Concentrations Of Different Forms Research Articles

Dissolved nitrogen in drinking water resources of farming communities in Ghana

A water quality study was carried out on streams and boreholes which serve as drinking water sources in farming communities in the Brong Ahafo region of the Republic of Ghana. The objective of this research was to determine concentrations of different forms of nitrogen in drinking water samples. Water samples were collected from these sources every three months (from January – December 2005) and analyzed for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite using the Palintest Photometer Method. Results indicated the annual mean concentration of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia varied from 0.09 - 1.06 mg/l, 0.006 - 0.36 mg/l and 0.008 - 0.179 mg/l respectively. An important observation is that, in general, higher nitrate and nitrite concentrations were found during the rainy season compared to the dry season. Concentrations of these potentially toxic substances were below WHO acceptable limits for surface and groundwaters, indicating these water resources appear safe for drinking from a dissolved nitrogen perspective. Key words : ammonia, Brong Ahafo, nitrate, nitrite, nitrogen, ground and surface water.

Heavy metal accumulation in wheat plant grown in soil amended with industrial sludge

The concentrations of different forms of Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb and Fe metals were determined for the roadside sludge collected from pickling-rolling and electroplating industrial area. In sludge the relative abundance of total heavy metals were Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd and DTPA-extractable metals were in the order -- Fe > Ni > Mn > Cr > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cd. Pot-culture experiment was conducted in soils amended with sludge (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%), pretreated with lime (0%, 0.5% and 1%). The soils were alkaline in nature (pH > 8.3) with organic carbon contents were 0.34% and 0.72%. The most abundant total and bio-available metal was Fe. Two wheat seedlings were grown in each pot containing 3 kg sludge-amended or control soil and the experiment was conducted till harvesting. Application of sludge increased both total and bio-available forms of metals in the soils, while lime application decreased the bioavailability of heavy metals in sludge-amended soils. The content of organic carbon showed positive correlation with all metals except Zn, Cr and Pb. CEC also showed a strong positive correlation ( R 2 > 0.7) with Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cd. Though wheat plants are not accumulators, the translocation efficiency was appreciably high. The translocation factor from shoot to grain was found smaller than that of root to shoot of wheat plants. This makes an implication that the heavy metal accumulation was proportionally lesser in grain than in shoot. In, 10% sludge with 0.5% lime-amended soils; each of these toxic heavy metals was found to be within permissible range (USEPA). Hence, on the basis of present study, the best possible treatment may be recommended.

Relationship between Vegetation Composition and Dissolved Nitrogen in Wetlands of Higashi-Hiroshima, West Japan

Twenty-four wetlands located in Higashi-Hiroshima City in West Japan were selected for this study in order to investigate both the relationship between aquatic plant composition and environmental conditions; and the relationship between changing land use patterns in the catchments and the concentration of different forms of nitrogen in the wetlands. The dominant and subdominant species which comprised the principal vegetation were determined based on a vegetation census conducted in each wetland during the growing season from June to August, 2006. The seasonal variations of water quality factors (pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solid, and temperature) and different forms of nitrogen such as nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen, dissolved organic nitrogen and dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations were analyzed as important indicators of water quality for the surface water of the wetlands. The surveyed wetlands were classified into three types (non-disturbed wetlands, moderately-disturbed wetlands and highly-disturbed wetlands), based on the degree of human disturbance to their catchment areas. An analysis of variance indicated that there was a significant difference among the wetland groups in the annual mean values of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total nitrogen, nitrite, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved organic nitrogen. Classification of the wetlands into three groups has revealed a pattern of changes in the composition of plant species in the wetlands and a pattern of changes in nitrogen concentrations. A majority of the non-disturbed wetlands were characterized by Brasenia schrebi and Trapa bispinosa as dominant; with Potamogeton fryeri and Iris pesudacorus as sub-dominant species. For most of the moderately-disturbed wetlands, Brasenia schrebi were shown to be a dominant species; Elocheriss kuriguwai and Phragmites australis were observed as sub-dominant species. For a majority of the highly-disturbed wetlands, Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia were observed as dominant species, and Nymphea tetragona as the sub-dominant species in the study area. An analysis of land use and water quality factors indicated that forest area played a considerable role in reducing the concentration of nutrients, and can act as a sink for surface/subsurface nutrient inputs flowing into wetland water, anchor the soil, and lower erosion rates into wetlands.

