Assessment of coastal dune characteristics using georadar imaging and sedimentological analysis: Odisha and Visakhapatnam, India

The East coast of India is subject to continuous changes by high energy events. We sought to assess the depositional conditions along the coast from the geophysical and sedimentological character of the dune sands of the Gopalpur and Paradeep coast of Odisha, and the Sagarnagar coast of North Visakhapatnam. Quartz layers of the heavy mineral-rich zone collected at a depth of ~2 m from the landward foot of the dunes in the Visakhapatnam and Odisha coast, gave the OSL age estimates as 1,050?±?50 and 260?±?10 years respectively, revealing that the age of the dunes in Visakhapatnam are older than those on the Odisha coast. Episodic high energy events have affected the coast. Evidence from ground penetrating radar data consists of three stratigraphic units. The upper unit consists of vague reflections, parallel to the ground in continuous manner, most probably formed by wind action. On the other hand, the middle layer shows high amplitude reflections of heavy mineral-rich massive layers, possibly the result of tsunami activity. The lower massive layer parallel to the ground surface shows a low reflection pattern. The GPR studies showed that the thickness of the heavy mineral layers is greater on the landward foot of the dune as compared to that on the seaward side. According to the grain size analysis, the dune is composed of both wind generated and tsunamigenic sediments. The scanning electron microscope studies revealed that the heavy minerals present in the dunes are mainly sillimanite, ilmenite, garnet, pyroxene, rutile, sphene, biotite, hornblende, zircon, monazite and magnetite. The study demonstrates the origin of sand dunes in different ages along the East Coast of India by the effect of various natural phenomena.     

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Contamination from Uranium-Bearing Black Shale in Goesan–Boeun Areas, Korea

This study was initiated to identify the impact of metals and uranium enriched soil and black shale in groundwater quality and contamination. From a Piper diagram, groundwater was classified into four types as (Ca+Mg)–HCO₃ type, (Ca+Mg)–SO₄ type, the mixed type of these two and Na–HCO₃ type, reflecting the complicated nature of geology of the study area. Silicate weathering appeared to be the major water–rock interaction. In groundwater, metals including Cr, Pb, Cu and V, previously identified as being enriched in soils and black shale, were much lower in concentrations than Korean and US EPA drinking water guidelines. Instead, Fe and Mn caused major water-quality problems. In the artesian groundwater from an abandoned uranium mine, the uranium concentration was 21.3 µg L^–1, slightly higher than EPA guidelines of 20 µg L^–1. Heavy metals in groundwater appeared to be controlled mostly by sorptions on to Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxides. They could be remobilised in groundwater with changes of pH and Eh conditions due to acid mine drainage from black shale or the recharge of fresh water. Uranium would be associated with carbonate and sulphate complexes in groundwater. Because of the remaining water-quality problems in the study area, we suggested containment of identified mine wastes, considering remedial measures for local problems with Fe and Mn, continuous monitoring of groundwater and developing groundwater from deep aquifers.     

Use of seaweeds for monitoring trace elements in coastal waters

Concentrations of a wide range of trace elements: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, nickel, thorium, uranium, zinc and the rare earth elements, cerium, europium, samarium, terbium and ytterbium were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in the brown alga,Fucus vesiculosus from Eckwarder Hörne, North Sea and from Rügen, Baltic Sea. Another brown alga,Sargassum filipendula from Sri Lanka, Indian ocean (representing an unpolluted control station) was similarly investigated. Cobalt, chromium and nickel concentrations were highest inF. vesiculosus from the North Sea while zinc was highest in samples from the Baltic Sea, reflecting high levels of these elements in coastal waters of the North and the Baltic sea. Cadmium, cobalt, nickel and zinc levels were lowest inS. filipendula from Sri Lanka, probably demonstrating lower levels of those elements in coastal waters. Concentration levels of hafnium, thorium, uranium, and the rare earth elements were highest inS. filipendula. Two years later in 1994,S. filipendula along withUlva sp. (green alga) was resampled from the same sampling site, and in addition to the above elements, six other trace elements (Ag, Ba, Br, Rb, Se and Sr) were determined.Sargassium filipendula showed a particular affinity for Ag, As, Br and Sr. For the other elements, marginal concentration differences were observed betweenS. filipendula andUlva sp., probably reflecting the regional background levels. Substantially higher concentrations of Hf, Th, U, and the rare earths were found again in the 1994Sargassum andUlva samples, reflecting the effect of a substrate rich in rare earth elements. The brown algae used in this study may be used to monitor trace elements in coastal waters.     

