Hydrogen isotopic compositions and their environmental significance for individual n-alkanes in typical plants from land in China

Hydrogen isotopes of n-alkanes in grasses, tree leaves and reeds from six regions with latitudes of 20° to 39°N in China are measured by GC-TC-IRMS analytical technique in order to understand their hydrogen isotopic compositions and environmental significance. The results show that a difference in ° D values (from −42.1‰ to −66.6‰) of n-alkanes exists among the same kinds of plants from various regions. Hydrogen isotopic compositions of most even carbon numbered n-alkanes in every plant are slightly heavier than that of the odd homologues. A trend toward D-enrichment with increasing chain length of n-alkanes in most plant samples is observed. Mean ° D values of n-alkanes in the studied plants range from −202.6‰ to −130.7‰ and the reed from a salt marsh has the largest value. The mean ° D values of individual n-alkanes among the same kinds of plants from various regions have the characteristics of leaf > reed > grass. The hydrogen isotopic compositions of n-alkanes are apparently distinct among various kinds of plants from the same region and the mean ° D values exhibit a distribution of tree leaf > reed > grass. It is observed that the mean ° D values of n-alkanes and ° D values of C₂₇ and C₂₉ n-alkanes in the grasses and tree leaves from these studied regions correlate clearly negatively with latitude and positively with temperature, indicating that these values can be used as excellent indicators of environment and climate. These results provide important basic data for understanding the distributional law of hydrogen isotopes of individual n-alkanes and their applied research. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40642007 and 40772069), National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2005CB422105) and Special Project for Winners of CAS President Award     

Characterstics of seasonal variations of leaf n-alkanes and n-alkenes in modern higher plants in Qingjiang, Hubei Province, China

On the basis of GC and GC-MS analyses, the seasonal variation of leaf lipids is observed in five plant species in Qingjiang in Hubei Province. The CPI values (carbon preference index) of n-alkanes decrease gradually from May to November, though the carbon number distributions and the predominant carbon number in an individual species keep unchanged. The declined CPI values might be caused by the leaf fading, which is further supported by a comparison of the defoliated leaves with the fresh leaves. This observation infers the CPI values of n-alkanes in Quaternary sediments can be used as a tool to index the humification, and thus the climatic and the environmental conditions. The plants analyzed here show a remarkable difference in n-alkanes abundance, suggesting their differential contribution to the n-alkanes identified in sediments. The abundance and the compound species of the n-alkenes detected in the plant leaves change greatly with the seasons due to the influence of temperature, with the least compounds being identified in August.     

Comparison of the carbon isotope composition of total organic carbon and long-chain <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes from surface soils in eastern China and their significance

Surface soil samples collected over a high spatial resolution in eastern China were analyzed for carbon isotope composition （δ^13C） of total organic carbon （TOC） and higher plant-derived long-chain n-alkanes, with the latter reported as weighted mean values. The two sets of δ^13C values are significantly correlated and show similar trends in spatial variation. The spatial distribution of δ^13C shows less negative values in the mid-latitudes between 31°N and 40°N and more negative ones at higher and lower latitudes. This is consistent with previously reported carbon isotope data from surface soil phytoliths in the same region and suggests that the mid-latitude area provides relatively favorable growing condi- tions for C4 plants. Furthermore, δ^13C values of both TOC and long-chain n-alkanes from 12 surface soil samples collected from a small grassland in north China displayed similar carbon isotope values and the difference between paired δ^13C of a soil samples remains relatively constant. Our data demonstrate that in eastern China, soil δ^13C composition of both TOC and long-chain n-alkanes is effective indicators of C3/C4 ratios of the prevailing vegetation. This work suggests that -22‰ and -32‰ are good es- timated end members for the weighted mean δ^13C values of long-chain n-alkanes （C27, C29 and C31 n-alkanes） from soils under dominant C4 or C3 vegetation, allowing us to reconstruct paleovegetation trends.     

Environmental changes reflected by n-alkanes of lake core in Nam Co on the Tibetan Plateau since 8.4 kaB.P.

