COMPARISON OF HYDROCARBONS IN BENTHIC FISH FROM COAL OIL POINT AND TANNER BANK, CALIFORNIA

1979 ◽  
Vol 1979 (1) ◽  
pp. 573-577
Author(s):  
Steven S. Rossi ◽  
George W. Rommel ◽  
Andrew A. Benson

ABSTRACT Hydrocarbons of rockfish (Sebastes sp.), sanddab (Citharichthys sp.), and sole (Lyopsetta sp.) were analyzed by high resolution glass-capillary gas chromatography, following saponification in methanolic-KOH, extraction by n-hexane, and separation via liquid chromatography. The fish contained a wide range of hydrocarbons, with total concentrations varying from less than 10 µg/g dry weight to values exceeding 100 µg/g DW. Some differences between species were noted: levels of biogenic constituents decreased in the order—sanddab>rockfish>slender sole. Fish collected during the summer exhibited hydrocarbon profiles similar to those taken during winter. Gravid females were characterized by somewhat higher levels of hydrocarbons. Subtle differences were observed between fish collected near Coal Oil Point, a region of intense natural petroleum influx, and Tanner Bank, an area some 140 km offshore. Mean concentrations of hydrocarbons were elevated in COP fish (53.2 ± 38 µg/g), and many samples demonstrated characteristics of petroleum contamination. These characteristics were not accentuated in gravid females. Animals from Tanner Bank contained lesser amounts of hydrocarbons (x = 27.2 ± 15), with biogenic components often predominating over those of petroleum origin. Most fishes from both areas exhibited unresolved complex mixture (UCM) hydrocarbons. These data, in combination with the absence of petrogenic characteristics among resolvable hydrocarbons, suggest that samples were contaminated by low levels of weathered petroleum. The most abundant hydrocarbon was squalene, which was present in every sample. Synthetic chemicals such as p′, p′-DDE, poly chlorinated biphenyls, and plasticizers were present in nearly all fish samples, indicating the ubiquity of these compounds throughout the continental shelf biosphere. The relevance of these findings to marine pollution monitoring strategies is briefly discussed.

Author(s):  
VA Sisson ◽  
RF Severson

AbstractPlants from 64 Nicotiana species were sampled in the greenhouse in 1983 and 1984 and from the field in 1985 and 1986 for the purpose of developing a chemical profile of each species. Mature green leaves were harvested at flowering, freeze-dried and ground to pass a 1 mm screen prior to chemical analysis. In this study we report the type and amounts of nicotinoid alkaloids. Alkaloid values were determined by glass-capillary gas chromatography and were averaged over the two years for each environment. Both total alkaloids (mg g-1 dry weight) and the distribution (percentage composition) of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, and anatabine were highly correlated between years for greenhouse and field samples. Greenhouse and field data were highly correlated, although total-alkaloid levels were significantly higher from field-grown plants. All of the Nicotiana species tested contained a measurable alkaloid fraction (at least 10 µg g-1). There was a wide range in total-alkaloid levels with nearly a 200-fold difference among greenhouse-grown samples and a 400-fold difference among field-grown species. In general, total-alkaloid levels among the species were found to be relatively low. Eleven species were found to have a different alkaloid composition when green leaf and air-dried samples were compared. Evidence is presented for the association between alkaloid characteristics and the phylogenetic classification of the species in the genus.


1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Gardner ◽  
D T. E. Hunt ◽  
G. Topping

It is widely recognised that, unless special steps are taken, analytical results from a group of laboratories engaged in a monitoring programme are likely to be of poor comparability. This in turn can prejudice the conclusions drawn from the results of monitoring. On the basis of previous studies, the problem is known to be particularly acute for measurements of trace metals in saline waters. Recognising the difficulty, the Marine Pollution Monitoring Management Group (MPMMG) and the Water Research centre (WRc) have organised a programme of Analytical Quality Control (AQC). This has the objective of ensuring that analytical results for filterable cadmium and mercury in saline waters, obtained by water industry and other relevant laboratories, are of adequate accuracy and comparability for their intended uses. WRc is to coordinate a series of tests, some involving distributions of standards and samples, which the participating laboratories undertake; this series of tests, the background to the approach and some of the results obtained to date are described here.


