Sexual difference in mercury concentrations of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Lake Ontario

We determined total mercury (Hg) concentrations in 50 female lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and 69 male lake trout from Lake Ontario (Ontario, Canada and New York, United States). Results showed that, on average, males were 8% higher in Hg concentration than females in Lake Ontario. We also used bioenergetics modeling to determine whether a sexual difference in gross growth efficiency (GGE) could explain the observed sexual difference in Hg concentrations. According to the bioenergetics modeling results, male GGE was about 3% higher than female GGE, on average. Although the bioenergetics modeling could not explain the higher Hg concentrations exhibited by the males, a sexual difference in GGE remained a plausible explanation for the sexual difference in Hg concentrations of the lake trout. In an earlier study, male lake trout from Lake Ontario were found to be 22% higher in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentration than females from Lake Ontario. Thus, although males were higher in both Hg and PCB concentrations, the degree of the sexual difference in concentration varied between the two contaminants. Further research on sexual differences in Hg excretion rates and Hg direct uptake rates may be needed to resolve the disparity in results between the two contaminants.     

区域滑坡灾害地形地貌因子敏感性分析研究

为分析地形地貌与滑坡敏感性之间的关系,借助地理信息系统(GIS)空间分析技术和滑坡影响因子贡献率的数学方法,研究雅安市雨城区坡度坡向对滑坡的影响程度的大小.通过研究得到了每一区间的坡度和坡向对滑坡的贡献率,定量地分析了坡度、坡向对研究区域的滑坡发育的关系.研究结果表明,坡度20～30°区间的区域为滑坡最敏感的区域,坡向带90～ 120°区间是滑坡灾害最敏感的区域,但坡向带每一区域的贡献率差别不大.     

The Role of Hybrid Vigor in the Replacement of Pecos Pupfish by Its Hybrids with Sheepshead Minnow

Abstract:  Many species are jeopardized by hybridization and genetic introgression with closely related species. Unfortunately, the mechanisms that promote or retard gene flow between divergent populations are little studied and poorly understood. Like many imperiled fish species, the Pecos pupfish ( Cyprinodon pecosensis ) is threatened with replacement by its hybrids with a close congener. We examined swimming performance and growth rate of hybrid pupfish to determine the role of hybrid vigor in the genetic homogenization of C. pecosensis by its hybrids with sheepshead minnow ( C. variegatus ). The F1 hybrids, backcross hybrids, and purebred C. variegatus displayed greater swimming endurance than purebred C. pecosensis . In addition, F1 hybrids and C. variegatus grew more rapidly than C. pecosensis . The ecological superiority of hybrids probably promoted their rapid spread through and beyond the historic range of C. pecosensis . These results indicate that eradication of hybrids and restoration of C. pecosensis to its native range is unlikely. Extinction of unique species via genetic homogenization can result from human activities that increase gene flow between historically fragmented populations; conservation managers must weigh the potential for such a catastrophe against the presumed benefits of increased interpopulation gene flow. This example illustrates how, after hybridization has occurred, conflict may arise between formerly complementary conservation goals.     

GEOCHEMICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF GROUNDWATER FLOW SYSTEMS1

ABSTRACT. Interest in the geochemistry of groundwater is increasing owing to the great number of current projects involving underground liquid waste storage, artificial recharge of potable water, accidental contamination of groundwater bodies, sanitary landfills, and pollution monitoring. Geochemical techniques used to facilitate the understanding of a groundwater system range from extremely simple to those requiring sophisticated theories, equipment, and procedures. An interpretation of the simple trilinear diagram for samples collected from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico provided evidence that the fresh-water body was only a few tens of meters thick and was underlain everywhere by an extensive body of salt water. A geochemical technique that has been used effectively to identify the source of salt water in coastal aquifers is measurement of the carbon-14 concentrations. Carbon-14 has been used in a regional carbonate aquifer to determine the velocity of groundwater movement, rates of chemical reactions, and distribution of hydraulic conductivity. The application of principles of irreversible thermodynamics to groundwater systems provides a basis for constructing models which permit prediction, over both time and space, of changes in head distribution and chemical character of the water resulting from imposed stresses on the system. In essence, proper application of irreversible thermodynamics combines the potential theory of Hubbert with principles of reversible chemical thermodynamics, such as solution of carbonate minerals, to describe and explain controlling chemical reactions and processes of groundwater systems.     

