Fall River Research Articles

Genome Sequence and Annotation of Bacteriophage Tokki Isolated on Arthrobacter globiformis B-2979.

ABSTRACTArthrobacter phage Tokki is a siphovirus isolated from soil in River Falls, Wisconsin. The genome contains 57,652-bp encoding 98 proteins, of which 23 were assigned a function. Tokki’s genome structure and content is typical of other AU2 subcluster phages, except for the lack of an identifiable acetyltransferase.

Aquatics: A Boon or Bane under the Shadow of Naegleria fowleri:A Meta-analysis and Systemic review

Water sports activities during hot summer seasons attract all age groups specially children and young adult. Same season acts favorably for multiplication of Naegleria fowleri in stagnant or slow moving water and exposure will lead to highly fatal Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis. Naegleria fowleri travels from nasopharyngeal mucosa to brain to cause highly fatal disease. In-spite of more than 300 cases reported worldwide the figure is still underreported or erroneously reported due to Clinical & Biochemical similarity with Acute Bacterial Meningitis. Radiological finding CT or MRI scan are also initially normal for initial 2 days and unable to differentiate between bacterial or parasitic meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis of low surviving disease depend mainly on Microscopy/Giemsa staining, which can be confirmed by amoebic culture, PCR and gene sequencing with the help of reference center (CDC). Treatment can be intravenous and/or intrathecal Amphotericin-B, Rifampicin and Fluconazole. Miltefosine shows some promising results but not found satisfactory. So, prevention is the only hope to fight with Naegleria fowleri infection, which needs to be looked at seriously by concerned authorities, especially in developing countries. A total of 29 articles selected for meta-analysis study from Pubmed & Google Scholar. Surprising water exposure history found in many article that included enjoyment in Water-Splashing Festival, bathing in pond & unchlorinated water, religious nasal cleaning practice with contaminated water, accidental fall in river with remain submerged for long time and many more, were results in fatal Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis. This review cover clinical management of the cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis as well as more important it’s preventive aspect which include identification of source of Naegleria fowleri, restricted activity with public awareness about unknown dangers of fatal disease acquired during enjoyment, which was missed by some authors.

Evaluating the effect of storyline theme on cognitive learning development of children and adolescents

Children and adolescents are active learners who are influenced by their environment. Many theories are suggested in this regard, but one of these theories is Piaget's theory of cognitive learning development (CLD). This theory was applied in a book titled "why did the river fall silent" by Tamer, which has been translated into several different languages. This study aims to evaluate the effect of storyline theme on CLD of children and adolescents according to the Tamer's stories. This would be considered by academic managers and researchers in the field of children and adolescent training and can be modeled on it. The research findings indicate that, theme of storyline would allow children and adolescents to think about the events and understand the experiences, so these features would possibly transmit to children and adolescents when they are expressed in an intelligent way through fascinating theme; besides, this feature would possibly create emotional tension and present mental challenges, which tend to promote CLD in children and adolescents.

Evolution of the Continental Crust in the Northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints From Geochronology and Hf Isotopes of Detrital Zircons

To investigate the evolution of the continental crust in the northern Tibetan Plateau, detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes analysis were performed on two fluvial sand samples from North Qaidam (the Yuka and Shaliu rivers). A total of 443 detrital zircon U–Pb ages and 244 Hf isotopic results were obtained and reveal that the South Qilian, North Qaidam, and East Kunlun terranes show affinity to the western Yangtze Block. Age distributions of detrital zircons from the Yuka River cluster mainly in two age intervals of 1,000–700 and 480–400 Ma. The corresponding εHf(t) values are mostly negative, with depleted two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) of 2.1–1.6 Ga. In contrast, age data for the Shaliu River fall in the ranges of 1,000–700, 460–380, and 260–200 Ma, with TDM2 ages of 2.0–1.6 and 1.6–1.2 Ga. In addition, zircons with Neoproterozoic ages from both river samples possess common Paleoproterozoic TDM2 ages (2.0–1.6 Ga, with a peak of 1.8–1.7 Ga), indicating that the South Qilian, North Qaidam and East Kunlun terranes were probably part of the same Neoproterozoic continent. The East Kunlun and North Qaidam terranes are inferred to include Mesoproterozoic continental crust (1.6–1.0 Ga), suggesting differences in crustal evolution between the East Kunlun–North Qaidam and Qilian terranes. Phanerozoic magmatism in these three terranes was sourced mainly from the recycling of ancient continental crust with minor contributions from the juvenile crust.

