An integrated modelling approach for assessing water policy rules and land use change options

The primary aim of the study has been to develop a modelling framework to quantitatively assess the impact of water allocation rules upon economic and biophysical environments (primarily hydrological) at the catchment scale. This paper identifies development of the modelling approach to answer allocation questions by examining hydrological, land and agricultural production systems. The conceptual framework underpinning the modelling approach identifies the major aspects of integration between hydrological and production systems. The production model is integrated at various points within the hydrological cycle including rainfall, streamflow and runoff components. The outcome of the approach allows water to be moved around the catchment to quantify impacts and understand trade-offs as a result of policy imposition and land use change. The results indicate the land use change for salinity management has the potential to impact upon intensive activities within the catchment such as viticulture

Levels and enantiomeric signatures of methyl sulfonyl PCB and DDE metabolites in livers of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the southern North Sea

The concentration of 26 methyl sulfonyl metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (MeSO2-PCBs) and of p,p'-DDE (MeSO2-DDE) were determined in 19 liver samples from harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded between 1997 and 2000 on the Belgian and French North Sea Coasts. The total concentration of MeSO2-PCBs ranged from 39 to 4221 ng/g lipid weight (lw) and were generally higher in adults (age >2 yr, range 969-4221 ng/g lw) than in juveniles (age 0.73 or EF < 0.23) for the measured chiral MeSO2-PCB congeners was found in all samples. This result may suggest that one atropisomer may be preferentially formed in harbor porpoises or that the atropisomers are retained in a highly selective manner.Peer reviewe