大通湖及东洞庭湖区生物体重金属的水平及其生态评价

于2005年11月采集了大通湖及东洞庭湖区湖水和水生生物样品,并测定了水和水生生物样品中重金属(Cd、Pb、Hg、As)的含量,并对湖区生物体重金属进行了污染评价.研究结果表明,大通湖及东洞庭湖区湖水中重金属含量较小,绝大部分采样点水质都属于国家Ⅰ类水标准;水生生物体内CD、Pb含量为虾＞螺＞鱼,Hg的含量为鱼＞螺＞虾,As的含量为螺＞虾＞鱼;而鱼类重金属含量则为底栖鱼类＞中上层鱼类,肉食性鱼类＞植食性鱼类.大通湖及东洞庭湖区生物体中CD、Pb的污染指数为虾＞螺＞鱼,Hg的污染指数则为鱼＞螺＞虾,As的污染指数则为螺＞虾＞鱼.     

Recent trends of extreme precipitation indices in the Iberian Peninsula using observations and WRF model results

Spatial and temporal distributions of the trends of extreme precipitation indices were analysed between 1986 and 2005, over the Iberian Peninsula (IP). The knowledge of the patterns of extreme precipitation is important for impacts assessment, development of adaptation and mitigation strategies. As such, there is a growing need for a more detailed knowledge of precipitation climate change.This analysis was performed for Portuguese and Spanish observational datasets and results performed by the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model forced by the ERA-Interim reanalysis. Extreme precipitation indices recommended by the Expert Team for Climate Change Detection Monitoring and Indices were computed, by year and season. Then, annual and seasonal trends of the indices were estimated by Theil-Sen method and their significance was tested by the Mann-Kendal test. Additionally, a second simulation forced by the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM), was considered. This second modelling configuration was created in order to assess its performance when simulating extremes of precipitation.The annual trends estimated for the 1986–2005, from the observational datasets and from the ERA-driven simulation reveal: 1) negative statistically significant trends of the CWD index in the Galicia and in the centre of the IP; 2) positive statistically significant trends of the CDD index over the south of the IP and negative statistically significant trends in Galicia, north and centre of Portugal; 3) positive statistically significant trends of the R75p index in some regions of the north of the IP; 4) positive statistically significant trends in the R95pTOT index in the Central Mountains Chain, Leon Mountains and in the north of Portugal.Seasonally, negative statistically significant trends of the CWD index were found in Galicia, in winter and in the south of the IP, in summer. Positive statistically significant trends of the CWD index were identified in the Leon Mountains, in spring, and in Galicia, in autumn. For the CDD index, negative statistically significant trends were seen in Valencia, in the spring, and, in Galicia and Portugal (north and centre), in summer. Positive statistically significant trends of the CDD index were found: in the east of the IP, in the winter; in the Cantabrian Mountain, in the spring; and, in the south of the IP, in summer. Regarding to the R75p index, negative statistically significant trends were found in Galicia, in winter and positive statistically significant trends in the north of Portugal, in spring and in the Central Mountains Chain and north of Portugal, in autumn. For the R95pTOT index, negative statistically significant trends were found over the Sierra Cuenca and Sierra Cazorla, in winter and positive statistically significant trends were found over the Sierra Cebollera, in winter and in Castile-la Mancha region, in spring.The results of the annual and seasonal trends of the extreme precipitation indices performed for observational datasets and the simulation forced by ERA-Interim, are similar. The results obtained for the simulation forced by MPI-ESM are not satisfactory, and can be a source of criticism for the use of simulation forced by MPI-ESM in this type of climate change studies. Even for the relatively short period used, the WRF model, when properly forced is a useful tool due to the similar results of Portuguese and Spanish observational datasets and the simulation forced by ERA-Interim.     

我国煤炭需求、探查潜力与高效利用分析

能源结构中全球大多数国家的主体能源是石油,而我国以富煤、贫油、少气为本土资源特点,煤炭是主体能源.目前随着我国改革开放的不断深入,社会经济快速发展,能源的需求大幅度增加.这使得对煤炭资源的勘探与开采必须不断深入,进入到第二深度空间日益紧迫.在开采过程中的难度随之增大,故必须引入当代高、新技术,防范灾害并提高煤炭综合利用效率.基于对我国主体能源-煤炭存储与需求的分析,本文将研讨以下几个问题:1)我国面临的能源形势与国策;2)当今对化石能源的需求、煤炭资源的生产和消费特点;3)全球和我国煤炭资源的生产、利用、需求、潜能和存在的问题;4)煤炭深部勘探、开采和高新技术的应用;5)我国煤炭的高效利用与其在能源结构中的不可替代;6)我国在发展进程中第二深度空间的煤炭需求乃必然轨迹.     

