Accumulation of heavy metals from polluted soils by the earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus: can laboratory exposure of 'control' worms reduce biomonitoring problems?

This paper compares the patterns of metal (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu) accumulation in nine populations of the epigeic earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus, native on metalliferous soils, with the patterns of metal accumulation in batches of L. rubellus sampled from an uncontaminated site and maintained on the nine contaminated soils for 31 days under laboratory conditions. The primary findings were: (1) the Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations in the 'native' worms were significantly higher in most cases than in the 'introduced' worms; (2) multiple regression analyses indicated that the relationships between tissue and soil metal concentrations were similar for 'native' and 'introduced' worms; (3) high soil organic matter content reduced the bioavailability of Pb, but low pH increased Pb bioavailability. It was concluded that, although no phenotypic evidence of metal-tolerant ecotypes was obtained, the exposure of earthworms from uncontaminated soils to contaminated soils under laboratory conditions can provide meaningful integrative data concerning metal bioavailability in soils which, for biomonitoring purposes, often present formidable sampling problems.     

First trimester diagnosis of adenosine deaminase deficiency

Adenosine deaminase deficiency has been detected in the first trimester by direct analysis of enzyme activity in chorionic villi in a pregnancy at risk. Data for purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity in chorionic villi from healthy controls in the first trimester are also presented and should allow equally rapid diagnosis of this disorder.     

Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in wood treatment materials and treated wood

The octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) concentrations have been determined in aged samples of commercial pentachlorophenol (PCP), in wood protection formulations containing PCP and in wood treated with PCP as a preservative or as an anti-sapstain treatment. The concentrations of OCDD found in the various samples are within the range expected from the amount of commercial PCP initially present in the samples. In view of the known stability of OCDD the results are interpreted as indicating that the formulation, treatment and ageing processes have not led to any substantial conversion of PCP to OCDD; although one result indicates that outdoor exposure of treated samples increased the OCDD concentration by a factor of approximately 2 after $\text{3}\text{1}\text{2}$ years. Analysis of aged samples of treated wood indicate that OCDD is lost much less rapidly from the wood than PCP.     

The distribution and intracellular compartmentation of metals in the endogeic earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa sampled from an unpolluted and a metal-contaminated site

The tissue distribution of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ca in the endogeic earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa living in a non-polluted and a heavy metal polluted soil was investigated. The tissues of animals from the contaminated soil contained greater concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn than the corresponding tissues of animals from the unpolluted soil. The greatest concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ca were primarily accumulated within the posterior alimentary canal (PAC), a tissue fraction which contained the greatest proportion of the whole-worm burdens of the respective metals. Cu was distributed fairly evenly in the tissue fractions investigated. The pattern of accumulation for the 'heavy' metals is broadly similar to that for epigeic earthworms; in contrast, a different pattern of tissue accumulation was found for Ca. In animals from the uncontaminated site, the major elemental constituents of the chloragosomes were P, Ca, Zn and S. A significant positive correlation exists between P and Ca within the chloragosomal matrix. These intracellular vesicles are major foci for Pb and Zn accumulation within the PAC, with 'excess' metals associated with P ligands within the chloragosome matrix. The incorporation of Pb and Zn appears to involve the cationic displacement of Ca. Such compartmentation appears to prevent dissemination of large concentrations of these metals into other earthworm tissues, and may thus represent a detoxification strategy based on accumulative immobilization. No intracellular localization of Cd was identified in the study, although the Cd concentration in the metalliferous soils examined was not exceptionally high. The observations are discussed in the context of a contribution to enhanced understanding of metal ecotoxicology in earthworms by providing baseline data on a little investigated ecophysiological group of earthworms. Comparisons of metal distribution and mechanisms of metal sequestration are made with other ecophysiological groups of earthworms, and the significance of the findings to biomonitoring and toxicity-testing programmes is considered.     

Metal contamination of active stream sediments in upper Weardale,northern Pennine Orefield,UK

In the Upper Weardale area the headwaters of the River Wear bisect the Northern Pennine Orefield, where Pb-Zn-F-Ba vein-type mineralisation has been exploited since the Roman Conquest. The area contains evidence of open pit, underground and hydraulic mining of base metal ores, associated mineral processing and smelting, exploitation of ironstones during the industrial revolution, recent extraction of fluorite and active quarrying. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of modern sediment contamination arising from these past activities. Samples of active stream sediments were collected from all major drainage channels at 1 km intervals. The sediments were analysed for Pb, Zn, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, As, Sb, Ag and compared to data from earlier regional geochemical surveys of low order drainage samples using ArcView software. The significance of contamination levels was assessed using the Ontario aquatic sediment quality guidelines. Our results indicate widespread contamination of some major drainages by Pb, Mn, Zn and As at concentration levels anticipated to significantly affect use of the sediments by benthic organisms. Furthermore, Pb contamination shows persistence in stream sediments downstream towards agricultural areas of the floodplain and drinking water abstraction points, above which interaction with colliery mine water discharges may occur.     

Feasibility of using high‐resolution satellite imagery to assess vertebrate wildlife populations

Although remote sensing has been used for >40 years to learn about Earth, use of very high‐resolution satellite imagery (VHR) (<1‐m resolution) has become more widespread over the past decade for studying wildlife. As image resolution increases, there is a need to understand the capabilities and limitations of this exciting new path in wildlife research. We reviewed studies that used VHR to examine remote populations of wildlife. We then determined characteristics of the landscape and the life history of species that made the studies amenable to use of satellite imagery and developed a list of criteria necessary for appropriate use of VHR in wildlife research. From 14 representative articles, we determined 3 primary criteria that must be met for a system and species to be appropriately studied with VHR: open landscape, target organism's color contrasts with the landscape, and target organism is of detectable size. Habitat association, temporal exclusivity, coloniality, landscape differentiation, and ground truthing increase the utility of VHR for wildlife research. There is an immediate need for VHR imagery in conservation research, particularly in remote areas of developing countries, where research can be difficult. For wildlife researchers interested in but unfamiliar with remote sensing resources and tools, understanding capabilities and current limitations of VHR imagery is critical to its use as a conservation and wildlife research tool.     

fluoride concentrations in the ambient air

The body of the information presented in this paper is of general interest to those concerned with air quality. This paper reports data for ambient atmospheric concentrations of water-soluble fluorides determined in samples of suspended particulate matter collected on glass-fiber filters by the National Air Surveillance Network. Data for over 12,000 samples collected in calendar years 1966, 1967, and 1968 are examined. The purpose of the examination of the data is to give an estimation of current air quality with respect to fluoride content.

The samples are extracted with pure boiling water, and the fluoride concentration of the extracts measured using a fluoride-ion selective electrode. The data engendered are tabulated on an annual basis, and a table is presented summarizing the results. Comparative data will be presented showing the distribution of urban and non-urban stations that exhibit various specified fluoride levels. The results show that the fluoride content in the majority of the samples is below the minimum detectable amount of 0.05 µgF/m³. Conclusions that can be drawn include the observations that: few of the urban samples contain over 1.00 µg/m ³ of fluoride, very few of all samples exceeded 1.00 µ/m³ of fluoride, and no non-urban sample contained over 0.16 µg/m³ of fluoride. It was also concluded that only in rare instances would the fluoride concentrations at the sites sampled be in excess of published standards.