Characterisation of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the ambient air of steelworks

Investigations have been undertaken at two integrated steelworks in the UK to characterise airborne organic micro-pollutants and to assess the contribution of iron ore sintering and coke making operations on the air quality. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely benzene, toluene and p-xylene, were measured continuously within the boundary of a coking plant using for the first time differential optical absorption spectrometry (DOAS) between 2004 and 2006. Concentrations were obtained along two monitoring paths surrounding the coke plant and the average benzene concentration measured along both paths over the campaign was 28 μg m^?3. Highest benzene concentrations were associated with winds downwind of the coke oven batteries. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air were measured during 27 consecutive days in 2005 at three different locations on an integrated steelworks. PAH profiles were determined for each sampling point and compared to coke oven and sinter plant emission profiles showing an impact from the steelworks. The mean benzo [a] pyrene concentration determined in the immediate vicinity of the coke ovens downwind from the battery was 19 ng m^?3, whereas for the two other sites average benzo [a] pyrene concentrations were much lower (around 1 ng m^?3). Data were analysed using principal components analysis (PCA) and results showed that coke making and iron ore sintering were responsible for most of the variation in the PAH concentrations in the vicinity of the investigated plant.     

Depth and temperature of the blue marlin,Makaira nigricans,observed by acoustic telemetry

Multiplex acoustic transmitters were used to monitor the depth, swimming speeds, body temperature and water temperature preference of six blue marlin, Makaira nigricans (Lacépède), near the Hawaiian islands in July and August 1989. The blue marlin ranged in size from 60 to 220 kg and were tracked for 1 to 5 d. All of the fish moved away from the point of capture and were followed up to 253 km from the island of Hawaii. The blue marlin tracked remained in the top 200 m of the water column, spending half the time in the upper 10 m, and rarely ventured below the thermocline. In the nearsurface waters the temperature was uniformly warm (25 to 27°C). The coldest water temperature, 17°C, was encountered on the deepest descent recorded (209 m). Depth changes occurred rapidly and excursions below 10 m were usually less than 60 min in duration. Muscle temperature was similar to water temperature except for a 2°C elevation in muscle temperature observed at the beginning of tracking one individual. This initial rise in body temperature was associated with the anaerobic muscle activity during capture and is an indication of the physiological stress involved in capture.     

Climatic mapping to identify high-risk areas for Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum leaf blight on eucalypts in mainland South East Asia and around the world

Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum is a pathogen on a wide range of hosts. It affects at least 20 species of eucalypts and is an important causal agent of leaf blight of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in central and southern Vietnam. Results from previous studies and observations of broadscale infection patterns in mainland South East Asia were used to derive simple rules (i.e. mean minimum temperature of coldest month > or =16 degrees C and mean annual precipitation > or =1400 mm) to identify locations which are likely to have a high risk of C. quinqueseptatum leaf blight (CqLB). Climatic mapping programs, which include interpolated climatic data estimated for numerous locations, were used to map these high risk areas in Africa, Australia and Latin America as well as in South East Asia. The predicted high-risk areas included several regions where CqLB has already been reported and the maps generated suggested other areas which may be at risk under present climatic conditions given the presence of C. quinqueseptatum and susceptible hosts. Some simple climate change scenarios were also used to suggest areas in mainland South East Asia which may become vulnerable to CqLB over the next 50 years. It is concluded that climatic mapping programs can assist the broadscale evaluation of risk of CqLB infections, although it is recognised that more detailed models and survey information are also needed.     

Size classes and major taxonomic groups of phytoplankton at two locations in the subarctic pacific ocean in May and August, 1984

In order to assess the relative importance of the pico- and nanoplankton fractions, the composition of entire phytoplankton communities at Weathership Station P (50°N; 145°W) and at 53°N; 145°W were studied in May and August, 1984, using epifluorescence, scanning electron, and inverted light microscopy. The biomass of major taxa within five size classes was estimated from cell volume and cell concentration. For both months, approximately twothirds of the total phytoplankton carbon were contributed by cells<5 m. In May, 16% of plant biomass was contributed by cells<2 m, and in August 39%. (In both months 90% of plant carbon<2 m was contributed by the bluegreen coccoid Synechococcus spp.) Cells 2 to 5 m contributed about 39% to total plant carbon; they were mostly flagellates in May and nonmotile coccoids in August. The remaining one-third of algal carbon was composed of dinoflagellates, cryptomonads, other flagellates and diatoms, all >5 m. Very little difference between taxa was observed with respect to vertical stratification. Small taxonomic changes were observed in the community between May and August, and within each month.Contribution No. 1694 of the School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA     

Mutualism between a leguminous tree and large African monkeys as pollinators

Observations of a monkey community in a forest of the Zaire Basin show that four species intensively lick the nectar of Daniellia pynaertii (Caesalpinoideae) for 5 months of the year; nectar makes up a mean of 20% and a maximum of 50% of monthly plant feeding records (Fig. 3). Such intensive nectar-feeding by monkeys of up to 8 kg body weight probably developed in these basically frugivorous primates as an alternative strategy to cope with a shortage of fleshy fruits. This would have been possible due to the high density of the plant species, the synchrony and abundance of its flowering (Fig. 2), and the large size of the nectar drop and its nutritional value. Patterns of monkey movements among Daniellia trees show that one flowering tree may receive up to 10 species visits and 30 individual visits per day, for a total of up to 141 min. (Table 1). A monkey troop can visit 12 trees in succession over less than 3 h (Fig. 4). This suggests that monkeys are able to promote pollen transfer both among flowers of the same tree and between conspecific trees. The individual tree fruiting index is positively correlated with its flowering index and with the amount of visits by monkeys, indicating at least that monkeys do not inhibit the reproductive ability of flowers (Fig. 5). These results suggest that monkeys can be considered as a guild of effective pollinators. Long-term coevolution between the plant and its present-day pollinators seems unlikely, and we suggest that monkeys replaced other pollinators, such as Lepidoptera. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that tubular flowers adapted for pollination by Lepidoptera are found in affine species of the same genus and of affine genera, the latter being known to be pollinated by these insects. In contrast, D. pynaertii flowers typically meet the pollination syndrome currently defined for attracting large mammals: notably conspicuousness and open morphology of the flowers, nectar colour and abundance. These characteristics suggest that coadaptation between monkeys and plant or at least one-sided adaptation has operated. Correspondence to: A. Gautier-Hion     

Ontogeny of space use and diet of two temperate damselfish species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parma microlepis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parma unifasciata</Emphasis>

Studies of reef fish herbivory have mainly focused on the impacts and behaviour of adults of tropical species. In this study, the ontogenetic shifts in home range, aggression, feeding rate, diet and gut morphology in juveniles and adults of two temperate territorial damselfishes, Parma microlepis and Parma unifasciata, were determined. Both P. microlepis and P. unifasciata juveniles under 80 mm TL exhibited no aggressive chases towards conspecifics or other species, while above 80 mm TL aggressive chase frequency increased in conjunction with an increase in home range, defended as a territory. Ontogenetic diet shifts, characterised by an increase in herbivory (P. unifasciata: juveniles: 64% plant material, adults: 95% plant material; P. microlepis: juveniles: 43% plant material, adults: 67% plant material) were observed for both species. The ratio of digestive tract length to body length, which often accompanies a switch to herbivory, increased significantly with ontogeny for both species. Compared to tropical confamilial grazers, these temperate damselfish species feeding rates were lower, and they had larger territories which were not as strongly defended (fewer aggressive chases).