Long-term effects of application of sewage sludge to soil on composition of herbage with respect to potentially toxic elements

Repeated applications of metal-contaminated sewage sludge can have a drastic effect on soil levels of trace elements and lead to serious toxicity effects in plants. In some cases, land can be rendered sterile.It has been demonstrated that contamination of soils with respect to cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc is largely irreversible, although there does appear to be a long-term tendency for these metals to become progressively less available to plants over a long period of time. Most national guidelines designed to regulate the disposal of sewage sludge on agricultural land are based on the assumption that relatively rapid fixation of contaminant metals does take place in the soil after sludge application. There is a dearth of information relating to the rates at which potentially toxic-elements commonly present in sewage sludge become immobilised in soils, although it is clear that contaminant boron can be leached down the profile in the short term.Evidence is presented that contamination of top soil can persist for a period of six years after a single application of sludge (150 tonnes dry matter/ha). Over this period, there was little change in available levels of boron, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the top soil and the degree of enhancement of these elements in perennial ryegrass grown in the sludge-treated area remained more or less unchanged.     

蜂窝煤灰渣和磷肥结合修复铅污染贫磷潮土的研究（Remediation of Lead Polluted Chaotu Soil with Low Phosphorus Availability by Application of Honeycomb Briquette Combustion Residue and Phosphorus Fertilizer）

利用蜂窝煤灰渣和磷肥结合稳定铅污染贫磷(Olsen-P=2.50mg·kg-1)潮土中铅的可行性.采用盆栽试验,设置0和500mg·kg-1两个Pb用量,灰渣用量分别为干土质量的0%和2%,P:Pb分别为0和4.种植黑麦草,植物生长85d后收获,测定植物产量、土壤DTPA-Pb、Olsen-P含量、pH值和电导率(EC).结果表明,在两个Pb用量及两个P:Pb比例下,加入灰渣后,土壤的DTPA-Pb含量均降低,平均降低5.61%.其中加铅未加磷处理灰渣效果达到0.05的显著水平,各加Pb处理中,同时加入磷肥和灰渣处理土壤的DTPA-Pb含量最低;加入灰渣后处理土壤中的Olsen-P含量均增加,平均增加了2.71mg·kg-1,各处理土壤pH值上升约0.1个单位,加入灰渣也导致各处理土壤的EC增加.各处理条件下加入灰渣后植物产量均减小.在未加磷土壤中加入Pb后,土壤Olsen-P含量显著增加(p<0.05),表明高铅有效性下,植物可能通过根系分泌物增加了土壤磷的有效性.以上结果表明,蜂窝煤灰渣有可能用于降低污染土壤中铅的有效性,但其对植物生长的抑制作用需要克服.     

Gross biochemical composition of the bivalve Macoma balthica from the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic)

Seasonal changes in lipid, glycogen, protein (Nx6.25), and ash content of the meat of Macoma balthica (L.) from five sampling sites in the Gulf of Gdask were studied from 1981 to 1984. Lipid and glycogen were stored mainly during spring and at the beginning of summer. The lipid content of up to 36% of the dry weight observed in populations from the Gulf of Gdask are among the highest values reported for bivalve molluscs. Potential causes of this high value are discussed.     

Studies on the nutritional requirements of the larval stages of Penaeus japonicus using microencapsulated diets

Fatty acid biosynthesis in the larval stages of Penaeus japonicus Bate was examined by feeding microencapsulated diets containing (1-¹⁴C) palmitic acid, and fat-free diets supplemented with defined fatty acids. Highest larval growth rates were achieved on diets containing Tapes philippinarum lipid and, when defined fatty acids were substituted, on diets containing 20:63 fatty acid. The radioactive tracer experiments indicate that 16:17, 18:0 and 18:19 fatty acids may be synthesised from palmitic acid and that P. japonicus larvae may possess the ability to elongate 18:33 to 20:53 and 22:63, and 18:26 to 20:46. However, the rates of these reactions appear to be too slow to meet the larval requirements for essential fatty acids and the 3 series of polyunsaturated fatty acids must be provided in the diet.     

