Field accumulative behavior of organochlorine pesticides. The role of crabs and sediment characteristics in coastal environments

The influence of intertidal crab beds on the concentrations of organochlorine (OC) pesticides in sediment was studied in two different coastal environments in Argentina. Samples of male burrowing crabs (Chasmagnathus granulatus) were collected for this study. Our field data showed lower bioaccumulation of OC pesticides in crabs from sediments with a higher total organic carbon (TOC) and higher clay content. Thus, concentrations in crabs depend on the physico-chemical characteristics of the sediment where they live more than on the OC pesticide concentrations in the environment. The distribution patterns in sediment from inside and outside crab burrows were similar for both coastal areas being HCHs  γ-chlordane > p,p′-DDE for San Antonio Bay (SAO), and HCHs > p,p′-DDE  γ-chlordane for Mar Chiquita (MCh) coastal lagoon. OC pesticide concentrations in sediment were significantly lower inside than outside crab burrows, irrespective of the sediment physico-chemical characteristics due to the bioturbation activity of C. granulatus.     

Esterase activities and lipid peroxidation levels in offshore commercial species of the NW Mediterranean Sea

There is a lack of information on monitoring neurotoxicity in offshore commercial species. To help fill this gap, we sampled hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in fishing grounds off the coast of l’Ametlla de Mar (NW Mediterranean) in June 2005 at a depth of 100 m and 400 m. Additionally, at 400 m depth, two other fish species, Micromesistius poutassou and Phycis blennoides were included. Neurotoxicity markers such as Colinesterases (ChEs), namely acethyl- (AChE), butyryl- (BChE), propionyl- (PrChE) and carboxilesterase (CbE) were measured in muscle. Lipid peroxidation (LP), a marker of oxidative damage, was also included. The results are discussed in relation to the animal’s sex, size and fishing depth. A comparison of esterases and LP levels between muscle and liver of hake and between muscle and hepatopancreas of Norway Lobster was made.

AChE was dominant in muscle and CbE in hepatopancreas. No differences between fish species were seen for AChE. However, N. norvegicus, presented lower levels of ChEs and LP. A size-dependence in ChEs was seen for M. merluccius, with larger animals showing significantly lower activities (p < 0.05). Sex-dependence was seen in N. norvegicus for most esterases, except AChE, with males displaying higher activities (p < 0.05). A sampling-depth effect was also seen in the crustacea, with animals from 100 m generally presenting lower esterase activities and higher LP levels.     

Anthropogenic influence on the organic fraction of sediments in two contrasting estuaries: a biochemical approach

Abundance and biochemical composition of organic materials in sediments of the estuaries of Mundaka and Bilbao (SE Bay of Biscay) were analysed to assess the effect of organic wastes released to these systems. Organic and labile contents were higher in the sediments of Bilbao, denoting organic enrichment with poorly decomposed materials by human dumping. Spatially, organic matter distribution skewed seaward in Bilbao and upward in Mundaka, in agreement with the location of major point sources of sewage. Labile material, proteins and protein:carbohydrate ratio showed upward increases in both estuaries, attributed to the oxygen restrictive conditions to decompose organic materials. Vertical distribution of organic components into sediments reflected the history of human activities. In Bilbao, the significant reduction of organic and labile compounds, and the decrease of protein:carbohydrate values in top layers seem a result of recent remedial actions to reduce urban sewage inputs and improve environmental conditions. Higher contributions of proteins and lipids were associated with anthropogenic materials, and higher contributions of carbohydrates with autochthonous materials. High protein:carbohydrate values indicate poorly decomposed materials of human origin. The close relationship of carbohydrates with chloropigments in Mundaka suggests that phytobenthic populations and derived detritus contributed to a greater extent to the organic fraction in this estuary.     

剪断翼龙的翅膀：对于翼展估计和多样性的评论

Giant azhdarchids are perhaps the most spectacular pterosaurs known and, although they lack the elaborate headcrests or striking dentition that adorn other charismatic pterosaurs, the sheer enormity of their proportions has drawn a wealth of popular and scientific interest. Their remains, however, are so fragmentary that only limited interpretations of their anatomy and taxonomy can be made with certainty. Here, we report on recent investigations into giant azhdarchid taxonomy and size estimates that suggest both may be over-inflated.     

Eckfeld Maar: Window into an Eocene Terrestrial Habitat in Central Europe

<正>To mark the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Rheinische Naturforschende Gesellschaft in 2009 and of the centennial of the Mainz Natural History Museum in 2010,we present a short account of our present knowledge of the Eckfeld Maar after 20 years of continuous research.This paper does not attempt to include all of the detailed results on the geology of the Eckfeld site or its biota.To date,nearly 250 papers and books have been published since the start of our project.An up-to-date list of these publications can be found at www.eckfeldermaar. de.     

