Atrazine degradation and transport in runoff on a Black Vertosol

In Australia communities are concerned about atrazine being detected in drinking water supplies. It is important to understand mechanisms by which atrazine is transported from paddocks to waterways if we are to reduce movement of agricultural chemicals from the site of application. Two paddocks cropped with grain sorghum on a Black Vertosol were monitored for atrazine, potassium chloride (KCl) extractable atrazine, desethylatrazine (DEA), and desisopropylatrazine (DIA) at 4 soil depths (0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.30 m) and in runoff water and runoff sediment. Atrazine + DEA + DIA (total atrazine) had a half-life in soil of 16-20 days, more rapid dissipation than in many earlier reports. Atrazine extracted in dilute potassium chloride, considered available for weed control, was initially 34% of the total and had a half-life of 15-20 days until day 30, after which it dissipated rapidly with a half life of 6 days. We conclude that, in this region, atrazine may not pose a risk for groundwater contamination, as only 0.5% of applied atrazine moved deeper than 0.20 m into the soil, where it dissipated rapidly. In runoff (including suspended sediment) atrazine concentrations were greatest during the first runoff event (57 days after application) (85 μg/L) and declined with time. After 160 days, the total atrazine lost in runoff was 0.4% of the initial application. The total atrazine concentration in runoff was strongly related to the total concentration in soil, as expected. Even after 98% of the KCl-extractable atrazine had dissipated (and no longer provided weed control), runoff concentrations still exceeded the human health guideline value of 40 μg/L. For total atrazine in soil (0-0.05 m), the range for coefficient of soil sorption (Kd) was 1.9-28.4 mL/g and for soil organic carbon sorption (KOC) was 100-2184 mL/g, increasing with time of contact with the soil and rapid dissipation of the more soluble, available phase. Partition coefficients in runoff for total atrazine were initially 3, increasing to 32 and 51 with time, values for DEA being half these. To minimise atrazine losses, cultural practices that maximise rain infiltration, and thereby minimise runoff, and minimise concentrations in the soil surface should be adopted.

Characterization of Actinobacteria Degrading and Tolerating Organic Pollutants

Species of the genera Rhodococcus, Gordonia and Mycobacterium are known as degraders of recalcitrant pollutants. These bacteria are good survivors in harsh environments. Due to such properties these organisms are able to occupy a wide range of environmental niches. The members of these taxa have been suggested as tools for biotechnical applications such as bioremediation and biosynthesis. At the same time several of the species are known as opportunistic human pathogens. Therefore, the detailed characterization of any isolate that has potential for biotechnological applications is very important. This thesis deals with several corynebacterial strains originating from different polluted environments: soil, water-damaged indoor walls, and drinking water distribution systems. A polyphasic taxonomic approach was applied for characterization of the isolates. We found that the strains degrading monoaromatic compounds belonged to Rhodococcus opacus, a species that has not been associated with any health problem. The taxonomic position of strain B293, used for many years in degradation research under different names, was clarified. We assigned it to the species Gordonia polyisoprenivorans. This species is classified under European Biohazard grouping 1, meaning that it is not considered a health hazard for humans. However, there are reports of catheter-associated bacteraemia caused by G. polyisoprenivorans. Our results suggested that the ability of the organism to grow on phthalate esters, used as softeners in medical plastics, may be associated with the colonization of catheters and other devices. In this thesis Mycobacterium lentiflavum, a new emerging opportunistic human pathogen, was isolated from biofilms growing in public drinking water distribution systems. Our report on isolation of M. lentiflavum from water supplies is the second report on this species from drinking water systems, which may thus constitute a reservoir of M. lentiflavum. Automated riboprinting was evaluated for its applicability in rapidly identifying environmental mycobacteria. The technique was found useful in the characterization of several species of rapidly and slowly growing environmental mycobacteria. The second aspect of this thesis refers to characterization of the degradation and tolerance power of several R. opacus, M. murale and G. polyisoprenivorans strains. R. opacus GM-14 utilizes a wide range of aromatic substrates, including benzene, 15 different halobenzenes, 18 phenols and 7 benzoates. This study revealed the high tolerance of R. opacus strains toward toxic hydrophobic compounds. R. opacus GM-14 grew in mineral medium to which benzene or monochlorobenzene was added in amounts of 13 or 3 g l-1, respectively. R. opacus GM-29 utilized toluene and benzene for growth. Strain GM-29 grew in mineral medium with 7 g l-1 of liquid toluene or benzene as the sole carbon source, corresponding to aqueous concentrations of 470 and 650 mg l-1, respectively. Most organic solvents, such as toluene and benzene, due to their high level of hydrophobicity, pass through the bacterial membrane, causing its disintegration. In this thesis the mechanisms of adaptation of rhodococci to toxic hydrophobic compounds were investigated. The rhodococcal strains increased the level of saturation of their cellular fatty acids in response to challenge with phenol, chlorophenol, benzene, chlorobenzene or toluene. The results indicated that increase in the saturation level of cellular fatty acids, particularly that in tuberculostearic acid, is part of the adaptation mechanism of strains GM-14 and GM-29 to the presence of toxic hydrophobic compounds.

