Cranial shape transformation in the evolution of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

In this study, landmark-based methods of geometric morphometrics are used for investigating the main aspects of cranial shape transformation in the evolution of the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Specifically, we explore if the highly derived cranial adaptations for bamboo feeding of the living panda were developed early in the panda's lineage. Results obtained show that the overall cranial morphologies of the oldest known panda, the "pygmy" Ailuropoda microta, and the late Pleistocene Ailuropoda baconi are both very similar to that of their closest living relative, A. melanoleuca, which agrees with a previous proposal based on qualitative criteria. However, we also describe several differences between the crania of A. microta, A. baconi, and A. melanoleuca, including the development of the postorbital process, the orientation of the occipital region, and the expansion of the braincase. As a result, the cranial morphology of A. microta shows a less specialized morphology toward a fibrous and durophagous diet compared to the giant panda. These results are confirmed by a comparative analysis of the dimensions of the upper teeth in bears, which has revealed differences in relative tooth size between A. microta and A. melanoleuca, most probably as a result of mosaic evolution. Therefore, we conclude that cranial shape did not remain essentially uniform in the Ailuropoda lineage, as previously thought, but underwent a number of changes during more than 2?Myr.     

崇明岛生态风险源分析及其防范对策研究

上海市城市总体规划（1999~2020年）中提出了要将崇明岛建成生态岛的发展目标,而保障崇明岛的生态安全,规避生态风险是实现这一目标以及实现经济可持续发展的重要内容。崇明岛地处长江的河口和经济最发达的长江三角洲,而且东邻东海,地理位置十分特殊,区域生态风险来源十分复杂。因此,深入分析崇明岛的生态风险源类型、来源和特征,是进一步开展生态风险评价和正确制定风险防范对策的基础。通过对崇明历史资料的分析和现状的评价,辨识出26种生态风险源,这些风险源按性质分可分为自然风险源和人为风险源两类,按来源分可分为来自流域、来自周边区域、来自海洋和来自岛屿内部4类;通过对风险源的发生概率、强度分析结果,结合各风险源的特点,筛选出咸水入侵、台风、暴雨、风暴潮、生物入侵为崇明岛的主要风险源,并分析了其对生态系统的干扰和危害。在上述分析的基础上,提出了具体的风险防范对策。     

Levels of PCDD/PCDFs and PCBs in edible marine species and human intake: a literature review

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and biphenyls (PCBs) are lipophilic organic compounds whose origin comes from many different sources. PCDD/Fs and PCBs are ubiquitous and persistent environmental pollutants with a well known potential toxicity, which were included at the 1998 UN-EC POP protocol. Although human exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs can occur by various routes, food is the primary source. A number of studies have shown that the major food sources of these organic pollutants are fat-containing animal products, including fish and other seafood. Because of the frequent health recommendations concerning fish consumption, to determine the contribution to the dietary intake of chemical contaminants such as PCDD/Fs and PCBs through fish and other seafood consumption is an issue of special interest. This paper reviews the state of the science regarding recent literature on PCDD/F and PCB levels in marine species and human intake through fish and seafood consumption. The concentrations of these pollutants depend basically on the environment in which the respective species are caught. It is concluded that some groups of population frequently consuming high quantities of certain species could be significantly increasing health risks due to PCDD/F and PCB exposure.     

Perfluorinated chemicals in blood of residents in Catalonia (Spain) in relation to age and gender: a pilot study

Fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs) are a group of chemicals widely used as surfactants, lubricants, polymers, and fire-fighting foams. Recent studies have shown the ubiquitous distribution of FOCs in the environment, wildlife, and humans. We here report the results of a pilot study conducted to provide preliminary data on the levels of 13 FOCs in the blood of 48 residents in Catalonia, Spain, in relation to gender and age (25+/-5 and 55+/-5 years). The highest mean concentration was obtained for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS, 7.64 ng/ml), followed by perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS, 3.56 ng/ml) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, 1.80 ng/ml). Four other FOCs showed mean levels between 0.30 and 0.44 ng/ml, whereas those of the remaining 6 compounds were below the detection limit. Regarding gender, the blood levels of PFHxS and PFOA were significantly higher (p<0.05) in men than in women, while differences according to age were only noted for PFHxS (p<0.05) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) (p<0.001), for which the levels were higher in the younger (25+/-5 years) group of subjects. A significant correlation between PFOS levels and those of the remaining detected FOCs (except PFDA) was found. In general terms, the current FOC concentrations were lower than those found in recent studies concerning levels of these chemicals in human blood and serum of subjects from different countries.     

