Assessing estuarine environmental quality using fish-based indices: performance evaluation under climatic instability

The seasonal variation of five selected multimetric indices for the determination of the Ecological Quality Status (EQS) of transitional waters was evaluated, as well as the indices’ responses to an extreme drought event that occurred in 2005. The database used regards the Mondego River estuary, which was sampled from June 2003 to August 2006 on a monthly basis. Among the selected indices (EBI - Deegan et al. [Deegan, L., Finn, J.T., Ayvazlan, S.G., Ryder-Kieffer, C.A., Buonaccoesi, J., 1997. Development and validation of an Estuarine Biotic Integrity Index. Estuaries 30(3), 601-617], EDI - Borja et al. [Borja, A., Franco, J., Valencia, V., Bald, J., Muxika, I., Belzunce, M.J., Solaun, O., 2004. Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive from the Basque Country (northern Spain): a methodological approach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 48(3-4), 209-218], EFCI - Harrison and Whitfield [Harrison, T.D., Whitfield, A.K., 2004. A multi-metric fish index to assess the environmental condition of estuaries. Journal of Fish Biology 65, 683-710], EBI - Breine et al. [Breine, J.J., Maes, J., Quataert, P., Van den Bergh, E., Simoens, I., Van Thuyne, G., Belpaire, C., 2007. A fish-based assessment tool for the ecological quality of the brackish Scheldt estuary in Flanders (Belgium). Hydrobiologia 575, 141-159] and TFCI - Coates et al. [Coates, S., Waugh, A., Anwar, A., Robson, M., 2007. Efficacy of a multi-metric fish index as an analysis tool for the transitional fish component of the Water Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55, 225-240]), the EBI by Breine et al. (2007) was the only that evidenced clear interannual and seasonal variations. The EQS by the several indices ranged from “Low” to “High”, depending on the index considered, evidencing the high level of mismatch between indices. The results are discussed in the scope of the EU Water Framework Directive, regarding monitoring strategies, application of indices and EQS assessment.     

Organotin accumulation in an estuarine food chain: comparing field measurements with model estimations

The bioaccumulation model OMEGA (optimal modelling for ecotoxicological applications) is used to explore accumulation of organotins in the Western Scheldt food chain, consisting of herbi-detritivores, primary and secondary carnivorous fish and a piscivorous bird. Organotins studied are tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) and the respective di- and mono-organotin metabolites. Empirical elimination rate constants are compared to model predictions for organic substances and metals. It is found that field bioaccumulation ratios are higher than predicted based on elimination kinetics relevant for organic compounds. The results indicate that uptake of organotins mainly occurs via hydrophobic mechanisms, whereas elimination may occur via metal-like kinetics. This results in very low elimination rates, which are comparable to model predictions for metals.     

WISE EXPLOITATION OF NEWLY GROWING LAND RESOURCES——An Assessment on Land-use Change of Chongming Island Using GIS

1INTRODUCTIONThreewell-documentedmajorglobalchangesaffectinghumanbeingsareincreasingconcentrationofcarbondioxideintheatmosphere,alterationinthebiochemistryoftheglobalnitrogencycle,andon-goinglanduse/coverchange(LUCC)(VITOUSEK,1994).Forcen-turies,humanbeingshavebeenalteringtheearth'ssurfacetoproducetheirfoodandsheltersthroughagri-culturalactivities(REIDetal.,2000).Likeothercountries,Chinaisalsosubjecttolandtransformation,forinstance,abouthalfamillionhectaresofwetlandshavebeenreclaime…     

A Study of the Star-forming Dwarf Galaxy NGC 855 with Spitzer

We present a study of the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 855 using the narrow-band Hα and Spitzer data. Both the Hα and Spitzer IRAC images confirm star-forming activity in the center of NGC 855. We obtained a star formation rate (SFR) of 0.022 and 0.025M◎yr-1,respectively,from the Spitzer IRAC 8.0μm and MIPS 24μm emission data. The HI observa-tion suggests that the star-forming activity might be triggered by a minor merger. We also find that there is a distinct IR emission region in 5.8 and 8.0μm bands,located at about 10 away from the nucleus of NGC 855. Given the strong 8.0μm but faint Hα emission,we expect that it is a heavily obscured star-forming region,which needs to be confirmed by further optical spectroscopic observations.     

