The independent origin of a queen number bottleneck that promotes cooperation in the African swarm-founding wasp, Polybioides tabidus

When cooperation is based on shared genetic interests, as in most social insect colonies, mechanisms which increase the genetic similarity of group members may help to maintain sociality. Such mechanisms can be especially important in colonies with many queens because within-colony relatedness drops quickly as queen number increases. Using microsatellite markers, we examined the Old World, multiple-queen, swarm-founding wasp Polybioides tabidus which belongs to the ropalidiine tribe, and found that relatedness among the workers was four times higher than what would be expected based on queen number alone. Relatedness was elevated by a pattern of queen production known as cyclical oligogyny, under which, queen number varies, and daughter queens are produced only after the number of old queens has reduced to one or a very few. As a result, the queens are highly related, often as full sisters, elevating relatedness among their progeny, the workers. This pattern of queen production is driven by collective worker control of the sex ratios. Workers are three times more highly related to females than to males in colonies with a single queen while they are more equally related to males and females in colonies with more queens. As a result of this difference, workers will prefer to produce new queens in colonies with a single queen and males in colonies with many queens. Cyclical oligogyny has also evolved independently in another group of swarm-founding wasps, the Neotropical epiponine wasps, suggesting that collective worker control of sex ratios is widespread in polistine wasps. Received: 22 May 2000 / Revised: 24 August 2000 / Accepted: 4 September 2000     

Anaerobic biodegradation of benzene series compounds by mixed cultures based on optional electronic acceptors

A series of batch experiments were performed using mixed bacterial consortia to investigate biodegradation performance of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and three xylene isomers （BTEX） under nitrate, sulfate and ferric iron reducing conditions. The results showed that toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene and o-xylene could be degraded independently by the mixed cultures coupled to nitrate, sulfate and ferric iron reduction. Under ferric iron reducing conditions the biodegradation of benzene and p-xylene could be occurred only in the presence of other alkylbenzenes. Alkylbenzenes can serve as the primary subs＇rates to stimulate the transformation of benzene and p-xylene under anaerobic conditions. Benzene and p-xylene are more toxic than toluene and ethylbenzene, under the three terminal electron acceptors conditions, the degradation rates decreased with toluene 〉 ethylbenzene 〉 m-xylene 〉 o-xylene〉 benzene 〉 p- xylene. Nitrate was a more favorable electron acceptor compared to sulfate and ferric iron. The ratio between sulfate consumed and the loss of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene was 4.44, 4.51, 4.42, 4.32, 4.37 and 4.23, respectively; the ratio between nitrate consumed and the loss of these substrates was 7.53, 6.24, 6.49, 7.28, 7.81, 7.61, respectively; the ratio between the consumption of ferric iron and the loss of toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene was 17.99, 18.04, 18.07, 17.97, respectively.     

Women and children last: An essay on sex discrimination in disasters

In general, little attention has been given to differential survival between the sexes in disasters. Consideration of physiological differences between males and females would suggest that, all things being equal, morbidity and mortality after disaster, particularly where food shortage is involved, should indicate an excess male mortality. Such statistics as exist in disasters, as in chronic underdevelopment, show that it is females and especially girl children who are at highest risk. The basis of this lies in sex discrimination which is implicit in most social systems.     

Photocatalytic degradation of PCP-Na with TiO2 photocatalysis loaded with platinum

Titanium dioxide(TiO2) samples of different crystal forms were prepared by hydrolysis tetrbutyl titanate in various water to alkoxide ratios and sintering the hydrolysis product at different temperatures.The photocatalysts coated on hollow glass beads and loaded with platinum varying from 0.2% to 2.4% by weight.The photocatalytic degradation rate of sodium pentachlorophenolate (PCP-Na) depends on the preparing conditions such as:sintering temperatures,water to alkoxide ratios(R),platinum content and the size.The proper conditions of preparation photocatalysts are as follows:the ratio of tiO2:sodium silicate:hollow glass beads:platinum is 10:5:20:0.15(w/w),R is 100,sintering temperature is 650℃,and the size of hollow glass is 0.5-1mm.Under these conditions,the ratio between acatase and rutile of the photocatalyst is 2:1,and the photocatalytic activity is high.     

