Hydrogen photoproduction ofA. Variabilis incorporated in a photobioreactor

H₂ photoproduction and nitrogenase activities in two strains ofAnabaena variabilis marked wild type ATCC 29413 and mutant PK84 exposed to thermal stress (temperature higher than the normal incubation temperature of 30°C) were studied. Cultures of both strains collected from any interval of logarithmic growth phase exhibited high H₂ photoproduction and nitrogenase activities when exposed to limited time heat shock during the assay process. In contrast, the algal H₂ photoproduction rate of both strains fluctuated with long term thermal stress caused by increasing the growth temperature from 30°C to 36°C.

The changes of nitrogenase (the key H₂ photobiosynthetic enzyme) activities in the mutant PK84 showed variation tendency similar to that of H₂ photoproduction during exposure to thermal stress, indicating that fluctuation of H₂ photoproduction in the mutant was mainly due to the variation of nitrogenase activities. A temporary maximal H₂ photoproduction in the mutant PK84 (wild type ATCC29413) was observed when cells grew at 36°C for 14 (6) days. However, the responses of nitrogenase activities in the wild type to thermal stress were not completely similar to those in the mutant in spite of similar variations of H₂ photoproduction in both strains. The data obtained in these studies suggested that the activities of other enzymes (in the wild strain) involved in H₂ photoproduction were affected by thermal stress since H₂ photoproduction maximized or dropped to 0 without variation tendency similar to that of nitrogenase activities.

Furthermore, an enhancement of H₂ photoproduction speed of the mutant strain cultured in a 4.4 L laboratory photobioreactor was also observed when it was subjected to short time continuous charge of argon, and temperature rise.

All these results indicated that high temperature plays an important role in the photo-autotrophic H₂ photoproduction, and that long term thermal stress is unfavourable for net H₂ photoproduction in both strains ofA. variabilis though short-time heat shock is conducive to H₂ photoproduction.

     

Robotic optical telescopes global network MASTER II. Equipment, structure, algorithms

Presented paper describes the basic principles and features of the implementation of a robotic network of optical telescopes MASTER, designed to study the prompt (simultaneous with gamma radiation) optical emission of gamma-ray bursts and to perform the sky survey to detect unknown objects and transient phenomena. With joint efforts of Sternberg astronomical institute, High altitude astronomical station of the Pulkovo observatory, Ural state university, Irkutsk state university, Blagoveshchensk pedagogical university, the robotic telescopes MASTER?II near Kislovodsk, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk and Blagoveshchensk were installed and tested. The network spread over the longitudes is greater than 6?h. A further expansion of the network is considered.     

Chronology of Quaternary terrace deposits at the locality Hohle Gasse (Pratteln,NW Switzerland)

The Quaternary stratigraphy of the Alpine Foreland consists of distinct terrace levels, which have been assigned to four morphostratigraphic units: Höhere (Higher) Deckenschotter, Tiefere (Lower) Deckenschotter, Hochterrasse (High Terrace) and Niederterrasse (Lower Terrace). Here, we focus on the terrace gravels at Hohle Gasse, SSE of Pratteln near Basel, which are mapped as Tiefere Deckenschotter. Petrographic and morphometric data established from clasts allowed to infer the transport mechanisms and sources of the gravels. Sedimentological analyses indicate that the gravels were transported by a braided river and deposited in a distal glaciofluvial setting. In addition, it can be shown that the majority of the clasts display multiple reworking and only a minority maintained a distinct glaciofluvial shape. Cosmogenic multi-isotope dating using ¹⁰Be and ³⁶Cl allowed direct dating of the sediments at the study site. A depth-profile age of \(2 70_{ - 1 90}^{ + 8 30}\) ka for ¹⁰Be was achieved for the deposits at Hohle Gasse. Unfortunately, no age could be modelled from the ³⁶Cl concentrations as the blank correction was too high. Furthermore, this age proves that the studied terrace level should be assigned to the morphostratigraphic unit Hochterrasse.     

Evolution of occlusal shape of the first and second upper molars of Middle–Late Pleistocene collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx,Arvicolinae, Rodentia) in northeast European Russia

An approach combining traditional morphotypical methods, multivariate analysis and informational‐statistical methods was used to study evolutionary changes in the occlusal shape of the first and second upper molars of Recent and Middle–Late Pleistocene Dicrostonyx (32 samples) from localities in northeast European Russia (northeastern Russian Plain, the Timan Ridge and the northern part of the Urals). The evolutionary history is described in terms of morphological evolutionary levels of teeth suggested by Smirnov et al. (1997, Materialy Po Istorii I Sovremennomu Sostojaniju Fauny Severa Zapadnoj Sibiri: Sbornik Nauchnyh Trudov, Chelyabinsk, slightly modified). Based on ¹⁴C‐dated samples, levels of molar evolution did not always successively replace each other in time, but rather there were often synchronous populations at any given level. This finding supports the notion of a mosaic pattern of morphotypical diversity and relatively independent, parallel evolution of lemming teeth amongst different populations. Six relatively distinct stages in the evolutionary history of Dicrostonyx from the Pechora (Dnieper) to Recent time have been described, but estimations of their relative ages are often debatable. The rates of change in the M1 and M2 morphotypes and morphological diversity in collared lemmings varied over the entire time interval. The fastest replacement of morphotypes and the highest level of morphological diversity in the study area occurred approximately during the Lateglacial (16–10 cal. ka BP). In the present study, we suggest a new version of evolutionary history of collared lemmings in northeast European Russia, taking into consideration the morphological variability of molars, radiocarbon dates and geological data. Our results provide a more detailed pattern of species evolution in the studied region and specific ages of some localities.     

