The sensitivity of soil enzymes,microorganisms and spring wheat to soil contamination with carfentrazone-ethyl

Herbicides pose a significant threat to the natural environment, in particular in soils that are most exposed to plant protection agents. Prolonged herbicide use leads to changes in soil metabolism and decreases soil productive potential. In this study, the influence of carfentrazone-ethyl (CE) on the microbiological and biochemical properties of soil and the yield of Triticum aestivum L. was evaluated. Carfentrazone-ethyl was applied to sandy loam (pH_KCl – 7.0) in doses of 0.000, 0.264, 5.280, 10.56, 21.18, 42.24, 84.48 and 168.96 µg kg^?1 DM soil. Soil samples were subjected to microbiological and biochemical analyses on experimental days 30 and 60. Carfentrazone-ethyl disrupted the biological equilibrium in soil by decreasing the abundance and biodiversity of soil-dwelling microorganisms, the activity of soil enzymes, the values of the biochemical activity indicator and spring wheat yields. Carfentrazone-ethyl had the most adverse effects when applied in doses many fold higher than those recommended by the manufacturer. The toxic effects of CE were also determined by its soil retention time. Soil treated with CE was characterized by higher counts of oligotrophic bacteria, organotrophic bacteria, bacteria of the genus Azotobacter, actinomycetes and fungi on day 60, and spore-forming oligotrophic bacteria on day 30. The activity of dehydrogenases, urease, alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase was higher on day 30 than on day 60.     

Heavy metal content in the femora of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) from different types of polluted environment in Slovakia

Heavy metal content in the femora of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) caught in different polluted biotopes of a low hill level in Slovakia (Nováky and Kolín?any) was investigated in the present study. Length, weight and histological structure of mouse bones have also been analysed. According to our results, higher concentrations of Cd, Ni, Fe, Cu and Zn were detected in the femora of A. flavicollis from Kolín?any area. Similarly, we observed higher concentrations of Ni, Fe, Cu and Zn in the bones of A. sylvaticus trapped at the same biotope. Significant differences were observed for concentrations of Ni and Zn in both species (P?<?0.05). The measured values for bone length and bone weight were higher in yellow-necked mice and wood mice from Nováky locality (P?<?0.01). Histological observation of thin sections from femora of A. flavicollis and A. sylvaticus revealed an outer and inner non-vascular lamellar layer around a poorly developed reticular layer. We did not identify demonstrable changes in qualitative histological characteristics of the femora between the mice (A. flavicollis and A. sylvaticus separately) from different types of polluted environment. Also, no statistically significant differences for all the measured variables of primary osteons’ vascular canals were observed. Correlation analysis in yellow-necked mouse showed high positive relation between bone weight and bone length (r?=?0.66), area and perimeter (r?=?0.87) and perimeter and maximum diameter (r?=?0.87). In wood mouse, high positive correlation between bone weight and bone length (r?=?0.80), area and perimeter (r?=?0.72), area and maximum diameter (r?=?0.66) and perimeter and maximum diameter (r?=?0.74) was found. Our results demonstrate slightly elevated accumulation of some heavy metals in the femora of yellow-necked mouse and wood mouse from Kolín?any biotope and thus give an evidence of a contamination of the environment.     

Multi-level discrepancies with sharing data on protected areas: what we have and what we need for the global village

