Mercury Transport in a Low-Arctic River in Kobbefjord, West Greenland (64° N)

Mercury (Hg) transport was studied in a river in Kobbefjord, near Nuuk in West Greenland, during the 2009 and 2010 summer periods. The river drains an area of 32?km², and the Kobbefjord area is considered representative to low-Arctic West Greenland. The river water origins from both precipitation and melting of small glaciers and annual water discharges for 2009 and 2010 were estimated to be 29 and 26 million?m³, respectively. Mean Hg concentrations (±SD) were 0.46?±?0.17 and 0.26?±?0.17?ng?L^?1 for 2009 and 2010. The annual Hg transport was estimated to 14 and 6.4?g, corresponding to a transport rate of 0.45 and 0.20?g Hg km^?2?year^?1 from the river basin. The highest Hg concentrations (up to 1.0?ng?L^?1) and discharges were measured in spring 2009 along with melting of extensive amounts of snow deposited during the 2008?C2009 winter period. In contrast, the following 2009?C2010 winter period was relatively dry with less snowfall. This indicates that a major fraction of the Hg in this area is likely to come from Hg deposited along with winter precipitation (as wet deposition) released upon snowmelt. Also, the results show that while Hg concentrations were low in Kobbefjord River compared to other sub-Arctic/Arctic rivers, the annual Hg transport rates from the basin area were within the range reported for other sub-Arctic/Arctic areas.     

Spatial patterns of soil attributes and components in a mangrove system in Southeast Brazil (São Paulo)

Purpose

Among environmental factors governing innumerous processes that are active in estuarine environments, those of edaphic character have received special attention in recent studies. With the objectives of determining the spatial patterns of soil attributes and components across different mangrove forest landscapes and obtaining additional information on the cause–effect relationships between these variables and position within the estuary, we analyzed several soil attributes in 31 mangrove soil profiles from the state of São Paulo (Guarujá, Brazil).

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected at low tide along two transects within the Crumahú mangrove forest. Samples were analyzed to determine pH, Eh, salinity, and the percentages of sand, silt, clay, total organic carbon (TOC), and total S. Mineralogy of the clay fraction (<2 mm) was also studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, and partitioning of solid-phase Fe was performed by sequential extraction.

Results and discussion

The results obtained indicate important differences in soil composition at different depths and landscape positions, causing variations in physicochemical parameters, clay mineralogy, TOC contents, and iron geochemistry. The results also indicate that physicochemical conditions may vary in terms of different local microtopographies. Soil salinity was determined by relative position in relation to flood tide and transition areas with highlands. The proportions of TOC and total S are conditioned by the sedimentation of organic matter derived from vegetation and by the prevailing redox conditions, which clearly favored intense sulfate reduction in the soils (～80% of the total Fe is Fe-pyrite). Particle-size distribution is conditioned by erosive/deposition processes (present and past) and probably by the positioning of ancient and reworked sandy ridges. The existing physicochemical conditions appear to contribute to the synthesis (smectite) and transformation (kaolinite) of clay minerals.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that the position of soils in the estuary greatly affects soil attributes. Differences occur even at small scales (meters), indicating that both edaphic (soil classification, soil mineralogy, and soil genesis) and environmental (contamination and carbon stock) studies should take such variability into account.

     

Monitoring benthic microflora in river bed sediments: a case study in the Anllóns River (Spain)

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to investigate the abundance and composition of the superficial biofilm on the bed sediments of the Anllóns River (NW Spain), to evaluate the relationships between biochemical parameters and biological methods based on identification and counting, and to explore the relationships between biofilm growth and the properties of the sedimentary habitat, mainly the trophic state.

Materials and methods

Bed sediment samples (0–5 cm) were collected in two different seasons (winter and summer) at four sampling sites along the river course. Physicochemical properties of pore waters and sediments were determined. Biological properties included the determination of dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and phytopigment (Chl a Chl b and total carotenoids) concentrations, as well as taxonomic identification. For taxonomic identification, two sampling methods were compared: the Pasteur pipette method and a mini-corer method. Total and relative algal abundances (TA and RA, respectively) and genus richness were calculated. The relationships between the different variables were examined using Pearson correlations and principal component analysis.

