Protein expression signatures: an application of proteomics

The methods of proteomics, the study of the protein complement of the genome, are applicable to environmental testing. Sets of proteins specific to different stressors can be isolated using computer imaging software. Individual proteins can be identified by mass spectrometry. The Protein Expression Signatures (PES) obtained have potential in diagnosing adverse factors in the environment. The challenge is to demonstrate their feasibility in complex environments. We have shown that PES for three endocrine disrupting compounds in trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss), can be detected in mixed sewage effluent. Other studies support these results. As protein databases expand, identification becomes routine, and capture molecules specific to each protein are developed, the possibility of simple field tests for multiple stressors becomes real.     

北大别黄土岭麻粒岩锆石U—Pb离子探针定年

阴极发光显微结构分析表明 ,北大别黄土岭麻粒岩中存在三种类型的锆石 :原岩锆石、麻粒岩相锆石和残留锆石。对它们分别进行离子探针定年 ,得到黄土岭麻粒岩的原岩年龄约为 2 70 0 Ma、麻粒岩相变质事件的年龄为 2 0 5 2± 10 0 Ma、残留锆石的年龄为约 3.4 Ga。以上研究表明黄土岭麻粒岩为残存的扬子板块的结晶基底 ,而约 3.4 Ga残留锆石的发现 ,则首次证明大别山地区存在古太古代的陆壳物质     

The age of the Ilumetsa meteorite craters in southeast Estonia

Abstract— The Ilumetsa impact craters were discovered in 1938 in the course of geological mapping. In the crater field area, the Middle Devonian bedrock consists of light‐yellow weakly cemented siltstones and sandstones of the Givetian Burtnieki Regional Stage, which are overlain by a 1–2 m thick layer of reddish‐brown loamy till. Põrguhaud, the biggest crater, has a diameter of 75–80 m at the top of the uplifted rim and is 12.5 m deep. The zone of authochtonous breccias below the apparent crater extends to 30 m deep. The crater is partly filled with a thin layer of gyttja and peat up to 2 m thick. Radiocarbon ages of 6030 ± 100 (TA‐310) and 5910 ± 100 (TA‐725) years B.P. from the lowermost organic layer and palynological evidence suggest that the age of the impact was ～6000 ¹⁴C years B.P. The Sügavhaud crater has a diameter of 50 m at the top of the rim and is 4.5 m deep. Organic matter on the bottom of the crater is absent. As precise age determination of the Ilumetsa craters by direct dating methods has proved inconclusive, we proposed a method of geological correlation which is based on the occurrence of impact spherules in lake and bog sediments around the crater field. Radiocarbon dating of samples from a peat layer with glassy spherules of impact origin in the Meenikunno Bog, 6 km southwest of the Ilumetsa crater field, yielded the ages of 6542 ± 50 (Tln‐2214) for the depth interval 5.6–5.7 m and 6697 ± 50 (Tln‐2316) years B.P. for the depth interval 5.7–5.8 m. These dates suggest that the Ilumetsa craters were formed ～6600 years ago.     

Ocean robotics in support of fisheries research and management

South Africa’s small-pelagic fishery is a socio-economically important component of the country’s commercial fisheries sector, second in value only to the demersal trawl fishery. Management of this sector relies on infrequent hydro-acoustic surveys, which provide measures of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine Sardinops sagax biomass used in the assessments of stock status and in the development of management plans for the sustainable utilisation of these resources. We demonstrate how technological capabilities in ocean robotics at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) could augment the current resource-intensive hydro-acoustic ship-based survey programme and create opportunities for expanding its spatial and temporal resolution. We successfully implement and demonstrate an autonomous wave glider, fitted with a hydro-acoustic sensor and compare the data to a collocated ‘traditional’ ship-based acoustics survey. In the future these autonomous systems approaches could be seen as a means to lessen the cost burden of the ship-based survey, while at the same time with the added advantage of continuous collection over much wider spatial and temporal domains. This could enable a more reflexive stock management approach taking into account the seasonal characteristics of the fishery and its ecosystem. Gliders thus have potential to increase dramatically the quantity of information available to fisheries managers, thereby reducing uncertainty and contributing to improved management of valuable fish resources. They are likely to contribute to improved knowledge of the ecology of small pelagic fish species off the coast of South Africa in a changing climate and should potentially also permit the collection of biomass data for other marine resources currently not routinely monitored.     

The April 8, 2005, Eclipse White-Light Corona

The hybrid solar eclipse of April 8, 2005, provided a good opportunity to observe the white-light solar corona, even though the eclipse lasted just 30 seconds and could be seen only from ships in the Pacific Ocean. During the eclipse, we detected a unique ‘cloud’ of particles in the white-light corona above the west limb ≈260°–270°. We compare this feature with EUV images from SOHO. The feature’s density and temperature seem comparable to a coronal condensation, and, like a coronal condensation, it is connected to the emergence of material from the solar surface without a flare. However, the morphology of the feature shows clear differences from a classical coronal condensation.     

