Fusing multi-source data to map spatio-temporal dynamics of winter rape on the Jianghan Plain and Dongting Lake Plain,China

Mapping crop distribution with remote sensing data is of great importance for agricultural production, food security and agricultural sustainability. Winter rape is an important oil crop, which plays an important role in the cooking oil market of China. The Jianghan Plain and Dongting Lake Plain(JPDLP) are major agricultural production areas in China. Essential changes in winter rape distribution have taken place in this area during the 21 st century. However, the pattern of these changes remains unknown. In this study, the spatial and temporal dynamics of winter rape from 2000 to 2017 on the JPDLP were analyzed. An artificial neural network(ANN)-based classification method was proposed to map fractional winter rape distribution by fusing moderate resolution imaging spectrometer(MODIS) data and high-resolution imagery. The results are as follows:(1) The total winter rape acreages on the JPDLP dropped significantly, especially on the Jianghan Plain with a decline of about 45% during 2000 and 2017.(2) The winter rape abundance keeps changing with about 20–30% croplands changing their abundance drastically in every two consecutive observation years.(3) The winter rape has obvious regional differentiation for the trend of its change at the county level, and the decreasing trend was observed more strongly in the traditionally dominant agricultural counties.     

谭新华教授从阴阳论治男性不育症经验浅析

男性不育症是临床常见男性疾病之一,发病因素多,病情复杂,而在治疗上颇为困难,治疗周期较长。谭新华教授熟谙中医经典,受张景岳治疗男科疾病学术思想影响,并在“阳化气,阴成形”理论指导下,认为男性不育症与阴阳失衡密切相关,且常兼杂其他病证。谭教授治疗男性不育症,辨证上工于阴阳,明辨虚实;辨病上细察病因,谨守病机;施治上量方化裁,功简药专。总体疗效堪佳,以此文并结合案例试析谭教授临证经验。     

Potential applications of indirect electrochemical ammonia oxidation within the operation of freshwater and saline-water recirculating aquaculture systems

The paper addresses two potential applications for electrochemical ammonia oxidation within the operation of recirculating aquaculture systems, in which nearly complete removal of N species is required. In one described application, a physical–chemical ammonia oxidation method is suggested to entirely replace conventional biological treatment methods (i.e. nitrification/denitrification). The second described method is suggested as a final polishing step for removing ammonia from effluents of denitrification reactors supplied with intrinsic organic matter, prior to the discharge of the water. Empirical results and cost assessment are reported for the second alternative, while the first, which was recently published, is discussed with respect to improvements, operational conditions and field tests required to induce its commercial application. The polishing alternative was shown capable of efficiently removing TAN in the effluents of RAS denitrification reactors fed with intrinsic organic solids. The cost for treating denitrification reactor effluents with TAN concentration of 10 mgN/L was estimated at 6.67 cent/m³ of discharged water. Since the chloride ion concentration in seawater and in most brackish waters is high, combining the intrinsic organic carbon denitrification process with subsequent ammonia polishing by electrochemically produced active chlorine may be a competitive approach for the removal of nitrogen species from seawater and brackish water RAS.     

Ammonia toxicity and its effect on the growth of the South African abalone Haliotis midae Linnaeus

The current study investigated acute toxicity to ammonia of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae, from three size classes relevant to mariculture operations, and the chronic impact of sub-lethal ammonia levels on growth of juvenile abalone.Results showed that tolerance to ammonia (at pH 7.8 and T_a = 15 °C) increases with body size (i.e. age) as indicated by 36 h LC₅₀ values: juvenile abalone (1-2.5 cm shell length) had the lowest LC₅₀ of 9.8 μg l^− 1 FAN, whereas LC₅₀ was 12.9 μg l^− 1 FAN in “cocktail”-size abalone (5-8 cm shell length). The highest LC₅₀ of 16.4 μg l^− 1 FAN was observed in “brood stock”-size animals (10-15 cm). When “cocktail”-size abalone were allowed to acclimatize to sub-lethal ammonia levels for 48 h, their ammonia tolerance increased compared with non-acclimatized abalone of the same size: LC₅₀ was 2.0 μg l^− 1 FAN higher at 14.8 μg l^− 1 FAN.Growth of juvenile abalone (1-2.5 cm shell length) during chronic exposure to sub-lethal FAN levels is inhibited: specific growth rate (SGR) is significantly reduced by 58.7% to 0.10 ± 0.03% d^− 1 (weight) compared with 0.24 ± 0.06% d^− 1 of abalone of a control group (no ammonia).The results demonstrate the negative effects of ammonia not only on survival but also on growth of farmed abalone, both impair profitability of the farming operation. The information from the present study will be helpful in determining water quality requirements in South African abalone farms.     

