The effects of bisphenol A on sex hormone levels of F0 female rats and F1 male rats during weaning period

The effects of bisphenol A (BPA) were examined on sex hormones of F1 generation male rats during weaning period. Female rats were exposed to BPA from day 0 after pregnancy to the weaning period at doses of 50, 100, or 200 mg kg^?1. The sex hormone levels of F1 generation male rats were determined. This study shows that F0 generation female rats fed with 200 mg kg^?1 BPA had a significantly higher serum prolactin (PRL) levels at the end of weaning. Significantly higher levels of serum estradiol (E₂) were also found in female rats fed 100 or 200 mg kg^?1 BPA. Serum levels of E₂ in F1 male generation rats were higher in treatment groups compared to control groups while serum testosterone (T) levels were lower. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in F1 generation rats fed 200 mg kg^?1 was markedly decreased. The relative testicular weights were significantly less in 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 BPA groups. BPA was found to alter the sex hormone levels in F1 male rats during weaning period and thus disrupted endocrine functions.     

Energy transformations in two tropical Oxbow lakes

The flow and pattern of energy utilization in two tropical ecosystems where polyculture of fishes was practiced were studied. The rates of organic production made by the two tropical natural aquatic systems (oxbow lakes) were studied for two annual cycles. The study of utilization of energy in two tropical lakes revealed that herbivores were more efficient in energy utilization than autotrophs. The energy available in these systems was supplied by allochthonous source. Silver carp and grass carp were found to be most efficient in conversion of energy in the grazing food chain of the lake. The efficiency of the system to fish production was found to be 0.06 (OL-I) ?0.05% (OL-II) of the total available solar radiation. Various forms of life are all accompanied by energy changes, in the studied lakes were found to form a food web.     

Frequency of abnormal heavy metal blood levels in Wegener's granulomatosis

Previous studies suggested environmental exposures, including mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), may be related to Wegener's granulomatosis. In this study, investigations were extended to include the measurement of heavy metals in blood samples from patients diagnosed with Wegener's. Diagnosis was confirmed by using the 1990 Classification Criteria for Wegener's granulomatosis established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Using commercial lab testing, whole blood heavy metal screenings were obtained from patients, and results were then compared with validated subject self-report questionnaire estimates of exposure. Thirty-eight Wegener's patients were enrolled; 10 of the 38 exhibited abnormal lab values. In those 10 subjects 3 had elevated nickel (Ni), 7 with increased cobalt (Co), 3 with higher manganese, 1 with elevated copper, and 1 with increased Hg. Overall, the questionnaire results did not correlate with the blood heavy metal analysis. Approximately 26% of Wegener's subjects in this study displayed abnormal heavy metal levels. These findings are likely underestimates since blood levels are an insensitive means for assessing total body burden of heavy metals. From these preliminary studies it appears that elevated Co is a common finding in Wegener's patients but Ni and Hg were also found to be increased. The proportion of patients with abnormal heavy metal levels is more than expected by chance alone. In order to yield more definitive results, further analysis is needed with a larger data set, more controls and more sensitive measurements (hair, urine, or nail samples).     

Effects of land use on water quality of two high-altitude lakes and catchments in Yunnan Province,China

SUMMARY

Reclaiming farmland from lakes in China in the 1950s damaged the water quality of many lakes. Tremendous efforts have been made since the late 1990s to restore vegetation around the damaged lakes. This paper examines water quality of Fuxian and Qilu Lakes and land-use characteristics within the two catchments in the high-altitude area of Yunnan Province, China. Landsat TM data acquired in 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2005 were used to extract land use and land cover (LULC) information. Measurements of five water quality indices (WQIs), BOD, COD, pH, TN and TP, for the same period of time were examined. The results showed that the area of residential and forest/shrub increased, whereas that of cropland and barren land decreased from 1989 to 2005 in both catchments. Qilu Lake was much more polluted than Fuxian Lake, and pollution worsened over time for both lakes. The differences in water quality between the two lakes were caused by differences in LULC composition and continued degradation in water quality was caused by intensive farming and urban sprawl. Unless the landscape is converted back to its pre-1950 composition and structure, water quality in both lakes cannot be significantly improved and will continue to threaten sustainable development in the region.     

Rising sea and threatened mangroves: a case study on stakeholders,engagement in climate change communication and non-formal education

Scientific consensus shows that the changes related to climate change are already occurring and will intensify in the future. This will likely result in significant alterations to coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, increase coastal hazards and affect lifestyles of coastal communities. There is increasing speculation that mangrove, a socio-economically important ecosystem, will become more fragile and sensitive to uncertain climate variability such as sea level rise. As a result, mangrove-dependent societies may find themselves trapped in a downward spiral of ecological degradation in terms of their livelihoods and life security. Strengthening the resilience capacity of coastal communities to help them cope with this additional threat from climate change and to ensure sustainability calls for immediate action. In this context, this paper critically examines the regional implications of expected sea level rise and threats to mangrove-dependent communities through a case study approach. The main objective is to highlight the requirement for climate change communication and education to impart information that will fulfil three expectations: (1) confer understanding; (2) assess local inference on climate change through a participatory approach; and (3) construct a framework for climate change awareness among mangrove-dependent communities through community-based non-formal climate change education. This scale of approach is attracting increasing attention from policymakers to achieve climate change adaptation and derive policies from a social perspective.     

