Carbon assimilation and microbial activity in soil

In order to characterise the term microbial ?activity”? three different microbial populations belonging to a luvisol (I), a phaeozem (II) and a rendzina (III) were used for studying kinetic parameters such as substrate affinity, growth rate, yield and turnover time and the metabolic quotient of basal respiration. Glucose was used as a carbon source. Specific growth rate values (μ) varied between 0.0037 and 0.015 h^?1 depending on soil type and glucose concentration and were far below the potential μ_max. The calculated turnover time was 3–11 days, respectively. The yield coefficient was in the range between 0.37 and 0.53. The maximal uptake rate of glucose–C of soil population (II) was 0.041 g C g^?1 biomass-C h^?1. The determined affinity constant (K_m) was 57 μg C g^?1 soil. The affinity to glucose was higher for the glucose-mediated CO₂ evolution with K_m values of 15.2 and 17.5 than for the glucose uptake system itself. The observed qCO₂ values of the basal respiration at temperature increments from 0 to 45° C were almost identical for the soils (I) and (II). The calulated Q₁₀ lay in the range between 1.4 and 2.0.     

Contamination environnementale par les métaux et maladie de Parkinson

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed to result from the interaction of aging and environment in susceptible individuals. The prevalence of PD in Quebec was 84 per 100 000 in 1985. The regional variation observed has been linked with several environmental factors. We intended to verify the existence of a relation between the development of PD with exposure to 3 metal pollutants: Fe, Mn, and Al. The choice of these metals rests on their potential presence in the environment caused by the industrial activity in the region studied, and on the fact that it theoretically favors the prevalence of the illness. Environmental exposure to these metals and the resulting risks were evaluated using red spruce as a bio-indicator. The metal concentrations in tree rings were determined by neutron activation analysis. These concentrations permitted a temporal estimation of contamination in each of the territories studied, from 1938 to 1987. The risk of environmental exposure was assumed to be proportional to the concentration of the metal. The calculated risks combined with the history of residence allowed a comparison between parkinsonians and controls. It appeared that environmental exposure to the metals was not significantly different between those two groups.     

Comparison of concentrated-flow detachment equations for low shear stress

Several equations exist to describe the relationship between concentrated-flow detachment and shear stress (τ). However, the advantages and disadvantages of these equations for specific circumstances remain unclear. This study examines the performance of linear and power equations with and without a critical shear stress (τ_c) term for concentrated-flow detachment at low shear stress. Equations were fit to data collected from experiments on five midwestern US soils using flume experimental data at low shear stress levels. Field experimental data were also available for these soils. The linear equation was simple to use and parameter values were easily estimated with linear regression. However, significant lack of fit was found when the linear equation was applied to data collected from low to medium shear stress levels. The value of soil erodibility (K) for a soil varied by a factor of 3 and critical shear stress (τ_c) varied by a factor of 2.5. The linear equation prediction underestimated detachment (D) by 25% at high shear stress and overestimated detachment by 30% at low shear stress. In contrast, the power equations gave more stable erodibility parameters because these equations reduced the systematic nature of the observation residuals found with the linear equation. Correlation between rill detachment D and τ was generally lower with the linear compared to the power equations for conditions tested. For higher shear stresses and longer slopes, the linear equation may be acceptable where field experiments show a linear trend. It is suggested that τ_c only be used when it has a value significantly different from zero.     

Effects of fungal inocula on the decomposition of lignin and structural polysaccharides in Pinus sylvestris litter

 Litter bags containing sterile Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles (19.8% lignin, 26.5% cellulose and 0.34% N) were inoculated with two species of fungi in the laboratory and then placed in the litter layer of a pine plantation. Marasmius androsaceus, which can degrade lignocellulose, was initially displaced by other fungal colonisers and was not detected in the litter after 2–3 months; but was re-isolated from the needles after 12 months. Trichoderma viride, which is a cellulolytic species and also antagonistic to other fungi, dominated the litter throughout the experiment. The control litter was naturally colonised by litter fungi. After 12 months, mass losses were similar at 52% for M. androsaceus and 48% for T. viride, compared with 36% for the control litter colonised by a more complex fungal community. Lignin concentrations increased with time in control litter and with T. viride because mass losses of carbohydrates were greater than those of lignin. Litter inoculated with M. androsaceus showed significant lignin decomposition throughout the experiment but cellulose concentrations showed a proportional increase in the first 6 months, suggesting that the fungus was preferentially exploiting hemicellulose and non-structural carbohydrates. Analysis of TFA-extractable sugars (mainly from hemicellulose) and CuO-derived phenylpropanoid moieties from lignin confirmed the differential patterns of resource decomposition which were not evident from total mass losses. During the initial stages of decomposition, T. viride was as effective in utilising structural polysaccharides as the complex fungal community in the control litter. Furthermore, M. androsaceus not only exhibited unexpectedly low cellulolytic activity but also facilitated lignin depolymerisation after the fungus was no longer detectable in the litter. The pre-inoculation of litter with these two fungal species therefore affected the overall dynamics of decomposition at a biochemical level. This study illustrates the importance of understanding the effects and interactions of specific fungi, rather than assumptions about the functional competence of diverse communities, on the processes of litter decomposition. Received: 5 July 2000     

Effects of No. 2 fuel oil water-soluble-fractions on growth and reproduction in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Polychaeta: annelida)

