An important component of monitoring pollution of urban road-deposited sediment (RDS) is an understanding of the temporal variability in its composition and physical characteristics. This study set out to determine what the monthly variability in metal concentrations, organic matter content, grain-size and grain-size fraction metal-loadings are in inner city sites in Manchester, northwest England. The results show that there is significant temporal variability in metal (Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) concentration in RDS from inner city Manchester. There was no significant temporal variability in grain-size characteristics or organic matter content, indicting that these metal variations were the result of variation in sources and accumulation processes. Pb and Zn displayed local variability, suggesting local controls on variability, whereas Fe and Mn displayed consistent variability across all sites, suggesting a common, larger-scale control on variability. The finest grain-size fraction (<63 μm) contained the highest Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations, but for the case of Fe and Mn, the coarser fractions (>300 μm) commonly contained the highest concentrations, again suggesting differing controls. For all metals, due to the weight percent dominance of the coarser fractions, the dominant loading of metals is in the coarser fractions. This has implications on management strategies, via street sweeping and the subsequent waste disposal, and on the modelling of the input of RDS and associated metals into surface waterways. The recognition of significant temporal variability of metal concentrations in RDS, independent of grain-size changes, implies that the monitoring of urban road sediment pollution will require not just consideration of spatial variability, but the design of schemes that will capture temporal variability also.

The sources of copper topsoil variability in agricultural have been evaluated in the northeastern region of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) using 624 soil samples collected in a standard 8 x 8 km grid. Analyses of variance combined with geostatistical methods have been used to map the spatial variability and to evaluate the relative contribution of natural and anthropic copper sources in topsoils. The use of the residual values derived from the interpolation method have led to the identification of local anomalies in the copper content in relation to agricultural practices carried out on the land. Copper concentrations were relatively low (17.33 ± 14.97 mg/kg) in areas with a high pH level (>8.2) and low organic matter (<1%). In general, the spatial distribution of copper showed a good relationship with the surface evidence of the lithologic units at a regional scale. At a smaller scale, concentration values also indicated the anthropogenic influence related to specific agricultural practices in relation to land use and cultivation methods. The highest mean concentrations were found in vineyards and olive fields. These were partly due to inputs from inorganic fertilisers, mainly copper sulphate, and also to the application of liquid and soil manure.

We simulate the market for emission permits by considering uncertainty in emission inventory reports. The approach taken in this analysis is to enhance the emissions reported in each region by a certain part of their uncertainty when compliance with the Kyoto targets is being proved. While this formulation is not new in the literature, we define the uncertainty component in a way that enables comparison with the approach of effective permits presented in Nahorski, Horabik, and Jonas (2007) Compliance and emissions trading under the Kyoto protocol: Rules for uncertain inventories, (this issue). We show and explain that the transformation to effective permits bears additional costs apart from those resulting from shifting the Kyoto targets.

We describe the development of the fish community in the acidified and limed river Litleåna in southern Norway, and describe how chemical restoration, compensatory introductions of exotics, and accidental invasion of exotics interact to influence the population of the naturally occurring brown trout (Salmo trutta). The river Litleåna is a tributary to the river Kvina in Vest-Agder County, southern Norway. During the years 1996-2004, annual mean pH was 4.9-5.0 and 6.1-6.4 above and below the liming facility, which was installed in 1994. Originally, brown trout was the only fish species in the river, but brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) have been intentionally introduced, whereas European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) was introduced by accident. Fish densities were recorded by means of electrofishing annually over the ten year period 1995-2004. Although close to extinction before liming was initiated, brown trout fry densities increased from 1995 to 1999, with subsequent varying densities. There has been a simultaneous major increase in the occurrence and density of European minnow since 1997. Our results show that both brown trout and European minnow increase after liming. Minnow densities are negatively affected by low pH episodes in the river. The growth rates of brown trout fry are negatively correlated to minnow densities, indicating competition between the species. Brook trout densities have decreased since liming started, and during the brown trout recovery.

