Evidence for estrogenic endocrine disruption in an offshore flatfish, the dab (Limanda limanda L.)

Dab (Limanda limanda) caught in UK offshore waters show evidence of being exposed to estrogenic endocrine disrupters at a relatively low level. Two of 449 males caught between June and July 2005 had markedly elevated levels of vitellogenin (VTG; 21 and 750 microg/ml) and the remainder ranged from <0.01 to 8.6 microg/ml. Omitting the two outliers, there was a very significant positive relationship with the mass of individual males (a feature noted in previous studies on cod). Mean VTG concentrations in males differed significantly between sites. The site with the highest mean (1.6 microg/ml) was North East of the Dogger Bank and the site with the lowest (0.04 microg/ml) was in Cardigan Bay. Mean VTG concentrations in all North Sea fish were significantly higher than English Channel and Irish Sea fish, but this difference disappeared when fish mass was taken into account. VTG concentrations showed no relationship to water depth, stage of sexual maturity or age of the males. Sixty selected male plasmas were assayed for 17beta-estradiol but only two had measurable amounts (assay limit 0.04 ng/ml). Despite being the start of summer, the gonads of many of the males and females (especially those caught in the North Sea) showed signs of sexual maturity (presence of sperm in males and vitellogenic eggs in females). Many females had high VTG concentrations (up to 14 mg/ml) and 78 out of 80 had measurable concentrations of 17beta-estradiol. The cause of elevated VTG levels in male dab is unknown. As seen in cod, the presence of affected males does not appear to be linked to proximity to land or to known point sources of endocrine disrupters. However, our data, showing that larger fish are more likely to have elevated VTG concentrations, suggests a gradual accumulation by marine fish, probably through feeding, of persistent (probably relatively weak) estrogenic compounds.     

Far-Ultraviolet Emission from Elliptical Galaxies at z = 0.55

The rest-frame UV-to-optical flux ratio, which characterizes the "UV upturn" phenomenon, is potentially the most sensitive tracer of age in elliptical galaxies; models predict that it may change by orders of magnitude over the course of a few gigayears. In order to trace the evolution of the UV upturn as a function of redshift, we have used the far-UV camera on the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph to image the galaxy cluster CL 0016+16 at z=0.55. Our 25"x25" field includes four bright elliptical galaxies, spectroscopically confirmed to be passively evolving cluster members. The weak UV emission from the galaxies in our image demonstrates that the UV upturn is weaker at a look-back time approximately 5.6 Gyr earlier than our own, as compared to measurements of the UV upturn in cluster E and S0 galaxies at z=0 and z=0.375. These images are the first with sufficient depth to demonstrate the fading of the UV upturn expected at moderate redshifts. We discuss these observations and the implications for the formation history of galaxies.     

集合式数字多普勒声雷达及其在西藏高原试验（TIPEX）中的应用

为了便于野外试验,对多普勒声雷达天线作了重新设计.本文对新设计的集合式数字多普勒声雷达作了介绍,对比试验结果说明新设计的声雷达测量风速和风向的结果与系留气艇测量结果相符很好,其性能与过去国内和国外分离式天线多普勒声雷达的性能相当.在西藏高原试验中,新设计的多普勒声雷达进行了40多天连续探测.声雷达探测结果发现在西藏高原当雄地区存在烟柱式上升运动,其垂直速度可达1m/s左右.     

我国西部高原大气边界层中的对流活动

利用 1 998年第 2次青藏高原野外试验中的多普勒声雷达探测、低空探测观测以及卫星观测资料对高原大气边界层内的对流现象进行分析研究。声雷达探测到了高原边界层内有强烈的对流活动。这种对流泡中心的垂直速度可超过 1m/s,并存在尺度为 1个多小时的周期性 ,表现为中小尺度的有组织的湍流活动。高原边界层强对流得以发展和维持的物理机制是 :强辐射加热、复杂的地形地貌形成的下垫面不均一性造成边界层斜压性、边界层内的平流活动等 ,这些现象都有利于对流的发展。在这些条件的作用下 ,边界层内可以产生一系列有组织的强湍流大涡旋活动 ,这些大涡旋形成的热泡在向上发展的过程中有的能够发生合并 ,变得更大也更为猛烈 ,达到凝结高度以上可形成对流云 ,并发生充分的对流混合。成云过程凝结潜热释放更有利于对流运动进一步发展 ,使对流云逐步发展成更大的对流云团 ,从而产生卫星云图中显示的云团发展过程。     

夏季中国西部地区辐射特征的观测分析和能量收支的模式计算

在2000年6-7月新疆阜康地区野外观测资料和美国宇航局Goddard地球观测系统资料同化系统计算相应时间能量收支基础上分析了夏季我国西部干旱地区辐射特征和能量收支.新疆阜康地区观测的夏季中午平均吸收辐射为664 W/m2左右,反照率为17%,夜间长波净辐射值为60W/m2左右.模式计算的相应地区的辐射特征与观测结果相当接近.模式计算结果表明,夏季新疆、甘肃西部、内蒙一带为感热通量高值区,其最大值在华北、东北地区,其值可达300W/m2.广大西北地区潜热通量都很低,其高值区在华东、华南、西藏东部和四川一带,最大值可达250-300W/m2.     

大气重力波布阵探测灾害性冰雹过程的研究

1995－1997年在冰雹灾害频繁的贵州省中西部进行了灾害性冰雹过程的大气重力波布阵探测研究，结果表明使用动态谱分析技术的大气重力波三测点布探测方法不仅可以在冰雹灾害发生3－24小时以前获得可靠的预警信息，而且可连续跟踪监测波原所在方位，为冰雹过程发生发展的理论机制及预报方法和研究和人工防雹作业提供了一些新的线索和一种新的技术手段。     

微量物质对海洋的大气输入（续一）

微量物质对海洋的大气输入（续一）Ｒ．Ａ．Ｄｕｃｅ等４微量元素和矿物气溶胶对世界海洋的大气输入４．１引言本节中所研究的微量元素是那些在海洋系统中的分布受到大气浓度和通量影响的元素。汞主要以气相形式存在（≈９９％）［例如：Ｆｉｔｚｇｅｒａｌｄ，１９８６］...     

我国西南地区的稻田CH4排放

稻田CH_4排放的季节变化和水稻的生长过程(水稻高度)有较大的关系,有机肥对稻田CH_4排放有促进作用,沼气发酵肥可以降低稻田的CH_4排放量,水稻品种对稻田CH_4排放有一定影响,垄作是减少稻田CH_4排放的一种重要方法。