腰果酚基乙酸酯增塑剂的合成及其增塑聚氯乙烯性能

为了进一步利用农林剩余物资源替代石化原料,该研究以腰果酚为原料,通过对其酚羟基进行酯化改性,制备腰果酚基乙酸酯(cardanol acetate,CA)增塑剂。采用核磁共振氢谱(1H nuclear magnetic resonance,1H NMR)和核磁共振碳谱(13C nuclear magnetic resonance,13C NMR)对产物的结构进行表征。通过动态力学性能(dynamic thermo mechanical analysis,DMA),拉伸性能测试,热重分析(thermogravimetric analysis,TGA),以及与聚氯乙烯(polyvinyl chloride,PVC)共混样品的傅里叶红外分析(fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,FT-IR)等方法,评价腰果酚基乙酸酯作为辅助增塑剂应用于软质聚氯乙烯的增塑效果,并与商业增塑剂对苯二甲二辛酯(bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate,DOTP)进行对比。研究结果表明,m(DOTP)∶m(CA)=4∶6为较佳配伍比例,共混体系的玻璃化转变温度由41.52℃降低至35.93℃,断裂伸长率由244.75%增加到了302.13%,热稳定性及相容性均得到有效改善,因此腰果酚基乙酸酯可用作聚氯乙烯的优良辅助增塑剂。研究结果为腰果酚在增塑剂领域的应用提供了参考。     

淀粉基聚酯型耐水性木材胶粘剂(英)

从高光效的谷物作物玉米中很容易分离出的淀粉适合作为绿色化学工业的可再牛原料.该文介绍一种聚酯型耐水性无甲醛玉米淀粉基木材胶粘剂制作工艺.该工艺包括了4个步骤:1)玉米淀粉硫酸固相氧化制备氧化淀粉;2)氧化淀粉常压快速液化制备高反应活性淀粉基多元醇;3)高活性淀粉基多元醇与等当鼍多兀酸(酸酐)混合和部分酯化交联;4)经过预酯化的产物用无水乙醇稀释使之成为可喷雾施胶的聚酯型木材胶粘剂.使用该新型木材胶粘剂所制备的杨木胶合板的胶合强度和耐水性能可以达到国标Ⅰ类板的要求.该文报道了硫酸的质量分数、氧化反应温度和时间;液化剂与氧化淀粉质量比、液化反应温度和时间、交联剂的羧基与多元醇羟基的当量比等加工工艺参数以及施胶量、热压温度、压力、热压时间等使用技术参数对用该种聚酯型木材胶粘剂制备的杨木胶合板的胶合强度和耐水性的影响.     

木屑及其水热炭的热解特性和动力学对比

为全面了解木屑及其水热炭的差异,获取更多关于水热炭作为化工燃料的使用特性。该文使用热重分析仪和傅里叶红外光谱仪对比研究了木屑及其水热炭在热解过程(10℃/min升温速率)中的失重特性及其官能团变化,分析了升温速率(10、20、30℃/min)对2种样品热解失重过程的影响,采用DAEM(分布活化能模型)计算了2种样品不同转化率下的活化能。结果表明:1)在200℃反应6 h得到的木屑水热炭,化学结构与木屑相似。2)在热解过程(10℃/min升温速率)中,木屑与水热炭最大失重速率分别为0.817%/℃和1.224%/℃,温度为353.57℃和363.42℃;不同终温下半焦红外光谱分析发现,水热炭更易解聚,其碳化速度更快。3)对比3种不同升温速率下2种样品的失重曲线可知,水热处理没有影响热滞后现象,样品焦炭生成量与升温速率无关,焦炭生成量平均值水热炭大于木屑。4)DAEM模型适用于2种样品热解反应活化能的求解,木屑及其水热炭活化能分别为99.33~252.72 k J/mol和63.77~211.68 k J/mol,当转化率在0.30到0.80范围时,木屑的活化能高于水热炭。研究结果为木屑水热炭热化学转化制备焦炭提供理论依据。     

固体碱催化棉籽油制备生物柴油

为研究采用固体碱催化剂催化制备生物柴油的相关技术,以棉籽油为对象,选用Na3PO4/MgO负载型固体碱为催化剂,以棉籽油的生物柴油转换率为指标,通过单因素和正交试验,分析催化剂的最佳制备工艺,并对催化剂进行X射线衍射、扫描电镜和热重表征分析。在此基础上对该催化剂催化棉籽油制备生物柴油的工艺进行探讨。研究结果表明,催化剂的最佳制备工艺为：Na3PO4负载量32%,焙烧温度600℃,焙烧时间3 h,共混温度70℃;使用优选的催化剂制备生物柴油的工艺条件为：反应时间2.5 h,反应温度70℃,醇油摩尔比15∶1,催化剂用量5%;催化剂的活性与Na3PO4晶相有关。     

