Biostratigraphy and depositional facies of the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary strata in Amakusa-Shimojima,Kyushu, Western Japan

The Upper Himenoura Subgroup exposed in the island of Amakusa-Shimojima, Kyushu, Japan shows an example of the terminal Cretaceous stratigraphic record in the circum Pacific region. This sequence is a part of the Upper Cretaceous intra-arc basins of southwest Japan. Four cycles of upward coarse-graded facies are recognized. Each cycle consists of a basinal mud facies in the lower part and a tide-dominated shallow marine to brackish coarse clastic facies in the upper part. Biostratigraphic correlation chiefly based on ammonites, inocerami and trigoniids indicates that this sequence is Campanian to Maastrichtian in age. The occurrence of the above three fossils decreases upward and is terminated at the top of the sequence, being replaced by a molluscan assemblage similar to the Danian. This suggests that the sedimentation may have continued to the very end of the Cretaceous period and possibly to the beginning of the Tertiary.     

Arsenic as an indicator element for gold exploration in the region of the Xiangxi Au–Sb–W deposit, NW Hunan, PR China

The Xiangxi Au–Sb–W deposit, the largest of its type in northwestern Hunan, China, is a sulfide-dominated ore body hosted by low grade metamorphic red slates of the Neoproterozoic Madiyi Formation. Three stages of mineralization, quartz–scheelite, quartz–gold–pyrite, quartz–gold–stibnite, and one metal-barren stage of veining, quartz–calcite, are recognized. Arsenopyrite occurs only as a minor mineral phase in the second stage. Analyses for 21 trace elements show that the enrichment factors of As in the metal deposit (EC [=element concentration of sample/average content of an element in the upper crust]: 190; 43 samples) in ore veins and in the Guanzhuang and Yuershan reference sections (3.7 km and 2.7 km away from the Xiangxi mine, EC: 3.5; 96 samples) are much smaller than those of Sb (52855 [in ore veins], 117 [in the sections]), W (5665, 7.5) and Au (2727, 5.3). The background concentrations of Au and As in the two sections were 1.4 ppb and 1.4 ppm, respectively. Arsenic (with an anomaly coefficient [AC = number of anomalous samples/total number of samples] of 76%) forms a larger geochemical halo than W (AC: 8%) and Au (AC: 32%). Gold and As in the deposit were transported mainly as metal complexes such as Au(HS)⁻₂, H_nAs₃S⁻⁽³⁻ⁿ⁾₆ (n=1, 2 or 3) and HAsS⁰₂. Au(HS)⁻₂ is rapidly precipitated by a geochemical oxidation barrier — the red slates of the Madiyi Formation. As–S complexes in the stratigraphic horizon can be transformed into As–O complexes (e.g., H₃AsO⁰₃) under oxidizing conditions, and are continuously transported. Therefore, they can be widely distributed in the red slate units, thus forming extensive geochemical haloes, so that As can be used as an indicator element for Au exploration in the Xiangxi region.     

Stormflow dynamics and loads of Escherichia coli in a large mixed land use catchment

Storm events are major transporters of faecal microbial contaminants, but few studies have reported storm loads or concentration dynamics in relation to discharge or other pollutants, notably fine sediment. Episodically, high loads of faecal contamination during storm flows impact downstream uses of water bodies, particularly contact recreation and shellfish harvesting. We examined the storm dynamics of Escherichia coli, turbidity and discharge in the mixed land use Motueka catchment (2047 km²; 60% forest and 19% pasture) to gain insights into E. coli sources and transport. We also explored different approaches for calculating E. coli loads. Discharge and field turbidity were recorded continuously, and E. coli concentrations were sampled during events, over a 13‐month period near the mouth of the Motueka River. E. coli loads were estimated by interpolation, averaging estimators and by using linear regression with smearing correction of the log‐transformed variables: discharge, turbidity, and both turbidity and discharge. The annual E. coli load was dominated (～98%) by export during events. Comparison of monthly monitoring with the intensive storm monitoring campaign suggests that simple stratification of the sampling into storm and baseflow would greatly improve export estimates. E. coli peak concentrations always preceded discharge and turbidity peaks (which had similar timing). Turbidity can be a useful surrogate for faecal microbes in smaller catchments, but in the Motueka turbidity was no better for predicting E. coli concentration than discharge. Runoff from grazed pasture and direct deposition from livestock are probably the ultimate E. coli sources in the Motueka catchment. However, in‐channel stores seem to dominate E. coli dynamics during events and account for the typical feature of bacterial concentrations peaking ahead of discharge and turbidity. This study demonstrates the importance of storm events to faecal microbial loads and shows that E. coli concentration dynamics may contrast with those of turbidity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gradients in coral reef communities exposed to muddy river discharge in Pohnpei,Micronesia

