Seasonal Rise Research Articles

Effect of Seasonal Rise in Water Temperature on the Respiration in the Abalone Haliotis (Nordotis) discus discus

Effect of Seasonal Rise in Water Temperature on the Respiration in the Abalone Haliotis (Nordotis) discus discus

Spatio-temporal changes in bog pool bottom topography - temperature effect and its influence on pool development: an example from a raised bog in Estonia

Increases in pool water and peat temperature in summer accelerate peat decomposition and production of biogenic gases, which can be trapped in peat pores and cause oscillation of peatland surfaces and the rise of peat from the bottom of bog pools. Associated changes in peat water conductivity, holding capacity and transpiration also affect bog hydrology. Our multi-year study is the first to show in detail the extent and dynamics of changes in bog pool depth and bottom topography associated with changes in temperature, peat type and other factors. The true seasonal rise of peat from the pool bottom begins once the water temperature at the pool bottom exceeds 13–14 °C, although the speed and extent of the rise depends on peat properties, making the rise more erratic than its subsequent descent. The more rapid descent occurs after the first large drop in the temperature of the pool's surface water at the end of summer, resulting from the combination of reduced methane production and increased gas solubility with less influence by peat properties. Much higher dissolved organic carbon concentrations (216 ± 26 mg l−1) in the pore water of peat risen from the bottom to the pool surface compared with that in the same type of peat at the pool bottom (62 ± 20 mg l−1) indicate an acceleration of peat decomposition at the warmer pool surface. We show the extent and character of changes in pool depth and bottom topography and how annual differences relate to temperature. Only a few degrees' increase in pool water temperature could induce the pool bottom to rise faster and more extensively for a longer period and enhance decomposition in the peat at the pool surface. This should be evaluated in greater detail to assess the effects of temperature increase on the carbon budget and hydrology of peatlands. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Seasonal variability on the West Florida Shelf

The seasonal variations of the West Florida Continental Shelf (WFS) circulation and sea level are described using observations of velocity from an array of moored acoustic Doppler current profilers and various ancillary data. With record lengths ranging from 3years to over a decade, a robust seasonal cycle in velocity is found, which varies across the shelf in a dynamically sensible way. Over most of the inner shelf these seasonal variations are primarily in response to local forcing, through Ekman-geostrophic spin-up, as previously found for the synoptic scale variability. Thus the inner shelf circulation is predominantly upwelling favorable from fall to spring months (October–April) and downwelling favorable during summer months (June–September). Seaward from about the 50m isobath, where baroclinicity becomes of increasing importance, the seasonal variations are less pronounced. Over the outer shelf and near the southwestern end of the WFS, the seasonal variations are obscured by the deep ocean influences of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current and its eddies.The seasonal variations in sea level are also robust. But unlike the velocity, these extend across the entire WFS and into the deep Gulf of Mexico. These seasonal sea level variations arise from two influences, one static, the other dynamic. The static influence projects onto the WFS by the static seasonal rise and fall of the Gulf of Mexico sea level due to heating and cooling (also occurring on the shelf). On climatological average, this ranges by about 0.12m, with a minimum in February and a maximum in August and deriving primarily from the density variations over the upper 100m of the water column. Such climatologically averaged variation due to temperature and salinity is also seen in satellite altimetry. An additional dynamic influence of about 0.06m occurs over the inner shelf by the Ekman-geostrophic spin up to the seasonally varying winds. Together, the static and dynamic ocean responses result in a climatologically averaged coastal sea level variation at the central (vicinity of Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor) region of the WFS of about 0.18m after adjustment for the inverted barometer effect, which adds about another 0.06m for a total climatologically averaged annual sea level range of about 0.24m.

