Determination of toxic cyclic heptapeptides by liquid chromatography with detection using ultra-violet, protein phosphatase assay and tandem mass spectrometry

Microcystins, toxic cyclic heptapeptides and nodularin-R, a toxic cyclic pentapeptide, were determined using liquid chromatography (LC) with detection using photo-diode array ultra-violet (PDA-UV) and protein phosphatase (PP) assay. Positive fractions were analysed for toxins using collision-induced dissociation (CID) and tandem MS/MS experiments which were carried out simultaneously using electrospray ion-trap instrumentation. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) using an acetonitrile/water gradient was used for the LC-MS(2) determination of six microcystins standards and nodularin. The molecular related ion species, [M+H](+)([M+2H](2+) in the case of MC-RR), were used as the precursor ions for MS(2) experiments. Optimum calibration and reproducibility data were obtained for MC-LR using LC-MS(2); 0.1-5.0 microg/ml, r2 = 0.992 (n = 3); % RSD < or =7.3 at 0.25 microg MC-LR/ml (n = 3). The detection limit (S/N = 3) was better than 0.1 ng. Water samples for microcystin analysis were first screened using protein phosphatase (PP) assays and positives were concentrated using C-18 solid-phase extraction. The developed method was applied to examine a lake in Ireland contaminated by Microcystis sp. and MC-LR and MC-LA were identified.     

城市生活垃圾半好氧生物反应器填埋技术试验研究

对城市生活垃圾半好氧生物反应器填埋技术与传统垃圾填埋技术进行了对比试验,由试验结果可知,半好氧生物反应器填埋技术可缩短填埋垃圾产酸时间,净化渗滤液,加速填埋垃圾稳定化进程.城市生活垃圾半好氧生物反应器填埋技术是中国中小城市垃圾填埋处理的发展方向.     

无机陶瓷纳滤膜分离高钠盐废水中的锶

本实验研究表明，仅用截留分子量为1000的无机陶瓷纳滤膜分离高钠盐模拟溶液中的锶，分离效果并不理想。为提高陶瓷纳滤膜对锶的选择分离效果，选择了分子量为3000的聚丙烯酸作为陶瓷纳滤膜分离的强化剂，重点探讨了溶液pH值、聚丙烯酸浓度、温度及离子强度对模拟溶液盐分离效果和膜通量的影响，并得到了适宜的锶钠分离条件。实验结果表明，在适宜条件下，通过聚丙烯酸强化和两级分离，陶瓷纳滤膜可大大提高模拟溶液中锶离子的选择分离效果，锶／钠的分离因子高达205。     

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.     

北京市轻型汽车尾气排放检测结果分析

对北京市566辆在用轻型车排放尾气进行了BASM检测，对不同厂牌的化油器车、化油器改造车和电喷车排放的HC、CO和NO平均浓度进行了比较，结果表明，化油器改造车3种污染物平均浓度比化油器车低50％左右，电喷车3种污染物平均浓度可比化油器车低80％左右。同时对几种车型的劣化规律进行了分析，发现化油器车的劣化关系离散性大，而另外两种技术的车辆的劣化关系呈收敛性，说明化油器车的污染物排放和保养关系密切，电喷车劣化规律明显优于化油器车和化油器改造车。实验结果为I／M实施提供了科学依据。     

柳州地区各种红壤土种的酸沉降临界负荷研究

应用简单质量平衡法，多层模型ＰＲＯＦＩＬＥ和基于植物响应标准计算柳州红壤和土种的酸沉降临界负荷，并建立了系统完整地收集，测量与估算模型所需参数的方法。结果表明，柳州红壤各土种的硫沉降临界负荷为０．５０－１．８０ｋｅｑ．ｈｍ＾－２．ａ＾－１，为保护９５％的土壤不受酸沉降危害，柳州土壤的潜在酸度，酸度和硫沉降临界负荷分别为１．８ｋｅｑ；ｈｍ＾－２．ａ＾－１，１．９ｋｅｑ．ｈｍ＾－２．ａ＾－１和０．７０     

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.