Sphagnum mosses on the mires of the Altai-Sayan Mountains region

Abstract

Sphagnum mosses are a characteristic component of plant communities in the mountain mires of the Altai-Sayan region. The genus Sphagnum L. ranks first in the species diversity and includes 32 species, accounting for 57.1% of the species diversity of sphagnum mosses of Russia and 62.8% of the species diversity of sphagnum mosses of the Asian part of Russia. Twenty-five species of sphagnum moss are revealed in the mires of the Western Sayan and Altai, listed in this paper; 28 species occur on the Kuznetsky Alatau mires. Rare species are Sphagnum aongstroemii, S. auriculatum, S. contortum, S. platyphyllum, S. pulchrum, S. subfulvum, S. tenellum.     

Mycoremediation of chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin by two species of filamentous fungi

Chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin are two of the most commonly used insecticides in agriculture. Their residues reach water courses, affecting aquatic fauna and subsequently human beings. Aspergillus viridinutans and Penicillium implicatum isolated from water drains at El-Giza and El-Ismailia governorates were grown in potato dextrose broth media supplemented with different concentrations of chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin. Samples, taken at 0, 7 and 14 days, were analysed for pesticide residues by gas chromatography. The fungal species showed biodegradation potentials of 2.5, 5 and 20 ppm of chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin. Degradation percentage reached 100% after 14 days of incubation of both pesticides (2.5 ppm) individually with the two tested fungal species. The values of degradation rate, besides the weights of dry fungal biomasses ensured that the optimum chlorpyrifosconcentration for A. viridinutans and P. implicatum was 5 ppm, while the optimum lambda-cyhalothrin concentration for A. viridinutanswas 5 ppm and 2.5 ppm for P. implicatum.     

Species diversity of blood-sucking mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tomsk Region

Abstract

This article describes the results of studying the Culicidae species composition in Tomsk region, during 8 years, 2008–2015. The survey revealed 31 mosquito species of five genera, namely Anopheles, Culex, Culiseta, Coquillettidia, Aedes. Dominant, numerous, common and rare species of Aedes genus were detected. The complete list of Culicidae species in Tomsk region was recorded. Ae. annulipes and Ae. sticticus were included in the species composition of Siberia; their presence in Tomsk region had previously been doubted. Some other species were deleted from the list because they were absent at the present time.     

Preparation of growth substrate to improve runoff quality from green roofs: physico-chemical characterization,sorption and plant-support experiments

Growth substrate plays an important role in determining the quality of runoff from green roofs. However, no systematic research has been conducted to design a substrate to improve runoff quality. Hence, the present study aimed at designing and developing a green roof substrate using low-cost and environmentally-benign materials. The inorganic fraction of the substrate includes purosil, vermiculite, sand and light-weight clay aggregates (LECA); whereas the organic fraction includes coco-peat and Sargassum wightii. Through factorial design, 13 different substrate mixes were prepared and the optimum mix (20% purosil, 30% vermiculite, 10% sand, 20% LECA, 10% coco-peat and 10% S. wightii) was found to have high water holding capacity (67.6%), air filled porosity (21%), hydraulic conductivity (5524 mm/h) and low bulk density (495 kg/m³). The substrate also provided maximum support for the growth of Portulaca oleracea. Experiments with metal-contaminated influent from the down-flow of a packed reactor revealed that the green roof substrate possesses a high sorption capacity towards various metal ions.     

Bioaccumulation of arsenic in aquatic plants and animals near a municipal landfill

This study was conducted to assess the water quality and arsenic (As) concentrations in water, sediment, aquatic plants and animals near a municipal landfill. The As concentration in the samples was analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Thirty-six aquatic plants of four species were collected. The highest As concentration was found in Limnocharis flava (0.78 ± 0.31 mg/kg). The aquatic animals included 31 fish of four species and 27 freshwater snails of three species. The highest As concentrations in the fish and freshwater snails were found in Oreochromis niloticus (0.16 ± 0.16 mg/kg) and Filopaludina sumatrensis (0.18 ± 0.06 mg/kg), respectively. The highest bioaccumulation factor of As in the aquatic plants, fish and freshwater snails were found in L. flava (131.30 ± 15.35), O. niloticus (228.21 ± 26.99) and F. sumatrensis (33.04 ± 10.58), respectively. Since the accumulation of As was higher in the sediment than in the water, aquatic plants and animals took up As directly from the environment, resulting in As accumulation in the aquatic food web.     

