Dynamics of heavy metal accumulation in thalli of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes

A sequential extraction procedure was used to study localization of heavy metals in thalli of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing under conditions of chronic aerotechnogenic pollution in the Middle Urals. Trends in the seasonal dynamics of metal contents in the thalli were revealed. The dynamics of metal accumulation was also studied in the thalli brought to the polluted zone from the background environment. After one year, the extra-and intercellular contents of most metals in these transplants approached those in the aboriginal thalli and in some cases (intracellular content of cadmium) exceeded them.     

CHANNEL RESPONSE FROM SHRUB DOMINATED RIPARIAN COMMUNITIES AND ASSOCIATED EFFECTS ON SALMONTD HABITAT1

ABSTRACT: We surveyed first‐to third‐order streams (channel widths from 1.4 to 10 m) in the southeastern slopes of the Cascade Range of Washington and found two distinct endpoints of riparian vegetation. Where the forest overstory is dominated by park‐like Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), channels are commonly bordered with a dense scrub‐shrub vegetation community. Where fire suppression and/or lack of active riparian zone management have resulted in dense encroachment of fir forests that create closed forest canopies over the channel, scrub‐shrub vegetation communities are virtually absent near the channel. Other factors being equal, distinct differences in channel morphology exist in streams flowing thru each riparian community. The scrub‐shrub channels have more box‐like cross‐sections, lower width‐to‐depth ratios, more pools, more undercut banks, more common sand‐dominated substrates, and similar amounts of woody debris (despite lower tree density). Temperature comparisons of forest and scrub‐shrub sections of two streams indicate that summer water temperatures are slightly lower in the scrub‐shrub streams. We surmise that these morphology and temperature effects are driven by differences in root density and canopy conditions that alter dynamic channel processes between each riparian community. We suspect that the scrub‐shrub community was more common in the landscape prior to the 20th century and may have been the dominant native riparian community for these stream types. We therefore suggest that managing these streams for dense riparian conifer does not mimic natural conditions, nor does it provide superior in‐stream habitat.     

RIPARIAN ZONE CLASSIFICATION FOR MANAGEMENT OF STREAM WATER QUALITY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH1

ABSTRACT: Riparian zones perform a variety of biophysical functions that can be managed to reduce the effects of land use on instream habitat and water quality. However, the functions and human uses of riparian zones vary with biophysical factors such as landform, vegetation, and position along the stream continuum. These variations mean that “one size fits all” approaches to riparian management can be ineffective for reducing land use impacts. Thus riparian management planning at the watershed scale requires a framework that can consider spatial differences in riparian functions and human uses We describe a pilot riparian zone classification developed to provide such a framework for riparian management in two diverse river systems in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Ten classes of riparian zones were identified that differed sufficiently in their biophysical features to require different management. Generic “first steps” and “best practical” riparian management recommendations and associated costs were developed for each riparian class. The classification aims to not only improve our understanding of the effectiveness of riparian zone management as a watershed management tool among water managers and land owners, but to also provide a basis for deciding on management actions.     

Copper amendments and soil ph affect distribution of different chemical forms of metals and their uptake by Swingle citrumelo seedlings

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various rates of Copper (Cu) amendments (as CuSO₄.5H₂O at either 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg Cu kg^‐1) to soils with different pH values on the distribution of various chemical forms of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Aluminum (Al) in soils and their uptake by Swingle citrumelo citrus rootstock seedlings. The soils included Myakka fine sand (pH 5.70), Candler fine sand (pH 6.45), and Oldsmar fine sand (pH 8.16). The chemical forms of metals evaluated in this study included exchangeable, sorbed, organically bound, precipitated, and residual forms. An increase in Cu rates, lowered the pH in the Myakka and Candler fine sands, but not in the Oldsmar fine sand. This, in turn, resulted in an increase in the proportion of the readily soluble forms (the exchangeable + sorbed forms) of Zn and Mn, and decreased that of Fe in the Myakka and Candler fine sands. In those two soils, the organically bound forms of Zn, Fe, and Mn decreased with an increase in Cu rates. However, the proportion of readily soluble forms was not significantly influenced by increasing Cu rates in the Oldsmar fine sand. The total content of Zn, Fe, and Mn in citrus roots and that of Zn and Fe in the leaves, significantly decreased with an increase in Cu rates in the Myakka and Candler fine sands. In the Oldsmar fine sand, Cu rates through the entire range had no significant effects on the total contents of Zn, Fe, and Mn in the leaves or in the roots of Swingle citrumelo rootstock seedlings.     

