尺度参数的Lp估计与精度评定

根据定位参数与尺度参数的联合Ｍ估计,导出了尺度参数的Ｌｐ估计;当ｐ＝２时,与最小二乘估计一致,观测数据服从正态分布时,为最优无偏估计;由于尺度参数Ｌｐ估计的影响函数为无界函数,估计不具抗差性,但把残差Ｗｉｎｓｏｒ化,作者得到了尺度参数的抗差Ｌｐ估计;依据定位参数的协方差阵,可进行Ｌｐ估计的精度评定。这些结果对于Ｌｐ估计的研究和应用具有一定的参考价值。     

Emission of nitrous oxide from temperate forest soils into the atmosphere

N₂O emission rates were measured during a 13-month period from July 1981 till August 1982 with a frequency of once every two weeks at six different forest sites in the vicinity of Mainz, Germany. The sites were selected on the basis of soil types typical for many of the Central European forest ecosystems. The individual N₂O emission rates showed a high degree of temporal and spatial variabilities which, however, were not significantly correlated to variabilities in soil moisture content or soil temperatures. However, the N₂O emission rates followed a general seasonal trend with relatively high values during spring and fall. These maxima coincided with relatively high soil moisture contents, but may also have been influenced by the leaf fall in autumn. In addition, there was a brief episode of relatively high N₂O emission rates immediately after thawing of the winter snow. The individual N₂O emission rates measured during the whole season ranged between 1 and 92 g N₂O-N m^–2 h^–1. The average values were in the range of 3–11 g N₂O-N m^–2 h^–1 and those with a 50% probability were in the range of 2–8 g N₂O-N m^–2 h^–1. The total source strength of temperate forest soils for atmospheric N₂O may be in the range of 0.7–1.5 Tg N yr^–1.     

Field determination of copper, manganese and Zinc in sulphide materials by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

A field-portable analytical method is described for the semi-quantitative determination of Cu, Mn and Zn in oceanic sulphide minerals. Samples were prepared on board ship and analyzed using the AAZ-2 field portable atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The method has general applicability to a variety of field locations at sea or on land. Analyte concentrations ranging from the ppm to percent levels could be determined by selecting the appropriate analytical wavelengths and sample dilution factors. Samples were dissolved using hydrochloric and nitric acids in sealed teflon vessels. Concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn were determined with an accuracy of approximately 10% when field results were compared with determinations subsequently carried out on the same samples in the laboratory by flame atomic absorption methods.     

Field studies of methane emission from termite nests into the atmosphere and measurements of methane uptake by tropical soils

The flux of CH₄ and CO₂ from termite nests into the atmosphere has been measured in a broad-leafed-type savannah in South Africa. Measurements were carried out on nests of species of six genera, i.e., Hodotermes, Macrotermes, Odontotermes, Trinervitermes, Cubitermes, and Amitermes. The flux rates of CH₄ relative to the flux rate of CO₂ in terms of carbon obtained for the individual species showed ratios of 2.9×10^-3, 7.0×10^-4, 6.7×10^-5, 8.7×10^-3, 2.0×10^-3 and 4.2×10^-3, respectively. Using data published on the assimulation efficiencies of termites, the flux of carbon as CH₄ accounts for 6.0×10^-5 to 2.6×10^-3 of the carbon ingested which results in a global CH₄ emission by termites of 2 to 5×10¹² g/yr. Methane is decomposed in the soil with average decomposition rates of 52 g/m²/h. The annual CH₄ consumption in the tropics and subtropics is estimated to be 21×10¹² g which exceeds the CH₄ emission rate by termites.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized and unfertilized soils in a subtropical region (Andalusia,Spain)

Field measurements of N₂O emission rates were carried out from August until October 1982 in a subtropical region in Europe, i.e. in Andalusia, Spain. The measurements were performed by using an automatic sampling and analysis technique allowing the semi-continuous determination of N₂O emission rates. The N₂O emission rates were positively correlated to the soil surface temperature and exhibited a diurnal rhythm with maximum rates in the afternoon and minimum rates in the early morning with average values of 1 g N₂O–N/m²/h for the grass lawn and 15 g N₂O–N/m²/h for cultivated land. Application of urea and ammonium nitrate resulted in elevated N₂O emission rates when compared to the unfertilized control. The loss of fertilizer-nitrogen as N₂O was 0.18% for urea and 0.04% for NH₄NO₃ which compares very well with data obtained in a temperate climate (Germany). The total source strength of fertilizer-derived N₂O is estimated to be 0.01–2.2 Tg N₂O–N per year. The N₂O flux from unfertilized natural soils may be as high as 4.5 Tg N₂O–N, indicating that the N₂O emission from soils contributes significantly to the global N₂O budget.     

