Synergistic effects of salinity,temperature and heavy metals on mortality and osmoregulation in marine and estuarine isopods (Crustacea)

The effects of cadmium (3CdSO₄·8H₂O), zinc (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and lead [Pb (NO₃)₂] on mortality, and cadmium, zinc and mercury (HgCl₂) on osmoregulation, have been recorded for marine and estuarine species of isopods (Crustacea). The marine species studied were Idotea baltica, I. neglecta, I. emarginata and Eurydice pulchra, which were adapted to 100, 80, 60 and 40% sea water (SW) (100% SW э 34‰ S). The estuarine species used were Jaera albifrons sensu stricto and J. nordmanni, which were adapted to 100, 50, 10 and 1% SW. Both groups of isopods have low mortalities in 100% SW with 10 and 20 ppm of cadmium, zinc and lead, but a decrease in salinity caused an increase in the toxicities of these metals and reduced the LT₅₀ values (time, in hours, to 50% mortality). Mortalities at 10°C were generally higher than those recorded at 5°C. Cadmium had no significant effect on the osmoregulation of I. baltica and I. emarginata in 100 and 80% SW at 5°C, but this metal significantly lowered the blood osmotic concentration of I. neglecta in 80% SW. Zinc did not alter the haemolymph osmotic concentration of I. neglecta in 100 and 80% SW, but significantly lowered the blood osmotic concentration of I. baltica in 100% SW. Cadmium, zinc and mercury also significantly altered the osmoregulatory ability of J. albifrons in dilute saline.     

The boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding process: A simulation model

A model is presented for predicting boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, feeding damage to cotton. The model uses appropriate probability theory based on behavioral components of male and nonreproducing female boll weevils and includes the effects of (1) differential feeding site preferences, (2) previous damage to the sites, and (3) individual insect behavior extended to feeding damage caused by a population of insects. The model is sensitive to both crop and insect parameters. An example of how this model can be used in an insect-crop ecosystem simulation is offered.     

Studies on digestion and the fine structure of digestive caeca in Eurydice pulchra (Crustacea: Isopoda)

In the carnivorous isopod Eurydice pulchra Leach the mid-gut caeca have a pH of 5.6 and produce a strong acid proteinase, a lipase and a carbohydrase. Electron microscope studies of the digestive caeca of starved and fed animals show that secretion is merocrine and may originate from a complex involving the basal cell membrane and associated mitochondria, producing lysosomes. Absorbed materials, in fed animals, appear to take the form of neutral lipid bodies, glycogen, and proteinaceous crystals, the latter forming within the golgi complex. Digestion of both lipid and protein inclusions was observed to occur intra-cellularly by fusion with free lysosomes. Secretion and absorption may occur in the same cell, and the scheme for the sequence of epithelial cell stages is proposed.     

Local authorities and sustainable development: Turning policies into practical action through performance review—a case study of the London borough of hackney

Local authorities are increasingly undertaking policy initiatives which aim to achieve local sustainability. Indeed, the rapid development in this area since its first tentative steps in the late 1980s is very impressive. However, it is legitimate to question whether any real progress has been made in improving local environmental conditions. This is almost impossible to determine as very few have translated policy rhetoric into measurable environmental achievement. Although the development of sustainability indicators will, in the long term, provide some means of measuring success, few authorities have the necessary precursor for its achievement in place: performance-based environmental programmes. This important stage of development has been all but missed in the rush for national and international credibility, often at the expense of local communities and their environment rather than for their benefit. This paper examines the activities of one local authority, the London Borough of Hackney, and its efforts to translate policy principals into practical Action for the Environment through the mechanism of performance review. It is concluded that performance review has a valuable role to play in achieving environmental improvements to help move society towards sustainability but, like any mechanism, there are limitations in its use which need to be acknowledged if it is to be used effectively. These are explored in detail in the paper in the hope that they assist others when developing similar performance-based environmental programmes.     

