Long-term Variation of Absorption and Total Aerosol Optical Properties over Typical Provinces of China from Satellite Observations

Increase of atmospheric aerosols has a profound impact on the Earth’s climate. It’s also one of the crucial factors that cuasesd more fequent air pollution events in China. Monthly average Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from MODIS and UltraViolet Absorbing aerosol Index (UVAI) from OMI during 2011 to 2019 are used to analyse the trend of absorption and total aerosol optical properties over three typical provinces of China, namely Shandong, Gansu and Guangdong provinces. The results show the average annual AOD of the three provinces are all decreasing while UVAI rises during this period. In addition, the monthly variation of AOD and UVAI are also obviously different over these provinces. In particular, the peak value of AOD appeared in July and the trough appeared in December over Shandong Province. And the peak appeared in April over Gansu Province, but AOD decrease slower then over Shandong Province. And there were two peaks in April and August over Guangdong Province. For UVAI, the peaks over Shandong and Gansu provinces both occur in January, while that over Guangdong Province appears in March. Above mentioned differences in the long-term trend and monthly variation of AOD and UVAI might be closely related to the meteorological conditions and aerosol emission of these three provinces.

Monthly variation of micro- and macro-element composition in smooth scallop, Flexopecten glaber (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Çardak Lagoon (Çanakkale Strait, Turkey)

The present study investigated the total elemental composition (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, S, B, Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S) in smooth scallop (Flexopecten glaber) meat collected monthly in the Çardak Lagoon (Turkey) in 2017- 2018. Considering the distribution of elements in terms of quantity during the year, the elements were sorted as S> Na> K> P> Mg> Ca> Fe> Zn> Mn> Al> B> Cu> Se and the heavy metals were below the detection limit. Although the elements were at their highest values during autumn and summer, they were at their lowest values during spring and winter. The differences between the months in terms of Fe, Mn, Mg, and Ca elements were found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). It was determined that the element composition of smooth scallop meat was suitable for consumption in terms of the area where it is collected and is beneficial for health when consumed in the amounts recommended by FAO/WHO, and CODEX. The Hazard Quotient (THQ) and the Hazard Index (HI), which was conducted to evaluate the health risks of consuming smooth

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Aerosol Optical Thickness over the China Seas from Himawari-8

Six years of hourly aerosol optical thickness (AOT) data retrieved from Himawari-8 were used to investigate the spatial and temporal variations, especially diurnal variations, of aerosols over the China Seas. First, the Himawari-8 AOT data were consistent with the AERONET measurements over most of the China Seas, except for some coastal regions. The spatial feature showed that AOT over high latitude seas was generally larger than over low latitude seas, and it is distributed in strips along the coastline and decreases gradually with increasing distance from the coastline. AOT undergoes diurnal variation as it decreases from 9:00 a.m. local time, reaching a minimum at noon, and then begins to increase in the afternoon. The percentage daily departure of AOT over the East China Seas generally ranged ±20%, increasing sharply in the afternoon; however, over the northern part of the South China Sea, daily departure reached a maximum of >40% at 4:00 p.m. The monthly variation in AOT showed a pronounced annual cycle. Seasonal variations of the spatial pattern showed that the largest AOT was usually observed in spring and varies in other seasons for different seas.

Monthly Variation and Ultraviolet Stability of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids from Red Alga Dulse Palmaria palmata in Japan

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are the natural ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing compounds from micro- and macro-algae. The MAAs in algae change with the environmental conditions and seasons. We previously determined an efficient extraction method of MAAs from red alga dulse in Usujiri (Hokkaido, Japan) and revealed monthly variation of MAA in 2019. Dulse samples in 2019 for MAA preparation were suitable from late February to April. In this study, to confirm the suitable timings to extract MAAs from Usujiri dulse, we also investigated the monthly (from January to May) variation of MAA content in 2020. There were the most MAAs in the sample on 18 March (6.696 µmol g−1 dry weight) among the samples from January to May 2020. From two years of investigation, we deduce that samples of Usujiri dulse from late February to early April were suitable for MAA preparation. The UV stability of the two major purified MAAs in Usujiri dulse—palythine and porphyra-334—was tested. The two MAAs and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone were stable for up to 12 h under a 312 nm lamp at 200 µW cm−2, but 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate formed a cis/trans-mixture in a short time. The data in this study show the suitable sampling period for Usujiri dulse and the possible application for UV protection from food and cosmetics.

