A spatial analysis of atmospheric ammonia and ammonium in the U.K

As measures are implemented internationally to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions, attention is falling on the contribution of NH3 emissions to acidification, nitrogen eutrophication, and aerosol formation. In the U.K., a monitoring network has been established to measure the spatial distribution and long-term trends in atmospheric gaseous NH3 and aerosol NH4+. At the same time, an atmospheric chemistry and transport model, FRAME, has been developed with a focus on reduced nitrogen (NHx). The monitoring data are important to evaluate the model, while the model is essential for a more detailed spatial assessment. The national network is established with over 80 sampling locations. Measurements of NH3 and NH4+ (at up to 50 sites) have been made using a new low-cost denuder-filterpack system. Additionally, improved passive sampling methods for NH3 have been applied to explore local variability. The measurements confirm the high spatial variability of NH3 (annual means 0.06 to 11 microg NH3 m(-3)), consistent with its nature as a primary pollutant emitted from ground-level sources, while NH4+, being a slowly formed secondary product, shows much less spatial variability (0.14 to 2.4 mg NH4+ m(-3)). These features are reproduced in the FRAME model, which provides estimates at a 5-km level. Analysis of the underlying NH3 emission inventory shows that sheep emissions may have been underestimated and nonagricultural sources overestimated relative to emissions from cattle. The combination of model and measurements is applied to estimate spatial patterns of dry deposition to different vegetation types. The combined approach provides the basis to assess NHx responses across the U.K. to international emission controls.     

广州市森林土壤水化学和元素收支平衡研究

为了探讨酸沉降对森林生态系统的影响,于1998年4月至1999年3月对广州市3个不同林分试验点的降雨,林内穿透雨和土壤渗透水进行了物理量测定和化学分析,据此计划了元素的收支平衡,研究表明：（1）SO4^2-和Ca^2 是土壤水中最主要的阴,阳离子,土壤水中的主要组分浓度的变化与树冠和凋落物淋溶的贡献以及土壤中一系列物理化学过程（如硝化作用,吸附作用,阳离子交换反应）有关;（2）土壤水中H^ 和Al^3 浓度的增高是土壤酸化的重要指标,可能对森林植被构成潜在危害;（3）S－沉降（＞110kg/hm^2.a)可能不是目前土壤酸化的主要原因,也没引起土壤中碱性离子的大量淋失,由于研究区土壤有较强的吸附So4^2-的能力和容量,So4^2-和与之关系密切的Ca,Mg,K等元素在土壤中处于积累阶段;（4）过量的N沉降（＞20kg/hm^2.a)和NH4^ 的硝化 作用是广州市森林土壤进一步酸化的主要原因,由于该地区NOx排放量逐年上升,因此N沉降对森林生态系统的负面影响会进一步加剧。     

The effect of stand age on throughfall chemistry in spruce stands in the Potok Dupniañski catchment in the Silesian Beskid Mountains, southern Poland

The chemical composition of throughfall depends on the age of the Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) stands and season of the year. The pH of throughfall decreased and the amount of hydrogen ion in throughfall deposited to the soil increased with increasing age of spruce stands, especially in the winter season. Concentrations of K+, H+, SO4(2-), Mn2+, and NH4(+) in throughfall were higher than bulk precipitation for the whole year and K+, H+, and Mn2+ concentrations were higher in throughfall in winter and the growing season. This indicates that these ions were washed out or washed from the surface of needles and/or the bark, and that NO3(-), NH4(+), Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+ were absorbed in the canopy. The effect of high nitrogen deposition, above critical loads, and an increase in the amount of sulfur and in the sum of the strong acids (S-SO4(2-) and N-NO3(-)) that reached the soil with throughfall may have implications for the vitality of spruce stands, especially in older age classes. The application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has led to identification of five factors responsible for the data structure ("mineral dust", "acidic emissions", "heavy metals-dust particles", "ammonium [NH4(+)]", and "H+"). They explain more than 60% of the total variance system. The strong positive correlation between stand age class and ionic concentrations in throughfall occurs for all year and the winter period for ions within the following categories: "acidic emissions", SO4(2-) + NO3(-); "heavy metals-dust particles", Fe2+ + Mn2+ + Zn2+; "mineral dust", Na+ + K+ + Ca2+ + Mg2+; "NH4(+)"; and "H+". The strength of the relationship decreases in the growing period, probably due to processes occurring in the canopy (adsorption, leaching, etc.).     

