Responses of Apple Rootstock Leaf Structure on Water Stress

[Objective] The aim was to explore, leaf structure characters of Malus rockii and Malus robusta at drought and rewatedng. [Method] The research used Malus rockii and Malus robusta as test materials to conduct water stress treatment by water control and rewatering. [Result] Malus rockii consists of two layers of pal- isade tissue and Malus robusta consist of three layers of columnar cells. Leaf of Malus robusta is thicker, and the thickness of leaf palisade tissue-to-the thickness of spongy tissue ratio is higher. In contrast, leaf stoma of Malus rockii performs more sensitively to water change, and the stoma area after rewatering is 10 times as high as Malus robusta. Besides, after rewatering, SR grows higher, the thickness of leaf palisade tissue-to-the thickness of spongy tissue ratio declines of the two test materials, but the changes of Malus robusta prove more significant. [Conclusion] The two test materials are different in responses to drought and rewatering, and the leaf structure characters of Malus robusta changes obviously than that of Malus rockii during water variation in terms of resisting drought.

云南鲁甸村支书带领群众养鱼致富

云南鲁甸县茨院乡葫芦口村党总支书记马光恒积极探索农村致富路子,在个人养鱼获得成功后,带领当地群众扩大池塘养鱼规模,增加收入,让群众得到了实惠。茨院乡葫芦口村所辖的马厂村民小组地势低洼,境内一个个荒芜的水海子为人工养鱼提供了天然条件。2005年,马光恒看准这里发展水产养殖的优越条件,投入4万元资金,利用自家的10亩荒田搞起了池塘养鱼,当年试养下来,卖鱼收入竟然超过了种田收入。

Groundwater Waves in a Coastal Fractured Aquifer of the Third Phase Qinshan Nuclear Power Engineering Field

Tidal fluctuations of Hangzhou Bay produce progressive pressure waves in adjacent field fractured aquifers, as the pressure waves propagate, groundwater levels and hydraulic gradients continuously fluctuate. The effect of tidal fluctuations on groundwater flow can be determined using the mean hydraulic gradient that can be calculated by comparing mean ground and surface water elevations.Tidal fluctuation is shown to affect the piezometer readings taken in a nearshore fractured aquifer around the nuclear power engineering field. Continuous monitoring of a network of seven piezometers provided relations between the tidal cycle and the piezometer readings. The relations can be expressed in times of a time and amplitude scaling factor. The time lag and the tidal efficiency factor and wavelength are calculated using these parameters. It provides significant scientific basis to prevent tide and groundwater for the nuclear power engineering construction and safety run of nuclear power station in the future.

Characterization of a new lectin involved in the protoplast regeneration of Bryopsis hypnoides

A group of coenocytic marine algae differs from higher plants,whose totipotency depends on an intact cell(or protoplast).Instead,this alga is able to aggregate its extruded protoplasm in sea water and generate new mature individuals.It is thought that lectins play a key role in the aggregation process.We purified a lectin associated with the aggregation of cell organelles in Bryopsis hypnoides.The lectin was ca.27 kDa with a pI between pH 5 and pH 6.The absence of carbohydrate suggested that the lectin was not a glycoprotein.The hemagglutinating activity(HA) of the lectin was not dependent on the presence of divalent cations and was inhibited by N-Acetylgalactosamine,N-Acetylglucosamine,and the glycoprotein bovine submaxillary mucin.The lectin preferentially agglutinated Gram-negative bacterium.The HA of this lectin was stable between pH 4 to pH 10.Cell organelles outside the cytoplasm were agglutinated by the addition of lectin solution(0.5 mg ml-1).Our results suggest that the regeneration of B.hypnoides is mediated by this lectin.We also demonstrated that the formation of cell organelle aggregates was inhibited by nigericin in natural seawater(pH 8.0).Given that nigericin dissipates proton gradients across the membrane,we hypothesize that the aggregation of cell organelles was proton-gradient dependent.