Concentrations of trace elements in muscle of sturgeons in the Caspian Sea

Concentrations of 21 trace elements were determined in muscle of beluga (Huso huso), Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) and stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) collected from coastal regions of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, surrounding the Caspian Sea during 2000-2001. Concentrations of Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, Sn, Hg, Pb and Bi in the muscle were apparently different among the five species of sturgeons. Especially, beluga showed the highest concentrations of Hg, Pb and Mn in all the five species. In addition, more than half of the individuals of beluga exceeded the guideline level (0.3 microg/g wet wt.) of Hg for food in UK. However, V, Cr, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr and Ba concentrations were similar among five sturgeons. Growth-dependent increase in Hg in beluga, Cu in Persian sturgeon, and Zn in Russian sturgeon were observed, whereas V, Mn, Co, Cu, Ga, Sr, Mo, Sn, Hg and Bi concentrations in Persian sturgeon, Pb in ship sturgeon, and Cr, Mn, and Rb in stellate sturgeon were negatively correlated with body length. All species of sturgeon in Azerbaijan showed the highest concentration of Sr and the lowest concentration of Rb, while the five sturgeons from Iran showed opposite trends. Concentration of V, which is present in oil, in sturgeons in the Caspian Sea was considerably lower than that of fish from Kuwait, but was comparable to that of Cambodia and the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. To our knowledge, this study provides the first extensive data on multielemental accumulation in sturgeons of the Caspian Sea.     

The role of initial signals in the tropical Pacific Ocean in predictions of negative Indian Ocean Dipole events

Using reanalysis data, the role of initial signals in the tropical Pacific Ocean in predictions of negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events were analyzed. It was found that the summer predictability barrier (SPB) phenomenon exists in predictions, which is closely related to initial sea temperature errors in the tropical Pacific Ocean, with type-1 initial errors presenting a significant west-east dipole pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean, and type-2 initial errors showing the opposite spatial pattern. In contrast, SPB-related initial sea temperature errors in the tropical Indian Ocean are relatively small. The initial errors in the tropical Pacific Ocean induce anomalous winds in the tropical Indian Ocean by modulating the Walker circulation in the tropical oceans. In the first half of the prediction year, the anomalous winds, combined with the climatological winds in the tropical Indian Ocean, induce a basin-wide mode of sea surface temperature (SST) errors in the tropical Indian Ocean. With the reversal of the climatological wind in the second half of the prediction year, a west-east dipole pattern of SST errors appears in the tropical Indian Ocean, which is further strengthened under the Bjerknes feedback, yielding a significant SPB. Moreover, two types of precursors were also identified: a significant west-east dipole pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean and relatively small temperature anomalies in the tropical Indian Ocean. Under the combined effects of temperature anomalies in the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans, northwest wind anomalies appear in the tropical Indian Ocean, which induce a significant west-east dipole pattern of SST anomalies, and yield a negative IOD event.     

淮河流域焦岗湖水质参数时空变化及影响因素

焦岗湖是淮河左岸一个天然湖泊,集防洪、灌溉、养殖、旅游等多种功能于一体.利用焦岗湖4个季节水质监测数据,运用Kriging方法,分析焦岗湖水质参数的时空变化及影响因素.结果表明:由于受水文季节变化过程及人类活动等综合影响,焦岗湖水质参数在时间及空间上均存在一定差异.从时间变化来看,夏季透明度较低、秋季较高;溶解氧浓度在春、冬季显著高于夏、秋季;总氮、总磷浓度与高锰酸盐指数均表现为夏季最高、秋季最低.从空间变化来看,4个季节的透明度空间差异较为显著;溶解氧浓度在春、冬季空间分布较为均匀,夏季呈现中心高周围低的变化趋势,秋季则表现为西高东低;总磷浓度春季分布较为均匀,夏、秋及冬季则呈西高东低之势;高锰酸盐指数在春、秋季节呈现东高西低之势,夏季高浓度主要集中在湖区北部,冬季浓度变化不大.     

