Simple and reliable methods for the fixation,mounting and staining of small and delicate marine plankton for light microscopic identification

The fixation capacity of mixtures of acrolein, glutaraldehyde, and tannic acid, was investigated to arrive at a fixative for small and delicate marine plankton that is more universal than the current selective fixatives. A mixture containing 4% acrolein, 4% glutaraldehyde and 2% tannic acid added 1:1 to the cell suspension proved to be satisfactory. Mounting of the material in euparal before staining is recommended. Of several dyes tried, fuchsin acid proved suitable for observation of flagella and cell shapes. Delafield haematoxylin staining gave the best results for internal details. Fuchsin base staining, requiring a complex procedure, is recommended when it is necessary to search for flagellar hairs as found in Ochromonas spp. Schedules for the fixation, mounting and staining are given.     

Simulated potential effects of ecological factors on a hypothetical population of Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis)

Simulations provide an opportunity to examine how single or multiple perturbations may impact a specific species. The objectives of this study were to identify thresholds at which changes in stream peak flow, stream base flow, and/or chytrid fungus presence alter long-term Rana chiricahuensis populations. We used scenarios with varying peak flow mortality rates, base flow mortality rates, and chytrid fungus mortality rates. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Over 50 years, populations in six scenarios increased and 13 scenarios decreased. Eight scenarios resulting with fewer than 100 individuals included stochastic effects for at least two of three perturbations and the remaining scenarios included chronic effects of 30% or higher. Scenarios with population increases had either no chytrid fungus effect or chronic effects from perturbations totaling less than 30%. In the absence of chytrid fungus, populations increased and became stable. At a 10% annual death rate caused by chytrid fungus, the R. chiricahuensis population decreased 46.8%. At a 20% death rate, the population decreased 98.6%. Model scenarios were sensitive to peak flow death rates. As peak flow mortality increased to 10 and 20%, extinction rates increased to 91.7 and 99.9%, respectively. With model parameters and the no base flow mortality, R. chiricahuensis populations declined by 92% with a 3.2% extinction rate at 50 years. Models with base flow mortality rates of 10 and 20% resulted in population extinction rates of 48.7 and 96.1%, respectively. Scenario analysis of perturbations on a hypothetical R. chiricahuensis population provided a framework in which to view combined effects on a species. Analysis supports supposition that chytrid fungus is the proximate cause of many amphibian declines, but the added effect of base flow and peak flow has the potential to hasten declines.     

碳质材料和溶解性有机质对沉积物中全氟化合物在摇蚊幼虫体内富集的影响

全氟化合物(PFASs)是一类具有疏水基团和亲水基团的新型污染物.目前,在环境条件对PFASs生物富集影响方面已开展了诸多研究,但有关碳质材料(CMs)和溶解性有机质(DOM)共存对PFASs在生物体内富集的影响还未见报道。为探讨这一问题,研究了沉积物-水体系中2种碳质材料木炭(W400)、多壁碳纳米管(MWCNT10)和4种DOM(丹宁酸、富里酸、蛋白胨和腐殖酸)对6种典型PFASs在摇蚊幼虫体内生物富集的影响。结果表明,暴露10 d后(已达到富集平衡状态),无论体系中是否存在CMs,添加1~50 mg C·L-1不同类型的DOM对PFASs在摇蚊幼虫体内生物富集的影响不显著。无论体系中是否存在DOM,添加CMs均能降低摇蚊幼虫体内PFASs的含量,且MWCNT10对PFASs生物富集的降低比例显著高于W400。与对照相比,添加0.4%的MWCNT10对摇蚊幼虫体内PFASs含量的降低比例为21%~56%,而同等添加量的W400对其降低比例均低于20%。这表明,在沉积物-水体系中,当CMs和DOM共存时,CMs是影响PFASs在摇蚊幼虫体内富集的主要因素,而少量DOM的引入对其影响不大。     

Diversity of root associated microorganisms of selected medicinal plants and influence of rhizomicroorganisms on the antimicrobial property of Coriandrum sativum

