Arsenic and major cation hydrogeochemistry of the Central Victorian (Australia) surface waters

This paper reports on the major cations（Ca, Mg, Na and K） and arsenic（As） compositions of surface waters collected from major creeks, rivers and lakes in Central Victoria （Australia）. The surface waters were found to be neutral to alkaline （pH 6.7-9.4）, oxidised （average redox potential （Eh） about 130 mV） and showed variable concentrations of dissolved ions （EC, about 51-4386 /μS/cm）. The concen- trations of dissolved major cations in surface waters were found to be in the order of Na〉〉Mg〉Ca〉K and in soils the contents of metals followed an order of abundance as： Ca〉Mg〉〉K〉Na. While Na was the least abundant in soils, it registered the highest dissolved cation in surface waters. Of the four major cations, the average concentration ofNa（98.7 mg/L） was attributed to the weathering of feldspars and atmospheric input. Relatively highly dissolved concentrations of Na and Mg compared with the world average values of rivers reflected the weathering of rock and soil minerals within the catchments. The As soil level is naturally high（linked to lithology） as reflected by high background soil values and mining operations are also considered to be a contributory factor. Under relatively alkaline-oxidative conditions low mobility of dissolved As （average about 7.9 μg/L） was observed in most of the surface waters with a few higher values（〉15 μg/L） around a sewage disposal site and mine railings. Arsenic in soils is slowly released into water under alkaline and/or lower Eh conditions. The efficient sink of Fe, AI and Mn oxides acts as a barrier against the As release under near neutral-oxidising conditions. High As content （average about 28.3 mg/kg） in soils was found to be associated with Fe-hydroxides as revealed by XRD and SEM analysis. The dissolved As concentration was found to be below the recommended maximum levels for recreational water in all surface waters（lakes and rivers） in the study area. Catchment lithology exerted the fundamental control on surface water chemistry. Sites impacted by mining waste dumps showed a decline in water quality.     

Researching Under Fire: Issues for Consideration When Collecting Data and Information in War Circumstances, with Specific Reference to Relief and Reconstruction Projects

The post-Cold War era has witnessed an increased number of conflicts and higher levels of international intervention by the humanitarian community and the military. Those who undertake to research the actions of relief and development agencies acting in these wars must act within new parameters that require a flexible, innovative and reflective approach. Not much is known about data collection in war. The most relevant publications come from the field of development studies. This paper is a beginning in a much-needed discourse on researching under fire; it is offered not as a definitive work, but as a starting-point for discussion.     

草甘膦和铅联合暴露对入侵蓝藻—拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）联合毒性评价

为探究农药和重金属对拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）的联合毒性效应, 本试验研究了草甘膦和铅单一及联合暴露对其生长、叶绿素含量、光合系统和抗氧化酶的影响. 结果表明：和对照相比,拟柱孢藻的生长率在低浓度草甘膦（0.7 mg·L^-1）和铅（0.1和10 mg·L^-1）单一暴露时显著升高, 而在高浓度草甘膦（17.1 mg·L^-1）暴露时明显降低. 同时, 草甘膦和铅联合暴露与单一暴露相比生长率也显著下降, 表明联合暴露后对拟柱胞藻毒性增强. 联合暴露后荧光诱导曲线初始斜率（M₀）、相对可变荧光（V_J）、单位反应中心天线色素吸收的光能（ABS/RC）、反应中心的热耗散能量（DI₀/RC）、用于还原Q_A的能量（TR₀/RC）和能量耗散量子比率（φ_D0）和草甘膦或铅单一暴露相比均显著升高;以吸收光能为基础的性能指数（PI_ABS）、PSII 潜在活性（F_V/F₀）、最大光化学效率φ_P0、t = 0时传递链中超过Q_A的其他电子受体的概率ψ₀和用于热耗散的量子比率φ_E0则显著降低,说明联合暴露能减少有活性的光合反应中心, 减缓电子传递速率, 造成Q_A^-大量累积. 低浓度的草甘膦和铅单一暴露后和对照组相比叶绿素a含量、PI_ABS和φ_E0升高而ABS/RC和DI₀/RC降低,表明拟柱孢藻整体光合活性增加. 同时, 草甘膦和铅单一或联合暴露均影响了SOD和CAT活性. 因此,草甘膦与铅联合暴露和单一暴露相比PSII反应中心损伤和电子传递速率抑制加大, 光合效率下降更加明显, 最终影响拟柱孢藻生长.     

