Exceptionally well-preserved giant spermatozoa in male and female specimens of an ostracod Cypria ophtalmica (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from Late Glacial lacustrine sediments of Southern Carpathians, Romania

Exceptionally well-preserved giant spermatozoa observed between abundant decalcified carapace valves of ostracods (Crustacea: Ostracoda) were found in Late Glacial to Holocene (14,400 to 10,000?cal?years bp) lacustrine sediments in the southern Romanian Carpathians. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed good preservation of the appendages enabling specific identification as Cypria ophtalmica (Candonidae) and indication of the presence of both female and male specimens based on the sexual dimorphism of the second antenna. This record represents the oldest and richest direct evidence of virtually morphologically unaltered animal spermatozoa preserved in females after mating.     

A Spanish model for quantification and management of construction waste

Currently, construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) is a worldwide issue that concerns not only governments but also the building actors involved in construction activity. In Spain, a new national decree has been regulating the production and management of C&D waste since February 2008. The present work describes the waste management model that has inspired this decree: the Alcores model implemented with good results in Los Alcores Community (Seville, Spain). A detailed model is also provided to estimate the volume of waste that is expected to be generated on the building site. The quantification of C&D waste volume, from the project stage, is essential for the building actors to properly plan and control its disposal. This quantification model has been developed by studying 100 dwelling projects, especially their bill of quantities, and defining three coefficients to estimate the demolished volume (CT), the wreckage volume (CR) and the packaging volume (CE). Finally, two case studies are included to illustrate the usefulness of the model to estimate C&D waste volume in both new construction and demolition projects.     

Assessing supercritical fluid extraction for the analysis of fipronil,kresoxim-methyl,acrinathrin, and pyridaben residues in melon

An analytical method, using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), was assessed for residue analysis of the insecticides fipronil, acrinathrin and pyridaben and the fungicide kresoxim-methyl in melons. Extraction conditions were optimized on glass beads, as inert material, evaluating different pressures, temperatures, and CO₂ volumes. Also, the extractability of pesticides from hydromatrix and anhydrous magnesium sulfate was evaluated. Both adsorbents were evaluated for the preparation of SFE-spiked melon samples. Extractions of fortified samples were done using 20 mL of CO₂, 300 atm, and 50°C. Different extraction conditions, including the addition of water and methanol as a static modifier, were used to assess the extractability of these pesticides, and the addition of methanol was demonstrated to improve the extraction of all the studied pesticides.     

Heavy metal distribution in an urban wetland impacted by combined sewer overflow

The heavy metal content and distribution in an urban wetland affected by combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge during dry conditions was evaluated. Metals identified in the CSO discharge were also measured upstream and downstream of the CSO. Metals were detected in the acid-extractable fraction of the wetland sediments and the roots of Phragmites australis plants. Sediment from the banks of a pool created by the CSO, and from a clay bed upstream were found to be moderately contaminated with Cu, Pb and Zn. Micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) of Phragmites roots from the CSO banks showed a correlation in the spatial distribution of Fe and Mn, attributed to the formation of mineral plaques on the root surface. Micro X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (μ-XANES) revealed that Cu and Zn were complexed with the organic ligands phytate and cysteine. The findings indicated that continuous discharge from the CSO is a source of heavy metals to the wetland. Metals bound to sediments are susceptible to remobilization and subsequent transport, whereas those associated with Phragmites roots may be more effectively sequestered. These observations provide insight into the behavior of heavy metals in urban areas where CSOs discharge into wetlands.     

A novel method using sedimentary metals and GIS for measuring anthropogenic change in coastal lake environments

Background, aim and scope  

A new method using sedimentary metals and geographic information system as indicators for assessing temporal and spatial anthropogenic change in estuaries has been applied to a large coastal lake (Lake Macquarie) in New South Wales, Australia.     

Preliminary Evaluation of the Use of Phosphogypsum for Reef Substrate. Ii. A Study of the Effects of Phosphogypsum Exposure On Diversity and Biomass of Aquatic Organisms

The effects of cement consolidated phosphogypsum (PG) on marine organisms was investigated under natural conditions in four 1000 m² estuarine ponds. Two ponds were seeded with 160 kg of PG arranged in aggregations of blocks and two ponds received similar mass of sand/cement blocks. Meiofauna were sampled quarterly and PG did not affect total meiofauna or major taxa (nematodes and copepods) density. Abundant species of copepods either were slightly increased in ponds with PG or were inconsistently affected.

All ponds were drained after one year. Three species of macroinvertebrates and 15 species of fishes were collected. Diversity indices showed modest but inconsistent variation among ponds. Only Pond 1 (control) and Pond 4 (experimental) had similar species abundances and all ponds showed unique distributions of biomasses among species. Thus, no differences in community structure attributable to the presence of PG could be detected among benthic invertebrates, natant invertebrates, or fishes.     

Spatial distribution of lindane in topsoil of Northern France

Lindane is a persistent organochlorine insecticide and the use of this insecticide in agriculture was banned in France in 1998. In this study we investigated the concentrations of lindane in topsoil in Northern France and used robust geostatistics to map the geographical distribution of lindane. The study was based on a 16 km × 16 km grid covering an area of ca 25 000 km². Lindane was found in all soils, even those from non-agricultural-application areas. Very low ratios of α-/γ-HCH and δ-/γ-HCH suggested that a long time had passed since technical HCH was used in the studied area, or that emission sources of lindane were still present. A strong gradient in lindane concentration was observed, with the highest lindane concentrations in an area located in the northern region. Results suggested that some of the lindane observed in the high concentration area may have come from volatilization of old lindane applied to intensively cultivated areas, which was then transported by prevailing winds coming from the south-west and deposited in a densely inhabited depression.     

Mercury distribution in medium-size rivers and reservoirs of the Sao Paulo state (southeast Brazil)

The aim of this work was to investigate mercury (Hg) levels in six meso-scale watersheds (Upper Paranapanema, Aguapeí, Peixe, S?o José dos Dourados, Mogi-Gua?u, and Piracicaba) of the S?o Paulo state to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Hg contamination in Brazil. Water, sediment, bivalves, and fish samples were collected during 2001 at 11 sites. Fish were also collected in the Jurumirim and Salto Grande Reservoirs which are 39 and 52 yr old since impoundment, respectively. Results showed that Hg concentrations were low in almost all samples, except fish from Jurumirim Reservoir (total mercury [T-Hg] = 1.14 +/- 0.55 mg kg(-1) wet wt.). In spite of industrialization and high population, the results showed that there was no important source of Hg contamination in the investigated areas. The higher concentrations found in fish from Jurumirim seem to be the result of processes that favor Hg mobilization and methylation as a consequence of the impoundment of the reservoir area. The same levels were not observed in the Salto Grande Reservoir, probably because these are no longer significant due to the long time since the impoundment. To understand the dynamics of methylmercury (MeHg) production and its accumulation in fish, further studies are needed in the Jurumirim Reservoir. The results show that even at low T-Hg concentrations in sediment and water, concentrations in fish can reach values that pose concerns for consumption. This emphasizes the importance of designing an optimized biomonitoring program that can provide warning of biogeochemical conditions that promote formation of MeHg.