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.     

Chemical monitoring and evaluation of the water quality of the Douro River at the Crestuma-Lever dam

Water taken from the Crestuma-Lever dam on the Douro River was evaluated considering the Portuguese Decree-law no. 236/98 of 1st August, 1998. This paper presents the metrological characteristics, validation of analytical methodologies and the data obtained from seasonal samplings. The test parameters selected are: temperature, pH, chloride, conductivity, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, hardness, oxidability, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, total suspended solids, sulfide, phosphate, silica, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc. From data analysis we can conclude that the water presented the following characteristics: a pH situated in the neutral zone; a median mineralization; a medium hardness; well oxygenated water; and a carbonate hardness exclusively due to bicarbonates. The temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, chlorides, sulfates, copper, zinc and BOD5 were compared with the legal limits presented in annexes XXI and I of Decree-law 236/98. The results relating to total hardness, nitrites, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, aluminium, sulfides and oxidability were compared with the legal values in annex VI as there are no limits relating to these parameters in annexes XXI and I.     

Guarana improves behavior and inflammatory alterations triggered by methylmercury exposure: an in vivo fruit fly and in vitro neural cells study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental pollutant associated with neurological and developmental deficits in animals and humans. However,...     

Removal efficiency of emerging micropollutants in biofilter wastewater treatment plants in tropical areas

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - We studied the removal of 61 emerging micropollutants, including illicit drugs, in a biofilter wastewater treatment plant located in the French Indies...     

海洋环境中光合色素分析方法研究与应用进展

根据国内外的文献,综述了海洋环境中光合色素分析方法的发展状况,指出了其分析方法在发展过程中创新的主要方面,并对光合色素分析在赤潮监测、藻类的化学分类及生物碳生物量和矿物质通量方面的应用进行了展望。     

改性氢氧化镁制备及其去除地下水中Cr3+性能研究

氢氧化镁作为一种可缓慢释放OH-的碱,能使多数重金属离子转换为沉淀,而且不会引起太大的pH变化.但氢氧化镁难溶于水,在含水层中的迁移能力很差.若要用于地下水重金属污染修复,需要对氢氧化镁进行改性.因此,本文利用表面活性剂对氢氧化镁粉末进行改性,合成了氢氧化镁胶体,并对改性氢氧化镁的稳定性、粒度及其对Cr3+的稳定化效果进行了分析.结果表明,复配表面活性剂改性的氢氧化镁悬浮液稳定性好,粒径小,0.6~8.4μm的颗粒占82.41%.利用改性氢氧化镁对Cr3+污染地下水进行处理,其对Cr3+的去除机理主要为沉淀反应,氢氧化镁和Cr3+反应的质量比约为1.333∶1,氢氧化镁和初始Cr3+浓度对Cr3+的去除效果都有较大的影响.     

Myrothecium verrucaria NF-08产漆酶条件的响应面法优化及粗酶染料脱色研究

以半知菌属疣孢漆斑菌Myrothecium verrucaria NF-08为供试菌,采用响应面方法优化菌株产漆酶条件,并以其漆酶粗酶进行3种结构类型6种染料的脱色试验,考察了粗酶浓度、温度和p H值对脱色率的影响.两水平析因设计、中心组合设计和验证试验结果表明:葡萄糖浓度为15.4 g·L~(-1)、蛋白胨浓度为43.3 g·L~(-1)和培养基初始p H值为6.68时,漆酶活性达到最大值(25.58±1.60)U·m L~(-1),是单因素试验(16.82 U·m L~(-1))的1.52倍,提高了52.1%.以上述发酵条件获得的M.verrucaria NF-08漆酶粗酶对3种结构类型染料均有脱色效果,排序为偶氮类优于芳甲烷类优于蒽醌类.脱色率随粗酶浓度增大(2~8 U·m L~(-1))、反应温度升高(15~35℃)而上升,随p H值上升(4~10)而下降.粗酶浓度为5 U·m L~(-1),反应温度为25℃,p H值为4时,偶氮类染料铬黑T和芳甲烷类染料碱性品红即可几乎完全脱色,脱色率分别为99.2%和94.6%.     

Potential of microalgae as biopesticides to contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental development

The loss of yields from agricultural production due to the presence of pests has been treated over the years with synthetic pesticides, but the use of these substances negatively affects the environment and presents health risks for consumers and animals. The development of agroecological systems using biopesticides represents a safe alternative that contributes to the reduction of agrochemical use and sustainable agriculture. Microalgae are able to biosynthesize a number of metabolites with potential biopesticidal action and can be considered potential biological agents for the control of harmful organisms to soils and plants. The present work aims to provide a critical perspective on the consequences of using synthetic pesticides, offering as an alternative the biopesticides obtained from microalgal biomass, which can be used together with the implementation of environmentally friendly agricultural systems.     

Damage to offshore oil and gas facilities following hurricanes Katrina and Rita: An overview

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the centre of the American petrochemical industry, shutting down eight refineries, hundreds of oil-drilling and production platforms, and many other industrial facilities. Furthermore, it triggered unprecedented numbers of hazardous-materials releases from industrial facilities and storage terminals onshore, as well as from oil and gas production facilities offshore in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). In this paper, we analyse the damage caused by the two hurricanes on the offshore oil and gas industry. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused the largest number of destroyed and damaged platforms and pipelines, and the highest number of mobile offshore drilling units set adrift in the history of GoM operations. Following the hurricanes, changes have been proposed to operating and emergency procedures, maintenance requirements, and design practices including mooring practices for mobile offshore drilling units.     

Cumulative influences of a small city and former mining activities on the sediment quality of a subtropical estuarine protected area

This study aimed to evaluate the sediment quality in the estuarine protected area known as Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe (CIP-PA), located on the southeastern coast of Brazil. The study was designed considering possible negative effects induced by the city of Cananéia on the sediment quality of surrounding areas. This evaluation was performed using chemical and ecotoxicological analyses. Sediments were predominantly sandy, with low CaCO₃ contents. Amounts of organic matter varied, but higher contents occurred closer to the city, as well as did Fe and Total Recoverable Oils and Greases (TROGs) concentrations. Contamination by Cd and Cu was revealed in some samples, while concentrations of Zn were considered low. Chronic toxicity was detected in all tested sediments and acute toxicity occurred only in sediments collected near the city. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed an association among Cd, Cu, Fe, TROG, fines, organic matter, CaCO₃, and chronic toxicity, whereas acute toxicity was found to be associated with Zn and mud. However, because Zn levels were low, acute toxicity was likely due to a contaminant that was not measured. Results show that there is a broad area within the CIP-PA that is under the influence of mining activities (chronic toxicity, moderate contamination by metals), whereas poorer conditions occur closer to Cananéia (acute toxicity); thus, the urban area seems to constitute a relevant source of contaminants for the estuarine complex. These results show that contamination is already capable of producing risks for the local aquatic biota, which suggests that the CIP-PA effectiveness in protecting estuarine biota may be threatened.