Effects of different concentrations of tetracycline and oxytetracycline on the growth and ecotoxicity in lettuce北大核心CSCD

四环素类抗生素(TCs)是目前我国应用广泛、用量最大的一类抗生素,畜禽粪便和土壤中存在TCs残留,影响蔬菜作物的生长发育. TCs因水溶性较高更容易被植物转运和积累,植物对TCs耐受性机理研究仍不足.为更全面探究土壤TCs对蔬菜的毒性作用,研究不同浓度四环素(TC)和土霉素(OTC)分别对生菜的抗生素残留、生长特征及抗氧化酶系统的影响.结果显示,在0(对照)、2、10、50、250 mg/kg 5个施用水平下,生菜叶片抗生素含量逐渐增加,且土霉素含量始终大于四环素含量.与对照相比,抗生素浓度在50 mg/kg以上时对生菜生长具有显著抑制作用,其中,株高、根长、地上部和地下部鲜重与叶片TC残留量具显著负相关.生菜叶片的脯氨酸含量随浓度增加呈先增加后降低的趋势,在10 mg/kg时达到最大.并且低浓度(2 mg/kg)促进抗氧化酶基因SOD、POD21和CAT的表达,高浓度抗生素(50、250 mg/kg)对其产生抑制作用,10 mg/kg的抗生素处理对SOD、POD21和CAT基因表达的影响在抗生素种类上存在差异.本研究表明抗生素浓度超过50 mg/kg对生菜生长产生抑制作用,脯氨酸和抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT的转录水平及其酶活性能快速响应抗生素胁迫,可作为生菜对抗生素抗性的辅助评价指标.(图8表3参19)     

Effect of Cd++ on germination,growth and active principles of Datura metel L.∗

The effects of Cd⁺⁺ concentration increment in soil and/or in atmosphere, on germination, growth and alkaloid contents of Datura metel L. were investigated. We observed a significant reduction of growth following addition of Cd⁺⁺ in soil. Minor effects on growth were evident when the plants were sprayed with CdCl₂ solution (10mgCd⁺⁺/l).

Scanning electron microscope observation showed stomata widely open and conspicuous cuticular striations in the foliar epidermis of polluted plants.

GLC analysis of extracts evidenced a significant variation in active principle content among plants undergoing different treatments.     

Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by eight strains of microalgae and their growth characteristics in Penaeus vannamei sewage北大核心CSCD

Microalgae are the most important primary productive forces in shrimp aquaculture systems. Microalgae not only provide oxygen and natural food for aquaculture objects, but they also absorb nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to reduce water eutrophication. However, there are great differences in N and P absorption among different strains of microalgae. To maintain the sustainable development of shrimp aquaculture, the growth performances of eight microalgal strains in Penaeus vannamei sewage and N and P removal rates were investigated under laboratory conditions. The results indicated that the eight microalgal strains could reduce the N and P content in P. vannamei sewage to some extent. Microcystis aeruginosa, Chlamydomonas sp., and Chlorella pyrenoidosa grew very well, with average growth rates of 0.309 3, 0.246 9, and 0.215 5, respectively. There were significant differences in the removal efficiency among the different strains. The removal rates of total N by M. aeruginosa, Chlamydomonas sp., and C. pyrenoidosa were 74%, 69%, and 60%, respectively, at the end of the experiment, which were higher than the other species. M. aeruginosa and Chlamydomonas sp. had better total P removal efficiency than those of the other microalgal strains and removal rates were greater than 60%, and the second highest total P removal efficiency was by C. pyrenoidosa. Different types of microalgal strains had different absorption rates of different morphological nitrogen. M. aeruginosa and Chlamydomonas sp. had the highest nitrate nitrogen removal rate (approximately 70%). Chlamydomonas sp. had a fast and persistent removal rate of ammonia nitrogen, with the removal rate being as high as 100%. The removal efficiency of M. aeruginosa and C. pyrenoidosa were a little slower, and those of Scenedesmus obliquus, Synedra sp., and Navicula graciloides were the slowest. After 16 d, the removal rate reached more than 90%. Cryptomonas obovate and C. pyrenoidosa displayed the best removal rate of nitrite nitrogen, and the removal rate reached 80% on day 8, and the removal rate of C. obovata was more persistent. These results can provide scientific reference for the orientation and use of microalgae to remove pollutants in tailings water from shrimp aquaculture systems. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Effects of initial decomposing leaf litter of Cinnamomum camphora on the growth and physiology of Impatiens balsamina北大核心CSCD

