Effects of short-term drying and irrigation on CO2 and CH4 production and emission from mesocosms of a northern bog and an alpine fen

Atmospheric CO₂ and CH₄ exchange in peatlands is controlled by water table levels and soil moisture, but impacts of short periods of dryness and rainfall are poorly known. We conducted drying-rewetting experiments with mesocosms from an ombrotrophic northern bog and an alpine, minerotrophic fen. Efflux of CO₂ and CH₄ was measured using static chambers and turnover and diffusion rates were calculated from depth profiles of gas concentrations. Due to a much lower macroporosity in the fen compared to the bog peat, water table fluctuated more strongly when irrigation was stopped and resumed, about 11 cm in the fen and 5 cm in the bog peat. Small changes in air filled porosity caused CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations in the fen peat to be insensitive to changes in water table position. CO₂ emission was by a factor of 5 higher in the fen than in the bog mesocosms and changed little with water table position in both peats. This was probably caused by the importance of the uppermost, permanently unsaturated zone for auto- and heterotrophic CO₂ production, and a decoupling of air filled porosity from water table position. CH₄ emission was <0.4 mmol m^?2 day^?1 in the bog peat, and up to >12.6 mmol m^?2 day^?1 in the fen peat, where it was lowered by water table fluctuations. CH₄ production was limited to the saturated zone in the bog peat but proceeded in the capillary fringe of the fen peat. Water table drawdown partly led to inhibition of methanogenesis in the newly unsaturated zone, but CH₄ production appeared to continue after irrigation without time-lag. The identified effects of irrigation on soil moisture and respiration highlight the importance of peat physical properties for respiratory dynamics; but the atmospheric carbon exchange was fairly insensitive to the small-scale fluctuations induced.     

Ecophysiological mechanisms characterising fen and bog species: focus on variations in nitrogen uptake traits under different soil–water pH

Although the productivity and nitrogen (N)-use traits of mire plants differ dramatically between fens and bogs, soil N richness does not necessarily differ, whereas the soil–water pH is distinctly lower in bogs than in fens. The ecophysiological mechanisms underlying these relations are unclear. To assess the relative availability of N forms in relation to soil–water pH, we focused on the net N uptake rate per unit root weight (NNUR), glutamine synthetase activity and nitrate reductase activity, and performed reciprocal transplant experiments with the seedlings of fen (Carex lyngbyei) and bog (C. middendorffii) sedge species in intact habitat sites. The soil–water pH was clearly lower at the bog site, but the NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ⁻ or dissolved organic-N concentrations did not differ between the fen and bog sites. The activity of both enzymes for inorganic-N assimilation did not differ among the sites and species. However, the fen species grown at bog sites showed a drastic decrease in the NNUR, suggesting a suppression of organic-N uptake. The bog species showed no NNUR difference between the sites. These results indicate that inorganic-N availability does not differ between the two habitats, but organic-N availability is lowered in a low-pH bog, particularly in the case of fen species. Therefore, the relative availability of N forms shows species-specific variations that depend on the differences in the soil–water pH of root zone, even at similar N richness, which would play a key role in plant distribution strategies in relation to the fen-bog gradient.     

