Estimation of Lipid Hydroperoxide Levels in Tropical Marine Macroalgae

The incipient levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LHPOs) were determined in selected green, brown, and red macroalgae by the FOX assay using hydroperoxy HPLC mix. The LHPOs contents varied between the investigated species and showed relatively low values in this study. Among the greens, it varied from 12 ± 6.2 μg · g^?1 (Codium sursum) to 31.5 ± 2.8 μg · g^?1 (Ulva lactuca), whereas in reds, from 5.7 ± 1.6 μg · g^?1 (Gracilaria corticata) to 46.2 ± 6 μg · g^?1 (Sarconema filiforme), and in browns, from 4.6 ± 4.4 μg · g^?1 (Dictyota bartayresiana) to 79 ± 5.0 μg · g^?1 (Sargassum tenerrimum), on fresh weight basis. These hydroperoxides represented a minor fraction of total lipids and ranged from 0.04% (S. swartzii) to 1.1% (S. tenerrimum) despite being a rich source of highly unsaturated fatty acids. The susceptibility of peroxidation was assessed by specific lipid peroxidazibility (SLP) values for macroalgal tissues. The LHPO values were found to be independent of both the PUFAs contents and their degree of unsaturation (DBI), as evident from the PCA analysis. SLP values were positively correlated with the LHPOs and negatively with DBI. The FOX assay gave ≥20‐fold higher values for LHPOs as compared to the TBARS method for all the samples investigated in this study. Furthermore, U. lactuca cultured in artificial seawater (ASW) enriched with nutrients (N, P, and NP) showed a sharp decline in LHPOs contents relative to those cultured in ASW alone P ≤ 0.05. It is inferred from this study that the FOX assay is an efficient, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive technique for detecting the incipient lipid peroxidation in macroalgal tissues.     

Seasonal Variations in some Physical and Chemical Properties of Water from an Undisturbed African Tropical Catchment Area (Guma Valley,Sierra Leone)

Four perennial streams in a completely forested area were investigated. The water cooled and warmed up during both the rainy and dry seasons. The chloride content of the water varied according to rainfall. Dissolved solids were relatively high (20 mgl⁻¹) at the start of the rainy season due to leaching but they were diluted with increased volume of flow. Dissolved gases and BOD₅ varied according to discharge and total suspended solids content. All the other chemical species likewise were subject to seasonal variations.     

Seasonal Changes in the Chemical Composition of Ceratophyllum demersum L. in a Small Pond

Seasonal content of total soluble carbohydrate, total soluble protein, free fatty acids and alkaloids were examined in a population of Ceratophyllum demersum growing in a pond on the southwestern edge of the Canadian Shield. Total soluble carbohydrate and total soluble protein were inversely correlated. Free fatty acids were dominated by (16:0 + 16:1), 18:2 and 18:3. Relative proportions of the different free fatty acids remained roughly constant throughout the season. Alkaloid concentrations showed large fluctuations, with the highest values found during the first half of the season. Carbohydrate and protein contents of associated periphyton were not correlated with host macrophyte metabolism.     

Factors Controlling the Seasonal Variation of Nitrate in Lake Erken

The seasonal variation of the nitrate concentration in the mesotrophic Lake Erken is markedly regular and shows some important differences compared with that of phosphate. Nitrification occurs mainly at the sediment surface. Nitrate accumulates when the nitrification-denitrification sequence is broken at a time when the nitrate assimilation is small. This occurs in Lake Erken during autumn turnover.     

Essential Oils from Piper caldense C. DC. and Piper xylosteoides (Kunth) Steud.: Seasonal Variation of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity

The essential oils (EOs) chemical composition can be affected by several environmental factors, impacting their desired biological activities. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the seasonal variation of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Piper caldense and Piper xylosteoides leaves EOs. Their chemical composition was determined by GC/MS and GC-FID analyses, resulting in the identification of eighty compounds. P. caldense EOs were mainly consisted of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, whereas in P. xylosteoides EOs, monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominant. EOs from both species strongly inhibited B. subtilis (MIC=0.25 mg mL⁻¹), while only P. caldense EOs showed strong activity against S. aureus (MIC=0.50 mg mL⁻¹). P. caldense spring EO showed the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial action amongst all samples. For each species, PCA seasonally differentiated EOs chemical composition. In addition, as expected, PCA of all samples showed a distinction between the two species. This study has successfully demonstrated the importance of evaluating the seasonal variation of EOs chemical composition and antimicrobial activity in obtaining a product with the desired properties.     

