Loud calls as indicators of dominance in male baboons (Papio cynocephalus ursinus)

Adult male baboons (Papio cynocephalus) give loud two-syllable 'wahoo' calls during dawn choruses, interactions between groups, when chasing females, and in aggressive interactions with other males. These 'contest' wahoos are acoustically different from 'alarm' wahoos given to predators. In a study of free-ranging baboons in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, we found no significant correlations between the acoustic features of wahoos and adult male size; however, acoustic features were correlated with male dominance rank, age, and calling bout length. Here we show that other measures of calling behavior also appear to function as honest indicators of stamina and competitive ability. High-ranking males were more likely than middle- or low-ranking males to participate in wahoo bouts. They called at significantly higher rates, and their bouts were longer and contained more calls. All males were significantly more likely to participate in wahoo bouts with another male if their opponent's rank was similar to their own. Bouts involving males of similar ranks were longer, contained more wahoos, and involved calling at higher rates, than other bouts. In contests between males of similar ranks, the subordinate and dominant were equally likely to end the bout, whereas in contests involving males of disparate ranks, subordinates were significantly more likely to end the bout. Bouts involving males of similar rank were significantly more likely than others to escalate and result in physical fighting.     

Biotic and abiotic transformations of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)

Background Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a fuel additive which is used all over the world. In recent years it has often been found in groundwater, mainly in the USA, but also in Europe. Although MTBE seems to be a minor toxic, it affects the taste and odour of water at concentrations of < 30 μg/L. Although MTBE is often a recalcitrant compound, it is known that many ethers can be degraded by abiotic means. The aim of this study was to examine biotic and abiotic transformations of MTBE with respect to the particular conditions of a contaminated site (former refinery) in Leuna, Germany. Methods Groundwater samples from wells of a contaminated site were used for aerobic and anaerobic degradation experiments. The abiotic degradation experiment (hydrolysis) was conducted employing an ion-exchange resin and MTBE solutions in distilled water. MTBE, tertiary butyl formate (TBF) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) were measured by a gas chromatograph with flame ionisation detector (FID). Aldehydes and organic acids were respectively analysed by a gas chromatograph with electron capture detector (ECD) and high-performance ion chromatography (HPIC). Results and Discussion Under aerobic conditions, MTBE was degraded in laboratory experiments. Only 4 of a total of 30 anaerobic experiments exhibited degradation, and the process was very slow. In no cases were metabolites detected, but a few degradation products (TBF, TBA and formic acid) were found on the site, possibly due to the lower temperatures in groundwater. The abiotic degradation of MTBE with an ion-exchange resin as a catalyst at pH 3.5 was much faster than hydrolysis in diluted hydrochloric acid (pH 1.0). Conclusion Although the aerobic degradation of MTBE in the environment seems to be possible, the specific conditions responsible are widely unknown. Successful aerobic degradation only seems to take place if there is a lack of other utilisable compounds. However, MTBE is often accompanied by other fuel compounds on contaminated sites and anaerobic conditions prevail. MTBE is often recalcitrant under anaerobic conditions, at least in the presence of other carbon sources. The abiotic hydrolysis of MTBE seems to be of secondary importance (on site), but it might be possible to enhance it with catalysts. Recommendation and Outlook MTBE only seems to be recalcitrant under particular conditions. In some cases, the degradation of MTBE on contaminated sites could be supported by oxygen. Enhanced hydrolysis could also be an alternative. - * The basis of this peer-reviewed paper is a presentation at the 9th FECS Conference on 'Chemistry and Environment', 29 August to 1 September 2004, Bordeaux, France.     

Evidence from nitrogen fertilisation in the forests of Germany

In the first part, this contribution presents German results of nitrogen fertilisation experiments on stand growth, published 1958-1987. Over this period Norway spruce and Scots pine have generally responded positively to nitrogen fertilisation, without showing signs of damage, at levels up to at least 1000 kg N ha(-1). In the second part, growth patterns of forest trees and stands in Southern Germany are presented. Norway spruce in particular is now growing better than in earlier years of this century, starting around 1960. It is plausible that increasing nitrogen deposition, which coincides with the growth increase, is the cause, though this cannot be shown unequivocally. At a few sites with poor soil and management and high acid deposition a deterioration is taking place.     

