Fluxes of carbon dioxide and methane from swamp and impact factors in Sanjiang Plain,China

Incomplete decomposition of organic matter results in the accumulation of the carbon and other nutriments in wetlands. The wetland ecosystem gains a large amount of carbon from atmosphere CO2 by photosynthesis, and it loses much of which back into the atmosphere as CO2 and CH4 emission through the decomposition and respiration. Climate change, such as global warming and reduction of precipitation could drive the wetlands from carbon sink to source[1,2]. Wetland plays an important role in car…     

Estimation of soil respiration in a paddy ecosystem in the subtropical resion of China

Water vapor, energy exchange, and CO2 flux were measured continuously from 2003 to 2005 using the eddy covariance technique in a paddy ecosystem in the subtropical region of China. The CO2 fluxes at nighttime during fallow periods （from middle October to late April） were used to analyze the dynamics of soil respiration and its relationship with soil temperature, and to simulate the annual dynamics of soil respiration in paddy ecosystems. The variation of soil respiration showed a clear seasonal pattern. The soil respiration rates at night during the fallow periods were 52--398 mg· m^-2· h^-1, and exponentially correlated （P〈0.001） with soil temperatures at different depths of soil （5, 10, and 20 cm）, particularly the temperature measured at a depth of 5 cm. Based on the simulated exponential equations developed, annual average soil respiration rates and total soil respiration of paddy soil in the subtropical region of China were estimated to be 178.5--259.9 mg· m^-2· h^-1 and 1.56--2.28 kg· m^-2· a^-1, respectively. The simulation equations can be applied to evaluating soil respiration in paddy ecosystems during the rice-growing season.     

Trend, seasonal and diurnal variations of atmospheric CO2 in Beijing

The concentration of atmospheric CO₂ in Beijing increased rapidly at a mean growth rate of 3.7% · a⁻¹ from 1993 to 1995. After displaying a peak of (409.7±25.9) μmol · mol⁻¹ in 1995, it decreased slowly. Both the almost stable anthropogenic CO₂ source and increasing biotic CO₂ sink contribute to the drop of CO₂ concentration from 1995 to 2000. The seasonal variation of CO₂ concentration exhibits a clear cycle with a maximum in winter, averaging (426.8±20.6) μmol · mol⁻¹, and a minimum in summer, averaging (369.1±6.1) μmol·mol⁻¹. The seasonal variation of CO₂ concentration is mainly controlled by phenology. The mean diurnal variation of atmospheric CO₂ concentration for a year in Beijing is highly clear: daily maximum CO₂ concentration usually occurs at night, but daily minimum CO₂ concentration does in the daytime, with a mean diurnal difference more than 34.7 μmol·mol⁻¹. It has been revealed that the interannual variations of atmospheric CO₂ concentration in winter and autumn regulated the interannual trend of atmospheric CO₂, whereas the interannual variation of CO₂ concentration in summer affected the general tendency of atmospheric CO₂ in a less degree.     

Comparative study of the net exchange of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in 3 types of vegetation ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Using the eddy covariance method, from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, we conducted the observation and analysis of ecosystem CO2 flux in 3 types of alpine meadow vegetation （Kobresia humilis, Potentilla fruticosa shrub and Kobresia tibetica swamp meadows） on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The results show that the Kobresia humilis meadow, the shrub meadow and the swamp meadow＇s highest CO2 uptake rates are 16.78, 10.42 and 16.57 μmol·m^-2·-s^-1 respectively, while their highest CO2 release rates are 8.22, 7.73 and 18.67μmol·m^-2·-s^-1 respectively. The Kobresia humilis meadow and shrub meadow＇s annual atmospheric uptakes are 282 g CO2/m^2 and 53 g CO2/m^2, respectively, while swamp meadow＇s annual atmospheric release is 478 g CO2/m^2. This proves that the Kobresia humilis meadow and the shrub meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau have relatively low potential for CO2 uptake and release compared to C4 grasslands, a number of lowland grasslands, and forests. Moreover, swamp meadow has relatively high release potential. This, in turn, reveals clear differences in carbon source/sink between different types of vegetation in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow ecosystem. These differences are mainly brought by differences in the vegetations＇ photosynthetic capacity and soil respiration.     

