Experimental Characterization of Atmospheric Diffusion in Complex Terrain with Land-Sea Interactions

The body of information presented in this paper is directed to scientists working in atmospheric dispersion research and model development. Two years of field measurements in the coastal area of Bilbao in northern Spain show that the diffusion behavior in this complex terrain can be classified into several well defined patterns, which correspond to certain meteorological conditions. The approach taken has been the systematic use of SO₂ remote sensors (COSPEC) and ground level monitors in moving platforms which are used to follow and document the flow of the air mass. Results to date show that complex reentry cycles can occur and that synoptically different flows may be indistinguishable by wind sensors at ground level (affected by channeling), and yet result in totally different observed pollution levels by a fixed monitoring network (affected by topographical effects). These results are being used to parameterize the cause-effect relationships and guide the modeling efforts in this area of complex terrain.     

Ecosystem services and hydroelectricity in Central America: modelling service flows with fuzzy logic and expert knowledge

Because ecosystem services are generally not produced and used in the same place, their assessment should consider the flows of services from ecosystems to users. These flows depend on the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems and users, the spatial relationships between them, and the presence of filters or barriers between ecosystems and users. The objective of this paper is to map the ecosystem services provided to the Costa Rican and Nicaraguan hydroelectric sectors, which are crucial sectors for national sustainable development and depend directly on hydrological ecosystem services. The paper presents an approach for modelling the flows of multiple services from diverse ecosystems to diverse users through different kinds of filters in a landscape. The approach uses expert knowledge and fuzzy numbers to handle uncertainties. The analyses for Costa Rica and Nicaragua show how the approach helps identify priority areas for the conservation and restoration of forests for the services they provide to the hydroelectric sector. As such, it is a useful tool for defining spatially targeted policies for the conservation of ecosystem services and for involving the users of ecosystem services in ecosystem management.     

A biology-based dynamic approach for the reconciliation of acute and chronic toxicity tests: application to Daphnia magna

There is the need to integrate existing toxicity data in a coherent framework for extending their domain of applicability as well as their extrapolation potential. This integration would also reduce time and cost-consuming aspects of these tests and reduce animal usage. In this work, based on data extracted from literature, we have assessed the advantages that a dynamic biology-toxicant fate coupled model for Daphnia magna could provide when assessing toxicity data, in particular, the possibility to obtain from short-term (acute) toxicity test long-term (chronic) toxicity values taking into account the inherent variability of D. magna populations and the multiple sources of data. The results show that this approach overcomes some of the limitations of existing toxicity tests and that the prediction errors are considerably reduced when compared with the factor from 2 to 5 obtained using acute-to-chronic ratios.     

Enhanced retention of linuron, alachlor and metalaxyl in sandy soil columns intercalated with wood barriers

A study has been made of the effect a reactive barrier made of pine (softwood) or oak (hardwood) wood intercalated in a sandy soil column has on the retention of linuron, alachlor and metalaxyl (pesticides with contrasting physicochemical characteristics). The leaching of pesticides has been carried out under a saturated flow regime and breakthrough curves (BTCs) have been obtained at flow rates of 1 mL min⁻¹ (all pesticides) and 3 mL min⁻¹ (linuron). The cumulative curves in the unmodified soil indicate a leaching of pesticides >80% of the total amount of compound added. After barrier intercalation, linuron leaching decreases significantly and a modification of the leaching kinetics of alachlor and metalaxyl has been observed. The theoretical R factors increased ∼2.6-3.3, 1.2-1.6-fold, and 1.4-1.7-fold and the concentration of the maximum peak decreased ∼6-12-fold, 2-4-fold and 1.2-2-fold for linuron, alachlor and metalaxyl, respectively. When considering the three pesticides, significant correlations have been found between the theoretical retardation factor (R) and the pore volume corresponding to the maximum peaks of the BTCs (r = 0.77; p < 0.05) or the total volume leached (r = −0.78; p < 0.05). The results reveal the efficacy of reactive wood barriers to decrease the leaching of pesticides from point sources of pollution depends on the type of wood, the hydrophobicity of the pesticide and the adopted water flow rate. Pine was more effective than oak in decreasing the leaching of hydrophobic pesticide linuron or in decreasing the maximum peak concentration of the less hydrophobic pesticides in soils. Efficacy of these wood barriers was limited for the least hydrophobic pesticide metalaxyl.     

Effects of the organophosphate insecticide azinphos-methyl on the reproduction and cholinesterase activity of Biomphalaria glabrata

Azinphos-methyl is an organophosphate insecticide used for pest control on a number of food crops in many parts of the world. The snail Biomphalaria glabrata is a freshwater gastropod widely distributed in South America, Central America and Africa. The aim of the present work was to investigate whether azinphos-methyl causes alterations in the reproduction of B. glabrata. To this end, gastropod pigmented specimens were exposed to various concentrations of the insecticide (0.021, 0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg L⁻¹) for either 2 or 14 d. Along 14 d, several reproduction parameters and cholinesterase (ChE) activity were evaluated. In each group, the number of egg masses, the number of eggs per mass, the number of hatchings, the time to hatching, and the survival of the offspring after one month of treatment was evaluated. The results showed that, depending on the concentration and time of exposure, azinphos-methyl induced alterations in the reproduction of B. glabrata. These alterations were mainly represented by a decrease in the number of egg masses, and, in some cases, by a lower number or even the total absence of hatchings. Thus, the gastropods exposed to 2.5 and 5 mg L⁻¹ of azinphos-methyl for 14 d showed ChE inhibitions higher than 35% along time and completely lost their ability to reproduce. On the other hand, exposure to high acute concentrations or exposure to low concentrations for 14 d resulted in ChE inhibition equal to or lower than 35% between 7 and 14 d of treatment and similar alterations in reproduction. These were represented by a decrease in the number of egg masses. At low pestice levels, the number of egg masses and the number of offspring resulted to be more sensitive biomarkers than ChE inhibition. It is concluded that the insecticide azinphos-methyl can cause a decline in the reproductive performance of B. glabrata.     

