Disorder and recovery of environmental health monitored by means of lysosomal stability in liver of European flounder (Platichthys flesus L.)

From 1995 to 2000 biological effects were studied in liver of flounder (Platichtysflesus L.) from the German Bight. During the study period deleterious consequences of acute discharges of DDT and PCBs in early spring 1996 and after 1998 due to remobilization of contaminants from riverbed deepening of the River Elbe became evident. As core biomarker which reflects toxically induced liver pathologies and integrates effects of various classes of pollutants we measured the integrity of lysosomal membranes in individual flounder liver. During the study period, twice statistically significant disturbances of lysosomal function was detected in fish from the River Elbe: in summer 1996 and in spring 1999. Yet, the detrimental contaminant effects were not only restricted to individuals from the Elbe but expanded to those flounder inhabiting formerly less polluted reference areas. In contrast to flounder of the Elbe, their ability to recover from the lysosomal disorders were limited. While in autumn 2000 Elbe individuals showed clear signs of recovery, those fish caught in areas more distant to the source of toxicant input still maintained significantly decreased lysosomal membrane integrity. It can be speculated that fish populations which are not continuously exposed to chronic anthropogenic stress may have a lower potential or need a longer period to recover from the effects of pollution.     

Jahreszeitliche ökologische Beobachtungen an Foraminiferen im Limski kanal bei Rovinj/Jugoslawien (nördliche Adria)

Zusammenfassung Als Vorbericht einer Dissertation über ökologische Beobachtungen an Foraminiferen im Limski kanal wurde diese Arbeit auf der 60. Jahrestagung der Geologischen Vereinigung im Februar 1970 in Kiel referiert. Räumliche und zeitliche Verteilung benthonischer Foraminiferen im Limski kanal werden diskutiert. Jahreszeitliche Schwankungen in der prozentualen Zusammensetzung der drei großen Gruppen hyaliner, porzellanschaliger und agglutinierender Formen und auch einzelner Arten in der Lebend-Fauna können gezeigt werden. Ein Vergleich von Biocoenose und Thanatocoenose ergibt Unterschiede in der Zusammensetzung, wahrscheinlich eine Folge von Bioturbation. Untersuchungen von Lebend-Fauna in Sediment-Kernen, durchgeführt in cm-Intervallen, scheinen die Annahme zu bestätigen, daß Foraminiferen in offenen Bauten von Endobenthos leben können. Dort erreichen sie Konzentrationen, die etwa 8–10mal höher sein können als in normalen Oberflächen-Proben, bezogen auf eine definierte Fläche.

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This preliminary note of a thesis dealing with ecological observations of foraminifera in the Limski kanal was reported during the 60th annual meeting of the Geologische Vereinigung in Kiel, February 1970. Spatial and seasonal distributions of benthonic foraminifera in the Limski kanal are discussed. Percentage relations of the three major groups, hyaline, porcelaneous and agglutinated forms and also of single species, show seasonal variations in the living fauna. A comparison between the biocenosis and the thanatocenosis reveals differences in the faunal composition, probably caused by bioturbation. Research into the living fauna carried out in two sediment-cores, which were cut in cm-intervals, seem to prove the assumption that foraminifera are able to live in open burrows of endobenthos. There they can attain concentrations which are about 8 to 10 times higher than in normal surface samples, referred to a defined area.

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Résumé Cette note préliminaire d'une thèse traitant des observations écologiques sur les foraminifères benthoniques dans le Limski kanal a été présentée à l'assemblée annuelle de la Geologische Vereinigung à Kiel au mois de février 1970. La distribution spatiale et saisonnière des foraminifères a été étudiée; les relations (en pour cent) des trois groupes majeurs de foraminifères: hyalin, porcellainier et agglutinant et aussi des espèces singulières dénotent des variations saisonnières. Une comparaison entre la biocénose et la thanatocénose révèle des différences en ce qui concerne la composition, différences probablement causées par la bioturbation intensive au fond du Limski kanal. En recherchant les foraminifères vivants (colorés) dans deux carottes coupées à intervalles réguliers d'un cm, l'hypothèse que les foraminifères vivent en terriers ouverts de l'endobenthos semble être vérifiée. Ils peuvent atteindre ici des concentrations 8 à 10 fois plus hautes que celles des échantillons «normaux» tirées de la surface du sédiment en se réfèrent à une aire bien définie.

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Isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon in subsurface sediments of gas hydrate-bearing mud volcanoes, Lake Baikal: implications for methane and carbonate origin

We report on the isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in pore-water samples recovered by gravity coring from near-bottom sediments at gas hydrate-bearing mud volcanoes/gas flares (Malenky, Peschanka, Peschanka 2, Goloustnoe, and Irkutsk) in the Southern Basin of Lake Baikal. The δ¹³C values of DIC become heavier with increasing subbottom depth, and vary between ?9.5 and +21.4‰ PDB. Enrichment of DIC in ¹³C indicates active methane generation in anaerobic environments near the lake bottom. These data confirm our previous assumption that crystallization of carbonates (siderites) in subsurface sediments is a result of methane generation. Types of methanogenesis (microbial methyl-type fermentation versus CO₂-reduction) were revealed by determining the offset of δ¹³C between dissolved CH₄ and CO₂, and also by using δ¹³C and δD values of dissolved methane present in the pore waters. Results show that both mechanisms are most likely responsible for methane generation at the investigated locations.     

Trust Matters – Social Capital in Herding Cooperation in Finland

Reindeer herding is a nature-based livelihood of the indigenous Sámi people in northern parts of Europe and Russia. During the last decades, reindeer herding has become a more significant issue in the context of the market economy: the livelihood has transformed toward entrepreneurship, and the subsidies demand growth in the scale of herding. According to the national administration, the market values are highlighted. However, for herders, market economies are only one part of their livelihood. Another important part is their experience of reindeer herding as a way of life; for many reindeer herders trust in their livelihood and the social relations associated with their way of life are of equal or greater importance than economic aspects. In this paper, the role of social trust in the changing process of reindeer herding is discussed. Inherited tacit and cultural knowledge, as a part of social capital, strengthen reindeer herders’ experience of trust.     

Estimating the Frequency and Amplitude Parameters of the Serpentine-Emission Type of Geomagnetic Pulsations

Geomagnetic pulsations of the serpentine-emission (SE) type are considered. A method for estimating the frequency and amplitude parameters in the form of a time function for pulsations—SE and the accompanying spectral components—is suggested. An estimation algorithm is developed on the basis of local approximating polyharmonic models and weighted moving average filtration. Examples of the estimation of the frequency and amplitude parameters of SE pulsations are given. It is proposed that the procedure be used to calculate the estimation errors in SE pulsation frequency parameters and to choose the tuning parameters.