25 years of fission product input to Lakes Superior and Huron

To assess the health significance of fission products in the upper Great Lakes, we have reviewed available data from 1963 to 1980 on ⁹⁰Sr, ¹²⁵Sb, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹⁴⁴Ce concentrations in the water, sediments, and biota of Lakes Superior and Huron. Activities in water and sediment were compared with predictions based on fallout deposition over the past 25 yr. Estimates have also been derived of the removal half-times of the various fission products from lake water. There are indications that ¹³⁷Cs is re-entering water from sediment. The significance of the various pathways of fission products from the upper lakes system to man has been evaluated. The dose commitments from fission product concentrations over the past 25 yr give no basis for health concern. However, a large-scale release from a nuclear facility on the shore of a lake could have a measurable impact for many years to come.     

Quantitative and qualitative characterisation of humic products with spectral parameters

Purpose

The application of different humic products for the treatment of soils and plants has increased in recent years. The characteristics of humic products, such as the content and composition of organic carbon and the maturity, provide valuable information which is essential for an adequate application. Such information is crucial for manufacturers, business consultants and users involved in the production, distribution and implementation of humic products. This article presents the correlation between the quantitative indicators of commercial humic products and their spectral characteristics via measurements in the ultraviolet spectrum at 300 nm, in the visible area at 445 and 665 nm and in the near-infrared spectrum at 850 nm.

Materials and methods

We evaluated humic products (liquid and solid) of different origins. Via wet combustion, the content of total organic carbon in humic products can be determined. The precipitation of humic acids from the starting solution determines the composition of the humic products in terms of humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs). The dissolution of HAs determines their concentration by titration, while the specific extinction can be assessed via spectrophotometry via measuring the absorption of HAs spectra at the following wavelengths: 300, 465, 665 and 850 nm. The degree of aromaticity and condensation of humic products determines the optical density of the HAs via the E₄/E₆ ratio.

Results and discussion

The content of total organic carbon varied widely from 0.55 to 37.5% across all groups. The content of carbon in HAs, as a percentage of the total carbon in fulvic-type humic products, ranged from 1.29 to 16.00%, while in humic-type products, it ranged from 51.43 to 91.92%. The minimum value of the E₄/E₆ ratio was 2.97, while the maximum value was 6.35. We observed a direct relationship between the dominant type of acids in humic products and the E₄/E₆ ratio.

Conclusions

The optical density of HAs indicates their quality characteristics. The presented optical characteristics for humic products show that there is a direct relationship, especially between HAs/FAs and E₄/E₆ ratios. Measurement at 300 nm (E₃₀₀) in the near-ultraviolet area and at 850 nm (E₈₅₀) in the near-infrared area can increase the range of the spectral study.

     

Investigations on the radioactive contamination of crop plants as a result of H-bomb detonation (Part 2) Root and foliage uptake of “Bikini ash”

The Foliar Uptake by Squash Plant

The radioactive ash for experimental use, hereafter referred to as “Bikini ash”, was prepared by igniting the heavily contaminated substances on board No. 5 Fukuryu Maru at about 650°C, followed by sifting through a 100 mesh sieve. On ignition some parts of the fission products, particularly iodine, ruthenium and tellurium would have possibly been lost to the air.     

Bioremediation of the soil contaminated with petroleum oil products using sewage sludge

ABSTRACT

The remediation technologies of soils contaminated with petroleum products are developed in two main directions: the first one encompasses searching for new effective bioagents and the other one explores the ways to activate those microorganisms present in the soil that are capable of degrading oil. The objective of this research was to determine if it is possible to increase the effectiveness of biodegradation of petroleum products by using chemical additives. The soil was supplemented with additives: CuSO4, MnSO4, KMnO4, H2O2, 5% and 10% chemical industry plants sludge, 5% and 10% Stock Company ‘Klaipedos vanduo’ (SC‘KV’) municipal wastewater treatment plants sludge. The data suggest that all the additives statistically significantly stimulated the degradation of diesel fuel (F = 12.01; p = .001) and black oil (F = 9.93; p = .001) compared with the control. It was determined that diesel fuel was degraded the fastest in samples with KMnO4, where efficiency of degradation was 90%, and 88% efficency in samples with 10% chemical industry plants sludge. Black oil was degraded the best in samples, where KMnO4 was added: efficiency of degradation was up to 63%. In the samples with 10% of sewage sludge from chemical industry plant degradation efficiency was 62%.     

Trace metals in two garden products derived from sewage sludge

Abstract

Yields were decreased in soybean (Glycine max L. C.V. Hawkeye), mint (Mentha viridis L. ), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. C.V. Atlas 57) when grown in 50% Yolo loam soil and 50% of either of two commercial garden sewage sludge products. The trace elements Zn, Cu, Mn, and B were elevated in plants grown with the high‐level amendments. No Cd and little Ni were detected in shoots.     

