A new index for evaluation of cadmium pollution in birds and mammals

The degree of cadmium (Cd) contamination in wildlife is often used as an indicator in the environmental monitoring of Cd poisoning. However, previous studies have not clarified the correlation between levels in wildlife and levels in the environment by comparing levels among different species of animals; therefore, assessing the level of pollution in this manner is not considered a reliably accurate indicator of levels in the environment. The aim of this study was to establish a new indicator for the non-polluted warm-blooded animals, one that is not species-dependent, which will facilitate using different species for Cd monitoring. First, the previous publications regarding Cd contents in wildlife, 27 reports in which Cd contents were represented as arithmetic means and described for both kidney and liver were selected. A regression line (CSRL) between Cd contents of kidney and that of liver was obtained in a high correlation coefficient (R ² = 0.943, P < 0.01). The mean values from land and waterfowl, terrestrial mammals, seabirds, marine mammals, and non-polluted humans were located on the line and aligned in order. CSRL might allow an accurate determination of whether an animal is polluted by Cd. CSRL was confirmed using well-established and widely recognized pollution models such as Itai-itai patients and Cd-exposed experimental animals. The Cd contents from these models were located in different positions relative to CSRL depending on the level of contamination. Thus, this new indicator determining the Cd-pollution status of animals would be useful for environmental monitoring.     

Retrieval of total suspended matter (TSM) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration from remote-sensing data for drinking water resources

The concentrations of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and total suspended matter (TSM) are major water quality parameters that can be retrieved using remotely sensed data. Water sampling works were conducted on 15 July 2007 and 13 September 2008 concurrent with the Indian Remote-Sensing Satellite (IRS-P6) overpass of the Shitoukoumen Reservoir. Both empirical regression and back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) models were established to estimate Chl-a and TSM concentration with both in situ and satellite-received radiances signals. It was found that empirical models performed well on the TSM concentration estimation with better accuracy (R ² = 0.94, 0.91) than their performance on Chl-a concentration (R ² = 0.62, 0.75) with IRS-P6 imagery data, and the models accuracy marginally improved with in situ spectra data. Our results indicated that the ANN model performed better for both Chl-a (R ² = 0.91, 0.82) and TSM (R ² = 0.98, 0.94) concentration estimation through in situ collected spectra; the same trend followed for IRS-P6 imagery data (R ² = 0.75 and 0.90 for Chl-a; R ² = 0.97 and 0.95 for TSM). The relative root mean square errors (RMSEs) from the empirical model for TSM (Chl-a) were less than 15% (respectively 27.2%) with both in situ and IRS-P6 imagery data, while the RMSEs were less than 7.5% (respectively 18.4%) from the ANN model. Future work still needs to be undertaken to derive the dynamic characteristic of Shitoukoumen Reservoir water quality with remotely sensed IRS-P6 or Landsat-TM data. The algorithms developed in this study will also need to be tested and refined with more imagery data acquisitions combined with in situ spectra data.     

Development of simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of bendiocarb in its formulations and environmental samples

Facile, selective and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of bendiocarb in its insecticidal formulations, fortified water, food grains, agriculture wastewater and agriculture soil samples with prepared reagents. The method was based on alkaline hydrolysis of the bendiocarb pesticide, and the resultant hydrolysis product of bendiocarb was coupled with 2,6-dibromo-4-methylaniline to give a yellow color product with λmaxof457 nmorcouplingwith2, 6−dibromo−4−nitroanilinetoproducearedcoloredproductwithλ_max of474~nmorcouplingwith2, 4, 6−tribromoanilinetoformorangeredcoloredproducthasaλ_max of465 nm.Underoptimalconditions, Beer'slawrangefor2, 6−dibromo−4−methylaniline(DBMA)wasfoundtobe0.6−−14.0~μgmL ^-1, 0.8−−10.0 μgmL ^-1 for2, 6−dibromo−4−nitroaniline(DBNA)and0.4−−10.0 μgmL ^-1 for2, 4, 6−tribromoaniline(TBA).Themolarabsorptivityofthecolorsystemswerefoundtobe4.126~×~10⁴ lmol ^-1 cm ^-1 forDBMA, 3.254×10⁴ l~mol ^-1 cm ^-1 forDBNAand2.812×10⁴ lmol ^-1 cm ^-1 forTBA.Sandell'softhecolorreactionsare0.018 μgcm ^-2(DBMA), 0.052 μgcm ^-2(DBNA)and0.065 μgcm ^-2$ (TBA) respectively. The effect of the non-target species on the determination of bendiocarb was studied. The formation of colored derivatives with the coupling agents is instantaneous and stable for 18 h, 30 h, and 12 h. Performance of the proposed methods were compared statistically in terms Student's F and t-tests with the reported methods.     

