Investigation of the Effect of Mesh Size on the Effectiveness of Hotplate Aqua Regia Extractions

Aqua regia extractions with subsequent inductively coupled plasma determinations are a very common method of elemental analysis of soils and sediments. Before extraction, the material must be dried and sieved. Small variations in this early step can have a significant impact on the later outcomes, especially for unassisted (for example, without ultrasonic or microwave) extraction procedures. Therefore the impact of mesh size on the sieving process was investigated. A mesh size of 2.0 mm or greater yielded unacceptably high variations between the subsamples and a very poor recovery rate when compared to a 0.063-mm sieve. A mesh size of 0.3 mm resulted in the best outcomes, losing nearly no material in the fine sediment samples and about a tenth in the coarse samples. The precision was high for the 0.3-mm samples as well, only negligibly surpassed by the 0.1-mm samples for some materials.     

The effect of gamma‐radiation on the release of carbon dioxide from fresh soil

Abstract

The release of CO₂ from fresh soil at medium moisture was examined for 14 days after the application of gamma‐radiation over the range 0.025 ‐ 10 Mrad. All doses stimulated the release of CO₂ compared with non‐irradiated soil, but there was no extra yield of gas between 4 and 10 Mrad. Rapid evolution occurred during irradiation and over the next 24 hours, but towards the end of incubation both irradiated and untreated soil produced CO₂ at similar rates.

Studies to elucidate the origin of CO₂ indicated that the contribution from enzymes was predominant up to 2 Mrad, but at 10 Mrad, 45% of the gas could be formed by radiolytic decarboxylation of soil organic matter. Consequently, heavy irradiation of soil cannot stop production of CO₂, and if high concentrations do interfere with the application of radiation to specific soil research investigations, the gas should be displaced or allowed to diffuse from the sample.     

Summer microhabitat use by adult and young‐of‐year snail darters (Percina tanasi) in two rivers

Ashton MJ, Layzer JB. Summer microhabitat use by adult and young‐of‐year snail darters (Percina tanasi) in two rivers. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 609–617. © Published 2010. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Abstract – We characterised microhabitat availability and use by adult and young‐of‐year (YOY) snail darters (Percina tanasi Etnier 1976 ) while snorkelling in the French Broad and Hiwassee rivers, TN, USA. Both age groups of snail darters disproportionately used most microhabitat variables compared to their availability. Snail darters primarily occupied moderately deep, swift water over gravel substrates with little macrophyte coverage and no silt. Univariate comparisons indicated that adult and YOY darters occupied different habitat, but there was no marked differences between principal components analysis plots of multivariate microhabitat use within a river. Although the availability of microhabitat variables differed between the French Broad and Hiwassee rivers, univariate means and multivariate plots illustrated that the habitats used were generally similar by age groups of snail darters between rivers. Because our observations of habitat availability and use were constrained to low flow periods and depths <1 m, the transferability of our results to higher flow periods may be limited. However, the similarity in habitat use between rivers suggests that our results can be applied to low‐normal flow conditions in other streams.     

Multi‐channel visual evoked potential as an ancillary tool to diagnose intraorbital optic nerve lesions

Multi‐channel visual evoked potential (MVEP) recording method was used to assist in diagnosing a 4‐month‐old Chinese Albino rabbit with an intraorbital mass. Subcutaneous MVEP of its both eyes were recorded simultaneously using 16 electrodes (4 × 4) multi‐channel array. Analysis of the cortical potential landscapes (CPL) showed that the conduction function of right eye was remarkably impaired in terms of decreased amplitudes and prolonged latencies. Specific side‐dominant distribution asymmetry of the decreased MVEP amplitudes indicated that the temporal side of the optic nerve (ON) was severely involved. Overall prolonged latencies of the CPL without side differences suggested that the functional impairment could have been caused by the mechanical compression exerted by an intraorbital mass. Surgical removal procedures confirmed that the mass was located temporally to the ON. Pathological examination provided a final diagnosis of a giant polycystic mucocele. Beyond its significance as a standard tool to assess functional changes of the visual pathway, MVEP recordings might assist locating intraorbital lesions that involve the ON by careful analysis of abnormal CPLs.     

General Nexus Between Water and Electricity Use and Its Implication for Urban Agricultural Sustainability:A Case Study of Shenzhen, South China