黑河天涝池流域典型林分生态水文化学特征

采集了黑河天涝池流域典型林分林外雨、穿透雨、树干径流和枯透水,并检测水体pH值和12种离子(K~+、Ca~(2+)、Na~+、Mg~(2+)、NH_4~+、Cu~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、Pb~(2+)、Cd~(2+)、Cl~-、SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~3)的质量浓度。结果表明:天涝池流域大气降水pH均值为7.74,呈碱性,降水中离子绝对质量浓度较低,最高的是NO_3~-,质量浓度为1.1111 mg/L,最低的为Na~+,质量浓度为0.0108 mg/L;两种林分冠层有降低降雨pH值的作用,青海云杉林冠层对NH_4~+有升高作用,祁连圆柏林冠层对NH_4~+有降低作用,两种林冠层对NO_3~-和Cu~(2+)质量浓度有降低作用,对其它离子质量浓度均表现为升高作用;两种林分树干径流有提高穿透雨pH值的作用,与穿透雨相比,两种林分树干径流中阴离子均有升高,圆柏树干径流中所有阳离子质量浓度均有下降,云杉树干径流中Ca~(2+)、K~+、Mg~(2+)和Na~+减少,NH_4~+和Cu~(2+)增加;典型林分枯透水有提升穿透雨pH值的作用,与穿透雨相比,两种林分枯透水中阴离子质量浓度均有升高,云杉枯透水各阳离子均有降低,圆柏枯透水中Ca~(2+)、K~+和Mg~(2+)质量浓度升高,NH_4~+、Na~+和Cu~(2+)质量浓度下降;在采集的所有样本中,Pb~(2+)和Cd~(2+)均未检出,而Zn~(2+)仅在云杉树干径流中检出。     

Occurrence and intensity of wild boar disturbances, effects on the physical and chemical soil properties of alpine grasslands

Background and aims

Physical and chemical soil properties determine local plant conditions and resources, affecting plants’ ability to respond to disturbances. In alpine grasslands, wild boar disturbances occur at different intensities, what may affect differently their soil properties. Alpine soils from five contrasted plant communities were explored within and outside disturbances, accounting for an overall and community scale effect. Additionally, we analysed the effect of disturbance intensity on soil NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N.

Methods

Soils were analyzed for physical (bulk density, moisture content and electrical conductivity), and chemical properties (pH, total N and C, oxidizable C, C:N ratio, available K, P, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺). Resin bags were used to compare the effect of the disturbance occurrence and intensity on soil NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N.

Results

Bulk density, total N and NO₃ ^--N concentration were significantly higher in disturbed areas, while soil moisture, C:N, NH₄ ⁺-N, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly lower. However, low disturbance intensity reduced NO₃ ^--N and increased NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations.

Conclusions

Wild boar occurrence and intensity strongly alter physical and chemical conditions of alpine soils, increasing soil compaction, and altering the availability of N forms. These changes may affect most plant species, thus affecting the structure and dynamics of alpine plant communities.     

Chemical composition of water-bodies in the English Lake District: relationships between chloride and other major ions related to solid geology, and a tentative budget for Windermere

SUMMARY.

• 1 Mean tarnwater concentrations of CI^- and other ions (Na ⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄^2-+ NO₃^-) decrease with increasing distance from the sea and altitude but are also related to solid geology. Lowest concentrations occur on slow-weathering igneous rocks (Borrow-dale Volcanics); minima of c. 100 μequiv. CI^-I^-1 are similar to the volume-weighted mean for bulk precipitation. At least 10–20% of Na⁺ is leached from upland catchments, giving Na⁺/CI^- ratios greater than the equivalent ratio (0.86) in seawater and precipitation. Evapotranspiration at 20–30% annual rainfall accounts for CI^- concentrations in many tarns on igneous rocks but not all; some CI^- may be leached from the rocks in upland catchments and come from groundwaters at low altitudes near the sea. Sea-spray has little influence on tarnwaters near the coast.
• 2 On sedimentary rocks overall mean CI^- concentrations are 27–73% higher than equivalent means on Borrowdale Volcanics; concentrations of other ions are also higher. A 5-fold to 10-fold range of CI^-concentrations is not simply due to increased evapotranspiration. Na⁺/CI^- ratios are < 0.86, especially on Skiddaw Slates where tarnwaters contain 10% or more excess CI^- balanced by Ca²⁺, apparently derived from groundwaters rich in CaCI₂. On other sedimentary rocks (Silurian Slates and Carboniferous, Triassic and Permian series) tarn waters display a similar but less pronounced excess of CI^- and Ca^2-+ relative to Na⁺. Some extra CI^- may be captured by dry deposition on vegetation but a portion, perhaps 15–30% of the total, apparently comes from the rocks or from groundwaters via deep aquifers in contact with seawater or connate water.
• 3 Anthropogenic sources on the catchments are also considered: deicing salt used on highways in winter accounts for a 27% increase of CI^- in Windermere South Basin over a 20-year period.