Protected areas present a global heritage. Assessing conservation achievements in protected areas is of crucial importance with respect to the on-time delivery of international biodiversity conservation targets. However, monitoring data from publicly accessible databases for comparative studies of conservation achievements in the protected areas of the world are very scarce, if not non-existent. At first glance this is surprising because, with regards to protected areas, at least according to well established protected area management guidelines and widely accepted public mandates, a great deal of monitoring work and data gathering is to be conducted. This would imply that data on changes of biodiversity in protected areas could be expected to exist, and the constant progress in information technologies and Web tools engenders hope that some of it might even be available online for the global public. This review article presents the results of an extensive online search and review of existing monitoring data from freely accessible online databases for its use in an assessment of conservation achievements in a larger sample of protected areas. Results show two contrary sides to the status quo of accessible data from the World Wide Web for conservation science: data overkill and data scarcity with poor metadata provision. While ever more research is, in fact, based on open-access online data, such as extrapolations of species ranges used in conservation management and planning, it remains almost impossible to obtain a basic set of information for an assessment of conservation achievements within a larger number of protected areas. This awareness has triggered a detailed discussion about the discrepancies in sharing data at the level of protected areas; mismatching relationships between expected activities in protected areas and the capacity for delivering these requirements are certainly among the main challenges. In addition, the fear of data misuse potentially resulting in harm for nature, careers, and competencies still seems to be a critical barrier strictly controlling the willingness to share data. Various initiatives aimed at tackling technical and cultural obstacles are introduced and discussed to reach the goal of a modern resource management based on adaptive management using digital opportunities of the new millennium for a sustainable global village.     

Composition changes in the cuticular surface lipids of the helophytes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus effusus</Emphasis> as result of pollutant exposure

Aim of the study  

Helophytes like rush and reed are increasingly used for phytoremediation of contaminated water. This study characterises the response of rush and reed plants to chemical stressors such as chlorobenzene, benzene and methyl-tert-butyl ether. The extractable wax layer of the cuticle was chosen for detailed investigations due to its multiple, particularly, protective functions for plants and its easy availability for analysis.     

Nickel-induced blood biochemistry alterations in hens after an experimental peroral administration

The purpose of this study was to determine certain blood biochemical parameters in hens of Isa Brown breed (n = 20) after nickel administration. Animals were divided into four groups (K, P1, P2, P3). Experimental hens (n = 5; in each group) received nickel (NiCl2) as peroral administration in drinking water in various doses (P1 - 0.02 g NiCl2/L; P2 - 0.2 g NiCl2/L; P3 - 2.0 g NiCl2/L of drinking water) for 28 days. The last group - K (n = 5) was the control, receiving no nickel. Biochemical parameters of mineral profile (calcium; phosphorus; magnesium; sodium; potassium) and of energy and enzymatic profile [(glucose; total cholesterol; total proteins; triglycerides; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and glutamatdehydrogenase (GLDH)] were analyzed in blood serum on Day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of the experiment. Average levels of mineral metabolism parameters were relatively stable apart from calcium. The evaluation registered a significant decrease in calcium during the experiment mainly in the group with highest nickel concentration in drinking water. No significant differences were detected between groups in energy and enzymatic profile apart from the concentrations of ALT on Day 7. In conclusion, there were significant associations between nickel levels and calcium and ALT in blood serum of the hens. No significant differences were detected in other biochemical parameters of mineral profile (P, Mg, Na, K) and energy and enzymatic profile (glucose, total cholesterol, total proteins, triglycerides, AST, GGT and GLDH) after nickel administration. Our results may contribute to an evaluation of reference levels of analyzed parameters, to monitor the health and nutritional status of hens. In this study also the negative effect of nickel mainly on calcium metabolism was detected.     

Combined analysis of modeled and monitored SO2 concentrations at a complex smelting facility

