The use of a lacertid lizard as a model for reptile ecotoxicology studies--part 1 field demographics and morphology

At the European level, lacertid lizards have been proposed as potential model species for reptile ecotoxicology. We studied demographic and morphological aspects of natural field subpopulations of Podarcis bocagei inhabiting similar agricultural habitats which were either regularly exposed to pesticides, or not. Parameters examined in this study included population size and density, sex ratio, adult body size, fluctuating asymmetry in femoral pores and parasite prevalence. In general, we detected few statistically significant differences between the exposed and reference subpopulations. Although field situations are ecologically complex and factors other than pesticides may be acting, the absence of observable effects on field subpopulations is probably indicative that lizards are coping or compensating for this level of exposure.     

Influence of mercury and selenium chemistries on the progression of cardiomyopathy in pygmy sperm whales, Kogia breviceps

More than half of pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) that strand exhibit signs of cardiomyopathy (CMP). Many factors may contribute to the development of idiopathic CMP in K. breviceps, including genetics, infectious agents, contaminants, biotoxins, and dietary intake (e.g. selenium, mercury, and pro-oxidants). This study assessed trace elements in K. breviceps at various stages of CMP progression using fresh frozen liver and heart samples collected from individuals that stranded along US Atlantic and Gulf coasts between 1993 and 2007. Standard addition calibration and collision cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed for total Se analysis and pyrolysis atomic absorption (AA) was utilized for total Hg analysis to examine if the Se/Hg detoxification pathway inhibits the bioavailability of Se. Double spike speciated isotope dilution gas chromatography ICP-MS was utilized to measure methyl Hg and inorganic Hg. Immunoblot detection and colorimetric assays were used to assess protein oxidation status. Data collected on trace elements, selenoproteins, and oxidative status were evaluated in the context of animal life history and other complementary histological information to gain insight into the biochemical pathways contributing to the development of CMP in K. breviceps. Cardiomyopathy was only observed in adult pygmy sperm whales, predominantly in male animals. Both Hg:Se molar ratios and overall protein oxidation were greater in males than females and increased with progression of CMP.     

活性炭纤维低温脱除模拟烟气中的VOC

采用H2O2浸渍的修饰方法对ACF进行化学改性,并利用氮吸附等温线和XPS（X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy）的方法对ACF样品进行表征。通过在反应床上开展吸附实验,由此测定改性前后ACF脱除VOC（甲苯作为VOC的代表物）的效果,同时考察氧气、温度、水蒸气等因素对ACF脱除甲苯的影响。研究发现,改性使得ACF样品比表面积和孔容略有降低,但表面含氧官能团含量增加,吸附甲苯的能力也因此增强。当模拟烟气中O2浓度为5%时,ACF脱除VOC效果达到最佳,超过5%之后,氧的促进效果不再明显;温度40℃为最佳吸附温度;当烟气中加入水蒸气时,ACF对VOC的脱除效率降低。     

Land application of tylosin and chlortetracycline swine manure: Impacts to soil nutrients and soil microbial community structure

The land application of aged chortetracycle (CTC) and tylosin-containing swine manure was investigated to determine associated impacts to soil microbial respiration, nutrient (phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate) cycling, and soil microbial community structure under laboratory conditions. Two silty clay loam soils common to southeastern South Dakota were used. Aerobic soil respiration results using batch reactors containing a soil-manure mixture showed that interactions between soil, native soil microbial populations, and antimicrobials influenced CO₂ generation. The aged tylosin treatment resulted in the greatest degree of CO₂ inhibition, while the aged CTC treatment was similar to the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil columns in which manure was applied at a one-time agronomic loading rate, there was no significant difference in soil-P behavior between either aged CTC or tylosin and the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil-nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate), the aged CTC treatment resulted in rapid ammonium accumulation at the deeper 40cm soil column depth, while nitrate production was minimal. The aged CTC treatment microbial community structure was different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, where amines/amide and carbohydrate chemical guilds utilization profile were low. The aged tylosin treatment also resulted in ammonium accumulation at 40 cm column depth, however nitrate accumulation also occurred concurrently at 10 cm. The microbial community structure for the aged tylosin was also significantly different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, with a higher degree of amines/amides and carbohydrate chemical guild utilization compared to the no-antimicrobial treatment. Study results suggest that land application of CTC and tylosin-containing manure appears to fundamentally change microbial-mediated nitrogen behavior within soil A horizons.     

Nitrate Artifacts during PM25 Sampling in the South Coast Air Basin of California

ABSTRACT

In February 1993, the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) was redesignated as a “serious” nonattainment area for PM10. To improve the understanding and characterization of fine particulate matter in the SCAB, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) initiated a comprehensive PM₁₀ Technical Enhancement Program (PTEP). Using enhanced PTEP monitors (specially designed multichannel/multifilter samplers), a one-year fine particulate matter (PM) monitoring program was initiated in January 1995. As part of the special monitoring program, nitric acid, ammonia, and speciated PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were measured at five locations in the SCAB (downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim, Diamond Bar, Fontana, and Rubidoux) and at one background station (San Nicolas Island). The PM2.5 data are the first spatially resolved speciated data collected in the SCAB on an annual basis. Within the SCAB, where nitrate is a major component of PM_2.5, nitrate losses have been documented. The spatial and temporal variations of the nitrate losses during PM_2.5 sampling and the uncertainties of the nitrate losses are discussed. Significant losses occur at a low mass range, between 10 and 50 ìg/m³. Significant gains occur at an even lower mass range of less than 30 ìg/m³. On an annual average basis, nitrate losses vary between 1.25 and 2.32 ìg/m³ and the SCAB-wide average value of nitrate loss is 1.8 ìg/m³ based on five PTEP stations in the SCAB. The maximum nitrate losses for each station vary from 6.4 ìg/m³ to 22.5 ìg/m ³. Theoretical prediction of the sampling efficiency of the nitrate during PM_2.5 sam - pling was compared with the PTEP data. In general, theoretical prediction was in good agreement with measured values.     

