Promocijas darbs

Elektroniskā versija nesatur pielikumusJau iepriekš ir bijuši eksperimentālie pētījumi, kuros tika mērītas sūnas un novērtēts to pieaugums, tomēr savā promocijas darbā realizēju sūnu skenēšanas metodes aprobāciju. Sūnu skenēšanas metode tika veikta tāpēc, lai turpmākos pētījumos nevajadzētu veikt katra sūnas segmenta atsevišķu parametru (segmenta stumbra un zaru) mērīšanu, kas ir laika un darba ietilpīgs process. Veicot Hylocomium splendens skenēšanas efektivitates novērtēšanu secināts, ka segmenta virsmas laukums būtiski korelēja ar segmentu svaru un arī ar zaru garumu, bet nebūtiska korelācija bija ar sūnas segmentu stumbra mērījumiem. Pēc sūnas dinamikas pētījuma rezultātiem acīmredzot varētu ieteikt sūnu bioindikācijai ņemt tikai trīs jaunākos H. splendens pieauguma gada segmentus. Zinot to, ka sūnas stumbram ir vairāki šūnu slāņi nekā sūnas lapā, tad tāpēc tika veikts laboratorijas eksperiments, kurā pārbaudījām seriālās ekstraģēšanas efektivitāti, nosakot ķīmisko elementu koncentrācijas dažādās sūnu šūnu frakcijās un sūnas daļās. No šī eksperimenta secināts, ka šī metode ir nepiemērota Ca un Mg daudzuma novērtēšanai stumbra audos atsevišķās sūnu šūnu frakcijas daļās, kā arī to, ka sūnas stumbrs var būt tikai kā ūdens un barības vielu rezervuārs, un stumbrs ir tikai kā ceļš K+ jonu kustībai un nevis kā kālija avots priekš šīs kustības. Stumbram, salīdzinot ar sūnas zariem, lielāka ir arī rezistence pret izkalšanu, kas var nodrošināt mazākus elementu zudumus. Promocijas darba mērķis bija noskaidrot Hylocomium splendens nozīmi, kas ir kā viena no priežu meža ekosistēmas komponenta sastāvdaļām un, izmantojot sūnas, novērtēt vides piesārņojuma līmeni visā Latvijas teritorijā. Veicot mākslīgus traucējumus ekosistēmā novērojām, ka pat pēc 4,5 gadiem sūnu stāva traucētajos parauglaukumos, kur noņēma sūnu stāvu, pilnībā nesasniedza sākotnējos biomasas apjomus, kā arī to, ka sūnu stāva transformācija būtiski neietekmēja ķīmisko elementu koncentrāciju izmaiņas Vaccinium myrtillus lapās un Picea abies skujās. Sūnu pārstādīšanas eksperiments starp dažādas pakāpes piesārņojuma vietām (piesārņoto un nepiesārņoto) parādīja, ka notiek ķīmisko elementu izlīdzināšanās ar jaunajiem vides apstākļiem, tas ir, liela ir elementu absorbcijas kapacitāte, kā arī to, ka sūnās esošo ķīmisko elementu koncentrāciju neietekmē zem tā esošais substrāts. Bez tam arī šie eksperimenti parādīja, ka pārstādīšanas procesā radītais stress neietekmē sūnas augšanas intensitāti. Novērtējot atmosfēras vides piesārņojumu visā Latvijas teritorijā secināts, ka nedaudz paaugstinātas smago metālu koncentrācijas sūnās konstatētas ap Liepāju (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr), Brocēniem (Cu, V, Zn), Olaini (V, Cd), Rīgu (Cd), Daugavpili (V), tomēr vidējās ķīmisko elementu koncentrācijas sūnās Latvijā atbilst Ziemeļeiropas nepiesārņoto reģionu līmenim. Retrospektīvi analizējot smago metālu daudzumu sūnā novērots, ka Latvijā samazinās smago metālu, izņemot Cd, Zn un Cu, izsēšanās no atmosfēras. Smago metālu koncentrāciju izmaiņas Latvijā galvenokārt ir izskaidrojamas arī ar ekonomiskajām izmaiņām, un tas ir tāpēc, ka lielās ražotnes tika slēgtas vai nu vispār, vai arī tās ir samazinājušas savu ražošanas jaudu.Though earlier experimental studies including measuring mosses and estimating their growth have been made already, still I exercised approbation of moss scanning methods during my own promotion work. Moss scanning method was applied with a view to avoid measuring of separate parameters of each moss segment (stem and branches of a segment) that would comprise time-consuming and labour-intensive works in further studies. Through assessment of scanning effectiveness of Hylocomium splendens mosses it was concluded that surface area of a segment strongly correlated with weight of the segment and also length of branches, but there was insignificant correlation with stem measurements of moss segments. Based on results of moss dynamics study it could be advised to take only three younger annual segments of H. splendens moss growth for moss bioindication evidently. Knowledge of the fact that moss stem consists of more cell layers than a moss leaf was the reason why we carried out laboratory experiment during which we tested effectiveness of serial extraction by determining concentration of chemical elements in different fractions of moss cells and parts. It was concluded from this experiment that this method was not appropriate for estimating content of Ca and Mg in stem cells within separate fraction parts of moss cells, and moss stem might serve only as a reservoir of water and nutrients and the stem was just a pathway for K ions movement instead of being K source for this movement. Compared to sprigs the stem is more resistant to desiccation thus being able to ensure less element losses. The aim of the promotion work was to determine significance of Hylocomium splendens moss which was one of the components within pine forest ecosystem, and by using the mosses to assess environmental pollution degree on the entire territory of Latvia. Having made artificial disturbances within the ecosystem we observed that mosses did not reach the absolute previous amounts of biomass even in 4,5 years within disturbed sample plots where the moss cover was removed, as well as transformation of the moss cover had weak influence on changes in concentration of chemical elements in spruce needles and bilberry bushes. The experiment of transplanting mosses among places with different pollution degree (polluted and non-polluted) showed that evening out of chemical elements with the new habitat conditions was taking place, i.e., capacity of element absorption was great, and that content of chemical elements present in mosses was not affected by the substrate underneath them. Moreover, these experiments also showed that the stress caused by transplanting process did not affect intensity of moss growth. By studying atmospheric environmental pollution on the entire territory of Latvia it was concluded that slightly increased concentration of heavy metals in mosses were detected around Liepaja (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr), Broceni (Cu, V, Zn), Olaine (V, Cd), Riga (Cd), Daugavpils (V), still the average concentration of chemical elements in mosses in Latvia corresponded to the degree of non-polluted regions in Northern Europe. Through retrospective analysis of amount of heavy metals in mosses it was observed that deposition of heavy metals from the atmosphere in Latvia decreased, except Cd, Zn and Cu. Changes in concentrations of heavy metals in Latvia are generally explained by economic changes, and this is due to complete closing of large manufactures or decreased production volume there

