Biological methane production coupled with sulfur oxidation in a microbial electrosynthesis system without organic substrates

Methane is produced in a microbial electrosynthesis system (MES) without organic substrates. However, a relatively high applied voltage is required for the bioelectrical reactions. In this study, we demonstrated that electrotrophic methane production at the biocathode was achieved even at a very low voltage of 0.1 V in an MES, in which abiotic HS⁻ oxidized to SO₄²⁻ at the anodic carbon-cloth surface coated with platinum powder. In addition, microbial community analysis revealed the most probable pathway for methane production from electrons. First, electrotrophic H₂ was produced by syntrophic bacteria, such as Syntrophorhabdus, Syntrophobacter, Syntrophus, Leptolinea, and Aminicenantales, with the direct acceptance of electrons at the biocathode. Subsequently, most of the produced H₂ was converted to acetate by homoacetogens, such as Clostridium and Spirochaeta 2. In conclusion, the majority of the methane was indirectly produced by a large population of acetoclastic methanogens, namely Methanosaeta, via acetate. Further, hydrogenotrophic methanogens, including Methanobacterium and Methanolinea, produced methane via H₂.     

Multi-component behavior of fixed-bed adsorption of dioxins by activated carbon fiber

The multi-component behavior of fixed-bed adsorption of dioxins (DXNs) was examined through detailed analyses of the concentration profiles of isomers in fixed-bed activated carbon fiber (ACF). Regularities in both adsorption rates and strengths were clarified. (1) The rate of transfer in the adsorption of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCCDs/DFs) tends to increase with decreasing number of chlorine substituents. Axial dispersion also tends to increase with a decreasing number of chlorine substituents under our experimental conditions. (2) Homologues with the same number of chlorine substituents in PCDDs/DFs have similar adsorption strengths. The adsorption strength of PCDD/DF isomers is probably greater than that of co-planar polychlorinated biphenyls (co-PCB) isomers when the number of chlorine substituents is identical. (3) The adsorption strength of isomers depends on their molecular structure. In PCDDs/DFs the toxic isomers, all of which have vicinal chlorine substituents at the 2, 3, 7 and 8 positions, are relatively strong. It is clear, especially in TeCDDs, that isomers with vicinal chlorine substituents are stronger than isomers without. In co-PCBs, isomers without chlorine substituents at ortho positions are stronger than those with, and (4) A close analogy exists between the adsorption strength order for ACF and the elution order in gas chromatography (GC).     

Feasibility study of a centralized biogas plant performance in a dairy farming area

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In this feasibility study, the anaerobic co-digestion of different organic wastes obtained from a dairy farming area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan...     

A highly resolved anion-exchange chromatographic method for determination of saccharidic tracers for biomass combustion and primary bio-particles in atmospheric aerosol

An improved high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) method is developed and validated for simultaneous determination of atmospherically relevant sugar alcohols, monosaccharides, and monosaccharide anhydrides. The improved method enables the separation of levoglucosan and arabitol which were not or insufficiently separated by the previous HPAEC–PAD methods. Reproducibility of the method was tested for both standard solutions and atmospheric aerosol samples. The peak area relative standard deviation (RSD%) of standard solutions were found to be lower than 1.5% for consecutive analyses (n = 3) and lower than 4% for day to day variation (n = 9). The peak area RSD% of atmospheric samples with typical European wintertime monosaccharide concentrations (n = 9) was found to be similar to that of standard solutions. Limits of detection ranged from 0.002 mg L^?1 for inositol to 0.08 mg L^?1 for fructose. The developed method offers a simple, reliable and cost effective determination of atmospheric tracers for biomass combustion and for selected bio-aerosol components at sub-nanogram per cubic-meter-air concentration levels for routine analysis.     

Integrated biological–physical process for biogas purification effluent treatment

Biogas purification via water scrubbing produces effluent containing dissolved CH₄, H₂S, and CO₂, which should be removed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase its potential for water regeneration. In this study, a reactor built with air supplies at the top and bottom was utilized for the treatment of biogas purification effluent through biological oxidation and physical stripping processes. Up to 98% of CH₄ was removed through biological treatment at a hydraulic retention time of 2 hr and an upper airflow rate of 2.02?L/day. Additionally, a minimum CH₄ concentration of 0.04% with no trace of H₂S gas was detected in the off gas. Meanwhile, a white precipitate was captured on the carrier showing the formation of sulfur. According to the developed mathematical model, an upper airflow rate of greater than 2.02?L/day showed a small deterioration in CH₄ removal performance after reaching the maximum value, whereas a 50?L/day bottom airflow rate was required to strip the CO₂ efficiently and raise the effluent pH from 5.64 to 7.3. Microbiological analysis confirmed the presence of type 1 methanotroph communities dominated by Methylobacter and Methylocaldum. However, bacterial communities promoting sulfide oxidation were dominated by Hyphomicrobium.     

Distribution and abundance of finless porpoise in the Inland Sea of Japan

Aerial sighting surveys were conducted in 2000 to evaluate the distribution and abundance of finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides in the Inland Sea of Japan. We flew 60 north–south transects (2,218 km in total) at intervals of 6.43 km over the study area between 131°3′ and 134°59′ E. In total, 148 groups were detected by two observers. The average group size was 1.56 individuals. The effective strip half-width of each observer was estimated to be 107 m (coefficient of variation [CV] = 8.26%). Porpoise abundance was estimated at 7,572 individuals and the density was as low as 0.506 individuals/km² (CV = 17.3%). The sea is among the Japanese waters with the lowest density in spite of its favorable topographical conditions. In the western stratum of the study area, where the estimated density was 1.31 individuals/km², we observed a relatively regular distribution. In the central-eastern stratum, which had an estimated density of 0.208 individuals/km², we confirmed a clumped distribution that was restricted to inshore waters or near islands. No individuals were observed in waters between 132°51′ and 133°11′E, and between 133°43′ and 133°59′E, where sand dredging and other human activities have been active, suggesting that habitat fragmentation has occurred.