Changes in collembolan species composition in Eastern German mine sites over fifty years of primary succession

Brown-coal opencast mining provides a virgin soil substratum at a scale of square kilometres that is open to primary succession. Focusing on this process, we investigated changes in collembolan species composition in a long-term study that lasted almost 40 years (1960–1998) at mine sites, afforested with deciduous trees. The geological overburden, which characterises the soil quality, consisted mainly of Pleistocene and Tertiary sands, interspersed with lignite and dark Tertiary loam and clay.

According to their appearance during the primary succession, we established eight colonising groups, representing 90 of 113 species found. Results from soil samples as well as from pitfall traps were taken into account for the definition of the groups. Thus, edaphic and epedaphic life forms were equally regarded. Generally, “initial”, “pioneer” and “woodland” groups were discernible.

Largest changes in species composition occurred during the first ten years, as indicated by decreasing species turnover rates and increasing alpha diversity. A comparison with other (essentially shorter) studies on Collembola of mine sites (12 in Europe, 3 in other parts of the world) showed that some pioneer species are cosmopolitan whilst others seem to be regionally specific. Important events in the ecosystem development of mine sites, as indicated by the collembolan community, are the first occurrence of other humiphagous soil animal groups, especially that of earthworms, followed by a disappearance of the ectohumus layer. The similarity between collembolan communities of mine sites and of adjacent native woodlands is greatest ten years after afforestation. Fifty years after afforestation, the collembolan community still differed markedly from that of native stands. Thus, a gradual development of the mine site collembolan communities to a comparable native woodland community is not evident from the data.     

Einige Gedanken zuVavilovs Gesetz der homologen Reihen und zu den Ursachen homologer genetischer Variationen aus wissenschaftstheoretischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Es wird die nach wie vor bestehende Gültigkeit des Gesetzes der homologen Reihen anhand von Ergebnissen der Zoologie und der konventionellen Pflanzenzüchtung dargestellt. Der Stand der Diskussionen über die Ursachen homologer Mutationen wird erörtert. Es wird der innere sachliche Zusammenhang des Gesetzes der homologen Reihen mit der Theorie der Gen- oder Mannigfaltigkeitszentren deutlich gemacht und Gültigkeit und Grenzen des Gesetzes der homologen Reihen im Lichte der sich abzeichnenden Ergebnisse und Aussichten der Gentechnologie diskutiert. Die erkenntnistheoretische Bedeutung des Gesetzes der homologen Reihen für Genetik und Züchtung wird mehrfach sichtbar gemacht.Im Unterschied zuVavilovs Genzentrentheorie, die in den letzten Jahren wiederholt kontrovers und kritisch diskutiert worden ist (Harlan 1971,Lehmann 1984), findet das vonVavilov im Juni 1920 auf dem III. Allrussischen Kongreß der Züchter erstmals formulierte und 1922 erstmals publizierte Gesetz der homologen Reihen (law of homologous series in variation) (Vavilov 1922) bis in die jüngste Zeit im großen und ganzen ungeteilte Zustimmung. Die Züchtung hat auf seiner Grundlage immer wieder erfolgreich gearbeitet, was die Gültigkeit der vonVavilov erkannten allgemeinen gesetzmäßigen Zusammenhänge bestätigt. AlsVavilov im Juni 1920 in Saratov das Gesetz der homologen Reihen erstmals öffentlich vortrug, wurde er enthusiastisch alsMendelejev der Biologie bezeichnet (Wessel 1986). Und in der Tat ermöglichte das Gesetz ähnlich dem Periodensystem der chemischen Elemente auf Grund bekannter Zusammenhänge die Voraussage der Existenz noch unbekannter Formen, die dann tatsächlich gefunden wurden. Der seinerzeit aufsehenerregende Erfolg der vonBaur auf der Grundlage des Gesetzes der homologen Reihen und auf der Grundlage derAntirrhinum-Forschung initiierten Süßlupinenzüchtung brachteVavilovs Gesetz allgemeine Anerkennung. Bekannt ist die Gültigkeit des Gesetzes nicht nur für Leguminosen, sondern auch für Gramineen und Cruciferen. Neben morphologischen Merkmalen gibt es homologe Wiederholungen auch bei physiologischen Merkmalen wie Variabilität, Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen niedere Temperaturen und Krankheiten, Länge der Vegetationszeit, photoperiodisches Reaktionsvermögen, Gehalt an primären Pflanzenstoffen (Kohlenhydrate, Eiweiße, Fette) und an sekundären Pflanzeninhaltsstoffen (Alkaloide, Glycoside, Gerbstoffe).

