Mucilaginous masses in the Adriatic sea in the summer of 1989

This paper reports on one of the most recent episodes of mucilage formation in the central–northern part of the Adriatic coast in July–August 1989. The stretch of coast examined goes from the estuary of the River Po to the border of the Marche–Abruzzo coast (Italy).

The possible events (nutrients, N/P ratio, particular climatic conditions) that cause the formation of the mucilage masses were examined and are discussed here. Furthermore, the oxygenation state of the water on the surface and on the bottom as well as the possible effects on molluscs were also examined. The field results indicated that no anoxia phenomena were found in bottom waters caused by mucilages, and that mollusc death was probably due to mechanical reasons. Finally the places where the mucillages formed and their subsequent movements are described.     

Photoluminescence Detection of Biomolecules by Antibody‐Functionalized Diatom Biosilica

Diatoms are single‐celled algae that make microscale silica shells called “frustules”, which possess intricate nanoscale features imbedded within periodic two‐dimensional pore arrays. In this study, antibody‐functionalized diatom biosilica frustules serve as a microscale biosensor platform for selective and label‐free photoluminescence (PL)‐based detection of immunocomplex formation. The model antibody rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) is covalently attached to the frustule biosilica of the disk‐shaped, 10‐µm diatom Cyclotella sp. by silanol amination and crosslinking steps to a surface site density of 3948 ± 499 IgG molecules µm^?2. Functionalization of the diatom biosilica with the nucleophilic IgG antibody amplifies the intrinsic blue PL of diatom biosilica by a factor of six. Furthermore, immunocomplex formation with the complimentary antigen anti‐rabbit IgG further increases the peak PL intensity by at least a factor of three, whereas a non‐complimentary antigen (goat anti‐human IgG) does not. The nucleophilic immunocomplex increases the PL intensity by donating electrons to non‐radiative defect sites on the photoluminescent diatom biosilica, thereby decreasing non‐radiative electron decay and increasing radiative emission. This unique enhancement in PL emission is correlated to the antigen (goat anti‐rabbit IgG) concentration, where immunocomplex binding follows a Langmuir isotherm with binding constant of 2.8 ± 0.7 × 10^?7 M .     

Diatoms and Plants Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferases (LPCATs) Exhibit Diverse Substrate Specificity and Biochemical Properties

The search of the Phaeodactylum tricornutum genome database revealed the existence of six genes potentially encoding lysophospholipid acyltransferases. One of these genes, Phatr3_J20460, after introduction to yeast ale1 mutant disrupted in the LPCAT gene, produced a very active acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCAT) enzyme. Using in vitro assays applying different radioactive and non-radioactive substrates and microsomal fractions from such yeast, we have characterized the biochemical properties and substrate specificities of this PtLPCAT1. We have found that the substrate specificity of this enzyme indicates that it can completely supply phosphatidylcholine (PC) with all fatty acids connected with a biosynthetic pathway of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) used further for the desaturation process. Additionally, we have shown that biochemical properties of the PtLPCAT1 in comparison to plant LPCATs are in some cases similar (such as the dependency of its activity on pH value), differ moderately (such as in response to temperature changes), or express completely different properties (such as in reaction to calcium and magnesium ions or toward some acyl-CoA with 20C polyunsaturated fatty acids). Moreover, the obtained results suggest that cloned “Phatr3_J20460” gene can be useful in oilseeds plant engineering toward efficient production of VLC-PUFA as LPCAT it encodes can (contrary to plant LPCATs) introduce 20:4-CoA (n-3) to PC for further desaturation to 20:5 (EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid).     

基于硅藻转换函数定量重建的云龙湖区近百年气候变化历史

湖泊硅藻是进行古气候定量重建的重要指标,但是目前关于其重建气候变化的可靠性和灵敏度,尚未得到有效验证。本研究选取云南省对气候变化极其敏感的高山湖泊——云龙天池作为研究对象,通过对该湖开展连续两年(2013.09—2015.08)的硅藻季节性变化调查,构建了硅藻—湖泊平均水温转换函数;通过调查表层沉积硅藻组合随水深的空间变化特征,构建了硅藻—水深转换函数。之后结合对湖心沉积钻孔中近百年来的硅藻组合分析,用硅藻转换函数方法分别定量恢复了近百年来的湖泊平均水温和水位变化过程。笔者将基于硅藻重建的湖泊水温和水位变化分别与流域近60年来的气温、降水记录以及水库建坝记录进行对比,结果显示,硅藻重建的湖泊水位既可以灵敏地揭示短期的降水变化过程,又耦合了湖泊因建坝蓄水和大幅扩容而导致的长期逐级抬升信号。而硅藻重建的近百年来的湖泊平均水温变化,在湖泊改建为水库之前与流域的气温变化信号基本一致,但在建坝蓄水和大幅扩容以后,区域气温持续升高,水温却呈现趋势性降低,显示短期内水库水量的大幅变化可能显著改变了湖泊的热力和温度结构,并导致喜冷的硅藻组合占据优势。本研究验证了依托同一湖泊现代过程构建的硅藻转换函数在定量重建不同时间尺度的区域气候变化方面具有较高的灵敏度和可靠性,为基于代用指标的古气候重建工作奠定了重要基础。     

