Distribution of protons and Cd between bacterial surfaces and dissolved humic substances determined through chemical equilibrium modeling

Bacteria and dissolved humic substances are capable of binding significant concentrations of metals in natural environments. Recent advances in understanding bacteria-metal and humic-metal complexation have provided a framework for directly comparing the binding capacities of these components. In this study, we use chemical equilibrium modeling to construct an internally consistent set of thermodynamic equilibrium constants for proton and Cd binding onto dissolved humic substances, using a variety of published data sets. Our modeling approach allows for the direct comparison of humic substance binding constants and site densities to those previously published for proton and Cd binding onto natural consortia of bacteria. We then combine these constants into a unified model that accounts for the competition between bacterial surfaces and humic and fulvic acids in order to determine the relative importance of each component on the total Cd budget. The combined model is used to examine the relative contributions of bacteria and dissolved humic substances to Cd complexation in natural settings. Calculations are performed for three representative systems: (1) one with a maximum realistic concentration of bacteria and a minimum realistic concentration of humic substance, (2) one with a maximum realistic concentration of humic substance and a minimum concentration of bacteria, and (3) one with an intermediate concentration of both components.Our modeling results indicate that dissolved humic substances have 2 orders of magnitude more available binding sites than bacterial surfaces (per gram). Humic substances also have a greater affinity than bacterial surfaces for binding Cd over circumneutral pH ranges. The combined model results demonstrate that, depending upon their relative concentrations, both Cd-humic and Cd-bacteria complexes are capable of dominating Cd-speciation in specific natural environments. This modeling approach is useful in that it can easily be extended to include other metals and binding ligands; however, thermodynamic data must be gathered on additional components to facilitate the modeling of more realistic systems.     

Holocene relative sea-level changes in the inner Solway Firth

Bio- and lithostratigraphic data from four sites from the inner Solway Firth allow an accurate reconstruction of Holocene RSL changes in the estuary. Radiocarbon assays give eleven new sea-level index points providing a total of 24 reliable index points for the inner Solway Firth. These data show a consistent pattern of rapid RSL rise during the early Holocene culminating in a mid-Holocene sea-level maximum, then a gradual fall to the present day level. Detailed analysis of this dataset quantifies for the first time differential crustal movement between the north and south shores of the Solway Firth. These data are used to test the accuracy of quantitative isostatic rebound models of Lambeck and Peltier, and show there is good general agreement between the data and the models, especially during the early Holocene. The models predict the mid-Holocene sea-level peak slightly later than shown by the data (c. 500 and c. 2000 yr), this may be partly due to lack of resolution in the models, and for the south Solway the maximum altitude at this peak is 1 and 2.5 m too high in the two models. The data are also compared to the isobase models of the Main Postglacial Shoreline, showing slight diachroneity between the north and south shore but otherwise general agreement with the postulated age, and indicating that the altitude of this feature is 1–3 m higher than suggested by the models.     

The factors influencing cation site-preferences in spinels a new mendelyevian approach

Pseudopotential orbital radii r _s , r _p are used to construct an index, r _σ=r _s +r _p , which characterizes the average potential experienced by atomic valence electrons. A plot of r _A ^σ verses r _B ^σ for 172 chalogenide spinels (AB₂X₄, X=O, S, Se, Te) leads to two well defined areas, which separate normal and inverse spinels, with only four errors (a predictive success rate of 98%). The gross sorting is achieved without recourse either to the number of d-electrons or an orbital radius r _d , from which it is inferred that it is the energies and extents of the cation s and p-orbitals which primarily determine coordination number in these systems. This approach to the problem of cation distribution in spinels is contrasted with the less generally applicable, traditional, crystal field ideas. The relevance of both r _σ and crystal field stabilization energies to the thermodynamics of spinel reactions is also discussed.     

Winter Flounder Larval Genetic Population Structure in Narragansett Bay,RI: Recruitment to Juvenile Young-of-the-Year

The genetic population structure of winter flounder larvae was examined in Narragansett Bay, RI. Winter flounder larvae collected from 20 stations within Narragansett Bay and one station outside of the Bay were analyzed for six microsatellite loci. When analyzed by geographic collection sites, there were 16 distinct genetic populations of winter flounder larvae (R _ST values from 0.1 to 0.6). The presence of distinct genetic populations was supported by assignment of individual larvae to populations by Bayesian analysis. Bayesian analysis resulted in 14 distinct genetic populations that overlapped with the geographically distributed populations (R _ST values from 0.1 to 0.6). Young-of-the-year juveniles collected in the same year as the larvae were also analyzed at the same six microsatellite loci. Juveniles were assigned to larvae populations by both a Bayesian approach and a neural network approach. Juveniles collected from within Narragansett Bay were found to arise from geographically adjacent Narragansett Bay winter flounder larval populations (>99%), suggesting no widespread movement of juveniles away from spawning grounds. These results are discussed in the context of winter flounder population biology in Narragansett Bay, RI.     

An Evaluation of Tropical Cyclone Genesis Forecast over the Western North Pacificand the South China Sea from the CMA-TRAMS

Tropical cyclone (TC) genesis forecasting is essential for daily operational practices during the typhoon season.The updated version of the Tropical Regional Atmosphere Model for the South China Sea (CMA-TRAMS) offersforecasters reliable numerical weather prediction (NWP) products with improved configurations and fine resolution. Whiletraditional evaluation of typhoon forecasts has focused on track and intensity, the increasing accuracy of TC genesisforecasts calls for more comprehensive evaluation methods to assess the reliability of these predictions. This study aims toevaluate the effectiveness of the CMA-TRAMS for cyclogenesis forecasts over the western North Pacific and South ChinaSea. Based on previous research and typhoon observation data over five years, a set of localized, objective criteria has beenproposed. The analysis results indicate that the CMA-TRAMS demonstrated superiority in cyclogenesis forecasts, pre dicting 6 out of 22 TCs with a forecast lead time of up to 144 h. Additionally, over 80% of the total could be predicted 72 hin advance. The model also showed an average TC genesis position error of 218.3 km, comparable to the track errors ofoperational models according to the annual evaluation. The study also briefly investigated the forecast of Noul (2011). Theforecast field of the CMA-TRAMS depicted thermal and dynamical conditions that could trigger typhoon genesis, con sistent with the analysis field. The 96-hour forecast field of the CMA-TRAMS displayed a relatively organized three dimensional structure of the typhoon. These results can enhance understanding of the mechanism behind typhoon genesis,fine-tune model configurations and dynamical frameworks, and provide reliable forecasts for forecasters.