Spatial and temporal dynamics of size-structured photosynthetic parameters (PAM) and primary production ((13)C) of pico- and nano-phytoplankton in an atoll lagoon

Atoll lagoons display a high diversity of trophic states due mainly to their specific geomorphology, and probably to their level and mode of human exploitation. We investigated the functioning of the Ahe atoll lagoon, utilized for pearl oyster farming, through estimations of photosynthetic parameters (pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry) and primary production ((13)C incorporation) measurements of the size structured phytoplankton biomass (<2μm and >2μm). Spatial and temporal scales of variability were surveyed during four seasons, over 16months, at four sites within the lagoon. While primary production (P) was dominated by the picophytoplankton, its biomass specific primary productivity (P(B)) was lower than in other atoll lagoons. The variables size fraction of the phytoplankton, water temperature, season, the interaction term station*fraction and site, explained significantly the variance of the data set using redundancy analysis. No significant trends over depth were observed in the range of 0-20m. A clear spatial pattern was found which was persistent over the seasons: south and north sites were different from the two central stations for most of the measured variables. This pattern could possibly be explained by the existence of water cells showing different water residence time within the lagoon. Photoacclimation strategies of the two size fractions differed through their light saturation coefficient (higher for picophytoplankton), but not through their maximum photosynthetic capacity (ETR(max)). Positive linear relationships between photosynthetic parameters indicated that their dynamic was independent of light availability in this ecosystem, but most probably dependent on nutrient availability and/or rapid changes in the community structure. Spatial and temporal patterns of the measured processes are then further discussed in the context of nutrient availability and the possible role of cultured oysters in nutrient recycling.     

Scour prevention in bottomless arch culverts

Bottomless arch culverts are employed as ecological bridges at road crossings with their most common application being fish passage.The simulated culvert streambed should mimic the existing natural cha...     

210Po and 210Pb variations in fish species from the Aegean Sea and the contribution of 210Po to the radiation dose

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the significance of natural radionuclides, particularly (210)Po, in the marine environment. (210)Po, a naturally occurring alpha emitter, accumulates in marine organisms and reflects differences in their diets. In the literature, there is no data for (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations for fish species on the Turkish coast of Aegean Sea. Therefore, in this study, multiple fish species were collected from six stations seasonally on the Turkish coast of Aegean Sea and were analyzed for their (210)Po and (210)Pb content. The (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations in the fish samples were found to vary from undetectable levels to 499 ± 44 Bq kg(-1) dry weight (dw) and from 1.0 ± 0.3 Bq kg(-1) to 35 ± 4.0 Bq kg(-1) (dw), respectively. There were no significant differences in the activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in fish samples between seasons (ANOVA, P>0.05). The highest dose contribution of (210)Po to humans was calculated to be 10,530 μSv year(-1).     

Distribution patterns of medicinal plants along an elevational gradient in central Himalaya, Nepal

This study aimed to compare the distribution patterns and trends of plant parts used among different groups of medicinal plants, geographical regions,and between medicinal plants and all vascular plants.We used the published sources for elevation records of 2,331 medicinal plant species to interpolate presence between minimum and maximum elevations and estimated medicinal plant richness for each 100-m elevational band. Monte Carlo simulations were used to test whether differences in elevational distribution between different groups of medicinal plants were significant. Total number of medicinal plants as well as different groups showed unimodal relationship with elevation. The elevational distributions of medicinal plants significantly differ between regions and between medicinal plant groups.When comparing the richness of all medicinal plants to all vascular plants,Monte Carlo simulations indicated that the numbers of medicinal plants are higher than expected at low elevations.The highest richness of medicinal plants at low elevation could be possibly due to favorable environmental factors such as high temperature, rainfall,sunlight or due to higher density of human population and thus higher pressure on use of any plants in lower elevations.     

