Comparative study of the suitability of three lichen species to trace-element air monitoring

To investigate the suitability of three lichen species (Cetraria islandica, Evernia prunastri, and Ramalina farinacea) as transplants to trace-element air biomonitoring, they were exposed on substratum-free supports, from July 1996 until July 1997, in three European countries with different climates (Germany, Italy, Romania), at six sites with different types of air pollutants (two in each country). After 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of exposure, some portions of thallus were collected, prepared, and measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) at the Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering in Bucharest and by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRFA) at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. Fifteen environmentally relevant elements: As, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, V, and Zn were determined. The analytical results were compared statistically. To study the distribution of the trace-elements between the lichens and the lichen throughfall water inside a virtual column, the throughfall water was collected under the lichen transplants during 6 and 12 months. The dried residues were analysed by INAA at Bucharest. The accumulating capacity for all investigated species is evident. For a comparative evaluation, the initial element contents, the "accumulation factors" relative to the bulk deposition, the interspecies "calibration factors", and the "retention efficiencies", defined as ratios of the lichen enrichment to the sum of this enrichment and the content in the lichen throughfall water, were considered. These criteria attest the best suitability for Evernia prunastri, followed by Ramalina farinacea and Cetraria islandica.     

Transfer of the fungicide vinclozolin from treated to untreated plants via volatilization

Head lettuce plantlets (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) were potted, treated with vinclozolin at the six-leaf stage according to application standards and allowed to dry for 24 h. The potted plantlets were then placed in either growth chambers with controlled temperature (20 and 25 degrees C, respectively) or in a greenhouse (approximately 12 degrees C), together with untreated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and standardized grass cultures (Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp.) While the treated lettuce pots remained in the respective growing compartments until the end of the experiments, spinach and grass were exposed to the compartment air for 24 h and their shoot material was analyzed for vinclozolin by GC-ECD and GC-high resolution mass spectrometry. Exposure and analysis of untreated spinach and grass were carried out at two- or three-day intervals during the course of the experiments. Also, air samples were taken from the compartments at intervals and analyzed for vinclozolin. Maximum vinclozolin concentration in the growth chamber air was about 330 ng m(-3) while vinclozolin contamination of the untreated plants ranged from 50 to 200 microg kg(-1) FW (fresh weight). In the greenhouse atmospheric vinclozolin concentration reached approximately 15 ngm(-3) and maximum contamination of spinach and grass were 30-40 microg kg(-1) FW. Our data clearly show that unintended contamination of plants growing in the vicinity of vinclozolin-treated plants can occur even if the fungicide layer is completely dry. Implications for safety testing and food plants are discussed.     

Performance assessment of NAPL remediation in heterogeneous alluvium

Over the last few years, more than 40 partitioning interwell tracer tests (PITTs) have been conducted at many different sites to measure nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) saturations in the subsurface. While the main goal of these PITTs was to estimate the NAPL volume in the subsurface, some were specifically conducted to assess the performance of remedial actions involving NAPL removal. In this paper, we present a quantitative approach to assess the performance of remedial actions to recover NAPL that can be used to assess any NAPL removal technology. It combines the use of PITTs (to estimate the NAPL volume in the swept pore volume between injection and extraction wells of a test area) with the use of several cores to determine the vertical NAPL distribution in the subsurface. We illustrate the effectiveness of such an approach by assessing the performance of a surfactant/foam flood conducted at Hill Air Force Base, UT, to remove a TCE-rich NAPL from alluvium with permeability contrasts as high as one order of magnitude. In addition, we compare the NAPL volumes determined by the PITTs with volumes estimated through geostatistical interpolation of aquifer sediment core data collected with a vertical frequency of 5-10 cm and a lateral borehole spacing of 0.15 m. We demonstrate the use of several innovations including the explicit estimation of not only the errors associated with NAPL volumes and saturations derived from PITTs but also the heterogeneity of the aquifer sediments based upon permeability estimates. Most importantly, we demonstrate the reliability of the     

A theoretical model of air and steam co-injection to prevent the downward migration of DNAPLs during steam-enhanced extraction

When steam is injected into soil containing a dense volatile non-aqueous phase liquid contaminant the DNAPL vaporized within the heated soil region condenses and accumulates ahead of the steam condensation front. If enough DNAPL accumulates, gravitational forces can overcome trapping forces allowing the liquid contaminant to flow downward. By injecting air with steam, a portion of the DNAPL vapor remains suspended in equilibrium with the air, decreasing liquid contaminant accumulation ahead of the steam condensation front, and thus reducing the possibility of downward migration. In this work, a one-dimensional theoretical model is developed to predict the injection ratio of air to steam that will prevent the accumulation of volatile DNAPLs. The contaminated region is modeled as a one-dimensional homogeneous porous medium with an initially uniform distribution of a single component contaminant. Mass and energy balances are combined to determine the injection ratio of air to steam that eliminates accumulation of the contaminant ahead of the steam condensation front, and hence reduces the possibility of downward migration. The minimum injection ratio that eliminates accumulation is defined as the optimum injection ratio. Example calculations are presented for three DNAPLs, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE). The optimum injection ratio of air to steam is shown to depend on the initial saturation and the volatility of the liquid contaminant. Numerical simulation results are presented to validate the model, and to illustrate downward migration for ratios less than optimum. Optimum injection ratios determined from numerical simulations are shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical model.     

