Biology and mating behavior of Xylocopa virginica L. (Hymenoptera,Anthophoridae)

Summary The biology and behavior of Xylocopa virginica L. were followed in the area of Athens, Georgia (USA) from August 1973 until September 1974. Several nests were X-rayed regularly during the developmental period of the bees, and information about the life cycle and development was obtained. The bees emerge in June and stay in their nests with their sibs throughout the summer, fall, and winter, leaving only occasionally on warm days to search for nectar as food. In March and April males defend nest-side territories and mate with most females. The males die in the late spring and the females dig nests, provision them, and rear up to 8 or 9 bees in each nest. Many females live 2 years, and often 2 to 3 females are present in each nest, but only 1 works and lays eggs. Emergence of adults from pupae is nearly synchronized, irrespective of age.     

Medical aspects of volcanic disasters: An outline of the hazards and emergency response measures

The health and safety hazards posed by volcanic eruptions are outlined with special reference to experience gained from the eruptions of Mount St. Helens in 1980. The ability of volcanologists to predict the timing and the impact on local communities of an impending eruption are limited, some recent devastating eruptions having occurred without apparent warning. With the expansion of world populations into hazardous volcanic areas there is a growing need to develop appropriate emergency response measures. This paper describes the main preventive public and occupational health measures that are now a necessary part in dealing with volcanic emergencies.     

Clinical confirmation of trichothecene mycotoxicosis in patient urine

The investigations of four Cases involving mold-contaminated buildings and human reaction to exposure, documents tests of extracted urine containing trichothecene mycotoxins confirming exposure and the diagnosis of mycotoxicosis in humans. In each of four Cases, the urine demonstrated antibiotic activity, sulfuric acid charring, and protein release. Urine was extracted using ethyl acetate 40V/60V[EA]. Extracted mycotoxin spotted on (TLC) displayed color and a range of (rf) between 0.2-0.6 using various solvents. Extract was re-suspended using 50% ethanol V/V to inject mycotoxins into weanling female Sprague-Dawley rats. Degeneration and necrosis of the rat's tissue followed. Koch's Postulates conditions were fulfilled by isolation of the causative agent, the trichothecene mycotoxins and the reproduction of disease. Examination of human tissue within the urine extraction group confirms Koch's Postulates and comparative pathology confirms inhalation Mycotoxicosis, with severe necrosis of the central nervous system and severe scarring within the lungs. Extraction of mycotoxins from human patient urine is a very useful confirmatory test to demonstrate exposure and identify mycotoxicosis. Low concentrations (6%) of sodium hypochlorite were ineffective against the activity of trichothecene mycotoxin. The severity or stages of disease directly correlates the level of exposure or poisoning (Patent Pending).     

Phosphorus and nitrogen runoff from a forested watershed fertilized with biosolids

Municipal biosolids are typically not used on the steepest of forested slopes in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The primary concern in using biosolids on steep slopes is movement of biosolids particles and soluble nutrients to surface waters during runoff events. We examined the pattern and extent of P and N runoff from a perennial stream draining a small, forested 21.4-ha watershed in western Washington before and after biosolids application. In this study, we applied biosolids at a rate of 13.5 Mg ha(-1) (700 kg N ha(-1) and 500 kg P ha(-1)) to 40% of the watershed following nearly 1.5 years of pre-application water sampling and 1.5 years thereafter. There was no evidence of direct runoff of P or N from biosolids into surface water. Elevated surface water discharge did not change the concentration of PO4-P, biologically available phosphorus (BAP), bioavailable particulate phosphorus (BPP), or total P nor did it affect the concentration-discharge relationship. Some instances of total P concentrations exceeding the USEPA surface water standard of 0.1 mg L(-1) were observed following biosolids application. However, total P in 27 Creek was predominately in particulate form and not labile, suggesting that detritus moving into the main creek channel and ephemeral drainage courses may be the principal P source. Ammonium N concentrations in runoff water were consistent before and after biosolids application, ranging from below detection limits (0.01 mg L(-1)) to 0.1 mg L(-1); no concentration-discharge relationship existed. Biosolids application changed the 27 Creek concentration-discharge relationship for NO3(-)-N. Before application, no relationship existed. Beginning nine months after biosolids application, increases in discharge were positively related to increases in NO3(-)-N concentrations. Nitrate concentrations in runoff following biosolids application were approximately 10 times less than the USEPA drinking water standard of 10 mg L(-1).     