Geochemical and isotope tracing of groundwater salinity in the coastal Gujarat alluvial plain, India

This study attempts to learn the groundwater salinization mechanism in the large and well-populated coastal Gujarat alluvial plain under growing anthropogenic pressures. For this purpose, geochemical compositions and 87Sr/86Sr were analyzed in 53 groundwater samples collected in the three different seasons during 2016–2017. Additionally, surface water samples collected in each season from two nearby large rivers (Narmada and Tapi) and urban sewage discharge of Surat city were also analyzed. Excluding a few salinity hotspots (EC >8–18 mS/cm), the seasonal average of EC (~2.3–2.5 mS/cm) in groundwater shows little fluctuations negating evaporation as the major salinization process. Localized anthropogenic inputs as traced using NO3 also fail to explain the widespread groundwater salinity. A strong marine influence on the groundwater salinity is revealed by an average Cl/Br of ~655 ± 104 mol/mol in groundwater (except a few outliers) falling close to the seawater composition. The lateral seawater intrusion at shallow depths is generally not supported by the freshening of coastal groundwater samples and generally seaward movements of shallow groundwater as indicated by regional piezometric heads. However, few (Ca)-Mg-Cl type groundwaters collected from north of the Narmada River fall in the piezometric depressions and hint at seawater intrusion and/or upconing of deep saline aquifers. The Sr isotope budget in most of the alluvial groundwater samples is controlled by the seepage groundwater–seawater mixing. Exceptional 87Sr/86Sr values owing to Sr inputs from different age terrains are found in the northeastern groundwater and a few groundwater samples collected downslope of ancient deposits in the central alluvium. The upconing of salty waters having marine signatures partly altered by aquifer–water interactions primarily governs the regional groundwater salinity, which makes the study area vulnerable to continued salinization by excessive groundwater extraction.

A custom interface for the joint operation of Med Associates and Tucker-Davis Technologies hardware in a rodent behavioral model

BackgroundRodent behavioral models with an electrophysiological component may require the joint operation of hardware from Med Associates, Inc. (St. Albans, VT) and Tucker-Davis Technologies (TDT; Alachua, FL). Although these manufacturers do produce supplemental hardware for interfacing with each other, investing in such hardware may be untenable for research groups with limited funds who wish to use equipment already in their possession. New methodWe designed a printed circuit board (PCB) in KiCad and had it fabricated by Advanced Circuits (Aurora, CO), with components sourced from Digi-Key (Thief River Falls, MN). The PCB provided 8 channels of bidirectional communication for the transmission of signals between Med Associates’ SG-716B SmartCtrl connection panel and TDT’s RZ5D base station. This setup enabled the coordinated operation of programs running separately on each set of hardware. ResultsThe custom-built PCB facilitated the joint operation of Med Associates and TDT hardware in a go/no-go detection task involving rats with electrical implants in their sciatic nerves. Comparison with existing methodsConventional methods for interfacing Med Associates and Tucker-Davis Technologies rely on the purchase of pre-built hardware whose costs can add up to thousands of dollars. The present method offers a viable alternative that is easily implemented and considerably less expensive (below $200). ConclusionThe present approach provides an inexpensive yet effective alternative to far more costly interfacing solutions offered by Med Associates and Tucker-Davis Technologies.

