Sensitivity analysis of a parameterization of the stomatal component of the DO3SE model for Quercus ilex to estimate ozone fluxes

A sensitivity analysis of a proposed parameterization of the stomatal conductance (g(s)) module of the European ozone deposition model (DO(3)SE) for Quercus ilex was performed. The performance of the model was tested against measured g(s) in the field at three sites in Spain. The best fit of the model was found for those sites, or during those periods, facing no or mild stress conditions, but a worse performance was found under severe drought or temperature stress, mostly occurring at continental sites. The best performance was obtained when both f(phen) and f(SWP) were included. A local parameterization accounting for the lower temperatures recorded in winter and the higher water shortage at the continental sites resulted in a better performance of the model. The overall results indicate that two different parameterizations of the model are needed, one for marine-influenced sites and another one for continental sites.     

Changes in plasma thyroid hormones and cortisol levels in crucian carp (Carassius auratus) exposed to the extracted microcystins

The endocrine response of crucian carp injected intraperitoneally with extracted microcystins (MC) was investigated in this study. Fish were injected intraperitoneally either with 0.75% NaCl (control) and Microcystis extract corresponding to 150 and 600 microg microcystins per kg body weight. The plasma levels of triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)), free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), free thyroxine (FT(4)), and cortisol were determined at 0, 1, 3, 12, 24, and 48h post-administration of MC-containing extract. Treated fish displayed abnormal behaviors, such as a startle response and disoriented swimming, as well as changes in ventilation rates. Plasma cortisol concentrations of fish in both dose groups significantly increased after administration of extracted MC and remained high throughout the experiment, which suggested that MC elicited a stress response in treated fish. The profiles of cortisol changes in treated fish appeared to be dose dependent, indicating that fish in the high dose group experienced greater MC-induced disturbance. Mortality occurred after 12h in the high dose group. Plasma levels of T(4), T(3), FT(4), and FT(3) did not vary significantly between the control fish. In contrast to this, fish exposed to MC-containing extract showed significant declines in T(3), FT(4), and FT(3) levels in a dose-dependent manner throughout the experiment. Plasma T(4) levels, however, did not vary significantly in the low dose group, whereas they decreased significantly at 48h post injection in the high dose group. This study demonstrates that administration of microcystins-containing extract causes a stress response and reduces the plasma levels of thyroid hormones in crucian carp. These results illustrate that microcystins exerted potent effects on the endocrine system of crucian carp, through activating their hypothalamus-pituitary- interrenal axis and disturbing thyroid function.     

Leaching of cyanogenic glucosides and cyanide from white clover green manure

Use of crops for green manure as a substitute for chemical fertilizers and pesticides is an important approach towards more sustainable agricultural practices. Green manure from white clover is rich in nitrogen but white clover also produces the cyanogenic glucosides (CGs) linamarin and lotaustralin; CGs release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) upon hydrolysis which may be utilized for pest control. We demonstrate that applying CGs in the form of a liquid extract of white clover to large columns of intact agricultural soils can result in leaching of toxic cyanide species to a depth of at least 1m. Although degradation of the CGs during leaching proceeded with half lives in the interval 1.5-35 h depending on soil characteristics, a fraction of the applied CGs (0.9-3.2%) was recovered in the leachate as either CGs or toxic cyanide species. Detoxification of the HCN formed was rapid in soil and leachate from both sandy and loamy soil. However, 30% of the leachate samples exceeded the EU threshold value of 50 micrgl(-1) total cyanide for drinking water and 85% exceeded the US threshold of 5 micrgl(-1) for cyanide chronic ecotoxicity in fresh water. This study demonstrates that even easily degradable natural products present in crop plants as defense compounds pose a threat to the quality of groundwater and surface waters. This aspect needs consideration in assessment of the risk associated with use of crops as green manure to replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well as in genetic engineering approaches to design crops with improved pest resistance.     

