Medium ‐ pressure ‐ liquid ‐ extraction (MPLE) of selected polychlorinated biphenyls from soil (MPLE II) 1

The extraction of PCBs from spiked soils using the Medium‐Pressure Liquid‐Extraction method showed good recovery rates. Comparison of MPLE and Soxhlet extraction of naturally contaminated soil showed similar results. However, too large quantities of solvents have to be used in MPLE procedure and the elution profile makes it unlikely, that the aspired separation from PAHs would be sufficient.     

Metsulfuron‐methyl soil persistence and mobility in winter wheat and following green manure crops

A procedure has been developed for the analysis of metsulfuron‐methyl in the soil of field crops. The soil extracts are cleaned by repeated TLC, and metsulfuron‐methyl is simultaneously separated from its soil metabolites. Metsulfuron‐methyl is transformed by diazomethane into its N,N ‘‐dimethyl derivative which in the GC (electron capture detection) and GC‐MS apparatus is transformed into a benzisothiazole compound which is measured with great sensitivity. The sensitivity limit is 0.3 μg metsulfuron‐methyl kg^‐1 dry soil. The results of the chemical analyses are confirmed by bioassays using sugar beet as test plant. Metsulfuron‐methyl was measured in the soil of two winter wheat crops after post‐emergence application in the spring of 6 g metsulfuron‐methyl ha^‐1. In the 0–8 cm surface soil layer, the metsulfuron‐methyl soil half‐life was 78 days in 1997, and 67 days in 1998. During crop, metsulfuron‐methyl remained in the 0–8 cm surface soil layer. There, it was at a maximum concentration and herbicide efficiency in a 2 cm‐thick soil layer. This maximum concentration soil layer progressively moved down during crop, attaining the 4–6 cm surface soil layer at crop end. After the winter wheat harvest at the end of July, and the rotary‐tilling of the 0–10 cm surface soil layer before sowing of the green manures, 27% of the metsulfuron‐methyl initial dose still remained in the 0–10 cm surface soil layer. This residue progressively disappeared, and was no more detected at the middle of November. It had no, or only very low inhibiting effect on the growth of the green manures. Thus there is no concern about the possible phytotoxicity of persistent metsulfuron‐methyl soil residues towards the following crops, when metsulfuron‐methyl is applied at the rate of 6 g a.i.ha^‐1.     

Influence of cadmium on the storage and metabolism of HCH in rats

Male albino rats were administered Cd and HCH daily for six weeks to study the effect of Cd on storage and metabolism of HCH. The results indicated a marked inhibition of the metabolism of HCH in the group dosed with HCH + Cd. The metabolic rate of HCH in the group dosed with HCH + Cd was also significantly lower than that in the group dosed with HCH alone. The hepatic content of Cd and Zn was significantly increased whereas a marked depletion of Cu and Fe was observed in the groups exposed to Cd and HCH + Cd. A high level of free Cd and Zn or a low level of Fe and Cu in liver seemed to play an important role in the metabolic inhibition observed in this study.     

Reaction of chlorimuron‐ethyl with diazomethane

Methylation of chlorimuron‐ethyl with etheral solution of diazomethane gave ethyl‐2‐[[[[(4‐chloro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐pyrimidinyl) N‐methylamino] carbonyl] N‐methylamino] sulfonyl] benzoate (dimethyl derivative of chlorimuron‐ethyl) as the major product along with 4‐chloro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐N‐methylamino pyrimidine, 2‐aminomethyl sulfonyl benzoic acid, ethyl‐2‐[(N‐methylamino) sulfonyl] benzoate, ethyl‐2‐[N,N‐dimethylamino) sulfonyl] benzoate and o‐benzoic sulf‐N‐methylimide as the minor products.     

Relation between Occupancy and Abundance for a Territorial Species,the California Spotted Owl

