Diflubenzuron residue and persistence on an oak forest after aerial application

Abstract

A twenty hectare forest block in central Pennsylvania was aerially sprayed with diflubenzuron (Dimilin 25W®) at the dose of 33.23g A.I./ha in 9.4 litres/ha. Leaf samples were collected from the upper and lower canopies of 27 oaks and understory within this block on the day of spray, May 29, 1991. Canopy leaves were also collected on May 31, June 10, July 29 and September 26, 1991.

Recovery of diflubenzuron residues on fortified canopy‐leaf and litter‐leaf samples using analytical techniques employed in this study averaged 87.4% (SE = 7.5%) and 66.2% (SE = 8.2%), respectively.

On the day of spray, diflubenzuron residues on the upper canopy, lower canopy and understory averaged 81.18, 39.65 and 8.35 ng/cm², respectively. Diflubenzuron residues on canopy‐leaf samples collected 2, 12, 61 and 120 days post‐spray averaged 14.83 (SE = 10.19), 16.75 (SE = 9.95), 12.84 (SE = 8.25) and 11.20 (SE = 7.52) ng/cm², respectively. Diflubenzuron residues on litter‐leaf samples collected after leaf senescence ‐ 169 and 323 days post spray contained measurable amounts of diflubenzuron in 51 and 59% of the samples, respectively. Of the samples with measurable amounts of diflubenzuron, residues averaged 1.36 (SE = 2.44) and 0.65 ng/cm² (SE = 0.73) respectively.     

New metallothionein assay in Scrobicularia plana: heating effect and correlation with other biomarkers

Metallothionein (MT) and other biomarker levels were measured in Scrobicularia plana clams to assess pollution of the Guadalquivir Estuary possibly affected by metals released from Aznalcóllar pyrite mine in 1998. After optimizing reagent concentrations for monobromobimane derivatization, MT levels were quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection (RP-HPLC-FD) in heated or unheated digestive gland extracts and compared to those obtained by differential pulse polarography (DPP). MT content assayed by RP-HPLC-FD in unheated samples was higher than that obtained by DPP and correlated better with metals and anti-oxidant activities. MT assay by RP-HPLC-FD in unheated extracts would be preferable for assessing metal pollution, due to its greater sensitivity and specificity. In addition to MT induction, glyoxalase II inhibition was well correlated with metal contents. Our results suggest that metals at the estuary do not originate from Aznalcóllar spill, but from those carried along by the river and deposited at its concave bank.     

Chemical degradation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by means of polyethyleneglycols in the presence of weak bases and an oxidant

A chemical method for destroying the 2,3,7,8-TCDD is reported; it provides gradual and progressive substitution of the chlorine atoms by hydrogen atoms. The dehalogenation is promoted by a mixture made up of polyethyleneglycols (high molecular weight) of a weak base (K₂ CO₃) and of an inorganic peroxide (Na₂ O₂) which begins the radical process. The organic chlorine is transformed into inorganic chloride.The reaction mixture administered to male guinea-pigs did not lead to any direct or histological effect.     

CO2 reaction with Ca(OH)2 during SO2 removal with convective pass sorbent injection and high temperature filtration

The Kyoto Protocol calls for greenhouse gas emission reductions which could affect the use of coal for producing electricity. Carbon credits are being explored as a method for countries to meet their reduction commitments. Carbon dioxide removal in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems should be considered if and when the concept of carbon credits are implemented. This paper addresses the factors affecting sulfur dioxide removal, including the reaction of carbon dioxide, occurring during convective pass sorbent injection with high temperature filtration for a typical coal-fired power plant. Significant carbonation is found to occur, and the levels are found to depend on injection/filtration temperatures and the residence time on the filter. Ca/S stoichiometry during sorbent injection is found to affect not only the sorbent conversions in the convective pass sorbent injection stage but also the final sorbent conversions in the filtration stage. Even though high sorbent carbonation hinders the sorbent utilization for SO₂ removal, slight alterations in CO₂ concentration are found to have no significant effects on the SO₂ removal of the process.     

Distribution and transport of coal tar-derived PAHs in fine-grained residuum

We investigated the distribution and transport of coal tar-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fine-grained residuum and alluvial floodplain deposits that underlie a former manufactured gas plant. All 16 USEPA priority pollutant PAHs are present at this site and have penetrated the entire 4-5m thickness of clayey sediments, which unconformably overly limestone bedrock. Concentrations of less hydrophobic PAHs (e.g., naphthalene, 0.011-384mg kg(-1)) were about 10 times higher than those of highly hydrophobic PAHs (e.g., benzo[g,h,i]perylene -0.002 to 56.03mgkg(-1)). Microscopic examination of thin-sections of the clay-rich sediments showed that fractures and rootholes, which can act as pathways for flow, occur throughout the profiles. Tarry residue was found coating some fractures and rootholes, indicating that coal tar was, in some cases, able to penetrate as an immiscible phase. However, in the vast majority of samples in which PAHs were detected, there was no detectable tar residue, suggesting that much of the transport occurred in the dissolved phase. Examination of thin-sections with an epifluorescent microscope indicated that PAHs, which fluoresce brightly when exposed to UV light, are distributed throughout the soil matrix, rather than being confined to fractures and rootholes. The widespread distribution of PAHs is most likely due to diffusion-controlled exchange between the fast-flow pathways in the fractures and rootholes and the relatively immobile water in the fine-grained matrix. This implies that fractures and rootholes can play a major role in controlling transport of highly hydrophobic compounds in fine-grained sediments, which would otherwise act as barriers to contaminant migration.     

Carbon accumulation through ecosystem recovery

A market has emerged for carbon sequestered through reforestation. The opportunity to restore ecosystems through this market rather than establish plantations is demonstrated by an Australian case study. In the state of Queensland there are vast areas that have been cleared relatively recently and could be restored to ecosystems with high resilience and important biodiversity values with appropriate management. In order to foster opportunities for carbon accumulation through ecosystem recovery spatially explicit information on sequestration rates, management recommendations, and clear definitions of ancillary biodiversity benefits need to be defined.