A Spatially Explicit Model for Mapping Headwater Streams

Headwater streams are the primary sources of water in a drainage network and serve as a critical hydrologic link between the surrounding landscape and larger, downstream surface waters. Many states, including North Carolina, regulate activity in and near headwater streams for the protection of water quality and aquatic resources. A fundamental tool for regulatory management is an accurate representation of streams on a map. Limited resources preclude field mapping every headwater stream and its origin across a large region. It is more practical to develop a model for headwater streams based on a sample of field data that can then be extrapolated to a larger area of interest. The North Carolina Division of Water Quality has developed a cost‐effective method for modeling and mapping the location, length, and flow classification (intermittent and perennial) of headwater streams. We used a multiple logistic regression approach that combined field data and terrain derivatives for watersheds located in the Triassic Basins ecoregion. Field data were collected using a standard methodology for identifying headwater streams and origins. Terrain derivatives were generated from digital elevation models interpolated from bare‐earth Light Detection and Range data. Model accuracies greater than 80% were achieved in classifying stream presence and absence, stream length and perennial stream length, but were not as consistent in predicting intermittent stream length.     

Total cobalt determination in human blood and synovial fluid using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: method validation and evaluation of performance variables affecting metal hip implant patient samples

Inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS) has been used for clinical analysis of cobalt (Co) due to its sensitivity and specificity; however, media-specific validation studies are lacking. This study provides data on performance variables affecting differences between selected analytical platforms (Perkin Elmer and Agilent), tissue sample preparation, storage, and interferences affecting measurements in whole blood, serum, and synovial fluid. The limits of detection (LOD) range from 0.2–0.5 µg/L in serum and synovial fluid, and 0.6–1.7 µg Co/L in whole blood. The Agilent platform with collision reaction cell is more sensitive, while the Perkin Elmer platform with dynamic reaction cell demonstrates more polyatomic interferences near the LOD for serum and whole blood. Split sample analysis showed good accuracy, precision, and reproducibility between serum Co measurements using acid digestion or detergent dilution preparations for persons with metal hip implants or following supplement intake. The results demonstrated reliability of the ICP-MS methodology across the two analytical platforms and between two commercial laboratories for Co concentrations above 5 µg Co/L, but digestion procedures and polyatomic interferences may affect measurements in some media at lower concentrations. These studies validate the described ICP-MS methodology for clinical purposes with precautions at low cobalt concentrations (<5 µg Co/L).     

“Justice” and “fairness” are not the same thing

Organizational justice researchers tend to treat as synonyms the terms “justice” and “fairness”. We discuss different definitional arguments, concluding that these two concepts are distinct. Justice should be defined as adherence to rules of conduct, whereas fairness should be defined as individuals' moral evaluations of this conduct. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Size distribution, directional source contributions and pollution status of PM from Chengdu, China during a long-term sampling campaign

Long-term and synchronous monitoring of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was conducted in Chengdu in China from 2007 to 2013. The levels, variations, compositions and size distributions were investigated. The sources were quantified by two-way and three-way receptor models (PMF2, ME2-2way and ME2-3way). Consistent results were found: the primary source categories contributed 63.4% (PMF2), 64.8% (ME2-2way) and 66.8% (ME2-3way) to PM₁₀, and contributed 60.9% (PMF2), 65.5% (ME2-2way) and 61.0% (ME2-3way) to PM_2.5. Secondary sources contributed 31.8% (PMF2), 32.9% (ME2-2way) and 31.7% (ME2-3way) to PM₁₀, and 35.0% (PMF2), 33.8% (ME2-2way) and 36.0% (ME2-3way) to PM_2.5. The size distribution of source categories was estimated better by the ME2-3way method. The three-way model can simultaneously consider chemical species, temporal variability and PM sizes, while a two-way model independently computes datasets of different sizes. A method called source directional apportionment (SDA) was employed to quantify the contributions from various directions for each source category. Crustal dust from east-north-east (ENE) contributed the highest to both PM₁₀ (12.7%) and PM_2.5 (9.7%) in Chengdu, followed by the crustal dust from south-east (SE) for PM₁₀ (9.8%) and secondary nitrate & secondary organic carbon from ENE for PM_2.5 (9.6%). Source contributions from different directions are associated with meteorological conditions, source locations and emission patterns during the sampling period. These findings and methods provide useful tools to better understand PM pollution status and to develop effective pollution control strategies.     

The effects of shark cage-diving operations on the behaviour and movements of white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, at the Neptune Islands, South Australia

The attraction or provisioning of sharks for the purpose of tourism is a lucrative and popular industry that remains controversial regarding its possible risks to target species and impacts on local ecosystems. The long-term impacts of such activities on the behaviour and movement patterns of sharks have typically been difficult to establish as most studies investigate contemporary behaviour concurrent with existing operations and thus have no comparative base from which to compare effects. We compared patterns of residency and behaviour of acoustic-tagged white sharks at the Neptune Islands in South Australia between periods before and after an abrupt and sustained doubling of cage-diving effort that occurred in 2007. The number of sharks reported by cage-dive operators significantly increased after 2007. Comparisons also revealed there were significant increases in sharks’ periods of residency, the periods spent within areas where shark cage-diving operations occur and changes in sharks’ diel pattern of habitat use. Changes were site-specific with no significant differences in shark behaviour revealed over the same period at an island group 12 km from regular shark cage-dive sites. The results suggest that cage-diving operations can lead to long-term changes in the site-specific behaviour of a highly vagile shark species which may need to be considered in the context of their conservation and in managing the impacts of the industry.     

Synergistic effects of ultraviolet radiation and conditions at low tide on egg masses of limpets (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Benhamina obliquata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Siphonaria australis</Emphasis>) in New Zealand

The effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), desiccation and conditions in tidal pools on embryonic survival were examined for two common pulmonate limpets that lay intertidal benthic egg masses on rocky shores in New Zealand: Benhamina obliquata and Siphonaria australis. Field surveys and manipulative experiments were conducted between December 2006 and September 2007 in the Wellington region of New Zealand (41°17′S, 174°47′E). Egg mass deposition sites in the field were species-specific: B. obliquata deposited eggs primarily in shaded crevices, whereas S. australis predominantly deposited egg masses in the sun and in tidal pools. For both species, however, embryonic mortality was greater in egg masses that had been in full sun compared to shade. For S. australis, there was also high mortality in egg masses in tidal pools or desiccated compared to those that remained submerged in flowing seawater at low tide. In outdoor experiments, embryonic mortality was also always greatest for egg masses exposed to full sun, and lowest for those in shaded treatments. Mortality was also higher if egg masses were in simulated tidal pools, and for S. australis, if desiccated, compared to those submerged in flowing seawater. Periods of particularly sunny conditions with high temperatures also resulted in higher overall mortality. Finally, egg masses of both species that were initially deposited in the shade had greater mortality in response to subsequent UV exposure compared to egg masses initially deposited in full sun. Results from this study suggest that the egg masses of these two species are highly vulnerable to UVR, as well as other intertidal stressors. Embryos of both of these species may be at risk of high mortality particularly during summer when extreme conditions of UV intensity and high temperature coincide with low tide cycles. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.