scholarly journals Identification of the factors determining the concentration and spatial distribution of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soils of the non-forest Tatra Mountains (southern Poland)

Author(s):  
Krystyna Ciarkowska ◽  
Anna Miechówka

AbstractWe investigated trace-metal (TM)––Zn, Pb and Cd––concentrations and spatial distributions in the uppermost layers of non-forest soils from Tatra National Park (West Carpathians). We aimed to determine the main factors affecting the distribution of TMs, as well as the risk they posed to the environment. TM concentrations were compared to the target and intervention values established by the Dutch Ministry. Principle component analysis was used to identify the potential factors affecting TM accumulation, with two-factor analysis being applied to further examine the importance of any given factor. To examine the regularity of the TM distribution, semivariograms were created. The semivariograms of Cd and Pb were similar, suggesting a moderate spatial dependence for these metal concentrations, while the Zn variogram indicated a lack of spatial continuity for this metal. We established that the Zn, Pb and Cd exceeded target levels and at some sites, Cd exceeded the intervention values, posing a strong ecological risk to the environment. Our study confirmed that the parent rock was the most important factor affecting the TM accumulation. The carbonate-free soils differed from carbonate soils in the second important factor affecting TM accumulation, for carbonate-free soils it was location when for carbonate soils–TM content in the parent material. The Zn, Pb and Cd distribution patterns indicated that Cd, but also to a lesser degree Pb and Zn, accumulation mainly resulted from long-range transport from industrialised areas, while the Zn concentrations were also affected by local sources, such as the historical mining of Zn ore.

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da-Yeong Lee ◽  
Dae-Seong Lee ◽  
Mi-Jung Bae ◽  
Soon-Jin Hwang ◽  
Seong-Yu Noh ◽  
...  

Odonata species are sensitive to environmental changes, particularly those caused by humans, and provide valuable ecosystem services as intermediate predators in food webs. We aimed: (i) to investigate the distribution patterns of Odonata in streams on a nationwide scale across South Korea; (ii) to evaluate the relationships between the distribution patterns of odonates and their environmental conditions; and (iii) to identify indicator species and the most significant environmental factors affecting their distributions. Samples were collected from 965 sampling sites in streams across South Korea. We also measured 34 environmental variables grouped into six categories: geography, meteorology, land use, substrate composition, hydrology, and physicochemistry. A total of 83 taxa belonging to 10 families of Odonata were recorded in the dataset. Among them, eight species displayed high abundances and incidences. Self-organizing map (SOM) classified sampling sites into seven clusters (A–G) which could be divided into two distinct groups (A–C and D–G) according to the similarities of their odonate assemblages. Clusters A–C were characterized by members of the suborder Anisoptera, whereas clusters D–G were characterized by the suborder Zygoptera. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) identified forest (%), altitude, and cobble (%) in substrata as the most influential environmental factors determining odonate assemblage compositions. Our results emphasize the importance of habitat heterogeneity by demonstrating its effect on odonate assemblages.


2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Balasco ◽  
Luciana Esposito ◽  
Luigi Vitagliano

The protein folded state is the result of the fine balance of a variety of different forces. Even minor structural perturbations may have a significant impact on the stability of these macromolecules. Studies carried out in recent decades have led to the convergent view that proteins are endowed with a flexible spine. One of the open issues related to protein local backbone geometry is the identification of the factors that influence the amplitude of the τ (N—Cα—C) angle. Here, statistical analyses performed on an updated ensemble of X-ray protein structures by dissecting the contribution of the major factors that can potentially influence the local backbone geometry of proteins are reported. The data clearly indicate that the local backbone conformation has a prominent impact on the modulation of the τ angle. Therefore, a proper assessment of the impact of the other potential factors can only be appropriately evaluated when small (φ, ψ) regions are considered. Here, it is shown that when the contribution of the backbone conformation is removed by considering small (φ, ψ) areas, an impact of secondary structure, as defined byDSSP, and/or the residue type on τ is still detectable, although to a limited extent. Indeed, distinct τ-value distributions are detected for Pro/Gly and β-branched (Ile/Val) residues. The key role of the local backbone conformation highlighted here supports the use of variable local backbone geometry in protein refinement protocols.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-167
Author(s):  
Tahmidul Islam ◽  
Md Golam Rabbani ◽  
Wasimul Bari

Child malnutrition is a serious issue for overall child health and future development. Stunting is a key anthropometric indicator of child malnutrition. Because of the nature of sampling design used in Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey, 2011, responses obtained from children under same family might be correlated. Again, children residing in same cluster may also be correlated. To tackle this problem, generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), instead of usual fixed effect logistic regression model, has been utilized in this paper to find out potential factors affecting child malnutrition. Model performances have also been compared. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 64(2): 163-167, 2016 (July)


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11374
Author(s):  
HAN YAN ◽  
Min-Ju Song ◽  
Hee-Yong Lee

