The influence of acidic mine and spoil drainage on water quality in the mid-Wales area

The many abandoned base metal mines of the mid-Wales ore field are sources of extensive pollution. Some of the mineralised veins contain large amounts of pyrite and marcasite and oxidative weathering of these produces sulphuric acid resulting in very acidic mine drainage waters. In addition, the spoil tips associated with these mines can contain abundant iron sulphides. Drainage waters from these sources have pH values as low as 2.6 and are heavily contaminated with metals such as Al, Zn, Cd and Ni.Two of the main rivers of the area, the Rheidol and Ystwyth, intercept heavily contaminated acidic drainage which has a marked effect on water quality. The Rheidol contains over 100 g L^–1 Zn for 16 km downstream of the acid water influx. This level is over three times the recommended EEC limit for Zn in salmonoid waters of low hardness.     

Low frequency of extra-pair paternity in pied flycatchers revealed by DNA fingerprinting

Summary Genetic parentage of 135 nestlings from 27 broods of polygynous and monogamous pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca was analyzed by means of multilocus DNA fingerprinting. The minisatellite probe alpha-globin 3HVR detected approximately 12 scorable bands per fingerprint, and the proportion of bands shared between presumably unrelated adults averaged 0.22+0.08 SD. The fingerprints of 125 of the 135 nestlings made a complete match to those of their putative parents. In 4 nestlings a single mismatched band occurred, but since band sharing with both putative parents was high, the single mismatches were assumed to be caused by mutation. The 6 remaining nestlings had 5 or more mismatched bands each, low band-sharing proportions with their putative father and high band-sharing proportions with their putative mother. We thus conclude that they were all sired through extra-pair copulations (EPCs). Hence, only 4% of nestlings were sired through EPCs, and none resulted from intraspecific brood parasitism. One of the cuckolding males was identified, explaining all 5 mismatched bands in the nestling's fingerprint. Three of the illegitimate nestlings were from primary nests of polygynous males; 3 were from nests of monogamous males. The fact that many males in this study started to advertise for a second female in a distant territory several days before their first mate began egglaying, and still managed to secure almost exclusive paternity in their first brood, suggests that male polyterritoriality is not costly in terms of lost paternity. Common anti-cuckoddry tactics performed by male birds, like high rate of within-pair copulation and continuous mate-guarding thoughout the female's fertilizable period, do not seem to be important in pied flycatchers.Offprint requests to: J.T. Lifjeld     

Song as an attractant for male and female European starlings,and the influence of song complexity on their response

Summary We tested the hypothesis that song attracts females and repels males in the European starling. We broadcast recorded song from speakers attached to nestboxes, while paired boxes with silent speakers served as controls. As predicted, females were attracted to the song boxes. Contrary to prediction, males were also attracted to the `song' boxes. Singing by male starlings may be costly because it attracts competitors for limited nesting sites, but the cost cannot be avoided due to the need to attract a mate. In a second experiment simple song (composed of 20 different phrase types) and complex song (40 phrase types) were played simultaneously. More males were captured at boxes where simple song was played. Song complexity may function as an indicator of male quality and be used by male starlings to assess potential competitors.     

Antagonism and synergism between lead and zinc in amphibian larvae

Lead and zinc effects on Bufo arenarum larval survival were studied in single and combined treatments. On a weight basis, lead is about twice as toxic as zinc. The antagonism or synergism between these heavy metals is dose-dependent.     

Effect of methyl mercuric chloride treatment on haematological characteristics and erythrocyte morphology of Swiss mice

Effects of methyl mercuric chloride (MMC) on the blood parameters of Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were studied. The mice received an initial dose of MMC (24 mg kg(-1) body wt) as intraperitoneal injection followed by a second similar dose on the 14th day of the first dose administration. Significant (p < or = 0.001) decreases in haemoglobin content, red blood cell (RBC) count and haematocrit value were observed in the MMC injected mice when compared to the control mice. The effect of the second dose was severe, after which no significant recovery in the values of these parameters was observed. The result also showed a high degree of mercury accumulation in the blood of the MMC exposed mice. Interesting features were marked in the erythrocyte morphology of the exposed mice. An initial shrinkage followed by swelling of the cells was observed after each injection. The outline of the exposed cells was irregular with beak like or small finger like projections. Rupturing and disintegration of the erythrocyte membrane, leading to erythrolysis, were also noticed.     