     

Long-term and seasonal changes in the chemical composition of precipitation and surface waters of lakes and tarns in the English Lake District

SUMMARY. The composition of bulk (wet and dry) precipitation in 1975 and 1976 was similar to that found 22 years previously. In 1975, mean values for nine precipitation samplers at one site (Wraymires) ranged from pH 4.3 to 4.5; similar values were obtained in 1976. Samplers covered with fine-mesh plastic gauze caught substantially more Ca²⁺ and K⁺ than open samplers, but pH and SO^2-₄+ NO₃^- concentrations were similar in open and covered samplers. In precipitation, c. 50% of H⁺ was balanced by NO₃^- and c. 50% by SOi; 80% of the SO^2-₄ was balanced by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Conccntrations of major cations (H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺,Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and anions (CI^-, NO₃^- SO^2-₄ and alkalinity [Alk—largely HCO₃^-]) in upland water- bodies were similar to those found in precipitation, but pH levels were generally higher and above 6.0 m some tarns. At lower altitudes, on base-rich roeks and soils, Ca²⁺ and Alk become dominant. Results of a survey of lakes and tarns in 1974–78 are compared with a survey in 1953–56 and published data (chiefly for pH and Alk) for 1947–50, 1932 and 1928. Comparisons are also made with other measurements of Alk in three productive lakes (Blelham Tarn, Esthwaite Water and Windermere) for 1936–39 and 1945–80. Winter levels of NO₃-N, PO₄-P and Si are given for these lakes; although the first two have increased during the late 1960s and the 1970s there has been no significant change in the last. NO₃^- and probably some SO^2-₄. In productive lakes a substantial (c. 50%) rise in mean Alk occurred during the late 1960s and the 1970s, possibly related to increased winter levels of NO₃-N and PO₄-P derived from sewage and fertilizers. In this period the maximum pH levels reached in summer were notably high, sometimes exceeding pH 10. The rise in Alk, conductivity and pH of surface waters is influenced by climatic factors (a decade of drier years), sewage input and biological productivity within the lakes. Considerable seasonal fluctuations in the concentrations of major ions, a characteristic feature of surface waters in the English Lake District, are illustrated and some implications for cation-anion balance briefly discussed. Mid-winter concentrations are usually high forNa⁺, K⁺, Cl^-. NO₃^-and low for Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Alk. SO^2-₄. Alkalinity. pH and conductivity of Lake District tarns and lakes show no signs of acidification during the period 1928–80. On the contrary, productive lakes have become more alkaline and some unproductive low-alkalinity (< 100 μ-equiv. 1^-1) lakes also show signs of alkalization, with increased mean concentrations of Na⁺. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, balanced by Alk.     

Atmospheric deposition, mass balances, and processes regulating streamwater solute concentrations in mixed-conifer catchments of the Sierra Nevada, California

Solute concentrations in atmospheric deposition and stream water were measuredfrom 1984 through 1993 to determine the fate and mobility of solutes in twogauged mixed-conifer catchments (Tharp's and Log creeks) located in theSierra Nevada, California. The two catchments contain mature forest standsdominated by Abies concolor (white fir), Sequoiadendron giganteum (giantsequoia), Abies magnifica (red fir) and Pinus lambertiana (sugar pine).Ammonium, Cl^-, Ca²⁺ and NO^- ₃were highest in concentration of the solutes measured in wet deposition;bulk deposition was highest in SO^{2- 4}, NH⁺ ₄,Cl^- and H⁺. Net retention ofH⁺, NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺,SO₄ ^2- and Cl^- occurred in both catchments.Discharge was dominated by spring snowmelt with the largest export yieldsfor acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), SiO₂, andCa²⁺. Export yields of H⁺,NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺ and PO₄ ^3-were relatively small (0.5 kg ha^-1 y^-1).Discharge-concentration relationships for ANC, SiO₂,Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ andMg²⁺ were inverse and their concentrations in stream waterwere primarily influenced by discharge and annual differences in the relativecontributions of snowmelt and groundwater. The mobility of these solutes iscontrolled by the rates of mineral weathering and ion exchange. The positiverelationship of SO₄ ^2- concentration with increasingdischarge suggests that atmospherically deposited SO₄ ^2-is temporarily stored and that its release is controlled by the extent of soilwater flushing.     

