洞庭湖表层沉积物重金属污染状况评估

基于2010—2015年连续对洞庭湖3个主要湖区10个采样点的表层沉积物中Cd、Hg、As、Cu、Pb和Cr等重金属含量分析,对洞庭湖湖区表层沉积物中重金属的时空分布特征进行了探讨,并采用地积累指数法、潜在生态风险指数法和对数衰减模型评价洞庭湖沉积物重金属的污染状况.结果表明,洞庭湖沉积物中重金属平均含量大小顺序为CrPbCuAsCdHg,Cd、Cr和Pb的含量年际变化变幅较大,Hg、Cu和As则较小.地积累指数值(I_(geo))和单因子生态风险值(E_i~r)表明Cd和Hg是洞庭湖沉积物重金属主要污染物;从产生可以观察到毒性效果的最大可能性(P_(max))来看,Cd是洞庭湖沉积物重金属首要潜在水生生物风险毒性因子.综合地累积指数值(I_(tot))、总潜在生态风险值(RI)和预测的水生生物毒性比率(Y)的评价结果表明,在2010—2015年期间全湖重金属呈重度污染,面临重度潜在生态风险并可能具有产生水生生物毒性的风险,其各子湖区重金属的污染程度、潜在生态风险水平及潜在水生生物毒性水平排序为南洞庭湖东洞庭湖西洞庭湖;从随时间的变化趋势来看,在2014—2015年期间全湖及其东洞庭湖和南洞庭湖两个湖区的重金属污染程度、潜在生态风险水平及潜在水生生物毒性水平都要比2010—2013年降低,西洞庭湖区的重金属潜在生态风险水平及潜在水生生物毒性水平没有变化.     

水环境中基于分离-富集的金属形态分析方法研究进展

金属的形态对其在环境介质中的迁移转化、生物有效性和毒性具有重要影响.目前认为,金属的自由离子态和不稳定络合态是具有潜在生物有效性的形态,而纳米颗粒的存在使得具有生物有效性的金属形态变得更为复杂.痕量金属和纳米颗粒在天然水环境中的含量较低,大部分检测方法无法达到检测限要求.基于分离-富集的金属形态分析方法因检测限低、操作简单、结果可靠等优点被广泛用于环境中痕量金属及纳米颗粒存在下金属的形态分析.本文从原理、应用条件和优缺点等方面对梯度扩散薄膜技术、唐南渗析膜技术、离子交换技术和渗透液膜技术等基于分离-富集的金属形态分析方法进行综述,为水环境中金属形态分析方法的选择提供了参考和依据.     

定量有害结局路径(qAOP)评估环境化学物质毒性的研究进展Ⅱ:类二噁英物质及AhR-qAOP

环境中不断检出具有二噁英结构并存在潜在生物毒性的新型污染物类二噁英物质(dioxin-like compounds,DLCs),识别并评估其生态与人体毒性对化学品风险防控具有重要意义.传统的化学品毒性测试方法已不能满足评估大批环境化学物质风险的需求,基于芳香烃受体(aryl hydrocarbon receptor,AhR)的有害结局路径(adverse outcome pathway,AOP)为准确评估潜在DLCs的生态与健康风险提供了新的策略.为指导预测新型DLCs的毒性,需在定性AhR-AOP基础上发展定量AOP.本文综述了AhR-AOP的研究现状,并总结了"AhR激活-胚胎毒性"定量AOP的最新进展,包括定量模型的开发、相关体外测试技术、对新型DLCs和不同物种的危害评估的适用性等.最后探讨了AhR-qAOP发展过程中的问题与潜在解决方案,对其应用于DLCs生态危害与风险评价的前景进行了展望.     

基于斑马鱼毒理基因组学的化学品测试技术研究进展

大量缺乏毒性信息的化学品最终进入环境水体,对人类及生态生物产生潜在的危害与风险。提高化学品生物毒性测试与评估技术的通量和效率,是实现毒害化学物质环境与生态健康风险防控的关键。作为一种可以实现高通量测试的脊椎动物模型,斑马鱼胚胎测试在化学品的毒性评估中应用广泛。随着组学技术的发展,毒理基因组学可有效提取毒害化学品致毒过程中干扰生物学通路的信息。这些机制信息可用于对单物质或复合污染物生物毒性的筛选和预测。本文综述了不同斑马鱼胚胎测试技术在化学品毒性筛选评估管理与水环境复合污染毒性监测中的发展和应用,详细介绍了一种新型斑马鱼胚胎简化转录组学技术的方法流程和优势,并探讨了综合斑马鱼胚胎毒性测试、行为分析和组学等不同测试技术在化学品毒性测试、环境监测与评价中的应用前景。     

