Importance of atmospherically deposited nitrogen to the annual nitrogen budget of the Neuse River estuary,North Carolina

Wet deposition of nitrogen, as NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), and organic N, contributes up to 50% of the total externally supplied or 'new' N flux to the Neuse River Estuary (North Carolina). Excessive nitrogen (N) loading to N-sensitive waters such as the Neuse River Estuary has been linked to changes in microbial and algal community composition and function (harmful algal blooms), hypoxia/anoxia, and fish kills. In a 4-year study from July 1996 to July 2000, the weekly wet deposition of NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), and dissolved organic N was calculated, based on concentration and precipitation measurements, at 11 sites on a northwest-southeast transect in the watershed. Data from this period indicate that the annual mean total wet atmospherically deposited (AD)-N flux was 11 kg ha(-1) year(-1). Deposition was fairly evenly distributed between nitrate, ammonium, and organics (32%, 32%, and 36%, respectively). Seasonally, the summer (June-August) months contained the highest weekly wet total N deposition; this trend was not driven by precipitation amount. Estimates of watershed N retention and in-stream riverine processing revealed that the AD-N flux contributed an estimated 20% (range of 15-51%) of the total 'new' N flux to the estuary, with direct deposition of N to the estuary surface accounting for 6% of the total 'new' N flux. This study did not measure the dry depositional flux, which may double the contribution of AD-N to the estuary. The AD-N is an important source of 'new' N to the Neuse River Estuary as well as other estuarine and coastal ecosystems downwind of major emission sources. As such, AD-N should be included in effective nutrient mitigation and management efforts for these N-sensitive waters.     

Behaviour of damselfly larvae (Enallagma cyathigerum) (Insecta, Odonata) after long-term exposure to PFOS

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminant that has been detected in organisms worldwide. Here, we evaluate whether long-term (1 and 4 months) exposure to PFOS contamination affects the behavioural performance of freshwater larvae of the damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum (Insecta: Odonata). Our results show reduced behavioural performance with increasing PFOS concentration. In 1 month exposed larvae, no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) were 100 μg/L for general activity. In 4 months exposed larvae, NOECs were 10 μg/L, for each behavioural trait, except swimming acceleration of male larvae where the NOEC was 100 μg/L. When faced with PFOS concentrations above the NOEC, E. cyathigerum larvae were less active, less capable to escape a simulated predator attack and less efficient in foraging. Together, our results show that damselfly larvae suffer reduced survival-related behavioural performance.     

The Anthropocene: From Global Change to Planetary Stewardship

Over the past century, the total material wealth of humanity has been enhanced. However, in the twenty-first century, we face scarcity in critical resources, the degradation of ecosystem services, and the erosion of the planet's capability to absorb our wastes. Equity issues remain stubbornly difficult to solve. This situation is novel in its speed, its global scale and its threat to the resilience of the Earth System. The advent of the Anthropence, the time interval in which human activities now rival global geophysical processes, suggests that we need to fundamentally alter our relationship with the planet we inhabit. Many approaches could be adopted, ranging from geoengineering solutions that purposefully manipulate parts of the Earth System to becoming active stewards of our own life support system. The Anthropocene is a reminder that the Holocene, during which complex human societies have developed, has been a stable, accommodating environment and is the only state of the Earth System that we know for sure can support contemporary society. The need to achieve effective planetary stewardship is urgent. As we go further into the Anthropocene, we risk driving the Earth System onto a trajectory toward more hostile states from which we cannot easily return.     

Recovery of Soil Water,Groundwater, and Streamwater From Acidification at the Swedish Integrated Monitoring Catchments

Recovery from anthropogenic acidification in streams and lakes is well documented across the northern hemisphere. In this study, we use 1996–2009 data from the four Swedish Integrated Monitoring catchments to evaluate how the declining sulfur deposition has affected sulfate, pH, acid neutralizing capacity, ionic strength, aluminum, and dissolved organic carbon in soil water, groundwater and runoff. Differences in recovery rates between catchments, between recharge and discharge areas and between soil water and groundwater are assessed. At the IM sites, atmospheric deposition is the main human impact. The chemical trends were weakly correlated to the sulfur deposition decline. Other factors, such as marine influence and catchment features, seem to be as important. Except for pH and DOC, soil water and groundwater showed similar trends. Discharge areas acted as buffers, dampening the trends in streamwater. Further monitoring and modeling of these hydraulically active sites should be encouraged.     

A multi-year study following BACI design reveals no short-term impact of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bti</Emphasis> on chironomids (Diptera) in a floodplain in Eastern Austria

Short-term impacts of aerial application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) on Culicidae and Chironomidae were investigated over several years in temporary waters of the Dyje and Morava floodplains in Eastern Austria. The sampling followed a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach with sampling dates immediately before and shortly after the application and was repeated for 3 years. To test for effects of the Bti treatment on the two Diptera families, linear mixed-effects models were used. Data analysis included the factors Before-After and Control-Impact as fixed effects, while general temporal and spatial variables were random effects. One hundred sixteen taxa of chironomids were identified. Abundance varied between 2 and 1125 larvae per m², while culicid densities reached values of several 100 ind. per liter. Total culicid abundance significantly decreased after the Bti treatment, whereas no significant effects were found on the abundance of total chironomids and dominant chironomid subfamilies, tribes, and genera, on relative proportions of chironomid feeding guilds, diversity, and species composition. Further studies from this area are needed to extend the investigation over a period of several weeks in order to reveal possible delayed effects of the larvicide application.     

