Removal and biodegradation of nonylphenol by different Chlorella species

All four Chlorella species, including one commercially available species, Chlorella vulgaris and three local isolates, Chlorella sp. (1uoai), Chlorella sp. (2f5aia) and Chlorella miniata (WW1), had a rapid and high ability to remove nonylphenol (NP). Among these species, C. vulgaris had the highest NP removal (nearly all NP was removed from the medium) and degradation abilities (more than 80% of NP was degraded) after 168 h, followed by WW1 and 1uoai; 2f5aia had the lowest NP degradation ability. The NP removal by C. vulgaris was less affected by growth conditions, but its biodegradation efficiency was significantly increased by temperature and light intensity, suggesting that the biodegradation ability was positively related to photosynthetic and metabolic activities. These results indicated that C. vulgaris was the most suitable species for effective removal and biodegradation of NP, especially under 25 °C with light illumination and initial biomass between 0.5 and 1.0 mg chlorophyll l⁻¹.     

Removal and biodegradation of nonylphenol by different Chlorella species

All four Chlorella species, including one commercially available species, Chlorella vulgaris and three local isolates, Chlorella sp. (1 uoai), Chlorella sp. (2f5aia) and Chlorellaminiata (WW1), had a rapid and high ability to remove nonylphenol (NP). Among these species, C. vulgaris had the highest NP removal (nearly all NP was removed from the medium) and degradation abilities (more than 80% of NP was degraded) after 168 h, followed by WW1 and 1 uoai; 2f5aia had the lowest NP degradation ability. The NP removal by C. vulgaris was less affected by growth conditions, but its biodegradation efficiency was significantly increased by temperature and light intensity, suggesting that the biodegradation ability was positively related to photosynthetic and metabolic activities. These results indicated that C. vulgaris was the most suitable species for effective removal and biodegradation of NP, especially under 25 °C with light illumination and initial biomass between 0.5 and 1.0 mg chlorophyll l(-1).     

Effect of chloride concentration on the decomposition of aqueous sodium nitrate by sunlight

Summary Rates and yields of nitrite formation in solutions, upon irradiation of aqueous sodium nitrate with ultraviolet light, are found to be consistently and considerably enhanced by their chloride content. The process is investigated under conditions met both, in the laboratory and under sunlight illumination, and the effects of altitude and temperature on the reaction studied in the field, are evaluated.     

Sperm motility in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is affected by nonylphenol

Nonylphenol, a widespread aquatic pollutant with endocrine-disrupting potential has been found to affect sperm motility in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg). This marine invertebrate, a global aquaculture species, was exposed to nonylphenol at concentrations of 1 and 100 μg l⁻¹ for a duration of 72 h during the period of gametogenesis. Growth was monitored at regular intervals until sexual maturity when sperm motility was assessed. The growth rate of C. gigas remained unaffected by exposure to nonylphenol during gametogenesis. However, the number of individuals with motile sperm was significantly reduced.     

Influence of sunlight on atmospheric condensation nuclei

I has been shown that irradiation of air by sun-rays leads to a formation of atmospheric condensation nuclei, as measured with the automatic nucleus counter (1).To control the influence of the material, experiments were done in a gasometer where a rubber balloon was built in, also in a metal container covered either with uviol glass or window glass, or with air in a polyethylene balloon. The same influence of sunrays was observed in each case.Similar experiments were then done with compressed air from a metal container, or with oxygen gas, nitrogen gas or nitrous oxide all from metal containers. In all cases sun-rays produced condensation nuclei; the effect was present both at 1800 m and at 270 m altitude. Diffuse sunlight with high clouds also had an effect. Infra-red radiation and mechanical shaking were without result, but ultraviolet rays from a quartz-mercury lamp increased the nucleus count of the balloon whether it contained air or one of the above-mentioned gases.As yet it has not been possible to decide the mechanism of formation of these nuclei and what their meteorological and biological role might be.The detailed paper will appear later in «Geofisica pura e applicata».     