Estuarine Ecosystem Response Captured Using a Synoptic Climatology

Estuarine and coastal ecosystems respond strongly to proximate climate forcing. In this study, we present a regional, synoptic climatology as an approach to classify weather patterns that generate interannual variability in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Synoptic climatology is a method that classifies sea level pressure data into distinct patterns representing common weather features for a specified region. A synoptic climatology was developed for the eastern United States and used to quantify surface conditions affecting Chesapeake Bay during wet and dry years. In a synthesis analysis, several mechanisms were identified that explained the link between weather patterns and ecosystem structure, principal among them is the delivery of freshwater to the Bay during spring. Wet and dry years were characterized by shifts in biogeography of the Chesapeake Bay. The shifts resulted from habitat changes and trophic interactions and included the timing and magnitude of the spring phytoplankton bloom, the distribution/abundance of mesozooplankton and gelatinous zooplankton, and juvenile indices of fish. Synoptic climatology resolved regional weather variability at a spatial scale not strongly controlled by larger-scale climate indices and explained ecosystem responses in Chesapeake Bay.     

Regional scale climate forcing of mesozooplankton dynamics in Chesapeake Bay

A 16-yr (1985–2000) time series of calanoid copepod (Acartia tonsa andEurytemora affinis) abundance in the upper Chesapeake Bay was examined for links to winter weather variability. A synthesis of sea level pressure data revealed ten dominant, winter weather patterns. Weather patterns differed in frequency of occurrence as well as associated precipitation and temperature. The two dominant copepod species responded differently to winter weather variability.A. tonsa abundance showed little response to winter weather and did not vary in abundance during wet or dry springs.E affinis responded strongly to winter weather patterns that produced springs with high freshwater discharge and low salinities. During wet springs,E. affinis abundance increased overall and its area of dominance extended further down estuary. The different response of the two species is likely related to several factors including residence time, development time, salinity tolerance, food limitation, and life history strategy. Important fish species that rely on zo oplankton as food resources were also related to winter weather variability and spring zooplankton abundance.Morone saxatilis (striped bass) andAnchoa mitchilli (bay anchovy) juvenile indices were positively and negatively correlated toE. affinis abundance, respectively. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A02BY003 00004     

Impacts of Hypoxia on Zooplankton Spatial Distributions in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOMEX) was surveyed to examine the broad-scale spatial patterns and inter-relationships between hypoxia (<2?mg?L^?1 dissolved oxygen) and zooplankton biovolume. We used an undulating towed body equipped with sensors for conductivity, temperature, depth, oxygen, fluorescence, and an optical plankton counter to sample water column structure, oxygen, and zooplankton at high spatial resolution (1?m??vertical; 0.25?C1?km??horizontal). We contrast the distribution of zooplankton during summer surveys with different freshwater input, stratification, and horizontal and vertical extent of bottom-water hypoxia. Bottom-water hypoxia did not appear to influence the total amount of zooplankton biomass present in the water column or the areal integration of zooplankton standing stock in the NGOMEX region surveyed. However, where there were hypoxic bottom waters, zooplankton shifted their vertical distribution to the upper water column during the day where they normally would reside in deeper and darker waters. When bottom waters were normoxic (>2?mg?L^?1 dissolved oxygen), the daytime median depth of the water column zooplankton was on average 7?m deeper than the median depth of zooplankton in water columns with hypoxic bottom waters. A reduction in larger zooplankton when there were hypoxic bottom waters suggests that if zooplankton cannot migrate to deeper, darker water under hypoxic conditions, they may be more susceptible to size-selective predation by visual predators. Thus, habitat compression in the northern Gulf of Mexico due to hypoxic bottom water may have implications for trophic transfer by increasing the contact between predators and prey.     

Ecological Entrepreneurship Support Networks: Roles and functions for conservation organizations

Changing social and economic drivers of land use require a more integrated approach to land conservation that addresses both the land and the socio-economic context of land use. Technical and legal conservation focused at the single-parcel scale is insufficient. This research examines ecological entrepreneurship, discussed by Marsden and Smith (2005), as an integrated conservation strategy that targets environmental as well as economic goals. Specifically, we explore the roles and functions that must be provided by Ecological Entrepreneurship Support Networks (EESNs). In particular, we look at land trusts engaging in these efforts. Through a series of case studies, we examine the roles and functions, as well as motivations and challenges faced by land trusts involved in EESNs. The lessons learned through these case studies are intended to inform broader sustainable development efforts.