Transplanting shrubs for revegetation of salt-affected soils

Vegetation (secondary) succession is extremely slow on soils contaminated with soluble salts by petroleum exploration activities in arid and semiarid areas. Excessive salt accumulations interfere with seed germination and seedling establishment of most species used for revegetation. Establishment and growth of transplanted fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) seedlings and rooted stem cuttings, and seedlings of oldman saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), winterfat (Ceratoides lanata), and prostrate kochia (Kochia prostrata) were evaluated on three saline-sodic (EC (electrical conductivity) = 23 − 93 dS m^-1, ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) = 13−46%) oil well reserve pits over a three-year period. Survival of fourwing saltbush seedlings from an accession not adapted to saline soils was only 32%, compared with 73% for seedlings or stem cuttings from an accession adapted to saline soil. Oldman saltbush suffered 100% mortality subsequent to subfreezing temperatures during the first winter following planting. Survival of winterfat and prostrate kochia transplants was 61 and 48%, respectively, after three years, and growth of these species was acceptable on the saline-sodic soils. Selection or specific accessions of species adapted to the existing conditions of the site to be revegetated appeared most promising for revegetation under extremely harsh environmental conditions.     

A preliminary investigation into the restorative potential of public aquaria exhibits: a UK student-based study

Even ‘managed’ natural settings, such as botanical gardens and zoos, can provide restorative experiences. Well-being benefits may also be greater in land/waterscapes with greater biodiversity (eg, species richness). Using two photo studies with student participants, we explored aesthetic and behavioural preferences, affect and the restorative potential of multiple public aquaria exhibits, including variation in biodiversity. Study 1 (N = 39) found that aquarium exhibits, in general, scored as highly as natural environments (eg, green space) on all dimensions. Study 2 (N = 40) examined whether responses were influenced by exhibit characteristics including: climatic region (tropical/temperate), biological group (vertebrates/invertebrates), species richness (high/low) and abundance of individuals (high/low). Supporting predictions, tropical, vertebrate (fish) and high species richness exhibits were generally rated more positively than temperate/invertebrate/low species richness exhibits. However, some low richness/high abundance exhibits were also rated unexpectedly positively. Findings are discussed within the context of the growing well-being and biodiversity literature.     

Cytotoxicity in the frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) after acute cadmium exposure in vivo

Chromosome aberrations (CA) in frogs (Fejervarya limnocharis) exposed to 5, 10 and 20 mg/L of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) for 24, 48 and 72 h were invetegated. Treated frogs were compared to a control group. Cadmium (Cd) was not detected in the water or control frogs. The highest Cd concentrations in water and frog samples were found at 20 mg/L exposed for 72 h. The water samples indicated that exposure to 10 mg/L of Cd for 24 h was significantly different from the control (p < 0.05). Cd concentrations in frogs differed significantly between the control and experimental groups (p < 0.05). The cytotoxicity assessment revealed ten types of CA in the frogs, including single chromatid gap (SCG), isochromatid gap, single chromatid break, isochromatid break, iso-arm fragmentation, single chromatid decomposition, centric fragmentation, centromere gap, deletion and fragmentation. The most common CA in the study was SCG. The statistical analysis indicated significant differences in the percentage of cells with CA for exposures of 20 mg/L (24 h), 10 and 20 mg/L (48 h) and 5, 10 and 20 mg/L (72 h) compared to the control (p < 0.05). The results of this study show that high Cd concentrations and long duration exposure can cause CA in frogs.     