This study analyzed how coral communities change along a gradient of increasing exposure to a mud-discharging river in the Enipein Catchment, Pohnpei, Micronesia. Using video transects, we quantified benthic communities at five sites along a gradient moving away from the river mouth towards the barrier reef. The most river-impacted site was characterized by a high accumulation of mud, low coral cover and low coral diversity. Although coral cover leveled off at ∼400 m from the river mouth to values found at the outer-most sites, coral diversity continued to increase with increasing distance, suggesting that the most distant site was still impacted by the river discharges. Fungiidae, Pavona, Acropora, Pachyseris and Porites rus all significantly increased in cover with distance from the river, while Turbinaria decreased. The combined presence and abundance of these six species groups, together with coral species richness, may help to indicate the effects of terrestrial runoff in similar runoff-exposed settings around Micronesia, whereas coral cover is not a sensitive indicator for river impact. Coral reefs are important resources for the people of Pohnpei. To prevent further degradation of this important resource, an integrated watershed approach is needed to control terrestrial activities.     

以流动看世界——基于彼得·阿迪《流动性》的研究述评

“流动”正改变着人们的生存、生活和生产方式。流动性经历了从学科间独立的分散研究，到以地理学和社会学为主导的多学科研究，再转向新流动性范式下的跨学科研究。其中，彼得·阿迪（Peter Adey）的《流动性》（Mobility）（第二版）是一部梳理流动性演变脉络、解读理论并联系案例和方法的力作。因此，文章从流动性研究产生的背景、主要内容、研究方法与运用3个方面凝练该书观点，指出未来研究要跳出以二元对立看问题的思维方式，用一种网络化、关系式和辩证的思维洞察世界，在深度理解流动的意义、政治、实践和媒介基础上进行流动性研究。最后，文章基于国内研究现状，提出未来可以从流动性政治、流动性时空维度、旅游与流动性、流动主体的多元化、流动性研究方法等几个方面展开深入研究。     

Analysis on the indicator species and ecological groups of pelagic ostracods in the East China Sea

Ecological adaptation and ecological groups of pelagic ostracods were examined in the East China Sea （23°30′-33°00′N, 118°30′ -128°00′E）, in relation to temperature and salinity. The data were collected in four surveys conducted from 1997 to 2000. The density, yield density, or negative exponent models were used to determine the optimal temperature and salinity of water for the thriving growth of pelagic ostracods. Thereafter, ecological groups and potential distribution patterns of pelagic ostracods were determined based on the predicted parameters such as optimal temperature and salinity, consulting the geographic distribution. The analytical results indicate that, among the numerical dominant pelagic ostracods in the East China Sea （ECS）, Euconchoecia aculeata, E. elongata, E. chierchiae, E. maimai, and Cypridina dentata, etc. are offshore subtropical water species. These species are widely distributed in the area, and they can be brought by the warm current to north offshore during spring and winter. The predicated optimal temperature （OT） and optimal salinity （OS） for Paraconchoecia decipiens, P. echinata, P. spini- fera, P. oblonga, Conchoecia magna and Porroeciaporrecta are all greater than 25℃ and 34 separately. These species are mainly distributed in the waters of the Kuroshio, the Taiwan Warm Current, and the Taiwan Strait, and therefore are designated as ocean- ic tropical water species. On the other hand, Pseudoconchoecia concerttrica is considered as offshore subtropical water species based on its geographical distribution although its OT is 19℃. The other species, though their OSs are approximately 34 and with OTs ranging from 20° to 25℃, are considered as offshore subtropical water species because they were found to be widely distributed from the South China Sea to the East China Sea.     

