A western gray whale mitigation and monitoring program for a 3-D seismic survey, Sakhalin Island, Russia

The introduction of anthropogenic sounds into the marine environment can impact some marine mammals. Impacts can be greatly reduced if appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring are implemented. This paper concerns such measures undertaken by Exxon Neftegas Limited, as operator of the Sakhalin-1 Consortium, during the Odoptu 3-D seismic survey conducted during 17 August–9 September 2001. The key environmental issue was protection of the critically endangered western gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), which feeds in summer and fall primarily in the Piltun feeding area off northeast Sakhalin Island. Existing mitigation and monitoring practices for seismic surveys in other jurisdictions were evaluated to identify best practices for reducing impacts on feeding activity by western gray whales. Two buffer zones were established to protect whales from physical injury or undue disturbance during feeding. A 1 km buffer protected all whales from exposure to levels of sound energy potentially capable of producing physical injury. A 4–5 km buffer was established to avoid displacing western gray whales from feeding areas. Trained Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) on the seismic ship Nordic Explorer had the authority to shut down the air guns if whales were sighted within these buffers. Additional mitigation measures were also incorporated: Temporal mitigation was provided by rescheduling the program from June–August to August–September to avoid interference with spring arrival of migrating gray whales. The survey area was reduced by 19% to avoid certain waters <20 m deep where feeding whales concentrated and where seismic acquisition was a lower priority. The number of air guns and total volume of the air guns were reduced by about half (from 28 to 14 air guns and from 3,390 in³ to 1,640 in³) relative to initial plans. “Ramp-up” (=“soft-start”) procedures were implemented. Monitoring activities were conducted as needed to implement some mitigation measures, and to assess residual impacts. Aerial and vessel-based surveys determined the distribution of whales before, during and after the seismic survey. Daily aerial reconnaissance helped verify whale-free areas and select the sequence of seismic lines to be surveyed. A scout vessel with MMOs aboard was positioned 4 km shoreward of the active seismic vessel to provide better visual coverage of the 4–5 km buffer and to help define the inshore edge of the 4–5 km buffer. A second scout vessel remained near the seismic vessel. Shore-based observers determined whale numbers, distribution, and behavior during and after the seismic survey. Acoustic monitoring documented received sound levels near and in the main whale feeding area. Statistical analyses of aerial survey data indicated that about 5–10 gray whales moved away from waters near (inshore of) the seismic survey during seismic operations. They shifted into the core gray whale feeding area farther south, and the proportion of gray whales observed feeding did not change over the study period. Five shutdowns of the air guns were invoked for gray whales seen within or near the buffer. A previously unknown gray whale feeding area (the Offshore feeding area) was discovered south and offshore from the nearshore Piltun feeding area. The Offshore area has subsequently been shown to be used by feeding gray whales during several years when no anthropogenic activity occurred near the Piltun feeding area. Shore-based counts indicated that whales continued to feed inshore of the Odoptu block throughout the seismic survey, with no significant correlation between gray whale abundance and seismic activity. Average values of most behavioral parameters were similar to those without seismic surveys. Univariate analysis showed no correlation between seismic sound levels and any behavioral parameter. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, after allowance for environmental covariates, 5 of 11 behavioral parameters were statistically correlated with estimated seismic survey-related variables; 6 of 11 behavioral parameters were not statistically correlated with seismic survey-related variables. Behavioral parameters that were correlated with seismic variables were transient and within the range of variation attributable to environmental effects. Acoustic monitoring determined that the 4–5 km buffer zone, in conjunction with reduction of the air gun array to 14 guns and 1,640 in³, was effective in limiting sound exposure. Within the Piltun feeding area, these mitigation measures were designed to insure that western gray whales were not exposed to received levels exceeding the 163 dB re 1 μPa (rms) threshold. This was among the most complex and intensive mitigation programs ever conducted for any marine mammal. It provided valuable new information about underwater sounds and gray whale responses during a nearshore seismic program that will be useful in planning future work. Overall, the efforts in 2001 were successful in reducing impacts to levels tolerable by western gray whales. Research in 2002–2005 suggested no biologically significant or population-level impacts of the 2001 seismic survey. M. W. Newcomer is deceased.     

