Histology of Sculpin spp. in east Greenland. I. Histological measures

There is inadequate morphological nomenclature and definition of organ pathology when using wild fish in biomonitoring of environmental pollution. The aim of this investigation was to provide a guide that assesses histology of Shorthorn (Myoxocephalus scorpius) and Fourhorn (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) sculpins obtained from a study using these two fish species as bioindicator organisms to evaluate environmental impact attributed to a dumpsite located in East Greenland. Specific histopathological lesions were quantified on the basis of Bernet et al. and all lesions were photomicrographed, evaluated, and placed into specific categories of five reaction patterns. These were circulatory disturbances, regressive changes, progressive alterations, inflammation, and tumors based on anatomical location, type, and severity. This method is postulated to enable an objective assessment of the histological integrity of fish gills and liver; thus, making it possible to compare sculpin pathology and reaction patterns at different locations. Data suggest that this updated histological guide might be used for identification and quantification of histological lesions when applying sculpins in biomonitoring programs in Greenland and other Arctic regions.     

Histology of Sculpin spp. in East Greenland. II. Histopathology and trace element concentrations

Abstract

For many years, the sculpin has been utilized as a sentinel monitoring species for anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment. To further develop its potential as a screening model body burden of several trace elements, including cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and selenium (Se), were investigated. In addition, histopathology in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius; n?=?20) and fourhorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus quadricornis; n?=?10) were examined at three sites around the Scoresby Sound settlement in Central East Greenland. Fourhorn sculpins caught at the most distant site from the settlement, contained significantly higher hepatic Cu and Cd concentrations as well as significantly elevated gill Pb levels compared to the shorthorn sculpins collected at two other sites closer to the settlement. Histological examinations showed that fish with significantly higher concentrations of hepatic Cd and Se exhibited greater nuclear alterations, interstitial hyperplasia/hypertrophy, interstitial mononuclear infiltrations and granulomas. Further, fish with higher Cd and Cu gill tissue levels displayed a significantly higher number of cytoplasmic alterations and lamellar epithelium lifting, hypertrophic and hyperplastic epithelium along with mucus cell hyperplasia. While the presence of liver lesions were not species or sex-specific, the presence of gill lesions decreased in the order female fourhorn sculpins?>?female shorthorn sculpins?>?male fourhorn sculpins?>?male shorthorn sculpins. Hepatic Hg concentrations exceeded known lowest observable effect doses (LOED) for fish (0.1–0.5?μg g^?1 ww) in 27% of fish, while liver Cd residues in 80% exceeded LOED (0.42–1.8?μg g^?1 ww). Based upon these results, data suggest that using the sculpin as a valuable sentinel fish species histopathology may serve as a reliable tool for assessing marine ecosystem exposure to trace metals. However, confounding physiological and ecological factors also need to be considered.     

Microbial associations in sponges. III. Ultrastructure of the in situ associations in coral reef sponges

Symbiotic cyanobacteria are associated with marine sponges in three ways: the majority are free-living in the mesohyl; large aggregates occur in cyanocytes (specialized, vacuolated archeocytes); and few are present in digestive vacuoles. The cyanobacteria in Jaspis stellifera and Neofibularia irata are morphologically similar to those described in Mediterranean sponges, whereas those in Pericharax heteroraphis are different. The freeliving bacterial populations are morphologically similar, although the number of bacteria varies between the species. The fourth sponge Ircinia wistarii contains a mixed bacterial population unlike those in the other sponges. Sponge digestion of microbial associates is rare and not considered to contribute significant nutrients.     

