Passive sampling of PAHs in indoor air in Nepal

PAHs were sampled in ten homes in the Makwanpur region, Nepal. SPMDs and moss bags (Sphagnum girgensohnii) were used as passive samplers. Soot particles on the SPMD surfaces were also analyzed for PAHs. The overall PAH concentrations in SPMDs were significantly higher than those in moss bags. Total PAH mean concentrations of ten houses were 535μg/g lipid for SPMDs and 7.2 μg/g moss (dw) for moss bags. Ratios of phenanthrene/anthracene in indoor SPMDs and particulate matter varied from 2.9 to 3.5 and ratios of fluoranthene/pyrene varied from 1.1 to 1.4. The values for moss bags were respectively 1.7–3.6 and 0.8–2.4. These ratios indicate that the PAHs are from combustion origin. The PAH concentrations in ambient air were estimated as B(a)P TEQs and they were 17–64 times higher than acceptable limit for Finnish community air. Based on PAH levels in the gas phase (SPMD) we may expect PAHs to have an impact on respiratory disease prevalence in Nepalese villages. Both of the sampling methods were feasible in the difficult conditions under which the study was performed.     

Effects of temperature and body mass on metabolic rates of sprat, Sprattus sprattus L.

Sprat, Sprattus sprattus L., is a small schooling clupeid forming large stocks in several ecosystems. Despite its high trophodynamic impact, little is known about its energy consumption rates. As a central component of a bioenergetic budget, metabolic rates of sprat from 3.11 to 9.71 g wet weight (WW) were measured at nine different temperatures (T) ranging from 9 to 21°C using a computer-controlled intermittent-flow respirometer. Routine metabolism (R _R) was related to T (°C) and WW (g) by R _R = 0.074 WW^1.077 e^{0.080 T}. Standard metabolic rates (R _S) as calculated from the 10% percentiles of the repeated measurements were on average 12% lower and still influenced by continuous swimming activity: R _S = 0.069 WW^1.073 e^{0.078 T}. We interpret the deviation of the scaling exponent b from typically found exponents of b ~ 0.8 as a consequence of permanently elevated activity level. The high permanent swimming activities also indicated that the concept of standard metabolism may not be meaningful in schooling planktivorous fish. These results suggest that generally in bioenergetic models for clupeid schooling fish the activity multipliers should be chosen very conservatively.     

有机污染物的被动采样材料-水分配系数的QSAR研究

污染物的被动采样材料-水分配系数(K_(PW))是衡量被动采样器性能和进行优化的一个重要指标,由于实验方法难以逐个测定众多污染物的K_(PW)值,有必要发展其KP W预测方法。本研究选取聚乙烯(PE)、聚丙烯酸酯(PA)和硅橡胶(SR)3类常用的被动采样材料共7种,采用多元线性回归分析方法构建可用于K_(PW)预测的定量构效关系(QSAR)模型。所构建的QSAR模型具有良好的拟合优度(R2a dj介于0.806~0.989)、稳健性(Q2L O O和Q2B O O T分别介于0.786~0.988和0.773~0.801)和预测能力(R_(ext)~2和Q_(ext)~2分别介于0.769~0.989和0.757~0.982),可以用于预测烷烃、烯烃、芳香类、醇类、酮类、酯类、醚类等多种有机污染物的log KP W值。有机污染物的log KP W与分子Mc Gowan体积(Vx)、氯原子个数(n Cl)、环周长(Rperim)、多重键个数(n BM)、N,O极性贡献的拓扑极性表面积(TPSA(NO))、[-N(=)=]结构个数(Ndds N)和羟基个数(nROH)等参数有关。     

The sex pheromone of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae (Fab.) (Homoptera,Aphididae)

Summary The sex pheromone of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae (Fab.), is identified as (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone, for which specific olfactory cells are located in the secondary rhinaria of the male antenna. The related (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol was not produced by females in significant amounts (ca 10,000-fold less than the nepetalactone), although cells in the male antenna were found that responded specifically to this compound. Behavioural activity in the linear track ol-factometer showed attraction of males to the nepetalactone, but not to the nepetalactol.     