Shifts in the Processes of Oxygen and Nutrient Balances in the River Elbe since the Transformation of the Economic Structure

The reduction of pollution in the river Elbe since 1990 has resulted in changes in the processes taking place in the river. The heterotrophic degradation which dominated until 1990 was accompanied by a lack of oxygen, floating masses of sewage fungi, and sludge formation in the areas of still water. Since the early 1990s, autotrophic processes have come to dominate, with an increase in pH fluctuations and the oxygen production potential, but evidently not the chlorophyll level during the growing season. The degradable organic pollution of the Elbe is determined by algae production. The high levels of ammonium previously encountered in the Elbe were attributable to not only dischargers but also in particular the lack of oxygen in the water. Via heterotrophic nitrate assimilation, nitrate served as an oxygen reserve, resulting in high levels of nitrite. At present, when the oxygen contents are sufficient, the concentration reductions of nitrate and nitrite along the reach of the Elbe are approximately parallel, which in view of the lack of ammonium indicates the denitrification of microzones low in oxygen. The relative proportion of structurally bound substance turnover will become increasingly important for the Elbeπs material budget.     

云南地区大震活动规律研究

云南地区处于印度板块与欧亚板块中国大陆碰撞带的东缘,地壳运动剧烈,活动块体特征明显,中强以上地震频发,是研究大震活动规律的理想场所。通过过去一个世纪的6.7级以上地震活动的时空分布以及地震动力分析认为,云南地区存在的4个具东西交替活动特征的地震活跃期,可能是东、西部各自地震活跃与平静过程叠加的结果,100a左右可能出现1次东、西部同时爆发大震的时段;云南地区地震活动与外围地区存在较好的呼应关系,安达曼-缅甸弧形带的巨震活动对云南地区地震活跃期的启动有一定的指示意义,而云南东部强震也与四川西部大震密切相关,四川大震活动往往滞后于云南地区;中强地震连发—平静—首发大震可能是云南以东部为活动主体的地震活跃期的启动模式。这些认识对云南地区大震预测、地震机理以及板缘动力学研究会有所帮助     

三峡水库长江干流及其支流枯水期浮游植物多样性与水质

2010年4月对长江干流和26条支流未淹没区与回水区的浮游植物进行调查.结果表明,硅藻、绿藻和蓝藻共占浮游植物种类的93.33%～93.88%.干流优势种类有1门1种、未淹没区有3门6种、回水区有5门6种,出现率分别为15.38%、9.23%和25.00%.回水区现存量平均值最高、未淹没区其次、干流最低.现存量组成在干流、未淹没区和回水区之间有差异,绿藻所占比例干流最高,硅藻所占比例未淹没区最高,隐藻、蓝藻和甲藻所占比例均在回水区最高.Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H’)和Pielou均匀性指数(J),未淹没区最高、干流次之、回水区最低.17条支流回水区H’和8条支流回水区J均低于未淹没区.水质评价显示,轻或无污染断面(采样点)的比例,干流为76.92%,未淹没区为84.62%,回水区为47.06%.19条(73.08%)支流回水区出现中污染或重污染,7条(26.92%)支流未淹没区出现中污染或重污染.三峡工程蓄水对回水区浮游植物与水质影响比长江干流更大.     

Chalcophile elements (Hg,Cd, Pb,As) in Lake Umbozero,Murmansk province

Lake Umbozero (the second largest in the area and the deepest in Murmansk province) was studied with the aim to establish the biogeochemical features of the distribution of chalcophile elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, As) in water, bottom sediments, and whitefish organs and tissues. Lake Umbozero is subject to the effect of emissions and effluents of mining-and-metallurgical plants in Murmansk province, as well as airborne anthropogenic pollution of global character. Surface and near-bed peaks were recorded in the distribution of Pb and Cd in water mass. Those peaks can be due to phytoplankton development in surface layers and the precipitation of dead organisms and mechanical suspension into bed layers. The mean Pb and Cd concentrations in Umbozero water mass exceed the mean for lake water in taiga zone. Water body pollution manifests itself in an increase in concentrations of elements, such as heavy metals, in the surface layers of bottom sediments. The largest contamination factors were recorded for Cd and Pb. Lake pollution by highly toxic chalcophile elements also caused their accumulation in whitefish organs and tissues: the biological accumulation coefficient is >1 for Cd in kidneys (5.8) and for Hg in kidneys, liver, and muscles (3.6, 3.3, and 2.2, respectively).     