This study investigates the causes of food loss and waste (FLW) from the perspective of logistics service providers (LSPs) and provides sustainable options for the Chinese market. To this end, this study reviews the literature on FLW and cold chain logistics published from 2008–2021. Until recently, little attention has been paid to understanding FLW drivers from the LSP perspective. This critical systematic literature review (SLR) aims to identify the potential drivers of FLW and provide a coherent and integrated knowledge base regarding these factors. A configurative SLR was performed, and after a filtering process, 43 articles were analyzed. Potential factors were identified and categorized into four groups: (i) poor management, (ii) inappropriate operational practices, (iii) high cost, and (iv) restrictions. The results reveal that technical inefficiency and facility costs are the most serious risks, and the lack of legislation and standards constitutes the second most serious risk for FLW. Sustainable solutions are recommended to address these risks. Finally, the study findings provide guidance for LSPs to achieve sustainability in social, economic, and ecological dimensions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Zwoliński ◽  
Jakub Stachowiak

Geodiversity map of the Tatra National Park for geotourism The paper indicates the relations between geodiversity and geotourism in the Tatra National Park. Geodiversity of the Tatra Mountains is visualized by its geodiversity map, whereas geotouristic attractions are measured by touristic attractions along touristic trails on geodiversity map. Areas of the highest geodiversity cover merely 8.2% of the Tatar National Park area. These are mainly areas close to the Tatra Mountains' main ridge. It is so due to geology, landform energy, slopes, landform fragmentation and geoecological belts. Most of the analyzed thematic layers categorizes ridges as more geodiversed than valley areas. The trails situated in the valley bottoms usually cross by areas of low geodiversity, however, from geotouristic point of view, it should be noted that slopes and ridges circumvolving the valley can be marked by high geodiversity. The mountain slopes and ridges are within tourist's sight, what increases trail's geotouristic attractiveness. Amongst many geotouristically interesting parts of the Tatra Mountains Dolina Pięciu Stawów valley appears to be the most appealing with its high quantity and high variety of post-glacial forms on valley's bottom as well as on its slopes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 772-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal Bhutiani ◽  
Beunca Graffree ◽  
Robert C.G. Martin ◽  
Amy R. Quillo

The aim of this study was to evaluate potential factors affecting the time period in which a 50 per cent parathyroid hormone (PTH) drop is observed. Eight-seven patients undergoing focused parathyroidectomy between 2011 and 2015, whose PTH values dropped to within normal range, were grouped according to whether they required > or ≤15 minutes after gland excision to achieve a 50 per cent PTH. Groups were compared according to preoperative PTH, calcium, age, glomer-ular filtration rate, and adenoma weight. Lower preoperative and preincision PTH levels were associated with requiring >15 minutes to achieve a >50 per cent drop in ioPTH. Time to >50 per cent ioPTH drop did not affect cure rates at one year, though a >15 minutes requirement was associated with higher serum calcium levels (P = 0.015). Lower baseline PTH and preincision PTH levels are significantly associated with a >15 minutes postexcision time to achieve a >50 per cent drop in ioPTH. Future analyses are warranted to determine whether a longer postexcision time threshold before proceeding with four-gland exploration is warranted in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and mildly elevated preoperative PTH.


Perception ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 769-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilja T. Feldstein

The human egocentric perception of approaching objects and the related perceptual processes have been of interest to researchers for several decades. This article gives a literature review on numerous studies that investigated the phenomenon when an object approaches an observer (or the other way around) with the goal to single out factors that influence the perceptual process. A taxonomy of metrics is followed by a breakdown of different experimental measurement methods. Thereinafter, potential factors affecting the judgment of approaching objects are compiled and debated while divided into human factors (e.g., gender, age, and driving experience), compositional factors (e.g., approaching velocity, spatial distance, and observation time), and technical factors (e.g., field of view, stereoscopy, and display contrast). Experimental findings are collated, juxtaposed, and critically discussed. With virtual-reality devices having taken a tremendous developmental leap forward in the past few years, they have been able to gain ground in experimental research. Therefore, special attention in this article is also given to the perception of approaching objects in virtual environments and put in contrast to the perception in reality.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4819 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-264
Author(s):  
TÍMEA CHAMUTIOVÁ ◽  
LADISLAV HAMERLÍK ◽  
PETER BITUŠÍK

Here we present a summary of subfossil chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) found in the surface sediments of 52 Tatra Mts. lakes (Slovakia, Poland). Head capsules of 73 morphotypes of 5 subfamilies are described and illustrated. In addition to the previously documented subfossils by Brooks et al. (2007), we present 15 new morphotypes: Diamesa Tatra-type A, Diamesa Tatra-type B, Pseudodiamesa branickii-type, Pseudodiamesa nivosa-type, Pseudokiefferiella parva, Brillia bifida-type, Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) skirwithensis-type, Cricotopus (Cricotopus) tremulus-type, Cricotopus/Orthocladius I, Eukiefferiella brevicalcar-type, Eukiefferiella claripennis-type B, Orthocladius (Orthocladius) dentifer-type, O. (Mesorthocladius) frigidus, Orthocladius (Euorthocladius) sp. and Tanytarsini indet. Most of these types have possibly broad distribution patterns in Europe. We believe that due to specific features of each region, this paper will serve as a helpful manual for limnologists and paleolimnologists working not only in the Tatra Mts. but also in the whole Carpathian region.


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