Identification of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (mrp) related gene in red mullet (Mullus barbatus)

Multixenobiotic resistance mechanism (MXR) in aquatic organisms is mediated by the activity of the P-glycoprotein (Pgp) transporter that binds and actively effluxes different chemicals out of cell. In addition to the Pgp, several other, non-Pgp transport proteins have been recently identified in different human and animal tissues. Given their characteristics and tissue distribution we hypothesized that members of the so-called multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) family may be expressed in aquatic organisms. This study attempted to identify MRP related genes in different tissues of several marine and freshwater bivalves (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Dreissena polymorpha, Anodonta cygnea) and fish species (Mullus barbatus, Cyprinus carpio, Salmo trutta). Following an alignment of known MRP1 and MRP2 human sequences, as well as the GenBank available mrp2 sequences from different animals, we determined highly conserved regions and used them to design three pairs of consensus primers. Total RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed to cDNA and the obtained cDNAs were PCR amplified with the corresponding primers. The amplified PCR products were sequenced and their homology compared with Pgp and MRP protein sequences from different species. The expression of MRP related mRNA was clearly identified only in liver tissue isolated from red mullet, with homologies at the protein level ranging from 75% to 76%. Described results clearly pointed at the possibility that at least in the red mullet MXR as a general defense mechanism may be mediated by the activities of at least two different types of transport proteins.     

Biosiliceous particle flux in the Southern Ocean

The flux of diatom valves and radiolarian shells obtained during short-term and annual sediment trap experiments at seven localities in the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic Ocean (in the Drake Passage, Bransfield Strait, Powell Basin, NW and SE Weddell Sea and the Polar Front north of Bouvet Island) is summarized and discussed. The deployment of time-series sediment traps provided annual flux records between 1983 and 1990. The biosiliceous particle flux is characterized by significant seasonal and interannual variations. Flux pulses, accounting for 70–95% of the total annual flux, occur during austral summer, with a duration ranging between about 2 and 9 weeks. The annual values of vertical diatom and radiolarian flux range between 0.26 × 10⁹ and more than 26 × 10⁹ valves m⁻² and between 0.21 × 10⁴ and 70 × 10⁴ shells m⁻², respectively. Interannual differences in the particle flux range over a factor of 10. Grazers play an important role in controlling the quantity, timing and pattern of the vertical biosiliceous particle flux.The flux pattern of diatoms and radiolarians is similar at most of the sites investigated and shows a close relationship between the production of siliceous phytoplankton and proto-zooplankton. At some sites, however, the radiolarian flux pattern indicates probably phytoplankton production which is not documented by direct signals in the trap record.During their transfer through the water column to the ocean floor, the composition of the biosiliceous particles is altered mechanically (breakdown by grazing Zooplankton) and by dissolution, which significantly affects especially diatoms and phaeodarians in the upper portion of the water column and at the sediment-water interface.Significant lateral transport of suspended biosiliceous particles was observed in the bottom water layer in regions adjacent to shelf areas (Bransfield Strait), and in the vicinity of topographic elevations (Maud Rise), indicating considerable redistribution of biogenic silica in these regions.     

Rainfall interception in a lower montane forest in Ecuador: effects of canopy properties

Rainfall interception in forests is influenced by properties of the canopy that tend to vary over small distances. Our objectives were: (i) to determine the variables needed to model the interception loss of the canopy of a lower montane forest in south Ecuador, i.e. the storage capacity of the leaves S and of the trunks and branches S_t, and the fractions of direct throughfall p and stemflow p_t; (ii) to assess the influence of canopy density and epiphyte coverage of trees on the interception of rainfall and subsequent evaporation losses. The study site was located on the eastern slope of the eastern cordillera in the south Ecuadorian Andes at 1900–2000 m above sea level. We monitored incident rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow between April 1998 and April 2001. In 2001, the leaf area index (LAI), inferred from light transmission, and epiphyte coverage was determined. The mean annual incident rainfall at three gauging stations ranged between 2319 and 2561 mm. The mean annual interception loss at five study transects in the forest varied between 591 and 1321 mm, i.e. between 25 and 52% of the incident rainfall. Mean S was estimated at 1·91 mm for relatively dry weeks with a regression model and at 2·46 mm for all weeks with the analytical Gash model; the respective estimates of mean S_t were 0·04 mm and 0·09 mm, of mean p were 0·42 and 0·63, and of mean p_t were 0·003 and 0·012. The LAI ranged from 5·19 to 9·32. Epiphytes, mostly bryophytes, covered up to 80% of the trunk and branch surfaces. The fraction of direct throughfall p and the LAI correlated significantly with interception loss (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = −0·77 and 0·35 respectively, n = 40). Bryophyte and lichen coverage tended to decrease S_t and vascular epiphytes tended to increase it, although there was no significant correlation between epiphyte coverage and interception loss. Our results demonstrate that canopy density influences interception loss but only explains part of the total variation in interception loss. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of sediments in an abandoned mining area; a case study of Mansfeld region,Germany

