DECOVALEX Project: from 1992 to 2007

The DECOVALEX project is a unique international research collaboration, initiated in 1992, for advancing the understanding and mathematical modelling of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) and thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in geological systems—subjects of importance for performance assessment of radioactive waste repositories in geological formations. From 1992 up to 2007, the project has made important progress and played a key role in the development of numerical modelling of coupled processes in fractured rocks and buffer/backfill materials. The project has been conducted by research teams supported by a large number of radioactive-waste-management organizations and regulatory authorities, including those of Canada, China, Finland, France, Japan, Germany, Spain, Sweden, UK, and the USA. Through this project, in-depth knowledge has been gained of coupled THM and THMC processes associated with nuclear waste repositories, as well as numerical simulation models for their quantitative analysis. The knowledge accumulated from this project, in the form of a large number of research reports and international journal and conference papers in the open literature, has been applied effectively in the implementation and review of national radioactive-waste-management programmes in the participating countries. This paper presents an overview of the project.     

Potential use of dissolved cyanobacterial DNA for monitoring toxic Microcystis cyanobacteria in filtered water

Toxic and non-toxic Microcystis sp. are morphologically indistinguishable cyanobacteria that are increasingly posing health problems in fresh water systems by producing odours and/or toxins. Toxic Microcystis sp. produces toxicologically stable water soluble toxic compounds called microcystins (MCs) that have been associated with cases of aquatic life and wildlife poisoning and kills including some cases of human illnesses/deaths around the world. Thus, the need for rapid detection of toxic Microcystis sp. in surface water is imperatively a necessity for early mitigation purposes. Genomic DNA from potentially toxic Microcystis sp. comprises of ten microcystin synthetase (mcy) genes of which six major ones are directly involved in MCs biosynthesis. In Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methodsmcy genes can be amplified from intracellular/extracellular genomic DNA using PCR primers. However, little is known about the limitations of sourcing genomic DNA templates from extracellular DNA dissolved in water. In this work, filtered water (0.45 μM) from a Microcystis infested Dam (South Africa) was re-filtered on 0.22 μM syringe filters followed by genomic DNA isolation and purification from micro-filtrates (9 mL). Six major mcy genes (mcyABCDEG) from the isolated DNA were amplified using newly designed as well as existing primers identified from literature. PCR products were separated by gel electrophoresis and visualized after staining with ethidium bromide. The limitation of using dissolved DNA for amplification of mcy genes was qualitatively studied by establishing the relationship between input DNA concentrations (10.0–0.001 ng/μL) and the formation of respective PCR products. The amplification of mcyA gene using new primers with as little as 0.001 ng/μL of DNA was possible. Other mcy gene sensitivities reached 0.1 ng/μL DNA dilution limits. These results demonstrated that with appropriately optimized PCR conditions the method can provide accurate cost-effective tools for rapid detection of toxic Microcystis sp. in water giving early information for water quality monitoring against MC producing cyanobacteria.     

Reliable Procedure for Molecular Analysis of Airborne Microflora in Three Indoor Environments: An Office and Two Different Museum Contexts

Biological aerosols from air constitute a significant source of exposure to microorganisms in public places. Airborne microorganisms are involved in the development of certain respiratory symptoms, allergies, or infections among users and occupants. Various sampling instruments have commonly been used in aerobiology to collect bacteria and fungi suspended in the air. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable procedure for sampling in indoor public environments presenting different levels of occupancy, airborne bacteria and fungi to be subjected to molecular analysis (bacteria and fungi quantitative PCR, capillary electrophoresis single strand conformation polymorphism fingerprinting). Four different sampling devices were tested in situ in an office building (open‐plan type) and the sampling strategy chosen was tested in two museum contexts. In accordance with the drawbacks involved to our study (quantitative and qualitative aspects, cost, and overcrowding), cyclone device appeared to be most suitable. The results underline the effectiveness of this high‐volume aerosol sampling device for both qualitative and quantitative molecular analysis. Four in situ sampling collections were carried out in 1 day in the Louvre Museum to study quantitative and qualitative variations of airborne bacterial and fungal diversity. The quantitative results revealed a similar order of magnitude for the numbers of both bacteria and fungi. In the Louvre Museum, the samples yielded between 3.7 × 10⁴ and 4.1 × 10⁴ genome equivalent (GE) bacteria/m³ air and between 5.0 × 10⁴ and 5.9 × 10⁴ GE fungi/m³ air and in the Decorative Arts Museum between, 2.1 × 10⁴ and 2.5 × 10⁴ GE bacteria/m³ air and between 1.4 × 10⁴ and 1.7 × 10⁴ GE fungi/m³ air. The results also indicate that the dominant bacterial community displayed a stable structure over a short period of time whereas dominant eukaryotic airborne community appeared more variable.     