热带季节性湿润林苦楝(Melia azedarach)径向生长季节动态及其对环境因子的响应

气候变化导致的温度升高和降水格局改变可能会影响到树木的生长速率和季节物候。西双版纳热带季节性湿润林分布在石灰岩山中部,属于热带喀斯特生境。由于土层浅薄,土壤保水能力极差,植物生长更容易遭到受到季节性干旱气候的影响。为探究热带季节性湿润林的树木径向生长季节动态及其对环境因子的响应,利用高精度树木生长仪连续两年监测了云南西双版纳热带季节性湿润林中落叶树种苦楝（Melia azedarach）的树干径向变化,并与同步监测的环境因子进行相关分析。结果表明,苦楝径向生长开始、结束以及持续生长的时间在年际间存在差异。与2018年相比,2019年苦楝生长开始和结束的时间较晚,且年生长量较小,这可能是与2019年雨季开始较晚且在生长季早期经历了严重的高温干旱有关。苦楝的径向日生长量与日降水量和相对湿度呈正相关关系,与光合有效辐射、水汽压亏缺和风速呈负相关关系,表明了在苦楝的径向生长主要受水分条件限制。在干旱年份（2019年）,苦楝的日生长量与降水和相对湿度的相关性更强。研究结果有助于进一步了解热带喀斯特生境树木生长对气候变化的敏感性以及树木适应季节性干旱气候的策略。     

Seasonal Variations of Chemical Composition of Water and Bottom Sediments in the Wetland of Wadi Gaza,Gaza Strip

Water and sediment samples were collected from 18 sampling stations in Wadi Gaza for two successive years in order to: (1) Establish a baseline condition of the geochemistry of surface water and sediments; (2) assess the impact of seasonal variation on distribution of heavy metals and major ions; and (3) identify possible natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution. The heavy metal concentrations in the sediments of the lake (downstream) were higher than those of the eastern eight stations(upstream) where the water was shallower. Shallower areas showed greater temporal variation than deeper areas. Several elements (P, Fe, Mn and As) showed the greatest temporal variability. For example, in the winter rainy season these elements decreased 2–10 times compared to their values in summer. Moreover, Ca, Na, Cl, PO₄, and NO₃ decreased3, 3, 5, 2, 4 times, respectively. Some of the trace metals were more abundant in these waters compared to the domestic wastewaters of the study area. The averages of Cd and Co were 6 and 43 μg/l, respectively and they were 50 times higher than the domestic wastewater results. The discharge of olive oil mill wastewater was recorded in the Ca, Na, Mg, K and P concentrations in sediments of one of the sampling stations.     

Seasonal Variation of Virioplankton in a Eutrophic Shallow Lake

Lake Donghu is a typical eutrophic freshwater lake in which high abundance of planktonic viruses was recently revealed. In this study, seasonal variation of planktonic viruses were observed at three different trophic sites, hypertrophic, eutrophic, and mesotrophic regions, and the correlation between their abundances and other aquatic environmental components, such as bacterioplankton, chlorophyll a, burst size, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, was analyzed for the period of an year. Virioplankton abundance detected by transmission electron microscope (TEM) ranged from 5.48 × 10⁸ to 2.04 × 10⁹ ml⁻¹ in all the sites throughout the study, and the high abundances and seasonal variations of planktonic viruses were related to the trophic status at the sampled sites in Lake Donghu. Their annual mean abundances were, the highest at the hypertrophic site (1.23×10⁹ ml⁻¹), medium at the eutrophic site (1.19×10⁹ ml⁻¹), and the lowest at the mesotrophic site (1.02×10⁹ ml⁻¹). The VBR (virus-to-bacteria ratio) values were high, ranging from 49 to 56 on average at the three sampled sites. The data suggested that the high viral abundance and high VBR values might be associated with high density of phytoplankton including algae and cyanobacteria in this eutrophic shallow lake, and that planktonic viruses are important members of freshwater ecosystems.     

