Biodeterioration of cellulose materials in Karingote, Nileswaram, Kavvayi and Ramapuram Backwater systems of Kerala

The hydrographic conditions prevailing in an estuarine system along the southwest coast of India are described. The nature of destruction of timber in these backwaters has been examined in detail which revealed the existence of 8 species of shipworms, 2 species each of pholads and isopods. The shipworms are represented by Dicyathifer manni, Lyrodus pedicellatus, Teredo furcifera, T. clappi, Nausitora dunlopei, Bankia carinata, B. campanellata; the pholads by Martesia striata and M. (Purticoma) nairi; and the isopods by Sphaeroma terebrans and S. annandalei. The incidence and relative abundance of these pests are discussed in relation to the salinity profile of the estuary.

Occurrence of a deeper red colour in prawn pulp prepared from iced-prawns

In commerce, great importance is given to the color of the dry prawn pulp in its quality evaluation. The possible correlation between this color factor to the iced or not iced condition of the raw prawn used, is investigated. The study reveals that as the icing period of the raw material increases the color of the finished product proportionately intensifies to a bright red compared to light brownish yellow or orange color of the product from the not iced prawn, and at the same time the other characteristics like flavor and taste deteriorates as the time of icing advances. This finding tends to show that the color factor does not reflect the true quality of prawn pulp. Based on chemical data it is suggested that "browning" due to Maillard reaction may have an important role in this color phenomena.

Endocrine disruption in fish: An assessment of recent research and results

This report provides an assessment of recent investigations into endocrine disruption in fresh and saltwater species of fish. Most work to date has concen-trated on reproductive endocrine disruption. Laboratory studies have shown a variety of synthetic and natural chemicals including certain industrial intermediates, PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, dioxins, trace elements and plant sterols can interfere with the endocrine system in fish. The potency of most of these chemicals, however, is typically hundreds to thousands of times less than that of endog-enous hormones. Evidence of environmental endocrine disruption ranges from the presence of female egg proteins in males and reduced levels of endogenous hormones in both males and females, to gonadal histopathologies and intersex (presence of ovotestes) fish. Overt endocrine disruption in fish does not appear to be a ubiquitous environmental phenomenon, but rather more likely to occur near sewage treatment plants, pulp and paper mills, and in areas of high organic chemical contamination. However, more wide-spread endocrine disruption can occur in rivers with smaller flows and correspondingly large or numerous wastewater inputs. Some of the most severe examples of endocrine disruption in fish have been found adjacent to sewage treatment plants. Effects are thought to be caused prima-rily by natural and synthetic estrogens and to a lesser extent by the degradation products of alkylphenol poly-ethoxylate surfactants. Effects found in fish near pulp and paper mills include reduced levels of estrogens and androgens as well as masculinization of females, and has been linked to the presence of β-sitosterol, a plant sterol. Effects seen in areas of heavy industrial activity typically include depressed levels of estrogens and androgens as well as reduced gonadal growth, and may be linked to the presence of PAHs, PCBs, and possibly dioxins. At this time, however, there is no clear indication that large populations of fish are being seriously impacted as a result of endocrine disruption, although additional work is needed to address this possibility. (PDF contains 63 pages)

A method for age determination of dolphins.

The use of growth layers in teeth as an indicator of age in odnotocetes and pinnipeds was suggested by Laws (1954) and since then the method has been used extensively in both marine and non-marine mammals. Dentinal growth layers are groups (growth layer groups) of repetitive alternating bands which in cross-section are similar to growth rings in trees. The most commonly used methods for counting growth layer groups (GLGs) are by undecalcified longitudinal thin sections (150 um) or decalcified and stained thin sections (10-30 um). In longitudinal sections viewed with light microscopy, GLGs appear as opaque and translucent cones nestled one inside another, with the oldest dentine Iying adjacent to the enamel, and the newest layer borderinq the pulp cavity.

Analysis of growth layers in the teeth of Tursiops truncatus using light microscopy, microradiography, and SEM

Preliminary results show microradiography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to be more accurate methods of accessing growth layer groups (GLGs) in the teeth of Tursiops truncatus than transmitted light microscopy. Microradiography shows the rhythmic deposition of mineral as alternating radiopaque and radiolucent layers. It improves the resolution of GLGs near the pulp cavity in older individuals, better than either SEM or light microscopy. SEM of etched sections show GLGs as ridges and grooves which are easily counted from the micrograph. SEM also shows GLGs to be composed of fine incremental layers of uniform size and number which may allow for more precise age determination. Accessory layers are usually hypomineralized layers within the hypermineralized layer of the GLG and are more readily distinguishable as such in SEM of etched sections and microradiographs than in thin sections viewed under transmitted light. The neonatal line is hypomineralized, appearing translucent under transmitted light, radiolucent in a microradiograph, and as a ridge in SEM. (PDF contains 6 pages.)