联合固氮菌Enteroabcter gergoviae 57-7氮代谢相关基因的克隆和泌氨工程菌的构建

从构建具有稳定泌氨能力的联合固氮工程菌的目的出发，首先构建Enterobacter gergoviae57-7 (E57-7)基因文库并与所筛选的泌氨突变株进行遗传互补实验，得到可互补 泌氨特性的克隆，经Southern杂交后推测其中包含与glnA、amtB基因无关的另一类与泌 氨相关的基因。同时根据铵载体基因amtB的已知序列设计两对简并性引物，经PCR从 E57-7 DNA中扩增得到约340bp的片段，序列分析和Blast序列同源性比较后确定为amtB 基因片段，申报并获得序列号AJ132232，最终从基因库中筛选到两个包含E57-7 amtB 基因的克隆。 用K. pneumoniae的glnA基因片段为探针，通过Southern杂交从E57-7基因库中筛选到包含有glnAntrBC基因的克隆，经亚克隆后对包含有这个操纵元的4316bp片段进行了全序列分析，申报GenBank获得序列号AF072440。在体外实验中构建了Km-cassette 插入glnA的重组质粒pA，将此质粒转入E57-7野生型菌株后经筛选同源重组子获得glnA 突变的具有稳定泌氨能力的菌株15、I9。并进行了盆栽玉米接种实验，确定在灭菌上壤实验体系下I5对玉米幼苗有显著促生效应。 利用绿色荧光蛋白(GFP-S65T，V68L，S72A)基因建立分子生物学研究手段，构建了新 型克隆载体pGreenLD，建立了绿白斑筛选重组质粒的的技术。构建组成型表达gfp的质粒载体研究了E57-7在玉米根际的定殖模式;构建nifH-gfp表达载体，确定在与植物联合生活时其固氮酶结构基因nifHDK的表达与碳源物质供应密切相关。利用不同抗性基因和gfp基因片段构建出在E57-7中组成型表达抗性和GFP的质粒载体，建立了监测接种菌在土壤中释放的双标记系统。 最后克隆了E57-7 glg cluster并测定部分glgCA和glgP基因序列，申报后获得序列号AJ132233和AJ132234，这是首例从联合固氮菌中克隆得到glg cluster的报道。

