Local and global factors in organization of Central-European orthopteran assemblages

Our case study revealed that organization of the studied local assemblages is dominated by mechanisms uniform globally, from which in Central-Europe (1) vegetation height, (2) overall vegetation cover, (3) cover of the dicotyledonous and mesophilous monocotyledonous species, (4) microclimate, (5) annual rainfall and (6) insolation in April have main importance. Life-form- and ecotype-structure of the assemblages in habitats characterized by similar vegetation-structure and microclimate seem to be conservative at Eurasian scale, but species-composition of the local variants is determined by individual effects of zoogeography, landscape structure, landuse and habitat-history.     

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research

Anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) has a central role in global environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, as well as food production and human health. Current understanding of the biogeochemical processes that govern the N cycle in coupled human–ecological systems around the globe is drawn largely from the long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies. Here, we review spatial and temporal patterns and trends in reactive N emissions, and the interactions between N and other important elements that dictate their delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and the impacts of N on biodiversity and human society. Integrated international and long-term collaborative studies covering research gaps will reduce uncertainties and promote further understanding of the nitrogen cycle in various ecosystems.     

Optimization and validation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of endosulfan residues in food samples

In this study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was optimized and applied to the determination of endosulfan residues in 20 different kinds of food commodities including vegetables, dry fruits, tea and meat. The limit of detection (IC₁₅) was 0.8 μg kg^?1 and the sensitivity (IC₅₀) was 5.3 μg kg^?1. Three simple extraction methods were developed, including shaking on the rotary shaker at 250 r min^?1 overnight, shaking on the rotary shaker for 1 h and thoroughly mixing for 2 min. Methanol was used as the extraction solvent in this study. The extracts were diluted in 0.5% fish skin gelatin (FG) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at various dilutions in order to remove the matrix interference. For cabbage (purple and green), asparagus, Japanese green, Chinese cabbage, scallion, garland chrysanthemum, spinach and garlic, the extracts were diluted 10-fold; for carrots and tea, the extracts were diluted 15-fold and 900-fold, respectively. The extracts of celery, adzuki beans and chestnuts, were diluted 20-fold to avoid the matrix interference; ginger, vegetable soybean and peanut extracts were diluted 100-fold; mutton and chicken extracts were diluted 10-fold and for eel, the dilution was 40-fold. Average recoveries were 63.13–125.61%. Validation was conducted by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of this study will be useful to the wide application of an ELISA for the rapid determination of pesticides in food samples.     

Selective separation of deltamethrin by molecularly imprinted polymers using a β-cyclodextrin derivative as the functional monomer

A deltamethrin-imprinted polymer (MIP₁) was prepared using bis(-6-O-butanediacid monoester)-β-cyclodextrin (BBA-β-CD) as the functional monomer and toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) as the cross-linker. In comparison to the molecularly imprinted polymer where β-CD was applied as the functional monomer (MIP₂), MIP₁ showed a higher specific binding capacity (ΔC_P) and an improved imprinting factor (IF) for deltamethrin. The selective recognition experiments demonstrated that compared to MIP₂, MIP₁ could better recognize its template over other substrates that had similar chemical structures. The solid phase extraction (SPE) of deltamethrin using MIP₁ as the adsorbent was further investigated. The recoveries of the molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) column for deltamethrin were 83.2–93.4% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.03–6.19%. The method has been successfully applied to the enrichment of trace deltamethrin from real water samples.     

The fate of methoxychlor in soils and transformation by soil microorganisms

Abstract

Methoxychlor was found to be sufficiently persistant in soil and its residues were present even 18 months after the soil treatment. Saprophytes, fungi and actinomyces were unaffected by varying concentrations of methoxychlor, azotobacter however was susceptable. Soil strains isolated did not utilize methoxychlor as a sole carbon source except for 9 cultures belonging to the genera Bacillus, Acineto‐bacter and Rhodococcus which carried out the complete dechlorination, demethylation and splitting of one of methoxychlor aromatic rings. Anaerobic conditions were more favorable for methoxychlor biodegradation by soil and pure microbial cultures.     

