Influence of special surfactants on the microbial degradation of mineral oils

Various surfactants belonging to the group of fatty acid-acylated amino acids were tested for their ability to accelerate the microbial degradation of mineral oil. Of the lauric acid-acylated amino acids, aliphatic acids and histidine were found to be the most suitable. By the aid of these compounds additional 20-60% of a residual oil fraction could be degraded. The longer the chain of the fatty acid moiety, the more effective the surfactants are. Natural L-amino acids were more effective than their D-configuration. Since the special surfactants are easily biologically degradable, multiple replenishment is required in long-term experiments. The faster, more complete degradation of mineral oil is caused solely by interfacial activity; the growth of biomass due to the function of surfactants as substrate had no effect.     

Conflict resolution by participatory management: remote sensing and GIS as tools for communicating land-use needs for reindeer herding in northern Sweden

When seeking to resolve complex land-management issues, geographical assessment of resources that are in short supply or in dispute can aid the communication of knowledge and the understanding among and between different stakeholders. In this paper, we illustrate how remote sensing and GIS can be used to gather and compile information regarding land-use activities and patterns among reindeer herders and other land users (forestry, mining, tourism, etc) in northern Sweden. The project represents a novel user-oriented effort largely based on the work carried out by the principal end user, i.e. the reindeer herders themselves. The basis for development of land-use plans for reindeer husbandry, was the following: to collect and digitally systemize traditional ecological and landscape knowledge of reindeer habitat use; to integrate this information with results from field inventories and satellite-based vegetation classifications; to map activities of other land users. The resulting land-use plans provide information that can facilitate consultation between the reindeer herders and other stakeholders and can facilitate operational work in reindeer management. This project can serve as a model for participatory involvement and planning, bringing indigenous knowledge and advanced remote-sensing techniques together in an interactive process.     

Color induction: Spatial gain of regional retinal disinhibition in different color channels

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