Soy protein concentrate as a substitute for fish meal in diets for juvenile Acanthopagrus schlegelii: effects on growth,phosphorus discharge and digestive enzyme activity

The current high demand and cost of fish meal (FM) necessities the evaluation of alternative plant protein ingredients in diets of farmed marine fish. A 56‐day feeding trial was performed to study the effects of replacement of FM with soy protein concentrate (SPC) in diets of Acanthopagrus schlegelii. Diets were prepared at levels of 0%, 30%, 47.5%, 65%, 82.5% and 100% SPC, respectively, replacing FM. The results indicated no significant differences (p > .05) in % weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate of fish fed S30% to S82.5% diets compared with the control diet while, further inclusion at 100% significantly depressed growth performance. SPC inclusion and phytase supplementation significantly affected the phosphorous discharge (P‐load) showing lowest value (3.83 ± 0.53 g/kg WG) in S100% compared to control (14.79 ± 0.37 g/kg WG) and in fish fed S30% diet (13.24 ± 0.89 g/kg WG) (p < .05). The results of this study showed that FM could be substituted up to 82.5% by SPC in the diet of Acanthopagrus schlegelii fingerlings (5.53 ± 0.12 g) without any adverse effects. Phytase supplementation SPC based diets could be effective in reducing the phosphorus load in the aquatic culture environment.     

Using knowledge of behaviour and optic physiology to improve fish passage through culverts

Culverts reduce connectivity for aquatic animals by being both a hydraulic and physical barrier. However, altered light intensity may also be a behavioural barrier to fish movement, especially for diurnal species that have adapted to moving when it is light. We propose that knowledge of optical physiology and fish behaviour, two important mechanisms underpinning movement, can inform efforts to improve fish movement through culverts. We firstly review the sensory systems of fish with reference to visual sense and explore how this affects fish movement. We then highlight theoretical knowledge that can help us understand fish behaviour and the potential mismatch between the conditions under which fish have evolved and altered conditions within culverts. We describe potential knowledge gaps and directions for future research to improve our understanding of how culverts may affect fish movement. Finally, we explore the potential costs and ecological benefits of different mitigation options to identify those with the most promise for managing the light environment in culverts to facilitate movement. For researchers and managers exploring this subject, we suggest an approach that: (a) identifies light requirements for movement by different species, (b) tests movement under different light conditions and (c) considers an integrative assessment method for testing fish behaviour around culverts. Understanding how optical physiology, fish behaviour and culvert design influence fish movement can improve connectivity for a range of species.     

Intake and discharge nutrient loads at three intensive shrimp farms

This study was conducted to help provide a framework for Australian regulation of shrimp farm siting and discharges. Monitoring of farm water usage, and intake and discharge water quality was conducted at three commercial intensive shrimp farms, chosen to represent different operating environments, latitudes, cultured species and management styles. Weekly samples were taken over 3 years, for 3–12 months at each farm, to investigate intake and discharge concentrations and loads of total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Mean water exchange was 1.4 ML ha^?1 day^?1 (about 10% day^?1) at the first farm studied and 0.5 ML ha^?1 day^?1 (about 3.6% day^?1) at the others. Farm mean discharge concentration varied as follows: TSS, from 36.9 to 119 mg L^?1; TN, from 2.1 to 3.1 mg L^?1 and TP, from 0.22 to 0.28 mg L^?1. Farm mean intake concentrations were from 11% to 91% of equivalent mean discharge concentration (for TN at Farm B and TSS at Farm C respectively). Mean net discharge loads, related to area of production ponds at each farm, varied as follows: TSS, from 4.8 to 85.7 kg ha^?1 day^?1; TN, from 1 to 1.8 kg ha^?1 day^?1 and TP, from 0.11 to 0.22 kg ha^?1 day^?1. The highest net loads of TSS, TN and TP were all from the farm with the highest water exchange rate, located on a coastal river, and studied during a year of high rainfall with associated poor water quality. These results can be used to help predict likely discharge characteristics for new shrimp farms, and provide a benchmark against which to evaluate future improvements in shrimp farm environmental management.     

Production protocol development for greenhouse cut Linaria, Lupinus, and Papaver flowers

Linaria maroccana Hook. f. Ann., ‘Lace Violet’, Lupinus hartwegii ssp. cruikshankii Lindl. ‘Sunrise’ and Papaver nudicaule L. ‘Meadow Pastels’ seeds were directly sown into 105 cell plug trays and received either ambient light or supplemental high intensity discharge (HID) lighting. For each species, a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial was used with two light intensities during propagation, three transplant stages, and three night temperatures. Seedlings were transplanted at the appearance of 2–3, 5–6, or 8–9 true leaves. Transplanted Linaria and Papaver seedlings were placed at 5/11, 10/16, or 15/21 ± 1 °C night/day temperatures and Lupinus seedlings were placed at 15/24, 18/25, or 20/26 ± 2 °C night/day temperatures. For this study, the optimum production temperature for Linaria was 10/16 °C as the cut stems produced at 15/21 °C were unmarketable and production time was excessively long at 5/11 °C. At 10/16 °C, Linaria seedlings should be transplanted at the 2–3 leaf stage to maximize stem number, stem length and profitability. For Lupinus the optimum temperature was 15/24 °C due to long stems and high profitability per plant. Lupinus seedlings should be transplanted at the 2–3 leaf stage when grown at 15/24 °C to obtain the longest and thickest stems; however, $/m² week was higher for plants transplanted at the 8–9 leaf stage due to less time in finishing production space. For Papaver, the 15/21 °C temperature was optimal as that temperature produced the longest stems in the shortest duration, resulting in the highest $/m² week. At 15/21 °C Papaver plants should be transplanted at the 2–3 leaf stage. Supplemental HID lighting had no effect on any of the species.     

