Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi decrease radiocesium accumulation in Medicago truncatula

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant radiocesium uptake and accumulation remains ambiguous. This is probably due to the presence of other soil microorganisms, the variability of soil characteristics and plant nutritional status or the availability of its chemical analogue, potassium (K). Here, we used an in vitro culture system to study the impact of increased concentration of K on radiocesium accumulation in non K-starved mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Medicago truncatula plants. In the presence of AMF radiocesium uptake decreased regardless of the concentration of K, and its translocation from root to shoot was also significantly lower. Potassium also reduced the accumulation of radiocesium in plants but to a lesser extent than mycorrhization, and without any effect on translocation. These results suggest that AMF in combination with K can play a key role in reducing radiocesium uptake and its subsequent translocation to plant shoots, thereby representing good potential for improved phytomanagement of contaminated areas.     

Role and influence of mycorrhizal fungi on radiocesium accumulation by plants

This review summarizes current knowledge on the contribution of mycorrhizal fungi to radiocesium immobilization and plant accumulation. These root symbionts develop extended hyphae in soils and readily contribute to the soil-to-plant transfer of some nutrients. Available data show that ecto-mycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can accumulate high concentration of radiocesium in their extraradical phase while radiocesium uptake and accumulation by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is limited. Yet, both ECM and AM fungi can transport radiocesium to their host plants, but this transport is low. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi could thus either store radiocesium in their intraradical phase or limit its root-to-shoot translocation. The review discusses the impact of soil characteristics, and fungal and plant transporters on radiocesium uptake and accumulation in plants, as well as the potential role of mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation strategies.     

Impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on uranium accumulation by plants

Contamination by uranium (U) occurs principally at U mining and processing sites. Uranium can have tremendous environmental consequences, as it is highly toxic to a broad range of organisms and can be dispersed in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Remediation strategies of U-contaminated soils have included physical and chemical procedures, which may be beneficial, but are costly and can lead to further environmental damage. Phytoremediation has been proposed as a promising alternative, which relies on the capacity of plants and their associated microorganisms to stabilize or extract contaminants from soils. In this paper, we review the role of a group of plant symbiotic fungi, i.e. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which constitute an essential link between the soil and the roots. These fungi participate in U immobilization in soils and within plant roots and they can reduce root-to-shoot translocation of U. However, there is a need to evaluate these observations in terms of their importance for phytostabilization strategies.     

Long-term effects of single potassium fertilization on 137Cs levels in plants and fungi in a boreal forest ecosystem

We examined the long-term effects of a single application of potassium (K) fertilizer (100 kg K ha⁻¹) in 1992 on ¹³⁷Cs uptake in a forest ecosystem in central Sweden. ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations were determined in three low-growing perennial shrubs, heather (Calluna vulgaris), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), and in four wild fungal species (Cortinarius semisanguineus, Lactarius rufus, Rozites caperata and Suillus variegatus). Uptake of ¹³⁷Cs by plants and fungi growing on K-fertilized plots 17 years after application of the K fertilizer was significantly lower than in corresponding species growing in a non-fertilized control area. The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was 21-58% lower in fungal sporocarps and 40-61% lower in plants in the K-fertilized area compared with the control. Over the study period, this decrease in ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was more consistent in plants than in fungi, although the effect was statistically significant and strongly pronounced in all species. The effect of K fertilization in reducing ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in fungi and plants decreased over time but was still significant in 2009, 17 years after fertilization. This suggests that application of K fertilizer to forests is an appropriate and effective long-term measure to decrease radiocaesium accumulation in plants and fungi.     

A general approach to transform a lake model for one radionuclide (radiocesium) to another (radiostrontium) and critical model tests using data for four Ural lakes contaminated by the fallout from the Kyshtym accident in 1957

This paper presents results of a model test carried out within the framework of the COMETES project (EU). The aim of the work was to change the structure of the MOIRA lake model for radiocesium so that it can be applied more generally for, in principle, all types of radionuclides and heavy metals. This general lake model is used within the MOIRA decision support system (DSS; MOIRA and COMETES are acronyms for EU-projects). The model is based on a set of differential equations and a specific modelling structure. It incorporates all important fluxes to, from and within lakes in a general manner. Yet the model is driven by a minimum of variables accessible from standard maps and monitoring programs. The model can be separated into two parts, a general part with equations applicable for all types of water pollutants and a substance-specific part. This model has previously been validated for 137Cs from many lakes covering a wide domain and yielded excellent predictive power. The alterations discussed in this work are meant to be general and radiostrontium is used as a typical element. Radiostrontium is known to be more mobile than radiocesium and all abiotic parts of the model handling fixation and mobility have been altered. The new model for 90Sr has been critically tested using data from four lakes heavily contaminated with 90Sr from the Kyshtym accident in the Southern Urals, Russia, using empirical data from a period from 1958 to 1995 for 90Sr in fish (here goldfish), water and sediments.     

