Activity maintenance of the excised branches and a case study of NO2 exchange between the atmosphere and P. nigra branches

The efficient maintenance of the activity of excised branches is the powerful guarantee to accurately determine gas exchange flux between the detached branches of tall trees and the atmosphere. In this study, the net photosynthetic rate(NPR) of the excised branches and branches in situ were measured simultaneously by using two photosynthetic instruments to characterize the activity of the excised branches of Phyllostachys nigra. The ratio of normalized NPR of excised branches to NPR in situ was used to assess the photosynthetic activity of detached branches. Based on photosynthetic activity, an optimal hydroponics protocol for maintaining activity of excised P. nigra branches was presented:1/8 times the concentration of Gamborg B5 vitamin mixture with p H = 6. Under the best cultivation protocol, photosynthetic activity of excised P. nigra branches could be maintained more than 90% within 6 hr in the light intensity range of 200–2000 μmol/(m2·sec) and temperature range of 13.4–28.7°C. The nitrogen dioxide(NO2) flux differences between in situ and in vitro branches and the atmosphere were compared using double dynamic chambers.Based on the maintenance method of excised branches, the NO2 exchange flux between the excised P. nigra branches and the atmosphere(from-1.01 to-2.72 nmol/(m2·sec) was basically consistent with between the branches in situ and the atmosphere(from-1.12 to-3.16 nmol/(m2 sec)) within 6 hr. Therefore, this study provided a feasible protocol for in vitro measurement of gas exchange between tall trees and the atmosphere for a period of time.     

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin promotes migration ability of primary cultured rat astrocytes via aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Emerging evidence showed that 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) could induce expression of certain reactivation-associated genes in astrocytes, however, the consequent cellular effects and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. During the process of astrocyte reactivation, migration is a critical cellular event. In the present study, we employed wound-healing assay and Transwell® motility assay to explore the effects of TCDD on cell migration in primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes. We found that upon TCDD treatments at relative low concentrations (10^? 10 and/or 10^? 9?mol/L), the ability of primary astrocytes to migrate horizontally and vertically was promoted. In line with this cellular effect, the mRNA expression of two pro-migratory genes, including cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was induced by TCDD treatment. Dioxin exerts its toxic effects mainly through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. So the role of AhR pathway in the pro-migratory effects of TCDD was examined using an AhR antagonist, CH223191. We found that application of CH223191 significantly reversed the pro-migratory effects of TCDD. Interestingly, the basal ability of horizontal migration as well as basal levels of CDC42 and MMP2 expression were dramatically reduced suggesting a possible physiological role of AhR in maintaining the endogenous migration ability of the primary astrocytes. These findings support the notion that dioxin promotes astrocyte reactivation at molecular and cellular levels.     

Air pollution characteristics and their relationship with emissions and meteorology in the Yangtze River Delta region during 2014–2016

With rapid economic growth and urbanization, the Yangtze River Delta(YRD) region in China has experienced serious air pollution challenges. In this study, we analyzed the air pollution characteristics and their relationship with emissions and meteorology in the YRD region during 2014–2016. In recent years, the concentrations of all air pollutants, except O_3,decreased. Spatially, the PM_(2.5), PM_(10), SO_2, and CO concentrations were higher in the northern YRD region, and NO_2 and O_3 were higher in the central YRD region. Based on the number of non-attainment days(i.e., days with air quality index greater than 100), PM_(2.5) was the largest contributor to air pollution in the YRD region, followed by O_3, PM_(10), and NO_2.However, particulate matter pollution has declined gradually, while O_3 pollution worsened.Meteorological conditions mainly influenced day-to-day variations in pollutant concentrations. PM_(2.5) concentration was inversely related to wind speed, while O_3 concentration was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity.The air quality improvement in recent years was mainly attributed to emission reductions.During 2014–2016, PM_(2.5), PM_(10), SO_2, NO_x, CO, NH_3, and volatile organic compound(VOC)emissions in the YRD region were reduced by 26.3%, 29.2%, 32.4%, 8.1%, 15.9%, 4.5%, and0.3%, respectively. Regional transport also contributed to the air pollution. During regional haze periods, pollutants from North China and East China aggravated the pollution in the YRD region. Our findings suggest that emission reduction and regional joint prevention and control helped to improve the air quality in the YRD region.     