The total heterotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes and fungus were enumerated from the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil of 50 selected locally available medicinal plants in and around Bharathiar University. In all the plants, population of microorganism were higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the non rhizosphere soil. Among the microorganisms, bacterial population was higher in number followed by fungus and actinomycetes. Of the medicinal plants, the maximum rhizosphere effect was observed in Annona squamosa and the minimum effect was seen in Eclipta alba and Cassia auriculata. Among the bacteria the dominant species was Bacillus followed by Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus and Serratia. The Streptomyces species was found to be dominant followed by Deuteromycetes and Frankia among the actinomycetes. Among the fungal isolates Rhizopus was found to be higher in number followed by Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor and Fusarium. About 70.96% of the bacterial isolates were found to be nitrate reducers and 90.60% of the bacteria solubilised phosphate. The rhizosphere bacterial isolates were also capable of hydrolyzing starch, cellulose, casein, urea and gelatin. The isolates of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungus were also able to produce phytohormone Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The maximum IAA production was recorded by Fusarium sp (5.8 mg/l). The rhizosphere bacterial isolates showed resistance to 14 commercially used antibiotics. In an attempt to check the influence of these plant growth promoting microorganisms on the antimicrobial property of Coriandrum sativum against Escherichia coli MTCC-443 and Aeromonas hydrophila MTCC-646, the results observed was not encouraging since the inoculants did not influence the antibacterial property. However extensive and in depth study is required to find out the influence of rhizomicroorganisms on the antibacterial property of medicinal plants. The other results clearly indicated that the rhizosphere microorganisms could be exploited for its innumerable properties and active metabolites.     

Black yeast symbionts compromise the efficiency of antibiotic defenses in fungus-growing ants

Multiplayer symbioses are common in nature, but our understanding of the ecological dynamics occurring in complex symbioses is limited. The tripartite mutualism between fungus-growing ants, their fungal cultivars, and antibiotic-producing bacteria exemplifies symbiotic complexity. Here we reveal how black yeasts, newly described symbionts of the ant-microbe system, compromise the efficiency of bacteria-derived antibiotic defense in fungus-growing ants. We found that symbiotic black yeasts acquire nutrients from the ants' bacterial mutualist, and suppress bacterial growth. Experimental manipulation of ant colonies and their symbionts shows that ants infected with black yeasts are significantly less effective at defending their fungus garden from Escovopsis, a prevalent and specialized pathogen. The reduction of mutualistic bacterial biomass on ants, likely caused by black yeast symbionts, apparently reduces the quantity of antibiotics available to inhibit the garden pathogen. Success of the ant-fungal mutualism is directly dependent on fungus garden health. Thus our finding that black yeasts compromise the ants' ability to deal with the garden parasite indicates that it is an integral component of the symbiosis. This is further evidence that a full understanding of symbiotic associations requires examining the direct and indirect interactions of symbionts in their ecological community context.     

入侵物种三裂叶蟛蜞菊挥发物的化感作用研究

对华南地区重要外来入侵物种三裂叶蟛蜞菊挥发物的化感作用进行了研究,以揭示该物种的入侵机制。采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取三裂叶蟛蜞菊地上部分的挥发油,提取率为2.58‰(质量比)。以稗草、三叶鬼针草和青葙3种杂草种子为供试对象,用种子萌发法测定了三裂叶蟛蜞菊挥发物的化感作用活性。结果表明:三裂叶蟛蜞菊的茎叶在密闭系统中产生的挥发性物质对稗草、三叶鬼针草和青葙的幼苗生长有显著抑制作用。稗草的根长、苗高和鲜质量分别比对照减少49.1%、35.0%和27.3%,三叶鬼针草的分别比对照减少18.8%、20.9%和28.6%,青葙的分别比对照减少62.9%、21.2%和50.0%。水蒸气蒸馏法所得的挥发油对稗草、三叶鬼针草和青葙的幼苗生长也有显著抑制作用,且抑制作用随着浓度的增大而增强。稗草的根长、苗高和鲜质量分别比对照减少88.2%、58.3%和45.5%,三叶鬼针草的根长、苗高和鲜质量分别比对照减少38.6%、34.5%和71.4%,青葙的根长、苗高和鲜质量分别比对照减少83.7%、51.5%和75.0%。结论:三裂叶蟛蜞挥发物具有化感作用,其作用机理值得深入研究。     

