The Population Status of Cardііdae (Bіvalvіa) as a Bioindicator for Water Quality in the North-western Part of the Sea of Azov

An attempt was made to evaluate the suitability of using mollusc populations from the family Cardiidae as a biological indicator to monitor ecological water quality in the north-western part of the Sea of Azov. It is known that some qualitative indices of mollusc populations reflect large-scale changes occurring in benthos communities of the region. In this research, the monitoring of aquatic organisms was carried out using such indices as population density, age distribution dynamics, characteristics of behaviour, etc. Temporal and spatial dynamics of these indices allow the detection of changes in environmental factors which in their turn determine basic and crucial functions of water bodies. Among other molluscs, representatives of the family Cardiidae stand out for their ability of rapid occupation of new locations (due to the presence of a pelagic larval stage), and their adult individuals are rather tolerant to fluctuations in salinity and other factors. The aim of this research was to reveal the variability range for basic qualitative characteristics of bivalve populations in the north-western part of the Sea of Azov and to estimate if these molluscs are suitable to be bioindicators of the environmental status of the region

Exploring copepod distribution patterns at three nested spatial scales in a spring system. Habitat partitioning and potential for hydrological bioindication

In groundwater-fed springs, habitat characteristics are primarily determined by a complex combination of geomorphic features and physico-chemical parameters, while species assemblages are even more intricate. Springs host species either inhabiting the spring mouth, or colonizing spring habitats from the surface or from the aquifers which feed the springs. Groundwater species living in springs have been claimed as good candidates for identifying dual aquifer flowpaths or changes in groundwater pathways before reaching the spring outlets. However, the reliability of spring species as hydrological biotracers has not been widely investigated so far. Our study was aimed at analysing a large karstic spring system at three nested spatial scales in order: i) to assess, at whole spring system scale, the presence of a groundwater divide separating two aquifers feeding two spring units within a single spring system, by combining isotope analyses, physico-chemistry, and copepod distribution patterns; ii) to test, at vertical spring system scale, the effectiveness of copepods in discriminating surface and subsurface habitat patches within the complex mosaic spring environment; iii) to explore, at local spring unit level, the relative role of hydrochemistry and sediment texture as describers of copepod distribution among microhabitats. The results obtained demonstrated the presence of a hierarchical spatial structure, interestingly reflected in significant differences in assemblage compositions. Copepod assemblages differed between the two contiguous spring units, which were clearly characterized by their hydrochemistry and by significant differences in the groundwater flowpaths and recharge areas, as derived by the isotope analyses. The biological results suggested that stygobiotic species seem to be related to the origin of groundwater, suggesting their potential role as hydrological biotracers. At vertical scale, assemblage composition in surface and subsurface habitats was significantly different, both between spring units and among microhabitats, supporting strong habitat preferences of copepod species. At the smaller local scale, the response to habitat patchiness of subsurface copepod assemblages resulted in distribution patterns primarily defined by sediment texture, while the sensitivity to differences in hydrochemistry was negligible

Influence of man-made edaphotopes of the spoil heap on biota

The aim of the work is to investigate the influence of man- made edaphotopes of colliery spoil heap on biota by bioindication method. The physicochemical properties of edaphotopes were investigated: humidity, substrate temperature, humus content at different intervals of their depth and on different sections of the waste heap. The storage technologies of mineral waste in the dumps disregard its further use and transforming that occurs over time. It was revealed that on the northern slope exposures the greatest amount of moisture was concentrated and temperature regimes were acceptable for the activity of the soil biota, which was proved by the largest amount of biomass. New dependences of humus content in edaphotopes of the heap in different intervals of their depth from biomass of humus-forming organisms were established. Slight successional processes on the surface of the heap were observed, where young flora began to develop. This positive phenomenon will contribute to the humus of the genetic horizons and the development of tree and shrub vegetation. Favourable conditions for the development of neo-terrain and the formation of a new landscape in mining regions were confirmed

Xenobiotic biotransformation potential of Pseudomonas rhodesiae KCM-R5 and Bacillus subtilis KCM-RG5, tolerant to heavy metals and phenol derivatives

