Increased primary production shifts the structure and composition of a terrestrial arthropod community

Numerous studies have examined relationships between primary production and biodiversity at higher trophic levels. However, altered production in plant communities is often tightly linked with concomitant shifts in diversity and composition, and most studies have not disentangled the direct effects of production on consumers. Furthermore, when studies do examine the effects of plant production on animals in terrestrial systems, they are primarily confined to a subset of taxonomic or functional groups instead of investigating the responses of the entire community. Using natural monocultures of the salt marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora, we were able to examine the impacts of increased plant production, independent of changes in plant composition and/or diversity, on the trophic structure, composition, and diversity of the entire arthropod community. If arthropod species richness increased with greater plant production, we predicted that it would be driven by: (1) an increase in the number of rare species, and/or (2) an increase in arthropod abundance. Our results largely supported our predictions: species richness of herbivores, detritivores, predators, and parasitoids increased monotonically with increasing levels of plant production, and the diversity of rare species also increased with plant production. However, rare species that accounted for this difference were predators, parasitoids, and detritivores, not herbivores. Herbivore species richness could be simply explained by the relationship between abundance and diversity. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), we also found significant changes in arthropod species composition with increasing levels of production. Our findings have important implications in the intertidal salt marsh, where human activities have increased nitrogen runoff into the marsh, and demonstrate that such nitrogen inputs cascade to affect community structure, diversity, and abundance in higher trophic levels.     

Diversity and community structure of symbiotic dinoflagellates from Caribbean coral reefs

A community ecology approach to the study of the most common group of zooxanthellae, dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium, was applied to symbiotic invertebrate assemblages on coral reefs in the western Caribbean, off the Yucatan peninsula (Puerto Morelos, Mexico) and over 1000 km away in the northeastern Caribbean, at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Sequence differences and intragenomic variation, as determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) region, were used to classify these symbionts. Twenty-eight genetically distinct Symbiodinium types were identified, eleven of which were found in hosts from both Caribbean locations. A single symbiont population was detected in 72% of hosts from the Yucatan and 92% of hosts from the Bahamas. The reef-wide community distribution of these symbionts is dominated by a few types found in many different host taxa, while numerous rare types appear to have high specificity for a particular host species or genus. Clade or lineage A Symbiodinium spp. was restricted to compatible hosts located within 3-4 m of the surface, while Symbiodinium spp. types from other lineages displayed differences in vertical zonation correlated with ITS type but were independent of clade designation. A comparison of the symbiont types found in field-collected hosts with types previously cultured from these hosts indicates the existence of low density or "background"-symbiont populations and cryptic, potentially non-mutualistic types in some hosts.     

Effect of soil acidification induced by a tea plantation on chemical and mineralogical properties of Alfisols in eastern China

The effect of a tea plantation on soil basic properties, chemical and mineralogical compositions, and magnetic properties of Alfisols from eastern China was studied. Under the tea plantation, acidification took place within a soil depth of 70 cm, with the maximum difference in pH in the upper 17 cm (ΔpH = 2.80). Both the tea plantation and unused soil profiles were predominated by free Fe and Al oxides, i.e. citrate/bicarbonate/dithionite extractable Fe (Fe_d) and Al (Al_d). Tea plantation soil was characterized by higher Al_d and Fe_d and lower Fe oxalate, Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃; CaO was depleted, whereas SiO₂ accumulated. Acidification induced by the tea plantation led to destruction of vermiculite followed by dissolution of the hydroxy-Al interlayers within its structure. The data clearly demonstrated that significant soil weathering occurred with acidification caused by tea cultivation. This acidification also resulted in decreased content of ferrimagnetic minerals due to the dissolution of minerals and movement of Fe in the profile.     

