Release and mobility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and iron‐cyanide complexes in contaminated soil

Export of organic and inorganic pollutants from the unsaturated zone of manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites may endanger groundwater quality. The release and mobility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and iron‐cyanide complexes (FeCN) in soils from a former MGP site were studied in column and batch experiments. The unsaturated column experiment involved two parts. (1) The development of steady‐state effluent concentrations was studied under constant irrigation. (2) Rate‐limited contaminant release was studied by the system's response to flow interruption. Transport data were supplemented by a sequential batch‐desorption experiment. During constant irrigation the initial concentrations of total PAH and FeCN, but also the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were higher than the steady state level, indicating that a specific fraction of the DOC and the contaminants was readily mobilized. Cyanide reached a constant effluent concentration after seven pore volumes (pvs), whereas equilibration of effluent PAH took 20 pvs. After flow interruption, rate‐limited release of DOC, PAH, and FeCN was observed by increased effluent concentrations. Comparison of FeCN levels with theoretical equilibrium concentrations indicated that in addition to the dissolution of iron(II)ferrocyanide (Berlin Blue), Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃, other cyanide‐species may control the release and such the mobility of FeCN. This was confirmed by decreasing FeCN concentrations during sequential batch extractions. Due to rate‐limited release, seepage water concentrations of DOC, PAH, and FeCN in alkaline MGP soils are influenced by the flow regime. Experiments performed at continuous irrigation may therefore severely underestimate the release of PAH and FeCN under field conditions. The effect of DOC on the release and mobility of PAH and FeCN under transient conditions has to be further investigated.     

Effects of controlled drainage on N and P losses and N dynamics in a loamy sand with spring crops

The effects of controlled drainage on N and P losses from soil were examined in a 4-year field drainage experiment on a loamy sand in Southern Sweden. Of the three plots (0.2 ha each), one was drained by conventional subsurface drainage (CD), and two by controlled drainage (CWT1 and CWT2). The groundwater level in the CWT plots was naturally drained to at least 70 cm below the soil surface during the vegetation period between early spring and harvest but allowed to rise to 20 cm below the soil surface during the rest of the year. Measurements of precipitation, drain outflow, weir depths and air and soil temperatures were carried out hourly. Groundwater levels were measured and samples of drain outflow for analyses were collected twice a month. Mineral N contents in soil were measured three times a year and grain yields and N uptake in crops after harvest.     

南京城郊蔬菜基地土壤有效态铅、锌、铜和镉的空间分异及其驱动因子研究

利用地统计学和地理信息系统相结合的方法,从小尺度区域角度上研究了南京城郊土壤中铅(Pb)、锌(Zn)、铜(Cu)和镉(Cd)4 种重金属有效态含量的空间分布特征及其主要的影响因子。结果表明:(1) 研究区土壤中有效 Zn 变异程度相对较大,有效 Pb 的变异程度相对较小,而有效 Cu 和 Cd 为中等程度变异。(2) 研究区有效 Pb、Zn 含量空间分布具有中等程度的空间自相关性,而 Cu、Cd 空间分布具有强烈的空间自相关性;有效 Zn、Cd 的空间自相关尺度相对较大,而有效 Cu、Pb 相对较小。(3) 研究区土壤中有效 Pb 的空间分布主要受交通影响,交通量越大的道路附近土壤中有效 Pb 含量越高;有效 Zn 主要受城市生活废水的影响,城市生活污水灌溉和城市地表径流是土壤中有效 Zn 积累的主要原因;有效 Cu 主要与蔬菜种植过程中有机肥(主要是牛粪)施用关系密切,有机肥施用量越大,土壤中有效 Cu 含量越高;有效 Cd 受地形影响较大,地形低洼处土壤中有效 Cd 含量相对较高。     

Lipid oxidation in herring fillets (Clupea harengus) during ice storage measured by a commercial hybrid gas-sensor array system

