Combined Effects of Molecular Size and Electroendosmotic Flow on the Capillary Electrophoretic Behaviour of Humic Substances

The electroendosmotic flow (EOF), generated by the migration of solvated ions near the charged capillary surface, is an important factor in determining the capillary electrophoretic behaviour of humic substances (HS). We investigated the electrophoretic mobilities of HS fractions of reduced molecular-weight polydispersity extracted from peat and from a spodosol either in the presence or after suppression of the EOF. When the EOF was not suppressed, HS migrated to the cathode in spite of their negative charge. Fractionation of HS according to molecular size was achieved in polyacrylamide-coated capillaries filled with 0.05 M tris-phosphate buffer. In uncoated capillaries filled with the same buffer, all fractions had very close mobilities. Addition of polyethylene glycol MW 4000 at concentrations above its entanglement threshold caused the migration times of larger molecules to increase more than those of smaller molecules. The separation was a linear function of molecular size up to 75000 g mol^–1 for peat HS and to 50000 g mol^–1 for HS extracted from the spodosol.     

Biofilm effects on size gradation,drag coefficient and settling velocity of sediment particles

Sediment particles are often colonized by biofilm in a natural aquatic ecological system, especially in eutrophic water body. A series of laboratory experiments on particle size gradation, drag coefficient and settling velocity were conducted after natural sediment was colonized by biofilm for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. Particle image acquisition, particle tracking techniques of Particle Image Velocimetry and Particle Tracking Velocimetry were utilized to analyze the changes of these properties. The experimental results indicate that the size gradation, the drag force exerted on bio-particles, and the settling velocity of bio-particles underwent significant change due to the growth of biofilm onto the sediment surface. The study proposes a characteristic particle size formula and a bio-particle settling velocity formula based on the regression of experiment results, that the settling velocity is only 50% to 60% as the single particle which has the same diameter and density. However, biofilm growth causes large particle which the settling velocities are approximately 10 times larger than that of primary particles. These results may be specifically used in the low energy reservoir or lake environment.     

吸湿性物质催化云雨的研究进展

用氯化钙溶滴消暖雾已经70年了,后来细盐粒子或盐溶液也被用于催化暖云,希望它们在云中形成雨胚,启动或加速碰并过程以增加降水.20世纪60年代,飞机播撒盐粉、地面烧盐粉成为我国人工影响暖云的主要方法,普遍反映有增雨效果,由于当时条件限制,没有进行严格的科学验证;同时,因为实施中播撒剂量大,对飞机又有腐蚀而被搁置.十多年前南非在人工增雨中开发了产生吸湿性微粒的新型焰弹技术,用于暖性对流云催化,通过随机化试验取得了具有统计显著性的增雨效果,这一结果在墨西哥的试验中得到重复;另一方面,泰国一直使用粗吸湿性粒子催化暖积云,近年来的随机化试验也证明能增加降水,但是降水的增加是4 h后在被催化云的新生云中出现的.这些结果重新激起人们对暖云催化的兴趣,成为当前国际云雾物理和人工影响天气领域的热点问题之一.     

Comparisons of picophytoplankton abundance, size, and fluorescence between summer and winter in northern South China Sea

The abundance, size, and fluorescence of picophytoplankton cells were investigated during the summer (July-August of 2009) and winter (January of 2010) extending from near-shore coastal waters to oligotrophic open waters in northern South China Sea, under the influence of contrasting seasonal monsoons. We found that the median abundance of Prochlorococcus averaged over top 150 m decreased nearly 10 times in the winter compared to the summer in the whole survey area, while median abundance of Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes increased 2.6 and 2.4 folds, respectively. Vertical abundance profiles of picoeukaryotes usually formed a subsurface maximum during the summer with the depth of maximal abundances tracking the depth of nutricline, whereas their vertical distributions were more uniform during the winter. Size and cellular fluorescence of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus usually increased with depth in the summer, while the size of picoeukaryotes was smallest at the depth of maximal abundances. Size, cellular fluorescence, and chlorophyll-to-carbon ratio of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus in surface waters were generally higher in the winter than in the summer and onshore than offshore, probably resulting from different temperature, nutrient, and light environments as well as different ecotype compositions. Prochlorococcus cells were most abundant in warm and oligotrophic environments, while the abundance of Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes was the highest in waters with intermediate chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations. The distributional patterns of picophytoplankton groups are consistent with their specific physiology documented in previous studies and can be possibly predicted by environmental physical and chemical variables.     

论岩体表征单元体积REV岩体力学参数取值的一个基本问题

本文论述了岩体力学性质的尺寸效应,提出了与岩体弹性参数相应的表征单元体REV的力学描述,根据中心极限定理推导了估算裂隙岩体REV 的数学表达式。研究表明,岩体表征单元体的大小是岩体力学性质尺寸效应的客观反映。本研究成果为合理选取岩体力学参数提供了一条新途径。     

Annual and spatial variation in the abundance length and condition of juvenile turbot (Psetta maxima L.) on nursery grounds on the west coast of Ireland: 2000–2007