森林生态系统中养分循环特征的比较研究

　通过研究都江堰地区三个不同林型下（般若寺亚热带常绿阔叶林、龙池杉木林、月亮湾楠木林）土壤氮素分布的异质性及其矿化动态、凋落物的分解，得出以下结论： 　　1. 在野外用顶盖埋管法培养土壤，测定土壤中的速效氮含量变化，我们发现，尽管铵态氮含量在三种林型下都大于硝态氮含量，但只有在龙池杉木纯林下净氨化速率和净硝化速率基本持平，其它两种林型下，净硝化速率都远远大于净氨化速率。净硝化速率的增强，暗示着土壤的退化程度的加剧。 　　2. 净氨化速率和净氮矿化速率在三种林型下均和土壤温度呈现一定程度的负相关，其中净氨化速率在龙池杉木纯林下和土壤温度达到了显著的负相关。而硝化速率在三种林型下均和土壤温度呈一定程度的正相关。这说明，虽然温度是影响净硝化速率、净氨化速率和净氮矿化速率的最重要的环境因子之一，但温度是通过影响土壤微生物的种群、数量和活力等来影响上述过程的，而由于生长环境的巨大差异性，温度的影响效果会出现很大的差异。另外，土壤含水量对三种林型下的净硝化速率、净氨化速率和净氮矿化速率也有很大的影响，但均没有达到显著的相关。 　　3. 不同的林型下具有不同物种多样性，而物种多样性会通过凋落物的质量和数量，土壤微生物类群的组成和性质以及植被盖度等角度对森林生态系统的土壤氮素循环产生深刻的影响。生物多样性的丧失会导致土壤无机氮（特别是硝态氮）流失的潜力增加，导致无机氮库的逐渐缩小。速效氮含量迅速降低。 　　4.铵态氮和硝态氮共同组成了土壤无机氮的绝大部分。但由于硝态氮易于淋溶, 从地表径流中流失，易被植物吸收，也可能通过反硝化损失掉，因此硝态氮的含量常常表现出较大的波动性，而且硝态氮的含量要远低于铵态氮的含量。但硝态氮占总速效氮的比例在不同的研究地点和时间上有很大的差别。 　　5 通过地统计学的变异函数和时间序列分析，我们发现，全氮和铵态氮在整个研究区域的异质性很大，并且异质性随着时间的推移发生了很大的变化，其中全氮和铵态氮的自相关尺度变化不大，但空间自相关度随着时间的推移变化明显，这说明，随着时间的推进，全氮和铵态氮的空间格局在大尺度上的变化很小，在小尺度的却发生了很大的变化。本研究还发现，对于全氮和铵态氮的空间异质性格局进行地统计学分析时，最小取样间隔应小于5米，并且铵态氮由于其自身的不稳定性，其在小尺度的空间异质性格局更明显，而其取样间隔应小于全氮的取样间隔。 　　6. 应用网袋法进行凋落物分解的实验，发现混合凋落物的分解速率在第一年就比按各组分混合比例计算的理论值更低。说明在本实验中几种凋落物——黄牛奶树、青冈栎、栲树和润楠的混合对分解没有促进作用。 　　7. 土壤湿度和凋落物干物质分解密切相关，而不同林地的温度差异对干物质分解影响不大。但对于具体元素（本文中的C和N）的分解而言，分解受更复杂的机制调节，其中可能包括不同林型土壤中的分解微生物群落以及土壤理化性质的差异，相比之下，土壤湿度影响就不重要了。 　　8. 初始凋落物中的C/N浓度的比值显著影响分解速率，和腐解率呈显著负相关。因此可以用它来预测分解。在N的分解中，初始凋落物中的N浓度也会影响分解，具体反映在初始N浓度和实验截止时的N浓度成正比。 　　9. 亚热带气候下，凋落物的分解比在暖温带分解要快，并且初始凋落物中N元素的含量普遍较高，因而在分解中没有出现大量富集。 　　10.凋落物质量本身分解较快的树种，有机质的分解并没有相应快，说明在凋落物干物质降解过程中占主要地位的不是有机质。

Monogenean gill parasites of Indian major carps from different fish farms of Mymensingh, Bangladesh

All together 148 fish host samples of Labeo rohira, Cirrhina mrigala, Catla catla and Labeo gonius were collected from different fish farms of Mymensingh. The gill monogeneans were then dislodged from the gill under dissecting microscope and fixed in ammonium picrate. Five species of Dactylogyrus namely, Dactylogyrus mrigali, D. chauhanus, D. yogendrai, D. labei and D. kalyanensis were recovered from sampled fishes. All the parasites were studied and redescribed, and reported for the first time from Bangladesh. The present investigation established Catla catla as a new host of D. labei.

Influence of nitrogen salts on growth and physiological responses of Rhizophora apiculata Blume in non-aerated water culture

Influence of two different forms of nitrogen on growth and physiological aspects of water-cultured seedlings of Rhizophora apiculata was studied. Of the two forms of nitrogen supplied to the growth medium, ammonium nitrogen was better than nitrate nitrogen by exhibiting increased dry matter production, shoot length, leaf area and also enhanced the contents of carotenoids, chlorophylls and their presence in photosystems and light harvesting protein complex.

Purification and properties of Aspartate aminotransferase (E.C. 2.6.1.1) from skeletal muscle of Cirrhina mrigala

Aspartate aminotransferase (E.C. 2.6.1.1.) from the skeletal muscle of fresh water fish Cirrhina mrigala has been purified 40 fold by ammonium sulphate fractionation, adsorption on alumina Csub(8) gel and chromatography using DEAE-cellulose column and the properties of the purified enzyme studied. The pH optimum of the enzyme is 7.8. The Km value of aspartic acid and 2-oxoglutaric acid are found to be 2.8 x 10sub(-3) M and 1.0 x 10sub(-4) M respectively. The activity of enzyme is inhibited by p-chloromercurybenzoate, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium cyanide. The inhibition by pchloromercurybenzoate is reversed by reduced glutathione, B-mercaptoethanol and cysteine. Dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid, malic acid and succinic acid inhibit the enzyme activity. The enzyme is not activated by any of the metal ions tested and heavy metal ions such as mercury and silver strongly inhibit the enzyme activity.