Photosynthesis of Marine Macroalgae from Antarctica: Light and Temperature Requirements

The photosynthetic performance of macroalgae isolated in Antarctica was studied in the laboratory. Species investigated were the brown algae Himantothallus grandifolius, Desmarestia anceps, Ascoseira mirabilis, the red algae Palmaria decipiens, Iridaea cordata, Gigartina skottsbergii, and the green algae Enteromorpha bulbosa, Acrosiphonia arcta, Ulothrix subflaccida and U. implexa. Unialgal cultures of the brown and red algae were maintained at 0°C, the green algae were cultivated at 10°C. I_K values were between 18 and 53 μmol m^?2 s^?1 characteristic or low light adapted algae. Only the two Ulothrix species showed higher I_K values between 70 and 74 μmol m^?2 s^?1. Photosynthesis compensated dark respiration at very low photon fluence rates between 1.6 and 10.6 μmol m^?2 s^?1. Values of α were high: between 0.4 and 1.1 μmol O₂ g^?1 FW h^?1 (μmol m^?2 s^?1)^?1 in the brown and red algae and between 2.1 and 4.9 μmol O₂ g^?1 FW h^?1 (μmol m^?2 s^?1)^?1 in the green algal species. At 0°C P_max values of the brown and red algae ranged from 6.8 to 19.1 μmol O₂ g^?1 FW h^?1 and were similarly high or higher than those of comparable Arctic-cold temperate species. Optimum temperatures for photosynthesis were 5 to 10°C in A. mirabilis, 10°C in H. grandifolius, 15°C in G. skottsbergii and 20°C or higher in D. anceps and I. cordata. P: R ratios strongly decreased in most brown and red algae with increasing temperatures due to different Q₁₀ values for photosynthesis (1.4 to 2.5) and dark respiration (2.5 to 4.1). These features indicate considerable physiological adaptation to the prevailing low light conditions and temperatures of Antarctic waters. In this respect the lower depth distribution limits and the northern distribution boundaries of these species partly depend on the physiological properties described here.     

西双版纳热带季节雨林植物种类多样性的一种研究方法

一、方法1.样地的选择样地分别选取热带干性季节雨林的典型代表——以箭毒木(Antiaris toxicaria)、龙果(Pouteria grandifolia)为标志的群落,以千果榄仁(Terminalia myriocarpa)、番龙眼     

Seasonal Variation in Low Density Lipoprotein Oxidation and Antioxidant Status

Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins is atherogenic and that antioxidants may play a role in protection of LDL against oxidation. Several studies have reported a seasonal fluctuation in antioxidant levels, but to date nothing is known about seasonal fluctuations in parameters of oxidizability. We collected blood from 10 volunteers at four different periods over one year (February, May, September and December), and measured the amount of plasma lip ids, plasma antioxidants, lipid and fatty acid composition of the LDL particle, LDL antioxidant content, LDL particle size and oxidation parameters (lag time and propagation rate). No seasonal fluctuation for lag time and propagation rate of copper ion-induced LDL oxidation was found. Small seasonal fluctuations were observed for some determinants of LDL oxidation, e.g. plasma and LDL vitamin E and LDL particle size, and for plasma lipids, plasma and LDL lutein and LDL p-carotene. Fatty acid composition of LDL did not change during the year. The main determinant of oxidation susceptibility was the fatty acid composition of LDL. We conclude that LDL oxidation parameters do not change over the year.     