Malathion exposed seeds of Vigna Sinensis

Plasma membrane bound ATPase of Vigna sinensis (L) is activated by Mg⁺² and is further stimulated by monovalent cations like Na⁺/K⁺, at a definite pH and substrate concentration. The true substrate for the enzyme was Mg⁺⁺‐ATP. Ca⁺⁺ cannot replace Mg⁺⁺ so far as the activation of this enzyme is concerned. Activation does not alter much when treated with ouabain. These results support the concept that cation transport at the plasma membrane of root cells of Vigna sinensis (L) is coupled to a cation‐activated ATPase. Malathion (O, O‐dimethyl phosphorodithioate of diethyl mercapto succinate), an organo phosphorus insecticide, activates these enzymes at a concentration of 400 ppm. This increase in activity may be associated with some alteration in the membrane structure, and stimulation by malathion has been found to be of non‐competitive in nature when the divalent and monovalent ions are included in the system.     

Enteric pathogens in flood-related waters in urban areas of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: a case study of Ninh Kieu district,Can Tho city

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the contamination of floodwaters in the urban center of Can Tho city, Vietnam. We sampled water from sewers, surface water bodies, and flood, before, during, and after specific flooding events. Total nucleic acid was extracted from the samples and subjected to a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect specific enteric pathogens. The difference between pathogen concentrations in floodwater and sewer water was compared by using the Mann Whitney U test. Correlations between the different pathogens were determined using the non-parametric Spearman test. E. coli and Rotavirus-A were the most prevalent pathogens in floodwater. We observed a weak association between E. coli and Rotavirus in flood-related waters (r < 0.5). Floodwater quality showed no difference to sewer water quality in terms of the E. coli and Rotavirus A concentrations (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that floodwater poses a significant urban public health risk due to the presence of enteric pathogens.     

Biomonitoring of maritime pollution by heavy metals (Pb and Zn) in the coast of Jijel (Algeria)

This paper reports a study of pollution in the coastal waters of Jijel, Algeria, using algae Ulva lactuca and Corallina officinalis as bioindicators. Samples of seawater and algae were collected at four different stations from the coast of Jijel, during the period of April–June 2014. The heavy metal content (Pb and Zn) was determined in seawater and in the algae tissue by the technique of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In seawater, the contents of heavy metals vary from 0.017 to 0.03 mg/l (Pb) and 0.235 to 0.873 mg/l. In the algae tissues, metals concentrations vary between 1.88 to 6.25 μg g^?1 dry weight (Pb), and from 92 to 178.9 μg g^?1 dry weight (Zn). These levels differ by site and species. The calculation of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) leads us to conclude that algae bioaccumulate significant levels of Pb and Zn metals in their tissues. Our results shows that the species of C. officinalis bioaccumulate the metals Pb and Zn more than U. lactuca, where, high biosorption of Zn was observed with BCF values between 203.21 and 238.40. Zn content in seawater and algae tissues appear higher than standards set by USEPA and guides values of Certified Reference Materials, but Pb levels appear lower than this standard.     

Suspended timber ground floors: measured heat loss compared with models

ABSTRACT

There are approximately 6.6 million dwellings in the UK built before 1919, predominantly constructed with suspended timber ground floors whose thermal performance has not been extensively investigated. The results are presented from an in-situ heat-flow measuring campaign conducted at 27 locations on a suspended timber ground floor, and the estimated whole-floor U-value compared with modelled results. Findings highlight a significant variability in heat flow, with increased heat loss near the external perimeter. In-situ measured-point U-values ranged from 0.54?±?0.09?Wm^?2 K^?1, when away from the external wall perimeter, to nearly four times as high (2.04?±?0.21?Wm^?2 K^?1) when near the perimeter. The results highlight the fact that observing only a few measurements is likely to bias any attempts to derive a whole-floor U-value, which was estimated to be 1.04?±?0.12?Wm^?2 K^?1 and nearly twice that derived from current models. This raises questions about the validity of using such models in housing stock models to inform retrofit decision-making and space-heating-reduction interventions. If this disparity between models and measurements exists in the wider stock, a reappraisal of the performance of suspended timber ground floors and heat-loss-reduction potential through this element will be required to support the UK’s carbon-emission-reduction targets.     

