Thermal treatment of sawdust and coal-tar pitch mixture to produce porous carbon materials by chemical activation

In this work, different activated carbons were prepared from composites based on birch sawdust and coal-tar pitch by chemical activation with zinc chloride, phosphoric acid, and potassium hydroxide followed by carbonization. The influence of different chemical agents (ZnCl₂, KOH, and H₃PO₄), final temperature of carbonization and media on yield and structural properties of the carbonic product was studied. It was shown that chemical agents allow increasing yield of carbonic residue. Composite modification by H₃PO₄ or ZnCl₂ facilitates the formation of molded porous carbonic residue during the carbonization process. However, addition of KOH to the composite leads to formation of powder-like carbonic residue having a specific surface area of 1,600 m² g^?1 at 800 °C. It was established that all samples aged in air medium at 800 °C have higher values of specific surface area in comparison with the same samples aged in argon medium at similar conditions.     

Testing two Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains for their suitability as a lipoid probiotic

Two strains of lactobacilli (Lactobacillus acidophilus T-135 and Lactobacillus plantarum 4/97) were selected in order to study their inhibitory properties against frequent udder pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus pumilus), their production of organic acids as well as their ability to survive on the teat skin, the teat duct mucosa and in a lipoid emulsion. Both strains inhibited the tested pathogenic microbes and survived on the investigated surfaces and in an emulsion for more than 6 hours and 11 days, respectively.     

Modulation of ruminal and intestinal fermentation by medicinal plants and zinc from different sources

Two experiments were conducted on sheep to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with zinc and a medicinal plant mixture on haematological parameters and microbial activity in the rumen and large intestine. In Experiment 1, 24 male lambs were randomly divided into four groups: One group was fed an unsupplemented basal diet (control), and three groups were fed a diet supplemented with 70 mg Zn/kg diet in the form of Zn sulphate (ZnSO₄), a Zn‐chelate of glycine hydrate (Zn‐Gly) or a Zn‐proteinate (Zn‐Pro), for five months. The ruminal content was collected separately from each lamb, and batch cultures of ruminal fluid were incubated in vitro with mixture of medicinal plants (Mix) with different roughage:concentrate ratios (800:200 and 400:600, w/w). Bioactive compounds in Mix were quantified by UPLC/MS/MS. In Experiment 2, four sheep were fed a diet consisting of meadow hay and barley grain (400:600, w/w), with Zn‐Gly (70 mg Zn/kg diet), Mix (10% replacement of meadow hay) or Zn‐Gly and Mix (Zn‐Gly‐Mix) as supplements in a Latin square design. Mix decreased total gas (p < 0.001) and methane (p < 0.01) production in vitro. In Experiment 1, caecal isobutyrate and isovalerate concentrations varied among the dietary treatments (p < 0.01). The isovalerate concentration of the zinc‐supplemented groups in the distal colon was higher (p < 0.001) compared with the control. In Experiment 2, the molar proportion of isobutyrate was the highest in the faeces of the sheep fed the diet with Zn‐Gly‐Mix (p < 0.01). The plasma zinc concentration was higher in the groups fed a diet supplemented with zinc (p < 0.001). The haematological profile and antioxidant status did not differ between the dietary groups (p > 0.05). The diets containing medicinal plants and organic zinc thus helped to modulate the characteristics of fermentation in ruminants.     

Protective mechanism of the soil–plant system with respect to heavy metals

Purpose

The aim of this work was to select and assess the efficiency of different amendments applied to ordinary chernozems artificially contaminated with heavy metals (Zn and Pb).

Materials and methods

The effect of different amendments on ordinary chernozem contaminated with Zn and Pb acetate salts was studied in a long-term 3-year field experiment. Glauconite, chalk, manure, and their combinations were chosen as ameliorating agents. Spring barley (Hordeum sativum) was used as test culture for three successive years. The heavy metal concentration in all the soil samples decomposed by HF?+?HClO₄ was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). One normal concentration of CH₃COONH₄ at pH 4.8 was used to estimate the actual mobility of metals. The compounds of heavy metals extracted by 1 N HCl are regarded as mobile compounds. The concentration of metals in the plants was determined using the dry combustion in a mixture of HNO₃ and HCl at 450 °C. The content of heavy metals in extracts from soil and plant samples was determined by AAS.

Results and discussion

The content of weakly bound metal compounds increased upon the contamination of the soil with Pb and Zn salts, which led to a low quality of barley grown in these soils. Metal concentrations in the barley grain exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs). The content of Zn and Pb in grains was higher than the MPC for at least 3 years after the soil pollution. The application of amendments significantly decreased the mobility of metals, and the simultaneous application of chalk and manure was most significant. The share of weakly bound metal compounds in the contaminated soils decreased to the level typical for the clean soils or even below.

