Bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides from contaminated soil by cattle

The study aimed to quantitate the uptake by beef cattle of organochlorine pesticides in from soil. Although such uptake is known to occur, uptake rates have not been accurately measured for these animals and cannot be inferred from data obtained with dairy cattle. In this study, cattle received a diet, of a standard feedlot ration supplemented with organochlorine-pesticide (aldrin?+?dieldrin) contaminated soil. The levels of pesticides in the feed would approximate uptake through normal grazing. Samples of the subcutaneous fat were removed periodically and analysed for pesticide content. Uptake of dieldrin (but not other pesticides present in the soil) was rapid and substantial. Uptake from sandy soils was more efficient than that from clay soils. The experiment was terminated after 8 weeks, because of the high levels of dieldrin in the tissues. Depuration of the accumulated pesticides was a slow and complex process, requiring a longer period than accumulation.     

Radionuclide transport above a near-surface water table: IV. Soil migration and crop uptake of chlorine-36 and technetium-99, 1990 to 1993

Vertical distributions of (36)Cl and (99)Tc are presented from deep and shallow lysimeters above artificially controlled water tables for a 4-yr experiment from 1990 to 1993. Activity concentration profiles were all measured in late summer when a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Pastiche) crop was harvested. After harvest, activity concentrations in different organs of the crop were determined and crop uptake quantified as both an inventory ratio (IR) and a transfer factor (TF(w)), weighted to account for differential root and radionuclide distributions within the soil profile. Vertical distributions of radionuclides, crop roots within the soil, and IR and TF(w) values were each subjected to analysis of variance to estimate the individual and combined effects of soil depth and the year of the experiment on the results obtained. Chlorine-36 and (99)Tc exhibited highly significant variations in activity concentrations with soil depth and from year to year, indicating considerable physical mobility of both radionuclides. Soil-to-plant transfer was also high for both radionuclides compared with data obtained for gamma-emitting radionuclides. The IR values indicated that up to 40% of (36)Cl was incorporated in the crop's tissues at harvest, compared with a maximum of less than 1% for the less mobile gamma-emitting radionuclides. On the basis of the TF(w) values determined, (36)Cl uptake by winter wheat exceeded (99)Tc uptake, indicating that (36)Cl is highly bioavailable. Factors controlling the migration and bioavailability of both (36)Cl and (99)Tc in soils are discussed.     

Evidence for the presence of a widespread PCDD source in coastal sediments and soils from Queensland, Australia

Recent studies have demonstrated the occurrence of elevated levels of higher chlorinated PCDDs in the coastal environment of Queensland, Australia. This study presents new data for OCDD contamination and full PCDD/F profile analysis in the environment of Queensland. Marine sediments, irrigation drain sediments and topsoil were collected from sites that were expected to be influenced by specific land-use types. High OCDD concentrations were associated mainly with sediments collected near the mouth of rivers which drain into large catchments in the tropical and subtropical regions. Further, analysis of sediments from irrigation drains could be clearly differentiated on the basis of OCDD contamination, with high concentrations in samples from sugarcane drains collected from coastal regions, and low concentrations in drain sediments from drier inland cotton growing areas. PCDD/F congener-specific analysis demonstrated almost identical congener profiles in all samples collected along the coastline. This indicates the source to be widespread. Profiles were dominated by higher chlorinated PCDDs, in particular OCDD whereas 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDFs were below the limit of quantification in the majority of samples. The full PCDD/F profile analysis of samples strongly resemble those reported for lake sediments from Mississippi and kaolinite samples from Germany. Strong similarities to these samples with respect to congener profiles and isomer patterns may indicate the presence of a similar source and/or formation process that is yet unidentified.     

Realizing Capital Assets: An Additional Strand to the Farm Diversification Debate

Faced with a crisis in the mid 1980s, farmers were encouraged by policy makers to diversify their activities in order to survive. Evidence has suggested that this response was not as widely adopted as anticipated. This paper argues that farmers may have adopted a different adjustment strategy whereby they sought to capitalize their assets which often brought them into play with the planning system. This paper explores the extent to which farmers appear to be adopting this strategy and the response of planners in two rural districts of South Shropshire and the Malvern Hills. Furthermore it goes on to suggest that if there is a desire to truly diversify the rural economy as opposed to merely farming, planners may have to adopt a mre relaxed approach to non residential development proposals from farmers.     

A Proposed Aquatic Plant Community Biotic Index for Wisconsin Lakes

The Aquatic Macrophyte Community Index (AMCI) is a multipurpose tool developed to assess the biological quality of aquatic plant communities in lakes. It can be used to specifically analyze aquatic plant communities or as part of a multimetric system to assess overall lake quality for regulatory, planning, management, educational, or research purposes. The components of the index are maximum depth of plant growth; percentage of the littoral zone vegetated; Simpson's diversity index; the relative frequencies of submersed, sensitive, and exotic species; and taxa number. Each parameter was scaled based on data distributions from a statewide database, and scaled values were totaled for the AMCI value. AMCI values were grouped and tested by ecoregion and lake type (natural lakes and impoundments) to define quality on a regional basis. This analysis suggested that aquatic plant communities are divided into four groups: (1) Northern Lakes and Forests lakes and impoundments, (2) North-Central Hardwood Forests lakes and impoundments, (3) Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains lakes, and (4) Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains impoundments, Driftless Area Lakes, and Mississippi River Backwater lakes. AMCI values decline from group 1 to group 4 and reflect general water quality and human use trends in Wisconsin. The upper quartile of AMCI values in any region are the highest quality or benchmark plant communities. The interquartile range consists of normally impacted communities for the region and the lower quartile contains severely impacted or degraded plant communities. When AMCI values were applied to case studies, the values reflected known impacts to the lakes. However, quality criteria cannot be used uncritically, especially in lakes that initially have low nutrient levels.     

Risk assessment as a management tool for inactive hazardous materials disposal sites

A protocol for risk assessment at inactive hazardous material disposal sites has been developed by using mathematical modeling and estimation techniques. Compared with ranking models, the protocol yields quantitative results with a minimum of input data that may be used to select among management, scientific, or engineering alternatives for the site. This article reviews the background, presents the protocol, illustrates the application of the protocol, and demonstrates the use of the protocol in conjunction with thecritical environmental area concept. Comparisons are also presented with other model systems such as the EPA HRS.     

Fishery livelihoods and adaptation to climate change: a case study of Chilika lagoon, India

Climate change combined with human activities poses significant risks to people’s livelihood especially in developing countries. Adaptation at the community level is of crucial importance in enabling them to respond to the direct and indirect effects of changes in climate. In a case study of fishing communities in Chilika lagoon, India, the focus is made on understanding climate change adaptation at the community level and scaling it up into the policy perspective through application of Sustainable Livelihood Approach. This article challenges the research and policy community to encourage the identification of locally negative constraints and positive strengths toward climate resilient communities in rural areas.