A framework for assessment and monitoring of arthropods in a lowland tropical forest

By applying principles of adaptive management, and by using the valuable information that arthropods provide from assessment and monitoring programs, managers can identify and reduce possible impacts on biodiversity in development projects. In 1996, the Smithsonian Institution's Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity program worked together with Shell Prospecting and Development Peru to establish an adaptive management program to protect biodiversity in a natural gas exploration project in a Peruvian rainforest. In this paper, we outlined the conceptual steps involved in establishing an assessment and monitoring program for arthropods, including setting objectives, evaluating the results and making decisions. We also present the results of the assessment using some of groups of arthropods, and summarize the steps taken to identify appropriate groups for monitoring.     

Selection and Substantiation of an Organic Solvent Removal Apparatus at a Print Shop by Comparative Experiments Using the Activated Carbon Adsorption and Catalytic Oxidation Methods

ABSTRACT

The investigation of an appropriate organic solvent removal apparatus for installation in a newly reconstructed print shop as a countermeasure for preventing the exhaust of organic solvents was conducted.

The selection of an organic solvent removal apparatus was made after bench-scale tests of the activated carbon adsorption method and the catalytic oxidation method, both of which are effective for the removal of organic solvents, were performed on the actual exhaust gas at the print shop. The results showed that both methods were efficient enough to be applied to the removal of organic solvents, but the activated carbon adsorption method had many drawbacks, such as the need for frequent replacement of activated carbon and complex maintenance. For the catalytic oxidation method, running costs are high, but there are many merits, such as that the catalysts do not have to be replaced as often and maintenance is simple. After considering these factors, a catalytic oxidation removal apparatus was installed at the new print shop. In the results of the substantiation test on the actual apparatus using mixed catalysts of platinum and manganese plus copper, the removal efficiency was 97.998.7% and the concentration of the outlet exhaust gas was about 10 ppm (the average concentration of the inlet exhaust gas was 528 ppm) at a space velocity of 30,000 hr^-1 and a reaction temperature of 200 °C. The results of this study were substantiated.     

PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs in wild terrestrial mammals from Japan: congener specific accumulation and hepatic sequestration

The present study determined the contamination levels and congener-specific accumulation features of dioxins and related compounds (DRCs) in wild terrestrial mammals such as large Japanese field mice (LJFM), lesser Japanese moles (LJMs), and raccoon dogs (RDs) collected from Kanto region in Japan during 2001. The toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) levels in the carcasses or adipose tissues were in the order of RDs > or = LJMs > LJFM. Comparison of DRC congener profiles in the three species and principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a higher contribution of OCDD, T4CB77, and P5CB118 in LJMs. Analysis of liver-adipose distribution of DRC congeners in RDs showed that livers contained significantly higher TEQs than adipose tissues, indicating that liver is a depository organ and critical for determining the toxicokinetics of DRCs. As for most T4, P5, H6CDD/DFs and for P5CB126, H6CB169 and mono-ortho PCB congeners, their liver/adipose concentration ratios in RDs revealed a tendency to increase with hepatic TEQ levels, suggesting TEQ-dependent hepatic sequestration.     

In situ gradostat for the study of a natural phytoplankton community with an experimental nutrient gradient

A new in situ gradostat was devised to study the dynamics of natural communities having nutrient gradients within aquatic habitats. This semi-enclosed mesocosm consisted of three components: i.e. three transparent, concentric cylindrical culture chambers, with diameters of 70, 60 and 40 cm, and 20 cm deep, supported by four flotation buoys, a medium reservoir, and a pump to supply the medium to the mesocosm. Water exchange between compartments was achieved via holes in the cylindrical walls, the number and size of the holes being chosen to regulate the rate of exchange. Sterile culture medium was pumped into the central (first) chamber and diffused outwards into the second and third chambers through the perforated walls. Suitable perforations could achieve a concentration gradient of up to 9.5 times between the first and third chambers within 12 h. The system was designed with the following characteristics: (1) an experimental semi-enclosed system in the natural environment; (2) to maintain equivalence with the external water except for the experimental factors; and (3) to form a manipulable gradient of experimental factors across the mesocosm. Using the in situ gradostat, the response of a natural phytoplankton community to a nitrate gradient was determined. A gradient from oligotrophic to eutrophic was maintained for 10 days in an oligotrophic pond. The mean growth rate of phytoplankton was lower in the eutrophic zone than that in the mesotrophic zone, where the highest mean growth rate was observed. The growth rate of each dominant phytoplankter showed its own pattern, but all rates were highest in the mesotrophic environment of the second chamber.     

Granulation of gibbsite with inorganic binder and its ability to adsorb Mo(VI) from aqueous solution

In this study, we prepared a new adsorbent and evaluated its ability to adsorb Mo(VI). Gibbsite was granulated with colloidal alumina or colloidal silica. The amount of Mo(VI) adsorbed onto granular gibbsite with a binder, effect of contact time and pH on the adsorption of Mo(VI), and column experiments were investigated. The amount of Mo(VI) adsorbed was greater in the order of ST12 (colloidal silica, 12%)?相似文献   

Roles of various composts based on phosphate flotation waste,phosphogypsum and cactus in improving the tolerance of tomato plants to drought stress

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The use of composts promotes plant growth and physiology as a promising sustainable strategy. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the...     

