Dibenzofuran: Bakterielle Mineralisierung

The degradation of uniformly¹⁴C-labelled dibenzofuran (DBF) by the strainPseudomonas sp HH 69 and a consortium consisting of the DBF-degrading Pseudomonas strain NRM and an accompanying Nocardia-like strain NRH, was monitored in liquid-batch cultures and in different soil samples. Experiments involving the strain and a consortium in aereated liquid cultures (batch process) showed that DBF was utilized as a source of energy and carbon. Thereby, more than 65% of DBF is rapidly converted to CO₂, about 20% to biomass and only about 10% to slow-degrading intermediate metabolites, respectively. The same microorganisms also exhibited comparable degrees of degradation efficiency in various types of soils contaminated with DBF. For instance, DBF, uniformly distributed in sterile soil samples, in concentrations between 0.2 to 200 ppm, was converted to CO₂, within 10 days, to the extent of about 75% by the strainPseudomonas sp. HH 69.     

Leitfaden zur Beurteilung von Boden-Kontaminationen

This article investigates to which extent presently obtainable data can sufficiently evaluate soil contamination. Relevant data pertaining to this question are tabulated. Risk assessments are made for particular contaminations on the basis of the compiled data. The proposed procedure is a guideline for the practical evaluation of cases of soil contamination by organic pollutants. Analyses are made for soil compartments, including risk assessments for groundwater. Evaluations are directed at protection of resources and plant growth. The project aims at facilitating the recognition of research deficiencies and at suggesting appropriate measures.     

Classification and ordination of benthic samples from Bedeque Bay,an estuary in Prince Edward Island,Canada

An attempt was made to identify the causes of the distribution of benthos within Bedeque Bay using multivariate techniques programmed for the computer. Both classification by a hierarchical cluster analysis, and ordination by principal components analysis suggested that a large proportion of the variance in the data was directly or indirectly correlated with a salinity gradient. Classification divided the species into two main groups, a in the upper half of the estuary where lower salinities and larger salinity fluctuations occurred, and group b in the lower half of the estuary with a more stable salinity regime. The group b species were further subdivided into those preferring soft mud and those preferring sandier sediments. The group a species were divided into a well-developed oyster association and various sub-groups less strongly associated with oysters. Five principal components were required to account for 50% of the variance in the data. The first axis accounted for 20% of the variance and was shown by a non-parametric test to be correlated with the salinity gradient. Axes II to V could not be interpreted, but possibly represented complex species interactions. By providing hard substrates and altering the natura of the sediment, oysters and mussels produced conditions suitable for many other species.     

The eye and some effects of light on locomotor activity in Nephrops norvegicus

The compound eye of Nephrops norvegicus (L.) is of the superposition type, well-adapted to the low levels of light prevailing at the sea bed during the activity periods of the species. Only the proximal retinal shielding pigment responds to light, the distal retinal shielding pigment being in the dark-adapted position at all times. The response of the proximal pigment appears to vary seasonally. Field observations compared light intensity at the sea bed with the numbers of N. norvegicus caught by trawl at various times of day in the Irish Sea in summer and winter. Laboratory experiments were combined with these field data to indicate that light is an important modulator of locomotor activity in this species.     

Heterotrophic bacteria in Long Island Sound

Correlated with a study of heterotrophic bacteria from cultures of larval bivalve molluses, bacteria were studied from the water column over an oyster bed in Lont Island Sound, USA. Samples taken biweekly for 1 year showed bacterial densities ranging from 1.2x10³/ml in summer to 3.8x10⁴/ml in winter. Variation in seasonal density mirrored that of phytoplankton. Gram-negativ rods constituted 99% of the isolate. Eight genera were identified, but 92.3% of these were Achromobacter, Flavobacterium, and Pseudomonas. Pseudomonads dominated the summer flora, whereas flavobacteria were most abundant in spring. Types varied seasonally, but proteolytic, lipolytic, and amylolytic activity appeared independent of season.     

Sélection du chalut pélagique Isaacs-Kidd 10 pieds

This paper deals with the selection of the 10-foot Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl, 4 mm in mesh size, which terminates in a fine-mesh section of 1 mm mesh aperture. It is emphasized that this finer mesh adds a large fraction of small animals to the main catch, This fraction has been estimated from comparisons between catches collected (1) with the above gear, (2) with the above gear terminating in a 4 mm mesh cod-end, (3) with the 1 mm mesh cod-end used alone as a net. It is demonstrated that escape through 4 mm meshes is a function both of hauling duration and of vertical distribution of organisms. The experimental part of this work has been carried out on crustaceans.     

The genetic basis of morphological differentiation in some Laminaria populations

Clinal differentiation of stipe traits in Laminaria (simplices) populations occurs on a gradient of exposure to wave action. Crossability tests and the production of fertile hybrids established interfertility between populations from the extremes of the morphological range. Reciprocal transplantation experiments between exposed and sheltered sites did not produce significant changes in stipe morphology. Quantitative genetic analysis of the degree of resemblance between relatives indicated a relatively high genetic component in the interpopulation differentiation. This is consistent with the results of the transplantation experiments. Within-population heritability estimates at the exposed site were low, perhaps because of intensive local stabilising selection which acts to reduce genetic variability. The question of conspecificity of L. saccharina and L. longicruris in view of these results is discussed.     

Chemical ornaments of male lizards <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psammodromus algirus</Emphasis> may reveal their parasite load and health state to females

Evidence for parasite-mediated sexual selection has been found in many species that use visual ornaments to attract females. However, in many animals, variation in female responses to scents of parasitized males suggests that parasitic infections might also affect information conveyed by pheromones (i.e., chemical ornaments). Thus, pheromones might also function in parasite-mediated sexual selection. We show here that female lizards Psammodromus algirus responded differently to femoral gland secretions of males according to the parasite load and health of these males. Scents of healthier males elicited more tongue flicks (a chemosensory behavior) by females, suggesting that these scents were more attractive. Chemical analyses showed that parasite load and the T-cell-mediated immune response were related to the variability in the proportions of some lipids in secretions of males. Further trials testing the chemosensory responses of females to chemical standards indicated that females actually discriminated the chemicals related to males’ health from other chemicals found in secretions. We suggest that these chemical ornaments may provide reliable information on the health and degree of parasitic infection of a male.     

Fresh water fishes as indicators of Kaveri River pollution

The survey of fish fauna in Kaveri River at polluted and unpolluted sites revealed a direct effect on the distribution of fishes in that 14 species were observed in unpolluted site and only 6 species in polluted site. Further, the haemotological parameters like RBC, WBC and haemoglobin content increased in fishes collected from polluted site whereas the organic constituents of muscle decreased in the above fishes when compared to the fishes of unpolluted site. The reason for the above changes is discussed.