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. Under no further disturbance, the population of Porites lutea will grow and its size structure will change from predominance of small size classes to large size classes. Therewith, total Porites cover will increase. Even under random disturbances every 10 to 20 years, the Porites population could remain viable, albeit at lower space cover. The models suggest recovery at Luhuitou following the removal of chronic anthropogenic disturbance. Extending the area of coral reef reserves to protect the open coral community and the path of connectivity is advisable and imperative for the conservation of Hainan’s coral reefs

Synthesis of an intrinsically flame retardant bio-based benzoxazine resin

An intrinsically flame retardant bio-based benzoxazine (diphenolic acid pentaerythritol caged phosphate benzoxazine, DPA-PEPA-Boz) monomer was synthesized from bio-based diphenolic acid (DPA) using a four-step process. The monomer of DPA-PEPA-Boz was characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The curing behavior of DPA-PEPA-boz was studied and compared with those of DPA based benzoxazine (DPABoz) and DPA ester derivative (MDP) based benzoxazine (MDP-Boz) without PEPA by means of nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicated that DPA-PEPA-Boz system showed a two-stage curing, assigned to the exothermic opening reactions of oxazine rings and PeOeC ring in PEPA respectively, while the DPA-Boz and MDP-Boz showed a one-stage curing. In addition, the effect of the introduction of PEPA on thermal and inflammable properties of the resin was evaluated. The residual char of the cured DPA-PEPA-Boz (P-DPA-PEPA-Boz) after 400 �C was much higher than those of cured DPA-Boz (P-DPA-Boz) and cured MDP-Boz (P-MDP-Boz) under nitrogen and air atmospheres. Meanwhile, total heat release (THR), peak heat release rate (PHRR) and heat release capacity (HRC) of P-DPA-PEPABoz were about half of those of P-DPA-Boz and P-MDP-Boz. P-DPA-PEPA-Boz had a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 33.5% and achieved V0 rating in UL94 test. P-DPA-PEPA-Boz behaved as a very good intrinsic thermal and flame retardant bio-based benoxazine resin