Three hypotheses were tested relating to Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis (Beetle and Young) revegetation on coal-mined land in Wyoming: (1) that fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.) seeded > 2.2 kg pure live seed (pls)/ha would exclude sagebrush, (2) the contrasting view that the saltbush, as a "pioneer plant", facilitated sagebrush stand deve...

The importance of subsoil features for phosphorus (P) leaching is frequently mentioned, but subsoil effects are still poorly documented. This study examined whether the subsoil of four agricultural Swedish soils (two sand and two clay) functioned as a source or sink for P leaching by measuring P leaching from intact soil columns with topsoil (1.05 m deep) and without topsoil (0.77 m deep) over ...

Sir, We have read with interest the article by Spector et al. [1] which showed that higher blood levels of lead were associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels and impaired kidney function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m) in 3941 US adults participating in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This effect was particularly observed in subjects >60 years...

Sir, We have read with interest the article by Spector et al. [1] which showed that higher blood levels of lead were associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels and impaired kidney function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m) in 3941 US adults participating in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This effect was particularly observed in subjects >60 years...

In most soils of the humid tropics, kaolinitic topsoil horizons overlie more gibbsitic horizons. This arrangement cannot be produced simply by leaching. Quantitative measurement of the turnover of chemical elements in the litterfall in an Amazonian ecosystem indicates that the forest cycles a significant amount of elements, particularly silicon. As a result, fluids that percolate through topsoi...

this paper deals with the planning of rehabilitation of spoils of asbestos mine in nw greece with the name mabe in prefecture of kozani. for this purpose a detailed ecological research has taken place in the wider area in order to estimate the prevailing environmental (site) conditions. the spoils heaps are characterized by very steep slope inclination (80-90%). in order to improve the stabilit...

A methodological framework for spatial prediction based on regression-kriging is described and compared with ordinary kriging and plain regression. The data are first transformed using logit transformation for target variables and factor analysis for continuous predictors (auxiliary maps). The target variables are then fitted using step-wise regression and residuals interpolated using kriging. ...

Spatial patterns of vegetation arise from an interplay of functional traits, environmental characteristics and chance. The retreat of glaciers offers exposed substrates which are colonised by plants forming distinct patchy patterns. The aim of this study was to unravel whether patch-level landscape metrics of plants can be treated as functional traits. We sampled 46 plots, each 1 m × 1 m, distr...

The presence of toxic metals in soil per se, and in soil impacted by mining, industry, agriculture and urbanisation in particular, is a major concern for both human health and ecotoxicology. The dual aim of this study was: to ascertain whether topsoil composition could influence the spatial distribution of mortality due to different types of cancer and to identify possible errors committed by e...

Elevated concentrations of arsenic, up to 7058 μg g(-1) in topsoil and bedrock, and more than 0.03 μg m(-3) in air on a 2-week basis, were measured in the Nellis Dunes Recreation Area (NDRA), a very popular off-road area near Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The elevated arsenic concentrations in the topsoil and bedrock are correlated to outcrops of yellow sandstone belonging to the Muddy Creek Formatio...