Evaluation of fodder quality of straw of different landraces of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under cultivation in the Kumaun Region of Indian Central Himalaya

Thirty landraces of rice collected from various locations, across an elevational gradient (1150–2400 m asl), in Kumaun, Central Himalaya and VL-206 (a high-yielding variety recommended for rainfed mountain area) have been evaluated, both in terms of quantity and nutritional quality of straw. Data were collected to estimate the percentage share of fodder in the overall biomass produced. The total biomass harvested at maturity was taken as productivity. In view of the severe scarcity of fodder in hill regions, particularly during winter months, straw was also examined for quality-linked biochemical parameters and dry matter digestibility (DMD) of fodder. The Crude Protein (CP) values ranged from 2.21% (Nandhani) to 6.33% (Dalbadal), and in saceo DMD (nylonbag technique) was highest in Kaladur (48.84%) and lowest in Kantolia (32.25%). While the CP in VL206 was within the range recorded for various landraces (3.61%), DMD value (27.29%) was lower than that of all the landraces tested. In saceo DMD data indicate that the fodder quality of landraces is better than that of the introduced variety. The values for neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ranged from 63.64% (Sabhawati) to 78.46% (Chhotiya) among the rainfed landraces, while in the irrigated landraces, Thapchini had more NDF (87.50 %), as compared to Kantolia (73.88%) and VL206 (74.91%). Values for the acid detergent fibre (ADF) varied from 42.70% (Danbasmati) to 54.58% (Nandhani) in the rainfed group; ADF was slightly higher in Thapchini (49.41%) in comparison to Kantolia (47.19) and VL206 had the highest (56.80%) ADF content. The observed differences with respect to straw productivity, chemical composition and in saceo DMD in various landraces, even when grown under similar conditions at one place, clearly indicate the richness of the gene pool of rice being maintained, through cultivation, in the Kumaun hills. It may be mentioned that agriculture in the hills is biomass based, and livestock form an integral component of subsistence farming.     

Flow of chemical energy in Alwar jheel of Yamuna basin near Allahabad

The water quality, rate of energy transformation, chemical composition of producers and flow of chemical energy were studied in both feeding river Yamuna and Alwar jheel near Allahabad. As the river Yamuna had high value of alkalinity (210.0 mgl(-1)), conductance (518.0 micromhos), dissolved solids (260.0 mgl(-1)), hardness (162.0 mgl(-1)) and chloride (54.6 mgl(-1)) jheel also showed high values of these parameters. The rate of energy transformation from kinetic radiant energy to chemical energy was very high in the jheel 32,315 Cal m(-2) day(-1) of which 25,620 Cal m(-2) day(-1) was contributed by aquatic plants. Out of 11,764 x 10(4) Kcal ha(-1) yr(-1) total energy fixed in the system, producers stored 7,154 x 10(4) Kcal ha(-1) yr(-1) and the rest was lost as heat of respiration. The pattern of storage of energy was different in two groups of producers and thus most of the energy fixed by phytoplankton was stored as protein (56.2%) and less as carbohydrate (11.7%) while aquatic plants stored more energy as carbohydrate (40.8%) than protein (23.2%). The chemical energy obtained from the system was 1,85,000 Kcal ha(-1) yr(-1) and thus only 0.260% of the chemical energy stored by producers was harvested. The potential chemical energy resource in the jheel was 81.4 x 10(4) Kcal ha(-1) yr(-1) of which only 22.6% was harvested in the jheel and there is enough scope for further enhancement.     

