Project Tocoen. the fate of selected pollutants in the environment. Part XIX. the phytotoxicity of organic and inorganic pollutants‐cadmium. The effect of cadmium on the growth of germinating maize plants

The effect of increasing cadmium concentration (10, 100 and 1000 μmol dm^‐3) on the growth, leaf area, content of assimilation pigments, cadmium content and the regulatory ability of the tissue of maize plants was investigated.

The results obtained document, already after 6 days, a significant decrease of dry weight, reduction of leaf area, chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoids in plants grown in the nutrient solution containing 1000 μmol dm ^‐3 of cadmium. A highly significant inhibition of growth, leaf area and assimilation pigments in plants growing in the nutrient solutions with 100 and 10 μmol dm^‐3 of cadmium was registered after 17 days of cultivation. In plants growing in the nutrient solution containing 100 μmol dm^‐3 of cadmium a demonstrable reduction of the content of assimilation pigments was registered after 11 days of culture.

With increasing cadmium concentration in the nutrient solution as well as in the plant tissue after 6 and 17 days of culture both the range of the regulatory zone and the extent of optimum pH increased into the acid region. The pH values of the isoelectric point decreased with increasing cadmium content in the solution.     

Trace analysis. Determination of the “breakthrough volume”; (B.T.V.) of atmospheric isoprene

This paper presents the first results of a study of B.T.V. on Tenax TA, at various flow rates of sampling, with standard isoprene gaseous mixtures whose concentration ranging from 0.7 ppbV to 4 ppbV was very similar to the concentrations found in natural atmosphere. The method used is based on the exploitation of chromatographic signals obtained from a preconcentration—thermodesorption —analysis cycle carried out on a standard isoprene mixture. The B.T.V. of isoprene on Tenax TA does not show a significant change at very low concentrations of isoprene.     

Extension of the skin shear stress Li’s relationship to the flat bed

A proper estimation of the skin shear stress τ _s is necessary for a proper evaluation of sediment flux at the sediment–fluid interface. Several empirical formulas of the skin shear stress have been proposed in the literature for rippled bed as function of the factor form η/λ (η and λ are respectively the height and wavelength of the bedform). These formulas express that in the presence of bedform, τ _s is a partition of the total shear stress τ _b . In contrast, when the bottom is flat, τ _s is exactly equal to τ _b . Based on in situ measurements, Li (J Geophys Res 99:791–799, 1994) has proposed a new formula of τ _s depending on u _*/η (u _* is the friction velocity, ${u_{*}=\sqrt{\tau_{b}/\rho}}$ ), but not as a function of η/λ. This formulation appears physically more realistic, but does not cover the flat bottom range. The purpose of this short note is therefore the extension of the Li’s expression to this type of bottom.     

Are monoalgal diets inferior to plurialgal diets to maximize cultivation of the calanoid copepod Temora stylifera?

Temora stylifera adult copepods were fed with four different monoalgal diets and six combinations of the same cultures for 15 days. Fecundity, hatching success, number of cannibalized embryos, fecal pellet production, adult mortality and naupliar recruitment were compared, in order to find the best diet for this species. Phytoplankton species tested were Prorocentrum minimum (PRO); Isochrysis galbana (ISO); Tetraselmis suecica (TETRA) and Rhodomonas baltica (RHO) which were supplied alone or in different combinations and at various concentrations ranging from a minimum of 1 mg C L⁻¹ day⁻¹ to a maximum of 66 mg C L⁻¹ day⁻¹. Of the ten diets tested, ISO was the worst and was unable to sustain egg production and adult survival possibly because adults were unable to ingest this alga due to its small size. TETRA was also a poor food since it negatively impacted egg production and adult survival, as well as egg hatching success, possibly due to the lack of essential compounds necessary for optimal embryogenesis. RHO and PRO were the best foods inducing highest egg production, hatching success and naupliar recruitment. Even if mean egg production rates were similar to those obtained with some mixed diets, carbon intake concentrations with mixed diets were from 3 to 33 and from 6.6 to 66 times higher than with RHO and PRO given alone, respectively. Mixed diets of ISO and PRO, especially when supplied at higher concentrations (66 mg C L⁻¹ day⁻¹), had a negative effect on egg hatching success and adult survival, with a corresponding reduction in naupliar recruitment. On the other hand, mixed diets of TETRA and PRO promoted high naupliar recruitment but values were similar to PRO offered alone. Our results indicate that a good monoalgal diet such as RHO and PRO can be as effective as a mixed diet to sustain the mass cultivation of T. stylifera.     