Test well exploration in the Myakka River Basin area, Florida

In recent years, difficulties encountered in obtaining ground-water supplies with acceptable chemical characteristics in the Myakka River basin area led to the implementation of a test drilling program. Under this program, well drilling and data collection were executed in such a manner that all water-producing zones of the local aquifers, together with the quality and quantity of the water available, were effectively identified. A step-drilling method was utilized which allowed the collection of formation cuttings, water samples, and water-level data, from isolated zones in the well as drilling proceeded. The step drilling procedure is described. The driller's logs, geophysical logs, and chemical quality of water tables are presented.(Document has 66 pages.)

Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States: a state of knowledge report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program

Executive Summary: Observations show that warming of the climate is unequivocal. The global warming observed over the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases. These emissions come mainly from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), with important contributions from the clearing of forests, agricultural practices, and other activities. Warming over this century is projected to be considerably greater than over the last century. The global average temperature since 1900 has risen by about 1.5ºF. By 2100, it is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5ºF. The U.S. average temperature has risen by a comparable amount and is very likely to rise more than the global average over this century, with some variation from place to place. Several factors will determine future temperature increases. Increases at the lower end of this range are more likely if global heat-trapping gas emissions are cut substantially. If emissions continue to rise at or near current rates, temperature increases are more likely to be near the upper end of the range. Volcanic eruptions or other natural variations could temporarily counteract some of the human-induced warming, slowing the rise in global temperature, but these effects would only last a few years. Reducing emissions of carbon dioxide would lessen warming over this century and beyond. Sizable early cuts in emissions would significantly reduce the pace and the overall amount of climate change. Earlier cuts in emissions would have a greater effect in reducing climate change than comparable reductions made later. In addition, reducing emissions of some shorter-lived heat-trapping gases, such as methane, and some types of particles, such as soot, would begin to reduce warming within weeks to decades. Climate-related changes have already been observed globally and in the United States. These include increases in air and water temperatures, reduced frost days, increased frequency and intensity of heavy downpours, a rise in sea level, and reduced snow cover, glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice. A longer ice-free period on lakes and rivers, lengthening of the growing season, and increased water vapor in the atmosphere have also been observed. Over the past 30 years, temperatures have risen faster in winter than in any other season, with average winter temperatures in the Midwest and northern Great Plains increasing more than 7ºF. Some of the changes have been faster than previous assessments had suggested. These climate-related changes are expected to continue while new ones develop. Likely future changes for the United States and surrounding coastal waters include more intense hurricanes with related increases in wind, rain, and storm surges (but not necessarily an increase in the number of these storms that make landfall), as well as drier conditions in the Southwest and Caribbean. These changes will affect human health, water supply, agriculture, coastal areas, and many other aspects of society and the natural environment. This report synthesizes information from a wide variety of scientific assessments (see page 7) and recently published research to summarize what is known about the observed and projected consequences of climate change on the United States. It combines analysis of impacts on various sectors such as energy, water, and transportation at the national level with an assessment of key impacts on specific regions of the United States. For example, sea-level rise will increase risks of erosion, storm surge damage, and flooding for coastal communities, especially in the Southeast and parts of Alaska. Reduced snowpack and earlier snow melt will alter the timing and amount of water supplies, posing significant challenges for water resource management in the West. (PDF contains 196 pages)

