Long-term trends in cetacean occurrence during the annual sardine run off the Wild Coast,South Africa

During the austral winter, cetaceans and other apex predators follow the annual northeastward movement of shoaling sardines, known as the sardine run, along the southeast coast of South Africa, including a 400-km stretch called the Wild Coast. In total, 131 opportunistic aerial surveys were conducted between May and July, from 1996 to 2014, to monitor sardine movement. Cetacean-sighting data from these surveys were analysed, focusing on long-term trends in frequencies of the cetaceans. In total, 630 sightings involving five cetacean species were recorded: 268 (approximately 32 400 individuals) of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus, 108 (approximately 79 400 individuals) of long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis, 242 (approximately 670 individuals) of humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, 1 (two individuals) of southern right whale Eubalaena australis, and 11 (16 individuals) of Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni. The occurrence of common dolphins, typically associated with sardines, decreased significantly in average group size over the study period (p = 0.0343); bottlenose dolphins, considered generalist feeders, demonstrated no such trend (p = 0.916). Humpback whales were most frequently sighted between 2010 and 2014, and with significantly larger groups observed towards the end of the study period (p = 0.0121). For all these species, more sightings were made inside than outside of marine protected areas (>70% of the dolphin species, and >65% of the humpback whales), both pre- and post-2005 (from 2005 the size of the survey area increased). The results indicate that movements of the common dolphin may be employed as a proxy for sardine occurrence. Long-term trends evident in the data also demonstrate the importance of this coastal region for bottlenose dolphins as well as use as a migratory corridor for humpback whales.     

The contribution of nano- and micro-planktonic assemblages in the surface layer (0-30 m) under different hydrographic conditions in the upwelling area off Concepción, central Chile

In the highly productive region off central Chile, the structure and temporal and spatial variability of planktonic assemblages, and the factors that determine changes in this structure are poorly understood. In the region, wind-driven upwelling, heating by solar radiation and freshwater inputs are highly seasonal processes, which, together with higher frequency events, can promote changes in the planktonic communities, especially in the upper layer. This study focuses on the structure of nano- through to micro-planktonic assemblages (2-200 μm) of unicellular organisms (protists) in surface waters (0-30 m) during different hydrographic conditions. Samples were taken from a fixed shelf station off Concepción (COPAS time series Station 18) on eight occasions between September 2003 and August 2004. The nano-plankton flagellate-dominated fraction was numerically important during the whole period. Maxima in flagellate abundance and biomass occurred during the upwelling period (November-April samplings) but these maxima appear to be unrelated to the degree of water column stratification. The micro-plankton diatom-dominated fraction was usually the largest component in terms of biomass during the study period and the diatoms made important numerical contributions during the upwelling period, with maxima in abundance and biomass when water column stability was lowest. The dominant genera and morphotypes in each functional group were found throughout the study period, with maxima in abundance and biomass co-occurring under similar environmental upwelling conditions. The mean macro-nutrient concentrations (nitrate and silicate) were relatively high in the top 30 m during both upwelling and non-upwelling periods, and did not explain the maxima in plankton or functional group replacements. The persistence of the dominant taxa in the planktonic assemblages suggests a high degree of flexibility, though probably not at the specific level, to withstand the highly variable environmental conditions in this upwelling area.     

In-situ stress state in the Linxing region,eastern Ordos Basin,China: Implications for unconventional gas exploration and production

The Carboniferous and Permian sedimentary rocks (mainly the Shanxi and Taiyuan formations) in the Linxing region, eastern Ordos Basin, China, host a significant volume of unconventional gas resources (coalbed methane, shale gas and tight sandstone gas). Currently, the in-situ stress state is poorly understood but knowledge of this is extremely important for a range of applications, such as gas exploration and production, fracture stimulation and wellbore stability. The maximum horizontal stress (S_Hmax), minimum horizontal stress (S_hmin) and vertical stress (S_v) magnitudes, and the S_Hmax orientation in the Linxing region were systematically analyzed for the first time in the present study, which can provide a reference for subsequent numerical simulation and hydraulic fracturing design. Based on borehole breakouts and drilling-induced tensile fractures interpreted from borehole imaging logs, the S_Hmax orientation rotates from ∼NEE-SWW-trending in the southern part to ∼ NWW-SEE-trending in the northern part of the Linxing region. Both conventional logs and extended leak-off tests were used for stress magnitude determination. The results revealed three types of in-situ stress fields (S_v > S_Hmax > S_hmin, S_Hmax > S_v > S_hmin and S_Hmax > S_v ≈ S_hmin), and a dominant strike-slip stress regime (S_Hmax > S_v ≥ S_hmin) was found for the entire well section in the target Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation in the Linxing region. In addition, differential stress increased with depth in the Linxing region, which indicates that wellbore instability might be a potentially significant problem when drilling wells that are vertical or ∼ N-S-trending.     

平湖油气田主断裂西部烃源评价及油源对比

平湖油气田主力含油气区位于平湖主断裂以东区域,油源主要来源于东部生烃凹陷的半封闭海湾暗色泥岩和煤层.公司于2011年11月在主断裂西部钻了一口探井XY井,目的是为探测主断裂西部含油气情况,扩大油气储量.结果钻遇油气层12m,测试获日产气14.66×104m3,日产油107.8 m3,取得了一定突破.为进一步评价西部含油气规模,钻后进行了油源对比研究,认为西部的油气主要是东部运移聚集的结果,西部源岩也有一定贡献.西部有形成一定规模油气藏的潜力.     