不同林龄木麻黄人工林生物多样性与土壤养分状况研究

木麻黄（Casuarina equisetifolia）是我国东南沿海海岸防护林骨干树种。本文对广东省茂名市木麻黄防护林开展了不同林龄的种群结构、植物多样性、以及土壤养分特征的研究。结果表明,滨海沙地木麻黄群落在生长过程中有明显的自疏现象,18年林个体数（975株·hm-2）不足3年林个体数一半（2350株·hm-2）,3年至6年龄木麻黄生长最快。调查林地内共有植物27种,其中灌木8种,草本植物18种。随林龄的增长,林下植物种数显著增加,多样性指数、均匀度指数逐步增加,优势度指数下降。林地土壤有机碳、全氮与速效氮供应水平极低;土壤磷供应相对较好,表层有效磷一般高于3.5mg·kg-1。土壤有效养分与植物多样性显著相关,显示养分是植物定居的主要限制因素。结果表明,木麻黄林结构简单,生物多样性低,土壤养分贫乏。     

Diversity and community structure of butterfly of Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Investigation was carried out on the diversity of butterfly fauna in selected localities of conservation and breeding center of Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Atotal of 56 species were recorded, 15 of them belonged to Pieridae, 12 Nymphalidae, 9 Satyridae, 8 Papilionidae, 7 Danaidae, 3 Lycaenidae and 1 species each belonged to the families Acraeidae and Hesperidae. Qualitatively and quantitatively Pieridae family were comparatively dominant than that of other families. The notable addition to the 25 more species listed during this observation were compared to previous field survey. Comparison of butterfly species distribution between the different localities revealed that butterfly species richness was higher at mountain region with 52 species and lowest of 25 species at public visiting areas. Visitor's activities may be that reason for effects on butterfly distribution and lack of vegetation. Each five endemic and protected species (i.e. endangered) listed under the Wildlife (Protection)Act were highlighted greater conservation importances of the AAZP. It is suggest that butterfly species diversity generally increase with increase in vegetation and declines with the increase in disturbance.     

Plankton of the fladen ground during FLEX 76 I. Spring development of the plankton community

Results from plankton sampling in the northern North Sea with the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) and the Undulating Oceanographic Recorder (UOR) during the Fladen Ground Experiment in 1976 (FLEX 76) are summarised. The first evidence of the spring outbreak of phytoplankton was on 19 April, the day after the first signs of vertical stability of the water column were observed. This was followed by spawning of the euphausiid Thysanoessa inermis and rapid increase in the numbers of Calanus finmarchicus. C. finmarchicus was the most abundant species over the FLEX period (19 March to 3 June) and, together with T. inermis, accounted for over 80% of the dry weight of the zooplankton standing stock. By early June the standing crop of phytoplankton had been depleted and nutrients levels were reduced to very low concentrations in the upper 50 m.JONSDAP Contribution No. 49     

Aluminium and fluoride concentrations of three tea varieties growing at Lantau Island,Hong Kong

The present project aims to investigate aluminium (Al) and fluoride (F) contents in teas (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). Three different commercial tea varieties: Assam variety and two China sub-varieties, a large leafed variety and small leafed variety, were collected in two tea gardens of Lantau Island tea plantation of Hong Kong. In general, high concentrations of Al and F were accumulated in the mature leaves (15.3 and of 2.07 g kg^–1 respectively). Among the three varieties, the small leafed variety exhibited the highest Al and F contents followed by the large leafed variety whereas the Assam variety had the lowest Al and F concentrations in its tea bushes. Tea products from a plantation were also analysed and it was noted that black tea had higher Al and F concentrations than green tea. The amount of Al and F released into tea liquor was also tested and the results showed that higher concentrations of Al and F were released into tea liquor under repeated infusion method than continuous infusion method.     