Stereoisomeric composition of the sex pheromone of the pine sawfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microdiprion pallipes</Emphasis> (Hym., Diprionidae)

Summary. The basic chemical structure of the sex pheromone of the pine sawfly Microdiprion pallipes (Fallén) has earlier been identified as the propionate ester of (2S,3S,7R/S,11R/S)/(2R,3R,7R/S,11R/S)-3,7,11- trimethyl-2-tridecanol. We now report the results from further investigations on the male response to individual stereoisomers and to blends of stereoisomers, both in electroantennographic (EAG) recordings and in field trapping experiments. We also present our attempts to determine the stereochemistry of the compounds present in females of M. pallipes. By comparing gas chromatograms and mass spectra obtained from natural extracts with those from synthetic compounds it was found that the females contain one or more of the four (2S,3S,7R/S,11R/S)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2- tridecanol isomers (SS++-1). The active pheromone component is the corresponding propionate ester 2. In EAG experiments, males responded most strongly to five propionate ester samples, namely two four-isomer blends: SS++-2 and SR++-2, and three individual stereoisomers: SSSR-, SRRR- and SRSR-2. In a series of field trapping experiments it was found that males were attracted to the SR++-2 four-isomer blend and to the individual isomer SSSR-2. Based on the EAG-recordings and field responses of males and the stereoisomers found in the females, we suggest that the propionate ester of (2S,3S,7S,11R)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2- tridecanol (SSSR-2) is used as a main component of the sex pheromone in M. pallipes. Apparently the males react to other stereoisomers in addition to that or those produced by the females.     

Adsorption and movement of carbaryl in soils: A verification of cosolvent theory and comparison of batch equilibrium and soil thin layer chromatography results

Batch equilibrium and soil thin layer chromatography (TLC) techniques were used to investigate the influence of different volume fractions of organic cosolvents (acetone and methanol) on the adsorption and movement of carbaryl in four different types of Indian soils. L-shaped isotherms were obtained for both the cosolvent–water mixtures at all f _s values and were in close agreement with the Freundlich equation. Higher adsorption was observed on F.R.I. soil (FSL) followed by Alampur soil (ASL), Kalai soil (KL), and Bhoran soil (BSL) at all f _s values for both the cosolvent systems as was anticipated from the K and K _D values. The K and K _D values also confirmed that carbaryl adsorption was higher in methanol–water mixture than acetone–water mixture and decreased with increasing f _s values. The frontal R _f values obtained from soil TLC studies were inversely proportional to the K and K _D values for both the cosolvent systems. The higher K and K _D values and lower R _f values in methanol–water mixtures relative to acetone–water mixtures for all the soils indicated that acetone had a greater potential for ground water contamination compared to methanol. The adsorption data were used to evaluate the cosolvent theory for describing adsorption of carbaryl in acetone–water and methanol–water mixtures. The aqueous phase partition coefficients, K _DW (mol g^?1), normalized with respect to f _oc for carbaryl was evaluated by extrapolating f _s → 0.     

The effects of temperature,body size and growth rate on energy losses due to metabolism in early life stages of haddock (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melanogrammus aeglefinus</Emphasis>)

Rates of routine respiration (R _R, μl O₂ fish⁻¹ h⁻¹) and total ammonia nitrogen excretion (E _R, μg NH₄–N + NH₃–N fish⁻¹ h⁻¹) were measured on larval and juvenile haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) to ascertain how energy losses due to metabolism were influenced by temperature (T), dry body mass (M _D, mg) and specific growth rate (SGR, % per day). R _R and E _R increased with M _D according to y = a  · M _D ^b with b-values of 0.96, 0.98, 1.14, and 0.89, 0.78, 0.74, respectively, at 10, 7, and 4°C, respectively. Multiple regressions explained 98% of the variability in the combined effects of M _D and T on R _R and E _R in larval haddock: R _R = 0.97 · M _D ^0.98  · e^0.092 · T ; E _R = 0.06 · M _D ^0.79  · e^0.092 · T . In young juvenile (24–30 mm standard length) haddock, R _R tended to decline (P = 0.06) and E _R significantly declined (P = 0.02) with increasing SGR. O:N ratios significantly increased with increasing SGR suggesting that N was spared in relatively fast-growing individuals. Our results for young larval and juvenile haddock suggest: (1) nearly isometric scaling of R _R with increasing body size, (2) allometric scaling of E _R with increasing body size, (3) Q ₁₀ values of 2.5 for both R _R and E _R, (4) metabolic differences in substrate utilization between relatively fast- and slow-growing individuals, and (5) that rates of routine energy loss and growth were not positively related. The measurements in this study will provide robust parameter estimates for individual-based models that are currently being utilized to investigate how variability in climatic forcing influences the vital rates of early life stages of haddock. Our results also stress that inter-individual differences in rates of energy loss should not be overlooked as a factor influencing growth variability among individuals.     

