杭州城区春节PM2.5中水溶性离子在线观测

利用大气细颗粒物水溶性组分在线连续监测分析系统(AIM-URG9000D),考察了杭州城区春节期间PM2.5中无机水溶性离子的浓度变化范围,探讨了这些离子的日变化特征和影响因素,同时分析了集中燃放烟花爆竹对水溶性离子浓度的影响。结果表明,SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4是PM2.5中水溶性离子的主要成分,分别占全部水溶性组分的33.3%、28.4%、19.4%;强致癌物质NO-2浓度为2.07μg/m3,远大于膜采样结果;NO-3与SO2-4的质量比为0.85,表明机动车尾气排放导致的大气污染正逐步加重;各水溶性离子有着各自不同的日变化规律。相关性分析表明,NH+4与NO-3、SO2-4的相关系数分别为0.92、0.81;K+、Cl-、Mg2+3者之间的相关系数均在0.9以上。烟花爆竹燃放期间,PM2.5浓度急剧上升,Cl-、SO2-4、K+、Mg2+浓度分别达到燃放前的18、6、53、76倍。     

灰霾期间武汉城市区域大气污染物的理化特征

利用湖北省大气复合污染自动监测站2013年的全年监测数据,分析了灰霾期间武汉城市区域大气污染物的理化特征。霾日主要出现在春季、秋季和冬季。霾日与非霾日大气污染物质量浓度和气象参数的对比分析结果显示:高湿度、静风是武汉城市区域霾日的重要气象特征;PM1、PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、NO_2、CO、NH3的质量浓度,SOR、NOR值以及PM_(2.5)中的二次无机离子(SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4)和部分元素(Pb、Se、Cd、Zn、K)的质量浓度均在霾日明显高于非霾日,而霾日SO2质量浓度仅在冬季略高于非霾日。选取2013年1月的连续灰霾日进行相关性分析,结果表明:污染组分主要来自当地排放(包括直接排放和二次形成),并受当地气象条件影响。此次灰霾过程中PM_(2.5)中的硫酸盐和硝酸盐主要来自气相反应,气态NO_2主要生成了气态HNO_3,而不是HNO_2。     

昆山市夏秋季节大气PM2.5中水溶性无机阴离子的污染特征

对昆山市区域7个点位夏秋季的5中水溶性无机阴离子(SO2-4、NO-3、NO-2、Cl-、F-)的污染特征进行了调查,结果表明,昆山市夏季大气PM2.5中5种离子平均值排序为:ρ(SO2-4)ρ(Cl-)ρ(NO-3)ρ(F-)ρ(NO-2);秋季平均值排序为:ρ(SO2-4)ρ(NO-3)ρ(Cl-)ρ(F-)ρ(NO-2)。SO2-4、NO-3和Cl-3者的总量在PM2.5中占比20%。除F-以外各区域离子的平均值秋季比夏季要高。ρ(NO-3)/ρ(SO2-4)表明,固定污染源在昆山市大气颗粒物污染中仍然占很大比重,但大部分测点的比值接近1,说明移动源也是昆山大气颗粒物的重要污染源。     

灰霾期间气溶胶的污染特征

从颗粒物的时空分布和浓度水平方面综述了灰霾期间气溶胶的污染特征,介绍了灰霾期间气溶胶中金属元素、水溶性离子、有机碳和元素碳的浓度特征,以及颗粒物与能见度的相关性研究进展。指出:灰霾天气多发生在冬季,且气溶胶中PM2.5占的比重大;气溶胶污染与地理环境、气候条件、经济发展水平等有密切关系;水溶性离子多集中在PM2.5中;能见度的下降与气溶胶特别是细颗粒物有很大关系。提出目前灰霾研究中主要存在3大问题:一是对灰霾期间气溶胶中含有的有机物类别及其对不同季节发生灰霾的贡献率仍需进一步研究;二是灰霾期间气溶胶中有机物的形成机理尚不明确;三是不同源排放的气溶胶对灰霾形成的贡献率有待探讨。建议系统地开展大气细颗粒物有害成分的鉴定、源排放颗粒物的物理化学特性、扩散过程中各种物质间的反应和转化等方面的研究,为大气污染防治法规的制定提供依据。     