CODAC appoints new COO

CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, based in Cranston, Rhode Island, announced the appointment of Susan Figueiredo, LMHC, LADC, as chief operating officer last week. The appointment takes effect retroactively, to Nov. 4, 2021. Figueiredo will oversee clinical operations, logistics, strategic planning, census reporting, national sourcing and infrastructure to lead the company's efforts at improving efficiency, efficacy and the achievement of short‐term and long‐term goals. Prior to CODAC, Figueiredo has served in operations for various levels of care, including inpatient, outpatient, medication‐assisted treatment, community‐based services and opioid treatment programs (OTPs, also known as methadone clinics). In these roles, Figueiredo was responsible for financial and operational oversight, growth and development of midlevel managers, policy review and development, grant writing and project management. Figueiredo was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Plymouth, with a bachelor's in psychology. She then completed a master's in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Figueiredo went on to attain her LMHC license and has received awards for implementing notable pilot programs focused on substance abuse treatment, as well as facilitating trainings aimed at increasing quality assurance and staff retention. “I am very excited about this opportunity and next chapter in my professional journey. CODAC's vision aligns with the very reason I moved into management — access, quality and sustainability,” said Figueiredo. “I look forward to working with the staff and supporting the organization's growth.” Linda Hurley, president and chief executive officer of CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, said, “We are pleased to have Susan join CODAC and look forward to seeing her contribution in this important and critical leadership role,” adding “Susan has already demonstrated leadership and strategic planning to ensure the success of CODAC's mission.”

Modeling the spatial distribution of the current and future ecosystem services of urban tree planting in Chicopee and Fall River, Massachusetts

Mature urban tree canopy cover disrupts the local effects of urban heat islands and provides important ecosystem services such as energy savings through evaporation and shading, pollution removal, storm runoff control, and carbon sequestration. Sustainable urban tree canopy relies on the planting of juvenile trees. Typically, tree planting programs are only evaluated by the number of trees planted and there is a lack of analysis of juvenile trees post-planting. This study examines the value and distribution of energy savings provided by juvenile trees and how that value changes considering predicted tree growth and mortality by 2050. Using i-Tree Eco software, this study models the current and future ecosystem services provided to residents based on a juvenile tree inventory of 2271 street and residential trees planted in Massachusetts (USA) from 2014 to 2015 by the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) in Chicopee and Fall River, MA. Juvenile trees planted by the GGCP provided $776 and $1520 (2018) in annual savings from ecosystem service in Chicopee and Fall River while services modeled to mature tree 2050 conditions show increased total annual savings of $2911 and $5840 in Chicopee and Fall River (2050). The mean total savings per tree per household were $0.77 in 2018 and $13.60 in 2050, with the majority from cooling energy savings in the summer. Services were maximized in neighborhoods where large numbers of trees were planted or when tree planting location (distance and orientation to the house) was optimized for highest savings. Analysis of the distribution of benefits reveals different planting strategies in Chicopee and Fall River. Ecosystem services from juvenile trees are concentrated in US Census block groups with more pre-existing tree canopy cover and lower median income. A tree planting density of two to three trees per acre was able to achieve the largest energy savings. Results of this study reinforce the importance of tree survivorship on sustaining the urban tree canopy to provide ecosystem services.

What the Police are Not Trained to See: Wisconsin Death Trip and the Blind Spots of Photographic Evidence

Wisconsin Death Trip, the 1973 book by Michael Lesy, juxtaposes Charles van Schaick’s nineteenth and early twentieth-century photographs of townspeople in Black River Falls, Wisconsin with local newspaper clippings of grisly murders and crimes. Drawing from police laboratory protocols, forensics manuals and case law, I show how Lesy’s book imitates contemporaneously developed law enforcement techniques for presenting, justifying and interpreting photographs as evidence, which it uses to make a historical claim about death and madness in rural America. Ironically, the book’s mimicry of these techniques creates its blind spot: Lesy is unable to see how Van Schaick’s photographs actually relate to the indigenous Ho-Chunk people of the region and their struggle against forced removal by the US government. Studying Wisconsin Death Trip demonstrates how the interpretive momentum generated by a forensic approach to archival photographs too easily identifies the wrong crimes and perpetrators.

