Accumulation of 14C-1-naphthalene by an oceanic and an estuarine copepod during long-term exposure to low-level concentrations

Accumulation of the bi-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ¹⁴C-1-naphthalene in adult female Calanus helgolandicus Claus and adult female Eurytemora affinis Poppe in sea water concentrations of hydrocarbon ranging from 0.2 to 992 g/l was studied during exposure periods of up to 15 days as part of an investigation of the possible effects on marine zooplankton of persistent exposure to low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. With both species the body levels of radioactivity increased rapidly during the first few days of the exposure period, but after exposure for 7 to 8 days to sea water containing 50 g hydrocarbon/l an equilibrium condition was approached; in some experiments where E. affinis was exposed to 1.0 and 10 g hydrocarbon/l for 15 days there was no further increase in body levels of radioactivity after 7 to 8 days. Using a low concentration of hydrocarbon (1 g/l), the quantity of radioactivity accumulated after 10 days was found to be nearly fifty times greater in the smaller species, E. affinis, than in C. helgolandicus, when expressed in terms of body weight. After they had been exposed to the hydrocarbon for several days the copepods contained a considerable proportion of radioactivity that was no longer identifiable as naphthalene and was presumably present as metabolites. Radioactivity accumulated in the copepods after several days was rapidly lost after they were transferred to uncontaminated sea water: e.g. C. helgolandicus lost nearly 90% of its body level of radioactivity in 24 h. Thereafter the rate of loss was greatly reduced, and 5% of the original body level of radioactivity still remained in the copepods at the end of 11 days. Experiments on the breakdown of naphthalene added at low concentrations to sea water samples containing natural microbial populations indicated degradation rates of 0.1 to 0.2 g/l/24 h in oceanic water, and 2.6 g/l/24 h in inshore water samples. The results are discussed in terms of the possible transfer of hydrocarbon to a higher trophic level in areas subjected to constant low-level inputs of petroleum hydrocarbons.     

Incidental capture,direct mortality and delayed mortality of sea turtles in Australia's Northern Prawn Fishery

The species composition, catch and mortality rates of sea turtles captured incidentally by the tiger prawn fishery on Australia's northern coast in 1989 and 1990 were estimated by monitoring the fishery's catch. In 1990, the delayed rate of mortality from damage was estimated and the size composition was measured. Five species of turtles were captured: the flatback (Natator depressa, 59% of the total), loggerhead (Caretta caretta, 10%), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea, 12%), green turtle (Chelonia mydas, 8%) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, 5%). The turtle catches varied with water depth: the highest catch rates (0.068±0.006 turtles per trawl) were from trawls in water between 20 and 30 m deep, relatively few turtles (10%) were captured in water deeper than 40 m (25% of trawls). Catch rates varied with time of year: the highest catch rates were 0.098 (±0.013) turtles per trawl in winter. There was no significant difference in the overall catch rate (²= 0.047; p=0.8111; df=1) but a significant difference in mortality rate (²= 3.99; p<0.05; df=1) between the two years. The incidence of capture in the commercial fishery was 0.051 (±0.003) turtles per trawl towed for about 180 min, with 0.007 (±0.001) turtles per trawl drowning in the nets. There were no significant differences in the catch and mortality rates between the two years for any of the turtle species except the loggerhead, which had a significantly (² = 11.029; p=0.0013; df=1) lower catch rate in 1990 (0.002±0.001 turtles per trawl) than in 1989 (0.008±0.002 turtles per trawl), and a significantly higher mortality in 1990 (33%) than in 1989 (19%). Catch rates and mortality varied between the species: the flatback had the highest catch rate (0.030±0.002 turtles per trawl) but the lowest mortality (10.9%); the loggerhead had a catch rate of 0.005±0.001 turtles per trawl, and high mortality (21.9%); the olive ridley had a catch rate of 0.006±0.001 turtles per trawl and a low mortality (12.5%); the green turtle's catch rate was 0.004±0.001 per trawl and mortality 12.0%; the hawksbill had the lowest catch rate (0.002±0.001 turtles per trawl) but highest mortality (26.4%). Based on the fishing effort (27 049 d for 1989 and 25 746 d for 1990), we estimate that 5 503 (±424) turtles were caught and returned to the sea in 1989 and 5 238 (±404) in 1990, of which 567±140 drowned in 1989 and 943±187 in 1990. In 1990, an estimated 25% of all captured turtles suffered some non-lethal damage; an estimated 21% of turltes were captured comatose and 4% were injured. We conclude that, considering other threats, trawl-induced drowning is not the major impact on turtle populations in northern Australia, but that measures to reduce drowning and delayed mortality would be desirable.     

