Exobiology, the study of the origin, evolution and distribution of life within the context of cosmic evolution: a review

The primary goal of exobiological research is to reach a better understanding of the processes leading to the origin, evolution and distribution of life on Earth or elsewhere in the universe. In this endeavour, scientists from a wide variety of disciplines are involved, such as astronomy, planetary research, organic chemistry, palaeontology and the various subdisciplines of biology including microbial ecology and molecular biology. Space technology plays an important part by offering the opportunity for exploring our solar system, for collecting extraterrestrial samples, and for utilizing the peculiar environment of space as a tool. Exobiological activities include comparison of the overall pattern of chemical evolution of potential precursors of life, in the interstellar medium, and on the planets and small bodies of our solar system; tracing the history of life on Earth back to its roots; deciphering the environments of the planets in our solar system and of their satellites, throughout their history, with regard to their habitability; searching for other planetary systems in our Galaxy and for signals of extraterrestrial civilizations; testing the impact of space environment on survivability of resistant life forms. This evolutionary approach towards understanding the phenomenon of life in the context of cosmic evolution may eventually contribute to a better understanding of the processes regulating the interactions of life with its environment on Earth.     

基于ALOS-PALSAR卫星数据对青藏高原东缘龙日坝断裂带地表构造伸展的研究及其大地构造指示意义

龙日坝断裂带位于青藏高原最东缘,呈北东-南西向延伸,平行于其东侧的龙门山断裂带,二者大约相距150 km。与龙门山断裂带不同的是,龙日坝断裂带在青藏高原东缘相关GPS测量中表现为一明显的速度梯度带,说明龙日坝断裂带可能具有很重要的构造属性。然而有关龙日坝断裂带的地表结构构造延伸问题一直悬而未决,目前还存在许多的争议,这在一定程度上也阻碍了我们对青藏高原东缘相对于印度-欧亚板块碰撞地球动力学响应的了解。在本次研究中,我们将首次采用ALOS-PALSAR卫星数据,并结合地表地质和前人的地球物理学研究成果,来监测与龙日坝断裂带的构造活动相关的细微地表形变,并由此控制龙日坝断裂带的延伸范围。研究结果表明,龙日坝断裂带与其西南侧的抚边河断裂带相交且近乎垂直,而非前人研究所认为的龙日坝断裂带延伸至其西缘的鲜水河断裂带。综合研究结果也为了解龙日坝断裂带的大地构造属性提供了数据支持。     

Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Study of Groundwater in a Semi-arid Region: Yeniceoba Plain (Cihanbeyli-KONYA), Central Anatolia,Turkey

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply in the Yeniceoba Plain in Central Anatolia,Turkey.An understanding of the geochemical evolution of groundwater is important for the sustainable development of water resources in this region.A hydrogeochemical investigation was conducted in the Plio-Quaternary aquifer system using stable isotopes(δ~(18)O andδD),tritium(~3H),major and minor elements(Ca,Na,K,Mg,Cl,SO_4,NO_3,HCO_3 and Br)in order to identify groundwater chemistry patterns and the processes affecting groundwater mineralization in this system.The chemical data reveal that the chemical composition of groundwater in this aquifer system is mainly controlled by rock/water interactions including dissolution of evaporitic minerals,weathering of silicates,precipitation/dissolution of carbonates,ion exchange,and evaporation.Based on the values of Cl/Br ratio(300 mg/l)in the Plio-Quaternary groundwater,dissolution of evaporitic minerals in aquifer contributes significantly to the high mineralization.The stable isotope analyses indicate that the groundwater in the system was influenced by evaporation of rainfall during infiltration.Low tritium values(generally1 tritium units)of groundwater reflect a minor contribution of recent recharge and groundwater residence times of more than three or four decades.     

使用威斯特波克射电望远镜对古代东方“客星”射电遗迹的探测

作者使用威斯特波克射电望远镜在610兆赫频率上对古代东方天文学家观测到的“客星”的七个视场区(1~o.5×1~o.5)进行了射电遗迹的巡天探测,结果没有发现弥漫射电辐射。本文给出了在这些视场区中的分立射电源的表,表中列出作者提出的这些射电源|b|<15°以內的光学证认。     

A NEW METHOD OF PRESENTING PALZEOGEOGRAPHIC MAPS.

