The amphipod Talitrus saltator as a bioindicator of human trampling on sandy beaches

The present paper assesses the use of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator as a bioindicator of the effects of human trampling on the supralittoral sandy band. Samplings in delimited areas were carried out at sites subjected to different human impact. The results showed a strong negative correlation between the number of swimmers and the sandhopper population density, while there was no clear relationship between sandhopper abundance and the other factors considered: granulometry, compactness and organic carbon content of the sand, and trace metal contents in the sand and sandhoppers. A field test of trampling conducted in a confined space showed its direct negative effect on sandhopper survival. However, trace metal analysis confirmed the ability of T. saltator to bioaccumulate some elements (Hg, Zn, Cu, Cd). Our study demonstrates that T. saltator is a good bioindicator of human impact in the supralittoral zone of sandy shores.     

The influence of 70 and 120 kHz tonal signals on the behavior of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in a floating pen

Two harbor porpoises in a floating pen were subjected to five pure tone underwater signals of 70 or 120kHz with different signal durations, amplitudes and duty cycles (% of time sound is produced). Some signals were continuous, others were intermittent (duty cycles varied between 8% and 100%). The effect of each signal was judged by comparing the animals' surfacing locations and number of surfacings (i.e. number of respirations) during test periods with those during baseline periods. In all cases, both porpoises moved away from the sound source, but the effect of the signals on respiration rates was negligible. Pulsed 70kHz signals with a source level (SL) of 137dB had a similar effect as a continuous 70kHz signal with an SL of 148dB (re 1muPa, rms). Also, a pulsed 70kHz signal with an SL of 147dB had a much stronger deterring effect than a continuous 70kHz signal with a similar SL. For pulsed 70kHz signals (2s pulse duration, 4s pulse interval, SL 147dB re 1muPa, rms), the avoidance threshold sound pressure level (SPL), in the context of the present study, was estimated to be around 130dB (re 1muPa, rms) for porpoise 064 and around 124dB (re 1muPa, rms) for porpoise 047. This study shows that ultrasonic pingers (70kHz) can deter harbor porpoises. Such ultrasonic pingers have the advantage that they do not have a "dinner bell" effect on pinnipeds, and probably have no, or less, effect on other marine fauna, which are often sensitive to low frequency sounds.     

The role of water mass dynamics in controlling bacterial abundance and production in the middle Adriatic Sea

Month-to-month fluctuations in the abundance of bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and bacterial production, as well as various chemical (nutrients, oxygen) and physical (salinity, temperature) parameters were analysed at a station located in the open middle Adriatic Sea during one decade (1997-2006). Being influenced by both coastal waters and open Adriatic circulation in the surface layer, and by the deep Adriatic water masses in the deep layers (100 m), this station is quite suitable for detecting the environmental changes occurring in the open Adriatic Sea with respect to the circulation of its water masses and their long-term changes and anomalies. Multivariate methods were used to identify seasonal and inter-annual changes of the investigated parameters, associating observed changes to the changes in Adriatic water masses and circulation regimes. The analyses showed that bacterial abundance and production were controlled by different water mass dynamics during 1997-2001 compared to 2002-2006 period, particularly noticeable in different seasonal patterns of biological parameters. The interplay between North Adriatic Dense Water (NAdDW) and Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) resulted in a change in the available nutrients (NAdDW is poor in orthophosphates), and as a consequence different bacterial abundance and production. A few periods were examined in detail, such as 2004, when LIW inflow was particularly strong and was accompanied by an increase of bacterial and HNF abundances, as well as of bacterial production.     

Size-fractionated uranium isotopes in surface waters in the Jiulong Estuary in China

