Characterization of chitinolytic bacteria and histological aspects of Shell Disease Syndrome in European spiny lobsters (Palinurus elephas) (Fabricius 1787).
The present research reports the first description of Shell Disease Syndrome in European spiny lobsters Palinurus elephas (Fabricius 1787), which occurred in an experimental aquaculture facility in Sicily (Italy). Both bacterial characterization and histopathological examination of the exoskeleton at site of lesions was carried out. Infected specimens showed tail fan erosions, and in one case uropod ulceration and complete loss of periods. Identified species included: Listonella anguillarum 50.5%, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 27.5% and Vibrio alginolyticus 22%. Microscopic evaluation of lesions indicate the presence of inflammatory responses, which include melanization and pseudomembrane formation, similar to those described for other crustaceans affected by SDS.
Seasonal Dynamics of Prokaryotic Abundance and Activities in Relation to Environmental Parameters in a Transitional Aquatic Ecosystem (Cape Peloro, Italy)
This study examines the effects of temporal changes on microbial parameters in a brackish aquatic ecosystem. To this aim, the abundances of prokaryotes and vibrios together with the rates of enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins by leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), polysaccharides by β-glucosidase (GLU) and organic phosphates by alkaline phosphatase (AP), heterotrophic prokaryotic production (HPP), respiration (R), were seasonally investigated, during a 2-year period in the coastal area of Cape Peloro (Messina, Italy), constituted by two brackish lakes (Faro and Ganzirri). In addition, physical and chemical parameters (temperature, salinity, nutrients) and particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC, PN) were measured. The influence of multiple factors on prokaryotic abundances and activities was analysed. The results showed that Cape Peloro area is characterised by high seasonal variability of the microbial parameters that is higher than the spatial one. Combined changes in particulate matter and temperature (T), could explain the variability in vibrios abundance, GLU and R activities in both lakes, indicating a direct stimulation of the warm season on the heterotrophic prokaryotic metabolism. Positive correlations between T (from 13.3 to 29.6 °C) and HPP, LAP, AP, POC, PN are also observed in Ganzirri Lake. Moreover, the trophic status index and most of the microbial parameters show significant seasonal differences. This study demonstrates that vibrios abundance and microbial activities are responsive to the spatial and seasonal changes of examined area. The combined effects of temperature and trophic conditions on the microbial parameters lead us to suggest their use as potential indicators of the prokaryotic response to climate changes in temperate brackish areas.
Measurement of sulfate and sulfur dioxide in automotive exhaust. Final report, 28 Jun 1974--31 Aug 1976
The testing of four groups of cars for sulfate and sulfur dioxide exhaust emissions is described. The collection and analytical techniques used for sulfate and sulfur dioxide are described. Emissions rates in grams per kilometre are presented for a variety of test cycles. In addition to sulfates and sulfur dioxide, gaseous emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are reported in grams per kilometre. Total particulate weight on the sulfate filter was determined on two of the groups of cars. For these same two groups of cars, the sampling tunnel residue from each test car was examined by x-ray fluorescent techniques. The first of the car groups was tested to characterize sulfate emissions from eight automobiles. Four of these were gasoline powered catalyst cars, three were gasoline powered noncatalyst cars, and one was diesel powered. The second group, four catalyst cars, was operated for 80,500 km (50,000 miles) to determine the effect of distance accumulation on sulfate emissions. The third group, two 1975 production catalyst cars, was part of the EPA sulfate procedural development testing. The last group, eight cars, was part of the EPA sulfate baseline. Of these cars, six were production 1975 modelsmore » (including one diesel), and two were experimental cars with three-way catalysts.« less