Effect of high salinity on cell growth and protein production of Antarctic ice microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L

Antarctic ice microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L can survive and thrive in Antarctic sea ice. In this study, Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L could survive at the salinity of 132‰ NaCl. SDS-PAGE showed that the density of 2 bands (26 and 36 kD) decreased obviously at the salinity of 99‰ NaCl compared to at the salinity of 33‰ NaCl. The soluble proteins in Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L grown under salinity of 33‰ and 99% NaCl were compared by 2-D gel electrophoresis. After shocking with high salinity, 8 protein spots were found to disappear, and the density of 28 protein spots decreased. In addition, 19 protein spots were enhanced or induced, including one new peptide (51 kD). The changes of proteins might be correlated with the resistance for Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L to high salinity.     

Effect of dietary potassium on growth,nitrogen metabolism,osmoregulation and immunity of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in low salinity seawater

An 8 weeks feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary potassium on the growth and physiological acclimation of Pacific white shrimp(Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in diluted seawater(salinity 4). Six semi-purified practical diets containing 0.59, 0.96, 1.26, 1.48, 1.74, and 2.17+ g potassium K per 100 g diet were formulated, respectively. The survival and feed conversion rate did not show significant difference among groups of shrimps given these diets(P0.05). The shrimps fed the diets containing 0.96-1.48 g K+ per 100 g diet gained the highest weight, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio. Their ammonium-N excretion rate as well as hemolymph concentration of Na+ and Cl- were significantly lower than those of the control(P0.05), but a reverse trend was observed for their gill Na+/K+-ATPase. Moreover, the shrimps fed with 1.48 g K+ per 100 g diet were the highest in hemolymph urea level, and the phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities were significantly higher than those of the control(P0.05). The growth and physiological response of the test shrimps suggested that diet containing 1.48 g K+ per 100 g diet improved the growth of L. vannamei in low-salinity seawater, and enhanced the physiological acclimation of the organism.     

Effects of nitrogen specification and culture method on growth of Enteromorpha prolifera

Eutrophication, which is the enrichment of a water mass with inorganic and organic nutrients that support plant growth, is a key factor in stimulating phytoplankton growth. In this study, we determined the effects of various nitrogen sources, different nitrogen concentrations in the culture medium, and two culture methods on the growth of the green alga, Enteromorpha prolifera. The relationship between the specific growth rate of E. prolifera and NO3--N concentration was consistent with that estimated using the Monod equation (R2 = 0.9713, P < 0.01). In the NO3--N medium, the maximum specific growth rate was calculated to be 0.1634/d and the semi-saturation constant was calculated to be 16.86 μmol/L. Our results show that E. prolifera can effectively utilize NH4+-N, NO3--N, and NO2--N and urea-N in the range of 5 to 50 μmol/L. NH4+-N was preferentially assimilated by E. prolifera, and urea-N was favorable for long-term growth.     

Effect of polystyrene microplastics and temperature on growth,intestinal histology and immune responses of brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

Microplastics pollution and seawater temperature rise have been the major environmental issues, threatening the survival and biodiversity of marine organisms. This study evaluated the combined effect of temperature and polystyrene microplastics(MP) on Artemia, a filter-feeding crustacean that is widely used for environmental toxicology studies. Brine shrimp Artemia franciscana were exposed to three MP concentrations(0, 0.2, and 2.0 mg/L) and three temperatures(22, 26, and 30 °C) for 14 d. In general, higher MP concentration and temperature led to a decreased survival rate and growth. Two-way ANOVA analysis indicated that the survival rate of Artemia was significantly impacted by both MP concentration and temperature( P 0.05), but there was no significant interaction between two factors( P 0.05). Growth of Artemia was significantly impacted by temperature( P 0.05), and with a significant interaction between two factors( P 0.05). Furthermore, the enzymatic activity, intestinal histological analyses, and immune gene expression were determined for Artemia reared at 30 °C with three MP concentrations(0, 0.2, and 2.0 mg/L). The results showed that 2.0-mg/L MP resulted in reduced Artemia intestinal microvilli and exfoliated epithelia cells, significantly increased acid phosphatase(ACP) activity( P 0.05) and immunerelated gene ADRA1 B and CREB3 expression, revealing that higher MP concentration could induce oxidative and immunological stress on Artemia at 30 °C. Overall, our study suggests that MP and temperature have combined adverse effect on Artemia, especially at relatively high temperature and polystyrene MP concentration. These findings are important to understand the potential ecological risks posed by these two factors on the organisms in marine environment.     