The role of environmental impact assessment in coal production and utilization

Large-scale exploitation of fossil fuels and nuclear power can have an adverse effect on the human and natural environment. That need not be the case, if the effect on the environment is carefully assessed to ensure the development of a sustainable approach. This paper examines the process of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for coal from an international perspective. The concept of EIA is not new. A formalized process of EIA was introduced in the USA in 1970, and more recently similar legislation has been implemented in other countries. The member states of the European Community are required to adopt EIA regulations, as set out in Directive 85/337/EEC. Elsewhere, in Japan and Australia, there are requirements for EIA and a growing need for the process can be seen in developing countries. A comparison is made of the EIA process for coal in the international arena, and exemplary procedures are highlighted. Potential problems such as delays, modifications and additional costs are analysed, and the benefits of EIA, both to industry and environment, are discussed. A database of coal-related EIA would facilitate an exchange of information on the subject.     

Renewable energy projects

The promotion of renewable energy during the last decade did not result in widescale application of the technology. In many cases, technologies were promoted before they were commercially viable or were inappropriately selected for the particular end-use application. In other cases, a lack of local technical expertise and support infrastructure was absent to sustain the technology once it had been placed in the field. There was also a loss of donor interest and funding for renewables concomitant with the decline in oil prices. This paper attempts to summarize lessons learned from this decade of experience with renewable energy and to offer criteria and suggestions for future activities in transferring renewable energy technology.     

ASSESSMENT OF STORMWATER RUNOFF FOR RECYCLE IN COOLING TOWERS AT KSC,FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: In addition to measuring the quantity of stormwater runoff generated during ten rainfall events from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) area of Kennedy Space Center (KSC), historical rainfall records were also used for determining the feasibility of implementing a program of stormwater recycling to air conditioning cooling towers. It was projected that 0.182 million gallons per day (MGD) of runoff would be generated from the VAR area during a year of average rainfall (48 inches); only 0.117 MGD is required for coolant makeup water in the VAR area. Due to the seasonal variations in rainfall, stormwater recycling may not always meet all the cooling water demands.     

Life-cycle assessment of 11 kV electrical overhead lines and underground cables

The life-cycle impacts of five different 11 kV electrical power cables (three overhead lines and two underground cables) were analysed. These were compared by their embodied impacts in production and total lifetime operational impacts. The life-cycle results revealed there to be three key issues, the impacts of climate change, fossil fuel depletion, and particulate matter formation (PMF). The former two were of particular significance. The embodied impacts, which are those associated with the materials, were generally determined to be insignificant. The exception was for underground cables at low operating loads. Under these conditions PMF was more significant as a result of the high embodied impacts of the cables. Further analysis revealed that these impacts could be mitigated with an end of life material recovery program. At present the underground cables are not recovered, but if they were the recycling benefits would give rise to a notable improvement in PMF. For the other impact categories operational conductor losses were the dominant cause of impacts. In summary it was concluded that to minimise the life-cycle impacts of 11 kV cables the system with the lowest conductor resistance should be selected.     

Causal relationships between African mahoganies exports and deforestation in Ghana: policy implications

When exploiting forest resources, the resource use must be sustainable if its use is to support its function in the natural ecosystem. The African mahogany, a prized timber species, is widely exploited, raising policy concerns about the management of forest resources to meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of present and future generations. This paper explores, for the purpose of policy implication, the relationship between the exportation and deforestation of African mahoganies. The analysis employed a Granger causality test within the error correction model to evaluate the direction of causality between African mahoganies exports and deforestation in Ghana. The results suggested that in the short run, there was significant (P < 0.01) unidirectional causality from African mahoganies exports to deforestation. However, there was no directional causality from deforestation to mahogany exports. Thus, mahogany extraction and logging in general are among the major factors contributing to deforestation in Ghana. The general assessment of historical trends in the extraction levels of the two main genera of African mahoganies revealed that Entandrophragma cylindricum and Khaya ivorensis have been the most exploited species over the years. Improvements in, and the enforcement of, existing forest institutions and incentives, as well as related policies, could minimise the rate of deforestation not only of the African mahogany but also in timber logging, thus stemming forest degradation and deforestation in the country.