Heterospecific pairing and hybridization between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nasutitermes corniger</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. ephratae</Emphasis>

The sympatric neotropical termites Nasutitermes corniger and Nasutitermes ephratae are clearly distinguishable based on morphology, nest architecture, defensive secretion composition, and molecular markers. However, given the extensive ecological, geographical, and behavioral overlap of these closely related species, the potential for interbreeding may exist. To explore this possibility, heterospecific pairs were formed experimentally to examine courtship and colony-establishment behaviors, and reproductive potential. Courtship and nest construction behavior occurred in heterospecific pairs in a similar manner to that of conspecific pairs. Survival of pairs depended upon the species of the female partner. N. ephratae females paired with N. corniger males produced as many offspring as conspecific pairs. N. corniger females mated to N. ephratae males, however, produced significantly fewer offspring at 60 days post-establishment than the reciprocal cross or conspecific N. ephratae or N. corniger pairs. This was also the only pairing in which any aggression was observed. Heterospecific pairs and groups formed in mate choice mesocosms, suggesting that species recognition between these two termites is not an important aspect of mate choice. Overall, species mismatch tolerance and hybrid offspring viability are high. The present data, together with previous evidence from defensive secretions and isozyme analysis, suggest that hybridization may periodically occur in nature, and that reproductive barriers between these two species may be incomplete. Hybridization could provide a rare but important source of genetic diversity and may ensure mating opportunities for the more abundant sex of alates in each species.     

Forming a tough shell via an intracellular matrix and cellular junctions in the tail epidermis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oikopleura dioica</Emphasis> (Chordata: Tunicata: Appendicularia)

A postanal tail is a major synapomorphy of the phylum Chordata, which is composed of three subphyla: Vertebrata, Cephalochordata, and Tunicata (Urochordata). Among tunicates, appendicularians are the only group that retains the tail in the adult, and the adult tail functions in locomotion and feeding in combination with a cellulose-based house structure. Given the phylogenetic position of tunicates, the appendicularian adult tail may possess ancestral features of the chordate tail. We assess the ultrastructural development of the tail epidermis of the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica. The epidermis of the larval tail is enclosed by the larval envelope, which is a thin sheet similar to the outer tunic layer of ascidian larvae. The epidermis of the adult tail seems to bear no tunic-like cellulosic integuments, and the tail fin is a simple folding of the epidermis. Every epidermal cell, except for the triangular cells at the edge of the tail fin, has a conspicuous matrix layer of fibrous content in the apical cytoplasm without enclosing membranes. The epidermis of the larval tail does not have a fibrous matrix layer, suggesting the production of the layer during larval development and metamorphosis. Zonulae adhaerentes firmly bind the epidermal cells of the adult tail to one another, and the dense microfilaments lining the cell borders constitute a mechanical support for the cell membranes. The intracellular matrix, cell junctions, and cytoskeletons probably make the tail epidermis a tough, flexible shell supporting the active beating of the oikopleuran adult tail.     

Tracking pigeons in a magnetic anomaly and in magnetically “quiet” terrain

Pigeons were released at two sites of equal distance from the loft, one within a magnetic anomaly, the other in magnetically quiet terrain, and their tracks were recorded with the help of GPS receivers. A comparison of the beginning of the tracks revealed striking differences: within the anomaly, the initial phase lasted longer, and the distance flown was longer, with the pigeons' headings considerably farther from the home direction. During the following departure phase, the birds were well homeward oriented at the magnetically quiet site, whereas they continued to be disoriented within the anomaly. Comparing the tracks in the anomaly with the underlying magnetic contours shows considerable differences between individuals, without a common pattern emerging. The differences in magnetic intensity along the pigeons' path do not differ from a random distribution of intensity differences around the release site, indicating that the magnetic contours do not directly affect the pigeons' routes. Within the anomaly, pigeons take longer until their flights are oriented, but 5 km from the release point, the birds, still within the anomaly, are also significantly oriented in the home direction. These findings support the assumption that magnetically anomalous conditions initially interfere with the pigeons' navigational processes, with birds showing rather individual responses in their attempts to overcome these problems.     

促进江湖联系的闸口调度对策及影响区管理机制

我国传统的修堤建闸、抵御洪水的治河理念,阻断了江湖联系,造成湿地的生态萎缩。为改善湿地的生态环境,保护湿地的生物多样性,提出了新的多目标闸口调度机制,替代传统的、以防洪抗旱为目的的调度机制,力求促进江湖联系,增加湿地活力;为保障该机制的运行和实施,提出了闸口调度影响区的管理办法;并以涨渡湖为例进行了讨论。     

