Making scents of defense: do fecal shields and herbivore-caused volatiles match host plant chemical profiles?

Many plant families have aromatic species that produce volatile compounds which they release when damaged, particularly after suffering herbivory. Monarda fistulosa (Lamiaceae) makes and stores volatile essential oils in peltate glandular trichomes on leaf and floral surfaces. This study examined the larvae of a specialist tortoise beetle, Physonota unipunctata, which feed on two M. fistulosa chemotypes and incorporate host compounds into fecal shields, structures related to defense. Comparisons of shield and host leaf chemistry showed differences between chemotypes and structures (leaves vs. shields). Thymol chemotype leaves and shields contained more of all compounds that differed than did carvacrol chemotypes, except for carvacrol. Shields had lower levels of most of the more volatile chemicals than leaves, but more than twice the amounts of the phenolic monoterpenes thymol and carvacrol and greater totals. Additional experiments measured the volatiles emitted from M. fistulosa in the absence and presence of P. unipunctata larvae and compared the flower and foliage chemistry of plants from these experiments. Flowers contained lower or equal amounts of most compounds and half the total amount, compared to leaves. Plants subjected to herbivory emitted higher levels of most volatiles and 12 times the total amount, versus controls with no larvae, including proportionally more of the low boiling point chemicals. Thus, chemical profiles of shields and volatile emissions are influenced by the amounts and volatilities of compounds present in the host plant. The implications of these results are explored for the chemical ecology of both the plant and the insect.     

Is flower scent influencing host plant selection of leaf-galling sawflies (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae) on willows?

Though it is known that flower scent not only attracts pollinators but also herbivores, little is known about the importance of flower scent on the distribution of leaf herbivores among individuals within a plant species. In this study we determined the distribution of galls induced by the sawfly Pontania proxima (Serville 1823) (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae, Nematinae) on flowering and non-flowering representatives of several clones belonging to Salix fragilis and S. × rubens (Salicaceae). Further, amounts and composition of scent of flowering and non-flowering twigs were compared (dynamic headspace-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, DHS-GC–MS), and a scent sample collected from flowering twigs of S. fragilis was tested by coupled gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) on the antennae of P. proxima females. The results show that the presence of flower catkins on plants led to a higher degree of allocation with galls, but the number of galls differed not between flowering and non-flowering plants. The DHS-GC–MS analyses revealed that the total amount of flower scent emitted per flowering twig is about 90 times higher than the scent emitted by a non-flowering twig. Further, several compounds were emitted only by flowering but not by non-flowering twigs. In the GC-EAD analyses, antennae consistently responded not only to green leaf volatiles, but also to compounds emitted only by the flowers (e.g. 1,4-dimethoxybenzene). These flower scent compounds are suggested to affect the host plant choice by attracting more sawflies from the distance to flowering plants compared to non-flowering plants. The EAD-active compounds emitted from vegetative plant parts are assumed to act as long-distance signals especially when flowers are absent on host plants, e.g. during the oviposition period of the second generation of P. proxima.     

Trends of chemical speciation profiles of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds emissions in China, 2005–2020

This study estimates the detailed chemical profiles of China＇s anthropogenic volatile organic com- pounds （VOCs） emissions for the period of 2005-2020. The chemical profiles of VOCs for seven activity sectors are calculated, based on which the Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential （POCP） of VOCs for these sectors is evaluated. At the national level, the VOCs species emitted in 2005 include alkanes, alkenes and alkynes, aromatic compounds, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, ethers and halocarbons, accounting for 26.4wt.%, 29.2wt.%, 21.3 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 5.4 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 0.7 wt. % and 2.2wt.% of total emissions, respectively. And during 2005-2020, their mass proportions would respec- tively grow or decrease by - 34.7%, -48.6%, 108.5%, 6.9%, -32.7%, 7.3%, 65.3%, 100.5%, and 55.4%. This change would bring about a 13% reduction of POCP for national VOCs emissions in the future. Thus, although the national VOCs emissions are expected to increase by 33% over the whole period, its ozone formation potential is estimated to rise only by 14%. Large discrepancies are found in VOCs speciation emissions among provinces. Compared to western provinces, the eastern provinces with a more developed economy would emit unsaturated hydrocarbons and benzene with lower mix ratios, and aromatic compounds except benzene, oxidized hydrocar- bons and halocarbons with higher mix ratios. Such differences lead to lower POCP of VOCs emitted in eastern provinces, and higher POCP of VOCs emitted in western provinces. However, due to the large VOCs emissions from Chinese eastern region, the ozone forma- tion potential of VOCs emission in eastern provinces would be much higher than those in western provinces by about 156%-235%.     

