Changes in the metal content of surficial sediments of Boston Harbor since the cessation of sludge discharge

Temporal trends of metals in surficial sediments (1991-1998) at two sites in Boston Harbor were analyzed to evaluate the effect of stopping sludge dumping in December 1991. Metal contents of sediments from the old sludge disposal site were higher than those of a station in the central Harbor. Since 1991, carbon, copper, and lead contents have significantly decreased in sediments from the disposal site. Chromium and Zn have shown smaller decreases while Fe, and Mn, have remained relatively constant. Metal content in the central Harbor station, located in an area of sediment reworking, has been quite variable, but, with the exception of Zn which has shown a large decrease relative to iron, the changes seemed to be well correlated with changes in the organic carbon content at this site due to resuspension. Ratios of metals in the sediments are fairly similar at both sites and similar to those of sewage-derived particles, with the exception of Cr, which appears to be enriched in the sediments.     

胜利原油和Corexit 9527分散剂对海洋围隔实验生态系中浮游动物的影响

本文分析了Corexit 9527分散剂和中国胜利原油对海洋实验生态系中浮游动物群落的影响,得出的主要结论是:1.单独的Corexit 9527对草食性桡足类的生长发育稍有抑制作用,但种群可得恢复和发展,对肉食性桡足类及其他各类浮游动物没有影响;2.Corexit 9527和原油的混合物对所有类别浮游动物均有极大的抑制作用,它导致种群的迅速缩小且无法得以恢复。     

重金属及沉积物对实验海洋生态系中浮游动物的影响

应用濒海陆基水池中8个围隔生冬系实验袋研究污染物对浮游动物的影响,结果表明:低浓度Cd,Cu,Pb,Zn,Hg的混合物对草食性桡足类的生长发育有一定的抑制作用,当浓度增到高值,抑制作用更为强烈.低浓度沉积物对草食性桡足类的生长发育同样具有一定的抑制作用,当浓度增到高值,抑制作用也更为明显,两类污染物均在不同程度上改变了生态系的结构,肉食性桡足类对污染物的反应并不明显,但幼形类住囊虫(Oikipleura sp.)对低,高浓度混合重金属则较为敏感,而对低、高浓度的沉积物却没有表现出明显的反应迹象.     

Multi-trial biomarker approach in Meganyctiphanes norvegica: a potential early indicator of health status of the Mediterranean "whale sanctuary."

The aim of this study was to propose a suite of biomarkers (BPMO activity, NADPH-cytocrome c reductase, NADH-ferricyanide reductase. esterases, porphyrins, vitellogenin and zona radiata proteins) and residue levels (organochlorines, PAHs and heavy metals) in the zooplanktonic euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica as a potential multi-disciplinary diagnostic tool for assessment of the health status of the Mediterranean "whale sanctuary". Very little difference in BPMO was detected between sites, with values ranging from 0.75 to 2.68 U.A.F./mg prot/h. On the other hand larger differences between sites were found for reductase activities. Esterases (AChE), porphyrins (Copro-, Uro-, Proto-porphyrins) vitellogenin and zona radiata proteins were also detectable in this zooplanctonic species. Hg showed mean levels of 0.141 ppm d.w., Cd 0.119 ppm d.w. and Pb 0.496 ppm d.w. Total PAHs ranged from 860.7 to 5,037.9 ng/g d.w., carcinogenic PAHs from 40.3 to 141.7 ng/g d.w., HCB from 3.5 to 11.6 ng/g d.w., DDTs from 45.3 to 163.2 ng/g d.w. and the PCBs from 84.6 to 210.2 ng/g d.w.     

Spatial distribution of persistent organochlorines in ringed seal (Phoca hispida) blubber

Blubber samples, taken through the entire blubber column, were collected from three different anatomical locations on ringed seals (Phoca hispida). The outer and inner layers of these samples were analysed for concentrations of sigma PCBs (sum of the analysed congeners, polychlorinated biphenyls) and p,p'-DDE (4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene). No significant differences were found in blubber thickness or in per cent extractable lipid when comparing age- and sex-groups, or in extractable lipid content when comparing anatomical locations of the blubber or blubber depth. No significant differences were found between the three different anatomical locations with respect to the concentrations of sigma PCBs or p,p'-DDE. However, the concentrations of both sigma PCB and p,p'-DDE were significantly higher in the outer blubber layer compared to the inner. Higher levels of both sigma PCB and p,p'-DDE were found in males compared to females and juveniles in both the inner and outer parts of the blubber column. The most commonly used blubber sampling devices are biopsy tools that penetrate only the outer layer of the blubber. Analyses of such samples will not reflect the real body burden of organochlorines. Standard methods for sampling blubber of marine mammals should be developed so that comparative studies and longitudinal monitoring programs of pollutants in marine mammals can be conducted in a meaningful way.     

A Study of Lift Force and Instantaneous Velocity Field Around an Oscillating Circular Cylinder

-Force measurements of oscillatory flow acting on a single circular cylinder have been carriedout.The experiments were done by oscillating a circular cylinder in still water.Instantaneous forces and ve-locity fields around the cylinder were measured by Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV).The Keulegan-Car-penter number(KC)varied in the range from 5 to 20 and the viscous parameter β=Re/KC was set at500(Re is Reynolds number).It was found that the strength and frequency of the lift force increased withKC number,the main frequency of the lift force being three times the frequency of the oscillatory flow atKC=20.The movement and strength of the vortices around the cylinder are discussed for differentKC numbers.     

大西洋中部的金属矿化

巨大的海洋盆地是天然的大自然实验室 ,在其中根据某个海底地段的地球动力学机制特征 ,展开了成矿作用过程。对它们进行各方面和多样性的详细研究给地质学家提供了巨大的可能性来获得现在发生的成矿过程信息和利用研究陆上金属矿床时所获得的资料 ,而后者中的大部分形成于遥远的地质年代 (数百万年前 )。这个广泛应用于所有地质学科中的所谓现实主义态度 ,使专家们更深入地了解矿床的成因 ,并因此而提高了普查和预测未发现矿床的效率。无疑 ,将来海洋金属矿床本身也将成为人类生产实践的对象。在对洋底地质和矿产的综合工作中 ,应特别注意洋…     

The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom--summary of the EDMAR programme. Endocrine Disruption in the Marine Environment

This paper summarises results of the EDMAR programme which is investigating oestrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruption in UK coastal waters. Most of the data concern fish. Four species (flounder, viviparous blenny and two sand gobies) are experiencing feminisation in industrialised estuaries. In males this includes vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis, ovotestis induction and/or feminised sexual characteristics. Although reproductive success may be impaired in some cases, implications for fish populations are still unclear. Suspected causative contaminants include natural oestrogenic substances and synthetic oestrogen mimics. The majority of the oestrogenic activity is adsorbed to sediments, and routes of exposure may include benthic food chain transfer. Some natural androgenic substances are also being discharged to estuaries, but their activity appears low.