Seasonal Variations In Species Composition And Community Structure In The Eastern Coast of South Korea

The seasonal variations in species composition of set net fisheries were investigated in the eastern coast of Korea, from 2007 to 2008. In total, 51 species were found that were classified into 15 orders and 33 families. The water temperature of the study area was 0.1–2.1 °C during the study period, which was higher than the average water temperature in the last decade. Monthly variation in the number of species peaked twice, in May (spring) and November (autumn) when the water temperature increased and decreased, respectively, and monthly variation in the number of individuals showed a remarkably high trend in winter and autumn and was mainly caused by large migratory species. Based on the cluster analysis of the 18 most dominant species with more than 0.4% of the total number of individuals, we divided the species composition and community structure into three groups: fishes with temporary appearance (Group A), fishes with long-term appearance (Group B), and dominant pelagic fishes appearing with long-term appearance (Group C). We could conclude that seasonal variation in the fish community structure was mainly caused by pelagic migration of species under high water temperature conditions during the study period.

Variable freshwater influences on the abundance of Vibrio vulnificus in a tropical urban estuary

To better understand the controls on the opportunistic human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in warm tropical waters, we conducted a year-long investigation in the Ala Wai Canal, a channelized estuary in Honolulu, HI. The abundance of V. vulnificus as determined by qPCR of the hemolysin gene (vvhA), varied spatially and temporally over four orders of magnitude (≤ 3 to 14,000 mL-1). Unlike in temperate and subtropical systems, temperatures were persistently warm (19–31°C) and explained little of the variability in V. vulnificus abundance. Salinity (1–36 ppt) had a significant, but non-linear, relationship with V. vulnificus abundance with highest abundances (> 2,500 mL-1) observed only at salinities from 7 to 22 ppt. V. vulnificus abundances were lower on average in the summer dry season when waters were warmer but more saline. Highest canal-wide average abundances were observed during a time of modest rainfall when moderate salinities and elevated concentrations of reduced nitrogen species and silica suggested a groundwater influence. Distinguishing the abundances of two genotypes of V. vulnificus (C-type and E-type) suggest that C-type strains, which are responsible for most human infections, were usually less abundant (25% on average), but their relative contribution was greater at higher salinities, suggesting a broader salinity tolerance. Generalized regression models suggested up to 67% of sample-to-sample variation in log-transformed V. vulnificus abundance was explained (n = 202) using the measured environmental variables, and up to 97% of the monthly variation in canal-wide average concentrations (n = 13) was explained with the best subset of four variables.

Estimation of Terrestrial Solar Radiation and its Variation with other Meteorological Parameters over Lokoja, Nigeria

The yearly and monthly estimation of terrestrial solar radiation over Lokoja using meteorological parameters of temperature and relative humidity during the period of twenty two years (July 1983 – June 2005) was investigated. The monthly variation of terrestrial solar radiation with meteorological parameters of global solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were investigated. The results indicated that high values of terrestrial solar radiation were observed during the rainy season than in the dry season. The highest yearly average values of terrestrial solar radiation observed during the period under investigation were found to be in the year 2005 and 1983 with 378.3521 Wm^(-2) and 368.3232 Wm^(-2) respectively. The highest and lowest monthly values of terrestrial solar radiation were estimated during the rainy and dry seasons in the months of May and January with 385.6133 Wm^(-2) and 358.5111 Wm^(-2) respectively. High values of terrestrial solar radiation with relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were observed during the rainy season and low values during the dry season. The reverse is the case for terrestrial solar radiation with global solar radiation and temperature.

