Long‐term temporal and spatial trends in eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea

Much of the Baltic Sea is currently classified as ‘affected by eutrophication’. The causes for this are twofold. First, current levels of nutrient inputs (nitrogen and phosphorus) from human activities exceed the natural processing capacity with an accumulation of nutrients in the Baltic Sea over the last 50–100 years. Secondly, the Baltic Sea is naturally susceptible to nutrient enrichment due to a combination of long retention times and stratification restricting ventilation of deep waters. Here, based on a unique data set collated from research activities and long‐term monitoring programs, we report on the temporal and spatial trends of eutrophication status for the open Baltic Sea over a 112‐year period using the HELCOM Eutrophication Assessment Tool (HEAT 3.0). Further, we analyse variation in the confidence of the eutrophication status assessment based on a systematic quantitative approach using coefficients of variation in the observations. The classifications in our assessment indicate that the first signs of eutrophication emerged in the mid‐1950s and the central parts of the Baltic Sea changed from being unaffected by eutrophication to being affected. We document improvements in eutrophication status that are direct consequences of long‐term efforts to reduce the inputs of nutrients. The reductions in both nitrogen and phosphorus loads have led to large‐scale alleviation of eutrophication and to a healthier Baltic Sea. Reduced confidence in our assessment is seen more recently due to reductions in the scope of monitoring programs. Our study sets a baseline for implementation of the ecosystem‐based management strategies and policies currently in place including the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directives and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.     

不同经营方式下毛竹光合特性分异研究

林木经营方式与林内光照、温度、水分及养分格局关系密切,影响到植株的光合水平。为探明毛竹对不同经营方式的光合响应特性,以安徽省黄山区3种经营方式下的5类毛竹林为对象开展研究,即:粗放经营(Ⅰ)、一般经营(Ⅱ)和集约经营(Ⅲ-挖冬笋量10%—15%,、Ⅳ-挖冬笋量15%—20%、Ⅴ-挖冬笋量约10%,每年9月施氮肥)。结果表明:1)不同经营方式下毛竹的叶面积指数(LAI)和SPAD值间存在显著差异,随经营程度的增加,LAI和SPAD值波动增大。2)光响应曲线变化趋势基本一致,非直角双曲线拟合良好,方程决定系数均大于0.96,随光合有效辐射(PAR)增强,净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(C_d)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i)随之降低,非集约经营(Ⅰ、Ⅱ)的总体变化水平高于集约经营下的Ⅳ和Ⅲ,但集约经营下的Ⅴ则与Ⅰ、Ⅱ趋势更接近,说明适当补充养分(Ⅴ)的集约经营能有效提高毛竹对光能的利用能力。3)光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)3个参数均最大或最小的两种经营方式下,毛竹林具较高的适应性,表现为最大净光合能力(P_(nmax))显著高于其它经营方式毛竹林,由此推断,粗放经营(Ⅰ)或有效补充林地养分的集约经营(Ⅴ)的毛竹具有较高的光合能力。     

Photosynthetic pigment concentration, organization and interconversions in a pale green Syrian landrace of barley (Hordeum vulgare L., Tadmor) adapted to harsh climatic conditions

Tadmor is a Syrian barley landrace that has adapted to semi-arid environments. Its leaves are pale green because of a 30% decrease in the chlorophyll and the carotenoid content of the chloroplasts (leading to a 7·5% decrease in light absorption) compared with barley genotypes that are not adapted to harsh Mediterranean climatic conditions (e.g. Plaisant). This difference in pigment content was attenuated during growth of the plants in strong light, but was strongly amplified when strong light was combined with a high growth temperature. The low pigment content of Tadmor leaves was not associated with significant changes in the pigment distribution between the photosystems or between the reaction centres of the photosystems and their associated chlorophyll antennae. No significant difference in the photosynthetic activity (O₂ production per unit absorbed light) was observed between Tadmor and Plaisant. The conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin in strong light and its reversal in darkness were much faster and operated at a higher capacity in Tadmor leaves compared with Plaisant leaves, resulting in an increased photostability of photosystem II in the former leaves. The accelerated xanthophylls interconversion in the Syrian landrace was associated with, and possibly related to, an increased fluidity of the thylakoid membranes. The lipid peroxide level was lower in Tadmor compared with Plaisant. In contrast, no difference was found in the non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence between the two barley genotypes. The data indicate that the pale green Syrian landrace is equipped to survive excessive irradiance through a passive reduction of the light absorptance of its leaves, which mitigates the heating effects of strong light, and through the active protection of its photochemical apparatus by a rapid xanthophyll cycling.     