Conclusions

The combined application of chalk and manure to Zn- and Pb-contaminated ordinary chernozems decreased the content of weakly bound metal compounds in the soil and lowered their concentrations in barley plants. The polyfunctional properties of the soil components with respect to their capacity for metal fixation were established. The decrease in the intensity of Zn accumulation in grains of barley shows the presence of a barrier at the root–stalk and stalk–grain interfaces.

     

Analysis of oil composition in cultivars and wild species of oat (Avena sp.)

Oil quality and content were analyzed in 33 accessions from 13 wild species and 10 accessions of cultivated oat. Wild oat species tended to have higher oil and 18:1 fatty acid (FA) contents and lower amounts of 18:2 and 18:3 FAs as compared to cultivated oats. In addition to common FAs, minor amounts of several hydroxy and epoxy FAs were also present in the oat oil and mainly confined to specific lipid classes. These unusual FAs included the previously reported 15-hydroxy 18:2 (Delta9,12) (avenoleic acid) mostly found among polar lipids and a novel 7-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid located to 1,2-diacylglycerol. The present study highlights the potential of making use of the existing germplasm, consisting of wild oat species, in breeding programs for achieving new oat varieties that produce a range of oils with different FA compositions as well as having high oil contents. However, in one matter, oats apparently lack genetic diversity and that is for oil qualities that are highly enriched in the omega 3 (omega-3) FA 18:3. Consequently, developing oat cultivars with highly unsaturated oils will need involvement of other techniques such as biotechnology.     

Specificity of soil functioning and formation on gas-bearing areas

Background, aim, and scope  Exploited gas fields and underground gasholders are specific sources of increasing methane concentration. Methane migrates into the soils by diffusion and convection through natural and technogenic cracks in geological structures and influences the function of the soils. Soil cover of gas-bearing area functions as a specific, bilateral, periodically penetrating, geomembrane. Soils shield, transform, and differentiate migrating fluxes of technogenic-allochthonous methane, preventing its emission to the atmosphere. Problems of methane’s emission are rather current at the present, as methane is the second in importance after CO₂ greenhouse gas, since its concentration in the atmosphere annually grows by approximately 1%. By global estimations, methane emissions in the gas industry make about 8% of annual receipt to the atmosphere, equal on the average to 500 Тg per a year (Cicerone and Oremland, Global Biogeochem Cy 2:299–327, 1988). But these calculations are based on the account of the technological losses making 3–12% from the mining of natural gas. The contribution of migratory methane fluxes to the atmosphere, as a rule, is not considered. The need for research of soil cover functioning on gas-bearing areas is explained by the fact that processes of methane oxidation, its transformation in soils, and emission to the atmosphere at these objects are now practically not being studied. The aim of our study was to reveal specific processes of soil function and formation on gas-bearing areas by an example of underground gasholder. Materials and methods  The material was sampled in 1998–2003 at the territory of underground gasholder located in Albeluvisol’s zone in Russia. According to the comparative-geographical method, 51 soil profiles have been studied in similar litologically geomorphological conditions in various geochemical zones: in the industrial zone, in the zone of gas dissipation, and at the regional background. The total square of investigated territory is about 60 km². Six soil profiles were investigated in seasonal dynamics. Samples of soils for physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses were taken from each horizon of soil profiles (202 samples). Samples of soil air for a definition of methane concentration were taken from depths of 20, 40, and 60 cm. Methane emission to the atmosphere was measured near soil’s cuts and, in addition, on all area of the investigated territory at knots of squares network through 700–1,000 m, in total at 32–42 points in May, July, and November. Years of investigation have been split by technological and hydrothermal conditions. The periods with the normal and lowered compression of gas in gasholder, dry and warm, and damp and cool years have been allocated. It has influenced the soil function processes and considered an interpretation of the data received. Results  The changes of functional parameters of soils at a gas-bearing area influenced by methane fluxes migrating from gas deposits, in comparison with background soils, are revealed. Such functional parameters are methane concentration in the soils, activity of its bacterial oxidation, methane emission to the atmosphere, and oxidation–reduction potential. Spatial and temporary dynamics of these parameters at gas-bearing and background territory are investigated. Discussion  Methane interaction with soil’s air is in its ascending (descending) and lateral diffusion and convection in soils. Methane fluxes dissipate in porous space of soils forming gas anomalies. The technogenic-allochthonous methane concentration strongly varies in soil’s air on gas-bearing area (1–10,500 ppm) and, on average, exceeds the autochthonous, microbiologically produced methane at background territories. Migratory methane is deposited on diffusion and sorption barriers. The capacity of diffusion barrier depends on effective coefficient of diffusion, the attitude of air and general porosity, and granulometric composition and sharply differs in auto-, semi-hydro-, and hydromorphic soils reaching maximum in hydromorphicity and among the soils with identical water content—in heavy soils. The capacity of the sorption barrier is defined by abiotic methane absorption and a specific surface of soils and grows with their increasing intensity in soils to a heavier granulometric composition or into soils with peat and gleyic horizons. The low sorption capacity leads to an increase of methane concentration in the soil’s air and decreases its utilization by microorganisms, in which its quantity depends on sorption properties. The central component of functioning that promotes a number of essential transformations in soils on gas-bearing areas is methane interaction with the biotic phase. The periods of methane deposition by diffusion and sorption barriers are used for biological methane oxidation and formation of biogeochemical barriers in soils. The activity of bacterial methane oxidation is characterized by spatial variability and depends on the entrance of methane, defined by granulometric composition, soil moisture, the attitude of air and general porosity, Eh, organic matter content, and salinization. During interaction between technogenic-allochthonous methane and soil on diffusion, sorption, and biogeochemical barriers, its transformation occurs, accompanied by a strengthening of variability of oxidation–reduction potential and formation of pedogenic, bacteriomorphic, and nanodispersic magnetic oxides of iron. Conclusions and perspectives  Specificity of soil functioning on a gas-bearing area is in interaction of technogenic-allochtonous methane with solid, liquid, gaseous, and living substance of the soil system. Spatial laws of soils functioning on gas-bearing area in the Albeluvisol’s zone are revealed. Distinctions of soil functions depending on litologically geomorphological conditions are shown. The greatest changes of parameters of functioning under the influence of technogenic-allochthonous methane occur in automorphic soils, and it is less in semi-hydromorphic soils. Activity of bacterial methane oxidation in soils, emission, and consumption from the atmosphere and their spatial laws are characterized by the time dynamics depending on hydrothermal and technological conditions of seasons and years. During oxidation in soils of gas-bearing areas, carbon of methane is concentrated on a biogeochemical barrier that is shown in the increase of methylotrophic microorganisms’ biomass and leads to a high variability and decrease of Eh and to the formation of magnetic oxides of iron. Recommendations  Results of research can be used for carrying out ecological monitoring and an estimation of tightness of objects of the gas industry. Activity of bacterial methane oxidation, Eh, and magnetic oxides of iron can be used as diagnostic parameters of soils on gas-bearing areas. This paper has been developed from a presentation at the conference SUITMA-4 (Soils in Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas) Nanjing, China, 2007     