Investigation on the contamination of field crops by artificial radioactivities as a result of the H-bomb tests at Bikini Atoll

Introduction

As a result of the H-bomb explosion tests of the U.S.A. in the Southern Pacific Ocean, rain-out in Japan is contaminated considerably by fission products, and field crops also show apparently artificial radioactivities. Many workers are now investigating to clarify degree and regional extent of contamination or sorts of radioactive elements.     

The nature of humic acid‐apatite interaction products and their availability to plant growth

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to determine the nature of decomposition products resulting from the interaction between humic acid and apatite and assess their availability to plant growth. Interaction analyses were performed by shaking 200 mg apatite with 0 to 800 mg/L HA or FA solutions at pH 5 or 7 for 0 to 12 hr. Phosphorus concentrations were determined in the supernatants by spectrophotometry. The nature of P‐humic acid complexes was determined by ³¹P NMR analysis. Availability of these dissolution products was studied by growing corn plants in aerated hydroponics to which 200 mg apatite and 0 to 800 mg/L HA were added at pH 5 or 7. The results indicated that the rate of dissolution of apatite was parabolic in regression with time, and increased by increasing the amounts of HA or FA applied from 100 to 800 mg/L The dissolution reaction was influenced by pH, because larger amounts of PO₄ ³‐ions were detected at pH 5 than at pH 7. ³¹P NMR spectroscopy indicated the presence of P‐humic acid complexes, previously believed to be humophosphate esters. The PO₄ ^3‐ ion was complexed by HA at pH 7 or above, but PO₄ ^3‐ appeared to be released again as adsorbed and free ions at pH <5.0. Plant performance corresponded with increased PO₄ ^3‐concentrations at pH 5.0. No significant improvement over the control was observed in the growth of corn plants by apatite + HA treatments at pH 7. However, plant growth was increased significantly over the control by apatite + HA treatments at pH 5.0. Better growth performance of corn plants were noticed by apatite + HA than by KH₂PO₄ treatments at pH 5.0.     

Mitigation of salt stress on tomato crop by using foliar spraying or fertigation of various products

Abstract

Among major constraints to crop production, salt stress affects the morphological structure and yield in crop plants. Nano-fertilizers, have made their hierarchy to supplement the traditional fertilizers in mitigating the effect of abiotic stress due to their slow release and efficiency. Three products were tested namely lithovit®-standard(LITHO), monopotassium-phosphate(MKP:0-52-34), and aspirin(ASP) on salt-stressed tomato crop. These products were applied through foliar spraying (foliar) or fertigation (ferti) on tomato plants irrigated with 4 saline solutions (4, 6, 8 and 10dS/m). Control plants were subjected to five salinity levels (0, 4, 6, 8 and 10dS/m) without any treatments. Results showed that increasing in salinity levels adversely affected all parameters in the control plants. The ameliorating effect of MKP-ferti was prominent in plant height, stem diameter, number of fruits, fruit weight and yield/plant at 4 and 6S/m. Whereas, the effect of salinity was mitigated by LITHO-foliar regarding flowers number and total chlorophyll content at all salinity level. Leaf N, P and K contents were accumulated higher when MKP-ferti was used whereas, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ contents were accumulated higher in the plants treated with LITHO-foliar. The cellular leakage of electrolyte was reduced at 4, 6 and 10dS/m with MKP-ferti and at 8dS/m with LITHO-foliar application. Among the two methods of application, foliar spraying of LITHO and ASP, and fertigation of MKP improved plant performance more than their complementary methods of application. The better performance of MKP necessitates the use of phosphorous and potassium-based nano-fertilizers. It can reduce the production cost of vegetables using conventional fertilizers.     

Effects of potassium nutrition on the absorption of sodium,calcium, and magnesium by intact tomato plants

Abstract

Tomato plants (cv. VF145 B 7879) were grown in a greenhouse by the water culture technique with six levels of K nutrition. The absorptions of Na, Ca, and Mg were not affected greatly by the K nutritional status of the intact tomato plants, except when the plants were extremely K deficient. The rates of absorption by the intact plants were slow initially when the plants were small, and then increased rapidly as the growth rates increased.

At the onset of K deficiency, the rate of growth and water use by the tomato plant decreased. A linear function of water use and plant size was obtained, indicating that water use was a function of plant size and hence a function of the plant's nutritional status.

Waterlogging, simulated by aeration cut‐off of the culture solution for two days, had only a small effect on water use, but concurrently interrupted the absorption of K, Ca, and Mg.     

