Heavy Metal Removal in Cold Climate Bioretention

A bioretention media is a stormwater treatment option designed to reduce peak runoff volumes and improve water quality through soil infiltration and plant mitigation. To investigate the heavy metal removal in a bioretention media in a cold climate setting, a small pilot sized bioretention box was built in Trondheim, Norway. The system was sized using the Prince Georges County bioretention design method from 1993. Three runoff events, created using historical data, were undertaken in April 2005 and then again in August 2005. Both the peak flow reduction and the total volume reduction were significantly lower in April compared to August. Peak flow reduction was 13% in April versus 26% in August and the total volume reduction was 13% in April versus 25% in August. Metal retention was good for both seasons with 90% mass reduction of zinc, 82% mass reduction of lead and 72% mass reduction of copper. Plant uptake of metals was documented between 2 to 7%; however adsorption and mechanical filtration through the mulch and soil column were the most dominant metal retention processes. The metal retention was independent of the selected hydraulic loading rates (equivalent to 1.4–7.5 mm h^?1 precipitation) showing that variable inflow rates during this set of events did not affect the treatment efficiency of the system.     

Compensatory root growth in winter wheat: Effects of copper exposure on root geometry and nutrient distribution

Plants of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Starke II) were grown for seven days in split‐root chambers containing nutrient solutions with various copper chloride (CuCl₂) concentrations [0.5/0.5 (controls), 0.5/2, 0.5/5, 0.5/7 and 0.5/10 μM]. At harvest (day 11), shoot dry weights were about the same in the different copper (Cu) treatments. Dry weights of the root parts exposed to 2–10 μM Cu (Cu‐fed) decreased while they increased for the control roots. A Cu exposure of 2–10 μM severely retarded lateral root initiation and average lateral root length. Average seminal root length was also reduced. The control roots compensated for the retarded growth of the Cu‐fed roots by increasing chiefly in lateral root number, but their average length remained similiar. Phosphorus (P) concentration decreased gradually in all determined plant parts (shoots, Cu‐control and Cu‐fed roots) with increased external Cu concentration. The potassium (K) concentration in the shoots was similarly affected, but it did not decrease in the Cu‐fed roots until the external Cu concentration reached 10 μM. The Cu concentration in the Cu‐fed roots increased proportionally to the external Cu concentration, but Cu was not exported to the other plant parts. The reasons for changes in root geometry and nutrient balance are discussed.     

热泵干燥北极虾和鱼块的干燥特性研究

利用热泵干燥机,分别在-2～0℃和20℃两种温度下对北极虾整虾、去头北极虾、去壳北极虾和尺寸分别为50 mm(直径)×(7～9)mm(厚度)和50 mm×(14～18) mm的鱼块进行了干燥研究。结果显示,虾的状态(有壳或无壳、有头或无头)和鱼块的厚度对其干燥特性有着显著影响。无论干燥温度为-2～0℃还是20℃,去壳虾所需干燥时间均最少,去头虾的干燥速度均大于整虾;薄鱼块的干燥速度在20℃显著大于厚鱼块的干燥速度。扩散模型MR=Aexp(-kt)可以很好地描述热泵干燥北极虾和鱼块的干燥特性,根据试验结果建立的一系列统计回归模型显示,当热泵干燥温度由-2～0℃增加到20℃时,干燥速度和K值显著增加,干燥时间明显减小。     

Nutritional value of timothy haylage in Icelandic horses

Four mature Icelandic geldings were used in a balance trial to investigate the effect of stage of maturity of timothy (Pleum pratence L.) haylage fed at maintenance level on coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD), and nitrogen and energy metabolism in a 4 × 4 change-over arrangement of treatments. The content of fibre increased and crude protein content decreased with advancing stage of maturity. Very high CTTAD values were found for DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF in the first two cuts. Overall, there was a negative relationship between stage of maturity (p < 0.05) and the CTTAD of all measured dietary components. Nitrogen (N) intake, N losses in urine and N balance were affected (p < 0.05) by stage of maturity, while the N losses in the faeces were unaffected. There was a strong correlation (r² = 0.95) between N balance and water intake. Gross energy intake and losses in urine (as % of digestible energy intake) were unaffected by stage of maturity, while the energy balance was affected (p < 0.05). The digestible energy content of the timothy haylage studied ranged from 14.1 to 9.0 MJ/kg DM.

In conclusion, early-cut timothy haylage (stem elongation to flowering) has the energy content required to form the basis of diets for high-performing horses. Late-cut timothy haylage (seeding to late seeding), on the other hand, can be used to fulfil the energy and protein needs of maintenance-fed Icelandic horses.     

Nutritional value of mixed grass haylage in Icelandic horses

The influence of cutting time of mixed grass haylages on energy and nitrogen (N) metabolism, and the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) were studied in four mature Icelandic geldings by performing total collection of faeces and urine. The experiment was arranged as 4 × 4 balanced Latin square. The four haylages used were harvested at different times and were considered to be representative in botanical composition for mixed grass haylages in Iceland.     

A framework for results‐based management in fisheries

We present a framework for results‐based management (RBM) of commercial fisheries. The core idea of RBM is to reduce micromanagement by delegating management responsibility to resource users. The RBM framework represents an industrial organization approach to co‐management and comprises three defining processes, conducted by three independent “agents”: (i) an “authority” defines specific and measurable and achievable objectives (outcome targets, OTs) for the utilization of fisheries resources, (ii) resource user organizations (termed “operators”) take responsibility for achieving these OTs and provide documentation that (iii) allows independent “auditors” to evaluate the achievement of OTs. Using incentive mechanisms, notably deregulation, RBM grants operators the flexibility to develop and implement innovative and cost‐effective ways to achieve OTs. The feasibility of implementing RBM in five European fisheries was investigated in cooperation with relevant stakeholders through artificial planning processes and computer simulations. The operators involved were enthusiastic, and new management plans were drafted based on the framework. These included socioeconomic OTs in addition to traditional stock objectives, encompassing an ecosystem approach. Several issues are in need of further research to consolidate the approach and prepare the ground for practical implementation, including: the specification of the legal and regulatory framework required to underpin RBM, details of transitional arrangements when shifting towards RBM (including cost‐sharing) and the development of necessary organizational capacity for operators. Initially, we therefore envisage the framework being applied to high‐value single‐species fisheries, with a limited number of participants, which are adequately represented by a competent organization.