Nutrient dynamics in shallow lakes of northern greece

GOAL, SCOPE, BACKGROUND: Shallow lakes display a number of features that set them apart from the more frequently studied deeper systems. The majority of lakes in Northern Greece are small to moderate in size with a relatively low depth and are considered as sites of high value of the wetland habitat. However, the water quality of these lakes has only been evaluated segmentally and occasionally. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to thoroughly investigate nitrogen and phosphorus speciation in lakes of a high ecological significance located in N. Greece, in order to evaluate their eutrophication status and possible nutrient limitation factors, and to investigate the main factors/sources that affect the water quality of these systems. METHODS: An extensive survey was carried out during the period from 1998-1999. Water samples were collected on a monthly basis from lakes Koronia, Volvi, Doirani, Mikri Prespa and Megali Prespa located in N. Greece. Water quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity), organic indices (COD, BOD5), and N- and P-species (NO3(-), NO2(-), NH4(+), and PO4(3-), Kieldahl nitrogen and acid-hydrolysable phosphorus) were determined according to standard methods for surface water. Statistical treatment of the data was employed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The physicochemical parameters determined in the lakes studied revealed a high temporal variation. The trophic state of the lakes ranged from meso- to hypertrophic. The nutrient limiting factor varied among lakes suggesting either P-limitation conditions or mixed conditions changing from P- to N-limitation throughout the year. Urban/industrial activities and agricultural runoff are the major factors affecting all lakes, although with a varying contribution. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: This lake-specific research offers valuable information about water quality and nutrient dynamics in lakes of significant ecological value located in N. Greece that can be useful for an effective pollution control/management of these systems. Due to the large intra-annual variability of certain physicochemical parameters, a properly designed monitoring program of lake water is recommended.     

Occurrence and attenuation of specific organic compounds in the groundwater plume at a former gasworks site

The changing contaminant pattern with travelled distance was investigated in the anaerobic groundwater plume downstream from an extended zone containing residual NAPL at a former gas manufacturing plant. With increasing distance, O- and N-heterocyclic aromatic compounds are enriched in the plume relative to the usually assessed coal tar constituents (poly- and monocyclic aromatic compounds). In a first approximation, the overall concentration decrease of the investigated compounds follows a first order overall decay. The half life distance in the plume downgradient from the source varied between 20 m for benzene and up to 167-303 m for alkyl-naphthalenes. Acenaphthene is degraded only within about 50 m downstream from the source area, then its concentration remains constant (ca. 180 microg/l) and far above the legal limit. Dimethyl-benzofurans were the most recalcitrant among all compounds which could be quantified with the analytical method available. The overall groundwater contamination in the plume is seriously underestimated if only BTEX and 16-EPA-PAHs are monitored.     

Multi-element analysis of road-deposited sediment in an urban drainage basin, Honolulu, Hawaii

Road-deposited sediment (RDS) and its associated contaminant load play a critical role in degrading receiving water bodies. Few quantitative multi-element RDS studies exist, and there are none from Hawaii. This lack of baseline data combined with concerns with high concentrations of Pb and Cu in fish and enrichment of Cu, Pb and Zn in bed sediments from Manoa Stream, Hawaii, lead to a detailed characterization of RDSs in Manoa basin. Data for a total analysis of 23 elements using inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis and 16 elements using a 0.5 M HCl partial leach are presented for RDSs and background soils. Concentration data, comparisons with environmental guidelines, and concentration enrichment ratios (CERs) all indicate that RDS in Manoa has a significant degree of anthropogenic pollution. The most environmentally important elements were Pb, Sb and Zn. Concentrations of these elements, primarily vehicle contributed, compare favorably with those from other studies of RDS. The high mean concentration of Pb (151 mg/kg) compared to background soils (13 mg/kg) indicates remobilization of Pb previously stored in soils and transported to road surfaces by water erosion processes. The higher Pb CER(Total) in RDSs compared to bed sediments from Manoa Stream suggests a potential link via ubiquitous storm drains and subsequent dilution with less contaminated fluvial sediments. Data from the HCl leach also support Pb and Zn as having significant anthropogenic signals, and Cu having a moderate signal. These data indicate that RDSs in Manoa basin are generally contaminated with certain potentially toxic elements and the legacy of past use of leaded gasoline is still a concern in this urban drainage system.     

