Urban air pollution monitoring and correlation properties between fixed-site stations

The rich regional air-monitoring network of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy has been used to quantify the spatial variability of the main pollutants within urban environments and to analyze the correlations between stations. The spatial variability of the concentrations of the majority of pollutants within the city was very high, making it difficult to differentiate and characterize the urban environments and to apply legal limits with uniform criteria. On the other hand, the correlations between the fixed-site monitoring stations were high enough for their data to be retained generally very appropriately for controlling temporal trends. Starting from the high correlation level, a procedure was proposed and tested to derive pollution levels, using short-term measurements, such as passive samplers and mobile-station data. The importance of long-term statistics in urban air pollution mapping was emphasized. Treatment of missing data in time series and quality assurance were indicated as possible fields for applications for the correlation properties.     

Effects of exposure to ED contaminants (TPT-Cl and Fenarimol) on crinoid echinoderms: comparative analysis of regenerative development and correlated steroid levels

Regenerative phenomena reproduce developmental processes in adult organisms and are regulated by neuro-endocrine mechanisms. They can therefore provide sensitive tests for monitoring the effects of exposure to endocrine disrupter contaminants (EDs) which can be bioaccumulated by the organisms causing dysfunctions in steroid hormone metabolism and activities and affecting reproduction and development. Echinoderms are prime candidates for this new ecotoxicological approach, since (1) they offer unique models to study physiological regenerative processes and (2) in echinoderms vertebrate-type steroids can be synthesized and used as terminal hormones along the neuro-endocrine cascades regulating reproductive, growth and developmental processes. We are currently exploring the effects on the regenerative potential of echinoderms of different classes of compounds that are well known to have ED activity. The present paper focuses on the possible effects of well-known compounds with suspected androgenic activity such as TPT-Cl (Triphenyltin-chloride) and Fenarimol [(±)-2,4-dichloro-α-(pyrimidin-5-yl) benzhydryl alcohol]. The selected test-species is the crinoid Antedon mediterranea, a tractable and sensitive benthic filter-feeding species which represents a valuable experimental model for investigation on the regenerative process from the macroscopic to the molecular level. The present investigation employs an integrated approach which combines exposure experiments and biological analysis utilizing microscopy, immunocytochemistry and biochemistry. The experiments were carried out on experimentally induced arm regenerations in semistatic controlled conditions with exposure concentrations comparable to those of moderately polluted coastal zones. The bulk of results obtained so far provide indications of significant sublethal effects from exposure to TPT-Cl and Fenarimol and mechanisms of toxicity related to developmental physiology, which are associated with variations in steroid levels in the animal tissues. The results indicate that these two substances (1) affect growth and development by interfering with the same basic cellular mechanisms of regeneration, such as cell proliferation, migration and differentiation/dedifferentiation, which are possibly controlled by steroid hormones; and (2) can induce a number of significant modifications in the timing, modalities and pattern of arm regeneration, which may involve the activation of cell mechanisms related to steroid synthesis/metabolism. Physical and Chemical Impacts on Marine Organisms, a Bilateral Seminar Italy-Japan held in November 2004     

Vocalizations and courtship intensity correlate with mounting success in marginated tortoises<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Testudo marginata</Emphasis>

The courtship and mounting behaviour of tortoises is elaborate, and based on a multiple signalling system involving visual, olfactory and acoustic signals. Vocalizations related to mounting seem to be particularly significant because tortoises vocalize mainly at this time. Vocalizations and courtship behaviour may be costly for males, and if these costs increase differentially for different males, then the potential exists for vocalizations and displays to reveal male individual quality. In this correlative study, we analysed relationships between male mounting success and morphological and behavioural traits, particularly acoustic signals, exhibited by male marginated tortoises (Testudo marginata) during courtship, in a group of 94 individuals breeding in semi-natural enclosures. For each male, we estimated general body condition, courtship intensity and mounting success; calls of mounting males were recorded and four sonagraphic features were measured. Calls differed significantly among males, and two features varied according to body condition. Male mounting success significantly increased according to the male/female size-ratio, suggesting the existence of a size-based assortative mating. Mounting success was also highly correlated with courtship intensity, measured as number of bites and rams given to females before mounting, and with number of calls emitted during mounting. Finally, mounting success was negatively related to call duration. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which features of tortoise vocalizations are shown to convey reliable information about male quality in socio-sexual contexts.Communicated by T. Czeschlik     

Atmospheric heavy metals in tropical South America during the past 22,000 years recorded in a high altitude ice core from Sajama, Bolivia

V, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Ba, Pb, Bi and U have been analysed by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry in various sections of a dated snow/ice core drilled at an altitude of 6542 m on the Sajama ice cap in Bolivia. The analysed sections were dated from the Last Glacial Stage ( approximately 22,000 years ago), the Mid-Holocene and the last centuries. The observed variations of crustal enrichment factors (EFc) for the various metals show contrasting situations. For V, Co, Rb, Sr and U, EFc values close to unity are observed for all sections, then showing that these elements are mainly derived from rock and soil dust. For the other metals, clear time trends are observed, with a pronounced increase of EFc values during the 19th and 20th centuries. This increase shows evidence of metal pollution associated with human activity in South America. For Pb an important contribution was from gasoline additives. For metals such as Cu, Zn, Ag and Cd an important contribution was from metal production activities, with a continuous increase of production during the 20th century in countries such as Peru, Chile and Bolivia.     

The conceptual bases of chemistry and the development of integrated science

Summary A paradigmatic model of the evolution of scientific thought encourages awareness of the provisional nature of present scientific explanations, sensitizing us to aspects of observed reality which they are unable to adequately explain. The self-organizing capabilities of open systems, exemplified by the clock-reactions investigated by Prigogine, not only demonstrate the inadequacies of the present probabilistic scientific interpretations but also point towards a more adequate model of scientific explanation which would place man at the centre of scientific development and encourage the integration of science.Dr Paolo Manzelli, as the senior author of this paper, is Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florence. John Eaton is responsible for Educational Studies at Farnborough College of Technology.     

The presence of a river bird, the dipper, in relation to water quality and biotic indices in central Italy

A good water quality bio-indicator should be sensitive to different forms of water degradation in any geographical area, and effectively track water quality changes in time. We investigated whether the presence of a bird, the dipper (Cinclus cinclus), in 47 reaches of 35 streams of central Italy was affected by stream pollution as assessed by the Extended Biotic Index. Data from the literature and interviews with ornithologists furnished information about past dipper presence and water quality in the study streams. In 93.3% of cases dippers occurred in unpolluted reaches. The dipper was absent from 93.7% of polluted or strongly polluted streams. Dippers disappeared from 50% of the study streams for which past information was available. In a few streams dippers disappeared after the quality of water had degraded. Water quality degradation in the study area, especially in the hill streams, is causing dipper areale to contract to higher altitudes. Dipper is a good water quality bio-indicator for Mediterranean streams.     

Do bearing magnets affect the extent of deflection in clock-shifted homing pigeons?

When released after clock-shift, homing pigeons fail to orient towards the home direction but display a consistent deflection of their initial orientation due to the difference between the real sun azimuth and the computed azimuth according to the subjective time of each single bird. It has been reported that the size of the observed deflection is frequently smaller than expected and a discussion on the possible factors affecting the size of deflection has emerged. Some authors have proposed that the major factor in reducing the deflection after clock-shift is the simultaneous use of both the magnetic and the sun compasses, giving true and erroneous information, respectively, about the home direction. Therefore, a magnetic disturbance, by impeding the use of the geomagnetic information in determining the home direction, is presumed to increase the size of the deflection up to the levels of the expectation. To test this hypothesis, we released three groups of clock-shifted birds from unfamiliar locations (unmanipulated pigeons, pigeons bearing magnets on their head, and pigeons bearing magnets on their back) together with a group of unshifted control birds. As no difference in the orientation of the three groups emerged, we were not able to confirm the hypothesis of the role of the magnetic compass in reducing the expected deflection after clock-shift.Communicated by W. Wiltschko     

Reduced light avoidance in spiders from populations in light-polluted urban environments

Increased urbanisation is leading to a rise in light pollution. Light pollution can disrupt the behaviour and physiology of animals resulting in increased mortality. However, animals may also benefit from artificial light sources, as these may aggregate prey or signal suitable environments. For example, spiders are commonly seen congregating around artificial light sources. Changes in selective pressures engendered by urban environments are driving changes in urban organisms, driving better adaptation to these environments. Here, we ask whether urban populations of the synanthropic spider Steatoda triangulosa show different responses to light compared to rural populations. Egg-sacs from urban and rural populations were collected and incubated in a common garden setting, and the emerging spiderlings tested for light preference. While rural spiderlings avoided light (37% built webs in the light), urban spiderlings were indifferent to it (49% built webs in the light). Reduced light avoidance may benefit spiders through increased prey capture, increased movement into suitable habitats, or due to a release from selection pressure from visually hunting predators which do not enter buildings.