Ecological literacy and beyond: Problem-based learning for future professionals

Ecological science contributes to solving a broad range of environmental problems. However, lack of ecological literacy in practice often limits application of this knowledge. In this paper, we highlight a critical but often overlooked demand on ecological literacy: to enable professionals of various careers to apply scientific knowledge when faced with environmental problems. Current university courses on ecology often fail to persuade students that ecological science provides important tools for environmental problem solving. We propose problem-based learning to improve the understanding of ecological science and its usefulness for real-world environmental issues that professionals in careers as diverse as engineering, public health, architecture, social sciences, or management will address. Courses should set clear learning objectives for cognitive skills they expect students to acquire. Thus, professionals in different fields will be enabled to improve environmental decision-making processes and to participate effectively in multidisciplinary work groups charged with tackling environmental issues.     

Mycotoxins of Aspergillus fumigatus in pure culture and in native bioaerosols from compost facilities

Exposure to secondary metabolites of airborne fungi in waste handling facilities is discussed in regard to potential toxic impacts on human health. The relevance of mycotoxins has been intensely studied in connection with contamination of food and feed. Toxic secondary metabolites are expected to be present in airborne spores, but exposure to mycotoxins in bioaerosols has not been studied sufficiently. Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most frequent species in the air of compost plants. A wide range of secondary metabolites was found in pure cultures of freshly isolated strains of A. fumigatus. Tryptoquivaline, a compound with tremorgenic properties, and trypacidin, for which no toxic properties are described, were found in native bioaerosols in a compost facility. The highly toxic metabolites gliotoxin and verruculogen were not found in the bioaerosols.     

养活九十亿人

本世纪期间,技术进展已经使农作物生产率发生了革命,但农作物产率的提高已经开始放慢,而世界人口却继续增长.土地退化和水资源的压力是对非常需要的土地生产率提高的严重障碍.满足21世纪全球食品需要将要求一致的人口控制政策,推进可持续消费,和大大提高我们对土地、水及其它自然资源的使用效率.本文提供了对这些问题的前瞻性分析和解决这些问题的建议.     

Hydrocarbon pollution fixed to combined sewer sediment: a case study in Paris

Over a period of two years (2000-2001), sediment samples were extracted from 40 silt traps (STs) spread through the combined sewer system of Paris. All sediment samples were analysed for physico-chemical parameters (pH, organic matter content, grain size distribution), with total hydrocarbons (THs) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) selected from the priority list of the US-EPA. The two main objectives of the study were (1) to determine the hydrocarbon contamination levels in the sediments of the Paris combined sewer system and (2) to investigate the PAH fingerprints in order to assess their spatial variability and to elucidate the PAH origins. The results show that there is some important inter-site and intra-site variations in hydrocarbon contents. Despite this variability, TH and PAH contamination levels (50th percentile) in the Parisian sewer sediment are estimated at 530 and 18 microg g(-1), respectively. The investigation of the aromatic compound distributions in all of the 40 STs has underlined that there is, at the Paris sewer system scale, a homogeneous PAH background pollution. Moreover, the study of the PAH fingerprints, using specific ratios, suggests the predominance of a pyrolytic origin for those PAHs fixed to the sewer sediment.     

Isotopic characterisation of lead in contaminated soils from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Soil samples from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria contained very high concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc (up to 140, 4900 and 5900 mg kg(-1), respectively). A roadside soil in a relatively uncontaminated area also contained high concentrations of the same metals (24, 1550 and 1870 mg kg(-1), respectively) indicating that the transport of ores could be a source of contamination. Even though the lead isotope ratios in all the samples fell within a very narrow range (for example, 1.186-1.195 for (206)Pb/(207)Pb), the samples could be differentiated into three distinct groups: ores ((206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios of 1.1874-1.1884 and 2.4755-2.4807, respectively), current deposition (1.1864 and 2.4704-2.4711, respectively) and local background (1.1927-1.1951 and 2.4772-2.4809, respectively). Although most of the current deposition has its origin in the ores used at the smelter, up to 12% could be from other sources such as petrol lead.     

