观测序列的不均一性对估算北京和上海的平均温度与极端温度变化趋势的影响

根据北京和上海气象观测站的详细历史资料，修正了两站逐日温度序列的不均一性，并分析这种不均一性对长期气候变化趋势估计的影响。对北京序列，不同时期的主要修正幅度在－０．３３－０．６℃；对上海序列则为－０．３３－０．３℃。从逐日序列计算出年平均温度和年极端温度序列，并把修正之前和修正之后的序列趋势进行比较，修正之后的两站年平均温度序列自２０世纪初起呈现出０．５℃／百年的变暖趋势，自２０世纪６０年代起这一趋势增强为２．０℃／百年。相比之下，上海的未修正资料显示出两倍于此的趋势；北京的未修正资料几乎没有长期趋势，而对近期的变暖趋势则高估了５０％－３０％。北京温度序列在２０世纪４０年代至７０年代呈变冷趋势，极端事件的频率降低；此后又呈变暖趋势，极端事件的频率增加。上海温度极端事件的变化趋势基本呈相反趋。这意味着即使区域性平均温度变化一致，区域性强天气波动的变化趋势也会有所不同。     

Determination of bulk density for small meteorite fragments via visible light 3‐D laser imaging

Abstract– Bulk density is an important intrinsic property of meteorites, but the necessary bulk volume measurement is difficult to do in a truly nondestructive way. Archimedean methods involving the displacement of a 40–100 μm beads “fluid” are commonly applied, but can encounter systematic errors. Herein, we report a visible light laser imaging technique for the nondestructive measurement of meteorite surface features, allowing for the subsequent assembly of 3‐D volumetric models; the method is particularly applicable to small meteorite fragments and to fragile specimens. We have acquired laser image data for 24 fragments from 18 ordinary chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites, and achondrites, with masses ranging from 265.0 to 1.2 g. Laser imaging bulk density is consistent between sister fragments of meteorites down to sizes of about 0.5 cm³, an order of magnitude smaller than can be reliably measured with Archimedean beads techniques. Uncertainty is less than 2% for fragments >4 cm³, and typically between 2 and 4% for small fragments <4 cm³. For 10 fragments, 3‐D laser imaging volumes are on average 1.3% smaller than those obtained with Archimedean beads. In a wider comparison using 21 meteorite fragments, 3‐D laser imaging bulk densities are on average 2.14 ± 2.36% greater than the corresponding Archimedean method literature values for these meteorites. Difficulties in the procedure of 3‐D image alignment may lead to a slight overestimation of meteorite bulk density, and so laser imaging‐based bulk densities are maximum estimates that can be viewed as being complementary to the minimum bulk density estimates obtained using Archimedean beads methods.     

Effects of sample size on numerical estimates of diel prey consumption in a fish population

Numerical data based on stomach content analysis of the zooplanktivorous freshwater fish, Retropinna semoni, were used to examine the effect of fish sample size on mean counts of dominant prey items. Fifty adult R. semoni were collected from throughout the open‐water of Lake Benanee, Australia at each of five times over a diel period. Bootstrapping was used to generate confidence intervals around sample means, and markedly more accurate means were obtained from samples collected in the day than the night. High variation in night samples was the by‐product of a diurnal feeding regime. Traditional sample sizes of 10 to 15 stomachs resulted in reasonable confidence intervals of sample means derived from collections on the first day, corresponding to uniform feeding patterns in the population. However, increased sample sizes were required to describe more complex feeding behaviour on the second day, when a proportion of the population switched to an alternative prey source.     

Chronology of the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic in NW Europe: developer-funded investigations at Dunbridge,Hampshire, southern England

This paper reports important findings relating to the chronology of Palaeolithic occupation, artefact typology and Quaternary fluvial deposits from a geoarchaeological watching brief undertaken over 17 years at Kimbridge Farm Quarry, Dunbridge, Hampshire. Sections were recorded and sampled and 198 artefacts, principally hand axes, were collected, with the primary aim of enhancing understanding of the geological context of the richest Lower Palaeolithic assemblage from Hampshire. Digital terrain modelling was used to characterize the three-dimensional form of the fluvial geology. Two gravel terraces have been confirmed: an upper Belbin Formation, which contained most of the archaeological artefacts, and a lower Mottisfont Formation. Results of specific note included recovery of artefacts demonstrating elements of ‘proto-Levallois’ technology from within the Belbin Gravel deposition. Fully developed Levallois technology was present across both the Belbin Gravel and the Mottisfont Formation at Dunbridge, the latter having an otherwise relatively sparse Palaeolithic content. Previously published OSL dating, supplemented by new data, has been combined with uplift modelling to suggest dates of MIS 9b and MIS 8, respectively, for these two gravels. This fits well with evidence from other sites in England and the near Continent for the timing of the earliest Levallois at around MIS 9. The results from the Dunbridge watching brief have demonstrated that this response provides a relatively cost effective method by which important scientific data can be salvaged from commercial quarrying.     

