Detecting conservation benefits in spatially protected fish populations with meta-analysis of long-term monitoring data

Marine protected areas (MPA) produce a positive effect on fish populations, but this may be difficult to identify due to the high temporal variability of populations. Meta-analysis is an option for analysing data from different sources and sampling designs and it can address problems related to temporal and spatial variability in fish populations. We analysed fish abundance data from visual counts conducted in summer, from 1996 to 2002, in the MPA of Tabarca (Alicante, Spain). The results showed an overall positive effect of protection at the species and family levels. Overall abundance of fishes inside the reserve was, on average, 1.22 times higher than outside the reserve boundaries. Positive effect of protection was found for Boops boops, Diplodus annularis, Diplodus cervinus, Epinephelus marginatus, Epinephelus costae and Epinephelus aenus. Species of Labrids were not affected by protection, except for Thalassoma pavo and Symphodus ocellatus. Meta-analysis of temporal data allows evaluation of the protection MPA provide and is particularly useful when data sources have different experimental designs or sampling programs. The Tabarca MPA has benefited fish populations by increasing their abundance and we suggest that meta-analysis is a complementary tool for the management of MPAs.     

Sulfonated derivatives of naphthalene in water samples of an Italian river

Naphthalenesulfonates were found in water samples of the Italian river Bormida. Samples were collected at increasing distances from the point of emission of pollutants, and their analyses showed that these compounds can persist in river water and that they can propagate for considerable distances.     

Accumulation and Depuration Kinetics of Rotavirus in Mussels Experimentally Contaminated

Bivalve mollusks as filter-feeders concentrate in their digestive tissue microorganisms likely present in the harvesting water, thus becoming risky food especially if consumed raw or poorly cooked. To eliminate bacteria and viruses eventually accumulated, they must undergo a depuration process which efficacy on viruses is on debate. To better clarify the worth of the depuration process on virus elimination from mussels, in this study we investigated rotavirus kinetics of accumulation and depuration in Mytilus galloprovincialis experimentally contaminated. Depuration process was monitored for 9 days and virus residual presence and infectivity were evaluated by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cell culture and electron microscopy at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 of depuration. Variables like presence of ozone and of microalgae feeding were also analyzed as possible depuration enhancers. Results showed a two-phase virus removal kinetic with a high decrease in the first 24 h of depuration and 5 days necessary to completely remove rotavirus.     

Electrostatic Precipitation Tests with Fuel Oil Ash

The main characteristics of the electrostatic collection of fuel oil ash has been investigated at a pilot precipitator installed in a laboratory rig. The relationship between collection efficiency, dust concentration and air velocity is studied and the influence of the spacing between the collection plates on both efficiency and effective migration velocity is discussed. Emphasis is put on the high degrees of efficiency attainable under suitable operating conditions.     

Fungitoxicity of lyophilized and spray-dried garlic extracts

Among the compounds discussed for anti-microbial and anti-fungal use allicin (allylthiosulfinate, diallyl disulfide-S-monoxide), an active ingredient of garlic, has attracted considerable attention. The objective of this study is to determine the antifungal activity of a local garlic ecotype (Voghiera) extracts against different pathogens. Primary screening was carried out by the agar plates technique using ethanol garlic extract at four final concentrations against the following organisms: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus spp., Colletotrichum acutatum, Didymella bryoniae, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium gramineareum, Gliocladium roseum 47, Pythium splendens, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Stemphylium vesicarium, Trichoderma longibranchiatum, and Botrytis cinerea. Secondary screening was carried out using a lyophilized and a spray-dried preparation at different concentrations against the organisms selected for the high inhibition garlic effect in the primary screening and compared with the commercial fungicides mancozeb and iprodione. The best results were observed for the spray-dried garlic compound that showed a good fungicidal activity at the concentration of 1.5 g/10 mL while lyophilized garlic at the same concentration exhibithed less inhibition activity against the four fungi analyzed in the second screening.     

Water for human and livestock consumption in rural settings of Ethiopia: assessments of quality and health aspects

The study aimed to assess the quality and health aspects of water intended for human and livestock consumption in two rural districts of the Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The study involved two parts: the first consisted of a questionnaire survey and farmers’ group discussions, complemented by secondary health data, and the second part determined the chemical (total dissolved solids, pH, manganese, hexa-valent chromium, fluoride) and microbiological quality of different water sources during dry and wet seasons. The result showed a lack of sustainable access to safe water in the communities. Industrial pollution and mismanagement of water sources by human and livestock was found to be a source of potential health risk. Potentially linked human health problems like malaria, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal parasites were common in the districts. Overall, 76 % of the assessed water sources (n?=?25) failed to comply with World Health Organization guidelines for human drinking water, for at least one assessed parameter, mostly irrespective of the season. The non-compliance was mainly attributed to Escherichia coli contamination and/or high fluoride concentration. At least 20 % of the water samples were also found to be unfit for livestock consumption based on assessed chemical parameters in both dry and wet seasons. To minimize the health risk associated with mismanagement and poor quality of water sources in the area, targeted action in the protection of surface water sources should be given priority.     

Mercury conversion processes in Amazon soils evaluated by thermodesorption analysis

This paper reports on the speciation study and the Hg redox behavior in Amazon soils not influenced by gold mining and collected near Manaus, AM, Brazil. The samples were incubated by adding Hg(0) and HgCl₂ to dry soil. Solid phase Hg speciation analysis was carried out using a Hg thermodesorption technique with the aim of distinguishing elemental Hg(0) from Hg(II) binding forms. In the first case, we observed the conversion of Hg(0) to Hg(II) binding forms in the range of 28–68% and a correlation between the percent of oxidation and OM content. Samples incubated with Hg(II) showed the formation of Hg(I) and/or Hg(0) in the range of 19–69%. The lowest values corresponded to the samples with the lowest clay contents. The kinetics of conversion of Hg(0) as well as HgCl₂ were roughly fitted to the two first order reactions, a fast one and a slow one. It was not possible to evaluate differences between sampling sites and types of soils, but the mean half-life of the first order reaction obtained by the addition of Hg(II) was slower (t_1/2 = 365 d) than the one obtained by the addition of Hg(0) (t_1/2 = 148 d). Previous studies have shown the predominance of organically bound Hg in these samples. Thus, the kinetic difference between Hg oxidation and reduction in combination with the efficient retention processes by OM may explain the high background values found in Amazon soils.     

Multi-objective analysis of ground-level ozone concentration control

To develop sound air quality plans, regional authorities should have instruments that link the complex behaviour of pollutants both in time and space with costs of emission reduction. The problem is particularly important for ground level ozone which forms kilometres away, hours later from the emission of its precursors. To approach this problem, a method (1) to identify local pollutant-precursor models on the basis of results from a large photochemical model (CALGRID), (2) to integrate them in a multi-objective mathematical program, together with an estimate of the emission reduction costs, is suggested. The method has been used to assess action priorities in Lombardy (Northern Italy). This area, characterised by a complex terrain, high urban and industrial emissions and a dense road network is often affected by severe photochemical pollution episodes during summer.