Effects of water depth and litter accumulation on morpho-ecological adaptations of Eleocharis sphacelata

The morpho-ecological adaptations of Eleocharis sphacelata in response to water depth and the sequential effects of resultant differences in deep water conditions on the long term population dynamics were investigated based on the observations carried out in three stable homogeneous populations in Goulburn and Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia from August 2003 to May 2005. The deep water populations attained a higher harvestable shoot biomass and a lower rhizome biomass with increased growth in root structure thus significantly enhancing the nutrient uptake rates leading to a higher accumulation of shoot bound macronutrients. However, the accretion of excessive amounts of autogenous shoot litter coupled with slower decomposition rates under anaerobic conditions in the two deep water populations led to higher nutrient enrichment in sediments and overlying water column causing subsequent eutrophication with signs of growth inhibition including typical stress symptoms like stunted growth and chlorotic shoots. The shallow water population that intermittently experienced alternative inundation-drawdown pattern depicted an unaffected continuation of seasonal growth affirming that strict water regime management practices coupled with timely mowing or the removal of accumulating litter are necessary to ensure long-term survival of healthy E. sphacelata stands when it is used in applications where deep water conditions prevail.     

Residual Cadmium and Lead Pollution at a Former Soviet Military Airfield in Tartu, Estonia

This paper presents data on the levels and dynamics of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration in the plants, soil, and groundwater of the landing corridor and airfield of a former Soviet military air base in Estonia, immediately at the end of its 40-year service in 1992 and over the following 8 yr. In 1991–92 we found high Cd concentrations in the meadow plants Trifolium pratense and Dactylis glomerata (up to 56 mg kg^-1). In 1993, the Cd concentration had dropped to 0.12–0.19 mg kg^-1, and stabilized in 1997–2000 at 0.04 mg kg^-1. Cd concentration in plants decreased significantly with increasing distance from the landing strip. Elevated Cd concentration (0.012 mg L^-1) was found in the fuel of the TU-22M (Backfire) strategic bombers. In 1991 and 1993, leaded fuel influenced the mean Pb concentration in plants (1.8–4.2 mg kg^-1). Average Pb concentration in both topsoil and the 30–40 cm soil horizon decreased between 1991 and 2000 from 28 to 6.5 and from 13.5 to 4.3 mg kg^-1, respectively. Cd concentration in the topsoil of the landingcorridor showed a significant increase between 1991 and 1993 (0.07–0.3 and 0.3–1.2 mg kg^-1, respectively), but stabilized later on the level of 0.04 mg kg^-1. The concentrations of both Pb and Cd in the soil were higher closer to the fuel bunkers. Current assessment of the movement of these metals from the vegetation to the soil and to groundwater is linked to potential leaching to the surrounding environment.     

Synchrotron micro-scale measurement of metal distributions in Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia root tissue from an urban brownfield site

Liberty State Park in New Jersey,USA,is a "brownfield" site containing various levels of contaminants.To investigate metal uptake and distributions in plants on the brownfield site,Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia were collected in Liberty State Park during the growing season(May–September)in 2011 at two sites with the high and low metal loads,respectively.The objective of this study was to understand the metal(Fe,Mn,Cu,Pb and Zn)concentration and spatial distributions in P.australis and T.latifolia root systems with micro-meter scale resolution using synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence(μXRF)and synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography(μCMT)techniques.The root structure measurement by synchrotron μCMT showed that high X-ray attenuation substance appeared in the epidermis.Synchrotron μXRF measurement showed that metal concentrations and distributions in the root cross-section between epidermis and vascular tissue were statistically different.Significant correlations were found between metals(Cu,Mn,Pb and Zn)and Fe in the epidermis,implying that metals were scavenged by Fe oxides.The results from this study suggest that the expression of metal transport and accumulation within the root systems may be element specific.The information derived from this study can improve our current knowledge of the wetland plant ecological function in brownfield remediation.     

Influence of an oblique path of staircase descent on toe placement and foot clearance

During their commute, pedestrians encounter a variety of staircase designs. One such design is the oblique staircase that allows pedestrians to descend at an angle. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of an oblique path of descent on heel and toe clearance, and toe placement on a step. Sixteen participants descended a staircase on an angled path at three angles: 0° (perpendicular), 25°, and 45°. Toe placement and foot clearances were compared between the descent angles and feet. An increase in descent angle demonstrated increased clearance of the heel apex compared with straight descent; however, the aspect of the foot closest to the stair changes in angled descent, moving from the apex to the side of the heel. A greater portion of the foot was placed on the stair tread during angled descent. Future work should address the influence of angled descent on fall risk.     

Development of Emission Factors for Polyamide Processing

ABSTRACT

Emission factors for selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate material were developed during processing of commercial grades of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and polyamide 66/6 resins. A small commercial-type extruder was used, and melt temperatures ranged from 475 to 550 °F. An emission factor was calculated for each substance measured and is reported as pounds released to the atmosphere per million pounds of polymer resin processed. Scaled to production volumes, these emission factors can be used by processors to estimate emission quantities from similar polyamide extrusion operations.     

Consumer-resource body-size relationships in natural food webs

It has been suggested that differences in body size between consumer and resource species may have important implications for interaction strengths, population dynamics, and eventually food web structure, function, and evolution. Still, the general distribution of consumer-'resource body-size ratios in real ecosystems, and whether they vary systematically among habitats or broad taxonomic groups, is poorly understood. Using a unique global database on consumer and resource body sizes, we show that the mean body-size ratios of aquatic herbivorous and detritivorous consumers are several orders of magnitude larger than those of carnivorous predators. Carnivorous predator-prey body-size ratios vary across different habitats and predator and prey types (invertebrates, ectotherm, and endotherm vertebrates). Predator-prey body-size ratios are on average significantly higher (1) in freshwater habitats than in marine or terrestrial habitats, (2) for vertebrate than for invertebrate predators, and (3) for invertebrate than for ectotherm vertebrate prey. If recent studies that relate body-size ratios to interaction strengths are general, our results suggest that mean consumer-resource interaction strengths may vary systematically across different habitat categories and consumer types.