Novel Organisms: Comparing Invasive Species, GMOs, and Emerging Pathogens

Invasive species, range-expanding species, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic organisms, and emerging pathogens increasingly affect the human environment. We propose a framework that allows comparison of consecutive stages that such novel organisms go through. The framework provides a common terminology for novel organisms, facilitating knowledge exchange among researchers, managers, and policy makers that work on, or have to make effective decisions about, novel organisms. The framework also indicates that knowledge about the causes and consequences of stage transitions for the better studied novel organisms, such as invasive species, can be transferred to more poorly studied ones, such as GMOs and emerging pathogens. Finally, the framework advances understanding of how climate change can affect the establishment, spread, and impacts of novel organisms, and how biodiversity affects, and is affected by, novel organisms.     

Effects of C60 nanoparticle exposure on earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) and implications for population dynamics

Effects of C₆₀ nanoparticles (nominal concentrations 0, 15.4 and 154 mg/kg soil) on mortality, growth and reproduction of Lumbricus rubellus earthworms were assessed. C₆₀ exposure had a significant effect on cocoon production, juvenile growth rate and mortality. These endpoints were used to model effects on the population level. This demonstrated reduced population growth rate with increasing C₆₀ concentrations. Furthermore, a shift in stage structure was shown for C₆₀ exposed populations, i.e. a larger proportion of juveniles. This result implies that the lower juvenile growth rate due to exposure to C₆₀ resulted in a larger proportion of juveniles, despite increased mortality among juveniles. Overall, this study indicates that C₆₀ exposure may seriously affect earthworm populations. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that juveniles were more sensitive to C₆₀ exposure than adults.     

Extent and variation of sound enhancement inside burrows of the frog Eupsophus emiliopugini (Leptodactylidae)

Variation of the amplification effect of burrows of the leptodactylid frog Eupsophus emiliopugini on conspecific calls generated externally was investigated. Advertisement calls broadcast through a loudspeaker placed in the vicinity of a burrow were monitored with small microphones positioned inside and outside the cavity. For 150 presentations of calls of 15 individuals in 12 burrows, 134 were amplified and 16 were attenuated (range –6–13 dB). The fundamental resonant frequency of burrows, measured with broadcast noise and pure tones, averaged 814 Hz (range 302–1361 Hz) and covaried with burrow length. The dominant frequency of the calls of burrow occupants (average 1062 Hz, range 636–1459 Hz) was not correlated with the fundamental resonant frequency of these cavities. In burrows with low resonant frequencies, externally broadcast calls with high dominant frequencies were attenuated, or amplified to a lower extent than calls with lower dominant frequencies. The dominant frequencies of the calls experienced shifts towards the burrows’ fundamental resonant frequencies. The amplification of calls inside burrows of E. emiliopugini exhibits manifest variability, with considerable potential for facilitating acoustic interactions in this species. Received: 18 July 1999 / Received in revised form: 19 July 1999 / Accepted: 25 July 1999     

Trace elements and stable isotopes (delta13C and delta15N) in shallow and deep-water organisms from the East China Sea

Trace elements (22) and stable isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) were analyzed in marine organisms from shallow (SW) and deep-water (DW) of the East China Sea to understand biomagnification and prey source of trace elements. In the benthic marine organisms from DW, δ¹⁵N values were negatively correlated with Ba, Cu, Ag, Mo, Sr, As, and Co concentrations. This may be due to the specific accumulation in lower trophic animals and/or the biodilution through the food web in DW. Relationships between δ¹⁵N and concentrations of Co, Cr, Bi, and Tl in fish and Ag, Bi, V, Hg, and Tl in crustaceans showed positive correlations, suggesting that trophic position was affecting the concentrations of those elements in phyla, with higher trophic animals retaining higher concentrations than the lower trophic animals. Positive correlations between δ¹³C and Rb were observed in marine organisms. Therefore, Rb may be a possible substitute of δ¹³C as tracer of prey source in the East China Sea although further investigation is required.     

五种水生植物对水中铀的去除作用

采用水培实验,研究了浮叶植物野生水葫芦(Eichhornia crassipes)、漂浮植物浮萍(Lemna minor L)、满江红(Azolla imbircata)、沉水植物菹草(Potamogeton crispus)、挺水植物空心莲子草(Alligator Alternanthera Herb)在初始铀浓度分别为0.15、1.50和15.00 mg·L^-1水中的生长状况及它们对水中铀的去除能力.结果表明,在21 d的水培试验期内,满江红对铀表现出了最强的抗性,0.15、1.50和15.00 mg·L^-1的铀对满江红的生长抑制率分别只有4.56%、2.48%和6.79%,而满江红对水中铀的去除率分别达到了94%、97%和92%.进一步的试验表明,每1 L水中种植7.5 g满江红,可以获得最大的铀去除率,将初始铀浓度为1.25、2.50、5.00和10.00 mg·L^-1的水体降至国家排放标准(GB 23727—2009)规定值(0.05 mg·L^-1)以下分别需要17、19、23和25 d.研究结果为进一步开展铀污染水体植物修复的研究打下了基础.     

