The functions of octopine dehydrogenase and D-lactate dehydrogenase in the pedal retractor muscle of thedog whelk Nassarius coronatus (Gastropoda: Nassariidae)

The pedal retractor muscle of Nassarius coronatus, unlike most mollusc muscles, contains high activities of both octopine dehydrogenase (159 IU g^-1 wet wt muscle) and D-lactate dehydrogenase (40 IU g^-1 wet wt muscle). Pedal retractor muscles show accumulation of octopine (increase of 4.7 mol g^-1 wet wt muscle), and a fall in arginine phosphate concentration (decrease of 4.1 mol g^-1 wet wt musscle) after exercise. During recovery from exercise, octopine returns to resting levels after about 120 min, D-lactate accumulates (5.1 mol g^-1 wet wt muscle), and arginine phosphate returns to resting levels within 30 min. D-lactate (2.0 mol g^-1 wet wt muscle) accumulates during long-term exposure to air. The results show that octopine dehydrogenase and D-lactate dehydrogenase can function to catalyze the terminal step of glycolysis during muscle anoxia associated with these different physiological states.     

Alloimmune memory for glycoproteid recognition molecules in sea anemones competing for space

A highly specific recognition system, capable of distinguishing between allogeneic (non-clonemates) and syngeneic (clonemates) conspecifics, exists in Anemonia sulcata (Coelenterata: Anthozoa). During a competitive interaction between allogeneic individuals, specialized structures (acrorhagi) are exposed and used to sting opponents. This complex behavior is called the acrorhagial response. In order to quantify this behavior we measured the acrorhagial response time (period from first contact with opponent to full expansion of acrorhagi). More than 320 reciprocal histoincompatibility responses were recorded. These histoincompatibility (H) markers are free components of the sea anemone mucus: they were characterized as glyco-proteins of a molecular weight <18 KD (Kilo-Dalton) containing terminal -d-glucose and/or -d-mannose. In alloimmune memory testing experiments, the memory trace in A. sulcata was found to persist for 5 d.     

Temporal variation and distribution of trace metals in freshwater and fish from Calabar River, S.E. Nigeria

An investigation on the abundance and distribution of trace metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb) in water, and nine species of fish samples from Calabar river was carried out in 1992. The concentrations of iron (6000–7240gl^–1), zinc (4910–7230gl^–1), and cadmium (3–7gl^–1) showed moderate pollution while those of copper (420–630gl^–1), manganese (23–48gl^–1), chromium (<10–20gl^–1) and lead (<1–10gl^–1) in water were well below WHO permissible levels. Significant seasonal changes (0.001p0.25) were obtained for iron, copper, zinc, manganese and cadmium in water. Furthermore, iron, zinc and cadmium showed statistically significant spatial changes (0.005p0.10). Of the nine fish species studied, no statistically significant relationship between body weight and the concentrations of the metals was observed. The concentrations of the metals per mean total body weight apparently decreases in the order Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn>Pb>Cd=Cr and were within the limits that were safe for consumption.     

Environmental Geochemistry of Soils and Waters of Susaki Area, Korinthos, Greece

Soil and water samples were collected from the Susaki area of Korinthos and analysed for heavy metals in order to evaluate their environmental impact. The geology of the studied area includes ultrabasic rocks and Neogene and Quaternary deposits whereas magnesite veins are found within the ultrabasic rocks. In the north part of the studied area post volcanic emissions of H₂S, CO₂ and H₂O vapor continue to the present day. All the samples were analysed for heavy metals by the ICP method. The element ranges (in g g^–1) for soil samples are: Cu 11–63, Pb 5–256, Zn 21–604, Ni 183–2665, Co 12–124, Mn 456–1434, As 5–104, Sr 44–730, V 21–84, Cr 163–2346, Ba 48–218, Zr 3–41, Y 3–13. The metals Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, Fe, Cu, Mn, As and Sr are enriched in the Susaki soils. The element ranges for water samples are: Cu 65–103ppb, Pb<10ppb, Zn<5ppb, Ni 21–163ppb, Co 2–12ppb, As<30ppb, Cr<20ppb, Ba 36–785ppb, Sb<10ppb, W<10ppb, Bi<30ppb, Mn 0.0–0.9 g g^–1, Fe 0.01–0.22 g g^–1, Na 843–3076 g g^–1, K 98–278 g g^–1, Si 39–65 g g^–1, P 0.1–0.2 g g^–1. There is a natural pollution of soils with elevated concentrations of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe and Cr due to the presence of ultrabasic rocks. Another natural case of As pollution of soils is due to the volcanic activity and the geothermal field in the area. The geochemical data of ground waters and also the ¹⁸, D data showed a mixing in different proportions between sea water and meteoric water.     