Temporal changes in nitrogen pollution in northeastern Estonia

During the last 5 decades the northeastern part of Estonia (the region where oil shale and the chemical industry are located) has been subjected to pollution with acidic compounds. In 1981-1988 the yearly mean nitrogen (N) deposition load was up to 11.1 kg ha(-1). This N pollution level combined with the deposition of sulphur (S) could have seriously endangered the environment, but the simultaneous emission of strongly alkaline fly ash restrained acidification processes. After 1989-1991 the situation changed, and in 1994-1996 the N deposition load in northeastern Estonia remained within the range of 2.6 to 6.6 kg ha(-1) year(-1) and that of S within 2 to 50 kg ha(-1) year(-1). Because the fly ash deposition is permanently decreasing, more sensitive lichens and mosses can be subjected to critical N+S loads in the future. The proportion of oil shale industry in total emission of NOx in Estonia from stationary sources equals approximately 65 to 75%. During 1996-2000 the yearly mean concentration of NO2 in the air of towns increased from 9 to 12 to 16 to 29 g m(-3). The emission of N compounds was mainly caused by N oxides in flue gases from power plants, as well as ammonia and carbamide discharges from chemical plants. In 1988-1990 the estimated yearly total emission of NOx (as NO2 equivalent) was about 18 to 18.6 thousand t and in 1994-2000, 9.9 to 11.8 thousand t.     

林肯链霉菌丙氨酸脱氢酶的纯化和性质

采用硫酸铵分级沉淀、DEAE-纤维素52柱层析、亲和蓝柱层析和琼脂糖凝胶Sepharose6B柱层析的方法,分离纯化了林肯链霉菌丙氨酸脱氢酶,用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳鉴定为单一组分。以凝胶过滤和聚丙烯酰胺梯度凝胶电泳测得该酶的分子量为170000,SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测得其亚基分子量为42500,表明林肯链霉菌丙氨酸脱氢酶由四个相同的亚基组成。该酶加氨反应最适pH为9．0,脱氨反应最适pH为9．5,加氨反应和脱氨反应的最适温度均为50℃。加氨反应丙氨酸脱氢酶的表现米氏常数km值为：丙酮酸2．08×10－4mol／L,NH4+2．00×10-2mol／L,NADH2．38×10-5mol／L;脱氨反应的Km为：L-Ala1．43×10-2mol／L;NAD+6．67×10-5mol／L。     

Inorganic and organic losses of nitrogen from upland regions of Britain: concentrations and fluxes

The nitrogen (N) composition of streams draining eight upland regions of Britain was compared using monthly samples collected between April 1997 and April 1998. Stream samples were analysed for total N (TN), particulate N (PN), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). Concentrations of TN were small, generally less than 1.5 mg N l(-1), were dominated by dissolved forms of N, and varied significantly between regions. NO3 accounted for the majority of variability. Concentrations of DON also varied between regions but to a smaller extent than those of NO3. There were considerable variations in TN fluxes between upland regions, which ranged between 3.8 and 16.1 kg N ha(-1) year(-1). The majority of the variation was due to NO3 fluxes, which were largest in regions receiving largest inputs of atmospheric N deposition and ranged between 1.4 and 13.5 kg N ha(-1) year(-1). Fluxes of DON ranged between 1 and 3.5 kg N ha(-1) year( -1), while fluxes of PN were generally less than 0.5 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) , and NH4 fluxes ranged between 0.1 and 0.4 kg N ha(-1) year(-1). NO3 was the dominant fraction (47-84%) of N exported from all upland regions except the Highlands, where DON accounted for 52% of the TN flux. This study has shown that the DON fraction is an important component of the total N transported by upland streams in Britain.     