Influence of fertilizer and sewage sludge compost on yield and heavy metal accumulation by lettuce grown in urban soils

Previous research has demonstrated that many urban soils are enriched in Pb, Cd and Zn. Culture of vegetable crops in these soils could allow transfer of potentially toxic metals to foods. Tanya lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in pots of five urban garden soils and one control agricultural soil to assess the effect of urban-soil metal enrichment, and the effect of soil amendments, on heavy metal uptake by garden vegetables. The amendments included NPK fertilizer, limestone, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, and two rates of limed sewage sludge compost. Soil Cd ranged from 0.08 to 9.6 mg kg^–1; soil Zn from 38 to 3490 mg kg^–1; and soil Pb from 12 to 5210 mg kg^–1. Lettuce yield on the urban garden soils was as great as or greater than that on the control soil. Lettuce Cd, Zn and Pb concentrations increased from 0.65, 23, and 2.2 mg kg^–1 dry matter in the control soil to as high as 3.53, 422 and 37.0 mg kg^–1 on the metal-rich urban garden soils. Adding limestone or limed sewage sludge compost raised soil pH and significantly reduced lettuce Cd and Zn, while phosphate fertilizer lowered soil pH and had little effect on Zn but increased Cd concentration in lettuce. Urban garden soils caused a significant increase in lettuce leaf Pb concentration, especially on the highest Pb soil. Adding NPK fertilizer, phosphate, or sludge compost to two high Pb soils lowered lettuce Pb concentration, but adding limestone generally did not. On normally fertilized soils, Pb uptake by lettuce was not exceptionally high until soil Pb substantially exceeded 500 mg kg^–1. Comparing garden vegetables and soil as potential sources of Pb risk to children, it is clear that the risk is greater through ingestion of soil or dust than through ingestion of garden vegetables grown on the soil. Urban dwellers should obtain soil metal analyses before selecting garden locations to reduce Pb risk to their children.     

Cadmium contamination in Tianjin agricultural soils and sediments: relative importance of atmospheric deposition from coal combustion

Cadmium (Cd) in coal, fly ash, slag, atmospheric deposition, soils and sediments collected from Tianjin, northern China, were measured to provide baseline information and determine possible Cd sources and potential risk. The concentrations of Cd in coal, fly ash and atmospheric deposition were much higher than the soil background values. Fallout from coal-fired thermal power plants, heating boilers and industrial furnaces has increased the Cd concentration in soils and sediments in Tianjin. The concentrations of Cd in soils of suburban areas were significantly higher than in rural areas, suggesting that coal burning in Tianjin may have an important impact on the local physical environment. Cd from coal combustion is readily mobilized in soils. It is soluble and can form aqueous complexes and permeate river sediments. The high proportion of mobile Cd affects the migration of Cd in soils and sediments, which may pose an environmental threat in Tianjin due to the exposure to Cd and Cd compounds via the food chain. This study may provide a window for understanding and tracing sources of Cd in the local environment and the risk associated with Cd bioaccessibility.     

Review of fly ash inertisation treatments and recycling

Fly ash (FA) is a by-product of power, and incineration plants operated either on coal and biomass, or on municipal solid waste. FA can be divided into coal fly ash, obtained from power plant burning coal, flue gas desulphurisation FA, that is, the by-product generated by the air pollution control equipment in coal-fired power plants to reduce the release of SO₂, biomass FA produced in the plants for thermal conversion of biomass and municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) FA, that is, the finest residue obtained from the scrubber system in a MSWI plant. Because of the large amount produced in the world, fly ash is now considered the world’s fifth largest material resource. The composition of FA is very variable, depending on its origins; then, also pollutants can be very different. In this frame, it is fundamental to exploit the chemical or physical potentials of FA constituents, thus rendering them second-life functionality. This review paper is addressed to FA typology, composition, treatment, recycling, functional reuse and metal and organic pollutants abatement. Because of the general growing of environmental awareness and increasing energy and material demand, it is expected that increasing recycling rates will reduce the pressure on demand for primary raw materials, help to reuse valuable materials which would otherwise be wasted and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from extraction and processing.     