The influence of pH on cadmium toxicity to the green alga Stichococcus bacillaris and on the cadmium forms present in the culture medium

Cadmium toxicity to the green alga Stichococcus bacillaris was investigated in media of pH 3-9. A significant decrease of cadmium toxicity occurred in both the acidic and alkaline ranges of pH. In media of pH 3 and 9, cadmium did not affect the dry mass content substantially. Maximum toxicity of cadmium was noticed at pH 6-7. Voltametric investigations showed a significant effect of pH on electrochemically measured cadmium content in the culture media. Hydrolysis of the medium components and formation of cadmium complexes with OH(-) ions caused a considerable decrease in amounts of electrochemically measured cadmium in the alkaline range of pH.     

钴（Ⅱ）－过氧化氢－苯基荧光酮体系催化光度法测定痕量钴的研究

本文研究了钴（Ⅱ）催化过氧化氢氧化苯基荧光酮的褪色反应，测定了反应级数和表观活化能，建立了测定痕量地的新方法。２５℃时本法检出限为２９×１０－１３ｇ／ｍｌ，线性范围为０．０４～２ｎｇ／１０ｍｌ，催化反应表观活化能为５６．１５ＫＪ／ｍｏｌ。该方法己用于维生素Ｂ１２、人发和茶叶中痕量钴的测定．结果满意，相对标准偏差为２．４～３．４％。     

Air Pollution in Singapore: Its Multielemental Aspect as Measured by Nuclear Analytical Techniques

Aerosol samples were collected in 1994 in Singapore on two occasions: once in June during the normal meteorological conditions and later in October during a long haze period caused by the heavy forest fire in Indonesia. Filtration and impaction collection methods were used simultaneously so that detailed elemental analysis of bulk as well as of different size fractions could be performed. Accelerator based nuclear analytical techniques such as Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE), Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) and Nuclear Microscopy (NM) were used for analysis. These techniques are fast, truly multielemental and perfectly suited for routine analysis of a large number of aerosol samples. Typically all samples were analysed for the following 24 elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb. Detection limits for bulk analysis were generally below ng/m3 and for single particle analysis absolute detectable mass was approximately 10-17 g. Additionally, trace elements such as Cd, Sn, Sb and Ba whose characteristic X-ray lines were normally "obscured" by the lines of other more abundant elements, were detected when analysing by nuclear microscope in single particle mode.Judging by the average concentrations of lead and sulphur which are good indicators of industrial component of air pollution the situation in Singapore is satisfactory. Pb was typically found in concentrations of 5 to 50 ng/m3 and sulphur in concentrations of 1 to 2 µg/m3. These concentrations are well below limits set by the World Health Organisation (1500 ng/m3 and 40 µg/m3, respectively). On the other hand during the haze period the average concentrations of elements like S, K, Ti, V, Mn, Ni, As and Pb were found to be 3 to 6 times higher than usual. Results are presented and discussed.     

Laboratory and Field Assessment of Arsenic Testing Field Kits in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India

High concentrations of arsenic in ground waters in West Bengal and Bangladeshhave become a major cause for concern in recent years. Given the enormity and the severity of the problemof arsenic poisoning, a task of evaluating the commercially available arsenic detection field kits for their capabilities was undertaken. In the light of the findings, generic specificationswere recommended which could form the basis forindigenous manufacture of these kits in the arsenic affected countries. This article presents the results of the laboratory and fieldevaluation conducted in Bangladesh and West Bengalof five arsenic testing field kits. The salient features of the kits, their merits and limitationshave been brought out. Based on the criteria of kitdesign, quality of chemicals used, colourcomparator charts, detection range, time required for analysis, cost etc., a comparative ranking ofthe kits has been made to facilitate the choice of the kit to meet specific requirements.     

Monitoring Air Quality in Mountains: Designing an Effective Network

A quantitatively robust yet parsimonious air-quality monitoring network in mountainous regions requires special attention to relevant spatial and temporal scales of measurement and inference. The design of monitoring networks should focus on the objectives required by public agencies, namely: 1) determine if some threshold has been exceeded (e.g., for regulatory purposes), and 2) identify spatial patterns and temporal trends (e.g., to protect natural resources). A short-term, multi-scale assessment to quantify spatial variability in air quality is a valuable asset in designing a network, in conjunction with an evaluation of existing data and simulation-model output. A recent assessment in Washington state (USA) quantified spatial variability in tropospheric ozone distribution ranging from a single watershed to the western third of the state. Spatial and temporal coherence in ozone exposure modified by predictable elevational relationships ( 1.3 ppbv ozone per 100 m elevation gain) extends from urban areas to the crest of the Cascade Range. This suggests that a sparse network of permanent analyzers is sufficient at all spatial scales, with the option of periodic intensive measurements to validate network design. It is imperative that agencies cooperate in the design of monitoring networks in mountainous regions to optimize data collection and financial efficiencies.