Effect of trans-reservoir water supply on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition in hydrologically connected reservoirs in China

Dajingshan,Fenghuangshan and Meixi reservoirs are located in Zhuhai,a coastal city in southern China,and they function to supply drinking water to Zhuhai and Macau.For eff ectively supplying waster,they are hydrologically connected and Dajingshan Reservoir first receives the water pumped from the river at Guangchang Pumping Station,and then feeds Fenghuangshan Reservoir,and the two well-connected reservoirs are mesotrophic.Meixi Reservoir is a small and oligotrophic water body and feeds Dajingshan Reservoir only in wet seasons when overfl ow occurs.Particulate organic matter(POM)was collected from three hydrologically connected water supply reservoirs,and seasonal variations of POM were ascertained from stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in wet and dry seasons,and the ef fects of pumping water and reservoir connectivity on POM variations and composition were demonstrated by the relationships of the stable isotope ratios of POM.Seasonality and similarity of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of POM varied with hydrodynamics,connectivity and trophic states of the four studied water bodies.The two wellconnected reservoirs displayed more similar seasonality for δ~(13)C_(POM) than those between the river station and the two reservoirs.However,the opposite seasonality appeared for δ~(15)N_(POM) between the above waters and indicates dif ferent processes aff ecting the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of POM.δ~(13)C_(POM) and δ~(15)N_(POM) changed little between wet and dry seasons in Meixi Reservoir-a low productive and rain-driven system,suggesting little POM response to environmental changes in that water system.As expected,connectivity enhanced the similarity of the stable isotope ratios of POM between the water bodies.     

Effect of salinity on growth and first sexual maturity of Exopalaemon carinicauda (Holthuis, 1950)

To determine the optimal salinity for growth and first sexual maturity of ExopaIaemon carinicauda, the effects of salinity on growth and reproductive performance of early juvenile prawns of E. carinicauda were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Postlarvae from the same female broodstock were reared at six salinity levels （5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30） for 12 weeks. The specific growth rate （SGR） and survival rate （SR） under different salinity levels in the first 6 weeks were calculated and compared. SGR was significantly influenced by salinity. Prawns reared in salinity of 10 grew significantly faster （P〈0.05） than those reared in salinities of 5, 20, 25, and 30. However, ANOVA confirmed that there was no significant effect among the six salinity levels on SR. For the next 6 weeks, the body length （BL）, body weight （BW） at the first sexual maturity, and the age at median sexual maturity （As0） of females were measured and compared. Female prawns reared at salinity of 10 presented significantly shorter A50, but no significant differences among the six salinity levels for BL and BW at the first sexual maturity were observed. Based on the above information, the optimal salinity for growth and first sexual maturity of juvenile E. carinicauda is approximately 10.     

Scaling of soil carbon,nitrogen, phosphorus and C:N:P ratio patterns in peatlands of China

