陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区城郊农村土地利用变化定量分析

以典型黄土丘陵沟壑区——延安市赵庄村为例,选取土地利用动态度、土地利用趋势状态指数、土地利用景观指数等指标,对村庄尺度上的土地利用变化进行了定量分析。结果表明,6 a来,研究区土地利用发生了较大的变化,主要以耕地的减少和未利用土地的增加等变化为主;未利用土地、居住及建设用地、林地、灌草地以不同程度增加,其动态度大小依次为43.92%,15.35%,0.33%,0.17%;而耕地、果园、水域则以不同程度减小,动态度大小依次为7.45%,3.79%,0.20%;耕地、果园、水域呈"落势"状态,而未利用土地、居住及建设用地、林地、灌草地呈"涨势",朝着规模增大的趋势发展;斑块数与斑块密度增加,优势度指数与偏离度指数减小,多样性指数、均匀度指数和破碎度指数都有不同程度的增大。

黄土丘陵沟壑区不同降水年型下土壤水分动态

采用定位监测法,对黄土丘陵沟壑区不同降水年型下旱农坡地、刺槐林、沙棘灌丛和白羊草地土壤水分的时空变化规律进行了分析.结果表明,降水年型对研究区不同植被类型土壤水分的季节变化和剖面垂直变化均有一定影响.旱农坡地平水年土壤水分的季节变化平缓;枯水年雨季前土壤水分缓慢减小,雨季后显著增加;丰水年则整体增加,且雨季后增加明显.刺槐林、沙棘灌丛和白羊草地平水年土壤水分的季节变化表现为整体降低;枯水年沙棘灌丛土壤水分先减后增,刺槐林与白羊草地呈"W"型曲线变化,两个最低值均出现在6月和8月;丰水年沙棘灌丛和刺槐林土壤水分的季节变化呈"V"型,白羊草地的波动较大,最低值出现在8月.旱农坡地枯水年的土壤水分活跃层和次活跃层深度较平水年下移,丰水年次活跃层消失;丰水年和枯水年,刺槐林和白羊草地土壤水分活跃层深度均较平水年下移,沙棘灌丛则上移.

陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区土地利用景观格局动态变化特征分析

以位于典型黄土丘陵沟壑区的延安赵庄村为例,选取多样性、优势度、均匀度、破碎度和偏离度等主要指标,对村庄尺度上的土地利用景观格局动态变化进行分析研究。结果表明:1)研究期间,研究区景观斑块数与景观斑块密度增加,而平均斑块面积减少;2)研究区2个时期的景观异质性差异显著,景观指数变化表现为:优势度指数与偏离度指数减小,多样性指数、均匀度指数和破碎度指数都有不同程度的增大;3)6年来,随着退耕还林(草)政策的实施,研究区土地利用景观格局有了较大变化,生态环境整体状况趋于改善,农民收入有所增加,产业结构趋向合理,其中,工副业比例增大与种植业、养殖业、果菜比例减小是研究期间农民收入构成的主要变化特点,农民收入以工副业、果菜为主。

半湿润地区农田夏玉米氮肥利用率及土壤硝态氮动态变化

以土垫旱耕人为土为供试土壤,通过田间试验,研究了不同施氮量下(0、45、90、135和180 kg.hm-2)夏玉米生育期土壤剖面NO3--N的变化特征、氮素利用率及施氮量与土壤NO3--N残留的关系.结果表明:在整个生育期内,土壤NO3--N含量均以0~20 cm土层最高,且施氮量越高,NO3--N含量也越高;0~60 cm土层NO3--N含量变化显著,60~100 cm土层NO3--N含量变化不大.夏玉米整个生育期,受玉米对氮素的需求和降雨的影响,0~100cm土层NO3--N累积量呈波动式降低趋势;当施氮量小于135 kg.hm-2时,作物氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加而显著提高,但当施氮量超过135 kg.hm-2时呈下降趋势.氮肥农学利用率随施氮量的增加而减小,氮肥生理利用率随施氮量的增加而递增.土壤中残留NO3--N与施氮量呈极显著正线性相关关系(R2=0.957**,n=5);施氮处理籽粒产量显著高于不施氮处理(P<0.05);施氮量与籽粒产量呈极显著正线性相关关系(R2=0.934**,n=5).在本试验条件下,夏玉米生长季适宜施氮量为135 kg.hm-2.该施氮水平可保证效益和环境的双赢.