海南岛热带低地雨林攀援竹叶片光合特性季节动态

为探究攀援竹的光合生理特性及其在热带雨林中的生存适应机制,该研究应用LI-6400便携式光合作用测定系统,分别于2、4、7和11月测定了海南岛甘什岭热带低地雨林的无耳藤竹(攀援能力较强)和响子竹(攀援能力较差)光响应曲线和CO2响应曲线。结果显示:(1)无耳藤竹各月份的最大光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、暗呼吸效率和气孔导度总体大于响子竹,表观量子效率和胞间CO2浓度总体小于响子竹。(2)两个竹种的最大光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、暗呼吸效率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率均在7月份较高,表观量子效率和水分利用效率则均在2月份较高。(3)无耳藤竹各月份的羧化效率、饱和最大净光合速率和光呼吸速率均高于响子竹,两竹种4月份的CO2饱和点和CO2补偿点最高,但羧化效率和饱和最大光合速率较低。研究表明,无耳藤竹为阳性植物,其光合能力优于响子竹,对CO2浓度变化的适应能力更强,而响子竹以其耐荫的特性在热带雨林中与其他物种共存;两攀援竹种的光合能力均表现为雨季大于旱季,它们在雨季主要通过提高光饱和点、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度来提高其净光合速率,在旱季主要通过降低蒸腾速率和提高水分利用效率来维持光合作用;两种攀援竹光合特性季节变化是环境和竹种自身生理特性共同作用的结果,不同的光合生理特性决定了其在热带雨林中不同的生存策略。     

热带胶茶人工群落中土壤动物季节变化的研究

热带胶茶人工群落中土壤动物季节变化的研究邓晓保（中国科学院昆明生态研究所,６５０２２３）ＳｅａｓｏｎａｌＶａｒｉａｔｉｏｎｏｆＳｏｉｌＡｎｉｍａｌｓｉｎＭａｎ－ＭａｄｅＲｕｂｂｅｒ－ＴｅａＣｏｍｍｕｎｉｔｙｉｎＴｒｏｐｉｃｓ．￥ＤｅｎｇＸｉ－ａｏｂａ...     

Flowering Patterns in a Seasonal Tropical Lowland Forest in Western Amazonia

The phenological behavior of many tropical plant species is highly dependent on rainfall, but these plants may also respond to changes in photoperiod. Without a better knowledge of the proportion of species responding to different factors, it is difficult to predict how global climate change may affect natural ecosystem processes. The aim of this study was to describe flowering patterns for more than 100 species in Tinigua Park, Colombia, and to propose which factors may trigger flower production ( e.g. , rainfall, temperature, cloud cover, and photoperiod). Data gathered in 5.6 km of phenological transects during 4 yr and complementary information indicated that the vast majority of species showed intraspecific synchronization, and annual production was the most common pattern, followed by episodic frequency. The annual patterns were common in tree species, while episodic patterns were common in lianas. Simple and multiple regression analyses suggested several aspects of photoperiod as the most likely triggers for flowering in most species. However, the fact that many of these species produce flowers in different periods each year, suggests that the proportion of species responding to photoperiodic cues is less that 23 percent in this community. The flowering times of taxonomically related species seldom showed significantly staggered distributions; however they do not necessarily occur at the same time, suggesting that flowering patterns are not strongly constrained by phylogeny.     

Variation in the genus Keratella

The literature on variation in Keratella is reviewed. The old idea of a thorough endogenous control has to be rejected, but internal factors ought to play a certain role beside influences from current and previous environment. In certain cases there is probably a succession of genetically different clones during the course of the year (cf. King, 1972, 1977), but the seasonal variation in lake populations of, e.g., K. cochlearis ought to be mainly non-genetical. There is some evidence that temperature and food exert an influence on the morphology, via rate of growth, but probably other abiotic and biotic factors are at work as well. The existence of allometric relationships is clearly demonstrated for several species. The variation in spine length has been suspected by some authors to consititute just the function of size variation which is thus considered primary. Some of the variation found is obviously non-adaptive. An attempt is made at explaining the existence of discontinuous variation within a single lake. Implications on taxonomy and speciation are briefly discussed.     

