A correlation study between multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes incidences and geochemical data in Europe

Complex multifactorial disorders usually arise in individuals genetically at risk in the presence of permissive environmental factors. For many of these diseases, predisposing gene variants are partly known while the identification of the environmental component is much more difficult. This study aims to investigate whether there are correlations between the incidence of two complex traits, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, and some chemical elements and compounds present in soils and stream sediments in Europe. Data were obtained from the published literature and analyzed by calculating the mean values of each element and of disease incidence for each Country, respectively, 17 for multiple sclerosis and 21 for type 1 diabetes. Correlation matrices and regression analyses were used in order to compare incidence data and geochemical data. R correlation index and significance were evaluated. The analyses performed in this study have revealed significant positive correlations between barium and sodium oxide on one hand and multiple sclerosis and diabetes incidences on the other hand that may suggest interactions to be evaluated between silicon-rich lithologies and/or marine environments. The negative correlations shown by cobalt, chromium and nickel (typical of silicon-poor environment), which in this case can be interpreted as protective effects against the two diseases onset, make the split between favorable and protective environments even more obvious. In conclusion, if other studies will confirm the involvement of the above elements and compounds in the etiology of these pathologies, then it will be possible to plan strategies to reduce the spread of these serious pandemics.     

Evaluation of flow injection analysis method with spectrophotometric detection for the determination of atrazine in soil extracts

A method for determining atrazine in soil extracts was evaluated by flow injection analysis with spectrophotometric detection. The method is based on the reaction of atrazine with pyridine in an acid medium followed by the reaction with NaOH and sulfanilic acid. Several analytical conditions were previously studied and optimized. Under the best conditions of analysis, the limits of detection and quantification were 0.15 and 0.45 mg L^?1, respectively, for a linear response between 0.50 and 2.50 mg L^?1, and a sampling throughput of 21 determinations per hour. Using the standard addition method, the maximum relative standard deviation of 17% and recovery values between 80 and 100% were observed for three extracts from soil samples with different composition. The proposed method is simple, low-cost and easy to use, and can be employed for studies involving atrazine in soil samples or for screening of atrazine in soils.     

Governing water in federal river basins

Regional Environmental Change -     

Comparing ecosystem engineering efficiency of two plant species with contrasting growth strategies

Many ecosystems are greatly affected by ecosystem engineering, such as coastal salt marshes, where macrophytes trap sediment by reducing hydrodynamic energy. Nevertheless, little is known about the costs and benefits that are imposed on engineering species by the traits that underlie their ecosystem engineering capacity. We addressed this topic by comparing ecosystem engineering efficiency defined as the benefit-cost ratio per unit of biomass investment for two species from the intertidal habitat: the stiff grass Spartina anglica and the flexible grass Puccinellia maritima. These species were selected for their ability to modify their habitat by trapping large quantities of sediment despite their contrasting growth form. On a biomass basis, dissipation of hydrodynamic energy from waves (a proxy for benefits associated with ecosystem engineering capability as it relates to the sediment trapping capability) was strikingly similar for both salt marsh species, indicating that both species are equally effective in modifying their habitat. The drag forces per unit biomass (a proxy for costs associated with ecosystem engineering ability as it relates to the requirements on tissue construction and shoot anchoring to prevent breaking and/or washing away) were slightly higher in the species with flexible shoots. As a result, stiff Spartina vegetation had slightly higher ecosystem engineering efficiency, due to lower engineering costs rather than to a higher engineering effect. Thus, Spartina is a slightly more efficient rather than a more effective ecosystem engineer. Ecosystem engineering efficiency was found to be a species-specific characteristic, independent of vegetation density and relatively constant in space. Analyzing ecosystem engineering by quantifying trade-offs offers a useful way toward developing a better understanding of different engineering strategies.     

Priming effect: bridging the gap between terrestrial and aquatic ecology

Understanding how ecosystems store or release carbon is one of ecology's greatest challenges in the 21st century. Organic matter covers a large range of chemical structures and qualities, and it is classically represented by pools of different recalcitrance to degradation. The interaction effects of these pools on carbon cycling are still poorly understood and are most often ignored in global-change models. Soil scientists have shown that inputs of labile organic matter frequently tend to increase, and often double, the mineralization of the more recalcitrant organic matter. The recent revival of interest for this phenomenon, named the priming effect, did not cross the frontiers of the disciplines. In particular, the priming effect phenomenon has been almost totally ignored by the scientific communities studying marine and continental aquatic ecosystems. Here we gather several arguments, experimental results, and field observations that strongly support the hypothesis that the priming effect is a general phenomenon that occurs in various terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. For example, the increase in recalcitrant organic matter mineralization rate in the presence of labile organic matter ranged from 10% to 500% in six studies on organic matter degradation in aquatid ecosystems. Consequently, the recalcitrant organic matter mineralization rate may largely depend on labile organic matter availability, influencing the CO2 emissions of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We suggest that (1) recalcitrant organic matter may largely contribute to the CO2 emissions of aquatic ecosystems through the priming effect, and (2) priming effect intensity may be modified by global changes, interacting with eutrophication processes and atmospheric CO2 increases. Finally, we argue that the priming effect acts substantially in the carbon and nutrient cycles in all ecosystems. We outline exciting avenues for research, which could provide new insights on the responses of ecosystems to anthropogenic perturbations and their feedbacks to climatic changes.     

