Improved estimates of environmental copper release rates from antifouling products

The US Navy Dome method for measuring copper release rates from antifouling paint in-service on ships' hulls can be considered to be the most reliable indicator of environmental release rates. In this paper, the relationship between the apparent copper release rate and the environmental release rate is established for a number of antifouling coating types using data from a variety of available laboratory, field and calculation methods. Apart from a modified Dome method using panels, all laboratory, field and calculation methods significantly overestimate the environmental release rate of copper from antifouling coatings. The difference is greatest for self-polishing copolymer antifoulings (SPCs) and smallest for certain erodible/ablative antifoulings, where the ASTM/ISO standard and the CEPE calculation method are seen to typically overestimate environmental release rates by factors of about 10 and 4, respectively. Where ASTM/ISO or CEPE copper release rate data are used for environmental risk assessment or regulatory purposes, it is proposed that the release rate values should be divided by a correction factor to enable more reliable generic environmental risk assessments to be made. Using a conservative approach based on a realistic worst case and accounting for experimental uncertainty in the data that are currently available, proposed default correction factors for use with all paint types are 5.4 for the ASTM/ISO method and 2.9 for the CEPE calculation method. Further work is required to expand this data-set and refine the correction factors through correlation of laboratory measured and calculated copper release rates with the direct in situ environmental release rate for different antifouling paints under a range of environmental conditions.     

东北松嫩平原羊草群落的土壤呼吸与枯枝落叶分解释放CO2贡献量

根据静态气室法的测量结果 ,分析了羊草群落土壤呼吸量和枯枝落叶分解释放 CO2 量的季节动态 ,及其与地上生物量 ,枯枝落叶分解量及环境因子的关系。结果表明 :( 1 )在整个观测期内 ,羊草群落土壤呼吸的季节动态呈现单峰曲线 ,8月中旬达到最大值 1 3.2 7g C/( m2 · d)。 ( 2 )羊草群落土壤呼吸的季节变化规律与地上绿色体生物量的季节动态同步。( 3)羊草群落土壤呼吸的季节动态与枯枝落叶分解量的季节动态同步。 ( 4 )羊草群落土壤呼吸量与土壤 0～ 1 0 cm土壤含水量显著正相关。( 5 )地表枯枝落叶层直接排放 CO2 量的季节动态呈现逐渐递减的趋势 ,释放量平均为 -0 .87g C/( m2·d)。有减缓土壤向大气排放 CO2 的作用。 ( 6 )枯枝落叶分解释放 CO2 量同地表枯枝落叶量显著正相关。     

Predicting Optimal Release Sites for Rehabilitated Monkeys: a Vervet Monkey (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorocebus aethiops</Emphasis>) Case Study

Primate rehabilitation is challenging but has become crucial as many species are threatened with extinction. Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) are a widespread primate species in Africa. Despite the release of comparatively large numbers of rehabilitated monkeys, the success rate is poor, with low survival. This is partly due to choosing substandard release sites. Here we use an environmental envelope model that combines species-specific environmental and spatial data (including environmental conditions such as temperature and rainfall, access to permanent water, and proximity to anthropogenic influence) to predict the best areas for release of rehabilitated vervet monkeys in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Approximately 80% of the land in KwaZulu-Natal qualifies as general habitat. However, only 6225 km² (6.7%) is classed as habitat desirable for release, as human occupation and limited water access render other areas unsuitable. Unsurprisingly, ideal release land is limited and may prove difficult to access. However, there are accessible land areas that may be viable despite human impact. This uncertainty highlights the need for site visits early in the selection process. Our model provides easily read maps that rehabilitators can use to assist with this process and potentially optimize release site selection. This method could be easily adapted to other primate species.     

转基因植物的环境生物安全：转基因逃逸及其潜在生态风险的研究和评价

转基因作物的商品化生产和大规模环境释放在带来巨大利益的同时,也引起了全球对其生物安全问题的广泛关注和争议,其中转基因通过花粉介导的基因漂移逃逸到非转基因作物及其野生近缘种,进而导致的潜在环境和生态风险就是备受争议的生物安全问题之一。转基因植物的环境生物安全涉及两方面关键问题：如何科学评价转基因植物商品化种植以后带来的环境和生态影响;如何利用环境生物安全的研究成果来制定科学有效的风险监测和管理措施。对转基因逃逸及其潜在生态风险的科学评价应包括三个重要环节：（1）检测转基因的逃逸的频率;（2）检测转基因逃逸后的表达和遗传规律;（3）确定逃逸后的转基因对野生近缘种群体适合度的影响及其进化潜力,本文将围绕对转基因逃逸及其潜在环境风险的科学评价,以转基因水稻为案例来对转基因逃逸带来生态影响的研究好评价的进展进行简要介绍,并对目前依据风险评价研究成果制定的各种管理策略进行了讨论。只有提高对转基因生物环境安全研究和评价的水平,并制定有效的风险监测和管理措施,才能为我国转基因技术的发展和转基因产品的商品化应用保驾护航。     

