Evidence for polychlorinated biphenyls dechlorination in the sediments of Sado Estuary, Portugal

Sediment gravity cores and grab samples were collected in the Sado Estuary and in its coastal area. The cores were sliced on board and the percentage of weight loss on ignition was determined in the laboratory, and analysed for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. PCB contents were higher in samples from the North Channel of the estuary, nearby the industrial zone (max. 114 ng g-1 dry weight), while levels in the coastal area were lower than 4.9 ng g-1. The concentrations of the quantified congeners varied irregularly with sediment depth in the estuary, but showed two opposite distribution patterns in cores from the coastal area: the proportions of lower chlorinated congeners increased with depth, while congeners with higher number of chlorines decreased. This suggests a dechlorination of the most chlorinated congeners into less toxic compounds, under reductive conditions of the sediment. Though measurements were done in natural environment it appears that dechlorination was not entirely dependent on chlorine position in the phenyl rings.     

Bather density as a predominant factor for health effects related to recreational bathing: results from the Greek bathers cohort study

Our aim was to examine the health effects on bathers from exposure to recreational seawater on three beaches with different microbiology quality and bather density through a cohort study. An initial questionnaire and a 10 day follow up were used. Univariate and backward logistic regression analyses were used to asses the risk of developing symptoms or diseases among the bathers. In total, 3805 bathers were included in the study and 149 samples were collected from the three beaches. Despite all the beaches being characterized of high quality the levels of bacterial indicators differed among them. Health effects among bathers were not associated with bacterial indicators. A statistically significant increased risk for symptoms related to respiratory illness, gastroenteritis, medical consultation and use of medication was observed among bathers at the higher bather density beaches. Beach bather numbers should always be taken into account when considering a risk assessment approach.     

Spatial and temporal changes in microbial diversity of the Marmara Sea sediments

Spatial (10 different locations) and temporal (2 years) changes in characteristics of the Marmara Sea Sediments were monitored to determine interactions between the chemical and microbial diversity. The sediments were rich in terms of hydrocarbon, nitrate, Ni and microbial cell content. Denitrifying, sulfate reducing, fermentative and methanogenic organisms were co-abundant in 15 cm below the sea floor. The local variations in the sediments’ characteristics were more distinctive than the temporal ones. The sulfate and nitrate contents were the main drivers of the changes in the microbial community compositions. N and P were limited for microbial growth in the sediments, and their levels determined the total cell abundance and activity. Seasonal shifts in temperatures of the shallow sediments were also reflected in the active cell abundances. It was concluded that the Marmara Sea is a promising ecosystem for the further investigation of the ecologically important microbial processes.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soils of Port Harcourt and its environs,Niger Delta,Nigeria

Geochemical evaluation of the distribution of heavy metals in soils of Port Harcourt and its environs in the Niger Delta region is presented in respect of anthropogenic factor and index of geoaccumulation. Sixteen (16) soil samples were collected from two horizons (0-10 cm and 100 cm) from the various grids and analyzed. The geo-chemical analyses showed the vertical and horizontal distributions of heavy metals. The results showed the ranges of the metals determined as follows: Pb (6.86-2.49)×10-6, with an average of 4.63×10-6; Cd (0.05-0.00)×10-6, with an average of 0.02×10-6, As (0.01-0.00)×10-6, with an average of 0.00×10-6. Cu (15.36-10.80) ×10-6, with an average of 13.36×10-6, and V (1.36-0.20)×10-6, with an average of 0.94×10-6. Quantification of the degree of pollution was carried out using anthropogenic factor (AF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo). The Igeo values of 0.06, 0.02 and 0.00 for Pb, Cd and As, respectively indicate low-level contamination while Zn (1.14) and V (1.40) show me-dium-level contamination. The sources of contamination are attributed to urbanized anthropogenic activities. The majority of the samples analyzed show that the AF values are less than 1 with the exception of vanadium (V) whose AF values range from 2.73 to 13.60×10-6. Vanadium is more enriched than As, Cd, Pb, and Cu. The order of degrees of anthropogenic contamination and index of geoaccumulation in the soil is V >Zn >Pb >Cu >Cd >AS. Metals were retained near the top soil and their concentrations in the deepest horizons were lower and normal for uncontaminated soils. Metal concentrations in the top soil horizons were significantly related to distance from the industrial and hu-man activities.     