模拟酸雨对珍稀濒危植物红豆杉幼苗的影响研究

利用模拟酸雨实验对珍稀濒危植物曼地亚红豆杉和南方红豆杉生长及生理生化指标进行研究。结果表明,pH4.5的模拟酸雨促进了曼地亚红豆杉(Taxus media)和南方红豆杉(T.mairei)的株高生长(与对照相比分别促进了19%和72%),pH3.5的模拟酸雨对其有一定的影响,但不显著。pH4.5和pH3.5的酸雨处理下,曼地亚红豆杉基径比对照分别下降了46%和42%;南方红豆杉的相应值分别是34%和43%。总的来说,模拟酸雨促进了这两种红豆杉叶绿素的质量分数,类胡萝卜素的质量分数变化因种而异。酸雨处理提高了曼地亚红豆杉抗氧化系统酶活性,与对照相比约提高了5%～142%;南方红豆杉的相应值为-16%～35%。曼地亚红豆杉游离脯铵酸和丙二醛(MDA)的质量分数比对照提高了13%～73%;而南方红豆杉的相应质量分数基本等于或低于对照。与南方红豆杉相比,曼地亚红豆杉对酸雨更加敏感。     

酸雨对全生育时期水稻叶绿素荧光的影响

酸雨是全球关注的重大环境污染问题之一,中国亦继西欧和北美之后,成为当今世界第三大酸雨区。光合作用是植物生物量和作物经济产量形成的生理基础,叶绿素荧光常用来判断逆境胁迫对植物光合作用造成的伤害。有研究表明,酸雨会对植物叶绿素荧光造成影响,然不同生长阶段植物对逆境的抵抗能力亦存在差异,采用模拟酸雨（酸雨 pH 值梯度为4.5、3.5、2.5）或模拟天然降水持续胁迫（每隔3天喷施1次）水稻（Oryza sativa）（从幼苗期至灌浆期）,利用原位无损伤叶绿素荧光测定技术（德国Walz公司PAM-210脉冲调制式荧光仪）分别探测和分析幼苗期、分蘖期、孕穗期和灌浆期水稻叶片（处理组和对照组）,研究酸雨对全生育期水稻叶绿素荧光的影响,相关研究未见报道。结果表明,与CK相比,pH 4.5酸雨使幼苗期和孕穗期初始荧光（Fo）显著提高了7.69%、8.84%,使幼苗期、分蘖期和孕穗期非光化学猝灭参数（qN）显著提高了8.64%、4.86%、6.09%,使幼苗期和孕穗期最大光化学量子产量（Fv/Fm）,PSII电子传递速率（ETR）,实际原初光能捕获效率（ΦPSII）,光化学猝灭参数（qP）显著降低,幼苗期、孕穗期降幅依次为Fv/Fm（3.01%、6.88%）、ETR（8.40%、10.24%）、ΦPSII（8.39%、12.23%）、qP（3.79%、12.55%）;pH 3.5、pH 2.5酸雨不同程度地显著降低了各生育时期Fv/Fm、ETR、ΦPSII、qP,幼苗期和孕穗期qN,显著提高了各生育时期Fo,且随酸雨pH值降低,变化幅度增大。同时,pH 4.5或pH 3.5酸雨持续胁迫下,水稻受到伤害大小规律为灌浆期＆lt;幼苗期＆lt;分蘖期＆lt;孕穗期;pH 2.5酸雨持续胁迫下,水稻受到伤害大小规律为分蘖期＜幼苗期＜灌浆期＜孕穗期。总之,酸雨胁迫强度与水稻叶绿素荧光参数存在剂量-效应关系,酸雨持续胁迫会对不同生育时期水稻光合作用造成影响,并且不同生育时期水稻光合作用对酸雨胁迫敏感性存在差异,这些是评价酸雨胁迫对植物影响时需考虑因素。     