环境因子对杭州西湖沉积物各形态磷释放的影响

对西湖沉积物的磷形态、粒径组成、化学组成进行了分析, 模拟研究了上覆水磷含量、光照、pH、温度、水动力条件等不同环境因子对西湖沉积物各形态磷释放的影响。结果表明, 上覆水为蒸馏水时的最大释磷量约为底泥-湖水系统的1.15倍, 且释放形态均以IP中的Fe/Al-P为主。在蔽光条件下的最大TP释放量约为光照条件下最大TP释放量的1.35倍。pH 是影响磷释放的重要因素, 在碱性条件下, 促进Fe/Al-P的释放; 在酸性条件下, 促进Ca-P 的释放。在高温条件下沉积物的释磷量会高于低温条件下的释磷量。沉积物各形态磷的释放量在15h后逐渐趋于平衡扰动状态达到平衡时TP释放量是静态释放平衡状态的1.61倍。研究结果旨在探讨不同环境因子对湖泊沉积物磷迁移转化的生态环境效应, 预测西湖内源磷释放的发展趋势, 为控制沉积物内源污染提供理论基础。     

Homing pigeons only navigate in air with intact environmental odours: a test of the olfactory activation hypothesis with GPS data loggers

A large body of evidence has shown that anosmic pigeons are impaired in their navigation. However, the role of odours in navigation is still subject to debate. While according to the olfactory navigation hypothesis homing pigeons possess a navigational map based on the distribution of environmental odours, the olfactory activation hypothesis proposes that odour perception is only needed to activate a navigational mechanism based on cues of another nature. Here we tested experimentally whether the perception of artificial odours is sufficient to allow pigeons to navigate, as expected from the olfactory activation hypothesis. We transported three groups of pigeons in air-tight containers to release sites 53 and 61 km from home in three different olfactory conditions. The Control group received natural environmental air; both the Pure Air and the Artificial Odour groups received pure air filtered through an active charcoal filter. Only the Artificial Odour group received additional puffs of artificial odours until release. We then released pigeons while recording their tracks with 1 Hz GPS data loggers. We also followed non-homing pigeons using an aerial data readout to a Cessna plane, allowing, for the first time, the tracking of non-homing homing pigeons. Within the first hour after release, the pigeons in both the Artificial Odour and the Pure Air group (receiving no environmental odours) showed impaired navigational performances at each release site. Our data provide evidence against an activation role of odours in navigation, and document that pigeons only navigate well when they perceive environmental odours.     

Internal P loading in lakes: A different approach to its evaluation

P release rates in five lakes were estimated from a mass balance approach and from laboratory tests. The influence of various environmental parameters on P release has been considered. The internal P loading can contribute phosphorus to overlying waters at levels comparable to the external sources (from 30 to 100%). When considering the recovery from eutrophication of the investigated lakes, the nutrient release from sediments is of critical importance.     

A review of available systems to investigate transfer of DNA to indigenous soil bacteria

The deliberate or accidental release of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in the environment has led to some questions concerning microbial survival, transfer of DNA to the indigenous microflora and environmental consequences. Amongst horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, conjugation is probably the most frequent in the environment. With the aim of evaluating risks associated with environmental release of GEMs and their engineered DNA, studies of conjugative gene transfer between a donor strain and indigenous microflora have been conducted. Such studies required the development of a donor counterselection system to prevent growth of donor cells on transconjugant selective plates. This review summarizes the known and potential donor counterselection systems.     

Stimulation of insulin release by L-glutamine

Summary Under normal environmental conditions, L-glutamine is well oxidized but fails to stimulate insulin release in rat pancreatic islets. However, a marked stimulation of insulin release by L-glutamine, without alteration in its oxidation rate, occurs when the intracellular pH of the islet cells is decreased and/or when theophylline is added to the incubation medium.     

Test of an environmental flow release in a British Columbia river: does more water mean more fish?