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Vavilov's law of homologous series and the causes of homologous genetic variations — theoretical aspects

Summary The continuous validity of the law of homologous series is proved by the results of zoology and conventional plant breeding. An outline is given of the present state of discussion on the causes of homologous mutations. The relationship between the law of homologous series and the theory of gene centres (theory of genetic diversity) is shown. Validity and limits of the law of homologous series are discussed in the light of results and prospects of modern genetic engineering. The theoretical significance of the law of homologous series for genetics and plant breeding is illustrated by several examples.

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Mycotoxic nephropathy

Mycotoxic nephropathy is a renal disorder caused by ingestion of secondary fungal metabolites (mycotoxins), possessing nephrotoxic properties. Ochratoxin A is a major disease determinant, but other determinants exist, predominatly fromPenicillium species. The disease is characterized morphologically by degenerative changes of the renal tubules and functionally by impairment of tubular activity. Spontaneous cases have been encountered in pigs and poultry. Plant products, in particular cereals, are primarily contaminated with ochratoxin A, but carry-over into pork and poultry meat has been observed. Thus consumers are likely to be exposed to ochratoxin A, and the implication in human health is discussed.

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Kurzfassung Mykotoxische Nephropathie ist eine Nierenkrankheit verursacht durch alimentäre Aufnahme von sekundären Pilzmetaboliten (Mykotoxinen), die nephrotoxische Eigenschaften besitzen. Ochratoxin A ist eine wesentliche Krankheitsdeterminante, aber es gibt auch andere, besonders von denPenicillium-Gattungen verursachte. Die Krankheit ist morphologisch charakterisiert durch die degenerative Veränderungen der Tubuli renales, und funktionell durch eine Störung der tubulären Aktivität. Spontan vorkommende Fälle sind bei Schweine und Geflügel beobachtet worden. Pflanzliche Produkte, v.a. Getreide, sind primär mit Ochratoxin A kontaminiert, aber auch Transmission nach Schweine- und Geflügelfleisch kommt vor. Konsumenten sind deshalb ebenfalls durch Ochratoxin A gefährdet, und die Konsequenzen davon in Bezug auf die menschliche Gesundheit wird diskutiert.

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Resume Le néphropathie mycotoxique est un désordre rénal causé par l'ingestion de métabolites fongiques secondaires (mycotoxines), ayant des propriétés mycotoxiques. L'ochratoxine A est une cause majeure de la maladie, mais d'autres causes existent, essentiellement à partie d'espèces dePenicillium. La maladie est caractérisée sur le plan morphologique par des modifications dégénératives des tubules rénaux et sur le plan fonctionnel par une altération de l'activité tubulaire. Des cas spontanés ont été rencontrés chez les poros et les volailles. Les produits végétaux, en particulier des céréales, sont en premier lieu contaminés par l'ochratoxine A, mais la contamination de la viande de porc et de volaille a été également observée. Ainsi les consommateurs sont vraisemblablement exposés à être contaminés par l'ochratoxine A; les conséquences pour la santé humaine en sont discutées.

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Riassunto La nefropatia micotossica è una turbe renale causata dall'assunzione di metaboliti funginei secondari (micotossine), avendo propriétà micotossiche. L'ocratossina A è una determinante per la malattia, ma ne esistono altre, in particolare le specie diPenicillium. La malattia è caratterizzata sul piano morfologico da modificazioni degenerative dei tubuli renali e sul piano funzionale dall'alterazione dell'attività tubulare. Si sono riscontrati dei casi spontanei (acuti) nei maiali e nei volatili. Una contaminazione primaria da ocratossina A si osserva nei prodotti vegetali, in particolare nei cereali, ma è dato riscontrare un transfert anche nelle carni di suini e di volatili. Quindi i consumatori sono suscettibili di essere esposti alla contaminazione da ocratossina A. Vengono discusse le conseguenze per la salute umana.

     

Platelet-derived serotonin mediates liver regeneration

The liver can regenerate its volume after major tissue loss. In a mouse model of liver regeneration, thrombocytopenia, or impaired platelet activity resulted in the failure to initiate cellular proliferation in the liver. Platelets are major carriers of serotonin in the blood. In thrombocytopenic mice, a serotonin agonist reconstituted liver proliferation. The expression of 5-HT2A and 2B subtype serotonin receptors in the liver increased after hepatectomy. Antagonists of 5-HT2A and 2B receptors inhibited liver regeneration. Liver regeneration was also blunted in mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of peripheral serotonin. This failure of regeneration was rescued by reloading serotonin-free platelets with a serotonin precursor molecule. These results suggest that platelet-derived serotonin is involved in the initiation of liver regeneration.     