One-year measurements of chloroethenes in tree cores and groundwater at the SAP Mimoň Site, Northern Bohemia

Chlorinated ethenes (CE) are among the most frequent contaminants of soil and groundwater in the Czech Republic. Because conventional methods of subsurface contamination investigation are costly and technically complicated, attention is directed on alternative and innovative field sampling methods. One promising method is sampling of tree cores (plugs of woody tissue extracted from a host tree). Volatile organic compounds can enter into the trunks and other tissues of trees through their root systems. An analysis of the tree core can thus serve as an indicator of the subsurface contamination. Four areas of interest were chosen at the experimental site with CE groundwater contamination and observed fluctuations in groundwater concentrations. CE concentrations in groundwater and tree cores were observed for a 1-year period. The aim was to determine how the CE concentrations in obtained tree core samples correlate with the level of contamination of groundwater. Other factors which can affect the transfer of contaminants from groundwater to wood were also monitored and evaluated (e.g., tree species and age, level of groundwater table, river flow in the nearby Plou?nice River, seasonal effects, and the effect of the remediation technology operation). Factors that may affect the concentration of CE in wood were identified. The groundwater table level, tree species, and the intensity of transpiration appeared to be the main factors within the framework of the experiment. Obtained values documented that the results of tree core analyses can be used to indicate the presence of CE in the subsurface. The results may also be helpful to identify the best sampling period for tree coring and to learn about the time it takes until tree core concentrations react to changes in groundwater conditions. Interval sampling of tree cores revealed possible preservation of the contaminant in the wood of trees.     

Analysis of Remote Sensing Errors of Omission and Commission Under FTP Conditions

Abstract

Second-by-second modal emissions data from a 73-vehicle fleet of 1990 and 1991 light duty cars and trucks driven on the Federal Test Procedure (FTP) driving cycle were examined to determine remote sensing errors of commission in identifying high emissions vehicles. Results are combined with a similar analysis of errors of omission based on modal FTP data from high emissions vehicles. Extremely low errors of commission combined with modest errors of omission indicate that remote sensing should be very effective in isolating high CO and HC emitting vehicles in a fleet of late model vehicles on the road.     

Treatment of a high-strength sulphate-rich alkaline leachate using an anaerobic filter

The research looks at the feasibility of treating an alkaline sulphate-rich leachate arising from the co-disposal of municipal solid waste with cement kiln dust by means of an anaerobic filter (AF). This type of leachate with a high sulphate concentration is commonly prohibited for discharge to sewer and requires an on-site treatment solution. The AF used had a working volume of 4l and contained reticulated polyurethane foam as the biomass support material. The filters were operated over a 152 day experimental period during which the COD loading onto the filter was increased from 0.76 to 7.63kgCODm(-3)d(-1). In the early stages of operation at low loading, soluble sulphides accumulated that inhibited methanogenic activity. This was restored by dosing FeCl(3) to the reactor. The continued dosing allowed efficient COD removal of between 75% and 90% until the nominal retention time in the reactor was 3 days, at which point reactor performance declined significantly. The main mechanism for COD removal was by sulphate-reducing bacteria, which also resulted in up to 88% sulphate removal from the leachate. The average methane generation rate was 0.10lg(-1) COD removed. The results indicate the potential for using this approach as a pre-treatment that could significantly reduce the COD load to a second stage treatment process, but problems associated with the implementation of the technology at a larger scale have been identified.     

Dioxin emissions from thermal waste management in Medellín, Colombia: present regulation status and preliminary results

Preliminary results of a study undertaken to characterize dioxin and furan releases from waste incineration plants operating in Medellín-Colombia are presented. Emission and fly ash samples were collected from representative plants burning medical and industrial residues to characterize PCDD/PCDF levels. Analyses were carried out following European standards for stationary gas emissions EN-1948:1996 and US EPA 1613 (fly ashes). Final extracts were analyzed by both high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS) and high resolution gas chromatography coupled to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (HRGC-ITMS/MS). Preliminary results revealed emission levels of 1-30.3 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 depending on whether or not an air pollution control system (APCS) was installed. Fly ashes contained 8.5-68 ng I-TEQ/g. Critical issues that should be addressed in an assessment and in developing waste management plans in Colombia are discussed.     

Climatic, socio-economic, and health factors affecting human vulnerability to cholera in the Lake Victoria basin, East Africa

Cholera epidemics have a recorded history in the eastern Africa region dating to 1836. Cholera is now endemic in the Lake Victoria basin, a region with one of the poorest and fastest growing populations in the world. Analyses of precipitation, temperatures, and hydrological characteristics of selected stations in the Lake Victoria basin show that cholera epidemics are closely associated with El Ni?o years. Similarly, sustained temperatures high above normal (T(max)) in two consecutive seasons, followed by a slight cooling in the second season, trigger an outbreak of a cholera epidemic. The health and socioeconomic systems that the lake basin communities rely upon are not robust enough to cope with cholera outbreaks, thus rendering them vulnerable to the impact of climate variability and change. Collectively, this report argues that communities living around the Lake Victoria basin are vulnerable to climate-induced cholera that is aggravated by the low socioeconomic status and lack of an adequate health care system. In assessing the communities' adaptive capacity, the report concludes that persistent levels of poverty have made these communities vulnerable to cholera epidemics.