Fluctuations of Population Size and Structure in the Northern Mole Vole: Preliminary Analysis

Long-term stationary studies on the ecology of the northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinus Pall.), performed by the mark–recapture method from 1985 to 1997, have provided original data on population dynamics and structure. The analysis shows that, to reveal cyclic fluctuations of population size in this species, the period of three years should be taken as a unit of time for estimating the duration of one phase. The 12-year population cycle in E. talpinus has four distinct phases: an increase, a peak, a decline, and a minimum. At each phase, the population is characterized by certain features of family structure, age composition, birth and death rates, and the composition of migrants.     

北京市发展CNG汽车的条件与前景分析

北京市汽车排放污染物贡献率已达到：HC73.5％，CO63．4％，NOx46％。用CNG代替汽油作汽车燃料，可使CO减少97％、HC减少72％、NOx减少39％、CO2减少24％、SO2减少90％。建立CNG加气站和CNG汽车改装这两个CNG应用关键问题在技术上、经济上都是可行的。北京市CNG燃料来源有保障。北京市车辆都比较适合使用CNG气体燃料。北京有很强的CNG汽车产业科技力量。对北京市当前发展CNG汽车产业提出了一些建议。     

Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND MUNICIPAL TAX INCENTIVE MODEL

The implementation of sustainable development may seem a simple concept when written on paper. However to carry-out long term actions put forward by the Agenda 21 (AG21) at the local level represents one of the main challenges as municipal governments in general do not have the capacity to effectively implement the process. Regional environmental assessment (REA) has shown to be effective in supporting decision-making not only to correct environmental problems due to past unsustainable social-economic developments but also help local governments to implement sustainable actions. However this requires long-term investments of AG21 plans and projects. The allocation of regular and consistent financial resources is one of the main ingredients for the sustainable development process. But traditional plans and projects financed by national and/or international funds may not be sustainable in the long-term because they become dependent on external funding. Research demonstrate that innovative economic instruments such as ecotaxes represent a feasible alternative to sponsor local sustainability because taxes are collected permanently by the government and could be invested in continuous actions. Ecotaxes experiences have provided important reference to structure a municipal incentive model (MIM) to sponsor AG21’s environmental plans and projects on a long-term (permanent) basis. However sustainable development cannot be solely through economic investments. A comprehensive municipal environmental management scheme (MEMS) has been established to support the incentive model. The scheme seeks not only to improve local institutional framework but also incentive continuous participation of local stakeholders at all levels of society. Participatory events and the provision of incentives (educational and financial) are key to motivate society to protect the environment and support actively the sustainable development process as emphasised in the RIO-92 Conference.     

The aggregation pheromone ofIps duplicatus and its role in competitive interactions withI. typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Summary Ips duplicatus withI. typographus co-inhabiting Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) would benefit from a pheromone blend distinct from that of the larger competitorI. typographus. GC-MS analysis showed thatI. duplicatus males feeding in the host produced ipsdienol (Id),cis-verbenol (cV),trans-verbenol (tV), myrtenol (Mt), andE-myrcenol (EM) and traces of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MB).I. duplicatus produced Id in approximately racemic form (48.9-54.5% (+)-(S)-isomer). The amounts of Id and EM released over a 9 day period had a maximum of 250 and 5 ng/h/male, respectively, on day 2. Exposure ofI. duplicatus males to myrcene and -pinene resulted in the production of small amounts of Id, cV, tV, Mt, andtrans-pinocarveol, but not of EM. In laboratory bioassays with walking beetles, the pheromone component Id alone was weakly attractive while EM was inactive, but in binary combination with Id strongly synergized attraction. A combination of EM and Id at a release rate equivalent to 100–200 males was more attractive in the field than 70 unmated males in a spruce log. The addition of myrcene ( a suggested pheromone precursor of Id) to Id did not enhance trap caches, while addition of EM increased catches > 10-fold. Subtracting EM from a blend of Id, EM, cV and MB drastically reduced trap catches while subtraction of cV or MB or both had no significant effect. Addition of EM over a wide concentration range to the synthetic pheromone ofI. typographus did not reduce the attraction of females of this species in the laboratory. A two-species pheromone interaction field test releasingI. typographus pheromone components (MB + cV) at 10–1000 male equivalents (ME) andI. duplicatus pheromone (Id + EM) at 0, 10–1000 ME in all possible combinations showed both positive intraspecific dose-response effects and an interspecific inhibition. Higher release rates of EM appeared to inhibitI. typographus, especially males. In a tree colonization model, the response of the two competing species to their respective pheromones show a good separation during the mass-attack with a small initial cross-attraction. It remains to be shown whether either of the two pheromone systems have in fact evolved in the present sympatry, or if they are an incidental effect of ancestry of these phylogenetically distantIps.     