Information gain in environmental monitoring through bioindi-cation and biomonitoring methods ("B & B technologies") and phytoremediation processes : with special reference to the Biological System of Chemical Elements (BSCE) under specific consideration of Lithium

Different definitions for the concepts of information, information transfer, i.e. communication and its effect and efficiency of false, but also correct information, especially from the environmental sector, are given. "THE TEN ECOLOGICAL COMMANDMENTS"developed by Menke-Glückert at the end of the 1960s, the 9th commandment "Do not pollute information", in particular, is examined in more detail and understood practically as a currently unchanging law in our existing world societies. The "Ethics Consensus", derived from "THE TEN ECOLOGICAL COMMANDMENTS"and developed by Markert at the end of the 1990s, reflects both theoretical and practical levels of action that many people in our highly diverse world societies can support. From a scientific point of view, this article deals with the so-called B & B technologies, i.e. bioindication and biomonitoring of chemical elements, their chemical speciation as well as organic substances. B & B technologies, which deals with the biological detection of atmospheric deposition of chemical substances on a regional, national, and international level, are taken into account. From both an academic and a practical point of view, mosses have prevailed here in the last decades in addition to lichens. The use of mosses is a major focus of international air monitoring, especially in Europe. Furthermore, the phytoremediation of chemical substances in water, soil and air is described as a biological and sustainable biological process, which does not yet have the full scope as it is used in bioindication and biomonitoring, as shown in the example of mosses. However, the phytoremediation is considered to be an excellent tool to have the leading role in the sustainable pollutant "fight". In the future qualitative and quantitative approaches have been further developed to fit scientifically and practically B&B Technologies as well the different forms of phytotechnological approaches. Finally, the example of lithium, which is optionally derived from the Biological System of Chemical Elements (BSCE), becomes a chemical example that the administration of lithium to ALL mentally conditioned diseases such as manic depression to smoking cigarettes becomes one of the most valuable services for the recovery of human society on a global level. As a conclusion of these tremendous effects of lithium can be considered: Pulled out, to make clear that only this chemical element beside a psychiatric care and the involvement of family members, friends, physicians, psychologists and psychiatrists. In addition, it is a must that there is a strong relationship between patient, psychiatrist(s) and strongly related persons to the patient. First an intensive information transfer via communication must be guaranteed. After it, psychological support by doctors and, only if it seems necessary Lithium is to be given in a patient specific dose.RST/Applied Radiation & Isotope

Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. kā viena no bioģeoķīmiskā cikla komponentēm priežu mežos

Jau iepriekš ir bijuši eksperimentālie pētījumi, kuros tika mērītas sūnas un novērtēts to pieaugums, tomēr savā promocijas darbā realizēju sūnu skenēšanas metodes aprobāciju. Sūnu skenēšanas metode tika veikta tāpēc, lai turpmākos pētījumos nevajadzētu veikt katra sūnas segmenta atsevišķu parametru (segmenta stumbra un zaru) mērīšanu, kas ir laika un darba ietilpīgs process. Veicot Hylocomium splendens skenēšanas efektivitates novērtēšanu secināts, ka segmenta virsmas laukums būtiski korelēja ar segmentu svaru un arī ar zaru garumu, bet nebūtiska korelācija bija ar sūnas segmentu stumbra mērījumiem. Pēc sūnas dinamikas pētījuma rezultātiem acīmredzot varētu ieteikt sūnu bioindikācijai ņemt tikai trīs jaunākos H. splendens pieauguma gada segmentus. Zinot to, ka sūnas stumbram ir vairāki šūnu slāņi nekā sūnas lapā, tad tāpēc tika veikts laboratorijas eksperiments, kurā pārbaudījām seriālās ekstraģēšanas efektivitāti, nosakot ķīmisko elementu koncentrācijas dažādās sūnu šūnu frakcijās un sūnas daļās. No šī eksperimenta secināts, ka šī metode ir nepiemērota Ca un Mg daudzuma novērtēšanai stumbra audos atsevišķās sūnu šūnu frakcijas daļās, kā arī to, ka sūnas stumbrs var būt tikai kā ūdens un barības vielu rezervuārs, un stumbrs ir tikai kā ceļš K+ jonu kustībai un nevis kā kālija avots priekš šīs kustības. Stumbram, salīdzinot ar sūnas zariem, lielāka ir arī rezistence pret izkalšanu, kas var nodrošināt mazākus elementu zudumus. Promocijas darba mērķis bija noskaidrot Hylocomium splendens nozīmi, kas ir kā viena no priežu meža ekosistēmas komponenta sastāvdaļām un, izmantojot sūnas, novērtēt vides piesārņojuma līmeni visā Latvijas teritorijā. Veicot mākslīgus traucējumus ekosistēmā novērojām, ka pat pēc 4,5 gadiem sūnu stāva traucētajos parauglaukumos, kur noņēma sūnu stāvu, pilnībā nesasniedza sākotnējos biomasas apjomus, kā arī to, ka sūnu stāva transformācija būtiski neietekmēja ķīmisko elementu koncentrāciju izmaiņas Vaccinium myrtillus lapās un Picea abies skujās. Sūnu pārstādīšanas eksperiments starp dažādas pakāpes piesārņojuma vietām (piesārņoto un nepiesārņoto) parādīja, ka notiek ķīmisko elementu izlīdzināšanās ar jaunajiem vides apstākļiem, tas ir, liela ir elementu absorbcijas kapacitāte, kā arī to, ka sūnās esošo ķīmisko elementu koncentrāciju neietekmē zem tā esošais substrāts. Bez tam arī šie eksperimenti parādīja, ka pārstādīšanas procesā radītais stress neietekmē sūnas augšanas intensitāti. Novērtējot atmosfēras vides piesārņojumu visā Latvijas teritorijā secināts, ka nedaudz paaugstinātas smago metālu koncentrācijas sūnās konstatētas ap Liepāju (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr), Brocēniem (Cu, V, Zn), Olaini (V, Cd), Rīgu (Cd), Daugavpili (V), tomēr vidējās ķīmisko elementu koncentrācijas sūnās Latvijā atbilst Ziemeļeiropas nepiesārņoto reģionu līmenim. Retrospektīvi analizējot smago metālu daudzumu sūnā novērots, ka Latvijā samazinās smago metālu, izņemot Cd, Zn un Cu, izsēšanās no atmosfēras. Smago metālu koncentrāciju izmaiņas Latvijā galvenokārt ir izskaidrojamas arī ar ekonomiskajām izmaiņām, un tas ir tāpēc, ka lielās ražotnes tika slēgtas vai nu vispār, vai arī tās ir samazinājušas savu ražošanas jaudu.Though earlier experimental studies including measuring mosses and estimating their growth have been made already, still I exercised approbation of moss scanning methods during my own promotion work. Moss scanning method was applied with a view to avoid measuring of separate parameters of each moss segment (stem and branches of a segment) that would comprise time-consuming and labour-intensive works in further studies. Through assessment of scanning effectiveness of Hylocomium splendens mosses it was concluded that surface area of a segment strongly correlated with weight of the segment and also length of branches, but there was insignificant correlation with stem measurements of moss segments. Based on results of moss dynamics study it could be advised to take only three younger annual segments of H. splendens moss growth for moss bioindication evidently. Knowledge of the fact that moss stem consists of more cell layers than a moss leaf was the reason why we carried out laboratory experiment during which we tested effectiveness of serial extraction by determining concentration of chemical elements in different fractions of moss cells and parts. It was concluded from this experiment that this method was not appropriate for estimating content of Ca and Mg in stem cells within separate fraction parts of moss cells, and moss stem might serve only as a reservoir of water and nutrients and the stem was just a pathway for K ions movement instead of being K source for this movement. Compared to sprigs the stem is more resistant to desiccation thus being able to ensure less element losses. The aim of the promotion work was to determine significance of Hylocomium splendens moss which was one of the components within pine forest ecosystem, and by using the mosses to assess environmental pollution degree on the entire territory of Latvia. Having made artificial disturbances within the ecosystem we observed that mosses did not reach the absolute previous amounts of biomass even in 4,5 years within disturbed sample plots where the moss cover was removed, as well as transformation of the moss cover had weak influence on changes in concentration of chemical elements in spruce needles and bilberry bushes. The experiment of transplanting mosses among places with different pollution degree (polluted and non-polluted) showed that evening out of chemical elements with the new habitat conditions was taking place, i.e., capacity of element absorption was great, and that content of chemical elements present in mosses was not affected by the substrate underneath them. Moreover, these experiments also showed that the stress caused by transplanting process did not affect intensity of moss growth. By studying atmospheric environmental pollution on the entire territory of Latvia it was concluded that slightly increased concentration of heavy metals in mosses were detected around Liepaja (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr), Broceni (Cu, V, Zn), Olaine (V, Cd), Riga (Cd), Daugavpils (V), still the average concentration of chemical elements in mosses in Latvia corresponded to the degree of non-polluted regions in Northern Europe. Through retrospective analysis of amount of heavy metals in mosses it was observed that deposition of heavy metals from the atmosphere in Latvia decreased, except Cd, Zn and Cu. Changes in concentrations of heavy metals in Latvia are generally explained by economic changes, and this is due to complete closing of large manufactures or decreased production volume there

Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. kā viena no bioģeoķīmiskā cikla komponentēm priežu mežos

Jau iepriekš ir bijuši eksperimentālie pētījumi, kuros tika mērītas sūnas un novērtēts to pieaugums, tomēr savā promocijas darbā realizēju sūnu skenēšanas metodes aprobāciju. Sūnu skenēšanas metode tika veikta tāpēc, lai turpmākos pētījumos nevajadzētu veikt katra sūnas segmenta atsevišķu parametru (segmenta stumbra un zaru) mērīšanu, kas ir laika un darba ietilpīgs process. Veicot Hylocomium splendens skenēšanas efektivitates novērtēšanu secināts, ka segmenta virsmas laukums būtiski korelēja ar segmentu svaru un arī ar zaru garumu, bet nebūtiska korelācija bija ar sūnas segmentu stumbra mērījumiem. Pēc sūnas dinamikas pētījuma rezultātiem acīmredzot varētu ieteikt sūnu bioindikācijai ņemt tikai trīs jaunākos H. splendens pieauguma gada segmentus. Zinot to, ka sūnas stumbram ir vairāki šūnu slāņi nekā sūnas lapā, tad tāpēc tika veikts laboratorijas eksperiments, kurā pārbaudījām seriālās ekstraģēšanas efektivitāti, nosakot ķīmisko elementu koncentrācijas dažādās sūnu šūnu frakcijās un sūnas daļās. No šī eksperimenta secināts, ka šī metode ir nepiemērota Ca un Mg daudzuma novērtēšanai stumbra audos atsevišķās sūnu šūnu frakcijas daļās, kā arī to, ka sūnas stumbrs var būt tikai kā ūdens un barības vielu rezervuārs, un stumbrs ir tikai kā ceļš K+ jonu kustībai un nevis kā kālija avots priekš šīs kustības. Stumbram, salīdzinot ar sūnas zariem, lielāka ir arī rezistence pret izkalšanu, kas var nodrošināt mazākus elementu zudumus. Promocijas darba mērķis bija noskaidrot Hylocomium splendens nozīmi, kas ir kā viena no priežu meža ekosistēmas komponenta sastāvdaļām un, izmantojot sūnas, novērtēt vides piesārņojuma līmeni visā Latvijas teritorijā. Veicot mākslīgus traucējumus ekosistēmā novērojām, ka pat pēc 4,5 gadiem sūnu stāva traucētajos parauglaukumos, kur noņēma sūnu stāvu, pilnībā nesasniedza sākotnējos biomasas apjomus, kā arī to, ka sūnu stāva transformācija būtiski neietekmēja ķīmisko elementu koncentrāciju izmaiņas Vaccinium myrtillus lapās un Picea abies skujās. Sūnu pārstādīšanas eksperiments starp dažādas pakāpes piesārņojuma vietām (piesārņoto un nepiesārņoto) parādīja, ka notiek ķīmisko elementu izlīdzināšanās ar jaunajiem vides apstākļiem, tas ir, liela ir elementu absorbcijas kapacitāte, kā arī to, ka sūnās esošo ķīmisko elementu koncentrāciju neietekmē zem tā esošais substrāts. Bez tam arī šie eksperimenti parādīja, ka pārstādīšanas procesā radītais stress neietekmē sūnas augšanas intensitāti. Novērtējot atmosfēras vides piesārņojumu visā Latvijas teritorijā secināts, ka nedaudz paaugstinātas smago metālu koncentrācijas sūnās konstatētas ap Liepāju (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr), Brocēniem (Cu, V, Zn), Olaini (V, Cd), Rīgu (Cd), Daugavpili (V), tomēr vidējās ķīmisko elementu koncentrācijas sūnās Latvijā atbilst Ziemeļeiropas nepiesārņoto reģionu līmenim. Retrospektīvi analizējot smago metālu daudzumu sūnā novērots, ka Latvijā samazinās smago metālu, izņemot Cd, Zn un Cu, izsēšanās no atmosfēras. Smago metālu koncentrāciju izmaiņas Latvijā galvenokārt ir izskaidrojamas arī ar ekonomiskajām izmaiņām, un tas ir tāpēc, ka lielās ražotnes tika slēgtas vai nu vispār, vai arī tās ir samazinājušas savu ražošanas jaudu.Though earlier experimental studies including measuring mosses and estimating their growth have been made already, still