Environmental Se–Mo–B Deficiency and its Possible Effects in Jiantou Keshan Disease Area in Shaanxi Province, China

Keshan disease (KD) occurs in a wide geographic belt stretching from the Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China to Yunnan Province in southwestern China, including Huangling County, Shaanxi Province. In order to research relationships between eco-environmental geochemistry and KD pertaining to Se, Mo, B, Zn, Mn, and Cu, this investigation was conducted in the Jiantou KD area in Huangling County, one of the areas in China where the incidence of KD is highest. Environmental samples (rock, soil, plant and childrens hair) were collected from the area. Se in plants is low, ranging from 0.03 to 0.06 µg Se g^–1 in corn, potato and soybean. Se contents in childrens hair are normal or reach the limitation of dangerous level. This study reports 0.18 µg Se g^–1, B <40 µg g^–1, and Mo <1.0 µg g^–1 in aeolian soil, 0.14–0.38 µg Mo g^–1 and 3–8 µg B g^–1 in corn and potato (daily staple food for local human beings in the area). The Jiantou KD area is one where the elements Se, Mo and B are deficient. It is proposed that the deficiency of elements Se, Mo and B may be involved in the pathogenicity of KD with respect to the eco-environmental system because Se, Mo and B are essential micronutrients for plants and human beings. It seems that there is no significant relationship between the Zn–Mn–K–Pb–Ba associations and KD.     

A Preliminary Study of Geographic Influence on Arsenic Concentrations in Human Hair

Past mining activities in the county of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, has exposed the local environment to raised levels of As. Previous research has shown an increased concentration of As in crops grown in such areas and the subsequent take-up of As through the food chain may lead to an increased body burden in man. In an attempt to evaluate this, a pilot study was carried out using Particle Induced X-ray Emission to compare the hair As concentration of a group of Cornish residents to that of a control group consisting of residents in the counties of Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. The null hypothesis being that there is no significant difference between the hair As concentrations of the two groups.Each group comprised thirty six age and sex matched subjects. The mean hair As concentration for the Cornish group was 2.51 g g-1, which is significantly greater than that of 0.7 g g-1 found in the control group (p = 0.004). The World Health Organisation suggests a hair As value greater than 1 g g-1 as evidence of increased exposure to As and 5 g g-1 is quoted by the Canadian Government as evidence of significant ingestion of As. Twenty one Cornish subjects registered a value at or above 1 g As g-1 compared to nine in the control group (p = 0.0003). Five subjects in the Cornish group had values that exceed 5 g As g-1, compared to only two in the control group (p = 0.23). We use the results of this study as evidence to support our continued work in this area in order to evaluate possible health implications.     

Environmental Se-Mo-B deficiency and its possible effects on crops and Keshan-Beck disease (KBD) in the Chousang area,Yao County,Shaanxi Province,China

Causes of Keshan–Beck disease (KBD) are still being probed and monitored in China. Relationships between trace elements from eco-environmental systems and KBD are poorly understood although relationships between environmental Se and human health have received extensive attention. In order to investigate relationships between eco-environmental geochemistry and KBD, we selected the Chousang KBD area in Yao County, Shaanxi Province, China, as an example of a prevailing KBD area applying I–Se-rich salts instead of utilizing Se-rich fertilisers on food crops to prevent local residents from developing KBD before 1995. Environmentally geochemical samples (rocks, soils, plants and children's hair) were collected from the Chousang KBD area. Soils in the study area contain 0.11±0.02 µg Se g^–1, 0.75±0.11 µg Mo g^–1, and 34.5±1.5 µg B g^–1 on average, indicating that the study area is a deficient-Se–Mo–B area. Se (0.07±0.007 µg g^–1), Mo (0.35±0.09 µg g^–1) and B (3±0 µg g^–1) contents are low in wheat and corn used as a daily main food staple of local inhabitants. It is indicated that the study area is deficient in environmental Se–Mo–B for the local residents. Se contents of children's hair from the Yangyuan Elementary School in the study area range from 0.09 to 0.26 µg Se g^–1 with an average of 0.165±0.05 µg Se g^–1 (n=10) in this KBD endemic area. Due to the low levels of Se, Mo and B available in soils and rocks, crops including wheat and corn are deficient in these elements, accordingly, the deficiency of Se, Mo and B in this area may be linked to the daily consumption of wheat and corn deficient in Se, Mo and B. Therefore, local inhabitants should be encouraged to fertilise mixtures of Se, Mo and B on crop plants in order to avoid development of KBD and guarantee a good harvest of crops.     