The use of biochar in the production of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a biofloc technology system - BFT

The present study investigated the effectiveness of biochar as a water quality control agent and an alternative carbon source in a tilapia-based biofloc technology (BFT) system. Water quality parameters were measured following standard procedures (APHA, 1998) and fish physiological indices were measured using designated ELISA kits. Data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA. Two biochar treatments were employed i.e. B; only biochar, GB; biochar + glucose, while for the control (G) only glucose was added. Tilapia fingerlings were cultured for approximately 10 weeks with no water exchange. Significant reduction (p < 0.05) in dissolved oxygen (DO) level was observed in group G (5.99 ± 0.10 mg/L) compared to B (6.66 ± 0.12 mg/L) and GB (6.53 ± 0.56 mg/L). Notably, concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) were signficantly lower in the biochar treatments (B and GB) compared to the control (G). Additionally, alkalinity was significantly higher in G (156.47 ± 5.17 mg/L) compared to B (137.92 ± 3.83 mg/L) and GB (146.44 ± 3.87 mg/L). Levels of NO₃- and total nitrogen (TN) were significantly higher in group B compared to G and GB. Also, significant difference was observed in PO₄^3- levels between B (30.81 ± 2.28 mg/L) and GB (22.70 ± 1.84 mg/L). The dynamics of the water quality parameters revealed that heterotrophic assimilation and nitrification were active in maintaining the water quality. Overall, the result showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in all the fish growth parameters. Urea nitrogen measured in the fish was significantly lower in B (3.85 ± 0.32 mmol/L) compared to G (5.40 ± 0.39 mmol/L) and GB (5.53 ± 0.39 mmol/L). Generally, there were no notable detrimental effects of biochar application on fish growth and physiological performance.     

Effect of settled sludge on dissolved ammonia concentration in tanks used to grow abalone (Haliotis midae L.) fed a formulated diet

The relative contribution that solid waste or 'sludge', which accumulates at the bottom of abalone ( Haliotis midae L.) tanks, makes to dissolved ammonia has not been established. Sludge was allowed to accumulate in 10 fully stocked abalone tanks, fed a formulated feed (Abfeed^®; Marifeed, South Africa), for 24 days. Sludge was subsequently siphoned from five of these tanks. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) production and toxic, free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) were recorded in the tanks from which sludge was removed and compared with those from which sludge was not removed over the subsequent 50 h. Tanks with neither abalone nor sludge present were used as a control. The mean production of TAN (±standard deviation) was an average of 44% higher in tanks from which sludge was not removed compared with those from which it was, indicating that the sludge was a significant contributor to dissolved ammonia in the tanks. The toxic FAN concentrations were correspondingly higher in tanks with sludge present (2.3±0.3 μL⁻¹) compared with cleaned tanks (1.9±0.1 μL⁻¹). Our results indicate that regular removal of sludge from abalone tanks should significantly reduce the dissolved ammonia levels, thereby improving water quality in the culture environment.     