Two environmental bacterial isolates KCM-R5 and KCM-RG5 were selected from xenobiotic-polluted environment. KCM-R5 was identified as Pseudomonas rhodesiae and KCM-RG5 as Bacillus subtilis. KCM-R5 demonstrated tolerance to heavy metals and KCM-RG5 to heavy metals and phenol derivatives. Both strains were studied for xenobiotic biotransformation in order to contribute towards bioremediation of polluted environments. Pseudomonas rhodesiae KCM-R5 and Bacillus subtilis. KCM-RG5 possess unusual ability to utilize ortho-nitrophenol (o-NP) and 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). o-NP and 2,4-D were added at concentration 30 mg/l. The possible indictive/inhibiting effect of Pb cations (40mg/l) was also studied. Pseudomonas rhodesiae KCM-R5 removed 86 % of o-NP and below 1% of 2,4-D. Bacillus subtilis KCM-RG5 eliminated 83% of o-NP andunder 1% of 2,4-D. Biotransformation effectiveness of o-NP reached 95-100% in contrast to 2,4-D where the effectiveness was just 15-20%. Cell morphological changes were registered during the biotransformation processes. The obtained results could contribute to manage bioremediation processes in polluted with heavy metals and phenol derivatives environments. . 1, . 2, . 2, .

Evaluating Multiple Arthropod Taxa as Indicators of Invertebrate Diversity in Old Fields

Biodiversity, often quantified by species richness, is commonly used to evaluate and monitor the health of ecosystems and as a tool for conservation planning. The use of one or more focal taxa as surrogates or indicators of larger taxonomic diversity can greatly expedite the process of biodiversity measurement. This is especially true when studying diverse and abundant invertebrate fauna. Before indicator taxa are employed, however, research into their suitability as indicators of greater taxonomic diversity in an area is needed. We sampled invertebrate diversity in old fields in southern Michigan using pitfall trapping and morphospecies designations after identification to order or family. Correlation analysis was used to assess species richness relationships between focal arthropod taxa and general invertebrate diversity. Relationships were assessed at two fine spatial scales: within sampling patches, and locally across four sampling patches. Cumulative richness of all assessed taxa increased proportionately with cumulative invertebrate richness as sampling intensity increased within patches. At the among-patch scale, we tentatively identified Hemiptera and Coleoptera as effective indicator taxa of greater invertebrate richness. Although Hymenoptera, Araneae and Diptera exhibited high species richness, their total richness within patches was not associated with overall invertebrate richness among patches. Increased sampling throughout the active season and across a greater number of habitat patches should be conducted before adopting Hemiptera and Coleoptera as definitive indicators of general invertebrate richness in the Great Lakes region. Multiple sampling techniques, in addition to pitfall trapping, should also be added to overcome capture biases associated with each technique

COMPARISON OF THE SOIL RADIOACTIVE AND HEAVY METALS POLLUTION WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF TEST PLANTS AT THE FACILITIES OF SUKHACHEVSKY INDUSTRIAL SITE

The work aimed to assess the impact of Baza S uranium ore storage site and Sukhachevskoye uranium mill tailing impoundment on physiological parameters of test plants

Comparison of three modelling approaches of potential natural forest habitats in Bavaria, Germany

In the context of the EU Habitats Directive, which contains the obligation of environmental monitoring, nature conservation authorities face a growing demand for effective and competitive methods to survey protected habitats. Therefore the presented research study compared three modelling approaches (rule-based method with applied Bavarian woodland types, multivariate technique of cluster analysis, and a fuzzy logic approach) for the purpose of detecting potential habitat types. The results can be combined with earth observation data of different geometric resolution (ASTER, SPOT5, aerial photographs or very high resolution satellite data) in order to determine actual forest habitat types. This was carried out at two test sites, situated in the pre-alpine area in Bavaria (southern Germany). The results were subsequently compared to the terrestrial mapped habitat areas of the NATURA 2000 management plans. First results show that these techniques are a valuable support in mapping and monitoring NATURA 2000 forest habitats

JUSTIFICATION OF MIXTURE COMPOSITION FOR RECLAMATION OF THE LANDS DISTURBED AS A RESULT OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINING

Underground coal development is accompanied by significant deformations of the earth's surface, changes in the hydrological mode of groundwater and surface water, as well as other negative consequences. Subsidence of the earth's surface leads to the flooding of its settlements, industrial objects, communications, agricultural and forest lands. As a result, there are areas with low productivity, reduced agricultural and aesthetic value. Thus, there is a need to develop the system of reclamation of disturbed lands for their further effective use

Book Reviews

M. P. Marcelli & T. Ahti (eds.) 1998. Recollecting Edvard August Vainio. CETESB, Sao Paulo, 188 pp (A5). Price US$30.00 + postage US$ 14.00 = US 44.00. M. P. Marcelli & M. R. D. Seaward (eds.) 1998. Lichenology in Latin America - history, current knowledge and application. CETESB, Sao Paulo, 179 pp (A4). Price US 40.00 + postage US$14.00 = US$ 54.00