A Modeling System for Monitoring Water Quality in Lagoons

Regular monitoring of key water quality parameters is important for assessing the hydrological status of a lagoon and its management activities. In this study, a new cost-effective technique based on the geo-ecological information-modeling system (GIMS) is implemented employing the combined use of simulation experiments and in-field observations to investigate the problem of optimizing water quality monitoring of a lagoon. The GIMS is accompanied by 39 elements selected in 8 management systems and 31 functional elements, which are described in detail. It is shown that the combined use of model and field observations allows reliable recording of lagoon water quality and optimization of the monitoring regime. Finally, simulation experiments are presented, demonstrating the fidelity of the proposed modeling system to optimize water quality control through regular in-field measurements and simulations.     

Influence of highly unsaturated fatty acids in live food on larviculture of mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador 1949)

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels in rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia on the survival, development and metamorphosis of mud crab Scylla paramamosain larvae. Five different lipid emulsions, varying in the level of total n‐3 and n‐6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), DHA, EPA and ARA were used to manipulate the fatty acid profile of the live food. Fatty acid profiles of the live food and crab larvae at zoea one, three and five stages were analysed to study the HUFA uptake by the larvae. The fatty acid content of the live food affected the fatty acid profiles of the crab larvae. In both experiments, the survival rate in the zoeal stages was not statistically different among treatments. However, larval development rate and metamorphosis success were affected by the dietary treatments. In this respect, the DHA/EPA ratio in the live food seems to be a key factor. Enrichment emulsions with a very high (50%) total HUFA content but a low DHA/EPA ratio (0.6), or zero total HUFA content caused developmental retardation and/or metamorphosis failure. An emulsion with a moderate total HUFA (30%) and a high DHA/EPA ratio (4) was the best in terms of larval development during the zoeal stages and resulted in improved metamorphosis. Dietary ARA seemed to improve first metamorphosis, but its exact role needs further clarification. For the larval rearing of S. paramamosain, an enrichment medium containing about 30% total n‐3 HUFA with a minimum DHA/EPA ratio of 1 is recommended. Further investigation is needed on the total HUFA and optimum DHA/EPA ratio requirements for each crab larval stage.     

Potent Cytotoxic Peptides from the Australian Marine Sponge Pipestela candelabra

Two consecutive prefractionated fractions of the Australian marine sponge extract, Pipestela candelabra, were identified to be selectively active on the human prostate cancer cells (PC3) compared to the human neonatal foreskin fibroblast non-cancer cells (NFF). Twelve secondary metabolites were isolated in which four compounds are new small peptides. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic and chemical analysis. These compounds inhibited selectively the growth of prostate cancer cells with IC₅₀ values in the picomolar to sub-micromolar range. Structure-activity relationship of these compounds is discussed.     

Multilocus sequence analysis of Vibrionaceae isolated from farmed amberjack and the development of a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of pathogenic species

Since 2011, high mortality rates and symptoms consistent with vibriosis have been observed in farmed amberjack (Seriola dumerili) in Japan. To identify 41 strains isolated from diseased amberjack, a multilocus sequence analysis using nine concatenated genes (ftsZ, gapA, gyrB, mreB, pyrH, recA, rpoA, topA and 16S rRNA) was conducted. Twenty‐seven strains were identified as Vibrio harveyi, suggesting an epidemic of V. harveyi infection in amberjack farms. Other strains were identified as Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio owensii and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae. To develop an efficient diagnostic method for vibriosis in amberjack, a multiplex PCR system was developed to identify V. anguillarum, V. harveyi and P. damselae subsp. damselae. The method successfully discriminated between these three bacterial species, with amplification products of 350 bp for V. anguillarum, 545 bp for V. harveyi and 887 bp for P. damselae subsp. damselae and can be used for diagnosis in aquaculture farms.     

