Seasonal fluctuations of zooplankton biomass in Lake Xolotlán (Managua)

Seasonal fluctuations of zooplankton biomass (dry weight) were determined during a year in two localities of Lake Xolotlán (Managua). Biomass estimations of the most common species of rotifers, cladocerans and copepods were made. The maximal zooplankton biomass was observed in February–April (dry season) in coincidence with the period of highest phytoplankton abundance. Copepods contributed with 78% and 84% to the mean zooplankton biomass at points 1 and 7, respectively. Cladocera biomass was lowest during most of the year, and it was probably controlled by fish predation. Development of rotifer biomass was more intense during the rainy season, when detritus particles were more abundant. Daily fluctuations of zooplankton biomass were not pronounced.     

Stimulation of plant growth by low concentration of napropamide

This study demonstrates that the pre-emergence herbicide napropamide will enhance plant growth when applied at very low concentrations. Stimulation of shoot elongation, fresh weight, and dry weight was observed when seeds of wheat, corn, raddish, and soybean were soaked in very dilute solutions of napropamide for 6 hr. Biomass synthesis by Red Kidney bean was dramatically increased by 10 m napropamide, a 24.3% increase in fresh weight and a 76% increase in dry weight being observed. It is apparent that napropamide should be listed with those herbicides that have exhibited growth regulator properties.     

微藻光密度与细胞密度及生物质的关系

以四种常见微藻,小球藻(Chlorella sp.XQ-20044)、栅藻(Scenedesmus sp.SS-200716)、绿球藻(Chlorococcum sp.)和螺旋藻(Spirulina sp.CH-164)为实验材料,用梯度稀释法测定对数生长期不同浓度藻液的光密度(OD)、细胞密度和生物质干重(DW),在光自养分批培养模式下对4种微藻进行OD-波长(350—800 nm)扫描,同时测定细胞密度和生物质干重,分析藻液OD与细胞密度、生物质干重的关系。结果表明:在任何波长下,对数生长期的4种微藻细胞密度与OD值、生物质干重与OD值的变化都不成比例,波长不同其拟合曲线偏离直线的程度不同。但是,在435 nm处这种关系最接近直线,可以用直线方程近似描述(R20.98),其它波长处细胞密度-OD、干重-OD的关系都可以用二项式方程很好地描述(R20.99)。因此,光密度法适用于连续和半连续培养,可以用435 nm处测得的OD值计算细胞密度与干重。但是在分批培养模式下,4种微藻DW/OD比值随着培养时间均逐渐上升。小球藻DW/OD540为0.19—0.44 g/L,栅藻DW/OD540为0.36—0.53 g/L,绿球藻DW/OD540为0.48—0.75 g/L,螺旋藻DW/OD560为0.46—0.74 g/L,因此分批培养模式下采用测定藻液OD值反映细胞密度和生物质的方法不适用,只有直接测定细胞密度和生物质才是准确的。研究结果为正确使用分光光度法监测微藻生长提供依据。     

Biomass estimation in solid state fermentation by modeling dry matter weight loss

The mathematical model introduced by Okazaki & Tanaka (J. Ferment Technol. 1980, 58: 471–476) for estimating fungal growth in solid state fermentations by CO2 evolution, was incorporated into a relationship developed to estimate biomass growth from dry matter weight loss. The proposed equation fitted experimental data very well (R2=0.987, P<0.0001) and allowed accurate predictions of fungal specific growth rate and maximal biomass in the solid substrate fermentation system.     

Effects of preservation on dry- and ash-free dry weight biomass of some common aquatic macro-invertebrates

The effect of preservation methods on dry weight (DW) and ash-free dry weight (AFDW) of Radix peregra (Gastropoda), Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda), Erpobdella octoculata (Hirudinea) and Glyptotendipes sp. (Chironomidae) was studied. Ethanol, formaldehyde, and Bouin were used as preservative. In case of preservation of macro-invertebrates in ethanol substancial changes in DW and AFDW biomass were observed. In the four different taxa the loss in DW varied between 7.2–21.9% after a 3 month preservation period in 70% ethanol. A comparatively small range in AFDW loss (16.2–19.7%) was found. Changes in DW and AFDW biomass during preservation were significantly affected by the duration of the preservation, by temperature, light conditions and the volume of the preservative. The changes in AFDW were also significantly affected by the concentration of the preservatives. Preservation in 10% formaldehyde did not cause significant changes in DW and AFDW biomass.Contribution nr. 42 of the nymphalid project.     

Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) Kuntze, Myriophyllum spicatum L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. biomass dynamics in Lake Provala (the Vojvodina Province, Serbia)

Sixty-five plant species have been found in Lake Provala (the Vojvodina Province, Serbia) and its riparian zone. Among them, three hydrophytes were dominant: Nymphoides peltata, Myriophyllum spicatum and Ceratophyllum demersum. As interactions between different ecological factors, especially light, temperature and nutrient level, are of prime importance for productivity of macrophytes, we analyzed the main physical and chemical indicators of water quality in the studied location. In the vegetation period of the year 2000, the dominant hydrophytes were analyzed for biomass production dynamics in the studied aquatic ecosystem, including fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW) and ash free dry weight (AFDW). The studied plant species achieved maximum biomass production in June, with statistical differences among the species at the significance level of α = 0.05.     

Specific leaf area in barley: individual leaves versus whole plants

We have explored the relationships between specific leaf area calculated for a whole plant and its individual leaves. Barley was grown in hydroponics in controlled environment cabinets. Plants were harvested on the basis of physiological age (defined as the number of days after full expansion of leaves on the main stem) and the area and weight of whole, fully expanded, leaves measured and specific leaf area (SLA) of individual leaves or whole plants calculated. Specific leaf area calculated for individual leaves (SLA_L) varied with leaf position and with leaf age after full expansion whereas SLA calculated for whole plants (SLA_P) varied with plant age. The same conclusions were reached whether the results were based on total dry weight or dry weight minus soluble carbohydrates ('structural weight'). Transferring plants to shade on the day of full expansion of the third leaf on the main stem increased the SLA_P, and also SLA_L of leaves 3 and 4 on the main stem (leaf 4 being the younger leaf of the two), because of a decrease in the 'structural weight' of these leaves. However SLA_L of leaf 2 (which was older than leaf 3) was not affected by shading; the effect was confined to leaves developing in the new conditions.     

Cadmium adsorption by the non-living biomass of microalgae grown in axenic mass culture

The freeze-dried (extracted and non-extracted) biomass of 15 microalgal species grown in axenic mass culture and belonging to the Cyanobacteria, Chloro-, Eustigmato-, Phaeo-, Rhodo- and Tribophyceae were investigated for their ability to adsorb cadmium (Cd) ions from aqueous solutions. For comparison, other standard adsorbing materials (activated carbon, silica gel, siliceous earth) were included in the studies. The biomass of 11 microalgae exhibited a higher Cd adsorption than the standard materials. Extraction of the algal biomass increased the Cd adsorption capability of some, but not all microalgae. High Cd adsorption was found inAnabaena lutea, Nodularia harveyana, andNostoc commune (Cyanobacteria),Chlamydomonas sp. (Chlorophyceae),Bumilleriopsis filiformis (Tribophyceae), and inEctocarpus siliculosus, Halopteris scoparia andSpermatochnus paradoxus (Phaeophyceae). The specific surface (m² cm^–3) of the various microalgae was determined by means of laser diffractometry.Anabaena inaequalis andA. lutea (Cyanobacteria) and the Phaeophyceae had especially high Cd adsorption per surface unit. Most of the Cd adsorbed to these various materials could be desorbed subsequently with diluted mineral acid (pH 2).     