Effects of the simultaneous application of potassium and calcium on the soil-to-Chinese cabbage transfer of radiocesium and radiostrontium

Pot experiments were carried out in a greenhouse to investigate how effectively the transfer of radiocesium and radiostrontium from soil to Chinese cabbage could be reduced by applying K and Ca simultaneously to the soil. The sources of these elements were KCl and Ca(OH)(2) at agrochemical grades. Varying dosages of K and Ca were tested for an acid loamy soil treated with a mixed solution of (137)Cs and (85)Sr at two different times - 3 d before sowing and 32 d after sowing. For the pre-sowing deposition, the soil-to-plant transfer of (137)Cs decreased sharply with increasing dosages of K and Ca (K/Ca, g m(-2)) from 4.8/46 up to 22.4/215 but the (85)Sr transfer had the greatest reduction at a dosage of 12.8/123. At this dosage, an about 60% reduction occurred for each radionuclide. Plant growth was inhibited from the dosage of 22.4/215, above which all the plants died young. Both dosages of 4.8/46 and 12.8/123 tested following the growing-time deposition produced around 95% reductions for (137)Cs and 50% reductions for (85)Sr. In the second year after the 12.8/123 applications, the effects for (85)Sr were almost the same as in the first year, whereas those for (137)Cs were diminished slightly for the pre-sowing deposition and markedly for the growing-time deposition. Considerably (K) or slightly (Ca) higher doses than 12.8/123 would be allowable for the maximum TF reductions achievable without a growth inhibition.     

Influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on the nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes of the Yangtze Estuary, China

Nutrient flux to the sea through the estuary is important to the health of the sea. Combining natural processes with anthropogenic activities, we discuss the influence on the nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes to the Yangtze River basin, to the estuary and to the sea. The fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to the estuary through the river/estuary interface are obviously higher than those to the sea through to the estuary/sea interface of the Yangtze estuary. The changes in nutrient fluxes through different interfaces are largely due to the estuarine hydrological and biogeochemical processes. Household, livestock and agricultural runoff are major sources of nitrogen from human activities, and household and livestock contribute to an increase in the anthropogenic phosphorus. The fluxes of DIN and DIP from economic activities account for about one-third of DIN and DIP fluxes to the sea through the Yangtze estuary.     

Effect of external potassium (K) supply on the uptake of 137Cs by spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Tonic): a large-scale hydroponic study.

A large-scale hydroponic experiment was carried out in a non-controlled greenhouse. Spring wheat plants were grown to maturity at four levels of external K concentration (2, 4, 20 and 40 mgl(-1)) and one concentration of radiocaesium (8 Bqml(-1)). Concentrations of K and radiocaesium in the growth solution were closely monitored, and replenishments were made upon depletion. K effectively competed with radiocaesium in terms of root uptake. Activity concentrations of radiocaesium in plants differed significantly between the four K treatments; the activity concentration at the lowest external K concentration being 100 times higher than that at the highest K level. The relationship between radiocaesium uptake and external K level could be described by a negative power function; this showed that when the K level reached around 12 mgl(-1), further increases in the external K level resulted only in slight changes in its inhibitory effect. As a result of this inhibitory effect of potassium supply, concentrations of radiocaesium in plant tissues, grains in particular, were greatly reduced at high external K concentration. Mechanisms involved in Cs-K interaction in root uptake are also discussed.     

