Polybrominated diphenyl ether levels in wild and farmed Chilean salmon and preliminary flow data for commercial transport

This pilot study documented the occurrence and levels of brominated flame retardants in the tissues of farmed and wild salmon in southern Chile. Samples of Coho salmon and rainbow trout were obtained from fish farms, rivers and lakes in the Patagonia in Aysen Region, Chile. The samples were analyzed by Gas Chromatography Negative Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry for the different polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners. Contaminants were observed in all the samples, and the congeners BDE 17, 28, 47 and 66 were observed in all both farmed and wild samples. The concentrations were higher in the farmed Coho salmon, presenting significant differences with wild salmon. The levels reached 182 pg/g wet weight (ww) vs. 120 ww. In the case of the rainbow trout, the concentrations were lower, although the congener profile was quite similar. The levels reached an average of 100 pg/g ww in the farmed fish versus 110 pg/g ww in wild fish, and no significant difference was observed between the species. In both species, the congener with the highest concentration was BDE 47. Based on this information, the BDE flow was estimated for commerce, which is a form of pollutant transport not usually considered in POP pollution studies. A preliminary estimation indicated that the quantity of PBDEs mobilized by commerce was in the order of kg, and in the case of Chile might reach almost 1 kg.     

The use of polymerase chain reaction for the identification of sciaenid eggs

Traditionally, sciaenid eggs have been identified based on morphological characteristics such as size, number of oil globules and/or pigmentation patterns. Identification of sciaenid eggs by these procedures is time consuming and often inaccurate due to considerable egg size overlap among species. The utilization of molecular techniques for the identification of economically important species has become a fundamental component in ecological studies involving fish eggs and larvae. This study reports the development of a series of both multiplex and individual polymerase chain reactions to identify the eggs of 11 sciaenid species commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico and estuaries near Port Aransas and Corpus Christi, TX, USA. Following method development, the discriminatory power of the assay was first determined with samples from adult fish collected from Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays, Galveston Bay and the lower Laguna Madre in northern Mexico. Most (97%) of these fishes were correctly identified to the level of species. To demonstrate the applicability of the assay, wild fish eggs were collected and analyzed from the Aransas Pass tidal inlet from September through December 2005. During this period, the eggs of four target species were positively identified which was in keeping with current knowledge regarding the spawning areas and seasons of these sciaenids based on the presence of mature females, eggs and/or larvae. Future use of this method can provide valuable information to better discriminate spawning sites and seasons of these species.     

Sustainable tourism development including the enhancement of cultural heritage in the city of Nafpaktos – Western Greece

ABSTRACT

The application of a sustainable tourism management and development framework, including the enhancement of cultural heritage is presented for the city of Nafpaktos (Western Greece) and the surrounding area. Through a qualitative SWOT analysis and a quantitative Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC)–Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC) framework, an attempt is made to establish thresholds, monitor current conditions, and upgrade tourism activities, with simultaneous development of the tourism-associated economic sectors and the cultural heritage of the city. Activity zones are identified and 18 indicators are selected to describe the environmental/cultural, economic, and social conditions of the area. Reference conditions for each indicator are established either as measured or negotiated thresholds and indicators are accordingly scored to depict the current divergence from reference. The Leopold matrix is used to compare scores and identify restrictions of development. Results reveal high potential for sustainable tourism development of the area, as 9 of 18 indicators received high scores, indicating sustainable conditions, and a variety of underdeveloped tourism endpoints were identified, including the castle of the city, which could potentially support a 90-fold increase in tourism flow. However, restricting factors of development were detected, related to the lack of a tourism management plan, the weak on-site protection of the natural and cultural heritage and the lack of awareness for sustainability among the local people. A strategic plan is finally proposed to provide managers, stakeholders, and the local communities with a guiding framework to upgrade the tourism flow in and around the city within a step-by-step sustainable process.     

