A study on the interactions among several plant secondary compounds and aphids

The research, focused on the specific interactions among seven plant secondary compounds and aphids, was carried out and the preliminary results showed: (1) "T-typed tube method" was regarded as the best method compared with others designed to observe the interactions. (2) Cabbage aphid was able to be attracted by laurolene while it was not susceptible to α-pinene, β-pinene and diamylene. (3) Gossypol, a major secondary substance in cotton, was able to be implicated as feeding attractant to cotton aphid. (4) Rutin might be implicated repellent to cotton aphid.     

Trace Metal Concentration in Roadside Surface Soil and Tree Back: A Measurement of Local Atmospheric Pollution in Abuja, Nigeria

Cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc concentrations were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface soil and tree bark from different districts of Abuja, Nigeria, in order to determine the atmospheric trace metal input in the area.Elevated concentrations of some of the studied metals were observed in the soil and tree bark samples from the commercial/high traffic areas of the city compared to backgroundvalues. In soil samples, the average concentration of the metals were 0.6±0.4, 18.0±4.0, 281±39, 16±4 and66±23 g g^-1 dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, respectively, whilst the average concentrations in tree bark were 0.3±0.2, 12±4, 133±32, 13±3 and 61±10 g g^-1 dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, respectively. The trend in trace metal levels suggested that automobile emissions are a major source of these metals as the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were recorded in the commercial areas of the city known for their high traffic densities. The levels of metal in the study area were relativelylow compared to levels found in some larger and older cities in various countries worldwide.     

Soil properties and crop productivity as influenced by flyash incorporation in soil

Field experiments were carried out during 1996–97at Gulawathi, Muthiani and Salarpur Villages, IARI Farm, NewDelhi and NCPP Campus, Dadri to evaluate changes in soilcharacteristics and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.),mustard (Brassica juncea L.), lentil (Lence esculentaMoench.), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) byvarying amounts of flyash addition (up to 50t ha^-1) in soils atsowing/transplanting time of crops. Flyash addition in areasadjoining NCPP Thermal Power Plant, Dadri, Ghaziabad, U.P.ranged from 5–12 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in 1995–96. Shoot and root growthand yield of test crops at different locations after flyashincorporation resulted in beneficial effects of flyashaddition in most cases. The silt dominant texture of flyashimproved loamy sand to sandy loam textures of the surfacesoils at the farmers' fields. The increased growth in yield ofcrops with flyash incorporation was possibly due tomodifications in soil moisture retention and transmissioncharacteristics, bulk density, physico-chemical characterssuch as pH and EC and organic carbon content. The response offlyash addition in the soil on soil health and cropproductivity needs to be evaluated on long-term sustainableaspects.     

Atrazine and Alachlor Inputs to Surface and Ground Waters in Irrigated Corn Cultivation Areas of Castilla-Leon Region, Spain

The inputs of atrazine and alachlor herbicides to surface and ground waters from irrigated areas dedicated to corn cultivation in the Castilla-León (C-L) region (Spain) as related to the application of both herbicides were studied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used for monitoring the atrazine and alachlor concentrations in 98 water samples taken from these areas. Seventy-nine of the samples were of ground waters and 19 were of surface waters. The concentration ranges of the herbicides detected in the study period (October 1997–October 1998) were 0.04–25.3 g L^–1 in the surface waters and 0.04–3.45 g L^–1 in the ground waters for atrazine, and 0.06–31.9 g L^–1 in the surface waters and 0.05–4.85 g L^–1 in the ground waters in the case of alachlor. The highly significant correlation observed between the concentrations of both herbicides in the surface waters (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) pointed to a parallel transport of atrazine and alachlor to these waters. A study was made of the temporal evolution of the concentrations of both herbicides, and it was found a maximum recharge of atrazine in the ground waters for April 1998 and of alachlor in October 1997 and October 1998. The temporal evolution of the concentrations of both herbicides in surface waters was parallel. The highly significant correlations observed between atrazine concentrations determined by ELISA and by HPLC (r = 0.92, p < 0.001) and between alachlor concentrations also determined by both methods (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) confirmed the usefulness of ELISA for monitoring both herbicides in an elevated number of samples. Using HPLC, the presence in some waters of the alachlor ethanesulfonate (ESA) metabolite was found at a concentration range of 0.52–4.01 g L^–1. However the interference of ESA in the determination of alachlor by ELISA was negligible. The inputs of atrazine and alachlor to waters found in this study, especially the inputs to ground waters, could pose a risk for human health considering that some waters, though sporadically, are even used for human consumption.     