A basidiomycete isolated from the skeleton of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pocillopora damicornis</Emphasis> (Scleractinia) selectively stimulates short-term survival of coral skeletogenic cells

Endolithic fungi bore through the extracellular calcium carbonate skeleton of reef-building scleractinian corals, both healthy and dead, and effect net erosion of coral reefs. Potential fungal interactions with coral tissue were investigated using an in vitro approach suggested by earlier observations of skeletal repair cones at the site of fungal perforation in Porites sp. A fungal strain was isolated from the skeleton of a long-term culture of healthy, tissue-covered, Pocillopora damicornis Linnaeus colonies maintained in a recirculating system in Monaco. As coral soft tissue spontaneously dissociated in vitro, the skeleton became exposed and hyaline hyphae emerged radially from 15% of the total clipped branches. In this study, which was performed between January 2001 and March 2003, 35 skeleton–hypha explants were embedded in agar-based solid medium, yielding 60% hyphal growth. A fungal strain (F19-3-1) of the dominant (80%) morphology was isolated and propagated in agar-based solid medium. The strain was identified by 18S and 26S rDNA gene sequence analysis as a basidiomycete in the genus Cryptococcus. Co-cultures were used to provide experimental exposure of coral soft tissue to the fungus. The fungus extended the survival of coral cells by 2 days, selectively maintaining skeletogenic cell types. This effect may be interpreted as stimulation by the fungus of a short-term coral defense response.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

湖南省生态足迹与生态承载力的动态变化分析

生态足迹是定量研究区域可持续发展的一种重要方法。为了定量评价湖南省可持续发展程度的动态变化,利用生态足迹理论,计算分析了湖南省1998--2006年间的生态足迹变化过程。结果表明,湖南省人均生态足迹由1998年的1．2441hm。上升至2006年的1．6377hm^2;人均生态承载力由1998年的0．4819hm^2减少为2006年的0．4556hm^2,人均生态赤字由1998年的0．7622hm0上升到2006年的1．1821hm0。生态赤字逐年提高,生态足迹与生态承载力之间的矛盾加剧,区域生态环境处于不安全状态。生态足迹供需结构分析表明,湖南省人均生态足迹供需存在严重的不平衡,其需求以草地、耕地是构成湖南省人均生态足迹的主要组成部分,分别占人均生态足迹的30．11％～37．34％以及29．83％-33．53％,其次是化石能源地（17．60％～22．85％）。而供给以耕地为主,占人均生态承载力的51．02％～53．23％。研究期间万元GDP生态足迹总体上呈下降趋势,表明湖南省的资源利用率不断提高。同时根据生态盈亏的影响因素,并结合湖南省经济发展现状和资源分布特点,探讨了降低和消除区域生态赤字的措施建议。     

土荆芥不同发育期根际土壤养分、酶活及微生物数量的变化

采用盆栽试验,通过比较土荆芥营养期和果期根际土壤中养分、土壤酶活和微生物数量的变化规律,明确土荆芥入侵对土壤生态系统的影响效应,为进一步了解土荆芥入侵机理和制定防控措施提供理论依据.结果表明：（1）土荆芥入侵对土壤养分具有一定的影响.与对照相比,除了土荆芥营养期根际土壤总钾的含量增加了12.26%外,所测其它土壤养分指标均不同程度下降.其中,果期总钾含量降低3.27%,营养期和果期的有机质含量分别降低20.41%和1.22%、总氮含量分别降低27.87%和16.39%、总磷含量分别降低29.41%和14.71%、速效磷含量分别降低49.24%和34.69%、速效钾含量分别降低76.65%和57.22%;（2）土荆芥的生长对土壤胞外酶具有-定的影响.与对照相比,营养期和果期土壤硝酸还原酶活性显著升高（P〈0.05）,分别升高了87.23%和137.23%;营养期的脲酶活性降低了45.92%,与对照差异显著（P〈0.05）;营养期和果期根际土壤的蔗糖酶、酸性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶活性的变化均未达到显著程度（P〉0.05）;（3）土壤微生物数量随着土荆芥生长而增加,但只有真菌数量与对照的差异达到显著水平（P〈0.05）,营养期和果期真菌数量分别增加32.11%和86.18%;（4）与果期相比,营养期土壤养分含量、土壤酶活性和微生物数量普遍较低,推测土荆芥生长初期通过降低土壤营养水平,抑制其周围对营养水平要求较高的植物生长,以获得竞争优势,而果期则通过释放根系分泌物增加了土壤微生物数量和土壤酶活,使土壤养分回升,从而为其繁殖提供有利条件.     

