The influence of symbiont type on photosynthetic carbon flux in a model cnidarian–dinoflagellate symbiosis

We measured the relationship between symbiont diversity, nutritional potential, and symbiotic success in the cnidarian–dinoflagellate symbiosis, by infecting aposymbiotic (i.e. symbiont-free) specimens of the model sea anemone Aiptasia sp. with a range of Symbiodinium types. Four cultured heterologous Symbiodinium types (i.e. originally isolated from other host species) were used, plus both cultured and freshly isolated homologous zooxanthellae (i.e. from Aiptasia sp.). Rates of photosynthesis, respiration, and symbiont growth were measured during symbiosis establishment and used to estimate the contribution of the zooxanthellae to the animal’s respiratory carbon demands (CZAR). Anemones containing Symbiodinium B1 (both homologous and heterologous) tended to attain higher CZAR values and hence benefit most from their symbiotic partners. This was despite Symbiodinium B1 not achieving the highest cell densities, though it did grow more quickly during the earliest stages of the infection process. Rather, the heterologous Symbiodinium types A1.4, E2, and F5.1 attained the highest densities, with populations of E2 and F5.1 also exhibiting the highest photosynthetic rates. This apparent success was countered, however, by very high rates of symbiosis respiration that ultimately resulted in lower CZAR values. This study highlights the impact of symbiont type on the functionality and autotrophic potential of the symbiosis. Most interestingly, it suggests that certain heterologous symbionts may behave opportunistically, proliferating rapidly but in a manner that is energetically costly to the host. Such negative host–symbiont interactions may contribute to the host–symbiont specificity seen in cnidarian–dinoflagellate symbioses and potentially limit the potential for partner switching as an adaptive mechanism.     

Effects of photoperiod on photosynthetic characteristics and quality of Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kuntze in a plant factory北大核心CSCD

为探究光周期对番杏[Tetragonia tetragonoides(Pall.)Kuntze]生长及品质的影响,利用植物工厂中光源高度可控的优势对番杏进行不同光照时间(8、10、12、14、16 h)处理,测定分析番杏的生长、光合特性及营养品质.结果表明:(1)番杏各农艺性状随光照时间延长而增长,在光照时间14 h与16 h处理之间未呈显著性差异(P<0.05);(2)适宜光周期有利于光合色素积累,在16 h处理下叶绿素a、总叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量最大,叶绿素b含量则在14 h光照时最大;净光合速率(P_(n))、蒸腾速率(T_(r))和气孔导度(G_(s))随光照时间延长上升,其中净光合速率在14 h与16 h光照之间变化不显著,胞间CO_(2)(C_(i))则呈先降后升的趋势;光周期变化对最大光化学效率F_(v)/F_(m)与光化学淬灭系数q_(P)未造成显著影响,非光化学淬灭系数NPQ随光照时间延长呈先降后升的趋势,14-16 h光照处理之间变化不显著,电子传递效率ETR则随光周期延长而降低;(3)不同光周期对番杏各营养成分含量的影响有所差异,可溶性蛋白变化差异较小,硝酸盐随光照时间延长而降低,14 h光照下可溶性糖含量最大.本研究表明14-16 h光照处理有利于番杏生长和营养物质积累.(图5表2参37)     

Microbial quality and physical–chemical characteristics of thermal springs

Microbial quality and physical–chemical properties of recreational spas were surveyed to investigate the health aspect of the spas’ water. A total of 195 samples were collected from pools and springs of the spas in five sites from Ardebil Province of Iran. The effects of an independent factor defined as ‘condition’ and its component sub-factors (i.e., sampling point, location, and sampling date) on microbial quality and physical–chemical properties of the spas were studied by applying path analysis. The influence of physical–chemical properties on microbial quality was also considered. The percentage of samples exceeding the ISIRI (Swimming pool water microbiological specifications (vol 9412), Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran, Tehran, 2007) limits for Staphylococcus (spp.) was up to 55.8 in the springs and 87.8 in the pools, 58.1 and 99.2 for HPC, 90.7 and 97.8 for total coliform and fecal coliform, and 9.3 and 34.4 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. There were significant differences between the pools and springs for both physical–chemical properties and microbial quality. From the path analysis, sampling point was the most effective sub-factor of ‘condition’ on both the physical–chemical properties and microbial quality. Among the physical–chemical properties, water color had the most enhancing or additive influence on microbial pollution, while EC indicated a reducing or subtractive effect.     

