Keys to success as an environmental consultant: Liability control,client satisfaction,and growth

Environmental consulting is a relatively new and rapidly growing field. It involves traditional engineering and construction risks as well as the specter of potential—and likely uninsured or uninsurable—liability for environmental conditions and professional errors. To succeed in today's litigious society, environmental consultants and contractors need to understand the risks inherent in their work. They must conduct their operations in a manner conducive to quality assurance, risk control, and effective project management. Constant and clear communication with the client is essential to a good working relationship and repeat business. Effective project control, risk management, file documentation, and contract negotiation are critical tools for profitable growth and our professional liability defense.     

Induction of steroidal hydroxylase activity by plant defence compounds in the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus

We investigated the hypothesis that the endogenous role of the commercially important inducible steroid hydroxylase cytochrome P450s of fungi was in defense against plant toxophores/secondary metabolites. Two plant defense compounds, the aglycones tomatidine and solanidine, the steroidal glycoalkaloid alpha-tomatine and the triterpene saponin beta-escin were tested as inducers of 11beta/14alpha-steroid hydroxylase in the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus. The extracts of saponins from the roots of Primula veris and green oat leaves were also tested as inducers of 11beta/14alpha-hydroxylation activity in progesterone biotransformation with the same fungus. Induction of steroid hydroxylase and inhibition of activity in some cases support our hypothesis that their endogenous function is in biochemical defence against secondary metabolites. 4-Pregnene-3,11,20-trione was added as a substrate for biotransformation with C. lunatus. We isolated from culture broth 14alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione, and the hitherto unreported compounds, 7alpha,14alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione and 7alpha-hydroxy-pregna-4,8(14)-diene-3,11,20-trione.     

Stream buffer effectiveness in an agriculturally influenced area, southwestern Georgia: responses of water quality, macroinvertebrates, and amphibians

To determine useful metrics for assessing stream water quality in the Southeastern Coastal Plain, we examined differences among two buffered and three unbuffered streams in an agricultural landscape in southwestern Georgia. Potential indicators included amphibian diversity and abundance, aquatic macroinvertebrate populations, riparian vegetative structure, water quality, and stream physical parameters. Variability among sites and treatments (buffered vs. unbuffered) existed, with sites in the same treatment as most similar, and disturbances from a nearby eroding gully strongly affecting one unbuffered site. Of the invertebrate metrics examined, percentages of clingers, Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT), Elmidae (Coleoptera), Crustacea (Decapoda and Amphipoda), and dipterans were found to be possible indicators of stream health for perennial streams within this region. Overall, buffered sites showed higher percentages of sensitive invertebrate groups and showed lower and more stable concentrations of nitrate N, suspended solids, and fecal coliforms (FCs). Percent canopy cover was similar among sites; however, riparian vegetative coverage and percent leaf litter were greatest at buffered sites. No differences in amphibian abundance, presence, and absence within the riparian area were apparent between sites; however, instream larval salamanders were more abundant at buffered streams. In this study, stream buffers appeared to decrease nutrient and sediment loads to adjacent streams, enhancing overall water quality. Selected benthic macroinvertebrate metrics and amphibian abundance also appeared sensitive to agricultural influences. Amphibians show potential as indicator candidates, however further information is needed on their responses and tolerances to disturbances from the microhabitat to landscape levels.     

Landscape Patterns of Florida Scrub Jay Habitat Use and Demographic Success

Remote sensing and geographical information systems are used to analyze landscapes important to species of conservation concern. The accuracy of the methods depends on how closely habitat mapping classes are linked to population demography. Habitat use by Florida Scrub Jays ( Aphelocoma c. coemlescens ) was quantified using circular plots. Habitat variation was mapped using high-resolution aerial photography on a site where all Florida Scrub Jays were color-banded. Nest site selection, nest success, yearling production, and breeder survival were measured within Florida Scrub Jay territories. Habitat use was lowest in areas without scrub oaks or areas within 136 m from forests. Open oak, dominated by scrub oaks and open sandy areas, had the highest use and nest success among habitats. Open oak occurred as narrow patches ( <20 m wide) in landscapes dominated by matrix habitat (palmetto-lyonia and swale marshes). Most wide patches (>50 m) of open oak were potential population sources, where reproduction exceeded mortality. Areas with patches of open oak of less than 1 ha were usually population sinks. Open oak occurred as less flammable patches in a landscape subject to frequent fires. Population sources varied temporally and spatially with fires and site potential to support scrub oaks (soils). Analyses of landscape patterns and dynamics indicated that habitat mapping should not only include patches of currently optimal habitat but should also include landscapes associated with open oak. The influences of landscape patterns on habitat use, reproductive success, survival, and territory size can be quantified at different scales starting with attributes associated with habitat patches, nest sites, and territories. Potential mapping errors occur, however, when habitats are used to quantify the areal extent of sources and sinks and similar population attributes important for species persistence.     

Prenatal measurement of the fetal cerebellum and cisterna cerebellomedullaris by ultrasound

The fetal cerebellum can be visualized with ultrasound throughout the second trimester. We describe a technique for measuring the transverse and anteroposterior cerebellar diameters and the measurement of the cisterna magna in the same plane between 14 and 32 weeks gestation. Nomograms for these measurements against gestational age showed good correlation, and narrow confidence limits for the transverse cerebellar diameter. The transverse cerebellar diameter was also measured directly in 79 fetuses after mid-trimester abortion and the measurements obtained were compared with the ultrasound TCD nomogram. Good correlation, was obtained between the post mortem measurements and the ultrasound TCD nomogram. Routine use of these measurements and nomograms should prove valuable in the diagnosis of congenital abnormality of the posterior fossa and may also be of use in assessing the effect of severe intrauterine growth retardation and other insults on cerebellar growth and development. The narrow confidence limits obtained with the TCD nomogram should enable it to be used with confidence in clinical practice.     

Incubation time effects on imazaquin desorption as determined by nonequilibrium thin-soil disc flow

Because organic sorption in soil may never reach equilibrium, a thin-disc flow nonequilibrium method may be helpful in understanding herbicide-soil interactions. This research was conducted to (i) determine the influence of incubation time on imazaquin [2-(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid] desorption from soil, (ii) examine the influence of solution flow velocities on desorption, and (iii) elucidate the most appropriate kinetic model to describe imazaquin leaching. Soil at 7.5% moisture w/w was treated with imazaquin and incubated for 24, 72, and 168 h. Treated soil was sealed in an in-line filter apparatus and rinsed with 5.0 mM CaCl2 at 0.33, 0.67, or 1.0 mL min(-1). Effluent was collected as 1.0-mL fractions for a total of 50 mL. Flow was stopped for 24 h. When flow resumed, fractions were collected for an additional 15 mL. After the initial desorption, 79% of the imazaquin incubated for 24 h was leached. Increasing incubation time beyond 24 h reduced imazaquin leaching. After both desorption events, 13% of the initially applied imazaquin remained in the soil incubated for 168 h, compared with 7% with soil incubated for 24 h. Elovich and Freundlich kinetics accounted for 98% of the variance observed in the imazaquin desorption curves. First-order and diffusion kinetics accounted for 91% of the variance. Incubating soil for 72 h before desorption reduced the rate of imazaquin desorption by approximately 12%, compared with the 24-h incubation treatment. Imazaquin desorption was not affected by wash solution flow rate. These data suggest that the kinetics of desorption in prolonged desorption events are limited by transport phenomena (i.e., particle and film diffusion).