Seasonal variations of biomarker responses in the marine blue mussel (Mytilus spp.)

Biomarkers, which can detect changes at the biochemical level, have been used for many years as early warning tools in environmental monitoring. In order to distinguish between natural variability and the potential effects of anthropogenic pollution, it is essential to identify background levels and establish the potential influence of abiotic (season, temperature and salinity) and biotic (gametogenesis) factors. In this study, we examined various biomarkers of stress (glutathione S-transferase (GST)), reproduction (vitellin-like proteins) and damage (lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage (DNA)) in marine mussels (Mytilus spp.) from a known pristine hybrid zone. Levels of all biomarker expression varied between seasons and appeared to be linked to the reproductive cycle. Oxidative stress in winter, with low GST expression and a higher expression of LPO and DNA damage displayed could be explained by low food availability. These data provide vital baseline information for future ecotoxicological and environmental monitoring studies.     

A depositional model for hydromagnesite–magnesite playas near Atlin,British Columbia,Canada

This study formulates a comprehensive depositional model for hydromagnesite–magnesite playas. Mineralogical, isotopic and hydrogeochemical data are coupled with electron microscopy and field observations of the hydromagnesite–magnesite playas near Atlin, British Columbia, Canada. Four surface environments are recognized: wetlands, grasslands, localized mounds (metre‐scale) and amalgamated mounds composed primarily of hydromagnesite [Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O], which are interpreted to represent stages in playa genesis. Water chemistry, precipitation kinetics and depositional environment are primary controls on sediment mineralogy. At depth (average ≈ 2 m), Ca–Mg‐carbonate sediments overlay early Holocene glaciolacustrine sediments indicating deposition within a lake post‐deglaciation. This mineralogical change corresponds to a shift from siliciclastic to chemical carbonate deposition as the supply of fresh surface water (for example, glacier meltwater) ceased and was replaced by alkaline groundwater. Weathering of ultramafic bedrock in the region produces Mg–HCO₃ groundwater that concentrates by evaporation upon discharging into closed basins, occupied by the playas. An uppermost unit of Mg‐carbonate sediments (hydromagnesite mounds) overlies the Ca–Mg‐carbonate sediments. This second mineralogical shift corresponds to a change in the depositional environment from subaqueous to subaerial, occurring once sediments ‘emerged’ from the water surface. Capillary action and evaporation draw Mg–HCO₃ water up towards the ground surface, precipitating Mg‐carbonate minerals. Evaporation at the water table causes precipitation of lansfordite [MgCO₃·5H₂O] which partially cements pre‐existing sediments forming a hardpan. As carbonate deposition continues, the weight of the overlying sediments causes compaction and minor lateral movement of the mounds leading to amalgamation of localized mounds. Radiocarbon dating of buried vegetation at the Ca–Mg‐carbonate boundary indicates that there has been ca 8000 years of continuous Mg‐carbonate deposition at a rate of 0·4 mm yr^?1. The depositional model accounts for the many sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical processes that occur in the four surface environments; elucidating past and present carbonate deposition.     

Tsunami inundation in Napier, New Zealand, due to local earthquake sources

Deterministic analysis of local tsunami generated by subduction zone earthquakes demonstrates the potential for extensive inundation and building damage in Napier, New Zealand. We present the first high-resolution assessments of tsunami inundation in Napier based on full simulation from tsunami generation to inundation and demonstrate the potential variability of onshore impacts due to local earthquakes. In the most extreme scenario, rupture of the whole Hikurangi subduction margin, maximum onshore flow depth exceeds 8.0 m within 200 m of the shore and exceeds 5.0 m in the city centre, with high potential for major damage to buildings. Inundation due to single-segment or splay fault rupture is relatively limited despite the magnitudes of M_W 7.8 and greater. There is approximately 30 min available for evacuation of the inundation zone following a local rupture, and inundation could reach a maximum extent of 4 km. The central city is inundated by up to three waves, and Napier Port could be inundated repeatedly for 12 h. These new data on potential flow depth, arrival time and flow kinematics provide valuable information for tsunami education, exposure analysis and evacuation planning.     