Epidemiological characteristics of viral diarrhea in children of Uzbekistan

With the purpose of an estimation of the contribution of virus agents in the etiological structure of acute intestinal infections in children during the rise of prevalence of acute intestinal infections from 2009 to 2011 there were studied 1050 children admitted to the hospital with diarrheal diseases. It is established, that acute intestinal infections have a viral nature in 56.67% of cases. T hus the leading role belongs to rotaviruses and adenoviruses. Infectious agents of diarrheal diseases are rotaviruses in 28.1 % of cases, adenoviruses $ in 105 %, and astroviruses $ in 11. 43 %. The viral monoinfections occur more often, than mixed$infections. The rise of sporadic diseases of viral diarrhea was characterized by seasonal prevalence. For intestinal infections of viral etiology the seasonal rise in a cold season with peak of the rate of diseases of rotavirus infection in April, adenoviral inf ection in November, and astrovirus infection in December is characteristic.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of the microbial community in the Hanford unconfined aquifer

Pyrosequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes was used to study temporal dynamics of groundwater bacteria and archaea over 10 months within three well clusters separated by ~30 m and located 250 m from the Columbia River on the Hanford Site, WA. Each cluster contained three wells screened at different depths ranging from 10 to 17 m that differed in hydraulic conductivities. Representative samples were selected for analyses of prokaryotic 16S and eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene copy numbers. Temporal changes in community composition occurred in all nine wells over the 10-month sampling period. However, there were particularly strong effects near the top of the water table when the seasonal rise in the Columbia River caused river water intrusion at the top of the aquifer. The occurrence and disappearance of some microbial assemblages (such as Actinobacteria ACK-M1) were correlated with river water intrusion. This seasonal impact on microbial community structure was greater in the shallow saturated zone than deeper zone in the aquifer. Spatial and temporal patterns for several 16S rRNA gene operational taxonomic units associated with particular physiological functions (for example, methane oxidizers and metal reducers) suggests dynamic changes in fluxes of electron donors and acceptors over an annual cycle. In addition, temporal dynamics in eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene copies and the dominance of protozoa in 18S clone libraries suggest that bacterial community dynamics could be affected not only by the physical and chemical environment but also by top-down biological control.

Apoptosis-mediated seasonal testicular regression in the Japanese Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

The present study investigated effects of apoptosis observed during seasonal testicular regression in Japanese Jungle Crows. The study was conducted during January to June 2008, 2009. Testes from adults captured during non-breeding (January), prebreeding (February to mid-March), main-breeding (late March to early May), transition (mid-May to late May), and post-breeding (June) seasons were analyzed. Apoptosis was assessed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Paired-testis volume increased 95-fold from the non-breeding to the main-breeding season (P < 0.05), and subsequently decreased 26-fold from the main breeding to the post-breeding season (P < 0.05). Testicular activity was evaluated from the total germ cell count and sperm index, which increased 42- and 5-fold, respectively, in the main-breeding season, and subsequently decreased 33- and 5-fold in the post-breeding season. In testes, TUNEL-positive germ cells were at low levels in the non-breeding season, absent in the prebreeding and the main-breeding seasons, and highest in mid-May (P < 0.05). In contrast, TUNEL-positive Sertoli cells occurred only in late-April. In addition, TUNEL-positive fibroblast-like cells were observed in the outer zone of the tunica albuginea in the post-breeding season. Collectively, these data suggested that the seasonal rise in the testicular competence occurred slowly in Japanese Jungle Crows; however, testis function was terminated rapidly after the breeding season. Furthermore, we concluded, similar to other avian species, Sertoli cell apoptosis followed by massive germ cell death was responsible for rapid testicular regression in Jungle Crows.

Increasing Temperature, Not Mean Temperature, Is a Cue for Avian Timing of Reproduction

Timing of reproduction in temperate-zone birds is strongly correlated with spring temperature, with an earlier onset of breeding in warmer years. Females adjust their timing of egg laying between years to be synchronized with local food sources and thereby optimize reproductive output. However, climate change currently disrupts the link between predictive environmental cues and spring phenology. To investigate direct effects of temperature on the decision to lay and its genetic basis, we used pairs of great tits (Parus major) with known ancestry and exposed them to simulated spring scenarios in climate-controlled aviaries. In each of three years, we exposed birds to different patterns of changing temperature. We varied the timing of a temperature change, the daily temperature amplitude, and the onset and speed of a seasonal temperature rise. We show that females fine-tune their laying in response to a seasonal increase in temperature, whereas mean temperature and daily temperature variation alone do not affect laying dates. Luteinizing hormone concentrations and gonadal growth in early spring were not influenced by temperature or temperature rise, possibly posing a constraint to an advancement of breeding. Similarities between sisters in their laying dates indicate genetic variation in cue sensitivity. These results refine our understanding of how changes in spring climate might affect the mismatch in avian timing and thereby population viability.