Teores de cobre em extratos de carne in natura e processada

Especiação química é definida como a determinação da concentração de diferentes formas físico-químicas individuais de um elemento, que em conjunto constitui a concentração total do mesmo, permitindo avaliar o aproveitamento do elemento no processo absortivo. As carnes bovinas e de aves são de grande importância na alimentação, assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os teores de cobre em diferentes extratos obtidos pela aplicação da extração seqüencial de carnes in natura, processadas termicamente e congeladas por 30 dias. Os teores de cobre foram determinados através de espectroscopia de absorção atômica. Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente através do teste de Grubs e t de Student. Verificou-se que o cobre encontra-se na maioria das amostras estudadas, em no mínimo duas espécies químicas diferentes. As frações predominantes encontradas foram as representadas pela fração iônica, a qual enfraquece a ligação do metal com compostos orgânicos e sulfetos e promove a dissolução de silicatos e minerais. Observou-se que o processo de cocção e o congelamento diminuem os teores totais e influenciam nas formas químicas do metal. Estudos posteriores que identifiquem estas formas químicas do cobre podem favorecer na avaliação da biodisponibilidade do mesmo.

Economic costs of obesity and the case for government intervention

Economic costs of obesity and the case for government intervention

Effect of hemodialysis on serum complexed prostate-specific antigen levels

The measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful tool in the screening and follow-up of prostate cancer, but its diagnostic validity is uncertain in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hemodialysis on serum complexed PSA (cPSA) levels. A total of 36 men (mean age 62.54+/-8.20 years) with end-stage renal disease were enrolled in a prospective study. Serum total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA) and cPSA, and hematocrit levels were measured before and immediately after dialysis using low-flux membranes in the serum and in the dialysis ultrafiltrate. After hemodialysis, cPSA, fPSA and the fPSA:tPSA ratio increased significantly (p<0.05). However, there was no significant increase in tPSA. fPSA, cPSA and tPSA were not detected in ultrafiltrate. Hematocrit levels increased significantly (p<0.0001) due to hemoconcentration. Of patients with initial serum tPSA and cPSA values and fPSA:tPSA ratios below the cut-off values, none had a post-hemodialysis value greater than the cut-off point. There were weak correlation between the difference in values after and before hemodialysis of hematocrit and cPSA (p=0.035), and between the percentage change in levels before and after hemodialysis of hematocrit and cPSA (p=0.041). Hemodialysis induced elevations in all forms of PSA, but tPSA was the least affected form. cPSA did not show any diagnostic superiority over other forms of PSA. Thus, serum tPSA remains a reliable parameter for follow-up of prostate cancer in uremic patients receiving long-term dialysis. However, further research is needed to explain the pathophysiology of alterations in the concentrations of different forms of PSA.

Contributions of phosphatase and microbial activity to internal phosphorus loading and their relation to lake eutrophication

Phosphatase may accelerate the process of lake eutrophication through improving phosphorus bioavailability. This mechanism was studied in three Chinese eutrophic shallow lakes (Lake Taihu, Lake Longyang and Lake Lianhua). Phosphatase activity was related to the concentration of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and chlorophyll a. Stability of dissolved phosphatase in reverse micelles may be attributed to molecular size, conformation and active residues of the enzyme. At the site with Microcystis bloomed in Lake Taihu, dissolved phosphatase activity was higher and more stable in micelles, SRP concentrations were lower in interstitial water, the contents of different forms of phosphorus and the amounts of aerobic bacteria were lower while respiration efficiency was higher in sediments. Phosphobacteria, both inorganic and organic and other microorganisms were abundant in surface water but rare in sediments. Therefore, internal phosphorus may substantially flux into water column by enzymatic hydrolysis and anaerobic release, together with mobility of bacteria, thereby initiating the bloom. In short, biological mechanism may act in concert with physical and chemical factors to drive the internal phosphorus release and accelerate lake eutrophication.

