An operational method for the real-time monitoring of E. coli numbers in bathing waters

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential application of the beta-d-glucuronidase (GLUase) activity measurement for the routine detection and quantification of E. coli in marine bathing waters. GLUase activity was measured as the rate of hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-d-glucuronide. Culturable E. coli were quantified by the most probable number (MPN) microplate method. Both methods were applied to a large set of seawater samples. Significant correlation was found between the log of GLUase activity and the log of culturable E. coli. The mean coefficient of variation (CV) of the GLUase activity was less than 15% at concentrations around the current standards of International regulations whereas the CV of the microplate method was around 30%. When samples were stored at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C, the mean CV of the GLUase activity remained below 15% up to 6 hours after sample collection whereas the range of variation of the microplate method varied between 10 and 50%. We concluded that the GLUase activity is an operational, reproducible, simple, very rapid and low cost method for the real-time enumeration of E. coli in bathing waters and should be preferred to the microplate method. The GLUase activity method should be routinely applied to the rapid enumeration of E. coli in recreational waters and recommendations for its application were suggested to water quality managers.     

Coastal habitat degradation and green sea turtle diets in Southeastern Brazil

To show the influence of coastal habitat degradation on the availability of food for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), we assessed the dietary preferences and macroalgae community at a feeding area in a highly urbanized region. The area showed low species richness and was classified as degraded. We examined stomach contents of 15 dead stranded turtles (CCL = 44.0 cm (SD 6.7 cm)). The diet was composed primarily of green algae Ulva spp. (83.6%). In contrast, the macroalgae community was dominated by the green alga Caulerpa mexicana. We found a selection for red algae, seagrass and Ulva spp., and avoidance for C. mexicana and brown alga Dictyopteris delicatula. The low diversity of available food items, possibly a result of environmental degradation, likely contributed to the low dietary diversity. The nutritional implications of this restricted diet are unclear.     

用f—k技术分析NORESS台阵和单台资料以识别近台和近源的散射源

对高频ＮＯＲＥＳＳ台阵接收的人工爆破和天然地震的短周期记录进行ｆ－ｋ分析的结果表明,续至波来自于接近国西南约２５～３０ｋｍ处。应用从台阵记录中减去波束形成而得到的残差地震记录,改进了识别相同散射的效果。将针对后面波至的窗口与针对初动Ｐ波窗口相对于慢度值的ｆ－ｋ功率相减（归－化以后）而得到的ｆ－ｋ功率差图,提供了几乎相同的结果。续至波源好象是短周期的面波Ｒｇ,它是由ｆ－ｋ功率差图,提供了几乎相同的结     

通过塞米巴拉金斯克的低当量爆炸研究NORESS台阵的远震事件检测

布设在挪威的小孔径台阵NORESS是为改进高频段(1～15Hz)信噪比而设计的。虽然它的主要目的是增强检测和特征化区域距离上的弱地震事件的能力,但还发现这种台阵对于研究远震事件也是非常有效的,尤其是用在欧亚大陆。这主要有两方面的原因:(1)由于高Q值路径,欧亚地震和爆炸记录一般有较高的主频,通常在1.5～4.0Hz范围内,而该区域的噪声水平较低;(2)在此频率范围内,台阵有特别高的信噪比增益12～14dB(0.6～0.7m_b单位)。 NORESS台阵在线检测效能的分析表明,即使在小震中区内也有大的区域变化。这主要是源区底下的信号集中效应,类似于以前横跨大台阵观测的接收器集中效应。对NORESS记录的塞米巴拉金斯克试验场地下核爆炸的详细研究表明,相对于全球m_b,NORESS有明显的正m_b偏差。其在东部(沙甘河)最高(1.0m_b单位),而在西部(德格连/科尼斯坦)稍低(0.4m_b单位),尽管各区城内相当分散。分析NORESS台阵接收的一组塞米巴拉金斯克低当量核爆炸资料的观测信噪比,参考公开发表的俄文文献中给出的当量,我们估计,在正常的噪声条件下,NORESS台阵能检测到低到0.1kt全偶合的爆炸信号。但由于只有少量的参考事件且其中大量是推断的,给出一个精确的阈值是困难的。需要强调的是,在噪声水平异常高(如在大地震的尾波中)或偶合条件不是很佳(如在完全或部分空解偶)的情况下,这个检测水平是达不到的。还必须注意,事件识别阈值必须高于信号检测阈值。     

川滇活动构造区地震层析成像

应用一种新的地震体波层析成像方法确定川滇活动构造区(98°-105°E,22°-32°N)详细的三维P波速度结构.反演得到研究区0-85 km深度内几个截面上的P波速度图像.结果表明:(1)该地区地壳和上地幔的速度存在明显的横向不均匀性;(2)上地壳速度图像与地表地质特征明显相关,四川盆地呈现低速,高原地带为明显的高速区,沿康滇地轴为显著的高速条带;(3)10-85 km深度的速度图上腾冲火山附近形成一低速柱;(4)中地壳内存在一个大范围的低速层,这与区内人工地震测深所得到的结果基本吻合;(5)大型活动断裂带两侧存在明显的速度差异,而红河断裂带的影像在40 km的速度图上仍十分清楚,甚至到60 km深度还隐约可见,这也许说明红河断裂是切穿地壳的深大断裂;(6)强震位置与活动断裂及速度结构三者之间存在一定的关联性,大部分构造型强震发生在由大的活动断裂勾画的块体边界上,而那些发生在非大断裂附近的强震几乎都集中在下部中地壳存在低速带或由低速带向高速带过渡的位置.下部低速层的存在可能是上部中强地震活动的构造背景.