Effect of Dietary Vitamin E on the Sperm Quality of Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)

A 3-month feeding experiment was conducted in an in-door seawater system to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E （Ve） on the sperm quality of turbot （Scophthalmus maximus）. D-α-tocopherol acetate was supplemented to the basal （control） diet （65.14 mg kg-l Ve） to obtain low and high levels of dietary Ve （244.60 mgkg-1, LVe; 721.60 mg kg-1, HVe）. Compared with the con- trol, sperm concentration was significantly increased in Ve-supplemented groups （LVe and HVe）; while relative sperm volume and testis-somatic index were significantly increased in group HVe only. Sperm motility duration was significantly longer in group HVe than in the control, but no significant difference was observed in percent motility among groups. Sperm size, the uniformity of mito- chondrial size, and the integrity of mitochondria cristae and plasma membrane were improved by dietary Ve, especially in HVe. The content of Ve in testis and liver as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm increased with dietary Ve. These results suggested that dietary Ve, especially at the high level （721.60 mg kgl）, significantly improved sperm concentration and motility duration and main- tained normal sperm morphology of turbot.Abstract A 3-month feeding experiment was conducted in an in-door seawater system to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E （Ve） on the sperm quality of turbot （Scophthalmus maximus）. D-α-tocopherol acetate was supplemented to the basal （control） diet （65.14 mg kg-l Ve） to obtain low and high levels of dietary Ve （244.60 mgkg-1, LVe; 721.60 mg kg-1, HVe）. Compared with the con- trol, sperm concentration was significantly increased in Ve-supplemented groups （LVe and HVe）; while relative sperm volume and testis-somatic index were significantly increased in group HVe only. Sperm motility duration was significantly longer in group HVe than in the control, but no significant difference was observed in percent motility among groups. Sperm size, the uniformity of mito- chondrial size, and the integrity of mitochondria cristae and plasma membrane were improved by dietary Ve, especially in HVe. The content of Ve in testis and liver as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm increased with dietary Ve. These results suggested that dietary Ve, especially at the high level （721.60 mg kgl）, significantly improved sperm concentration and motility duration and main- tained normal sperm morphology of turbot.

Effects of Uncertainties in the Position and Orientation of Both the Transmitter and Receivers on Marine Controlled-Source Electromagnetic Data

Simulation and interpretation of marine controlled-source electromagnetic(CSEM) data often approximate the transmitter source as an ideal horizontal electric dipole(HED) and assume that the receivers are located on a flat seabed.Actually,however,the transmitter dipole source will be rotated,tilted and deviated from the survey profile due to ocean currents.And free-fall receivers may be also rotated to some arbitrary horizontal orientation and located on sloping seafloor.In this paper,we investigate the effects of uncertainties in the transmitter tilt,transmitter rotation and transmitter deviation from the survey profile as well as in the receiver's location and orientation on marine CSEM data.The model study shows that the uncertainties of all position and orientation parameters of both the transmitter and receivers can propagate into observed data uncertainties,but to a different extent.In interpreting marine data,field data uncertainties caused by the position and orientation uncertainties of both the transmitter and receivers need to be taken into account.

Seasonal Gametogenesis of Host Sea Anemone(Entacmaea quadricolor) Inhabiting Hong Kong Waters

Studying gonadal development of annual cycle can reveal the process of gametogenesis and reproductive period, and evaluate fertility and source utilization of a species. Host sea anemones are conspicuous members of tropical and subtropical reef ecosystems, but little is known about its biology including reproductive seasonality. Here we reported a one-year study on the gametogenesis and reproduction of host sea anemone(Entacmaea quadricolor) inhabiting Hong Kong waters. E. quadricolor tissues were sampled in 12 occasions from 5 m and 15 m depths of water, respectively. Histological sectioning of the tissues showed that E. quadricolor was dioecious, and populational ratio of female to male was 1:1.6. The gonadal development was asynchronous within an annual cycle, which included proliferating, growing, maturing, spawning, and resting stages. The spawning occurred between August and October when surface seawater temperature reached the annual maximum(28℃), suggesting that temperature is an important factor modulating the gonadal development and mature of E. quadricolor.

Laboratory Test on Long-Term Deterioration of Cement Soil in Seawater Environment

Laboratory tests were conducted to study the effects of curing time, cement ratio and seawater pressure on cement soil deterioration formed at simulative marine soft clay sites. Deterioration depth was determined on the basis of characteristics of penetration resistance and penetration depth curves, and the deterioration depth of cement soil with the cement ratio of 7%, reached 31.8 mm after 720 d. Results of research indicated that deterioration extended quickly under seawater environment and the deterioration depth increased with the prolonging curing time. In addition, the water pressure could speed up deterioration. With the increase of cement content, the strength of cement soil increased obviously. At the same time, the deterioration depth decreased significantly. The concentration of calcium ion in the cement stabilized soil increased with the increase of depth, while that of magnesium ion gradually decreased. The variations were consistent with energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS)analysis results, and the calcium concentration with depth was in a good consistency with strength distribution at long term. The results showed that the deterioration became more serious with the curing time, and it was related to calcium leaching.

