The relationship between metal concentrations and phenotypes in the Baltic clam Macoma balthica (L.) from the Gulf of Gdansk, southern Baltic

Soft tissue accumulated concentrations of nine metals (V, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu and Zn) were studied in two main phenotypes (1) according to external shell colour (white and pink), and (2) according to shell shape (shell with a rounded posterior end--"regular" and with an elongate posterior end and a notable flexure--"irregular") of the Baltic clam Macoma balthica from southern Baltic Sea off Poland. No differences in metal concentrations were observed between colour-based phenotypes. By contrast, "irregular" clams exhibited generally higher concentrations of all elements in their tissues than "regular" bivalves. This finding provides the first reference on a potential linkage of shell deformation with tissue metal concentrations within one entire population of clams living in the same habitat. Different ability of metal handling in the shape-based phenotypes is presumably related to different physiological capacity of the bivalves induced by the selection effect of specific environmental conditions. It is suggested that unfavourable conditions in deep waters of the Gulf of Gdansk (e.g. hypoxia/anoxia, hydrogen sulphide, elevated bioavailability of metals) induces, in a certain part of the population, morphological deformation of shell (thereby leading to irregular shape) and in parallel physiological adaptations which result in greater sensitivity to trace metals of "irregular" clams. This hypothesis however, requires further investigation with special focus on genetic divergences between phenotypes because till now we cannot exclude the co-occurrence of two types (semi-species) of clams in the Gulf: an Atlantic type and a Baltic type. Genetic analysis with a use of DALP technique revealed strong intrapopulational polymorphism but no fingerprints or intraspecific polymorphism characterising any of the phenotypes considered (both colour- and shape-based). Since eight polymorphic loci were clearly identified further studies of population genetic structure hold optimistic promise.     

Water to atmosphere fluxes of 131I in relation with alkyl-iodide compounds from the Seine Estuary (France)

This study presents an original work on measurements of stable and radioactive iodinated species in the Seine estuary (France), with estimates fluxes of volatile gaseous species from water to the atmosphere. Various iodinated compounds were identified in water and air in particular 131I in water, what is unusual. Concentrations and behaviour of iodinated elements in the Seine estuary seem similar to what has been observed in other European estuaries. MeI (Methyl Iodide) and Total Volatile Iodine (TVI) fluxes from water to air vary between 392 and 13949 pmol m(-2) d(-1) and between 1279 and 16484 pmol m(-2) d(-1), respectively. Water to air flux of TVI for the Seine river was estimated in the range 4-46 kg y(-1). Measurements of (131)I in water varying between 0.4 and 11.9 Bq m(-3). Fluxes of (131)I from water to atmosphere are in the range 2.4 x 10(5)-1.3 x 10(7)Bq y(-1), close to an annual discharge of (131)I by a nuclear reactor.     

Characterization and role of carbonic anhydrase in the calcification process of the azooxanthellate coral <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubastrea aurea</Emphasis>

In zooxanthellate corals, the photosynthetic fixation of carbon dioxide and the precipitation of CaCO₃ are intimately linked both spatially and temporally making it difficult to study carbon transport mechanisms involved in each pathway. When studying Tubastrea aurea, a coral devoid of zooxanthellae, we can focus on carbon transport mechanisms involved only in the calcification process. We performed this study to characterize T. aurea carbonic anhydrase and to determine its role in the calcification process. We have shown that inhibition of tissular carbonic anhydrase activity affects the calcification rate. We have measured the activity of this enzyme both in the tissues and in the organix matrix extracted from the skeleton. Our results indicate that organic matrix proteins, which are synthesized by the calcifying tissues, are not only structural proteins, but they also play a crucial catalytic role by eliminating the kinetic barrier to interconversion of inorganic carbon at the calcification site. By immunochemistry we have demonstrated the presence of a protein both in the tissues and in the organic matrix, which shares common features with prokaryotic carbonic anhydrases.     

