Higher-tier assessment of the potential for groundwater issues due to the use of 1,3-D soil fumigant; evaluation of the active ingredient, metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds

BACKGROUND: 1,3‐Dichloropropene (1,3‐D, CAS No. 542‐75‐6) is a broad‐spectrum soil fumigant used to control numerous species of soilborne plant‐parasitic nematodes. 1,3‐D consists of two isomers, (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D. There are a number of low‐level chlorinated compounds that could potentially be produced as a part of the 1,3‐D manufacturing process. 1,3‐D and its metabolites, as well as potentially related chlorinated compounds, represent potential groundwater contaminants. RESULTS: This study has investigated the hydrolytic stability, under biotic and abiotic conditions in the laboratory, of an extensive representative list of 1,3‐D and potentially related chlorinated compounds in order to predict their environmental fate. All of these compounds showed intrinsic hydrolytic instability under both abiotic and biotic test conditions. Furthermore, a monitoring programme was carried out. Twenty‐five wells were monitored in five Italian regions characterised by historical and existing use of 1,3‐D. The parent compound, its two major metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds were not detected in the well water at > 0.1 µg L^?1 at any sampling location. CONCLUSION: The soil fumigant (E,Z)‐1,3‐D, its metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds constitute a low risk to groundwater. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Vessel noise pollution as a human threat to fish: assessment of the stress response in gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>, Linnaeus 1758)

This study examined the effects of boat noise pollution on the stress indices of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata, Linnaeus 1758). To assess the stress response in these fish, biometric values and plasma parameters such as ACTH, cortisol, glucose, lactate, haematocrit, Hsp70, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and osmolarity were analysed. After acclimatization of the animals, the experiment was carried out in a tank fitted with underwater speakers where the fish were exposed to sound treatments (in duplicate) consisting of: 10 days of no sound (control treatment; the animals were only exposed to the experimental tank’s background noise) and 10 days of noise derived from original recordings of motor boats, including recreational boats, hydrofoil, fishing boat and ferry boat (vessel noise treatment). The exposure to noise produced significant variations in almost all the plasma parameters assessed, but no differences were observed in weights and fork lengths. A PERMANOVA analysis highlighted significantly increased values (p < 0.05) of ACTH, cortisol, glucose, lactate, haematocrit, Hsp70, cholesterol, triglycerides and osmolarity in the fish exposed to vessel noise for 10 days. This study clearly highlights that anthropogenic noise negatively affects fish, and they are valuable targets for detailed investigations into the effects of this global pollutant. Finally, these experimental studies could represent part of the science that is able to improve the quality of the policies related to management plans for maritime spaces (Marine Strategy Framework Directive 56/2008 CE) that are aimed at stemming this pollutant phenomenon.     

Physiological host range of Trissolcus mitsukurii,a candidate biological control agent of Halyomorpha halys in Europe

Journal of Pest Science - The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, is a severe agricultural pest of worldwide importance, and chemical insecticides are largely sprayed for its...     

Effect of land-use on small mammal abundance and diversity in a forest–farmland mosaic landscape in south-eastern Norway

During the last century the boreal forests of south-eastern Norway have been converted into patchworks of agricultural areas, clear-cuts and even-aged conifer monocultures. Even though Scandinavian forest ecosystems are strongly influenced by small mammals’ dynamics, the effects of anthropogenic changes on these communities are still debated. We conducted an extensive capture–mark–recapture study to examine the relative abundance and distribution of 11 species of small mammals during the reproductive season with respect to all available landscape-scale habitat types and fine-scale vegetation characteristics.     

Comment on "Global trends in wind speed and wave height"

Young et al. (Reports, 22 April 2011, p. 451) reported trends in global mean wind speed much larger than found by other investigators. Their report fails to reference these other investigations and does not discuss the consequences that such large wind trends would have on global evaporation and precipitation. The difference between their altimeter and buoy trends suggests a relatively large trend error.     

How much more rain will global warming bring?

Climate models and satellite observations both indicate that the total amount of water in the atmosphere will increase at a rate of 7% per kelvin of surface warming. However, the climate models predict that global precipitation will increase at a much slower rate of 1 to 3% per kelvin. A recent analysis of satellite observations does not support this prediction of a muted response of precipitation to global warming. Rather, the observations suggest that precipitation and total atmospheric water have increased at about the same rate over the past two decades.     

Combining physiological host range,behavior and host characteristics for predictive risk analysis of Trissolcus japonicus

Halyomorpha halys is an Asian pentatomid that has recently invaded several countries worldwide, where it has become a severe pest. Classical biological control focused on the scelionid egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus appears to be the most promising long-term solution. However, non-target risks need to be included in cost/benefit analyses. Physiological host range tests were conducted by offering T. japonicus females a single hemipteran egg for short (2 h) and long (24 h) exposure periods, and recording the behavior and parasitization acceptance/success during the short exposures. Of the 16 different hemipteran species tested in no-choice experiments, 9 species were accepted and suitable for T. japonicus development. Among pentatomids, Palomena prasina and Rhaphigaster nebulosa were accepted at rates comparable to H. halys, while species accepted at lower rates included Acrosternum heegeri, Carpocoris mediterraneus, C. purpeiripennis, Dolycoris baccarum, Piezodorus lituratus and Peribalus strictus. The other 7 hemipterans tested, including two coreids and one reduviid, were never parasitized. The use of a short-term exposure of 2 h revealed no differences with the 24-h exposure that has been widely used in physiological host range testing. Thus, T. japonicus oligophagy observed in other studies was confirmed by using our extremely simplified laboratory protocol. Moreover, the host egg morphology was correlated with the acceptance rates, permitting us to propose a new predictive approach for non-target studies. However, further research with more complex experimental designs that account for environmental conditions is needed to confirm laboratory predictions of host specificity under actual field conditions.