Numerical evaluation of the PCBs transport over the Northern Hemisphere

The numerical evaluation of selected PCB congener (28, 118, 153, 180) transport over the Northern Hemisphere is carried out for 1996 using MSCE-POP model. This model is a multicompartment three-dimensional one and includes various environmental media such as the atmosphere, soil, vegetation, seawater, and sea ice. The spatial resolution is 2.5 degrees x2.5 degrees for all media except marine one (1.25 degrees x1.25 degrees ). The main model output information is deposition fluxes, spatial distribution of concentrations in environmental media, pathways and source-receptor relationships. Calculation results are analysed for the whole hemisphere and the Arctic region. In particular, this gives an opportunity to estimate the contributions of individual emission source groups to the Arctic pollution. The reliability of the model assessment is analysed by comparison between calculated and observed data.     

Nickel and copper accumulation strategies in Odontarrhena obovata growing on copper smelter-influenced and non-influenced serpentine soils: a comparative field study

The present investigation is the first in situ comparative study for the identification of Ni and Cu accumulation strategies involved in Odontarrhena obovata (syn. Alyssum obovatum (C.A. Mey.) Turcz.) growing in Cu-rich smelter-influenced (CSI) and non-Cu-influenced (NCI) sites. The total and Na₂EDTA (disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)-extractable metal concentration in soils and plant tissues (roots, stem, leaves and flowers) were determined for CSI and NCI sites. High concentrations of total Ni, Cr, Co and Mg in the soil suggest serpentine nature of both the sites. In spite of high total and extractable Cu concentrations in CSI soil, majority of its accumulation was restricted to O. obovata roots showing its excluder response. Since the translocation and bioconcentration factors of Ni?>?1 and the foliar Ni concentration?>?1000 μg g^?1, it can be assumed that O. obovata has Ni hyperaccumulation potential for both the sites. No significant differences in chlorophyll content in O. obovata leaves were observed between studied sites, suggesting higher tolerance of this species under prolonged heavy metal stress. Furthermore, this species from CSI site demonstrated rather high viability under extreme technogenic conditions due to active formation of antioxidants such as ascorbate, free proline and protein thiols. The presence of Cu in higher concentration in serpentine soil does not exert detrimental effect on O. obovata and its Ni hyperaccumulation ability. Thus, O. obovata could act as a putative plant species for the remediation of Cu-rich/influenced serpentine soils without compromising its Ni content and vitality.

     

Biological consequences of increased natural radiation background for Microtus oeconomus Pall. populations

The results of long-term investigations (1981-1999) on the state of Microtus oeconomus Pall. (tundra vole) population, living under the increased natural radiation background for a long time (for more than 100 generations), are presented. Population density dynamics, morphophysiological parameters, state of the lipid peroxidation regulatory system in different tissues and the cytogenetic effects in bone marrow cells of animals have been analyzed. It is shown that tundra voles from the studied radioactively contaminated areas differ from those on natural radiation background area for the parameters measured. The results of this long-term investigation show that qualitatively new sub-populations of tundra vole on these areas have evolved, which are able to survive in radioactively contaminated environment.     

High mercury bioaccumulation in Pacific salmons from the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea

Mercury (Hg) accumulation in fishes is a serious threat for food security because mercury induces dieseases. Here we studied the total mercury content in four species of Pacific salmon (pink, chum, sockeye and chinook), caught in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, and the Kuril oceanic waters. Results show that the lowest concentration of mercury was found in the pink salmon, and the highest was 5–6 times higher in sockeye. Hg concentrations exceed several times those in other species of Pacific salmon from the North Pacific     

Analysis of annual fluctuations of C. nodosa in the Venice lagoon: Modeling approach

A simple simulation model was developed to describe the growth trends of Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson based on data sets from the Venice lagoon. The model reproduces the seasonal fluctuations in the above and belowground biomass and in shoot density. The modeling results are in good agreement with data on net production, growth rates and chemical–physical parameters of water. It was assumed that light and temperature are the most important factors controlling C. nodosa development, and that the growth was not limited by nutrient availability. The aim was to simulate biomass production as a function of external forcing variables (light, water temperature) and internal control (plant density). A series of simulation experiments were performed with the basic model showing that among the most important phenomena affecting C. nodosa growth are: (1) inhibition of production and recruitment of new shoots by high temperature and (2) light attenuation due to seasonal fluctuation.     

Fluorescence-based evidence for adsorptive binding of pyrene to effluent dissolved organic matter

Using fluorescence intensity measurements, pyrene interactions with different types of effluent dissolved organic matter (EDOM) originated from treated municipal wastewater are examined. Multiple observations show that fluorescence intensity of pyrene–EDOM solutions is non-linearly related to pyrene concentration, with distinct concave-up dependence. Testing the effect of pyrene concentration on fluorescence intensity of pyrene–EDOM solutions provides a tool to examine whether binding of an organic compound to EDOM follows linear or non-linear isotherm. Possible coupling between static and dynamic quenching effects was addressed while analyzing fluorescence data. Limited number of EDOM binding sites results in a non-linear binding isotherm such that the concept of pyrene “partitioning” between aqueous phase and “bulky” EDOM organic phase is hardly relevant. Maximal EDOM capacity for pyrene binding is estimated approximately as 0.1% w w⁻¹. Examination of the differences between the total fluorescence intensity of pyrene–EDOM solution and the fluorescence intensities of separated constituents (pyrene and EDOM) was used to illustrate the accumulation of pyrene–EDOM complexes and saturation of some EDOM binding sites. Strong interactions between pyrene and EDOM binding sites may result in pyrene distribution coefficients differing at least by a factor 3.5–7 at varying pyrene concentrations.