Methyl Bromide Research Articles

The Effects of Propylene oxide Fumigation on the Mortality of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

This study was carried out in 2014-2015 at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Entomology Laboratory. This study aims to evaluate the viability of propylene oxide (PPO) as an alternative fumigant to methyl bromide (MeBr) for the efficient control of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and to model the mortality rates of P. interpunctella insects using different regression techniques. The biological effectiveness of PPO was assessed across all life stages of P. interpunctella during a brief exposure period (4 hours) under three conditions: normal atmospheric pressure (PPO alone), low pressure (PPO+Vacuum), and an atmosphere enriched with carbon dioxide (CO2) (PPO+CO2). For all PPO treatments, PPO was directly introduced into the fumigation chamber at seven or more concentrations using different micro-syringes of different volume ranges: 2.5-25 µl l-1, 1.5-45 µl l-1, 1.5-30 µl l-1, and 0.5-15 µl l-1 for eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults, respectively. The results indicate that 100% mortality was observed in eggs at concentrations of 25 µl l-1, 20 µl l-1 and 20 µl l-1; in larvae at concentrations of 45 µl l-1, 30 µl l-1 and 40 µl l-1; in pupae at concentrations of 30 µl l-1, 15 µl l-1 and 25 µl l-1; and in adults at concentrations of 15 µl l-1, 10 µl l-1 and 10 µl l-1 for the PPO alone, PPO+Vacuum, and PPO+CO2 treatments, respectively. The results obtained from the developed regression models for insect mortality reveal that these models generally exhibited a better fit when described by exponential and third-order polynomial functions. In summary, this study indicates that PPO treatments hold significant promise for rapid insect control, particularly in the case of the Indian meal moth, rendering them invaluable for quarantine purposes.

Preparation and performance study of Mn-doped TiO2-loaded kapok-based activated carbon fibers

Due to its various advantages, such as a large specific surface area, high adsorption capacity, rapid adsorption rate, and moderate pore size, activated carbon fiber (ACF) has been extensively employed in wastewater treatment. In this study, the sol–gel-adsorption method was utilized to effectively synthesize Mn-doped TiO2-loaded kapok-based activated carbon fibers (Mn-TiO2/ACF). Several characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption were employed to investigate the Mn-TiO2/ACFs. The resulting Mn-TiO2/ACFs exhibited a combination of anatase and rutile forms in the produced TiO2. The introduction of Mn doping was found to hinder the crystal development, agglomeration, and crystallization of TiO2. The Mn-doped TiO2/ACFs demonstrated significant visible-light photocatalytic activity, attributed to the synergistic effects of two factors: the photocatalytic degradation of TiO2 films and the absorption capacity of ACF. The optimal molar ratio (Mn: Ti) for Mn-TiO2/ACFs in visible-light photocatalytic applications was determined to be 1:150. A pseudo-second-order kinetics model was employed to investigate the adsorption process of methyl bromide on Mn-TiO2/ACFs samples. The experimental results indicated that Mn-TiO2/ACF was reusable, with a removal efficiency exceeding 53% for all five cycles.

Hot air and infrared heating methods as alternative control methods against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) and their effect on the physiochemical properties of finger millet (Eleusine corocana) flour

Excessive use of synthetic insecticides has raised widespread environmental concerns. Synthetic fumigants such as methyl bromide and phosphine pose significant hazards causing severe environmental issues like ozone depletion, pollution toxicity to non-target organisms, pesticide residues and non-biodegradable properties. The study aims to employ alternate methods for chemical fumigants to disinfest stored pest, T. castaneum in finger millet flour using Hot air (HA) and Infrared (IR) heating methods. HA treatment at 65 °C for 10 min and IR heating at 1760 W for 9 min resulted in 100% mortality of all the life stages of the pest. The mortality (LT50 and LT99) was determined using probit analysis and the mortality data was subjected to generate a regression equation. Considering the properties of the treated flour, HA showed slight increase in bulk density as the temperature and time increased and IR exhibited significant effect on bulk density, influencing the flowability and compressibility of the flour. SEM images on the surface of HA treated flour was smooth, and IR treated flour with surface irregularities were noticed and the surface of untreated flour was coarse. HA and IR can be used for the disinfestation of millet flour thus maintaining the product quality. This research provides valuable insights for sustainable pest management and environment sustainability.

