Chemical environment for red tides due toChattonella antiqua in the seto inland sea,Japan

Severe red tides due toChattonella antiqua occur sporadically during summer in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, and cause significant damage to the fishing industry. In order to assess the chemical environment with respect to the outbreak ofC. antiqua, environmental factors that affect the growth ofC. antiqua were monitored around the Ie-shima Islands, the Seto Inland Sea, in the summer of 1986. In addition, a growth bioassay of the seawater usingC. antiqua was conducted under a semicontinuous culture system. Although temperature, salinity and light intensity were optimum for the growth ofC. antiqua, red tides by this species did not occur. Concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ , NO ₃ ^? and PO ₄ ^3? were low (<0.4, <0.2, <0.06 µM, respectively) above the thermocline (8–12 m) and high below it (0.6–2, 4–8, 0.4–0.8 µM, respectively). Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations did not change significantly between the surface (0 m) and below the thermocline (25 m) in the level of 2–4 ng·l^?1. The growth bioassay revealed that in the surface waters, concentrations of N- as well as P- nutrients were too low to support a rapid growth ofC. antiqua. At the depth of 25 m, neither N, P nor B₁₂ limited the growth rate. In order to obtain more quantitative information on the growth rate as a function of the concentrations of N- and P- nutrients,C. antiqua was grown in a semicontinuous culture system by changing nutrient concentrations systematically. The observed growth rate (μ) can be approximated as follows: $$\mu = \mu _{\max } .\frac{{S_N }}{{K_g ^N + S_N }}.\frac{{S_{PO4} }}{{K_g ^P + S_{PO4} }},$$ whereS _N is the concentration of NO ₃ ^? plus NH ₄ ⁺ (0–6 µM),S _PO, the concentration of PO ₄ ^3? (0–0.6 µM), μ_max (0.97 d^?1) the maximal growth rate,K ₀ ^N (1.0 µM) andK ₀ ^P (0.11 µM) the half saturation constants for NO ₃ ^? and PO ₄ ^3? , respectively. Using the above equation with nutrient concentrations measured, the rate at which seawater supports the growth ofC. antiqua can be estimated and this can be used for the assessment of chemical environments with respect to the outbreak ofC. antiqua.     

Encystment ofChattonella antiqua in laboratory cultures

Cysts ofChattonella antiqua (Raphidophyceae) were obtained in laboratory cultures for the first time. They were formed on the surface of glass coverslips added to both P- and N- depleted mediums. The yield was 50–250 cysts cm^–2. Crossing experiments showed the highest cyst production in mixed cultures, although cysts were observed in clonal cultures as well. Cysts had approximately double the DNA content of synchronously growing vegetative cells (G₁ phase). The encystment process was also monitored: Under P-depleted conditions, small cells were formed that fused to become a triangle-shaped cell which in turn changed into a cyst.These results strongly suggest that cysts are the products of fusion and are diploid. Small cells, triangle-shaped cells, and cysts are considered to be gametes, planozygotes, and hypnozygotes, respectively. Significant mortality was observed in laboratory cysts stored in the cold and dark for five months, although those remaining were capable of germination to reestablish a motile, vegetative population.     

