An overview of the gulf coast aerosol research and characterization study: the Houston fine particulate matter supersite

The Gulf Coast Aerosol Research and Characterization Study ([GC-ARCH], also known as the Houston Fine Particulate Matter [PM] Supersite) examined the spatial and temporal variability in fine PM source contributions and composition and the physical and chemical processes that govern PM formation and transformation in southeastern Texas. This was accomplished through the analysis of data collected in a 16-month field sampling program (August 2000 through November 2001). Three core sites and approximately 15 peripheral sites, jointly operated by the study team and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), were used. Key scientific findings related to spatial and temporal variability in fine PM concentrations, sizes and composition of the fine PM, the strength of primary emission sources and causes of secondary fine PM formation are reported.     

Genetic influence on caste in the ant Camponotus consobrinus

Genetic influences on polyethism within social insect colonies are well known, suggesting that the determination of caste (soldiers and minor workers) may also be genetically mediated. The Australian sugar ant Camponotus consobrinus is suitable for such a study, having soldiers and minor workers that follow a complex allometry. Further, although most C. consobrinus colonies are monogynous, 13 of 42 surveyed using microsatellites were found to be polygynous. Thus, although a minority of colonies were polygynous, the great majority of queens live in polygynous colonies. From the 29 monogynous colonies studied, we inferred that the queens are monandrous. Ants from four polygynous colonies were assigned to families on the basis of microsatellite genotypes, after measurements had been taken of head width and scape length. These measurements reflect a complex allometry interpretable as soldier and minor worker growth curves with a large changeover zone. Genetic influence on caste determination was examined by testing for differences between families within colonies in the distribution of scape lengths, residuals from the overall colony allometric curve, and proportions of soldiers and minor workers (as determined by head width falling above or below the inflection point of the overall colony allometric curve). Families in all four colonies differed significantly in caste proportions and in head-width distributions, and three of the four colonies showed significant differences between families in residuals from the overall colony growth curve. Nested ANOVAs using head widths and scape-length residuals showed that when the effect of family is removed, intercolony differences in allometry are negligible. This evidence indicates genetic rather than environmental causes for the observed differences between families. We speculate that this variation may reflect some selective advantage to within-colony heterogeneity between families or that selective differences are few between a wide array of family growth patterns. Received: 16 June 1999 / Received after revision: 13 September 1999 / Accepted: 25 September 1999     

Continuous emissions monitoring using spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A new technology for monitoring airborne heavy metals on aerosols and particulates based on spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SIBS) was evaluated at a joint U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/U.S. Department of Energy test at the rotary kiln incinerator simulator (RKIS) facility at EPA/Research Triangle Park, NC, in September 1997. The instrument was configured to measure lead and chromium in a simulated combustion flue gas in real time and in situ at target levels of 15 and 75 micrograms/dry standard cubic meters. Actual metal concentrations were measured during the tests using EPA Reference Method (RM) 29. The SIBS technology detected both lead and chromium at the low- and high-level concentrations. Additionally, the hardware performed without failure for more than 100 hr of operation and acquired data for 100% of the RM tests. The chromium data were well correlated with concentration increases resulting from duct operations and pressure fluctuations that are known to entrain dust.     

Chemistry,Mineralogy and Morphology of Spodosols at Two Swedish Sites Used to Assess Methods of Counteracting Acidification

The chemistry, mineralogy and morphology of two soil profiles developed on till material of granitic and gneissic composition in south-western Sweden were studied in relation to podzolization processes. These soils were used for treatments with lime and wood ash. The profiles do not show characteristic Podzol morphology but qualify as Spodosols under Soil Taxonomy criteria and are probably typical for the coniferous forest soils of south-western Sweden. Podzolization features are clear but less well expressed than in classic Podzols. The distribution of major elements shows podzolization features with accumulation of sesquioxides in the B horizons and depletion in the eluvial horizons. Quartz and feldspars dominate the bulk soils reflecting the clear relationship between the composition of the soil and the underlying bedrock. Low amounts of clay contain an interlayered vermiculitic phase as the main phyllosilicate in which the degree of interlayering, known to be pH dependent, varies with depth and is at a maximum in the Bhs horizon. In the B horizons there are small but significant amounts of imogolite-type material which affect the adsorption of sulphate.     

Risk of predation and the feeding behavior of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Summary During their first 1–2 years of life, juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are stream-dwelling, and feed upon drifting invertebrates. They move upstream from a holding position to intercept individual prey items; the distance moved (attack distance) is an increasing, but decelerating, function of prey size. Since the fish are presumably more visible to predators during such feeding excursions, prey size and risk are associated variables.The effect on attack distance of the presentation of a model predator (a photograph of a rainbow trout) was examined in the laboratory. Attack distances are shortened following presentation of a predator; this is particularly true when the prey are large (Fig. 1). The extent of the reduction of attack distance is directly related to predator presentation frequency, although there appears to be a minimum level to which it will decline (Fig. 2). Hungry fish and fish in the presence of a competitor (simulated by a mirror) are less responsive to the predator, suggesting a trade-off of energetic requirements and risk (Fig. 3 and Table 3). The effect of predation risk should be to reduce the relative proportion of large prey in a juvenile coho's diet, and its net rate of energy intake.     

Rehabilitation options for inland waterways impacted by sulfidic sediments – A synthesis

The build up of reduced inorganic sulfur in the sediments of inland wetlands and creeks is an emerging risk for the management of inland waterways and is a direct result of secondary salinisation. Inappropriate management of these sediments can lead to a number of adverse environmental outcomes, the most dramatic of which is the extreme acidification of inland waterways, but can also include deoxygenation and the release of heavy metals. This paper explores possible management options for reducing the impact of sulfidic sediments on inland waterways based on previous research into ameliorating the impact of acid mine and acid rock drainage and coastal acid sulfate soils. The main strategies explored include minimising the formation of sulfidic sediments in the first instance, rehabilitation of impacted waterways, or isolation of the water body from the surrounding environment.     

Ciliary Activity and Pulmonary Retention of Inhaled Dust In Rats Exposed to Sulfur Dioxide

While the ciliary activity in the airways of rats exposed to sulfur dioxide at low concentration has been studied repeatedly, the effects of chronic exposure to realistic levels of sulfur dioxide and particulates has not been determined. This paper describes the response of white albino rats to the inhalation of low concentrations of sulfur dioxide while exposed to relatively high concentrations of an inert dust. Test results indicate that no change is found in the ciliary activity or the relative number of dust cells in the alveolar structure of rats exposed to 1 ppm of sulfur dioxide and 1 mg/m³ of a graphite dust.     

Benefits of sustainable waste management in the vegetable greenhouse industry

This study investigated the benefits of an on-site sustainable solid waste treatment and utilization system for the greenhouse industry. The composts made from greenhouse wastes were tested and found to contain high nutrient values and good physical properties, and could be used as high quality growing media. The finished composts were tested in a greenhouse against the conventional growth media (sawdust) and resulted in a 10% yield increase by using the compost. An economic analysis was conducted to show the economic benefits of on-site composting for a greenhouse operation. Based on a four-hectare tomato or pepper greenhouse, and amortizing the capital equipment over five years, the net annual cost of composting represents a savings of dollars 8,000 annually.