Three cruises were carried out in Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) in the neap tide in October 2002 (fall) and in both neap and spring tides in May 2003 (spring) to understand the relative importance of external nutrient inputs versus physical transport and internal biogeochemical processes. Nutrients ([graphic removed] , [graphic removed] , [graphic removed] , [graphic removed] , silicic acid, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and phosphorus (TDP), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphorus (DOP)) were measured. The concentrations of nutrients were higher in the northern part than in the southern part. High concentrations of [graphic removed] and DON in JZB demonstrated the anthropogenic input. Ambient nutrient ratios indicated that the potential limiting nutrients for phytoplankton growth were silicon, and then phosphorus. Nutrients showed an obvious tidal effect with low values at flood tide and high values at ebb tide. Nutrient elements were transported into JZB in the north and output in the south (i.e., into the Yellow Sea), which varied with season, tidal cycle and investigation sites. Water exchange between JZB and the Yellow Sea exports [graphic removed] , [graphic removed] and DON out of JZB, while it inputs [graphic removed] , silicic acid and DOP into JZB. Nutrient budgets demonstrate that riverine input and wastewater discharge are major sources of nutrients, while residual flow is of minor importance in JZB ecosystem. JZB is a sink for the nutrient elements we studied except for DON. Stoichiometric calculations demonstrate that JZB is a net autotrophic system.

Within the European monitoring network (EMEP, http://www.emep.int) several different sampling procedures for measuring the main air components have been applied. This has contributed to systematic concentration differences and a comparability problem. Since 1997 co-located experiments in 15 countries have been carried out to quantify these differences. In addition, three major measurement campaigns were organized by EMEP between 1985 and 1991. Differences among results depend on the concentration level and methods used. The decrease in SO₂ concentrations over the last twenty years has placed greater demands on the methodology. Absorbing solutions methods for SO₂, (H₂O₂ and tetrachloromercurate (TCM)) typically have higher detection limits than the reference method, which uses KOH impregnated filters. The TCM method also has problems with negative interference, especially in summertime. UV fluorescence monitors have in a few cases proven to give good results, but interferences, detection limit and poor maintenance can be problems. For NO₂, many countries are using the TGS absorption solution method, which has a higher detection limit than the reference method using NaI impregnated glass sinters. The Salzmann method gives unreliable results at concentrations below 1 μgN/m³, and even at higher concentrations the uncertainty is rather unsatisfactory. The chemiluminescence monitor with molybdenum converters tends to systematically overestimate NO₂ concentrations, possibly because zero-drift problems and the non-specific response to NO₂. Particulate sulphate measurements in general have lower bias and uncertainties than gas and other aerosol measurements.

The complexation of Cu by sewage sludge-derived dissolved organic matter (SSDOM) is a process by which the environmental significance of the element may become enhanced due to reduced soil sorption and, hence, increased mobility. The work described in this paper used an ion selective electrode procedure to show that SSDOM complexation of Cu was greatest at intermediate pH values because competition between hydrogen ions and Cu for SSDOM binding sites, and between hydroxyl ions and SSDOM as Cu ligands, was lowest at such values. Batch sorption experiments further showed that the process of Cu complexation by SSDOM provided an explanation for enhanced desorption of Cu from the solid phase of a contaminated, organic matter-rich, clay loam soil, and reduced adsorption of Cu onto the solid phase of a sandy loam soil. Complexation of Cu by SSDOM did not affect uptake of Cu by spring barley plants, when compared to free ionic Cu, in a sand-culture pot experiment. However, it did appear to lead to greater biomass yields of the plant; perhaps indicating that the Cu-SSDOM complex had a lower toxicity towards the plant than the free Cu ion.