Research on Occupational Poisoning and Biological Monitoring

A new system for the regulation of chemical substances was introduced in Japan in April 2023. Unlike delineated rules, the new system does not specify any specific measures for individual substances, but is rather based on the management of health through the voluntary implementation of measures in order to reduce exposure to all dangerous/hazardous chemical substances. Regarding specific methods, exposures will be mainly elucidated through the measurement of a work environment. However, the necessity of biological monitoring should also be considered. This study aimed to identify the importance of biological monitoring by reviewing changes made over time in biological monitoring methods used for occupational poisoning. The study presents occupational poisoning by several compounds (methyl bromide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and MOCA) and the corresponding biological monitoring methods utilized, as researched by the author. Changes in biological monitoring based on the history of the Study Group on Occupational Poisoning and Biological Monitoring of the Japan Society for Occupational Health are also introduced. The areas of occupational poisoning at different times and cases of occupational cancer caused by exposure to chemical substances were presented in lectures held by the Study Group on Occupational Poisoning and Biological Monitoring. These lectures showed that although biological monitoring was previously implemented primarily by measuring the urinary metabolites of the exposed substance, the monitoring methods used have changed as the nature of exposure has changed, leading to the development of new tools that detect trace, low concentration, and mixed exposures. The health management of workers handling chemical substances at occupational sites will be shifted to autonomous management. However, it should be noted that only biological monitoring can detect and prove true exposure. Particularly, risk assessment by biological monitoring is necessary for substances that are suspected to be absorbed through the skin, and the measurement methods used should continue to be developed and refined. The significance of biological monitoring will continue to increase.

Emerging vegetable crop diseases and their management options

Abstract Vegetable crops are economically important throughout the world and they all share some common features, such as high value, globalisation of the seed market, continuous intensification and innovation of their production systems, the presence of a high number of crops and varieties, and a limited availability of chemical pesticides for their disease management. In this review, we focus on fungal plant pathogens, although several diseases caused by bacteria are becoming important. Many diseases caused by soilborne pathogens, such as Fusarium oxysporum (different formae speciales ), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp., become more severe over the last few years. Many of these diseases can be considered the consequence of the profound changes that soil disinfestation has undergone since the use of methyl bromide was prohibited in 2005. In the meantime, new hosts have been detected for diseases caused by foliar pathogens ( Alternaria spp., Stemphylium spp. Fusarium equiseti , Albifimbria verrucaria , Paramyrothecium roridum ), often as a consequence of climate change. The phytopathological situations of vegetable crops is discussed hereafter, with special emphasis on Italy, which is one of the most important vegetable production countries in Europe (not worldwide). The evolution of some diseases as a possible consequence of the current limitations in the use of chemicals, of the globalisation of the markets and/or of climate change is critically discussed. The disease management options that are currently available (e.g. the use of healthy planting material, host resistance, soil health, soilless systems, biological control, and integrated pest management) are discussed.

Impacts of the Ban on the Soil-Applied Fumigant Methyl Bromide.

The loss of the soil fumigant methyl bromide (MeBr) and adoption of soil fumigant alternatives has been challenging for farmers, particularly for those crops in which pathogens previously controlled by MeBr have emerged as significant problems, but it has resulted in some unanticipated benefits for the scientific community and the environment. Applauded as one of the most effective environmental agreements to date, the universally accepted Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances has had a significant impact on the environment, reducing the release of halogenated compounds from anthropogenic sources enough to mitigate global warming by an estimated 1.1°C by 2021. The funding associated with various MeBr transition programs has increased collaboration across scientific disciplines, commodity groups, industry, and regulatory agencies. Chemical alternatives and improved application strategies, including the development of gas-retentive agricultural films, coupled with sound efficacy data and grower ingenuity have resulted in the sustained production of many of the impacted crops; although there has been some loss of acreage and value, particularly for Florida fumigated crops, but for some, value has continued to increase, allowing production to continue. The loss of a single, broad-spectrum tool for pest control has led to a deeper understanding of the specific pest complexes impacting these at-risk crops, as well as the development of new, biologically based management tools for their control, while increasing our understanding of the role of the soil microbiome in pest control and crop production.

