Spectral characteristics of plant communities from salt marshes:A case study from Chongming Dongtan,Yangtzeestuary,China

The spectral reflectance of recently formed salt marshes at the mouth of the Yangtze River, which are undergoing invasion by Spartina alterniflora, were assessed to determine the potential utility of remotely sensed data in assessing future invasion and changes in species composition. Following a review of published research on remote sensing of salt marshes, 53 locations along three transects were sampled for paired data on plant species composition and spectral reflectance using a FieldSpec™ Pro JR Field Portable Spectroradiometer. Spectral data were processed concerning reflectance, and the averaged reflectance values for each sample were reanalysed to correspond to a 12-waveband bandset of the Compact Airborne Spectral Imager. The spectral data were summarised using principal components analysis (PCA) and the relationships between the vegetation composition, and the PCA axes of spectral data were examined. The first PCA axis of the reflectance data showed a strong correlation with variability in near infrared reflectance and ‘brightness’, while the second axis was correlated with visible reflectance and ‘greenness’. Total vegetation cover, vegetation height, and mudflat cover were all significantly related to the first axis. The implications of this in terms of the ability of remote sensing to distinguish the various salt marsh species and in particular the invasive species S. alterniflora were discussed. Major differences in species with various physiognomies could be recognised but problems occurred in separating early colonising S. alterniflora from other species at that stage. Further work using multi-seasonal hyperspectral data might assist in solving these problems.     

Lessons from Norovirus Outbreak in Warsaw,Poland, December 2012

Efficient foodborne outbreak investigations are important for identification of gaps in food safety and public health practice. This article reports on an investigation of a gastroenteritis outbreak linked to catering food following a Christmas reception at the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene (NIPH-NIH) in Warsaw in December 2012. Of 192 employees eating food at the catering event, 97 (50.5 %) developed symptoms. Persons eating dishes with recipes containing frozen carrots were five times more likely to develop gastrointestinal symptoms compared to those who did not eat carrots. Laboratory analysis identified norovirus in stool samples taken from symptomatic persons. Leftover food was not available for testing. The investigators did not collect stool specimens from food handlers and did not conduct trace backs for the suspected food ingredients. This investigation underlines the need for a revision of an existing procedures and importance of their complementation with detailed instructions for the local public health authorities for effective completion of foodborne outbreaks investigations in Poland.     

湖北恩施渔塘坝高硒土壤中硒的结合态

湖北恩施渔塘坝是中国人群硒中毒爆发性流行的典型病区.使用改进的7步连续化学浸提技术.对渔塘坝土壤硒进行了水溶态、可交换态、有机态、元素态、酸性提取态、硫化物/硒化物态和残渣态硒的提取,并应用氢化物-原子荧光法测定了土壤总硒和各结合态硒.结果表明,渔塘坝高硒土壤中硒结合态分布基本可以分为4种类型,或以有机结合态硒为主,或以元素态硒为主,或是有机结合态和元素态硒为主,亦或是有机结合态和硫化物/硒化物硒为主,可交换态和元素态硒次之.上述硒的结合态分布特征说明,渔塘坝土壤硒来源或以人为引入硒为主,或以富硒碳质岩石的风化来源为主.渔塘坝旱地土壤中元素态硒(多以自然硒晶体形式出现)的普遍分布,揭示了人为来源硒的引入是导致田地土壤高硒的主要原因.也就是说,20世纪60年代初期,当地村民耕种田地的施肥方式是引入硒的主要途径.     

Dodo remains from an in situ context from Mare aux Songes, Mauritius

Since 2005, excavations at Mare aux Songes, Mauritius, have revealed the presence of a very rich, ∼4,200-year-old fossil bone bed including dodo (Raphus cucullatus) bones and bone fragments. The recently excavated dodo assemblage comprises at least 17 individuals and is characterised by the presence of small and fragile skeletal elements, a dominance of leg elements and an absence of juveniles. The hydrology of the area suggests that dodos, like many other species, were probably lured to Mare aux Songes by the presence of freshwater during times of drought. The most likely scenario for the origin of the fossil deposit is that animals became trapped in the sediment in repeated miring events, which would favour the conservation of hindlimbs. Such a scenario is fully in accordance with the taphonomic characteristics of the bone assemblage.     