中国东海和韩国马山湾海域2株原甲藻的形态结构和分子序列比较

对采自我国东海温岭海域和韩国南部马山湾海域的2株原甲藻进行了藻种分离、纯化培养及rDNA ITS分子序列的PCR扩增与测序,并运用显微镜、扫描电镜、Jukes-Cantor距离矩阵及构建的系统发育树,比较研究了2株原甲藻的形态结构和分子序列.结果表明:温岭藻株(LAMB090508)和马山湾藻株(PDKS0206)具有...     

Persistent organic pollutants and histological lesions in Mayan catfish Ariopsis assimilis from the Bay of Chetumal, Mexico

Livers of catfish (Ariopsis assimilis) from the Bay of Chetumal were analyzed for organochlorine compounds and hydrocarbons as part of a study to diagnose the environmental health of the Bay after a catfish mass mortality that occurred in 1996. The presence of histological lesions in several organs of the fish as result of chemical exposure was also evaluated. The concentrations of organic pollutants found in the Bay may be considered high if compared to the levels reported for sites affected by chemical pollution. High prevalences of cellular alteration histopathologies were found in liver, including hepatic tumors. The presence of some lesions may be related statistically to environmental pollution in the Bay, specially with chlorinated compounds.     

Assessment of the ecological quality status of soft-bottoms in Reunion Island (tropical Southwest Indian Ocean) using AZTI marine biotic indices

The ability of the two synthetic marine biotic indices, AMBI and M-AMBI, to account for changes in the ecological quality of coastal soft bottoms of Reunion Island according to disturbances was assessed from macrobenthic samples collected in five sectors between 1994 and 2004. Samples were collected under non-perturbed conditions and at two sites subjected to heavy organic enrichment. Both indices are based on a classification of macrofauna into ecological groups (EG), and their transfer to tropical waters required some adaptations. These indices proved efficient in detecting a degradation of habitat quality. Their use resulted in the classification of all sites sampled between 1996 and 1998 as "good" or "high". M-AMBI nevertheless tended to result in the attribution of a slightly worse ecological quality status than AMBI. Together with an update of the EG species list for the Indian Ocean area, our results support the extension of both indices for the assessment of tropical soft bottoms.     

与地震活动相关的电磁扰动的空间观测

介绍了地震附近甚低频（VLF）电磁波信号强度统计分析结果。统计数据全部来自法国的DEMETER卫星（轨道高度700km,近太阳同步轨道）,处理中采用了稳健的两步处理方法。第一步,利用所有的观测数据构建电磁辐射背景图,在给定条件和给定轨道位置对电场波动强度进行了统计描述。第二步,在第一步得到的电场波动强度的统计分布背景基础上,对地震附近的观测数据进行分析,研究由地震活动引起的电场波动强度的变化,评估它们在统计上的显著性。在整个分析过程中,我们总计使用了大于两年半的卫星观测数据,并对在此期间全球范围内发生的大约9000个震级大于或等于4．8的地震进行了统计分析。统计结果显示,在夜间时段,对于浅源地震（震源深度小于或等于40km）,在震前0～4小时的短时间内,电场波动强度会有4～6dB的显著降低。     

Design of controlled elastic and inelastic structures

One of the founders of structural control theory and its application in civil engineering,Professor Emeritus Tsu T.Soong,envisioned the development of the integral design of structures protected by active control devices.Most of his disciples and colleagues continuously attempted to develop procedures to achieve such integral control.In his recent papers published jointly with some of the authors of this paper,Professor Soong developed design procedures for the entire structure using a design-redesign proce...