<Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechococcus</Emphasis> production and grazing loss rates in nearshore tropical waters

Temporal variation of Synechococcus, its production (μ) and grazing loss (g) rates were studied for 2 years at nearshore stations, i.e. Port Dickson and Port Klang along the Straits of Malacca. Synechococcus abundance at Port Dickson (0.3–2.3 × 10⁵ cell ml^?1) was always higher than at Port Klang (0.3–7.1 × 10⁴ cell ml^?1) (p < 0.001). μ ranged up to 0.98 day^?1 (0.51 ± 0.29 day^?1), while g ranged from 0.02 to 0.31 day^?1 (0.15 ± 0.07 day^?1) at Port Klang. At Port Dickson, μ and g averaged 0.47 ± 0.13 day^?1 (0.29–0.82 day^?1) and 0.31 ± 0.14 day^?1 (0.13–0.63 day^?1), respectively. Synechococcus abundance did not correlate with temperature (p > 0.25), but nutrient and light availability were important factors for their distribution. The relationship was modelled as log Synechococcus = 0.37Secchi ? 0.01DIN + 4.52 where light availability (as Secchi disc depth) was a more important determinant. From a two-factorial experiment, nutrients were not significant for Synechococcus growth as in situ nutrient concentrations exceeded the threshold for saturated growth. However, light availability was important and elevated Synechococcus growth rates especially at Port Dickson (F = 5.94, p < 0.05). As for grazing loss rates, they were independent of either nutrients or light intensity (p > 0.30). In nearshore tropical waters, an estimated 69 % of Synechococcus production could be grazed.     

Heavy metal concentrations in roadside soil and street dust from Petra region,Jordan

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn were measured in the samples of street dust and surface roadside soil before Jordan switched to unleaded fuel usage. The samples were collected from Petra, the most tourist-attractive site in Jordan. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Our results show that the distribution of metals in the soil samples is affected by wind direction in the investigated area. The highest level of metals was found in the eastern parts of the roads due to the westerly-dominant wind in the studied area. The contamination levels of metals decrease as the distance from the edge of the road increases. In the roadside soil samples, the means for the concentrations of the metals at 1 m from the east side of the main road are 1.0, 19.1, 3791.4, 177.0, and 129.0 mg kg^?1 for Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn, respectively. In the samples of street dust, the means of the concentrations of the metals in the investigated area are 9.7, 11.8, 4694.4, 31.6, and 24.8 mg kg^?1 for Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn, respectively. In conclusion, the lithogenic origins (traffic emissions) are responsible for the diffusion of these metals in the studied region.     

Pond bank access as an approach for managing toxic cyanobacteria in beef cattle pasture drinking water ponds

Forty-one livestock drinking water ponds in Alabama beef cattle pastures during were surveyed during the late summer to generally understand water quality patterns in these important water resources. Since livestock drinking water ponds are prone to excess nutrients that typically lead to eutrophication, which can promote blooms of toxigenic phytoplankton such as cyanobacteria, we also assessed the threat of exposure to the hepatotoxin, microcystin. Eighty percent of the ponds studied contained measurable microcystin, while three of these ponds had concentrations above human drinking water thresholds set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (i.e., 0.3 μg/L). Water quality patterns in the livestock drinking water ponds contrasted sharply with patterns typically observed for temperate freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Namely, we found several non-linear relationships between phytoplankton abundance (measured as chlorophyll) and nutrients or total suspended solids. Livestock had direct access to all the study ponds. Consequently, the proportion of inorganic suspended solids (e.g., sediment) increased with higher concentrations of total suspended solids, which underlies these patterns. Unimodal relationships were also observed between microcystin and phytoplankton abundance or nutrients. Euglenoids were abundant in the four ponds with chlorophyll concentrations >?250 μg/L (and dominated three of these ponds), which could explain why ponds with high chlorophyll concentrations would have low microcystin concentrations. Based on observations made during sampling events and available water quality data, livestock-mediated bioturbation is causing elevated total suspended solids that lead to reduced phytoplankton abundance and microcystin despite high concentrations of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Thus, livestock could be used to manage algal blooms, including toxic secondary metabolites, in their drinking water ponds by allowing them to walk in the ponds to increase turbidity.     