The Europeanisation of local environmental politics: Bathing water pollution in south-west England

The influence of European environmental policy is transforming more than just the way that environmental protection is organised and implemented in the UK. The nature of environmental politics is also changing dramatically. The paper examines the implementation of the Bathing Waters Directive in the South West of England to illustrate how Europeanisation opens up new scope and spaces for political action. The legal standards laid down in directives such as the Bathing Waters Directive provide an authoritative yardstick which environmental pressure groups can use to exert pressure at the local as well as the national level. In turn, Europe becomes increasingly viewed in the UK as the moral arbiter of what counts as 'pollution'.     

PROBLEM OF NONPOINT SOURCE AGRICULTURAL WATER POLLUTION: TOWARD A HYPOTHETICAL FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION1

ABSTRACT: A conceptual framework of politics is set forth in relation to the federal environmental legislative process. This framework for analysis is then related to a hypothetical public problem -ground water pollution from agricultural chemicals. The public problem from the perspective of political analysis is found to involve several different types of difficult issues with which the legislative process must deal if legislation is to be enacted.     

Does improved waste treatment have demonstrable biological benefits?

Since 1972, 10 benthic surveys and 9 static fish bioassays have been conducted to assess the impact of AVTEX Fibers, Inc. effluent on the lower South Fork of the Shenandoah River. AVTEX (formerly FMC Corp.) is a rayon and polyester fibers plant located in Front Royal, Virginia. Benthic samples were taken at four stations, one above and three below the plant discharges. Single surveys in 1972 and 1973 indicated a severe impact on the benthic community along the right side of the river, below the plant, as a result of the channelized effluent. Diversity values (¯d) were low (0–2.42) and numbers of taxa and organisms were reduced. A fish bioassay in 1973 indicated the effluent to be acutely toxic at the 34.5% level (mixture of effluent and river water). In early 1974, FMC Corp. constructed an activated sludge treatment system to reduce BOD and supplement the neutralization and chemical precipitation (zinc hydroxide and liquid-solid separation) facilities that had been used to treat waste waters since 1948. After the new equipment was placed in operation, the previously stressed area became more stable. In 1975 and 1976 the stressed area exhibited greater ¯d values (1.19–3.39) and an increased number of taxa and organisms. Bioassays showed the effluent to be acutely toxic to fish only once since 1973. The major improvements in the effluent were a 70% reduction in BOD₅ and a 60% reduction in the amount of zinc entering the river. Community conditions in 1977 indicated a partial remission of improvement, probably due to drought conditions.The rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems is a process important to all biologists. An important factor in encouraging industry to participate in this activity is evidence that improved waste treatment will often have demonstrable biological benefits rather soon. As data accumulate on the recovery process it may be possible to predict the degree of rehabilitation and time required more precisely.     

GRADUATE EDUCATION IN WATER RESOURCES: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH1

ABSTRACT: The production of videotape as a product of a water resources seminar is an innovative approach to graduate education. The research effort required builds upon the traditional graduate seminar approach. The videotape production requires research effort to be focused into a coherent body of information which may be widely disseminated and effectively communicates information to the public. The use of outside speakers and field trips blends very well into the preparation of a videotape. The requriement to present the many sides of a complex water resource issue in a fair and equitable manner requires maturity and professional capability on the part of the students. The research effort requires the students to meet their professional obligation to present an objective, factual, and accurate statement of the issues studies.     

Preferences for alternative risk management policies at the United States major nuclear weapons legacy sites

A survey of 1351 people who lived within 50 miles of one of six US Department of Energy nuclear weapon sites showed that the vast majority of residents prefer strong public health surveillance and land use controls. The sample was stratified so that the same number of responses was obtained at each site. The strongest correlates of wanting the DOE to restrict on-site activities and maintain and expand its surveillance programs were worries about DOE activities on the site, as well as how those activities could damage the off-site environment. Notably, the exceptions, that is, those who demanded less from the DOE and were not particularly worried about the DOE's activities, tended to live near the site, many worked there or knew people who did, and had high socio-economic status, and trusted the DOE. The findings are mostly, but not entirely, consistent with expectations drawn from the risk perception and organizational trust literatures. The challenge is how to establish a stewardship program that represents a consensus among state and local government, community advisory boards and the public that remediation can go on at the same time that some waste is managed on-site until suitable technologies can be safely deployed, which at some sites means 100 years or in perpetuity.