Evaluating approaches and technologies for monitoring organic contaminants in the aquatic environment, Ann Arbor, MI, July 21-23, 2006: workshop proceedings

The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) convened a workshop on Evaluating Approaches and Technologies for Monitoring Organic Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment in Ann Arbor, MI on July 21-23, 2006. The primary objectives of this workshop were to: 1) identify the priority management information needs relative to organic contaminant loading; 2) explore the most appropriate approaches to estimating mass loading; and 3) evaluate the current status of the sensor technology. To meet these objectives, a mixture of leading research scientists, resource managers, and industry representatives were brought together for a focused two-day workshop. The workshop featured four plenary talks followed by breakout sessions in which arranged groups of participants where charged to respond to a series of focused discussion questions. At present, there are major concerns about the inadequacies in approaches and technologies for quantifying mass emissions and detection of organic contaminants for protecting municipal water supplies and receiving waters. Managers use estimates of land-based contaminant loadings to rivers, lakes, and oceans to assess relative risk among various contaminant sources, determine compliance with regulatory standards, and define progress in source reduction. However, accurately quantifying contaminant loading remains a major challenge. Loading occurs over a range of hydrologic conditions, requiring measurement technologies that can accommodate a broad range of ambient conditions. In addition, in situ chemical sensors that provide a means for acquiring continuous concentration measurements are still under development, particularly for organic contaminants that typically occur at low concentrations. Better approaches and strategies for estimating contaminant loading, including evaluations of both sampling design and sensor technologies, need to be identified. The following general recommendations were made in an effort to advance future organic contaminant monitoring: 1. Improve the understanding of material balance in aquatic systems and the relationship between potential surrogate measures (e.g., DOC, chlorophyll, particle size distribution) and target constituents. 2. Develop continuous real-time sensors to be used by managers as screening measures and triggers for more intensive monitoring. 3. Pursue surrogate measures and indicators of organic pollutant contamination, such as CDOM, turbidity, or non-equilibrium partitioning. 4. Develop continuous field-deployable sensors for PCBs, PAHs, pyrethroids, and emerging contaminants of concern and develop strategies that couple sampling approaches with tools that incorporate sensor synergy (i.e., measure appropriate surrogates along with the dissolved organics to allow full mass emission estimation).[PDF contains 20 pages]

Lune Wyre & Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee 16th January, 1978

This is the report from the Lune, Wyre and Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 16th January, 1978. It covers information on fisheries income and expenditure, licence duties, regional water resources study, fish stocks in the River Leven, Skerton fishery and radioactive discharge in relation to fishery interests. It also includes investigations for future water supplies to South West Cumbria and the report by the area fisheries officer on river conditions and fishing for salmon, sea trout, and coarse fish, numbers of fish movements at Haverthwaite, Broadraine and Forge Weir fish monitoring station. Included in this report is also work at Middleton Hatchery, a brief note on fish disease in migratory fish in the Lune and Kent, and net catch figures for the year for the Rivers Lune, Kent, Leven and Duddon. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Lune, Wyre & Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee 10th April, 1978

This is the report from the Lune, Wyre and Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 10th April, 1978. It covers information on fisheries income and expenditure, investigations for future water supplies to South West Cumbria, the Morecambe-Heysham sewage scheme crossing of the River Lune, and terminated angling leases. It also includes the report by the area fisheries officer on river conditions and fishing, and migratory fish movement and spawning on the River Wyre. Included in this report is also Langcliffe and Middleton Hatcheries, the stocking of brown trout by the Angling Associations, the concern of predators and fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Lune, Wyre & Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee 24th October, 1978

This is the report from the Lune, Wyre and Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 24th October, 1978. It covers information on fisheries income and expenditure, the study of salmon propagation in England and Wales, work on the future programme of fisheries work and keep nets. Also covered is a brief note on the future water supplies for South West Cumbria, water resource development, cage rearing of salmon smolts in the River Leven and the report by the area fisheries officer on usage of Middleton hatchery. The section on the report by the area fisheries officer on fishing activities includes river conditions for salmon, sea trout, non-migratory trout, Char and coarse fish, and migratory fish movements at Haverthwaite on the River Leven, Broadraine and Forge Weir on the River Lune and Duddon Hall. Stocking numbers of brown trout and rainbow trout in various rivers are also added, as well as predator numbers for various rivers, pollution incidents and fish mortalities, biological work and Skerton Weir. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 4th March, 1985