Observation of small-scale processes over shelf break in the East China Sea

The turbulent dissipation along with temperature and salinity was measured on board R/V Dong Fang Hong 2 over the shelf break of the East China Sea from March 7 to 9, 2004. Applying the Turner angle, it is found that the ＇diffusive＇ double diffusion, salt-fingering, and stable stratification coexist in the upper water column of about 50 m. Below that depth, there exists weak salt-fingering. The turbulent dissipation rates are enhanced along the ray paths of M2 internal tides emanating from the shelf break with values ranging from 1.0×10^-9 W·kg^-1 to 1.2×10^-6 W·kg^-1. The corresponding diapycnal mixing rates are from 1×10^-6 m^2· s^-1 to 1×10^-2 m^2· s^-1. The spatially averaged mixing rate over the whole observation section is 2.3×10^-3 m^2· s^-1, which is much larger than 1×10^-5 m^2·s^-1 of the background diapycnal mixing rate in the open ocean.     

Experimental study on soil respiration of temperate grassland in China

Understanding of CO2 source and sink characteristics of terrestrial ecosystem is one of the most critical prob-lems at present, but till now, most studies concerning the natural terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle are concentrated on the forest ecosystem. Not enough attention is paid to the natural grassland, especially to the temperate natural grassland, whose area is almost equal to that of tropical forest in the world. Little is known about the role of the grassland, which takes about 25% of…     

Validating a dust production model by field experiment in Mu Us Desert, China

It is essential for validation and improvement of a dust production model to perform field observations on dust emissions. The dust production model (DPM model) consists of two physically explicit sub-models, namely saltation model [1, 2] (eq. (1)) and sandblasting model [3] (eqs. (2) and (3)). Fh is saltation flux, E is fraction of erodible surface, C is a dimensional constant, ρa is air density, g is gravitational acceleration, U* is the wind friction velocity, Ut*(Dp) is threshold frict…     

An explanation to the high efficiency ofm-THPC (temporfin) used in photodynamic therapy

Meso-tetrahydroxylphenyl chlorin (m-THPC) is one of the most efficient prospective sensitizers used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). ESR spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching experiments and cyclic voltammogram measurement were used to study its redox properties. The results showed that the ability of m-THPC generating superoxide radical anions was very strong, and the rate constant of m-THPC fluorescence quenching by oxygen k_q (O₂)=1.46×10¹⁰ mol^-1·s^-1. The values of fluorescence quen- ching rate constant of m-THPC by some other electron acceptors, such as methyl viologen (MV²⁺) and anthraquinone (An), were also measured. And they were k_q (MV²⁺)=5.51×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1, k_q (An)=7.81×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1. The oxidation potential of m-THPC was examined to be +0.62 V (vs. NHE) in acetonitrile. All these suggested that m-THPC should be a much stronger electron donor than photofrin, the currently used in clinical photodrug, and may react easily through electron transfer with biological matter to yield various radicals. So it seemed reasonable that the type Ⅰ reaction may play an important role in the high activity of m-THPC-PDT.     

