Cold resistance of three species of earthworms (Oligohaeta,Lumbricidae) in Western Siberia

We studied cold resistance of Lumbricus rubellus, Octolasion lacteum, Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis earthworms of Western Siberia (Tomsk) populations. Worms of these species turned out to be not resistant to low temperatures (100% mortality at ?3?°C), while cocoons, on the contrary, survived ?35?°C (L. rubellus) or below ?40?°C (D. rubidus tenuis). The worms’ populations under study do not have specific cold resistance. Their main characteristics are similar in Western Siberia and other geographically remote areas according to our studies. Due to their very high cold resistance, cocoons are indifferent to winter temperatures. Hibernation of the studied species of worms in the severe conditions of the West Siberian climate is possible only in the warmest habitats where minimum soil temperature in hibernation horizons does not fall below ?2?°C. Apparently, the proportion of such habitats in the region is high as 5 out of 12 surveyed biotopes had minimum temperature above the maximum tolerated by worms at a depth of 15?cm.     

高校老旧社区与周边社区共治关系及边界重构方式研究——以华工东住宅小区为例

在存量规划背景下,中国城市更新进入品质化提升、多方治理的新阶段,而高校老旧社区与周边社区之间的割裂状态则与之背道而驰。以广州市天河区华南理工大学东住宅小区与相邻的五山花园小区边界围栏上出现的“洞”为研究对象,通过测量、跟踪调查、问卷、访谈,从使用需求、管理模式、支持政策3个维度探究“洞”产生的原因,进而提出理解管理机制、搭建共治平台、设定分期目标3条途径,推动两社区间多元共治、边界重构,完善社区生活圈,实现资源共享。     

Reconstruction of climate changes in East Siberia (Russia) from 1500 AD to the present based on tree-rings records

This paper describes variability in trends of tree growth at tree-line locations of the Kolar and East Sayan Ridges in the high latitudes of Eurasia (East Siberia), providing a wide regional comparison over a 500-year period. The study focuses on the nature of local and widespread tree-growth responses to the Little Ice Age and Recent Warming climate changes. We found that tree-growth in studied areas mainly depended on June temperatures. Changes in June temperature were more pronounced in the Kolar Ridge compared to the East Sayan Ridge. In general, summer temperature regimes were more unstable during the Recent Warming, compared to the Little Ice Age.     

Reconstruction of summer temperatures in East Siberia (Russia) for the last 850 years,inferred from records in lake sediments of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae)

We analysed a 42-cm-long sediment record from Lake Mountain located in East Siberia (Russia) for the reconstruction of summer temperature for the last 850 years. The high latitude of East Siberia at 52°N is probably sensitive to variation in insolation and solar activity. According to our reconstruction, clear decrease in summer temperatures occurred in East Siberia after ca. 1400 and we linked this temperature drop with the beginning of the Little Ice Age. The coldest summer occurred about ca. 1570–1700 and 1830–1900.     

The snow leopard: the elusive ghost,but not yet lost,cat. A review of its conservation status in Siberia and Central Asia

Abstract

The snow leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world. It inhabits high mountains in the Central Asia region. The global population is about 3.5–6.5 thousand individuals, but the number is quickly reducing in many parts of an area. The snow leopard population in the countries of the former USSR is possibly in the most threatened condition, being on the periphery of its main area. In Kazakhstan snow leopard is under the protection of several environmental laws and is conserved in 15 protected areas. In other countries, such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, there are also national strategies or action plans to protect the snow leopard. Siberia, in Russia, is the northern most habitat of the snow leopard, where the efforts for protecting and studying the snow leopard are supported at the highest level. Different organizations in this region conduct research about this species. The snow leopard is, however, threatened by poaching, traditional Chinese medicine, industry, urbanization, etc. This is why snow leopard has long been listed as endangered by the IUCN’s Red List.     

