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PubMed1995

Climate change: potential effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on plant diseases.

Continued world population growth results in increased emission of gases from agriculture, combustion of fossil fuels, and industrial processes. This causes changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Evidence is emerging that increased solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is reaching the earth's atmosphere, due to stratospheric ozone depletion. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)), ozone (O(3)) and UV-B are individual climate change factors that have direct biological effects on plants. Such effects may directly or indirectly affect the incidence and severity of plant diseases, caused by biotic agents. Carbon dioxide may increase plant canopy size and density, resulting in a greater biomass of high nutritional quality, combined with a much higher microclimate relative humidity. This would be likely to promote plant diseases such as rusts, powdery mildews, leaf spots and blights. Inoculum potential from greater overwintering crop debris would also be increased. Ozone is likely to have adverse effects on plant growth. Necrotrophic pathogens may colonize plants weakened by O(3) at an accelerated rate, while obligate biotroph infections may be lessened. Ozone is unlikely to have direct adverse effects on fungal pathogens. Ozone effects on plant diseases are host plant mediated. The principal effects of increased UV-B on plant diseases would be via alterations in host plants. Increased flavonoids could lead to increased diseased resistance. Reduced net photosynthesis and premature ripening and senescence could result in a decrease in diseases caused by biotrophs and an increase in those caused by necrotrophs. Microbial plant pathogens are less likely to be adversely affected by CO(2), O(3) and UV-B than are their corresponding host plants. Changes in host plants may result in expectable alterations of disease incidence, depending on host plant growth stages and type of pathogen. Given the importance of plant diseases in world food and fiber production, it is essential to begin studying the effects of increased CO(2), O(3) and UV-B (and other climate change factors) on plant diseases. We know very little about the actual impacts of climate change factors on disease epidemiology. Epidemiologists should be encouraged to consider CO(2), O(3) and UV-B as factors in their field studies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

Atmospheric dynamics and bioregenerative technologies in a soil-based ecological life support system: initial results from Biosphere 2.

Biosphere 2 is the first man-made, soil-based, bioregenerative life support system to be developed and tested. The utilization and amendment of local space resources, e.g. martian soil or lunar regolith, for agricultural and other purposes will be necessary if we are to minimize the requirement for Earth materials in the creation of long-term off-planet bases and habitations. Several of the roles soil plays in Biosphere 2 are 1) for air purification 2) as a key component in created wetland systems to recycle human and animal wastes and 3) as nutrient base for a sustainable agricultural cropping program. Initial results from the Biosphere 2 closure experiment are presented. These include the accelerated cycling rates due to small reservoir sizes, strong diurnal and seasonal fluxes in atmospheric CO2, an unexpected and continuing decline in atmospheric oxygen, overall maintenance of low levels of trace gases, recycling of waste waters through biological regeneration systems, and operation of an agriculture designed to provide diverse and nutritionally adequate diets for the crew members.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1976

Magnetic resonance distinction between site bound and atmospherically bound paramagnetic counterions in polyelectrolyte solutions.

A combination of the water protons NMR chemical shifts, longitudinal and transversal relaxation rates and of the paramagnetic counterion EPR signal is shown to provide a clear distinction between site binding, atmospheric trapping and free counterions in solutions of polyelectrolyte TMA salts with increasing concentrations of the divalent counterions Co++ and Mn++. Site binding is defined by the loss of water in the counterion first hydration shell while atmospheric binding results in a change in the counterion correlation time as compared to a free ion.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1981

Polarization of the ion atmosphere of a charged cylinder.

The dipole moment is calculated for an electric-field-induced polarization of a Debye-Hückel ion atmosphere surrounding a charged rod. If L is the length of a thin rod. Q is its linear charge density, Z is charge of the salt ion in solution, and k is the Debye-Hückel shielding parameter, then for KL less, similar 10, the calculated polarizability is proportional to Z(2)Q(2)L(1.8)/K(1.2). Comparison with experimental data for DNA shows that the ion atmosphere dipole is of the correct magnitude and is consistent with observed variations with Z, Q, L and k.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Submarine atmospheres.

Nuclear submariners live and work in an atmosphere composed of approximately 80% naturally occurring nitrogen, 19% oxygen (manufactured aboard ship), and a complex mixture of inorganic and organic contaminants. The concentrations of contaminants exist as a balance between the rates of production from human and operational activities and the rate of removal by engineering systems. The biological effects of inorganic gases, particularly carbon dioxide, have been extensively studied. Investigators are now attempting to define the composition and concentration of volatile organic compounds that accumulate during 90-day submergences. Medical studies have not conclusively shown that crewmembers incur adverse health effects from continuous exposures to the sealed atmospheres of nuclear submarines.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1991

Assay of nicergoline and three metabolites in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry.

