Exploring movement patterns and changing distributions of baleen whales in the western North Atlantic using a decade of passive acoustic data

Six baleen whale species are found in the temperate western North Atlantic Ocean, with limited information existing on the distribution and movement patterns for most. There is mounting evidence of distributional shifts in many species, including marine mammals, likely because of climate-driven changes in ocean temperature and circulation. Previous acoustic studies examined the occurrence of minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and North Atlantic right whales (NARW; Eubalaena glacialis). This study assesses the acoustic presence of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), sei (B. borealis), fin (B. physalus), and blue whales (B. musculus) over a decade, based on daily detections of their vocalizations. Data collected from 2004 to 2014 on 281 bottom-mounted recorders, totaling 35,033 days, were processed using automated detection software and screened for each species' presence. A published study on NARW acoustics revealed significant changes in occurrence patterns between the periods of 2004-2010 and 2011-2014; therefore, these same time periods were examined here. All four species were present from the Southeast United States to Greenland; humpback whales were also present in the Caribbean. All species occurred throughout all regions in the winter, suggesting that baleen whales are widely distributed during these months. Each of the species showed significant changes in acoustic occurrence after 2010. Similar to NARWs, sei whales had higher acoustic occurrence in mid-Atlantic regions after 2010. Fin, blue, and sei whales were more frequently detected in the northern latitudes of the study area after 2010. Despite this general northward shift, all four species were detected less on the Scotian Shelf area after 2010, matching documented shifts in prey availability in this region. A decade of acoustic observations have shown important distributional changes over the range of baleen whales, mirroring known climatic shifts and identifying new habitats that will require further protection from anthropogenic threats like fixed fishing gear, shipping, and noise pollution.

Reconnaissance of Surface Water Estrogenicity and the Prevalence of Intersex in Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu) Inhabiting New Jersey

The observation of testicular oocytes in male fishes has been utilized as a biomarker of estrogenic endocrine disruption. A reconnaissance project led in the Northeastern United States (US) during the period of 2008–2010 identified a high prevalence of intersex smallmouth bass on or near US Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges that included the observation of 100% prevalence in smallmouth bass males collected from the Wallkill River, NJ, USA. To better assess the prevalence of intersex smallmouth bass across the state of New Jersey, a tiered reconnaissance approach was initiated during the fall of 2016. Surface water samples were collected from 101 (85 river, 16 lake/reservoir) sites across the state at base-flow conditions for estrogenicity bioassay screening. Detectable estrogenicity was observed at 90% of the sites and 64% were above the US Environmental Protection Agency trigger level of 1 ng/L. Median surface water estrogenicity was 1.8 ng/L and a maximum of 6.9 ng/L E2Eq_BLYES was observed. Adult smallmouth bass were collected from nine sites, pre-spawn during the spring of 2017. Intersex was identified in fish at all sites, and the composite intersex prevalence was 93.8%. Prevalence across sites ranged from 70.6% to 100%. In addition to intersex, there was detectable plasma vitellogenin in males at all sites. Total estrogenicity in surface water was determined at these fish collection sites, and notable change over time was observed. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations between land use (altered land; urban + agriculture) and surface water estrogenicity. There were no clear associations between land use and organismal metrics of estrogenic endocrine disruption (intersex or vitellogenin). This work establishes a baseline prevalence of intersex in male smallmouth bass in the state of New Jersey at a limited number of locations and identifies a number of waterbodies with estrogenic activity above an effects-based threshold.

Consumption patterns and risk assessment of crab consumers from the Newark Bay Complex, New Jersey, USA

The Newark Bay Complex (NBC) is a significant historical repository of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and dioxin-like compounds. Detection of high levels of 2,3,7,8 tetrachloro-dibenzodioxins (TCDD) and its toxicological equivalents in blue crabs in the early 1990's led to a ban on the taking and distribution of crabs from the NBC. Despite this ban and ongoing communication outreach, surveys of crabbers in 1995, 2002 and 2005 by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) showed that crabbing for recreational purposes and for significant dietary supplementation was continuing. At the time they were surveyed, the crabbers had been consuming these crabs for an average of 37% of their lives. Thus, exposure can be considered chronic. The surveys provided data on the duration, frequency and amount of NBC crab consumption. In 2004, the NJDEP sampled blue crabs in the NBC and analyzed the edible portions for 2,3,7,8 TCDD toxicity equivalent (TEQ) concentration. We have combined the survey-based exposure data and the 2,3,7,8 TCDD TEQ concentration data to produce an estimate of the lifetime cancer risk to NBC crabbers from dioxin-like compounds. We employed a point-estimate approach using discrete lower, central tendency and reasonable maximum exposure (RME) estimates of exposure factors and a probabilistic approach to exposure factors. Both approaches show central tendency lifetime cancer risk of greater than one-in-a-thousand (10(-3)) and an upper percentile/RME risk of approximately one-in-a-hundred (10(-2)). Little extrapolation is involved in applying the 2,3,7,8-TCDD TEQ concentration data in crabs to risk estimates in the population consuming those crabs. The ongoing and frequent nature of the crab collection minimizes the uncertainty often inherent in food recall surveys. These estimates point to the continued risk posed to NBC crab consumers and to the continuing importance of this resource which, with proper remediation, could provide ongoing benefit to the surrounding community.

