Use of sub-micron sized resin particles for removal of endocrine disrupting compounds and pharmaceuticals from water and wastewater

Endocrine disrupting compounds(EDCs) and pharmaceuticals pose a challenge for water and wastewater treatment because they exist at very low concentrations in the presence of substances at much higher concentrations competing for adsorption sites.Sub-micron sized resin particles(approximately 300 nm in diameter)(SMR) were tested to evaluate their potential as a treatment for EDCs including:17-β estradiol(E2),17-α ethinylestradiol(EE2),estrone(E1),bisphenol A(BPA),and diethylstilbestrol(DES) as well as 12 pharmaceuticals.SMR were able to remove 98%of spiked E2,80%of EE2,87%of BPA,and up to 97%of DES from water.For a 0.5 ppm mixture of E2,EE2,E1,BPA and DES,the minimum removal was24%(E2) and the maximum was 49%(DES).They were also able to remove the pharmaceuticals from deionized water and wastewater.Overall,SMR are a promising advanced treatment for removal of both EDCs and pharmaceuticals.     

Age-dependent attractivity of males�� sexual pheromones in Bombus terrestris (L.) [Hymenoptera, Apidae]

Males of Bombus terrestris (L.) adopt a patrolling behaviour during their nuptial parade using cephalic labial gland (CLG) secretions containing sexual pheromones to attract conspecific virgin queens. The changes in chemical composition of their CLG secretions with age are quite well known. In this study, we investigate the evolution of CLG secretions with age in greater detail and compare behavioural reactions of conspecific virgin queens to the secretions. We show that compounds of CLG secretions follow two profiles. Most of the compounds increase from the first day after emergence until the bees are 15-days-old and then decrease. Others are less abundant in 1 to 15-day-old males and then increase (e.g. tricosane, tricosene, henicosane, tetradecanoic acid, pentacosene, pentacosane, heptacosene, heptacosane, nonacosene and geranylcitronellyl tetradecanoate). Differences in secretion composition lead to preferences of virgin queens for males according to the male??s age. Virgin queens prefer the pheromonal gland secretions of bees of the following ages in decreasing order; 1?day?=?3?days?<?7?days?=?30?days?<?15?days?<?10?days. The virgin queens are strongly attracted by secretions containing high amounts of 2,3-dihydrofarnesol, 2,3-dihydrofarnesal, ethyl dodecanoate and hexadecanol. On the contrary, geranylcitronellol is more abundant in 30-day-old males.     

Use of polymeric sub-micron ion-exchange resins for removal of lead, copper, zinc, and nickel from natural waters

This research investigated the removal capacity of polymeric sub-micron ion-exchange resins(SMR) for removal of lead, copper, zinc, and nickel from natural waters in competition with natural organic matter(NOM). Polymeric SMR particles were created and tested to ensure that they were adequately dispersed in the solution. They removed little NOM(10%or less) from river water and wastewater, indicating that competition from NOM was not a major concern. SMR were able to remove 82% ± 0.2% of lead, 46% ± 0.6% of copper, 55% ±20% of zinc, and 17% ± 2% of nickel from river water spiked with 500 μg/L of each. Similarly,in wastewater, they were able to remove 86% ± 0.1% of lead, 38% ± 0.8% of copper, 28% ± 1%of zinc, and 11% ± 1% of nickel.     

Supporting evidences for vegetation-enhanced stormwater infiltration in bioretention systems: a comprehensive review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Stormwater mitigation efficiency of bioretention systems relies for a large part on their capacity to infiltrate rapidly received runoff. Within this...     

Functional connectivity from a reef fish perspective: behavioral tactics for moving in a fragmented landscape

Functional connectivity, the degree to which the landscape facilitates or impedes movement, depends on how animals perceive costs and benefits associated with habitat features and integrate them into a movement path. There have been few studies on functional connectivity in marine organisms, despite its importance for the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas. In this study, we asked how open sand and conspecific distribution affected functional connectivity of longfin damselfish (Stegastes diencaeus) on fringing reefs in Barbados. We translocated 102 individuals to sites varying in sand gap width and in configuration: Continuous (solid reef between release site and territory); Detour (sand along the direct path between release site and territory, but an alternative, continuous solid U-shaped reef path); and Patch (sand between release site and territory, but an alternative stepping stone path). We visually tracked and mapped every homing path. We found no evidence of a barrier to movement in the Continuous configuration, but sand was a partial barrier in Detour and Patch configurations. The probability of crossing the sand gap dropped below 50% when its width was > 1.85 m in Detour and > 3.90 m in Patch configuration. Damselfish avoiding large gaps took detours that approximated the route maximizing travel over reef, but they crossed more short sand gaps and fewer conspecific territories, suggesting avoidance of agonistic interactions. This study quantifies for the first time the size and steepness of a barrier to movement in a marine organism, and it provides evidence for effects of both landscape configuration and conspecific distribution on functional connectivity.     

The effect of other orientation on self–supervisor rating agreement

Employees generally rate their performance more favorably than do their supervisors, which can lead to conflict and poor job performance. However, comparative international research indicates that persons from other‐oriented collectivist cultures are less self‐enhancing, suggesting that other‐oriented employees will exhibit greater agreement with ratings provided by their supervisors. We examined the effect of subordinates' other orientation on self‐supervisor performance rating agreement. Consistent with cultural expectations, self‐ratings of other‐oriented subordinates showed greater agreement with ratings provided by their supervisors and less leniency relative to their supervisors' evaluations. These findings have implications for understanding how employees in different professions, organizations, and cultures utilize feedback from their supervisors. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Agricultural BMP Effectiveness and Dominant Hydrological Flow Paths: Concepts and a Review

We present a conceptual framework that relates agricultural best management practice (BMP) effectiveness with dominant hydrological flow paths to improve nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management. We use the framework to analyze plot, field and watershed scale published studies on BMP effectiveness to develop transferable recommendations for BMP selection and placement at the watershed scale. The framework is based on the location of the restrictive layer in the soil profile and distinguishes three hydrologic land types. Hydrologic land type A has the restrictive layer at the surface and BMPs that increase infiltration are effective. In land type B1, the surface soil has an infiltration rate greater than the prevailing precipitation intensity, but there is a shallow restrictive layer causing lateral flow and saturation excess overland flow. Few structural practices are effective for these land types, but pollutant source management plans can significantly reduce pollutant loading. Hydrologic land type B2 has deep, well‐draining soils without restrictive layers that transport pollutants to groundwater via percolation. Practices that increased pollutant residence time in the mixing layer or increased plant water uptake were found as the most effective BMPs in B2 land types. Matching BMPs to the appropriate land type allows for better targeting of hydrologically sensitive areas within a watershed, and potentially more significant reductions of NPS pollutant loading.