Variation in composition of predator-attracting allelochemicals emitted by herbivore-infested plants: Relative influence of plant and herbivore

Summary During foraging, natural enemies of herbivores may employ volatile allelochemicals that originate from an interaction of the herbivore and its host plant. The composition of allelochemical blends emitted by herbivore-infested plants is known to be affected by both the herbivore and the plant. Our chemical data add new evidence to the recent notion that the plants are more important than the herbivore in affecting the composition of the volatile blends. Blends emitted by apple leaves infested with spider mites of 2 different species,T. urticae andP. ulmi, differed less in composition (principally quantitative differences for some compounds) than blends emitted by leaves of two apple cultivars infested by the same spider-mite species,T. urticae (many quantitative and a few qualitative differences). Comparison between three plant species — apple, cucumber and Lima bean — reveals even larger differences between volatile blends emitted upon spider-mite damage (many quantitative differences and several qualitative differences).     

Ontogenetic and spatio-temporal patterns of induced volatiles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis> in the light of the optimal defence hypothesis

Summary. Plants attacked by herbivorous insects emit a blend of volatile compounds that serve as important host location cues for parasitoid wasps. Variability in the released blend may exist on the whole-plant and withinplant level and can affect the foraging efficiency of parasitoids. We comprehensively assessed the kinetics of herbivore-induced volatiles in soybean in the context of growth stage, plant organ, leaf age, and direction of signal transport. The observed patterns were used to test the predictions of the optimal defence hypothesis (OD). We found that plants in the vegetative stage emitted 10-fold more volatiles per biomass than reproductive plants and young leaves emitted >2.6 times more volatiles than old leaves. Systemic induction in single leaves was stronger and faster by one day in acropetal than in basipetal direction while no systemic induction was found in pods. Herbivore-damaged leaves had a 200-fold higher release rate than pods. To some extent these findings support the OD: i) indirect defence levels were increased in response to herbivory and ii) young leaves, which are more valuable, emitted more volatiles. However, the fact that reproductive structures emitted no constitutive or very few inducible volatiles is in seeming contrast to the OD predictions. We argue that in case of volatile emission the OD can only partially explain the patterns of defence allocation due to the peculiarity that volatiles act as signals not as toxins or repellents.     

Planning for the monitoring of pollutants from non‐stationary combustion sources†

The most important constituents of traffic exhaust are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic hydrocarbons and lead. Satisfactory analytical methods are available for measuring these compounds, but the required expenditure in their application to air pollution studies is quite different. Due to correlations between the concentrations of several exhaust components in road air conclusions regarding the expected level of some substances can be drawn by measurement of another emitted compound. But the selection of indicator compounds must be made under the aspect of the source‐specific relationship of emitted substances. The temporal and spatial distribution of air pollutants in street air is affected by traffic emissions more than by meteorological conditions. “Fingerprints”; of typical organic gaseous components of traffic exhaust also were found in residential areas.     