Occurrence and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in environmental samples from coastal British Columbia, Canada

Environmental levels and detailed congener profiles (31 congeners and 3 coeluting congener groups) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were assessed in a number of biota samples taken over a large geographic range covering harbours and industrial sites on Canada's West Coast. Additionally, PBDE congener profiles were determined using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed in the Fraser River, the river in Western Canada with the largest industrial activity. PBDE levels detected in biota were between 4 and 2300 ng/g lipid and these levels were compared with those reported in selected European biota to provide a wider perspective on PBDE contamination on Canada's West Coast. Thirteen-congener PBDE patterns in the environmental samples were examined using principal component analysis (PCA), and additionally, comparisons were made between the PBDE profiles in the sample groups and commercially used PBDE technical mixtures (e.g., Bromkals) on a percent composition basis. PCA on congener specific data revealed that PBDE patterns are remarkably similar over a wide geographical range in Western Canada, however, the general pattern in environmental samples varies significantly from those of the predominant technical mixtures. Finally, correlations between PBDE and other persistent and toxic co-occurring contaminants found in Dungeness crab were determined.     

Umweltchemie und ?kotoxikologie in Deutschland Entwicklungstrend des Faches gemessen an der Publikationsproduktivit?t

Fragestellung Wie gestaltet und ggf. ver?ndert sich die wissenschaftliche Produktivit?t der Umweltchemie und ?kotoxikologie in Deutschland? So einfach die Frage klingt: Sie ist schwer zu beantworten, denn auf Fachgebieten, die per se interdisziplin?r sind, sind überlappungen zu Nachbargebieten die Regel und Abgrenzungen schwierig, zum Teil unm?glich, weil in der Literatur nicht erkennbar oder nicht erfasst. Umweltchemie und ?kotoxikologie sind oft „drin“, stehen aber nicht „drauf“ – auf den Institutsnamen, den Projekttiteln oder den Zeitschriftentiteln. Bei in hohem Ma?e interdisziplin?ren Arbeiten – Tendenz steigend – sind wir Wissenschaftler in manchen F?llen sogar selbst verlegen um eine abgrenzende Zuordnung oder empf?nden eine solche als inad?quat oder artifiziell. Ansatz Der Vorstand der Fachgruppe hat die bibliometrische Analyse anhand von Zeitschriftenstichproben als eine probate Herangehensweise für diese Frage gew?hlt. Nicht erfasst werden in einer solchen Stichprobe Arbeiten, die in Zeitschriften ver?ffentlicht wurden, die prim?r nicht der Umweltchemie oder ?kotoxikologie, sondern einem anderen Fach zugerechnet werden. Von der Analyse erfasst werden insbesondere aber die vielen umweltchemischen und ?kotoxikologischen Arbeiten von Wissenschaftlern, deren Arbeitsschwerpunkt in einem anderen Feld liegt und die nur gelegentlich auf unseren Gebieten arbeiten, gleich welche Berufs- und Institutsbezeichnung sie tragen m?gen. Diese Fehlerquelle zu vermeiden, erscheint für relative junge F?cher und stark interdisziplin?re Arbeitsgebiete priorit?r.     

Research needs identified at the second PCB workshop in Brno,Czech Republic,May 7–11, 2002

More than 150 scientists from the Americas, Europe, and Asia met in Brno, Czech Republic, in May 2002 at the Second PCB Workshop, entitled “Recent Advances in the Environmental Toxicology and Health Effects of PCBs”. NIEHS/EPA-Superfund Basic Research Program, the Graduate Center for Toxicology at the University of Kentucky, and the Research Centre for Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Masaryk University, Brno, sponsored the Workshop. At six separate sessions (including posters) the origins, human residues and exposures, actions, biomarkers, risk and remediation issues relating to PCBs were discussed.