Small-scale temporal variation and the effect of urbanisation on extracellular enzyme activity in streams

The activity of six extracellular enzymes involved in the degradation of dissolved organic carbon compounds was measured in two highly urbanised and two minimally impacted streams east of Melbourne, Australia, using 4-methylumbelliferyl-substrates. Small-scale temporal variation in enzyme activity was determined by repeatedly sampling the same point in the water column, while the effect of flow was determined by sampling in regions of higher and lower flow in both stream types. Replicate samples showed that enzyme activity was not significantly different over small (minutes) time scales. On five of six sampling occasions the enzyme activity was unaffected by flow. On one sampling occasion in a minimally disturbed stream, the difference between the high- and low-flow regions was statistically significant (ANOSIM, Global R= 0.78, P= 0.03). Enzyme activity profiles (activities of the suite of enzymes) of the streams in urbanised catchments were different to those in minimally disturbed catchments. The measurements made in four different streams showed high reproducibility over short time periods (minutes) which lends greater credibility to analogous spatial studies. Although these results determined that small-scale temporal variability was not significant, and that the effects of flow were generally minimal, it is recommended that spatial and temporal variability in the stream be at least considered before any studies measuring extracellular enzyme activity in stream waters are carried out. Such an approach will lead to conclusions from measurements that are not likely to be confounded by variables such as flow rate or time.     

Saltcedar control and water salvage on the Pecos river, Texas, 1999-2003

A large scale ecosystem restoration program was initiated in 1997 on the Pecos River in Western Texas. Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), a non-native invasive tree, had created a near monoculture along the banks of the river by replacing most native vegetation. Local irrigation districts, private landowners, federal and state agencies, and private industry worked together to formulate and implement a restoration plan, with a goal of reducing the effects of saltcedar and restoring the native ecosystem of the river. An initial management phase utilizing state-of-the-art aerial application of herbicide began in 1999 and continued through 2003. Initial mortality of saltcedar averaged about 85-90%. Monitoring efforts were initiated at the onset of the project to include evaluating the effects of saltcedar control on salinity of the river water, efficiency of water delivery down the river as an irrigation water source, and estimates of water salvage. To date, no effect on salinity can be measured and irrigation delivery was suspended in 2002-2003 due to drought conditions. Water salvage estimates show a significant reduction in system water loss after saltcedar treatment. However, a flow increase in the river is not yet evident. Monitoring efforts will continue in subsequent years.     

Phosphorus runoff from agricultural land and direct fertilizer effects: a review

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important mineral nutrients in agricultural systems, and along with nitrogen (N), is generally the most limiting nutrient for plant production. Farming systems have intensified greatly over time, and in recent years it has become apparent that the concomitant increase in losses of N and P from agricultural land is having a serious detrimental effect on water quality and the environment. The last two decades have seen a marked increase in research into the issues surrounding diffuse losses of P to surface and ground water. This paper reviews this research, examining the issue of P forms in runoff, and highlighting the exceptions to some generally held assumptions about land use and P transport. In particular the review focuses on P losses associated with recent P fertilizer application, as opposed to organic manures, both on the amounts and the forms of P in runoff water. The effects of the physicochemical characteristics of different forms of P fertilizer are explored, particularly in relation to water solubility. Various means of mitigating the risk of loss of P are discussed. It is argued that the influence of recent fertilizer applications is an under-researched area, yet may offer the most readily applicable opportunity to mitigate P losses by land users. This review highlights and discusses some options that have recently become available that may make a significant contribution to the task of sustainable management of nutrient losses from agriculture.     

Preliminary Studies on Converting Agricultural Waste into Biodegradable Plastics,Part I: Corn Distillers’ Dry Grain

Distillers dry grain (DDG) was derivatized either by carboxymethylation, glutaration, maleiation, phthallation, or succination in order to produce anionic materials suitable for complexation with soy protein isolate. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed that derivatization of DDG by all reagents was successful. Blending of derivatized anionic products with soy protein resulted in instant precipitation of gels. The gels were centrifuged, molded, and dried into solid pellets with tensile strengths as high as 1.67MPa, suggesting that these materials could be promising as biodegradable structural materials. Infrared spectroscopy suggested the possibility of complexes forming between soy protein isolate and each of the derivatized DDG samples.     

