Overlap between Atlantic bluefin tuna spawning grounds and observed Deepwater Horizon surface oil in the northern Gulf of Mexico

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacted the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) during the spring spawning season of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). Overlap between BFT spawning habitat and surface oil in the northern GOM was examined using satellite-derived estimates of oil coverage, and spawning habitat models. Results suggested that although eggs and larvae were likely impacted by oil-contaminated waters in the eastern GOM, high abundances of larvae were located elsewhere, especially in the western GOM. Overall, less than 10% of BFT spawning habitat was predicted to have been covered by surface oil, and less than 12% of larval BFT were predicted to have been located within contaminated waters in the northern GOM, on a weekly basis. Our results provide preliminary but important initial estimates of the effects of the spill on larval BFT mortality, as concern continues over the appropriate management responses to impacts of the spill.     

Low altitude remote-sensing method to monitor marine and beach litter of various colors using a balloon equipped with a digital camera

This study aims to establish a low-altitude remote sensing system for surveying litter on a beach or the ocean using a remote-controlled digital camera suspended from a balloon filled with helium gas. The resultant images are processed to identify the litter using projective transformation method and color difference in the CIELUV color space. Low-altitude remote sensing experimental observations were conducted on two locations in Japan. Although the sizes of the litter and the areas covered are distorted in the original photographs taken at various angles and heights, the proposed image process system is capable of identifying object positions with a high degree of accuracy (1-3 m). Furthermore, the color difference approach in the CIELUV color space used in this study is well capable of extracting pixels of litter objects of various colors allowing us to estimate the number of objects from the photographs.     

Spatio-temporal variation of suspended and sedimentary organic matter quality in the Bay of Marseilles (NW Mediterranean) assessed by biochemical and isotopic analyses

Isotopic and biochemical features of suspended particulate organic matter (POM) in the water column and of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) were investigated seasonally in the Bay of Marseilles. Biochemical compounds (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins) were consistently more concentrated in POM than in SOM, with SOM mainly composed of insoluble carbohydrates. POM displayed lower δ(13)C and higher δ(15)N values than SOM. Phytoplanktonic production represented the major contributor of POM year-round with spatial and seasonal variations. Climatic parameters and wind-induced currents created differences in POM contributions, with more important inputs of terrestrial OM at one sampling site. Spatial and seasonal variations were lower for SOM. The composition of this pool appeared to be linked with the permanent inputs of phytoplankton and Posidonia oceanica detritus. The combined use of biochemical and isotopic analyses was a useful tool to characterize OM pools and would help understanding the trophic functioning of this coastal environment.     

Role of living environments in the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in fishes and crabs in the Yangtze River Estuary, China

Correlation of heavy metals in the tissues of typical organisms (i.e., fishes and crabs) and those in their living environments (i.e., surface water, bottom water, and sediment) in Yangtze River Estuary has been qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Metal levels followed the trend: sediments > Eriocheir sinensis > Eriocheir leptognathus > benthic fish > pelagic fish > bottom water > surface water. Tissues in fishes and crabs of different species and sizes had diverse metal bioaccumulation characteristics, which was significantly affected by environment factors and their living habits. Metal levels in legs of crabs, and heads and skins of fishes showed significant correlations with those in their living environments. Collichthys lucidus is an effective bioindicator for assessing metal levels in water. No significant health risk was identified by the estimated daily intake and target hazard quotients analyses.     

The influence of a season of extreme wet weather events on exposure of the World Heritage Area Great Barrier Reef to pesticides

The 2010-2011 wet season was one of extreme weather for the State of Queensland, Australia. Major rivers adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) were discharging at rates 1.5 to >3 times higher than their long term median. Exposure to photosystem II herbicides has been routinely monitored over a period of up to 5 years at 12 inshore GBR sites. The influence of this wet season on exposure to photosystem II herbicides was examined in the context of this long-term monitoring record and during flood plume events in specific regions. Median exposures expressed as diuron equivalent concentration were an average factor of 2.3 times higher but mostly not significantly different (p<0.05) to the median for the long-term monitoring record. The herbicides metolachlor and tebuthiuron were frequently detected in flood plume waters at concentrations that reached or exceeded relevant water quality guidelines (by up to 4.5 times).     