江苏盱眙坡缕石的矿物学特征

对采自江苏盱眙的坡缕石进行了化学成分分析、扫描电镜、X射线衍射、差热和红外光谱的研究。结果表明研究区的坡缕石属沉积型的土状坡缕石，结构特征为单斜晶系，其结晶程度一般。     

The Triassic dicynodont Kombuisia (Synapsida, Anomodontia) from Antarctica, a refuge from the terrestrial Permian-Triassic mass extinction

Fossils from the central Transantarctic Mountains in Antarctica are referred to a new species of the Triassic genus Kombuisia, one of four dicynodont lineages known to survive the end-Permian mass extinction. The specimens show a unique combination of characters only present in this genus, but the new species can be distinguished from the type species of the genus, Kombuisia frerensis, by the presence of a reduced but slit-like pineal foramen and the lack of contact between the postorbitals. Although incomplete, the Antarctic specimens are significant because Kombuisia was previously known only from the South African Karoo Basin and the new specimens extend the taxon’s biogeographic range to a wider portion of southern Pangaea. In addition, the new finds extend the known stratigraphic range of Kombuisia from the Middle Triassic subzone B of the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone into rocks that are equivalent in age to the Lower Triassic Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone, shortening the proposed ghost lineage of this taxon. Most importantly, the occurrence of Kombuisia and Lystrosaurus mccaigi in the Lower Triassic of Antarctica suggests that this area served as a refuge from some of the effects of the end-Permian extinction. The composition of the lower Fremouw Formation fauna implies a community structure similar to that of the ecologically anomalous Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone of South Africa, providing additional evidence for widespread ecological disturbance in the extinction’s aftermath.     

北京官厅水库水体甲状腺激素干扰效应检测及特征

应用重组人甲状腺激素受体(hTR)基因酵母快速测试方法,检测北京官厅水库水体类/抗甲状腺激素干扰效应,并分析其地理分布、季节分布特征以及水体甲状腺激素干扰化合物(TDCs)组成特征.结果表明:官厅水库水体检出了显著的抗甲状腺激素干扰效应,与其它研究区域相比,效应处于较低到中等水平;入库河流对库区水质产生显著影响,且入库河流水质受季节影响显著,因此,库区水体不同季节甲状腺激素干扰水平存在差异;C18固相萃取柱对抗甲状腺激素干扰效应的去除率在61.9%~92.3%,表明官厅水库水体中的甲状腺激素抑制活性物质多集中在有机组分,加入30mg/L的EDTA后TR抑制活性显著降低,表明官厅水库水体中TDCs除有机化合物外可能还包含重金属类无机化合物.     

Flow and geochemical modeling of drainage from Tomitaka mine, Miyazaki, Japan

The chemistry and flow of water in the abandoned Tomitaka mine of Miyazaki, western Japan were investigated. This mine is located in a non-ferrous metal deposit and acid mine drainage issues from it. The study was undertaken to estimate the quantities of mine drainage that needs to be treated in order to avoid acidification of local rivers, taking into account seasonal variations in rainfall. Numerical models aimed to reproduce observed water levels and fluxes and chemical variations of groundwater and mine drainage. Rock–water interactions that may explain the observed variations in water chemistry are proposed. The results show that: (1) rain water infiltrates into the deeper bedrock through a highly permeable zone formed largely by stopes that are partially filled with spoil from excavations (ore minerals and host rocks); (2) the water becomes acidic (pH from 3 to 4) as dissolved oxygen oxidizes pyrite; (3) along the flow path through the rocks, the redox potential of the water becomes reducing, such that pyrite becomes stable and pH of the mine drainage becomes neutral; and (4) upon leaving the mine, the drainage becomes acidic again due to oxidation of pyrite in the rocks. The present numerical model with considering of the geochemical characteristics can simulate the main variations in groundwater flow and water levels in and around the Tomitaka mine, and apply to the future treatment of the mine drainage.     

意大利的金枪鱼、箭鱼、鸬鹚以及家燕等体内的多氯萘、多氯联苯、多氯二苯-p-二恶英、多氯二苯并呋喃以及p,p''''-DDE

我们曾对从意大利收集的金枪鱼、箭鱼、普通鸬鹚以及家燕体内的p,p'-DDE、多氯联苯同类物(PCBs)、多氯二苯-p-二恶英(PCDDs)、多氯二苯并呋喃(PCDFs)以及多氯萘(PCNs)浓度进行过测量.     