Comparison between remote-sensed data and in situ measurements in coastal waters: The taranto sea case

Monitoring and managing small coastal ecosystems requires a considerable understanding of the temporal dynamics of biophysical factors describing the coastal water systems. For this reason, daily observation from space could be a very efficient tool. The objective of the work described in this paper is to evaluate the contribution of remote sensing to the continuous monitoring of coastal areas. It is well known that in coastal areas, the presence of inorganic suspended sediments and coloured dissolved organic matter can make chlorophyll-concentration measurements from remote sensing difficult. To overcome these difficulties, an alternative approach to the SeaWiFS standard chlorophyll algorithm is presented, based on a semi-analytic model for sea water and on the use of MODIS data as input in a model for atmospheric effects removal. Moreover, land contamination (mixed sea–land pixels) can introduce ambiguities in sea-surface temperature measurements from remote sensing. This paper proposes the use of a hydrodynamic model as a time–space interpolator of in situ campaign data, to extensively validate the temperature values extracted from AVHRR sensor. We validated the proposed approach, using experimental field data collected over a two-year campaign in the Taranto Gulf. The results seem to indicate a good agreement between remote-sensed and in situ data.     

The Contribution by the Study of the Algae Forms (Phytoplankton and Periphyton) as Integrators of Physicochemical and Microbiological Data in the Varenna Stream

Physico-chemical, microbiological, ichthyotoxicological conditions and microalgae of Varenna stream were studied in samples taken in 12 collecting stations. The data reported indicate a marked deterioration proceeding downstream e.g. an increase of bacterial population, concentration of suspended solids, COD and variations in the composition and abundance of phytoplankton and periphyton.     

Environmental Impact on Coastal Waters off Rio De Janeiro Due to Sewage Discharge via Submarine Outfall

A survey was made in an area of 28 km² around the outlest of Ipanema's submarine outfall in order to evaluate the impact of the raw domestic sewage effluent on coastal waters. Nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, particulate matter and other physico-chemical parameters were measured monthly for 15 months. Copper and lead concentrations were also determined for two of the samplings.

The outfall has been in operation for 18 years, and the parameters measured within the observation area appear to be in steady state. From the observed radial concentration gradients within the survey area, a real extension of the steady state distribution of particulate matter and of sewage-derived nitrogen was estimated. the stationary cloud of particulate organic matter was about 150 km². From its total inventory and the discharge rate, a mean residence time of the particles in the sea of 56 days is estimated, prior to their being decomposed by bacterial action or settling to the bottom. for sewage derived N (as ammonia or nitrate), the steady state amount (above background) covers an area of about 60 km² and leads to a mean residence time of 5 ± 1 days in the ocean. Phosphorus is readily absorbed by the phytoplankton.

The presence of temperature gradients established by cold upwelling waters controls the dispersion of the sewage material and the rising of the sewage plume to the surface waters.     

Application of magnesite–bentonite clay composite as an alternative technology for removal of arsenic from industrial effluents

This study evaluated the feasibility of integrating amorphous magnesite and bentonite clay (composite) as an alternative technology for removing arsenic from industrial effluents. The removal of arsenic from industrial effluents by using magnesite–bentonite clay composite was carried out in batch mode. The effects of equilibration time, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate concentration, and pH on removal of arsenic were investigated. The experiments demonstrated that ≈100% arsenic removal is optimum at 30 minutes of agitation, 2 g of adsorbent dosage (2 g: 100 mL, S/L ratio), and 20 mg L^?1 of arsenic concentration. The adsorption data fitted well to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models, hence proving monolayer and multilayer adsorption. The kinetic studies revealed that the data fitted better to a pseudo-second-order reaction than to a pseudo-first-order reaction, hence proving chemisorption. At optimized conditions, the composite was able to remove arsenic to below World Health Organization water quality guidelines, hence depicting that the composite is effective and efficient in removing arsenic from contaminated water. Based on that, this comparative study proves that the composite is a promising adsorbent with high adsorption capacity for arsenic and can be a suitable substitute for the conventional treatment methods.     

The implementation of environmental education to promote sustainability: an overview of the processes and challenges

ABSTRACT

This paper interprets aspects of the implementation of environmental education in a Higher Education Institution, situated in a developing country, to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The paper will allow educators to categorise the multiplicity of ESD programmes and projects in higher education institutions, determine their limitations and acceptability, and benefit from the theoretical framework of affective learning in designing new ESD interventions. The paper will also provide an overview of the processes required to establish ESD in developing and developed countries. This paper will further help universities to develop a better understanding of how integration of the three components of sustainable development – economic development, social development and environmental protection – can be incorporated in higher education. The paper explores the challenges for planning the implementation of ESD in an education faculty, outlining the potential lessons learned that could assist in improving ESD efforts in Faculties of Education.