Assessment of environmental variations caused by a very large floating structure in a semi-closed bay

To assess the environmental impacts of large floating structures, various physical, chemical, and biological parameters were measured. The current and water quality were monitored around a prototype floating structure called the Phase-II Mega-Float model (MF-II model), which was moored off Yokosuka in Tokyo Bay during the period 1999–2000. The effects of the MF-II model on the condition of the physical environment, e.g., the direction and flow rate of water currents and the stratification structure, were negligible. Analysis of water quality showed that the concentrations of chlorophyll a and nutrients only varied just below the MF-II model. However, such variations were localized to within 5 m below the MF-II model since the waters were exchanged because of the tidal current. The minor changes in water quality are attributable to the impedance of photosynthesis due to the sea-covering effect and the activities of sessile organisms fouling the bottom surface of the MF-II model.     

Photosynthetic and growth responses of Japanese sasabamo (Potamogeton wrightii Morong) under different photoperiods and nutrient conditions

Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to examine how photosynthesis and growth occur in Potamogeton wrightii Morong under different photoperiods and nutrient conditions. The experiment was based on a 3×2 factorial design with three photoperiods (16, 12 and 8 h) of 200 μE · m^?2·s^?1 irradiance and two nutrient conditions, high (90 μmol N · L^?1·d^?1 and 9 μmol P · L^?1·d^?1) and low (30 μmol N L^?1·d^?1 and 3 μmol P · L^?1·d^?1). After 14, 28, 56 and 70 days of growth, plants were harvested to determine net photosynthesis rate and various growth parameters. Above- and below-ground biomass were investigated on days 56 and 70 only. Plants under low nutrient conditions had greater leaf area, more chlorophyll a, a higher rate of net photosynthesis and accumulated more above- and below-ground biomass than plants in the high nutrient condition. Plants with an 8 h photoperiod in the low nutrient condition had a significantly higher rate of net photosynthesis, whereas 8 h photoperiod plants in the high nutrient condition had a lower rate of net photosynthesis and their photosynthetic capacity collapsed on day 70. We conclude that P. wrightii has the photosynthetic plasticity to overcome the effects of a shorter photoperiod under a tolerable nutrient state.     

Morphology, growth and carbohydrate storage of the plant Typha angustifolia at different water depths

Morphological characteristics, growth and carbohydrate storage dynamics of Typha angustifolia in relation to water depth were investigated. The study was based on observations carried out in two stands, namely Akigase and Teganuma, for two growth seasons. The latter stand was about two times deeper than the former. Teganuma stands exhibited significantly higher number of thick shoots compared to those of Akigase. Conversely, the difference in shoot heights between the two stands was insignificant. The same was true for rhizome lengths. Rhizome diameters were significantly bigger for Teganuma compared to Akigase. Furthermore, both the above and belowground biomass were significantly higher for Teganuma compared to those of Akigase. Teganuma stands allocated 55% of the total biomass to the aboveground parts, while Akigase stands allocated 60%. Similarly, Teganuma exhibited significantly higher stocks of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) compared to Akigase. The higher number of thick shoots and the relatively bigger rhizome diameters in Teganuma are seemingly important tolerance strategies in maintaining effective aeration into the rhizosphere, by reducing internal resistance. In addition, the higher TNC stocks and biomass help not only to enhance survival under anoxia for longer durations, they also provide firm substrate anchorage in the deeper Teganuma stands.     

National implications of a 50% global reduction of greenhouse gases, and its feasibility in Japan

This paper considers three questions concerning a low-carbon society. The first is the implication of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2050. In the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report, released in 2007 (IPCC 2007b; http://www.gtp89.dial.pipex.com/chpt.htm), the suggested limit of increase in average worldwide temperatures is 2–3°C above the current level, but is this consistent with a 50% reduction by 2050? Second, when a 50% reduction in global emissions is envisioned, what is the level of reduction needed in Japan? Should the 50% reduction be uniform for advanced industrial countries and developing countries, or differentiated based on a country’s emissions? Third, how feasible are emission reduction targets in Japan? Even if the emission reduction target set for each country takes into account climate change impact and equity, whether the target is technically, or socially and economically, acceptable is another matter.     

Morphological plasticity of submerged macrophyte Potamogeton wrightii Morong under different photoperiods and nutrient conditions

The morphological plasticity of the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton wrightii under different nutrient conditions and photoperiods was measured in a laboratory controlled experiment for 70 days in Japan. Six treatments were used in this experiment (3 × 2 factorial design with three replications) which consisted of three photoperiods and two nutrient conditions. Both photoperiod and nutrient condition had a pronounced effect on shoot and leaf morphology in P. wrightii. New shoot recruitment, and the length of main and new shoots gradually decreased with shortening photoperiod under both nutrient treatments. Plants under an 8 h photoperiod and high nutrient levels generated significantly more dead leaves (7.42 leaf·shoot^?1) and decomposed shoots (1.3 shoots·pot^?1) than plants under other treatments. Under short photoperiods (12 and 8 h) plants failed to produce flowering spikes in both nutrient conditions. In high nutrient conditions, P. wrightii produced shorter shoots, fewer leaves with shorter and narrower laminas, and smaller petioles compared with plants in the low nutrient condition. This may be adaptive under high nutrient conditions because it lowers foliar uptake and, thus, nutrient toxicity.     

Factors affecting the biodegradability of biodegradable polyester in soil

The biodegradabilities of two polyester, P(3HB-co-3HV) and PCL, in soil were studied to examine the factors affecting the biodegradability of biodegradable plastics in soil. The polymers were mixed with soil and the time course of the biodegradation of the polymer was measured by analyzing the residual polymer. The polymer biodegraded little in early period of the test, but did in the first-order kinetics after a certain time which was dependent on the test substance and soil used. The rate constant and the induction period of the biodegradation were determined from the residual curve. The rate constant and the induction period for P(3HB-co-3HV) increased and reached to the constant values with increasing the particle size of the test substance. Both values depended on the kind of test soil and on the sampling date for the same kind of soil. The variation in the biodegradability among the same kind of soil was primarily attributed to the variation in water content of the soil. The rate constant and the induction period of PCL were smaller and longer than P(3HB-co-3HV), respectively.     

Biological activity of synthetic analogs of tremerogen A-10

The Science of Nature -     

Short-duration exposure of 3-µm polystyrene microplastics affected morphology and physiology of watermilfoil (sp. roraima)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastics are one of the most widely discussed environmental issues worldwide. Several studies have shown the effect of microplastic exposure on...