Cytochrome P4501A expression,chemical contaminants and histopathology in roach,goby and sturgeon and chemical contaminants in sediments from the Caspian Sea,Lake Balkhash and the Ily River Delta,Kazakhstan

Roach, goby and sturgeon were examined for cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) expression and histopathology, in relation to contaminant burdens in fish and sediment. Gradients of induction of CYP1A were observed. Roach from the Ural and Ily River Deltas and roach and goby from the two stations nearest the Caspian Sea oil fields displayed higher levels of CYP1A expression in several organs than was observed in fish from further offshore. Great sturgeon and Russian sturgeon showed higher levels of CYP1A expression than was seen in starred sturgeon and gobies in the Ural delta. No fish showed evidence of contaminant-related histopathologies in the organs examined, despite the elevated CYP1A levels. Low levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and elevated levels of inshore and riverine petroleum hydrocarbons from these habitats suggest that this ongoing hydrocarbon exposure, and that from natural sources and long-term oil exploration on the Northeastern Caspian shore, contributed to the CYP1A induction observed.     

Multi-functional heat pulse probe measurements of coupled vadose zone flow and transport

Simultaneous measurement of coupled water, heat, and solute transport in unsaturated porous media is made possible with the multi-functional heat pulse probe (MFHPP). The probe combines a heat pulse technique for estimating soil heat properties, water flux, and water content with a Wenner array measurement of bulk soil electrical conductivity (EC_bulk). To evaluate the MFHPP, we conducted controlled steady-state flow experiments in a sand column for a wide range of water saturations, flow velocities, and solute concentrations. Flow and transport processes were monitored continuously using the MFHPP. Experimental data were analyzed by inverse modeling of simultaneous water, heat, and solute transport using an adapted HYDRUS-2D model. Various optimization scenarios yielded simultaneous estimation of thermal, solute, and hydraulic parameters and variables, including thermal conductivity, volumetric water content, water flux, and thermal and solute dispersivities. We conclude that the MFHPP holds great promise as an excellent instrument for the continuous monitoring and characterization of the vadose zone.     

Meteorological Aspects, Ozone, and Solar Radiation Measurements During POPCORN 1994

Meteorological data, ozone mixing ratios, and photolysis frequencies for the period August 2 to August 24, 1994, are presented and discussed in support of the field campaign POPCORN (Photochemistry of Plant Emitted Compounds and OH Radicals in Northeastern Germany). Measurements of temperature, ozone, and wind speed at different heights are used to evaluate micro-meteorological parameters. The observations provide information about local influences on the air mass composition. The analysis of radio sonde data of nearby stations provides the height of the planetary boundary layer.     

Structural development of the Precambrian basement in the Bir Safsaf-Aswân area,SW-Egypt

Structural investigations, especially on quartz c-axis fabrics, combined with petrological work, were carried out in Precambrian rocks from the basement outcrops Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr und Gebel Umm Shâghir in the Western Desert in SW Egypt. The principal rock types are migmatites with local mylonite zones. The foliation and shear planes strike WNW-ESE, the axes of the wide and open folds NE-SW to N-S. Investigation of recrystallization features and mineral parageneses lead to P–T-estimates for the different stages of the metamorphic evolution. They range from early granulite facies down to greenschist facies. Quartz-c-axis fabrics of the migmatites and mylonites are similar (crossed-girdle fabrics) but they have a different regional orientation of the strain ellipsoid. Shear zones developed after the main migmatite facies event. The geological evolution of the basement outcrops in Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr and Gebel Umm Shâghir is comparable and the whole region is thought to be part of the East Sahara Craton.

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Zusammenfassung Strukturuntersuchungen, besonders Quarz-c-Achsen-Regelungen, kombiniert mit petrologischen Arbeiten, wurden an Gesteinen der präkambrischen Grundgebirgsaufschlüsse Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr und Gebel Umm Shâghir in der Western Desert, ägypten, durchgeführt. Die hauptsächlich auftretenden Gesteinstypen sind Migmatite mit lokalen Mylonitzonen. Schieferungs- und Scherflächen streichen WNW-ESE, die Achsen der weiten bis offenen Faltung NE-SW bis N-S. Mit Hilfe des Rekristallisationsverhaltens und der Paragenesen werden P-T-Abschätzungen der Metamorphosestadien angegeben. Sie reichen von früher Granulitfazies bis zu später Grünschieferfazies. Die Quarz-c-Achsenregelung in Migmatiten und Myloniten ist ähnlich (Kreuzgürtelregelung), jedoch mit unterschiedlicher regionaler Orientierung des Strainellipsoids. Scherzonen entwickelten sich nach dem migmatitfaziellen Hauptmetamorphose-Ereignis. Die geologische Entwicklung in den Grundgebirgsaufschlüssen von Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr und Gebel Umm Shâghir ist vergleichbar und das gesamte Gebiet wird als Teil des Ostsaharakratons angesehen.