Biology and management of two important <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conyza</Emphasis> weeds: a global review

Weed management is one of the prime concerns for sustainable crop production. Conyza bonariensis and Conyza canadensis are two of the most problematic, noxious, invasive and widespread weeds in modern-day agriculture. The biology, ecology and interference of C. bonariensis and C. canadensis have been reviewed here to highlight pragmatic management options. Both these species share a unique set of biological features, which enables them to invade and adapt a wide range of environmental conditions. Distinct reproductive biology and an efficient seed dispersal mechanism help these species to spread rapidly. Ability to interfere strongly and to host crop pests makes these two species worst weeds of cropping systems. These weed species cause 28–68 % yield loss in important field crops such as soybean and cotton every year. These weeds are more prevalent in no-till systems and, thus, becoming a major issue in conservation agriculture. Cultural practices such as crop rotations, seed rate manipulation, mulching, inter-row tillage and narrow row spacing may provide an effective control of these species. However, such methods are not feasible and applicable under all types of conditions. Different herbicides also provide a varying degree of control depending on crop, agronomic practices, herbicide dose, application time and season. However, both these species have evolved resistance against multiple herbicides, including glyphosate and paraquat. The use of alternative herbicides and integrated management strategies may provide better control of herbicide-resistant C. bonariensis and C. canadensis. Management plans based on the eco-biological interactions of these species may prove sustainable in the future.     

From Relief to Development: The Long-term Effects of 'Temporary' Accommodation on Refugees and Displaced Persons in the Republic of Croatia

The increasing scale of international intervention in conflict is generating new pressures on the humanitarian community. Increased expenditure on emergency relief, static levels of overseas development aid and subsequent lack of funds for development are dictating that agencies design relief projects that positively effect developmental reconstruction.
This paper examines the provision of shelter for refugees and displaced persons in the Republic of Croatia and identifies ways in which it has encouraged and discouraged sustainable reconstruction. It argues that to promote lasting reconstruction, programmes must focus on saving livelihoods as well as lives, thus minimising the long-term psychological and physical impacts of aid on refugees, displaced persons and host communities.     

Factors affecting in vitro plant regeneration of the critically endangered Mediterranean knapweed (Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch et. Mey)

Habitat destruction has resulted in the extinction of many plant species from the earth, and many more face extinction. Likely, the annual endemic Mediterranean knapweed (Centaurea tchihatcheffii) growing in the Golbasi district of Ankara, Turkey is facing extinction and needs urgent conservation. Plant tissue culture, a potentially useful technique for ex situ multiplication, was used for the restoration of this ill-fated plant through seed germination, micropropagation from stem nodes, and adventitious shoot regeneration from immature zygotic embryos. The seeds were highly dormant and very difficult to germinate. No results were obtained from the micropropagation of stem nodes. However, immature zygotic embryos showed the highest adventitious shoot regeneration on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, containing 1 mg l⁻¹ kinetin and 0.25 mg l⁻¹ NAA. Regenerated shoots were best rooted on MS medium containing 1 mg l⁻¹ IBA and transferred to the greenhouse for flowering and seed set. As such, the present work is the first record of in vitro propagation of critically endangered C. tchihatcheffii, using immature zygotic embryos, and is a step forward towards conservation of this indigenous species.     

城市污水回用于山地绿化灌溉土壤重金属的空间变异性

新疆乌鲁木齐市雅玛里克山国家级绿化示范基地的灌溉用水为雅玛里克山污水厂一级出水(乌鲁木齐生活污水出水). 在面积为59 hm2的污灌区布设了61个采样点,测定了表土(0～20 cm)中Cu,Zn,Ni,Cr,Pb,Cd的含量和pH,有机质(OM)含量,阳离子交换量(CEC)等土壤理化参数,并在此基础上进行了尼梅罗综合污染指数评价和基于地理信息系统(GIS)及地统计学的研究. 结果表明,6种重金属的平均含量均低于国家二级标准(GB15168-1995)限值;采样区的土壤重金属总体上属于轻度污染. Zn,Cr,Pb和Cd含量变异函数曲线的理论模型符合指数模型;Ni和OM含量及CEC的理论模型表现为高斯模型;Cu含量和pH的理论模型为球状模型. Pb,Ni,Cr,OM含量和pH,CEC表现为中等强度的空间自相关,Cu,Zn和Cd含量均表现出强烈的空间自相关. 重金属a值最大的是Pb (450 m),而其他重金属的a值多集中在100～200　m,采用普通克立格最优内插法对未测点重金属,pH,OM含量和CEC进行最优估计,绘制了空间分布图,更直观地反映出了重金属元素及土壤理化参数的空间变异特征.