大气中多环芳烃(PAHs)在松针和SPMD上的分布

通过松针监测与半渗透膜被动式采样技术 (SPMD ) ,分析了我国珠江三角洲地区大气中多环芳烃的含量特征、来源及其分布 ,同时对这两种被动式采样技术进行了比较 松针及SPMD主要富集气态多环芳烃 (2— 4环 ) ,气态多环芳烃在松针和SPMD样品中的总含量分别为 313 9— 30 4 3 5ng·g-1和 14 5—116 9ng·SPMD-1·d-1 大气中多环芳烃含量的区域差异明显 ,珠江三角洲中部地区 (广州、佛山和东莞 )大气中多环芳烃的含量高 ,沿海地区的珠海、香港偏低 ,分子标志物指数表明 ,珠江三角洲大气中的多环芳烃主要是热成因 (燃烧 )来源 松针和SPMD对气态多环芳烃的监测具有很好的一致性 ,是进行区域大气污染评价的良好生物指示物     

东莞市夏季大气颗粒物中的多环芳烃及硝基多环芳烃

以东莞市2011年夏季不同区域的大气颗粒物为研究对象,定性定量分析了其中多环芳烃(PAHs)及硝基多环芳烃(NPAHs)的浓度、组成.采用特征比值法分析了PAHs及NPAHs的来源,并通过PEFs毒性评价法评价了颗粒物中多环芳烃及硝基多环芳烃的BaP等效毒性,估算出个体致癌指数.结果表明东莞市颗粒物上16种多环芳烃总含量在12.60—193.95 ng·m-3范围内,6种硝基多环芳烃的总含量在5.88—62.79 ng·m-3,隧道环境中多环芳烃及硝基多环芳烃的浓度最高.除隧道环境中颗粒物的等效毒性及个体致癌指数超标外,东莞市颗粒物上PAHs及NPAHs对人体均不构成严重威胁.     

北京市不同区域采暖期大气颗粒物中多环芳烃的分布特征

利用分级采样器分别采集北京市不同区域采暖期的大气颗粒物,分析多环芳烃的组成及含量.结果表明北京市大气总悬浮颗粒物中总多环芳烃的含量城乡结合带为7486—43687ng·m-3,郊区为11993—39786ng·m-3.在城乡结合带,80%以上的多环芳烃存在于粒径<20μm的颗粒物中;在郊区,77%以上的多环芳烃存在于粒径<20μm的颗粒物中.比较不同环数的多环芳烃在不同粒径范围内大气颗粒物中的分配比例,发现随环数的减少其分配比例呈现归一化.不同粒径范围的颗粒物中苯并(a)芘均与总多环芳烃含量显著相关(p<0001).     

环形扩散管和滤膜联用采集和测定大气中气固相物质

建立了环形扩散管(annular diffusion denuder)和滤膜连用的采样装器。采用涂渍1％碳酸钠甲醇水溶液和5％亚磷酸甲醇溶液的两段环形扩散管串联分别收集气态HNO_3,HCl,SO_2和NH_3、空气经扩散管后,继而抽入滤膜采样头,用Teflon滤膜采集颗粒物,Nylon滤膜收集由Teflon滤膜上颗粒物挥发产生的气态HNO_3和HCl。样品提取后,用离子色谱法测定SO_4~(2-),NO_3~-和Cl~-;采用流动注射荧光法测定NH_4~+。当采样流速为10L/min,采样24h,环形扩散管对气态硝酸、氯化氢和二氧化硫的检出限(3σ)为0.04—0.09μg/m~3,对氨的检出限为0.12μg/m~3。实验结果表明本法适用于大气和室内空气的采样和测定。     

北京市冬季大气气溶胶中PAHs的污染特征

利用大流量颗粒物采样器采集了2005-2006年冬季北京市大气气溶胶中PM10和PM2.5样品,采用气相色谱/质谱技术对样品中的多环芳烃进行检测.结果表明:北京市冬季大气颗粒物PM10和PM2.5中PAHs总量分别为520.5±476.9ng·m-3和326.8±294.3ng·m-3,且大部分存在于细粒子中,4环以上的稠环芳烃占总浓度的87%.根据荧蒽/芘等比值指标判别,北京市冬季PAHs主要以燃煤排放为主,其次是石油燃烧交通排放.风速增大和太阳辐射曝辐量增强,都会降低颗粒物中多环芳烃浓度.     