Protective effect of exogenous nitric oxide and salicylic acid on the photosynthetic apparatus of tomato seedling leaves under NaCl stress北大核心CSCD

Using the tomato variety 'Qin Feng Bao Guan' as experimental material, and by the hydroponics nutrient solution method, we investigated the effects of single and compound applications of nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and salicylic acid (SA) on the gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, RuBisCO activation, CO2 response curve, photosynthetic pigment content, and xanthophyll cycle in seedling leaves under an NaCl stress of 100 mmol/L. The main findings were as follows: (1) Single or combined applications of SNP and SA could increase the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), PS II maximal photochemistry efficiency (Fv/Fm), antenna conversion efficiency (Fv'/Fm'), practical photochemical efficiency (φPS?), photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient (qP), and chlorophyll fluorescence decay rate (Rfd) of tomato seedling leaves at different rates, and significantly reduce the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), original fluorescence (Fo), and PS II non-photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient (NPQ), after NaCl stress treatment. The strongest effect was observed after applying a combination of SNP and SA. (2) Under NaCl stress, the decrease of CO2 carboxylation efficiency (CE), RuBP maximum regeneration rate (Jmax), RuBisCO and its activation enzyme activity, and the maximum carboxylation rate (Vc max) in tomato seedling leaves could be effectively relieved by SNP, SA, or SNP + SA applications; however, SNP + SA treatment had the strongest effect. (3) Single or combined applications of SNP and SA could effectively inhibit the decrease of the contents of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), the ratio of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, xanthophyll cycle pool size (V + A + Z), and the increase of the de-epoxidation extent of the xanthophyll cycle (A + Z)/(V + A + Z). The combined application of SNP and SA had the most prominent effect. In conclusion, the heat dissipation of the antenna, which is dependent on the xanthophyll cycle, is not the physiological mechanism for the protection of the photosynthetic apparatus by exogenous NO, SA alone, or compound treatment in tomato seedling leaves under NaCl stress. It is the main reason for the increase of photosynthetic function and enhanced salt tolerance of leaves tomato seedlings that the protection of PS II and its primary electron acceptor quinone (QA) downstream electron transfer patency, and the improvement of CO2 assimilation activity by application of exogenous NO, SA alone, or a combination of the two; synergistic effects were observed after using a combination of SNP and SA. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

High performance of multi-layered alternating Ni–Fe–P and Co–P films for hydrogen evolution

Judiciously engineering the electrocatalysts is attractive and challenging to exploit materials with high electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we successfully perform the interface engineering by alternately depositing Co–P and Ni–Fe–P films on nickel foam, via facile electroless plating and de-alloying process. This work shows that there is a significant effect of de-alloying process on alloy growth. The electronic structure of layered alloys is improved by interface engineering. The multilayer strategy significantly promotes the charge transfer. Importantly, the Co–P/Ni–Fe–P/NF electrode fabricated by interface engineering exhibits excellent electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity with an overpotential of 43.4 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and long-term durability for 72 h in alkaline medium (1 mol L-1 KOH). The innovative strategy of this work may aid further development of commercial electrocatalysts.     

Compositional data analysis and geochemical modeling of CO2–water–rock interactions in three provinces of Korea

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The CO2-rich spring water (CSW) occurring naturally in three provinces, Kangwon (KW), Chungbuk (CB), and Gyeongbuk (GB) of South Korea was classified based...     