Attraction of field-flying aphid males to synthetic sex pheromone

Summary Transparent plastic water traps, baited with the synthetic aphid sex pheromone components (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone and (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol or control lures, were placed in four semi-sheltered field sites at a height of 1.1 m. Although males of twenty-one aphid species were collected from the water traps, onlySitobion fragariae (Walker) was abundant. In total, 8 pheromone traps produced 102 males compared with only 10 males in 8 control traps. The sex pheromone released by sexual femaleS. fragariae was identified as the nepetalactone used in the lures. Aphid sex pheromones may be more species-specific than previously thought and the presence of a host plant is not essential for males to locate sexual females.     

几类有机污染物的微塑料/水分配系数的线性溶解能关系模型

水体中的微塑料会吸附其中的有机污染物,影响有机污染物和微塑料的环境归趋和生态毒性。研究微塑料对有机污染物的吸附行为,对于评价有机污染物和微塑料的环境赋存、迁移及生物有效性有重要意义。污染物在微塑料与水之间的平衡分配系数(Kd),是表征微塑料对有机污染物吸附能力的重要参数。实验方法难以逐个测定众多有机污染物的Kd值,有必要发展其预测模型。本研究搜集了有机污染物的线性溶解能关系(LSER)参数及Kd值,构建了可预测有机污染物在聚丙烯微塑料与海水、聚乙烯微塑料与海水、聚乙烯微塑料与淡水之间Kd值的LSER模型。模型具有良好的拟合优度(R2adj介于0.794~0.903)、稳健性(Q2LOO和Q2BOOT分别介于0.763~0.863和0.720~0.804)和预测能力(R2ext和Q2ext分别介于0.886~0.971和0.825~0.954),能够用于预测多氯联苯、多环芳烃、六氯环已烷和氯苯类有机污染物的Kd值。     

Absolute configuration of the major sex pheromone component of the satin moth, Leucoma salicis, verified by field trapping test in Hungary

Summary. Male satin moths, Leucoma (Stilpnotia) salicis L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were attracted only to (3Z,6R,7S,9R,10S)-isomer out of the four (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosenes (leucomalure). This was demonstrated by field trapping test with a bivoltine population in a mixed poplar-willow forest along the flood area of the river Danube at Adony, Hungary.     

Adsorptive removal of rhodamine B from textile wastewater using water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) peel: adsorption dynamics and kinetic studies

Water chestnut peel, an agricultural bio-waste, was used as a biosorbent for removal of rhodamine B (RhB), basic textile dye, from an aqueous solution. The effects of various experimental parameters were studied. The equilibrium data correlated well with a Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.98–0.99) followed by a Halsey isotherm model (R² = 0.98–0.99) which indicated heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface and multilayer adsorption of RhB dye onto the water chestnut peel waste (WCPW). High correlation coefficients (R² = 0.99) together with close agreement between experimental q_e (0.4–1.7 mg g^?1) and calculated q_e (0.4–2.5 mg g^?1) suggested that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, with k₂ values in the range of 52–3.4 × 10^?1 g mg^?1 min^?1 at different concentrations. The overall mechanism of adsorption was controlled by both liquid-film and intra-particle diffusions. The negative values of change in Gibb's free energy (?ΔG⁰ = 19.2–29.2 kJ mol^?1) and positive values of change in enthalpy (ΔH⁰ = 30.9–117.6 kJ mol^?1) revealed the process to be spontaneous and endothermic. WCPW was found to be an effective adsorbent for removal of RhB, a cationic dye, from an aqueous solution.     

