Protection of Antarctic soil environments: A review of the current issues and future challenges for the Environmental Protocol

2016 marked the 25th anniversary of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Terrestrial ice-free areas constitute approximately 0.18% of Antarctica, but represent the most biologically active, historically rich, and environmentally sensitive sites. Antarctic soils are easily disturbed and environmental legacies of human activities are scattered across the continent; many are remnants of the 1950s-1980s when environmental protection was less comprehensive than today. Adoption of the Environmental Protocol in 1991 represented an important and proactive shift in Antarctic governance, securing environmental protection as a fundamental tenet of the Treaty System. Twenty five years on standards of environmental management have greatly improved, yet environmental pressures are compounding. Shortcomings in the implementation of the Environmental Protocol exist due to disparities in cultural values, operational realities, and inconsistent environmental impact assessments among governments and National Antarctic Programs. Non-native species management remains underdeveloped; and there is inadequate representation of all biogeographic regions within the Protected Area system; therefore jeopardizing conservation of Antarctic biodiversity and the integrity of the soil environment. Fundamental improvements are required to address the current shortcomings and ensure effective environmental protection for the next 25 years, including: (1) increased multinational and multidisciplinary collaboration to answer targeted research questions addressing contemporary management challenges, (2) effective communication of science to policy makers and environmental managers to inform decision- making, and (3) making the mandate of long-term monitoring of the terrestrial environment a high priority for all governments signatory to the Antarctic Treaty.     

Application of environmental DNA analysis to inform invasive fish eradication operations

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of non-native species has considerable potential to inform management decisions, including identifying the need for population control and/or eradication. An invasive species of European concern is the Asian cyprinid fish, topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva). Here, eDNA analyses were applied at a commercial angling venue in southern England to inform operations aiming to eradicate P. parva, which had only ever been observed in one of the venue’s seven unconnected angling ponds. Eradication of P. parva was initially attempted by repeated depletion of the population using fish traps (crayfish traps fitted with 5 mm mesh netting) and the introduction of native predators over a 4-year period. The very low number of P. parva captured following these eradication efforts suggested a possible population crash. Conventional PCR analysis of water samples using species-specific primers was applied to all seven ponds to confirm that P. parva was present in only one pond, that the eradication attempt had indeed failed and that the species’ distribution in the pond appeared to be restricted to three bankside locations. The continued presence of P. parva at these locations was confirmed by subsequent trapping. Water samples from an adjacent, unconnected stream were also analysed using the eDNA methodology, but no DNA of P. parva was detected. The results suggest that further management action to eradicate P. parva be focused on the pond shown to contain the isolated P. parva population and thereby eliminate the risk of further dispersal. This study is the first to apply eDNA analysis to assess the efficacy of an eradication attempt and to provide evidence that the species was unlikely to be present in the other ponds, thus reducing the resources needed to control the species.     

Effect of petroleum on decomposition of shrub–grass litters in soil in Northern Shaanxi of China

The impacts of petroleum contamination on the litter decomposition of shrub–grass land would directly influence nutrient cycling, and the stability and function of ecosystem. Ten common shrub and grass species from Yujiaping oil deposits were studied. Litters from these species were placed into litterbags and buried in petroleum-contaminated soil with 3 levels of contamination (slight, moderate and serious pollution with petroleum concentrations of 15, 30 and 45 g/kg, respectively). A decomposition experiment was then conducted in the lab to investigate the impacts of petroleum contamination on litter decomposition rates. Slight pollution did not inhibit the decomposition of any litters and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of Hippophae rhamnoides, Caragana korshinskii, Amorpha fruticosa, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa, Periploca sepium, Medicago sativa and Bothriochloa ischaemum. Moderate pollution significantly inhibited litter decomposition of M. sativa, Coronilla varia, Artemisia vestita and Trrifolium repens and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of C. korshinskii, Z. jujuba var. spinosa and P. sepium. Serious pollution significantly inhibited the litter decomposition of H. rhamnoides, A. fruticosa, B. ischaemum and A. vestita and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of Z. jujuba var. spinosa, P. sepium and M. sativa. In addition, the impacts of petroleum contamination did not exhibit a uniform increase or decrease as petroleum concentration increased. Inhibitory effects of petroleum on litter decomposition may hinder the substance cycling and result in the degradation of plant communities in contaminated areas.     