Importance of a turbulent river section below a giant waterfall for fish spawning: Indications from drift and dispersion patterns of early life stages

AbstractSeasonal drift patterns of fish eggs and larvae were analysed along the river section downstream the Iguaçu River Falls to the confluence with Paraná River, over three spawning seasons. This river section is situated in a narrow rocky canyon characterized by a steep slope, which leads to highly turbulent and fast flowing conditions in a series of rapids. Water transit time in this river stretch of 20 km was short (5–11 h), the flow‐velocity in rapids can reach values of more than 6 m s−1. Densities of drifting eggs and larvae varied between three spawning seasons, and differences of eggs were more pronounced compared to larvae. Eggs and larvae were observed all along the river section. A spatial, longitudinal distribution pattern of larvae was found, with higher numbers in the upper section. A distinct spatial sequence of different embryonic stages was observed, with the highest abundance of early stages. Larval densities were low in comparison to egg densities, and preflexion and flexion stages predominated. High abundance of buoyant eggs in drift indicates fish spawning in rapid and turbulent waters of the Iguaçu River, particularly downstream from the Iguaçu Falls. Rainfall and turbidity may be the main trigger for spawning. Spawned eggs drifted quickly towards the confluence, most are likely to hatch in the Paraná River, while larvae disperse to nursery habitats even in the river section below the falls. Thus, inshore zones along the whole stretch provide nursery habitats for larval development of fish species exhibiting different reproductive strategies.

Five-year growth, biomass, and nitrogen pools of Douglas-fir following intensive forest management treatments

In young Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) stands, intensive forest management has resulted in variable responses in survival and growth and therefore stand biomass due to effects on microclimate and competition for limited resources. As seedling genetics and management practices develop over time, there is a need to re-evaluate how Douglas-fir survival and growth varies with intensive practices. Five-year Douglas-fir diameter at 15 cm (D15) and height growth, biomass, and nitrogen (N) pools after organic matter removals and soil compaction at a recently established site in central Oregon (NARA) were compared to five-year results from three Douglas-fir sites with organic matter removal and vegetation control treatments that were established 10–14 years earlier in central Washington (Fall River and Matlock) and northern Oregon (Molalla). The NARA site contained up to two times greater individual-tree foliar and branch biomass for the same stem D15 than the previously established sites, possibly due to a lower planting density, a warmer climate, and/or improved genetics/different seed sources. Prediction of stem biomass was similar at all sites using D152*height. Periodic D15 and height growth from 1 to 3 years and five-year Douglas-fir biomass was lower in the bole-only (BO) without compaction treatment at NARA compared to other treatment combinations. Greater periodic D15 and height growth after five years of annual vegetation control (Fall River, Matlock, and Molalla) resulted in larger Douglas-fir biomass compared to the initial vegetation control treatments. These results indicate the beneficial effects of vegetation control on early growth across a wide range of conditions. With one exception, whole-tree removal treatments did not affect five-year-old Douglas-fir biomass or N pools, indicating site resilience to increased OM removal across the region. A principal component analysis (PCA) clearly separated all four sites according to climate, soil temperature and moisture, N availability, D15 and height growth, and Douglas-fir and competing vegetation biomass. Within each site, the PCA showed that vegetation control was associated with the greatest differences in Douglas-fir and competing vegetation biomass. This supports the notion that site factors and vegetation control treatments are critically important in mitigating response to intensive management practices.