A pot experiment was conducted to study the allelopathic effects of initial decomposing leaf litter of Cinnamomum camphora on growth and physiology of Impatiens balsamina. Three leaf litter treatments included 20, 40 and 80 g of C. camphora leaf litter mixed with 8 kg of soil, namely T1, T2, and T3, respectively. In order to test the effect of leaf litter addition on the permeability and ventilation of soil simultaneously, a parallel trial with steamed leaf litter was conducted with the three treatments of the leaf litter. The leaf litter was steamed for 2 d to remove the secondary metabolites as much as possible, dried, and then mixed with 8 kg of soil, namely Z1, Z2, and Z3, respectively. No leaf litter was added in control (CK). The growth parameters of I. balsamina were determined at the 20 d, 60 d, 100 d and 120 d after sowing and the main physiology indicators were determined at the 60 d. The results indicated that: (1) The ground surface diameter and height of I. balsamina were inhibited significantly at 60 d (P < 0.05). Photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange parameters of I. balsamina were inhibited significantly at 60 d, and the inhibition effect was stronger with increased amount of leaf litter addition. The chlorophyll content, Pn and Ls decreased significantly with increased amount of leaf litter (P < 0.05). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in leaves of I. balsamina decreased with the increase of leaf litter addition. The content of MDA in treatments T1, T2 and T3 were all higher than that in CK, which indicated that I. balsamina suffered oxidative damage in a certain degree. The content of free proline (Pro) and soluble sugar (SS) in leaves of I. balsamina decreased significantly with the increase of the leaf litter (P < 0.05), while the content of soluble protein (SP) increased. (2) In the parallel trial, 60 d after sowing, no obvious difference was observed between CK and any steamed leaf litter treatment in terms of the morphological and physiological features stated above (P > 0.05). It indicated that the soil physical properties were not greatly influenced by leaf litter addition in the dose interval designed, or that the release of secondary metabolites from decomposing leaf litter was probably a better reason to explain the inhibition of leaf litter treatment to I. balsamina growth. (3)The compound effect (CE) of leaf litter decomposition on I. balsamina was enhanced with increase of the leaf litter, to 0.169, 0.354, and 0.497, respectively, in treatments of T1, T2 and T3. The study indicated that initial decomposition of C. camphora leaf litter in soil reduces the content of photosynthetic pigments, inhibits photosynthetic capacity and resistance physiology of I. balsamina, weakens its adaptability to the environment, and restrains growth of the plant. © 2015, Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Effects of clonal integration on the growth and physiology of Phalaris arundinacea under simulated herbivory北大核心CSCD

In order to investigate the effects of clonal integration on the adaptation of clonal plants to the environmental stress of homogeneous herbivory, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the ecophysiological response characteristics of Phalaris arundinacea collected from the riparian zone of the Poyang Lake wetland and Le'an River in Jiangxi Province and the effect of clonal integration on this dominant plant under two-months of simulated cyclical homogenous herbivory. Simulated herbivory strength was set at four different levels: no leaf removal (control) and 25%, 50%, and 75% leaf removal. We implemented two methods of clonal integration including no integration, in which the rhizome connection was severed, and integration, in which the rhizome connection was intact. We found that simulated herbivory significantly decreased the number of leaves, total shoot length, number of ramets, and biomass of P. arundinacea (P < 5%), regardless of whether the rhizomes were intact or severed. Ramets with severed rhizome connections (RRC) generally had higher growth indices than those with intact rhizome connections (RIC). Severing rhizomes did not significantly affect the chlorophyll content of P. arundinacea, while RRC under simulated herbivory intensities of 25% and 50% leaf removal had higher chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), and total chlorophyll (Chlt) contents than RIC did, and simulated herbivory increased the chlorophyll contents of all ramets. RRC net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (Tr) were all higher in RRC than they were in RIC under simulated herbivory intensities of 50% and 75% leaf removal; however, the opposite relationship was observed under a simulated herbivory intensity of 25% leaf removal. Further, simulated herbivory limited the photosynthetic index of P. arundinacea. These effects resulted in an inadequate accumulation of nutrients in the plant. Phalaris arundinacea can adapt to simulated herbivory treatments in terms of growth, but clonal integration cannot improve the growth of P. arundinacea under a homogeneous herbivory treatment. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Inhibition of decomposing leaf litter of Cinnamomum camphora on growth of Pharbitis nil and the alleviation effect of nitrogen application北大核心CSCD