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 4th March, 1985. The report contains sections on Public Water Supplies in West Cumbria, proposals for water supply for British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL), and the proposals for a fish pass at Ennerdale Weir. The section on BNFL looks at the proposal of British Nuclear Fuels Limited to take more water from Wastwater. This section includes information about Wastwater, Calder Valley Boreholes, Mine Water and the River Ehen, and other groundwater investigations. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

A proforma for assessment of the levels of sanitation in fish processing establishments

Over the past 15 years of its development, the fish processing industry in India has shown considerable improvement in maintenance of hygiene during handling of the raw material, processing and marketing of the finished product. This is best manifested in the lowering of upper limits of bacterial loads in factory environs and in processed products (Pillai, 1971). More care and attention is given by the processors in recent years in the scientific cleaning and sanitizing of utensils and equipment, chlorination of water supplies and personnel hygiene. An example of sanitation score form is given to help scientists and technologists to evaluate the hygienic status of the processing units.

三种豆科灌木对干旱胁迫的响应与适应

干旱胁迫是全球范围内影响植物生存、生长和分布的重要环境因子。岷江上游干旱河谷区，由于生态环境的脆弱性和长期人类活动的干扰和过度利用，导致植被严重退化，水土流失加剧，山地灾害频繁，干旱化和荒漠化趋势明显。这种趋势若不能遏制，将严重阻碍区域社会经济的快速协调发展，并且威胁成都平原地区的发展和长江中下游地区的生态安全。因而开展干旱河谷生态恢复研究成为解决这些问题的关键。水分匮乏是限制干旱河谷生态恢复的关键因子，在全球气候变化的背景下，干旱胁迫在区域尺度上可能会更加严重，并使干旱河谷的生态环境更加恶化。因此，深入研究干旱河谷乡土植物对干旱胁迫的响应和适应机理，具有非常重要的理论和实践意义。 本论文以岷江上游干旱河谷的三种乡土豆科灌木，白刺花（Sophora davidii）、小马鞍羊蹄甲（Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla）和小雀花（Campylotropics polyantha）理论和实践意义。为研究对象，在人工控制条件下设计了4-5个连续性干旱胁迫处理，系统地研究了灌木幼苗的生长、生物量积累和水分利用效率（WUE）、形态结构和生理过程等对干旱胁迫的反应，揭示了幼苗的干旱适应能力及种间差异。主要研究结论如下： 1) 灌木生长和繁殖对干旱胁迫的反应 在干旱胁迫下，幼苗生长速率显著减小，叶片衰老和脱落比率增大，这些变化随着胁迫强度的增加具有累积效应。叶片比茎对干旱胁迫的反应更敏感。在严重干旱胁迫下，幼苗的有性繁殖被限制，但在中等程度干旱胁迫下，幼苗的有性繁殖能力被提高。 2) 灌木生物量积累及其分配和WUE对干旱胁迫的反应 在干旱胁迫下，灌木各器官的生物量都显著减小，但是生物量的分配侧重于地下部分，使得根茎比在干旱条件下增大。幼苗的耗水量（WU）随着干旱胁迫的增加而显著减少。白刺花和小马鞍羊蹄甲WUE在干旱胁迫下降低；小雀花的WUE在中等干旱胁迫下升高。 3) 灌木叶片结构特征对干旱胁迫反应 白刺花叶片具有较为典型的旱生型结构，而小马鞍羊蹄甲和小雀花则为中生型结构。在1至2年的干旱胁迫下，灌木叶片结构组成未发生本质性的改变，主要是细胞大小的变化。在中等和严重干旱胁迫下，叶肉组织厚度明显减小；并且气孔和表皮细胞面积也显著减小，气孔和表皮细胞密度显著增大；叶肉细胞层数、P/S值、表皮厚度等无显著变化。 4) 灌木对干旱胁迫的生理响应 气体交换参数和叶片相对含水量（RWC）在中等干旱胁迫下发生了明显的改变，而叶绿素荧光参数和光合色素含量在严重干旱胁迫下才发生显著变化。在干旱胁迫下，净光合作用速率（Pn）、气孔导度（gs）和RWC呈下降趋势，而叶片温度（Tl）呈增加趋势，蒸腾速率（Tr）的变化不明显。除了日最大Pn减小以外，干旱胁迫对气体交换参数的日变化无显著影响，但是对光合-光响应曲线有显著的影响，使有效光合时间缩短。在严重干旱胁迫下光系统受到损害而代谢减弱，PSⅡ中心的内禀光能转换效率（Fv/Fm）、量子产量（Yield）、光化学淬灭参数（qP）显著降低，而非光化学淬灭参数（NPQ）明显增加。气孔限制和非气孔限制对Pn的影响与干旱胁迫强度有关。在中度胁迫下，气孔限制起主导作用，在严重胁迫下非气孔限制起主导作用，40% FC水分条件可能是灌木由气孔限制向非气孔限制的转折点。 5) 灌木对干旱胁迫的适应能力及其种间差异 三种灌木对干旱胁迫具有较好的适应能力，即使在20% FC，幼苗未因干旱胁迫III而死亡；80% FC适宜于幼苗生长。白刺花生长速率慢，耗水量较少，具有较强的耐旱和耐贫瘠能力，并具有干旱忍受机制，能够在较干旱的环境中定居和生长。小马鞍羊蹄甲和小雀花，生长快，水分消耗量较大，尤其是小雀花，对干旱胁迫的忍受能力较弱，具有干旱回避机制，因而适宜于在较为湿润的生境中生长。综合分析表明，生长速率较慢的物种抗旱能力较强，其更适宜于作为干旱地区植被恢复物种。 Drought is often a key factor limiting plant establishment, growth and distribution inmany regions of the world. The harsh environmental conditions and long-termanthropogenic disturbance had resulted in habitat destruction in the dry valley ofMinjiang river, southwest China. Recently, it tended to be more severe on the vegetationdegradation, soil erosion and water loss, natural disaster, as well as desertification, whichimpact on regional booming economy and harmonious development, and would be verydangerous to the environmental security in the middle and lower reaches of Yangzi River.Therefore, ecological restoration in the dry valley is one of the vital tasks in China. Waterdeficit is known to affect adversely vegetation restoration in this place. Moreover, in thecontext of climate change, an increased frequency of drought stress might occur at aregional scale in the dry valleys of Minjiang River. The selection of appropriate plantingspecies for vegetation restoration in regard to regional conditions is an important issue atpresent and in further. The research on responses of indigenous species to drought stresscould provide insights into the improvement of the vegetation restoration in the dry valleys of Minjiang River. In this paper, the responses of three indigenous leguminous shrubs, Sophora davidii,Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla and Campylotropics polyantha, to various soil watersupplies were studied in order to assess drought tolerance of seedlings, and to compare interspecific differences in seedlings’ responses to drought stress. The results were as follows: 1 Growth and reproduction of shrubs in response to drought stress Seedling growth reduced significantly while leaf senescence accelerated underdrought stress, the cumulative responses to prolonged drought were found. The capacityfor reproduction was limited by severe drought stress, and improved by moderate droughtstress. Leaf responses were more sensitive than shoot to various water supplies. 