Über den Einfluß niedriger und hoher Temperatur auf die Empfänglichkeit der Pflanze für das Kartoffel-Y-Virus

The Science of Nature -     

Reference materials for the monitoring of the aquatic environment--a review with special emphasis on organic priority pollutants

During recent years, the awareness of quality assurance and quality control in environmental analyses has constantly increased, especially due to the implementation of new guidelines and regulations at both the national and international level. Achieving comparable results by using certified reference materials is one of the primary concerns of the scientific community. As a result, there is a growing demand for certified reference materials to cover different matrices and pollutants. Moreover, these CRMs should be in close relationship to the determinants and target concentrations required by environmental bodies and European Directives as well. Supplementary information to this paper presents an inventory of reference materials available on the market from different suppliers against the priority pollutants listed in the Water Framework Directive. These CRMs cover matrices such as water, sediment and biota. The use of CRMs in relationship to appropriate analytical methods and relevant determinants is discussed and the need for matrix-CRMs, particularly for organic pollutants is emphasised. The use of proficiency testing schemes as an alternative for the lack of appropriate CRMs and future trends in the production of CRMs within the BCR framework are also discussed.     

Seasonal changes in pyloric caecum and gonad indices during the annual reproductive cycle in the seastar Asterias forbesi

Seasonal changes in pyloric caecum and gonad indices were studied in a population of the seastar Asterias forbesi (Desor) from East Rockaway Inlet (Long Island, New York) during two annual cycles (1980/81, 1982/83). Pyloric caeca indices increased during fall, reached a maximum about April, and declined sharply to a minimum in mid-summer. Gonad indices increased during fall and winter and reached a maximum about May. Judging from gonad size analysis, spawning occurred in late June to early July, at bottom temperatures of 16° to 18°C. There was no long-term inverse relationship between pyloric caecum and gonad indices. Since nutrients and energy ingested during the important fall feeding period are utilized simultaneously for body growth and gonad development, it is unnecessary for the pyloric caeca to store nutrients over long periods as occurs in A. rubens and many other species. The specific caeca-gonad relationship is probably an adaptation to the extreme seasonal thermal fluctuations of the NW Atlantic, which constrain the feeding activity of A. forbesi and limit the possibility of long-term storage. In this population, most individuals grow rapidly in their first year (including first two summers) and spawn in their third summer. Few seastars survive to spawn again in their fourth summer. However, gametogenesis may take place in some individuals in their second summer. Year-to-year variability in mean size at spawning may reflect temporal variation in environmental conditions (weather, food availability) at this site.     

Novel degradation products of the herbicide oxasulfuron identified by capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry

Two new intermediates rising from the photolytic reaction of the sulfonylurea herbicide oxasulfuron have been identified in aqueous environment. The higher concentrations of the two derivatives oxetan-3-yl 2-(formilsulfamoyl) benzoate and N-(4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidin-2-yl) formamide were reached within 8 h of UV-irradiation. Here we demonstrate that an optimal separation and analysis of such compounds can be achieved by using a novel analytical method based on “non-aqueous” capillary electrophoresis (CE) system joined to an electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry equipment. Using such a separation method and a particular electrophoretic solution a high reproducibility of migration times and peak areas can be obtained.     

Passivsammler zur Wasseruntersuchung

Zusammenfassung  Durch r?umlich integrale Bestimmung der Schadstofffrachten [1] und zeitlich integrales Monitoring mit Schadstoff-Dosimetern [1] l?sst sich Topographie und Bewegung von Schadstofffahnen im Grundwasser bestimmen. Konventionelle Methoden der Entnahme und Untersuchung von Wasserproben sind ungeeignet zur Erfüllung dieser Anforderungen. Sorptionsaktive Passivsammler, die für entsprechende Untersuchungen in der Gasphase konzipiert sind, eignen sich nicht zur Aquiferuntersuchung. Die Passivsammler zur Untersuchung im ungest?rten Aquifer sind zentraler Bestandteil eines Systems von Probenahme- und Messsonden, das die Autoren für das Monitoring chemischer und hydraulischer Wasser-Parameter entwickelt haben. Mit den Passivsammlern lassen sich die relativen Schadstofffrachten in beliebig enger tiefenorientierter Anordnung der Messpunkte und auch zeitlich integriert zur Gewinnung von vertikalen relativen Schadstofffracht-Profilen ermitteln. Organische und anorganische relative Schadstofffrachten k?nnen damit bestimmt werden. Die gaiasafe-Passivsammler sind einfach handhabbar und lassen sich nach standardisierten chemischen Analysenmethoden auswerten. Damit erfüllen sie eine Reihe wesentlicher Anforderungen an das zielführende Monitoring von Schadstofffahnen. Die Passivsammler sind auch geeignet für die In-situ-Untersuchung von ruhigen und bewegten Gew?ssern auch in gro?er Tiefe z.B. Abw?sserkan?le, Kl?ranlagen, Flüsse und Meere und insbesondere zum Nachweis von Kontaminanten und Spurenstoffen in Wasserproben. Online First: 10. 01. 2001     

Environmental perceptions of Irish and Bavarian pupils: an empirical study

The present study deals with the evaluation of environmental/ecological perceptions of secondary school pupils. It has two major objectives. Firstly, to administer a measurement instrument to explore ecological/environmental perceptions for a sample of approximately 900 Irish secondary school pupils aged between 12 and 16 years. The operation and use of three subscales, environmental behaviour, utilization of nature and consideration for conservation, was based on a previous study undertaken in Bavaria, but its structure, dimensionality and reliability was further assessed using psychometric procedures. Secondly, the study monitored the differences in these dimensions between Irish and Bavarian pupils. Common items within the subscale structure were selected from both samples to form a truncated item selection and to function subsequently as the basis for the final factor analysis applied to the combined Irish–Bavarian sample. Comparisons on this basis indicated substantial differences in attitudes and environmental behaviour between pupils from both regions: the Irish sample favoured less conservational values, but more patronage for the utilization of nature and it revealed less willingness to take and plan action in individual environmental behaviour. In addition, the Irish sample disclosed a significantly greater gender difference in the two subscales.