Seasonal variations in compostability and production of vermiprotein by Eisenia fetida

The potential of E. fetida to degrade wastes into vermicompost and to produce vermiprotein in the form of worm-biomass during different seasons was evaluated. Results revealed that the environmental factors prevailing during different seasons did influence directly the life activities of the worm and indirectly the compostability of the wastes. Feeding activities of E. fetida reduced the time of production of an efficient organic pool with energy reserves as vermicompost. Further, the amount of vermicompost produced by the worm activity depended primarily on the environmental factors and secondarily on the nature of organic wastes.     

Influence of animal manures on the biology of temperate earthworm, Eisenia fetida in tropical semiarid climate

For understanding the potential utility in field scale production of vermicompost and vermiprotein economically, Eisenia fetida was cultured to establish the influence of (i) prevailing tropical semiarid (North-East region of Karnataka, India) environmental factors and (ii) different animal manures (cattle, horse and 1:1 mixture of cattle and horse) (on its growth, reproduction and life span. In three forms of diet, growth (mg/d/g live weight of worm) was almost similar, but the biomass in cattle manure (565.7 +/- 15.3) was significantly more than horse manure (494.9 +/- 22.8) and 1:1 mixture (470.3 +/- 22.0). Mean cocoon production (per worm/week) in horse manure (0.16) was significantly (P<0.001) lower than that in cattle manure (1.6) and in 1:1 mixed manure (1.4). Cattle favoured biomass, growth and cocoon production. Horse manure inhibited cocoon production and the conserved energy in this process might have been added to the body weight almost equal to that in cattle manure. In 1:1 mixed manure, the biomass was less due to moderate cocoon production (presumably due to the stimulatory influence of 50% cattle manure) under semifavorable nutrients and environmental conditions. Fecundity of the worms declined with aging, despite favourable nutrients and environmental conditions. Worms survived up to 92, 68 and 66 weeks in cattle manure, 1:1 mixed manure and horse manure respectively.     

多环麝香对蚯蚓的急性和亚急性毒性效应

为探讨多环麝香对土壤动物的毒性效应,以赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为供试生物,采用滤纸接触法与自然土壤法,考察了吐纳麝香(AHTN)和佳乐麝香(HHCB)对蚯蚓的急性和亚急性毒性效应。结果显示,滤纸法测得的AHTN和HHCB对蚯蚓的急性经皮毒性为中等毒性,对蚯蚓的48h-LC_(50)分别为20.76和11.87μg·cm~(-2),而自然土壤法测得的AHTN和HHCB对蚯蚓的14d-LC_(50)分别为436.3和392.4μg·g~(-1),2种多环麝香皆属低毒物质。HHCB对蚯蚓的急性毒性大于AHTN,但2种毒性测定方法中不同的染毒介质和毒性作用途径使AHTN和HHCB的急性毒性等级的界定有所差异。AHTN和HHCB对蚯蚓繁殖率的抑制作用较对生长速率更为明显,2种多环麝香对蚯蚓繁殖率的无可见效应浓度(NOEC)均为30μg·g~(-1),最低可见效应浓度(LOEC)均为50μg·g~(-1)。研究表明,蚯蚓繁殖率可作为一种潜在的生物标志物,用于监测或表征土壤中多环麝香的污染水平及其亚急性毒性效应。     

Seasonal pattern of metal bioaccumulation and their toxicity on Sphagnum squarrosum

Present study was undertaken as an attempt to study the effect of pollutants on biological responses of Sphagnum growing at Kainchi, Kumaon hills (Uttranchal). Sphagnum plants of almost identical size, collected from the marked sites of Kainchi in different seasons viz., monsoon, winter, summer and again in monsoon, were analysed for chlorophyll, protein, shoot length and nitrate reductase and peroxidase activities. Maximum chlorophyll, protein, shoots length and nitrate reductase activities were observed during the monsoon while minimum in summers. The abundance of Sphagnum and two other bryophytes, Marchantia and Plagiochasma was also higher in monsoon than in other seasons. The study also indicated that Sphagnum has more bioaccumulation and tolerance potential for heavy metals than Marchantia and Plagiochasma.     