Are followers satisfied with conscientious leaders? The moderating influence of leader role authenticity

Leadership scholars have yet to identify a clear and consistent relationship between leader conscientiousness and followers' satisfaction with a leader. Drawing from socioanalytic theory and related personality research, we argue that the underlying motives of leader conscientiousness can manifest in systematically different behaviors aimed at team task accomplishment, ranging from rigid and order‐driven to relatively more adaptable approaches. Importantly, we posit that the relationship between a leader's conscientiousness and adaptability is conditioned by role authenticity (i.e., the extent to which a leader believes a role permits expressions of her or his “true self”). Hence, we articulate a conditional indirect effects model whereby leader conscientiousness and leader role authenticity jointly predict leader adaptability and, in turn, increasing levels of leader adaptability are positively associated with followers' shared satisfaction with their leader. Data from a sample of fire and rescue crews provide partial support for the model. Post hoc analyses suggest that the conditioning influence of leader role authenticity on leader conscientiousness is more informative when subfacets of conscientiousness are considered.     

Feeding biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiura sarsii</Emphasis> Lütken, 1855 on Banquereau bank and the effects of fishing

Ophiura sarsii was collected in May/June from Banquereau Bank off Nova Scotia, Canada as part of the benthic fauna analyzed in a 2 year clam dredging-impact experiment. In total, 529 O. sarsii specimens were analyzed; 174 (33%) had stomach contents while the rest were empty. Ophiura sarsii is a trophic generalist feeding on at least 31 taxa (52% identified to species) drawn from four phyla: Arthropoda (81.8%), Annelida (13.2%), Mollusca (3%), and Cnidaria (1.5%). However, the diet was largely restricted to two amphipod families (Ampeliscidae and Lysianassidae), accounting for 54–70% of stomach contents at any one sampling period. This diet provides indirect evidence for carnivory. Limited spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the proportion of animals feeding showed no consistent pattern. Where diet composition differed (ANOSIM) it was attributed to the proportion of lysianassid and ampeliscid amphipods consumed. Dredging introduced new dietary items, although diet composition was not significantly altered.     

Consumer attitudes towards timber as a construction material and towards timber frame houses – selected findings of a representative survey among the German population

This paper presents selected findings from a representative consumer survey of the German population exploring the image of timber as a construction material in general, and of timber frame houses in particular. The study found that prejudice regarding the deficiency of timber as a construction material and of timber frame houses, in terms of fire resistance, durability and stability, persists in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, timber as a construction material and timber frame houses have a positive association with well-being, aesthetics and eco-friendliness. Although these “soft” criteria are important factors in the choice of a certain building construction mode, these attributes are not sufficient, on their own, to trigger the choice of timber as a construction material.     

Biomass reduction and arsenic transformation during composting of arsenic-rich hyperaccumulator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteris vittata</Emphasis> L.

Background, aim, and scope  

Composting is being proposed as a pretreatment step before disposal of metal-rich biomass after phytoextraction process. This study determined the biomass reduction and arsenic transformation during composting As-rich biomass of hyperaccumulator Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.).     

LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES AS CONTROLS ON GROITHD WATER NITRATE REMOVAL CAPACITY OF RIPARIAN ZONES1

ABSTRACT: Inherent site factors can generate substantial variation in the ground water nitrate removal capacity of riparian zones. This paper examines research in the glaciated Northeast to relate variability in ground water nitrate removal to site attributes depicted in readily available spatial databases, such as SSUIRGO. Linking site‐specific studies of riparian ground water nitrate removal to spatial data can help target high‐value riparian locations for restoration or protection and improve the modeling of watershed nitrogen flux. Site attributes, such as hydric soil status (soil wetness) and geomorphology, affect the interaction of nitrate‐enriched ground water with portions of the soil ecosystem possessing elevated biogeochemical transformation rates (i.e., biologically active zones). At our riparian sites, high ground water nitrate‐N removal rates were restricted to hydric soils. Geomorphology provided insights into ground water flowpaths. Riparian sites located on outwash and organic/alluvial deposits have high potential for nitrate‐enriched ground water to interact with biologically active zones. In till deposits, ground water nitrate removal capacity may be limited by the high occurrence of surface seeps that markedly reduce the time available for biological transformations to occur within the riparian zone. To fully realize the value of riparian zones for nitrate retention, landscape controls of riparian nitrate removal in different climatic and physiographic regions must be determined and translated into available spatial databases.     

Particulate copper in soils and surface runoff from contaminated sandy soils under citrus production

Soil contamination by copper (Cu) is a worldwide concern. Laboratory incubation and soil Cu characterization were conducted to examine the effects of external Cu loading and liming on Cu speciation in both bulk soil and particulates of an Alfisol and Spodosol under citrus production. Also, drainage water from the sites was evaluated for dissolved and particulate forms of Cu. Soil available Cu estimated by CaCl₂, NH₄OAc, or Mehlich-3 extraction significantly increased with external Cu loads and decreased with soil pH. Most increases in soil Cu occurred in the exchangeable and oxide-bound fractions. Organically bound Cu was the dominant fraction in both bulk soil and particulates, but more in particulates than bulk soil (P?≤?0.001). Organically bound Cu was highly correlated with total recoverable Cu (P?≤?0.01), increased significantly with external Cu loads (P?≤?0.001), and decreased with soil pH (P?≤?0.05). Lime addition converted part of Cu from available pools to more stable forms. Organically bound Cu complexes were found to dominate in soil solution or surface runoff. These results indicate that most Cu accumulated in the contaminated soils is highly mobile, and thus may impact citrus production and the environment.