Quantitative and Molecular Genetic Variation in Captive Cotton-Top Tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

Most genetic surveys of captive and endangered populations are carried out with single gene characters bearing no direct relationship to life history or other features for which genetic variation needs to be maintained. Quantitative genetic estimates of heritable variation for life-history traits may be a more direct and appropriate measure of genetic variation for some conservation purposes. Furthermore, recent theoretical and empirical results indicate that genetic variation measured on these two levels may not be concordant. We analyzed heterozygosity at 41 allozyme loci and heritability for body weight in captive cotton-top tamarins ( Saguinus oedipus ) from the Marmoset Research Center of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities in order to compare these two levels of genetic variation. Cotton-top tamarins are a highly endangered species native to Colombia. Many animals currently reside in research facilities and zoological parks. A total of 106 animals were used in the isozyme survey, while data on 364 animals contributed to the quantitative genetic study of body weight. We found a very low average heterozygosity ( H = 1%) for this colony. Body weight was moderately and significantly heritable ( h ² = 35%). This heritability is within the normal range for natural animal populations. The finding of biologically significant levels of heritability in a population with abnormally low allozyme heterozygosity illustrates the point that low levels of allozyme heterozygosity should not be taken as an indication of overall lack of genetic variation in important quantitative characters such as life-history traits. Genetic variation required for adaptation of species to future environmental challenges can exist despite low levels of enzyme heterozygosity.     

一株高效嗜碱反硝化菌的分离鉴定及其脱氮特性研究

为了应对日趋严苛的废水TN排放标准要求,试验采用溴百里酚蓝（BTB）培养基,从某煤化工废水处理厂反硝化缺氧池活性污泥中,经多次分离、纯化获得了一株高效兼性厌氧反硝化菌株HK13.通过形态观察及16S rRNA基因序列分析,菌株HK13被鉴定为施氏假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas stutzeri）.在此基础上,利用含硝酸盐模拟废水,探讨了碳源类型、C/N（碳氮比）、初始pH、溶解氧（以不同摇床转速表征不同浓度的溶解氧）和培养温度对菌株HK13反硝化脱氮能力的影响,确定了该菌株的最优生长条件和最大脱氮效率.结果表明:①菌株HK13最适反硝化脱氮条件为以柠檬酸钠碳源,C/N 8,培养温度35℃,初始pH 8~10,摇床转速100 r/min.②初始ρ（NO₃--N）为106.67 mg/L下,反应12 h后菌株HK13对TN的去除率可达92.62%;反应9~12 h时,该菌株的脱氮速率最高,可达20.03 mg/（L·h）,其16 h的脱氮率在98%以上,且无亚硝酸盐积累.③菌株HK13适宜生长的温度和pH范围广泛,分别为20~40℃和7~10.研究显示,菌株HK13具有快速高效的脱氮能力及嗜碱特性,拓宽了生物脱氮工艺对环境条件的适用范围,在废水脱氮领域具有广泛的应用前景.      

Application of the benthic index of biotic integrity to environmental monitoring in Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) was developed to assess benthic community health and environmental quality in Chesapeake Bay. The B-IBI provides Chesapeake Bay monitoring programs with a uniform tool with which to characterize bay-wide benthic community condition and assess the health of the Bay. A probability-based design permits unbiased annual estimates of areal degradation within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries with quantifiable precision. However, of greatest interest to managers is the identification of problem areas most in need of restoration. Here we apply the B-IBI to benthic data collected in the Bay since 1994 to assess benthic community degradation by Chesapeake Bay Program segment and water depth. We used a new B-IBI classification system that improves the reliability of the estimates of degradation. Estimates were produced for 67 Chesapeake Bay Program segments. Greatest degradation was found in areas that are known to experience hypoxia or show toxic contamination, such as the mesohaline portion of the Potomac River, the Patapsco River, and the Maryland mainstem. Logistic regression models revealed increased probability of degraded benthos with depth for the lower Potomac River, Patapsco River, Nanticoke River, lower York River, and the Maryland mainstem. Our assessment of degradation by segment and water depth provided greater resolution of relative condition than previously available, and helped define the extent of degradation in Chesapeake Bay.     