Results and discussion

The main taxa belonged to Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta, and Heterokontophyta. The most abundant class was Bacillariophyceae, which represents >86 % of the total abundances in the superficial sediments. The highest total algal abundance and genus richness were observed in summer at the river mouth, where DHA and phytopigment concentrations were also the highest. The statistical analysis revealed positive correlations between TA and the biochemical parameters (DHA and phytopigments) as well as positive relationships of these three parameters with the physicochemical properties of the sediments, such as electrical conductivity, and the concentrations of fine particles, C, N, S, and total P.

Conclusions

The results of this study reveal the positive relationships between the biochemical properties (phytopigments and respiratory activity) and total algal abundances determined by taxonomic identification and counting. All of these properties presented evidence of a clear influence of the nutrients and organic matter contents of the sediments, pointing to the importance of the site conditions, particularly the trophic state, in the development of benthic microflora.

     

土壤中的苯并(a)芘

苯并(a)芘(BaP)是强致癌物。因此,它在环境中的分布已日益受到重视。BaP主要来源于有机物的不完全燃烧,在燃烧过程中,BaP的形成机理Badger曾提出过没想,主要包括热裂解与热合成。首先有机物在高温下裂解产生碳氢自由基,结合成乙炔,由乙炔形成乙烯基乙炔,或1,3一丁二烯,然后芳环化成乙基苯,再进一步结合成丁基苯和四氢化蔡,最后通过中间体形成BaP。不管这一设想是否完美,但已证实有机物在燃烧时,710℃是BaP合成的最适温度。     

Co(II) Adsorption in Aqueous Media by a Synthetic Fe–Mn Binary Oxide Adsorbent

Co(II) adsorption on high-purity amorphous Fe?CMn binary oxide adsorbent was investigated. The Co(II) adsorption behavior of this synthetic material was studied and discussed as a function of contact time, pH and initial concentration. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to fit the Co(II) adsorption data on Fe?CMn binary oxide with mesoporous particles of irregular surface morphology and a specific surface area of 201.8?m²?g^?1 with a maximum capacity of 32.25?mg?g^?1. Various kinetic models applied to the adsorption rate data of the Co(II) ion were evaluated. The results show that the pseudo-second order and the intra-particle mass transfer diffusion models correlated best with the experimental rate data. The adsorption activation energy was found to be 9.07?kJ?mol^?1 indicating that it corresponds to a physical adsorption. The evaluated thermodynamics parameters of the adsorption values indicated the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. The results obtained confirmed that Fe?CMn binary oxide had the potential to be utilized as a low-cost and relatively effective adsorbent for Co(II) removal from wastewater.     

Sediment characteristics and microbial mats in a marine mangrove,Manche-à-eau lagoon (Guadeloupe)

Purpose

Marine mangrove sediments in the Manche-à-Eau lagoon (Guadeloupe, Caribbean Sea) harbor locally extensive, white microbial mats. These mats cover the surface of reduced sediments near the roots of red mangrove trees, Rhizophora mangle, and are mainly composed of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Beggiatoaceae family, with some filamentous cyanobacteria. The goal of this study was to investigate the possible influence of sediment characteristics on the presence of these microbial mats.

Materials and methods

Four push cores were collected in April 2013, two from zones with microbial mats and two from zones without mats. Sediment characteristics (grain-size distribution, mineralogy, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents, atomic TOC/TN ratios, and organic matter (OM) δ¹³C values) were compared for all four cores.

Results and discussion

Significant differences were observed between sediments below microbial mats and those without mats. Sediments with microbial mats contained greater amounts of clay, and higher TOC, TN, and TOC/TN ratios, with lower total carbonate content and δ¹³C values. The higher clay content most likely results from lower fluid flow velocity near to mangrove roots, while higher TOC/TN ratios and lower δ¹³C values indicate higher inputs of OM from mangrove trees. These results are consistent with the fact that microbial mats were observed near the roots of mangrove trees, which trap OM from terrestrial vegetation and fine sediments.

