盐渍土壤大果沙枣树主要矿质阳离子的吸收和分配特征

为探明大果沙枣树体矿质离子渗透调节机制,比较分析了盐渍化生境中1～12a生树的根、枝和叶部主要矿质阳离子的吸收、分配特征。结果表明:(1)大果沙枣树体内Ca~(2+)的积累量最高(13.79 g/kg),K~+次之(5.92 g/kg),Na~+最低(1.00 g/kg);随着树龄的增大,大果沙枣根部的Na~+以及枝和叶部的K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)的积累量均逐渐增大,而根部的K~+含量则逐渐减少;高龄段(10～12a)树体根部的Na~+累积量显著(P0.05)高于中低龄(1～9a)段。(2)大果沙枣树体内K~+/Na~+最大(15.36),Mg~(2+)/Na~+次之(12.25),Ca~(2+)/Na~+最小(10.51),根和枝部的K~+/Na~+均随着树龄的增大而降低,叶部则表现相反。(3)土壤中的K~+和Mg~(2+)向根方向、根部K~+、Mg~(2+)和Ca~(2+)向枝方向以及根部的K~+和Mg~(2+)向叶方向的选择运移系数均随着树龄的增大呈直线上升趋势。(4)土壤中Na~+与根部Na~+含量呈极显著正相关关系(0.687,P0.01),与叶部的K~+含量呈显著正相关(0.605,P0.05);土壤中K~+含量与根部的Na~+、叶部的K~+分别呈显著和极显著正相关(0.544,0.676),与根部的Mg~(2+)呈显著负相关关系(-0.499)。研究发现,大果沙枣树生长过程中主要通过根部对Na~+的聚积作用,以及K~+、Mg~(2+)和Ca~(2+)在枝、叶部的吸收积累来维持植物体离子平衡,以适应盐渍土壤环境。     

Effect of different water salinity levels and organic matter application on the composition of water soluble and exchangeable bases in a brackishwater fish pond soil

Behaviour of different water soluble and exchangeable bases in a brackishwater fish pond soil was studied under four levels of water salinity, in combination with and without organic matter application. The results showed average content of water soluble bases to increase with increase in water salinity. The bases were dominated by Na⁺ followed by Mg⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and K⁺ in decreasing order. SAR values of water increased with increase in water salinity and decreased slightly on organic matter treatment.Total content of exchangeable bases in soils was fairly high and was dominated by Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺, followed by Na⁺ and K⁺ respectively. Amount of exchangeable Ca⁺⁺ + Mg⁺⁺ decreased while that of Na⁺ increased with increase in water salinity levels. Amount of exchangeable K⁺ did not show any appreciable change. Application of organic matter tended to increase the exchangeable Ca⁺⁺ + Mg⁺⁺ content and decrease the amount of exchangeable Na⁺ in the soil, while exchangeable K⁺ content remained practically unaffected due to organic matter treatment.Formed part of a Ph.D. thesis submitted to Bidhan Chandra Agricultural University, India in 1978Formed part of a Ph.D. thesis submitted to Bidhan Chandra Agricultural University, India in 1978     

Effects of Seawater Cations and Temperature on Manganese Dioxide-Reductase Activity in a Marine Bacillus

The seawater cations, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺, each stimulated MnO₂-reductase activity of whole cells and cell extracts of Bacillus 29. Concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ which stimulated whole cells and cell extracts maximally were equivalent to those in two- to fivefold diluted seawater. Cell-extract activity was strongly stimulated by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ up to a concentration of 0.01 M Mg²⁺ and 0.002 M Ca²⁺, with little additional stimulation above these concentrations. Whole-cell activity was stimulated biphasically with increasing concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Comparison of the effects of individual cations or mixtures of them at concentrations equivalent to their concentration in fivefold diluted seawater showed that more activity was obtained with 0.01 M Mg²⁺ or 0.002 M Ca²⁺ than with 0.1 M Na⁺, and more with 0.1 M Na⁺ than with 0.0022 M K⁺. Fivefold diluted seawater permitted as much or more activity as solutions of individual or synthetic mixtures of the cations. Pre-exposure experiments showed that the ionic history of whole cells was important to their ultimate activity. The MnO₂-reductase activity of induced whole cells exhibited a temperature optimum near 40 C. Cell extracts had different temperature optima (T_opt), depending on whether induced glucose-linked activity (T_opt = 25 C), uninduced glucose-linked, ferricyanide-dependent activity (T_opt = 30 C), or uninduced ferrocyanide-linked activity (T_opt = 40 C) were being measured. Some of these optima are higher than previously reported.     

