4-tert-octylphenol and 17beta-estradiol applied by feeding to flounder Platichthys flesus: induction of vitellogenin and accumulation in tissues

In order to simulate a possible natural administration route of xenoestrogens male flounder Platichthys flesus were exposed via the diet to the alkylphenol 4-tert-octylphenol. Treatment with 4-tert-octylphenol (10, 50 and 100 mg OP kg(-1) BW) or 17beta-estradiol (0.05 mg kg(-1) BW) every second day during a period of 11 days resulted in a significant increase in plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) concentrations. The induction of Vtg was greatest in the fish receiving 50 mg OP kg-' BW. A significant accumulation of 4-tert-octylphenol was found in liver and muscle tissue of the OP treated groups. The tissue concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol and the plasma vitellogenin concentration were positively correlated. The results show that 4-tert-octylphenol accumulates in liver and muscles of flounder P. flesus, and exerts estrogenic effects such as vitellogenin induction.     

The IUGS/IAGC Task Group on Global Geochemical Baselines

The Task Group on Global Geochemical Baselines,operating under the auspices of both the International Union of Geological Sciences(IUGS) and the International Association of Geochemistry(IAGC),has the long-term goal of establishing a global geochemical database to document the concentration and distribution of chemical elements in the Earth's surface or near-surface environment.The database and accompanying element distribution maps represent a geochemical baseline against which future human-induced or natural changes to the chemistry of the land surface may be recognized and quantified.In order to accomplish this long-term goal,the activities of the Task Group include:(1) developing partnerships with countries conducting broad-scale geochemical mapping studies;(2) providing consultation and training in the form of workshops and short courses;(3) organizing periodic international symposia to foster communication among the geochemical mapping community;(4) developing criteria for certifying those projects whose data are acceptable in a global geochemical database;(5) acting as a repository for data collected by those projects meeting the criteria for standardization;(6) preparing complete metadata for the certified projects;and(7) preparing,ultimately,a global geochemical database.This paper summarizes the history and accomplishments of the Task Group since its first predecessor project was established in 1988.     

Magnetic Field Strengths and Structures from Radio Observations of Solar Active Regions

Radio observations of some active regions (ARs) obtained with the Nobeyama radioheliograph at λ=1.76cm are used for estimating the magnetic field strength in the upper chromosphere, based on thermal bremsstrahlung. The results are compared with the magnetic field strength in the photosphere from observations with the Solar Magnetic Field Telescope (SMFT) at Huairou Solar Observing Station of Beijing Astronomical Observatory. The difference in the magnetic field strength between the two layers seems reasonable. The solar radio maps of active regions obtained with the Nobeyama radioheliograph, both in total intensity (I-map) and in circular polarizations (V-map), are compared with the optical magnetograms obtained with the SMFT. The comparison between the radio map in circular polarization and the longitudinal photospheric magnetogram of a plage region suggest that the radio map in circular polarization is a kind of magnetogram of the upper chromosphere. The comparison of the radio map in total intensity with the photospheric vector magnetogram of an AR shows that the radio map in total intensity gives indications of magnetic loops in the corona, thus we have a method of defining the coronal magnetic structure from the radio I-maps at λ=1.76 cm. Analysing the I-maps, we identified three components: (a) a compact bright source; (b) a narrow elongated structure connecting two main magnetic islands of opposite polarities (observed in both the optical and radio magnetograms); (c) a wide, diffuse, weak component that corresponds to a wide structure in the solar active region which shows in most cases an S or a reversed S contour, which is probably due to the differential rotation of the Sun. The last two components suggest coronal loops on different spatial scales above the neutral line of the longitudinal photospheric magnetic field.     

关于黄土及其沉陷性质的一本有价值的书

“黄土与黄土状亚粘土的建筑性质”一书的作者,将关于这种广泛分布并对建筑师极为重要的岩石的沉陷性问题的全部论述建立在十分正确的基础——黄土成因的特征上。他有力地指出,黄土类岩石的沉陷性是与它们的未达压密性、高的孔隙度、粉土成分,以及易为水破坏的胶结性碳酸盐和硫酸盐薄膜的存在有关的。胶结性的碳酸盐和硫酸盐薄膜胶结着粉土颗粒,主要是胶结石英,长石及其它稳定矿物(其中有很多矿物易于风化),而较少胶结粘土颗粒。所有这些决定黄土具有不良建筑性能的特征及性质,完全是由于它的形成条件及形成时的自然地理环     