Bacteriastrum solitarium Mangin,a stage in the life history of the centric diatom Bacteriastrum hyalinum

The initial cell of Bacteriastrum hyalinum Lauder, which is the result of lateral auxospore formation, is identical with the solitary species B. solitarium Mangin. This evidence was obtained in laboratory cultures on B. hyalinum.     

Influence of salinity and temperature on the oxygen consumption in young juveniles of the Indian prawn Penaeus indicus

Routine oxygen consumption of very young juveniles (0.1 g) of Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards was significantly influenced by ambient temperature and weight of the animal, but not by ambient salinity, when tested at salinities (7, 21, and 35) to which they had been long-term (over 10 days) acclimated. Standard oxygen consumption of young juvenile prawns (1 to 3 g), subjected to step-wise changes in ambient salinity, from sea water to low salinity waters (2 to 6), and measured after short-term (24 h) salinity acclimation at each step, was lowest at salinities where prawns such as those tested occur naturally (10 to 15). The metabolic rates do not appear to have a direct relation to the osmotic gradient, even when the influence of interfering activity is eliminated. It appears that factors other than osmotic gradient will have to be sought in order to explain the metabolic patterns of P. indicus in relation to salinity.     

Aqua regia extractable trace elements in surface soils of venezuela

Surface soils (0–15 cm) were sampled at 10–20 km intervals along two transects in Venezuela. One (1162 km, 70 samples) ran west to east parallel with the Caribbean coastline, the other (920 km, 92 samples) ran south to north from the frontier with Brazil to the Caribbean shore. Sampling took place in both a wet and a dry season. Trace metals were extracted from dried, sieved (<2 mm) soil with boiling aqua regia followed by analysis by ICP or flame AAS. Metal values did not differ significantly between the two seasons and dates were averaged. Geometric mean values for the west–east transect were: Cr=41.5, Cu 17.9, Cs 3.6, Li=13.9, Mn=294, Ni=21.3, Pb=17.4, Sr=39.4, V=60.4 and Zn = 83.7g g^–1, respectively. Similarly, for the south–north transect Cr=21.3, Cu=4.3, Cs=1.1, Li=2.0, Mn=55.7, Ni=4.4, Pb=6.1, Sr=13.3, V=28.2 and Zn=16.7g g^–1, respectively. A classification of samples by lithology showed surface soil composition to be related to rock composition. Metal values were low in the soils in the south of the country, in the Guyana highlands (Gran Sabana). Low Zn contents were prevalent. Lead contents were affected by roadside fallout from vehicles using leaded petrol except that high Pb contents of soils in the Gran Sabana were of more complex origin.     

Evaluation of Public Housing Lead Risk Assessment Data

A unique data set from lead risk assessments performed on 67 public housing developments from across the United States was made available for analyzes. The data set includes results of lead analysis from 5906 dust wipes and from 1222 soil samples. A total of 487 dwelling units in these developments, as well as associated common areas, were sampled, all by the same team of inspectors. The number of dwelling units within a development that were sampled reflected the guidelines then in force, the 1990 Interim HUD Guidelines, rather than those specified in the 1995 Guidelines. Median dust lead loadings for floors, 151gm^–2 (14gft^–2), and window sills, 936gm^–2 (87gft^–2), were much less than former HUD limits of 1076gm^–2 (100gft^–2) and 5380gm^–2 (500gft^–2), respectively and are only about one-third of the recently established limits of 431gm^–2 (40gft^–2) and 2690gm^–2 (250gft^–2). In contrast, the median lead loading for window troughs, 8560gm^–2 (795gft^–2), was almost identical to the HUD clearance limit of 8610gm^–2 (800gft^–2). There was a strong positive correlation between floor and window trough lead loading values for samples from the same dwelling units and those from common areas of the housing developments. Door threshold samples, which may reflect conditions exterior to the dwelling unit, were collected from 53 dwelling units. Median lead loading levels of these samples were more than ten times higher than those in floor samples from the same dwelling units, were about the same as window sill samples and about one-half of levels in window trough samples. Composite sample results, simulated by averaging results from four samples within a dwelling unit, revealed that in order to have the same rate of excedence of standards, the composite standards would have to be reduced, for example, from the single sample value of 1076gm^–2 (100gft^–2) to 527gm^–2 (49gft^–2) for floor samples and from the single sample value of 8610gm^–2 (800gft^–2) to 5160gm^–2 (479gft^–2) for window troughs. For this public housing data set, the portion of the units in developments containing more than 225 units which exceeded the established limit for window samples was the same when using either the full data set or a random one-half of the data set. This suggests that, for this data set, the number of dwelling units sampled was excessive . Thus, the required increase in the number of dwelling units to be sampled specified in the 1995 Guidelines for developments with more than 225 dwelling units, may not have been necessary if this data set is representative of public housing developments in the United States.     