湛江东海岛地下水入海排泄量估算及其影响研究

在分析广东省湛江市东海岛的区域水文地质特征及地下水开发利用特点的基础上,构建了地下水入海排泄量估算模型,以估算地下水入海排泄量和携带入海的营养盐量。结果表明,估算得到的2009年东海岛地下水入海排泄总量为133.8×104m3,其中携带入海的营养盐总量为5 157.98kg,地下水的携带入海成为近岸海域陆域营养盐入海排泄的主要途径;研究区位于沿海地带的砂堤砂地潜水分布区以及位于海岸地带的湛江组浅部潜水—微承压水含水层分布区等局部地段,存在地下水入海排泄量的低值区,可能存在海水入侵风险。     

Impact of the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, on the groundwater regime at Neill Island (south Andaman)

The aquifer and groundwater regime has been affected by the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, particularly on the islands and coastal regions of India. The groundwater regime on many islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands, which is the only source of fresh water on the islands, has been found to be deteriorated. Detailed hydrogeological studies have been carried out at one of the tiny islands of Andaman, namely Neill Island, and results have been compared with prior observations. It has been found that the shell limestone aquifer at a few places has developed cracks due to the earthquake and these openings have allowed quick movement of seawater into the aquifer resulting into deterioration of groundwater quality. In the places where the aquifer is at sea level, the tsunami waves have caused seawater ingress. Most parts of the island which have hard mudstone as a base and where the aquifer lies much above sea level, did not show any change in groundwater regime.     

彭佳屿岛春季TSP中痕量金属组成及其来源解析

通过大气环流向海洋大气边界层传输的人为源和陆源物质,明显改变了海洋气溶胶中痕量金属的组成.但基于开阔海域岛屿连续观测研究海洋气溶胶中痕量金属元素组成及其来源的研究较少.2010年3—5月在我国台湾北部东海海域彭佳屿岛采集了60个TSP（总悬浮颗粒物）样品,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（ICP-MS）分析了19种痕量金属（Al、Fe、Ti、Y、Mn、Ba、Sr、Co、Cr、V、Ni、Tl、Zn、Sn、Pb、As、Cd、Sb、Se）的质量浓度.基于TSP中Al浓度、气团后向轨迹分析和美国国家宇航局CALIPSO卫星星载激光雷达扫描图像,将采集的TSP分为非沙尘TSP（不受沙尘影响的TSP）和沙尘TSP（受沙尘影响的TSP）.沙尘TSP中所有痕量金属的浓度都高于非沙尘TSP,表明沙尘对彭佳屿岛TSP中痕量金属有贡献.结合富集因子、相关性分析和PMF模型研究结果表明,彭佳屿岛春季非沙尘TSP中Al、Fe、Ti和Y主要来源于地壳矿物,Mn、Ba、Sr、Co和Cr同时受地壳矿物和人为源的影响;沙尘TSP中Al、Fe、Ti、Y、Mn、Ba、Sr、Co和Cr主要来源于地壳矿物.V和Ni在彭佳屿岛春季非沙尘TSP中主要来源于燃料油燃烧,而在沙尘TSP中同时受燃料油燃烧和地壳矿物的影响.非沙尘TSP和沙尘TSP中,Tl、Zn、As、Sn、Pb、Cd、Sb和Se的来源相似.Tl主要源于交通和煤燃烧,Zn、Sn、Pb、Cd和Sb同时来源于交通、煤和燃料油燃烧,As主要来源于煤燃烧,Se则主要来源于煤和燃料油燃烧.研究显示,人为源释放到大气中的Tl、Zn、As、Sn、Pb、Cd、Sb和Se可以通过大气环流长距离传输至开阔海域.      

大金山岛土壤重金属污染评价及相关性分析

大金山岛是上海自然陆地海拔最高点,为了探明大金山岛陆域土壤重金属污染状况及其相关性,本研究以网格法及蛇形采样法进行布点采样,采用单因子污染指数法及潜在生态危害指数法对大金山岛陆域土壤环境重金属污染状况进行评价.结果表明,大金山岛陆域土壤重金属基本符合一级土壤标准,其中Cd有轻微污染,样品超标率为85.4%;其次是Pb,超标率为26.8%;Zn和Cu未超标.Pb-Cu、Pb-Zn、Cu-Zn之间在P=0.05水平有显著正相关性,说明其同源性较高,受成土母质影响很大,这也间接说明大金山岛被保护尚好,受人为活动影响较小.     