杭州地区城区降雪中全氟化合物的污染特征

通过调查杭州降雪中16种全氟化合物(PFCs)的质量浓度,考察了杭州地区大气中PFCs的污染状况.2016年1月20~22日,在杭州市城区及主要郊县建成区共计11个采样点采集降雪样品,应用固相萃取净化、富集与超高效液相色谱-串联质谱联用相结合的方法,测定样品中PFCs质量浓度.所有采样点降雪均有不同浓度的PFCs检出,全部样品共检出包括C_4和C_8全氟烷基磺酸以及C_4~C_6、C_8和C_9全氟烷基羧酸等7种中短链PFCs.ΣPFCs质量浓度范围为2.85~35.1 ng·L~(-1),其中全氟辛酸(PFOA)质量浓度范围2.15~23.0 ng·L~(-1),为主要污染因子,全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)检出浓度较低,为0~0.46 ng·L~(-1).与国内外其它地区相比杭州降雪中PFOA含量居于中等水平,PFOS含量则处于相对较低水平.污染物空间分布城区略高于郊县,其中富阳最高,建德和淳安较低.本次调查,在研究区域降雪中普遍检出以PFOA为主较高浓度的PFCs,表明湿沉降已经成为杭州地区土壤、地表水和地下水等生态系统PFCs污染一个不可忽视的污染源,需要有关部门引起足够的重视.研究结果揭示了杭州地区大气中广泛存在以PFOA为主的PFCs污染,大气因素可能已成为当地人群和生态环境暴露PFCs的重要途径之一.     

欲要蓝天再现 先从完善立法开始

<正>雾霾锁国,深中霾伏,自强不吸……最近两年,大气污染成了13亿人民关注的焦点。为回应民意,中央政府迅速出台了《大气污染防治行动计划》,提出了"全国空气质量总体改善,重污染天气较大幅度减少"的总体目标,各级地方政府也就2017年具体减排目标纷纷做出承诺。一切似乎都预示实现呼吸清洁空气的梦想指日可待。然而,2013年年底国家发改委发布的"十二五"规划纲要     

借鉴国外经验,推广热电联产联供

1 德国热电联产联供概况 德国的电力市场构成比较复杂,从国家到地方大约有1000家电力公司在运行。其中9家跨地区的大公司控制着全国大约85％的发电量和大部分跨地区的电力输送,有些小的电力公司和地方电力公司从这些大公司购买电力。在发展热电联产过程中存在着:电力价格持续走低,投资回收期偏长,电厂建设在环保方面的许可程序复杂等发展障碍。但德国政府从减少温室气体排放和减少核电量的环保角度出发,鼓励发展热电联产;再加上天然气价格比较便宜,以及欧盟倡导能源市场解放运动对德国的影响,德国在欧盟中热电联产发展处于中上水平,其热电联产的发电量占全国总发电量的14％,总装机容量超过22000MW。     

Sources and composition of aerosol from Khartoum,Sudan

Aerosol sampling was carried out during December 1989 in Khartoum, Sudan, using Nuclepore membrane filters. Twenty-four aerosol samples were collected and analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). In addition, individual particle analysis was also performed on 19 samples using electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA). Good agreement between XRF and PIXE results was obtained for most of the elements. Enrichment factor calculations indicated that soil dispersion is the dominant source for most elements in the aerosol. However, certain elements showed high enrichment factors indicating the presence of anthropogenic sources. From a comparison with available literature data it appeared that the enrichment factors for the enriched elements in the Khartoum aerosol are among the lowest recorded values for urban aerosol. Absolute principal components analysis (APCA) was performed on the data and confirmed the findings from the enrichment factor calculations, i.e. a dominant soil dispersion source and an anthropogenic source for some of the elements. Because of the very limited number of impotant aerosol sources, the data set was reporduced by the APCA model with a reasonable degree of success. Single particle analysis also showed that most of the particles were soil dust. These particles could further be differentiated into alumino-silicates, quartz and CaCO₃ particles. Some of the particles were found to originate from combustion sources. EPXMA gave clues to the process of formation for some of the particles from combustion sources.     

