Liver and renal histopathology of North Atlantic long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) contaminated with heavy metals and organochlorine compounds

Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) from the Faroe Islands are known to be heavily polluted with contaminants, such as mercury (Hg) and organochlorine compounds (OC). This is postulated to exert adverse health effects on whales as well as the human population who rely on its meat and blubber as food sources. It was therefore decided to conduct a screening pilot study to determine contaminant concentrations and histopathology of liver and renal tissues in a total of 14 specimens from this subpopulation. In blubber, the mean ∑OC concentration was 31,887 ng g^?1 lw (range: 18,170–47,425 ng g^?1 lw) of which ∑PCB concentration was 23,416 ng g^?1 lw (range: 13,947–34,543 ng g^?1 lw; n = 3). In liver, mean Hg concentration was 138 µg^?1 ww (range: 54–351 µg g^?1 ww; n = 7) and mean cadmium (Cd) concentration 15 µg g^?1 ww (range: 7–31 µg g^?1 ww; n = 7). In the kidney, the mean Cd concentration was 36 µg g^?1 ww (range: 23–47 µg g^?1 ww; n = 7). Of the liver Hg concentrations, two were at the suggested toxic threshold levels of 60 µg g^?1 ww and five were 2–6-fold above. Liver selenium (Se) : Hg was on average 1.11 (range: 0.97–1.41; n = 7) indicating that Se was in excess, which decreased the risk of acute Hg poisoning. Histopathological examinations showed high prevalence (>35%) of renal glomerular arteriosclerosis, glomerular capillary dilatation, dilatation and hyalinization of Bowman's space/capsule and tubular hyaline casts. In liver tissue, high prevalence was found for portal cell infiltrates, lipid granulomas, hepatocytic lipid accumulation, bile duct proliferation, lipid-filled Ito cells, and focal necrosis. In a single juvenile male, 4 of 8 renal and 3 of 7 liver lesions were present. Cadmium concentrations increased significantly in the presence of glomerular arteriosclerosis and a similar trend was found for tubular hyaline casts. Based on these findings, as well as the nature of the lesions, data indicate that the histopathological changes were a result of age and that contaminants are likely to be the co-factors in the development in at least three renal and four liver lesions.     

Microfinance institutions and a coastal community's disaster risk reduction,response, and recovery process: a case study of Hatiya,Bangladesh

Several researchers have examined the role of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in poverty alleviation, but the part that they play in disaster risk reduction remains unaddressed. Through an empirical study of Hatiya Island, one of the most vulnerable coastal communities of Bangladesh, this research evaluates perceptions of MFI support for the disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery process. The findings reveal no change in relation to risk reduction and income and occupation aspects for more than one‐half of the clients of MFIs. In addition, only 26 per cent of them have witnessed less damage as a result of being members of MFIs. One can argue, though, that the longer the membership time period the better the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery process. The outcomes of this study could help to guide the current efforts of MFIs to enhance the ability of coastal communities to prepare for and to recover from disasters efficiently and effectively.     

生态破坏等级的自然度研究及应用——以海南岛为例

本文讨论了生态环境评价中的自然度方法,并考虑土壤的重要性,提出了土壤自然度的概念和综合自然度评价方法,为生态破坏研究提供了一种比较客观简捷的分析手段。      

海南岛东部陆架表层沉积物重金属污染评价

对海南岛东部陆架29个站位的表层沉积物重金属元素(Cu、Cr、As、Pb、Zn和Cd)进行了含量测试及分布特征分析,采用地累积指数(I_geo)、富集因子(EF)和潜在生态危害指数对其进行了评价.研究结果表明:重金属含量空间分布趋势较为相似,呈现出由陆向海略微减小的趋势.6种重金属元素可能有相同或相似的来源,但Pb和As受到了人类活动影响.以上地壳和海南岛近岸未受污染沉积物为背景值的I_geo和EF值排序有所不同.研究区单项潜在生态危害系数平均值排序为Cd> As> Cu> Pb> Cr> Zn,Cu、Cr、Pb和Zn等4种重金属为轻微潜在生态危害,As和Cd在个别站位达到了中等潜在生态危害水平.综合潜在生态危害指数评价结果显示,研究区绝大多数站位处于轻微潜在生态危害水平.潜在生态危害水平相对较高的区域邻近万泉河、陵水河和三亚河河口.     