One of the most practical developments in methods of teaching historical geology during the last two decades is the wide use of palaeogeographic maps. As an increasing mass of data bearing on the conditions of past periods of the Earth's history has become available through detailed     

黑潮海域海洋异常加热对后期北半球大气环流影响的分析

计算了黑潮海域海洋异常加热与后期1—12个月北半球大气环流的时滞相关，分析了二者的相关关系。结果表明，海洋异常加热对后期半年到一年北半球大气环流场有重要影响。当黑潮海域海洋异常多加热时，后期半球范围内大气环流的经向度将趋减小，反之则趋加强。在分析相关场演变的基础上，讨论了上述时滞关系的可能物理过程，指出黑潮海域海洋异常加热对后期下游大气环流型的影响，是通过改变中纬大气与高纬极地大气之间温度和位势高度梯度，进而影响后期下游大气环流型来实现的。     

Time-course evaluation of ROS-mediated toxicity in mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, during a field translocation experiment

Harbours can be considered as model environments for developing and validating field monitoring procedures and to investigate mechanistic relationships between different biological responses. In this study several biomarkers were investigated in marine mussels caged for 4 weeks (June-July 2001) into an industrialized harbour of NW Italy. Organisms were collected at different time-intervals to better characterize the sensitivity, temporal variations and interactions of analysed responses. Besides single antioxidants the total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay was used to analyse the capability of the whole antioxidant system to neutralize specific forms of radicals: these data were further integrated by measurement of DNA integrity, oxidized bases and the impairment of lysosomal membrane stability in haemocytes. Results showed a biphasic trend for single antioxidants and TOSC, with an increase during the first 2 weeks of exposure to the polluted site followed by a progressive decrease up to a severe depletion in the final part of the experiment.     

Using trace elements in skin to discriminate the populations of minke whales in southern hemisphere

Concentrations of 12 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, and Hg) were determined in liver and skin tissues of minke whales from various regions within the Antarctic Ocean. Cd concentrations in livers of southern minke whale were apparently higher than those in cetaceans from other regions, while Hg concentrations were lower. There were significant positive correlations between body length and concentrations of Cd and Hg in the liver. The concentrations of all trace elements in the skin were lower than those in other cetaceans reported previously. Significant positive correlations between liver and skin were found for Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cd, and Cs, implying that the concentrations of these trace elements in the skin reflect those of internal organs. Large interannual variation of the accumulation pattern of trace elements in the skin was observed for the southern minke whales from Area V. There were significant differences in the skin element concentrations among Areas III, IV, and V, especially for males. Also, discriminant analysis between geographically two different groups collected during 1995/1996 austral summer season, based on the concentrations of trace elements in the skin, allowed for a correct classification of 90% of these minke whales. These results suggest that measurement of trace elements in skin samples could provide valuable information on the status of contamination and possible geographic differences in the accumulation levels in southern minke whales.     

黑潮海域海洋异常加热与北半球大气环流的相互作用

根据黑潮海域海洋异常加热资料（１９５０－１９７９年），计算其与北半球大气环流相关，揭示二者相互作用事实，讨论其可能的物理过程，结果指出，黑潮海域海洋异常加热具有范围广，持续时间长，量级大等特点，在长期天气变化中占有重要的地位，冬半年海所相互作用为一正反馈过程，当亚洲大陆冷空气强时，海洋异常多加热，东亚大槽加深，后者又导致冷空气进一进加强；夏半年黑潮海域海洋异常加热主要受青藏高原热力状况制约。     

应用生态模型研究近海贝类养殖的可持续发展

建立了一个贝藻混养生态模型，并应用于桑沟湾栉孔扇贝、太平洋牡蛎和海带混养生态系统的模拟。这一模型在个体生长模型的基础上模拟种群的生长情况；通过模拟不同播苗养殖和收获方式下的产量，以及不同混养方式对海洋生态系统的影响来确定养殖容量。采用该模型的研究结果表明：当养殖密度分别增加到目前扇贝和牡蛎放苗量的2倍和15倍时总产量最高(达到养殖容量)，但单位面积产量和产量／播苗比减少，因此效益是下降的；扇贝放苗量增加到目前的15倍，牡蛎增加到30倍时会导致养殖生产崩溃，同时生态系统也发生改变：在目前养殖密度下，桑沟湾向黄海输出初级生产产品，但是当放苗密度增加到15～20倍时，桑沟湾需要黄海向其输入初级生产产品。上述结果表明，该模型可以迅速模拟养殖生物量和生态系统的变化，在多元养殖管理中可作为一种有效的管理工具。