Alternatives used in Plant Quarantine Treatment and Appropriate use of Methyl Bromide in Japan

When plants are imported from abroad, they are subject to plant quarantine at the entry because of the protection from pest invasion, spread and establishment in the country. When plant inspector intercepts quarantine pest, he orders to disinfest pest. In the disinfestation methods there are various ways available to the pests. Currently methyl bromide fumigation treatment is popular because of the secure disinfestation effectiveness, simple treatment operation and economic feasibility.

Effect of Aged Cherry Orchard Soil on the Potted Seedling Growth of Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd

Due to the aging of trees, aged apple and cherry orchards need to be rebuilt urgently. However, due to the limitation of land resources, it is inevitable to rebuild the apple orchard by taking the aged cherry orchard as a replacement, which will lead to replant disease and seriously affect the sustainable development of the horticulture industry. This study investigated the effect of aged cherry orchard soil on the growth of M. hupehensis seedlings grown in pots, and it was further verified that allelochemicals in soil were one of the reasons for this effect. Three treatments were implemented: aged apple orchard soil (ppl), aged cherry orchard soil (pyl), and aged cherry orchard soil after fumigation with methyl bromide (pyz). Compared with pyz, pyl treatment significantly decreased the biomass, root growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity of M. hupehensis seedlings, and increased the content of MDA. Compared with ppl, pyl contains a smaller number of fungi and bacteria, but the abundance of the four disease-causing Fusarium remained high. In addition, the levels of allelochemicals found in the soil of aged cherry orchards can inhibit the normal growth and development of M. hupehensis seedlings. Amygdalin most strongly inhibited these seedlings. In summary, directly planting M. hupehensis seedlings in the soil of the aged cherry orchards still inhibits their normal growth and development, although the seedlings grow better than in aged apple orchard soil. Therefore, it is not feasible to directly plant M. hupehensis seedlings in the soil of aged cherry orchards, and measures should be taken to eliminate allelochemicals such as amygdalin and harmful microorganisms.

Deliquescence‐induced release of ethyl formate and chlorine dioxide from their precursors‐loaded sachets for in‐package fumigation of spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura)

AbstractThe toxicity and environmental concerns of methyl bromide (MB) have been a significant impetus for research into environmentally benign fumigant alternatives. Ethyl formate (EF) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) are FDA‐approved agents with potential as alternatives to MB. However, both are chemically unstable and pose considerable end‐use challenges. In this study, we developed moisture‐activated sachets for EF and ClO2 to facilitate their end‐use deployment for in‐package fumigation. The sachets were loaded with EF or ClO2 metastable precursors, citric acid (CA), and a deliquescent salt carrier (e.g., CaCl2 or NaCl). When placed in an elevated relative humidity environment, these combinations activate the release of EF or ClO2 gases, separately. The deliquescence lowering phenomenon and its effect on fumigants release rate were investigated when mixing CA with CaCl2 or NaCl. The mutual deliquescence relative humidity for CA–CaCl2 and CA–NaCl mixtures were 40% and 63%, respectively. CaCl2 enhanced the release rate of fumigants from their sachets, whereas NaCl resulted in a slower release rate. EF and ClO2 sachets were evaluated for fumigation of different life stages of spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Complete control of SWD adults was achieved after exposure to 10.1 mg·h/L EF, while eggs, larval, and pupal stages were more tolerant toward EF vapour and required 110.2 mg·h/L EF to achieve control. ClO2 at low concentrations was more effective than EF against all SWD life stages, excluding pupae. Complete mortality was achieved after fumigating SWD adults, eggs, and larvae with 0.73, 2.39, and 1.21 mg·h/L ClO2, respectively. These results indicated that both EF and ClO2 sachets could be employed safely for EF and ClO2 in‐packaging fumigation to control produce pests.

Transgressive segregation, hopeful monsters, and phenotypic selection drove rapid genetic gains and breakthroughs in predictive breeding for quantitative resistance to Macrophomina in strawberry.

