Total and methylmercury in a Brazilian estuary,Rio de Janeiro

Guanabara Bay, in Rio de Janeiro state, is impacted by organic matter, oil and heavy metals. The present study evaluated the total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations and the MeHg to THg ratio (%MeHg) in water samples from different points of the bay and in 245 organisms of three different trophic levels sampled between 1990 and 2000. Dissolved mercury concentration in estuarine water samples ranged from 0.72 to 5.23 ngl(-1). THg and MeHg in mussel, ranging from 11.6 to 53.5 microg THg kg(-1) wet wt. and 4.5-21.0 microg MeHg kg(-1) wet wt., varied according to sampling point and water quality. Planktivorous fish and mussel presented similar MeHg concentrations, meanwhile THg in planktivorous fish were lower than in mussel. Carnivorous fish showed higher THg and MeHg concentrations (199.5 +/- 119.3, 194.7 +/- 112.7 microg kg(-1) wet wt. respectively) than organisms from other feeding habits and lower trophic levels. There was a significant difference in the %MeHg among trophic levels: mussel presented lower MeHg percentage (33%) than planktivorous fish (54%) and carnivorous fish (98%).     

Analyses of organic and inorganic contaminants in Salton Sea fish

Chemical contamination of fish from the Salton Sea, a quasi-marine lake in Southern California, could adversely impact millions of birds using the Pacific Flyway and thousands of humans using the lake for recreation. Bairdiella icistia (bairdiella), Cynoscion xanthulus (orangemouth corvina), and Oreochromis spp. (tilapia) were sampled from two river mouths and two nearshore areas of the Salton Sea. Muscle tissues were analyzed for a complete suite of 14 trace metals and 53 pesticides. Fish muscle tissues had concentrations of selenium ranging between 1.89 and 2.73 microg/g wet weight. 4,4'-DDE accounted for 94% of the total DDT metabolites. Total DDTs ranged between 17.1 and 239.0 and total PCBs between 2.5 and 18.6 ng/g wet weight. PCB congeners 132, 138, 153, 168, and 180 comprised over 50% of the total PCBs. Given the potential implementation of a commercial fishing at the Salton Sea in the future, the presence of persistent organic pollutants and selenium warrants further research into the effects of these mixtures on fish populations, and on wildlife and humans consuming fish.     

温州世贸中心大厦超深大直径钻孔灌注桩施工技术

介绍了温州世贸中心大厦120m超深大直径钻孔灌注桩的施工技术，针对超深大直径钻孔灌注桩施工中极易引起的钻进孔斜、卡钻、垮孔、堵管等问题，提出了相应的处理措施。     

三甲胺[N(CH_3)_3]MIS传感器的研制

研制探测鱼鲜度的传感元件。用含铟（In）杂质的TiO2材料作溅射靶,采用氩离子束镀膜机在硅片上镀膜,用常规蒸铝技术和光刻技术制成MIS结构。结果表明：在1MHz的测试频率下,当三甲胺浓度从0变化到0．1％时电容发生了250％的变化。在3V的偏压下,电流改变了450％。直接用鲜鱼测试时,在25h内该结构的电容和电流的响应很敏感,且接近线性关系。     

有益微生物改善养殖生态研究──Ⅰ.复合微生物分解有机底泥及对鱼类的促生长效应

应用以芽孢杆菌为主导菌的微生物复合制剂进行分解养鱼池有机污泥的试验,菌剂合活菌数为109个／g．用量为1.5～4．5mg·L－1。经一个月的试验,池底原有厚3～5cm的有机污泥被分解,并对鱼类有明显的促生长作用。说明应用以芽孢杆菌为主导菌的微生物复合制剂净化养殖池塘底质是一种有效的措施。     

Maquiladora Myths: Locational and Structural Change in Mexico's Export Manufacturing Industry

Trends in location, labor force, and procurement practices in maquiladoras are examined using recent data sources. A growing proportion of maquiladoras are selecting interior locations, south of the borderlands. Once dominated by young women, the labor force is rapidly approaching gender parity. While far below prevailing rates in the United States, maquiladora wages are comparable with equivalent manufacturing sectors in Mexico. Majority ownership of maquiladoras is split almost evenly between Mexico and the U.S., however, maquiladoras have failed to develop domestic sources of materials and parts and remain dependent on imported material inputs. As the North American Free Trade Agreement is phased in, the regulatory environment of maquiladoras will change but their role as low cost assembly specialists will persist.     

The precautionary principle and its approach to risk analysis and quarantine related to the trade of marine ornamental fishes in Brazil

The objective of this study was to employ the precautionary principle in import risk analysis (IRA) and quarantine in the trade of marine ornamental fishes (MOF). The analysis focused on the example of Brazil, as it imports and exports these fishes, in amounts that are globally significant. These processes, since their collection in nature, may expose the fish to stress, which may lead to the development of diseases. The legislation that regulates IRA and quarantine is derived from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply and Fisheries and Aquaculture. The quarantine of MOF in Brazil is not undertaken by government agencies, but by commercial establishments that are registered with the Ministries, and is way too short. According to the data obtained, the precautionary approach is not applied at all in this trade, as scientific information is not contemplated by the legislation, and law is not enforced.     

The seafood market in Portugal: Driving forces and consequences

Portugal has the third highest seafood consumption per capita in the world and current patterns of seafood consumption are linked to how seafood products were embodied in the Portuguese society. The objective of this research is to understand Portuguese seafood consumption's main drivers and its consequences. For that official statistics were analyzed and a literature review on seafood consumption was undertaken. Portuguese seafood consumption is characterized by a wide diversity of species and preparing modes, when compared to other countries in Europe. Cod (salted and dried), does not exist in Portuguese waters but due to several factors, such as politics, religion and tradition, became the main species in Portuguese seafood consumption, representing around 38% of the national seafood demand. Five drivers are suggested to explain why Portuguese eat so much seafood: geography, marine resources, fisheries, social forces and politics; and consequences for the environment, economy and health are discussed. Hence while most dietary recommendations advise an increase in fish consumption is not applicable to Portugal and a more sustainable seafood consumption for the future is advocated.     

Intellectual property rights and the transfer of climate change technologies: issues,challenges, and way forward

The role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the development and transfer of climate change technologies has been a contentious issue in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Irreconcilable differences seem to oppose those who believe IPRs are an inherent barrier to the transfer of climate change technologies and those who argue they are an essential incentive to innovation. After providing an overview of the polarized debate on this issue, this article reviews the existing literature and empirical evidence and looks into some practical initiatives and recent developments. Finally, it seeks to identify a way forward that could help overcome the current stalemate in international deliberations by suggesting a number of parameters to structure the discussion on this complex issue.