Population dynamics of Pygoscelis penguins(1980–2012) and penguin dropping records(1916–2001) on Ardley Island of West Antarctica,in response to ENSO

El Nio-Southern Oscillation(ENSO)has affected penguins and their habitats in the western Antarctic Peninsula.We used both historical penguin population dynamics data(1980–2012)and sedimentary lipids in penguin droppings(1916–2001)on Ardley Island to examine the responses of the Antarctic ecosystem to ENSO(El Nin o/La Nin a)events.The results showed that during the last 30 years,climate,marine food chain changes,and human activity have significantly affected penguin population sizes on Ardley Island.The Chinstrap(Pygoscelis antarctica)and Ade′lie(P.adeliae)penguin populations showed a good correlation with ENSO events.The Chinstrap penguin population decreased significantly because it was more sensitive to increasing human disturbance(e.g.,scientific activity and tourism)than Ade′lie and Gentoo(P.papua),particularly during the breeding season.Compositional features of n-alkanes in penguin dropping sediments revealed that organic matter came from lower terrestrial plants,bacteria and algae.C23was the main nalkane heavy hydrocarbon indicating mosses and lichens in the penguin’s diet.Variation in the ratio of nC23/nC17was closely correlated with ENSO events.The bacteria intrusion index(ratio of(iC15:0?aC15:0)/nC15:0for fatty acids)reflected significant increases in microorganism activity during several periods in this area.Meanwhile,the CPIA value for fatty acids decreased because micro-organisms contributed light hydrocarbon fatty acids to penguin droppings.Our results showed that the fine structure and molecular indices of fatty acids and n-alkanes in penguin dropping sediments can be used to explain climate-driven microbial processes,and to reveal the important role that microbes and bacteria play in the relatively simple Antarctic ecosystem.     

Emperor penguins and climate change

Variations in ocean-atmosphere coupling over time in the Southern Ocean have dominant effects on sea-ice extent and ecosystem structure, but the ultimate consequences of such environmental changes for large marine predators cannot be accurately predicted because of the absence of long-term data series on key demographic parameters. Here, we use the longest time series available on demographic parameters of an Antarctic large predator breeding on fast ice and relying on food resources from the Southern Ocean. We show that over the past 50 years, the population of emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) in Terre Adélie has declined by 50% because of a decrease in adult survival during the late 1970s. At this time there was a prolonged abnormally warm period with reduced sea-ice extent. Mortality rates increased when warm sea-surface temperatures occurred in the foraging area and when annual sea-ice extent was reduced, and were higher for males than for females. In contrast with survival, emperor penguins hatched fewer eggs when winter sea-ice was extended. These results indicate strong and contrasting effects of large-scale oceanographic processes and sea-ice extent on the demography of emperor penguins, and their potential high susceptibility to climate change.     

Reliability of flipper-banded penguins as indicators of climate change

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlighted an urgent need to assess the responses of marine ecosystems to climate change. Because they lie in a high-latitude region, the Southern Ocean ecosystems are expected to be strongly affected by global warming. Using top predators of this highly productive ocean (such as penguins) as integrative indicators may help us assess the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Yet most available information on penguin population dynamics is based on the controversial use of flipper banding. Although some reports have found the effects of flipper bands to be deleterious, some short-term (one-year) studies have concluded otherwise, resulting in the continuation of extensive banding schemes and the use of data sets thus collected to predict climate impact on natural populations. Here we show that banding of free-ranging king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) impairs both survival and reproduction, ultimately affecting population growth rate. Over the course of a 10-year longitudinal study, banded birds produced 41% [corrected] fewer chicks and had a survival rate 16 percentage points [corrected] lower than non-banded birds, demonstrating a massive long-term impact of banding and thus refuting the assumption that birds will ultimately adapt to being banded. Indeed, banded birds still arrived later for breeding at the study site and had longer foraging trips even after 10?years. One of our major findings is that responses of flipper-banded penguins to climate variability (that is, changes in sea surface temperature and in the Southern Oscillation index) differ from those of non-banded birds. We show that only long-term investigations may allow an evaluation of the impact of flipper bands and that every major life-history trait can be affected, calling into question the banding schemes still going on. In addition, our understanding of the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems based on flipper-band data should be reconsidered.     

