Site In Northwest England Research Articles

Prevalence of post-traumatic stress and tests of metacognition as a PTSD risk marker in patients with coronary heart disease and elevated HADS scores: analysis of data from the PATHWAY RCT's in UK cardiac rehabilitation.

Anxiety and depression in coronary heart disease (CHD) are associated with poorer health outcomes, greater healthcare use and reduced quality of life. Post-traumatic stress symptoms may be a particular concern as they are associated with increased mortality at follow-up. We examined prevalence of PTSD in patients with elevated anxiety/depression scores referred for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) across seven NHS sites in North-West England. We tested a possible mechanism (metacognition) linking CHD to PTSD symptom severity as implicated in the metacognitive model. Data was collected at baseline as part of the NIHR funded PATHWAY trial of metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression in CHD. Patients (n = 572) with at least mild symptoms of anxiety and depression under routine screening (assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and attending CR were eligible for the study. A battery of questionnaires, including assessment of demographic variables, PTSD symptoms (using the IES-R) and metacognitive beliefs was administered prior to random allocation and intervention delivery. Rates of PTSD were high, with 48% of patients meeting threshold for PTSD and a further 15% partial PTSD. All five metacognition subscales were positively associated with PTSD vs. no PTSD, with beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of worry and beliefs about need to control thoughts being most strongly related. For every unit increase in uncontrollability and danger metacognitions the odds of being in the PTSD group increased 30%, whilst the odds of partial PTSD increased 16%. Stepwise regression analysis using the metacognitive subscales along with demographic and health-related covariates found that uncontrollability/danger and need for control metacognitions explained unique variation in PTSD symptom severity, with unique contributions also for age, sex, and number of comorbidities. PTSD symptoms appeared highly prevalent in the current CR sample. Metacognitive beliefs were individually associated with symptom severity with the strongest positive relationship observed for beliefs about uncontrollability and dangerousness of worry, followed by need to control thoughts. The results highlight the importance in assessing PTSD in CR patients and add support to implementing metacognitive therapy in CHD to target particular metacognition risk factors in anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Healthcare professionals’ views following implementation of risk stratification into a national breast cancer screening programme

BackgroundIt is crucial to determine feasibility of risk-stratified screening to facilitate successful implementation. We introduced risk-stratification (BC-Predict) into the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) at three screening sites in north-west England from 2019 to 2021. The present study investigated the views of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on acceptability, barriers, and facilitators of the BC-Predict intervention and on the wider implementation of risk-based screening after BC-Predict was implemented in their screening site.MethodsFourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs working across the breast screening pathway at three NHSBSP sites that implemented BC-Predict. Thematic analysis interpreted the data.ResultsThree pre-decided themes were produced. (1) Acceptability of risk-based screening: risk-stratification was perceived as a beneficial step for both services and women. HCPs across the pathway reported low burden of running the BC-Predict trial on routine tasks, but with some residual concerns; (2) Barriers to implementation: comprised capacity constraints of services including the inadequacy of current IT systems to manage women with different risk profiles and, (3) Facilitators to implementation: included the continuation of stakeholder consultation across the pathway to inform implementation and need for dedicated risk screening admin staff, a push for mammography staff recruitment and guidance for screening services. Telephone helplines, integrating primary care, and supporting access for all language needs was emphasised.ConclusionRisk-stratified breast screening was viewed as a progressive step providing it does not worsen inequalities for women. Implementation of risk-stratified breast screening requires staff to be reassured that there will be systems in place to support implementation and that it will not further burden their workload. Next steps require a comprehensive assessment of the resource needed for risk-stratification versus current resource availability, upgrades to screening IT and building screening infrastructure. The role of primary care needs to be determined. Simplification and clarification of risk-based screening pathways is needed to support HCPs agency and facilitate implementation. Forthcoming evidence from ongoing randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness of breast cancer risk-stratification will also determine implementation.

Up to 7% of referrals to oral and maxillofacial surgery are related to medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: how much is really out there?