In plant configuration of landscaping, herbaceous plant is often inter-planted with ornamental tree species. But unreasonable plant collocation may reduce the effectiveness of afforestation for the inhibition effect of tree on the growth of understory, and further more affect the greening effect. Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) is widely planted in landscaping accompanying herbaceous plants including morning glory (Pharbitis nil). But camphor was reported to have allelopathic effect on its adjacent plant, therefore correct selection and collocation of plants has important significance to obtain good greening effect. This research aimed to study by a pot experiment the effects of decomposing leaf litter of Cinnamomum camphora on the growth, phenological traits of Pharbitis nil, as well as modification of these effects by nitrogen application. Three application rates of C. camphora leaf litter including 25, 50 and 100 g/pot (denoted by L25, L50 and L100, respectively) and a control (CK) were implemented. Nitrogen application began on the 34th d of decomposition, with 0.39 g urea being divided into three equal portions and added continuously to each pot. The results showed that (1) The height, basal diameter, leaf area and biomass production of Pharbitis nil were all inhibited sharply by exposure to the leaf litter, being decreased by 32.85%-83.78%, 5.23%-23.00%, 30.31%-58.47%, and 40.34%-84.54%, respectively, with the inhibition effect increasing both in intensity and stability with the increase of leaf litter. Such inhibition effect was obviously alleviated by exogenous nitrogen application. (2) The flowering dynamics of Pharbitis nil was greatly impacted by the leaf litter, with the flower initiation 2.5-10.0 d later and the flowering duration 6.3-11.4 d longer compared to the control. Although the leaf litter-treated plants exhibited more (0.5-3.3) flowers than the control, their quality decreased, and the hundred-grain weight of the seed decreased with the increase of leaf litter. However, the differences among treatments in the reproductive parameters mentioned above reduced after nitrogen fertilization. The results indicated that leaf litter of C. Camphora has a great allelopathic effect on morphological and reproductive growth of Pharbitis nil, which may be attributed to the release of phototoxic substances during the decomposition process.     

Interactions between NH+4 and NO−3 uptake and assimilation: comparison of diatoms and dinoflagellates at several growth temperatures

Ammonium concentrations of ∼1 M are commonly cited as being the threshold for inhibition of NO₃ ⁻ uptake, but the applicability of this threshold to phytoplankton from different taxonomic classes has rarely been examined. Additionally, little is known about the influence of environmental variables (e.g. growth temperature) on the interaction between ambient NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻ uptake. Four species of estuarine phytoplankton, two diatom [Chaetoceros sp., and Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow) Fryxell et Hasle] and two dinoflagellate [Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) Schiller, and Gyrodinium uncatenum Hulburt], were grown on NO₃ ⁻ at several different temperatures (4, 10, 15, or 20 °C), and the impact of NH₄ ⁺ additions on NO₃ ⁻ uptake/assimilation (non-TCA-extracted) and assimilation (TCA-extracted) was assessed. For all species at all temperatures, NO₃ ⁻ uptake/assimilation and assimilation rates decreased in a roughly exponential manner with increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentrations but were not completely inhibited even at elevated NH₄ ⁺ concentrations of 200 μM. Estimated half-inhibition concentrations (K _i) were significantly greater in the diatom species (mean ± SE; 2.70 ± 0.67 μM) than in the dinoflagellate species (1.26 ± 0.55 μM). Half-inhibition constants were positively related to temperature-limited relative growth rate although not significantly. The observed inhibition of NO₃ ⁻ uptake and assimilation, as a percentage of NO₃ ⁻ uptake in the absence of NH₄ ⁺, averaged about 80% and ranged from 49 to 100%. For all species, a significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation was found between percent inhibition of NO₃ ⁻ assimilation and temperature-limited relative growth rate. Two experiments on Chesapeake Bay phytoplankton during an April 1998 diatom bloom showed that in short-term (∼1 h) temperature manipulation experiments, percent inhibition of NO₃ ⁻ uptake/assimilation was also positively related (P = 0.05) to experimental temperature. The observed relationships between temperature-limited relative growth rate and percent inhibition of NO₃ ⁻ assimilation rates for the species tested suggest that at the enzyme level, the inhibitory mechanism of NO₃ ⁻ assimilation is similar among species, but at the whole cell level may be regulated by species-specific differences in the accumulation of internal metabolites. These findings add not only to our understanding of species-specific variability and the role of growth temperature, but also provide additional data with which to evaluate current models of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻ interactions. Received: 31 August 1998 / Accepted: 7 December 1998     