Water quality assessment: surface water sources used for drinking and irrigation in Zaria,Nigeria are a public health hazard

We assessed the quality and pollution status of source surface waters in Zaria, Nigeria by monitoring the nature, cause and extent of pollution in Samaru stream, Kubanni River and Kubanni dam over a period of 10 months, between March and December 2002. A total of 228 water samples was collected from 12 sites and analysed for a total of ten physicochemical and one bacteriological quality indicators, using standard methods. Aesthetic water quality impairment parameters were also observed. The mean values of most water quality parameters were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the stream and river than in the dam. There was no significant correlation between faecal coliform counts (FCC) and water temperature (in the range 15–33°C); pH (5.77–7.32); and turbidity (1.4–567 NTU). The high FCC ranged from 2.0 × 10¹ to 1.6 × 10⁶ MPN/100 ml and exceeded the WHO standards for drinking water and water used for fresh-produce irrigation, and correlated positively (P < 0.05) with conductivity (in the range 68–1,029 μS/cm); TDS (10.0–70.0 mg/l); TSS (10.0–70.0 mg/l); Cl (7.5–181 mg/l); PO₄⁻P (0.01–0.41 mg/l); NO₃⁻N (0.6–3.8 mg/l) and BOD₅ (0.1–14.9 mg/l). The main pollution sources were municipal wastewater, stormwater runoffs, the ABU sewage treatment plant, abattoir effluents and irrigation farms treated with chemical fertilisers. We conclude that these water bodies are potentially hazardous to public health and that proper sewage treatment and river quality monitoring are needed to warn against hazards to public health.     

Fertigation effect of distillery effluent on agronomical practices of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek)

The fertigation effect of distillery effluents concentrations such as 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were studied on Trigonella foenu-graecu (Pusa early bunching) along with control (bore well water). On irrigation of soil with different effluents up to 90 days of harvesting, it was observed that there was a significant effect on moisture content (P < 0.001), EC, pH, Cl⁻, total organic carbon (TOC), HCO₃^-_{3}^{-}, CO₃^-2_{3}^{-2}, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca^2 +, Mg^2 +, Fe^2 +, TKN, NO₃^2-_{3}^{2-}, PO₄^3-_{4}^{3-}, and SO₄^2-_{4}^{2-} (P < 0.0001) and insignificant effect on WHC and bulk density (P > 0.05).There was no significant change in the soil texture of the soil. Among various concentrations of effluent irrigation, the irrigation with 100% effluent concentration decreased pH (16.66%) and increased moisture content (30.82%), EC(84.13%), Cl⁻ (292.37%), TOC (4311.61%), HCO₃^-_{3}^{-} (27.76%), CO₃^-2_{3}^{-2} (32.63%), Na⁺ (273%), K⁺ (31.59%), Ca^2 + (729.76%), Mg^2 + (740.47%), TKN (1723.32%), NO₃^2-_{3}^{2-} (98.02%), PO₄^3-_{4}^{3-} (337.79%), and SO₄^2-_{4}^{2-} (77.78%), Fe^2 + (359.91%), Zn (980.48%), Cu (451.51%), Cd (3033.33%), Pb (2350.00%), and Cr (2375.00%) in the soil. The agronomical parameters such as shoot length, root length, number of leaves, flowers, pods, dry weight, chlorophyll content, LAI, crop yield, and HI of T. foenum-graecum were recorded to be in increasing order at low concentration of the effluent, i.e., from 5% to 50% and in decreasing order at higher effluent concentration, i.e., from 75% to 100% as compared to control. The enrichment factor of various heavy metals was ordered for soil Cd>Cr> Pb>Zn>Cu>Fe and for T. foenum-graecum plants Pb>Cr>Cd>Cu>Zn>Fe after irrigation with distillery effluent.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in common buzzard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Buteo buteo</Emphasis>) from Sicily (Italy)