Sedimentary organic matter and bacterial community in microtidal mixed beaches of the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean)

The quantity and quality of organic matter, and bacterial density and frequency of dividing cells were investigated in six microtidal mixed beaches of the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) to evaluate their main trophodynamic features. Concentrations of biopolymeric carbon (average 88.5?±?89.0 µgC/g) and the protein:carbohydrate ratio (on average lower than 1) were very low and classified these beaches as highly oligotrophic. The study of biochemical composition highlighted the nature of organic matter as being mainly refractory; furthermore, the quantitative differences observed along the across-beach gradient together with the unchanged pattern in qualitative features suggest that the organic matter in Ligurian beaches is prevalently of marine origin. This implies a negligible contribution of allochtonous and anthropogenic terrestrial input or in situ autochthonous production. Bacterial density displayed values ranging from 0.1–9.0 cell?×?10⁸/g DW in the top 2?cm layer and showed a significant correlation with the quantity of organic matter. In addition, the frequency of dividing cells showed a positive correlation with the protein:carbohydrate ratio, suggesting that the biochemical composition of organic matter also has an influence on the active bacterial fraction. Because of the exposed nature, a strong coupling was found between the beach and the marine systems, and this seems to be of fundamental importance in terms of material and energy supply for the beach ecosystem. A shortage within this linkage was observed in summer owing to the strong environmental constrains leading to a sort of “beach desertification” and to a marked oligotrophy. Summer also has an effect of smoothing for spatial variability occurring within the biochemical and microbiological variables among the different beaches. The linkage observed between the sea and the land is the main factor controlling the origin and nature of sediment organic matter in these beaches also regulating bacterial abundances and the frequency of dividing cells.     

Hematological and biochemical alterations in sprayers occupationally exposed to mixture of pesticides at a mango plantation in Lucknow,India

The aim of this study was to examine the hematological and cholinesterase (ChE) activity levels of pesticide sprayers employed in mango plantations at Lucknow. Fifty-two sprayers from mango plantations who regularly spray mixtures of pesticides including organochlorines (OC), organophosphates (OP), and carbamates were included as exposed group. Twenty residents living close to mango plantations, but not involved in pesticide spraying were taken as controls. Pesticide residues for OC were analyzed in blood by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. There was a significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities in pesticide sprayers (n?=?52) relative to the control group (n?=?20). A significant difference in the frequency distribution of hematological variations in red blood cell, white blood cell, monocytes, neutrophils, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and platelet count was observed. Residues of OC pesticides including α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and total HCH were found to be significantly higher in the blood of sprayers compared to controls. Hematological variations were quantitatively more frequent among the sprayers with 5 years of pesticide exposure compared to the controls and to subjects with less than 5 years of exposure group. Hematological abnormalities in sprayers were correlated with pesticide exposure as evidenced by lower ChE activity as well as the presence of OC pesticides in blood. The poorly controlled use of pesticides in the plantation appeared to have produced sub-clinical intoxication in the sprayers and indicated the need for training and implementation of proper, safer hygiene practices.     

Dynamics of nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon at the Hubbard brook experimental forest

The factors controlling spatial and temporal patterns in soil solution and streamwater chemistry are highly uncertain in northern hardwood forest ecosystems in the northeastern United States, where concentrations of reactive nitrogen (Nr) in streams have surprisingly declined over recent decades in the face of persistent high rates of atmospheric Nr deposition and aging forests. Reactive nitrogen includes inorganic species (e.g., ammonium [NH4+], nitrate [NO3-]) and some organic forms (e.g., amino acids) available to support the growth of plants and microbes. The objective of this study was to examine controls on the spatial and temporal patterns in the concentrations and fluxes of nitrogen (N) species and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a 12-year record of soil solutions and streamwater along an elevational gradient (540-800 m) of a forested watershed at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA. Dissolved organic N and DOC concentrations were elevated in the high-elevation spruce-fir-white birch (SFB) zone of the watershed, while NO3- was the dominant N species in the lower elevation hardwood portion of the watershed. Within the soil profile, N retention was centered in the mineral horizon, and significant amounts of N were retained between the lower mineral soil and the stream, supporting the idea that near- and in-stream processes are significant sinks for N at the HBEF. Temporal analysis suggested that hydrologic flow paths can override both abiotic and biotic retention mechanisms (i.e., during the non-growing season when most hydrologic export occurs, or during years with high rainfall), there appears to be direct flushing of N from the organic horizons into the stream via horizontal flow. Significant correlations between soil NO3- concentrations, nitrification rates and streamwater NO3- exports show the importance of biological production as a regulator of inorganic N export. The lack of internal production response (e.g., mineralization, nitrification) to a severe ice storm in 1998 reinforces the idea that plant uptake is the dominant regulator of export response to disturbance.     