Vulnerability of the copepod Acartia tonsa to predation by the scyphomedusa Chrysaora quinquecirrha : effect of prey size and behavior

Although scyphomedusae have received increased attention in recent years as important predators in coastal and estuarine environments, the factors affecting zooplankton prey vulnerability to these jellyfish remain poorly understood. Current models predicting feeding patterns of cruising entangling predators, such as Chrysaora quinquecirrha (Desor, 1948), fail to account for the selection of fast-escaping prey such as copepods. Nevertheless, our analysis of gastric contents of field-collected medusae showed that this scyphomedusa fed selectively on the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa (Dana, 1846) and preferentially ingested adult over copepodite stages. We measured feeding rates in a planktonkreisel while simultaneously videotaping predator–prey interactions. C. quinquecirrha consumed adult A. tonsa ten times faster than copepodites. Differences in prey behavior, in the form of predator–prey encounter rates or post-encounter escape responses, could not account for the elevated feeding rates on adults. Prey size, however, had a dramatic impact on the vulnerability of copepods. In experiments using heat-killed prey, feeding rates on adults (1.5 times longer than copepodites) were 11 times higher than on copepodites. In comparison, medusae ingested heat-killed prey at only two to three times the rate of live prey. These results suggest that during scyphomedusan–copepod interactions, prey escape ability is important, but ultimately small size is a more effective refuge from predation. Received: 26 September 1997 / Accepted: 20 May 1998     

Balancing the response to predation—the effects of shoal size,predation risk and habituation on behaviour of juvenile perch

Group size, predation risk and habituation are key drivers of behaviour and evolution in gregarious prey animals. However, the extent to which they interact in shaping behaviour is only partially understood. We analyzed their combined effects on boldness and vigilance behaviour in juvenile perch (Perca fluviatilis) by observing individuals in groups of one, two, three and five faced with four different levels of predation risk in a repeated measures design. The perch showed an asymptotic increase in boldness with increasing group size and the highest per capita vigilance in groups of two. With increasing predation risk, individuals reduced boldness and intensified vigilance. The interaction between group size and predation risk influenced vigilance but not boldness. In this context, individuals in groups of two elevated their vigilance compared to individuals in larger groups only when at higher risk of predation. Further, as only group size, they significantly reduced vigilance at the highest level of risk. With increasing habituation, solitary individuals became considerably bolder. Also, predation risk affected boldness only in the more habituated situation. Hence, repeated measures may be essential to correctly interpret certain relationships in behaviour. Our results suggest that perch may adjust boldness behaviour to group size and predation risk independently. This is rather unexpected since in theory, natural selection would strongly favour an interactive adjustment. Finally, vigilance might be particularly effective in groups of two due to the intense monitoring and detailed response to changing levels of risk.     

Are the Curative Properties of ‘Black Mud’ from the Dead Sea Due to the Presence of Bitumen (Asphalt) or Other Types of Organic Matter?

Deep black clayey sediments of the Dead Sea, previously covered with water at times of higher sea level, are being mined for therapeutic purposes and for the preparation of cosmetic products under the name Black Mud. It was claimed that the beneficial properties are due to the presence of bitumen (asphalt) as attested by the colour. Less commonly, the curative properties have been ascribed to humic acids or to organic matter derived from algae in the lake. Asphalt from the Dead Sea has been of major economic importance to the region and was used as a medication for 2000 years until the mid-20th century. Geochemical analysis of the Black Mud showed that it contains relatively little organic matter (ca. 0.6–0.8% organic carbon) and that the organic matter is mostly derived from the land masses surrounding the lake. Asphalt was totally absent and the concentration of humic acids very low. The black colour of the mud is rather due to the poorly crystallised iron sulphides. Based on this, the therapeutic properties of the mud are ascribed to its content of reduced sulphur species, its physical and chemical properties and possibly its brine content, but not to the presence of organic matter.     

