Variation in stable isotope signatures of seston and a zooplanktivorous fish in a eutrophic Chinese lake

Temporal and spatial changes in delta(13)C and delta(15)N of seston (mainly phytoplankton) and isotopic relationship between seston and the lake anchovy (Coilia ectenes) were studied in the large eutrophic freshwater Lake Chaohu in China. Much of the spatial and temporal variation in delta(13)C of lake anchovies was explained by variation in seston, indicating a strong link between pelagic primary production and higher order consumers. Because the lake is shallow, there were no significant differences in delta(13)C and delta(15)N of seston between surface and overlying waters. Spatially, the relatively high delta(13)C and delta(15)N of seston in the western part of the lake might be due to high levels of anthropogenically derived N and C introduced from the surrounding cities through sewage drainage systems. The trophic position of the lake anchovy in the food web of Lake Chaohu was estimated to be 2.9-4.1 (3.5 +/- 0.4), which agrees well with the previous stomach content analysis suggesting that the lake anchovy fed both on zooplankton and small planktivorous fishes.

Studies on the food web structure of Lake Donghu using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios

Food web structure was studied by using carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in a hypereutrophic subtropical Chinese lake, Lake Donghu. High external nutrient loading and the presence of abundant detritus from submersed macrophytes were responsible for the high sediment delta(15)N and delta(13)C, respectively. C-13 was significantly higher in submersed macrophytes than in other macrophytes. The similar delta(13)C values in phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos, and planktivorous fish indicate that phytoplankton was the major food source for the consumers. By using a delta(15)N mass balance model, we estimate that the contributions of zooplankton to the diet of silver carp and bighead carp were 54% and 74%, respectively, which is in agreement with previous microscopic observations on intestinal contents of these fishes.

Optical properties of a novel neodymium pentafluoropropionate binuclear complex

A novel neodymium pentafluoropropionate binuclear complex, Nd(C(2)F(5)COO)(3)Dipy (Dipy: 2,2'-dipyridyl), was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. At a concentration of 0.2 M in DMSO-d(6), the Judd-Ofelt parameters (Omega(2), Omega(4), Omega(6)) were calculated from the UV-Vis spectrum. According to the small value of Omega(2) and the zero splitting energy of (4)F/(3/2) level, a symmetric ligand field of the complex was confirmed in DMSO-d(6). Strong emission of the complex in DMSO-d(6) at 1057 nm with a decay time about 1.3 mu s were detected when excited at 800 nm pumped by a laser diode. The stimulated emission cross-section of (4)F(3/2) -> (4)I(11/2) fluorescence transition was 2.36 x 10 (20) cm(2) and comparable with some laser glasses, which indicated good radiative properties of this neodymium pentafluoropropionate binuclear complex in liquid matrix. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic properties of anisotropic absorption in a neodymium-doped YAlO3 laser crystal

Absorption spectra of YAlO3:Nd for the three crystallographic axes are investigated at room temperature, The spectral strengths indicate that the absorption coefficient of YAlO3:Nd is anisotropic. The anisotropy of the local electric field acting on the rare-earth ion in a laser crystal is considered, An extended Judd-Ofelt theory is applied to calculate the absorption cross sections and oscillator strengths of the electric-dipole transitions in the different principal directions. Three groups of the phenomenological parameters are derived from a least-squares-fitting procedure. We also analyze theoretically the anisotropy of the optical absorption of YAlO3:Nd crystal in detail. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.