Effect of ionizing radiation on haemoglobin of marine lamellibranchs

The effect of ionizing radiation on the iron-linked protein (haemoglobin) of the marine lamellibranchs Anadara granosa (Linn.) and Cardita antiquata (Lam.) from Bombay waters, India is discussed. Purified haemoglobin solutions were exposed to a ⁶⁰Cobalt source delivering a dose of about 4,600 rad/min, at the sample irradiation point. Radiation damage or degradation was measured spectrophometrically by studying changes in the absorption spectra following irradiation in the presence and absence of oxygen. Exposure to ionizing radiation in general caused a decrease in absorption of both haemoglobins, irrespective of location, viz extra-versus intracellular, at Soret (412 m), (540 to 42 m) and (574 to 76 m) peaks, and an increase in absorption at 510 and 630 m. Upon exposure to a higher dose, O₂Hb of C. antiquata showed an increase in absorption at the protein peak (280 m); exposure to a lower dose, however, resulted in decreased absorption. Furthermore, the changes following irradiation were dependent upon the initial state of the pigment. Oxyhaemoglobin, when exposed to radiation, oxidized to hemiglobin, and hemiglobin reduced to oxyhaemoglobin. The extracellular haemoglobin of high molecular weight (3x10⁶) of the false cockle C. antiquata was found to be extremely radio-resistant, whereas intracellular haemoglobin of low molecular weight (74,000) of the arcid clam A. granosa was highly radiosensitive, since it could not be exposed to doses exceeding 18,000 r.     

Indoor and outdoor household dust contamination in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Despite some progress in reducing the average lead level in the USA, the streets of Cincinnati, Ohio, are still contaminated by heavy metals. High levels of heavy metals will have significant unequivocal ecological impacts and pose a potential health hazard. This study evaluates the level of heavy- metal contamination in household dust and examines its relationships with the external environment. Samples of outdoor and indoor dust were collected from middle-income residential homes in the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan District and the metal content was analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry. Results showed that the mean levels of lead in outdoor and indoor dusts are 650 g g-1 and 377 g g-1 and the copper levels are 253 g g-1 and 510 g g-1, respectively. The median levels are 156 g g-1 and 139 g g-1 for outdoor and indoor lead dusts and 35 g g-1 and 124 g g-1 for outdoor and indoor copper dusts. The degree of contamination may be ascribable to the age of the dwelling unit and the neighbourhood, the time when the unit was last painted, the presence of pets and the type of space heating. In addition, car exhausts seems to be a possible source of contamination.     

Chitinolytic enzymes in the integument and midgut-gland of the shrimpPalaemon serratus during the moulting cycle

Chitinase andN-acetyl--D-glucosaminidase activity were quantified inPalaemon serratus (Pennant) integument and midgut gland during the moulting cycle. Studies were performed on specimens collected near Concarneau, France, in July 1989. The changes in specific activity are different in the two organs: in the midgut gland enzymatic activity is high throughout the whole moulting cycle with a weak peak at the early premoult Stage D1, whereas in the integument the activity of both enzymes is very low throughout post- and intermoult stages and rises only after premoult Stage D1. The highest specific activity is reached in D1 for chitinase and somewhat earlier (D1) forN-acetyl--D-glucosaminidase. The increase in specific chitinolytic activity coincides with an increase in ecdysteroids.     