Fluxes of Ca2+, Sr2+ and Mg2+ in synaptosomes.

Synaptosomes isolated from sheep brain cortex accumulate Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Mg²⁺ when incubated in isosmotic sucrose media containing 5 mM of either of these cations. The maximal levels of cations retained per mg of protein are 100 nmol of Ca²⁺, 85 nmol of Mg²⁺ and 80 nmol of Sr²⁺. The loss of Ca²⁺ or Sr²⁺ from the preloaded synaptosomes is increased by monovalent cations in the following order: Na⁺> K⁺ > Li⁺> choline, whereas for the loss of Mg²⁺ this order is different: K⁺ > Na⁺ > Li ～ choline. The efflux of Ca²⁺ or Sr²⁺ induced by monovalent cations decreases as the temperature is lowered and it is nearly abolished at 0°C, whereas the efflux of Mg²⁺ is much less influenced by temperature. The results suggest that the mechanism of exchange of Ca²⁺ for Na⁺ in synaptosomes operates similarly for Sr²⁺, but not for Mg²⁺.     

Effects of deforestation and cultivation on soil CEC and contents of exchangeable bases: A case study in Simlipal National Park,India

Deforestation in the tropics seems to be a serious problem probably because of the reduction in soil CEC and the consequent losses of nutrients from the soils. Here, changes in these parameters as influenced by deforestation as well as vegetative cover were studied; statistical methods were applied to interpret the results. Cultivation causes a significant reduction in CEC, total content of the exchangeable bases and exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels compared to the adjoining unmanaged forest land. Levels of exchangeable K⁺ and Na⁺, however, do not change significantly. Evergreen forest soils have the highest levels of CEC, total exchangeable bases, exchangeable Ca²⁺ and K⁺. Deciduous forest, grassland and cultivated soils have statistically similar contents of exchangeable Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺. Exchangeable Mg²⁺, however, is not affected by vegetative cover. Soil CEC shows fairly good correlation with the organic carbon content only in evergreen forest soils. In others, organic carbon apparently does not influence CEC significantly. All soils show excellent correlation between their CEC and total exchangeable bases. It is concluded that for regeneration of weathered tropical soils, an evergreen cover provides the most effective means; deciduous vegetation or grass cover do not seem promising.     

Effects of diet and temperature on Morimus funereus larval hemolymph cation concentrations

The effects of diet and different constant temperatures on hemolymph cation concentrations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) have been studied in Morimus funereus larvae collected from natural habitat, fed natural (oak or beech bark) or artificial diet, as well as in larvae reared from hatching on an artificial diet. In the hemolymph of larvae maintained under natural conditions Mg²⁺ was dominant, whereas Na⁺ concentration was very low. In their natural diets concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ were very low, while those of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were high. In larvae continuously reared on an artificial diet, hemolymph Mg²⁺ concentration was significantly decreased and Na⁺ concentration increased more than fourfold compared to the results obtained in oak-fed larvae. Na⁺ and K⁺ are the dominant cations in the artificial diet. The concentrations of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the hemolymph of larvae fed natural or artificial diet are nearly identical, suggesting the existence of an internal regulatory mechanism in this insect for these cations. The hemolymph cation concentrations of M. funereus larvae are predominantly dependent upon the diet consumed, much less upon the environmental temperatures. The most stable concentrations of cations were observed in larvae continuously fed an artificial diet and exposed to different constant temperatures. There was much less stability in the hemolymph cation concentration in oak larvae fed either natural or artificial food after their transfer to constant temperatures. With respect to the response to the external factors studied, the most sensitive are the Na⁺ concentrations, the most stable seems to be K⁺. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Divalent cations and the phosphatase activity of the (Na + K)-dependent ATPase