重金属镉锌联合胁迫下鲫鱼组织中金属硫蛋白的动态变化

以鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)为试验材料,研究了重金属镉锌联合胁迫对鲫鱼肝脏和肾脏组织中金属硫蛋白(MT)含量的影响。结果表明,在0.005、0.010、0.050、0.100、0.500 mg.L-1镉分别与1.0 mg.L-1锌联合胁迫下,鲫鱼肝脏和肾脏组织中MT含量的总体变化趋势较为一致,均为先升高后降低再升高,MT含量在第12小时达到峰值,肝脏MT含量达(5.735±0.016)~(10.640±0.023)μg.g-1,肾脏MT含量达(8.346±0.014)~(12.990±0.031)μg.g-1。在试验的0—12 h内肝脏中MT增加速率为0.22~0.69μg.g-1.h-1,在试验的0—6 h内肾脏中MT增加速率为0.83~1.67μg.g-1.h-1。在0—12 h内鲫鱼肝脏和肾脏组织中MT增加量与镉含量呈正相关,表现出一定的剂量-效应关系,表明水体中镉锌联合可诱导鲫鱼组织中MT的合成与表达,且诱导时间主要在0—12 h之内。研究表明,鲫鱼肝和肾组织中MT可作为评价外源重金属污染的指标。     

Impact of different doses of lead on internal organs of quails

Lead (Pb) is the most ancient poison known to man. In the present study, amount of accumulation of Pb in liver, kidney, ovary and testes of rain quail was studied using different doses of lead. Spectrophotometric analysis of heavy metal treated organs was carried out to determine the amount of metal accumulation in these organs. LD50 value was 4 ppm. Dose of lead was given in three ranges of low, medium and high. It was observed that testes (< or =6.8 x 10(-6)) mgkg(-1)day(-1) and ovary (< or =7.5 x 10(-6)) mgkg(-1)day(-1), accumulated low amount from different doses when given continuously for 21 days. In contrast to this, liver (< or =9.2 x 10(-6)) mgkg(-1)day(-1) and kidney (< or =9.3 x 10(-6)) mgkg(-1)day(-1) accumulated the maximum amount of metal when treated for the same number of days. This study is quite unique and astonishing as the period for intoxication is short (21 days) as compared to the long ones (91 days and above). Our results show that generally metal accumulation is highest in liver, while it is low in gonad.     

Studies on antimicrobial activities of solvent extracts of different spices

The antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extract of 12 plant species were studied. The extract of Capsicum annuum (red pepper) (fruit) Zingiber officinale (ginger) (root), Cuminum cyminum (cumin), Alpinia ficinarum (galingale), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cinnamomun zeylanicum Nees (cinnamomun), Origanum onites L. (thyme), Folium sennae (senna), Eugenia caryophyllata (cloves), Flos tiliae (lime), Folium menthae crispae (peppermint) and Piper nigrum (blackpepper) were tested in vitro against 2 fungi and 8 bacterial species by the disc diffusion method. Klebsiella pneumonia 13883, Bacillus megaterium NRS, Pseudomonas aeroginosa ATCC 27859, Staphylococcus aureus 6538 P, Escherichia coil ATCC 8739, Enterobacter cloaca ATCC 13047, Corynebacterium xerosis UC 9165, Streptococcus faecalis DC 74, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Rhodotorula rubra were used in this investigation. The results indicated that extracts of different spices has shown antibacterial activity in the range of 7-24 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibition zone Eugenia caryophyllata (clove), 7-20 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Capsicum annum (red pepper) and Cinnamomun zeylanicum (cinnamon) bark, 7-18 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Folium sennae (senna) leaves, 7-16 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibition zone Zingiber officinale (ginger) root, 7-15 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Cuminum cyminum (cumin) seed, 7-14 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibition zone Folium menthae crispae (peppermint), Origanum onites (thyme) leaves and Alpinia ficinarum (galingale) root, 7-12 mm 30 microl(-1) inhibiton zone Piper nigrum (blackpepper), 7-11 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Flos tiliae (lime) leaves, 7-8 mm 30microl(-1) inhibition zone Coriandrum sativum (coriander) to the microorganisms tested.     