Allozyme and physiological variation in the scallop Placopecten magellanicus and a general model for the effects of heterozygosity on fitness in marine molluscs

Heterozygosity and growth rate have been correlated in many molluscs, although the phenomenon is not universal. Enhanced growth of heterozygous molluscs has been attributed to lower energetic requirements for basal metabolism. We have investigated heterozygote deficiency, and the correlation between single-locus and multiple-locus heterozygosity and phenotype in juveniles of the scallop Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin). Six samples were collected between 22 November 1984 and 11 December 1985 at Passamaquoddy Bay, New Brunswick, Canada. On average, heterozygote deficiency was small, although somewhat higher at the octopine dehydrogenase (Odh) locus, and decreased with age. No correlation was observed between genotype and growth rate. This result and published records indicate that allozyme heterozygosity of pectinids does not influence growth to the same degree as in other bivalves. However, we have observed in P. magellanicus a correlation between allozyme heterozygosity and octopine accumulation, a trait that relates to functional anaerobiosis, and may be related to the scallop's scope for movement. We combine these results and results from the literature into a model that relates the hypothesis of associative overdominance (at the population genetics level) with the hypothesis of energetic efficiency (at the physiological level). The model assumes that energy savings attributed to heterozygosity are used to maximize fitness. In freely moving molluscs this results in enhanced activity (such as searching for prey or swimming away from a predator), and in sessile molluscs either in enhanced somatic growth in juveniles or gonadal growth in adults.     

Populational distribution I: The digital simulation

This paper presents a method of investigating the distributional pattern of a biological population, using a technique of simulation. The method consists of the comparison of the empirical frequency curve of a population, obtained using the Method of Quadrats, with a simulated one, since the pattern of the simulated curve depends on the simulated distribution. An example is given.     

Arsenic tissue concentration of immature mice one hour after oral exposure to gold mine tailings

A potentially high bioavailability of arsenic in gold mine tailings from a site in northern California has been suggested by solubility studies. To help address this issue, an in vivo dosing study was conducted using 12dayold Swiss Webster mouse pups (n=8/group). A sample of sizefractionated mine tailings from the site (<20m particle size, 691g g^–1 arsenic) was prepared as an aqueous suspension and administered by gavage in a volume that provided 4mg As/kg body weight. The control group received the same volume of a commercial soil (1g g^–1 As) of similar particle size (<60m). No mortality or toxic signs were noted in either group. Tissue samples were collected 1h after gavage, freezedried, microwavedigested and analysed for arsenic by ICP/MS (detection limit 2ng As g^–1 dry weight). Arsenic concentrations (ng As g^–1 dry weight) in tissues from the pups who received mine tailings were significantly higher than in control tissues. The mean elevation in arsenic concentration was highest in the liver (3364% of control, p<0.0001), followed by blood (818 of control, p<0.0001), skin (207% of control, p=0.07), and brain (143% of control, p<0.0001). The carcass arsenic concentration (excluding the GI tract, liver, brain and skin) was 138 of control (p=0.02). The data indicate uptake of arsenic from weathered mine tailings by the immature mouse pups after oral exposure.     

Circadian rhythmicity of locomotor behavior and oviposition in female Teleogryllus commodus

Summary Locomotor activity of the Teleogryllus commodus is under circadian control, with _LL=25.3 h and _DD=23.4 h. In LD 12:12 h, running occurs either exclusively during darkness (57%), mainly in the dark phase (35%), or with substantial activity peaks in both phases (8%). For oviposition, _LL>24 h and _DD<24 h; in LD 12:12 h, 80% of the studied deposited their eggs mainly during the light phase and 20% primarily during darkness. In the discussion, a temporal correlation between stridulation, spermatophore formation, and locomotion, and oviposition is established, which serves to make an encounter and mating between the sexes as likely as possible.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. M. Gersch on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

The effect of male calling on female locomotor activity of Teleogryllus commodus

Summary The calling song of the -cricket, Teleogryllus commodus, attracts for mating. Both calling and -locomotor activity are under circadian control and the behaviors occur approximately at the same time. Daily playback of calling songs for 3–12 h in constant light failed to entrain -running. Instead, calling acts as an external stimulus which can release -locomotion at any time of the 24-h period, while the clock-induced activity continues to run freely. The stimulatory effect of the calling song causes flexible extension of -locomotor activity, but a subsequent restorative period is necessary. The ecological consequences of acoustical stimulation are discussed.     