连作对设施黄瓜产量和品质及土壤酶活性的影响

揭示黄瓜产生连作障碍的机理,为设施蔬菜的可持续发展和减轻连作障碍提供参考依据。【方法】在日光温室内进行田间试验,以露地玉米地土壤为对照,研究不同连作年限(4,5,8和12年)下黄瓜产量和品质及土壤酶活性的变化。【结果】随着黄瓜连作年限的增加,黄瓜产量、可溶性固形物和维生素C含量均下降,硝酸盐含量上升,土壤呼吸强度降低,土壤脲酶活性、蔗糖酶活性、碱性磷酸酶活性均呈先上升后降低的趋势;随着黄瓜生长季节的变化,土壤脲酶活性呈先上升后降低再升高的趋势,土壤蔗糖酶活性、碱性磷酸酶活性和土壤呼吸强度均呈先上升后降低的趋势。【结论】随着连作年限的延长,设施黄瓜的产量和品质均下降,土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸酶活性均呈先升高后降低的趋势。

黄土丘陵区梯田谷子养分循环特征与生产力关系的研究

以新修梯田7年长期肥料定位试验为依据,研究了不同施肥条件下谷子各部位生物量、养分携出量、养分平衡以及耕层土壤养分时空变化。结果表明,有机肥与N、P肥配合施用可提高谷子的籽粒产量和生物产量。养分携出量的大小顺序为籽粒>叶>糠秕>茎,为同类地区农业生产及生态环境建设提供科学依据。

延河流域退耕前后土壤侵蚀强度的变化

根据修正通用土壤流失方程,在ArcGIS软件平台下,以黄土高原延河流域为例,在合理选用和计算修正通用土壤流失方程中各因子参数的基础上,计算并分析陕北黄土高原延河流域退耕前后土壤侵蚀量的变化及其动态分布。结果表明:1)延河流域退耕后,土壤侵蚀明显减少,与1986—1997年相比,退耕后至2000年土壤侵蚀量平均减少34%;2)坡耕地对土壤侵蚀影响明显,尤其是陡坡耕地退耕至关重要;3)在修正通用土壤流失方程各因子中,短期内影响土壤侵蚀动态变化的主控因子是植被覆盖管理因子,所以调整土地利用结构是减少土壤侵蚀的有效方法。

