Bringing feedback and resilience of high-latitude ecosystems into the corporate boardroom

This paper discusses the role of companies in high-latitude regions, which are conceptualized as socially and economically mediated ecosystems, and identifies a number of important social actors within the business environment. We present three examples of corporate activity at high latitudes and discuss a variety of common threads. Notably, we argue that business theory and practice needs to move beyond a narrow social or economic concept of organizational resilience and embrace the ecological resilience of high-latitude regions as a business management goal. We also suggest that regional ecosystem resilience needs to become a meaningful measure of sustainable corporate governance, one that corporate boards of directors can review and commit to. The paper concludes with a call for a detailed research agenda on the role of transnational and national companies within high-latitude regions.     

Distribution of mercury in chemical fractions of contaminated urban soils of Middle Amur,Russia

The distribution of mercury (Hg) in fractions of urban soils from two industrial cities in the Russian Far East which are subject to varying degrees of Hg contamination was examined. The speciation scheme applied was based on routine chemical extraction methods used in soil investigations. Such an approach enables the Hg data to be brought into correlation with soil basic fractions and the fate of Hg bound to different soil components to be followed. Humic acids and a non-hydrolysable residue (humin), i.e. the soil fractions most refractory to microbiotic and chemical attack, were found to be principal Hg repositories in the soils studied. This pattern was equally observed for slightly, moderately and heavily contaminated soils. Hymatomelanic acids do not appear to be an efficient Hg concentrator. In heavily contaminated soils, Hg concentrations were evident in mobile fractions of fulvic acids as well as in those fractions extracted by H2O and 0.05 M Na2-EDTA pH 3. A portion of Hg extracted by 1 M HCl increased in lower horizons, reflecting relatively weakly bound Hg.     

Measurement of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in natural water samples by flow injection ozonation chemiluminescence (FI-CL) technique

COD determination based on ozone oxidation of alpha-naphthol combined with UV radiation (UV-O3) has been studied in the present work. Utilizing the phenomenon that luminol can be oxidized by the dissolved ozone to produce luminescence, we have established a new method of utilizing aqueous chemiluminescence to determine COD. The kinetics and mechanism of the ozonation reaction of alpha-naphthol have been investigated in order to gain a better understanding of the general applicability and limitation of the technique. Real world samples were analyzed and the results show that the relative error of COD(FI-CL) measurement for water samples was < 10%. Compared with the results of the conventional potassium permanganate method, the COD values of the FI-CL method are consistently higher (0-20% relative). The higher COD values suggest that the ozone-UV system is a more effective oxidation technique.     

An experimental soft-release of oil-spill rehabilitated American coots (Fulica americana): II. Effects on health and blood parameters

The Unocal-Metrolink oil spill of 21 February 1995 resulted in approximately 7800 barrels of San Joaquin crude oil being deposited into the San Gabriel River in Huntington Beach, CA, USA. In order to determine long-term pathological effects of oil exposure and rehabilitation, hematological and serum biochemical parameters for both rehabilitated (RHB) American coots (Fulica americana) and reference (REF) coots were examined every 3-4 weeks (56, 81, 108 and 140 days post oil exposure) after birds were cleaned, rehabilitated and soft-released. Most significant differences in monthly comparisons between RHB and REF birds occurred 56 days following oil exposure. Total white blood cell (WBC) count, albumin:globulin (A:G) ratio and calcium concentration were higher in RHB birds compared to REF birds 56 days post oil exposure. In addition, mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activities, and creatinine, total protein (TP) and globulin concentrations were lower in RHB birds. Blood results from 56 days post oil exposure for RHB coots which subsequently died were compared to blood results from days 108 and 140 for REF coots which survived. Oiled and rehabilitated birds which died had significantly higher WBCs, packed cell volume, TP and globulin concentrations, and lower A:G ratio, MCH, MCHC, glucose and sodium concentrations compared to REF birds which survived. Blood result differences detected at 3-4-week intervals between RHB and REF survivors, and differences detected between RHB coots which died and REF coots which survived, suggested that RHB coots developed an inflammatory response (infectious or non-septic) and, concurrently, may have experienced decreased immune responsiveness. Additionally, RHB coots experienced either an iron (Fe) utilization or Fe metabolism problem. These pathophysiological mechanisms were consistent with increased hemosiderin (stored Fe) present in the liver, spleen and kidney of necropsied RHB birds, and may have contributed to RHB coot mortality. When blood parameter differences were examined for their impact on survival time, it was determined that RHB coots had shorter survival times if they had very high cholesterol (> or =449 mg/dl) or chloride (> or =110 MEQ/l) concentrations on day 56 post oil exposure. Interestingly, the lack of differences between RHB and REF coots from day 81 through day 140 suggested that, from a hematologic and clinical chemistry perspective, coots which were oiled, rehabilitated, released and survived at least 3.5 months could not be differentiated from wild (REF) coots. From these findings it appears that blood analysis, coupled with post-release survival data, may help discern reasons for increased mortality of oiled and rehabilitated birds, compared to non-oiled reference birds.     

