黑龙江省闪电活动特征及其与地面相对湿度的响应关系

利用2006-2017年黑龙江省闪电定位资料和日平均地面相对湿度资料,采用数理统计、Pearson相关分析、GIS空间分析技术,研究了闪电密度和强度对地面相对湿度（R_H）的响应关系。结果表明：地面R_H过小或过大都不利于闪电活动产生;当R_H < 25%时,几乎无闪电发生,当R_H < 77%时,R_H增加有利于闪电活动发生,当R_H>79%时,随着R_H增加,闪电活动减少;当R_H < 77%时,闪电密度与之呈正相关,闪电强度与之呈负相关;当R_H>79%时,闪电密度与之呈负相关,闪电强度与之呈正相关;地面R_H的临界值域约为77%-79%;70%≤ R_H ≤ 90%区间为闪电易发湿度区间,在闪电密度与湿度相关度高的区域,闪电更趋于集中发生在闪电易发湿度区间。     

Are Taxonomic Distinctness measures compliant to other ecological indicators in assessing ecological status?

Assessing the ecological status, a concept implemented in the European Water Framework Directive [EC, 2000. Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy PE-CONS 3639/1/00, p. 72], requires the application of methods capable of distinguishing different levels of ecological quality. The Average Taxonomic Distinctness has been used as tool in this context, and we tested the robustness of Taxonomic Distinctness measures applying it in different scenarios (estuarine eutrophication, organic pollution, and re-colonisation after physical disturbance), analysing simultaneously its compliance to other types of ecological indicators. Results show that, in most of the case studies, only Total Taxonomic Distinctness was relatively satisfactory in discriminating between disturbed situations. Other Taxonomic Distinctness measures have not proved to be more sensitive than other ecological indicators (Shannon-Wiener, Margalef, and Eco-Exergy indices). Therefore, this approach does not seem to be particularly helpful in assessing systems' ecological status with regard to the WFD implementation.     

Anthropogenic effects on the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the United States

Bycatch mortality in net fisheries was the major reason for the decline of the endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, in the United States. These fisheries have been reduced or eliminated in some states including Florida--where most smalltooth sawfish are currently found in the United States. To determine whether other factors are still affecting this species, we obtained non-net fishery entanglement, injury, and mortality data by soliciting information from anyone who may have encountered this species. Smalltooth sawfish were damaged by marine pollution (e.g., polyvinyl chloride pipe, monofilament line, non-monofilament line) and injured by humans. Examples of injuries caused directly by humans include removal of rostra, shooting an individual with a powerhead, and shooting another with arrows. Many people are aware that the smalltooth sawfish is protected by state and federal laws, but some are still not aware of (or willing to accept) this status. The impacts of marine pollution and injuries directly caused by humans on this endangered species can be ameliorated by incorporating fisher education into the conservation and management processes.     

Indicators of sediment and biotic mercury contamination in a southern New England estuary

Total mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were analyzed in near surface sediments (0-2 cm) and biota (zooplankton, macro-invertebrates, finfish) collected from Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island/Massachusetts, USA) and adjacent embayments and tidal rivers. Spatial patterns in sediment contamination were governed by the high affinity of Hg for total organic carbon (TOC). Sediment MeHg and percent MeHg were also inversely related to summer bottom water dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, presumably due to the increased activity of methylating bacteria. For biota, Hg accumulation was influenced by inter-specific habitat preferences and trophic structure, and sediments with high TOC and percent silt-clay composition limited mercury bioavailability. Moreover, hypoxic bottom water limited Hg bioaccumulation, which is possibly mediated by a reduction in biotic foraging, and thus, dietary uptake of mercury. Finally, most biota demonstrated a significant positive relationship between tissue and TOC-normalized sediment Hg, but relationships were much weaker or absent for sediment MeHg. These results have important implications for the utility of estuarine biota as subjects for mercury monitoring programs.