Across‐axis variations in petrophysical properties of the North Porcupine Basin,offshore Ireland: New insights from long‐streamer traveltime tomography

The Porcupine Basin is a Mesozoic failed rift located in the North Atlantic margin, SW of Ireland, in which a postrift phase of extensional faulting and reactivation of synrift faults occurred during the Mid–Late Eocene. Fault zones are known to act as either conduits or barriers for fluid flow and to contribute to overpressure. Yet, little is known about the distribution of fluids and their relation to the tectono‐stratigraphic architecture of the Porcupine Basin. One way to tackle this aspect is by assessing seismic (V_p) and petrophysical (e.g., porosity) properties of the basin stratigraphy. Here, we use for the first time in the Porcupine Basin 10‐km‐long‐streamer data to perform traveltime tomography of first arrivals and retrieve the 2D V_p structure of the postrift sequence along a ~130‐km‐long EW profile across the northern Porcupine Basin. A new V_p–density relationship is derived from the exploration wells tied to the seismic line to estimate density and bulk porosity of the Cenozoic postrift sequence from the tomographic result. The V_p model covers the shallowest 4 km of the basin and reveals a steeper vertical velocity gradient in the centre of the basin than in the flanks. This variation together with a relatively thick Neogene and Quaternary sediment accumulation in the centre of the basin suggests higher overburden pressure and compaction compared to the margins, implying fluid flow towards the edges of the basin driven by differential compaction. The V_p model also reveals two prominent subvertical low‐velocity bodies on the western margin of the basin. The tomographic model in combination with the time‐migrated seismic section shows that whereas the first anomaly spatially coincides with the western basin‐bounding fault, the second body occurs within the hangingwall of the fault, where no major faulting is observed. Porosity estimates suggest that this latter anomaly indicates pore overpressure of sandier Early–Mid Eocene units. Lithological well control together with fault displacement analysis suggests that the western basin‐bounding fault can act as a hydraulic barrier for fluids migrating from the centre of the basin towards its flanks, favouring fluid compartmentalization and overpressure of sandier units of its hangingwall.     

Analysis of nonlinear associations between prenatal methylmercury exposure from fish consumption and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the Seychelles Main Cohort at 17 years

The Seychelles Child Development Study has been examining the relationship between prenatal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from consuming fish during pregnancy and child development. This study re-analyzes seven outcomes in the 17 year Main Cohort data to determine if there are nonlinear or non-homogeneous (subgroup) associations that were not identified in the linear analysis. We adopted two statistical approaches. First, we carried out an additive nonlinear analysis assuming homogeneous prenatal MeHg-outcome relationships to explore overall associations. Second, we applied the regression tree to the Woodcock–Johnson Calculation subtest (it was significantly associated in earlier analyses) and identified 4 clusters based on covariates. Then we used additive models to assess the prenatal MeHg association in each of the four clusters for all seven outcomes. This approach assumes nonlinear associations in each cluster and non-homogeneous associations between clusters. The additive nonlinear analysis yielded prenatal MeHg curves similar to the linear analysis. For the regression tree analysis, the curves relating prenatal MeHg to outcomes between the 4 clusters differed and some crossed at higher prenatal MeHg levels, suggesting non-homogeneity in the upper range of exposure. Additionally, some of the curves suggested a possible non-linear relationship within the range of exposure we studied. This non-linear analysis supports the findings from the linear analysis. It shows little evidence to support an adverse association of prenatal MeHg exposure through maternal consumption of fish contaminated with natural background levels. However, the tree analysis suggests that the prenatal exposure/outcome relationship may not be homogeneous across all individuals and that some subpopulations may have an adverse association in the upper range of the exposures studied. More robust data in the higher levels of exposure in this cohort are needed to confirm this finding.     

