pH dependence of copper adsorption in vineyard soils of Geneva

Copper adsorption by vineyard soils of the Geneva canton was evaluated by batch equilibration experiments in a pH range from 4 to 6. The adsorption curves fit significantly to Freundlich function log q = n log C + log K_f, where q is adsorbed Cu concentration on the solid phase and C is solution Cu concentration at the end of the equilibration time. Moreover, we found that Freundlich parameters n and log K_f are moderately correlated to pH, yielding the following equations: log K_f = 0.23 pH + 0.51 (R ² 0.59) and n = –0.12 pH + 1.06 (R ² 0.59). Such equations may be useful to predict Cu mobility for risk assessment studies.     

Dental microwear in relation to changes in the direction of mastication during the evolution of Myodonta (Rodentia,Mammalia)

Observations of dental microwear are used to analyse the correlation between changes in molar tooth crown morphology and the direction of masticatory movement during the evolution of Myodonta (Rodentia, Mammalia). The studied sample includes 36 specimens representing both superfamilies of Myodonta (Muroidea and Dipodoidea) spanning 16 dipodoid and 9 muroid species. Microscopic scratches on occlusal surfaces resulting from contact between opposite teeth during mastication are analysed. Using these features, we determine the direction of masticatory movements. Microwear patterns display diverse orientations among Dipodoidea: oblique in Sicistinae, Euchoreutinae and Zapodinae, propalinal in Dipodinae and intermediary in Allactaginae. Similarly, Muroidea exhibit the following orientations: oblique in Cricetinae and propalinal in Arvicolinae, Cricetomyinae, Gerbillinae and Murinae. These various chewing types illustrate different evolutionary grades within the superfamilies. Acquisition of the antero-posterior masticatory movement in Dipodoidea is related to flattening of the molar occlusal surface. However, in some muroid subfamilies, this direction of mastication is associated with low-crowned and cuspidate molars (Cricetomyinae, Murinae).