Estimation of methane emission rate changes using age-defined waste in a landfill site

Long term methane emissions from landfill sites are often predicted by first-order decay (FOD) models, in which the default coefficients of the methane generation potential and the methane generation rate given by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are usually used. However, previous studies have demonstrated the large uncertainty in these coefficients because they are derived from a calibration procedure under ideal steady-state conditions, not actual landfill site conditions. In this study, the coefficients in the FOD model were estimated by a new approach to predict more precise long term methane generation by considering region-specific conditions. In the new approach, age-defined waste samples, which had been under the actual landfill site conditions, were collected in Hokkaido, Japan (in cold region), and the time series data on the age-defined waste sample’s methane generation potential was used to estimate the coefficients in the FOD model. The degradation coefficients were 0.050 1/y and 0.062 1/y for paper and food waste, and the methane generation potentials were 214.4 mL/g-wet waste and 126.7 mL/g-wet waste for paper and food waste, respectively. These coefficients were compared with the default coefficients given by the IPCC. Although the degradation coefficient for food waste was smaller than the default value, the other coefficients were within the range of the default coefficients. With these new coefficients to calculate methane generation, the long term methane emissions from the landfill site was estimated at 1.35 × 10⁴ m³-CH₄, which corresponds to approximately 2.53% of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the city (5.34 × 10⁵ t-CO₂/y).     

Mandibular morphogenesis during soldier differentiation in the damp-wood termite<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hodotermopsis sjoestedti</Emphasis> (Isoptera: Termopsidae)

The conspicuous morphogenesis during termite soldier differentiation is one of the most remarkable examples of specialized caste development in social insects. To clarify the mechanism of morphological changes during soldier differentiation, mandibular morphogenesis prior to the presoldier moult was examined in the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjoestedti. Using experimental induction of presoldier differentiation from pseudergates (7th or later instar larvae) by the application of juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), we compared mandibular morphogenesis in a presoldier moult (from pseudergate to presoldier) with that of a stationary moult (from pseudergate to pseudergate). Future presoldier mandibles were formed under the old mandibular cuticle of the pseudergates just prior to the presoldier moult. Multiple folds of both epidermis and new cuticle were observed in the developing mandible, and large concavities between teeth were formed on the mandibular surface. While in the stationary moult, the future mandibles were formed with a smooth surface. The process of the mandibular morphogenesis in soldier differentiation explains the allometry of soldier mandibles. The morphological differences in mouth parts between castes arise from a switching mechanism that triggers caste-specific mandibular epithelial growth during development.     

Genome size of termites (Insecta, Dictyoptera, Isoptera) and wood roaches (Insecta, Dictyoptera, Cryptocercidae)

The evolution of genome size has been discussed in relation to the evolution of various biological traits. In the present study, the genome sizes of 22 dictyopteran species were estimated by Feulgen image analysis densitometry and 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-based flow cytometry. The haploid genome sizes (C-values) of termites (Isoptera) ranged from 0.58 to 1.90 pg, and those of Cryptocercus wood roaches (Cryptocercidae) were 1.16 to 1.32 pg. Compared to known values of other cockroaches (Blattaria) and mantids (Mantodea), these values are low. A relatively small genome size appears to be a (syn)apomorphy of Isoptera + Cryptocercus, together with their sociality. In some phylogenetic groups, genome size evolution is thought to be influenced by selective pressure on a particular trait, such as cell size or rate of development. The present results raise the possibility that genome size is influenced by selective pressures on traits associated with the evolution of sociality.     

Chemical and bioassay monitoring of PCB-contaminated soil remediation using solvent extraction technology

Illegal dumping of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) capacitors was discovered in Kobe, Japan, in 2001, leaving about 68 m(3) (92 tons) of soil contaminated with approximately 6.6 kg of PCBs. Solvent extraction technology carried out in 2002-2003 using isopropyl alcohol remedied the affected soil at the site. Forty-seven batch treatments were conducted during full-scale treatment. On average, 8.4 extraction cycles per batch were needed to achieve the clean-up goal for PCBs (i.e., the Japanese environmental quality standard for soil). Analytical results showed that the average PCB concentration (88 microg g(-1)-dry soil) in untreated soil samples of all the batches was decreased to 1.2 microg g(-1)-dry soil in treated soil samples, yielding a removal efficiency of 98.6%. Dioxin responsive-chemical activated luciferase gene expression assay (DR-CALUX) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) adopting a monoclonal antibody against 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB #118) were used to rapidly screen soil samples before and after solvent extraction. The DR-CALUX and ELISA results were in good agreement with World Health Organization toxicity equivalent values and analytically determined PCB concentrations, respectively. Regular monitoring during the treatment period confirmed that the applied technology met Japanese environmental and control regulations concerning treatment and disposal of contaminated soils and treatment residues. After full-scale treatment, the amount of PCBs recovered from the solvent purification system approximated the estimated amount of PCBs spilled.     

