Temporal variability of bioavailable Cd,Hg, Zn,Mn and Al in an upwelling regime

Monthly variability of Cd, Hg, Zn, Mn and Al concentrations in mussels (Mytilus californianus) soft tissue and brown seaweed (Macrocystis pyrifera) was studied at a pristine rocky shore off San Quintin Bay, Baja California, México. The results were related to climatic and hydrographic conditions and to the physiological state of the mussels (condition index) by correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). A "normalization" to account for the variability induced by the physiological state of the mussel was performed. The PCA was performed in two ways to relate the environmental variables and the condition index to: (1) the metal concentrations in mussels, and (2) the "normalized" mussel concentrations. The association of the variability of Cd with the upwelling season was revealed in both PCAs. The temporal variability of this metal in mussels was highly correlated to that in seaweed, suggesting that the dissolved phase determined the variability of Cd in mussels. However, for Hg, Zn, Mn and Al the results from both PCAs were different. The first PCA showed the relationship of these metals to pluvial precipitation and to the condition index. The PCA for the normalized mussel concentrations showed that, after eliminating the effect of the condition index, only Al was related to pluvial precipitation. Manganese, and to a less degree Zn, were related to these metals in seaweed. Because zinc is an essential element in mussels, some regulation of their internal concentrations is likely. Mercury was not detected in seaweed, but because of its reactive nature, it is not expected that the dissolved fraction could be a significant pathway; therefore, it can be concluded that its temporal variability was determined by the variability in the condition index only.     

Variability of cadmium, copper and zinc levels in molluscs and associated sediments from Chile

The concentrations of cadmium, copper and zinc in mussel and sediment samples collected together from eight different geographical coastal areas of Chile were determined. The mussels studied were 'Chorito Maico', 'Almejas' and 'Navajuelas Chilenas' (Perumytilus purpuratus, Semelle solida and Tagellus dombeii, respectively). Sampling was carried out in July and September 1992 and January and April 1993 (winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons in Chile, respectively). The metal levels in these mussels varied among species; there were several sites where the metal concentrations in molluscs approached or exceeded the criteria levels for Cd, Cu and Zn in shellfish products: 1, 10 and 50 ppm ww respectively, which are regarded as safe levels for human consumption. The results of metal levels in sediments showed two areas clearly polluted with Cu. Strong relationships between Cu concentrations in the three molluscs and sediments were found; weak correlations were observed for Zn in S. solida.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus oxycedrus</Emphasis> ssp.<Emphasis Type="Italic">macrocarpa</Emphasis> in SW Spain: Ecology and conservation problems

Woodlands of the Mediterranean speciesJuniperus oxycedrus ssp.macrocarpa (maritime juniper) are both vulnerable and ecologically important. Their ecology and biological status along the SW coast of Spain are not well known; this, the first major study of these juniper populations is a basis for future research and restoration policies. These communities are subject to harsh conditions, the plant composition being controlled by several factors at different scales. On a large scale, climate and soil texture play an important role in controlling the soil water availability to plants, and in separating xerophytic from mesic communities. On a small scale, coastal physiography, and substrate composition are related to differences in the floristic composition. Coastal plantations modify environmental conditions, such as sand mobility and salt spray deposition, inducing important changes in plant communities. The population of maritime juniper on this coast was estimated in ca. 25 000 individuals, of which 93.6% are concentrated in three locations. Large proportions of young individuals were found in extensive and protected populations. Howerver, adult individuals dominated the smaller populations located under pine plantations. This limitation of recruitment may be imposed by several factors. A male biased ratio was detected on the southern coast of Cádiz, which I hypothesize is due to the lower cost of pollen production in a stressful habitat. Preservation of suitable habitats, the recovery of abandoned pine plantations, and the connection between juniper populations, seem to be important requisites for the conservation of maritime juniper in the southwestern coast of Spain.     

Symmetry, male dominance and female mate preferences in the Iberian rock lizard, Lacerta monticola

Female preference for dominant males is widespread and it is generally assumed that success in male-male competition reflects high quality. However, male dominance is not always attractive to females. Alternatively, relatively symmetric individuals may experience fitness advantages, but it remains to be determined whether males with more symmetrical secondary sexual traits experience advantages in both intra- and intersexual selection. We analysed the factors that determine dominance status in males of the lizard Lacerta monticola, and their relationship to female mate preference, estimated by the attractiveness of males' scents to females. Sexually dimorphic traits of this lizard (head size and femoral pores) appear to be advanced by different selection pressures. Males with relatively higher heads, which give them advantage in intrasexual contests, were more dominant. However, head size was unimportant to females, which preferred to be in areas marked by relatively heavier males, but also by males more symmetric in their counts of left and right femoral pores. Chemicals arising from the femoral pores and other glands might honestly indicate quality (i.e. related to the symmetry levels) of a male to females and may result from intersexual selection. Females may use this information because the only benefit of mate choice to female lizards may be genetic quality. Chemical signals may be more reliable and have a greater importance in sexual selection processes of lizards than has previously been considered.     

