Increase of multi-metal tolerance of three leguminous plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the growth and metal uptake of three leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania cannabina, Medicago sativa) grown in multi-metal contaminated soil. AMF colonization increased the growth of the legumes, indicating that AMF colonization increased the plant’s resistance to heavy metals. It also significantly stimulated the formation of root nodules and increased the N and P uptake of all of the tested leguminous plants, which might be one of the tolerance mechanisms conferred by AMF. Compared with the control, colonization by G. mosseae decreased the concentration of metals, such as Cu, in the shoots of the three legumes, indicating that the decreased heavy metals uptake and growth dilution were induced by AMF treatment, thereby reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the plants. The root/shoot ratios of Cu in the three legumes and Zn in M. sativa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with AMF colonization, indicating that heavy metals were immobilized by the mycorrhiza and the heavy metal translocations to the shoot were decreased.     

基于RS和GIS的武汉城市热岛效应年代演变及其机理分析

为了更客观地揭示“火炉”武汉的城市热岛效应,利用1987、1994、2005年共3期TM影像数据,在地理信息系统（GIS）的支持下,反演并计算出武汉市城区不同年代的热岛强度、植被覆盖率、土地利用类型及城区面积。在对存在较大差异3期的热岛强度数据进行标准化处理的基础上,分析了武汉城市热岛效应的现状及年代演变,定量分析了城区热岛强度分布与土地利用类型、植被覆盖率的相关关系。结果表明：武汉城区热岛效应十分明显,特别是在工业区和商业区;20世纪80年代以来,武汉热岛面积不断变大;热岛强度与植被覆盖率呈负相关关系,植被覆盖率每提高10%,热岛强度约下降11℃;不同土地利用类型对热岛贡献不同,水体和植被区域可以缓解城市热岛效应,而工商业用地、道路等则加剧热岛效应;武汉市城区面积扩大、植被覆盖率降低、水域面积减少,是导致热岛效应不断加剧的原因。     

Statistical analysis of sudden chemical leakage accidents reported in China between 2006 and 2011

According to the data from authoritative sources, 1,400 sudden leakage accidents occurred in China during 2006 to 2011 were investigated, in which, 666 accidents were used for statistical characteristic abstracted with no or little damage. The research results were as follows: (1) Time fluctuation: the yearly number of sudden leakage accidents is shown to be decreasing from 2006 to 2010, and a slightly increase in 2011. Sudden leakage accidents occur mainly in summer, and more than half of the accidents occur from May to September. (2) Regional distribution: the accidents are highly concentrated in the coastal area, in which accidents result from small and medium-sized enterprises more easily than that of the larger ones. (3) Pollutants: hazardous chemicals are up to 95 % of sudden leakage accidents. (4) Steps: transportation represents almost half of the accidents, followed by production, usage, storage, and discard. (5) Pollution and casualties: it is easy to cause environmental pollution and casualties. (6) Causes: more than half of the cases were caused by human factor, followed by management reason, and equipment failure. However, sudden chemical leakage may also be caused by high temperature, rain, wet road, and terrain. (7) The results of principal component analysis: five factors are extracted by the principal component analysis, including pollution, casualties, regional distribution, steps, and month. According to the analysis of the accident, the characteristics, causes, and damages of the sudden leakage accident will be investigated. Therefore, advices for prevention and rescue should be acquired.     

Environmental and health impacts of geochemical cycles of persistent toxic substances in food productions systems: Editorial to the special issue for the 8th International Conference on Geochemistry in the Topics & Sub-tropics (GeoTrop 2017)

Environmental Geochemistry and Health -     

基于Copula模型的丰枯频率分析——以南水北调西线工程调水区径流与黄河上游来水的丰枯遭遇研究为例

以道孚、绰斯甲、足木足和兰州水文站1960～2000年的同步天然年径流量系列为基础,应用Copula方法构造了南水北调西线一期工程调水区径流与黄河上游来水之间的联合分布,具体分析了调水区径流与黄河上游来水的丰枯遭遇频率。结果表明：由西向东依次按鲜水河、绰斯甲河、足木足河的顺序,调水河流与黄河上游丰枯同步（异步）的频率在递增（递减）,到了足木足河,其丰枯同步的频率已大于丰枯异步的频率;有利于调水到黄河的频率在递减,但仍保持在30％以上,略大于南水北调中线工程的利于调水频率;且调水区径流与黄河上游来水同枯的频率维持在26％以下,这些对于南水北调西线一期工程的实施都是有利的。     

Sulfur (S)-induced enhancement of iron plaque formation in the rhizosphere reduces arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings

The effects of two sulfur (S) sources (SO(4)(2-), S(0)), and three rates of S application (0, 30, 120 mgS/kg) on the formation of iron plaque in the rhizosphere, and on the root surface of rice, and As (arsenic) uptake into rice (Oryza sativa L.) were studied in a combined soil-sand culture experiment. Significant differences in As uptake into rice between +S and -S treatments were observed in relation to S sources, and rates of S application. Concentrations of As in rice shoots decreased with increasing rates of S application. The mechanism could be ascribed to sulfur, induced the formation of iron plaque, since concentrations of Fe in iron plaque on quartz sands in the rhizosphere, and on the root surface of rice increased with increasing rates of S application. The results suggest that sulfur fertilization may be important for the development approaches to reducing As accumulation in rice.