大冶龙角山矿区几种植物的重金属吸收特征

通过调查采样和化学测试,对大冶龙角山矿区小麦、油菜、莴苣、白菜苔、豌豆等几种主要农作物中的重金属Cu、Pb、Cd及类金属As的质量分数进行分析。结果表明,供试农作物中,莴苣的重金属(包括As)质量分数显著高于其它作物的,其中以Cd质量分数最高,而豌豆的重金属质量分数最低,其它作物重金属质量分数由高到低的顺序为油菜、腌菜、白菜苔、小麦;小麦中的重金属质量分数依次是w(Cd) > w(As) > w(Pb) > w(Cu) > w(Cr),油菜中为w(Cd) > w(As) > w(Pb) > w(Cr) > w(Cu),莴苣中为w(Cd) > w(Cu) > w(Pb) > w(As)> w(Cr);随河流向下,作物中重金属含量变化规律与相应土壤中重金属累积量基本一致,如油菜含铜量在上游为0.61 g/g,在下游为0.37 g/g。     

铅暴露与排放对中华鲟幼鱼血液中ALT、AST活力的影响

采用水溶液静态置换法,从中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)受精卵发育至96 h开始,研究了其在0(对照组)、0.2、0.8和1.6mg·L~(-1) Pb~(2+)水溶液中暴露16周,随后排放6周,对中华鲟幼鱼血液中ALT、AST活力的影响.结果显示:Pb暴露后幼鱼血液中的ALT和AST活力均表现为随Pb暴露剂量增加而升高的趋势,1.6mg·L~(-1)组ALT活力与其它各组比较呈极显著差异(P<0.01);0.8和1.6mg·L~(-1)组AST活力与对照组比较分别呈显著差异(P<0.05)和极显著差异(P<0.01). Pb排放后,各暴露组血液中ALT活力降低至对照组水平(P>0.05);1.6 mg·L~(-1)组的AST活力依然较高.超出对照组近2倍(P<0.01).对照组血液的AST/ALT值在2.24～2.32之间;随Pb质量浓度增加,暴露后AST/ALT值呈增加趋势.Pb排放后AST/ALT值降低,但1.6 mg·L~(-1)组与其余各组比较仍维持较高值(P<0.05).初步认为,0.2 mg·L~(-1)和0.8 mg·L~(-1) Pb~(2+)暴露导致中华鲟幼鱼肝细胞不同程度受损,经Pb排放后,轻度受损的组织细胞能够恢复.血液中的AST/ALT值在判断鱼类组织损伤中也具有重要意义.     

二氧化硫体内衍生物对雄性小鼠精子的毒性效应

为了探讨二氧化硫(SO2)的雄性生殖毒理效应,研究了SO2体内代谢衍生物———亚硫酸钠(Na2SO3)和亚硫酸氢钠(NaHSO3)混合液(物质的量比为3:1)对雄性昆明小鼠精子的毒性作用.采用腹腔注射(i.p.)染毒方法,每天注射一次,连续5 d,于染毒后d 35处死动物,观察和分析小鼠的精子活动度、数量和畸形率.结果表明:(1)SO2衍生物可引起小鼠精子数量尤其是正常活动度精子数量减少,引起不活动精子数量增加,且呈剂量-效应关系;(2)SO2衍生物可引起多种类型的精子畸形增加,尤其可引起不定形畸变精子的频率显著增加,总精子畸变率随染毒剂量的增加而呈剂量依赖性增高.由此推论,SO2污染有一定的雄性生殖毒性.图1表2参14     

Use of degenerate primers in rapid generation of microsatellite markers in Panicum maximum

Guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) is an important forage grass of tropical and semi-tropical regions, largely apomictic and predominantly exist in tetraploid form. For molecular breeding work, it is prerequisite to develop and design molecular markers for characterization of genotypes, development of linkage map and marker assisted selection. Hence, it is an important researchable issue to develop molecular markers in those crops where such information is scanty. Among many molecular markers, microsatellites or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are preferred markers in plant breeding. Degenerate primers bearing simple sequence repeat as anchor motifs can be utilized in rapid development of SSR markers; however selection of suitable degenerate primers is a prerequisite for such procedure so that SSR enriched genomic library can be made rapidly. In the present study seven degenerated primers namely KKVRVRV(AG)10, KKVRVRV(GGT)5, KKVRVRV(CT)10, KKVRVRV(AAT)6, KKVRVRV(GTG)6, KKVRVRV(GACA)5, and KKVRVRV(CAA)6 were used in amplification of Panicum maximum genomic DNA. Primers with repeat motifs (GGT)5 and (AAT)6 have not reacted whereas (AG)10, (GACA)5 and (CAA)6 highly informative as they have generated many DNA fragments ranging from 250 to 1600 bps as revealed from the results obtained with restriction digestion of recombinant plasmids. Primer with (CT)10 anchor repeat, amplified fragments of high molecular weight where as (GTG)6 primer generated only six bands with low concentration indicating less suitability of these primerin SSR markers development in P maximum.     