济南冬春季室内空气PM_(2.5)中多环芳烃污染特征及健康风险评价

2010年冬春季,在济南典型室内环境(超市、办公室和餐厅)采集了PM2.5样品,并对其多环芳烃(PAHs)进行了分析.结果表明,采样期间办公室的PAHs平均浓度最高,为93.11 ng.m-3,超市和餐厅的PAHs平均浓度分别为42.97 ng.m-3和26.65 ng.m-3.超市和办公室的多环芳烃均以室外源(燃煤)为主,吸烟导致办公室轻环多环芳烃浓度升高,高于室外相应物种的浓度,餐厅的轻环多环芳烃和重环多环芳烃分别来源于室内烹饪和室外的机动车尾气.与室外相比,超市和办公室PAHs中的菲(Phe)和苯并[b+k]荧蒽(BbkF)占总PAHs的比例较高,达到10%—15%,这与冬季室内使用中央空调取暖密不可分.超市、办公室和餐厅的毒性当量浓度值(BEQ)分别为7.05 ng.m-3、10.75 ng.m-3和0.75 ng.m-3.其中办公室的毒性当量浓度高于我国规定10 ng.m-3.超市,办公室和餐厅的PAHs暴露致终身肺癌风险度分别为0.6×10-3、0.9×10-3和6.5×10-5,均超过了世界卫生组织的建议值(10-5),超市和办公室的终身致癌健康风险高于美国最高法院规定的10-3的显著水平,说明生活在超市和办公室致癌风险高.     

深圳市室内大气多环芳烃的含量与组成

利用PUF大气被动采样技术,对深圳市室内大气多环芳烃(PAHs)进行了为期68周的连续观测.结果表明,深圳市室内大气PAHs主要以气态化合物为主,尤以菲的含量为最高.室内大气PAHs的含量范围为44.2395.4 ng·m-3,平均123.6 ng·m-3.不同场所的室内PAHs污染呈如下分布:ρ(工厂车间)>ρ(家居客厅)@ρ(办公环境),苯并[a]芘毒性质量浓度则为:ρ(工厂车间)>ρ(家居客厅)>ρ(办公环境).研究表明,工厂车间与家居办公环境中的PAHs来源不相尽同,认为办公环境中的PAHs污染主要来自户外的对流交换,而吸烟和厨房烹调是影响客厅PAHs含量的重要因素.总体来说,深圳地区室内大气PAHs污染较低,但工厂车间的PAHs污染及其健康危害值得关注.     

大气PM_(10)中多环芳烃的污染特征

利用GC-MS对2008年5月至11月淮南市5个采样点大气可吸入颗粒物(PM10)样品进行分析,总结了研究区内PM10及其中16种PAHs的浓度特征、季节变化规律和来源解析.结果表明,不同采样点PM10浓度均偏高,超标率为14%—238%;PM10浓度水平为谢家集田十五小大通三小淮化集团理工校园.研究区内16种PAHs浓度总量的范围在15.20ng.m-3—111.58ng.m-3之间,平均浓度为64.36ng.m-3,4环以上的稠环芳烃占总浓度的86%.PAHs总量的季节变化与采样时环境温度显示出较好的负相关性,即秋季春季夏季.运用多环芳烃比值综合判断,淮南市大气PM10中PAHs主要以燃煤和机动车尾气混合来源为主,石油源和木材燃烧来源的贡献较小.     

中国饮用水中多环芳烃的分布和健康风险评价

饮用水中存在的多环芳烃对人类的身体健康会产生危害。应用固相萃取富集法和气相色谱?质谱联用(GC/MS)分析方法对全国主要城市的80座自来水厂出水中多环芳烃的浓度进行了分析。结果表明:各自来水厂的出水中多环芳烃总量在174.02-658.44ng.L-1之间,其中致癌性多环芳烃的总量为55.08-173.36ng.L-1,致癌性多环芳烃占多环芳烃总量比例最高可达到49.68%。就其组成而言,出水中多环芳烃以3环芳烃(31%-37%)为主,但各环均有检出;通过评价水体健康风险,得到水厂出水中多环芳烃对人体的健康风险值是10-6a-1。     

太原市雨水中多环芳烃的污染特征

对太原市2012年3—10月雨水中16种溶解态多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布特征、沉降通量和来源进行了分析.结果表明,16种PAHs总的(∑16-PAHs)平均浓度为1081.2 ng·L-1(范围为316.8—6272.3 ng·L-1),以2—3环PAHs为主,占75.4%,4环和5—6环PAHs分别占18.2%和6.4%.∑16-PAHs浓度与温度(P<0.05)和电导率(P<0.01)呈显著正相关.同一场降雨不同阶段的∑16-PAHs浓度及其组成与降雨量有关.∑16-PAHs的全年平均沉降通量为481.5 ng·m-2·d-1,9月的沉降通量最高(2342.8 ng·m-2·d-1),其次是7月(1604.4 ng·m-2·d-1),10月的最低(83.3 ng·m-2·d-1),其中2—3环PAHs的沉降通量明显高于4环和5—6环PAHs,∑16-PAHs的月沉降通量与月平均降雨量(P<0.01)和降雨频次(P<0.05)呈显著正相关.利用特征比值法判断PAHs的主要来源是煤燃烧,同时也存在一定的石油燃烧源和少部分的石油源.     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.