Ecological genetics of the barnacle,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hexaminius foliorum</Emphasis>, within mangrove forests near Sydney,Australia

Spatial and temporal distribution of allozyme variation at three loci in a cohort of the barnacle, Hexaminius foliorum, living on leaves of Avicennia marina was studied from recruitment to adulthood at three geographical scales. Analysis of populations shortly after recruitment showed that there were significant divergences in allele frequencies at the coarsest geographical scale studied (between estuaries, 50 km apart, Wright's F statistic=0.016) and at the finest geographic scale (between sites, 50–100 m apart, Wright's F statistic=0.018). There was, however, no significant genetic divergence at an intermediate scale (between bays, 3–4 km apart, Wright's F statistic=0.002). The genetic differences between populations decreased over time due to the selection against the null homozygotes originally present at high frequency at two loci. There was sufficient mortality (ranging from 35.5 to 80%) between seasons to account for the deaths needed for the observed changes in allele frequencies. Differences in the genetic structure between estuaries may be the result of isolation and limited mixing of cyprid larvae among estuaries. Differences in the genetic structure between sites may be due to pre- and post-settlement mortality acting on H. foliorum.Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney     

A comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and petroleum hydrocarbon uptake by mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) in Hong Kong coastal waters

The ability of mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) to accumulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) from five sites in Hong Kong's coastal waters was compared. Mussels consistently had higher levels of contaminants, but their utility was limited at one highly polluted site due to mortality. Mussels and SPMDs ranked sites differently in terms of individual contaminant levels. Although SPMDs overcome many of the disadvantages of using living organisms to measure contaminants in marine waters, they cannot be used as "mimics" due to different PAH and PHC accumulation patterns.     

Mussel-based monitoring of trace metal and organic contaminants along the east coast of China using Perna viridis and Mytilus edulis

Green lipped mussels, Perna viridis, and blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, were collected from seven locations along the east coast of China in September and October 2001. The mussel tissues were analyzed for metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, Cu, Fe and Hg), and trace organic contaminants including organochlorine compounds (OCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; based on 24 individual PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs). Maximum concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, Cu, Fe and Hg in the mussel tissues were 0.14, 26.76, 5.31, 15.72, 4.78, 2.93, 7.40, 231.0, 54.17, 1002 and 317.3 microg/g dry weight respectively. Levels of DDTs, PAHs, PCBs and PHCs in the mussel samples were 14-640, 456-3495, 1-13 ng/g and 621-2863 microg/g dry weight, respectively. Results of this study indicated that contaminant levels were, in general, higher or at least comparable to those reported in other local or regional studies. Mussel samples collected in Chongming Dao in Shanghai and Jiao Zhou Wan in Qingdao had significantly higher levels of metal and trace organic contaminants among the seven sampling stations. Examination of the contaminant profiles suggests that PHCs originated from petrogenic sources, while both petrogenic and pyrolytic sources were important for PAHs. The generally high levels of metals and organochlorine compounds are probably the result of increasingly intense industrial activities along the east coast of China. An assessment of potential risks to human health due to consumption of the mussels was undertaken for the metals, PCBs, DDTs and chlordanes, and the results indicated that all metals, except Ni, could pose a health risk to heavy seafood consumers, while Hg appears to be of concern even for low level consumers.     

Petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surficial sediments of Xiamen Harbour and Yuan Dan Lake, China

Surficial sediments were sampled from nine stations in Xiamen Harbour and two stations in Yuan Dan Lake during April 2002. Sediment samples were extracted by organic solvents, separated by silica gel column chromatography and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass selective detector (GC-MSD). Selected ion monitoring was at M/Z=57 for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) and individual M/Zs for each of the 15 typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nine alkylated PAHs. The results showed that concentrations of PHCs and total PAHs in the sediments of Yuan Dan Lake were 1397 microg g(-1) (dry weight, dw) and 1377 ng g(-1) (dw), respectively. The ranges for PHCs and total PAHs in the sediments from Xiamen Harbour were 133-943 microg g(-1) (dw) and 98-309 ng g(-1) (dw), respectively. Shipping activities, industrial wastewater discharges, fuel oil spillage from ships and vehicles were the main sources of PHCs and PAHs in the Harbour. In addition, the widespread use of coal for industrial processes and domestic consumption accounted for the second largest source of PAHs in the sediments, while atmospheric transport and deposition of PAHs are also important.     

A preliminary risk assessment of trace elements accumulated in fish to the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in the northwestern waters of Hong Kong

In order to assess the potential risks associated with consumption of contaminated prey items to the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), fish species (Collichthys lucida, Pseudosciaena crocea, Johnius sp., Thryssa sp., Mugil sp. and Trichiurus sp.) representing the main food items of the dolphin were collected from the northwestern waters of Hong Kong, including the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, which form the main habitat of the dolphin in Hong Kong. Within these waters, there are several potential sources of pollution including significant inputs from the Pearl River catchment, several major sewage outfalls and a series of mud pits that receive contaminated dredged sediments. Concentrations of thirteen trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn) in the fish tissue were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). An assessment of the risks of adverse effects on the dolphin due to consumption of tainted fish was undertaken using two toxic reference benchmarks, namely the reference dose (RfD) and toxicity reference value (TRV). The risk quotient (RQ) calculated for each element showed that the risks from consumption of fish were generally low and within safe limits. The risks associated with arsenic, cadmium and mercury were, however, elevated. The highest calculated RQ was associated with total arsenic; however, the majority of arsenic in marine organisms tends to be in the non-toxic organic form, and the actual risk to the dolphin due to this metalloid is likely to be lower.     