Informing policies in forensic settings: a review of research investigating the effects of exposure to media violence on challenging/offending behaviour

This review collates the empirical evidence on the behavioural effects of media violence. It assesses the content of different forms of media to which patients in secure services could be exposed. Numerous explanations for behaving aggressively are examined, using a variety of theoretical backgrounds. The effect of viewing different forms of violence on individuals' behaviour is also examined. The review includes positive influences of exposure to media violence, though the main findings are that exposure to aggressive and violent material increases aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The review presents research on violence depicted in films, video games, comic books and song lyrics, and assesses its impact on aggressive and inappropriate behaviour; it also addresses exposure to weapons. We conclude by outlining how this research could influence policy on the resources made available to forensic populations, advocating assessment of the suitability of presenting a particular piece of media violence to the individual rather than a whole population, and the possibility that individual responses to media violence can be a useful assessment tool.

Disruption of thiol homeostasis in plasma of terminal renal failure patients

Background The aim of the present studies was to investigate the changes in concentrations of different forms of thiols in plasma of terminal renal failure patients before and after hemodialysis. Methods Total concentrations of thiols, their free forms and the level of their mixed disulfides with proteins were determined with HPLC. Results In terminal renal failure patients before dialysis, total concentrations of cysteine, homocysteine and cysteinylglycine and their free and protein-bound fractions increased while level of all such forms of glutathione dropped. A single dialysis session caused short-lasting return of concentrations of all forms of thiols to the level equal or close to the control group. The changes observed in non-dialyzed patients were similar to those observed in dialyzed patients before single dialysis procedure. Conclusions The obtained results showed severe disturbance of thiol homeostasis in plasma of terminal renal failure patients. The following changes have to be emphasized: (1) high level of free cysteine (cystine) fraction, (2) strong tendency of homocysteine to form mixed disulfides with proteins, (3) drop of glutathione level. These observations confirm a suggestion that atherogenic action of homocysteine can be a result of S-homocysteinylation and N-homocysteinylation reactions, whereas toxic action of cysteine can result from auto-oxidation reaction.

Effects of Nitrogen Levels and Nitrate/Ammonium Ratios on Oxalate Concentrations of Different Forms in Edible Parts of Spinach

ABSTRACT Two hydroponic experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) levels and forms on the oxalate concentrations of different form in edible parts of spinach. Nitrogen was supplied at five levels (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 mM) in Experiment 1 and five ratios of nitrate (NO3 −) to ammonium (NH4 +) (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100) at a total N of 8 mM in Experiment 2. Biomass of spinach increased markedly from 4 mM to 8 mM N and reached the flat with further increase in N. The total oxalate and soluble oxalate in leaves and shoots (edible parts) increased significantly with increasing N levels from 4 to 12 mM, while the total oxalate and insoluble oxalate decreased markedly when N level was further increased from 12 to 20 mM. Oxalates of different forms in petioles increased first and then decreased and elevated again with increasing nitrogen levels. In the second experiment, decreasing NO3 −/NH4 + ratios markedly increased at first and then significantly decreased the biomass of spinach plants and the maximum biomass was recorded in the treatment of the NO3 −/NH4 + ratio of 50:50. The oxalate concentrations of different form in leaves and shoots were all decreased obviously as the ratio of NO3 −/NH4 + decreased from 100:0 to 0:100. Concentrations of total oxalate and soluble oxalate in petioles could be reduced by increasing ammonium proportion and were the lowest as the ratio of NO3 −/NH4 + was 50:50 and insoluble oxalate decreased as nitrate/ammonium ratio decreased. The concentrations of oxalate forms in leaves were all higher than those in petioles and soluble oxalate was predominant form of oxalates in both trials. It is evident that high biomass of spinach can be achieved and oxalate concentrations of different forms can be reduced by modulating N levels and NO3 −/NH4 + ratio, so this will benefit for human health especially for those people with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Arsenic Speciation Analysis in Water Samples: A Review of The Hyphenated Techniques

Interests in the determination of different arsenic species in natural waters is caused by the fact that toxic effects of arsenic are connected with its chemical forms and oxidation states. In determinations of water samples inorganic arsenate (As(III), As(V)), methylated metabolities (MMAA, DMAA) and other organic forms such as AsB, AsC, arsenosugars or arsenic containing lipids have the most importance. This article provides information about occurrence of the dominant arsenic forms in various water environments. The main factors controlling arsenic speciation in water are described. The quantification of species is difficult because the concentrations of different forms in water samples are relatively low compared to the detection limits of the available analytical techniques. Several hyphenated methods used in arsenic speciation analysis are described. Specific advantages and disadvantages of methods can define their application for a particular sample analysis. Insufficient selectivity and sensitivity of arsenic speciation methods cause searching for a new or modifications already existing techniques. Some aspects of improvement and modifications of the methods are highlighted.

