Risk assessment and binding mechanisms of potentially toxic metals in sediments from different water levels in a coastal wetland

The excessive accumulation of potentially toxic metals (Pb and Cd) in coastal wetlands is among the main factors threatening wetland ecosystems. However, the effects of water table depth (WTD) on the risk and binding mechanisms of potentially toxic metals in sediments remain unclear. Here, sediments from different WTD obtained from a typical coastal wetland were evaluated using a newly developed strategy based on chemical extraction methods coupled with high-resolution spectroscopy. Our findings indicated that the WTD of the coastal wetland fluctuates frequently and the average enrichment factor for Pb was categorized as minor, whereas Cd enrichment was categorized as moderate. High-resolution spectroscopy techniques also demonstrated that organic functional groups and partly inorganic compounds (e.g., Fe-O/Si-O) played a vital role in the binding of Pb and Cd to surface sediments. Additionally, mineral components rather than organic groups were mainly bound to these metals in the bottom sediments. Collectively, our findings provide key insights into the potential health effects and binding characteristics of potentially toxic metals in sediments, as well as their dynamic behavior under varying sediment depths at a microscale.     

粗粒子气溶胶远距离输送造成华南严重空气污染的分析

2009年4月末,发生了一次罕见的粗粒子气溶胶远距离输送造成华南地区出现严重的空气污染事件,其特征主要是气溶胶质量浓度超标,而能见度没有明显恶化,对这次空气污染事件进行分析的结果表明.在过程中,粗细粒子质量比(PM2.5/PM10)有明显的3次下降,最低达到0.3,即PM2.5仅占PM10的30%,这与珠江三角洲地区通常以细粒子为主的污染特征有很大不同,反映了外来粗粒子的侵入特征.长江流域浮尘天气的沙尘粒子变性后,长距离输送污染物叠加本地污染物,造成这次严重空气污染事件.     

互花米草入侵对长江口湿地土壤碳动态的影响

为了评价互花米草入侵对长江河口湿地土壤碳动态的影响,利用配对的试验设计在长江口崇明东滩湿地的高潮滩和低潮滩各设置1条入侵种互花米草与土著种的配对样线.结果表明,与土著植物相比,互花米草入侵显著增加了长江口湿地的植物碳库、土壤微生物碳、土壤总碳库和有机碳库,而对占土壤总碳库60%以上的无机碳库无显著影响,意味着互花米草入侵导致的土壤总碳库改变主要是通过增加土壤有机碳库来实现的.高潮滩互花米草和芦苇群落的年均土壤呼吸强度分别为（210.02±4.90）,（157.79±6.39）mg/（m²·h）;低潮滩互花米草和海三棱藨草群落年均土壤CO₂排放速率分别为（157.41±5.27）,（110.90±5.16）mg/（m²·h）,表明互花米草入侵显著增加长江口湿地的土壤呼吸.上述结果意味着互花米草入侵同时增加土壤碳输入和碳输出,但入侵也显著增加了土壤碳库表明入侵增加的土壤碳输入显著高于增加的土壤碳输出.本研究表明互花米草入侵可能会增强了长江河口湿地的土壤碳汇强度和固碳能力.但仍然需要长期系统的监测研究,以便全面定量评估互花米草入侵我国滨海湿地的综合生态影响.     

草场管理中的市场机制与习俗制度的关系及其影响:青藏高原案例研究

近年来,政府大力推动在完善承包到户基础上的草场经营权的流转,目的之一是通过市场手段来整合牧户个体的草场资源,促进畜牧业的规模化生产。市场机制与牧区传统管理草场的习俗制度,二者的关系及其对草场管理的影响是怎样的?论文选择位于青海省贵南县的元义村和查乃核村为案例地来研究上述问题。元义村反映市场机制取代习俗制度,查乃核村则反映了市场机制嵌套在习俗制度中。通过比较两个案例地的牧户生计、畜牧业生产以及贫富差距,研究发现:1)查乃核村的牧户年均畜牧业资产高于元义村;2)查乃核村的畜牧业生产量逐年增加、牲畜死亡率明显减少,畜牧业生产收益率高于元义村;3)查乃核村的贫富差距明显低于元义村。基于此,论文认为市场机制嵌套在社区习俗制度的制度安排在草场管理中更有效,因为这样的管理模式在满足牧户个体对于权属明晰和补偿需求的同时,能够维持社区共用草场以适应青藏高原多变的气候特征所导致的资源时空分布的异质性。随着市场化的发展,草场管理需要权属明晰及市场机制,但实现这样的目标不需要弱化甚至取代已有的社区习俗制度。     

Preparation and characterization of boron-doped corn straw biochar: Fe (Ⅱ) removal equilibrium and kinetics

Nowadays, iron ions as a ubiquitous heavy metal pollutant are gradually concerned and the convenient and quick removal of excessive iron ions in groundwater has become a major challenge for the safety of drinking water. In this study, boron-doped biochar (B-BC) was successfully prepared at various preparation conditions with the addition of boric acid. The as-prepared material has a more developed pore structure and a larger specific surface area (up to 897.97 m²/g). A series of characterization results shows that boric acid effectively activates biochar, and boron atoms are successfully doped on biochar. Compared with the ratio of raw materials, the pyrolysis temperature has a greater influence on the amount of boron doping. Based on Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of 800B-BC_1:2 at 25 °C, 40 °C, 55 °C are 50.02 mg/g, 95.09 mg/g, 132.78 mg/g, respectively. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model can better describe the adsorption process, the adsorption process is mainly chemical adsorption. Chemical complexation, ions exchange, and co-precipitation may be the main mechanisms for Fe²⁺ removal.     