2016年冬季北京地区一次重污染天气过程边界层特征

利用中国气象局地面常规观测资料、微脉冲激光雷达（MINI-MPL）、风廓线雷达资料、生态环境部大气成分等资料,对2016年12月16~21日京津冀多地污染过程的生消特征、与气象条件的关系以及边界层的结构特点进行了分析.结果表明：大气处于静稳状态,低层大气盛行偏南气流,大气湿度持续增加,加之北京三面环山不利于污染物扩散的特殊地形是造成北京此次严重空气污染的重要因素.重污染期间,污染物主要聚集在800m高度以下,严重污染时,污染物高度甚至仅有400m左右.风廓线雷达反演风场显示：2次PM_2.5浓度快速上升阶段低层伴随持续偏南风或偏东风.污染过程期间,逆温结构明显,两次污染快速发展阶段恰好出现在两次逆温最强时段.此次污染天气过程,激光雷达退偏振比总体小于0.25,反映污染主要是人类活动产生气溶胶,前期以一次排放颗粒物为主,后期以二次转化颗粒物为主.退偏振比污染过程前期呈明显日变化特征,且白天退偏比比夜间高.     

浙江北部一次爆发式发展重度大气污染的气象特点和成因

基于全国空气质量指数和PM_(2.5)监测、常规气象观测、浙江省6种主要大气污染物和自动气象监测、宁波镇海激光雷达、美国国家环境预报中心GDAS和欧洲中期天气预报中心ERA-interim再分析等多种资料,对2017年12月30日―2018年1月1日浙江北部一次爆发式发展大气污染事件气象特点及成因进行分析,应用HYSPLIT4模式进行粒子后向轨迹分析.结果表明:PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)质量浓度在浙江省表现出明显的爆发性增长和自西北向东南传输的特征,污染程度自浙北向浙中、浙南逐渐减轻,重度污染时浙北大范围出现2000 m以下的重度霾,污染粒子主要来自上游的安徽和江苏省.大气污染爆发式发展与冷空气有关,1000 m以下边界层内冷空气偏弱,但足以将盛行风改变为西北风,是污染物粒子输送的动力条件,污染粒子集中在该层内,层内没有下沉运动,因此水平风场对污染事件爆发有决定性作用;1000 m以上层次冷平流表现明显,且伴有下沉运动,抑制了边界层粒子的垂直扩散,对污染事件的发展和维持有间接影响.激光雷达的消光系数变化不仅与污染物粒子浓度变化有关,还与气象条件密切相关.污染物粒子质量浓度通量散度的变化对预报粒子浓度的增减有较好的参考作用.     

Emission modelling and validation of VOCs' source strengths in air-conditioned office premises

An emission model for indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) based on mass balance considerations has been presented and validated under steady state conditions. Comparison were made for the measured and predicted concentrations of 37 selected VOCs and TVOC through a case intervention study on the filters of the ventilation system in a new commercial air-conditioned office building. The intervention involved replacing media filters with electronic and carbon filtration. TVOC and 37 compounds selected for their health and comfort impact, representation of major chemical classes that occur in indoor air and their utility as markers of pollution sources were studied. The concentration levels predicted by the model were compared with actual measurements. Twenty-five target compounds and the TVOC were adequately described by the model where the measured concentrations were in agreement with the predicted concentrations. Modeling of the remaining 12 compounds was found to be affected by the emission rates that were occupant related.     

Cesium accumulation by fish following acute input to lakes: a comparison of experimental and Chernobyl-impacted systems

An uptake parameter u (L kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) and a loss rate parameter k (d⁻¹) were estimated for the patterns of accumulation and loss of ¹³³Cs by three fish species following an experimental ¹³³Cs addition into a pond in South Carolina, USA. These u and k parameters were compared to similar estimates for fish from other experimental ponds and from lakes that received ¹³⁷Cs deposition from Chernobyl. Estimates of u from ponds and lakes declined with increasing potassium concentrations in the water column. Although loss rates were greater in the experimental ponds, the times required to reach maximum Cs concentrations in fish were similar between ponds and lakes, because ponds and lakes had similar retentions of Cs in the water column. The maximum Cs concentrations in fish were largely determined by initial Cs concentrations in the water column. These maximum concentrations in fish and the times required to reach these maxima are potentially useful indicators for assessments of risks to humans from fish consumption.