Chemical environment for red tides due toChattonella antiqua

Environmental parameters that affect the growth ofChattonella antiqua were monitored throughout the outbreak period of this species around the Ie-shima Islands, the Seto Inland Sea, in the summer of 1987 (20 July–13 August). Averaged cell concentration ofC. antiqua over the water column (21 m) was below 10 cells· ml^–1 on 20 July, gradually increased to reach the maximum of 250 cells·ml^–1 on 7 August, and then rapidly decreased to the value of 30 cells·ml^–1 on 13 August.Thermal stratifications were prominent from 20 July to 3 August and were destroyed after 4 August. Temperature and salinity were optimum for the growth ofC. antiqua throughout the survey period.At the bloom initiation period (20–21 July), concentrations of N- and P-nutrients (S _N andS _P ) were high throughout the water column. From 22 July to 3 August, whenC. antiqua increased its populations,S _N andS _P at the depth of 0–5m were low but those at the depth of 10–20m kept a high value. After 4 August,S _n andS _P at the depth of 10–20m decreased rapidly due to wind mixing coupled with the nutrient uptake byC. antiqua. When the populations ofC. antiqua reached the maximum (7–9 August), N-nutrients were depleted throughout the water column but P-nutrients were not. Concentrations of vitamin B₁₂ were almost in the same range as those of the previous years and were optimum for the growth ofC. antiqua.GP- value (growth potential of the seawater with respect to nitrogen and phos-phorus) was higher than 0.6 even at the surface layer (0–5 m) at the bloom-initiation period. During the bloom development period (22 July–3 August), GP at the surface layer (0–5m) was low (<0.2), but GP at the depth of 10–20m kept a rather high value (>0.4).In situ growth rates ofC. antiqua at the depth of 0 and 5m estimated from bottle experiments coincided well with the values expected from GP. A high value of GP at the surface layer in the initiation period and a shallow GP-cline in the development period, combined with the ability of diurnal vertical migration seemed to be at least one reason that natural populations ofC. antiqua grew at a rather high rate and formed red tides in the summer of 1987.     

Nitrate and phosphate uptake kinetics ofChattonella antiqua grown in light/dark cycles

Nitrate and phosphate uptake kinetics ofChattonella antiqua were examined under light and dark conditions. The uptake kinetics ofC. antiqua followed the Michaelis-Menten equation. The maximal uptake rates (V _max) of nitrate and phosphate in the dark were 86 and 93% of those in the light, respectively. The half-saturation constants (K ₈ ) were not significantly affected by illumination and were comparable to those of other phytoplankton. However, specific maximal uptake rates ofC. antiqua for these substrates were much smaller than those of other phytoplankton.     

Nitrate pollution from agriculture in different hydrogeological zones of the regional groundwater flow system in the North China Plain

A survey of the quality of groundwater across a broad area of the North China Plain, undertaken in 1998 to 2000, indicates that nitrate pollution is a serious problem affecting the drinking water for a vast population. The use of nitrogen (N)-fertilizer in agriculture has greatly increased over the past 20 years to meet the food needs of the rapidly expanding population. During the study, 295 water samples were collected from wells and springs to determine the water chemistry and the extent of nitrate pollution. High concentrations of nitrate, especially in a recharge area along the western side, but also in the vicinity of Beijing and locally in other parts of the plain, pose a serious problem for the drinking water supply. In places, the nitrate concentration exceeds the maximum for safe drinking water of 45 mg/L. The intense use of N-fertilizer and the widespread use of untreated groundwater for crop irrigation contribute greatly to the problem, but no doubt the disposal of industrial and municipal waste into streams and infiltrating the aquifer also contribute to the problem; however, the lack of data prevents evaluation of those sources. In the recharge area, nitrate is found at depths of as much as 50 m. Near Beijing, relatively high concentrations of nitrate occur at depths of as much as 80 m. In the discharge area, in the vicinity of the Yellow River, high concentrations of nitrate occur at depths of <8 m.

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Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary Material is available in the online version of this article at