矿业废弃地不同生态修复模式下植物多样性及重金属富集迁移特征

为了筛选出适合矿业废弃地复垦生态修复的植物材料,通过在排土场布设生态修复试验,开展不同生态修复模式对植物多样性及重金属富集迁移特征影响的研究.结果 表明,不同生态修复模式下共出现存活植物8科10种,多为草本植物,乔灌草小区修复效果最佳,植物覆盖度达到100％,存活率超过69％,植物群落多样性指数表现为:乔灌草＞灌草＞乔...     

Effects of management cessation on grassland butterflies in southern Poland

The effects of natural succession and invasions of indigenous reed Phragmites australis and alien goldenrods Solidago sp. on butterfly communities of wet grassland were investigated in Kraków (southern Poland) after management cessation.The total number of species and individuals, mean number of species per survey and a species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) were highest in fallow lands, old fallow lands and young forests, and the lowest in fallow lands invaded by reed and goldenrod and in mature forests. These results (1) reveal the importance of extensively mown meadows and fallow land for butterflies, (2) indicate that meadow restoration is still possible even several decades after abandonment and (3) show that invasion of reed and non-native goldenrods should be prevented.A few very rare species included in the Habitat Directive (Lycaena dispar, Lycaena helle, Maculinea teleius and Maculinea nausithous) were common on the wet grasslands in Krakow, thus the area should be protected. Moreover, it was shown that the presence and relative abundance of Maculinea butterflies were good indicators of general butterfly species richness and abundance in the investigated wet grasslands.     

不同添加剂对铅冶炼污染石灰性土壤的修复及土壤性质的影响研究

探讨了污水处理厂脱水污泥、枯草和磷矿粉对受铅冶炼污染的石灰性土壤(全Pb、Cd、Zn含量分别为2337、21.4、486 mg·kg-1,DTPA提取态Pb、Cd、Zn含量分别为1035、14.5、68.7 mg·kg-1)中重金属的稳定效果及对土壤性质的影响.其中,污泥和枯草均按200 g·kg-1(干重)的用量施用,磷矿粉按n(P)∶n(Pb)=2∶1比例施用,培养80 d.研究结果表明,单独施用污泥可使土壤DTPA-Pb含量降低18.0%(p0.05),并可显著降低土壤pH,增加土壤氮、磷有效性和电导率、DTPA-Cd、DTPA-Zn含量,其中,DTPA-Cd、DTPA-Zn含量增加比例均达到10%以上.单独施用枯草可使土壤DTPA-Pb含量降低10.7%(p0.05),土壤有机质含量增加26.4%(p0.05),对土壤其它性状影响较小.磷矿粉单独施用时对土壤性质影响较小.与污泥单独施用相比,磷矿粉与污泥配合施用时,可使土壤DTPA-Cd含量降低11.9%.     

陇东黄土高原石油污染土壤环境因子对金盏菊(Calendula officinalis)-微生物联合修复的响应

为筛选适合陇东黄土高原石油污染土壤修复植物,选取当地"适生"植物金盏菊(Calendula officinalis)联合微生物菌剂开展了为期5个月的原位修复实验.采用常规方法和PCR-DGGE技术分析了修复过程中土壤理化性质、酶活性及土壤微生物群落遗传多样性等15项土壤环境因子的动态变化情况及其对金盏菊生态修复的响应.结果表明,随着原位修复的进行,1土壤脲酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化氢酶及脱氢酶活性均不同程度呈增加的趋势(p0.05).2土壤TPHs、p H、有机质、含盐率的变化情况不尽相同,但总体呈下降的趋势(p0.05);土壤碱解氮、速效磷及速效钾含量总体呈上升趋势(p0.05).3土壤微生物群落遗传多样性结果显示,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数整体呈逐步增加的趋势.4PCA分析结果显示,土壤脲酶、脱氢酶及碱解氮等环境因子对金盏菊修复表现为促进作用,而有机质含量过高将不利于金盏菊的植物修复.金盏菊和微生物菌剂联合修复过程中,土壤多酚氧化酶、速效磷、脱氢酶及速效钾发挥主要作用,而土壤TPHs和含盐率过高则影响了联合修复效果.本研究旨在分析金盏菊用于陇东地区油污土壤的生态响应,结果有助于筛选出适合陇东黄土高原土壤类别-适生植物-土著降解菌群的组合,利用乡土物种的适生性降低修复成本,为陇东地区油污土壤生态修复提供新的技术方案和背景资料.     

