Stable sulfur isotope ratio indicates long-term changes in sulfur deposition in the Broadbalk experiment since 1845

Archived wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and straw, and soil samples from the control plot of the Rothamsted Broadbalk Experiment, located in southeastern England and established in 1843, were used to investigate the effects of dramatically changing SO2 pollution inputs on the concentrations and stable isotope ratios (delta34S) of S in the samples. Representative coal samples from UK major coal fields were also determined for delta34S. Concentrations of S showed no clear trends in either grain or straw over the 155 years from 1845 to 1999. However, grain and straw delta34S decreased rapidly from 6 to 7/1000 in 1845 to -2 to -5/1000 in the early 1970s, and since then have increased to 0.5 to 2/1000 in the late 1990s. This pattern mirrored the trend of UK SO2 emissions over the 155 years. Both grain and straw delta34S correlated strongly and negatively with UK SO2 emissions (R2 > 0.89), but the relationships were different for the pre- and post-1970 data sets. Soil delta34S also decreased considerably, from 8.2/1000 in 1865 to 3.7 to 4.5/1000 during 1965-1999. A negative delta34S value was inferred for the anthropogenic S deposited at the experimental site before 1970, and further confirmed by negative delta34S values (-6 to -10/1000) found in the coal samples from southeastern England and southern Wales. Based on the S isotope ratios, we estimated that anthropogenic S contributed 62 to 78% of the S uptake by wheat at the peak of SO2 emissions, and accounted for 28 to 37% of the topsoil S in 1965.     

Screening of wood rotting fungi potentially useful for the degradation of organic pollutants

Many papers have shown that white rot fungi can degrade aromatic pollutants under laboratory conditions, but few report field scale trials. Here we report the first steps in the development of a remediation system for Greek conditions. A review of the available organochlorine compound pollution information in Greece is presented. White rot fungi isolated from sites in Greece have been screened for growth rate and ligninolytic activity, using decolourisation of the dye Poly R-478 as an indicator of enzyme activity. Use of white rot fungi under field conditions in Greece will require bioaugmentation to be effective at high temperatures and low water activity for much of the year. The most potent strains have been selected under a range of conditions and have been challenged with priority pollutants to determine their degradative ability under laboratory conditions and subsequently ex situ in soil.     

Mollusc feeding guilds on sandy beaches in São Paulo State,Brazil

The feeding guilds of four communities of molluscs living in the intertidal zone of Enseada in Caraguatatuba Bay and Barra Velha and Araçá beaches along the São Sebastião Channel were identified. Three-letter codes were assigned to each feeding guild, identifying the feeding habit, mobility patterns related to feeding, and food-capturing structures. Data were obtained from qualitative analyses of the digestive tract contents and from observations on the feeding behaviour of the gastropod Olivella minuta and the bivalves Tagelus plebeius, Macoma constricta, Tellina lineata, and T. versicolor. These data were complemented by published information on the feeding of congeneric or confamilial species. Six feeding guilds were identified. The SDS (suspension-feeder, discreetly motile, inhalant siphon and ctenidia) and DDS (deposit-feeder, discreetly motile, inhalant siphon and ctenidia) groups were more abundant. Suspension-feeding bivalves showed higher Trophic Importance Index (TI) values in all the study areas. Deposit-feeders showed high TI values only at Barra Velha beach. The species in the SDS feeding guild tended to occur in areas with lower salinity and moderately to well-sorted sediments with very fine sand predominating. The distribution of the feeding guilds correlated best with salinity, particle size distribution, and the contents of silt-clay and organic matter in the sediment.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

The effects of compost prepared from waste material of banana plants on the nutrient contents of banana leaves

In this study, the possible utilization of removed shoots and plant parts of banana as compost after fruit harvest were investigated. Three doses (15-30-45 kg plan(-1)) of the compost prepared from the clone of Dwarf Cavendish banana were compared with Farmyard manure (50 kg plant(-1), Mineral fertilizers (180 g N + 150 g P + 335 g K plant(-1)) and Farmyard manure + Mineral fertilizers (25 kg FM + 180 g N + 150 g P + 335 g K plant(-1)) which determined positive effects on the nutrient contents of banana leaves. The banana plants were grown under a heated glasshouse and in a soil with physical and chemical properties suitable for banana growing. The contents of N, P, K and Mg in compost and in farmyard manure were found to be similar. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of leaves in all applications except control, and Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu contents in all applications were determined between optimum levels of reference values. There were positive correlations among some nutrient contents of leaves, growth, yield and fruit quality characteristics. Farmyard manure, Farmyard manure + Mineral fertilizers and 45 kg plant(-1) of compost increased the nutrient contents of banana leaves. According to obtained results, 45 kg plant(-1) of compost was determined more suitable in terms of economical production and organic farming than the other fertiliser types.     