Land and resource managers often use detection–nondetection surveys to monitor the populations of species that may be affected by factors such as habitat alteration, climate change, and biological invasions. Relative to mark‐recapture studies, using detection–nondetection surveys is more cost‐effective, and recent advances in statistical analyses allow the incorporation of detection probability, covariates, and multiple seasons. We examined the efficacy of using detection–nondetection data (relative to mark‐recapture data) for monitoring population trends of a territorial species, the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis). We estimated and compared the finite annual rates of population change (λ_t) and the resulting realized population change (Δ_t) from both occupancy and mark‐recapture data collected over 18 years (1993–2010). We used multiseason, robust‐design occupancy models to estimate that territory occupancy declined during our study (Δ_t = 0.702, 95% CI 0.552–0.852) due to increasing territory extinction rates ( = 0.019 [SE 0.012]; = 0.134 [SE 0.043]) and decreasing colonization rates ( = 0.323 [SE 0.124]; = 0.242 [SE 0.058]). We used Pradel's temporal‐symmetry model for mark‐recapture data to estimate that the population trajectory closely matched the trends in territory occupancy (Δ_t = 0.725, 95% CI 0.445–1.004). Individual survival was constant during our study ( = 0.816 [SE 0.020]; = 0.815 [SE 0.019]), whereas recruitment declined slightly ( = 0.195 [SE 0.032]; = 0.160 [SE 0.023]). Thus, we concluded that detection–nondetection data can provide reliable inferences on population trends, especially when funds preclude more intensive mark‐recapture studies. Relación entre Ocupación y Abundancia en una Especie Territorial, el Búho Moteado de California     

氧化沟工艺低氧同步脱氮启动研究

在常温条件下,采用小试Pasveer氧化沟处理低C/N实际污水,通过控制好氧区平均ρ(DO)为0.2～0.4 mg/L,保持好氧区与缺氧区体积比为1∶1,成功实现低氧脱氮过程。其中,模式1先接种好氧污泥并逐渐降低好氧区DO,然后接种缺氧污泥;模式2初始阶段保持低氧环境,并直接接种好氧和缺氧混合污泥。结果显示:两种方式均能成功启动低氧脱氮并保持较高的脱氮率;同时,当C/N值为1.94时,氨氮去除率较高;当C/N值为3.00时,总氮去除率较高,低氧低碳条件下脱氮效果较好。     

Return or relocate? An inductive analysis of decision‐making in a disaster

This paper proposes an inductive analysis of the decision as to whether to return or to relocate by persons in the State of Louisiana, United States, who evacuated after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August and September 2005, respectively. Drawing on interviews with evacuees in these events and extensive fieldwork in the impacted area, the paper seeks to identify the folk dimensions of the decision‐making process, assess their arrangements, and situate the process in the larger context of risk and resilience in an advanced society. It suggests that, despite the material and emotional upheaval experienced by affected persons, the decision‐making process is a rational endeavour combining a definite set of tightly interconnected factors, involving material dimensions and substantive values that can act in concert or in conflict. In addition, it indicates that there are significant variations by geographic areas, homeownership, and kind of decision. Some theoretical implications, practical measures, and suggestions for future research are examined.     

Gas chromatography with atomic absorption detection for the determination of alkyl selenide compounds in the breath of mice after administration of different selenium compounds

Quantitative determination of dimethylselenide and dimethyldiselenide in the breath of mice after addition of different selenium compounds to the drinking water is described. Breath samples are collected with a cryogenic trap and analyzed by gas chromatography with atomic absorption spectrometric detection. Detection limits down to 0.2 ng/100 g body weight are obtained.

The pulmonary excretion of selenium metabolites after oral administration via drinking water or after intraperitoneal injection appears to be negligible. The bioconversion of the different selenium species is discussed.     

A model based on molecular structure descriptors for predicting mutagenicity of organic compounds

A model predictive of the potential mutagenicity of organic compounds was devised by relating mutagenicity data obtained in the Ames reversion test to molecular structure parameters describing their hydrophobic, topological, steric and electronic properties. These included second order valence molecular connectivity index, parachor, molar refraction and polarizability of electrons. A classification rule was calculated, by means of discriminant analysis, using a training set of 117 compounds of various chemical classes. There was agreement between experimental data and theoretical expectations for the majority of compounds (70.9%), with homogeneous figures among the different chemical classes under scrutiny. An exception was represented by halogenated aliphatics with up to 3 C atoms, the mutagenicity of which was poorly predicted by the structural analysis model.     

Organic pollutants in snow of urban and rural Russia and Finland

To check the effect of possible deposition of organic contaminants in northern regions of the Earth due to atmospheric transport snow samples were collected in early March in 6 places in Russia and 4 in Finland including arctic territories. GC‐MS was used as an analytical tool to identify and quantify individual organic compounds belonging to the various classes. As a result more than 250 compounds were detected. The possible presence of more than 100 other priority pollutants from the US EPA list was also screened.