Water Flow Dynamics of Groundwater-Fed Streams and Their Ecological Significance in a Glacierized Catchment

Subsurface flow pathways of groundwater-fed streams were characterized on a floodplain terrace of the Toklat River, Alaska, in summer 2008, to establish the influence of local physicochemical variability upon macroinvertebrate communities. Streams proximal to the valley side (A sites) and to the main meltwater channel (B sites) were studied. Chloride and natural isotopic tracers (δ18O and δ2H) were used to identify water sources and flow pathways. Results indicated that flow in B sites was dominated by seepage of glacial meltwater through the alluvial aquifer. Streamflow at sites situated at higher elevations was ephemeral, and commenced with the seasonal rise in the groundwater table. In contrast, the physicochemistry of A sites was characteristic of seepage from valley-side debris fans, which maintained perennial flow to streams at lower elevations. Macroinvertebrate diversity was lower in ephemeral streams, likely due to colonization constraints. In June macroinvertebrate abundance was significantly positively correlated with the percentage contribution to streamflow from debris-fan seepage (p < 0.05) and with fine particulate organic matter concentration (FPOM) (p < 0.05); FPOM was correlated with debris fan seepage (p < 0.05). These relationships were not evident in July and August, when organic matter availability increased. Our study demonstrates that flow pathways and organic matter availability significantly influence macroinvertebrate communities in these groundwater-fed streams.

PH, the CO2System and Freshwater Science

Appreciation of pH as an ecological index has varied considerably over its past history, influenced by perceptions of chemical rigour, ease or difficulty of measurement, and multiple chemical and biological correlations. These factors, and especially the last, are considered in relation to the extensive range of pH in inland waters. Emphasis is placed upon the role of the CO2 system, the components of which are subject to biological metabolism (photosynthesis, respiration) and are extensively determined by products from rocks (e.g. limestone) and soils.Titration alkalinity, or acid neutralising capacity, is a most valuable summarising and reference measure. For this, and CO2 variables, Potentiometric Gran titration opens new possibilities - including the definition of negative alkalinity (acidity). The relationship of pH and titration alkalinity is close and semi-logarithmic for waters in equilibrium with atmospheric CO2. Very high pH, above 10, can develop from the photosynthetic depletion of CO2 and by the evaporative concentration of bicarbonatecarbonate waters in closed basins. Very low pH, below 4.5, results from the introduction of strong acids by volcanic emissions, pyrite oxidation, ‘acid rain’ and cation exchange; here the CO2 system lacks influence, biological diversity is reduced, and ionic aluminium often exerts toxic biological effects.Situations of pH excursion are discussed and illustrated; they operate over day—night, seasonal and longterm time-scales. A summer rise of pH is widespread in productive near-surface waters. There is also a seasonal pH rise in the anoxic deep water of many lakes, as a consequence of the interaction of acid-base and oxidation-reduction systems. These can be regarded as two ‘master systems’ of environmental chemistry and — dating from pioneer studies of wetland soils and waters — of much freshwater ecology.

Modeling the impacts of calcite precipitation on the epilimnion of an ultraoligotrophic, hard-water lake

A mass-balance model of calcite precipitation was developed to investigate the interactions of the varied processes governing the generation and fate of calcite in lakes. The model was used in conjunction with data to assess the evolution and impact of calcite precipitation for calcareous, ultraoligotrophic Torch Lake, Michigan (USA). This lake is an ideal setting for implementation of a baseline modeling study of calcite precipitation where the physical drivers could be evaluated without being dominated, as in many systems, by biological processes. The model provides a representation of calcite precipitation with particulate surface area changing over time, and demonstrates that it is possible for the change in water clarity to be explained by calcite precipitation employing standard optical models. Using the mass balance model to quantify the roles of the various chemical, biological and physical processes interacting in the lake's epilimnion, it was shown that the seasonal temperature rise and air–water CO 2 exchange drive calcite precipitation much more than primary production for this ultraoligotrophic system.

