Are Nitric Acid (HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>) Digestions Efficient in Isolating Microplastics from Juvenile Fish?

A standard method for the detection and isolation of microplastics is required to adequately investigate plastic ingestion by juvenile fish. Dissections of juvenile fish guts require precise handling, which can affect the processing time if sample numbers are high. To investigate the efficacy of nitric acid (HNO₃) in aiding the isolation of microplastics using whole fish, we digested juvenile glassfish, Ambassis dussumieri (Cuvier, 1828), at room temperature and at 80 °C. For a complete digestion, overnight incubation in 10 mL of 55% analytical-reagent (AR) HNO₃ was sufficient for a whole fish of 1 g at room temperature. When coupled with elevated temperature, the digestion time is shortened to a few minutes and larger fish of 3 g can be digested in 30 min. Four of the five types of plastic survived the process, with nylon being the exception. This is a shortfall to the method; however, until a better method replaces it, we still value the use of HNO₃ for its simple, inexpensive, swift and complete digestions of whole fish. Four fish species from two feeding guilds were digested using this method to validate its use. The number of plastic particles ingested did not differ between benthic and pelagic species and microplastic fibres comprised the majority of the plastic types found.     

Vole abundance and reindeer carcasses determine breeding activity of Arctic foxes in low Arctic Yamal,Russia

Background

High latitude ecosystems are at present changing rapidly under the influence of climate warming, and specialized Arctic species at the southern margin of the Arctic may be particularly affected. The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), a small mammalian predator endemic to northern tundra areas, is able to exploit different resources in the context of varying tundra ecosystems. Although generally widespread, it is critically endangered in subarctic Fennoscandia, where a fading out of the characteristic lemming cycles and competition with abundant red foxes have been identified as main threats. We studied an Arctic fox population at the Erkuta Tundra Monitoring site in low Arctic Yamal (Russia) during 10 years in order to determine which resources support the breeding activity in this population. In the study area, lemmings have been rare during the last 15 years and red foxes are nearly absent, creating an interesting contrast to the situation in Fennoscandia.

Results

Arctic fox was breeding in nine of the 10 years of the study. The number of active dens was on average 2.6 (range 0–6) per 100 km² and increased with small rodent abundance. It was also higher after winters with many reindeer carcasses, which occurred when mortality was unusually high due to icy pastures following rain-on-snow events. Average litter size was 5.2 (SD = 2.1). Scat dissection suggested that small rodents (mostly Microtus spp.) were the most important prey category. Prey remains observed at dens show that birds, notably waterfowl, were also an important resource in summer.

Conclusions

The Arctic fox in southern Yamal, which is part of a species-rich low Arctic food web, seems at present able to cope with a state shift of the small rodent community from high amplitude cyclicity with lemming dominated peaks, to a vole community with low amplitude fluctuations. The estimated breeding parameters characterized the population as intermediate between the lemming fox and the coastal fox ecotype. Only continued ecosystem-based monitoring will reveal their fate in a changing tundra ecosystem.

     

Evaluation of Magnetic Coagulant (α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MO) and its Reuse in Textile Wastewater Treatment

The textile industries are characterized as one of the biggest consumers of potable water and chemical products throughout its process, being responsible for the elevated wastewater generation with intense coloration and wide polluting potential. In this context, the present study proposes the development and application of a new coagulant material for textile wastewater treatment. The proposed coagulant (α-Fe₂O₃-MO) was composed by hematite nanoparticles (α-Fe₂O₃) obtained by a simple non-pollutant methodology, associated with Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds saline extract compounds. Coagulation/flocculation (CF) efficiency was evaluated by removal of physicochemical parameters such as apparent color, turbidity, and compounds with absorption at UV_254nm (UV_254nm) through CF tests carried out on Jar test equipment and sedimentation carried out in the presence and absence of external magnetic field (600 k Am^?1). Kinetics sedimentation was from 0 to 90 min. The use of this new coagulant allowed the removal of 92.37% for apparent color, 91.43% for turbidity, and 46.09% for UV_254nm, indicating that the proposed coagulant association was efficient in the treatment of this type of wastewater under external magnetic field with only 10 min of sedimentation. In addition, the resulting sludge from CF process was tested as base material for a new coagulant synthesis, demonstrating great reuse potential. Therefore, the new proposed coagulant, composed of α-Fe₂O₃ and the compounds present in the seed extract of MO, has applicability for textile wastewater treatment demonstrating high removal rate for all evaluated parameters with cost reduction in the proposed treatment for this wastewater.     

