Chironomid responses to long-term metal contamination: a paleolimnological study in two bays of Lake Imandra, Kola Peninsula, northern Russia

Short sediment cores from two gulfs, Monche Bay and Kunchast Bay, of Lake Imandra (Kola Peninsula, northern Russia) were analysed for sediment chemistry and chironomid head capsule remains. Monche Bay has been receiving metals from the Severonikel copper-nickel smelter since the late 1930's. Kunchast Bay was selected in the remotest lake basin as an internal reference site. There were no pronounced changes in the chironomid assemblages with the beginning of slight metal contamination of Kunchast Bay. Based on the reconstructed environmental variables and chironomid assemblages, three developmental stages were distinguished from the chironomid fauna history of Monche Bay: (1) A natural development stage; (2) the early warning stage; and (3) the developing crises stage. During the first period, the changes in the chironomid fauna reflect an anthropogenically undisturbed assemblage, with Micropsectra insignilobus dominating (17–23%). The changes during the second period reflect the initial phase of anthropogenic succession associated with the beginning of metal pollution. The main species showed opposite distributional patterns in this period: the abundance of M. insignilobus decreased, whereas the abundance of Chironomus, Procladius and Sergentia coracina increased. At the same time, maximal numbers were attained for species richness (45) and Shannon-Weaver diversity (4.85) of chironomid assemblages, and the highest head capsule concentration (75 head capsules · g^–1 of dry sediment). The third period was characterized by a major shift in the faunal assemblages, from M. insignilobus to other dominant species, including Chironomus (22–44%), Procladius (10–30 %) and S. coracina (15–18%). Besides fauna changes, assemblages of the third period are distinguished by the occurrence of mouthpart deformities in Chironomus head capsules.     

Post-glacial diatom and geochemical records of ecological status and water level changes of Lake Vorota,Western Beringia

Journal of Paleolimnology - In this study, radiocarbon-dated geochemical and diatom records from Lake Vorota located within the informal meteorological ‘pole of cold’ of the northern...     

Mixing in Shallow Waters： Measurements, Processing, and Applications

Microstructure profiling measurements taken on a shallow Black Sea shelf and in Lake Banyoles and Boadella reservoir (Both in Spain) are analyzed to investigate the influence of boundary-layer-induced turbulence of various sources on mixing in the water interior. The state of turbulence in shallow waters is examined and details of microstructure data processing and error analysis are discussed. The dependence between averaged activity parameter AG and buoyancy Reynolds number Reb for the shelf turbulence indicates that for Reb < 1 the state of turbulence can be described by the fossil turbulence model, which postulates AG-Reb1/2. For Reb> 1, however, the influence of Reb on AG is weak, signifying that the buoyancy Reynolds number can no longer serve as the governing parameter for active turbulent mixing. The generation of turbulence by a one-minute long wind bursts (the Boadella reservoir) increases the averaged dissipation rate (e) of the surface mixed layer by more than 5 times (up to 3×10-6 W kg-1). The influence of the wind bursts was also traced below the ther-mocline, where turbulent patches with     

Relationship between shell weight and cadmium content in whole digestive gland of the Japanese scallop Patinopecten yessoensis (Jay)

Seasonal and age-specific variations of cadmium (Cd) concentration in the digestive gland were investigated in the Japanese scallop Patinopecten yessoensis from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan, with different degrees of Cd pollution. The seasonal changes in Cd concentrations of the digestive gland were inversely proportional to the dry weight of the gland. Concentrations of Cd and total Cd content (mug Cd per organ) increased with age (age-specific) to the same extent in contaminated and uncontaminated areas. There was also a strong positive correlation between Cd content in the whole digestive gland and shell weight and it is proposed that this relationship can be used as a new criterion for comparative evaluation of Cd levels in scallops from different areas We hypothesize that Cd is uptaken into scallops in proportion to the amount of calcium that absorbed through ion channels, and in addition, Cd in the digestive gland is in immobile forms (e.g. metal-rich granules) that accumulate with age. Moderate environmental pollution has no effect on the relationship between Cd content and shell size and the observed decrease in growth performance of the scallops from polluted areas may be due to other factors.     

