Significance of shallow core transects for reef models and sea‐level curves,Heron Reef,Great Barrier Reef

A sequence of shallow reef cores from Heron Reef, Great Barrier Reef, provides new insights into Holocene reef growth models. Isochron analysis of a leeward core transect suggests that the north‐western end of Heron Reef reached current sea‐level by ca 6·5 kyr bp and then prograded leeward at a rate of ca 19·6 m/kyr between 5·1 kyr and 4·1 kyr bp (pre‐1950) to the present reef margin. A single short core on the opposing margin of the reef is consistent with greater and more recent progradation there. Further to the east, one windward core reached modern sea‐level by ca 6·3 kyr bp , suggesting near ‘keep‐up’ behaviour at that location, but the opposing leeward margin behind the lagoon reached sea‐level much more recently. Hence, Heron Reef exhibited significantly different reef growth behaviour on different parts of the same margin. Mean reef accretion rates calculated from within 20 m of one another in the leeward core transect varied between ca 2·9 m and 4·7 m/kyr depending on relative position in the prograding wedge. These cores serve as a warning regarding the use of isolated cores to inform reef growth rates because apparent aggradation at any given location on a reef varies depending on its location relative to a prograding margin. Only transects of closely spaced cores can document reef behaviour adequately so as to inform reef growth models and sea‐level curves. The cores also emphasize potential problems in U‐series dates for corals within a shallow (ca 1·5 m) zone beneath the reef flat. Apparent age inversions restricted to that active diagenetic zone may reflect remobilization and concentration of Th in irregularly distributed microbialites or biofilms that were missed during sample vetting. Importantly, the Th‐containing contaminant causes ages to appear too old, rather than too young, as would be expected from younger cement.     

The Mesozoic structural evolution of the Gorgon Platform,North Carnarvon Basin,Australia

The Gorgon Platform is located on the southeastern edge of the Exmouth Plateau in the North Carnarvon Basin, North West Shelf, Australia. A structural analysis using three-dimensional (3D) seismic data has revealed four major sets of extensional faults, namely, (1) the Exmouth Plateau extensional fault system, (2) the basin bounding fault system (Exmouth Plateau–Gorgon Platform Boundary Fault), (3) an intra-rift fault system in the graben between the Exmouth Plateau and the Gorgon Platform and (4) an intra-rift fault system within the graben between the Exmouth Plateau and the Exmouth Sub-basin. Fault throw-length analyses imply that the initial fault segments, which formed the Exmouth Plateau–Gorgon Platform Boundary Fault (EG Boundary Fault), were subsequently connected vertically and laterally by both soft- and hard-linked structures. These major extensional fault systems were controlled by three different extensional events during the Early and Middle Jurassic, Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, and illustrate the strong role of structural inheritance in determining fault orientation and linkage. The Lower and Middle Jurassic and Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous syn-kinematic sequences are separated by unconformities.     

Public views on economic growth,the environment and prosperity: Results of a questionnaire survey

The long-standing academic and public debate on economic growth, prosperity and environmental sustainability has recently gained new momentum. It lacks, however, a broad perspective on public opinion. Prior opinion surveys typically offered a simple dichotomous choice between growth and environmental protection. This study examines public beliefs and attitudes about a wider range of aspects of the growth debate. To this end, we conducted an online questionnaire survey including a country-wide, representative sample of 1008 Spanish citizens. Using factor analysis, we identify six distinct dimensions of public attitudes, referred to as: prosperity with growth; environmental limits to growth; general optimism; wrong priority; overrated GDP; and governmental control. We further analyze several specific questions associated with the growth debate, such as those concerning the desired GDP growth rate, the preferred growth-environment position, and beliefs about, as well as reasons for, a possible end or continuation of growth. We find that most respondents favor GDP growth rates of more than 3%. A majority views growth and environmental sustainability as compatible (green growth), while about one-third prefers either ignoring growth as a policy aim (agrowth), or stopping it altogether (degrowth). Only very few people want growth unconditionally (growth-at-all-costs). About one-third of the respondents believe that growth may be never-ending. We examine how support for or disagreement with different statements on growth are related to each other, as well as how they are influenced by socio-demographic, knowledge and ideology/values variables. Overall, our findings can inform public debates about the growth paradigm and its potential alternatives by providing a more nuanced understanding of public opinion. We make suggestions for future research, including modifying poll questions on growth and environment through offering a more diverse set of response options.     