Effect of supplied phytosiderophore on 59Fe absorption and translocation in Fe-deficient barley grown hydroponically in low phosphorus media

Abstract

Hydroponically grown barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi) under iron-deficient (–Fe) and high phosphorus (P) conditions (500 µmol L^?1) showed Fe chlorosis and lower growth compared with plants grown in –Fe and low P conditions (50, 5 and 0.5 µmol L^?1). To understand the physiological role of P in regulating the growth of plants in –Fe medium, we carried out an Fe feeding experiment using four P levels (500, 50, 5 and 0.5 µmol L^?1) and phytosiderophores (PS), mugineic acid. Our results suggest that plants grown in a high P medium had higher absorption activity of ⁵⁹Fe compared with plants grown in low P media, irrespective of the presence or absence of added PS. Translocation of ⁵⁹Fe from roots to shoots was not affected by the P level. The relative translocation rate of ⁵⁹Fe increased with decreasing levels of P in the medium. In general, the addition of PS enhanced the absorption of ⁵⁹Fe and its translocation. Taken together these results suggest that the lower relative translocation rate of Fe in high P plants may be induced by the physiological inactivation of Fe in the roots, and the higher absorption activity of Fe in high P conditions possibly results from the response of barley plants to Fe deficiency.     

Monitoring of Aerosol and Fallout Radioactivity in Belgrade After the Fukushima Reactors Accident

After the accident in Fukushima reactors, a daily monitoring programme was initiated in two laboratories in Belgrade, one at the Vin??? Institute for Nuclear Sciences and the other at Institute for Occupational Health Karajovic. Samples of aerosol and fallout, as well as the random samples of food and water, were collected and analysed, using gross alpha/beta and gamma spectrometry, in order to establish the presence of traces of isotopes indicating Fukushima fallout. Gamma spectrometry measurement of these samples showed clear evidence of fission products ¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs wtihin 2?weeks after the accident. The activity diminished with time due to dispersion in air and, in case of ¹³¹I, short half-life.     

Rubidium ‐ availability and plant uptake in natural soils

Abstract

High soil acidity (low metal ion saturation) favours the absorption of Rb from natural soils by vascular plants and fungi, whereas the absorption of K is little or not influenced. The difference in Rb uptake may be as great as one order of magnitude between soils of high and low acidity. Results of several studies are presented and discussed.     

Seasonal changes of photosynthetic bacteria and their products

In our preceding papers the distribution (1, 2), ecological problems (3,4), and the products of photosynthetic bacteria (5–8) have been studied. It was also reported that the growth and nitrogen fixation of photosynthetic bacteria were accelerated remarkably in the system of symbiosis with other heterotrophic microorganisms like Azotobacter (9) and Bacillus megaterium (10) ; moreover the products generated by photosynthetic bacteria were used by plants (11) and animals in water (2, 4), directly or indirectly. It is noteworthy that in paddy soil, this bacterial cells have a beneficial effect on the development of grains (11).     

The absorption and distribution of SR-85 by field grown Glycine max

Introduction

Contamination of crops and cropland by fission products as a result of fallout from nuclear explosions and waste from nuclear reactors is a matter of concern. It has been shown (4, 5) that the fission elements yttrium, cerium, zirconium, columbium, tellurium and strontium are absorbed from the soil and translocated in plants only to a limited extent. Of these elements, strontium is absorbed and translocated to the greatest extent. The other elements are apparently more strongly bound to the soil colloid.     

Release of phosphate from calcium phosphates by rhizosphere products

Wheat plants were shown to be more efficient than maize or pea in phosphate uptake from [³²P]-labelled synthetic hydroxyapatite over a 24 h period. Each wheat plant produced on average 0.58 mg of water-soluble rhizoshpere products (a combination of root exudates and microbial products in the rhizosphere) during 12 days growth in sand. The rhizosphere products released phosphate from calcium phosphates.The dissolution of phosphate was associated with a negatively-charged fraction (obtained by ion-exchange chromatography) and with a u.v.-absorbing fraction (obtained by gel-filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-10) of the rhizosphere products. The release of phosphate from calcium phosphates by these active fractions or the crude rhizosphere products was associated with a drop in pH of the mineral suspensions compared with controls.     

