Effects of heavy metals on the survival ofDiacypris compacta (Herbst) (Ostracoda) from the Coorong,South Australia

The hypermarine southern Coorong is threatened by proposals to drain relatively fresh surface water and groundwater from adjacent agricultural areas into the Coorong. These influent waters carry moderate loads of heavy metals. Acute toxicity of heavy metals toDiacypris compacta, an abundant ostracod in the Coorong, was measured in the laboratory at 18°C in a static system using Coorong water (pH 7.8 salinity 50 ppt). At 4 days (96 h) the mean values of LC₅₀ for copper, zinc, lead and, cadmium respectively were 0.8, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.3 mg L^–1, and at 8 days the respective mean LC₅₀ s were 0.4, 0.7, 2.2 and 1.1 mgL^–1. The effect of two or three metals on mortality was additive in some cases and synergistic in other cases, but generally less than additive. However, in all cases mortality was greater in the presence of two or three metals than in the presence of a single metal. According to ANZECC (1992) guidelines, maximum acceptable concentrations of heavy metals should be no higher than 0.01 x the lowest LC₅₀ value. Using the lowest LC₅₀ values forDiacypris compacta obtained at 8 days, maximum acceptable concentrations in the Coorong would be 4, 5, 9 and 22 gL^–1 for copper, zinc, cadmium and lead respectively, the values for zinc and copper failling below those recommended by ANZECC (1992) for marine waters. Reported concentrations of copper and zinc in surface water and groundwater in areas adjacent to the Coorong sometimes exceed these values, hence drainage of these waters into the Coorong represents a significant hazard to the Coorong biota.     

Environmental aspects of selected trace metals in soils and waters surrounding Singaran Nala, Raniganj Coalfield

The Raniganj Coalfield is the oldest coalfield in India that has been continuously and extensively mined since the late eighteenth century. The present study reports a geochemical investigation and environmental quality assessment using soil and water in the area surrounding a stream, locally known as Singaran Nala （Nala means storm water drains in Bengali）, in the Raniganj Coalfield. Soil （top soil, mud, silty clay and laterite） and rock samples （sandstone and shale） were collected from the study area and were analyzed for trace metals （Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn）. Surface waters from the stream and the Damodar River as well as ground waters from hand pumps and underground mine pits were collected. Water samples were analyzed for major ions （Na^＋, Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Cl^-, HNO3^- and SO4^2-） and trace metals （Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn）. Trace metal concentrations in soil samples are found higher than the average world soil composition. Nevertheless, trace metal （Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn） concentrations in soils exceed or reach the maximum allowable concentrations （MAC） proposed by the European Commission for agricultural soils. In particular, Ni concentrations exceed the typical value for cultivated soils. Chromium, Cu and Ni concentrations in laterite and Cr concentration in topsoil exceed the ecotoxicological limit.     

Natural siliceous dust and human health： Pathways, toxicity, and impact

Fine atmospheric dust includes mineral particles and aggregates, fibrous minerals and fibrous organic material. Generation, dislodgement and transport （deflation） of natural dust with the finer （〈4 microns） components suspended as silt-size aggregates, is widespread in and adjacent to the world＇s drylands, as well as deriving from volcanic vents. Silica is a highly fibrogenic agent in lung tissue. Long-term inhaling of siliceous dusts can lead to a number of fibrotic lung diseases, including natural （non-occupational） pneumoconioses （notably silicosis, but including asbestosis and others）. Different polymorphs of silica show different levels of toxicity in interaction with lung tissue. Particles with highly active surfaces may release radicals, causing cell damage. Some types of inhaled particulates are degraded by macrophages, but many are highly resistant and persist in the lungs, some stimulating fibroblastic cells to deposit collagen. Silicosis is an inflammation of the lung commonly caused by silicate mineral particles, leading to fibrosis. Three types are recognized： nodular pulmonary fibrosis （simple or chronic silicosis）, acute silicosis, and accelerated silicosis. Generally, finer particulates have greater oxidative capacity than the coarser fractions. They contain more reactive oxygen species, their greater bioreactivity making them more toxic to pulmonary tissue. Nevertheless, inhalation of large dust particles （〉 10μm） may constitute a health risk if the mineralogy is toxic, regardless of where the grains lodge in the respiratory system. Dust may absorb harmful gases, disease-generating bacteria and carcinogenic hydrocarbon compounds. Silica-related respiratory disease may also an exacerbate cardiac problem, and epidemiology suggests a link with tuberculosis. Quantification of dust loading and exposure requires study of spatial and temporal patterns, supported by meteorological analysis, airflow modeling and satellite-borne imagery. Some acute, short-term health impacts have been assessed using atmospheric and health records both before and after a dust storm or by comparison of populations within and outside such events. Analysis of the size, shape, mineralogy and geochemistry of ambient dust particulates provides information on natural dust sources, dust concentrations, and potential particulate toxicity, as well as providing a datum for assessment of human exposure levels.     

