Microplastic Pollution in the Surface Waters from Plain and Mountainous Lakes in Siberia, Russia

Microplastics (MPs) contaminations of freshwater and marine environments has become a global issue. Lakes in southern Siberia provide a wide range of ecosystem services and are essential elements in the annual and interannual runoff distribution of the Great Siberian Rivers. However, the extent of their MPs pollution remains unknown. In this paper, for the first time, we analyze the concentrations, composition, and spatial distribution of MPs in six lakes in southern Siberia. The studied lakes are located both in the Altai mountains and the West Siberian plain. Some of them are significantly impacted by human activities, while others are located in protected areas with no permanent population. Nevertheless, MPs were detected in all of the studied lakes. MPs concentrations ranged from 4 to 26 MPs L−1. Comparing with other inland lakes, South Siberian lakes presented moderate MPs concentrations. Among the registered MPs forms, fragments and films were dominant, with a size range between 31 and 60 nm. The MPs’ sources depend on local human activities (fishing, transport, landfilling). Therefore, sufficiently high concentrations were observed even in remote lakes. The present study set a baseline that emphasizes the need for increased attention to waste management and sustainable water use in Siberian freshwater environments.

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Impact of historical gold mining activities on marine sediments in Wine Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Atlantic Geology ◽

10.4138/atlgeol.2015.016 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 344 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Megan E Little ◽

Michael B Parsons ◽

Brent A Law ◽

Timothy G. Milligan ◽

John N Smith

Keyword(s):

Nova Scotia ◽

Marine Sediments ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Mine Tailings ◽

Crushed Rock ◽

Mine Wastes ◽

Wide Range ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Early Operations ◽

Harbour Area

Past investigations at historical gold (Au) districts in Nova Scotia, Canada have identified elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in nearby sediments and waters. These metal(loid)s are derived from erosion of mineralized bedrock, and the disposal of mine tailings into the environment during early operations. The Wine Harbour gold district is located along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia, and produced 1329 kg of Au from 75 581 tonnes of crushed rock from 1862 to 1939.The gold occurs in arsenopyrite-bearing quartz-carbonate veins and was extracted using stamp milling and Hg amalgamation. Historical maps document tailings deposits near former stamp mill sites; however, the extent to which these mine wastes influence environmental quality in the adjacent marine environment is uncertain. In this study, we measured metal(loid) concentrations in tailings, marine sediments, and surface waters to assess the lateral and vertical extent of mining-related impacts on Wine Harbour. Chemical analyses of terrestrial and intertidal tailings reveal high concentrations of both As (86–196 000 mg/kg) and Hg (444–320 000 µg/kg). Analyses of marine sediments show a wide range in both As (4–568 mg/kg) and Hg (<5–7430 µg/kg) concentrations. In general, the highest metal(loid) concentrations in sediments were recorded down-gradient of stamp mill sites. Elevated concentrations were also detected in sediments underlying an active mussel aquaculture operation at the western end of the harbour. Results from this study have been used to help assess potential ecosystem and human health risks associated with historical gold mine wastes in the Wine Harbour area.

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Geochemical mapping of arsenic in surface waters and stream sediments of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

Rem Revista Escola de Minas ◽

10.1590/0370-44672015680077 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 43-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Raphael de Vicq Ferreira da Costa ◽

Mariangela Garcia Praça Leite ◽

Fellipe Pinheiro Chagas Mendonça ◽

Hermínio Arias Nalini Jr.

Keyword(s):

Surface Waters ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Arsenic Concentration ◽

Stream Sediments ◽

Regional Study ◽

Partial Digestion ◽

Quadrilátero Ferrífero ◽

History Of ◽

High Concentrations ◽

First Time

A regional study on the arsenic concentration in surface waters and stream sediments, with a density of one sample every 13 km2, was carried out for the first time in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Brazil). The region was divided into 3rd order catchment basins, in which 512 areas were sampled. The arsenic concentration was determined in waters and stream sediments after partial digestion with the aid of ICP-OES. The arsenic values found in surface waters ranged from 57.70 to 414 µg.L-1, while for stream sediments, arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.63 to 1691 mg.kg-1, and from the 512 sampling points, 135 (26%) had arsenic concentrations above the limit of detection, which was 0.63 mg.kg-1. It was also found that 106 3rd order catchment basins had values above the third quartile, (5.09 mg.kg-1). The results show that high concentrations of this element are strongly related to the presence of Nova Lima rocks that contain minerals rich in arsenic. However, the anthropogenic influence in such high concentrations cannot be ruled out, as the region has a history of over 300 years of gold mining.

