The sinkhole database of the Florida Geologic Survey (FGS) is the primary publicly-accessible database of recent sinkhole occurrence and distribution. However, it does not use a consistent and predictable approach to recording sinkhole occurrences. Thus, the possibility exists that the database is largely a reflection of the distribution of people in sinkhole-prone areas of Florida, rather than a true enumeration of all sinkholes that occur. In order to assess the validity of the data contained within the database, a comparison was made of population distribution and sinkhole occurrences. The results indicate that sinkhole reporting is not associated with population distribution, and that reporting bias is not a major problem with the data contained therein.

Stream temperature is an important factor influencing habitat suitability for cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii, but temperature data from headwater habitats are difficult to obtain. We tested the ability of easily obtained landscape and meteorological data to predict the mean daily temperature measured at 79 sites in tributaries to the Madison River, Montana. We also evaluated stream habitat suitability by using temperature predictions to estimate growth potential for age-0 westslope cutthroat trout O. c. lewisi. A model using mean daily air temperature, elevation, and channel gradient explained approximately 75% of the observed variation in mean daily stream temperatures. Classifications of habitat suitability based on predicted fish growth indicated that the majority (78%) of stream habitat in Madison River tributaries provides suitable or highly suitable habitat for westslope cutthroat trout. However, these higher-quality habitats occur primarily in lower-elevation reaches where westslope cutthroat trout have been displaced by normative salmonids. Linking potential fish growth to stream temperature predictions will help managers prioritize conservation efforts for this declining subspecies by predicting habitat suitability at potential reintroduction or population expansion sites.

Lithium, sodium, magnesium and calcium are routinely monitored in environmental samples and in analysis of ultrapure water for semiconductor and power generation facilities. The use of graphite furnace, atomic absorption and ICP have long been recognized as the analytical instruments of science for the detection and quantization of these cations. These spectra detectors have been the detection method of choice because of their inherent speed, sensitivity, and lack of interferences.This paper will present results of a recent advance using ion chromatography with chemical suppression and conductivity detection for group I and group II cations. The method allows the separation and detection of lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and morpholine at the sub-mu-g/l levels in ultrapure water and common power plant waters.

A number of base metal and low gold-content alloys were evaluated in hamster cheek pouches for biocompatibility. No adverse weight changes and no abnormal behavioral patterns were noted in any of the test groups over the 14-day period of the study. Gross examination of the cheek pouches containing the alloys was no different from that of the controls. None of the alloys tested showed significant adverse histopathologic reactions. The recorded changes in incidences and degree of response were essentially no different from those of the negative control material.