Uncertainty analysis of predicted disturbance from off-road vehicular traffic in complex landscapes at fort hood

The US Army Engineering Research Development Center (ERDC) uses a modified form of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to estimate spatially explicit rates of soil erosion by water across military training facilities. One modification involves the RUSLE support practice factor (P factor), which is used to account for the effect of disturbance by human activities on erosion rates. Since disturbance from off-road military vehicular traffic moving through complex landscapes varies spatially, a spatially explicit nonlinear regression model (disturbance model) is used to predict the distribution of P factor values across a training facility. This research analyzes the uncertainty in this model's disturbance predictions for the Fort Hood training facility in order to determine both the spatial distribution of prediction uncertainty and the contribution of different error sources to that uncertainty. This analysis shows that a three-category vegetation map used by the disturbance model was the greatest source of prediction uncertainty, especially for the map categories shrub and tree. In areas mapped as grass, modeling error (uncertainty associated with the model parameter estimates) was the largest uncertainty source. These results indicate that the use of a high-quality vegetation map that is periodically updated to reflect current vegetation distributions, would produce the greatest reductions in disturbance prediction uncertainty.     

LONG-TERM EQUILIBRIUM PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS IN THE EVERGLADES AS PREDICTED BY A VOLLENWEIDER-TYPE MODEL1

ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic phosphorus loading, mainly from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), is believed to be the primary cause of eutrophication in the Everglades. The state of Florida has adopted a plan for addressing Everglades eutrophication problems by reducing anthropogenic phosphorus loads through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in agricultural watersheds and the construction of stormwater treatment areas (STAs). Optimizing the effectiveness of these STAs for reducing phosphorus concentrations from agricultural runoff is a critical component of the District's comprehensive Everglades protection effort. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a simple tool that can be used to estimate STAs’performance and evaluate management alternatives considered in the Everglades restoration efforts. The model was tested at two south Florida wetland sites and then was used to simulate several management alternatives and predict ecosystem responses to reduced external phosphorus (P) loadings. Good agreement between model predictions at the two wetland sites and actual observations indicated that the model can be used as a management tool to predict wetlands’response to reductions in external phosphorus load and long-term P levels in aquatic ecosystems. Model results showed that lowering P content of the Everglades Protection Area (EPA) depends on reducing P loads originating from EAA discharges, not from rainfall. Assuming no action is taken (e.g., no BMPs or STAs implemented), the steady state model predicted that the average concentration within the modeled area of the marsh would reach 20 μg L^?1 within five years. With an 85 percent reduction in P loading, the steady-state model predicted that Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA-2A) P concentration will equilibrate at approximately 10 μ L^?1, while elimination of all loadings is projected to further reduce marsh P to values less than 10 μg L^?1.     

Oil Funding and International Financial Arrangements

The traditional source of funds for exploration and development of petroleum resources has been privately-owned petroleum companies. However, many of these same companies have recently borrowed heavily to finance their acquisitions of other petroleum companies. This may limit the ability of those companies to finance future exploration and development efforts, particularly in developing countries. Special financial arrangements may be needed if the funds required are to be available. The form of such arrangements is discussed, and emphasis is placed on the need to reconcile the differing needs of borrowers and lenders.     

The Impact of NTFP Sales on Rural Households’ Cash Income in India’s Dry Deciduous Forest

In recent years, researchers and policy makers have recognized that nontimber forest products (NTFPs) extracted from forests by rural people can make a significant contribution to their well-being and to the local economy. This study presents and discusses data that describe the contribution of NTFPs to cash income in the dry deciduous forests of Orissa and Jharkhand, India. In its focus on cash income, this study sheds light on how the sale of NTFPs and products that use NTFPs as inputs contribute to the rural economy. From analysis of a unique data set that was collected over the course of a year, the study finds that the contribution of NTFPs to cash income varies across ecological settings, seasons, income level, and caste. Such variation should inform where and when to apply NTFP forest access and management policies.     

The Ecological and Environmental Characteristics and Conservation of the Wetlands in the Changjiang Estuary, China

The natural wetlands in the Changjiang Estuary, China are important ecologically. The total area of the wetlands in the Changjiang Estuary amounts to 215000 ha. The wetlands consist of littoral and sandy estuarine island areas, and are rich in biological resources. There are 136 species of vascular plant, 150 species of bird, and 68 species of benthic macro-invertebrate in the wetlands. However, the wetland in the Changjiang Estuary is a vulnerable ecosystem. Development of the wetland is mainly influenced by intensive human reclamation, pollution, movement of sediments in the Changjiang River, and the effects of tides and waves. Investigations have shown that maintaining biodiversity, providing resources for the living organisms, purifying environments and resisting natural hazards could be regarded as important functions for the protection of the wetlands. It is proposed that sustainable principles should be supported in developing the wetlands in the future.     

夹层电缆引发火灾的实验研究

模拟现代建筑夹层中贮藏大量未加金属导管防护的电线电缆所引发的火灾效应.在一个全尺寸燃烧套房模型中进行了起火室和顶棚夹层空间电缆火灾的实验研究,并采用大涡模拟的方法对实验中烟气速度场进行了数值模拟.结果表明,加明火源可以加强电缆的火灾功率;通风状况对夹层电缆火灾的温度场、烟气遮光度和火灾功率有明显影响.电缆燃烧产物中主要毒性气体为CO.电缆在夹层燃烧时,CO和CO2浓度均高于目标室和起火室中的浓度.而夹层毒气最为集中,其CO浓度远远超出OSHA和IDLH标准.电缆在夹层燃烧时发生火灾的危险性较大.