Behavioral and antennal electrophysiological responses of a predator ant to the pygidial gland secretions of two species of Neotropical dung roller beetles

The pygidial gland secretions of Neotropical dung roller beetles appear to function as defensive agents against predator ants. Behavioral and electrophysiological tests were used to evaluate the responses of the ant Camponotus sericeiventris to pygidial compounds secreted by the dung roller beetles Canthon cyanellus cyanellus and Canthon femoralis femoralis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Our behavioral investigation revealed a lower aggressive response of C. sericeiventris to the dung roller beetles compared to their response to the fly Anastrepha ludens. Additionally, C. sericeiventris workers attacked C. f. femoralis more often than C. c. cyanellus. The behavioral aggression of C. sericeiventris was greater toward male than female C. c. cyanellus. Electroantennography showed that the antennae of C. sericeiventris react to pygidial extracts from C. c. cyanellus and C. f. femoralis. Three compounds from male and female C. f. femoralis and C. c. cyanellus elicited coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram (GC-EAD) activity in the antennae of C. sericeiventris. Geraniol and an unknown compound (A) were specific for C. f. femoralis, whereas guaiacol and another unknown compound (B) were specific to C. c. cyanellus; phenol was shared by both beetle species. This is the first report confirming that the pygidial gland secretions of dung roller beetles play a role in their defense against predators.     

The evaluation of the air quality impact of an incinerator by using MM5-CMAQ-EMIMO modeling system: North of Spain case study

The use of sophisticated air pollution modeling systems to evaluate the impact of different industrial plant emissions is currently done in an extensive way. MM5-CMAQ (PSU/NCAR and EPA, USA) is one of the most applicable air quality modeling systems to evaluate those impacts. In this contribution we present the methodology and results obtained when applying the MM5-CMAQ air quality modeling system for evaluating the potential impact of an incinerator in San Sebastián (Basque Country, Spain). We have used the EMIMO (UPM, Spain) emission model to simulate the emissions from biogenic and anthropogenic sources including traffic and tertiary sector sources. The study includes the air quality impact of a highway located near the incinerator named A8 and 6 industrial plants which already exist. The impact study has been compared with the results obtained from this highway impact and the 6 industrial plants which are normally operating during the last 30 years. The system has been prepared to simulate also Cadmium, Arsenic, Nickel, Lead and Benzo(a)pyrene air quality impacts. The PCDD/F air concentrations have been determined for the 16 toxic dioxins and furans as determined in the bibliography. The criteria pollutants such as CO, NOx, SO(2), PM(10) and O(3) have also been determined according to the different EU Directives which limit the values of such a pollutants for different periods of time.     

Simple and sequential extractions of heavy metals from different sewage sludges

The presence of heavy metals in the sludges produced in waste-water treatment plants restricts their use for agricultural purposes. This study looks at different types of sludges (aerobic, anaerobic, unstabilised and sludge from a waste stabilisation pond) and compares the distribution of the heavy metals they contain according to the treatment that they have undergone. Some agronomic parameters necessary for characterising a sludge as suitable for use as amendment were determined. The aim of this study is to compare the availability and the localisation of heavy metals in different sewage sludges using simple (water and DTPA) extraction and the BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure. It was confirmed that the total concentration of heavy metals did not exceed the limits set out by European legislation and that the stabilisation treatment undergone by the sludges strongly influenced the heavy metal distribution and the phases to which they were associated and their bioavailability level. The DTPA extraction procedure is cheap and easy to perform and the obtained results are similar to those obtained with the sequential procedure.     

Human exposure to polychlorinated naphthalenes through the consumption of edible marine species

The concentrations of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were determined in samples of 14 edible marine species (sardine, tuna, anchovy, mackerel, swordfish, salmon, hake, red mullet, sole, cuttlefish, squid, clam, mussel and shrimp), which are widely consumed by the population of Catalonia, Spain. The daily intake of PCNs associated with this consumption was also determined. A total of 42 composite samples were analyzed by HRGC/HRMS. The highest PCN levels (ng/kg of fresh weight) were found in salmon (227) followed by mackerel (95) and red mullet (68), while the lowest levels of total PCNs corresponded to shrimp (4.9) and cuttlefish (2.7). With the exception of cephalopods and shellfish species, in which tetra-CN was the predominant homologue, penta-CN (60%) was the predominant contributor to total PCNs. For a standard male adult, PCN intake through the consumption of edible marine species was 1.53 ng/day. The highest contributions to this intake (ng/day) corresponded to salmon (0.41), sole (0.28) and tuna (0.24). Concerning health risks, species-specific TEFs such as those reported by WHO and NATO for PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs are not currently available for PCN congeners. Although in general terms the results of the present study do not seem to suggest specific risks derived from exposure to PCNs through fish and seafood consumption, to establish the contribution of individual PCN congeners to total TEQ is clearly necessary for the assessment of human health risks.     

