Assessing neuroprotective P-glycoprotein activity at the blood-brain barrier in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) using behavioural profiles

The neuroprotective role of P-glycoprotein, a multixenobiotic resistance transporter (ABCB1/MDR1), in the blood-brain barrier in fish was examined using behavioural toxicological assays. P-glycoprotein acts as cellular efflux pump to prevent substrates from accumulating in the brain, including environmental contaminants such as ivermectin, a common aquaculture pesticide and mammalian anti-parasitic drug. The behavioural toxicological assays were developed to determine the neuropathological effect of ivermectin in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). P-glycoprotein function and thus blood-brain barrier integrity can be compromised by chemosensitizers that inhibit transport activity. Fish treated with ivermectin and the P-glycoprotein inhibitor cyclosporin A were significantly more sensitive and succumbed more rapidly to tilting, lethargy, slowing of pectoral-fin movement and loss of haptic-reactivity compared to fish treated with ivermectin-only. P-glycoprotein inhibition is associated with significantly earlier onset and increased mortality in ivermectin-exposed fish. Our results suggest that P-glycoprotein confers resistance against ivermectin-induced behavioural neuropathology and mortality in fish. This assay provides us with a non-invasive tool to study P-glycoprotein function in the blood-brain barrier and evaluate the behavioural effects of potential environmental neurotoxins.     

Subsurface variations in arsenic mineralogy and geochemistry following long-term weathering of gold mine tailings

Variations in arsenic (As) mineralogy and geochemical controls on its mobility were evaluated in subsurface tailings at the historical Montague and Goldenville mine sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. Tailings at these sites contain some of the highest As concentrations in Nova Scotia and are located in close proximity to local communities. Pore water in the subsurface tailings is characterized by circumneutral to alkaline pH (6.2 to 8.7) and mildly reducing to oxidizing redox conditions (+130 mV to +347 mV). Bulk chemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and synchrotron micro-X-ray diffraction analyses showed As mineral hosts differ with depth. The deepest tailings (max. 2 m) are in direct contact with partially decomposed vegetation, which supports reducing conditions and the precipitation of authigenic As and Fe sulfides. Under reducing conditions, dissolved As concentrations are also controlled by desorption of As from dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides and the sorption or co-precipitation of As with carbonates. These geochemical controls differ from those influencing dissolved As concentrations under oxidizing conditions. In the near surface, As mobility is controlled by oxidative dissolution of primary arsenopyrite, precipitation of secondary Fe arsenates, Fe oxyhydroxides and Mn oxides, secondary Ca-Fe arsenates, and sorption onto Fe oxyhydroxides and gangue minerals. Some of these mineral species are stable under different conditions yet occur in close association, indicating the importance of microenvironments. The results of this study show that the weathering characteristics of these tailings vary with depth, leading to the formation of new As hosts that are distinct from those observed in the near surface. Identification of these As hosts provides an understanding of current controls on As mobility and has implications for future reprocessing and/or remediation efforts.     

On the 3D dynamics and morphology of inner rings

We argue that inner rings in barred spiral galaxies are associated with specific 2D and 3D families of periodic orbits located just beyond the end of the bar. These are families located between the inner radial ultraharmonic 4 : 1 resonance and corotation. They are found in the upper part of a type-2 gap of the x1 characteristic, and can account for the observed ring morphologies without any help from families of the x1-tree. Due to the evolution of the stability of all these families, the ring shapes that are favoured are mainly ovals, as well as polygons with 'corners' on the minor axis, on the sides of the bar. On the other hand, pentagonal rings, or rings of the NGC 7020-type hexagon, should be less probable. The orbits that make the rings belong in their vast majority to 3D families of periodic orbits and orbits trapped around them.     

Factors affecting seasonality of lithogenic and biogenic particle flux in a large estuarine ecosystem

Seasonal patterns of vertical flux over two years (2001–2003) at two stations in the Bras d'Or Lakes, a large estuary in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, were determined using aluminum and organic carbon in settled particles collected in moored traps to calculate lithogenic (terrigenous) and marine biogenic fractions. On an annual basis, lithogenic material comprised 53% and 81% of dry weight and 48% and 66% of organic carbon in settled particles at the deep- (128 m) and shallow-water (41 m) locations, respectively. Peaks in runoff, inferred from rain and snowfall precipitation, ice cover and possible horizontal transport of resuspended sediment coincided with maximum sedimentation rates of lithogenic material during unstratified periods between October and March. Biological factors correlated with phytoplankton and ice algal primary production and seasonal changes in zooplankton grazing inferred from phaeopigments controlled biogenic particle fluxes under stratified conditions between June and September and during winter. Year-to-year variations in deposition of lithogenic and marine biogenic material depended on seasonal differences in stratification, precipitation, freeze/melt conditions and the extent of ice cover.     