Vegetation-Environment Relationships in Peatlands Dominated by Sphagnum fallax in Western Poland

We investigated species composition and relative abundance of Sphagnum fallax dominated peatlands in relation to measured environmental variables on the basis of 26 sites in the Wielkopolska region. Most studied plots were characterized by soft waters, poor in Ca²⁺ but rich in nutrients, especially N-NH₄ ⁺ and P-PO₄ ^3-, with high electrolytic conductivity and high DOC (dissolved organic carbon) concentration. Six of the 19 measured variables of surface water chemistry (DOC, pH, SO₄ ^2-, P-PO₄ ^3-, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺) significantly explained 23% of the variation in floristic composition. In 65 vegetation plots, 107 species were observed. Cluster analysis revealed four types of vegetation in the studied mires. Sphagnum fallax was the most abundant species and formed plant communities in a wide range of habitats: in floating mats, with the plants usually adjoining the mineral basin edge (e.g. E. vaginatum, Andromeda polifolia and Ledum palustre) as well as it occupied central parts of Sphagnum lawn (e.g. Eriophorum angustifolium) and rich fen habitats (e.g. Carex rostrata or Phragmites australis). In Wielkopolska terrestrializating peatlands, four variables determine the poor-rich gradient: conductivity, DOC, SiO₂ dissolved, Ca²⁺ and alkalinity. This study provides new data on the ecology and typology of Sphagnum peatlands in western Poland.     

Sediment Fe:PO4 ratio as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for the restoration of macrophyte biodiversity in fen waters

1. Globally, freshwater wetlands, including fen waters, are suffering from biodiversity loss due to eutrophication, water shortage and toxic substances, and to mitigate these pressures numerous restoration projects have been launched. Water quality data are generally used to evaluate the chances of reestablishment of aquatic vegetation in fen waters and shallow peat lakes. Here we investigated whether sediment characteristics, which are less prone to fluctuate in time, would result in more reliable predictions. 2. To test if sediment characteristics can indeed be used not only for an easy and early diagnosis of nutrient availability and water quality changes in fen waters, but also for the prognosis of biodiversity response, we recorded the aquatic vegetation and collected surface water, sediment pore water and sediment samples in 145 fen waters in the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland. 3. Endangered macrophyte species were more closely related to surface water chemistry than common species in terms of occurrence and abundance. Sites featuring endangered species appeared to have significantly lower turbidity and pH, and lower concentrations of SO₄, PO₄, total phosphorus (TP) and NH₄ than other sites. 4. PO₄ and TP concentrations in the water layer increased markedly at PO₄ concentrations above 5–10 μmol L^?1 in the sediment pore water. High surface water PO₄ and TP concentrations appeared to be SO₄‐induced and only occurred below certain threshold values for pore water Fe:PO₄ (3.5 mol mol^?1) and total sediment Fe:P (10 mol mol^?1). 5. Interestingly, the occurrence of endangered species also correlated strongly with sediment and sediment pore water ratios; the number of endangered species increased markedly at pore water Fe:PO₄ ratios above 1 mol mol^?1, whereas their actual abundance had the greatest increase at ratios above 10 mol mol^?1. Additionally, endangered species seemed to be more sensitive to accumulation of potentially toxic substances such as sulphide and ammonium than non‐endangered species. 6. As an indicator of both biogeochemical processes and biodiversity, pore water Fe:PO₄ ratios could be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool for the restoration of water quality and biodiversity in fen waters, e.g. for selecting the most promising sites for restoration and for optimization of restoration measures.     