Stone Age settlement and Holocene shore displacement in the Narva‐Luga Klint Bay area,eastern Gulf of Finland

Based on geological and archaeological proxies from NW Russia and NE Estonia and on GIS‐based modelling, shore displacement during the Stone Age in the Narva‐Luga Klint Bay area in the eastern Gulf of Finland was reconstructed. The reconstructed shore displacement curve displays three regressive phases in the Baltic Sea history, interrupted by the rapid Ancylus Lake and Litorina Sea transgressions c. 10.9–10.2 cal. ka BP and c. 8.5–7.3 cal. ka BP, respectively. During the Ancylus transgression the lake level rose 9 m at an average rate of about 13 mm per year, while during the Litorina transgression the sea level rose 8 m at an average rate of about 7 mm per year. The results show that the highest shoreline of Ancylus Lake at an altitude of 8–17 m a.s.l. was formed c. 10.2 cal. ka BP and that of the Litorina Sea at an altitude of 6–14 m a.s.l., c. 7.3 cal. ka BP. The oldest traces of human activity dated to 8.5–7.9 cal. ka BP are associated with the palaeo‐Narva River in the period of low water level in the Baltic basin at the beginning of the Litorina Sea transgression. The coastal settlement associated with the Litorina Sea lagoon, presently represented by 33 Stone Age sites, developed in the area c. 7.1 cal. ka BP and existed there for more than 2000 years. Transformation from the coastal settlement back to the river settlement indicates a change from a fishing‐and‐hunting economy to farming and animal husbandry c. 4.4 cal. ka BP, coinciding with the time of the overgrowing of the lagoon in the Narva‐Luga Klint Bay area.     

Variability and climate sensitivity of fast ice extent in the north-eastern Kara Sea

This work investigates the temporal and spatial variation of shore-fast ice extent in the north-eastern part of the Kara Sea during 1953-1990 and its sensitivity to interannual variability of the regional climate. The area of fast ice in spring months shows a bimodal distribution. This indicates the existence of two different regimes of fast ice formation driven by the system of prevailing winds. The westward wind transport during the cold season gives larger fast ice extent while the eastward wind transport suppresses the expansion of fast ice. There is a significant correlation (ca. −0.55) between the average winter temperature and the area of fast ice. Linear trends for time records of shore-fast ice area in spring show a decrease during 1953-1990. This decrease is most pronounced in April: the mean fast ice area in April is 12% lower in 1988-1990 compared to 1953-55. A comparison of fast ice regimes for two particular years–1979 and 1985–revealed a significant influence of cyclone activity on fast ice development over the course of the cold season. It is shown that partial break-ups of fast ice in spring 1985 are associated with the passage of cyclones across the area of fast ice.     

中国东部土壤温度、湿度变化的长期趋势及其与气候背景的联系

利用1971—2000年中国722站逐月的土壤温度资料和1981—1998年178站逐旬的土壤湿度观测资料,分析了中国东部土壤温度、湿度变化的长期趋势及其与气温、降水变化的关系。结果表明：①我国东部土壤温度的变化在年际—年代际时间尺度上存在明显的区域性差异,其中东北地区表现为持续上升型,而西北东部—华北、江淮和西南—华南地区均为先降后升型;②1970—2000年代,土壤温度的变化在东北以及西北东部—华北地区有显著的上升趋势,而在江淮和西南—华南地区,总体而言变化趋势不显著。此外,1980—1990年代,各区域土壤湿度的变化趋势均不显著;③在年际—年代际尺度上,各区域土壤温度和气温的变化具有显著的正相关关系,而土壤湿度与土壤温度的变化普遍呈负相关关系,其中尤以西北东部—华北地区最为显著。而在较长的时间尺度上,土壤湿度与降水的变化仍然存在较好的正相关关系。     

The Proterozoic evolution of northern Siberian Craton margin: a comparison of U–Pb–Hf signatures from sedimentary units of the Taimyr orogenic belt and the Siberian platform

Identifying the cratonic affinity of Neoproterozoic crust that surrounds the northern margin of the Siberian Craton (SC) is critical for determining its tectonic evolution and placing the Craton in Neoproterozoic supercontinental reconstructions. Integration of new U–Pb–Hf detrital zircon data with regional geological constraints indicates that distinct Neoproterozoic arc-related magmatic belts can be identified within the Taimyr orogen. Sedimentary rocks derived from 970 to 800 Ma arc-related suites reveal abundant Archean and Paleoproterozoic detritus, characteristic of the SC. The 720–600 Ma arc-related zircon population from the younger Cambrian sedimentary rocks is also complemented by an exotic juvenile Mesoproterozoic zircon population and erosional products of older arc-related suites. Nonetheless, numerous evidences imply that both arcs broadly reworked Siberian basement components. We suggest that the early Neoproterozoic (ca. 970–800 Ma) arc system of the Taimyr orogen evolved on the active margin of the SC and probably extended along the periphery of Rodinia into Valhalla orogen of NE Laurentia. We also suggest the late Neoproterozoic (750–550 Ma) arc system could have been part of the Timanian orogen, which linked Siberia and Baltica at the Precambrian/Phanerozoic transition.