Maintenance of living space by sweeper tentacles of Montastrea cavernosa,a caribbean reef coral

The reef-building coral Montastrea cavernosa Linnaeus possesses sweeper tentacles which have enlarged nematocyst batteries. Sweeper tentacles appear to be used in defense of the coral's living space and may successfully deter mesenterial filament attacks from the more aggressive coral M. annularis. M. cavernosa therefore possesses a specialized defensive strategy that has not been taken into account by present models describing spatial competition in coral reef ecosystems.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) from the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico

King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla Cuvier) collected in 1992 and 1993 from 13 localities along the Atlantic coast of the southeastern USA and in the northern Gulf of Mexico were surveyed for variation in mitochondrial (mt)DNA and a nuclear-encoded dipeptidase locus (PEPA-2). Both polymorphic and fixed mtDNA restriction sites were identified and mapped using conventional and polymerase chain-reaction (PCR)-based methods. Heterogeneity in mtDNA haplotype frequencies was found only in comparisons of pooled haplotypes from Atlantic localities versus pooled haplotypes from Gulf localities. This finding indicates weak genetic divergence between king mackerel from the Atlantic and those from the Gulf. Frequencies of two PEPA-2 alleles essentially paralleled previous findings: one allele (PEPA-2a) was common among samples from western Gulf localities, whereas the other allele (PEPA-2b) was common among samples from Atlantic and eastern Gulf localities. There was considerable variation in PEPA-2 allele frequencies within broadly-defined regions. Variation in mtDNA haplotypes and PEPA-2 genotypes was independent, as was variation in mtDNA haplotypes with sex or age of individuals. Variation in PEPA-2 genotypes was not independent of sex or age of individuals. The latter result suggests that frequencies of PEPA-2 alleles in samples of king mackerel may stem, in part, from sex and age distributions of individuals within samples, and indicates that caution should be exercised in using allelic variation at PEPA-2 as a measure of population (stock) structure in king mackerel. The discordance in spatial patterning of mtDNA haplotypes versus PEPA-2 alleles across the Gulf (i.e. homogeneity in mtDNA haplotype frequencies versus heterogeneity in PEPA-2 allele frequencies) may be due to either female excess at several localities, sex-biased migration, or both. Observed patterns of genetic variation also are consistent with the hypothesis that king mackerel in the western Atlantic may have been subdivided during Pleistocene glaciation, and that the current distribution of PEPA-2 alleles may be a historical artefact. Received: 17 December 1996 / Accepted: 2 April 1997     

The consequences of avoiding conflict: lessons from conservation planning for Europe's last wild reindeer

This paper seeks to contribute to debates on the potential for conservation planning to engage actively with conflict. Current research in conservation planning generally approaches conflict by concentrating on the challenges of securing agreement and consensus. Recent planning literature advocates approaches that are more open to conflict. In the analysis of a Norwegian regional planning process for wild reindeer conservation, we examine how planning authorities handled conflict, and in particular how planning documents portrayed conflicts expressed during the planning process. Findings show that the aim of reaching regional consensus limited the scope of planning, and led to the exclusion of difficult issues and opposing views. Instead of engaging actively with conflict, the planning authority framed opposing positions as unplannable, and failed to recognise them as legitimate. This contributed to weakening of the legitimacy of the regional plan when put to the test.     

Effect of NOx Control Processes on Mercury Speciation in Utility Flue Gas

Abstract

The speciation of Hg in coal-fired flue gas can be important in determining the ultimate Hg emissions as well as potential control options for the utility. The effects of NO_x control processes, such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), on Hg speciation are not well understood but may impact emissions of Hg. EPRI has investigated the reactions of Hg in flue gas at conditions expected for some NO_x control processes. This paper describes the methodology used to investigate these reactions in actual flue gas at several power plants. Results have indicated that some commercial SCR catalysts are capable of oxidizing elemental Hg in flue gas obtained from the inlets of SCR or air heater units. Results are affected by various flue gas and operating parameters. The effect of flue gas composition, including the presence of NH₃, has been evaluated. The influence of NH₃ on fly ash Hg reactions also is being investigated.     

Leaching of heavy metals from E-waste in simulated landfill columns

In recent history the volume of electronic products purchased by consumers has dramatically escalated. As a result this has produced an ever-increasing electronic waste (E-waste) stream, which has generated concerns regarding the E-waste’s potential for adversely impacting the environment. The leaching of toxic substances from obsolete personal computers (PCs) and cathode ray tubes (CRTs) of televisions and monitors, which are the most significant components in E-waste stream, was studied using landfill simulation in columns. Five columns were employed. One column served as a control which was filled with municipal solid waste (MSW), two columns were filled with a mixture of MSW and CRTs, and the other two were filled with MSW and computer components including printed wire boards, hard disc drives, floppy disc drives, CD/DVD drives, and power supply units. The leachate generated from the columns was monitored for toxic materials throughout the two-year duration of the study. Results indicate that lead (Pb) and various other heavy metals that were of environmental and health concern were not detected in the leachate from the simulators. When the samples of the solids were collected from underneath the E-waste in the columns and were analyzed, significant amount of Pb was detected. This indicates that Pb could readily leach from the E-waste, but was absorbed by the solids around the E-waste materials. While Pb was not observed in the leachate in this study, it is likely that the Pb would eventually enter the leachate after a long term transport.