Structure and Significance of S-wave Velocity and Poisson’s Ratio in the Crust beneath the Eastern Side of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The receiver functions of body waves of distant earthquakes obtained for the regions beneath 41 digital stations (Lhasa and GANZ in Tibet, Mandalay and Rangoon in Myanmar, SHIO in India, CHTO in Thailand, and station network in Sichuan and Yunnan) were used to invert for S-wave structure in the crust and upper mantle in Sichuan, Yunnan, and their surrounding areas. Meanwhile the distribution characteristics of the Poisson’s ration and the crustal thickness in Sichuan and Yunnan areas were also obtained. Results indicate that the depth of Moho beneath the eastern side of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau varies strikingly. It is obvious that the greatest changes in crustal thickness occur in a north-south direction. The crustal thickness decreases from north to south, being as thick as 70 km in eastern Tibet, the northern portion of our area of interest, and less than 30 km in Chaing Mai and Rangoon, the southern portion of our area. There are, however, exceptions regarding the trend. The thickness exhibits an east-west variation trend in the area from Ma’erkong-Kongding in Sichuan to Lijiang in Yunnan. In general the Jinpingshan-Longmenshan fault and Anninghe fault can be taken as the boundaries of this exception area. The thickness in Kongding in the west is 68 km, while it is only 39 km in Yongchuan in the east. Moreover the Poisson’s ratio values in the blocks of central Sichuan and Sichuan-Yunnan Diamond are high, and a low velocity layer in the crust of this area can be obviously detected. The distribution characteristics of the high Poisson’s ratio and the low velocity of the crust in this block correspond to the tectonic structure, being in contrast with the surrounding areas. Combining with the distribution features of the modern tectonic stress field, it is deduced that the Sichuan-Yunnan area is probably the channel through which the materials of the lithosphere flow eastward.     

Accumulation of trace elements in harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from Pangnirtung in the Baffin Island, Canada

Nineteen trace elements were determined in liver, muscle, kidney, gonads, and hair of 18 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from Pangnirtung in the Baffin Island, Canada. Concentrations of V, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Ag, and Hg in the liver, Co, Cd, and Tl in the kidney, and Ba and Pb in the hair were significantly higher than those in other tissues. Significant positive correlations between Hg concentrations in the hair, and liver, kidney and testis imply usefulness of the hair sample for non-destructive monitoring of Hg in the harp seals. It is suggested that whereas Hg preferentially accumulates in the liver, the accumulation in other tissues is induced at higher hepatic Hg levels. In contrast, Se may not be accumulated in other tissues compared with the liver even at higher hepatic Hg levels because of the presence of excess Se for Hg detoxification in other tissues.     

A history of British seismology

The work of John Milne, the centenary of whose death is marked in 2013, has had a large impact in the development in global seismology. On his return from Japan to England in 1895, he established for the first time a global earthquake recording network, centred on his observatory at Shide, Isle of Wight. His composite bulletins, the “Shide Circulars” developed, in the twentieth century, into the world earthquake bulletins of the International Seismological Summary and eventually the International Seismological Centre, which continues to publish the definitive earthquake parameters of world earthquakes on a monthly basis. In fact, seismology has a long tradition in Britain, stretching back to early investigations by members of the Royal Society after 1660. Investigations in Scotland in the early 1840s led to a number of firsts, including the first network of instruments, the first seismic bulletin, and indeed, the first use of the word “seismometer”, from which words like “seismology” are a back-formation. This paper will present a chronological survey of the development of seismology in the British Isles, from the first written observations of local earthquakes in the seventh century, and the first theoretical writing on earthquakes in the twelfth century, up to the monitoring of earthquakes in Britain in the present day.     