Diet and environment 1.2 million years ago revealed through analysis of dental calculus from Europe’s oldest hominin at Sima del Elefante,Spain

Sima del Elefante, Atapuerca, Spain contains one of the earliest hominin fragments yet known in Europe, dating to 1.2 Ma. Dental calculus from a hominin molar was removed, degraded and analysed to recover entrapped remains. Evidence for plant use at this time is very limited and this study has revealed the earliest direct evidence for foods consumed in the genus Homo. This comprises starchy carbohydrates from two plants, including a species of grass from the Triticeae or Bromideae tribe, meat and plant fibres. All food was eaten raw, and there is no evidence for processing of the starch granules which are intact and undamaged. Additional biographical detail includes fragments of non-edible wood found adjacent to an interproximal groove suggesting oral hygiene activities, while plant fibres may be linked to raw material processing. Environmental evidence comprises spores, insect fragments and conifer pollen grains which are consistent with a forested environment.     

湘西花垣矿区主要植物种类及优势植物重金属蓄积特征

矿区重金属污染严重,寻找和发现适合当地气候与土壤条件的重金属耐性植物是矿区植被恢复和污染土壤修复的前提.通过对湘西花垣县锰矿、铅锌矿区植被调查,共记录到高等植物76种,隶属69属,39科.对两矿区的主要优势植物及其土壤重金属含量进行了测定、分析,结果表明,两矿区土壤Pb、Zn、Cd含量均超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准阈值,对矿区土壤造成了污染.主要优势植物均能适应矿区土壤重金属元素较高的环境,对重金属具有一定的耐性,但不同植物对重金属的吸收和蓄积特征不同,油茶、芒萁吸收的重金属主要分布在地上部分,属于金属富集型植物,适于修复湘西矿区重金属污染中等且使用价值较高的污染土壤;灰白毛莓、山莓、毛萼莓、魁蒿、蕨吸收的重金属主要累积在根部,属于根部囤积型植物;芒草、白茅、箬竹、飞龙掌血根、茎、叶重金属含量均较低,属于重金属规避型植物.这2种类型的植物适合种植在湘西矿区重金属污染严重、使用价值相对较低、面积较大的矿山废弃地.     

Getting the lead out cheaply: a review of the EPA's proposed residential lead hazard standards

Exposure to lead in homes poses such large risks to children's health that reducing it is a major public health priority. To limit these risks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed nation-wide standards to identify hazardous levels of lead dust and lead in soil, as well as hazardous conditions for lead-based paint. Contrary to the EPA's view, its standards would not maximize net benefits. Each of the EPA's proposed standards for paint, soil and dust would result in measures to control lead that have costs in excess of benefits. Together those costs, less the benefits from these control measures, are likely to exceed $20 billion (10⁹). In addition, about half of all the homes that do not meet the standards have risks of elevated blood-lead less than at other homes in full compliance with the standards.     