呼包鄂地区沙尘期间大气污染特征研究

为研究沙尘天气下典型大气污染特征,选择呼和浩特市、包头市、鄂尔多斯市（简称"呼包鄂地区"）为研究对象,分析了呼包鄂地区2016年春季3月1日-5月31日的PM₁₀与PM_2.5数据,利用CMB（化学质量平衡）受体模型、后向轨迹模型研究了呼包鄂地区污染源的特征,通过富集因子法评估了人类活动对沙尘天气的影响,最终通过特征比值法对沙尘天气与非沙尘天气进行了区分.结果表明:①沙尘天气与非沙尘天气时,呼包鄂地区PM₁₀、PM_2.5中主要化学组分均为Si、Ca、Al、Fe、OC、SO₄2-与NO₃-.沙尘天气时,ρ（PM₁₀）与ρ（PM_2.5）的差值大于非沙尘天气,较高的ρ（Al）、ρ（Si）、ρ（Ca）说明呼包鄂地区受到较大的沙尘天气影响.②CMB受体模型源解析结果表明,沙尘天气时扬尘源对PM₁₀与PM_2.5的贡献率分别为59.3%、48.7%,说明PM₁₀和PM_2.5的主要污染源均为扬尘源.后向轨迹模式模拟表明,呼包鄂地区的沙尘主要来自其西北部地区.③元素Na、K、Mg的EF（富集因子）在PM₁₀与PM_2.5中均大于1.0,Si、Cu的EF在PM_2.5中均大于1.0,但在PM₁₀中小于或等于1.0;依据EF表征级别,自然因素对PM_2.5和PM₁₀的影响程度均较大,并且PM_2.5受人类活动影响的程度大于PM₁₀.通过特征比值发现,ρ（Si）/ρ（Al）大于1.7且ρ（Si）/ρ（Fe）大于2.2可作为呼包鄂地区典型沙尘天气的界定.研究显示,呼包鄂地区春季受到较大程度的沙尘影响,这些沙尘主要来自其西北部地区,通过特征比值法可以对呼包鄂地区沙尘天气进行界定.      

上甸子区域背景站VOCs污染特征及其对臭氧生成贡献

大气中的挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds,VOCs)作为对流层臭氧和二次有机气溶胶的前体物,在光化学反应和细颗粒物污染中发挥着重要的作用.本研究于2017年9月1～27日在上甸子区域背景站开展VOCs的连续在线观测,对VOCs的浓度水平,时空变化特征,化学反应活性及其对臭氧生成的贡献进行了研究,并运用特征物种比值法对初始VOCs的来源进行了分析.结果表明, 2017年9月上甸子站总VOCs平均体积分数为12.53×10~(-9),其中,烷烃是体积分数最大的组分,占到了总VOCs的65.3%,其次是烯烃和芳香烃,分别占到了总VOCs的26.7%和6.5%.从大气化学活性来看,上甸子站总的L~(·OH)(·OH损耗率)为5.2 s~(-1),其中C4～C5烯烃占到了61%,其次是C2～C3烯烃,占到了12.8%.VOCs的臭氧生成潜势平均值为36.5×10~(-9),烯烃是贡献最大的组分,占到了71.2%.烯烃中又以C4～C5烯烃的贡献最为突出,而体积分数较大的烷烃对臭氧生成的贡献却不大.对特征物种的比值研究发现,上甸子站VOCs受生物质燃烧和燃煤排放的影响较大,除此之外,交通排放源也有一定的影响,完全不受工业排放源的影响.     

基于动态质量平衡的室内颗粒物沉降规律研究

目前室内颗粒物污染问题已经受到广泛关注.越来越多的流行病学研究表明,大气悬浮颗粒物浓度对人体健康存在显著的负影响.由于个人在室内滞留的时间可能超过全天时间的90％,因此剖析室外颗粒物向室内的传输渗透机理,对掌握室内微环境下的颗粒浓度水平至关重要.本实验以青岛一办公室为研究对象,使用具有4个尺寸间隔的光学计数器同时测量室内和室外的颗粒物浓度,粒径分布范围在0.3~2.5μm,采集时间为2016年4月~9月.根据实验数据,采用基于时间的动态质量平衡模型,估算了换气次数在0.03~0.25h^-1范围内的室内颗粒物渗透率和沉降速率分别为0.45~0.82h^-1和0.94~2.82m/h,并分析了这些参数随粒径大小的变化规律.其结论为进一步研究颗粒物在室内的传输机理和运动轨迹提供参数.