Recovery of the Perch (Perca Fluviatilis) in an Acidified Lake and Subsequent Responses in Macroinvertebrates and the Goldeneye (Bucephala Clangula)

The perch population of Lake Vähä Valkjärvi, a two hectare clear-water lake in southern Finland, decreased due to acid precipitation during the 1980s. During the early 1990s a decrease in acidic deposition resulted in slight improvement of water quality of the lake. This was followed by recovery of the reproduction of perch starting in 1991. A mark and recapture experiment in spring 1995 indicated a hundred fold increase in the population size of perch in a four year period. A decrease in the abundance of aquatic invertebrates was recorded during 1989–1996. This decrease well coincided with the recovery of the perch population, suggesting that increased predation by fish was responsible for the decrease. The occurrence of goldeneye young also dropped in L. Vähä Valkjärvi since 1993. This was thought to be due to increased food competition with perch.     

Pearling Affects the Lipid Content and Composition and Lipase Activity Levels of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Roller Milling Fractions

Wheat bran contains most of the dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants of the grain. Unfortunately, it readily deteriorates upon storage because it has high lipid contents and lipase activity levels, which can cause rancidity and, hence, when used in food systems, inferior product quality. We here examined the lipid composition and the lipase activities of wheat bran and the impact of pearling prior to milling thereupon. The lipid content of the outer bran layers (2.31% on a dry matter [dm] basis) is lower than that of regular bran (3.81% dm). Nevertheless, these layers have the highest concentration of free fatty acids (FFA, 0.56% dm), which is ascribed to lipid hydrolysis. Indeed, the lipase activity levels in the peripheral layers were three times higher than in the bran itself. Abrading these tissues by pearling prior to milling yielded a bran fraction with about 30% lower FFA content and 30% lower lipase activity level. Pearling offers opportunities to lower the FFA content and lipase activity levels in wheat bran and, hence, to contribute to an improved storage stability of bran.     

Vertical distribution of brown trout (Salmo Trutta) and perch (Perca Fluviatilis) in an acidified lake

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) had different vertical distributions throughout the year in the acidified lake Gjerstadvann. During summer, the brown trout lived in the 0 to 16 m depth interval, whereas the perch lived in the 0 to 8 m interval. In Gjerstadvann, the thermocline lies at 8 to 10 m depth. The epilimnion pH was usually > 5.6, and the thermocline pH was about 5.2. Brown trout and perch in Gjerstadvann, thus experienced different chemical environment during summer-stratification. Two rivers, one of them acidified, the other circum-neutral, were the most important spawning areas for the Gjerstadvann brown trout. Brown trout parr in the acidified river migrated to the lake and matured at younger ages than the brown trout spawning in the non-acidic river. The brown trout stocks were juvenilized because of low survival rate of adult fish (S = 0.15 to 0.19). The short life span was probably dus to low pH and elevated Al. The perch in Gjerstadvann showed fluctuating year class strength but the survival rate of adult perch (S = 0.57) did not seem to be affected by acidification during this investigation. This may due to its vertical distribution during summer.     

Sediment,Perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and Bottom Fauna as Indicators of Effluent Discharged from the Pulp and Paper Mill Complex at Kemi,Northern Finland

This paper compares the long-term data of EOX (Extractable Organic Halogens) determinations in sediments, trichloroguaiacol, i.e. 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol and 4,5,6-trichloroguaiacol, determinations in the bile of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and changes in bottom fauna communities (Pontoporeia affinis L., Mesidotea entomon L., Valvata spp. L.) during 1994–2003. The study area is located at Kemi, on the Gulf of Bothnia, Northern Finland, and is affected by effluent discharged from the pulp and paper mills of Stora Enso Oyj and Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab. The Kemi municipal sewage plant, and River Kemijoki also impose a load in the same area. The main purpose of the study was to assess whether the state of the exposed water ecosystem has improved on the basis of the concentrations of organochlorine compounds in sediment and in perch, due to the modernisation of the wastewater treatment at the mills. In addition, we also investigated whether the changes in the bottom fauna community indicate an improvement in the purification of the effluents. The results indicate that the concentrations of trichloroguaiacols (–1) in perch reflect the decreased discharges of chlorinated substances from the mills. The EOX concentrations in bottom sediments have also decreased to below 50 of Cl g^–1 in most parts of the study area, which is in good agreement with the reduction in the discharge of organochlorines. According to the long-term changes in bottom fauna, the reduction in the discharge of organochlorine compounds due to modernisation of the pulp mills is reflected in a recovery of the benthic fauna, especially Valvata spp. L. and Pontoporeia affinis L.     