吗啡给药及戒断期间大鼠眶额叶脑区功能活动特征户外环境下自由活动猕猴顶叶及海马神经元单位放电的胞外记录方法

已有的研究表明，眶额叶在解剖上与现在已知的药物滥用相关的脑区是紧密联系在一起的。例如，眶额叶在药物滥用和强迫性重复行为中起作用，且随着脑成像技术的应用，越来越多的证据表明眶额叶参与了药物滥用。但是我们并不了解在阿片给药和戒断期间眶额叶脑区活动是如何变化的。因此，我们在实验中采用了Mn2+增强的核磁共振成像（Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance　imaging，MEMRI，4.7T）技术和脑电（EEG）记录的方法，以研究大鼠眶额叶在给与阿片类药物（盐酸吗啡）以及戒断过程中的动态变化。 MEMRI是一种近年才发展起来的新型技术。研究表明，Mn2+是Ca2+的类似物，可以通过Ca2+通道进入兴奋性的神经元里面并结合到胞内的蛋白质和核酸上的Ca2+和Mg2+结合位点上 (MILDVAN and COHN, 1963; EISINGER et al., 1965)。另外，Mn2+的顺磁性也为它成为核磁共振成像的造影剂提供了前提条件。可是成功应用MEMRI的前提就是要在适当的时间把合适剂量的Mn2+传递到靶点上。因此，Mn2+在注射到靶点后，是否能够在有效的时间内反映大脑活动的变化就成为一个非常重要并且在技术上较为棘手的问题。在给实验大鼠脑区微量注射Mn2+（80mMol/L，200nl）的同时，通过微量注射兴奋性神经递质谷氨酸（Glu 0.5mM/L）或抑制性递质γ-aminobutyric acid（GABA 0.5M/L）以改变靶点神经元兴奋性的方法，检测Mn2+能否反映脑区的活动变化。另外，我们随机选取实验动物，分别在注射Mn2+ 3小时、5小时和8小时后对三组大鼠（n=5）进行10％福尔马林灌流，并且通过观察大鼠眶额叶脑区Mn2+强度的变化来研究最佳的灌流时间。我们的实验结果表明，Mn2++Glu组的右侧脑区/左侧脑区的Mn2+亮度比Mn2+空白对照组增加了20％（p=0.016, student t-test, *p <0.05），也远大于Mn2++GABA组（p=0.047, *p<0.05）。结果表明，当神经元被兴奋的时候，较多的Mn2+可以通过Ca2+通道进入兴奋的神经元内，使得Mn2+的成像亮度增加。由于Mn2+成像亮度的增加可以反映神经元的兴奋活动，因此可以显示出靶点区的脑活动。另外，在研究灌流时间对Mn2+亮度影响的实验中发现，注射Mn2+ 5小时后灌流得到的信噪比分别比注射Mn2+3小时（p＝0.055）和8小时（p=0.004，*p<0.05）高出24％和32％。总之，我们采用微量注射Mn2+（80mM/L,200nl）后5小时用10%福尔马林心脏灌流的方法获得了较好的结果。另外在试验中我们首先观测了大鼠吗啡戒断后的行为学指标和检测大鼠戒断后条件化位置偏好的程度。实验结果表明大鼠可以建立非常明显的条件化位置偏好，但在湿狗抖等行为学指标上无明显症状。这说明大鼠对于吗啡(10mg/kg, 一天两次，持续12天)形成了明显的心理依赖而无明显的生理依赖。此外，MEMRI的结果表明，在吗啡给药的第1天和第6天，大鼠眶额叶的Mn2+强度与空白对照组相比有显著的降低( one-way ANOVA, Post Hoc Dunnett’s C Tests), F (6,28)=7.242, P<0.001)；而在戒断第3天又恢复到正常水平，在戒断第5天和第7天Mn2+强度跟空白对照组相比没有显著性差别(one-way ANOVA, *p<0.05)。脑电（EEG）的结果表明，急性吗啡诱导的gamma波段的EEG显著降低(Two-way ANOVA, F(1,10)=13.626,p=0.006)。然而在戒断第1天gamma波段的EEG与空白对照组相比是增加的。在戒断第3天和戒断第5天，gamma波段的EEG与空白对照组相比也有显著性增强。以上研究结果表明：大鼠眶额叶脑区的动态变化与整个吗啡给药和戒断过程是密切相关的；此外，MEMRI在探讨药物滥用以及成瘾等机制上有很大的应用前景。

Responses of vegetative gametophytes of Undaria pinnatifida to high irradiance in the process of gametogenesis

The population of Undaria pinnatifida in its ecologic niche sustains itself in high temperature summer in the form of vegetative gametophytes, the haploid stage in its heteromorphic life cycle. Gametogenesis initiates when seawater temperature drops below the threshold levels in autumn in the northern hemisphere. Given that the temperature may fall into the appropriate range for gametogenesis, the level of irradiance determines the final destiny of a gametophytic cell, either undergoing vegetative cell division or initiating gametogenesis. In elucidating how vegetatively propagated gametophytes cope with changes of irradiance in gametogenesis, we carried out a series of culture experiments and found that a direct exposure to irradiance as high as 270 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1) was lethal to dim-light (7-10 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1)) adapted male and female gametophytes. This lethal effect was linearly corelated with the exposure time. However, dim-light adapted vegetative gametophytes were shown to be able tolerate as high as 420 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1) if the irradiance was steadily increased from dim light levels (7-10 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1)) to 90, 180 and finally 420 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1), respectively, at a minimum of 1-3 h intervals. Percentage of female gametophytic cells that turned into oogonia and were eventually fertilized was significantly higher if cultured at higher but not lethal irradiances. Findings of this investigation help to understand the dynamic changes of population size of sporophytic plants under different light climates at different site-specific ecologic niches. It may help to establish specific technical details of manipulation of light during mass production of seedlings by use of vegetatively propagated gametophytes.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infects specific hemocytes of the shrimp Penaeus merguiensis

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was specifically detected by PCR in Penaeus merguiensis hemocytes, hemolymph and plasma. This suggested a close association between the shrimp hemolymph and the virus. Three types of hemocyte from shrimp were isolated using flow cytometry. Dynamic changes of the hemocyte subpopulations in P. merguiensis at different times after infection were observed, indicating that the WSSV infection selectively affected specific subpopulations. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and a Wright-Giemsa double staining study of hemocyte types further confirmed the cellular localization of the virus in the infected hemocytes. Electron microscopy revealed virus particles in both vacuoles and the nucleus of the semigranular cells (SGC), as well as in the vacuoles of the granular cells (GC). However, no virus could be detected in the hyaline cells (HC). Our results suggest that the virus infects 2 types of shrimp hemocytes-GCs and SGCs. The SGC type contains higher virus loads and exhibits faster infection rates, and is apparently more susceptible to WSSV infection.

