Levels of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- -dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) in adipose tissue of U.S. Vietnam veterans seeking medical assistance

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- -dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) was detected in an earlier study in adipose tissue of U.S. veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The levels appear to be directly related to the intensity of exposure¹. We now report on a group of thirteen Vietnam veterans who were screened for 2,3,7,8-TCDD in adipose tissue. All the veterans had sought medical assistance and some had health effects that may be ascribed to exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Also included are control patients who were taken from the population of the U.S. 2,3,7,8-TCDD was detected in most of the adipose tissue samples at levels ranging from 2 to 14 ppt. No significant differences in the tissue levels of Vietnam veterans and the other persons were found in this preliminary study.     

Reproductive isolation between populations from Northern and Central Europe of the leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica L.

Summary. Allopatric populations of the leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica are known to feed upon either willow (Salicaceae) or birch (Betulaceae). This study aimed to elucidate the differentiation process of these allopatric populations. We investigated whether these allopatric populations specialized on different host plants are still able to produce fertile offspring when interbreeding. Individuals from a population in Finland (willow specialists) and one in the Czech Republic (birch specialists) were crossed in laboratory. Hybrid formation succeeded only between females from the Czech, birch specialized population and males from the Finnish, willow specialized population, while no eggs were produced by females of the willow specialists having mated males of the birch specialists. Behavioral, morphological, physiological, and chemical features of the F₁ hybrids were studied. The chemical composition of larval defensive secretion and feeding preferences of the resulting F₁ hybrids mainly showed similarities with the paternal phenotype, while the area of black coloring on the offspring’s elytra was intermediate between those of the parental elytra. F₁ hybrids did not accept the host plant (birch) of their mothers for feeding and only survived on willow. Thus, since mothers only lay eggs on birch, we found evidence for a postzygotic isolation mechanism between the individuals of the two investigated populations: when having been mated with willow specialized Finnish males, the birch specialized Czech mothers place the hybrid eggs on a plant species (birch), on which the hatching larvae cannot survive.     

Applying artificial neural network methodology to ocean color remote sensing

Artificial neural networks (ANN) are widely used as continuous models to fit non-linear transfer functions. In this study we used ANN to retrieve chlorophyll pigments in the near-surface of oceans from Ocean Color measurements. This bio-optical inversion is established by analyzing concomitant sun-light spectral reflectances over the ocean surface and pigment concentration. The relationships are complex, non-linear, and their biological nature implies a significant variability. Moreover, the sun-light reflectances are usually measured by satellite radiometers flying at 800 km over the ocean surface, which affect the data by adding radiometric noise and atmospheric correction errors. By comparison with the polynomial fit usually employed to treat this problem, we show the advantages of neural function approximation like the association of non-linear complexity and noise filtering.     

The hyporheic zone: Linking groundwater and surface water—understanding the paradigm

The hyporheic zone, the transition region between groundwater and surface water, represents an important interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. When groundwater combines with surface water in this zone, the characteristics of each are blended and new gradients are established, especially for contaminants. Therefore, the hyporheic zone is important in considering the “big ecological picture” as the hydrologic continuum connecting groundwater and surface water. The importance is reflected by the current focus of this zone in ecological risk assessments conducted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), and Clean Water Act (CWA) programs. A variety of tools can be used to measure, analyze, and predict the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur within the hyporheic zone. Directly measuring the flux of water across the interface between groundwater and surface water determines whether surface water enters the streambed at downwelling zones or groundwater discharges from the streambed in upwelling zones. In addition to direct measurements of the flux of water, several states have developed models to characterize the interaction of groundwater and surface water. The variability in physical and chemical characteristics between upwelling and downwelling zones influences the local ecology within the zone. The study of the species within the hyporheic zone includes ecological surveys and ecotoxicological investigations. The evolving study of the hyporheic zone will necessitate an increase in basic research into hydraulic considerations, an identification of regional representative sites with contaminated hyporheic zones, and a better understanding of the ecology of the species within the zone. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A respirometric method to measure mineralization of polymeric materials in a matured compost environment

A respirometric method was developed to measure the mineralization of polymeric materials in a matured compost environment. For the purpose of evaluating the method, results obtained for the mineralization of glucose and cellulose are presented. The matured compost, in addition to supplied nutrients, micronutrients, and an inoculum, serves as the matrix which supports the microbial activity. Recovery of the substrate carbon in the form of carbon dioxide from the glucose and cellulose added to test vessels was 68 and 70%, respectively. A statistical evaluation of the results obtained on substrate mineralization was carried out and showed acceptable reproducibility between replicate test vessels and test runs. The testing protocol developed has the following important characteristics: (1) the test reactors are maintained at 53 °C at a high solids loading (60% moisture), which has certain characteristics that are similar to a thermophilic compost environment; (2) the test matrix providing microbial activity is derived from readily available organic materials to facilitate reproducibility of the method in different laboratories; (3) the equipment required to perform this test is relatively inexpensive; and (4) the information obtained on polymer mineralization is vital to the study and development of biodegradable polymeric materials.Guest Editor: Dr. Graham Swift, Rohm & Haas.