Impact of stress and disturbance factors on the phytoplankton communities in Northeastern Brazil reservoir

The ecology of phytoplankton reservoir communities plays a pivotal role in their management and in the development of inland fisheries in the water scarce semi-arid regions of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The hydrological conditions characterizing these reservoirs include infrequent rainfall and high evaporative loses. The phytoplankton assemblages in tropical climate are structured primarily on dry and wet cycles, not the annual temperature and light regime. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the ecological aspects of phytoplankton communities from three reservoirs during the period of July 2003–June 2004, which include atypical summer rainfall and reservoir overflow. The environmental data broadly divided into two categories, stress factors and disturbance factors. The stress factors deals with the impact of high particulate organic matter and low dissolved oxygen concentrations and disturbance factors, linked to water level fluctuation through flushing and reservoir drawdown, and these events are associated with the phytoplankton assemblages. Results indicated that the three distinct hydroperiods determined the structure of phytoplankton and chlorophyll levels and limited the presence and relative abundance of cyanobacterial species. Phytoplankton succession accompanied changes in clear and turbid water phase represented by the alternate dominance between diatoms and chlorophytes. Inundation and complete filling of reservoir stimulated “s” and “r” strategists species (<20 um) of unicellular and some colonial members of chlorophytes and cryptomonads in highly turbid water environment, and “c” strategist species in rest of the wet period following disturbance gradients. Statistical analysis elicited a significant relationship between particulate organic matter and relative abundance of smaller chlorophytes, which was deemed as stress factor. The flushing and reservoir drawdown indicate disturbance gradient and as a consequence high diversity. Furthermore, a substantial reduction in chlorophyll levels was registered in turbid water phase is related to the reduction of light penetration and re-suspension of sediments. Considering these results, it can be suggested that the well-managed reservoir drawdown can possibly maintain an environment free of eutrophication and cyanobacterial dominance.     

Equatorial ionization anomaly and thermospheric meridional winds during two major storms over Brazilian low latitudes

The equatorial ionosphere responses over Brazil to two intense magnetic storms that occurred during 2001 are investigated. The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and variations in the zonal electric field and meridional winds at different storms phases are studied using data collected by digisondes and GPS receivers. The difference between the F layer peak density (foF2) at an equatorial and a low latitude sites was used to quantify the EIA; while the difference between the true heights (h_F) at the equatorial and an off-equatorial site was used to calculate the magnetic meridional winds. The vertical drift was calculated as dh_F/dt. The results show prompt penetration electric fields causing unusual early morning development of the EIA, and disturbed dynamo electric field producing significant modification in the F region parameters. Variations to different degrees in the vertical drift, the thermospheric meridional winds and the EIA developments were observed depending on the storm phases.     

Photosynthetic responses of subtidal seagrasses to a daily light cycle in Torres Strait: A comparative study

In this study, we examined the photosynthetic responses of five common seagrass species from a typical mixed meadow in Torres Strait at a depth of 5–7 m using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. The photosynthetic response of each species was measured every 2 h throughout a single daily light cycle from dawn (6 am) to dusk (6 pm). PAM fluorometry was used to generate rapid light curves from which measures of electron transport rate (ETR_max), photosynthetic efficiency (α), saturating irradiance (E_k) and light-adapted quantum yield (ΔF/F′_m) were derived for each species. The amount of light absorbed by leaves (absorption factor) was also determined for each species. Similar diurnal patterns were recorded among species with 3–4 fold increases in maximal electron rate from dawn to midday and a maintenance of ETR_max in the afternoon that would allow an optimal use of low light by all species. Differences in photosynthetic responses to changes in the daily light regime were also evident with Syringodium isoetifolium showing the highest photosynthetic rates and saturating irradiances suggesting a competitive advantage over other species under conditions of high light. In contrast Halophila ovalis, Halophila decipiens and Halophila spinulosa were characterised by comparatively low photosynthetic rates and minimum light requirements (i.e. low E_k) typical of shade adaptation. The structural makeup of each species may explain the observed differences with large, structurally complex species such as Syringodium isoetifolium and Cymodocea serrulata showing high photosynthetic effciciencies (α) and therefore high-light-adapted traits (e.g. high ETR_max and E_k) compared with the smaller Halophila species positioned lower in the canopy. For the smaller Halophila species these shade-adapted traits are features that optimise their survival during low-light conditions. Knowledge of these characteristics and responses improves our understanding of the underlying causes of changes in seagrass biomass, growth and survival that occur when modifications in light quantity and quality arise from anthropogenic and climatic disturbances that commonly occur in Torres Strait.     

