High individual variation in pheromone production by tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Aggregation via pheromone signalling is essential for tree-killing bark beetles to overcome tree defenses and reproduce within hosts. Pheromone production is a trait that is linked to fitness, so high individual variation is paradoxical. One explanation is that the technique of measuring static pheromone pools overestimates true variation among individuals. An alternative hypothesis is that aggregation behaviour dilutes the contribution of individuals to the trait under selection and reduces the efficacy of natural selection on pheromone production by individuals. We compared pheromone measurements from traditional hindgut extractions of female southern pine beetles with those obtained by aerating individuals till they died. Aerations showed greater total pheromone production than hindgut extractions, but coefficients of variation (CV) remained high (60-182%) regardless of collection technique. This leaves the puzzle of high variation unresolved. A novel but simple explanation emerges from considering bark beetle aggregation behaviour. The phenotype visible to natural selection is the collective pheromone plume from hundreds of colonisers. The influence of a single beetle on this plume is enhanced by high variation among individuals but constrained by large group sizes. We estimated the average contribution of an individual to the pheromone plume across a range of aggregation sizes and showed that large aggregation sizes typical in mass attacks limit the potential of natural selection because each individual has so little effect on the overall plume. Genetic variation in pheromone production could accumulate via mutation and recombination, despite strong effects of the pheromone plume on the fitness of individuals within the aggregation. Thus, aggregation behaviour, by limiting the efficacy of natural selection, can allow the persistence of extreme phenotypes in nature.     

中国水泥生产工艺的生命周期对比分析及建议

为了定量分析各种水泥生产工艺造成的环境影响以及工艺替代时可能造成的环境问题转移,采用生命周期评价(Life Cycle Assessment,LCA)方法,建立了大型、中型、小型新型干法、传统立窑、新型半干法(JT窑)5种典型水泥生产工艺从原材料开采到熟料生产的生命周期模型,对比分析了以上工艺生命周期过程中能耗、温室效应、酸化、可吸入无机物等主要环境影响类型的差异,提出并计算了大型新型干法替代其他工艺时的"平衡运输距离",并推导了其一般表达式.结果表明,由于大型新型干法工艺氮氧化物排放较多,使得工艺替代时可能伴随着环境问题从能耗、温室效应向酸化、可吸入无机物等影响类型转移;同时,由于产能增加,大型新型干法工艺也可能导致环境影响从生产阶段向运输阶段转移.从本文的案例研究可以看出,LCA方法可以定量分析不同环境影响类型之间和不同生命周期阶段之间的环境问题转移,能为技术评价和相关政策制定及实现全社会节能减排目标提供科学的依据与建议.     

青海湖西北部泉吉乡附近土壤入渗规律研究

通过对青海湖 地区刚察县泉吉乡草地土壤入渗实验、孔隙度测定与粒度测定,研究了高 草地土壤与低草地土壤的入渗特征和土壤蓄水性。结果表明,研究区域内高草地土壤的稳定入渗 率较大,平均为3.1 mm·min^-1;低草地土壤的稳定入渗率较小,平均为1.6 mm·min^-1;高草地达 到稳定入渗的时间较低草地短80 min 左右。通用经验公式对青海湖泉吉乡高草地土壤入渗实验 数据的拟合最为适合,而霍顿公式对于低草地土壤入渗实验数据拟合最为适合。高草地草本植物 根系发育深,受根系影响的土壤疏松层较低草地深厚是造成高草地土壤渗透性较低草地大的主要 原因。青海湖土壤粒度成分较粗,土层薄是该区土壤稳定入渗率较黄土大和在较短时间内能够达 到稳定入渗状态的主要原因。虽然青海湖地区土壤渗透性较强,但该区土壤厚度较小,土壤水库 蓄水能力有限,调蓄能力较差,不能满足乔森林发育的需要,但基本能够满足草原植被生长的需要。     

