Using diatoms to assess the impacts of prehistoric, pre-industrial and modern land-use on Danish lakes

The impact of contemporary agriculture on Danish lakes is acknowledged to be extreme. In particular, high loading of nutrients from agricultural soils contributes to the eutrophic conditions found in many of Denmark’s lakes. Palaeolimnological studies have shown that human disturbance of the Danish landscape since the introduction of agriculture around 6,000 years ago has had a major impact on lake ecosystems. The European Union’s Water Framework Directive requires an evaluation of reference conditions for lakes, the conditions expected with only minimal human impact. Monitoring data and palaeolimnological studies of Danish lakes demonstrate that many of the most detrimental effects of eutrophication have been experienced in recent decades. A new study has suggested that the reference status for Danish lakes may be set to the status in ad 1850–1900, probably providing attainable, realistic restoration targets for many sites. The aims of this study were to explore the impacts of past and contemporary land-use on Danish lakes, and to consider how appropriate the use of 1850 as a date to define reference status is for these sites. Catchment land-cover data for ad 1800, taken from historical maps, and sedimentary diatom assemblages of the same age, from dated sediment cores, were used to assess the impact of pre-industrial land-use on 20 Danish lakes. Analysis of contemporary land-cover data and surface-sediment diatom assemblages for the 20 sites was also made. In-lake total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were estimated using the sedimentary diatom assemblages and an existing calibration dataset for Danish lakes. The percentage of the lake catchment that was agricultural land in ad 1800 explained 8.8% of the total variation in the diatom data. The land-cover variables ‘built-up areas’ and ‘plantations’, together explained 16.9% of the variation in the diatom data for the modern samples. Diatom-inferred TP concentrations were high for both ad 1800 (mean 112 μg TP L⁻¹) and the present (mean 122 μg TP L⁻¹), the latter estimates reflecting efforts in recent decades to reduce nutrient loading to Danish lakes following very high levels of nutrient enrichment post-1950. The data presented highlight the impact that human activities 200 years ago, particularly agriculture, had on Danish lake systems. The long cultural history and major anthropogenic disturbance of the Danish landscape mean that true reference conditions for lakes (or ‘baseline’ conditions, those found prior to human impacts) can be found only by considering century to millennial timescales.     

Comparison of the chromotropic acid and modified pararosaniline methods for the determination of formaldehyde in air

Follow-up tests were performed in 25 complaint homes previously investigated by the Wisconsin Division of Health to determine ambient formaldehyde concentrations. Four collection methods were compared in each home: (1) midget impingers containing double-distilled water and immersed in ice baths, (2) midget impingers containing 1% sodium bisulfite solution and immersed in ice baths, (3) midget impingers containing cold 1% sodium bisulfite solution (temperature not maintained with an ice bath), and (4) a refrigerated, complete sampling unit developed at Lawrence Berkley Laboratory which utilized double-distilled water as a collection medium. Air was drawn through the midget impingers using personal sampling pumps. All four types of sampling trains were operated simultaneously in a bedroom, collecting specimens within an area of about 4 ft², while in the kitchen or living room, all sampling trains except for the impingers containing 1% sodium bisulfite solution and immersed in ice baths were operated together. Analysis of variance indicated that the three samples collected using midget impingers and personal sampling pumps gave similar results. All specimens collected in water were analyzed using both the chromotropic acid and pararosaniline analytical methods. Quality control specimens prepared in the laboratory showed excellent agreement between the two methods; however, field specimens through which air had been drawn were assigned lower values using the pararosaniline method. Special precautions were taken to ensure that specimens collected in water were not contaminated with sodium bisulfite, a serious interference for the pararosaniline test. To rule out the possibility that specimens deteriorated between analysis, test results from each method were confirmed by repeating each method for selected sets of specimens for a period of several days. It was hypothesized that some source of interference was present in the field specimens which affected the pararosaniline analysis. Statistical tests were applied to determine whether the observed discrepancy between the analytical methods was consistent and a regression model was employed to determine whether any of the other environmental parameters measured during sample collection was associated with the discrepancy.     

Release,distribution, and impacts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) induced by dredged material disposal activities at a deep-water estuarine site

The aquatic disposal field investigation initiated in Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, WA, in February 1976, was designed to evaluate the ecological effects of open-water disposal of dredged material. The experimental disposal site was located at a depth of 60 m in marine estuary with generally weak circulation. Approximately 114,000 m³ of dredged material contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were dumped at the site from split-hull barges. The material presented in this paper is limited to a discussion of PCB impacts. It imcludes (a) a summary of results from the studies conducted between 1976 and 1977 to assess short-term impacts during and after the disposal of PCB contaminated sediments at the Elliott Bay disposal site; (b) a presentation of preliminary results from the continuation studies initiated in February 1979 to determine long-term impacts of the disposal operations. The preliminary data indicate that both dredged-material deposit and the associated PCBs appear to be stable. No major long-term impact on benthic organisms is apparent from this analysis.     