IntroductionMedication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is generally described as rare; therefore, firm incidence data are challenging to ascertain.AimUsing two sites in Northwest England, ascertain the number of referrals to oral and maxillofacial surgery involving:Suspected MRONJ.Patients at risk of MRONJ requiring a dentoalveolar procedure.MethodAll sequential referrals over a 2-year period were analysed. The referrals were categorised into ‘type’ of referral (stage 1). Any referral for MRONJ, or patient at risk, was then further examined (stage 2).ResultsA total of 2150 referrals were screened. The most common referral reasons were temporomandibular joint issues and hard tissue conditions. The proportion of referrals for suspected MRONJ was similar for both sites: 3.7% (site 1) and 3.4% (site 2). At site 1, 1.6% of all referrals were at risk of MRONJ referred for treatment. In site 2, 3.8% of all referrals were in this category.ConclusionDespite limitations, the finding that patients with or at risk of MRONJ potentially equates to 7% of all referrals represents a substantial proportion of OMFS practice. Therefore, there are clear benefits of collecting accurate data prospectively to understand the scale of this condition and its impact on services.

Effects of Year and Box Size on Construction of Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea Nests

Studying nest construction provides insight into the functional and ecological aspects of this key behaviour of avian reproductive biology. Studies have shown that passerines construct nests out of a range of different materials, but the number of species represented in the literature remains low. This study examined nests constructed by the Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea in nestboxes at various sites in North West England over the period 2011–2020. Nests were collected and weighed after breeding to quantify the materials used by the birds in order to determine whether there were any differences in nest construction behaviour among years. The study also allowed for the comparison of nests built in standard and large nestboxes. Nuthatches used mud to plaster the inside and outside of the nestbox; however, they relied heavily on bark flakes (84% of nest mass), but also included wood chips and leaves to construct the nest. Bark pieces were taken from Common Hazel Corylus avellana, Yew Taxus baccata or Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris, depending on availability in the immediate area around the nestbox, although Hazel bark was the preferred material. There was little effect of sample year on nest composition except for an increase in wood chips over the sample period. Thermal and hydrological properties of the bark flakes did not depend on the tree species. Nuthatches nesting in large nestboxes produced heavier nests, but this did not affect their reproductive success, which implies that the energy required for nest construction does not necessarily impose such an excessive burden on breeding birds that it adversely affects their fitness.

The Finding My Way UK Clinical Trial: Adaptation Report and Protocol for a Replication Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial of a Web-Based Psychological Program to Support Cancer Survivors.

BackgroundCancer survivors frequently report a range of unmet psychological and supportive care needs; these often continue after treatment has finished and are predictive of psychological distress and poor health-related quality of life. Web-based interventions demonstrate good efficacy in addressing these concerns and are more accessible than face-to-face interventions. Finding My Way (FMW) is a web-based, psycho-educational, and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for cancer survivors developed in Australia. Previous trials have demonstrated that FMW is acceptable, highly adhered to, and effective in reducing the impact of distress on quality of life while leading to cost savings through health resource use reduction.ObjectiveThis study aims to adapt the Australian FMW website for a UK cancer care context and then undertake a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of FMW UK against a treatment-as-usual waitlist control.MethodsTo an extent, our trial design replicates the existing Australian randomized controlled trial of FMW. Following a comprehensive adaptation of the web resource, we will recruit 294 participants (147 per study arm) from across clinical sites in North West England and North Wales. Participants will have been diagnosed with cancer of any type in the last 6 months, have received anticancer treatment with curative intent, be aged ≥16 years, be proficient in English, and have access to the internet and an active email address. Participants will be identified and recruited through the National Institute for Health Research clinical research network. Measures of distress, quality of life, and health economic outcomes will be collected using a self-report web-based questionnaire at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and both 3- and 6-month follow-up. Quantitative data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat mixed model repeated measures analysis. Embedded semistructured qualitative interviews will probe engagement with, and experiences of using, FMW UK and suggestions for future improvements.ResultsThe website adaptation work was completed in January 2021. A panel of cancer survivors and health care professionals provided feedback on the test version of FMW UK. Feedback was positive overall, although minor updates were made to website navigation, inclusivity, terminology, and the wording of the Improving Communication and Sexuality and Intimacy content. Recruitment for the clinical trial commenced in April 2021. We aim to report on findings from mid-2023.ConclusionsReplication studies are an important aspect of the scientific process, particularly in psychological and clinical trial literature, especially in different geographical settings. Before replicating the FMW trial in the UK setting, content updating was required. If FMW UK now replicates Australian findings, we will have identified a novel and cost-effective method of psychosocial care delivery for cancer survivors in the United Kingdom.Trial RegistrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 14317248; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14317248International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/31976

‘It’s not one size fits all’: a qualitative study of patients’ and healthcare professionals’ views of self-management for bronchiectasis

BackgroundBronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition that impacts significantly on individuals and healthcare services. Self-management is recommended in clinical guidelines for bronchiectasis as an intervention to enable patients to manage...

