Sulfate and conductivity as field indicators for detecting coal-mining pollution

A water quality assessment was conducted on three Appalachian streams polluted by coal mining at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee and Kentucky. Results showed that sulfate was an excellent parameter for detecting the effects of coal mining and that sulfate analyses used in conjunction with conductivity readings provided the best detection index. Acidity and pH readings were relatively insensitive indicators, reflecting the mining pollution only after sulfate concentrations already indicated severe pollution levels.Hydrologist, Big South Fork NRRA, during the study; presently at Cape Lookout National SeashoreHydrologist, NPS, during the study; presently with USDA-Forest Service, Washington, DC.     

Measuring bioavailability of polychlorinated biphenyls in soil to earthworms using selective supercritical fluid extraction

If the release mechanisms during selective chemical extraction of persistent organic pollutants (POP) mimic release mechanisms in natural systems during biological uptake, then a selective non-exhaustive extraction could give a quantitative measure of the bioavailable POP fraction. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is suggested as a possible technique to estimate the amount of bioavailable polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at contaminated sites and hence serve as a new tool in risk assessment. The uptake of PCBs by earthworm (Eisenia foetida) was investigated. PCB contaminated soil was pre-extracted with selective non-exhaustive SFE (50 degrees C, 350 bar, 1h), which removed on average 70% of the individual PCBs. Earthworms were placed in this pre-extracted soil, as well as in untreated soil. After 10 days, the PCB uptake by earthworms in the two systems was compared. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was 83% lower in the pre-extracted system than in the untreated system, demonstrating that SFE extracts primarily bioavailable contaminants. From the data, the bioavailable fraction could also be calculated to be 75%, which is very close to the 70% removed by SFE under the applied conditions. This suggests that the chemical methodology is capable of measuring the bioavailable fraction very accurately in this system.     

Pheromone of the elm bark beetle Scolytus laevis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): stereoisomers of 4-methyl-3-heptanol reduce interspecific competition

Stereoisomers of 4-methyl-3-heptanol (MH) are pheromone components of several Scolytus bark beetles. The elm bark beetle Scolytus laevis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) has in previous studies been caught in traps baited with commercial MH containing all four stereoisomers, but the lure has been considered a weak attractant. In this study, we addressed the question whether stereospecific responses by S. laevis to stereoisomers of MH might contribute to its niche separation from other sympatric Scolytus species. Using GC–MS, we analyzed extracts of hindguts and abdomens from male and female S. laevis and the sympatric S. triarmatus. We also tested all four MH-stereoisomers individually and in combinations in the field to determine their role for S. laevis. All four stereoisomers were synthesized via a boronic ester method with 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol as chiral director. In addition, the (3S,4R)-stereoisomer of MH was prepared through enantioselective, lipase-mediated transesterification of a mixture of the four stereoisomers of MH. Females of both species contained small amounts of syn-MH, and males contained trace amounts of anti-MH. The anti stereoisomer (3R,4S)-MH was attractive to male and female S. laevis, whereas the syn stereoisomer (3S,4S)-MH acted as an inhibitor or deterrent and reduced the catch when added to the attractive isomer. The syn isomer is the main aggregation pheromone component of the larger and sympatric S. scolytus and possibly also of S. triarmatus. The avoidance response of S. laevis to the (3S,4S)-stereoisomer may reduce interspecific competition for host trees.     

Analysis of running child pedestrians impacted by a vehicle using rigid-body models and optimization techniques

Lack of information from vehicle-to-child pedestrian impacts provides considerable challenges when developing vehicle countermeasures for the pediatric population. Crash reconstructions of real-world incidents provide useful information about the vehicle damage and injury outcome but do not permit definitive and quantitative measures of the impact severity given the high level of uncertainty in the initial conditions of the pedestrian and the vehicle prior the impact. This paper develops an advanced methodology for reconstructing child pedestrian–vehicle impacts that combines the crash data with multi-body simulations and optimization techniques for identifying the pedestrian posture and vehicle speed prior to impact. For the child pedestrian posture, a continuous sequence of the running gait was developed based on the literature data and simulations. Using vehicle damage information from an actual child pedestrian crash, an objective function was developed that minimized the difference between vehicle and pedestrian contact points for the simulated child postures, pedestrian, and vehicle speeds. Simulated annealing and genetic optimization algorithms were used to identify sets of potential solutions for the pedestrian and vehicle initial conditions. Local minimums were observed for several response surfaces of the objective function which shows the non-convex nature of the crash reconstruction optimization problem with the chosen objective function. Based on the results of the real-world reconstruction, this study indicates that numerical simulations coupled with heuristic optimization algorithms can be used to reconstruct child pedestrian and vehicle pre-impact conditions.     