Phosphatase activity of a kidney (Na + K)-ATPase preparation was optimally active with Mg²⁺ plus K⁺. Mn²⁺ was less effective and Ca²⁺ could not substitute for Mg²⁺. However, adding Ca²⁺ with Mg²⁺ or substituting Mn²⁺ for Mg²⁺ activated it appreciably in the absence of added K⁺, and all three divalent cations decreased apparent affinity for K⁺. Inhibition by Na⁺ decreased with higher Mg²⁺ concentrations, when Ca²⁺ was added, and when Mn²⁺ was substituted for Mg²⁺. Dimethyl sulfoxide, which favorsE ₂ conformations of the enzyme, increased apparent affinity for K⁺, whereas oligomycin, which favorsE ₁ conformations, decreased it. These observations are interpretable in terms of activation through two classes of cation sites. (i) At divalent cation sites, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺, favoring (under these conditions)E ₂ conformations, are effective, whereas Ca²⁺, favoringE ₁, is not, and monovalent cations complete. (ii) At monovalent cation sites divalent cations compete with K⁺, and although Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ are fairly effective, Mg²⁺ is a poor substitute for K⁺, while Na⁺ at these sites favorsE ₁ conformations. K⁺ increases theK _m for substrate, but both Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ decrease it, perhaps by competing with K⁺. On the other hand, phosphatase activity in the presence of Na⁺ plus K⁺ is stimulated by dimethyl sulfoxide, by higher concentrations of Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺, but not by adding Ca²⁺; this is consistent with stimulation occurring through facilitation of an E₁ to E₂ transition, perhaps an E₁-P to E₂-P step like that in the (Na + K)-ATPase reaction sequence. However, oligomycin stimulates phosphatase activity with Mg²⁺ plus Na⁺ alone or Mg²⁺ plus Na⁺ plus low K⁺: this effect of oligomycin may reflect acceleration, in the absence of adequate K⁺, of an alternative E₂-P to E₁ pathway bypassing the monovalent cation-activated steps in the hydrolytic sequence.     

Use-dependent block with tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin at frog Ranvier nodes II. Extrinsic influence of cations

Use-dependent declines of Na⁺ currents in myelinated frog nerve fibres were measured during a train of depolarizing pulses in solutions containing tetrodotoxin (TTX) or saxitoxin (STX). The following effects of external monovalent (Na⁺), divalent (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and trivalent (La²⁺) cations on use dependence were found: Increasing the Ca²⁺ concentration from 2 to 8 mM shifts its voltage dependence by 20 mV whereas no significant use-dependent decline occurred at 0.2 mM Ca²⁺. Doubling the external Na⁺ concentration in 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ solutions did not initiate phasic block. External Mg²⁺ ions induced a smaller, and La²⁺ ions a larger, use dependence. The time constants of the current decline were 4-fold greater in 1.08 mM La²⁺. The static block of Na⁺ currents by La³⁺ could be directly demonstrated by the relief of block during a train of pulses. The results are qualitatively explained by a toxin binding site at the Na⁺ channel whose affinity for TTX or STX depends oni) the gating conformation of the channel, probably the inactivation andii) the occupancy of a blocking site by di- or trivalent external cations.     

Ionic Requirements for the Specific Binding of [3H]GBR 12783 to a Site Associated with the Dopamine Uptake Carrier

At 0°C, when Na⁺ was the only cation present in the incubation medium, increasing the Na⁺ concentration from 3 to 10 mM enhanced the affinity of [³H]l-[2-(di-phenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)piperazine ([³H]GBR 12783) for the specific binding site present in rat striatal membranes without affecting the 5_max. For higher Na⁺ concentrations, specific binding values plateaued and then slightly decreased at 130 mM Na⁺. In a 10 mM Na⁺ medium, the K_D and the B_max were, respectively, 0.23 nM and 12.9 pmol/mg of protein. In the presence of 0.4 nM [³H]GBR 12783, the half-maximal specific binding occurred at 5 mM Na⁺. A similar Na⁺ dependence was observed at 20°C. Scatchard plots indicated that K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Tris⁺ acted like competitive inhibitors of the specific binding of [³H]GBR 12783. The inhibitory potency of various cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Tris⁺, Li⁺ and choline) was enhanced when the Na⁺ concentration was decreased from 130 to 10 mM. In a 10 mM Na⁺ medium, the rank order of inhibitory potency was Ca²⁺ (0.13 mM) > Mg²⁺ > Tris⁺ > K⁺ (15 mM). The requirement for Na⁺ was rather specific, because none of the other cations acted as a substitute for Na⁺. No anionic requirement was found: Cl^-, Br^-, and F^- were equipotent. These results suggest that low Na⁺ concentrations are required for maximal binding; higher Na⁺ concentrations protect the specific binding site against the inhibitory effect of other cations.     

