Region Of Inner Mongolia Research Articles

Neurosensory effects of chronic exposure to arsenic via drinking water in Inner Mongolia: I. signs, symptoms and pinprick testing

This study was designed to assess the effects of exposure to arsenic in drinking water on neurosensory function. A questionnaire including neurological signs and symptoms and a brief neurological exam consisting of pinprick testing of the arms and legs and knee-jerk test were administered to 321 residents of the Bamen region of Inner Mongolia, China. Arsenic in water was measured by hydride generation atomic fluorescence. Participants were divided into three exposure groups--low (non-detectible-20), medium (100-300) and high (400-700 microg/I) arsenic. Significant group differences were observed in pinprick scores for all four limbs. Results indicate that arsenic alters pinprick (pain) thresholds at well-water concentrations as low as 400 microg/l, well below the 1000 microg/l threshold for neurological effect specified by NRC (1999). Regression models suggest that a 50% increase in pinprick score is associated with a 71-159 ppb increase in arsenic concentration.

Neurosensory effects of chronic exposure to arsenic via drinking water in Inner Mongolia: II. Vibrotactile and visual function

This study was designed to assess the effects of exposure to arsenic in drinking water on visual and vibrotactile function in residents of the Bamen region of Inner Mongolia, China. Arsenic was measured by hydride generation atomic fluorescence. 321 participants were divided into three exposure groups- low (non-detectable-20), medium (100-300) and high (400-700 microg/l) arsenic in drinking water (AsW). Three visual tests were administered: acuity, contrast sensitivity and color discrimination (Lanthony's Desaturated 15 Hue Test). Vibration thresholds were measured with a vibrothesiometer. Vibration thresholds were significantly elevated in the high exposure group compared to other groups. Further analysis using a spline regression model suggested that the threshold for vibratory effects is between 150-170 microg/l AsW. These findings provide the first evidence that chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water impairs vibrotactile thresholds. The results also indicate that arsenic affects neurological function well below the 1000 microg/I concentration reported by NRC (1999). No evidence of arsenic-related effects on visual function was found.

Study of Asian Dust Phenomena in 2001–2003 Using A Network of Continuously Operated Polarization Lidars

We have conducted dust observations at a number of locations including Beijing, Hefei, Suwon, Fukue, Nagasaki, Tsukuba, and Sapporo using automated two-wavelength polarization lidars o study Asian dust phenomena, including generation, transport, and change during transport. We developed a method using the depolarization ratio for estimating the contributions of Asian dust and spherical air-pollution aerosols in observed aerosol mixtures. We analyzed the dust profiles statistically to derive climatological characteristics and year-on-year variations. We also studied dust source and transport path for each dust event using the regional chemical transport model CFORS. The statistical analysis clearly demonstrated the year-on-year variation of dust phenomena and the characteristics depending on the locations of the observational sites. Most major dust events in 2001 and 2002 originated in Inner Mongolia and/or Mongolia at the southern edge of a low-pressure area located in Siberia and were transported by strong westerlies. In 2003, the typical meteorological pattern for heavy dust cases accompanying a strong low in Siberia was not seen, except for one case in April. Furthermore, the lidar observation in Beijing suggests that less dust was generated in the source regions in Inner Mongolia and/or Mongolia, probably due to higher precipitation in 2003.

Stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the dinosaur-bearing Upper Cretaceous Iren Dabasu Formation, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China

New field observations and sedimentological analyses of the dinosaur-bearing Upper Cretaceous Iren Dabasu Formation in the Iren Nor region of Inner Mongolia (People's Republic of China) have led to a better understanding of its palaeoenvironment. The fluvial deposits represent a braided river that, due to the large amount of fines, does not fit the classical model for braided rivers. The study area is divided into two parts: in the northern part, sediments of the main channel belt of the ancient braided river system are exposed along a dry river valley on the northern edge of the Iren Nor salt lake, while in the southern part, comprising all other studied exposures, different facies of the ancient floodplain are represented, including minor channels, temporary ponds, and palaeosols. The difference between the northern and southern parts is also reflected in the fossil content; only the southern exposures have yielded dinosaur remains. The ancient braided river had a broad, vegetated floodplain populated by a diverse dinosaur fauna. Four species of charophytes are described and illustrated from the Iren Nor site, together with eight species of ostracods, one of which ( Cypridea irennorensis sp. nov.) is new. Contrary to the vertebrate data, both groups of microfossils indicate a latest Cretaceous age (Campanian–Maastrichtian) for the Iren Dabasu Formation, and suggest a possible correlation with the Nemegt Formation, which would allow the age estimation to be refined to latest Campanian–Early Maastrichtian.

