Sources, population biology

The primary library shown in Fig. 5.2, which was reported by Baldwin (1), was clearly designed as a source of biologically active molecules on several targets (why), thus compensating the efforts required for the chemical assessment and for a satisfactory characterization (when). The SP library was prepared in pools using chemical encoding (4, 5) to produce a population of around 62,000 individuals (how). The synthetic scheme was composed of both simple and more complex SP steps, and several monomer sets (A-F, Fig. 5.2) were used (what). These monomers were either commercially available or easily prepared from commercial precursors, while the library benzopyranic core was formed during the synthesis (how much). 

Laser Fluorimeter As 2i source of biological information we propose the use of a multi-station (up to 12 sampling locations) towed sea water laser fluorimeter for water quality analysis specific to selected hydrocarbons which might be present in the area. The laser excites elements of the plankton population and that of calibrated hydrocarbons (e.g. breakdown products of munitions contents) present in the water. The fluorescent spectra are received through a fibre optic cable, split and counted through specific filters. From this data a direct correlation of the effects of pollution on the plankton population can be made. The system would be towed in conjunction with the multi-sensor towed array. 

In population biology, plants and animals evolve in time and space in ways that can often be described by diffusion equations. Births, deaths, migration, and competition are sources, sinks, and fluxes into or out of the system that are subject to diffusion in time and space. We develop such equations one step at a time. We start with the simplest time dependence for the growth of populations, then add the effects of competition, and finally we introduce the spatial dependence, following the discussion in reference [3]. 

The dietary importance of benthic invertebrates to many species of fish, birds, and mammals (Vander Zanden and Vadeboncoenr 2002) signifies their importance in the trophic transfer of MeHg and their potential relevance as biological indicators. Some benthic invertebrates (e g., oysters, clams, shrimp, crabs, and crayfish) are consumed by humans, providing a direct pathway for exposure to MeHg. In the United States, shellfish rank below fish as a source of dietary MeHg in the human population (NRC 2000 Schober et al. 2003). 

Pohl, E., F. Steinhausler, W. Hofmann, and J. Pohl-Ruling, Methodology of Measurements and Statistical Evaluation of Radiation Burden to Various Population Groups From All Internal and External Natural Sources, in Proceedings of Biological and Environmental Effects of Low-Level Radiation, International Atomic Energy Agency), Vol.II, pp. 305-315, Vienna, Austria (1976). 

This area was the most profusely studied in the AQUATERRA project in terms of biological effects in fish populations. Barbel and bleak were the sentinel species selected in this area and an array of histological and biochemical tests were used to monitor the impact due to three major sources of pollution mercury and OCs at Monzon (with a comparison in one of the papers with Flix) and PBDEs in Barbastro [1—4, 37]. Mercury pollution was directly correlated to an increase of MTprotein in the liver of barbel captured downstream Monzon when compared to samples captured upstream (Fig. 3a). However, mRNA quantitative analyses failed to show any differences between downstream and upstream Monzon, neither correlated with MT protein levels. Further studies showed that MT mRNA in liver is a rather weak marker for chronic metal pollution in liver (see below) [4], The presence of degenerative hepatocytes in barbels and bleaks was also linked to mercury poisoning although it can also reflect the impact by other pollutants, like OCs or PBDEs (Fig. 3e). 

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