I exercised approbation of moss scanning methods during my own promotion work. Moss scanning method was applied with a view to avoid measuring of separate parameters of each moss segment (stem and branches of a segment) that would comprise time-consuming and labour-intensive works in further studies. Through assessment of scanning effectiveness of Hylocomium splendens mosses it was concluded that surface area of a segment strongly correlated with weight of the segment and also length of branches, but there was insignificant correlation with stem measurements of moss segments. Based on results of moss dynamics study it could be advised to take only three younger annual segments of H. splendens moss growth for moss bioindication evidently. Knowledge of the fact that moss stem consists of more cell layers than a moss leaf was the reason why we carried out laboratory experiment during which we tested effectiveness of serial extraction by determining concentration of chemical elements in different fractions of moss cells and parts. It was concluded from this experiment that this method was not appropriate for estimating content of Ca and Mg in stem cells within separate fraction parts of moss cells, and moss stem might serve only as a reservoir of water and nutrients and the stem was just a pathway for K ions movement instead of being K source for this movement. Compared to sprigs the stem is more resistant to desiccation thus being able to ensure less element losses. The aim of the promotion work was to determine significance of Hylocomium splendens moss which was one of the components within pine forest ecosystem, and by using the mosses to assess environmental pollution degree on the entire territory of Latvia. Having made artificial disturbances within the ecosystem we observed that mosses did not reach the absolute previous amounts of biomass even in 4,5 years within disturbed sample plots where the moss cover was removed, as well as transformation of the moss cover had weak influence on changes in concentration of chemical elements in spruce needles and bilberry bushes. The experiment of transplanting mosses among places with different pollution degree (polluted and non-polluted) showed that evening out of chemical elements with the new habitat conditions was taking place, i.e., capacity of element absorption was great, and that content of chemical elements present in mosses was not affected by the substrate underneath them. Moreover, these experiments also showed that the stress caused by transplanting process did not affect intensity of moss growth. By studying atmospheric environmental pollution on the entire territory of Latvia it was concluded that slightly increased concentration of heavy metals in mosses were detected around Liepaja (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr), Broceni (Cu, V, Zn), Olaine (V, Cd), Riga (Cd), Daugavpils (V), still the average concentration of chemical elements in mosses in Latvia corresponded to the degree of non-polluted regions in Northern Europe. Through retrospective analysis of amount of heavy metals in mosses it was observed that deposition of heavy metals from the atmosphere in Latvia decreased, except Cd, Zn and Cu. Changes in concentrations of heavy metals in Latvia are generally explained by economic changes, and this is due to complete closing of large manufactures or decreased production volume there