Determining Relationships Between the Seasonal Occurrence ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 in Live Cattle, Ground Beef, and Humans

The prevalence and concentration of many foodborne pathogens exhibit seasonal patterns at different stages of the farm-to-table continuum. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one such pathogen. While numerous studies have described the seasonal trend of E. coli O157:H7 in live cattle, ground beef, and human cases, it is difficult to relate the results from these different studies and determine the interrelationships that drive the seasonal pattern of beef-related human illnesses. This study uses a common modeling approach, which facilitates the comparisons across data sets, to relate prevalence in live cattle to raw ground beef and human illness. The results support an intuitive model where a seasonal rise of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle drives increased ground beef prevalence and a corresponding rise in the human case rate. We also demonstrate the use of these models to assess the public health impact of consumer behaviors. We present an example that suggests that the probability of illness, associated with summertime cooking and handling practices, is not substantially higher than the baseline probability associated with more conventional cooking and handling practices during the remainder of the year.

Land Surface Heating and the North American Monsoon Anticyclone: Model Evaluation from Diurnal to Seasonal

Abstract Data from several regional and global models (including model-based analysis data) are compared with field data from the North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME), from observational sites as well as satellite retrievals. On the regional scale (NAME tier 1.5), sensible heating is shown to exceed latent and is furthermore concentrated in the lower half of the troposphere, so in considering the North American monsoon (NAM) midlevel anticyclone, the authors focus on radiative and turbulent energy fluxes at the surface. Models exhibit large discrepancies in their simulation of the mean diurnal cycle of these fluxes as well as in their sensitivity of evaporative fraction to recent rainfall. Most of the models examined have too much net radiation due to excessive shortwave surface flux (too little cloud) and too much sensible heating. These high biases in sensible heating appear to drive overpredictions of both the daily and seasonal rise of 500-hPa heights in the NAM anticyclone. This diurnal–seasonal resemblance suggests that calibrating surface heating processes using readily field-observed diurnal variations could lead to improvements in seasonal-time-scale NAM simulations.

Влияние климатических изменений на уровень эвтрофирования Куршского залива

The article presents the results of many years research (1991-2007) on the chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations, biomass and primary production of phytoplankton in the Curonian Lagoon. The main factors affecting the level of biological production and the trophic status are determined by the comparison of hydrological and chemical indicators. Water temperature is a key environmental factor that regulates the phytoplankton production and abundance in the Curonian Lagoon. The greater seasonal rise in water temperatures in 1990-2000, presumably, a consequence of the climate change, alongside with other factors (freshness, slow water flow) creates conditions for cyanobacterial «hyperblooms». Probably, the 1990-2000 climate warming is the cause of the eutrophication of the Curonian Lagoon, which continues despite significant reduction in external nutrient load.

Spatial analysis of migrating Apis mellifera colonies in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Beekeeping in Brazil is growing but also associated with an increase in the number of human and animal accidents involved. In particular, bees of the Apis mellifera species (Africanized bees) are known for their aggressive behaviour and frequent swarming activity due to their poor adaptation to the human environment. This study analyzed the spatial distribution of occurrences of migratory swarms of A. mellifera and recorded apicultural accidents in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The association of demographic and climatic variations on places where the swarms occurred was also evaluated. The study is based on data collected within the frame of the "SOS Bees", a project initiated for the protection of the environment and enforced by a special unit of the military police in Bahia. In the 3-year period from 2000 to 2003, 590 swarms were registered in 75 of the 98 zones of information of Salvador. Three cluster areas, representing 25.4% of all events, were identified. In that period, 316 apicultural accidents were registered involving humans and one involving dogs. The seasonal rise of the monthly average temperature showed an association with the increase of the number of swarming events.

Hydrogeological factors: their association and relationship with seasonal water-table fluctuation in the composite hardrock Aravalli terrain, India

Seasonal rise of groundwater level manifests aquifer recharge through infiltration. Spatial variation of aquifer recharge within the same basin or terrain is a function of terrain heterogeneity governed by different hydrogeological factors. However, assessment of relations between water-level fluctuations (WLF) with various hydrogeological factors is not straightforward. In the present study, various hydrogeological factors that could influence aquifer recharge in the deformed crystalline Aravalli terrain of India have been analysed. Frequency plots have been used to assess the variations in WLF under different geological parameter classes. Seasonal WLF associated with these factors have been compared using various statistical parameters. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests have been used to determine the statistical significance of fluctuation difference. The study infers that saturated thickness, lineament, lineament-intersection, and drainage beside surface elevation and well depth are the main geological factors influencing aquifer recharge in the Aravalli terrain. Median values under these factors are integrated and compared with the interpolated values of mean WLF at hypothetical well locations. They are found to closely resemble each other. This infers capability and applicability of the technique in identifying key factors governing WLF, and in predicting WLF at unexplored locations.

