The chemistry of Offatts Bayou,Texas: A seasonally highly sulfidic basin

Offatts Bayou basin was created by use of this are as a borrow pit for landfill by the city of Galveston, Texas, in the first half of this century. Restricted exchange of water with the adjacent West Bay results in this basin changing, on a seasonal time scale, between oxic winter and highly sulfidic summer (greater than 500 μM ΣH₂S) bottom water conditions. It is, therefore, a “natural laboratory” for the investigation of the behavior of toxic metals in an estuarine environment where redox conditions undergo major variations. Here we report the first study of the chemistry of Offatts Bayou’s waters and sediment-associated trace metals. The high concentrations of dissolved sulfide in bottom water during summer cause a loss of macrofauna from most of the water deeper than about 4 m and the bottom of the basin. The potential exists for major mortality of organisms living in the oxic surface waters if rapid mixing of waters were to occur during the summer. Reactions of toxic metals with sulfides are probably the dominant influence on their potential bioavailability in this type of environment, as evidenced by large seasonal changes in concentrations of sedimentary sulfide minerals and associated trace metals. The trace metals As, Cu, and Hg are dominantly found in the pyrite phase (greater than 75% pyritization), Ag and Mn are moderately pyritized (40% to 60%), and Zn is not strongly associated with pyrite (less than 20% pyritization).     

Parasites and cyclopoid predators of age-0 fish in the Roanoke River,North Carolina

Altered river flow has been suggested as a cause for the low recruitment of striped bass,Morone saxatilis, in the Roanoke River (North Carolina) because of its effect on the proximity of zooplankton and larval striped bass. This results in unsuccessful feeding and subsequent starvation, which was considered to be a major mortality factor. Other mortality factors, such as parasitism and copepod predation on age-0 fish, may also be regulated to some extent by changes in river flow. The relationship of cestode plerocercoids, trematode metacercaria, mussel glochidia, and cyclopoid copepod predators with age-0 fish was evaluated in the lower Roanoke River and western Albemarle Sound from plankton net collections made in 1984 to 1986 and 1988. Plerocercoid prevalence was higher under low river flow conditions than under high flow conditions in darters (Percidae; 16.7% vs. 9.2%), minnows (Cyprinidae; 28.8% vs. 4.7%), andMorone (1.9% vs. 0%). Gut analysis of the age-0 fish revealed that copepods (source of the plerocercoids) were a major diet component ofMorone and darters but not of minnows or herring (Clupeidae). Decreases in river flow were associated with increases in copepod density (Pearson r=?0.62; p=0.0001) and plerocercoid prevalence inMorone (Pearson r=?0.29; p=0.03). The low correlation value forMorone may be quite strong considering the complexity of the variables associated with prevalence. Metacercaria were found only inMorone and minnows, and prevalence and mean intensity were less than that found for plerocercoids. Mussel glochidia prevalence was less than 0.5% for all affected taxa, an order of magnitude less that that found in other studies. The low value may indicate that the mussel population in the Roanoke River is declining. Prevalence of attacks by the predatory copepodMesocyclops edax on age-0 fish was similar to that in Chesapeake Bay, and striped bass was the primary prey. Spatial and temporal proximity of copepods and fish prey may be the key factors in regulating copepod attacks. The low prevalence of parasites and copepod predators seen in this tudy would suggest that mortality from these sources may not be a major factor in age-0 recruitment in this system. Confirmation of these conclusions would require a more controlled experimental approach.     

239+240Pu and 137Cs concentrations for zooplankton and nekton in the Northwest Pacific and Antarctic Oceans (1993-1996)

The concentrations of 239+240Pu and 137Cs in zooplankton and nekton in the Northwest Pacific and Southern Oceans were measured during the period 1993-1996. The object of the sampling was to assess the potential impacts of existing submerged anthropogenic-radioactive materials in the western North Pacific as well as the East China Sea. Samples from the Bransfield Strait of the Antarctic Ocean provided a control source impacted by only atmospheric bomb fallout. No particularly elevated levels of 239+240Pu were found in zooplankton samples from the Northwest Pacific, although significantly lower levels of 239+240Pu were found in three mixed zooplankton samples from the Bransfield Strait. The body burden of 239+240Pu in zooplankton appears to reflect concentrations in ambient seawater with some variation. Some additional measurements of 137Cs in fish are also reported here to complement existing databases and for future reference in the regional marine environmental radioactivity monitoring effort.     

