Effects of prolonged exposure to 4-tert-octylphenol on toxicity and indices of oestrogenic exposure in the sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus, Pallas)

Alkylphenolic compounds are present in estuarine and marine environments. They are moderately bioaccumulative, and oestrogenic to fish following three week, in vivo, exposures. The effects of prolonged exposure are, as yet, unclear. Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) were exposed to measured concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) in a 28-day, dose-ranging study, and a six month temporal response study. Following 28-days exposure to measured 31+/-6 or 101+/-47 microg l(-1) OP (mean+/-SD), immature male sand goby showed elevated vitellogenin (VTG) mRNA expression. Plasma alkali-labile phosphate concentrations were elevated in both sexes and were higher in females than males. Although measured OP concentrations were variable, they were significantly different for each treatment and a range of concentration-dependent effects were observed. The LC(50) for chronic OP exposure (8 weeks) was 29+/-6 microg l(-1), and both sexes demonstrated concentration and duration dependent increases in VTG mRNA expression. Exposure to 28+/-20 microg l(-1) OP (median+/-95% CI) for 6 months inhibited development of male nuptial colouration and sperm duct glands. These findings are discussed in relation to environmental concentrations of alkylphenols and ecological concerns.     

Variations of antioxidant efficiency and presence of endosymbiotic diatoms in the Antarctic porifera Haliclona dancoi

The role of endosymbiotic diatoms as pro-oxidant stressors in porifera has been investigated in the Antarctic sponge Haliclona dancoi in which the presence of diatoms is influenced by marked seasonal variations during the austral summer. Both chlorophaeopigments and frustules were absent in sponge tissues sampled in early November at the beginning of the summer and increased from the mid of December with slightly shifted temporal trends. The efficiency of antioxidant defenses in the sponge showed a marked response to symbionts with clearly enhanced values corresponding to the peak of diatoms.     

海洋微生物学的主要任务

海——微生物栖息的特殊环境。特殊的盐类成分,低温,高压,低浓度的有机物质,植物及动物区系的稀少等组成了微生物生命活动的广阔海洋区域一些主要生态特征。 海洋中最初的微生物学研究,早在上一世纪就已进行了,但足它们局限于较狭小的任务——     

Responses of a Mediterranean soft bottom community to short-term (1993-1996) hydrological changes in the Rhone river

The polychaete fauna of muddy bottoms off the Rhone delta (NW Mediterranean) was seasonally sampled at two sites at 70 m depth, from 1993 to 1996. During this period, five severe flood events occurred. A clustering analysis (distance coefficient of Whittaker) and three way fixed factor ANOVAs (site x season x year) showed strong year-to-year changes in species density and community structure, changes that masked seasonal variations. Total density increased by a factor of 3 and density of most species significantly increased following the first flooding event. Changes in the community structure were due to the successive dominance of a few species. The opportunistic species, such as Cossura sp., Mediomastus sp. and Polycirrus sp., exhibited peaks in density 1-3 months after the flood. These peaks were followed by a drastic decline. For species with a long life span, such as Sternaspis scutata, a slower but continuous increase in density was observed which was maintained for several months. The density fluctuations of these species exhibited a good correlation with river flow with time lags of 1-2 years. The successional dynamics observed are explained according to the geographical origin of the floods and the biology and feeding ecology of species.     

Cloning of a chub metallothionein cDNA and development of competitive RT-PCR of chub metallothionein mRNA as a potential biomarker of heavy metal exposure

Metallothionein has been assayed in a range of aquatic animal tissues as an indicator of metal exposure. We sequenced chub (Leuciscus cephalus) metallothionein cDNA which showed over 90% homology to common carp, goldfish and stone loach and 77% homology to rainbow trout sequences for metallothionein. We then used the extended primer method to develop an accurate quantitative competitive RT-PCR assay for metallothionein mRNA. RT-PCR was used to measure metallothionein mRNA in feral chub from a range of field sites, with different levels of heavy metal pollution, in the West Midlands, UK. Measurements were complemented by analysis of liver and gill metallothionein protein by capillary electrophoresis. There was no significant difference in the metallothionein protein levels between fish of different rivers and there was no evidence of elevation of mRNA at the sites of highest metal exposure. The level of metal exposure (e.g. zinc, nickel and cadmium each ranging between 15 and 28 microg/l ) at the pH (7.5-8.5) of these rivers appears insufficient to elevate hepatic or gill metallothionein in chub. A lack of elevation of hepatic metallothionein mRNA in chub exposed to zinc, copper and manganese for 24 h and 10 days in the laboratory also suggests a non-responsiveness of this species.     

几种无色硅藻的生理特性及其细胞微细结构的研究

海洋中绝大多数硅藻细胞都有叶绿体,且能利用各种无机盐进行光合作用,称为光合硅藻。但也有不少硅藻尚能利用各种有机物质进行异养生活,据报道约50种左右。其中少数几种完全缺少光合色素,不能进行光合作用,只能利用有机碳或有机氮进行专性异养生活。它们主要生活于沿岸潮间带,特别附生于各种多细胞海藻体上。这类单细胞硅藻,种类不多,但为世界广分布的种类。到目前为止,对无色硅藻的研究报道还很少。本文第一作者在分离培养一种无色硅藻Nitzschia alba Lewin and Lewin作     

安徽淮河中游平原第四纪下限

安徽淮河中游平原第四系研究,最早是由杨钟健、周明镇先生进行的.他们根据江苏泗洪下草湾、戚咀和泊岗村附近地层中的哺乳动物化石和瓣鳃类化石研究,将更新统自下而上划为下草湾组、泊岗组、戚咀组.六十年代初,张可迁同志根据淮北1:20万综合水文地质普查资料,对区内第四系提出了不同的划分意见,将下更新统称为下草湾组,上更新统称为下蜀组,且认为中更新统可能缺失.七十年代,安徽省地质矿产局区域地质调查队,根据安徽省地质矿产局第一水文地质工程地质队在近卅年来于淮北平原施工的大量第四纪钻孔资料,将更新统自下而上建立了蒙城组、潘集组、茆塘组.显而易见,本区第四纪下限的专门性工作很不深入,基本是以岩性为分层依据;