Huddling up in a dry environment: the physiological benefits of aggregation in an intertidal gastropod

In many intertidal gastropods, the formation of aggregations and closing of the opercular opening are behaviors commonly assumed to be associated with water conservation and maintenance of body temperature during tidal emersion periods. In the laboratory, we quantified the relationship between these two behaviors in a littorinid snail common to the north-central shores of Chile, Echinolittorina peruviana, and evaluated any benefit of these behaviors during desiccating conditions. We predicted that solitary individuals would maintain their opercula open for less time than aggregated snails when exposed to drier conditions due, at least in part, to differences in evaporative water loss. In laboratory trials, where relative humidity was manipulated, we observed that aggregated snails maintained their opercula open for longer periods of time than solitary snails under increasingly drier conditions. These results, together with observations of body temperature, suggest that aggregated animals may able to maintain gaseous exchange with their environment for longer periods of time than solitary individuals in response to desiccation stress. Our results suggest an interactive effect of two behaviors that confer physiological benefits when confronted with extreme physical conditions experienced during periods of emersion.     

Spatial mismatch between wild bee diversity hotspots and protected areas

Wild bees are critical for multiple ecosystem functions but are currently threatened. Understanding the determinants of the spatial distribution of wild bee diversity is a major research gap for their conservation. We modeled wild bee α and β taxonomic and functional diversity in Switzerland to uncover countrywide diversity patterns and determine the extent to which they provide complementary information, assess the importance of the different drivers structuring wild bee diversity, identify hotspots of wild bee diversity, and determine the overlap between diversity hotspots and the network of protected areas. We used site-level occurrence and trait data from 547 wild bee species across 3343 plots and calculated community attributes, including taxonomic diversity metrics, community mean trait values, and functional diversity metrics. We modeled their distribution with predictors describing gradients of climate, resource availability (vegetation), and anthropogenic influence (i.e., land-use types and beekeeping intensity). Wild bee diversity changed along gradients of climate and resource availability; high-elevation areas had lower functional and taxonomic α diversity, and xeric areas harbored more diverse bee communities. Functional and taxonomic β diversities diverged from this pattern, with high elevations hosting unique species and trait combinations. The proportion of diversity hotspots included in protected areas depended on the biodiversity facet, but most diversity hotspots occurred in unprotected land. Climate and resource availability gradients drove spatial patterns of wild bee diversity, resulting in lower overall diversity at higher elevations, but simultaneously greater taxonomic and functional uniqueness. This spatial mismatch among distinct biodiversity facets and the degree of overlap with protected areas is a challenge to wild bee conservation, especially in the face of global change, and calls for better integrating unprotected land. The application of spatial predictive models represents a valuable tool to aid the future development of protected areas and achieve wild bee conservation goals.     

Governing green stormwater infrastructure: the Philadelphia experience

Many cities throughout the world are adopting green infrastructure techniques to reduce stormwater and sewer overflows into waterways, which is particularly problematic for places experiencing more frequent and severe rain events. Governance of green stormwater implementation is proving to be as important as the techniques themselves. Building on the climate and sustainability governance literature, we argue that effective governance requires planning across city departments, experimentation and a strategy for organisational learning. We employ a case study of Philadelphia, the first city in the United States to attempt an entirely green approach to meeting federal regulations to examine issues of governance that emerged and how they were addressed. The case study draws on interviews with fourteen public and private sector actors involved in implementation, a site visit to observe the installations and to discuss the approach with a key planner, and grey literature. We find that silos can be broken down and that if open communications and a willingness to change practices are present, obstacles cited in the literature can be overcome. The key implication is that the three elements of governance need to be built into the green infrastructure planning process. While the analysis focuses on a US city, the departments involved and the governance needs of green stormwater infrastructure are similar in cities in much of the world.     

Correcting serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds by lipids: Alternatives to the organochlorine/total lipids ratio

IntroductionWhen studying the effects of organochlorine compounds (OCs) on human health it is common to correct serum concentrations of OC by total lipids (TL). However, the relationship between serum OCs and serum TL is far from established in many diseases, including several cancers. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between serum OC and TL in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), and to explore several alternatives to perform the OC lipid correction.MethodsIncident cases of PDA were interviewed and had blood drawn soon around hospital admission (n = 144). Serum concentrations of OCs were analysed by high-resolution gas chromatography with electron-capture detection.ResultsMost patients with high TL had moderate or low concentrations of OCs. By contrast, the variability of OC values among patients with normal TL was large. Correlations were of a similar magnitude between OC and TL and between OC and total cholesterol; while these correlations were weak (all Spearman's ρ < 0.3 and R² < 0.11), no OC were significantly correlated with triglycerides. Although all alternatives to the OC/TL linear ratio were statistically significant for at least one OC, their R² was always below 10%.ConclusionsIn patients with severe diseases as PDA, linear correction of OC by TL as commonly performed in epidemiologic studies may be inappropriate. Results contribute to the scant literature on the rationale to correct serum concentrations of OC by lipids. They suggest that it is unwarranted to routinely correct OC by TL, offer ways to assess such need, and present alternatives as no TL correction, correction by total cholesterol only or use of different statistical models.     