Biogeochemical transfer and dynamics of iodine in a soil–plant system

Radioactive iodide (¹²⁵I) is used as a tracer to investigate the fate and transport of iodine in soil under various leaching conditions as well as the dynamic transfer in a soil–plant (Chinese cabbage) system. Results show that both soils (the paddy soil and the sandy soil) exhibit strong retention capability, with the paddy soil being slightly stronger. Most iodine is retained by soils, especially in the top 10 cm, and the highest concentration occurs at the top most section of the soil columns. Leaching with 1–2 pore volume water does not change this pattern of vertical distributions. Early breakthrough and long tailing are two features observed in the leaching experiments. Because of the relatively low peak concentration, the early breakthrough is really not an environmental concern of contamination to groundwater. The long tailing implies that the retained iodine is undergoing slow but steady release and the soils can provide a low but stable level of mobile iodine after a short period. The enrichment factors of ¹²⁵I in different plant tissues are ranked as: root > stem > petiole > leaf, and the ¹²⁵I distribution in the young leaves is obviously higher than that in the old ones. The concentrations of ¹²⁵I in soil and Chinese cabbage can be simulated with a dual-chamber model very well. The biogeochemical behaviors of iodine in the soil-cabbage system show that cultivating iodized cabbage is an environmentally friendly and effective technique to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Planting vegetables such as cabbage on the ¹²⁹I-contaminated soil could be a good remediation technique worthy of consideration.     

The evolution of large and small-scale structures in Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities

To better understand the dynamics of Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities in environmental flows, their evolution is investigated using direct numerical simulations (DNS). Two-dimensional DNS is used to examine the large-scale and small-scale structures of the instability at high Reynolds and Prandtl numbers that represent real environmental flows. The semi-analytical model of Corcos and Sherman (J Fluid Mech 73:241–264, 1976) is used to explain the physics of these simulations prior to saturation of the KH billow, and also provide a computationally efficient prediction of the vortex dynamics of the instability. The DNS results show that the large-scale structure of the billow does not depend on the Reynolds number for sufficiently high Reynolds numbers. The billow structure reveals a less straightforward dependence on the Prandtl number. Predictions of the model of Corcos and Sherman (J Fluid Mech 73:241–264, 1976) improve as Reynolds number and Prandtl number increase. The small-scale structure of the vorticity and density fields vary with both Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. Three-dimensional DNS of KH flows and their transition to turbulence are used to study small length scales. Based on the thickness of the braid, a simple method is introduced to estimate the Batchelor scale, which can be used as a guide for the resolution required for the direct numerical simulation of two and three-dimensional Kelvin–Helmholtz flow fields.     

The effects of preen oils and soiling on the UV–visible reflectance of carotenoid-pigmented feathers

Plumage coloration, particularly when carotenoid-based, is important in social signaling in birds. Although feather color is a relatively stable trait, individuals may modify it with “cosmetic” substances such as preen oils. In addition, dirt accumulation may influence plumage coloration and further affect signal perception by receivers. Here, we analyze the separate potential effects of preen oils and soil accumulation on the reflectance properties of carotenoid-pigmented feathers across the visual range of most bird species, which includes the ultraviolet (UV). Using the yellow portion of tail feathers of Bohemian waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus), we performed two separate experiments where: (a) preen oils and/or soil were removed, or (b) preen oils (from black-billed magpies Pica pica or eagle owls Bubo bubo) were added. Preen oil addition reduced brightness but increased UV hue and yellow chroma. UV chroma was reduced by the addition of magpie (but not owl) preen oil. Soil accumulation had little effect on plumage reflectance in the UV range but significantly reduced yellow chroma. According to models of avian vision, both of these effects are detectable by birds and biologically meaningful when compared with natural variation between the sexes and age classes. We conclude that preen oil and soil accumulation can significantly affect the UV–visible reflectance of carotenoid-based plumages. As such traits typically advertise individual quality, preening and soiling have the potential to modify the information content of carotenoid-based plumage traits and how these signals are perceived by receivers.     

Generation of new carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds mediated by agro-waste extracts: a review

Agro-waste extracts are considered green solvents since they are easy to handle, readily accessible from natural waste feedstock, biodegradable and recyclable. Therefore, the employment of these extracts in reaction media has emerged as the most useful and eco-friendly alternative in modern organic chemistry. Here, we review recent developments for the generation of new carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds mediated by agro-waste extracts. We show that these aqueous extracts have great applicability in several transformations, including condensations, oxidations, multicomponent and coupling reactions. The challenges and advantages on the use of water of agro-waste extracts in synthetic methodologies is also detail.