1. Water managers must make difficult decisions about the allocation of streamflows between out‐of‐channel human uses and environmental flows for aquatic resources. However, the effects environmental flows on stream ecosystems are infrequently evaluated. 2. We used a 13‐year experiment in the regulated Bridge River, British Columbia, Canada, to determine whether an environmental flow release designed to increase salmonid productivity was successful. A hierarchical Bayesian model was used to compare juvenile Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) abundance before and after the flow release. 3. We found that the total number of salmonids did increase after the release, but most of the gains could be attributed to the rewatering of a previously dry channel located immediately below the dam. In reaches that had flowing water during the baseline period, the response of individual salmon species to the increase in flow was variable, and there was little change in total abundance after the flow release. Our results were inconsistent with both habitat modelling, which predicted a decrease in habitat quality with increasing flow, and holistic instream flow approaches, which imply greater benefits with larger flows. 4. We question whether biotic responses to flow changes can be predicted reliably with currently available methods and suggest that adaptive management or the use of decision tools that account for the uncertainty in the biotic response is required for instream flow decisions when the competing demands for water are great.     

Regulation of Bt crops in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates environmental releases of plants with novel traits, which include transgenic plants such as Bt crops. Bt crops are regulated in Canada because they express insect resistance novel to their species. Commercialization of crops with novel traits such as the production of insecticidal Bt proteins requires an approval for environmental release, as well as approvals for use as feed and food. Environmental factors such as potential impacts on non-target species are considered. Insect resistance management (IRM) may be imposed as a condition for environmental release of Bt crops to delay the development of resistance in the target insect. Bt potato and European corn borer-resistant Bt corn have been released with mandatory IRM. The CFIA imposes an IRM plan consisting of appropriate refugia, education of farmers and seed dealers, and monitoring and mitigation. Industry, regulators, government extension staff and public researchers provide expert advice on IRM.     

百花湖消落带土壤磷释放的模拟研究

为探讨贵州省百花湖(水库)消落带土壤磷的释放状况,采用实验室模拟法研究了不同消落带土壤和环境条件变化对百花湖消落带土壤磷释放的影响,分析磷的释放量与磷赋存形态的关系。结果表明:未淹的黄壤释磷量最大,砂石壤最低;温度升高,土壤中磷的释放强度随之增大;扰动上覆水比静置条件下更有利于磷的释放;酸性和碱性条件下土壤磷的释放量略高于中性条件,且碱性条件下最高;厌氧条件比好氧条件更能加速磷释放;不同形态磷与土壤磷释放量有不同程度相关,其中有机磷(OP)与磷的释放极显著相关;与铁铝结合态磷(Fe/Al-P)和钙结合态磷(Ca-P)显著性相关。     

Membrane Vesicle Formation as a Multiple-Stress Response Mechanism Enhances Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E Cell Surface Hydrophobicity and Biofilm Formation

Among the adaptive responses of bacteria to rapid changes in environmental conditions, those of the cell envelope are known to be the most crucial. Therefore, several mechanisms with which bacteria change their cell surface and membranes in the presence of different environmental stresses have been elucidated. Among these mechanisms, the release of outer membrane vesicles (MV) in Gram-negative bacteria has attracted particular research interest because of its involvement in pathogenic processes, such as that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation in cystic fibrosis lungs. In this study, we investigated the role of MV formation as an adaptive response of Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E to several environmental stress factors and correlated it to the formation of biofilms. In the presence of toxic concentrations of long-chain alcohols, under osmotic stress caused by NaCl, in the presence of EDTA, and after heat shock, cells of this strain released MV within 10 min in the presence of a stressor. The MV formed showed similar size and charge properties, as well as comparable compositions of proteins and fatty acids. MV release caused a significant increase in cell surface hydrophobicity, and an enhanced tendency to form biofilms was demonstrated in this study. Therefore, the release of MV as a stress response could be put in a physiological context.     

缓/控释肥料研究进展

缓/控释肥料对作物产量的影响因作物种类、肥料种类和试验条件而异,大多数植物增产比较明显,如大豆使用长效尿素,与普通尿素相比增产幅度最高可达33%。各种类型的缓/控释肥料,均可不同程度的提高肥料利用率。缓/控释肥料在农业上的应用能有效地保护生态环境,如抑制土壤NH4 向NO3-氧化,减少土壤NO3-的积累,从而减少氮肥以NO3-形式淋溶损失,减少了施肥对环境的污染;可以减少土壤N2O的释放等。提出了目前缓/控释肥料在农业应用中存在的问题及今后的发展方向。     

