An analysis of Great Salt Lake Winogradsky columns

Sergei Winogradsky illuminated revolutionary concepts and produced a tool to visualize complex microbial communities and their metabolisms over time: columns displaying aquatic consortia with variety of niches. We worked with museums in Utah to create Winogradsky columns that would highlight aesthetic properties of the Great Salt Lake(GSL) ecosystem, which has a salinity gradient from the freshwater wetlands to salt saturation. One column, constructed using haloarchaea-rich hypersaline brine and...     

The assessment of vitellogenin as a biomarker of exposure to estrogenic compounds in two Australian perciformes

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is a yolk protein precursor that has been identified as a sensitive biomarker for exposure to estrogenic compounds. We evaluated specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for reactivity with plasma Vtg from two Australian Perciformes, the tropical barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and the temperate black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri). Blood plasma from 17beta-estradiol exposed (E2) male barramundi (20 mg kg(-1)) and male black bream (2.5-5.0 mg kg(-1)) were sent to Biosense Laboratories (Norway) for cross-reactivity testing using their extensive anti-Vtg antibody selection. Indirect ELISA results determined barramundi plasma displayed the highest binding affinities to ND-3G2 (monoclonal-Mab) and PO-1 (polyclonal-Pab). Black bream was most cross-reactive with ND-1C8 (Mab) and PO-2 (Pab). Next, plasma was assessed for Vtg induction in E2-dosed (5 mg kg(-1)), hatchery-reared barramundi and black bream versus a non-injected control group. Vtg production was assessed by Western blot and indirect ELISA using ND-3G2 and ND-1C8 Mabs, respectively. A prominent band was identified in the range of 100-200 kDa for all female black bream and for all E2-treated barramundi and black bream males, which was confirmed as Vtg by Western blot. Indirect ELISA results for barramundi demonstrated highly significant differences in E2-dosed fish as compared to control fish (Student t, P<0.001). E2 male black bream were significantly different than control males (Student t, P<0.001) and control and E2 females displayed highly significant differences (Student t, P<0.001). These results indicate that exposure to 17beta-estradiol induces significant Vtg production in males of the two Australian Perciformes, with potential use as a biomarker for exposure to estrogenic compounds.     

Sonophotocatalysis of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Sonolysis and photolysis often exhibit synergistic effects in the degradation of organic molecules. An assay of fish oocyte maturation provides an appropriate experimental system to investigate the hormonal activities of chemical agents. Oocyte maturation in fish is triggered by maturation-inducing hormone (MIH), which acts on receptors on the oocyte surface. A synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES), possesses inducing activity of fish oocyte maturation, and a widely used biocide, pentachlorophenol (PCP), exhibits a potent inhibitory effect on fish oocyte maturation. In this study, the effects of the combined treatment by sonolysis with photolysis (sonophotocatalysis) to diminish the hormonal activity of DES and the maturation preventing activity of PCP was examined. By sonophotocatalysis, hormonal activity of DES was completely lost within 30min and the inhibiting activity of PCP was lost within 120min. These results demonstrated that sonophotocatalysis is effective for diminishing the endocrine-disrupting activity of chemical agents.     

Differential gene expression in the brain of Sebastiscus marmoratus in response to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on Sebastiscus marmoratus were investigated using a suppression subtractive hybridization method. A total of 108 gene sequences were identified as having the potential for being differentially expressed, and 45 could be identified with homologous database sequences. Functions with which they were associated included long-term potentiation and neurotransmitter release, neuroendocrine, mitosis and cell proliferation, energy-related metabolism, general metabolism, signal protein, hemopoiesis system, immune system, and structure. The expression of 17 of these genes was analyzed in the brain using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The present study provided a basis for studying the response of fish to PCB exposure and allowed the characterization of new potential neurotoxicol biomarkers of PCB contamination in seawater.     

AAA-04北极油气区（一）——巴伦支海石油地质：巴伦支海陆架潜在石油资源评价

2008年,美国地质调查局（USGS）完成了对巴货仓支海陆架未发现的、技术上可采的（假定存在海冰）原油、天然气、液态气（总体上被称为石油）的潜在资源评价。如同美国地质调查局环北极油气资源评价（CARA）项目中已评估的其它地方一样,这个地区与许多北极盆地的特点相同,但是与石油相关的资料很少。     

H2 PRODUCTION BY ANABAENA VARIABILIS MUTANT IN COMPUTER CONTROLLED TWO-STAGE AIR-LIFT TUBULAR PHOTOBIOREACTOR

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DNA adducts and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) tissue levels in blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) from Nordic coastal sites

DNA adducts in gills and digestive gland, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) tissue levels were analysed in blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) from Nordic coastal areas (Iceland, Norway and Sweden) with diffuse or point sources of PAHs of various origins. Both DNA adduct and PAH tissue levels were generally low, indicating low PAH exposure to the mussels in the areas studied. DNA adducts were found to be higher in gills than in digestive gland of the mussels at all sites studied. Elevated DNA adduct levels in gills were found at 6 sites out of 18 compared to reference sites in respective coastal zones. Adduct levels ranged from 0.5 to 10 nmol adducts/mol normal nucleotides, being highest in mussels from Reykjavík harbour, Iceland (intertidal mussels), and from Fiskaatangen, Norway (subtidal mussels). Total PAH tissue levels in the mussels ranged between 40 and 11,670 ng/g dry wt., and were significantly correlated with DNA adduct levels (r(2)=0.73, p<0.001). PAH ratio values indicated that the PAHs were in most cases of pyrolytic origin, but with petrogenic input near harbours and an oil refinery.