Purification and characterisation of phosphorylase from muscle of Tilapia (Tilapia mosambica)

Phosphorylase from muscle of tilapia (Tilapia mosambica) was extracted by water and purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, centrifugation and repeated recrystallisation. Electro-phorogram of the enzyme preparation showed a single band near origin. The enzyme showed optimum pH and temperature at 6.1 and 37°C respectively. Glucose and glucose-6-phosphate were found to be competitive inhibitors of the enzyme. Maltose and starch acted as primers for the phosphorylase reaction like glycogen.

Cultural conditions of arylsulfatase activity in Escherichia coli

Arylsulfatase activity and growth were estimated in Escherichia coli, isolated from marine sediment. Maximum activity was observed at pH 6.6 whereas the maximum growth was at pH 5.6. 2x10ˉ³ M is the optimum substrate concentration for the highest level of enzyme activity/synthesis as well as for its growth. In general higher substrate concentration tended to inhibit enzyme activity and also the growth of the bacterium. Maximum growth and highest enzyme activity occurred at 29°C and above this temperature decreased both of them. Besides these, glucose, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium acetate and ammonium chloride at higher concentrations were inhibiting the enzyme activity and growth. Above 0.2% of glucose, 3% of sodium chloride, 10x10ˉ³ M concentrations of sodium sulfate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium acetate and ammonium chloride inhibited the activity and growth also. These observations indicate that, to generalize a compound as inhibitor or activator it is difficult since this depends not only on its concentration but also on the source of the enzyme when more than one type is encountered in nature.

Studies on cultural conditions of marine Chromatium buderi Truper and Jannasch 1968

Photosynthetic characteristics of a purple sulfur bacterium, Chromatium buderi, cultured under different ranges of pH, temperature, light intensities and ammonium chloride concentrations were examined. Maximum bacteriochlorophyll a synthesis was observed at pH 6.5 whereas the optimum growth was at pH 8.0. In general, higher temperature tended to inhibit the chlorophyll a synthesis and growth. 30°C is the optimum temperature both for chlorophyll a synthesis and growth. At 25µE mˉ²Sˉ¹ the bacteriochlorophyll a content and growth attained maximum level. The response to this low light intensity is an adaptation that ensures a high photosynthetic rate for the purple sulfur bacterium that usually occurs in dimly lit environment. Besides these, ammonium chloride at low concentration enhances both chlorophyll a synthesis and growth. Above 0.5% of it causes the nitrogen-chlorosis and also retards the growth of the bacterium. Possible chemical and structural mechanisms involved are discussed.

Acute toxicity of unionized ammonia to milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) fry

The study was conducted to determine the effects of varying concentrations of ammonia to milkfish fry. Two runs of static 96h bioassays were conducted to determine the median lethal concentration (LC 50) of unionized ammonia (NH₃) to milkfish fry. Test concentrations were based on exploratory 24h and 48h bioassays and were made in three replicates. Reagent grade ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) was used to adjust the level of unionized ammonia. The 96h median lethal concentration, determined by the Reed Muench method was calculated at 28.029 ppm NH₃ 29.69 ppm. Even at high concentrations of unionized ammonia, most of the fry mortality occurred after 48 to 96 hours exposure. Severe gill damage occurs only at concentrations above 20 ppm, especially above the LC 50. The high LC 50 value obtain shows that milkfish fry has great tolerance to ammonia, that even fry with severely-damaged gills can still recover days after it is returned to favorable culture condition. The result suggest that observed mortalities of milkfish fry under culture conditions are not due to ammonia toxicity.

A survey on relation of morphological, molecular and phylogenetic structure of zoanthids of the islands located in the Hormoz Strait (Hormoz, Qeshm, Larak, Hengam)

The order Zoantharia (Zoanthids) is one of the most neglected orders of cnidarians in the Persian Gulf. The present study aims to investigate the biodiversity of this order with morphological and molecular examination in the Persian Gulf. For this purpose, 123 colonies of zoanthids with variety of shape and colors have been collected from intertidal and shallow water zone of four islands, i. e. Hengam, Qeshm, Larak and Hormoz. After sampling, morphological characteristics of each specimen were recorded based on in situ photographs. Then DNA was extracted using the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Both mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (mt 16S rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. The results of preliminary morphological identification integrated with two mitochondrial markers sequencing demonstrated the presence of five different species in this region; Zoanthus sansibaricus, Palythoa mutuki, Palythoa cf. mutuki, Palythoa tuberculosa and Neozoanthus persicus?. Although at first sight, morphological properties were not successful to delineate zoanthid species, they become reliable criteria to identify and delineate species in field studies after molecular identification.