Geochemistry and acidity of sulphide-bearing postglacial sediments of western Finland

The geochemistry, mineralogy, acidity and electric conductivity of sulphide-bearing postglacial sediments located on the coastal plains of western Finland were studied. Grain size and mineralogical analysis (eight samples studied) indicated that the sediments are silts dominated by primary minerals (quartz, feldspars), and that the clay fraction (<2µm), which made up less than one-third of the bulk samples, is enriched in phyllosilicates but depleted in quartz and feldspars, relative to bulk samples. As compared to the metal contents of the fine-fraction of glacial till (data of the Geological Survey of Finland), the fine sediments appear to be enriched in sulphur (median = 0.54%) and trace metals such as Ni (31 µg g^–1), Zn (90 µg g^–1), Co (13 µg g^–1), Cr (48 µg g^–1) and V (50 µg g^–1). Statistical analysis indicated that aluminosilicates are the principal carrier phases of trace metals, and that sulphides and organic matter only partially control the distribution of elements other than S and C. A 3-g portion of 232 samples was oxidised in the laboratory by atmospheric oxygen for a period of 1 year. After this period of oxidation, 15 ml of water was added, after which pH and electric conductivity of the suspensions (sediment:water, 1:5) were measured. The quantities of elements mobilised by the oxidation was calculated from the dissolved concentrations found in 3 g of oxidised sediment suspended in 30 ml of deionised water (eight samples studied). The results of the experiment showed that the impact of sulphide oxidation on the pH and conductivity of the sediments is large, and that a high proportion (>13%) of the aqua-regia extractable contents of several elements (Co, Mn, Ca, Ni, Zn, Sr, Na and B) are mobilised at oxidation. Because of the high quantities of acidity and metals liberated at oxidation, it is argued that stream-water quality, which is poor in the study area, will not improve unless artificial draining is restricted in areas of sulphide sediments.     

Feeding habits of a pelagic amphipod,Themisto japonica

Vertical distribution, chlorophylla (chla) and phaeopigment concentrations in the gut, and natural nitrogen isotope ratio ( ¹⁵N) were investigated for pelagic amphipodsThemisto japonica (Bovallius) collected from the Sea of Japan in July 1987. Differences in diel vertical migration behavior were clearly observed between small and largeT. japonica. Many small (<5 mm body length) amphipods appeared in the phytoplankton-rich shallow layers. Their gut pigment concentrations were higher (mean 0.52 ± 0.15µg chla g^–1 amphipod) than those of large amphipods (mean 0.33±0.14µg g^–1); this implies that the amphipods fed on a large amount of phytoplankton during the early stage of life. The ¹⁵N values of small amphipods were lower (5.7 to 6.3) than those of large amphipods (6.8 to 11.7), reflecting the lower trophic level of small amphipods compared to large ones. The ¹⁵N values for small amphipods were similar to those of herbivorous zooplankton. The amphipods' feeding behavior thus changes from herbivorous to carnivorous as they grow.     

Soil characteristics influence the radionuclide uptake of different plant species

The key point of food plant agriculture is how to regulate the harmonious relationship between the soil and the plant environment. This study deals with radionuclide uptake by two food plant and two fruit tree species in relation to the geochemical characteristics of the soil. Uranium and thorium content was determined in coastal black sand and inland cultivated soils. Four commonly cultivated species Eruca sativa, Lycopersicon esculentum, Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica were investigated. Physical and chemical properties of the soil were analysed in relation to uranium and thorium uptake by plants. The results revealed the ability of plants to accumulate uranium and thorium in their edible portions. The absorbed radionuclides were positively correlated with their concentrations in the soil and the geochemical characteristics of the soil. The transfer of radioactive elements from soil to plant is a complex process that can be regulated by controlling the geochemical characteristics of the soil, including pH, clay, silt and organic matter content that reduce the bioavailability of soil radionuclides to plants, and in turn reduce the risks of biota and human exposure to radionuclide contamination.     