Oxygen consumption of the semi-terrestrial crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pachygrapsus marmoratus</Emphasis> in relation to body mass and temperature: an information theory approach

Pachygrapsus marmoratus is a semi-terrestrial crab and the most common grapsid crab in the intertidal belt of rocky shores throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and northeastern Atlantic. In this study, the combined effects of temperature (T), body mass (M), and sex (S) on the routine oxygen consumption rate (R) in P. marmoratus were quantified. The blotted wet body mass of the specimens ranged between 43 mg and 18.0 g, and five test temperatures were used between 13.5 and 28.0°C. Six candidate models that reflected different assumptions regarding the dependence of R on S and T were compared. Model selection was based on Kullback–Leibler’s information theory and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). The model had the highest support by the data (E is the activation energy, B = 8.618 × 10⁻⁵ eV K⁻¹ is Boltzmann’s constant, T _a is the absolute temperature in Kelvin, and b the allometric scaling exponent); for P. marmoratus it was found that No sex dependence of R was supported by the data. Following a multi-model inference (MMI) approach, the mean (± SE) allometric exponent was 0.750 (± 0.013) having a 95% (bootstrap) confidence interval of 0.726–0.774. Thus, it was established that P. marmoratus follows Kleiber’s 3/4 law, as seems to be generally true for intertidal crabs. The allometric exponent was independent of temperature as has also been reported for many other marine invertebrates (at normal temperatures). Q ₁₀ values were relatively low, indicating wide thermal tolerance of the species. Model selection based on information theory is recommended for respiration studies, as an effective method in finding a parsimonious approximating model. MMI by model averaging, based on Akaike weights, is an effective way to make robust parameter estimations and deal with model selection uncertainty.     

Arachis hypogaea derived activated carbon steered remediation of Benzimidazole based fungicide adsorbed soils

Sorption characteristics of the Benzimidazole fungicide Carbendazim were assessed in seven different soils using batch equilibrium method and analysed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The values of adsorption co-efficient K_d ranged from 14.3 to 39.8?µg/mL depending upon unique physiochemical properties of soils. Negative values for Gibbs free energy (ΔG) proposed an exothermic and low interaction between Carbendazim and soil samples leading to physiosorption. Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation of soil pH and K_d (R²= ?0.80) and a positive correlation with organic matter (R^2?=?0.77). Activated carbon prepared from Arachis hypogaea (peanut shells) by acid activation for Carbendazim removal from soils was characterised by FTIR spectrometry, indicating the change in functional groups. The highest percentage removal observed was 70% in 5?ppm initial Carbendazim concentration while 65% in 7.5?ppm concentration. This method can be implied in agricultural soils as an efficient and cheap technique for removing the hazardous pesticides from the environment.     

极性有机物整合采样技术在监测水环境中农药的应用

明确水环境中农残的污染状况对研究其环境行为和生态风险至关重要。传统主动采样法耗能、耗力且单次采样仅获得瞬时浓度值。被动采样节能、方便且为时间加权平均浓度,利于大规模采样。极性有机物整合采样技术(polar organic chemical integrative sampler,POCIS)是针对极性有机物的被动采样技术,近年来在水环境中农药监测的运用越来越广泛。本文概述了POCIS结构、原理和校正方法,探讨了环境因素(如水流速率、温度、p H、溶解性有机质、盐度和膜污染)、化合物性质及POCIS结构对农药采样速率(Rs)的影响。此外,综述了POCIS在监测水环境中农药的应用,展望了POCIS在该领域中的问题、解决方式及前景。     

Large-Eddy Simulations of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Using a New Subgrid-Scale Model – II. Weakly and moderately stable cases