Mercury Concentrations in Lake Sediments – Revisiting the Predictive Power of Catchment Morphometry and Organic Matter Composition

Lake sediments are a potential source of mercury (Hg) for aquatic biota. Here, we investigated the predictive power of (a) key parameters for lake catchment morphometry and (b) organic matter composition of sediments in an effort to account for observed variations of total (THg) and methyl (MeHg) mercury concentrations in lake sediments. Using regression models we demonstrate that the morphometric parameters lake depth as well as inclination of catchment soils and lake bottoms can significantly predict variations of THg concentrations, but not MeHg, at profundal lake sediments. Although THg and MeHg concentrations in sediments could not be predicted by specific organic matter sources, as elucidated by atomic C/N ratios, our data suggest that wetland-derived total organic carbon (TOC) contained less THg concentrations than TOC derived from mostly forested watersheds. However, TOC concentrations could significantly predict MeHg concentrations and the proportion of methylated Hg at all sediment stations. Finally, from an ecotoxicological point of view, we propose that concentrations of TOC at surface lake sediments, rather than parameters of catchment morphometry, may predict dietary sources of MeHg for benthic consumers and consequently perhaps for organisms at higher trophic levels.     

Response of Leek (Allium porrum L.) to Different Irrigation Water Levels Under Rain Shelter

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different water levels on water-use efficiency, yield and growth parameters of leek (Allium porrum L.) and was carried out in the practical research field of Ondokuz May?s University in Turkey. Different irrigation water levels were based on the weight changes of each pot and included 5 irrigation treatments [25% (I₂₅), 50% (I₅₀), 75% (I₇₅), 100% (I₁₀₀) and 118% (I₁₁₈) times of consumed water]. Decreases in irrigation water resulted in decreases in plant height, stem diameter, leaf and stem fresh weights, leaf and stem dry weights and leaf area, but did not significantly affect leaf number or chlorophyll content. A yield-response factor of 1.26 was obtained, implying that the leek crop was sensitive to water stress caused by deficit irrigation. Comprehensive analysis of yield, water use efficiency, and evapotranspiration, the I₇₅ treatment can be suggested for leek production in water-scarce regions.     

Policosanol Content and Composition of Korean Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars

Policosanols (PCs) are a group of long‐chain alcohols that have been reported to have many beneficial physiological activities. In this study, the total content and composition of PCs in 15 rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars from Korea were characterized by gas chromatography–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. This method proved to be sufficiently precise and accurate with respect to the degree of endogenous biological variability found in the rice samples. Octacosanol (C28) and triacontanol (C30) were the major components of PCs in all cultivars. In addition, there were positive correlations among the determined PC contents. Given its high PC content, the Heughyangbyeo cultivar may appear to be a good candidate for future breeding programs.     

Relationships Between Crown Condition of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Throughfall Chemistry

A two-step regression procedure was used to predict the impact of throughfall chemistry on the defoliation of Fagus sylvatica L. over a 10-year-monitoring period at three plots in northern Belgium. The impact of throughfall chemistry on crown condition was examined after accounting for influences of site, stand, climate and diseases. In a first step, defoliation was regressed on site, stand, climate and disease parameters. The residual defoliation of this standard set was correlated with 27 throughfall variables. Climatic variables of the year preceding the year of crown assessment accounted for 79% of the variation in current defoliation. Site, stand and disease factors were not included and were still part of the residual defoliation. The study of the residual defoliation revealed that high throughfall depositions of sulphate and ammonium and high throughfall ratios of SO₄/Mg enhanced defoliation.     

