生物质富氮热解联产高值含氮油炭的理化特性

通过引进外源氮素使生物质在富氮条件下热解,可以获得高值化的含氮产品—焦炭和油。基于生物质富氮热解联产高值含氮产品这一目标,该文以木屑为原料,对不同温度和不同质量分数尿素溶液浸渍下热解制得的生物油进行了气相色谱质谱联用分析。同时对热解产生的生物油和热解焦炭进行了元素分析,使用漫反射红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱仪对富氮条件下制得的热解焦炭进行了表面表征。研究发现,经过尿素溶液浸渍过后的生物质,热解油中含有大量的含氮化学品,可以被用来提炼加工高附加值的化工产品。随着温度的升高,热解油中的含氮物质减少、浸渍质量分数越大油中的含氮物质越多。热解焦炭表面含有大量的芳香化结构和含氮官能团,漫反射红外分析结果显示低温下焦炭表面含有丰富的化学结构,随着温度的升高各种官能团逐渐分解,750、850℃时表面只剩下羟基、羰基等官能团;尿素溶液质量分数对热解后焦炭的表面官能团种类没有显著的影响,只有强弱的区别。XPS分析尿素浸渍生物质热解焦炭表面主要是一些C=N、C-N以及N-COO官能团并且随着温度的升高850℃时焦炭表面只有吡啶型N和吡咯型N存在。550℃下热解焦炭中的碳主要是无定形碳,随着温的升高焦炭中的一些脂肪链C-H键,羰基和一些低聚C-C键基本消失,850℃下的碳则主要表现为石墨形碳。     

生物质热解过程中氮迁移转化机理研究进展

生物质热解产物中热解气和热解油具有较高能源利用价值,可作为替代燃料或化工原料,但伴随热解过程迁移至热解气/油中的氮元素不仅会影响其品质,热解气/油进一步利用后也会污染大气环境。该研究围绕生物质资源制备清洁能源的总目标,系统分析生物质热解过程中氮迁移转化机理,重点论述气相氮、液相氮和焦炭氮的生成与转化机理。通过总结前人研究,得出生物质热解气中的含氮物质主要为HCN、NH3等,其中NH3主要来源于氨基酸热解释放的氨基以及HCN在焦炭表面的水解转化;HCN主要来源于腈、含氮杂环等一次热解产物的二次裂解;热解油中的含氮物质主要为含氮杂环、腈与酰胺,其中含氮杂环主要由部分氨基酸片段或氨基酸间的脱水缩合反应产生;腈主要来源于氨基酸分子脱H2反应以及酰胺脱H2O反应;酰胺主要来源于NH3与羧基的置换反应。不同生物质种类与热解工况下氮的迁移转化特性复杂多样,生物质种类以及热解过程中的压力、停留时间、升温速率、温度、热解气氛、粒径、催化剂等因素均会影响热解过程中氮的迁移转化路径,最终影响生物质热解气/油中含氮物质的组成及分布。进一步提出生物质热解过程中氮排放控制未来研究方向,以期为实现农村生物质资源高效清洁利用提供参考。     

微波加热条件下棉杆热解的产物特性分析

为了揭示微波加热方式对棉杆热解过程的影响,该文采用气相色谱和质谱分析仪（GC-MS）、等温吸附仪（BET）以及傅立叶红外分析仪（FT-IR）分析了棉杆热解产物的理化特性。研究表明随着热解温度的上升,气体产率和液体产率变化趋势相反,且均在500℃附近出现极值,而焦炭产量逐渐降低。微波加热条加下棉杆热解液体产物组分复杂,以乙酸、左旋葡聚糖、苯酚类物质为主,其中乙酸和左旋葡聚糖含量随温度升高而逐渐降低,酚类物质在450℃含量最高,而后总体含量变化缓慢;随着温度的上升,焦炭的孔隙度先增加后降低,所含官能团逐渐减少,焦炭比表面积最大可达到400 m2/g。该文可为微波热解生物质用于产物品质提升的研究提供参考。     