A Large-Scale Distribution of Milk-Based Fortified Spreads: Evidence for a New Approach in Regions with High Burden of Acute Malnutrition

BackgroundThere are 146 million underweight children in the developing world, which contribute to up to half of the world's child deaths. In high burden regions for malnutrition, the treatment of individual children is limited by available resources. Here, we evaluate a large-scale distribution of a nutritional supplement on the prevention of wasting.Methods and FindingsA new ready-to-use food (RUF) was developed as a diet supplement for children under three. The intervention consisted of six monthly distributions of RUF during the 2007 hunger gap in a district of Maradi region, Niger, for approximately 60,000 children (length: 60–85 cm). At each distribution, all children over 65 cm had their Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) recorded. Admission trends for severe wasting (WFH<70% NCHS) in Maradi, 2002–2005 show an increase every year during the hunger gap. In contrast, in 2007, throughout the period of the distribution, the incidence of severe acute malnutrition (MUAC<110 mm) remained at extremely low levels. Comparison of year-over-year admissions to the therapeutic feeding program shows that the 2007 blanket distribution had essentially the same flattening effect on the seasonal rise in admissions as the 2006 individualized treatment of almost 60,000 children moderately wasted.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate the potential for distribution of fortified spreads to reduce the incidence of severe wasting in large population of children 6–36 months of age. Although further information is needed on the cost-effectiveness of such distributions, these results highlight the importance of re-evaluating current nutritional strategies and international recommendations for high burden areas of childhood malnutrition.

A possible role for unstable coupled waves affected by resonance between Kelvin waves and seasonal warming in the development of the strong 1997–1998 El Niño

Time-varying air–sea coupled processes in the central to eastern equatorial Pacific associated with strong El Niño development during the 1997–1998 period are examined using a newly developed reanalysis dataset obtained from four-dimensional variational ocean–atmosphere coupled data assimilation experiments. The time series of this data field exhibits realistic features of El Niño evolution. Our analysis indicates that resonance between eastward-propagating oceanic downwelling Kelvin waves and the seasonal rise of sea-surface temperature (SST) in the central to eastern equatorial Pacific generates relatively persistent high SST conditions accompanied by a deeper thermocline and more relaxed easterly winds than usual. The surface condition resulting from the wave-seasonal SST resonance represents a preconditioned state that leads to an enhancement in incident downwelling Kelvin waves to levels sufficient to induce large-amplitude unstable coupled waves in the central to eastern equatorial region. Heat balance estimates using our reanalysis dataset suggest that the unstable coupled waves are categorized within the intermediate regime of coupled Kelvin and Rossby waves and have the potential to grow rapidly. We argue that the seasonal resonance and the unstable coupled waves should play crucial roles in the development of the largest historical El Niño event, which was recorded between late 1997 and early 1998.

Prolactin regulation of testicular development and sexual behavior in yearling Suffolk rams

The aim of this study was to determine how the yearly prolactin rhythm might affect the sexual development of Suffolk rams (latitude 50°N). Five rams were injected daily with bromocriptine (35–45 μg kg −1 body weight) for 1 year, beginning in January (early winter) when rams were 11 months of age. Five control rams each received daily injections of the vehicle. In the controls, blood prolactin was <7.5 ng ml −1 in winter, increased ( P < 0.01) to a peak of 172.6 ± 11.9 ng ml −1 after the spring equinox, and remained high during summer before declining ( P < 0.01) to 29.6 ± 6.6 ng ml −1 at the autumn equinox. Suppression of the seasonal rise in prolactin secretion with bromocriptine slowed testicular growth (50%; P < 0.05) in April and May (spring), thus delaying the time of peak testis size and sperm production by 1 month. Serum testosterone level was lower (50%; P < 0.01) in the treated rams than the controls in June and July (early summer), due mainly to reduced stimulation of the testes by smaller ( P < 0.01) LH pulse releases or to smaller ( P < 0.01) testosterone responses to LH releases, respectively. Suppression of prolactin also seemed to disrupt the central activation of gonadotropin secretion in that seasonal increases in serum FSH level and LH pulse amplitude and frequency were unusually slow ( P < 0.05). These anomalies did not affect testis growth, which was normal from June until development was complete. Rams were sexually inexperienced when libido was first tested in July (non-breeding season). Both groups were equally capable of learning and expressing sexual behavior (i.e. normal mounting and ejaculation frequencies), which was more intense in September (breeding season; P < 0.05). Results support the hypothesis (based on the location of prolactin receptors) that the spring increase in prolactin secretion could target both the testes and the hypothalamic–pituitary system and be involved in the seasonal regulation of sexual function in the young adult Suffolk ram.