The effects of ruthenium tetraammine compounds on vascular smooth muscle.

The time course of the relaxation effect induced by a single dose (3 x 10(-6) mol/L) of trans-[Ru(NH3)4L(NO)]3+ (L=nic, 4-pic, py, imN, P(OEt)3, SO(3)(2-), NH3, and pz) species and sodium nitroprusside (4 x 10(-9) mol/L) was studied in aortic rings without endothelium and pre-contracted with noradrenaline (1 x 10(-6) mol/L). All the compounds induced a relaxing effect in the aortic rings, but the intensity and time of relaxation were different. Only the species where L=py, 4-pic, and P(OEt)3 were able to induce 100% (99-100%) of the relaxing effect during the assay. trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(NO)]3+ (L=SO(3)(2-) and NH3) showed the lowest relaxing effect (36 and 37%, respectively) when compared with the other compounds. Relationship was observed between the time corresponding to half of the maximum relaxation intensity observed and, respectively, k-NO, E0'[Ru(NO)]3+/[Ru(NO)]2+ in trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(NO)]3+ species and E0'Ru(III)/Ru(II) in trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(H2O)]3+ ions. These relationships strongly suggested that the NO liberation from the reduced nitrosyl complexes was responsible for the observed relaxation.     

广州市典型森林区酸雨的化学组成、季节变化及其成因探讨

报道了1998年4月至1999年3月广州市典型森林区降雨的化学组成中SO32-,NO3-,Ca2+浓度很高,并具有明显的季节性变化,春夏季酸雨较秋冬季严重.广州地区全年酸雨频率为80%,酸雨量占总降雨量的95%.结合气象资料并通过与其它地区酸雨化学组成的对比分析,认为广州地区酸雨形成机制具有局地冲刷和中远距离传输叠加的双重特征.酸雨中主要离子除来自于工业和交通污染源外(SO42--和NO3-),还受到陆地源尘埃(Ca2+)和海洋源(Na+和Cl-)的影响.广州酸雨中SO42-和NO3-的年沉降率分别为3200 eq/(hm2.a)和570 eq/(hm2.a),远远超过了维持生态平衡的最低临界值(200～300eq/(hm 2.a)),因而已对本地区生态环境构成了威胁.     

模拟氮沉降对温带阔叶红松林地土壤氮素净矿化的影响

以长白山阔叶红松混交林为研究对象,于2006—2008年原位模拟不同形态氮((NH4)2SO4、NH4Cl和KNO3)沉降水平(22.5和45kgN·hm-2·a-1),利用树脂芯法技术(resin-core incubation technique)测定了表层(有机层0～7cm)和土层(0～15cm)土壤氮素净矿化、净氨化和净硝化通量的季节和年际变化规律。同时,结合前人报道的有关林地碳、氮过程及其环境变化影响的结果,力求有效预估森林生态系统中氮素年矿化通量对大气氮沉降量和水热条件等因子变化的响应。结果表明,长白山阔叶红松林地土壤氮素年净矿化通量为1.2～19.8kgN·hm-2·a-1,2008年不同深度的土壤氮素年净矿化通量均显著高于2006和2007年(P<0.05)。随着模拟氮沉降量增加,土壤氮素净矿化通量也随之增加,尤其外源NH4+-N输入对净矿化通量的促进作用更为明显(P<0.05),但随着施肥年限的延长,这种促进作用逐渐减弱。与林地0～15cm土壤相比,氮沉降增加对0～7cm有机层氮素净氨化和净矿化通量的促进作用更为明显,尤其NH4Cl处理的促进作用更大。结合前人报道的野外原位观测结果,土壤氮素年净矿化通量随氮素沉降量的增加而增大,氮沉降量对不同区域森林土壤氮素净矿化通量的贡献率约为52%;氮沉降量(x1)和pH值(x2)可以解释区域森林土壤氮素年净矿化通量(y)变化的70%(y=0.54x1-18.38x2-109.55,R2=0.70,P<0.0001)。前人研究结果仅提供区域年均温度,未考虑积温的影响,这可能是造成年净矿化通量与温度无关的原因。今后的研究工作应该加强区域森林土壤积温观测,进而更加准确地预估森林土壤氮素的年净矿化通量。     