A series of simulations under weakly to moderately stable boundary layers (SBLs) have been performed using the proposed subgrid-scale (SGS) model implemented into the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS). The proposed SGS model incorporates some aspects of the two-part eddy viscosity SGS model of Sullivan et al. (1994) and further refinements which include the dependence of SGS mixing length on stratification, two-part separation of the SGS eddy diffusivity of heat, and more realistic empirical forms of Monin–Obukhov similarity functions. The potential temperature profiles from simulations clearly show a three-layer structure: a stable surface layer of strong gradients, a middle layer of small gradients, and an inversion layer on the top. The wind speed profiles show the formation of low level jet (LLJ). However, the sub-layer structures under moderately SBLs differ from those under weakly SBLs. Both the momentum and heat fluxes decrease almost linearly in the lower part of the SBL. The near surface values of the normalized turbulent kinetic energy (TKE/u _* ²) in all simulations are about 4 which is much less than the typical value of 5.5 under the neutral condition. The decay of turbulence first occurs in the area with large values of Richardson number (R _i<0.2). Generally, instantaneous values of the TKE and R _i at the various grid points are negatively correlated, but there is not a unique relationship between the two parameters.     

外源化合物在鱼体内生物半减期的QSAR模型

生物半减期(t1/2)是评价外源化合物在鱼体内蓄积效应的重要参数。实验测定t_(1/2)的速度慢、成本高,难以满足化学品生态风险评价的需求,需要发展替代实验的模型预测方法。本研究搜集了653种化合物t1/2实测值,采用多元线性回归(MLR)和支持向量机(SVM) 2种方法,建立了鱼体logt1/2的定量构效关系(QSAR)预测模型。MLR模型的校正决定系数(R(adj)~2)为0.751,均方根误差(RMSE_(train))为0.587,去一法交叉验证系数(Q_(LOO)~2)为0.735,外部验证系数(Q_(ext)~2)为0.682,这表明模型具有较好的拟合度、稳健性和预测能力。SVM模型具有更好的拟合和预测能力(R_(adj)~2=0.839,RMSE_(train)=0.457,Q_(ext)~2=0.708)。采用Williams法对模型的应用域进行表征。所建模型可用于预测多环芳烃、多氯联苯、多溴联苯醚、有机磷农药、药物等典型化合物,以及其他烷烃、环烷烃、烯烃、醇、醚、酸、酯、酮、含卤素化合物、芳香族化合物、含硫、氮、磷化合物的在鱼体内的logt1/2值。     

Community structure of the benthos in Scottish sea-lochs. III. Further studies on patchiness

Large-scale patchiness in the distribution of the benthic fauna was investigated in Loch Etive (Scottish west coast) by two series of van Veen grab hauls. Each series was taken along a traverse across the width of the loch, with sampling points about 100 m apart. One sample series was taken on sandy mud and the other, at a greater depth, on soft mud. Two approaches in data processing were applied: (1) The variance: mean ratio and the Morisita I tests for significant aggregation were applied to the species abundances in the sample series; (2) 3 measures of sample homogeneity, each involving the calculation of an index of faunal similarity, were applied to the separate samples. The results, however, could not show significant differences between the two series of samples. These findings were compared to results obtained from (a) a previous study, where differences in patchiness between areas were shown for a smaller scale of sampling design in Loch Etive and neighbouring areas, and to which the I method is also applied here; and (b) the results of applying the variance: mean ratio and I tests to data published by Holme (1953). The present results indicate greater aggregation at the present scale of sampling than for the previous, smaller scale of sampling, or for the comparable scale of Holme's sampling. The degree of concordance shown by the values of I for the circular-design sampling to the values of the 3 measures of patchiness applied previously, and to the means of the species abundances, was measured by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The results clearly demonstrated the I values, unlike the others measured, to be almost completely independent of the mean. It was concluded that, for comparing the pattern from benthic samples using standard-size bottom samplers, where the mean may vary widely between each set of samples, the I method is probably most useful.     