信息对农民增收的影响及效应分析

通过建立模型,分析了信息对农民收入的影响,结果显示,信息量、信息渠道对信息的扭曲等严重制约了农民收入的提高;目前,我国农民信息渠道单一,信息量小已经成为制约农民收入增长的重要影响因素。     

城市规模对生态效率的影响及区域差异分析

随着城市规模的不断扩大,城市住房紧张、交通拥堵、环境恶化等问题开始日益凸显,如何从生态视角找到适度的城市规模是我国新型城镇化建设中面临的一个重要问题。本文以中国2003-2013年281个地级市为研究对象,通过建立空间计量和门槛面板模型研究了城市规模对生态效率的影响及其区域差异,研究结果表明,中国城市生态效率整体呈现逐渐上升的趋势,且区域差异较大,溢出效应较为明显;城市规模对生态效率的影响呈现N型曲线的特征,且呈现显著的区间效应,根据门槛内生性分类结果发现,当城市规模低于54.48万人时,生态效率随城市规模的扩张不断增加;当城市规模大于54.48万低于337.22万人时,城市规模扩张对生态效率的促进作用较大,当城市规模超过337.22万人这一门槛值之后,促进作用开始显著减小,说明基于生态效率的最优城市规模为337.22万人左右;而产业结构、技术水平等都对城市生态效率有明显的促进作用。基于以上结论,各城市应加强环境合作,减少环境污染溢出;对于规模较小的城市,应该依托周边大中城市,争取产业合作,通过完善城市基础设施建设,进行户籍、土地等制度改革,促进城市规模的扩大;对于规模居中的城市,应该以节约资源、保护环境为前提,推进适度规模的城镇化,真正实现城市从量到质的转变;对于规模较大的城市,可以建立新城区或城市群,完善城市近郊及周边交通、教育等公共资源配置,充分发挥聚集和发散效应,有效缓解人口过于集中和环境恶化带来的压力。综上,不同规模的城市应采取不同措施提高生态效率,推进城市走集约、智能、绿色、低碳的新型城镇化道路。     

Effect of the counter anion of cesium on foliar uptake and translocation

Direct deposition of radioactive material onto crops is one important pathway for safety assessment of radionuclides released from nuclear facilities. Foliar uptake of Cs by radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Redchim) was studied by applying droplets of Cs solution (CsCl or CsNO₃) on an upper leaf surface. The uptake of Cs was strongly affected by counter anions of Cs in the applied solution. Approximately 80% of Cs was absorbed for CsCl solution, while only 20% was absorbed for CsNO₃. The partition of absorbed Cs between leaf and root tuber was quite similar for both Cs compounds, which indicated that behavior of the absorbed Cs in radish was the same for both.     

空间溢出、门槛特征与能源效率的经济增长效应

能源效率的改进能缓解经济增长过程中日益紧张的能源供需矛盾,然而空间异质性使得传统整体分析难以解释能源效率与经济增长之间的复杂关系。为了考察我国能源效率与经济增长的非线性空间联系,本文以我国1995-2009年省份面板数据,首先通过随机前沿生产函数模型测算我国各地区的能源效率及时空特征。接着,综合采用空间面板回归和门槛面板回归模型对能源效率与经济增长进行空间异质性检验,研究表明:能源效率对经济增长存在明显的空间外溢效应,空间溢出效应合理解释了能源效率与经济增长的空间非均衡分布。同时能源效率对经济增长存在门槛效应,能源效率对经济增长的弹性随着经济发展水平的提高而提高,但随着能源效率的提高而降低。本文政策含义明显:在制定能源的空间布局政策时应当加大对邻省较多、经济发展水平较高且能源效率较低省份的能源支出并努力提升这些省份的能源效率;而对经济发展水平较低且能源效率较高的省份,不宜从改进能源效率的思路来追求过快的经济增长。     

Effect of cement content and recycled rubber particle size on the performance of rubber-modified concrete

According to the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association, the United States generated 3664 thousand metric tons of scrap tires in 2015. While most waste tires are repurposed, approximately 409.5 thousand metric tons were disposed in landfills. This study investigates an alternative use of the waste tires as a replacement of natural aggregates in concrete mixtures. This study investigated fresh concrete properties and compressive strength. Different coarse and fine aggregate rubber particle sizes were evaluated: 19-mm tire chips (TCs) and 30-mesh crumb rubber (CR). TCs were used to replace coarse aggregates, while CR was used to replace fine aggregate in the concrete mixtures in increments of 10% by volume. Concrete strength loss was reduced with a fine aggregate replacement with CR as opposed to greater losses of strength exhibited by a coarse aggregate replacement with TCs. Adequate strengths were achieved at replacement levels as high as 40% by volume with CR, whereas satisfactory strengths were achieved with only a 10% replacement of coarse aggregates with TCs. Acceptable strengths were obtained from mixtures utilizing a combination of the two rubber sizes. Cement content was observed to have greater influence on rubberized concrete compressive strength at lower rubber contents than higher levels.     

