Localization of granulatimide alkaloids in the tissues of the ascidian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didemnum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">granulatum</Emphasis>

Ascidians are a notable source of nitrogen-bearing secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities. Although many biologically active compounds have been isolated from ascidians, it is often unclear whether the animal or associated microbial symbionts such as bacteria or fungi are the true biosynthetic source of the metabolites. We have addressed the question of the biosynthetic source of the alkaloids granulatimide and isogranulatimides by localizing these compounds within the ascidian. In this work, we demonstrate that granulatimide is stored in Didemnum granulatum tunic bladder cells. Analysis by confocal fluorescence microscopy at the granulatimide emission range indicated the presence of fluorescent cells as highly vacuolated cells found dispersed in the ascidian tunic. Since this is the most exposed ascidian tissue, it is possible that these alkaloids may have a protective role, either as sunscreens and/or as feeding deterrents.     

A simple voltammetric procedure for speciation and evaluation of As removal from water

Here, we show a fast and sensitive method for the determination of inorganic arsenic in natural waters using differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. All the arsenite determinations were done in 2.0 mol L⁻¹ HCl + 3.15 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ Cu(II) supporting electrolyte. 1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ sodium thiosulphate was used as As(V) reducing agent. The detection limit was 0.5 μg L⁻¹ for both species. The method has been applied to water samples collected in an arsenic-contaminated region of Brazil, in particular, to verify the efficiency of the solar oxidation and removal of arsenic process applied to these waters.     

Influence of physical properties of solid biomass fuels on the design and cost of storage installations

The aim of this work consists on determining biomass fuels properties and studying their relation with fixed and variable costs of stores and handling systems. To do that, dimensions (length and diameter), bulk density, particle density and durability of several brands and batches of wood pellets and briquettes were tested, according to international standards. Obtained results were compared with those in literature. Bulk density tests were applied for several other biomass fuels too, and later used to determinate which ones of all the biomass-fuels tested are economically more profitable for a typical transport/store system made of a screw conveyor and a concrete bunker silo.     

Lichen biomonitoring of mercury emission and deposition in mining,geothermal and volcanic areas of Italy

Natural emissions of Hg are attracting increased interest both for their environmental implications and for possible applications in the exploration of mineral, petroleum and geothermal fields. However, daily and seasonal fluctuations in concentrations of Hg in the atmosphere, caused by meteorological and environmental variables, has made it very difficult to assess Hg anomalies by conventional analytical procedures. Some species of widespread foliose lichens from an abandoned cinnabar mining and smelting area (Mt. Amiata), geothermal fields (Larderello, Bagnore and Piancastagnaio, Central Italy), and active volcanic areas (Mt. Etna and Vulcano, Southern Italy) seem to be very suitable biomonitors of gaseous Hg; especially as lichen thalli have an Hg content which reflects average values measured in air samples. We discuss the advantages of quantitative biological monitoring by lichens with respect to conventional air sampling in large-scale monitoring.     

Risk management of terrorist attacks in the transport of hazardous materials using dynamic geoevents

This paper focuses attention on emergency management associated with a terrorist attack in the transport of hazardous materials in urban areas. The case study is in an urban area, a potential target for terrorist attacks due to its high vulnerability. Since it is not possible to predict where and when an attack will occur, the risk associated with terrorism is complex. It is only possible to identify the critical points for potential actions where counter measure must be applied. In the case of incidents which evolve relatively slowly, mitigation actions can be applied. The use of dynamic geoevents permits the immediate location of the event on a georeferenced map and the possibility of having a dynamic evolution of the scenario and of the number of people involved. The dynamic scenario has been created using the output of a consequence simulation code and a GIS software. Some assumptions were necessary but, since the aim of the paper is to define the procedure for the construction of the dynamic geoevent, these can be considered acceptable. The method will be further implemented in future.     

Remobilization of trace elements by forest fire in Patagonia,Chile

Temporal changes in the amounts of trace elements (As, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and their correlations with temporal changes in charcoal abundance in age-dated sediments collected from Lake Thompson in Patagonia, Chile, attest to the substantial pyrogenic remobilization of contaminants that occurred in Patagonia during the mid-1900s. This remobilization was concurrent with the extensive slash and burn period in the region during that period. The changes in concentrations of Co, Cu, and Ni in relation to charcoal abundance in the lacustrine sediments over time were small compared to those of As, Mn, Pb, and Zn. However, the relatively low enrichment factors of all those trace elements, normalized to Fe, indicate that they were predominantly derived from local, natural sources impacted by fires rather than industrial sources. The primarily local source of Pb in the sediments was corroborated by the temporal consistency of its isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb:²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb), which were similar to previously reported values for natural lead in Central and Southern Chile. However, the pyrogenic remobilization of both natural and industrial trace elements by forest fires in Chile and elsewhere is expected to rise as a consequence of climate change, which is projected to increase both the frequency and intensity of forest fires on a global scale.     