Environmental aspects of mineral sand mining in Australia

The operations of the heavy mineral sand mining industry in Australia are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the environmental aspects. Pre-mining environments, state and commonwealth legislative requirements, mining procedures and postmining rehabilitation and land use are described. The extraction of heavy minerals, principally rutile, zircon, ilmenite and monazite, is concentrated on the east coast between the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales and Rockhampton in Queensland; and on the west coast at Capel, south of Perth and at Eneabba, north of Perth. The industry, especially on the east coast, has suffered from conservationist and anti-mining movements during the 1970s because it operates on or near the coastline where the majority of Australians live or seek their recreation. This was less of a problem on the west coast because the deposits were inland. The future of the industry is good as long as a balance can be maintained between the interests of conservationists and the mining companies.     

Laboratory observations on spawning,fecundity and early development of a mesopelagic ostracod,Conchoecia pseudodiscophora,from the Japan Sea

The fate of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon [³H]benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was examined in two species of scleractinian corals, Favia fragum (Esper) and Montastrea annularis (Ellis and Solander), which were collected in the patch reefs surrounding Alina's Reef (25°23.25N; 80°09.8W) in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA, in July, 1990. Corals were exposed to initial concentrations of 5 g/l in a simple static system for 25 h. BaP uptake was estimated from the disappearance of BaP from the water. Uptake rates were 6.5±0.7 and 10.8±0.2 g BaP cm^-2h^-1 for F. fragum and M. annularis, respectively, at initial BaP concentrations and were directly proportional to the concentration of BaP in the water. The separation of zooxanthellae from coral tissue revealed that zooxanthellae can accumulate up to 53 and 64% of the total BaP-derived radioactivity present in F. fragum and M. annularis, respectively. Both corals metabolized BaP slowly, as most of the accumulated radioactivity was present as the unmetabolized chemical. However, aqueous and organic-soluble metabolites were found in both the animal and zooxanthellae fractions. Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that both species of corals metabolized BaP to various tetrols, triols, dihydrodiols, quinones and phenols, although the pattern of metabolites differed between species. Zooxanthellae contained some of the same Phase I metabolites found in the animal tissue; however, tetrols and triols were absent in extracts from the zooxanthellae. The elimination of BAP from corals was also slow; approximately 38 and 65% of the accumulated radioactivity was still present in F. fragum and M. annularis, respectively, 144 h following the transfer of exposed corals to an uncontaminated flow-through seawater system.     

Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Arsenism: An Intervention Trial in Inner Mongolia

This paper reports the effects of a placebo-controlled Se-enriched yeast supplementation trial, conducted for 14 months, on arsenism in adult farmers living in a rural community in Inner Mongolia, China. The farmers had been naturally exposed to elevated concentrations of As in drinking water from tube-wells since 1983 but changed to arsenic-free drinking water when the trial began in June 1996. Blood and hair Se and As concentrations were analysed pre-intervention and at the end of the 3rd, 9th and 14th month, while skin lesions were assessed pre-intervention, as well as at the end of the 14th month, using the Arsenism Clinical Criteria established by the Ministry of Health, China. As the trial was a voluntary one, a number of farmers did not routinely have their blood and hair samples taken for analysis. Consequently, the data have been analysed in two categories. Fifty-four farmers from the Se-group and 29 from the placebo-group who were sampled on each occasion were considered as one group, which has been compared with the second group comprising up to a total of 100 farmers in the Se-group and 86 in the placebo-group. Results calculated for those farmers who were sampled on each occasion, showed that at the end of the trial, blood and hair Se concentrations of the Se-group increased from 0.130 to 0.186 µg ml^–1 and from 0.431 to 0.502 µg g^–1, respectively, while those of the placebo-groups remained constant. Blood and hair As concentrations of the Se-group decreased from 0.051 to 0.015 µg ml^–1 and from 2.57 to 0.680 µg g^–1, respectively, a greater reduction than those in the placebo-group that went from 0.064 to 0.024 µg ml^–1 and from 2.62 to 1.25 µg g^–1, respectively. When the data from all patients were examined, the analytical trends were similar. An evaluation of skin lesions in the category who were sampled for hair and blood on each occasion showed that 41.2% of hyperkeratosis, 50.0% of depigmentation and 44.7% of pigmentation in the Se-group improved one or more degrees, while those in the placebo-group improved by only 7.1, 12.0 and 6.7%, respectively. A total of 61.1% of the adults in Se-group improved in one or more type of skin lesion, but only 17.2% improved in the placebo-group. Comparable results were obtained when all the data from both categories of farmers were examined. Results from the trial showed that Se supplementation was more effective for the improvement of adults who were affected by double or triple skin lesions. In the placebo-group, most of the severely affected adults improved in only one kind of skin lesion, but in the Se-group, more adults improved in two or three kinds of skin lesions. Although the trial was limited by its relatively small size, the results have provided some evidence of the usefulness of Se supplementation for people affected by arsenism.     

