Denitrifying granules in a marine Upflow Anoxic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactor

Marine land-based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are generally perceived as environmentally friendly aquatic production systems. To promote their sustainability even further and reduce the discharge of nutrients, there is a need for cost-effective end-of-pipe treatment technologies for removing nutrients. This includes nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) for which well-proven technologies for freshwater systems exists, while similar technologies for saltwater systems are less advanced. Granular technology has been developed since the 1970s in wastewater treatment under the upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) concept. This concept is based on the enrichment of different bacterial aggregations into a compact granule, optimizing synergistic and syntrophic bacterial processes by reducing the diffusion distance of substrates between the different bacterial consortia forming the granule. The following study examined the: 1) granular formation; and 2) nitrate removal capacity of a marine Upflow Anoxic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactor operating at different up-flow velocities (0.40–2.11 m/h). The results showed that marine denitrifying granules developed within 27 days using preconditioned rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) organic matter waste, and that the highest specific denitrification rate (321.9 ± 13.1 mg NO₃⁻-N/g Total Volatile Suspended Solids (TVSS)/d) was found at an upflow velocity of 0.97 m/h. The marine UASB denitrifying granule reactor had a total capacity of removing 14.9 kg NO₃⁻-N/m³ reactor volume per day at a hydraulic retention time of 1.9 h, making it a strong candidate for end-of-pipe denitrification of marine RAS effluent as well as for in-line treatment in marine systems.     

Differing trophic niches of three French stygobionts and their implications for conservation of endemic stygofauna

1. Groundwater ecosystems represent the greatest proportion of unfrozen freshwater on Earth and harbour high numbers of rare taxa with restricted distributions. Stygofaunal abundance, species richness, and ecology play essential roles in groundwater ecosystem services and functioning, as well as providing an important contribution to global biodiversity. However, as global depletion and contamination of groundwater pose serious and often irreversible threats to stygofauna, more information is urgently needed about the ecology of rare groundwater species to guide effective strategies for their conservation or restoration.
2. In this study, analyses of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were used to compare and evaluate trophic niches and diets of a vulnerable stygobiont isopod, Gallasellus heilyi living in sympatry in French groundwater ecosystems with the isopod Caecosphaeroma burgundum and the amphipod Niphargus ladmiraulti.
3. Stable isotope results showed trophic niche partitioning among the three stygobiont species and indicated that G. heilyi and C. burgundum occupy the role of primary consumers and N. ladmiraulti that of predator. Moreover, although G. heilyi and C. burgundum were shown to rely on the same food sources, indicating similar diets, and their trophic niches did not overlap, suggesting trophic specialization.
4. The results suggest that detritus (i.e. decaying organic material) is an important food source for G. heilyi, and its availability could determine the survival of this endangered species. As a practical conservation measure for G. heilyi and the whole stygofauna community, we suggest reconnecting surface and subterranean ecosystems, as they probably were before natural sinks and many wells were filled up or closed.

     

Influence of liquid cattle manure on reduction processes in soil

Summary Reduction processes in cultivated soil during the decomposition of liquid cattle manure were studied in laboratory experiments. Anoxic slurries of soil and manure in different proportions or alone were followed over 5 weeks. Upon NO _inf3 ^sup- depletion, ferrous Fe appeared in solution in soil-manure slurries. Sulfide levels were generally low in the presence of both soil and manure, probably because of precipitation by Fe²⁺; Fe thereby counteracted the production of free hydrogen sulfide. Methane formation was the quantitatively most important electron sink under prolonged anoxic conditions. When extra sulfate was added to soil-manure slurries, the concentration of Fe²⁺ remained low and less methane was produced. The detection of Fe²⁺ was examined in a model system with a gel-stabilized soil-manure mixture sandwiched between two soil phases with a water content near field capacity. Large methodological problems made it impossible to quantify Fe²⁺ in this oxic-anoxic environment, but the results indicated that reducing conditions were maintained in the manure-saturated zone for the 20-day period of this experiment.     