In situ chemical oxidation of residual LNAPL and dissolved‐phase fuel hydrocarbons and chlorinated alkenes in groundwater using activated persulfate

A treatablity study (TS) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) using activated persulfate, alone and in combination with air sparging (AS), for treating a source area contaminated with residual light nonaqueous‐phase liquid (LNAPL), dissolved‐phase fuel hydrocarbons (HCs), and dissolved‐phase chlorinated alkenes at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. The TS was implemented in two phases. Phase I included injecting a solution of sodium persulfate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) into groundwater via an existing well where residual LNAPL and dissolved‐phase contaminants were present. Because the results of Phase I indicated a limited distribution of the activated persulfate, Phase II was performed to assess whether AS could enhance the distribution of the sodium persulfate. Each phase was followed by groundwater monitoring and sampling at the injection well and at three monitoring wells, located 20 to 44 feet from the injection well. Results from Phases I and II of the TS indicated that (1) alkaline‐activated persulfate was effective in promoting the dissolution of LNAPL and the degradation of dissolved‐phase contaminants, but only at the injection well; (2) the addition of AS was effective in enhancing the radius of persulfate distribution from less than 20 feet to greater than 44 feet, and (3) persulfate alone (i.e., not in an activated state) was effective in reducing the concentrations of dissolved‐phase fuel HC and chlorinated alkenes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Taxi driver seat belt wearing in Nanjing, China

Objective

To determine and validate patterns of seat belt use and attitudes of taxi drivers on wearing a seat belt following national and provincial seat belt legislation in 2004-2005. Design: Roadside daylight seat belt observation and interview survey methods were used, as well as observations from inside taxis during routine trips and a taxi driver focus group. The setting was Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China in April of 2006 and 2007.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of seat belt use and attitudes to wearing a seat belt were determined, as were vehicle and driver characteristics, and comparisons with other motor-vehicle driver's seat belt use and attitudes.

Results

Taxi drivers interviewed were predominantly male and aged 30-39 years. They spent more hours per week in their vehicles and had more driving experience than other drivers. Over half (56.2%) of taxi drivers interviewed reported that they always wore seat belts, while observation of taxi drivers showed lower wearing rates (i.e., roadside observation was 43.8%, and observation from inside taxis was 36.2%). Belt tampering was a practice of 12-15% of taxi drivers. “Fine avoidance, safety, high speed and long trips” were given as important reasons for wearing and “feeling trapped and uncomfortable” for not wearing. Seat belt reminder signs in taxis were common (82.6% of taxis), but did not appear to impact on driver seat belt use.

Conclusion

The four research methods found taxi drivers to have consistently low “correct wearing” rates.

Impact on industry

As in several other countries, taxi drivers are particularly resistant to seat belt use. Innovative strategies, including occupational health and safety approaches, may be required to achieve increased levels of seat belt use.     

Source Apportionment of Carbonaceous Aerosol in New York City by Multiple Linear Regression

A multiple linear regression model was applied to aerosol chemical data from New York City to determine the sources of carbonaceous aerosol. The model used elemental tracers for auto exhaust aerosol (Pb), residual oil combustion (V), resuspended dust (Mn or Fe), and incineration (Cu or Zn). Although relative uncertainties in the source apportionment were greater than 20%, auto exhaust was found to be the main source of organic carbon with lesser contributions from other sources. A substantial fraction of elemental carbon could not be associated with the sources used in the model and was possibly associated with the combustion of diesel and distillate oils. The regression coefficients, which are related to source composition, compared well with actual measured source compositions. Because of the uncertainties it was concluded that source apportionment, especially as it relates to the development of control strategies, should utilize the results of several receptor and source models where possible.