Gastrointestinal transport of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> during the digestion of a single meal in the freshwater rainbow trout

A diet containing an inert marker (ballotini beads, quantified by X-radiography) was used to quantify the transport of two essential minerals, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ from the diet during the digestion and absorption of a single meal of commercial trout food (3% ration). Initially, net uptake of Ca²⁺ was observed in the stomach followed by subsequent Ca²⁺ fluxes along the intestine which were variable, but for the most part secretory. This indicated a net secretion of Ca²⁺ along the intestinal tract resulting in a net assimilation of dietary Ca²⁺ of 28%. Similar handling of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ was observed along the gastrointestinal tract (GI), although net assimilation differed substantially between the cations, with Mg²⁺ assimilation being close to 60%, mostly a result of greater uptake by the stomach. The stomach displayed the highest net uptake rates for both cations (1.5 and 1.3 mmol kg⁻¹ fish body mass for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, respectively), occurring within 2 h following ingestion of the meal. Substantial secretions of both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were observed in the anterior intestine, which were attributed to bile and other intestinal secretions, while fluxes in the mid and posterior intestine were small and variable. The overall patterns of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ handling in the GI tract were similar to those observed for Na⁺ and K⁺ (but not Cl⁻) in a previous study. Overall, these results emphasize the importance of dietary electrolytes in ionoregulatory homeostasis.     

Soil organic carbon and nutrient status in old-growth montane coniferous forest watersheds,Isla Chiloé, Chile

Montane temperate forests of the Cordillera de Piuchué Ecosystem Study, Isla Chiloé, Chile, are unaffected by air pollution, timber exploitation and agricultural clearing, and the current floristic assemblage has been relatively stable for the past 7500 years. The apparent absence of major perturbation at this location makes it an appropriate baseline site for ecosystem analysis. We measured soil bulk density, pH, soil organic C (SOC), total N, and NH₄Cl–exchangeable cations (Ca⁺², Mg⁺², K⁺, Na⁺, Al⁺³) in 0–10 and 10–40 cm depth samples from 72 soil profiles representing three vegetation zones: Fitzroya cupressoides Forest, Pilgerodendron uvifera–Tepualia stipularis Forest, and Magellanic Moorland. Fitzroya and Pilgerodendron–Tepualia Forests were indistinguishable for all measured soil characteristics (P > 0.05, Dunn's multiple comparison test on ranked data); these included very high median SOC concentrations (0–10 cm = 49.6%) and correspondingly low bulk density values (0–10 cm = 0.07). Moorland soil median values (0-10 cm) were significantly higher for bulk density (0.12) and lower for SOC (28.5%), but not for total N (Forests = 0.99%, Moorland = 0.95%), resulting in lower median C:N ratios for the moorland (Forests = 44.7; Moorland = 30.3). Across both depths and all three vegetation zones regression analysis indicated that SOC was an excellent predictor (R²; = 0.93, P < 0.001) of (exchangeable Ca⁺² + Mg⁺² + K⁺ + Na⁺). Comparison with other old growth montane environments indicates that the Fitzroya and Pilgerodendron–Tepualia soil profiles are characterized by C:N ratios typical of other relatively unpolluted conifer forest soils (33.0–49.3). Soil profiles of representative polluted montane conifer forests have lower C:N ratios (16.2–23.5). Organic horizons from representative polluted montane conifer forests also retain fewer exchangeable base cations per unit SOC than are retained by organic horizons from the Cordillera de Piuchué forests.     