Evaluation of brook trout production in a coldwater recycle aquaculture system

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are a commercially important coldwater species reared in Wisconsin and the Midwestern United States. Brook trout are raised by private, tribal, state, and federal fish hatchery facilities in Wisconsin. Approximately 10% of private coldwater aquaculture operations are presently raising brook trout of various strains for stocking uses and a limited amount for food markets. Growing brook trout to a larger size, if they can be reared in a shorter time span, may present a potential new sector for the aquaculture market in the Midwestern US. The present study reports hatchery production attributes, i.e., growth, survival, fin condition, feed efficiency, water chemistry requirements and general husbandry of Lake Superior strain (Nipigon) brook trout reared in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), operated at an average temperature of 13 °C. The recycle system at NADF reared 1379 kg of brook trout over a 10-month period from fingerling (9 g) to market size (340–454 g). The trout grew faster (0.84 g/day and 0.64 mm/day) in the RAS than fish cultured in traditional flow-through tank culture utilizing ground water at 7.6 °C (0.14 g/day and 0.35 mm/day). Final average weight of RAS fish was 260 g, while the flow-through fish averaged 65 g. Final tank densities for the RAS averaged 40.4 kg/m³ while flow-through tanks averaged 31.2 kg/m³. Throughout the project, feed conversions in the RAS ranged from 0.9 to 1.3. Water quality variables such as TAN, nitrite, DO, temperature, TSS, CO₂, ph, etc. were within safe limits for brook trout and will be discussed. It does appear from this initial research project that market size brook trout can be raised successfully in a recycle system within a similar time frame as a rainbow trout produced in a Wisconsin typical flow-through facility.     

果洛地区“黑土滩”中秃斑地测定

“黑土滩”中的秃斑地和原草地相比，毒草量增加６４．８％，优良牧草明显减少；地下根量（０—１０ｃｍ）减少２３７６．６ｇ／ｍ￣２；土壤趋于碱性、旱化，肥力下降，蓄水能力下降。以上差异均达到显著水平（Ｐ＜０．０５）。     

The effect of low pH on physiology,stress status and growth performance of turbot (Psetta maxima L.) cultured in recirculating aquaculture systems

We evaluated the effect of low pH and low and high total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations on the physiology, stress status and the growth performance of turbot in RAS. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, turbot (466 g) were grown at control (pH 7.5; TAN ~0.5 mg/L) or low pH and high TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~50 mg/L) for 55 days. In Experiment 2, turbot (376 g) were grown at control (pH 7.5; TAN ~0.5 mg/L), low pH and low TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~5 mg/L) or low pH and high TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~50 mg/L) for 59 days. In Experiment 1, final body weight, feed intake and growth were significantly lower and FCR significantly higher in turbot exposed to low pH and high TAN. In Experiment 2, only growth was significantly lower in turbot exposed to treatment low pH and high TAN as compared to fish in the control treatment and low pH and low TAN. Osmoregulation and stress indicators measured were within normal levels. In conclusion, turbot grew equally well in a water pH of 7.5 or 5.7 provided a low TAN. In contrast, low pH combined with a high TAN impaired turbot performance.     

The effect of plant protein‐based diets on apparent nutrient digestibility,growth response,egesta quantity,postprandial ammonia excretion rate and serum quality of Nile tilapia

The study assessed the effect of oilseed meal mixtures on the biological value, faecal matter output, ammonia excretion rates and serum biochemistry of Nile tilapia over 63 days. The experimental diets (PPB 1, PPB 2 and PPB 3) were formulated using four selected oilseed meals that were mixed in different protein proportions to contribute 80% of total dietary crude protein. In each diet, either one or two of the oilseed meals were the dominant protein contributor. A commercial tilapia feed was used as the control diet (CTRL). Sex‐reversed Nile tilapia fingerlings (35 g) were stocked at 20 fish per tank in a recirculation system and fed at 3% body weight of their respective diets. At the end of the study, ADCs of dry matter, crude lipid and ash were significantly (p < .05) lower in all the plant‐based diets compared with the control diet. Fish fed the control diet had significantly higher weight gain and SGR compared with the plant‐based diets. Egesta output was 127% higher in the plant‐based diets compared with the control diet. All dietary treatments exhibited a similar trend in changes in ammonia nitrogen. Nevertheless, serum metabolites levels indicated no significant differences among treatments. Although the PPBs did not affect ADC of protein and serum profile, fish growth was reduced while faecal output increased.