The biogeochemical effect of seaweeds upon close-to natural concentrations of dissolved iodate and iodide in seawater – Preliminary study with Laminaria digitata and Fucus serratus

Toward assessing the biogeochemical significance of seaweeds in relation to dissolved iodine in seawater, the effect of whole seaweeds (Laminaria digitata and Fucus serratus) upon iodide and iodate, at essentially natural concentrations, has been studied. The weeds were carefully removed from the sub-littoral zone of the Menai Straits and exposed to iodide and iodate at their natural temperature (6 °C), but under continuous illumination. Laminaria digitata was found to decrease the concentration of iodate with an exponential rate constant of 0.008–0.24 h⁻¹. This is a newly discovered process which, if substantiated, will require an entirely new mechanism. Generally, apparent iodide concentration increased except in a run with seawater augmented with iodide, where it first decreased. The rate constant for loss of iodide was 0.014–0.16 h⁻¹. Meanwhile, F. serratus was found not to decrease iodate concentrations, as did L. digitata. Indeed, after ∼30 h iodate concentrations increased, suggesting that the weed may take in iodide before oxidising and releasing it. If substantiated, this finding may offer a way into one of the most elusive of processes within the iodine cycle – iodide oxidation. With both seaweeds sustained long-term increases of apparent iodide concentration are most easily explained as a secretion by the weeds of organic matter which is capable of reducing the Ce(IV) reagent used in determination of total iodine. Modelling of the catalytic method used is provided to support this contention. The possibility of developing this to measure the strain that seaweeds endure in this kind of biogeochemical flux experiment is discussed. A Chemical Oxygen Demand type of approach is applied using Ce(IV) as oxidant. The results of the iodine experiments are contrasted with the several investigations of ¹³¹I interaction with seaweeds, which have routinely used discs of weed cut from the frond. It is argued that experiments conducted with stable iodine may measure a different variable to that measured in radio-iodine experiments.     

Optimization of culturing condition and medium composition for the production of alginate lyase by a marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio</Emphasis> sp. YKW-34

Carbohydrases secreted by marine Vibrio sp. YKW-34 with strong Laminaria cell wall degrading ability were screened, and among them alginate lyase was found to be dominant. The effects of medium composition and culturing condition on the production of alginate lyase by marine Vibrio sp. YKW-34 in flask were investigated in this study. In the culture medium of marine broth, no alginate lyase was produced. The activity of the alginate lyase, after being induced, reached 5 UmL^-1. The best inoculum volume and inoculum age were 10% and 12h, respectively. The optimal temperature for alginate lyase production was 25℃. The fermentation medium was composed of 0.5% of Laminaria powder and 0.2% of KNO3 with an initial acidity of pH 8.0. Alginate could induce alginate lyase production but not as efficiently as Laminaria powder did. The addition of fucoidan, cellulose and glucose had negative effect on the alginate lyase production. Other kinds of nitrogen sources, such as yeast extract, beef extract and peptone, had positive effect on the growth of the microorganism and negative effect on alginate lyase production. In addition, the time course of alginate lyase production under the optimized condition was described. The optimal harvest time was 48 h.     

Insertal orientation has no influence on the expression ofgfp gene and the growth of the hostSynechococcus sp. PCC7942

In transgenic process, a foreign gene can be integrated in the host genome in two directions, which may influence its expression. In order to study the effects of insertal orientation, the gfp reporter gene was inserted in the isiAB locus of Synechococcus sp.PCC7942 in different directions, and the GFP expression levels and the growth of the transgenic algae were compared. It was showed that the gfp gene could express in each direction, and no significant difference was detected on algal growth and GFP expression levels between the two recombinant algae.     

盐胁迫对塔胞藻生长及叶绿素荧光动力学的影响

利用调制式叶绿素荧光仪(Water-PAM)研究了盐度(1~120)胁迫不同时间(12,24,48 h)后,塔胞藻生长及叶绿素荧光动力学的变化。测定的主要参数有:PSⅡ的最大光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ的潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、PSⅡ的实际光能转化效率(ΦPSⅡ=yield)、光合电子传递效率(ETR)、光化学淬灭(qP)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)。结果表明:在本实验条件下,塔胞藻生长和进行光合作用的最适盐度为20。高盐胁迫使塔胞藻的荧光参数Fv/Fm,Fv/Fo,ΦPSⅡ,ETR,qP均明显降低,NPQ则先升高后降低,叶绿素含量和细胞密度也显著降低。还对盐胁迫下塔胞藻的响应机制以及叶绿素荧光技术在筛选耐盐微藻品种中的应用进行了初步探讨。     

贵州麻江下司寒武系杷榔组棘皮动物 始海百合新类型化石

和凯里生物群一样,贵州寒武系杷榔动物群也含有丰富的棘皮动物始海百合化石,包括两个属种即俞氏贵州始海百合 GuizhoueocrinusyuiZhao,ParsleyetPeng,2007及殷氏原始球状始海百合(新属新种)Protogloboeocrinusyini(gen.etsp. nov.).其中新属种是近期在杷榔组分布区南部贵州麻江下司淑里村杷榔组上部发现的,是凯里组中球形球状始海百合(GloboeocrinusglobolusZhao, ParsleyetPeng,2008)的原始属种,两者均具有发育的吸盘、长的茎、近于球形或椭球形的萼及较长 的腕.但新属种茎呈倒长锥柱形,缝孔长卵形,腕枝数少,两者区别明显.Protogloboeocrinusyini(gen.etsp.nov.)的发现及研 究,不仅追溯到凯里组球形球状始海百合的原始属种,了解两者演化规律是茎变短,萼变球形,缝孔变为圆形,腕枝数量增加, 捕食能力增强.而且还增添了杷榔组始海百合的多样性及其分区性:杷榔组分布区北部仅见Guizhouocrinusyui,南部仅见 Protogloboeocrinusyini(gen.etsp.nov.)      