A novel approach to assessing nuisance risk from seismicity induced by UK shale gas development, with implications for future policy design

Abstract. We propose a novel framework for assessing the risk associated with seismicity induced by hydraulic fracturing, which has been a notable source of recent public concern. The framework combines statistical forecast models for injection-induced seismicity, ground motion prediction equations, and exposure models for affected areas, to quantitatively link the volume of fluid injected during operations with the potential for nuisance felt ground motions. Such (relatively small) motions are expected to be more aligned with the public tolerance threshold for induced seismicity than larger ground shaking that could cause structural damage. This proactive type of framework, which facilitates control of the injection volume ahead of time for risk mitigation, has significant advantages over reactive-type magnitude and ground-motion-based systems typically used for induced seismicity management. The framework is applied to the region surrounding the Preston New Road shale gas site in North West England. A notable finding is that the calculations are particularly sensitive to assumptions of the seismicity forecast model used, i.e. whether it limits the cumulative seismic moment released for a given volume or assumes seismicity is consistent with the Gutenberg–Richter distribution for tectonic events. Finally, we discuss how the framework can be used to inform relevant policy.

Earthworms and mesofauna from an isolated, alkaline chemical waste site in Northwest England

Post-industrial sites across Europe may have developed over periods in excess of a century, often leading to poor nutrient soils with noxious constituents and extreme pH values. One such site, Nob End (Bolton, UK), a toxic tip created in the 1800s from a sodium carbonate factory, represents an “island of alkalinity in an acidic sea” where the weathering process (from pH 12) has provided a suitable environment for a rich alkali-loving flora and hence, deserving its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Despite their importance, the belowground communities have not been investigated and for this reason, in this study, we explored how soil macro- and mesofauna communities respond to extreme pH values in a system that has also experienced recent changes in management practices. As expected, earthworms, mites, insects and woodlice numbers were significantly higher and the community diversity enriched at the (now pH 8) alkaline sites, whereas in areas where acidic boiler waste was historically deposited, enchytraeids, collembolans and dipteran larvae populations dominated the soil communities. Surprisingly, site management (cutting back of scrub) in the alkaline soil areas had a significant positive effect on soil macro-fauna by promoting numbers and biomass, but severely reduced the microarthropod populations. A transect investigation across an increasing pH gradient (from 4.5 to 8.0) was mirrored by a rise in earthworm numbers and species richness. Earthworms were further investigated surrounding the site, seeking potential sources of colonisation, with the majority of species at Nob End also present in adjacent non-industrially-influenced areas. This work demonstrates that soil fauna can ultimately colonise extreme edaphic conditions and these extreme environments have not prompted the development of specific faunal communities. As management of above-ground communities significantly influenced soil invertebrate communities, this could represent an important restoration practice to improve soil structure and fertility at this polluted site.

A comparison of two methods for the assessment of stress axis activity in wild fish in relation to wastewater effluent exposure

Riverine fish are particularly vulnerable to chemical exposure – rivers receive chemicals of anthropogenic origin from a variety of sources, one of the most significant being the chemically complex effluents discharged by wastewater treatment works (WWTWs). The extent to which non-reproductive components of the endocrine system in fish may be vulnerable to interference by contaminants associated with WWTW effluent is not well understood, but a significant body of evidence does suggest that contaminants present in the aquatic environment may interfere with the normal function of the neuroendocrine stress axis in fish. Field investigations of stress axis function in free-living populations of fish by measurement of hormone concentrations in blood can be confounded by the remoteness of sampling locations and the size of target species. Two methods for assessing stress axis reactivity in situations where blood samples are unavailable were compared in three-spined sticklebacks in relation to their exposure to WWTWs effluent. Sticklebacks were sampled in two successive years at fifteen sites in north-west England impacted by WWTW effluent and the response of each fish to the combined stressor of capture and a brief period of confinement was evaluated using both whole-body immunoreactive cortisol concentrations (WBIC) and the rate of release of cortisol to water (CRTW). A positive relationship between the magnitude of stress-induced CRTW in sticklebacks of both sexes and WWTW effluent concentration at site of capture was observed in both years. However, the relationship between stress-induced WBIC and WWTW effluent concentration was not consistent. These results suggest that components of WWTW effluent can modulate the magnitude of the neuroendocrine stress response in sticklebacks, and by inference in other fish species, but they raise questions about the measurement and interpretation of stress axis responses in fish via endpoints other than blood hormone concentrations. Possible factors underlying the disparity between the CRTW and WBIC results are discussed.