Surface water was collected from the Jiulong Estuary for determination of activity concentrations of uranium isotopes in different size fractions, namely, greater than 53, 10 -53, 2 - 10, 0.4 -2 μm, 10 000 u -0.4 μm and less than 10 000 u fractions by microfihration and cross-flow uhrafiltration technologies. Results indicated that most of the dissolved uranium （ 〈 0.4 μm） exis- ted in the low molecular mass fraction （ 〈 10 000 u）, and the colloidal uranium-238 （10 000 u -0.4 μm） only contributed less than 1% of the dissolved uranium-238. The fractions of colloidal uranium in the dissolved phases decreased with the increasing sa- linity. A positive linear relationship between uranium-238 activities and salinities was observed for the dissolved, colloidal and low molecular mass fractions, indicating a conservative behavior of uranium in the Jiulong Estuary. In the particulate phases （ 〉 0.4 μm）, the partitioning of uranium isotopes among different size fractions was controlled by the partitioning of particle concentrations. In the regions with salinities below 20, the partitioning of uranium-238 among different size fractions was as follows： 10 - 53 μm 〉 2 - 10 μm 〉 0.4 - 2 μm greater than above 53 μm. However, the order at the offshore station with salinities above 30 changed as follows ： 0.4 - 2 μm 〉 10 - 53 μm 〉 2 - 10 μm greater than above 53 μm. The fraction of the 0.4 - 2 μm particles increased at the offshore station, suggesting the increased contribution of the authigenic uranium. The activity ratio of uranium-234 to uranium-238 in the dissolved phases, including the low molecular mass fraction and the colloidal fraction, was larger than unity, showing the occurrence of excess uranium-234. In contrast, the activity ratio of uranium-234 to uranium-238 in all size fractions of the particulate phase was close to the equilibrium value （1.0）. The observed different values of the activity ratio of uranium-234 to uranium-238 in the dissolved phase and the partic     

Development and characterization of a cell line from the embryos of half smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)

A new cell line,CSEC,has been successfully established from embryos at gastrula stage of a cultured marine fish,half smooth tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis).CSEC cells grow actively and stably more than 50 passages for over 200 d in DMEM medium supplemented with 15% FBS(fetal bovine serum),2.5 ng/cm 3 bFGF(basic fibroblast growth factor),1 ng/cm 3 LIF(leukemia inhibitory factor) and 50 mmol/dm 3 2-ME(2-mecaptoethanol).The cells grew well in the temperature range of 24-30 ℃ and the optimal growth temperature was 24℃.FBS and bFGF concentrations are the two key components for CSEC cells proliferation.Chromosome analysis reveals that CSEC cells have a normal diploid karyotype with 2n=42t.The significant fluorescent signals were observed in CSEC after transfection with the GFP reporter gene,suggesting that the CSEC cell line can be used as a useful tool for transgenic and genetic manipulation studies.CSEC cells showed the cytopathic effect(CPE) after infection with lymphosystis disease virus(LCDV) in 2 d.Moreover,the LCDV particles can be observed in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells by electron microscopy.It suggests that CSEC could be potentially used for the study of aquatic virus.     

基于蜂窝通信的突发事件预警短信靶向发布方案

短信因其传播方式的主动性、用户群体的广覆盖等特点,在突发事件预警信息发布中具有举足轻重的作用。但目前气象部门所建短信平台在发布时效、覆盖面、定位发布等方面存在局限性,无法满足预警信息快速、精准发布的要求。本文结合中国移动大数据平台,提出了基于蜂窝通信原理的突发事件预警短信靶向发布技术方案,并以该方案在宁夏地区的实现为例,重点阐述了系统布局、数据对接、目标用户筛选、靶向发布策略等关键技术。该方案可有效提高突发事件预警信息发布的针对性和有效性。     

气候影响下的荒漠下的荒漠化监测

根据揭示沙漠化扩张内在规律的相关气候驱动因子的假说,气候作用影响之下的沙漠化是在具反射率-降水正、负反馈特点的气候系统之中的区域干旱化过程与干旱土壤退化过程相互作用的结果。在辐射调节下的地表下垫面温度占主导的条件下,气候成因的沙漠化是由区域气候系统反馈所形成。正反馈的外部调节因子是降水量的变化和极端降水事件(特别是旱灾)的出现频率,降水量减少以及降水频率的降低直接影响沙漠化的程度。20世纪下半叶,人类因素导致的干旱土地退化作为另外的正反馈调节因子,其重要性正在增加。通常正反馈的扩大趋势会被通过蒸腾而进行的地表温度调节的负反馈所抑制。由正反馈到负反馈的转换是通过地球表面与大气层之间的热量交换的调节所确定的,其中非潜热因子处于增加状态。上述情况在反射率和地表温度同时增加的条件下发生。在超出绿色植物生物量及其NDVI指数阈值的条件下,负反馈向正反馈的转换就会发生。人为作用导致的植被退化加快了向绿色植物生物量阈值逼近的进程,从而引起气候因素驱动的沙漠化扩大。一个主要由气候因素影响的荒漠化区域,在大多数情况下,其绿色生物量均在季节变化和年际变化中达到了阈值。在中度的人为影响的植被退化条件下,这些地域一般都包括部分干旱与半干旱土地。然而有时,人类活动也会导致干旱的半湿润土地退化。本文运用Turan和Sahel地区1982-2001年NDVI指数的监测结果,分析了全球变暖和人为作用导致的土地退化。