A/O工艺处理猪场厌氧发酵液研究（摘要）

[目的]提供一种快速、稳定、高效的猪场废水处理技术。[方法]通过厌氧/好氧（A/O）反应器处理猪场厌氧发酵液试验,研究了A/O处理猪场厌氧发酵液的启动过程。启动分两个阶段：第一阶段,厌氧（A）、好氧（O）段各自独立培养优势菌群。A/O反应器采用分别启动的方式在各自阶段性反应器中培养优势污泥,即O段好氧反应器先进水,O段运行方式为：曝气6 h,静沉1 h,闲置1 h,DO为0.15 mg/L左右。温度控制在（32±2）℃。出水再补充一定量葡萄糖后加入A段缺氧反应器。A段运行方式为：搅拌2 h,静沉1 h,闲置1 h,DO为3.00 mg/L左右;进水采用稀释15倍后的发酵液,当COD去除率达到80%并稳定运行14 d后,反应器中加入稀释倍数减少1倍的发酵液,直到COD和NH_4~＋-N的去除率稳定在80%时认为此阶段完成。第二阶段,A、O联合启动,逐步提高进水负荷,继续对微生物培养与驯化。当进水的COD和NH_4~＋-N去除率保持在80%以上时,将两个阶段性反应器并二沉池连接起来,设定内循环回流比和污泥回流比为2：1,停留时间为12 h,曝气量为0.50 m~3/h。溶解氧浓度为3～4 mg/L。将发酵液按一定比例稀释后加入反应器,直到全部进水为发酵液,此阶段历时32 d结束。试验过程中需要分析的项目及方法：COD,快速密闭催化消解法;NH_4~＋-N浓度,纳氏试剂分光光度法;NO_3~--N浓度,紫外分光光度法;总氮（TN）,过硫酸钾氧化紫外分光光度法;DO,DO测定仪测量;pH值,便携式pH计测量;温度,水银温度计测量。[结果]当温度为（32±2）℃,回流混合液比和回流污泥比分别为2和1,O段曝气量为0.5 m~3/h时,通过50 d的实际运行,COD、NH_4~＋-N的去除率分别达到89.87%和89.31%,表明反应器启动过程完成。[结论]可为猪场厌氧发酵液无害化技术提供一定的科学依据和借鉴。     

荔波野生梅叶片δ13C值及其对生境的响应

测定了茂兰喀斯特森林内的荔波野生梅(Prunus mume Sieb.et Zucc)叶片的δ13C值,同时对不同生境的荔波野生梅叶片的δ13C值进行比较,结果表明,荔波野生梅叶片δ13C值的范围为-29.43‰～-26.50‰,平均值为-28.00‰±0.71‰,比典型的亚热带植物要高,δ13C值变化范围也较亚热带地区更大,但与报道的喀斯特山区植物的叶片δ13C值相近;不同生境的荔波野生梅叶片δ13C值存在显著差异,石面和石缝生境的平均值显著低于土面生境的平均值,但石面和石缝生境间不存在显著差异;土壤的含水量对植物叶片δ13C值的高低有较大的影响,它们之间呈显著的负相关,R值为-0.72.     

Microbial responses to fluctuation of soil aeration status and redox conditions

 The response of the microbial community to changes in aeration status, from oxic to anoxic and from anoxic to oxic, was determined in arable soil incubated in a continuous flow incubation apparatus. Soil incubated in permanently oxic (air) and/or anoxic (O₂-free N₂) conditions was used as the control. Before experiments soil was preincubated for 6 days, then aeration status was changed and glucose added. Glucose concentration, extractable C, CO₂ production, microbial biomass, pH and redox potential were determined 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36 and 48 h after change of aeration status. If oxic conditions were changed to anoxic, the amount of glucose consumed was reduced by about 60%, and CO₂ production was 10 times lower at the end of incubation compared to the control (permanently oxic conditions). Microbial biomass increased by 114% in glucose-amended soil but did not change in unamended soil. C immobilization prevailed over C mineralization. Redox potential decreased from +627 mV to –306 mV. If anoxic conditions were changed to oxic, consumption of glucose and CO₂ evolution significantly increased, compared to permanently anoxic conditions. Microbial biomass did not change in glucose-amended soil, but decreased by 78% in unamended soil. C mineralization was accelerated. Redox potential increased from +238 to +541 mV. The rate of glucose consumption was low in anoxic conditions if soil was incubated in pure N₂ but increased significantly when incubation was carried out in a CO₂/N₂ mixture. Received: 6 January 1999     

Habitat overlap of juvenile and adult lake trout of Great Bear Lake: Evidence for lack of a predation gradient?

