Magnetic compass orientation of European robins under 565 nm green light

European robins tested under monochromatic green light with a peak wavelength of 565 nm at an intensity of 2.1 mW m^-2 in the local geomagnetic field preferred their migratory direction, heading southward in autumn and northward in spring. Inverting of the vertical component of the magnetic field caused the robins to reverse their headings, indicating that the birds used a magnetic inclination compass to locate their migratory direction. The behavior recorded under green light at an intensity of 2.1 mW m^-2 is thus not different from that previously recorded under "white" light; it represents normal migratory orientation.     

LIMNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEADWATER RESERVOIR1

ABSTRACT: Hyalite Reservoir, Montana, was studied to determine properties of this small, montane, headwater, deep-release reservoir relative to reservoirs at lower elevations. While retention times for waters were as brief as 12 d, the mean residency of 40 d from mid-March to mid-December was within the range reported for other reservoirs. No significant through-reservoir gradients for suspended sediments were observed, contrasting to observations for most reservoirs. Thermal stratification, evident during the first part of the summer, was disrupted in August by cool, dense tributary inflows and strong wind-induced mixing. Dissolved oxygen concentrations paralleled temperature patterns in the reservoir; lowest average values for both occurred in waters sampled nearest the outlet. Total phosphorus averaged greater than twice the total nitrogen concentrations; greatest average concentrations for both were found in the near-bottom waters nearest the outlet. Enrichment of nitrogen concentrations in outflow over inflow waters is hypothesized to occur through nitrogen fixation by Aphanizonwnon flos-aquae. Despite the relatively high quality of waters from tributary inflows, an algal bloom, chlorophyll a concentrations, and primary productivity estimates suggested that the reservoir was mesotrophic. Circulation of waters within the reservoir was primarily influenced by wind-induced mixing, thermal gradients, and currents produced by the deep-water outlet.     

Mass spectrometry up to 1 million mass units for the simultaneous detection of primary soot and of soot precursors (nanoparticles) in flames

A hybrid setup consisting of low pressure burner, flow reactor and photo-ionization mass spectrometer was used for the simultaneous detection of primary soot and of flame generated nanoparticles precursing soot. The studied flames were low pressure (120-180 mbar) C2H4/O2 flames surrounded by an N2 shield. The flow reactor was not used in this study. Through variation of the burner conditions (stoichiometry, sampling height) it could be shown that nanoparticles and soot are entirely independent species. The former, in particular, are found very early in the flame and their concentration profiles do not vary very much throughout the flame. This renders the possibility that nanoparticles are emitted together with soot and consequently may constitute an additional environmental hazard. Photo-ionization mass spectrometry is well suited for the detection of these particles.     

What drives the water quality changes in the Selenga Basin: climate change or socio-economic development?

Regional Environmental Change - Lake Baikal is the largest near-surface global freshwater source and of high interest for water quality alterations, as deterioration of water quality is a main...     

Climate change impacts in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region and their implications for vulnerable population groups

Regional Environmental Change - The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region emerges as one of the hot spots for worsening extreme heat, drought and aridity conditions under climate change. A...     

Geochronology of anthropogenic radionuclides in Ribeira Bay sediments, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ribeira Bay is located approximately 130 km south of the city of Rio de Janeiro and receives discharges of liquid effluent from the Angra dos Reis nuclear power plant (NPP) site, where two pressurized water reactors are located. To test whether the presence of anthropogenic radionuclides in sediments in Ribeira Bay could be correlated to the NPP operations, we sampled seven sediment cores and determined accumulation rates and chronologies. Only one sediment core did not exhibit a superficial mixing layer; this sample was used for dating purposes. Cesium-137 and ²⁰⁷Bi were observed in this sediment profile, but their presence was associated with atmospheric fall-out rather than the nearby NPP. The exponential decay of ²¹⁰Pb concentration with sediment layer depth was verified below a superficial mixing layer for all other sediment cores. Calculated accumulation rates ranged from 1.2 mm y⁻¹ in the inner bay to 6.2 mm y⁻¹ close to its entrance.