Extraction of natural gas from a confined coal aquifer requires the pumping of large amounts of groundwater, commonly referred to as produced water. Produced water from the extraction of coalbed natural gas is typically disposed into nearby constructed discharge ponds. The objective of this study was to collect produced water samples at outfalls and corresponding discharge ponds and monitor pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and alkalinity. Outfalls and corresponding discharge ponds were sampled from five different watersheds including Cheyenne River (CHR), Belle Fourche River (BFR), Little Powder River (LPR), Powder River (PR), and Tongue River (TR) within the Powder River Basin (PRB), Wyoming from 2003 to 2005. From Na, Ca, and Mg measurements, sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) were calculated, and used in a regression model. Results suggest that outfalls are chemically different from corresponding discharge ponds. Sodium, alkalinity, and pH all tend to increase, possibly due to environmental factors such as evaporation, while Ca decreased from outfalls to associated discharge ponds due to calcite precipitation. Watersheds examined in this study were chemically different form each other and most discharge ponds with in individual watersheds tended to increase in Na and SAR from 2003 to 2005. Since discharge pond water was chemically changing as a function of watershed chemistry, we predicted SAR of discharge pond water using a regression model. The predicted discharge pond water results suggested a high correlation (R ² = 0.83) to discharge well SAR. Overall, results of this study will be useful for landowners, water quality managers, and industry in properly managing produced water from the natural gas extraction.

Aluminum in acidic conditions is toxic to plants. Aluminum tolerance in some plant species has been ascribed to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis. In this study, the application of aluminum was found to inhibit mycelia development of saprobe fungi Fusarium concolor and Trichoderma koningii and the hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomus deserticola in vitro. Several levels of aluminum were applied to Eucalyptus globulus plants and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alone or together with both saprobe fungi. The application of 1,500 mg kg⁻¹ decreased the shoot and root dry weight, chlorophyll content and total P, Mg, and Ca concentrations in the shoot of E. globulus. However, both mycorrhizal fungi G. mosseae and G. deserticola inoculated alone increased the shoot dry weight of Eucalyptus, compared with a non- arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculated control treated with 1,500 mg kg⁻¹ of aluminum. When 1,500 mg kg⁻¹ of aluminum was applied, T. koningii increased the effect of G. deserticola on the shoot weight of eucalyptus, whereas with 3,000 mg kg⁻¹, shoot weight and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization decreased in all treatments. With 1,500 mg kg⁻¹, the highest accumulation of aluminum in the shoot was obtained when G. deserticola was inoculated together with T. koningii. The possibility of manipulating an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation together with a saprobe fungus confers a high aluminum resistance in E. globulus. The effect of such combined inoculation is particularly important in some Chilean volcanic acid soils, mainly those which have been intensively cropped and are without lime addition, which facilitates the increase of phytotoxic aluminum species and limits their agricultural use. Therefore, such dual inoculation in field conditions deserves further investigation. Overall, the arbuscular mycorrhizal and saprobe fungi contribute to the increase in resistance of E. globulus to aluminium.

The main objective of this paper is to check the fulfilment of the European Directive 2004/107/CE, which refers to the limit values of arsenic, cadmium and nickel that will have to be carried out the first of January 2010. Three sampling points have been chosen (Alcora, Vila-real and Castellón), forming a triangle that comprise most of the ceramic cluster of the province of Castellón (Spain). This is a problematic area in relation to the fulfilment of the directive, due to its high industrial development. Apart from this main objective, the following are raised: a) The analysis of the temporal evolution of the levels of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 in the atmosphere during the year 2002; b) The identification of similar behaviour patterns and of the possible common origins in the studied pollutants; c) To show the existence of differences in the behaviour and evolution of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 in the atmospheric medium depending on the location of the sampling point; d) To check whether the levels of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 are influenced by the environmental temperature. The concentration levels of arsenic, cadmium and nickel in Alcora, Vila-real and Castellón have been determined during the year 2002, in order to check whether they are below the limits established in the future directive on these elements. The following conclusions are reached from the results obtained after the chemical analysis (using ICP–MS) of the samples collected in the three locations.