In the present study, we investigated the concentrations and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in intestine, liver, and muscle samples of 11 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) from Sicily used as bioindicator for monitoring pollution in environment. All samples of common buzzards were collected at the “Recovery Center of Wild Fauna” of Palermo, through the Zooprophilactic Institute. Quantitative determination of OCs and PCBs in the samples examined has been carried out using HRGC-ECD and GC-MS. The results obtained show the presence of concentrations of ∑DDT and ∑PCB in almost all samples. Regarding ∑DDT (4,4^′-DDE, 2,4^′-DDD, 4,4^′-DDD, 2,4^′-DDT, and 4,4^′-DDT), the highest concentrations were found in intestine (0.411 ± 0.050 μg/g) followed by muscle (0.130 ± 0.017 μg/g) and liver samples (0.109 ± 0.014 μg/g). As regards the ∑PCB congeners (PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-95, PCB-99, PCB-101, PCB-110, PCB-138, PCB-146, PCB-149, PCB-151, PCB-153, PCB-170, PCB-177, PCB-180, PCB-183, and PCB-187), the highest concentrations were found in intestine (1.686 ± 0.144 μg/g) followed by liver (1.064 ± 0.162 μg/g) and muscle samples (0.797 ± 0.078 μg/g). Our data deserve particular attention not only for their significance but especially because they were recorded in Sicily, a region with a very low risk of environmental pollution due to the shortage of industries.     

Varying Stable Nitrogen Isotope Ratios of Different Coastal Marsh Plants and Their Relationships with Wastewater Nitrogen and Land Use in New England, USA

The stable nitrogen isotope ratios of some biota have been used as indicators of sources of anthropogenic nitrogen. In this study the relationships of the stable nitrogen isotope ratios of marsh plants, Iva frutescens (L.), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steud, Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl, Spartina alterniflora Loisel, Ulva lactuca (L.), and Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) with wastewater nitrogen and land development in New England are described. Five of the six plant species (all but U. lactuca) showed significant relationships of increasing δ ¹⁵N values with increasing wastewater nitrogen. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) downward shift in the δ ¹⁵N of S. patens (6.0 ± 0.48‰) which is mycorrhizal compared with S. alterniflora (8.5 ± 0.41‰). The downward shift in δ ¹⁵N may be caused by the assimilation of fixed nitrogen in the roots of S. patens. P. australis within sites had wide ranges of δ ¹⁵N values, evidently influenced by the type of shoreline development or buffer at the upland border. In residential areas, the presence of a vegetated buffer (n = 24 locations) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the δ ¹⁵N (mean = 7.4 ± 0.43‰) of the P. australis compared to stands where there was no buffer (mean = 10.9 ± 1.0‰; n = 15). Among the plant species, I. frutescens located near the upland border showed the most significant (R ² = 0.64; P = 0.006) inverse relationship with the percent agricultural land in the watershed. The δ ¹⁵N of P. australis and I. frustescens is apparently an indicator of local inputs near the upland border, while the δ ¹⁵N of Spartina relates with the integrated, watershed-sea nitrogen inputs.     

