Response of a benthic suspension feeder (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin) to three centuries of anthropogenic eutrophication in Chesapeake Bay

Biogenic reefs built by oysters and other suspension feeders are vital components of estuarine ecosystems. By consuming phytoplankton, suspension feeders act to suppress accumulation of organic matter in the water column. Nutrient loading increases the rate of primary production, thereby causing eutrophication. As suspension feeders consume more organic matter from increasing abundance of phytoplankton, their rate of growth should also increase if they are food limited. We show here that the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), from St. Mary's and Patuxent rivers, Chesapeake Bay, grew faster during anthropogenic eutrophication relative to C. virginica before eutrophication. Growth of shell height, shell thickness and adductor muscle increased after eutrophication began in the late 18th century. After 1860, growth decreased, perhaps reflecting the negative effects of hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, disease and fishing on oyster growth. These results are consistent with the view that an increasing supply of phytoplankton resulting from eutrophication enhanced growth of C. virginica between 1760 and 1860, before oyster reefs were degraded by destructive fishing practices between 1870 and 1930. Alternative factors, such as changes in water temperature, salinity, and fishing are less likely to be responsible for this pattern. These results have implications for restoration of oyster reefs in order to mitigate the effects of eutrophication in estuaries, as well as the paleoecological relationship between suspension feeders and paleoproductivity.     

双功能潜水器结构设计分析探讨

双功能潜水器是目前国际上比较新型的可用于深海水下观察和作业的装备。既可有缆载人／无人，又可无缆载人。该潜水器最大工作深度450m，其结构材料和结构形式与以往类似的装备不同。文章对双功能潜水器耐压壳结构和载体框架设计中的一些问题进行了探讨，提出的设计思想和计算方法，这对获得一个具有最轻结构重量的实用的双功能潜水器结构具有指导意义。     

关于"扬子蛤属是先锋贝属无疑"的质疑

2005年,地质学报(英文版,79卷第6期)同时刊出了余汶、钱逸关于扬子蛤(Yangtzedonta)与先锋贝(Xianfengella)是否为同一化石的争论文章.这一争论由来已久.引起多方关注.笔者详细观察了保存于中国科学院南京地质古生物研究所标本馆的余汶(1985)的Yangtzedonta primitiva Yu正模标本(标本登记号84430号)和钱逸(2001)的 Xian fengella等模标本(登记号125018-125022),认为84430号标本是一枚发育有特殊后接合缘构造、形态较为奇特的小壳化石.尽管饯逸(2001)称拥有与84430号标本相似的"更多、更精美的同类标本"和"完整个体",但他不仅从未展示具有与84430号标本相似后接合缘等形态构造的图影,还以与实际形态不相符的失真素描图等不实依据,混淆了84430号标本与Xianfengella在形态构造和壳体大小等方面的真实区别,断言84430号标本是一块Xianfengella的破碎标本,坚称"扬子蛤属是先锋贝属无疑"(地质学报(英文版),79卷第6期第777页).对此,笔者提出质疑.     

Chronology of the shell bar section and a discussion on the ages of the Late Pleistocene lacustrine deposits in the paleolake Qarhan, Qaidam basin

