Nutrient and heavy metals in decaying harvest residue needles on drained blanket peat forests

Harvest residue decomposition can significantly contribute to nutrient and heavy metal exports to receiving water courses. This study monitors the nutrient and heavy metal dynamics in decaying Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine harvest residue needles on Atlantic blanket peat forests in the west of Ireland. Using the litterbag method, harvest residue was placed both within and between furrows in two uncut forest and two clear-cut sites. On the clear-cut sites, the litterbags were positioned outside the harvest residue piles (i.e. brash windrows). Over the 2-year monitoring period, the needles decomposed slower at the clear-cut sites than the uncut forest sites, with mass losses of 46–55 and 58–77 %, respectively. Approximately 20 % less phosphorous (P) was released from the decaying needles at the clear-cut sites, while nitrogen (N) was released only at the uncut sites. Tree species was a significant factor contributing to nutrient and heavy metal release and accumulation patterns, with higher concentrations of aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in the decaying spruce needles than in pine. Conversely, the spruce needles showed accelerated depletion of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) relative to the pine. The harvest residue needle positioning (inside furrow/between furrows) and the site soil characteristics contributed significantly to Al transformations in spruce needles and iron (Fe) in both spruce and pine needles, with more accumulation occurring inside the furrows where Al and Fe contents of the peat were high. Manganese (Mn) was released from the needles in three of the four sites with a total release of over 90 % within 2 years. In the remaining site, where the Mn content of the peat was high, an accumulation of Mn in the needles was observed. The decomposition of needles on blanket peat catchments may be a significant source of P to receiving water courses, owing to their fast release of P, but not a likely source for N export.     

Fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins in salted herring (Clupea harengus) products

The fatty acid composition and contents of fat and fat-soluble vitamins of three salted products prepared from Icelandic herring were analyzed. The effects of storage on the products over their shelf life, 6 or 12 months, were investigated. The average oil content of salted, gutted herring and salted fillets in vacuum remained constant, 17 and 12% of wet weight, respectively. In the pickled product the oil content decreased during the 12 months of storage from 13 to 12%. The composition of the products was typical for herring, the most abundant fatty acids being oleic (18:1n-9), palmitic (16:0), cetoleic (22:1n-11), and gadoleic (20:1n-9) acids. Monounsaturated acids constituted clearly the main group with a proportion of >50% of all fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) comprised together >12% of all fatty acids. During storage, some hydrolysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) occurred, causing a slight reduction in practically all esterified fatty acids. In none of the three products was the loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids from TAG greater than the loss of saturated ones, indicating that the loss of EPA and DHA was not due to oxidation. After packing, the average content of vitamins A, D, and E in the products varied between 27 and 87 microg/100 g (wet weight), between 17-28 microg/100 g (wet weight), and between 77-120 microg/100 g (wet weight), respectively. During storage, the level of vitamin A decreased significantly, whereas no loss of vitamin D was observed. The content of vitamin E was low in all products and showed wide variation. When compared to the recommended daily intake, it could be concluded that the products investigated were good and stable sources of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) and vitamin D.     

Indirect regulation of heterotrophic peat soil respiration by water level via microbial community structure and temperature sensitivity

