三亚河表层沉积物中多环芳烃分布、来源解析及生态风险评价

为了解三亚河表层沉积物中多环芳烃分布特征及生态风险,应用加压流体萃取、高效液相色谱检测表层沉积物中16种优先控制PAHs的含量和组成.结果表明,研究区域内表层沉积物中PAHs含量为3.23—493 ng·g~(-1)之间,平均浓度为211 ng·g~(-1),调查区域表层沉积物中PAHs含量与其它区域河流、湖库和海域沉积物中PAHs的含量比较,PAHs含量属于低值水平.调查区域表层沉积物中PAHs含量以3—5环为主,其对总浓度的贡献率为76.6%—100%,平均为84.4%,采用同分异构体比值分析结果显示PAHs主要来源于木柴、煤炭等燃烧源.质量基准法和质量标准法分析表明三亚河表层沉积物中的PAHs含量水平对该区域的生态环境影响较小,但对长期生活在该区域的底栖生物将构成轻微的潜在威胁,应采取相应管控措施,控制多环芳烃排入三亚河.     

太湖部分沉积物中多环芳烃生态风险评估

对2009年12月采集的部分太湖表层沉积物中多环芳烃类化合物（PAHs）的现状进行调查和研究,结果表明,太湖流域表层沉积物中共检出属于美国优先控制16种PAHs中的9种,各采样点位PAHs浓度范围在264.9—1703.2 ng·g-1之间.分析显示,表层沉积物中以4环及4环以上PAHs为主,两者之和约占PAHs总量的...     

长江嘉陵江重庆段多环芳烃的分布特征和来源辨析

2014年7月,采集长江嘉陵江重庆段9个断面的地表水和沉积物样品,检测15种多环芳烃(PAHs)含量.结果表明,地表水的∑PAHs浓度范围为65.6—1249 ng·L~(-1),沉积物中∑PAHs浓度范围为68.6—4226 ng·g~(-1),与其历史浓度水平相当;聚类分析表明,化工园区对其下游PAHs分布有一定影响,园区下游地表水和沉积物∑PAHs浓度最高.两江汇流前,地表水4环PAHs占总量的43.63%—61.68%;两江汇流后,2环比例增加,占总量的29.01%—68.72%;沉积物4环PAHs占总量的26.62%—48.74%.在顺流方向,地表水中河左∑PAHs浓度高于河中和河右,沉积物中∑PAHs浓度横向无明显差别,其中化工园区下游可能是受左岸工业影响,地表水中河左∑PAHs浓度是河中、河右的12倍和7倍,沉积物中河左∑PAHs浓度是河右的7倍.环数组成、分子比值和主成分分析表明研究区域地表水PAHs来源主要为木材、煤燃烧源,同时还包括石油燃烧和石油泄漏,沉积物则主要为木材、煤高温燃烧源.     

厦门湾海域表层沉积物重金属和多环芳烃污染特征及生态风险评价

研究了厦门湾海域表层沉积物中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cr,Cd,Hg和As和16种多环芳烃的分布、来源及潜在的生态风险.结果表明:(1)Cu,Pb和As平均含量均介于效应浓度区间低值(ERL)和效应浓度区间中值(ERM)之间,而大多数站位Zn,Cr,Cd和Hg平均含量则低于ERL值;(2)沉积物多环芳烃(PAHs)以石油或油料燃烧来源为主,PAHs的总量远低于ERL值(4000μg·kg~(-1));(3)重金属与低环PAHs相关性显著,易发生交互作用;(4)利用沉积物平均效应区间中值商法(mERM-Q)进行沉积物生态风险评价发现,筼笃湖表层沉积物对海洋底栖生物可能存在较强的生物毒性风险.     

黄浦江表层沉积物中多环芳烃的分布特征及来源

利用GC/MS对黄浦江8个断面表层沉积物中的16种多环芳烃(PAHs)进行了分析.沉积物中PAHs总量为0.244—2.805μg·g-1,从上游到下游呈升高趋势,工业污染和城市活动是黄浦江水环境中多环芳烃的重要来源.苏州河对黄浦江下游水环境中的多环芳烃具有较大的输入贡献.特征化合物指数分析表明,黄浦江沉积物中的多环芳烃主要来自于化石燃料的不完全燃烧,中下游显示一定的混合来源特征.相关性分析表明,总有机碳是影响沉积物中多环芳烃分布的重要因素.     