Activity of the Atlantic volcanoes, 1947–1965

A remarkable sequence of volcanic eruptions were observed in the Atlantic, during the last 20 years: Hckla in 1947, La Palma in 1949, Fogo in 1951, Fayal in 1957, Tristan da Cunha in 1961, Askja in 1961, Surtsey in 1963 (and possibly San Jorge in 1964). The long-period components of the Earth tide seem to influence the eruptive epochs, acting as trigger-forces.     

Sediment pollution and its effect on fish through food chain in the Yangtze River

Suspended sediment adsorbs pollutants from flowing water in rivers and deposits onto the bed. However, the pollutants accumulated in the river bed sediment may affect the bio-community through food chain for a long period of time. To study the problem the concentration of heavy metals （Cr, Cd, Hg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb and As） in water, sediment, and fish/invertebrate were investigated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during 2006-2007. The concentrations of heavy metals were 100-10,000 times higher in the sediment than in the water. Benthic invertebrates had relatively high concentrations of heavy metals in their tissues due to their proximity to contaminated sediments. Benthic invertivore fish had moderately high concentrations of heavy metals whereas phytoplanktivore fish, such as the silver carp, accumulated the lowest concentration of heavy metals. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Fe were higher than Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and As in the tissue samples. The concentration of heavy metals was lower in the river sediments than in the lake sediments. Conversely, the concentration of heavy metals was higher in river water than in lake water. While a pollution event into a water body is often transitory, the effects of the pollutants may be long-lived due to their tendency to be absorbed in the sediments and then released into the food chain. The heavy metals were concentrated in the following order： bottom material 〉 demersal fish and benthic fauna 〉 middle-lower layer fish 〉 upper-middle layer fish 〉 water.     

陕西洛川不同时代黄土中的碳酸钙的沉积速率及其在地质年代测定中的意义

选择地处西北半干旱区、又具有代表性的黑木沟标准剖面,逐一测试其土层中的碳酸钙与干容重,进而由相关参数推算各土层的碳酸钙的沉积速率(V,下同),这是笔者的尝试。结果表明,该剖面中的碳酸钙的沉积速率,均有自下而上递增的趋势,各层总平均速率为0.20g/cm2·103a     

Taphonomic and paleoenvironmental issues of the Pleistocene loessic Paleolithic sites in the Qinling Mountains,central China

Hinterland intermountain basins and northern and southern piedmonts of the Qinling Mountains accumulated a large amount of loess during the Pleistocene. The loess strata not only record local paleogeographic and paleoenvironmental changes, but also contain rich hominin fossils and Paleolithic remains. In the northern piedmont of the Qinling Mountains and the lower valley of the South Luohe River, the loess strata have multi loess-paleosol sequences with aeolian loess continuously accumulating during glacial and interglacial cycles. In contrast to the northern piedmont, loess stratigraphy in the hinterland intermountain basins of the Qinling Mountains is relatively thin and contains finer loess particles. In this “mini” type of loess stratum, the density of Paleolithic remain generally is higher than the Loess Plateau in the north of the Qinling Mountains. Based on stratigraphic, chronological, and lithic artifacts analysis in recent years, it appears that the regional lithic assemblage belongs to the Oldowan (Mode I) lithic industry, and it is dominated by choppers, cores, flakes, and simple retouched flake tools from 1.15 to 0.6 Ma. Paleolithic open-air sites such as Gongwangling and Chenjiawo in the Lantian area, Shangbaichuan and Liuwan in the Luonan Basin, Qiaojiayao in the Lushi Basin, Longgangsi and Yaochangwan in the Hanzhong Basin, Guanmiao in the Ankang Basin, and the Yunxian Man Site in the Yunxian Basin are representative sites in the region; from 400 to 250 ka, the Longyadong cave site in the Luonan Basin inherited the characteristics of the local Mode I lithic industry, the stone assemblage is made up of cores, flakes, and small retouched flake tools, such as scrapers, points, and burins; during the period from 250 to 50 ka, bi-facially retouched Acheulean tools (Model II), such as hand-axes, picks, and cleavers, were commonly found in the Qinling Mountains region. The emergence of a large number of Model II artifacts indicates that local lithic industries went through a major transition process. Zhanghuokou, Guoyuan, and Huaishuping sites in the Luonan Basin, Diaozhai, Ganyu, Laochihe, and Xiehu sites in the Lantian area, Hejialiang site in the Hanzhong Basin are representative sites in this period; to the turn of the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, it may also exist a small flake-retouched tools lithic industry in the piedmonts of the northern and southern sides of the Qinling Mountains. The lithic assemblages in different stages of the Qinling Mountains region reflect the hominin behavioral changes and the development of lithic technology during the Pleistocene.     

