Estimation of the Soil Respiration Using the Constant Pressure Volumetric Respirometer and the Flow-Through Respirometer UNI-RES10

Among commonly employed methods of fast estimation of the soil biological activity a method of the oxygen consumption determination is used. The main goal of this research was an estimation of a soil respiratory metabolism using the constant pressure volumetric respirometer and also using the flow-through respirometer UNI-RES10.Soil respiration measurements were done using both types of respirometers in temperatures 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, keeping up the constant humidity. The investigated soil was a soil humus belonged to organic soils from the Dziekanów Leny field. The soil respiration was also measured for 8 plant communities in Sudeten Mountains with various respiration intensity.After the experiments it was stated that both measuring instruments could be used for the soil metabolism evaluation. Readouts obtained from the UNI-RES10 respirometer are smaller then readouts when using the constant pressure volumetric respirometer. The flow-through respirometers have to be calibrated to obtain results comparable with these from volumetric ones. The volumetric and flow-through respirometry methods are useful for the comparative analysis of metabolism levels.     

A GIS-based approach for the long-term prediction of human health risks at contaminated sites

A Health Index/Risk Evaluation Tool (HIRET) has been developed for the integration of risk assessment and spatial planning using GIS capabilities. The method is meant to assist decision makers and site owners in the evaluation of potential human health risk with respect to land use. Human health risk defined as the potential adverse effects on human life or health is generally accepted as the most important aspect for site assessment and planning of remediation strategies. It concerns polluted sites that endanger human health on one hand and derelict land that does not cause the immediate risk on the other hand. In current state-of-the-art risk-assessment, long-term spatial and temporal changes of risks, in relation to changes in contamination patterns and land use functions, are not taken into account. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the methodology developed for human health risk assessment in aspect of spatial and temporal domain. HIRET was developed as an extension for ESRI software ArcView 3.2 and allows performing dynamic human health risk assessment in long-term period, which is relevant for land use planning. The paper illustrates how such methodology can assist in environmental decision-making to enhance the efficiency of contaminated land management. A case study of contaminated site is given showing how data can be used within a GIS framework to produce maps indicating areas of potential human health risk.     

Metals in tern eggs in a New Jersey estuary: A decade of change

We compared levels of eight heavy metals in common tern eggs collected in 1982 (n=24) from coastal New Jersey with archived specimens collected from the same colonies in 1971 (N=9). Levels of all metals, except cobalt, showed a significant decrease over the 11 year period, with lead and nickel showing the greatest decline. Mercury levels declined over 50% based on geometric means. Cadmium and mercury showed the lowest levels in both years. Pair-wise correlation coefficients on log-transformed data revealed lower correlations in 1971, whereas most metal pairs showed significant correlations in 1982. Mercury levels showed significant positive correlations with cobalt, cadmium, and nickel in 1971, but were not correlated with levels of any other metal in 1982.     

A method of rapid identification of the most important ecological problems in polluted areas

A comprehensive method is presented for the evaluation of the living elements of the environment by way of an example of an area situated within the emission range of a non ferrous metal works. The exposure of particular components of the environment is shown using the method of indices, taking into consideration the action of pollutants on the most essential and sensitive receptors. Methods of exposure reduction are also suggested. The proposed method may be helpful in land-use planning in polluted environments and can also be applied to determine the sequence of activities aimed at diminishing the effects of pollution.     

Trace element contamination in industrial regions of Poland studied by moss monitoring

The use of terrestrial mosses as biomonitors in large-scalemulti-element studies of heavy metal deposition from theatmosphere is a well established technique in Europe. Insuch studies it is advantageous to determine as many elements as possible in order to distinguish betweendifferent source categories. A combination of INAA and AAShas been found very useful in this respect, in particularwhen epithermal activation is used for instrumental neutronactivation analysis. A total of 33 elements (Al, Cl, Sc, V,Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb,I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Pb, Th, and U) inPleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. moss samples fromthe Silesia-Kraków Industrial Region and Legnica-GogówCopper Basin and from the control (background) area inNortheast Poland were identified. The highest concentrationsof the majority of trace elements were found in mossesgrowing in the Silesia-Kraków Industrial Region, only Cu andAs concentrations were higher in mosses in the Legnica-Gogów Copper Basin. These results are in conformity withthe load of trace elements emissions in these areas.     