A method for the simultaneous determination of nicergoline and three of its metabolites in human plasma and urine has been developed using high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry. Nicergoline and its metabolites were extracted from the plasma and urine samples with chloroform and separated on a reversed-phase ODS column. The eluents were led to the atmospheric pressure ionization interface and then analysed in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The detection limits of nicergoline and three of its metabolites were ca. 2 ng/ml in plasma and ca. 10 ng/ml in urine, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The measurement of radioactive noble gases by DWD in the frame of the Global Atmospheric Watch programme of WMO.

The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD, German Meteorological Service) is integrated into the Global Atmospheric Watch programme (GAW) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). According to this programme a variety of chemical compounds and radionuclides are measured at global stations. At the research platform "Schneefernerhaus" 7Be, 222Rn, and its decay products, 14C in CO2, tritium as HTO, 85Kr and 133Xe are continuously monitored by the DWD or are sampled and then measured at the central laboratory in Offenbach. The results are used as additional information for studying atmospheric mixing processes or on the other hand as information about the background level of radioactivity. As a main subject of this paper the integration and partly the optimization of sampling and measuring procedures for the detection of noble gases are described. In particular, the methods of quality assurance are discussed for Kr and Xe.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Characterization of chemical species in atmospheric aerosols in a metropolitan basin.

Ambient PM10 aerosol samples were collected from Taiwan's Taichung metropolitan basin between October 1997 and January 1998, and their chemical characteristics studied. The average mass concentration of PM10 was 109.0 +/- 54.1 microg/m3. Carbonaceous materials, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium were the most important contributors to the PM10 component. On average, 64% of the PM10 was made up of fine particles. During PM10 episodes, average wind speed was 0.7 m/s and relative humidity was high, 83% on average, probably giving rise to stagnation of air pollutants and their entrapment close to the surface. With relative humidity < 70%, NO3-, NH4+, SO4(2-), carbonaceous materials, and PM10 mass showed high correlation with maximum hourly average ozone (O3M). Variation in atmospheric humidity may affect the gas-to-particle interactions of S and N species. The most significant contribution to PM10 in the Taichung urban basin was from the photochemical formation of secondary aerosols and carbonaceous materials in the atmospheric environment.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2005

The composition and relationships between trace element levels in inhalable atmospheric particles (PM10) and in leaves of Nerium oleander L. and Lantana camara L.

In order to evaluate the composition of inhalable atmospheric particles and to study the relationship between trace element levels in PM10 and in leaves of two plant species, the amount of Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti and V were analysed in PM10 and in Nerium oleander L. and Lantana camara L. leaves from two sites in the city of Seville and one remote control site. In PM10, the Cu and Fe content was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the control site than in the other sites. No correlations between leaf content and air content were found for the elements in L. camara. On the contrary, positive and significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between leaf content of N. oleander and PM10 content for Cu and Fe. The data suggest that N. oleander can be used in atmospheric biomonitoring studies, because it is especially useful for Cu and Fe, N. oleander being a better indicator than L. camara.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Isomeric analysis of BTEXs in the atmosphere using beta-cyclodextrin capillary chromatography coupled with thermal desorption and mass spectrometry.

An analytical method capable of determining trace levels of BTEX-aromatics (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-, p- and o-xylenes) in the atmosphere with as high resolution as possible has been developed. The method is based on the preconcentration of air samples using a multibed tube (Carbopack C, Carbograph 1) at ambient temperature, followed by thermal desorption, and analysis of aromatic species by a beta-cyclodextrin capillary chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The resolution achieved was sufficient for individual separation of BTEXs as well as m- and p-xylenes. The BTEX-ratios have been determined in an air tunnel and in on-road, suburban and rural forest atmosphere. The ethylbenzene/m-xylene ratios could provide a deep insight into anthropogenic related NMHC patterns at different locations and under different meteorological conditions and may reflect photochemical processes in the best way.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Probing new approaches using atmospheric pressure photo ionization for the analysis of brominated flame retardants and their related degradation products by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Atmospheric pressure photo ionisation has been evaluated for the analysis of brominated flame retardants and their related degradation products by LC-MS. Degradation mixtures obtained from the photochemical degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A and decabromodiphenylether were used as model systems for the assessment of the developed methodology. Negative ion mode gave best results for TBBPA and its degradation compounds. [M - H]- ions were formed without the need of using a doping agent. MS and MS/MS experiments allowed the structural identification of new TBBPA "polymeric" degradation compounds formed by attachment of TBBPA moieties and/or their respective cleavage products. In the case of polybromodiphenylethers, the positive mode provided M*+ ions and gave better results for congeners ranging from mono- to pentabromodiphenylethers whereas for higher bromination degrees, the negative ion mode (providing [M - Br + O]- ions) was best suited. Under both positive and negative ionisation modes, the use of toluene as doping agent gave better results. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry by means of atmospheric pressure photo-ionisation was applied to the analysis of aromatic brominated flame retardants and their degradation products. This methodology proved to be particularly useful, for the characterisation and structural identification of some compounds which are not amenable to GC-MS, especially in the case of apolar "polymeric" degradation products of tetrabromobisphenol A investigated in this work.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