146 Fecal egg count reduction in juvenile and mature horses administered fenbendazole or moxidectin/praziquantel dewormer

Parasite resistance is a concern in horses and can be monitored by performing fecal egg counts (FECs). Unfortunately, FECs are not performed regularly, which could contribute to developing anthelmintic resistance as it may lead to deworming too frequently or not using an effective dewormer for the horse. This study aims to evaluate the ability of pellet and paste fenbendazole (FBZ) and a paste moxidectin/praziquantel (MOX/PZQ) dewormer to reduce parasite populations in juvenile and mature horses in River Falls, Wisconsin. To evaluate dewormers, horses with an initial FEC ≥50 eggs per gram (EPG) were used. For FBZ, horses were blocked by shedding level as low (<200 EPG), moderate (200 – 500 EPG), and high (>500 EPG) shedders and assigned to the pellet (n = 21) or paste (n = 23) FBZ treatment. Two-weeks post-treatment, another FEC was taken and a fecal egg count reduction (FECR) was calculated. Eight-weeks following this study, another FEC was performed and horses with ≥50 EPG were administered a MOX/PZQ paste (n = 46). Two-weeks post-treatment, another FEC was taken and subsequent FECR was calculated. Results from this study indicated no differences were observed for horses receiving pellet or paste FBZ with a FECR of 57.4% and 65.7%, respectively ( P ≥ 0.05). Additionally, no difference in the FECR for juvenile versus mature horses or shedding level was observed regardless of the dewormer used ( P ≥ 0.05). While both FBZ and MOX/PZQ reduced FECs when comparing the pre- and post-treatment EPG ( P ≤ 0.01), the average FECR was 60.4% and 98.5% for horses receiving FBZ and MOX/PZQ, respectively. These results demonstrate parasite resistance to FBZ was observed in this herd while MOX/PZQ was still effective in reducing FECs.

Preliminary analysis of ice Cherenkov detector operation during a latitude survey

IceTop, the surface component of IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole, studies cosmic ray air showers with an array of ice Cherenkov detectors typically referred to as “IceTop Tanks.” In November 2009, collaborators from the University of Delaware, UW River Falls, and Uppsala University loaded an insulated shipping container containing an IceTop Tank on the icebreaker Oden which traversed the Atlantic Ocean from Helsingborg, Sweden to McMurdo, Antarctica, and return. Over an approximately 6-month interval, Oden carried the IceTop Tank through a wide range of geomagnetic cut-offs. The data obtained will allow the energy dependent effective area (yield function) to be determined using the Earth as a magnet spectrometer. The ultimate goal of the project is to calibrate the IceTop Tanks to study cosmic rays in the GeV primary energy range. We will report preliminary results for determining the yield functions.

Douglas-Fir Biomass Allocation and Net Nutrient Pools 15–20 Years after Organic Matter Removal and Vegetation Control

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesiivar. menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) plantation forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest have been intensively managed to improve the yield of forest products. However, the long-term effects of these management techniques have received limited research attention in this region. Three affiliate Long-Term Soil Productivity study sites were installed in Douglas-fir forests to understand the impacts of organic matter removals and vegetation control on soil productivity over time. Matlock and Fall River are located in Washington, USA and Molalla is located in Oregon. Organic matter removal treatments included traditional bole-only harvest (BO), whole tree removals (WT), and a whole tree plus coarse woody debris removal (WT+) (Fall River only). Five years of annual vegetation control (AVC) was compared with a conventional initial vegetation control (IVC) treatment at all sites. Douglas-fir biomass allocation to foliage, branch, and stem components was modeled using 15- to 20-year-old trees from this study along with 5- to 47-year-old trees from previous studies on these sites. Across all sites, model predictions indicated that the WT treatment had 7.1 to 9.7 Mg ha−1 less Douglas-fir biomass than the BO treatment. There was 1.5 to 20.5 Mg ha−1 greater Douglas-fir biomass in the AVC treatment than in the IVC treatment at all sites. Douglas-fir carbon and nitrogen biomass were consistently lower in the WT treatment, but there were no significant changes in overall site nutrient pools. The AVC treatment resulted in greater Douglas-fir nutrient pools yet there was a net loss in site calcium, magnesium, and potassium due to lower forest floor and soil base cation pools. While WT removals did not significantly affect site nutrition, the decrease in Douglas-fir biomass at all sites and increase in invasive Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link) biomass at Matlock suggests that the standard practice of retaining harvest residuals is beneficial. The use of intensive vegetation control to improve Douglas-fir biomass and nutrition must be balanced with retaining soil base cations.