基于我国规范与PIARC标准的公路隧道需风量分析

以某长大高速公路隧道为例,结合我国隧道通风设计规范JTJ026.1-1999与PIARC2007标准(世界道路协会),针对不同行车速度,不同车辆更新情况、不同排放标准组合形式以及是否考虑NOx等情况,对各个不同工况的需风量分别进行计算,并从需风量计算方法、机动车排放量和污染物设计浓度三个方面对隧道需风量差异进行分析。研究结果表明:我国设计规范与PIARC2007存在较大差距,为了适应当前及今后我国交通量及机动车排放特点的发展趋势,我国现行规范应在机动车排放量、污染物设计浓度限值等方面做出必要改进以达到合理确定隧道需风量的目的。     

Reversibly enhanced aqueous solubilization of volatile organic compounds using a redox-reversible surfactant

Surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER) is an effective method for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated soils and groundwater. To reuse the surfactant the VOCs must be separated from the surfactant solutions. The water solubility of VOCs can be enhanced using reversible surfactants with a redox-acive group, (ferrocenylmethyl)dodecyldimethylammonium bromide (Fcl2) and (ferrocenylmethyl)tetradecanedimethylammonium bromide (Fcl4), above and below their critical micelle concentrations (CMC) under reducing (I⁺) and oxidative (I²⁺) conditions. The CMC values of Fcl2 and Fcl4 in I⁺ are 0.94 and 0.56 mmol/L and the solubilization of toluene by Fcl2 and Fcl4 in I⁺ for toluene is higher than the solubilization achieved with sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and Trition X-114. The solubilization capacity of the ferrocenyl surfactants for each tested VOCs ranked as follows: ethylbenzene > toluene > benzene. The solubilities of VOCs by reversible surfactant in I⁺ were 30% higher than those in I²⁺ at comparable surfactant concentrations. The effects of Fcl4 concentrations on VOCs removal efficiency were as follows: benzene > toluene > ethylbenzene. However, an improved removal efficiency was achieved at low ferrocenyl surfactant concentrations. Furthermore, the reversible surfactant could be recycled through chemical approaches to remove organic pollutants, which could significantly reduce the operating costs of SER technology.     

Effect of C/N ratio, aeration rate and moisture content on ammonia and greenhouse gas emission during the composting

Gaseous emission (N₂O, CH₄ and NH₃) from composting can be an important source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas and air pollution. A laboratory scale orthogonal experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of C/N ratio, aeration rate and initial moisture content on gaseous emission during the composting of pig faeces from Chinese Ganqinfen system. The results showed that about 23.9% to 45.6% of total organic carbon (TOC) was lost in the form of CO₂ and 0.8% to 7.5% of TOC emitted as CH₄. Most of the nitrogen was lost in the form of NH₃, which account for 9.6% to 32.4% of initial nitrogen. N₂O was also an important way of nitrogen losses and 1.5% to 7.3% of initial total nitrogen was lost as it. Statistic analysis showed that the aeration rate is the most important factor which could affect the NH₃ (p = 0.0189), CH₄ (p = 0.0113) and N₂O (p = 0.0493) emissions significantly. Higher aeration rates reduce the CH₄ emission but increase the NH₃ and N₂O losses. C/N ratio could affect the NH₃ (p = 0.0442) and CH₄ (p = 0.0246) emissions significantly, but not the N₂O. Lower C/N ratio caused higher NH₃ and CH₄ emissions. The initial moisture content can not influence the gaseous emission significantly. Most treatments were matured after 37 days, except a trial with high moisture content and a low C/N ratio.     

餐厨垃圾国家政策及地方法规研究和思考

文章介绍了餐厨垃圾的产生和危害,以及目前国家及地方在餐厨垃圾处理方面颁布和制定的指导性文件、政策性法规、及行业标准。通过总结苏州、宁波、西宁、乌鲁木齐等城市在治理餐厨垃圾过程中的经验,结合这些地区在餐厨垃圾处理方面的地方法规、收集运输系统、无害化处理体系的建立过程,通过分析思考,提出了适用于一般城市的关于餐厨垃圾收集、运输、处理过程系统性的工作框架。指出了餐厨垃圾处理目前面临的主要问题,并对未来如何推进和完善餐厨垃圾处理工作提出了合理化建议,对政府未来的决策具有一定程度的参考意义。     

一次环境污染司法鉴定的测试与分析

受人民法院的委托,环境监测部门对一起汽车尾气致人死亡案件的现场进行大气污染物和空气质量的模拟测试。测试表明,在密闭的车库内,汽车外和汽车内CO浓度都会迅速增加,达到致人死亡的浓度,O2浓度迅速减少,最终使汽车发动机熄火。测试为司法部门提供案件审理现场空气质量数据,也提醒人们不要在密闭的车库内开启汽车空调取暖或纳凉休息。     

土地利用总体规划环境影响评价技术方法的研究

从国内外土地利用总体规划环境影响评价的技术方法研究出发,总结了各技术方法的优势和缺点。最后提出了完善土地利用总体规划环境影响技术方法的建议。