Acute hypoxic exposure affects gamete quality and subsequent fertilization success and embryonic development in a serpulid polychaete

Hypoxia likely compromises the reproductive success of those marine organisms carrying out external fertilization because their gametes and embryos are inevitably exposed to the external environment. Hydroides elegans, a dominant serpulid polychaete in Hong Kong waters, can spawn throughout the year but the number of recruits drops during summer when hypoxia commonly occurs. This study attempted to explain such observation by investigating the gamete quality, including sperm motility, egg size, complexity and viability, after 1-h hypoxic exposure (1 mg O₂ l⁻¹). In addition, how gamete quality affects fertilization success and embryonic development was examined. After 1-h hypoxic exposure, sperm motility was significantly reduced, compromising fertilization success. Although the eggs remained viable, more malformed embryos and retarded embryonic development were observed. We interpreted that the harmful effect of hypoxia on embryonic development was attributed to the teratogenicity and induced oxidative stress, ultimately causing the reduction in recruitment during summer.     

Sperm swimming in the polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa shows substantial inter-individual variability in response to future ocean acidification

The rapidity of ocean acidification intensifies selection pressure for resilient phenotypes, particularly during sensitive early life stages. The scope for selection is greater in species with greater within-species variation in responses to changing environments, thus enhancing the potential for adaptation. We investigated among-male variation in sperm swimming responses (percent motility and swimming speeds) of the serpulid polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa to near- (ΔpH −0.3) and far-future ocean acidification (ΔpH −0.5). Responses of sperm swimming to acidification varied significantly among males and were overall negative. Robust sperm swimming behavior under near-future ocean acidification in some males may ameliorate climate change impacts, if traits associated with robustness are heritable, and thereby enhance the potential for adaptation to far-future conditions. Reduced sperm swimming in the majority of male G. caespitosa may decrease their fertilization success in a high CO₂ future ocean. Resultant changes in offspring production could affect recruitment success and population fitness downstream.     

Seasonal fluctuations of tissue mercury contents in the European shore crab Carcinus maenas from low and high contamination areas (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

The main objective was to study the seasonal variation of mercury concentrations in different tissues (muscle, hepatopancreas and gills) of Carcinus maenas from low and high Hg contaminated areas, a valuable resource in temperate estuaries and a possible pathway for human uptake. Individuals of two size classes (around 35 and 55 mm cephalothorax wide) were captured monthly between March 1999 and May 2000 in two areas of Ria de Aveiro: in the main navigation channel that connects the lagoon to the sea, and in the inner lagoon area heavily contaminated by mercury (maximum Hg in sediments of 5.4 microg g(-1)). Pronounced decreases in salinity and temperature and reduced food availability in winter seemed to be the responsible for the decline of the crab condition index (0.75-0.45) in larger individuals. Muscle and hepatopancreas exhibited higher mercury concentrations than gills, with concentrations in the contaminated site ranging from 0.03 to 0.63 microg g(-1) and 0.02 to 0.34 microg g(-1), respectively. Linear regressions between muscle and hepatopancreas (r=0.94, p<0.001) and muscle and gills (r=0.97, p<0.001) suggested a rapid redistribution of mercury inside the organism. During winter, a rapid elimination of mercury was found in the three analysed tissues followed by uptake. Larger crabs presented elimination rates from 18 to 34 ng g(-1) per week, while the smaller crabs showed lower elimination rates (10-24 ng g(-1) per week). The uptake was similar in both size classes (11-15 ng g(-1) and 8.1-15 ng g(-1) per week, respectively for large and small crabs). Our results suggest that C. maenas harvested in the contaminated areas must be considered with caution, since Hg concentrations were found to exceed the threshold concentration allowed for human consumption (0.5 microg g(-1)).     