Disruption of the stress response in wastewater treatment works effluent-exposed three-spined sticklebacks persists after translocation to an unpolluted environment.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/I) axis plays a key role in responding to biotic and abiotic challenges in all vertebrates. Recent studies have shown that the apical response of the HPI axis to stressors in three-spined sticklebacks varies in proportion to the concentration of wastewater treatment works (WWTW) effluent to which the fish are exposed. This study was conducted to determine whether between-site variation in stress responsiveness among WWTW effluent-exposed sticklebacks is persistent or reversible. Sticklebacks from eight sites in north-west England affected by WWTW effluent and exhibiting between-population variation in HPI axis reactivity, were moved to a clean-water aquarium environment. After five months in the contaminant-free environment the responsiveness of these fish to a standardised stressor was determined, by measuring the rate of stress-induced cortisol release across the gills, and compared with the responses of fish newly sampled from the eight original capture sites. Inter-site differences in the reactivity of the HPI axis, proportional to the effluent concentration at each site, persisted among the translocated female sticklebacks for at least 5 months. In male fish however, the direct relationship between stress responsiveness and site-specific effluent was not evident 5 months post-translocation. These results support previous observations that the HPA/I axis, a non-reproductive endocrine system, is vulnerable to modulation by anthropogenic factors in fish and show for the first time that, in female fish at least, this modulation is not transient. The mechanisms underlying these observations, and the implications for the fitness and resilience of affected populations, requires investigation.

Exposure of burrowing mammals to 222Rn

Estimates of absorbed dose rates to wildlife from exposure to natural background radionuclides are required to put estimates of dose rates arising from regulated releases of radioactivity and proposed benchmarks into context. Recent review papers have estimated dose rates to wildlife from 40K, and 238U and 232Th series radionuclides. However, only one study previous has considered the potential dose rates to burrowing animals from inhaled 222Rn and its daughter products. In this paper we describe a study conducted at seven sites in northwest England. Passive track etch detectors were used to measure the 222Rn concentrations in artificial burrows over a period of approximately one year. Results suggest that absorbed dose rates to burrowing mammals as a consequence of exposure to 222Rn are likely to be at least an order of magnitude higher than those suggested in previous evaluations of natural background exposure rates which had omitted this radionuclide and exposure pathway. Dose rates in some areas of Great Britain will be considerably in excess of incremental no-effects benchmark dose rates suggested for use as screening levels. Such advised benchmark dose rates need to be better put into context with background dose rates, including exposure to 222Rn, to ensure credibility; although the context will be determined by the purpose of the benchmark and the assessment level.

Surface lowering of limestone pavement as determined by cosmogenic (36Cl) analysis

ABSTRACTDetermination of the rate and total amount of limestone pavement surface lowering is a critical issue in developing models of regional landscape change in limestone terrain. Erratic‐capped pedestals have frequently been used for this purpose but problems concerning definition and measurement of pedestal height, and the absence of a secure timeframe for erratic emplacement, have resulted in conflicting interpretations. We have used cosmogenic (36Cl) to establish the emplacement age of erratic boulders and the total amount of pavement surface lowering at sites in northwest England. Since erratic emplacement at 17.9 ka the limestone pavement has been lowered by 22–45 cm (average: 33 ± 10 cm), assuming lowering was continuous. Although indicating some spatial heterogeneity, the results contrast with earlier reported values based on the measurement of pedestal heights and inferred age for deglaciation. We consider that changes in climate and the character and duration of regolith covers to have been important influences in promoting surface lowering. It is argued that nivation (chemical and mechanical snow‐related processes) associated with several cool/cold periods is likely to have played an important role in surface lowering. Complicating factors associated with surface lowering (thickness and longevity of snow and regolith covers) are identified but as yet cannot be quantified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A comparison of field methods used to define saline–fresh groundwater interfaces at two sites in North West England

Over the past few years, new abstractions from the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer in North West England have only been permitted in areas with known saline intrusion subject to the abstractor demonstrating that the new pumping will not cause deep-seated saline groundwater to up-cone. This requirement has necessitated drilling deep boreholes to prove the depth to the fresh–saline groundwater boundary and also to facilitate long-term monitoring. Vertical salinity profiles were defined during borehole construction in two such investigations by monitoring the conductivity of water samples obtained from drilling returns during air-flush drilling and later by the geophysical logging of the completed boreholes. Deep piezometers were constructed allowing samples to be taken from specific depths for chemical analysis, and the results have been compared with the earlier data. These methods successfully defined the broad features of vertical salinity profiles within the aquifer and showed that measurements during drilling provide a practical and economic indication of the position of the interface so that the borehole final depth can be determined.

