Concentration and subcellular distribution of trace elements in liver of small cetaceans incidentally caught along the Brazilian coast

Concentrations of trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, T-Hg, Org-Hg, Tl and Pb) were determined in liver samples of estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis; n = 20), Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei; n = 23), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis; n = 2), common dolphin (Delphinus capensis; n = 1) and striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba; n = 1) incidentally caught along the coast of Sao Paulo State and Parana State, Brazil, from 1997 to 1999. The hepatic concentrations of trace elements in the Brazilian cetaceans were comparable to the data available in literature on marine mammals from Northern Hemisphere. Concentrations of V, Se, Mo, Cd, T-Hg and Org-Hg increased with increasing age in liver of both estuarine and Franciscana dolphins. Very high concentrations of Cu (range, 262-1970 microg/g dry wt.) and Zn (range, 242-369 microg/g dry wt.) were observed in liver of sucklings of estuarine dolphin. Hepatic concentrations of V, Se, T-Hg, Org-Hg and Pb were significantly higher in estuarine dolphin, whereas Franciscana dolphin showed higher concentrations of Mn, Co, As and Rb. Ratio of Org-Hg to T-Hg in liver was significantly higher in Franciscana dolphin than estuarine dolphin, suggesting that demethylation ability of methyl Hg might be lower in liver of Franciscana than estuarine dolphins. High hepatic concentrations of Ag were found in some specimens of Franciscana dolphin (maximum, 20 microg/g dry wt.), and 17% of Franciscana showed higher concentrations of Ag than Hg. These samples with high Ag concentration also exhibited elevated hepatic Se concentration, implying that Ag might be detoxified by Se in the liver. Higher correlation coefficient between (Hg+0.5 Ag) and Se than between Hg and Se and the large distribution of Ag in non-soluble fraction in nuclear and mitochondrial fraction of the liver also suggests that Ag might be detoxified by Se via formation of Ag2Se in the liver of Franciscana dolphin.     

Atmospheric lead fallout over the last century recorded in Gulf of Lions sediments (Mediterranean Sea)

Six marine sediment cores from the Gulf of Lions continental slope (700-1700 m water depth) were analyzed for stable lead isotopes and (210)Pb geochronology in order to reconstruct lead atmospheric fallout pattern during the last century. The detrital lead contribution is 25 microg g(-1) and the mean sediment anthropogenic inventory is 110+/-7 microg cm(-2), a little bit higher than atmospheric deposition estimate. Anthropogenic lead accumulation in sediments peaked in early 1970s (1973+/-2) in agreement with lead emissions features. For the period 1986-1997, the sediment signal also reflect the decrease of atmospheric lead described by independent atmospheric fallout investigations. The anthropogenic Pb deposition in the late 1990s was similar to the 1950s deposition, attesting thus of the output of European environmental policies.     

Microbial responses using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to oil and chemical dispersant in enclosed ecosystems

Microbial responses to the addition of oil with or without a chemical dispersant were examined in mesocosm and microcosm experiments by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of bacterial ribosomal DNA and direct cell counting. When a water-soluble fraction of oil was added to seawater, increases in cell density were observed in the first 24h, followed by a decrease in abundance and a change in bacterial species composition. After addition of an oil-dispersant mixture, increases in cell density and changes in community structure coincided, and the amount of bacteria remained high. These phenomena also occurred in response to addition of only dispersant. Our results suggest that the chemical dispersant may be used as a nutrient source by some bacterial groups and may directly or indirectly prevent the growth of other bacterial groups.     

