Testing different sorting techniques in macroinvertebrate samples from running waters

With the aim of finding an efficient, standardised and practical protocol for sorting macroinvertebrate samples for water management practice, three different sorting techniques were tested: RIVPACS sorting, a modified AQEM/STAR (MAS) sorting protocol and a Live-sorting method. Based on the same AQEM/STAR sample to ensure comparable results, we compared RIVPACS and MAS sorting for 20 samples, and Live-sorting and MAS for a different set of 20 samples. Comparisons were based on both ecological and financial parameters relevant for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Germany. Parameters include recently developed multimetric assessment indices, their stream type specific core metric results, time effort and costs. While RIVPACS and MAS sorting produced similar results in terms of ecological assessment, time effort and costs, Live-sorting differed notably in all three respects. Live-sorting is the quickest and least expensive protocol, but shows higher variability than the other protocols. We discuss the differences and the level of standardisation for each of these methods.     

Testing unbaited stygofauna traps for sampling performance

Unbaited phreatic traps are a promising new method for sampling subterranean limnofauna. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether such trap systems are suitable to gather representative samples of the physico-chemical parameters and the invertebrate fauna of the aquifer. Fifteen traps, installed in five groundwater bores, and four traps located in the hyporheic zone, were sampled twice monthly over a 1 year period (June 2003–June 2004). Water samples were removed in three separated fractions (hose, trap and aquifer water), analysed for physico-chemical and faunal characteristics and compared with one another. The study was carried out in the Nakdong River floodplain, Korea. Physico-chemical characteristics of trap and aquifer were similar, but differed greatly from the hose samples. Abundances of fauna inside the traps were higher than in the aquifer, whereas there were no differences in taxonomic composition of the trap and aquifer samples. Biases of abundances suspected due to the use of traps were negligible in the groundwater, though it is recommended that comparisons between groundwater and hyporheic abundances ascertained by traps be handled cautiously.     

Complex resistivity and radar investigation of building material: First results of field scale measurements

Moisture ingress is one of major damaging factors for masonry buildings. As the complex resistivity (CR) is sensitive to textural properties as well as to the pore fluid chemistry of wet porous media, its non-destructive application can provide helpful information for conservators. In a comprehensive laboratory study it has been shown that CR might even be able to distinguish between salt content and saturation degree in only one measurement. The combined use of electrical and electromagnetic measurement techniques in two field-scale flooding experiments has shown some unexpected differences. Possible reasons are discussed and it is shown that bringing together the information of both methods leads to a clearer picture.     

Differential biomagnification of PCB, PBDE, Hg and Radiocesium in the food web of the European hake from the NW Mediterranean

Consumption of marine organisms represents one of the main exposure sources of contaminants for human populations. To obtain a global view of the contamination in commercial fish in the NW Mediterranean Sea, we analysed four types of priority contaminants (PCBs, PBDEs, Hg and (137)Cs) in the European hake, Merluccius merluccius, from the Gulf of Lions in relation with organism's trophic level (δ(15)N). All contaminants presented a significant increase in concentration in hake muscle with trophic level. However, obvious differences between contaminants were evidenced. Biomagnification factors (BMF and FWMF) along the hake food web were higher for Hg and CB-153 than for BDE-47 and (137)Cs, and increase in contaminant concentration with trophic level occurred at different rates depending on contaminants. Such differences of biomagnification patterns can be related to physico-chemical properties of the different contaminants.     

Magma genesis and crustal contamination of continental intraplate lavas in northwestern Syria

The Miocene to Quaternary lavas of northwestern Syria range from basanite, alkali basalts, and tholeiites to basaltic andesites, hawaiites, and mugearites. Crustal assimilation and fractional crystallization processes (AFC) modified the composition of the mantle derived magmas. Crustal assimilation is indicated by decreasing Nb/U (52.8–17.9) and increasing Pb/Nd (0.09–0.21) and by variable isotopic compositions of the lavas (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7036–0.7048, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd: 0.51294–0.51269, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 18.98–18.60) throughout the differentiation. Modeling of the AFC processes indicates that the magmas have assimilated up to 25% of continental upper crust. The stratigraphy of the lavas reveals decreasing degrees and increasing depths of melting with time and the strongly fractionated heavy rare earth elements indicate melt generation in the garnet stability field. Modeling of melt formation based on trace element contents suggests that 8–10% melting of the asthenospheric mantle source produced the tholeiites, whereas basanite and alkali basalts are formed by 2–4% melting of a similar source.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Petrology of mafic lavas within the Onega plateau, central Karelia: evidence for 2.0 Ga plume-related continental crustal growth in the Baltic Shield