The influence of extreme floods from the River Danube in 2006 on phytoplankton communities in a floodplain lake: Shift to a clear state

The influence of extreme floods from the River Danube in 2006 on the species composition and vertical distributions of phytoplankton was studied in a shallow floodplain lake, Lake Sakadaš (Kopa?ki Rit Nature Park, Croatia) which in the last few decades was in a turbid state characterised by high phytoplankton concentrations. As a consequence of extremely high floods, the whole floodplain area (approximately 16 km²) became one lentic habitat with well developed macrophyte vegetation. Seasonal dynamics of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration in the lake had a characteristic pattern for the shallow lakes with dense macrophyte vegetation. Extremely low mean phytoplankton abundance and biomass were found in the conditions of very high nutrient concentrations. Dominant phytoplankton species were diatoms and chlorococcal green algae from the functional groups characteristic for a mixed environment. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) demonstrated that nutrients and temperature were significant environmental variables for their development. The sequence of phytoplankton seasonality, vertical distribution of phytoplankton, as well as the domination of rapidly acclimating phytoplankton forms (R-strategists) indicated clear, well-mixed conditions and a highly disturbed environment. Our results suggest that the occurrence of extreme flooding can be a stressor high enough for the transition from a turbid to a clear state of the floodplain lake. Possibly, cyclic shifts between alternative stable states in floodplain ecosystems can be expected as a consequence of the impact of extreme hydrological events induced by a climate change.     

Adaptation to high light irradiances enhances the photosynthetic Cu resistance in Cu tolerant and non-tolerant populations of the brown macroalgae Fucus serratus

The relationship between light acclimation and Cu²⁺ tolerance was studied in two populations of Fucus serratus known to be naturally non-tolerant and tolerant to Cu²⁺. Acclimation to high irradiances increased the photosynthetic tolerance to Cu²⁺. The xanthophyll cycle was apparently not involved in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against Cu²⁺ toxicity, as results showed that Cu²⁺ did not induce dynamic photoinhibition. The higher photosynthetic Cu²⁺ resistance of high light algae did not result in increased growth. The excess energy acquired by high light-adapted algae appeared to be utilized in Cu²⁺ defense mechanisms in the Cu²⁺ non-tolerant population. The polyphenol content of the algae was reciprocal to the Cu_T content, suggesting that polyphenol may be the primary Cu²⁺ defense of non-tolerant low light algae, acting through secretion and extracellular chelating of Cu²⁺, while the compounds do not seem to be involved in the primary Cu²⁺ tolerance mechanism in Cu²⁺ tolerant algae.     

Effect of water stress on ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leymus chinensis</Emphasis> steppe in Inner Mongolia