Efficient implementation of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm,with application to the Cormack–Jolly–Seber model

Judicious choice of candidate generating distributions improves efficiency of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. In Bayesian applications, it is sometimes possible to identify an approximation to the target posterior distribution; this approximate posterior distribution is a good choice for candidate generation. These observations are applied to analysis of the Cormack–Jolly–Seber model and its extensions.     

Feeding in dominant Antarctic copepods—does the morphology of the mandibular gnathobases relate to diet?

This study should clarify the importance of morphology and stability of the mandibular gnathobases for the diet of Antarctic copepod species. The gnathobase morphology of the dominant copepod species Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus, Ctenocalanus citer, Rhincalanus gigas, Metridia gerlachei, Stephos longipes, Microcalanus pygmaeus and Paraeuchaeta antarctica from the Southern Ocean was investigated in detail by means of a scanning electron microscope. The mandibular gnathobases of C. acutus, C. propinquus and C. citer have relatively short and compact teeth. These species feed mainly on diatoms and are able to crack the silicious diatom frustules with their mandibular gnathobases by directed pressure. In contrast the teeth of the mandibular gnathobases of P. antarctica are very long and pointed. The nutrition of this species consists predominantly of other smaller copepod species. The motile prey can be held by skewering, using the gnathobases, and then eventually minced. The mandibular gnathobases of P. antarctica have notably more small bristles than those of the other investigated copepod species. These bristles are probably associated with receptors and could serve to locate the prey. The morphology of the gnathobases of R. gigas and M. gerlachei is between that of P. antarctica on the one side and that of C. acutus, C. propinquus and C. citer on the other. Based on the morphology of its gnathobases the copepod species S. longipes, which has to date been found to feed primarily on phytoplankton, mainly ice algae, must also be considered a zooplankton feeder. The investigation showed that M. pygmaeus has gnathobases with surprisingly long and pointed teeth, indicating that this species very probably feeds both on phyto- and on zooplankton organisms. While the mandibular gnathobases of the males of C. propinquus, R. gigas, M. gerlachei and S. longipes have the same morphology as the females of the respective species, in the other four investigated copepod species the males have reduced (C. acutus, C. citer and M. pygmaeus) or completely missing mandibular gnathobases (P. antarctica). The teeth of the gnathobases of all studied species with the exception of M. gerlachei consist of a different material than the remaining parts of the gnathobases. This material seems to be silicate, which probably enhances the stability of the gnathobase teeth.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

From overexploitation to sustainable use,an overview of 160 years of water extraction in the Amsterdam dunes,the Netherlands

Dune slacks are low-lying, nutrient-poor, species-rich, inter-dunal, seasonally flooded wetlands, are amongst the most threatened habitats in the Dutch coastal dunes. Since 1853 Waternet has been extracting groundwater from the coastal dunes southwest of Haarlem to produce its drinking water. Dune slacks largely disappeared due to the desiccation caused by this water abstraction, over more than a century biodiversity declined as a consequence. Increased societal concern pushed habitat restoration high on the political agenda by the end of the 1980s. It was agreed to do what is possible to restore original dune slacks without endangering the water supply. Far reaching interventions in the dune water system were foreseen to achieve this mutual goal. To allow reliable decision making, the entire hydrological history of the drinking water production in the Amsterdam Dunes since 1853 and its ecological consequences were evaluated over a 10-year study period. The main tool was a 3D groundwater model constructed using all information gathered to date and calibrated using the long-term monitoring data available and widely extended for the purpose, to which ecological modeling was added and calibrated with the available long-term and extended vegetational inventories. These scientific tools were used to assess proposed interventions to be decided upon, which aimed at finding a new balance between groundwater extraction and nature restoration. In 1996 and 2007 large-scale measures were taken, which include filling in of recovery canals, mowing, grazing and sod-cutting to support the native plant communities of wet dune slack habitats. Results of these measures in terms of the restoration of natural hydrological conditions are shown together with the first results for the recovery of wet slacks vegetation that resulted from the combined hydrological and ecological restoration measures that were taken since 1995.     