1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Segar ◽  
E. Stamman

Most historical marine pollution monitoring has proven useless in a management context. A strategy for development of effective marine pollution monitoring programs is outlined. This strategy is based on the following steps: 1) systematic evaluation of the management information needs, 2) identification of the hypothetical impacts associated with those management concerns, and 3) investigation of the feasibility of monitoring those effects such that the existence, or absence, of a specified level of effects can be established in a statistically-valid manner. There are two fundamentally different types of monitoring program: site-specific and regional. These two types of program differ markedly in scope and approach when designed through application of this strategy. The strategy requires development of null hypotheses which address management concerns and which are amenable to scientific testing. In order for the program to be successful, the null hypotheses selected for inclusion in a marine pollution monitoring program must address levels of effect which are predefined to be environmentally significant. The definition of environmentally significant effect levels is a difficult process which must be primarily the responsibility of the managerial community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Huber Flores ◽  
Naser Hossein Motlagh ◽  
Agustin Zuniga ◽  
Mohan Liyanage ◽  
Monica Passananti ◽  
...  

Separations ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Jason Hoisington ◽  
Jason S. Herrington

A canister-based sampling method along with preconcentrator-Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was applied to ethylene oxide (EtO or EO) and 75 other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air. Ambient air can contain a large variety of VOCs, and thorough analysis requires non-discriminatory sampling and a chromatographic method capable of resolving a complex mixture. Canister collection of whole air samples allows for the collection of a wide range of volatile compounds, while the simultaneous analysis of ethylene oxide and other VOCs allows for faster throughput than separate methods. The method presented is based on US EPA Method TO-15A and allows for the detection of EtO from 18 to 2500 pptv. The method has an average accuracy of 104% and precision of 13% relative standard deviation (RSD), with an instrument run time of 32 min. In addition, a link between canister cleanliness and ethylene oxide growth is observed, and potential mechanisms and cleaning strategies are addressed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 325 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-515
Author(s):  
S.F. Komulaynen

The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus,1758) is endangered in Europe and is now listed in the Red Data Book of many countries and regions. The diet of the species in the Syskyänjoki River (a tributary of Lake Ladoga) has been studied. The contents of the intestine generally correspond to the composition of seston, and include organic detritus, filamentous and unicellular algae, fragments of invertebrates and macrophyte tissues mixed with silt and sand. The total biomass of the intestinal contents of varied from 0.8 to 30.6 mg per organism (absolutely dry weight). Margaritifera margaritifera consumes a wide range of particles, from 0.5 μm3 (bacteria and unicellular algae) to 200 000 μm3 (fragments of invertebrates and macrophyte tissues). About 90–95% (by volume) of the intestinal contents was consisted by fine organic detritus. The food composition did not differ significantly for mollusks of different sexes and size. In the intestinal contents, 63 taxa of algae were identified. The number of algal species in the content of one intestine varied from 3 to 17, with their abundance from 250 to 9560 cells per organism. The most abundant and constant in the contents of the intestines are unicellular algae. Diatoms are the most diverse, they make up 50.8% of the total number of species.


1996 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 163-166
Author(s):  
J. Van den Bosch ◽  
C.F. Mercer

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) reduces growth and nutrition of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in New Zealand, and breeding resistant cultivars (with low galls per gram of root) is the preferred control method. Resistant and susceptible selections were bred from a wide range of white clover lines for three generations. In the third generation there were significant differences between seed lines from the selections for number of galls, root dry weight, visual growth score and galls/gram of root dry weight. Resistant selections had 43% of the susceptible selections' galls per gram, and 50% of the number of galls. Germplasm showing resistance to Meloidogyne spp. in the USA showed partial resistance to the local Meloidogyne sp. Two resistant and two susceptible genotypes were also compared for nematode egg production; resistant genotypes had a mean of 3,460 eggs/plant, compared to 25,030 for susceptible genotypes. Keywords: breeding, Meloidogyne sp., resistance, rootknot nematode, screening, selection, Trifolium repens, white clover


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Chen ◽  
Shadi Fatayer ◽  
Bruno Schuler ◽  
Jordan N. Metz ◽  
Leo Gross ◽  
...  