Profiles of nonylphenol isomers in surface waters from Sri Lanka

Isomer-specific concentrations of nonylphenol (NP) and their predicted estrogenic potency were investigated in Sri Lankan waters for the first time. The total concentration of 13 NP isomers ranged from 90 to 1835 ng/L, while the predicted estrogenic equivalent concentration ranged from 0.072 to 1.38 ng 17β-estradiol (E2)/L. Bire Lake, located in the central area of the commercial capital, Colombo, had the highest contamination among the studied locations. These data show that NP levels in Sri Lankan waters are well within the recently reported concentrations in other regions of the world. The spatial differences in NP concentrations suggest that NP contamination in Sri Lanka may be widespread, and comprehensive study is vital.     

Comparison of abstraction scenarios simulated by SWAT and SWAT-MODFLOW

In hydrological modelling of catchments, wherein streams are groundwater-fed, an accurate representation of groundwater processes and their interaction with surface water is crucial. With this purpose, a coupled model was recently developed linking SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) with the fully-distributed groundwater model MODFLOW (Modular Groundwater Flow). In this study, SWAT and SWAT-MODFLOW were applied to a Danish groundwater-dominant catchment, simulating groundwater abstraction scenarios and assessing the benefits and drawbacks of SWAT-MODFLOW. Both models demonstrated good performance. However, SWAT-MODFLOW provided more realistic outputs when simulating abstraction: the decrease in streamflow was similar to the volume of water abstracted, while in SWAT the impact was negligible. SWAT also showed impacts on streamflow only when abstractions were taken from the shallow aquifer, not from the deep aquifer. Overall, SWAT-MODFLOW demonstrated wider possibilities for groundwater analysis, providing more insights than SWAT in supporting decision making in relation to environmental assessment.     

Earthquake strong motion simulated by stress drop models

Shallow strike slip earthquakes on vertical faults are modelled as two-dimensional antiplane strain ruptures in a uniformly prestressed homogeneous halfspace. Behind the rupture front, which is specified, the stress drops to a lower value. The elastodynamic boundary value problem is solved with a finite difference method. Several cases are studied, which include symmetric and one-directional rupture propagation, surface faulting, multiple events, variable rupture velocity, sticking and rebreaking of the fault plane. The time function of displacement, velocity and acceleration are interpreted as signals generated by events in the focus, namely starting, stopping and breaking through the surface of the rupture. The model explains peak velocity and peak acceleration in the near field of M5.5–6 earthquakes; which are typically about 0.2 m/s and 5 m/s² at 10 km epicentral distance, if the rupture velocity is close to the shear wave velocity. Sticking of the fault does not alter the accelerograms significantly, but it increases the seismic moment in simple events and decreases it in multiple events.Contribution No. 226, Geophysical Institute, University of Karlsruhe.     

Seasonal and spatial distribution of nonylphenol and IBP in Saemangeum Bay, Korea

In order to investigate spatial and temporal distribution of organic pollutants in the Saemangeum Bay, organophosphorus pesticides (10), alkylphenols (8), chlorophenols (2), bisphenol A were analyzed from the surface seawater taken in 2002–2003. Most of the analytes were not detected in all stations except nonylphenol and S-benzyl-O,O-di-isopropyl phosphorothioate (IBP). Concentrations of nonylphenol and IBP ranged from ND to 298 ng/l and from ND to 1840 ng/l, respectively. The high levels of nonylphenol and IBP were found in the estuary areas of Mangyeong and Dongjin River. The levels of nonylphenol and IBP in surface seawater varied through seasons and the high levels of nonylphenol and IBP were in summer season (August). Based on real time monitoring of IBP and on correlation between concentrations of target compounds and contents of salinity in seawater, physical mixing and diffusion of seawater were found to be the major factors that affect the spatial distribution of IBP and nonylphenol in the Saemangeum Bay environment.     