Reproduction and growth of Isostichopus fuscus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the southern Gulf of California, México

The reproduction and growth of Isostichopus fuscus (Ludwig, 1875) at Isla Espíritu Santo, Baja California Sur, México from July 1992 to September 1993 and from August 1996 to July 1997 were analyzed. The reproductive cycle was monitored by using histological analysis. Five gonadal stages were described according to cell types present in the gonad; undetermined, gametogenesis, maturity, spawning and post-spawning. This holothurian reproduces annually during summer (July to September), when sea surface temperature reaches 27 °C. The gonad index is related to the gonadal stages. The first sexual maturity for I. fuscus was calculated at 367 g (4 to 5 years old) according to the von Bertalanffy equation, and nearly all the specimens at Isla Espíritu Santo were 5 to 7 years old (including some individuals over 35 years old). Data of the length–weight relationship showed that I. fuscus grows allometrically at the studied site (b = 1.83). The mortality rate was relatively high (M = 0.51), indicating that in a typical cohort, 40% of the recruits does not survive the first year, and less than 20% reaches maturity. Received: 15 July 1998 / Accepted: 19 August 1999     

Growth release and growth inhibition of Pinus tabulaeformis forest in the Loess Plateau of western Shanxi Province,China北大核心CSCD

There has been increased focus on the impacts of climate change on vegetation growth, and human activities that interfere with the vegetation. Discussing the effects of climate change and thinning activity on forest growth is essential to expand plantation areas. In this study, the dendroecological method was used to analyze the radial growth of Pinus tabulaeformis to reveal the impacts of climate change and human activities on forest stand growth. These samples were derived from three different density areas of P. tabulaeformis forest at the Linfen City of Shanxi Province (the east of Loess Plateau). The correlation analysis between tree ring width index and climatic factors indicated that the growth of P. tabulaeformis was negatively related to precipitation in January and the monthly maximum temperature in December of the previous year, whereas positively correlated with precipitation in July and the monthly maximum temperature in October in that year. The phenomena of growth release and inhibition could be attributed to the impacts of climate change and thinning during 1978-2003. However, growth inhibition was closely related to unsuitable climatic conditions. Plot 1 showed a moderate growth inhibition period when the growth variation was less than -50%, and growth release was caused by thinning. The growth variation was greater than 47% in the period of growth release. Moreover, a slight growth release occurred due to tending in plot 2, and the rate of growth change exceeded 39%. A slight growth suppression induced by uncomfortable climatic condition caused growth variation less than -32% and a moderate growth release by the interaction of cutting and comfortable counterpart made variation rate larger than 75% in plot 3. The release effects of thinning can last for about 5 years. In summary, inappropriate climatic conditions can inhibit the growth of trees, and thinning can promote tree growth by about 5 years. The results can provide a reference for local forest management. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Biannual spawning periods and resultant divergent patterns of growth in the estuarine goby Pseudogobius olorum: temperature-induced?

Samples of juveniles and adults of the goby Pseudogobius olorum were collected from seven sites in the shallows of the upper Swan Estuary, Western Australia, using a 3 mm-mesh seine net on one or two occasions in each month between September 1983 and April 1985. The mean gonadosomatic index of female fish rose from very low values in winter (June–August) to a sharp peak in mid-spring (October), reflecting the rapid maturation of ovaries over, this period. Ovaries with post-ovulatory follicles and ovaries that were undergoing degeneration were present, in November and December, but were then either rare or absent in those members of the corresponding cohort which survived into January and February. Female fish with advanced oocytes and mature ovaries were not found in December and January, but were present in February to April. The above trends exhibited by ovarian maturity indices, together with the appearance of larvae and small fish in both spring and autumn, demonstrate that P. olorum spawns in both spring and autumn and at best to only a limited extent in summer. Length-frequency and gonadal data show that the progeny of the spring-spawning group frequently spawn in the following autumn, when they are 5 mo old, and that those of the autumn-spawning group frequently spawn in the following spring, when they are 7 mo old. Some representatives of these two spawning groups survive through the winter and summer, respectively, to breed in a second season. Growth of the progeny of the spring-spawning group was relatively rapid between late spring and mid-autumn, whereas that of the autumn-spawning group was negligible during winter, but then inceased markedly in spring. It is proposed that the biannual spawning periods in each year by P. olorum in the Swan Estuary developed as a result of a rise in water temperature over the last few thousand years. Such a rise would have brought forward further into spring and extended later into autumn the periods when the water temperatures lie within the range (20 to 25°C) at which P. olorum typically spawns. However, mid-summer is now characterised by water temperatures >25°C, which are considered less conducive to reproductive success.     