Diversity of gastropods at Pudhumadam coast region and unusual occurrence of Tetraclita rubescens on conus shell

The marine environment is continuously subjected to chemical pollution, which may exert a detrimental effect on aquatic organisms. Biodiversity of marine invertebrates has been proven to be difficult to assess accurately using traditional morphological methods. Major problems include dearth of characters in many taxa. Hence, it is necessary to assess the eco-health of this marine invertebrate using reliable measurements of environmental quality as required in the present study. With the backdrop of information, the Pudhumadam coastal area was surveyed for the diversity of ruined/washed out gastropods species. As a competitor for space with gastropods, these barnacles settle on the conus for its food and habitat. In our study, the occurrence of acorn barnacles was observed on gastropod shells. The pink adult and many white small barnacles were noted on the shells. If these barnacles increase their habitat this may lead to destruction of diversity of gastropods.     

Study on ground water characteristics and the effects of discharged effluents from textile units at Karur District

A study was made on the physico-chemical characteristics of water samples mixed with effluent discharged from textile industries at Chellandipalayam (Site--I), Senaparatti (Site--II) and Pasupathipalayam (Sites--III and IV) revealed the elevated levels of Ca, Mg, Na, Cr, K, Ni, Cu, Zn, CO3, SO4, NO3 and Cl- . The concentrations of these ions exceeded the limit prescribed by ISI. The increase in the concentrations of ions was revealed by higher values of electrical conductivity (EC). Water at these sites was found to be hard, brackish and unsuitable for drinking purpose. In all these sites, the seed germination of rice alone was significantly affected among the other crops tested. Irrigation of crops with ground water notably lowered the quantity of reserve food in rice, wheat (starch), and sugarcane (sugar), indicating the interference of their metabolic pathway by polluted ground water.     

Effect of nitrobenzene on the performance and bacterial community in an expanded granular sludge bed reactor treating high-sulfate organic wastewater

Less than 50 mg/L nitrobenzene brought little effect on anaerobic sulfate reduction. Kinetics of sulfate reduction under different nitrobenzene contents was studied. Increased nitrobenzene contents greatly changed the bacterial community structure. Genus Desulfovibrio played the key role in anaerobic sulfate reduction process. Nitrobenzene (NB) is frequently found in wastewaters containing sulfate and may affect biological sulfate reduction process, but information is limited on the responses of sulfate reduction efficiency and microbial community to the increased NB contents. In this study, a laboratory-scale expanded granular sludge bed reactor was operated continuously to treat high-sulfate organic wastewater with increased NB contents. Results successfully demonstrated that the presence of more than 50 mg/L NB depressed sulfate reduction and such inhibition was partly reversible. Bath experiments showed that the maximum specific desulfuration activity (SDA) decreased from 135.80 mg SO₄^2?/gVSS/d to 30.78 mg SO₄^2?/gVSS/d when the NB contents increased from none to 400 mg/L. High-throughput sequencing showed that NB also greatly affected bacterial community structure. Bacteroidetes dominated in the bioreactor. The abundance of Proteobacteria increased with NB addition while Firmicutes presented an opposite trend. Proteobacteria gradually replaced Firmicutes for the dominance in response to the increase of influent NB concentrations. The genus Desulfovibrio was the dominant sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) with absence or presence of NB, but was inhibited under high content of NB. The results provided better understanding for the biological sulfate reduction under NB stress.     