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in roots of sand dune plants in relation to soil factors

Abstract Seacoast plant communities represent primary successions characterized by a harsh environment in which mycorrhizal symbioses are known to be important for plant survival and growth. The study was carried in two grey dune areas (Užava and Pāvilosta) on the western coast of Latvia by the Baltic Sea. We examined how root colonization and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhiza differed along a primary dune succession from an early successional primary dune to an overgrowing grey dune, in relation to soil factors. We hypothesized that plant species growing on soil with a poorly developed soil horizon and low C, P and N concentration would have a higher extent of arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization. We also tested the relationship of soil factors and fungal abundance in roots within specific plant species. In a total of 93 plots among 5 habitats, we determined soil carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations and sampled roots of dominant plants for determination of arbuscular mycorrhizal (vesicules and hyphae) frequency, abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal vesicules and hyphae, and abundance of arbuscules. The results showed that extent of mycorrhizal colonization was related to soil development, being more important in the most nutrient poor habitats, compared to grassland habitats. However, slight increases in P and N concentration were associated in increased mycorrhizal colonization in early successional stages and disturbed habitats

Multilingual education of students on a global scale and perspective - international networking on the example of bioindication and biomonitoring (B&B technologies).

Living or formerly living organisms are being used to obtain information on the quality of the general health status of our environment by bioindication and biomonitoring methods for many decades. Thus, different roads toward this common scientific goal were developed by a lot of different international research groups. Global cooperation in between various scientific teams throughout the world has produced common ideas, scientific definitions, and highly innovative results of this extremely attractive working field. The transdisciplinary approach of different and multifaceted scientific areas—starting from biology, analytical chemistry, via health physics, up to social and economic issues—have surpassed mental barriers of individual scientists, so that “production” of straightforward common results related to the influence of material and immaterial environmental factors to the well-being of organisms and human life has now reached the forefront of international thinking. For the further sustainable development of our common scientific “hobby” of bioindication and biomonitoring, highest personal energy has to be given by us, being teachers to our students and to convince strategically decision makers as politicians to invest (financially) into the development of education and research of this innovative technique. Young people have to be intensively convinced on the “meaning” of our scientific doing, e.g., by extended forms of education. One example of multilingual education of students on a global scale and perspective is given here, which we started about 3 years ago.Fil: Markert, Bernd. Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks; AlemaniaFil: Baltrėnaitė, Edita. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University; LituaniaFil: Chudzińska, Ewa. Adam Mickiewicz University; PoloniaFil: De Marco, Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Diatta, Jean. Poznań University of Life Sciences; PoloniaFil: Ghaffari, Zahra. Islamic Azad University; IránFil: Gorelova, Svetlana. Pedagogical University; RusiaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Tabors, Guntis. University of Latvia; LetoniaFil: Wang, Meie. Chinese Academy Of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Yousef, Naglaa. Sohag University; EgiptoFil: Fränzle, Stefan. Technical University of Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Wünschmann, Simone. Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks; Alemani