Many studies on global climate have forecast major changes in the amounts and spatial patterns of precipitation that may significantly affect temperate grasslands in arid and semi-arid regions. As a part of ChinaFLUX, eddy covariance flux measurements were made at a semi-arid Leymus chinensis steppe in Inner Mongolia, China during 2003–2004 to quantify the response of carbon exchange to environmental changes. Results showed that gross ecosystem production (F _GEP) and ecosystem respiration (R _eco) of the steppe were significantly depressed by water stress due to lack of precipitation during the growing season. Temperature was the dominant factor affecting F _GEP and R _eco in 2003, whereas soil moisture imposed a significant influence on both R _eco and F _GEP in 2004. Under wet conditions, R _eco showed an exponentially increasing trend with temperature (Q ₁₀ = 2.0), but an apparent reduction in the value of R _eco and its temperature sensitivity were observed during the periods of water stress (Q ₁₀=1.6). Both heat and water stress can cause decrease in F _GEP. The seasonality of ecosystem carbon exchange was strongly correlated with the variation of precipitation. With less precipitation in 2003, the steppe sequestrated carbon in June and July, and went into a senescence in early August due to water stress. As compared to 2003, the severe drought during the spring of 2004 delayed the growth of the steppe until late June, and the steppe became a CO₂ sink from early July until mid-September, with ample precipitation in August. The semi-arid steppe released a total of 9.7 g C·m^?2 from May 16 to the end of September 2003, whereas the net carbon budget during the same period in 2004 was close to zero. Long-term measurements over various grasslands are needed to quantify carbon balance in temperate grasslands.     

Negative influence of burial stress on plant growth was ameliorated by increased plant density in Polygonum hydropiper

Sedimentation and density are important factors influencing the growth of wetland plants. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of plant density in acclimation to burial stress by investigating the growth, biomass allocation, and carbohydrate contents of Polygonum hydropiper L. var. flaccidum, one of the dominant species in the Dongting Lake wetland, China. Experimental treatments, conducted in a greenhouse, combined three plant densities (16, 144, and 400 plants m⁻²) with two burial depths (0 and 15 cm) in a factorial design. Greater burial depth and higher plant density had negative effects on biomass accumulation and plant height with some exceptions. Plant growth, although lower at higher densities in general, was unaffected by burial depth at medium and high densities, indicating that the negative effect of burial stress was ameliorated by increased plant density. Deeper burial led to higher stem mass fraction only in the low-density treatment. Belowground mass fraction increased significantly with increasing density in both burial treatments. Moreover, higher density and deeper burial led to higher soluble sugar content but lower starch content. These data indicate that higher density facilitates acclimation of P. hydropiper to burial stress through increased soluble sugar content.     

Properties of solar activity and ionosphere for solar cycle 25

Based on the known forecast of solar cycle 25 amplitude (Rz _max ≈ 50), the first assessments of the shape and amplitude of this cycle in the index of solar activity F10.7 (the magnitude of solar radio flux at the 10.7 cm wavelength) are given. It has been found that (F10.7)_max ≈ 115, which means that it is the lowest solar cycle ever encountered in the history of regular ionospheric measurements. For this reason, many ionospheric parameters for cycle 25, including the F2-layer peak height and critical frequency (hmF2 and foF2), will be extremely low. For example, at middle latitudes, typical foF2 values will not exceed 8–10 MHz, which makes ionospheric heating ineffective in the area of upper hybrid resonance at frequencies higher than 10 MHz. The density of the atmosphere will also be extremely low, which significantly extends the lifetime of low-orbit satellites. The probability of F-spread will be increased, especially during night hours.     

地震作用下垃圾填埋场三维失稳破坏分析

在垃圾填埋场的设计和扩建阶段,二维动力稳定性分析不一定能够合理反映填埋场的稳定现状。采用三维稳定分析方法,考虑地震作用下填埋场不同高宽比、水平和竖向地震系数对其稳定性的影响,结果表明不同高宽比和水平地震系数对于填埋稳定性具有较大影响;在此基础上将三维动力稳定分析结果与二维分析做比较。该方法对于填埋场的抗震分析具有一定的参考价值。     

Thermospheric wind oscillations during the propagation of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances

The parameters of meridional thermospheric wind oscillations during the propagation of largescale traveling ionospheric disturbances, obtained based on the nighttime observations in the ionospheric F region performed at the Institute of the Ionosphere (Almaty, 76°55′ E, 43°15′ N) in 2000–2007 using a digital ionosonde, have been analyzed. The processing of ionospheric sounding data made it possible to obtain electron density time variations N(t) at fixed altitudes and variations in the altitudes of the F region maximum (h _m F) and bottom (h _bot F). During the indicated period, 1166 observation sessions were performed, and 581 sessions were characterized by wave activity. Sessions with a relative amplitude of N(t) variations larger than 25% were selected for analysis. The total number of such sessions was 63. The expression for calculating the meridional wind oscillation amplitudes was obtained based on the measured amplitudes of h _bot F oscillations. It was indicated that increased amplitudes of thermospheric wind oscillations are obtained when this expression for h _m F is used. The diffusion term, which causes increased h _m F oscillation amplitudes as compared to the h _bot F oscillation amplitudes, was estimated using the regression expression.     

Estimation of Seismic Site Coefficient and Seismic Microzonation of Imphal City,India, Using the Probabilistic Approach

Seismic site coefficients (F _s ) for Imphal city have been estimated based on 700 synthetically generated earthquake time histories through stochastic finite fault method, considering various combinations of magnitudes and fault distances that may affect Imphal city. Seismic hazard curves and Uniform Hazard Response Spectra (UHRS) are presented for Imphal city. F _s have been estimated based on site response analyses through SHAKE-91 for a period range of engineering interest (PGA to 3.0 s), for 5% damping. F _s were multiplied by UHRS values to obtain surface level spectral acceleration with 2 and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 year (～2500 and ～500 year) return period. Comparison between predicted mean surface level response spectra and IS-1893 code shows that spectral acceleration value is higher for longer periods (i.e., >1.0 s), for ～500 year return period, and lower for periods shorter than 0.2 s for ～2500 year return period.     

Forecasting the ionospheric f0F2 parameter one hour ahead using a support vector machine technique

This paper proposes a method for forecasting the ionospheric critical frequency, f₀F₂, 1 h in advance, using the support vector machine (SVM) approach. The inputs to the SVM network are the time of day, seasonal information, 2 month running mean sunspot number (R2), 3 day running mean of the 3 h planetary magnetic ap index, the solar zenith angle, the present value f₀F₂(t) and its first and second increments, the observation of f₀F₂ at t?23 h, the 30-day mean value at time, t, f_mF₂ (t) and the previous 30 day running mean of f₀F₂ at t?23 h f_mF₂(t?23). The output is the predicted f₀F₂ 1 h ahead. The network is trained to use the ionospheric sounding data at Haikou, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Beijing, Changchun and Manzhouli stations at high and low solar activities. The performance of the SVM model was verified with observed data. It is shown that the predicted f₀F₂ has good agreement with the observed f₀F₂. The performance of the SVM model is superior to that of the autocorrelation and persistence models, and that it is comparable to that of the neural network model.     

Sediment transferring function of the lower reaches of the Yellow River influenced by drainage basin factors and human activities

Since 1986, with a sharp decrease in water dis-charges, the Yellow River has entered a period charac-terized by low discharges and seasonally occurring dry-ups[1,2]. Since 1999, more strict management of water diversion has been imposed, and therefore the dry-ups have been well under control. However, the lower reaches of the Yellow River is still predominated by low-discharges, and has become a man-induced shrinking river. In the past 40 years, significant effect of soil and water conservat…     

Tolerance of Brazilian brain coral Mussismilia braziliensis to sediment and organic matter inputs

In Brazil, where reefs occur in markedly turbid environments, the relationship between sedimentation/organic matter and corals is poorly known. Thus, the ex situ effects of sediment with and without organic matter over the ΔF/Fm and physical state of Mussismilia braziliensis were analyzed. The ΔF/Fm and coral physical state, evaluated through the susceptibility index to sedimentation (SI), were measured in seven colonies exposed to sedimentation (0–450 mg cm⁻² day⁻¹) free of organic matter after 45 days of exposure, and in 12 colonies exposed to sedimentation (0–500 mg cm⁻² day⁻¹) with organic matter content (10%), in which case ΔF/Fm was measured after 72 h and SI after 120 h. In both cases there were effects of increasing sedimentation on the SI with no effect on ΔF/Fm. Despite the tolerance to high sedimentation rates shown by this coral, we noted that the presence of organic matter might reduce its tolerance to sedimentation stress.     