Petrology, Mineralogy and Geochemisty of Antarctic Mesosiderite GRV 020175: Implications for Its Complex Formation History

<正>GRV 020175 is an Antarctic mesosiderite,containing about 43 vol%silicates and 57 vol% metal.Metal occurs in a variety of textures from irregular large masses,to veins penetrating silicates, and to matrix fine grains.The metallic portion contains kamacite,troilite and minor taenite.Terrestrial weathering is evident as partial replacement of the metal and troilite veins by Fe oxides.Silicate phases exhibit a porphyritic texture with pyroxene,plagioclase,minor silica and rare olivine phenocrysts embedded in a fine-grained groundmass.The matrix is ophitic and consists mainly of pyroxene and plagioclase grains.Some orthopyroxene phenocrysts occur as euhedral crystals with chemical zoning from a magnesian core to a ferroan overgrowth;others are characterized by many fine inclusions of plagioclase composition.Pigeonite has almost inverted to its orthopyroxene host with augite lamellae, enclosed by more magnesian rims.Olivine occurs as subhedral crystals,surrounded by a necklace of tiny chromite grains(about 2-3μm).Plagioclase has a heterogeneous composition without zoning. Pyroxene geothermometry of GRV 020175 gives a peak metamorphic temperature(～1000℃) and a closure temperature(～875℃).Molar Fe/Mn ratios(19-32) of pyroxenes are consistent with mesosiderite pyroxenes(16-35) and most plagioclase compositions(An_(87.5_96.6)) are within the range of mesosiderite plagioclase grains(An_(88-95)).Olivine composition(Fo_(53.8)) is only slightly lower than the range of olivine compositions in mesosiderites(Fo_(55-90)).All petrographic characteristics and chemical compositions of GRV 020175 are consistent with those of mesosiderite and based on its matrix texture and relatively abundant plagioclase,it can be further classified as a type 3A mesosiderite.Mineralogical, penological,and geochemical studies of GRV 020175 imply a complex formation history starting as rapid crystallization from a magma in a lava flow on the surface or as a shallow intrusion.Following primary igneous crystallization,the silicate underwent varying degrees of reheating.It was reheated to 1000℃,followed by rapid cooling to 875℃.Subsequently,metal mixed with silicate,during or after which,reduction of silicates occurred;the reducing agent is likely to have been sulfur.After redox reaction,the sample underwent thermal metamorphism,which produced the corona on the olivine, rims on the inverted pigeonite phenocrysts and overgrowths on the orthopyroxene phenocrysts,and homogenized matrix pyroxenes.Nevertheless,metamorphism was not extensive enough to completely reequilibrate the GRV 020175 materials.     

Purification and Refolding of a Novel β-Agarase from Inclusion Body of E. coli

1 Introduction Agarases produced by agar-degrading bacteria are classified into two groups based on their modes of action, namely, α-agarase and β-agarase. They hydrolyze α -1, 3 linkage and β-1, 4 linkage of agarose respectively (Duckworth and Turvey, 1969). Agarases are widely used in food, cosmetic and medical industries for the produc-tion of oligosaccharides from agar (Kobayashi et al., 1997; Yoshizawa et al., 1995). Neoagaro-oligo- saccharides produced by β-agarase inhibit the gro…     

LICOM Model Datasets for the CMIP6 Ocean Model Intercomparison Project

The datasets of two Ocean Model Intercomparison Project(OMIP) simulation experiments from the LASG/IAP Climate Ocean Model, version 3(LICOM3), forced by two different sets of atmospheric surface data, are described in this paper. The experiment forced by CORE-II(Co-ordinated Ocean–Ice Reference Experiments, Phase II) data(1948–2009) is called OMIP1, and that forced by JRA55-do(surface dataset for driving ocean–sea-ice models based on Japanese 55-year atmospheric reanalysis) data(1958–2018) is ca...     