Effect of Extractive Compounds from Lichens and Mosses on the Development of Basidiospores and Mycelium of Tinder Fungus

It has been shown that extracts from the thalli of lichens and mosses have an adverse effect on the viability and germination of spores and suppress the asexual reproduction of the haploid mycelium. The dikaryotic mycelium and its conidial spores are more resistant to the action of extractive compounds from lichens and mosses.     

近40年阿克苏河流域径流变化特征及影响因素研究

利用1961—2000年近40a的气温、降水、冻土深度等逐月资料及年蒸发量资料和20世纪50年代初或中期建站起到90年代中期径流逐月实测资料．分析20世纪下半期阿克苏河流域径流变化特征及其与气候变化的关系．同时分析人类活动对径流变化的影响作用。研究表明：阿克苏河流域普遍存在升温的变化趋势，尤其是冬季升温明显；同时导致冻土层温度的升高和冻土退化；流域内降水增加趋势明显。1990年以后径流增加趋势更加明显．从年内变化分析来看。流域内各水文站春、夏季径流有明显的增大趋势；秋、冬季径流减少明显；分析径流的变化特点．主要还受到流域地表状况变化、大面积开荒及上游水库调节等人类经济活动作用的影响。     

长株潭地区城镇化对土地利用效率的影响

长株潭城市群作为全国"两型社会"建设综合配套改革试验区,对湖南省、对全国的发展都具有十分重要的意义。城镇化进程中土地利用问题作为"两型社会"研究中的重要方面,必然受到普遍关注。本文首先对国内外关于城镇化与土地利用关系的相关文献进行了评述,进而在对城镇化综合水平与土地利用综合指数进行测算的基础上,通过建立动态计量模型,采用协整分析与脉冲响应分析、方差分解分析相结合的方法对长株潭地区城镇化对土地利用的影响进行了实证分析。研究发现:近年来,长株潭地区城镇化综合水平逐步提高;城镇土地利用综合指数呈现出先平稳,然后急剧上升的倒"L"型变化趋势;城镇化综合水平与土地利用综合指数存在长期稳定的均衡关系;短期内,城镇化综合水平的提高会在一定程度上使土地利用状况恶化,但长期内,城镇化综合水平是影响土地利用综合指数的主导因素,它的提高有利于土地集约利用。由此提出相关的政策建议。     

Carabids in a Spring Wheat Agrocenosis to the South of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the Effect of Insecticide Treatment on Their Populations

Species composition, community structure, and seasonal population dynamics of carabids in spring wheat fields were studied in the vicinity of Yekaterinburg. In addition, the effects of crop treatment with the pyrethroid insecticide Decis on carabid populations was analyzed. The results showed that the numbers, species diversity, and the prevalence of certain trophic groups of carabids changed during the season. After the treatment of small areas with Decis, the number of carabids in catches decreased for a short period of time. During the second and third weeks after the treatment, the numbers of carabids increased above the control level. The structural rearrangement of the carabid community was observed in the areas treated with the insecticide.     

Determinants on Rural-Urban Labor Migration in China: Empirical Analysis on the Effect of Rural Cooperate Medical Insurance based on Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data

Abstract

This paper studies factors influencing rural-urban labor migration in China, particularly the implementation of rural cooperative medical insurance (RCMI) in the year 2003. With the support of data analysis from the year 2000, 2004 and 2006, clear linear correlations are found between gender, income, health condition and rural-urban labor flow, whereas the impact of education and employment status are more complicated. More importantly, results from regression show that the establishment of RCMI in countryside of China not only inhibits rural residents from seeking employment outside the village, but also pulls back rural people who have already worked in cities. When regional dimension is concerned, the pure composite effect of RCMI on rural labor flow is less significant in coastal areas with better economic performance and medical service.     

农业结构调整对全国粮食安全的影响分析--以粮食主产区为例

基于粮食主产区农业发展及其结构调整中面临的问题分析，指出近5年来导致我国粮食产量持续下降的主要原因在于农业结构调整。大规模的“压粮扩经”趋势若不能有效控制，必将对国家粮食安全带来冲击。对2005-2010年我国粮食需求及粮食主产区占全国粮食产量比重进行测算．提出不同粮食自给率下国家粮食安全对粮食主产区粮食生产的目标要求。粮食主产区具有满足国家粮食安全产量需要的生产潜力。