Two decades have passed since the strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, a necrotrophic soilborne fungal pathogen, began surfacing in California, Florida, and elsewhere. This disease has since become one of the most common causes of plant death and yield losses in strawberry. The Macrophomina problem emerged and expanded in the wake of the global phase-out of soil fumigation with methyl bromide and appears to have been aggravated by an increase in climate change-associated abiotic stresses. Here we show that sources of resistance to this pathogen are rare in gene banks and that the favorable alleles they carry are phenotypically unobvious. The latter were exposed by transgressive segregation and selection in populations phenotyped for resistance to Macrophomina under heat and drought stress. The genetic gains were immediate and dramatic. The frequency of highly resistant individuals increased from 1% in selection cycle 0 to 74% in selection cycle 2. Using GWAS and survival analysis, we found that phenotypic selection had increased the frequencies of favorable alleles among 10 loci associated with resistance and that favorable alleles had to be accumulated among four or more of these loci for an individual to acquire resistance. An unexpectedly straightforward solution to the Macrophomina disease resistance breeding problem emerged from our studies, which showed that highly resistant cultivars can be developed by genomic selection per se or marker-assisted stacking of favorable alleles among a comparatively small number of large-effect loci.

Ethyl Formate Fumigation against Pineapple Mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes, a Quarantine Insect Pest of Pineapples.

Pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a significant pest in pineapple production and a key trade barrier. We explored the potential use of ethyl formate (EF) as a methyl bromide alternative for the postharvest fumigation of D. brevipes in imported pineapples. When treated at 8 °C for 4 h, EF fumigation was effective against D. brevipes with LCt99, the lethal concentration × time product of EF necessary to achieve 99% mortality of D. brevipes nymphs and adults at 64.2 and 134.8 g h/m3, respectively. Sorption trials conducted with 70 g/m3 EF for 4 h at 8 °C using 7.5, 15 and 30% pineapple loading ratios (w/v) indicated that loading ratio lower than 30% is necessary to achieve the LCt99 values required to control D. brevipes. In a scaled up trial using 1 m3 chamber, EF fumigation with 70 g/m3 for 4 h at 8 °C with 20% pineapple loading ratio (w/v) resulted in a complete control of D. brevipes treated. There were no significant differences in hue values, sugar contents, firmness, and weight loss between EF-treated and untreated pineapples. Our results suggest that EF is a promising alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for the postharvest phytosanitary disinfection of D. brevipes in pineapples.

Studies on Fusarium wilt of Watermelon by using Antifungal Agents: An Invitro in Sights

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is highly prone to Fusarium wilt, caused by a deadly soil-borne pathogen called Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON). Changes in production practices in crops, reduction in usage of fumigation with methyl bromide, crop rotation activities, and increasing human population, led to a resurgence of more virulent strains of FON. When resistant varieties are unavailable, the disease must be managed through a combination of integrated disease control practices. We conducted in vitro screening of botanicals where Allium cepa exhibited maximum inhibition of 80.32 and 82.62 percent at 5 and 10 percent concentrations, respectively. In vitro evaluation of bioagents revealed the maximum percent inhibition by T. harzianum (83.03%) followed by B. subtilis, A. flavus, P. fluorescence, T. viride, and A. niger. Fungicides by Poisoned Food Technique showed that a combination of carbendazim +mancozeb was effective in mycelial inhibition of 99.74 and 99.81 percent at 500 and 1000 ppm concentration respectively. The knowledge obtained from these in vitro findings can be applied in the field at a large scale for reducing and managing watermelon wilt disease.

Enhancing Efficiency of Solar Heater Box with Linear Actuator for Maximizing Solarization

Worldwide, stored grain pests are massively infesting most stored crops and their by-products. The main losses are due to infestation of these pests occurring on various carriers just prior to harvest, during storage or shipping. Methyl bromide and phosphine fumigation have been widely used for phytosanitary treatment of stored grains but are recognized as highly effective in depleting ozone, and similarly, residue-free grains are important for thermal disinfection. Solarization is one of the best ways to manage and disinfect crops, the traditional solarization methods are already practised by farmers but are inefficient to kill all stages of pests and require additional land exposed to the sun. In this work, thermal disinfection systems using solar heaters are proposed, designed, and developed to offset the actual lethal heat window. For the experiment work, the solar heater boxes were constructed in an octagon shape with 135o at the base for trapping maximum heat inside the solar the heater box. The characteristics of the proposed system proved simpler, faster, and inexpensive but equally effective to achieve the desired results in terms of heat generation and seed moisture.