Effects of different ionic compositions on survival and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Physa acuta</Emphasis>

Most inland saline waters in southern Australia predominantly contain Na⁺ and Cl⁻ as major ions. The proportions of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, HCO₃ ⁻ and CO₃ ²⁻ in these waters somewhat vary and might influence salinity tolerance of freshwater organisms. Here the salinity stress of five ionic compositions to the freshwater snail Physa acuta Draparnaud (Gastropoda: Physidae) was compared: commercial sea salt Ocean Nature (ON), synthetic Ocean Nature (ONS) and three saline water types that are common in southern Australia (ONS but without [1]: SO₄ ²⁻, HCO₃ ⁻ and CO₃ ²⁻, [2]: Ca²⁺, HCO₃ ⁻ and CO₃ ²⁻, [3]: Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), Milli-Q water was used as a negative control. The 96-h LC₅₀ values for all treatments did not differ. However in prolonged sub-lethal exposures, results varied depending on the ionic composition. Growth was negative and shell strength reduced in treatments lacking Ca. Though the content of major cationic elements (Ca, Mg, Na and K) did not differ per unit dry weight of snail across the treatments, the total load of these elements per individual snail varied among treatments. Furthermore, at the sub-lethal salinities tested, 1 and 5 mS cm⁻¹, ionic compositions had more effect on the snail’s growth than salinity. The long-term effects on freshwater animals, especially taxa with calcium-based exoskeletons, from exposure to common saline water types with low calcium concentrations will likely be greater than from exposure to saline waters with an ionic composition similar to seawater.     

Multiple gradients in mire vegetation: a comparison of a Swedish and an Italian bog

The major environmental gradients underlying plant species distribution were outlined in two climatically and bio-geographically contrasting mires: a Swedish bog in the boreo-nemoral zone, and an Italian bog in the south-eastern Alps. Data on mire morphology, surface hydrology, floristic composition, peat chemistry and pore-water chemistry were collected along transects from the mire margin (i.e., the outer portion of the mire in contact with the surrounding mineral soil) towards the mire expanse (i.e., the inner portion of the mire). The delimitation and the extent of the minerotrophic mire margin were related to the steepness of the lateral mire slope which, in turns, controls the direction of surface water flow. The mineral soil water limit was mirrored in geochemical variables such as pH, alkalinity, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Mn²⁺, and SiO₂ concentrations in pore-water, as well as Ca, Al, Fe, N and P contents in surface peat. Depending on regional requirements of plant species, different species were useful as fen limit indicators at the two sites. The main environmental factors affecting distribution of habitat types and plant species in the two mires were the acidity-alkalinity gradient, and the gradient in depth to the water table. The mire margin – mire expanse gradient corresponds to a complex gradient mainly reflected in a differentiation of vegetation structure in relation to the aeration of the peat substrate.     

The calculation of partial specific volumes of proteins in guanidine hydrochloride

The effects of various modifiers on the ATPase activity of bovine platelet actomyosin has been studied. The order of activation by monovalent cations was NH₄⁺? K⁺ > Li⁺ > Na⁺. The order of activation by divalent cations was Ca²⁺ > Mn²⁺ = Sr²⁺ > Ba²⁺> Co²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Zn²⁺. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate inhibits. Activity increased with increasing concentrations of monovalent cations, except for inhibition by increasing concentrations of NH₄⁺ in the presence of Ca²⁺. Adenosine triphosphatase activity was increased by low concentrations of urea and trypsin, but was unaffected by low concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide. For all enzymatic properties where direct comparisons are possible, actomyosin from platelets is unlike that from skeletal muscle, but is similar to that from smooth muscle and non-muscle sources.     