海南岛西部非农用地土壤中的稀土元素地球化学特征

对海南岛西部发育典型的12个非农业土壤剖面REE的组成特征及其纵向变化规律进行研究发现,区内非农业土壤剖面不同层位之间的稀土元素具有一定的继承性,风化成土的基岩奠定了土壤中稀土元素的初始含量及土壤中呈现的LREE富集与Eu亏损的特点,而成土过程中稀土元素分异作用则进一步加剧土壤中LREE的富集和Eu亏损,土壤剖面浅部的氧化和水解作用致使Ce在浅层土壤中的富集,并导致由剖面深部至浅部,Ce呈现出正异常增大之趋势。区内稀土元素的赋存状态与稀土元素性质及其所处的土壤地球化学环境有密切联系,同一层中不同形态稀土元素含量总体上表现为残渣态>Fe-Mn结合态>有机态>可交换态(含水溶态)>碳酸盐态,而往土壤深部,残渣态所占比例逐步增大,Fe-Mn结合态、有机态与可交换态(含水溶态)所占比例逐步降低。     

海南岛西部农用地表层土壤重金属富集研究

对海南岛西部农业用地表层土壤进行了7种重金属元素含量测定,重金属元素的富集指数计算和相关性分析。结果表明：海南岛西部农业用地表层土壤中重金属元素富集程度大小依次为As〉Pb〉Zn〉Cu〉Ni〉Cd〉Cr。各采样点Cr、Cd和Cu元素处于贫乏状态,As和Pb元素达到严重富集,可能与当地农业活动密切相关。相关性分析表明,研究区土壤表层中重金属As与Pb元素可能存在复合富集与复合污染,应引起高度重视。     

海南岛吊罗山植物群落特征和物种多样性分析

根据吊罗山自然保护区不同海拔6个植物群落的样方资料,分析了吊罗山植物群落结构特征和物种多样性,同时比较了吊罗山植物群落与邻近地区植物群落的组成特征。研究结果表明吊罗山低地雨林乔木层以蝴蝶树、青梅、高山榕、粘木、长脐红豆、海南柿、肉实树和海南木莲为主,灌木层以白颜树、白茶、柏拉木和九节为主;山地雨林以陆均松、鸡毛松、黄叶树、阿丁枫、扫把青冈和海南杨桐为优势种;山顶常绿矮林则以山地常绿阔叶林陆均松、琼崖柯、岭南青冈和油丹等种类的矮化为特征。植物群落Shannon-Wiener物种多样性指数分析表明,吊罗山植物群落物种多样性在空间的变化基本上表现为随海拔梯度增加而降低,次生林物种多样性最低,山地雨林和山顶矮林物种均匀度指数最高,群落优势种明显。     

长三角背景点夏季大气PM2.5中正构烷烃和多环芳烃的污染特征和来源解析

为探讨长三角背景点有机气溶胶的污染特征和来源,于2018年夏季在崇明岛进行了为期3个月的PM_2.5样品昼夜采集,使用气相色谱-质谱技术分析其中正构烷烃(normal alkanes,n-alkanes)和多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)的质量浓度和分子组成,并结合后向轨迹和正交矩阵(positive matrix factorization,PMF)解析其来源.结果表明,观测期间崇明岛PM_2.5的质量浓度为(33±21)μg·m^-3,低于国家空气质量一级标准(GB3095-2012,35μg·m^-3),但仍有部分时段污染较重,超标率为35%.其中n-alkanes和PAHs的浓度均值分别为(26±44) ng·m^-3和(0. 76±1. 0) ng·m^-3,污染期(PM_2.5≥35μg·m^-3)比清洁期(PM_2.5<15μg·m     

Genetically informed captive breeding of hybrids of an extinct species of Galapagos tortoise

Hybridization poses a major challenge for species conservation because it threatens both genetic integrity and adaptive potential. Yet, hybridization can occasionally offer unprecedented opportunity for species recovery if the genome of an extinct taxon is present among living hybrids such that selective breeding could recapture it. We explored the design elements for establishing a captive-breeding program for Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.) built around individuals with admixed ancestry involving an extinct species. The target individuals were hybrids between the extinct species from Floreana Island, C. niger, and an extant species, C. becki, which were recently found in the endemic range of C. becki, from Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island. We combined genotypic data from 35 tortoises with high ancestry from C. niger with forward-in-time simulations to explore captive breeding strategies that maximized overall genetic diversity and ancestry from C. niger while accommodating resource constraints, species biology, and the urgency to return tortoises to Floreana Island for facilitating ecosystem restoration. Overall genetic diversity was maximized when in the simulation tortoises were organized in relatively small breeding groups. Substantial amounts of the C. niger genome were captured despite limited resources available for selectively breeding tortoises in captivity. Genetic diversity was maximized when captive-bred offspring were released to the wild rather than being used as additional breeders. Our results provide genetic-based and practical guidance on the inclusion of hybrids with genomic representation from extinct taxa into species restoration programs and informs the ongoing debate on the value of hybrids in biodiversity conservation.