Effects of settling organic matter on the bioaccumulation of cadmium and BDE-99 by Baltic Sea benthic invertebrates

Settling organic matter (OM) is the major food source for heterotrophic benthic fauna. The high sorption affinity of many contaminants for OM implies that OM can influence both the distribution and bioavailability of contaminants. Here, we experimentally examine the role of settling OM of various nutritional qualities on the bioaccumulation of cadmium and the flame retardant BDE-99 by three benthic invertebrates; Macoma balthica, Monoporeia affinis and Marenzelleria sp. Contaminants were associated with three types of OM; a microalgae (Tetraselmis spp.), lignin and sediment. Bioaccumulation of Cd was proportional to OM nutritional quality for all three species, and was species-specific in the order Marenzelleria>M. balthica>M. affinis. BDE-99 bioaccumulation was highest in the treatment with the most nutritious OM (Tetraselmis). Consequently, both benthic species composition and the nutritive value of organic matter settling to the seafloor can have a substantial effect on the bioaccumulation of both metals and organic contaminants.     

安微歙县—休宁一带海相火山岩的Sm—Nd同位素研究及其地质意义

火山岩及其相关岩右的全岩sm一Nd等时线年龄龄测定表明，安徽省歙县-休宁一带 泛分布的海相火山岩形成于12.86亿年前。这一结果证实皖南地区与江南古陆东南缘其它地段一 样，也存在两个元古代岛弧系，即位于南部江湾一街口二带的晚元古代岛弧系及位于北部歙县一 休宁一带的中元古代岛弧系。Nd同位素特征研究表明，歇县一休宁一带的火山岩的Sm/Nd比值 都大于或接近于0.318(球粒陨石的现代标淮值)，Nd的初始值(143Nd/144Nd)1=0.511187,ε(Nd)(t)=+3.9±0.4,位于亏损地幔演化线附近。因此堆断，歙县一休宁一带海相火山岩可能来自亏损地幔源。     

河北邯邢地区洪山岩体地质地球化学及铜(金)矿化特征

洪山岩体是邯邢地区岩浆演化晚期产物。其形成具有多期性,从早到晚可分4次侵入活动,构成3套岩石组合,其地质、地球化学特征表明它们具有相同的来源,构成一个演化系列。与洪山岩体有关的铜、金矿化是岩浆演化的必然结果。     

Perfluorinated compounds in estuarine and coastal areas of north Bohai Sea, China

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water, sediment, soil, and biota collected from estuarine and coastal areas of the north Bohai Sea, China, were determined by use of HPLC-MS/MS. Significant concentrations of PFCs were found in water (mean: 18.4 ng/l) and biologic samples (fish: 265 ng/g dw), while concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were less. The predominately detected compound was perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), with a maximum concentration of 30.9 ng/l in water and 791 ng/g dw in fish. Concentrations of PFCs were significantly greater in the Liaohe River system than other locations, which suggests point sources in this urbanized and industrialized region. PFOS concentrations in water and biota were both less than the reported threshold concentrations. Detection of PFCs at relatively great concentrations in various environmental matrices from this region suggested that further studies characterizing concentrations of PFCs, their sources and potential risk to both humans and wildlife are needed.     

Comparing the distribution of ciliate plankton in inner and outer areas of a harbor divided by an artificial breakwater

The distribution of ciliate plankton was compared between inner and outer areas of a harbor divided by an artificial breakwater in Kuryongpo, on the eastern coast of Korea, from February 2001 to October 2003. Less dissolved oxygen and higher concentrations of nitrogenous nutrients and phosphate were observed in the inner area. The abundance of oligotrich ciliates peaked in February 2001, when nanoflagellates bloomed in the inner area. The photosynthetic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum showed differing population dynamics annually, with blooming peaks in October 2001 in the inner area and in February 2003 in the outer area. The tintinnid species Tintinnopsis beroidea and Helicostomella subulata were generally more abundant in the outer area. Total ciliates were significantly related to oligotrich abundance in the inner area, and to tintinnid abundances in the outer area. Ciliate distribution showed quantitative and qualitative differences between the inner and outer areas in connection with the distribution of other plankton communities: oligotrich ciliate abundance increased with nanoflagellate blooms; dominance of M. rubrum was consistent with blooming of micro-sized phytoplankton (diatoms and dinoflagellates); large-sized tintinnids concurred with small dinoflagellates; and ciliate abundances decreased with mesozooplankton increases. The results indicate that the breakwater induces eutrophication in the inner area and provides suitable conditions for nanoflagellate blooms, which serially trigger opportunistic increases in oligotrich ciliates.     

