Description: The marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium Halim represents perhaps the most significant and intensively studied genus with respect to species diversity, life history strategies, toxigenicity, biogeographical distribution, and global magnitude and consequences harmful algal blooms (HABs). The socioeconomic impacts, environmental and human health risks, and mitigation strategies for toxigenic Alexandrium blooms have also been explored in recent years. Human adaptive actions based on future scenarios of bloom dynamics and shifts in biogeographical distribution under climate-change parameters remain under development and not yet implemented on a regional scale. In the CoCliME (Co-development of climate services for adaptation to changing marine ecosystems) project these issues were addressed with respect to past, current and anticipated future status of key HAB genera and expected benefits of enhanced monitoring. Data on the distribution and frequency of Alexandrium blooms related to paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) events from key CoCliME Case Study areas, comprising the North Sea and adjacent Kattegat-Skagerrak, Norwegian Sea, and Baltic Sea, and eastern North Atlantic marginal seas, were evaluated in a contemporary and historical context over the past several decades. The first evidence of possible biogeographical expansion of Alexandrium taxa into eastern Arctic gateways was provided from DNA barcoding signatures. Various key climate change indicators, such as salinity, temperature, and water-column stratification, relevant to Alexandrium bloom initiation and development were identified. The possible influence of changing variables on bloom dynamics, magnitude, frequency and spatial and temporal distribution were interpreted in the context of regional ocean climate models. These climate change impact indicators may play key roles in selecting for the occurrence and diversity of Alexandrium species within the broader microeukaryote communities. For example, shifts to higher temperature and lower salinity regimes predicted for the southern North Sea indicate the potential for increased Alexandrium blooms, currently absent from this area. Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of Alexandrium blooms and effects on fisheries and aquaculture resources and coastal ecosystem function are evaluated, and, where feasible, effective adaptation strategies are proposed herein as emerging climate services.

Description: Xi-Hong Lu, De-Zhou Zheng, Ming Xu, Yun-Yun Huang, Shi-Lei Xie, Zhao-Qing Liu, Chao-Lun Liang, Peng Liu, Ye-Xiang Tong (Paper from CrystEngComm) Xi-Hong Lu, CrystEngComm, 2011, DOI: 10.1039/c0ce00519c To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

Description: The changes of the atmospheric particles mass concentration, their pollution condition, and their relationships to visibility have been studied by using the continuous concentration data of monitoring instrument GRIMM180 from Anshan air component monitoring station in 2014. The results show that the mean mass concentrations about PM10 and PM2.5 are respectively 0.077 mg/m 3 and 0.049 mg/m 3 , and their daily average concentration has a large variation range. The daily variation of the mass concentration is characterized by a pronounced double-peak pattern, with peak concentration during 7:00∼9:00 AM and 21:00∼22:00 PM, and low during 3:00∼5:00 and 14:00∼16:00. The ratio above air quality standard about PM10 daily average concentration is 9.07%, and the atmospheric particles exist mainly in the form of fine particles. The atmospheric particles mass concentration and the visibility show negative correlation, and the finer the particles are, the more they affect ...

Description: The results of Monte-Carlo simulations of extensive air showers are presented to show the difference of the hadronic component content at various altitudes with the aim to choose an optimal altitude for a PRISMA-like experiment. The CORSIKA program for EAS simulations with QGSJET and GHEISHA models was used to calculate the number of hadrons reaching the observational level inside a circle of 50 m radius around the EAS axis. Then the number of neutrons produced by the hadronic component was calculated using an empirical relationship between the two components. We have tested the results with the ProtoPRISMA array at sea level, and recorded the neutrons which are consistent with the simulation results.