Inspired by the importance of Redfield-type C:N:P ratios in global soils,we looked for analogous patterns in peatlands and aimed at deciphering the potential affecting factors.By analyzing a suite of peatlands soil data(n = 1031),mean soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorous(TP) contents were 50.51%,1.45% and 0.13%,respectively,while average C:N,C:P and N:P ratios were 26.72,1186.00 and 46.58,respectively.C:N ratios showed smaller variations across different vegetation coverage and had less spatial heterogeneity than C:P and N:P ratios.No consistent C:N:P ratio,though with a general value of 1245:47:1,was found for entire peatland soils in China.The Northeast China,Tibet,Zoigê Plateau and parts of Xinjiang had high soil SOC,TN,TP,and C:P ratio.Qinghai,parts of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and the coast zones have low TP and N:P ratio.Significant differences for SOC,TN,TP,C:N,C:P and N:P ratios were observed across groups categorized by predominant vegetation.Moisture,temperature and precipitation all closely related to SOC,TN,TP and their pairwise ratios.The hydrothermal coefficient(RH),defined as annual average precipitation divided by temperature,positively and significantly related to C:N,C:P and N:P ratios,implying that ongoing climate change may prejudice peatlands as carbon sinks during the past 50 years in China.     

Effects of salinity on embryonic development,survival, and growth of Crassostrea hongkongensis

This study examined the effects of salinity on embryonic development, survival, and growth of the Hong Kong oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis. The embryos, larvae, and juveniles of C. hongkongensis were held in artificial seawater at three different salinities (low, 15; medium, 23; and high, 30) to determine the optimum hatchery and nursery conditions for mass production of the seeds. Results showed that the percentage production of straight-hinged larvae from fertilized eggs was significantly lower at the high salinity than at the low- and medium-salinities (P < 0.05). The survival rates of larvae and juveniles differed significantly among the three salinity trials, with the highest survival rate observed at the low salinity (P < 0.05). The shell height of larvae was significantly larger at the low salinity than at the high and medium salinities from days 9 to 15 (P < 0.05), whereas that of juveniles was significantly larger at the low salinity than at the high and medium salinities on day 70 (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the larvae and juveniles of C. hongkongensis are tolerant to a wide range of salinities (15 to 30), but show better growth and survival at relatively low salinities. Thus, it is recommended to use relatively low salinities in hatchery and nursery systems for improved yields of C. hongkongensis.     

Spatial variability of soil carbon to nitrogen ratio and its driving factors in Ili River valley,Xinjiang, Northwest China

Soil carbon to nitrogen(C/N) ratio is one of the most important variables reflecting soil quality and ecological function,and an indicator for assessing carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils.Its variation reflects the carbon and nitrogen cycling of soils.In order to explore the spatial variability of soil C/N ratio and its controlling factors of the Ili River valley in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,Northwest China,the traditional statistical methods,including correlation analysis,geostatistic alanalys and multiple regression analysis were used.The statistical results showed that the soil C/N ratio varied from 7.00 to 23.11,with a mean value of 10.92,and the coefficient of variation was 31.3%.Correlation analysis showed that longitude,altitude,precipitation,soil water,organic carbon,and total nitrogen were positively correlated with the soil C/N ratio(P 0.01),whereas negative correlations were found between the soil C/N ratio and latitude,temperature,soil bulk density and soil p H.Ordinary Cokriging interpolation showed that r and ME were 0.73 and 0.57,respectively,indicating that the prediction accuracy was high.The spatial autocorrelation of the soil C/N ratio was 6.4 km,and the nugget effect of the soil C/N ratio was 10% with a patchy distribution,in which the area with high value(12.00–20.41) accounted for 22.6% of the total area.Land uses changed the soil C/N ratio with the order of cultivated land grass land forest land garden.Multiple regression analysis showed that geographical and climatic factors,and soil physical and chemical properties could independently explain 26.8%and 55.4% of the spatial features of soil C/N ratio,while human activities could independently explain 5.4% of the spatial features only.The spatial distribution of soil C/N ratio in the study has important reference value for managing soil carbon and nitrogen,and for improving ecological function to similar regions.     