Paleoecological implications of the nitrogen isotope signatures in the sediments amended by Antarctic seal excrements

The nitrogen isotope signatures in the sediments amended by seal excrements, from Fildes Peninsula of King George Islands, Antarctica, were examined for their paleoecological application potential. The contents of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) and the atomic C/N ratios in the sediments show that the organic carbon and nitrogen are predominantly of marine origin and derived from seal excrements. The remarkably high δ15N values in the sediments may be related to at least two important factors of trophic enrichment and NH3 volatilization, which requires further studies. The large variations in the seal hair abundances and the determinedδ15N values in the sediments signify similar changes of the historical seal populations around the study site. A significant negative correlation between the δ15N values and seal hair abundance was observed, and this suggests that the δ15N values, like the number of seal hairs,can be used as a paleoecological proxy for the historical seal populations. The time-integrated δ15N signatures in the sediments with predominantly animal-derived nitrogen source thus provide a new tool for estimating historical populations of seals and penguins and interpretlng the underlying paleoecological processes.     

Monitoring the concentration of N2O in the Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica

Gases in the marine boundary layer in Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica were sampled and analyzed for the first time. Sampling sites included areas covered by moss and lichen growth, penguin colonies and an area where scientific research stations are located. A total of 211 samples were analyzed for N₂O concentrations, with an average of (321.33±3.07) nL/L. This is above the global average value of 314 nL/L. It is found that the N₂O concentrations evidently increase during the summer months. Concentrations around the research stations are higher than at remote areas, indicating a potential source from human activities on the island. N₂O concentrations at a large penguin colony on Barton Peninsula are the highest among the sampled areas. This may explain why N₂O concentrations in Fildes Peninsula are higher than the global average. Our preliminary conclusions are that human activities and emissions from penguin dropping-amended soil and vegetation soil constitute the major sources of N₂O in the maritime Antarctic atmosphere.     

Ocean circulation off east Antarctica affects ecosystem structure and sea-ice extent

Sea ice and oceanic boundaries have a dominant effect in structuring Antarctic marine ecosystems. Satellite imagery and historical data have identified the southern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current as a site of enhanced biological productivity. Meso-scale surveys off the Antarctic peninsula have related the abundances of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and salps (Salpa thompsoni) to inter-annual variations in sea-ice extent. Here we have examined the ecosystem structure and oceanography spanning 3,500 km of the east Antarctic coastline, linking the scales of local surveys and global observations. Between 80 degrees and 150 degrees E there is a threefold variation in the extent of annual sea-ice cover, enabling us to examine the regional effects of sea ice and ocean circulation on biological productivity. Phytoplankton, primary productivity, Antarctic krill, whales and seabirds were concentrated where winter sea-ice extent is maximal, whereas salps were located where the sea-ice extent is minimal. We found enhanced biological activity south of the southern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current rather than in association with it. We propose that along this coastline ocean circulation determines both the sea-ice conditions and the level of biological productivity at all trophic levels.     

Climatology of stable isotopes in Antarctic snow and ice: Current status and prospects

Stable isotopic composition in Antarctic snow and ice is commonly regarded as one of invaluable palaeoclimate proxies and plays a critically important role in reconstructing past climate change.In this paper we summarized the spatial distribution and the controlling factors of δD,δ18O,d-excess and 17O-excess in Antarctic snow and ice,and discussed their reliability and applicability as palaeoclimate proxies.Recent progress in the stable isotopic records from Antarctic deep ice cores was reviewed,and perspectives on bridging the current understanding gaps were suggested.     

