The BEEP project in the Baltic Sea: overview of results and outline for a regional biological effects monitoring strategy

Field studies in the framework of the EU funded BEEP project (Biological Effects of Environmental Pollution in Marine Coastal Ecosystems, 2001-2004) aimed at validating and intercalibrating a battery of biomarkers of contaminant exposure and effects in selected indicator species in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Seas. Major strategic goals of the BEEP project were the development of a sensitive and cost-efficient biological effects monitoring approach, delivery of information and advice to end-user groups, and the implementation of a network of biomarker researchers around Europe. Based on the main results obtained in the Baltic Sea component of the BEEP the present paper summarises and assesses the applicability of biomarkers for different regions and species in this sea area. Moreover, a general strategy and some practical considerations for the monitoring of biological effects in the Baltic Sea are outlined.     

Cytogenetic and cytotoxic effects in gill cells of the blue mussel Mytilus spp. from different zones of the Baltic Sea

Frequency of micronuclei (MN) and other nuclear abnormalities (nuclear buds, bi-nucleated and fragmented-apoptotic cells) was analysed in gill cells of the blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) from selected coastal sites in the Baltic Sea--Kv?d?fj?rden (Sweden), Klaipeda-Būtinge zone (Lithuania), Gulf of Gdansk (Poland) and Wismar Bay (Germany). Samples were collected from 650 specimens during bi-annual sampling campaigns in 2001 and 2002. The lowest frequency of MN (0.37 MN/1000 cells) was found in blue mussels from the reference site (Kv?d?fj?rden). The highest MN values (up to 6.7 MN/1000 cells) were registered in blue mussels from the Gulf of Gdansk in autumn 2001 and 2002, and at Wismar Bay in spring 2001 (up to 5.06 MN/1000 cells). Gradients of MN incidences were observed when comparing the three studied locations in Wismar Bay, and at the Lithuanian coast before the crude oil spill in the Būtinge oil terminal. Moreover, significant seasonal and inter-location differences in the responses were documented (P<0.0001). Nuclear abnormalities were observed most frequently in blue mussels from the Gulf of Gdansk.     

A spring and wooded habitat at FLK Zinj and their relevance to origins of human behavior

The 1959 discovery of the hominin fossil Zinjanthropus boisei brought the world's attention to the rich records at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Subsequent excavations of archaeological level 22 (FLK Zinj) Bed I uncovered remains of Homo habilis and a high-density collection of fossils and Oldowan stone tools. The occurrence of this unusual collection of bones and tools at this specific location has been controversial for decades. We present paleoecological data that provide new insights into the origin of FLK Zinj. Our recent excavations 200 m north of the site uncovered a 0.5-m-thick tufa mound draped by Tuff IC, in the same stratigraphic horizon as level 22. Stable isotope analyses indicate that the carbonates were deposited by a freshwater spring. Phytolith analysis of the waxy clay under Tuff IC revealed abundant woody dicotyledon and palm phytoliths, indicating that the site was wooded to densely wooded. The time equivalency and close physical proximity of the two environments indicate the two are related. This study has provided the first documented evidence of springs in Bed I and these data have important implications for the interpretation of hominin behavior in meat acquisition and the ongoing debate on scavenging versus hunting.     

Electrical resistivity investigation of the arsenic affected alluvial aquifers in West Bengal,India: usefulness in identifying the areas of low and high groundwater arsenic

This study aims at finding out possible relation between lithology and spatial pattern of dissolved arsenic (As) in groundwater around Chakdaha municipality, West Bengal, India. Satellite image, coupled with electrical resistivity survey and borehole drilling helps to delineate surface and sub-surface lithological framework of the As affected alluvial aquifers. The satellite imagery demonstrate that the high As area are presumably under active flood plain environment (low-lying areas), that constantly receive organics due to periodic flooding. Thick low resistive (fine-grained) layer was observed at the top around the high As areas, which, however, not found in low As areas. The result suggests that hydraulic properties of the surface/sub-surface soil/sediment have an important control on the fate and transport of As in the aquifer. This study demonstrates that electrical resistivity tools can be effectively used for the reconnaissance survey in characterizing the plausible lithological framework of an alluvial aquifer containing As.     

Coupling Size-Exclusion Chromatography and ICP-MS to Investigate the Speciation of Platinum-Group Elements in Environmental Samples

The applicability of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled online with a high resolution ICP-MS (HR-ICP-MS) to investigate the speciation of the platinum-group elements (PGE), Rh, Pd and Pt, was evaluated. Experiments were carried out to determine the efficiency of different hydrophilic and hydrophobic size-exclusion gel materials to select the optimal eluent in respect of resolution, recovery, reproducibility and limit of detection. The suitability of HR-ICP-MS as a reliable detection instrument at low pg ml⁻¹ levels was investigated by examining possible mass interferences with Rh, Pd and Pt. Laboratory experiments demonstrated the interaction and capability of forming complexes of humic substances with PGE, demonstrating the potential role of these ubiquitous natural substances in the mobilisation of PGE in the environment.     

Enzymatische Bestimmung von Glucose,Fructose und Saccharose in Gewässern

Zusammenfassung Die Anwendung der vonBergmeyer mitgeteilten enzymatischen Bestimmung von Glucose, Fructose und Saccharose in Gew?ssern erfordert bei Zuckerkonzentrationen unter 50 μMol/l eine spezielle Vorbereitung des Analysengutes, die anhand eines Beispiels beschrieben wird. Reproduzierbarkeit und analytische Ausbeute der Methode werden angegeben. Es wird auf die M?glichkeit hingewiesen, die Methodik auch bei der Untersuchung geologischer Proben einzusetzen.