Biological Community in Submerged Caves and Marine Lakes in ha Long-Cat Ba Area, Vietnam

Submerged caves and marine lakes are two iconic and common ecosystems in Ha Long-Cat Ba area. However, their biological characteristics are poorly known since very limited studies have been conducted, The aim of this study was to investigate biodiversity in these ecosystems. Three submerged caves （Hang Sang, Hang Toi and Qua Bang） and three marine lakes （Dau Be, Ang Du and Qua Bang） were chosen for study. The results showed that organism communities in submerged caves were abundant with over 142 species found. The popular groups comprised sponge and soft coral which were distributed along the length of the caves. Several species with high economic value were widespread in the caves, including stone crab Myomenippe hardwickii, flower crab Portunus pelagicus, cone snails Trochus pyramis, shoemaker spinefoot Siganus sutor, snapper Lutjanus russellii. Species that permanently live in caves were not detected. In the lakes where water is well exchanged to the sea, coral reefs were found and they usually formed a narrow band around the lakes. Sandy beaches were often observed around the lakes at the depths of 0.5-2 m, containing specialty species as clam （Sanguinolaria diphos）, snout otter clam （Lutraria rhychaena）, sea cucumbers with high density （in Dau Be, Qua Bang）. There was no coral reef in the enclosed lake （Ang Du） because of low salinity.

Preparation of polysaccharides in different molecular weights from Ulva pertusa Kjellm (Chorophyta)

As molecular weight controls the biological activities of polysaccharides, screening the optimal molecular weight of polysaccharides is important in drug research and application. In this study, hydrogen peroxide was employed as oxidant, and temperature, reaction time, and concentration of polysaccharides and hydrogen peroxide were examined for their effects on the preparation of polysaccharides in different molecular weights from Ulva pertusa. Our experiment suggested that the optimal degradation concentrations for polysac-charides and hydrogen peroxide were 2.5% (w/v) and 8.0% (v/v), respectively. The range of degradation measured by relative viscosity was mainly controlled by temperature and time. Results revealed that 35℃ was the optimal temperature for obtaining low-degradation samples, and 50℃ was the most favorable temperature to accelerate the reaction to yield highly-degraded samples. Four samples in different molecular weights A, B, C and D were finally prepared. The controllability was evaluated by the relative standard deviation (RSD) of relative viscosity, and the peak molecular weights and the polydispersity indexes (Mw/Mn) of molecular weights were measured by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC).

Studies on the Tolerating Mechanism for Sulfide in Urechis unicinctus (Echiura: Urechidae) ──Cytological Observation on Urechis unicinctus in Different Hydrogen Sulfide Environment

This study on the cytological changes of the body wall,aspiratory intestine and crissal bursa in Urechis unicinctus by light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that the difference between the body wall and the natural environment rich in H 2S was not obvious; that the wall color of the aspiratory intestine in H 2S rich environment changed from normal semitransparency to dark brown; that its epithelia were disassembled and the electron density of its cytoplasm matrix was lower; and that in H 2S rich environment many basophilic granules occurred in the epithelia of the crissal bursa. Granules with single membrane and myelinefingure were found with TEM.

Application of Laser Ablation to Cleaning Process of the Corrosion Chloride Patina Formed on Bronze Surfaces in Air and Marine Water

We present the results of laser ablations cleanness process on bronzes covered by a chloride patina in two different media： marine water and air. The bronze chloride disease was obtained treating commercial bronzes with HCI 37%, for 190 h. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical images taken on treated samples show the formation of a CuCIJCu2CI2 patina of about 300 m Laser ablation reduces in both medium the patina thickness at few microns without changing the chemical composition of bronze. X-ray analysis show the most effectiveness of ablation procedure in marine water where its only effect is the patina reduction without introducing changes in bronze chemical composition. Ablation in air, instead, reduces the patina but favors the adsorption of air oxygen and carbon on sample surfaces and a progressive ＂carbonization＂ of samples.