Trends in sediment metal concentrations in the River Avoca, South-East Ireland

Variation in sediment metal concentrations in the River Avoca, which is severely polluted by acid mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the abandoned sulphur and copper mines in Avoca, is reported. A survey of surface and subsurface sediments was repeated after seven years during exceptionally low flow conditions in 2001. The present study found that the reference (up-stream) site used in the original 1994 study was itself impacted by AMD, showing sediment metal enrichment by AMD to be greater than originally thought. The new reference site contained elevated Pb (570 µg g^–1) in the subsurface sediment due to abandoned Pb-Zn mines 25 km further upstream. Concentrations of Cu (43 µg g^–1), Zn (349 µg g^–1) and Fe (4.0%) were normal for uncontaminated rivers. All the downstream sites showed sediment metal enrichment arising from the AMD (Cu and Zn p < 0.001; Fe p < 0.01). Subsurface concentrations of metals immediately below the mixing zone were Cu 904 µg g–1 (sd 335), Zn 723 µg g–1 (sd 93), Fe 6.3% (sd 1.5) and Pb 463 µg g^–1 (sd 279). Monthly variation in metal concentrations at sites was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Although surface sediment metal concentrations were more variable, they followed similar trends to subsurface sediment. There were no significant differences in the subsurface sediment concentrations for either Cu or Zn over the period 1994 and 2001 immediately below the mines, although at the lowest site Zn had decreased by 35% over the period (p < 0.01). However there was a significant (p < 0.01) decrease over the period in the Fe concentration at all the impacted sites. This corresponds to a reduction in Fe concentration in the AMD and indicates that some remediation has occurred in the river since 1994.     

湘西地区土壤-牧草-山羊钙镁含量的季节性动态特征研究

研究采用食管瘘、体外消化实验,于2006年4月、8月和11月分别测定湘西地区土壤、牧草和养殖于湖南省湘西地区湖南群博公司的200只波尔山羊（boergoat）血液钙镁含量,以期揭示湘西地区不同季节钙镁在土壤-牧草-山羊体内含量及动态变化。结果表明：（1）土壤全镁、全钙在11月份最低,分别为197.21±3.14μg·g-1和3607.8±39.41μg·g-1;（2）牧草中钙含量在8月份最高,为8927.5±127.21μg·g-1;牧草三季节镁含量差异不显著;（3）山羊体内钙在4月份和11月份出现负沉积,分别为-6.03±3.17g·d-1,-7.08±3.35g·d-1;4月份,8月份山羊血浆镁含量分别为8.83±0.45μg·g-1和8.56±1.07μg·g-1,低于动物低镁血症最低限27.1μg·g-1。     

Growth and herbivory by heterotrophic dinoflagellates in the Southern Ocean,studied by microcosm experiments

Growth and herbivory of heterotrophic dinoflagellates (Gymnodinium sp.) from the Weddell Sea and the Weddell/Scotia Confluence were studied in 1988 in 100-liter microcosms. The microcosms were screened through 200-µm or 20-µm mesh nets and incubated for 12 d at 1 °C under artificial light. Mean cell volume of dinoflagellates was 1 000 to 1 500µm³, and that of their phytoplankton prey 360 to 430µm³. Dinoflagellate growth rate followed a Holling type II functional response, with a maximum growth rate of 0.3 d^–1 and half-saturation food concentrations of 1.0µg chlorophylla l^–1, 50µg C l^–1, or 1 500 cells ml^–1. Carbon budgets based on¹⁴CO₂ assimilation and biomasses of phytoplankton and heterotrophic dinoflagellates suggested a balance between phytoplankton grazing loss and dinoflagellate consumption, assuming a dinoflagellate carbon conversion efficiency of 40%. Applying this to the functional response yielded estimates of maximum ingestion rate (0.8µg Cµg^–1 C d^–1, or 6 pg C dinoflagellate^–1 h^–1) and maximum clearance (0.8 to 1.2 × 10⁵ body volumes h^–1, or 80 to 120 nl ind.^–1 h^–1). The microcosm experiments suggested that heterotrophic dinoflagellates may contribute significantly to maintenance of low phytoplankton biomass in the Southern Ocean.     