南极生态环境及管理现状研究

南极作为世界上最后一块“净土”,其丰富的自然资源和内在的科研、美学等价值受到了越来越多国家的关注。在全球变暖与人类活动（科学考察、商业捕捞、旅游等）因素的影响下,南极出现了海冰面积区域性增减,南极生物物种数量波动,环境污染加重等问题。而现有的以“南极条约体系”为基础的管理政策因理念抽象等问题尚不能完全规范人类活动,南极生态环境保护的形势日益严峻。国际社会应通过跨学科间的国际协作,加强科学研究与管理之间的联系,完善南极生态环境管理政策,最大限度减少人类对南极生态环境的破坏。     

Influence of hedgerow and grassy field borders on ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) activity in fields of corn

Agricultural landscapes may be manipulated in ways that benefit predatory invertebrates by providing alternate food sources, overwintering sites, and refuge from farming activities. Ecological theory predicts that complex plant communities should support a richer community of natural enemies of pest insects than a simple plant community. A study was conducted in Iowa, USA to investigate the influence of the vegetative diversity of field boarders on the activity, species richness, and community similarities of predatory beetles occurring in corn fields.Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) populations were compared among corn fields bounded by either complex hedges or simple grass edges. Directional pitfall traps were used to investigate activity patterns of beetles between border types and their adjacent corn fields. Beetles were trapped during four seasonal periods, based on the growth stage of corn. During corn emergence (May–June) when fields are barren, carabids were more active and species richness was higher in the corn fields bordered by woody hedges. The carabid species Scarites quadriceps, Scarites subterraneus, and Harpalus pensylvanicus, were more dominant in hedge sites as compared to grass sites at this time. Following corn–canopy closure, carabids were now more active in fields bordered by grassy edges, but beetle activity also remained high in the fields adjacent to woody hedges. Further analysis of the carabid communities by Bray–Curtis Similarity Index showed no difference among field edge types at any time of the season. Results indicate that both complex and simple field border habitats support abundant and diverse populations of carabids during most of the growing season. However, during the early growing season hedges appear to be more important than grass edges in supplying carabid beetles to corn fields. Woody hedges may serve as very important overwintering sites and as an early season refuge for predatory beetles in corn.     

Feeding repellence in Antarctic bryozoans

The Antarctic sea star Odontaster validus and the amphipod Cheirimedon femoratus are important predators in benthic communities. Some bryozoans are part of the diet of the asteroid and represent both potential host biosubstrata and prey for this omnivorous lysianassid amphipod. In response to such ecological pressure, bryozoans are expected to develop strategies to deter potential predators, ranging from physical to chemical mechanisms. However, the chemical ecology of Antarctic bryozoans has been scarcely studied. In this study we evaluated the presence of defenses against predation in selected species of Antarctic bryozoans. The sympatric omnivorous consumers O. validus and C. femoratus were selected to perform feeding assays with 16 ether extracts (EE) and 16 butanol extracts (BE) obtained from 16 samples that belonged to 13 different bryozoan species. Most species (9) were active (12 EE and 1 BE) in sea star bioassays. Only 1 BE displayed repellence, indicating that repellents against the sea star are mainly lipophilic. Repellence toward C. femoratus was found in all species in different extracts (10 EE and 12 BE), suggesting that defenses against the amphipod might be both lipophilic and hydrophilic. Interspecific and intraspecific variability of bioactivity was occasionally detected, suggesting possible environmental inductive responses, symbiotic associations, and/or genetic variability. Multivariate analysis revealed similarities among species in relation to bioactivities of EE and/or BE. These findings support the hypothesis that, while in some cases alternative chemical or physical mechanisms may also provide protection, repellent compounds play an important role in Antarctic bryozoans as defenses against predators.     

三江平原典型沼泽湿地养分累积与沉积特征

研究了三江平原两类典型沼泽湿地(毛果苔草沼泽和芦苇沼泽)沉积物剖面有机碳、全氮、全磷和全硫的垂直分布规律,初步分析了三江平原湿地的沉积速率与沉积通量.结果表明,土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷和全硫在垂直方向上具有明显的分层和富聚现象,自上而下,有机碳的含量逐渐降低;全氮含量呈先增加后减少的分布趋势;毛果苔草沼泽全磷含量呈先减少后增加的"V"型分布,芦苇沼泽全磷含量逐渐降低;全硫的分布和有机碳的分布规律一致.相关性分析表明,全氮、全磷和全硫与有机碳之间呈极显著的正相关关系(P<0.01);有机碳与容重之间呈极显著的负相关关系(P<0.01).植被类型是影响沼泽湿地土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷和全硫的空间分布的主要因素之一.应用137Cs、210Pb测定沉积年代,并结合恒定放射性通量(CRS)模式推算年龄的结果表明,三江平原湿地平均沉积速率为0.33 cm·a-1,沉积通量为0.03～0.48 g·(cm2·a)-1,平均为0.29 g·(cm2·a)-1.     

