Long-Term Community Dynamics of Small Landbirds with and Without Exposure to Extensive Disturbance from Military Training Activities

Military training activities are known to impact individual species, yet our understanding of how such activities influence animal communities is limited. In this study, we used long-term data in a case study approach to examine the extent to which the local small landbird community differed between a site in northeast Kansas that experienced intensive disturbance from military training activities (Ft. Riley Military Installation) and a similar, nearby site that experienced minimal human disturbance (Konza Prairie Biological Station). In addition, we characterized how the regional pool of potential colonizers influenced local community dynamics using Breeding Bird Survey data. From 1991 to 2001, most species of small terrestrial landbirds (73%) recorded during breeding surveys were found at both sites and the mean annual richness at Ft. Riley (39.0 ± 2.86 [SD]) was very similar to that of Konza Prairie (39.4 ± 2.01). Richness was maintained at relatively constant levels despite compositional changes because colonizations compensated local extinctions at both sites. These dynamics were driven primarily by woodland species that exhibited stochastic losses and gains and were present at a low local and regional abundance. Our results suggest that military training activities may mimic natural disturbances for some species in this area because the small landbird community did not differ markedly between sites with and sites without extensive human disturbance. Although our results suggest that military training is not associated with large changes in the avian community, additional studies are needed to determine if this pattern is found in other ecological communities.     

Coupled reservoir-geomechanical analysis of CO2 injection and ground deformations at In Salah,Algeria

In Salah Gas Project in Algeria has been injecting 0.5–1 million tonnes CO₂ per year over the past 5 years into a water-filled strata at a depth of about 1800–1900 m. Unlike most CO₂ storage sites, the permeability of the storage formation is relatively low and comparatively thin with a thickness of about 20 m. To ensure adequate CO₂ flow-rates across the low-permeability sand-face, the In Salah Gas Project decided to use long-reach (about 1–1.5 km) horizontal injection wells. In an ongoing research project we use field data and coupled reservoir-geomechanical numerical modeling to assess the effectiveness of this approach and to investigate monitoring techniques to evaluate the performance of a CO₂ injection operation in relatively low-permeability formations. Among the field data used are ground surface deformations evaluated from recently acquired satellite-based inferrometry (InSAR). The InSAR data shows a surface uplift on the order of 5 mm per year above active CO₂ injection wells and the uplift pattern extends several km from the injection wells. In this paper we use the observed surface uplift to constrain our coupled reservoir-geomechanical model and conduct sensitivity studies to investigate potential causes and mechanisms of the observed uplift. The results of our analysis indicate that most of the observed uplift magnitude can be explained by pressure-induced, poro-elastic expansion of the 20-m-thick injection zone, but there could also be a significant contribution from pressure-induced deformations within a 100-m-thick zone of shaly sands immediately above the injection zone.     

Effect of Cage Design on Growth of Transplanted Asian Clams: Implications for Assessing Bivalve Responses in Streams

This study was designed to determine whether survivorship and growth of Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea [Müller]) differed significantly between two types of field enclosures. Enclosures were either flexible mesh bags or rigid cages (hereto after referred as bioboxes) designed to homogenize substrate among study sites and accommodate Asian clam feeding mechanisms. For 96d, cages remained at 12 Clinch River (CR), Hurricane Fork (HF), and Dump's Creek (DC) sites upstream and downstream of a coal-fired power plant discharge, coal mining effluent, and coal combustion-related disposal facilities in Carbo, Virginia. Although survivorship was not significantly different between cage types, mean growth of clams in bioboxes was significantly greater overall (p = 0.0157). Despite the difference in growth between the two cage types, both confirmed significant reductions of survivorship and growth directly below the power plant discharge. Additionally, coefficient of variance values for biobox growth data were reduced at most study sites (averages of 16% for bioboxes versus 19% for mesh bags). Our results have implications toward strengthening weight-of-evidence approaches used to link impairment of transplanted bivalves to environmental contaminants. More importantly, these results suggest that ecotoxicological impairment of bivalves transplanted downstream of the coal-fired power plant discharge functioned independently of site-specific substrate provisions.     

Uptake and distribution of metals by water lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis> L.)

Background, aim and scope  

Water quality impairment by heavy metal contamination is on the rise worldwide. Phytoremediation technology has been increasingly applied to remediate wastewater and stormwater polluted by heavy metals.     

Growth of soybean at future tropospheric ozone concentrations decreases canopy evapotranspiration and soil water depletion

Tropospheric ozone is increasing in many agricultural regions resulting in decreased stomatal conductance and overall biomass of sensitive crop species. These physiological effects of ozone forecast changes in evapotranspiration and thus in the terrestrial hydrological cycle, particularly in intercontinental interiors. Soybean plots were fumigated with ozone to achieve concentrations above ambient levels over five growing seasons in open-air field conditions. Mean season increases in ozone concentrations ([O₃]) varied between growing seasons from 22 to 37% above background concentrations. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of future [O₃] on crop ecosystem energy fluxes and water use. Elevated [O₃] caused decreases in canopy evapotranspiration resulting in decreased water use by as much as 15% in high ozone years and decreased soil water removal. In addition, ozone treatment resulted in increased sensible heat flux in all years indicative of day-time increase in canopy temperature of up to 0.7 °C.     