     

Mechanism of predator–prey detection and behavioral responses in some anuran tadpoles

Predator–prey relationship was studied in three sympatric species of anuran tadpoles. The study design consisted of allowing predaceous Hoplobatrachus tigerinus tadpoles to devour prey tadpoles (Sphaerotheca breviceps and Bufo melanostictus) placed in a plastic tub (five tadpoles of each species, stage ~27) in 30 min. In trials without refugia, more tadpoles of Bufo fell prey compared to Sphaerotheca. In contrast, provision of refugia using hydrilla plant reversed predation risk of the two species. The swimming speed (V _max = 64.55 ± 1.45 cm/s) of Hoplobatrachus tadpoles was much higher compared to the prey species (Bufo: 3.6 ± 0.4 cm/s; Sphaerotheca: 27.6 ± 1.6 cm/s). Poor swimming ability may account for the observed vulnerability of the Bufo tadpoles to predation especially in clear waters; refugia overcame predation to some extent. On the other hand, Sphaerotheca tadpoles that swim faster than the toad tadpoles were less vulnerable in open areas; refugia actually hindered swimming and increased predation. Experiments with association choice tests show that predaceous tadpoles detect prey based on both visual and chemical cues. On the other hand, the prey tadpoles detected predator based exclusively on chemical rather than visual cues. The antipredator defense strategy of the toad tadpoles is manifested in the form of reduced movements, remaining still for longer times and, increased burst speed. The present findings also suggest that in both prey species predator detection has a genetic basis since naive tadpoles with no prior exposure to predators exhibit fright response on first encounter with them.     

Assessing the fractionation and bioavailability of heavy metals in soil–rice system and the associated health risk

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - This study developed a method to build relationships between chemical fractionations of heavy metals in soils and their accumulations in rice and estimate...     

Characteristics of soil micro-and macro-arthropods and soil properties in Songnen Grassland of China during different periods of freeze–thaw season

ABSTRACT

Soil properties have an important influence on soil fauna in the grassland ecosystem. However, the relationship between the structural characteristics of soil fauna and properties in the grassland ecosystem in freeze–thaw season remains unclear. Hence, the feature of soil arthropods and properties in Songnen Grassland of China were investigated in fall–winter alternating (T1), completely frozen (T2) and winter–spring alternating periods (T3) during freeze–thaw season in three years. Results showed slight differences in the community composition of soil animals with Oribatida, Prostigmata and Mesostigmata as co-dominant groups in all sampling periods. The total number of individuals of soil arthropod at low temperature was low. The pH value, electrical conductivity (EC), and moisture content had the same order of T3?>?T2?>?T1. The activities of invertase and urease increased with increasing soil temperature, whereas protease activity had no relationship with soil temperature, soil moisture, EC and soil organic matter (SOM), activities of protease and urease were principal factors affecting individual abundance of soil animals. The sequence of their effect degrees was moisture content > EC > SOM > protease activity > urease activity. The changes in the quantitative characteristics of soil animals were related to soil properties. Therefore, soil properties can affect the structural characteristics of soil arthropod in the Songnen Grassland of China in the freeze–thaw season.     

Dimethylsulphide and ocean–atmosphere interactions

Dimethylsulphide (DMS) is a trace sulphur gas found in most atmospheric and surface water samples, which is derived from dimethylsulphonioproprionate (DMSP). Although it has been extensively studied over the last 50 years, its natural production, consumption and cycling are still not completely understood. Until recently, DMS was believed to originate mainly from marine waters, but later studies have shown that estuaries and lakes are also an important source of DMS. DMS also originates from terrestrial plants such as maize, wheat and lichen, but it is not fully understood why. DMS is believed to have an important impact on the global environment by influencing factors such as the acidity of the atmosphere, cloud condensation nuclei (CNN) and solar insolation. The impact that humans have on the cycling of DMS and on its environmental impact is not well understood either. DMS is affected by temporal and geographical factors, as well as physical factors such as salinity and wind speed, yet when studied under El Niño conditions which modify these physical factors in vivo, there was found to be no fluctuation in the concentration of DMS in the water column. This review outlines our current state of knowledge on DMS.     