Rheological and physicochemical properties of starches from moist- and dry-type sweetpotatoes

Although starch makes up from 50 to 70% of sweetpotato (SP) dry matter, its role in cooked texture is unknown. The purpose of this research was to characterize raw starches isolated from SP cultivars and experimental selections (C/S) with a wide range of textural properties when cooked and to investigate the relationship between textural properties of the cooked roots and characteristics of the isolated starches. Shear stress measured by uniaxial compression of cooked SP cylinders served as an objective measure of SP texture. Starches were isolated from C/S representing three SP texture types: moist (Jewel and Beauregard); intermediate (NC10-28 and NC2-26); and dry (NC6-30 and NC8-22). The following parameters of isolated starches were measured: amylose content by colorimetric and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) methods; swelling power, solubility, gelatinization enthalpy (DeltaH), and pasting properties by Brabender amylograph (BA) and rapid viscoanalyzer (RVA). Pasting temperatures for SP C/S measured by BA and RVA were significantly correlated. Due to high shear degradation in RVA, RVA viscosities of starch suspensions decreased as much as 40% during cooking at 95 degrees C, whereas the BA viscosities changed little at this temperature. There were no statistically significant differences among the C/S for amylose or DeltaH. However, significant C/S differences in swelling power, solubility, and pasting properties were observed. Although differences in some rheological and physical properties were observed for C/S starches, shear stress was statistically correlated only with DSC onset temperature (r = 0.78), indicating that factors other than the properties measured on isolated starches are mainly responsible for the texture of cooked SP C/S.     

Survival of faecal indicator bacteria in treated pig manure stored in clay-covered heaps in Vietnam

Small-scale pig farmers in Vietnam typically store manure in heaps covered by a layer of clay. However, the hygienic quality of manure applied to agricultural soil is uncertain as storage time is determined by the need for soil fertilizer. This study aimed to assess how the storage of pig manure added straw, lime stone or urea in heaps covered by clay affected the survival of faecal bacteria. E. coli was reduced from 4 log(10)CFU/g to below the detection limit within 2 weeks with 2% (w/w) urea (CO(NH(2))(2)) whereas other amendments were associated with limited E. coli reductions. Enterococcus spp. were not reduced in any heaps indicating possible re-growth and that enterococci should be used as hygiene indicators with caution. Follow-up research should document the practical conditions under which the farmer practice of storing manure with a clay cover can be utilized to obtain a bactericidal effect of ammonia and a safe product with high fertilizer value.     

Influence of Different Substrates in Wetland Soils on Denitrification

Different substrates were evaluated to investigate their effect on nitrate removal and denitrifying bacterial community in soils obtained from wetland. Serial batch kinetic tests were conducted on soils obtained from wetland mixed with glucose and sawdust using KNO₃ solution. Column tests were also conducted on soils obtained from wetland mixed with three different substrates (glucose, sawdust, and scoria coated with zero-valent iron) using KNO₃ solution. For the batch tests, the nitrate removal efficiency for soil mixed with glucose was comparable to that for soil mixed with sawdust, but the nitrate removal rate for soil mixed with glucose (23.3 NO ₃ ^? -N mg/L-d) was approximately eight times higher than that for soil mixed with sawdust (2.8 NO ₃ ^? -N mg/L-d). For column tests among soil samples, nitrate removal efficiency was highest in soil mixed with glucose, which is an easily biodegradable carbon source. Removal efficiency increased with increasing incubation time for both soil samples with glucose and sawdust. A phylogenetic analysis based on nitrate reductase gene demonstrated that the different carbon sources affected both the diversity and compositions of the denitrifying bacterial in soil samples.     

High biochar rates may suppress rice (Oryza sativa) growth by altering the ratios of C to N and available N to P in paddy soils

Although most studies have indicated that biochar can boost rice (Oryza sativa) growth, the material may also suppress it, depending on ratios of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) and available N to available phosphorous (P). The current study sought to examine the impacts of biochar on rice growth and to identify underlying mechanisms. A pot experiment was conducted using two soils of high (3.05%) and low (0.54%) organic carbon (OC) content, mixed with 0, 1.5, 3, 6, and 12% biochar and planted with rice. Rice growth components, five rice tissue nutrients, and nine soil properties were measured. The results showed that the response of rice growth to biochar rates could be described using an exponential-growth function in high-OC soil but an inverted U-shaped curve in low-OC soil. In high-OC soil, the 12% biochar rate led to the greatest total biomass, increased by 47%, whereas in low-OC soil, the 3 and 6% rates exhibited the highest total biomass, increased by 44%, compared to the no-biochar added soils. Biochar elevated the C:N ratio from 11.5 to 39.1, with an optimal range of 20–30 corresponding to the highest rice growth. Biochar declined the ratio of NH₄-N to Mehlich-1 P, causing N deficiency. In brief, high biochar rates may suppress rice growth when the soil C:N ratio exceeds 30. The applied biochar rate should be considered based on soil properties typically OC and N content to obtain the C:N ratio between 20 and 30 for optimal rice growth.     