Turbot (Psetta maxima Linnaeus) is a high value commercially exploited marine flatfish which occurs in European waters, from the Northeast Atlantic to the Arctic Circle, the Baltic and Mediterranean Sea. In Ireland, turbot are the most valuable commercial non-quota species. Very little is known about their population dynamics in the wild, in particular during the sandy beach nursery phase of the life history. In 2000, a survey was established to assess flatfish species on nursery grounds on the west coast of Ireland. Eleven sandy beaches were assessed for 0+ turbot by beach seining, over an eight year period (2000–2007) during the months of August and September. The objective of the study was to estimate juvenile turbot abundance and size structure to determine if any spatial and annual trends existed. Large scale variability in the recruitment of fish to nursery grounds may be indicative of fluctuations in the adult stock. Turbot were found to recruit to five beaches consistently over the eight year period. Temporal and spatial variability in the relative abundance and length of turbot was discerned, with no apparent overall trend. However, certain nursery grounds were shown in most of the years examined to support higher abundances of turbot in comparison to other areas over the eight year period. Turbot abundances on nursery grounds were significantly correlated with mean spring sea temperatures during the pelagic stage. The condition of turbot did not significantly differ on an annual or spatial scale. Mean densities of 0+ turbot along the Irish coast were found to be similar and at times higher than other areas in Europe, ranging from 0.1 (± 0.3) individuals 1000 m^− 2 to 18.5 (± 6.9) individuals 1000 m^− 2. Mean turbot total length on beaches ranged from 3.8 cm (± 0.6) to 6.6 cm (± 4.3). The observed spatial and temporal variability in abundance and length highlights the need for long-term studies when assessing juvenile flatfish populations. Results from the present study have provided much needed baseline data on wild juvenile turbot populations which is severely lacking for this species both on an Irish and on a European scale.     

铀矿找矿中α径迹测量方法的影响因素研究

我国于1974年开始将核径迹探测技术应用于铀矿勘探,其中α径迹测量是寻找深部隐伏铀矿的有效方法之一.本文对氡浓度大小、探杯尺寸、杯内表面放射性沉积物以及杯内底面固体放射性元素等对α径迹测量结果的影响进行了理论研究,建立了α径迹测量中不同装置结构及不同放射性元素对α径迹密度影响的理论公式,为该方法应用于铀矿勘探以及环境氡浓度测量提供理论参考依据.同时结合实验对比测量,进一步对理论公式进行验证,α径迹测量结果与理论计算所得结果吻合较好.研究结果表明：探测器上α径迹主要来源于氡,探杯尺寸不应小于氡致α径迹的最大有效探测尺寸.此外,放射性沉积物放出的α射线对测量结果有重要积极贡献,在铀矿勘探中,从提高探测灵敏度和减小测量结果不确定度的角度来看,其影响越大越好.在大多数测量装置尺寸下,探杯内底面以下的固态α放射性元素对径迹密度影响较小或无影响,实际测量时可将其忽略.     

Characterization of AOX by Fractionation Analysis and Size‐exclusion Chromatography

A characterization method for AOX in surface water samples was developed and tested. The method involves fractionation using a hydrophobic C18 resin and a weak anionic exchange resin and allows the fractionation of the AOX pool of surface water samples into four fractions: (1) hydrophilic acidic, (2) hydrophilic non‐acidic, (3) hydrophobic acidic, and (4) hydrophobic non‐acidic. The adsorption analysis was verified with AOX‐relevant model compounds and was applied to characterize the AOX pool of a stream sample from the Moskva river (Russia). In addition to the fractionation analysis, size‐exclusion chromatography was used to characterize the AOX pool of the sample studied. Hydrophilic acids made up the major fraction of the AOX pool (55 %). Among this fraction chlorinated high‐molecular acids (humic substances) made up the main fraction (35 %).     

Mussel fishery affects diet and reduces body condition of Eiders Somateria mollissima in the Wadden Sea

Although the Danish Wadden Sea is of international importance for several bird species, large-scale blue mussel Mytilus edulis fishing took place from 1984–1987, ceasing thereafter due to low mussel stocks. Mussel fishing removes much of the blue mussel biomass, especially larger individuals. Hence we predict that intensive mussel fishing will affect their predators, such as the Eider Somateria mollissima, which is predominantly a blue mussel feeder by, 1) reducing the amount of blue mussels in their diet relative to alternative prey items, 2) exploitation of smaller blue mussel shell classes, 3) loss of body condition, 4) changing feeding distribution to aggregate to the remaining mussel stocks, and 5) decreasing numbers. Before winter 1986/87 blue mussel biomass was estimated at 40,600 tons, decreasing to 15,400 tons in 1987/88 due to mussel fishery. We collected Eiders in both periods to monitor their diet and body mass and used aerial surveys to determine changes in numbers and distribution. Between the two periods, blue mussels declined in the Eiders diet, numbers of Eiders with empty stomachs increased and the mean length of blue mussel taken by Eiders decreased. Eider body condition declined from 1986/87 to 1987/88, mostly the result of the reduction in numbers of individuals with blue mussel remains in their gizzards and in better body condition compared to those taking alternative food items or having empty gizzards. Eiders shifted their distribution from the southern part of the Danish Wadden Sea to the northern part, where the remaining blue mussel stocks were situated. Eider numbers were lowest in 1987/88, the year of lowest blue mussel stocks. We conclude that intensive mussel fishery affected the Eider's diet, reduced their body condition and affected distribution and abundance. The results also showed that availability of blue mussels may have a key role in building up and maintaining body condition in Eiders during winter.