The effects of intertidal air exposure on the respiratory physiology and the killing activity of hemocytes in the pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg)

The occurrence of summer mortalities of the commercially important Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, has increased in recent years. These mortality events occur during the late summer when water temperatures are at their highest. Many theories have been proposed concerning the causes including reproductive stress, environmental stress, disease, or synergistic interactions of these factors. C. gigas are grown intertidally and are exposed to the air (emersed) for hours at a time. These organisms can experience extreme changes in temperature during the course of a day. An oyster closed during emersion depletes the oxygen stores to near zero within the shell and builds up CO 2 causing a decrease in tissue pH. The focus of this study is to determine the respiratory (pH, Po 2, Pco 2 and total CO 2) and immune responses of oysters exposed to air at normal seasonal temperatures, and to determine whether these stresses associated with emersion inhibit the immune system of the oyster and contribute to the summer mortalities. The respiratory variables of the hemolymph of oysters submerged at 18 °C (pH = 7.52 ± 0.04 S.E.M., Po 2 = 7.09 ± 0.53 S.E.M. kPa and Pco 2 = 0.20 ± 0.03 S.E.M. kPa) varied significantly from oysters emersed for four hours at 22°C (pH = 7.11 ± 0.03 S.E.M., Po 2 = 3.83 ± 0.15 S.E.M. kPa, Pco 2 = 0.36 ± 0.03 S.E.M. kPa) and those emersed for four hours at 30 °C (pH = 6.84 ± 0.02 S.E.M., Po 2 = 3.10 ± 0.12 S.E.M. kPa, Pco 2 = 1.31 ± 0.06 S.E.M. kPa). The ability of hemocytes to kill the bacterium Vibrio campbellii was assessed using an in vitro assay to generate a killing index. There was no significant difference in the killing index between pH treatment groups ( p = 0.856): at pH 7.6 killing index = 50.2% ± 2.33 S.E.M., at pH 6.6 killing index = 52.3% ± 3.67 S.E.M.. Temperature was the only factor to significantly affect the killing indices among temperature and oxygen treatment groups. The killing index was lowest (29.3% ± 3.25 S.E.M.) at 30 °C and 7% oxygen, simulating in vivo oxygen pressure in well-aerated conditions and 30 °C and 3% oxygen, simulating in vivo oxygen pressure in hypoxia (30.5% ± 3.25 S.E.M.), compared with the index in 7% oxygen at low temperature (18 °C) (44.4% ± 4.50 S.E.M.) or compared with low oxygen (3%) at low temperature (18 °C) (39.7% ± 2.51 S.E.M.). The seasonal and diurnal rise in temperature may, therefore, be an important factor contributing to summer mortalities of C. gigas.

Inter-Market and Seasonal Variation in Price: An Appraisal of Maize Marketing in Kwara State.

This study investigated inter-market and seasonal variation in prices of maize in Kwara State. Secondary time series data on average monthly retail price of maize in urban and rural markets between 1998 and 2003 were used for the study. Primary data on the average storage cost of maize and the average selling price of maize for 2004 were also used for the study. The study described the seasonal pattern of maize, examined its seasonal price rise and analyzed the inter-market variation in prices of maize in the study area. The study revealed that the seasonal price rise exceeds storage cost but the difference is minimal. The effect of kilometer separation between market- pairs on their Price difference is significant (p < 0.05). Thus, if storage cost should be reduced the inter-market price variation will be reduced while transportation cost should also be reduced to facilitate the movement of food commodities between markets. Keywords: Inter-market, Price difference, Seasonal, Variation, and Maize. Agrosearch Vol. 7 (1&2) 2005: pp. 51-61