Chemical and Biochemical Characterization of Doenjang （Korean Soy Paste） Supplemented with Glasswort （Salicornia herbacea L.） and Rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Four types of Doenjang were prepared from 100% （w/w） defatted soybean （DFS）, a mixture of 80% （w/w） defatted soybean and 20% （w/w） glasswort （DFS-G）, a mixture of 80% （w/w） defatted soybean and 20% （w/w） rice （DFS-R）, or a mixture of 60% （w/w） defatted soybean, 20% （w/w） glasswort and 20% （w/w） rice （DFS-GR）. Maturity of the DFS-G doenjang was the highest, which was proportional to total amino acid content. Antioxidative compounds and total amino acids were relatively higher in the doenjang with glasswort （DFS-G, DFS-GR） than those in the other preparations （DFS, DFS-R）. Succinic and pyroglutamic acid were relatively higher but levulinic acid was relatively lower in the doenjang with glasswort compared to those in the others. Mn, Fe, Zn, and Al were relatively higher in the doenjang with glasswort compared to those in the others. Volatile organic compounds were differently produced depending on doenjang type and influenced definitely by addition of glasswort and rice. Some bacterial communities responsible for meju fermentation were changed during ripening for doenjang whereas others were conserved.

Electromagnetic fields from a horizontal electrical dipole buried in ocean

Marine controlled source electromagnetic signal could be used in mineral resource exploration,reservoir appraisal and communicative technique in ocean. It's necessary to study the electromagnetic generated by MCSEM. The propagation of the electromagnetic fields from a controlled source in the marine environment was studied with virtual interface method combined with discrete complex image method. Transmitter of finite length current source is approximated by dipole (HED) . A three-layered model is accepted,with sea water as intermediate conductive layer under air and a relatively high resistive seabed as basement,possibly containing a hydrogen layer of higher resistivity. The electromagnetic fields in whole space thus computed show that: (1) the spatial distribution of field component depends on its type; (2) inline Ex component is more sensitive to reservoir layer than that in broadside; (3) The airwave affects marine electromagnetic (MEM) exploration when sea water is relatively shallow; in the case of deep water MEM exploration,the airwave influence could be neglected; and (4) an appropriate frequency should be selected in order to balance the signal strength and electromagnetic induction effect.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Extraction of Crystal Violet from Natural Seawater coupled with HighPerformance Liquid Chromatographic Determination

Molecularly imprinted polymers （MIPs） were prepared by the bulk polymerization using crystal violet as the template molecule, and the methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimetheacrylate as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Sys- tematic investigations of synthetic conditions were conducted. The surface morphology and recognition mechanism of the obtained polymers were studied using scanning electron microscope and spectrophotometric analysis. MIPs showed high atTmity to template molecule and were successfully applied as special solid-phase extraction sorbent for selective extraction of crystal violet from natural seawater. An off-line molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction （MISPE） method followed by high-performance liquid chroma- tography with diodearray detection for the analysis of crystal violet was also established. MISPE columns have good recoveries for crystal violet standard solutions and good linearity was obtained over the concentration range of 0-200 ~tg L-1 （R2 〉 0.99）. Finally, two natural seawater samples were investigated. The recoveries of spiked seawater on the MISPE columns were from 44.47% to 62.34%, the relative standard deviation （n=3） being in the range of 2.89%-5.96%.

Measurement of trace nitrate concentrations in seawater by ion chromatography with valve switching

An ion chromatographic method with a valve switching facility was developed to determine trace nitrate concentrations in seawater using two pumps, two different suppressors, and two columns. A carbohydrate membrane desalter was used to reduce the high concentrations of sodium salts in samples. In this method, trace nitrate was eluted from the concentrator column to the analytical columns, while the matrix fl owed to waste. Neither chemical pre-treatment nor sample dilution was required. In the optimized separation conditions, the method showed good linearity( R >0.99) in the 0.05 and 50 mg/L concentration range, and satisfactory repeatability(RSD<5%, n =6). The limit of detection for nitrate was 0.02 mg/L. Results showed that the valve switching system was suitable and practical for the determination of trace nitrate in seawater.

Population dynamics of marine ciliate Euplotes vannus (Protozoa, Ciliophora) in different artificial seawaters

To study population dynamics of marine ciliates in different artificial seawaters （ASW）, the population growth dynamics of a common marine ciliate Euplotes vannus were investigated using beef extract media and rice media for five types of ASW and natural seawater （NSW）. The results show that： （1） the population growth rate was in the order of NSW〉Flack ASW〉Nakamula ASW〉Schmadz ASW〉Oshima ASW〉Subow ASW and was considerably higher in rice media than in beef extract media （apart from Subow ASW）; （2） the maximum density of E. vannus in stationary phase in each treatment was ranked as Hack ASW〉Nakamula ASW〉Schmadz ASW〉NSW〉Oshima ASW〉Subow ASW, and was again higher in rice media than in beef extract media （except for Subow ASW）; （3） the exponential and stationary phases were longer in rice media than in beef extract media; （4） strains of E. vannus that had been domesticated for 〉1 year in ASW grew significantly slower, with lower maximum density and longer stationary phase than those isolated and maintained in NSW. It was demonstrated that： （1） E. vannus may grow well in Flack, Nakamula and Schmads ASW compared with NSW （mainly in terms of growth rate）; and （2） Oshima ASW is the preferred choice for stock cultures of E. vannus, but the ASWs Flack, Nakamula and Schmadz are preferred for mass culture. These findings suggest that these three ASWs are effective for the cultivation of marine protozoa for experimental studies on ecology, toxicology and molecular biology.

