Farmyards, an overlooked source for highly contaminated runoff

Summer sampling of storm runoff generated from areas of roofs and hardstanding situated on four dairy/beef farms has provided novel information regarding its microbiological and chemical quality. All farm hardstandings generated runoff that was contaminated with respect to those pollutants (faecal coliforms, FC, and faecal streptococci, FS, major nutrients, organic carbon) that are ubiquitously associated with faecal matter and urine. The separate analysis of roof runoff indicated that these can contribute significant concentrations of FS, phosphorus (P) and potentially toxic elements such as zinc (Zn), and suggests a level of 'background' contamination originating from wash-off of bird droppings and in the case of Zn galvanised surfaces. On average hardstanding runoff showed enhanced concentrations of >4 orders of magnitude for FC and 2-3 for major nutrients and carbon relative to roof runoff. Organic forms of nitrogen (N) and P contributed significantly (averaging >40%) to the total dissolved fraction in both roof and hardstanding runoff. Part of the substantial variability in composition of runoff samples could be attributed to differences between farms as well as the timing of sample collection during individual storms. Where situations allowed, a comparison of water upstream and downstream of the farmyard demonstrated they acted as a source of multiple contaminants not only during hydrologically active storm events but also during dry periods. Contamination pathways included a combination of both point (e.g., septic overflows) and non-point (e.g., seepage from livestock housing) sources. Farmyards situated within intensive livestock farming areas such as SW Scotland, would be expected to have significant local and accumulated downstream impacts on the aquatic environment. Localised impacts would be particularly important for headwaters and low order streams.     

Moult in relation to some aspects of reproduction and growth in swarms of Antarctic krill,Euphausia superba

In a 14-d period 38 swarms of Antarctic krill,Euphausia superba Dana, were sampled in an area 55.5 x 55.5 km to the southwest of Elephant Island, at the north of the South Shetland Islands. Moult stage, maturity stage, and size of ca. 100 krill from each swarm were measured. Each of the characteristics varied greatly between swarms. Moulting krill were found in most swarms, but in one swarm all of the krill were just about to moult. Ways in which moulting may act as a possible sorting mechanism are discussed. Data for all the analysed krill (ca. 3000 specimens) were used to investigate the interdependence of moult rate, sexual maturation and growth. While all immature krill moulted at approximately the saine rate in the study, there were significant differences in the moulting rates of mature male and female krill. Gravid female krill continued to moult, although less frequently than mature males. As a consequence males had to attach spermatophores to females after each moult. It is likely that variation in moult rate of females and males was related to the energy expenditure required for ovary development in females and spermatophore production and searching behaviour in males. Spawning and moulting were only partly coupled in gravid females. Spawning appeared to take place predominantly during Moult Stage D₂. There was no evidence of intermoult growth by intersegmental dilation.     

Sampling biological characteristics of krill: Effect of heterogeneous nature of swarms

An effect of the very patchy distribution of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana) in various forms of aggregation is that a single swarm may not provide an unbiased estimate of population parameters such as mean length of krill in the local area. Here, we analyse the number of samples required to estimate the characteristics of a local population as precisely as if there were no differences between krill swarms in terms of their biological composition. Krill were intensively sampled over different spatial and temporal scales around South Georgia in 1981 and 1982, and in the Bransfield Strait in 1985. These varied from replicate hauls at a single station over 24 h and repeat sampling in restricted areas over periods of 6 to 14 d to regional surveys around South Georgia and in the Bransfield Strait. Various biological characteristics were measured such as length, maturity, moult stage and feeding state. Depending upon the biological characteristic examined and the area covered by the sampling programme, the number of samples needed to obtain the same degree of precision as would be found in the absence of heterogeneity varied from 3 to > 80 samples. This has important implications for the design of net-sampling programme for monitoring krill populations.     

Differences between swarms of Antarctic krill and some implications for sampling krill populations

Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba Dana, were sampled from 28 discrete swarms in a small area south west of Elphant Island, South Shetlands, over a period of 14 d (24 February-9 March 1985). Four biological characteristics of the krill (length, sex, moult, gut fullness) were examined in a study of variation between swarms. Analysis of these characteristics indicated extensive differences between swarms and no single characteristic, or combination of characteristics, emerged as consistently accounting for the observed heterogeneity. There was no relationship between the degree of heterogeneity and the physical or temporal proximity of swarms. The variability between even close swarms strongly suggests that swarms are the basic unit of organization of krill populations. This conclusion has important implications for sampling programmes aimed at estimating population parameters. Thus, in the population studied here, we calculate that it was necessary to sample 23 swarms to estimate mean length and 10 swarms to establish a reliable estimate for the proportion of females in the population.     

Use of noise attenuation modeling in managing missile motor detonation activities

The Sound Intensity Prediction System (SIPS) and Blast Operation Overpressure Model (BOOM) are semiempirical sound models that are employed by the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) to predict whether noise levels from the detonation of large missile motors will exceed regulatory thresholds. Field validation of SIPS confirmed that the model was effective in limiting the number of detonations of large missile motors that could potentially result in a regulatory noise exceedance. Although the SIPS accurately predicted the impact of weather on detonation noise propagation, regulators have required that the more conservative BOOM model be employed in conjunction with SIPS in evaluating peak noise levels in populated areas. By simultaneously considering the output of both models, in 2001, UTTR detonated 104 missile motors having net explosive weights (NEW) that ranged between 14,960 and 38,938 lb without a recorded public noise complaint. Based on the encouraging results, the U.S. Department of Defense is considering expanding the application of these noise models to support the detonation of missile motors having a NEW of 81,000 lb. Recent modeling results suggest that, under appropriate weather conditions, missile motors containing up to 96,000 lb NEW can be detonated at the UTTR without exceeding the regulatory noise limit of 134 decibels (dB).     

The influence of gut microorganisms on zinc uptake in Helix aspersa

An artificial diet was prepared that enabled the snail Helix aspersa to be fed food containing varying amounts of metals, antibiotics or bacteria. By this means it is possible to show that the body burden of zinc was significantly correlated with the dietary intake. The snail was, however, able to detect high concentrations of the metal and reduced its intake of such contaminated food. The bacterial population of the alimentary tract modified the amount of zinc absorbed from the diet. It appears, therefore, that biological monitoring programmes, based upon bioaccumulation measurements, should take these influences into account.     

Estimating the extent and change in Broad Habitats in Great Britain

A stratified random sample of kilometre squares in Great Britain was visited and completely mapped using four areal themes (agriculture and semi-natural vegetation, forestry, physiography and buildings and communications). The maps were digitised and the attribute information recorded to produce an electronic database. Information was summarised by square and then bootstrap re-sampling techniques were used to produce national estimates with statistical confidence intervals. The results for 1998 showed the terrestrial Broad Habitats had a range in extent covering two orders of magnitude from Montane (49000ha) to Improved Grassland (5482000ha). Just under half of Britain is covered by agricultural Broad Habitats, about 12% by woodland and just under 10% by Urban Habitats. The remaining quarter of the land area is covered by semi-natural Broad Habitats. By revisiting the same sample of squares previously visited in 1990, changes in the quantity and quality of the Broad Habitats have been determined. Significant increases in area have occurred in the Broadleaved, Mixed and Yew Woodland and Built Up and Gardens. The largest areal reduction was in Acid Grassland although that was in part balanced by a gain in Fen, Marsh and Swamp. The most significant ecological loss was in the area of Calcareous Grassland. The consequences of having different sample sizes for the different years are discussed.