Appinitic intrusions in the English Lake District

Summary Within the Skiddaw Group, which underlies the mid-Ordovician volcanic arc of the English Lake District, are minor intrusions of calc-alkaline, hornblende-augite rich, dioritic to picritic bodies reminiscent of the appinite suite of the Scottish Caledonides. Representative of these is the Scawgill Bridge microdiorite, a variable, hornblendic body which includes augite-phyric meladiorite and pyroxenite; others include the picrtte (augite-meladiorite or cortlandtite) plugs at Dash and Barkbeth. They are distinct from tholeiitic intrusions of similar age represented by the Embleton Diorite, and also from late Silurian biotite-lamprophyres. Despite alteration, primary variation trends indicated by immobile trace elements are also expressed by major elements including Mg, Fe and Ca. Differentiation at Scawgill Bridge is modelled as fractionation of olivine, augite, hornblende and chromite, and a similar process is inferred for the meladiorite intrusions. It is concluded these bodies represent primitive, calc-alkaline magmas related to the Lower Borrowdale Volcanic Group, which fractionated under confined conditions of high P(inH2o). In contrast, the Lower Borrowdale Volcanic Group itself is dominated by plagiophyric rocks which resulted from fractionation at lower P(inH2O).

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Appinitische Intrusionen im englischen Lake District

Zusammenfassung Die Skiddaw-Gruppe im Liegenden des mittelordovizischen Vulkanbogens des englischen Lake District enthält kleinere Intrusionen von kalkalkalischen, HornblendeAugit-reichen, dioritischen bis pikritischen Magmen, die an das Appinit-Vorkommen in den schottischen Kaledoniden erinnern. Für diese Intrusionen ist der Scawgill Bridge-Mikrodiorit repräsentativ. Er stellt einen variablen, Hornblende-reichen Körper mit Einschlüssen von Augit-porphyrischem Meladiorit und Pyroxenit dar; zu den anderen gehören die pikritischen (Augit-Meladiorit oder Cortlandit) Stöcke bei Dash und Barkbeth. Sie unterscheiden sich von tholeiitischen Intrusionen gleichen Alters, die durch den Embleton-Diorit vertreten sind, und auch von den spätsilurischen Biotit-Lamprophyren. Trotz Alteration werden primäre Korrelationen, die durch immobile Spurenelemente angezeigt werden, auch von Hauptelementen einschließlich Mg, Fe und Ca nachgezeichnet. Die Differentiation bei Scawgill Bridge wird als eine Fraktionierung von Olivin, Augit, Hornblende und Chromit modelliert, und ein ähnlicher Prozeß wird für die Meladiorit-Intrusion angenommen. Daraus wird geschlossen, daß diese Körper primitive, kalkalkalische Magmen repräsentieren, die zur Unteren Borrowdale Volcanic Group gehören und die unter hohem P_H2O fraktionierten. Im Gegensatz dazu wird die Untere Borrowdale Volcanic Group selbst von plagiophyrischen Gesteinen dominiert, die durch Fraktionierung unter niedrigem P(inH2O) entstanden sind.

     

X-ray emission in wind instability simulations

We estimate X-ray emission by shock-heated regions in hot star winds, using temperature and density profiles calculated by time-dependent dynamical models; the shocks result from the instability of the line scattering force that drives the wind. For main sequence late O and early B stars, the model X-ray flux is generally well below the observed flux, though the shape of the model spectrum is approximately consistent with observations. For the early O supergiant Pup, the model spectral shape again agrees with observation; the total flux predicted by models is well above the observed flux, though significant uncertainties remain.     