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Nutrient-Poor Breeding Substrates of Ambrosia Beetles Are Enriched With Biologically Important Elements

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.664542 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Maximilian Lehenberger ◽

Nina Foh ◽

Axel Göttlein ◽

Diana Six ◽

Peter H. W. Biedermann

Keyword(s):

Essential Elements ◽

Trypodendron Lineatum ◽

Ambrosia Beetles ◽

Ambrosia Fungi ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Xylem Tissue ◽

Fungal Associates ◽

High Concentrations ◽

First Time ◽

Do So

Fungus-farming within galleries in the xylem of trees has evolved independently in at least twelve lineages of weevils (Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae) and one lineage of ship-timber beetles (Lymexylidae). Jointly these are termed ambrosia beetles because they actively cultivate nutritional “ambrosia fungi” as their main source of food. The beetles are obligately dependent on their ambrosia fungi as they provide them a broad range of essential nutrients ensuring their survival in an extremely nutrient-poor environment. While xylem is rich in carbon (C) and hydrogen (H), various elements essential for fungal and beetle growth, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) are extremely low in concentration. Currently it remains untested how both ambrosia beetles and their fungi meet their nutritional requirements in this habitat. Here, we aimed to determine for the first time if galleries of ambrosia beetles are generally enriched with elements that are rare in uncolonized xylem tissue and whether these nutrients are translocated to the galleries from the xylem by the fungal associates. To do so, we examined natural galleries of three ambrosia beetle species from three independently evolved farming lineages, Xyleborinus saxesenii (Scolytinae: Xyleborini), Trypodendron lineatum (Scolytinae: Xyloterini) and Elateroides dermestoides (Lymexylidae), that cultivate unrelated ambrosia fungi in the ascomycete orders Ophiostomatales, Microascales, and Saccharomycetales, respectively. Several elements, in particular Ca, N, P, K, Mg, Mn, and S, were present in high concentrations within the beetles’ galleries but available in only very low concentrations in the surrounding xylem. The concentration of elements was generally highest with X. saxesenii, followed by T. lineatum and E. dermestoides, which positively correlates with the degree of sociality and productivity of brood per gallery. We propose that the ambrosia fungal mutualists are translocating essential elements through their hyphae from the xylem to fruiting structures they form on gallery walls. Moreover, the extremely strong enrichment observed suggests recycling of these elements from the feces of the insects, where bacteria and yeasts might play a role.

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Degraded peatlands of South East Asia : a source of Trace Metal to surface waters

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10859 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Laure Gandois ◽

Alison M. Hoyt ◽

Stéphane Mounier ◽

Gaël Le Roux ◽

Charles F. Harvey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Trace Metal ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Strong Association ◽

Secondary Source ◽

Carbon Export ◽

West Kalimantan ◽

Tropical Peatlands ◽

High Concentrations ◽

First Time

<p>Worldwide, peatlands are important sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and trace metals (TM) to surface waters and these fluxes may increase with peatland degradation. In Southeast Asia, tropical peatlands are being rapidly deforested and drained. The black rivers draining these peatland areas have high concentrations of DOM. However, the fate of this fluvial carbon export is uncertain, and its role as a trace metal carrier has never been investigated. This work aims to address these gaps in our understanding of tropical peatland DOM and associated elements in the context of degraded tropical peatlands of Indonesian Borneo. We quantified dissolved organic carbon and trace metals concentrations in the dissolved, fine colloidal and coarse colloidal fractions and determined the characteristics (optical and isotopic) of the peatland-derived DOM as it drains from peatland canals, flows along black river and eventually mixes with the Kapuas Kecil River before meeting the ocean near the city of Pontianak in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Black rivers draining degraded peatlands show significantly higher concentrations of Al, Fe, Pb, As, Ni, and Cd, compared the white river. A strong association is observed between DOM, Fe, As, Cd and Zn in the dissolved and fine colloid fraction, while Al is associated to Pb and Ni and present in a higher proportion in the coarse colloidal fraction. We additionally measured the isotopic composition of lead released from degraded tropical peatlands for the first time and show that Pb originates from anthropogenic atmospheric deposition. Degraded tropical peatlands are important sources of DOM and trace metals to rivers and a secondary source of atmospherically deposited contaminants.</p>