Effects of cigarette and biomass smoke exposure on oxidant–antioxidant status in rabbits

To evaluate the effects of cigarette smoking and biomass (dried dung) smoke on the oxidant–antioxidant status, three groups each with 5 rabbits were used. Groups of rabbits were exposed to either cigarette smoke, dried dung smoke or dry air, 1?h daily for one month. Protein carbonyls, prostaglandin F_2α and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased and protein sulfhydryls levels were significantly decreased in the cigarette smoke group compared with the control group. Only protein sulfhydryls levels were significantly decreased in dung group compared with the control group. Short course exposure to both cigarette smoke and biomass smoke decreased plasma antioxidant levels but only cigarette smoke increased plasma oxidant levels, whereas biomass smoke did not produce any change.     

Acid-forming capacity of lead–zinc mine tailings and its implications for mine rehabilitation

Acid mine drainage problems were experienced in a Pb–Zn mine operation at Lechang, in the northern part of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. Geochemical and acid generation evaluations were made on fresh tailings including tailings fine, tailings sand and high sulphide tailings, and oxidised tailings with the aim of providing information on mine rehabilitation. All fresh tailings had a pH higher than 7 while the oxidised tailings had a pH of 4.9 (range 1.6 to 7.4). Only samples with pH < 3 had an electrical conductivity (EC) > 4 dS m-1. Total S contents of all tailings samples were very high with the high sulphide fraction having a mean S content of 38%. All fresh tailings had a high acid neutralisation capacity (ANC) while half of the oxidised tailings had an ANC less than zero. The results from the acid–base account and the net acid generation test indicated that all fresh and oxidised tailings samples were acid-forming except for the sand fraction samples. All tailings samples contained high total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn but low concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphorus. The preliminary results demonstrated that the tailings were all acid-forming especially the high sulphide fraction which should be kept permanently unexposed under impermeable cap or water.     

Effectiveness of emergent and submergent aquatic plants in mitigating a nitrogen–permethrin mixture

Hydraulically connected wetland microcosms (～50?L) in series were used to test the effectiveness of varying combinations of two common aquatic vascular plants, parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) and cattail (Typha latifolia), for mitigating contamination from a mixture of nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) and permethrin. The upstream series included Myriophyllum only (M) and Typha only (T) while the combination upstream effluent into downstream series included Myriophyllum into Myriophyllum (M?+?M) and Typha into Myriophyllum (T?+?M). During flow, M into M?+?M more efficiently mitigated nitrogen than T into T?+?M. Post-flow, nitrogen removal efficiency was greater for T versus M and M?+?M versus T?+?M. Mean aqueous dissipation half-lives (t_1/2) of NH₄-N and NO₃-N were more rapid in T than M treatments. Ammonium and nitrate t_1/2 was highly correlated with aquatic plant above-ground shoot biomass. Permethrin mitigation efficiencies and t_1/2 were not significantly affected by plant species either singly or in combination. Trans-permethrin t_1/2 was moderately correlated with plant biomass, but not cis-permethrin t_1/2. Results of this study indicate differences in aquatic plant species and flow path influence nitrogen removal but not permethrin. However, plant species appears less important than overall plant biomass in ascertaining aquatic plant effectiveness in mitigating a nitrogen–permethrin mixture.     

Selenium and hazardous elements distribution in plant–soil–water system and human health risk assessment of Lower Cambrian,Southern Shaanxi,China