杭州湾潮滩湿地3种优势植物碳氮磷储量特征研究

潮滩植物在碳氮磷生物地球化学循环中发挥着重要的作用.为探明杭州湾潮滩湿地植物碳氮磷储量特征,对植物生物量、碳氮磷含量及储量的季节动态进行了分析.结果表明,3种优势植物芦苇(Phragmites australis)、互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)和海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)地上生物量呈典型的单峰值曲线.地上部有机碳含量全年变化幅度相对较小,氮磷含量随植物生长而明显下降.植物碳氮磷储量与植物生物量显著正相关.海三棱藨草碳氮磷储量显著低于芦苇和互花米草,芦苇地上部总氮储量显著高于互花米草,但总磷储量则相反,有机碳储量两种植物差异不显著.芦苇、互花米草和海三棱藨草年固碳能力分别是中国陆地植被平均固碳能力的380%、376%和55.5%,以及全球植被平均固碳能力的463%、458%和67.7%.从净化氮磷功能上考虑,7月可认为是本研究区域3种植物的最佳收割时间,且以收获互花米草对水体富营养化的限制性因子磷的去处效果最佳.因此,潮滩植物具有较好的储碳固碳能力和氮磷净化效应.     

黄河源区高寒沼泽湿地土壤微生物群落结构对不同退化的响应

为研究高寒沼泽湿地退化过程中土壤微生物群落多样性的变化,应用MiSeq高通量测序技术,分析高寒沼泽湿地退化过程中土壤微生物群落多样性以及相关的环境因子.结果表明,高寒沼泽湿地退化改变了土壤微生物在OTUs水平上的物种组成,OTUs种类变化丘间较冻融丘明显,且土壤真菌OTUs种类变化显著;冻融丘和丘间细菌微生物多样性指数大于真菌微生物;不同退化高寒沼泽湿地土壤优势微生物种类相同,细菌为变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和RB41,真菌为子囊菌门（Ascomycota）和被孢霉属（Mortierella）,除RB41外未退化与重度退化间优势微生物丰度有较大差异（P<0.05）,丘间的优势微生物对不同退化较冻融丘敏感;土壤含水量、有机碳、微生物碳、微生物氮和莎草科的盖度是影响土壤微生物群落结构的主要因素.综上所述：高寒沼泽湿地退化导致微生物多样性降低,在湿地恢复中应加强湿地冻融丘和莎草科植物的保护以及土壤水分、有机碳和微生物碳氮的补充.     

三江平原典型湿地类型土壤微生物特征与土壤养分的研究

为探讨不同湿地类型土壤微生物数量和酶活性的分布特征及其与土壤养分的关系,本研究选择了三江平原洪河湿地保护区4种典型湿地类型(小叶章+沼柳湿地、小叶章湿地、毛苔草湿地和芦苇湿地)的土壤为研究对象.结果表明4种湿地类型在0~30 cm土层内:1土壤有机碳、全氮和全磷均随土层深度的增加而减少,速效钾、速效磷和速效氮则未表现出有规律的变化,且不同湿地类型土壤养分含量差异显著.2土壤微生物数量为细菌放线菌真菌,3种微生物菌落数量均随土层深度的增加而减少.土壤微生物总数量以小叶章湿地最多,毛苔草湿地最少.3土壤蔗糖酶和纤维素酶活性均随土层深度的增加而减少,而土壤过氧化氢酶活性未表现出有规律的变化.小叶章+沼柳湿地和小叶章湿地中3种酶活性显著性高于毛苔草湿地和芦苇湿地(P0.05).4相关性分析表明,土壤细菌、真菌和纤维素酶与土壤养分各指标均呈极显著或显著正相关,放线菌和蔗糖酶与速效钾、过氧化氢酶与速效钾、速效磷无显著相关性关系.因此,土壤微生物和酶活性是反映土壤养分状况的重要指标.     