水稻根系吸收砷的动力学特征及硅的缓解机制（Uptake Kinetics of Arsenic Species in Two Genotypes of Rice Plants and Mitigatory Mechanism of Silicon）

采用室内模拟的方法,研究了两种基因型水稻(硅突变体和野生型)根系吸收As的动力学特征以及Si对水稻吸收As的影响.结果表明,两种基因型水稻根系对As(III)和As(V)的吸收均可以用Freundlich模型较好地模拟.外源Si的加入可显著降低水稻根系对As(III)和As(V)的吸收.在20μmol·L-1As处理下,与不加Si处理相比,加1.0mmol·L-1Si处理导致水稻根系吸收As(III)和As(V)分别降低94.1%和92.2%(野生型);74.4%和90.2%(突变体).在100μmol·L-1As处理下,水稻根系吸收As(III)和As(V)则分别降低64.5%和91.2%(野生型);76.1%和90.6%(突变体).     

Evaluation of initiation activity of dimethylarsinic acid: Initiation potential of rat hepatocarcinogenesis

There is a dearth of data on the initiation activity of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA (V)), a major metabolite of the ubiquitous environmental and occupational carcinogen and toxicant, arsenic (As). The initiation activity of DMA (V) was investigated on rat hepatocarcinogenesis with liver being a major target organ for As-induced carcinogenicity. A total of 50 rats at 10 weeks old were randomly divided in a nine-week medium-term bioassay into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 received 200 ppm of DMA (V) in drinking water for four weeks while groups 3 and 4 drank only tap water until the sixth week when groups 1 and 3 were given 0.01% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in their diet for two weeks in the promotion stage. All animals were subjected to two-third partial hepatectomy (PH) at the seventh week. Quantitative analysis of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci in liver, a pre-neoplastic marker of rat hepatocarcinogenesis, demonstrated higher numbers in group 1 (DMA (V) + 2-AAF) than 3 (2-AAF alone) at foci consisting of two–four cells and 15 or a greater number of cells. The numbers of GST-P positive foci consisting of five–nine cells were significantly higher in group 1 than 3. Foci consisting of 10–14 cells were also higher but not significantly different. The GST-P positive foci were apparently similar in groups 2 and 4. Expression of total GST-P positive foci was significantly higher in group 1 compared to 2, 3 or 4. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) test performed to clarify the apparent trend of GST-P data revealed significantly higher PCNA index in group 1. Data indicate weak initiation potential of DMA (V) and for the first time appear to provide evidence for initiation activity in DMA (V)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.     

