Using multilevel models to explore the impact of abiotic and biotic conditions on the efficacy of pirimiphos-methyl against Tenebrio molitor L.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, we utilized a hierarchical multilevel modeling approach to test the hypothesis that the activity of the organophosphate insecticide...     

Landscape--wildfire interactions in southern Europe: implications for landscape management

Every year approximately half a million hectares of land are burned by wildfires in southern Europe, causing large ecological and socio-economic impacts. Climate and land use changes in the last decades have increased fire risk and danger. In this paper we review the available scientific knowledge on the relationships between landscape and wildfires in the Mediterranean region, with a focus on its application for defining landscape management guidelines and policies that could be adopted in order to promote landscapes with lower fire hazard. The main findings are that (1) socio-economic drivers have favoured land cover changes contributing to increasing fire hazard in the last decades, (2) large wildfires are becoming more frequent, (3) increased fire frequency is promoting homogeneous landscapes covered by fire-prone shrublands; (4) landscape planning to reduce fuel loads may be successful only if fire weather conditions are not extreme. The challenges to address these problems and the policy and landscape management responses that should be adopted are discussed, along with major knowledge gaps.     

Study of TiO2 anatase nano and microstructures with dominant {001} facets for NO oxidation

Introduction

TiO₂ anatase nanoplates and hollow microspheres were fabricated by a solvothermal?Chydrothermal method using titanium isopropoxide as a titanium precursor and hydrofluoric acid as a capping agent in order to enhance the formation of the {001} crystal facets of the anatase nanocrystals.

Methods

These different morphological structures of TiO₂ anatase can be achieved by only changing the solvent, keeping the amount of the precursor and of the capping agent identical during the solvothermal?Chydrothermal process.

Results and discussion

After calcination of the samples, the adsorbed fluoride atoms on the {001} crystal facets of the TiO₂ anatase nanocrystals were completely removed from their surface according to XPS analysis. The calcined TiO₂ anatase structures were higher crystallized and the specific surface area of the catalysts increased, enhancing their photocatalytic activity in comparison to the non-calcined TiO₂ anatase structures. All TiO₂ anatase samples with adsorbed as well as non-adsorbed fluoride atoms on their {001} crystal facets, exhibited a higher photonic efficiency than Degussa P25, which was used as a reference.

Conclusion

The fluoride free TiO₂ anatase nanoplates exhibited the best photocatalytic activity in oxidizing the NO gas to NO₂ and NO₃ ^?.     

Effects of inert dust on olive (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis> L.) leaf physiological parameters

BACKGROUND: Cement factories are major pollutants for the surrounding areas. Inert dust deposition has been found to affect photosynthesis, stomatal functioning and productivity. Very few studies have been conducted on the effects of cement kiln dust on the physiology of perennial fruit crops. Our goal was to study some cement dust effects on olive leaf physiology.effects on olive leaf physiology. On METHODS: Cement kiln dust has been applied periodically since April 2003 onto olive leaves. Cement dust accumulation and various leaf physiological parameters were evaluated early in July 2003. Measurements were also taken on olive trees close to the cement factory. RESULTS: Leaf dry matter content and specific leaf weight increased with leaf age and dust content. Cement dust decreased leaf total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio. As a result, photosynthetic rate and quantum yield decreased. In addition, transpiration rate slightly decreased, stomatal conductance to H2O and CO2 movement decreased, internal CO2 concentration remained constant and leaf temperature increased. DISCUSSION: The changes in chlorophyll are possibly due to shading and/or photosystem damage. The changes in stomatal functioning were possibly due to dust accumulation between the peltates or othe effects on stomata. CONCLUSIONS: Dust (in this case from a cement kiln) seems to cause substantial changes to leaf physiology, possibly leading to reduced olive productivity. RECOMMENDATIONS: Avoidance of air contamination from cement factories by using available technology should be examined together with any possible methodologies to reduce plant tissue contamination from cement dust. PERSPECTIVES: Longterm effects of dust (from cement kiln or other sources) on olive leaf, plant productivity and nutritional quality of edible parts could be studied for conclusive results on dust contamination effects to perennial crops.     

Simultaneous determination of chlorothalonil and its metabolite 4-hydroxychlorothalonil in greenhouse air: dissipation process of chlorothalonil

An analytical method was developed and tested for the simultaneous determination of chlorothalonil and its main metabolite 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, in airborne samples. High performance liquid chromatography equipped with Ultra-violet detector was used to separate and quantify the analytes. Glass microfibre filters for the collection of the analytes' particles were tested. Solid sorbents, such as Tenax, Florisil, XAD-2 and silica gel, were studied to find out the most suitable material for the collection of the analytes in the gas phase. The results have shown that only chlorothalonil was trapped in the vapor phase with highest results obtained when silica gel was the sorbent of choice. Linearity was demonstrated in a wide concentration range 0.01-10.00 mg L(-1). Recoveries from spiked glass microfibre filters and silica gel cartridges for chlorothalonil and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil were almost quantitative. The quantification limits were calculated to be 8.4 and 19.6 ng m(-3) in air for chlorothalonil and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, respectively. The two analytes spiked on the GF/A filters and silica gel cartridges were proven to be stable for more than 15 days, at 4degrees C and ambient temperature. The applicability of the present method was demonstrated by the analysis of the chlorothalonil and its metabolite in greenhouse air.     

Conversion of brewers’ spent grain into proteinaceous animal feed using solid state fermentation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) represents the 85% of the total residue produced during the beer brewing process, with a global annual production...     

Inference and model determination for temperature-driven non-linear ecological models

Environmental and Ecological Statistics - This paper is concerned with a contemporary Bayesian approach to the effect of temperature on developmental rates. We develop statistical methods using...