仪征市水环境承载力研究

基于仪征市水资源利用现状,利用供需平衡法计算仪征市水资源承载力;通过对仪征市水环境容量的计算,推算仪征市容量承载力。建立＂可利用用水量—废水排放量—废水目标排放量＂关系式,确定仪征市水环境承载力。     

水热处理泔脚脱油与产物消化性能变化

水热预处理泔脚废物,测定生物化学甲烷势(BMP),研究废物脱油、水解和消化性能的变化.结果表明,预处理加速废物的溶解和有机物的水解.随着反应温度升高,产物pH 降低,SCOD 和VFA浓度显著升高.150℃、 60 min预处理后,可浮油含量增加并达到较好的分离效果,消化过程在4～6 d内完成,降解速率提高1倍.170℃预处理后4 d生物气产量最高,继续提高温度会降低产物甲烷势.能量衡算分析表明,优化预处理能耗合理.     

Natech guide words: A new approach to assess and manage natech risk to ensure business continuity

The risk posed by natural hazards to the technological systems is known as Natech risk. It is different from the more widely known and studied risk posed by such sites to the environment and society. Though currently, available risk assessment techniques recognize Natech, the specific qualitative technique for Natech risk assessment and reduction has not yet been developed. After analyzing past data of Natech accidents, relevant guide words have been suggested in this study. These guide words will help anticipate Natech risk and visualize the Natech scenario. Once the Natech risk is identified, corresponding risk reduction measures can be taken to avoid possible Natech accidents and consequences.     

用于湿法净化黑烟表面活性剂筛选的数学模型研究

湿法净化燃煤窑炉中的黑烟,关键在于表面活性剂对炭黑的润湿、增溶和降低表面张力作用.根据研究筛选的数学模型,计算AEO-9和SDBS混合表面活性剂溶液的亲水亲油平衡值HLB、临界胶束浓度CMC与胶束形成吉布斯自由能ΔG0mf.通过实验测得不同配比AEO-9和SDBS溶液的CMC和处于该CMC时黑烟的去除效率η,分析混合溶液中HLB、CMC、ΔG0mf与η的关系,建立新的数学模型.结果表明,理论CMC与实测CMC吻合度较好;HLB与ln[CMC]线性相关;ΔG0mf与η存在二次函数关系.降低CMC可以有效增大HLB,增加溶解度,减小形成胶束的吉布斯自由能,降低表面张力,使形成胶束的反应更容易自发进行,有效提高黑烟去除效率.     

Mercury removals by existing pollutants control devices of four coal-fired power plants in China

The mercury removals by existing pollution control devices in four coal-fired power plants of China were carried out based on a measurement method with the aluminum matrix sorbent.     

垃圾渗沥液调节池的出水工艺探讨

为了保证调节所需的容积,垃圾渗沥液调节池一般占地面积和池深均较大,如何将调节池内的渗沥液输送至渗沥液处理设施是工程实践中经常面对的问题.本文在对各种垃圾渗沥液调节池出水工艺进行介绍、分析和对比的基础上,对渗沥液调节池的出水工艺的选择提出了建议.     

利用第二缺氧段硝酸盐氮浓度作为MUCT工艺运行控制参数

以模拟生活污水为对象考察了第二缺氧段硝酸盐氮质量浓度(SNO-3)作为MUCT工艺运行控制参数的可行性.将进水COD质量浓度恒定为(290±10)mg.L-1,TN质量浓度恒定为(55±0.5)mg.L-1,TP质量浓度恒定为(7.0±0.5)mg.L-1,改变第二缺氧段硝酸盐氮质量浓度以比较各段出水TN和TP质量浓度.结果表明,SNO-3值显著影响着出水TN和TP质量浓度,控制内循环回流量维持SNO-3为2.5 mg.L-1,可实现MUCT工艺的最优控制.利用各段硝酸盐氮和TP平均质量浓度进行的物料平衡计算结果表明SNO-3是影响厌氧段释磷量、第一缺氧段和第二缺氧段硝酸盐氮反应量、第二缺氧段吸磷量的重要参数.