Biodegradation and sorption of nodularin (NOD) in fine-grained sediments

Nodularin (NOD) is a cyclic pentapeptide hepatotoxin produced by the bloom forming cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena. The fate of the toxin in the aquatic environment has not been fully evaluated. In the current study the changes in NOD concentration caused by biodegradation and sorption in samples from the Baltic were studied. Seawater of various salinities (0, 4, 8 and 12 PSU) and three forms of fine-grained sediment (sterile wet sediment, non-sterile wet sediment, and combusted sterile sediment) were incubated with 34.7 μg of NOD. The toxin was seen to be highly stable both in sterile and non-sterile seawater. During the 21-day experiment NOD concentrations in solutions overlying the combusted sediment and the sterile wet sediment were reduced to 12.5 ± 2.6% and 59.8 ± 2.4% of the initial value. The greatest loss of the toxin (up to 100%) was observed in the non-sterile seawater incubated with non-sterile wet sediment. These results indicate an important role of benthic microbial community in nodularin removal. Two biodegradation products with similar spectral characteristics to NOD were detected; one of which was identified as Adda amino acid.     

Female sex pheromone and male behavioral responses of the bombycid moth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trilocha varians</Emphasis>: comparison with those of the domesticated silkmoth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombyx mori</Emphasis>

Analysis of female sex pheromone components and subsequent field trap experiments demonstrated that the bombycid moth Trilocha varians uses a mixture of (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienal (bombykal) and (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienyl acetate (bombykyl acetate) as a sex pheromone. Both of these components are derivatives of (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), the sex pheromone of the domesticated silkmoth Bombyx mori. This finding prompted us to compare the antennal and behavioral responses of T. varians and B. mori to bombykol, bombykal, and bombykyl acetate in detail. The antennae of T. varians males responded to bombykal and bombykyl acetate but not to bombykol, and males were attracted only when lures contained both bombykal and bombykyl acetate. In contrast, the antennae of B. mori males responded to all the three components. Behavioral analysis showed that B. mori males responded to neither bombykal nor bombykyl acetate. Meanwhile, the wing fluttering response of B. mori males to bombykol was strongly inhibited by bombykal and bombykyl acetate, thereby indicating that bombykal and bombykyl acetate act as behavioral antagonists for B. mori males. T. varians would serve as a reference species for B. mori in future investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of sex pheromone communication systems in bombycid moths.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls in preserved human umbilical cords

Congener-specific PCB analyses were carried out on preserved umbilical cord samples. Total PCB concentrations were higher in the umbilical cords of subjects born in the 1960s and 70s than in those born more recently. Total PCB concentrations in the cords from 3 groups of siblings showed no linear relationships between birth order and total PCB concentration. The congener and homologue compositions of PCBs in the umbilical cords of one group of siblings were similar to those of commercial PCB products.     

Detailed analysis of PCBs and PCDD/Fs impurities in a dielectric oil sample （ASKAREL Nr 1740） from an imported transformer in China

Homolog and congener profiles of polychlori- nated biphenyls （PCBs）, polychlorinated dibenzo-p- dioxins （PCDDs） and polychlorinated dibenzofurans （PCDFs） in commercial PCBs formulations are useful information for the source appointment of PCBs contam- ination as well as the risk assessment caused by potential exposure. Dielectric oil （ASKAREL Nr 1740） in an imported transformer found in China was sampled and analyzed by isotope dilution technology using high resolution gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry （HRGC/HRMS）. The detailed homolog and congener profiles of PCBs obtained were compared with those of known Aroclor formulations. High similarity in the homolog profile between the oil sample and Aroclor 1260was found, with the hexachlorinated and hepta- chlorinated biphenyls accounting for more than 80.2% of the total PCBs concentration. Severn indicator PCBs contribute about 30%, while 12 PCB congeners （i.e., # 153, #143, #168, #180, #149, #165, #138, #170, #190, #187, #174, #181） account for more than 50% of the total PCB concentrations. Total concentration ofPCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs （DL-PCBs） was found to be 740 ng TEQ/g, of which 620 ng TEQ/g came from DL-PCBs. The contribution of PCDDs to the total TEQ was neglectable. The concentration of PCDFs homologs follows the order of OCDF 〉 HxCDFs 〉 HpCDFs 〉 PeCDFs 〉 TeCDFs, which is in consistence with the previous study on Aroclor 1260. Three DL-PCBs congeners （i.e., #118, #156, #157） accounted for 77% of the total concentration of DL-PCBs, also they contribute 72% in the TEQ caused by DL-PCBs.