Density and Viscosity Measurements of Natural Solutions

Utilizing sophisticated equipment, densimetric and viscosimetric measurements were carried out on samples of ground-waters of Apulia.

Experimental data, utilized to check if simple equations can evaluate the density and the viscosity of multicomponent solutions, confirm the validity of the hypothesis.     

Brittlestars,Biomarkers and Beryl: Assessing the Toxicity of Oil-Based Drill Cuttings Using Laboratory,Mesocosm and Field Studies

Effects of drill cuttings on burrowing brittlestars (Amphiura chiajei and A. filiformls) were compared at different levels of response, from acute laboratory experiments to chronic field studies. Acute toxicity tests showed that drill cuttings containing oil-based muds had a very low toxicity (LC₅₀ 52,800 ppm total hydrocarbons in test sediment) but sub-lethal effects were detected at much lower levels using a variety of biomarkers and assays. Chronic sub-lethal effects were detected around the Beryl oil platform in the North Sea where the levels of oil in the sediment were very low (<3 ppm total hydrocarbons in sediment) and brittlestars were excluded from areas nearer the platform with higher sediment oil content. These results suggest that acute toxicity tests are a poor predictor of chronic response in these animals. the relationship between toxicity at different levels of response and the predictive power of laboratory studies is discussed.     

Quantal response of Paleomonetes africanus in locally formulated drilling mud lubricants

The toxic potency of three locally formulated drilling mud lubricants against Paleomonetes africanus, a brackish water crustacean commonly found in the oil producing Niger Delta (Nigeria), was evaluated. A 96?h exposure to quantal (lethal) doses of the mud lubricants gave LC₅₀ (median lethal concentration) of 350, 620 and 210?mg?L^?1, respectively. The mud lubricant with the highest molecular weight of 40,000?g?mol^?1 (lubricant 2) had the least toxicity on the organisms, attributable to the reduced rate of diffusion into the vital cells of the test organism. The higher toxicity of lubricant 3 over lubricant 1, despite its higher molecular weight, might be as a result of its higher acid value of 21.60?mg?KOH?g^?1. The results show that the test lubricants would be environmentally friendly within the baseline concentrations and lethal times (LT₅₀) measured.     

Multivariate optimization of Cd(II) biosorption onto Ulmus tree leaves from aqueous waste

Ulmus tree leaves were successfully used as a novel and efficient biosorbent for removing cadmium, (Cd(II)), from aqueous solutions in a batch system. A multivariate strategy for optimization of removal efficiency conditions of Cd(II) was carried out. A 2³ full factorial design with three center points (9 runs) was performed for screening the main variables and reducing the large number of experimental runs. Initial concentration of metal ion (C _m), amount of sorbent (m), and pH were considered as the three main variables at two different levels. The maximum removal efficiency of Cd(II) was achieved within 1 h contact time. It was found that all the main factors and their interactions were significant at p < 0.05. Doehlert response surface methodology was utilized (13 runs) for finding a suitable mathematical model. The analysis of variance and some statistical tests such as lack-of-fit, coefficient of determination (R ²), and residual distribution plot confirmed the validity of the model. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of Cd(II) by Ulmus tree leaves were found as pH = 3.4, m (amount of sorbent) = 0.128 g, C _m (initial concentration of metal ion) = 12.1 mg L^?1.     

Ameliorating effects of hormone and Cu on salt stressed Brassica nigra (L.) Koch with reference to growth and biochemical characteristics

The ameliorating effects of exogenous hormone and calcium were investigated in salt-stressed black mustard seedlings (Brassica nigra L.). The seedlings were subjected to various treatments: control (nutrient solution), salt stress, kinetin/abscisic acid (ABA)/calcium chloride (CaCl₂). Sodium chloride (NaCl) inhibited shoot length (45–55%) and root (<75%). Further, alterations in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were consistent with changes in levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde (MDA). The beneficial effects of ABA and CaCl₂ in ameliorating salt stress may be attributed to the reduction of membrane peroxidation and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. These observations suggest that oxidative stress resulting from salt stress in B. nigra may result in production of antioxidative enzymes to counteract oxidative damage, and the enzymes may contribute to the ability of B. nigra to survive adverse conditions. Data indicate that hormone and ion in the order of kinetin > ABA > calcium alleviate the adverse impact of salt on B. nigra.     

Clinical and analytical follow‐up of 25 persons exposed accidentally to beryllium†

An accidental exposition of 25 persons to beryllium dust was used to follow up trace analytical and clinical parameters over a period of 10 months. Although no exposed person shows any symptoms of an acute beryllium intoxication, up to 5‐fold increased beryllium concentrations could be analysed in serum samples about 10 hours after exposition. The beryllium clearance shows a biological half time in the range of 2 to 8 weeks. The beryllium determination in the nanogram range was carried out using a combined method by flameless a.a.s. with a detection limit of 0.6 ppb Be and a relative standard deviation from 20 to 4% in relation to the concentration range of beryllium measurement.

