Diseases leading to accelerated decline of reef corals in the largest South Atlantic reef complex (Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil)

Although reef corals worldwide have sustained epizootics in recent years, no coral diseases have been observed in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean until now. Here we present an overview of the main types of diseases and their incidence in the largest and richest coral reefs in the South Atlantic (Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil). Qualitative observations since the 1980s and regular monitoring since 2001 indicate that coral diseases intensified only recently (2005–2007). Based on estimates of disease prevalence and progression rate, as well as on the growth rate of a major reef-building coral species (the Brazilian-endemic Mussismilia braziliensis), we predict that eastern Brazilian reefs will suffer a massive coral cover decline in the next 50 years, and that M. braziliensis will be nearly extinct in less than a century if the current rate of mortality due to disease is not reversed.     

Ground water sustainability: methodology and application to the North China Plain

This article analyzes part of a ground water flow system in the North China Plain (NCP) subject to severe overexploitation and rapid depletion. A transient ground water flow model was constructed and calibrated to quantify the changes in the flow system since the predevelopment 1950s. The flow model was then used in conjunction with an optimization code to determine optimal pumping schemes that improve ground water management practices. Finally, two management scenarios, namely, urbanization and the South-to-North Water Transfer Project, were evaluated for their potential impacts on the ground water resources in the study area. Although this study focuses on the NCP, it illustrates a general modeling framework for analyzing the sustainability, or the lack thereof, of ground water flow systems driven by similar hydrogeologic and economic conditions. The numerical simulation is capable of quantifying the various components of the overall flow budget and evaluating the impacts of different management scenarios. The optimization modeling allows the determination of the maximum "sustainable pumping" that satisfies a series of prescribed constraints. It can also be used to minimize the economic costs associated with ground water development and management. Furthermore, since the NCP is one of the most water scarce and economically active regions in the world, the conclusions and insights from this study are of general interest and international significance.     

Microanalysis of metals in barbs of a snow petrel (Pagodroma Nivea) from the Antarctica using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence

For the first time synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) microanalysis was performed throughout the total length of 4 single barbs from the primaries and secondaries of a snow petrel (Pagodroma Nivea) collected in the Antarctica. Thirteen elements (S, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Ba, Hg and Pb) were detected somewhere in the barbs. Variations in levels of these elements within and among the barbs were obvious, indicating nonuniform microscale distributions. Factors influencing the fluctuations of the levels of the elements were investigated using a multivariate statistical analysis method. Five factors (F1 being associated with high loadings of Ca, Sr, and Ni, F2 with high loadings of Fe and Ba, F3 with high loadings of Se and Hg, F4 with high loadings of Ca and K, and F5 with high loadings of Zn and Pb) were found to explain about 80% of the total variance. Results from the factor analysis suggested external contamination of Fe, Ba, Pb, Zn and Hg on the feathers of the snow petrel.     

紫外辐射对南极棕囊藻细胞DMSP合成和DMS释放率的影响

在不同紫外辐射波段下,南极棕囊藻(Phaeocystis antarctica)细胞的生长率、叶绿素a、细胞内DMSP含量和DMS释放量变化的测定结果表明;UV-B对南极棕囊藻细胞生长率和叶绿素a含量有抑制效应,UV-B还可加快DMSP分解成DMS和丙烯酸的分解速率,而UV-A对该藻细胞的DMSP合成有强烈的抑制效应。鉴于在每年春季极地海洋浮游植物繁殖期间,南极棕囊藻在南极海冰带海洋浮游植物种群结构中占有的优势地位,以及该藻是极地海洋浮游植物中DMS的主要释放者,推测南极“臭氧空洞”所增加的紫外辐射可能会对南极海域的DMS释放率产生一定的影响。     

Post-fire recovery of Puya raimondii,vegetation and birds in the puna of Huascarán National Park,Perú

A large fire of 233 ha in Huascarán National Park in Peru provided an opportunity to compare plant and bird responses in burned and nearby unburned zones of the puna. Heights and live diameters of flagship Puya raimondii rosettes(assigned to four broad developmental phases), plant communities(66 species in 24 families and nine growth forms) and bird communities(77 species in six trophic guilds) were monitored after the fire. Although no mortality was observed, Puya raimondii plants were affected...     