Changes in nutrient distribution in forests and soils of Walker Branch watershed,Tennessee, over an eleven-year period

Changes in vegetation, litter, and soil nutrient content were measured in selected plots on Walker Branch watershed, Tennessee, from 1972–73 to 1982. The watershed has been allowed to revert to forest since 1942, before which it consisted of small subsistence farms and woodland pastures. Changes in Ca status were of particular interest because initial nutrient cycling characterizations indicated that net Ca accumulation in vegetation could have caused large decreases in soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ within 20 years.Decreases in forest floor and subsoil (45–60 cm) N, exchangeable Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ content were noted in several plots from 1972 to 1982. Surface soils (0–15 cm) showed either no change or, in some cases (e.g., N and exchangeable K⁺ in certain plots), increases over the 11-year period. Reductions in forest floor and subsoil exchangeable Ca²⁺ and exchangeable Mg²⁺ on cherty, upper slope oak-hickory and chestnut oak forests were most striking. The changes in Ca²⁺ are thought to be due primarily to high rates of Ca²⁺ incorporation into woody tissues of oak and hickory species. Reductions in forest floor and subsoil exchangeable Mg²⁺ could not be accounted for by woody increment; leaching may have played a major role in causing these decreases. Changes in P and exchangeable K⁺ were variable, with both increases and decreases.There were significant increases in exchangeable Al³⁺ in both subsoils and surface soils of certain plots, but these were not accompanied by decreases in exchangeable base cations or consistent decreases in pH. Dissolution of interlayer Al from 2:1 clays may be the cause of the exchangeable Al³⁺ increases.These results suggest a general decline in fertility, especially with regard to Ca and Mg in those forests with low soil Ca and Mg supplies. Monitoring of further changes (if any) in these ecosystems will continue as the currently aggrading forests approach steady state.     

Effectiveness of sulfur with Acidithiobacillus and gypsum in chemical attributes of a Brazilian sodic soil

Gypsum and sulfur have been used as amendments for application in sodic and saline sodic soils, although gypsum is not effective in soil pH reduction. In this study the combined effects of elemental sulfur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) and gypsum (G) in chemical attributes of a Brazilian solodic soil was evaluated. The treatments consisted in addition of S* and G in various levels (0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 t ha⁻¹) and different mixing proportions (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 100:0), acting during 15, 30, and 45 days. Sulfur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) markedly reduced soil pH in the leaching solution, especially when applied in the highest levels. Gypsum or sulfur applied individually was not satisfactory for soil reclamation. At 15 days of incubation Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ showed higher values in the leaching solution, and a marked decrease was observed in the leaching solution at 30 days. Reduction in soil electrical conductivity and in exchangeable Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ was observed and in a general way best results were achieved with S* : G in the ratio 50:50, using 2.4 and 3.2 t ha⁻¹. Sulfur with Acidithiobacillus was more effective than gypsum in decreasing soil pH, and sulfur applied with gypsum in the proportion 50:50 showed the best results in relation to exchangeable sodium and electrical conductivity and showed values below those used for classification as sodic soils.     

Ca2+-Dependent activities of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

Experiments on the effects of varying concentrations of Ca²⁺ on the Mg²⁺ + Na⁺-dependent ATPase activity of a highly purified preparation of dog kidney (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase showed that Ca²⁺ was a partial inhibitor of this activity. When Ca²⁺ was added to the reaction mixture instead of Mg²⁺, there was a ouabain-sensitive Ca²⁺ + Na⁺-dependent ATPase activity the maximal velocity of which was 30 to 50% of that of Mg²⁺ + Na⁺-dependent activity. The apparent affinities of the enzyme for Ca²⁺ and CaATP seemed to be higher than those for Mg²⁺ and MgATP. Addition of K⁺, along with Ca²⁺ and Na⁺, increased the maximal velocity and the concentration of ATP required to obtain half-maximal velocity. The maximal velocity of the ouabain-sensitive Ca²⁺ + Na⁺ + K⁺-dependent ATPase was about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of Mg²⁺ + Na⁺ + K⁺-dependent activity. In agreement with previous observations, it was shown that in the presence of Ca²⁺, Na⁺, and ATP, an acid-stable phosphoenzyme was formed that was sensitive to either ADP or K⁺. The enzyme also exhibited a Ca²⁺ + Na⁺-dependent ADP-ATP exchange activity. Neither the inhibitory effects of Ca²⁺ on Mg²⁺-dependent activities, nor the Ca²⁺-dependent activities were influenced by the addition of calmodulin. Because of the presence of small quantities of endogenous Mg²⁺ in all reaction mixtures, it could not be determined whether the apparent Ca²⁺-dependent activities involved enzyme-substrate complexes containing Ca²⁺ as the divalent cation or both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺.     

