北部湾盆地涠西南凹陷涠11区流一段扇三角洲沉积特征及控制因素

北部湾盆地涠洲11区流一段发育缓坡型和陡坡型两种类型的扇三角洲。结合岩电震资料,分析了这两类扇三角洲的异同,并探讨了造成这两类扇三角洲沉积特征异同的主控因素。其中陡坡型扇三角洲主要分布于研究区北部陡坡带的流一段中亚段,粒度较粗,以重力流成因的厚层砂砾岩体为主,沉积厚度大,平面展布小;而缓坡型扇三角洲主要分布于研究区南部的涠西南低凸起缓坡带附近的流一段下亚段,粒度相对偏细,牵引流与重力流沉积构造均较发育,沉积厚度相对较小,平面延伸范围广。两类扇三角洲形成与分布特征的不同主要受控于构造格局、古地形的差异以及基准面变化等。     

四川盆地上三叠统构造层序划分及盆地演化

晚三叠世是四川盆地演化的重要时期。根据野外露头、钻井和地震资料,运用构造层序地层学的思路和方法,对四川盆地上三叠统层序界面、层序划分和层序特征进行深入研究,并建立层序地层格架。研究表明,四川盆地上三叠统可识别出4个层序界面:1)上三叠统与中、下三叠统之间的区域性构造不整合面;2)须二段与小塘子组的分界面;3)须三段与须四段之间的次级构造不整合面;4)三叠系与侏罗系之间的区域性构造不整合面。根据层序界面的发育情况,将研究区划分为3个构造层序,每个层序以最大湖泛面为界,划分为盆地扩张体系域(BE)和盆地收缩体系域(BW)2个体系域。晚三叠世四川盆地的演化主要是川西前陆盆地的演化,其中TS1为边缘前陆盆地演化阶段;TS2为川西前陆盆地形成阶段,龙门山逆冲推覆体开始逆冲推覆;TS3为川西前陆盆地发展阶段,受安县运动的影响,龙门山逆冲褶皱成山,使得整个四川盆地进入了陆相沉积环境。构造运动是控制晚三叠世四川盆地演化的重要因素。     

Implications of seasonal priming and reproductive activity on the interpretation of Comet assay data derived from the clam, Tapes semidecussatus Reeves 1864, exposed to contaminated sediments

We explore the use of the clam Tapes semidecussatus Reeves 1864 as an indicator for the presence of potentially genotoxic substances in estuarine sediments. The limitations associated with the interpretation of Comet assay data (expressed as % DNA in tail) in terms of clam reproductive state, size (age) and thermal exposure history following laboratory acclimation are discussed. Hatchery-reared clams, subjected to ambient temperature fluctuations during growth, were exposed in vivo under laboratory conditions for three weeks to sediment samples collected from a polluted site and a "clean" reference site. The DNA damage observed in haemocytes, gill and digestive gland cells was significantly higher in animals exposed to contaminated sediment compared to those exposed to sediment from the reference site. The extent of DNA damage recorded was not correlated with size (age). Spawning was not observed during the experiment. Nevertheless, clams with well-developed gonads showed a statistically higher degree of DNA damage in gill and digestive gland cells- but not haemocytes, demonstrating an increased sensitivity to potential genotoxic compounds, possibly caused by impaired DNA repair capacity due to reproductive activity. Furthermore, the degree of DNA damage in clams exposed to contaminated sediments was higher in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer, suggesting an effect of seasonal priming.     

Selenium-induced teratogenicity in Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus)

Selenium is a potent reproductive and teratogenic environmental contaminant and there are concerns over possible reproductive effects of selenium on the Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) population, a threatened species, in California, USA. In this study, the teratogenic effects of selenium were examined in splittail embryos exposed to 0.0, 5.0, and 15.0 mg l(-1) sodium selenite for 48-h at 18.0 degrees C under static conditions, with renewal every 12 h. Embryo development was evaluated daily for abnormalities from initiation of exposure (stage 27) to initiation of exogenous feeding. At the end of evaluation, prelarvae were preserved for histological analysis. There were no significant differences in mortality or hatching success between control and exposed embryos. Exposed fish had pericardial edema and deformities of skeletal tissues (loss of tail, lordosis, scoliosis, and kyphosis). Other histological alterations were limited to dysplasia, hyperplasia and metaplasia of skeletal tissues in the deformed fish. This study showed that a short exposure of embryos during somite development has significant effects on the musculoskeletal development.     

