Evaluation of the efficacy of a portable LIBS system for detection of CWA on surfaces

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a laser-based optical technique particularly suited for in situ surface analysis. A portable LIBS instrument was tested to detect surface chemical contamination by chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Test of detection of surface contamination was carried out in a toxlab facility with four CWAs, sarin (GB), lewisite (L1), mustard gas (HD), and VX, which were deposited on different substrates, wood, concrete, military green paint, gloves, and ceramic. The CWAs were detected by means of the detection of atomic markers (As, P, F, Cl, and S). The LIBS instrument can give a direct response in terms of detection thanks to an integrated interface for non-expert users or so called end-users. We have evaluated the capability of automatic detection of the selected CWAs. The sensitivity of our portable LIBS instrument was confirmed for the detection of a CWA at surface concentrations above 15 μg/cm². The simultaneous detection of two markers may lead to a decrease of the number of false positive.     

Movements of spotted seals (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoca largha</Emphasis>) in the Sea of Okhotsk according to satellite tagging data

For the first time, satellite tagging of spotted seals (Phoca largha) has been performed in three regions of the Sea of Okhotsk: Chkalov Island in Sakhalin Bay, Ptichy Island, and the Bolshaya River mouth on the western coast of Kamchatka. As a result, regions inhabited by the seals in different periods of their life cycle and differences in the pattern of water area use by animals from different regions have been revealed. The seals from the western Kamchatka coast have covered greater distances during the observation period, compared to the animals from Sakhalin Bay. In the reproductive period, the seals from the western coast spread over the entire northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk, whereas the animals from the Sakhalin Bay move only to the Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan. None of tagged seals has been located in the “reproductive center” at the eastern coast of Sakhalin. The seals tagged in different regions of the Sea of Okhotsk have never been located in the same place during the entire annual cycle, suggesting that the sea is inhabited by two reproductively isolated groups of ringed seals.     

Long-term dynamics and correlations of ecophysiological parameters in murine rodent communities

The dynamics and correlations of ecophysiological parameters have been studied in two spatially separated multispecies communities of murine rodents and ixodid tick larvae and nymphs that parasitize them. It has been shown that all the processes under consideration have nonstationary, oscillatory dynamics. The long-term dynamics of connectivity of ecophysiological characteristics within communities and their synchronization by weather–climatic factors are, by nature, wavelike processes of transitions between the states with stronger and weaker linkage between parameters, which, along with nonstationarity, can contribute to the maintenance of stability and integrity of communities.     

The Effect of Shoreline Recreational Angling Activities on Aquatic and Riparian Habitat Within an Urban Environment: Implications for Conservation and Management

There is growing concern that recreational shoreline angling activity may negatively impact littoral and riparian habitats independent of any direct or indirect influences of fish harvest or fishing mortality through mechanisms such as disturbance (e.g., trampling, erosion) and pollution (e.g., littering). We sampled a suite of aquatic and terrestrial variables (i.e., water quality, aquatic and terrestrial macrophytes, soil compaction, anthropogenic refuse) at 14 high shoreline angling-activity sites (identified by way of interviews with conservation officers and angling clubs) within an urban area (Ottawa, Canada). For each high angling-activity site, a nearby corresponding low angling-activity site was sampled for comparison. We found that the percentage of barren area and soil compaction were greater in areas of high angling activity compared with areas that experienced relatively low angling activity. In addition, terrestrial and aquatic macrophyte density, height, and diversity were lower at high angling-activity sites. Angling- and non-angling-related litter was present in large quantities at each of the high angling-activity sites, and comparatively little litter was found at low angling-activity sites. Collectively, these findings indicate that shoreline angling does alter the riparian environment, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation in areas of high angling intensity. With growing interest in providing urban angling opportunities and in response to increasing interest in developing protected areas and parks, a better understanding of the ecologic impacts of shoreline angling is necessary to address multiuser conflicts, to develop angler outreach and educational materials, and to optimize management of angling effort to maintain ecologic integrity of riparian and aquatic ecosystems.     

Reproductive parameters and disturbances of embryonic development in the fieldfare (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Turdus pilaris</Emphasis> L.) in the zone of impact from the nuclear fuel industry

The impact of emissions from the Siberian Chemical Plant (Tomsk oblast) on reproduction and embryonic development of the fieldfare was studied. Bird abundance, clutch size, and egg volume in the impact and background (control) zones were similar, but partial brood mortality in the impact zone proved to be significantly higher, and the frequency of embryonic pathologies (including developmental abnormalities) was also several times higher than in the control.     

Remote effect of nuclear polyhedrosis virus on the gypsy moth (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lymantria dispar</Emphasis> L.) in its natural environment

The remote effect of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus on the gypsy moth was studied for the first time under natural conditions. In the generation that developed from infected eggs, the weight of pupae was reduced, sex ratio was altered, and female fecundity and egg fertility were lower than in control individuals. The F₁ progeny of these moths were characterized by an increased rate of latent virus carriage and high mortality caused by the combined effect of polyhedrosis and insect parasites.     

Composition of pied flycatcher (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis> Pall.) nestling diet in industrially polluted area

The composition of pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) nestling diet was studied in the zone of strong pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda, Sverdlovsk oblast) and in the background area from 2005 to 2007. The results show that diversity of the diet decreases and prevalence in it of one insect taxon (Lepidoptera) increases near the source of emissions. The proportion of uncharacteristic food objects (orthopterans, herpetobiont invertebrates) and variation in the size of invertebrates brought by parents to their nestlings increase, which is explained by degradation of forest habitats in the polluted area. Pied flycatchers provide nestlings with sufficient quantities of food, but its quality in the polluted zone is lower than in the background area.     

活性污泥体系中聚糖菌的富集与鉴定

活性污泥体系中,聚糖菌(GAOs)在厌氧环境下与聚磷菌(PAOs)形成对底物的竞争关系,对聚糖菌的研究对于优化生物除磷工艺有重要意义。以葡萄糖为惟一碳源,在磷限制条件下,利用特殊运行方式对活性污泥进行驯化培养出了稳定的聚糖菌颗粒污泥,厌氧阶段磷释放量与有机物吸收量浓度(mg/L)比从7.4%下降为0.25%。从培养好的活性污泥反应器中分离获得2株聚糖菌,经菌落PCR和16S rRNA序列分析确定了所得聚糖菌菌株G1和菌株G2分别是枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)和解鸟氨酸克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella ornithinolytica)。     

Migratory crustaceans as biomonitors of metal pollution in their nursery areas. The Lesina lagoon (SE Italy) as a case study

Lichens collected in an unpolluted forest (background) in November 2004, transplanted at 41 sampling sites along the Madina-Tetteh Quarshie road, retrieved in February 2005 and analysed were found to contain higher concentrations of Manganese (Mn), Vanadium (V), lead, Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni) than in the background area. Observations showed that of all the heavy metals studied, Manganese concentrations were highest at all sampling points with maximum values around a traffic light, an intersection and car fitting/mechanic workshops. Significant correlations were found between Ni and Mn, Mn and Cr and Mn and V. Statistical analysis also revealed a relatively even dispersion of the studied elements on the eastern side of the road than on the western side.