Triploid and tetraploid Zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri Jones et Preston, produced by inhibiting polar body I

Triploid scallops are valuable for aquaculture because of their enlarged adductor muscle, and tetraploids are important for the commercial production of triploids. We tested tetraploid induction in the zhikong scallop by inhibiting polar body I in newly fertilized eggs. The ploidy of resultant embryos was determined by chromosome counting at 2- to 4-cell stage and by flow cytometry thereafter. Embryos from the control groups were mostly diploids (79%), along with some aneuploids. Embryos from the treated groups were 13% diploids, 18% triploids, 26% tetraploids, 13% pentaploids, and 36% aneuploids. Tetraploids, pentaploids, and most aneuploids suffered heavy mortality during the first week and became undetectable among the larvae at day 14. Five tetraploids (2%) were found among a sample of 267 spat from one of the replicates, and none was detected at day 450. The adductor muscle of triploid scallops was 44% heavier (P < .01) than that of diploids, confirming the value of the triploid technology in this species.

The stability zone of gas hydrate in the slope of East China Sea and neighboring trough basin area

We analyze the distribution of temperature and heat flow of the sea floor sediment in the area of East China Sea slope and West basin area of the Okinawa Trough. Based on the Sonar Buoy and OBS data, 6 velocity layers are recognized, each of which has velocity of 1.8(1.8 similar to 2.2) km/s,2.2(2.0 similar to 2.5)km/s,2.8 (2.7 similar to 3.2)km/s,3.4 similar to 3.6km/s,4.2(4.1 similar to 4.7)km/s and 5.1km/s, respectively. The upper velocity layer of 1.8 similar to 2.2 km/s corresponds to the Quaternary sediment stratum. The layer with velocity 3.4 similar to 4.2km/s is the Pliocene sediment stratum. The area that is suitable for stable existence of gas hydrate by the temperature and pressure is 70,000km(2) about 1/10 the total area of East China Sea. The thickness of the stability zone ranges from 400m (Middle Part of Okinawa Trough) to 1100m (North and South Part of Okinawa Trough). The Quaternary and Pliocene layers are suitable for stable exitence of gas hydrate. According to the tectonic stability and heat flow, the north part and south part of the Okinawa Trough are the most perspective area for the gas hydrate explorations.

Tandem duplication-random loss is not a real feature of oyster mitochondrial genomes

Duplications and rearrangements of coding genes are major themes in the evolution of mitochondrial genomes, bearing important consequences in the function of mitochondria and the fitness of organisms. Yu et al. (BMC Genomics 2008, 9: 477) reported the complete mt genome sequence of the oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis (16,475 bp) and found that a DNA segment containing four tRNA genes (trnK(1), trnC, trnQ(1) and trnN), a duplicated (rrnS) and a split rRNA gene (rrnL5') was absent compared with that of two other Crassostrea species. It was suggested that the absence was a novel case of "tandem duplication-random loss" with evolutionary significance. We independently sequenced the complete mt genome of three C. hongkongensis individuals, all of which were 18,622 bp and contained the segment that was missing in Yu et al.'s sequence. Further, we designed primers, verified sequences and demonstrated that the sequence loss in Yu et al.'s study was an artifact caused by placing primers in a duplicated region. The duplication and split of ribosomal RNA genes are unique for Crassostrea oysters and not lost in C. hongkongensis. Our study highlights the need for caution when amplifying and sequencing through duplicated regions of the genome.

海北高寒灌丛草甸生态系统CO2释放速率的季节变化规律

在中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位站干柴滩地区以金露梅Potentilla fruticosa灌丛草甸生态系统为研究对象,应用静态密闭箱-气相色谱法对高寒灌丛(GG)、丛内草甸(GC)和次生裸地(GL)的CO2释放速率进行了长期观测,并对年释放量作了初步估测.结果表明,GG,GC和GL CO2的释放速率在一年内有明显的季节变化.植物生长季CO2释放量明显高于枯黄期,释放速率GG>GC>GL(P＜0.01),且均表现为正排放.不同季节CO2释放存在明显差异,表现为夏季＞秋季＞春季＞冬季.2003年6月30日至2004年6月28日,高寒灌丛植被-土壤系统CO2释放量为4 293.63±955.75 g/m2,丛内草甸植被-土壤系统CO2释放量为3 319.68±806.19 g/m2,裸地CO2的释放量为1 724.14±444.14 g/m2.CO2释放速率的季节变化与土壤5 cm温度呈显著正相关关系(P＜0.01).