1991 年江淮暴雨的定量预报检验

利用Threat Score方法，对1991年6月12—15日，6月29日—7月12日江淮持续暴雨的定量预报进行了检验。结果表明，对于大雨和暴雨预报，目前主观预报优于客观预报。数值预报在降雨定量预报的某些方面有了一定突破。     

深圳S波段与X波段双偏振雷达在定量降水估计中的应用

双偏振多普勒天气雷达的一个重要应用是进行定量降水估计（QPE）,它可以获得反射率（Z_H）、差分反射率（Z_DR）和差传播相移率（K_dp）这些与降水粒子有关的信息,常用的双偏振雷达降水估计方法有基于Z_H的R（Z_H）、基于Z_H和Z_DR的R（Z_H,Z_DR）、基于K_dp的R（K_dp）和基于K_dp与Z_DR的R（K_dp,Z_DR）这4种。文中利用深圳市S波段和X波段双偏振多普勒雷达探测资料,结合高精度地形数据和雨滴谱仪观测数据,设计了基于双偏振量的定量降水估计方法:首先利用地形数据和雷达地理信息,分析了雷达的遮挡状况,形成了这两部雷达的复合平面扫描仰角信息;随后利用雨滴谱仪观测资料,使用T矩阵方法统计得到了深圳地区的上述4种降水反演方法的参数;最后设计了混合降水反演方法,基于双偏振信号（即K_dp和Z_DR）的强弱,使用不同的降水反演方法进行定量降水估计。基于12个降水个例,利用各反演方法产生的定量降水估计结果与雨量计观测资料比较。结果表明,混合降水反演方法在降水反演的准确度和稳定性上均优于任何一种单一定量降水估计反演方法。基于文中介绍的定量降水估计方法,使用深圳S波段和X波段雷达产生了定量降水估计产品,并与深圳目前业务定量降水估计产品进行对比评估。结果表明,使用本方法产生的定量降水估计产品在准确度和稳定性上要优于目前的业务产品。此外,X波段雷达的定量降水估计产品性能要略高于S波段雷达的定量降水估计产品,这说明高时、空分辨率的X波段雷达可以提高定量降水估计精度。但由于雷达扫描平面内双偏振雷达对融化层和冰区的偏振量观测与降水的关系尚未明确,因此,本方法仅适用于雷达扫描平面内液态降水区。      

Origin and quantitative source assessment of deep oils in the Tazhong Uplift,Tarim Basin

A large amount of deep oil has been discovered in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin whereas the oil source is still controversial. An integrated geochemical approach was utilized to unravel the characteristics, origin and alteration of the deep oils. This study showed that the Lower Cambrian oil from well ZS1C (

_1x) was featured by small or trace amounts of biomarkers, unusually high concentration of dibenzothiophenes (DBTs), high δ³⁴S of DBTs and high δ¹³C value of n-alkanes. These suggest a close genetic relationship with the Cambrian source rocks and TSR alteration. On the contrary, the Middle Cambrian oils from well ZS1 (

_2a) were characterized by low δ¹³C of n-alkanes and relatively high δ³⁴S of individual sulfur compounds and a general “V” shape of steranes, indicating a good genetic affinity with the Middle–Upper Ordovician source rocks. The middle Cambrian salt rock separating the oils was suggested to be one of the factors responsible for the differentiation. It was suggested that most of the deep oils in the Tazhong Uplift were mixed source based on biomarkers and carbon isotope, which contain TSR altered oil in varied degree. The percentage of the oils contributed by the Cambrian–Lower Ordovician was in the range of 19–100% (average 57%) controlled by several geological and geochemical events. Significant variations in the δ³⁴S values for individual compounds in the oils were observed suggesting a combination of different extent of TSR and thermal maturation alterations. The unusually high DBTs concentrations in the Tazhong-4 oilfield suggested as a result of mixing with the ZS1C oil (

_1x) and Lower Ordovician oils based on δ³⁴S values of DBT. This study will enhance our understanding of both deep and shallow oil sources in the Tazhong Uplift and clarify the formation mechanisms of the unusually high DBTs oils in the region.     

太平洋CC区沉积物陆源物质时空分布与大气环流的关系

在玉平洋ＣＣ区沉积物陆源组分定量分离基础之上,研究陆源物质时空分布规律与大气环流的关系。     

青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)IKK基因的克隆及其在鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)刺激下的表达分析

利用构建的青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)转录组文库,筛选到青蛤IKK基因的类似序列。经设计引物克隆比对后确认为CsIKK基因。利用生物信息学软件在线对该基因进行结构分析。采用PCR技术克隆基因,并使用实时荧光定量PCR技术克隆得到CsIKK基因在青蛤五个不同组织中的表达情况及在鳗弧菌(Vibrioanguillarum)的刺激下IKK基因在青蛤血淋巴中的时序性表达情况。综合结果得到, CsIKK基因序列开放阅读框长2298bp,编码765个氨基酸。IKK基因在青蛤的血淋巴、外套膜、闭壳肌、肝脏、性腺和鳃六个组织中均表达,在血淋巴中表达量最高。青蛤IKK基因在鳗弧菌胁迫下表达量在6h时达到最大值,与对照组相比差异极显著(P0.01),表明该基因所指导的蛋白是青蛤重要的免疫信号通路蛋白。     

贵州典型喀斯特县域生态环境脆弱度等级划分

以贵州省46个典型喀斯特县域作为研究对象,共选取5大类19项指标,通过层次分析法计算出各指标的相对权重,采用模糊综合评判方法对各县生态环境脆弱度进行计算和定量评价,并根据最大隶属原则把46个典型喀斯特县份分别划分于极度脆弱、强度脆弱、中度脆弱和轻度脆弱四种不同脆弱等级。计算结果表明,贵州喀斯特地区生态环境脆弱形势十分严重,在46个典型的喀斯特县份中,有31个县属于强度脆弱或极强脆弱,11个县属于中等脆弱,属于轻度脆弱的只有4个县。