The first World Atlas of the artificial night sky brightness

We present the first World Atlas of the zenith artificial night sky brightness at sea level. Based on radiance-calibrated high-resolution DMSP satellite data and on accurate modelling of light propagation in the atmosphere, it provides a nearly global picture of how mankind is proceeding to envelop itself in a luminous fog. Comparing the Atlas with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) population density data base, we determined the fraction of population who are living under a sky of given brightness. About two-thirds of the World population and 99 per cent of the population in the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) and European Union live in areas where the night sky is above the threshold set for polluted status. Assuming average eye functionality, about one-fifth of the World population, more than two-thirds of the United States population and more than one half of the European Union population have already lost naked eye visibility of the Milky Way. Finally, about one-tenth of the World population, more than 40 per cent of the United States population and one sixth of the European Union population no longer view the heavens with the eye adapted to night vision, because of the sky brightness.     

DCMT光电扫描主测微器的设计与研究

DCMT主测微器不同于其它类型的子午环测微器,它具有自校准测定仪器参数的功能。该测微器采用了活动光栅的方案,其优点是能观测近极星和各类准直像;活动光栅另一个显著优点是不同赤纬星几乎可用相同的观测时间.对“V”形光栅的工作原理和误差进行了详细讨论,并给出了一组严格的公式。其系统误差来源有:光栅形状改正、光栅驱动方向相对于光栅的倾斜、光栅驱动方向相对于赤径方向的倾斜、星径曲率改正。     

A Critical review of theoretical models of negatively polarized light scattered by atmosphereless solar system bodies

About a dozen physical mechanisms and models aspire to explain the negative polarization of light scattered by atmosphereless celestial bodies. This is too large a number for the reliable interpretation of observational data. Through a comparative analysis of the models, our main goal is to answer the question: Does any one model have an advantage over the others? Our analysis is based on new laboratory polarimetric and photometric data as well as on theoretical results. We show that the widely used models due to Hopfield and Wolff cannot realistically explain the phase-angle dependence of the degree of polarization observed at small phase angles. The so-called interference or coherent backscattering mechanism is the most promising model. Models based on that mechanism use well-defined physical parameters to explain both negative polarization and the opposition effect. They are supported by laboratory experiments, particularly those showing enhancement of negative polarization with decreasing particle size down to the wavelength of light. According to the interference mechanism, pronounced negative branches of polarization, like those of C-class asteroids, may indicate a high degree of optical inhomogeneity of light-scattering surfaces at small scales. The mechanism also seems appropriate for treating the negative polarization and opposition effects of cometary dust comae, planetary rings, and the zodiacal light.     

绿片岩-低角闪岩相变质条件下磁铁铁矿与黄铁矿间的Fe同位素分馏

对辽宁省鞍山一本溪地区经历了绿片岩一低角闪岩相变质的新太古代条带状铁建造中磁铁矿和黄铁矿矿物对的Fe同位素分析结果显示:相对于标准IRMM-014,所有样品的磁铁矿和黄铁矿均显示Fe的重同位素富集;且黄铁矿的Fe同位素比值均大于磁铁矿的Fe同位素比值(ε57Fe黄铁矿ε57Fe磁铁矿),两种矿物的Fe同位素比值之差为△57Fe黄铁矿-磁铁矿=2.23～5.13.黄铁矿富集铁的重同位素表明矿物的Fe同位素组成并不代表其原始沉积的特征,而是在区域变质作用过程中Fe同位素发生了交换的结果.由同位素平衡判别图解可知,在绿片岩一低角闪岩相变质作用中,磁铁矿-黄铁矿间的Fe同位素基本达到了平衡,且在平衡条件下黄铁矿比磁铁矿更富集Fe的重同位素,二者之间的Fe同位素平衡分馏系数α黄铁矿-磁铁矿≈1.000 4‰±0.06‰(2σ).这一研究成果是对变质作用过程中Fe同位素的地球化学行为认识的重要进展.     

Diurnal changes in the bio-optical properties of the phytoplankton in the Alborán Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