基于紫外-可见光吸收光谱和三维荧光光谱的腐殖酸光降解组分特征分析

湖泊生态系统作为自然界重要的碳库,光照强度的变化对于湖泊的碳循环过程可能产生重要的影响.以云南老君山高山湖泊天才湖周边土壤中的腐殖酸作为外源溶解性有机物（DOM）的代表物,通过腐殖酸模拟光降解实验,考察光照强度对外源DOM光降解过程的影响.研究结果表明：腐殖酸光吸收系数a₄₄₀、465 nm和665 nm波长处吸光度比值E₄/E₆的下降幅度均为：对照组 < 20 W光照组 < 40 W光照组,a₄₄₀、E₄/E₆和光谱斜率S_R显著相关,表明紫外辐射使得腐殖酸溶液浓度降低、相对分子量下降,且光照强度越强,腐殖酸的光降解程度越大.通过EEM-PARAFAC模型识别出光降解过程中腐殖酸溶液中含有5种荧光组分：UV类腐殖质（C1）、UVA类腐殖质（C2）、类色氨酸（C3）、UVC类腐殖质（C4）和类络氨酸（C5）.40 W光照组中4种荧光组分的降解程度与降解速率均大于20 W光照组,降解程度均为：C4 > C3 > C2 > C1,降解速率为C2 > C4 > C3 > C1,说明不同的荧光组分对光照强度的响应不同.该研究有助于阐明外源DOM的光降解途径与归趋.     

Estrogenic activity in sediments contaminated by nonylphenol in Tokyo Bay (Japan) evaluated by vitellogenin induction in male mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Estrogenic activity was determined in sediments collected from Tokyo Bay. Sampling was performed at five stations including the site near the sewage treatment plant. The most estrogenic sediment collected near the sewage treatment plant was fractionated into ten fractions using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Chemical analysis was carried out for each fraction and nonylphenol (NP, 20,700 ng g⁻¹ dry wt) was detected at a higher concentration than estron (2.39 ng g⁻¹ dry wt) and 17β-estradiol (<0.7 ng g⁻¹ dry wt). Furthermore, each fraction was administered to male mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), and vitellogenin (Vtg) was measured after two weeks. The induction of Vtg was observed; this estrogenic potency could be attributed to the NP content in this fraction. This is the first report to suggest that the high NP concentration in the sediments from Tokyo Bay has the potential to induce Vtg in wild fish.     

Emulation of simulated earthquake catalogues

In earthquake occurrence studies, the so-called q value can be considered both as one of the parameters describing the distribution of interevent times and as an index of non-extensivity. Using simulated datasets, we compare four kinds of estimators, based on principle of maximum entropy (POME), method of moments (MOM), maximum likelihood (MLE), and probability weighted moments (PWM) of the parameters (q and τ ₀) of the distribution of inter-events times, assumed to be a generalized Pareto distribution (GPD), as defined by Tsallis (1988) in the frame of non-extensive statistical physics. We then propose to use the unbiased version of PWM estimators to compute the q value for the distribution of inter-event times in a realistic earthquake catalogue simulated according to the epidemic type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model. Finally, we use these findings to build a statistical emulator of the q values of ETAS model. We employ treed Gaussian processes to obtain partitions of the parameter space so that the resulting model respects sharp changes in physical behaviour. The emulator is used to understand the joint effects of input parameters on the q value, exploring the relationship between ETAS model formulation and distribution of inter-event times.     

亚高山湖泊天才湖周边土壤腐殖酸的光降解研究

溶解性有机质(DOM)是湖泊生态系统的物质循环和能量流动的基础.典型亚高山湖泊DOM的主要来源为流域土壤腐殖酸(外源DOM),其具有较强的光吸收特性,光降解是其重要的转化过程,从而改变碳、氮、磷等物质的存在形式.在气候变暖的背景下,亚高山湖泊中DOM的浓度、pH、溶解氧及太阳辐射都可能发生变化;但这些环境变化对亚高山湖...     

Contour scaling of a sandstone by salt weathering under simulated hot desert conditions

A laboratory study has been used to investigate relationships between salts and contour scaling—a weathering feature commonly observed on rock surfaces in salt-rich environments. Surface disaggregation and essentially surface-parallel cracks were produced in sandstone blocks using 10 per cent solutions of sodium sulphate and magnesium sulphate applied daily to single exposed surfaces for sixty days. A control block soaked once in saturated magnesium sulphate and subsequently wetted daily with distilled water showed extensive surface disaggregation, but no cracking. Both surface disaggregation and subsurface cracking were associated with relative concentrations of microcrystalline salt. A tentative model of contour scaling is proposed, which involves linking together potential cracks by salt-induced fracturing of intervening, crack-stopping grains. Further control blocks treated respectively with 10 per cent and saturated sodium chloride showed no evidence of subsurface cracking and only limited surface disaggregation of the ‘saturated’ block.     

