DDT in northern pike (Esox lucius) from the Richelieu River, Québec, Canada, 1974-75

Concentrations of DDT, TDE, DDE, and sigma DDT were determined in homogenized whole fish samples of 129 northern pike (Esox lucius). These fish were netted between June 1974 and June 1975 in the first 10 km of the Richelieu River flowing in Canadian territory. Two years after the banning of DDT, sigma DDT levels ranged from 0.2 ppm fresh body weight in two-year-old specimens to 1.5 ppm in a six-year-old pike. Residues increased greatly with age, and significant seasonal variations in the sigma DDT levels were found in five- and six-year-old pike.     

Sources of parathion exposures for Israeli aerial spray workers, 1977

Exposure of Israeli agricultural spray pilots and ground crews to parathion was studied. Measurements were made with personal samplers contianing wet midget impingers; samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. Cockpit air exposure levels during 11-21-minute sampling periods for 12 flights ranged from nearly 0 to 430 microgram/m3. During sampling periods of 30 minutes to 4 hours the threshold limit value (TLV) of 100 microgram/m3 was exceeded in 2 of 19 instances. In seven measurements of ground crew exposures, TLV was not exceeded. Air washing with parathion resulted in airborne contamination of the ground level area at more than three times the TLV. Skin exposure data suggested that this route of exposure was significant for ground crew workers but not for pilots. Calculations based on the present data and standard absorption formula suggested that total daily intake for ground crew, but not for pilots, exceeded the Accepted Daily Intake (ADI) of 5 microgram/kg body weight. Sources of exposure and contamination for ground crew and pilots were identified. Recommended environmental control measures for parathion exposure should include cockpit air filtration, modification in flight patterns, paving landing areas, installation of hosing and drainage, NaOH neutralization point, and separate loading and unloading sites. Personal control measures were suggested as a supplement.     

苹毒蛾核多角体病毒观察初报

苹毒蛾病毒是典型的核型多角体病毒结构,对苹毒蛾幼虫有较强的致死能力,对于开展苹毒蛾的生物防治有一定意义;在病毒分类上根据形态鉴别,可能属于杆状病毒属(Baculovirus)亚组(A)的一个种。     

Spectral analysis of zooplankton spatial heterogeneity

Continuous estimates were obtained of zooplankton abundance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and water temperature along 10-to 100-kilometer transects of the North Sea. Spectral analysis methods were applied to the data. The "patchiness" of the plankton was distributed over all the length scales resolved with no indication of a characteristic patch size. The relative intensity of the zooplankton patchiness was greater than that of the phytoplankton at all spatial scales, with this difference becoming progressively greater for finer-scale features. In the North Sea data, the concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton consistently showed negative spatial correlations.     

Semiconductor alternating-current motor drives and energy conservation

The concentration of electrical energy usage in alternating-current motor drives presents an opportunity for substantial conservation. Emerging advances in power semiconductor transistor systems will support a major commerical effort to this end. An alternating-current synthesizer for this purpose may soon be available. The synthesizer produces electricial power of variable and programmable frequency, voltage, and wave form so that performance can be optimized. This technology provides the additional opportunity for fundamental improvements in electrical distribution and usage systems in the longer term. Power processing with semiconductor a-c motor controls is expected to become widespread in the near future.     

Nitrogen-fixing anabaena: physiological adaptations instrumental in maintaining surface blooms

Both laboratory and in situ studies indicate that the nitrogen-fixing blue-green nuisance algae Anabaena spp. have developed adaptive means of dominating surface lake waters. During the dramatic diurnal shifts in surface light intensity and oxygen saturation accompanying blooms, Anabaena can overcome oxygen toxicity by sequential optimization of carbon dioxide and nitrogen fixation and by pigment alteration. These mechanisms allow optimal utilization of the radiant energy while minimizing competition for photoreductant between two main energy-demanding processes.