Hunted hunters? Effect of group size on predation risk and growth in the Australian subsocial crab spider Diaea ergandros

A reduced predation risk is considered to be a major adaptive advantage of sociality. While most studies are concerned with non-predatory prey species, group-living predators are likely to face similar threats from higher-order predators. We studied the relationship between group size and predation risk in the subsocial crab spider Diaea ergandros by testing predictions from theoretical models including attack abatement as well as the formation of protective retreats. In a field survey, we found predatory clubionid spiders in 35 % of the D. ergandros nests and as predicted, nest size did not correlate with predator presence. In a subsequent laboratory experiment, we observed survival probability, nest construction activity and feeding behaviour including weight development between groups of different sizes as well as in the absence or presence of a predator. Large groups had an advantage in terms of survival and growth compared to smaller groups or single individuals. They also built significantly larger nests than smaller groups, supporting the idea of protective retreat formation being an adaptive benefit to group living. Even though clubionids did attack D. ergandros, they did not significantly affect overall mortality of D. ergandros. The feeding experiment showed that spiders fed on a larger proportion of flies in the presence of a predator. However, these groups gained significantly less weight compared to the control groups, indicating that the potential predators not only act as predators but also as food competitors, constituting a twofold cost for D. ergandros.     

Influence of mycorrhiza and fly ash on the survival,growth and heavy metal accumulation in three Acacia species grown in Cu–Ni mine soil

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Acacia albida, Acacia luederitzii, and Acacia tortilis are dominant acacia species in Botswana and have the potential to rehabilitate the heavy metal...     

Males are sensitive — sex-dependent effect of rearing conditions on nestling growth

The sex-dependent effect of environmental conditions on nestlings has been extensively studied in size dimorphic birds. Whether males or females are more sensitive to poor conditions is not yet clear; however, the degree of sexual size-dimorphism, brood size and their interactions seem to influence the pattern. Much less is known about sex-dependent environmental sensitivity in size-monomorphic species, even though it may result in biased sex allocation. We altered the rearing conditions by brood size manipulation in the size-monomorphic collared flycatcher and then examined the sex-specific development of the nestlings. In all analyses, we controlled for the effect of paternity, because one may expect extra-pair young to be of better genetic quality and perform better at least under poor conditions. However, this was not the case, because we did not find any difference in growth rate or fledging size between extra- and within-pair young. We found that male nestlings had the potential for faster growth under favourable conditions, but suffered more under poor conditions. We found no sex × environment interaction for fledging size probably because the growth curves level off before fledging, and the disadvantaged nestlings can catch up with their siblings. The larger sensitivity of males does not explain the previously found seasonal shift in brood sex ratios and contradicts previous findings in another size-monomorphic species where females were more sensitive. This suggests that even in size-monomorphic species, no general rule exists, which determines the more sensitive sex.     

Project Tocoen. the fate of selected pollutants in the environment. Part XIX. the phytotoxicity of organic and inorganic pollutants‐cadmium. The effect of cadmium on the growth of germinating maize plants

The effect of increasing cadmium concentration (10, 100 and 1000 μmol dm^‐3) on the growth, leaf area, content of assimilation pigments, cadmium content and the regulatory ability of the tissue of maize plants was investigated.

The results obtained document, already after 6 days, a significant decrease of dry weight, reduction of leaf area, chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoids in plants grown in the nutrient solution containing 1000 μmol dm ^‐3 of cadmium. A highly significant inhibition of growth, leaf area and assimilation pigments in plants growing in the nutrient solutions with 100 and 10 μmol dm^‐3 of cadmium was registered after 17 days of cultivation. In plants growing in the nutrient solution containing 100 μmol dm^‐3 of cadmium a demonstrable reduction of the content of assimilation pigments was registered after 11 days of culture.

With increasing cadmium concentration in the nutrient solution as well as in the plant tissue after 6 and 17 days of culture both the range of the regulatory zone and the extent of optimum pH increased into the acid region. The pH values of the isoelectric point decreased with increasing cadmium content in the solution.     