Cadmium and lead in common terns (Aves: Sterna hirundo): Relationship between levels in parents and eggs

We analyzed cadmium and lead levels in feathers of mated pairs of common terns (Sterna hirundo) and in their eggs to determine if metal levels in eggs correlated with female levels, and whether there were intrapair and intermetal correlations. Eggs had significantly lower lead levels (89 ng g^-1) and cadmium levels (4.0 ng g^-1) than adult feathers (500 and 50 ng g^-1 respectively). Adult females had higher metal levels than males. Cadmium and lead levels were correlated across families for females, males and eggs. Lead, but not cadmium, levels were correlated in females and their eggs.     

The combined influence of SO2 and heavy metal-containing particulates on beans,carrots and parsley

The effects of various concentrations of air pollutants on crop losses were investigated. Parsley, bean and carrots were fumigated using SO₂ in concentrations ranging from 0.35 mg m^-3 (0.13 ppm) to 4.5 mg m^-3 (1.7 ppm) with and without lead/zinc/cadmium-containing particulate matter. It was concluded that a long-term exposure to low levels of SO₂, even without visible plant injuries, resulted in more significant crop losses than short-term, high concentrations.Measurements of root and leaf weight in carrot and parsley fumigated in exposure chambers with SO₂ show that the ratio of root to leaf weight is dependent on the type and concentration of pollutants. This result leads to the conclusion that a mathematical model describing the above phenomena might be an useful tool in the assessment of crop losses due to known concentrations of air pollutants during the growth period.     

Mercury bioaccumulation in organisms from three Puerto Rican estuaries

We analyzed mercury levels in shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.), Blue Crabs (Callinectes sp.), fish (Tarpon Megalops atlantica and Tilapia Tilapia mossambica), lizards (Ameiva exsul), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in three estuaries in Puerto Rico in 1988. There were no quantifiable concentrations greater than the method detection limit of mercury in shrimp, crabs and lizards from any site. Mercury levels were also below detection limits in Tilapia, except for specimens collected at Frontera Creek, allegedly contaminated with mercury. However, mercury levels ranged from 92–238 g/kg (wet weight) in Tarpon, a predaceous fish that feeds on smaller fish. Few of the birds had detectable levels of mercury. Our results indicate relatively low concentrations of mercury in biota collected in all of the three estuaries at most trophic levels, although 10 of 12 Tarpon fillet samples from Frontera had detectable mercury compared to 3 of 12 fillet samples for the other two lagoons.This project was partially funded by an EPA consent decree (Dynamac, Inc.) and NIEHS grant (ESO 5022) to EOSHI.     

Age-related thermal strain in men while wearing radiation protective clothing during short-term exercise in the heat.

The aim of the study was to compare heat strain among different age groups of men in protective clothing during short-term physical work. Eight young (20-29 years), 6 middle-aged (41-55 years), and 6 older (58-65 years) men exercised for 30 min on a cycle ergometer (40% V(O2 max)) in 2 hot environments with a similar WBGT (ca. 26 degrees C): once with minimal clothing without infrared radiation (E1), and once with aluminized protective clothing under infrared radiation (E2). All subjects had sedentary jobs, but only the older subjects were physically active in their leisure-time. Body temperatures, heart rate, sweat rate, and subjective feelings were determined during the tests. Higher thermal strain was observed in E2 than in E1. No age-related differences in thermal strain were observed in either experiment indicating that active older men can tolerate short work periods with protective clothing in the heat as well as younger sedentary men.