Effects of 4-nonylphenol exposure in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and crabs (Carcinus aestuarii) with particular emphasis on vitellogenin induction

Since it is often difficult to estimate possible adverse effects due to contamination in selected ecosystems, multi-species biomonitoring may provide more information, taking into account different routes of exposure, ecological roles and metabolic capabilities of animals. In this context, we exposed for 7 days the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the crab Carcinus aestuarii to 4-nonylphenol (NP), a well-known xenoestrogen. In mussels (0–0.2 mg NP l⁻¹), we measured NP bioaccumulation in soft tissues and vitellogenin (Vg)-like protein levels in digestive glands from both males and females by the alkali-labile phosphate assay (ALP). As no reference data were available for crab exposure, the NP 96-h LC₅₀ value was previously determined. Then, in sublethally exposed (0–1.0 mg NP l⁻¹) male crabs, NP bioaccumulation and Vg levels were measured in hemolymph, gonads and digestive gland. Bioaccumulation of NP increased from 43 to 371 μg g⁻¹ d.w. in mussels, and from 3.6 to 37 μg g⁻¹ d.w. in crabs, depending on the NP concentration in water. Dose-dependent Vg-like protein induction was observed in both species, appearing to be related to NP bioaccumulation, although a partial decrease was recorded at the highest concentration tested. A similar trend was observed in both digestive gland and gonad of exposed crabs; Vg increased to a lesser extent, although significantly, in hemolymph. Results demonstrated that NP induces Vg synthesis both in male and female mussels, as well as in male crabs. On the basis of the responsiveness of both species investigated, a multi-species approach is indicated in biomonitoring programmes.     

A forecast of public water scarcity on Leu-Rotunda Plain,Romania, for the end of the 21st century

The article examines the risk of water shortages due to the climate change on Leu-Rotunda Plain, which is part of Oltenia Plain in Romania. The region has been exposed to several extreme climatic phenomena, mostly droughts, which has created several problems related to water quality and quantity. The authors defined climate change scenarios using two regional climate models. Water resources under climate change were estimated by a regional numerical groundwater model covering a deep aquifer. The water demand components were estimated for households, industries, services, and livestock, based on specific socio-economic assumptions. A non-probabilistic risk assessment, using simplified fuzzy sets mathematics, was used to estimate water supply, water demand, and the consequences of water shortages. The results of the study revealed significant vulnerability in the water supply, a limited territorial expansion of sewerage networks, an expected increase in households’ demand, an expected increase in industrial and services water demand, a relatively stable demand for water for livestock farming, and an important water shortage in the study area. The authors conclude by highlighting a set of actions to mitigate the risk of the potential crisis.     

Spatial variability of the surf zone fish and macroinvertebrate community within dissipative sandy beaches in Oregon,USA

Habitat heterogeneity can influence biological communities by providing a diversity of areas that can be occupied by different species. Sandy beach surf zones are often considered homogenous environments; however, sand bars moved by currents and waves can produce trench‐like shapes or troughs that provide heterogeneity. The influence of habitat heterogeneity produced by sand movement is unclear despite the fact that surf zones are an important habitat for larval and juvenile fish and macrocrustaceans. To determine if, and how, the fish and macroinvertebrate communities present in trough and non‐trough or flat areas of Oregon surf zones differ, we compared species assemblages in both areas at three beaches adjacent to estuary mouths over 2 years. Troughs had different communities compared with flat areas, with higher total catch (mean ± SD = 123.2 ± 122.1 versus 43.6 ± 44.5 individuals × 100 m^?2) and taxon richness (6.7 ± 2.7 versus 4.0 ± 2.3 taxa); these differences were potentially due to water movement, prey availability and sediment size. The fish and macroinvertebrate communities did not vary between years but there were significant differences among beaches, with the most distinct community present at the only beach adjacent to an estuary without a jetty at its mouth, which was possibly due to higher species movement between the surf zones and estuary. Fish and macrocrustacean surf zone communities varied spatially within and among beaches in relation to habitat heterogeneity provided by sand movement and, potentially, the influence of adjacent habitats.     

Allanite-(Y) and allanite-(Ce) paragenesis in tourmalinite of the Severnyi pluton,Chukchi Peninsula,and the relationship between yttrium and lanthanides in allanite

The morphology, optical properties, and composition of allanite-(Ce) and allanite-(Y) from raremetal tourmalinite of the Severnyi granitic pluton in the Chukchi Peninsula have been studied, as well as the composition and structure of host metasomatic rocks and the assemblage of rock-forming and accessory minerals. The hydrothermal origin of both allanite species and their stable combination have been established. Allanite-(Y) is partly replaced with allanite-(Ce), and metasomatic rims 2–10 μm wide enriched in LREE around allanite-(Y) have been identified. The degree of isomorphic Y+HREE substitution for LREE is estimated at 16%, on average; the maximum (Y+HREE)/LREE ratio does not exceed 0.25. It is assumed that the transition of allanite-(Y) into allanite-(Ce) might be caused by anincrease in acidity and decrease in aqueous fluid temperature at the late stage of the hydrothermal process.     

