Measuring for success in communications for permits

Today, U.S. corporations are discovering the merit of combining the principles of total quality environmental management (TQEM) into their measurement and communications programs. This approach has been particularly productive in the permitting process that is necessary for starting, expanding, or sustaining plant operations—a procedure that can easily be thwarted in the absence of a prominent and aggressive communications component. The need to benchmark and measure such a communication program'S progress is critical both for internal management and for environmental regulators concerned that an applicant demonstrate a high degree of public involvement.     

Structure elucidation of four possible biogenic organohalogens using isotope exchange mass spectrometry

The molecular structures of four unknown bioaccumulating halogenated compounds, C10H6N2Br3Cl3, C10H6N2Br4Cl2, C10H6N2Br5Cl, and C10H6N2Br6 were characterized using isotope exchange positive chemical ionization (IE-PCI) mass spectrometry (MS) and identified by comparison to synthesized standards. NH3 and ND3 were used as reagent gases for the IE-PCI-MS experiment. The shift in mass of the quasimolecular ion between the NH3 and ND3 PCI obtained spectra indicated the number of exchangeable hydrogens attached to the two nitrogen atoms in C10H6N2Br4Cl2, and thus the type of amines present (primary, secondary, or tertiary). 19 compounds (13 amines of varying degree of substitution; six containing no nitrogen) were used as reference compounds and controls in the experiment to validate the IE-PCI technique. The results of the IE-PCI-MS indicated the presence of two tertiary amine functional groups. The molecular structures of the four hexahalogenated compounds were then proposed to be 1,1'-dimethyl-3,3',4,-tribromo-4',5,5'-trichloro-2,2'-bipyrrole, 1,1'-dimethyl-3,3',4,4'-tetrabromo-5,5'-dichloro-2,2'-bipyrrole, 1,1'-dimethyl-3,3',4,4',5-pentabromo-5'-chloro-2,2'-bipyrrole, and 1,1'-dimethyl-3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexabromo-2,2'-bipyrrole and subsequently synthesized. Comparison of retention times and electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) full scans on various gas chromatography (GC) columns between the synthesized bipyrroles and the corresponding unknown compounds in biota indicated that three of the unknown compounds--possible marine natural products--were the proposed halogenated dimethyl bipyrroles. The placement of the halogen atoms on the fourth compound, C10H6N2Br3Cl3 could not be unequivocally determined since the synthesized standard could not be fully characterized.     

Preliminary measurements of summer nitric acid and ammonia concentrations in the Lake Tahoe Basin air-shed: implications for dry deposition of atmospheric nitrogen

Over the past 50 years, Lake Tahoe, an alpine lake located in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the border between California and Nevada, has seen a decline in water clarity. With significant urbanization within its borders and major urban areas 130 km upwind of the prevailing synoptic airflow, it is believed the Lake Tahoe Basin is receiving substantial nitrogen (N) input via atmospheric deposition during summer and fall. We present preliminary inferential flux estimates to both lake surface and forest canopy based on empirical measurements of ambient nitric acid (HNO3), ammonia (NH3), and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) concentrations, in an effort to identify the major contributors to and ranges of atmospheric dry N deposition to the Lake Tahoe Basin. Total flux from dry deposition ranges from 1.2 to 8.6 kg N ha-1 for the summer and fall dry season and is significantly higher than wet deposition, which ranges from 1.7 to 2.9 kg N ha-1 year-1. These preliminary results suggest that dry deposition of HNO3 is the major source of atmospheric N deposition for the Lake Tahoe Basin, and that overall N deposition is similar in magnitude to deposition reported for sites exposed to moderate N pollution in the southern California mountains.     

Effects of ozone, acid mist and soil characteristics on clonal Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)--an introduction to the joint 14 month tree exposure experiment in closed chambers

This paper introduces a series of publications referring to a single 14-month laboratory study testing the hypothesis that the recent decline of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) at higher elevations of the Bavarian Forest and comparable forests in medium-range mountains and in the calcareous Alps is caused by an interaction of elevated ozone concentrations, acid mist and site-specific soil (nutritional) characteristics. The effect of climatic extremes, a further important factor, was not included as an experimental variable but was considered by testing of the frost resistance of the experimental plants. Results of these individual studies are presented and discussed in the following 14 papers. Plants from six pre-selected clones of 3-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were planted in April 1985 in an acidic soil from the Bavarian Forest, or a calcareous soil from the Bavarian Alps. After a transition period, plants were transferred, in July 1986, into four large environmental chambers and exposed for 14 months to an artificial climate and air pollutant regime based on long-term monitoring in the Inner Bavarian Forest. The climatic exposure protocol followed realistic seasonal and diurnal cycles (summer maximum temperature, 26 degrees C; total mean temperature, 9.8 degrees C; winter minimum, -14 degrees C; mean relative humidity, 70%; maximum irradiance, 500 W m(-2); daylength summer maximum, 17 h; winter minimum, 8 h). Plants were fumigated with ozone, generated from pure oxygen (control: annual mean of 50 microg m(-3); pollution treatment: annual mean of 100 microg m(-3) with 68 episodes of 130-360 microg m(-3) lasting 4-24 h), and background concentrations of SO(2) (22 microg m(-3)) and NO(2) (20 microg m(-3)); windspeed was set at a constant 0.6 m s(-1). Plants were additionally exposed to prolonged episodes of misting at pH 5.6 (control) and pH 3.0 (treatment). Simulation of the target climatic and fumigation conditions was highly reliable and reproducible (temperature +/-0.5 degrees C; rh+/-10%; ozone+/-10 microg m(-3);SO(2) and NO(2)+/-15 microg m(-3)).     