Beryllium analyses are completed by thorax X‐ray, spirometry, y‐globulins and liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT), which have shown no pathological values. Because it is known for beryllium to sensitize the cellular immune response, neopterin measurement was used to determine the activity of the immune system. Neopterin, a pteridine synthesized by activated macrophages after stimulation by gamma‐interferon derived from sensitized T‐lymphocytes, was determined in urine samples by HPLC combined with an fluorescence detector. Only in two cases a slight increase of neopterin has been found. As a result of this study it can be summarized, that a short‐time exposure to beryllium (10–20 h), which results in a increase of beryllium in serum to the fivefold normal beryllium level, does not initiate any symptoms of an acute beryllium intoxication. The exposed persons are controlled in future to evaluate the further course.     

不同密度水浮莲的形态和生长反应及其对土壤养分的影响

为了解入侵植物水浮莲在水生环境中的入侵和扩散规律,本文通过田间水稻田实验,按照添加系列设计方法研究不同密度下水浮莲幼苗的形态和生长反应,以及对土壤养分的影响。结果表明,不同种植密度下水浮莲在母株株高、母株叶片数、分蘖能力、开花株数和死亡株数生长动态具有明显的差异。水浮莲形态特征,随种植密度降低分蘖等级和数量显著增加,密度60株时最大为29.45株·基株-1,360株时最小为1.10株·基株-1;母株株高总体上呈现出逐渐降低的趋势,而根长的变化规律不明显;中等种植密度的母株叶片数明显大于低等和高等密度的;植株开花与死亡株数多数显著增加;水浮莲出现有性和无性繁殖,但无性繁殖占绝对优势。水浮莲生物量,随种植密度降低总生物量显著增加,60株时最大为31.18 g·基株-1,360株时最小为5.64 g·基株-1;母株生物量总、花、叶和根生物量总体上逐渐降低,而分蘖植株总、叶、花和根生物量显著增加。水浮莲生长需要消耗大量的土壤养分,其中对有机质和速效钾消耗是最大的,分别达到8.55~21.56 g·kg-1和649.43~679.45 mg·kg-1;随种植密度降低水浮莲对土壤有机质、氮、磷和钾的吸收绝大多数显著增加。不同种植密度下水浮莲在形态、生长、繁殖以及对土壤养分影响的差异,可能是由其最初种植密度形成不同的种内竞争强度造成的。     

Modeling flooding extent from Hurricane Floyd in the coastal plains of North Carolina

Abstract

In this article two modeling approaches were developed based on the use of US Geological Survey digital elevation model (DEM) data. These models were utilized to delineate the extent of flooding induced by precipitation from Hurricane Floyd in a portion of Pitt County, North Carolina. The patterns of flood extent derived from the two models were compared to the extent of flooding indicated on a digital aerial photograph taken two days after peak flood levels had been reached. In addition, floodplain boundaries based on Federal Emergency Management Agency Q3 maps were compared to the extent of flooding on the aerial photo. Actual emergency response operations undertaken through the Pitt County Emergency Operations Center during the flood event are described, and are used to provide a context for evaluating the potential utility of these models. The flood extents produced by the modeling methods performed well at representing the actual extent of the flooding.     

广东省自然物候对气候变暖的响应

利用广东省气象观测网14个观测站点1982年以来自然物候观测资料和气温资料,对广东省近30年木本植物木棉、苦楝和动物蚱蝉物候在气候变暖过程中的变化进行分析。结果表明：近30年广东省木本植物、动物春季物候期明显提前,植物、动物春季物候期的提前与推迟对温度的上升与下降的响应是非线性的。木本植物春季物候期、动物春季物候期分别与2—3月平均温度、3—4月平均温度有明显的负相关。动物春季物候期与物候期间〉10℃有效积温也有明显的负相关。预估到2020年我省木本植物春季物候期、动物春季物候期将分别提前2.9、2.2 d。     

响应面法优化固定化细胞催化α-羟基苯乙酸的合成

采用Plackett-Burman试验设计法及响应面分析法(RSM),对固定化Bacillus sp.ULi-11菌株生物不对称合成(R)-α-羟基苯乙酸((R)-HPA)进行优化.首先采用Plackett-Burman试验设计筛选影响产率的主要因素,再用最陡爬坡方法逼近最大响应区域后用Box-Behnken试验设计及RSM进行回归分析,得到的最佳条件为温度33℃,增殖时间9.3h,装液量18 mL,转速180 r/min,pH 7.2,接种量2%,种龄16 h,在此条件下(R)-HPA的产率为49.61%,比优化前的产率提高了23.7%.图3表6参16