Nutrient salts in the United Arab Emirates waters (the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman)

This paper deals with the levels and distributions of nutrient salts in the United Arab Emirates waters. Water samples were collected bimonthly during 1994-1995 from the marine environment of the United Arab Emirates, which extends more than 800km along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Concentrations of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, silicate, as well as total concentrations of total dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon in the area were scattered in the ranges: (ND-6.32; mean: 0.84 µg-at N/l), ND-3.02; mean: 0.42 µg-at N/l), (ND-10.88; mean: 1.18 µg-at N/1), (ND-4.22; mean: 0.62 µg-at P/l), (1.14-28.80; mean: 6.52 µg-at Si/l), (1.52-39.58; mean: 12.28 µg-at N/l), (0.40-4.98; mean: 1.07 µg-at P/l), and (2.77-44.74; mean: 13.02 Si/l) respectively. Of inorganic nitrogen species, ammonium was the highest in the Arabian Gulf waters and nitrate was the highest at the Gulf of Oman. The dissolved inorganic nitrogen total species, phosphate and silicate amounted to 16.4, 47.6, 56.5% respectively, of the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon in the Arabian Gulf and 22.6, 64.4, 44.9% respectively, in the Gulf of Oman, indicating that more than 80% of nitrogen was present in organic forms. Distributions of nutrient in the two regions were higher in the summer season and lower in the winter season due to the oxidation of organic materials. Regional distributions revealed higher values for nitrite (1.3 times), nitrate (2.8 times), phosphate (2.2 times), total dissolved nitrogen (1.3 times), total dissolved phosphorus (1.6 times), and total dissolved silicon (1.3 times) in the Gulf of Oman compared to the Arabian Gulf, indicating more oligotrophic conditions at the Arabian Gulf Whereas no distinct patterns of distribution were observed in the Arabian Gulf waters, an increase in the seaward direction was measured at the Gulf of Oman. Vertical distributions indicated a general increase with depth in the two regions. The mean ratios for total concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon in the Arabian Gulf (1: 11.6: 12.6) and the Gulf of Oman (1: 10.1: 11.8) were lower than the Redfield ratio.

Genetic diversity study of Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, 1877) population in five rivers in the southern part of Caspian Sea, Iran

For study the genetic diversity of Caspian brown trout population in five rivers in the southern part of Caspian Sea in Iran 182 number generators in the fall and winter of 1390 were collected in Chalus, Sardab Rud, Cheshmeh Kileh, Kargan Rud and Astara rivers. Then about 3-5 g of soft and fresh tissue from the bottom fin fish removed and were fixed in ethanol 96°. Genomic DNA was extracted by using ammonium acetate, then quantity and quality of the extracted DNA were determined by using spectrophotometry and horizontal electrophoresis in 1% agarose gel. The polymerase chain reaction was performed by using 16 SSR primers and sequencing primers (D-Loop) and the quality of PCR products amplified by SSR method were performed by using horizontal electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel. Alleles and their sizes were determined by using vertical electrophoresis in 6% polyacrylamide gel and silver nitrate staining method. Gel images were recorded by gel documentarian, the bands were scored by using Photo- Capt software and statistical analysis was performed by using Gene Alex and Pop Gene software. Also the PCR sequencing products after quality assessment by usinghorizontal electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel were purified and sent to South Korea Bioneer Corporation for sequencing. Sequencing was performed by chain termination method and the statistical analysis was performed by using Bio- Edit, Mega, Arlequin and DNA SP software. The SSR method, 5 pairs of primers produced polymorphic bands and the average real and effective number of alleles were calculated 5.60±1.83 and 3.87±1.46 in the Cheshmeh Kileh river and 7.60±1.75 and 5.48±1.32 in the Karganrud river and the mean observed and expected heterozygosity were calculated 0.44 ±0.15 and 0.52 ±0.16 in the Cheshmeh Kileh river and 0.50 ±0.11 and 0.70±0.13 in the Karganrud river. Analysis of Molecular Variance results showed that significant differences in genetic diversity between and within populations and between and within individuals in the studied rivers (P<0.01). The sequencing method identified 35 different haplotype, the highest number of polymorphic position (251) and haplotype (14) were observed in the Chalus river. The highest mean observed number of alleles (2.24±0.48) was calculated in the Sardabrud river, the highest mean observed heterozygosity (1.00±0.03) was calculated in the Chalus river and the highest mean nucleotide diversity (0.13±0.07) was observed in the Sardabrud river and mean haplotype diversity was obtained (1) in three studied rivers. The overall results show that there are no same population of this fish in the studied rivers and Karganrud and Chalus rivers in the SSR and sequencing methods had the highest levels of genetic diversity.