Tolerance to,and avoidance of,hypoxia by the penaeid shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis)

Aquatic hypoxia caused by eutrophication may lead to mass mortality of valuable living resources such as fish and shrimp. However, there is little information on the hypoxic tolerance of penaeid shrimp, and whether they are able to avoid hypoxia. In laboratory experiments, LC50, LT50 and heart beats per minute were determined for juvenile Metapenaeus ensis at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 6.0 mg O2 l(-1). The 8-h LC50, for DO was 0.77 mg O2 l(-1), while the LT50 at 0.5 mg O2 l(-1) was 399 min. Heart beat rate significantly declined when DO fell below 1.0 mg O2 l(-1). When confronted with a gradient of dissolved oxygen, M. ensis were able to avoid hypoxic areas and move to oxygenated water. M. ensis appeared to be sensitive to hypoxia, and their ability to detect and avoid hypoxia may enhance their survival in habitats where hypoxia may occur.     

Lead removal from synthetic leachate matrices by a novel ion-exchange material

This paper discusses the application of a novel polyacrylate-based ion-exchange material for the removal of Pb ions from water. Preliminary testing includes the establishment of the operating pH range, capacity information, and the effect of Ca2+ and anions in the matrix. Batch testing with powder indicates slightly different optimal operational conditions from those used for column testing. The ion-exchanger is excellent for removing Pb from aqueous solutions.     

Alterations of lipid profile in plasma and liver of diabetic rats: effect of hypoglycemic herbs

The effect of three species of hypoglycemic herbs (Termis, Halfa barr, or Kammun Quaramany) on the lipid profile was investigated in plasma and liver tissues of diabetic and herbs-treated diabetic rats. This profile includes total lipids (TL), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). A dose of 1.5 ml of aqueous suspension of each herb/100 g body weight (equivalent to 75 mg/100 g body weight) was orally administered daily to alloxan-diabetic rats for four weeks. The present study showed 2-fold increase (p<0.05) in the plasma glucose level of diabetic rats, which received alloxan as a single dose of 120 mg/kg body weight, relative to the mean value of control group. This elevated glucose level was restored to its normal level after treatment with any one of the three herbs. Furthermore, the levels of TL, TG, cholesterol, LDL and VLDL were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the plasma and the liver tissues of diabetic rats compared to the control group, whereas HDL level was significantly (p<0.05) decreased. The plasma levels of all above parameters were normalized after treatment of the diabetic rats with Kammun Quaramany. Treatment of diabetic rats with Tennis normalized TG, cholesterol, LDL and VLDL levels, but Halfa barr restored the induced levels of plasma cholesterol, LDL and HDL to their normal levels. On the other hand, treatment with any of the three herbal suspensions could not restore the concentrations of the all tested parameters in the liver. These data demonstrated that the glycemic control of any of the three herbal suspensions was associated with their hypocholesterolemic effects on the hypercholesterolemia of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, the Kammun Quaramany showed the most potent effect.     

Euglena gracilis as a model for the study of Cu and Zn toxicity and accumulation in eukaryotic cells

We have observed the effect of copper and zinc on the biology of Euglena gracilis. The cells displayed different sensitivities to these metals, as the apparent LC₅₀ for Cu²⁺ was 0.22 mM, and for Zn²⁺ it was 0.88 mM. While Zn²⁺ was able to increase cell proliferation even at 0.1 mM, the minimal CuCl₂ concentration tested (0.02 mM) was sufficient to impair cell division. Higher concentrations of these metals not only inhibited cell division in a concentration-dependent manner, but also interfered with the metabolism of E. gracilis. A higher accumulation of proteins and lipids per cell was observed at the DI₅₀ concentration for metal-treated cells. These results suggest that the test concentration of both metals leads to a failure in completing cell division. Ultrastructural analysis indicated a chloroplast disorganization in copper-treated cells, as well as the presence of electron dense granules with different shapes and sizes inside vacuoles. Microanalysis of these granules indicated an accumulation of copper, thus suggesting a detoxification role played by the vacuoles. These results indicate that E. gracilis is an efficient biological model for the study of metal poisoning in eukaryotic cells. They also indicate that copper and zinc (copper being more poisonous) had an overall toxic effect on E. gracilis and that part of the effect can be ascribed to defects in the structure of chloroplast membranes.     

Local Arctic air pollution: Sources and impacts

Local emissions of Arctic air pollutants and their impacts on climate, ecosystems and health are poorly understood. Future increases due to Arctic warming or economic drivers may put additional pressures on the fragile Arctic environment already affected by mid-latitude air pollution. Aircraft data were collected, for the first time, downwind of shipping and petroleum extraction facilities in the European Arctic. Data analysis reveals discrepancies compared to commonly used emission inventories, highlighting missing emissions (e.g. drilling rigs) and the intermittent nature of certain emissions (e.g. flaring, shipping). Present-day shipping/petroleum extraction emissions already appear to be impacting pollutant (ozone, aerosols) levels along the Norwegian coast and are estimated to cool and warm the Arctic climate, respectively. Future increases in shipping may lead to short-term (long-term) warming (cooling) due to reduced sulphur (CO₂) emissions, and be detrimental to regional air quality (ozone). Further quantification of local Arctic emission impacts is needed.     

The progress of interdisciplinarity in invasion science

Interdisciplinarity is needed to gain knowledge of the ecology of invasive species and invaded ecosystems, and of the human dimensions of biological invasions. We combine a quantitative literature review with a qualitative historical narrative to document the progress of interdisciplinarity in invasion science since 1950. Our review shows that 92.4% of interdisciplinary publications (out of 9192) focus on ecological questions, 4.4% on social ones, and 3.2% on social–ecological ones. The emergence of invasion science out of ecology might explain why interdisciplinarity has remained mostly within the natural sciences. Nevertheless, invasion science is attracting social–ecological collaborations to understand ecological challenges, and to develop novel approaches to address new ideas, concepts, and invasion-related questions between scholars and stakeholders. We discuss ways to reframe invasion science as a field centred on interlinked social–ecological dynamics to bring science, governance and society together in a common effort to deal with invasions.