Dissolution rates of silica from diatoms decomposing at various temperatures

In a study of silica dissolution from diatoms, the rate coefficient (K) h^-1 of raw diatom cells was estimated as 4 to 5 times smaller than that of the acid-digested siliceous skeletons. The dissolution rate coefficient at early stage (K₁) can be predicted as a function of temperature (T°C): in K₁=+T, where is the frequency factor depending on the properties of diatom species, ranging from -7.35 to-`0.38, and the temperature coefficient is 0.0833 for all species. Activation energies were calculated to be 1.37 to 1.38 Kcal mol^-1. This equation suggests that the rate coefficient K₁ increases by a factor of 2.27 for each 10 C° rise in temperature. This equation will also be applied to a new approach for the fate and behavior of biogenous silica settling through a water column by introducing the term temperature into a model.     

Development of sol–gel formulations for slow release of pheromones

A new type of dispenser for slow-release of sex pheromones and other semiochemicals was developed based on sol–gel polymers that can be useful for monitoring, mass trapping, and mating disruption in integrated pest management (IPM). Sol–gel matrices exhibit glass characteristics and allow control of the degree of cross-linking during the polymerization process in order to provide an optimal release rate for a particular pheromone. The advantages of sol–gel (silica) matrixes include keeping the added molecules chemically stable and enabling the sol–gel material to be applied in any desired thickness and pheromone quantity, and thereby readily modify release rates. In addition, sol–gels are primarily silica and water that are common in the environment and therefore safe for field dispensing. We developed a method for the entrapment of pheromones in sol–gel matrices that allowed release at an almost constant rate over many days in the field. For example, 2.5 mg (E)-5-decenyl acetate pheromone of peach twig borer, Anarsia lineatella, entrapped in various sol–gel formulations released 14–45 μg/day for up to 28 days. The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) pheromone in sol–gels was used in field tests to capture more codling moth males than unbaited control traps. We describe how the method may be modified to entrap other types of pheromones by making sol–gels with different pore sizes.     

乙酸对硅酸聚合胶凝及形态分布的影响

要研究了硅酸在不同pH条件下,乙酸存在时的形态分布及转化特征．结果表明：当硅酸溶液中有乙酸存在时,硅酸的聚合胶凝时间将延长．从而证实了乙酸的存在,能有效地减缓硅酸溶液中聚硅酸的生长速度．     

Ultrastructural analysis of dissolution of shell of the bivalve Mytilus edulis by the accessory boring organ of the gastropod Urosalpinx cinerea

The shell penetrating mechanism of the muricid gastropod Urosalpinx cinerea follyensis Baker was examined with reference to solubilizing effects of the secretion of the accessory boring organ (ABO) on the ultrastructural organic and mineral components of the shell of the bivalve Mytilus edulis Linné. The fine structure of shell etched by the secretion was contrasted with normal shell and shell solubilized artificially by acids, a chelating agent, and enzymes as an aid in interpreting the pattern etched by the secretion. A synoptic series of scanning electron micrographs of representative regions of the normal shell of M. edulis was prepared to serve as a standard for ultrastructural interpretation of the patterns of dissolution. Intercrystalline conchiolin of the mosaicostracal, prismatic, myostracal, and nacreous strata was dissolved as readily as the periostracum by the ABO secretion. In the prismatic region, maximum depth of dissolution of intercrystalline organic matrix occurred when long axes of prisms were approximately perpendicular to the surface being dissolved. Microscopic solubilization of organic matrix noticeably preceded dissolution of mineral crystals, revealing subsurface prisms and lamellae similar in size and form to the distinctively shaped normal shell units. After solubilization of intercrystalline conchiolin, further dissolution by the ABO secretion revealed a variety of what appeared like internal structures in prisms and lamellae. The form of these subunits varied from that of platelets to nodules in prisms and from laths to nodules in lamellae. These intracrystalline patterns of dissolution probably resulted from preferential etching of (a) soluble intracrystalline conchiolin membranes or other internal aggregates of nacrin, (b) heterogeneously distributed trace and minor elements, or (c) from both. Carriker and Williams (1978) hypothesized that a combination of HCl, chelating agents, and enzymes in a hypertonic mucoid secretion released by the ABO dissolve shell during hole boring. The similarity of patterns of dissolution etched by the ABO secretion and those produced artificially by HCl and EDTA in the present study support the hypothesis that these chemicals, or chemicals similar to them, are constituents of the ABO secretion. Lactic and succinic acids and a chitinase-like enzyme were also suggested by Carriker and Williams as possible agents in shell dissolution. Alteration of the shell surface by experimental application of these, and other, chemical agents was not sufficiently comparable to that etched by the ABO secretion to support the suggestion. Preferential dissolution of shell matrix by the ABO secretion is functionally advantageous to boring gastropods because it increases the surface area of mineral crystals exposed to solubilization and facilitates removal of shell units from the surface of the borehole by the radula.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in medicinal plants from Syria