印太交汇区浮游植物和浮游动物生态学研究进展

海洋浮游植物和浮游动物是海洋生态系统中的重要组成部分,支撑了整个海洋生态系统的正常运转.因此,海洋浮游植、动物的生态学研究有利于我们全面认识和了解一个海洋生态系统的状况.印太交汇区作为全球最大的海洋生物多样性中心,是国际上生物多样性研究的热点区域,但该区域对浮游生物生态学方面的研究较少,不利于我们深入认识该区域生物多样...     

哈拉哈塘地区东河砂岩段-角砾岩段沉积模式探讨

塔北的哈拉哈塘地区是东河砂岩油气勘探的重点地区,该地区目前已发现并探明了东河塘和哈得4两个东河砂岩油气藏,油气储量丰富,显示出良好的勘探前景。基于哈拉哈塘地区东河砂岩段和角砾岩段的岩性段穿时沉积现象异常明显,根据层序地层学原理和方法对哈拉哈塘地区东河砂岩段一角砾岩段进行了重新分层和对比,在层序分层等时地层框架的基础上重新进行了东河砂岩段一角砾岩段沉积模式研究,弄清该地区地层分布规律、演化规律、砂体分布及储层分布规律对该地区的油气勘探具有重要指导意义。     

三株赤潮硅藻5.8S rDNA及转录间隔区(ITS)的克隆及序列分析

对引发赤潮的3株硅藻——1株尖刺拟菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzshia pungens)和2株中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)的5.8SrDNA和ITS(internal transcribed spacers)序列进行了PCR扩增、克隆和序列测定,并分析了硅藻门10株赤潮藻(7株从GenBank获得)的系统进化关系.研究结果表明,尖刺拟菱形藻的ITS和5.8SrDNA的长度为693bp,SK-1(分离自东海赤潮暴发区)测序得到715bp,除ITS和5.8SrDNA外,还包含部分18SrDNA和28SrDNA;SK-2(分离自青岛养殖场)的ITS和5.8SrDNA的长度为331bp,尖刺拟菱形藻与从GenBank中获得的2株尖刺拟菱形藻相似程度最高,为100%,与该属的多列拟菱形藻相似程度稍低,为82.9%.SK-2的ITS序列与SK-1的相似程度很低,只有51%,但与拟中肋骨条藻的ITS序列相似程度高,为95.5%.SK-1的ITS序列与拟中肋骨条藻的相似程度也低,为56.7%.系统进化树反映的结果与相似性反映的结果一致.研究的该株尖刺拟菱形藻从根据ITS序列研究的结果与形态鉴定的结果看是一致的;SK-2可能属于拟中肋骨条藻;SK-1比较特殊,有待于用其他的方法进一步研究确定其分类地位.     

中国近海及其附近海域若干涡旋研究综述 Ⅰ.南海和台湾以东海域

综述了南海和台湾以东海域若干气旋型和反气旋型涡旋研究.在南海存在着许多活跃的中尺度涡,我们分别对南海中、南部海域和南海北部海域中尺度涡作了评述.在南海北部海域,目前最感兴趣的问题为:南海水与西菲律宾海通过吕宋海峡的交换的物理过程,以及黑潮是否以反气旋流套形式进入南海.这些问题目前尚不清楚,尤其是这些问题的机理.这些问题必须通过今后深入和细致的、长时间的海流和水文观测,以及长时间卫星遥感观测资料的论证才能逐渐认识清楚.台湾以东海域,黑潮两侧经常出现中尺度涡,而且变化较大而复杂.文中着重讨论兰屿冷涡和台湾东北的气旋式冷涡.     

青岛地区太阳紫外线辐射研究

通过对青岛地区2004年全年紫外线观测数据的分析,在预设局地纬度、海拔高度、大气中臭氧量及其分布、空气质量状况、地表反照率等因素基本不变的情况下,总结了青岛地区紫外辐射随与太阳天顶角相关的不同季节和时段、天气状况(云况)的统计性变化规律,以服务于该地区人们日常生活中对紫外线的防护,尤其是为调光生态膜的研制及改善提供参考。     

基于线粒体D-loop区分析黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)五个淡水湖泊群体的遗传多样性

采用线粒体D-loop区测序技术,对巢湖、滆湖、洪泽湖、鄱阳湖和太湖5个地理群体的黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)遗传多样性及种群遗传结构进行了研究。结果表明,890个位点中变异位点有151个,简约信息位点24个。143个个体共检测到72个单倍型,平均单倍型多样性指数为0.951±0.011,核苷酸多样性为指数为0.00614±0.00087。鄱阳湖群体和其它4个湖泊群体的遗传距离相对比较大,滆湖和巢湖的遗传距离最小,总体遗传分化指数Fst为0.0896(P<0.01)。群体间基因流系数Nm=2.22,表明5个黄颡鱼种群间存在着一定的基因流动。