COMBINED EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, IRRADIANCE AND SALINITY ON GROWTH OF DIATOM SKELETONEMA COSTATUM

3-factor experiment was used to study the combined effects of temperature, irradiance and salinity on the growth of an HAB species diatomSkeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve. The results showed that temperature (12, 19, 25, 32 °C), irradiance (0.02, 0.08, 0.3, 1.6)×10¹⁶ quanta/(s·cm²)) and salinity (10, 18, 25, 30, 35) significantly influenced the growth of this species. There were interactive effects between any two of and among all three physical factors on the growth. In the experiment, the most optimal growth condition forS. costatum was temperature of 25°C, salinity of 18–35 and irradiance of 1.6×10¹⁶ quanta/(s·cm²). The results indicatedS. costatum could divide at higher rate and were more likely to bloom under high temperature and high illumination from spring to fall. It was able to distribute widely in ocean and estuary due to its adaptation to a wide range of salinities. This study was supported by the PREPP and National Key Basic Research Project (2001CB4097) NNSFC No. 39950001, 20177023, 49576301, 49906007 and KZCX2-206.     

The impact of nitrogen amendment and crop growth on dissolved organic carbon in soil solution

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important component of the terrestrial carbon cycle. However, the sources and controlling factors of DOC in soils remain uncertain. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) amendment and crop growth on DOC in soil solution were examined at a maize-wheat rotated field located in the central Sichuan Basin in southwestern China. Nitrogen treatments in this study included 150 kg N ha^-1 season^-1, 200 kg N ha^-1 season^-1 and the control without any fertilizer application. During the whole experimental period, we observed significant decreases (p<0.05) in DOC concentrations in the sampled soil solutions associated with increase in N inputs at the bare soil plots, but no change in DOC at the plots with crop growth. The estimated average contributions of plantderived DOC were 16%, 24% and 32% of total DOC in the summer maize season and 21%, 32% and 38% in the winter wheat season along with the gradient of N fertilizer application rates. The results implied that the crop growth could play a key role in the soil DOC production, and the N input enhanced DOC production by increasing crop growth. The relationship between the DOC concentrations and the crop root biomass was statistically significant for both the maize and winter wheat seasons. Our observations indicated that crop growth exerted greater influence on the seasonal variability of DOC concentration in soil solutions at the experimental site, which overwhelmed the effect of soil native organic matter decomposition on DOC concentrations in soil solutions.     

Land use effects on soil organic carbon,microbial biomass and microbial activity in Changbai Mountains of Northeast China

Land use changes are known to alter soil organic carbon （SOC） and microbial properties, however, information about how conversion of natural forest to agricultural land use as well as plantations affects SOC and microbial properties in the Changbai Moun- tains of Northeast China is meager. Soil carbon content, microbial biomass carbon （MBC）, basal respiration and soil carbon mineraliza- tion were studied in five selected types of land use： natural old-growth broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest （NF）; spruce plantation （SP） established following clear-cutting of NF; cropland （CL）; ginseng farmland （GF） previously under NF; and a five-year Mongolian oak young forest （YF） reforested on an abandoned GF, in the Changbai Mountains of Northeast China in 2011. Results showed that SOC content was significantly lower in SP, CL, GF, and YF than in NF. MBC ranged from 304.4 mg/kg in CL to 1350.3 mg/kg in NF, which was significantly higher in the soil of NF than any soil of the other four land use types. The SOC and MBC contents were higher in SP soil than in CL, GF, and YF soils, yielding a significant difference between SP and CL. The value of basal respiration was also higher in NF than in SP, CL, GF, and YF. Simultaneously, higher values of the metabolic quotient were detected in CL, GF, and YF soils, indicat- ing low substrate utilization of the soil microbial community compared with that in NF and SP soil. The values of cumulative mineral- ized carbon and potentially mineralized carbon （Co） in NF were significantly higher than those in CL and GF, while no significant dif- ference was observed between NF and SP. In addition, YF had higher values of Co and C mineralization rate compared with GF. The results indicate that conversion from NF into agricultural land （CL and GF） uses and plantation may lead to a reduction in soil nutrients （SOC and MBC） and substrate utilization efficiency of the microbial community. By contrast, soils below SP were more conducive to the preservation of soil organic matter, which was reflected in the comparison of microbial indicators among CL, GF, and YF land uses. This study can provide data for evaluating soils nutrients under different land use types, and serve as references for the rational land use of natural forest in the study area.     