Dynamics of grass–clover mixtures—An analysis of the response to management with the PROductive GRASsland Simulator (PROGRASS)

A dynamic plot-scale model PROGRASS was developed to simulate the seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of productive, cut grass/clover mixtures in response to management, and specifically to examine the role of root development on grass/clover interactions. The model was parameterized by virtue of data for dry matter yield, leaf area index, root mass, soil mineral N uptake and biological N fixation from a long-term field trial in north-eastern Switzerland. It was tested using 5 years of independent data for yield and clover fraction from a field experiment with two management regimes carried out on the Swiss Central Plateau. The results of transient simulations indicated that under intensive fertilization grass dominance was initiated by preferential allocation of assimilates to the roots. The rapid growth of the grass root system lowered the substrate C:N ratio, favouring carbon allocation to the shoot, which eventually provided competitive advantages with respect to light interception. Under extensive management, limited N acquisition capacity of the grass root system maintained preferential allocation to the roots, limiting shoot development in the grass and leading to clover dominance. Co-existence regimes with dominance by one of the components were also found in equilibrium experiments, with a transition regime from clover to grass dominance for annual N applications in the range 100–200 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ that reflected adjustments of the root system to fertilization. It is concluded that the dynamics of grass/clover mixtures is driven by negative and positive feedbacks in the soil–plant system that are strongly controlled by root development and therefore by the allocation patterns of the grass component.     

Response of the grain yield and quality of hybrid rice to weak light stress北大核心CSCD

In this study, three rice varieties, Byou268 (low light-sensitive type), Nei5you768 (intermediate type), and Yixiangyou1108 (low light-tolerant), were used as experimental materials to investigate the yield and quality responses of different rice varieties to low light stress under normal light (CK) and low light (SH). The results showed the following: (1) Compared with normal light, the decrease in Yixiangyou1108’s 1 000-grain weight, grain number per spike, and seed setting rate under low light treatment were much lower than those of Nei5you768 and Byou268. The yield decline of Yixiangyou1108 (46.5%) was significantly lower than that of Nei5you768 (56.5%) and Byou268 (69.8%). Yixiangyou1108 showed strong tolerance to low light stress in terms of 1 000-grain weight, seed setting rate, grain number per panicle, and yield. (2) Compared with normal light, the reduction in grain length and width of Yixiangyou1108 under low-light treatment was significantly greater than that of Byou268; however, the reduction in the length-width ratio did not reach a significant level. The amylose content and gel consistency of the rice were significantly reduced. The reduction in amylose content of Yixiangyou1108 (24.5%) was significantly lower than that of Nei5you768 (28.1%) and Byou268 (30.6%); however, the decrease in gel consistency of Yixiangyou1108 (14.7%) was significantly higher than that of Nei5you768 (9.8%) and Byou268 (8.1%). After low light treatment, the characteristic values of the RVA curve of rice changed. The peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity of Yixiangyou1108, Nei5you768, and Byou268 were significantly decreased, but the cold glue viscosity and setback viscosity were significantly increased, while there was no significant difference in the peak time and peak temperature. The response of 1 000-grain weight, grain number per spike, and seed setting rate under low light stress can be used as a yield index of rice breeding with low light tolerance; rice grain type, amylose, and gel consistency; and peak viscosity and hot paset viscosity in RVA characteristic values can be used as quality indexes of low-light-tolerant rice material breeding. © 2022 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Susceptibility to oxidative stress of the Mediterranean demosponge Petrosia ficiformis : role of endosymbionts and solar irradiance