Estimation of Travel Climate Comfort Degree in the Cross-border Region between China and Russia based on GIS

The duration of travel climate comfort degree is an important factor that influences the length of the tourism season and the development of a tourism destination. In this study, we used the monthly average meteorological data for the last 10 years from 46 weather stations in Heilongjiang Province (China) and Primorsky Krai (Russia) to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI) and wind chill index (WCI) based on ArcGIS software interpolation technology. We obtained the climate comfort charts of the study area with a grid size a 1 km ² grid size, and analyzed the spatial distribution of comfort for each month. The results show the following: 1) The THI and WCI of the cross-border region gradually decrease from south to north and from low altitude to high altitude. The annual comfortable climate period is longer when analyzed in terms of the WCI rather \than the THI. 2) The travel climate comfortable period of the study area shows significant regional difference and the length of the comfortable period in Heilongjiang Province is 4 to 5 months. Meanwhile, the period in Primorsky Krai decreases from south to north and the length of the comfortable period length in its southern region can reach 7 months. 3) The predominant length of the climate comfortable period in the cross-border area is 5 months per year, and it covers 46.6% of the total area, while areas that have a climate comfortable period of 2 months are the most limited, covering less than 0.3% of the area. The results provide a scientific basis for the utilization and development of a meteorological tourism resources and touring arrangements for tourists in the cross-border region between China and Russia.     

Food and feeding habits of Octopus insularis in the Veracruz Reef System National Park and confirmation of its presence in the southwest Gulf of Mexico

Octopuses are active predators that feed on a wide range of prey including crustaceans, fishes, and mollusks. They are important components of coral reef systems and support local and artisanal fisheries in the Gulf of México. Octopus insularis has been found to be one of the most relevant components in catches from the coral reef system of Veracruz in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, and its role in the ecosystem requires assessment. To corroborate the morphological identification of O. insularis, six octopuses were identified by genetic methods. And to understand the trophic relationships between this octopus species and its prey, 394 octopuses caught during 2016 and 2017 by an artisanal fleet were sampled and their stomach contents analyzed. Results showed that crustaceans are the most frequently consumed group, with the genera Mithraculus and Etisus being the most important in the diet. Fishes, bivalves, and gastropods were identified as uncommon prey items in the diet. Their presence in the stomachs could be related to the movement of this octopus outside of the coral reef. Considering that our samples were of medium‐ and large‐sized individuals, cannibalism could be discarded for O. insularis in this size range in the Veracruz reef system. These findings suggest a generalist and opportunistic predation of O. insularis on the most abundant and available prey in the study area, namely the crustaceans. These represents an effective transfer of biomass from the low trophic levels to top predators in the coral reef system.     

Mineralogy and oxygen isotope systematics of magnetite grains and a magnetite‐dolomite assemblage in hydrated fine‐grained Antarctic micrometeorites

We report the mineralogy and texture of magnetite grains, a magnetite‐dolomite assemblage, and the adjacent mineral phases in five hydrated fine‐grained Antarctic micrometeorites (H‐FgMMs). Additionally, we measured the oxygen isotopic composition of magnetite grains and a magnetite‐dolomite assemblage in these samples. Our mineralogical study shows that the secondary phases identified in H‐FgMMs have similar textures and chemical compositions to those described previously in other primitive solar system materials, such as carbonaceous chondrites. However, the oxygen isotopic compositions of magnetite in H‐FgMMs span a range of ?¹⁷O values from +1.3‰ to +4.2‰, which is intermediate between magnetites measured in carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites (CCs and OCs). The δ¹⁸O values of magnetites in one H‐FgMM have a ~27‰ mass‐dependent spread in a single 100 × 200 μm particle, indicating that there was a localized control of the fluid composition, probably due to a low water‐to‐rock mass ratio. The ?¹⁷O values of magnetite indicate that H‐FgMMs sampled a different aqueous fluid than ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites, implying that the source of H‐FgMMs is probably distinct from the asteroidal source of CCs and OCs. Additionally, we analyzed the oxygen isotopic composition of a magnetite‐dolomite assemblage in one of the H‐FgMMs (sample 03‐36‐46) to investigate the temperature at which these minerals coprecipitated. We have used the oxygen isotope fractionation between the coexisting magnetite and dolomite to infer a precipitation temperature between 160 and 280 °C for this sample. This alteration temperature is ~100–200 °C warmer than that determined from a calcite‐magnetite assemblage from the CR2 chondrite Al Rais, but similar to the estimated temperature of aqueous alteration for unequilibrated OCs, CIs, and CMs. This suggests that the sample 03‐36‐46 could come from a parent body that was large enough to attain temperatures as high as the OCs, CIs, and CMs, which implies an asteroidal origin for this particular H‐FgMM.     

