Applying metabolic fingerprinting to ecology: The use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for the rapid screening of plant responses to N deposition

The potential for metabolic fingerprinting via Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to provide a novel approach for the detection of plant biochemical responses to N deposition is examined. An example of spectral analysis using shoot samples taken from an open top chamber (OTC) experiment simulating wet ammonium deposition is given. Sample preparation involved oven drying and homogenisation via mill grinding. Slurries of a consistent dilution were then prepared prior to FT-IR analysis. Spectra from control, 8 and 16 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 treatments were then subjected to cross-validated discriminant function analysis. Ordination diagrams showed clear separation between the three N treatments examined. The potential for using Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull as a bioindicator of N deposition is further evident from these results. The results also clearly demonstrate the power of FT-IR in discriminating between subtle phenotypic alterations in overall plant biochemistry as affected by ammonium pollution.     

The Value of Using Feasibility Models in Systematic Conservation Planning to Predict Landholder Management Uptake

Understanding the social dimensions of conservation opportunity is crucial for conservation planning in multiple‐use landscapes. However, factors that influence the feasibility of implementing conservation actions, such as the history of landscape management, and landholders’ willingness to engage are often difficult or time consuming to quantify and rarely incorporated into planning. We examined how conservation agencies could reduce costs of acquiring such data by developing predictive models of management feasibility parameterized with social and biophysical factors likely to influence landholders’ decisions to engage in management. To test the utility of our best‐supported model, we developed 4 alternative investment scenarios based on different input data for conservation planning: social data only; biological data only; potential conservation opportunity derived from modeled feasibility that incurs no social data collection costs; and existing conservation opportunity derived from feasibility data that incurred collection costs. Using spatially explicit information on biodiversity values, feasibility, and management costs, we prioritized locations in southwest Australia to control an invasive predator that is detrimental to both agriculture and natural ecosystems: the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). When social data collection costs were moderate to high, the most cost‐effective investment scenario resulted from a predictive model of feasibility. Combining empirical feasibility data with biological data was more cost‐effective for prioritizing management when social data collection costs were low (<4% of the total budget). Calls for more data to inform conservation planning should take into account the costs and benefits of collecting and using social data to ensure that limited funding for conservation is spent in the most cost‐efficient and effective manner.     

含疏松缺陷的ZL205A合金力学性能研究

目的获取含疏松缺陷ZL205A材料主要力学性能参数的变化规律及力学行为。方法通过单轴拉伸实验测试,采用割线法估算含不同等级疏松ZL205A试样的力学性能参数;基于试样断面及载荷-位移曲线分析,归纳ZL205A材料的力学行为,并通过有限元模拟对假设的力学模型进行验证。结果发现ZL205A材料的抗拉强度、伸长率、弹性模量及屈服强度指标呈现随疏松等级增加而降低的趋势,材料变形塑性屈服阶段不明显且具有脆性断裂特征。结论 Ramberg-Osgood方程适合于描述ZL205A材料的弹塑性本构关系。     

岩溶关键带微量元素运移的时空变化:以豫西鸡冠洞为例

为探索岩溶关键带元素运移时空变化特征及过程,自2009年10月至2015年5月对我国北方典型岩溶关键带——河南西部鸡冠洞相互作用带中各组分(大气降水、土壤、基岩、洞穴滴水、洞穴现代沉积物)进行了连续定点监测及取样分析,共获得650个实验数据.对比了Ca、Mg、Ba、Sr、δ~(13)C及元素比值在不同组分中的变化情况及运移规律.结果表明:(1)土壤与基岩是滴水的主要物质来源,Mg、Ba、Sr符合"土壤-基岩"二元物源模型,但各自所占比例并不相同.(2)在空间上,洞穴系统相互作用带中各元素迁移相互联系.滴水继承了土壤及基岩的信号,现代沉积物又能延续滴水各元素的信息.元素在土壤纵剖面中表现出了明显的淋溶和淀积作用,最下层土壤较好地继承了基岩中微量元素的信息.(3)在时间上,洞穴系统相互作用带中各元素迁移复杂多变.土壤及滴水受降水淋滤作用影响皆表现明显的季节差异,然在岩溶水运移路径、PCP作用、极端干旱和年降水雨型的影响下,滴水元素浓度旱、雨季差异明显较土壤小.而PCP作用及元素选择性淋滤等因素又改变了沉积物中元素对滴水元素的延续特性.     