Immunochemical Approach to the Problem of Differential Determination of Natural Forms of Abscisic Acid

An original modification of the standard ELISA procedure for differential determination of different forms of abscisic acid (ABA) is proposed. It is shown that endogenous forms of ABA may be quantitatively determined in plant tissues subjected to minimal treatment, without purification of the hormones and their chemical modification. The modification has been approved when analyzing changes in the content of different ABA forms in plant tissues differing in physiological activity. Quantitative differential determination of changes in the content of different ABA forms has been performed in ovaries of Triticum aestivum L. and Taraxacum officinale Web. in the period of activity of the ovule (from the moment of its activation to the beginning of division). It is shown that, despite the different types of reproduction in the species studied (amphimixis and apomixis), the time course of changes in the content of different forms of ABA in ovaries is similar, which is suggestive of a correlation between the activity of endogenous hormonal system and chronology of main events (e.g., the beginning of endospermogenesis) of the reproductive cycle.

Mechanism and kinetics of the selective NO reduction over Co-ZSM-5 studied by the SSITKA technique: 2. Reactivity of NO x-adsorbed species with methane

Steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis (SSITKA) was applied to study the reactivity of adsorbed NO x species with methane over Co-ZSM-5 during CH 4-SCR of NO at different partial oxygen concentrations. Numerical analysis of the isotope responses after switching from 14N 16O to 15N 18O, from 16O 2 to 18O 2, from 12CH 4 to 13CH 4, and from C 16O 2 to C 18O 2 in the feed gas was performed. This enables determination of (i) the concentration of different forms of NO x adspecies on Co sites, (ii) their reaction rates with methane, and (iii) the concentration of surface intermediates resulting from the interaction of NO x species with methane. The NO reduction with CH 4 in the presence of oxygen was shown to proceed by two different pathways with participation of (1) NO 2 δ+ species (formed on nanoclusters of cobalt oxide located inside the zeolite channels) and (2) NO 2 − nitrite complexes (formed on larger cobalt oxide particles located outside the zeolite channels), the reaction rate by the former being appreciably higher under the SCR reaction conditions studied. Mononitrosyl species appear not to be directly involved in the overall process. Modeling results indicate that the rate of the first route is limited by the interaction of NO 2 δ+ species and adsorbed methane, while in the second route the formation of nitrite species is a rate-determining step. Based on the obtained results, an overall reaction mechanism of the CH 4-SCR of NO in the presence of oxygen is proposed.

The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia

Limited information exists on the changes in soil properties, particularly from the wet tropics of Australia, under long-term abandoned pasture, which was previously grazed and was established on deforested tropical rainforest. This information may be help in successful forest reestablishment. The objectives of this study were to assess the cumulative impact deforestation, grazed and abandoned pasture on selected soil physico-chemical properties from (i) an abandoned pastureland and (ii) a recently planted rainforest (PRF), planted in the abandoned pastureland. The experimental site is a field in the Northeast Queensland (NEQ) wet tropical region of Australia. This site was deforested approximately 70 years ago and brought under unfertilized grazed pasture for 30 years. Subsequently the grazed pastureland was abandoned and remains un-grazed for 40 years. A section of the abandoned pastureland was planted, 10 years ago, with native forest species, involving different combinations in five treatments in a completely randomised block design. A nearby undisturbed rainforest is used as the background against which assessment was carried out. Soil samples from 0- to 15-cm depth were collected in July 2000 and analyzed for nitrate-N, ammonium-N, total N, total soil organic C (SOC) and labile-C, pH (in water and CaCl 2), electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Al, and bulk density. Compared to the rainforest, the N and C concentrations of different forms under abandoned pasture and PRF were significantly less, exclusive of the total N under abandoned pasture. More specifically, the SOC under the abandoned pasture was 37,600 mg/kg compared with 74,800 mg/kg under rainforest and 27,000 mg/kg in the PRF. The exchangeable Al under rainforest was 8.5 c mol c/kg compared with 42.4 to 80.2 c mol c/kg under abandoned pasture and PRF. In general exchangeable cations (sum of Ca, Mg, K, and Na) under the rainforest were higher than the abandoned pasture. Soil under the abandoned pasture and PRF are more acidic by 0.5 to 1 units than the rainforest. Higher bulk densities under abandoned pasture and PRF led to 0.03% to 0.07% reductions in total porosities. Though we did not anticipate the soil under the abandoned pasture to recover 100% in 30–40 years, the results indicate that 40 years under abandoned pasture or 30 years of abandoned pasture plus 10 years under PRF was not sufficient to bring about substantial improvement in soil properties comparable to the rainforest. This implies the resiliency of tropical soils, in general, to recover from deforestation and cultivation induced degradation is poor.