Otolith chemical signature and growth of Chaetodon speculum in coastal areas of New Caledonia

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. They are currently exposed to increasing levels of anthropogenic perturbations. Several recent reviews point to the lack of good indicators for these perturbations especially to monitor their effects on fish populations or fish assemblages. The SW lagoon of New Caledonia is an ideal location to test indicator species in this context as contrasting sites are present within a small geographical range. This study analysed fish from four sites, one with heavy industrial pollution, another dominated by domestic waste, a third with historic mining activities, and the fourth as a control. The butterfly fish, Chaetodon speculum, was chosen to determine C. speculum's potential as an indicator species due to its link to coral, its sedentary behaviour and its wide geographical distribution. The size distribution, growth rate, age distribution and whole otolith composition were analysed at each site. Age and mean growth rate were analysed from daily increments of the otoliths. The concentrations of eight elements (Li, Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Ba) were measured by ICP-MS in the otoliths of a subset of individuals. The sites under anthropogenic impact were distinct from the control site by fish size frequencies, age distributions, and the chemical content of their otoliths. The chemical elements Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, and Rb showed differences amongst sites. Fish belonging to the sites furthest from Nouméa could be discriminated in nearly 80% of samples or 60% of the cases when otolith weight or fish age respectively were taken into account. Ni concentrations of the otoliths were also higher in the bays where water concentrations of this element were known to be higher, but these differences were no longer significant once corrected for otolith weight. These results should be mitigated by the fact that: (1) despite significant differences between sites in age distribution and size frequencies there were no differences in growth rates or body condition; (2) differences in age or size were not correlated to perturbation levels; and (3) discrimination between sites based on chemical levels in the otoliths, even though significant, was not sufficient to identify the origin of the fish at a level useful for screening tests. The hypothesis that environmental differences between sites would be reflected in the otolith chemical composition is therefore not fully supported by our results.     

Comprehensive evaluation on urban sustainable development of Harbin City in Northeast China

It is an effective way in realizing urban coordinated and sustainable development to establish a series of indicators and to evaluate urban environmental and socioeconomic development. According to the characteristics of Harbin City in Northeast China, an indicator system including five subsystems and 37 indicators was established for comprehensive evaluation on urban sustainable development. The development indexes of all urban subsystems and complex system were calculated quantitatively using the comprehensively integrated methods composed of Principle Component Analysis, Analytic Hierarchy Process and weighed index method, and then the comprehensive level of urban sustainable development and the degree of urban interior coordination were analyzed. The results indicated that 1) the overall urban development presented an uptrend, however, the interior development was not well balanced from 1996 to 2006; 2) the development in each subsystem presented a strong fluctuation; and 3) the development in resources subsystem showed a downtrend. Based on those results, the suggestions of urban sustainable development were put forward at the end.     

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高速公路交通事故与气象条件的关系研究

恶劣天气是高速公路交通事故发生的重要诱因。为了解气象条件对高速公路交通事故的影响程度,基于2006—2008年汉宜高速公路交通事故数据,统计分析了该路段交通事故的月际和日变化特征,利用事故率和日交通事故指数区分定义了交通事故频次和灾害严重程度,采用多项式曲线拟合了气象条件与事故指数的关系,确定了事故突发增长的临界气象指标。结果表明:汛期5—9月是汉宜高速公路交通事故高发时期,冬季其次,春季3—4月及秋季10—11月事故发生较少。高速公路交通事故存在明显日变化特征,03—04时和14—17时为事故高发时段。汉宜高速公路交通事故频率主要受中到大雨和夏季高温天气的影响,事故灾害严重程度主要受强降水和冬季低温天气的影响。大风强降水天气条件下的事故率要高于一般强降水条件下的事故率,夏季潮湿、闷热天气条件下的事故率要高于一般高温天气条件下的事故率。当高速公路沿线平均日雨量达到中到大雨时,事故率达到高峰;当沿线平均雨量超过20 mm时,事故灾害突发严重。当公路沿线平均高温超过33℃时,事故率突发增长;0~3℃的低温对事故灾害程度影响较大。