2 WUE, biomass production and its partitioning of shrubs in response to drought stress Drought stress reduced significantly the total dry mass and their components ofseedlings, and altered more biomass allocation to root system, showing higher R/S ratiounder drought. Water use (WU) and water-use efficiency (WUE) of both S. davidii and B.faberi var. microphylla declined strongly with drought stress. The WU C. polyantha ofalso declined with drought stress, but WUE improved under moderate drought stress. 3 Anatomical characteristics and ultrastructures of leaves in response to drought stress There were xeromorphic for S. davidii leaves and mesomorphic for B. faberi var.microphylla and C. polyantha at the all water supplies. The foundational changes in leafstructures were not found with drought stress. However, mesophyll thickness, the areas ofstomatal and epidermis reduced slightly while the densities of stomatal and epidermisincreased under severe drought stress. Variations in these parameters could mainly be duoto cell size. Other structures did not displayed significant changes with drought stress. 4 Physiological responses of shrubs to drought stress The gas exchange parameters and leaf relative water content (RWC) were affectedby moderate stress, while chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content were onlyaffected by severe stress. Drought stress decreased net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatalconductance, light-use efficiency and RWC, and increased leaf temperature. Therespiration rates (Tr) were kept within a narrower range than Pn, resulting in aprogressively increased instantaneous water use effiecency (WUEi) under drought stress.Moreover, drought stress also affected the response curve of Pn to RAR, there was adepression light saturation point (Lsat) and maximum Pn (Pnmax) for moderate andsevere stressed seedling. However, diurnal changes of gas exchange parameters did notdiffer among water supplies although maximum daily Pn declined under severe stress.VISevere stress reduced Fv/Fm, Yield and qP while increased NPQ and chlorophyll content.Photosynthetic activity decreased during drought stress period due to stomatal andnon-stomatal limitations. The relative contribution of these limitations was associatedwith the severity of stress. The limitation to Pn was caused mainly by stomatal limitationunder moderate drought stress, and by the predominance of non-stomatal limitation undersevere stress. In this case, 40% FC water supply may be a non-stomatal limitation 5 Interspecific differences in drought tolerance of shrubs Three shrubs exhibited good performance throughout the experiment process, evenif at 20% FC treatment there were no any seedlings died, 80% FC water supply wassuitable for their establishment and growth. S. davidii minimized their water loss byreducing total leaf area and growth rate, as well as maintained higher RWC and Pncompared to the other two species under drought stress, thus they might be more tolerantto the drought stress than the other two species. On the contrary, it was found that C.polyantha and B. faberi var. microphylla had higher water loss because of their stomatalconductance and higher leaf area ratios. They reduced water loss with shedding theirleaves and changing leaf orientation under drought stress. Based on their responses, thestudied species could be categorized into two: (1) S. davidii with a tolerance mechanismin response to drought stress; (2) C. polyantha and B. faberi var. microphylla withdrought avoidance mechanism. These results indicated that slow-growing shrub speciesare better adapted to drought stress than intermediate or fast-growing species in present orpredicted drought conditions. Therefore, selecting rapid-growing species might leavethese seedlings relatively at a risk of extreme drought.

