A new device for collection of interstitial water from wetland sediments

A sampler for collection of interstitial water from wetland sediments is described. It differs from other sampling devices because it does not have to be filled with solution to facilitate diffusion, it does not have to be removed from the wetland to collect samples, and it can be used to draw repeated samples over time from identical locations. The device facilitates in situ measurement of a wide range of abiotic parameters such as electrical conductivity, redox potential, and pH in wetland sediments. The device has application in ecological investigations of sediment-borne wildlife diseases, studies of benthic invertebrates, measurement of nutrient exchange, and other aspects of wetland ecology.     

The choice between desiccation of wetlands or the spread of Rhine water over The Netherlands

The dry summer of 1976 triggered a wholesale installation of sprinkler systems for agriculture. This dry summer also revealed areas in The Netherlands most susceptible to drought, namely sandy regions and the coastal fringe. This resulted in distribution of Rhine water to new areas, and in quantities hitherto unknown. The Second National Water Management Plan (1982) consequently focussed on enlarging the capacity of water distribution works. This distribution has led to a multitude of ecological effects, such as changes in salinity and nutrient concentration, as well as the spreading of contaminants. Consequently, the Third National Water Management Plan (1990) includes fewer distribution works because of the adverse environmental effects and the reduced feasibility due to increasing costs and decreasing agricultural benefits.A climatic change as predicted may result in climatic conditions in The Netherlands resembling those of France or the Mediterranean, implying drier summers and more precipitation in winter. An increased frequency of dry summers will no doubt revive water distribution plans now shelved and may even bring new ones to the drawing board. An increase in Rhine water distribution will have serious consequences for many aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as will a lowering of the groundwater table. In this paper we will discuss the dilemma of choosing between allowing increased desiccation of wetlands as the climate becomes drier or increasing the distribution of Rhinewater and the potential ecological effects of these choices. Alternative strategies to water management also are discussed.This article is largely based on Duel et al. 1989.     

Partition coefficients of plant cuticles for monoterpenes

Summary Cuticle/water partition coefficients (K_c/w) for d-limonene, -pinene and -pinene were determined by an extrapolation and a desorption method. The sorption experiments were carried out with isolated angiosperm and gymnosperm cuticles and with [¹⁴C]-labelled monoterpenes, which were obtained biosynthetically. Both methods were suitable for the determination of the K_c/w of volatile hydrophobic compounds. For the angiosperm cuticles the partition coefficients are of the order of 10⁴, which indicates a high accumulation of monoterpenes in the cuticle. The values of the conifer cuticles of Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Abies alba Mill., however, are lower due to their high lignin content. This is proved by the increase of the partition coefficients after removal of polar and phenolic components. The K_c/w can be estimated with good accuracy from the octanol/water partition coefficient, which was determined experimentally.     

A bacteriological survey of an oyster-growing area: The Oualidia Lagoon,Morocco

A 3-year bacteriological survey of an oyster-growing area in Morocco, where the Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is grown, showed that the contamination of this lagunar ecosystem was not continuous but intermittent and that animal manure and human recreational activities were important sources of pollution. The major source of contamination was of animal origin, except during the summer, when human contamination prevailed.     

9种针阔叶幼树的蒸腾速率、叶水势与环境因子关系的研究

应用QK-1气孔仪和压力室测定了樟子松、青杨等9种针阔叶幼树的蒸腾速率与其叶水势及与环境因子的关系。采用多元线性回归和逐步回归对观测值的统计分析结果表明:在土壤供水良好的条件下,其蒸腾速率主要受气象因子的影响,与其叶水势的相关性不显著。控水试验结果表明:在水分胁迫条件下其蒸腾速率与其叶水势和土壤含水量的相关性最显著。     

八种针阔叶幼树清晨叶水势与土壤含水量的关系及其抗旱性研究

一、前言土壤是植物根系的生活环境,是供给植物赖以生存的水分和养分的源泉。干旱区的植物尤其是树木常常由于土壤供水不足而限制其自然分布和生长。根据土壤-植物-大气连续体系     

水资源的忧虑

水是生态系统中生命必需元素得以无限循环的介质。没有水生态系统,生命就不能维持。在当今世界面临的人口、资源、环境三大问题中,水属于人类赖以生存和社会经济发展的重要物质资源,又和其它两个问题有着密切的关系。因此,水资源的开发、利用和管理已成为世界各国普遍重视的一个重要课题。     

青龙河底栖无脊椎动物群落结构及其水质评价

本文论述了青龙河底栖生物种类、数量、分布和结构等特点及其与环境因子间的关系。应用Beck、Gleason、Shannon、Simpson等生物指数对水质状况进行评价。结果表明青龙河除个别断面受污染外,大部分河段属尚清洁水。