Evaluation of maturity parameters and heavy metal contents in composts made from animal manure

The objective of this study was to evaluate a variety of maturity indices and heavy metal concentrations in the composting process. A full-scale study was performed on animal manures (dairy:beef:swine = 50%:30%:20%, w/w) mixed with sawdust using a self-screwed turner over a time period of 63 days. Several chemical compost characteristics and germination indices were monitored on samples collected weekly at a prototype composting facility. NH(4)-N concentrations decreased during the composting time, on the contrary NO(3)-N concentrations increased sharply after 30 days. As composting proceeded, the humic acids content increased from 1.45% to 2.70% of the organic carbon content, whereas the fulvic acids content decreased gradually. Temperature in the compost pile and concentration of NH(3) averaged 32.4 degrees C and 12.9 ppm at the initial composting phase and 69.5 degrees C and 47.3 ppm at the active bio-oxidation composting phase, respectively. Seed germination and germination index (GI) increased during the composting process, and the compost samples at the end of composting phase had GI values greater than 120. Among the composting processes, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in concentration of Zn, Cu and Pb in the compost. In conclusion, the suggested maturity parameter values and metal concentrations of composted animal manures can provide better understanding of maturation process of animal manure compost.     

The effects of the environment and ecology projects on lake management and water quality

In this study, the characteristics, benefits, and effects of the environment and ecology project, which has been implemented in Turkey for the first time to restore the natural life that has been spoilt and the ecological balance of Lake Bafa located in Great Meander Basin, are searched. Moreover, the water samples taken from the stations that were spotted in the lake have been analyzed for the physical and chemical changes taking place in water quality before and after the project. The water cycle occurring as a result of giving water that was raised in Great Meander River by the Rubber regulator, which is the most important element of the project, through the Serçin inlet and feeder channel; and draining the saline and low-quality water to the river bed of the Great Meander, will improve the water quality, the natural life, and the ecological balance of the lake in time. Thanks to the water given to the lake within the scope of project, the salinity of the lake water decreased from 25,500 to 22,500 mmhos cm^???1. The electrical conductivity, Na^?+?, Mg^?+?2, Ca^?+?2, Cl^???, $\text{CO}_\text{3} ^{-\text{2}}In this study, the characteristics, benefits, and effects of the environment and ecology project, which has been implemented in Turkey for the first time to restore the natural life that has been spoilt and the ecological balance of Lake Bafa located in Great Meander Basin, are searched. Moreover, the water samples taken from the stations that were spotted in the lake have been analyzed for the physical and chemical changes taking place in water quality before and after the project. The water cycle occurring as a result of giving water that was raised in Great Meander River by the Rubber regulator, which is the most important element of the project, through the Ser?in inlet and feeder channel; and draining the saline and low-quality water to the river bed of the Great Meander, will improve the water quality, the natural life, and the ecological balance of the lake in time. Thanks to the water given to the lake within the scope of project, the salinity of the lake water decreased from 25,500 to 22,500 mmhos cm( - 1). The electrical conductivity, Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2, Cl(-), CO3(-2), HCO3(-), and the amount of the organic substances were found as over the appropriate values for fishery. Besides, the decreases in the amounts of NO3(-), HN3(-) and PO4(-3) affect the living beings in the lake negatively. In addition, the measures to take are specified, so that the natural life of the Lake and the ecological balance can renew themselves within a short time.     

Concentration of Organochlorine Pollutants in Surface Waters of the Central European Biosphere Reserve Krivoklatsko (8 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope The article is focused on dioxin, furan, PCB and organochlorine pesticide monitoring in the surface waters of the Central European, protected natural reserve Krivoklatsko, under the UNESCO programme Man and Biosphere. Persistent compounds are presently transported via different means throughout the entire world. This contamination varies significantly between sites. This raises the question of what constitutes the naturally occurring background levels of POPs in natural, unpolluted areas, but which are close to industrialised regions. Information of real background POP contamination can be of high value for risk assessment management of those sites evidently polluted and for the defining of de-contamination limits. Preserved areas should not be seen as isolated regions in which the impacts of human activities and natural factors are either unexpected or overlooked. Every ambient region, even those protected by a law or other means, are still closely connected to neighbouring human developed and impacted areas, and are therefore subject to this anthropogenic contamination. These areas adjacent to natural reserves are sources of diverse substances, via entry of air, water, soil and/or biota. After an extended period of industrial activities, organochlorine pollutants, even those emitted in trace concentrations have reached detectable levels. For future research and for the assessment of environmental changes, present levels of contamination would be of high importance. This work publishes data of the contamination with organochlorine pollutants of this natural region, where biodiversity and ecological functions are of the highest order. Materials and Methods: Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were utilised as the sampling system. SPMDs were deployed in two small creeks and one water reservoir selected in the central part of the Krivoklatsko Natural Reserve, where it could be expected that any possible contamination by POPs would be lowest. The exposed SPMDs were analysed both for chemical contents of POPs and for toxicity properties. The chemical analyses of dibenzo-dioxins, dibenzo-furans, PCBs and OCPs were analysed by GC/MS/MS on GCQ or PolarisQ (Thermoquest). Toxicity bioassays were performed on the alga Desmodesmus subspicatus, bacteria Vibrio fischeri and crustacean Daphnia magna. All toxicity data were expressed as the effective volume Vtox. Vtox is a toxicity parameter, the determination of which is independent of SPMD deployment time and pre-treatment dilution (unlike, for example, the EC50 of the SPMD extract). Results: The following chemical parameters were monitored: 1) tetra, penta, hexa and hepta dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans; 2) all those detectable from tri- through deca-polychloriated biphenyls (PCBs) and 3) a group of organochlorine pesticides: hexachlorobenzene and isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, DDE, DDD and DDT. The concentrations of dioxins and furans on the assessed sites varied from under detection levels up to 7 pg.l-1; PCBs were detected in a sum concentration up to 2.8 ng.l-1; and organochlorine pesticides up to 346 pg.l-1. The responses of bioassays used were very low, with the values obtained for Vtox being under 0.03 l/d. Discussion: Toxicity testing showed no toxicity responses, demonstrating that the system used is in coherence with the ecological status of the assessed sites. Values of Vtox were under the critical value – showing no toxicity. The PCA of chemical analysis data and toxicity responses resulted in no correlations between these two groups of parameters. This demonstrated that the present level of contamination has had no direct adverse effects on the biota. Conclusions: The concentration values of six EPA-listed, toxic dioxins and sums of tetra-hepta dioxins; nine EPA toxic dibenzofurans and the sums of tetra-hepta bibenzofurans are presented together with all tri-deka PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (alfa-, beta-, gama-, delta-HCH, HCB, opDDE, ppDDE, opDDD, ppDDD, opDDT, ppDDT). These values represent possible current regional natural background values of these substances monitored within the Central European region, with no recorded adverse effects on the freshwater ecosystem (up until the present time). Recommendations and Perspectives: Assessment of dioxins, furans and other organochlorine compounds within natural reserves can be important for the monitoring of human-induced impacts on preserved areas. No systematic monitoring of these substances in areas not directly affected by industry has generally been realised. There is a paucity of data of the presence of any of these substances within natural regions. Further monitoring of contamination of both soil and biota by dioxins and furans in preserve regions is needed and can be used for future monitoring of man-made activities and/or accidents. Semipermeable membrane devices proved to be a very good sampling system for the monitoring of trace concentrations of ambient organochlorine compounds. Toxicity evaluation using the Vtox concept demonstrated that those localities assessed expressed no toxicity.     