Effect of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentrations on the activity of photosynthetic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation and extracelluar carbonic anhydrase in the marine diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Skeletonema costatum</Emphasis>

The growth and activity of photosynthetic CO2 uptake and extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CAext) of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum were investigated while cultured at different levels of CO2 in order to see its physio-logical response to different CO2 concentrations under either a low (30 靘ol·m-2·s-1) or high (210 靘ol·m-2·s-1) irradiance. The changes in CO2 concentrations (4—31 靘ol/L) affected the growth and net photosynthesis to a greater extent under the low than under the high light re-gime. CAext was detected in the cells grown at 4 mol/L CO2 but not at 31 and 12 靘ol/L CO2, with its activity being about 2.5-fold higher at the high than at the low irradiance. Photo- synthetic CO2 affinity (1/ K1/2(CO2)) of the cells de-creased with increased CO2 concentrations in culture. The cells cultured under the high-light show significantly higher photosynthetic CO2 affinity than those grown at the low-light level. It is concluded that the regulations of CAext activity and photosynthetic CO2 affinity are dependent not only on CO2 concentration but also on light availability, and that the de-velopment of higher CAext activity and CO2 affinity under higher light level could sufficiently support the photosyn-thetic demand for CO2 even at low level of CO2.     

A novel Pd/silicalite-1 composite membrane for hydrogen separation

A novel Pd/silicalite-1 composite membrane supported on the macroporous tubular stainless steel substrate was successfully fabricated by electroless plating at 303 K. The structure, morphology and gaseous permeability of the membrane were detected by X-ray diffractiometry （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and single-gas permeation test, respectively. Results confirm the formation of a thin, smooth, and continuous Pd/silicalite-1 composite membrane. The obtained composite membrane shows a high H2 permeance of 1.15×10^-6 mol. m^-2. s^-1. Pa^-1 with moderate H2 selectivity of 250 for H2/N2 at 773 K, at 0.1 MPa pressure drop, suggesting the potential application for H2 separation.     

An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, 3-benzidino-5-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine, blocking outward potassium currents in acutely isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons

3-benzidino-5-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine (BMP) inhibited electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with IC50 being 0.58 μmol·L-1. As an AChE inhibitor, the effects of BMP on delayed rectifier potassium current (IK(DR)) and transient outward potassium current (IK(A)) in acutely isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons were studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. BMP (0.1―50 μmol·L-1) inhibited IK(DR) and IK(A) in a concentration-dependent and voltage-independent manner. The IC50 value for the bl...     

The presence of phosphorylation form of D1 protein in its cross-linked aggregates in high light treated spinach leaves in vivo

Photosystem Ⅱ (PS Ⅱ ) is a pigment-protein com-plex that catalyses the primary photochemistry leading to oxygen evolution and electron flow in oxygenic phototrophs. The reaction center of PSⅡ is composed of the D1 and D2 proteins to which all the redox…     

Identification of the deposited layers in landslides reservoir and investigation of the sediment yields during the later sixteenth century on the Hill Loess Plateau,China

There are many sediment trapping reservoirs in the Hill Loess Plateau. The Huangtuwa small catchment is selected as a research field where samples were collected in a sediment deposit profile with a vertical length of 12.73 m. By the variation of fine particle content and pollen concentration, 54 flood couples were identified. Taking the freeze-thawing disturbed texture as the sign of the latest flood couple in a year, it is ascertained that those 54 floods should happen in 31 years. Using pyramid volume calculation formula, the sediment yields of flood ranged between 716-30376 t· km^-2, The average sediment yield was 7106 t· km^-2, The annual sediment yields varied between 968-55579 t· （km^2· a）^-1, and the average value is 12629 t· （km^2· a）^-1. Compared with the modern annual sediment discharge of the Huaining River, the erosion rate in the Huangtuwa region 450 years ago was similar to the modern erosion rate. In the period from the 27th year to the 31st year, the average annual sediment yield increased sharply to 31309 t· （km^2· a）^-1. It implied that re-reclamation of the abandoned land in the catchment since the landslide disaster, where vegetation had rehabilitated already, caused very severe soil erosion in the catchment.     