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Sedelnikovaea baicalensis (Lecanoraceae) — new lichen genus and species for Europe

Novosti sistematiki nizshikh rastenii ◽

10.31111/nsnr/2018.52.2.407 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 407-416

Author(s):

T. V. Makryi

Keyword(s):

Central Asia ◽

Lichen Species ◽

Significant Part ◽

The Urals ◽

Southern Siberia ◽

Central Asian ◽

Northeastern Siberia ◽

Mountain Belts ◽

First Time ◽

Vast Range

Sedelnikovaea baicalensis, the Siberian-Central Asian lichen species, is recorded for the first time for Europe. Based on all the known localities, including those first-time reported from Baikal Siberia, the peculiarities of the ecology and distribution of this species are discussed, the map of its distribution is provided. It is concluded that the species was erroneously considered earlier as a Central Asian endemic. The center of the present range of this lichen is the steppes of Southern Siberia and Mongolia. Assumptions are made that S. baicalensis is relatively young (Paleogene-Neogene) species otherwise it would have a vast range extending beyond Asia, and also that the Yakut locations of this species indicate that in the Pleistocene its range was wider and covered a significant part of the Northeastern Siberia but later underwent regression. Based on the fact that in the mountains of Central Asia the species is found only in the upper mountain belts, it is proposed to characterize it as «cryo-arid xerophyte» in contrast to «arid xerophytes». A conclusion is made that the presence of extensive disjunctions of S. baicalensis range between the Southern Pre-Urals and the Altai-Sayan Mountains or the Mountains of Central Asia is unlikely; the lichen is most likely to occur in the Urals and most of Kazakhstan.

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To the lichen flora of Oka Plateau (Eastern Sayan, Republic of Buryatia)

Novosti sistematiki nizshikh rastenii ◽

10.31111/nsnr/2009.43.229 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 229-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. N. Urbanavichene ◽

G. P. Urbanavichus

Keyword(s):

Lichen Species ◽

Southern Siberia ◽

Eastern Sayan ◽

First Time ◽

Lichen Flora

New data on the distribution of 329 lichen species in Oka Plateau (Eastern Sayan, Southern Siberia, Republic of Buryatia) are presented. 7 species are reported for the first time for lichen flora of Russia: Leptogium furfuraceum, Melanelixia villosella, Myxophora leptogiophila, Pachyphiale ophiospora, Physcia cf. integrata, Polycoccum clauzadei, Stigmidium psorae. 14 species are recorded for the first time to Southern Siberia: Arthonia clemens, Bacidina delicata, Caloplaca saxifragarum, Lecidea septentrionalis, Leciophysma finmarkicum, Leptogium intermedium, Phaeosporobolus alpinus, Rhizocarpon frigidum, Rinodina metaboliza, R. olivaceobrunnea, Tetramelas chloroleucus, T. phaeophysciae, Weddellomyces tartaricola, Xanthoria stiligera. The records of Myxophora leptogiophila, Pachyphiale ophiospora, Polycoccum clauzadei, Stigmidium psorae, Weddellomyces tartaricola are the first to Asia.

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Safety assessment of biological raw materials in the system of medicines quality assurance

10.33920/med-06-2002-05 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 63-72

Author(s):

Yu. Olefir ◽

E. Sakanyan ◽

I. Osipova ◽

V. Dobrynin ◽

M. Smirnova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

State Level ◽

The State ◽

Spongiform Encephalopathy ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

Key Aspects ◽

First Time ◽

Medicines Quality

The entry of a wide range of biotechnological products into the pharmaceutical market calls for rein-forcement of the quality, efficacy and safety standards at the state level. The following general monographs have been elaborated for the first time to be included into the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, XIV edition: "Viral safety" and "Reduction of the risk of transmitting animal spongiform encephalopathy via medicinal products". These general monographs were elaborated taking into account the requirements of foreign pharmacopoeias and the WHO recommendations. The present paper summarises the key aspects of the monographs.