CdTe/ZnSQDs在小鼠肾脏中的药代动力学特征

为了解Cd Te/Zn SQDs(Cd Te/Zn S量子点)在小鼠肾脏中的药代动力学特征,选择雄性ICR(Institute of Cancer Research)小鼠为动物模型,每只单次尾静脉注射5 nmol的Cd Te/Zn SQDs(粒径约为6 nm,最大发射波长590 nm)。在尾静脉注射Cd Te/Zn SQDs 15 min、1 h、6 h、24 h、72 h、168 h、2 w、4 w和6 w时剖取小鼠的肾脏,消化后使用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)检测其中的Cd(镉)和Te(碲)含量,Cd和Te在小鼠肾脏中浓度随时间的变化均呈现先增加后降低的趋势,Cd和Te含量分别在168 h和72 h时达到峰值(60.42±8.85)ng·g~(-1)和(18.69±0.97)ng·g~(-1),之后逐渐下降,将二者的含量以摩尔比表示,随着给药时间的延长,摩尔(Cd):摩尔(Te)由2.71:1逐渐变成1.39:1。利用3P87计算Cd和Te在肾脏中的药代动力学参数,结果发现Cd和Te在肾脏中的Vd(表观分布体积)分别为(823.14±82.76)g·kg~(-1)和(686.28±53.13)g·kg~(-1)(P0.05);AUC(药物浓度-时间曲线下面积)分别为(24.48±2.52)μg·g~(-1)·h和(7.41±0.60)μg·g~(-1)·h(P0.01);CL(清除率)分别为(0.90±0.11)g·kg~(-1)·h~(-1)和(1.02±0.13)g·kg~(-1)·h~(-1)(P0.05);t1/2(半衰期)分别为(617.02±8.57)h和(458.21±1.85)h(P0.01)。研究提示Cd和Te在肾脏含量的摩尔比随时间变化不同,QDs在体内发生了化学降解;二者的药代动力学参数不同,Cd在肾脏中的代谢速度明显慢于Te,游离的Cd2+可能引起肾脏毒性。     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Hymenosomatidae (Crustacea: Brachyura) and the relationships of the family

The spermatozoa of the genus Odiomaris Ng and Richer de Forges, 1996 (=Amarinus Lucas, 1980) have the components typical of eubrachyuran (Heterotremata + Thoracotremata) sperm, but differ significantly from all other investigated eubrachyurans in at least ten characteristics: (1) presence of an epiopercular dome; (2) separation of all but the central region of the operculum from the remainder of the acrosome by an infra-opercular rim; (3) the fact that the acrosome is smaller in volume than the nucleus; (4) the acrosome is strongly emergent from the nucleus, being surrounded only basally by nuclear material; (5) the cytoplasmic sheath, ending anteriorly with the nucleus, is also basal; (6) division of the acrosome contents into an inner and outer acrosome zone is scarcely apparent in longitudinal section as the inner zone is narrow and of doubtful homology; (7) the thin, putative inner acrosome zone is anteriorly almost septate owing to several longitudinal corrugations; (8) basally there is a unique “fringe zone”; (9) the acrosome, including the epinuclear dome, is longer than wide; (10) the unique helical and posterolateral disposition of the nuclear arms. From a purely spermatological viewpoint, Odiomaris (as exemplified by O. pilosus and O. estuarius), and provisionally the Hymenosomatidae, are thus excluded from the Thora- cotremata, in which they were formerly placed, nor are they readily placeable in the Heterotremata. Received: 30 December 1996 / Accepted: 4 February 1997     

Effect of lime on speciation of heavy metals during composting of water hyacinth

Composting is attractive and inexpensive method for treatment and biomass disposal of water hyacinth. However, the major disadvantage of water hyacinth composting is the high content of heavy metals in the final compost. Addition of lime sludge significantly reduced most bioavailable fractions (exchangeable and carbonate) of heavy metals. Studies were carried on composting of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) with cattle manure and sawdust (6:3:1 ratio) and effects of addition of lime (1%, 2% and 3%) on heavy metal speciation were evaluated during 30 days of composting period. The Tessier sequential extraction method was employed to investigate the changes in speciation of heavy metals such as Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) during water hyacinth composting. Effects of physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH and organic matter on speciation of heavy metals were also studied during the process. Results showed that, the total metal content was increased during the composting process. The higher reduction in bioavailability factor (BF) of Cu, Fe, Ni, Cd and Cr was observed in lime 2 treatment about 62.1%, 64.4%, 71.9%, 62.1% and 58.9% respectively; however higher reduction in BF of Zn and Pb was observed in lime 1 treatment during the composting process. Reducible and oxidizable fractions of Ni, Pb and Cd were not observed during the process. Addition of lime was very effective for reduction of bioavailability of heavy metals during composting of water hyacinth with cattle manure and sawdust.     

