ZSM-5催化生物质三组分和松木热解生物油组分分析

为了更清晰地研究三大组分(纤维素、木聚糖、木质素)在介孔ZSM-5参与下的催化热解过程,该研究首先对生物质的三大基本组分和云南松木粉进行热解,然后在介孔ZSM-5催化剂存在的条件下对微晶纤维素、木聚糖、碱性木质素三大组分和云南松进行催化热解。采用气质联用仪对生物油的化学组分进行分析。通过对比ZSM-5参与前后的生物油的主要化学组分的变化,对催化剂的催化机理进行探究。研究结果表明,催化热解过程中,介孔ZSM-5将纤维素直接热解得到的β-D阿洛糖、糠醛、3-丙基戊二酸和2,4-戊二烯酸转化为1-甲基萘、2,6-二甲基萘,纤维素催化热解得到的生物油中的芳烃含量为63.89%。半纤维素催化热解过程中,催化剂将生物油中的糠醛从67.78%降低为2.66%,有效提高芳烃化合物,包括萘、2-甲基萘的含量,催化热解后得到的生物油中总芳烃含量达到36.81%。木质素催化热解过程中,介孔ZSM-5有效降低生物油中2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚的量(从82.33%降至77.97%),并大幅地提高1,8-二甲基萘和1,7-二甲基萘的量,生物油中总芳烃相对含量达到14.14%。云南松催化热解过程中,催化剂有效降低云南松直接热解得到生物油中2-甲氧基-4-甲基苯酚和(Z)-异丁子香酚的含量,并将芳烃化合物总量提高到53.99%(主要是1-甲基萘、1-亚甲基-1氢-茚和2,6-二甲基萘)。随着催化剂使用次数的增加,生物油中含氧化合物相对含量增加,烃类化合物的相对含量明显降低,从53.99%降至43.32%,元素分析结果表明生物油中的碳含量逐渐减少,氧含量逐渐增加。但是,催化剂经过焙烧再生后,催化活性基本完全恢复。     

改性HZSM-5催化生物质与塑料热解制备芳烃和生物炭

为了进一步提升生物油的品质,该研究采用竹材和低密度聚乙烯(Low-Density Polyethylene, LDPE)为原料,采用金属氧化物和HZSM-5(HZ)为催化剂催化生物质共热解,探索生物质与塑料的混合比例、金属氧化物的种类(HZSM-5、CaO、MgO、CeO_2、La_2O_3和SnO_2)、HZSM-5和MgO的混合比例以及组合方式(分层模式和混合模式)对生物质催化共热解制备生芳烃和生物炭的影响,同时对其添加效果进行分析。结果表明:LDPE和金属氧化物的添加可以有效的促进生物质的转化,降低了生物油的产率(9.76%～23.96%),提高生物油的品质和生物炭的石墨化程度,二者具有明显的协同效果,MgO促进了烷基酚的形成,CaO促进了烯烃的转化,而La_2O_3和SnO_2明显的促进是呋喃的生成。而且混合模式可以有效的提高芳烃的产率,当生物质:LDPE=1:1,HZSM-5:MgO=2:1时,芳烃含量最高为84.99%,苯、甲苯、二甲苯和乙苯(SBTXE)的总含量达到了60.09%,而甲苯和二甲苯含量分别达到了25.97%和16.91%,混合模式有效促进了苯、甲苯和二甲苯的选择性,分层模式有效促进了烷基苯的转化,且MgO的添加明显抑制了稠环芳烃的形成。     

玉米芯热解催化转化制备呋喃类化合物工艺优化

为探索木质生物质气固非均相催化热解制备呋喃类化合物新途径,该文以玉米芯为原料,采用MCM-41、活性炭(AC)、Al_2O_3、HZSM-5(Si/Al=38,46,80)、TiO_2和ZrO_2为催化剂,在玉米芯催化热解催化剂筛选的基础上,采用响应曲面法对MCM-41、AC和TiO_2催化热解玉米芯工艺条件进行优化,研究催化剂对热解产物组成和呋喃产率的影响。结果表明,较高比表面积的MCM-41、AC和TiO_2催化剂可明显促进呋喃类化合物的生成,呋喃类产率可分别达到31.43%、28.78%和30.44%,而HZSM-5系列催化剂最低;单个因素影响顺序为催化剂催化热解温度原料与催化剂质量比;催化剂类型和催化热解温度具有明显的交互作用;当催化热解温度为550℃、玉米芯与催化剂质量比为1∶1,采用活性炭为催化剂时,呋喃类化合物产率最高可达35.30%。研究结果可以为基于气固催化反应的木质生物质催化热解制呋喃类化学品提供依据。     