Application of ICP-QMS for the determination of plutonium in environmental samples for safeguards purposes

Aiming to determine the plutonium amount as well as its isotopic composition, in particular, in swipe samples for safeguards purposes, an analytical method was developed with a plutonium separation step based on extraction chromatography using 2 cm TEVA columns and detection with quadrupole ICP-MS applying an ultra-sonic nebulizer coupled with membrane desolvation system. The method was successfully applied to New Brunswick plutonium certified reference materials as well as to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory round robin samples, based on the round robin samples provided by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Belgium), as part of the Regular European Interlaboratory Measurement Evaluation Programme (REIMEP), campaign 16 (isotopic abundances of plutonium in plutonium nitrate samples), with a total plutonium amount between 1 and 0.25 ng per sample. After the introduction of an additional separation step, it was also possible to carry out precise and accurate total plutonium, (240)Pu/(239)Pu, (241)Pu/(239)Pu and (242)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios determination in sediment sample showing its applicability to environmental samples in general, reaching a detection limit equivalent to 5 mBq(239)Pu kg(-1).     

腐殖酸及酸雨对贫铀在土壤中迁移的影响研究

 利用经过完善的贫铀迁移模型,研究腐殖酸(HA)及酸雨对贫铀在土壤中迁移的影响.结果表明,对照组(北京地区土壤)DU迁移到达9~11cm,分别添加2%、5%、10%HA的实验组DU迁移依次降低,分别为21~23cm、15~17cm、11~13cm,说明腐殖酸促进了DU迁移; pH值为4.0和3.0的模拟酸雨,分别使贫铀迁移至29~31cm及35cm以上,说明酸雨促进了贫铀迁移;在酸雨和腐殖酸综合作用下贫铀迁移仅到5~7cm,说明腐殖酸和酸雨综合作用抑制了贫铀迁移.     

钢铁行业大气环境影响评价方法与建议

按钢铁行业大气环评报告书的结构和顺序,结合HJ 2.2-2008《环境影响评价技术导则大气环境》中的相关技术要求,从评价因子、源强、评价等级、大气监测、大气预测、防护距离等方面出发,分析了钢铁行业大气环评中的评价等级确定、大气监测、大气预测等工作中存在的问题,并提出解决方案和建议对策。     

Methanotrophic community structure of aged refuse and its capability for methane bio-oxidation

Aged refuse from waste landfills closed for eight years was examined and found to contain rich methanotrophs capable of biooxidation for methane. Specially, community structure and methane oxidation capability of methanotrophs in the aged refuse were studied. The amount of methanotrophs ranged 61.97 103–632.91 103 cells/g (in dry basis) in aged refuse from Shanghai Laogang Landfill. Type I and II methanotrophs were found in the aged refuse in the presence of sterilized sewage sludge and only Type I methanotrophs were detected in the presence of nitrate minimal salt medium (NMS). The clone sequences of the pmoA gene obtained from the aged refuse were similar to the pmoA gene of Methylobacter, Methylocaldum, and Methylocystis, and two clones were distinct with known genera of Type I methanotrophs according to phylogenetic analysis. Aged refuse enriched with NMS was used for methane biological oxidation and over 93% conversions were obtained.     

Fenton氧化在废水处理中的应用

综述了近年来Fenton氧化在废水处理领域的应用状况,对Fenton试剂氧化的机理和主要影响因素:温度、pH、反应时间、H2O2和Fe2+的投加量、H2O2/Fe2+量比以及反应动力学模型进行了简要介绍.最后探讨了Fenton氧化技术在废水处理领域现存不足之处及今后的发展趋势.     

磁性膨润土材料吸附处理印染废水研究

针对目前膨润土在应用中的一些问题,对膨润土进行磁性能改性,通过共沉淀法制备磁性膨润土颗粒,并对其进行了X射线衍射和磁性能表征分析.以阴离子染料OrangeⅡ为目标化合物,研究了磁性膨润土材料对OrangeⅡ废水的吸附效果,并探讨了主要工艺参数如阳离子表面活性剂的质量浓度、pH、温度等对染料去除率的影响.结果表明:阳离子...