Trace element uptake in plants grown on fly ash amended soils

Four crop plants were grown in a greenhouse in soils amended with 0, 5, 10, and 20% by weight of coal combustion fly ash to evaluate potential trace element uptake by the vegetation. The leaves and stems from each plant were harvested and analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, and Zn content during early, middle, and late growth. The trace element data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether the trace element uptake in the four crop plants differed significantly between the soil treatments, and to identify significant differences in trace element uptake through time. The results show that the amount of amended fly ash does not significantly influence the concentration of most trace elements in plant tissue, and that some concentrations actually decrease with time. Although this study did not find a significant increase in trace element uptake, care must be taken in a natural environment where plants may behave differently.     

Heavy metal distribution in soils near Palapye, Botswana: an evaluation of the environmental impact of coal mining and combustion on soils in a semi-arid region

Morupule Colliery near Palapye in eastern Botswana is the only coalmine in production in Botswana at present. Its coal is mainly used in the nearby coal-fired Morupule Power Station, which generates approximately 1,000 GWh of electricity per annum. After more than 30 years mining and more than 20 years of combustion, the sedimentation of outlet fly ash from the Morupule Power Station has increased concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn and As by 13, 2.5, 16 and 5 ppm, respectively, in the fine portion (<53 μm) of surface soils for approximately 9 km downwind. Elements that have higher concentrations in coal have stronger small-particle association during coal combustion and are less mobile in surface soils, thus showing stronger contaminations in surface soils around the coal-fired plant. Although the degree of contamination of Cr, Ni, Zn and As from coal combustion in the Palapye area at present is low, it is necessary to monitor concentrations of these elements in surface soils routinely in the future. This study also reveals moderate Pb and Zn contaminations in the Palapye area. The former is due to the use of leaded petroleum in motor vehicle traffic and the latter is mainly due to the use of galvanized iron sheets in construction.     

煤灰中部分重金属元素含量与燃料工况的关系模型

本文研究了燃烧温度、燃烧气氛、煤粉细度和灰粒细度等因素与煤燃烧产生的细微粒子中部分重金属元素含量的关系,建立了灰粒中元素含量与备因素关系的模型,发现燃烧工况和灰粒细度与灰粒中元素的含量具有一定的相关关系.用模型对不同灰粒中的元素含量进行了预报,可用控制燃烧条件来减少重金属元素向大气的释放.     

Song as an attractant for male and female European starlings,and the influence of song complexity on their response

Summary We tested the hypothesis that song attracts females and repels males in the European starling. We broadcast recorded song from speakers attached to nestboxes, while paired boxes with silent speakers served as controls. As predicted, females were attracted to the song boxes. Contrary to prediction, males were also attracted to the `song' boxes. Singing by male starlings may be costly because it attracts competitors for limited nesting sites, but the cost cannot be avoided due to the need to attract a mate. In a second experiment simple song (composed of 20 different phrase types) and complex song (40 phrase types) were played simultaneously. More males were captured at boxes where simple song was played. Song complexity may function as an indicator of male quality and be used by male starlings to assess potential competitors.     

Are communal pukeko caught in the prisoner's dilemma?

Summary The prisoner's dilemma of game theory provides a possible explanation for communal breeding in the pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio, Aves) where group breeding birds are at a reproductive disavantag compared to pairs. Territorial defence is largely the realm of males. A male who defect on neighbours by taking in an extra male defender and so becoming communal stands to gain territorial area and possibly higher reproductive success. Neighbours are forced to follow suit if additional males are available or lose their territory and therefore their breeding opportunities. If neighbours also admit an extra defender, the initial defector loses his advantages and all males end up with the lower breeding success of communal groups. Such defection to a communal habit appears to be the only stable solution.     