Methane emissions from wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The areal extent of cold freshwater wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is estimated at 0.133 × 10⁶ km², suggesting a significant methane potential. Methane fluxes from wet alpine meadows, peatlands,Hippuris vulgaris mires and secondary marshes were 43.18, 12.96, −0.28 and 45.90 mg · m⁻² · d⁻¹, respectively based on the transect flux studies at the Huashixia Permafrost Station (HPS) from July to August 1996. Average CH₄ fluxes in the thaw season were extrapolated at 5.68 g · m⁻² according to the areal percentage of wetland areas in the Huashixia region. The CH₄ fluxes at four fixed sites, representative of similar ecosystems, ranged from −19.384–347.15 mg · m⁻² · d⁻¹, and the average CH₄ fluxes varied from 6.54 to 71.97 mg · m⁻² · d⁻¹ at each site during the observation period from April to September 1997. The CH₄ emissions at each site during the entire thaw season was estimated from 1.21 to 10.65 g · m⁻², displaying strong spatial variations. Seasonal variations of CH₄ fluxes also were observed at four sites: CH₄ outbursts occurred upon the spring thaw in May and June, CH₄ fluxes increased afterwards with rising soil temperatures. Episodic fluxes were observed in summer, which influenced the average CH₄ fluxes considerably. Annual CH₄ emissions from cold wetlands on the QTP were estimated at about 0.7–0.9 Tg based on the distribution of wetlands, representative CH₄ fluxes, and number of thaw days. The centers of CH₄ releasing were located in the sources of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, and Zoigê Peatlands.     

Photodegradation of bisphenol a induced by metal ions in aqueous solution in the presence of ascorbic acid

The photodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution containing metal ions and ascorbic acid (AsA) was investigated. After strong irradiation, the aqueous solution containing AsA and Cu²⁺ could produce hydroxyl radicals that induced the photodegradation of BPA. The photodegradation efficiency of BPA in the solution containing 70 μmol·L⁻¹ Cu²⁺ and 15 mg·L⁻¹ AsA reached 59% at pH 6.0 after 4 hours irradiation with high pressure mercury lamp. The photodegradation efficiency of BPA reached 10% after 4 hours irradiation with daylight lamp in the presence of 70 μmol·L⁻¹ Cu²⁺ and 15 mg·L⁻¹ ascorbic acid. BPA was not degraded in the aqueous solution only containing AsA or Cu²⁺. The BPA photodegradation in aqueous solution containing AsA and Fe³⁺ was weaker than in aqueous solution that containing AsA and Cu²⁺ at the same concentration. This work showed a new route of the BPA photodegradation in aqueous environment. Biography: PENG Zhang’e (1970–), female, Ph. D. candidate, research direction: aquatic environmental chemistry.     

Studies on the inclusion complex reaction and fluorescent analytical application of β-cyclodextrin with hymecromone

The inclusion complex reaction condition and the mechanism of β-cyclodextrin with hymecromone have been studied by fluorescent spectrum. The fluorescent intensity and the stability of the system can be qreatly increased in qiven condition, and the formation constant of the inclusion complex reaction has been determined too. The system can be applied to the determination of trace amounts of hymecromone, the maximum fluorescent intensity is obtained with excitation and emission wavelength at 362 nm and 452 nm, respectively. The linear range for hymecromone is 8.0×10⁻⁹ mol·L⁻¹ to 1.0×10⁻⁵ mol·L⁻¹. The detection limit is 1.8×10⁻⁹ mol·L⁻¹. A simple, rapid and highly sensitive fluorimetric method is proposed for the determination of hymecromone. The results obtained are in agreement with those given by an official method. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (G1999046703) Biography: Luo Zhao-fu(1947-), female, Associate professor.     