The development of a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model using the distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the tissues of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) was developed to describe the kinetics of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). The estimated t(1/2) of elimination for a bolus dose of TCDD in C. virginica is approximately 14-24 days based on both the experimental data and the PBPK model. The highest dioxin concentration reached during 28-days was in the digestive gland followed by the mantle, gonad, hemolymph, gill, adductor muscle, and the kidney/heart. A binding protein for 2,3,7,8-TCDD had been reported in the literature for both the digestive gland and gonad. Incorporating a binding component in the model resulted in a better fit for the data. The PBPK model predicted the distribution and the elimination concentrations for 2,3,7,8-TCDD within each of the tissue compartments. This model will serve as a useful tool for predicting the kinetics of other persistent organic pollutants as well as, allow for a more refined ecological risk assessment by estimating dioxin concentrations in sensitive tissues such as the gonad.     

Esterification of vertebrate-like steroids in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

The esterification of two model vertebrate steroid hormones – estradiol (E2) and dehidroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – was studied in the oyster Crassostrea virginica. The activity of acyl-CoA:steroid acyltransferase was characterized in microsomal fractions isolated from oyster digestive glands. The apparent K_m and V_max values changed with the fatty acid acyl-CoA used (C20:4, C18:2, C18:1, C16:1, C18:0 or C16:0), and were in the range of 9–17 μM, and 35–74 pmol/min/mg protein for E2, and in the range of 45–120 μM, and 30–182 pmol/min/mg protein for DHEA. Kinetic parameters were also assessed in gonadal tissue. The enzyme saturated at similar concentrations, although conjugation rates were lower than in digestive gland. Preliminary data shows that tributyltin (TBT) in the low μM range (1–50) strongly inhibits E2 and DHEA esterification, the esterification of E2 being more sensitive to inhibition than that of DHEA. Overall, results indicate that apolar conjugation occurs in oysters, in both digestive gland and gonads, at a very similar rate to mammals, suggesting that this is a well conserved conjugation pathway during evolution. Esterification, together with other mechanisms, can modulate endogenous steroid levels in C. virginica, and might be a target for endocrine disrupters, such as TBT.     

Automated Three Dimensional Measurement Using Multiple CCD Camera Views

The goal of automated three dimensional measurement of arbitrary objects using photogrammetric methods is a long way from being achieved, but significant progress is being made. However, automated measurement of small objects using inexpensive CCD cameras and frame grabbers is becoming increasingly common. A number of such systems have been developed both for commercial use and for academic research. It is within this latter context that a system to measure objects within a controlled environment has been developed at City University. The objective of the research is not only to produce a flexible measuring system for use in online inspection, but also to address many of the fundamental problems that hinder three dimensional measurement outside a controlled environment.     

The calculation of bulk strain in oblique and inclined balanced sections

The calculation of bulk strain from balanced sections is a technique commonly used in the study of orogenic belts. The validity of a balanced section is often enhanced by controls such as seismic and/or borehole data. The construction of a conventional vertical section perpendicular to orogenic strike (i.e. in the transport direction) may not allow control data to be directly incorporated into the section. The control data can be projected into the plane of the section or, alternatively, the section may be constructed in an orientation such that it contains the available control data. In the case of a vertical section constructed at an oblique angle to the transport direction the bulk strain value obtained is a minimum and can be corrected to the true value of bulk strain in the perpendicular, vertical section by a simple trigonometric calculation. If the section is perpendicular to strike but inclined at an angle to the vertical, the correction of the bulk strain values is mathematically unique to the section. This problem can be overcome by using a digitizing table in conjunction with a simple computer program. The general case of a section both oblique to the strike direction and inclined to the vertical can be resolved by removing the effects of the inclination to produce a vertical, oblique section from which the bulk strain can be obtained and corrected. In realistic geological problems, the oblique section will be a more common problem than the inclined section. In both cases deviations of 10° and less introduce such small errors in the estimates of bulk strain that their effects can be ignored.