Effect of geojute technique on density,diversity and carbon stock of plant species in landslide site of North West Himalaya

Mountainous regions of the globe experience landslides due to heavy rainfall and unplanned construction on slopes. Geojute is adopted globally as a landslide rehabilitation measure, but its impact on natural vegetation development is poorly understood. The present study was conducted to examine the impact of geojute application on vegetation restoration, ecology and carbon stock in a recently occurred landslide, during 2012. The results revealed that the geojute application improved the richness, diversity, density and basal area of plant species at the landslide site. Likewise, biomass production, carbon stock and carbon sequestration of plant species was observed significantly higher in geojute treatments compared to control (without geojute treatment). Moreover, significant improvement in soil moisture was recorded beneath the geojute treatments. Further, results showed that the geojute is highly effective in controlling soil erosion at the landslide site. The findings of this study revealed ecological and environmental benefits of geojute application in term of improvement in vegetation recovery processes, species diversity and carbon sequestration at the landslide site. The scientific outcome of this study can be helpful for planning the rehabilitation measures in landslide affected regions of the globe.     

Effects of long-term grazing exclusion on vegetation structure,soil water holding capacity,carbon and nitrogen sequestration capacity in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau

Grazing exclusion is one of the primary management practices used to restore degraded grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau. However, to date,the effects of long-term grazing exclusion measures on the process of restoring degraded alpine meadows have not been evaluated. In this study, moderately degraded plots, in which the vegetation coverage was approximately 65% and the dominant plant species was Potentilla anserina L, with grazing exclusion for 2 to 23 years, were selected in alpine meadows of H...     

Effect of n-3 HUFA levels in rotifers and Artemia on growth and survival of larval black sea bream （Sparus macrocephalus）

Requirement for dietary n-3 HUFA (n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid) for growth and survival of black sea bream (Sparus macrocephalus) larvae was studied using rotifers and Artemia at various levels of n-3 HUFA. Five treatments with rotifers and Artemia differing in n-3 HUFA were prepared by enriching them with various oil emulsions. Results indicated that dietary n-3 HUFA significantly influence fish n-3 HUFA levels and are essential for growth and survival of black sea bream larvae. The results also indicated that the incorporation of n-3HUFA TG (triacylglycerols) into tissues of larval black sea bream was more effective from natural fish oil in comparison with n-3 HUFA fatty acid ethyl esters from ethyl-esterified oil.     

Effects of salinity, light and temperature on growth rates of two species of Gracilaria （Rhodophyta）

Effects of temperature, salinity and light intensity on growth rates of Gracilaria lichenoides and G. tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia were tested. Eight to ten levels of each factor were first tested separately. The best growth rate was obtained under the conditions of 32°C, 30 and 240 μmol/(m²·s) for G. lichenoides, and 24°C, 20 and 200 μmol/(m²·s) for G. tenuistipitata, respectively. Then a uniform design was used to evaluate the optimal combinations of the three factors. The best conditions for the highest daily specific growth rates (% increase in wet weight) are determined to be 31.30°C, 32.10, and 287.23 μmol/(m²·s) for G. lichenoides (16.26%/d), and 25.38°C, 21.10, and 229.07 μmol/(m²·s) for G. tenuistipitata (14.83%/d), respectively. Supported by the 908 Special Program (908-02-04-07), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, No. 2006CB400608), and K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University     

Effects of salinity, light and temperature on growth rates of two species of Gracilaria (Rhodophyta)

Effects of temperature, salinity and light intensity on growth rates of Gracilaria lichenoides and G tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia were tested. Eight to ten levels of each factor were first tested separately. The best growth rate was obtained under the conditions of 32～C, 30 and 240 μmol/(m2·s) for G. lichenoides, and 24℃, 20 and 200 μmol/(m2.s) for G. tenuistipitata, respectively. Then a uniform design was used to evaluate the optimal combinations of the three factors. The best conditions for the highest daily specific growth rates (% increase in wet weight) are determined to be 31.30℃, 32.10, and 287.23 μmol/(m2·s) for G. lichenoides (16.26%/d), and 25.38℃, 21.10, and 229.07 μmol/(m2·s) for G. tenuistipitata (14.83%/d), respectively.     

