Assessment of the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals applied to Crassostrea gigas embryos and larvae

Sediments represent a vast sink for contaminants in aquatic systems, and may pose a threat to pelagic and benthic organisms. The objective of this research was to determine the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated PAHs and heavy metals, using embryos and larvae of the oyster Crassostrea gigas, exposed to two sediment fractions: the whole sediment and the elutriate. The percentages of abnormal larvae, the contaminant accumulation and, (in the case of metal contamination), the induction of metallothionein in the larvae, were investigated. Sediment-associated PAHs and heavy metals were available for exposure, as indicated by their accumulation in C. gigas larvae and by the abnormalities induced during larval development. The critical body burden of PAHs (Fluo, Pyr, BaA, Triph, Chrys, BbF, BkF, BjK, BeP, BaP, Per, IP, BPer and the DahA) in the larvae was 0.3 micro g g(-1), above which abnormalities were observed. This value corresponds to concentrations observed for most vertebrate and invertebrate species. The bioavailability of PAHs is determined by their solubility; only the soluble fraction of PAHs is accumulated by the embryos. The bioavailability of metals for the larvae is substantiated by MT induction, correlated with cytosolic metal concentrations. MT induction provided a better early-warning response than the embryotoxicity test currently used for evaluating environmental contamination by metals. This study recommends choosing oyster embryos as a particularly sensitive tool for evaluating sediment quality.     

Concentrations of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in various marine organisms in relation to those in sediments and to trophic level

Sediments and marine organisms such as mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), fish (Mullus barbatus, Serranus scriba), crabs (Polybius henslowi) and shrimp-like crustaceans (mysids, euphausiids) were sampled on European coasts, France, Spain) and analysed for their PAH content by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The PAH concentrations determined in the organisms were significantly negatively correlated with logK_ow values, but to different extents according to the species. This was explained by the greater exposure of the organisms to the lower molecular weight compounds with differences resulting from different feeding habits, habitat, and biotransformation capacities of the organisms in relation to trophic levels. The influence of these observations on the use of different sentinel species in biomonitoring programmes is discussed.     

Shallow sublittoral meiofauna communities and sediment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content on the Galician coast (NW Spain), six months after the Prestige oil spill

The aim of this work was to detect the impact of Prestige oil spill on meiobenthic community structure at higher levels of taxonomic aggregation. In addition, the relationship between sediment individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration and meiofauna community structure was investigated. Six months after the Prestige oil spill, meiobenthos community and sediment PAHs content from seven shallow subtidal localities along the Galician coast were studied. Two sites presented differences in community structure, characterized by high densities of nematodes, gastrotrichs and turbellarians, and low densities of copepods. Chrysene and triphenylene were only found at these two disturbed sites and could be responsible for differences of meiobenthos community structure. However, differences in community structure of sites could be linked with sedimentary parameters, and discrimination between the effect of PAHs and sedimentary parameters was impossible due to the lack of baseline studies on meiobenthos and PAHs contents in this area.     

Comet assay for the detection of genotoxicity in blood cells of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to sediments and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

To investigate the genotoxic effect of marine sediments on aquatic organism, sediment samples were collected from 13 sites along the coast of Gwangyang Bay (Korea). Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments were determined and the relationship between exposure of flounder blood cells to sediment extracts and DNA single-strand breakage in the blood cells was examined using the comet assay. Levels of DNA damage were proportionally increased by exposure concentration and the highest sediment-associated DNA damage was observed at the station showing the highest PAHs contamination. DNA damage in blood cells exposed to five types of PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, fluoranthene, anthracene, pyrene and phenanthrene) and in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) for 0, 2 and 4 days were assessed by measuring comet tail length. The tail lengths of five PAHs-exposed groups at 50 and 100 ppb were significantly different from the non-exposed group, and the genotoxic effect of BaP correlated with both concentration and duration of exposure. Throughout the study, significant differences in DNA breakage were recorded between cells exposed to sediment extracts or PAHs and non-exposed control. This study demonstrated the comet assay as a successful tool in monitoring contamination of marine sediments and assessing genotoxicity of PAHs in marine organisms, either in vitro or in vivo.     