Uses and commercialization of food grade and effectiveness of coated ham nets to combat Tyrophagus putrescentiae: a review

Since the 1930s, the dry-cured ham industry has used methyl bromide fumigation to control Tyrophagus putrescentiae (ham mite) infestations. However, due to methyl bromide being a class I ozone depleting substance and no longer being manufactured, alternatives to methyl bromide have been studied extensively. Direct contact food-grade coatings and coated ham nets of various materials have shown efficacy in controlling ham mite growth and reproduction. These coated nets, often including propylene glycol, can be dried to ease application and reduce shipping cost, but chemical and thermal treatments on fabrics may cause the fabrics to become more brittle, which negatively impacts stretchability and bursting strength, and ultimately the effectiveness of the net. Scanning electron microscopy can provide precise visual inspection of fabric surface morphology, allowing for a detection of potential damage to the fibers. This purpose of this review is to summarize the application of food-grade coatings on nets used in the dry-cured ham industry to control mite infestations. More importantly, the review provides comprehensive information on coated nets, covering various aspects such as the selection of netting materials, evaluation of fabric properties, techniques for coating nets, net drying method, all in relation to their efficacy for mite control. This review contributes to the broad area of this applied technology by highlighting efficacious treatments to control mites, ineffective treatments, a discussion of processes to evaluate their properties, and future prospectives regarding this area of study.

Rapid Release of Halocarbons from Saline Water by Iron-Based Photochemistry.

Methyl halides play important roles in stratospheric ozone depletion, but their formation mechanisms are not well defined. This study demonstrated that iron-based photochemistry significantly enhanced alkyl halide production by promoting the reaction of the representative monomer of lignin with halide ions in saline water under solar light irradiation. The methyl chloride (CH3Cl) emission from the light/Fe(III) process was 2 orders of magnitude higher than dark treatment and in the absence of iron. In addition, bromide and iodide showed better reactivity in the formation of the corresponding methyl bromide (CH3Br) and methyl iodide (CH3I). Alkyl halides identified from seawater, brackish water, and salt pan water under sunlight irradiation were positively correlated with the Fe(III) concentrations, indicating that iron-based photochemistry is ubiquitous. This work suggested that the photoinduced formation of methyl radical and redox cycling of iron triggered by the Fenton-like reaction are responsible for the enhanced release of alkyl halides. This study represents an abiotic formation pathway of alkyl halides, which accounts for a portion of the unidentified sources of halocarbons in the ocean.

Using Methyl Bromide for Interspecies Cell-Cell Signaling and As a Reporter in a Model Soil Consortium.

Soil microbial communities with reduced complexity are emerging as model systems for studying consortia-scale phenotypes. To establish synthetic biology tools for studying these communities in hard-to-image environmental materials, we evaluated whether a single member of a model soil consortium (MSC) can be programmed to report on gene expression without requiring matrix disruption. For these studies, we targeted a five-membered MSC that includes Dyadobacter fermentans, Ensifer adhaerens, Rhodococcus sp003130705, Streptomyces sp001905665, and Variovorax beijingensis. By coupling the expression of a methyl halide transferase to a constitutive promoter, we show that V. beijingensis can be programmed to synthesize methyl halides that accumulate in the soil headspace at levels that are ≥24-fold higher than all other MSC members across a range of environmentally relevant hydration conditions. We find that methyl halide production can report on an MSC promoter that is activated by changes in water potential, and we demonstrate that a synthetic gas signal can be read out directly using gas chromatography and indirectly using a soil-derived Methylorubrum that is programmed to produce a visual output in response to methyl halides. These tools will be useful for future studies that investigate how MSC responds to dynamic hydration conditions, such as drought and flood events induced by climate change, which can alter soil water potential and induce the release of stored carbon.

Crop bromide concentrations following methyl bromide fumigation for pale cyst nematode in southeastern Idaho.

Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a sterilizing fumigant used to control quarantine pests that is restricted due to its detrimental atmospheric effects. The degradation of injected MeBr produces crop-available Br- . Up to five applications of MeBr were used in southeastern Idaho fields to combat the pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida). Data regarding the uptake and partitioning of Br- in crops following MeBr application in the region were unavailable. Research determined background concentrations of Br- in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), corn (Zea mays L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) compared to MeBr-treated fields. Background Br- concentrations ranged from nondetectable (ND) to 33.0mg Br- kg-1 ; vegetative tissue concentrations were greater than reproductive, except corn where there was no difference. Nearly all crops grown in MeBr-treated fields had greater Br- concentrations than background. Background-baled-alfalfa tissue Br- concentration was 33.0mg kg-1 compared to 117.8mg Br- kg-1 from a MeBr-treated field. Br- concentration in green alfalfa decreased from 79.8 to 36.5mg Br- kg-1 at the final cutting in a MeBr-treated field, where time after application decreased crop Br- concentrations. Small grains had low Br- concentrations in reproductive tissue (1.7mg Br- kg-1 ) compared to vegetative tissue (106.5mg Br- kg-1 ). Corn stover concentration (12.7mg Br- kg-1 ) was low relative to small-grain straw, but corn ear (5.8mg Br- kg-1 ) was greater than small-grain reproductive tissue in the MeBr-treated field. Crop selection following MeBr applications should consider the likelihood of elevated Br- concentration for the plant fractions intended end use.

Ethyl Formate as a New Sanitary Treatment for Disinfesting the Hitchhiking Insect Pest Halyomorpha halys on Imported Nonfood Agricultural Machinery

With an increase in the international trade of agricultural and non-agricultural products, there is an increase in the possibility of introducing hitchhiking insect pests such as Halyomorpha halys, which has been detected on imported vehicles and agricultural machinery. Although methyl bromide (MB) is provisionally used to control invasive pests, it is classified as a restricted chemical owing to its potential to deplete the ozone layer and pose health risks to humans in cases of inadequate ventilation, as well as concerns regarding consumer safety. Therefore, this study investigated ethyl formate’s (EF’s) efficacy against H. halys and its efficacy and sorption, as an alternative to MB, on main electronic components, including alternators, ignition coils, and motors. Fumigation with 35 and 70 g/m3 EF for 4 h at 15 °C had no damage on the main electronic components as evaluated using various operation tests. In a commercial trial, H. halys infestation was effectively controlled with 35 g/m3 EF fumigated for 4 h at 23 °C using a 30 m3 polyvinyl chloride tarpaulin fumigation chamber. After ventilation, the EF concentration decreased below the safety level within 10 min and reached the zero level within 40 min for worker safety. This novel sanitary treatment using EF fumigation on imported agricultural machinery could be an effective method without causing mechanical damage.

Composition and sources of sediment organic matter in a western Iberian salt marsh: Developing a novel prediction model of the bromine sedimentary pool

Salt marshes are sensitive highly productive habitats crucial for carbon cycling. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of organic geochemical indicators and geochronology in the Mira salt marsh (SW Portugal) over eight centuries. The closely intertwined carbon and bromine (Br) biogeochemical cycles in these environments can influence the fluxes of volatile compounds such as ozone-depleting methyl bromide, emphasizing the importance of understanding sediment organic matter (OM) origin, budget, and composition in salt marshes.To characterize the strong Br-OM relationship, we used n-alkane signatures, bulk elemental data (total carbon, total nitrogen, Corg/Nat ratio), and stable isotopes (δ15N, δ13C) from a sediment core. Findings revealed a mixed composition of terrestrial and marine OM, posing challenges in distinguishing ex situ higher plant sources from in situ production by marsh vegetation.n-Alkanes (C15 to C31) were found in all the sediment samples, predominantly C25–C29. Changes in their presence were linked to marsh succession, evolving from a vegetation-free tidal flat to a C3 halophyte-dominated high marsh ecosystem. Despite the area's low industrial and population impact, regulation of water flow through the dam affected the balance between continental and marine waters.This study aimed to create a cost-effective predictive model for total Br, enhancing paleoclimatic studies using sedimentary samples. The n-alkane model had limited resolution, but an alternative infrared (IR) spectroscopy-based model, requiring less time and smaller sample sizes, was developed. Combining FT-IR spectra with statistical analysis enabled the creation of a reliable total Br concentration prediction model (mean absolute error = 14.39).These findings have implications for controlling Br enrichment in marsh environments and can be applied in various coastal wetlands with different mineralogical and organic characteristics.

Evaluation of Propylene Oxide as an Alternative Fumigant to Methyl Bromide against Dry Fruit Moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Evaluation of Propylene Oxide as an Alternative Fumigant to Methyl Bromide against Dry Fruit Moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)