Treatment of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria in swine wastewater with free chlorine

Recent recognition of the occurrence of antibiotics in the environment has highlighted concerns regarding potential threats of antibiotics to humans and wildlife. Antibiotics are commonly applied to animals to prevent diseases and promote growth, making livestock agriculture a major source of antibiotic pollution. The purpose of our study was to examine chlorination technology as a method for preventing the release of antibiotics as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria into the environment from concentrated animal feeding operations. Wastewaters from various sites of two anaerobic lagoon systems, one aerated and the other not, on a swine facility were investigated. Each system consisted of a primary treatment lagoon and a subsequent polishing lagoon. Free chlorine (or monochloramine for comparison) was applied to oxidize antibiotics and to disinfect lagoon bacteria as well. Results indicate that aeration substantially improves lagoon functionality, thereby adding both organic and ammonia removal. Ammonia present in the wastewaters plays a critical role in antibiotics decomposition and bacterial inactivation due to its rapid competition for free chlorine to form monochloramine. Generally, a chlorine dose close to breakpoint is required to achieve complete removal of antibiotics, leading to high consumption of free chlorine in most of the wastewaters examined. However, because of a low ammonia concentration in the polishing lagoon wastewater of the aerated system, a chlorine dose of 100 mg/L can effectively achieve complete removal of both antibiotics and bacteria. On the basis of our experimental findings, a possible strategy for the treatment of swine wastewater is suggested.     

Evaluation of a new natural adjuvant obtained from locust bean gum to reduce the amount of copper necessary to control downy mildew of grapevine

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Two field trials in integrated cultivation (2014 and 2016) were carried out with the aim to evaluate the efficacy and the persistence of copper...     

Living With Urban Baboons: Exploring Attitudes and Their Implications for Local Baboon Conservation and Management in Knysna,South Africa

Humans and primates are coming into increasing contact within urban landscapes. Few studies have investigated how the impacts of living alongside urban primates affect residents’ perceptions of primates. Perceptions have been shown to play a role in conservation interest and management of other urban wildlife species. A survey of suburban residents in Knysna, South Africa was used to explore the relationships between attitudes, level of perceived threat and extent to which baboons were considered a problem, support for local baboon conservation and preferred baboon management strategies. Results indicated that perceived threat was associated with less positive attitudes toward baboons, a greater perceived problem, decreased concern for baboon conservation, and increased advocacy for their lethal removal. This article illustrates the link between respondent perceptions and acceptance of urban primates and the need for further investigation for the wellbeing of both humans and primates.     

作物地膜覆盖安全期概念和估算方法探讨

该研究首次提出作物地膜覆盖安全期的概念,将其定义为"某一作物在某一区域要求地膜覆盖的最佳天数,也就是地膜覆盖农田土面能保持膜面完整的日数",在此日数之前地膜应该保持基本完整,维持增温保墒和防除杂草等功能,此日数之后,这些功能基本消失。明确作物地膜覆盖安全期有利于作物生产的高效管理,指导地膜生产者研发出满足农业生产需求和成本较低的地膜产品,协助农民根据覆盖作物种类和生产条件选择合适的农用地膜。在此基础上,该研究构建了基于地膜覆盖增温保墒和抑灭杂草等功能测定和农作物郁闭度测定的2种作物地膜覆盖安全期估算方法。第1种方法是通过对作物覆盖地膜条件下土壤温度和水分的连续监测,构建作物地膜覆盖与未覆盖农田土壤温度、水分和杂草控制的时序图,寻求二者的交汇或者重合点即地膜覆盖的增温保墒功能消失或者基本消失的时间节点,从覆盖到这个日期的天数分别属于某种作物地膜覆盖的温度安全期和水分安全期。第2种方法式是通过系统监测作物全生育期郁闭度和地膜覆盖功能参数,建立作物郁闭度与地膜覆盖主要功能的关系曲线,综合研判后确定地膜覆盖功能消失时作物郁闭度,计算作物地膜覆盖安全期。作物地膜覆盖安全期相关研究可为构建中国地膜覆盖技术适应性评价体系、探明地膜覆盖适宜区域的空间分异规律、以及生物降解地膜生产和应用提供技术支撑。