小型非道路柴油机排气管内颗粒的粒径分布与氧化特性

为了深入了解柴油机颗粒在排气管内的变化过程,分析柴油机颗粒粒径分布和氧化特性的变化趋势,采用废气排放颗粒物粒径谱仪(engine exhaust particle Sizer,EEPS),测量了柴油机沿排气气流运动方向,不同位置的颗粒粒径,研究了不同位置颗粒粒径的分布规律;应用热重/差热同步分析仪,分析了沿排气气流方向不同位置颗粒的表观活化能、着火温度、燃尽特性指数等特征参数的变化规律。结果表明:沿柴油机排气气流方向,核态颗粒数量减小,聚集态颗粒数量增加;聚集态颗粒的粒径增大。热重试验结果表明:沿柴油机排气气流方向,在SOF挥发阶段和soot氧化过程中,颗粒失质量速率增加,失质量峰值对应温度降低;颗粒中H2O质量由1.3%增加到2.46%,SOF质量由38.21%增加到42.05%,soot质量由57.84%减少到52.24%,灰分质量由3.01%增加到3.25%;颗粒的指前因子由7.93×1012减小到4.67×1012,反应活化能由157.3降低到127.9,着火温度由546℃降低到501℃,降低了约8.2%,燃烧特性指数由8.16×10-9增加到1.62×10-8,燃尽特性指数上升了14.5%。该研究是对颗粒衍化机理的完善,可为颗粒捕集器的优化设计提供参考。     

魔芋粉-壳聚糖-聚乙烯醇共混胶黏剂的流变模型

为了拓宽魔芋粉的应用领域,开发环境友好型木材胶黏剂,并更准确地把握该胶在胶合板生产中的工艺参数,该文在前期葡甘聚糖-壳聚糖-聚乙烯醇共混胶黏剂的胶合机理、微观结构表征和流变特性的研究基础上,通过TA流变仪的扫描测试进一步研究了该共混胶黏剂的流变模型。首先对胶黏剂分别进行动态温度扫描和等温时间扫描曲线分析,接着进行稳态和动态流变曲线分析建立了复数黏度与剪切黏度的对应关系,然后根据Dual-Arrhenius方程建立了复合胶黏剂的化学流变模型,最后对胶黏剂的黏度和工艺条件进行了预测。结果表明:通过动态温度扫描曲线分析,温度较低时,复数黏度缓慢下降;从玻璃化温度到凝胶化温度,复数黏度迅速下降;从凝胶化温度到160℃左右,复数黏度出现平台区;160℃以上复数黏度急剧增大;通过等温时间扫描曲线分析得到随着温度的升高,反应速率加快,温度越高固化增黏时间越短;通过对比稳态和动态流变曲线,验证了Cox-Merz定律对于该胶的有效性;100~160℃时胶黏剂体系的相对黏度特性符合Dual-Arrhenius黏度方程;该模型与测试结果吻合性较好,利用该模型可以预测胶合板热压工艺所需要的工艺参数,并能动态模拟整个热压工艺过程中的黏度变化;综合得出在160℃附近黏度急剧上升,黏度随时间延长增加,理想的加压时机是温度升至130℃后保温15~20 min。该研究成果为胶黏剂固化工艺条件的确定提供了理论依据。     

