The use of meiofauna as an indicator of benthic organic enrichment associated with salmonid aquaculture

Sediment chemistry and meiofaunal samples were collected in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, to examine the relationship between sediment variables and meiofauna diversity across near- and far-field gradients surrounding several finfish aquaculture operations. The sediment variables examined consisted of free sulfide concentrations, redox potential (E(NHE)), organic content, and sediment grain size. A strong trend between sediment texture and organic content was observed across all sampling locations, which reflected a wide range of sediment types (sand-silt) that exist within the Broughton Archipelago. The abundance of certain meiofaunal groups (kinorhynchs, crustaceans, polychaetes) declined in an asymptotic fashion with increasing free sulfide concentrations, an indicator of benthic organic enrichment. Within these relationships, low meiofaunal abundances occurred in fine sediments associated with higher organic contents. Although other groups (nematodes, foraminifera) showed a slight decline in abundance with increasing organic enrichment, a high amount of variability in abundance was observed at high free sulfide concentrations, rendering these groups not suitable as indicators of organic enrichment. This study reports both horizontal and vertical trends in meiofaunal distributions relative to free sulfide concentrations. The abundance of nematode and crustacean taxa decreased with sediment depth as well as increasing sulfide concentration, while polycheate abundance increased with increasing free sulfide concentration. The ratio of nematodes to copepods was also shown to represent the degree of organic loading associated with aquaculture operations and its application as an indicator of benthic impact is discussed.     

Medium-term responses of rocky bottoms to sewage discharges from a deepwater outfall in the NE Atlantic

An investigation on the effects of deepwater outfall discharges on the status of rocky reef communities was carried out. The sanitation system was found to be an environmentally suitable option for the protection of those habitats situated in high energy coastal environments. Sediments occurring between the predominating rocky substrates showed low values of the fine fraction (<63microm) and organic matter content. In addition, high average concentrations of Cd, Hg and Zn were found in these sediments, though these values were similar to those registered in non-affected sites, far away from the outfall. On the other hand, those assemblages typical of hard substrates that settled near the outfall showed an increase in total richness and abundance of macroinvertebrates. Moreover, the average number of species of each taxonomic group, a good indicator of the maintenance of the previous trophic structure, only varied considerably over time at the rip-rap protection. In a global context, those changes were not directly related to the discharge disturbances, but to the natural variability or the successional processes occurring within those communities. Only communities dwelling in the rip-rap protection area were affected by the proximity of the discharges.     

Copper speciation survey from UK marinas, harbours and estuaries

The use of copper in antifouling paints has increased in the UK in the last 20 years as TBT and several other organic biocides have been phased out. To assess the probable impact of copper on estuarine systems a survey was undertaken to measure the different fractions of copper present in the water column at current usage. The different fractions measured were; labile copper, (LCu) considered as both the free copper ions and inorganically bound copper, the total dissolved copper (TDCu) present, and the difference between them taken as the organically bound likely non-toxic copper fraction. The survey considered sites with different levels of boat use, namely marinas, harbours and estuaries, differing physical parameters of suspended and dissolved organic matter, different seasons of the year and different depths in the water column all of which control speciation behaviour. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) values were measured at all sites and increased from West to East coast locations (5.7-34.4 mg/l). Dissolved organic matter (DOM) values ranged from 0.58 to 2.2mg/l C. The total dissolved copper concentrations ranged from 0.30 to 6.68 microg/l, with labile fraction ranging from 0.02 to 2.69 microg/l, and most labile copper concentrations below 1 microg/l. None of the yearly mean copper measurements exceeded the 76/464/EEC EQS of 5 microg/l. Of the 306 measurements, only one dissolved copper value in one season was above 5 microg/l. This ratio of labile to total copper was between 10 and 30%. The results from this survey suggest that if toxicity of copper is due to the labile fraction then using the total dissolved copper concentrations as an indicator of impact overestimate the risk by a factor of four times.     

巨型翼龙类能够飞行吗？

Many pterodactyloids had wingspans that vastly exceed those of any other flying animals, living or extinct. Ornithocheiroids and neoazhdarchidans were particularly large pterosaurs that regularly attained wingspans over 4 m. Certain members of these groups – Pteranodontia and Azhdarchidae – attained the largest wingspans of any pterosaurs, making them the largest flying animals known.     

对流层大气温度"蝴蝶形"震前异常

利用美国国家和海洋大气管理局(NOAA)的大气温度数据, 分析陆地地震和海洋地震震前震中上空的大气温度变化, 研究其作为地震短临前兆的可能性.地震样本包括2014年2月12日于田M_s7.3地震、2008年5月12日汶川M_s8.0地震、2011年3月11日日本M_s9.0地震、2014年4月1日智利M_s8.1海洋地震、2013年3月27日台湾南投县M_s6.1地震和2014年5月30日云南盈江M_s6.1地震.结果表明: (1)震前, 震中位置300~1 000 hPa大气温度有较为一致的变化趋势; (2)200 hPa与400 hPa处(根据不同地点可选择其他, 诸如350 hPa、300 hPa等高度数据)温度折线图在震前趋近或者相交, 出现类似蝴蝶翅膀的"蝴蝶形"特殊曲线形状; (3)200 hPa与400 hPa温度差等值线图在(震前数月、数周或数天不等)震中附近区域的数值减小, 温度差等值线图的塌陷最低点对应震中位置.以上规律有望应用于地震短临预测的时间与震中的确定.      

