Influence of MnOx deposition on TiO2 nanotube arrays for electrooxidation

TiO₂ has demonstrated outstanding performance in electrochemical advanced oxidation processes(EAOPs) due to its structural stability and high oxygen overpotential.However,there is still much room for improving its electrochemical activity.Herein,narrow bandgap manganese oxide(MnOx) was composited with TiO₂ nanotube arrays(TiO₂ NTAs) that in-situ oxidized on porous Ti sponge,forming the MnO_x-TiO₂ NTAs anode.XANES and XPS analysis further prov...     

Statistical methods for forecasting daily snow depths and assessing trends in inter-annual snow depth dynamics

Environmental and Ecological Statistics - This paper introduces a time-varying parameter regression model for modeling, forecasting, and assessing inter-annual trends in daily snow depths. The...     

Acidity of machine-made snow and its effect on pH and aluminum speciation in New England streams during spring thaw

The pH of machine-made snow and its effect on an acid-sensitive watershed in Vermont were studied. Spring runoff from snowmaking was found to be less acidic and to contain less dissolved inorganic aluminum. Dissolved inorganic aluminum has been associated with damage to aquatic life. The extensive use of machine-made snow by the ski industry in most of the northeast region of the US may be beneficial to aquatic life.     

大气氮湿沉降对青山湖富营养化的影响

针对大气湿沉降氮的区域通量问题,通过2008年春、夏季对临安青山湖区湿沉降中氮素化学形态的分析,揭示了大气氮湿沉降的时间分布特征,通过估算大气氮湿沉降的输入通量,研究湿沉降对湖区水体富营养化的贡献.结果表明,春季青山湖降水总氮浓度范围为(1.30±0.02)—(9.80±0.85)mg.L-1,其中铵态氮占总氮比例最高,为40.7%,硝态氮和有机氮的比例分别为33.5%和25.8%;雨水氮浓度随着降雨强度的增大呈显著下降趋势,铵态氮和硝态氮所占的比例随着降雨的进行会逐渐升高,而有机氮的比例却有不断降低的趋势;青山湖春季大气氮沉降负荷为6.64 kg.hm-2,雨水中平均的氮浓度为(4.86±0.65)mg.L-1,严重超过了水体富营养化0.2 mg.L-1的阈值,对青山湖水生生态系统造成潜在的威胁.     

模拟氮沉降对木荷人工幼林地土壤氮素、碳素和微生物量垂直分布的影响

以NH4NO3作为氮源,对广州东北郊木荷（Schima superba）人工幼林地进行模拟氮沉降处理,共设置3个氮沉降水平,分别为N0（N：0 g·m-2·a-1）、N5（N：5 g·m-2·a-1）以及N10（N：10 g·m-2·a-1）,每月进行喷施。在连续施氮22个月（当月当次施氮5天后）对土壤氮素（硝氮、氨氮、总氮）、碳素（总碳）以及微生物量（脂磷）在0~60 cm土层中的垂直分布进行研究。结果显示：在3个氮沉降水平下,随着土层加深,pH呈现出下降的趋势,氮沉降存在加剧土壤酸化的风险;在N0、N5、N10水平下,土壤全氮和总碳的垂直分布趋势大体一致,随着土层加深,其含量下降,但在深层土壤（40~60 cm）中,施氮与对照比较,总碳呈现一定的增加趋势;除40~50 cm土层,N5、N10水平下的硝态氮含量在各个深度土壤中都表现为比对照组要高,氮沉降导致土壤一定程度上硝态氮的积累;在浅层土壤（0~20 cm）中,铵态氮水平较低并且其含量明显低于对照组,而在较深的土层中铵态氮有较多的积累,说明存在污染地下水的风险;N5和N10水平下,无机氮比例（无机氮含量与总氮含量之比）在各个深度土壤中总体高于N0水平;用脂磷含量表征土壤微生物含量,结果表明外加氮源对微生物含量有显著性影响,在N5、N10水平下,微生物含量在30~40 cm土层中出现峰值。     