Influence of irradiance on the nutritional value of two phytoplankton species fed to larval Japanese scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis)

Japanese scallop (Patinopectin yessoensis Jay) larvae grew faster and were larger after 18 d when fed a diet of high-light(HL)-grown Chaetoceros simplex or HL Pavlova lutheri relative to diets of the same phytoplankton species grown at low light (LL). When provided as saturating rations to larval scallop, these diets could be ranked: HL C. simplex>LL C. simplex>HL P. lutheri>LL P. lutheri. In both phytoplankton species, HL-grown cells contained more of the short-chain saturated fatty acid (FA), 16:0 than LL-grown cells. Scallop growth rates were a significant function of the amounts (mg g^-1 dry wt) and the proportions (as percentage of total FAs) of the FAs 14:0 and 14:0+16:0 (total saturated FAs) in their diet. The proximate biochemical composition of HL- versus LL-grown phytoplankton showed no significant differences in protein, total lipid, carbon, carbohydrate or nitrogen per cell which were consistently associated with the greater nutritional value of HL cells. In spite of this high variability in proximate composition, the larval growth rate was a significant function of the average carbon content, nitrogen content and cell volume of the phytoplankton cells. Increased amounts of the essential polyunsaturated FAs 20:5 3 and 22:6 3 in the phytoplankton were negatively correlated with larval scallop growth rates. Thus HL-grown phytoplankton cells were nutritionally superior to LL-grown cells. This nutritional superiority seems to be determined by the fatty acid composition of the cells which, in turn, is controlled by variation in irradiance. The general tendency of predator FA profiles to resemble that of their prey was not observed in larvae fed P. lutheri. The much greater amounts of 18:4 3, 20:5 3, and 22:6 3 FA in P. lutheri relative to C. simplex were not evident in the scallop larvae fed these cells.     

Digestive carbohydrases from the hepatopancreas of two Antarctic euphausiid species (Euphausia superba and E. crystallorophias)

The hepatopancreatic extracts of Euphausia superba Dana and E. crystallorophias Holt and Tattersall collected from the Antarctic. Ocean during January 1985, are most effective in hydrolysing substrates containing (13)--glucosidic linkages. Three enzymes appear to be involved in the depolymerization of (13)--D-glucans in the euphausiid diet: (1) an exo-(13)--D-glucanase, (2) an endo-(13)--D-glucanase and (3) a -D-glucosidase. The glucanases have a pH optimum of 5.4, a temperature optimum of 50°C and are optimally extracted in bistripropane buffer, pH 7.2. Levels of (13)-D-glucanase in laboratory-cultured E. superba are inversely affected by food availability, and activities double after starvation for 12 d. The increase is due mainly to higher activities of exo-acting glucanases. -Amylase and endo-(14)--D-glucanase (cellulase) activity are also present in the extracts in addition to glycosidase activity against a range of p-nitrophenyl substrates (-and -D-glocose, - and -D-galactose, -D-xylose, - and -D-mannose). Digestive activity against several acidic polysaccharides, including the acidic mucilage polysaccharide of the ice diatom Stauroneis amphioxys, is minimal and is not induced when the polysaccharide is present in the diet of E. superba. These results indicate that some, but not all, components of the algal material in the euphausiid diet can be hydrolyzed and assimilated.     

粉煤灰结合施肥对土壤微生物和酶活性的效应

在以前对粉煤灰改良石灰性土壤对其理化性质和养分效应研究的基础上,分析了小麦不同生育期土壤中微生物数量和几种重要的土壤酶的活性,旨在探讨石灰性褐土施用粉煤灰配合有机肥对土壤环境生物质量的效应。结果表明,每公顷施用粉煤灰150t以上显著提高了土壤中各种微生物的数量,对土壤酶活性也有显著的作用,尤其是对小麦灌浆期脲酶的活性有显著的促进作用。因此,施用粉煤灰可以改善土壤的生物活性,从而达到保护和治理土壤环境的效果。     

Le système assimilation-régénération des sels nutritifs dans les eaux superficielles de l'océan Austral