Reconstruction of glacier fluctuation (East Siberia,Russia) during the last 160 years based on high-resolution geochemical proxies from proglacial lake bottom sediments of the Baikalsky Ridge

The object of our study is a cirque glacier located in an alpine-type terrain near Mount Chersky in the Baikalsky Ridge, about 18?km to the west of the northern basin of Lake Baikal (Russia). We analysed a sediment record from the pro-glacial Lake Gitara of this glacier by X-ray fluorescent technique with synchrotron radiation (equipment of Multiple Access Centre SSTRC within the framework of State Contract 16.552.11.7044) at 1?mm scan resolution. The depth–age model of the core was constructed by ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs activity using the constant rate of supply model. The intensity of the glacier fluctuation for the last 160?years was calculated from the ratio of terrigenous elements supplied into Lake Gitara with meltwater. We defined five (c. 1880, 1905, 1918, 1950 and from 1968 to the present) significant periods of increased glacier flow for the last 160?years. The periods centred on 1905 and 1918 were probably characterised by the advance of the glacier, while its retreat was recorded in c. 1880, 1950 and from 1968 to the present.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorines (OCs) in bottom sediments of the Guba Pechenga,Barents Sea,Russia

Surface sediment samples from the Guba Penchenga and adjacent areas: Varangerfjord, Guba Malaya Volokovaya and Guba Bol'shaya Volokovaya (south-western Barents Sea) collected in March-April 1997 were analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides: p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, alpha- and gamma-HCH, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Mean summation operator PAH (sum of the two- to six-ring PAHs) concentration in sediments from the Guba Pechenga (1481 ng/g dry wt.) was significantly higher than in sediments from adjacent areas (252 ng/g dry wt.), where PAH contamination levels were similar to reported for unpolluted sediments of the northern Norway fjords and open parts of the Barents Sea. Differences between HCB levels as well as summation operator HCH (sum of alpha- and gamma-HCH) levels found in Guba Pechenga sediments and adjacent area sediments were not significant. Concentrations of these contaminants varied in ranges 0.28-1.76 and 0.05-0.68 ng/g dry wt., respectively, and were consistent with literature data on PAH levels in sediments from the northern Norway harbours, Kola Bay (Russia) and south-eastern part of the Barents Sea. Average total DDT concentration in Guba Pechenga sediments (10.5 ng/g dry wt.) was one and 2-3 orders higher than those found in sediments from the Pechora Sea and from the seas of eastern Arctic, respectively, however, it was comparable with DDT levels reported for harbours of northern Norway and Kola Bay. Significant difference between total DDT levels in Guba Pechenga and in the adjacent areas (mean 1.8 ng/g) was found. Among compounds of DDT family, p,p'-DDT isomer prevailed in all sediment samples indicating a possible local 'fresh' DDT source. Mean summation operator PCB (sum of PCB-28, 31, 52, 101, 118, 105, 153, 138, 156, 180, 209) concentration in the Guba Pechenga sediments (12.8 ng/g dry wt.) was significantly higher than in sediments of adjacent areas (2.1 ng/g dry wt.), but it was lower in comparison with summation operator PCB levels reported for the northern Norway harbours and Kola Bay sediments. The highest levels of contaminants were found in sediments collected close to the Liinakhamari harbour. The origin of both PAHs and OCs in the Guba Pechenga sediments is a combination of local sources and long-range transport from lower latitudes.     

美、俄、日（大阪）燃气工业综述

文章介绍了美国、日本、俄罗斯等天然气发达国家的燃气工业现状。     

Biostrome communities and mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in the Great Salt Lake (Utah, USA)