Determination of trophic relationships within a Bohai Bay food web using stable δ15N and δ13C analysis

This study measured stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in phytoplankton, zooplankton, five invertebrates species, eight fishes species and three seabirds species collected in Bohai Bay. δ^13C ranged from -25.38‰ to -11.08‰ showing a relative low enrichment in the food web from Bohai Bay. The mean δ^13C of mullet is higher than that of other organisms, and this might be due to that mullet is migration fish and feeds mainly on inshore sources. δ^15N ranged from 4.08‰ to 13.98‰, and showed a step-wise enrichment with trophic level of 3.8‰. The δ^15N enrichment factor was used to construct an isotopic food web model to establish trophic relationships within this marine food web. According to this model, exact trophic levels of all organisms were estimated as 1.46-2.10, 1.91-3.32, 2.55-4.23 and 2.98-4.28 for plankton, invertebrates, fishes, and seabirds.     

叶蜡石对印学发展的变革作用研究

在印章的篆刻过程中,篆与刻在很长的历史时期内都是分离的,直到叶蜡石印章出现后,篆、刻合一,印学也因此而成熟起来。元人王冕首次将叶蜡石引入印章篆刻,经由明代文彭、何震等人的大力推广,叶蜡石印章达到成熟阶段,并在明清与近代形成了多个发展高峰。     

Reproductive failure in common seals feeding on fish from polluted coastal waters

The population of common seal Phoca vitulina in the westernmost part of the Wadden Sea, The Netherlands, has collapsed during the past few decades. Between 1950 and 1975 the population dropped from more than 3,000 to less than 500 animals. Comparative studies of common seal populations from different parts of the Wadden Sea reveal that pup production has declined sharply only in the western (Dutch) part. A comparative toxicological study on the levels of heavy metals and organochlorines in tissues of seals from the western and northern parts of the Wadden Sea shows that only the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels differ significantly. This is predominantly a result of PCB pollution from the river Rhine, which mainly affects the western (Dutch) part. PCBs are thought to be responsible for the low rate of reproduction in Dutch common seals on the basis of epidemiological and experimental data on the ability of PCBs to interfere with mammalian reproduction. Here I report that reproductive failure in common seals from the Dutch Wadden Sea is related to feeding on fish from that polluted area. This is the first demonstration of a causal relationship between naturally occurring levels of pollutants and a physiological response in marine mammals.     

Matched glass-to-Kovar seals in N2 and Ar atmospheres

The oxidation of Kovar alloy was investigated, the wetting and spreading behavior of hard and soft glasses on Kovar alloy were studed by using the sessile drop method, and the quality and the seal strength of glass-Kovar seals were tested. The experimental results indicated that the preoxidation of Kovar alloy for approximately 10 min at 700°C in air resulted in excellent adherence in glass-Kovar seals. The wetting and spreading behavior of glass on preoxidized Kovar alloy were superior to that on nonoxidized Kovar alloy. The wetting ability of ASF110 glass, at 950°C and 980°C in Ar and N₂ atmospheres, was significantly superior to that of ASF200R and ASF700 glasses. The seal quality of the glass-preoxidized Kovar seal was superior to that of the glass-nonoxidized Kovar seal. The shear strength of the ASF110 glass-preoxidized Kovar seal, which was prepared at 980°C for 20 min in an Ar atmosphere, was approximately 3.9 MPa.     

玺文分域新例及其价值

玺印一般指先秦时期的印章,其中绝大部分为战国时期实物。由于战国时期诸列国地处不同区域、各自在文字使用上存在着一定相异性,所以此时期印章上的文字也必然体现出这种差异,从而产生不同地域印文内容相同,但形态因地而异的情况。通过对战国古玺印文相关著述的研究,在以往分域字例研究成果的基础上,重新梳理出若干新例,对不同域别的玺文审美取向研究,以及当代玺印创作等方面,都将有极其重要的意义。     

Influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on growth, fatty acid composition and hepatic lipogenesis in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.)