Effect of reservoir flushing on downstream river water quality

The effect of short-term reservoir flushing on downstream water quality in the Geum River, Korea was studied using field experiments and computer simulations. The reservoir release was increased from 30 to 200 m(3)/s within 6 h for the purpose of this experiment. The flushing discharge decreased the concentrations of soluble nitrogen and phosphorus species considerably, but the experimental results revealed a negative impact on organic forms of nutrients and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). A dynamic river water quality model was applied to simulate the river hydraulics and water quality variations during the event. The model showed very good performance in predicting the travel time of flushing flow and the variations of dissolved forms of nitrogen and phosphorus constituents. However, it revealed a limited capability in simulating organic forms of nutrients and BOD because it does not consider the re-suspension mechanism of these constituents from sediment during the wave front passage.     

Quantification of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from pig buildings in Korea

The aim of this field study was to determine the concentrations and emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in different types of pig buildings in Korea to allow objective comparison between pig housing types in Korea and other countries. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings averaged 7.5ppm and 286.5ppb and ranged from 0.8 to 21.4ppm and from 45.8 to 1235ppb, respectively. The mean emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide per pig (normalized to 75kg liveweight) and area (m2) from pig buildings were 250.2 and 37.8mg/h/pig and 336.3 and 50.9mg/h/m2, respectively. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and emissions were higher in the pig buildings managed with deep-pit manure systems with slats and mechanical ventilation than in other housing types.     

A longitudinal study of mentor and protégé outcomes in formal mentoring relationships

This study examined relationships between mentoring functions offered and transformational leadership as a mentor outcome and affective well‐being and organizational commitment as mutual outcomes for both mentors and protégés. For this examination, we conducted a longitudinal field study by using 111 matched reports from both mentors and protégés collected at three different points in time over seven months in nine Korean companies that administered a standardized formal mentoring program. Study results showed that mentoring functions assessed at Time 2 were positively associated with mentors' and protégés' post‐mentoring outcomes at Time 3 after controlling for pre‐mentoring initial levels of those outcomes at Time 1. Study findings also revealed that relative effects of mentoring on the mentor and protégé outcomes differed by the types of mentoring functions. We discuss the theoretical, practical, and methodological implications from these results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Removal of anthelmintic drugs and their photodegradation products from water with RO/NF membranes

Photolytic reactions are often complex, involving various competing or parallel pathways and leading to multiple reaction products. Removal of anthelmintic drugs (AD) – levamisole (LEV), albendazole (ABZ), praziquantel (PZQ), febantel (FEBA) from water and their photodegradation products with reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes were investigated in this work. Simulation of photodegradation of ADs was carried out under laboratory conditions with UV lamp at a wavelength of 254 nm for 4 h.Reverse osmosis (LFC–1 and XLE) and tight nanofiltration (NF90) membranes showed good removal (>83%) of anthelmintic drugs in binary solutions and in mixture. Other nanofiltration (NF270, NF and DK) membranes had rejection between 22 and 45% for smaller drugs (LEV and ALB) and >90% for PZQ and FEBA. These results show that main rejection mechanism in binary solutions was size exclusion and in mixture additional physico-chemical interactions had influence.After the UV treatment anthelmintic drugs were degraded into several photodegradation products (5 for LEV, 2 for ABZ, 1 for PZQ and 8 for FEBA). Reverse osmosis and NF90 membranes removed >95% of all photodegradation products (except FEBA₁ around 70%) and other nanofiltration membranes between 33 and 99.99%.