Biostratigraphy of a Paleocene–Eocene Foreland Basin boundary in southern Tibet

This study of the Paleocene–Eocene boundary within a foreland basin of southern Tibet, which was dominated by a carbonate ramp depositional environment, documents more complex environmental conditions than can be derived from studies of the deep oceanic environment. Extinction rates for larger foraminiferal species in the Zongpu-1 Section apply to up to 46% of the larger foraminiferal taxa. The extinction rate in southern Tibet is similar to rates elsewhere in the world, but it shows that the Paleocene fauna disappeared stepwise through the Late Paleocene, with Eocene taxa appearing abruptly above the boundary. A foraminifera turnover was identified between Members 3 and 4 of the Zongpu Formation—from the Miscellanea–Daviesina assemblage to an Orbitolites–Alveolina assemblage. The Paleocene and Eocene boundary is between the SBZ 4 and SBZ 5, where it is marked by the extinction of Miscellanea miscella and the first appearance of Alveolina ellipsodalis and a large number of Orbitolites. Chemostratigraphically, the δ13C values from both the Zongpu-1 and Zongpu-2 Sections show three negative excursions in the transitional strata, one in Late Paleocene, one at the boundary, and one in the early Eocene. The second negative excursion of δ13C, which is located at the P–E boundary, coincides with larger foraminifera overturn. These faunal changes and the observed δ13C negative excursions provide new evidence on environmental changes across the Paleocene–Eocene boundary in Tibet.     

华北地区未来气候变化的高分辨率数值模拟

使用20km高水平分辨率的区域气候模式RegCM3,单向嵌套FvGCM/CCM3全球模式,进行了中国区域气候变化的数值模拟试验,分析华北地区夏半年4-9月的气温、降水和高温、干旱事件的变化。模式积分时间分为两个时段,分别为当代的1961-1990年和在IPCC SRES A2温室气体排放情景下的21世纪末2071-2100年。模式检验结果表明:在大部分月份,区域模式对当代气候的模拟都较全球模式更好。两个模式模拟的未来气温和降水变化,在空间分布型和量级上都有一定不同,如区域模式的升温更高,降水出现大范围减少等。此外,使用日最高气温不低于35℃的日数(D_(T35))和考虑了湿度因素的炎热指数(I_(H))不低于35℃的日数(D_(H135)),分析了区域模式模拟的未来高温事件变化,结果表明:未来华北地区D_(T35)和平原地区D_(H135)均有较大增加。未来华北地区的连续干旱日数(CDD)将增加,依照UNEP(United Nations Environment Programme)干旱指数(A_(U))给出的气候湿润区将有较大幅度减少,而半湿润半干旱区和半干旱区面积将增加。     

中国大陆上地幔顶部Pn速度结构

利用３９４７３条Ｐｎ射线的走时资料，采用地震层析成象方法反演中国大陆上地 幔顶部Ｐｎ速度结构．反演结果表明，中国大陆Ｐｎ平均速度为８．０ ｋｍ／ｓ，横向速度变化 量从一０．３０ ｋｍ／ｓ至＋ ０．３５ ｋｍ／ｓ．速度超过８．２ ｋｍ／ｓ的地区主要围绕在青藏高原的周边， 如：准噶尔盆地、塔里木盆地、柴达木盆地及四川盆地；速度偏低的地区主要分布在川 滇西部，山西地堑及渤海湾，在雷州半岛及其以北的粤桂交界处可能存在速度低至７．８ ｋｍ／ｓ的低速区，总体看来，构造上稳定的克拉通地台具有较高的Ｐｎ速度，而构造上活动 的地区往往速度较低；挤压环境具有较高的Ｐｎ速度，而拉张盆地或地堑则具有速度低 的特点．在青藏高原东南部，快波速方向呈现旋转变化趋势，这可能与高原物质受印度 板块的碰撞挤压而向东南方向逃逸有关；渤海湾周围也有显著的各向异性，反映了该 地区存在地壳扩张及可能的岩浆活动．     

A GIS-BASED GLACIER INVENTORY FOR THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS——A FIRST CASE STUDY ON KING GEORGE ISLAND

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极点和零点—数字地震学基础

地震学中的一个主要问题是将原始的震源信号从其他影响中分离出来。讨论了地震波在传播过程中可能引起波形变化的一些因素以及记录系统和采样处理过程所产生的影响，介绍了地震信号处理中一般原理和概念，通过对简单的RC滤波器的讨论，揭示了系统理论的一些基本概念，如线性时间不变系统、傅里叶变换和拉普拉斯变换、褶积、频率响应函数、传递函数和极点等，为讨论数字地震信号的处理奠定了基础。