Effects of temperature and salinity on survival,growth and DNA methylation of juvenile Pacific abalone,Haliotis discus hannai Ino

Temperature and salinity are two of the most potent abiotic factors infl uencing marine mollusks.In this study,we investigated the individual and combined ef fects of temperature and salinity on the survival and growth of juvenile Pacifi c abalone,Haliotis discus hannai Ino,and also examined the DNA methylation alteration that may underpin the phenotypic variation of abalone exposed to dif ferent rearing conditions.The single-factor data showed that the suitable ranges of temperature and salinity were 16–28°C at a constant salinity of 32,and 24–40 at a constant temperature of 20°C,respectively.The two-factor data indicated that both survival and growth were signifi cantly af fected by temperature,salinity and their interaction.The optimal temperature-salinity combination for juveniles was 23–25°C and 30–36.To explore environment-induced DNA methylation alteration,the methylation-sensitive amplifi ed polymorphism(MSAP)technique was used to analyze the genomic methylation profi les of abalone reared in optimal and adverse conditions.Neither temperature nor salinity induced evident changes in the global methylation level,but 67 and 63 dif ferentially methylated loci were identifi ed in temperature and salinity treatments,respectively.The between-group eigen analysis also showed that both temperature and salinity could induce epigenetic dif ferentiation in H.discus hannai Ino.The results of our study provide optimal rearing conditions for juvenile H.discus hannai Ino,and represent the fi rst step toward revealing the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of abalone in response to thermal and salt stresses.     

Regulation of water quality and growth characteristics of indoor raceway culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis>

Two modes of regulating the water quality of experimental ponds in indoor raceway culture of Litopenaeus vannamei were evaluated using simple water treatment facilities. A self-made water purifying net, aeration stone, composite microbe preparation, and Ceratophyllum demersum were placed in the experimental ponds and the culture water was circulated along the raceway inside the pond using a paddle wheel aerator. In addition, the water quality in the experimental pond was improved by draining effluent from the pipeline at the bottom of ponds 7 and 8 (mode I) and exchanging the circulating water in pond 10 (mode II) with the reservoir water in pond 9 using a pump and pipeline. The water quality in the experimental ponds was similar in response to regulation using mode I or mode II. Water quality parameters in the experimental ponds were controlled within a suitable range by simple facilities during culture period without using any chemical treatments. The rich content of dissolved oxygen was maintained by the circular flow and continuous aeration of the pond water. The respective average values of the main water parameters in experimental ponds 7 and 10 in response to regulation of the water quality using modes I and II were as follows: pH 8.17 and 7.99; DO 5.16 mg/L and 5.97 mg/L; COD_Mn 18.45 and 12.61 mg/L; TAN (NH₃-N) 0.854 mg/L (0.087 mg/L) and 0.427 mg/L (0.012 mg/L); NO₂-N 0.489 mg/L and 0.337 mg/L. Moreover, the average body length and body weight of harvested shrimp of pond 7 and pond 10 were 7.56 cm and 8.99 cm, 5.10 g and 8.33 g, respectively. Furthermore, the survival rate, average biomass yield and average condition factor of the shrimp harvested were 70% and 60%, 2.54 kg/m² and 2.14 kg/m², and 0.675 g/cm and 0.927 g/cm, respectively. Linear equations describing the relationship between body length and culture time and cubic or power functions describing the relationship between body weight and body length were obtained based on evaluation of the growth data of shrimps throughout the culture period.