Influence of chlorophyll concentrations on the reliability of measurements with an oxygen electrode when studying photosynthetic efficiency in bioassays using microalgae

Euglena gracilis and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were used as model organisms to establish the best conditions for studying photosynthetic efficiency using the Light Pipette – experimental system, which enables sensitive detection of changes in oxygen evolution/consumption and an easy collection and digitalisation of data. Chlorophyll concentrations of 0.005, 0.025, 0.050 and 0.075 mgmL^-1 were investigated using different light regimes. Cultures of E. gracilis at the same chlorophyll concentration absorbed more light(measured at 580 μmol m^-2 s^-1) than those of C. reinhardtii. Cell density had a considerable effect on the reliability of measurements. Chlorophyll concentrations between 0.025 mg_Chl ml^-1 and 0.050 mg_Chlml^-1 can be recommended when applying the Light Pipette system in bioassays using microalgae. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fluorescence induction in the phycobilisome-containing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp PCC 7942: Analysis of the slow fluorescence transient

At room temperature, the chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence induction (FI) kinetics of plants, algae and cyanobacteria go through two maxima, P at ∼ 0.2-1 and M at ∼ 100-500 s, with a minimum S at ∼ 2-10 s in between. Thus, the whole FI kinetic pattern comprises a fast OPS transient (with O denoting origin) and a slower SMT transient (with T denoting terminal state). Here, we examined the phenomenology and the etiology of the SMT transient of the phycobilisome (PBS)-containing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp PCC 7942 by modifying PBS → Photosystem (PS) II excitation transfer indirectly, either by blocking or by maximizing the PBS → PS I excitation transfer. Blocking the PBS → PS I excitation transfer route with N-ethyl-maleimide [NEM; A. N. Glazer, Y. Gindt, C. F. Chan, and K.Sauer, Photosynth. Research 40 (1994) 167-173] increases both the PBS excitation share of PS II and Chl a fluorescence. Maximizing it, on the other hand, by suspending cyanobactrial cells in hyper-osmotic media [G. C. Papageorgiou, A. Alygizaki-Zorba, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1335 (1997) 1-4] diminishes both the PBS excitation share of PS II and Chl a fluorescence. Here, we show for the first time that, in either case, the slow SMT transient of FI disappears and is replaced by continuous P → T fluorescence decay, reminiscent of the typical P → T fluorescence decay of higher plants and algae. A similar P → T decay was also displayed by DCMU-treated Synechococcus cells at 2 °C. To interpret this phenomenology, we assume that after dark adaptation cyanobacteria exist in a low fluorescence state (state 2) and transit to a high fluorescence state (state 1) when, upon light acclimation, PS I is forced to run faster than PS II. In these organisms, a state 2 → 1 fluorescence increase plus electron transport-dependent dequenching processes dominate the SM rise and maximal fluorescence output is at M which lies above the P maximum of the fast FI transient. In contrast, dark-adapted plants and algae exist in state 1 and upon illumination they display an extended P → T decay that sometimes is interrupted by a shallow SMT transient, with M below P. This decay is dominated by a state 1 → 2 fluorescence lowering, as well as by electron transport-dependent quenching processes. When the regulation of the PBS → PS I electronic excitation transfer is eliminated (as for example in hyper-osmotic suspensions, after NEM treatment and at low temperature), the FI pattern of Synechococcus becomes plant-like.     

亚热带典型常绿阔叶树种叶片叶绿素含量与其高光谱特征间的关系

叶绿素在植物的生理生态过程中非常重要.利用高光谱数据,揭示光谱反射率上特征光谱与叶绿素含量间的关系将有助于理解叶绿素光谱反射特征的规律.选取了6种亚热带常绿阔叶树种,抽取一定数量的叶片样品,分别测量了叶片的光谱反射率及其叶绿素含量,并建立了光谱反射率曲线上的红边位置附近的光谱反射率和叶绿素总量间的回归模型.结果显示:对所研究的树种而言,红边位置处一窄波长范围内的平均光谱反射率与叶绿素总量间的相关性普遍较高,回归效果显著.从高光谱遥感的角度结合植物的生理生态特点分析了其机理.建立的有关红边位置处的光谱反射率与叶绿素总量间的回归模型普遍具有较高的拟合度,其应用前景较好.     

菊花黄绿叶突变体不同类型叶片的叶绿素含量和结构特征比较

以菊花黄绿叶突变体-NAu04-1-31为试验材料,测定了黄叶、黄绿叶和绿叶3种不同类型叶片的叶绿素含量,并观察比较了叶片的显微与超微解剖结构.叶绿素含量测定表明:黄叶、黄绿叶的叶绿素含量显著低于绿叶,而黄叶叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值大于绿叶.叶绿体显微与超微结构观察发现:黄叶细胞内叶绿体形状不规1则,缺乏正常的叶绿体膜结构,无类囊体,无淀粉粒,嗜锇颗粒较多;黄绿叶叶片栅栏组织绿色部分与绿叶的栅栏组织相似,黄色部分与黄叶的栅栏组织棚似,黄色部分的海绵组织中有类似于绿色叶片的海绵组织结构,而绿色部分含有类似于黄叶的海绵组织的结构特征.绿叶细胞内叶绿体较多,形状规则,基粒片层清晰,其内淀粉粒多而大,嗜锇颗粒较少.     

The Separation and Characterization of Carbohydrate Rich Component from Ovomucin in Chicken Eggs

We investigated the effects of near-infrared irradiation on the photoconversion of Chenopodium album water-soluble chlorophyll-binding protein (CaWSCP) in the presence of sodium hydrosulfite and found a further photoconversion from CP742 to CP763, a novel form of CaWSCP. Interestingly, one-third of the absorption peak at 668 nm was recovered in CP763, but re-irradiation under oxidative conditions eliminated the photo convertibility of CaWSCP.