The effect of model structure and data in modeling land conditions in disturbed complex ecosystems

Off-road vehicles increase soil erosion by reducing vegetation cover and other types of ground cover, and by changing the structure of soil. The investigation of the relationship between disturbance from off-road vehicles and the intensity of the activities that involve use of vehicles is essential for water and soil conservation and facility management. Models have been developed in a previous study to predict disturbance caused by off-road vehicles. However, the effect of data on model quality and model performance, and the appropriate structure of models have not been previously investigated. In order to improve the quality and performance of disturbance models, this study was designed to investigate the effects of model structure and data. The experiment considered and tested: (1) two measures of disturbance based on the Vegetation Cover Factor (C Factor) of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Disturbance Intensity; (2) model structure using two modeling approaches; and (3) three subsets of data. The adjusted R-square and residuals from validation data are used to represent model quality and performance, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to identify factors which have significant effects on model quality and performance. The results of the ANOVA show that subsets of data have significant effects on both model quality and performance for both measures of disturbance. The ANOVA also detected that the C Factor models have higher quality and performance than the Disturbance models. Although modeling approaches are not a significant factor based on the ANOVA tests, models containing interaction terms can increase the adjusted R-squares for nearly all tested conditions and the maximum improvement can reach 31%.     

Ecogenetic Characteristics of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale s.l.) Populations from the Techa River Floodplain Ecosystems

This study looks into T. officinale cenopopulations growing in the Techa River floodplain under conditions of chronic low-dose irradiation. It has been shown that the left-bank and right-bank cenopopulations differ from one another, as well as from the control (background) population, in the allozyme structure, viability, and radioresistance of the seed progeny and the mechanisms of antioxidant protection. In nature, cenopopulations differing in their phenogenetic structure may have different strategies of adaptation to the chronic influence of low radiation doses against the background of changing environmental conditions. The consequences of irradiation for such cenopopulations, including the viability and radiosensitivity of their seed progenies, may also differ considerably.     

水生态系统服务功能价值评估研究综述

随着人类认识的不断进步,水生态系统服务功能价值的分类及评估方法逐渐形成。专家们对湿地、湖泊、水库等生态系统的服务功能价值进行了评估。但评估方法尚不成熟,服务功能分类缺乏统一的标准,以瞬时静态评估为主,不能充分体现各个生态系统的特征和空间异质性。     

海口市生活垃圾焚烧飞灰特性与重金属形态分析研究

生活垃圾焚烧飞灰因富合多种毒性物质而被列入危险废物名录.不同地区生活垃圾焚烧飞灰元素组成存在差异.论文研究了海口市生活垃圾焚烧飞灰的基本特性及重金属形态.结果表明,飞灰中Pb浸出值超过危险废物判别值的6倍之多,Pb、Cd和Zn的浸出值均超过生活垃圾填埋场限值.与As和Hg相比,Cu、Zn、Cr、Pb和Cd碳酸盐结合态的比例略高,在酸性条件下极易释放,对周围环境构成威胁.     

不同有机物料中的磷形态特征研究

采用DOU的磷形态分级方法,研究了猪粪沼渣(ZZ)、牛粪沼渣(NZ)、牛粪秸秆堆肥(NJD)、污泥堆肥(WD)、农村生活垃圾堆肥(NSLD)等7种有机物料中的磷形态及其比例.结果表明,有机物料中全磷及各形态总磷存在较大差异,以猪粪沼渣全磷含量最高,为23.59 g·kg-1,以牛粪沼渣全磷含量最低,仅3.61 g·kg-1.猪粪沼渣、牛粪沼渣、牛粪秸秆堆肥、污泥堆肥中各形态总磷(Pt)大小顺序为HCl-P残留态-PNa HCO3-PNa OH-PH2O-P,而3种农村生活垃圾堆肥中各形态磷含量则为HCl-P残留态-PH2O-PNa HCO3-PNa OH-P.7种有机物料中HCl提取态磷占回收全磷(Ptt)比例达47.75%~84.96%,表明有机物料中的大部分磷更容易被如HCl等强浸提剂提取,而这部分磷不易被植物吸收利用.各有机物料中磷以无机态磷为主,无机磷占全磷比例在53.18%~87.33%之间.各形态中的无机磷以Na HCO3-Pi占形态总磷比例最高(79.72%~94.76%),且在回收全磷中主要分布于HCl提取态,各形态中的有机磷则主要分布于HCl-P和残留态-P.经堆腐后的牛粪秸秆堆肥各形态无机磷占全磷比例较牛粪沼渣均有所增加,表明好氧堆肥有助于有机物料中磷的矿化,提高有机物料中磷的有效性.