Emission characteristics of ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds in a commercial printing center

Laser printers are one of the common indoor equipment in schools, offices, and various other places. Laser printers have recently been identified as a potential source of indoor air pollution. This study examines the characteristics of ultrafine particles (UFPs, diameter <100 nm) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from laser printers housed in a commercial printing center. The results indicated that apart from the printer type, the age of printers, and the number of pages printed, the characteristics of UFPs emitted from printers also depend on indoor ventilation conditions. It was found that at reduced ventilation rates of indoor air, there was a rise in the number concentration of UFPs in the printing center. Interestingly, the contribution of UFPs to the total number of submicrometer-sized particles was observed to be higher at a sampling point far away from the printer than the one in the immediate vicinity of the printer. Black carbon (BC) measurements showed a good correlation (rs = 0.82) with particles in the size range of 100-560 nm than those with diameters less than 100 nm (rs = 0.33 for 50-100 nm, and rs = -0.19 for 5.6-50 nm particles). Measurements of VOCs in the printing center showed high levels of m-, o-, and p-xylene, styrene, and ethylbenzenes during peak hours of printing. Although toluene was found in higher levels, its concentration decreased during peak hours compared to those during nonoperating hours of the printing center.     

Hydroquinones from defensive secretion of a giant Pacific millipede, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acladocricus setigerus</Emphasis> (Diplopoda: Spirobolida)

Summary. The presence of considerable quantities of hydroquinones including hydroquinone, 2-methylhydroquinone, 2,3- dimethoxyhydroquinone, 2-methoxy-3-methylhydroquinone, and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone renders the defensive secretion of Acladocricus setigerus (Silvestri, 1897) significantly different from that of other quinone-producing millipedes. In addition, two hitherto undescribed compounds, namely, 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone and 2-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, were characterized from the defensive secretion. However, it is uncertain if the latter compound is formed after the release of the secretion. The two major compounds, 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, constitute about 75% of the defensive fluid. Furthermore, hydrocarbons, which are typically present in the secretions of most other arthropods that use benzoquinones as repellents, are notably absent in the secretion of A. setigerus.     

Sympatry and allopatry in the deeply divergent mitochondrial DNA clades of the estuarine pulmonate gastropod genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phallomedusa</Emphasis> (Mollusca,Gastropoda)

DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were collected from estuarine snails in the genus Phallomedusa to examine the effects of estuarine isolation on population structure and gene flow. Three clades were recovered, one corresponding to Phallomedusa austrina and two others with the morphology of Phallomedusa solida. The haplotype diversity in all three clades indicated recent population expansion. Phallomedusa austrina was restricted to the west of a previous land bridge in the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania, and P. solida to its east and to northern Tasmania. Phylogeographic analysis of P. austrina and P. solida shows strong geographic separation of species, but no local genetic structure indicative of regional or estuarine isolation. The clades of P. solida exhibit substantial genetic divergence and were sympatric across their entire distribution in eastern Tasmania and mainland Australia. Such a situation, which has not previously been observed in phylogeographic studies of southeast Australia, suggests that P. solida has had a complex refugial history during periods of environmental challenge.     

Measurement of atmospheric concentrations of common household pesticides: A pilot study

Air concentrations of 28 of the most commonly used household pesticides were measured inside nine homes in Jacksonville, Florida, and compared with corresponding outdoor levels. The households selected were sorted into three categories according to the degree of pesticide indoor usage. Personal air monitoring was also performed on one resident of each household by means of a portable sampler, which was kept with the person at all times. Five of the pesticides were found in the air inside of the majority of the homes at concentrations as high as 15 gm^–3 (average concentrations, 12 ngm^–3 to 2.4 gm^–3). Indoor levels were generally one to two ordrrs of magnitude higher than surrounding outdoor air levels and personal air measurements were within ± 50% of corresponding indoor values. All samples were collected over 24-hr periods on polyurethane foam and analyzed by capillary colum gas chromatography with mass spectrometric and/or electron capture detection.     

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated bilateral microphthalmia with confirmation by evaluation of products of conception obtained by dilation and evacuation

We describe the prenatal diagnosis of isolated bilateral fetal microphthalmia in a woman at increased risk of having a fetus with microphthalmia. Ultrasound examinations at 161 and 19-5 weeks' gestation demonstrated bilateral fetal microphthalmia with no other associated structural defects. The patient elected to terminate her pregnancy at 19.5 weeks. Pathological evaluation of the products of conception obtained by dilation and evacuation confirmed the prenatal diagnosis of isolated bilateral fetal microphthalmia.