The Onega plateau constitutes part of a vast continental flood basalt province in the SE Baltic Shield. It consists of Jatulian-Ludikovian submarine volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary sequences attaining in places 4.5?km in thickness. The parental magmas of the lavas contained ～10% MgO and were derived from melts generated in the garnet stability field at depths 80–100?km. The Sm-Nd mineral and Pb-Pb whole-rock isochron ages of 1975?±?24 and 1980?±?57 Ma for the upper part of the plateau and a SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age of 1976?±?9 Ma for its lower part imply the formation of the entire sequence within a short time span. These ages coincide with those of picrites in the Pechenga-Imandra belt (the Kola Peninsula) and komatiites and basalts in the Karasjok-Kittilä belt (Norway and Finnmark). Together with lithostratigraphic, chemical and isotope evidence, these ages suggest the derivation of the three provinces from a single large (～2000?km in diameter) mantle plume. These plume-generated magmas covered ～600,000?km² of the Baltic Shield and represent a major contribution of juvenile material to the existing continental crust at 2.0 Ga. The uppermost Onega plateau lavas have high (Nb/Th)_N?=?1.4–2.4, (Nb/La)_N= 1.1–1.3, positive ?Nd(T) of +3.2 and unradiogenic Pb-isotope composition (μ₁?= 8.57), comparable with those of modern oceanic plume-derived magmas (oceanic flood basalt and ocean island basalt). These parameters are regarded as source characteristics. The lower sequences have (Nb/Th)_N= 0.58–1.2, (Nb/La)_N= 0.52–0.88 and ?Nd(T) =?2.6. They have experienced mixing with 10–30% of continental crust and resemble contaminated lavas from other continental flood basalt provinces. The estimated Nb/U ratios of 53?±?4 in the uncontaminated rocks are similar to those found in the modern mantle (～47) suggesting that by 2.0 Ga a volume of continental crust similar to the present-day value already existed.     

Extraction of highly polar organophosphorus pesticides from water

Some of the pesticides listed in the European 76/464/EC Directive and in the Directive 2000/60/EC are very polar and require special analytical methodology with respect to their extraction from water. The extraction of the organophosphorus pesticides methamidophos, omethoate, oxydemeton‐methyl, mevinphos and trichlorfon with lg P_OW below 1 was investigated using 21 different solid‐phase materials. Each material was tested on spiked natural water at 4 different pH values, adjusted prior to extraction. The following range of materials were tested: octadecyl silica, polymers, modified silica, ion exchange and carbon. Extraction of the above compounds from water is possible. A relationship between the octanol‐water partition coefficient and recovery rates was obtained not only for octadecyl solid phases but also for some polymeric materials. General conclusions about the use of solid‐phase materials and specific conclusions about the extraction of particular compounds were made. An optimized extraction procedure was deduced and confirmed.     

Influence of the hyporheic zone on the phosphorus dynamics of a large gravel‐bed river,Garonne River,France

Phosphorus (P) concentrations in sediments and in surface and interstitial water from three gravel bars in a large river (Garonne River, southern France) were measured daily, downstream of a wastewater treatment plant for a city of 740 000 inhabitants (Toulouse). Measurements were made of vertical hydraulic gradient (VHG), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) in water and of three extractable forms of phosphorus (water extractable, NaOH extractable and H₂SO₄ extractable) in hyporheic sediments from the gravel bars. Dissolved phosphorus was the major contributor to TP (74–79%) in both interstitial and surface waters on all sampling dates, and in most cases surface water P concentrations were significantly higher than interstitial concentrations. Hyporheic sediment TP concentrations ranged between 269 and 465 µg g^?1 and were highest in fine sediment fractions. Acid‐extractable P, a non‐bioavailable form, represented at least 95% of sediment TP. A positive relationship was observed between VHG and TP in two of the gravel bars, with wells that were strongly downwelling having lower TP concentrations. These results suggest that in downwelling zones, hyporheic sediments can trap surface‐derived dissolved P, and that much of this P becomes stored in refractory particulate forms. Bioavailable P is mainly present in dissolved form and only occupies a small fraction of total P, with particulate P comprising the majority of total P. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.