贵阳市冬季PM_(2.5)中典型重金属元素的化学形态分析与健康风险评价

为了更准确地研究重金属的生物有效性和对环境与人体的潜在生态危害,采用改进BCR法分析了贵阳市冬季PM_(2.5)中Cu、Mn、Co、Cd、Pb这5种重金属元素的化学形态,并评价了它们的生物有效性和健康风险。结果表明:不同重金属元素形态分布存在差异,Cu主要是弱酸溶态,其次是可氧化态;Mn主要是弱酸溶态,其次是残渣态;Co没有检测出可还原态,而在其他3种形态分布比较平均;Pb和Cd绝大部分都是弱酸溶态。生物有效性系数(K)分析结果表明:重金属生物有效性强弱顺序为CdPbMnCuCo,其中Cd和Pb的K0.8,属于生物可利用性元素;Mn、Cu、Co的K值在0.4~0.7之间,属于潜在生物可利用性元素。健康风险评价表明:成人的致癌风险比儿童大,尤其Cd对成年人存在潜在的致癌风险,且成年男性高于成年女性;Mn存在潜在非致癌风险,且对儿童的风险最大。     

典型城区水-土-生物介质中铅和汞的生物可利用性

生物可利用性一般是指环境中重金属元素在生物体内的吸收积累程度或毒性程度,即生物受体暴露于环境介质中污染物的限度.常用的预测、评估重金属元素生物可利用性的方法是相关性分析.重金属在环境介质中迁移、转化过程中其生物可利用性必然发生改变,只有了解重金属在各环境介质中的环境行为,才能综合评价其生态风险以及筛选合适的修复方案.     

有关稀有鮈鲫作为本土模式生物的争议及辨析

<正>在化学品环境管理中,一般采用具有代表性的模式生物作为实验材料获取毒性数据,进而判定化学品的毒性等级以及评价其对环境造成的风险。迄今为止,经济合作与发展组织(OECD)、美国环境保护署(US EPA)、国际标准化组织(ISO)已经推荐了大量可用于生态毒理测试的模式生物。以OECD为例,41个生态毒性测试方法涉及了近90种不同营养级、不同环境介质的模式生物。     

金属纳米材料的生物毒性效应研究进展

综述了金属纳米材料的生物毒性效应,重点介绍了影响金属纳米材料毒性效应的各种因素及其毒性效应产生的机理,并对金属纳米材料未来的研究发展方向作了展望,希望有助于促进关于纳米材料生态风险的科研工作,推动发展规范其使用的指导方针,减轻对人类健康及环境的不利影响.     

十溴二苯乙烷在环境中的分布及毒理学研究进展

十溴二苯乙烷(Decabromodiphenyl ethane,DBDPE)是一种新型溴系阻燃剂,在国内外得到越来越广泛的应用,因此在环境中也开始被普遍检测到.研究发现,DBDPE有生物累积的潜在可能性,这不仅会威胁生态系统的安全,也将对人类健康产生潜在影响.目前,关于DBDPE的研究主要集中于其在土壤、沉积物、生物体等环境介质中的含量分析,而对其急性毒性效应与亚急性毒性效应的研究较少,毒理学研究方面更是缺乏.因此,笔者拟介绍DBDPE的来源、环境分布、生物富集及毒理学效应,并提出了今后研究的主要方向.     

沉积物中汞的甲基化研究进展

汞是环境中存在的一种重要污染物质,其毒性与之化学形态密切相关。环境中的汞主要以无机汞形态存在,然而无机汞可以通过甲基化作用转化为毒性更强的甲基汞,从而给受到暴露的生物及人类带来更高的健康风险。沉积物是汞在水生环境系统中的主要分布相,也是无机汞甲基化过程发生的主要场所。沉积物中汞的甲基化过程受到生物种类、汞的生物可利用性等生物因素及温度、含硫化合物、有机质、氧化还原条件等环境理化性质的影响。本文对汞在沉积物中甲基化过程的作用机制及其影响因素的研究现状及最新进展进行了总结,并对未来更深入的研究进行了展望。     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.