Biomass of Speckled Alder on an Air-Polluted Mountain Site and its Response to Fertilization

The article summarizes outcomes of a biomass study conducted in a young speckled alder plantation on a cold mountain site. At this location, the previously existing old forest was clear felled because of damage from air pollution, and present-day surface humus is in need of restoration. The intention of this study was to quantify the biomass and nutrients accumulated by alders and their components and assess whether the initial fertilization resulted in increased biomass production and nutrient accumulation in the biomass. Besides the control, two fertilized treatments were installed. In the surface treatment (SUT), the amendment was applied as a base dressing in small circles around trees. In the planting-hole treatment (PHT), the amendment was incorporated into soil inside the planting holes. Five growth seasons after planting and fertilization, six alders from each treatment were harvested including roots. Their biomass was quantified and analyzed for macroelements. The greatest pool of dry mass (DM) was branches in the control and stem wood in the fertilized treatments. The greatest pools of macroelements were leaves and branches. The most pronounced effects of fertilization were recorded in the DM and consequently in the absolute quantities of nutrients. The DM of an average tree in the control, SUT, and PHT was 85, 226, and 231 g, respectively. The absolute contents of nutrients per tree in the fertilized treatments showed the following increases, as compared with the control: (N) 2.5–2.6 times; (P) 1.6–2.4 times; (K) 1.8–2.1 times; and (Mg) 1.8–2.0 times, respectively. Speckled alder responded positively to fertilization.     

Mutations for activity level in Drosophila jambulina perturbed its pacemaker that controls circadian eclosion rhythm

Mutations for activity level, designated hpa and hra, in Drosophila jambulina altered properties of the pacemaker controlling eclosion rhythm. Entrainment of eclosion rhythm was studied in light-dark (LD) cycles of 12:12 h at 28°C. The wild type strain entrained to LD cycles but the hpa or hra strain did not. When these strains were released from constant light (LL) to constant darkness (DD), the wild type strain free-ran while other two strains were arrhythmic. Temperature cycles entrained the wild type and hpa strain in DD and LL, and when transferred to constant temperature following thermoperiodic entrainment, the wild type strain free-ran in DD, while the hpa strain free-ran in LL as if the input of LL was essential for its free-running state. Temperature cycles entrained the hra strain in DD but not in LL, and free-running rhythmicities were never established, suggesting that the hra mutation has altered the basic properties of its pacemaker.     

The role of chromatin damage in nickel-induced carcinogenesis. A review of recent developments

Over the last years, we have been testing a hypothesis that molecular mechanisms of nickel-induced carcinogenesis include interactions of this metal with major chromatin components; DNA, histones, and protamines. Our investigations using synthetic peptide models have resulted in identification of nickel-binding sites in core histones H3 and H2A and in protamine P2. These are: the internal -Cys110-AIH- motif in histone H3: the C-terminal-E121-SHHKAKGK "tail" motif in histone H2A; and the N-terminal RTH- motif in protamine P2. Ni(II) bound to the H3 and P2 motifs enhances oxidative DNA base damage by H2O2. In contrast, Ni(II) complex with the H2A "tail" is not redox active. However, at pH 7.4, it undergoes hydrolysis yielding a new complex, Ni(II)-SHHKAKGK, reactive with H2O2 and capable of mediating DNA oxidation. The "tail" cutting of H2A has also been observed in cells cultured with Ni(II). In Ni(II) complex with the protamine P2 peptides, H2O2 causes degradation of the metal-binding His3 and the distant Tyr8 residues. This site-specificity results from a long-range structuring effect of Ni(II) on its protamine ligand. In conclusion, Ni(II) binding to some chromatin proteins in somatic and sperm cells may result in oxidative and structural damage to the proteins and DNA. These effects may alter the fidelity of DNA replication and gene expression and thus facilitate carcinogenesis, including paternally-mediated cancer in the progeny.     

Elephants Also Like Coffee: Trends and Drivers of Human–Elephant Conflicts in Coffee Agroforestry Landscapes of Kodagu,Western Ghats,India

Kodagu district produces 2% of the world’s coffee, in complex, multistoried agroforestry systems. The forests of the district harbour a large population of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). The combined effects of high elephant density and major landscape changes due to the expansion of coffee cultivation are the cause of human–elephant conflicts (HEC). Mitigation strategies, including electric fences and compensation schemes implemented by the Forest Department have met with limited success. Building on previous studies in the area, we assessed current spatial and temporal trends of conflict, analysed local stakeholders’ perceptions and identified factors driving elephants into the estates. Our study, initiated in May 2007, shows that the intensity of HEC has increased over the last 10 years, exhibiting new seasonal patterns. Conflict maps and the lack of correlation between physical features of the coffee plantations and elephant visits suggest elephants move along corridors between the eastern and western forests of the district, opportunistically foraging when crossing the plantations. Dung analyses indicate elephants have selectively included ripe coffee berries in their diet. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of wild elephants feeding on coffee berries. If this new behaviour spreads through the population, it will compound an already severe conflict situation. The behavioural plasticity, the multiplicity of stakeholders involved, the difficulty in defining the problem and the limits of technical solutions already proposed suggest that HEC in Kodagu has the ingredients of a “wicked” problem whose resolution will require more shared understanding and problem solving work amongst the stakeholders.     

Synthesis of Ion-Imprinted Alginate Based Beads: Selective Adsorption Behavior of Nickel (II) Ions

Ni(II) imprinted and non-imprinted bioadsorbent alginate beads were prepared, and utilized in the selective adsorption of Ni(II) ions. The optimum adsorption capacity were 6.00 mmol g^?1 at 500 ppm initial metal ion concentration at pH 7 for Ni(II) imprinted alginate beads (IIP). The equilibrium data were applied to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, and it fitted both isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters showed favorable and endothermic nature of adsorption. Ni(II) imprinted bead showed the strong ability to selective adsorption from Cu(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) ions. In conclusion, Ni(II) ion imprinted alginate beads could be used repeatedly without any significant reduce of adsorption capacity.     