Benthic input rates predict seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) fish farm-induced decline

Fish farms represent a growing source of anthropogenic disturbance to benthic communities, and efficient predictors of such impacts are urgently needed. We explored the effects of fish farm benthic organic and nutrient inputs on the population dynamics of a key seagrass species (Posidonia oceanica) in four Mediterranean deep meadows adjacent to sea bream and sea bass farms. We performed two annual plant censuses on permanent plots at increasing distance from farms and measured benthic sedimentation rates around plots. High shoot mortality rates were recorded near the cages, up to 20 times greater than at control sites. Recruitment rates increased in variability but could not compensate mortality, leading to rapid seagrass decline within the first 100 m from cages. Seagrass mortality increased with total sedimentation rates (K=0.55, p<0.0002), and with organic matter (K=0.50, p=0.001), total nitrogen (K=0.46, p=0.002) and total phosphorus (K=0.56, p<3.10(-5)) inputs. P. oceanica decline accelerated above a phosphorus loading threshold of 50mg m(-2)day(-1). Phosphorus benthic sedimentation rate seems a powerful predictor of seagrass mortality from fish farming. Coupling direct measurements of benthic sedimentation rates with dynamics of key benthic species is proposed as an efficient strategy to predict fish farm impacts to benthic communities.     

Impact of elevated ammonium on reproduction in two Hawaiian scleractinian corals with different life history patterns

Elevated nutrients have the potential to disrupt reproduction in scleractinian corals, with consequent impacts on population dynamics. Reproduction in broadcast spawning (Montipora capitata) and brooding (Pocillopora damicornis) species was assessed following exposure to elevated ammonium in a microcosm experiment. Planulation in P. damicornis ceased following 4 months of ammonium exposure and did not recover until 3 months after termination of nutrient enrichment. Larval settlement and survivorship were not affected by ammonium enrichment. Few significant changes were found for reproductive parameters of M. capitata. There was a significant but small decrease in egg size (430 microm in control eggs to 408 microm in eggs from ammonium enrichment treatments), but no differences in total fecundity or fertilization success. This may be related to the presence of zooxanthellae in the eggs of M. capitata, in contrast to changes in reproduction previously reported in Acropora species, whose eggs do not contain zooxanthellae.     

Evaluating the performance of topobathymetric LiDAR to support multi-dimensional flow modelling in a gravel-bed mountain stream

Stream biophysical processes are commonly studied using multi-dimensional numerical modelling that quantifies flow hydraulics from which parameters such as habitat suitability, stream carrying capacity, and bed mobility are derived. These analyses would benefit from accurate high-resolution stream bathymetries spanning tens of kilometres of channel, especially in small streams or where navigation is difficult. Traditional ground-based survey methods are limited by survey time, dense vegetation and stream access, and are usually only feasible for short reaches. Conversely, airborne topobathymetric LiDAR surveys may overcome these limitations, although limited research is available on how errors in LiDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) might propagate through flow models. This study investigated the performance of LiDAR-derived topobathymetry in support of multi-dimensional flow modelling and ecohydraulics calculations in two gravel-bedded reaches (approximately 200 m long), one morphologically complex and one morphologically simple, and at the segment scale (32 km-long stream segment) along a 15 m-wide river in central Idaho, USA. We compared metre and sub-metre-resolution DEMs generated from RTK-GPS ground and Experimental Advanced Airborne Research LiDAR-B (EAARL-B) surveys and water depths, velocities, shear stresses, habitat suitability, and bed mobility modelled with two-dimensional (2D) hydraulic models supported by LiDAR and ground-surveyed DEMs. Residual statistics, bias (B), and standard deviation (SD) of the residuals between depth and velocity predicted from the model supported by LiDAR and ground-survey topobathymetries were up to −0.04 (B) and 0.09 m (SD) for depth and −0.09 (B) and 0.20 m s⁻¹ (SD) for velocity. The accuracy (B = 0.05 m), precision (SD = 0.09 m), and point density (1 point m⁻²) of the LiDAR topobathymetric survey (regardless of reach complexity) were sufficient to support 2D hydrodynamic modelling and derivative stream habitat and process analyses, because these statistics were comparable to those of model calibration with B = 0 m and SD = 0.04 m for water surface elevation and B = 0.05 m s⁻¹ and SD = 0.22 m s⁻¹ for velocity in our investigation. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ABCD2评分法结合颅脑DWI及CTA预测TIA后脑梗死风险