Polymorphism in polypropylene fibers

AbstractThe structure of polypropylene fibers formed by different spinning conditions was studied. The investigations were carried out using wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) methods. It was stated that in noncolored fibers the mesophase and the monoclinic α forms were formed. The highest content of the mesophase was observed for fibers extruded at the higher temperature and taken at the medium take‐up velocity. In fibers colored with quinacridone pigment the structure containing the monoclinic α and the trigonal β forms was obtained. The highest content of the β form occurred in fibers taken at the lowest take‐up velocity. The increase of the take‐up velocity caused a rapid drop in β form content. In fibers taken at higher velocities only the α form was formed. It was found that the content of different forms as well lamellar thickness depends on crystallization conditions, which were influenced by the formation parameters. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3364–3370, 2003

Heavy metals in the dump of an abandoned mine in Galicia (NW Spain) and in the spontaneously occurring vegetation

The concentrations of different forms of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) were determined in a mine dump material rich in chalcopyrite. The concentrations were compared with those of the natural vegetation colonising the dump. Samples taken from the dump are acid (pH H 2O between 3.0 and 5.0), have carbon contents lower than 0.5%, N lower than 0.2%, effective cation exchange capacity between 0.74 and 4.96 cmol(+) kg −1 and percent Al saturation in the exchange complex higher than 20% in 85% of the samples. Iron was the most abundant heavy metal, in both total and bioavailable forms, and the relative abundance of metals was: Fe>Cu>Mn>Zn>Cr. The total Fe concentrations ranged between 4315 and 31 578 mg kg −1, the total Cu between 273 and 5241 mg kg −1, the total Mn between 294 and 2105 mg kg −1, the total Zn between 73 and 894 mg kg −1 and total Cr between 0.01 and 30 mg kg −1. Ni, Cd and Pb were below the analytical detection limits. The concentration of bioavailable Fe ranged between 40 and 1550 mg kg −1; Zn was the least abundant metal in this fraction (between 2 and 100 mg kg −1). Copper was the most abundant heavy metal in the exchange complex and in the aqueous extracts, followed by Zn, Mn and Fe. Exchangeable Cu ranged between 17.7 and 1866 mg kg −1, whereas the maximum concentrations of exchangeable Zn, Mn and Fe did not exceed 140 mg kg −1. The Cu concentration in the aqueous extracts varied between 0.1 and 8.3 mg l −1 and the concentration of Fe was always less than 0.52 mg l −1. The heavy metal contents in the spontaneously occurring vegetation in the dump ranged between: 150 and 900 mg Fe kg −1, 84 and 2069 mg Mn kg −1, 20.5 and 106 mg Cu kg −1 and between 35 and 717 mg Zn kg −1, when considering all the plant samples analysed. Festuca sp. accumulated Fe, Salix atrocinerea accumulated Zn and Mn, and Frangula alnus and Quercus robur accumulated Mn. These native plant species may contribute to decrease the heavy metal contents in the dump material.