The genetic structure and phylogenetics of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) Anzali and Amirkolaye wetlands and perch (Perca fluviatilis) populations in Aras Dam and south-west of the Caspian Sea

The genetic structure of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) populations was studied using microsatellite technique. A total of 207 specimens of adult pikeperch were collected from Aras dam (57 specimens), Anzali wetland (50 specimens), Talesh (50 specimens) and Chaboksar (50 specimens) coasts. Also a total of 158 specimens of adult perch were collected from Anzali (Abkenar (50 specimens)and Hendekhale(48 specimens)) and Amirkolaye(60 specimens) wetlands. About 2 g of each specimen's dorsal fin was removed, stored in 96% ethyl alcohol and transferred to the genetic laboratory of the International Sturgeon Research Institute. Genomic DNA was extracted using ammonium-acetate method. The quality and quantity of DNA was assessed using 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on the target DNA using 15 pairs of microsatellite primers. PCR products were electrophoresed on poly acryl amide gels (6%) that were stained that were stained using silver nitrate. DNA bands were analyzed with BioCapt software. Allele count and frequency, genetic diversity, expected and observed heterozygosity , allele number and the effective allele number, genetic similarity and genetic distance, Fst, Rst, Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium based on X2 and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) at 10% confidence level was calculated using the Gene Alex software. Dendogram for genetic distances and identities were calculated using TFPGA program for any level of hierarchy. The results for P. fluviatilis showed that from 15 pair of primers that were examined 6 polymorphic and 7 monomorphic loci were produced, while 2 loci didn't produce any DNA bands. Mean allele number was 4.1±1.1 and mean observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.56±0.12 and 0.58±0.14 respectively. It was also seen that specimens from all regions were not in Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium in some of loci (P<0.001). Highest Fst (0.095) with Nm=2.37 was observed between Hendekhale and Amirkolaye and the lowest Fst (0.004) with Nm=59.31 was observed between Abkenar and Hendekhale. According to AMOVA Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between recorded Rst in the studied regions in Anzali and Amirkolaye lagoons. In another words there are two distinct populations of this species in Anzali and Amirkolaye lagoons. The highest genetic distance (0.181) and lowest genetic resemblance (0.834) were observed between specimens from Hendekhale and Amirkolaye and the lowest genetic distance (0.099) and highest genetic 176 resemblance (0.981) were observed between specimens from Abkenar and Hendekhale. Based on the genetic dendogram tree derived by applying UPGMA algorithm, specimens from Anzali and Amirkolaye wetlands have the same ancestor. On the other hand there is no noticeable genetic distance between the specimens of these two regions. Also the results for S. lucioperca showed that from 15 pair of primers that were examined 6 polymorphic and 7 monomorphic loci were produced, while 2 loci didn't produce any DNA bands. Mean allele number was 3.0±0.6 and mean observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.52±0.21 and 0.50±0.14 respectively. It was also seen that specimens from all regions were not in Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium in some of loci (P<0.001). Highest Fst (0.093) with Nm=2.43 was observed between Aras dam and Anzali wetland and the lowest Fst (0.022) with Nm=11.27 was observed between Talesh and Chaboksar coasts. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed between recorded Rst in the studied regions exept for Talesh and Chaboksar Coasts. In another words there are three distinct populations of this species in Caspian sea, Anzali wetland and Aras dam. Highest genetic distance (0.110) and lowest genetic resemblance (0.896) were observed between specimens from Aras dam and Anzali wetland and the lowest genetic distance (0.034) and highest genetic resemblance (0.966) were observed between specimens from Talesh and Chaboksar coasts. Based on the genetic dendogram tree derived by applying UPGMA algorithm, specimens from Talesh and Chaboksar coasts have the lowest genetic distance. On the other hand the main population of this species belongs to Anzali wetland. Phylogenetic relationship of these two species was inferred using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequencing. For this purpose 2 specimens of P. fluviatilis from Anzali wetland, 2 specimens of S. lucioperca from Aras dam and 2 specimens of S. lucioperca from Anzali wetland were sequenced and submitted in Gene Bank. These sequences were aligned with Clustal W. The phylogenic relationships were assessed with Mega 4. The results of evolutionary history studies of these species using Neighbor-Joining and Maximum Parsimony methods showed that the evolutionary origin of pikeperch in Aras Dam and Anzali wetland is common. On the other hand these two species had common ancestor in about 4 million years ago. Also different sequences of any region specimens are supposed as different haplotypes. 177 As a conclusion the results of this study showed that microsatellite and mtDNA sequencing methods respectively are effective in genetic structure and phylogenic studies of P. fluviatilis and S. lucioperca.

