Juvenile morphology: A clue to the origins of the most mysterious of mysticetes?

The origin of the pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata) has long been one of the most vexing conundrums of marine mammal evolution. The extremely disparate skeletal structure of Caperea and a patchy fossil record have left morphology and molecules at odds: whereas most morphological analyses ally Caperea with right whales (Balaenidae), most molecular studies instead suggest a close relationship with rorquals (Balaenopteridae) and grey whales (Eschrichtiidae). The morphological evidence supporting a Caperea-balaenid clade consists of several shared features of the skull and mandible, as traditionally observed in adult individuals. Here, we show that at least two of these features, the ascending process of the maxilla and the coronoid process, arise from substantially different precursors early during ontogeny and therefore likely do not represent genuine synapomorphies. Both of these juvenile morphologies have adult counterparts in the fossil record, thus indicating that the ontogenetic variation in the living species may be a genuine reflection of differing ancestral states. This new evidence contradicts previous morphological hypotheses on the origins of Caperea and may help to reconcile morphological and molecular evidence.     

Potential Risk of Norovirus Infection Due to the Consumption of “Ready to Eat” Food

In this study, we investigated the presence of enteric viruses such as norovirus (NoV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and adenovirus (HAdV), in vegetables available on the Italian markets. For this aim, 110 national and international ??ready to eat?? samples were collected and analyzed by biomolecular tests and positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. All samples (100?%) were negative for HAV, HEV, and HAdV, while 13.6?% (15/110) were positive for NoV. Actually there is not a formal surveillance system for NoV infections in Italy but we clearly demonstrated a potential risk associated with the consumption of ??ready to eat?? vegetables. This study confirmed for the first time in Italy the presence of norovirus in semi-dried tomatoes by PCR technique.     

Dynamic response of chlorsulfuron herbicide to nitrogen mineralization and the ratio of microbial biomass nitrogen to nitrogen mineralization in the soil

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＨｅｒｂｉｃｉｄｅｓａｒｅｎｏｗｕｓｅｄｅｘｔｅｎｓｉｖｅｌｙｉｎｃｒｏｐｐｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎ.Ｔｈｅｉｎｃｒｅａｓｉｎｇｕｓｅｏｆｈｅｒｂｉｃｉｄｅｓｗｉｔｈｎｉｔｒｏｇｅｎｆｅｒｔｉｌｉｚｅｒｓｈａｓｃｒｅａｔｅｄｓｅｒｉ?..     

A review of the contributions of Albert Einstein to Earth Sciences—in commemoration of the World Year of Physics

The World Year of Physics (2005) is an international celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s “Annus Mirabilis.” The United Nations has officially declared 2005 as the International Year of Physics. However, the impact of Einstein’s ideas was not restricted to physics. Among numerous other disciplines, Einstein also made significant and specific contributions to Earth Sciences. His geosciences-related letters, comments, and scientific articles are dispersed, not easily accessible, and are poorly known. The present review attempts to integrate them as a tribute to Einstein in commemoration of this centenary. These contributions can be classified into three basic areas: geodynamics, geological (planetary) catastrophism, and fluvial geomorphology. Regarding geodynamics, Einstein essentially supported Hapgood’s very controversial theory called Earth Crust Displacement. With respect to geological (planetary) catastrophism, it is shown how the ideas of Einstein about Velikovsky’s proposals evolved from 1946 to 1955. Finally, in relation to fluvial geodynamics, the review incorporates the elegant work in which Einstein explains the formation of meandering rivers. A general analysis of his contributions is also carried out from today’s perspective. Given the interdisciplinarity and implications of Einstein’s achievements to multiple fields of knowledge, we propose that the year 2005 serve, rather than to confine his universal figure within a specific scientific area, to broaden it for a better appreciation of this brilliant scientist in all of his dimensions.     

Briefing of activities relating to the studies on the environmental behavior and eco-toxicology of toxic organics

General status of the studies on the environmental behavior and eco-toxicology oftoxic organics was briefly reviewed，with the point of view that these kinds of studies are the requirements of sustainable development．Some current activities in this field were introduced，such as the revisions of OECD guidelines and the aceomplishments of programme on the advanced eva．1uations of chemicals finished recently by the Department of Environment Protection of Sweden．The general trend of emphasis of modelling，prediction from Structure-Activity Relationship was mentioned．In cope with the present serious pollutions by chemicals here in China，further united action ofdifferent disciplinary studies was recommended．     

Application of the “Climafor” baseline to determine leakage: the case of Scolel Té