Male parental care and monogamy in snow buntings

Summary We experimentally removed males from a random sample of 14 snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) pairs to determine the influence of male parental care on reproductive success. Widowed females increased their rate of food delivery to nestlings by increasing their feeding visit rate but not their load size. However, Widows were only able to achieve 73% of the food delivery rate of Control pairs and, as a result, they raised fewer offspring of lower quality (i.e. lower mass at fledging). Total brood mass raised by Widows was only 55% of that of Control pairs. Thus, in the year of our experiment, male parental care in the nestling period almost doubled the reproductive success realized from a brood. Our experiment, however, was done in a year of poor food availability and data from the previous year, when food supply was higher, indicate that males may not always be so important. Since nestling food supply appears to be unpredictable at the time of pair formation, we suggest that monogamy is a bet-hedging strategy in case of poor food availability. As a consequence the importance of male parental care in some years may explain why snow buntings are almost always monogamous.     

雪冰中痕量高氯酸盐的在线富集方法

利用一维离子色谱建立了高氯酸盐的在线富集方法,以期为建立定量检测南极雪冰中痕量高氯酸盐的离子色谱-串联质谱法奠定基础.选用高容量、强亲水性的IonPac AS20阴离子交换柱进行分离,以淋洗液自动发生器在线产生的KOH作为淋洗液,等梯度淋洗.考虑到南极雪冰样品量十分有限,选定5 mL为富集体积,对应的富集时间为10 min.高氯酸盐质量浓度在0.5—50μg.L-1范围内,方法具有良好的线性（相关系数为0.9995）,检出限（以S/N=3计）为0.05μg.L-1.将浓度为0.5μg.L-1的标准溶液连续11次富集进样,所得峰面积的相对标准偏差（RSD）为4.7%.以人工配制的仅含有高氯酸盐的溶液实施了加标回收实验,回收率在85%—108%之间.     

Organic pollutants in snow of urban and rural Russia and Finland

To check the effect of possible deposition of organic contaminants in northern regions of the Earth due to atmospheric transport snow samples were collected in early March in 6 places in Russia and 4 in Finland including arctic territories. GC‐MS was used as an analytical tool to identify and quantify individual organic compounds belonging to the various classes. As a result more than 250 compounds were detected. The possible presence of more than 100 other priority pollutants from the US EPA list was also screened.     

Metals and organic pollutants in snow surrounding an iron factory

To estimate air pollution snow samples were collected in March 2001 at six sites in the vicinity of the Kostomuksha factory in Karelia. Seventy-two chemical elements and more than 200 individual organic compounds were identified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was found that the levels of Li, B, Al, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, Mn, Mo as well as hydrocarbons, phthalates and phenols exceeded the existing maximum allowable concentrations. A list of toxicants emitted with the factory exhausts and a list of priority pollutants for Kostomuksha were compiled. The impact of the exhausts of the Kostomuksha factory on the environment in Finland is relatively small. Electronic Publication     

Improved formulae of velocity distributions along the vertical and transverse directions in natural rivers with the sidewall effect

The distribution of flow velocity is a basis for the research into the transport of flow and sediment in natural rivers. Characteristics of velocity distribution in narrow-deep natural rivers are different from those in wide-shallow open channels, and the effect of sidewalls on the distribution of flow velocity is considerable, which leads to a large transverse gradient of the depth-averaged velocity, with the maximum velocity occurring below the water surface. Based on the Reynolds equation of turbulence flow and the analysis of the features of velocity distribution in natural rivers, improved formulae with two empirical parameters α and β have been proposed for the velocity distributions along the vertical and transverse directions, with the effect of sidewalls being considered, through solving the definite solution problem by the method of variable separation. The proposed formulae were validated fully through comparisons between the calculated and measured velocity profiles and depth-averaged velocities at several sections in the Yangtze and Baitarani Rivers, with close agreement between them being obtained. The formula of velocity distribution along the transverse direction in natural rivers with the sidewall effect was also compared with previous studies, and the calculation accuracy of this formula at a section with a narrow-deep geometry was higher than the accuracy of the previous equations. It is confirmed that the proposed formulae can reproduce well the distribution characteristics of flow velocity along the vertical and transverse directions in narrow-deep natural rivers, with a more wide application in practice.     

Behavioral responses of bison and elk in Yellowstone to snowmobiles and snow coaches.