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from catalytic and thermal oxidizers burning dilute chlorinated vapors

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (dioxins) have been found from 57 field tests on the oxidation of low (a few to a few hundred) parts per million levels of chlorinated and non-chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The oxidation occurs in catalytic oxidizers with platinum, platinum/palladium or chromium(IV) oxide combustion catalysts, or in thermal oxidizers (without a catalyst). The catalyst inlet temperatures ranged from 293 to 573 degrees C. The thermal oxidizer operating temperatures (post-flame) were from 773 to 927 degrees C. Data of the toxic dioxin and furan isomers are reported and also weighted and expressed as international toxic equivalents (TEQ) of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. The maximum stack emissions, 1.07 ng/m3 TEQ, occurred at 293 degrees C. Salient results of this field study are: (1) TEQ levels in the stack exponentially increase with a decrease in operating temperature, an empirical equation is TEQ (ng/dscm)=8.4 exp(-0.0084T degrees C); (2) dioxin/furan production occurs at the combustion catalyst; (3) small variations in temperature cause large changes in the congener distribution of the dioxin and furan isomers; (4) molar TEQ yields from the parent compounds fed to the oxidizers are very small (10(-9)-10(-13)); (5) catalytic and thermal oxidizers may destroy dioxins fed from the ambient air; and (6) the oxidation of chlorinated VOCs with non-chlorinated VOCs reduces emissions of dioxins, likely due to the consumption of Cl in producing HCl. Laboratory investigations are needed to understand how dioxins are formed (and emitted) under conditions of this study.     

Analysis of population genetic structure of the green sea urchin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis</Emphasis>) using microsatellites

We measured within- and among-population genetic variation in the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) at 11 sites in the north Atlantic and northeast Pacific by using four-locus microsatellite genotypes. We found no differentiation among populations from Atlantic Canada, but strong differentiation across the north Atlantic and between the Atlantic and Pacific samples. High inbreeding coefficients at three loci are consistent with high variance in reproductive success. One population that was recently decimated by disease was strongly differentiated from some others, but there was little differentiation otherwise among populations in Atlantic Canada. On a larger scale, populations in Atlantic Canada were more similar to a population from the north Pacific than to populations in the northwest Atlantic. Differentiation among populations at this large spatial scale is consistent with biogeographical hypotheses of: (1) Pleistocene population reduction and isolation in the northeast Atlantic, but (2) extinction in the northwest Atlantic followed by extensive recolonization from the Pacific. In contrast to other recent studies of trans-Atlantic organisms, we found no evidence of extensive gene flow across the north Atlantic.Communicated by R.J. Thompson, St. John's     

The impact of organizational climate on safety climate and individual behavior

Relatively little previous research has investigated the meechanisms by which safety climate affects safety behavior. The current study examined the effects of general organizational climate on safety climate and safety performance. As expected, general organizational climate exerted a significant impact on safety climate, and safety climate in turn was related to self-reports of compliance with safety regulations and procedures as well as participation in safety-related activities within the workplace. The effect of general organizational climate on safety performance was mediated by safety climate, while the effect of safety climate on safety performance was partially mediated by safety knowledge and motivation.     

Evaluation of a Soil‐Based System to Dissipate Multiple Pesticides

Pesticide contaminated wastewater resulting from leftover mixes, equipment cleaning, and container disposal are problems related to pesticide use. This study reports on the effectiveness of a soil‐based bioreactor (SBBR) to dissipate pesticides of differing concentrations and mixtures. In order to accomplish this study, soil columns were used to simulate the SBBR. A mixture of five herbicides and two insecticides from seven different chemical families (atrazine, dicamba, fluometuron, metolachlor, sulfentrazone, chlopyrifus, and λ‐cyhalothrin) were added to the SBBR‐simulated system as formulated products in three concentrations each: 0 part per million (control), 10 ppm, and 100 ppm. Additionally a 1,000 ppm treatment was added that included just the five herbicides to investigate how the system would respond to heavy loading. The system was run for 90 days with samples taken at day 4 (just prior to loading the columns), then at 30, 60, and 90 days. At low pesticide concentrations (10 and 100 ppm), there was significant dissipation (p < 0.05) of all pesticides in the columns except sulfentrazone. At 1,000 ppm, fluometuron, in addition to sulfentrazone, did not show significant dissipation. Overall, the system performed as expected and could be considered practical for use on farms or nurseries. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.