We examined the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth, fatty acid composition and enzyme activity of fatty acid oxidation in the liver of large yellow croaker. We divided 1600 fish (average initial weight 150 g) into 4 groups and reared them in 8 cages. Four dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0%, 1%, 2% and 4% (w/w) CLA, respectively. The fish were fed for 10 weeks ad libitum twice daily. We found that the dietary CLA had no effect on growth, biometric parameters and whole body proximate (P>0.05), but showed some significant effects on the fatty acid composition in both muscle and the liver. The activities of lipogenic enzymes were slightly depressed in fish fed with increasing levels of CLA when compared with control (P>0.05). Dietary CLA supplementation had no effects on liver lipid content, but significantly increased the contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P<0.05) and decreased monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in both muscle and the liver. Dietary CLA inclusion resulted in significant increases of the biologically active cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomers in both tissues (P<0.05). The total accumulation of CLA was higher in the liver (3.83%, w/w) than in muscle (3.77%, w/w) when fed with 4% (w/w) CLA. This study demonstrates that large yellow croakers are capable of absorbing and depositing CLA and long-chain n-3 PUFA in the liver and muscle, showing that this species fed with CLA could be an important human food source for these healthful fatty acids.     

南极典型鸟类骨骼中的Ca、P、Sr的含量及Ca/P和Ca/Sr特征

应用同步辐射加速器X荧光技术(SR-XRF)和原子荧光光谱(AFS)对南极雪海燕(Pagodroma nivea)、贼鸥(Catharacta maccormicki)和三种典型企鹅(阿德利企鹅PygoscelisAdeliae、南极企鹅Pygoscelis antarctica、金图企鹅Pygoscelis gentoo)的新鲜翅骨和腿骨以及沉积物中的残骨进行微区扫描和定量分析,并使用AXIL软件对扫描图谱进行解读,获取骨骼中主要元素Ca、P和微量元素Sr的相对含量.元素Ca、P和Sr在骨骼皮质骨不同部位分布不均,Ca/P计数比变异系数为4.7%,Ca/Sr计数比和质量比变异系数都超过了70%.相比其他海鸟,企鹅骨骼中的Sr含量异常偏高,Ca/Sr计数比显著小于其他海鸟骨骼,表明该比值可能是一个识别企鹅和其他海鸟骨骼的替代性指标,并初步探讨了Sr含量异常的原因.     

Holocene Southern Ocean surface temperature variability west of the Antarctic Peninsula

The disintegration of ice shelves, reduced sea-ice and glacier extent, and shifting ecological zones observed around Antarctica highlight the impact of recent atmospheric and oceanic warming on the cryosphere. Observations and models suggest that oceanic and atmospheric temperature variations at Antarctica's margins affect global cryosphere stability, ocean circulation, sea levels and carbon cycling. In particular, recent climate changes on the Antarctic Peninsula have been dramatic, yet the Holocene climate variability of this region is largely unknown, limiting our ability to evaluate ongoing changes within the context of historical variability and underlying forcing mechanisms. Here we show that surface ocean temperatures at the continental margin of the western Antarctic Peninsula cooled by 3-4 °C over the past 12,000 years, tracking the Holocene decline of local (65° S) spring insolation. Our results, based on TEX(86) sea surface temperature (SST) proxy evidence from a marine sediment core, indicate the importance of regional summer duration as a driver of Antarctic seasonal sea-ice fluctuations. On millennial timescales, abrupt SST fluctuations of 2-4 °C coincide with globally recognized climate variability. Similarities between our SSTs, Southern Hemisphere westerly wind reconstructions and El Ni?o/Southern Oscillation variability indicate that present climate teleconnections between the tropical Pacific Ocean and the western Antarctic Peninsula strengthened late in the Holocene epoch. We conclude that during the Holocene, Southern Ocean temperatures at the western Antarctic Peninsula margin were tied to changes in the position of the westerlies, which have a critical role in global carbon cycling.     