Effect of poultry,cattle, sheep manures and sewage sludge on N mineralisation

The effects of various organic wastes on nitrogen mineralisation in soil were investigated. For this purpose, poultry (pl), cattle (ct), sheep (sh) manures and sewage sludge were used as organic wastes. This study was conducted as a laboratory incubation experiment with a calcareous soil. Organic wastes (3%) were added to pots of soil and incubated at 28°C for 16 weeks under non-leaching conditions. The cumulative mineralised N was then fitted to a single exponential model. Maximum nitrogen mineralisation was determined in the second week of incubation in soil treated with poultry manure. Overall, the results showed that the amount of mineral nitrogen in soil treated with different organic wastes was controlled by the type of manure. The results indicated that among the organic wastes, sewage sludge induced the highest quantities of net N mineralisation. Generally, organic wastes increased the amount of N mineralisation in the studied soil and the values of N₀ and k in treated soil varied depending on the type of organic waste. The highest N₀ and k values were found in poultry-treated soil.     

Impact of vehicular exhaust on ambient air quality of Rohtak city, India

In the present study, ambient air quality of Rohtak city (Haryana) was monitored by High Volume Sampler. The selected parameters to judge the quality of air were Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide NO), Ozone (O3) and Suspended particulate matters (SPM) which give a fair idea of pollution load carried by the air. The monitoring data were collected from six sites randomly selected in Rohtak city. Sulphur dioxide was found below the permissible limits of National Ambient Avo Quality Standards (NAAQS) at all the sites. Higher concentration of SO2 was observed during winter in comparison to summer and monsoon seasons. Nitrogen dioxide concentration was found to be above the prescribed standards of NAAOS at four sites in winter season. Ozone concentration was found below the prescribed standards (NAAOS), but its concentration was higher in summer season as compared to winter. Suspended particulate matter concentration was observed above the safety limits at all the sites in all three seasons.     

Feeding and nutritional ecology of the sea urchin strongylocentrotus drobachiensis in Maine,USA

The sea urchin strongylocentrotus drobachiensis exhibited a high degree of food selectivity, whether foods were presented singly or in combination. Foods ranked from most to least preferred were, in summer, Laminaria longicruris, Chondrus crispus, Corallina officinalis, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Agarum cribrosum, whereas in winter A. nodosum and A. cribrosum exchanged ranks. Food preference was not correlated with caloric content but, because of higher feeding rates on preferred foods, caloric intake was positively correlated with preference. Similarly, food absorption rankings were not correlated with food preference, with the exception of gravimetric efficiencies in winter. However, the absorption of L. longicruris, the most preferred alga, was highest in all measurements. Growth and reproductive development of S. drobachiensis on single species diets were positively correlated with food preference. Highest values occurred with animals fed L. longicruris. Urchins transferred from non-preferred to preferred diets showed increased somatic and reproductive growth compared to control animals on the original, non-preferred diets. Conversely, when transferred from preferred to non-preferred diets, urchins showed reduced growth compared to controls. No combination diet tested supported significantly better gonadal growth than L. longicruris: 25% C. crispus supported slightly better somatic growth than L. longicruris alone. These data support the view that S. drobachiensis has evolved a feeding strategy resulting in the maximization of growth and reproduction.     

22种常用除草剂对蚯蚓(Eisenia fetida)的急性毒性

为评价农药对土壤动物的影响,采用滤纸法和人工土壤法测定了22种常用除草剂对赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)的急性毒性.滤纸法染毒48 h,特丁净、丙草胺、精异丙甲草胺、乙草胺和莎稗磷对蚯蚓为中等毒性,其LC50值为10.32(8310～12.23)～34.69(29.16～43.99) μg·cm-2;其次为...     

Seasonal variations in physicochemical characteristics and cyanobacterial diversity of a lake in Northern India

Physicochemical analyses and cyanobacterial diversity of Ramgarh Lake water were performed at five sampling sites during winter, summer, and monsoon seasons. Higher load of solids, carbon, and nutrients were persistent throughout the analysis that indicates the conversion of lake from oligotrophic to eutrophic nature. High nutrients load enhanced cyanobacterial biomass, while low nutrients load produced relatively less biomass. The physicochemical parameters of water samples revealed minimum 2.9 mg L^?1 dissolved oxygen (DO) at site-1 during summer, while maximum (5.6 mg L^?1) at site-4 in monsoon season. Maximum biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (40 mg L^?1) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (126 mg L^?1) were recorded at site-1 during summer, whereas minimum BOD (18 mg L^?1) and COD (52 mg L^?1) were evident at site-3 in monsoon season. Minimum concentration of nitrate (0.72 mg L^?1) was recorded at site-3 in summer, whereas maximum 2.7 mg L^?1 was present at site-5 in winter season. The phosphate concentration was maximum (0.52 mg L^?1) at site-5 in summer, and minimum (0.18 mg L^?1) was observed at site-4 in monsoon season. Cyanobacterial diversity was higher during all the seasons, and dominated by the species of Microcystis at all the five sampling sites.     