Total dissolved and particulate lead in the Western Harbor of Alexandria,a Mediterranean basin under stress

The Western Harbor of Alexandria, the largest harbor of Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea, receives different internal and external untreated pollutants affecting dramatically its water, sediments and biota. Surface and bottom water samples were collected bimonthly from this harbor for studying vertical, regional and monthly distributions of total suspended matter (TSM), total dissolved lead (TDPb) and total particulate lead (TPPb). The high surface TSM values coincided with air-borne dust, organic aggregates, plankton productivity and discharged wastes. The high TSM averages in winter resulted mainly from turbulence of the water column by wind action. The highest averages of TDPb in the petroleum and coal basins in the Western Harbor reflect their effects on the water column, while the lowest averages of TDPb and TPPb were found at a location far away from pollution sources. For the water column, the maximum and minimum monthly averages of TPPb and TDPb respectively in June reflect the increase in the rate of lead uptake by phytoplankton abundant in summer, favored by temperature elevation. The annual mean concentration of TPPb was nearly double that of TDPb, indicating that lead was transported to the Western Harbor mainly in particulate form. This reflects the high TSM content in the harbor water onto which a considerable part of lead was adsorbed.     

Remediation of the Wells G & H Superfund Site,Woburn, Massachusetts

Remediation of ground water and soil contamination at the Wells G & H Superfund Site, Woburn, Massachusetts, uses technologies that reflect differences in hydrogeologic settings, concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and costs of treatment. The poorly permeable glacial materials that overlie fractured bedrock at the W.R. Grace property necessitate use of closely spaced recovery wells. Contaminated ground water is treated with hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet (UV) oxidation. At UniFirst, a deep well completed in fractured bedrock removes contaminated ground water, which is treated by hydrogen peroxide, UV oxidation, and granular activated carbon (GAC). The remediation system at Wildwood integrates air sparging, soil-vapor extraction, and ground water pumping. Air stripping and GAC are used to treat contaminated water; GAC is used to treat contaminated air. New England Plastics (NEP) uses air sparging and soil-vapor extraction to remove VOCs from the unsaturated zone and shallow ground water. Contaminated air and water are treated using separate GAC systems. After nine years of operation at W.R. Grace and UniFirst, 30 and 786 kg, respectively, of VOCs have been removed. In three years of operation, 866 kg of VOCs have been removed at Wildwood. In 15 months of operation, 36 kg of VOCs were removed at NEP. Characterization work continues at the Olympia Nominee Trust, Whitney Barrel, Murphy Waste Oil, and Aberjona Auto Parts properties. Risk assessments are being finalized that address heavy metals in the floodplain sediments along the Aberjona River that are mobilized from the Industri-Plex Superfund Site located a few miles upstream.     

Modeling Gross Primary Production by Integrating Satellite Data and Coordinated Flux Measurements in Arid and Semi-Arid China

Assessing large-scale patterns of gross primary production (GPP) in arid and semi-arid (ASA) areas is important for both scientific and practical purposes. Remote sensing-based models, which integrate satellite data with input from ground-based meteorological measurements and vegetation characteristics, improve spatially extended estimates of vegetation productivity with high accuracy. In this study, the authors simulated GPP in ASA areas by integrating moderate resolution imaging spectral radiometer (MODIS) data with eddy covariance and meteorological measurements at the flux tower sites using the Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM), which is a remote sensing-based model for analyzing the spatial pattern of GPP in different land cover types. The field data were collected by coordinating observations at nine stations in 2008. The results indicate that in the region during the growing season GPP was highest in cropland sites, second highest in woodland sites, and lowest in grassland sites. VPM captured the temporal and spatial characteristics of GPP for different land covers in ASA areas. Further, Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) had a strong liner relationship with GPP in densely vegetated areas, while the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) had a strong liner relationship with GPP over less dense vegetation. This study demonstrates the potential of satellite-driven models for scaling-up GPP, which is a key component for studying the carbon cycle at regional and global scales.