基于分布式水文模型的武夷山市水文调节服务评估

武夷山是我国生态文明建设的重点示范区,开展水文调节功能服务价值评估是福建省生态安全保障的重要需求.采用流域分布式时变增益水文模型（DTVGM）,在充分考虑流域气象、水文、土地利用类型等信息的基础上,精细化模拟了武夷山流域的水文过程,定量评估了2010年和2015年有植被覆盖和无植被覆盖两种条件下武夷山市及下属各行政区植被生态系统的径流调节量及其价值量.结果表明:①武夷山市2010年和2015年径流调节量分别为5.73×108和5.21×108 m3,折合人民币分别为35.93×108和37.46×108元.②2010年枯水期日均径流调节量相比丰水期下降了0.013×108 m3;2015年枯水期日均径流调节量相比丰水期下降了0.009×108 m3.③星镇村和洋庄乡径流调节价值量明显多于其他行政区,均超过10.48×108元;崇安街道和新丰街道相对较低,均低于1.59×108元;其他几个行政区基本持平,在3.26×108~6.70×108元之间.研究显示,武夷山市区由于植被丰富,林地覆盖面积较大且密度较高,总体水文调节能力较强,但同时也受区域气候条件影响较大,有植被覆盖条件下在应对非极端气候时可以维持较好的径流调节能力,然而在极端特大暴雨事件中,现有植被种类的截留能力还不足以应对短时强降水过程.      

环渤海地区生态效率评价及空间演化规律

运用三阶段DEA模型对环渤海沿海地区17个城市的生态效率进行测算,并结合标准差椭圆和重心坐标方法,定量分析了2006-2015年环渤海地区生态效率的空间演化规律。结果表明：（1）基于三阶段DEA模型测算的生态效率结果,环渤海沿海17市的生态效率总体呈中等偏上水平,且2006-2015年效率值持续上升,天津、唐山、青岛、大连位居前四,17市中绝大多数城市生态效率值低于环渤海平均值,地区差异十分显著。（2）标准差椭圆结果显示环渤海沿海地区生态效率整体呈东北—西南格局,且有逐渐向西南偏移的趋势。（3）环渤海地区生态效率存在明显的省际差异性,且各省限制性因素区别较大。     

Estimation and inter-comparison of dust aerosols based on MODIS, MISR and AERONET retrievals over Asian desert regions

This study presents detailed analysis of spatiotemporal variations and trend of dust optical properties i.e., Aerosol Optical Depth(AOD) and Angstrom component over Asian desert regions using thirteen years of data(i.e., 2001–2013) retrieved from Aerosol Robotic Network(AERONET), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer(MISR). These regions include Solar Village, Dunhuang and Dalangzadgad and are considered as origin of desert aerosols in Asia. Mann–Kendall trend test was used to show the trend of AOD. The relationship of AOD with weather parameters and general AOD trend over different wavelengths has also been shown. AOD's trend has been observed significant throughout the year in Solar Village, while in Dunhuang and Dalanzadgad the significant trend has been found only in peak period(March–June).Analysis show high values of AOD and low values of angstrom in Solar Village during peak period. In Chinese desert regions, high values of AOD have been found during peak period and low values in pre-peak period. Significant relationship has been observed between AOD and average temperature in Solar Village and Dalanzadgad whereas rainfall and wind speed showed no significant impact on AOD in all desert regions.     