Plant species richness and diversity in urban and peri-urban gardens of Niamey,Niger

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) significantly contributes to food and nutritional security of urban dwellers in many African countries. Economic and demographic pressures often lead to transformation of subsistence-oriented traditional homegardens into commercial production units. Such transformation is claimed to result in decreasing plant diversity, particularly of local species. A study was therefore undertaken in 51 gardens of Niamey, Niger, to assess the factors determining plant diversity and the suitability of UPA for in situ conservation of plant genetic resources. In each garden, the number and abundance of all human-used plant species were determined, and species density, Shannon index and Shannon evenness were calculated. In the 51 surveyed gardens, a total of 116 plant species were cultivated, most of them for the production of fruits or vegetables. Annual vegetables dominated, particularly exotic species grown for sale. In the cold season, an average of 14 species were cultivated per garden, the Shannon index was 0.96 and evenness was 0.39. Commercial gardens had a species richness similar to that of subsistence gardens, but a lower evenness (P < 0.005), caused by the dominance of a few vegetable species. Gardens of immigrants had a lower Shannon index than those of members of the local Djerma ethnic group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed significant influence of various variables on plant species richness and diversity parameters: garden size (richness and Shannon index), ethnicity of the gardener (richness and evenness), gender of the gardener and cash-oriented production (evenness), household size (richness) and garden possession status (Shannon index). Cluster analysis revealed the existence of five garden types. The highest species richness and diversity, particularly of perennial and local species, was found in large, peri-urban, commercial gardens managed by relatively wealthy, elderly gardeners with large families and a regular non-agricultural income.     

Effects of dietary crude protein concentration during periods of feed restriction on performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle protein turnover in feedlot steers.

In Exp. 1, 36 individually penned steers (initial BW = 294 +/- 3.8 kg) were used to determine effects of dietary CP percentage and programming gain on performance and carcass characteristics. Steers were fed to achieve a predicted gain of 1.13 kg/d for the first 84 kg of gain and 1.36 kg/d for the next 124 kg of gain and were offered feed for ad libitum consumption for the final 58 kg of gain before slaughter. In these three phases of growth, steers were fed diets, sequentially, with the following CP percentages: HHH (16, 13.5, and 12.5%), LHH (9, 13.5, and 13%), or LLL (9, 9, and 9%). When predicted gain was 1.13 kg/d, ADG was greater (P < 0.01) for steers in the HHH (1.09 kg/d) vs LHH and LLL (0.83 kg/d) systems. When predicted gain was 1.36 kg/d, ADG and gain efficiency were greatest (P < 0.01) for steers in the LHH system. Overall ADG and gain efficiency were greater (P < 0.01) for steers in the HHH (1.46 kg/d, 0.194) and LHH systems (1.38 kg/d, 0.190), compared with steers in the LLL (1.21 kg/d and 0.166) system. Carcass fat thickness was lower for steers in the LHH (0.74 cm) system than for steers in the LLL system (1.09 cm). In Exp. 2, 18 individually penned steers (initial BW = 225 +/- 5.8 kg) were either offered a 13% CP diet for ad libitum intake (AL) throughout the 134-d experiment or fed a high- (16% CP; PI-HH) or low- (10% CP; PI-LH) CP diet and fed to achieve a predicted gain of 1.13 kg/d for the first 85 d of the experiment. Steers in the PI-HH and PI-LH feeding regimens were then offered a 13% CP diet for ad libitum consumption from d 86 to 134. Fractional protein accretion rate was greater (P < 0.01) for steers in the PI-HH and PI-LH feeding regimens than for steers in the AL regimen at d 92, 106, and 120. Fractional breakdown and synthesis rates were not affected (P = 0.63) by feeding regimen. Increased ADG and gain efficiency of steers during compensatory growth periods may in part be due to greater fractional accretion rates of skeletal muscle protein.     

Effect of starvation on biochemical composition and gametogenesis in the Pacific oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>

The effects of starvation on biochemical composition and gametogenesis were investigated in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Histological analysis, combined with oocyte examination and measurements of protein, glycogen and lipid levels and RNA/DNA ratio from gonad, adductor muscle and mantle tissue of each sex were performed. In the starved groups, C. gigas showed gonad development, but the progress was delayed during the experiment. Glycogen was the first substrate used by C. gigas for dealing with lack of food. While glycogen was rapidly consumed, protein and lipid contents decreased gradually. A decrease in the RNA/DNA ratio in the starved groups in all the body components was found during starvation, illustrating that RNA/DNA ratio was a valid indicator of nutritional condition in C. gigas. A significant increase in water and ash contents and a corresponding decrease in condition index were observed in the starved groups, showing that the water and ash content and condition index were related to the usage of glycogen, lipid and protein reserves in body composition. During starvation, energy reserves were mobilized for survival and gonad development, but spawning was arrested. The information obtained in this study is useful for broodstock management in the Pacific oyster industry.     