Managers of public lands are charged with protecting some of our most important natural resources and ecosystems, while providing for their use and enjoyment by visitors. Almost one million visitors entered Yellowstone National Park by motorized means on snowmobiles (87%) or snow coaches (13%) during 1992-2003. Most vehicles toured the central portion of the park where bison (Bison bison) and elk (Cervus elaphus) concentrate in geothermal areas. We sampled >6500 interactions between groups of these species and groups of snowmobiles and snow coaches (collectively, OSV, over-snow vehicles) during five winters (1999-2000, 2002-2004). Multinomial logits models were used to identify conditions leading to behavioral responses. Elk responded three times as often (52%) as bison (19%) during interactions with groups of snowmobiles and snow coaches due to increased vigilance responses (elk, 44%; bison, 10%). However, the frequency of higher-intensity movement responses by bison and elk were similar (6-7% travel, 1-2% flight, <1% defense) and relatively low compared to other studies of ungulates and snowmobile disturbance. The likelihood of active responses by bison and elk increased significantly if animals were on or near roads, groups were smaller, or humans approached. The likelihood of an active response by bison decreased within winters having the largest visitation, suggesting some habituation to snowmobiles and snow coaches. There was no evidence that snowmobile use during the past 35 years affected the population dynamics or demography of bison or elk. Thus, we suggest that regulations restricting levels and travel routes of over-snow vehicles (OSVs) were effective at reducing disturbances to bison and elk below a level that would cause measurable fitness effects. We recommend park managers consider maintaining OSV traffic levels at or below those observed during our study. Regardless, differing interpretations of the behavioral and physiological response data will continue to exist because of the diverse values and beliefs of the many constituencies of Yellowstone.     

中国南方雨雪冰冻灾害受损森林植被研究进展

2008年年初我国南方遭受了一场极为罕见的大范围持续低温雨雪冰冻极端气候灾害,这场灾害给我国人民的生产生活造成了重大损失,其中,林业受损尤为严重。我国学者针对受损森林生态系统进行了多方面的调查与研究。对现有的调查研究工作进行综述,重点概述了森林结构、功能和经济效益的受损状况,总结了天气条件、地理因素、树种及其生长情况,分析了林分特征等方面的森林受损机制以及受损森林的恢复与重建对策,对现有的研究在内容、水平及方向上的不足之处提出建议,以期对未来的相关研究提供帮助。     

Model of turbulence penetration into a suspension layer on a sediment bed and effect on vertical solute transfer

The vertical diffusional mass (solute) transfer through a suspended sediment layer, e.g. at the bottom of a lake, reservoir or estuary, by the propagation of velocity fluctuations from above was investigated. The attenuation of the velocity fluctuations in the suspension layer and the associated effect on solute transfer through the suspension layer was simulated. To represent large eddies traveling downstream in water over a high-concentration suspended sediment layer, a streamwise velocity fluctuation moving in downstream direction was imposed along the upper boundary of the suspension layer. Velocity fluctuations and downstream velocity were normalized by the shearvelocity (U_*) at the top of the suspension layer. Streamwise and vertical velocity components inside the suspension layer, were obtained from the 2-D continuity and the Navier–Stokes equations. The persistence of turbulence with depth—as it penetrates from the overlying water into the suspension layer—was found to depend on its amplitude, its period, and on the apparent viscosity of the suspension. The turbulence was found to propagate efficiently into the suspension layer when its frequency is low, and the apparent viscosity of the suspension is high. Effects on vertical mass transfer were parameterized by penetration depth and effective diffusion coefficient, and related to apparent viscosity of the suspension, Schmidt number and shear velocity on top of the suspension layer. The enhancement of turbulence penetration by viscosity is similar to the flow near an oscillating flat plate (Stokes’ second problem), but is opposite to turbulence penetration into a stationary porous and permeable sediment bed. The information is applicable to water quality modeling mear the sediment/water interface of lakes, river impoundments and estuaries.     