Scenario-based sustainable water management and urban regeneration

Deployable output (source availability) from water resources in north west England is predicted to decrease over the next 25 years. Alternative supply management strategies are planned to help avoid a deficit in the supply–demand balance within the region but have yet to be considered in detail. This paper assesses the contribution of such an alternative supply strategy at local level on the water resource supply–demand balance at regional level based on a proposed urban regeneration site in north west England. Various water conservation and reuse measures are investigated considering local and regional conditions and constraints. Four future scenarios are presented and used to describe how the future might be (rather than how it will be), to allow an assessment to be made of how current ‘sustainable solutions’ might cope whatever the future holds. The analysis determines the solution contributions under each future and indicates that some strategies will deliver their full intended benefits under scenarios least expected but most needed. It is recommended that to help reduce the regional supply–demand deficit and maximise system resilience to future change, a wide range of water demand management measures should be incorporated on this and other sites.

The inventory of bryophytes at sites: completeness and survey effort

Knowledge of the species present within a site is often used to inform decisions that have significant implications for biodiversity conservation. This study surveyed eight woodland sites in north-west England for bryophytes. Searches for species within each site continued until all areas had been approached to within a minimum of 50 m and at least 60 minutes had elapsed since the discovery of a new species. Survey data were used to build predictive models that provided an estimate of the total number of species present at each site and the time required to compile a complete inventory. The ‘50 m 60 minutes stopping rule’ consistently produced comprehensive inventories for sites, judging by the numbers of species found and model predictions of the total number of species present. The study suggests that a minor alteration to conventional survey practice and a small amount of data analysis can provide useful assessments of the completeness of bryophyte inventories for sites.

A spatial and seasonal assessment of river water chemistry across North West England

This paper presents information on the spatial and seasonal patterns of river water chemistry at approximately 800 sites in North West England based on data from the Environment Agency regional monitoring programme. Within a GIS framework, the linkages between average water chemistry (pH, sulphate, base cations, nutrients and metals) catchment characteristics (topography, land cover, soil hydrology, base flow index and geology), rainfall, deposition chemistry and geo-spatial information on discharge consents (point sources) are examined. Water quality maps reveal that there is a clear distinction between the uplands and lowlands. Upland waters are acidic and have low concentrations of base cations, explained by background geological sources and land cover. Localised high concentrations of metals occur in areas of the Cumbrian Fells which are subjected to mining effluent inputs. Nutrient concentrations are low in the uplands with the exception sites receiving effluent inputs from rural point sources. In the lowlands, both past and present human activities have a major impact on river water chemistry, especially in the urban and industrial heartlands of Greater Manchester, south Lancashire and Merseyside. Over 40% of the sites have average orthophosphate concentrations > 0.1 mg-P l − 1 . Results suggest that the dominant control on orthophosphate concentrations is point source contributions from sewage effluent inputs. Diffuse agricultural sources are also important, although this influence is masked by the impact of point sources. Average nitrate concentrations are linked to the coverage of arable land, although sewage effluent inputs have a significant effect on nitrate concentrations. Metal concentrations in the lowlands are linked to diffuse and point sources. The study demonstrates that point sources, as well as diffuse sources, need to be considered when targeting measures for the effective reduction in river nutrient concentrations. This issue is clearly important with regards to the European Union Water Framework Directive, eutrophication and river water quality.

Regional consistency in Lateglacial chironomid-inferred temperatures from five sites in north-west England

High resolution Lateglacial ice-core records from Greenland show both millennial and centennial-scale change and have been used as a benchmark for Lateglacial climatic stratigraphy throughout the North Atlantic region and beyond. In this study we assess the local reflection in north-west Europe of climatic events recognised in ice cores and identify differences in the climate signature between Greenland, UK and sites in continental Europe. This study uses chironomid-inferred temperature analysis and loss-on-ignition data from five carbonate lakes in north-west England to determine the pattern of Lateglacial climatic change and demonstrates the reproducibility of chironomid-inferred temperature reconstructions both within a catchment and from sites within a small area. At both millennial and centennial scales, our results show statistical similarities between sites, giving a clear regional signal. Chironomid assemblages pick out the rapid shifts at the major event boundaries at all sites and indicate temperatures of between 12 and 13 °C for the region at the beginning of Greenland Interstadial 1, a rapid fall of around 4 °C into the Younger Dryas and a rise of around 5 °C in the Early Holocene. At a finer scale, four centennial cooling events are identified within the interstadial, together with an oscillation in the Early Holocene which we tentatively identify as the pre-Boreal event. The records were analysed statistically using redundancy analysis and sequence-slotting techniques. Differences in the impact of individual climatic events, demonstrate that subtle changes in the chironomid-inferred temperatures reflect the local geographical setting and morphology of the lakes; with more marked impact registered in higher altitude and more wind-exposed sites. Whilst the overall pattern of Lateglacial climate can be recognised from Greenland to central Europe, important regional differences, that can be attributed to marine influence and, perhaps, changes in atmospheric circulation, are beginning to emerge.