青藏高原可可西里库赛湖年纹层石英颗粒表面形态特征研究

湖泊是风成沉积的理想载体,利用扫描电镜分析石英砂的表面微结构特征,可以用于判断石英颗粒被风或水流搬运的相对距离和湖泊的水动力条件,从而判断其沉积环境与演化历史.库赛湖位于青藏高原北部可可西里地区,是青海省沙尘天气频发的地区之一,为进一步证实库赛湖年纹层粗颗粒层的风成成因,以库赛湖沉积年纹层为研究对象,结合青藏高原北部典型沙丘沉积、库赛湖冰面风成沉积、典型河流沉积和库赛湖湖滨相水成粗颗粒沉积样品,利用扫描电镜对上述沉积物石英颗粒表面特征进行观察研究,并统计35种特征的出现频率.结果表明:库赛湖地区典型风成物石英颗粒表面具有圆形轮廓、中低浮雕、翻板、新月型撞击坑、球根状边缘、直形阶梯、弓形阶梯、碟形坑等微形貌特征;典型水成物石英颗粒表面具有V型撞击坑、小型和中型贝壳状断口、少量溶蚀坑等微形貌特征;库赛湖年纹层粗颗粒层石英颗粒表面具有圆形轮廓、低浮雕、翻板、新月形撞击坑、球根状边缘、碟形坑等明显风成特征,与研究区风成物的石英颗粒表面特征相似,而与研究区典型水成物的石英颗粒表面特征差别很大.因此,库赛湖年纹层中的粗颗粒层是由风成作用形成的.     

国际医用磁共振会议综述

本文介绍了国际医用磁共振协会及其主办的国际会议情况,即ＩｎｔｅｒｎａｔｉｏｎａｌＳｏｃｉｅｔｙｆｏｒＲｅｓｏｎａｎｃｅｉｎＭｅｄｉｃｉｎｅ－ＩＳＭＲＭ。该协会代表了世界上医用磁共振成像方面的最高水平,从第４次年会开始,会议在每年的４月份进行。本文作者参加了１９９７年在加拿大温哥华召开和１９９８年在澳大利亚悉尼召开的年会。会议主要讨论的题目包括功能磁共成像（ｆＭＲＩ）,结构磁共振成像（ａＭＲＩ）波谱成像（ＭＲＩ／Ｓ）和血管造影等方面的内容,以及磁共振成像技术协会方面关于诊断方法,显像增强剂技术,磁共振成像设备及其部件技术,以及数据处理方面的技术进步等课题。推动该领域发展的主要动力显然是对人类自身的研究和对疾病诊疗的需要,尤其对脑功能研究、功能性疾病的诊断和治疗的需要。但是磁共振成像目前在心脏、肺脏以至软骨方面的诊断已经有很大进步,在设备技术和数据处理方法方面的进步同样也是很快的。     

Stratification of selected hydrolytic enzyme activities in the sediment in two lakes in Finland

To investigate the stratification of hydrolytic enzyme activities and importance of subsurface layers in depolymerization of detritus biopolymers,nine hydrolytic enzyme activities involved in the cycling of carbon,phosphorus,nitrogen and sulphur were measured in various sediment layers and their extracts at Kylaniemi in Lake Saimaa in southern Finland and in Lake Ahvenjarvi in northern Finland. The results show that for each lake all nine hydrolytic enzyme activities were higher in all sediment layers than in comparable sediment extracts indicating that the major part of enzymes was bound to the sediment particles in all layers in both lakes.Carbohydratase,P-cellobiosidase,activities did not show any gradient with sediment depth at Kylaniemi in Lake Saimaa indicating that there was rapid turnover of carbohydrates in the entire sediment column.The activities of acetate esterase,butyrate esterase,phosphomonoesterase,aminopeptidase,N-acetyl glucosaminidase,sulphatase andβ-glucosidase in the deepest layers were 19-53%of those in the surface sediment indicating that depolymerization of biopolymers involved in the cycling of carbon,nitrogen,phosphorus and sulphur was substantial in subsurface sediment.