桉树人工林生态系统养分循环与平衡研究Ⅳ.桉树林间种山毛豆对生态系统养分循环的作用

桉树人工林间种山毛豆，增加了凋落物量和养分归还量，改善了营养元素的生物小循环。在一个轮伐期内山毛豆归还土壤养分的数量如下：氮528.37kg／hm^2，磷28.06kg／hm^2，钾66.20kg／hm^2，钙184.96kg／hm^2，镁57.21kg／hm^2；而同期刚果W5桉归还土壤养分的数量为：氮85.98kg／hm^2，磷3.94kg／hm^2，钾11.80kg/hm^2，钙36.98kg／hm^2，镁18.30kg／hm^2。由于间种山毛豆增加了生态系统的养分收入，减少了水土流失的养分支出，系统的各种养分出现了盈余的状况。     

北京近地层O3、NOx、CO及相关气象因子的分析

利用2004年9月--2005年7月北京市区近地层O3、NOx、CO和气象要素的连续观测资料,分析了近地层O3及其前体物体积分数的分布特征和日变化特征,同时采用非参数统计方法分析了近地层O3及其前体物体积分数的季节变化特征及局地气象要素对它们的影响.结果表明,CO和NO2的体积分数近似于Lorentz分布;O3、NO和NOx的体积分数满足指数分布.O3体积分数的日变化呈单峰型结构,午后15:00左右出现峰值,凌晨7:00左右出现最低值;而其前体物NOx和CO体积分数的日变化呈双峰型结构,早上7:00左右出现第一次峰值.午后15:00左右达到最低值,凌晨0:00左右出现第二次峰值;NO2第一次峰值的出现时间滞后于NO和CO;此外,NO2的最低体积分数晚上与白天几乎相当.O2体积分数的季节变化表现为夏季高,冬季低;与其相反,NO、NO2、NOx和CO几乎均表现为冬季高,夏季低.相对湿度、温度、风速与O3及其前体物的体积分数均具有显著的相关性.风速大于4.0 m/s时,O3的平均体积分数仍然增大.     

Mesopelagic-boundary community in Hawaii: Micronekton at the interface between neritic and oceanic ecosystems

The present study demonstrates that a distinct land-associated community of mesopelagic micronekton exists around the Hawaiian Islands. This mesopelagic-boundary community replaces the oceanic mesopelagic community over bottom depths of approx 400 to 700 m and includes about 14 species of fishes, 5 of shrimps and 4 of squids. Similar species of the mesopelagic micronekton have been reported in association with other landmasses at the boundary between the oceanic mesopelagic realm and upper continental or island slopes. These species may form a cosmopolitan mesopelagic-boundary community which shows regional differences in taxonomic composition, abundance and diversity. Boundary communities, with populations which are both tightly constrained geographically and relatively accessible to shore-based research programs, offer unique opportunities for studying biological processes of the mesopelagic realm and the interactions between neritic and oceanic populations. Data is presented from three midwater and two neuston sampling projects undertaken around the main Hawaiian Islands between 1987 and 1989; additional evidence from the literature is also discussed.     

不同地质背景下土壤溶解有机碳含量的季节动态及其影响因子

为了解岩溶区和非岩溶区土壤溶解有机碳(DOC)含量及其季节动态是否存在差异,为今后相关研究提供研究依据,作者用0.5mol·L-1K2SO4浸提法分析测定了广西桂林市灵川县潮田乡毛村由泥盆系融县组灰岩(D3r)发育石灰土、砂页岩(D2l)发育红壤中溶解有机碳的含量及其季节动态变化,并分析了其与影响因子的相互关系。结果表明:石灰土中溶解有机碳的质量分数为:19.3675～143.2524mg·kg-1,红壤的为:221.1652～1016.602mg·kg-1,石灰土因其偏碱、高钙镁、高有机质含量的特性而使得DOC含量远低于非岩溶区红壤的含量;石灰土和酸性土DOC含量在秋季都达到最高值,在冬季或春季含量最低;在空间分布上都随土壤深度增加而降低。岩溶区及非岩溶区土壤DOC含量的季节动态变化可以划分为4个阶段:①9—10月高温少雨,植物凋落物增多,DOC含量在一年中最高;②11月-12月,气温迅速降低,微生物活性随之降低,DOC含量下降;③12月底—4月,前期(12月至次年2月)DOC浓度随土壤有机质含量的增加而增加;后期(3—4月)气温回升,降雨频繁,生物复苏,生物活动旺盛,土壤DOC含量迅速增加;④5—8月,高温多雨,DOC转化为CO2释放出来,部分DOC随雨水淋失,土壤中DOC总含量不高。     