Competitive Retention of Lead and Cadmium on an Agricultural Soil

Lead and cadmium contamination of an agricultural soil has been studied using batch and column experiments. Thermodynamics of theretention phenomena may be represented by a Langmuir isotherm foran aqueous metal concentration up to 100 mg L^-1. First order kinetics with respect to the solid phase yield good predictabilityfor both batch and column experiments. Kinetics and thermodynamics of lead retention predominate over those ofcadmium. As a consequence, lead is preferentially retainedand can even displace sorbed cadmium. In the event of anspill involving both metals, cadmium would move further inthe soil and its aqueous concentration downstream could beeven higher than that of the influent solution, increasingpotential risks. A two-region model has been used to fit all the experimental results. Satisfactory predictions for column experiments are obtained with parameters which are consistent with those obtained for the batch experiments, for which sorption is described by a Langmuir isotherm including competitive retention.     

monitoring bioaccumulation of contaminants in the belted kingfisher (ceryle alcyon)

The belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), acommon piscivore in the eastern United States, hasbecome a common endpoint in ecological riskassessments (ERA) because of their high consumptionof potentially contaminated aquatic prey. Whilebioaccumulation data and biosurveys may be used tosupport conclusions of ERAs for kingfishers, thereare currently no published data on contaminantconcentrations in kingfishers. Additionally,methods available for collecting biological samples(e.g., feathers, eggs, food debris, etc.) fromkingfisher burrows can be detrimental to thereproductive success of the birds. We present amethod for obtaining samples from burrows during orfollowing the nesting season. The method wasapplied to kingfisher burrows on the Oak RidgeReservation (ORR) in eastern Tennessee. Feathers,eggshells, and nestlings were collected from burrows and analyzed. In addition, carcasses ofthree adult kingfishers found dead on the ORR wereanalyzed. Metals and radionuclides were accumulatedby both juvenile and adult birds. Body burdens ofcadmium, lead, and cesium-137 in adult birds were belowlevels associated with toxicity. Concentrations of selenium and mercury were observed at potentiallytoxic levels. Contaminants in eggshells andnestling feathers indicate exposure, however, thereis insufficient information to evaluate thetoxicological significance of this contamination.National Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed for the U.S. Department of Energy by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp. under contract DE-AC05-96OR22464     

土壤对六价铬的还原容量初步研究

提出并讨论了土壤的潜在还原容量、有效还原容量和条件还原容量等概念，通过对采用北京和唐山地下水饮用水源区３个包气带土壤样品的土柱淋滤实验，研究了土壤对水溶液中六价铬的还原作用，研究了上述土壤各种还原容量之间的关系及影响因素，探讨了向土壤中投加适量常见，无毒，价廉的还原性物质以提高土壤还原能力的方法和将其应用于去除灌溉用污染地下水中六价铬的可能性，实验结果表明，在正常环境条件下，土壤的有效还原容量比土     

聚电解质溶液中粘土颗粒的ζ电位

分别测定了 5种不同分子量和 5种不同分子链电荷密度的阴离子聚电解质高分子在钠蒙脱石粘土颗粒表面吸附前后粘粒的ζ电位 ;讨论分析了分子结构和体系环境对粘粒 ζ电位的影响以及聚电解质对粘土 -水分散体系的稳定作用。     

Treatment of black liquor from the papermaking industry by acidification and reuse

Two different kinds of black liquor from the papermaking industry were treated by acidification and reuse. The experimental parameters and conditions were discussed in detail. The experimental results indicated that the treatment process mentioned in this article is an effective process for the treatment of black liquor from the papermaking industry. By the treatment, the solid materials in black liquor are transferred into two by-products and the other components are reused or evaporated. Thus, no wastewater except some condensation water would be discharged in pulping process and the problem of oollution of black liauor would be effectively solved.