Contamination of soil and the medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllanthus niruri</Emphasis> Linn. with cadmium in ceramic industrial areas

Phyllanthus niruri is a plant that is used to prevent calcium oxalate crystallisation and to block the stone formation in urolithiasis. Contaminants in the environment can be readily taken up by medicinal plants due to their ability to absorb chemicals into their tissues. If contaminated plants are ingested, they have the potential to negatively affect human and environmental health. The aim of this study was to assess contamination in the soil and the medicinal plant P. niruri by cadmium (Cd) in ceramic industrial areas of Monte Carmelo, Brazil. Soil samples and plant samples (divided in root, shoot and leaves) were collected from a contaminated monitoring site and from a rural area (which was used as a reference site for comparative purposes). The Cd concentrations of the samples were analysed with an atomic absorption spectrometer. P. niruri was found to be sensitive to soil contamination by Cd that was attributed to ceramic industrial emissions. The results revealed that Cd bioaccumulation in the roots and shoots of P. niruri was associated with a significant increase (p?<?0.05) in the concentration of active lignan compounds (phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin) in the leaves. The identification of high concentrations of Cd and active lignan compounds suggests a risk of contamination of the site and the risk of a high dose of Cd to people exposed at the site.     

Background biomonitoring of residue levels of 137 pesticides in the blood plasma of the general population in Beijing

Due to the widespread use of pesticides, human exposure to pesticides is possible and can potentially cause adverse impacts on public health. We measured 137 pesticides including organophosphorus, organochlorine, pyrethroid and carbamate pesticides together with various herbicides in 100 human blood samples collected from the general population in Beijing. The samples were analysed by triple quadrupole tandem gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 24 organochlorine pesticides, 5 pyrethroid pesticides and 6 organophosphorus pesticides were detected. The detection rates of HCB, α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p′-DDE and quintozene were 99, 96, 74, 72, 96 and 95%, respectively. No statistically significant gender difference in the blood concentrations of the pesticides was found. Consistent with the trend of the increasing β-HCH, p,p′-DDE and quintozene concentrations with age, a strong positive correlation between the age and concentrations of β-BHC, p,p′-DDE and quintozene was observed.     

Experimental arid land afforestation in Central Anatolia,Turkey

The afforestation of arid lands faces many challenges, and perhaps the most important key for success is choosing one or more species that are adapted well for local environmental conditions. We explored species that would be suitable for the steppe region of Central Anatolia. Intensive site preparation included ripping the subsoil (to 80 cm) and plowing the upper soil before planting seedlings of Elaeagnus angustifolia, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus angustifolia, and Pinus nigra were used as tree species. We also tested the success of several shrub species: Amygdalus orientalis, Calligonum polygonoides, and Spartium junceum. After five growing seasons, E. angustifolia showed the highest survival, with 80% of planted seedlings remaining. For the shrubs, A. orientalis was the most successful species with a 95% survival rate. Broad-leaved trees grew a cumulative average of 34 cm in height in 5 years, whereas P. nigra seedings grew only 9 cm. The greatest height growth occurred in the shrubs, with A. orientalis gaining 40 cm in height in 5 years. Overall, E. angustifolia and A. orientalis appeared best suited for afforestation in these areas. R. pseodoacacia and F. angustifolia may also be used as alternative species.     