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Résumé Cette note fait état des résultats de recherches menées dans les aires d'affleurement du socle pré-cambrien de Bir Safsaf, du Jebel al Asr et du Jebel Umm Shâghir, dans le désert occidental d'Egypte; ces recherches ont consisté en l'étude des structures, particulèrement des fabriques des axes c du quartz, combinée avec une étude pétrologique. Les roches sont essentiellement des migmatites accompagnées de zones de mylonites locales. La schistosité et les plans de cisaillement y sont orientés WNW-ESE; elles présentent des plis ouverts dont les axes sont NE-SW à N-S. L'étude des structures de recristallisation et des paragenèses minérales fournit une estimation des conditions (p,t) au cours des stades successifs de l'évolution métamorphique. Ces conditions s'échelonnent du faciès des granulites jusqu'à celui des schistes verts. Les fabriques des axes c du quartz sont les mÊmes dans les migmatites et les mylonites (fabrique à «ceintures croisées»), mais ces roches présentent des orientations régionales différentes de l'ellipsoÏde des déformations. L'événement métamorphique principal à caractère migmatitique a été suivi de la formation de couloirs de cisaillement (shear-zones). L'évolution géologique du socle est comparable dans les trois aires étudiées; l'ensemble est considéré comme faisant partie du craton du Sahara oriental.

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, Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr Gebel Umm Shâghir, . . WNW-ESE, — NE-SW N-S. , . . / Kreuzgü rtelregelung /, . . Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr Gebel Umm Shaghir , .

     

Effect of a dolerite intrusion on triterpane stereochemistry and kerogen in Rundle oil shale,Australia

Stereochemical changes of triterpanes present in extracts from an immature oil shale sequence intruded by a 3-m dolerite sill have been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The steric configuration of the hopanes was observed to change from one dominated by the thermally less stable 17β(H), 21β(H) configuration at some distance from the intrusion, to one dominated by the thermally more stable 17α(H), 21β(H) and 17β(H), 21α(H) configurating in the immediate vicinity of the intrusion. In addition, severe alteration of the kerogen appeared to have taken place as a result of the contact metamorphism, and high concentrations of extractable organic matter were observed below the intrusion. Characterization of the kerogens by Curie-point pyrolysis has enabled the effects of the intrusion on the shales to be monitored.     

Plant Phenological Anomalies in Germany and their Relation to Air Temperature and NAO

This paper analyses long-term (1951–2000) phenological observations of20 plant seasonal phases recorded within the phenological network of the German Weather Service in relation to climate data and NAO. Phenological inter-annual variability and temporal trends were determined by using mean anomaly curves for Germany. For all phases, the mean trends derived by this method are similar to German averages of linear trends of single station records. Trend analysis using anomaly curves appears to be effective in relating seasonal phenological trends to climate or satellite data: Spring and summer phenological anomalies, such as leaf unfolding and flowering of different species, strongly correlate with temperature of the preceding months (R² between 0.65 and 0.85, best one-variable model) andtheir onsets have advanced by 2.5 to 6.7 days per ° C warmer spring. Fruit ripening of Sambucus nigra and Aesculus hippocastanum, keyphenophases of early and mid autumn, correlate well with summer temperature (R² 0.74 and 0.84) and also advance by 6.5and 3.8 days per ° C (April–June). But the response of autumn colouringto warmer climate is more complex because two opposing factors influence autumn colouring dates. Higher spring and early summer temperatures advance leaf colouring, whereas warmer autumn temperatures delay leaf colouring. The percentage of variance explained by temperature (R² 0.22 to 0.51,best one-variable model) is less than for spring and summer phases. The length of the growing season is mainly increased by warmer springs (R² 0.48to 0.64, best one-variable model) and lengthened by 2.4 to 3.5 days/° C (February–April). The North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAO) of January–March correlates with spring phenological anomalies(R² 0.37 to 0.56, best one-variable model), summer to mid autumn phases respond to NAO of February–March (R² 0.23 to 0.36) (both negativecorrelations). Leaf colouring is delayed by higher NAO of (August) September (R² 0.10to 0.18). NAO of January–February explains 0.41 to 0.44% of thevariance of the length of the growing season.     

Fluid Households,Complex Families: The Impacts of Children's Migration as a Response to HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa*

The fluidity of southern African families is related to a long history of internal and external migration. Currently, HIV/AIDS is having a dramatic impact on extended family structures, with the migration of individual members employed as a coping strategy. Children's migration is one aspect of this that is often distinct from that undertaken by other household members. This article is based on qualitative research conducted in Lesotho and Malawi with young migrants and the households that receive them. It examines the processes of fragmentation and re‐formation of households through the movements of children that are taking place in response to HIV/AIDS, and explores the impacts these processes have on young migrants and the households they join.