Simultaneous measurement of soil organic and inorganic carbon: evaluation of a thermal gradient analysis

Purpose

The best method for determining soil organic carbon (SOC) in carbonate-containing samples is still open to debate. The objective of this work was to evaluate a thermal gradient method (ThG), which can determine simultaneously inorganic carbon (SIC) and SOC in a wide range of soil samples.

Materials and methods

The determination of SOC by ThG (SOC_ThG) was compared to the following widespread standard methods: (1) acidification (ACI) as pretreatment and subsequent dry combustion (SOC_ACI) and (2) volumetric quantification of SIC by a calcimeter (CALC) and subtraction of the total carbon content as determined by dry combustion (SOC_CALC). Precision (F test) and bias (t test) were tested on a subset of seven samples (n?=?3). Comparison of the ThG and CALC methods was performed by regression analysis (n?=?76) on samples representing a wide range of SOC (5.5 to 212.0 g kg^?1) and SIC (0 to 59.2 g kg^?1) contents.

Results and discussion

Tests on the replicated subset showed that the precision of ThG was not significantly different from ACI or CALC (F values?<?39, n?=?3) for SOC and SIC measurements. However, SOC_ACI and SOC_CALC contents were systematically and significantly lower compared to SOC_ThG contents. The positive bias for SOC_ThG relative to SOC_CALC contents appeared also in the regression analysis (given numbers?±?standard errors) of the whole data set (y?=?(4.67?±?0.70)?+?(0.99?±?0.01)x, R ²?=?0.99, n?=?76). When performing a regression with carbonate-free samples, the bias between the methods was negative (?2.90?±?0.63, n?=?29) but was positive in the set with carbonate-containing samples (3.95?±?1.41, n?=?47). This observation corroborated the suspicion that the use of acid for carbonate decomposition can lead to an underestimation of SOC.

Conclusions

All methods were suitable for differentiation between SIC and SOC, but the use of acid resulted in lower estimates of SOC contents. When comparing soil samples with different carbonate concentrations, the use of the ThG method is more reliable.     

Improved techniques for rearing mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador 1949) larvae

A series of rearing trials in small 1 L cones and large tanks of 30–100 L were carried out to develop optimal rearing techniques for mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) larvae. Using water exchange (discontinuous partial water renewal or continuous treatment through biofiltration) and micro‐algae (Chlorella or Chaetoceros) supplementation (daily supplementation at 0.1–0.2 million cells mL⁻¹ or maintenance at 1–2 millions cells mL⁻¹), six different types of rearing systems were tried. The combination of a green‐water batch system for early stages and a recirculating system with micro‐algae supplementation for later stages resulted in the best overall performance of the crab larvae. No clear effects of crab stocking density (50–200 larvae L⁻¹) and rotifer (30–60 rotifers mL⁻¹) and Artemia density (10–20 L⁻¹) were observed. A stocking density of 100–150 zoea 1 (Z1) L⁻¹, combined with rotifer of 30–45 mL⁻¹ for early stages and Artemia feeding at 10–15 nauplii mL⁻¹ for Z3–Z5 seemed to produce the best performance of S. paramamosain larvae. Optimal rations for crab larvae should, however, be adjusted depending on the species, larval stage, larval status, prey size, rearing system and techniques. A practical feeding schedule could be to increase live food density from 30 to 45 rotifers mL⁻¹ from Z1 to Z2 and increase the number of Artemia nauplii mL⁻¹ from 10 to 15 from Z3 to Z5. Bacterial disease remains one of the key factors underlying the high mortality in the zoea stages. Further research to develop safe prophylactic treatments is therefore warranted. Combined with proper live food enrichment techniques, application of these findings has sustained a survival rate from Z1 to crab 1–2 stages in large rearing tanks of 10–15% (maximum 30%).