Distribution of trace element pollutants in a contaminated ecosystem established on metalliferous fluorspar tailings. 3: fluoride

High total soil fluoride (10 000 microg g(-1)) in the metalliferous fluorspar tailings was reflected by elevated concentrations in standing live vegetation (300-1000 microg g(-1)); plant roots (c. 6000 microg g(-1)); plant litter (c. 4000 microg g(-1)); total body concentrations of invertebrates (400-4000 microg g(-1)) and the small mammals Microtus agrestis (120-360 microg g(-1)) and Sorex araneus (140-250 microg g(-1)). Seasonal changes in the standing live vegetation and the availability of soil fluoride to plants are discussed. Seasonal changes in total body concentrations of the small mammals were related to the age structure of the populations as well as dietary levels. In the small mammals, the concentration ratios were < 0.5 at the tailings dam and > 1.1 at the control site, indicating that both species were able to regulate fluoride accumulation at the higher levels of intake. Soft tissue concentrations were, as expected, very low compared to the hard tissues but, still, were generally significantly higher at the tailings dam compared to the control site. Evidence of dental fluorosis was found in Microtus agrestis, but not Sorex araneus.     

The potential supply of energy minerals in Australia

Australia is a sparsely populated country that is well endowed with energy resources, and the size of coal, natural gas, and uranium reserves relative to domestic demand has given Australia the opportunity to become a major exporter of these fuels. This paper assesses Australian supply potential of these three fuels, together with crude oil, through to the early years of the next century. With the exception of crude oil, supply potential appears adequate to meet projected domestic and export demand. However, crude oil supplies are unlikely to meet domestic requirements, and to the shortfall may be considerable.     

Fast flame speeds and rates of pressure rise in the initial period of gas explosions in large L/D cylindrical enclosures

Flame speeds and rates of pressure rise for gaseous explosions in a 76 mm diameter closed cylindrical vessel of large length to diameter ratio (L/D = 21.6), were quantitatively investigated. Methane, propane, ethylene and hydrogen mixtures with air were studied across their respective flammability ranges. Ignition was affected at one end of the vessel. Very fast flame speeds corresponding to high rates of pressure rise were measured in the initial 5–10% of the total explosion time. During this period 20–35% of the maximum explosion pressure was produced, and over half of the flame propagation distance was completed. Previous work has concentrated on the later stages of this type of explosion; the development of tulip flames, pressure wave effects and transition to turbulence. The initial fast phase is very important and should dominate considerations in pressure relief vent design for vessels of large L/D.     

Phytoplankton production: seasonal change in the oceanic eastern tropical Pacific

The suggestion that the annual cycle of plant production in tropical oceanic regions may be negligible or non-existent is examined, using data from a year-long cruise series in the eastern tropical Pacific. Results of analysis of variance show a highly significant seasonal effect. Average values of the seasonal cycle were found to range from 127 to 318 mg C/m²/day, a systematic two-fold variation over the year. Annual production was 75 g C/m²/year. Significant differences also were found between longitudes, and a slightly significant interaction occurred between season and longitude. Probable sources of the seasonal cycle include time variation of thermocline topography and variation of nutrient supply from local source areas such as the Costa Rica Dome, Gulf of Tehuantepec, Peru Current extension, and Equatorial Undercurrent domain.     

Regulation of growth in Laminaria digitata: use of in-vivo nitrate reductase activities as an indicator of nitrogen limitation in field populations of Laminaria spp.

The seasonal variation in growth rate of a population of Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour growing at Arbroath, Scotland was studied between August 1981 and September 1982, and was found to follow the biphasic annual cycle typical of this genus. Growth rates were maximum (0.3 cm cm^-1 mo^-1) in early June and minimum (0.05 cm cm^-1 mo^-1) between September and January. An analysis of the relationship between the seasonal changes in environmental factors (inorganic nitrogen concentrations, irradiance and temperature) with those of growth rate and the accumulation or mobilisation of cellular reserves of carbohydrates and nitrate, indicated that growth was nitrogen-limited between June and October and light-limited (with a possible co-involvement of temperature) for the remainder of the year. These conclusions were supported by the seasonal changes in the ratio of actual: potential in-vivo nitrate reductase activities in L. digitata, thus confirming the suitability of this technique for monitoring the occurrence of nitrogen limitation in Laminaria spp. The seasonal changes in blade nitrate reductase activities closely followed those of growth rate, with maximum activities [0.3 mol NO ₃ ^- reduced g^-1 (wet wt) h^-1] being present in late May and minimum levels [0.01 mol NO ₃ ^- reduced g^-1 (wet wt) h^-1] occurring between November and March. The correlation observed between nitrate reductase activities and growth rate is consistent with the ability of Laminaria spp. to store excess inorganic nitrogen, available during winter and early spring, as NO ₃ ^- , and with the requirement to conserve enzyme protein during the summer period of nitrogen limitation.     

Long-term residue of DDT compounds in forest soils in Maine

Soils in forests sprayed aerially with DDT in 1958-1967 have been sampled for persistence of residues at intervals since then and most recently in 1993. Results of all the samples are presented and show persistence through 30 years, with evidence of decline of residue only in the third decade. The metabolites of DDT--DDE and DDD--increased over time, each comprising about a third of total residue in 1993. Residue continues to be held in the organic mat with little evidence of movement downward to the inorganic soil horizons.     

Late Paleozoic gabbroic rocks of the Bridge River accretionary complex, southwestern British Columbia: geology and geochemistry

Gabbroic bodies in the Bralorne-Gold Bridge area of southwestern British Columbia are associated with the oceanic Bridge River complex of the western Canadian Cordillera, one of the suspect terranes accreted to North America in the Jurassic. The gabbros are locally cut by tonalites and are structurally interleaved with ultramafic rocks, phyllites, graphitic cherts, and carbonate lenses that comprise the lower part of the Bridge River complex. Their late Carboniferous crystallization age overlaps the depositional age of affiliated supracrustal rocks (Mississippian-Jurassic), some of which have been metamorphosed to blueschist facies. Compositionally, the gabbros resemble mafic plutonic rocks of ophiolitic complexes and gabbroic rocks of the nearby Shulaps Range. They display some affinity to oceanic island arc tholeiitic suites. The Bralorne and Shulaps gabbros include cumulates and appear to have been derived from a single, light REE-depleted, peridotitic source by melting and subsequent fractional crystallization/accumulation of various combinations of plagioclase, pyroxenes, and olivine. The tonalites are compositionally distinct from typical ophiolitic plagiogranites, but might be related to the associated gabbros. The gabbroic bodies occur within tectonic slivers derived from the oceanic crust that floored a deep ocean basin that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic. The Bridge River complex comprises fragments of oceanic crust that were tectonically incorporated into an east-verging accretionary prism during a middle/late Triassic to Jurassic collisional event.     

Transvaginal chorionic villus sampling using transabdominal ultrasound guidance

Transvaginal chorionic villus sampling (CVS) using concurrent transabdominal ultrasound guidance was performed in six women who desired CVS but could not be offered transcervical or transabdominal approaches because of uterine position and placental location. Satisfactory amounts of chorionic villi were obtained in all six cases with no maternal discomfort, an occurrence that contrasts with our experience in transvaginal CVS using endovaginal ultrasound guidance. We believe that transvaginal CVS using concurrent transabdominal ultrasound guidance warrants consideration as an alternative technique for first-trimester CVS in selected patients.