Agonistic effect of imidazole and triazole fungicides on in vitro oocyte maturation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The purpose of the present study was to assess the in vitro effect of some imidazole (prochloraz, imazalil) and triazole (epoxiconazole) agricultural fungicides on gonadotropin-induced oocyte maturation in rainbow trout. Results show that prochloraz, epoxiconazole and imazalil strongly potentiated the induction of oocyte maturation by gonadotropin in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, 10⁻⁵ M prochloraz and epoxiconazole alone induced oocyte maturation. The mRNA biosynthesis inhibitor, actinomycin , completely inhibited oocyte maturation induced by fungicides, suggesting that the gonadotropin-like effect of these chemicals is at least dependent on de novo gene expression.     

The multivariate (co)variogram as a spatial weighting function in classification methods

The multivariate variogram and the multivariate covariogram are used as spatial weighting functions for forming spatially homogeneous groups automatically. The groups are created after either deflating similarities between distant samples with the multivariate covariogram or by inflating dissimilarities between distant samples with the multivariate variogram. These approaches can be seen as generalization of the Oliver and Webster proposal. Two data sets show the efficiency of the two weighting functions when compared to the classical approach which does not take spatial information into account. In one case study, the weighting of similarities by the multivariate covariogram showed more interpretable results than the weighting of dissimilarities by the multivariate variogram.     

Orbital imprint on Holocene palaeohydrological variations in west‐central Europe as reflected by lake‐level changes at Cerin (Jura Mountains,eastern France)

This paper presents a lake‐level record for the Holocene at Lake Cerin (Jura Mountains, eastern France). It is based on a range of sedimentological techniques validated in previous studies, with a combination of systematic lithostratigraphic investigations of the infillings accumulated in the lacustrine basin, and sediment analyses of two selected cores. The chronology is based on 10 radiocarbon dates and pollen stratigraphy. On a millennial scale, the Cerin lake‐level record shows three distinct successive phases characterised by higher lake‐level conditions until ca. 9000 cal. a BP, followed by a maximal lowering at ca. 9000–8500 cal. a BP, and a progressive rise until the present. This rise was punctuated by centennial‐scale fluctuations, with major events around 4000, 2800 and after 1500 cal. a BP. Considered on a multimillennial scale, the general pattern of palaeohydrological changes reconstructed at Cerin reflects the impact of orbitally driven summer insolation. This is in agreement with other regional and extra‐regional palaeoclimatic records, although every record shows peculiarities in timing and shape depending on the proxy used for reconstruction. In this general context, centennial to multicentennial oscillations appear to have been second‐order events in comparison with the major influence of the orbital factor. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fatty acid transfer in the food web of a coastal Mediterranean lagoon: Evidence for high arachidonic acid retention in fish

The transfer of fatty acids (FAs) in the food web of a Mediterranean lagoon was studied using FA compositional patterns across several trophic levels. The structure of the food web was inferred from C and N stable isotopes values and an isotope mixing model was used in order to estimate the relative contribution of the different potential food sources to the biomass of consumers. Bidimensional plots of FA composition of food web components against their δ¹⁵N values indicated a general trend of increasing proportions of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) with increasing trophic levels while the proportions of saturated fatty acids (SAFAs) and 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decreased. Using the relative contributions of food sources to consumers and their FA compositions, a model was built in order to estimate the PUFA composition of consumer mixed diets which was compared to consumer PUFA profiles. The latter allowed the identification of the PUFAs which were mostly enriched/retained in consumer lipids. There was a surprisingly high retention of arachidonic acid (ARA), a trend which challenges the idea of low ARA needs in marine fish and suggests the important physiological role of this essential FA for fish in estuarine environments.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an anoxic sediment core from the Pettaquamscutt River (Rhode Island,U.S.A.)

Fifteen sections from an anoxic sediment core were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Two types of PAH were observed: (a) those from combustion sources such as pyrene and chrysene and (b) those from natural sources such as retene and perylene. The combustion PAH levels in core sections dated between 1900 and 1970 were much higher than in earlier sections; this indicated an anthropogenic origin of these PAH at this location. The perylene and retene core profiles show significant anomalies during the period 1850–1880. Organic carbon does not fluctuate markedly but δC-13 of organic carbon shows several unexplained excursions; one of which correlates with the perylene and retene anomalies.     

Tetra- and pentacyclic,naturally-occurring,aromatic hydrocarbons in recent sediments

Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been identified in recent Amazon River and Cariaco Trench sediments. The skeletal structures of these compounds suggest triterpenoid precursors. The tetracyclic compounds seem to result from A-ring cleavage and the pentacyclic compounds from aromatization which begins with ring A and proceeds through ring D. These compounds are another example of the environmental occurrence of natural PAH.     

Correlations and sequence stratigraphic model for Messinian carbonate platforms of the western and central Mediterranean

Distance correlations of Late Tortonian–Messinian littoral carbonate complexes are proposed from the study of eight platforms in the western and central Mediterranean. Correlations are based on the identification of two major biological sedimentary cycles and of two index surfaces. Surface A is a maximum flooding surface during cycle 1 at around 6.7 Ma. Surface B is a regional marine planation surface at around 5.95 Ma, at the base of cycle 2 (Terminal Carbonate Complex). A general sedimentary model is proposed for the 7–5.6-Ma time-span. The boundary between cycles 1 and 2 is coincident with the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis, and appears to be related to major environmental–paleo-oceanographic changes in the Mediterranean, rather than to a major sea-level drop or to climatic change.     

Spatial Variability of Trends in the Rainfall-Runoff Relationship: A Mesoscale Study in the Mosel Basin

The spatial variability of observed trends in rainfall structure over the last 5 decades and its effects on the spatial variability of maximum daily water levels in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (Europe) were investigated in 9 sub-basins of the Mosel river. Over the past 25 years, an increase in westerly atmospheric circulation types during winter months has caused an increase in winter rainfall totals, duration and intensity. More specifically, the spatial variability of trends having affected winter rainfall totals, duration and intensity have led to spatially varying positive trends in maximum daily water levels. Observed trends in rainfall characteristics and maximum daily water levels during winter show closely linked spatial patterns that are strongly related to the topography of the study area.