广西水生蔬菜土壤多环芳烃污染特征

为研究水生蔬菜土壤中多环芳烃(PAHs)的污染水平,以广西水生蔬菜和相邻地块陆生蔬菜土壤作为研究对象,采集表层土壤,比较16种PAHs的污染特征,分析PAHs主要来源,评价潜在的生态风险。结果表明,研究区内水生蔬菜土壤中5、6环PAHs和7种致癌性PAHs的含量显著地高于陆生蔬菜土壤,2,3环PAHs的含量低于陆生蔬菜土壤,4环PAHs的含量没有显著差异;水生蔬菜和陆生蔬菜土壤中7种致癌性芳烃∑7cPAHs的平均贡献率分别为49. 03%和37. 61%,大部分样点属于重度污染水平;三种水生蔬菜土壤PAHs的污染模式相似,以4,5环PAHs为主,其次为2,3环PAHs,6环PAHs的含量最低。通过同分异构体比值法和主要成分分析法分析,发现土壤PAHs的主要来源为机动车尾气排放和生物质不完全燃烧。水生蔬菜土壤PAHs的苯并(a)芘总毒性当量为174. 59μg/kg,显著高于陆生蔬菜土壤的105. 54μg/kg,二者均低于加拿大土壤质量指标600μg/kg,但潜在的生态风险不可忽视。     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediment, Fish and Some Benthic Organisms from Tigris River, Turkey

In this study concentrations of heavy metals, such as Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in water, sediment, muscle, liver and gill of fish (Silurus triostegus, Mastacembelus simack, Mystus halepensis, Orthrias euphraticus) the muscle and liver of crab (Potamon fluviatilis), the internal organs of fresh water snail (Physa acuta), and mussel (Unio elongatulus), and in whole biomass of green algae (Spirogyra sp.) examples collected seasonally from three selected sites (I, II, and III) of Tigris River and from a reference site on Resan Creek. In general, the average Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Fe values in Sites I, II, and III were found to be high in spring and summer. The concentrations of heavy metals in the Tigris River are compared with previous studies in the same sites. The results showed that Cu levels have gradually decreased during recent years. In Tigris River, among the living organisms, i.e., those which are living in benthic region and showing biomonitor characteristic, crab, snail, green algae, mussel and fish are seen to be formed in sequence. Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn values obtained from the muscle of fish and from the mass of internal organs of mussel and snail were found to be under the acceptable values suggested.     

受污染原水中有机物去除中试集成系统的工艺对比研究

在中试集成系统水平上对比研究了常规工艺、预臭氧化工艺、粒状活性炭吸附工艺、臭氧-生物活性炭工艺对受污染源水中的有机物及消毒副产物前体的去除效果.结果表明,前2种工艺对有机物的去除效能大致在50%～60%,后2种则能达到75%～90%.与前2种相比,后2种为更有效地去除受污染原水中有机物的方法.建议采用Ⅱ类及更优水体为水源的水厂考虑使用常规处理或季节性水质变化时采用预氧化工艺;而对于那些以Ⅲ类或更差水体为主水源的水厂则应考虑增设GAC或BAC设备,以满足饮用水水质新标准要求.     

聚糖菌颗粒污泥基于胞内储存物质的同步硝化反硝化

采用特殊运行方式的厌氧-好氧SBR系统(厌氧后排水),以乙酸钠为有机基质成功富集了聚糖菌颗粒污泥.聚糖菌颗粒污泥厌氧-好氧批式实验表明,聚糖菌颗粒污泥具有较强的SND能力,TOC/N分别为5.0,4.0,2.8时,SND效率分别96.4%、95.3%及96.2%,而周期总氮去除效率随着碳氮比降低而降低,分别为66.0%、61.2%及56.3%.通过对周期氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮、TOC以及胞内糖原、PHB变化的测定分析,证明聚糖菌颗粒污泥SND过程中,污泥以厌氧阶段储存于胞内的多聚物PHB作为反硝化碳源,并且反硝化聚糖菌是系统中反硝化能力的来源.与溶解性基质相比,PHB的降解速率相对较低,因此在SND过程中,反硝化可以与硝化保持相近的速率,从而有助于获得良好的SND效果.     

沼泽湿地水生无脊椎动物完整性指数构建与健康评价

依据2017年5、7、9月对三江平原19处沼泽湿地(参照湿地6处,受损湿地13处)的水生无脊椎动物采样结果,应用生物完整性理论和方法,构建水生无脊椎动物完整性指数,评价三江平原沼泽湿地健康状况。通过对27个候选指标的分布范围、判别能力和相关性分析,筛选出总分类单元数、扁卷螺科百分比、龙虱科百分比、刮食者百分比4个指标构成水生无脊椎动物完整性指数核心指标。采用比值法计算各指标参数值,将各参数值加和得到水生无脊椎动物完整性指数值。根据参照湿地水生无脊椎动物完整性指数值的25%分位数值确定评价标准,对小于25%分位数的值进行三等分,确定三江平原沼泽湿地健康评价标准:≥2.58,无干扰;1.72～2.58,轻度干扰;0.86～1.72,中度干扰;0～0.86,重度干扰。结果表明:所调查的三江平原沼泽湿地有78.95%受到不同程度的干扰(其中47.37%受到了中重度干扰),21.05%属于无干扰。