Effects of rare earth elements on the distribution of mineral elements and heavy metals in horseradish

In order to investigate the effects of rare earth elements (REEs) on horseradish, the distribution of the mineral elements and heavy metals in different organs of horseradish have been studied by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Meanwhile, three variable major parameters, namely the concentration of REEs, the type of REEs, and the growth stage of plant were chosen. The results indicated that the test REEs, Ce(III) and Tb(III), could be accumulated in leaves, stems and roots of horseradish. In addition, we found that the content of mineral elements was increased in horseradish treated with 20mgl(-1) of Ce(III), but not those with the 20mgl(-1) of Tb(III). Moreover, the content of mineral elements in horseradish was decreased with the increasing concentration of REEs (100, 300mgl(-1)). Furthermore, we found that there were the opposite effects on the content of the heavy metals in horseradish treated with REEs. Finally, we found that the effect of REEs on the accumulation of REEs, and the content of mineral elements or heavy metals of horseradish during vigorous growth stage, no matter positive or negative, was more obvious than that of the other growth stages. These results demonstrated that the distribution behaviors of mineral elements and heavy metals in horseradish can be affected by the type and concentration of REEs, and the growth period of plant.     

严队长，不严!？

在去武夷山下梅古民居的路上，严．荣禄查点了旅游客车上的人数后，向驾驶员敬礼示意放行，转身回到路面。车上紧随下来一位中年人，对他敬了个不标准的礼，说：“你好警官，我这是第二次见到你了，看得出你这人当警察很好。我没有别的意思，就是想把这句心里话说出来。”严荣禄道谢后，中年人挥挥手返回车上。     

煤矿企业实施安全评价的绩效分析

为了解煤矿企业实施安全评价工作的绩效,建立健全煤矿安全保障体系,提高煤矿企业安全管理水平,受国家安监总局委托,中国安全生产科学研究院于2006年底至2007年初在全国范围内对煤矿企业实施安全评价的绩效进行了调查.调查结果显示,实施安全评价对于企业提高安全意识、改善安全管理水平、改进安全设施、降低事故发生频率等有明显作用.     

打造绿色长廊构建和谐公路——泉州市公路局安全生产工作侧记

泉州市公路局下辖9个公路分局及路政管理分局、石砻收费站、工程处、筑路机械厂等12个科级单位和5个通行费征收所(站),全局干部职工2500多人,担负着辖区内近2000公里主干线公路的养护、路政管理、通行费征收和公路建设任务.     

苯甲酰苯胺光化学行为的共振拉曼光谱

采用共振拉曼光谱技术和量子化学计算研究了苯甲酰苯胺在甲醇和乙腈溶液中的短时光化学动力学行为.结果表明,苯甲酰苯胺的非平面反式结构为最稳定结构;在Frank-Condon区域内,苯甲酰苯胺主要由9个活性振动模组成;其中v24(苯环上C=C不对称伸缩振动和CCH的面内弯曲振动,NH面内弯曲振动)振动模在甲醇溶剂中的强度远远大于其在乙腈的强度;与脂肪酰胺类化合物和苯甲酰胺的研究结果比较发现,苯基取代-NH2上的H原子使得C=C不再具有明显的溶剂效应.     

图书馆书库清点方法初探

图书馆藏书大多存在实物与财产登记不符的状况，如情况较为严重则会影响到图书馆流通、采访等项工作的开展，因此适时进行书库清点具有重要意义。本文以中国环境管理干部学院图书馆的清点为实例，初步探讨了将条码作为清点切入点的书库清点工作的方法、步骤和注意事项。     

日照市畜牧业生产对环境的污染及其防治措施研究

畜禽粪便中大量有机污染物污染着人们赖以生存的土壤和水体，粪尿分解产生的大量有害气体污染了大气。本文结合日照市畜牧业生产的实际，对日照市畜牧业生产对环境的污染现状进行了分析，找出了日照市畜牧业生产对环境污染产生的主要原因和存在问题，提出畜牧业生产对环境污染的防治对策。