Nutrient concentrations in Maryland non-tidal streams

Using a spatially extensive database from the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS), we describe nutrient relationships of small-order, non-tidal streams to Maryland watershed basins, Maryland Tributary Strategy basins, and stream order. In addition, we estimate the number of stream km affected by nutrient loading, using derived nutrient criteria. Based on the MBSS spring water quality sampling, we determined several important factors relating to nutrient levels in non-tidal streams. There are strong linear relationships of nutrients to the percentage of agriculture and forested land present within MBSS sampling strata. Both mean total nitrogen (TN) and mean total phosphorus (TP) levels for watershed basins by stream order show exceedances of derived nutrient reference criteria for Maryland. Four Maryland basins have over 85% of their stream kilometers exceeding the TN criterion, with three basins over 90% of the TP criterion. To protect small stream integrity in Maryland, we recommend an upper stream TN criterion between 1.34 and 1.68 mg/L and an upper stream TP criterion between 0.025 and 0.037 mg/L, based on quantile analyses. Elevated levels of both TN and TP are present in non-tidal streams, with subsequent nutrient inputs into the upper freshwater tidal reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.     

Elevated CO2 affects the behavior of an ecologically and economically important coral reef fish

We tested the effect of near-future CO₂ levels (≈490, 570, 700, and 960 μatm CO₂) on the olfactory responses and activity levels of juvenile coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus, a piscivorous reef fish that is also one of the most important fisheries species on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Juvenile coral trout reared for 4 weeks at 570 μatm CO₂ exhibited similar sensory responses and behaviors to juveniles reared at 490 μatm CO₂ (control). In contrast, juveniles reared at 700 and 960 μatm CO₂ exhibited dramatically altered sensory function and behaviors. At these higher CO₂ concentrations, juveniles became attracted to the odor of potential predators, as has been observed in other reef fishes. They were more active, spent less time in shelter, ventured further from shelter, and were bolder than fish reared at 490 or 570 μatm CO₂. These results demonstrate that behavioral impairment of coral trout is unlikely if pCO₂ remains below 600 μatm; however, at higher levels, there are significant impacts on juvenile performance that are likely to affect survival and energy budgets, with consequences for predator–prey interactions and commercial fisheries.     

Heavy Metals in Terrestrial Macroinvertebrates: Species Differences Within and Between Trophic Levels

Whole animal concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd were measured in herbivorous (1 snail species; 1 dipteran larva species), herbivorous + detritivorous (2 slug species), detritivorous (3 woodlouse species; 3 earthworm species), and carnivorous (1 carabid beetle species; 1 lithobiid centipede species) terrestrial macroinvertebrates collected at a disused Pb/Zn mine site. No evidence was found for an accretion of any metal during transference from herbivores to carnivores; the highest metal concentrations were, in fact, generally found in detritivores. The lack of metal bio-amplification during food chain transference is probably due to the sequestration of metals (notably Pb and Zn) in insoluble inorganic-rich granules within certain target organs and cells.

Earthworms and woodlice, respectively, showed major differences in metal concentrations. These differences between closely related species frequently exceeded differences between unrelated species occupying different trophic levels, and may be attributable to a combination of ill-defined ecological and physiological differences that ensure habitat and resource partitioning.     

Ecosystem Impacts of Geoengineering: A Review for Developing a Science Plan

Geoengineering methods are intended to reduce climate change, which is already having demonstrable effects on ecosystem structure and functioning in some regions. Two types of geoengineering activities that have been proposed are: carbon dioxide (CO(2)) removal (CDR), which removes CO(2) from the atmosphere, and solar radiation management (SRM, or sunlight reflection methods), which reflects a small percentage of sunlight back into space to offset warming from greenhouse gases (GHGs). Current research suggests that SRM or CDR might diminish the impacts of climate change on ecosystems by reducing changes in temperature and precipitation. However, sudden cessation of SRM would exacerbate the climate effects on ecosystems, and some CDR might interfere with oceanic and terrestrial ecosystem processes. The many risks and uncertainties associated with these new kinds of purposeful perturbations to the Earth system are not well understood and require cautious and comprehensive research.     