A 700-year record of mercury in avian eggshells of Guangjin Island, South China Sea

Ancient eggshells over the past 700 years were extracted from an ornithogenic sediment profile on Guangjin Island, South China Sea. Based on SEM and nitrogen isotope analyses, we determined that neither post-depositional processes nor seabirds’ dietary changes had a large influence on eggshell Hg levels. The historical change of Hg in these eggshells was reconstructed. Eggshell Hg was a marker for past Hg deposition in marine environment. The eggshell Hg showed three small peaks at around 1300AD, 1600 AD and 1700-1750AD and rapid increase since 1800 AD. Before 1970 AD the Hg deposition in the Xisha area had global distribution characteristics, with increased Hg emissions due to global anthropogenic activities in industrial times. However, after 1970 AD, a further sharp increase up to present day occurred, implying that the Hg production center had gradually shifted from Europe and America to Asia.     

崇明岛绿色河流廊道景观格局

绿色河流廊道作为一种重要的生态基础设施,在改善生态环境质量,维持生物多样性,提高景观多样性等方面发挥着关键作用。以崇明岛为例,探讨绿色河流廊道景观格局定量研究的方法,针对绿色河流廊道景观格局存在的问题,提出相应的绿色河流廊道建设建议。利用GIS处理河流廊道基础数据,以景观生态学原理为基础,以景观格局指数为依据,从崇明岛绿色河流廊道景观构成和廊道网络结构两方面详细分析崇明岛内各行政区域的不同绿色河流廊道的景观格局。结果表明：绿色河流廊道总长为 952.26 km,廊道建设率基本在80%以上;绿色河流廊道普遍较窄,平均宽度仅为 9.96 m,不利于生物多样性的保护;崇明岛绿色河流廊道比较缺乏,总密度仅 0.75 km/km2;各行政区域相比,城镇区域绿色河流廊道建设率高,绿色廊道质量高;农场区域的绿色河流廊道建设不及城镇区域,但绿色廊道较城镇区域要宽。崇明岛河流廊道网络结构简单,网络线点率,连通性偏低,网络中缺乏回路,严重影响滨水生态系统的发展.     

Photosynthesis, chloroplast pigments, and antioxidants in Pinus canariensis under free-air ozone fumigation

High O₃ levels, driving uptake and challenging defense, prevail on the Canary Islands, being associated with the hot and dry summers of the Mediterranean-type climate. Pinus canariensis is an endemic conifer species that forms forests across these islands. We investigated the effects of ozone on photosynthesis and biochemical parameters of P. canariensis seedlings exposed to free-air O₃ fumigation at Kranzberg Forest, Germany, where ambient O₃ levels were similar to those at forest sites in the Canary Islands. The twice-ambient O₃ regime (2xO₃) neither caused visible injury-like chlorotic or necrotic spots in the needles nor significantly affected violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin levels and the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle. In parallel, stomatal conductance for water vapour, net photosynthesis, intercellular CO₂ concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, as well as antioxidant levels were hardly affected. It is concluded that presently prevailing O₃ levels do not impose severe stress on P. canariensis seedlings.     

荷兰泰尔斯海灵岛发展生态旅游研究

随着游客人数的日益增加,在传统旅游理念的路线下,生态环境承载力已无法承受旅游业所带来的影响,生态环境已遭受了不可挽回的破坏。就此,实施生态旅游成为了必然选择。以实施生态旅游的荷兰泰尔斯海灵岛为例,找出实施生态旅游的重要环节,总结出实施生态旅游的主要组成。根据调研结果,生态旅游的实施重点在于对大众及社会的生态意识宣教,只有大众及社会的生态意识提高到一定高度,才能从根本上彻底实施生态旅游之路。同时,大众生态意识决定着生态旅游实施的总进程。     

城市热岛效应的研究模型

城市热岛不但影响城市气候，而且严重影响城市的大气环境，城市发展的多样性决定了城市热岛的复杂性、研究模型的多样性。本文通过对城市热岛常用的研究模型进行了分析、比较，为城市热岛研究模型的选择和进一步研究城市热岛的机理以及城市热岛对城市环境的影响提供了参考依据。     

青海湖鸟岛植被演替和动物分布特点

近年来,由于青海湖水位下降、土地沙化、植被退化、人类活动等诸多因素的影响,青海湖鸟岛的生态环境也受到极大影响,本文探讨随气候因素和人类活动的影响,青海湖鸟岛地区动植物种类、数量、分布的变化情况。