The acceptance of forestry-based project activities to mitigate greenhouse gases emissions has been subjected to a number of methodological questions to be answered, of which the most challenging are baseline establishment and identification of and measuring leakage. Here we pose hypotheses for and quantify leakage of the Scolel Té project in Chiapas, Mexico. In this project small-scale farmers are implementing forestry, agroforestry, and forest conservation activities, with carbon sequestration as one of the goals. The main leakage monitoring domain is defined as the area owned by the participating farmers or communities outside the area where the specific project activities take place. The null-hypothesis (no leakage) is that non-project land owned by the farmer or community will experience the same carbon stock changes as predicted by the regional baseline, specifically developed for the project. First we assessed the most likely causes and sources of leakage that may occur in the project. From this analysis, one type of leakage seems to be important, i.e., activity shifting. Second we estimated the leakage of a sample of participating farmers and communities. Actual land use was then compared with expected land use derived from the baseline. The Plan Vivo of each participant, complemented with readily available tools to identify the main sources and drivers of leakage are used to develop simple leakage assessment procedures, as demonstrated in this paper. Negative leakage was estimated to be negligible in this study. Incorporating these procedures already in the project planning stage will reduce the uncertainties related to the actual carbon mitigation potential of any forestry project.

Introduction to the State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry

State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry （SKLEAC） is a member of the State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, responsibly constructed by Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS） with a loan from the World Bank and financial input from CAS. SKLEAC was founded based on several laboratories in the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences （RCEES） in the field of water quality sciences and technologies. SKLEAC is a multi disciplinary basic research center including environmental aquatic chemistry as core, geography, biology, ecology, hydrology, as well as environmental engineering and technology.     

Acoustical environment of urban area related to the city development

ＡｃｏｕｓｔｉｃａｌｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔｏｆｕｒｂａｎａｒｅａｒｅｌａｔｅｄｔｏｔｈｅｃｉｔｙｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔＬｉｕＸｉａｏｔｕＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＡｒｃｈｉｔｅｃｔｕｒｅ，ＳｏｕｔｈｅａｓｔＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ，Ｎａｎｊｉｎｇ２１０...     

Effect of monotoxicity and mixtoxicity of nitroaromatics to the green algae, Scienedesmus obliquus

In general, many pollutants co-exist in natural aquatic ecosystems. They affect each other and occur different results, such as synergism, addition and antagonism. So the research at mixtoxicity of contaminants to aquatic organism is more important than monotoxicity. In this paper, 50％ effectual inhibition concentration 48h EC50 values of 6 kinds of nitroaromatic compounds to the green algae, Scenedesmus obliquus, were investigated. Mixtoxic experiments, in which any combination of 2,4-DNT and other 6kinds of compounds, indicate: (1) synergisms between 2,4-DNT and 4-NAn, as well as 4-NAnis, 1,4-DNB; (2) antagonisms between 2,4-DNT and 4-NT, as well as 4-NPh, 4-NCB.     

Effect of monotoxicity and mixtoxicity of nitroaromatics to the green algae, Scienedesmus obliquus

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＥｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌｃｏｎｔａｍｉｎａｎｔｓｍａｙｈａｖｅｔｏｘｉｃｅｆｆｅｃｔｓｏｎｍａｎｙｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｔｏｒｇａｎｉｓｍｓａｎｄａｆｆｅｃｔｂｉｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｅｓａｔｃｅｌｌｕｌａｒ,ｐｏｐｕｌａｔｉｏｎ ,ｃｏｍｍｕｎｉｔｙａｎｄｅｃｏｓｙｓｔｅｍｌｅｖｅｌｓｏｆｏｒｇａｎｉｚａｔｉｏｎ .Ｍｏｓｔｒｅｃｅｎｔｈａｚａｒｄｅｖａｌｕａｔｉｏｎｐｒｏｇｒａｍｓｒｅｃｏｍｍｅｎｄａｌｇａｅｔｏｘｉｃｉｔｙｔｅｓｔｓｆｏｒｅｖａｌｕａｔｉｏｎｓｏｆｃ…     

Estimate of ammonia transfer from Lake Dianchi water to the air

ＥｓｔｉｍａｔｅｏｆａｍｍｏｎｉａｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒｆｒｏｍＬａｋｅＤｉａｎｃｈｉｗａｔｅｒｔｏｔｈｅａｉｒＤａｉＳｈｕｇｕｉ；ＺｈｕａｎｇＹｕａｎｙｉ；ＪｉｎＺｈａｏｈｕｉ（ＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＥｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌＳｃｉｅｎｃｅ，Ｎａｎｋａ...     