Shell bar, composed of abundant fossil shells of Corbicula fluminea müller and Corbicula largillierti philippi and located at the southeastern end (36°30′N, 96°12′E) of the paleolake Quarhan, is one of the most prominent features in the Qaidam basin. It is the highest site where such species of fossil shells have been found in the Late Pleistocene age. A 2.6-m-thick fresh profile was manually excavated to determine the formation ages and the scope of the high paleolake levels. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), conventional radiocarbon dating, and sector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy ²³⁰Th methods were used to investigate the reliability and accuracy of dating results in different laboratories. Ages of various components (e.g. acid residual and acid soluble fraction of the organic matter) from the same sample were determined. Age differences of a variety of materials (e.g. organic matter, fossil shells, and salt crystals), and age differences at the same sampling position were evaluated. Dating shows that the AMS ages given by alkali residue and acid soluble fractions vary greatly, e.g., from 124.5 cm upwards. The dates given by the acid soluble fraction were normal. Down the column, the dates show a reverse pattern and those of alkali residues, especially the lower part of the section, show an unstable pattern. These imply that organic matter had been influenced by two separate processes. One possible explanation is that the alkali residual fraction most likely had been contaminated by dead carbon-bearing reworked material because the study section is located near the edge of the paleolake and could have been easily influenced by old eroded deposits. Another is that the acid soluble fraction could have been contaminated by upward-flowing groundwater containing soluble organic matter. The amount of this soluble organic material should be very small because the strongest age reversal is in the lower part, where the TOC content remains low, meaning that the change of soluble organic fraction alters neither TOC content nor the δ ¹³C dramatically. It is concluded that a uniform mega-paleolake developed in the Qaidam basin in the northeastern Tibetan plateau between 39.7 and 17.5 ¹⁴C kaB.P. During the period when the high paleolake level of Qarhan was formed, the huge paleolake covered a vast area with dramatic lake level fluctuations. It is found that the ages determined may be influenced by either radioactive ¹⁴C variations of repeated deposition or content variations in the atmosphere. The ages given by fossil shells are 15–18 ka older than those given by organic matter. The large differences between the ages of fossil shells and organic matter might have resulted from the large water areas and huge water volume and the special location of the high-elevation Qaidam basin. This study also shows the reliability and accuracy of the ²³⁰Th dating method on the salt crystals but further study is needed to determine whether this method could be applied to the study area. __________ Translated from Quaternary Sciences, 2007, 27(4): 511–521 [译自: 第四纪研究]     

贝壳中维界面的亲疏水特征

【目的】从亲疏水特征的角度对贝壳各层次结构中的界面进行分析探讨。【方法】采用接触角测量仪对贝壳的中维界面、无机文石及无机方解石进行水接触角测量。【结果】贝壳内表面的水接触角普遍大于90°,其中最大值为113°,最小值为91°;贝壳表壳层内表面边缘位置的水接触角平均值为67°,内部位置的水接触角平均值为112°;无机文石及无机方解石平整表面的水接触角均小于90°,其平均值分别为50°、49°。【结论】贝壳内表面具有疏水性,即有机质层具有疏水性;由于具有亲水特征的文石及方解石为贝壳矿物的主要成分,说明贝壳矿物结构具有亲水性;贝壳表壳层内表面边缘呈现亲水特征,内部呈现疏水特征。     

三七炮弹的碘化银成核率检测

三七炮弹是进行人工增雨和防雹作业所需碘化银催化剂的主要载体之一,炮弹中碘化银催化剂的成核率数据是人工影响天气作业设计和指挥中进行催化剂作业剂量测算的重要参考,因此,对人工影响天气业务中使用的三七炮弹的碘化银成核率进行检测非常重要。2013年11—12月中国气象局人工影响天气中心利用新建的1200 L等温云室和钢板式20 m3专用爆炸室等设备,对目前人工影响天气业务中使用的两个厂家三七炮弹 (样品1、样品2) 的碘化银成核率进行国内首次统一检测。检测结果表明:两厂家炮弹成核率检测结果的拟合值量级均为109~1012/(g·AgI)(检测温度-6℃至-20℃),样品2成核率明显高于样品1。将本次检测结果与国内历次三七炮弹检测结果相比发现,两样品在负温高温段的成核率值均高于以往检测结果,其中,在具有指示意义的-10℃下的成核率,两样品均比以往检测结果要高2~3个量级。不同检测实验中成核率检测结果存在较大差异的现状说明,采用同一平台开展成核率统一检测十分必要。     

Influence of groundnut shell ash on strength and durability properties of clay

Groundnut shell ash, cement and their combinations are used as soil stabilizers in various percentages to improve the strength of locally available highly compressible clay soil. The effect of stabilizer in improving the strength of the soil is evaluated through change in consistency limits, compaction characteristics, undrained cohesion and modulus of elasticity. The durability characteristics of stabilised soil were studied based on the improvement of undrained shear strength for various days of curing by increasing the percentage of cement. Stabilised soil showed satisfactory improvement in strength and consistent durability characters. Groundnut shell ash and cement increased the optimum moisture content. There was a slight decrease in the dry density and modulus of elasticity of soil. These can be used as a viable economic alternative in construction of roads and for stabilising soil acting as bearing medium. The use of groundnut shell ash, an agricultural waste, helps in waste management and promotes sustainable development of local construction industry.