Daphne gnidium, a possible native host plant of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana, stimulates its oviposition. Is a host shift relevant?

Summary. We tested the hypothesis that Daphne gnidium is an ancestral host plant of Lobesia botrana. To this end, we studied the oviposition response of this moth to various aerial organs of this plant. Our results show that females prefer to lay eggs on daphne berries rather than on grapes (cv. chasselas) and that polar surface extracts of daphne berries and leaves strongly stimulate oviposition in a dosedependant way, whereas flower extracts are weakly stimulant and branch extracts are inactive or deterrent for oviposition. Furthermore, a total extract of daphne berries stimulates oviposition in semi-natural conditions when applied onto fresh grapes. Oviposition stimulants from berries were isolated by HPLC coupled with a dual-choice oviposition bioassay. The ecological value of D. gnidium for L. botrana is discussed and the possible use of oviposition stimulants from daphne, contrasting with the oviposition signal of the cultivated host plant, is proposed in the perspective of developing behavioural manipulation methods such as stimulo-deterrent diversionary strategies compatible with IPM programs.     

Immune response of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris, Eisenia andrei and Aporrectodea tuberculata) following in situ soil exposure to atmospheric deposition from a cement factory

In order to reduce their energy costs, many cement plants use fuel product substitutes (old tyres and used oil). The combustion of these products generates a metal increase (e.g. Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) in the atmospheric emissions. After their release, these elements are deposited into the environment and could eventually accumulate up to concentrations of concern. At the Saint-Laurent cement factory (Joliette, QC, Canada), maximum deposition of these elements occurs in the direction of prevailing winds (North-East). We evaluated the potential impact of these depositions upon the immune system of three earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Eisenia andrei and Aporrectodea tuberculata) exposed in a natural environment. The exposure sites were 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 km downwind from the cement factory, along with an upwind reference site. The immune parameters studied were the cell viability and phagocytic potential of the immune cells (coelomocytes). For both L. terrestris and E. andrei, after 7 d exposure, none of the measured parameters showed significant differences among the sites. On the other hand, for the indigenous worm A. tuberculata, in the most exposed zone (at 0.5 km), we observed an increase in cell viability and phagocytic potential. This increase could possibly be attributed to physicochemical effects such as the alkaline pH of the soil, or alternatively, it could result from beneficial effects induced by an increased calcium supply.     

Stratospheric temperature monitoring using a vibrational Raman lidar. Part 1: aerosols and ozone interferences

Lidar measurements of temperature for the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are commonly derived by the Raman technique. Lidar signals derived from vibrational Raman processes have been subjected to numerous simulation tests to examine their sensitivity to the presence of aerosols and ozone in the atmosphere. The influence of aerosols characteristics (wavelength dependence of aerosol extinction and particle phase function) and of ozone concentration on Raman temperature profiles is estimated. Simulations indicate large temperature deviations for post-volcanic conditions. For a Raman backscatter at 607 nm, bias is below 1 K for a total optical depth less than 9 x 10(-3) in the case of a stratospheric contamination and less than 6 x 10(-3) for a tropospheric contamination. The effect of aerosols depends on phase function and a few parameters such as altitude, optical depth and the shape of the high-altitude cloud. The wavelength dependence of aerosol extinction has some influence only for severe post-volcanic conditions (Scattering Ratio, SR >2). For a Raman backscatter at 387 nm, bias is larger and can be significant even in background aerosol conditions. Changes in the ozone density profile lead to significant Raman temperature deviations only for some specific conditions. Results suggest that both aerosol and ozone corrections are necessary to obtain an accuracy better than the 1 K requested for most atmospheric applications.     