Development and validation of a macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (IBI) for assessing urban impacts to Northern California freshwater wetlands

Despite California policies requiring assessment of ambient wetland condition and compensatory wetland mitigations, no intensive monitoring tools have been developed to evaluate freshwater wetlands within the state. Therefore, we developed standardized, wadeable field methods to sample macroinvertebrate communities and evaluated 40 wetlands across Northern California to develop a macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (IBI). A priori reference sites were selected with minimal urban impacts, representing a best-attainable condition. We screened 56 macroinvertebrate metrics for inclusion in the IBI based on responsiveness to percent urbanization. Eight final metrics were selected for inclusion in the IBI: percent three dominant taxa; scraper richness; percent Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Trichoptera (EOT); EOT richness; percent Tanypodinae/Chironomidae; Oligochaeta richness; percent Coleoptera; and predator richness. The IBI (potential range 0–100) demonstrated significant discriminatory power between the reference (mean = 69) and impacted wetlands (mean = 28). It also declined with increasing percent urbanization (R ² = 0.53, p < 0.005) among wetlands in an independent validation dataset (n = 14). The IBI was robust in showing no significant bias with environmental gradients. This IBI is a functional tool to determine the ecological condition at urban (stormwater and flood control ponds), as well as rural freshwater wetlands (stockponds, seasonal wetlands, and natural ponds). Biological differences between perennial and non-perennial wetlands suggest that developing separate indicators for these wetland types may improve applicability, although the existing data set was not sufficient for exploring this option.     

Accumulation and tolerance characteristics of cadmium in Chlorophytum comosum: a popular ornamental plant and potential Cd hyperaccumulator

The effects on the growth, physiological indexes and the cadmium (Cd) accumulation in Chlorophytum comosum under Cd stress were examined by pot-planting. The results showed that the tolerance index (TI) of C. comosum were all above 100 in soil Cd concentration of 100 mg kg − 1. The O2·-_{2^{\bullet}}^{-} production rate and electrical conductivity of C. comosum were significantly positively correlated to Cd adding-concentration while the MDA content increased and had significant differences with the control. The activities of SOD, CAT, and POD all rose significantly in lower Cd concentration and the Cd threshold of them were around 10, 50 and 20 mg kg − 1, respectively. The Cd in C. comosum root and aboveground part reached 1,522 and 865·5 mg kg − 1, respectively, in Cd concentration of soil up to 200 mg kg − 1. For the advantages of high tolerance, high accumulation, and high ornamental value, C. comosum may have tremendous application value in the treatment of Cd-contaminated soils.     

Determination of cobalt,nickel and iron at trace level in natural water samples by in-column chelation-reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography

This paper reports the utilization of 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) as a chelating reagent for in-column derivatization and the determination of trace Co, Fe, and Ni ions by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector. A good separation of Co, Fe, and Ni chelates were achieved by using an Inertsil ODS-3 column and a mobile phase, consisted of methanol–THF–water mixture (50:5:45) containing ammonium acetate buffer (pH 5.0) and PAR. After full optimization, good repeatability of retention times (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 0.05%) and peak areas (RSD < 1.7%) was achieved as well as a good linearity (r ² > 0.9991). The detection limits (S/N = 3), expressed as micrograms per liter, were 0.50 (Co), 9.07 (Fe), and 2.00 (Ni). The applicability and the accuracy of the developed method were estimated by the analysis of spiked water samples and certified reference material BCR 715 wastewater-SRM.     

Optimizing the Monitoring Strategy of Wastewater Treatment Plants by Multiobjective Neural Networks Approach

This paper applies artificial neural network (ANN) to model the observed effluent quality data. The ANN’s structure, involving the number of hidden layer and node and their connection, is determined endogenously by resorting to the compromise of data cost minimization and prediction accuracy maximization. To obtain the best compromise possible, the model introduces an aspiration variable (μ) that represents the level of aspiration achieved in one objective and the conjugate of μ, (1 − μ), represents level of aspiration achieved in the other objective. Because a massive amount of calculation is required, the model applies genetic algorithm (GA) for its computational flexibility and capability to ensure global solution. Feasibility and practicality of the model is tested by a case study with a set of 150 daily observations on 17 operational variables and quality parameters at an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WTP) located in southern Taiwan. Of these 17 variables open to selection, only 6 variables, wastewater flow rate (Q), CN⁻, SS, MLSS, pH and COD are selected by the model to achieve the maximum accuracy of prediction, 0.94, with a total cost of 5,950 NT$. By constraining budget availability, the variables included in the model are reduced in number, causing a concomitant reduction in prediction accuracy, that is, by varying μ (aspiration level of accuracy), a trajectory of cost and accuracy is generated. The calculation results a cost of 3,650 NT$ and 0.54 accuracy for the case with variables including flow rate, SCN⁻ and SS in equalization basin; aeration tank hydraulic retention time (HRT) and percentage of returned sludge (R%) are selected for building the prediction model when the importance of required budget is equal to the accuracy of prediction model. In addition, when required cost for building ANN model is between 3,650 NT$ and 3,900 NT$, the marginal return of budget input is highest in the entire range of calculation.     

Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) Massal.: a bioaccumulator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Kanpur City, India

The aim of this study is to determine the possibility of using Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) Massal., a crustose lichen as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioaccumulator for evaluation of atmospheric pollution in tropical areas of India, where few species of lichens are able to grow. PAHs were identified, quantified and compared to evaluate the potential utility of R. sophodes. The limit of detection for different PAHs was found to be 0.008–0.050 μg g^− 1. The total PAHs in different sites were ranged between 0.189 ± 0.029 and 0.494 ± 0.105 μg g^− 1. The major sources of PAHs were combustion of organic materials, traffic and vehicular exhaust (diesel and gasoline engine). Significantly higher concentration of acenaphthylene and phenanthrene indicates road traffic as major source of PAH pollution in the city. Two-way ANOVA also confirms that all PAHs content showed significant differences between all sampling sites (P 1%). This study establishes the utility of R. sophodes in monitoring the PAHs accumulation potentiality for development of effective tool and explores the most potential traits resistant to the hazardous environmental conditions in the tropical regions of north India, where no such other effective way of biomonitoring is known so far.     

A spectrophotometric assay method for vanadium in biological and environmental samples using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with imipramine hydrochloride

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method involving the interaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with imipramine hydrochloride in presence of vanadium (V) in sulfuric acid medium has been proposed for the determination of vanadium. The purple-colored product developed showed an absorption maximum at 560 nm and was stable for 24 h. The working curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1–2.8 μg ml^− 1, with sensitivity of detection of 0.0124 μg ml^− 1. Molar absorptivity and Sandell’s sensitivity were found to be 2.6 × 10⁴ l/mol cm and 0.0039 μg cm^− 1, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was assessed by Student’s t test and variance ratio F test, and the results were on par with the reported method. The method was successfully used in the determination of V in water, human urine, soil, and plant samples, and it was free from interference by various concomitant ions.     

Evaluation of groundwater suitability for domestic,irrigational, and industrial purposes: a case study from Thirumanimuttar river basin,Tamilnadu, India

The Thirumanimuttar sub-basin forms an important groundwater province in south India, facing serious deficiency in both quality and quantity of groundwater due to increased demand associated with rapid population explosion, agricultural growth and industrial activities. A total of 194 groundwater samples were collected and 15 water quality parameters were analyzed using standard procedures. Na⁺, Cl⁻, Ca^2 +, HCO₃^-_{3}^{-}, Mg^2 + and SO₄^2-_{4}^{2-} concentration ions are more dominant in both seasons. The total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity was observed good correlation with Na⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃^-_{3}^{-}, Ca^2 +, Mg^2 +, Cl⁻, PO₄^3-_{4}^{3-} and NO₃^- _{3}^{- } ions indicating dominance of plagioclase feldspar weathering, anthropogenic input and over drafting of groundwater irrespective of seasons. The Hill–Piper diagram indicates alkaline earths exceed the alkalis, an increase of weak acids was noted during both the seasons. For assessing the groundwater for irrigation suitability parameters like total hardness, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index, and sodium percentage are also calculated. Permanent hardness was noted in higher during both the seasons due to discharge of untreated effluents and ion exchange process. The RSC indicates 56% of the samples are not suitable for irrigation purposes in both seasons, if continuously used will affect the crop yield. From the results, nearly 72% of the samples are not suitable for irrigation.     