Vale Canada Limited owns and operates a large nickel smelting facility located in Sudbury, Ontario. This is a complex facility with many sources of SO₂ emissions, including a mix of source types ranging from passive building roof vents to North America's tallest stack. In addition, as this facility performs batch operations, there is significant variability in the emission rates depending on the operations that are occurring. Although SO₂ emission rates for many of the sources have been measured by source testing, the reliability of these emission rates has not been tested from a dispersion modeling perspective. This facility is a significant source of SO₂ in the local region, making it critical that when modeling the emissions from this facility for regulatory or other purposes, that the resulting concentrations are representative of what would actually be measured or otherwise observed. To assess the accuracy of the modeling, a detailed analysis of modeled and monitored data for SO₂ at the facility was performed. A mobile SO₂ monitor sampled at five locations downwind of different source groups for different wind directions resulting in a total of 168 hr of valid data that could be used for the modeled to monitored results comparison. The facility was modeled in AERMOD (American Meteorological Society/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model) using site-specific meteorological data such that the modeled periods coincided with the same times as the monitored events. In addition, great effort was invested into estimating the actual SO₂ emission rates that would likely be occurring during each of the monitoring events. SO₂ concentrations were modeled for receptors around each monitoring location so that the modeled data could be directly compared with the monitored data. The modeled and monitored concentrations were compared and showed that there were no systematic biases in the modeled concentrations.

Implications:

This paper is a case study of a Combined Analysis of Modelled and Monitored Data (CAMM), which is an approach promulgated within air quality regulations in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Although combining dispersion models and monitoring data to estimate or refine estimates of source emission rates is not a new technique, this study shows how, with a high degree of rigor in the design of the monitoring and filtering of the data, it can be applied to a large industrial facility, with a variety of emission sources. The comparison of modeled and monitored SO₂ concentrations in this case study also provides an illustration of the AERMOD model performance for a large industrial complex with many sources, at short time scales in comparison with monitored data. Overall, this analysis demonstrated that the AERMOD model performed well.     

Assessing participatory and multi-level characteristics of biodiversity and landscape protection legislation: the case of Poland

In this paper, we present a comprehensive framework for analysing formal rules regulating the involvement of various actors in protected areas decision-making over time and apply it to Poland. Based on the analysis of legal acts and policy documents, we suggest that since the democratic transition started in 1989, the governance of Polish protected areas has been increasingly multi-level and participatory. However, different designations indicate different levels of involvement by non-state actors, with Natura 2000 standing out from the traditional protected areas. Regarding governance issues, establishing and taking management decisions were characterised by the greatest changes in actors’ involvement. While participation of non-public actors is still limited mostly to information and consultation, the involvement of non-state public actors of various levels increased significantly. The paper highlights the importance of a systematic analysis of legal rules as a starting point for empirical investigation of the governance of protected areas.     

Biodegradation of PCBs by ligninolytic fungi and characterization of the degradation products

The aim of the present study was to compare the degrading capabilities of eight ligninolytic fungal representatives towards a technical mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103). Axenic cultures of the fungi, either in complex or N-limited liquid media, were spiked with the technical mixture of Delor 103. All of the fungal strains were able to degrade the pollutant significantly after 6weeks of incubation in both media. Outstanding results were achieved by the treatment with Pleurotus ostreatus, which removed 98.4% and 99.6% of the PCB mixture in complex and mineral media, respectively. This fungus was the only one capable of breaking down penta- and hexachlorinated biphenyls in the complex medium. Ecotoxicological assays performed with the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri demonstrated that all of the fungal strains employed in this study were able to remove the toxicity only temporarily (e.g., after 28d of incubation), while P. ostreatus was capable of suppressing the toxicity associated to PCBs along the whole incubation period in both media. We also performed an extensive set of qualitative GC/MS analyses and chlorinated derivatives of hydroxy- and methoxy-biphenyls were detected along with monoaromatic structures, i.e. chlorobenzoic acids, chlorobenzaldehydes and chlorobenzyl alcohols. This results indicate that both intracellular (cytochrome P-450 monooxigenase, aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase and aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase) and extracellular (ligninolytic enzymes) enzymatic systems could be involved in the biotransformation of PCB by ligninolytic fungi. The data from this work also document that the fungi are able to degrade further the main metabolites on the PCB pathway (i.e. chlorobenzoic acids) simultaneously with PCBs.     

Column optimization of adsorption and evaluation of bed parameters-based on removal of arsenite ion using rice husk

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The objective of this study deals with column optimization of adsorption-based on removal of arsenite ion using rice husk. The parameters affecting...