Northern peatlands contain a considerable share of the terrestrial carbon (C) pool, which climate change will likely affect in the future. The magnitude of this effect, however, remains uncertain, due mainly to difficulties in predicting decomposition rates in the old peat layers. We studied the effects of water level depth (WL) and soil temperature on heterotrophic soil respiration originating from peat decomposition (R_PD) in six drained peatlands using a chamber technique. The microbial community structure was determined through PLFA. Within the studied sites, temperature appeared to be the main driver of R_PD. However, our results indicate that there exist mechanisms related to lower WL conditions that can tone down the effect of temperature on R_PD. These mechanisms were described with a mathematical model that included the optimum WL response of R_PD and the effect of average WL conditions on the temperature sensitivity of R_PD. The following implications were apparent from the model parameterisation: (1) The instantaneous effect of WL on R_PD followed a Gaussian form; the optimum WL for R_PD was 61 cm. The tolerance of R_PD to the WL, however, was rather broad, indicating that the overall effect of WL was relatively weak. (2) The temperature sensitivity of R_PD depended on the average WL of the plot: plots with a high average WL showed higher temperature sensitivity than did those under drier conditions. This variation in temperature sensitivity of R_PD correlated with microbial community structure. Thus, moisture stress in the surface peat layer or, alternatively, the lowered temperature sensitivity of R_PD in low water level conditions via microbial community structure and biomass may restrict R_PD. We conclude that a warmer future climate may raise R_PD in drained peatlands only if the subsequent decrease in the moisture of the surface peat layers is minor and, thus, conditions remain favourable for decomposition.     

Methanogen activity in relation to water table level in two boreal fens

We studied methanogen activity—measured by in vitro methane production potential and by detection of the messenger RNA (mRNA) of a functional gene—in two boreal fens under high and deep water table (WT) level conditions resulting from a rainy growing season and a dry growing season. The depth of the highest CH₄-producing layers differed between the years. In the wet year, the highest CH₄ production rate was around 20 cm below the mean WT. In the dry year, the highest rates were measured close to the peat surface, well above the mean WT. The distribution of activity in the peat profiles of the two fens appeared to be site specific. Under deep-WT conditions, CH₄ production potential was generally lower than that under high-WT conditions. Detection of the mRNA of the methanogen-specific mcrA gene indicated in situ methanogenesis in both water-saturated peat (below the WT) and unsaturated peat (above the WT). Analyses of DNA-derived and mRNA-derived methanogen community structures showed greater similarity between those two in water-saturated peat than in unsaturated peat. This suggested that favorable conditions promoted the activity of most members in methanogen communities, but unfavorable conditions showed differences between distinct community members in adaptation to adverse conditions.     

Decomposition of Scots pine fine woody debris in boreal conditions: Implications for estimating carbon pools and fluxes

Litter quality and environmental effects on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) fine woody debris (FWD) decomposition were examined in three forestry-drained peatlands representing different site types along a climatic gradient from the north boreal (Northern Finland) to south (Southern Finland) and hemiboreal (Central Estonia) conditions. Decomposition (percent mass loss) of FWD with diameter ≤10 mm (twigs) and FWD with diameter >10 mm (branches) was measured using the litter bag method over 1–4-year periods. Overall, decomposition rates increased from north to south, the rate constants (k values) varying from 0.128 to 0.188 year⁻¹ and from 0.066 to 0.127 year⁻¹ for twigs and branches, respectively. On average, twigs had lost 34%, 19% and 19%, and branches 25%, 17% and 11% of their initial mass after 2 years of decomposition at the hemiboreal, south boreal and north boreal sites, respectively. After 4 years at the south boreal site the values were 48% for twigs and 42% for branches. Based on earlier studies, we suggest that the decomposition rates that we determined may be used for estimating Scots pine FWD decomposition in the boreal zone, also in upland forests. Explanatory models accounted for 50.4% and 71.2% of the total variation in FWD decomposition rates when the first two and all years were considered, respectively. The variables most related to FWD decomposition included the initial ash, water extractives and Klason lignin content of litter, and cumulative site precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration. Simulations of inputs and decomposition of Scots pine FWD and needle litter in south boreal conditions over a 60-year period showed that 72 g m⁻² of organic matter from FWD vs. 365 g m⁻² from needles accumulated in the forest floor. The annual inputs varied from 5.7 to 15.6 g m⁻² and from 92 to 152 g m⁻² for FWD and needles, respectively. Each thinning caused an increase in FWD inputs, up to 510 g m⁻², while the needle inputs did not change dramatically. Because the annual FWD inputs were lowered following the thinnings, the overall effect of thinnings on C accumulation from FWD was slightly negative. The contribution of FWD to soil C accumulation, relative to needle litter, seems to be rather minor in boreal Scots pine forests.     