The n-alkanes are extracted from NMLC-1 core that was drilled in the Nam Co, central Tibet. They are measured by using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry （GC/MS） for componential and quantitative analyses. According to the constructed depth-age model, the component and concentration of n-alkanes, together with total organic carbon （TOC）, total nitrogen （TN） and carbonate are used to elucidate palaeoenvironmental changes of Nam Co during the past 8.4 ka. The results indicate that Holocene environment performs three stages in the lake area. In the stage of 8.4-6.7 kaB.P., it was warmer while precipitation slightly increased. This stage was ended by an obvious cold/dry event. During 6.7-5.8 kaB.P., temperature increased rapidly and reached its maximum values at about 6.0 kaB.P. The environments were warm/wet optimum for the blooming of terrestrial plants and submerged aquatic plants. After that, temperature decreased continuously and showed the lowest values at about 3.0 kaB.P. From 2.9 kaB.P, to the present, temperature rose again but alternated with cold and warm. The lake area tended to be dry after 1.4 kaB.P. During 600-400 aB.P., the environmental feature was the reflection of ＂Little Ice Age＂.     

Study of low-pressure premixed laminar n-heptane+propane/oxygen/nitrogen flames

Low-pressure premixed laminar n-heptane+propane/oxygen/nitrogen flames were investigated with tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization and molecular-beam sampling mass spectrometry. Three flames with different mass percentage of propane in the fuel blends of 0%, 10%, and 20% were studied. The combustion intermediates were identified by comparing the measured IEs with those values in literatures. Mole fraction profiles of the main species were compared among the three flames. The experimental results provide detailed data in understanding the combustion of n-heptane and n-heptane/propane blends in engine. They are also helpful in establishing and verifying the kinetic models. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50636040 and 50521604)     

High molecular weight (C35 +) n-alkanes of Neogene heavily biodegraded oil in the Qianmiqiao region, North China

With wax content of 1.62%, heavy oil has been produced from the sandstone reservoirs of Neogene Guantao Formation (Ng1^Ⅲ). In the GC and GC-MS RIC profiles of its aliphatic fraction, n-alkanes are totally lost, which shows the result of heavy biodegradedation. However, the remaining trace C₁₃－C₃₆ n-alkanes can be still seen from its m/z 85 mass chromatogram. In addition, a complete series of C₃₅－C₇₃ high molecular weight (HMW) n-alkanes was detected by high-temperature gas chromatography (HTGC). The HMW n-alkane series shows a normal distribution pattern, a major peak at nC₄₃, obvious odd-carbon-number predominance, CP_I37—55 and OEP_45—49 values up to 1.17 and 1.16—1.20 respectively. The present study not only has conformed the strong resistibility of HMW n-alkanes to biodegradation in crude oils as concluded by previous researchers, but also has provided some significant information on source input and maturity for the heavily biodegraded oil in the Qianmiqiao region.     

Sea surface temperature and terrestrial biomarker records of the last 260 ka of core MD05-2904 from the northern South China Sea

This paper reports high-resolution biomarker records of the last 260 ka for core MD05-2904 from the northern South China Sea （SCS）. The sea surface temperature （SST） record using the U37^k＇, index reveals a minimum of 21.5℃（MIS 2） and a maximum of 28.3℃（MIS 5.5）, for a temperature difference of almost 7℃, and provides the longest high-resolution U37^k＇ SST record in northern SCS. The content of odd-number long chain n-alkanes and several n-alkanes indexes such as the CPI, ACL and the C31/C27 ratio, all reveal generally higher values during the glacials and lower values during the interglaclals. Terrestrial input as Indicated by n-alkane content was mostly controlled by sea-level changes： During the glacials, lower sea-level exposed the continental shelf to enable rivers to transport more terrestrial materials to the slope; and the situation reverses during the interglacials. The n-alkane indexes changes reveal more n-alkanes from contemporary vegetation during glacials as a result of the proximity of the core site to the source region, while the increases in ACL and C81/C27 ratio during glaclals indicate a change to more grassy vegetation. However, the highest values for CPI, ACL and the C81/C27 ratio all occurred during late MIS 3, and it was suggested that this period was characterized by a strong summer monsoon-dominated humid climate which resulted in a denser vegetation for the exposed continental shelf region.     

黑老虎植株不同部位木脂素和萜类成分分析

黑老虎(Kadsura coccinea)为传统中药材，为深入了解木脂素类和萜类成分在植株不同部位的分布和积累状况，采用广泛靶向代谢组学技术鉴定其叶、茎、根中的代谢物，基于结构配置解析木脂素和萜类的多样性和丰度。结果显示：在黑老虎植株中共鉴定出39个木脂素类化合物，根(32个，特有13个)>茎和叶(同为24个)，3个部位含17个相同的木脂素类化合物；同时，鉴定出41个萜类成分，根(39个)>茎和叶(同为36个)，3个部位含34个相同的萜类化合物。黑老虎根部木脂素类化合物丰度(114.62×10⁶)远高于叶(23.37×10⁶)和茎(25.96×10⁶),萜类化合物丰度为根(74.16×10⁶)>叶(37.06×10⁶)>茎(17.36×10⁶),根部与叶、茎相同及特有的木脂素和萜类化合物丰度均较高。日本南五味子木脂素G、乙酰表戈米辛R、Kadcoccilactone F等在黑老虎根中高度富集，在叶、茎、根中都鉴定出Kadcoccilactone Q-R、Kadcoccilactone M等三萜类化合物，表明黑老虎具有较高的研究与利用价值。     