孤岛油田油藏动态模型和开发环境及剩余油分布

This paper is an important part of the national "863" topic :"Reservoir dynamic model, the development environment and the forecast of remaining oil". In this paper, multi-theory, method and technology are synthesized, and sufficiently use the computer method. We use unifies of qualitative and quota, unifies of macroscopic and microscopic, unifies of dynamic and quiescent description of reservoir, unifies of comprehensive research about reservoir and physical mathematical simulation, unifies of three-dimensional and four-dimensional description of reservoir to research the reservoir of channel sand in Gudao oilfield. and we do some research about the last 10 years of the more than 30 year high pressure water injection and polymer water flooding development, dynamic changes and geologic hazard of reservoir fluid field. It discloses the distribution, genesis and controlling factors. The main innovation achievement and the understanding are: we built-up the framework of the strata and structure, and found genetic type, spatial distribution and aeolotropism of the upper Guantao member. We form the macroscopic and microscopic reservoir model of dynamic evolution, disclose the character, distribution of the macroscopic and microscopic parameter，and the relationship with remaining oil. Next we built-up the model about hydrosialite, and find the styles, group of styles, formation mechanism and controlling factors of the reservoir, disclose the affection of the hydrosialite to remaining oil, pollution of the production environment of oilfield and geologic hazard. The geologic hazards are classified to 8 styles first time, and we disclose the character, distribution law, formation mechanism and controlling factors of the geologic hazard. We built-up the model of the distribution of remaining oil in different periods of Gudao oilfield, and disclose the macroscopic and microscopic formation mechanism of remaining oil in different periods, forecast the distribution of the mobile remaining oil, and find that the main cause of the dynamic evolution of all the sub-models of reservoir fluid field is the geologic process of the reservoir development hydrodynamic force. We develop the reservoir fluid field, research of environment disaster and the description about the support theory, method and technology. The use of this theory in Gudao oilfield has obtained very good economic efficiency, and deepened and develops development geology about the continental facies fault-trough basin, and theory of geologic hazard.

油藏动态模型和剩余油分布模式

This paper belong to national "973" technological project undertaken by Shengli Oilfield. Work area is composed of turbidite reservoir of S212 and delta reservoir of S283 of Sheng2 unit in Shengtuo Oilfield that has a 36 years water injection development history. Change of the macroscopic, microscopic and filterational parameters and its mechanism have been studied in the 4 water-cut stages i.e. the primary, moderate, high and supper-high stage by using multi-disciplinary theories and approaches, computer techniques and physical simulation comprehensively. Dynamic reservoir models to different water-cut stages have been established. The study of forming mechanism and distribution of residual oil revealed the main types and spatial distribution of residual oil in different water-cut stages and the distribution mode has also been built up. Macroscopic, microscopic and filterational parameters selecting principle, optimizing and selecting standard, matching standard and laws and related database of various dynamic parameters in different water-cut stages have been established, which laid good basis for revealing reservoir macroscopic, microscopic and filterational parameters' dynamic change and residual oil distribution. The study indicated that in general, the macroscopic, microscopic and filterational parameters will slowly increase and become better in both shallow turbidite and delta reservoirs with the increasing of water cut, but different reservoirs have their own characteristics and change laws. Parameters of I~2 unit, whose petrophysical properties are better, increase more quickly than 8~3, whose petrophysical properties are more unfavorable. The changes was relatively quickly in high water-cut stage, while relatively slowly from primary to moderate and from high to supper-high water-cut stage. This paper firstly put forward that reservoir macroscopic, microscopic and filterational parameters are controlled by dynamic geological function of reservoir fluid, which is considered the major reason of reservoir parameters' dynamic changes and residual oil formation and distribution during reservoir development. Physical simulation of filterational parameters verified that forming mechanism and distribution of residual oil in different water-cut stages are also controlled by dynamic geological function of reservoir fluid. The idea of fluid geological function during reservoir development developed the theory of development geology, and has important practical values. This paper firstly constructed dynamic geological and mathematical models and five modes of residual oil distribution in Shengtuo Oilfield, and achieved four-dimensional forecast of residual oil distribution in different watercut stages. Dynamic changes and mechanism of macroscopic, microscopic and fliterational parameters of reservoir and their change process have been revealed. Forecast of residual oil distribution has been achieved by computers. This paper established the related theories, approaches and techniques for residual oil study, characterization and in different water-cut stages, and realized dynamic forecast of residual oil. It gained remarkable economic benefit and social effect in guiding field development. These theories and techniques had important meaningfulness for residual oil prediction in the terrestrial faulted basins not only in Shengli Oilfield but also in the east of China. Furthermore, this study has developed the theory of development geology.