A large Cretaceous theropod from Patagonia, Argentina, and the evolution of carcharodontosaurids

The Cretaceous Carcharodontosauridae is the latest clade of carnosaurs, including the largest predatory dinosaurs yet recorded. Albeit spectacular for their size, the skeletal anatomy of these theropods remains poorly-known, and their diversity was until recently restricted to two Cenomanian species: the highly derived Giganotosaurus carolinii, from southern South America, and the incompletely known Carcharodontosaurus saharicus, from northern Africa. Here we describe an older and basal member of the group, Tyrannotitan chubutensis gen. et sp. nov., from Aptian strata of Patagonia, Argentina. The new taxon gives new insights into the systematics and evolution of carcharodontosaurids and offers a better understanding of the evolution of Southern theropod faunas. We suggest that carcharodontosaurids radiated in Gondwana sharing with spinosaurids the role of top-predators until their extinction in Cenomanian–Turonian times. During this interval, the diplodocoid sauropods and giant titanosaurians went extinct (probably as part of a global-scale crisis), and the smaller abelisaurid theropods took dominance, reigning until the end of the Cretaceous. Electronic Supplementary Material is available.Electronic Supplementary Information  Supplementary material is available for this article at     

香港汀角红树植物、沉积物及双壳类动物重金属含量

汀角有香港面积最大的硬底质红树林,作者调查了该红树林区沉积物、红树植物以及双壳类动物体内重金属(Cu、Pb、Zn和Ni)的含量.总体看,沉积物中重金属含量与其他地点相比较低,红树植物根际沉积物中重金属含量高于光滩.红树植物组织内重金属含量较低,体内Pb、Zn的含量均低于根际沉积物,但对Cu、Ni有一定的富集,Cu可在根部和叶内富集,而Ni只在根部富集,并束缚于此.双壳类动物对4种重金属的吸收存在较大差异,Zn、Cu的富集明显高于Pb和Ni的富集程度.5种动物中又以岩蠔最高,体内的Zn、Cu分别达到3913, 378mg/g.从重金属含量看,作为食用动物有一定的风险.     

The Climate for Joint Implementation: Case Studies from Russia,Ukraine, and Poland

Joint implementation (JI) can provide flexibility in meetingKyoto Protocol commitments, and 44 nations have already participated inthe U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change – Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) pilot. Thispaper surveys JI policy and projects in three countries – Russia, Ukraine,and Poland – over the past five years and examines the effects of domesticinstitutions, foreign policy, and investment trends on JI in each country.The institutional and economic situation in the three nations differs greatly,and these distinctions have resulted in very different circumstances for AIJprojects, affecting both their number and scope. Poland has a well-definedset of rules and procedures for JI and its economy is quite strong. Ukrainehas not yet established criteria or clear procedures for AIJ project reviewsalthough it does have an Interagency Commission on Climate Change.Ukraine's economy declined by over 40% in the 1990s. Russia'seconomy has also declined, to a lesser extent. Russia does have aprocedure for reviewing AIJ projects, though it has temporarily halted thesereviews. Countries seeking JI investment can take several steps to improve thenumber and quality of AIJ projects that they receive. In the long term,governments can create macroeconomic stability and a solid legalinvestment basis to attract investment for JI and other areas. In the shortterm, however, governments can undertake several simple and inexpensivesteps to promote JI. Establishing clear rules and procedures for AIJprojects is an important step. So too are clearly delegating responsibilityfor AIJ project review and providing a single JI point of contact in thegovernment to which investors and project developers can turn. Gainingmore experience in implementing AIJ projects now is important preparationfor fully implementing the Kyoto Protocol beginning in 2008.     

Adsorption of mercury on laterite from Guizhou Province, China

The adsorption behaviors of Hg(Ⅱ) on laterite from Guizhou Province,China,were studied and the adsorption mechanism was discussed.The results showed that different mineral compositons in the laterite will cause differences in the adsorption capacity of laterite to Hg(Ⅱ).Illite and non-crystalloids are the main contributors to enhancing the adsorption capacity of laterite to Hg(Ⅱ).The pH of the solution is an important factor affecting the adsorption of Hg(Ⅱ) on laterite.The alkalescent environment (pH 7-9) ...