腐殖酸对沉积物中纳米银的释放及其毒性的影响研究

以有机质腐殖酸(Humic acid, HA)为例, 研究沉积物中不同HA含量(0、1%、5%和10%)对沉积物[其中纳米银(Silver nanoparticles, AgNPs)浓度为100 μg/g dw]中AgNPs释放的影响, 以及银释放对斑马鱼(Danio Rerio)的毒性效应。结果显示, 暴露15d和30d后, 水柱中总银浓度为(0.01±0.01)—(2.53±0.52) μg/L, 且高HA含量(5%和10%)的沉积物组中释放到水柱中的银浓度高于低HA含量(0和1%)的沉积物组, 表明HA的存在促进了沉积物中AgNPs向水柱释放。释放的AgNPs能够积累在斑马鱼组织中, 且主要积累在肝脏和肠道中, 并可导致斑马鱼组织氧化应激效应。另外, 16S rRNA高通量测序结果显示, 受释放到水柱银影响, 斑马鱼肠道中微生物群落结构也会发生改变。研究初步探明了沉积物中AgNPs的释放规律及其环境风险, 可为全面评价AgNPs的环境行为及生态安全性提供重要依据。     

Induction of inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis by carbon black nanoparticles

Inhalation of nanoparticles has been implicated in respiratory morbidity and mortality. In particular, carbon black nanoparticles are found in many different environmental exposures. Macrophages take up inhaled nanoparticles and respond via release of inflammatory mediators and in some cases cell death. Based on new data, we propose that exposure of macrophages (both a macrophage cell line and primary human alveolar macrophages) to carbon black nanoparticles induces pyroptosis, an inflammasome-dependent form of cell death. Exposure of macrophages to carbon black nanoparticles resulted in inflammasome activation as defined by cleavage of caspase 1 to its active form and downstream IL-1β release. The cell death that occurred with carbon black nanoparticle exposure was identified as pyroptosis by the protective effect of a caspase 1 inhibitor and a pyroptosis inhibitor. These data demonstrate that carbon black nanoparticle exposure activates caspase 1, increases IL-1β release after LPS priming, and induces the proinflammatory cell death, pyroptosis. The identification of pyroptosis as a cellular response to carbon nanoparticle exposure is novel and relates to environmental and health impacts of carbon-based particulates.     

Effects of health status on pressure-induced changes in phocid immune function and implications for dive ability

Journal of Comparative Physiology B - The ability of marine mammals to cope with environmental challenges is a key determining factor in strandings and successful release of rehabilitated animals....     

Different strokes: Can managing behavioral types increase post-release success?

Re-introduction programs for endangered animals operate under the hope that protected habitats can sustain viable populations that rely little on humans. The goal of these programs is to supply animals with the resources and skills they need to succeed in the modern wild. However, predicting the set of skills necessary to respond to unpredictable selection events is difficult and efforts sometimes fail as animals respond inappropriately to environmental variation because they lack behavioral flexibility. Population resilience to environmental change may be enhanced if all members of a population do not exhibit the same response when selection pressures change. In many species individual animals express behavioral types that exhibit alternative responses to the same stimuli. Yet when animals are prepared for release to the wild, there is rarely consideration of consistent behavioral variation between individuals. Since experience influences both behavioral and physiological responses to varied stimuli and can shape the future behavioral type of captive animals, pre-release environmental enrichment may be successful in facilitating the expression of varied behavioral types in populations slated for release. This approach to environmental enrichment requires a departure from a ‘one size fits all’ strategy and may also involve exposure to increased challenge and competition. In addition, there is a need for empirical evidence to better understand the role of environmental enrichment and behavioral types on post-release success. The zoo environment provides an excellent arena for examining the development and expression of behavioral types and for taking a novel functional approach to environmental enrichment research that may prove to be very important to re-introduction efforts.     

The effect of environmental variables on release of extracellular organic carbon by freshwater macrophytes

The¹⁴C-technique was used to investigate the effect of oxygen, inorganic carbon and light intensity on the release of extracellular organic carbon (EOC) by three submerged macrophytes. At low CO₂ availability and low light intensities the release expressed as a percentage of the total carbon fixation was higher than at more optimal photosynthetic conditions. Oxygen did not influence the release of EOC. As the rates of release generally followed the rates of photosynthesis, it was concluded that release is closely coupled to photosynthesis. Using gel-filtration to separate EOC it was shown that the tested environmental variables did not influence the molecular weight distribution. The release of EOC was low in all species (0.1 to 4% of the total carbon fixation). Due to the low values it is suggested that release of EOC is of no quantitative importance to the carbon budget of the plants.     

豆科植物种子物理性休眠解除机制的研究进展

物理性休眠普遍存在于豆科植物种子中,其休眠解除机制的研究对阐明自然条件下种群的繁殖更新、生态环境恢复及种质资源的保存等都具有重要意义.本文对国内外关于影响种子休眠解除的环境因素(温度与温度的波动、湿度或土壤含水量)和生物因素(动物捕食、微生物感染等),休眠解除的结构基础,以及各种因子作用于种子的方式和部位的研究进展进行综述,并简要评述了休眠解除机制的二阶段和四阶段假说,以期为豆科植物种子休眠的进一步研究提供参考.