 The effects of elevated pO₂ and irradiance as inducers of prooxidant conditions have been investigated in the Mediterranean demosponge Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret, 1789). This species lives symbiotically with the autotrophic cyanobacterium Aphanocapsa feldmanni, the abundance of which is controlled by the intensity of light irradiance. In the presence of symbionts, tissues of P. ficiformis were characterized by a general enhancement of antioxidant defenses as compared to aposymbiotic specimens. The main differences included higher activities of several antioxidant enzymes and a greater capability to neutralize various forms of oxyradicals, as indicated by the total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay. Elevated pO₂, more than light, appeared to be the primary factor inducing prooxidant pressure in the Mediterranean sponge; in fact, irrespective of the solar irradiance experienced by the sponge, symbiotic specimens showed comparable activities of antioxidant enzymes and a similar scavenging capacity towards various reactive oxygen species. However, the potential toxicity of photodynamic production of reactive oxygen species was demonstrated in organisms from more irradiated sites, as the levels of antioxidant defenses were lowered in the outer layer of the sponge. The role of enhanced antioxidant defenses in protecting symbiotic specimens, also from oxyradical-mediated toxicity of light exposure, was supported by translocation experiments; aposymbiotic sponges did not survive when moved to conditions of elevated solar irradiance, while no effects were observed in symbiotic specimens if translocated and/or deprived of symbionts. Received: 23 November 1999 / Accepted: 13 June 2000     

Did the pre-1980 use of in-stream structures improve streams? A reanalysis of historical data.

In the 1930s, after only three years of scientific investigation at the University of Michigan Institute for Fisheries Research, cheap labor and government-sponsored conservation projects spearheaded by the Civilian Conservation Corps allowed the widespread adoption of in-stream structures throughout the United States. From the 1940s through the 1970s, designs of in-stream structures remained essentially unchanged, and their use continued. Despite a large investment in the construction of in-stream structures over these four decades, very few studies were undertaken to evaluate the impacts of the structures on the channel and its aquatic populations. The studies that were undertaken to evaluate the impact of the structures were often flawed. The use of habitat structures became an "accepted practice," however, and early evaluation studies were used as proof that the structures were beneficial to aquatic organisms. A review of the literature reveals that, despite published claims to the contrary, little evidence of the successful use of in-stream structures to improve fish populations exists prior to 1980. A total of 79 publications were checked, and 215 statistical analyses were performed. Only seven analyses provide evidence for a benefit of structures on fish populations, and five of these analyses are suspect because data were misclassified by the original authors. Many of the changes in population measures reported in early publications appear to result from changes in fishing pressure that often accompanied channel modifications. Modern evaluations of channel-restoration projects must consider the influence of fishing pressure to ensure that efforts to improve fish habitat achieve the benefits intended. My statistical results show that the traditional use of in-stream structures for channel restoration design does not ensure demonstrable benefits for fish communities, and their ability to increase fish populations should not be presumed.     

Effects of glucose dehydrogenase gene knock-out in Acetobacter sp. On the metabolism of carbon sources and the synthesis of 3-hydroxypropionic acid北大核心CSCD

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is an emerging platform chemical with a high added-value. Resting cells of Acetobacter sp. can efficiently catalyze 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) to 3-HP. Glucose is oxidized by the membrane-bound dehydrogenase, resulting in an acidic environment that inhibits cell growth and reduces the biomass. We deleted the gdh gene for glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), and investigated the effects on cell growth, carbon metabolism, and 3-HP production. The gdh gene knocked-out showed a 1.72-fold increase in biomass in the mixed medium containing glucose and glycerol. A carbon flux analysis showed that glucose was converted to gluconic acid by GDH, followed by an oxidation to 2-ketogluconic acid. In addition, a small percentage of the gluconic acid was degraded via the pentose phosphate pathway. Glycerol was phosphorylated and entered the central pathway (gluconeogenesis). Results indicate that the deletion of gdh can effectively promote higher cell densities and improve the catalytic performance for the production of 3-HP, and thus provide a theoretical reference for improving the carbon source utilization and the catalytic performance of acetic acid bacteria. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Two sides of the same coin? Rare and pest plants native to the United States and Canada