Studies on reduced extent method for inhibited thermokinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reaction

The thermokinetic reduced extent equations of reversible inhibitions for Michaiels-Menten enzymatic reaction were deduced, and then the criteria for distinguishing inhibition type was given and the methods for calculating kinetic parameters,K _M,K _i andv _m were suggested. This theory was applied to inverstigate the inhibited thermokinetics of laccase-catalyzed oxidation ofo-dihydroxybenzene bym-dihydroxybenzene. The experimental results show the inhibition belongs to reversible competitive type,K _M=6.224×10⁻³ mol·L⁻¹,K _i=2.363×10⁻² mol·L⁻¹. Xiong Ya: born Sep. 1961, Ph. D. graduate student. Curent research interest is in biothermochemistry research Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Flow-injection microcolumn on-line preconcentration for the determination of chromium (VI)

A rapid and sensitive on-line preconcentration method for spectrophotometric determination of chromium (VI) in nature water is described. Preconcentration and determination are based on (i) the quantitative and fast adsorption of chromium (VI) on the high surface area nanometer-size TiO₂ (anatase) powders, which prepared by a sol-gel method from hydrolysis of TiCl₄ and (ii) the quantitative and reproducible elution of Cr (VI) by 2.0 mol·L⁻¹ HCl. A mini-column system for preconcentration is developed, Cr(VI) on the mini-column is eluted and merged with a stream water and DPCB (1,5-diphenylcarbazide) as the chromogenic reagent. The proposed system permits throughputs of 6 sample h⁻¹ (0.001 μg·mL⁻¹ Cr(VI)) or 20 sample h⁻¹ (0.1 μg·mL⁻¹ Cr(VI)). The preconcentration factor is 55. The detection limit is 0.8 ng · mL⁻¹ Cr(VI). The reproducibility is satisfactory with a relative standard deviation of less than 3.35% (0.01 μg·mL⁻¹ Cr(VI),n=5). Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Ma Wanhong: born in 1961, Ph. D. Graduate student, Associate professor     

Fluorescence determination of tetracycline by Eu (III)/TOPO/TC system

The fluorescence intensity of the europium (III)-tetracycline (TC) complex can be greatly increased by TOPO, TBP, TTA and surfactans, among which TOPO showed the greatest enhancement. The formation of ternary complex was proposed to be responsible for the fluorescence enhancement. The Eu (III)-TOPO-TC system can be applied to the determination of trace amounts of tetracycline in urinous sample; the maximum fluorescence intensity was obtained in the pH range of 8.2∼9.5 with excitation and emission wave-lengths at 396 nm and 616 nm, respectively. The linear range for tetracycline is 6.0×10⁻⁹−5.0×10⁻⁷ mol·L⁻¹. The detection limit is 2.0×10⁻⁹ mol·L⁻¹(SNR=3). Experimental conditions and the mechanism of the enhancement effect are discussed. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Huang Chunbao: born in 1958, Associate professor     

Export and remineralization of POM in the Southern Ocean and the South China Sea estimated from 210Po/210Pb disequilibria

Disequilibria between ^210Po and ^210Pb in the upper water and their potential applications as a proxy of particle export and remineralization were examined in the Southern Ocean （station IV3） and the South China Sea （NS44）. ^210po was deficit in surface waters but excessive relative to ^210Pb in subsurface waters. Good positive correlation between ^210Po and particulate organic carbon （POC） indicated deficits and excess of ^210Po resulted from particulate organic matter （POM） export and remJneralization respectively, which was also supported by the decreased δ^13C and increased δ^15N downwards as a result of particle remineralization. On the basis of ^210Po/^210Pb box-model, POC export flux out of the surface waters were 1.2 mmol C. m^-2. d^-1 and 2.3 mmol C. m^-2. d^-1 for station NS44 and IV3, respectively. In the subsurface waters, remineralization fluxes of ^210Po were 0.062 Bq. m^-2.d^-1 and 0.566 Bq.m^-2.d^-1 for station NS44 and IV3 along with the recycle efficiency of 52±26% and 119±52%, respectively. Remineralized fluxes of POM derived from ^210Po and exported POC were 0.6 mmol C.m^-2.d^-1 and 2.7 mmol C. m^-2. d^-1 for NS44 and IV3. This study suggested that ^210Po was a powerful tracer of particle export and remineralization.