Is the Linné impact crater morphology influenced by the rheological layering on the Moon's surface? Insights from numerical modeling

Linné is a simple crater, with a diameter of 2.23 km and a depth of 0.52 km, located in northwestern Mare Serenitatis. Recent high‐resolution data acquired by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera revealed that the shape of this impact structure is best described by an inverted truncated‐cone. We perform morphometric measurements, including slope and profile curvature, on the Digital Terrain Model of Linné, finding the possible presence of three subtle topographic steps, at the elevation of +20, ?100, and ?200 m relative to the target surface. The kink at ?100 m might be related to the interface between two different rheological layers. Using the iSALE shock physics code, we numerically model the formation of Linné crater to derive hints on the possible impact conditions and target physical properties. In the initial setup, we adopt a basaltic projectile impacting the Moon with a speed of 18 km s^?1. For the local surface, we consider either one or two layers, in order to test the influence of material properties or composite rheologies on the final crater morphology. The one‐layer model shows that the largest variations in the crater shape take place when either the cohesion or the friction coefficient is varied. In particular, a cohesion of 10 kPa marks the threshold between conical‐ and parabolic‐shaped craters. The two‐layer model shows that the interface between the two layers would be exposed at the observed depth of 100 m when an intermediate value (~200 m) for the upper fractured layer is set. We have also found that the truncated‐cone morphology of Linné might originate from an incomplete collapse of the crater wall, as the breccia lens remains clustered along the crater walls, while the high‐albedo deposit on the crater floor can be interpreted as a very shallow lens of fallout breccia. The modeling analysis allows us to derive important clues on the impactor size (under the assumption of a vertical impact and collision velocity equal to the mean value), and on the approximate, large‐scale preimpact target properties. Observations suggest that these large‐scale material properties likely include some important smaller scale variations, disclosed as subtle morphological steps in the crater walls. Furthermore, the modeling results allow advancing some hypotheses on the geological evolution of the Mare Serenitatis region where Linné crater is located (unit S14). We suggest that unit S14 has a thickness of at least a few hundreds of meters up to about 400 m.     

Probabilistic assessment of structural operational efficiency in emergency limit conditions: the I.OPà.CLE method

One major issue in the aftermath of a strong earthquake is the emergency management, which cannot be guaranteed if the physical components necessary for the operability of the contingency plan are either damaged, unusable or inaccessible. In order to assess the physical efficiency of the emergency system on which a contingency plan is based, the I.OPà.CLE method (Indices for evaluation of the Operational efficiency of Limit Condition Emergency) has been set up by the Italian Civil Protection Department. It is basically aimed at supporting civil protection decision makers in evaluating emergency systems and establishing strategies and priorities concerning strengthening interventions at national, regional or municipality level. The method must be potentially applied to any of the around 8000 municipalities all over Italy, and then it must refer to a minimum information dataset readily available for any municipality. Therefore, I.OPà.CLE has been specifically tailored for the minimum standard information that is provided by the analysis of Limit Condition for Emergency, as formulated in 2012 by the Italian Civil Protection Department. This analysis defines the standard framework of the physical layout of a municipal seismic emergency plan, relying on a limited number of information. Notwithstanding the numerically extensive target and limited amount of information available, the ambition of I.OPà.CLE is to perform simplified analyses without renouncing to rigor in the methodology. The present paper illustrates the analytic formulation of I.OPà.CLE and its capabilities, as well as two real examples. In the conclusion, future upgrading of the model are discussed, even in relation to the availability of further pieces of information.     

Analysis of the goodness of empirical approaches in predicting explosive detonation parameters

Goodness of empirical models for predicting explosive detonation velocity and pressure was analysed using 3 databases consisting of experimental velocity and pressure measurements for different explosives. The first database was used to estimate experimental errors for detonation velocity and pressure measurements. The second database was used to compare residuals obtained by the experimental models and by various thermochemical codes. Finally, the third database, consisting of some 600 data on 130 explosive substances, was used to estimate residual bias and dispersion resulting from the application of the experimental models. Also analysed was model coherence with the ideal detonation theory. Our main conclusion is that all the models introduce bias in their predictions depending on the density and oxygen balance values of the explosive. Of those analysed, the Xiong model was notable for its good results, with residual dispersion comparable to that obtained from application of the best thermochemical codes. Our results would indicate that the Xiong model is the only model that may be compatible with the ideal detonation theory. The pressure equation derived from the ideal detonation theory and calibrated with experimental data had excellent predictive capacity.