Cardenolide content,emetic potency,and thin-layer chromatography profiles of monarch butterflies,Danaus plexippus,and their larval host-plant milkweed,Asclepias humistrata,in Florida

Summary This paper is the fourth in a series on cardenolide fingerprints of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus, Danainae) and their host-plant milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae) in the eastern United States. Cardenolide concentrations ofAsclepias humistrata plants from north central Florida ranged from 71 to 710 µg/0.1 g dry weight, with a mean of 417 µg/0.1 g. Monarchs reared individually on these plants contained cardenolide concentrations ranging from 243 to 575 µg/0.1 g dry weight, with a mean of 385 µg/0.1 g. Cardenolide uptake by butterflies was independent of plant concentration, suggesting that sequestration saturation occurs in monarchs fed cardenolide-rich host plants. Thinlayer chromatography resolved 19 cardenolides in the plants and 15 in the butterflies. In addition to humistratin,A. humistrata plants contained several relatively non-polar cardenolides of the calotropagenin series which are metabolized to more polar derivatives in the butterflies. These produced a butterfly cardenolide fingerprint clearly distinct from those previously established for monarchs reared on otherAsclepias species. In emetic assays with the blue jay,Cyanocitta cristata, the 50% emetic dose (ED₅₀) per jay was 57.1 µg, and the average number of ED₅₀ units per butterfly was 13.8, establishing that this important south eastern milkweed produces highly emetic, chemically defended monarchs. Our data provide further support for the use of cardenolide fingerprints of wild-caught monarchs to make ecological predictions concerning defence against natural enemies, seasonal movement and larval host-plant utilization by monarch butterflies during their annual cycle of migration, breeding and overwintering.     

Naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water: An exercise in risk benefit analysis

The scientific background information describing the occurrence, measurement, health effects, treatment technology, risk assessment and economic consequences of the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water are described for 60,000 public drinking water supplies. The relevant data for the occurrence of radium, uranium and radon in drinking water supplies are discussed and analysed. Radon is of importance because it is released in the process of taking showers and baths and in washing dishes and clothes. Its progeny is then inhaled, leading to the risk of lung cancer. Radium and uranium can both cause bone cancer. The range of average occurrence of natural radioactivity in drinking water is as follows:²²⁶Ra, 0.3 to 0.8 pCi L^–1;²²⁸Ra, 0.4 to 1.0 pCi L^–1; uranium, 0.3 to 2.0 pCi L^–1 and²²²Rn, 500 to 600 pCi L^–1. The estimated lifetime risks due to the mean groundwater concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides are:²²⁶Ra and^228Ra, 1.0 10^–5; uranium, 2.0 × 10^–6 and radon, 4.0 × 10^–4. The cost to reduce total radium levels to 5.0 pCi L^–1 is about $9 million. An equivalent expenditure would be required to reduce radon levels to about 4,000 pCi L^–1, or uranium levels to about 100 pCi L^–1. The problem of maximizing the total mortality and the reduction per unit dollar outlay per unit dollar cost for the uranium/radon case is examined.The thoughts and ideas expressed in this paper are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the US Environmental Protection Agency.This paper is published as a contribution to discussion on this problem and not as a paper providing new research data.     

Ecological and biological features of a mesopelagic ostracod,Conchoecia pseudodiscophora,in the Japan Sea