Characterization of cores and organic remains in Iron Age gold objects: The Recouso treasure

ABSTRACT

The study of the gold earrings from the Recouso Treasure (NW Iberia) led us to identify the use of non-metallic fills in the manufacturing process. This article offers an initial characterization of these core materials and discusses their possible purpose. Based on the identification of diatom skeletons in the fill of one earring and the Py-GC-MS analysis of a sample from another, we suggest that sediment from a stagnant open body of water was used as core material. This sediment was subjected to thermal modification. Although the use of non-metallic cores in goldworking processes has been documented in other areas of Atlantic Europe, such as the British Isles, studies of their nature and composition are few. The identification and radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples from an Ag–Au–Cu melting mass from the same hoard are also included in this article. The charcoal fragments were identified as oak (Quercus sp. deciduous) and dated to the second to first centuries BC.     

衡水湖湿地沉积硅藻组合与水质关系研究

衡水湖湿地对维护区域生态平衡和促进地区经济社会可持续发展具有重要作用。基于主成分分析法和综合营养指数法对衡水湖湿地水质进行了研究,分析了沉积硅藻组合与水质的关系。主成分分析结果表明,衡水湖四季水质变化较大,冬季水质最好,为Ⅰ类水,夏秋较差,已超标,引起水质恶化和影响藻类生长的主要环境因子是TP、DO和TN;综合营养指数法分析结果确定衡水湖为中-富营养型湖泊。沉积硅藻组合显示,衡水湖是以附生种、浮游种和底栖兼浮游种多生态型硅藻组合为特点,且耐营养度较低指示污染水体的Achnanthes minutissima（20.90%）和Cymbella microcephala（18.83%）为优势种,可较好地反映衡水湖富营养状况,衡水湖湿地水质与沉积硅藻组合的关系密切。     

三种硅藻产多不饱和脂肪酸分析

采用f/2培养基,对3种硅藻:牟氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros mualleri)、三角褐指藻(Phaeoda-ctytuum tricornutum)、硅藻舟形藻(Navicala incerta)进行培养及脂肪酸组成研究。牟氏角毛藻和三角褐指藻的生长周期短,生物量较高。3种硅藻的脂肪酸组成相近,主要的脂肪酸是C14:0,C16:0,C16:1(n-7)和C20:5(n-3),多不饱和脂肪酸中C20:5(n-3)(EPA)含量最高,其中三角褐指藻中的EPA含量达到11.7%。3种硅藻的DHAC22:6(n-3)含量都较低。通过调整三角褐指藻和牟氏角毛藻的培养条件,可以提高EPA含量,作为优良的水产饵料。     

Atomic force microscopy study of living diatoms in ambient conditions

We present the first in vivo study of diatoms using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three chain‐forming, benthic freshwater species –Eunotia sudetica, Navicula seminulum and a yet unidentified species – are directly imaged while growing on glass slides. Using the AFM, we imaged the topography of the diatom frustules at the nanometre range scale and we determined the thickness of the organic case enveloping the siliceous skeleton of the cell (10 nm). Imaging proved to be stable for several hours, thereby offering the possibility to study long‐term dynamic changes, such as biomineralization or cell movement, as they occur. We also focused on the natural adhesives produced by these unicellular organisms to adhere to other cells or the substratum. Most man‐made adhesives fail in wet conditions, owing to chemical modification of the adhesive or its substrate. Diatoms produce adhesives that are extremely strong and robust both in fresh‐ and in seawater environments. Our phase‐imaging and force‐pulling experiments reveal the characteristics of these natural adhesives that might be of use in designing man‐made analogues that function in wet environments. Engineering stable underwater adhesives currently poses a major technical challenge.