酚类化合物对不同组织细胞DNA损伤的研究

应用单细胞凝胶电泳技术 ,研究了酚类化合物对不同组织细胞DNA的损伤 .试验结果表明 ,酚类化合物均能引起不同组织细胞不同程度的DNA损伤 ,并呈现剂量效应关系 .其高剂量组与对照组相比 ,均有极显著性差异 (P <0 0 1 ) .不同组织细胞对同一种药物呈现出不同的敏感性 .酚类化合物遗传毒性效应与其结构密切相关     

Lead in Chinese coals: distribution,modes of occurrence,and environmental effects

Lead (Pb) has gained much attention since the 1970s because of its potential and cumulative toxicity. As one of the most hazardous elements in coals, Pb can be released into the environment during coal mining, processing, and utilization. This study presents a synthesis on the abundance, distribution, modes of occurrence, and environmental impacts of Pb in Chinese coals. Using the expected coal reserves as the weighting factor and based on the previously published Pb content in 4,304 coal samples (including results obtained in our laboratory) from main coalfields or coal mines in China, the weighted mean Pb content in Chinese coals is 13.0 μg/g, which is higher than that of the American coals (11 μg/g) and average world coals (7.8 μg/g). With respect to regional distribution of Pb in Chinese coals, Pb content can be arbitrarily divided into three groups (<20, 20–40, >40 μg/g). Following this classification, coals from Tibet have the highest average Pb content (128.94 μg/g). The abundance of Pb in coals varies with coal-forming periods and coal ranks, with the late Triassic and higher rank coals having the highest Pb content, which could be ascribed to regional geochemical differences and later geological evolution as well as magma hydrothermal activities. The enrichment of Pb in coals is influenced by several geological factors, including coal-forming plants, source rocks, hydrothermal fluid, and depositional environment. Pb, dominantly associates with sulfide minerals, especially galena in coals. During coal combustion or pyrolysis, Pb is partly emitted into the atmosphere and partly partitioned to solid residues. Accumulation of Pb from coal utilization in human body could lead to a range of health problems and increase the risk of cancer.     

Antennal responses to floral scents in the butterflies <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inachis io</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aglais urticae</Emphasis> (Nymphalidae), and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gonepteryx rhamni</Emphasis> (Pieridae)

Summary. To better understand the biological role of floral scents for butterflies, electrophysiological responses to floral scents were investigated using combined gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). The antennal responses of three butterfly species, Aglais urticae L. (Nymphalidae), Inachis io L. (Nymphalidae), and Gonepteryx rhamni L. (Pieridae) to floral scent compounds from both natural and synthetic mixtures were examined. Floral scents were collected from the butterfly nectar plants Cirsium arvense (L.) (Asteraceae), and Buddleja davidii Franchet cv. (Loganicaeae) with dynamic head-space methods on Tenax-GR and eluted with pentane. These eluates, composed of natural floral scent blends, represent an array of compounds in their natural state. In the GC-EAD analyses eleven compounds were identified from C. arvense with the benzenoid compound phenylacetaldehyde in highest abundance. Seventeen compounds were identified from B. davidii with the irregular terpene oxoisophorone in highest abundance. Thirty-nine synthetic floral scent compounds were mixed in pentane, in equal amounts; about 35 ng were allowed to reach the antennae. The butterflies showed antennal responses to most of the floral scent compounds from both natural and synthetic blends except to the highly volatile monoterpene alkenes. Certain benzenoid compounds such as phenylacetaldehyde, monoterpenes such as linalool, and irregular terpenes such as oxoisophorone, were emitted in relatively large amounts from C. arvense and B. davidii, and elicited the strongest antennal responses. These compounds also elicited strong antennal responses when present in the synthetic scent blends. Thus, the butterflies seem to have many and /or sensitive antennal receptors for these compounds, which points to their biological importance. Moreover, these compounds are exclusively of floral scent origin. For B. davidii, which depends highly on butterflies for pollination, the exclusive floral scent compounds emitted in high abundance could be the result of an adaptive pressure to attract butterflies. Received 2 Septemter 2001; accepted 9 September 2002.     