Effect of inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase activity on photosynthesis in the red alga Soliera filiformis (Gigartinales: Rhodophyta)

The effect of light intensity, pH and carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors on photosynthesis of the red marine macroalgae Solieria filiformis (Kützing) Gabrielson, collected from Taliarte (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands) in 1991, has been investigated. Plants taken from the sea (wild phenotype) developed spherical morphology (ball phenotype) after 2 mo culture in aerated tanks. The photosynthetic oxygen evolution in the wild phenotype was saturated at 100 mol photons m^-2s^-1, while the ball phenotype displayed saturation at 200 mol photons m^-2s^-1. The inhibitors of total CA activity (6-ethoxizolamide) and extracellular CA activity (dextran-bound sulfonamide) inhibited photosynthesis at pH 8.2, to 90 and 50% respectively, in both phenotypes. No inhibition of the photosynthetic oxygen evolution was detected at pH 6.5. CA activity was associated with both supernatant and pellet fractions of crude extracts of S. filiformis. The rate of alkalization of the medium by the algae was dependent on light intensity. We suggest that carbon dioxide is the general form of inorganic carbon transported across the plasmamembrane in S. filiformis. HCO₃ transport into the cell takes place simultaneously by an indirect mechanism (dehydration to CO₂ catalyzed by CAext) and by direct uptake. Extracellular (CAext) and intracellular (CAint) CAs are involved in the mechanisms of inorganic carbon assimilation by S. filiformis.     

The distribution of heavy metals in deposited urban dusts and sediments, Coventry, England

Samples of urban dusts and sediments have been collected and categorised into three compartment those which act mainly as sources, those undergoing transport and those which have been deposited. The sediments were fractionated into <63m to match similar sized lacustrine sediments and <2mm to represent natural and anthropogenic fluvially transported sediments. Preliminary results of total heavy metals analysis show that the <2mm fraction of the source group exhibits the greatest variabilty in metal concentrations. Overall, however, the <63m fraction dominates regardless of compartment. Some heavy metal concentrations decrease through the sourcetransportdeposit process, possibly due to selective onward transport of finer material or other anthropogenic processes unique to the urban environment (e.g. street cleansing). Sitespecificity is indicated in a comparison with other similar studies.     

Digestive carbohydrases from the hepatopancreas of two Antarctic euphausiid species (Euphausia superba and E. crystallorophias)

The hepatopancreatic extracts of Euphausia superba Dana and E. crystallorophias Holt and Tattersall collected from the Antarctic. Ocean during January 1985, are most effective in hydrolysing substrates containing (13)--glucosidic linkages. Three enzymes appear to be involved in the depolymerization of (13)--D-glucans in the euphausiid diet: (1) an exo-(13)--D-glucanase, (2) an endo-(13)--D-glucanase and (3) a -D-glucosidase. The glucanases have a pH optimum of 5.4, a temperature optimum of 50°C and are optimally extracted in bistripropane buffer, pH 7.2. Levels of (13)-D-glucanase in laboratory-cultured E. superba are inversely affected by food availability, and activities double after starvation for 12 d. The increase is due mainly to higher activities of exo-acting glucanases. -Amylase and endo-(14)--D-glucanase (cellulase) activity are also present in the extracts in addition to glycosidase activity against a range of p-nitrophenyl substrates (-and -D-glocose, - and -D-galactose, -D-xylose, - and -D-mannose). Digestive activity against several acidic polysaccharides, including the acidic mucilage polysaccharide of the ice diatom Stauroneis amphioxys, is minimal and is not induced when the polysaccharide is present in the diet of E. superba. These results indicate that some, but not all, components of the algal material in the euphausiid diet can be hydrolyzed and assimilated.     

Lead Contamination of Topsoil and Vegetation in the Vicinity of a Battery Factory in Nigeria

Levels of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Cd were determined in topsoil and vegetation in the vicinity of a factory manufacturing lead- batteries in Ibadan, Nigeria. The samples were collected along five transects in different directions, and varying distances up to 1000m from the factory. Soil lead levels were found to be elevated around the factory, with average levels of about 2000mgkg^–1 close to the fence that declined gradually to about 50mgkg^–1 some 750m away. Soil-lead level around a primary school located about 500m from the factory was as high as 1450mgkg^–1. Lead levels were equally elevated in the vegetation, though average levels in vegetation were slightly lower than in the soil. Cadmium concentrations in soil and vegetation, though low, were more positively correlated with lead levels than any of the other metals are with lead.