Human health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from consumption of blood cockle and exposure to contaminated sediments and water along the Klang Strait,Malaysia

The concentration of carcinogenic poly aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) present in water and sediment of Klang Strait as well as in the edible tissue of blood cockle (Anadara granosa) was investigated.The human health risk of c-PAHs was assessed in accordance with the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The cancer risks of c-PAHs to human are expected to occur through the consumption of blood cockles or via gastrointestinal exposure to polluted sediments and water in Kalng Strait. The non-carcinogenic risks that are associated with multiple pathways based on ingestion rate and contact rates with water were higher than the US EPA safe level at almost all stations, but the non-carcinogenic risks for eating blood cockle was below the level of US EPA concern. A high correlation between concentrations of c-PAHs in different matrices showed that the bioaccumulation of c-PAHs by blood cockles could be regarded as a potential health hazard for the consumers.     

Induction of DNA strand breaks in the mussel (Mytilus trossulus) and clam (Protothaca staminea) following chronic field exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the Exxon Valdez spill

In 2002, 13 years after the Exxon Valdez spill, mussels and clams were examined for lingering oil exposure and damage. Known oil patches were sampled at four locations, and compared to nearby reference areas (same bay), and were also compared to "hot reference" sites to verify the methods used (Cordova harbor and fresh diesel spill at Port Chalmers). Passive samplers deployed for a month at the sites, along with tissue samples, confirmed that the oiled sites were oiled (fingerprinting back to Exxon Valdez oil) and that reference sites were clean. The highest PAH loads were detected in sub-surface interstitial waters at oiled sites. Exposure at the surface was generally low level, and probably intermittent. DNA damage was assessed in blood cells using sensitive comet analyses. DNA strand breakage was detected in both mussels and clams, with the highest level of damage detected at "hot reference" sites of Cordova harbor and Port Chalmers. Bioavailability and DNA damage at the oiled sties was low, indicating there has been substantial progress in recovery from the spill 13 years before, yet low level bioavailability and damage were still detectable.     

The nuclei of natural cloud formation part I: The chemical diffusion method and its application to atmospheric nuclei

Summary Condensation nuclei which grow into droplets in natural clouds constitute only a small fraction of the total population of nuclei, since they must be activated at low supersaturations (<1%). Such nuclei cannot readily be measured by the usual expansion methods. A chemical diffusion method is described in which water vapour and HCl vapour diffuse between a water surface and an aqueous HCl solution; this produces the continuous small supersaturations required to study these «cloud nuclei». Nucleus numbers are obtained photographically. Results of observations made by this method during the period April–August 1958 are presented and discussed; they suggest that the main source of cloud nuclei is the dry land surface.     

Modelling of rupture planes for peak ground accelerations and its application to the isoseismal map of MMI scale in Indian region

The rupture plane for an earthquake has been modelledby using the semi empirical technique of Midorikawa(1993). This technique estimates ground accelerationby modelling the rupture process during an earthquake.Modifications in this technique have been made for itsapplication to the Indian region. This has been tested forthe Uttarkashi earthquake of 20th Oct, 1991, India, whichwas well recorded at thirteen stations of installedstrong motion array in this region. After testingseveral possible rupture models, a final model has beenselected and peak ground acceleration due to thismodel is simulated at thirteen different stations.Dependency of methodology on model parameters, e.g.dip and mode of rupture propagation have also beenstudied in detail.Using this technique synthetic isoseismal maps wereprepared by converting peak ground acceleration intoMMI scale. Dependency of rupture models on syntheticisoseismals has also been studied in detail. Usingthis method, peak ground acceleration for the Laturearthquake of Sept 30, 1993 has been obtained atvarious places within meisoseismal area. Synthetic andfield intensity was compared at various well-knownsites. Since the region was not covered by anyinstrumental array during Latur earthquake, thesimulated peak ground accelerations are expected toserve basis of design criteria in this region.     