Sex pheromones and attractants in the Eucosmini and Grapholitini (Lepidoptera,Tortricidae)

Summary The geometric isomers (E,E)-, (E,Z)-, (Z,E)-, and (Z,Z)-8,10-dodecadien-1-yl acetate were identified as sex pheromone components or sex attractants in the tribes Eucosmini and Grapholitini of the tortricid subfamily Olethreutinae. Species belonging to the more ancestral Tortricinae were not attracted. Each one isomer was behaviourally active in males ofCydia andGrapholita (Grapholitini), either as main pheromone compound, attraction synergist or attraction inhibitor. Their reciprocal attractive/antagonistic activity in a number of species enables specific communication with these four compounds.Pammene, as well as otherGrapholita andCydia responded to the monoenic 8- or 10-dodecen-1-yl acetates. Of the tribes Olethreutini and Eucosmini,Hedya, Epiblema, Eucosma, andNotocelia trimaculana were also attracted to 8,10-dodecadien-1-yl acetates, but several otherNotocelia to 10,12-tetradecadien-1-yl acetates. The female sex pheromones ofC. fagiglandana, C. pyrivora, C. splendana, Epiblema foenella andNotocelia roborana were identified. (E,E)- and (E,Z)-8,10-dodecadien-1-yl acetate are producedvia a commonE9 desaturation pathway inC. splendana. CallingC. nigricana andC. fagiglandana females are attracted to wingfanning males.     

Are politicians office or policy motivated? The case of U.S. governors' environmental policies

Are elected politicians primarily motivated by holding office, thus choosing environmental policies accordingly? Or are they motivated by the chance to implement their preferred environmental policies? Do governors have character, in the sense that they promise and implement environmental policies consistent with their own preferences? To answer these questions, we study the differences in environmental spending across both re-electable and lame duck governors from the two main political parties. In our empirical analysis, we make use of parametric and non-parametric regression-discontinuity approaches. While re-electable governors do not set significantly different policies, lame duck governors do. We argue that in the area of environmental policy governors appear to be primarily office motivated and lack character.     

Sustainable development in four Swedish communities priorities, responsibility, empowerment

The aims were to identify sustainable development priorities and perceived responsibility of sustainable development issues. Differences in opinions between politicians, officials, environmental representatives and the public in four Swedish municipalities were analysed. Sustainable development issues were perceived as more important on the global level than on the municipal and family levels. Among the most important issues on both the global and family levels were clean air, fresh water, and health, whereas decision-making, co-operation, and participation were considered most important on the municipal level. The highest responsibility for sustainable development issues was placed on governments and global organizations and the lowest on the individual. The public felt less individual responsibility and less possibility to influence than did the other groups. The correlation between importance and responsible on municipal and world levels was high but low on the individual level. The responsibility for the most important issue on the family level (clean air) was placed on governments and global organizations. An attitude change is needed to increase responsibility for issues ranked low on individual responsibility. To further raise the awareness of global sustainable development issues, an increased concentration on locally based international co-operation projects is suggested.     

Assessment of organochlorine pesticide pollution in Upper Awash Ethiopian state farm soils using selective pressurised liquid extraction

Upper Awash Agro Industry Enterprises (UAAIE) is one of the major state farms in Ethiopia with known large-scale pesticide use. Although organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been applied for about three decades, no studies have been carried out on levels of residue in the region. In this work a fast selective pressurised liquid extraction (SPLE) methodology has successfully been applied for screening of 13 OCPs in 12 soil samples from different fields in UAAIE, which further strengthen this methodology. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were done using a dual column gas chromatography-electron capture detection system (GC-ECD) and a GC equipped with a mass spectrometer (MS), respectively. The main contaminants identified comprised of previously used persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and currently used insecticides. Low concentrations or non-detectable levels of certain OCPs (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor) indicate a positive phasing out of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Similarly HCHs were found in few soils and at low concentrations. Endosulfans and DDTs were detected in substantial amounts in the soils with Sigmaendosulfans up to 56000 and SigmaDDTs up to 230 ng g(-1) dry weight, which is a threat to the surrounding and downstream ecosystems, especially considering that the investigated OCPs constituted 29000 l of the 63000 l of pesticide applied annually on the fields. Additional concerns must be raised concerning synergistic effects of all pesticides added.     

Trade liberalization, corruption, and environmental policy formation: theory and evidence

This study explores the linkages between trade policy, corruption, and environmental policy. We begin by presenting a theoretical model that produces several testable predictions, including: (i) the effect of trade liberalization on the stringency of environmental policy depends on the level of corruption; and (ii) corruption reduces environmental policy stringency. Using panel data from a mix of developed and developing countries from 1982 to 1992, we find evidence that supports these conjectures. We view these results as representing an attempt at understanding the myriad of complex relationships that exist in an open economy.