Multimethod,multistate Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach for use in regional monitoring of wolves

In many cases, the first step in large‐carnivore management is to obtain objective, reliable, and cost‐effective estimates of population parameters through procedures that are reproducible over time. However, monitoring predators over large areas is difficult, and the data have a high level of uncertainty. We devised a practical multimethod and multistate modeling approach based on Bayesian hierarchical‐site‐occupancy models that combined multiple survey methods to estimate different population states for use in monitoring large predators at a regional scale. We used wolves (Canis lupus) as our model species and generated reliable estimates of the number of sites with wolf reproduction (presence of pups). We used 2 wolf data sets from Spain (Western Galicia in 2013 and Asturias in 2004) to test the approach. Based on howling surveys, the naïve estimation (i.e., estimate based only on observations) of the number of sites with reproduction was 9 and 25 sites in Western Galicia and Asturias, respectively. Our model showed 33.4 (SD 9.6) and 34.4 (3.9) sites with wolf reproduction, respectively. The number of occupied sites with wolf reproduction was 0.67 (SD 0.19) and 0.76 (0.11), respectively. This approach can be used to design more cost‐effective monitoring programs (i.e., to define the sampling effort needed per site). Our approach should inspire well‐coordinated surveys across multiple administrative borders and populations and lead to improved decision making for management of large carnivores on a landscape level. The use of this Bayesian framework provides a simple way to visualize the degree of uncertainty around population‐parameter estimates and thus provides managers and stakeholders an intuitive approach to interpreting monitoring results. Our approach can be widely applied to large spatial scales in wildlife monitoring where detection probabilities differ between population states and where several methods are being used to estimate different population parameters.     

Impacts of environmental issues on health and well-being: a global pollution challenge

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Every 2 years, the environmental, chemical, and health research communities meet in Costa de Caparica, Portugal to showcase the latest...     

Soil carbon stock estimations: methods and a case study of the Maranhão State,Brazil

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Soils feature significant variations in soil carbon stocks through land-use changes, management practices, and intrinsic characteristics. The aim of...     

Distribution of volatile organic compounds in Madrid (Spain)

From November 1995 to October 1996, airborne concentrations of VOCs were measured in the Madrid area to study the organic pollution in general, and the correlation between different pollutants in relation to such parameters as location and season. Mean concentrations for up to 90 compounds were measured at four test sites, including both urban and suburban areas. At the urban sites, maximum concentrations occurred in the autumn and winter, whereas minimum concentrations were reached in summer and spring. Similar changes were obtained for the lesscontaminated site located in the SE of the city, whereas a different pattern was found at the site in the NW of the city due to meteorological aspects. Mean levels of hydrocarbons in Madrid were quite similar to those found in other European cities. Chemometrical techniques were applied to the set of data in order to assess the influence of such factors as traffic, temperature and seasonal variations on the VOC levels.     

Cost–benefit analysis of using sewage sludge as alternative fuel in a cement plant: a case study

Background, aim, and scope  To enforce the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol targets, a number of governmental/international institutions have launched emission trade schemes as an approach to specify CO₂ caps and to regulate the emission trade in recent years. These schemes have been basically applied for large industrial sectors, including energy producers and energy-intensive users. Among them, cement plants are included among the big greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters. The use of waste as secondary fuel in clinker kilns is currently an intensive practice worldwide. However, people living in the vicinity of cement plants, where alternative fuels are being used, are frequently concerned about the potential increase in health risks. In the present study, a cost–benefit analysis was applied after substituting classical fuel for sewage sludge as an alternative fuel in a clinker kiln in Catalonia, Spain. Materials and methods  The economical benefits resulting in the reduction of CO₂ emissions were compared with the changes in human health risks due to exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and carcinogenic metals (As, Cd, Co, and Cr) before and after using sewage sludge to generate 20% of the thermal energy needed for pyro-processing. The exposure to PCDD/Fs and metals through air inhalation, soil ingestion and dermal absorption was calculated according to the environmental levels in soil. The carcinogenic risks were assessed, and the associated cost for the population was estimated by considering the DG Environment’s recommended value for preventing a statistical fatality (VPF). In turn, the amount of CO₂ emitted was calculated, and the economical saving, according to the market prices, was evaluated. Results  The use of sewage sludge as a substitute of conventional energy meant a probability cancer decrease of 4.60 for metals and a cancer risk increase of 0.04 for PCDD/Fs. Overall, a net reduction of 4.56 cancers for one million people can be estimated. The associated economical evaluation due to the decreasing cancer for 60,000 people, the current population living near the cement plant, would be of 0.56 million euros (US$ 0.83 million). In turn, a reduction of 144,000 tons of CO₂ emitted between 2003 and 2006 was estimated. Considering a cost of 20 euros per ton of CO₂, the global saving would be 2.88 million euros (US$ 4.26 million). Discussion  After the partial substitution of the fuel, the current environmental exposure to metals and PCDD/Fs would even mean a potential decrease of health risks for the individuals living in the vicinity of the cement plant. The total benefit of using sewage sludge as an alternative fuel was calculated in 3.44 million euros (US$ 5.09 million). Environmental economics is becoming an interesting research field to convert environmental benefits (i.e., reduction of health risks, emission of pollutants, etc.) into economical value. Conclusions  The results show, that while the use of sewage sludge as secondary fuel is beneficial for the reduction in GHG emissions, no additional health risks for the population derived from PCDD/F and metal emissions are estimated. Recommendations and perspectives  Cost–benefit analysis seems to be a suitable tool to estimate the environmental damage and benefit associated to industrial processes. Therefore, this should become a generalized practice, mainly for those more impacting sectors such as power industries. On the other hand, the extension of the study could vastly be enlarged by taking into account other potentially emitted GHGs, such as CH₄ and N₂O, as well as other carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic micropollutants.