沈阳市城区采暖期PM2.5中水溶性离子的化学特征

2013年11月—2014年3月采暖期在沈阳市沈河区设置采样点采集环境空气中的PM2.5。利用离子色谱法测定PM2.5中水溶性无机离子,分析PM2.5中水溶性无机离子的组成和污染特征等。结果表明,沈阳市冬季采暖期PM2.5平均质量浓度为106μg/m3,PM2.5中总水溶性离子占PM2.5的比例为41.7%,含量较高的二次离子依次为SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4,三者均有较好的相关性,SO2-4以(NH4)2SO4形式存在,采暖期PM2.5偏酸性。     

一次典型灰霾天气过程及成因分析

结合2008年10月28日南京市出现的灰霾天气，利用环境空气自动监测数据、气象观测数据、卫星遥感监测秸秆焚烧信息及后向轨迹模型等资料，对灰霾天气过程及成因进行分析。结果表明，由于当晚大气扩散条件不利，周边地区秸秆焚烧产生的大量气溶胶污染物在地面东北气流的引导下向南京市城区输送，使得大气监测点颗粒物浓度异常上升，导致能见度恶化，形成了典型性重度灰霾污染天气。     

新版《环境空气质量标准》热点污染物PM2.5监控策略的思考与建议

随着工业化和城市化进程的加速,大气气溶胶污染日趋严重,由气溶胶细粒子PM2.5污染造成的能见度恶化事件越来越多,中国东部地区灰霾天气迅速增加.灰霾天气的本质是细粒子气溶胶污染,与光化学污染相关联,形成灰霾天气的气溶胶组成非常复杂.近年来由于灰霾天气日趋严重引发的环境效应问题,以及气溶胶辐射强迫引发的气候效应问题,已引起科学界、政府部门和社会公众的广泛关注,成为热门话题.在此背景下,国家出台了新版《环境空气质量标准》(GB 3095-2012),增设PM2.5浓度限值,对环境监测、环境管理和环境评价提出了新的要求.通过分析中国大气污染背景、国际组织和其他国家的PM2.5标准,及近期热点问题,提出在环境监测、环境管理和环境评价过程中实施新标准,监控PM2.5的策略.     

南京市冬季PM2.5中水溶性离子污染特征研究

基于城市超级站对2018年12月—2019年2月南京市在线水溶性离子污染特征进行研究。结果表明：监测期间水溶性无机离子(WSIs)质量浓度均值为45.7μg/m3,占PM2.5的67.8%,各离子排序为NO3-＞ SO42-＞NH4+＞Cl-＞K+＞Ca2+＞Na+＞Mg2+。二次离子（SNA）是PM2.5主要组分,大气气溶胶呈中性。各离子日变化存在差异,SNA变化趋势和WSIs基本一致。南京市冬季存在明显SO2和NO2向SO42-和NO3-二次转化;NO3-/SO42-均值为1.96,移动源增量大于固定源。通过相关性和三相聚类分析可知,SNA主要结合方式为(NH4)2SO4和NH4NO3。主成分分析表明,南京市冬季PM2.5中水溶性离子主要来源是二次转化,燃煤、生物质燃烧和土壤建筑扬尘也有贡献。     