Effects of the emergent macrophyte Juncus effusus L. on the chemical composition of interstitial water and bacterial productivity

Release of oxygen from the roots ofaquatic macrophytes into anaerobic sediments canaffect the quantity of interstitial dissolved organicmatter and nutrients that are available to bacteria. Nutrient and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)concentrations were compared between subsurface(interstitial) waters of unvegetated sediments andsediments among stands of the emergent herbaceousmacrophyte Juncus effusus L. in a lotic wetlandecosystem. Concentrations of inorganic nitrogen(NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^-, and NO₂ ^-)were greater from sediments of the unvegetatedcompared to the vegetated zone. DOC concentrations ofinterstitial waters were greater in sediments of theunvegetated zone both in the winter and springcompared to those from the vegetated zone. AlthoughDOC concentrations in hydrosoils collected from bothzones increased from winter to spring, bacterialproductivity per mg DOC in spring decreased comparedto winter. Greater initial bacterial productivityoccurred on DOM collected from the vegetated comparedto the unvegetated zone in winter samples (days 1 and4), with increased bacterial productivity on samplescollected from the unvegetated zone at the end of thestudy (day 20). Bacterial productivity wassignificantly greater on all sampling days on DOM fromvegetated samples compared to unvegetated samples. In nutrient enrichment experiments, bacterialproductivity was significantly increased (p < 0.05)with phosphorus but not nitrogen only amendments.     

杨树人工林生态系统降水再分配及主要离子特征

大气降水是森林生态系统养分输入的主要途径之一,对养分的生物地球化学循环有着重要的意义。对13年生杨树人工林林外雨、树干流、林内雨和地表径流等水文过程中的养分特征进行了调查分析,旨在了解该生态系统的养分输入与输出规律,为杨树人工林可持续经营提供依据。结果表明,从2013年11月至2014年10月,杨树人工林生态系统林外雨量为1154.1 mm,树干流量仅占大气降水量的2.3%,15.4%的大气降水被杨树人工林的冠层截留;林内雨、树干流与大气降水量(林外雨)的动态变化规律相似。各类降水年加权平均pH值表现为林内雨林外雨树干流;各类降水的离子浓度动态变化规律基本一致,即在降水量较小的11月至次年1月份,各阴阳离子的浓度普遍较高,在降水量较大的2—9月份,阴阳离子浓度普遍较低。SO_4~(2-)-S和Ca~(2+)分别是各类降水中的主要阴离子和阳离子;整体上,树干流的离子浓度林内雨大气降水;林内雨是养分输入的主要形式,通过林内雨输入林地较多的养分离子是Ca~(2+)和K~+,分别为70.83 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1)和63.31 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1);地表径流和土壤渗漏是养分输出的主要形式,输出林地较多的离子是Cl~-和Ca~(2+),分别为196.47 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1)和123.09 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1),其次为SO_4~(2-)-S、Mg~(2+)、Na~+、K~+;NH_4~+-N和NO_3~--N的输出量不足输出离子总量的1%。所以,从水文过程看,杨树人工林生态系统无机氮(NH_4~+-N和NO_3~--N)和K~+表现为净积累,净积累量分别为10.9 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1)和56.4 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1),其他离子表现为净损失,其中Cl~-的净损失量达179.8 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1)左右,其他离子损失量50 kg hm~(-2)a~(-1)。     

Implications of calcium nutrition on the response of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to salinity

The effect of Ca²⁺ level in the growth medium on the response of germination and early seedling growth of Phaseolus vulgaris to NaCl salinity was investigated. When NaCl concentration was increased germination and early seedling growth was decreased. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the media increased both germination percentage and seedling growth. Chloride concentrations were not affected by the level of Ca²⁺. Potassium and Ca²⁺ concentrations and transport from roots to shoots were decreased by NaCl, but were restored by increasing Ca²⁺ in the medium. The opposite was true for Na⁺. Leakage of NO₃ ^- and H₂PO₄ ^- was increased by salinity and reduced by high Ca²⁺ in the medium. The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of calcium for plant growth under saline conditions.     