确定深淡水湖泊的位温与密度

As a rule, the hydrodynamic modeling of processes in fresh waters is performed with the use of potential temperature θ and potential density ρ^*. However, the formulae of potential temperature for natural waters given by Phillips (1977), Gill (1982) and others take into account only adiabatic correction. They do not consider such important characteristics of natural waters as temperature of maximal density T_md (S,P) remoting of real temperatures T(S,P) in situ from T_md (T -T_md), changes of Tmd with decreasing of pressure P (depth Z), and the equation of water state. T_md=T_md(P) is the property of molecular structures of water (Horne, 1969). It is determined by the equation of water state:for example, for lacustrine waters in the form of Chen, Millero, (1986) ρ=ρ(S,T,P), where ρ,S are density and salinity natural water. There is given and discussed a new formula for the calculation of potential temperature. It is established that potential densities calculated according to the new formula suggested by us show the entire thermodynamic similarity of characteristics within T in situ. It is not observed while using the old formulae.     

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Cynoglossidae (Teleost: Pleuronectiformes) and phylogenetic implications

Generally, a teleostean group(e.g., family or genus) owns one type or a set of similar mitochondrial gene arrangement. It is interesting, however, that four different types of gene arrangement have been found in the mitochondrial genome(mitogenome) of Cynoglossidae species. So far, the possible mechanisms of mitogenomic gene rearrangement and its potential implications have aroused widespread attention and caused lots of controversy. Here, a total of 21 Cynoglossidae mitogenomes and a newly sequ...     

东沙群岛海区晚新生代构造特征及其对弧-陆碰撞的响应

东沙群岛及其邻近海区(简称东沙海区)位于南海北部大陆边缘,东邻马尼拉俯冲构造带。为了讨论晚新生代以来东沙海区的构造变形特征,从中找出吕宋弧对中国东南大陆边缘碰撞的构造相关,特别是8Ma以来的吕宋岛弧和中国大陆边缘之间构造消减过程的响应。根据地震地层学分析,结合区域重磁资料、ODP184钻孔资料对东沙群岛海区晚新生代构造特征进行了分析。东沙海区自南海扩张后发育了3个沉积层序(层序Ⅴ,Ⅵ,Ⅶ),经历了较强烈的构造抬升作用、岩浆活动、沉积物剥蚀。该区发育NEE-SWW和NW-SE向两组断裂,且以NEE-SWW向断裂最为发育。断裂大多具有多次活动,且为上新世到第四纪的活动断裂构造,断块抬升幅度大,沿断裂带发生岩浆侵入。分析结果表明,晚新生代期间经历了二次重要的构造运动,即东沙运动(9．8-4．4Ma)和流花运动(1．89-1．4Ma),奠定了该区的构造格局。综合该区东强西弱构造变形、构造抬升发生的时间和应力场变化等特征看,该区受8Ma以来中国东部大陆边缘与吕宋岛弧碰撞所产生的构造运动的影响,在8Ma以前,由于台湾岛不存在,活动的古东海大陆边缘延伸至东沙群岛海区东北部。     

The FAST Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot Survey. II. Discovery of 76 Galactic Rotating Radio Transients and the Enigma of RRATs

We have carried out the Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot(GPPS) survey by using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST), the most sensitive systematic pulsar survey in the Galactic plane. In addition to more than 500 pulsars already discovered through normal periodical search, we report here the discovery of 76 new transient radio sources with sporadic strong pulses, detected by using the newly developed module for a sensitive single-pulse search. Their small DM values sugge...