Two thrush species as dispersers of Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC. (Melastomataceae): an experimental approach.

We carried out a seed germination experiment using two thrush species in captivity. We compared the number of germinated seeds and germination time of control seeds (manually removed from fruits) and ingested seeds of Miconia prasina by two bird species, Turdus albicollis and T. amaurochalinus, and also compared retention times of seeds by both thrush species. Control seeds germinated more frequently than those ingested for one species, T. albicollis. The germination time of ingested seeds by T. amaurochalinus was similar to the control seeds but seeds ingested by T. albicollis took longer to germinate than the controls. Both thrush species had a similar seed defecation pattern. The cumulative number of defecated seeds increased by 2 hours after fruit ingestion. At the end of the first 30 minutes both species had already defecated approximately 50% of the seeds ingested Our results suggest that both species could act as disperser agents of M. prasina.

Two thrush species as dispersers of Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC. (Melastomataceae): an experimental approach / Duas espécies de Turdus como dispersoras de Miconia prasina (Melastomataceae): uma abordagem experimental

We carried out a seed germination experiment using two thrush species in captivity. We compared the number of germinated seeds and germination time of control seeds (manually removed from fruits) and ingested seeds of Miconia prasina by two bird species, Turdus albicollis and T. amaurochalinus, and also compared retention times of seeds by both thrush species. Control seeds germinated more frequently than those ingested for one species, T. albicollis. The germination time of ingested seeds by T. amaurochalinus was similar to the control seeds but seeds ingested by T. albicollis took longer to germinate than the controls. Both thrush species had a similar seed defecation pattern. The cumulative number of defecated seeds increased by 2 hours after fruit ingestion. At the end of the first 30 minutes both species had already defecated approximately 50 percent of the seeds ingested Our results suggest that both species could act as disperser agents of M. prasina.

Realizamos um experimento de germinação utilizando duas espécies de Turdus em cativeiro. Comparamos o número de sementes germinadas e o tempo de germinação entre sementes controle (manualmente removidas dos frutos) e ingeridas de Miconia prasina por duas espécies de aves, Turdus albicollis e T. amaurochalinus, e também comparamos o tempo de retenção das sementes pelas duas espécies de Turdus. Sementes controle germinaram com maior freqüência do que as ingeridas por uma das espécies, T. albicollis. O tempo de germinação das sementes ingeridas por T. amaurochalinus foi semelhante ao das sementes controle, mas as sementes ingeridas por T. albicollis demoraram mais para germinar do que as sementes controle. Ambas as espécies de Turdus tiveram um padrão similar de defecação das sementes. O número acumulado de sementes defecadas aumentou por 2 horas após a ingestão dos frutos. Ao final dos primeiros 30 minutos ambas espécies já haviam defecado aproximadamente 50 por cento das sementes ingeridas Nossos resultados sugerem que as duas espécies de aves podem atuar como agentes dispersores de sementes de M. prasina.

Benchmarking of the CAP-88 and GENII computer codes using 1990 and 1991 monitored atmospheric releases from the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.

The CAP-88 environmental radiological assessment computer code was benchmark tested to establish confidence in its results. The results from CAP-88 were compared to the results from the GENII computer code, which has undergone rigorous testing. The codes were benchmarked using 1990 and 1991 monitored atmospheric releases from Idaho National Engineering Laboratory facilities and the results (the effective dose equivalent to the maximally exposed offsite individual) were quantitatively compared using a metric based on the uncertainty in the Gaussian plume model and terrestrial transport models. The results of the benchmark tests were within the 95% acceptance region specified in the test protocol. CAP-88 was found to overpredict effective dose equivalent relative to GENII for elevated releases, largely because CAP-88 calculates a larger atmospheric dispersion factor (chi/Q) than does GENII using the same meteorological data. However, CAP-88 consistently underpredicted effective dose equivalent relative to GENII for ground-level releases. This was because CAP-88 accounts for the processes of plume depletion by dry and wet deposition while GENII does not account for these processes. The effect of depletion was tested and found to be most important for a ground-level release of a highly depositing species such as radioiodine which implies that acceptable benchmark results would be difficult to obtain for a highly dopositing species.

Collection and characterization of aerosols from metal cutting techniques typically used in decommissioning nuclear facilities.

This study was designed to collect and characterize aerosols released during metal cutting activities typically used in decommissioning radioactively contaminated facilities. Such information can guide in the selection of appropriate control technologies for these airborne materials. Mechanical cutting tools evaluated included a multi-wheel pipe cutter, reciprocating saw, band saw, chop saw, and large and small grinding wheels. Melting-vaporization cutting techniques included an oxy-acetylene torch, electric arc cut rod and plasma torch. With the exception of the multi-wheel pipe cutter, all devices created aerosols in the respirable size range (less than 10 micron aerodynamic diameter). Time required to cut 2-in. (5-cm) Schedule 40, Type 304L, stainless steel ranged from about 0.6 min for the plasma torch to about 3.0 min for the reciprocating saw. Aerosol production rate ranged from less than 10 mg/min for the reciprocating saw to more than 3000 mg/min for the electric arc cut rod. Particles from mechanical tools were irregular in shape, whereas particles from vaporization tools were spheres and ultrafine branched-chain aggregates.