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Resumen Contaminacíon de nitratos a causa de prácticas agrícolas en diferentes zonas hidrogeológicas del sistema de flujo regional de aguas subterráneas en la planice del norte de China. Un estudio de la calidad del agua subterránea en una zona amplia de la planice del norte de China se llevó a cabo entre 1998 y el año 2000. Este estudio indica que la contaminación de nitratos es un problema grave que afecta el agua potable de una vasta población. El uso de fertilizantes a base de nitratos en la agricultura ha aumentado considerablemente durante los últimos 20 años para satisfacer las necesidades alimentices de la creciente población. Durante el estudio, se tomaron 295 muestras de pozos de agua y manantiales para determinar la química de las aguas y el grado de contaminación por nitratos. Altas concentraciones de nitratos, especialmente en una zona de recarga a lo largo del lado oeste, asì como en la cercanía a Pekín y en zonas locales en otras partes de la planicie, presentan un problema serio al sumunistro de agua potable. En ciertos lugares, la concentracióon de nitratos excede el nivel máximo de seguridad para el agua potable 45 mg NO₃/L. El intenso uso de fertilizantes de nitratos y el abundante uso de agua subterránea sin tratamiento para la irrigación de cultivos contribuyen sustancialmente al problema. Sin embargo, sin lugar a dudas, la descarga de deshechos industriales y municipales en arroyos y en el acuífero también contribuyen al problema. La falta de datos impide la evalución de dichas fuentes. En la zona de recarga se encuentran nitratos hasta los 50 m de profundidad. Cerca a Pekín, concentraciones relativamente altas de nitrato ocurren hasta los 80 m de profunidad. En las zonas de descarga afectadas por el Río Amarillo las concentraciones altas de nitrato se encuentran solamente a menos de 8m de profundidad.

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Resumé Une campagne dévaluation de la qualité de leau souterraine entreprise entre 1998 et 2000 à travers une vaste étendue de la plaine du nord en Chine indique que la pollution par les nitrates est un problème sérieux qui affecte la qualité de leau souterraine pour une abondante population. Lutilisation de fertilisants azotés pour lagriculture a augmenté considérablement durant les 20 dernières années afin de rencontrer les besoins alimentaires dune population à forte croissance. Lors de cette étude, 295 échantillons deau ont été prélevés dans des puits et sources naturelles afin de déterminer la composition chimique de leau souterraine ainsi que létendue de la pollution par les nitrates. Des concentrations élevées de nitrates, en particulier dans une zone de recharge le long de la limite ouest de la plaine, mais aussi dans la région de Beijing et sporadiquement dans la plaine, posent de sérieux problèmes à la consommation de leau souterraine. A certains endroits, la concentration en nitrates excède la valeur maximale acceptée pour la consommation qui est de 45 mg NO₃/L. Lutilisation intensive de fertilisants azotés ainsi que lutilisation répandue deau souterraine non traitée pour lirrigation contribuent pour beaucoup au problème, mais il ne fait pas de doute que le rejet des déchets municipaux et industriels dans les rivières et aquifères y est aussi pour quelque chose. Par contre, le manque de donnés ne permet pas dévaluer la contribution de chacune de ces sources. Dans la zone de recharge, les nitrates se retrouvent à des profondeurs allant jusquà 50 m. Près de Beijing, des concentrations relativement élevées de nitrate ont été mesurées à des profondeurs allant jusquà 80 m. Enfin, dans la zone démergence affectée par la rivière Jaune, les fortes concentrations se retrouvent à une profondeur maximale de 8 m.

     

The changing iconography of Japanese political geography

Our world is very fluid, very complex, constantly moving, made up of a great number of interdependent components. Therefore, the locus and the orbit of a particular area play an important role in geography and in politics. The purpose of this study is to examine the iconography of orbit and freedom of movement through an analysis of the transformation of the international politico-economic structure and its impact on Japan and to make clear the footsteps of Jean Gottmann on political geography. Due to its locus being on the crossroad of international power struggles, Japan had accepted different iconographies of orbits every time she faced great mutation in her history. This, in turn, accelerated the synchronism, synergism and synthesis of different iconographies that came to converge at the crossroad. The integration of imported cultures with the Japanese traditional culture promoted the transformation of Japanese society and community to emphasize the freedom of movements. The flexibility of Japanese society and the unifying iconography of Japanese community have enabled Japan to adapt and readapt to changing politico-economic phases. Interested in the relationship between freedom of movement and iconography, Jean Gottmann spent a considerable portion of his academic life inquiring into the changing dynamics of Japanese iconography on the global scene. After a quarter-century pursuit, he contributed to the establishment of political geography in Japan.     

