Thermally induced biological effects caused by once-through cooling systems: A rationale for evaluation

The thermally induced biological effects of power plants with once-through cooling systems can be evaluated in a logical, scientifically defensible manner. First, we combined a near-field integral model (the Shirazi-Davis model) with a far-field model (the Okubo-Pritchard model) to predict the fields of excess temperature and velocity associated with a hypothetical power plant sited on a river and an estuary, and to establish the time-excess temperature exposure histories resulting from the interaction of an assumed distribution of organisms with these fields. Next, we developed a new thermal response model to assess the thermal effects of these exposures on these organisms.Our thermal response model can be used with data from existing and proposed power plants to estimate what fraction of plankton in waters contiguous to the plant will be exposed to thermal doses greater than those that cause death at any stated level. The model can also be used to aid in the design of once-through cooling systems to keep the mortality rate caused by thermal stresses below any designated threshold. The inputs to the model are the frequency distribution of time-excess temperature histories experienced by particular plankton (the Representative Important Species), thermal resistance curves for those organisms, and the spatial and temporal variations of the natural temperature of the receiving waters.To illustrate, we applied our thermal response model to three important aquatic environments of New York State, Long Island Sound, the lower Hudson River, and Lake Ontario. The Representative Important Species were identified for each of these environments and the thermal resistance data for their early (entrainable) life stages were reviewed. Fromall of the thermal resistance data available for any of the entrainable species composing these three communities, we constructed community thermal resistance curves and showed how they could be combined in graphic form with the distribution of thermal doses computed from the physical models and an assumed distribution of organisms in the receiving waters. For each community it appeared that the most sensitive organisms were the ichthyoplankton and juvenile fish; therefore, protection of these organisms from thermal stress should protect the entrainable populations as a whole.Finally, we made several recommendations for future research so that the full management potential of our approach can be achieved.     

Enzymatic degradation of low-rank coals by a cell-free enzymatic system from Coriolus versicolor

An extracellular fraction from the lignin degrading white-rot fungus, Coriolus versicolor, can biosolubilize leonardite and pretreated lignites in vitro. Leonardite is often found as an overburden to lignite deposits, and is related to humic acid, and is more oxidized than lignites. Extracts from certain fungi such as C. versicolor solubilize leonardite. The biosolubilization activity is at least in part enzymatic in nature. A protein which is at least partly responsible for the solubilization effect has been substantially purified and concentrated by ultrafiltration and ion-exchange chromatography from the broth of an agitated submerged culture of C. versicolor grown in a defined medium. An in vitro coal biosolubilization assay was used to establish the effects of various physical and chemical factors affecting enzyme activity, including temperature and the salt and buffer composition of the reaction mixture. Some initial studies on the mechanism of the enzymatic leonardite biosolubilization reaction are described.     

An equivalence factor between CO2 avoidedemissions and sequestration – description andapplications in forestry

Concern about the issue of permanence andreversibility of the effects of carbon sequestrationhas led to the need to devise accounting methods thatquantify the temporal value of storing carbon that hasbeen actively sequestered or removed from theatmosphere, as compared to carbon stored as a resultof activities taken to avoid emissions. This paperdescribes a method for accounting for the atmosphericeffects of sequestration-based land-use projects inrelation to the duration of carbon storage. Firstly,the time period over which sequestered carbon shouldbe stored in order to counteract the radiative forcingeffect of carbon emissions was calculated, based onthe residence time and decay pattern of atmosphericCO₂, its Absolute Global Warming Potential. Thistime period was called the equivalence time, andwas calculated to be approximately 55 years. From thisequivalence time, the effect of storage of 1 tCO₂ for 1 year was derived, and found to besimilar to preventing the effect of the emission of0.0182 tCO₂. Potential applications of thistonne.year figure, here called the equivalencefactor, are then discussed in relation to theestimation of atmospheric benefits over time ofsequestration-based land use projects.     