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Innovation in Byzantine Medicine

10.1093/oso/9780198850687.001.0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Petros Bouras-Vallianatos

Keyword(s):

Human Physiology ◽

Medical Literature ◽

Cultural Exchange ◽

Significant Degree ◽

Medieval Medicine ◽

Medieval Latin ◽

Main Thesis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Comprehensive Examination ◽

First Time

Byzantine medicine is still a little-known and misrepresented field not only in the wider arena of debates on medieval medicine but also among Byzantinists. Byzantine medical literature is often viewed as ‘stagnant’ and mainly preserving ancient ideas; and our knowledge of it continues to be based to a great extent on the comments of earlier authorities, which are often repeated uncritically. This book presents the first comprehensive examination of the medical corpus of, arguably, the most important late Byzantine physician John Zacharias Aktouarios (c.1275–c.1330). The main thesis is that John’s medical works show an astonishing degree of openness to knowledge from outside Byzantium combined with a significant degree of originality, in particular, in the fields of uroscopy, pharmacology, and human physiology. The analysis of John’s edited (On Urines and On Psychic Pneuma) and unedited (Medical Epitome) works is supported for the first time by the consultation of a large number of manuscripts. The study is also informed by evidence from a wide range of medical sources, including previously unpublished ones, and texts from other genres, such as epistolography and merchants’ accounts. The contextualization of John’s works sheds new light on the development of Byzantine medical thought and practice, and enhances our understanding of the late Byzantine social and intellectual landscape. Finally, John’s medical observations are also examined in the light of examples from the medieval Latin and Islamic worlds, placing his medical theories in the wider Mediterranean milieu and highlighting the cultural exchange between Byzantium and its neighbours.

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Rebels, Believers, Survivors

10.1093/oso/9780198857297.001.0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Noel Malcolm

Keyword(s):

Catholic Church ◽

Religious Conversion ◽

Late Nineteenth Century ◽

Napoleonic Wars ◽

Conversion To Islam ◽

Wide Range ◽

History Of ◽

External Powers ◽

First Time ◽

Modern Myth

This book of essays covers a wide range of topics in the history of Albania and Kosovo. Many of the essays illuminate connections between the Albanian lands and external powers and interests, whether political, military, diplomatic or religious. Such topics include the Habsburg invasion of Kosovo in 1689, the manoeuvrings of Britain and France towards the Albanian lands during the Napoleonic Wars, the British interest in those lands in the late nineteenth century, and the Balkan War of 1912. On the religious side, essays examine ‘crypto-Christianity’ in Kosovo during the Ottoman period, the stories of conversion to Islam revealed by Inquisition records, the first theological treatise written in Albanian (1685), and the work of the ‘Apostolic Delegate’ who reformed the Catholic Church in early twentieth-century Albania. Some essays bring to life ordinary individuals hitherto unknown to history: women hauled before the Inquisition, for example, or the author of the first Albanian autobiography. The longest essay, on Ali Pasha, tells for the first time the full story of the role he played in the international politics of the Napoleonic Wars. Some of these studies have been printed before (several in hard-to-find publications, and one only in Albanian), but the greater part of this book appears here for the first time. This is not only a contribution to Albanian and Balkan history it also engages with many broader issues, including religious conversion, methods of enslavement within the Ottoman Empire, and the nature of modern myth-making about national identity.

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Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

10.1093/oso/9780198860846.001.0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Computational Modelling ◽

Late Antique ◽

Roman Economy ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Status ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Methodological Approaches ◽

First Time ◽

Site Types

The recycling and reuse of materials and objects were extensive in the past, but have rarely been embedded into models of the economy; even more rarely has any attempt been made to assess the scale of these practices. Recent developments, including the use of large datasets, computational modelling, and high-resolution analytical chemistry, are increasingly offering the means to reconstruct recycling and reuse, and even to approach the thorny matter of quantification. Growing scholarly interest in the topic has also led to an increasing recognition of these practices from those employing more traditional methodological approaches, which are sometimes coupled with innovative archaeological theory. Thanks to these efforts, it has been possible for the first time in this volume to draw together archaeological case studies on the recycling and reuse of a wide range of materials, from papyri and textiles, to amphorae, metals and glass, building materials and statuary. Recycling and reuse occur at a range of site types, and often in contexts which cross-cut material categories, or move from one object category to another. The volume focuses principally on the Roman Imperial and late antique world, over a broad geographical span ranging from Britain to North Africa and the East Mediterranean. Last, but not least, the volume is unique in focusing upon these activities as a part of the status quo, and not just as a response to crisis.

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