A review of: “Toxic Impacts On the Aquatic Environment”

Edited By J. F. Tapp, J. R. Wharfe and S. M. Hunt, Royal Society of Chemistry, Isbn 0-85404-781-6. Price $49.50, 1996. Pages 295, Index, Figures and Tables.     

A review of: “Agricultural Chemicals and the Environment Issues in Environmental Science and Technology”

5, 1996 Ed. Hester, R. E. and Harrison, R. M., Royal Society of Chemistry, Isbn 0 85404 220 2, Pp Xii + 128, $ 17-50.     

A review of: “Biogenic Trace Gases: Measuring Emissions From Soil and Waters”

P. A. Matson and R. C. Harriss, Publ. Blackwell Science, Printed University Press, Cambridge, Price $26.50 (Paperback), 394 Pp., 70 Figures, 15 Tables, References and Index. Isbn 0-632-03641-9.     

A review of: “Lead in Soil: Recommended Guidelines”

1993 (Ed). B.G. Wixson and B. E. Davies, Publ. Society for Enivronmental Geochemistry and Health, Science and Technology Letters Ltd., Northwood, Uk, 132pp., Isbn 0-905927-39-7, £ 30. Hardback.     

G. Howells (Book Review) On “Biology of Freshwater Pollution”

C. F. Mason, Third Edition, Longman, Harlow, Essex, Isbn 0-582-24732-2. Price $22.99; Pp. 356. Index to General Terms, to Genera and Species, and Reference List to 740 Sources.     

A review of: “Engineering Risk Analysis of Water Pollution. Probabilities and Fuzzy Sets”

J.G. Genoulis, VCH mbH, Wernheim, Frg, 1994. xi + 306pp. ISBN 3-527-30050-3 Price 136 Dm     

Stereoisomeric composition of the sex pheromone of the pine sawfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microdiprion pallipes</Emphasis> (Hym., Diprionidae)

Summary. The basic chemical structure of the sex pheromone of the pine sawfly Microdiprion pallipes (Fallén) has earlier been identified as the propionate ester of (2S,3S,7R/S,11R/S)/(2R,3R,7R/S,11R/S)-3,7,11- trimethyl-2-tridecanol. We now report the results from further investigations on the male response to individual stereoisomers and to blends of stereoisomers, both in electroantennographic (EAG) recordings and in field trapping experiments. We also present our attempts to determine the stereochemistry of the compounds present in females of M. pallipes. By comparing gas chromatograms and mass spectra obtained from natural extracts with those from synthetic compounds it was found that the females contain one or more of the four (2S,3S,7R/S,11R/S)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2- tridecanol isomers (SS++-1). The active pheromone component is the corresponding propionate ester 2. In EAG experiments, males responded most strongly to five propionate ester samples, namely two four-isomer blends: SS++-2 and SR++-2, and three individual stereoisomers: SSSR-, SRRR- and SRSR-2. In a series of field trapping experiments it was found that males were attracted to the SR++-2 four-isomer blend and to the individual isomer SSSR-2. Based on the EAG-recordings and field responses of males and the stereoisomers found in the females, we suggest that the propionate ester of (2S,3S,7S,11R)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2- tridecanol (SSSR-2) is used as a main component of the sex pheromone in M. pallipes. Apparently the males react to other stereoisomers in addition to that or those produced by the females.     

Can a water market avert the “double-whammy” of trade reform and lead to a “win–win” outcome?

This paper focuses on the linkages between water and trade policies, using Morocco as a case. This country is typical of many in that policy protects its import competing agricultural and industrial sectors while water in irrigated agriculture is priced below its marginal value product. Changing water policy without correcting for these other distortions leads to a more inefficient allocation of water. On the other hand, reforming trade policy alone can make farmers growing crops protected pre-reform worse off. Using an intertemporal, applied general equilibrium model, we find that trade reform actually creates an opportunity to pursue water policy reform. Creating a water user-rights market post trade reform not only compensates for the decline in farmers’ profits caused by the trade reform, but also raises the efficiency of water allocation and hence benefits the economy as a whole.     

An “effluent” charge approach to aircraft noise abatement

This paper is concerned with the control of aircraft noise. Some brief remarks are made on the relationship of aircraft noise problems to the theoretical approaches to externalities. We note in particular that an effluent charge is the most practical way to deal with the problem. A linear programming technique is used to find the bundle of noise-reducing options that minimizes the cost of achieving noise reduction goals, given an upper limit on service reduction. A rate-of-return criterion is imposed on the l.p. solution. Shadow prices are used to generate charges on the airlines. This provides a stimulus for abatement without dictating actual methods. Implicit in the cost parameters are prices of aircraft fuel. We assess the attractiveness of the abatement options with increasing fuel prices. The mechanics of the actual implementation of the charge in the airline industry is examined. We conclude that the institution of a plan such as the one proposed here will provide control of aircraft noise in a socially efficient manner.     

