Prognosis of Methane Formation by River Sediments (9 pp)

Background   Under anoxic conditions typically prevailing in disposal sites for dredged sediment, methanogenesis is the terminal step during microbial degradation of sediment organic matter. Sediment gas production may pose several problems to site management and post-closure utilisation. Depending on the magnitude of gas/methane formation and the intended utilisation of the site, countermeasures will have to be effected during and after deposition of the dredged material. For this purpose it may be of interest to pre-estimate the extent of gas formation from simple sediment variables. Therefore, the aim of the investigations presented here was to analyse the interrelations between gas formation and sediment physical, chemical and biological qualities. Methods   Freshly sampled riverbed sediment from nine German federal waterways was analysed for standard solid physical and chemical parameters, pore water composition, cell counts of methanogenic and sulfate-reducing bacteria, and gas formation over a period of 500 days. Particle size and density fractionation were carried out in order to characterise organic matter quality. Correlations between methane formation and sediment chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics were tested using linear and multiple correlation analysis. Results and Discussion   The selected sediments, including two with marine influence, differed strongly regarding texture, chemical parameters, pore water composition, and methanogen cell counts. The course of methane formation was found to follow distinct phases. The commencement of methane formation was preceded by a lag phase of variable duration. The lag phase was followed by a strong increase of the methane formation rate up to a sediment-characteristic maximum of 5–30 nmol CH4 h–1 g dw–1. Eventually, the rate of methane formation decreased and reached a more stable, long-term level. The extent and amplitude of each phase varied strongly between sediments and could be correlated well with only a few standard analytical parameters, despite the strong heterogeneity of sediment with respect to chemical, physical, and biological characteristics. Lag phase duration depended strongly on the content of inorganic electron acceptors and also on the number of methanogens present at the beginning of the experiment. Maximum and steady state methanogenesis were mainly determined by sediment total nitrogen. As analysis of sediment density fractions revealed that total nitrogen reflected the share of readily degradable macroorganic matter. Conclusion and Outlook   The results imply that the observed methane formation is a function of the temporally changing balance of the availability of electron acceptors and H2, and the share of easily degradable organic matter. For fresh riverbed sediments, the latter may be deduced from total nitrogen content. Overall, the results showed that methane formation by freshly dredged material may well be pre-estimated from standard analytical data within the first few years of deposition. However, the differently degradable organic matter pools will change over time with respect to size, chemical nature and association with the sediment mineral phase. It can thus be expected that the correlations found in this study will not be readily transferable to older materials. Further studies on the gas formation and organic matter quality by older sediments, e.g. from older dredged material disposal sites of known age, should be conducted and results should be combined with existing organic matter degradation models in order to improve the prediction of sediment gas formation over time.     

Examination of efficacy of magnesium phosphide (Detiaphos R) against the cigarette beetleLasioderma serricorne (Fabr.) (Col., Anobiidae) at low temperatures

Tobacco was fumigated to control the cigarette beetleLasioderma serricorne (Fabr.) with a fumigant based on magnesium phosphide (Detiaphos R) in hogsheads and cartons at temperatures almost constantly below freezing point and alternatively at temperatures which increased or decreased very slowly in the course of the fumigation. The dosage was 1 g PH₃ per m³ and the fumigation lasted 96 h in all cases. Gas concentration measurements in the tobacco and under sheeting showed that PH₃ developed rapidly in lethal concentrations from magnesium phosphide at low temperatures. Complete mortality of the inserred test insects was registered after the 96 h fumigation period. With magnesium phosphide, a fumigant is available which can be used for fumigating tobacco even at low temperatures.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of RANK, RANKL and OPG in Healthy and Arthritic Canine Elbow Joints

Objective— To determine if the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB–receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand–osteoprotegerin (RANK–RANKL–OPG) system is active in bone remodeling in dogs and, if so, whether differences in expression of these mediators occur in healthy and arthritic joints.
Study Design— Experimental study.
Sample Population— Fragmented processus coronoidei (n=20) were surgically removed from dogs with elbow arthritis and 5 corresponding healthy samples from dogs euthanatized for reasons other than elbow joint disease.
Methods— Bright-field immunohistochemistry and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the distribution of RANK, RANKL, and OPG in healthy and arthritic joints.
Results— All 3 molecules were identified by immunostaining of canine bone tissue. In elbow dysplasia, the number of RANK-positive osteoclasts was increased. In their vicinity, cells expressing RANKL, a mediator of osteoclast activation, were abundant whereas the number of osteoblasts having the potential to limit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption via OPG was few.
Conclusions— The RANK–RANKL–OPG system is active in bone remodeling in dogs. In elbow dysplasia, a surplus of molecules promoting osteoclastogenesis was evident and is indicative of an imbalance between the mediators regulating bone resorption and bone formation. Both OPG and neutralizing antibodies against RANKL have the potential to counterbalance bone resorption.
Clinical Relevance— Therapeutic use of neutralizing antibodies against RANKL to inhibit osteoclast activation warrants further investigation.     

Bioindication and modelling of atmospheric deposition in forests enable exposure and effect monitoring at high spatial density across scales

Key message

Moss surveys provide spatially dense data on environmental concentrations of heavy metals and nitrogen which, together with other biomonitoring and modelling data, can be used for indicating deposition to terrestrial ecosystems and related effects across time and areas of different spatial extension.

Context

For enhancing the spatial resolution of measuring and mapping atmospheric deposition by technical devices and by modelling, moss is used complementarily as bio-monitor.

Aims

This paper investigated whether nitrogen and heavy metal concentrations derived by biomonitoring of atmospheric deposition are statistically meaningful in terms of compliance with minimum sample size across several spatial levels (objective 1), whether this is also true in terms of geostatistical criteria such as spatial auto-correlation and, by this, estimated values for unsampled locations (objective 2) and whether moss indicates atmospheric deposition in a similar way as modelled deposition, tree foliage and natural surface soil at the European and country level, and whether they indicate site-specific variance due to canopy drip (objective 3).

Methods

Data from modelling and biomonitoring atmospheric deposition were statistically analysed by means of minimum sample size calculation, by geostatistics as well as by bivariate correlation analyses and by multivariate correlation analyses using the Classification and Regression Tree approach and the Random Forests method.

Results

It was found that the compliance of measurements with the minimum sample size varies by spatial scale and element measured. For unsampled locations, estimation could be derived. Statistically significant correlations between concentrations of heavy metals and nitrogen in moss and modelled atmospheric deposition, and concentrations in leaves, needles and soil were found. Significant influence of canopy drip on nitrogen concentration in moss was proven.

Conclusion

Moss surveys should complement modelled atmospheric deposition data as well as other biomonitoring approaches and offer a great potential for various terrestrial monitoring programmes dealing with exposure and effects.

     

料槽的调控——时时观察,拍照记录

建议对每栋猪舍经常性拍照记录以便有效地调控料槽设置量,同时确保猪群的大小与其采食空间合适.