Conclusions

The grain-size distribution of sediment particles, the total carbonate content, and the δ¹³C values are the main parameters discriminating between zones with microbial mats and those without mats. Variations in total carbonate content, which is mainly of biogenic origin, result from conditions that are more favorable for benthic organisms in zones without microbial mats. Variations of the TOC/TN ratios are controlled by the presence of a non-negligible amount of inorganic nitrogen bound to surface clay mineral particles and/or by microbial processes.

     

Kinetics of K Desorption from Soils in a Constant Electric Field (Electro-Ultrafiltration) and Its Application

Kdesorption from soils in a constant electric field (field strength:44.5Vcm^-1) by means of electro-ultrafil-tration (EUF) followed second-order kinetics and could be described by the equation dd/dt=k(D-d)2. From theequation, such kinetic parameters relating to K desorption from soils as the maximum desorbable quantity D, quantity of K desorbed within 40 minutes d40, initial desorption rate Vo, desorption rate constant k and half-time t1/2 could be calculated. An expression which describes the relationships between the kinetic parameters on the one hand and the responses of barley to fertilizer-K in the field experiments in different sites and the potassium-supplying power of soils on the other was established. Vo, D and d40 were significantly correlated with barley relative yield, K uptake by barley and the content of soil available potassium. The rate constants of K desorption varied between 4.42×10^-4-1.80×10^-3kg mg^-1 min^-1 and highly correlated with the relative yield of barley.     

Chromium(Ⅵ) Reduction in Wheat Rhizosphere

Reduction of Cr(Ⅵ) to Cr(Ⅲ) were studied in a fresh wheat rhizosphere soil (Kuroboku, high humic andosol) pretreated with a basal fertilizer consisting of (NH4)2SO4, P2O5 and KH2PO4 and with K2Cr2O7 by using a rhizobox system. It was found that rhizosphere exerted a positive effect on Cr(Ⅵ) reduction.Part of the reason was the decrease of pH in the rhizosphere due to application of (NH4)2SO4, implying that application of physiologically acid fertilizers would reduce Cr(Ⅵ) toxicity to plants.     

Distribution of Several Heavy Metals in Tidal Flats Sediments within Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina)

Sediment pollution by metals is of high interest considering that it can affect marine life. The estuaries' quality may be reflected by the environmental intertidal zone condition. Subsurface sediments collected at the nude tidal flats from three sampling stations in the Bahía Blanca Estuary were analyzed for total metals concentrations (Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cr), distribution, and geochemical partitioning. Most of the elements (Hg, Cd, and Cr) have shown highest concentration values in the industrial-influenced area. Maximum value of Pb was obtained where the main freshwater input discharges. Intertidal sediments have presented higher values of Cr than the subtidal ones. Cd and Pb contents near the industrial area were strongly higher in the subtidal zones. The distribution of Cd and Pb demonstrated the occurrence of a diffusion pattern from the land toward the sea, showing a dependence on both the metal itself and/or the source. Not all studied metals have shown the highest content in the fine fraction. The chemical partitioning in the fine fractions offered evidence that the tidal flats were an important source as well as sink of metals to the adjacent coastal area. The studies of intertidal sediments provide an integrative knowledge on the potential effects of different trace metals in the environment and they must be used in the contamination studies within coastal areas.     

An ethnobotanical study on home gardens in a Transylvanian Hungarian Csángó village (Romania)

Due to their isolation and insufficiency of official medical care, the inhabitants of several Transylvanian “Csángó” farms in Romania have valuable archaic knowledge of plants. Such ethnobotanical data reported previously from different regions of the country are available only in Hungarian. Of the various ethnic groups constituting the Csángós’ culture the present study was undertaken to survey those living in the Úz-valley (Romania), focusing on the indigenous human ethnomedicine and ethnoveterinary practices of Csinód, a village in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. The aim of the study was to summarize the occurrence and diversity of food, medicinal, ornamental and fodder plants, as well as herbal home remedies applied on a daily basis. In the summers of 2007–2009 altogether 85 plant taxa in 13 home gardens were registered, using free interviews with local terminology, concentrating on drug parts, use, origin of knowledge and peculiar magico-mythological procedures associated with the species concerned. Due to the obvious decrease in the villagers’ traditional knowledge the prevention of these data from disappearing has gained primary importance in an effort to preserve this heritage as an integral part of the folk medicinal system in Transylvania.     