Control ofLymantria dispar L. by biological agents

The experiment on control of Lymantria dispar L by using different kinds of biological measures, including nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Lymantria dispar L., BtMP-342, sex-attractant as well as botanical insecticide, was carried out in the forest regions of Inner Mongolia in 2003. Two concentrations (2.632×10^6 PIB•ml^(-1) and 2.632×l0^7 PIB•ml^(-1)) of Lymantria dispar L. NPV were sprayed on the 2rd-instar-larvae of L. dispar and 70% and 77.8% control effect were obtained respectively. BtMP0-342 was applied to the 3rd- and 4th-instar larvae and the control effect was around 80%. The sex-attractant provided by Canada Pacific Forestry Research Center also showed a good result in trapping L. dispar adults. The self-produced botanical insecticide, which was extracted from a kind of poisonous plant distributed in Daxing'an Mountains, China, exhibited a good control result in controlling the larvae of L. dispar and 82% mortality was observed when spraying primary liquid of the botanical insecticide on the 3rd-5th-instar-larvae in lab.

Effects of desertification on soil and crop growth properties in Horqin sandy cropland of Inner Mongolia, north China

Wind erosion and accumulated sand are recognized as the primary forms of cropland desertification in the arid and semiarid region, Inner Mongolia. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the effects of wind erosion and accumulated sand on soil properties and crop growth properties in this region. A field experiment was conducted from 2001 to 2002 on desertified cropland with gradients of wind erosion and accumulated sand to investigate changes in soil and crop growth properties resulting from desertification in the Horqin sandy land. Results indicated that the soil environment degraded significantly and crop growth and biomass were seriously restrained by wind erosion. In the severely eroded cropland, soil clay, organic matter, total N and P, available N and P, average soil moisture decreased by 59.6%, 71.2%, 67.4%, 31.4%, 64.5%, 38.8% and 51.8%, respectively. Erosion increased soil pH from 8.66 to 8.92; delayed plant life cycle by 6 days, decreased plant height and diameter by 15.5% and 29.1%, and decreased above and below ground biomass and seed yield by 87.3%, 47.9% and 96.5%, respectively. Effects of a little accumulated sand were fewer on soil properties and crop growth and seed yield compared to wind erosion, severe accumulated sand effects on the cropland remain to be studied further. The results of correlation analysis showed that crop biomass and seed production were significantly correlated to organic matter, total N, pH and soil moisture under circumstance of worsened soil environment. In the windy and sandy region in Inner Mongolia, some measures to control cropland erosion should be introduced including construction of windbreak, stubble cultivation, increased organic fertilizer and spring irrigation.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS AND CHARACERISTICS OF AMMOPIPTANTHUS MONGOLICUS POPULATIONS IN DIFFERENT DESERT ENVIRONMENTS

Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, which is an endemic and endangered species in China listed in the Red Data book, is a type of evergreen broad-leaved shrub in dry deserts of Asia. A. mongolicus is distributed mainly in the Alashan region of Inner Mongolia, but, for unknown reasons, the range of the population has been declining. We studied the distribution patterns and characteristics of A. mongolicus as a preliminary step in understanding the dynamic changes of the population and community and the factors causing the population decline. In Alashan Zuoqi, 36 quadrats (20 m×20 m) and 150 grids (5 m×5 m) were set up at 3 sites (Dongqingliang, Sumutu and Luanjingtan). There were at least 12 quadrats and 50 grids in every plot. The distribution patterns, stand density characteristics, morphological characteristics, and dynamic changes of the A. mongolicus populations at the 3 sites were compared. The results showed that A. mongolicus populations formed different distribution patterns under environmental conditions. The population was distributed evenly on flowing-sand or semi-fixed windy sand but was distributed contagiously on ancient riverbeds or stone slopes caused by seasonal floods. Individuals of A. mongolicus had different morphologies based on the population density and environment characteristics. On flowing-sand, individuals had shorter heights and smaller diameters but the relationship between height and width was not significant (R_1=0.096). There was a negative relationship between population density and the height and diameter of individuals in the population on flowing-sand (R_2=-0.214, R_3=-0.339). Individuals growing on semi-fixed windy sand and stone slopes had significantly greater heights and diameters, but there was no significant relationship between population density, and the diameter and the height. On stone slopes, the relationships between individual diameters and the heights were not significant (R_1 = 0.886), and there were no significant relationships between population density and height and width (R_2 = 0.089, R_3= 0.055). The densities of A. mongolicus populations were the highest at the flowing-sand site and the lowest at the stone slope population where seasonal floods occurred. Populations of A. mongolicus had different age structures at the different sites. At the flowing-sand site, there were even numbers of mid- to old-aged individuals but few young individuals, indicating that the population was senescing. At the semi-fixed windy sand and stone slope sites, there were also very few young individuals, and the number of individuals in the different age classes was distributed very unevenly. All three populations had limited the regeneration questioning the long-term viability of these populations.