水分梯度上不同灌木生长对干旱河谷土壤理化和生物学性质的影响

岷江上游干旱河谷区水土流失强烈，地质灾害频繁，生态环境十分脆弱，而土壤条件恶劣（水分不足和养分缺乏）是阻碍该区植被恢复的关键因子，因此研究水分和乡土灌木生长对土壤的影响对该区的生态恢复具有指导意义。本文通过定点模拟实验，选取三种优势豆科灌木为研究对象，分别是白刺花（Sophora davidii）、小马鞍羊蹄甲（Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla）和小雀花（Campylotropics polyantha），设置5 个水分梯度，分别为100%、80%、60%、40%和20%田间持水量（FC），对栽种植物与不种植物下土壤理化性质和酶活性进行测定分析，系统比较和研究了不同水分条件和不同乡土灌木生长对干旱河谷区土壤结构、养分循环、酶活性以及微生物量的影响。主要结果如下：1. 无论生长植物与否，土壤的毛管持水量和毛管孔隙度都随着水分含量的减少而降低，最大持水量、总孔隙度和容重变化不大，相应地，土壤中的非毛管孔隙随含水量的减少而升高。各水分条件下，种植植物的毛管持水量和毛管孔隙度低于无植物生长的土壤，非毛管孔隙度相应地高于无植物土壤。土壤含水量在100%－40% FC 时，三种豆科灌木的毛管持水量和毛管孔隙度存在差异，而20% FC 条件下，三种豆科灌木土壤的物理性质基本相同。2. 水分胁迫影响土壤中养分的矿化和积累，主要表现在降低了水溶性碳和铵态氮的含量，中等程度胁迫时（60% FC）促进了有机碳和硝态氮的富集，对速效钾和有效磷没有明显作用。种植豆科灌木后各水分梯度上都增加了有机碳、铵态氮、速效钾和有效磷的积累。增加程度上三种豆科灌木间有一定差异，对于土壤有机碳总量，种植白刺花和小马鞍羊蹄甲明显高于小雀花，同样的情况还出现在铵态氮和速效钾上，但是对于有效磷，种植小雀花后的增加程度则明显高于白刺花和小马鞍羊蹄甲。种植豆科灌木不仅增加了土壤养分的相对含量，也改变了其在水分梯度上的变化趋势及其变化幅度，这种作用主要体现在碳元素和氮元素上。3. 无植物生长时脲酶活性随水分含量的减少而升高，水分胁迫对磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶的作用不显著，蔗糖酶也保持在相对较高的水平。种植植物后，蔗糖酶、磷酸酶活性与无植物时相比有较大幅度的提高，种植白刺花的脲酶活性也升高，其升高的程度在不同水分含量时不同。种植植物还降低了酶活性在水分梯度上的变幅，使之在水分梯度间的差异显著性降低。脲酶活性在指示土壤性质改变方面是较敏感的指标，其它三种酶在不同植物间的差异不明显。4. 在无植物生长时，中等程度的水分胁迫（60% FC）提高了土壤微生物量碳含量，过高或过低的土壤水分均不利于微生物碳的积累。种植小马鞍羊蹄甲后微生物量碳在水分梯度上的变化趋势与无植物生长时一致，而种植白刺花和小雀花后微生物量碳随着水分含量的减少而降低。不同种类植物的微生物量碳在水分梯度上的变化特征也不同，100% FC 条件下三种植物间没有差异，80%和60% FC 条件下小马鞍羊蹄甲显著高于白刺花和小雀花，40%和20% FC 条件下白刺花和小马鞍羊蹄甲也显著高于小雀花，说明不同种类植物随着干旱胁迫程度的加深微生物量碳的降低幅度不同，在极度干旱时，白刺花和小马鞍羊蹄甲土壤依然保持了较高的微生物活性，而小雀花土壤微生物量则明显下降。The dry valley of the upper reaches of the Minjiang River is seriously degradedmountain ecosystem. It was endangered by extremely soil lost and frequentlygeological disaster. Previous studies showed that short of water and nutrients in soilwas the principal limiting factors of vegetation restoration in this area. The typical soiland three dominant leguminous shrubs Sophora davidii, Bauhinia faberi var.microphylla and Campylotropics polyantha in upper reaches of arid Minjiang Rivervalley were considered as experimental material. Two-month old seedlings of eachspecies were exposed to five water supplies (100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% waterfield capacity (FC)) in a temperature and light-controlled greenhouse. Afterthree-month water treatment, soil physiochemical variables and soil microbialactivities were determined by