Relationship of Hydrocarbons to Oxidants in Ambient Atmospheres

The relation of ambient levels of hydrocarbons to the products of atmospheric photochemistry has proved to be an elusive problem. Models to account for the photochemical processes are available based on laboratory examination of simulated atmospheres. Likewise, dispersion models are available which, for nonreacting species, can predict air quality given knowledge of emission rates and meteorological variables. However, integration of the dispersion model with the photochemical model is as yet an unsolved problem. In this study an empirical approach was applied in which the only assumption made was that there exists a relationship between early morning average hydrocarbon concentrations and subsequent maximum hourly average oxidant concentrations. A direct examination of all available days in several cities shows that, at any given hydrocarbon level, there exists a limit on the amount of oxidant which can be generated. Specifically it shows that the average 6:00–9:00 A.M. concentration of 0.3 ppm C nonmethane hydrocarbon can be expected to produce a maximum hourly average oxidant concentration of up to 0.1 ppm.     

Proportional Sampling System for the Collection of an Integrated Auto Exhaust Gas Sample

Carbon baking process involves evolution of fumes containing hydrocarbons and soot particles which cannot be discharged directly into the atmosphere. An incinerator can be used to clean these fumes. However, length of the baking cycle, nature of the fumes and variations in fume volume and temperature may result in excessive auxiliary fuel usage and inefficient incineration, if the incinerator is not designed properly. This paper describes the application of fundamental knowledge of aerodynamics, reaction kinetics and combustion, together with clear understanding of the process, in design of a highly efficient, fully automated incinerator. The design incorporates a unique but simple control system which results in reduction of auxiliary fuel usage without endangering the safety and efficiency of the incineration process. Operations and economics of the incinerator are described by illustrating a typical baking cycle and comparing actual fuel usage with the thermal ratings of the incinerator. Operating experience from a number of installations in the U. S. and Canada is also noted.     

Estimating reference nutrient criteria for Maryland ecoregions

Management of stream nutrients is becoming increasingly important in order to protect both water quality and aquatic resources throughout the USA. Using an extensive water quality database from the long-term Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS), we describe nutrient relationships to landscape characteristics as total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) of small-order, non-tidal streams in USEPA L2 and L3 ecoregions in Maryland and by MBSS stream order at the L2 and L3 ecoregion levels. To protect stream ecosystem integrity, preliminary reference nutrient estimates (TN and TP) as percentiles (25th of all stream reaches and 75th of stream reference reaches) for the six Maryland L3 ecoregions are: Blue Ridge TN 0.29 and 0.64 mg/L, TP 0.0065 and 0.0090 mg/L; Central Appalachians TN 0.40 and 1.0 mg/L, TP 0.0060 and 0.015 mg/L; Middle Atlantic Coastal Plains TN 0.93 and 2.5 mg/L, TP 0.094 and 0.065 mg/L; Northern Piedmont TN 1.6 and 1.8 mg/L, TP 0.010 and 0.015 mg/L; Ridge and Valley TN 0.40 and 0.98 mg/L, TP 0.0063 and 0.012 mg/L; and Southeastern Plains TN 0.33 and 0.82 mg/L, TP 0.016 and 0.042 mg/L. High levels of both TN and TP are present in many streams found in non-tidal watersheds associated with all Maryland ecoregions, but are especially elevated in the Northern Piedmont and Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain ecoregions, with the latter second-order streams (average TN?>?2.9 mg/L) significantly higher than all other ecoregion–order combinations. Across all six ecoregions, mean nutrient loading for both TN and TP was generally equivalent in first-order streams to nutrient concentrations seen in both second- and third-order streams, indicating a definite need to increase efforts in preventing nutrients from entering first-order streams. Small-order stream nutrient levels are the drivers for subsequent TN and TP inputs into the upper freshwater tidal reaches of the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in a potential risk for altered estuarine ecosystems.