The Great Salt Lake has a salinity near 150 g/L and is habitat for over 200 species of migratory birds. The diet of many of these birds is dependent on the food web of carbonaceous biostromes (stromatolites) that cover 260 km² of the lake's littoral zone. We investigated the biostrome community to understand their production processes and to assess whether they are a potential vector for bioconcentration of high mercury and selenium levels in the lake. The periphyton community of the biostromes was > 99% colonial cyanobacteria. Periphyton chlorophyll levels averaged 900 mg m⁻² or nine times that of the lake's phytoplankton. Lake-wide estimates of chlorophyll suggest that their production is about 30% of that of the phytoplankton. Brine fly (Ephydra gracilis) larval densities on the biostromes increased from 7000 m⁻² in June to 20000 m⁻² in December. Pupation and adult emergence halted in October and larvae of various instars overwintered at temperatures < 5 °C. Mean total dissolved and dissolved methyl mercury concentrations in water were 5.0 and 1.2 ηg L⁻¹. Total mercury concentrations in the periphyton, fly larvae, pupae, and adults were, respectively, 152, 189, 379 and 659 ηg g⁻¹ dry weight, suggesting that bioconcentration is only moderate in the short food web and through fly developmental stages. However, common goldeneye ducks (Bucephala clangula) that feed primarily on brine fly larvae at the Great Salt Lake had concentrations near 8000 ηg Hg g⁻¹ dry weight in muscle tissue. Data from a previous study indicated that selenium concentrations in periphyton, brine fly larvae and goldeneye liver tissue were high (1700, 1200 and 24,000 ηg g⁻¹, respectively) and Hg:Se molar ratios were < 1.0 in all tissues, suggesting that the high mercury concentration in the ducks may be partially detoxified by combining with selenium. The study demonstrated that the high mercury levels in the Great Salt Lake are routed through the biostrome community resulting in invertebrate prey that may provide health risks for birds and humans that consume them.     

Role of Tourism and Place Identity in the Development of Small Towns in the Western Cape,South Africa

A recent study on the growth potential of towns in the Western Cape evaluated the growth potential of 131 towns qualitatively and quantitatively (Van der Merwe et al., Growth potential of towns in the Western Cape, Cape Town, Department of Environmental Affairs and Planning, 2005). Two of the several outcomes of this extensive study were first to index, rank, and categorize the towns according to their development potential and, second, to use these categories of town profiles to develop an investment typology as prescribed in the National Spatial Development Phramework (NSDP). Compared with the provincial mean, 79 (60%) of the towns score negative (‘low’ and ‘Very Low’) development index values, whereas conversely, 16 (12%) towns register ‘high’ and ‘very high’ growth potential index values. Three of the four towns with a ‘very high’ status on both the quantitative and qualitative development ratings are well-known tourism towns (Stellenbosch, George, and Paarl). In other towns (Hermanus, Knysna, Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn) with “high” values for growth potential on both indices, tourism also contributes substantially to their local economic development. The main objective of this paper is to emphasize the special role that tourism plays in the growth and development of small towns in the Western Cape. Unfortunately, in some urban centers, unrealistic expectations abound regarding the role that tourism might fulfill as an economic growth mechanism for a town. Although many of the towns in the province possess the resources and attractions to support tourism development, competition is strong. Other prerequisites (tourism infrastructure, potential investors, appropriate services, and skilled labor) are absent from many Western Cape towns. Some of these towns possess a unique place identity, and it will be wise to preserve these towns to qualitatively enrich the province’s small town heritage that will complement tourism development in general and also contribute to economic growth over the long term.

Occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in the Han River (Seoul, South Korea)

The occurrence of 31 selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in Korean surface waters was investigated. The area was selected since there is a lack of information in the Seoul area on the suspected contamination of rivers by micropollutants, although over 99% of drinking water is produced from surface waters in this area that has a population of approximately 15 million inhabitants. Samples were collected from upstream/downstream and effluent-dominated creeks along the Han River, Seoul (South Korea) and analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Most target compounds were detected in both the Han River samples (63%) and the effluent-dominated creek samples (79%). Iopromide, atenolol, TCPP, TECP, musk ketone, naproxen, DEET, carbamazepine, caffeine, and benzophenone were frequently detected in both river and creek samples, although the mean concentrations in effluent-dominated creek samples (102 ng/L-3745 ng/L) were significantly higher than those in river samples (56 ng/L-1013 ng/L). However, the steroid hormones 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, were not detected (< 1 ng/L) in both the river and creek samples. Numerous target compounds (15) were found to be positively correlated (over 0.8) to the conventional water quality parameters (chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved organic carbon, and ultraviolet absorbance). Results of this study provide increasing evidence that certain EDCs and PPCPs commonly occur in the Han River as the result of wastewater outfalls.     