Morphological variation and reproductive biology of Polaskia chende (Cactaceae) under domestication in Central Mexico

The columnar cactus Polaskia chende, endemic to Central Mexico, occurs in the wild and in silviculturally managed populations where artificial selection for better edible fruits operates by sparing and favouring desirable phenotypes during vegetation clearance. Wild and managed populations were compared in morphology and reproductive biology to analyse if human selection has influenced phenotypic divergence, if it has modified breeding systems and if reproductive isolation exists between them. Fruits from managed populations were larger (6·36±0·17 cm³), heavier (19·62±1·32), sweeter (9·07±0·25 °Brix), and with thinner peel (2·09±0·13 mm) than those from wild populations (5·77±0·18 cm³, 15·73±0·85 g, 8·23±0·31 °Brix, and 2·58±0·14 mm, respectively). Both population types bloom synchronically, show diurnal anthesis, with bees as the most likely pollinators, and have breeding system predominantly self-incompatible. Spatial and temporal barriers to pollen exchange between wild and managed populations are unlikely, and morphological differences would be related with an ongoing process of artificial selection.     

The BEAM-project: prediction and assessment of mixture toxicities in the aquatic environment

Freshwater and marine ecosystems are exposed to various multi-component mixtures of pollutants. Nevertheless, most ecotoxicological research and chemicals regulation focus on hazard and exposure assessment of individual substances only, the problem of chemical mixtures in the environment is ignored to a large extent. In contrast, the assessment of combination effects has a long tradition in pharmacology, where mixtures of chemicals are specifically designed to develop new products, e.g. human and veterinary drugs or agricultural and non-agricultural pesticides. In this area, two concepts are frequently used and are thought to describe fundamental relationships between single substance and mixture effects: Independent Action (Response Addition) and Concentration Addition. The question, to what extent these concepts may also be applied in an ecotoxicological and regulatory context may be considered a research topic of major importance, as the concepts would allow to make use of already existing single substance toxicity data for the predictive assessment of mixture toxicities. Two critical knowledge gaps are identified: (a) There is a lack of environmental realism, as a huge part of our current knowledge about the applicability of the concepts is restricted to artificial situations with respect to mixture composition or biological effect assessment. (b) The knowledge on what exactly is needed for using the concepts as tools for the predictive mixture toxicity assessment is insufficient. Both gaps seriously hamper the necessary, scientifically sound consideration of mixture toxicities in a regulatory context.In this paper, the two concepts will be briefly introduced, the necessity of considering the toxicities of chemical mixtures in the environment will be demonstrated and the applicability of Independent Action and Concentration Addition as tools for the prediction and assessment of mixture toxicities will be discussed. An overview of the specific aims and approaches of the BEAM project to fill in the identified knowledge gaps is given and first results are outlined.     