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Summary Enzymatic analysis of glucose, fructose and sucrose by the method given byBergmeyer requires a special procedure when these sugars are determined in natural waters at concentrations below 50 μMol/l. The modified method, its reproducibility and analytical yield are described. The possibility of applying this method also to geological samples is considered.

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Résumé Le méthode du dosage enzymatique de la glucose, la fructose et la saccharose, indiquée parBergmeyer, est modifiée pour les cas où ces sucres doivent être déterminés dans des eaux naturelles à des concentrations inférieures à 50 μMol/l. On examine la variation statistique et l'exploitation analytique de la méthode modifiée. Celle-ci pourrait également être utilisée pour l'analyse d'échantillons géologiques.

     

The Formation of Knots and Filaments in Shocks

We present a survey of different kinds of instabilities in the context of radiative colliding flows which greatly contribute to structure formation. In particular, this includes analytical results for different kinds of thin shell instabilities (DI, NDI, NTSI). New numerical results for the non-linear evolution of such instabilities in two dimensions, and their coupling with the thermal cooling instability are presented. The astrophysical implications are briefly outlined, in particular the formation of knots and filaments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydrothermal gases offshore Milos Island, Greece

Hydrothermal fluids emerge from the seafloor of Paleohori Bay on Milos. The gases in these fluids contain mostly CO₂ but CH₄ concentrations up to 2% are present. The stable carbon isotopic composition of the CO₂ (near 0%) indicates an inorganic carbon source (dissociation of underlying marine carbonates). The carbon and hydrogen isotopes of most CH₄ samples are enriched in the heavy species (δ¹³C = −9.4 to −17.8‰; δD = −102 to −189‰) which is believed to be characteristic for an abiogenic production of CH₄ by CO₂-reduction (Fischer-Tropsch reactions). Depletions in the deuterium content of three CH₄ samples (to −377%) are probably caused by unknown subsurface rock alteration processes. Secondary hydrogen isotope exchange processes between methane, hydrogen and water are most likely responsible for calculated unrealistic methane formation temperatures.

We show that excess helium, slightly enriched in ³He, is present in the hydrothermal fluids emerging the seafloor of Paleohori Bay. When the isotopic ratio of the excess component is calculated a ³He/⁴He_excess of 3.6 · 10⁻⁶ is obtained: This indicates that the excess component consists of about one third of mantle helium and two thirds of radiogenic helium. We infer that the mantle-derived component has been strongly diluted by radiogenic helium during the ascent of the fluids to the surface.     

Contamination of Farmstead Wells by Pesticides, Volatile Organics, and Inorganic Chemicals in Kansas

Concern about the public health consequences of possible contamination of farmstead wells led to a random statewide survey in Kansas. Results of the analyses showed that 8 percent of tested wells had detectable amounts of pesticides, 2 percent had detectable amounts of volatile organic chemicals, and 37 percent had some inorganic contaminant exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Nitrate was the most common source of inorganic contamination, exceeding the MCL in 28 percent of the wells. Selenium levels exceeded the MCL in 9 percent of the wells. A multiple regression model for nitrate-N was developed. The factors included the age of the well, land use around the well, and the distance to the closest possible source of organic contamination.     

Spatial structure of hydrography and flow in a Chilean fjord,Estuario Reloncaví

Underway current velocity profiles were combined with temperature and salinity profiles at fixed stations to describe tidal and subtidal flow patterns in the middle of the northernmost Chilean fjord, Estuario Reloncaví. This is the first study involving current velocity measurements in this fjord. Reloncaví fjord is 55 km long, 2 km wide, and on average is 170 m deep. Measurements concentrated around a marked bend of the coastline, where an 8-km along-fjord transect was sampled during a semidiurnal tidal cycle in March 2002 and a 2-km cross-fjord transect was occupied, also during a semidiurnal cycle, in May 2004. The fjord hydrography showed a relatively thin (<5 m deep), continuously stratified, buoyant layer with stratification values >4 kg m⁻³ per meter of depth. Below this thin layer, the water was relatively homogeneous. Semidiurnal tidal currents had low amplitudes (<10 cm s⁻¹) that allowed the persistence of a surface front throughout the tidal cycle. The front oscillated with a period of ca. 2.5 h and showed excursions of 2 km. The front oscillations could have been produced by a lateral seiche that corresponds to the natural period of oscillation across the fjord. This front could have also caused large (2 h) phase lags in the semidiurnal tidal currents, from one end of the transect to the other, within the buoyant layer. Tidal phases were relatively uniform underneath this buoyant layer. Subtidal flows showed a 3-layer pattern consisting of a surface layer (8 m thick, of 5 cm s⁻¹ surface outflow), an intermediate layer (70 m thick, of 3 cm s⁻¹ net inflow), and a bottom layer (below 80 m depth, of 3 cm s⁻¹ net outflow). The surface outflow and, to a certain extent, the inflow layer were related to the buoyant water interacting with the ambient oceanic water. The inflowing layer and the bottom outflow were attributed to nonlinear effects associated with a tidal wave that reflects at the fjord's head. The weak subtidal currents followed the morphology of the bend and caused downwelling on the inside and upwelling on the outside part of the bend.