Petrogenesis of Two Types of Archean TTGs in the North China Craton: A Case Study of Intercalated TTGs in Lushan and Non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan

TTG(Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite) gneisses,a major component of Precambrian continental crust,play a significant role in understanding the process and mechanism of the crustal evolution in the early periods of the Earth. In terms of field occurrence,there are two kinds of Archean TTGs in the NCC(North China Craton): intercalated and non-intercalated TTGs. In this contribution,we make a comprehensive comparison of these two types of TTGs from the typical areas(Lushan and Hengshan) in the NCC with an aim to constrain their petrogenesis. The results suggest that they have similar mineral assemblages of Pl + Qtz + Bt ± Amp ± Kfs but different field appearances and geochemical compositions,thus probably reflecting different source materials and tectonic settings. Differences in the contents of characteristic elements,such as Sr,REE and HFSE,suggest that the nonintercalated TTGs in Hengshan were generated at deeper levels than those of intercalated TTGs in Lushan. Constraints from element contents and geochemical modeling results are consistent with derivation from dual sources involving both garnet amphibolite and rutile-bearing eclogite residues for the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan,whereas the compositions of intercalated TTGs in Lushan indicate that they were formed by partial melting with amphibolite to garnet-amphibolite residues. Moreover,accumulation of plagioclase is also required in the petrogenesis of intercalated TTGs in Lushan,at least for part of them. In addition,the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan display distinctly higher Mg O,Mg#,Cr and Ni values and lower SiO_2 average contents compared to the intercalated TTGs in Lushan. These features suggest that the former magma,at least a part,might have interacted with the mantle wedge during ascent. Considering all the above factors and in combination with the whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopic data,it is suggested that the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan were produced by partial melting of subducted slab contaminated by the overlying mantle wedge at deeper levels and high pressures,whereas the intercalated TTGs in Lushan were generated by melting of the thickened lower crust at lower pressures and shallower depths. The tectonic settings of the two types of TTGs shed new light on the growth of the NCC.     

Study on the Temporal-Spatial Evolution of Prehistoric Settlements and Its Correlation with Subsistence Strategy and Climate History in the Western Liao River Area

Western Liao River area is one of the most important birthplaces of agricultural civilization in northern China. With recent works like relics survey, site excavation and environmental archaeology going further, the time sequence, cultural content and subsistence strategy history of this area are getting explicit. Questions like ancient exploiting history of natural resources, climate background and cultural impact of subsistence strategy have been paid great attention. Traditional environmental archaeology methods like plant and animal remains analysis are mostly utilized to conduct in-site investigation, current studies rarely adopt quantitative methods to examine the sites’ macro temporal-spatial distribution and aggregation pattern. Based on abundant digitized relic survey data, GIS methods like kernel density analysis are utilized to indicate the temporal-spatial distribution and aggregation pattern of prehistoric cultures in Western Liao River area. The latitudinal, longitudinal and altitudinal migrations of site distributional core are indicated by 3D perspective shift and elevation statistics. By referencing existing studies on subsistence strategy and paleoclimate history, results of spatial analysis are used to reveal the correlation among sites’ temporal-spatial distribution, subsistence strategy adopted and climate variation. This also contributes to our understanding and utilization of massive locational information of prehistoric sites in ancient man-land relationship study.     

Analysis on Marine Science and Technology Strategy and Key Layout of Japan and the Inspirations to China

The Basic Ocean Law (BOL) and Basic Ocean Plan (BLP) are important guarantee for the maritime strategy of Japan, which has established a complete policy system for the development of marine science and technology. On the other hand, the Japanese Government has started some major marine strategies and plans to promote the BLP. In this paper, the marine science and technology plans launched by the Japanese Government and its participation in the international cooperative research projects were introduced. The research of Japan Marine Science and Technology Center and the University of Tokyo Institute of Oceanography in the long-term planning and focus on the layout features, deep sea research technology layout, contents and advanced equipment were analyzed. At last, some recommendations for China’s development on marine science and technology were proposed, such as strengthening the legislation work and process, carrying out research and development of marine infrastructure with independent intellectual property rights, actively participating in international large-scale ocean plan, improving the discourse right and enhancing national maritime awareness and suggestions and so on.     