RESOLUTION OF MULTICOMPONENT FLUORESCENT MIXTURES BY ANALYSIS OF THE EXCITATION-EMISSION-FREQUENCY ARRAY

Fluorescence lifetime provides a third independent dimension of information for the resolution of totalluminescence spectra of multicomponent mixtures.The incorporation of this parameter into theexcitation-emission matrix(EEM)by the phase modulation technique results in a three-dimensionalexcitation-emission-frequency array (EEFA).Multicomponent analysis based on the three-dimensionalEEFA brings a qualitative change for the resolved spectra,i.e.individual spectra can be uniquely resolved,which is impossible with any two-dimensional analysis.In this paper we present a method for analyzingthe EEFA.We show mathematically that with the three-dimensional analysis of the EEFA individualspectra and lifetimes can be obtained.Our algorithm is developed in mathematical detail and isdemonstrated by its application to a two-component mixture.     

Hemolysis of PM10 on RBCs in vitro:An indoor air study in a coal-burning lung cancer epidemic area

Epidemiological studies have suggested that inhalation exposure to indoor ambient air from coal-burning environments is causally associated with respiratory health risks.In order to explore the toxicological mechanisms behind the adverse health effects,the hemolytic activity of PM₁₀(particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 um or less)samples collected from homes burning coal in the recognized China"cancer village"Xuanwei were evaluated and matched against their trace elemental contents.The results demonstrated that the hemolytic activity of indoor PM₁₀ in coal-burning environments ranged from 4.28%to 5.24%,with a clear positive dose-response relationship.Although low dose samples exhibited a reduced hemolytic activity,PM₁₀ could have a toxic effect upon people in a coal-burning indoor environment for extended time periods.The concentrations of analyzed trace elements in PM₁₀ samples ranged from 6966 to 12,958 ppm.Among the analyzed elements,Zn,Ti,Ni,Cu,Pb,Ba,Mn,Cr and V were found at higher concentrations and accounted for over 95%of the total elements.The concentrations of total analyzed elements in the PM₁₀ samples revealed a significant positive correlation with PM₁₀ hemolytic activity.Of the analyzed elements,Zn,Pb and Cs positively correlated with hemolysis,while Li,U and V negatively correlated with the hemolysis of human red blood cells(RBCs).Therefore,the heavy metal elements could be one of the main factors responsible for the hemolytic capacity of indoor PM₁₀ in coal-burning environments.     

A New Species of Tsuga (Pinaceae) based on Lignified Wood from the Late Miocene of Central Yunnan, China, and Its Paleoenvironmental Implications

A new species, Tsuga nanfengensis sp. nov. (Pinaceae), is described on the basis of lignified fossil wood from the late Miocene of the Xianfeng Basin, central Yunnan, southwestern China. Detailed observation of the fossil wood specimens show the following characteristics: distinct growth rings, absence of resin canals, uniseriate bordered pits in the radial wall of tracheids, ray tracheids and piceoid and cupressoid cross-field pits. These features indicate similarities to the wood of extant Tsuga canadensis, T. chinensis, and T. dumosa. According to the fossil record, Tsuga was present in Xundian County during the Miocene. Today Tsuga is drought intolerant, preferring wet conditions with no extant species growing naturally in Xundian County. The presence of Tsuga in the Miocene of Xundian County indicates a humid climate consistent with previous palaeoclimatic reconstructions showing a wetter and probably shorter dry season in the Miocene, relative to the present day. Therefore, the change in the local climate such as increasing aridity through the Miocene might explain the local extinction of Tsuga from central Yunnan.     

生态模型在河口管理中的应用研究综述

河口作为河流和海洋的交汇地,具有生态交错带特性,其在自然和人类活动双重压力下发生着演变.生态模型是研究生态系统结构、功能及其时空演变规律以及生物过程对于生态系统的影响及其反馈机制的重要手段.采用不同方法对生态模型进行分类,综述各类生态模型的特性、优缺点及应用领域.讨论建模过程中模型变量与函数、模型整合及时空尺度、模型参数取值及不确定等关键技术问题.分析各类生态模型在河口生态工程设计、生态系统修复、生态系统评价、系统决策支持等管理领域的应用.尽管中国河口生态模型构建及应用已有一些成果,但与国外相比,在理论生态学及数据积累方面仍有一定差距.