Volatile compounds released from herring fillets (Clupea harengus) during 15 days of storage on ice have been measured with a commercial hybrid gas-sensor array system. Using partial least-squares regression modeling, the sensor responses were correlated with data from chemical analyses (lipid oxidation products and antioxidants) and sensory analyses (odor). Eight of the 16 sensors proved significant in the correlation studies: 6 metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) sensors and 2 Taguchi type sensors. Correlation coefficients for chemical and sensory data ranged from 0.9 to 0.98 and from 0.49 to 0.92, respectively, with 0.92 referring to both "sharp/acrid" and "rancid" odors. Prediction errors ranged from 8 to 14% and from 11 to 25% for the chemical and sensory measures, respectively. That the prediction errors for oxidation product formation (5-9%) were close to the analytical errors of the chemical reference methods indicated close to "optimum" performance of the gas-sensor system. The sensor system predicted the storage time of the herring with a 1-day error. Results illustrate high potential of the gas-sensor technology in rapid nondestructive quality determination of ice-stored herring.     

Marine recreational fishing and the implications of climate change

Marine recreational fishing is popular globally and benefits coastal economies and people's well‐being. For some species, it represents a large component of fish landings. Climate change is anticipated to affect recreational fishing in many ways, creating opportunities and challenges. Rising temperatures or changes in storms and waves are expected to impact the availability of fish to recreational fishers, through changes in recruitment, growth and survival. Shifts in distribution are also expected, affecting the location that target species can be caught. Climate change also threatens the safety of fishing. Opportunities may be reduced owing to rougher conditions, and costs may be incurred if gear is lost or damaged in bad weather. However, not all effects are expected to be negative. Where weather conditions change favourably, participation rates could increase, and desirable species may become available in new areas. Drawing on examples from the UK and Australia, we synthesize existing knowledge to develop a conceptual model of climate‐driven factors that could impact marine recreational fisheries, in terms of operations, participation and motivation. We uncover the complex pathways of drivers that underpin the recreational sector. Climate changes may have global implications on the behaviour of recreational fishers and on catches and local economies.     

Quality of Filleted Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber Scombrus) During Chilled and Frozen Storage: Changes in Lipids,Vitamin D,Proteins, and Small Metabolites,including Biogenic Amines

Quality changes of vacuum-packed Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fillets during 12 months’ frozen storage at ?27°C and 9 days’ chilled storage at +4°C were evaluated. Freezing at ?27°C preserved the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs), both in light and dark muscle, vitamin D, and the low molecular weight metabolites (LMW) (studied by high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, HR NMR). Protein oxidation took place, especially between 1 and 7 months, decreasing water holding capacity and protein extractability. During chilled storage, no lipid or protein oxidation was observed, but lipolysis increased, and several LMW metabolites relevant for sensory and nutritional quality degraded into non-favorable compounds. The content of biogenic amines was high at day 9 (e.g., 18 mg histamine/100 g), jeopardizing safety. Preservation of mackerel fillets by freezing at ?27°C is thus a better option compared to prolonged chilled storage at +4°C; the quality was well preserved for 12 months’ frozen storage.     

Long photoperiod delayed spawning and increased somatic growth in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

The effects of extended photoperiods, mimicking the longest day of the year, were studied in 1- and 2-year seabream. The photoperiod regimes started in late July, 36 and 39 days after the summer solstice and continued for 11 months, well beyond the natural reproductive season of December–March. Regime 1 (long day, 15.5L:8.5D), which used natural and fluorescent light, reduced the incidence of maturity in both year classes and females did not spawn although some gonadal development was observed. Among all 1-year sampled fish of regime 1, a maximum of 5% became spermiating males (March) and 5% reached the yolk granule stage of vitellogenesis (VO3; 250–400 μm diameter) by May. Among 2-year sampled fish of regime 1, 45% became spermiating males and 25% were females, which reached the advanced vitellogenesis stage (VO4; 400–600 μm) by April. Regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod), consisting of natural light and a 1.5-h pulse of fluorescent light during the period 14–15.5 h after sunrise, postponed gonadal development and spawning for up to 3 months. In this regime, a maximum of 80% of 1-year sampled fish were spermiating males in February and a maximum of 10% were VO3 stage females in March. In the sampled 2-year fish, the maximum levels were 50% spermiating males in February and 25% VO3 stage females in March. Control fish, which were exposed to the natural photoperiod (29°34′N), spawned during their natural season. The maximum levels for 1-year sampled control fish were 95% spermiating males and no females in December, while among 2-year sampled fish, maxima of 75% males in February and 45% VO4 stage females in November. Final average weights of photoperiod treated fish (1-year=430 g—regime 1, 400 g—regime 2; 2-year=582 g—regime 1, 518 g—regime 2) were significantly greater (p<0.05) than control fish (1-year=341 g; 2-year=476 g). Daily feed consumption (g/100 g fish) dropped from an average of 1.83 to 0.93 g for 1-year fish during August–December and from 0.88 to 0.54 g for 2-year fish during the same period. This was correlated with reduced autumn and winter water temperatures (26–20°C summer to winter change) and increased fish weight in all treatments. Daily feed consumption was also affected by the onset of spawning in the control and regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod) treatments of both 1- and 2-year fish. The efficiency of feed utilization (FCR) and protein and energy retention were all affected by the photoperiod regimes and followed the same pattern of decrease as weight gain, regime 1 (long day)>regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod)>control.     