Field Validation of a Conservation Network on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,USA, Using Breeding Birds as Bio-Indicators

Maryland’s Green Infrastructure (GI) is a network of large, intact natural areas (hubs), interconnected by linear swaths of riparian or upland vegetation (corridors). The GI serves significant ecological functions and provides the bulk of the state’s natural support system. This study examined whether the GI as mapped does, in fact, identify Maryland’s most ecologically valuable forested lands, using forest interior dwelling birds (hereafter called “forest birds”) as bio-indicators. We conducted bird point counts within forest both inside and outside of hubs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We also collected a wide variety of habitat data. We found that both the condition of a forest and its surrounding landscape influenced the bird communities. On average, forest bird richness was significantly higher within hubs; furthermore, almost all sites with at least five forest bird species present were in hubs. Forest bird richness and abundance were highest in undisturbed, mature broadleaf forest with wetlands and streams nearby. We detected a significant relationship between forest bird richness and the ecological score of a finer-scale landscape assessment, focused on “cells” of about 0.1 ha in size. This field study also validated the Rapid Field Assessment (RFA) protocol developed in 2001 to assess, on the ground, the relative condition of individual sites or properties within the GI. Forest bird richness and abundance were positively correlated with the RFA community scores. Our results underscore the importance of maintaining regional biological diversity by retaining large blocks of forest, especially mature forest containing streams and wetlands.     

SEDIMENT,NITRATE, AND AMMONIUM IN SURFACE RUNOFF FROM TWO TAHOE BASIN SOIL TYPES 1

ABSTRACT: Few studies have addressed the natural pollution potential of pristine subalpine forested watersheds on a site-specific basis. Consequently, specific source and amounts of nutrient discharge to tributaries of the Tahoe Basin are difficult to identify. The sediment content and nitrate and ammonium levels in surface runoff from two soil types (Meeks and Umpa), four plot conditions (wooded natural and disturbed, open natural and disturbed), and three slopes (gentle, moderate, and steep) were studied using rainfall simulation that applied a 9 cm h¹, 1-h event. A significant (P ≤ 0.005) two-way interaction between soil type and plot condition affected runoff nitrate concentration. Runoff from natural or disturbed open plots contained significantly (P = 0.05) greater nitrate than wooded plots. Peak concentrations of nitrate commonly occurred during early runoff, suggesting that peak nitrate discharge to Lake Tahoe tributaries can be expected during early runoff from snowmelt and summer precipitation events. The highest nitrate runoff concentration and 1-h cumulative loading from the 0.46 m² plots were 6.7 mg L-¹ (Umpa, open natural, 15–30 percent slope), and 0.7 mg (Umpa, open natural, ≥ 30 percent slope), respectively. Ammonium in surface runoff was generally below detection limits (≤ 0.05 μg L^?1). No statistical relationship between runoff nitrate and sediment discharge was detected.     

Die Bedeutung von Lebensmitteln tierischer Herkunft für die Mykotoxinaufnahme beim Menschen

Mycotoxins are a heterogeneous group of secondary fungal metabolites. Their formation in food and feedstuffs is influenced by many factors, including humidity, temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, type of substrate or presence of competitive microflora. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations estimated in 1985 that approximately 25% of the world’s grain supply is contaminated with mycotoxins. There are more than 300 known mycotoxins; however, due to their occurrence and concentrations in food, and their toxic potential, only few of these are relevant with regard to consumer protection. These include the aflatoxins, ochratoxins and trichothecenes like deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and fumonisins. In Germany, only aflatoxins in food and feedstuffs are subjected to legal regulations. Beside the negative effects of mycotoxins on health and performance of farm animals, it is of importance to consider to what extent mycotoxins might be carried over into edible tissues like meat, milk and eggs when fed to farm animals. The present review shows that the carry over of mycotoxins into edible tissues is relatively low and is dependent on the specific mycotoxin and animal species. For example, due to the microbial decomposition of mycotoxins in the rumen, the carry over of mycotoxins into edible tissues of ruminants is considerably lower compared to monogastric species (pigs, chickens). Furthermore, after a short withdrawal period of 4 to 14 days combined with the feeding of non-contaminated diets, most of the mycotoxins, aside from ochratoxin A, are no longer detectable in any edible tissue. Ochratoxin A has a high binding affinity to specific blood proteins and is reabsorbed in the kidney; these mechanisms delay its elimination and increase the withdrawal period to at least 4 weeks. However, aside from the concentration of these substances in food, the daily intake of contaminated food is important for the risk analysis of mycotoxins to humans. In a recent study, it has been shown that more than 50% of the daily intake of ochratoxin A is derived from cereals and cereal products, and 30% from red wine, coffee and beer. Mear products from pigs and chickens only account for 4% of the total intake, while products from ruminants are considered to be negligible. These results indicate that mycotoxin-contaminated edible tissue, as compared to plant products, only plays a minor role with respect to consumer protection.