Modeling outcomes of approaches to sustained human and snow leopard coexistence

The snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is in danger of extinction. Killing to protect livestock is among the primary causes of its decline. Efforts to mitigate this threat have focused on balancing the need to conserve the snow leopard with the needs of local people in snow leopard habitat, many of whom rely on raising livestock for their livelihoods. Conservation of the snow leopard has the characteristics of a public good, and outside funding is required to support conservation efforts. There are 5 commonly discussed approaches to resolving this issue: (1) direct payments for conservation, (2) investments in protection from predation, (3) damage compensation payments, (4) investments in better livestock husbandry, and (5) leases of pastureland for wild prey. After a review of these 5 conservation strategies, an economic–ecologic model, which includes the interactions between the snow leopard, its wild prey, and livestock, is used to evaluate the 2 most promising conservation strategies. The model reveals that investments in protection from predation and leases of pastureland for wild prey are effective but only in delaying the eventual extinction of the snow leopard. To preserve the snow leopard, these approaches must be applied more aggressively and new ones explored.     

Spatial,annual and seasonal patterns in the condition and muscle size of snow crab

The extent of spatial (depth and locality) and temporal (season and year) variabilities in condition and relative muscle size (a direct proxy of growth) were examined in male and female adult and non-adult snow crabs Chionoecetes opilio. Condition, determined from the relative size of the digestive gland and moisture content of the muscle and digestive gland, and muscle size, determined as the ratio of merus muscle mass over merus volume, separated as different processes in a principal component analysis. Snow crabs showed a wide range of condition and muscle size values. Overall, the condition was better in non-adult than in adult crabs, with adult females being in worst condition, and muscle size was larger in males than in females. Condition variability was greater for seasonal compared to annual samples, probably reflecting annual molt cycles. In contrast, the muscle size variability was greater for annual compared to seasonal samples, possibly as a result of changing crab abundance and competition intensity during recruitment pulses. Condition and muscle size increased through summer in males and immature females, although to different extents depending on instar, but did not change in adult females. Both condition and muscle size were highly variable at the investigated spatial scales. Condition and muscle size had a significant effect on gonad size, once the effect of crab size was removed, suggesting a direct link between these two parameters and reproductive capability.     

离子强度、pH对土壤胶体释放、分配沉积行为的影响

采用重力沉降法,根据司笃克斯(Stokes,1945)定律结合分速离心法提取两种粒径等级的自然土壤胶体样品.利用美国EPA批处理实验方法,进行一系列实验室静态吸附、解吸实验,并获取相应的动力学解离/沉积曲线以及热力学等温平衡解吸/吸附曲线.通过对土壤胶体释放/沉积速率、解离效率和解吸因数等行为因子的定量解析,描述自然土壤胶体的释放、稳定、沉积/分配动力学和热力学行为,考察土壤水溶液pH/离子强度、胶体粒径因素对土壤胶体释放、分配沉积行为的影响.实验结果表明,环境溶液pH的增大及离子强度的减小对土壤胶体的稳定和释放起促进作用,但对胶体向土壤颗粒中的沉积过程是不利的.pH和离子强度条件能够改变土壤胶体表面带电荷状态,改变土壤胶体与土壤介质表面吸附排斥作用力的大小,提高或降低土壤胶体与介质表面的碰撞接触效率,从而表现出土壤胶体在土壤介质中的沉积分配行为上的变化.粒径大小对土壤胶体的释放沉积行为影响明显.大粒径土壤胶体颗粒较小粒径颗粒更容易向土壤介质表面分配沉积.由此可知,土壤介质对土壤胶体持有和吸附的能力是与胶体颗粒粒径大小密切相关的,这主要是因为颗粒粒径大小能够有效的影响胶体颗粒与介质表面间的反应能量.土壤胶体沉积分配动力学曲线揭示,土壤胶体向土壤介质的分配过程是一个动态变化过程,土壤介质对土壤胶体的持留吸纳能力随时间而逐渐减弱.分配系数被证实是表征和分析土壤胶体沉积分配过程受环境物理化学因素影响的有效过程因子.     

哈尔滨市降雪中溶解性有机物光谱特性分析

研究雨雪中的溶解性有机物(DOM)将有利于把握其理化性质及其在生态系统中的行为和功能.本研究运用三维荧光光谱(EEMs)技术结合平行因子分析(PARAFAC)、紫外-可见光谱技术(UV-vis),对哈尔滨市2018年3月1日降雪样品中DOM的光谱特性及来源进行解析.结果表明,降雪样品中DOM的相对分子质量较大,芳香构造...     