高含水油藏复合驱剩油分布研究-以羊三木油田馆陶组油藏复合驱为例

Based on the study of the combined flooding test block of Guantao formation in Third faulted block of Yangsanmu oil field, this paper carries out the integration of reservoir precise characterization for very high water cut reservoir, establishes precise 3D geologic model for high water cut development period and states the changing law of the reservoir architecture dtiring development by combined flooding. Then, by subdivided the thick oil reservoir, the study of remaining oil saturation monitoring in fiber glass cased well and tracer monitoring is developed. According the study of multiple constrained combined flooding reservoir numerical simulation, remaining oil distribution are predicted, the methods architecture of predicting remaining oil distribution are established for fluvial facies reservoir at late development stage, develops plan is designed and adjustment associating technologies for enhancing oil recovery. On these base, related measures for tapping the potential are given, it is verified and optimized through the field former test and the good economic effect is achieved . The major achievements of this paper are as follows. The changing law of the reservoir architecture and it's property parameters is revealed, The result indicates that the temperature-pressure of the injecting material and the interaction effect of the injecting material and reservoir petrography are the main factors of the dynamic changes of the reservoir architecture. The quantitative reservoir geologic model, which is tallied with dynamic reservoir parameters of the study area, is established. Subdivided the thick oil reservoir is very important for the study of the remaining oil distribution within the thick oil reservoir. Subdivided the thick oil reservoir technology, which consists of six technologies as follow: micro-cyclic divided, flow unit method, architectural element method, high resolution log technology, high resolution-process technology for normal logging data and using the production data is presented. 3. It is established dynamic monitoring system of remaining oil saturation quantitative research which are inner and interlayer remaining oil saturation from time-lapse logging in fiber glass cased well, inter-well remaining oil saturation from the technology of isotopic tracer monitoring technology, and 4d remaining oil saturation distribution from combined flooding numerical modeling integrated by production datao The forming mechanism of remaining oil for polymer flooding and alkali/polymer combined flooding is clarified, and the plane and vertical distribution law of remaining oil after combined flooding is revealed. Predicting methods and technologies for the combined flooding reservoir of fluvial facies is developed. Combined flooding has been achieved good displacement result in the pilot of Third fault block in Yangsanmu oil field, and accumulated types of important parameters and optimum plans, this technology of combined flooding is expected to increase recovery ratio by 4.77%.

Expression and function of the neurotrophic factors GDF5 and GDNF in the nigrostriatal system during development and in rat models of Parkinson's disease

Growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are neurotrophic factors that promote the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo. Both factors have potent neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects in rat models of Parkinson's disease (PD), and may represent promising new therapies for PD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the endogenous expression and function of GDF5 and GDNF in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system during development and in rat models of PD. Examination of the temporal expression patterns of endogenous GDF5, GDNF, and their respective receptors, in the developing and adult nigrostriatal dopaminergic system suggest that these factors play important roles in promoting the survival and maturation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons during the period of postnatal programmed cell death. The relative levels of GDF5 and GDNF mRNAs in the midbrain and striatum, and their individual temporal expression patterns during development, suggest that their modes of actions are quite distinct in vivo. Furthermore, the sustained expression of GDF5, GDNF, and their receptors into adulthood suggest roles for these factors in the continued support and maintenance of mature nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. The present study found that endogenous GDF5, GDNF, and their receptors are differentially expressed in two 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesion adult rat models of PD. In both terminal and axonal lesion models of PD, GDF5 mRNA levels in the striatum increased at 10 days post-lesion, while GDNF mRNA levels in the nigrostriatal system decreased at 10 and 28 days post-lesion. Thus, despite the fact that exogenous GDF5 and GDNF have similar effects on midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo, their endogenous responses to a neurotoxic injury are quite distinct. These results highlight the importance of studying the temporal dynamic changes in neurotrophic factor expression during development and in animal models of PD.