Dégradation des eaux de rejets issues d’une raffinerie d’huile de coton par plasma d’arc électrique rampant à pression atmosphérique

Wastewater samples from liquid effluents of cotton oil refinery in Far-Northern Cameroon were exposed to a gliding arc discharge for various exposure times in a cold plasma reactor. The analysed results showed high levels of organic pollution parameters (TOC = 4635 mg/L, COD = 6943, 98 mg/L) before treatment. More than 56% TOC and 75% COD abatement were obtained after 30 min treatment in batch conditions with a laboratory reactor. The resultant pollution abatement is attributed both to strong oxidizing effects of °OH and NO° radicals formed in the plasma and their derivatives (H₂O₂, ONO₂H and NO₃H). The conductivity and TDS increase linearly and the pH, TOC and COD decrease with increasing exposure time to the discharge. The oxidation obeys a pseudo first-order kinetics law (kinetic rate: k_1DCO = 0, 0381 min^?1 and k_1COT = 0, 0245 min^?1).     

Cytotoxic assessment of flying barb fish (Esomus metallicus) from a gold mine area with heavy metal contamination

This study aimed to investigate contamination by heavy metals including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn) and to conduct a cytotoxic assessment of Esomus metallicus from a gold mine area compared with that from the non-affected area. The E. metallicus samples were collected downstream of a gold mine area. The heavy metal concentrations were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The average amounts of As, Cd, Cr, Pb and Mn in water and E. metallicus samples from the gold mine area were 0.368 ± 0.009, 0.008 ± 0.006, 0.009 ± 0.001, 0.006 ± 0.002, 1.438 ± 0.058 mg/L, 0.65 ± 0.25, 0.03 ± 0.03, 2.12 ± 0.05, 0.25 ± 0.07 and 18.28 ± 6.82 mg/kg, respectively. The difference of As, Cr and Mn concentrations in E. metallicus samples between gold mine and non-affected areas was statistically significant (p < 0.05) except for Cd and Pb. The diploid chromosome number of E. metallicus from both areas was 2n = 50. There are six types of chromosomal aberrations including centric fragmentation (CF), centric gap (CG), single chromatid gap (SCG), fragmentation (F), deletion (D) and polyploidy (P). The most common chromosomal aberration type in the samples from the gold mine area was CG, and the difference in chromosomal aberration and the number of cells with chromosomal aberrations in E. metallicus between the study areas was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The percentages of chromosomal aberrations in the E. metallicus samples from gold mine and non-affected areas were 14.66 and 3.00, respectively.     

Analysis of chromosome abnormalities in the Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) affected by arsenic contamination near a gold mine area

ABSTRACT

The paper reports a study of chromosome abnormalities (CA/s) in the Monopterus albus near a gold mine area compared to a non-affected area. The arsenic (As) concentrations were determined in the water, sediment and M. albus muscles. The average concentrations of As in the water and sediment samples near the gold mine were higher than allowable by Thailand’s water quality standards. The average concentrations of As in the M. albus samples were lower than the standards. The diploid chromosome number of M. albus in both areas was 2n = 24. The percentage of CA of M. albus in the gold mine area was higher than in the non-affected area. Seven types of CA were single chromatid gap (SCG), fragmentation (F), sister chromatid gap, single chromatid breaks, deletion, sister chromatid fragmentation and centric fusion. In the affected area, the most common CAs in the samples were SCG and F. The specific CA in M. albus samples was SCG on chromosome pair 1. It can be concluded that As contamination caused structural CA, but did not affect the diploid chromosome number in the Asian swamp eel from the gold mine area. The accumulation of As in M. albus has potential effects on human health in consumers of M. albus from this contaminated area.     