太原东山二叠纪地层中发现最古老大孢子“球果”及其进化意义

与轴相连的苏铁大孢子叶第一次发现太原东册的下二叠系地层中，它出现如此之早，表明这种球果状的结构可能是所有苏铁类雌性生殖器官的祖先形式，苏铁也可能通过古地中海洋流从华北迁移到欧洲。     

Differentiation in reproductive traits of geminate mangrove crabs of the genus Aratus (Decapoda: Brachyura) across the Central American Isthmus

The mangrove crab Aratus pisonii was considered to have an amphi‐American distribution; however, a recent study revealed that the Eastern Tropical Pacific populations were genetically distinct, thus representing a new species: Aratus pacificus. These species separated by the Isthmus of Panama have diverged under different environmental conditions that may have influenced their reproductive biology. As the available information about this genus concerns almost exclusively the Caribbean species, the aim of the present study was to analyse and compare reproductive aspects of A. pacificus and A. pisonii obtained from both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica. Females were collected from April 2011 to April 2012, and reproductive features such as breeding season, size distribution of ovigerous females, fecundity, reproductive output, embryo volume and embryo water content were assessed. Both species produced embryos during the entire sampled period. Most females of A. pacificus carrying embryos close to hatching were found during the rainy season. Ovigerous females of A. pisonii were substantially larger and reached sexual maturity at a larger size than females of A. pacificus. Embryo production started in A. pacificus at a smaller female size than in A. pisonii. As fecundity increased with female size, the average fecundity was lower in A. pacificus. Females of A. pisonii produced larger embryos, which might be related to lower food availability: higher energy content in the embryo enhances the chances of larval survival. These data regarding reproductive features of the Pacific and Caribbean species support the conclusion to separate A. pacificus from A. pisonii.     

基于交通管控效应的中国COVID-19疫情扩散的时空特征及其危险性

基于中国各级卫健委公布的疫情数据和全国列车数据,结合交通管控措施解析了中国COVID-19疫情扩散的时空特征和危害性,以及湖北"封省"对全国铁路系统的影响,结果发现:1)中国的疫情增长过程高度符合Logistic分布;空间上由湖北往东、南方向蔓延强度较大,各省内部疫情较为严重的地区通常为省会或经济发达城市.基于交通管控...     

菲与纳米银对胶州湾表层沉积物反硝化作用的复合毒性效应评价

多环芳烃(PAHs)与纳米材料污染已对沉积物生态系统和人类生存环境构成严重威胁,其复合污染的毒性效应环境危害可能更大。为了深入探讨PAHs与纳米材料对近岸表层沉积物反硝化作用的复合毒性效应,本文选取位于胶州湾(JZB)的大沽河河口区(DRE)E站和湾内S站,分别以菲和纳米银代表PAHs和纳米材料,通过测定不同剂量单一及复合污染下沉积物反硝化潜势(PDA)的变化,结合浓度相加模型(CA)、独立作用模型(IA)和中效/联合指数等效图法(CI)三种复合毒性评价方法,评价菲和纳米银对沉积物反硝化潜势的复合毒性效应,并对评价方法进行了优选。结果表明,两种污染物浓度越高,对研究区域反硝化潜势的抑制作用越大。菲、纳米银单一及复合作用下对河口区沉积物反硝化潜势的EC50值分别为44.62、112.49和64.86 mg·kg-1,对湾内分别为61.79、147.05和96.18 mg·kg-1。菲单一作用对反硝化潜势的抑制效应强于纳米银,但复合污染的抑制效应更强。两种污染物对河口区的沉积物反硝化潜势抑制效应强于湾内,可能与河口区具有较高Eh和沉积物颗粒度及较低的pH、盐度和有机质含量有关。三种毒性效应评价方法的结果表明,菲和纳米银的复合污染对2个站位反硝化潜势的毒性效应均为协同作用,且对大沽河河口区的协同作用更强。此外,CI法对复合效应的预测结果比CA和IA法更为接近实际观测值,且CI不需要考虑污染物作用模式的限制,因此认为CI法更适用于评价混合污染对沉积物反硝化作用复合影响的效果。本研究结果表明,菲和纳米银会增强彼此对反硝化菌及反硝化功能的毒性效应,由此推断,PAHs和纳米材料在环境中同时存在时比其单独存在对沉积环境的危害更大。