New Multi-Scale Hybrid System Based on Maple Wood Flour and Nano Crystalline Cellulose: Morphological,Mechanical and Physical Study

In the first part of this work, composites based on polypropylene (PP) and maple wood flour (MF) were prepared by melt compounding using twin-screw extrusion followed by compression molding. The morphological and mechanical properties of the composites were analyzed for three samples: PP, MF/PP and MF/PP containing maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as coupling agent. The results showed that MF/PP composites have improved mechanical properties, especially tensile modulus (+33 %), with only 8 % increase in density. The addition of MAPP further improved the mechanical properties, in particular tensile modulus (up to 51 %), which could be related to better fiber/matrix adhesion. In the second step, nano crystalline cellulose (NCC) was added to all samples to produce NCC-MF/PP hybrid composites. From the mechanical analysis performed, the hybrid composites with MAPP have improved properties, especially tensile (+53 %) and flexural (+40 %) moduli. These results confirmed that multi-scale hybrid NCC-MF composites can substantially improve the mechanical properties of polyolefins with limited increase in density (14 %) leading to high specific properties.     

Aerial surveys of manatees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichechus manatus)</Emphasis> in Lee County,Florida<Emphasis Type="Italic">,</Emphasis> provide insights regarding manatee abundance and real time information for managers and enforcement officers

Conservation and management of the endangered Florida manatee is often centered on reducing mortality caused by watercraft collisions. Lee County, Florida, has led the state in watercraft-related mortality for eight of the last 10 years. This county is of particular concern as it contains important habitat for manatees, including extensive feeding grounds and an artificial warm-water refuge where more than 900 manatees have been recorded on a single day. Distributional aerial surveys were conducted from April 2007 through April 2009 over Lee County waters. Surveys yielded higher numbers of manatees than previously observed in this area. Using GIS methodology, kernel density analysis illustrated seasonal changes in distribution patterns and highlighted areas where manatees were most densely clustered. For example, during summer months, manatees were widely distributed throughout the survey area, with high-density areas associated with seagrass beds. During winter months, manatees were densely clustered at warm-water sites and over feeding grounds within close distance of these sites. These seasonal distribution patterns coincide well with speed zone designations. Counts and distributions of manatees were made available, almost immediately if necessary, to local marine law enforcement in an attempt to focus resources toward reducing manatee-watercraft collisions. Future studies should implement similar communication strategies to improve conservation efforts.     

Effect of day time climatic conditions associated with different 2,4-D formulations on spray deposition and weed control

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of time of the day and their associated climatic conditions on spray deposition of two 2,4-D formulations, as well as the influence on weed control. The experiment was installed in the field in complete randomized design. Treatments were arranged in factorial design 8?×?2, with 20 repetitions. First factor corresponded to different application time (1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 19:00, and 22:00) with their respective climatic conditions. The second factor consisted of two formulations of 2,4-D applied at 776?g a.e. ha^?1 (2,4-D amine and 2,4-D choline salt with Colex-D? Technology) + glyphosate (816?g a.e. ha^?1). There was more spray deposition when 2,4-D choline formulation was used, and such differences were more evident for applications performed under adverse climatic conditions. More spray deposition was found in applications performed at times of day with more favorable temperature and humidity of the air conditions. Only the initial control of the evaluated species was affected by the time of application.     

I will not go,I cannot go: cultural and social limitations of disaster preparedness in Asia,Africa, and Oceania

While much work has been invested in addressing the economic and technical basis of disaster preparedness, less effort has been directed towards understanding the cultural and social obstacles to and opportunities for disaster risk reduction. This paper presents local insights from five different national settings into the cultural and social contexts of disaster preparedness. In most cases, an early warning system was in place, but it failed to alert people to diverse environmental shocks. The research findings show that despite geographical and typological differences in these locations, the limitations of the systems were fairly similar. In Kenya, people received warnings, but from contradictory systems, whereas in the Philippines and on the island of Saipan, people did not understand the messages or take them seriously. In Bangladesh and Nepal, however, a deeper cultural and religious reasoning serves to explain disasters, and how to prevent them or find safety when they strike.