Impacts of Paternal Care and Seasonal Change on Offspring Survival: A Multiseason Experimental Study of a Caribbean Frog

Parental care is widespread among animals and many studies have investigated how environmental conditions influence parental care strategies. However, few studies have coupled observations of the frequency and form of parental care with manipulative studies on the function of care across multiple seasons. To address this gap, we made field observations and conducted male removal experiments in a glass frog with paternal egg attendance from the island of Tobago, West Indies. To test the hypothesis that seasonality impacts the frequency, form, and function of parental care, field observations and male removal experiments were undertaken three times, twice during the rainy season, and once in the dry season. We found seasonal differences in the frequency of egg attendance with males increasing the frequency of this behavior in the dry season, likely in response to a greater risk of clutch desiccation. We also found that clutches in which the male was removed had strongly reduced survivorship compared with controls and this pattern did not change seasonally. However, sources of mortality were strongly influenced by season. Arthropod predation was the primary source of mortality during the wet season, but in the dry season, desiccation was more important. Together, these results suggest that seasonal variation is both impacting care function as well as shaping the form that parental care takes.     

Seasonal Variation of Acid Volatile Sulfide and Simultaneously Extracted Metals in Sediment Cores from the Pearl River Estuary

The simultaneously extracted metals/acid volatile sulfide (SEM/AVS) method is widely used to estimate the toxicity of metals in sediment. In this study, SEM and AVS concentrations were obtained by the cold-acid purge-and-trap technique during spring (April) and winter (December) at six sites in the Pearl River estuary. Total organic carbon, grain size distribution, and total metals were also measured in winter samples. AVS concentrations in spring sediments were slightly higher than those in winter sediments, except at site 2. AVS concentrations showed more distinct locational and temporal variation compared with SEM concentrations. Generally, AVS contents increased downcore, whereas SEM concentrations decreased slightly with depth. Higher SEM concentrations were observed in the west shoal (sites 2, 6, and 7) and site 4 (1.24 ～ 4.28 μmol?g^?1) compared with those at sites 1 and 3 (0.73 ～ 2.14 μmol?g^?1) in the middle shoal. Most SEM metals have a significant linear positive correlation with the total metals, especially for Cd, Zn, and Pb, which were easily extracted by 1 M HCl compared with Cr and Ni. According to the toxicity threshold value of 1.7 μmol?g^?1 for the difference of SEM-AVS, a toxic effect is expected at sites 1, 2, and 4 in spring and at sites 4, 6, and 7 in winter, which also indicates a relatively obvious seasonal variation in heavy metal bioavailability. However, comparisons between the total heavy metal concentrations in winter sediments with the sediment quality guidelines of ERLs/ERMs and TELs/PELs showed that adverse biological effects may occasionally occur at sites 2, 4, 6, and 7. Therefore, SEM/AVS prediction in conjunction with sediment quality guidelines can give a more reliable evaluation of the bioavailability of heavy metal in sediments.     

古尔班通古特沙漠某些短命植物叶片N、P化学计量特征的季节变化

短命植物是荒漠生态系统的重要组成部分。为了解短命植物叶片N、P化学计量特征随生长季变化的特点,选择古尔班通古特沙漠6种优势短命植物(3种一年生短命植物,3种多年生类短命植物)为研究对象,对比了2种生活型短命植物叶片N、P化学计量特征随生长季变化特点。结果表明,3种一年生短命植物尖喙牻牛儿苗(Erodium oxyrrhynchum)、小花荆芥(Nepeta micrantha)以及条叶庭芥(Alyssum linifolium)N含量平均值(±标准差)分别为(11.23±7.16)、(14.11±6.38)和(10.85±6.14)mg·g–1;P含量平均值分别为(2.82±0.73)、(3.12±1.24)和(3.43±0.55)mg·g–1;3种多年生类短命植物独尾草(Eremurus chinensis)、雅葱(Scorzonera pusilla)和簇花芹(Soranthus meyeri)N含量的平均值分别为(19.97±5.94)(15.08±4.01)和(17.94±9.03)mg·g–1;P含量平均值分别为(3.55±0.83)、(2.73±1.11)和(5.03±0.65)mg·g–1。由此可见,短命植物在生长过程中叶片N-P化学计量特征存在一定差异。各物种N、P含量在生长初期都大于其它生长季节,在生长旺季随叶片生物量增加,N、P含量呈下降趋势;而在生长末季N、P含量又有所回升。相关性分析表明,不同生活型短命植物元素间的关系存在差异,但同一生活型短命植物元素间的关系并无显著差异,体现了种内一致性。