Aerosol characteristics and surface radiative forcing components during a dust outbreak in Gwangju, Republic of Korea

Atmospheric surface aerosol radiative forcing (SARF) ΔF, forcing efficiency ΔF_e and fractional forcing efficiency ΔFF_e evaluated from cloud-screened narrowband spectral and thermal-offset-corrected radiometric observations during the Asia dust outbreak episodes in Gwangju, Republic of Korea are reported in this study. Columnar aerosol optical properties (aerosol optical depth (AOD), τ _aλ, Angstrom exponent α, mass concentration of fine and coarse mode particles) were also reported for the station between January 2000 and May 2001 consisting of 211cloud-free days. Results indicate that majority of the AOD were within the range 0.25–0.45 while some high aerosol events in which AODs ≥ 0.6 were observed during the severe dust episodes. For example, AOD increases from annual average value of 0.34 ± 0.13 at 501 nm to values >0.60 during the major dust events of March 27–30 and April 7–9, 2000, respectively. The α _{501–870 nm} which is often used as a qualitative indicator of aerosol particle size had values ranging from 0.01 to 1.77. The diurnal forcing efficiency ΔDF_e at Gwangju was estimated to be −81.10 ± 5.14 W m ⁻²/τ _{501 nm} and −47.09 ± 2.20 W m ⁻²/τ _{501 nm} for the total solar broadband and visible band pass, respectively while the fractional diurnal forcing efficiency ΔFDF_e were −15.8 ± 0.64%/τ _{501 nm} and −22.87 ± 1.13%/τ _{501 nm} for the same band passes. Analyses of the 5-day air-mass back trajectories were further developed for Gwangju in order to classify the air-mass and types of aerosol reaching the site during the Asia dust episodes.     

Overview and Forecast on Forestry Productions Worldwide

Our world is largely dependent upon the forestry productions. Through the exploitation of forest reserves, we manufacture various industrial products, furniture, and obtain fuel and energy. Forestry productions should be conducted without large-scale deforestation and environmental degradation. In present study we perform a review and forecast analysis on forestry productions worldwide, with the objectives of providing an insight into the trend for several types of forestry productions in the future, and providing referential data for sustainable forestry productions and environmental management. Polynomial functions are used to fit trajectories of forestry productions since 1961 and forecasts during the coming 20 years are given in detail. If the past pattern continues, world fibreboard production would dramatically grow and reach 224,300,000 ± 44,400,000 m³ by the year 2020, an increase up to 240.7 to 408.9% as compared to the present level. Roundwood production of the world would change by −55.5 to 70.4% and reach 3,526,600,000 ± 2,066,800,000 m³ by 2020. In 2020 world production of sawlogs and veneer logs would change by −100 to 164.6% and reach 1,212,900,000 ± 1,242,600,000 m³. Global wood fuel production would change by −68.9 to 1.4% and reach 1,130,900,000 ± 600,800,000 m³ by 2020. Forestry productions in developed countries would largely surpass productions in developing countries in the near future. World forestry production grew since 1961 excluding wood fuel. Roundwood and wood fuel account for the critical proportions in the forestry productions. Wood fuel production has being declined and rapid growing of roundwood production has slowed in recent years. Widespread use of regenerative wood substitutes and worldwide afforestation against deforestation will be among the most effective ways to reduce deforestation and environment degradation associated with forestry productions.     

A More Cost-Effective Emap Benthic Macrofaunal Sampling Protocol

Benthic macrofaunal sampling protocols in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) are to collect 30 to 50 random benthic macrofauna [defined as animals retained on a 0.5 mm (East and Gulf Coasts, USA) or a 1.0 mm mesh sieve (West Coast, USA)] samples per reporting unit using a 0.044 m² (East and Gulf Coasts) or 0.1 m² (West Coast) grab. Benthic macrofaunal community conditions in the reporting unit are characterized by cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) on end points of interest, such as number of species (S), abundance (A), and Shannon--Wiener diversity (H′). An EMAP and a companion field study were conducted concurrently in Tillamook Bay (Oregon, USA) to compare the cost effectiveness of benthic macrofauna samples collected using the EMAP West Coast (0.1 m² × ≥7 cm deep, 1.0 mm mesh), a 0.01 m² × 5 cm deep, 1.0 mm mesh, and a 0.01 m² × 5 cm deep, 0.5 mm mesh sampling protocol. Cost was estimated in relative laboratory sample-processing time. Sampling protocols were judged equally effective for EMAP purposes if, after linear transformation to adjust for scale changes in end point distributions, their S, A, and H′ CDFs were not significantly different. The 0.01 m² × 5 cm deep, 1.0 mm mesh sampling protocol was the most cost effective.     