目的：在ABCD2评分基础上,评估结合弥散加权成像（DWI）及CTA对短暂性脑缺血（TIA）后短期内发生脑梗死风险的预测价值。方法：连续选取本院2015年1月至2017年6月170例TIA患者（平均年龄62.4岁±5.4岁）,全部患者均行DWI及CTA检查,且随访3个月。分别于7天、3个月记录患者ABCD2评分、DWI阳性结果及CTA诊断大动脉粥样硬化（LAA）,以评估所有患者短期内发生脑梗死风险的预测价值。结果：170例患者中,68例（40%）患者DWI阳性,43例（25%）诊断LAA。DWI阳性患者中单侧肢体无力（OR=2.3;95% CI,1.1~4.8）,TIA症状持续时间≥ 60 min（OR=3.7;95% CI,1.4~9.9）,ABCD2> 5（OR=5.4;95% CI,1.5~18.8）,LAA（OR=2.7;95% CI,1.3至5.5）。随访期间,7天内发生脑梗死1例,7天至3个月内发生脑梗死6例,ABCD2评分> 5（OR=24.4;95% CI,2.5~238.7）,DWI阳性结果（OR=9.8;95% CI,1.1~83.1）,LAA（OR=20.4;95% CI,2.4~175.1）。除1例患者外,3个月内发生脑梗死的DWI均为阳性。ABCD2评分、DWI阳性结果及LAA与7天、3个月脑梗死风险的增加是相关联的。结论：在ABCD2评分基础上引入DWI和CTA检查作为辅助,能提高对TIA后发生脑梗死风险的预测能力。     

Effects of chronic exposure to dispersed oil on selected reproductive processes in adult blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and the consequences for the early life stages of their larvae

Mussels (Mytilus edulis) were continuously exposed to dispersed crude oil (0.015-0.25 mg/l) for 7 months covering the whole gamete development cycle. After 1 month exposure to 0.25 mg oil/l, the level of alkali-labile phosphates (ALP) and the volume density of atretic oocytes in female gonads were higher than those in the gonads of control females, indicating that oil affected the level of vitellogenin-like proteins and gamete development. Spawning of mussels was induced after 7 months oil exposure. Parental oil exposure did not affect subsequent fertilization success in clean seawater but this was reduced in 0.25 mg oil/l. Parental exposure to 0.25 mg oil/l caused both slow development and a higher percentage of abnormalities in D-shell larvae 2 days post-fertilization; reduced growth 7 days post-fertilization. These effects were greatly enhanced when larval stages were maintained at 0.25 mg oil/l. Similar studies are warranted for risk assessment prognosis.     

2012年金塔5.4级地震前兆异常时空演化特征研究

利用甘肃前兆台网观测资料进行时空扫描,发现地下流体参量、地倾斜等在甘肃酒泉金塔5.4级地震前10天内出现了一系列异常变化,鼎新—德令哈基线在两年半的时间内缩短5 mm;短临异常主要出现在距震中200km范围的台站,时间是3月中旬和4月下旬;临震异常集中出现的时间是4月28日至5月1日。距离震中较近的高台倾斜完整记录下酒泉金塔MS5.4地震发生过程中岩土石受力变化的全部过程,提供了地震孕育和发生的完整演化资料,对完善地震理论模型和地震预测有积极的研究价值。     

Ground water flow parameterization of an Appalachian coal mine complex

We examined a large (240 km2) northern Appalachian bituminous coal basin (Irwin Syncline, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania) comprising 27 mine complexes with nine major (> 2.5 x 10(3) L/min) discharges. The synclinal basin was divided into seven subbasins based on equilibrium hydraulic relationships established during the past 25 years. Recharge rates, mine pool velocity, and residence times respond to hydraulic changes in the overburden induced by mine subsidence. The estimated maximum depth for subsidence fractures is 60 m (30 times mined thickness) with recharge rates decreasing significantly in subbasins with thicker overburden (> 75 m). Calculated subbasin recharge rates range from 2 to 6 x 10(-4) L/min/m2 and are significantly lower than the previously used rate for the basin. Residence time of ground water in the Irwin subbasins calculated using average linear velocity ranged from one to five years and were more consistent with field observations than estimates obtained using discharge and basin volume area. A positive correlation (r2 = 0.80) exists between net alkalinity of the mine water-impacted discharges and residence time in the mine pools. Our results for the Irwin coal basin suggest that use of a subbasin approach incorporating overburden depth, mining methodology, and the extent of postmining inundation will lead to improved determination of ground water flow parameters in mined watersheds in northern Appalachia and elsewhere.     