利用餐厨和绿化垃圾提高蚯蚓堆肥效率处理剩余污泥的研究

为了显著提高蚯蚓堆肥处理剩余污泥的效率,在实验室条件下进行了掺入不同比例餐厨和绿化垃圾的剩余污泥蚯蚓堆肥试验。在保持剩余污泥占主体的情况下,试验按照剩余污泥：餐厨垃圾：绿化垃圾的质量比（干质量）顺序,共设6个不同配比处理组,分别为100/0/0、90/5/5、80/10/10、70/15/15、70/20/10和70/10/20,各组接种蚯蚓后恒温（25±1）℃暗室培养,中途适时补充基质和水分,试验为期7周。试验结束后,去除未被降解基质,分离并量测蚯蚓质量和数量以及蚓粪质量及其养分含量,并据此量化比较各组蚯蚓堆肥效率。试验结果表明,与纯污泥相比,增加餐厨和绿化垃圾的总比例可以显著加快蚯蚓的生长、成熟和繁殖速度,显著提高对应基质的降解速率和蚓粪生产速率,而且相应蚓粪的养分（总有机碳、全钾）含量也会显著增加（全氮和全磷含量无显著影响）。在保持剩余污泥占70%比例下,掺入15%餐厨垃圾和15%绿化垃圾的组别蚯蚓堆肥处理剩余污泥的效率达到最高（蚓粪的养分含量除外）,并与其他组别相比具有统计显著性。总之,餐厨和绿化垃圾的掺入能够显著提高蚯蚓堆肥处理剩余污泥的效率。     

Effect of feedlot design and management on the fate and distribution of monensin

Feedlots produce a range of trace chemicals that impact human health and/or the environment. The most widely used growth promoter in intensive cattle production in Argentina is monensin, an ionophore polyether with antibacterial and coccidiostatic activity. Several beef cattle feedlots with different management systems, weather conditions, feed types and feedbunk types were selected in different agro-ecological areas of Argentina. Monensin concentrations in samples of pen soil, manure, feed and runoff were analysed. The monensin concentrations measured in soil samples suggest a strong dependence on the type of feed employed in the facility. During feed distribution by trucks to the feedbunks, some feed can reach the soil, thereby increasing the soil monensin concentration close to the feedbunks. The wide range of monensin concentrations detected in manure samples could be explained by the rapid degradation of monensin in the manure matrix. Monensin levels in runoff samples indicated that the distribution of monensin in the environment could be governed by surface phenomena including horizontal movement and adsorption of monensin in particulate material present in the runoff layers. This is the first study of monensin distribution in Argentinian feedlots and serves as the starting point for more sustainable and environmentally friendly feedlot management.     

Response of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) to heavy metals contamination in soils with different organic fertilisations

The response of green roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) to Cu/Pb contamination and manure application in soil was investigated using pot experiments. Subsamples of a mineral soil were treated with increasing doses (0–500 mg kg^?1) of Cu/Pb only and/or amended (at 10% w/w) with poultry or swine manure. Roselle plants were grown, monitored for changes in growth rate and post-harvest aboveground dry biomass and tissue Cu/Pb concentrations were determined. The plants were typically greenish with linear growth profiles at all metal doses, indicating some level of tolerance. Dry biomass yields decreased as metal dose increased. Poultry manure enhanced roselle biomass yields better than swine manure. Tissue Cu/Pb concentrations increased linearly as metal doses increased in unamended soils; whereas nonlinear responses were observed in manure-amended soils. Soil-to-plant transfer factors, T _f (%) indicated that Cu (13≤T _f (% )≤60) was more phytoavailable to roselle than Pb (11≤T _f (% )≤20). Tissue metal concentrations were modelled from soil pH, organic matter, plant available and pseudototal metal; but the models appeared more reliable with plant available metal as a covariate than with pseudototal metal content. These observations may become useful whenever phytoextraction is the remedial option for soils moderately contaminated by toxic metals.     

