Comparison of NO(x) fluxes measured by eddy covariance to emission inventories and land use.

Uncertainty in emission inventories remains a critical limitation of air quality modeling and management. Using eddy covariance, we measured surface-atmosphere exchange fluxes of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) at the neighborhood scale at 13 sites in the Norfolk, Virginia area to estimate emissions, to evaluate official inventories, and to quantify relationships between emissions and land use. Average daytime fluxes ranged from 0.4 µg m(-2) s(-1) at a site near open water to 9.5 µg m(-2) s(-1) at a site dominated by vehicle traffic. NO(x) fluxes were correlated with both road density and medium- plus high-intensity development, confirming that both motor vehicles and sources associated with development are responsible for NO(x) emissions in urban areas. Spatially averaged NO(x) fluxes measured by eddy covariance agreed to within 3% with the National Emission Inventory (NEI) but were 2.8 times higher than those in the corresponding grid cell of an emission inventory developed for air quality modeling. These average fluxes were 4.6, 4.5, and 1.7 µg m(-2) s(-1), respectively. Uncertainty in the inventories appears to be dominated by the nonroad mobile source category. It is especially important to know NO(x) emissions accurately because in certain photochemical regimes, reducing NO(x) emissions can exacerbate secondary pollutant formation.

Demonstration of a mobile Flux Laboratory for the Atmospheric Measurement of Emissions (FLAME) to assess emissions inventories.

The advancement of air quality science and the development of effective air quality management plans require accurate estimates of emissions. In response to the need for new approaches to quantifying emissions, we have designed a mobile Flux Lab for the Atmospheric Measurement of Emissions (FLAME) that uses eddy covariance for the direct measurement of anthropogenic emissions at the neighborhood scale. To demonstrate the FLAME's capabilities, we have deployed it in the Huntington-Ashland region at the borders of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. This area routinely experiences high ozone and fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) concentrations and is home to a significant amount of industrial activity, including coal storage and transport. Experiments focused on carbon dioxide (CO(2)), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)). Spikes in CO(2) and NO(x) concentrations were correlated with the passage of trains and barges through the FLAME's footprint. Calculated barge emission factors ranged from 49 to 76 kg NO(x) tonne(-1) fuel and agreed well with previously published values. Fluxes measured at three sites in the town of Worthington were mainly positive. They ranged between -6.5 to 29 mg m(-2) s(-1) for CO(2) and -9.7 x 10(-5) to 9.1 x 10(-5) mg m(-2) s(-1) for PM(2.5). We illustrate how the measurements can be compared to emissions inventories on a per capita basis for greenhouse gases and countywide for other pollutants. The results show that a mobile eddy covariance system can be used successfully to measure fluxes of multiple pollutants in a variety of settings. This alternative method for estimating emissions can be a useful tool for assessing uncertainties in emissions inventories and for improving their accuracy.

The neurobehavioral effects of phytoestrogens in male Syrian hamsters.

We used a phytoestrogen (PE) and a phytoestrogen-free (PE-Free) diet to determine whether or not diet can have neurobehavioral effects on intermale aggression in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). In Experiment 1, 20 adult male hamsters were pre-tested for aggression and then placed on a PE (n=10) or a PE-Free diet (n=10) for 4 weeks in isolation. During week 5, experimental hamsters were exposed to a group-housed, nonaggressive opponent (NAO) for 5 min in a neutral cage arena. PE-fed hamsters exhibited more attacks (33.4+/-6.1) toward the NAO compared to the PE-Free-fed hamsters (18.1+/-4) (p<0.05). Interestingly, testosterone in the blood serum was higher in the PE-fed group (11.01+/-1.48 ng/ml) compared to the PE-Free group (6.5+/-0.87 ng/ml). In Experiment 2, 16 juvenile hamsters were weaned onto a PE (n=8) or a PE-Free diet (n=8). After 7 weeks on the diet, experimental hamsters were exposed to a NAO for 5 min in a neutral cage arena. Although the PE group exhibited higher levels of aggressive behavior, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. However, the PE group had higher levels of testosterone (9.0+/-0.95 ng/ml) compared to the PE-Free group (4.6+/-0.98 ng/ml) (p<0.05). In addition, analysis of the brains from both experiments revealed differences in binding for vasopressin 1A (V1A) receptors. Optical densities were converted to disintegrating units per min/mg. The PE-Free group had higher levels of V1A receptor binding (2689.93+/-254.8 dpm/mg) compared to the PE group (1907.32+/-136.3 dpm/mg) in the lateral septum (p<0.05). In addition, there were differences in the lateral hypothalamus, but the PE group had higher receptor binding (2550.9+/-63.59 dpm/mg) when compared to the PE-Free group (2011.9+/-174.14 dpm/mg) (p<0.05). In sum, these data present the first evidence that phytoestrogens can affect aggressive behavior and, concurrently, alter hormonal status and stimulate changes in the brain of male hamsters.