Effects of Corticotropin-(1–24)-Tetracosapeptide on Polyphosphoinositide Metabolism and Protein Phosphorylation in Rabbit Iris Subcellular Fractions

Abstract: Effects of the neuropeptide corticotropin-(1–24) -tetracosapeptide (ACTH) on the endogenous and exogenous phosphorylation of lipids and endogenous phosphorylation of proteins were investigated in microsomes and a 110,000 ×g supernatant fraction [30–50% (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitate; ASP_30–50] obtained from rabbit iris smooth muscle. Subcellular distribution studies revealed that both of these fractions are enriched in diphosphoinositide (DPI) kinase. The ³²P labeling of lipids and proteins was measured by incubation of the subcellular fractions with [γ-³²P]ATP. The labeled lipids, which consisted of triphosphoinositide (TPI), DPI, and phosphatidic acid (PA) were isolated by TLC. The microsomal and ASP_30–50 fractions were resolved into six and nine labeled phosphoprotein bands, respectively, by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The basal labeling of both lipids and proteins was rapid (30–60 s), and it was dependent on the presence of Mg²⁺ in the incubation medium; in general it was inhibited by high concentrations (>0.2 mM) of Ca²⁺. ACTH stimulated the labeling of TPI and inhibited that of PA in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal effect observed at 50–100 μ of the peptide. ACTH appears to increase TPI labeling by stimulating the DPI kinase. Under the same experimental conditions ACTH (100 μM) inhibited significantly the endogenous phosphorylation of six microsomal phosphoproteins (100K, 84K, 65K, 53K, 48K, and 17K). In the ASP_30–50 fraction, ACTH inhibited the phosphorylation of three phosphoproteins (53K, 48K, and 17K) and stimulated the labeling of six phosphoprotein bands (117K, 100K, 84K, 65K, 42K, and 35K). The effects of ACTH on lipid and protein phosphorylation are probably Ca²⁺-independent; thus the neuropeptide effects were not influenced by either 1 μM EGTA or low concentrations of Ca²⁺ (50 μ.M). We conclude that a relationship may exist between polyphosphoinositide metabolism and protein phosphorylation in the rabbit iris smooth muscle.     

Genetic engineering of sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> L.) for resistance to necrosis disease through deployment of the TSV coat protein gene

Nitrogen is a major driver of plant growth and the nitrogen source can be critical to good growth in vitro. A response surface methodology mixture-component design and a data mining algorithm were applied to nitrogen (N) nutrition for improving the micropropagation of Prunus armeniaca Lam. Data taken on shoot cultures included a subjective quality rating, shoot number, shoot length, leaf characteristics and physiological disorders. Data were analyzed using the Classification and Regression Tree data mining algorithm. The best overall shoot quality as well as leaf color were on medium with NO₃^??>?25 mM and NH₄⁺/Ca⁺ >?0.8. Improving shoot length to15 mm required 25?<?NO₃^? ≤?35 mM with NH₄⁺/Ca²⁺ ≤?2.33. The most shoots (11.6) were produced with NO₃^? >?25 mM and NH₄⁺/Ca²⁺ ≤ 0.8, but there were 5–10 shoots at other NO₃^? concentrations regardless of NH₄⁺/Ca²⁺ proportion. Leaves increased in size with higher NO₃^? concentrations (>?55 mM). Physiological disorders were also influenced by the nitrogen components. Shoot tip necrosis was rarely present with NO₃^? > 45 mM. Callus production decreased somewhat with NH₄⁺/Ca²⁺ >?2.33. Suggested concentrations for an improved medium considering all of these growth characteristics would be 25?<?NO₃^? ≤?35 mM and NH₄⁺/Ca⁺ ≤ 0.8. Validation experiments comparing WPM and three trial media showed improvements in several shoot growth parameters on medium with optimized mesos and optimized nitrogen components.     

