Speciation of organotin compounds in sediments of semi-closed areas along the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria

Organotin compounds were measured in sediments of four different semi-closed areas of the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria: the Eastern Harbour, Western Harbour, El-Max Bay, and Abu-Qir Bay. Due to the commercial trade activity inside the Western Harbour, in addition to the effect of wastes discharged from El Noubaria canal, it shows the highest concentrations of total tin (6.34 μg g^-1 dry weight), dibutyl tin (1.63 μg g^-1 wet weight), tributyl tin (0.33 μg g^-1 wet weight) and diphenyl tin (1.06 μg g^-1 wet weight) compared with other locations. The concentrations of TBT species showed the highest contents compared with DBT and DPhT compounds in all sampling areas. This trend might be due to the worldwide use of TBT not only as biocides in antifouling paints but also as preserving agents for wood, fungicides in agricultural activities, and heat and UV stabilizers of PVC, which results in a direct release of TBT into the water body, accumulation in aquatic fauna. There is also precipitation into sediments and a decrease in degradation rate into its derivatives. Variations, types, concentrations, and distribution of different organotin compounds are discussed in the areas under investigation. The study reveals a new record of organotin compounds along the Alexandria coast and makes comparisons with other surrounding areas of interest.     

Differences in responses of herpetobionts and geobionts to impact from the Kosogorsky Metallurgical Plant (Tula region,Russia)

The influence of the Kosogorsky Metallurgical Plant (KMP; Tula region, Russia) on the abundance and biodiversity of carabid beetles and soil macrofauna and on the trophic activity of soil biota was studied. Metal concentrations in the impact plot were many times higher than those in the control plot located on the same transect. As the transect approached KMP, both the abundance of soil invertebrates (geobionts) and trophic activity of the soil biota remained unchanged, whereas the abundance and diversity of carabids (herpetobionts) decreased drastically. It is suggested that the impact of the KMP on herpetobionts is accounted for by modification of the structure of ecosystems and that herpetobiontic and geobiontic groups of the macrofauna respond differently to this impact because of differences in the ecological mechanisms of population response.     

The Reproductive Capacity of Plants in a Gradient of Chemical Environmental Pollution

The reproductive capacity of Taraxacum officinale s.l. (two morphological forms: T. off. f. dahlstedtii Lindb. fil. and T. off. f. pectinatiforme Lindb. fil.) under conditions of chemical environmental pollution was studied in years differing in weather conditions. The number of generative shoots in plants increased along the toxic load gradient, which led to an increase in the total number of seeds and the weight of filled seeds. The relative energy value of seeds was determined from the amount of plastic substances in them. The number of seeds was shown to increase at a considerably higher rate than the energy expenditures for the formation of each seed. A general principle was revealed that determines the energy expenditures for the formation of a normal seed in both T. officinale forms under different weather conditions and under the chemical pollution of the environment.     

Impact of intensive market gardening on the nutrient status of hydromorphic soil in the Ojo area of Lagos metropolis,Nigeria

Summary This study evaluates the impact of intensive market gardening on the nutrient status of hydromorphic soil in the Ojo area of Lagos metropolis. Following 15–20 years of continuous market gardening, the organic matter content of the 0–10 cm layer of the hydromorphic soil has been reduced to 75 percent of the level found in a swamp forest soil used as a control. The extent of the organic matter decline in the cultivated soil is slight compared with the degree of organic matter diminution in well-drained soil used for shifting or continuous cultivation. This is due to the low degree of humus mineralisation in water-logged soil and the application of organic manure.In spite of regular application of both organic and inorganic fertilisers, the levels of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium are lower in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm layers of the intensively cultivated hydromorphic soil used for market gardening than in the swamp forest control areas. The mean level of extractable manganese is lower in the 10–20 cm layer of the cultivated soil. These differences are due to nutrient immobilisation and removal in harvested vegetables, and to nutrient loss from the market gardening plots through erosion. There is, however, a build-up of available phosphorus in the surface layer of the market garden soil due to the application of inorganic phosphate fertilisers.The levels of mineral nutrients in the surface layers of the cultivated soil are within the optimal ranges for most arable crops, suggesting that the soil is not impoverished. This is due to the judicious application of both organic and inorganic fertilisers, and is indicative of the fact that hydromorphic soils can support continuous cultivation under proper management.Dr A.O. Aweto is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography, and Mr G.M. Ogurie was until recently a geography student in the same department.     

Reckless denudation of forest wealth in India

Summary It has been shown in recent surveys, that in India there is an upward trend in the area of open forest, which has grown from 10.06 million ha to 26.32 million ha in a few years. But the closed forests of India have registered a fall from 36.02 million ha to around 33 million ha. The latter fact is both significant and disturbing. It proves that in spite of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, the process of degeneration of forests, in India, constantly continues. It is obvious that a part of the open forests must have come from closed forests due to the reckless denudation of forests, carried out in the name of development. A massive afforestation/reforestation programme is desired to achieve the target of one third of the geographical area of the country to be under forest cover for proper ecological balance. India has to develop a sound National Forest Policy to meet the requirements of the country, to produce industrial wood, for forest based industries, defence, communication and other public purposes, and small timbers fuel wood and fodder for the rural community. In this context the decision taken by the Control Board of Forestry in December, 1987, is quite encouraging. It was resolved that the extraction of wood from the forests would be stopped and the country's need for timber and fuelwood would be met by importing wood and by means of farm forestry. The reconstitution of the National Wasteland Development Board and the planting target of 5 million ha p.a. are other positive steps in this direction. Extensive research is needed for a better and new approach to social and commercial forestry.Dr Om Prasad, the senior author, is a biologist in the Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad. He is responsible for developing a number of Environmental Biology Courses at graduate and post-graduate level. Besides being actively engaged in research on the adverse toxilogical effects of a number of commonly used food additives, he supports environmental protection activities including the provision of guidance to the Students Nature Club which is affiliated to WWF-India.Dr Pawan Kumar, after teaching for seven years in the Department of Forestry at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Bihar, recently joined the Department of Environment of the Government of India where he is in charge of a number of environmental projects. Dr O.N. Pandey is a specialist in Forestry teaching at Birsa Agricultural University, India.