Model testing of radioactive contamination by Sr, Cs and Pu of water and bottom sediments in the Techa River (Southern Urals, Russia)

This paper presents results of testing models for the radioactive contamination of river water and bottom sediments by ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs and ^239,240Pu. The scenario for the model testing was based on data from the Techa River (Southern Urals, Russia), which was contaminated as a result of discharges of liquid radioactive waste into the river. The endpoints of the scenario were model predictions of the activity concentrations of ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs and ^239,240Pu in water and bottom sediments along the Techa River in 1996. Calculations for the Techa scenario were performed by six participant teams from France (model CASTEAUR), Italy (model MARTE), Russia (models TRANSFER-2, CASSANDRA, GIDRO-W) and Ukraine (model RIVTOX), all using different models. As a whole, the radionuclide predictions for ⁹⁰Sr in water for all considered models, ¹³⁷Cs for MARTE and TRANSFER-2, and ^239,240Pu for TRANSFER-2 and CASSANDRA can be considered sufficiently reliable, whereas the prediction for sediments should be considered cautiously. At the same time the CASTEAUR and RIVTOX models estimate the activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs and ^239,240Pu in water more reliably than in bottom sediments. The models MARTE (^239,240Pu) and CASSANDRA (¹³⁷Cs) evaluated the activity concentrations of radionuclides in sediments with about the same agreement with observations as for water. For ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs the agreement between empirical data and model predictions was good, but not for all the observations of ^239,240Pu in the river water-bottom sediment system. The modelling of ^239,240Pu distribution proved difficult because, in contrast to ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr, most of models have not been previously tested or validated for plutonium.     

Occurrence, fate and removal of synthetic oral contraceptives (SOCs) in the natural environment: a review

Synthetic oral contraceptives (SOCs) are a group of compounds with progestagenic and/or androgenic activities, with some also possessing estrogenic activities. Recent research has documented that some of these emerging contaminants have adverse effects on aquatic organisms at very low concentrations. To facilitate the evaluation of their latent risks, published works on their occurrence and fate in the environment are reviewed. Androgenic/progestagenic relative potencies or relative binding affinity of these SOCs as well as their physicochemical properties and toxicity are summarized. Appropriate analytical methods are outlined for various environmental sample types, including methods of sample preparation and limit of detection/quantification (LOD/LOQ). Finally results on their occurrence and fate in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and other environments are critically examined.     

Composition of bacterial and archaeal communities in freshwater sediments with different contamination levels (Lake Geneva, Switzerland)

The aim of this study was to compare the composition of bacterial and archaeal communities in contaminated sediments (Vidy Bay) with uncontaminated sediments (Ouchy area) of Lake Geneva using 16S rRNA clone libraries. Sediments of both sites were analysed for physicochemical characteristics including porewater composition, organic carbon, and heavy metals. Results show high concentrations of contaminants in sediments from Vidy. Particularly, high contents of fresh organic matter and nutrients led to intense mineralisation, which was dominated by sulphate-reduction and methanogenesis. The bacterial diversity in Vidy sediments was significantly different from the communities in the uncontaminated sediments. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a large proportion of Betaproteobacteria clones in Vidy sediments related to Dechloromonas sp., a group of dechlorinating and contaminant degrading bacteria. Deltaproteobacteria, including clones related to sulphate-reducing bacteria and Fe(III)-reducing bacteria (Geobacter sp.) were also more abundant in the contaminated sediments. The archaeal communities consisted essentially of methanogenic Euryarchaeota, mainly found in the contaminated sediments rich in organic matter. Multiple factor analysis revealed that the microbial community composition and the environmental variables were correlated at the two sites, which suggests that in addition to environmental parameters, pollution may be one of the factors affecting microbial community structure.     

Rural industrialization and environmental disamenities: the case of the Bendel cement company,Okpella Bendel state (Nigeria)

This paper attempts a comparative analysis of the economic and non‐economic damage of rural industrialization to the environment of a poor community in a developing country. The major finding is that rural industrialization is more directly and strongly associated with environmental disamenities than with economic loss. A policy implication of this is that the package of rural industrialization strategy in developing nations must transcend conventional compensation schemes. The package must include programmes to provide for alternative sources of water, say, and an adequate health care delivery, where the disamenities caused are in the forms of polluting natural sources of water supply and/or increasing health hazards.     