中国南海蓝细菌的化学成分研究

应用气相色谱-质谱联用对中国南海蓝细菌Lyngbyasp.的石油醚萃取部分脂溶性成分进行了分析,共鉴定出15个化合物,包括7个脂肪酸甲酯、3个脂肪酸乙脂、3个烷烃、1个邻二甲苯和1个叶绿醇。另外从正丁醇萃取部分中分离得到3个单体化合物,应用1H-NMR1、3C-NMR、MS等波谱分析鉴定其结构为十六烷酸钠、豆甾醇3-O--βD-葡萄糖苷、胡萝卜苷。以上成分均首次从该属蓝细菌中分离得到。     

红树植物甲醇提取物的抑菌活性研究

采用生长率法测定了15种红树植物甲醇提取物对西瓜枯萎病菌Fusarium oxysporumf.sp. Niveum、芒果叶枯病菌Pestalotia calabae Westond、甘蔗凤梨病菌Thielaviopsis paradoxa(de Seynes)V.Hohnel、香蕉炭疽病菌Glorosprium musarum Cookeet Mass、梨黑斑病菌Alternaria kikuchiana(Fr)Keissl、梨褐斑病菌Mycosphae-rella sentina(Fr.)Schroeter、柑桔疮痂病菌Sphaceloma fawcettiiJenkins和柑桔溃疡病菌Xanthomonas axonopo-dis pv. citri(Hasse)Dye 8种病原菌的抑菌活性。结果表明,水黄皮Pongamia pinnata(L.)Merr.、苦蓝盘Clerodendron inerme(L.)Gaertn.、桐花树Aegiceras corniculatum(Linn.)Blanco、海漆Excoecaria agallochaLinn.、榄李Lumnitzera racemosa Willd.、苦槛蓝Myoporum bontioides(Sieb.et Zucc.)A.Gray、海杧果Cerberamanghas L.对供试病原真菌有明显的抑菌活性,其中以苦槛蓝的抑菌活性最为显著,其甲醇提取物对上述7种病原真菌的EC50分别为3.32、1.04、2.57、1.44、1.63、2.66和1.25 mg.ml-1。     

Juvenile form of the New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite) (Pisces: Heterosomata: Rhombosoleinae) (note)

A juvenile (26 mm) specimen of the New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite) is figured and described. Differences between the juvenile and adult forms, and characters distinguishing juvenile C. nudipinnis from the young of other New Zealand species of flatfish, are noted.     

Stability of some New Zealand coastal inlets

The relation of tidal compartments to entrance cross‐sectional areas is examined for 20 coastal inlets. Sixteen inlets conform to a linear relationship, which is consistent with stable entrances the sizes of which are determined by the ability of the tidal flow to transport sediment. Based on this criterion deposition should be taking place at the entrances of the other four inlets: Wellington, Lyttelton, and Akaroa harbours, and Paterson Inlet. Available data confirm this for Wellington and Lyttelton Harbours.     

La compression pré-campano-maastrichtienne dans le Mésozoïque des Andes de Bolivie : l’exemple de Tica Tica (20°01’lat. S et 66°17’ long. W)

Résumén

Dans la Cordillère Orientale des Andes de Bolivie, le Mésozoïque est eonservé le plus souvent dans des synclinaux discontinus, fréquemment chevauchés par des écailles de Paléozoïqne. Les sédiments mésozoïques, marins et continentaux de plateforme d’arrière-arc, ont jusqu’à présent été considérés comme déposés en régime extensif. Ils recouvrent en discordance le Paléozoïque plissé et l’aillé à l’Hercynien et, postérieurement, profondément érodé avant la sédimentation mésozoïque. Des paléofailles majeures N-S, NW-SE et NE-SW, héritées de structurations antérieures, ont influencé l’évolution géodynamique du bassin mésozoïque depuis la lin du Jurassique.

Dans la partie méridionale de la Cordillère Orientale, la région de Tica Tica présente de nombreux indices de serrage synsédimentaire depuis le début des dépôts mésozoïques jusqu’à la discordance campano-maastriehtienne (phase « péruvienne »). Le domaine de la Cordillère Orientale, avant-pays du bassin d’arrière-arc chiléno-péruvien, peut être ainsi interprété comme un secteur en compression sur lequel les transgressions successives, au Cénomanien, au Turonien et au Campano-Maastrichtien. soulignent divers instants d’un processus pratiquement continu de déformation.

Pendant le Tertiaire, les chevauchements andins réactivent les accidents majeurs préexistants : ils en inversent le mouvement, ou les déforment, ou bien les utilisent comme zones de coulissage. Ainsi, contrairement à ce qui a pu être proposé, le raccourcissement de la chaîne des Andes boliviennes, initié à la fin du Jurassique et faisant intervenir des fractures profondes, implique une participation, non seulement de la totalité de la pile séilimeutaire, mais très vraisemblablement aussi de son substratum précambrien comme c’est le cas dans le Nord-Ouest argentin.