Exposure of aboriginal people to methylmercury due to gold mining in the Amazon, Brazil

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＳｉｎｃｅｔｈｅｅａｒｌｙ 1980’ｓ,ｒａｐｉｄｉｎｃｒｅａｓｅｓｉｎｇｏｌｄｍｉｎｉｎｇａｃｔｉｖｉｔｉｅｓｕｓｉｎｇｍｅｒｃｕｒｙａｍａｌｇａｍａｔｉｏｎｔｅｃｈｎｉｑｕｅｉｎｍａｎｙｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｉｎｇｃｏｕｎｔｒｉｅｓｈａｓｂｅｅｎｏｎｅｏｆｔｈｅｍａｉｎｓｏｕｒｃｅｓｏｆｍｅｒｃｕｒｙｐｏｌｌｕｔｉｏｎ ,ｐａｒｔｉｃｕｌａｒｌｙｉｎｔｈｅＡｍａｚｏｎａｎｄｏｔｈｅｒｔｒｏｐｉｃａｌｒｅｇｉｏｎｓ(Ｍａｌｍ ,1990 ;Ｒａｍｅｌ,1996;Ｉｋｉｎｇｕｒａ,1996;Ｌａｃｅｒｄａ,…     

The role of indicator choice in quantifying the threat of atmospheric ammonia to the ‘Natura 2000’ network

New ‘critical levels’ (CLE) for assessing the effects of atmospheric ammonia on sensitive ecosystems have recently been adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) of 1 and 3 [2–4] μg NH₃ m^?3 of ambient air (including water vapour), for different species sensitivities and their associated habitats. Based on these values, we examined how indicator choice affects estimates of stock-at-risk in the European ‘Natura 2000’ network.We applied an atmospheric model, FRAME, to estimate surface air concentrations of ammonia at 5 km and 1 km resolution for the UK network of Natura sites, optionally including calibration with the National Ammonia Monitoring Network. As a base indicator, we estimated the overall percentage area of the UK Natura network that exceeded critical level thresholds (‘Area Weighted Indicator’, AWI). We compared this with an alternative approach, estimating the percentage number of Natura sites where the critical level was exceeded (‘Designation Weighted Indicator’, DWI), which we consider more relevant under the terms of the Habitats Directive.Using the AWI (with 1 km calibrated ammonia), we estimate that 11.2%, 1.3% and 0.2% area of the UK Natura network exceeds the critical level values of 1, 2 and 3 μg NH₃ m^?3, respectively. By contrast, using the DWI, the equivalent exceedances are 59.1%, 23.6% and 9.8%. The highest regional exceedance (DWI, critical level 1 μg NH₃ m^?3) was calculated for England (91.9% exceeded), and the lowest for Scotland (24.0% exceeded). High resolution maps show that the larger threat estimated by the DWI approach is explained by (i) an anti-correlation between NH₃ concentration and Natura site area and (ii) the fact that exceedance over part of a Natura site is considered to represent a threat to the integrity of the whole site.     

Contribution of industrial and developing countries to the atmospheric CO2 concentrations: — impact of the Kyoto protocol

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto protocol made under the Convention, aim at controlling the greenhouse gas emissions and their concentrations in the atmosphere. The contributions of fossil fuel use in industrial and developing countries to the atmospheric CO₂ concentration are calculated using estimates for emission developments and a simple carbon cycle model. The contribution of the industrial countries to the CO₂ concentration increase, above the preindustrial level, is estimated to be about 50 ppm in 1990 if only the emissions from fossil fuels are considered. The contribution from developing countries is about 15 ppm. The contribution from industrial countries would increase by about 20 ppm between 1990 and 2010 if no emission reductions were assumed and by about 15 ppm in the considered rather strict reduction scenario. According to the Kyoto protocol the emissions from industrial countries should be reduced by 5.2% from the 1990 level in about 20 years. This development of the emissions would cause a concentration increase of 18 ppm. The concentration increase due to developing countries between 1990 and 2010 would be about 15 ppm. In order that the present global increase rate of CO₂ concentration 1.5 ppm/a would not be exceeded, steeper reductions than those made in Kyoto should be agreed. Increasing global emissions and slow removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere makes it difficult to reach the ultimate objective of the Climate Convention, the stabilisation of the atmospheric concentration.     

Does the long-term application of calcium superphosphate lead to an increase of the soil rare earth element contents?

In order to test whether the long-term application of calcium superphosphate leads to an increase of the soil rare earth element contents, superphosphate fertilized soils were sampled and compared with superphosphate-free soils. Spectrophlame inductively coupled argon plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer （ICP-AES） was applied to quantify the rare earth elements （REEs）. The total rare earth element contents in calcium superphosphate from Zhijin County, west part of Guizhou Province, China （produced by the sulphuric acid treatment of the apatites） are about 2.54 mg/g. Between 38 and 189 gREEs/hm^2 per year （available for plants, estimated by 2% citric acid） will be introduced into the soil solution when applying 320 kg superphosphate/hm^2 per year. The long-term application of the latter will increase the REE content by about 18% in the soil surface layer in these areas. A statistically significant increase of the content of the rare earths in some cultivated soils should not be neglected.     

