Phosphorus concentrations in overland flow from diverse locations on a New York dairy farm

The National Phosphorus Project rainfall simulator was used to quantify overland flow and P transport from nine sites distributed throughout the watershed of a New York City Watershed Agriculture Program collaborating dairy farm. Observed concentrations of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) were low (0.007-0.12 mg L(-1)) in flow from deciduous forest, extensively managed pasture, and hillside seeps; moderate (0.18-0.64 mg L(-1)) in flow from intensively managed pastures, a hayfield, and a cow path; and extremely high (11.6 mg L(-1)) in flow from a manured barnyard. Concentrations of TDP from sites without fresh manure were strongly correlated with soil test P (TDP [mg L(-1)] = 0.0056 + 0.0180 x Morgan's soil test phosphorus [STP, mg kg(-1)]; R2 = 84%). Observed concentrations of suspended solids were low (16-137 mg L(-1)) in flow from vegetated sites, but were higher (375-615 mg L(-1)) in flow from sites with little ground cover (barnyard, cow path, plowed field). Under dry summer conditions the time to observed overland flow was shorter (<18 min) for nonfield areas (seeps, barnyard, cow path) than for field and forest areas (27-93 min), indicating that hydrologically active nonfield areas of minor spatial extent but with high soil P (e.g., cow paths and barnyards) can play a significant role in summertime P loading. When soils started from field capacity (second-day) time to overland flow was uniformly less than 23 min, indicating that under wet watershed conditions low-P source areas can dilute overland flow from concentrated sources.     

Studies into the formation of dioxins in the sintering process used in the iron and steel industry. 1. Characterisation of isomer profiles in particulate and gaseous emissions

Dioxin analyses using a DB5MS chromatography column are presented for samples of dust from an electrostatic precipitator and emissions from the main stack of a UK sinter plant. The analyses have been repeated using the SP2331 column, for which the elution order has been determined for the whole range of tetra to octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, and which provides a larger degree of separation than the DB5MS column. Polychlorinated dibenzofurans are present in significantly larger amounts in both the dust and stack emissions, and are the main contributors to the I-TEQ. Analysis using the SP2331 column for dioxins show considerable similarity to those of Bacher et al. for soot from a wood-burning fire, but differ markedly from those of Addink et al. for simulation of waste incineration. The similarities to Bacher's results are less for the dibenzofurans. Comparison of absolute concentrations with reported vapour pressures shows the retention of significant dioxin in the dust to involve mechanisms other than pure condensation.     

USEPA/paper industry cooperative dioxin study: The 104 mill study

This paper summarizes the distribution of concentrations of 2378 substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in bleached kraft and sulfite mill pulps, wastewater sludges, and treated effluents in the U.S. in mid-1988.     

On the generality of a climate-mediated shift in the distribution of the American pika (Ochotona princeps)

Alpine species are among those most threatened by climatic shifts due to their physiological and geographic constraints. The American pika (Ochotona princeps), a small mammal found in mountainous, rocky habitats throughout much of western North America, has experienced recent population extirpations in the Great Basin linked to climatic drivers. It remains unclear whether these patterns of climate-related loss extend to other portions of the species' range. We investigated the distribution of the American pika and the climatic processes shaping this distribution within the Southern Rocky Mountain region. Results from a survey of 69 sites historically occupied by pikas indicate that only four populations have been extirpated within this region over the past few decades. Despite relatively few extirpations, low annual precipitation is implicated as a limiting factor for pika persistence in the Southern Rockies. Extirpations occurred only at sites that were consistently dry over the last century. While there was no climate change signal in our results, these data provide valuable insight into the potential future effects of climate change on O. princeps throughout its range.     

Ferrate(VI): green chemistry oxidant for degradation of cationic surfactant

Iron in its familiar form exists in the +2 and +3 oxidation states, however, higher oxidation state of iron +6, ferrate(VI) (Fe(VI)O(4)(2-)) can be obtained. The high oxidation power of ferrate(VI) can be utilized in developing cleaner ("greener") technology for remediation processes. This paper demonstrates the unique property of ferrate(VI) to degrade almost completely the cationic surfactant, cetylpyridinium chloride (C(5)H(5)N(+)(CH(2))(15)CH(3).H(2)O Cl(-), CPC). The Rate law for the oxidation of CPC by ferrate(VI) at pH 9.2 was found to be: -d[Fe(VI)]/dt = k[Fe(VI)][CPC](2). Ferrate(VI) oxidizes CPC within minutes and molar consumption of ferrate(VI) was nearly equal to the oxidized CPC. The decrease in total organic carbon (TOC) from CPC was more than 95%; suggesting mineralization of CPC to carbon dioxide. Ammonium ion was the other product of the oxidation. This is the first report in which Fe(VI)O(4)(2-) ion opens the pyridine ring and mineralizes the aliphatic chain of the organic molecule giving inorganic ions.     

Sediment deposition rate in the Falefa River basin, Upolu Island, Samoa

The (137)Cs method was employed to investigate the recent historical rate of sediment deposition on a lowland alluvial floodplain in the Falefa River basin, Upolu Island, Samoa. Caesium stratigraphy in the floodplain sediment profile was clearly defined, with a broad peak at 145-175 cm depth. The measured rate of vertical accretion over the last 40 years is 4.0+/-0.4 cm per year. This rate exceeds observations in humid environments elsewhere, but is similar to that recorded on other tropical Pacific Islands. Available flow data for the Vaisigano River in Samoa give a 'near-catastrophic' index value of 0.6 for flood variability. This is associated with the occurrence of tropical cyclones and storms in the Samoa area. Large floods therefore probably contribute to the high rate of floodplain sedimentation on Upolu Island. A small but growing body of evidence suggests that fluvial sedimentation rates on tropical Pacific islands are some of the highest in the world.     

Pyrene remediation by Trametes maxima: an insight into secretome response and degradation pathway

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The rapid pace of economic development has resulted in the release of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment. Microbial...     

Characterization of ammonia remover Bacillus albus (ASSF01) in terms of biofilm-forming ability with application in aquaculture effluent treatment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Presence of higher concentration of ammonia (&gt; 0.5 mg/L) as well as nitrite (&gt; 0.2 mg/L) in aquaculture environment create difficulties...     

Variation of Aulacoseira granulata as an eco-pollution indicator in subtropical large river Ganga in India: a multivariate analytical approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen 1979 are considered as the eco-variable species which varies in density and diversity along with their...