Development of 10 microsatellite loci for Rheum tanguticum (Polygonaceae)

Rhubarb is an important Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, the wild resource has been declining. In order to design appropriate conservation methods for the official species across their natural distributions, it is important to characterize their genetic diversity. Here, we describe the development of 10 new microsatellite loci for AC/TG/CCA in Rheum tanguticum. The microsatellites were enriched using the combined biotin capture method. The polymorphism of each locus was further assessed in 12 individuals from four geographically distinct populations of this species. The number of alleles ranged from three to seven and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.53 to 0.73. All markers have been checked in the other three species in the genus and two of them together comprise the official medicinal rhubarb resource, with R. tanguticum. These microsatellite markers could. provide a useful tool for genetic and conservation studies of the rhubarb species.

甘肃西峰黄土剖面500 ka以来的蜗牛化石记录及其古气候、古环境变化研究

The loess-paleosol sequences in China are among the best continental records of paleoclimate changes. Although numerous sedimentological and geochemical studies have contributed greatly to the understanding of past climate changes during this period, it is still necessary to decipher more details through investigating these sequences using various approaches including biological analyses. In this study, we analyze the mollusk fossil assemblages preserved in the upper part of the Xifeng section, from the fifth loess layer (L5) to the Holocene soil (S0), with the sampling interval of 10 cm. The main results and conclusions obtained are as follows: 1. A continuous terrestrial mollusk fossil record, covering the past 500 ka, has been obtained from the Xifeng loess-paleosol sequence, which provides important biological data for the study of paleoenvironmental changes in the Loess Plateau and its comparison with marine record during this period. A total of 475 mollusk assemblages were studied, and twenty-one species have been identified among the 210,000 mollusk individuals counted. Among these species, most have modern representatives and are found in previous terrestrial mollusk studies of Chinese loess-paleosol sequences. Thus, they can be grouped into cold-aridiphilous, thermo-humidiphilous, oriental, and cool-humidiphilous ecological groups, as defined by previous studies. 2. Comparison of mollusk assemblages between the last five glacials and four interglacials and Holocene shows very different climate conditions. The warmest period occurred at MIS 11, MIS 5e, and Holocene, respectively. The coldest period is the Last Glacial Maximam, rather than the MIS 12. 3. Our mollusk record provides insight into the climate conditions in the Loess Plateau during the MIS 11, interpreted as the closest analog to the present interglacial. S4 paleosol, equivalent of MIS 11, developed under two major different climate regimes: ranging from the very warm–humid early phase to the mild-cool late interval. Furthermore, a cooling spell has been documented at the interglacial optimum, reflecting unstable climate conditions. The early warm–humid conditions lasted over 30 ka, supporting that MIS 11 is a unique long interglacial in the Quaternary climate history. 4. Comparison of MIS 11 and Holocene climates based on the mollusk species compositions indicates major differences. The climate at the early part of MIS 11 was warmer and more humid than during the Holocene optimum period, but the conditions during the late part of MIS 11 were similar to or cooler than late Holocene. Our study indicates that the extent of warming during the Holocene might be significantly less than the conditions that prevailed during the early part of MIS 11 interglacial period. 5. Two strong summer monsoon events were observed during the MIS 12 and MIS 10. They correspond to the maximam values of insolation gradient between low and high latitudes, suggesting a causal linkage. 6. Our study, combined with the previously investigated Luochuan land snail record, reveals that the climate in the Loess Plateau during MIS 3 experienced three stages: relatively warm, humid climate prevailed during MIS 3c, relatively cold, dry climate during MIS 3b, and relatively warm-humid period during MIS 3a. Climate at this time fluctuated frequently in Luochuan, and changed from warm-cool to cold-dry in Xifeng. Our results reveal that the relatively warm-humid climate during MIS 3c may be resulted from an increasing insolation gradient controlled by obliquity. Our result also reveals that obvious regional difference existed in the Loess Plateau during MIS 3. A greater climate gradient occurred during this time compared with today’s climate pattern in the Loess Plateau.

