Cold-water coral diversity along the continental shelf margin of northwestern South China Sea.

Scleractinian cold-water corals (CWCs) are one of the most important habitat engineers of the deep sea. Although the South China Sea (SCS) abuts the biodiversity center of scleractinian CWCs in the western Pacific, only a few sporadic records are available. We discovered new CWC sites by means of trawl sampling and video observation along the continental shelf of the northwestern SCS.

A Novel Synergistic Flame Retardant of Hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene for Epoxy Resin.

Hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCP) is a common flame retardant for epoxy resin (EP). To improve the thermostability and fire safety of HPCP-containing EP, we combined UiO66-NH (a kind of metal-organic frame, MOF) with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by hydrothermal reaction to create a novel synergistic flame retardant (H-U) of HPCP for EP. For the EP containing HPCP and H-U, the initial decomposition temperature () and the temperature of maximum decomposition rate () increased by 11 and 17 °C under nitrogen atmosphere compared with those of the EP containing only HPCP.

Microstructural characteristics of the stony coral genus useful to coral reef paleoecology and modern conservation.

Identification of fossil corals is often limited due to poor preservation of external skeleton morphology, especially in the genus which is widespread across the Indo-Pacific. Based on skeleton characteristics from thin section, we here develop a link between the internal skeleton structure and external morphology. Ten characteristics were summarized to distinguish and five related genera, including the type and differentiation of corallites, the skeleton nature of corallites (septa, columellae, dissepiments, wall), and calcification centers within septa.

Regional coral growth responses to seawater warming in the South China Sea.

Seawater temperature is one of the main environmental factors controlling coral skeleton growth. Sustained seawater warming is regarded as a major threat to coral growth and reef development. Coral reefs are widespread in the South China Sea (SCS), where the history and future of coral growth are of great concern.

Model suggests potential for Porites coral population recovery after removal of anthropogenic disturbance (Luhuitou, Hainan, South China Sea).

Population models are important for resource management and can inform about potential trajectories useful for planning purposes, even with incomplete monitoring data. From size frequency data on Luhuitou fringing reef, Hainan, South China Sea, a matrix population model of massive corals (Porites lutea) was developed and trajectories over 100 years under no disturbance and random disturbances were projected. The model reflects a largely open population of Porites lutea, with low local recruitment and preponderance of imported recruitment.

Historical sediment record and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments from tidal flats of Haizhou Bay, China.

The spatial and temporal variations and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment of tidal flat from Haizhou Bay, China were investigated. PCBs concentrations in surface sediments ranged from 1.33 to 6.

Heavy metal pollution and assessment in the tidal flat sediments of Haizhou Bay, China.

The heavy metal inventory and the ecological risk of the tidal flat sediments in Haizhou Bay were investigated. Results show that the average concentrations of heavy metals in the surface sediments exceeded the environment background values of Jiangsu Province coastal soil, suggesting that the surface sediments were mainly polluted by heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn). In addition, the profiles of heavy metals fluxes can reflect the socio-economic development of Lianyungang City, and heavy metals inputs were attributed to anthropogenic activities.

Construction of flame retardant nanocoating on ramie fabric via layer-by-layer assembly of carbon nanotube and ammonium polyphosphate.

A new flame retardant nanocoating has been constructed by the alternate adsorption of polyelectrolyte amino-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT-NH2) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) onto flexible and porous ramie fabric. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the adsorbed carbon nanotube coating is a randomly oriented and overlapped network structure, which is a promising candidate for flame retardancy applications. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirm that the APP is successfully incorporated into the multilayers sequentially.