The use of MRS in the determination of hydraulic transmissivity: The case of alluvial aquifers

Magnetic Resonance Sounding (MRS) is nowadays accepted as a new geophysical method that can be used for a reliable determination of the ground water content distribution in the top 150 m. A great effort has also been made in MRS development to deduce the hydraulic transmissivity, based on empiric relationships of the permeability with a factor F which is calculated with NMR parameters measured at laboratory scale. To use this relationship under field conditions a calibration coefficient C_T = T_pt / F has to be previously established, which demands the knowledge of the transmissivity T_pt evaluated in the pumping test. The transmissivity can then be calculated at any other site of the same aquifer using the relation T_mrs = C_TF. The C_T values reported suggest a certain relationship with the lithology, but with a great dispersion and contradictory results. MRS surveys carried out in alluvial aquifers in Spain have shown that the value of C_T evaluated at one site may not be valid at another place of the same aquifer, because of the great heterogeneity of this kind of geological environment. The demand of a pumping test at each site where a MRS is measured invalidates the method actually used for MRS transmissivity evaluation. More than 50 MRS have been used to propose a new methodology. The aquifers visited cover a great range of transmissivities (from 2 × 10^− 6 to 9 × 10^− 3 m²/s). The MRS signal amplitude varies between 20 and 1400 nV, the signal/noise ratio is in the range from 0.6 to 42, and the value of the decay time constant varies from 200 to 800 ms. It has been demonstrated that when the transmissivity increases, the value of F decreases, and C_T increases, except for certain groups of MRS taken at the same aquifer or part of one aquifer, for which F increases with T_pt, keeping C_T constant. A function C_T(F) of the type C_T = mF^− n has been obtained that allows the transmissivity evaluation without the need of T_pt. Considering that both values of transmissivity, T_pt and T_mrs, are subjected to deviations due to the experimental errors as well as due to evaluation errors, the prediction achieved by the proposed equation is rather good. To perform a better evaluation of the values of the coefficients m and n it is necessary to have a greater number of MR soundings of good quality and with a trustworthy inversion at locations where a really comparable and good performed pumping test is available, covering a sufficient range of transmissivities. Though the data we have used do not always fulfil these conditions, the result is promising. Once a trustable function is available, the forecast of the transmissivity using MRS will not need the existence of any pumping test in the area. The general extension of this methodology demands the availability of MRS taken at all kinds of geological and hydrogeological environments, which is impossible without the existence of a universal MRS data base.     

Comparison of Magnetic Properties and Shadow Area of Leading and Trailing Spots with Different Asymmetries

The magnetic properties of the shadow of magnetic-related leading and trailing spots (those connected by forces lines of magnetic field, which are calculated from a field in potential approximation) are studied in this work. The correlations are established between individual characteristics of the field in the spot shadow and these characteristics from the shadow area S for spot pairs, for which the minimum angle between the measured vector of magnetic induction B in the shadow of the leading (L) spot and positive normal to the solar surface is lower than in the trailing (F) spot (α_min-L < α_min-F) and, vice versa, when α_min-L > α_min-F. It is shown that the α_min-L(S_L), α_min-F(S_F), B_max-L(S_L) and B_max-F(S_F) correlations are similar behaviorally and quantitatively for two groups of spots with different asymmetries of a magnetically connected field (B_{max-L, F} is the maximum of magnetic induction in the shadow of leading and trailing spots). The correlation between the average angles within the spot shadow 〈α_{L, F}〉 and the area of the spot shadow S_{L, F} and between the average value of magnetic induction in the spot shadow 〈B_{L, F}〉 differ in two cases. In most studied spot pairs, the leading spot is closer to the dividing line of polarity between the spots rather than the trailing one.     