Plant biodiversity is at risk, with as many as 10% of native species in the United States being threatened with extinction. Habitat loss has led a growing number of plant species to become rare or threatened, while the introduction or expansion of pest species has led some habitats to be dominated by relatively few, mostly nonindigenous, species. As humans continue to alter many landscapes and vegetation types, understanding how biological traits determine the location of species along a spectrum from vulnerability to pest status is critical to designing risk assessment protocols, setting conservation priorities, and developing monitoring programs. We used boosted regression trees to predict rarity (based on The Nature Conservancy global rankings) and pest status (defined as legal pest status) from data on traits for the native vascular flora of the United States and Canada including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (n approximately = 15,000). Categories were moderately to highly predictable (AUCpest = 0.87 on 25% holdout test set, AUCrarity = 0.80 on 25% holdout test set). Key predictors were chromosome number, ploidy, seed mass, and a suite of traits suggestive of specialist vs. generalist adaptations (e.g., facultative wetland habitat association and phenotypic variability in growth form and life history). Specifically, pests were associated with high chromosome numbers, polyploidy, and seed masses ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg, whereas rare species were associated with low chromosome numbers, low ploidy, and large (>1000 mg) seed masses. In addition, pest species were disproportionately likely to be facultatively associated with wetlands, and variable in growth form and life history, whereas rare species exhibited an opposite pattern. These results suggest that rare and pest species contrast along trait axes related to dispersal and performance in disturbed or novel habitats.     

EU vision of sustainable agriculture,land use,forestry and management of natural resources – level of the Slovak state administration convergence to the EU requirements

The EU vision of sustainable agriculture, land use, forestry and management of natural resources contributes to the balanced exploitation of the environment, taking into account rural development strategy. Whilst the EU directs activities through legislative tools, national systems of public administration are responsible for the implementation of the respective laws. Despite there not being acquis communautaire in public administration, non-formal cooperation has nevertheless emerged and systems of national public administration have to meet EU criteria and ensure the effective implementation of legislation. The paper presents an analysis of how Slovak state administration has converged with EU requirements in the field of sustainable agriculture, land use, forestry and natural resources. Administrative convergence is considered through the internal convergence represented by capacities without legal subjectivity, and through external convergence represented by legal and administrative subjectivity. Both approaches are observed at the central level within specialized public authorities. Local state administration is characterized by the creation of internal administrative capacities with the challenging delimitation of which competences are affected by the process of administrative convergence.     

Development of the “rare-earth” hypothesis to explain the reasons of geophagy in Teletskoye Lake are kudurs (Gorny Altai,Russia)

The mineral and chemical composition of the liquid and lithogenous substances, consumed by the wild ungulate animals, at the kudurs of the Teletskoye Lake, Gorny Altai, Russia, was studied. It was investigated that all examined kudurits are argillous-aleurolitic and get in the interval from 1 to 100 μm with the predominance of the fraction 10 μm. By the mineral composition, the lithogenous kudurits present the quartz-feldspathic-hydromicaceous-chloritic mineral formations with the large content of the quartz particles (20–43%) and sodium-containing plagioclases (albite, 15–32 wt%). The lithogenous kudurits are the products of the reconstitution of the metamorphic cleaving stones as a result of the glacier abrasive effect, subsequent its aqueous deposits and then eolation in the subaerial conditions. The fontinal waters consumed at the kudurs are subsaline chloride-hydrocarbonate-sodium and sulphated-hydrocarbonate-calcium types. It essentially differs by the increased content of rare-earth elements in reference to the lake water. The acid (HCl, pH-1) extracts from the kudurits more actively extract calcium (10–35% of the gross contents; sodium extracts at the level of 1–3%). The most fluent in the microelements composition are Cu, Be, Sr, Co, Cd, Pb, Sc, Y and rare-earth elements. The transit of all these elements into the dissoluted form fluctuates about 10% from the gross contents. The reason of geophagy is related to tendency of herbivores to absorb mineralized subsoils enriched by the biologically accessible forms of rare-earth elements, arisen as a result of vital activity of specific microflora.