适宜共混速度改善低密度聚乙烯/竹粉复合材料力学与流变性能

该文主要研究共混速度对(low density polyethylene,LDPE)/竹粉木塑复合材料、流变性能和吸水率的影响。采用熔融共混方法制备LDPE/竹粉复合材料,通过旋转流变仪、扫描电镜(scanning electron microscope,SEM)和材料试验机等详细研究了共混速度(40,75和100 r/min)对LDPE/竹粉复合材料的复合材料动态力学性能、形态、吸水率和力学性能的影响。在LDPE/竹粉复合材料,LDPE、增容剂马来酸酐接枝聚乙烯(maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene,MAPE)和竹粉的质量比控制在65∶5∶30。共混温度和时间分别设定为170℃和10 min。结果表明,添加竹粉可有效增强LDPE的力学性能。LDPE/竹粉复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度随着共混速度的增加而呈现下降趋势,但是与纯LDPE相比,LDPE/竹粉复合材料(40 r/min)的拉伸强度和弯曲强度分别增加了28%和115%;弯曲模量从48.45 MPa降低到40.75 MPa。与LDPE相比,LDPE/竹粉复合材料(40 r/min)的弯曲模量最高增加了238%;缺口冲击强度则从12.8 k J/m2提高到18.27 k J/m2,但仍低于纯LDPE。在相同频率下(1.0 Hz),随着共混速度的增加,LDPE/竹粉复合材料的储能模量和复数黏度也逐渐下降,加工性能得到了改善;同时复合材料的吸水率也从0.89%(40 r/min)下降至0.59%(100 r/min)。SEM结果表明,竹粉能均匀分布在LDPE中,提高共混速度使得竹粉表面被大量树脂覆盖,改善了界面性能,使得材料断裂面产生大量的塑性形变,提高了材料韧性和冲击强度。试验结果证实共混速度为100 r/min时,LDPE/竹粉复合材料具有较好的冲击强度和较低的吸水率,这为木塑复合材料力学性能和吸水率的改善提供有意借鉴。     

玉米秸秆液化制备生物高聚物材料的研究(英)

该研究旨在探讨低温生物质液化技术及液化产物应用的可能性。以玉米秸秆为原料在酸性、常压条件下快速液化成多羟基化合物，再以多羟基化合物为原料合成一系列的聚合材料。采用不同的有机溶剂，在稀硫酸的催化作用下，对不同的温度下生物质的液化效果进行研究。同时探讨了液化有机溶剂同生物质物料的混合比率对液化过程的影响。试验表明，碳酸乙烯酯比乙烯醇具有较高的液化率。优化试验结果表明，在较佳的液化效果下， 有机溶剂同玉米秆的混合比率为3∶1，反应温度160℃，稀硫酸浓度3%，反应时间2.5 h。液化产物经稀释、调节pH值、过滤、臭氧氧化一系列过程的处理后得到具有高活性多羟基聚合物。阐述了以多羟基聚合物制备各种生物聚合物材料如聚酯薄膜、聚胺酯泡沫和颗粒板的方法。聚酯薄膜是多羟基化合物上的羟基和多元酸上的羧基通过酯化反应形成的；聚胺酯泡沫通过多羟基化合物上的羟基和二异氰酸酯反应形成。研究表明以多羟基化合物和多元酸（酐）形成的聚酯型胶粘剂适合于制造颗粒板。     

魔芋葡甘聚糖凝胶珠硫酸酯化修饰工艺优化研究

采用二次回归旋转正交组合实验设计方法,探讨了魔芋葡甘聚糖凝胶珠的硫酸酯化修饰的最优化工艺条件。结果表明：各因子对硫酸基含量影响由大到小依次为温度、氯磺酸用量和时间,且温度和氯磺酸用量两因子间相互作用极显著。回归方程达到极显著水平,无失拟因素存在。通过预测与验证得到硫酸酯化最优化工艺条件为：10 g魔芋葡甘聚糖凝胶珠,氯磺酸用量为5.27 mL,反应温度为39.4℃,反应时间为3.88 h,在此条件下产物硫酸基含量质量分数为（24.40±1.28）%。     

柴油机燃烧甲醇/生物柴油尾气颗粒物热解特性分析

采集了甲醇/生物柴油(5%、10%、15%)混合燃料在柴油机燃烧的尾气颗粒。采用热重分析仪和切线法、Flynn-Wall-Ozawa(FWO)热解动力学方法,研究颗粒挥发及氧化规律,分析了颗粒热解特征温度和活化能。结果表明:随着甲醇掺混量的增加,颗粒中H_2O的质量分数由2.6%增加到3.5%,可溶有机物(soluble organic fraction,SOF)质量分数由26.1%增加到32.5%,SOF的质量变化速率增大,对应的峰值温度后移;在O_2氛围中,SOF挥发阶段与在N2氛围中的表现基本一致,但质量变化速率明显增大;碳烟(soot)质量减小,由70.3%减少到63.8%,soot质量变化率峰值增大;SOF析出温度变化较小,soot起始燃烧温度明显降低,由488℃降低到458℃,SOF起始燃烧温度与燃尽温度均有所降低,颗粒的热解总反应时间缩短;颗粒的热解反应活化能由140.3 k J/mol降低117.3 k J/mol,颗粒的热解性能增强,颗粒更易被氧化。研究结果可为甲醇/生物柴油燃烧颗粒的处理及柴油机颗粒捕集器(diesel particulate filter,DPF)再生提供依据。     

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,     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.