茂兰喀斯特原始森林土壤有机碳的空间变异性与代表性土样采集方法

茂兰原生林中20 m ×30 m研究样地存在着7 类小生境:石面、土面、石土面、石沟、石缝、石坑、石洞。样地内土壤有机碳的含量范围为40. 1～203. 5 g kg- 1 ,样点与小生境间土壤有机碳含量的变异系数分别为43 %和41 %;同类型小生境间为22 %～42 %;小生境内为14 %～57 %;说明样地内土壤有机碳含量具有高度的空间变异性。为了促进岩溶山区土壤退化研究中数据之间的可比,文中建议以土壤面积权重确定的小生境土样组成样地代表性土样的方法。选取样地内面积之和超过样地总土壤面积95 %以上的几类小生境,由面积权重确定组成样地土壤代表样的各类小生境土样样品量,而各类小生境土样则分别由以面积权重确定的同类小生境样品量混合构成。利用该方法计算的研究样地土壤有机碳含量的面积权重值为92. 1 g kg- 1 。

东海和冲绳沉积物中自生铀蓄积过程及控制机理

采用同位素稀释ICP—MS测定法，对中国东海陆架及日本冲绳海槽的6个沉积物芯中U和Th的同位素地球化学行为进行了研究，以了解氧化还原敏感元素U在近海次氧化性沉积物中的蓄积行为，并评价其在全球海洋铀平衡中的意义。东海沉积物芯中，^238U浓度及^238U／^232Th比值随深度变化不明显。但是在冲绳海槽沉积物芯中，^238U浓度及^238U／^232Th比值在沉积芯表层氧化带显示较低值，然后在次氧化层随深度增加而增加。^230Th和^232Th浓度在所有沉积物芯中基本不随深度变化。这些结果说明，冲绳沉积物中有“自生铀”的蓄积过程发生，蓄积速率约为（47±5）-（90±8）ng／（cm^2·a），与文献报道的世界其他海域次氧化性沉积区大致相当。进一步证明了U在近海次氧化性沉积区的蓄积对于全球海洋铀平衡有重要意义。“自生铀”的主要蓄积机制是海水U（Ⅵ）向沉积物迁移，在还原条件下被还原为惰性的U（Ⅳ）并被吸附在沉积物固体相上。

云南鸡街碱性超基性岩杂岩体中橄榄石的矿物化学

分析了云南鸡街碱性超基性岩杂岩体主体岩石及包体中橄榄石矿物的化学成分。结果显示，不同类型岩石中橄榄石的矿物化学成分之间具有较好的线性关糸；橄榄辉石岩包体中橄榄石的Fo值最高，其亚种属靠近镁橄榄石端元的贵橄榄石；从霞霓钠辉岩→霓霞岩→磷霞岩·橄榄石的Fo值逐渐降低，其亚种从靠近镁橄榄石端元的贵橄榄石→靠近透铁橄榄石端元的贵橄榄石→低铁镁铁橄榄石。这些特征表明，本区三类主体岩石为岩浆结晶分异作用的产物；橄榄辉石岩包体为Ⅱ类包体，可能为杂岩体厚始岩浆早期结晶分异作用所形成的堆积岩碎块。

新疆赛力格塔什刚玉矿床的初步研究

本文研究了西昆仑造山带南带的新疆赛力格塔什刚玉矿床，该矿床赋存于古老基底的变质岩系中，放岩石为眼球状黑云母长石片麻岩，眼球部分则玉（中国）及钾长石（外围）组成，基体为黑云母及钾长石，经岩石化学及微量元素等的研究表明，这是一个由贫硅富铝的沉积岩高级变质作用形成的矿床。