Carbon and nitrogen release from decomposing Scots pine,Norway spruce and silver birch stumps

Stumps are the largest coarse woody debris component in managed forests, but their role in nutrient cycling is poorly understood. We studied carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and silver birch (Betula pendula) stumps, which had decomposed for 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years after clear-cutting in southern Finland. Carbon and N were released significantly faster from birch stumps than from conifer stumps. In 40 years, conifer stumps lost 78% and birch stumps 90% of their initial C. In contrast, the amount of N in stumps increased, indicating that external N accumulated in the stumps. After 40 years of decomposition, the amount of N was 1.7 and 2.7 times higher than the initial amount in pine and spruce stumps, respectively. Nitrogen was released from birch stumps, but only after they had decomposed for 20 or more years. On average, 59% of N stored in birch stumps was released during 40 years. The results indicate that the stumps of the major tree species in Fennoscandian forests are long-term C and, especially, N pools which serve as N sinks, thus potentially diminishing N leaching into ground water and watercourses after harvesting. This suggests that the removal of stumps for bioenergy production may markedly affect the nutrient status and nutrient cycling of boreal forests.     

沙棘油对过敏性皮炎患者皮肤表层粗糙程度的影响

为验证沙棘籽油和沙棘果油对过敏性皮炎患者皮肤表层粗糙程度的影响，进行了有安慰剂对照的平行性研究。16位患者在4个月内每日分别服用5g沙棘籽油，沙棘果油或石蜡油。本研究包括皮肤表面粗糙程度的测量方法和测量参数的优化选择以及服油前、后手背和肩部非病变区皮肤表面的粗糙程度的测量。实验结果表明，服油前后皮肤表面的粗糙程度无明显统计学变化，说明沙棘油对过敏性皮炎患者非病变区皮肤的影响小于对病变区皮肤的影响。由于本研究中患者人数有限，此结论有待进一步验证。用表面光度测量仪可明显指示不同部位皮肤表层结构和粗糙程度的差异，在对皮肤的研究方面有广泛的应用前景。     

不同产地沙棘果的成分分析

通过沙棘甘油三酯和甘油磷脂中的糖、果酸(气相色谱-质谱法,TMS衍生物)、矿物质(FAAS,ETAAS)、挥发性物质(顶部空间气相色谱-质谱法)、Vc(高压液相色谱)和脂肪酸(气相色谱-质谱法,甲基酯)的分析方法,优化不同产地的沙棘果。对1997年10-11月采集的中国沙棘果(CH)和8月底采集的芬兰沙棘果(FI)和俄罗斯沙棘果(RU)的成分进行比较,得到了为今后开展更广泛的沙棘项目所需要的足够的资料。中国沙棘果汁中的Vc含量极高,平均8g/l(4.2-13.2g/l),是芬兰沙棘果汁中含量的5倍。主要矿物元素的含量比其它可食用的浆果中丰富得多,钾是沙棘果(6-14g/kg,干重)和沙棘籽(5-9g/kg,干重)中的主要矿物质之一,在一些样品中铅和镉含量的增加表明存在轻微的污染。压榨的沙棘果汁中糖的含量从1-20g/100ml有很大的变化,含量最高的是晚秋收获的中国沙棘果,最低的是8月收获的芬兰沙棘果。糖主要是葡萄糖(占总糖分的50％以上)、果糖及葡萄糖衍生物。苹果酸和奎宁酸是主要的果酸(77％-97％),含量为每100ml果汁中4.2-9.1g。果汁上部油脂的特点是形成了C2-C5n-、iso-、和ante-iso乙醇,C4-C5n-,iso,及ante-ISO酸,也呈现出挥发性油脂的籽油乙醇前体。不同的产地和采收时间对挥发物有着明显的影响,整个果中的含油量为2％-11％(鲜重),籽中的含