International, transdisciplinary and intercultural cooperation in bioindication and biomonitoring studies (B&B Technologies). With specific consideration of plant organisms and chemical elements

Bioindication and biomonitoring methods (B & B technologies) have been used in environmental quality assessments for many decades. The international cooperation in between various scientific teams throughout the world has produced common ideas, highly innovative results and common scientific definitions. Bioindicators (biomonitors) are organisms or communities of organisms whose content of certain chemical elements or compounds and/or whose morphological, histological or cellular structure, metabolic-biochemical processes, behaviour or population structure(s), including changes in these parameters, supply (quantitative) information on the quality of the environment or the nature of environmental changes. Bioindication compares relative (absolute) data of information (e.g. contamination) to each other. In this article, clear cut definitions of terms relevant for the practical use of B & B technologies are presented. Additionally, different uptake activities in living organisms as a function of substrate concentration are given. Physiological functions are compared by effects of acute and chronic doses of toxic substances on living systems. Future work should and must be focused on integrative B & B technologies because a) contamination can entail a large number of inorganic and organic chemicals, b) a large number of environmental monitoring problems, and c) a single bioindicator / biomonitor will not provide any meaningful information. Integrative and transdisciplinary concepts such as the Multi-Markered-Bioindication-Concept (MMBC) provide basic means to get into precautionary environmental protection effects. For further development of B & B methods, highest personal energy has to be given by teachers of universities and other institutions to students and to convince (strategically) decision makers as politicians to invest (financially) in the development of education and research of this innovative technique. Young people have to be intensively convinced on the meaning of our scientific doing, e.g. by extended forms of education. One example of multilingual education of students on a global scale and perspective is given here, meeting their emotional and rational intelligence. So, young people can find innovative scientific ideas by a strong international relevance to get mentally convinced by a profitable biological green technique. Students will be motivated to move scientifically and professionally into our international working field. In addition to this form of international scientific exchange we find an excellent side-effect pertinent to intercultural exchange.Fil: Markert, Bernd. Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks; AlemaniaFil: Wunschmann, Simone. Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks; AlemaniaFil: Baltrénaité, Edita. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University; LituaniaFil: Chudzińska, Ewa. Adam Mickiewicz University; PoloniaFil: de Marco, Silvia. No especifíca;Fil: Diatta, Jean. Poznań University of Life Sciences; PoloniaFil: Ghaffari, Zahra. Islamic Azad University; IránFil: Gorelova, Svetlana. Pedagogical University; RusiaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Tabors, Guntis. University of Latvia; LetoniaFil: Yousef, Naglaa. Sohag University; EgiptoFil: Wang, Meie. Chinese Academy Of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Fränzle, Stefan. International Graduate School; AlemaniaFil: Kumari, Alka. Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology; Indi

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Microbial Community Structure in Riverbed Sediments of East Kazakhstan

Heavy metal (HMe) pollution in regions with mining and metallurgy activities is known to be a serious environmental problem worldwide. Hydrological processes contribute to the dissemination of HMes (drainage, precipitation, flow rate). The aim of the present study is to investigate the microbial community structure in ten river sediments sampled in different regions of East Kazakhstan, which are contaminated with HMes. The overall degree of sediment contamination with HMes (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) was assessed using the pollution index Zc, which ranged from 0.43 to 21.6, with the highest in Ridder City (Zc = 21.6) and Ust-Kamenogorsk City, 0.8 km below the dam of the hydroelectric power station (Zc = 19.6). The tested samples considerably differed in organic matter, total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, as well as in the abundance of HMe-related functional gene families and antibiotic resistance genes. Metagenomic analysis of benthic microorganisms showed the prevalence of Proteobacteria (88.84–97.61%) and Actinobacteria (1.21–5.98%) at the phylum level in all samples. At the class level, Actinobacteria (21.68–57.48%), Betaproteobacteria (19.38–41.17%), and Alphaproteobacteria (10.0–39.78%) were the most common among the classified reads. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the metagenomic characteristics of benthic microbial communities exposed to chronic HMe pressure in different regions of East Kazakhstan