胁迫生态学研究进展

介绍了胁迫及胁迫生态学的定义,划分了胁迫的种类,阐述了胁迫生态学的研究意义和主要研究内容。受胁生态系统的症状包括营养循环、初级生产力、物种多样性、优势种群个体大小、演替方向、发病率和种群数量等的变化。在一定程度和一定时段内,生态系统的平衡机制可以缓解胁迫的影响;一旦胁迫超过自稳定能力,生态系统将进一步退化甚至发生不可逆转的崩溃。胁迫生态学可以为生态系统诊断、生态系统管理、生态系统恢复和重建提供理论依据。     

Bycatch of Marine Mammals in U.S. and Global Fisheries

Abstract:  Fisheries bycatch poses a significant threat to many populations of marine mammals, but there are few published estimates of the magnitude of these catches. We estimated marine mammal bycatch in U.S. fisheries from 1990 to 1999 with data taken from the stock assessment reports required by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act. The mean annual bycatch of marine mammals during this period was 6215 ± 448 (SE). Bycatch of cetaceans and pinnipeds occurred in similar numbers. Most cetacean (84%) and pinniped (98%) bycatch occurred in gill-net fisheries. Marine mammal bycatch declined significantly over the decade, primarily because of a reduction in the bycatch of cetaceans. Total marine mammal bycatch was significantly lower after the implementation of take reduction measures in the latter half of the decade. We derived a crude first estimate of marine mammal bycatch in the world's fisheries by expanding U.S. bycatch with data on fleet composition from the Food and Agriculture Organization. The global bycatch of marine mammals is in the hundreds of thousands. Bycatch is likely to have significant demographic effects on many populations of marine mammals. Better data are urgently needed to fully understand the impact of these interactions.     

Oxygen transfer in a high compacting multiphasic reactor (H.C.M.R.)

H.C.M.R. is a fluidised multiphasic reactor. In this reactor the rate of oxygen transfer was studied in order to characterise its efficiency as a system of aerobic treatment.

The studied parameters are: The size of the reactor, the volume of the particles, the oxygen transfer rate.

Several experiments were carried out with a variation of the above parameters and the results of the experiments are summarised as follows: The overall mass transfer rate coefficient k ₁ a increases with increasing of upflow gas rate (U_g ); The overall mass transfer rate coefficient k ₁ a decreases with increasing of the inert support volume (V_s); The overall mass transfer rate coefficient values from cylinder shaped particles were higher than those for disc shaped particles.     

不同来源重金属在土壤中的形态分布差异

试验表明：不同来源的Ｐｂ、Ｚｎ和Ｃｄ复合污染物在土壤中的形态分布有明显的差异，在废矿水和尾矿砂污染的土壤中，Ｐｂ、Ｚｎ和Ｃｄ主要以残渣态存在，而添加土壤中的Ｐｂ主要以弱专性吸附态和有机结合态存在，Ｚｎ和Ｃｄ主要以交换态存在，大豆苗对添加土壤中Ｐｂ、Ｚｎ和Ｃｄ的富集能力较强，而对废矿水污染和尾矿砂污染土壤中Ｐｂ、Ｚｎ和Ｃｄ的富集能力相对较弱。     

生态系统数据管理中的数据文档文件

生态系统的数据结构不同于商用数据结构。本文参考美国ＬＴＥＲＮ的Ｓｅｖｉｌｌｅｔａ站生态系统的数据管理模式，结合中国科学院封丘农业生态实验站的实际情况，着重介绍了生态系统的数据文档文件的特点、结构和应用，而这些都是研究生态系统数据管理的最基础工作。     

Sperm chemotaxis in the hydromedusae. I. Species-specificity and sperm behavior

Egg extracts from 32 species of marine hydromedusae, siphonophores and sessile hydroids were tested for sperm attracting activity using the sperm of all species in both homo- and heterospecific combinations. Species-specific sperm chemotaxis could be demonstrated in nearly every species tested. Of the 1,024 possible combinations, 272 could not be attempted for lack of material. Of the 752 which were carried out, only 13 heterospecific cross-reactions were found. The bulk of these involved reactions which were either weaker in the heterospecific direction or unidirectional. The sperm behavior in response to both homospecific and heterospecific egg extracts is described. In the latter case, no changes in sperm motility or direction of movement were observed. In the former case, the sperm show turning behavior which brings them closer to the source of the extract. Since most of the Hydrozoa tested share the same habitat and are reproductively active at the same time of year, it appears that species-specific sperm chemotaxis may be a significant mechanism for both ensuring fertilization in an environment which subjects the gametes to massive dilution and preventing hybridization.