Intensity attenuation for active crustal regions

We develop globally applicable macroseismic intensity prediction equations (IPEs) for earthquakes of moment magnitude M _W 5.0?C7.9 and intensities of degree II and greater for distances less than 300?km for active crustal regions. The IPEs are developed for two distance metrics: closest distance to rupture (R _rup) and hypocentral distance (R _hyp). The key objective for developing the model based on hypocentral distance??in addition to more rigorous and standard measure R _rup??is to provide an IPE which can be used in near real-time earthquake response systems for earthquakes anywhere in the world, where information regarding the rupture dimensions of a fault may not be known in the immediate aftermath of the event. We observe that our models, particularly the model for the R _rup distance metric, generally have low median residuals with magnitude and distance. In particular, we address whether the direct use of IPEs leads to a reduction in overall uncertainties when compared with methods which use a combination of ground-motion prediction equations and ground motion to intensity conversion equations. Finally, using topographic gradient as a proxy and median model predictions, we derive intensity-based site amplification factors. These factors lead to a small reduction of residuals at shallow gradients at strong shaking levels. However, the overall effect on total median residuals is relatively small. This is in part due to the observation that the median site condition for intensity observations used to develop these IPEs is approximately near the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program CD site-class boundary.     

Limnology of the neotropical high elevation shallow lake Yahuarcocha (Ecuador) and challenges for managing eutrophication using biomanipulation

Temperate and tropical shallow lakes differ in several fundamental aspects with respect to management of eutrophication. High altitude tropical shallow lakes are a special case, showing similarities with temperate and tropical lakes. We studied the ecology of the eutrophic high-altitude tropical lake Yahuarcocha in the Ecuadorian Andes and evaluated the potential of biomanipulation to control eutrophication. With a toxin-producing Cylindrospermopsis bloom, low Secchi depth and low submerged macrophyte cover, Yahuarcocha is clearly in a turbid ecosystem state. Relatively low nutrient concentrations should theoretically allow for a shift to a clear water state through biomanipulation. Top-down control of phytoplankton by zooplankton, however, is complicated by the (1) absence of predatory fish, (2) fish community dominated by small poecelid species, (3) lack of a refuge for zooplankton from fish predation within the macrophytes, and (4) persistent, grazing resistant bloom of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis. In these aspects, lake Yahuarcocha is more similar to tropical shallow lakes, probably because water temperature is high relative to the mean air temperature and because of the absence of a cold season. The fish and macrophyte communities consisted almost entirely of exotic species. The exotic fish species probably stabilized the turbid state in the lake.     

An evaluation of the role of daphnids in controlling phytoplankton biomass in clear water versus turbid shallow lakes

Phytoplankton and zooplankton were monitored during 2 years in four eutrophic shallow lakes (two turbid and two clear water) from two wetland reserves in Belgium. In each wetland, phytoplankton biomass was significantly higher in the turbid lake than in the clear water lake. Although total macrozooplankton biomass and the contribution of daphnids to total zooplankton biomass was comparable in the clear water and the turbid lakes, the grazing pressure of macrozooplankton on phytoplankton as estimated from zooplankton to phytoplankton biomass ratios was higher in the clear water lakes. Estimated grazing by daphnids in the clear water lakes was always high in spring. In summer, however, daphnid biomass was low or daphnids were even absent during prolonged periods. During those periods phytoplankton was probably controlled by smaller macrozooplankton or by submerged macrophytes through nutrient competition, allelopathic effects or increased sedimentation rates in the macrophyte vegetation.