Radioactive tracer of the photochemical reaction of 14CS2 with OH in the presence of O2

The photochemical reaction of¹⁴CS ₂ with OH has been studied．The results indicated that the main products of the reaction were¹⁴COS and ¹⁴CO with a small amount of ¹⁴CO₂ in the reaction system(¹⁴CS₂-H₂O₂-C₃H₈-N₂-O₂>)．The reaction was promoted by oxygen．¹⁴COS and ¹⁴CO had the similar kinetic curves while ¹⁴CO₂ got a different kind of Curve．The overall rate constant increased with the increasing of oxygen partial pressure．The rate constant for the removal of ¹⁴CS₂ was K=3.4×10^-12cm³/(mO1.s) at 33330 Pa 0₂．The conversion of ¹⁴CS₂ to ¹⁴CO₂ at room temperature was observed and the possible mechanism of the photochemical reaction was disscussed．     

Sinks for nitrogen inputs in terrestrial ecosystems: a meta-analysis of 15N tracer field studies

Effects of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition and the ability of terrestrial ecosystems to store carbon (C) depend in part on the amount of N retained in the system and its partitioning among plant and soil pools. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies at 48 sites across four continents that used enriched 15N isotope tracers in order to synthesize information about total ecosystem N retention (i.e., total ecosystem 15N recovery in plant and soil pools) across natural systems and N partitioning among ecosystem pools. The greatest recoveries of ecosystem 15N tracer occurred in shrublands (mean, 89.5%) and wetlands (84.8%) followed by forests (74.9%) and grasslands (51.8%). In the short term (< 1 week after 15N tracer application), total ecosystem 15N recovery was negatively correlated with fine-root and soil 15N natural abundance, and organic soil C and N concentration but was positively correlated with mean annual temperature and mineral soil C:N. In the longer term (3-18 months after 15N tracer application), total ecosystem 15N retention was negatively correlated with foliar natural-abundance 15N but was positively correlated with mineral soil C and N concentration and C:N, showing that plant and soil natural-abundance 15N and soil C:N are good indicators of total ecosystem N retention. Foliar N concentration was not significantly related to ecosystem 15N tracer recovery, suggesting that plant N status is not a good predictor of total ecosystem N retention. Because the largest ecosystem sinks for 15N tracer were below ground in forests, shrublands, and grasslands, we conclude that growth enhancement and potential for increased C storage in aboveground biomass from atmospheric N deposition is likely to be modest in these ecosystems. Total ecosystem 15N recovery decreased with N fertilization, with an apparent threshold fertilization rate of 46 kg N x ha(-1) x yr(-1) above which most ecosystems showed net losses of applied 15N tracer in response to N fertilizer addition.     

A global evaluation of metabolic theory as an explanation for terrestrial species richness gradients

We compiled 46 broadscale data sets of species richness for a wide range of terrestrial plant, invertebrate, and ectothermic vertebrate groups in all parts of the world to test the ability of metabolic theory to account for observed diversity gradients. The theory makes two related predictions: (1) In-transformed richness is linearly associated with a linear, inverse transformation of annual temperature, and (2) the slope of the relationship is near -0.65. Of the 46 data sets, 14 had no significant relationship; of the remaining 32, nine were linear, meeting prediction 1. Model I (ordinary least squares, OLS) and model II (reduced major axis, RMA) regressions then tested the linear slopes against prediction 2. In the 23 data sets having nonlinear relationships between richness and temperature, split-line regression divided the data into linear components, and regressions were done on each component to test prediction 2 for subsets of the data. Of the 46 data sets analyzed in their entirety using OLS regression, one was consistent with metabolic theory (meeting both predictions), and one was possibly consistent. Using RMA regression, no data sets were consistent. Of 67 analyses of prediction 2 using OLS regression on all linear data sets and subsets, two were consistent with the prediction, and four were possibly consistent. Using RMA regression, one was consistent (albeit weakly), and four were possibly consistent. We also found that the relationship between richness and temperature is both taxonomically and geographically conditional, and there is no evidence for a universal response of diversity to temperature. Meta-analyses confirmed significant heterogeneity in slopes among data sets, and the combined slopes across studies were significantly lower than the range of slopes predicted by metabolic theory based on both OLS and RMA regressions. We conclude that metabolic theory, as currently formulated, is a poor predictor of observed diversity gradients in most terrestrial systems.     