Although water and energy resources are well-recognized concerns regarding economic and social development sustainability, little specific research has focused on both water and energy problems at the same time. This study analyzed the water and electricity-use patterns in Shenzhen, South China during 2001-2009. A curve regression method was used to examine the relationship between water and electricity use per gross domestic product (GDP) in Shenzhen and its three sectors, i.e., agriculture, industry & construction, and residential life & services. Results showed that agriculture only covered less than 10% of water and electricity use in Shenzhen, while industry & construction and residential life & services accounted for more than 90% of water and electricity use in Shenzhen, which coincided with the city’s industrial structure. The water and electricity use per GDP in agriculture was the biggest among three sectors in Shenzhen during 2001-2009, which means inefficiency of water and electricity use in agriculture. Due to transitioning to advanced materials and manufacturing, both water and electricity use per GDP in industry & construction decreased during 2001-2009 and their utilization efficiencies gradually increased over time. The same held true for those in residential life & services transformed toward modern business, creative culture, finance services, etc. Derived from the survival of the fittest in competing for limited water and electricity resources, agriculture in Shenzhen has been gradually substituted by industry & construction and residential life & services, with much higher efficiencies of water and electricity use. And traditional agriculture will not be sustainable in the process of urbanization and industrialization, except high-tech intensive agriculture with low water and energy cost. Furthermore, by means of curve regression, we found that there was a significant quadratic relationship between water use per GDP and electricity use per GDP in the entire city and its three sectors. Suitable industrial transformation and advancement was a very effective way to save water and energy for modern cities. This can provide some reference for systematic planning and design of water and electricity allocation and use in agriculture, industry & construction and residential life & services in a city.     

Excessive nitrogen application decreases grain yield and increases nitrogen loss in a wheat–soil system

Abstract

Excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in wheat fields has led to elevated NO₃-N concentrations in groundwater and reduced N use efficiency. Three-year field and ¹⁵N tracing experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of N application rates on N uptake from basal and topdressing ¹⁵N, N use efficiency, and grain yield in winter wheat plants; and determine the dynamics of N derived from both basal and topdressing ¹⁵N in soil in high-yielding fields. The results showed that 69.5–84.5% of N accumulated in wheat plants derived from soil, while 6.0–12.5%and 9.2–18.1% derived from basal ¹⁵N and top ¹⁵N fertilizer, respectively. The basal N fertilizer recovery averaged 33.9% in plants, residual averaged 59.2% in 0–200 cm depth soil; the topdressing N fertilizer recovery averaged 50.5% in plants, residual averaged 48.2% in 0–200 cm soil. More top ¹⁵N was accumulated in plants and more remained in 0–100 cm soil rather than in 100–200 cm soil at maturity, compared with the basal ¹⁵N. However, during the period from pre-sowing to pre-wintering, the soil nitrate moved down to deeper layers, and most accumulated in the layers below 140 cm. With an increase of N fertilizer rate, the proportion of the N derived from soil in plants decreased, but that derived from basal and topdressing fertilizer increased; the proportion of basal and top ¹⁵N recovery in plants decreased, and that of residual in soil increased. A moderate application rate of 96–168 kg N ha^?1 led to increases in nitrate content in 0–60 cm soil layer, N uptake amount, grain yield and apparent recovery fraction of applied fertilizer N in wheat. Applying above 240 kg N ha^?1 promoted the downward movement of basal and top ¹⁵N and soil nitrate, but had no significant effect on N uptake amount; the excessive N application also obviously decreased the grain yield, N uptake efficiency, apparent recovery fraction of applied fertilizer N, physiological efficiency and internal N use efficiency. It is suggested that the appropriate application rate of nitrogen on a high-yielding wheat field was 96–168 kg N ha^?1.     

Response of Maize and Cowpea Grown Sequentially to Application of Phosphate Rock in the Humid Tropics

Field trials were conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Ibadan in 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons to evaluate the efficiency of some phosphorus (P) sources, rates, and frequency of application on grain yields of maize and cowpea grown sequentially. The experiment was laid out in a split–split plot arrangement using randomized complete block design, with three replications. The main plot was frequency of fertilizer application (seasonal and annual). Source of P [single superphosphate (SSP: 18% P₂O₅)]; Ogun rock phosphate (OPR: 20.21% P₂O₅), and crystallizer super (CS: 31.4% P₂O₅) constituted the subplots. The P rates (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha^?1) were the sub-subplots. An early maize cropping followed by a late-season cowpea was the sequential cropping, while an early maize followed by a late-season maize was the continuous cropping. The croppings were repeated the second year. Frequency of P application and source of P were significantly different while rates of application were not. Maize and cowpea grain yields from the control treatment were significantly less than yields from P-treated plots. Maize grain yields were slightly greater in plots alternated with cowpea, compared to continuous maize. Relative agronomic efficiency (RAE) values of OPR and CS were 67% and 75%, respectively, in annual application and 140% and 134% in seasonal applications, respectively, in 2000. In 2001, the trend was almost similar to 2000 except that there was a decline in RAE values of cowpea. Each Naira invested in the annual application returned about ?3.12 while about ?2.13 was returned with the seasonal application (?125.00 is the equivalent of USD$1.00). The OPR and CS can serve as alternatives to water-soluble sources such as SSP.     

