Mountaintop mining is the dominant form of coal mining and the largest driver of land cover change in the central Appalachians. The waste rock from these surface mines is disposed of in the adjacent river valleys, leading to a burial of headwater streams and dramatic increases in salinity and trace metal concentrations immediately downstream. In this synoptic study we document the cumulative impact of more than 100 mining discharge outlets and approximately 28 km 2 of active and reclaimed surface coal mines on the Upper Mud River of West Virginia. We measured the concentrations of major and trace elements within the tributaries and the mainstem and found that upstream of the mines water quality was equivalent to state reference sites. However, as eight separate mining-impacted tributaries contributed their flow, conductivity and the concentrations of selenium, sulfate, magnesium, and other inorganic solutes increased at a rate directly proportional to the upstream areal extent of mining. We found strong linear correlations between the concentrations of these contaminants in the river and the proportion of the contributing watershed in surface mines. All tributaries draining mountaintop-mining-impacted catchments were characterized by high conductivity and increased sulfate concentration, while concentrations of some solutes such as Se, Sr, and N were lower in the two tributaries draining reclaimed mines. Our results demonstrate the cumulative impact of multiple mines within a single catchment and provide evidence that mines reclaimed nearly two decades ago continue to contribute significantly to water quality degradation within this watershed.environmental impact | alkaline mine drainage | total dissolved solids | water chemistry

Deep water running with wet vest is a safe form of exercise for elderly with mobility limitations. However, it is not known to what extent their aerobic power may be improved. Therefore, the aim was to assess the effects of high intensity deep water interval training with vest in elderly women. Twenty-nine healthy women 69 +/- 4 years old participated. They performed a graded maximal exercise test on the cycle ergometer. They were randomly assigned to a control or to a training group. A submaximal exercise test on the cycle ergometer was executed only by the training group. They trained in deep water running/walking wearing a vest two times a week for 8 weeks. The target heart rate was 75% of maximal heart rate and the training consisted of several short working periods and resting intervals. After the intervention the heart rate at rest was 8% lower for the training group (P<0.01). Their heart rate at submaximal exercise was 3% less (P<0.01), their maximal oxygen uptake was raised by 10% (P<0.01), and their maximal ventilation was increased 14% (P<0.01). The values for the control group were unaltered after the period of intervention. In conclusion, high intensity deep water running with vest improves submaximal work capacity, maximal aerobic power, and maximal ventilation with the effects transferable to land-based activities in elderly women.

A major contaminant of concern for mountaintop removal/valley fill (MTR/VF) coal mining is selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient that can be toxic to fish. Creek chubs (Semotilus atromaculatus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), and composite insect samples were collected in March-July, 2011-2013 at two sites within the Mud River, West Virginia. One site (MR7) receives MTR/VF coal mining effluent, while the reference site (LFMR) does not. MR7 water had significantly higher concentrations of soluble Se (p < 0.01) and conductivity (p < 0.005) compared to LFMR. MR7 whole insects contained significantly higher concentrations of Se compared to LFMR insects (p < 0.001). MR7 creek chubs had significantly higher Se in fillets, liver, and ovary tissues compared to LFMR samples (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.02, respectively). MR7 green sunfish fillets contained significantly higher Se (p < 0.0001). Histological examination showed LFMR creek chub gills contained a typical amount of parasitic infestations; however MR7 gills contained minimal to no visible parasites. X-ray absorption spectroscopic analyses revealed that MR7 whole insects and creek chub tissues primarily contained organic Se and selenite. These two species of Mud River fish were shown to specifically accumulate Se differently in tissues compartments. Tissue-specific concentrations of Se may be useful in determining potential reproductive consequences of Se exposure in wild fish populations.

Objectives: To assess pain relieving effects of an intensive exercise programme on a seated double-poling ergometer in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Stockholm, Sweden. Methods: A total of 13 wheelchair-dependent individuals with a thoracic or lumbar SCI were recruited to a 10-week training period (three times weekly) assessing the effects of regular training on upper-body strength, aerobic and mechanical power, and crossover effects on functional performance, as well as cardiovascular risk factors. Eight of the participants reported pain and were included in this exploratory pain protocol and assessed using the International SCI Basic Pain Data set, the Wheelchair Users' Shoulder Pain Index and International SCI Quality of Life Basic Data set. Results: For those with neuropathic pain, median pain intensity ratings decreased from 5 on a 0-10 numerical rating scale at baseline to 3 at the end of study, and four of seven participants reported an improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. For those with musculoskeletal pain (n¼5), median pain intensity ratings improved from 4 at baseline to 0 at the end of study. All but one rated no musculoskeletal pain at all at the end of study and number of days with pain per week decreased from 5.5 to 0.7. None of the participants developed pain, because of overuse during the training period and few reported unwanted side effects. Conclusion: Considering its promising effects and safety, an intensive exercise programme can be tried for treating musculoskeletal pain and also neuropathic pain following SCI.