UV-B增加与酸雨复合处理对大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

研究了UV-B辐射增加与酸雨的复合处理对大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：UV-B辐射增加对大豆种子的萌发没有影响，酸雨处理降低了大豆种子的发芽率。UV-B辐射增加与酸雨的复合处理，降低了幼苗的株高、绿叶数、叶面积、干质量、叶绿素和蒸腾速率，复合胁迫的下降幅度明显高于单一因子胁迫，并且下降幅度受UV-B辐射强度与酸雨pH的影响。UV-B辐射增加与酸雨处理在抑制幼苗生长上具有协同作用。     

VA菌根真菌对玉米生长及根际土壤微生态环境的影响

用两种不同的VA菌根真菌Glomus mosseae和Glomuscaledonium接种玉米进行盆栽试验。结果表明,两种菌株均能侵染玉米,促进玉米生长．其中以Glomus caledonium的侵染率和作用较为明显。接种后,根区土壤中的细菌、放线菌、固氮菌的数量和微生物生物量明显增加,但真菌的数量则稍有下降。此外．菌根的形成也改善了根区土壤的微生态环境,为下一造作物的生长积累了养分基础。     

Integrating selected ecological effects of mixed European beech–Norway spruce stands in bioeconomic modelling

The simplicity of many bioeconomic models has been criticised several times, due to their lack of realism resulting from a deterministic nature and a single-species focus. In this context it was interesting to test the financial sensitivity of bioeconomic modelling against fairly well documented ecological effects in mixed forests. For this purpose our study linked existing results of ecological research with bioeconomic modelling. The presented methodological approach could not only show the importance of considering ecological effects in bioeconomic models; it in fact enabled prioritising ecological research from a financial point of view.In a first step, the possible influence of the tree species mixture on forest stand resistance, productivity and timber quality was derived from existing studies. In a second step, the available Monte Carlo simulations for Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), simulated under site conditions and risks typical of southern Germany, were extended by the mentioned ecological effects and then evaluated from a financial perspective.The results showed a clear influence of all tested ecological effects on the financial indicators, financial risk and return. While testing each ecological effect separately, an increased resistance against wind, snow and insect attacks had the greatest influence on financial risk and return. It over-proportionally enhanced the financial return while simultaneously the financial risk was reduced. In contrast, a degraded timber quality could eliminate the positive effect of risk compensation in mixed forests almost completely. The least influence on the financial indicators finally showed a changed volume growth in mixed forests.A combination of the separately tested ecological effects (increased resistance, changed volume growth and decreased timber quality), between both tree species, underlined the dominating importance of the stand resistance. The integration of ecological effects, induced by interdependent tree species, in our bioeconomic model resulted in significantly lower financial risk than ignoring these effects. Moreover, the financial return of mixed stand variants with a proportion of Norway spruce greater than 60% even exceeded that of the most profitable pure stand.In conclusion this paper clearly confirmed that ignoring ecological effects in bioeconomic models could lead to seriously biased financial results. While a changed volume growth proved rather to be of minor importance for European beech/Norway spruce stands, tree resistance and timber quality may change the financial results significantly.     

