Dean F. Martin

Prediction of the Florida red tide by means of the iron index.

(1971). Prediction of the Florida Red Tide by Means of the Iron index. Environmental Letters: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 69-74.

Essential fatty acids and phenolic acids from extracts and leachates of southern cattail (Typha domingensis P.)

We have been able to isolate several phytotoxic compounds from aqueous extracts and leachates of cattails (Typha domingensis) using activated charcoal as an absorbant, followed by successive extraction with organic solvents, analysis by GC/MS, and structural elucidation by NMR spectroscopy when possible. The phytotoxins were identified as essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid) and phenolic compounds of known phytotoxic activity (caffeic acid from the aqueous extracts; caffeic, p-coumaric, and gallic acid from the leachates). Both extracts and the phytotoxins in the extracts have the potential of inhibiting the growth and chlorophyll production of several ecologically relevant species.

Organometallic compounds—II: Synthesis and attempted resolution of compounds of the type R2SnCh2

The syntheses and properties of compounds of the type R2SnCh2 (where R = C6H5 and Ch = acetylacetonate, benzoylacetonate, dibenzoylmethanate and 8-quinolinolate) are described. Compounds of this type are conveniently prepared by the condensation of the thallium(I) chelate and dichlorodiphenyltin(IV). The isomer pattern is considered for compounds of the type R2SnCh2 and evidence is presented that these compounds exist predominantly in the trans form in nonpolar solvents.

Base-catalysed condensations of a metal-chelate template

Abstract The synthesis of condensation products of ethylenediamine with β-diketones, β-ketoimines, and with substituted salicylaldehydes and o -hydroxyacetophenones is reported. Some physical and chemical properties of the compounds are discussed. The scope of the reaction is considered with respect to catalysts, metal-chelate templates and condensed ligands. The absorption spectra of the compounds are reported. The reaction mechanism is discussed, and ebullioscopic, conductometric and spectroscopic evidence is offered which indicates the stoicheiometry and the stereochemistry of the reaction intermediates.

A convenient method of analysis of humic acid in fresh water.

Humic acids are generally defined operationally as those decomposir tion products of plants and animals that comprise the base-soluble, 2 acidand alcohol-insoluble fractions of the soil. These materials are of interest because of their geological significance, possible nutritive properties, involvement of biological processes, and the challenge 3 afforded by their chemical and structural complexities. Our particular interest in humic acid distribution in fresh water derives from an 4-7 interest in the evident involvement of humic acids in red-tide outbreaks. This note describes a convenient method for determining the humic acid content of natural waters. EXPERIMENTAL Standard Humic Acid Samples. These were isolated from bog soil (adajacent g to the Hillsborough River) using the method described by Overstreet and 3 others. The humic acid samples, obtained as dark brown solids, had

Hemolysis induced by Prymnesium parvum toxin kinetics and binding

Abstract Rates of hemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes induced by Prymnesium parvum toxin (prymnesin) have been measured colorimetrically at 25.5°. The data have been treated as consecutive first-order rate processes associated with the prolytic and lytic period for which two specific rate constants were obtained ( k′ and k ψ , respectively). Both are a function of concentration and temperature, though only the first constant has a linear Arrhenius relationship. The variation of the second constant with concentration of prymnesin follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Both constants are decreased by inhibitors (cholesterol and cephalin (approx. 10 μM)) at a given concentration of prymnesin, and the effect is ascribed to reduction in the effective concentration of prymnesin owing to the formation of a toxin-inhibitor complex. The binding of prymnesin to erythrocyte membranes during the prolytic period was investigated using tritium-labeled toxin, and it was found that about 10% of the labeled material is loosely bound and about 30% is more firmly bound.

Cadmium in naturally-occurring water hyacinths

Abstract Water hyacinth [ Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms] is an effective fertillizer, mulch, soil amendment and fodder for cattle and sheep. The consequences of the ability of the plant to accumulate heavy metals needs consideration. Small and large water hyacinth ecotypes collected from two “rural” rivers in Florida, the Peace and Withalachoochee respectively, were examined for an accumulation of cadmium from the natural environment. Less than trace amounts (below limits of detection, 2.5ppb) were present. Water hyacinths tested for cadmium accumulation under laboratory conditions exhibited a pronounced ability to absorb and accumulate the metal. The roots contained 0.982 mg of the 2.0 mg cadmium presented to the plant. The distribution of the metal within the plant was 76.7% in the roots, 22.4% in the stems with the remainder in the leaves. Of the total cadmium presented to the plant, 80.8 ± 3.0% was recovered by the plant after 7 days, the mean generation time of the plant. With increasing urbanization, accumulation of cadmium by water hyacinths exists. It is either an asset or a potential hazard and needs to be appreciated.

Report on a Biochemical Red Tide Repressive Agent

Organisms were isolated from the November 1973 red tide outbreak in a search for a naturally occurring predator organism. Two organisms were found which look promising as a means of biocontrol: a Tintinnideae spp., ciliate and Gomphosphaeria aponina Kutzing, a blue-green algae. This report characterizes a blue-green algal toxin found to be lethal to the Florida red tide organism Gymnodinium breve Davis.

Organometallic compounds—III: Some reactions of chlorodiaryl- and chlorodialkyl-tin complexes

Organotin-chelate compounds of the type R2Sn(Ox)Cl, where Ox− is 8-quinolinolate, are formed from the interaction of R2SnCl2 and R2Sn(Ox)2. Chlorodialkyl-tin complexes undergo chloride substitution when treated with such reagents as lithium butyl, β-diketones, iodide ion, ethoxide ion, and 8-quinolinol. Evidence is presented to show that some of these products have disproportionated. Evidence is also presented that some compounds, notably (C6H5)2Sn(Ox)Cl, (CH3)2Sn(Ox)Cl and (CH3)2Sn(Ox)I, are examples of five-co-ordinate tin, while other compounds investigated, including a “mixed chelate” compound (CH3)2Sn(Ox)(C6H5COCHCOC6H5), appear to be examples of six-co-ordinate tin.

Inhibition of Water Fern Salvinia minima by Cattail (Typha domingensis) Extracts and by 2-Chlorophenol and Salicylaldehyde

The allelopathic potential of a cattail species (Typha domingensis) towards the common water fern (Salvinia minima) was studied in a short-term bioassay. Aqueous extracts of cattail plants (roots, stems, and leaves) as well as two of its phenolic compounds (2-chlorophenol and salicylaldehyde) were found to inhibit the growth of Salvinia when incorporated in the growth medium. After a period of seven days, chlorophyll concentration, fresh weight, dry weight, and number of fronds of Salvinia were compared and correlations were found among the different parameters. The results suggest an inhibitory effect by components of Typha, especially of the root fractions. Results from pure chemicals are in qualitative and quantitative agreement with those obtained from the cattail extracts.