Prototyping a Vision for Inter-Agency Terrestrial Inventory and Monitoring: a Statistical Perspective

A demonstration project in Oregon examined the feasibility of combining Federal environmental monitoring surveys. An integrated approach should remove duplication of effort and reduce the possibility of providing apparently conflicting information to policy makers and the public. Data collection teams made photo interpretation measurements and on-site soil/vegetation/animal observations at locations that were selected from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA), National Forest System (NFS) Region 6, and National Resource Inventory (NRI) surveys in a six-county area in Northern Oregon. The project demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a combined FIA/NFS/NRI survey and suggests an approach that will preserve the utility of the critical historical information from these surveys. We suggest a framework for estimating the extent of forest and range land that explains FIA/NRI differences and provides a common basis for both surveys. We suggest indicator and protocol criteria that will allow consistent national and regional estimates over all vegetation types, and stress the importance of including measurement repeatability in the design of the combined survey.     

When does nitrate become a risk for humans?

Is nitrate harmful to humans? Are the current limits for nitrate concentration in drinking water justified by science? There is substantial disagreement among scientists over the interpretation of evidence on the issue. There are two main health issues: the linkage between nitrate and (i) infant methaemoglobinaemia, also known as blue baby syndrome, and (ii) cancers of the digestive tract. The evidence for nitrate as a cause of these serious diseases remains controversial. On one hand there is evidence that shows there is no clear association between nitrate in drinking water and the two main health issues with which it has been linked, and there is even evidence emerging of a possible benefit of nitrate in cardiovascular health. There is also evidence of nitrate intake giving protection against infections such as gastroenteritis. Some scientists suggest that there is sufficient evidence for increasing the permitted concentration of nitrate in drinking water without increasing risks to human health. However, subgroups within a population may be more susceptible than others to the adverse health effects of nitrate. Moreover, individuals with increased rates of endogenous formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds are likely to be susceptible to the development of cancers in the digestive system. Given the lack of consensus, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive, independent study to determine whether the current nitrate limit for drinking water is scientifically justified or whether it could safely be raised.     

Method for determination of methane potentials of solid organic waste

A laboratory procedure is described for measuring methane potentials of organic solid waste. Triplicate reactors with 10 grams of volatile solids were incubated at 55 degrees C with 400 ml of inoculum from a thermophilic biogas plant and the methane production was followed over a 50-day period by regular measurements of methane on a gas chromatograph. The procedure involves blanks as well as cellulose controls. Methane potentials have been measured for source-separated organic household waste and for individual waste materials. The procedure has been evaluated regarding practicality, workload, detection limit, repeatability and reproducibility as well as quality control procedures. For the source-separated organic household waste a methane potential of 495 ml CH4/g VS was found. For fat and oil a lag-phase of several days was seen. The protein sample was clearly inhibited and the maximal methane potential was therefore not achieved. For paper bags, starch and glucose 63, 84 and 94% of the theoretical methane potential was achieved respectively. A detection limit of 72.5 ml CH4/g VS was calculated from the results. This is acceptable, since the methane potential of the tested waste materials was in the range of 200-500 ml CH4/g VS. The determination of methane potentials is a biological method subject to relatively large variation due to the use of non-standardized inoculum and waste heterogeneity. Therefore, procedures for addressing repeatability and reproducibility are suggested.     

Transport of phosphate through artificial macropores during film and pulse flow

Flow through artificial macropores may occur as a water film along the macropore walls (film flow) or as moving water segments separated by air bubbles (pulse flow). To investigate the effect of macropore flow pattern (i.e., film and pulse flow) on the interaction of solutes with macropore walls, we studied orthophosphate (P) transport and sorption in artificial macropores. The experimental setup consisted of a column (height = 20 cm, diameter = 20 cm) homogenously packed with glass beads and fitted at outflow with a vertical artificial macropore placed below the column. The artificial macropore consisted of ceramic tubes (3 or 8 mm i.d.; 31.5 cm long) coated on the inside with iron oxide serving as phosphate sorbents. An orthophosphate solution containing 0.04 mg P L(-1) was applied at a rate of 9 to 12 mm h(-1) to the column, eventually causing macropore flow. In the 8-mm-i.d. tubes only film flow occurred. Pulse flow was dominating in the 3-mm-i.d. tubes. Generally, the flow patterns were reproducible and seldom did pulse flow replaced film flow or vice versa. During film flow, a significantly larger decrease in macropore P concentration per tube was observed relative to that with pulse flow events. However, pulse and film flow lead to almost the same amounts of P sorbed per unit surface area when exposed to the same solute P concentration. Comparison with P sorption capacity experiments indicated that the sorption rate, rather than the sorption capacity, controls the amount of sorbed P during macropore flow in the studied system.