Robustness scores in fattening pigs based on routinely collected phenotypes: determination and genetic parameters

The objective was to determine operational proxies for robustness based on data collected routinely on farm that allow phenotyping of these traits in fattening pigs, and to estimate their genetic parameters. A total of 7,256 pigs, from two Piétrain paternal lines (Pie and Pie NN), were tested at the AXIOM boar testing station (Azay-sur-Indre, France) from 2019 to 2021. During the fattening period (from 75 to 150 d of age), individual performance indicators were recorded (growth, backfat, loin depth, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio [FCR]) together with indicators such as insufficient growth, observable defect, symptoms of diseases, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory injections. These indicators were combined into three categorical robustness scores: R1, R2, and R3. Genetic parameters were estimated using an animal linear model. The robustness score R2 (selectable or not selectable animal) that combined information from status at testing and mortality had the highest heritability estimates of 0.08 ± 0.03 for Pie NN line and a value of 0.09 ± 0.02 for Pie line, compared with traits R1 and R3. The score R3 that combines information from the score R2 with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory injections presented slightly lower heritability estimates (0.05 ± 0.02 to 0.07 ± 0.03). Genetic correlations between R2 and R3 were high and favorable (0.93 ± 0.04 to 0.95 ± 0.03) and R2 and R3 can be considered identical with regard to the confidence interval. These two robustness scores were also highly and favorably genetically correlated with initial body weight and average daily gain, and unfavorably correlated with daily feed intake (ranging from 0.73 ± 0.06 to 0.90 ± 0.08). Estimates of genetic correlations of R2 and R3 with backfat depth and raw FCR (not standardized between starting and finishing weights) were moderate and unfavorable (0.20 ± 0.13 to 0.46 ± 0.20). A part of these genetic correlations, that are of low precision due to the number of data available, have to be confirmed on larger datasets. The results showed the interest of using routine phenotypes collected on farm to build simple robustness indicators that can be applied in breeding.     

Computed tomographic features of the normal canine thyroid gland.

The computed tomographic (CT) features of the normal thyroid gland were compiled from images acquired in 25 client-owned dogs without thyroid gland disease. The mean pre- and postcontrast attenuation values were 107.5 and 169.0 Hounsfield Units, respectively. After injection of intravenous contrast medium (600 mg iodine/kg), the apparent thyroid gland volume (both lobes combined) increased from a mean value of 1148.0 nm3 to a mean value of 1188.9 mm3. All thyroid lobes were homogeneous on pre- and postcontrast images. In a craniocaudal direction, the gland spanned a region from the 1st to the 8th tracheal ring and the right lobe was often more cranial than the left. On transverse images the lobe shape was ovoid in 72%, and its location was dorsolateral to the trachea in 90% of dogs. Parathyroid glands could not be identified and an isthmus connecting both thyroid lobes was only seen in one dog. Considering the excellent visibility of the normal canine thyroid gland, CT can be beneficial in the differentiation of thyroidal versus nonthyroidal neck masses. CT also yields potential in the staging of thyroid carcinomas.