Comparing two methods of sequential fractionation in the study of copper compounds in Haplic chernozem under model experimental conditions

Purpose

It is very important to obtain the information on the soils capacity to immobilize HMs and distribute them among soil components. The aim of this work was to study the fractional composition of Cu compounds in Haplic chernozem under model contamination conditions using different fractionation methods.

Materials and methods

The fractional composition of copper compounds in Haplic Chernozem artificially contaminated with copper acetate has been studied under model experimental conditions. General regularities and differences in the distribution of Cu forms in soils at the use of sequential fractionation by the Miller method modified by Berti and Jacobs (1996) and the Tessier method (Tessier et al. 1979) are revealed.

Results and discussion

The differences are related to the metal affinity for specific carrier phases, as well as to the selectivity and extraction capacity of the reagents used in these methods. A significant increase in the most mobile exchangeable Cu fraction is observed in contaminated soils. Aluminosilicates and soil organic matter make the largest contribution to the adsorption and retention of Cu.

Conclusions

The Tessier method is more suitable for the separation of the total technogenic component from contaminated soils. The Miller method is more informative at the determination of loosely bound HM compounds because of the use of weaker extractants.

     

Influence of PAH contamination on soil ecological status

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the responses of soil biological parameters as indicator of ecological status on PAH-contaminated soil.

Materials and methods

Studies are conducted on the soils and natural grassy vegetation of monitoring plots subjected to Novocherkassk power station (NPS) emissions. Monitoring plots were established at different distances from the NPS (1.0–20.0 km).

Results and discussion

The level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) around NPS is the highest at the monitoring plot located at distance 1.6 km to the northwest through the prevailing wind direction. Gradually, decrease of PAHs was observed while increasing the distance from the NPS through the prevailing wind direction. Calculation of correlations between PAH level and biological activity parameters of soils showed lack of dependence with total and every PAH content in all 12 studied monitoring plots. The most significant correlations were found between PAH content and enzyme activity in the monitoring plots situated through the prevailing wind direction from NPS.

Conclusions

The main pollution source in the studied area is NPS. It was found that contamination of soil by PAHs has a direct dependence on the activity of all biological communities in chernozems, as well as the activities of dehydrogenase and the phytotoxicity of soils. Inverse correlations have been revealed between the PAH contamination and abundance of soil bacteria.