The semiochemically mediated interactions between bacteria and insects

In natural environment, semiochemicals are involved in many interactions between the different trophic levels involving insects, plants and hosts for parasitoids or prey for predators. These volatile compounds act as messengers within or between insect species, inducing particular behaviours, such as the localisation of a source of food, the orientation to an adequate oviposition site, the selection of a suitable breeding site and the localisation of hosts or prey. In this sense, bacteria have been shown to play an important role in the production of volatile compounds which ones act as semiochemicals. This review, focusing on the semiochemically mediated interactions between bacteria and insects, highlights that bacterial semiochemicals act as important messengers for insects. Indeed, in most of the studies reported here, insects respond to specific volatiles emitted by specific bacteria hosted by the insect itself (gut, mouthparts, etc.) or present in the natural environment where the insect evolves. Particularly, bacteria from the families Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonaceae and Bacillaceae are involved in many interactions with insects. Because semiochemicals naturally produced by bacteria could be a very interesting option for pest management, advances in this field are discussed in the context of biological control against insect pests.     

Oviposition by butterflies on young leaves: Investigation of leaf volatiles

Summary Various butterflies select young foliage on which to lay their eggs; volatiles emitted by young and old leaves have been compared (by sorption enrichment, followed by GC-MS) to gauge possible qualitative and quantitative differences between the two age groups. The plants investigated are cabbage (Brassica oleracea), two milkweeds (Asclepias syriaca andA. curassavica), the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) and the lime (C. aurantiifolia). The chemical compounds identified belong to three classes, isoprenoids, fatty acid derivatives and benzenoids. Quantitative differences were found between young and old leaves, of which a few may be characteristic of young leaves only. Thirty-four single trials withDanaus plexippus exposed to volatiles from young and old leaves are recorded.     

焚烧源挥发性重金属的排放对周边土壤和植被污染的研究进展

城市生活垃圾是一种成分复杂的混合废物,其中含有数量相当可观的重金属,采用焚烧法处理城市生活垃圾时,会有大量重金属因为高温而挥发进入烟气,一部分富集于焚烧飞灰中,而有少部分重金属因其挥发性较大而排放于大气中,最终随大气及雨水沉降而进入土壤和植被中,从而会对焚烧厂周边生态环境造成严重的危害。为了了解焚烧源挥发性重金属（汞（Hg）、镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）和砷（As））的排放对焚烧厂周边土壤和植被生态环境的污染状况,对近年来国内外学者在相关方面的研究状况进行了详细的文献综述,结果发现：国内学者对于焚烧源挥发性重金属的研究多限于焚烧中挥发性Hg对焚烧厂周边土壤的污染的调查研究,而对于焚烧源Cd、Pb、As对周边土壤和植被污染的调查研究相对较少;而国外学者已有的关于垃圾焚烧源重金属（Hg、Cd、Pb、As）对土壤和植被的污染研究只停留在重金属在土壤中的总的浓度和存在形态的研究,而对于挥发性重金属在焚烧源周边土壤和植被中的迁移转化规律方面的研究很缺乏,对于重金属污染物在土壤和植被中的蓄积及迁移转化规律研究较少。文章指出今后的研究应加强对挥发性重金属在焚烧厂周边土壤中的污染特征及其在土壤层以及植被中的蓄积总量和迁移转化机理的研究,这对于焚烧源挥发性重金属的污染防治以及对已被挥发性重金属污染的土壤和植被的生态修复具有重要的意义。     

Identification of 1-methyloctyl butanoate as the major sex pheromone component from females of the saddle gall midge,Haplodiplosis marginata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), has undergone a resurgence recently as a pest of cereals in Belgium and other European countries. An effective monitoring tool of saddle gall midge flights is needed to understand the enigmatic population dynamics of this pest, and to design an integrated management strategy. Therefore, volatile compounds emitted by females (alkan-2-ols and alk-2-yl butanoates) were identified, and the chirality of the emitted esters was determined to be the R absolute configuration. In field-trapping experiments, racemic non-2-yl butanoate attracted substantial numbers of H. marginata males. Thus, this compound will be useful in baited traps for monitoring seasonal flight patterns, and improving integrated management of the saddle gall midge in agricultural systems.     

