Dioxin Soil Contamination near Former Landfills

Eurasian Soil Science - Dioxin contamination levels and profiles of soils in New Moscow area were studied to identify the potential sources of contamination at a distance of 300 to 1000 m from the...     

Investigation of genome polymorphism and seed coat anatomy of species of section Adenolinum from the genus Linum

Twelve species of section Adenolinum from genus Linum have been studied using cytogenetic methods (DAPI/C-banding, Ag-NOR staining, FISH with 5S and 26S rDNA probes), RAPD analysis, and seed surface ultrastructure and seed coat anatomy investigation. Karyotype analysis revealed that these species have a chromosome number of 2n = 18 or 2n = 36. The DAPI/C-banding patterns enabled the identification of all chromosomes and revealed the similarities in chromosome patterns in all of the studied species. It was found that 18-chromosome plants are diploids, whereas 36-chromosome forms are tetraploids. In diploid species, 5S and 26S rRNA genes are located in similar positions on a single pair of chromosomes or on two chromosome pairs in tetraploids. Ag-NOR staining showed NOR activity in both genomes of tetraploids. RAPD analysis and seed coat anatomy investigation revealed some interspecies differences. Species from nearby areas have more similar RAPD characteristics compared with more geographically distant species. The results of this study may serve as an additional argument in favour of a monophyletic origination of the Adenolinum species and its strong isolation from other Linum species.     

Changes in trace element speciation in kola north surface waters during snow melt

The powerful mass-flow of melt water during the brief period of spring thaw provides a surge of pollutants and causes extremely toxic short term conditions. Together with the increase in total metal concentrations during this period, a redistribution in metal speciation occurs that increases the proportion of more toxic forms. Concentrations of ion-exchangeable fractions of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn) show strong negative correlations with pH. The sum of complex metal species shows a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). A data analysis model based on relationships observed between key parameters and metal behaviour together with gidrological data allowed an assessmrnt of the metal impact on waterbodies from accumulated airborne pollution (Ni, Cu) as well as from accelerated leaching from watersheds (Al, Mn).