Differences in U root-to-shoot translocation between plant species explained by U distribution in roots

Accumulation and distribution of uranium in roots and shoots of four plants species differing in their cation exchange capacity of roots (CECR) was investigated. After exposure in hydroponics for seven days to 100 μmol U L⁻¹, distribution of uranium in roots was investigated through chemical extraction of roots. Higher U concentrations were measured in roots of dicots which showed a higher CECR than monocot species. Chemical extractions indicated that uranium is mostly located in the apoplasm of roots of monocots but that it is predominantly located in the symplasm of roots of dicots. Translocation of U to shoot was not significantly affected by the CECR or distribution of U between symplasm and apoplasm. Distribution of uranium in roots was investigated through chemical extraction of roots for all species. Additionally, longitudinal and radial distribution of U in roots of maize and Indian mustard, respectively showing the lowest and the highest translocation, was studied following X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of specific root sections. Chemical analysis and XRF analysis of roots of maize and Indian mustard clearly indicated a higher longitudinal and radial transport of uranium in roots of Indian mustard than in roots of maize, where uranium mostly accumulated in root tips. These results showed that even if CECR could partly explain U accumulation in roots, other mechanisms like radial and longitudinal transport are implied in the translocation of U to the shoot.     

Within-nest temporal polyethism in the honey bee

A well-regulated division of labor has been one of the core adaptations leading to the success of the social insects. Honeybee division of labor has been classically viewed as a sequence of age-related changes in task performance. Kolmes questioned this view arguing that his studies did not support the existence of any age-related within-nest specialization. To resolve this controversy, Kolmes and Seeley conducted a joint study with mixed results. They found support for a cell cleaning caste, but diverged on whether their results supported distinct nursing and middle age castes. In this paper, I follow up on their work to resolve the question of caste number in within-nest honey bees. To determine whether nurses (typically aged 4–12 days) and middle-aged bees (aged 12–20 days) have distinct task repertoires, I conducted focal animal observations on a large number of workers in both age groups working within the same nests at the same time. The results support their being two castes of within-nest bees. Young bees specialized on brood care tasks, while middle-aged bees specialized on nectar processing and nest maintenance. Middle-aged bees were observed caring for brood in less than 1% of the observations. Moreover, both castes exhibited movement patterns that correspond to the traditional view that nurses stay within the broodnest, while middle-aged bees move around a great deal in search of work throughout the nest. A review of studies conducted since the debate of Seeley and Kolmes supports the reliability of these results. This work has relevance for proximate models of temporal polyethism, as it is often assumed by such models that there is only one within-nest caste in the honeybee.     

Uncertainties associated with the assessment of vegetation

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) attempts to portray the current character of a given ecosystem. This provides a Baseline against which future possible changes can be assessed. Ecosystems, however, are dynamic and in a constant state of change. Consequently, data representing a single year reflect conditions only for that year and can be misleading if compared against any other year. In addition to this temporal variation, considerable spacial variation exists in species composition and cover. Ample sampling is required to compensate for this heterogeneity. Variation, or background noise, can be minimized by the use of similarity indexes and sampling over a period of at least two years.     

图们市大气颗粒物中重金属含量及分布特征

采集了图们市2006年秋、冬两季的TSP和PM10样品,采用湿法消解-原子吸收分光光度法测定了其中的铅、镉、饲、锌、铬、铁、锰7种重金属.结果表明,图们市大气颗粒物中重金属含量由高到低的顺序是Fe>Cr>Zn>Pb>Mn>Cu>Cd.多数重金属元素含量冬季高于秋季,在一天之内早晨的重金属浓度也往往高于晚上争中午,说明大气颗粒物的来源包括天然源和人为源.     

Regional differences in behaviour in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus): dyadic encounters

North Scandinavian bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) differ from south Scandinavian conspecifics both in population dynamics and in activity, social behaviour, density-related sensitivity in sexual maturation and in reproduction. Some ecologists think that cyclically fluctuating rodents are particularly aggressive, at least in certain cycle phases. This hypothesis was tested in dyadic encounters between animals from southern and northern Sweden, respectively. Univariate analyses showed significant differences between regions in four separate behavioural traits, but not in behaviour related to aggression. Laboratory breeding for several generations did not affect the level of aggressivity. Multivariate analyses revealed two main components of activity and sociability, both with regional variation. Activity components (also including “freezing” behaviour) were chiefly related to age while sociability showed mainly regional variation. Differences observed may be due to the geographic location or earlier cyclicity, as the cyclic pattern was weak at the time when the test animals were sampled. An adaptation to high-density situations appears likely as the sympatric field vole (Microtus agrestis) shows similar regional differences although it lives in a different habitat. Cyclic animals appear to disperse at increasing densities while non-cyclic animals show clumped distributions. Received: 19 February 1996/Accepted after revision: 17 August 1996     

Sustainability, substance-flow management, and time, Part II: Temporal impact assessment (TIA) for substance-flow management