Formation of arginine modifications in a model system of Nα-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc)-arginine with methylglyoxal

The present study deals with the mechanistic reaction pathway of the α-dicarbonyl compound methylglyoxal with the guanidino group of arginine. Eight products were formed from the reaction of methylglyoxal with N(α)-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc)-arginine under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37 °C). Isolation and purification of substances were achieved using cation-exchange chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Structures were verified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry. 2-Amino-5-(2-amino-4-hydro-4-methyl-5-imidazolinone-1-yl)pentanoic acid (3) was determined as the key intermediate precursor within the total reaction scheme. Kinetic studies identified N(δ)-(5-methyl-4-oxo-5-hydroimidazolinone-2-yl)-L-ornithine and N(7)-carboxyethylarginine as thermodynamically more stable products from compound 3. Further mechanistic investigations revealed an acidic hydrogen at C-8 of compound 3 to trigger aldol condensations. This reactivity of compound 3 allowed for the addition of another molecule of methylglyoxal to form products, such as N(δ)-(4-carboxy-4,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-2-yl)-l-ornithine and argpyrimidine.     

Comparison Between Industrial�CUrban and Rural Particle Stations in a Ceramic Cluster (NE, Spain)

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the province of Castellón, in eastern Spain, has been one of the most important areas of floor and wall tile production on both a national and worldwide scale. As a result of this sector??s productive rate of development (in the 1970?C2005 interval), a series of pollution-producing chemical substances has been introduced into the atmosphere. The objective of this study is the comparison between industrial?Curban and rural zones in this province, with the goal of establishing the causes of the contamination in order to apply corrective measures upon the different emission sources. Sustainable development is sought after to guarantee that, in the future, the environmental quality parameters fall within legal limits, ensuring the population??s well-being as well as conserving natural ecosystems and material assets. Total suspended particles and PM10 are the parameters studied. The reason for choosing this pollutant type is because particulate matter may present a much higher potential risk despite its low representativeness as compared to the gas pollutant??s group. A positive correlation between high particle concentrations and deterioration in public health has been shown in recent studies. The elements As, Cd, Ni, and Pb in PM10 were also analyzed to determine the toxicity of these particles. This study has demonstrated the different behaviors of the parameters studied at different types of stations (industrial?Curban and rural), leading to the conclusion that anthropogenic factors are very important in the area studied and that they determine the area??s air quality to a great extent.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Carbon Isotopes in a Palsa Peat (Bol’shezemel’skaya Tundra)

Eurasian Soil Science - The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carbon isotope composition in the peat of a palsa near Eletsky settlement, Vorkuta urban district, Komi Republic...     

Prevention of Iron‐Deficiency Induced Chlorosis in Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Through Soil Application of Synthetic Vivianite in a Calcareous Soil

Abstract

In this study we have tested the hypothesis that lime‐induced Fe deficiency chlorosis of kiwifruit may be prevented by the application of a synthetic iron(II)‐phosphate analogous to the mineral vivianite [(Fe₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O)]. Two experiments, under greenhouse and field conditions, were performed. In the greenhouse, 1‐year old micropropagated plants (Actinidia deliciosa, cv. Hayward), grown in 3‐L pots on a calcareous soil, were treated in early autumn with soil‐applied: (1) synthetic vivianite (1.35 g plant^?1) and (2) Fe‐EDDHA (24 mg Fe plant^?1). The synthetic vivianite suspension, prepared by dissolving ferrous sulfate and mono‐ammonium phosphate, was injected into the soil as a sole application whereas the Fe‐EDDHA solution was applied four times at weekly intervals. The field experiment was conducted in a mature drip‐irrigated kiwifruit orchard located on a calcareous soil in the Eastern Po Valley (Italy). Treatments were performed in early autumn by injecting synthetic vivianite (1.8 kg tree^?1) and Fe‐EDDHA (600 mg Fe tree^?1) into four holes in the soil around each tree, at a depth of 25–30 cm. The Fe‐chelate application was repeated at the same rate in the following spring. Untreated (control) plants were used in both experiments. Autumn‐applied Fe fertilisers significantly prevented development of Fe chlorosis under greenhouse conditions whereas in the field only vivianite was effective. In conclusion, these 1‐year results show that vivianite represents an effective alternative to soil‐applied Fe chelates for preventing Fe chlorosis in kiwifruit orchards.     

