Evaluation of two direct immunoassays for rapid detection of petroleum products on marine birds

To reduce rehabilitation time and improve survival, a practical, objective test is needed to determine if marine birds are contaminated with oil before they enter captivity. The RaPID Assays and EnviroGard immunoassays for detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil were evaluated for their ability to detect petroleum on feather samples from 30 intermediate fuel oil contaminated and 30 uncontaminated common murres (Uria aalge). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, precision, and time required to run each assay were determined. The RaPID Assays was 96.7% sensitive and specific, while the EnviroGard assay was 93.3% sensitive, and 90.0% specific. Sensitivity decreased at higher dilutions for both assays. Intra-replicate variation was less than 20%. Our evaluation showed that these immunoassays are rapid and cost-effective methods for detecting oil-contamination on the plumage of seabirds, with the EnviroGard assay being more practical in most oil spill response situations due to ease of use and rapidity of results.     

用三维有限差分法求反射走时

在含有三维几何反射体的复杂三维速度模型，发展了一种计算反射地震波走时方法。为了处理大且急剧的速度反差，对现有的计算初至波走时的有限差分法作了适当修改。修改的计算方法比以前的几种方案更快且更精确，并结合到计算反射走时的程序中。这个反射波走时程序非常适合编入三维反射体结构的反演法中。     

北大西洋罗卡尔海槽北部晚第四纪地民支及古海洋学变化

运用微化石及沉积学方法,对采自罗卡尔海槽北部不同沉积环境下的六个浅层重力管样品进行了层序分析,从采自巴拉扇沉积的钻孔样品可识别出半远洋,浊流、淮浊流沉积层序。从罗卡尔海槽东北部的陆坡裙,海底陆坡到冰碛沉积区内获得的岩芯,是一些增远洋与冰海沉积物,泥质粉砂岩和等深积砂岩与之互层或覆于其上,甲藻类孢子,浮游有孔虫类以及超微生物地层标志,反映了四次冰消作用,巴拉扇的一个长岩芯样记录了这四次冰消作用,即晚     

Metal speciation and environmental impact on sandy beaches due to El Salvador copper mine, Chile

Several coastal rocky shores in northern Chile have been affected by the discharges of copper mine tailings. The present study aims to analyze the chemical speciation of heavy metals in relation to the diversity of sessile species in the rocky intertidal benthic community on the northern Chilean coast, which is influenced by the presence of copper mine tailings. In particular, the chemical forms of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in beach sediment samples collected in the area influenced by El Salvador mine tailings were studied using a sequential chemical extraction method. In general, all the elements present a maximum concentration in the area near the actual discharge point (Caleta Palito). With regard to Cu and Mn, the concentrations range between 7.2-985 and 746-22,739 microg/g respectively, being lower than background levels only in the control site of Caleta Zenteno. Moreover, the correlation coefficients highlight that Fe, Mn and Ni correlate significantly and positively in the studied area, showing a possible common, natural origin, whilst Cu shows a negative correlation with Fe, Mn and Ni. It could be possible that Cu has an anthropogenic origin, coming from mining activity in the area. Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn are mostly associated with the residual phase, whilst Cu presents a different speciation pattern, as resulted from selective extractions. In fact, Cu is highly associated with organic and exchangeable phases in contaminated localities, whilst it is mainly bound to the residual phase in control sites. Moreover, our results, compared to local biological diversity, showed that those sites characterized by the highest metal concentrations in bioavailable phase had the lowest biodiversity.