Application of an Air Ionization Device Using an Atmospheric Pressure Corona Discharge Process for Water Purification

Pesticides presently being discharged into the aquatic environment are not only toxic but also only partially biodegradable, they are not easily removed by conventional water treatment plants. Air ionization devices using an atmospheric pressure corona discharge process show great promise in improving degradation of chemical and biological contaminants in water purification plants. In order to assess the effectiveness of this air ionization apparatus, laboratory scale degradation experiments were carried out systematically in a bubble column reactor containing a variety of pesticides such as triazines, carbamates, phenyl urea derivates and chlorophenols relative to the addition of humic acid and inorganic chemicals as well as to pH variation. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased with air ionization treatment and the rate of the biological oxygen demand related to this (BOD/COD) showed improved pesticide biodegradability. Changes in water toxicity were monitored by Daphnia- and Luminescence Bacteria tests. This novel water treatment process is shown to be a potent oxidation technique for persistent organic pollutants such as pesticides.     

Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes in a Peat Profile Are Influenced by Early Stage Diagenesis and Changes in Atmospheric CO2 and N Deposition

In this study, we test whether the δ(13)C and δ(15)N in a peat profile are, respectively, linked to the recent dilution of atmospheric δ(13)CO(2) caused by increased fossil fuel combustion and changes in atmospheric δ(15)N deposition. We analysed bulk peat and Sphagnum fuscum branch C and N concentrations and bulk peat, S. fuscum branch and Andromeda polifolia leaf δ(13)C and δ(15)N from a 30-cm hummock-like peat profile from an Aapa mire in northern Finland. Statistically significant correlations were found between the dilution of atmospheric δ(13)CO(2) and bulk peat δ(13)C, as well as between historically increasing wet N deposition and bulk peat δ(15)N. However, these correlations may be affected by early stage kinetic fractionation during decomposition and possibly other processes. We conclude that bulk peat stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios may reflect the dilution of atmospheric δ(13)CO(2) and the changes in δ(15)N deposition, but probably also reflect the effects of early stage kinetic fractionation during diagenesis. This needs to be taken into account when interpreting palaeodata. There is a need for further studies of δ(15)N profiles in sufficiently old dated cores from sites with different rates of decomposition: These would facilitate more reliable separation of depositional δ(15)N from patterns caused by other processes. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11270-011-1001-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Decentralised water and wastewater treatment technologies to produce functional water for irrigation

The EU project SAFIR aimed to help farmers solve problems related to the use of low quality water for irrigation in a context of increasing scarcity of conventional freshwater resources. New decentralised water treatment devices (prototypes) were developed to allow a safe direct or indirect reuse of wastewater produced by small communities/industries or the use of polluted surface water. Water treatment technologies were coupled with irrigation strategies and technologies to obtain a flexible, easy to use, integrated management of the system. The challenge is to apply new strategies and technologies which allow using the lowest irrigation water quality without harming food safety or yield and fruit or derivatives quality. This study presents the results of prototype testing of a small-scale compact pressurized membrane bioreactor and of a modular field treatment system including commercial gravel filters and heavy-metal specific adsorption materials. Decentralised compact pressurised membrane biobooster (MBR), was able to remove up to 99.99% of the inlet Escherichia coli and 98.52% of total coliforms. E. coli was completely removed from irrigation water in 53% of the samples by the last MBR prototype version. In 2008, 100% of samples fulfilled WHO standards (1989) and Global Gap requirement for faecal contamination. MBR removed from inlet flow in the average 82% of arsenic, 82% of cadmium, 97% of chromium, 93% of copper and 99% of lead. Boron and manganese were not removed from permeate. The field treatment system (FTS) proved to be effective against faecal contamination when applied with its complete set up including UV treatment. The sole gravel filter and heavy metal removal device (HMR) cannot provide sufficient and steadily treatment for microbial contamination. Nevertheless, gravel filter can remove up to 60% of E. coli but the removal process was not stable nor predictable. FTS removed 76% of arsenic, 80% of cadmium and copper, 88% of chromium and lead, and up to 97% of zinc. Like the MBR, boron and manganese were not removed from the irrigation water. Gravel filter directly fed with secondary treated wastewater was found able to remove 41% of arsenic, 36% of cadmium and lead, 48% of chromium and 46% of copper. The residual heavy metals concentration after the gravel filter was further reduced by the HMR: 35% for arsenic, 22% for cadmium, 25% for chromium, 33% for copper and 53% for lead.