Photodegradation of phenol red in the presence of oxyhydroxide of Fe(III) (Goethite) under artificial and a natural light

The (α‐FeOOH) Goethite composite is a stable and an efficient catalyst in aqueous suspension under irradiation at 365 nm and by solar light. The photocatalytic activities of this composite were evaluated using Phenol Red (PR) dye (phenolsulfonphthalein class). In the dark, controlling factors, such as the pH and the adsorption of PR on Goethite surface were evaluated (before starting the photochemical experiments). It was found that the system PR‐Goethite present a small decrease in the main band of the dye (435 nm) which was explained by the low rate of adsorption of this dye on the Goethite. Also, we note that 40% of PR decolourisation was obtained after 200 min by the system PR‐Goethite‐hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in dark due to the formation of ^?OH by thermal decomposition of H₂O₂ on the surface of Goethite. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as initial dye concentration, pH, photocatalyst amount, tert‐Butyl alcohol effect and H₂O₂ addition were investigated in the study of photodegradation of the dye. The results showed that the photodegradation of PR under UV‐A (365 nm) irradiation could be enhanced greatly in the presence of H₂O₂. Natural radiation tests (under sunlight) showed that degradation was faster comparing with that obtained using the artificial one at 365 nm. Studies of the mineralization using total organic carbon method under naturel light certify that this method, compatible with the environment, may be considered in the treatment of wastewater and generally in the process of removal of this kind of pollutant.     

Concentrations of copper, zinc and lead in the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale and Roughley) from the Georges River, New South Wales.

Copper, zinc and lead were analysed from samples of non-commercially grown Sydney rock oysters collected from the Georges River estuary in spring 1987. The results, when compared with previous data from 1975, indicated a marked increase in the concentration of copper (up to 40%) and zinc (up to 300%). For several sites, the recommended (National Health and Medical Research Council) levels for copper and zinc (70 micrograms g-1 and 1000 micrograms g-1 respectively) were exceeded. There appears to be a decrease in the concentration of lead since 1975. The gradient of increasing copper and zinc concentrations with increasing distance upstream from the mouth of the estuary reported in 1975 could not be statistically validated. A significant correlation was found between copper and zinc loadings in the oysters. It was noted that data collected in 1975 were based on commercially grown oysters. The use of commercially grown oysters, rather than indigenous oysters, to examine interaction of contaminant load and distance upstream, is complicated as commercial oysters are moved within the estuary and between estuaries to maximise growth potential.     

Spatial and temporal changes of chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, dioxins (PCDDs/PCDFs) and brominated flame retardants in human breast milk from Northern Russia

This study presents for the first time temporal changes of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Russian human breast milk samples. Concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in samples from three locations in the North West of Russia in 2000-2002 (n=42), were compared to corresponding levels measured in 1993-1996 (n=58). In addition brominated flame retardants (BFRs), consisting of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) (including BDE-209) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were analysed in samples from 2000-2002 (n=37). The present levels of SigmaDDTs and SigmaHCHs were 5 and 10 times higher than corresponding levels in the neighbouring country Norway. Median concentrations of SigmaHCHs (196 microg/kg lw), SigmaCHBs (19.7 microg/kg lw) and SigmaPCBs(16) (316 microg/kg lw) were highest in Murmansk. The percentage of p,p'-DDT to SigmaDDTs and ratio DDE/DDT suggest possible ongoing use of DDT in Russia. Levels of PBDE were low and dominated by the congeners BDE-47 and BDE-153. The deca brominated BDE-209 was detected in all analysed samples (median concentration 0.19 microg/kg lipid). Levels of SigmaOCPs and SigmaPCBs decreased 56 and 30% in Murmansk and 36 and 43% in Arkhangelsk during the study period. The decline of SigmaOCPs was significant at both locations (p<0.05-p<0.0001). For SigmaPCBs, the decreasing trend was only significant in Arkhangelsk (p<0.0001). In addition, a decline of Sigmatotal TEQs (SigmaTEQs of PCDDs/PCDFs, non-ortho- and mono-ortho PCBs) was observed in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk during the study period. The exposure of infants by PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs is still exceeding the daily tolerable intake (TDI) in North West Russia. However, the concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs seem to decline very rapidly.