Multi‐kilometre long pathway of geofluids migration: Clues concerning an ophiolite serpentinization setting possibly responsible for the inferred abiotic provenance of methane in thermal water outflows of the South‐West Carpathians (Romania)

Methane occurrences displaying signatures of a possible abiotic origin had previously been reported in the South‐West Carpathians (Romania). Such an accumulation, at Tisovi?a, was intercepted by a well drilled in an ophiolitic rocks massif, whereas in two other localities—situated tens of kilometres faraway—the concerned methane is released via thermal groundwater outflows that are apparently not associated with any ultramafic products. By using groundwater ionic compositions, corroborated with previously published isotopic (¹³C‐CH₄, ²H‐CH₄, ³He/⁴He) and molecular gas analyses, we assessed in more detail the conjectured abiotic provenance of methane, and quantitatively investigated the hypothesis of a progressive mixing between two, abiotic and thermogenic, methane end‐members. The corresponding geofluids behaviour was modelled by hypothesizing a “concealed” ophiolite serpentinization setting (largely similar to that at Tisovi?a), whose abiotic methane production was “diverted” towards remote discharges at ground surface, via a ~20‐km‐long flowpath supposedly generated by recently operating extensional tectonics.     

Users’ perception analysis for sustainable beach management in Italy

It is generally accepted that end-users’ perception is likely to play a pivotal role for planning and policy consideration. Beach user analysis is thus an important component defining beach management policies. In the framework of a wider project on beaches management, an investigation on residents and tourists was conducted. A survey conducted through questionnaires and interviews was carried out in six coastal municipalities. Results allowed obtaining a clear picture about user profile, perception of the beaches, awareness and attitude about themes related to beach management (i.e. Blue Flag award and beach nourishment practices). Their integration with the “expert knowledge” based analysis allowed to support the definition of beach management interventions.     

Microscale oxygen isotope variations in 1.9 Ga Gunflint cherts: Assessments of diagenesis effects and implications for oceanic paleotemperature reconstructions

Variations in the oxygen isotope composition (δ¹⁸O) of five cherts from the 1.9 Ga Gunflint iron formation (Canada) were studied at the micrometer scale by ion microprobe to try to better understand the processes that control δ¹⁸O values in cherts and to improve seawater paleotemperature reconstructions. Gunflint cherts show clearly different δ¹⁸O values for different types of silica with for instance a difference of ≈15‰ between detrital quartz and microquartz. Microquartz in the five samples is characterized by large intra sample variations in δ¹⁸O values, (δ¹⁸O of quartz varies from 4.6‰ to 6.6‰ at the 20 μm scale and from ≈12‰ to 14‰ at 2 μm scale). Isotopic profiles in microquartz adjacent to hydrothermal quartz veins demonstrate that microquartz more than ≈200 μm away from the veins has preserved its original δ¹⁸O value.At the micrometer spatial resolution of the ion probe, data reveal that microquartz has preserved a considerable δ¹⁸O heterogeneity that must be regarded as a signature inherited from its diagenetic history. Modelling of the δ¹⁸O variations produced during the diagenetic transformation of sedimentary amorphous silica precursors into microquartz allows us to calculate seawater temperature (T_sw at which the amorphous silica precipitated) and diagenesis temperature (T_diagenesis at which microquartz formed) that reproduce the δ¹⁸O distributions (mean, range and shape) measured at micrometer scale in microquartz. The two critical parameters in this modelling are the δ¹⁸O value and the mass fraction of the diagenetic fluid. Under these assumptions, the most likely ranges for T_sw and T_diagenesis are from 37 to 52 °C and from 130 to 170 °C, respectively.     

华北北部古生代大陆地壳增生过程中的岩浆作用与成矿效应

包括前寒武纪克拉通与显生宙造山带两大构造单元的华北北部,古生代时期板块构造体制下古亚洲洋的裂解-扩展-消亡与汇聚大陆边缘的俯冲-碰撞-伸展循环构成了其大陆地壳增生与再造演化的基本图景,并形成了一系列记录这些因果演变连续过程的岩浆侵入与喷发事件。这些物质记录无疑是研究汇聚大陆边缘壳-幔作用和物质交换、大陆地壳演化与大规模成矿作用耦合关系的绝佳窗口。本文在系统总结最近几年积累的年代学和岩石地球化学资料的基础上,以一些带有特定过程印记的标志性岩浆事件为纲领,表征这些古生代岩浆作用形成过程中的地球动力学演变,揭示其所记录的华北北部大陆地壳的多阶段增生与再造演化机制,并初步探讨了有利地球动力学过程制约下的岩浆行为引起的成矿物质聚集效应。     

内蒙古白云鄂博地区基底岩石锆石年代学及对构造背景的指示

白云鄂博地区的克拉通基底岩石主要由糜棱岩化花岗片麻岩(2588±15Ma),正长岩、花岗闪长岩(2018±15Ma)和黑云母花岗片麻岩、含石榴石蓝晶石花岗片麻岩(～1890Ma)等组成,白云鄂博超大型稀土矿床就位于华北克拉通太古代基底之上。太古代克拉通基底在早元古代中晚期(2.0Ga)又经历了一次强烈的碰撞造山运动,造成了闪长质与花岗质岩浆侵位,以及1.9Ga片麻岩相变质事件。