Characterizing hydrochemical properties of springs in Taiwan based on their geological origins

This study was performed to characterize hydrochemical properties of springs based on their geological origins in Taiwan. Stepwise discriminant analysis (DA) was used to establish a linear classification model of springs using hydrochemical parameters. Two hydrochemical datasets—ion concentrations and relative proportions of equivalents per liter of major ions—were included to perform prediction of the geological origins of springs. Analyzed results reveal that DA using relative proportions of equivalents per liter of major ions yields a 95.6% right assignation, which is superior to DA using ion concentrations. This result indicates that relative proportions of equivalents of major hydrochemical parameters in spring water are more highly associated with the geological origins than ion concentrations do. Low percentages of Na⁺ equivalents are common properties of springs emerging from acid-sulfate and neutral-sulfate igneous rock. Springs emerging from metamorphic rock show low percentages of Cl⁻ equivalents and high percentages of HCO₃^-_{3}^{-} equivalents, and springs emerging from sedimentary rock exhibit high Cl⁻/SO₄^2-_{4}^{2-} ratios.     

Pasture composition in a trace element-contaminated area: the particular case of Fe and Cd for grazing horses

Pasture selection by livestock is an essential topic for rangeland management, especially in trace element-contaminated soils. We have studied the composition (nutrients and trace elements) of a grass-based diet from soils affected by a mine spill at different growth stages (October 2008 to May 2009). A diet based on other plants (mainly Compositae species) was also studied (May 2009) for comparison. Faeces and mane hair of horses feeding on these pastures were also analysed. Micronutrient (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) and potentially toxic trace element (As, Cd, Pb, Tl) concentrations were below the maximum tolerable levels (MTL) for horses, except for Fe (at early growth of pastures) and Cd (in the diet based on ‘other’ plants). Values of potential ingestion of Fe by horses were higher than 10 mg kg body weight^− 1 day^− 1. Cadmium concentrations in some pasture samples (those composed of Compositae species) were higher than 3 mg kg^− 1. Potential toxicity of such Cd levels in pastures is uncertain, since a high disparity of criteria about MTL by cattle exists (between 0.5 and 10 mg kg^− 1 diet). Nutrient concentrations were adequate for horses, which could counteract possible harmful effects derived from trace element ingestion. The analyses of excreta and mane hair point to the low risk of toxicity derived from the consumption of these contaminated pastures. However, the ingestion of regenerating pastures (autumnal samples) should be avoided due to the greater risk of ingestion of contaminated soil attached to the plant material. Management of these pastures by grazing requires periodic monitoring. Special attention should be given to Fe and particularly Cd (non-essential element) which accumulates in animal organs, where it could provoke uncertain long-term effects.     

Impact of Diwali celebrations on urban air and noise quality in Delhi City,India

A study was conducted in the residential areas of Delhi, India, to assess the variation in ambient air quality and ambient noise levels during pre-Diwali month (DM), Diwali day (DD) and post-Diwali month during the period 2006 to 2008. The use of fireworks during DD showed 1.3 to 4.0 times increase in concentration of respirable particulate matter (PM₁₀) and 1.6 to 2.5 times increase in concentration of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) than the concentration during DM. There was a significant increase in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) concentration but the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) did not show any considerable variation. Ambient noise level were 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than normal day. The study also showed a strong correlation between PM₁₀ and TSP (R ² ≥ 0.9) and SO₂ and NO₂ (R ² ≥ 0.9) on DD. The correlation between noise level and gaseous pollutant were moderate (R ² ≥ 0.5). The average concentration of the pollutants during DD was found higher in 2007 which could be due to adverse meteorological conditions. The statistical interpretation of data indicated that the celebration of Diwali festival affects the ambient air and noise quality. The study would provide public awareness about the health risks associated with the celebrations of Diwali festival so as to take proper precautions.