热解温度对生物质炭碳保留量及稳定性的影响

以核桃壳为生物质炭生产原料,研究热解温度(200~700℃)对生物质炭产率、元素组成、表面官能团分布及其稳定性的影响,以期探明生物质炭基本性质随热解温度变化的规律,为全面了解生物质炭固碳减排效果提供理论参考。结果表明,生物质炭的C含量随温度升高而增加,H和O元素含量却随温度升高而降低。此外,生物质炭的H/C和O/C随着温度增加而减少。生物质炭的产率及碳保留量随着温度的升高而降低。红外光谱分析结果表明,经过热解核桃壳原材料分子中所含的-C-O和O-CH3基团消失,随着热解温度升高,生物质炭中的烷烃基团-CH逐渐减少,芳香化程度逐渐升高。500℃制备生物质炭的K2Cr2O7和KMn O4氧化碳损失量均最低,分别为10.4%和1.66%。相关分析表明,生物质炭的产率、碳保留量及稳定性与热解温度之间均具有显著相关关系。     

热解温度对回转窑玉米秸秆热解产物理化特性的影响

针对北方农业秸秆废弃物产量巨大且无法全部还田导致丢弃和露天焚烧现象激增等问题,该文通过搭建小型回转窑生物质热解装置考察不同热解温度下秸秆热解特性,分析主要产物的产率、元素组成等理化特性指标。结果表明:回转窑内热解温度的增加提高了热解液相产物产率和热解水产率,焦油产率呈先增加后降低趋势。与此同时,热解气总体积逐渐增加,H2含量和CH4含量也有所提高,生物炭产率和热值有所降低。当热解温度从400℃增加至700℃时,焦油产率从12.21%增加至21.70%;当温度进一步增加至800℃时,焦油产率降低至20.13%;相应的焦油热值从400℃时的19 974.0 kJ/kg逐渐增加到800℃时的21 710.0 kJ/kg。高热解温度加快热解过程中的热传递,加剧生物质大分子所含的羟基、羰基等含氧官能团的分解并促进挥发物的产生,进而提高了热解液体产物、热解水和焦油产率。过高的加热温度会加剧挥发分的二次反应,降低焦油产率;更多的含氧杂环结构会随着热解温度提高逐渐分解,因而焦油热值逐渐增加。生物炭产率随着温度增加逐渐降低,生物炭pH值和C/N比均逐渐增加,在兼顾生物炭产率和应用于炭基肥制备所需理化性质的同时需充分考虑热解温度影响。     

反应温度和停留时间对纤维素水热解产物理化特性的影响

为了解纤维素在水热降解过程中产物的理化特性及其形成机制,该文对生物质主要组分—纤维素的水热降解特性进行了系统地研究,全面分析了反应温度和停留时间对纤维素水热产物分布的影响,并从产物的化学结构入手,对纤维素水热解机理进行了探索。随着温度的升高,重质油产率在250℃时达到最大,重质油组分变得复杂,焦炭产率逐渐降低。随着停留时间的延长重质油产率呈现先增加后降低的趋势,焦炭产率变化趋势较小,然而通过对焦炭的热重、红外、元素、电子扫描显微镜和X射线光电子能谱仪分析表明停留时间的延长可以提高焦炭的化学官能性,这为生物质水热机理的研究提供了依据。     

厌氧消化残渣与低阶长焰煤共热解特性

为提高厌氧消化废弃物的能源效率和实现低阶煤的清洁高效利用,该文通过采用长焰煤和木质纤维素生物质厌氧消化残渣(沼渣)共热解方法,利用热重分析仪、固定床热解反应器等考察长焰煤和沼渣的共热解特性,深入研究温度对等比例混合的长焰煤和沼渣共热解产物特性的影响。热重结果表明,长焰煤和沼渣实际热重曲线与计算曲线存在差异,二者共热解存在明显协同效应。共热解试验结果表明：随着温度的升高,热解焦油产率呈先增高后降低趋势。当温度从400 ℃增加到500 ℃时,焦油产率从9.23%增加到12.12%;进一步升到温度到700 ℃,焦油产率降低到9.30 %。H2、CO产率随着温度的升高先减少后增加,而CH4产率随着温度先增加后降低,热解气体的热值在600 ℃达到最大值15.33 MJ/m3。GC-MS结果表明,600 ℃时的热解油中单、双环芳烃相对含量高,含氧较少,共热解油中的化合物由于协同效应的存在有明显的提质。厌氧消化残渣与长焰煤的共热解存在协同效应,能够提升焦油产率与芳构化能力,二者共热解产物质量油、气均有显著提升。     