Human nails as a biomarker of arsenic exposure from well water in Inner Mongolia: comparing atomic fluorescence spectrometry and neutron activation analysis

Arsenic (As) is found naturally in the geological strata within the Ba Men Region of Inner Mongolia, China. A study was conducted to compare the total As measurements from two analytical techniques: instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), and to verify nails as an exposure biomarker in this population. In 1999, nail and water samples were collected in a pilot study. Fingernails and toenails were pooled from 32 participants and analysed for total As by both INAA and AFS. Mean nail As values were 14.8±2.4 and 19.4±2.8 µg g−1 (±SEM) for INAA and AFS, respectively. Results from these two methods were significantly correlated (r=0.93, p<0.0001). In 2000, a second study was conducted and INAA was used to measure total As in toenails from 314 Ba Men residents. Well water samples were collected from 121 households and analysed by AFS. A significant correlation was observed between toenail and well water As (r=0.84, p<0.0001). Based on the results, INAA was significantly correlated with AFS and proved to be a reliable measure of nail As levels. In this population, toenail samples are a useful internal As exposure biomarker from drinking water sources.

The outbreak pattern of the SARS cases in Asia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused tremendous damage to many Asia countries, especially China. The transmission process and outbreak pattern of SARS is still not well understood. This study aims to find a simple model to describe the outbreak pattern of SARS cases by using SARS case data commonly released by governments. The outbreak pattern of cumulative SARS cases is expected to be a logistic type because the infection will be slowed down due to the increasing control effort by people and/or due to depletion of susceptible individuals. The increase rate of SARS cases is expected to decrease with the cumulative SARS cases, as described by the traditional logistical model, which is widely used in population dynamic studies. The instantaneous rate of increases were significantly and negatively correlated with the cumulative SARS cases in mainland of China (including Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shanxi, the Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia) and Singapore. The basic reproduction numberR 0 in Asia ranged from 2.0 to 5.6 (except for Taiwan, China). TheR 0 of Hebei and Tianjin were much higher than that of Singapore, Hongkong, Beijing, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, indicating SARS virus might have originated differently or new mutations occurred during transmission. We demonstrated that the outbreaks of SARS in many regions of Asia were well described by the logistic model, and the control measures implemented by governments are effective. The maximum instantaneous rate of increase, basic reproductive number, and maximum cumulative SARS cases were also calculated by using the logistic model.

PREGNANCY AND PERINATAL OUTCOMES IN RELATION TO DRINKING WATER ARSENIC EXPOSURE IN BA MEN, INNER MONGOLIA, CHINA

ISEE-465 Introduction: Close to 40 million people worldwide are exposed to levels of drinking water arsenic (DWA) above the WHO recommended maximum limit of 10μg/L. Many studies have documented an association between DWA and cancer, vascular diseases, and dermatological outcomes, but few have investigated the potential adverse effects of DWA on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. This study was designed to examine the relation, if any, between DWA exposure and adverse perinatal outcomes including low birthweight, preterm delivery, stillborn deliveries, and neonatal mortality in the Bayingnormen (Ba Men) region of Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: Two public health data sources, the Examination Chart for Pregnant Women and a DWA well database, were linked for three counties in the Ba Men region of Inner Mongolia, China. The reference population included all pregnant women who delivered a singleton infant in those three counties between December 1, 1996 - December 31, 1999. Analyses were limited to pregnant women who lived in a subvillage with measured DWA concentrations (n=5,794). Categories of DWA were developed based on the distribution observed (below limit of detection -20 μg/L (reference), 21-50 μg/L, 51-100 μg/L, >100 μg/L). The relations between DWA and low birthweight (<2.5 kg), preterm delivery (<37 weeks gestation), stillborn delivery, and neonatal mortality (newborn death on or before 28 days post delivery) were examined by logistic regression. Results: Exposure to DWA ranged from below limit of detection up to 1200 μg/L. DWA was not associated with a significant increase in low birthweight, stillborn delivery, or neonatal mortality. A significant increase risk in preterm delivery was observed for drinking water arsenic category of 51-100 μg/L (Odds ratio = 8.34; 95% confidence interval 1.05, 66.12) but the overall rate of preterm delivery was lower than expected (2.1%). Discussion: Results from this study suggest that there may be an increased risk of preterm delivery associated with exposure to DWA >50 μg/L but low numbers of preterm infants impacted precision and made the magnitude of potential risks difficult to estimate. Disclaimer: This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.