Long-Term Trends in Stream Nitrate Concentrations and Losses Across Watersheds Undergoing Recovery from Acidification in the Czech Republic

Stream nitrogen (N) export and nitrate concentration were measured at 14 forested watersheds (GEOMON network) in the Czech Republic between 1994 and 2005. In the last several decades, emissions of sulfur (S) and N compounds have decreased throughout much of Europe. In the Czech Republic, atmospheric deposition of S has decreased substantially since the beginning of 1990s, whereas N deposition remains largely unchanged at most sites. The mean dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) streamwater export ranged from 0.2 to 12.2 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ at the GEOMON sites. Despite decades of elevated N deposition, 44–98% of DIN inputs to these watersheds were retained or denitrified, and many watersheds showed seasonal variation in nitrate concentrations. Dissolved organic N export was quantified in 1 year only and ranged from 0.05 to 3.5 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Spatial variability in DIN export among watersheds was best explained by spatial variability in average acidic deposition, particularly S deposition (R ² = 0.81, P < 0.001); DIN input and forest floor carbon:nitrogen (C/N) also provided significant explanatory power. DIN export was strongly influenced by the forest floor C/N ratio and depth of the forest floor soils (R ² = 0.72, P < 0.001). The only variable that predicted variations in forest floor C/N (R ² = 0.32, P < 0.05) among watersheds was S deposition. Forest floor depth was also related to deposition variables, with S deposition providing the most explanatory power (R ² = 0.50, P < 0.01). Variation in forest floor depth was also associated with climatic factors (precipitation and temperature). Temporal variability in DIN export was primarily associated with changes in acidic deposition over time; S deposition explained 41% of variability in DIN exports among all watersheds and years. Extensive acidification of forested watersheds was associated with the extraordinarily high S inputs to much of the Czech Republic during earlier decades. We hypothesize that recovery from acidification has led to improved tree health as well as enhanced microbial activity in the forest floor. As these watersheds move into a new regime with dramatically lower sulfur inputs, we expect continued declines in nitrate output.     

Ring cleavage and degradative pathway of cyanuric acid in bacteria.

The degradative pathway of cyanuric acid [1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione] was examined in Pseudomonas sp. strain D. The bacterium grew with cyanuric acid, biuret, urea or NH4+ as sole source of nitrogen, and each substrate was entirely metabolized concomitantly with growth. Enzymes from strain D were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and three reactions were examined. Cyanuric acid (1 mol) was converted stoichiometrically into 1.0 mol of CO2 and 1.1 mol of biuret, which was conclusively identified. Biuret (1 mol) was converted stoichiometrically into 1.1 mol of NH4+, about 1 mol of CO2 and 1.0 mol of urea, which was conclusively identified. Urea (1 mol) was converted into 1.9 mol of NH4+ and 1.0 mol of CO2. The reactions proceeded under aerobic or anoxic conditions and were presumed to be hydrolytic. Data indicate that the same pathway occurred in another pseudomonad and a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.     

Conformations of dehydrophenylalanine containing peptides: nmr studies of an acyclic hexapeptide with two delta Z-Phe residues

The conformation of an acyclic dehydrophenylalanine (delta Z-Phe) containing hexapeptide, Boc-Phe-delta Z-Phe-Val-Phe-delta Z-Phe-Val-OMe, has been investigated in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO by 270-MHz 1H-nmr. Studies of NH group solvent accessibility and observation of interresidue nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) suggest a significant solvent-dependent conformational variability. In CDCl3, a population of folded helical conformations is supported by the inaccessibility to solvent of the NH groups of residues 3-6 and the detection of several NiH----Ni + 1H NOEs. Evidence is also obtained for conformational heterogeneity from the detection of some Ci alpha H----Ni + 1H NOEs characteristic of extended strands. In (CD3)2SO, the peptide largely favors an extended conformation, characterized by five solvent-exposed NH groups and successive Ci alpha H----Ni + 1H NOEs for the L-residues and Ci beta H----Ni + 1H NOEs for the delta Z-Phe residues. The results suggest that delta Z-Phe residues do not provide compelling conformational constraints.     