Calcium nutrition of the sugarbeet

Abstract

When sugarbeet seedlings are transferred from a complete nutrient solution to one from which Ca has been withheld, the rootlets and tops fail to develop. The same transfer at the eight‐leaf stage causes the rootlets to become stubby and swollen at the tips and blade expansion becomes modified; particularly the upper portions of the blades attaining nearly full development, which pucker and often develop a cupping or hooding effect; a unique symptom characteristic of Ca deficiency. As each new leaf develops, the blade area becomes smaller until only a black tip remains at the apex of the petiole, which is the symptom referred to as tip‐burn for this petiole and the successively . shorter petioles formed as Ca deficiency increases in severity. Strangely, these symptoms also appear during periods of rapid growth when the nutrient solution contains as much as 10 to 28 milliequivalents per liter of Ca or when soils are high in Ca. This implies that Ca absorption and possibly translocation limits the Ca supply at the growing point. Increasing Mg in the nutrient solution decreases Ca uptake and increases Ca deficiency. Potassium deficiency, unexpectedly, induces Ca deficiency apparently by decreasing the translocation of Ca to the growing point.

These phenomena suggest the hypothesis that when ion absorption takes place from the root exchange site that has the affinity for H > Ca > Mg > K > Na, then the H generated internally replaces, and the roots absorb, Na, K and Mg preferentially. Externally, Ca would be adsorbed preferentially from the nutrient solution by the exchange complex, and with the addition of Mg, it would compete for the common adsorption site of Ca and limit Ca absorption internally. Under these conditions potassium‐deficient nutrient solutions would not induce Ca deficiency by decreasing Ca absorption but rather by decreasing Ca translocation. Theoretically, Ba would replace H more readily than Ca on the exchange complex, and therefore, Ba would be adsorbed preferentially and Ca uptake would increase. This effect of Ba was verified experimentally.

Since the translocation of ⁴⁵Ca to the growing point was found to be unrestricted under Ca‐sufficient and Ca‐deficient conditions and since the formation of insoluble Ca compounds such as phosphate or oxalate did not account for the Ca deficiency at the growing point, the cause of the Ca deficiency at the growing point is most likely the higher priority of the storage root for Ca over tops when leaf blades and storage root are both expanding rapidly. However, Ca retransport from older to younger parts of the sugarbeet plant may be restricted by the formation of Ca phosphate under Ca‐deficient conditions and Ca oxalate under Ca‐sufficient conditions.

Calcium deficiency increases net photosynthesis per unit blade area initially, probably because of blade puckering, but not on a per unit chlorophyll basis.     

Assemblage patterns of fish functional groups relative to habitat connectivity and conditions in floodplain lakes

Miyazono S, Aycock JN, Miranda LE, Tietjen TE. Assemblage patterns of fish functional groups relative to habitat connectivity and conditions in floodplain lakes.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 578–585. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – We evaluated the influences of habitat connectivity and local environmental factors on the distribution and abundance patterns of fish functional groups in 17 floodplain lakes in the Yazoo River Basin, USA. The results of univariate and multivariate analyses showed that species–environmental relationships varied with the functional groups. Species richness and assemblage structure of periodic strategists showed strong and positive correlations with habitat connectivity. Densities of most equilibrium and opportunistic strategists decreased with habitat connectivity. Densities of certain equilibrium and opportunistic strategists increased with turbidity. Forested wetlands around the lakes were positively related to the densities of periodic and equilibrium strategists. These results suggest that decreases in habitat connectivity, forested wetland buffers and water quality resulting from environmental manipulations may cause local extinction of certain fish taxa and accelerate the dominance of tolerant fishes in floodplain lakes.     

Ertragsreaktionen von Zuckerrüben in den internationalen organischen Stickstoffdauerdün‐Gungsversuchen (IOSDV) Rauischholzhausen und Wrocław‐Swojec

Gegenstand der Untersuchungen sind zwei Dauerfeldversuche, die im Jahr 1984 in Rauischholzhausen (Deutschland) und im Jahr 1996 in Wroc?aw‐Swqjec (Polen) mit vergleichbarer Methode und Zielstellung angelegt wurden. Ausgewertet wurden hier die Zuckerrübenerträge im Mittel der dreijährigen Rotation der Jahre 1997–1999 in Abhängigkeit von organischen und mineralischen Düngungsmaßnahmen. Die erzielten Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung der organischen Düngung für die Ertragssicherung im Zuckerrübenanbau. Die untersuchten organischen Dünger Stalldung, Stroh und Biokompost verbesserten die Ertragswirksamkeit mineralischer N‐Gaben.

Die ertragssteigernde Wirkung organischer Dünger war bei fehlender oder niedriger mineralischer N‐Düngung größer als bei hohen N‐Gaben. Auf stark lehmigem Sandboden (Wrozlaw) wurden höhere Ertragseffekte erzielt als auf schwerem Lehmboden (Rauischholzhausen). Die Blatterträge wurden durch die angewendeten Düngungsmaßnahmen stärker beeinflußt als die Rübenerträge. Stroh und Biokompost zeigten die gleichen Ertragseffekte wie Stalldung.