The present status of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) and its biological control agents in Victoria,Australia

A study of the weed St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum, and the biological control agents Chrysolina quadrigemina and C. hyperici, at open, semi-shaped and shaded sites, showed that the weed could be successfully controlled under open but not under shaded conditions. If beetles moved into shaded areas some defoliation occurred, but migration rarely took place. At shaded sites, plants appeared less aggressive than elsewhere and their growth habits differed from those of plants growing at open or semi-shaded sites.C. hyperici were collected in low numbers at open sites only, whereas C. quadrigemina were found at all sites. C. hyperici numbers were lower than observed 30 years earlier. C. quadrigemina numbers were frequently high at open sites, but considerably lower at both semi-shaded and shaded sites. C. quadrigemina is now the dominant species and the main insect exerting some control on the plant. Both Chrysolina species aestivate during the hot dry summer months, but aestivating beetles were only found under the bark of Eucalyptus trees.Another biological agent, Zeuxidiplosis giardi, was mainly found at shaded sites. Neither it nor any indigenous insect species contributed to the control of the plant.     

不同构型人工湿地基质中土著菌的耐药性及整合子丰度调查

采用Kirby-Bauer纸片琼脂扩散法分析了夏、冬季节9个不同构型人工湿地中的葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus)、假单胞菌(Pseudomonas)两种土著菌对7种常用抗生素的耐药性,并通过荧光定量PCR检测人工湿地基质中Ⅰ型整合子(int1)的丰度.结果表明,共分离出的522株葡萄球菌和543株假单胞菌,约84%的菌株对所测试的抗生素具有耐药性,多重耐药率达到68%以上,MRI指数平均为0.22,与某些环境中人源或动物源细菌耐药水平相当,表明人工湿地基质土著菌具有较高水平的耐药性;两种土著菌对氨苄西林和复方新诺明的耐药率较高,四环素、庆大霉素和环丙沙星的耐药率均极低(3%),而对头孢他啶和氯霉素的耐药性呈现差别.湿地基质中int1基因的浓度为1.14×105~5.66×105copies·g-1,其相对丰度为0.54%~3.68%.季节和湿地工艺对细菌耐药和整合酶基因分布有较大影响.夏季2种细菌的抗生素耐药率、多重耐药指数和int1丰度均显著高于冬季;下行垂直流湿地中的抗生素耐药率、多重耐药指数(MRI)最高,而在水平潜流湿地中int1丰度最高.研究表明人工湿地基质的土著菌长期暴露在一定浓度抗生素和耐药肠道菌的生活污水环境下获得了耐药性,人工湿地中抗生素耐药菌和耐药基因的污染及环境风险不容忽视.     

Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of Napier stunt phytoplasma in Kenya

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is the most important fodder crop in smallholder dairy production systems in East Africa, characterized by small zero-grazing units. It is also an important trap crop used in the management of cereal stemborers in maize in the region. However, production of Napier grass in the region is severely constrained by Napier stunt disease. The etiology of the disease is known to be a phytoplasma, 16SrXI strain. However, the putative insect vector was yet unknown. We sampled and identified five leafhopper and three planthopper species associated with Napier grass and used them as candidates in pathogen transmission experiments. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), based on the highly conserved 16S gene, primed by P1/P6-R16F2n/R16R2 nested primer sets was used to diagnose phytoplasma on test plants and insects, before and after transmission experiments. Healthy plants were exposed for 60 days to insects that had fed on diseased plants and acquired phytoplasma. The plants were then incubated for another 30 days. Nested PCR analyses showed that 58.3% of plants exposed to Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) were positive for phytoplasma and developed characteristic stunt disease symptoms while 60% of R. banda insect samples were similarly phytoplasma positive. We compared the nucleotide sequences of the phytoplasma isolated from R. banda, Napier grass on which these insects were fed, and Napier grass infected by R. banda, and found them to be virtually identical. The results confirm that R. banda transmits Napier stunt phytoplasma in western Kenya, and may be the key vector of Napier stunt disease in this region.