Latest Issues

ET&C Best Paper Award:

CONGRATULATIONS to M. Alisa Mast, David A. Alvarez, and Steven D. Zaugg for “Deposition and Accumulation of Airborne Organic Contaminants in Yosemite National Park, California;” the result of an intensive sampling campaign in Yosemite from 2008 to 2009. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of spatial and temporal distributions of pesticides in the Sierra Nevada. It documents the presence of current-use as well as legacy pesticides in snow, lichens, zooplankton, passive samplers and lake sediments. The experimental approach Mast used for measuring the aqueous concentrations was cited for excellence by the awards review panel, as was the scientific impact and public and professional interest in protecting a national resource. The full article is freely accessible and available on the ET&C website.

IEAM Best Paper Award:

CONGRATULATIONS to Mark Borsuk, Steffen Schweizer, and Peter Reichert for “A Bayesian Network Model for Integrative River Rehabilitation Planning and Management,” which integrates state-of-the-science mathematical analysis into decision making critical to solving river ecosystem impairment problems around the world. The paper exemplifies the application of complex environmental models and information addressing morphological, hydraulic, economic, and ecological consequences of different river rehabilitation strategies. Borsuk et al. describe the successful application of the work to a large river rehabilitation project in Switzerland. The approach has significant potential to support environmental decision making worldwide. The full article is freely accessible and available on the IEAM website.

From Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Paralytic Shellfish Toxins Inhibit Copper Uptake in Chlamydomonas Reinhardt II

The effects of paralytic shellfish toxins on humans and mammals are well known, however the effects on the co-occurring phytoplankton community are not. This study examines the molecular mechanisms of the photosynthetic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in response to saxitoxin exposure as a means of gaining insights into the phytoplankton community response to a bloom.

From Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management

Effects of temperature on type approval testing of ballast water treatment systems

Could the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) guidelines to assess the efficacy and reliability of Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) have inconsistencies that allow contaminated ballast water to distribute organisms along latitudes? Drillet at al. explore the concept of amending BWST to include recommendations on how to take temperature into account. In order to limit the risk associated with invasion of habitats by exogenous species test must be required and failing to take into account temperature may pose a threat to the environment.