Between Islam and Mongols: The Qotung People in Inner Mongolia, China

AbstractChina's ‘minority nationalities’ came into being as a result of the ‘Nationality Identification Work’ carried out in the first decade of the People's Republic of China. The assumption of internal homogeneity of ‘nationality’ inherent in the state project has prevented study of the internal diversity within each nationality. This paper intends, on the basis of field research, to study the internal diversity of the Mongolian society. A preliminary investigation has been made of the ethnogenesis and social structure of the Qotung Mongols in the Alashan region of Inner Mongolia. Through analysis of the relationships between the Qotung and the Mongols and Islam, the author points out that Islam is a major element in the formation of the Qotung Mongols whose ancestors hailed from various groups in East Turkestan. This case study shows that Islam should not be ignored when we study the Mongols and it is imperative that we recognise diversity within the Mongols.

Structural changes in steppe vegetation community according to grazing gradient in semiarid regions of Inner Mongolia, China

Structural changes in steppe vegetation community according to grazing gradient in semiarid regions of Inner Mongolia, China

Influence of expected wages on occupational choice: new evidence from Inner Mongolia

Occupational choice is modelled as a function of expected wages in each of a number of occupational regimes, using data from a region of Inner Mongolia whose economy is relatively undeveloped and which remains heavily dominated by state activity. The results share much in common with similar studies conducted using data for developed Western economies, but in contrast to the latter there is evidence of labour market segmentation.

Cashmere production and environment problems of grasslands in the western region of Inner Mongolia, China

Cashmere production and environment problems of grasslands in the western region of Inner Mongolia, China

Odonata from the Republic of Mongolia and from the Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia

Abstract Thirty-five dragonfly species are reported from Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. Three are first records. A non-parametric test is used to determine the total number of species to be expected. It suggests that the current number of 62 may be asymptotically complete, except for some specific zones like the Bulgan valley in the south-west, and the upper catchment of the Amur River, which have a distinctive fauna. From a biogeographic point of view, the Mongolian fauna is predominantly of impoverished Eurosiberian extraction. The south of Mongolia (the Gobi) and adjacent Inner Mongolia are, however, enriched with a significant fraction of East-Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian species, taking advantage of the Dzungarian corridor(s). This is particularly true of the fauna found in the small cis-Altai ‘exclave’ of the extreme south-west of the country. True Oriental species are rare, but East Palaearctic species (e.g. of the genus Cercion) are well-represented, especially south and east of the Gobi desert,...

#105-S estimating residential exposure to drinking water arsenic in inner mongolia, china for epidemiologic studies

Abstract PURPOSE: In the Ba Men region of Inner Mongolia, China, a high prevalence of chronic arsenism has been reported in earlier studies. A survey of the water supply system was conducted between 1991-1998 to better characterize the arsenic (As) concentrations in the drinking water supply of local villages. METHODS: A total of 14,866 wells were analyzed for As content. Colorimetry based on silver diethyldithiocarbamate, an adaptation of the mercury bromide stain technique, and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to determine the As content of the water supply. Methods used to assign individual level exposure information based on aggregate exposure data, their advantages and disadvantages, will be discussed. RESULTS: As concentrations ranged from below the limit of detection to 1.2 mg/l. Elevated concentrations were related to well depth (maximum at the 15 to 25 meter (m) category), well type (most high concentrations associated with the small household pump wells) and the date the well was built (peaks from 1980–1990). Over 43,600 persons consumed water with As concentrations above 0.01 mg/l (14,500 above 0.05 mg/l, 480 above 0.5 mg/l). There were significant differences between different counties and villages within each county. CONCLUSION: The presented database of As in wells of the Ba Men region provides a useful tool for planning future water explorations when combined with geological information. It also helps in the design of upcoming epidemiological studies on the effects of arsenic in drinking water.