Studies on factors relating to the development of defects in commercial cheese

Defects in commercial cheese result in a downgrading of the final cheese and a consequential economic loss to the cheese producer. Developments of defects in cheese are often not fully understood and therefore not controllable by the producer. This research investigated the underlying factors in the development of split and secondary fermentation defect and of pinking defects in commercial Irish cheeses. Split defect in Swiss-type cheese is a common defect associated with eye formation and manifests as slits and cracks visible in the cut cheese loaf (Reinbold, 1972; Daly et al., 2010). No consensus exists as to the definitive causes of the defect and possible factors which may contribute to the defect were reviewed. Models were derived to describe the relationship between moisture, pH, and salt levels and the distance from sample location to the closest external block surface during cheese ripening. Significant gradients within the cheese blocks were observed for all measured parameters in cheeses at 7 day post/after manufacture. No significant pH gradient was found within the blocks on exit from hot-room ripening and at three months post exit from the hot-room. Moisture content reached equilibrium within the blocks between exit from hot-room and 3 months after exit from hot-room while salt and salt-to-moisture levels had not reached equilibrium within the cheese blocks even at three months after exit from hot-room ripening. A characterisation of Swiss-type cheeses produced from a seasonal milk supply was undertaken. Cheeses were sampled on two days per month of the production year, at three different times during the manufacturing day, at internal and external regions of the cheese block and at four ripening time points (7 days post manufacture, post hot-room, 14 days post hot-room and 3 months in a cold room after exit from hot-room). Compositional, biochemical and microbial indices were determined, and the results were analysed as a splitplot with a factorial arrangement of treatments (season, time of day, area) on the main plot and ripening time on the sub-plot. Season (and interactions) had a significant effect on pH and salt-in-moisture levels (SM), mean viable counts of L. helveticus, propionic acid and non-starter lactic acid bacteria, levels of primary and secondary proteolysis and cheese firmness. Levels of proteolysis increased significantly during hot-room ripening but also during cold room storage, signifying continued development of cheese ripening during cold storage (> 8°C). Rheological parameters (e.g. springiness and cohesiveness) were significantly affected by interactions between ripening and location within cheese blocks. Time of day of manufacture significantly affected mean cheese calcium levels at 7 days post manufacture and mean levels of arginine and mean viable counts of NSLAB. Cheeses produced during the middle of the production day had the best grading scores and were more consistent compared to cheeses produced early or late during day of manufacture. Cheeses with low levels of S/M and low values of resilience were associated with poor grades at 7 days post manufacture. Chesses which had high elastic index values and low values of springiness in the external areas after exit from hot-room ripening also obtained good commercial grades. Development of a pink colour defect is an intermittent defect in ripened cheese which may or may not contain an added colourant, e.g., annatto. Factors associated with the defect were reviewed. Attempts at extraction and identification of the pink discolouration were unsuccessful. The pink colour partitioned with the water insoluble protein fraction. No significant difference was observed between ripened control and defect cheese for oxygen levels and redox potential or for the results of elemental analysis. A possible relationship between starter activity and defect development was established in cheeses with added coulourant, as lower levels of residual galactose and lactose were observed in defective cheese compared to control cheese free of the defect. Swiss-type cheese without added colourant had significantly higher levels of arginine and significantly lower lactate levels. Flow cell cytometry indicated that levels of bacterial cell viability and metabolic state differed between control and defect cheeses (without added colourant). Pyrosequencing analysis of cheese samples with and without the defect detected the previously unreported bacteria in cheese, Deinococcus thermus (a potential carotenoid producer). Defective Swiss-type cheeses had elevated levels of Deinococcus thermus compared to control cheeses, however the direct cause of pink was not linked to this bacterium alone. Overall, research was undertaken on underlying factors associated with the development of specific defects in commercial cheese, but also characterised the dynamic changes in key microbial and physicochemical parameters during cheese ripening and storage. This will enable the development of processing technologies to enable seasonal manipulation of manufacture protocols to minimise compositional and biochemical variability and to reduce and inhibit the occurrence of specific quality defects.