Extraction, utilization pattern and prioritization of fuel resources for conservation in Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, Northwestern Himalaya

Fuelwood is the main source of the energy in mountainous regions.Hence,annual wood consumption is very high.Information on fuelwood resources,and their extraction and availability is very scanty.Therefore,present study was carried out to study the diversity of fuelwood species,annual collection,preference and availability of fuel species in the forests.Thirty four species(25 trees and 9 shrubs) were extracted for fuel by the inhabitants.Total collection and species preference was highest for Picea smithiana,Cedrus deodara,Indigofera heterantha,Pinus wallchiana and Sorbaria tomentosa,respectively.Resource use index indicating use pressure was highest for P.smithiana,C.deodara,I.heterantha and Abies pindrow,respectively.Besides native species,some non-native horticultural and agroforestry species such as Malus pumila,P.domestica,Celtis australis,etc.were also being used as fuel.Preferred species showed their availability in eight forest types whereas,population and regeneration status was poor.Therefore,immediate actions are suggested to sustain current and future demand of fuelwood.The afforestation of degraded,uncultivated and marginal lands through high quality and preferred fuel species might reduce pressure on wild and selective species.     

A comparison of integrated and discrete depth sampling for monitoring toxic species of Dinophysis

Dinophysis acuminata and Dinophysis acuta produce lipophilic toxins that cause most shellfish harvesting closures in the Atlantic coastal waters of Europe. Dinophysis often exhibit patchy distributions and sampling with conventional methods may fail to detect them. A 6-month calibration study in 2006, plus an additional sampling in 2010 were carried out in Galicia to compare Dinophysis counts obtained from weekly high vertical resolution bottle samples with depth-integrated hose samples. Counts with these two methods were comparable at some depth-ranges, but hose maxima were over one order of magnitude lower under thin-layer scenarios. Estimates from hose samplers should be used with caution in programmes using a "Dinophysis index", either to trigger shellfish sampling or to establish precautionary harvesting closures. In general, hose samplers provide reliable information on the occurrence of Dinophysis except under extreme site-specific hydrodynamic conditions. This study adds new information about the heterogeneous, specific vertical distributions of two Dinophysis spp.     

漏阈值系统的自组织临界性: 近平均场的动力学影响及其对地震、神经生物学和预测方面的意义

阈值系统被看作是自然界中某些最重要的非线性自组织系统,包括地震断层系统、神经网络、超导和半导体、互联网以及政治、社会和生态系统。所有这些系统都具有与时、空、强相关的动力学,且都典型地显示了时空尺度的多重性。我们在两种不同尺度上讨论地震阈值系统自组织的物理学问题：(1)“微观”的实验室尺度,来自模拟结果的考虑导致了动力学方程,这些方程可以推导从滑动实验中得到的结果;(2)“宏观”的地震断层系统尺度,强相关地震断层系统的物理学可以通过应用定义在希尔伯特本征态空间有关的态向量来理解。所有的这些系统中,长程相关导致局部各态历经动力学的存在。耗损效应的存在导致了“漏阈值”动力学的出现,它等同于一个控制与背景涨落尺度有关的成核事件尺度的新的标度场的出现。在宏观地震断层尺度的框架下,这些作为一种预报未来地震活动方法的观念显示出了比较大的希望。     

Numerical analysis of synthetic granulate deposition in a physical model study

The current study focuses on the application of a three-dimensional numerical model for the prediction of morphological bed changes. The sediment deposition in a reservoir during a 10-year-flood was investigated and the results of the simulation were validated with data derived from a physical model study. Because of the small grain sizes in the prototype, synthetic granulate was used in the physical model. The numerical computation domain was a reproduction of the physical model, including the grain sizes and the density of the particles, in order to ensure comparability. The CFD code SSIIM, which solves the RANS-equations in three-dimensions, was used for the simulations. The sediment transport in SSIIM is divided into suspended sediment transport, computed by solving the convection-diffusion equation, and bed-load transport, calculated by an empirical formula. The results of the numerical simulation correspond well to the results of the physical model study. The simulated location and the pattern of the sediment deposition in the reservoir are an accurate representation of the observed distribution in the physical model.     

基于分子电子传感器技术可用于行星探测的微型地震仪

描述了一种基于分子电子传感器（MET）技术的微型机械地震计的研制过程。不同于固体惯性质量,分子电子传感器地震计是探测液体电解质相对于固定电极的移动。使用微机电系统技术将探测单元的内部尺寸减小到1μm并且提高了设备的再现性。对600mV的工作偏置电压,在0.32Hz的400μg（g≡9.81m/s2）加速度条件下可测得灵敏度为809V/（m/s2）。在1Hz获得的噪声水平为-115dB（相对于（m/s2）/Hz~（1/2））。这项工作研发了一个可供选择小尺寸、高灵敏度、低本底噪声、高振动范围和独立安装角度的地震计设备。这有希望成为下一代行星探测用的地震仪。