A range of organisms, from plankton to fish, commonly shift their habitat distributions horizontally or vertically due to predation risk. Juvenile lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, are generally viewed as occupying deep areas of lakes to decrease predation pressure from adults. In contrast, we found that juvenile lake trout from Great Bear Lake, NT, Canada, occupied a variety of habitats and from shallow to deep depths (0–150 m), overlapping with adult lake trout. No evidence occurred for a length depth‐based segregation (e.g., ontogenetic shift). Genetic variation was also similar among juveniles in the different depth zones. However, isotopic niches and C:N ratios among juveniles showed some variability in niche widths and positions for individuals caught from the 51–150 m zone compared to juvenile individuals caught from 0–20 m and 21–50 m zones. The uniformly distributed adult lake trout in Great Bear Lake may evenly distribute predation pressure (including cannibalism) across shallow‐ and deep‐water habitats more than in other lakes. As a result, juveniles may respond to differences in foraging opportunities rather than predation risks. Juvenile lake trout did not appear to conform to the general pattern of juveniles seeking a deep‐water refuge to reduce predation risks. In contrast, juvenile lake trout of Great Bear Lake displayed broad resource use across all depths and habitats.     

Regeneration niches of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> [L.] Karst.) saplings in small canopy gaps in mixed mountain forests of the Bavarian Limestone Alps

Natural regeneration measurements are the main silvicultural objective in overaged protective forests of the Bavarian Limestone Alps. While manifold problems with these stands, especially the impact of browsing, are widely recognised, the regeneration niches of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) are insufficiently known. The purpose of this study was to determine favourable combinations of site factors for the development of spruce in small, unfenced canopy gaps, located on Aposerido-Fagetum caricetosum albae forest sites. We recorded the occurrence of spruce saplings (as dependent variable) and of six site factors (as independent variables) on 480 0.5 m²-subplots. In addition, we estimated the coverage of six acid adapted plant species to determine correlations with the humus depth. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of the occurrence of a spruce sapling in dependency of the different site factors. Supported by other studies, we assumed that the supply of solar radiation was adequate for the sufficient regeneration of spruce within the canopy gaps. Other site factors significantly determined the regeneration niches of spruce saplings. More spruce saplings were found near hindrances and on rough surfaces than would be expected from a random occurrence of saplings. These microsite types may have characteristics, especially protection against snow gliding that promotes spruce establishment. A calculated “hindrance index”, which accounted for the number, and the distance of surrounding hindrances might be a good specific value to describe the influence of hindrances on steep slopes. The sapling establishment decreased on thin humus layers. Our assumption for the sites was that thick organic layers might represent a good seedbed for spruce. Decayed dead wood was scarce, but was exceedingly favoured by spruce saplings. Results obtained suggest that the natural regeneration establishment of spruce on steep slopes can be successfully influenced by site factors which inhibit the influence of snow gliding. According to a “positive microsite” concept, we recommend for artificial regeneration measurements with spruce, microsites close to hindrances (e.g. stumps, downed trees) and Vaccinium myrtillus as a predictor for thick, acid humus layers.     

水稻残体厌氧分解过程中间产物脂肪酸的微生物互养氧化降解机理研究进展

介绍了国内外在水稻植株厌氧降解过程中脂肪酸类物质微生物互养氧化降解机理方面的研究进展,并对今后的研究方向提出了建议。     

Exotic vs. native plant dominance over 20 years of old-field succession on set-aside farmland in Argentina

Exotic plants are major constituents of species pools in modern landscapes. Managing succession for restoration of degraded ecosystems thus requires an understanding of novel trajectories unfolding in mixed, native/exotic plant assemblages. We examined trends in native and exotic species abundance over 20 years of old-field succession on set-aside farmland in the Inland Pampa, Argentina. Changes in plant cover and species richness were annually monitored on adjacent permanent plots established in different years (1978-1989). Both native and exotic species occurred in early, mid and late successional stages, exhibiting similar life-form replacement patterns, from annual forbs, through annual to perennial grasses. Exotic plant richness declined with plot age. Yet, four exotic grasses remained dominant through succession (50-70% cover), with plots initiated in later years showing increased exotic cover. While native perennial grasses occurred from the onset of succession, increasing from 5 to 12 spp/plot, they only showed transient peaks below 30% cover. Cluster analysis of 113 plot-year samples identified alternative community states for early, mid and late successional stages, which were connected by a complex network of interweaving dynamic pathways. Depending on the plot, vegetation dynamics comprised directional temporal trajectories as well as nondirectional pathways, and arrested community states dominated by exotic grasses. Our results illustrate the overwhelming role of exotic species in modern old-field succession, and their potential to hinder recovery of native communities on former agricultural land. Community states with novel, native/exotic plant mixtures could be managed to deliver specific ecosystem services (e.g. forage production, carbon sequestration). However, meeting conservation goals may require active restoration measures, including exotic plant removals and native grass seeding.