Slicer Laser Altimetry In The Eastern Caribbean

Data acquired by the airborne Scanning Lidar Imager of Canopies by EchoRecovery (SLICER) laser altimeter provided high-resolution digital topographicdata over Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and several of the Lesser AntillesIslands. The instrument was developed by the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center.It has the capability of multibeam resolution of ground elevations beneath densecanopy areas. Data, therefore, can be used to generate a more accurate representation of the ground surface by removing the vegetation cover. Although internal precision is high (10 cm to 1 m), absolute accuracy is difficult to evaluate and depends on several factors, including the post-processed kinematic GPS (KGPS) flight path for the aircraft platform and clear identification of ground returns in the SLICER waveform. We compared topographic profiles from USGS 30 m and 1:250K DEMs for Puerto Rico with those generated by SLICER and with spot elevations derived from static and continuous GPS surveys. SLICER and KGPS surveys cross at six points in western Puerto Rico. Agreement between both elevation data sets is excellent and well fit (r = 0.921) by a linear model with a final residual bias of -0.501 m for SLICER ground returns relative to KGPS elevations. The agreement between SLICER and USGS 30 m DEMs is also very good with the largest errors associated with steep slopes and high vegetation cover. Residuals between KGPS and USGS 30 m DEMs are +1 ± 25 m, assuming a fixed uniform offset of +43.23 m between WGS84 and mean sea level.     

Effect of vehicle weight on natural frequencies of bridges measured from traffic-induced vibration

Recently, ambient vibration test (AVT) is widely used to estimate dynamic characteristics of large civil structures. Dynamic characteristics can be affected by various environmental factors such as humidity, intensity of wind, and temperature. Besides these environmental conditions, the mass of vehicles may change the measured values when traffic-induced vibration is used as a source of AVT for bridges. The effect of vehicle mass on dynamic characteristics is investigated through traffic-induced vibration tests on three bridges; (1) three-span suspension bridge (128m +404m + 128m), (2) five-span continuous steel box girder bridge (59m + 3@95m + 59m), (3) simply supported plate girder bridge (46m). Acceleration histories of each measurement location under normal traffic are recorded for 30 minutes at field. These recorded histories are divided into individual vibrations and are combined into two groups according to the level of vibration ; one by heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses and the other by light vehicles such as passenger cars. Separate processing of the two groups of signals shows that, for the middle and long-span bridges, the difference can be hardly detected, but, for the short span bridges whose mass is relatively small, the measured natural frequencies can change up to 5.4%. Supported by: the Ministry of Construction and Transportation, Korea Highway Corporation and Hyundai E&C Co. Ltd. under Project No. R&D/970003-2.     

大气三圈环流的动力系统模型

定常情况下,本文利用球坐标系（λ,φ,r）的动力、热力学方程导出三维速度场（vλ,vφ,vr）的动力系统.这种包括摩擦力和热传导的不可压缩大气运动的动力系统,无论从定性上还是从定量上都能描述由赤道和极地间的加热不均匀造成的三圈环流.定性上表明,在北半球经向速度vφ和纬向速度vλ同符号,地表刮北风（vφvλvφ>0）和刮西风（vλ>0）相对应.在南半球,经向速度vφ和纬向速度vλ符号相反,刮北风（vφvλ>0）相对应,刮南风（vφ>0）和刮东风（vλp可以用球调和函数plm（sinφ）cosmλ来表达.当取l=6,m=0时即可导出三圈环流.在经圈剖面（φ,r）上,地表的φ1=±56°和φ2=±28°左右,以及赤道是速度场的奇点,它们都是鞍点,说明在副热带是下沉运动,在中纬度是上升运动,这正是三圈环流中的Ferrel环流的特征.这样经向速度vφ和纬向速度vλ相联系,经向速度vφ又和垂直速度相联系,那么三圈环流的三维速度场就构成了一个整体.     