A comparative study of n -alkane biomarker and pollen records: an example from southern China

We report the results of a comparative study of n-alkane biomarkers and pollens in lacustrine and peat deposits at Dingnan, Jiangxi Province in southern China, and discuss the likely causes for the discrepancy in the interpretations of the n-alkane biomarker and pollen records in terms of climate and vegetation change. The results show that past changes in climate and vegetation revealed by the n-alkane record are not always consistent with the pollen assemblage record in the whole section. Biomarkers do not permit direct identification of the plant family and/or genus and mainly record compositions of local plant remains, while pollens mainly reflect the regional vegetation change. Biomarkers and pollen records complement each other, providing a better picture of local and regional environments. Furthermore, biomarkers are more sensitive than pollen to climatic and vegetational change. Several climatic events are clearly identified by the n-alkane biomarker proxies, such as C₃₁/(C₂₇+C₂₉+C ₃₁) ratio and can be correlated to the North Atlantic Heinrich event, B/A, YD and two dry-cool events during the early Holocene such as the periods of 9850 to 9585 cal a B.P. and 8590 to 7920 cal a B.P. These events are consistent with those found in the surrounding regions, suggesting that the regional climate was coupled with global-scale abrupt climatic events. Our results suggest that biomarker and pollen data can record the more detailed climate and vegetation information, thus improving the resolution and precision of vegetation and climate reconstruction. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40602004) and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB720200)     

Genetic analysis and gene mapping of a narrow leaf mutant in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

A narrow leaf mutant was obtained after T-DNA transformation conducted on a rice variety Zhonghua 11. Several abnormal morphological characteristics, including semi-dwarf, delayed flowering time, narrow and inward rolling leaves, and lower seed-setting, were observed. The rate of net photosynthesis (under saturate light) of flag leaves in the mutant was significantly lower than that of the wild type. Moreover, the leaf transpiration rate and stomatal conductance in the mutant flag leaf were lower than those of the wild type at the grain filling stage. It was found that the mutant phenotype was not caused by the T-DNA insertion. Genetic analysis showed that the mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene, designated as nal3(t). A genetic linkage map was constructed using a large F₂ mapping population derived from a cross between nal3(t) and an indica variety Longtefu B with 6 polymorphic markers on chromosome 12 identified from 366 SSR markers by the BAS method. Gene nal3(t) was mapped between the markers RM7018 and RM3331. Fine mapping of nal3(t) locus was conducted with 22 newly developed STS markers based on the sequence diversity around the region harboring nal3(t) between Nipponbare and 93–11, and nal3(t) was finally mapped to a 136-kb region between the STS markers NS10 and RH12-8. Supported by National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (Grant No. 2006AA10A102), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30600349) and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. Y306149)     

Climatic and environmental implications from n-alkanes in glacially eroded lake sediments in Tibetan Plateau: An example from Ximen Co

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify a series of n-alkanes in the sediments of a typical glacially eroded lake in the eastern Tibetan Plateau.By comparing the distribution patterns of n-alkanes in lake sediments,surface soils and cow manure,it was shown that n-C 27-n-C 33 alkanes in the soil ecosystem of Ximen Co are derived from vascular plant species and that the distribution pattern of n-C 27-n-C 33 alkanes remains unchanged during the feeding and digestion processes of herbivores.The relative percentage of C 27,C 29 and C 31 n-alkanes decreased from the bottom to the top of the sediment core showing a trend of degradation of higher plants in the Ximen Co lake region during the formation of the 44 cm core.210 Pb dating,combined with pre-existing AMS 14 C dating results showed that the depositional core reflects climatic and environmental variations since about 900 years before present.The n-alkane indexes (ACL 27-33,P aq,P wax) are comparable with regional temperature variation,especially recording the Little Ice Age event (LIA).This study highlights that n-alkanes are valid proxies for paleo-climate and paleo-environment reconstruction,despite the same distribution patterns in n-alkane molecular fossils derived from a typical glacially eroded lake.     

