Mineral Translocation Research Articles

Micromorphology of Cave Sediments in the Humid Tropics: Niah Cave, Sarawak

This is the first detailed study of the micromorphology of archaeologically important cave sediments in the Great Cave of Niah, in the humid tropics of Sarawak, Borneo. Micromorphology is used to describe the sediments and post-depositional alteration, reconstruct the palaeoenvironments, and refine the environmental history of late Pleistocene deposits associated with the human remains (the so-called Deep Skull dated to ca. 43,000-42,000 B.P.). Micromorphology provides details of the shape, roundedness, arrangement, and chemistry of grains, aggregates, precipitates, and sedimentary structures that make up the cave sediments. The dominant processes in the West Mouth of the Great Cave of Niah are guano sedimentation, fluvial and shallow pond deposition interrupted by desiccation, mass movement, and chemical weathering. Also important is post-depositional alteration by bioturbation, mineral translocation and reprecipitation, and diagenesis. Micromorphology also provides evidence for short periods of soil development, burnt surfaces, and deposition of small fragments of bone within the sediment. Together this information indicates the fine details of the environment occupied by humans, the scale and effects of the mass movement processes that deformed the beds in which the human remains are preserved, and the taphonomic processes that reworked and redistributed archaeological material within this part of the cave.

Variação sazonal de macronutrientes em uma espécie arbórea de cerrado, na Reserva Biológica e Estação Experimental de Mogi-Guaçu, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

RESUMO O presente estudo visou avaliar mensalmente a compartimentação mineral em Ouratea spectabilis (Mart.) Engl. nas diferentes fenofases, no período de agosto de 1995 a julho de 1996, em área de cerrado, na Reserva Biológica e Estação Experimental de Mogi-Guaçu, localizado no município de Mogi-Guaçu, em São Paulo. Foram analisados todos os macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S) nos compartimentos folha, em 3 estádios de desenvolvimento foliar, ramo, flor e fruto. As observações fenológicas foram realizadas mensalmente em 20 espécimens distribuídos na área de cerrado, sendo consideradas as fenofases brotação, queda foliar, floração e frutificação. A distribuição dos elementos minerais nos compartimentos e nos diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento foliar revelou diferenças significativas e padrões sazonais bem definidos, permitindo identificar a importância de cada nutriente nas diferentes fases do desenvolvimento da planta, e sugerir sobre a capacidade de retranslocação destes elementos e manutenção do balanço nutricional. Face a essas análises, a espécie O. spectabilis comporta-se de maneira altamente eficiente na utilização de água e nutrientes, refletindo padrões fenológico e de distribuição que garantem a sua sobrevivência em ambientes de cerrado.

The Effect of Irrigation With MagneticallyTreated Water on The Translocation ofMinerals in The Soil

Magnetically treated water (MTW) is water passed through a magnetic field before being used. Applications of MTW are abundant in industry where it is used to prevent scaling on inner walls of pipes conveying fluids, especially water. In recent years scientists investigating the subject have concluded that the magnetic field interacts with the surface charges of particles in the fluid solutions affecting the crystallisation and precipitation of the solids in them. These processes are of significant effect on the translocation of minerals in irrigated soil.In this work the concentrations of K, N, P, Na and Ca+Mg, as well as the total mineral content in the MTW—irrigated soil were compared with the same data in soil irrigated with ordinary water. The soil was sampled at three different locations at three different distances from the dripper line, representing three different leaching states of the soil. Differences in concentrations were found in at least one of the three locations with respect to each mineral and including the total mineral content. Most of the differences appeared in the less leached parts of the soil, in the bed margin. It appears that there is a general tendency of minerals to precipitate out of the solution faster in MTW conditions.

Mycelial density profiles of fungi on heterogeneous media and their interpretation in terms of nutrient reallocation patterns

The ability to reallocate nutrients by translocation between different parts of the mycelium may have an important influence on patterns of fungal colonization in heterogeneous environments. The shape of colony biomass density profiles of colonies grown on media with opposing gradients of carbon and mineral nutrients was used as an indicator of translocating ability and measured using image analysis for non-coloured mycelia or estimated by eye for coloured mycelia. Three principal types of density profile, with or without autolysis in the older mycelium, were predicted and their occurrence noted in 62 test fungi. Type 1 profiles (26 fungi), characterized by peaks of high biomass densities at the centre of the plates and progressively lower biomass densities in both directions from the centre indicated no translocation, other than diffusion, in any direction. Type 2 profiles (13 fungi), characterized by biomass density profiles similar to control plates (without gradients) on half of the plate and progressively decreasing densities, from the centre of the plates, on the other half of the plates indicated active translocation of carbon (glucose) or minerals in one direction, and diffusive translocation of minerals or carbon in the other direction. Type 3 profiles (21 fungi), characterized by biomass density profiles over the whole plate that were similar to profiles on control plates (without gradients) indicated active translocation of all nutrients in both directions. The profiles of two fungi could only tentatively be assigned to type 3. Some fungi, especially amongst those with type 3 profiles, produced more biomass during the same time of incubation and sometimes also at higher densities on gradient plates than on control plates, but most fungi formed less biomass and at lower densities on these plates. Radial extension rates were expected to decrease during incubation for type 1 fungi on gradient plates but no such tendency was found. Most fungi had constant radial extension rates and, unexpectedly, some showed increasing radial extension rates. Six of the 62 tested fungi even had increasing radial extension rates when grown on control media.