Super-hydrophobic and super-lipophilic functionalized graphene oxide/polyurethane sponge applied for oil/water separation

Nowadays, oil spills have led to a serious environmental crisis of the world. To deal with this problem, inspired from super-hydrophobic lotus leaf, this study fabricated super-hydrophobic and super-lipophilic functionalized graphene oxide/polyurethane （FGP） sponge by a simple and inexpensive dip coating method. The resulting FGP sponge was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle. The results expressed that FGP sponge exhibited a similar surface structure to that of a lotus leaf, and possessed the super-hydrophobic characteristic with the water contact angle （WAC） of 152°± 1 °. The absorption capacity and reusability were also investigated. It can be seen that, the FGP sponge can remove a wide range of oils and organic solvents from water with good absorption capacities （up to 35 times of its own mass）. Significantly, after 10 cycles the absorption capacity of the oils and organic solvents was higher than 90°; for the reused FGP sponge, demonstrating the good reusability of the FGP sponge. Therefore, this study probably provided a simole way to remove the pollutions ofoil spills and toxic organism from water.

Morphotaxonomy and seasonal distribution of planktonic and benthic Prorocentrales in Karachi waters,Pakistan Northern Arabian Sea

Morphotaxonomy and seasonal abundance of dinoflagellates of the genera Prorocentrum and Mesoporos （Prorocentrales） were studied from nutrient-rich waters, Karachi Harbor and the mouth of the Manora Channel, Pakistan during May 2002-July 2003. Using both light and scanning electron microscopy, 13 species of Prorocentrales were identified according to cell shape, size, ornamentation of thecal plates, and architecture of apical platelets, apical pore area, marginal pores, and intercalary bands. P. sigmoides, P. arcuatum, P. scutellum, P. donghaiense, P. balticum, P. minimum, P. emarginatum, P. lima, P. faustiae, and Mesoporos perforatus constitute new records for sindh coast of Pakistan. The most abundant species were P. minimum/P, balticum （4.5x103 cells/L）, P. micans （1.1~103 cells/L）, P. gracile/P, sigmoides （2.5 x 102 cells/L） and P. donghaiense （6.6 x 103 cells/L） at temperatures of 29-31 ~C and salinities of 35-40. Maximum abundance was observed in winter and lower abundance in summer. There was no significant change in the distribution of species between stations except for the benthic species which occurred close to Karachi Harbor waters. Significant positive correlations were observed between Prorocentrum spp. and temperature （R2=0.27） and negative correlations with salinity （R2=-0.32） except for P. minimum and P. emarginatum which has negative correlation with temperature （R2=-0.24） and positive with salinity （R2=0.08, 0.19）. The finding of potential okadaic-acid producing species of benthic Prorocentrum call for monitoring for possible human health problems in this region.

Inputs of organochlorine insecticides to Xiamen coastal waters

This paper quantifies organochlorine insecticides （OC1） inputs in the Jiulong River and shows the large use in the agricultural activities and analyses specifically the status of soil, fruit and vegetable contamination by these persistent pollutants in some locations of Xiamen region. From this purpose, soil samples collected from Jiulong agricultural catchment have been analyzed for 18 selected OCI using gas chromatography electron capture detection and to identify the factors that may control the distribution and persistence of organochlorines in the area. The main insecticides found in soil samples were Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endosulfan I1, Endrin aldehyde, Endosulfan sulphate and Methoxychlor. The total organochlorines detected in soil samples ranged from 3.14 to 10.35 ng/g soil. The highest values of OC1 were significantly detected in the orange trees＇ leaves, which range from 1203 to 2681 ng/g soil showing recent uses of these agrochemicals. Their distribution in vegetable samples were also monitored and indicating that the concentration ranged from 3.236 to 7.188 ng/g. The contamination of Jiulong River estuary by organochlorine pesticides has been then widely justified by soil runoffs from these agricultural areas. The results therefore, provide important information on the current contamination status and point to the need for urgent actions to stop the use of persistent agrochemicals. The necessity of implementing systematic monitoring of insecticide contamination is emphasized.