The distribution of selected heavy metals, including some radionuclides, metalloids and non-metals was determined in stream sediments in a region influenced by abandoned copper mining and ore processing activities. A considerable amount of the ore processing waste with a very complex composition and highly elevated concentrations of zinc, sulfur, lead, copper, arsenic, and a lot of other elements in the range between 100 and 1,000 mg/kg (Sb, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Ag) was piled up on mine dumps. The dispersion of the pollutants originating from this source and their environmental impact were investigated. Both, sediments and original waste material were studied to indicate the pathways and the mobilization behavior of different pollutants. For this purpose, the process of the elution of pollutants by application of different fractionation schemes was studied. The capabilities of different analytical techniques are shown for the analysis of solid samples (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Gamma-spectrometry) and liquid ones (ICP-atomic emission spectrometry, ICP-mass spectrometry and different techniques of atomic absorption). Additionally, the coupling of ion chromatography and ICP-MS detection was used to study the distribution of arsenic species in the sediment cores of a lake which acts as a natural sink for the region.     

Dislocation structure of the crust-mantle boundary and low-velocity body within the crust beneath the Dabie Shan collision orogen

The Dabie Shan is located on the eastern side of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt, which marks a geological boundary between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cra- ton. Since the 1980s, the discovery of coesite and mi- crodiamond in the Dabie Shan orogen motivates an extensive interest to the ultra-high pressure (UHP)metamorphism and its exhumation[1,2]. Many results about them were published, which deal with different disciplines, including tectonics, petrology and chro- nology[3?8]. Up to now,…     

Numerical modelling of airborne electromagnetic anomalies originating from low-conductivity 3D bodies1

Responses of a multifrequency, multicoil airborne electromagnetic (AEM) system were modelled numerically for 3D electrical conductors embedded in a resistive bedrock and overlain by an overburden of low to moderate conductivity. The results cover a horizontal coplanar coil configuration and two frequencies, 7837 Hz and 51 250 Hz. The models studied are single or multiple, poor conductors (conductance lower than 0.1 S) embedded in a host rock of high but finite resistivity (5000 Ωm) and overlain by a layer of overburden with finite thickness and low to moderate conductivity (conductance up to 2 S). On the basis of the modelling results, limits of detectability for poor conductors have been studied for the various model structures. The results indicate that the anomaly from a steeply dipping, plate-like conductor will decrease significantly when the conductor is embedded in a weakly conductive host rock and is overlain by a conductive overburden. However, an anomaly is obtained, and its magnitude can even increase with increasing overburden conductivity or frequency. The plate anomaly remains practically constant when only the overburden thickness is varied. Changes in overburden conductivity will cause the plate-anomaly values to change markedly. If the plate conductance is less than that of the overburden, a local anomaly opposite in sign to the normal type of anomaly will be recorded. Another major consequence is that conductors interpreted with free-space models will be heavily overestimated in depth or underestimated in conductance, if in reality induction and current channelling in the host rock and overburden make even a slight contribution to the anomalous EM field. The lateral resolution for the horizontal coplanar coil system was found to be about 1.7 times the sensor altitude. Similarly, the lateral extension of a horizontal conductive ribbon, required to reach the semi-infinite (half-space) behaviour, is more than three times the sensor altitude. Finally, screening of a steeply dipping plate, caused by a small, conductive horizontal ribbon, is much more severe than screening of the same plate by an extensive horizontal layer.     

Periphyton communities in Amazonian black- and whitewater habitats: Community structure, biomass and productivity

Chlorophyll a-concentrations, AFWD (ash-free-dry-weight) and photosynthesis rates were estimated for periphyton assemblages in Amazonian black-and white-water habitats over 14 months. Cellulose-acetate strips were incubated in situ and showed few major differences in periphyton quality as compared to natural substrata. The only exceptions were submersed Igapó forest leaves, which exhibited higher proportions of green algae and cyanobacteria though not producing differences in total periphyton biomass. Enclosure experiments showed a considerable nutrient release by inundated non-senescent Igapó forest leaves. Periphyton biomass and productivity were found to be highest in black-and white water mixing zones, where biomass peaked at 41.6 mg Chla/m² and 19.8 g/m² AFDW. Production was estimated to be 380 gC/m²·a. Maximum biomass of periphyton in floating meadows was 46 mg Chla/m² and 10.6 g/m² AFDW, with an annual production of 170 gC/m²·a. Solimões main channel periphyton values were low: maximum Chla was 7.1 mg/m², AFDW 0.8 g/m² and annual production was estimated to be 30 gC/m². Blackwater periphyton values were lower compared to whitewater and mixed water values but an enlarged trophogenic zone has to be taken into account. Highest Chla content reached 30.9 mg/m², AFDW 1.43 g/m². Estimated annual production was 110 gC/m². Observed mean periphyton productivity of Amazonian blackwater habitats approximately corresponded to mesotrophic attached algae productivity in temperate zones, whereas productivity of whitewater periphyton approached those of temperate eutrophic lakes. The role of periphyton in the Amazon food web is discussed.