复垦基质重金属污染的植物修复试验研究

该文研究了粉煤灰加酒糟和粉煤灰加污泥两种基质对甘蓝、小白菜和油菜生长的影响,并通过计算吸收系数、转运系数和吸收模量讨论了甘蓝、小白菜和油菜对基质中重金属Cd、Cu、Zn的修复情况.结果表明:甘蓝、小白菜和油菜3种作物的吸收系数、转运系数和吸收量系数均随着时间的延长而增大,说明作物生长后期对重金属Cd、Cu、Zn的修复要好于前期;从不同作物对重金属Cd、Cu、Zn的修复情况看,甘蓝、小白菜和油菜对Cd具有良好的修复效果,其中小白菜对Cd的修复能力强于甘蓝和油菜,油菜对基质中重金属Cu具有一定的修复潜力,而甘蓝对Zn的吸收要好于小白菜和油菜;由于吸收模量考虑了作物地上部的生物积累量,也考虑了根层中重金属的总量,从而能从对重金属的实际修复效果方面更好地评价植株的吸收能力,是衡量植物修复重金属能力的一个理想指标.     

The effect of phosphate deficiency on the kinetics of phosphate absorption by sterile excised barley roots,and some factors affecting the ion uptake efficiency of roots

Abstract

The influence of phosphate nutrition on the kinetics of phosphate absorption by sterile excised barley roots was examined. The roots of seedlings grown in dilute CaSO₄ showed uptake kinetics similar to roots grown in phosphate deficient nutrient culture. The absence of microorganisms did not abolish the dual form of the absorption isotherm at pH 4.0

The most important effect of phosphate deficiency for uptake at low phosphate concentration was a marked decrease in the apparent dissociation constant of the ion‐carrier complex postulated to be involved in the uptake process. The results are discussed in relation to kinetic factors which may influence the efficiency of ion uptake by roots of different species of plants, including the apparent dissociation constant, the rate constant for uptake and the concentration of the ion‐carrier system.     

Review of beneficial uses of calcium and ammonium salts for stimulating plant growth and metabolite translocation

Abstract

Numerous investigations have been conducted to quantify Ca‐stimulated ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) absorption by plants [this technology is covered under U.S. patent 4,500,335, patent licensee is Tetra Technologies, 250251–45 North, The Woodlands, TX 77380]. Greenhouse and field studies on vegetable crops, field crops and ornamental foliage crops show significant growth increases from increasing Ca⁺⁺:NH₄ ⁺ ratios in the growth media. Increased root growth was normally the first plant response, with especially large root and bulb responses observed in onion (Allium cepa L.), beets (Beta vulgaris.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Direct measurements of Ca‐stimulated NH₄ ⁺ absorption were obtained with isotopic nitrogen (¹⁵N) in greenhouse trials. As Ca⁺⁺ concentrations were increased an increase in ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ absorption was obtained in all plant species tested. The Ca⁺⁺ stimulated NH₄ ⁺ absorption phenomenon in plants is best explained by the “Viets Effect”;, which describes the use of Ca⁺⁺ or magnesium (Mg⁺⁺) to increase plant absorption of potassium (K⁺). Although, increased NH₄ absorption effectively increases plant growth, increasing K⁺ absorption does not. Increased NH₄ ⁺ absorption has been associated with enhanced photosynthetic rates as well as increased proportions of new metabolites (compounds initially produced from newly captured carbon dioxide) translocated to the nutrient sinks (seeds, bulbs, roots, etc.). The integrity of the plasmalemma is maintained by the presence of extra Ca⁺⁺, leading to greater turgor pressure (higher water content) and nutrient retention in cells which produce greater growth potential in plants.     

Transport patterns of foliar and root absorbed copper in bean seedlings

Abstract

Copper absorption by roots or leaf and transport to other parts were followed in 9‐days old bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Vaghya) seedlings. Translocation was also measured in 4 cm segments of the stem. It was found that larger amount of Cu was retained in the roots and Cu was more mobile through phloem than through xylem, as indicated by the data on translocation from root and leaf. Bean plants were found to translocate more Cu to the stem than to other parts. Kinetic analysis of absorption by excised roots and stem segments revealed that the roots have a maximum uptake capacity and high affinity for Cu.     

Properties of coir dust,and its use in the formulation of soilless potting media

Abstract

Data from two experiments have shown that for adequate growth of Petunia ’Celebrity Salmon’ in soilless potting media based on or containing coir dust it was necessary to amend the media with Ca, S, Cu and Fe. When coir dust is used as a direct replacement for natural peat, about 10 mg/L medium extra N per week must be provided. The high K content of coir dust means that fertilizers need not contain as much K as is normally used for plants in media based on other products. The high Cl content of some coir products requires that they be leached if they are to make up a high proportion of a medium.

The low CEC of the coir products (21–30 m.m (+)/L, compared with 78 m.m (+)/L for a peat), indicates a low ability to retain cations and to buffer against pH change. Two coir products had lower air‐filled porosities than did the peat tested and they retained more water at 10 kPa suction.