基于OMI数据的东南沿海大气臭氧浓度时空分布特征研究

基于臭氧监测仪(OMI)卫星反演数据,对2005—2018年东南沿海5省区域大气臭氧柱浓度数据进行提取及分析,探讨其时空分布格局及影响因素.结果表明:①在时间变化上,14年间,该区域大气臭氧柱浓度整体呈先上升后下降的趋势,2005—2013年臭氧柱浓度持续升高,最高值为324.52 DU,高值区不断向南部区域扩大;2013—2018年臭氧柱浓度呈下降趋势,最低值为228.27 DU,但在2017、2018年略有上升.②在空间分布上,臭氧柱浓度自北向南逐渐降低,高值区集中分布在江苏及浙江省北部;低值区集中于福建省南部及广东省大部分地区.③在季节变化上,大体呈现出春夏季高于秋冬季,高值区在春夏季交替出现,秋季略高于冬季,但差异不明显.④稳定性分析表明:研究区臭氧柱浓度整体呈现中部分散、南北部集聚、差异较显著的分布格局.⑤自然因素中,风向、气温均呈现显著正相关,江淮地区的梅雨季节(降水)及华南地区的台风和暴雨也起到显著作用.⑥人文因素中,臭氧柱浓度与地区生产总值、各产业生产总值及机动车保有量均表现出正相关,其中,臭氧柱浓度与第二产业的相关度最高.另外,臭氧柱浓度与NO_x排放量表现出显著相关性.VOC_s对臭氧柱浓度的影响中,工业源是主控因素,交通源和居民源次之,电厂源对臭氧柱浓度的影响最弱.这进一步说明臭氧浓度的变化受到了诸多因素的综合影响,但气温、NO_x及VOC_s的排放是臭氧浓度变化的主导因素.     

基于不同废污泥源的短程反硝化快速启动及稳定性

为探究不同废污泥源快速启动短程反硝化和实现稳定NO_2~--N积累的可行性,在3个完全相同的SBR反应器(S1、S2和S3)分别接种:实验室城市污水反硝化除磷系统排泥、城市污水厂剩余污泥及河涌底泥,比较其短程反硝化启动快慢和NO_2~--N积累特性,考察系统短程反硝化活性和NO_3~--N→NO_2~--N转化性能,并从微生物学角度分析反应器功能菌群特征.结果表明,在乙酸钠为唯一碳源、高碱度和适宜COD/NO_3~--N比进水条件下,3个SBR短程反硝化反应器在短时间内均能够成功启动,系统平均NO_3~--N→NO_2~--N转化率为S1 S2 S3(75. 92% 73. 36% 69. 90%).同时发现持续低温条件下S1和S2呈现不同程度的短程反硝化性能恶化趋势,但S3能够稳定维持良好NO_2~--N积累性能.微生物高通量测序表明,变形菌门和拟杆菌门居PD系统主导地位,3个短程反硝化反应器NO_2~--N积累关键功能菌属Thauera属丰度差异明显:S3 S1 S2(25. 09% 4. 71% 3. 60%),表明S3具备稳定高效的NO_2~--N积累性能,同时高丰度Thauera属可能是维持低温短程反硝化活性的重要原因.     

氨基改性生物炭负载纳米零价铁去除水中Cr(VI)

以聚乙烯亚胺（PEI）为功能单体,玉米秸秆生物炭为载体,制备了氨基改性生物炭负载型纳米零价铁（nZVI@PEI-HBC）,并利用扫描电镜（SEM）、红外光谱（FTIR）和X射线光电子能谱（XPS）等手段对材料进行了表征,分析了溶液pH、温度、材料投加量等因素对其去除Cr（VI）的影响及其去除机理.结果表明：在投加量为0.5 g·L^-1,温度为20℃,pH值为5,Cr（VI）初始浓度为20 mg·L^-1条件下,各材料对Cr（VI）的去除率大小为nZVI@PEI-HBC > nZVI > PEI-HBC > HBC.SEM显示nZVI颗粒较均匀地分散在生物炭表面,FTIR分析表明PEI改性后材料表面增加了氨基等重金属配位基团,这可能是nZVI@PEI-HBC去除Cr（VI）效果更好的原因.影响因素研究表明,材料具有较好稳定性,老化28 d后其Cr（VI）去除性能变化不大;酸性环境、升温、增大材料投加量均有利于nZVI@PEI-HBC对Cr（VI）的去除.机理研究发现,水中溶解氧加速了nZVI的腐蚀和Fe（II）的释放,促进Cr（VI）还原为Cr（III）,然后通过共沉淀作用和氨基等基团的吸附作用被去除.