The levels of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA PAHs) in 10 medicinal plants in different used parts of plant (leaves and flowers) have been determined. The analytical method consists of sample preparation by ultrasonic extraction with dichloromethane followed by silica gel clean-up. Subsequently, the analysis was carried out by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to both ultraviolet and fluorescence detections in series to insure the detection of all 16 EPA PAHs. It was observed that the sum of the 16 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in the investigated medicinal plants ranged from 47 to 890 μg kg^–1 where the highest ΣPAHs was found in Sage plant sample. Light PAHs were dominants in all studied medicinal plants. The sum of eight genotoxic PAHs (ΣPAH8) have shown a better indicator of the degree of contamination with carcinogenic PAHs compared to benzo[a]pyrene in these products.     

Enhancement of association of organic molecules on silica gel by surface water: surface photoreaction of stilbene

Here, we show that association of stilbene molecules is facilitated by water on silica gel because of hydrophobic interaction and photodimerization becomes the main photochemical process. Irradiation of trans-stilbene (t-1) on silica gel gives cis-stilbene (c-1), phenanthrene (2), benzaldehyde (3), and dimers r-ctt-4 and r-tct-4. The yields of the dimers increase and those of 2 and 3 decrease with an increase in the amount of t-1 loaded on silica gel. Atmospheric oxygen is responsible for the formation of 2 and 3. The yields of the dimers also increase with an increase in the water on a silica-gel surface and change drastically at the point where the percentage of water to silica gel is around 25 wt%. All active sites on a silica-gel surface would be covered completely with 25 wt% of water.     

Carotenoid patterns in twenty-nine species of sponges in the order Poecilosclerida (Porifera: Demospongiae): a possible tool for chemosystematics

We assessed the utility of separated carotenoid mixtures for sponge systematics. Carotenoids were extracted from 29 species of 22 genera of 6 families for the demosponge order Poecilosclerida. Mixtures were separated (by thinlayer chromatography on silica gel) without chemical modification and after alteration by saponification, reduction or acetylation or a combination thereof. This approach allowed analysis of individual colonies of less than 1 g wet weight. Relationships among taxa were determined through use of Lawson's similarity index and discriminative analysis. Analysis of multiple runs of fractions from one individual of Ophlitaspongia pennata showed the method to be consistent and reliable. Comparison of specimens of species collected at different localities and times showed high correspondence of carotenoid patterns except in those species suspected of representing species complexes. Analysis of members of the family Clathriidae and of relationships within the order Poecilosclerida suggest that fatty acids esterified to carotenoids may be family-specific and of more taxonomic value than carotenoids. The importance of testing for seasonal, geographic and habitat variability in biochemical patterns is stressed. We discuss the significance of these methods to sponge systematics and their use in comparative studies.     