Recovery of polluted ecosystems: the case for long-term studies

Recovery of marine ecosystems from pollution has tended to receive less attention than the study of new or continuing impacts, but such studies are important in charting recovery from acute incidents and following legislation to deal with chronic contamination. Recovery is inevitably a long-term process, and where such studies have been made they are often too short-lived. Interest quickly wanes following an acute incident and governmental bodies rapidly switch to new legislative priorities for chronic inputs. We review three case studies: recovery of dogwhelk populations after local extinction by tributyl tin leachates from anti-fouling paints; recovery of rocky shore communities from oil spills; and recovery of estuarine ecosystems from industrial and urban development. We then make some generalisations about recovery processes before making a plea for long-term studies of polluted areas.     

Avoidance response of sediment living amphipods to zinc pyrithione as a measure of sediment toxicity

An avoidance test was developed using non-cultured individuals of the sediment dwelling amphipod Monoporeia affinis. As test substance we used zinc pyrithione, an antifouling agent and a common shampoo ingredient. The toxicity to Daphnia and fish is well known but sediment toxicity of this very hydrophobic compound is less known. The preference of juvenile M. affinis was tested in jars, each including 12 petri dishes. In each replicate, half of the petri dishes contained sediment mixed with six concentrations ranging from 0 to 10microg zinc pyrithione per L sediment and half of the petri dishes contained the corresponding sediment-substance mixture plus an extra food addition. The amphipods significantly avoided petri dishes with the three highest concentrations of zinc pyrithione and the calculated EC(50) was 9.65microgL(-1) sediment. No difference in mortality was observed between concentrations. Using the avoidance behaviour in sediment toxicity testing is a simple and cost-effective screening for toxicants.     

Method for assessing the chronic toxicity of marine and estuarine sediment-associated contaminants using the amphipod Corophium volutator

Acute sediment toxicity tests do not test key life stage events such as moulting and reproduction and therefore do not reveal the longer-term effects of contaminant exposure. A laboratory method is described for determining the chronic toxicity of contaminants associated with whole sediments. The test is conducted using neonates of the estuarine amphipod Corophium volutator at 15 degrees C, salinity 25 psu and a 12 h light:12 h dark photoperiod. The endpoints are survival and growth after 28 days and survival, growth and reproduction of amphipods upon termination of test i.e. reproduction within all control vessels (ca 75 days). The sediment chronic toxicity test was used to investigate the effects of sediments spiked with environmentally relevant preparations of slightly weathered Alaskan North Slope crude oil, including a water-accommodated-fraction (WAF) and a chemically-dispersed (Corexit 9527) WAF. Sediment oil concentrations were quantified using ultra-violet fluorescence. The amphipods exposed to chemically dispersed oil had higher mortality and lower growth rates than control-, Corexit 9527- and WAF-exposed organisms, resulting in reduced reproduction. The described method supplements the standard acute sediment test and would be particularly useful when long-term ecological effects are suspected but acute tests reveal no significant mortality. The sediment chronic test reported herein has shown that sediment that was not evidently toxic during 10-day acute tests could have population-level effects on sediment-dwelling amphipods.     

Source and profile of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in shellfish in Daya Bay, South China Sea

Changes in cell density and cyst flux of Alexandrium tamarense, paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin contents in shellfishes, and environmental parameters were measured in two stations in Daya Bay, South China Sea from March 2005 to July 2006. Vegetative cells of A. tamarense occurred sporadically; however, they presented abundantly during the winter months. Meanwhile, cyst flux reached its maximum level just following the peak abundance of motile cells. The PSP contents in shellfish were generally low, but higher in winter with the maximum of 14,015 μg STX equiv./kg. The majority of toxins were found in digestive glands, with a maximum of 66,227 μg STX equiv./kg. There were significant positive relationships between toxin level and vegetative cell density and cyst flux. This indicates that vegetative cells and cysts of Alexandrium significantly influenced PSP level, and could be an important source of PSP toxins in shellfish during winter.