[MAX-DOAS measurements of NO2 column densities and vertical distribution at Ny-Alesund, Arctic during summer].

The multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS), one of the remote sensing techniques for trace gases measurements, is sensitive to the lower atmosphere by eliminating the influence of stratosphere retrieved from zenith-sky spectroscopy. Ground-based MAX-DOAS measurements were carried out to observe NO2 at Ny-Alesund, Arctic from 5th Jul to 1st Aug 2011. The differential slant column densities (DSCDs) of NO2 at four off-axis angles showed typical pattern of tropospheric absorbers. Based on the assumption that NO2 was well mixed in 0-1 km of the troposphere, the mean mixing ratio of NO2 during the measurement period was 1.023E11 molec x cm(-3). The fluctuation of NO2 might be related to the fossil fuel combustions and the photochemical reactions. The vertical distribution of NO2 at 0-3 km showed that NO2 was mainly originated from boundary layer of sea surface.

[Analysis of methylmercury in biological guano by the optimized atomic fluorescence spectrometry coupled with microwave assisted extraction].

The analytical method for the determination of methylmercury in seabird excrements was established using atomic fluorescence spectrometry coupled with microwave-assisted extraction In general, temperature and hydrochloric amount are the most important influencing factors on the extraction of MeHg in the samples, and the present paper optimized these two parameters. The result showed that 120 degrees C and 200 microL 6 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid are the best extraction conditions. Under these experimental conditions, the relative standard deviation (RSD) values of reduplicative analyses on standard reference material (human hair powder) and the same seabird excrement sample were 0.74% and 6.61% respectively, and their percent recoveries were over 90%. The combination of microwave-assisted extraction and atomic fluorescence spectrometry has many advantages such as simple operation, high sensitivity, low detection limit and low cost, therefore, it is suitable for rapid separation and analysis of trace methylmercury composition in the biological guanos. Using this method, we analyzed the methylmercury contents in the ancient and fresh seabird droppings taken from Xisha Islands of South China Sea, and the result showed that the Xisha guanos were rich in methylmercury and the large input of seabird guanos will cause serious environmental contamination in the remote island ecosystem of Xisha Islands.

[The retrieval of ozone column densities by passive differential optical absorption spectroscopy during summer at Zhongshan Station, Antarctic].

Daily ozone column densities were monitored by Passive DOAS (differential optical absorption spectroscopy) from December 10th, 2008 to Feb 19th, 2009 at Zhongshan Station, Antarctic (69 degrees 22'24" S, 76 degrees 22'14" E). Considering the absorption of O3, OClO, NO2, O4, BrO and the Ring effect, ozone slant column densities were retrieved using the zenith scattered sunlight as the light source. The results showed that there was no obvious "ozone hole" during the monitoring period, but ozone VCD (vertical column density) had greatly changed within short time scale, especially in middle December and early February. The analysis of passive DOAS and Brewer measurements of ozone VCD showed good agreement with the correlative coefficient of 0.863, while satellite board OMI measurements with the correlative coefficient of 0.840, which confirmed the validity of the monitoring of Passive DOAS.

Ribonuclease attenuates acute intestinal injury induced by intestinal ischemia reperfusion in mice.

Ribonuclease (RNase) reportedly exerts organ-protective effects in several pathological conditions, including ischemia reperfusion (I/R), but whether it can exhibit protective effect on intestinal I/R injury and potential mechanisms remain unknown. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of RNase on intestinal I/R injury and explore the underlying mechanisms. Thirty-two wild-type C57BL/6J adult male mice were evenly divided into a sham group, a sham + RNase group, an I/R group and an I/R + RNase group. Intestinal I/R was produced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 1 h followed by reperfusion for 2 h. All mice were treated with 3 doses of RNase or the same dosage of normal saline at different points. It was found that intestinal I/R caused significant intestinal injury and an increase in levels of extracellular RNAs (exRNAs). Treatment with RNase significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine production, inhibited intestinal apoptosis and down-regulated the expression of toll like receptor 3 in intestinal tissues. In conclusion, increased exRNAs may contribute to intestinal I/R injury in adult mice, and RNase treatment during perioperative window is effective for attenuating intestinal I/R injury.

A 700-year record of mercury in avian eggshells of Guangjin Island, South China Sea.

Ancient eggshells over the past 700 years were extracted from an ornithogenic sediment profile on Guangjin Island, South China Sea. Based on SEM and nitrogen isotope analyses, we determined that neither post-depositional processes nor seabirds' dietary changes had a large influence on eggshell Hg levels. The historical change of Hg in these eggshells was reconstructed. Eggshell Hg was a marker for past Hg deposition in marine environment. The eggshell Hg showed three small peaks at around 1300AD, 1600 AD and 1700-1750AD and rapid increase since 1800 AD. Before 1970 AD the Hg deposition in the Xisha area had global distribution characteristics, with increased Hg emissions due to global anthropogenic activities in industrial times. However, after 1970 AD, a further sharp increase up to present day occurred, implying that the Hg production center had gradually shifted from Europe and America to Asia.