桐花煤污病的病原菌和病害发生特点初步观察

１９９６年至１９９７年在广西沿海调查红树林植物病害时采集到桐花的煤污病病叶标本,用火棉胶贴片法取桐花叶面上的煤污菌斑显微观察,发现附在桐花叶面上的煤污菌有４种：番荔枝煤炱菌（ＣａｐｎｏｄｉｕｍａｎｏｎａＰａｔ．,其无性阶段为狭籽小箭壳孢（ＭｉｃｒｏｘｙｐｈｉｕｍｌｅｐｔｏｓｐｅｒｍｉＦｉｓｃｈｅｒ．）、杜茎山星盾炱（ＡｓｔｅｒｉｎａｍａｅｓａｅＰａｔ．）、撒播烟霉（ＦｕｍａｇｏｖａｇａｎｓＰｅｒｓ．）、盾壳霉（Ｃｏｎｉｏｔｈｙｒｉｕｍｓｐ．）。调查发现煤污病只发生在生长于河口内缘的桐花,其他地方的桐花没找到病株;几种煤污菌常常一起着生在一叶斑上;桐花煤污病具有明显的发病中心。     

Southwest monsoon changes indicated by oxygen isotope of ostracode shells from sediments in Qinghai Lake since the late Glacial

The δ 18O records of ostracode shells in sediments of core QH-2000 from Qinghai Lake can be used as a better proxy to reflect monsoon changes. Low monsoon precipitation between 17.5 and 11 cal. ka BP is indicated by positive δ 18O values averaging 2.37‰. A fast shift in δ 18O from positive at 11 cal. ka BP to negative at 10 cal. ka BP indicates sharp increase of monsoon precipitation. An interval of generally high monsoon precipitation is observed between 10 and 6 cal. ka BP with δ 18O values averaging -2.15‰. Decrease of monsoon precipitation between 6 and 2.5 cal. ka BP is indicated by positive δ 18O values. δ 18O keeps positive values averaging 3.0‰ between 2.5 and 0 cal. ka BP suggesting low high monsoon precipitation. The climatic changes indicated by δ 18O records of ostracode shells in sedi- ments of core QH-2000 from Qinghai Lake and our broader regional comparison show that the climate in Qinghai Lake since the late Glacial is probably controlled by southwest monsoon other than southeast monsoon.     

除草剂对桉树×降香黄檀混交林下植物功能群的影响

【目的】了解在炼山和非炼山条件下草甘膦除草剂的应用对桉树×降香黄檀混交林下植物功能群的影响。【方法】通过炼山+除草剂、不炼山+除草剂和对照(不炼山不施除草剂)的控制性试验,研究林下植物群落组成、植物功能群对除草剂的响应及分异规律。【结果】与对照比较,除草剂施用1年后,林下植物群落有很高的相似性(Jaccard相似性指数0.7),但群落的恒有种特别是稀有种数量存在较大差异。不炼山+除草剂处理的恒有种分别比炼山+除草剂、对照处理的高37.50%和57.14%,而稀有种则由2种分别增至24种和7种。这一结果说明炼山+除草剂条件有利于稀有种的发育,而不炼山+除草剂条件则有利于恒有种的发展。炼山+除草剂处理增加禾草和豆科植物功能群的丰富度,不炼山+除草剂处理降低藤本和木本植物功能群的丰富度,但只有木本植物丰富度的差异达显著水平。炼山+除草剂处理降低杂草、禾草和豆科植物功能群的相对多度和相对盖度,显著降低蕨类植物的相对多度和相对盖度;不炼山+除草剂处理显著降低木本植物的相对盖度。【结论】低浓度、低频率的除草剂(草甘膦)应用对林下植物功能群的影响是初期和短期的。     

Evolution of the serum resistance-associated SRA gene in African trypanosomes

Serum resistance-associated (SRA) protein, a protein unique for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, is responsible for resistance of this parasite to the lysis by normal human serum (NHS) and is a vital molecular marker to distinguish this species from other African trypanosomes. We cloned and sequenced the SRA basic copy (SRAbc) gene from T. b. rhodesiense and related species and found that this gene is confined to the subgenus Trypanozoon. The average 82% identity among the sequenced SRAbc genes indicates that they may have a common origin and are highly conserved. Since SRAbc coexists in the T. b. rhodesiense genome with SRA, we propose that SRAbc might be the ‘donor VSG’, which after duplication became inserted into the expression site by recombination. Under natural selection, SRAbc could reform into SRA following mosaic formation. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30570245, 30670275), Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. DPCKSCU/IRT0447), International Foundation for Science of Sweden (Grant No. B/4318-1), Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (Grant No. Z60220518) and Education Foundation of the Czech Republic (Grant No. 2B06129)     