Three-dimensional distributions of sewage markers in Tokyo Bay water--fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs)

Three-dimensional distributions of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs: more specifically, DSBP and DAS1), which are sewage-derived water-soluble markers, were observed in Tokyo Bay water through multi-layer sampling of water at 20 locations. In summer, FWAs predominated in the surface layers, with trace but significant concentration of FWAs in bottom water due to stratification of seawater. In winter, on the other hand, FWAs were extensively mixed into the bottom layers because of the vertical mixing of seawater. In the surface layer, FWA concentrations and the DSBP/DAS1 ratio (the concentration ratio of DSBP to DAS1) were lower in summer than in winter, suggesting more efficient photodegradation of FWAs in euphotic zones during the summer due to stronger solar radiation. Horizontally, FWAs were widely distributed over the surface layer of Tokyo Bay. Surface water with DSBP concentrations above 50ng/L, corresponding to <200 times dilution of sewage effluent, was found to have spread up to 10km from the coastline. In addition, an offshore decline in FWA concentrations was observed, showing a half-distance of 10-20km. The decrease was caused by dilution by seawater of fresh water containing FWAs. The eastern part of the bay was different with respect to surface layers, with higher concentrations seen in northeastern parts. Furthermore, dispersion of combined sewer overflow (CSO)-derived water mass was observed in Tokyo Bay after heavy rain.     

GPS和伪卫星组合定位技术及其在形变监测中的应用研究

GPS作为当今最先进的测量手段之一,其精密定位理论和技术已在大地测量、地壳运动监测、精密工程测量等诸多领域得到了广泛的应用.但受GPS系统本身的因素限制,GPS在垂直方向上的定位误差通常为水平方向的2～3倍;并且在水电工程深峡谷遮蔽严重的区域,GPS定位精度会迅速下降,甚至完全无法定位.在水下、地下、室内和隧道内也还无法采用GPS定位.     

Geography and global health

In the wake of the report of the World Health Organisation's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, Closing the gap in a generation (Marmot 2008), this invited commentary considers the scope for geographical research on global health. We reflect on current work and note future possibilities, particularly those that take a critical perspective on the interplay of globalisation, security and health.     

面向CORS服务的管理信息系统的研究与开发

针对当前国内CORS管理应用的需求与现状,开发出基于CORS平台的管理信息系统。系统可实现对Trimble GPS Net、GZGeoTrans等核心软件的统一管理,使得系统管理员的日常作业更加规范化和系统化,并为用户的生产作业提供了更加高效的服务。     

梁板分离式分层隔震结构减震原理研究

为了拓宽隔震技术的应用范围,提出了梁板分离式分层隔震结构概念,其核心思想是将框架结构或框架剪力墙结构中的所有楼层或某些楼层的全部或部分楼板通过橡胶隔震支座支承于梁上。建立了分层隔震结构的动力分析模型,利用自编程序按时程分析法和振型分解反应谱法分别计算了不同工况下分层隔震结构的地震反应,运用隔震技术的基本原理和振型分析法分析了刚度比和场地条件等因素对减震效果的影响。发现了刚度比变化过程中分层隔震结构的两个极限状态,并利用其中之一初步判断减震效果。     

地震作用下新疆喀什高台民居基于变形控制的土遗址边坡加固设计研究

为验证地震作用下格构式锚杆挡墙加固土遗址边坡的有效性,以新疆喀什高台民居土遗址边坡现有加固段为研究对象,利用有限元软件Midas/GTX NX建立三维动力分析模型,对地震作用下格构式锚杆挡墙加固土遗址边坡的变形控制进行研究分析。结果表明:地震作用下土遗址边坡在坡顶与坡脚处产生严重的位移变形,且随着地震持时增加呈现累加效果;土遗址边坡加固后能有效控制水平方向与垂直方向的位移变形,最大位移变形值满足控制要求;土遗址边坡加固后地震作用下的稳定性系数提高至1.54,满足规范要求值1.15。研究成果验证了格构式锚杆挡墙加固土遗址边坡能够有效控制位移变形,并提高稳定性。     

立足校园资源的地理项目式学习初探 ——以"校园植物"主题为例

项目式学习强调以解决实际问题为出发点,学生在解决问题的过程中自主决策,从而获得知识和技能,提升解决实际问题的能力,培养了学生的地理实践力和创新能力.相比社会环境,学生更熟悉校园环境,校园内也有丰富的地理教学资源,这为开展项目式学习提供了更为安全、可行的可能.笔者以人教版高中地理必修一"校园植物"为主题,提出问题驱动、产品导向、过程进阶推动的地理项目式学习策略,为设计地理项目式学习提供新思路,为教学实践提供参考.