High-quality food and general good health are fundamental needs that have to be satisfied if society is to attain a high standard of living. Accordingly, a great deal of effort is expended in order to guarantee a high quality of food and ensure healthy living conditions. Among other things, these efforts entail massive substance flows. Significant substance flows are connected with the production and consumption of food and can be regarded from an economic, social, or environmental point of view. Substance flows are a part of both nature and the anthroposphere. This study demonstrates that food production at present is not linked to societal issues of production and sustainability; rather, it shows that a systematic approach and an analysis of issues and measures to be taken are required. This interconnectedness can be described as a timescape, in analogy to a landscape. For proper orientation in a landscape, a map is helpful, especially in combination with a compass. In the same way, we need a temporal orientation. Time scales serve as a compass to give orientation. A complete temporal analysis that includes all relevant temporalities provides the information that is encoded in a map. What has to be learned and exercised is the reading of such temporal maps. One method of doing this is temporal impact analysis (TIA). Temporal impact analysis brings issues that are not normally focused on into the foreground. It allows a better understanding of the implications of certain substance flows and the measures necessary for their management, and it provides an opportunity to develop a more sustainable management of substance flows.     

Dynamics of major air pollutants from crop residue burning in mainland China, 2000–2014

Based on satellite image data and China's Statistical Yearbooks(2000 to 2014), we estimated the total mass of crop residue burned, and the proportion of residue burned in the field vs.indoors as domestic fuel. The total emissions of various pollutants from the burning of crop residue were estimated for 2000-2014 using the emission factor method. The results indicate that the total amount of crop residue and average burned mass were 8690.9 Tg and4914.6 Tg, respectively. The total amount of emitted pollutants including CO_2, CO, NOx,VOCs, PM_(2.5), OC(organic carbon), EC(element carbon) and TC(total carbon) were 4212.4–8440.9 Tg, 192.8–579.4 Tg, 4.8–19.4 Tg, 18.6–61.3 Tg, 18.8–49.7 Tg, 6.7–31.3 Tg, 2.3–4.7 Tg, and8.5–34.1 Tg, respectively. The emissions of pollutants released from crop residue burning were found to be spatially variable, with the burning of crop residue mainly occurring in Northeast, North and South China. In addition, pollutant emissions per unit area(10 km ×10 km) were mostly concentrated in the central and eastern regions of China. Emissions of CO_2, NOx, VOCs, OC and TC were mainly from rice straw burning, while burning of corn and wheat residues contributed most to emissions of CO, PM_(2.5) and EC. The increased ratio of PM_(2.5) emissions from crop residue burning to the total emitted from industry during the study period is attributed to the implementation of strict emissions management policies in Chinese industry. This study also provides baseline data for assessment of the regional atmospheric environment.     

江苏省省级环保引导资金管理现状研究

本文总结了江苏省省级环保引导资金整体情况、"因素法"切块分配方式的优点,在此基础上,剖析了省级环保引导资金管理中存在资金预算总额有待增加,省级层面缺乏支持手段、资金切块后地方管理能力愈趋不足,工作推进存在瓶颈、切块资金执行情况不佳,地方主动性有待提高等问题,有针对性地提出完善资金分配方式,力抓一批省级统筹分配项目、扩大省本级能力建设盘子,增加监控监测能力建设投入、厘清资金与项目管属关系,进一步明确资金管理职责等有关政策建议。     

乐清湾海域生物体内多氯联苯的分布特征

以台州(乐清湾)为例,研究了乐清湾海域生物体内多氯联苯(PCBs)的分布,其中以鱼、贝类和虾为主要实验对象,分析了多氯联苯的来源、浓度及各种影响因素。结果表明,鱼肉中∑PCBs 的残留含量为8.61~23.06ng/g,贝类中∑PCBs 的残留含量为11.77~38.04ng/g,对虾中∑PCBs的残留含量为0.38~11.19ng/g。近海生物体内多氯联苯的来源与当地工业排污、航运、PCBs废旧设施非法处置或封存不当等一系列因素有关。     

The effect of fluorescent tracers on droplet spectrum,viscosity, and density of pesticide formulations

The most important factor affecting efficacy and drift of pesticide applications is the droplet spectrum. To measure pesticide drift, researchers utilize fluorescent tracers to rapidly quantify spray deposition. Although fluorescent tracers have been used for more than 50 years, no experiments have been performed on the effect they have on the properties of pesticide formulations (density and viscosity) or droplet spectrum, which affect the drift of pesticides. Therefore, we examined the effect of an oil- and water-based tracer on the volume median diameter (VMD), viscosity, and density of oil- and water-based pesticide formulations. In addition, we experimentally fit and demonstrate the utility of using distributions to characterize pesticide droplet spectra. The addition of tracers to both water- and oil-based formulations did not significantly alter the VMD, viscosity, and density. Lognormal distributions provided the best fit for the water- and oil-based formulations with and without tracer. Our results demonstrated that the addition of oil- and water-based tracers do not significantly alter pesticide formulations properties and droplet spectrum, and most likely do not alter the movement of pesticide droplets in the environment.