The changes in the phytoplankton absorption properties during a diurnal cycle were investigated at one station located in the north-western area of the Alborán Sea. The experiment was performed in spring when the water column was strongly stratified. This hydrological situation permitted the establishment of a deep chlorophyll a (chl a) fluorescence maximum (DFM) which was located on average close to the lower limit of the mixed layer and the nutricline. The relative abundance of pico-phytoplankton (estimated as its contribution to the total chl a) was higher in the surface, however, micro-phytoplankton dominated the community at the DFM level. Chl a specific absorption coefficient (a*(λ)) also varied with optical depth, with a* (the spectrally average specific absorption coefficient) decreasing by 30% at the DFM depth with respect to the surface. A significant negative correlation between the contribution of the micro-phytoplankton to the total chl a and a* was obtained indicating that a* reduction was due to changes in the packaging effect. Below the euphotic layer, a* increased three-fold with respect to the DFM, which agrees with the expected accumulation of accessory pigments relative to chl a as an acclimation response to the low available irradiance. The most conspicuous change during the diurnal cycle was produced in the euphotic layer where the chl a concentration decreased significantly in the afternoon (from a mean concentration of 1.1 μg L⁻¹ to 0.7 μg L⁻¹) and increased at dusk when it averaged 1.4 μg L⁻¹. In addition, a* and the blue-to-red absorption band ratio increased in the afternoon. These results suggest that a*(λ) diurnal variability was due to increase in photo-protective and accessory pigments relative to chl a. The variation ranges of a*(λ) at 675 and 440 nm (the absorption peaks in the red and blue spectral bands, respectively) in the euphotic layer were 0.01–0.04 and 0.02–0.10 m² mg⁻¹ chl a, respectively. Approximately 30% out of this variability can be attributed to the diurnal cycle. This factor should therefore be taken into account in refining primary production models based on phytoplankton light absorption.     

Long-range underwater photography in the deep ocean

Although the optical properties of seawater at extreme depths are more suitable for underwater photography than those at the surface or on continental shelves, they still impose severe limitations on long-range wide area bottom photography. Additionally, deep ocean operations impose technical limitations on control, power and bandwidth. This chapter reviews the approaches contemplated or made towards improving the camerato-target range in underwater photography in the deep ocean. Further significant improvements await advances in control, power/light sources and bandwidth reduction. With the developments now contemplated, TV and video systems will eventually present a strong challenge to emulsion film techniques.     

Benthic photosynthesis in submerged Wadden Sea intertidal flats

In this study we compare benthic photosynthesis during inundation in coarse sand, fine sand, and mixed sediment (sand/mud) intertidal flats in the German Wadden Sea. In situ determinations of oxygen-, DIC- and nutrient fluxes in stirred benthic chamber incubations were combined with measurements of sedimentary chlorophyll, incident light intensity at the sediment surface and scalar irradiance within the sediment. During submergence, microphytobenthos was light limited at all study sites as indicated by rapid response of gross photosynthesis to increasing incident light at the sea floor. However, depth integrated scalar irradiance was 2 to 3 times higher in the sands than in the mud. Consequently, gross photosynthesis in the net autotrophic fine sand and coarse sand flats during inundation was on average 4 and 11 times higher than in the net heterotrophic mud flat, despite higher total chlorophyll concentration in mud. Benthic photosynthesis may be enhanced in intertidal sands during inundation due to: (1) higher light availability to the microphytobenthos in the sands compared to muds, (2) more efficient transport of photosynthesis-limiting solutes to the microalgae with pore water flows in the permeable sands, and (3) more active metabolic state and different life strategies of microphytobenthos inhabiting sands.     

光照强度对海洋微藻脂肪含量及脂肪酸组成影响的研究

近年来，海洋微藻脂肪酸组成的研究及其应用越来越受到国内外科学家的重视。高度不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)，特别是长链的n-3 PUFA，如二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)对海洋动物和人类都具有营养学和医学上的价值。在海洋微藻的培养过程中，光照强度是海洋微藻生长的条件之一，光线的明与暗，光度的强与弱，不仅对微藻的生长速率、产量有影响，而且对其脂肪含量和脂肪酸的组成也有影响(Teshima et al.，1983；Thompson et al.，1990； Renaud et al., 1991)。 作者在以往研究的基础上，选择了3种有代表性的海洋微藻：(1)小球藻Chlorella sp-2(李荷芳等，1999)，此藻脂肪酸中EPA含量高、且不含DHA；(2)球等鞭金藻(Isochrysis galbana)，该藻DHA含量较高，但几乎不含EPA；(3)前沟藻(Amphidinium sp.)的EPA、DHA含量均高。将以上3种微藻作为原料，在不同的光照强度下进行培养，测定并分析藻体中的脂肪含量和脂肪酸组成的变化，从而了解光强对海洋微藻脂肪含量及其脂肪酸组成的影响。     

温度、光强和盐度对鹧鸽菜幼体生长发育的影响

从野外采集鹤鸪菜Ｃａｌｏｇｌｏｓｓａｌｅｐｒｉｅｕｒｉｉ（Ｍｏｎｔ．）Ｊ．Ａｇ．幼体，在室内控制条件下，以温、盐、光等不同条件进行模拟培养试验。所获得的数据经生物统计检验表明：鹧鸪菜幼体生长最适水温为２３℃；光照强度为４０００ｌｘ；海水盐度为１８。此结果与我们多年来在汕头港内观察鹧鸪菜的生长及其季节变化相似。