Projected risks to groundwater‐dependent terrestrial vegetation caused by changing climate and groundwater abstraction in the Central Perth Basin,Western Australia

The effect of potential climate change on groundwater‐dependent vegetation largely depends on the nature of the climate change (drying or wetting) and the level of current ecosystem dependence on groundwater resources. In south‐western Australia, climate projections suggest a high likelihood of a warmer and drier climate. The paper examines the potential environmental impacts by 2030 at the regional scale on groundwater‐dependent terrestrial vegetation (GDTV) adapted to various watertable depths, on the basis of the combined consideration of groundwater modelling results and the framework for GDTV risk assessment. The methodology was tested for the historical period from 1984 to 2007, allowing validation of the groundwater model results' applicability to such an assessment. Climate change effects on GDTV were evaluated using nine global climate models under three greenhouse gas emission scenarios by applying the climate projections to groundwater models. It was estimated that under dry climate scenarios, GDTV is likely to be under high and severe risk over more than 20% of its current habitat area. The risk is also likely to be higher under an increase in groundwater abstraction above current volumes. The significance of climate change risk varied across the region, depending on both the intensity of the change in water regime and the sensitivity of the GDTV to such change. Greater effects were projected for terrestrial vegetation dependent on deeper groundwater (6–10 m). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recommendations on methods for the detection and control of biological pollution in marine coastal waters

Adverse effects of invasive alien species (IAS), or biological pollution, is an increasing problem in marine coastal waters, which remains high on the environmental management agenda. All maritime countries need to assess the size of this problem and consider effective mechanisms to prevent introductions, and if necessary and where possible to monitor, contain, control or eradicate the introduced impacting organisms. Despite this, and in contrast to more enclosed water bodies, the openness of marine systems indicates that once species are in an area then eradication is usually impossible. Most institutions in countries are aware of the problem and have sufficient governance in place for management. However, there is still a general lack of commitment and concerted action plans are needed to address this problem. This paper provides recommendations resulting from an international workshop based upon a large amount of experience relating to the assessment and control of biopollution.     

Effect of sludge pretreatment on the performance of anaerobic/ anoxic/ oxic membrane bioreactor treating domestic wastewater

In the present study, two bench-scale anaerobic/ anoxic/ oxic submerged membrane bioreactors were used to study the effect of thermochemical sludge disintegration system on the excess sludge production. Among the two membrane bioreactors, one was named experimental membrane bioreactor and another one was named as control membrane bioreactor, where a part of the mixed liquor was treated with thermo chemical and was returned back to membrane bioreactor. Thermo chemical digestion of sludge was carried out at fixed pH (11) and temperature (75 °C) for 24 % chemical oxygen demand solution. The other one was named control membrane bioreactor and was used as control. The reactors were operated at three different mixed liquor suspended solids range starting from 7500 mg/L to 15000 mg/L. Both of membrane bioreactors were operated at a flux of 17 LMH over a period of 240 days. The designed flux was increased stepwise over a period of one week. During the 240 days of reactor operation, both of membrane bioreactors maintained relatively constant transmembrane pressure. The sludge digestion had no impact on chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of the reactor. The results based on the study indicated that the proposed process configuration has potential to reduce the excess sludge production as well as it didn’t deteriorate the treated water quality.     

Construction of green fluorescent protein based bacterial biosensor for heavy metal remediation

Environmental contamination by heavy metals is a worldwide problem. Therefore, it is necessary to develop sensitive, effective and inexpensive methods, which can efficiently monitor and determine the level of hazardous metals in the environment. Conventional techniques to analyze metals, suffer from the disadvantages of high cost. Alternatively, development of simple system for monitoring heavy metals pollution is therefore needed. The present approach is based on the use of bacteria that are genetically engineered so that a measurable signal is produced when the bacteria are in contact with the bioavailable metal ions. Reporter genes are widely used as genetic tools for quantification and detection of specific cell population, gene expression and constructing whole cell biosensors as specific and sensitive devices for measuring biologically relevant concentrations of pollutants. An attempt has been made to construct the reporter gene enhanced green fluorescent protein and was expressed under the control of cadR gene, responsible for cadmium resistance. Recombinant strain Escherichia coli cadR30 was used, that carried cadR gene in pET30b expression vector and cloned. Clones confirmed by the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein was detected under ultraviolet illumination and separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The construction of green fluorescent protein based Escherichia coli bacterial biosensor was developed based on green fluorescent protein expression under the control cadR gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa BC15. The constructed bacterial biosensor is useful and applicable in determining the availability of heavy metals in soil and wastewater.