The initial thermal reactions of aromatic hydrocarbons are relevant to many industrial applications. However, tracking the growing number of heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) products is extremely challenging because many reactions are unfolding in parallel from a mixture of molecules. Herein, we studied the reactions of 2,7-dimethylpyrene (DMPY) to decipher the roles of methyl substituents during mild thermal treatment. We found that the presence of methyl substituents is key for reducing the thermal severity required to initiate chemical reactions in natural molecular mixtures. A complex mixture of thermal products including monomers, dimers, and trimers were characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry and non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM). A wide range of structural transformations including methyl transfer and polymerization reactions were identified. A detailed mechanistic understanding was obtained on the roles of H radicals during the polymerization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinicius H. De Oliveira ◽  
Mark Tibbett

BackgroundMetal contamination in soils affects both above- and belowground communities, including soil microorganisms. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are an important component in belowground community and tolerant strains have great potential in enhancing plant-based remediation techniques. We assessed cadmium and zinc toxicity in five ECM species in liquid media (Hebeloma subsaponaceum;H. cylindrosporum;H. crustuliniforme;Sclerodermasp.;Austroboletus occidentalis) and investigated the potential of Zn to alleviate Cd toxicity. Due to highly divergent results reported in the literature, liquid and solid media were compared experimentally for the first time in terms of differential toxicity thresholds in Cd and Zn interactions.MethodsA wide range of Cd and Zn concentrations were applied to ectomycorrhizal fungi in axenic cultures (in mg L−1): 0; 1; 3; 9; 27; 81; 243 for the Cd treatments, and 0; 1; 30; 90; 270; 810; 2,430 for Zn. Combined Zn and Cd treatments were also applied toH. subsaponaceumandSclerodermasp. Dry weight was recorded after 30 days, and in case of solid medium treatments, radial growth was also measured.Results and DiscussionAll species were adversely affected by high levels of Cd and Zn, andA. occidentaliswas the most sensitive, with considerable biomass decrease at 1 mg L−1Cd, whileSclerodermasp. andH. subsaponaceumwere the most tolerant, which are species commonly found in highly contaminated sites. Cd was generally 10 times more toxic than Zn, which may explain why Zn had little impact in alleviating Cd effects. In some cases, Cd and Zn interactions led to a synergistic toxicity, depending on the concentrations applied and type of media used. Increased tolerance patterns were detected in fungi grown in solid medium and may be the cause of divergent toxicity thresholds found in the literature. Furthermore, solid medium allows measuring radial growth/mycelial density as endpoints which are informative and in this case appeared be related to the high tolerance indices found inH. subsaponaceum.


Author(s):  
Andréia de L. Moreno ◽  
Jorge F. Kusdra ◽  
Angelita A. C. Picazevicz

ABSTRACT Rhizobacteria have a wide range of plant growth-promoting mechanisms of action, making them an alternative and/or complementary biological input for chemical fertilizers. In this respect, the present study aimed to assess growth and nitrogen accumulation in maize plants as a function of Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis, zinc and nitrogen application at sowing. The experiment with the ‘AL Bandeirante’ maize variety was conducted in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized design. The treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme, with six repetitions, considering the presence and absence of Azospirillum brasilense (5 g kg-1), Bacillus subtilis (5 mL kg-1) and zinc (20 g kg-1) in the seeds and addition or not of nitrogen (30 kg ha-1) to the soil. The variables assessed were plant height, stem diameter, leaf, stem, shoot, root and total dry weight, and shoot nitrogen content. Nitrogen fertilization in the absence of zinc increased shoot and total dry weight as well as shoot nitrogen content. Zinc applied to the seeds improved the total and stem dry weight of maize plants in the absence of Bacillus subtilis. Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis increased the stem diameter and shoot nitrogen content of maize plants when nitrogen fertilization was not performed at sowing. There was no isolated or interaction effect between factors for plant height and root dry weight.


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