Photochemical oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils — a tool to assess their degradability?

To determine the degradability of PAHs and PCBs for soil remediation or ecotoxicological risk assessment, a simple method is needed. We tested the suitability of photocatalytic oxidation for this purpose. We determined the concentrations of 20 PAHs and 12 PCBs in four mineral topsoil horizons, six organic horizons, and four particle‐size fractions of each of three soils before and after UV irradiation with TiO₂ as a catalyst in suspension. Preliminary experiments showed that in dry soil no photooxidation occurred, but after 48 h of irradiation in suspension the PCB concentrations decreased by up to 40—50 %, while the PAH concentrations did not change significantly. In contrast to this, 95—100 % of PAH and PCB standards spiked on quartz sand were degraded within 8 h, indicating that sorption to organic matter limited degradation of PAHs and PCBs in soil suspensions. There was no difference in the degradation among different individual PAHs and PCBs, respectively, indicating that the degradation did not occur in dissolved state, but in association with soil organic matter. In all samples except one, the degradation of PCBs (10—80 % loss of initial concentrations) was higher than those of the PAHs (0—40 % loss). This suggests that the accessibility of PCBs for OH· radicals generated during irradiation was higher, or the oxidation of PAHs was limited by the properties of the sorbing organic matter. Thus, the tested method was not suitable to predict biodegradability, because it did not reflect the differences in degradability of individual compounds.     

Genetic diversity and population structure in a regional collection of Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal & Baudet)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal &amp; Baudet) is an important source of protein and essential nutrients that...     

“double bunch” in a plantain germplasm in Nigeria: a new Genotype

In the course of germplasm exploratory work, a strain of a False Horn plantain cultivar was found which produced two bunches at fruiting. Cropping of the suckers of this material through three cycles showed that all the plants studied, produced two bunches of fruits. The results suggest that this plantain tentatively designated as double bunch, is of genetic origin arising probably from a mutation of the existing plantain cultivar. The implications for the identification of genetic diversity as well as for the evaluation and conservation of genetic resources are discussed.     

Vegetationskundliche Beobachtungen in Nordost-Kuangsi (Südchina)

Zusammenfassung Es werden vegetationskundliche Beobachtungen mitgeteilt, die während einer botanischen Sammelreise im Herbst 1958 in Südchina in Nordostkuangsi gemacht wurden. Für dieses Gebiet sind drei Landschaftsformen charakteristisch: Kegelkarstberge, die um Kuei-lin flächenmäßig den größten Raum einnehmen; niedrige Sandsteinwellen und höhere Bergzüge aus kristallinen Gesteinen; intramontane Ebenen und Flußniederungen, beide jetzt vollständig in landwirtschaftliche Kultur übernommen.NO-Kuangsi liegt im südlichen Teil des ausgedehnten meridionalen Hartlaub-Lorbeerwaldgebietes in China, meridionale immergrüne Arten sind deshalb in Gehölzartenbestand des Gebiets vorherrschend. Die Vegetation ist fast stets durch menschlichen Einfluß devastiert, natürliche Waldreste sind nur noch kleinflächig erhalten.Die Kalkkarstberge tragen im ursprünglichen Zustand eine artenreiche Waldgesellschaft (Quercus glauca-Loropetalum chinense-Liriope platyphylla-Ass.), die im Gegensatz zur Vegetation der übrigen Standorte einen beachtlichen Anteil submeridionaler, sommergrüner Holzarten besitzt, der als Ausdruck der relativen Trockenheit der Karststandorte gewertet werden kann. Für Karstberge in fortgeschritteneren Erosionsstadien ist ein hoher Anteil vonKeteleeria fortunei typisch.Auf den sauren Verwitterungsböden der Sandsteinwellen und Kristallinberge ist jetzt nur noch buschförmige oder niederwaldartige Sekundärvegetation vorhanden (Pinus massoniana-Rhodomyrtus tomentosa-Dicranopteris-Ass.). Verschiedene Devastierungsstadien werden beschrieben, im Endstadium resultieren arme, reine Grasfluren (Imperata-Paspalum-Eremochloa-Ass.). Aufforstungen mitPinus massoniana (selten mitCunninghamia lanceolata) sind hier unternommen worden. Auf diesen Standorten wachsen fast ausschließlich meridionale Arten. Im Gegensatz dazu ist der Anteil hygrophiler, subtropischer Elemente in der Vegetation feuchter und schattiger Tal- und Schluchtstandorte innerhalb dieser Bergketten wesentlich höher, an einigen Stellen haben sich auch hier Reste der üppigen und vielschichtigen primären Waldgesellschaften erhalten (Castanopsis sp. — Camellia sp. — Alpinia chinensis-Ass.).

