Biosorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) onto a lignocellulosic substrate extracted from wheat bran

We studied the removal of copper and zinc ions from aqueous solutions using a lignocellulosic substrate obtained by an acido-basic treatment of wheat bran. The sorption capacity of this material was investigated through batch and column experiments. Batch experimental results showed that the retention capacity of the lignocellulosic substrate was 0.20×10^–3 mol g^–1 at pH 4.5 for copper(II) and 0.24×10^–3 mol g^–1 at pH 6.5 for zinc(II). Column experiments showed a reduced sorption capacity for both ions compared to batch experiments. Batch and column data were analysed using the Langmuir equation in order to determine the affinity constant and the binding capacity of the sorbent and to compare both retention processes.     

Models for the field-based toxicity of copper and zinc salts to wheat in 11 Australian soils and comparison to laboratory-based models

Laboratory-based relationships that model the phytotoxicity of metals using soil properties have been developed. This paper presents the first field-based phytotoxicity relationships. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown at 11 Australian field sites at which soil was spiked with copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) salts. Toxicity was measured as inhibition of plant growth at 8 weeks and grain yield at harvest. The added Cu and Zn EC10 values for both endpoints ranged from approximately 3 to 4760 mg/kg. There were no relationships between field-based 8-week biomass and grain yield toxicity values for either metal. Cu toxicity was best modelled using pH and organic carbon content while Zn toxicity was best modelled using pH and the cation exchange capacity. The best relationships estimated toxicity within a factor of two of measured values. Laboratory-based phytotoxicity relationships could not accurately predict field-based phytotoxicity responses.     

碱法麦草浆漂白废水脱色白腐菌的筛选及脱色研究

从腐木上采集,经多次分离纯化筛选出2株具有较高漂白废水脱色能力的菌株F7、F9,与Phanerochaete Chrysosporium在相同的条件下处理碱法麦草浆CE段混合漂白废水,培养4d脱色率分别为74．44％,46．67％和62．22％。延长培养时间至第8d,F7菌脱色效果不明显,而F9菌脱色可增至67．58％。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air, surface soil and wheat grain near a large steel-smelting manufacturer in northern China

The total concentrations and component profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air, surface soil and wheat grain collected from wheat fields near a large steel-smelting manufacturer in Northern China were determined. Based on the specific isomeric ratios of paired species in ambient air, principle component analysis and multivariate linear regression, the main emission source of local PAHs was identified as a mixture of industrial and domestic coal combustion, biomass burning and traffic exhaust. The total organic carbon (TOC) fraction was considerably correlated with the total and individual PAH concentrations in surface soil. The total concentrations of PAHs in wheat grain were relatively low, with dominant low molecular weight constituents, and the compositional profile was more similar to that in ambient air than in topsoil. Combined with more significant results from partial correlation and linear regression models, the contribution from air PAHs to grain PAHs may be greater than that from soil PAHs.     

Development and validation of abiotic ligand model for nickel toxicity to wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A terrestrial biotic ligand model (t-BLM) was developed to predict nickel toxicity to wheat (Triticum aestivum) root elongation in hydroponic solutions. The competitive effects of five major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and H⁺) on Ni toxicity were investigated and Mg²⁺ was found to be a strong competitor, while H²⁺ showed less competing effect. Besides free Ni²⁺, the toxicity induced by the species NiHCO₃⁺ was non-neglect able at pH > 7 because NiHCO₃⁺ occupied a significant fraction of total Ni under such condition. Thus, a t-BLM including Ni²⁺, NiHCO₃⁺, Mg²⁺, and H⁺ could successfully predict the nickel toxicity to wheat root elongation and it performed better prediction than the conventional free ion activity model. In addition, the model was examined with two sets of independent experiments, which contained multiple cations and low-molecular-weight organic acids to mimic the rhizo-sphere condition. The developed t-BLM well predicted nickel toxicity in both experiments since it can account in both complexation and competition effects, suggesting its potential to be used in a complicated matrix like soil solution. This study provides direct evidence that the t-BLM is a reliable method for the risk assessment of nickel in terrestrial system.     

