Instrument development to search for biomarkers on mars: Terrestrial acidophile, iron-powered chemolithoautotrophic communities as model systems

Recent findings by the MER rover opportunity confirming the presence of iron minerals that can only be formed in the presence of water emphasize the study of analogous environments to Mars on Earth. The study of chemolithoautotrophic communities living in acidic iron-rich habitats is highly relevant in order to identify Mars analog environment-specific biomarkers. Iron oxidizing bacteria like Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans have ways of life for which it is feasible to identify a past or present hypothetical niche on Mars. We have developed a strategy for biomarker identification based on: (i) search for biosignatures on acid and metal-rich environments; (ii) development of an immunosensor microarray; and (iii) integration into an instrument for autonomous and remote operation. The instrument that we have built, called Signs Of LIfe Detector (SOLID), is capable of processing a variety of samples for the detection of specific biomarkers. Antibodies against several bacterial strains have been developed and tested in a microarray biosensor on SOLID. Tests with field samples have been successfully performed, allowing the detection of L. ferrooxidans, A. ferrooxidans present in sediment samples.     

中国对虾育苗池和养成池微型污着生物群落的研究

于１９９２年４－１０月在山东省青岛市黄岛前湾育苗场和胶南市红石崖镇邵家村养殖场，采用载玻片挂片和对中国对虾现场取样的方法，研究中国对虾育苗池和养成池载玻片挂 表面和对体表微型污着生物群落的组成和发展。     

闽南-台湾浅滩渔场浮游软体动物的分布

本文分析了1987年12月至1988年11月在闽南-台湾浅滩渔场6个航次采集的浮游软体动物,初步鉴定44种,以马蹄(?)螺、棒笔帽螺、尖笔帽螺和蝴蝶螺为该海区的优势种。本文研究了它们的季节变化,平面分布和垂直分布,并讨论了它们与上升流及其他水系的关系。     

光诱鱿鱼浮拖网渔具渔法试验报告

1989－1999年开展光诱鱿鱼浮拖网渔具渔法研究的生产试验结果为：1998年生产试验86个夜（航次），总产量33．225t，其中鱿鱼产量为12．470t，占总产量的37．5％，总产值139000元，比同村光诱敷网的平均产量（31．62t）高5．1％左右。1999年生产试验80夜（航次），总产量54．66t，其中鱿鱼产量31．92t，占总产量的58．4％，总产值187000元。试验网产量比同村光诱敷网的平均产量（45．64t)增产19．76％，产值增加22．65％，鱿鱼产量占总渔获量的比例提高近10个百分点，投入产出比为1：1．684。取得了较好的试验结果，达到了预期试验目的。此外，文中还讨论了水上灯数量，网具规格和柔性网板等对生产效果和捕捞对象的影响及适应性情况，并建议开展光场强度及其分布的海上实测和光场强度对鱿鱼，趋光性鱼类的行为习性以及生长影响等试验研究，制定出光诱鱿鱼浮报网和敷网作业诱鱼灯数量和分布标准，以合理利用鱿鱼和中上层鱼类资源，实现可持续发展。     

Effects of suction-dredging for cockles on non-target fauna in the Wadden Sea

Suction dredging for cockles removes large cockles from tidal flats and may also cause mortality of non-target fauna and make the habitat less suitable for some species. This study examines whether suction dredging for cockles on tidal flats of the Dutch Wadden Sea had affected densities of non-target fauna, directly after fishing and one year later. Densities of non-target fauna in two randomly chosen undredged locations were compared to densities at the surrounding heavily commercially dredged area. A significant negative effect of cockle dredging on densities of 0-group Macoma balthica was observed and this effect persisted one year after dredging. The dredged area appeared to be less suitable for settlement of mussels Mytilus edulis. No significant effects of dredging on the mudsnail Hydrobia ulvae and on 0 and 1-group C. edule were found. For the mobile young Macoma balthica it seems unlikely that the effect found after one year was still due to the mortality caused by dredging and this suggests that the habitat was less suitable as a consequence of dredging. Thus, even in the highly dynamic ecosystem of the Wadden Sea, effects of bottom disturbance by cockle dredging may persist after one year.     

Reducing fishing vessel fuel consumption and NOX emissions

There is a growing concern with the impact of marine operations on the environment. This requires reducing fuel consumption and vessel pollution during operation. On-board computers and satellite communications will enable the operator to reduce fuel consumption and NO_X emissions during vessel operations.This paper presents the results of a study on this problem and how such an on-board system could be implemented to reduce fuel consumption and engine NO_X emissions.     

Numerical simulation of the hydrodynamic behaviour of submerged plane nets in current

The aim of this paper is to investigate the shape and tension distribution of fishing nets in current. A numerical model is developed, based on lumped mass method to simplify the net. The motion equation is set up for each lumped mass. The Runge–Kutta–Verner fifth-order and sixth-order method is used to solve these simultaneous equations, and then the displacement and tension of each lumped mass are obtained. In order to verify the validity of the numerical method, model tests have been carried out. The results by the numerical simulation agree well with the experimental data.     

A case study of mollusc and polychaete soft-bottom assemblages submitted to sedimentary instability in the Mediterranean Sea

In the Strait of Messina (Sicily, Central Mediterranean Sea) strong tidal currents, very irregular hydrological regime and related solid load, and local seismic activity cause sediment instability; this area represents therefore a case‐study of a naturally disturbed soft‐bottom environment. In this paper, mollusc and polychaete assemblages of the northern part of the Strait were described. Composition, community structure, eco‐ethological features, trophic guilds and sediment‐type relationships were studied in 64 stations sampled located between 3.5 and 50 m depth in October 1992 by means of a Van Veen grab. A total of 131 species (65 molluscs and 66 polychaetes) were identified. A dense population of the tubicolous polychaete Ditrupa arietina was recognized, together with the occurrence of other species tied to a high sedimentation rate, such as Corbula gibba and Tellina distorta, as well as widespread, mud‐tolerant species (e.g.Chone spp., Hyalinoecia tubicola). Diversity (H′) showed a peak at intermediate depths (10/20 m) and a clear decrease beyond this depth, corresponding to the Ditrupa core population. Multivariate comparison between sediment features and community composition throughout the bathymetric gradient showed a narrow ecocline between two environments subjected to opposite hydrodynamic constraints. In the shallower zone, a wide typology of trophic‐ethological guilds was related to community patchiness, in contrast to a greater functional uniformity of the deeper assemblage, dominated by sessile, semi‐infaunal suspension feeders. A possible role played by a phase of increased rainfall to increase bottom instability, locally emphasized by a previous human activity, is also discussed.     

浙江渔场的渔业资源动态与监测

本文根据历史资料和１９９３年资源动态监资料，阐明了浙江渔场及邻近海域渔业资源的变化状况，重点叙述了鲐、Ｃｈａｎ鱼、虾类、头足类的资源开发利用动态，讨论了渔业资源动态监测工作，提出今后搞好资源监测工作的建议。