conventional methods. The main results showed that:1. Soil capillary capacity and capillary porosity decreased along water supplyregimes in all treatments, while saturated water capacity, total porosity and bulkdensity kept in a relatively stable level, as a result, the non-capillary porosity andcapacity increased with decrease of water supply. Compared to non-planted soil, theplant-soil systems had a higher non-capillary porosity and capacity, suggestingappropriate oxygen was present in soil to maintain the living of microorganism. Soilof three type shrub species shared the same capillary capacity and capillary porosityunder 20% FC.2. Water soluble carbon and NH4+-N decreased in response to water stress, whiletotal organic carbon and NO3--N promoted by moderate water stress and inhibited by 100% and 20% FC. Total organic carbon, NH4+-N, rapidly available K and availableP increased after the planting of leguminous shrubs in five water supply regimescompared to non-planted soil. For TOC, NH4+-N and rapidly available K, thepromotion effect was higher in S. davidii and B. faberi var. microphylla than C.polyantha planted soil, while available P displayed the opposite side. The planting ofshrubs also reduced the variance of observed traits along water supply gradients.3. Drought stress increased urease activity in non-planted soil, while insignificantdifferences were observed in phosphatase and catalase activity among five watersupply regimes. The planting of leguminous shrubs facilitated the β-glucosidase andphosphatase activity compared to the non-planted soil. It also reduced the variance ofenzyme activity along water supply gradients. Urease was more sensitive to waterstress than other three enzymes.4. Soil water content significantly affected microbial biomass carbon andCmic:Corg. S. davidii and B. faberi var. microphylla showed more drought toleranceability than C. polyantha, attributing not only to their relatively smaller variance ofmicrobial biomass carbon along soil water supply gradients, but also to the highlevel of microbial activity under severe water stress. S. davidii and B. faberi var.microphylla benefited reproduction of soil microorganism at 60%-80% FC, whilesevere drought limited it due to the competition of water and nutrients between plantand soil microorganism.

