Gross N transformations were little affected by 4 years of simulated N and S depositions in an aspen-white spruce dominated boreal forest in Alberta, Canada

The effects of 4 years of simulated nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) depositions on gross N transformations in a boreal forest soil in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) in Alberta, Canada, were investigated using the ¹⁵N pool dilution method. Gross NH₄⁺ transformation rates in the organic layer tended to decline (P < 0.10, marginal statistical significance, same below) in the order of control (CK, i.e., no N or S addition), +N (30 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), +S (30 kg S ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and +NS treatments, with an opposite trend in the mineral soil. Gross NH₄⁺ immobilization rates were generally higher than gross N mineralization rates across the treatments, suggesting that the studied soil still had potential for microbial immobilization of NH₄⁺, even after 4 years of elevated levels of simulated N and S depositions. For both soil layers, N addition tended to increase (P < 0.10) the gross nitrification and NO₃⁻ immobilization rates. In contrast, S addition reduced (P < 0.001) and increased (P < 0.001) gross nitrification as well as tended (P < 0.10) to reduce and increase gross NO₃⁻ immobilization rates in the organic and mineral soils, respectively. Gross nitrification and gross NO₃⁻ immobilization rates were tightly coupled in both soil layers. The combination of rapid NH₄⁺ cycling, negligible net nitrification rates and the small NO₃⁻ pool size after 4 years of elevated N and S depositions observed here suggest that the risk of NO₃⁻ leaching would be low in the studied boreal forest soil, consistent with N leaching measurements in other concurrent studies at the site that are reported elsewhere.     

Alteration of glutathione S-transferase properties during the development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Micromelalopha troglodyta</Emphasis> larvae (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

Micromelalopha troglodyta (Graeser) is an important pest of poplar in China. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are known to be responsible for adaptation mechanisms of M. troglodyta. The activities and kinetic constants of glutathione S-transferases in M. troglodyta were studied. Significant differences in glutathione S-transferase activity and kinetic characteristics were observed among five instars of M. troglodyta larvae. Furthermore, the inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity in five instars by 24 inhibitors was conducted. The results show the inhibition of GST activity of different instars by 24 inhibitors was different. For GST activity in the 1st instar, chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, endosulfan, abamectin, fipronil and pyridaben were the best inhibitors tested, and for GST activity in the 2nd instar, tannic acid and quercetin were the most potent inhibitors tested, and for GST activity in the 3rd instar, the inhibitory effects of quercetin, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin were the highest, and for GST activity in the 4th instar, quercetin and lambda-cyhalothrin were the best inhibitors, and the inhibitory effect of phoxim was the highest for GST activity in the 5th instar. Our results show that glutathione S-transferases in different instars are qualitatively different in isozyme composition and thus different in sensitivity to inhibitors.     

Macronutrient accumulation in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) with Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen doses and sources

Abstract

New studies are needed to optimize the nitrogen (N) amount that can be applied to utilize the Azospirillum brasilense benefits. In addition, information regarding the interaction between the urease inhibitor and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and how they affect the macronutrients accumulation are also needed. We evaluate the effect of N sources and doses associated with A. brasilense regarding the macronutrients accumulation in straw and grains and wheat grain yield in tropical conditions. A randomized block experimental design was used with four replications in a 2?×?5?×?2 factorial arrangement as follows: two N sources (urea and urea with urease enzyme inhibitor NBPT; five N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200?kg ha^?1) applied in topdressing; with and without A. brasilense inoculation. We found that an increase in N doses positively influenced the accumulation of macronutrients in straw and grains and the wheat grain yield. N sources have similar effects. Inoculation with A. brasilense increased accumulation of Mg and S in straw and P, Ca, and Mg in grains, regardless of the N dose. The inoculation with A. brasilense associated with 140?kg ha^?1 of N increased wheat grain yield. The inoculation can contribute in a more sustainable way to wheat nutrition and optimizing N fertilization.     

Antibiotic Resistance in two Water Reclamation Systems for Space Applications

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the antibiotic resistance in two water reclamation systems developed from space missions. The first system is a small-scale water reclamation system operated at Johnson Space Center designed to reclaim wastewater during long-term space missions. The second system was a scaled-down version of the Johnson Space Center system operated at Texas Tech University. Antibiotic resistance patterns to 10 antibiotics were investigated before and after controlled doses of amoxicillin were added to the water reclamation systems. The results of this study indicate that bacteria in all systems were resistant to many antibiotics including beta-lactam antibiotics and a beta-lactam, beta-lactamase inhibitor combination, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.     