Toxicity of acid-sulphate soil leachate and aluminium to the embryos and larvae of Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) in estuarine water

The toxicity of leachate water from acid-sulphate soil to the early life stages of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, incubated in seawater was evaluated. Acid-sulphate soil leachate water (pH> or =6.8) delayed the hatching of fertilised eggs, but after 48 h the per cent hatching was normal. In comparison, acidic saline water (25 per thousand salinity) at pH 4.0 or less prevented embryos from hatching. The survival of yolk-sac larvae exposed to acid-sulphate soil leachate water at a concentration of 32% in seawater and an initial pH of 7.2, was significantly different to controls after 96 hours. In corresponding tests with only acidified saline water (20 per thousand salinity), pH levels equal to or below 5.0 killed yolk-sac larvae after 96 h exposure. Aluminum showed a pH dependent toxicity to yolk-sac larvae, with added aluminium as low as 200 microg litre(-1) having a significant effect on larval survival at pH 5.5, and concentrations of 600-800 microg litre(-1) having a significant effect on larval survival at an initial pH range of 6.0 < pH < 6.8. It was concluded that significant mortality of the early life stages of Australian bass would occur if they are exposed to acid-sulphate soil leachate that results in a pH in the receiving estuarine water below 5.5, or when the pH is below 6.8 and aluminium is present at a total concentration of 800 microg litre(-1) or greater.     

Effect of applying chemical fertilizers on forms of lead and cadmium in red soil

A three-month incubation study was undertaken to examine the influence of N, P and K on the various forms (soluble plus exchangeable (SE), weakly specifically adsorbed (WSA), Fe-Mn oxides bound (OX), organic matter complexed (OM) and residual fractions (RES)) of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in a red soil. Application of urea at the rate of 200 mg N/kg significantly lowered the SE fraction, but raised the WSA or OX fraction of both metals. Supply of 80 mg P/kg caused a decrease in the SE fraction of the two metals. The WSA fraction of Pb was reduced, whereas that of Cd increased by adding P. However, addition of 100 mg K/kg led to an increase in the SE fraction, but a decrease in the WSA fraction of Pb and Cd. Applying chemical fertilizers had no significant consistent influences on the other fractions of metals. These findings suggest that in heavy metal contaminated red soil, applying fertilizers does not only provide plant nutrients, but may also change the speciations and thus biovailability of heavy metals.     

Evaluation of ecological disturbance and intrinsic bioremediation potential of pulp mill-contaminated lake sediment using key enzymes as probes

A rapid protocol was developed to measure 10 different enzymic activities from a large number of 1-cm-sliced freshly collected lake sediments. Layers heavily polluted by organic halogens (4900 mg Cl kg(-1)) revealed severe depression of phosphatase, sulfatase, leucine-aminopeptidase, chitinase, acetate esterase and butyrate esterase activities as compared to layers above and below the most polluted zone. alpha-Glucosidase, beta-glucosidase, beta-xylosidase and palmitate esterase were less affected. Methane oxidation potential was dramatically depressed in the polluted strata whereas tetrachloromethane dehalogenating activity was observed in the polluted sediment only. The sediment layers formed after the chlorine discharges into the lake had diminished to 1/10, and showed restoration of the activities close to those observed in non-recipient sediment, in spite of the persisting presence of >1000 mg of organic chlorine (kg dry wt)(-1). We conclude that certain enzymic activities involved in breakdown or oxidation of organic matter in the sediments are useful probes for assessing the degree of ecological damage and its potential for restoration in recipient lakes of industrial discharges.     

Diflubenzuron residue and persistence on an oak forest after aerial application

Abstract

A twenty hectare forest block in central Pennsylvania was aerially sprayed with diflubenzuron (Dimilin 25W®) at the dose of 33.23g A.I./ha in 9.4 litres/ha. Leaf samples were collected from the upper and lower canopies of 27 oaks and understory within this block on the day of spray, May 29, 1991. Canopy leaves were also collected on May 31, June 10, July 29 and September 26, 1991.

Recovery of diflubenzuron residues on fortified canopy‐leaf and litter‐leaf samples using analytical techniques employed in this study averaged 87.4% (SE = 7.5%) and 66.2% (SE = 8.2%), respectively.

On the day of spray, diflubenzuron residues on the upper canopy, lower canopy and understory averaged 81.18, 39.65 and 8.35 ng/cm², respectively. Diflubenzuron residues on canopy‐leaf samples collected 2, 12, 61 and 120 days post‐spray averaged 14.83 (SE = 10.19), 16.75 (SE = 9.95), 12.84 (SE = 8.25) and 11.20 (SE = 7.52) ng/cm², respectively. Diflubenzuron residues on litter‐leaf samples collected after leaf senescence ‐ 169 and 323 days post spray contained measurable amounts of diflubenzuron in 51 and 59% of the samples, respectively. Of the samples with measurable amounts of diflubenzuron, residues averaged 1.36 (SE = 2.44) and 0.65 ng/cm² (SE = 0.73) respectively.