A comparative study of mangrove ? oras in China and India

Species compositions in the mangrove habitats of China and India, especially on Hainan Island (China) and on the Sundarbans and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (India), are of interest, showing several similarities and differences. The total mangrove areas of India cover about 6419 km 2 with 43 species (23 major and 20 minor species), while the mangrove areas of China cover about 150 km 2 with 26 speices (19 major and 7 minor speices). We carried out a comparison of mangrove floras in the Indian Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and in Hainan Island. The mangrove areas of the Indian Sundarbans comprise about 66.5% of the total Indian mangroves, presently covering an area of 4267 km 2 with 35 species from 22 genera and 16 families. There are 34 species from 17 genera and 13 families in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Hainan Island is considered a distribution center of mangroves; it has the largest number of mangrove species in China, i.e., 25 species from 15 genera and 12 families, accounting for about 96% of the total number of mangrove species in China. The mangroves of Hainan Island and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands belong to island types, while those of Sundarbans belong to inter-tidal deltaic types. Differences in soil type, rainfall, temperature, tidal fluctuation and other climatic features possibly cause variations in floristic composition of these regions.     

Detection of indigenous endophytic bacteria in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus urophylla in vitro</Emphasis> conditions

The presence of indigenous endophytic bacteria in aseptically grown seedlings of Eucalyptus urophylla germinated from surface sterilized seeds was investigated using dilution plating, microscopy, and PCR detection. No culturable endophytic bacteria could be detected in suspensions of ground plant tissue incubated on solid or in liquid cultivation media. However, a large number of endophytic bacterial cells, mostly rod-shaped and measured 2–3 μm×0.5–0.8 μm, were observed in in vitro cultured seedlings of E. urophylla using both light and electron microscopy. Using the universal bacterial 16S rDNA primers, a predicted 190-bp fragment was amplified from total DNA isolated from the seedlings of E. urophylla. We concluded that the endophytic bacteria originated from the seed were present in seedlings of E. urophylla. However, the bacterial cells observed appeared to be nonculturable.     

Relationship between <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs concentration and potassium content in stem wood of Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>)

To utilize forest resources in areas affected by fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, it is important to understand the mechanisms of ¹³⁷Cs movement through the stem wood of contaminated trees. Understanding the mechanism of absorption and migration of ¹³⁷Cs to stem wood is necessary for clues to the future prediction of the transition of ¹³⁷Cs to xylem. In the present study, radial variations in ¹³⁷Cs concentration were investigated in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) trees collected 1 year and 10 months after the accident. Additionally, the relationship between ¹³⁷Cs concentration and potassium (K) content was established. Trees with a higher moisture content and lower lightness value in heartwood tended to have a higher ¹³⁷Cs concentration in the heartwood. In these trees, ¹³⁷Cs concentration peaked at the heartwood–sapwood boundary and gradually decreased toward the pith. By contrast, K content within the heartwood remained nearly constant along the radial direction. The heartwood-to-sapwood ratio of ¹³⁷Cs concentration was significantly positively correlated with that of K content. Based on these results, we suggest that ¹³⁷Cs movement from sapwood to heartwood might be related to the K content ratio of heartwood and sapwood.     

A review of stand basal area growth models

Growth and yield modeling has a long history in forestry. The methods of measuring the growth of stand basal area have evolved from those developed in the U.S.A. and Germany during the last century. Stand basal area modeling has progressed rapidly since the first widely used model was published by the U.S. Forest Service. Over the years, a variety of models have been developed for predicting the growth and yield of uneven/even-aged stands using stand-level approaches. The modeling methodology has not only moved from an empirical approach to a more ecological process-based approach but also accommodated a variety of techniques such as: 1) simultaneous equation methods, 2) difference models, 3) artificial neural network techniques, 4) linear/nonlinear regres-sion models, and 5) matrix models. Empirical models using statistical methods were developed to reproduce accurately and precisely field observations. In contrast, process models have a shorter history, developed originally as research and education tools with the aim of increasing the understanding of cause and effect relationships. Empirical and process models can be married into hybrid mod-els in which the shortcomings of both component approaches can, to some extent, be overcome. Algebraic difference forms of stand basal area models which consist of stand age, stand density and site quality can fully describe stand growth dynamics. This paper reviews the current literature regarding stand basal area models, discusses the basic types of models and their merits and outlines recent progress in modeling growth and dynamics of stand basal area. Future trends involving algebraic difference forms, good fitting variables and model types into stand basal area modeling strategies are discussed.