冬季南京城区气溶胶化学组分和吸湿性观测

大气气溶胶的吸湿特性改变了颗粒物的粒径、光学性质、云凝结核活性,进而对大气能见度、地面辐射强迫和人体健康产生重要影响。针对长三角腹地城市南京重污染天气频发现象,笔者使用吸湿串联电迁移差分分析仪(H-TDMA)结合在线气体组分及气溶胶监测系统(MARGA)和相关气象数据对冬季南京城区气溶胶吸湿增长特性进行外场观测研究。结果表明:灰霾期间SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、NH_4~+的质量浓度分别为(17.57±9.07)(26.16±11.39)(13.61±6.68)μg/m~3,非灰霾期间为(9.62±3.58)(12.12±7.51)(5.78±3.59)μg/m~3,前者是后者的2倍。水溶性组分质量浓度大小依次为NO_3~-SO_4~(2-)NH_4~+Cl~-K~+Ca~(2+)Na~+Mg~(2+)。其中NO_3~-的贡献最大,占PM_(2.5)的29%,其次是SO_4~(2-)占14%,NH_4~+占8%。其他水溶性组分(Cl~-、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Na~+、Mg~(2+))约占PM_(2.5)的5.9%。SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、NH_4~+的质量浓度没有明显日变化且保持在较高水平。观测期间气溶胶的不同粒径段粒子吸湿增长因子概率密度分布(GF-PDF)均呈双峰,随粒径增大,强吸湿组粒子的吸湿性增大,而弱吸湿组的吸湿性减弱。其中,40 nm粒径段粒子强、弱吸湿增长因子分别为1.335±0.03和1.054±0.008,80 nm粒径段为1.348±0.03和1.053±0.011,40 nm较80 nm粒径段的粒子弱吸湿峰更为明显。灰霾期间粒子的吸湿增长因子分别为1.307±0.08和1.413±0.07,非灰霾期间为1.230±0.03和1.300±0.03。冷锋过境时气溶胶弱吸湿组谱分布没有明显的变化,强吸湿组谱分布明显向弱吸湿方向偏移,吸湿性减弱。灰霾期间和整个观测期间PM_(2.5)的平均质量浓度分别为(87.56±25.87)(69.31±28.75)μg/m~3,灰霾期间主要的二次气溶胶质量浓度占PM_(2.5)的66%,而粒子的平均吸湿增长因子从1.325±0.03降低到1.301±0.07。特殊时段春节期间弱吸湿组粒子的吸湿性增大,而强吸湿组粒子的吸湿性减弱。其中110 nm粒径段粒子强吸湿组吸湿增长因子明显下降,SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、NH_4~+的质量浓度也发生明显下降,吸湿增长因子和水溶性化学组分的变化呈良好一致性。     

大同市大气颗粒物浓度与水溶性离子季度分布特征

为研究大同市大气颗粒物质量浓度与水溶性离子组成特征,于2013年2、7、9、12月,分别对大同市及其对照点庞泉沟国家大气背景点进行了PM2.5及PM10的采样,通过超声萃取-IC法测定了样品中的9种水溶性离子,结果表明,大同市大气颗粒物污染1、4季度重于2、3季度,PM2.5季度均值全年均未超标,PM10仅第1季度超标1.4倍,污染状况总体良好,PM2.5与PM10相关系数R为0.75,说明大同市颗粒物污染有较为相近的来源,且不同季节均以粗颗粒物为主;大同市PM2.5中水溶性离子浓度分布为SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4Cl-、Ca2+K+、Na+F-、Mg2+,PM10中Ca2+浓度仅次于SO2-4、NO-3,控制扬尘将有效降低PM10的浓度;PM2.5及PM10中的9种水溶性离子在不同季度的浓度与颗粒物浓度分布规律类似,1、4季度较高,2、3季度较低;由阴阳离子平衡计算结果可知,相关性方程的斜率K为1.045,表明大同市大气颗粒物中阳离子相对亏损,大气细粒子组分偏酸性。NO-3与SO2-4浓度比值均小于1,大同市以硫酸型污染为主,大气中的SO2-4主要来源于人类活动排放。     

An investigation on biological stability of product water generated by lab-scale and pilot-scale distillation systems

Material Disposal Area G is the primary low-levelradioactive waste disposal site at Los Alamos NationalLaboratory, New Mexico, and is adjacent to Pueblo of SanIldefonso lands. Pueblo residents and Los Alamos scientists areconcerned about radiological doses resulting from uptake of AreaG radionuclides by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) andRocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus), then consumption ofdeer and elk meat by humans. Tissue samples were collected fromdeer and elk accidentally killed near Area G and were analyzedfor ³H, ⁹⁰Sr, total U, ²³⁸Pu, ^{239, 240}Pu,²⁴¹Am, and ¹³⁷Cs. These data were used to estimatehuman doses based on meat consumption of 23 kg y^-1. Humandoses were also modeled using RESRAD, and dose rates to deer andelk were estimated with a screening model. Dose estimates tohumans from tissue consumption were 2.9 × 10^-3 mSv y^-1and 1.6 × 10^-3 mSv y^-1 from deer and elk, respectively,and RESRAD dose estimates were of the same order of magnitude. Estimated dose rates to deer and elk were 2.1 × 10^-4 mGyd^-1 and 4.7 × 10^-4 mGy d^-1, respectively. Allestimated doses were significantly less than established exposurelimits or guidelines.     