Trends in Soil Water Composition at a Heavily Polluted Site - Effects of Decreased S-Deposition and Variations in Precipitation

Precipitation, soils and soil water in a forested catchment in western Poland have been studied during the period 1992 – 96 (see also Vogt et al., this conf.). The S-deposition in the area during the study period was 2 – 3g S m^?2 yr^?1. In spite of decreasing anthropogenic emissions the S-deposition in the area did not change much during the study period mainly because the first years were exceptionally dry. However, the S-deposition was considerably higher during the previous decade. Based on soil water sulphate concentration, pH, acid neutralising capacity and the ratio of Al³⁺/(Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺), there is apparently an amelioration in the conditions. A study using inter alia principal component analysis, indicates that this improvement is mainly due to more precipitation in the later part of the study period. Variations in precipitation amount have a pronounced effect on the soil-water chemistry, which makes it difficult to establish trends caused by changes in anthropogenic deposition. Long time series are therefore necessary to establish recovery due to reduced S-emissions.     

Heavy metals in perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) from two acidified lakes in the salpausselkä esker area in Finland

Hg concentrations in muscle and Cd, Pb, Al, Zn and Fe concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney ofPerca fluviatilis from two acidified lakes in the Salpausselkä esker area in Southern Finland were studied. The metal concentrations in perch from the Tiilijärvi lakes were similar to those in other acidified Finnish lakes. Only Hg concentrations correlated strongly with the age and size of perch. The need for age correction in studies on the Hg concentrations on perch was noticed. The highest concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn occured in kidney and those of Al and Fe in liver.     

Integrated Nutrient Management Affects Fruit Yield of Sapota (Achras zapota L.) and Nutrient Availability in a Vertisol

ABSTRACT

We studied the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) combinations on supplement of plant nutrient for quantitative and qualitative fruit production in sapota. Thus, 17 combinations of INM practices were evaluated on fruit yield of sapota and nutrient availability in a Vertisol of Chambal region, India. The results demonstrated that almost all treatment combinations comprised of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), i.e. 1,000:500:500 g NPK plant^?1 with application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients had a significant effect on the fruit yield of sapota, soil microbial biomass, NPK content of leaf, fruit and soil over control (T₁). Among different treatments, application of 2/3rd part of RDF + 50 kg FYM + 250 g Azospirillum + 250 g Azotobacter plant^?1 (T₁₁) significantly enhanced the number of fruits plant^?1 (327.88), yield plant^?1 (29.03 kg) and yield ha^?1 (4.52 t). However, the soil microbial count of fungi (8.89 cfu g^?1 soil), bacteria (11.19 cfu g^?1 soil) and actinomycetes (5.60 cfu g^?1 soil) at fruit harvest was higher under the 2/3 of RDF +10 kg vermicompost + 250 g Azospirillum + 250 g Azotobacter plant^?1 (T₁₅). The leaf nitrogen content (N, 2.03%) was higher in T_15, while phosphorus (P, 0.28%) and potassium (K, 1.80%) content were higher in T₁₁. It is evident that treatment T₁₁ increased fruit yield by 32% in Sapota cv. Kalipatti compared to control. Therefore, combined application of nutrient sources proved not only beneficial for enhancing fruit yield of sapota but also sustaining soil health in Chambal region of south-eastern Rajasthan.     

Regrowth in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.)

Regrowth after cutting at four development stages, from heading to grain maturity, was investigated in a pot experiment containing three rye and four barley varieties. Regrowth in the barley varieties decreased strongly from heading to grain maturity. Rye generally showed stronger regrowth than barley after late cutting, but only the perennial variety ‘Soperta’ regenerated as many tillers at cutting as formed when harvested at the ripe grain stage. In both species, significant differences were found between varieties. The level of soluble carbohydrates reached a maximum between heading and maturity, but differences in regrowth could not be explained by such differences. Total N decreased from heading to maturity, except for perennial rye, where an increase was observed towards ripening. It is, however, uncertain whether this was an effect rather than a cause of the regrowth.     