Toxicity of reduced nitrogen in eelgrass (Zostera marina) is highly dependent on shoot density and pH

In sheltered, eutrophicated estuaries, reduced nitrogen (NHx), and pH levels in the water layer can be greatly enhanced. In laboratory experiments, we studied the interactive effects of NHx, pH, and shoot density on the physiology and survival of eelgrass (Zostera marina). We tested long-term tolerance to NHx at pH 8 in a 5-week experiment. Short-term tolerance was tested for two shoot densities at both pH 8 and 9 in a 5-day experiment. At pH 8, eelgrass accumulated nitrogen as free amino acids when exposed to high loads of NHx, but showed no signs of necrosis. Low shoot density treatments became necrotic within days when exposed to NHx at pH 9. Increased NH3 intrusion and carbon limitation seemed to be the cause of this, as intracellular NHx could no longer be assimilated. Remarkably, experiments with high shoot densities at pH 9 showed hardly any necrosis, as the plants seemed to be able to alleviate the toxic effects of high NHx loads through joint NHx uptake. Our results suggest that NHx toxicity can be important in worldwide observed seagrass mass mortalities. We argue that the mitigating effect of high seagrass biomass on NHx toxicity is a positive feedback mechanism, potentially leading to alternative stable states in field conditions.     

Purification and characterization of a collagenase extracted from rabbit tumours.

A collagenase was purified from homogenates of V2 ascites-cell carcinoma growing in rabbit muscle. (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography, and affinity chromatography (by using the CB7 CNBr) cleavage fragment of alpha 1(I) collagen linked to agarose) gave a 268000-fold purification and a sevenfold increase in total enzyme units recovered. The specific activity, defined as mumol of collagen in solution cleaved/h per mg of enzyme at 35 degrees C, WAS 1.74.2. The collagenase had a broad pH optimum from pH7.0 to 9.5, and a mol.wt. of between 33000 and 35000. It was inhibited by dithiothreitol, L-cysteine, D-penicillamine, EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, and by both rabbit and human serum. 3. Removal of cations by a chelating resin (Chelex 100) produced as inactive enzyme that could be reactiviated by the addition of Ca2+ ions at concentrations as low as 1muM. Other bivalent cations were not effective. 4. The purified collagenase cleaved peptides alpha2 and alpha1-CB7 (denatured polypeptides of collagen) at 37 degrees C at one site only. [alpha1 (I)]2alpha2 and [alpha1(III)]3 collagens in solution were cleaved at the same site approximately five times more rapidly than [alpha1 (II)]3. 5. An inhibitor of the enzyme in the tumour extracts, which was dissociable from the enzyme at the (NH4) 2SO4 precipitation step of purification, had a mol. wt. of between 40000 and 50000 but was distinct from the alpha1 trypsin inhibitor. 6. Studies with zonal density-gradient centrifugation suggested that the enzyme was bound to fibrillar substrate (collagen) extracellularly, but that it was not associated with enzymes originating in cell mitochondria, microsomal preparations or lysosomes.     

白水江自然保护区糙花箭竹天然林生物量与生产力的初步研究

 本文根据样方上测定糙花箭竹的地径、茎高、密度、茎重、枝条重、叶重和鞭系重资料,研究竹林生物量和生产力,并建立回归数学模型为：茎重Ws=160.942+0.227(D2NH) p<0.001 枝条重WB=76.008+0.039(D2NH) p<0.001 叶重WL＝80.643+0.051(D2NH) p<0.001 鞭系重WR=285.554+0.074(D2NH) p<0.001由方程估测出天然糙花箭竹林的各器官干重分别为茎7.558,枝条1.782,叶2.143,鞭系4.795t／ha。总生物量为16.278t／ha,平均净生产量为3.256t／ha。     

