Effects of Cd2+ on K+, Ca2+ and N uptake in two halophytes Sesuvium portulacastrum and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: consequences on growth

One of the limits of Cd2+-phytoextraction is the high toxicity of this metal to plants. Growth restriction, chlorosis and necrosis are usually accompanied with a large disturbance of the uptake of essential elements. This work aims to study the effects of cadmium (Cd2+) on potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+) and nitrogen (N) acquisition, and their consequences on growth in two halophytes species: Sesuvium portulacastrum and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Seedlings were grown for 30 days in split-root conditions. One half of the root system was immersed in complete nutrient solution (Basal medium (B)) supplemented with 100 microM Cd2+, and the other half was immersed in a Cd2+-free medium, containing all nutrients (B/Cd plants) or deprived of potassium ((B-K)/Cd) or calcium ((B-Ca)/Cd) or nitrogen ((B-N)/Cd). Using this approach, we demonstrated that K+ and Ca2+ uptake was impaired in roots exposed to Cd2+. Concerning N, we noticed no indication of uptake inhibition by Cd2+. However, restriction of K+ uptake by roots was compensated by an increase in the K+-use efficiency, so that growth was not inhibited. Calcium uptake was strongly limited by Cd2. This inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in growth of ((B-Ca)/Cd) plants. Thus, we conclude that Cd2+ limits growth of both halophytes through restriction imposed on Ca2+ uptake. We suggest that the increase of Ca2+ availability in soils could improve the growth of both species in the presence of Cd2+. This would be essential for improving their utility for extraction of this metal by from salty contaminated soils.     

Uptake of oxytetracycline and its phytotoxicity to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

A series of experiments were conducted in a hydroponic system to investigate the uptake of oxytetracycline (OTC) and its toxicity to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). OTC inhibited alfalfa shoot and root growth by up to 61% and 85%, respectively. The kinetics of OTC uptake could be well described by Michaelis-Menten equation with Vmax of 2.25 micromol g-1 fresh weight h-1, and Km of 0.036 mM. The uptake of OTC by alfalfa was strongly inhibited by the metabolic inhibitor, 2,4-DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol), at pH 3.5 and 6.0, but not by the aquaporin competitors, glycerol and Ag+. OTC uptake, however, was significantly inhibited by Hg2+, suggesting that the inhibition of influx was due to general cellular stress rather than the specific action of Hg2+ on aquaporins. Results from the present study suggested that OTC uptake into alfalfa is an energy-dependent process.     

Exposure assessment for trace elements from consumption of marine fish in Southeast Asia

Concentrations of 20 trace elements were determined in muscle and liver of 34 species of marine fish collected from coastal areas of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Large regional difference was observed in the levels of trace elements in liver of one fish family (Carangidae): the highest mean concentration was observed in fish from the Malaysian coastal waters for V, Cr, Zn, Pb and Bi and those from the Java Sea side of Indonesia for Sn and Hg. To assess the health risk to the Southeast Asian populations from consumption of fish, intake rates of trace elements were estimated. Some marine fish showed Hg levels higher than the guideline values by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). This suggests that consumption of these fish may be hazardous to the people.     

Regression method of the hydrophobicity ruler approach for determining octanol/water partition coefficients of very hydrophobic compounds

A regression method was developed for the hydrophobicity ruler approach, which is an indirect method for determining the octanol/water partition coefficients of very hydrophobic compounds. Two constants introduced into the mathematical model were obtained by regression of the absorption data sampled before the partition equilibrium. A water miscible organic solvent was used to increase the solubility of the very hydrophobic compounds in the aqueous solution so that the hydrophobicity scale was reduced and the equilibration was accelerated. Polydimethylsiloxane/methanol aqueous solution and a series of 21 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used to demonstrate the regression method. The PCB compounds with known experimental logK(o/w) values served as reference compounds, while the PCB compounds without known logK(o/w) values were determined. The distribution coefficients (logK(p/s)), uptake and elimination rate constants were obtained from the two regression constants for each compound (reference or unknown). The correlation of the logK(p/s) values of the reference PCB compounds with their logK(o/w) values was linear (logK(o/w)=2.69logK(p/s)+0.76, R(2)=0.97). The logK(o/w) values were compared with literature values and suggested that some values from the literature far off the calibration line could be inaccurate. The critical experimental factors, the merits of the regression method were discussed.     

Comparative study of the formation of brominated disinfection byproducts in UV/persulfate and UV/H2O2 oxidation processes in the presence of bromide

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The objective of this research was to compare the transformation of Br? and formation of brominated byproducts in UV/persulfate (PS) and UV/H2O2...     