铬酸钠晶体中铝酸钠杂质的分离

重点研究了含有杂质氢氧化钠和铝酸钠的酸钠晶体中铬酸钠和铝酸钠溶解动力学,洗涤一定组成的混合晶体的结果表明,两者在溶解动学方面具有很大差别,铬酸钠能迅速达到溶解平衡,而铝酸钠极易形成过程饱和溶液,且有一定的稳定性。     

不同紫云英基因型对难溶性磷吸收利用的影响

通过石英砂培养试验,研究了不同基因型对紫云英（Astragalus sinicus）吸收和利用难溶性磷酸盐（Al-P和Fe-P）的影响。结果表明,紫云英在不同磷源中的生长性状、生物量以及植株不同部位的吸磷量有很大差异。从株高、茎粗、分枝数性状方面来看,均表现为K-P〉Al-P〉Fe-P〉CK,且两种难溶性磷处理之间差异达到显著或极显著水平。对大多数紫云英基因型来说Al-P的地上部、地下部及总干物质量都显著大于Fe-P,说明紫云英更容易活化和吸收Al-P。闽紫6号和闽紫1号在利用难溶性磷时都显著高于余江大叶和弋江籽。不同紫云英基因型在不同磷源中,地上部、地下部吸磷量及总吸磷量也均表现为K-P〉Al-P〉Fe-P〉CK,即对不同磷源的吸收能力均以K-P最高,Al-P大于Fe-P。闽紫6号和闽紫1号对难溶性磷的吸收量均高于其它3个品种,表明闽紫6号和闽紫1号对难溶性磷具有较强的溶解吸收能力。从植株吸磷量与生物量关系可以看出,紫云英植株地上部、地下部干物质量及总干物质量、鲜质量增加时,植株吸收磷的养分质量分数也随着增加,呈显著正相关。CK和Al-P处理总干物质量与总吸磷量拟合回归关系显著,但对水溶性K-P和Fe-P处理相关回归关系效果不明显,说明紫云英对难溶性磷吸收利用时,对Al-P吸收富集优于Fe-P。     

安徽省长江以北地区土壤水溶性氟含量及分布特征

采集安徽省长江以北地区有代表性土壤样品３４７个，测定了其水溶性氟含量。结果表明，土壤水溶性氟含量范围０３８～１２６９ｍｇ／ｋｇ，平均为２３８ｍｇ／ｋｇ。地区分布是南低北高，以淮北宿州和阜阳地区为最高，平均含量在３ｍｇ／ｋｇ以上。主要土壤类型土壤水溶性氟含量顺序是砂姜黑土、潮土＞黄棕壤、紫色土＞水稻土＞石灰土、粗骨土。不同母质土壤水溶性氟含量顺序是古黄土性河湖相沉积物＞黄泛冲积物＞紫色砂岩＞下蜀黄土＞石灰岩＞酸性结晶岩风化物＞河流冲积物。土壤水溶性氟含量与土壤ｐＨ呈正相关。ｐＨ高的黄泛冲积物和古黄土性河湖相沉积物母质土壤含水溶性氟多，该土壤地区发生氟中毒可能性较大。     

Vertical and spatial distribution of biogenic silica in the sediment of the gulf of Riga,Baltic Sea

The vertical and spatial concentration trends of biogenic silica (BSi) were investigated in a variety of sediment types from the Gulf of Riga. These trends were compared with the concentration of organic carbon to examine how variations in the mass sedimentation and the dissolution rate of BSi versus bacterially mediated oxidation of organic matter affect the distribution of BSi in different environments. The effects of important physical and biogeochemical factors on the distribution of BSi have also been examined.

The concentration of BSi in the surface sediment at accumulation bottoms ranges between 0.8–1.5 mmol/g with an average concentration of 1.1 mmol/g. This is about two times the concentration that has been reported in similar sediments in the open Baltic proper. Much lower concentrations were measured in erosion and transitional areas; on average around 0.2 and 0.6 mmol/g, respectively.

A comparison between recent sedimentation rate measurements (²¹⁰Pb) and concentrations of BSi within different accumulation bottoms suggests an approximate inverse relationship with each other. The importance of variation in the sedimentation rate on the surface BSi concentration is supported by the fact that higher C_org/BSi ratios are found in periphery accumulation zones close to transition areas (larger supply of carbon rich allochthonous material that dilutes settled amounts of BSi) than at accumulation bottoms in the central part of the Gulf. The C_org/BSi ratio in the sediment is always lower than in living siliceous algae which shows that the microbial degradation of organic carbon is always greater than the inorganic dissolution of BSi, irrespective of the assemblage of silica and non‐silica species.