The Environment of Horror in Angela Carter’s “The Fall River Axe Murders”

“The Fall River Axe Murders” (1985), originally titled “Mise-en-Scene for a Parricide” (1981), flaunts its affiliations to theater and the tradition of homicidal plots in classical Western tragedie...

Dry Matter Intake, Body Weight, and Body Condition Scores of Blanketed and Nonblanketed Horses in the Upper Midwest

Thermoregulation is an energy-expensive process, which can be mitigated by blanketing horses in cold climates, potentially preventing weight loss or leading to decreased feed intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate feed intake, body weight (BW), and body condition scores (BCSs) in blanketed and nonblanketed horses. In October 2019, 16 mature adult horses were blocked by breed and BCS and randomly assigned to a blanketed (n = 8) or nonblanketed (n = 8) treatment; blankets were placed. Data were collected in December 2019 and January 2020 in River Falls, Wisconsin. During the study, horses were housed in dry lots and fed grass-legume mixed round bales. At the start of each trial period, BW and BCSs of horses were taken, hay cores were taken for nutritive analysis, and hay bales were weighed. Hay waste was collected daily, and when hay could no longer be consumed ad libitum, the remaining hay was removed from both pens (orts) and new bales were fed. Hay waste and orts were dried and daily dry matter intake was estimated as the difference between hay provided minus hay waste and orts during the trial period divided by the total BW of the pen. The average bale weight, forage nutritive value, BW, and BCS did not differ across treatment groups (P ≥ .05). However, the daily dry matter intake differed (P ≤ .05) at 2.31% BW for blanketed horses and 2.51% BW for nonblanketed horses. These results suggest blanketed horses conserve energy leading to decreased feed intake.

Sources, fate, and flux of riverine solutes in the Southwest Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA

Since the 1970s, temporal variations of hydrothermal discharge and thermal output from the numerous hydrothermal features in the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field (YPVF) have been studied by measuring the chloride flux in the major rivers. In this study, the sources, fate, and flux of solutes in the Fall River and its major tributaries, in southwest Yellowstone National Park, were determined. The considerable precipitation in southwest YPVF and high groundwater flow through Quaternary rhyolites results in river solute fluxes that originate from shallow non-thermal groundwater and deep-thermal water. Specific conductance serves as a surrogate measure for thirteen riverine solute concentrations. Combining continuous 15-minute specific conductance and discharge data, the annual chloride, arsenic, fluoride, and silica fluxes from the Fall River were determined to be 11%, 5%, 25%, and 19% of the total flux exiting YPVF. Approximately 11% of the Fall River chloride flux is from non-thermal waters, which is larger than the previous estimate of 4 to 6%. Furthermore, a large proportion of fluoride and silica in the Fall River are derived from water-rock interaction in the shallow non-thermal groundwater system and the non-thermal weathering rate (30 ± 2 t/yr·km2) is higher than other rivers draining the Yellowstone caldera. Consequently, 73 ± 3% of the annual total dissolved solid flux in the Fall River is from thermal sources. Synoptic sampling of river water and discharge measurements was performed during low-flow conditions that allowed for the determination of solute sources and their downstream fate. It was determined that chloride, sodium, arsenic, rubidium, lithium, and boron are primarily (>89%) associated with thermal waters and the Bechler River is the primary source of most hydrothermal solutes in the Fall River, but the major source of arsenic is Boundary Creek. Using the chloride inventory method, the thermal water discharge from several thermal areas was also determined.

