Discriminating foliar adhered from metabolised Pb when monitoring vegetation exposed to windborne contamination.

Monitoring heavy metals in vegetation near mining or industrial sites is crucial for detecting plant contamination; requiring discrimination between metals adhered to foliar surfaces from the internal concentrations. We investigated key factors that might contribute to lead (Pb) accumulation in leaves of local vegetation near a Pb mine: (i) distance from the pollutant source, (ii) morphological characteristics of leaf surfaces, (iii) their susceptibility to Pb loss by washing, and (iv) the effect of contrasting washing reagents in Pb removal. Native plant species were sampled at three field locations, possessing different leaf surface morphologies: glabrous (smooth), resinous (waxy) and hirsute (hairy).

Termite sensitivity to temperature affects global wood decay rates.

Deadwood is a large global carbon store with its store size partially determined by biotic decay. Microbial wood decay rates are known to respond to changing temperature and precipitation. Termites are also important decomposers in the tropics but are less well studied.

Natural attenuation of legacy hydrocarbon spills in pristine soils is feasible despite difficult environmental conditions in the monsoon tropics.

The Kimberley region of Western Australia is a National Heritage listed region that is internationally recognised for its environmental and cultural significance. However, petroleum spills have been reported at a number of sites across the region, representing an environmental concern. The region is also characterised as having low soil nutrients, high temperatures and monsoonal rain - all of which may limit the potential for natural biodegradation of petroleum.

Evidence for Niche Differentiation in the Environmental Responses of Co-occurring Mucoromycotinian Fine Root Endophytes and Glomeromycotinian Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.

Fine root endophytes (FRE) were traditionally considered a morphotype of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), but recent genetic studies demonstrate that FRE belong within the subphylum Mucoromycotina, rather than in the subphylum Glomeromycotina with the AMF. These findings prompt enquiry into the fundamental ecology of FRE and AMF. We sampled FRE and AMF in roots of Trifolium subterraneum from 58 sites across temperate southern Australia.