Recovery of molybdenum from fly ash by gibbsite

The effectiveness of gibbsite (GB), an amorphous aluminum oxide, for the recovery of Mo(VI) from eluates of fly ash of two coal-fired thermal power stations and of roof tile waste was investigated. Upon the qualitative analysis of an eluate of fly ash, 16 elements were detected. Greater amounts of these elements were eluted under acidic conditions (pH 2) than from the neutral or basic eluate of fly ash. GB was used for the adsorption of Mo(VI). Equilibrium adsorption was reached within 1?min. Optimal solution acidity for the adsorption of Mo(VI) onto GB400 (calcined at 400°C) was pH 2. The main adsorption mechanism was ion exchange with a number of hydroxyl groups of GB400. For repeated ad- and desorption of Mo(VI), GB400 could be used at least four times and the recovery percentage of Mo(VI) with sodium hydroxide solution as eluent surpassed 90%. Our results showed that GB400 was very effective for the recovery of Mo(VI) from fly ash.     

Persistent organochlorine residues in human breast milk from Hanoi and Hochiminh City, Vietnam: contamination, accumulation kinetics and risk assessment for infants

Despite the ban on persistent organochlorines (OCs) in most of the developed nations, their usage continued until recently in many Asian developing countries including Vietnam, for agricultural purposes and vector-borne disease eradication programs. In this study, we collected human breast milk samples from the two big cities in Vietnam: Hanoi (n=42) and Hochiminh (n=44) and determined the concentrations of persistent OCs such as PCBs, DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), chlordane compounds (CHLs) and tris-4-chlorophenyl-methane (TCPMe). The contamination pattern of OCs was in the order of DDTs > PCBs > HCHs > CHLs approximately HCB approximately TCPMe. Compilation of available data indicated that DDT residue levels in human breast milk from Vietnam were among the highest values reported for Asian developing countries as well as developed nations. This result suggests recent usage of DDTs in both north and south Vietnam. Interestingly, in both cities, the p,p'-DDT portion was higher in multiparas than those in primiparas. Considering the fact that the interval between the first and the second child of a mother in Vietnam is usually short, this result probably indicates continuous intake of DDTs in the population. Analysis of infant exposure to DDTs via breast milk suggested that the daily intake rates for number of individuals are close to or above the threshold for adverse effects which may raise concern on children health.     

Mercury contamination in human hair and fish from Cambodia: levels, specific accumulation and risk assessment

Mercury (Hg) concentrations in human hair and fish samples from Phnom Penh, Kien Svay, Tomnup Rolork and Batrong, Cambodia, collected in November 1999 and December 2000 were determined to understand the status of contamination, and age- and sex-dependent accumulation in humans and to assess the intake of mercury via fish consumption. Mercury concentrations in human hair ranged from 0.54 to 190mug/g dry wt. About 3% of the samples contained Hg levels exceeding the no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) of WHO (50mug/g) and the levels in some hair samples of women also exceeded the NOAEL (10mug/g) associated with fetus neurotoxicity. A weak but significant positive correlation was observed between age and Hg levels in hair of residents. Mercury concentrations in muscle of marine and freshwater fish from Cambodia ranged from <0.01 to 0.96mug/g wet wt. Mercury intake rates were estimated on the basis of the Hg content in fish and daily fish consumption. Three samples of marine fish including sharp-tooth snapper and obtuse barracuda, and one sample of sharp-tooth snapper exceeded the guidelines by US EPA and by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), respectively, which indicates that some fish specimens examined (9% and 3% for US EPA and JECFA guidelines, respectively) were hazardous for consumption at the ingestion rate of Cambodian people (32.6g/day). It is suggested that fish is probably the main source of Hg for Cambodian people. However, extremely high Hg concentrations were observed in some individuals and could not be explained by Hg intake from fish consumption, indicating some other contamination sources of Hg in Cambodia.     

Pesticide residues intake of French adults under increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables – A theoretical study

The increase of fresh vegetable and fruit (FVF) intake could contribute to the prevention of obesity and several major pathologies and thus represents a major public health goal in industrial countries. Nutritional recommendations for increased consumption of FVF could lead to ingestion of unwanted amounts of pesticides. This study was undertaken to evaluate theoretical exposure of French adults to pesticide residues under increasing amounts of FVF intake. Balanced menus with 200 – 400 – 600 – 800 and 1200 g FVF/day were established. Amounts of active substances brought by every FVF vector, at the maximum residue level (MRL) were summed up to determine the intake for each active substance. Values were compared to the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) to point out any potential over exposure. A maximalistic approach was adopted and no reducing factor due to processing was taken into account. It was found that under minimal recommended consumption of fruit and vegetables (400 g/d), no active substance reached the ADI, but 18 vs 144 were over 10% of the ADI. Raising FVF to 600 g/d increased the number of active substances over 10 % of the ADI to 24, but again in no case was the ADI exceeded. Doubling the intake to 800 g/d gives values over the ADI for 2 active substances only (cyhexatin and thirame). It was concluded that the increase in fruit and vegetables up to 800 g per day should not expose adults over the ADIs for a majority of authorized pesticides. In this regard, residues levels of ten active substances in fruit and vegetables should deserve particular attention.