Acute and sublethal toxicity of tributyltin oxide (tbto) and its putative environmental product,tributyltin sulfide (tbts) to zoeal mud crabs,rhithropanopeus harrisii

Mud crab larvae, Rhithropanopeus harrisii were exposed to tributyltin oxide, (TBTO) (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, or 25 μg l^?1) or tributyltin sulfide (TBTS) (0.5, 1, 5, 20, 30, or 50 μg l^?1). Differential survival was observed in TBTO concentrations equal to or greater than 10 gg l^?1 and in TBTS concentrations equal to or greater than 20 μg l^?1 Growth and development rate were assessed as sublethal indices of stress. Of the two, development rate was more sensitive. All groups exposed to either compound had slower development rates than controls. Growth of the larvae, as shown by weight gain, was slightly increased in low exposures (a hormetic response) and decreased significantly in higher concentrations. The mean weight of the 50 μg l^?1 TBTS group showed the largest decrease, to 57% of the control. The hormesis response was further examined by measuring daily growth of the zoeae. All groups exposed to tributyltin compounds showed an initial growth lag. The hormesis response occurred in the fourth zoeal stage or megalops. While R. harrisii is relatively tolerant to the acute toxicity of tributyltin compounds compared to other marine crustaceans tested, sublethal responses occur in very low concentrations. This points to the need for analyses to characterize tributyltin environmental concentrations.     

Eluvial/illuvial coefficients of major elements and the corresponding losses and gains in three soil profiles

The major element compositions of three soil profiles from the north-east of Scotland have been determined and from them losses and gains of major elements have been calculated. Eluvial/illuvial coefficients are also calculated and used to measure the intensities of soil processes. This information forms the basis of a discussion on the development of the profiles. The main process involves the decomposition of minerals, especially in the upper horizons, the loss of constituents to drainage and the translocation ofa few to the lower horizons.     

The oxygen resources of the hypolimnion of ionically enriched onondaga lake,NY, U.S.A.

The depletion of hypolimnetic DO and the upper depth boundary of anoxia for four different years (1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981), and the accumulation of sulfide for a single year (1981), are documented for ionically enriched hypereutrophic Onondaga Lake, NY, USA. The depletion rate, represented as the areal hypolimnetic oxygen deficit (AHOD, g m^?2 day^?1), was extremely high (1.2–2.7 g m^?2 day^?1), The large differences in the rate within individual years and from year to year were largely a result of differences in attendant vertical mixing (parameterized as the hypolimnetic heating rate). The entire hypolimnion (depth interval from 11 to 20 m) was without O₂ by late June of all 4 yr; anoxia was observed above the hypolimnion on some occasions when secondary stratification occurred. Sulfide accumulated progressively in the hypolimnion in 1981 following the onset of anoxia to a volume weighted concentration of I1 mg L^?1. The ionic discharge from an adjoining alkali manufacturer exacerbated the problem of limited O₂ resources of the hypolimnion by: (1) decreasing vertical mixing, (2) prolonging the duration of stratification, (3) causing abbreviated turnovers, and (4) encouraging increased rates of phytoplankton settling.     

Effects of sulphuric acid and acidifying ammonium deposition on water quality and vegetation of simulated soft water ecosystems

In a greenhouse, seven identical mini-ecosystems, simulating soft water ponds, were exposed to different types of artificial rain water. The effects of rain water containing H₂SO₄ and nitrate, and rain water containing ammonium sulphate on water quality and vegetation were studied and compared. Causal relations were established between rain water quality, water chemistry and changes in floristic composition. Ammonium sulphate deposition, particularly, strongly affected water quality and vegetation development. Although ammonium sulphate deposition was only slightly acid, due to nitrification it acted as an important acid source, causing acidification to pH=3.8. Under acidified conditions, ammonium sulphate deposition lead to a luxuriant growth ofJuncus bulbosus andAgrostis canina. In the mini-ecosystems, H₂SO₄ deposition with a pH of 3.5 only decreased the pH of the water to 5.1 within 1 yr. The acidification of water appeared to be coupled with changes in alkalinity, sulphate, Al, Cd, Ca, Mg, K and inorganic-N. It is concluded that in NH₃-affected regions in The Netherlands, the high atmospheric deposition of ammonium sulphate probably contributes to a large extent in the acidification, eutrophication and floristic changes of oligotrophic soft waters.     

Relationships between growth,mineral nutrition,and soils in young teak plantations in Benin and Liberia

Growth and vigor of trees show considerable variations in young teak plantations in Benin (Vertisols) as well as in Liberia (Ferralsols). Differences in growth are mainly related to topsoil acidity and the foliar Ca-status in Liberia. In Benin, waterlogging (followed by root decay) reduces the Mg-, K- and N-uptake. In addition, growth on the Vertisols is limited by a low K_EX/CEC-ratio of usually <>