Metal concentrations in deciduous tree leaves from urban areas in Poland

Accumulation of metals in deciduous tree foliage fromurban areas in western-south Poland was monitored duringthe vegetation season of 2000 year. Concentrations of Al,Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti and Znwere measured in birch, willow, linden and maple leavesusing the ICP-AES method. Seasonal variations of metalconcentrations and their relations with sampling sitewere investigated. The most dynamic accumulation of Al,Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb was observed for examined species. Thehighest differences in element concentrations forinvestigated sites were found for Ba, Cd, Mn and Ni.Interelement correlations were investigated. In allfoliar samples synergistic relationships between Al–Crand Ca-Sr were found. Statistically significant negativecorrelations were observed only for Cd and Ti in birch leaves.     

Varying Stable Nitrogen Isotope Ratios of Different Coastal Marsh Plants and Their Relationships with Wastewater Nitrogen and Land Use in New England, USA

The stable nitrogen isotope ratios of some biota have been used as indicators of sources of anthropogenic nitrogen. In this study the relationships of the stable nitrogen isotope ratios of marsh plants, Iva frutescens (L.), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steud, Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl, Spartina alterniflora Loisel, Ulva lactuca (L.), and Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) with wastewater nitrogen and land development in New England are described. Five of the six plant species (all but U. lactuca) showed significant relationships of increasing δ ¹⁵N values with increasing wastewater nitrogen. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) downward shift in the δ ¹⁵N of S. patens (6.0 ± 0.48‰) which is mycorrhizal compared with S. alterniflora (8.5 ± 0.41‰). The downward shift in δ ¹⁵N may be caused by the assimilation of fixed nitrogen in the roots of S. patens. P. australis within sites had wide ranges of δ ¹⁵N values, evidently influenced by the type of shoreline development or buffer at the upland border. In residential areas, the presence of a vegetated buffer (n = 24 locations) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the δ ¹⁵N (mean = 7.4 ± 0.43‰) of the P. australis compared to stands where there was no buffer (mean = 10.9 ± 1.0‰; n = 15). Among the plant species, I. frutescens located near the upland border showed the most significant (R ² = 0.64; P = 0.006) inverse relationship with the percent agricultural land in the watershed. The δ ¹⁵N of P. australis and I. frustescens is apparently an indicator of local inputs near the upland border, while the δ ¹⁵N of Spartina relates with the integrated, watershed-sea nitrogen inputs.     

Radionuclide Concentrations in Benthic Invertebrates from Amchitka and Kiska Islands in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska

Concentrations of 13 radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ¹²⁹I, ⁶⁰Co, ¹⁵²Eu, ⁹⁰Sr, ⁹⁹Tc, ²⁴¹Am, ²³⁸Pu, ^239,249Pu, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁶U, ²³⁸U were examined in seven species of invertebrates from Amchitka and Kiska Islands, in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska, using gamma spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and alpha spectroscopy. Amchitka Island was the site of three underground nuclear test (1965–1971), and we tested the null hypotheses that there were no differences in radionuclide concentrations between Amchitka and the reference site (Kiska) and there were no differences among species. The only radionuclides where composite samples were above the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) were ¹³⁷Cs, ²⁴¹Am, ^239,249Pu, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁶U, and ²³⁸U. Green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus polyacanthus), giant chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri), plate limpets (Tectura scutum) and giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) were only tested for ¹³⁷Cs; octopus was the only species with detectable levels of ¹³⁷Cs (0.262 ± 0.029 Bq/kg, wet weight). Only rock jingle (Pododesmus macroschisma), blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus) and horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) were analyzed for the actinides. There were no interspecific differences in ²⁴¹Am and ^239,240Pu, and almost no samples above the MDA for ²³⁸Pu and ²³⁶U. Horse mussels had significantly higher concentrations of ²³⁴U (0.844 ± 0.804 Bq/kg) and ²³⁸U (0.730 ± 0.646) than the other species (both isotopes are naturally occurring). There were no differences in actinide concentrations between Amchitka and Kiska. In general, radionuclides in invertebrates from Amchitka were similar to those from uncontaminated sites in the Northern Hemisphere, and below those from the contaminated Irish Sea. There is a clear research need for authors to report the concentrations of radionuclides by species, rather than simply as ‘shellfish’, for comparative purposes in determining geographical patterns, understanding possible effects, and for estimating risk to humans from consuming different biota.     