Daily energy requirements and trophic positioning of the sand shrimp<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Crangon septemspinosa</Emphasis>

Sand shrimp, Crangon septemspinosa Say, are important to the trophic dynamics of coastal systems in the northwestern Atlantic. To evaluate predatory impacts of sand shrimp, daily energy requirements (J ind.^–1 day^–1) were calculated for this species from laboratory estimates of energy losses due to routine (R_R), active (R_A), and feeding (R_SDA) oxygen consumption rates (J ind.^–1 h^–1), coupled with measurements of diel motile activity. Shrimp used in this study were collected biweekly from the Niantic River, Connecticut (41°33N; 72°19W) during late spring and summer of 2000 and 2001. The rates of shrimp energy loss due to R_R and R_A increased exponentially with increasing temperature, with the magnitude of increase greater between 6°C and 10°C (Q₁₀=3.01) than between 10°C and 14°C (Q₁₀=2.85). Rates of R_R doubled with a twofold increase in shrimp mass, and R_SDA was 0.130 J h^–1+R_R, irrespective of shrimp body size. Shrimp motile activity was significantly greater during dark periods relative to light periods, indicating nocturnal behavior. Nocturnal activity also increased significantly at higher temperatures, and at 20°C shifted from a unimodal to a bimodal pattern. Laboratory estimates of daily metabolic expenditures (1.7–307.4 J ind.^–1 day^–1 for 0.05 and 1.5 g wet weight shrimp, respectively, between 0°C and 20°C) were combined with results from previous investigations to construct a bioenergetic model and make inferences regarding the trophic positioning of C. septemspinosa. Bioenergetic model estimates indicated that juvenile and adult shrimp could meet daily energy demands via opportunistic omnivory, selectively preying upon items of high energy content (e.g. invertebrate and fish tissue) and compensating for limited prey availability by ingesting readily accessible lower energy food (e.g. detritus and plant material).Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Studies of thermodynamics of phosphomidon on fly ash

Adsorption thermodynamic studies of phosphomidon on fly ash at 25° and 50°C have been analysed as adsorption isotherms, Freundlich equations, K_d values and various other thermodynamic parameters. These data were in close agreement with Freundlich isotherms and yield ‘S’ type isotherms at both the temperatures. Thermodynamic constants (K_o) and standard free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy changes (ΔS°) have been calculated for predicting the nature of adsorption.     

Genetic evidence for contrasting patterns of dispersal in solitary and colonial ascidians

In situ and in vitro observations indicate that brooding colonial ascidians commonly display limited larval dispersal, whilst the larvae of most solitary species are assumed to be widely dispersed. We used allozyme data to determine the population genetic consequences of reproduction and dispersal in a broadcast-spawning solitary ascidian and two brooding colonial species along the central and southern coast of New South Wales, Australia. We surveyed genetic variation at 2 to 9 variable loci for samples collected from 6 to 8 local populations of each of the stalked solitary species Pyura gibbosa gibbosa Heller, 1878; the social Stolonica australis Michaelsen, 1927 and the compound Botrylloides magnicoecum Hartmeyer, 1912. Samples from each local population displayed levels and patterns of genotypic diversity that were consistent with expectations for sexually-derived recruitment of both solitary zooids and separate colonies. However, we found clear differences in the structure of the populations of solitary and colonial species. Genotype frequencies within all nine samples of P. gibbosa gibbosa conformed to expectations for random mating (i.e. Hardy–Weinberg equilibria). Moreover, allele frequencies showed little variation among samples [mean standardised genetic variance (F _{S T} ) =0.002], which implies that local populations are strongly connected by larval dispersal. We estimate (via Wright's “island model”) that gene flow (N _e m) within this set of local populations is 125 effective migrants per generation, which is very similar to estimates obtained for other broadcast-spawning taxa in this region. In contrast, genotype frequencies within samples of both colonial species were characterised by large and statistically significant deficits of heterozygotes, consistent with expectations for highly limited dispersal of larvae or sperm. Moreover, local populations were highly differentiated (F _{S T} =0.201 and 0.202 for S. australis and B. magnicoecum, respectively) and N _e m was estimated to be ∼1.0 in each case. These values of F _{S T} and subsequent estimates of N _e m lie within the range of values reported for other New South Wales taxa with direct larval development, and imply that local populations are effectively closed to immigration. Received: 13 February 1997 / Accepted 18 July 1997