农田生态系统大气氮、硫湿沉降通量的观测研究

2007年10月至2008年9月,借助自动降雨收集器(APS-2A)及自动气象观测站(VSALA-M52),在中国科学院红壤生态实验站(江西鹰潭)农田区内定位采集雨水样本,探讨了大气氮、硫湿沉降特征,估算了大气氮、硫的湿沉降向农田生态系统的输入通量.结果表明,雨水中氮、硫素的月质量浓度变异较大,全氮(T-N)、铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)和硫(SO_4~(2-)-S)的月质量浓度,即ρ(T-N)、ρ(NH_4~+-N)、ρ(NO_3~-N)和ρ(SO_4~(2-)S)分别为1.09～7.84、0.64~6.25、0.34～1.83和0.95～7.64mg·L~(-1),均与降水呈负相关,其中ρ(T-N)、ρ(NH_4~+-N)、ρ(SO_4~(2-)-S)与降水的相关性达到比较显著水平(n=11,p<0.10).湿沉降月通量F(T-N)、F(NI_4~+N)、F(NO_3~--N)和F(SO_4~(2-)-S)分别为1.0～7.84、0.64～6.25、0.17～1.54和1.22～9.15 kg·hm~(-2),均与降水呈正相关,其中F(T-N)、F(NH_4~+-N)和F(SO_4~(2-)-S)与降水的相关性均达到显著水平(n=11,p<0.05).季节上,雨水氮、硫浓度及湿沉降氮、硫通量均呈冬春>夏秋的特性.湿沉降向农田生态系统输入N 35.94 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)和S45.93 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1),其中NH4~+-N的年沉降通量为22.92 kg·hm~(-2),占湿沉降氮总量的63.75%.     

作物地上部氨排放及对大气氮沉降的吸收

为研究作物地上部分氨排放以及对大气氮沉淀的吸收情况,以水稻(Oryza saliva L.)品种武运粳7号和小麦(Triticumaestivum L.)品种扬麦15为例.在盆栽条件下,利用~15N同位素示踪技术,采用探索性的研究方法,初步分析了水稻成熟期植株NH_3排放和小麦植株直接吸收的大气沉降氮.结果表明,土培的水稻品种武运粳7号地上部植株成熟期排放氨氮(NH_3-N)量约占当季总施氮(N)量的(0.50±0.21)%;收获后水稻植株不同部位~(15)N丰度值以根部最高,茎叶次之,籽粒最低,这与植株体内养分的运移顺序变化一致;贫化~(15)N小麦砂培试验测定的包括植株直接吸收在内的大气氮沉降数量为N(14.8±4.3)kg·hm~(-2),低于国外类似方法以其它作物作为研究对象的测定结果.     

蚯蚓在植物修复铜、镉污染土壤中的作用

以红壤和高砂土为供试土壤,分别加入3个浓度的重金属铜离子Cu2 (100,200,400 mg kg-1)或镉离子Cd2 (5,10,20 mg kg-1),每钵接种6条蚯蚓(Pheretimasp.),种植黑麦草(Lolium multiflorum),以不加蚯蚓为对照(CK),研究蚯蚓活动对Cu、Cd污染土壤中黑麦草生长及铜、镉生物有效性的影响.结果表明,添加蚯蚓显著提高了Cu2 、Cd2 污染的高砂土中黑麦草地上部分的生物量,增幅为33%~96%;仅增加了Cu2 污染浓度低于200 mg kg-1的红壤中黑麦草地上部分的生物量;添加蚯蚓显著增加了两种土壤中速效N的含量,促进了黑麦草地上部分对N的吸收,对速效P、K的含量以及黑麦草中P、K含量无显著影响;添加蚯蚓显著提高了红壤中铜(Cu)、镉(Cd)DTPA提取态的含量,对高砂土中DTPA提取态Cu、Cd的含量无显著影响;增加了高砂土中和添加Cu污染浓度低于200 mg kg-1的红壤中黑麦草地上部分吸收Cu的总量,而对黑麦草吸收Cd的量无显著影响.加入蚯蚓可以不同程度地改善植物修复技术应用中受制的两个主要因素.表4参30     