Molting as a mechanism of depuration of metals in the fiddler crab, Uca pugnax

Metal distributions in the exoskeleton and soft tissues of the fiddler crab, Uca pugnax, were examined during intermolt and immediate postmolt to determine if distribution of the metals changed prior to molting and to determine if molting is a feasible mechanism to depurate metals. Fiddler crabs were collected from two locations in New Jersey, a highly contaminated site and a relatively clean environment. The crabs from the contaminated site had higher concentrations of metals in their soft tissues for Cu, significantly higher concentrations of Pb in their soft tissues and carapace, but did not have any significant differences in concentrations of Zn in comparison to their conspecifics from the relatively clean site during intermolt. Crabs from the contaminated site has significantly higher levels of Cu, Pb, and Zn in both their soft tissues and exuvia immediately after molting. Crabs from both sites shifted copper and zinc from the carapace into the soft tissues prior to molting. Lead distribution shifted from the soft tissues to the exoskeleton prior to molting in the population from the contaminated site but shifted from the exoskeleton into the soft tissues for the relatively clean site. Average percent of the total body burden eliminated during the molting process for the highly contaminated site varied with each metal, 12% Cu, 76% Pb, and 22% Zn. Average percent of the total body burden eliminated during molting process for the relatively clean site also varied with each metal and was significantly lower than the conspecifics from the contaminated site, 3% Cu, 56% Pb, and 8% Zn. Molting can reduce overall body burdens significantly and is a feasible mechanism to depurate lead.     

Place attachment among retirees in Greensburg, Kansas

On 4 May 2007 an ef-5 tornado leveled 95 percent of Greensburg, Kansas. Because city leaders encouraged everyone to use “green” building techniques as they rebuilt their homes and businesses, not only has the return to normalcy been exceedingly slow, but some of the town's older residents feel that officials have overlooked their needs. These minor episodes of discord enabled us to learn what features are most important to people in retirement. The features include identifiable landmarks, a space in which to socialize, and age-specific businesses. We assert that the lessons learned in Greensburg are applicable to other communities with a sizable older population. As baby boomers rapidly enter retirement they will seek places to live that are elder friendly and enable them to effectively bond with place. As previous research attests, people who have a strong attachment to place commonly have a good quality of life.     

Are sea otters being exposed to subsurface intertidal oil residues from the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, scattered patches of subsurface oil residues (SSOR) can still be found in intertidal sediments at a small number of shoreline locations in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Some scientists hypothesize that sea otters continue to be exposed to SSOR by direct contact when otters dig pits in search of clams. This hypothesis is examined through site-specific examinations where SSOR and otter-dug pits co-occur. Surveys documented the exact sediment characteristics and locations on the shore at the only three subdivisions where both SSOR and otter pits were found after 2000. Shoreline characteristics and tidal heights where SSOR have persisted are not suitable habitat for sea otters to dig pits during foraging. There is clear separation between areas containing SSOR and otter foraging pits. The evidence allows us to reject the hypothesis that sea otters encounter and are being exposed by direct contact to SSOR.     

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the submarine hydrothermal vent crab Xenograpsus testudinatus off Kueishan Island, Taiwan

The concentrations of ten trace metals were determined in the gills, muscles, hepatopancreas, and exoskeleton tissues of Xenograpsus testudinatus that lives around shallow and acidic hydrothermal vents off Kueishan Island, northeastern Taiwan. The analytical results demonstrate that the metal concentrations vary significantly with the type of crab tissue. The concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn are highest in the gills, whereas the concentration of Mn is highest in the exoskeleton. Cr and Pb concentrations are similar across the different tissues. The enhanced accumulation of most metals in the gills suggests the metal accumulation via the respiration pathway rather than the uptake of food. The results also reveal that the distribution patterns of metals in tissues are similar in the hepatopancreas and muscles, but very different in both the gills and the exoskeleton, perhaps because of the different pathways of metal utilization in the different crab tissues.