The general vertical concentration pattern at accumulation sites showed a decreased concentration with increased depth down to 2–6 cm below seafloor where the concentration gradually equalizes. The concentration in the equalizing zone is on average about 20% lower than in the uppermost centimeter. This implies that the main part of the BSi entering the accumulation bottoms is permanently buried and that a great amount of silica already has been released during halmyrolysis. The spatial and vertical BSi trends at sites in transitional and erosional areas reflects prevailing sedimentation conditions with a low concentration in sections with a dominance of sand and gravel (no deposition of fine material) and a higher concentration in the sections containing stiff glacial clay (former accumulation area).

The average annual burial amount of BSi in the Gulf has been estimated to be around 50 000 tons of which most is buried in accumulation bottoms outside the central muddy part of the Gulf. The buried amount is about 60% of the annual river load of silica.     

Air pollution protection by waste amorphous SiO2 utilization in Portland cement production

This papers deals with waste amorphous silica obtained from AlF₃ production. This is a waste material that could be used as additive in cement production. Results are encouraging although there are no large quantities of this material available (about 4000 t/yr). Experiments were performed with the addition of 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0% mass of amorphous silica obtained from AlF₃ production. Flexural and compressive strengths of the prepared mortar samples with w/c = 0.50 and with the constant flow were determined. Experiments show that optimal quantity for the amorphous silica addition is 5% of the cement mass.     

固相萃取/气相色谱质谱法测定灰尘中的氯代多环芳烃

建立了固相萃取(SPE)/气相色谱质谱(GC/MS)联用检测灰尘中氯代多环芳烃(ClPAHs)的方法.以正己烷和二氯甲烷混合液为提取溶剂,索氏提取灰尘样品中的20种ClPAHs,活性硅胶层析柱与活性炭混合硅胶SPE柱协同净化.净化后的提取液采用GC/MS测定,SIM模式扫描,并用质谱特征离子定量分析.结果表明,填充量为0.2 g(W(活性炭)∶W(硅胶)=1∶40)的活性炭混合硅胶SPE小柱能有效地将ClPAHs分离出来,载样后采用反向溶剂洗脱,既提高了回收率又减少了洗脱剂甲苯的用量,净化效果好.处理灰尘样品后检测分析,20种ClPAHs的平均回收率稳定在60.4%—120.1%,相关系数>0.99,检出限为0.04—0.17 ng.g-1,相对标准偏差为1.6%—10.2%.本方法前处理简单,定性、定量准确可靠,可广泛应用于环境介质中氯代多环芳烃的检测.     

Systems analysis and simulation of the NW African marine upwelling region

A temporal and spatial marine upwelling system model is developed for analysis of prominent biological and physical system interactions which result in obserbed nutrient distribution patterns in the northwest African coastal upwelling system near 21° N. The model is composed of a physical submodel describing a two-dimensional circulation pattern, and a series of biological submodels describing nutrient regeneration.Model results were qualitatively consistent with nutrient distributions observed during an upwelling event in the 1974 JOINT-I study area. Simulated silicate distribution patterns suggest that silica dissolution parameter estimates reported for the northwest African region may represent local conditions, but are likely overestimates at a system level of resolution. Sensitivity analysis results identify grazing threshold level as the primary regulator of model grazing stress. Paucity of herbivorous nekton grazing suggests that primarily phytophagous grazing habit for clupeoid fishes is unlikely in the northwest African upwelling area.     

Rate of dissolution of diatom silica walls in seawater

The solubility and dissolution rate of silica were investigated using cell walls prepared from two species of diatoms, Thalassiosira decipiens and Rhizosolenia hebetata forma semispina. The solubility (C _e) as a function of temperature (T, °C) can be described by the following equation: C _e (SiO₂ mg l^-1)=67.8+1.48 T. The first-order reaction equation without the surface-area term was considered to be reasonable in estimating the dissolution rate of biogenic silica in the ocean system. The rate of dissolution differed not only from one species to another but also from one portion to another portion of the same wall. The rate constants of dissolution in the ocean system were estimated to range in the order of from 10^-1 to 10^-9 per hour.     