The effect of nitrogen nutrition on cluster root formation and proton extrusion by Lupinus albus

Nitrogen nutrition can influence cluster root formation in many wild species, but the effect of N form on cluster root formation and root exudation by white lupin is not known. In a solution culture study, we examined the effect of N nutrition (ammonium, nitrate, both or N2 fixation) on cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by white lupin plants under deficient and adequate P supply. The number of cluster roots increased greatly when plants were supplied with I microM P compared with 50 microM P, the increase being 7.8-fold for plants treated with (NH4)2SO4, 3-fold for plants treated with KNO3 and NH4NO3, and 2-4-fold for N2-fixing plants. Under P deficiency. NH4+-N supply resulted in production of a greater number and biomass of cluster roots than other N sources. Dry weight of cluster roots was 30 % higher than that of non-cluster roots in P-deficient plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. In plants treated with sufficient P (50 microM), the weight of non-cluster roots was approx. 90 % greater than that of cluster roots. Both total (micromol per plant h(-1)) and specific (micromol g(-1) root d. wt h(-1)) H+ extrusions were greatest from roots of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4, followed by those supplied with NH4NO3 and N2 fixation, whereas plants receiving KNO3 had negative net H+ extrusion between the third and fifth week of growth (indicating uptake of protons or release of OH- ions). The rate of proton extrusion by NH4+-N-fed plants was similar under P-deficient and P-sufficient conditions. In contrast, proton exudation by N2-fixing plants and KNO3-treated plants was ten-fold greater under P deficiency than under P sufficiency. In comparison with P deficiency, plants treated with 50 microM P had a significantly higher concentration of P in roots, shoots and youngest expanded leaves (YEL). Compared with the N2 fixation and KNO3 treatments, total N concentration was highest in roots, shoots and YEL of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, regardless of P supply. Under P deficiency, K concentrations in roots decreased at all N supplies, especially in plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, which coincided with the greatest H+ extrusion at these P and N supplies. In conclusion, NH4-N nutrition stimulated cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by roots of P-deficient white lupin.     

上海地区大气氮湿沉降及其对湿地水环境的影响

根据1998～2003年上海地区雨水中NO₃^--N、NH₄⁺-N浓度,采用单因子评估模式评价了降雨对湿地水环境的影响,并结合降雨量数据,研究了大气湿沉降氮通量.结果表明,上海地区雨水中氮浓度较高,6年雨水平均硝态氮浓度为259 mg·L^-1,铵态氮浓度为2.16 mg·L^-1,总无机氮（TIN）浓度474 mg·L^-1,远大于水体富营养水中氮浓度阀值（0.2 mg·L^-1）,依据降水中的氮浓度,降水已达到地表水V类、劣V类水平.6年湿沉降氮通量平均值为58.1 kg·hm^-2·yr^-1,其中NO₃^--N占54%.大气氮沉降对湿地水体富营养化影响值得关注.     

Constant multiple birth rates in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic until recently, 1972-1995.

Using vital statistics, yearly changes in the twinning and triplet rates by zygosity were investigated in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic during the period 1972-1995. Monozygotic (MZ) twinning rates in both countries had remained nearly constant (about 3 per 1000 total births) during that period. With a few exceptions, the dizygotic (DZ) twinning rates remained constant from 1972 to 1994, and increased in 1995 for both countries. MZ twinning rates for both countries were the lowest in Europe. As for triplet rates, overall rates increased significantly year by year in the Czech Republic, but not in the Slovak Republic. The triplet rate was significantly higher in 1995 than in the period 1972-1982 for both countries. The MZ triplet rate remained constant during that period in the Czech Republic. The trizygotic (TZ) triplet rates increased 3-fold for the Czech Republic and 4-fold for the Slovak Republic in 1972-1976 and 1992-1995. In the later period, the TZ rate was 1.5-fold higher in the Czech Republic than in the Slovak Republic. The quadruplet rate increased 2.3-fold from 2.9 per million births in 1982-1986 to 6.7 in 1992-1995 in the Czech Republic. The corresponding values were 2.7, 2.20 and 5.9-fold in the Slovak Republic. Both the Czech and the Slovak Republics were not affected by fertility drugs and assisted reproductive techniques until recently.     