黄河口湿地柽柳灌丛土壤盐渍化特征

为探究黄河三角洲湿地柽柳灌丛下土壤的盐渍化特征，在黄河三角洲国家级自然保护区(37°35''-12''N，118°33''-119°20''E)黄河入海口附近，根据长势基本一致的原则分别在碱蓬群落、柽柳群落和芦苇群落各选3株柽柳，采集柽柳灌丛下土壤样品，分析土壤盐分和盐碱化参数的空间分布以及距基茎不同距离处研究对象(土壤总盐(TS)、电导率(EC)、pH、交换性钠百分率(ESP))和环境因子(Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、Cl^-、HCO₃^-、SO^2-₄)之间的关系。结果表明：(1)研究区土壤为弱碱化盐土，离子含量由高到低依次为Cl^->Na⁺>SO^2-₄ >Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>HCO^-₃>K⁺。除pH在土壤表层数值最低外，表层土壤TS、EC、ESP和盐分离子大于深层土壤，显示表聚性。(2)土壤盐分和盐碱化参数空间分布总体为：在柽柳基茎周围形成"盐谷"、"碱谷"效应， Na⁺、Mg²⁺、Cl^-表现为"盐谷"，K⁺ 、SO^2-₄ 、Ca²⁺ 表现为"盐岛"。(3)在整个土壤剖面中，与TS、EC相关性最强的阴阳离子为Mg²⁺、Cl^-，从灌丛中心到灌丛间裸地Ca²⁺、SO^2-₄与TS、EC的相关性逐渐减弱，Mg²⁺、Cl^-与TS、EC的相关性逐渐增强。Ca²⁺和SO^2-₄与pH表现为较强的负相关性；与ESP相关性最强的阴离子为HCO^-₃，与之相关性最强的阳离子为Na⁺和K⁺，并且Na⁺和K⁺与ESP的相关性表现出从灌丛中心向外逐渐增强。(4)土壤盐渍化主要受控于Na⁺，从灌丛下到灌丛间裸地Cl^-对盐渍化程度的影响逐渐增加，SO^2-₄的影响逐渐降低。     

Effeet of Metal Ions on Activity of Exopectic Acid Transeliminase of Erwinia sp.

Contrary to the exopectic acid transeliminase of Clostridium multifermentans, that of Erwinia sp. was activated strongly by Na⁺ and to a much less extent by Ca²⁺. K⁺ had a small stimulating effect on the enzyme activity. Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺, like Ca²⁺, activated the enzyme weakly. Ba²⁺ and Mg²⁺ showed no and a slight inhibitory effect, respectively, on the activity.

An almost total loss of activity was caused by the addition of EDTA to the reaction mixture. In the presence of Na⁺ the enzyme activity was restored by addition of divalent cations. Individual monovalent cations or each of the divalent cations was ineffective in restoring the activity.     

Effects of soil acidification and subsequent leaching on levels of extractable nutrients in a soil

Summary The effects of soil acidification (pH values from 6.5 to 3.8), and subsequent leaching, on levels of extractable nutrients in a soil were studied in a laboratory experiment. Below pH 5.5, acidification resulted in large increases in the amounts of exchangeable Al in the soil. Simultaneously, exchangeable cations were displayed from exchange sites and Ca, Mg, K and Na in soil solution increased markedly. With increasing soil acidification, increasing amounts of cations were leached; the magnitude of leaching loss was in the same order as the cations were present in the soil: Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>K⁺>Na⁺. Soil acidification appeared to inhibit nitrification since in the unleached soils, levels of NO ₃ ⁻ clearly declined below pH 5.5 and at the same time levels of NH ₄ ⁺ increased greatly. Significant amounts of NH ₄ ⁺ and larger amounts of NO ₃ ⁻ , were removed from the soil during leaching. Concentrations of NaHCO₃-extractable phosphate remained unchanged between pH 4.3 and 6.0 but were raised at higher and lower pH values. No leaching losses of phosphate were detected. For the unleached soils, levels of EDTA-extractable Mn and Zn increased as the soil was acidified whilst levels of extractable Fe were first decreased and then increased greatly and those for Cu were decreased slightly between pH 6.5 and 6.0 and then unaffected by further acidification. Significant leaching losses of Mn and Zn were observed at pH values below 5.5 but losses of Fe were very small and those of Cu were not detectable.     