The natural selenium poisoning due to toxic Se levels in food chain had been observed in humans and animals in Lower Cambrian outcrop areas in Southern Shaanxi, China. To find out the distribution pattern of selenium and other hazardous elements in the plant, soil and water of Lower Cambrian in Southern Shaanxi, China, and their possible potential health risk, a total of 30 elements were analyzed and the health risk assessment of 18 elements was calculated. Results showed that the soil, plant and natural water of Lower Cambrian all had relatively high Se levels. In Lower Cambrian, the soil was enriched with Se, As, Ba, Cu, Mo, Ni, Zn, Ga, Cd and Cr (1.68 < I_geo < 4.48, I_geo; geo-accumulation index). In same plants, the contents of Se, Cd and Zn (except Cd in corn and rice, Zn in potato and corn) of Lower Cambrian were higher than that of the other strata. Ba and Ga in natural water were higher than that of the other strata, while K and Cs were opposite. The health risk assessment results showed that the people living in outcrop areas of Lower Cambrian had both high total non-carcinogenic risk of 18 elements (HI = 16.12, acceptable range: < 1) and carcinogenic risk of As (3.98E−04, acceptable range: 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴). High contents of Se, As, Mo and Tl of Lower Cambrian may pose a health risk to local people, and food intake was the major pathway. For minimizing potential health risk, the local inhabitants should use the mix-imported food with local growing foods.

     

Assessing and simulating the major pathway and hydrogeochemical transport of arsenic in the Beitou–Guandu area,Taiwan

This study involved assessing and simulating the probable major pathways (surface and subsurface flow) and hydrogeochemical transport of arsenic (As) in the Beitou–Guandu area, Taiwan. A one-dimensional (1-D) generic, reactive, chemical transport model (PHREEQC) was adopted. The calibrated model showed that As transported to the downstream Guandu plain and Tan Shui river mouth accounted for 50.7 and approximately 100 % of the As in the subsurface flow pathway, respectively, suggesting that subsurface flow constituted a major As pathway. The highest As water concentration occurred near the Beitou geothermal valley because of the low pH and high redox potential in both the surface and subsurface pathways. However, As may be scavenged by aqueous Fe(II) in a reducing environment. The As concentrations in the downstream Guandu plain and Guandu wetland decreased as the simulated time increased, resulting in the adsorption of As on the surface of Fe oxydroxides and limiting the mobility of As in the surface flow pathway. The major retardation mechanism of As mobility in the subsurface flow pathway of the Guandu plain and Guandu wetland was governed by the adsorption reactions of iron-oxide and iron-sulfide minerals. The 1-D transport model was applied to predict the evolution of As in the subsurface flow pathway from 2013 to 2020. The results indicated that the As concentrations in all cells gradually increased. The geochemical redox reactions of As in the subsurface pathway subsequently led to the oxidization of As-bearing sulfides, causing As concentrations to rise substantially in the hillside area.

     

Ecotoxicological risks of the abandoned F–Ba–Pb–Zn mining area of Osor (Spain)

Due to its potential toxic properties, metal mobilization is of major concern in areas surrounding Pb–Zn mines. In the present study, metal contents and toxicity of soils, aqueous extracts from soils and mine drainage waters from an abandoned F–Ba–Pb–Zn mining area in Osor (Girona, NE Spain) were evaluated through chemical extractions and ecotoxicity bioassays. Toxicity assessment in the terrestrial compartment included lethal and sublethal endpoints on earthworms Eisenia fetida, arthropods Folsomia candida and several plant species, whereas aquatic tests involved bacteria Vibrio fischeri, microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and crustaceans Daphnia magna. Total concentrations of Ba (250–5110 mg kg^?1), Pb (940 to >5000 mg kg^?1) and Zn (2370–11,300 mg kg^?1) in soils exceeded intervention values to protect human health. Risks for the aquatic compartment were identified in the release of drainage waters and in the potential leaching and runoff of metals from contaminated soils, with Cd (1.98–9.15 µg L^?1), Pb (2.11–326 µg L^?1) and Zn (280–2900 µg L^?1) concentrations in filtered water samples surpassing US EPA Water Quality Criteria (2016a, b). Terrestrial ecotoxicity tests were in accordance with metal quantifications and identified the most polluted soil as the most toxic. Avoidance and reproduction tests with earthworms showed the highest sensitivity to metal contamination. Aquatic bioassays performed in aqueous extracts from soils confirmed the results from terrestrial tests and also detected toxic effects caused by the mine drainage waters. Algal growth inhibition was the most sensitive aquatic endpoint. In view of the results, the application of a containment or remediative procedure in the area is encouraged.