Evaluation of the Distribution of Mercury in Lakes in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (Canada)

Distribution and sources of total mercury were evaluated in sixty lakes in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The concentration of total mercury in the lake water samples was similar to those observed in other natural water systems. Mercury concentration in the lakes correlated positively with aluminum, total organic carbon, color, iron, and total nitrogens and inversely with pH and sulfate. The lake water quality parameters were placed in three distinct groups using principal component and cluster analyses. The chemical constituents in the groups were identified as being associated with lake watershed geology, atmospheric washouts of long range transported acidic pollutants and dust particles, and a marine source. Stepwise multiple regression applied to the variables in the same principal component and strongly correlating with mercury identified total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, aluminum and iron as the best predictors for total mercury concentrations in the study lakes.     

Composition and thermal stability of anthocyanins from chinese purple corn ( Zea mays L.)

Chinese purple corn extracts ( Zea mays L., Zhuozhou, Hebei, China) (EZPC) were selected among five Chinese purple corn hybrids due to their higher anthocyanin content, and their thermal stability was evaluated. The total anthocyanin content and total phenolic content of EZPC were 304.5 +/- 16.32 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside equiv/100 g of dry seeds and 489.8 +/- 24.90 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of dry seeds, respectively. Moreover, the individual anthocyanins of EZPC were determined by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS analysis. Seven main compounds were determined, including cyanidin-3-(malonylglucoside), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-2-malonylglucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-(malonylglucoside), pelargonidin-3-(6'-malonylglucoside), and peonidin-3-(dimalonylglucoside). The thermal stability of EZPC was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the conversion of EZPC followed an Arrhenius relationship, where the delta enthalpy (H) and activation energy (E(a)) were 97.0 J/g and 204 +/- 2.72 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the relationships between the degree of conversion of EZPC and time or temperature were reported. This study demonstrated that the evaluated Chinese purple corn hybrids are a natural source of anthocyanins and are stable over a wide range of temperatures and times.     

Composition and some biological activities of the essential oil of Callicarpa americana (L.)

The essential oil profile of Callicarpa americana was examined. Samples were collected from Lafayette county in north central Mississippi, and GC-MS data and retention indices were used to identify 67 oil components. Humulene epoxide II (13.9%), alpha-humulene (10.0%), 7-epi-alpha-eudesmol (9.4%), beta-pinene (8.8%), and 1-octen-3-ol (8.5%) were the major components of the steam-distilled oil. The oil was selectively toxic toward the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria perornata compared to Oscillatoria agardhii and the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum, with complete growth inhibition at 28.5 microgram/mL. The oil was only mildly phytotoxic and antifungal.     

Mercury Cycling in Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder,Tasmania (Australia). II: Catchment Processes

The sources and concentrations of total mercury (total Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in the upper catchment of the Lake Gordon/Lake Pedder system in Tasmania, Australia were investigated. The catchment area, which contains over 50% wetlands, is located in a temperate region with no obvious point sources of mercury. Surface waters in the region had concentrations of total Hg ranging from 1.2 to 14.4 ng L^-1 and MeHg from < 0.04 to 1.4 ng L^-1. MeHg concentrations were seasonally dependent, with the highest concentrations occurring in summer. Sediments/soils in the catchment had concentrations of total Hg ranging from 4.0 to 194 ng g^-1 and MeHg from <0.02 to 20.1 ng g^-1. The low concentrations of total Hg confirmed that this region is pristine as regards mercury and has no geological enrichment of total Hg. The highest total Hg and MeHg concentrations in both sediment/soils and waters were found in bogs whereas the lowest concentrations typically occurred on the wetlandplains. MeHg concentrations, in bog and swamp sediments were correlatedwith the organic matter content (r = 0.942, P < 0.001). Acid volatile sulfide (AVS) measurements indicate that in most sediments AVS was greater than total Hg. Given the high reactivity of inorganic mercury and sulfide, this suggests that most of the particulate mercury in sediments is present as mercuric sulfide. The yield of MeHg from the catchment was estimated to be 3.2 mg ha^-1 yr^-1 and is higher than published rates measured in non-contaminated temperate catchments in the northern hemisphere. The higher yield was attributed to the generally warmer climatic conditions that favour net methylation and the relatively high rainfall (2–3 m yr^-1) of the region, which supplies reactive inorganic mercury to the active zones ofmercury methylation and also flushes MeHg from the catchment.     