Identification of a novel tillering dwarf mutant and fine mapping of the TDDL（T） gene in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Rice plant architecture is an important agronomic trait that affects the grain yield. To understand the molecular mechanism that controls plant architecture, a tillering dwarf mutant with darker-green leaves derived from an indica cultivar IR64 treated with EMS is characterized. The mutant, designated as tddl（t）, is nonallelic to the known tiilering dwarf mutants. It is controlled by one recessive nuclear gene, TDDL（T）, and grouped into the dn-type dwarfism according to Takeda＇s definition. The dwarfism of the mutant is independent of gibberellic acid based on the analyses of two GA-mediated processes. The independence of brassinosteroid （BR） and naphthal-3-acetic acid （NAA） of the tddl（t） mutant, together with the decreased size of parenchyma cells in the vascular bundle, indicates that the TDDL（7） gene might participate in another hormone pathway. TDDL（T） is fine mapped within an 85.51 kb region on the long arm of rice chromosome 4, where 20 ORFs are predicted by RiceGAAS （http：//ricegaas.dna.affrc. go.jp/rgadb/）. Further cloning of TDDL（T） will benefit both marker assisted selection （MAS） of plant architecture and dissection of the molecular mechanism underlying tillering dwarf in rice.     

The biomarkers of 2,6,10,15, 19-pentamethylicosenes and their carbon isotopic composition in the sediments from the Gulf of Mexico

The methanogenic archaea and sulfate reduction bacteria are flourishing in the sediments associated with gas venting and gas hydrate settings on the sea floor, where the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) me-diated by these bacteria is the dominant path…     

广西不同气候条件马尾松人工林林下木本植物的生活型与叶相差异

为了解不同气候条件下马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林林下木本植物群落的结构和发展趋势,以派阳山林场（北热带）、镇龙林场（南亚热带）和华山林场（中亚热带）三地的马尾松人工林幼龄林、中龄林和过熟林为研究对象,分析其林下木本植物生活型与叶相变化规律。研究表明,广西不同气候条件下的马尾松人工林林下木本植物生活型均以中、小高位芽为主,大高位芽、矮高位芽和藤本高位芽占比较低;中型叶、单叶、全缘叶占比较大,叶质以革质、纸质叶为主,渐尖叶为主要叶尖类型。总体来看,植物生活型在不同气候条件之间存在差异,大、中、小高位芽植物占比随年均气温的升高而上升,矮高位芽和藤本高位芽植物占比下降。植物的叶相组成在不同气候条件下存在差异,随着气候条件变化,中型叶和渐尖叶的占比随年均气温的升高而上升,革质叶的占比随之下降。     

Compound-specific carbon isotope compositions of individual long-chain n-alkanes in severe Asian dust episodes in the North China coast in 2002

Asian dust storms originating from the arid regions of central and eastern Asia and from the Loess Plateau in China frequently occur in spring [1,2]. Driven by the East Asian monsoon, Asian dust can be transported to northern Pacific Ocean[2―8]. Asian du…     

濒危植物暖地杓兰的叶解剖结构和光合特性

暖地杓兰(Cypripedium subtropicum)是兰科(Orchidaceae)杓兰属(Cypripedium)目前已知的唯一一种多年生常绿草本植物,其野生资源遭受严重破坏,野外居群数量急剧减少,已被列为我国一级重点保护野生植物。为探讨暖地杓兰不同生长期叶片的解剖结构和光合生理特性的差异,本研究对其叶表皮特征、叶解剖结构、光合特性以及光合色素含量展开研究,以期为暖地杓兰的保育和引种驯化提供科学依据。结果表明：(1)暖地杓兰叶片上、下表皮的形状不规则,呈波状,并且气孔和表皮毛仅分布于下表皮;叶片结构由表皮、叶肉和叶脉组成,叶肉无栅栏组织和海绵组织的分化。结实植株的气孔面积、叶片厚度和叶主脉厚度均极显著大于幼苗。(2)暖地杓兰结实植株和幼苗的最大净光合速率(P_max)、光补偿点(LCP)、表观量子效率(AQY)均较低,且结实植株极显著大于幼苗,说明其具有阴生植物的特征。(3)暖地杓兰结实植株叶片的光合色素含量极显著大于幼苗。(4)暖地杓兰叶片的P_max、LSP、AQY、暗呼吸速率(R_d)与Chl(a+b)、叶主脉厚...