Comment on Urban et al. "Assessment of human health risks posed by consumption of fish from the Lower Passaic River (LPR), New Jersey" (2009, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.03.004)

Urban et al. (2009) presented a human health risk assessment for the Lower Passaic River that very narrowly defines fish consumption, ignores crab consumption, and is not consistent with current NJ or EPA risk assessment procedures and guidance. The restrictively defined consumption then leads to inappropriate conclusions on the risk of eating fish from this highly contaminated estuarine river. The paper underestimates angler exposure to contaminated fish, does not evaluate exposure to contaminated crab, and underestimates the cancer risks and non-cancer health hazards associated with these exposure pathways. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection along with the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services issues fish and crab consumption advisories for all state waters; these advisories should be followed for the Passaic River and surrounding waters: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org.

Dissociative electron attachment to dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5

Electron attachment was studied in gaseous dinitrogen pentoxide, N(2)O(5), for incident electron energies between a few meV and 10 eV. No stable parent anion N(2)O(5) (-) was observed but several anionic fragments (NO(3) (-), NO(2) (-), NO(-), O(-), and O(2) (-)) were detected using quadrupole mass spectrometry. Many of these dissociative pathways were found to be coupled and provide detailed information on the dynamics of N(2)O(5) fragmentation. Estimates of the cross sections for production of each of the anionic fragments were made and suggest that electron attachment to N(2)O(5) is amongst the most efficient attachment reactions recorded for nonhalogenated polyatomic systems.

Impact of immunization against Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) on the incidence of HIB meningitis treated at Arkansas Children's Hospital

The newly available Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) protein conjugate vaccines are efficacious among study populations in which a high proportion of infants and children are vaccinated. In this retrospective study, we show the impact of the availability of HIB conjugate vaccines on the incidence of HIB meningitis at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock. The Arkansas State Health Department estimates that only 43% of children in the state younger than 2 years of age have received the appropriate vaccinations. From 1985 through 1987, 27.3 +/- 4 HIB meningitis cases per year were treated at ACH. Although an HIB conjugate vaccine was licensed for 18-month-old children in December 1987, the incidence of HIB meningitis treated at ACH did not decrease significantly; there were 19.0 +/- 2 cases per year from 1988 through 1990. In December 1990, an HIB conjugate vaccine was licensed for use in infants beginning at 2 months of age. From that time through August 1992, there were five cases of HIB meningitis treated at ACH, representing a significant decrease over previous years. Four of these cases occurred in unimmunized infants younger than 6 months of age. The availability of HIB conjugate vaccines for infants has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of cases of HIB meningitis treated at ACH, despite a relatively low proportion of infants and children who are receiving vaccination.

The distribution of grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifolii (Fitch), in central and north-eastern Victoria

All known vineyards in the North Central and Geelonq Vine Disease Districts of Victoria were systematically surveyed for grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vztlfoliz (Fitch) (Hemiptera, Phylloxeridae). Forty-one of the 28 1 vineyards surveyed were found to be infested. The infested vineyards were located near Nagambie, Ardmona, Glenrowan, Milawa and Rutherglen. There were significant relationships ( �2 , Plt; 0.001) between the infestation of vineyards and the age of the grapevines, the source of planting material, and the use of rootstocks. There was no apparent relationship between phylloxera infestation and soil type. Comparison with a previous survey reported in 1902 indicates a reduction in the number (from 69 to 41), but an increase in the area (from 275 to 653 ha) of infested vineyards. Differences in the distribution of phylloxera were small. There was evidence of spread of phylloxera within districts already infested, but only the Glenrowan- Milawa district contained infestations not previously recorded. Some previously infested areas were found to be free of phylloxera, owing to changing land use. The survey provided a basis for redefining quarantine areas according to the current distribution of grape phylloxera.

Control of Drosphila spp., Carpophilus spp. and Ephestia figulilella (Gregson) in sultana grapes grown for dried fruit