The abundance and vertical distribution pattern of a halocyprid ostracod,Conchoecia pseudodiscophora, were investigated in the Japan Sea in 1985, 1987 and 1989. Vertical sampling from 500 m depth to the surface in the water around Yamato Rise revealed that this ostracod was second in dominance by number and third to fourth by biomass of the total zooplankton collected with a 0.35 mm mesh Norpac net. Horizontal net tows in Toyama Bay indicated that the major population ofC. pseudodiscophora was distributed below 250 to 300 m depth. No diel migration pattern was evident. Its contribution to total zooplankton there was 5 to 10% or more in terms of biomass. A total of five subadult instars (II to VI) and adult males and females were identified from instar analysis based on sizes and morphological characteristics of specimens collected with 0.10 mm mesh Norpac nets. Data on body length, wet weight and dry weight of each instar are presented. Carbon content of 35 to 48% of dry weight, and nitrogen content of 5.3 to 7.3% of dry weight, were recorded on fresh, freeze-dried specimens of selected instars (subadult Instars IV to VI, adult females). Water and ash contents of mixed specimens of these four instars were 76% of wet weight and 25% of dry weight, respectively. Feasibility of laboratory maintenance ofC. pseudodiscophora was tested, and it produced characteristic J shaped faecal pellets. Oxygen consumption rates of subadult instars V and VI, and adult female ranged 0.011 to 0.021µl O₂ ind.^–1 h^–1 at 1 °C, or 2.9 to 6.1µl O₂ (mg body N)^–0.85 h^–1 in terms of Adjusted Metabolic Rate (AMR_{o 2}). There was no appreciable metabolic reduction inC. pseudodiscophora compared to other ostracods, despite their mesopelagic life mode. Subdominance in total zooplankton and nonreduced metabolic activity ofC. pseudodiscophora suggest that this species may be an important link in mesopelagic energy-flow and matter cycling in the Japan Sea.     

Accumulation of 14C-1-naphthalene by an oceanic and an estuarine copepod during long-term exposure to low-level concentrations

Accumulation of the bi-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ¹⁴C-1-naphthalene in adult female Calanus helgolandicus Claus and adult female Eurytemora affinis Poppe in sea water concentrations of hydrocarbon ranging from 0.2 to 992 g/l was studied during exposure periods of up to 15 days as part of an investigation of the possible effects on marine zooplankton of persistent exposure to low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. With both species the body levels of radioactivity increased rapidly during the first few days of the exposure period, but after exposure for 7 to 8 days to sea water containing 50 g hydrocarbon/l an equilibrium condition was approached; in some experiments where E. affinis was exposed to 1.0 and 10 g hydrocarbon/l for 15 days there was no further increase in body levels of radioactivity after 7 to 8 days. Using a low concentration of hydrocarbon (1 g/l), the quantity of radioactivity accumulated after 10 days was found to be nearly fifty times greater in the smaller species, E. affinis, than in C. helgolandicus, when expressed in terms of body weight. After they had been exposed to the hydrocarbon for several days the copepods contained a considerable proportion of radioactivity that was no longer identifiable as naphthalene and was presumably present as metabolites. Radioactivity accumulated in the copepods after several days was rapidly lost after they were transferred to uncontaminated sea water: e.g. C. helgolandicus lost nearly 90% of its body level of radioactivity in 24 h. Thereafter the rate of loss was greatly reduced, and 5% of the original body level of radioactivity still remained in the copepods at the end of 11 days. Experiments on the breakdown of naphthalene added at low concentrations to sea water samples containing natural microbial populations indicated degradation rates of 0.1 to 0.2 g/l/24 h in oceanic water, and 2.6 g/l/24 h in inshore water samples. The results are discussed in terms of the possible transfer of hydrocarbon to a higher trophic level in areas subjected to constant low-level inputs of petroleum hydrocarbons.     

Ammonium excretion by the ophiuridOphiothrix fragilis as a function of season and tide

Ammonium excretion of a dense population (~1 500 individuals m^–2) of the ophiuridOphiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard) was measured in the Dover Straits (French coast) between May 1989 and March 1990: the excretion rate varied from 4.8 µg N g^–1 dry wt h^–1 in November to 12.8 µg N g^–1 dry wt h^–1 in June. Mean individual ammonium excretion,E, wasE=0.019t +1.26 (whereE=µg N individual^–1 andt=time in min;r=0.80;N=81). Variations in the ammonium excretion rate during a tidal cycle appeared to arise from variations in the duration of the suspension-feeding activity ofO. fragilis, which was governed by the strength of the tidal current. During short-term starvation, excretion was low (E=0.009t+1.47;r=0.91;N=17), increasing with increasing length of starvation [E=4.62lnt–2.5;r=0.95;N=17], as observed for other echinoderms; this could be due to catabolism of tissue. The daily ammonia flux from thisO. fragilis population to the water column was estimated at 41 mg N m^–2 d^–1.