Elemental Speciation and Distribution in Sediments of a Eutrophied Subtropical Freshwater Reservoir Using Postextraction Normalisation

The speciation and distribution of trace and major elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn) in the sediments of Emigrant Creek Dam (ECD), New South Wales Australia were investigated using sequential extraction, postextraction normalisation and spatial mapping to indicate source and dispersion patterns. Subsurface coring provided an estimate of elemental enrichment and showed that As 1.9?>?P 1.7?>?N 1.5????Cd 1.5?>?Mn 1.3 were enriched. Moreover, a high proportion of the enriched elements (mean 57, 34, 47 and 87?% for As, P, Cd and Mn, respectively) were assessed as being bioavailable. Comparisons with ISQGs found that sediments from sites in proximity to Emigrant Creek inflows had the highest accumulations of metals and the greatest potential for causing biological harm. Spatially, contaminants accumulate in ECD sediments adjacent to anthropogenic sources including a cattle dip site, dredged sediment and macrophyte dump areas, and agricultural/residential runoff. Moreover, the integrated technique and postextraction normalisation allow assessment of texturally diverse and difficult sediments.     

Organic matter status and the size, activity and metabolic diversity of the soil microbial community in the row and inter-row of sugarcane under burning and trash retention

The concentrations of organic C, labile organic fractions and the size and activity of the microbial community were measured to a depth of 30 cm below the plant row and at distances of 30 and 60 cm into the inter-row area under sugarcane under pre-harvest burning or green cane harvesting with retention of a crop residue (trash) mulch. Total root mass was similar under burning and trashing but under trashing there was a redistribution of roots towards the surface 0-10 cm in the inter-row space as roots proliferated beneath the trash mulch. Soil organic C content decreased in response to both increasing distance from the plant row (to a depth of 20 cm) and burning rather than trashing (to a depth of 10 cm). Declines in K₂SO₄-extractable C, light fraction C, microbial biomass C, basal respiration and aggregate stability in response to distance and burning were much more marked than those for organic C and occurred to a depth of 30 cm. Bulk density was greater under burnt than trashed sugarcane and was greater in the inter-row than row, particularly under burning. Heterotrophic functional diversity (measured by analysis of catabolic response profiles to 36 substrates) was also investigated. Principal component analysis of response profiles demonstrated that soils below the row and those under trashing at 30 cm out from this row were separated from the other soils on PC1 and the sample from the inter-row centre (60 cm out) under burning was separated from the others on PC2. Catabolic evenness was least for the latter soil. It was concluded that soil in the inter-row of burnt sugarcane receives few inputs of organic matter and that conversion to green cane harvesting with retention of a trash mulch greatly improves the organic matter, microbial and physical status of the inter-row soil.     

Pharmacokinetics of a porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs

Ten dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus were injected with a highly purified porcine insulin zinc suspension at a dose according to their expected requirement. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were measured at two-hourly intervals over 24 hours following injection. There were either one or two peaks in plasma insulin concentration: one at about four hours (mean 4.3 21.3 [SD]) and another at about 11 hours (mean 11 pM1-85) after the injection. The second insulin peak was seen in only eight dogs. Persistence of elevated plasma insulin concentrations ranged from 14 to 24 hours (mean 17.4 pM 3.65). These results compare favourably with those published for other intermediate-acting insulin preparations used to treat canine diabetes mellitus and suggest that this preparation has useful properties for the successful management of many canine diabetics.     

A gene for hybrid necrosis in an inbred line of rye (Secale cereale L.)

Summary An inbred line of rye (Secale cereale L.) has been found to carry a gene for hybrid necrosis. This gene was detected in crosses with a highly crossable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotype which carries the gene Ne₂. This appears to be the first report of a gene for hybrid necrosis being present in the rye genome.     

Evidence for 115 kilometers of right slip on the san gregorio-hosgri fault trend

The San Gregorio-Hosgri fault trend is a component of the San Andreas fault system on which there may have been about 115 kilometers of post-early Miocene right-lateral strike slip. If so, right slip on the San Andreas and San Gregorio-Hosgri faults accounts for most of the movement between the Pacific and North American plates since mid-Miocene time. Furthermore, the magnitude of right slip on a Paleogene proto-San Andreas fault inferred from the present distribution of granitic basement is reduced considerably when Neogene-Recent San Gregorio-Hosgri right slip is taken into account.     

Response of hydroponic tomato to daily applications of aqueous ozone via drip irrigation

Recycling of greenhouse irrigation water in hydroponic tomato production requires a water remediation process to reduce the risk of pathogen proliferation and the accumulation of other chemical compounds. The dissolution of ozone into bulk irrigation solutions is an effective technology for reducing chemical contaminant and pathogen levels in greenhouse irrigation water. Greenhouse managers utilizing ozonation typically remove residual ozone prior to distribution to the crop. Removal of the active compound in this treatment process has been deemed a prudent measure intended to prevent ozone-based plant damage. This said, although atmospheric ozone has been extensively studied with respect to its phytotoxicity, there are very few studies available on ozone in the aqueous phase in which evidence to support the removal of ozone (on the basis of phytotoxicity) is provided. Furthermore, removal limits the overall efficacy of the treatment as the ozone is not available to treat distribution lines and emitters. The purpose of this study was to determine if aqueous ozone impacts tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Matrix F1) productivity when applied directly to a mineral wool growth substrate via drip irrigation. At the highest aqueous ozone treatment level (3.0 mg L⁻¹) significant increases in leaf area, shoot dry matter, and stem thickness were observed. There were no differences across all treatments in terms of net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, internal leaf CO₂ concentration, chlorophyll content index, and fruit production. A qualitative assessment of algae growth on the substrate surface was conducted. Both ozone treatments resulted in a visually discernible reduction in algae prevalence on the substrate surface. The results of this study do not support the removal of aqueous ozone (at the concentrations examined) prior to distribution when the solution is applied via drip irrigation in mineral wool hydroponic tomato production.