Managing for Recreational Experience Opportunities: The Case of Hikers in Protected Areas in Catalonia,Spain

Planning and management for recreational activities in protected areas involves an understanding of many complex factors. Segmentation of recreation demand and of the main physical or sporting activities can contribute to the design of more efficient management strategies, which may help to maintain or significantly enhance satisfaction with the recreation experience, and this in turn could improve the interest in and appreciation of the natural environment. The current study examined the motivations of hikers in three small Natura 2000 protected areas. It establishes a typology or categorization as a contribution to better management based on a survey conducted through on-site personal interviews with a representative sample of 569 hikers. Through an analysis of the principal intervening components by means of cluster analysis, we identified three groups of hikers based on three motivational dimensions: (1) nature-minded hikers, (2) sporting hikers and (3) general-purpose hikers. The most striking results were the significant differences among group variables related to visit behaviour (frequency and duration of visits and number of people per group), previous knowledge (protection status of the areas) and recreational frequentation (trail categories and protected areas visited). A positive correlation between the degree of sympathy for nature and the degree of satisfaction with the recreational experience (including positive evaluation of the public facilities, signposting and services offered) was also observed. The results are discussed in terms of their applicability and implications in hiking management in protected natural areas such as those of Natura 2000.     

Laboratory measurements and multi-block numerical simulations of the mean flow and turbulence in the non-aerated skimming flow region of steep stepped spillways

We present and discuss the results of a comprehensive study addressing the non-aerated region of the skimming flow in steep stepped spillways. Although flows in stepped spillways are usually characterized by high air concentrations concomitant with high rates of energy dissipation, the non-aerated region becomes important in small dams and/or spillways with high specific discharges. A relatively large physical model of such spillway was used to acquire data on flow velocities and water levels and, then, well-resolved numerical simulations were performed with a commercial code to reproduce those experimental conditions. The numerical runs benefited from the ability of using multi-block grids in a Cartesian coordinate system, from capturing the free surface with the TruVOF method embedded in the code, and from the use of two turbulence models: the k-e{k{-}\varepsilon} and the RNGk-e{k{-}\varepsilon} models. Numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data corresponding to three volumetric flow rates in terms of the time-averaged velocities measured at diverse steps in the spillway, and they are in very satisfactory agreement for water levels along the spillway. In addition, the numerical results provide information on the turbulence statistics of the flow. This work also discusses important aspects of the flow, such as the values of the exponents of the power-law velocity profiles, and the characteristics of the development of the boundary layer in the spillway.     

内循环UASB中微生物群落多样性分析研究

应用聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chajn reaction,PCR)结合变形梯度凝胶电泳(denature gadient gel elecophoresis,DGGE)技术对内循环UASB反应器内活性污泥的微生物多样性进行分析。通过OMEGA试剂盒的方式提取活性污泥中微生物的基因组DNA,以细菌通用引物进行16S rDNA基因V3高变异区域PCR扩增,再将PCR产物(约200bp)进行变性梯度凝胶电泳分离(变形梯度为30%⁶0%),从而获得表征污泥样中微生物群落特征的DNA指纹图谱。借助Quantity One软件对不同污泥样进行多样性分析。研究表明,内循环UASB反应器内不同取样口取得的活性污泥虽有着共同的和不同的微生物种属,但DGGE图谱中多为共同带,少有特征带,污泥样品间的相似性很高、微生物群落多样性基本一致。反应器内污泥混合均匀、微生物种类丰富,反应器运行稳定且有很强的抗冲击能力。     

Chemical composition, mass closure and sources of atmospheric PM10 from industrial sites in Shenzhen, China

Concentrations of atmospheric PM10 and chemical components (including twenty-one elements, nine ions, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC)) were measured at five sites in a heavily industrial region of Shenzhen, China in 2005. Results showed that PM10 concentrations exhibited the highest values at 264 μg/m3 at the site near a harbor with the influence of harbor activities. Sulfur exhibited the highest concentrations (from 2419 to 3995 ng/m3) of all the studied elements, which may be related to the influence of coal used as fuel in this area for industrial plants. This was verified by the high mass percentages of SO42-, which accounted for 34.3%-39.7% of the total ions. NO3-/SO42- ratios varied from 0.64-0.71, which implies coal combustion was predominant compared with vehicle emission. The anion/cation ratios range was close to 0.95, indicating anion deficiency in this region. The harbor site showed the highest OC and EC concentrations, with the influence of emission from vessels. Secondary organic carbon accounted for about 22.6%-38.7% of OC, with the highest percentage occurring at the site adjacent to a coal-fired power plant and wood plant. The mass closure model performed well in this heavily industrial region, with significant correlation obtained between chemically determined and gravimetrically measured PM10 mass. The main constituents of PM10 were found to be organic materials (30.9%-69.5%), followed by secondary inorganic aerosol (7.9%-25.0%), crustal materials (6.7%-13.8%), elemental carbon (3.5%-10.8%), sea salt (2.4%-6.2%) and trace elements (2.0%-4.9%) in this heavily industrialized region. Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources for particulate matter in this industrial region were crustal materials and coal/wood combustion, oil combustion, secondary aerosols, industrial processes and vehicle emission.