Biotransformation of atrazine and metolachlor within soil profile and changes in microbial communities

Biotransformation studies of atrazine, metolachlor and evolution of their metabolites were carried out in soils and subsoils of Northern Greece. Trace atrazine, its metabolites and metolachlor residues were detected in field soil samples 1 year after their application. The biotransformation rates of atrazine were higher in soils and subsoils of field previously exposed to atrazine (maize field sites) than in respective layers of the field margin. The DT₅₀ values of atrazine ranged from 5 to 18 d in the surface layers of the adapted soils. DT₅₀ values of atrazine increased as the soil depth increased reaching the value of 43 d in the 80-110 cm depth layer of adapted soils. Metolachlor degraded at slower rates than atrazine in surface soils, subsoils of field and field margins with the respective DT₅₀ values ranging from 56 to 72 d in surface soils and from 165 to 186 d in subsoils. Hydroxyatrazine was the most frequently detected metabolite of atrazine. The maximum concentrations of metolachlor-OXA and metolachlor-ESA were detected in the soil layers of 20-40 cm depth after 90 d of incubation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of soil Phospholipid Fatty Acids (PLFAs), fungal/bacterial and Gram-negative/Gram-positive ratios of the PLFA profiles revealed that the higher biotransformation rates of atrazine were simultaneously observed with the abundance of Gram-negative bacteria while the respective rates of metolachlor were observed in soil samples with abundance of fungi.     

The role of NIMBY in opposing the siting of wind farms: evidence from Greece

This paper aims to assess the relative importance of a NIMBY (‘Not-In-My-Back-Yard’) stance on an individual's opposition to the siting of a wind farm vis-à-vis other predictors, such as perceived effects (costs, risks and benefits associated with the project), perceived fairness of the siting decision and societal trust. Data originate from two case studies, a small wind farm of just two wind turbines in southern Greece and a mega-project of 153 turbines on the Greek island of Lesvos (aggregate N = 334). We use structural equation modelling (SEM) for testing the theoretically-suggested relations between the various constructs. We find that NIMBY is not the most important predictor of opposition while it is strongly correlated with other predictors, such as the perceived unfairness of the siting decision as well as the risks and costs associated with the wind farm. These latter findings undermine the common-sense idea that wishing a wind farm out of one's vicinity (‘Not-In-My-Back-Yard’) is an example of mere ‘free-riding’. Since the fit of the SEM models was found to be moderate, we discuss the limitations of our study and the implications of our findings as well as suggesting pathways for future research.