Adsorção de fósforo em solos de argila de atividade baixa

Neste estudo foram avaliadas possíveis correlações entre atributos físicos e químicos do solo e a capacidade máxima de adsorção de fósforo (CMAP) em solos com argila de atividade baixa de diferentes regiões do Brasil, sendo utilizadas amostras de horizontes superficiais (A) e subsuperficiais (B) de 16 perfis de solos. As doses para a determinação da CMAP foram calculadas com base no teor de fósforo remanescente e variaram de 0 a 135 mg.L-1. A partir dos dados obtidos foram então construídas isotermas de adsorção de Langmuir. Foram feitas correlações entre CMAP e os teores de argila, de carbono orgânico, ki, kr, superfície específica, teor de alumínio determinado por ataque sulfúrico e teores das diferentes formas de ferro extraível. Foi observada grande variação nos valores de CMAP para o horizonte superficial (48 a 1429 mg.kg-1) e para o horizonte subsuperficial (455 e 1.667 mg.kg-1). Os coeficientes de correlação demonstraram haver uma associação significativa entre a CMAP e o teor de argila dos solos, ferro e alumínio, determinados pelo ataque sulfúrico e ferro extraído com ditionito-citrato-bicarbonato (DCB). A análise de regressão múltipla mostrou bom ajuste aos valores da CMAP com base em atributos dos solos estudados.

Influence of three carbamate pesticides on Mn and Fe status of saline sodic soil of Aligarh. Part-I

The present study envisages the effect of different doses of three carbamate pesticides, namely, methyl N,N'-dimethyl-N-(methyl-carbamoyl)oxythiooxamimidate (Oxamyl) (I), S-ethyl-N-(methylearbamoyl)oxythioacetamidate (II)and N-phenyl(1-ethylcarbamoyl)propylcarbamatea (III) on the change in concentration of different forms of Mn and Fe status; change in pH, EC and redox potential (Fit) of a saline soil over a period of 90 days. The correlation coefficients amongst them arc also calculated. The results reveal that there is an optimum effect on the water-soluble, exchangeable, active Mn; exchangeable and available Fe; EC and E h , with 0.25 g kg - 1 soil of pesticide I; 0.2 g kg - 1 of pesticide II and 0.3 g kg - 1 soil of pesticide III after 30 days of application. The pH was found to decrease with the time upto 30 days. The water-soluble, exchangeable, active Mn; exchangeable, available Fe, E h and EC were positively correlated with each other, while negatively correlated with reducible Mn and pH. The results have been explained on the basis of chemical and microbial activity of pesticides in soils. The activity of carbamate pesticides is in the order, II > I > III.

DEFORESTATION FOR PASTURE ALTERS NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS IN SMALL AMAZONIAN STREAMS

The clearing of moist, lowland tropical forest for cattle pasture represents a widespread land use change that has consequences for soil biogeochemical cycles, as well as the links between soil processes and the concentrations of dissolved and particulate materials in rivers and streams. We examined how conversion of tropical forest to actively grazed cattle pasture in the Brazilian Amazon influenced the concentrations of different forms of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in soil solution and stream water. We compared two pairs of watersheds containing second-order streams that drained land in either forest or pasture at Fazenda Nova Vida, a cattle ranch in central Rondônia. Measurements were made during the dry season (low flows) and the wet season (high flows). Forest soil solution had higher NO3− concentrations than pasture, but similar concentrations of NH4+ and PO43−. Higher solution NO3− led to higher ratios of dissolved inorganic N:P in forest soils. Pasture streams had higher concentrations of total suspended solids, particulate organic carbon (POC), and particulate organic N (PON) during the dry season, but not during the wet season. Pasture streams also had lower concentrations of NO3− than forest streams. This was consistent with previous studies that found lower extractable NO3− concentrations and lower rates of net N mineralization and net nitrification in the soils of the pasture watersheds compared with forest watersheds. Dissolved organic N (DON) dominated stream water dissolved-N concentrations in forest (53–76%) and pasture (67–84%). Higher dissolved inorganic N (DIN) concentrations in forest streams coupled with a trend toward higher DON and PON concentrations in pastures led to small differences in total N (TN) concentrations between land uses. Lower ratios of inorganic and total dissolved N:P in pasture streams suggested a switch from P limitation in forest streams to N limitation in pasture streams. Periphyton bioassays in forest and pasture streams confirmed that N limited algal growth in pasture streams where light was available. These results suggest that links among deforestation, soil biogeochemistry, and the stoichiometry of N and P reaching streams in small watersheds have the potential to influence the structure of these aquatic ecosystems.

Stratification of Silts in a Reservoir (An Attempt to Analyze Stochastic Structures)

Stochastic hydrochemical structures are used to analyze the heterogeneity in the distribution of concentrations of different forms of nutrients in stratified silts. The properties of these structures are assessed. The layers with forming and decaying structures are found to alternate. The structural relationships are analyzed and their basic functions are established.