Characterization of PM25 and PM10 in the South Coast Air Basin of Southern California: Part 2—Temporal Variations

ABSTRACT

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) conducted a 1-year special particulate monitoring study from January 1995 to February 1996. This monitoring data indicates that high PM₁₀ and PM_{2 5} concentrations were observed in the fall (October, November, and December), with November concentrations being the highest. During the rest of the year, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ masses gradually increased from January to September. Monthly PM₁₀ mass varied from 20 to 120 |ig/m³, and monthly PM₂₅ mass varied from 13 to 63 |j.g/m³. The PM_2.5-to-PM₁₀ ratio varied daily and ranged between 22 and 96%. Two types of high-PM days were observed. The first type was observed under fall stagnation conditions, which lead to high secondary species concentrations. The second type was observed under high wind conditions, which lead to high primary coarse particles of crustal components. The highest 24-hr average PM₁₀ concentration (226.3 |ig/m³) was observed at the Fontana station, while the highest PM₂₅ concentration (129.3 |ig/m³) was observed at the Diamond Bar station.     

Maize,switchgrass, and ponderosa pine biochar added to soil increased herbicide sorption and decreased herbicide efficacy

Biochar, a by-product of pyrolysis made from a wide array of plant biomass when producing biofuels, is a proposed soil amendment to improve soil health. This study measured herbicide sorption and efficacy when soils were treated with low (1% w/w) or high (10% w/w) amounts of biochar manufactured from different feedstocks [maize (Zea mays) stover, switchgrass (Panicum vigatum), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)], and treated with different post-processing techniques. Twenty-four hour batch equilibration measured sorption of ¹⁴C-labelled atrazine or 2,4-D to two soil types with and without biochar amendments. Herbicide efficacy was measured with and without biochar using speed of seed germination tests of sensitive species. Biochar amended soils sorbed more herbicide than untreated soils, with major differences due to biochar application rate but minor differences due to biochar type or post-process handling technique. Biochar presence increased the speed of seed germination compared with herbicide alone addition. These data indicate that biochar addition to soil can increase herbicide sorption and reduce efficacy. Evaluation for site-specific biochar applications may be warranted to obtain maximal benefits without compromising other agronomic practices.     

Analyzing maps of dispersal around a single focus

The spatial pattern of organisms may be used to characterize their dispersal, quantify spread or estimate the point of introduction of an alien species. Their distribution may be represented by maps of individuals, or by counts or by presence/absence at known positions within a sampled area. The problems and relative merits of these different forms of data for spatial inference are discussed. Three datasets concerning dispersal from a single focus are analyzed: counts of aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae, on barley plants, Hordeum vulgare, grown in experi- mental trays; mapped locations of couch grass, Elymus repens, tillers within plots of a field experiment; locations of sightings of the lupin aphid, Macrosiphum albifrons, as it invaded Great Britain between 1981 and 1984. A method for generating maps from counts is proposed to overcome problems caused by recording imprecision. Several statistics are used to quantify dispersal and spatial pattern in the experimental data and together provide a clear picture of the spatial pattern observed; they enabled several effects of the experimental treatments to be identified. The value of the statistics are compared. Estimates of the source of the lupin aphid invasion are obtained using the backtracking methods of Perry (1995b) and do not contradict previous suggestions.     

Ecological energetics of the sea-weed zone in a marine bay on the Atlantic coast of Canada. II. Productivity of the seaweeds

The growth of the seaweeds Laminaria longicruris, L. digitata and Agarum cribrosum were followed by SCUBA divers for two years, by punching holes 10 cm from the junction of stipe and blade, and recording at intervals the distance the holes had moved. As the holes approached the tip of the blade, new holes were punched at the base. It was found that the blades behaved like moving belts of tissue, eroding at the tips while growing at the bases, so that a total year's growth amounted to 1 to 5 times the initial length. Larger, older plants had wider and thicker blades, and the biomassincrease was roughly proportional to the square of the lengthincrease. Growth was most rapid in January to April, slow in July to October. As a conservative estimate, the summer biomass of the various species of seaweeds had a turnover of 4 to 10 times in the course of 1 year. Applying these figures to an earlier survey of biomass, it is estimated that annual production of seaweeds in St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, amounts to 603 gC/m² averaged over the whole bay, 1750 gC/m² averaged over the sea-weed zone, or 648.000 gC/m of shore line. Approximate calorific equivalents are 6030 kcal/m² over the whole bay, or 6480×10³ kcal/m of shore line.Contribution to the International Biological Program CCIBP No. 130, and Bedford Institute Contribution.