Calcium and Magnesium: Low Passive Permeability and Tubular Secretion in the Mouse Medullary Thick Ascending Limb of Henle's Loop (MTAL)

Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that in the mouse and rat nephron Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are not reabsorbed in the medullary part of the thick ascending limb (mTAL) of Henle's loop. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the absence of transepithelial Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ transport in the mouse mTAL is due to its relative low permeability to divalent cations. For this purpose, transepithelial ion net fluxes were measured by electron probe analysis in isolated perfused mouse mTAL segments, when the transepithelial potential difference (PD_te.) was varied by chemical voltage clamp, during active NaCl transport inhibition by luminal furosemide. The results show that transepithelial Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ net fluxes in the mTAL are not driven by the transepithelial PD_te. At zero voltage, a small but significant net secretion of Ca²⁺ into the tubular lumen was observed. With a high lumen-positive PD_te generated by creating a transepithelial bath-to-lumen NaCl concentration gradient, no Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ reabsorption was noted; instead significant and sustained Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ net secretion occurred. When a lumen-positive PD_te was generated in the absence of apical furosemide, but in the presence of a transepithelial bath-to-lumen NaCl concentration gradient, a huge Ca²⁺ net secretion and a lesser Mg²⁺ net secretion, not modified by ADH, were observed. Replacement of Na⁺ by K⁺ in the lumen perfusate induced, in the absence of PD_te changes, important but reversible net secretions of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. In conclusion, our results indicate that the passive permeability of the mouse mTAL to divalent cations is very low and not influenced by ADH. This nephron segment can secrete Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ into the luminal fluid under conditions which elicit large lumen-positive transepithelial potential differences. Given the impermeability of this epithelium to Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, the secretory processes would appear to be of cellular origin. Received: 30 January 1996/Revised: 24 April 1996     

Further observations on calcium and other divalent cations metabolism in intact Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

Summary The metabolism of calcium has been investigated in the Ehrlich Ascites Tumour Cells (ATC). ATC extrude Ca²⁺ actively by an energy-dependent mechanism, supported by both respiration and glycolysis. Extrusion takes place even against a very steep concentration gradient (10 mM Ca²⁺). Cell calcium content is decreased by monovalent cations (Na⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺), which act independently from their metabolic effects. La³⁺ inhibits ATC Ca²⁺ extrusion whereas Ruthenium Red slightly decreases cell calcium content. The antibiotic ionophore A 23187 strongly increases ATC Ca²⁺ level. The metabolism of other divalent cations (Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Mn²⁺) has been studied. Mg²⁺ does not show appreciable changes in the various metabolic conditions tested, while Mn²⁺ and Sr²⁺ behave quite differently from Ca²⁺, suggesting a different distribution of these cations in ATC. The experimental findings indicate that Ehrlich Ascites Tumour Cells regulate their calcium content by mechanisms related to plasma membranes while the size and activity of mitochondrial compartment is of minor importance.     

Seasonal changes of ionic concentrations in the vacuolar sap of Chara vulgaris L. growing in a brackish water lake

Summary The composition of the vacuolar sap of Chara vulgaris growing in a brackish water lake was estimated weekly over 2 years (1984–1985). The ionic concentrations of the main cations Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ and the anion Cl^- varied depending on cell age, developmental state, and season. The average of all measurements (in mM) was Na⁺: 35, K⁺: 106, Ca²⁺: 7, Mg²⁺: 23, Cl^-: 101, SO _2- ⁴ : 20, and PO _3- ⁴ : 5. At the onset of growth in May/June the ionic content was lower compared to the mean value for the year, steadily increasing until it reached its maximum above the annual mean in winter. During the period of fructification (sexual reproduction: formation of antheridia and oogonia), when up to 100 mM sucrose was accumulated in the vacuolar sap, ionic content was lowest. This resulted in a fairly constant osmotic potential throughout the year. Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations were correlated with the physiological age of the cells.