Short-term interaction between nitrate and ammonium uptake inThalassiosira pseudonana: Effect of preconditioning nitrogen source and growth rate

The effect of preconditioning nitrogen source and growth rate on the interaction between nitrate and ammonium uptake was determined inThalassiosira pseudonana (Clone 3H). A new method, using cells on a filter (Parslow et al. 1985), allowed continuous measurement of uptake from 0.5 to 9 min after the addition of nitrate, ammonium, or both, with no variation in concentration during the course of the experiment. For each preconditioning N source and growth rate, a series of uptake experiments was conducted, including controls with only nitrate or only ammonium, and others with different combinations of concentrations of nitrate and ammonium. For the first time, preference for ammonium was separated from inhibition of nitrate uptake by ammonium. Ammonium was the preferred N source, i.e. if nitrate and ammonium were presented separately, ammonium uptake rates exceeded nitrate uptake rates. Preference for ammonium varied with both preconditioning N source and growth rate. Inhibition of nitrate uptake by ammonium, determined by comparing nitrate uptake in the presence and absence of ammonium, was observed at ammonium concentrations > 1µM, but was rarely complete. Inhibition of nitrate uptake by ammonium was less in the ammonium-limited culture than in the cultures growing on nitrate, but invariant with growth rate in the nitrate-grown cultures. Below 1µM ammonium, nitrate uptake was often stimulated and rates exceeded those in the controls without ammonium. Ammonium uptake was not inhibited by the presence of nitrate.T. pseudonana fits the classical view of the interaction between nitrate and ammonium uptake in some respects, such as preference for ammonium, and inhibition of nitrate uptake by ammonium concentrations > 1µM. However, at ammonium concentrations typical of most marine environments, nitrate uptake occurs at rapid rates. In other respects, N uptake inT. pseudonana deviates from the classical view in the following ways: (1) stimulation of nitrate uptake by low concentrations of ammonium; (2) lack of inhibition of nitrate uptake by ammonium at low nitrate concentrations; and (3) variation in preference and inhibition with preconditioning, which is markedly different for other species. Because of the apparent enormous species variation in the interaction between nitrate and ammonium uptake and the lack of detailed information for a variety of species, it is difficult to generalize about the effect of ammonium on nitrate uptake, especially in the field, where prior N availability and species composition are not usually addressed.     

Determination of Cadmium and Lead in Different Cigarette Brands in Jordan

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations in different cigarette brands sold and/or produced in Jordan were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Average levels of Cd and Pb in different cigarette brands in Jordan were 2.64 and 2.67 g g^{– 1} (DW), respectively. The results obtained in this study estimate the average quantity of Cd inhaled from smoking one packet of 20 cigarettes to be in the range of 3.65–7.30 g. Results suggest that the quantity of Pb inhaled of smoking one packet of 20 cigarettes, is estimated to be 0.74–2.22 g. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in cigarettes were significantly different between cigarette brands tested. Our results were compared with other worldwide studies.     

化工企业VOCs治理评估指标体系的建立与应用

在对江苏省化工企业开展挥发性有机物(VOCs)治理核查评估的基础上,采用层次分析(AHP)与模糊综合评价(FCE)相结合的方法,运用化工企业AHP-FCE综合评估模型,建立了包括项目建立、现场排查、评估分析和管理监督4个准则层及22个指标层的化工企业VOCs治理综合评估体系。以江苏某化工园区企业为例,运用建立的指标体系对3家企业进行VOCs治理评估,结果表明,评估结果与企业实际状况相符。提出,VOCs治理评估指标体系的应用,可确定指标权重,解决模糊性问题,减少企业在VOCs整治绩效评估中的主观臆断,具有实际应用价值。     

A wireless, remote query magnetoelastic CO2 sensor

This paper presents a wireless, passive, remote query CO2 sensor comprising a ribbon-like magnetoelastic thick-film coated with a mass-changing CO2 responsive polymer synthesized from acrylamide and isooctylacrylate. In response to a magnetic field impulse, the magnetostrictive magnetoelastic sensor vibrates at a characteristic resonant frequency that is inversely dependent upon the mass of the attached CO2 responsive polymer. The mechanical vibrations of the magnetostrictive sensor launch magnetic flux, which can be detected remotely using a pickup coil. By monitoring the resonant frequency of the passive sensor, the atmospheric CO2 concentration can be determined without the need for physical connections to the sensor or specific alignment requirements. The effect of humidity and the CO2 responsive copolymer composition on the measurement sensitivity are reported. Greatest sensitivity is achieved with a polymer comprising a 1:1 mole ratio of acrylamide to isooctyl acrylate. A 0.7% change in atmospheric CO2 concentration can be detected for a 20 microns thick polymer coated sensor.     

Distribution and transportation of mercury from glacier to lake in the Qiangyong Glacier Basin, southern Tibetan Plateau, China

The Tibetan Plateau is home to the largest aggregate of glaciers outside the Polar Regions and is a source of fresh water to 1.4 billion people. Yet little is known about the transportation and cycling of Hg in high-elevation glacier basins on Tibetan Plateau. In this study, surface snow,glacier melting stream water and lake water samples were collected from the Qiangyong Glacier Basin. The spatiotemporal distribution and transportation of Hg from glacier to lake were investigated. Significant diurnal variations of dissolved Hg(DHg) concentrations were observed in the river water, with low concentrations in the morning(8:00 am–14:00 pm) and high concentrations in the afternoon(16:00 pm–20:00 pm). The DHg concentrations were exponentially correlated with runoff, which indicated that runoff was the dominant factor affecting DHg concentrations in the river water. Moreover, significant decreases of Hg were observed during transportation from glacier to lake. DHg adsorption onto particulates followed by the sedimentation of particulate-bound Hg(PHg) could be possible as an important Hg removal mechanism during the transportation process. Significant decreases in Hg concentrations were observed downstream of Xiao Qiangyong Lake, which indicated that the high-elevation lake system could significantly affect the distribution and transportation of Hg in the Qiangyong Glacier Basin.     