Testing LiSK BRDF models over a semi-arid grassland region with visible and near-infrared ATSR-2 and AVHRR data

This paper assesses the capability of the Roujean and LiSparse-MODIS-RossThin linear semi-empirical kernel-driven (LiSK) bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) models to predict bidirectional reflectance at geometries other than those of the observations used to invert the model, when the models are inverted against a sparse set of angular samples from 21 orbits (3-19 August 1996) of the operational Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometers (AVHRRs) on NOAA TIROS series AM (morning) and PM (evening) satellites. Red ('visible') and near-infrared (NIR) spectral reflectance estimates acquired at 4:40 GMT on 14 August 1996 by the Along-Track Scanning Radiometer-2 (ATSR-2) sensor flown on the European Space Agency's ERS-2 satellite are used as reference data. The test area is a semi-arid grassland region in Inner Mongolia, P.R. China, bounded by 42.84°-44.71° N and 112.40°-116.05° E. The results show that in spite of the difficulties posed by such a task, LiSK models can be inverted against multiangular AVHRR observations to predict bidirectional reflectance at the acquisition geometry of the ATSR-2 with reasonable accuracy: the rms. error of the reflectance predictions made by both models is less than 4% for the nadir views and less than or equal to 6% in the forward views. These error values are less than one-half those provided by a 13 August 1996 AM AVHRR scene in the 0.65 w m channel and about one-seventh of those for the AVHRR scene in the 0.87 w m (NIR) channel, in both nadir and forward views.

Environmental mechanism of magnetic susceptibility changes of lacustrine sediments from Lake Hulun, China

The changes of magnetic susceptibility (κ) are correlated with those of corresponding sedimentological, geochemical, mineralogical and biological results, which verifies that κ can be taken as one of the environmental proxies. However, usually the exact origin of magnetic signal is poorly understood, and is difficult to relate with the environmental evolution. Magnetic properties of material derived from the catchment and sedimentary environment may affect the accumulation, preservation, or authigenesis and diagenesis of magnetic minerals. In the Lake Hulun region in Inner Mongolia, it is found that muddy sediments, deposited during high water level period (corresponding to humid climate), have comparatively high κ values. In contrast, the sandy sediments, deposited during low water level period (corresponding to arid climate), have low κ values. Detailed rock magnetic investigation confirms that detrital magnetite derived from volcanic rocks in the catchment exists in both muddy and sandy sediments. During high water level period, secondary ferrimagnetic iron sulphide was produced in muddy sediments under relatively reductive conditions. Ferrimagnetic iron sulphide, coexisting with detrital magnetite, predominates the magnetic properties of muddy sediments, resulting in increasing κ. This paper reveals the significance of authigenic ferrimagnetic iron sulphide produced after sediment deposition.

Distribution of cranes in Hulunber Grassland and Daxing’an mountains forest region in inner Mongolia

The Daxing’an Mountains and Hulunber Grassland are located in the northeastern border area of China. This region covers a large area of rich biodiversity. The natural environment here is well protected because of low pressure of human activity. There are 5 species of cranes here. They are Red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), White-napped crane (Grus vipio), Siberian White crane (Grus leucogeranus), Grey crane (Grus lifordi) and Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo). Red-crowned crane is a breeding species that is widely distributed in this area. The main breeding population of this species is in Heilongjiang Province. They migrate to the south of China in winter. White-napped crane, Grey crane, Demoiselle crane are also summer birds. It remains unknown if Siberian White crane breeds here. Since the population of Red-crowned crane, White-napped crane, Siberian White crane in China are at the edge of endangering, so they are listed in the namelist of national protected species. But Grey crane, Demoiselle crane have a larger population, and are widely distributed.

Alcohol indulgence in a Mongolian community of China

Recent ethnographic fieldwork in a pastoral region of Inner Mongolia indicates that alcohol use and abuse plays a more significant role in contemporary Chinese social process than has previously been disclosed in either domestic or foreign scholarship. By reporting and reflecting upon the practices, purposes, and consequences of habitual indulgence by male Mongolian herders in a particular setting, this article breaks down the monolithic conceptual category of “Chinese drinking” and reconfirms that alcohol-related problems are deeply embedded within broad social issues associated with modernization.