Benthic fluxes of copper,complexing ligands and thiol compounds in shallow lagoon waters

Benthic fluxes of copper, copper complexing ligands and thiol compounds in the shallow waters of Venice Lagoon (Italy) were determined using benthic chambers and compared to porewater concentrations to confirm their origin. Benthic copper fluxes were small due to small concentration differences between the porewaters and the overlying water, and the equilibrium concentration was the same at both sites, suggesting that the sediments acted to buffer the copper concentration. Thiol fluxes were ～10 × greater at 50–60 pmol cm^?2 h^?1, at the two sites. Porewater measurements demonstrated that the sediments were an important source of the thiols to the overlying waters. The overlying waters were found to contain at least two ligands, a strong one, L1 (log K′_CuL1 = 14.2) and a weaker one, L2 (log K′_CuL2 = 12.5). The concentration of L1 remained relatively constant during the incubation and similar to that of copper, whereas that of L2 was in great excess of copper, its concentration balanced by porewater releases and breakdown, probably due to uptake by microorganisms, similar to that of the thiol compounds. Similarity of the thiol and L2 concentrations and similar complex stability with copper suggest that L2 was dominated by the thiols. The free copper concentration ([Cu´]) in the Lagoon waters was lowered by a factor of 10⁵ as a result of the organic complexation.     

Earthquake swarm in Steigen, northern Norway: an unusual example of intraplate seismicity

On the first of January 1992, unusual earthquake activity started in Steigen, northern Norway. By 31 December, 1992, a total of 207 events had been recorded in several pulses. Among these, several events with magnitudes larger than 3.0 ( M _c) were also felt by the people. The epicentral distribution of these events seems to suggest that they all are concentrated in a small region (approximately 10 km in diameter) in the Brennvika Bay (67.8°N, 14.9°E), between Leinesfjorden in the north and Nordfolda in the south. The distribution of events in time is characteristic of a swarm in which no dear evidence of a mainshock–aftershock sequence was observed. Macroseismic intensity surveys as well as synthetic modelling indicate shallow focal depths in the range 5–8 km. Based on a composite focal mechanism, indicating an oblique-slip fault striking NE with a normal component dipping NW, combined with an observed NE trend in the epicentres and the focal depths, these events correlate with a previously proposed fault zone along Nordfolda. The NE trend has been dominant in the area throughout geological time, starting from the Caledonian Orogeny to the post-Caledonian basin developments, as well as the post-glacial and neotectonic structural features. At present, the deep-seated structural anomaly underneath the Lofoten Ridge seems to be the major factor controlling the structural trends in the area. The activity along the Nordfolda fault zone could be related to this large-scale structure, although the causes of the stresses that would create the seismic activity are not very clear, as there are several possible stress-generating mechanisms involved, such as post-glacial uplift of the land masses, the 'ridge-push' effect from Mohn's Ridge, and vertical stresses generated by the sediment loading in the adjacent basins.     

Fish-Habitat Relationships Along the Estuarine Gradient of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,California: Implications for Habitat Restoration

Estuaries are highly variable environments where fish are subjected to a diverse suite of habitat features (e.g., water quality gradients, physical structure) that filter local assemblages from a broader, regional species pool. Tidal, climatological, and oceanographic phenomena drive water quality gradients and, ultimately, expose individuals to other habitat features (e.g., stationary physical or biological elements, such as bathymetry or vegetation). Relationships between fish abundances, water quality gradients, and other habitat features in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta were examined as a case example to learn how habitat features serve as filters to structure local assemblages in large river-dominated estuaries. Fish communities were sampled in four tidal lakes along the estuarine gradient during summer-fall 2010 and 2011 and relationships with habitat features explored using ordination and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). Based on ordination results, landscape-level gradients in salinity, turbidity, and elevation were associated with distinct fish assemblages among tidal lakes. Native fishes were associated with increased salinity and turbidity, and decreased elevation. Within tidal lakes, GLMM results demonstrated that submersed aquatic vegetation density was the dominant driver of individual fish species densities. Both native and non-native species were associated with submersed aquatic vegetation, although native and non-native fish populations only minimally overlapped. These results help to provide a framework for predicting fish species assemblages in novel or changing habitats as they indicate that species assemblages are driven by a combination of location within the estuarine gradient and site-specific habitat features.