Using bright sunshine at low-elevation angles to compile an historical record of the effect of aerosol on incoming solar radiation

In seeking an indicator of multi-decadal aerosol effects on incoming solar radiation, the records of bright sunshine from a standard meteorological instrument, the Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, have been examined using two new metrics: (i) the frequency of ‘burn’ for solar elevation angles below 2°, (ii) an efficiency of ‘burn’ measure at low-elevation angles. Proof-of-concept results from a site in north-west England, U.K., show signals in the relevant bright sunshine record consistent with known events of volcanic injection into the stratosphere, and with a brightening in the last decade compared with the 1970s. This brightening is consistent with regional surface air-pollution records and is most evident in winter – suggesting that it is due to a reduction of particulate emissions from space heating. Between the late 1970s and early 2000s, there was a nearly four-fold increase in the number of evenings and mornings around the solstices that recorded bright sunshine at elevation angles below 2°. Current meteorological practice assumes bright sunshine will not be recorded below 3°, and could therefore need amending. The method avoids the need for high-frequency cloud-cover data by normalising low-elevation sunshine against daily sunshine totals. This makes the method applicable at a much wider range of meteorological observation sites. Because of the extensive past use of Campbell–Stokes recorders, the method opens the possibility of generating a new archive of airborne particulate changes based on the attenuation of direct insolation at low-elevation angles.

Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) commercial mixture components, and other PBDEs, in airborne particles at a UK site

The occurrence of the major components of the decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) flame retardant and other PBDEs was investigated in daily air particulate samples from 17th April to 20th May 2004 at a semi-rural site in north-west England. BDE-209 was found at between <0.49 and 100 pg m−3 (median 13 pg m−3), and other higher-brominated PBDE congeners were also found, particularly the nona-BDEs (e.g. BDE-207: <0.042–79 pg m−3, median 2.5 pg m−3). Deca- and nona-BDEs dominated the median particulate sample congener profile: 60% BDE-209, 16% BDE-207, 6% BDE-208 and 4% BDE-206. Nona-BDEs were greatly enriched, relative to BDE-209, compared to the deca-BDE commercial mixture, which may suggest degradation of BDE-209 between source and sampling site, or release from older deca-BDE commercial mixtures, which may have contained higher proportions of nona-BDEs. The highest PBDE concentrations occurred when air-masses passed over urban and industrial areas to the SSW–SW, though small local influences may also be seen. PBDE concentrations appear to have been influenced mainly by particle levels: 1–3 μm diameter particles for BDE-153, and 3–10 μm particles for BDEs with 7–10 Br atoms. BDE-153 may either be released from combustion sources, or re-condense onto small particles after emission, whereas BDE-209 and nona-BDEs appear to be associated with larger dust particles from industrial or domestic sources.

The conservation management value of testate amoebae as ‘restoration’ indicators: speculations based on two damaged raised mires in northwest England

The ideas behind peatland restoration and the utility of testate amoebae in informing such schemes are brie‘ y reviewed and discussed in the context of two lowland raised-mire sites in northwest England (Astley Moss, part of the Chat Moss complex in Greater Manchester, and Danes Moss, Cheshire). Our study indicates a high degree of correspondence between the sites in their response to major documented climatic deteriorations during the last five millennia. In particular, the c. 2300 BP event appears to correspond with greatly increased water-table ‘ uctuation at both sites and pronounced declines in characteristic mire taxa of testate amoebae. These do not regain their former dominance save for a brief episode at c. 300 BP affecting both sites. Despite some restoration attempts at both sites, testate assemblages bear little resemblance to what might be considered a typical mire assemblage and do not appear to have done so with any degree of stability for c. 2500 years. This raises important issues regarding the practicability and suitability of such sites for large-scale restoration attempts and the range of conditions that can be considered natural for such sites; these questions should form the basis of future research.