest population was 7.0 mmol DIC m⁻² day⁻¹ (SD 8.1). Mean aerial CO₂ respiration rate, estimated using an infrared gas analyzer, was 0.7 μmol CO₂ g⁻¹ AFDW h⁻¹ (SD 0.1) for adults and 1.1 μmol CO₂ g⁻¹ AFDW h⁻¹ (SD 0.2) for juveniles, corresponding to a mean daily contribution of 0.4 mmol CO₂ m⁻² day⁻¹ (SD 0.50) averaged over the Bay of Brest population (with 10 h per day of emersion on average). Mean CaCO₃ uptake rates for adults and juveniles were 4.5 μmol CaCO₃ g⁻¹ AFDW h⁻¹ (SD 1.7) and 46.9 μmol CaCO₃ g⁻¹ AFDW h⁻¹ (SD 29.2), respectively. The mean daily contribution of net calcification in the Bay of Brest C. gigas population to CO₂ fluxes during immersion was estimated to be 2.5 mmol CO₂ m⁻² day⁻¹ (SD 2.9). Total carbon release by this C. gigas population was 39 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ and reached 334 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ for densely colonized areas with relative contributions by underwater respiration, net calcification, and aerial respiration of 71%, 25%, and 4%, respectively. These observations emphasize the substantial influence of this invasive species on the carbon cycle, including biogenic carbonate production, in coastal ecosystems.     

Foraging by Two Estuarine Fishes, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fundulus heteroclitus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fundulus majalis</Emphasis>, on Juvenile Asian Shore Crabs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemigrapsus sanguineus</Emphasis>) in Western Long Island Sound

The Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, is a recent and particularly successful introduction to the east coast of the USA. Little research has been done on the utilization of Asian shore crabs for food by native species, a potential form of biocontrol. Over a 4-year period, we examined the gut contents of cogeners, Fundulus heteroclitus and Fundulus majalis, collected from two embayments in western Long Island Sound for the presence of juvenile H. sanguineus. Frequency (percent) of occurrence of food items in the guts of both species varied over year and study site. Asian shore crabs were consumed more often by F. heteroclitus than by F. majalis, but predation pressure by both species was low. Only 13% of F. heteroclitus and 7.7% of F. majalis found with food in their guts had ingested Asian shore crab remains. Of those, 1/3 had consumed whole crabs; the rest had only autotomized appendages in their guts. The mean carapace width of juvenile Asian shore crabs ingested by F. heteroclitus was 3.59 ± 2.22 mm (N = 33). Results of our study on killifish predation support the hypothesis that H. sanguienus abundance is partly explained by reduced impact of native predators (i.e., the “enemy release hypothesis”). Predation pressure of other potential enemies on both planktonic and benthic stages of the Asian shore crab must be investigated, however, to understand the full impact of predation on H. sanguineus population dynamics.     

EPR study of chromium-doped forsterite crystals: Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>1) with and without associated nearest-neighbor Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>2) vacancy

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of single crystals of chromium-doped forsterite grown by the Czochralski method in two different research laboratories has revealed, apart from the known paramagnetic centers Cr³⁺(M1), Cr³⁺(M2) and Cr⁴⁺, a new center \textCr ³⁺ (M 1)-V_{\textMg ²⁺} (M 2) {\text{Cr}}^{ 3+ } (M 1){-}V_{{{\text{Mg}}^{ 2+ } }} (M 2) formed by a Cr³⁺ ion substituting for Mg²⁺ at the M1 structural position with a nearest-neighbor Mg²⁺ vacancy at the M2 position. For this center, the conventional zero-field splitting parameters D and E and the principal g values and A values of the ⁵³Cr hyperfine splitting have been determined as follows: D = 33.95(3) GHz, E = 8.64(1) GHz, g = [1.9811(2), 1.9787(2), 1.9742(2)], A = [51(3), 52(2), 44(3)] MHz. The center has been identified by comparing EPR spectra with those of the charge-uncompensated ion Cr³⁺(M1) and the ion pair Cr³⁺(M1)–Li⁺(M2) observed in forsterite crystals codoped with chromium and lithium. It has been found that the concentration of the new center decreases to zero, whereas that of the Cr³⁺(M1) and Cr³⁺(M1)–Li⁺(M2) centers increases with an increase of the Li content from 0 up to ~0.03 wt% (at the same Cr content ~0.07 wt%) in the melt. The known low-temperature luminescence data pertinent to the centers under consideration are also discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> and fluid evolution of barren and lithium pegmatites from Vlastějovice,Bohemian Massif,Czech Republic

