Spray deposits of crop protection products on plants--the potential exposure of non-target arthropods.

Spray deposits of plant protection products on cultivated plants present a potential hazard to non-target arthropods. This hazard is considered in the risk assessment procedure when such products are registered. The results of deposit measurements in the laboratory and field, including mean spray deposits on plant surfaces, their variability and their relation to the delivered dose are presented. Initial deposits expressed as ng/cm2 plant surface were measured on individual leaves of various plant species using a fluorescent tracer. The results show that the mean deposit is plant-specific but with a high degree of variability. Mean deposits on field-grown cereals were 3, 9 (growth stage BBCH 10) and 4, 7-14 ng/cm2 (growth stage BBCH 29-63) at a delivered dose rate of 20 g sodium flourescein (SF) per ha. This is equivalent to 200 ng tracer per cm2 ground area. On apple leaves, mean deposits varied between 18 and 50 ng/cm2 at a rate of 20 g tracer/10,000 m2 fruitwall. Coefficients of variation of leaf deposits ranged between 30% and 90%. In addition to the leaf-to-leaf variability, there was a notable variation of the deposit on individual leaves themselves as shown for wheat. Data from field measurements were supported principally by data from tray-grown plants on a laboratory spray track which gives information on targets positioned in a more or less two-dimensional system.     

Wirkungsschwellen für chemische Stoffe in Biosystemen Eine theoretische Betrachtung

Die aus der chemischen Umsetzung mit endogenen Molekülen resultierende biologische Wirkung von Fremdstoffen wird diskutiert, ausgehend von den Grunds?tzen der Thermodynamik und Kinetik. Dabei führt ein unter vereinfachenden Annahmen durchgeführter Vergleich der thermischen Energieverteilung von Molekülen mit typischen biochemischen Aktivierungsenergien zu dem Ergebnis, da? aus statistischen Gründen für jede mit stofflichen Umsetzungen zusammenh?ngende biologische Wirkung ein Schwellenwert existieren sollte.     

A theoretical‐methodological approach towards the evaluation of environmental pollutants

The recognition and analysis as well as a generally applicable ecotoxicological evaluation are parts of the strategy towards the determination of changes in the quality of environmental compartments and their effects on humans. The progress in the field of identification of qualitative effects calls for the creation of a theoretical basis for the empirical findings. With this task being the main concern, fundamental ideas on a theoretical‐methodological approach towards the ecotoxicological evaluation of environmental chemicals are discussed. The relationships between the molecular structure and the effect of the substances in abiotic and biotic environmental compartments are the basis of this approach.     

全球化学品管理战略:机遇和风险

由以往和化学品安全相关的国际活动发展而来的国际化学品管理战略(SAICM)得到了联合国环境署(UNEP)理事会的支持.全球化学品行业认为SAICM应该被作为实现世界可持续发展首脑会议议定目标的路线图.全球在化学品安全使用问题上的不断进步将要求生产者、销售者、使用者、政府和其他利益相关方在生产链各有关环节责任分担的基础上采取共同协调的行动.从这个意义上说,制定一个全球战略提供了通过建立新的伙伴关系来实现化学品安全的机会.但是,如果SAICM成为国家、地区和国际层面附加的更严格的调控手段的基础,则其可能达不到期望的影响.     

Deliquescence of Deposited Atmospheric Particles on Leaf Surfaces

A large fraction of deposited aerosol particles on leafsurfaces represents hygroscopic material in a high humidity environment, likely to become deliquescent within the water vapour transpired by the leaf. Microscopic observations on leaf surfaces of beech, kohlrabi and elder leaves grown in a particle-free environment and/or treated with defined particle load are presented. Spreading of deliquescent particles, formation of salt crusts, and encoating of and by waxes was observed. Deliquescence of NaNO₃ particles (deliquescence point 74% RH at 25 °C) was observed on and near the stomata at 35% relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air, illustrating the influence of the boundary layer. Aerosols are difficult to identify on leaf surfaces, as similar patterns may be produced by deliquescent particles and processes like salt creep. These problems are especially important on leaves from the natural environment if only scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used. These patterns could appear similar to the fused waxes described in forest decline research. Strong gradients are formed between deliquescent particles and the apoplastic solution within the leaf, promoting cuticular and stomatal uptake.     

Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir, China: A holistic assessment of organic pollution, mutagenic effects of sediments and genotoxic impacts on fish

Besides obvious benefits,the Three Gorges Dam's construction resulted in new pollution scenarios with the potentials to threaten the Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR) ecosystem.In order to record organic contamination,to find links to ecotoxicological impacts and to serve as reference for ensuing monitoring,several sites in the TGR area were screened applying the triad approach with additional lines-of-evidence as a holistic assessment method.Sediments and the benthic fish species Pelteobagrus vachellii were sampled in 2011 and 2012 to determine organic pollution levels,mutagenic potentials and genotoxic impacts.Two regional hot-spots near the cities of Chongqing and Kaixian were identified and further investigated in 2013.Only polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) could be detected in sediments in 2011(165–1653 ng/g),emphasizing their roles as key pollutants of the area.Their ubiquity was confirmed at Chongqing(150–433 ng/g) and Kaixian(127–590 ng/g) in2013.Concentrations were comparable to other major Chinese and German rivers.However,the immense sediment influx suggested a deposition of 216–636 kg PAH/day(0.2–0.6 mg PAH/(m2·day)),indicating an ecotoxicological risk.PAH source analysis highlighted primary impacts of combustion sources on the more industrialized upper TGR section,whereas petrogenic sources dominated the mid-low section.Furthermore,sediment extracts from several sites exhibited significant activities of frameshift promutagens in the Ames fluctuation assay.Additionally,significant genotoxic impairments in erythrocytes of P.vachellii were detected(Chongqing/Kaixian),demonstrating the relevance of genotoxicity as animportant mode of action in the TGR's fish.PAHs,their derivatives and non-target compounds are considered as main causative agents.     

Computationally simple anisotropic lattice covariograms

Environmental and Ecological Statistics - When working with contemporary spatial ecological datasets, statistical modellers are often confronted by two major challenges: (I) the need for covariance...     

Integrated hydro- and wind power generation: a game changer towards environmental flow in the Sub-middle and Lower São Francisco River Basin?

Many renewable resources for the generation of electricity, such as hydropower and wind power, are dependent on climatic factors. Reservoirs have been created to overcome the stochastic nature of river flows and to make water supply more reliable. However, reservoirs are affecting the ecological status of river ecosystems, e.g., by modifying the flow regime, triggering discussions regarding the discharge of reservoirs. In Brazil’s northeast region, the installed capacity for wind power generation has increased substantially in recent years. Setting up a modeling system for simulating wind power and hydropower generation in this study, it is analyzed whether wind power generation, peaking in the dry season, can help to achieve a more environmentally oriented flow regime in the Sub-middle and Lower São Francisco River Basin. Simulated higher discharges from reservoirs during the rainy season and lower discharges during the dry season, representing a more natural flow regime, will reduce hydropower generation in the dry season. Under recent conditions, the resulting gap in electricity generation can only be partially covered by wind power. A large share needs to be generated by thermal power plants or be imported from other regions in Brazil. The planned future increase in installed wind power capacity can change this picture; the demand for electricity generated by thermal power plants and imported will decrease. Adopting an integrated approach for hydropower and wind power generation, the flow regime in the Sub-middle and Lower São Francisco River Basin can be modified to improve the ecological status of the river system.