养殖曼氏无针乌贼(Sepiella japonica)的两性异形及判别模式的建立

两性个体的有效鉴别是曼氏无针乌贼高效繁育及养殖模式(如单性养殖)建立的基础。为研究曼氏无针乌贼主要形态指标及雌雄形态差异,测量了160只F1代曼氏无针乌贼的19项可测量性状及13项标准化性状。采用聚类分析、主成分分析和判别分析方法研究了曼氏无针乌贼同生群两性间的形态差异。结果表明:两性间可测量性状和标准化性状各有10项有显著性差异(P0.05);对标准化性状经过主成分分析和R-聚类分析均显示曼氏无针乌贼的两性的差异主要集中在辅助交配器官特征,头部特征,捕食器官和肥瘦特征以及体型特征等4个方面。在此基础上,通过逐步判别法从标准化性状中筛选出3项,即左3腕长/胴长、左4腕长/胴长及左触腕长/胴长,建立了雌雄的判别方程:雄性:F1=223.42X3+165.85X4+7.951X5–108.06;雌性:F2=151.48X3+92.71X4+19.19X5–60.38。所建立的判别方程,对样本群体的综合判别率达到95.00%。利用F2代亲体测量数据对判别函数进行识别验证,综合判别率达到85.34%。在判别方程中的3个标准化性状中,左3腕长/胴长和左4腕长/胴长在两性亲体间均存在显著的差异(P0.05),表明曼氏无针乌贼的雄性在性选择的作用下,交配器官存在显著差异。     

Enhalus acoroides responses to experimental shoot density reductions in Haad Chao Mai National Park,Trang Province,Thailand

The effect of self‐shading and competition for light in the seagrass Enhalus acoroides were investigated with a density reduction experiment in Haad Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province, Thailand. The study was carried out in a monospecific meadow with a natural density of 141.0 ± 8.7 shoots·m^?2. The intent was to determine the response of E. acoroides beds to loss of shoots and thinning, which often occur during typhoons and severe storm activity. Permanent quadrats were manipulated by clipping the seagrass shoots to 140, 72, 36 and 16 shoots·m^?2, to yield natural, 50%, 25% and 10% densities, respectively. Reducing shoot density in E. acoroides increased underwater light intensity below the canopy, generating increased leaf surface area and shoot weight. Seagrass leaf width, growth rate, and number of leaves per shoot also increased with greater light. The extent of flowering varied among treatments with no consistent trend. Our results demonstrate that increasing the available light to E. acoroides produces an increasing leaf size response as self‐shading in the bed is reduced.     

温度、盐度和光照对浒苔生长和光合作用的影响

Intensive Pyropia aquaculture in the coast of southwestern Yellow Sea and its subsequent waste, including disposed Ulva prolifera, was speculated to be one of the major sources for the large-scale green tide proceeding in the Yellow Sea since 2007. It was, however, unclear how the detached U. prolifera responded and resumed growing after they detached from its original habitat. In this study, we investigated the growth and photosynthetic response of the detached U. prolifera to various temperature, salinity and irradiance in the laboratory. The photosynthetic rate of the detached U. prolifera was significantly higher at moderate temperature levels(14–27°C)and high salinity(26–32), with optimum at 23°C and 32. Both low(14°C) and highest temperature(40°C), as well as low salinity(8) had adverse effects on the photosynthesis. Compared with the other Ulva species, U. prolifera showed higher saturated irradiance and no significant photoinhibition at high irradiance, indicating the great tolerance of U. prolifera to the high irradiance. The dense branch and complex structure of floating mats could help protect the thalli and reduce photoinhibition in field. Furthermore, temperature exerted a stronger influence on the growth rate of the detached U. prolifera compared to salinity. Overall, the high growth rate of this detached U. prolifera(10.6%–16.7% d~(–1)) at a wide range of temperature(5–32°C) and salinity(14–32) implied its blooming tendency with fluctuated salinity and temperature during floating. The environmental parameters in the southwestern Yellow Sea at the beginning of green tide were coincident with the optimal conditions for the detached U. prolifera.     

放养密度对大杂交鲟生长性能的影响及生理应答机制

为探讨放养密度对鱼类生长及生理应答机制的影响规律和作用,作者以大规格大杂交鲟(达氏鳇(Huso dauricus)♀×施氏鲟(Acipenser schrenckii)♂)为实验材料,研究了平均初始体质量约为243 g/尾,放养密度分别为6(SD1组)、9(SD2组)、12(SD3组)、15 kg/m3(SD4组)条件下,不同放养密度处理70 d后的实验鱼生长性能变化及生理应答机制。结果显示,放养密度对大杂交鲟肥满度影响不显著,SD2组鱼类具有最大的特定生长率和生长效率,随着放养密度增加,日增质量显著降低(P0.05),特定生长率和生长效率下降。测定了血液甲状腺素(T4)、三碘甲腺原氨酸(T3)和皮质醇水平变化,发现放养密度能引起大杂交鲟3个血液生理指标发生显著改变;随着养殖时间推移,T3和皮质醇浓度显著升高,T4浓度显著下降(P0.05)。这些结果说明神经内分泌活动的变化引起大杂交鲟血液生理指标变化,进而影响实验鱼生长性能。因此,在该养殖条件下推荐的养殖密度为9 kg/m3。