PubMed2006

The identification of genes involved in the stomatal response to reduced atmospheric relative humidity.

Stomatal pores of higher plants close in response to decreases in atmospheric relative humidity (RH). This is believed to be a mechanism that prevents the plant from losing excess water when exposed to a dry atmosphere and as such is likely to have been of evolutionary significance during the colonization of terrestrial environments by the embryophytes. We have conducted a genetic screen, based on infrared thermal imaging, to identify Arabidopsis genes involved in the stomatal response to reduced RH. Here we report the characterization of two genes, identified during this screen, which are involved in the guard cell reduced RH signaling pathway. Both genes encode proteins known to be involved in guard cell ABA signaling. OST1 encodes a protein kinase involved in ABA-mediated stomatal closure while ABA2 encodes an enzyme involved in ABA biosynthesis. These results suggest, in contrast to previously published work, that ABA plays a role in the signal transduction pathway connecting decreases in RH to reductions in stomatal aperture. The identification of OST1 as a component required in stomatal RH and ABA signal transduction supports the proposition that guard cell signaling is organized as a network in which some intracellular signaling proteins are shared among different stimuli.

Abscisic Acid↗

PubMed2006

QSPRs on photodegradation half-lives of atmospheric chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with particulates.

A quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model which could predict photodegradation half-lives (t(1/2)) of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs) associated with particulates in the atmosphere was developed by applying quantum chemical parameters computed with quantum chemical PM3 algorithm and using a partial least squares (PLS) algorithm. The cross-validated Q(2)(cum) value for the optimal QSPR model is 0.960, indicating a good predictive capability for logt(1/2) values of ClPAHs. The QSPR results show that the main factors affecting logt(1/2) values of ClPAHs are the energy of the second highest occupied molecular orbital (E(LUMO-1)), the energy of the second highest occupied molecular orbital (E(HOMO+1)), average molecular polarizability (alpha), the most positive net atomic charges on a hydrogen atom (Q(H)(+)), E(LUMO)+E(HOMO), E(LUMO)-E(HOMO), and (E(LUMO)-E(HOMO))(2). ClPAHs with high E(LUMO-1), E(HOMO+1), E(LUMO)-E(HOMO,) and (E(LUMO)-E(HOMO))(2) values tend to photolyze slowly in the atmosphere. In contrast, increasing E(LUMO)+E(HOMO), alpha, and Q(H)(+) values leads to the increase of photodegradation rates.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2004

Atmospheric lead deposition to Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, USA.

Contamination of the environment from atmospheric deposition during the twentieth century is pervasive even in areas ostensibly considered pristine or remote from point sources. In this study, Pb concentrations in a 210Pb-dated peat core collected from the Okefenokee Swamp, GA were used to assess historical contaminant input via atmospheric deposition. Lead isotope ratios were determined by dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS (DRC-ICP-MS). Increases in Pb concentration occurred in the late nineteenth century and a marked rise in Pb concentrations pre-dated the widespread use of leaded gasoline within the US. The 206Pb/207Pb ratios of 1.19 during this period were consistent with coal combustion emissions. A later increase in Pb concentration, concurrent with a trend toward more radiogenic 206Pb/207Pb ratios in gasoline is consistent with an increased input of Pb from leaded gasoline emissions. However, it appears that coal combustion emissions remain a major source of Pb to the Okefenokee.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2004

Changes in the atmospheric deposition of minor and rare elements between 1975 and 2000 in south Sweden, as measured by moss analysis.