Experimental Research on Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Composite Beams Under Uniformly Distributed Load

An experimental program was carried out to study the shear behavior of the reinforced con-crete composite beam(RCCB)subjected to two-phase uniformly distributed load.A total of 12 reinforcedconcrete composite beams were tested:10 of them were the RCCB subjected to two-phase uniformly dis-tributed load,the other 2 were the comparative reinforced concrete beams cast at the same time as theRCCB subjected to one-phase uniformly distributed load.The interface of precast unit and recast concretewas natural and rough.The test range of the main composite factors:the ratio of precast section depth tocomposite section depth was from 0.35 to 0.65,the ratio of first-phase load moment to precast section ulti-mate bearing moment was from 0.25 to 0.65.Based on the test results,the stresses of the longitudinal rein-forcements and stirrups,the load-bearing properties of the interface,the crack state and the failure charac-teristics of the RCCB under uniformly distributed load are discussed.The effects of the stirrups,the     

Experimental Research on Sewage Outfall Diffusers

The influence of diffuser parameters, including the riser spacing, port number in a riser, injection angle, port arrangement, etc., on the surface initial dilution is experimentally investigated. The relative density difference between the effluent and the sea water in the model is the same as that in the prototype, and the effect of the cross current is simulated by an inverse model technique. Based on the result analysis, the arrangement with more ports in a riser and larger riser spacing is suggested to save construction cost. The relationship between the Reynolds number based on the port diameter and velocity, and the surface initial dilution is also explored, and the critical Reynolds number is proposed.     

Partitioning of temperature resources amongst an estuarine fish assemblage

Temperature (i.e. habitat at any given temperature) is an ecological resource for which organisms compete to maximise growth and other fitness measures, but the temperature (thermal habitat)-resource concept has not been widely applied to the study of estuarine fish. Temperature–abundance relationships for 16 fish and four invertebrate species from the Thames estuary were analysed to test hypotheses regarding temperature resource partitioning. Significant temperature–abundance models were apparent, explaining >65% of the variability in 13 fish species and 50% of variability in three invertebrate species. Fish demonstrated differential responses to temperature across the range. Invertebrates generally preferred warmer conditions than fish. Calculated thermal niche breadths indicated species preferenda spread across the recorded temperature range and some separation along the thermal niche axis within the same functional guild or taxonomic group. Calculated overlap coefficients and resource separation ratios provided some evidence for resource separation and demonstrated that species closely aligned on other niche axes (e.g. physical habitat use, feeding type) were most likely to be separated in terms of their use of thermal habitat resources, suggesting where other niche axes variables are not separating species, division of the temperature resources may be preventing competition between fish species. Few fish species demonstrated significant overlap with potential invertebrate prey, suggesting facultative use of the estuary to exploit optimal thermal habitat rather than food supply. The temporal migration pattern of fish in estuaries is therefore interpreted as a response to resource separation along the temperature axis which limits potential competition between functionally or taxonomically similar species. Thermal resource partitioning in estuaries has temporal rather than spatial dimensions and provides an example of the niche compression/expansion hypothesis.     

基于熵值-理想点法的泥石流危险度研究

泥石流危险度的划分是泥石流研究中的重点与难点,泥石流危险度的确定对于泥石流整体特征的把握具有十分重要的作用。采用熵值-理想点法建立了泥石流危险度划分模型,选取流域面积、主沟长度与泥石流沟相对最大高差等10个评价指标。利用现场3条泥石流沟作为工程评价对象,通过熵值法确定各评价指标的权重系数,并采用理想点法进行泥石流危险度的划分研究。根据模型分析结果,泥石流沟2与3属于高危险度(贴近度为0.79与0.83),泥石流沟1属于中危险度(贴近度为0.82)。泥石流危险度与现场情况及已有研究资料基本一致,证明了该法在泥石流危险度划分中的合理性与有效性。