Effect of heavy metal contaminated shooting range soils on mycorrhizal colonization of roots and metal uptake by leek

We grew leek (Allium porrum) in soils of two shooting ranges heavily contaminated with heavy metals in the towns of Zuchwil and Oberuzwil in Switzerland as a bioassay to test theactivity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in these soils.Soil samples were taken from (1) front of the shooting house(HOUSE), (2) the area between house and target (FIELD) and (3) the berm (BACKSTOP). Samples of Ribwort plantain (Plantagolanceolata) growing naturally within the shooting ranges werealso collected and the colonization of its roots by mycorrhizalfungi was measured. The number of AM spores in the soils wassignificantly reduced concomitant with the increase in thedegree of soil contamination with metals. In Zuchwil,mycorrhizal fungi equally colonized roots of Ribwort plantainsampled from BACKSTOP and HOUSE. In Oberuzwil, however, plantsfrom BACKSTOP had lower colonization when compared with thosesampled from HOUSE. Colonization of leek was strongly reducedin the BACKSTOP soil of Zuchwil and slightly reduced in theBACKSTOP soil of Oberuzwil when compared with plants grown inrespective HOUSE soil. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb andZn in the leaves of leek grown in the BACKSTOP soil was withinthe range considered toxic for human consumption. This pointsto the high degree of bio-availability of these metal in thesesoils. Significant decrease in the number of mycorrhizal sporesin the BACKSTOP soils in Zuchwil and the low colonization ofleek roots grown in these soils point to possible changes inthe species diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in these soils.     

Kelp as a Bioindicator: Does it Matter Which Part of 5 M Long Plant is Used for Metal Analysis?

Kelp may be useful as a bioindicator because they are primary producers that are eaten by higher trophic level organisms, including people and livestock. Often when kelp or other algae species are used as bioindicators, the whole organism is homogenized. However, some kelp can be over 25 m long from their holdfast to the tip of the blade, making it important to understand how contaminant levels vary throughout the plant. We compared the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in five different parts of the kelp Alaria nana to examine the variability of metal distribution. To be useful as a bioindicator, it is critical to know whether levels are constant throughout the kelp, or which part is the highest accumulator. Kelp were collected on Adak Island in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska from the Adak Harbor and Clam Cove, which opens onto the Bering Sea. In addition to determining if the levels differ in different parts of the kelp, we wanted to determine whether there were locational or size-related differences. Regression models indicated that between 14% and 43% of the variation in the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese, mercury, and selenium was explained by total length, part of the plant, and location (but not for lead). The main contributors to variability were length (for arsenic and selenium), location (mercury), and part of the plant (for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and manganese). The higher levels of selenium occurred at Clam Cove, while mercury was higher at the harbor. Where there was a significant difference among parts, the holdfast had the highest levels, although the differences were not great. These data indicate that consistency should be applied in selecting the part of kelp (and the length) to be used as a bioindicator. While any part of Alaria could be collected for some metals, for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and manganese a conversion should be made among parts. In the Aleutians the holdfast can be perennial while the blade, whipped to pieces by winter wave action, is regrown each year. Thus the holdfast may be used for longer-term exposure for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and manganese, while the blade can be used for short-term exposure for all metals. Cadmium, lead and selenium were at levels that suggest that predators, including people, may be at risk from consuming Alaria. More attention should be devoted to heavy metal levels in kelp and other algae from Adak, particularly where they may play a role in a subsistence diets.     

Assessing Potential for Recovery of Biotic Richness and Indicator Species due to Changes in Acidic Deposition and Lake ph in Five Areas of Southeastern Canada

Biological damage to sensitive aquatic ecosystems is among the most recognisable, deleterious effects of acidic deposition. We compiled a large spatial database of over 2000 waterbodies across southeastern Canada from various federal, provincial and academic sources. Data for zooplankton, fish, macroinvertebrate (benthos) and loon species richness and occurrence were used to construct statistical models for lakes with varying pH, dissolved organic carbon content and lake size. pH changes, as described and predicted using the Integrated Assessment Model (Lam et al., 1998; Jeffries et al., 2000), were based on the range of emission reductions set forth in the Canada/US Air Quality Agreement (AQA). The scenarios tested include 1983, 1990, 1994 and 2010 sulphate deposition levels. Biotic models were developed for five regions in southeastern Canada (Algoma, Muskoka, and Sudbury, Ontario, southcentral Québec, and Kejimkujik, Nova Scotia) using regression tree, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses to make predictions about recovery after emission reductions. The analyses produced different indicator species in different regions, although some species showed consistent trends across regions. Generally, the greatest predicted recovery occurred during the final phase of emission reductions between 1994 and 2010 across all taxonomic groups and regions. The Ontario regions, on average, were predicted to recover to a greater extent than either southcentral Québec or the Kejimkujik area of Nova Scotia. Our results reconfirm that pH 5.5–6.0 is an important threshold below which damage to aquatic biota will remain a major local and regional environmental problem. This damage to biodiversity across trophic levels will persist well into the future if no further reductions in sulphate deposition are implemented.     