HZSM-5分子筛催化热裂解油菜秸秆制取精制生物油

为了探究分子筛催化剂对精制生物油理化特性的影响和在线催化提质机理,HZSM-5分子筛在固定床反应器上对油菜秸秆真空热解产生的热解蒸气进行在线催化提质试验,研究了催化剂质量、催化剂硅铝比和催化温度等参数对精制油产率和理化特性的影响,并通过气相色谱-质谱联用仪对提质前后生物油的化学组成进行了分析,初步探讨了HZSM-5分子筛在线催化提质机理。研究结果表明,油菜秸秆用量约为150 g,当催化剂质量为60 g,HZSM-5硅铝比为50,催化温度为500℃时,获得的精制油具有较低的氧元素质量分数(27.97%)、较高的高位热值(30.14 MJ/kg)以及较高的氢碳比(0.121)。在该条件下,醛、酸和酮类等非理想产物质量分数分别由提质前的13.71%、11.75%和13.59%降低至3.38%、1.68%和4.48%,而低含氧量的酚类由31.99%大幅增加至65.47%,表明HZSM-5具有良好的催化提质功能。研究结果为生物质的转化利用和在线精制热解蒸气技术的发展提供可靠的试验及理论依据。     

松子壳热解重质油的催化改性

以红松松子壳为原料,采用连续热解装置研究了热解反应温度和时间对生物油得率的影响规律,在反应温度为450℃、反应时间为6 min时,生物油得率可达到40.74%,热值可达到22.66 MJ/kg。采用气相色谱质谱联用仪对生物油成分进行了分析,其成分以酚类为主,质量分数约为33.5%;选用HZSM-5及NiO/HZSM-5分子筛催化剂对热解重质油部分分别进行催化改性试验,结果表明:经NiO/HZSM-5分子筛催化剂催化后其中高沸点有机物质量分数降低约13个百分点;其黏度由原来的约3 290 mPa·s大幅度地降低至450 mPa·s,热值则由原来的约26.16 MJ/kg增加到30.33 MJ/kg,增加了16%,同时提高了重质油的燃烧性和稳定性;负载物氧化镍(NiO)的添加提高了HZSM-5催化剂的抗积碳能力。该研究也为后续生物油改性提供了参考。     

活化赤泥催化热解玉米芯木质素制备高值单酚

木质素富含芳香基团,对其催化热解可制取高值单酚,然而木质素热解气组分复杂,易导致单酚收率低及催化剂快速积碳失活,不利于提高经济效益。该研究利用酸溶-碱沉淀耦合焙烧处理方法制备低成本活化赤泥催化材料,研究活化赤泥催化热解玉米芯木质素制取高值单酚化学品的影响规律,同时对玉米芯木质素及活化赤泥催化剂进行结构表征,并对活化赤泥的催化性能及应用潜能进行分析。结果表明:赤泥活化处理过程可显著改善其自身的表面形貌、孔结构和催化性能;相比于木质素常规热解,活化赤泥提升了生物油中苯酚、烷基酚等高值单酚的含量(60.38%);与商业分子筛催化剂相比,低成本活化赤泥可高效制取单酚,且具备较好的循环使用性能,能作为商业介孔分子筛的有效补充;同时赤泥和木质素2种废弃物耦合共处理,具备潜在的经济与生态环境效益。研究成果为赤泥和木质素等固废的资源化利用提供基础参考。     

改性微-介孔催化剂的制备及其催化生物质热解制备芳烃

采用K2CO3对HZSM-5催化剂进行处理,制备微孔-介孔多级孔HZSM-5催化剂,研究了碱液浓度(0.2~0.6 mol/L)对制备多级孔催化剂及其多级孔催化剂对催化生物质热解制备芳烃的产率以及选择性的影响规律,同时采用比表面积和孔径分布仪、X射线衍射仪、X射线光电子能谱、扫描电镜、化学吸附仪、傅里叶红外光谱仪、热重分析对催化剂进行了表征,结果表明：碱处理后催化剂依然保持MFI结构,在脱除分子筛中非骨架硅的同时,产生介孔结构,随着预处理浓度的增加,介孔含量增加,晶内介孔的利用率以及分子筛的扩散性能增加,但使总酸量降低,同时,改性催化剂可以明显的提高木质素来源的生物质热解产物芳烃的产率（67.75%～82.81%）降低焦炭的生成（31.26%～28.06%）,提高生物油中萘族产物（甲基萘以及二甲基萘）的选择性,使C10+以上芳烃含量增加,当采用0.5 mol/L的K2CO3处理时,单环芳烃质量分数最高为82.81%,而焦炭质量分数最低为28.06%。     