海洋鱼类的生长与发育生物学研究与苗种培育

鱼类生长和发育生物学是海洋鱼类苗种培育的理论基础。近年来鱼类生长与发育生物学取得的研究进展为改善海洋鱼类苗种培育提供依据。主要的研究进展是：阐明调控鱼类生长的脑－脑垂体－肝脏轴的种激素分泌活动和作用机理,促进海洋鱼类生长激素释放和提高生长率;海洋鱼类幼苗生长发育的形态学与生理学特征及对饵料的消化吸收;海洋鱼类幼苗生长发育所需要的营养物质;促进鱼类苗种对饵料摄取与消化吸收的饵料添加剂;环境条件对海洋鱼类苗种利用营养物质和生长的影响等。目前所取得的进展还只限于少数几种海洋养殖鱼类。许多基本理论问题尚未充分阐明。今后,为配合海洋鱼类养殖和增殖的发展,必需系统深入研究各种重要海洋养殖鱼类的生长与发育生物学,并在此基础上建立苗种培育新技术。     

海洋牧场生物资源养护原理与技术

生物资源养护是现代化海洋牧场建设的最核心内容,是一个复杂的系统工程。目前我国有关海洋牧场生物资源养护的理论基础较弱,制约了我国现代化海洋牧场建设的技术进步。本文将海洋牧场生物资源养护分为资源恢复工程和保护管理工程两部分。资源恢复工程包括增殖放流和自然增殖,强调了增殖放流活动应该有利于海洋牧场生态系统的食物网结构优化,增殖放流前应该进行增殖潜力评估；自然增殖应该注重海洋无脊椎动物幼虫附着变态机理研究与重要经济动物产卵场恢复技术研发。在保护管理工程部分,重点论述了栖息地修复与保护、生物资源调查与监测、生物资源评估与预测、生物资源科学采捕四部分内容。最后,作者提出了我国海洋牧场生物资源养护的建议与对策,包括加强基础理论和关键技术装备研究、协调好生物资源-修复设施-海洋环境三者之间的关系、加强多学科交叉合作、加强政府部门、科研单位和企业之间合作。     

辽东湾断陷与下辽河坳陷油气成藏条件及油气分布特征的差异性分析

通过综合对比分析,发现辽东湾断陷和下辽河坳陷油气成藏条件和油气分布规律存在差异:①两个地区都发育沙三段主力烃源岩,但下辽河西部凹陷和大民屯凹陷还发育沙四段主力烃源岩;②辽东湾断陷储集层成因类型较单一,下辽河坳陷多样化;③与下辽河坳陷相比,辽东湾砂体不发育,断层少,输导条件欠佳;④辽东湾已发现的圈闭类型较单一,以构造圈闭为主,单纯的岩性圈闭发现较少,而下辽河坳陷内发育各种类型的构造、地层和岩性圈闭;⑤辽东湾断陷和下辽河坳陷都具备良好的区域盖层条件和保存条件;⑥辽东湾断陷原油探明储量主要分布在东营组,而下辽河坳陷原油探明储量主要分布在沙河街组;⑦辽东湾断陷现今找到的大中型油气田多位于辽西低凸起主断棱带上,而下辽河坳陷在斜坡带、陡坡带及深陷区均有大型油气田发现,具有“整凹含油”的特点.以上对比分析对于进一步预测辽东湾地区油气勘探开发潜力具有重要意义.     

Mortality of sea lions along the central California coast linked to a toxic diatom bloom

Over 400 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) died and many others displayed signs of neurological dysfunction along the central California coast during May and June 1998. A bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia australis (diatom) was observed in the Monterey Bay region during the same period. This bloom was associated with production of domoic acid (DA), a neurotoxin that was also detected in planktivorous fish, including the northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), and in sea lion body fluids. These and other concurrent observations demonstrate the trophic transfer of DA resulting in marine mammal mortality. In contrast to fish, blue mussels (Mytilus edulus) collected during the DA outbreak contained no DA or only trace amounts. Such findings reveal that monitoring of mussel toxicity alone does not necessarily provide adequate warning of DA entering the food web at levels sufficient to harm marine wildlife and perhaps humans.