Characterization of two glutamate dehydrogenases from the symbiotic microalga Symbiodinium microadriaticum isolated from the coral Acropora formosa

In view of their possible involvement in ammonium assimilation in the coral/algal symbiosis, we have purified two distinct glutamate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium microadriaticum (Freudenthal) extracted from the staghorn coral Acropora formosa collected from Magnetic Island, North Queensland, Australia, in 1986–1987. An NADPH-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) displayed biphasic kinetics with respect to ammonium as the variable substrate; at low substrate concentrations the apparent K _m was below 1 mM, whereas at high substrate concentrations the corresponding value was approximately 200 mM. The NADPH-GDH displayed extremely low activity in the direction of glutamate oxidation; together with the kinetic data this suggests a probable role in ammonium assimilation. A second (NADH-specific) GDH was found to have both amination and deamination activities, and presumably functions in vivo in glutamate oxidation. Kinetic constants are reported for both GDH isoenzymes.     

Improving quality with waste minimization for small businesses

All businesses are continually seeking ways to increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction, reduce waste, and minimize costs. However, small businesses are frequently overlooked in discussions of the implementation of environmental quality improvements in conjunction with management practice improvements. Humes Collision Center incorporated new waste reduction techniques when it expanded its old facilities in 1992, and it was able to achieve the benefits of cost and waste reduction. Humes Collision Center repairs an average of 500 cars annually and is a very small quantity generator of hazardous waste, as defined by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This case study documents the waste minimization and economic benefits at the new autobody repair facility in Hermantown, Minnesota.     

Delayed neurotoxicity in the wild mallard duckling caused by the organophosphorus insecticides cyanofenphos and leptophos

The susceptibility of wild mallard ducklings to the delayed neurotoxic effect of the neurotoxic organophosphorus insecticides cyanofenphos and leptophos was evaluated following a daily dosing regimen. Ducklings were treated daily with either cyanofenphos or with leptophos at different dose levels for 90 days, or until they died, or became paralyzed. A control group of ducklings given corn oil at 1 ml/kg daily for 90 days was used for comparison. All treated birds were observed daily for any clinical signs of neurotoxicity during the course of this study. All of the surviving ducklings that were treated with cyanofenphos at 4 mg/kg/day or leptophos at 10 mg/kg/day developed clinical signs of delayed neurotoxicity after 7 to 11 weeks of intoxication. Symptoms included leg weakness, ataxia, severe ataxia and paralysis. The observed clinical signs were confirmed by histological changes found in the spinal cords of the treated birds. These changes were of the type associated with organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN). These results demonstrate that wild mallard ducklings are susceptible to OPIDN and this avian species can be used in screening organophosphorus compounds for such effect.     

A comparison of results from two test methods for assessing the toxicity of aminotriazole to Selenastrum capricornutum

Two different test methods for assessing the toxicity of aminotriazole to Selenastrum capricornutum are compared. Growth medium composition is demonstrated to have a significant effect on the toxicity of aminotriazole.     

Application of slipstreamed air pollution control devices on waste-as-fuel processes

The recovery of energy from the combustion of municipal solid wastes is becoming an attractive alternative as landfill space becomes scarce and the availability of fossil fuels decreases. Particulate emissions from “waste-as-fuel” processes, however, may differ significantly in chemical and physical properties from particulate emissions produced by firing only coal. Such differences can affect the design and operation of air pollution control equipment. Presented in this paper are the results of a 2-month test program at Ames, Iowa, with a mobile electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and a mobile scrubber supplied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory (IERL), Research Triangle Park. PEDCo Environmental, Inc., and Acurex Corporation jointly conducted the test program to examine the effect of burning refuse-derived fuel (RDF) on particulate and heavy metal control efficiencies. The mobile ESP was used only as a primary control device, whereas the mobile scrubber was tested both upstream and downstream of the existing full-scale ESP. This paper also presents a status report on a PEDCo test program with a pilot fabric filter at Ames.     

中国的人口,资源,环境问题及若干战略选择

中国具有十分特殊的基本国情,如何根据中国的国情以及特定的历史与现实条件,选择适宜的组织机制,实施正确的长期发展战略,加速中国的现代化进程,这是一个十分紧迫而又令人关注的重大课题。本文主要从人口、资源、环境等方面分析中国现代化所面临的困境,以及应采取的战略选择。     

Delayed neuropathy in sheep by the phosphonothioate insecticide cyanofenphos.

Cyanofenphos (surecide)(R), 25% E.C., O-ethyl O-(4-cyanophenyl) phenylphosphonothioate, was orally administered to one year old lambs at sublethal doses of 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg active ingredient kg-1 day-1 for time intervals 60, 45 and 30 days respectively. Irreversible paralytic ataxia symptoms of delayed neuropathy appeared at about 80, 50 and 30 days respectively. In weekly blood samples, AChE (acetylcholine-sterase) and MAO (monoamine oxidase) activities were inhibited depending upon level of dosing and time interval. However no significant correlation was found between the extent of plasma AChE and MAO inhibition and the onset of ataxia symptoms. In brain samples from ataxiated animals, AChE, MAO and NTE (neurotoxic esterase) activities were assayed simultaneously with untreated animal. Direct correlation was shown between in vivo NTE inhibition and the occurrence of delayed neuropathy. Cyanofenphos is the third compound of the phenyl phosphonothioate type on the market showing delayed neuropathy together with Leptophos and EPN.