Comparison of different valent iron on anaerobic sludge digestion: Focusing on oxidation reduction potential,dissolved organic nitrogen and microbial community

• ORP value from −278.71 to −379.80 mV showed indiscernible effects on methane yield. • Fe(II) and Fe(III) promoted more degradation of proteins and amino acids than Fe⁰. • The highest enrichment of Geobacter was noted in samples added with Fe⁰. • Cysteine was accumulated during iron enhanced anaerobic sludge digestion. • Both iron content and valence were important for methane production. This study compared effects of three different valent iron (Fe⁰, Fe(II) and Fe(III)) on enhanced anaerobic sludge digestion, focusing on the changes of oxidation reduction potential (ORP), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and microbial community. Under the same iron dose in range of 0−160 mg/L after an incubation period of 30 days (d), the maximum methane production rate of sludge samples dosed with respective Fe⁰, Fe(II) and Fe(III) at the same concentration showed indiscernible differences at each iron dose, regardless of the different iron valence. Moreover, their behavior in changes of ORP, DON and microbial community was different: (1) the addition of Fe⁰ made the ORP of sludge more negative, and the addition of Fe(II) and Fe(III) made the ORP of sludge less negative. However, whether being more or less negative, the changes of ORP may show unobservable effects on methane yield when it ranged from −278.71 to −379.80 mV; (2) the degradation of dissolved organic nitrogen, particularly proteins, was less efficient in sludge samples dosed with Fe⁰ compared with those dosed with Fe(II) and Fe(III) after an incubation period of 30 d. At the same dose of 160 mg/L iron, more cysteine was noted in sludge samples dosed with Fe(II) (30.74 mg/L) and Fe(III) (27.92 mg/L) compared with that dosed with Fe⁰ (21.75 mg/L); (3) Fe⁰ particularly promoted the enrichment of Geobacter, and it was 6 times higher than those in sludge samples dosed with Fe(II) and Fe(III) at the same dose of 160 mg/L iron.     

Air pollution and body burden of persistent organic pollutants at an electronic waste recycling area of China

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - This paper reviews the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in atmosphere of an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling town, Guiyu, in...     

贵州煤矿集中开采区地表水重金属污染特征

对贵州煤矿集中开采区地表水重金属污染情况进行评价,掌握重金属污染迁移特征,采用数理统计分析、Pearson相关性分析以及综合污染指数评价法对贵州省摆沙河流域煤矿区周边13个监测点共9项污染指标进行评价分析.结果表明,该区域地表水中总铁、锰、铝和汞的富集程度较高,浓度均值分别为68.48、2.75、9.91 mg·L~(-1)和0.0035 mg·L~(-1),均超出了地表水质量标准限定值,且汞超标率高达100%.总铁、锰、铬、铝、锌属于高度变异,部分地区污染严重,且区域性极强,污染情况随矿区位置不同而呈现显著差异.总铁、锰、铝、锌之间具有较显著的正相关关系,表明该4种污染物质来源一致或相似,总铁及铝均与pH呈强负相关性,说明pH影响重金属的浸出性能.13个地区中毛坡栗(G_8)污染程度较轻,新寨2(G_2)、陆家桥(G_(13))为重度污染,其他10个监测点均为严重污染,其中翁威主矿处(G_4)污染最为严重;总铁、锰、汞的影响权重值较高,新寨1(G_1)、翁威主矿处(G_4)、两岔河(G_6)、楼梯冲(G_7)、瓦厂河(G_9)总铁、锰污染程度较高,新寨2(G_2)、翁威2(G_5)、豆芽井(G_(10))、上坝(G_(11))、蛋托厂(G_(12))、陆家桥(G_(13))地区受汞污染影响严重.