生物基呋喃与甲醇耦合催化热解制备芳烃化合物

为了提高芳烃的选择性产率和减少催化剂的积碳,以生物基呋喃为原料,以甲醇为耦合试剂进行催化共热解,探讨工艺条件对芳烃的选择性产率的影响,同时对其转化路径以及催化剂的积碳进行分析。结果表明:呋喃与甲醇耦合协同催化共热解可以有效的提高芳烃的选择性产率,二者具有明显的协同效应,甲醇的添加促进了甲醇制烯烃(methanol to olefin,MTO)反应、Diels-Alder环加成反应以及苯烷基化反应的发生,高温促使多烷基化合物以及萘及其同系物选择性产率的增加;强酸性促进了甲醇的脱水以及Diels-Alder环加成反应;同时,羰基抑制了呋喃环和烯烃的Diels-Alder反应,而羟基的存在有效的促进了甲苯以及二甲苯的生成,因此,当采用HZSM-5(SiO2/Al2O3=25)为催化剂,当热解温度为500℃,催化温度为550℃,MF∶甲醇=1∶5,物质的进样量为0.2 mL/min时,其芳烃的选择性产率达到99.73%,积碳量达到11.06%,苯、甲苯、二甲苯以及乙苯的总含量达到40.49%,萘及其同系物的含量仅为10.15%,有效的提高了烷基苯的选择性产率。     

不同Si/Al的氢型分子筛催化热解对生物油特性的影响

为考察对于氢型分子筛(HZSM-5)的Si/Al变化和添加量对生物质热解液化的影响,该文通过离子交换法制备HZSM-5催化剂,采用激光粒度分析仪、比表面积及孔径分析仪和X射线衍射仪对催化剂的粒度、孔隙及晶体结构等性质进行表征,并在最佳油产率温度下进行木屑的催化热解。对无催化剂和不同催化条件下得到的生物油进行气相色谱质谱联用分析,结果表明,分子筛作用下,生物油产率明显降低(最大降幅8%),含水率增加。同时,液体产物中醛类、酯类、酮类、呋喃等含氧化合物及酸含量均有所降低,提高了烃类和酚类的含量,峰面积百分比最高达到12.57%和39.36%,对催化剂催化调控改善生物油品质提供了一定的科学依据。     

针叶木木质素单体模型化合物热解研究进展

木质素目前是唯一可持续生产芳香基化合物的可再生资源。然而，当前绝大多数的木质素未能得到有效利用。热解可以将木质素快速转化为生物炭、生物油和生物气等产物并实现其资源化和高值化利用的有效途径。愈创木基单元是针叶木木质素的主要组成单元，且其结构中的甲氧基和酚羟基等官能团在木质素中广泛存在，因此作为模型化合物被广泛应用。愈创木酚类化合物直接热解产物以苯酚类和邻苯二酚类化合物为主，且热解温度对其热解过程具有一定影响，提高热解温度提高转化率且产生少量芳烃和更多的烯烃，且愈创木基结构单元的C4取代基官能团对愈创木酚直接热解的影响较小。分子筛由于具有独特结构和酸性位点，是催化裂解愈创木酚脱氧制备芳烃和单酚的有效催化剂。催化热解反应条件（如热解温度、重时空速和原料分压等）对催化热解产物具有重要影响；且在热解过程中添加氢供体可以显著提高愈创木酚脱氧率并降低催化剂的积碳。热解机理方面，愈创木酚基化合物直接热解反应主要反应途经是自由基反应，且结构单元中的甲氧基与焦炭形成具有直接关系。初步热解产物邻苯二酚及其衍生的邻羟基苯醌是形成气体产物的重要中间体。与直接热解不同的是，愈创木酚催化热解的主要反应机理是"烃池机理"。该研究通过对愈创木酚类化合物直接热解研究、催化热解研究和反应机理等方面进行总结和综述，期望加深对木质素热解过程的理解，为木质素热解产物的调控提供理论指导。     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

The abundance of heterocystous blue-green algae in rice soils and inocula used for application in rice fields

Summary Algal populations were quantified (as colony-forming units [CFU] per square centimetre) in 102 samples of rice soils from the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Portugal, and in 22 samples of soil-based inocula from four countries. Heterocystous blue-green algae (BGA) were present in all samples. Nostoc was the dominant genus in most samples, followed by Anabaena and Calothrix. In soils, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 1.0 × 10² to 8.0 × 10⁶ CFU/cm² (median 6.4 × 10⁴) and comprised, on average, 9% of the total CFU of algae. Their abundance was positively correlated with the pH and the available P content of the soils. In soil-based inocula, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 4.6 × 10⁴ to 2.8 × 10⁷ CFU/g dw (dry weight), comprising only a moderate fraction (average 13%) of the total algae. In most soils, the density of indigenous N₂-fixing BGA was usually higher than that attained by applying recommended rates of soil-based inoculum. Whereas research on the practical utilization of BGA has been mostly directed towards inoculation with foreign strains, our results suggest that attention should also be given to agricultural practices that enhance the growth of indigenous strains already adapted to local environmental conditions.Maître de Recherches ORSTOM (France), Visiting Scientist at IRRI