Assessing the Risk of Introducing Exotic Species via the Live Marine Species Trade

Abstract:  Although the shipping industry has received considerable attention as a dispersal mechanism for aquatic nuisance species, many invasions have been linked to other mechanisms of transfer. The threat posed to coastal ecosystems by these alternative mechanisms, however, remains largely unquantified. We assessed the potential risks of introducing marine and estuarine species associated with seven mechanisms of transfer: seafood companies, aquaculture operations, bait shops, stores that sell marine ornamental species, research and educational organizations, public aquariums, and coastal restoration projects. For each, we compiled a comprehensive database of organizations in coastal Massachusetts. We then designed and administered a survey to a subset of organizations that inquired about (1) their proximity to saltwater and methods of handling live imports; (2) the type and quantity of marine species being imported; and (3) the organization's familiarity with marine invasions. Respondents in five of the seven categories acknowledged importing nonlocal live marine species to the area. Seafood companies handled the majority of individuals but relatively few taxa. This mechanism of transfer also had the most complex trade patterns and the greatest number of operations located near saltwater. In contrast, the other transfer mechanisms each had simpler trade pathways and fewer operations but varied in the quantity and taxonomic diversity of their imports. Significantly, no single mechanism of transfer stood out as presenting a primary risk. Rather, each had characteristics or used handling practices at different points in the importation process that could facilitate introductions. To prevent future marine invasions, better reporting requirements for live species imports are needed, and best-management practices and outreach strategies specific to the transfer mechanism should be developed and implemented.     

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR WATER CONSERVATION ON THE MONTEREY PENINSULA: THE MARKET PROPOSAL1

ABSTRACT: Literatures on price‐based urban water conservation and on market‐based mechanisms to manage natural resources suggest that market‐based management of urban/suburban water use may be feasible. A market‐based proposal that emerged from a water shortage on California's Monterey Peninsula is presented. In the proposal, conservation incentives arise both from an ability among end‐users of water to reduce consumption and sell use‐rights to water, and from a penalty price for consumption in excess of one's use rights. The amount of water associated with use rights is capped and varies according to hydrological, meteorological, ecological, and other criteria. Requirements for further study of the proposal are listed, and the role that similar market‐based mechanisms could play in urban water management is discussed.     

华南地区薇甘菊叶片挥发性有机化合物的空间差异研究

外来入侵植物薇甘菊对华南地区的生态环境造成严重危害,为探讨薇甘菊叶片挥发性有机化合物在华南地区的空间差异,运用GC-MS分析了华南地区23个不同地理种群230个薇甘菊植株叶片挥发性有机化合物的组分,并用峰面积归一化法计算各组分相对含量;利用线性混合模型分析不同地理种群的气候环境因素对薇甘菊叶片挥发性有机化合物含量的影响;采用聚类分析和主成分分析23个不同地理种群薇甘菊叶片挥发性有机化合物组分的特征。结果表明:利用GC-MS从薇甘菊叶片中鉴定了42种挥发性有机化合物,其主要成分为β-荜澄茄油烯(24.63%)、β-石竹烯(16.81%)、大香叶烯D(10.47%)、α-古芸烯(9.95%)和α-姜烯(9.77%);线性混合模型分析结果显示经度、纬度、海拔高度和温度可显著影响薇甘菊叶片中5种主要挥发性有机化合物的含量;聚类分析和主成分分析表明薇甘菊叶片挥发性有机化合物组分表现出较强的地域特征。研究结果可为阐明薇甘菊的入侵机制及防控措施的制定提供理论与实践参考。     

Sex-specific reproductive behaviours and paternity in free-ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)

In a wide variety of species, male reproductive success is determined by contest for access to females. Among multi-male primate groups, however, factors in addition to male competitive ability may also influence paternity outcome, although their exact nature and force is still largely unclear. Here, we have investigated in a group of free-ranging Barbary macaques whether paternity is determined on the pre- or postcopulatory level and how male competitive ability and female direct mate choice during the female fertile phase are related to male reproductive success. Behavioural observations were combined with faecal hormone analysis for timing of the fertile phase (13 cycles, 8 females) and genetic paternity analysis (n = 12). During the fertile phase, complete monopolisation of females did not occur. Females were consorted for only 49% of observation time, and all females had ejaculatory copulations with several males. Thus, in all cases, paternity was determined on the postcopulatory level. More than 80% of infants were sired by high-ranking males, and this reproductive skew was related to both, male competitive ability and female direct mate choice as high-ranking males spent more time in consort with females than low-ranking males, and females solicited copulations mainly from dominant males. As most ejaculatory copulations were female-initiated, female direct mate choice appeared to have the highest impact on male reproductive success. However, female preference was not directly translated into paternity, as fathers were not preferred over non-fathers in terms of solicitation, consortship and mating behaviour. Collectively, our data show that in the Barbary macaque, both sexes significantly influence male mating success, but that sperm of several males generally compete within the female reproductive tract and that therefore paternity is determined by mechanisms operating at the postcopulatory level.