Phytostabilization of semiarid soils residually contaminated with trace elements using by-products: sustainability and risks

We investigated the efficiency of various by-products (sugarbeet lime, biosolid compost and leonardite), based on single or repeated applications to field plots, on the establishment of a vegetation cover compatible with a stabilization strategy on a multi-element (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) contaminated soil 4-6 years after initial amendment applications. Results indicate that the need for re-treatment is amendment- and element-dependent; in some cases, a single application may reduce trace element concentrations in above-ground biomass and enhance the establishment of a healthy vegetation cover. Amendment performance as evaluated by % cover, biomass and number of colonizing taxa differs; however, changes in plant community composition are not necessarily amendment-specific. Although the translocation of trace elements to the plant biotic compartment is greater in re-vegetated areas, overall loss of trace elements due to soil erosion and plant uptake is usually smaller compared to that in bare soil.     

Validation of an analytical method for the quantification of pyrethrins on lemons and apricots using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure has been developed for the determination of natural pyrethrins (pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, jasmolin I, jasmolin II, cinerin I and cinerin II) in lemon and apricot. The QuEChERS method, which stands for quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe was used for extraction. Analysis of the extract was performed by liquid-chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry. The ions prominent in the ESI spectra were [M+H]+ for the six compounds. A Zorbax SB-C18 column was used with a programmed gradient mobile phase consisting of (A) water containing 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate and (B) ACN. The method was linear within the investigated concentration range, displaying a calibration curve correlation factor of 0.99. The coefficients of variation obtained (RSD) were below 20% and the recoveries were in the 70-110% range.     

Determination of sixteen pesticides in peppers using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method for the detection and quantification of 16 pesticides: flufenoxuron, fenoxycarb, dimethomorph, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, lufenuron, thiacloprid, thiabendazole, thiophanate-methyl, spinosad, fenbutatin oxide, methoxyfenozide, oxamyl, clothianidin, thiamethoxam and carbendazim has been developed based on high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pesticide residues were extracted from the samples according to the QuEChERS method which stands for quick, essay, cheap, effective, rugged and safe. Homogenised analytical portions (10 g ± 0.1) of samples of peppers were spiked at two levels (10 and 100 μg kg?1) with a small volume of an appropriate standard mixture solution containing each pesticide. Analyses were performed using electrospray ionization (ESI) and a MSD trap system. Chromatography separation was achieved using a ZORBAX SB-C18 3.5 μm particle size analytical column, 2.1 × 50 mm from Agilent, with gradient elution at a flow-rate of 0.4 mL/min with mobile phases: waters-0.1 % HCOOH-5 mM HCOONH? and MeOH-5 mM HCOONH?. The method has been validated based on the SANCO European Guidelines. Under the optimized conditions the recoveries (n = 7) were in the range 70-110 % with satisfactory precision (CV ≤ 20 %). A linear dynamic range was obtained over a range of concentrations from 10 to 100 μg kg?1 for each of the analytes, with correlation coefficients >0.997.     

Lead and cadmium accumulation in anuran amphibians of a permanent water body in arid Midwestern Argentina

Purpose

Heavy metals have been detected in water and sediments from the Embalse La Florida, an artificial lake in the arid region of San Luis province, Argentina, representing one of the few sources of permanent water for reproduction of native anuran species. This study assesses lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the anuran species found in this water reservoir as well as differences between compounds, species and sites of collection.

Methods

Adult anuran amphibians were collected on the north and south shores of the Embalse La Florida and Pb and Cd concentrations were measured in whole body homogenates digested using wet ashing techniques.

Results

All individuals of the six species assayed had detectable levels of Pb and Cd that ranged from 1.19 to 5.57 ??g/g dry mass and from 1.09 to 6.86 ??g/g dry mass, respectively. Anuran amphibians collected in the more contaminated south shore accumulated 21% more Cd and 40% more Pb than individuals from the less altered north shore. Cd and Pb accumulation was not significantly correlated with the concentration in water at the site of collection.

Conclusions

Amphibians of the Embalse La Florida accumulate Cd and Pb. Between and within species, differences were detected in Cd and Pb concentrations. Differences in metal concentrations between species, metals, and individuals collected on shores of the Embalse La Florida with different contamination, were detected. Therefore, it is crucial to implement adequate policies to protect amphibians from the accelerated urban development experienced in this location.     

Analysis and fit of surface CO2 concentrations at a rural site

Purpose

The impact of CO₂ urban plume in a rural area was investigated by concentrations recorded near surface.

Methods

CO₂ dry concentrations at three levels near surface were recorded for about 8 months at a rural site. Daily cycles were obtained and directional analysis was made with percentiles. Several functions were used to fit background and plume concentrations and the goodness of fit was evaluated with different statistics, which were also compared.

Results

Daily cycle showed a difference of around 2 ppm during the night between the lowest (1.8 m) and the highest (8.3 m) levels. Weighting functions of the directional analysis revealed the influence of the Valladolid urban plume. Two regions were established, with local factors prevailing below 3 m?s^?1 and transport dominating above 6 m?s^?1. The best fit was achieved with a quadratic function for the background and a cubic function for the plume due to the lack of symmetry observed. Gamma and Weibull distributions were also successfully used. Some statistics, such as the root mean square error (RMSE), stood out when evaluating the goodness of fit, whilst others were discarded due to their extremely low values and the lack of sensitivity against the functions used. Finally, a comprehensive metric merging several statistics was also tested with slight differences against RMSE.