Body feathers as a potential new biomonitoring tool in raptors: a study on organohalogenated contaminants in different feather types and preen oil of West Greenland white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla)

We investigated the variation in concentrations and profiles of various classes of organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) in different feather types, muscle tissue and preen oil from 15 white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) carcasses from Greenland. The influence of moult patterns and potential external contamination onto the feather surface was examined, while the present study is also the first to investigate the use of body feathers for OHC monitoring. Concentrations of sum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feathers from white tailed eagles ranged from 2.3 ng/g in a primary wing feather to 4200 ng/g in body feathers. Using 300 mg of body feathers, almost 50 different OHCs could be quantified and median concentrations in body feathers were 10 fold higher than concentrations in tail feathers (rectrices) or primary wing feathers. Body feathers could be very useful for biomonitoring taking into account their easy sampling, short preparation time and high levels of OHCs. In addition, the effects of confounding variables such as feather size, moult and age are also minimised using body feathers. Correlations with concentrations in muscle tissue and preen oil were high and significant for all feather types (r ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 for sum PCBs). Significant differences in concentrations and profiles of OHCs were found between different primary feathers, indicating that the accumulation of OHCs in feathers varies over the moulting period (maximum three years). Washing of feathers with an organic solvent (acetone) resulted in a significant decrease in the measured concentrations of OHCs in feathers. However, our results indicated that preen oil is probably not the only contributor to the external contamination that can be removed by washing with acetone. Possibly dust and other particles may be of importance and may be sticking to the preened feathers. Rectrices washed only with water showed high and significant correlations with concentrations in muscle and preen oil as well. Washing with acetone therefore does not seem to be of great influence when relating to internal tissue concentrations. We recommend washing feathers only with distilled water in order to remove dirt and dust particles before analysis.     

Effects of experimental nitrogen additions on plant diversity in tropical forests of contrasting disturbance regimes in southern China

Responses of understory plant diversity to nitrogen (N) additions were investigated in reforested forests of contrasting disturbance regimes in southern China from 2003 to 2008: disturbed forest (with harvesting of understory vegetation and litter) and rehabilitated forest (without harvesting). Experimental additions of N were administered as the following treatments: Control, 50 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Nitrogen additions did not significantly affect understory plant richness, density, and cover in the disturbed forest. Similarly, no significant response was found for canopy closure in this forest. In the rehabilitated forest, species richness and density showed no significant response to N additions; however, understory cover decreased significantly in the N-treated plots, largely a function of a significant increase in canopy closure. Our results suggest that responses of plant diversity to N deposition may vary with different land-use history, and rehabilitated forests may be more sensitive to N deposition.     

Changes in the soil environment from excessive application of fertilizers and manures to two contrasting intensive cropping systems on the North China Plain

Effects of excessive fertilizer and manure applications on the soil environment were compared in greenhouse vegetable systems shifted from wheat-maize rotations 5-15years previously and in wheat-maize rotations. N, P and K surpluses to the greenhouses were 4328, 1337 and 1466kgha(-1)year(-1), respectively compared to 346, 65 and -163kgha(-1)year(-1) to wheat-maize fields. Subsequently, substantial mineral N and available P and K accumulated in the soil and leaching occurred down the soil profile in the greenhouses. Soil pH under vegetables was significantly lower than in the wheat-maize fields, while the EC was significantly higher in the vegetable soils. The mean Cd concentration in the vegetable soils was 2.8 times that in the wheat-maize rotations. Due to excessive fertilizer application in greenhouse vegetable production in northeast China, excessive salt and nitrate concentrations may accumulate and soil quality may deteriorate faster than in conventional wheat-maize rotations.