Ecological impacts of the N-viro biosolids land-application for wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium. Ait) production in Nova Scotia

Land application of biosolids from processed sewage sludge may deteriorate soil, water, and plants. We investigated the impact of the N-Viro biosolids land-application on the quality of the soil water that moved through Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzols soil of Nova Scotia (NS) at the Wild Blueberry Research Institute, Debert, NS Canada. In addition, the response of major soilproperties and crop yield was also studied. Wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium. Ait) was grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions in 2008 and 2009. Four experimental treatments including (i) NI: N-Viro irrigated, (ii) NR: N-Viro rainfed, (iii) FI: inorganic fertilizer irrigated, and (iv) FR: inorganic fertilizer rainfed (control) were replicated 4 times under randomized complete block design. Soil samples were collected at the end of each year and analyzed for changes in cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM), and pH.Soil water samples were collected four times during the study period from the suction cup lysimeters installed within and below crop root zone at 20 and 40 cm depths, respectively. The samples were analyzed for a range of water quality parameters including conductance, hardness, pH, macro- and micronutrients, and the infectious pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli) and salmonella. Berries were harvested for fruit yield estimates. Irrigation significantly increased CEC during 2008 and the soil pH decreased from 4.93 (2008) to 4.79 (2009). There were significant influences of irrigation, fertilizer, and their interaction, in some cases, on most of the soil water quality parameters except on the infectious bacteria. No presence of E. coli or salmonella were observed in soil and water samples, reflecting the absence of these bacteria in biosolids used in this experiment. Nutrient concentration in the soil water samples collected from the four treatments were higher in the sequence NI > NR > FI > FR. The irrigation treatment had significant effect on the unripe fruit yield. We conclude that the comparable performance of N-Viro biosolids and the increasing prices of inorganic fertilizers would compel farmers to use economically available N-Viro biosolids that, coupled with the supplemental irrigation, did not deteriorate the studied soil properties, soil water quality, and the wild blueberry yield during this experiment.     

Experimental Studies of the Conditions of Exposure to Carcinogens for Lung Cancer Induction

A method is described for the experimental induction of lung cancer. Syrian golden hamsters, receiving repeated intratracheal administrations of benzo[a]pyrene in particulate form carried by an inert dust, develop a high incidence of bronchogenic carcinoma. The conditions of exposure to the carcinogen, involving penetration and retention of carcinogen particles in lung tissues with the dust, are of prime imvortance in the determination of the results. Instillations of the same carcinogen in other media did not induce lung tumors. The relative importance of the identification of carcinogenic materials in air pollution and of the conditions of exposure in the origin of lung cancer is discussed.     

Capital and Operating Costs of Selected Air Pollution Control Systems-III

Pollution control systems will normally require some auxiliary equipment to capture and carry the gas stream to the control device. In general, this auxiliary equipment will consist of a hood or similar device to isolate and collect the pollutant-laden gas, ductwork to convey the gas stream to the control device, and dampers to control and modulate the flow. In this article, the equipment cost of canopy hoods, ducting, and dampers will be considered, together with their effect on the size, cost, and operation of the control device.     

Introduction to project MIDTAL: its methods and samples from Arcachon Bay, France

Microalgae worldwide regularly cause harmful effects, considered from the human perspective, in that they cause health problems and economic damage to fisheries and tourism. Cyanobacteria cause similar problems in freshwaters. These episodes encompass a broad range of phenomena collectively referred to as “harmful algal blooms” (HABs). For adequate management of these phenomena, monitoring of microalgae is required. However, effective monitoring is time-consuming because cell morphology as determined by light microscopy may be insufficient to give definitive species and toxin attribution. In the European Union FP7 project MIDTAL (Microarrays for the Detection of Toxic Algae), we achieved rapid species identification using rRNA genes as the target. These regions can be targeted for probe design to recognise species or even strains. We also included antibody reactions to specific toxins produced by these microalgae because, even when cell numbers are low, toxins can be present and can accumulate in the shellfish. Microarrays are the state-of-the-art technology in molecular biology for the processing of bulk samples for detection of target RNA/DNA sequences. After 36 months, we have completed RNA-cell number–signal intensity calibration curves for 18 HAB species and the analysis of monthly field samples from five locations from year 1. Results from one location, Arcachon Bay (France), are reported here and compared favourably with cell counts in most cases. In general, the microarray was more sensitive than the cell counts, and this is likely a reflection in the difference in water volume analysed with the volume filtered for the microarray an order of magnitude greater.     

