Use of Central Stonerollers (Cyprinidae: Campostoma anomalum) from Tennessee as a Bioindicator of Metal Contamination

We compared the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in a small species of fish (Central stonerollers, Campostoma anomalum) collected from East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) and a reference site in eastern Tennessee. Stonerollers are minnows in the Cyprinidae family that serve as prey for many carnivores in aquatic systems. Fish were collected from East Fork Poplar Creek within the U.S. Department of Energy's Y-12 National Security Complex, part of the Oak Ridge Reservation, and from a reference stretch of the Little River in East Tennessee. Whole fish were homogenized for analysis. Concentrations of all metals (except arsenic) were significantly higher in stonerollers from EFPC compared to the reference site. Mercury levels in minnows from EFPC averaged 0.4 ppm (μg/g), four times higher than the average for fish in the U.S. in general. This was higher than levels in fish from the nearby Clinch River and higher than fillets of white bass (Morone chrysops) from the same creek. Most metal levels were inversely related to size and weight of the stonerollers, perhaps due to growth dilution.     

Spatial distribution of different stages of mango stone weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae (fabricius) (coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Studies were conducted on the spatial distribution of different stages of the mango stone weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabr.) at Hessaraghatta farm of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, during 1983. The values of various parameters of distribution showed that the eggs are distributed as a negative binomial (contagious) distribution, whereas larvae and adults follow a positive binomial (random) distribution. It is suggested that the change in distribution may be due to the lower population densities in larval and adult stages.     

Physiological response of the lichen Phaeophyscia hispidula (Ach.) Essl., to the urban environment of Pauri and Srinagar (Garhwal), Himalayas, India

The present study was designed with an aim to observe the effect of increasing urbanization and traffic activity on the physiology of a foliose lichen, Phaeophyscia hispidula (Ach.) Essl., collected from 13 different localities, growing in their natural habitat, in Pauri and Srinagar, two cities in the Himalayas. Six parameters i.e., Chl. a, Chl. b, total pigment, chlorophyll degradation, carotenoid and total protein content, proved the most useful to assess air pollution, were measured. Chlorophyll content and protein content are an efficient parameter to measure the air quality of a region. The study indicates that P. hispidula is pollution tolerant (adaptation) and able to withstand local emissions from vehicle exhausts.     

Metallic nanoparticles: green synthesis and spectroscopic characterization

Metallic nanoparticles are finding new applications in medical, pharmaceutical, food and agriculture sectors. Applications include drug delivery, targeted cancer remedies, biomarker mapping, gene delivery and molecular imaging. This article reviews green strategies for the preparation of metallic nanoparticles, using enzymes, vitamins, monosaccharides, polysaccharides and biodegradable polymers. Microwave-assisted synthesis is detailed. Then, we review nanoparticle characterization using UV–visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We also present applications for water purification.     

Epidemiological studies on bicycle manufacturing industrial workers

Studies involving health status of bicycle manufacturing industrial workers exposed to chemicals and unexposed workers of the same industry who formed control were conducted at Sonepatin Haryana State, India. Negligence of industrial hygiene and personal protection affected the health of exposed workers adversely Epidemiological spectrum of exposed subjects showed much variation from control. Some unique disorders, such as nail impairments, nasal septum perforation and metal fume fever were observed in exposed workers against their absence in unexposed workers. Data showed occurrence of following diseases in the order of asthma>skin disorders>allergic disorders>bronchitis>all other respiratory diseases>nail disorders and acute pharyngitis>pulmonary tuberculosis and loss of smell and hearing>nasal septum perforation showing high risk factor for 'all other respiratory diseases' and skin disorders. Importance of occupational health surveillance has been highlighted.     

Water and nitrogen management effects on water and nitrogen fluxes in Florida Flatwoods

The effects of water and fertilizer best management practices (BMPs) have not been quantified for groundwater nitrogen (N) beneath seepage irrigated vegetable fields with shallow water table environments. This effect was evaluated by a 3-yr study conducted in the Flatwoods of south Florida for watermelon ( cv. Mardi Gras and Tri-X 313) and tomato ( cv. BHN 586) using three treatments of water and inorganic fertilizer N (N) rates: (i) high fertilizer and water rates with seepage irrigation (HR), (ii) recommended fertilizer and water rates (BMP) with seepage irrigation (RR); and (iii) RR with subsurface drip irrigation (RR-SD). These treatments were implemented on six hydraulically isolated plots. The N rate treatments for high (HR) and recommended (RR and RR-SD) were based on a grower survey and BMP recommendations, respectively. Water applied, water table depth, and soil moisture content were regularly monitored for each treatment. Plant, soil, and groundwater N sampling and analyses were conducted for each season of the 3-yr study. The average water applied in HR (187 cm) was greater than RR (172 cm) and RR-SD (94 cm). Soil N maintained in crop beds for HR was significantly higher than RR and RR-SD. Soil solution analyses showed that N leached beneath HR (112 mg L) was greater ( = 0.053) than RR (76 mg L) and RR-SD (88 mg L). Shallow groundwater concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (NH-N + NO-N) were higher ( = 0.02) in HR (37 mg L) compared with RR (15 mg L) and RR-SD (19 mg L). Decreased N and water table levels can improve groundwater quality by reducing N leachate in shallow water table environments with seepage irrigated vegetable production systems.     

Factors influencing acquisition of ecological and exposure information about hazards and risks from contaminated sites

Considerable research indicates that a wide range of socio-economic factors influence attitudes and perceptions about environmental hazards and risks, and that social trust in those who manage a hazard is strongly correlated to judgements about risks and benefits. We suggest that there are three steps that lead to environmental risk perceptions: acquisition of information, interpretation and synthesis of different pieces of information, and understanding of that information in light of previous knowledge, perceptions, or attitudes. In this study we presented 211 college students in the sciences and non-sciences with ecological and exposure information using text, tables and maps to examine the factors that affect information acquisition and interpretation concerning ecological issues at a fictitious hazardous waste site. Students were allowed about an hour to read the materials and answer questions. The percent of students answering each question correctly varied from 4 to 82%, indicating that some questions were extremely difficult to answer. We attributed these differences to variations in the number of places information was presented (in text, tables, maps, or a combination) and the complexity of the information (how many pieces of information were required to answer the question correctly). The correlation between the number of students answering each question correctly and these combined measures (frequency, complexity) was −0.72. Thus, although there were differences in accuracy concerning ecological information as presented in this study, the major differences were accounted for by how the information was presented, and how much information was required. This suggests that risk communicators should carefully determine which ecological information is critical for the target audience, and ensure that it is presented several times (in different forms). That a lower percentage of people correctly answered questions that required synthesizing several pieces of information suggests that this complexity should be reduced where possible, or that the pieces of information should be tied clearly to the conclusion. Self-declaration of effort and perceptions of safety of the site did not markedly influence the relationship between accuracy, difficulty of finding information, and complexity of information. Other possible confounding variables (i.e., science vs non-science major) only accounted for about 27% of the variation in student’s overall score on ecological questions; age, ethnicity, and gender did not enter as significant variables. We cannot manage environmental hazards with appropriate stakeholder input unless we understand how to present environmental information to achieve a full understanding. Protection of human health and the environment requires that people understand ecological and exposure information, particularly on buffer lands.