COLIWAVE a simulation model for survival of E. coli O157:H7 in dairy manure and manure-amended soil

A simulation model was developed to investigate the relative effects of temperature, oxygen concentration, substrate content and competition by autochthonous microbial community on the oscillatory behaviour and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in manure and manure-amended soil. The overall decline in E. coli O157:H7 was primarily determined by competition with autochthonous copiotrophic bacteria simulated by an inter-specific competition term according to Lotka-Volterra. Oscillations of bacterial populations were attained by the relationships between relative growth and death rates with readily available substrate content. The model contains a logistic and exponential relation of relative growth and death rates, respectively, of E. coli O157:H7 and copiotrophic bacteria with temperature, resulting in optimum curves for net growth rates similar to the curves reported in the literature. The model has been both calibrated and validated on experimental data. The model was used to perform sensitivity analysis and to evaluate different manure and soil management scenarios in terms of survival of E. coli O157:H7. The relative effects of changes in temperature on simulated survival time of E. coli O157:H7 were more pronounced than changes in oxygen condition. Testing manure storage scenarios with realistic data revealed that manure stored in a heap that was turned every week resulted in almost 70% reduction of E. coli O157:H7 survival compared to unturned manure. At the surface of a heap with unturned manure, simulated survival time was the longest (2.4 times longer than inside the same heap). The simulation model provides a new approach to investigating dynamic changes of invasive microorganisms in natural substrates such as manure or manure-amended soil.     

Environmental stability and seasonality of a harpacticoid copepod community

The southwest monsoon on the west coast of India brings about dynamic changes in estuaries and coastal waters. The response of the meiofauna to monsoonal rain is obvious, but the impact of such environmental changes on the community structure of harpacticoid copepod species and their seasonality in the estuaries influenced by the tropical monsoon is poorly understood. In this study the spatial and temporal variability in abundance and community structure of meiobenthic copepods was investigated over an annual cycle (June 1983 to June 1984), in an estuary influenced by the tropical monsoon. Total meiofaunal abundance showed wide variations in space and time. Minimum and maximum densities were observed in the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons, respectively. Quick recovery of harpacticoid populations in the early post-monsoon season indicated their recuperative power under adverse conditions. Of the 25 species recorded from lower, middle and upper reaches, eight comprised over 70% of the total copepod population. The peak and low occurrence of dominant species displayed striking correlations with the summer and rainy seasons, respectively. While other species were restricted in distribution, Stenhelia longifurca was recorded from all salinity regimes. The harpacticoid community was greatly influenced by the onset of the monsoon period, and their spatial and temporal variabilities were related with physico-chemical parameters and the variability of these parameters in the estuary.     

Effects of farmyard manure and chemical fertilizers on the nutritional status of the loquat trees

The nutritional status of the loquat trees was investigated using cattle manure and commercial fertilizers for three years. The farmyard manure increased N, P, K, Mg, Fe and Zn contents of the leaves. No significant difference was found between the fertilizer types for trunk growth. Yield efficiency was nearly doubled by application of farmyard manure. Fertilizers did not affect the weight and shape of the fruits; however, commercial fertilizers led the lower total acidity in fruits. It was concluded that the loquat trees grown in sandy soils could fulfill their principal nutrient requirements for growth and commercial yield with application of farmyard manure.     

Use of Flyash as Environmental and Agronomic Amendments

Coal combustion power plant flyash materials have been reported as useful soil amendments with agronomic and environmental benefits. This paper reports the efficacy of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) byproducts, when amended with dairy, swine, and broiler litter manures, in reducing phosphorus (P) solubility and potential impact on water quality. At a rate of 400 g/kg, FBC reduced water soluble P by 60% for dairy and swine and 50% for broiler litter, as compared to un-treated control samples. Byproduct FGD had little effect when amended into dairy manure, but reduced water soluble P by nearly 80% when amended into swine and broiler manure at a rate of 250 g/kg. The amount of Ca added in the amendments together with pH of the mixture is the major contributing factor in soluble P reduction. Sequential extraction results showed that the flyash treatments shifted water soluble P into mainly bicarbonate extractable P. The latter is still considered available for crop uptake but less vulnerable for environmental losses. Coal combustion byproducts, when amended into manure and used properly, can provide a useful and viable option for improving nutrient management on animal farms.     