Studies of the effects of temperatures and solar radiation on volatilization,mineralization and binding of 14c‐DDT in soil under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The effects of temperatures and solar radiation on the dissipation of ¹⁴C‐p,p'‐DDT from a loam soil was studied by quantifying volatilization, mineralization and binding. The major DDT loss occurred by volatilization, which was 1.8 times more at 45^oC than at ambient temperature (30°C). Mineralization of DDT slowly increased with time but it decreased slightly with increase in temperature. Binding of DDT to soil was found to be less at higher temperatures (35 and 45°C) as compared to ambient temperature. Degradation of DDT to DDE was faster at higher temperatures.

Exposure of non‐sterilized and sterilized soils treated with ¹⁴C‐DDT to sunlight in quartz and dark tubes for 6 weeks resulted in significant losses. Volatilization and mineralization in quartz tubes were more as compared to dark tubes. The volatilized organics from the quartz tubes contained larger amounts of p,p'‐DDE than the dark tubes. Further, higher rates of volatilization were found in non‐sterilized soils than in sterilized soils. The results suggest that faster dissipation of DDT from soil under local conditions relates predominantly to increased volatilization as influenced by high temperature and intense solar radiation.     

Reproductive performance and organochlorine pollutants in an Antarctic marine top predator: the south polar skua

Despite low levels of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) in Antarctic biota, some compounds may exceed the levels in equivalent Arctic species, and previous studies have found biochemical evidence of pollutant exposure in south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki), a common marine top predator in the region. In this study we examined relationships between fitness components (fecundity and adult return rate between breeding seasons) and concentrations of OCs in this species. In 65 nests, both males and females were caught, and using principal component analyses (PCA) we produced composite measurements (PC1 and PC2) of six highly correlated OCs measured in blood samples. Although the concentrations of OC were below those documented to have reproductive effects in other aquatic birds, we found that the eggs of females with high levels of OCs in the blood hatched later, and their chicks were in poorer condition at hatching, than females with low OC levels. Thus OCs may delay reproduction and reduce foetal growth in the skuas. However, there was no relationship between the parents' OC residues and the occurrence of non-viable eggs, although the proportion of nests containing non-viable eggs was high (47%). Moreover, there were no significant relationships between OCs and reproductive variables in males, even if males had higher OC levels than females, and no associations between OCs and adult return rate between breeding seasons.     

Determination of indoor radon and soil radioactivity levels in Giresun, Turkey

Indoor radon survey and gamma activity measurements in soil samples were carried out in the Giresun province (Northeastern Turkey). The result of analysis of variance showed a relationship between indoor radon and radium content in soil (R(2)=0.54). It was found that indoor radon activity concentration ranged from 52 to 360 Bq m(-3) with an average value of 130 Bq m(-3). A model built by BEIR VI was used to predict the number of lung cancer deaths due to indoor radon exposure. It was found that indoor radon is responsible for 8% of all lung cancer deaths occurring in this province. (137)Cs activity concentration was measured 21 years after the Chernobyl accident. The results showed that (137)Cs activity concentration ranged from 41 to 1304 Bq kg(-1) with an average value of 307 Bq kg(-1). The indoor radon results and the geology of the studied area were discussed. Annual effective doses to the both radionuclides of natural origin and (137)Cs were estimated.     

Uptake and distribution of natural radioactivity in wheat plants from soil

The uptake of naturally occurring uranium, thorium, radium and potassium by wheat plant from two morphologically different soils of India was studied under natural field conditions. The soil to wheat grain transfer factors (TF) were calculated and observed to be in the range of 4.0 x 10(-4) to 2.1 x 10(-3) for 238U, 6.0 x 10(-3) to 2.4 x 10(-2) for 232Th, 9.0 x 10(-3) to 1.6 x 10(-2) for 226Ra and 0.14-3.1 for 40K. Observed ratios (OR) of radionuclides with respect to calcium have been calculated to explain nearly comparable TF values in spite of differences in soil concentration of the different fields. They also give an idea about the discrimination exhibited by the plant in uptake of essential and nonessential elements. The availability of calcium and potassium in soil for uptake affects the uranium, thorium and radium content of the plant. The other soil factors such as illite clays of alluvial soil which trap potassium in its crystal lattice and phosphates which form insoluble compounds with thorium are seen to reduce their availability to plants. A major percentage (54-75%) of total 238U, 232Th and 226Ra activity in the plant is concentrated in the roots and only about 1-2% was distributed in the grains, whereas about 57% of 40K activity accumulated in the shoots and 16% in the grains. The intake of radionuclides by consumption of wheat grains from the fields studied contributes a small fraction to the total annual ingestion dose received by man due to naturally existing radioactivity in the environment.