Effects of symbiont elimination and reinfection on the life processes of the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides sacculifer

Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the influence of symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) on the shell growth, longevity, and reproductive potential of Globigerinoides sacculifer (Brady). Its symbionts were eliminated by 72-h treatment with a photosynthetic inhibitor (DCMU). Symbiont elimination resulted in earlier gametogenesis (shortened survival time) and smaller shell sizes of G. sacculifer when compared to untreated foraminifera grown in sea water. Individuals kept in continuous darkness in untreated sea water also exhibited early gametogenesis, short survival times and small shell sizes. Aposymbiotic foraminifera formed on the average one or two chambers fewer per individual and their rate of shell size increase is slower than symbiont-bearing foraminifera. Symbionts were lysed within perialgal vacuoles of G. sacculifer when subjected to DCMU treatment or kept in continuous darkness. One DCMU-treated group was reinfected with symbionts from crushed G. sacculifer donors. Soon after reinfection, these foraminifera resumed a shell growth rate and exhibited developmental stages that were nearly equivalent to those of untreated individuals, as deduced from their shell size, frequency of sac-like chambers, rate of gametogenesis, and survival time. Our experiments indicate that the symbionts aid in calcification and that elimination of symbionts triggers gametogenesis, thus shortening the life span of the foraminiferal host. The results imply that shell growth in symbiont-bearing planktonic foraminifera occurs mainly in the euphotic zone and that they do not survive for long periods below it.     

Caloric values of some North Atlantic invertebrates

Nineteen marine species were analyzed for caloric value; 7 of these were analysed for seasonal trends. Variation in caloric value for the polychaetesNephtys incisa andLumbrineris fragilis was not related to season.Pandalus montagui (decapod shrimp),Leptocheirus pinguis (gammarid amphipod),Astarte undata, Arctica islandica (pelecypods) had summer maxima.Meganyctiphanes norvegica (krill) had more complex seasonal changes involving winter and summer maxima.     

Cadmium accumulation and metallothionein synthesis in freshwater bivalves (Pyganodon grandis): relative influence of the metal exposure gradient versus limnological variability

The relative influence of limnological confounding factors on cadmium (Cd) bioaccumulation and metallothionein (MT) synthesis was quantified in natural populations of freshwater bivalves (Pyganodon grandis) living in lakes along a Cd concentration gradient. During the ice-free period, we measured 15 environmental variables in the water compartment and determined total concentrations of Cd and MT in the gills of bivalves at 37 littoral stations in 20 lakes distributed across the mining area of Rouyn-Noranda in northwestern Quebec. A multiple linear regression model including pH (+), dissolved Ca concentrations (-) and free Cd2+ concentrations at the sediment-water interface (+) explained 74% of the variability in Cd concentrations in the bivalve gills. Dissolved Ca (-) and free Cd2+ (+) together explained 62% of the variation in MT concentrations in the bivalve gills. Partial linear regression analyses indicated that the limnological factors' pure and shared effects together accounted for 48 and 45% of the total variation in Cd and MT concentrations in the gills, respectively. A lake selection procedure that could be applied in monitoring programs is proposed to minimise the relative influence of these confounding variables.     

Adsorption of natural organic matter from waters by iron coated pumice

Natural pumice particles were used as granular support media and coated with iron oxides to investigate their adsorptive natural organic matter (NOM) removal from waters. The impacts of natural pumice source, particle size fraction, pumice dose, pumice surface chemistry and specific surface area, and NOM source on the ultimate extent and rate of NOM removal were studied. All adsorption isotherm experiments were conducted employing the variable-dose completely mixed batch reactor bottle-point method. Iron oxide coating overwhelmed the surface electrical properties of the underlying pumice particles. Surface areas as high as 20.6m(2)g(-1) were achieved after iron coating of pumice samples, which are above than those of iron coated sand samples reported in the literature. For all particle size fractions, iron coating of natural pumices significantly increased their NOM uptakes both on an adsorbent mass- and surface area-basis. The smallest size fractions (<63 microm) of coated pumices generally exhibited the highest NOM uptakes. A strong linear correlation between the iron contents of coated pumices and their Freundlich affinity parameters (K(F)) indicated that the enhanced NOM uptake is due to iron oxides bound on pumice surfaces. Iron oxide coated pumice surfaces preferentially removed high UV-absorbing fractions of NOM, with UV absorbance reductions up to 90%. Control experiments indicated that iron oxide species bound on pumice surfaces are stable, and potential iron release to the solution is not a concern at pH values of typical natural waters. Based on high NOM adsorption capacities, iron oxide coated pumice may be a promising novel adsorbent in removing NOM from waters. Furthermore, due to preferential removal of high UV-absorbing NOM fractions, iron oxide coated pumice may also be effective in controlling the formation of disinfection by-products in drinking water treatment.     