不同退耕年限条件下菜子湖湿地土壤理化性质变化

退耕还湖是我国长江中下游地区湿地生态恢复的重要举措.土壤理化性质指标是评价湿地生态恢复状况的重要组成部分.选取菜子湖区不同退耕年限(2、5、8、10和20 a)湿地为研究对象,通过与相邻仍耕作油菜地和原始湿地土壤理化性质的比较,揭示了退耕还湖后湿地土壤生态特征变化规律.结果表明,随着退耕年限的增加,不同土壤理化性质指标变化趋势存在差异;土壤有机质含量逐年增加;土壤全氮和碱解氮含量在退耕5 a时显著升高,而后期变化平缓;土壤全磷和有效磷含量均呈先降低后升高趋势;土壤黏粒含量逐渐增加;土壤容重呈先升高后降低趋势;土壤含水量不断增加;土壤pH值缓慢降低.退耕2 a湿地土壤生态特征仍与油菜地相似,退耕2 a后土壤生态特征开始向原始湿地方向演化.退耕20 a期间湿地表层土壤理化性质变化强烈,而亚表层变化相对平缓.回归分析表明,除土壤pH和氮素含量的回归曲线拟合不显著外,退耕湿地表层土壤黏粒含量、容重、含水量、有机质含量、全磷含量和有效磷含量恢复到原始湿地水平所需时间分别为19、23、31、26、27和22 a,快于亚表层土壤的20、31、51、40、30和23 a.     

湖泊底泥土地利用对土壤中重金属铅、铜形态影响

采用田区试验研究了田间种植冬小麦条件下,底泥土地利用前后土壤中重金属铅、铜的形态演变及小麦各器官中铅、铜的富集。结果表明,随着底泥施用量的增加,土壤中重金属铅、铜的可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态、有机结合态、残渣态均有不同程度的增加,本试验所有处理中,可交换态铅的质量分数范围为0.02~0.10 mg·kg-1,碳酸盐结合态铅的质量分数范围为0.04~0.24 mg·kg-1,铁锰氧化物结合态铅质量分数为0.41~1.88 mg·kg-1,有机物结合态铅质量分数范围为1.23~4.92 mg·kg-1,残渣态铅质量分数范围为4.82~23.66 mg·kg-1;各处理与对照相比,可交换态铜质量分数增加了40.00%~200.00%,碳酸盐结合态铜质量分数增加了36.84%~363.16%,铁锰氧化物结合态铜质量分数增加了7.17~45.15%,有机结合态铜质量分数增加了7.98%~62.61%,残渣态铜质量分数增加了0.12%~9.69%,各处理的残渣态铅、铜质量分数均较高。随着底泥用量增加,小麦根系、茎叶、籽粒中铅、铜质量分数均呈增加趋势,植株对重金属铅、铜的富集顺序为根系>茎叶>籽粒,铜的富集系数均大于铅。小麦籽粒产量、茎叶生物量及地上部生物量随着底泥施用量的增加,均出现了先增加后减少的现象,当小麦籽粒产量达到最大值时,籽粒中铅、铜质量分数未超出我国相应标准,依此确定底泥环境安全施用量为3051.29 t·hm-2。     

Biosorption of low level Cd~（2＋） in water by Aspergillus sojae

以酱油曲霉（Aspergillus sojae）为吸附剂,对水溶液中微量Cd2＋进行了吸附研究.实验考察了预处理方法、菌体用量、pH、温度和吸附时间对吸附的影响,同时分析了其吸附动力学和吸附等温线特性,并对酱油曲霉菌体吸附Cd2＋的可能作用机理进行了探讨.结果表明,碱预处理的菌体吸附效果最好.在菌体用量为0.08 g时,对Cd2＋的吸附量达到最大,为0.095 mg.g-1.pH值在3.4—8之间,酱油曲霉菌体对Cd2＋的吸附效果比较稳定,其最大吸附率出现在pH 3.4.温度在15℃—30℃之间时,菌体对Cd2＋的吸附率差异很小,吸附率在88.3%—94.4%之间.二级动力学方程能很好地表征酱油曲霉吸附微量Cd2＋的过程,R2在0.99以上,其吸附平衡时间大约2.5 h,线性模型更适于描述该吸附平衡过程.SEM、FTIR分析得出,Cd2＋可能是与酱油曲霉菌体表面的羟基、酰胺基、羧基、磷酸基和胺基等基团相络合而被吸附,也可能是形成颗粒沉淀而附着在菌丝上.     

高危行业同类型同等级事件风险要素评价

为提高高危行业安全管理水平,研究风险要素的评价模型。借鉴作业条件危险性评价LEC法理论意义,针对其主观性和间接性太强的缺憾进行了实质性地改进。同时,通过给出风险源强度评估模型及各风险要素强度评估模型,设计同类型同等级事件风险要素的风险贡献度模型。在此基础上,结合改进后的LEC法,建立同类型同等级事件风险要素的风险值模型,风险警戒标准模型以及风险警戒状态模型。验证结果表明:所建模型对风险要素的评价与实际情况较为吻合。     

中国城市化水平省际差异的成因探析

1990～2000年中国城市化水平的省际差异已从原来的北高南低态势转变为目前东高西低的格局。这是由各地区不同的自然环境背景、人口分布与增长、经济发展水平,以及国家区域发展政策等因素的综合影响而形成的。对中国各省区1990年和2000年城市化水平与自然、人口、经济发展、工业化水平等四类12个指标的因子分析表明,区域城市化水平不仅与工业化水平或经济发展水平呈正相关,与人口密度、农业经济呈负相关,而且受工业化水平或经济发展水平的影响更为强烈。并且,随着社会经济发展和工业化推进,工业化因子对城市化的拉动效应在减弱,而综合经济发展对城市化的拉动效应在显著增强。