Observation of fish larvae in the dark with television and infra-red illumination

A method for observing small animals such as fish larvae in the dark with television and infra-red light is described. An infra-red emitting diode was used as the light source with silhouette illumination to produce high-contrast images. Since the diode can be strobed in synchrony with the television frame rate, sharp “frozen” images suitable for motion analysis can be produced.     

Influence of dead coral substrate morphology on patterns of juvenile coral distribution

This study examines the abundances of three morphological categories of juvenile corals (massive, branching and encrusting) on two different types of natural substratum, dead massive and dead branching corals. The overall results show that the morphological characteristics of dead coral substratum have a significant influence on the coral recruitment patterns with respect to the morphology of the recruits: juvenile corals of massive and branching types were more abundant on substrates of corresponding morphology. The results obtained from this study suggest that dead coral might attract coral larvae that are morphologically similar. On the other hand, it may be the result of post-settlement mortality. Whatever the mechanism shaping the patterns is, it seems that the physical morphology of the dead coral substrate has a significant influence on the coral recruit assemblage. Hence, we suggest that substrate morphology can be an important qualitative factor for coral settlement and a possible determinant of community structure.     

Green additives to enhance silica dissolution during water treatment

The effect of various environmentally friendly chemical additives on the dissolution of colloidal silica is systematically studied. These silica scale dissolvers are principally polycarboxylates with one to five –COOH groups, mixed polycarboxylates/phosphonates and aminoacids. Based on these results, an effort is made to link their dissolution performance to structural features in this structure/function study. Presence of additional groups (eg. –PO₃H₂, –NH₂, or –OH) in the dissolver molecule augments the dissolution process.     

Interspecific competition between native Eurasian red squirrels and alien grey squirrels: does resource partitioning occur?

In heterogeneous environments, differential niche selection by two competing species will result in niche partitioning so that individuals of each species can maximise their fitness under different sets of environmental variables. Thus, niche partitioning is considered essential to allow co-existence of ecologically related species. To assess whether niche partitioning was occurring between native red squirrels and alien grey squirrels living together in a 13-ha high-quality mixed deciduous woodland in north Italy, we investigated temporal and spatial patterns in their activity and foraging behaviour between 1996 and 1998. We used live trapping and radio-tracking to study numbers, distribution and behaviour of squirrels. Daily and seasonal temporal activity patterns, and activity on the ground and in the trees, were similar in the two species. However, grey squirrels were more tree specialists and had a narrower tree-species niche width than red squirrels, in particular making greater use of oak. Other studies of red and grey squirrels in allopatry show that the two species differ in the extent they utilise oak. Overall, tree-species niche overlap was about 70%. Grey squirrels had larger home ranges than red squirrels. Home ranges and core areas of both species were larger in males than females. Also, intraspecific home range and core-area overlap patterns were similar to those found in allopatric populations of these species. Overall, there was no evidence that the use of space of one species was affected by the other. Our results show that there was no niche partitioning of activity or foraging behaviour in time or space during the study. This suggests that, at moderate grey-squirrel densities, red squirrels are unable to avoid competition with grey squirrels, and that competition for food and/or space will occur when these resources become limiting.     

Appreciating Ecological Complexity: Habitat Contours as a Conceptual Landscape Model

Abstract:  Organisms respond to their surroundings at multiple spatial scales, and different organisms respond differently to the same environment. Existing landscape models, such as the "fragmentation model" (or patch-matrix-corridor model) and the "variegation model," can be limited in their ability to explain complex patterns for different species and across multiple scales. An alternative approach is to conceptualize landscapes as overlaid species-specific habitat contour maps. Key characteristics of this approach are that different species may respond differently to the same environmental conditions and at different spatial scales. Although similar approaches are being used in ecological modeling, there is much room for habitat contours as a useful conceptual tool. By providing an alternative view of landscapes, a contour model may stimulate more field investigations stratified on the basis of ecological variables other than human-defined patches and patch boundaries. A conceptual model of habitat contours may also help to communicate ecological complexity to land managers. Finally, by incorporating additional ecological complexity, a conceptual model based on habitat contours may help to bridge the perceived gap between pattern and process in landscape ecology. Habitat contours do not preclude the use of existing landscape models and should be seen as a complementary approach most suited to heterogeneous human-modified landscapes.