Critical velocity in phosphorus exchange processes across the sediment-water interface

Sediments are ultimate sinks of nutrients in lakes that record the pollution history evolutionary processes, and anthropogenic activities of a lake. However, sediments are considered as inner sources of environmental factor changes such as the variation in hydrodynamic conditions because of the nutrients they release. How does this process happen？ This study investigates a typical nutrient phosphorus （P） exchange among sediment, suspended particle matter （SPM）, and water. Compared with numerical and experimental studies, this study confirms that the critical velocity that occurs at a lower flow rate state exists in the range of 7 to 15 crn/sec. Critical velocity below the critical flow rate promotes the migration of particulate phosphorus （PP） to the SPM. On the other hand, critical velocity above the critical flow rate promotes the release of PP in water.     

外来生物入侵关键点控制管理体系——基于风险管理的研究

将风险管理理论与外来生物入侵风险分析相结合，借鉴食品质量控制中的关键点控制原理，提出了防止外来生物入侵风险的关键点控制方法。针对人类有意引种、随人类活动无意引入以及自然传入3类外来生物入侵的传入途径，在入侵途径上确定若干个风险控制关键点，有针对性地提出了相应的控制措施，以减小外来生物的入侵风险，提高我国在防止外来生物入侵方面的管理与控制效率。     

The Role of Prices in Conserving Critical Natural Capital

Abstract: Until recent decades, economic decision makers have largely ignored the nonmarket benefits provided by nature, resulting in unprecedented threats to ecological life‐support functions. The economic challenge today is to decide how much ecosystem structure can be converted to economic production and how much must be conserved to provide essential ecosystem services. Many economists and a growing number of life scientists hope to address this challenge by estimating the marginal value of environmental benefits and then using this information to make economic decisions. I assessed this approach first by examining the role and effectiveness of the price mechanism in a well‐functioning market economy, second by identifying the issues that prevent markets from pricing many ecological benefits, and third by focusing on problems inherent to valuing services generated by complex and poorly understood ecosystems subject to irreversible change. I then focus on critical natural capital (CNC), which generates benefits that are essential to human welfare and have few if any substitutes. When imminent ecological thresholds threaten CNC, conservation is essential and marginal valuation becomes inappropriate. Once conservation needs have been met, remaining ecosystem structure is potentially available for economic production. Demand for this available supply will determine prices. In other words, conservation needs should be price determining, not price determined. Conservation science must help identify CNC and the quantity and quality of ecosystem structure required to ensure its sustained provision.     

有效磷含量对硝酸铵溶液热安全性的影响

为了了解硝酸磷肥生产过程中,硝酸铵溶液中加入磷酸一铵的安全性,通过自制实验装置,研究了有效磷含量对质量分数为85%的硝酸铵溶液热分解的影响。结果表明,质量分数为85%的硝酸铵和磷酸一铵混合溶液的临界爆炸温度高于纯质量分数为85%的硝酸铵溶液,稳定性更好;磷酸一铵抑制硝酸铵的热分解,随着有效磷含量的增加,硝酸铵混合溶液临界爆炸温度升高;升温速率对硝酸铵混合溶液的临界爆炸温度影响很大,随着升温速率由2℃/min升高到3℃/min,质量分数为85%的硝酸铵混合溶液的临界爆炸温度升高,不易发生爆炸,安全性更好。研究结果对硝酸磷肥的生产安全有一定的指导意义。     

奥克托今在丙酮中的热安全性研究

奥克托今(HMX)作为爆速高和耐热性好的炸药被广泛应用,其制备提纯工艺均在丙酮中进行。为研究HMX在丙酮中的热安全性,用差示扫描量热-热重(DSC-TG)同步热分析仪研究HMX的热分解过程。测得升温速率为5,10,15,20℃/min的DSC和热重-微商热重法(TG-DTG)曲线,并得出分解峰温分别为279.8,282.5,284.5和288.8℃。用自行设计的临界爆温测试装置,通过小容量法测定HMX、丙酮以及HMX的丙酮溶液的临界爆炸温度。结果表明,在试验条件下,HMX的丙酮溶液的临界爆炸温度高于纯HMX的临界爆炸温度,说明丙酮抑制了HMX的热分解反应,当HMX溶液质量分数为10%时,临界爆炸温度最高,热安全性最好。