Variation in fertilisation abilities between hemiclonal hybrid and sexual parental males of sympatric water frogs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana lessonae</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> R. esculenta</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> R. ridibunda</Emphasis>)

In many species, males and females mate with multiple partners, which gives rise to sperm competition and multiple paternity. The experiments on water frogs presented here demonstrate that such sperm competition can affect the structure and dynamics of mixed-species communities. The hybrid frog Rana esculenta (LR) mates with one of its parental species, usually R. lessonae (LL), although in some areas R. ridibunda (RR), to regain the premeiotically eliminated parental genome ("hybridogenesis"). Mixed LL/LR-populations are stable although hybrid numbers should continuously increase at the expense of parental animals, because of differences in female fecundity and other factors. This would finally lead to the extinction of the sexual host, followed by that of the sexual parasite, unless the reproductive superiority of R. esculenta is reduced by other factors, such as lower hybrid male fertility. Eggs from LL- and LR-females were fertilised in vitro by single- and multi-male sperm suspensions of LL-, LR- and RR-males. In all experiments, the proportion of offspring sired by R. esculenta sperm was significantly lower than that sired by R. lessonae or R. ridibunda sperm. Gonad mass, sperm morphology, sperm swimming velocity, and sperm survival did not explain these differences in fertilisation success; nor did gamete recognition and compatibility. Sperm density was the only trait that paralleled fertilisation success, but it offers no explanation either, because densities were equalised for the in-vitro fertilisations. In natural LL/LR populations, the significantly smaller amount, poorer competitive ability and lower long-term survival of R. esculenta compared to R. lessonae sperm will reduce the initial reproductive superiority of hybrids and contribute to the stabilisation of mixed water-frog populations. Differences in fertilisation ability are also likely to be relevant for the structure and dynamics of several other systems with encounters between eggs and sperm from different genotypes, ecotypes, ploidy levels and/or species.     

Optimal Environmental Health Regulations with Heterogeneous Populations: Treatment versus “Tagging”

In this paper, we develop a model of population level environmental health risk with individuals that are heterogeneous in their susceptibility to environmental toxins. This framework allows us to determine when it is optimal to target vulnerable subgroups of the population with special exposure-reducing treatments. Our analytic results show that the potential economic gains from targeted policies will depend critically on the quality of existing capital, the degree of returns to scale in treatment technologies, and the size and sensitivity of the vulnerable population. An empirical application of the model is extended to the case of cryptosporidium in drinking water supplies.     

Do Contingent Valuation Estimates Pass a “Scope” Test? A Meta-analysis

This paper considers the scope test proposed to judge the internal consistency of contingent valuation estimates. The test is shown to be quite sensitive to the maintained hypotheses required to derive fairly precise expectations for the properties of WTP functions, and, therefore, a different approach may be needed in gauging the reliability of CV. This paper describes an approach that relies on a weight-of-the-evidence criterion and uses meta-analysis to develop a systematic appraisal of what the economic values of changes in amenity resources are. The approach is illustrated for the case of estimating people's willingness to pay for improving (or maintaining) visibility at the national parks.     

A Comparison of the Short-Term Dynamics of Soil “Damage” Due to Enhanced Nitrogen Deposition As Ammonium Sulphate Or Nitric Acid

An experiment has been conducted to contrast the effects of enhanced oxidised and reduced nitrogen deposition upon key chemical parameters in a Calluna moorland podzol. A 40 cm deep podzol profile, derived from granite, was reconstructed in one hundred 4.2 cm diameter cores. for 20 weeks, the cores were subjected twice weekly to simulated rainfall containing either twice ambient nitrogen deposition in Aberdeen, or further enhanced nitrogen (further 2- and 6-fold increases) as nitric acid or ammonium sulphate. to quantify the dynamics of soil change in each horizon, randomly selected cores were destructively analysed every two weeks and the soils analysed. Increased nitrogen inputs, regardless of form, substantially and immediately reduced surface soil pH_water via the mobile anion or salt effect. for the higher nitrogen treatments, the pH reduction was seen throughout the profile. Longer term soil acidification was also seen in the pH_{calcium chloride} results over the 20 weeks. at a given nitrogen deposition rate, the effects of ammonium sulphate and nitric acid on soil pH_{calcium chloride} were similar. the ammonium sulphate treatments were especially effective at reducing base saturation throughout much of the profile, the direct base cation leaching being associated with substantial ammonium accumulation. the results suggest that the direct base cation leaching caused by ammonium deposition needs to be considered when assessing atmospheric pollution “damage” to heathland soils.     

Notes on the Distribution of “Black Spot” Shell Disease in Crustacean Fisheries

“Black Spot” a necrotic shell disease in crustacea, is a naturally occurring condition in crabs (Cancer pagurus) and is more common in older animals, where the moult frequency is reduced. The results of field observations in various commercial crab fisheries suggest that the incidence of “Black Spot” shell disease is higher in lightly fished populations (e.g. S. W. Ireland) than in established fisheries, where intensive exploitation results in the removal of larger (older) crabs from the stock. These observations are used to explain suggestions by other workers that the incidence of shell necrosis is high in areas used for dumping sewage sludge where fishing intensity is low.     

Editorial board page for “Chemistry and Ecology”, Volume 14, Number 2

This is a scanned image of the original Editorial Board page(s) for this issue.     

Editorial board page for “Chemistry and Ecology”, Volume 15, Number 4

This is a scanned image of the original Editorial Board page(s) for this issue.