英国伦敦油库大爆炸事件

2005年12月11日是一个普通的周日,伦敦及周边地区沉浸在周末的慵懒之中,一场罕见的灾难发生了.早上6时许,巨大的声响把城市从睡梦中惊醒,惊慌的人们刚开始还以为发生了地震.随着巨响腾空而起的黑烟,将人们的视线牵引到了赫莫尔汉普斯特德镇.在伦敦西北40公里的这座小镇上,有英国第五大油库--邦斯菲尔德油库,该油库负责向英格兰东南部大部分地区提供汽油和燃料用油,莫非是这座油库发生了爆炸,人们的猜测不幸被言中.     

IVP活性炭脱硫性能的研究

采用IVP活性炭吸附法治理污水场隔油池散发的多组分含H2 S废气。研究表明 ,复杂的废气组分并未影响到该活性炭对H2 S的吸附性能 ,且由于处理的废气湿度较高 ,使吸附性能有了较大的提高     

基于QAR数据的飞机全航段黑碳排放量计算与分析

黑碳气溶胶是航空发动机运行过程中产生的一种主要颗粒污染物.为评估飞机全航段的黑碳排放特性,在一阶近似方法（FOA）的基础上,提出一种基于黑碳形成和氧化过程的形成氧化法（FOX）.使用GE90-115B型发动机历史QAR数据进行实例分析,结合QAR数据中燃油流量、空气燃料比、燃烧室入口温度、主燃区火焰温度等热力学参数,计算某次飞行全航段的黑碳排放量.结果表明,形成氧化法的计算结果高于一阶近似方法,巡航阶段的总排放量高于起飞着陆循环.分析表明,结合实际飞行数据的形成氧化法,考虑了发动机的性能差异、燃烧品质及外界环境条件对排放特性的影响,能够更加真实有效地评估飞机全航段的黑碳排放量,为飞机排放监测及排放的适航符合性验证等效替代提供更加准确的依据.     

南京市大气PM2.5无机组分及对A549细胞的毒性效应

为研究不同来源的大气颗粒物中PM_2.5对人体的健康毒性效应,于2016年1-3月在南京市交通源区、化工园区、生活区等代表性站点分别采集PM_2.5样品,分析其水溶性离子和金属元素含量,并以PM_2.5对人体肺上皮细胞A549染毒24 h,研究暴露于不同来源颗粒物后的细胞活性和氧化损伤程度.结果表明:交通源区和化工园区日均ρ（PM_2.5）远高于生活区,3个区域均含有大量二次污染物,其中SO₄2-、NO₃-和NH₄+占PM_2.5总离子质量的80.6%~85.0%.交通源区PM_2.5中w（Zn）较高,主要来源于燃料燃烧和柴油发动机排放;而化工园区PM_2.5中w（Cu）、w（Pb）和w（Mn）均高于其他站点.将PM_2.5染毒剂量设定为50、100、200、400 μg/mL,各站点颗粒物均显著抑制A549细胞的存活率,并呈剂量-效应关系,化工园区对细胞存活率的半抑制浓度（IC₅₀=229.1 μg/mL）最低,而在高暴露浓度（200 μg/mL）下化工园区诱导产生的活性氧（ROS）最少.因此,南京地区主要受二次污染影响,机动车污染正在加剧;化工园区的颗粒物具有较大的细胞毒性,而较低的氧化损伤程度可能与该站点颗粒物中较低的w（Zn）以及测试暴露时间有关.      

Preface

正Air pollution as well as climate change and their possible effects on the environment,ecosystems and human health,are pressing challenges.Nowadays,it is clear that sustainable societal development cannot remain solely wealth-oriented,but must take into account the present and future environmental issues.However,this approach is possible only if scientifically sound knowledge in all environmental areas becomes available to our societies and decision makers,which requires a firm     

南京青奥期间污染减排对空气质量影响研究

为评估污染减排对南京青奥期间空气质量影响,利用排放系数法估算减排量,利用敏感系数分析管控措施有效性.结果表明:经过8月份的强力减排,SO2、NO2、PM2.5、PM10、CO与VOCs减排量分别为3438、4402、3177、7249、15890与4052 t,减排比例分别为-29%、-25%、-45%、-65%、-26%、-22%;环境空气中SO2、NO2、PM2.5、PM10、CO与O3浓度环比7月分别下降了-18.8%、-15.0%、-37.0%、-35.4%、-7.1%与-50.4%;敏感系数排序为:O3>PM2.5>SO2>NO2>PM10>CO,除了O3外,其余污染物浓度下降比例小于减排比例,说明要取得一定空气质量改善,需要付出更多的减排努力.