The effects of forest on stream water quality in two coastal plain watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay

Forest had varying effects on stream nutrients in two coastal plain basins of the Delmarva Peninsula, USA. In the Choptank basin, forest was strongly associated with low stream total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations (r²0.70), and forest placement along first order streams was important in maintaining low stream nitrogen (N) concentrations (r²0.35). In addition, a multiple regression model explained 40% of the stream total phosphorus (TP) variance and indicated that forest directly adjacent to streams (0–100 m) acted as a TP source and forest further away (100–300 m) from streams acted as a TP sink. In contrast, stream nutrients in the nearby Chester basin demonstrated a strong relationship with soil hydrologic properties. Forest had no significant effect on stream N and P because the finer-textured soils, higher stream slopes, and higher runoff potential of the Chester basin appeared to result in less baseflow compared to that in the Choptank basin. This reduced the opportunity for forest to intercept N via plant uptake and denitrification in the high runoff potential soils of the Chester basin. The high percentage of stormflow (40%) coupled with high stream slopes resulted in high soil erosion potential, which may explain the higher TP stream concentrations measured in the Chester compared to that in the Choptank. Differences in the hydrologic pathway appear to explain the different effects of forest on water quality in these two basins.     

Changes in the biofilm microflora of limestone caused by atmospheric pollutants

Historic limestone materials in urban environments are continually exposed to air pollutants, including sulfur compounds and hydrocarbons. We investigated the effects of air pollution on the biofilm microflora of historic limestone gravestones located at two locations Massachusetts, USA. Our data showed that the culturable populations of chemolithotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria, and fungi were suppressed in the polluted habitat comparing with the unpolluted location. The diversity of the microflora was also reduced in the surface biofilms on gravestones in the city contaminated by air pollution. However, both the sulfur-oxidizing and hydrocarbon-utilizing microflora were enriched in the biofilms exposed to air pollution. In a laboratory study, low concentrations of the polluting chemicals stimulated growth of these bacteria, and resulted in rapid acid production. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the biofilms of both the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and the hydrocarbon-degrading microflora penetrated into the limestone. The enrichment of sulfur- and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria in the biofilms may contribute to dissolution of the stone. However, further research is required to determine the effects of specific metabolites of these microorganisms on stone deterioration.     

二氧化硫污染对植物影响的研究进展

20多年来 ,关于SO2 污染对植物伤害症状、生长发育、生理生化的影响以及伤害机理的研究获得了长足的发展。研究成果应用于大气SO2 的监测和评价 ,以及抗污树种的筛选。对目前刚开始的SO2 与NOx、O3 等复合污染和酸沉降对植物影响的研究 ,将会成为今后研究的主导方向。     

Comparative ecological analysis of the ostracod faunas from low- and high-polluted southwestern Spanish estuaries: a multivariate approach

The distribution and abundance of both living and total ostracod populations from the estuaries of the southwestern Spanish coast are discussed. A total of 68 species were obtained from 120 bottom samples collected in the channels, channel margins and salt marshes. Four assemblages were recognized in this area: (a) Urocythereis oblonga assemblage, with marine species well-represented in sandy substrates located near the mouths; (b) Loxoconcha rhomboidea assemblage, mainly developed in the quiet tidal channels conected with the main channels of the marine domains; (c) Loxoconcha elliptica assemblage, enclosing the most cosmopolitan and euryhaline species, very abundant in muddy sediments and low to moderate hydrodynamic conditions; and (d) Leptocythere porcellanea assemblage, only observed in the clayey-silty channel margins of the most protected ebb channels.In these transitional environments, very unfavorable conditions for the ostracod development were found in: (a) the erosional channels and channel margins; (b) most of the salt marsh samples with high subaerial exposure; and (c) sectors with high metallic pollution levels and acidic waters.     

Environmental factors and allergic airway diseases

A number of epidemiological studies show that in the last few decades, all over Europe, there has been a growing increase in allergic respiratory disease, which affects between 15 to 30% of the population. There is compelling evidence that this rise in allergic illnesses depends mainly on the type of the environmental pollution and on the typical lifestyle of western countries. Community-based studies comparing people living in former East and West Germany have proved a high prevalence of allergic respiratory disease in West German cities, with variances due to the differences in indoor and outdoor pollution. Ozone, nitrogen oxides, and respirable particulate matter (PM10) are the main components of photochemical smog, typical of western countries. They can lead to sensitization and the onset of allergic illnesses with direct and indirect mechanisms. The casual relationship between automobile traffic-generated pollution, in particular diesel exhaust particles which act as adjuvant on pollen sensitization, and the increase in allergic sensitization to pollens was proved by epidemiological observations, which were later confirmed by studies of animal laboratory exposure. Indoor environment is probably as important in increasing the prevalence of allergic disease. Different housing habits, energy-efficient buildings, and modern air-handling systems have reduced ventilation and produced substantial changes in indoor environment and an increased exposure to allergens (housedust mites, mould and pets dander in particular). Like outdoor pollution, tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, fire burning products, and other chemicals can enhance allergic sensitization with direct and indirect mechanisms. Increased exposure to allergens in the early years of life can influence the immune regulation and the evolution towards a prevailing Th2 response. Recent epidemiological observations lead us to conclude that in the onset of allergic airway illnesses environmental factors can play a greater role than genetic predisposition. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Impacts of anthropogenic stresses on the early development stages of seaweeds