Sources,spatial variation,and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Tamagawa River in Central Japan

Subsurface geochemical behavior of As(V) with Fe(II) was studied under strict anoxic conditions. Abiotic reduction of As(V) (0.1 mM) to As(III) by aqueous Fe(II) and sorbed Fe(II) in pH range 5.0–7.0 and Fe(II)_aq concentration (0.6–1.2 mM) was investigated along with the effect of As(V) on the oxidation of Fe(II) by dissolved oxygen (DO). Although the reduction was thermodynamically feasible for homogeneous chemical conditions, practically no As(V) reduction by aqueous Fe(II) was observed. Similarly, no sorbed As(V) reduction was observed under the heterogeneous experimental conditions by sorbed Fe(II) onto synthetic iron oxide (hematite, α-Fe₂O₃). Experimental results on Fe(II) oxidation by DO in the presence of 0.1 mM As(V) showed a significantly slower Fe(II) oxidation, which might be due to the formation of Fe(II)–As(V) complex in the aqueous phase. The results of this study demonstrate that As(V) is relatively stable in the presence of Fe(II) under subsurface environment and interfere the oxidation of Fe(II).     

The Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology A global community of conservation professionals

Cover: A variety of systems, issues, and approaches are involved in the conservation of marine resources (special section, pages 1699–1778). Top row: (left) invertebrate assemblage of a kelp forest, Monterey, California (photo by Lance Morgan); (right) ceremonial harvest of reef fish, Papua New Guinea (photo by Joshua Cinner). Middle row: (left) reef fish in traditional fishery, Indonesia (photo by Joshua Cinner); (center) red rock lobster ( Jasus edwardsii ) in Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, New Zealand (photo by Ian Nilsson); (right) traditional spearfisher, Papua New Guinea (photo by Joshua Cinner). Bottom row: (left) ecoguard educates the local community at Hohéli Marine Park, Comoros Islands,Africa (photo by Mark Brown); (right) the rocky intertidal zone of Las Cruces Marine Protected Area, Chile (photo by Carolyn Lundquist).     

Application of tree-ring isotopic analyses to reconstruct historical water use of riparian trees.

Historical patterns of water source use by trees inferred from long-term records of tree-ring stable isotopic content could assist in evaluating the impact of human alterations to natural stream flow regimes (e.g., water impoundments, stream flow diversions, and groundwater extraction). Our objective was to assess the utility of the hydrogen stable isotopic composition (SD) of tree rings as an index of historical water source use by riparian trees. We investigated the influence of site conditions that varied in climate and hydrology on the relationship between deltaD of Populus xylem water (deltaD(xyl)) and tree-ring cellulose (deltaD(cell)). deltaD(xyl) and deltaD(cell) were strongly correlated across sites (r2 = 0.89). However, the slope of this relationship was less than 1, indicating that factors other than deltaD(xyl) influenced deltaD(cell). Inverse modeling with an isotopic fractionation model for tree-ring cellulose suggested that the lack of one-to-one correspondence between deltaD(xyl) and deltaD(cell) was due to the influence of the hydrogen isotopic content of the atmospheric water vapor (deltaD(atm)). Empirically measured values of deltaD(cell) were typically within the seasonal range of deltaD(cell) predicted from the fractionation model. Sensitivity analyses showed that changes in deltaD(xyl) generally had a greater influence at high-elevation montane sites, whereas deltaD(xyl) and deltaD(atm) had about equal influence on deltaD(cell) at low-elevation desert sites. The intrasite relationship between deltaD(cell) and deltaD(xyl) among individual trees was poor, perhaps because of the within-site spatial variation in hydrologic conditions and associated tree physiological responses. Our study suggests that historical variation in deltaD(cell) of Populus provides information on historical variation in both time-integrated water source use and atmospheric conditions; and that the influence of atmospheric conditions is not consistent over sites with large differences in temperature and humidity. Reconstruction of xylem water sources of Populus in riparian ecosystems from deltaD(cell) will be more direct at higher elevation mountain sites than at low-elevation desert sites.