Concentrations and risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoke-cured fish products in Nigeria

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in nine popular smoked fish species, (Clarias gariepinus, Parachana obscura, Heterotis niloticus, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Gymnarchus niloticus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sardinella aurita, Scromber scrombus and Trachurus trachurus), in the Nigerian market by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after extraction by ultrasonication with hexane/dichloromethane. The mean concentrations of ∑16 PAHs in these species ranged from 52.4 μg kg^?1 to 1230 μg kg^?1. The estimated margins of exposure (MOE values) were less than 10,000 for C. gariepinus, G. niloticus and E. fimbriata indicating serious concern for the consumers’ health. The estimated excess cancer risk factors for these fish species investigated indicate that approximately 1 to 65 out of 10⁶ equally exposed adults may suffer from cancer and cancer-related diseases during their lifetime through the ingestion of carcinogenic PAHs from smoked fish in their diet.     

Quantifying spatial-temporal changes of aboveground carbon stocks using Landsat time series data: A case study of Miombo woodlands

ABSTRACT

There is a need for accurate reporting of the second-growth forest in accounting for the contribution of secondary forests to achieving global carbon sequestration strategies. This study develops a model relating aboveground live biomass (AGLB) to Landsat reflectance measurements, and this method is used on multi spatial-temporal Landsat data (1998, 2001, 2004, 2011 and 2016) to assess changes in Miombo woodlands in Zambia. Results showed that the enhanced vegetation index was a better predictor of AGLB (r² = 0.96; RMSE = 0.24 t ha^?1) than the other assessed vegetation indices. Forest carbon stocks increased by an average rate of 3.65 ± standard error (SE): 0.56 t ha^?1 yr^?1 from 1998 to 2001, but a continual decline was evident for the periods 2001–2004 (?0.60 t ha^?1 yr^?1), 2004–2011 (?0.88 t ha^?1 yr^?1) and 2011–2016 (?2.03 t ha^?1 yr^?1). The study provides an empirical model for evaluating carbon stock changes.     

Studying the cellulolytic activity of microorganisms isolated from stained painted walls with reference to certain factors: a cross sectional study

Investigations of enzymatic activities amongst microbial species on stained painted walls are not common especially in the tropics. Meanwhile, an organism’s enzymatic activity is a key index of its biodegradation potential. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the cellulolytic profiles of microorganisms isolated from stained painted buildings. A total of eight microorganisms comprising one bacterium [Pseudomonas aeruginosa CH01 (KY511067.1)] and seven fungi [Meyerozyma guillermondii MB14B1 (LT615287.1), Meyerozyma caribbica CBS:5674 (KY104219.1), Aspergillus aculeatus A1.9 (EU833205.1), Aspergillus sp. SL2 (KC178662.1), Fusarium proliferatum2705 (EU272509.1), Cerrena sp. N10CC2a (FJ010208.1) and Candida tropicalis UZ31_13 (KM361510.1)] were utilized for the study. The results showed that all isolates possessed exoglucanase and endoglucanase activities ranging from 0.174 to 1.554 IU/ml and 0.062 to 2.120 IU/ml, respectively. Analysis of the interplay of organism cellulolytic activity at various environmental conditions showed that endoglucanase activity was optimal in Cerrena sp., while the highest exoglucanase activity was recorded in P. aeruginosa.     

Boron phytoremediation: Stizolobium aterrimum is tolerant and can be used for phytomanagement of boron excess in soils

Soil contamination by toxic elements causes concern and is increasing through industrial development, mining activities and the overuse of chemical fertilisers. Some toxic elements, such as boron, also play a structural role. The present study aimed to evaluate the behaviour of S. aterrimum plants growing in boron artificially contaminated soils. It has been found that S. aterrimum is tolerant to low doses of boron, moderately tolerating doses of up to 240 mg.dm^?3. But high doses (doses above the adequate zone) cause decreased plant growth and present symptoms of toxicity, such as foliar chlorosis. The dose of 240 mg.dm^?3 can already be considered toxic, since the tolerance index (TI) was less than 50%. The species can be used as a phytoextractor in low doses of boron because it presented a high tolerance index (TI) and demonstrated the ability to uptake and accumulate boron in root tissue.