Salinity Dynamics in Subsoiled Soils of the Northwest of the Argentine Pampean Plain

Aims: The objective of the present work was to evaluate the annual evolution of the electrical conductivity and the reaction of the soil, in a Natraqualf of the northwest of the Argentine Pampean Plain, treated with a subsoiler and sowing of wheatgrass. Methodology: Four treatments were established in plots of 400 m2: natural pasture; pasture with wheatgrass (Thynopirum ponticum); natural pasture with subsoiling and wheatgrass pasture with subsoiling. Soil samples were extracted at depths of 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm, in January, April, July and October. The edaphic parameters analyzed were: pH, electrical conductivity and bulk density. In October, the dry matter production was determined by treatment. The monthly variation of the depth of the groundwater and its chemical characteristics was measured. Results: The depth of the water table fluctuated between 1.30 m and 0.70 m. The implantation of wheatgrass combined with subsoiling produced a decrease in electrical conductivity from 23.7 dS.m-1 to 3.4 dS.m-1 at 0-15 cm, and from 18.3 dS.m-1 to 7.9 dS.m-1 at 15-30 cm. Soil pH decreased almost one unit in the first 30 cm of depth of the treatments that included wheatgrass. The bulk density was reduced from 1.39 to 1.03 g.cm-3 in the treatment with subsoiling and wheatgrass, and 1.09 g.cm-3 in the wheatgrass treatment without subsoiling. The salt concentration and reaction of the soil at more than 30 cm did not show significant changes in the course of the work. Conclusion: The implantation of wheatgrass, combined with the use of a “mole plow” subsoiler, in the studied soil, produces a significant decrease in the salt content and soil pH in the first 30 cm of depth. At more than 30 cm the salt concentration and reaction of the soil is determined by the groundwater.

Monthly Variation of Benthic Fauna in Relation to Water Quality of Rajdhala Beel, Netrokona

The knowledge on benthic fauna is important to know the biological interactions of the ecosystem. Abundance and composition of benthos along with some physico-chemical parameters of water of Rajdhalabeel, Netrokona was carried out from May 1998 to April 1999. The water parameters varied between or within the months but they did not vary from location to location. The benthic organisms had fluctuated both quantitatively and qualitatively. Considerable variation of benthos was detected during the period of the study. The composition of benthos were 38.26%, 29.86% and 25.22% for molluscs, oligochaetes and chironimids respectively. The highest number (1310.98 ind/m2) was recorded in July, 1998 while it was lowest (333.3 ind/m2) in April, 1999.The study revealed the beel as productive one and implementation of a little development work, good management and protect fishes from poaching may turn the beel into a very good fish resource. Bangladesh J. Zool. 49(1): 57-68, 2021

Pattern of Haematological Malignant Patients Attending OPD in a Tertiary Level Hospital in A Calendar Year

Background: Hematologic malignancies are of diverse incidence, prognosis, and etiology. Dhaka medical college hospital (DMCH) is a tertiary level hospital and dealing with patients attending from all over the country. We have analyzed data of patients present with hematological malignancy in our Out Patient Department (OPD). As Hematology Dept DMCH deal with patients referred from all over the country, its OPD data represents the picture of whole country. Methods: This is a retro-spective study of OPD patients with hematological malignancy in the department of Hematology of DMCH from January 2018 to December 2018. The diseases were diagnosed on the basis of bone marrow morphology or histopathology (Lymphoma) and or immunophenotyping & molecular genetics. Results: Total 5747 patients were treated in 2018 with the complaints related to hematological malignancy of which 4599 (80%) were old patients and 1148 (20%) were new patients. Among all the treated patients 1420 (24.7%) were female and 4327 (75.3%) were male. Among 1148 new cases 37 were AL(3%), 386 were ALL (34%), 265 were AML(23%), 32 were CLL (3%), 126 were CML (11%), 40 were HL (3%), 18 were MDS (1%), 76 were MM (7%), 168 were NHL (15%). Data shows variation in total number of new patients per month- 83 in January (7.23%), 96 in February (8.36%), 140 in March (12.20%), 98 in April (8.54%), 94 in May (8.19), 89 in June (7.75%), 98 in July (8.54%), 66 in August (5.75%), 99 in September (8.62%), 103 in October (8.97%), 98 in November (8.54%), 84 in December (7.31%) But it does not show any statistical significant frequencies of diseases according to months. Conclusion: We deal a lot of patients with hematological malignancy each year in DMCH. A good portion of them are of ALL because of monthly maintenance of ALL protocols. Analysis of new cases shows ALL, AML, NHL is most common three diseases encounter in OPD. OPD patients’ inflow does not show any significant monthly variation for any of the diseases.