硅肥施用对重金属污染土壤甘蔗镉吸收的影响研究初探

长期采用受铁矿尾矿水污染的河水进行灌溉的农田,其土壤存在一定重金属镉污染,且土壤酸化严重,有效硅活性低。甘蔗是需硅量较大的植物,因此在甘蔗种植过程中施用碱性硅肥既可补充硅营养又可通过硅肥控制镉的吸收。本试验通过硅肥不同施用量及基肥、基肥＋追肥的施用方式的比较,结果表明：在甘蔗种植中一次性施用硅肥1500 kg·hm-2,可以使土壤中活性较高的弱酸提取态镉占镉总量的比例从38.45%下降到32.51%,而甘蔗不能利用的残渣态镉的占比从11.19%提高到14.78%;硅肥分为基肥与追肥两次施用的方式,其对土壤镉的形态的影响也存在相似的规律,且变化趋势更加显著,弱酸提取态镉占比从40.93%下降到35.47%,降幅更加显著;同样残渣态镉则随着硅肥施用量的增加而增加,其占比从16.26%增加到22.66%;施用硅肥能有效降低甘蔗汁中镉的含量,从一次性作为基肥施用的结果来看,每公顷施用375~1500 kg硅肥,其蔗汁中镉含量随施肥量增加而下降,从168.54μg·L-1降至57.87μg·L-1,降幅为28.26%~60.30%;蔗渣中镉含量也有相似的变化趋势,从468.36μg·kg-1降至377.77μg·kg-1,降幅为7.86%~19.34%;采用基肥＋追肥施用硅肥,无论是蔗汁还是蔗渣,其镉的含量同样随硅肥施用量的增加而下降,蔗汁镉含量的降幅更大,最高可降81.18%,从而达到降低甘蔗汁及蔗渣中镉含量水平的目的。     

Cd胁迫下As污染土壤对农作物生长及农产品安全性的影响

采用盆栽实验的方法研究了在Cd胁迫下As污染物对水稻(Oryze sativa L.)、大豆(Glycine mdx L .)生长发育及重金属吸收积累的影响,As-Cd污染土壤采用不同改性剂对农产品安全性的影响研究.研究结果表明:单元素As处理与对照相比水稻株高降低了10.3锄、产量下降了9.8%,而大豆株高、产量分别增加了6 cm、36.9%,在实验设计污染物浓度范围内,As对大豆生长发育有刺激作用.As-Cd处理与对照相比水稻的株高、产量分别下降了2.3 cm、1.75%,而大豆株高、产量下降了12 cm、5.6%,As-Cd污染处理抑制了作物的生长发育;As-Cd处理比单元素As处理其水稻籽实、茎叶、根中As含量分别多4.2倍、1.14倍、1.7倍,As-Cd处理比单元素As处理大豆籽实、茎叶、根中As含量分别多4.63倍、2.82倍、1.85倍,Cd元素的存在对水稻、大豆吸收As具有协同作用;采用腐殖酸4%、pH4处理改性措施使土壤中有效态As含量降低,降低了As对农作物的健康风险.     

Effects of wattle extract on Microcystic aeruginosa growth and the simulated mini fresh water ecosystem

In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the occurrence of harmful algalblooms in fresh waters. The value of applying the novel wattle extract (Acacia mimosa) to inhibitalgal growth was assessed. Our results showed that the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa was successfully repressed by the plant extract and resulted in decreased extracellular microcystin-LR production. In the experiments, it showed a very effective inhibition in the stage of exponential growth (the largest decrease in level is 47.3% of the control) especially in nonsterile conditions, and the extract can reduce 14.5-24.7% cell density of the control in the stationary stage. In outdoor experiments, the extract reduced dissolved oxygen and pH, and selectively cut down cyanobacterial cell density to one-third of the control after 36 d of treatment. Accordingly due to competitive inhibition in interspecies, other nanoalgae and small-sized aquatic animals declined, while macrozooplankton increased. Finally more large algae were eliminated and thereby the water treated was clarified and the recovery of the freshwater ecosystem was promoted. Hence, the present study suggested a new and more effective and very low ecological risk approach to reduce nuisance blooms cyanobacteria in eutrophic water     

Eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals from sewage sludge

Sewage sludge contains rich organic matter and nutrients essential for the growth of plants but the presence of toxic heavy metals restricts its land application. To overcome this, the study aims an eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals. Sewage sludge from sewage treatment plant, Chennai, India was characterised. The analysis of total heavy metal concentration was done by digesting in nitric acid and different forms were extracted by community bureau of reference sequential method. Heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry Perkin Elmer Optima 5300 DV. The experimental set-up for heavy metal leaching was held for five consecutive days at different concentrations of humic acid (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) at varied pH (5–9). Results revealed that at the end of fifth day at pH 8, 1% humic acid is capable of leaching out 75.5% cadmium, 66.0% nickel, 52.0% lead, 51.2% zinc, 31.2% copper and 8.5% cadmium from sewage sludge. Statistically positive correlation (0.7088) existed between the percentage of heavy metals leached out and the sum of soluble and reducible fractions. Thus, from ecological point of view, humic acid can be used to leach out heavy metals from sewage sludge serving the need in restoration of soil fertility upon land application.     

Atmospheric deposition may affect northern hardwood forest composition by altering soil nutrient supply.

In the northeastern United States, the input of reactive nitrogen (N) via atmospheric deposition has increased rapidly since the onset of the industrial revolution. During the same period of time, acid precipitation and forest harvest have removed substantial quantities of base cations from soil. Because of the dominance of base-poor soils and the low rates of atmospheric base cation deposition, soils throughout the northeastern United States may be increasingly rich in N but poor in calcium (Ca). We studied the consequences of a change in soil N and Ca availability on forest composition by transplanting seedlings of four tree species into replicate plots in the understory and in canopy gaps amended with N and Ca in factorial combination. In this paper, we report on the growth and survivorship of seedlings over a four-year period. Relative to control plots, fertilization with N increased red maple growth by an average of 39% whereas fertilization with Ca decreased survivorship in the understory by 41%. In sugar maple, fertilization with Ca increased growth by 232% and 46% in the forest understory and in canopy gaps, respectively, and significantly increased high light survivorship. Fertilization with N decreased white pine survivorship by 69% in the understory whereas high Ca availability significantly increased survivorship. Fertilization with N or Ca alone reduced red oak growth but had no effect on survivorship. The results of this study suggest that historical losses of soil Ca and the continuing effects of atmospheric-N deposition on N availability are likely to alter the composition of northeastern North American forests because of the positive effects of N enrichment on the growth of red maple and the negative effects of Ca loss on the growth and survivorship of sugar maple and white pine.     

On the potential use of magnesium and strontium concentrations as ecological indicators in the calcite skeleton of the red coral (Corallium rubrum)

 The variability of magnesium, strontium and calcium concentrations in the two skeleton types (sclerites and axis) of the red coral (Corallium rubrum) was assessed by using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and microprobe analysis as a prerequisite for their use as ecological indicators. Axis cross sections showed light and dark circular growth bands corresponding to fast and slow growth, respectively. Using microprobe analyses the Mg and Sr concentrations ranged from 2.8 to 3.0% and from 0.21 to 0.29%, respectively, in the sclerites and from 2.4 to 3.0% and from 0.1 to 0.28%, respectively, in the axis. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios varied within sclerites (average, 12% for both ratios) and within the axis of single colonies (average, 20% for Mg/Ca and 48% for Sr/Ca). Sr/Ca ratios in the axis were lower in fast-growing branch tips than in older, more basal parts of the colonies, whereas the Mg/Ca ratio did not differ significantly between colony regions. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in the axis decreased significantly with depth, and we estimated an increase of the Mg/Ca ratio of 0.004–0.006 per degree Celsius. In all depth layers, Sr/Ca ratios showed a significant direct relationship with skeleton density in axis cross sections, whereas there was no significant relationship for Mg/Ca. Overall, our data indicate that temperature promotes the incorporation of Mg in C. rubrum as in other calcite skeletons, whereas Sr concentrations are inversely related to growth rate. This preliminary study suggests that Mg and Sr concentrations in the axis of the red coral have a strong potential as ecological indicator for temperature and growth rate. Received: 3 March 2000 / Accepted: 30 August 2000