单种属泥炭纤维素碳稳定同位素组成与全新世青藏高原东部西南季风变化

泥炭的形成和积累主要受控于气候，其次是地质、地貌和水文等因素。作为一种重要和理想的气候信息载体，泥炭己经与冰芯、海洋及湖泊沉积、黄土堆积、洞穴碳酸盐沉积、树轮和珊瑚礁等其它类型的自然地质档案一样，逐渐为国内外致力于古气候变化研究的学者所接受，并将其重点应用于全新世以来气候变化信息的提取。本研究在已有的泥炭混合植物残体纤维素碳稳定同位素记录青藏高原东部地区气候信息的基础上，首次提取泥炭中单一种属植物残体一木里苔草（Calexmulieensis）纤维素，测定其碳稳定同位素，并以其时间序列作为一种新的西南季风代用指标，揭示该区域全新世以来气候变化。研究表明：1．木里苔草的碳稳定同位素时间序列是西南季风强度变化的敏感代用指标。约11800～11加0 cal aBP期间，木里苔草纤维素的613C记录处于最大值，表明该时段西南季风活动鼻弱，气候干冷，对应于普遍发生并存在的新仙女木事件；它清晰地指示了该区全新世的下限年龄为约11200 cal aBP（14c年龄约9900aB玲从约11200 oal aBP起该区迅速进入湿暖的全新世阶段，季风活动迅速增强；在约10800～5500 cal aBP期间，季风总体保持在强盛状态，但其间有4次突然减弱，气候变干冷；约从5500 cala即起季风活动在波动中逐渐减弱，其中有4次减弱最为明显。2．木里苔草纤维素碳同位素所记录的犯000年以来的所有9次西南季风活动的突然减弱与同时期北大西洋发生的冰力｝漂移碎屑沉积物事件（IRD事件）一一对应。这种密切的相关关系表明，西南季风强度的波动可能是对全球气候变化特别是对海洋热盐环流引起的地球南北方气撇动变化的响应。3．木里苔草纤维素碳稳定同位素所指示的西南季风有952，乓57，475，312，211和77年等一系列周期。其中557年和77年两个周期分别与北大西洋深层海水环流的550年的周期和76年的气候周期非常吻合。这表明西南季风与北大西洋气候间有很好的相关关系。由于557年和77年的季风周期又都分别类似于53。年和80年的太阳活动周期，这表明太阳活动可能对西南季风和北大西洋气候间的联系有着影响。4．红原泥炭木里苔草纤维素和泥炭混合纤维素别3c时间序列在千年至万年时间尺度上的变化趋势很相近。两种代用记录都一致反映了冰后期的气候变化，即均指示西南季风强度变化可分为三个明显的大阶段。这说明它们对过去12000年的西南季风变化具有相同的响应。对于目前经过较详细研究的那些全球大范围发生的突然气候变化事件，木里苔草纤维素δ~(13)C代用记录与泥炭混合纤维素δ~(13)C代用记录一样，都有相同的响应，但是，相对于泥炭中单一的木里苔草敏感地记录到历次北大西洋I劝事件而言，泥炭混合纤维素δ~(13)C记录对其中的几次突然气候变化事件似乎没有表现出明显的响应。这个结果表明对数百年尺度的突然气候变化，木里苔草纤维素比混合纤维素的酬3c指标似乎要更敏感一点。因此，在能获得足够数量的单种植物·残体的情况下，单种植物残体纤维素的δ~(13)C指标有很好的使用价值。

Synthesis and perfection evaluation of NaA zeolite membrane

The synthesis of NaA zeolite membrane on a porous alpha -Al2O3 support from clear solution and the evaluation of the perfection of the as-synthesized membrane by gas permeation were investigated. When an unseeded support was used, the NaA zeolite began to transform into other types of zeolites before a continuous NaA zeolite membrane formed. When the support was coated with nucleation seeds, not only the formation of NaA zeolite on the support surface was accelerated, but also the transformation of NaA zeolite into other types of zeolites was inhibited. A continuous NaA zeolite membrane can be formed. Perfection evaluation indicated that the NaA zeolite membrane with the synthesis time of 3 h showed the best perfection after a one-stage synthesis. The perfection of NaA zeolite membrane can be improved by employing the multi-stage synthesis method. The NaA zeolite membrane with a synthesis time of 2 h after a two-stage synthesis showed the best gas permeation performance, The permselectivity of H-2/n-C4H10 and O-2/N-2 were 19.1 and 1.8, respectively, higher than those of the corresponding Knudsen diffusion selectivity of 5.39 and 0.94, which showed the molecular sieving effect of NaA zeolite. However, the permeation of n-C4H10 also indicated that the NaA zeolite membrane had certain defects, the diameter of which were larger than the NaA zeolite channels. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.