Low primary-productivity levels in high-nutrient environments of the Southern Ocean are not yet well understood. An accurate knowledge of nutrient assimilation by phytoplankton, at the base of the pelagic food-web, therefore appears to be essential. A study of the mesoscale hydrological structure and chemical observations in the upper layers of the Indian sector of the Antarctic Ocean (Cruise MD-25 FIBEX of M.S. Marion Dufresne, January–February 1981) permitted us to develop a method for estimating nutrient consumption by phytoplankton. After strong vertical mixing in winter, the homogeneous Antarctic Surface Water (ASW) is, in summer, divided into two parts by a well-formed pycnocline. In the upper layer, corresponding approximately to the photic zone, we observed nutrient depletion resulting from photosynthetic activity, while the underlaying thermal minimum layer displayed unaltered winter characteristics, including nutrient concentrations typical of winter surface-water conditions. Taking into account the nutrient depletion in summer, we calculated the assimilation ratios for Antarctic phytoplankton as follows: ([NO ₃ ^- lower]-[NO ₃ ^- upper]):([PO ₄ upper])=N:P=11.2±2.4 and N:Si=0.27±0.05. These ratios are lower than the classical Redfield ratios (N:P=16 and N:Si=1), but are in good agreement with the elementary composition of phytoplankton samples collected during the same cruise. Moreover, they agree with previously published data on stoechiometric determinations of particulate matter in surface-water samples. Besides, in the transition layer between the lower layer and Warm Deep Water (WDW), the calculated mineralization ratios were slightly higher than the assimilation ratios: N:P=14.6 and N:Si=0.37. From these ratios, it would appear that, in these surface layers of the Southern Ocean (down to 250 m), assimilation-regeneration mechanisms operate in such a way that phosphate and silicate contents decrease much more than nitrate content during the northward drift of the surface waters. The determination of assimilation ratios taking into account the nutrient depletion of the upper layer allowed us to evaluate the carbon net-production which integrates time-space variations in the photic layer over the whole early summer period. We estimated a production rate (0.4 g C m^-2 d^-1) of the same order of magnitude as the mean value obtained by the ¹⁴C method (0.2 g C m^-2 d^-1). The theoretic silicium consumption by phytoplankton along a meridian transect, calculated using an estimated assimilation ratio of C:Si=1,85, indicates that the marked south-north decrease in silicate concentration in the Antarctic Surface Water would mainly result from biological activity. The silicate concentrations thus calculated were in good agreement with concentrations measured along a previous transect across the Southern Ocean.

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Le système assimilation-régénération des sels nutritifs dans les eaux superficielles de l'océan Austral

     

叶面喷施硒硅复合溶胶抑制水稻砷积累效应研究

砷是一种毒性较强的类金属元素,稻米砷污染是近年来环境科学关注的难点和热点问题。为了控制稻米对砷的吸收积累,利用水热合成法制备了一系列浓度硒掺杂硅复合溶胶。采用盆栽和大田试验结合的方法,研究了硒掺杂纳米硅溶胶对水稻（Oryza sativa L.）砷吸收积累的影响。结果显示,叶面喷施硒掺杂纳米硅溶胶可以有效缓解水稻砷毒害,增加稻米硒含量,抑制稻米砷积累。盆栽试验结果表明：叶面喷施质量分数1%的硒掺杂纳米硅溶胶（1%Se-Si处理）后,水稻籽粒干质量比对照增加了43.8%,砷含量下降了46%,硒含量由对照的0.050 mg·kg-1增加到0.272 mg·kg-1。且与喷施亚硒酸钠相比（1%Se处理）,喷施硒掺杂纳米硅溶胶更有利于水稻生长,抑制稻米砷积累。与喷施硒质量分数1%的亚硒酸钠（1%Se处理）相比,喷施质量分数1%的硒掺杂纳米硅溶胶（1%Se-Si处理）后,水稻籽粒干质量增加了65.4%,砷含量下降了33.1%。大田试验结果也表明：叶面喷施硒硅复合溶胶可以显著抑制稻米砷积累,且随着硒掺杂量的增加,稻米砷含量显著降低、硒含量显著增加;硒的最佳掺杂量质量分数为0.5%,叶面喷施这种硒掺杂硅溶胶,稻米总砷质量分数由对照的0.25 mg·kg-1下降到0.14 mg·kg-1,稻米中硒的质量分数为0.26 mg·kg-1,符合富硒大米标准。砷污染稻田上,叶面喷施硒硅复合溶胶不仅使稻米砷含量达标,而且可以生产出富硒大米。因此,叶面喷施硒硅复合溶胶可能是治理稻米砷污染的新途径。     