Photodegradation of autochthonous and allochthonous dissolved organic matter in a natural tropical lake

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is one of the most abundant fractions of organic matter in aquatic systems and plays an important role in the dynamics of aquatic environments, controlling both the penetration and the underwater light radiation climate. DOC can be photodegraded by light, thus facilitating biodegradation, especially in regions where the incidence of solar radiation is high, such as higher altitudes and lower latitudes. This study quantified the photodegradation of dissolved organic material in a natural tropical lake surrounded by native forests (Brazilian Atlantic Forest) through two experiments: i) the first experiment exposed concentrated autochthonous, allochthonous, and lake water to in situ solar radiation; ii) this experiment also exposed the same organic material to artificial UV radiation in an incubator under controlled conditions. The quality and quantity of dissolved organic carbon were measured using indices based on carbon absorbance and fluorescence spectrum. In the in situ experiment, it was observed that the DOC degradation profile of the concentrated allochthonous and autochthonous organic material were distinct from each other in the absorbance indices, and the lake water mostly resembled the latter one. On the other hand, we did not see evidence of any significant difference among treatments in the laboratory experiment. An increase in the SR index and a concomitant decrease in the fluorescence of humic compounds and SUVA₂₅₄ over time were observed. In both experiments, the amount of degraded organic material over time was low and some possible explanations are discussed.     

Changes of the tropical Pacific Walker circulation simulated by two versions of FGOALS model

Here we assessed the performances of IAP/LASG climate system model FGOALS-g2 and FGOAS-s2 in the simulation of the tropical Pacific Walker circulation(WC). Both models reasonably reproduce the climatological spatial distribution features of the tropical Pacific WC. We also investigated the changes of WC simulated by two versions of FGOALS model and discussed the mechanism responsible for WC changes. Observed Indo-Pacific sea level pressure(SLP) reveals a reduction of WC during 1900–2004 and 1950–2004, and an enhancement of WC during 1982–2004. During the three different time spans, the WC in FGOALS-g2 shows a weakening trend. In FGOALS-s2, tropical Pacific atmospheric circulation shows no significant change over the past century, but the WC strengthens during 1950–2004 and 1982–2004. The simulated bias of the WC change may be related to the phase of the multi-decadal mode in coupled models, which is not in sync with that in the observations. The change of WC is explained by the hydrological cycle constraints that precipitation must be balanced with the moisture transporting from the atmospheric boundary layer to the free troposphere. In FGOALS-g2, the increasing amplitude of the relative variability of precipitation(?P/P) is smaller(larger) than the relative variability of moisture(?q/q) over the tropical western(eastern) Pacific over the three time spans, and thus leads to a weakened WC. In FGOALS-s2, the convective mass exchange fluxes increase(decrease) over the tropical western(eastern) Pacific over the past 53 a(1950–2004) and the last 23 a(1982– 2004), and thus leads to a strengthened WC. The distributions of sea surface temperature(SST) trends dominate the change of WC. Over the past 55 a and 23 a, tropical Pacific SST shows an El Ni?o-like(a La Ni?a-like) trend pattern in FGOALS-g2(FGOALS-s2), which drives the weakening(strengthening) of WC. Therefore, a successful simulation of the tropical Pacific SST change pattern is necessary for a reasonable simulation of WC change in climate system models. This idea is further supported by the diagnosis of historical sea surface temperature driven AGCM-simulations.     

In vitro effects of nonylphenol on functional responses of haemocytes of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri

The effects of nonylphenol (NP) on functional responses of haemocytes of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri were evaluated. Haemocytes were exposed to 0.1, 1 and 10 μM NP and the effects on haemocyte viability, adhesion, morphology, lysosomal membrane stability, phagocytic activity and early apoptosis were evaluated. Haemocyte viability and adhesion were not affected by NP. Phagocytic activity and the amoebocytic index decreased significantly at all the concentrations tested, while exposure of haemocytes to 1 and 10 μM NP caused a significant increase in the diffusion of Neutral Red into the cytosol. The percentage of cells positive to Annexin-V (indicative of early apoptosis) increased significantly at 1 and 10 μM NP. Results obtained suggested a relationship between NP and alterations in functional responses of haemocytes in B. schlosseri. Biomarkers measured resulted sensitive, rapid and reproducible, even if their responsiveness will be evaluated after in vivo exposure of animals to NP.