R/C frame–infill interaction model and its application to Indonesian buildings

This paper proposes a new analytical model for masonry‐infilled R/C frames to evaluate the seismic performance considering R/C frame–infill interactions. The proposed analytical model replaces masonry infill with a diagonal compression strut, which represents distributed compression transferred between frame and infill interfaces. The equivalent strut width is presented as a function of the frame–infill contact length, which can be evaluated by static equilibriums related to compression balance and lateral displacement compatibility at the frame–infill interfaces. The proposed analytical model was verified through comparisons with experimental results obtained for several brick masonry‐infilled R/C frames representing a typical R/C building with nonstructural masonry infill in Indonesia. As a result, good agreements were observed between the experimental and analytical values of the lateral strength and ductility of the infilled frames. The seismic performances of two earthquake‐damaged R/C buildings with different damage conditions were evaluated considering infill effects by applying the proposed analytical model. Consequently, the nonstructural brick masonry infill significantly affected the seismic resistances of the buildings, which seemed to lead to differing levels of damage for each building. These results indicate that the proposed analytical model can be an effective tool for more precisely screening earthquake‐vulnerable existing R/C buildings in Indonesia. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

The earthquake spectral anomaly estimate by the MLH to mB relation and its possible application to earthquake prediction

This paper presents a method of estimating a spectral anomaly based on the relation of medium- and short-period magnitudes. The method has been applied to the analysis of the temporal anomaly trend in the Kurile Kamchatka zone in which four large earthquakes were developing. Moderately well-expressed anomalies with duration and lead time of about a year have been found in all four cases.     

Fast assessment of earthquake loss and its application to the 2008 MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake

The paper introduces firstly the seismic loss assessment method based on macro-economic indicators and new vulnerability models determined by the data from the on-site damage and loss survey to earthquakes occurred in China during the last two decades. The fast assessment for the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake with M_S8.0 is given based on an empirical intensity attenuation relationship. Compared with the assessment based on the practical seismic intensity map of the event according to the on-site investigation, the result demonstrates the usability of the seismic vulnerability models introduced in the paper. In addition, it is indicated that the main uncertainty of losses in the fast loss assessment comes from the uncertainty of the estimation of seismic ground motion.     

高分辨率非线性储层物性参数反演方法和应用

对于陆相沉积环境下的复杂隐蔽岩性储层,由于观测信息不准确,如信息重叠、信息缺失和噪音污染,以及岩石物理关系模糊等原因,储层横向预测存在不惟一性、不稳定性和不确定性.基于线性假定的常规储层横向预测技术已不适用于复杂隐蔽岩性储层的勘探.本文采用一种非线性储层岩性物性褶积模型,建立波阻抗与孔隙度/泥质含量的函数关系;通过多级结构分解和双向边沿子波检测来刻画复杂岩石物理关系;通过Caianiello褶积神经网络实现确定性反演、统计反演和非线性理论三者有机结合;最后联合应用基于逆算子的反演方法和基于正算子的重建算法实现了综合地质、测井和地震波阻抗信息进行高分辨率储层物性参数反演.非线性储层物性参数反演采用多井约束机制和分频反演方式,在陆相和近海油气勘探资料的实际应用中,取得了明显应用效果.     

Climatic features of atmospheric heat source/sink over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in 35 years and its relation to rainfall in China

