Effects of ethylenediurea (EDU) on ozone-induced acceleration of foliar senescence in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of the anti-ozonant ethylenediurea (EDU) and chronic ozone (O3) exposure on leaf physiology and senescence in an O3-sensitive potato cultivar (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Norland). A dose-response experiment showed that an EDU concentration of 15 mg l(-1) soil (given as a soil drench) provided complete protection from accelerated foliar senescence induced by exposure to 0.1 microl l(-1) O3 for 5 h day(-1) for 11 days. EDU doses of 45 and 75 mg active ingredient l(-1) soil also gave protection but were associated with symptoms of toxicity and delayed senescence. In further experiments, plants were given 0 or 15 mg EDU l(-1) soil and exposed to clean air or 0.1 microl l(-1) O3 for 5 h day(-1) for 14 days. Chronic O3 exposure in the absence of EDU resulted in accelerated foliar senescence, characterized by early declines in net photosynthesis and Rubisco quantity in O3-treated plants relative to controls. EDU in the presence of O3 gave complete protection against symptoms of accelerated senescence. Senescence was not delayed in plants that received EDU in the absence of O3, and no symptoms of EDU toxicity were evident. The results suggest that EDU-induced tolerance to O3 was not based on 'anti-senescent' properties of this anti-ozonant.     

Chemical fractionation of copper, lead and zinc in ombrotrophic peat

Measurement of operationally defined chemical fractions in ombrotrophic peat samples provides information not obtained by total metal extractions. Examination of such sequential data permits interpretation of process dynamics. Results for copper, lead and zinc chemical fractionation of peat profiles from Ringinglow Bog, near Sheffield, Great Britain, are reported and discussed. Lead and zinc share similar patterns of partitioning. A considerable proportion of these records is in a form predisposed to transformation and mobilisation. In contrast, much of the copper is comparatively immobile, it being associated with the more chemically intractable fractions. The results suggest that peat copper deposition records may be used for reconstruction of pollution history. The use of lead and zinc records for these purposes is problematic.     

The total carbohydrate: organic carbon ratio as an indicator of sewage-derived organic matter in Burbo Bight sediments, Liverpool Bay, UK

Sediments from the Burbo Bight, Liverpool Bay, were analysed for their total carbohydrate (TCH) and organic carbon (TOC) contents, and the TCH:TOC ratio (when the TCH is expressed as a percentage of the TOC) was used to give an indication of the amount of sewage-derived organic matter in the sediments. The %TCH values found ranged from 17-68 with an average of 40, indicating that sewage-derived organic matter constituted a significant fraction of the organic matter in the sediment. This appears likely to have been derived mainly from the Mersey Estuary outflow and the sewage sludge dumped in Liverpool Bay, but these two sources cannot be distinguished using this technique. It is suggested that further studies are required on the carbohydrates in sewage sludge and coastal sediments to satisfactorily establish this technique.     

Heavy metal concentrations in the liver of three duck species: influence of species and sex

To investigate interspecific and intersex differences in heavy metal levels, we analysed concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, manganese, nickel and zinc in the livers of male and female black duck (Anas rubripes), mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and greater scaup (Aythya marila) collected in Raritan Bay, New Jersey in December 1980 and January 1981. Certain metal levels varied significantly by species and sex. In all species, Zn and Cu had the highest concentrations, and Cd, Co, and Hg were lowest in all three species. Scaup had significantly higher levels of Cu than black ducks and mallards, and mallards had significantly higher levels of Mn and Zn than black duck and scaup. Overall, eight of nine metal levels were higher in male than female black duck. In scaup, females had significantly higher levels of Pb and Mn than males. In black ducks, males had significantly higher levels of Cu, Mn and Zn than females. The sample of mallard was too small to test intersex differences.     

The effect of pH on zinc adsorption equilibria and exchangeable zinc pools in soils

Zinc adsorption equilibria were measured in soils differing in pH but with similar textures and total zinc concentrations, using adsorption isotherm and isotopic exchange techniques. The results suggested that the equilibrium between solution and exchangeable zinc was strongly pH dependent and the active zinc species in adsorption was single charged (e.g. Zn(OH)(+)). The size of the exchangeable zinc pool was not strongly pH dependent. Similar results were obtained when zinc was added to the soils, either as Zn(NO(3))(2) or in sewage sludge.     

Studies on water hyacinth as a biological filtre for treating contaminants from agricultural wastes and industrial effluents

The aquatic weed--water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms] showed a remarkable capacity to withstand the effects of pH changes ranging from 5 to 8 in the aquatic environment. Growth continued to be normal except when placed for longer periods in medium containing iron ions at pH 3.3. The ability of this plant to neutralize some very acid solutions of heavy metals such as salts of copper, cadmium and zinc individually and in combinations, is being reported. Plants placed in pure acid and alkali solutions were also able to neutralize the medium. Calcium appears to play an important role in the mechanism involved in the adaptability of these plants to such environments.     

The use of terrestrial plant biomass as a parameter in the fugacity model

A new compartment, the terrestrial plant biomass, is proposed for inclusion in the fugacity model. Two possibilities of calculation have been developed and exemplified: the first considers the plant as a whole, the second takes into account foliage, trunk and roots separately.     

Contributions of heavy metals from municipal runoff to the sediments of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana

A study was conducted to determine the distribution and sources of heavy metal pollutants in the sediments of Lake Pontchartrain. Sediment samples were collected from the northern and southern shorelines and analyzed for heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. The heavy metals of interest were barium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc. The concentrations of these metals indicate that the principal source of heavy metal pollution is associated with urban stormwater runoff and municipal discharges.