Nitrogen Content of Letharia vulpina Tissue from Forests of the Sierra Nevada, California: Geographic Patterns and Relationships to Ammonia Estimates and Climate

Nitrogen (N) pollution is a growing concern in forests of the greater Sierra Nevada, which lie downwind of the highly populated and agricultural Central Valley. Nitrogen content of Letharia vulpina tissue was analyzed from 38 sites using total Kjeldahl analysis to provide a preliminary assessment of N deposition patterns. Collections were co-located with plots where epiphytic macrolichen communities are used for estimating ammonia (NH₃) deposition. Tissue N ranged from 0.6% to 2.11% with the highest values occurring in the southwestern Sierra Nevada (range: 1.38 to 2.11). Tissue N at 17 plots was elevated, as defined by a threshold concentration of 1.03%. Stepwise regression was used to determine the best predictors of tissue N from among a variety of environmental variables. The best model consisted only of longitude (r ² = 0.64), which was reflected in the geographic distribution of tissue values: the southwestern Sierra Nevada, the high Sierras near the Tahoe Basin, and the Modoc Plateau, are three apparent N hotspots arranged along the tilted north–south axis of the study area. Withholding longitude and latitude, the best regression model suggested that NH₃ estimates and annual number of wetdays interactively affect N accumulation (r ² = 0.61; % N ∼ NH₃ + wetdays + (NH₃ × wetdays)). We did not expect perfect correspondence between tissue values and NH₃ estimates since other N pollutants also accumulate in the lichen thallus. Additionally, other factors potentially affecting N content, such as growth rate and leaching, were not given full account.     

Spatial Relationships Between Water Quality and Pesticide Application Rates in Agricultural Watersheds

Pesticide applications to agricultural lands in California, USA, are reported to a central data base, while data on water and sediment quality are collected by a number of monitoring programs. Data from both sources are geo-referenced, allowing spatial analysis of relationships between pesticide application rates and the chemical and biological condition of water bodies. This study collected data from 12 watersheds, selected to represent a range of pesticide usage. Water quality parameters were measured during six surveys of stream sites receiving runoff from the selected watershed areas. This study had three objectives: to evaluate the usefulness of pesticide application data in selecting regional monitoring sites, to provide information for generating and testing hypotheses about pesticide fate and effects, and to determine whether in-stream nitrate concentration was a useful surrogate indicator for regional monitoring of toxic substances. Significant correlations were observed between pesticide application rates and in-stream pesticide concentrations (p < 0.05) and toxicity (p < 0.10). In-stream nitrate concentrations were not significantly correlated with either the amount of pesticides applied, in-stream pesticide concentrations, or in-stream toxicity (all p > 0.30). Neither total watershed area nor the area in which pesticide usage was reported correlated significantly with the amount of pesticides applied, in-stream pesticide concentrations, or in-stream toxicity (all p > 0.14). In-stream pesticide concentrations and effects were more closely related to the intensity of pesticide use than to the area under cultivation.     

Heavy Metals and Selenium in Herring Gulls (LARUS ARGENTATUS) NESTING IN COLONIES FROM EASTERN LONG ISLAND TO VIRGINIA

With increasing interest in assessing the health or well-being ofcommunities and ecosystems, birds are being used asbioindicators. Coloniallynesting species breed mainly in coastal areas that are alsopreferred for humandevelopment, exposing the birds to various pollutants. Inthis paper concentrations of heavy metal and selenium in the feathers ofHerring Gulls(Larus argentatus) nesting in several colonies fromMassachusetts toDelaware are reported. There were significant differencesamong colonies forall metals, with metal concentrations being two to nearly fivetimes higher atsome colonies than others. Selenium showed the leastdifference, and cadmium showed the greatest difference among sites. Concentrations of lead werehighest at Pralls Island; mercury was highest at Shinnecock,Huckleberry andHarvey, and manganese was highest at Captree.