Selective supercritical fluid extraction to estimate the fraction of PCB that is bioavailable to a benthic organism in a naturally contaminated sediment

Selective supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) at 40 degrees C, 120 bar and 60 min was utilised as a means to estimate the bioavailable fraction of PCBs to chironomid larvae in a naturally contaminated limnic sediment. This extraction methodology removed about 50% of the PCBs from the sediment. According to the equilibrium partitioning theory, organisms in that sediment should decrease their uptake from the sediment to the same extent, biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) thus remaining constant. Surprisingly, the BSAFs for 11 PCB congeners decreased some 40% for the selectively extracted sediment as compared to BSAFs for organisms dwelling in untreated sediment. The results were statistically significant at the 0.001 level using a paired t-test. This can only be interpreted so that selective SFE removed easily available PCBs preferentially, leaving more tightly bound PCBs behind. Hence, by fine-tuning extraction conditions, this methodology might be used to estimate bioavailable fractions by chemical means.     

Toxaphene levels in salmon (Salmo salar) from the Baltic Sea

Three toxaphene congeners have been determined in salmon from the Swedish coastal environment using both supercritical fluid (SFE) and the traditional liquid/liquid extractions. The levels obtained using a modifier-free SFE technique, followed by group separation on a silica gel column, were by far much lower than concentrations obtained by SFE with a modifier or liquid/liquid extraction. The mean concentrations on fresh weight basis using a liquid/liquid extraction technique were 5.87, 8.70 and 1.59 microg/kg for CHBs 26, 50 and 62, respectively. There was a plausible relationship between the various fishing sites and the toxaphene levels.     

Über formbildende Wirkstoffe bei Azotobakter chroococcum und der Einfluß dieser formativen Wirkstoffe auf die Bildung von Gigasformen bei Bacterium radicicola

The Science of Nature -     

Varying rotation lengths in northern production forests: Implications for habitats provided by retention and production trees

Because of the limited spatial extent and comprehensiveness of protected areas, an increasing emphasis is being placed on conserving habitats which promote biodiversity within production forest. For this reason, alternative silvicultural programs need to be evaluated with respect to their implications for forest biodiversity, especially if these programs are likely to be adopted. Here we simulated the effect of varied rotation length and associated thinning regimes on habitat availability in Scots pine and Norway spruce production forests, with high and low productivity. Shorter rotation lengths reduced the contribution made by production trees (trees grown for industrial use) to the availability of key habitat features, while concurrently increasing the contribution from retention trees. The contribution of production trees to habitat features was larger for high productivity sites, than for low productivity sites. We conclude that shortened rotation lengths result in losses of the availability of habitat features that are key for biodiversity conservation and that increased retention practices may only partially compensate for this. Ensuring that conservation efforts better reflect the inherent variation in stand rotation lengths would help improve the maintenance of key forest habitats in production forests.     

Selective supercritical fluid extraction to identify aged sediment-bound PCBs available for uptake by eel

A naturally contaminated sediment was partially extracted with selective supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to remove a fraction of supposedly bioavailable PCBs from the matrix. Eels (Anguilla anguilla) were cultured in systems with untreated and pre-extracted sediment, respectively, and it was shown that the SFE treatment selectively removed bioavailable PCBs from the sediment, since relative biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for the eight studied PCB congeners were much lower in the pre-extracted than in the untreated system at the end of the study. Relative BSAF values decreased with about the same relative amount for all eight congeners, independent of the degree of chlorination and the initial concentration in the sediment. The results demonstrate the ability of SFE to selectively remove sediment-bound PCBs that are available for uptake by the eels, thus demonstrating the feasibility of using selective SFE to estimate bioavailability of PCBs in sediments.     

Effectiveness of a light-weight ice-vest for body cooling while wearing fire fighter's protective clothing in the heat.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of wearing an ice-vest (ca 1 kg) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighters. The experiments were carried out on a treadmill in a hot-dry environment. The physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal manikin. The ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest. On average, heart rate was 10 beats/min lower, the amount of sweating was reduced by 13%, and subjective sensations of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. Thermal manikin tests indicated that the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58%). In conclusion, the ice-vest reduces physiological and subjective strain responses during heavy work in the heat, and may promote efficient work time by 10%.     

Keeping pace with forestry: Multi-scale conservation in a changing production forest matrix

The multi-scale approach to conserving forest biodiversity has been used in Sweden since the 1980s, a period defined by increased reserve area and conservation actions within production forests. However, two thousand forest-associated species remain on Sweden’s red-list, and Sweden’s 2020 goals for sustainable forests are not being met. We argue that ongoing changes in the production forest matrix require more consideration, and that multi-scale conservation must be adapted to, and integrated with, production forest development. To make this case, we summarize trends in habitat provision by Sweden’s protected and production forests, and the variety of ways silviculture can affect biodiversity. We discuss how different forestry trajectories affect the type and extent of conservation approaches needed to secure biodiversity, and suggest leverage points for aiding the adoption of diversified silviculture. Sweden’s long-term experience with multi-scale conservation and intensive forestry provides insights for other countries trying to conserve species within production landscapes.

     

生态气象监测评估业务平台的设计与应用

  针对目前生态气象监测轨道业务的特点,结合工作的实际需要,运用C和C++语言建立了生态气象监测评估业务平台。在程序设计中,采用了生成中间交换文件的结构组织,能够对各模块的输出结果进行详尽直观的分析,并提供了等值线色斑图与区域填充等多种图形绘制方式。该系统可处理AVHRR和EOS/MODIS卫星遥感资料,对气象观测报文进行解译、数据分类管理和质量控制,统计计算水体密度指数、湿润指数、植被覆盖指数、土地退化指数、灾害指数和生态质量综合评价指标,以图形、图像的形式输出生态气象监测评估产品,实现了卫星遥感与生态气象地面监测数据的有效组织和智能化管理。将系统应用于湖南省生态质量气象评价,业务化运行的结果表明,该系统具有较好的业务实用性。〖HJ1〗〖HJ〗
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