Aufkommen und Verteilung von Feststoffen in Kanalsystemen

Suspendend solids (SS) are important parameters in the assessment of potential effects of emissions out of sewer systems. This is due to the fact that many pollutants are transported with particles in the sewer systems and therefore are emitted into receiving waters. In this paper, significant emissions in commonly applied sewer systems (combined sewer system [CSS], separate sewer system [SSS]) are mentioned, and typical concentration ranges of SS are listed. Furthermore, data from selected pollutants (lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH]) are collected and concentration ranges in typical flow types of the sewer systems are calculated. In the second part of the paper results from pollution load simulations are introduced. The calculations are based on assumptions from literature and were conducted in a hypothetical catchment. Main interest was the comparison of emissions out of SSS and CSS, shown for selected parameters SS, lead and PAH. Results of the pollution load simulation show that emissions for surface runoff related compounds like lead are extremely high in the SSS in comparison to the CSS. This is mainly reasoned by the high elimination rate in the waste water treatment plant (WWTP). In summary, a general answer, which sewer system emits higher pollution loads is not possible. It is extremely dependent on the considered substance and its specific properties and resulting behaviour in the sewer systems. For a first estimation, new classes of substances are distinguished considering their origin (surface runoff versus dry weather flow) and their elimination capacity in the WWTP.     

Neue Aspekte in der Behandlung von Siedlungsabflüssen

The surface runoff from urban areas is one of the most important sources of pollutants emitted into surface waters. Suspended solids which act as a transport vehicle for many anthropogenic pollutants (e.?g. heavy metals, PAH) are a key factor in this regard. The development of efficient measures of storm water runoff treatment thus requires a further differentiation of suspended solids in a fine (clay and silt) and coarse (sand and gravel) fraction. Both fractions show distinctly different characteristics in pollutant loading, transport and retention on urban surfaces and sewer systems. The primary aim of storm water runoff treatment is the reduction of the fine particles which are always highly loaded with anthropogenic pollutants. In contrast the coarse particles are almost unpolluted especially if they have a low organic share. The widespread sedimentation tanks with surface loadings between 10 and 2?m/h are very inefficient. A significant, save and lasting reduction of the emitted load of fine particles requires a considerable reduction of the surface loads. That can be achieved with the installation of lamellar settler or the utilization of the very large volumes of flood management tanks frequently present in urban areas. Filtration plants are highly efficient but there application in urban areas is limited due to their high space demands.     

Processing of whey from dairy industry waste

An investigation carried out in 11 dairies in Serbia has shows that 78.75 % of whey, a by-product of cheese industry, is emitted into river systems, thus contributing to the organic pollution of the environment. This pollution can be avoided by processing of whey into food and pharmaceuticals. It is shown that low-temperature regime of whey concentration and fractionation, based on vacuum concentration and diafiltration, preserves whey proteins undenaturated, as proved by differential scanning calorimetry method. Functional native whey proteins based food products, with potentially high immunomodulatory activity, are obtained.     

Floral scent variation in two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Antirrhinum majus</Emphasis> subspecies influences the choice of naïve bumblebees

Two wild subspecies of snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus, subspecies pseudomajus and striatum, differ in floral color and can be visually discriminated by insect visitors. The extent to which olfactory cues derived from floral scents contribute to discrimination between snapdragon subspecies is however unknown. We tested whether these two subspecies differ in floral scent and whether these olfactory differences are used by bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) to discriminate between them. We grew individuals of both subspecies, collected from a total of seven wild populations, under controlled conditions. We quantified the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the flowers using gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry/flame-ionization-detection. We studied antennal detection of VOCs by bumblebees, by means of electroantennogram study (EAG). We also performed behavioral experiments in a Y-maze to determine the innate response of bumblebees to the main floral VOCs emitted by our snapdragon subspecies. The floral scent of Antirrhinum majus pseudomajus contained three volatile benzenoids absent in the floral scent of Antirrhinum majus striatum. One of them, acetophenone, contributed over 69% of the absolute emissions of A. majus pseudomajus. These benzenoids elicited a significantly higher EAG response compared with other VOCs. In the Y-maze, bumblebees were significantly less attracted by acetophenone, suggesting an aversive effect of this VOC. Our findings indicate that bumblebees are able to discriminate between the two Antirrhinum majus subspecies. Differences in flower scent between these subspecies and olfactory bumblebee preferences are discussed in the light of biochemical constraints on VOCs synthesis and of the role of flower scent in the evolutionary ecology of A. majus.     