Assessment of Future Drought Conditions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Impacts of climate change on the severity and intensity of future droughts can be evaluated based on precipitation and temperature projections, multiple hydrological models, simulated hydrometeorological variables, and various drought indices. The objective of this study was to assess climate change impacts on future drought conditions and water resources in the Chesapeake Bay (CB) watershed. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Variable Infiltration Capacity model were used to simulate a Modified Palmer Drought Severity Index (MPDSI), a Standardized Soil Moisture index (SSI), a Multivariate Standardized Drought Index (MSDI), along with Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) climate models for both historical and future periods (f1: 2020‐2049, f2: 2050‐2079). The results of the SSI suggested that there was a general increase in agricultural droughts in the entire CB watershed because of increases in surface and groundwater flow and evapotranspiration. However, MPDSI and MSDI showed an overall decrease in projected drought occurrences due to the increases in precipitation in the future. The results of this study suggest that it is crucial to use multiple modeling approaches with specific drought indices that combine the effects of both precipitation and temperature changes.     

Dissipation and translocation of saisenxin in tobacco and soil under conventional field and controlled laboratory conditions

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to investigate the fate and translocation characteristics of saisenxin (SSX), a novel organic zinc fungicide, in the environment and tobacco plants under conventional field and laboratory conditions. A rapid and sensitive analytical technique based on high-performance liquid chromatography was used for determination of SSX, in soil samples and tobacco leaf, stem and root samples. The method had satisfactiry linearity (R^2?=?0.9999) and the limits of detection and of quantitation of the target compound were 0.06 and 0.20?mg kg^?1, respectively. The average recoveries were in the range of 89.74–94.24% in soil, leaf, stem and root samples, with relative standard deviations of <8%. For conventional field trials, the half-life (t_1/2) of SSX was 5.9–6.5 days in soil and 4.8–5.3 days in tobacco leaves; the corresponding values under controlled laboratory conditions were extended to 7.1 and 7.6?days. The translocation factor (TF) values were in the range of 0–2.25 and 0–0.25 for foliage and root irrigation treatments, respectively. The TFs of SSX in tobacco indicated that tobacco had a high ability to transfer SSX upward.     

Incorporating differences between genetic diversity of trees and herbaceous plants in conservation strategies

Reviews that summarize the genetic diversity of plant species in relation to their life history and ecological traits show that forest trees have more genetic diversity at population and species levels than annuals or herbaceous perennials. In addition, among-population genetic differentiation is significantly lower in trees than in most herbaceous perennials and annuals. Possible reasons for these differences between trees and herbaceous perennials and annuals have not been discussed critically. Several traits, such as high rates of outcrossing, long-distance pollen and seed dispersal, large effective population sizes (N_e), arborescent stature, low population density, longevity, overlapping generations, and occurrence in late successional communities, may make trees less sensitive to genetic bottlenecks and more resistant to habitat fragmentation or climate change. We recommend that guidelines for genetic conservation strategies be designed differently for tree species versus other types of plant species. Because most tree species fit an LH scenario (low [L] genetic differentiation and high [H] genetic diversity), tree seeds could be sourced from a few populations distributed across the species’ range. For the in situ conservation of trees, translocation is a viable option to increase N_e. In contrast, rare herbaceous understory species are frequently HL (high differentiation and low diversity) species. Under the HL scenario, seeds should be taken from many populations with high genetic diversity. In situ conservation efforts for herbaceous plants should focus on protecting habitats because the typically small populations of these species are vulnerable to the loss of genetic diversity. The robust allozyme genetic diversity databases could be used to develop conservation strategies for species lacking genetic information. As a case study of reforestation with several tree species in denuded areas on the Korean Peninsula, we recommend the selection of local genotypes as suitable sources to prevent adverse effects and to insure the successful restoration in the long term.     

生命周期方法在天然气基汽车燃料评价中的运用

运用生命周期评价方法,对以天然气为原料生产压缩天然气、甲醇、二甲醚、柴油4种汽车代用燃料系统进行生命周期的能源、环境和经济评价,评价结果是：压缩天然气系统生命周期内的能耗相对少,总成本相对低,对生态环境更友好,压缩天然气是富含天然气地区一段时期内汽车代用燃料的优先选择．     

苏南农村地区大气PM2.5元素组成特征及其来源分析

为了解苏南农村地区大气细颗粒物的污染水平及其可能的来源,在2002年7月-2003年1月的夏、秋、冬3个季节对雪堰镇和太湖站PM_2.5进行采样和分析,得到了PM_2.5和14种组成元素的质量浓度.研究表明,苏南农村地区PM_2.5的污染水平较高,S,Zn,Pb和As 4种污染元素的质量浓度水平与城市接近;组成元素的季节分布规律存在区域差异,这可能与局地源的贡献,大气细颗粒物中、长距离传输以及复杂的气象条件有关.因子分析结果表明,土壤源、燃煤源、冶金或垃圾焚烧和汽车尾气4类源对PM_2.5有明显贡献,说明人类活动对苏南农村地区PM_2.5具有重要影响.