The lead content and isotopic composition of british coals and their implications for past and present releases of lead to the UK environment

More than 60 coal samples, predominantly from the principal coalfields of England and Wales (25) and Scotland (30), were analysed for lead by AAS and for stable lead isotopes by ICPMS. While the average lead content of Scottish coal, 23.9mg kg^–1, was more than double that of coal from England and Wales, 11.0mg kg^–1, the corresponding mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios (± 1 s.d.) were nearly identical, at 1.181±0.011 and 1.184±0.006, respectively. In the light of the lead isotopic signatures of British coals and of both indigenous (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb 1.17) and imported Australian (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb 1.04) lead ores, an approach based on estimated lead emissions from these sources and the deconvolution of the historical lead and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb records preserved in lake sediments, peat bogs and archival herbage material indicates that coal combustion became an increasingly significant contributor to atmospheric lead deposition in the UK during the period 1830–1930, especially after the onset of Englands decline as a major location of lead mining and smelting in the late19th Century. Since 1930 and the introduction of leaded petrol, the atmospheric ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio in the UK has been strongly influenced by carexhaust emissions of comparatively ²⁰⁶Pbdepleted lead of predominantly Australian origin, counterbalanced to some extent by coalcombustion emissions of lead, although these have fallen dramatically since the mid1950s. Nevertheless, with the introduction and substantial uptake of unleaded petrol in the UK during the last decade, even the declining releases from coal, along with contributions from other sources, are continuing to affect the atmospheric lead content and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio.     

土壤改良剂对荧蒽、苯并[k]荧蒽提取和植物吸收的影响

在温室条件下,利用盆栽实验研究了三种土壤改良剂(骨炭、活性炭、泥炭)对荧蒽和苯并[k]荧蒽的提取和黑麦草吸收的影响.结果表明,添加骨炭、活性炭和泥炭后,土壤中可提取态荧蒽和苯并[k]荧蒽的量比对照处理分别降低了43.1%-63.8%和35.2%-57.6%,在高剂量骨炭、活性炭和泥炭处理的土壤中,可提取态荧蒽和苯并[k]荧蒽的量降低幅度均比相应低剂量处理的降低幅度大,并且各处理的效果与对照相比均达到了显著差异(p＜0.05);骨炭、活性炭和泥炭减少了荧蒽和苯并[k]荧蒽在黑麦草地下部分和地上部分的累积量,并且荧蒽和苯并[k]荧蒽在黑麦草地下部分和地上部分的累积量随着骨炭、活性炭和泥炭添加量的增加呈下降趋势.     

A mechanism for female choice of large males in the treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis

Summary In this study, we combine both field and laboratory experiments to address the effects of female preference for certain call characteristics on a large-male mating advantage in the treefrog H. chrysoscelis. In laboratory-choice experiments, females always chose the call with the lower fundamental frequency when call rate and call intensity were held constant and the difference in frequency between the two calls was 15%. The lower frequency call was preferred by 8 out of 12 females when the difference in fundamental frequency was 7.4%. These results are consistent with field comparisons of the size of unmated males calling within 2 m of a mated male: Male body size was negatively correlated with fundamental frequency and the greater the size difference, the more likely that the larger male mated. In field choice experiments, females preferred males with higher call rates. Since size differences between males used in this experiment averaged only 2.3 mm, we would not expect the fundamental frequency of a male's call to be the best predictor of mating success. Laboratory results demonstrated that call rate could override female preference for the low frequency call over the high frequency call, while intensity could at least dilute this preference. However, individual males in the field varied both call rate and the call intensity as perceived by the female. We suggest that the interaction between call rate, male size and mating success should be studied further through the use of field-choice experiments.