南海西南次海盆与南沙地块的OBS探测和地壳结构

跨越南海西南次海盆南部陆缘和南沙地块中部的OBS973-1测线是南海南部首次采集的海底地震仪(OBS)广角反射与折射深地震测线,本文通过震相分析和走时正演拟合,获得了沿测线的二维纵波速度结构模型.模拟结果显示表层沉积物速度2.5~4.5 km/s,厚度1000~3000 m,局部基底面起伏较大.结晶基底的速度从顶部的4.5~5.5 km/s增加到地壳底部的6.8~6.9 km/s,中地壳有一个小的速度不连续面(0.1~0.2 km/s),而地壳底部的莫霍面有较大的速度反差(1.2 km/s),上地幔顶部的速度为8.0~8.1 km/s.莫霍面埋深和地壳厚度在测线的北段和南段有很大的不同,在测线北段的海盆区,莫霍面埋深约11 km,结晶地壳的厚度仅为5~6 km,表现为典型洋壳的特征,而在测线南段的陆块区,莫霍面埋深最大达24 km,地壳厚度可达20 km,表现为减薄陆壳的特征,从海盆区到陆块区莫霍面埋深和地壳厚度迅速增加.陆块区上下地壳的厚度和变化趋势相似,下地壳没有看到高速层(HVL),可能说明地壳内部是以纯剪拉张的均匀减薄为主,地壳下部的岩浆底侵不发育.对比OBS973-2和OBS973-3测线的结构模型,可以推测南沙地块的中部和东部具有相似的构造性质,西南次海盆两侧是一对非火山型的不对称共轭陆缘.     

冷泉形成的数值模拟研究

海底冷泉形成的一种可能机制是海平面下降引起天然气水合物的分解.本文基于对冷泉渗漏特征的分析,建立了二维轴对称模型,利用有限元方法定量分析了南海区域海平面下降对冷泉形成的影响.结果表明,末次冰盛期(26.5~19.0 ka BP)海平面下降引起的冷泉活动可以持续到现在,但是从水合物停止分解至今,超孔隙压力的极值在持续减小,而流体向海底的渗漏达西速度先快速减小、然后缓慢减小.同时发现,流体向海底的渗漏达西速度与管状通道的渗透率、通道周围介质的渗透率以及通道的半径等有关,估计目前的冷泉活动还可以持续10000年以上.海平面下降引起的天然气水合物分解,可能是影响全球气候变化的一个重要因素.     

Field survey report on tsunami disasters caused by the 1993 Southwest Hokkaido earthquake

