This study presents the first survey of earthworm species (Oligochaeta) from Benghazi, a Mediterranean coastal city in Libya. A total of three peregrine species were recorded: Allolobophora caliginosa trapezoides, Allolobophora rosea (Family: Lumbricidae), Microscolex dubius (Family: Microscolecidae). Their distribution and density in six habitats (vegetable garden, flower garden, green house, farmland, grassland, plain barren landscape) are discussed in relation to some of the physico-chemical parameters and composition of the soil. 相似文献
Toxic activity of leaf extracts of Polygonum hydropiper L. and Pogostemon parviflorus Benth. were tested in the laboratory against tea termite, Odontotermes assamensis Holm. Both the tested extracts caused mortality of the termite. The highest toxic activity (100%) was found in the 2.0% chloroform extracts of P. hydropiper. The chloroform extract of P. hydropiper was explored for possible mammalian toxicological effects. The LD50 was 758.58 mg/kg in male albino mice. Subcutaneous injection of sub-lethal dose of extract into male mice once a week for 6 weeks failed to express any significant influence on WBC, RBC count and blood cholesterol. 相似文献
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is continuously evolving and four variants of concern have been identified so far, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants. Here we review the indirect effect of preventive measures such as the implementation of lockdowns, mandatory face masks, and vaccination programs, to control the spread of the different variants of this infectious virus on the environment. We found that all these measures have a considerable environmental impact, notably on waste generation and air pollution. Waste generation is increased due to the implementation of all these preventive measures. While lockdowns decrease air pollution, unsustainable management of face mask waste and temperature-controlled supply chains of vaccination potentially increases air pollution.
Surficial sediment samples were wet digested (HNO3‐HCI‐HF) and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The background values in the area, and the Pollution Index Load in the sampling points were calculated. Metal inputs of continental origin are specially important in Deva, Oria and Urola river mouths. 相似文献
A kinetic and mechanistic study on the aerobic dye sensitized photooxidation of the mono—nitro and chlorophenols was carried out. A singlet molecular oxygen mechanism operates in the photooxidation. Solvent and substituent effects, suggest the intermediacy of a complex with partial charge transfer character, as has been postulated for other phenols. Chemical (reactive) and physical interactions of the substrates with singlet molecular oxygen were discriminated. Quantum yields for photooxidation (higher for the chlorophenols) range from 3 × 10‐2 to 2 × 10‐3, as measured by substrate or oxygen consumption. These values indicate the viability of a singlet molecular oxygen photooxidation as a way for the degradation of nitro and chlorophenol environmental contaminants. 相似文献
Metal toxicity on selenastrum capricornutum were examined by batch culture and chemostat culture system. EC50 values under nutrient‐limited condition and saturated condition were compared. The two EC5Os differed by a factor of 10.6 for Cd in batch test, and differed by a factor of 6.5 in continuous test. Both batch and continuous test results indicate that inhibition on algal growth is more severe under nutrient‐limited conditions compared to that under near saturation conditions. Strong correlation, as characterized by the correlation coefficient ρ, were found between the activation level (nutrient requirement) and the tolerance of microorganisms to the toxicant. ρ is equal to 0.9 for the case of Cd in batch test and 0.6 in continuous test. The theory in this study provides generally good estimations to the dose‐response relationship at limiting nutrient conditions. The study indicate that nutrient conditions constitute an important factor in algal toxicity tests. 相似文献
Attempts to better understand the social context in which conservation and environmental decisions are made has led to increased interest in human social networks. To improve the use of social-network analysis in conservation, we reviewed recent studies in the literature in which such methods were applied. In our review, we looked for problems in research design and analysis that limit the utility of network analysis. Nineteen of 55 articles published from January 2016 to June 2019 exhibited at least 1 of the following problems: application of analytical methods inadequate or sensitive to incomplete network data; application of statistical approaches that ignore dependency in the network; or lack of connection between the theoretical base, research question, and choice of analytical techniques. By drawing attention to these specific areas of concern and highlighting research frontiers and challenges, including causality, network dynamics, and new approaches, we responded to calls for increasing the rigorous application of social science in conservation. 相似文献
Settlement is a major determinant of intertidal populations. However, the energy costs of lost larvae are very high. Accordingly,
arrival and attachment on suitable substrata are essential requirements for species’ survival. On the intertidal, the presence
of cues left by adult or juvenile conspecifics could be vital for the successful establishment of larvae arriving on the shore.
Two mussel species, the indigenous Perna perna and the invasive Mytilus galloprovincialis, co-occur on the lower eulittoral zone on the south coast of South Africa. P.perna dominates the low and M. galloprovincialis the high mussel zones, with co-existence in the mid mussel zone. This study tested the hypothesis of settlement selectivity
for conspecifics in these two mussel species, to understand whether the final adult distribution of mussels on the shores
is determined by active behavioural and chemical mechanisms. Preferential selection by larvae for conspecifics was tested
in the field during the peak settlement period in 2004 in natural mussel beds across zones and through manipulative experiments
in the mid-zone where the species co-exist. On natural beds, settlement was determined by counts of settlers attached over
48 h onto artificial collectors. Collectors were placed on beds of P. perna and M. galloprovincialis present at both high- and low-adult densities, as well as in mixed beds. On such natural beds, settlers of both species consistently
favored low-zone P. perna beds. Settlement patterns over 24 h onto experimentally created mussel patches consisting of P.perna, M. galloprovincialis or the two species combined beds, set in the mixed zone, did not conform with the results of the natural beds study: settlers
of both species settled with no discrimination among different patches. The results indicate that mussels, which are sedentary,
lack attraction to conspecifics at settlement. This highlights the importance of tidal height in setting settlement rates,
and of post-settlement events in shaping populations of these broadcast spawners. 相似文献
We tested the prediction that lactating fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at South Georgia will take prey of greater energy density with increasing distance of foraging from the colony. The study
investigated the differences in diet of fur seals foraging within two regions, one near the breeding colony and the other
at greater distance. Diet varied significantly in relation to foraging location. Dietary items of low quality were eaten in
both regions but more food items with a high-energy content appeared in the diet of seals travelling to distant oceanic waters.
We conclude that there is likely to be a trade-off between energy gain and distance travelled which enables female fur seals
to maintain a relatively constant rate of energy delivery to their offspring irrespective of the distance travelled to find
food. 相似文献