有机污染物对发光菌和鱼的毒性相关性研究

研究有机污染物对不同水生生物毒性的种间关系有助于探讨有机污染物对水生生物的毒性作用模式。本文应用1 470种有机化合物对发光菌的毒性数据和949种有机化合物对鱼的毒性数据,研究有机化合物对发光菌和鱼的种间毒性作用模式。结果表明,有机化合物对发光菌和鱼的毒性呈正相关,但种间相关性较差。通过计算毒性比率TR值表明多数类别有机化合物具有相似的种间毒性作用模式。基线和弱惰性化合物对发光菌和鱼的毒性均与辛醇水分配系数log Kow具有良好的线性关系,这说明基线和弱惰性化合物在发光菌和鱼体内的残余量CBR值均为一个常数。这些化合物对发光菌和鱼具有相似的毒性作用模式和生物吸收过程。另外,一些亲水性化合物的log TR值具有较大的种间差异,即对发光菌和鱼的毒性效应具有较大的种间差异,表明亲水性化合物对发光菌为反应型化合物,而对鱼为麻醉型化合物。有机化合物对发光菌和鱼的毒性种间相关性通过引入疏水性参数得到了一定的改善,这表明这些亲水性化合物毒性效应的种间差异有一部分归因于有机化合物在发光菌和鱼体内的生物富集不同,而不是由于与生物分子的反应性不同。这些亲水性化合物相对于鱼的腮和皮肤更容易通过发光菌的细胞膜,与生物分子发生化学反应,从而具有较高的毒性效应。Log Kow大于7的化合物对发光菌和鱼均具有较低的毒性,说明有机化合物在生物体内的富集能力对有机化合物剩余毒性的判别起着重要作用。     

Fate of herbicides and nonylphenol in soil–plant–water systems amended with contaminated sewage sludge

We studied the fate of sludge spiked with ¹⁴C-labelled diuron, glyphosate and nonylphenol applied to the soil by the way of contaminated sewage sludge in the soil-plant-water system. Here we show that the mineralization of the chemicals in mixture is reduced by 40–80% by comparison with a direct soil contamination. The persistence of the chemicals in soils is increased in the presence of sludge. We showed also that the chemicals present in the sludge are mobile and partly transferred to soil leachates and plant seedlings. These results allow postulating that these compounds may induce an ecotoxicological impact on the soil ecosystem.     

污泥好氧发酵过程中挥发性有机物（VOCs）污染风险研究

污泥好氧堆肥发酵过程所产生的可挥发性有机物已经成为重要的二次污染物,采用气质联用（GC/MS）的方法分析了郑州某污泥处置厂发酵车间不同位置的挥发性有机物（VOCs）组分。结果表明：污泥堆肥过程可检测出的VOCs共有19种,主要致臭组分是甲硫醇、二甲二硫醚、甲硫醚,它们在所有采气点中的质量浓度均高于检知嗅阈值,对人类嗅觉具有较大危害;总挥发性有机物（TVOC）的质量浓度由堆体内部产生时的47.2 mg·m-3,降为车间工人活动处的1.73 mg·m-3,迁移过程中总浓度减少了96.3%;利用最大增量反应活性法研究VOCs的反应活性和对近地层臭氧的生成潜势影响,VOCs组分中烷烃、芳香烃、酮类、烯烃类的最大臭氧生成潜势值依次增加,其中,最大臭氧生成潜势值（OFP）贡献量最高的组分为1-丁烯和丙烯,OFP分别达到了947.70μg·m-3和875.67μg·m-3,存在大气污染风险。通过主要VOCs组分间的相关性分析,发现甲硫醇宜作为评估VOCs排放情况的指示气体,其在工人活动处的质量浓度为0.04 mg·m-3,远低于GBZ 2—2002《工作场所有害因素职业接触限值》所规定的2.5 mg·m-3限量值。