Water potential increases

CAM plants, especially the cacti, respond rapidly to water availability. In one experiment, irrigation of cacti (0. basilaris) resulted in a water potential increase from about -15 to -5 bars in a little over 12 h (Fig. 6.4). These same plants respond to water by a relaxation of and consequent CO2 assimilation resulting in a marked increase in diurnal acid production (Fig. 6.6). 

When a potential is appHed across the ceU, the sodum and other cations are transported across the membrane to the catholyte compartment. Sodium hydroxide is formed in the catholyte compartment, because of the rise in pH caused by the reduction of water. Any polyvalent cations are precipitated and removed. The purified NaOH may be combined with the sodium bicarbonate from the sodium dichromate process to produce soda ash for the roasting operation. In the anolyte compartment, the pH falls because of the oxidation of water. The increase in acidity results in the formation of chromic acid. When an appropriate concentration of the acid is obtained, the Hquid from the anolyte is sent to the crystallizer, the crystals are removed, and the mother Hquor is recycled to the anolyte compartment of the ceU. The electrolysis is not allowed to completely convert sodium dichromate to chromic acid (76). Patents have been granted for more electrolytic membrane processes for chromic acid and dichromates manufacture (86). 

Water-retention curve Graph showing soil-water content as a function of increasingly negative soil water potential. 

The water flux into a cell, and hence the volume increase, is driven by the effective water potential difference between the inside and the outside of the plasmalemma. In calculating an effective water potential difference it is necessary to take account of the reflection coefficient, a, a measure of the degree of semipermeability of the membrane. The volumetric increase in cell size with attendant water influx can be described by ... 

Drought also has a profound effect on protein synthesis. In many plant tissues, a reduced water potential causes a reduction of total protein synthesis and a rapid dissociation of polyribosomes. The latter has been shown not to be the consequence of increase in ribonuclease activity (Hsiao, 1973 Dhindsa Bewley, 1976). For a specific protein, Jacobsen, Hanson Chandler (1986) have shown in barley leaves that water stress enhances the synthesis of one of the a-amylase isozymes. Using a cDNA probe they found that water-stressed leaves contained much more a-amylase mRNA than unstressed plants. 

Ability of tissues to increase their solute concentration (osmoregulate), conferring a temporary advantage by enabling the tissues to maintain turgor at low water potentials by decreasing their osmotic potentials. 

FIG. 28 Changes in contact potential of mica relative to a hydrophobic tip as a function of relative humidity. The tip-sample distance during measurements was maintained at 400 A. At room temperature the potential first decreases by about 400 mV. At -30% RH it reaches a plateau and stays approximately constant until about 80% RH. At higher humidity the potential increases again, eventually becoming more positive than the initial dry mica surface. The changes in surface potential can be explained by the orientation of the water dipoles described in the previous two figures. 

The reported (14) mechanisms of action of allelochemlcals Include effects on root ultrastructure and subsequent Inhibition of Ion absorption and water uptake, effects on hormone-induced growth, alteration of membrane permeability, changes In lipid and organic acid metabolism, inhibition of protein synthesis and alteration of enzyme activity, and effects on stomatal opening and on photosynthesis. Reduced leaf water potential Is one result of treatment with ferulic and p-coumaric acids (15). Colton and Einhellig (16) found that aqueous extracts of velvetleaf (Abutllon theophrastl Medic.) Increased diffusive resistance In soybean fGlycine max. (L.) Merr.] leaves, probably as a result of stomatal closure. In addition, there was evidence of water stress and reduced quantities of chlorophyll In Inhibited plants. 

The IrIV anion, [Ir(H20)Br5], oxidises ascorbic acid at 20.0 °C.51 This reaction is first order with respect to ascorbic acid concentration and first order with respect to the Irlv anion. Comparison of hexabromo-, hexachloro, aquopentachloro-, and di-aquotetracholoiridium(IV) reactions with ascorbic acid shows that replacing a halide ion with a water molecule increases the standard reduction potential of the IrIV complex and increases the rate of reaction. 

Systems that are exposed to excessive turbulence of anaerobic wastewater and a potential increased release of hydrogen sulfide. Systems with a risk for increased turbulence are inlet structures, drops, cascades, sharp bends and inverted siphons. As an example, changes in the flow regime from a pressure pipe into a gravity sewer may give rise to the release of hydrogen sulfide. Corrosion of the sewer pipe wall is often pronounced near the daily water... 

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