雨水径流对景观水体中多环芳烃污染特征的影响

以北京市长河湾流域某排污口附近景观水体为研究对象,通过对水体中PAHs的连续检测,研究了雨水径流对景观水体中PAHs污染特征的影响,以期为景观水体中PAHs的控制和管理提供科学依据.结果表明,长河湾景观水体中∑16PAHs在降雨时的浓度变化与降雨强度及降雨量有关,长河湾水体中溶解态PAHs组分以3环和4环为主,2环组分所占的比例最少.水体底部沉积物中PAHs含量明显高于岸边,沉积物中∑16PAHs含量约为229.2μg.kg-1,岸边土壤中∑16PAHs含量约为185.6μg.kg-1,低于国内外一些水域沉积物中PAHs污染浓度.     

珠江水体表层沉积物中PAHs的含量与来源研究

沿珠江白鹅潭水域及大学城官州河流域设立6个采样点,利用沉积物捕获器收集沉积物。参照美国EPA8000系列方法及质量保证和质量控制,对各采样点表层沉积物中16种多环芳烃（polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs）进行分析,以阐明珠江广州河段表层沉积物中PAHs的含量和分布特征,并结合特征化合物指数对其来源作初步探讨。珠江广州河段表层沉积物中PAHs总量介于4 787.5～8 665 ng·g^-1,平均值为7 078 ng·g^-1,黄沙码头河涌出口沉积物中总量为最高（8 665 ng·g^-1）,芳村码头为最低（4 787.5 ng·g^-1）。16种多环芳烃中菲、荧蒽、芘含量较高,分别占PAHs总量的16.11%、14.47%和17.77%。特征化合物荧蒽/202比值均小于0.5,茚并[1,2,3-cd]芘/276比值均大于0.2,表明珠江广州段表层沉积物中PAHs主要来源于化石燃料的不完全燃烧。     

基于统计方法的辽东湾沉积物中多环芳烃来源特征分析

为研究辽东湾表层沉积物中多环芳烃(PAHs)的来源特征,2014年5月采集了20个辽东湾海域表层沉积物样品,并利用气相色谱质谱联用仪对优先控制的16种PAHs进行测定,采用聚类分析、主成分分析-多元线性回归分析、异构体比值3种统计方法对辽东湾表层沉积物中PAHs来源特征进行了研究。结果表明,辽东湾表层沉积物中PAHs含量范围88.5~199.3 ng·g-1,平均值为(126.3±35.3)ng·g-1,其中,萘、菲和荧蒽是PAHs优势组分。通过统计分析结果表明,辽东湾北部表层沉积物中PAHs含量低于西南部,沉积物中PAHs的来源包括石油燃烧来源、煤炭、木材等生物质燃烧来源和石油来源,其中燃烧来源是主要来源,煤炭、木材等生物质燃烧来源占49.9%,石油燃烧来源和石油来源占50.1%。     

香港内后海湾拉姆萨尔湿地表层沉积物中多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布及来源解析

对香港内后海湾拉姆萨尔湿地红树林表层沉积物中多环芳烃的分布特征进行了研究.依照采样区周边环境特征布设4个区域(SZ、SP、MF和M分别代表深圳河、山贝河、泥滩和红树林区),4个区域表层沉积物中15种美国环保局优先控制的多环芳烃浓度总量介于161.7—386.3 ng.g-1.平均值为210.2 ng.g-1,红树林区域沉积物中总量最高(386.3 ng.g-1),而泥滩内部区域沉积物中总量最低(161.7 ng.g-1).对比其时空分布,表明这些化合物主要来自于深圳河和香港的山贝河,但其含量还不会对研究区的生态构成威胁.     

长江河口沉积物柱状样中多环芳烃沉积记录分析

多环芳烃(PAHs)是一类分布广泛的环境污染物,在环境中具有潜在的危害性,可通过多种途径进入河口及岸带环境中,而绝大多数输入海岸带及河口中的PAHs主要与人类活动有关.通过监测水体、沉积物中PAHs含量,可以了解近期该水域PAHs污染情况,而沉积物柱样中PAHs的分布特征可以追溯该区域PAHs的污染历史.本研究旨在通过长江口柱状沉积物中PAHs的浓度、分布特征及组成,了解长江口PAHs的污染现状及污染历史,认识其对长江口环境的危害程度,同时运用PAHs系列化合物的一些参数和指标来探讨不同污染源的影响.     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.