Arsenic bioaccessibility and speciation in clams and seaweed from a contaminated marine environment

The bioaccessible concentration and speciation of arsenic (soluble in a gastrointestinal medium and available for absorption into the bloodstream) were determined in softshell clams (Mya arenaria), harvested by local residents until 2005, and in seaweed (Fucus sp.) from an arsenic-contaminated marine site in Seal Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada. Bioaccessibility extractions to simulate the human gastrointestinal environment (pH 1.5 and glycine for 1h followed by pancreatin, bile extract and pH adjustment to 7 for an additional 4h) and speciation of arsenic in extracts (HPLC-HG-AAS to target inorganic arsenic species) and whole samples (XANES) were carried out. Total arsenic for the clams from the contaminated area ranged from 218 to 228 ppm wet weight, with a bioaccessible fraction of 34-46%, and the major bioaccessible species of arsenic were inorganic. The seaweed from the contaminated area contained 27-43 ppm wet weight total arsenic, with the bioaccessible fraction ranging from 63% to 81%, and inorganic arsenic was also predominant. The predominantly inorganic nature of arsenic in the whole samples was confirmed by XANES. In concurrence with the closure of the area for clam harvesting, the clams and seaweed from Seal Harbour should probably not be used for human consumption.     

Proposing a coordinated environmental effects monitoring (EEM) program structure for the offshore petroleum industry,Nova Scotia,Canada

Environmental effects monitoring (EEM) identifies, quantifies, and compares predicted environmental impacts of a proposed industrial project to those observed after the project has been developed. Several EEM program structures exist, while the structure used by Environment Canada to monitor impacts of the pulp and paper industry has proven to be effective. The aim of this study is to provoke discussion on the development of an effective and coordinated petroleum EEM program structure for the offshore of Nova Scotia, Canada. A structure that supports development of a national EEM program for the petroleum industry is then proposed. Advantages of a coordinated EEM program structure include: (1) reduced cost of the EEM; (2) fewer gaps and less overlapping of responsibilities; (3) fewer calculated risks to the marine environment; and (4) improved environmental safeguards.     

南极特拉诺瓦湾下降风特征

南极罗斯海特拉诺瓦湾(Terra Nova Bay)是强下降风汇集区之一。采用高分辨率南极中尺度预报系统(Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System,AMPS)资料和特拉诺瓦湾难言岛Manuela自动气象站实测数据,分析了特拉诺瓦湾及其附近地区的下降风特征。AMPS对难言岛地区风速和气温有较好的模拟能力,但风向比实测值偏西约30°。难言岛地区风速从1月开始迅速增大,4—9月风力平均为8级以上。难言岛夏季1月份的风速变化滞后气温变化约3 h;冬季7月份风向稳定为西至西南。特拉诺瓦湾及其附近地区下降风来自西岸海拔较高的冰盖,其风向的空间分布特征基本几乎不随季节而变化。下降风风速有显著的季节演变特征,11月至次年1月较小,3—9月风速较大。特拉诺瓦湾西岸等几处冰川地带在冬季是强风汇集区,难言岛处于Reeves冰川下降风汇集区中。该汇集区上边界和南北两侧均有清晰的分界线,风速较强区从地面延伸至650—800 m高处,风速最大值距离地面高度约为50—200 m。强下降风气流受难言岛地形阻挡,风速有所减弱,气流越过难言岛之后,风速再次加强。特拉诺瓦湾地区下降风流动过程中近地面气团位势温度变化幅度很小,表明下降风在从内陆高原到沿岸地区的流动是干绝热过程。     

世界遗产、旅游目的地和农业遗产景观:以加拿大新斯科舍省大草地为例（英文）

加拿大新斯科舍省的大草地是传统土地利用的杰出例子,反映了人类与独特环境相互作用,也因此被联合国教科文组织列入世界遗产名录。大草地不但是加拿大最肥沃的农业景观,还是一个标志性历史遗址,承载着1755年的驱逐阿卡迭人的历史悲剧,吸引了无数游客慕名而来。而今面临着农业的转变和旅游业的衰败双重威胁,人们对大草地于2012年成为世界遗产及其所带来的旅游发展充满期待。本文将大草地作为全球重要农业文化遗产,根据以前的研究,对其成为世界遗产地之后该地区未来经济繁荣和可持续发展的情况进行了探讨。