Seasonal performance assessment of four riverbank filtration sites by combined non-target and effect-directed analysis

Targeting the most relevant organic micropollutants (OMP) in routine analysis appears difficult due to formation of transformation products of unknown concentration or toxicity. Performance assessment of water purification processes is still based upon limited target data. Therefore, we broadened the assessment of the removal efficiencies with combined non-target and effect-directed analysis at four riverbank filtration (RBF) sites in Germany. To assess micropollutant elimination, constancy and formation during different seasons, considering local redox conditions, travel distances and total component number in the river, non-target analysis features were grouped into categories. Furthermore, RBF sites were investigated with four endpoints (baseline toxicity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antibiotic effects and estrogenic effects) for thin-layer chromatography - effect-directed analysis for the first time. Results showed elimination or reduction of many features and effects, but also constancy and formation of varying proportions. Fall river samples showed precipitation-caused dilution in both tests. Spring samples showed increased effects only in acetylcholinesterase inhibition and estrogenic effects, probably due to phytoestrogens or algae bloom during vegetation period. Sites were ranked considering the total number of features, group proportions, seasonal variations and intensity and number of effects in abstraction wells. Oxic conditions and low initial component numbers in the river (Ruhr sites) resulted in less effects and fewer formations. Longer travel distances were important for a more efficient reduction of effects and features. Combination of non-target and effect-directed analysis proved to be valuable for a more comprehensive assessment of process performance beyond target analysis as also unknown OMP are observed with both methods.

ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON THE TERRITORY OF THE SKOLE BESKIDS NATIONAL PARK AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ECOLOGICAL STATE OF THE HYDRAULIC NETWORK

Background monitoring of the ecological status of the water of the small mountain rivers Rozhanka, Butyvlia, Slavska, Oriava, Golovchanka, Tsygla and Kobylets, which are part of the hydroelectric network of the Skole Beskids National Park, was conducted. This protected site is located in the Lviv region and is a popular holiday destination in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Most modern recreational centers (camps and resorts, private manors, hotels, restaurants, etc.) of the region tend to be the natural surface water bodies. These include Gurkalo Falls, Kamianka River Falls, and more. And this, in turn, can lead to the excessive anthropogenic load on the small rivers of the region, and the deterioration of their ecological status.Due to the fact that the nutrition of these mountain rivers is mixed (rain, ground and melt water), with the predominance of rain and snow, the water regime depends mainly on the amount of precipitation. The water quality assessment of the mountain rivers Rozhanka, Butyvlia, Slavska, Oriava, Golovchanka, Tsygla and Kobylets was conducted during the autumn period of 2019. Water sampling was carried out in the two places: the river outflow and its flow into another river.The results of analytical studies of the hydrophysical parameters of the water of mountain rivers indicate their good quality in terms of transparency, color and odor. Note that the transparency ranges from 30 to 25 cm, the odor is less than 2, the color is 8-13 degrees.The results of studies of hydrochemical indicators show a certain threat to the ecological safety of the water quality of the studied mountain rivers Rozhanka, Butyvlia, Slavska, Oriava, Golovchanka, Tsygla and Kobylets. In the water samples of these rivers, the content of suspended solids increased slightly (by 1-8.4 mg/dm3, respectively), total iron (by 0.03-0.08 mg/dm3, respectively) and manganese (by 0.04 mg/dm3, respectively). Hydrochemical indexes of chemical oxygen demand and ammonium ions are at the limit, which is also a signal of deterioration of water quality of the studied rivers of the protected area. Note that these hydrochemical parameters (excluding general and manganese iron) do not exceed the normalized values in the water samples selected above the recreational areas where the recreational buildings (private manors, hotels, restaurants, camps and complexes, etc.) or the farmland, etc. are located at the beginning of the river formation.The excess of iron and manganese are associated with the geological structure of the terrain. The excess of chemical oxygen demand is attributed to excessive anthropogenic activity on the territory of the park (recreational tourism, forestry and agriculture, fisheries, hunting, etc.).Studies have shown that excessive anthropogenic activity on the territory of National Nature Park the Skole Beskids impairs the water quality of small mountain rivers, which are a source of water formation of the larger rivers of the Opir and Stryi.

COVID-19, Prison Visits, and the Value of a Cup of Coffee

The simple act of being able to walk downstairs and buy coffee crystalizes a feeling I have had during my days on the COVID-19 ward.