Taxation of uranium mining in Canada and Australia

The objective of this paper is to compare the nature of the taxation schemes facing uranium mine operators in Australia's Northern Territory and in Canada's Province of Saskatchewan. The findings demonstrate that, although the Canadian system appropriates up to 85% of incremental sales revenue, it is extremely sensitive to industry profitability. Its Australian counterpart is, in contrast, a regressive scheme which, at the current selling price of yellowcake, captures a significantly larger proportion of available economic rent.     

TRACE ELEMENTS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS STRIP MINE AND LIVESTOCK IMPOUNDMENT WATER1

ABSTRACT: The water from 32 strip mine water impoundments and nine livestock watering ponds in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming were analyzed for trace elements. Because of the high concentrations of trace elements in coal and bentonite clay, the possibility exists for these elements to dissolve or be suspended in the water. Strip mine ponds were not significantly higher in trace element concentrations compared to livestock ponds. All but one of the 41 ponds sampled contained elemental concentrations that would be detrimental for livestock use or aquatic life use. Cadmium and lead were the elements most frequently in excess of water quality crieria. Lead was found in the study ponds about 35 times the median concentration of North American rivers. Manganese concentrations were found to exceed iron in many ponds, which is unusual in natural waters. The potential for detrimental concentrations of trace elements in pond water must be evaluated when designing land use management plans for ponds intended to be used by livestock or aquatic life.     

Synthesis of3H- polyethylene and its use for fate studies on degradable plastics

Determining the fate of xenobiotic materials in the environment can be aided by the use of radioactive isotope technology. Previous research on the degradation of polymers such as polyethylene (PE) was aided by the utilization of radiotracers. In order to study the environmental fate of degradable (PE/starch) plastics, we synthesized³H-labeled PE. Results of soil incubation studies indicate that only minimal degradation of the PE component, as indicated by the production of water-soluble metabolites, occurred during 2 years of incubation in soil. Despite the minimal degradation, the³H label did not allow for detection of the degradation products. In addition, the³H-PE was particularly useful for tracing the fate of degradable plastics after consumption by terrestrial isopods. The detection of aqueous-soluble radioactivity in isopod frass was used to indicate degradation of the plastic film.     

Regulatory Oversight of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms: Has Regulation Inhibited Innovation?

/ Using detailed interviews with company representatives and researchers in the field, this paper examines the factors that might account for the slow pace of development of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) intended for environmental release. We specifically analyzed the role of the regulatory system in shaping innovation. We identified at least two cases where industry decided to discontinue the development of a genetically engineered microbial product because of concerns over regulatory oversight. However, most often industry decisions to continue or halt development of GEMs were based on an evaluation of the particular product's efficacy and potential for profitability. Thus the inability of GEMs to perform up to expectations in the field, rather than the regulatory constraints, appears to be the factor responsible for the slow pace of development. KEY WORDS: Genetically engineered microorganisms; Biotechnology; Regulation of biotechnology; Innovation; Environmental release     

Concurrent Exposure Assessments of Atrazine and Metolachlor in the Mainstem, Major Tributaries and Small Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Indicators of Ecological Risk

The goals of this study were to: (1) measure atrazine and metolachlor concentrations during both high and low use periods in the Chesapeake Bay's mainstem/major tributaries, smaller tributaries and representative small agricultural streams during 1995 and 1996; (2) compare these exposure data with toxicity benchmarks for each herbicide to predict ecological risk and (3) use in-stream fish community data collected in the streams to provide supportive data for ecological risk characterization. Spatially, atrazine (<0.10–98 g/L) and metolachlor (<0.10–68 g/L) concentrations were highest in the streams, followed by the small tributaries (<0.10–11 g/L atrazine; <0.10–8.6 g/L metolachlor) with the lowest concentration in the mainstem Bay/larger tributaries (<0.10–0.22 g/L atrazine; <0.10–0.24 g/L metolachlor). Temporally, concentrations of both herbicides were greatest in all three types of habitats in the late spring and early summer. Concentrations of atrazine and metolachlor were very low or non-detectable in all habitats sampled from early August to mid-April. Toxicity benchmarks of 20 g/L for atrazine based on an ecological No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for microcosm/mesocosm studies and an acute 10th percentile of 53 g/L for metolachlor (protection of ninety % of the species) based on laboratory toxicity data were selected to assess annual and seasonal ecological risk. Both of these toxicity benchmarks were conservative estimates of ecological risk designed to protect the trophic group (plants) most sensitive to these herbicides. Based on a comparison of these toxicity benchmarks with two years of exposure data, the ecological risk from both atrazine and metolachlor exposure in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay/large tributaries, small tributaries and representative agriculturally dominated streams was generally judged to be low. During one 72-h stream rain event in 1995, the atrazine toxicity benchmark (20 g/L) was exceeded during part of the event. However, long-term permanent ecological effects are not expected based on the documented recovery potential of the most sensitive trophic group (plant communities) to the concentrations of atrazine reported and the transient nature of the atrazine pulses. Fish communities at the stream sites receiving the highest concentrations of both herbicides were judged to be healthy based on an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) developed for Maryland's coastal plain.