Ecotoxicity and genotoxicity assessment of exhaust particulates from diesel-powered buses

Diesel exhaust is one of the major sources of fine and ultra-fine particulate matter in urban air. Toxicity of diesel-powered engine emissions has been quite widely assessed; however, much less information is available on their ecotoxicity. In our study, the kinetic version of the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay based on the ISO 21338:2010 standard was used to characterise the ecotoxicity of diesel-powered buses. It is a direct contact test in which solid samples are tested in suspension and test organisms are in direct contact with toxic particles. The age of the selected buses fell into a wide range; the oldest one was produced in 1987. Diesel engines of different emission standards (Euro0–Euro4) were included. Measured EC₅₀ values of Euro0–Euro1 engine emissions fell into the same range, 1.24–0.96 μg ml^?1, respectively. On the contrary, emission of Euro4 vehicle proved to be non-toxic. Genotoxic potential of the samples was also estimated, using the colorimetric SOS-chromotest?. Genotoxicity was detected also for Euro0 and Euro1 buses, showing correlation with the ecotoxic potential. The fact that the particulates from Euro4 vehicles did not show ecotoxic/genotoxic effect implies that replacing old Euro1 and Euro2 buses can be a highly effective solution for reducing environmental hazard of automotive emissions. The whole-aerosol testing method is a cheap alternative that can be used in engine developments and emission control.     

The Rengen Grassland experiment: bryophytes biomass and element concentrations after 65 years of fertilizer application

The Rengen Grassland Experiment in Germany, established in 1941, consists of the following fertilizer treatments applied under a two cut management: control, Ca, CaN, CaNP, CaNP-KCl, and CaNP-K₂SO₄. The aim of this study was (1) to identify effects of fertilizer application on biomass and species composition of bryophytes and (2) to investigate the impact of fertilizer application on macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), micro- (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn), and toxic (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni) element concentrations in bryophyte biomass. In June 2006, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus was the only bryophyte species recorded in the control. In treatment Ca, R. squarrosus was the dominant bryophyte species whereas Brachythecium rutabulum occurred sporadically only in a single plot of that treatment. The latter was the only bryophyte species collected in CaN, CaNP, CaNP-KCl, and CaNP-K₂SO₄ treatments. Dry matter accumulation of bryophytes was highest in the control (180 g m^???2) followed by Ca (46 g m^???2), CaNP (25 g m^???2), CaNP-KCl (15 g m^???2), CaNP-K₂SO₄ (9 g m^???2), and CaN (2 g m^???2) treatments. A negative correlation between biomass production of bryophytes and dry matter production of vascular plants was revealed up to a threshold value of 400 g m^???2. Above this limit, biomass production of bryophytes remained obviously unaffected by further increase in biomass production of vascular plants. A significant effect of treatment on As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, P, Ca, Mg, K, and N concentrations was revealed. Concentrations of these elements were a function of amount of elements supplied with fertilizers. Bryophytes seem to be promising bio-indicators not only for airborne deposition of toxic element but also for fertilizer introduced as well.     

Determination of arsenic in crude petroleum and liquid hydrocarbons

Total arsenic was determined in crude petroleum and liquid hydrocarbons derived from crude petroleum by extraction with boiling water or boiling aqueous nitric acid (concentration 0.25 to 2.5 M), mineralization of the extracts with concentrated nitric/sulphuric acid, and reduction of the arsenate to arsine in a hydride generator. The arsine was flushed into a helium-DC plasma. The arsenic emission was monitored at 228.8 nm. The total arsenic concentration in 53 crude oil samples ranged from 0.04 to 514 mg L^–1 (median 0.84 mg L^–1). Arsenic was also determined in several refined liquid hydrocarbons and in a commercially available arsenic standard in an organic matrix (triphenylarsine in xylene). The method was checked with NIST 1634b Trace Elements in Residual Fuel Oil. The arsenic concentration found in this standard agreed with the certified value (0.12±0.2 g g^–1) within experimental error. Viscous hydrocarbons such as the fuel oil must be dissolved in xylene for the extraction to be successful. Hydride generation applied to an aqueous not-mineralized extract from an oil containing 1.67 g As mL^–1 revealed, that trimethylated arsenic (520 ng mL^–1) is the predominant arsenic species among the reducible and detectable arsenic compounds. Monomethylated arsenic (104 ng ml^–1), inorganic arsenic (23 ng mL^–1), and dimethylated arsenic (low ng mL^–1) were also detected. The sum of the concentrations of these arsenic species accounts for only 39% of the total arsenic in the sample.On leave from Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India     

Brood sex ratio adjustment in collared flycatchers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula albicollis</Emphasis>): results differ between populations

Recently, a number of studies have found adaptive brood sex ratio (BSR) manipulation in birds. The reason for such manipulations is thought to be the different reproductive value of male and female nestlings. Several studies have found that parental quality and food supply can affect BSR, however results are sometimes inconsistent between species and populations. We investigated BSR patterns in a Hungarian population of Collared Flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) and compared the results with those obtained in a previous study of the same species in Sweden. We found two significant differences. First, the male forehead patch size, a heritable, sexually selected trait, affected the brood sex ratio in the Swedish population, but not in our Hungarian study population. This difference might be a consequence of the different information content of the forehead patch size in the two populations. Second, a seasonal shift in BSR (more sons late in the season) was observed in the Hungarian, but not in the Swedish population.Communicated by J. Graves