共聚焦显微镜对蒸发过强型干眼眼表结构的观察

目的:干眼已成为影响人们生活质量的主要眼表疾病之一。有关干眼的研究已成为当今眼科的研究热点,本文通过激光共焦显微镜对蒸发过强型干眼患者眼表结构特征进行观察,从细胞层面对干眼进行研究。方法:海德堡激光共焦显微镜(HRT3)对35例(60只眼)干眼患者及35名(60只眼)正常人的角膜上皮层朗格汉斯细胞,睑板腺腺泡密度,睑板腺开口直径及形态进行观察,并对观察结果进行描述记录。结果:正常眼角膜中央上皮层朗格汉斯细胞(LC)个数的平均密度为58±19个/mm2,干眼组为(137±29)个/mm2,两者比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。正常眼组角膜上皮下朗格汉斯细胞突起较短,分支较少,干眼患者角膜上皮下朗格汉斯细胞突起呈树支状,其突起较正常眼组数量多且长度较长,正常组睑板腺(MG)腺泡的平均密度为115±28个/mm2,干眼患者的睑板腺腺泡的平均密度59±16个/mm2,两者比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。干眼组睑板腺腺泡内呈中等程度反光,对照组腺泡内呈低反光。正常组睑板腺开口呈圆形,内壁光滑,直径为62±14μm,干眼组睑板腺开口欠光滑,直径35±11μm,两者比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:共聚焦显微镜观察到在蒸发过强型干眼患者中,睑板腺腺泡直径增大,密度降低,睑板腺的开口直径变小,同时,角膜朗格汉斯细胞活化,数量增多,共聚焦显微镜可从细胞层面观察蒸发过强性干眼的眼表结构改变,使干眼病理变化的研究更为直观,为今后的进一步研究提供了更为准确的材料。     

Annual growth layers as proxies of past growth conditions for benthic microbial mats in a perennially ice-covered Antarctic lake

Perennial microbial mats can be the dominant autotrophic community in Antarctic lakes. Their seasonal growth results in clearly discernible annual growth layering. We examined features of live microbial mats from a range of depths in Lake Hoare, Antarctica, that are likely to be preserved in these layers to determine their potential as proxies of past growth performance. Cyanobacteria dominated the mat for all but the deepest depth sampled. Changes in areal concentrations of phycobilin pigments, organic matter and extracellular polysaccharide and in species composition did not correspond to changes in various water column properties, but showed a linear relationship with irradiance. Carbonate accumulation in the mats correlated with biomass markers and may be inferred as an index of mat performance. We examined the carbonate content of annual layers laid down from 1958–1959 to 1994–1995 in sediment cores from 12 m depth. The carbonate content in the layer showed a significant correlation with the mean summer air temperature. These data suggest a link between air temperature and microbial mat growth performance, and suggest that it is mediated via irradiance. Laminated microbial mats in Antarctic lakes have the potential to act as fine-resolution records of environmental conditions in the recent past, although interpretation is complex.     

Bio-activity of marine cyanobacteria in the animal-based systems: Modulation of food intake, body weight and some haematological characters

With a view to assess the bioactive potential of the unexploited marine cyanobacteria available in abundance in the marine habitat, water-soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract of 12 different strains of marine cyanobacteria were administered to male rats and their impact on food intake, body weight and certain haematological characters including RBC counts, WBC-TC and DC, platelet counts, haemoglobin content and mean corpuscular haemoglobin was studied. The results suggest prospective applications as feed/nutritional supplements; among them, Spirulina subsalsa BDU 30311, Oscillatoria salina BDU 10142 and Phormidium valderianum BDU 20571 appear highly promising in this regard. Lyngbya sp. BDU 30601 and Pseudanabaena schmidlei BDU 30313 appear to contain one or more toxins and deter food intake and cause decrease in body weight. With Synechococcus elongatus BDU 30312 food intake increased over the control which was not commensurate with the change in body weight. The results relating to the haematological characters indicate bioactivity of the cyanobacteria in the animal-based systems, some of which are positive, whereas a few strains like Lyngbya BDU 30601 are negative, implying their pharmaceutical application.     

Mean individual dry weight and length-weight regressions of some zooplankton of Lake Kariba

Individual dry weights of various crustacean zooplankton in Lake Kariba were determined. All the zooplankters were collected from pelagic waters. Regression equations relating dry weight to body length were computed for those species or groups in which size classes could be separated: Bosmina longirostris, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, and copepod copepodites and adults. The mean individual dry weights obtained for most of these zooplankters are similar to those reported in other studies.