整地时期对东北雨养区土壤含水量及玉米产量的影响

以东北雨养区春玉米农田为研究对象,分析春季和秋季2个整地时期对农田土壤含水量、土壤物理性状、土壤养分含量以及玉米产量等的影响。结果表明:秋整地可显著提高玉米产量,与春整地相比增产8.7%(P<0.05)。秋整地处理下土壤水分状况得到显著改善,播种前和苗期耕层土壤(0-20cm)含水量分别比春整地高18.9%和5.6%。整地时期对种子层土壤(0-10cm)的物理特性影响不明显(P>0.05),但秋整地可显著改善10-40cm的根层土壤物理性状,其中土壤孔隙度比春整地平均提高10.0%,而土壤容重则比春整地平均下降11.6%。整地时期对0-40cm层次的土壤硬度和土壤养分含量影响不显著。可见,秋整地主要通过改善土壤物理蓄水性能和减少水分散失提高土壤水分含量,保证较高的成株率和成穗率,进而利于玉米高产稳产。     

Phenolics in Slovenian bilberries ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Phenolics from bilberries ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) sampled from seven different locations and highbush blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) from one location in Slovenia were analyzed. In samples of both species 15 anthocyanins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Their contents were expressed as cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents (C3GE); bilberries contained 1210.3 ± 111.5 mg C3GE/100 g fw and blueberries 212.4 ± 14.1 mg C3GE/100 g fw. Glycosides of delphinidin and cyanidin were predominant (488.5 vs 363.6 mg C3GE/100 g fw) in the bilberries and glycosides of malvidin (108.0 vs 100.8 mg C3GE/100 g fw) in the blueberries, whereas the contents of peonidin were lowest (74.5 vs 4.8 mg C3GE/100 g fw) in both berries. The contents of flavanols, flavonols, phenolic acids, and stilbenes were determined by LC-MS. For the first time, rutin was identified (bilberries, 0.2 ± 0.0 mg/100 g fw; blueberries, 3.1 ± 0.1 mg/100 g fw). Chlorogenic acid (as 3-caffeoylquinic acid) was the most abundant among the phenolic acids (23.1 ± 1.0 mg/100 g fw in bilberries and 70.0 ± 3.4 mg/100 g fw in blueberries). Statistical analysis shows that the content of 27 individual flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes can be used to identify the picking region of these Slovenian bilberries.     

Characteristics of Vegetable‐Based Twin‐Screw Extruded Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Diets Containing Fermented High‐Protein Soybean Meal and Graded Levels of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

A twin‐screw extrusion study was performed in replicated trials to produce vegetable‐based feeds for juvenile yellow perch. Two isocaloric (3.06 kcal/g) experimental diets were balanced to contain 20 and 40% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and a constant amount (20%) of fermented high‐protein soybean meal (PepSoyGen) as the fishmeal protein replacers; crude protein content was targeted at 40%. A fishmeal‐based diet was used as a control. Extrusion conditions included conditioner steam (0.11–0.16 kg/min), extruder water (0.11–0.19 kg/min), and screw speed (230–300 rpm). Increasing DDGS from 0 to 40% led to a considerable rise in bulk density, lightness L*), yellowness (b*), and unit density but to decreases in water activity (a_w) and expansion ratio by 12.6, 14.4, 23, 21, 31, and 13%, respectively. The lowest unit density of 791.6 kg/m³ and highest bulk density of 654.5 kg/m³ were achieved with diets containing 20 and 40% DDGS, respectively; changes in DDGS content did not affect extrudate moisture, absorption index, or thermal properties. Raising DDGS from 0 to 40% resulted in an increase in water solubility and redness (a*) by 13.4 and 35%, respectively. All extrudates had high durability (>98%), and low a_w of less than 0.5. Overall, this study yielded viable feeds for yellow perch.