Collective Contents of Volume 12 of Ecology and Environment

No.1 Research Papers Effect of digestion on measurement of total mercury in topsoil …………………………………………………………… DING Zhen-hu, WANG Wen-hua(1) The characteristics of adsorption and desorption of humic acids on copper…………………………………………………… LI Guang-ling, WEI Shi-qiang(4) Influence of electrolyte on adsorption of copper in soils……………………………………………………… LI Ying, LI Hong-jun, ZHANG Gui-yin, et al.(8) Comparative studies on availabl…     

Differences in abalone growth and morphology between locations with high and low food availability: morphologically fixed or plastic traits?

Many species of sedentary marine invertebrates exhibit large spatial variation in their morphology, which allow them to occupy a broad geographic distribution and range of environmental conditions. However, the detection of differences in morphology amongst variable environments cannot determine whether these differences represent a plastic response to the local environment, or whether morphology is genetically fixed. We used a reciprocal transplant experiment to test whether ‘stunted’ blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) are the result of a plastic response to the environment or fixed genetic trait. Furthermore, we related environmental factors, that affect food availability (density of abalone, water movement, algal cover and reef topography), to differences in growth and morphology. Morphological plasticity was confirmed as the mechanism causing morphological variation in H. rubra. Individuals transplanted to sites with ‘non-stunted’ H. rubra grew significantly faster when compared to stunted controls, whilst individuals transplanted to stunted sites grew significantly slower compared to non-stunted controls. The growth response was greater for individuals transplanted from ‘non-stunted’ to ‘stunted’ sites, suggesting that the environmental stressors in morphologically ‘stunted’ habitat are stronger compared to locations of faster growing morphology. We propose that these differences are related to resource availability whereby low algal cover and topographic simplicity results in stunted populations, whereas high algal abundance and topographic complexity results in non-stunted populations.     

Mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of cadmium†

There is limited evidence to suggest that certain compounds of cadmium may be mildly mutagenic. Some compounds of cadmium have given rise to fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma following subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in the rat and also to interstitial cell tumours of the testis as a sequel to cellular damage and testicular atrophy. Cadmium chloride aerosol inhalation has induced a high incidence of dose‐related lung cancer in the rat. Epidemiological observations suggest that mortality from prostatic and possibly from lung cancer has been increased in cadmium workers who had experienced the very high levels of cadmium, mainly as oxide dust or fume, which existed in the past. The more recent epidemiological studies have not added further evidence in support of the carcinogenic role of cadmium.     

Alkylation of metals and the activity of metal‐alkyls†

The biochemical basis for resistance to metal ion toxicity is emerging though it is complicated by the different resistance mechanisms. Several strategies for resistance to toxic metal ions have been identified:

1. The development of energy driven efflux pumps which keep toxic element levels low in the interior of the cell. Such mechanisms have been described for Cd(II) and As(V).

2. Oxidation (e.g. AsO^2‐ to AsO₄ ^3‐) or reduction (e.g. Hg²⁺ to Hg⁰) can enzymatically and intracellularly convert a more toxic form of an element to a less toxic form.

3. The biosynthesis of intracellular polymers which serve as traps for the removal of metal ions from solution such as traps have been described for cadmium, calcium, nickel and copper.

4. The binding of metal ions to cell surfaces.

5. The precipitation of insoluble metal complexes (e.g. metal sulfides and metal oxides) at cell surfaces.

6. Biomethylation and transport through cell‐membranes by diffusion controlled processes.

In this short review I shall discuss the implications of biomethylation as a detoxification mechanism for microorganisms as well as for certain higher organisms.     

How sensitive are elasticities of long-run stochastic growth to how environmental variability is modelled?

A variable environment leaves a signature in a population's dynamics. Deriving statistical and mathematical models of how environmental variability affects population projections has - in the wake of reports of substantial climatic fluctuations - received much recent attention. If the model changes, then so too does the population projection. This is because a different model of environmental variability changes estimates of long-run stochastic growth, which is a function of demographic rates and their temporal sequence. Decomposing elasticities of long-run stochastic growth into constituent parts can assess the relative influence of different components. Here, we investigate the consequences of changing the environmental state definition, and therefore altering the shape of demographic rate distributions and their temporal sequence, by using age-structured matrix models to project vertebrate populations into the future under a range of environmental scenarios. The identity of the most influential demographic rate was consistent among all approaches that perturbed only the mean, but was not when only the variance was perturbed. Furthermore, the influence of each demographic rate fluctuated among projections by up to factors of six and two for changes to the variance and mean, respectively. These changes in influence depend in part upon how environmental variability - in particular, the color of environmental noise - is incorporated. In the light of predictions of increasing climatic variability in the future, these results suggest caution when drawing quantitative conclusions from stochastic population projections.