Recycled lightweight concrete made from footwear industry waste and CDW

In this paper two types of recycled aggregate, originated from construction and demolition waste (CDW) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) waste, were used in the production of concrete. The EVA waste results from cutting off the EVA expanded sheets used to produce insoles and innersoles of shoes in the footwear industry. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of these recycled aggregates as replacements of the natural coarse aggregate, upon density, compressive strength, tensile splitting strength and flexural behavior of recycled concrete. The experimental program was developed with three w/c ratios: 0.49, 0.63 and 0.82. Fifteen mixtures were produced with different aggregate substitution rates (0%, 50% EVA, 50% CDW, 25% CDW–25% EVA and 50% CDW–50% EVA), by volume. The results showed that it is possible to use the EVA waste and CDW to produce lightweight concrete having semi-structural properties.     

Multi-level complexity in the use of plant allelochemicals by aposematic insects

Summary As recognized by Miriam Rothschild as early as the 1960s and repeatedly emphasized in her papers, the use, misuse, or non-use of plant allelochemicals by insects is extremely variable and difficult to predict, at many levels of time, space, and biological organization. Although certain patterns that reoccur have been important in the development of ecological theory, the optimization of cost-benefit equations involving two or three trophic levels, each with large numbers of individuals, populations, and species in erratic and complex interactions, produces unexpected and fascinating scenarios. The development of rapid colorimetric and chromatographic analyses for several types of plant allelochemicals, notably certain groups of alkaloids, cardiac and cyanogenic glycosides, phenolics, terpenes, and glucosinolates, has permitted a detailed investigation of the variation and flow of these substances in natural organisms and ecosystems. The results of these analyses, in our hands mostly for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), do not suggest a straightforward classical choice by the aposematic insect to simply sequester or synthesize its defences. Rather, they reveal a confusing variety of diffuse and complex patterns that become increasingly closer to chaos as they are multiplied across structures, species, sexes, stages, sites, seasons, and selective regimes. We present a model reflecting results of analyses at this chemoecological interface. Depending upon an initial option, involving the recognition (or not) of a plant allelochemical, the herbivore will face thereafter options to ingest it (or not), and then to tolerate and absorb (or detoxify and excrete), modify (or not), passively, actively or selectively accumulate, turn over (or not), distribute (or concentrate), and use this compound in a variety of growth, defense, or reproductive functions. The herbivore can also quantitatively or qualitatively regulate the intensity or dispersion of its attack on the plant tissues, in order to modify feedback loops of selection on the plant and its chemicals which exist in most of the earlier steps, or those with its predators and parasites that occur in the later ones. Options that lead to mutualism through positive feedback loops will tend to accumulate and become rapidly fixed by natural selection. Additional variations and anomalies such as automimicry, chemical mimicry, sexual dimorphism and communication, selective sequestration and passing-up of allelochemicals, special glands and structures, and synergism effects, are among the secondary complications of this model that have occupied much thought, time, experimental labor, and polemical space in chemical ecology journals and meetings. Examination of the tendencies and results at various points in the model can be used to explain these features and to make further predictions, plan experiments, and devise activity-based bioassays and new chemical analyses. These may lead some day to new and more robust visions of the major patterns of chemical transfer at this widespread and important natural interface.     

Population Declines and Priorities for Amphibian Conservation in Latin America

Abstract: Although dramatic amphibian population declines have been reported worldwide, our understanding of the extent of the declines in Latin America, where amphibian diversity is high, is limited to a few well-documented studies. To better understand the geographic extent of declines, their possible causes, and the measures needed to improve Latin American scientists' ability to research the phenomenon and make effective management recommendations, we convened three regional workshops with 88 Latin American herpetologists and conservationists. Population declines are widespread in Latin America. At least 13 countries have experienced declines, and in 40 cases species are now thought to be extinct or extirpated in a country where they once occurred. Declines or extinctions have affected 30 genera and nine families of amphibians. Most declines have occurred in remote highlands, above 500 m in elevation in Central America and above 1000 m in the Andes. Most documented declines occurred in the 1980s. Of the possible causes studied to date, climate change appears to be important at one site and chytrid fungal disease has been identified at sites in three countries. Although many monitoring studies are currently underway in a variety of habitats, most studies are recent and of short duration. In a signed resolution, workshop participants called for greater collaboration and communication among scientists working in Latin America to understand the geographic extent of population declines and the distribution of possible causal factors. In situ conservation is important to protect habitats, but captive-rearing programs for species subject to imminent extinction are also needed. Better understanding of the taxonomy and natural history of amphibians and more funding for research and monitoring are critical to developing a scientific basis for management action to arrest and reverse population declines.