Bacterial degradation of N-cyclopropylmelamine. The steps to ring cleavage.

The s-triazine cyclopropylmelamine (N-cyclopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine) was degraded to about 6 mol of NH4+/mol of substrate by a mixture of two bacteria (strains A and D, both Pseudomonas spp.) Only strain A grew with cyclopropylmelamine as sole and limiting source of nitrogen. The organism obtained 2 mol of nitrogen/mol of substrate and excreted a product that was identified as cyclopropylammelide [6-cyclopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1 H,3 H)-dione]. Proteins in extracts from strain A were separated on a Sephadex G-200 column. Cyclopropylmelamine was found to be deaminated in two separable steps to cyclopropylammelide via cyclopropylammeline [4-amino-6-cyclopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2(1 H)-one], which was identified. Strain D could not utilize cyclopropylmelamine or cyclopropylammeline, but could utilize cyclopropylammelide (or homologue) as sole and limiting source of nitrogen and obtain about 4 mol of nitrogen/mol of substrate. Proteins in cell extracts from strain D were separated on a DEAE-cellulose column. Alkylammelides were degraded quantitatively by one enzyme fraction to 1 mol of cyanuric acid plus 1 mol of alkylamine/mol of substrate. The specific activities of enzymes in extracts of the two strains were as high as the activities observed during growth. The three activities studied in the two strains were all active under aerobic and oxygen-free conditions. The reactions appear to be hydrolytic, yielding 2 mol of NH4+ plus 1 mol of cyclopropylamine and 1 mol of cyanuric acid/mol of substrate.     

Characterization of wet and dry deposition in the downwind of industrial sources in a dry tropical area

An atmospheric deposition study was conducted in the downwind of Shaktinagar Thermal Power Plant (STPP), Renusagar Thermal Power Plant (RTPP), and Anpara Thermal Power Plant (ATPP), at Singrauli region, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India to characterize dry and wet deposition in relation to different pollution loading. During the study period, dry and wet depositions and levels of gaseous pollutants (SO2 and NO2) were estimated across the sites. Dry deposition was collected on a monthly basis and wet deposition on an event basis. Depositions were analyzed for pH, nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), and sulphate (SO4(2-)) contents. Dry deposition rate both collected as clearfall and throughfall varied between 0.15 to 2.28 and 0.33 to 3.48 g m(-2) day(-1), respectively, at control and maximally polluted sites. The pH of dry deposition varied from 5.81 to 6.89 during winter and 6.09 to 7.02 during summer across the sites. During the rainy season, the mean pH of clear wet deposition varied from 6.56 to 7.04 and throughfall varied from 6.81 to 7.22. The concentrations of NO2 and SO2 pollutants were highest during the winter season. Mean SO2 concentrations varied from 18 to 75 g m(-3) at control and differently polluted sites during the winter season. The variation in NO2 concentrations did not show a pattern similar to that of SO2. The highest NO2 concentration during the winter season was 50 g m(-3), observed near RTPP. NO2 concentration did not show much variation among different sites, suggesting that the sources of NO2 emission are evenly distributed along the sites. The concentrations of NH4+, NO3-, and SO4(2-) ions in dry deposition were found to be higher in summer as compared to the winter season. In dry deposition (clearfall) the concentrations of NH4+, NO3-, and SO4(2-) varied from 0.13 to 1.0, 0.81 to 1.95, and 0.82 to 3.27 mg l(-1), respectively, during winter. In wet deposition (clearfall), the above varied from 0.14 to 0.74, 0.81 to 1.82, and 0.67 to 2.70 mg l(-1), respectively. The study clearly showed that both dry and wet depositions varied between the sites and season, suggesting significant impact of industrial activities in modifying the atmospheric input. The nonacidic deposition suggests that there is no threat of acidification of the receiving ecosystem at present.