Future climate scenarios and rainfall--runoff modelling in the Upper Gallego catchment (Spain)

Global climate change may have large impacts on water supplies, drought or flood frequencies and magnitudes in local and regional hydrologic systems. Water authorities therefore rely on computer models for quantitative impact prediction. In this study we present kernel-based learning machine river flow models for the Upper Gallego catchment of the Ebro basin. Different learning machines were calibrated using daily gauge data. The models posed two major challenges: (1) estimation of the rainfall-runoff transfer function from the available time series is complicated by anthropogenic regulation and mountainous terrain and (2) the river flow model is weak when only climate data are used, but additional antecedent flow data seemed to lead to delayed peak flow estimation. These types of models, together with the presented downscaled climate scenarios, can be used for climate change impact assessment in the Gallego, which is important for the future management of the system.     

Changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in jundiá Rhamdia quelen due to sub-lethal toxicity of cypermethrin

Jundiá (Rhamdia quelen, Quoy and Gaimard), a South American teleostean fish, was exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of cypermethrin (30% and 45% of the 48-h LC(50) value of 0.265 ppm) for 2, 4 or 8 days. Serum biochemical and hematological values and behavioral changes were studied. The 30% LC(50), 0.08 ppm, produced significant increases in Mg(2+), P, K(+), creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and reduction in total proteins and triglycerides in serum. The 45% LC(50), 0.12 ppm, produced significant increase in Na(+), Mg(2+), P, K(+), creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, and alkaline phosphatase, and reduction in triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase levels in serum. At this concentration, the fish showed behavior changes such as hyper-excitability, asphyxia, and widening of mouth and operculum. The hematological values remained normal, except for hemoglobin concentrations and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, which increased with exposure to 0.08 ppm and 0.12 ppm cypermethrin. Results of the present work show that biochemical analysis of serum can be useful to detect incipient cypermethrin intoxication of the shoal.     

Effect of CeO2 and Al2O3 on the activity of Pd/Co_3O_4/cordierite catalyst in the three-way catalysis reactions (CO/NO/CnHm)

The present article studies the effect of CeO₂ and Al₂O₃ on the activity of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst in conversion of NO, CO, C_nH_m. The catalysts were characterized by temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that the effect of CeO₂ on the properties of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst depends on preparation method. The catalyst obtained by co-deposition of cerium and cobalt oxides has higher activity in CO oxidation (CO + O₂ and CO + NO) and total hexane oxidation (C₆H₁₄ + O₂). Such phenomenon is probably caused by more than stoichiometric amount of formed oxygen vacancies, an increase in both mobility of surface oxygen and dispersity of components in the catalytic composition. It is demonstrated that CeO₂ addition promotes the SO₂ resistance of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite. The second support decreases the activity of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst in the reactions of CO and C₆H₁₄ with oxygen because of CoAl₂O₄ formation.     

Assessment of environmental changes in the Orinoco River delta

Major anthropogenic driven changes in the hydrologic and sedimentation patterns of the Orinoco River have had an impact on environmental conditions in the delta. The abrupt water flow reduction from 3,600 to 200 m³ s^–1 in one of its major distributaries resulting from dam construction forced its transformation from a fresh-water body into a tidal channel with an increase in salinity level (as far as 100 km upstream) and with well-mixed water at the mouth and estuarine connection to the Paria Gulf. Three different sectors along this distributary can be identified (indicated by the Na/Cl ratio in the water). As a result, noticeable changes have occurred in the mangrove community which moved about 60 km further upstream. The changes have also promoted the formation of new islands of sediment progradation at the mouth of this distributary, where successional colonization and species replacement by different species of grasses and mangroves take place. Electronic Publication     

Biochemical biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after short-term exposure to diesel oil, pure biodiesel and biodiesel blends

Fossil fuels such as diesel are being gradually replaced by biodiesel, a renewable energy source, cheaper and less polluting. However, little is known about the toxic effects of this new energy source on aquatic organisms. Thus, we evaluated biochemical biomarkers related to oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after two and seven exposure days to diesel and pure biodiesel (B100) and blends B5 and B20 at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 mL L⁻¹. The hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity was highly induced in all groups, except for those animals exposed to B100. There was an increase in lipid peroxidation in liver and gills in the group exposed to the higher concentration of B5. All treatments caused a significant increase in the levels of 1-hydroxypyrene excreted in the bile after 2 and 7 d, except for those fish exposed to B100. The hepatic glutathione-S-transferase increased after 7 d in animals exposed to the higher concentration of diesel and in the gill of fish exposed to the higher concentration of pure diesel and B5, but decreased for the two tested concentrations of B100. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase also presented significant changes according to the treatments for all groups, including B100. Biodiesel B20 in the conditions tested had fewer adverse effects than diesel and B5 for the Nile tilapia, and can be suggested as a less harmful fuel in substitution to diesel. However, even B100 could activate biochemical responses in fish, at the experimental conditions tested, indicating that this fuel can also represent a risk to the aquatic biota.