Influence of plankton concentration on gametogenesis and spawning of the black lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera in Ahe atoll lagoon (Tuamotu archipelago, French polynesia)

Pearl culture industry represents one of the dominant business sector of French Polynesia. However, it still entirely relies on unpredictable spat collection success. Our aim was to assess the influence of natural plankton concentration fluctuations on maturation and spawning of the black lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera, during a 4months survey conducted in Ahe atoll lagoon. Plankton concentration was assessed by chlorophyll a extraction and by microscope counts while gonadic index, gonado-visceral dry weights and histology were used to measure pearl oysters reproduction activity. We found that (i) plankton concentration fluctuations were mainly related to wind regime, (ii) gametogenesis rate was mainly related to plankton concentration, (iii) spawning occurred when maximal gonad storage was reached, (iv) plankton concentration was the main spawning synchronizing factor. These results contribute explaining P. margaritifera spat collection variability in French Polynesian atoll lagoon.     

Ecological status and uses of juniper species in the cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley, North-western Himalaya, India

The juniper species Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch, J. indica Bertol. and J. communis L. var. saxatilis (Pallas) are important elements of the forest vegetation in Lahaul valley in the north-western Himalaya. Their ability to grow under the barren and xeric conditions of cold deserts makes them particularly suited for afforestation programmes under these ecological conditions. In the Lahaul valley, juniper species are used as subsistence resources and for religious purposes. Excessive removal of juniper wood and leaves by the local population, overgrazing, habitat fragmentation and low regeneration potential are the main obstacles to conservation of juniper forests in this region. The present study was carried out to assess density, basal area and importance value index (IVI) of the local vegetation as well as uses and amounts of juniper wood and leaves removed from the local forests. Pressure on relict juniper forests due to grazing animals and intensive removal of wood and leaves by the local population was found to be greater at an altitude above 3,000 m. The results of the study demonstrated that the different juniper species were adapted to specific altitude ranges. A higher species density was recorded at lower altitude except for J. indica which was only present at high altitude (>3,200 m) on south-facing slopes. Density, basal area and IVI of J. polycarpos were higher at Hinsa (2,700 m) than at Jahlma (3,000 m). The rapid loss of vegetation due to overuse and habitat degradation has made the conservation of juniper forests an important priority in the Lahaul valley. J. polycarpos at lower altitude and J. indica at higher altitude are ecologically the more suitable species for the successful implementation of conservation programmes. The support of rehabilitation programmes by regional authorities is essential for the reestablishment of the local juniper forests.     

海岸横向沙脊表面风沙流结构粒度响应的野外观测研究

 风沙流中沙粒粒度组成的垂向变化及不同粒径沙粒的垂向分布特征等是风沙流结构粒度响应的基本研究内容,但一直较缺少野外观测实证证据。在我国海岸沙丘集中分布的河北昌黎黄金海岸,选择规模高大、形态典型的横向沙脊,采用野外梯度风速仪和平口式积沙仪对其顶部风沙流结构的粒度响应进行了野外实地观测。结果表明,海岸沙丘表面风力的分选作用明显,与横向沙脊表面相比风沙流所含沙物质中细沙组分比例增多、粗沙组分比例降低;粒度构成的垂向变化是,在风沙流0—10 cm、10—40 cm和40—60 cm三个高程段内,分别是以中沙为主、中沙与细沙并重和以中沙为主,其中中沙含量在三个高程段内分别呈现出自地表向上逐渐降低、含量比较稳定、向上逐渐升高的垂向变化,细沙则呈现相应的反向变化,随之平均粒径也呈现为自下而上逐步变细、比较稳定到逐渐变粗的变化,但分选系数、偏度和峰态无明显差异;横向沙脊顶部的风沙流结构整体符合指数分布,但不同粒径沙粒的垂向分布特征并不相同,其中粗沙为幂函数分布,细沙遵循指数函数递减,中沙的指数函数和幂函数拟合均有较高相关系数,但在0—40 cm高度内更符合指数函数分布。     

由同震应力得到的地震危险性--去年发生在印度尼西亚的地震使该地区的地震危险性增加

由于印尼苏门答腊-安达曼地震以及由它引起的海啸造成了大量人员伤亡,与其比邻的巽他海沟俯冲带触发地震的可能性引起了真正的关注。我们已经计算了这个区域以及临近区域——苏门答腊直立走滑断层的同震应力分布,发现两个构造上的应力都增加了,从而极大地提高了原已很大的地震危险性。尤其是这个区域发生大的俯冲带地震的可能性增加,     

Output only modal identification and structural damage detection using time frequency ＆ wavelet techniques

The primary objective of this paper is to develop output only modal identifi cation and structural damage detection.Identif ication of multi-degree of freedom(MDOF) linear time invariant(LTI) and linear time variant(LTV—due to damage) systems based on Time-frequency(TF) techniques—such as short-time Fourier transform(STFT),empirical mode decomposition(EMD),and wavelets—is proposed.STFT,EMD,and wavelet methods developed to date are reviewed in detail.In addition a Hilbert transform(HT) approach to determine ...