Population growth in snow geese: a modeling approach integrating demographic and survey information

There are few analytic tools available to formally integrate information coming from population surveys and demographic studies. The Kalman filter is a procedure that facilitates such integration. Based on a state-space model, we can obtain a likelihood function for the survey data using a Kalman filter, which we may then combine with a likelihood for the demographic data. In this paper, we used this combined approach to analyze the population dynamics of a hunted species, the Greater Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlantica), and to examine the extent to which it can improve previous demographic population models. The state equation of the state-space model was a matrix population model with fecundity and regression parameters relating adult survival and harvest rate estimated in a previous capture-recapture study. The observation equation combined the output from this model with estimates from an annual spring photographic survey of the population. The maximum likelihood estimates of the regression parameters from the combined analysis differed little from the values of the original capture-recapture analysis, though their precision improved. The model output was found to be insensitive to a wide range of coefficient of variation (CV) in fecundity parameters. We found a close match between the surveyed and smoothed population size estimates generated by the Kalman filter over an 18-year period, and the estimated CV of the survey (0.078-0.150) was quite compatible with its assumed value (approximately 0.10). When we used the updated parameter values to predict future population size, the model underestimated the surveyed population size by 18% over a three-year period. However, this could be explained by a concurrent change in the survey method. We conclude that the Kalman filter is a promising approach to forecast population change because it incorporates survey information in a formal way compared with ad hoc approaches that either neglect this information or require some parameter or model tuning.     

青藏高原东部过渡区水环境中全氟化合物的分布特征

为探究高原过渡区水环境中全氟化合物(perfluorinated compounds,PFCs)的污染状况,以青藏高原东部过渡区典型高山峡谷区、若尔盖草原湿地区为研究区,应用固相萃取结合高效液相色谱-电喷雾负电离源串联质谱的方法对研究区内的降雪样品、河水和草原湿地地表径流样品中的全氟化合物进行测定.降雪样品中平均∑PFCs浓度为6266 pg·L~(-1),共检出11种PFCs,其中PFBA含量最高,表明该地区的大气中存在着以PFBA为主的PFCs污染.河水样品中检测到7种PFCs,高山峡谷区河水样品中ΣPFCs浓度范围为272—2244 pg·L~(-1),若尔盖草原湿地区河水样品中ΣPFCs浓度范围为727—5149 pg·L~(-1),远低于我国东部地区及长江黄河下游区域.若尔盖草原湿地地表径流样品检测出11种PFCs,∑PFCs浓度范围为5837—13720 pg·L~(-1),高于当地河水中PFCs的浓度,表明地表径流是当地河水中PFCs不可忽略的非点源污染源.运用熵值法得到青藏高原东部过渡区河水中PFOA、PFOS及PFBA的风险值均远低于参考值,未达到对生态环境具有风险的水平.     

The highs and lows of chemical communication in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): effect of scent deposition height on signal discrimination

The giant panda's (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) social system is not well known, but it is clear that competition and avoidance characterizes social interaction for this solitary species throughout most of the year. Chemical communication appears to play a major role in structuring these interactions. Pandas adopt four distinct marking postures that deposit anogenital gland secretions or urine at varying heights: squat, reverse, legcock and handstand. In this experiment we tested the behavioral responses of 28 captive pandas belonging to all age-sex groups to conspecific odors placed to mimic the height of these postures. We tested three odor stimuli: male urine, and male and female glandular secretions. In all cases, pandas spent more time investigating higher odors than lower odors, suggesting that pandas place more importance on gathering information about individuals that adopt elevated postures. Pandas, particularly subadult males, also showed evidence of avoiding areas where adult male urine was deposited to mimic the handstand posture. Based on these and other findings, we propose that elevated postures in pandas may function to communicate competitive ability and possibly aggressive intent. Height of odor deposition, especially in the handstand posture, may be associated with body size, a major determinant of competitive ability. Selection may favor signalers that capitalize on the assessment activities of assessors by depositing scents to emphasize height cues. If such signals of competitive ability are used to mediate aggressive interactions, subsequent selection may favor their use only when the signaler is prepared to escalate in a contest.