改性生物质炭对棉秆热解挥发分析出特性的影响

生物质焦炭由于其复杂的结构特点和无机矿物质的存在,使得其对快速热解过程中挥发分的析出有着重要的影响。此外生物质本身所含的大量金属盐也促进了焦炭与挥发分的反应。该文通过酸洗和负载Na、K、Mg、Fe金属氯盐等探讨棉杆热解焦炭对生物质热解特性的影响。试验温度为500℃,研究发现棉秆热解炭对酸类、脂类和醛类有明显抑制作用;对酚类、呋喃类以及糖类有促进作用;酸洗以及负载不同金属盐后生物炭的存在使得生物油的产量降低,而气体产率增加;金属离子对酚类富集作用顺序为:KNaFeMg,Fe Cl3的添加有利于氢气的增加,氢气体积分数达12.96%,而KCl和Mg Cl2对CO的生成促进作用明显,产量分别为49.22%和49.38%;金属离子对挥发分裂解影响要强于单纯增加下层催化段焦炭质量。     

无轴螺旋连续热解装置上的生物质热解特性

连续热解是一种高效的生物质能转化技术,无轴螺旋式连续热解装置不仅可减轻送料部件的质量,而且为热解挥发性产物的排出提供了有效空间,是极具发展前景的连续热解装置。为了解无轴螺旋式生物质连续热解特性,该文在无轴螺旋连续热解装置上,开展了以稻壳、花生壳和木薯茎秆为生物质原料的热解试验,分析了3种生物质在不同热解温度下的三态产物分布特性、热解气体组分变化规律及热解炭的组织结构和表面形貌特征。结果表明:炭产率随热解温度升高逐渐下降,气体产率逐渐上升,液体产率先上升再下降,在450℃时达到最大,产物分布特性与其他热解反应器的一致;不同原料炭产率由高到低依次为:稻壳花生壳木薯茎秆,液体产率由高到低依次为:稻壳花生壳木薯茎秆,气体产率与液体产率相反。热解气体组分受温度影响较大,热解温度升高,可燃气体组分含量不断上升,不可燃气体组分含量不断下降,不同原料对气体组分含量影响较小。热解炭的工业分析结果与原料的工业分析结果存在相关性,热解温度升高,热解炭中挥发分含量逐渐下降,固定碳及灰分含量增加,木薯茎秆炭的挥发分含量最高,花生壳炭的固定碳含量最高,稻壳炭的灰分含量最高;低温热解炭的表面官能团较为丰富,随热解温度升高官能团种类逐渐减少;原料自身结构特性对热解炭的表面形貌影响较大,随着热解温度升高,生物质原料的表面结构不断被破坏,热解炭表面出现孔隙结构,花生壳炭与木薯茎秆炭表面孔隙结构比稻壳炭更为发达。     

流化床藻类生物质快速热裂解试验

为实现藻类生物质资源的综合利用,该文选取藻类生物质中的马尾藻进行热重分析,并在自行设计的小型流化床上进行快速热裂解试验,分别研究了马尾藻热解过程及热解产物的产率随温度的变化规律。结果表明,随着温度的升高,热解经历了3个阶段：预热解、快速热解、慢速热解,并且由于多糖、蛋白质等物质热稳定性的不同引起马尾藻在快速热解阶段出现两个失重峰。在快速热裂解试验中,选择450、500、550、600℃ 4个反应温度对马尾藻的热裂解规律进行了研究,主要考察了不同反应温度对热裂解产物收集率的影响。研究发现残炭的产率随着温度的升高而降低,而热解气的产率则随着温度的升高而升高,生物油的产率随温度变化先升高后降低,在550℃左右时产率最高,约为30.5%,这为马尾藻快速热裂解制油的推广与工业利用提供参考。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.