Have a correct understanding of the attribute of geologicenvironment give full play to the role ofgeoscience in environmental protection

ＨａｖｅａｃｏｒｒｅｃｔｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇｏｆｔｈｅａｔｔｒｉｂｕｔｅｏｆｇｅｏｌｏｇｉｃｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔｇｉｖｅｆｕｌｌｐｌａｙｔｏｔｈｅｒｏｌｅｏｆｇｅｏｓｃｉｅｎｃｅｉｎｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌｐｒｏｔｅｃｔｉｏｎＨａＣｈｅｎｇ...     

Study on the toxicity of acid rain to microbiota in soils

With simulated acid rain and acidification, the soils from both Nanning and Liuzhou municipalities, Guangxi Zhuang Nationality Autonomous Region have been studied to determine the counts of azotobacter, bacteria, actinomyces and the activity of urease in soils, and the changes in respiratory intensity of soil so as to identify the toxicity of acidic substances to microbiota and enzyme in such soils. The concept of the critical pH of toxicity has been developed and used to discuss the representation of the concept, the basis on which the soil treated with simulated acid rain can be taken as an object of study, and the criteria for the identification of toxicity. Based on that as mentioned above, it was found that acid rain behaved to have toxicity to the microbiota in soils from Liuzhou other than from Nanning. The findings may be regarded as an objective basis to study the toxicity of acidic substances to microbiota and enzyme in soils in this region.     

Effect of dissolved organic matter on the toxicity of chlorotoluron to Triticum aestivum

Response of two wheat cultivars （Triticum aestivum cv. YM 158 and NM 9） to the herbicide chlorotoluron and the effect of two forms of dissolved organic matter on the chlorotoluron toxicity to the plants were characterized. Treatment with chlorotoluron at 10-50 μg/ml inhibited the seed germination and a dose-response was observed. The inhibition of seed germination was correlated to the depression of a-amylase activities. To identify whether chlorotoluron induced oxidative damage to wheat plants, the malondlaldehyde （MDA） content and electrolyte leakage were measured. Results showed that both MDA content and electrolyte leakage in the chlorotoluron-treated roots significantly increased. Activities of several key enzymes were measured that operate in citric acid cycle and carbohydrate metabolic pathway. Inhibited activities of citrate synthase and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase were observed in the chlorotoluron-treated roots as compared to control plants. We also examined malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in wheat roots exposed to 30 μg/ml chlorotoluron, liowever, none of the enzymes showed significant changes in activities. Application of 160 μg/ml dissolved organic matter （DOM） extracted from non-treated sludge（NTS） and heat-expanded sludge （lIES） in the medium with 30 μg/ml chlorotoluron induced an additive inhibition of seed germination and plant growth. The inhibition of growth due to the DOM treatment was associated with the depression of activities of a-amylase, citrate synthase and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase, as well as the increase in malondlaldehyde content and electrolyte leakage. These results suggested that the presence of DOM might enhance the uptake and accumulation of chlorotoluron, and thus resulted in greater toxicity in wheat plants. The two forms of DOM exhibited differences in regulation of chlorotoluron toxicity to the wheat plants. Treatments with DOM-NTS induced greater toxicity to plants as compared to those with DOM-HES. In addition to DOM affecting chlorotoluron-induced toxicity to wheat plants, the cultivars could have also contributed to differences. Generally, NM-9 showed a higher sensitivity to chlorotoluron than YM 158 either in the absence or in the presence of DOM.     

An approach to the influence of industrial structure on urban ecological environment

ＡｎａｐｐｒｏａｃｈｔｏｔｈｅｉｎｆｌｕｅｎｃｅｏｆｉｎｄｕｓｔｒｉａｌｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅｏｎｕｒｂａｎｅｃｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔＣｕｉＦｅｎｇｊｕｎ；ＲｕＪｉａｎｇ；ＸｕＹｕｎｌｉｎ（ＣｅｎｔｅｒｆｏｒＥｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌＳｃ...     

Is the contribution of bacteria to terrestrial carbon budget greatly underestimated?

Some commonly found species of soil bacteria use low molecular weight organic acids as their sole source of carbon and energy. This study shows that acids such as citrate and oxalate (produced in large amounts by fungi and plants) can rapidly be consumed by these bacteria. Two strains, Ralstonia eutropha and Xanthobacter autotrophicus, were cultured on acetate- and citrate-rich media. The resulting CO₂ and/or HCO₃^- reacted with calcium ions to precipitate two polymorphs of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), calcite and vaterite, depending on the quantity of slime produced by the strains. This production of primary calcium carbonate crystals by oxalate- and citrate-degrading bacteria from soil organic carbon sources highlights the existence of an important and underestimated potential carbon sink.