Seaweeds are important primary producers, and as such contributesignificantly to nearshore ecosystems. Studies on the effects ofanthropogenic stresses on these organisms have largely been concernedwith the vegetative adult stages of the life cycle. Here we review thelimited information on the sensitivity of early stages in the life cycleof seaweeds to global change (UV increase; global warming;increased storm frequencies) and pollution (eutrophication, trace metalsand oil). Impacts on fertility, substrate attachment, development,photosynthesis, growth and mortality are highlighted. In their naturalhabitats, early stages are shade-adapted, as they live shel tered underadult canopies and in pores of the substrata. Although some acclimationunder increased moderate irradiance is seen, higher solar irradiance,and especially ultraviolet-B, inhibits early development. Global warmingmay decrease the fertility and shorten the fertile period of somespecies. With the increasing likelihood of storms associated with globalwarming, gamete release may be inhibited while scouring by suspendedsediments may detach newly settled stages. Succession and localdistribution patterns are likely to be affected. Eutrophication canresult in accelerated development of the early stages of some algalspecies but sewage discharges have a negative impact on sperm motility,fertilisation and can cause increased mortality in germlings. Impacts ofother, indirect effects of eutrophication, including increased sedimentcover of substrata, scouring caused by wind-induced resuspension ofsediments, and grazing, are also expected to be negative. Toxic tracemetals affect gamete viability, inhibit fertilisation and development,and reduce growth rates. Gametes are particularly susceptible to oilpollution and interactions between hydrocarbons and the adhesive mucussurrounding the embryonic stages seem to inhibit settlement.Recommendations for future studies are provided that are aimed atgaining greater insight into the effects of anthropogenic stress on theweakest links in the development cycle of seaweeds.     

Phosphorus Flow in a Watershed-Lake Ecosystem

Cultural eutrophication of lakes caused by excess phosphorus (P) loading from agricultural areas is a persistent and serious environmental problem. We quantified P flows in a watershed-lake ecosystem using a simple mathematical model that coupled in-lake and upland processes to assess and compare the long-term impacts of various management strategies. Our model compares abatement by in-lake strategies (such as increasing the flux of P from algae to consumers and alum application) with riparian management to decrease P flow and with balancing P budgets at the watershed scale. All of these strategies are effective to some extent. However, only reducing the amount of fertilizer P imported to the watershed will decrease the total P in the system at steady state. Soil P—a large reservoir with slow turnover rate—governs long-term flux to the lake and must be decreased in size to maintain long-term control of eutrophication. Received 2 August 1999; accepted 12 April 2000.     

福建漳州菜园土壤重金属污染评价及防治

调查福建省漳州市菜园土壤重金属Cd、Pb、Hg、Cr及非金属有害元素As含量,并采用单项污染指数法和综合污染指数法进行评价。结果表明,以福建土壤背景值为评价标准,漳州市部分菜园土壤受到重金属污染,单项污染指数的顺序为Cd(2.39) >Hg(2.00) >Pb(1.40) >Cr(0.63) >As(0.57),污染元素主要为Cd、Pb、Hg,其中Cd、Hg为中度污染;综合污染指数为1.75,属轻度污染。而以土壤环境质量二级标准为评价标准,其综合污染指数为0.14,污染等级为未受污染。     

酸雨对温州三土羊湿地水体氮营养盐数量的影响

为了解酸雨对温州三垟湿地水体氮营养盐数量的影响,本文测定了三垟湿地水体中不同形态氮的含量,其中氨氮2.90～10.75 mg·L^-1,平均5.38 mg·L^-1、硝态氮0.16～0.44 mg·L^-1,平均0.31 mg ·L^-1;总氮34.04～63.20 mg·L^-1,平均55.75 mg·L^-1和水体的pH值,6.1～6.5,平均6.4;并测算了近两年通过降水输入到三垟湿地和三垟湿地水体中不同形态氮的数量及其占湿地现有水体中各形态氮的比例,其中输入到三垟湿地氨氮、硝态氮和总氮的量分别为2.8～2.86× 10 kg、2.87×10⁴～4.96×10⁴kg和5.35×10⁴～7.82×10⁴ kg,分别占湿地水体现有量的56%～6%、11.21～19.38倍和12%～17%;直接输送到三垟湿地水体各形态氮的数量0.72×10⁴～0.8×10⁴ kg、0.83×10⁴～1.44×10⁴ kg和1.55×10⁴～2.27×10⁴,分别占现有量的16%～19%,3.24～5.63倍和3%～5%.结果表明,酸雨是三垟湿地水体氮污染的主要来源之一,对三垟湿地水体富营养化产生重要影响.