Induction of metamorphosis in larvae of the oyster Crassostrea gigas using neuroactive compounds

Chemical (neuroactive compounds at different concentrations and exposure times) and physical (water agitation, light) factors with potential effects on the metamorphosis of larvae of the oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) larvae have been studied. The neurotransmitters l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DO), epinephrine (EP), norepinephrine (NE), and acetylcholine (AC) have been identified as very active inducers of metamorphosis, whilst serotonin (SE), dopamine (DA) and potassium (K) were less effective inducers. The -aminobutyric acid (GA) and ammonium (AM) were found ineffective at the concentrations tested. Exposure to 10^-4 M EP for 15 min was sufficient to promote >80% metamorphosis within 48 h, whereas NE required 2 h to exert comparable induction. Maximum induction by DO (>50%) was achieved after 2 h exposure to 10^-4 M. However, unlike EP and NE, DO was lethal at that concentration in the long term. Maximum induction by AC (30% metamorphosis) was achieved at a concentration of 10^-4 M. In contrast to other neurotransmitters, AC induced settlement behaviour, cementation and eventual metamorphosis, yielding postlarvae which were all attached to the substratum. EP and NE triggered the morphogenetic changes, by-passing settlement and leading to postlarvae not cemented to the substratum. DO induced mostly attached spat at low concentrations (10^-5 M) and unattached spat at high concentrations (10^-4 M), and a similar pattern was apparent for the weaker inducers SE and DA. Regarding physical factors, a highly reflectant surface significantly increased the percentage of attached spat obtained, compared to a dark bottom. No consistent effect of water current or light was detected on the production of unattached spat. The three different forms of induction are discussed in relation to different regulatory pathways of settlement and metamorphosis.     

Interactions between copper and cadmium modify metal organ distribution in mature tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

Sexually mature female tilapia were exposed to sublethal concentrations of waterborne Cu and/or Cd over 6 days, and subsequent body concentrations of these metals were determined in several organs. The results show that the distribution of Cu and Cd was metal and organ specific. This is demonstrated, for example, by the observation that in tilapia, Cu exposure did not result in Cu accumulation in the liver, whereas in the intestinal wall, notably high concentrations of Cu and Cd were measured in metal exposed fish. In addition to single metal exposed fish, we also determined Cu and Cd body distribution in Cu?Cd co-exposed fish. The observed interactions in metal accumulation were most pronounced in the organs of fish exposed to low, environmentally realistic, metal concentrations.     

Marginal bleaching of thalli of Rhizocarpon as evidence for acid rain in the Norra Storfjället, Sweden

Recent lichen surveys in the foreland of The Syterb?cken glacier reveal that the crustose lichens, principally species of Rhizocarpon section Rhizocarpon, exhibit marginal bleaching, readily distinguishable from normal pigmented forms. The largest elliptical thallus of Rhizocarpon measured 290 mm maximum diameter on a bedrock outcrop beyond the margin of Little Ice Age moraines in the upper Syterb?cken Valley. Many small and large thalli of Rhizocarpon suffered damage to the periphery of individual thalli. We examine here some of the possible hypotheses explaining these occurrences. Among others, these are bedrock lithology, ice crystal blasting, long-term snowbank cover, ultraviolet exposure and acid rain. While at this time none of the possibilities can be ruled out entirely, acid rain would appear to be at least one of the factors involved. Acid rain, which is known to produce a soil pH as low as 3.3 in the field area, appears to provide a high input of H(+) ions that the lichen algal component cannot withstand. However, the lack of similar effects on associated foliose or fruticose forms raises the possibility that perhaps two or more factors specific to the environment of Rhizocarpon are operating.     

Uranium enrichment by the separation-nozzle process

The Science of Nature - The development of reliable manufacturing methods for commercial separation elements, the successful operation of separative stages, and extensive tests performed on plant...     

高浓度废水预处理

从分析冲击炼油污水处理的原因出发，阐述了高浓度废水预处理的重要性；重点介绍了三种好氧生物法处理技术；其中ＳＢＲ法由于工程技术日趋成熟，可优先推广应用     

含柠檬酸盐电镀废水的处理

对含柠檬酸盐电镀废水的几种处理方法的比较表明,氯化钡添加法能较好地使柠檬酸盐沉淀,操作简便,处理效果理想,其柠檬酸根离子的去除率达98％以上。     

荒漠化面前我们该怎样作为?

今年春天，北京严重的沙尘暴再次引起了人们对我国荒漠化问题的关注。然而，人们对于荒漠、沙漠、沙地等概念是经常混淆的。至于荒漠化、沙漠化或者沙化更是说不清楚，以至于我们在荒漠化防治中走了不少弯路。上述概念之间的关系有包容也有区别，弄清它们的区别对于确切理解我国的荒漠化问题，从而采取正确的治理措施具有重要的现实意义。     

关于完善中国生态补偿机制若干问题的研究

随着中国经济的迅速发展,生态和环境问题已经成为阻碍经济社会发展的瓶颈.近年提出的科学发展观,对生态建设给予高度重视.建立完善的生态补偿机制,已经成为解决生态环境问题的核心问题,文章对生态补偿的定义、理论基础进行了阐述,根据国内外生态补偿发展的最新状况,结合中国目前生态补偿机制出现的问题如生态补偿标准不合理,补偿机制缺乏有效的法律基础,现行的资源税费未能反映生态补偿的内容,没有建立完善的良性融资机制,各行业与管理部门的条块分割等,提出了完善中国生态补偿机制的对策.