Waterworks and commemoration: purity, rurality, and civic identity in Britain, 1880-1921

Roberts, Owen, 'Waterworks and commemoration: purity, rurality, and civic identity in Britain, 1880-1921', Continuity and Change (2007) 22(2) pp.305-325 RAE2008

Synthesis, functionalisation and characterisation of germanium nanocrystals & their applications

In the last two decades, semiconductor nanocrystals have been the focus of intense research due to their size dependant optical and electrical properties. Much is now known about how to control their size, shape, composition and surface chemistry, allowing fine control of their photophysical and electronic properties. However, genuine concerns have been raised regarding the heavy metal content of these materials, which is toxic even at relatively low concentrations and may limit their wide scale use. These concerns have driven the development of heavy metal free alternatives. In recent years, germanium nanocrystals (Ge NCs) have emerged as environmentally friendlier alternatives to II-VI and IV-VI semiconductor materials as they are nontoxic, biocompatible and electrochemically stable. This thesis reports the synthesis and characterisation of Ge NCs and their application as fluorescence probes for the detection of metal ions. A room-temperature method for the synthesis of size monodisperse Ge NCs within inverse micelles is reported, with well-defined core diameters that may be tuned from 3.5 to 4.5 nm. The Ge NCs are chemically passivated with amine ligands, minimising surface oxidation while rendering the NCs dispersible in a range of polar solvents. Regulation of the Ge NCs size is achieved by variation of the ammonium salts used to form the micelles. A maximum quantum yield of 20% is shown for the nanocrystals, and a transition from primarily blue to green emission is observed as the NC diameter increases from 3.5 to 4.5 nm. A polydisperse sample with a mixed emission profile is prepared and separated by centrifugation into individual sized NCs which each showed blue and green emission only, with total suppression of other emission colours. A new, efficient one step synthesis of Ge NCs with in situ passivation and straightforward purification steps is also reported. Ge NCs are formed by co-reduction of a mixture of GeCl4 and n-butyltrichlorogermane; the latter is used both as a capping ligand and a germanium source. The surface-bound layer of butyl chains both chemically passivates and stabilises the Ge NCs. Optical spectroscopy confirmed that these NCs are in the strong quantum confinement regime, with significant involvement of surface species in exciton recombination processes. The PL QY is determined to be 37 %, one of the highest values reported for organically terminated Ge NCs. A synthetic method is developed to produce size monodisperse Ge NCs with modified surface chemistries bearing carboxylic acid, acetate, amine and epoxy functional groups. The effect of these different surface terminations on the optical properties of the NCs is also studied. Comparison of the emission properties of these Ge NCs showed that the wavelength position of the PL maxima could be moved from the UV to the blue/green by choice of the appropriate surface group. We also report the application of water-soluble Ge NCs as a fluorescent sensing platform for the fast, highly selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ ions. The luminescence quenching mechanism is confirmed by lifetime and absorbance spectroscopies, while the applicability of this assay for detection of Fe3+ in real water samples is investigated and found to satisfy the US Environmental Protection Agency requirements for Fe3+ levels in drinkable water supplies.

Haematite in Lateritic Soils Aids Groundwater Disinfection

Microbiologically contaminated water severely impacts public health in low-income countries, where treated water supplies are often inaccessible to much of the population. Groundwater represents a water source that commonly has better microbiological quality than surface water. A 2-month intensive flow and quality monitoring programme of a spring in a densely settled, unsewered parish of Kampala, Uganda, revealed the persistent presence of high chloride and nitrate concentrations that reflect intense loading of sewage in the spring’s catchment. Conversely, thermotolerant coliform bacteria counts in spring water samples remained very low outside of periods of intense rainfall. Laboratory investigations of mechanisms responsible for this behavior, achieved by injecting a pulse of H40/1 bacteriophage tracer into a column packed with locally derived granular laterite, resulted in near-total tracer adsorption. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the laterite to consist predominantly of quartz and kaolinite, with minor amounts (<5%) of haematite. Batch studies comparing laterite adsorption capacity with a soil having comparable mineralogy, but with amorphous iron oxide rather than haematite, showed the laterite to have a significantly greater capacity to adsorb bacteriophage. Batch study results using pure haematite confirmed that its occurrence in laterite contributes substantially to micro-organism attenuation observed and serves to protect underlying groundwater.