Sultana grapes grown in Australia for dried fruit are attacked by insects before and during harvest, and during drying and storage. Insect damage, including crop loss and contamination of the dried grapes with insect matter, varies between and within seasons according mainly to the incidence of rain damage. The effectiveness of chlorpyrifos for control of vinegar flies (Drosophila simulans Meigen, D. melanogaster Sturtevant), dried fruit beetles (Carpophilus hemipterus L., C. dimidiatus Fabricius, and C. humeralis Fabricius), raisin moth (Ephestia figulilella Gregson), Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hiibner)), and saw-toothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus)) was investigated at Irymple, Victoria, in field experiments during 1979 and 1980. In 1979, pre- and post-harvest treatments of chlorpyrifos, applied at a rate designed to give an initial residue of 25 mg/kg in the grapes, reduced insect infestation in drying and dried grapes. In 1980, chlorpyrifos was applied pre-harvest at three rates designed to give initial residues of 50, 5, and 2 mg/kg, respectively. Treatments of 50 and 5 mg/kg were effective in controlling insects in the fresh, drying and dried grapes for each of four successive harvest occasions, and during storage in a commercial packing shed. Chlorpyrifos 2 mg/kg was less effective than the higher rates in controlling raisin moth, Indian meal moth and saw-toothed grain beetle in the latter phases of the experiment. An application of dip mixture (1 % drying oil plus 17 g/litre K2CO3) suppressed vinegar flies and dried fruit beetles for a short period but had no effect on the other insect pests.

Population growth of Brevipalpus lewisi McGregor (Acarina: Tenuipalpidae) on grapevines

In the Mildura district of Victoria, Brevipalpus lewisi McGregor is responsible for 'bunch mite' symptoms on grapevines. Age-specific life and fecundity tables, compiled in the laboratory, showed that B. lewisi is capable of positive population growth over a range of temperatures at relative humidity levels commonly encountered in the field. The maximum value of rm obtained in the laboratory was 0.04/day, at 28�C and 35 % relative humidity. A field study of the seasonal abundance and intra-vine distribution of B. lewisi showed that populations increased about 60-fold during a season. The rate of population increase during summer was similar to laboratory estimates of population growth potential. Although the mites were present solely at the base of canes early in the season, later all green parts of the plant became infested. Predation and loss associated with leaf fall reduced the numbers of mites overwintering. Populations were further reduced by removal of mites during pruning.

The seasonal abundance and control of light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), on grapevines in Victoria

This paper describes studies relating to control of Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), the major insect pest of grapevines in north-west Victoria. From 1970 to 1973, observations were made of the seasonal abundance and damage by E. postvittana in the absence of control measures. Larval populations were highest during spring, and declined to low levels during summer. Parasites caused c. 30% larval mortality, but did not prevent larvae damaging up to 19% of grape bunches at harvest. In drying varieties the actual loss was only about 1% by weight. Damaged grapes were liable to fungal infection during January and February, which resulted in further loss. During 1973–74 some commercially available selective insecticides were compared with standard recommendations for control of E. postvittana. The most effective treatment was lead arsenate or lead arsenate–TDE but the use of Bacillus thuringiensis or aminocarb could be justified if control of other vine pests is taken into consideration.

Parasitism by Aphytis chrysomphali, Mercet and A. melinus Debach of Californian red scale, Aonidiella aurantoo (Maskell), in relation to seasonal availability of suitable stages of the scale

A field study was undertaken to investigate the host-parasite relationship of A. aurantii and two species of Aphytis in north-western Victoria, and to suggest methods for improving and extending the biological control of A. aurantii in Victoria. Monthly samples of scale-infested Valencia oranges from five unsprayed biocontrol properties at Mildura provided information which showed a positive correlation between the percentage of available stages in the host population and the efficiency of parasitism by the Aphytis. This was thought to result from the seemingly inefficient method employed by the Aphytis in selecting a suitable host in which to oviposit; a postulate reinforced by the results of earlier work. The scarcity of suitable hosts at certain times of the year is thought to limit the efficiency of the Aphytis by reducing the chances of the parasite to achieve its reproductive potential. On the basis of this study an improved approach to red scale control is proffered, namely that attempts be made to augment the effectiveness of the established Aphytis by devising methods for increasing the proportion of available stages in red scale populations during late spring and early summer. Field and laboratory evidence indicates that parasitism by Aphytis, rather than variation in weather, is responsible for the considerable seasonal fluctuations in percentage of scales available for parasitism.

Inhibition of carotenoid synthesis as a mechanism of action of amitrole, dichlormate, and pyriclor

Amitrole (3-amino-s-triazole), dichlormate (3,4-dichlorobenzyl methylcarbamate), and pyriclor (2,3,5-trichloro-4-pyridinol) inhibited normal carotenogenesis in etiolated wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Coker 65-20) seedlings. Carotenoid precursors accumulated in treated plants. In dichlormate-treated plants, zeta-carotene accumulated, whereas phytofluene, phytoene, and zeta-carotene accumulated in amitrole- and pyriclor-treated plants. None of the herbicides interfered with protochlorophyllide synthesis or its conversion to chlorophyllide when etiolated plants were illuminated. Chlorophyll accumulated in treated plants exposed to light at 60 foot candles, but was unstable and partially destroyed by illumination at 4000 foot candles. These data suggest that the phytotoxicity of amitrole, pyriclor, and dichlormate is due to inhibition of the synthesis of carotenoids and to the consequent photodestruction of chlorophyll and chloroplast disruption.