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Summary Vegetational studies have been made during a botanical expedition through Southern China in Northeastern Kuangsi in autumn 1958. This region is characterized by three types of landscape: Coneshaped limestone karst mountains (inhabiting most of the area around Kuei-lin); low sandstone hills and somewhat higher chains of crystalline rocks; intramountaineous and river plains, the last both completely used for agricultural purposes. Northeastern Kuangsi is situated within the southern part of the expanded meridional region of broad leaved forests in China. Evergreen meridional species of the sclerophyllous and laurifoliaceous types are the predominating ones of the woody species of this region. The vegetation is nearly always devastated by human influence, natural forest relics are preserved only in small areas. The limestone karst hills are covered in the original state by a rich xerophyllous forest association (Quercus glauca-Loropetalum chinense-Liriope platyphylla-ass.). It possesses in contrary to other localities a remarkable number of submeridional summergreen trees and shrubs. Their occurrence has to be considered as the result of the relative aridity of the karst localities. On karst hills showing more progressive erosive stagesKeteleeria fortunei occurs frequently.The acid soils of the sandstone hills and the crystalline mountains are only covered by a secondary shrub vegetation (Pinus massoniana-Rhodomyrtus tomentosa-Dicranopteris-ass.). Different stages of devastation have been described, the final one is a poor grassland association (Imperata-Paspalum-Eremochloa-ass.). Afforestations were here to be seen, mostly, ofPinus massoniana, seldom ofCunninghamia lanceolata. These associations possess almost only meridional species. However in moist and shadowy valleys and ravines of these mountains many hygrophilous subtropical elements occur, here in some cases luxurious and highly differentiated primary forests have been preserved (Castanopsis sp. — Camellia sp. — Alpinia chinensis-ass.).

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- , 1958 . : , ; , ; , , , .- - , , ( ë [Meusel 1959]) . , , ; . (Quercus glauca — Loropetalum chinense — Liriope platyphylla), , , , . Keteleeria fortunei. (Pinus massoniana — Rhodomyrtus tomentosa — Dicranopteris). (Imperata-Paspalum-Eremochloa). (Pinus massoniana, Cunninghamia lanceolata). . , . , -, (Castanopsis sp. — Camellia sp. — Alpinia chinensis).

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Ergebnisse Chinesisch-Deutscher Biologischer Sammelreisen seit 1956 Nr. 14.     

Structure elucidation of a pungent compound in black cardamom: Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié (Zingiberaceae)

Natural plant extracts containing taste modifier compounds will gain more commercial interest in the future. Black cardamom, Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié, used as a spice in Asia, produces a nice refreshing effect in the mouth. Therefore, an ethyl acetate extract was prepared, and constituents were separated by liquid chromatography. Guided by the tasting of each fraction (LC tasting), a new pungent compound was discovered, (+/-)-trans-2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H-indene-4-carbaldehyde. To confirm this new structure, a synthesis was performed starting from cyclopentene-1-carbaldehyde. The Wittig conditions were determined to control the stereochemistry of the ring fusion to prepare (+/-)-trans-(2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1 H-inden-4-yl) methanol and (+/-)-cis-(2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H-inden-4-yl) methanol. After oxidation, (+/-)-trans-2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H-indene-4-carbaldehyde and (+/-)-cis-2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H-indene-4-carbaldehyde were tasted in water and only the trans-2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H-indene-4-carbaldehyde, present in black cardamom, produced a trigeminal effect in the mouth.