Using the 1961–1995 monthly averaged meteorological data from 148 surface stations in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) and its surrounding areas, calculation of the 35-year atmospheric heat source/sink (<Qi>) and an analysis on its climatic features and relation to rainfall in China have been made. It is found that on the average, the atmospheric heat source over the QXP is the strongest in June (78 W / m²) and cold source is the strongest in December (−72 W/m²). The sensible heat of the surface increases remarkably over the southwest of the QXP, causing the obvious increase of <Qi> there in February and March, which makes a center of the atmospheric heat source appear over the north slope of the Himalayas. Afterwards, this center continues to intensify and experiences noticeable migration westwards twice, separately occurring in April and June. The time when the atmosphere over the east of the QXP becomes heat source and reaches strongest is one month later than that over the southwest of the QXP. In summer, the latent heat of condensation becomes a heating factor as important as the sensible heat and is also a main factor that makes the atmospheric heat source over the east of the QXP continue growing. On the interdecadal time scale, (Q₁) of the QXP shows an abrupt change in 1977 and a remarkable increase after 1977. The atmospheric heat source of the spring over the QXP is a good indicator for the subsequent summer rainfall over the valleys of the Changjiang and Huaihe rivers and South China and North China. There is remarkable positive correlation between the QXP heat source of summer and the summer rainfall in the valleys of the Changjiang River.     

Generalization of PhaseNet in Shandong and its application to the Changqing M4.1 earthquake sequence

Waveforms of seismic events, extracted from January 2019 to December 2021 were used to construct a test dataset to investigate the generalizability of PhaseNet in the Shandong region. The results show that errors in the picking of seismic phases(P-and S-waves) had a broadly normal distribution, mainly concentrated in the ranges of-0.4–0.3 s and-0.4–0.8 s, respectively. These results were compared with those published in the original PhaseNet article and were found to be approximately 0.2–0.4 s l...     

提取视震源时间函数的PLD方法及其对2005年克什米尔MW7.6地震的应用

通过重构用于确定视震源时间函数有效持续时间的判别函数,对提取视震源时间函数的PLD方法进行了改进;利用合成资料和实际资料,验证了改进后PLD方法的可行性和稳定性.将PLD方法应用于2005年克什米尔M_W7.6地震及其11个余震的1887条记录,在84个台站处获得了这次地震的视震源时间函数.分别平均从不同台站的P波、S波、Rayleigh波和 Love波中得到的视震源时间函数,获取了主震的平均视震源时间函数.对视震源时间函数的分析表明,2005年克什米尔M_W7.6地震的持续时间大约为25 s,这是一次“急始型”地震,总体上表现为圆盘形破裂.但有迹象表明,破裂在初期有向西北方向发展的单侧传播趋势.     

地震辐射能量测定方法研究及其在汶川8.0级地震中的应用

地震辐射能量是关于震源定量的特征量,地震辐射能量的测定是地震定量化研究中一个重要的基本问题.本文基于点源震源模型,开展了地震辐射能量测定方法的研究,推导了计算地震辐射能量的理论公式,自主研发了一套利用远场垂直向P波记录测定地震辐射能量的软件系统,能够快速测定全球范围内5.5级以上浅源地震的地震辐射能量.以2008年5月12日汶川8.0级地震为例,检验了地震辐射能量测定方法和软件系统的科学性和准确性,研究结果表明：（1）汶川地震的地震辐射能量为2.84×10¹⁶J,各台站地震辐射能量的分布与震中距和方位角都没有明显的依赖关系,说明使用理论格林函数法消除路径效应对地震辐射能量测定的约束效果较好;（2）汶川地震的能量震级M_e为8.04,震源机制校正可以使能量震级测定结果的标准差更小,结果更稳定;（3）反演得到汶川地震的地震矩为8.97×10²⁰N·m,转化为矩震级M_W为7.9,M_e比M_W高0.14,说明汶川地震的地震辐射能量偏高.（4）汶川地震的能矩比为3.17×10^-5,约为全球浅源地震平均能矩比的2.6倍,约为全球逆冲型地震平均能矩比的4倍,地震辐射能量释放效率明显偏高;能矩比取对数可得慢度系数为-4.50,慢度系数可以更直观地显示地震辐射能量释放效率的高低,更适合在普通群众中推广.（5）地震辐射能量、能量震级、能矩比、慢度系数和等效震级差这些新的地震参数,能够定量表示震源的动态特性,对于地震灾害快速评估具有重要意义.