Evaluate the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide and levaemisole hydrochloride in the treatment of Persian sturgeon, Chinese carp eggs and juveniles

During a two years research hydrogen peroxide efficacy evaluated for Persian sturgeon, Chinese carps and common carp eggs. These series of the experiments conducted in various conditions different concentration of hydrogen peroxide include 250, 500, 750, 1,000 1,500 2,000 3,000 and 9,000 PPM used as ten and fifteen minutes baths, compared with Malachite green and natural control . In the next phase effect of Levaemisole hydrochloride as an immunostimulator which applied as 5 mg/I in twenty minutes baths from day sixth after hatch evaluated by daily mortality rate and leukocytes counts. The results shown that according fertilization percent and temperature condition hydrogen peroxide at 1,000 and 1,500 PPM concentrations is a effective antifungal agent during incubation periods of Persian sturgeon and even sometimes increasing hatching rates significantly comparing with natural controls and Malachite green. In Chinese carps although hydrogen peroxide controls water molds but it is not recommended in high temperatures because it make shortened incubation time and mold infections will decrease. Also the results shown 750 PPM concentration of hydrogen peroxide in common carp eggs controls water moulds infections and increase hatching rate significantly comparing with Malachite green and natural control. Daily mortality rates accessing of Persian sturgeon fries show that 20 minutes baths of 5mg/1 levamisole hydrochloride decreases daily mortality rate during yolk sac absorption. Nitrogenous compounds: nitrate and ammonium differ significantly between treated tanks with control. Blood leucocytes concentrations as an immune index was different significantly in treated fishes by levamisole hydrochloride comparing with controls. In Chinese carps because yolks sac absorption time is short there is not necessary to use the levamisole hydrochloride. Although treated larvae were more active than controls. As a result our suggestions is to use hydrogen peroxide in Persian sturgeon and common carp artificial propagation and also suggest the use levamisole hydrochloride for Persian sturgeon beside management method in stress and pollution condition

Composition of waters of lakes and rivers in east and west Africa

Thirty-three groups of geochemically related natural lake and river waters collected from 368 sites scattered over East and West Africa, were investigated to determine correlations between their various ions and the patterns of change in their ionic composition across the African continent. The following nine significant correlations were found to exist in the entire area or in a major part of it: sodium and potassium; sodium and chloride; sodium and sulphate; potassium and ammonium; potassium and chloride; ammonium and nitrate; calcium and magnesium; magnesium and chloride; sulphate and chloride. When compared with the world average composition. The concentration of potassium in these waters was found to be high, that of calcium and nitrate was low. With respect to the area of East Africa only, trends in the pattern of change involving the ionic composition of the lake and river water and the longitude at which the sites were present, were found to exist for the ratio of sodium: conductivity (which showed an increase in the direction of West to East), magnesium: conductivity, and for the sum of calcium and magnesium: phosphate was generally found to increase in East Africa in the direction of west to East.