Fetal nuchal fluid-physiological or pathological?—In pregnancies less than 17 menstrual weeks

For pregnancies less than 17 menstrual weeks, increasing amounts of nuchal fluid increase the risks of chromosome abnormalities with localized nuchal fluid, diffuse nuchal fluid, cystic hygroma, and fetal hydrops having chromosomal risks of 12, 23, 50, and 78 per cent, respectively. The ultrasound appearance of localized or diffuse nuchal fluid is not a specific discriminator, but a fluid depth of greater than or equal to 5 mm may be an indicator of increased risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. If the fluid depth is less than 5 mm, there is a stronger negative predictive value and negative likelihood risk of a fetal chromosome abnormality. Gestational age did not improve the fluid depth predictive value. Differentiation of physiological from pathological requires chromosome analysis, serial ultrasound evaluation, and good clinical examination as a newborn and possibly as a young child. Long-term follow-up of those cases identified with resolving nuchal fluid abnormalities is not available and is required for a complete understanding of physiological and pathological aetiologies. Genetic counselling for fetal nuchal fluid would be recommended.     

PCBs and other organochlorines in human tissue samples from the Welsh population: II--Milk

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and SigmaDDT (i.e. p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE = p,p'-DDD) concentrations were determined from the analysis of 115 Welsh breast milk samples collected in 1990 and 1991. Fifty PCB congeners were screened, of which 24 were identified in most samples. The PCB congener pattern was consistent between individual milk samples, with IUPAC congeners 28, 138, 153 and 180 being the most abundant and accounting for an average of 50% of the SigmaPCB concentrations determined. PCB concentrations varied between 2 and 70 ng g(-1) whole milk, were positively correlated with age, and negatively correlated with the total lactation period and with the percent lipid content of the milk. PCB pattern distributions differed between milk and adipose tissue samples. Human milk had a higher proportion of tri- (18 and 28), tetra- (44, 52 and 66) and pentachlorinated biphenyls (101) compared to human adipose tissue. SigmaDDT concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 71 ng g(-1) of whole milk, with p,p'-DDE contributing towards an average of 92% of the SigmaDDT concentrations. SigmaDDT levels were also positively correlated with age and negatively associated with the lactation period, though these correlations were rather weak. No significant differences in the SigmaPCB and SigmaDDT concentrations were noted between milk samples from donors living in rural and urban locations, or between the subjects' body weight, smoking habits or diet.     

Toxicity and distribution of Aroclor® 1254 in the pink shrimp Penaeus duorarum

The polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclor^® 1254 was released in an accidental leakage of heat-exchange fluid from an industrial plant, into the Escambia River, near Pensacola, Florida, USA. This material was carried downstream, and is now found in the fauna of Escambia Bay and its contiguous waters, prime nursery areas for fishes and invertebrates such as penaeid shrimp. The significance of pollution by this chemical was assessed by establishing toxicity levels, determining routes of entry, and investigating its movement and distribution in various tissues of shrimp under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Aroclor 1254 added to the water was toxic to the juvenile pink shrimp Penaeus duorarum at a concentration of 1.0 part per billion within 15 days, but was less® Registered trademark, Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, Mention of commercial products does not constitute endorsement by the Environmental Protection Agency.Contribution No. 128, Gulf Breeze Laboratory.     

Movements of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) tagged at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus Smith) aggregate seasonally (March–June) to feed in coastal waters off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Pop-up archival tags were attached to 19 individuals (total lengths 4.5–11.0 m) at this location in early May of 2003 and 2004 to examine their horizontal and vertical movements. The long-term movement patterns of six whale sharks were documented, all of which travelled northeast into the Indian Ocean after departing Ningaloo Reef. They used both inshore and offshore habitats and made extensive vertical movements, occasionally to a depth of at least 980 m. Frequent up-and-down movements, diel vertical migration, and crepuscular descents were evident in the depth records. The sharks experienced ambient temperatures ranging between 4.2 and 28.7°C and encountered gradients of up to 20.8°C on dives.     

External devices on penguins: how important is shape?

Many researchers use external recording or transmitting devices to elucidate the marine ecology of fish, mammals and birds. Deleterious effects of these instruments on the parameters researchers wish to measure are hardly ever discussed in the literature. Research has shown that, in penguins, volume and cross-sectional area of instruments negatively correlate with swimming speed. dive depth and breeding success, and that device colour affects bird behaviour. Here, a large (200 g, cross-sectional area 2100 mm²) streamlined device was attached to the lower back of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae on Ardley Island, South Shetland Island in 1992) and its effects on bird swimming speed and energetics were measured in a water canal in Antarctica. Although the device was 10.5% of penguin cross-sectional area, swimming speed was reduced by only 8.3% and mean power input increased by only 5.6% while swimming. Although our streamlined device was five times more voluminous than one of our older units, the effect on swimming energetics could be reduced by 87%.