Groundwater flow and geochemistry in the lower reaches of the Yellow River: a case study in Shandang Province, China

Water samples were collected from the Yellow River and from wells for chemical and isotopic measurement in the counties of Yucheng and Qihe, to which 6–9×10⁸ m³ of water is diverted annually from the Yellow River. A zone of high electrical conductivity (EC) in groundwater corresponds well on the regional scale with a ridge in groundwater level, which is the main flow path through the region, but has a low gradient. The zone of highest EC along this ridge occurs at a position with the lowest ground altitude in the study area. The unique characteristic of the groundwater is the linear relationship among the principal anions as the result of mixing. The mixing effect is confirmed by its isotopic signature, which was then used to calculate the contributions from three sources: rainfall, old water, and diverted water with an average mixing rate of 18, 17, and 65%, respectively. As an indicator of water movement, Cl^– content varies across a wide range in the profile from 30–10 m with a maximum concentration at about 1.2 m depth. Concentrations are relatively stable at about 2 m, which is the average boundary of the saturated and unsaturated zone. The water from the Yellow River has proved to be dominant in mixing in the aquifer in terms of groundwater flow and geochemistry. Electronic Publication     

RXTE observation of NGC 6240: a search for the obscured active nucleus

We present new data taken at 850 μm with SCUBA at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope for a sample of 19 luminous infrared galaxies. Fourteen galaxies were detected. We have used these data, together with fluxes at 25, 60 and 100 μm from IRAS , to model the dust emission. We find that the emission from most galaxies can be described by an optically thin, single temperature dust model with an exponent of the dust extinction coefficient ( k _λ ∝ λ ^{− β} ) of β ≃1.4–2. A lower β ≃1 is required to model the dust emission from two of the galaxies, Arp 220 and NGC 4418. We discuss various possibilities for this difference and conclude that the most likely is a high dust opacity. In addition, we compare the molecular gas mass derived from the dust emission, M _850 μm, with the molecular gas mass derived from the CO emission, M _CO, and find that M _CO is on average a factor 2–3 higher than M _850 μm.     

Characteristics of chemistry and stable isotopes in groundwater of Chaobai and Yongding River basin,North China Plain

To identify the groundwater flow system in the North China Plain, the chemical and stable isotopes of the groundwater and surface water were analysed along the Chaobai River and Yongding River basin. According to the field survey, the study area in the North China Plain was classified hydrogeologically into three parts: mountain, piedmont alluvial fan and lowland areas. The change of electrical conductance and pH values coincided with groundwater flow from mountain to lowland areas. The following groundwater types are recognized: Ca? HCO₃ and Ca? Mg? HCO₃ in mountain areas, Ca? Mg? HCO₃ and Na? K? HCO₃ in piedmont alluvial fan areas, and HCO₃? Na in lowland areas. The stable isotope distribution of groundwater in the study area also has a good corresponding relation with other chemical characteristics. Stable isotope signatures reveal a major recharge from precipitation and surface water in the mountain areas. Chemical and stable isotope analysis data suggest that mountain and piedmont alluvial fan areas were the major recharge zones and the lowland areas belong to the main discharge zone. Precipitation and surface water were the major sources for groundwater in the North China Plain. Stable isotopic enrichment of groundwater near the dam area in front of the piedmont alluvial fan areas shows that the dam water infiltrated to the ground after evaporation. As a result, from the stable isotope analysis, isotope value of groundwater tends to deplete from sea level (horizontal ground surface) to both top of the mountain and the bottom of the lowland areas in symmetrically. This suggests that groundwater in the study area is controlled by the altitude effect. Shallow groundwater in the study area belongs to the local flow system and deep groundwater part of the regional flow system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiant point,trajectory and velocity from single photographic or TV observation

The radiant point can be decided by using assumption that a meteor's velocity is constant by only one photograph with rotation shutter or one TV camera. Trajectory and initial velocity can be decided by using additional assumption beginning with the height of a meteor. In this method, the radiant point can be computed accurately when trajectory length is long enough which can be regarded constant velocity and measurement's error is small.