Elements emitted to the atmosphere are partly exported to more remote areas and contribute to the regional and territorial deposition rates. This study is based on the principle that carpet-forming bryophytes (pleurocarpic mosses) absorb elements and particles from rain, melting snow and dry deposition. We compare the concentrations of 60 elements in carpets of the forest moss Pleurozium schreberi sampled in 1975 and 2000 within a sparsely inhabited area dominated by forest and bogland in south Sweden. As an average for all the 60 elements, the median concentration was 2.7 times higher in 1975 than in 2000. The greatest difference was measured for Pb, although In, Bi, Ge, V, Sn, As and Ag had more than 5 times higher concentrations in 1975 than in 2000. Somewhat lower 1975/2000 concentration ratios (3.0-3.8) were measured for U, Sb, Cd, W, Ga, Fe, Li, and Be. The rare-earth elements (Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu), except Eu as well as Th, Ni, Al, Ti, Hf, Nb, and Zr, had concentration ratios around the average (2.5-2.8). Possible causes of these changes are discussed. We conclude that reductions in anthropogenic dust emissions during recent decades have decreased the atmospheric deposition over northern Europe of most elements in the periodical system, as previously reported for a limited number of transition and heavy metals. Changes in the deposition of soil dust would be of minor importance to the decreased deposition rates.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Atmospheric versus biological sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a tropical rain forest environment.

To distinguish between pyrogenic and biological sources of PAHs in a tropical rain forest near Manaus, Brazil, we determined the concentrations of 21 PAHs in leaves, bark, twigs, and stem wood of forest trees, dead wood, mineral topsoil, litter layer, air, and Nasutitermes termite nest compartments. Naphthalene (NAPH) was the most abundant PAH with concentrations of 35 ng m(-3) in air (>85% of the sum of 21PAHs concentration), up to 1000 microg kg(-1) in plants (>90%), 477 microg kg(-1) in litter (>90%), 32 microg kg(-1) in topsoil (>90%), and 160 microg kg(-1) (>55%) in termite nests. In plants, the concentrations of PAHs in general decreased in the order leaves > bark > twigs > stem wood. The concentrations of most low-molecular weight PAHs in leaves and bark were near equilibrium with air, but those of NAPH were up to 50 times higher. Thus, the atmosphere seemed to be the major source of all PAHs in plants except for NAPH. Additionally, phenanthrene (PHEN) had elevated concentrations in bark and twigs of Vismia cayennensis trees (12-60 microg kg(-1)), which might have produced PHEN. In the mineral soil, perylene (PERY) was more abundant than in the litter layer, probably because of in situ biological production. Nasutitermes nests had the highest concentrations of most PAHs in exterior compartments (on average 8 and 15 microg kg(-1) compared to <3 microg kg(-1) in interior parts) and high PERY concentrations in all compartments (12-86 microg kg(-1)), indicating an in situ production of PERY in the nests. Our results demonstrate that the deposition of pyrolytic PAHs from the atmosphere controls the concentrations of most PAHs. However, the occurrence of NAPH, PHEN, and PERY in plants, termite nests, and soils at elevated concentrations supports the assumption of their biological origin.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Epiphytic lichen diversity on dead and dying conifers under different levels of atmospheric pollution.

Based on literature data, epiphytic lichen abundance was comparably studied in montane woodlands on healthy versus dead or dying conifers of Europe and North America in areas with different levels of atmospheric pollution. Study sites comprised Picea abies forests in the Harz Mountains and in the northern Alps, Germany, Picea rubens-Abies balsamea forests on Whiteface Mountain, Adirondacks, New York, U.S.A. and Picea engelmannii-Abies lasiocarpa forests in the Salish Mountains, Montana, U.S.A. Detrended correspondence analysis showed that epiphytic lichen vegetation differed more between healthy and dead or dying trees at high- versus low-polluted sites. This is attributed to greater differences in chemical habitat conditions between trees of different vitality in highly polluted areas. Based on these results, a hypothetical model of relative importance of site factors for small-scale variation of epiphytic lichen abundance versus atmospheric pollutant load is discussed.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2005

Atmospheric trace metal pollution in the Naples urban area based on results from moss and lichen bags.

The results of trace element content analysed in Sphagnum capillifolium and Pseudevernia furfuracea exposed in bags in 1999 are reconsidered to evaluate the reliability of moss and lichen transplants to detect urban trace element atmospheric pollution, using Naples as a case example. After 4 months' exposure, trace element concentrations were at least twice as high as the pre-exposure values and in general higher in Sphagnum than in Pseudevernia. Moss samples were enriched in the following order: As=Cu>Mo>Pb>V>Co>Cr>Zn; lichen samples in the order: Mo>Cu>As=Co=Ni>V>Pb. Based on the calculation of a cumulative load factor, all sites located along the coast had higher trace element loads compared to sites in the hilly inland area. Complementary SEM, TEM and EDS observations showed, despite significant damage to tissue and cell integrity, the recurrent presence of particulate matter in moss and lichen, indicating the considerable presence of dust in the urban atmosphere which, according to chemical composition, may be due both to anthropogenic and natural sources such as volcanic rock and soil and sea salts.

Air Pollutants↗