Nutrient status of bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum) following whole-tree harvesting in Upper Michigan

Mineral nutrient status and biomass production of bracken, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, fronds and rhizomes were quantified immediately following a whole-tree harvest in Upper Michigan. Multiple sampling occurred between full leaf expansion and senescence to monitor mineral translocation from the fronds to the rhizomes, as well as differences in bracken mineral content between harvested and unharvested control sites. Bracken rhizomes on the harvested site had significantly higher concentrations of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium than the control site. Frond biomass production was lower on the harvested site, while rhizome biomass production showed no differences between sites. Rhizome P contents were significantly higher on the harvested site. Translocation of mineral elements from the fronds to the rhizomes during senescence was monitored. Nitrogen, P, and K were readily translocated, while Mg and calcium were not. The larger amounts of nutrients present in the rhizomes on the harvested site suggest increased nutrient uptake and, therefore, nutrient conservation by bracken may occur on a harvested site.

Metribuzin and Chlorsulfuron Effect on Grain of Treated Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted to determine the influence of metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] and/or chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl)benzenesulfonamide} on germination, coleoptile growth, and mineral accumulation of seed from treated parent plants. The herbicides were applied postemergence in the spring to ‘Vona’ and ‘Centurk’ winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). The rate of metribuzin was 360 g ai/ha, with chlorsulfuron applied at 18, 35, or 70 g/ha. Metribuzin reduced grain yields of both varieties approximately 40%, whereas chlorsulfuron at the higher rates reduced grain yields of only Vona. Seed germination was not affected by either herbicide, but metribuzin, when applied alone, reduced coleoptile growth of Vona seed. The addition of chlorsulfuron to metribuzin eliminated this growth reduction. The mineral concentration of the seed of both varieties indicated that metribuzin and chlorsulfuron did not affect mineral translocation to the seed by the parent plant.

Diurnal Patterns of Transport and Accumulation of Minerals in Fruiting Plants of Lupinus angustifolius L.

Fluctuations in mineral elements id xylem (tracheal) sap, fruit phloem sap, leaflets and dmloping fruits were studied in a field population of Lupinus angustifolius L. by three-hourly sampling over a 39 h period. Elements usually reached maximum contents or concentrations at or near noon, minimum levels during the night. Amplitudes of diurnal fluctuations in minerals lay within the range ±4–33 per cent of the mean content of leaflets, and ±17–157 per cent of the mean concentrations in xylem and phloem sap. Most minerals elements fluctuatcd in phase with daily changes in sugar level of phloem sap and dry matter and carbohydrate fluctuations of leaflets, suggesting a coupling of translocation of photosynthate and minerals from the leaflets. Rates of import of minerals by shoots wereestimated from shoot transpiration and mineral concentrations in tracheal sap. Average day time rates of import of most elements were 12–25 times those at night. Translocation of minerals, nitrogen and carbon to fruits also exhibited diurnal periodicity, average rates of import king three to seven times higher in the day than at night. A model of transport based on the carbon and water economy of the fruit suggested that P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were imported predominantly by phloem. Estimates of vascular import accounted for 87–104 per cent of the fruit's actual increment of these elements. Na and Ca were gauged to be imported mainly by xylem, Mg almost equally by xylem and phloem. However, large discrepancies existed for these three elements between estimated vascular import and actual intake by the fruit.

Mineral Uptake and Release by Lichens: An Overview

Background and enhanced levels of elements in lichens are re- viewed, and the Fe/Ti content ratio is shown to reflect the presence of trapped particulates. The following uptake and release mechanisms are critically ex- amined: extracellular ion-exchange processes, extracellular electrolyte sorp- tion, particulate trapping and subsequent solubilization, metal hydrolysis, intracellular uptake and release and the rewetting and 'resaturation respira- tion' phases. A brief survey of the nutritional requirements and nutritive value of lichens is also provided. Finally, it is concluded, after an examination of the mineral sources available to lichens and of mineral translocation and turnover rates in lichen thalli and mats, that lichen morphology and physi- ology favor their participation in mineral cycling.

Changes in mineral contents of cotyledons and young seedlings of woody angiosperms

Net changes in weights of P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Na, Al, Ba, Sr, and Cr in cotyledons and seedling axes of Acer rubrum L., Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh., and Robinia pseudoacacia L. were investigated during early seedling growth. Amounts of elements in embryonic cotyledons varied in the following order: Robinia pseudoacacia > Acer rubrum > Fraxinus pennsylvanica. Embryonic F. pennsylvanica cotyledons were very small and were embedded in endosperm. When seedlings were grown in the light with no inhibition of photosynthesis, mineral elements were either steadily translocated from cotyledons, accumulated in cotyledons, or initially accumulated in cotyledons and finally exported during cotyledon senescence. Differences depended on specific elements and species. The effects of growing seedlings in the dark or treating seedlings with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) to inhibit cotyledon photosynthesis were similar in that mineral translocation from cotyledons or accumulation in them was inhibited. Mineral element content in seedling axes increased as dry weights of seedlings increased.

Mineral translocation in germinating wheat grain

Mineral translocation in germinating wheat grain

Uptake of Phosphorus-32 by the Roots of Lolium perenne

PREVIOUS work on the ability of various portions of the root to supply the shoot with minerals has been carried out using the seminal roots of cereals grown in nutrient solution when the plants were a few days old. Weibe and Kramer1 considered that in barley the most active zone of absorption and translocation of minerals was situated some distance behind the tip. The results of Lundegardh2, also working on barley, indicated that most nitrate was translocated from the basal portion of the root, that is, that nearest the shoot.

The Diurnal Variation in the Translocation of Minerals across Bean Roots

The Diurnal Variation in the Translocation of Minerals across Bean Roots