Condition assessment of lamprey populations in the Yorkshire Ouse catchment,north‐east England,and the potential influence of physical migration barriers

• 1. River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) are designated features of the River Derwent Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Humber Estuary (a possible SAC). This study determined the condition of lamprey populations in the Yorkshire Ouse catchment by assessing the species composition, distribution, abundance and size‐structure of larval (ammocoete) populations in five major tributary rivers (Derwent, Swale, Ure, Nidd and Wharfe).
• 2. According to EU condition assessment criteria, Lampetra populations (assumed to be mostly river lamprey) are at present in favourable condition, with site mean (±SE) densities ranging from 2.7 (±1.2) to 160.3 (±50.5) individuals m^?2 (all river means >2 individuals m^?2), and at least two size (≈age) classes present in optimal microhabitats. By contrast, no sea lamprey larvae were recorded, suggesting that populations of this species are in unfavourable condition.
• 3. Actions to protect and enhance nationally or internationally important stocks must be implemented from at least a catchment perspective, because many of the issues affecting such species are not localized. With respect to lampreys, particular attention should be given to protecting spawning and nursery habitats, improving water quality, reducing impingement at abstraction points, preventing exploitation at spawning grounds and increasing passage at potential physical obstructions.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

棉种介电分选的试验研究

介电分选是一种新型的种子分选方法,具有结构简单、适应性强、分选效果好和可按种子活力进行分级的特点.电导率是反映种子活力的一个重要指标,分选电压是影响介电分选效果的一个重要因素,为了探讨电导率与分选电压之间的关系,介绍了棉种介电分选的原理,并在不同的分选电压条件下对棉种电导率进行了测定,同一条件下重复测定5次,所得数据用DPS统计软件进行分析处理.结果表明,分选电压对棉种电导率有影响,且回归效果显著.     

插入式地下滴水器的研制与水力性能试验分析

在对现有滴头、滴箭等产品结构改进与优化设计的基础上,研制开发出一种具有快速装拆、移动灵活、抗堵塞功能的插入式地下滴水器产品,通过产品的具体结构组成与工作原理分析,进行了其流量均匀性、压力-流量关系的试验研究,结果表明:插入式地下滴水器所需起始工作压力低,额定流量小,具有较稳定的水力性能,适合用于对缺水区非密植作物的补充性抗旱灌溉,起到提高设备利用率、有效降低灌溉系统投资的作用,且能成功地把地表滴灌转化为地下滴灌的应用模式.     

应用权重修正内梅罗污染指数法对陆源入海排污口邻近海域水环境质量综合评价

根据2005年6月与9月福建省9个重点陆源入海排污口邻近海域水环境监测数据,在比较单因子评价法、综合评价法、内梅罗污染指数法的基础上,考虑最大权重因子提出了权重修正内梅罗污染指数法。通过对排污口邻近海域水环境质量进行综合评价,从而更加科学合理地判断出该排污口邻近海域水环境质量,为海洋行政管理部门实施海洋环境动态管理提供科学依据。     

悬帷段作用下暗管排水流量计算公式探讨

暗管排水在降低地下水位过程中普遍存在悬帷段,悬帷段的存在对于暗管排水理论计算提出了挑战。该研究考虑悬帷段对排水流量的影响,提出了悬帷段作用下的暗管排水流量计算公式,基于HYDRUS模型得到不同暗管间距、暗管埋深、不透水层深度以及土壤质地条件下的排水流量模拟值及理论计算公式中的作用水头参数,对比分析了不同土壤质地以及悬挂水头影响下排水流量理论公式的适用性。结果表明提出的考虑悬帷段的暗管排水流量公式计算值与模拟值具有很好的吻合性,提出的6种组合公式计算值与模拟值相关系数均大于0.99,平均绝对误差均小于11%,其中Hooghoudt-Ploeg-B.И.阿拉文公式以及Hooghoudt-Ploeg-Kirkham公式误差更小,此2个理论公式也通过了已有文献的验证,而不考虑悬帷段条件时采用Hooghoudt公式计算得到的理论值则普遍小于模拟值,误差可能超过50%;从不同土壤质地来看,提出的考虑悬帷段的暗管排水流量计算公式在粉土和壤土的适用性最高,其次是砂土;此外,该研究初步证实了悬挂水头和单长暗管排水流量与渗透系数比值之间成线性相关关系。该研究成果对丰富和发展农田排水理论及技术有重要意义。     

Influence of regional-scale soil heterogeneity and land use on water discharge formation in the “Stettiner Haff” catchment in North-East Germany

Abstract

The influence of regional soil distribution and land use on discharge formation in the “Stettiner Haff” catchment (8,456 km²) was investigated. The model ABIMO was used to calculate mean discharge for a long period (1961 – 1990) in consideration of regional differences in hydrological site conditions and soil heterogeneity. The highest discharge was found on settlement areas (276 mm a^?1), on devastated plots (319 mm a^?1) and on the non-hydromorphic agriculturally used sandy soils (214 mm a^?1). Due to their small size these sub-areas were found to influence regional discharge for a limited extent only. On loam and clay soils only about 100 mm a^?1 of discharge was formed. However, this share proved to be most important for the height of regional discharge because of the high area proportion in the region. Mineral soils of comparable parent material produce lower discharge under hydromorphic conditions than under non-hydromorphic conditions. With increasing clay content of the soils these differences decreased. The agriculturally used areas were found to be most important for the region's water discharge. They accounted for 83% of the discharge, i.e. they originated 119 mm a^?1 on average. At forest sites, the discharge height was about 52 mm a^?1. Sites close to groundwater table (groundwater level <1 m) proved to act as depletive areas.