地下水中氡底数和异常浓度的形成及其普查的意义

含氢地下水,即氢浓度增高的水(超过36爱曼),系矿水的一种,它可用于矿泉医疗。假如对地下水中氢的底数浓度和异常浓度的形成条件有正确的概念,那么这种水也能作为寻找放射性矿床的普查标志。促成地下水氢的富集的基本因素之一是被地下水冲洗的岩石中镭的绝对含量。但是,目前对岩石中放射性元素分布规律的知识尚很有限。尼柯诺夫认为,近十年来总趋势是:过去采用过的岩石中放射性元素含量值是下降,而且接近岩浆岩和沉积岩的平均值。从尼柯諾夫文章中借用的、并经维诺格拉多夫的资料加以补充的表l     

Biosorption of heavy metals by a marine bacterium

Heavy metal chelation property of exopolysaccharide produced by Enterobacter cloaceae, a marine bacterium, isolated from the West Coast of India, is reported in this paper. The exopolysaccharide demonstrated excellent chelating properties with respect to cadmium (65%) followed by copper (20%) and cobalt (8%) at 100 mg/l heavy metal concentration. However, it could not chelate mercury. A comparative study of the percentage biosorption of the above mentioned metals is presented here.     

PROGRAM FOR PROCESSING OF HISTORICAL LABORATORY DATA BASED ON FUZZY SET THEORY AS A TOOL FOR DECISION SUPPORT

A computer program(FEA)is presented for processing historical laboratory data.It performs on a list ofsample entries stored in a laboratory information management system.Using an algorithm which is basedon fuzzy set theory,FEA classifies the entries into a limited number of clusters called sample types.Theclassification is fully user-defined.The program transforms the historical data into a representation whichis more suitable for studying the performance of the laboratory or which can be used as preparation for asimulation project.     

Medium-term responses of rocky bottoms to sewage discharges from a deepwater outfall in the NE Atlantic

An investigation on the effects of deepwater outfall discharges on the status of rocky reef communities was carried out. The sanitation system was found to be an environmentally suitable option for the protection of those habitats situated in high energy coastal environments. Sediments occurring between the predominating rocky substrates showed low values of the fine fraction (<63microm) and organic matter content. In addition, high average concentrations of Cd, Hg and Zn were found in these sediments, though these values were similar to those registered in non-affected sites, far away from the outfall. On the other hand, those assemblages typical of hard substrates that settled near the outfall showed an increase in total richness and abundance of macroinvertebrates. Moreover, the average number of species of each taxonomic group, a good indicator of the maintenance of the previous trophic structure, only varied considerably over time at the rip-rap protection. In a global context, those changes were not directly related to the discharge disturbances, but to the natural variability or the successional processes occurring within those communities. Only communities dwelling in the rip-rap protection area were affected by the proximity of the discharges.     

Butterfly-plant interactions and body size patterns along an elevational gradient in the Manang region of central Nepal

Butterflies are widely studied due to their key ecosystem functions.For this reason,they are used in ecosystem assessment,formulating conservation plans and in raising the environmental awareness.Quantification of different factors affecting diversity of butterflies is important for their effective conservation.In this study,we investigated abiotic and biotic factors affecting species richness and community composition of butterflies along an elevational gradient in Manang region,central Nepal.We also tested if butterfly species follow the Bergmann’s rule.A total of 57 butterfly species belonging to 39 genera and 8 families were recorded in the study area.Out of a total of 127 plant species identified in the study region,only 67 plant species were visited by butterflies as nectar sources.Species richness of butterflies increased with increasing elevation.Species richness was significantly higher in places with shrubs compared to other places and also in autumn than in summer.Species richness of butterflies also depended on composition of plant species occurring at the localities.Butterfly species composition varied among sampling localities.It was also determined by habitat type,elevation,sampling time,plant species and interactions of elevation×time.The relationship between butterfly size and elevation was in the opposite direction than expected according to the Bergmann’s rule.In conclusion,protection of butterfly diversity can only be achieved by protecting different habitats across the diverse physiography of the region and different plant species,in particular herbs and shrubs.Our results do not support the Bergmann’s rule for butterflies along an elevational gradient in our region.     

RESPONSES OF A GLOBAL CGCM TO CO2 INCREASE

The responses of the climate system to increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide(CO₂)arestudied by using a new version of the Bureau of Meteorological Research Centre(BMRC)globalcoupled general circulation model(CGCM).Two simulations are run:one with atmospheric CO₂concentration held constant at 330 ppm,the other with a tripling of atmospheric CO₂(990 ppm).Results from the 41-year control coupled integration are applied to analyze the mean state,seasonal cycle and interannual variability in the model.Comparisons between the greenhouseexperiment and the control experiment then provide estimations of the influence of increased CO₂on climate changes and climate variability.Especially discussed is the question on whether theclimate changes concerned with CO₂ inerease will impact interannual variability in tropical Pacific,such as ENSO.