Detailed field work at Okushiri Island and along the southwest coast of Hokkaido has revealed quantitatively (1) the advancing direction of tsunami on land, (2) the true tsunami height (i.e., height of tsunami, excluding its splashes, as measured from the ground) and (3) the flow velocity of tsunami on land, in heavily damaged areas. When a Japanese wooden house is swept away by tsunami, bolts that tie the house to its concrete foundation resist until the last moment and become bent towards the direction of the house being carried away. The orientations of more than 850 of those bent bolts and iron pipes (all that can be measured, mostly at Okushiri Island) and fell-down direction of about 400 trees clearly display how tsunami behaved on land and caused serious damage at various places. The true tsunami height was estimated by using several indicators, such as broken tree twigs and a window pane. The flow velocity of tsunami on land was determined by estimating the hydrodynamic force exerted on a bent handrail and a bent-down guardrail by the tsunami throughin situ strength tests.Contrary to the wide-spread recognition after the tsunami hazard, our results clearly indicate that only a few residential areas (i.e., Monai, eastern Hamatsumae, and a small portion at northern Aonae, all on Okushiri Island) were hit by a huge tsunami, with true heights reaching 10 m. Southern Aonae was completely swept away by tsunami that came directly from the focal region immediately to the west. The true tsunami height over the western sea wall of southern Aonae was estimated as 3 to 4 m. Northern Aonae also suffered severe damage due to tsunami that invaded from the corner zone of the sand dune (8 m high) and tide embankment at the northern end of the Aonae Harbor. This corner apparently acted as a tsunami amplifier, and tide embankment or breakwater can be quite dangerous when tsunami advances towards the corner it makes with the coast. The nearly complete devastation of Inaho at the northern end of Okushiri Island underscored the danger of tsunami whose propagation direction is parallel to the coast, since such tsunami waves tend to be amplified and tide embankment or breakwater is constructed low towards the coast at many harbors or fishing ports. Tsunami waves mostly of 2 to 4 m in true height swept away Hamatsumae on the southeast site of Okushiri Island where there were no coastal structures. Coastal structures were effective in reducing tsunami hazard at many sites. The maximum flow velocity at northern Aonae was estimated as 10 to 18 m/s (Tsutsumi et al., 1994), and such a high on-land velocity of tsunami near shore is probably due to the rapid shallowing of the deep sea near the epicentral region towards Okushiri Island. If the advancing direction, true height, and flow velocity of tsunami can be predicted by future analyses of tsunami generation and progagation, the analyses will be a powerful tool for future assessment of tsunami disasters, including the identification of blind spots in the tsunami hazard reduction.     

Metallothionein in intestine of red mullet, Mullus barbatus as a biomarker of copper exposure in the coastal marine areas

Dietary metal exposure in fish is studied in native red mullet, Mullus barbatus, involving metallothionein (MT) response in the intestine, a primary site for metal uptake. Intestinal MTs (microg mg(-1) proteins), total proteins (mgml(-1) S50), Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cd (microg ml(-1) S50) are considered as indicators of metal exposure in specimens from near-shore and off-shore locations of the Eastern Adriatic Sea. Metallothionein and Cu are statistically significantly higher in 68 specimens from the Kastela Bay, a near-shore area (30.0+/-6.71microg MT mg(-1) proteins; 0.30+/-0.08microg Cu ml(-1) S50), in comparison to 51 specimens from off-shore area, Solta Island (25.9+/-4.21microg MT mg(-1) proteins; 0.26+/-0.09microg Cu ml(-1) S50). Cytosolic Cu, a MT inducer, is significantly correlated (p<0.05, r=0.44) with MT in specimens from the Kastela Bay, independent on fish biometry. Our study indicates that cytosolic intestinal Cu and MT represent a measurable biochemical response in red mullet specimens, dwelling above sediments contaminated with Cu.     

峰值速度和加速度对环境剪应力的依赖性

从导出的地震定标律和地震破裂过程的断裂力学模式出发,得到了震源平均位移、速度和加速度谱的表达式,进而又推导出震源的峰值位移d_m,速度v_m和加速度a_m的表达式:d_m=k_dM_0~2/~3τ_0~(2/3),v=k_vM_0~(1/3)τ_0~(4/3),a_m=k_aτ_0~2式中M_0是地震矩,τ_0是环境剪应力值,k_d,k_v,k_a为适当的常数.我们选用了66个地震的观测资料,这些地震的矩震级范围包括了从1级左右的极微震,3-5级的小震,直到6-7级的大震;地震矩从10~9-10~(20)Nm,跨越了10个数量级,并用这些地震检验了上述公式. 令所有地震的平均应力为5MPa,定出常数k_d,k_v,k_a,进而由速度和加速度观测资料求得66个地震的环境剪应力τ_0值,这些数值相当稳定.多数极微震的τ_0值在2-4MPa之间;小震的τ_0值多数在4-8MPa左右;大震的τ_0值为10MPa左右。τ_0值对震源深度和断层类型有明显的依赖性.一般深度很浅的小震和极微震,τ_0值很低;正断层地震的τ_0值相对较低;逆断层地震的τ_0值较高;走滑断层地震的τ_0值则居中.