Seasonal variation in lysosomal destabilization in oysters,Crassostrea virginica

Lysosomal destabilization assays have been used as valuable biomarkers of pollutant exposures in a variety of bivalve and fish species. The responses of oysters, Crassostrea virginica, deployed at and native to various reference and degraded sites were evaluated for lysosomal destabilization during both summer and winter seasons. In both native and deployed oysters, lysosomal destabilization rates tended to be higher during the winter at both reference and polluted sites. There are at least two hypothetical explanations. Greater lysosomal destabilization rates may be related to physiological changes associated with mobilization of nutrient reserves during the winter and gametogenesis. However, lysosomal destabilization in deployed oysters was correlated with tissue metal concentrations. These data also support a second hypothesis that seasonal differences in physico-chemical factors (such as reduced levels of acid volatile sulfides) may increase the bioavailability of metals during the winter so that adverse effects are more pronounced.     

Expression of P-glycoprotein in southeastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica

These studies provide important fundamental information regarding the expression of P-glycoprotein (p-gp) in southeastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Using rhodamine transport studies, p-gp activity was detected in newly fertilized embryos. A monoclonal antibody (C219) was used to evaluate p-gp expression in oyster tissues. On the basis of laboratory studies, p-gp expression tended to be higher in gill tissues than mantle tissues, and was generally not related to salinity differences. Seasonal studies were conducted with oysters collected monthly for 1 year from Lighthouse Creek, an unpolluted site. There was a general pattern of higher p-gp expression in the warmer months and lower expression in the colder months. In contrast, total gill protein concentrations decreased during the warmer months and increased during the colder months. These studies indicate that there are seasonal patterns in p-gp expression which may represent an adaptive response to natural stressors associated with summer conditions.     

矿震成核过程的公里尺度研究

成核过程是地震机理研究的重要部分.通过岩石实验、高温高压和数值模拟认为,地震成核的临界尺度为大地震总破裂长度的十分之一,一般为10~20 km左右;地震成核时间从年到秒、甚至毫秒.本文利用山东省宁阳县华丰煤矿立体台网的岩爆观测,进行了公里尺度的破裂成核过程实验研究.通过对华丰煤矿1995年2月~1996年5月期间的地脉动记录和12000次小震记录资料的分析,计算了它们的地脉动、S波和P波振幅比以及S波波峰的到时差,得到ML=2.9矿震的成核时间为50天,成核临界尺度为5 km.