Fluid inclusions, mineral thermometry and stable isotope data from two types of mineralogically and texturally contrasting pegmatites, barren ones and lithium ones, from the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif were studied in order to constrain P–T conditions of their emplacement, subsolidus hydrothermal evolution and to estimate composition of the early exsolved fluid and that of the parental melt. Despite the fact that the lithium pegmatites are abundant throughout the crystalline units of the Bohemian Massif, data similar to this paper have not been published yet. The studied pegmatites are hosted by iron-rich calcic skarn bodies. This specific setting allowed scavenging of calcium, fluorine and some other elements from the host rocks into the pegmatitic melts and post-magmatic fluids. Such contamination process was important namely in the case of barren pegmatites, as can be deduced from the variation in anorthite contents in plagioclase and from the presence of fluorite, hornblende (with F content) or garnet in the contact zones of pegmatite dykes. Fluid inclusions were studied mostly in quartz, but also in fluorite, titanite and apatite. Early aqueous–carbonic and late aqueous fluids were identified in both pegmatite types. The P–T conditions of crystallization as well as the detailed composition of exsolved magmatic fluid, however, particularly differ. The magmatic fluids associated with barren pegmatites correspond to H₂O–CO₂ low salinity fluids, composition of which evolved from 20 to 23 to <5 mol% CO₂, and from 2 to 4–6 mol% NaCl eq. Sudden decrease in the CO₂ content of the post-magmatic fluids (<5 mol% CO₂) seems to coincide with the enrichment of the fluid in calcium (from the contamination process) and resulted in precipitation of calcites (frequently found as trapped solid phases in fluid inclusions). The fluids associated with lithium pegmatites are more complex (H₂O–CO₂/N₂–H₃BO₃–NaCl). The CO₂ content of early exsolved fluid is 26–20 mol% CO₂ and remains the same in the next fluid generation. The main difference between the magmatic and the first post-magmatic fluids is the presence of 7–9 wt% of H₃BO₃ (identified as daughter mineral sassolite) in the former. The second post-magmatic fluids are again CO₂-poor (∼4 mol%) and more saline (∼4 mol% NaCl eq.). The composition of exsolved fluid was further used to constrain volatile composition and content of the parental melts. Finally, P–T conditions of pegmatite crystallization are constrained: 600–640°C and 420–580 MPa for the barren pegmatites and 500–570°C and 310–430 MPa for the lithium pegmatite. While the emplacement of the former occurred in thermal equilibrium with the Moldanubian host rock environment, the emplacement of the later suggests substantial thermal disequilibrium.     

Comparison of Nekton Use for Cordgrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis> and Bulrush <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scirpus mariqueter</Emphasis> Marshes in the Yangtze River Estuary,China

To test whether invasive Spartina alterniflora marshes were functionally equivalent to native Scirpus mariqueter marshes, the present study used bottomless lift nets (20 m²) during 12 high-tide events from August to October 2008 to compare nekton densities and biomass between the two marsh types in the Dongtan wetland. A total of eight species of fish, two species of shrimp, and three species of crab were collected. So-iny mullet Chelon haematocheilus, keeled mullet Liza carinata, Asian freshwater goby Acanthogobius ommaturus, and ridge-tail prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda dominated samples from the two marsh types and accounted for over 90% of the total catch. There were significantly greater densities and biomass (p < 0.05) of total nekton (all species combined) and two mullets (C. haematocheilus and L. carinata) in S. alterniflora marshes than in S. mariqueter marshes in August 2008, while no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two marsh types were observed for densities and biomass of any species or total nekton in September and October 2008. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination did not show clear separation of samples between the two marsh types (r = 0.071, p = 0.159). Furthermore, there were no habitat-specific differences (p > 0.05) in the size distributions of the three numerically dominant species (C. haematocheilus, L. carinata, and A. ommaturus). We concluded that S. alterniflora marshes were utilized by nekton in a fashion similar to their utilization of native S. mariqueter marshes under similar physical conditions.     

