The fauna of the Aral Sea in 1989. 2. The zooplankton

Data are presented on the composition and biomass of the Aral Sea zooplankton in August and October, 1989. As salinity gradually increased, a decrease in zooplankton species composition occurred at a salinity of 25–30 g L⁻¹. Because the Aral has now divided into two water-bodies, the zooplankton communities in these lakes have begun to conform with their individual hydrological and biological regimes.     

FINDING CAUSES OF OUTLIERS IN MULTIVARIATE ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

Multivariate outliers in environmental data sets are often caused by atypical measurement error in a singlevariable.From a quality assurance perspective it is important to identify these variables efficiently so thatcorrective actions may be performed.We demonstrate a procedure for using two multivariate tests toidentify which variable‘caused’each outlier.The procedure is tested with simulated data sets that havethe same correlation structure as selected water chemistry variables from a survey of lakes in the WesternUnited States.The success rates are evaluated for three of the variables for sample sizes of 50 and 100,significance levels of 0.01 and 0.05 and various amounts of mean shift.The procedure works best forhighly correlated variables.     

Anthropogenic Sulfate and Nitrate Signals in Snow from Bogda Glacier, Eastern Tianshan

A 1.2 m snow pit was recovered on July 29th, 2009 from the Bogda Glacier, eastern Tianshan (天山). The sample site temperature of -9.6 ℃ indicates that the unique glaciochemical re-cord was well preserved and suitable for the reconstruction of air pollution levels in this previously un-explored region. Samples were analyzed for major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, HCOO-, and CH3COO-). NO3- and SO42- were characterized by significant high levels of pollution con-centration. Most air masses ...     

Recent sedimentation processes in the Northern Aral Sea

A survey of recent bottom sediments in the Northern Aral Sea was undertaken to elucidate the main direction of the alteration of sedimentation processes as a result of the significant decrease in the level of the sea from the beginning of the 1960s. Investigations were carried out in August–September 1991 from on board helicopter MI-8 MTV-1 which was equipped with the navigation system “LORAN-OMEGA”. Sediments were sampled by means of gravity coring and grab sampling. The frequency of sampling was about 1 station per 10 km². At several sites, water samples were collected. Grain-size analysis was undertaken and the mineralogy of the sediments was determined by optical means, using an SEM energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and X-ray diffractometry using a DRON-2.0 diffractometer.     

Benthic macroinvertebrates of the northern Caspian Sea during recent rises in water-level

Data on benthic macroinvertebrates of the northern Caspian Sea in 1980–1991 were collected by the Caspian Fishery Research Institute. During the initial period of the water-level rise, the main trends in benthic macroinvertebrates were increases in the biomass of the main groups and decreases in the relative abundance of species of Mediterranean origin. There was no significant alteration in species composition. The increased abundance was due to improved trophic conditions and a decrease in the numbers of benthos-feeding fish. Some decrease in the relative abundance of species of marine origin was related to a decrease in water salinity.     

Changes in the structure and function of biological communities in the Aral Sea, with particular reference to the northern part (Small Aral Sea), 1985--1994: A review

The construction of a dam between the Small and Large Aral Sea in 1993 has had an effect on biological communities. From field and laboratory investigations and analysis of the literature, the structure and function of the main plant and animal communities in the northern (Small) Aral Sea are described and discussed, first, for the period before 1985, and, second, between 1985 and 1994. A prognosis for future changes is provided.     

The fauna of the Aral Sea in 1989. 1. The benthos

The benthos of the Small and Large Aral Sea was investigated in 1989. OnlyNereis diversicolor, Syndosmya segmentum, Cerastoderma isthmicum, Caspiohydrobia spp., Chironomidae andPalaemon elegans occurred in the Small Sea. In the Large Sea, the benthos was similar, but Chironomidae were absent andRhithropanopeus harrisii was present.     

ON CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR THE PRODUCT OF THREE MEANS OF THREE NORMALEY DISTRIBUTED POPULATIONS

In many environmental applications,such as exposure assessment and risk modelling,the desiredestimate is a random variable computed as the product of three independently distributed randomvariables.These variables may not necessarily have the same mean and variance.The method for findingthe 100(1-α)% confidence interval for the mean of the product random variable has been proposed bysome practitioners as the product of the 100(1-α)% confidence interval of the three means.In this paperwe show that the distribution of the product of three independent normal random variables is not normal.We find the mean and variance of the product distribution.Further,we show that although the meanof the product is equal to the product of the means,the product of the three confidence intervals is nota good approximation of the confidence intervals for the mean of the product variable.The confidenceinterval of the mean of the product variable may be estimated by computer simulation.An algorithmfor estimating the confidence interval for the mean of the product random variable is given.The programimplementing this algorithm is given as an appendix.