Bioaccumulation of Hg, Cu, and Zn in the Azores triple junction hydrothermal vent fields food web

In this work, mercury (Hg), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations and tissue distribution are determined in seven benthic invertebrates species (the key species) from the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR) hydrothermal vent fields. The samples were collected from three hydrothermal vent fields – Menez Gwen, 840 m; Lucky Strike, 1700 m and Rainbow, 2300 m – near the Azores Triple Junction. These fields are characterized by different depths, geological context and chemical composition of the hydrothermal fluid, particularly the metal content, which is reflected by the metal concentrations in the organisms. Indeed, our results show that organisms from Menez Gwen presented the highest Hg concentrations, while those from Lucky Strike and Rainbow were richer in Cu and Zn. The potential transfer of these metals through two trophic links are also evaluated and include (1) the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus and the commensal worm Branchipolynoe seepensis, and (2) three different species of shrimps and the crab Segonzacia mesatlantica. No evidence of Hg biomagnification in either of the vent food chains is clearly observed but an increase in Hg accumulation from prey to predator in the crustacean food chain. The same pattern was observed for Cu and Zn, even though these metals are not known to be generally biomagnified in food chains.     

SPRINGFLOW EFFECTS ON CHEMICAL LOADS IN THE SNAKE RWER,SOUTH-CENTRAL IDAHO1

ABSTRACT: The 150-kilometer middle reach of the Snake River (middle Snake) in south-central Idaho receives large quantities of water from springs discharging along the north side of the river from the regional Snake River Plain aquifer. Water-quality samples collected from nine north-side springs in April 1994 indicated that springs in the upstream part of the reach had larger concentrations of dissolved solids, dissolved nitrate, total nitrogen, tritium, and heavy isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen than to springs in the downstream part of the reach. Because the spring chemistry varies in the reach, discharge from the springs resulted in a degradation in water quality in some parts of the middle Snake and improvements in water quality in other parts. Depending on the annual discharge in the Snake River, the contribution from the north-side springs represented 33 to 66 percent of the discharge, 32 to 57 percent of the dissolved solids, 26 to 50 percent of the total nitrogen, and 7 to 14 percent of the total phosphorus transported annually from the middle Snake. Synoptic sampling showed that the north-side springs contributed 84 percent of the discharge and 35, 40, and 10 percent of the dissolved solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus load, respectively, to the Snake River during the peak of the irrigation season in 1994.     

Devolving power from the state: local initiatives for nature protection and recreation in Sweden

ABSTRACT

Quests for devolving more power to local actors for nature protection stem from both international and national policies. Also, there is a growing recognition of the need for local governments to promote green infrastructure for citizens to recreate and learn about their environment. Starting in 2004, the Swedish government has allocated special funding towards these goals through the Local Nature Conservation Programme (LONA). Virtually all Swedish municipalities have received such funding in pursuit of facilitating wide access to nature and promoting recreational activities, including the protection of nature areas, creating pathways, information devices, and promoting these areas among new societal groups to enjoy. This study presents the results of ten years of experience with LONA. A survey with respondents from 191 municipalities and 20 county administrations, together with 20 key informant interviews, show that the programme has been a success in several respects. Not only have most municipalities created a wealth of new ways to engage local organisations and citizens in nature conservation and recreation, but they have also broadened the ways they think about how nature is important to their constituencies. Due to innovative ways to count voluntary work as local matching of funding, smaller and less resourceful municipalities have also become engaged. Still, the local needs for further initiatives are deemed considerable. State support coupled with knowledge sharing is important to show policy priority to such bottom-up initiatives.     

Importance of public relations in recycling strategies: principles and case studies

The separate collection of waste, and especially of recyclables with specific collection systems, would not be possible without the involvement of the users. Apart from the physical installations such as collection containers, collection points, etc., the motivation of the users is an essential component. Motivation can be reinforced through public relations work. In addition to the underlying technical considerations, this paper describes the difference between communication in general and public relations and specifically examines public involvement in recycling. Through the use of examples, we look at the targeted users and typical media employed. Furthermore, we analyzes the development of public involvement. The examples show that public relations for recycling strategies relies to a great extent on attitudes, habits, and access to the target group. Thus, standardized procedures cannot be developed. For these reasons, public relation activities must be planned carefully and professionally and include an analysis of the target group, choice of media, and verification of success.     

导游与旅行社的矛盾和谐分析

在分别对导游和旅行社调查的基础上，就目前旅行社业的高回扣伴随着旅游线路产品的低价格现象背后出现的导游与旅行社的矛盾进行了分析，提出了解决这一矛盾的建议，旨在促使导游与旅行社的关系协调发展。     

Bordering Ecosystems: The Rhetorical Function of Characterization in Gray Wolf Management

Decisions about iconic species such as the wolf provide a key index of human–nature relations. The gray wolf's reintroduction in the USA has been controversial, particularly at the interface of state versus federal management. This essay analyzes discourse surrounding this controversy, focusing on how wolves are characterized as ecological and social actors in official correspondence and management plans. I interpret this textual evidence by drawing from social theory regarding sovereignty, discipline, and population, including studies on bordering practices imposed on humans. As with humans, bordering practices in the case of the wolf may illuminate how political forces impose physical and discursive limits upon mobile bodies motivated to move across political borders by powerful exigencies of need. The essay seeks to amplify understanding about how regimes of power enact difference from “others” whose presence strongly influences the health of ecosystems and economies.     

关于事实劳动关系的研究

实践中存在着大量的事实劳动关系,而法律又未对事实劳动关系的概念、范围等问题作出明确界定。因此,有些事实劳动关系在审理实践中难以认定,为保护劳动者的正当权益,我们应当理清关于事实劳动关系的一些基本问题,并继续完善与之相关的法律制度。     

人口老龄化与可持续发展

面对加速到来的人口老龄化问题,本文分析了人口老龄化与可持续发展关系从宏观、中观、微观三个不同层面对适应中国老化可持续发展战略的选择进行了探讨。     

基于政府间府际关系的畜禽养殖废弃物治理政策优化——以治理中小规模养殖场户畜禽粪污污染为例

本文从央地纵向关系、部门间横向关系、环保督察斜线关系等视角出发,探讨畜禽养殖废弃物治理政策背后的府际关系博弈逻辑和利益融合路径,实证探讨治理案例。结果表明,政府府际间存在利益博弈,但可以实现利益融合和治理有效。其中,经济、社会和生态利益的排序差异、治理事务权与财权不匹配、地方考核指标偏向经济等因素造成央地间利益诉求差异,可从增加融资渠道、优化考核方式、扩大监管渠道和多元共治等方面促进利益融合;双重管理体制、全局和局部利益并存等因素造成同一层级的不同政府部门间存在利益诉求差异,但环保督察等“运动式”治理、约束性生态指标被纳入官员考核体系等措施有助于其组成政绩共荣体;结合案例实证检验,提出中央政府需要通过严格制度安排和多重监管督察治理动态、整合地方政策资源帮助政府各部门间形成政绩共荣体、疏堵并举精准施策构建紧密利益联结机制、搭建“政府—市场—公众”多元共治治理格局等政策建议。