微波酸活化粉煤灰吸附酸性大红染料废水实验研究

以微波酸活化改性后的粉煤灰为吸附剂,对酸性大红染料废水进行吸附脱色处理,考察了吸附时间、pH值、吸附剂投加量等对吸附脱色效果的影响。在酸性大红染料溶液初始浓度为100 mg/L、pH=5、活化粉煤灰投加量为10 g/L吸附1 h时,活化粉煤灰对酸性大红的脱色效果较好,去除率可达96%。对实验数据进行相关数学模型拟合,结果表明微波酸活化改性后的粉煤灰吸附去除酸性大红的等温吸附平衡符合Langmuir吸附等温式,改性前后的吸附过程动力学符合准二级吸附动力学模型,线性相关系数良好。     

Tracking pigeons in a magnetic anomaly and in magnetically “quiet” terrain

Pigeons were released at two sites of equal distance from the loft, one within a magnetic anomaly, the other in magnetically quiet terrain, and their tracks were recorded with the help of GPS receivers. A comparison of the beginning of the tracks revealed striking differences: within the anomaly, the initial phase lasted longer, and the distance flown was longer, with the pigeons' headings considerably farther from the home direction. During the following departure phase, the birds were well homeward oriented at the magnetically quiet site, whereas they continued to be disoriented within the anomaly. Comparing the tracks in the anomaly with the underlying magnetic contours shows considerable differences between individuals, without a common pattern emerging. The differences in magnetic intensity along the pigeons' path do not differ from a random distribution of intensity differences around the release site, indicating that the magnetic contours do not directly affect the pigeons' routes. Within the anomaly, pigeons take longer until their flights are oriented, but 5 km from the release point, the birds, still within the anomaly, are also significantly oriented in the home direction. These findings support the assumption that magnetically anomalous conditions initially interfere with the pigeons' navigational processes, with birds showing rather individual responses in their attempts to overcome these problems.     

地下水环境影响评价中污染物运移模拟软件的适宜性评估

目前国内外已发展了一系列成熟的地下水污染物运移模拟软件,但是软件功能各异,易造成使用者的选择困扰.为满足HJ 610—2016《环境影响评价技术导则地下水环境》（简称“《导则》”）中关于环境影响预测工作精细化的要求,对国内外常用饱和带和包气带污染物运移模拟软件的适宜性进行了评估.首先,针对三款常用饱和带污染物运移模拟软件BIOSCREEN、AT123D和MT3D,基于理想算例对比4组水动力条件设置下的计算结果,分析软件的适宜性;其次,针对《导则》中暂未给出的包气带污染物运移模拟软件,以FEMWATER为例探讨了包气带阻滞作用对于地下水环境影响评价的重要性.结果表明:①BIOSCREEN由于忽略了分子扩散作用,当Pe（Peclet数）为0.25×10-3时,其预测的污染源下游10 m处污染物浓度为AT123D和MT3D计算值的1.8倍,存在高估污染风险的可能.②相比污染源直接设置于潜水面的情景,污染物从距潜水面11 m的地表泄露,经过包气带后污染源强降低了24%,下游85 m处污染物浓度达到0.1 mg/L的时间延迟了390 d.③当地下水流速较慢,分子扩散作用相比对流作用占优势时,适用MT3D开展数值模拟或者采用AT123D进行解析预测;当对流作用占优势且水文地质条件接近解析解假设时,可利用BIOSCREEN粗估污染风险.研究显示,包气带污染物运移模拟软件有助于合理地预测污染物在地下水环境中的运移转化行为,从而更准确地估计污染源强和判定地下水环境污染风险.      

武烈河流域水质污染特征及污染源解析

以武烈河流域2014年1—12月23项指标的监测数据为基础,采用单因子评价法和水质综合指数评价法,对水质污染特征进行综合评价;运用主成分分析法,确定流域主要污染因子及区域水质空间变化特征,并进一步对流域污染来源进行解析。结果表明：武烈河流域上游支流水质为Ⅱ类,干流段监测断面S1与S3水质为Ⅲ类,S2与S4水质为Ⅳ类,主要污染指标为BOD₅与TP;流域水质由2个主成分组成,COD_Cr、COD_Mn为第一主成分,NH₃-N、DO与BOD₅为第二主成分;流域主要污染源包括生活污水、工业废水、农业化肥和农药的投入和畜禽养殖废水等。