The bioaccumulation of tungsten and copper by organisms inhabiting metalliferous areas in North Queensland: an evaluation of potential health effects

Aspects of the mining history of major metalliferous sites in North Queensland, Australia are described by reference to areas which formerly were important in the production of metals such as tungsten (wolfram) and copper. Bioaccumulation in organisms inhabiting three derelict polluted areas, within this arid open savanna region, is discussed and potential toxicological implications are described. Certain plant species are noted to possess excessively enhanced bioaccumulatory capacities and the cations within these forage plants may affect herbivorous species such as cattle; skeletons of such herbivores are found to exhibit enhanced metal concentrations. Ultimately humans may be recipients of these toxic elements

Heavy metal bioaccumulation by the important food plant, olea europaea L., in an ancient metalliferous polluted area of Cyprus

Aspects of the bioaccumulation of heavy metals are reviewed and possible evidence of homeostasis is highlighted. Examination and analysis of olive (Olea europaea L.) trees growing in close proximity to a copper dominated spoil tip dating from at least 2000 years BP, on the island of Cyprus, revealed both bioaccumulation and partitioning of copper, lead and zinc in various parts of the tree. A factor to quantify the degree of accumulation is illustrated and a possible seed protective mechanism suggested

Balanced Development

While economists and others might disagree over the most appropriate policies for stimulating development, there is at least some convergence of-views on objectives. The appropriate means may be in doubt, but the end that is commonly understood is to raise living standards on a sustainable basis

Obituary: Jack Duloy, 1932–2005

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

JW Reason Family Science Extravaganza

IMPACT. 1: Support K-5 STEM education in the Hilliard school district. -- 2. Foster exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathmatics as a shared experience between students and their family members. -- 3. Serve as a model for the diversity of genders, ethnicities, and races in STEM fields. Promote the fun of STEM exploration and investigation.OSU PARTNERS: NEURO (Neuroscience Education for Urban and Rural Outreach); OSU Kappa Phi Kappa Alpha Eta chapter; OSU Food Science Club; OSU Society of Women in Physics; OSU Women in Engineering; OSU Graduate Program in Genetic CounselingCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Hilliard School System; JW Reason Elementary PTO; Columbus State Community; College; WBNS-TV; Nationwide Children's Hospital; NASA; COSI; Columbus Parks and Recreation Department; EvalSolutions Inc.PRIMARY CONTACT: Robert Pyatt ([email protected])Unlike other large cities, Columbus lacks a community science festival. Consequently, we have organized the JW Family Science Extravaganza as a proof-in-principle of such an event. Now in its fourth year, the JW Family Science Extravaganza is a satellite event of the USA Science and Engineering Festival. The event is held in an elementary school within the Hilliard City Schools district and features over twenty inquiry based activities for students and their families to explore

Critical conditions for the wetting of soils

The wettability of soil is of great importance for plants and soil biota and in determining whether flooding and soil erosion will occur. The analysis used in common measurements of soil hydrophobicity makes the assumption that water always enters soils if the average contact angle between the soil and water is 90 degrees or lower; these tests have been used for decades. The authors show theoretically and experimentally that water cannot enter many soils unless the contact angle is considerably lower than this, down to approximately 50 degrees. This difference generates serious errors in determining and modeling soil wetting behavior

Self-organization of hydrophobic soil and granular surfaces

Soil can become extremely water repellent following forest fires or oil spillages, thus preventing penetration of water and increasing runoff and soil erosion. Here the authors show that evaporation of a droplet from the surface of a hydrophobic granular material can be an active process, lifting, self-coating, and selectively concentrating small solid grains. Droplet evaporation leads to the formation of temporary liquid marbles and, as droplet volume reduces, particles of different wettabilities compete for water-air interfacial surface area. This can result in a sorting effect with self-organization of a mixed hydrophobic-hydrophilic aggregate into a hydrophobic shell surrounding a hydrophilic core

Passive water control at the surface of a superhydrophobic lichen

Some lichens have a super-hydrophobic upper surface, which repels water drops, keeping the surface dry but probably preventing water uptake. Spore ejection requires water and is most efficient just after rainfall. This study was carried out to investigate how super-hydrophobic lichens manage water uptake and repellence at their fruiting bodies, or podetia. Drops of water were placed onto separate podetia of Cladonia chlorophaea and observed using optical microscopy and cryo-scanning-electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) techniques to determine the structure of podetia and to visualise their interaction with water droplets. SEM and optical microscopy studies revealed that the surface of the podetia was constructed in a three-level structural hierarchy. By cryo-SEM of water-glycerol droplets placed on the upper part of the podetium, pinning of the droplet to specific, hydrophilic spots (pycnidia/apothecia) was observed. The results suggest a mechanism for water uptake, which is highly sophisticated, using surface wettability to generate a passive response to different types of precipitation in a manner similar to the Namib Desert beetle. This mechanism is likely to be found in other organisms as it offers passive but selective water control