Effects of concentration,incubation temperature,and repeated applications on degradation kinetics of dicyandiamide (DCD) in model experiments with a silt loam soil

Summary The kinetics of dicyandiamide (DCD) decomposition were studied (at 80% water-holding capacity) in pretreated and non-pretreated soils, using model experiments. DCD was added in different concentrations (6.7, 16.7, and 33.3 g DCD-N g^–1 dry soil) and incubated at various temperatures (10°, 20°, and 30°C). Additionally, DCD decomposition was examined in sterile soil (with or without Fe₂O₃) after inoculation with a DCD-enrichment culture. In the sterile variant, (30°C)the applied dicyandiamide concentration remained constant, even after 36 days. In the sterilized and reinoculated variant, DCD disappeared within 7 days. Addition of Fe₂O₃ powder to the sterilized soil had no effect on DCD degradation. In the pretreated soils, DCD mineralization started immediately at all temperatures and concentrations without a lag phase. A temperature increase of 10°C doubled the mineralization rate. The mineralization rates were independent of the initial concentrations. In the non-pretreated soils (except at 30°C with 16.7 and 33.3 g DCD-N g^–1 dry soil) DCD decreased only after a short (30°C) or a long (10°C) lag phase. These results suggest that an inducible metabolic degradation occurred, following zeroorder kinetics.     

Ammonium oxidation coupled to dissimilatory reduction of iron under anaerobic conditions in wetland soils

In exploring the dynamics of iron and nitrogen cycling in sediments from riparian forests we have observed a redox reaction that has not been previously described. During incubations of soil slurries under strictly anaerobic conditions, we repeatedly measured an unexpected production of both nitrite () and ferrous iron [Fe(II)]. Using this indirect evidence we hypothesize that, under anaerobic conditions, there is a biological process that uses ferric iron [Fe(III)] as an electron acceptor while oxidizing ammonium () to for energy production. This oxidation under iron reducing anaerobic conditions is thermodynamically feasible and is potentially a critical component of the N cycle in saturated sediments.     

小城镇河流沉积物无机氮迁移循环研究

通过对河流柱状沉积物在通气下和厌气下进行避光短期静置模拟培养试验，研究了小城镇河流底泥-上覆水体系无机氮的迁移特征。结果表明，沉积物有机质降解对NH4的迁移有很大影响，通气和厌气下NH4的迁移均是向上覆水方向，NO3的迁移均是向沉积物方向，由于通气条件和静水环境引起的沉积物无机氮硝化作用和反硝化作用是影响沉积物一水界面体系氮迁移的最重要因素。     

施肥对热带雨林下种植砂仁土壤氮矿化和硝化作用的影响

采用封顶埋管法(Close-TopIncubation)研究了施肥后西双版纳热带雨林下种植砂仁土壤的氮素净氨化、净硝化和净矿化速率。结果表明,种植砂仁的热带雨林土壤有机氮的净氨化、硝化和矿化速率明显受外来无机氮的影响,施入铵态氮肥后,土壤中的氨化速率明显提高(P<0.01),由对照土壤的-0.66(mg·kg-1·30d-1)增加至施肥处理土壤的1.65(mg·kg-1·30d-1),但硝化速率和矿化速率却显著降低(P<0.01),分别由对照土壤的6.79(mg·kg-1·30d-1)和6.13(mg·kg-1·30d-1)减少至施肥处理土壤的2.60(mg·kg-1·30d-1)和4.25(mg·kg-1·30d-1),导致了土壤中NH4+-N的积累。     

氯化铵对土壤酸碱度和硝化作用的影响

氯化铵对遂宁石灰质紫色土的酸碱度影响不大,而对重庆中性紫色土的酸碱度有明显影响,其pH值比其他几种化肥处理的低0.2左右;供试的几种肥料中,氯化铵处理的土壤硝化作用显著降低。因此,施用氯化铵可减少氮素流失;氯化铵中氯离子在土壤中易于移动,其流失量约为硫酸根离子的2～3倍。     

热媒—水换热器缓蚀剂IMC-50-S现场试验

输油站热媒—水换热器经多年运行后,由于循环水中含有铁、钙、镁离子和氯离子以及溶解氧含量高,致使热交换设备和管网的腐蚀、结垢严重,导致局部腐蚀穿孔。采用IMC-50-S缓蚀剂,在腐蚀严重的沈阳和熊岳输油站进行了现场试验,试验结果表明,加剂后可使其腐蚀速度控制在0.1mm/a以下,延长了换热器和循环管网的使用寿命,保证了输油安全生产。