Enzyme-electrolytic degradation of dichloromethane: Efficiency, kinetics and mechanism

Enzymatic electrolysis cell(EEC) has advantages over microbial electrolysis cell(MEC) due to the needless of microbe inoculation and high-efficiency of enzymatic reaction. In this study, an EEC was first applied to achieve the effective degradation of halogenated organic pollutants and dichloromethane(CH_2Cl_2) was utilized as a model pollutant. The results indicate that the degradation efficiency of CH_2Cl_2 after 2 hr reaction in the EEC was almost100%, which was significantly higher than that with enzyme(51.1%) or current(19.0%). The current induced the continuous regeneration of reduced glutathione(GSH), thus CH_2Cl_2 was degraded under the catalysis of GSH-dependent dehalogenase through stepwise dechlorination, and successively formed monochloromethane(CH_3Cl) and methane(CH_4). The kinetic result shows that with a current of 15 mA, the maximum specific degradation rate of CH_2Cl_2(3.77 × 10~(-3) hr~(-1)) was increased by 5.7 times. The optimum condition for CH_2Cl_2 dechlorination was also obtained with pH, current and temperature of 7.0, 15 mA and 35°C,respectively. Importantly, this study helps to understand the behavior of enzymes and the fate of halogenated organic pollutants with EEC, providing a possible treatment technology for halogenated organic pollutants.     

Emission of intermediate volatility organic compounds from a ship main engine burning heavy fuel oil

Intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) are crucial precursors of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In this study, gaseous IVOCs emitted from a ship main engine burning heavy fuel oil (HFO) were investigated on a test bench, which could simulate the real-world operations and emissions of ocean-going ships. The chemical compositions, emission factors (EFs) and volatility distributions of IVOC emissions were investigated. The results showed that the main engine burning HFO emitted a large amount of IVOCs, with average IVOC EFs of 20.2–201?mg/kg-fuel. The IVOCs were mainly comprised of unspeciated compounds. The chemical compositions of exhaust IVOCs were different from that of HFO fuel, especially for polycyclic aromatic compounds and alkylcyclohexanes. The volatility distributions of IVOCs were also different between HFO exhausts and HFO fuel. The distinctions in IVOC emission characteristics between HFO exhausts and HFO fuel should be considered when assessing the IVOC emission and related SOA formation potentials from ocean-going ships burning HFO, especially when using fuel-surrogate models.     

Effect of air masses motion on the rapid change of aerosols in marine atmosphere

The impact of air masses motion on marine aerosol properties was investigated using an on-board single particle mass spectrometer(SPAMS) deployed for the determination of single particle size resolved chemical composition over Southeast China Sea. Two aerosol blooms(E1 and E2) were observed during the cruise. High average particle number count occurred in E1(7320), followed by E2(5850), which was more than 100–150 times of the average particle number count during normal periods. Particles were classified as four major sources, including continental source, shipping source, marine source, and transport source based on the mass spectral similarity. Transport source was identified as those particles with high particle number count occurred only during aerosol bloom period. Three sub-types of EC-Ca, OC-Ca, and Al-rich were classified as transport source.EC-Ca was the dominant particles of the transport source, accounting for more than 70%of the total particles in aerosol bloom events. A uni-modal size distribution in the size range of 0.1–2.0 μm was observed during normal period, while a bimodal distribution with a tiny mode(0.3 μm) and a coarse mode between 0.4 and 0.6 μm was present during aerosol bloom. The variation of aerosol source is consistent with air masses back trajectories, for the reason that most of the long-range air trajectories are from the ocean,while short air trajectories originate in the continental regions, which means that air masses have a significant impact on the aerosol physical–chemical properties along their tracks.     

利用薄片穿透法确定铝合金最大蚀坑深度

目的研究铝合金最大蚀坑深度与环境试验时间的对应关系,为新型合金服役前的耐蚀性评级和结构件服役过程中的剩余寿命预测提供技术基础。方法利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜分析海洋大气环境中新型铝合金的腐蚀类型,并利用薄片穿透法研究铝合金薄片最大蚀坑深度与试验时间的对应关系。结果经过海洋大气环境暴露试验后,2A97铝合金发生了深入合金内部的严重点蚀,检测薄片试样背面电解液的出现时间,可以确定环境试验中蚀坑穿透薄片试样的时间。通过测量不同厚度薄片试样的穿透时间,可以确定最快生长局部腐蚀点的深度和时间的关系。结论中性盐雾试验环境下,达到相同的最大蚀坑深度,2A97铝合金与AA2024铝合金用时基本相当。