Space–time configurations of solute input and biological uptake in river systems traversing limestone uplands (Yorkshire Dales,northern England)

Solute concentrations, including major plant nutrients, are surveyed from sampling during 1985–89 in river systems variably influenced by upland Dinantian (Carboniferous) limestone. Concentrations of most ions generally increase downstream, but there are widespread dilution effects after rainy periods for major ions and local depletions of mostly biological origin for major plant nutrients. In the upper reaches, these depletions develop mainly under low flow from the influence of benthic algae and macrophytes; they affect inorganic C as HCO₃ ^- plus dissolved gaseous CO₂ and soluble reactive forms of Si, N and P. Inflow – outflow differences of an upland lake result from biological influence on these constituents and also Ca⁺ and K⁺. Experimental injections of NH₄-N, PO₄-P and K⁺were made to an acid headwater of the River Swale, together with Na⁺ and Cl^- as supposed conservative reference ions. Uptake is insignificant for K⁺ but marked for NH₄-N and PO₄-P; the residual percentage decreases exponentially with time. Relative rates of net uptake per unit time are greater for P than for NH₄-N and larger under conditions of higher flow velocity and benthic algal growth. Although limestone is lacking in some headwater regions, where atmospheric inputs appear to predominate, overall its chemical denudation as Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ^-provides most of the solute flux downstream, as well as in some karstic headwaters where the highest values are limited by CaCO₃ saturation.     

Influence of phytoplankton on the response of bacterioplankton growth to nutrient enrichment

1. Laboratory experiments were conducted to test the effect of nutrient enrichment on bacterioplankton growth in the presence and absence of phytoplankton. 2. In one series of experiments, bacterioplankton growth in terms of specific activity [³H-thymidine incorporation (cell number)^?1] was greater in whole lake water samples than in samples from which phytoplankton had been removed by filtration (1.0 μm), regardless of the nutrient enrichments (control, NH⁺₄ plus PO^3-₄ and mannitol). Organic C enhanced bacterioplankton growth in both whole and filtered lake water. 3. In another series of experiments (with the same nutrient enrichments as in the first experiment except that glucose replaced mannitol), bacterioplankton growth in whole lake water enriched with PO^3-₄ plus NH⁺₄ and incubated in the light was greater than in two treatments designed to inhibit photosynthetic activity (+DCMU and dark). Bacterioplankton response to nutrient addition was greatest in the PO^3-₄ plus NH⁺₄ enrichment under all three conditions (light +DCMU, and dark). 4. These results indicate that bacterioplankton growth could be directly limited by inorganic P and N when these elements are in short supply. Enhancement of bacterioplankton growth by phytoplankton occurs only under PO^3-₄ and NH⁺₄ replete environments.     

Isolation of a Bacterial Culture That Degrades Methyl t-Butyl Ether

We have isolated a mixed bacterial culture (BC-1) which is capable of degrading the gasoline oxygenate methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE). BC-1 was developed from seed microorganisms present in a chemical plant biotreater sludge. This enrichment culture has been maintained in continuous culture treating high concentrations of MTBE (120 to 200 mg/liter) as the sole carbon source in a simple feed containing NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ nutrients. The unit had a stable MTBE removal rate when maintained with a long cell retention time (ca. 80 to 90 days); however, when operated at a ≤50-day cell waste rate, loss of MTBE-degrading activity was observed. The following three noteworthy experimental data show that MTBE is biodegraded extensively by BC-1: (i) the continuous (oxygen-sparged) culture was able to sustain a population of autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria which could nitrify influent NH₄⁺ concentrations at high rates and obtain CO₂ (sole carbon source for growth) from the metabolism of the alkyl ether, (ii) BC-1 metabolized radiolabeled either (¹⁴CH₃O-MTBE) to ¹⁴CO₂ (40%) and ¹⁴C-labeled cells (40%), and (iii) cell suspensions of the culture were capable of degrading (substrate depletion experiments) MTBE to t-butyl alcohol, a primary metabolite of MTBE. BC-1 is a mixed culture containing several bacterial species and is the first culture of its kind which can completely degrade an alkyl ether.