Use of flyash as environmental and agronomic amendments

Coal combustion power plant flyash materials have been reported as useful soil amendments with agronomic and environmental benefits. This paper reports the efficacy of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) byproducts, when amended with dairy, swine, and broiler litter manures, in reducing phosphorus (P) solubility and potential impact on water quality. At a rate of 400 g/kg, FBC reduced water soluble P by 60% for dairy and swine and 50% for broiler litter, as compared to un-treated control samples. Byproduct FGD had little effect when amended into dairy manure, but reduced water soluble P by nearly 80% when amended into swine and broiler manure at a rate of 250 g/kg. The amount of Ca added in the amendments together with pH of the mixture is the major contributing factor in soluble P reduction. Sequential extraction results showed that the flyash treatments shifted water soluble P into mainly bicarbonate extractable P. The latter is still considered available for crop uptake but less vulnerable for environmental losses. Coal combustion byproducts, when amended into manure and used properly, can provide a useful and viable option for improving nutrient management on animal farms.     

Impact of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) on biogassification of potato waste

A study was conducted on anaerobic digestion of potato waste and cattle manure mixture, inoculated with 12% inoculum and diluted to 1:1 substrate water ratio at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. Initially pH of substrate was found to be 4.5 to 5.0. Lime and sodium bicarbonate solutions were employed to adjust the pH to 7.5. Biogas production continued up to 10 and 7 days, when lime and sodium bicarbonate solutions were used to adjust the pH, respectively. Biogassification potential was studied in response to different ratio of waste and cattle manure. Biogas production rate was higher when potato waste and cattle manure were used in 50:50 ratio. Effect of two different concentrations (2.5 and 5.0 ppm) of three heavy metals viz. (Ni (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II)) on anaerobic digestion of substrate (potato waste--cattle manure, 50:50) was studied. At 2.5 ppm, all the three heavy metals increased biogas production rate over the control value. The percentage increase in biogas production over the control was highest by Cd, followed by Ni and Zn. In all the treatments, methane content of biogas increased with increase in time after feeding. Various physico-chemical parameters viz. total solids, total volatile solids, total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand considerably declined after 7 days of digestion and decline was greater in presence of heavy metals as compared to control. The physico-chemical parameters revealed maximum decrease in the presence of 2.5-ppm concentrations of heavy metals with the substrate. Among all the three heavy metals employed in the study, Cd++ at 2.5 ppm was found to produce maximum biogas production rate. The use of three heavy metals to enhance biogas production from potato and other horticultural waste is discussed.     

有机肥及其施用方法对红壤磷吸附和解吸特征的影响

利用有机肥大田定位试验，研究有机肥及其施用方法对水旱轮作的红壤磷吸附和解吸特征的影响．结果表明，施用有机肥料后土壤对磷的吸附量减少．吸附结合能常数Ｋ值下降，土壤对磷的亲和力减小．有机肥集中施于冬作的处理其吸附量小于分两季施用的处理．与吸附相反，吸附量大的处理其解吸量小，施用有机肥后，磷解吸量增加．有机肥集中施用的处理其解吸量高于分两季施用的处理．有机肥对低平衡浓度下的磷的解吸影响最大，即有机肥能促进高能吸附阶段的磷的解吸，由于这一阶段吸附的磷通常是很难解吸的，因此这对提高磷的有效性有极其重要的意义．     

离子交换树脂袋法研究森林土壤硝态氮及其对氮沉降增加的响应

用离子交换树脂袋法，研究了鼎湖山三种森林（马尾松林、马尾松针叶阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林）土壤硝态氮对外加氮的响应特征。结果表明，土壤硝态氮显著地受森林类型、季节和氮处理的影响。整体而言，阔叶林土壤硝态氮极显著高于马尾松林和混交林，而马尾松林和混交林之间的差异则不显著。三种森林土壤硝态氮的季节变化均表现为春季和夏季极显著高于冬季和秋季，而冬季又显著高于秋季。外加氮处理提高土壤硝态氮水平，其中在马尾松林和阔叶林氮处理效应显著。所得结果与直接采集土壤或土壤水测定的硝态氮含量的结果一致，表明离子交换树脂袋法是评价土壤硝态氮水平行之有效的手段之一。