Biodegradability: An assessment of commercial polymers according to the Canadian method for anaerobic conditions

The degradation of several biodegradable polymers was measured as a result of exposure to an anaerobic medium. The polymers investigated included materials based upon polylactic acid, polylactone, and poly(hydroxy butyrate/valerate) as well as those incorporating starch-based materials. The degradation was monitored by methane and carbon dioxide evolution. In addition, the physical and chemical changes were noted as a result of exposure. These measurements included changes in mass, dimension, and molecular weight. FTIR, UV-vis, proton, and¹³C NMR spectra were also recorded prior to and after exposure. The results clearly indicated that several biological and chemical degradation processes were occurring with the biodegradable polymers studied.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Second National Meeting, August 19–21, 1993, Chicago, Illinois.Issued as NRCC No. 37549.     

Novel synthesis blends between bacterial polyesters and acrylic rubber: A study on enzymatic biodegradation

The biodegradability of a multicomponent system based on biotechnological occurring polyester (poly(-hydroxybutyrate-co--hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)) with inclusion of acrylate elastomer (polybutylacrylate) (PBA) was investigated. A bacterium which produced extracellular enzymes that degrades PHBV even when blended with PBA was isolated and tentatively designated asAureobacterium saperdae. It was observed, by morphological investigation, that, while the bacterial degradation was permitted for PBA content of 20% by weight, it was inhibited for PBA content of 30%, owing to the occurrence of a rubbery layer that prevents to the bacteria an easy accessibility in the PHBV-rich regions. In fact, owing the bacterial growth, only PHBV was metabolized, whereas no degradation of PBA was detected for blend samples. It was confirmed that the degradation proceeded via surface erosion of PHBV also in the blends. Finally, mechanical tests on PHBV/PBA specimens as a function of degradation extent have shown different behavior of the blends at different the PBA content. Thermal analysis of blends and PHBV has been reported, too     

中国黄土元素背景值分异规律研究

报道了中国黄土中40个元素的背景值,并以F、Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、V、Cu、Zn、As、Se、Cd、Pb、Hg等13个元素为例,讨论了其在黄土高原的分布与含量。利用趋势面分析等数理统计方法,揭示了黄土中元素的某些环境地球化学特征及元素背景值的分异规律。结果表明,黄土的元素背景值具有三维的分异特征,黄土的质地及沉积的生物气候环境黄土是影响背景值分异的主要因素。为中国黄土的风成学说提供了佐证。     

多环芳烃的几种理化参数与LC_(50)的相关性研究

对多环芳烃(PAHS)4种理化参数(K;W、Sw。X Vv。)与 LCO的相关关系进行了研究,建立了 4种一元线性回归方程。结果表明,4种参数的相关系数分别为:0.刀66、08083、09488、0.9570,经r检验,后两种属高度显著相关.用所建立的一元线性回归方程对7种PAHS的LC。进行估算,估算值与实测值相比,平均相对误差分别为58.84％、32.23％、1761％、198％,用l和V＊.H对LClj进行估算的估算精度也较高。经比较,提出用(。估算P＊比对麦穗鱼＊CO的新方法。     

不同地域天然伊利石表面酸碱特性的比较

利用电位滴定技术和恒定容量表面络合模式表征不同来源天然伊利石的表面酸碱性质。鉴于固体基质在酸量滴定过程中发生溶解，相应的滴定上清液被视为体系空白。考虑到水解铝、硅酸和伊利石表面活性位之间的表面络合或沉淀反应，提出两种表面质子反应模型。对其中的特例，还考虑了表面离子交换反应。模拟程序的拟合结果显示两种模型对水解伊利石体系的滴定行为均可获得满意的描述。相的的表面固有酸度常数表明样品的酸碱性质之间存在一些共性。     

再论含金硫化物矿物中能否存在负价金问题──答李九玲等同志

本文从讨论金属结合能何以具有表面化学位移的原因开始,从金属团簇的一般性质出发,论证了金属结合能自尺寸大于1nm的团簇到金属微粒再到块体金属具有连续过渡性;金属结合能与粒径R呈正相关;与1／R具线性负相关关系,认为金微粒或团簇具有1．1eV以上的结合能负位移是可能的。并指出李九玲等同志在“评<含金硫化物矿物中不可能存在负价金>”一文中引用的某些衬底材料上的金团簇呈现结合能正位移的数据是由于这些金困簇已与其衬底材料发生了键合作用造成的,它们不能作为否定金属结合能位移与粒径呈正相关的依据。同时,笔者从“化学结合金”在氰化过程中并未被氧化成正离子金判断,它不应是负价金。并由同质并能位移与粒径可具负相关关系推论,“化学结合金”应是合企硫化物矿物中可存在的少量微粒碲金矿、碲金银矿等中的正离子金。笔者强调在讨论企的价态问题时应采用Allred－Rochow电负性数据而非常用的Pauling电负性数据,并再次指出含金硫化物矿物中不可能有负价金存在。