污水土地处理模拟试验比较分析

通过温室条件下，冬小麦３种不同种植密度下（Ａ、Ｂ、Ｃ３组分别为０．０２０８、０．１０４２、０．１４１５株／ｃｍ＾２），氮污染物运移转化吸收模拟试验，分析不同污水土地处理强度下植物生长、根系生长与分布、根系对氮污染物吸收规律以及根系部分吸收与土壤中氮去除过程，探讨最佳的污水土地处理条件和强度。试验结果是，Ａ组单株吸氮量最大达４９．９０ｍｇ／株；Ｂ组种植密度下，土壤中氮累计减少量与随灌水累计加入量相等     

Plant uptake of pesticides and human health: dynamic modeling of residues in wheat and ingestion intake

Human intake of pesticide residues from consumption of processed food plays an important role for evaluating current agricultural practice. We take advantage of latest developments in crop-specific plant uptake modeling and propose an innovative dynamic model to estimate pesticide residues in the wheat-environment system, dynamiCROP. We used this model to analyze uptake and translocation of pesticides in wheat after foliar spray application and subsequent intake fractions by humans. Based on the evolution of residues in edible parts of harvested wheat we predict that between 22 mg and 2.1 g per kg applied pesticide are taken in by humans via consumption of processed wheat products. Model results were compared with experimentally derived concentrations in wheat ears and with estimated intake via inhalation and ingestion caused by indirect emissions, i.e. the amount lost to the environment during pesticide application. Modeled and measured concentrations in wheat fitted very well and deviate from less than a factor 1.5 for chlorothalonil to a maximum factor 3 for tebuconazole. Main aspects influencing pesticide fate behavior are degradation half-life in plant and time between pesticide application and crop harvest, leading to variations in harvest fraction of at least three orders of magnitude. Food processing may further reduce residues by approximately 63%. Intake fractions from residues in sprayed wheat were up to four orders of magnitude higher than intake fractions estimated from indirect emissions, thereby demonstrating the importance of exposure from consumption of food crops after direct pesticide treatment.     

Soil Persistence of Triasulfuron Herbicide as Affected by Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Persistence of triasulfuron [3-(6-methoxy-4methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-1-{2-(2-chloroethoxy)-phenylsulfonyl}-urea] in soil was studied under wheat crop and laboratory conditions. Field experiment was conducted in the farms of Agronomy Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Randomized block design (RBD) was followed with four replicates and two rates of treatments along with control and weedy check. Triasulfuron was applied as post-emergent application to wheat crop at two rates of application viz., 15 g and 20 g a.i. ha^?1. Soil samples at 0 (3 h), 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30-day intervals after application were drawn, extracted, cleaned up, and analyzed for herbicide residues by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using C₁₈ column and methanol: water (8:2) as mobile phase at 242 nm wave length. Effect of microbial activity and soil pH was studied under laboratory conditions. Dissipation of triasulfuron followed a first-order-rate kinetics. Residues dissipated from field soil with half-life of 5.8 and 5.9 days at two rates of application. The study indicated biphasic degradation with faster rate initially (t _1/2 = 3.7 days), followed by a slower dissipation rate at the end (t _1/2 = 9.4 days). Similar trend was observed with non-sterile soil in laboratory with a longer half-life. Acidic pH and microbial activity contributed toward the degradation of triasulfuron in soil.     

Wheat leaf epicuticular characteristics as rust inhibitors

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) trichomes influence wheat leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Rob. ex Desm.) germling elongation as a function of the external element (i.e. ‐ Ca, Si, P, CI) concentration. Basal cells of multicellular trichomes have a high Ca content; and, Ca²⁺ has been shown to inhibit elongation of primary roots. Evaluation of epicuticular wax composition in the intracellular areas of epidermal cells might explain the disorganized growth in those locations.     

Natural radioactivity in winter wheat from organic and conventional agricultural systems

The distribution of natural radionuclides was studied in winter wheat plants collected from three sites in Belgium during 2004-2007. Activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and ²²⁸Th in organically and conventionally grown wheat, and in the corresponding soil samples, were determined using ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry. The observed soil-to-wheat concentration ratios were calculated for the different parts of the wheat plant (root, stem and grain) in the two agricultural systems (organic and conventional). There were large variations in radionuclide activity concentrations between the sites and fields, but no significant difference between conventionally and organically grown wheat plants was observed.