Effects of water-soluble-fractions (WSFs) from No. 2 Fuel Oil on growth and reproduction in a laboratory strain of Neanthes arenaceodentata were studied in experiments simulating conditions of acute and chronic sublethal exposure. Effects were defined relative to concentrations of diaromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalenes) and total dissolved hydrocarbons. Hatching of metatrochophore larvae was inversely related to WSF concentration and to the length of time larvae were exposed prior to hatching. Growth of larvae into juveniles was unaffected by low concentrations. Inhibition of larval growth by higher WSF concentrations was reversible upon return of larvae to hydrocarbon-free sea water. Growth of juveniles into adult polychaetes was inversely related to concentration. Rate of development to the feeding juvenile stage was not affected by WSF in three successive generations of continuously exposed polychaetes. Oocyte maturation rates in the four WSF concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 2507o) increased with each successive generation. All concentrations suppressed fecundity in each generation. Survival to the 32-segment juvenile stage (brood mortality) was inversely related to concentration in first generation animals. Brood mortality in all WSF concentrations decreased with successive generations thereafter. Levels of naphthalenes in worms declined with each generation. Naphthalenes concentrations in third generation animals was very similar to those of exposure media.     

The impact of a community-based food skills intervention on cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices - an exploratory trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a food skills intervention study in areas of social deprivation aimed at altering cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices. DESIGN: A standardised skills programme was implemented in community-based settings. Pre- (T1) and post-intervention (T2) and 6-month follow-up (T3) measures (7-day diaries and self-administered questionnaires) were undertaken in intervention and comparison groups. SETTING: Eight urban communities in Scotland. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirteen adults living in areas of social deprivation. RESULTS: It was clear that many subjects led fragmented lives and found commitment to intervention classes problematic. Sixty-three subjects completed the final (T3) assessments. The response to each component varied due to inability to attend sessions, illness, study requirements, employment, moving out of the area, change in circumstances, loss of interest and loss of postal questionnaires. At baseline, reported consumption of fruit and vegetables was low (mean frequency 8.1 +/- 4.78 times per week). Fruit intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) between T1 and T2 in the intervention group (1.7 +/- 2.36 to 2.7 +/- 3.28 times per week) only. Between T1 and T3, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in intervention subjects who reported confidence in following a recipe (67-90%,). CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory trial shows that a food skills intervention is likely to have a small but positive effect on food choice and confidence in food preparation. A full-scale randomised controlled trial in this hard-to-reach group would require a range of flexible approaches rather than a fully defined intervention, and presents challenges for trial design.     

Increased emergence of spring wheat after inoculation with Pseudomonas chlororaphis isolate 2E3 under field and laboratory conditions

Inoculation at the time of planting with Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain 2E3 increased the emergence of spring wheat by 8% and 6% at two different sites in northern Utah. Isolate 2E3 strongly inhibited the growth of the wheat pathogen Fusarium culmorum on artificial media. A second isolate of P. chlororaphis (strain O6) also inhibited fungal growth on artifical media but did not increase emergence of the spring wheat at the same field sites. Inoculation of winter wheat by 2E3 did not promote emergence when planted into field soil sterilized by fumigation with methyl bromide. Under laboratory conditions, emergence of spring wheat in sterilized soils from both sites was at least 90%. In the soils that were not sterilized, emergence was below 25% in soil from one site and below 50% in soil from the other. Treating seeds with 2E3 significantly improved emergence in a sterile soil-containing matrix that had been inoculated with the wheat pathogen Fusarium culmorum. Consequently, we propose that increases in wheat emergence can be attributed to the suppression by 2E3 of pathogenic organisms present in the native field soils. A strain of Rhizoctonia solani, shown to the pathogenic on winter wheat, was isolated from one of these soils.     

A correlation study of vehicle-generated air pollutants

The concentrations of Pb, CO, CH₄ and total hydrocarbons have been measured at a roadside site and at the exit of a multistorey car park. Average concentrations over short periods (10 to 25 min) have been calculated for each pollutant and possible correlations between these average levels of the different pollutants investigated. Significant correlations were found at only one site and the conclusion was drawn that it is only under exceptional conditions that correlations in levels exist over these extremely short averaging periods.     

Effect of sodium [36Cl]chlorate dose on total radioactive residues and residues of parent chlorate in beef cattle

The objectives of this study were to determine total radioactive residues and chlorate residues in edible tissues of cattle administered at three levels of sodium [36Cl]chlorate over a 24-h period and slaughtered after a 24-h withdrawal period. Three sets of cattle, each consisting of a heifer and a steer, were intraruminally dosed with a total of 21, 42, or 63 mg of sodium [36Cl]chlorate/kg of body weight. To simulate a 24-h exposure, equal aliquots of the respective doses were administered to each animal at 0, 8, 16, and 24 h. Urine and feces were collected in 12-h increments for the duration of the 48-h study. At 24 h after the last chlorate exposure, cattle were slaughtered and edible tissues were collected. Urine and tissue samples were analyzed for total radioactive residues and for metabolites. Elimination of radioactivity in urine and feces equaled 20, 33, and 48% of the total dose for the low, medium, and high doses, respectively. Chlorate and chloride were the only radioactive chlorine species present in urine; the fraction of chlorate present as a percentage of the total urine radioactivity decreased with time regardless of the dose. Chloride was the major radioactive residue present in edible tissues, comprising over 98% of the tissue radioactivity for all animals. Chlorate concentrations in edible tissues ranged from nondetectable to an average of 0.41 ppm in skeletal muscle of the high-dosed animals. No evidence for the presence of chlorite was observed in any tissue. Results of this study suggest that further development of chlorate as a preharvest food safety tool merits consideration.