Research on the water use efficiency and foliar nutrient status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus euphratica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamarix ramosissima</Emphasis> in the extreme arid region of China

Seasonal variations in foliar stable carbon composition (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations of Populus euphratica Olivier and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb, as well as correlations between foliar δ¹³C values and N, P and K concentrations were studied in the Ejina oasis in the lower reaches of the Heihe River, northwestern China. Foliar δ¹³C values, and P and K concentrations significantly differed between species. Foliar δ¹³C signatures in T. ramosissima were significantly more enriched than those in P. euphratica, but P and K concentrations of P. euphratica were higher. The seasonal variations and patterns of these were similar. The total foliar δ¹³C values and N, P and K concentrations in both P. euphratica and T. ramosissima showed a descending trend. There were significantly positive correlations between foliar δ¹³C values and N and P concentration of both P. euphratica and T. ramosissima. For the relationship between foliar δ¹³C and K concentration, there appeared oppositely positive and negative correlations in P. euphratica and T. ramosissima, respectively, but they were not significant. The simple positive correlations of δ¹³C–P% and δ¹³C–N% suggested that N and P in P. euphratica and T. ramosissima behave in a similar manner. This study also showed that there were nutrient deficiencies; N and P nutriments were the co-limiting factors in P. euphratica, while it was P nutriment in T. ramosissima.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">BV I</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> photometry of RR Lyrae stars

We have obtained 26 372 CCD frames in the B, V, and I _c filters for 81 RR Lyrae stars in 2008–2010, using the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory and the 40-cm telescope of the Cerro Armazones Observatory, North Catholic University (Chile) using an SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera. For 12 of these RR Lyrae stars, we also obtained 337 brightness measurements in the B and V bands in 2000–2001 using the 60-cm telescope of the High Altitude Mt. Maidanak Observatory (Republic of Uzbekistan). We present tables of observations, light curves, and improved light-curve elements for all these RR Lyrae stars. The Blazhko effect was detected for SU Hor.     

On the Stability of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">AlOSi</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">OH</Emphasis>)<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript></Stack> Complex in Aqueous Solution

Summary The complexation of aluminium(III) and silicon(IV) was studied in a simplified seawater medium (0.6 M Na(Cl)) at 25 °C. The measurements were performed as potentiometric titrations using a hydrogen electrode with OH ⁻ ions being generated coulometrically. The total concentrations of Si(IV) and Al(III) respectively [Si _tot ] and [Al _t ot], and −log[H ⁺] were varied within the limits 0.3 < [Si _tot ] < 2.5 mM, 0.5 < [Al _tot ] < 2.6 mM, and 2 ≤ -log[H ⁺] ≤ 4.2. Within these ranges of concentration, evidence is given for the formation of an AlSiO(OH) ₃ ²⁺ complex with a formation constant log β_1,1-1 = −2.75 ± 0.1 defined by the reaction Al ³⁺+Si (OH)₄ ↔ AlOSi(OH) ₃ ²⁺ +H ⁺ An extrapolation of this value to I=0 gives log β_1,1-1 = −2.30. The calculated value of log K (Al ³⁺+SiO(OH) ₃ ⁻ ↔ AlOSi(OH) ₃ ²⁺ ) = 6.72 (I=0.6 M) can be compared with corresponding constants for the formation of AlF ²⁺ and AlOH ²⁺ , which are equal to 6.16 and 8.20. Obviously, the stability of these Al(III) complexes decreases within the series OH ⁻>SiO(OH) ₃ ⁻  > F ⁻     

Biosorption of cadmium(II) from aqueous solution onto <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hydrilla verticillata</Emphasis>

Biosorption is an effective method to remove heavy metals from wastewater. In this work, the biosorption of Cd(II) onto Hydrilla verticillata was examined in aqueous solution with parameters of initial pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial Cd(II) concentration, temperature, and co-existing ion. Linear Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms, and both of the two models were fitted well. The monolayer adsorption capacity of Cd(II) was found to be 50 mg/g at pH 6 and 20°C. Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model was also applied to the equilibrium data. The mean free energy of adsorption (11.18 kJ/mol) indicated that the adsorption of Cd(II) onto H. verticillata might be carried out via chemical ion-exchange mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters, including free energy (∆G ⁰), enthalpy (∆H ⁰), and entropy (∆S ⁰) of adsorption, were also calculated. These results showed that the biosorption of Cd(II) onto H. verticillata was a feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic process in nature. Desorption experiments indicated that 0.01 mol/L EDTA and HNO₃ were efficient desorbents for the recovery of Cd(II) from biomass. IR spectrum analysis suggested that amido, hydroxyl, C=O and C–O could combine strongly with Cd(II). EDX spectrum analysis suggested that an ion exchange mechanism might be involved.