Thermochemical treatment for algal fermentation

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the thermochemical pretreatment process of algal fermentation on the efficiency with which algal energy is converted microbiologically to the energy in methane. The variables studies were pretreatment temperature, duration, concentration, and dosage of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In order to optimize the thermochemical pretreatment of algae, an independent variables study was selected. The results indicate that pretreatment best efficiency was attained with a temperature of 100°C for 8 h at a concentration 3.7% solids and without NaOH. Compared with untreated algae, pretreatment improved the efficiency of methane fermentation a maximum at 33%. An orthogonal square design was selected to determine the mathematical model to describe the effects of algal thermochemical pretreatment and to determine the relative significance among the pretreatment parameters.     

基于Landsat影像巢湖蓝藻水华暴发时空变化特征及其驱动因素分析

为研究巢湖蓝藻水华暴发的规律,该文以Landsat影像作为数据源,采用AFAI指数对藻华进行提取,分析1983～2017年巢湖蓝藻暴发的时空动态变化特征,并探讨巢湖藻华暴发的驱动因素。结果表明：1983～2017年巢湖藻华暴发频次、持续时间都在增加,历年最早暴发时间逐渐提前,藻华覆盖面积总体呈增加趋势。巢湖藻华主要分布在西北入湖口,西北部是巢湖藻华暴发的核心区。从其驱动力分析发现,风速、气温和大气压力是导致巢湖暴发重要影响因子,人口增长、GDP快速发展、施肥增加以及生活污水排放量增加是导致巢湖藻华现象日益严重的重要人为因素。     

Accumulation of Cu,Zn, Cd,and Pb by Scenedesmus obliquus under nongrowth conditions

The aim of this work has been to assess the accumulation of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead by a test alga, Scenedesmus obliquus, under nongrowth conditions. The results provide an evidence that metals can be readily accumulated by algae and that accumulation is a function of the metal-to-algae exposure ratio. When the metals were added in combination in equimolar concentrations, the following order of affinity to algal surface was detected Zn > Cu ? Cd > Pb. However, when EDTA was added to the test water, metal accumulation was greatly retarded. Moreover, when algae loaded with one of the metals were washed with EDTA solution the major part of the accumulated metal was mobilized, indicating that EDTA had stronger metal binding affinity than any ligands liable to exist on algal surface. Metal accumulation by algal cells isolated from a culture in the logarithmic growth phase was of much higher magnitude than that displayed by cells isolated from a culture in the decline phase.     

Diversity of corals and benthic algae across the shallow-water reefs of Andaman Islands: managing the valuable ecosystems

The Andaman Islands characterize one of the relatively unexplored coral reef zones of the Indian subcontinent. A few benthic biodiversity studies have been carried out to date, but several coral and algal species still remain to be evaluated in terms of their abundance, vigour and conservation priority. In absence of a comprehensive, reliable dataset, inter-relationships between anthropogenic impacts and climate alterations with the coral reefs cannot be assessed authentically. This paper addresses the coupled themes of biodiversity and reef management in the Andaman Islands by examining the percentage cover of corals and benthic algae from shallow-water ecosystems across the coasts of Havelock, Neil, Ross, Jolly Buoy Islands and Chidiyatapu beach proximal to Port Blair. Four major reef types were observed: coral-dominated, algae-dominated, neutral setting and algae overgrowing dead reefs. Jolly Buoy Island had the highest percentage cover of scleractinian corals and crustose coralline algae. Turf algae were most abundant at the Ross Island, while other macroalgae showed highest abundance at Chidiyatapu. Overall species diversity values for corals and algae were highest at the Jolly Buoy and Chidiyatapu, respectively. Given that corals and algae are critical reef components, management paradigms must consider the abundance and frequency of both these biogenic entities in the seascape. The needs, expectations and objectives of the people dependent on coral reef ecosystems also need to be considered. Long-term monitoring is imperative in understanding the natural typology of reefs and managing the possible algal encroachments. Refined management efforts that include greater thrust on development of marine protected areas and reserves; establishment of connectivity between various coral ecosystems of the region; control of invasive algae; and increasing awareness among the local people as well as tourists will ensure continued support of ecosystem to maintain healthy reefs. Collectively, the results are used to promote some strategies to conserve the Andaman coral reefs and cope with the detrimental anthropogenic and climate changes in these coastal habitats.     

Competition between Populations in the Consumer–Producer Trophic Chain in a Closed Aquatic System

The functioning of a closed aquatic consumer–producer system with spatially separated links, with each link consisting of two species, is considered. Competition between the consumers (infusorians Paramecium caudatum and rotifers Brachionus sp.) feeding on a mixed algal culture (Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus sp.) and competition between these algae under conditions of limited nitrogen supply are analyzed. It is shown that Scenedesmus algae have an advantage over C. vulgaris in terms of competitiveness, and their metabolic products have an adverse effect on reproduction in infusorians.     

Phytocenotic organization of algal groups as a possible indicator of the trophic status of bog ecosystems

In the soils of bog ecosystems studied in Plesetskii raion of Arkhangelsk oblast, 169 species and infraspecific taxa of algae have been recorded. Their flora includes typical divisions of soil algae and is dominated by Chlorophyta, which is typical for the soil–climatic conditions of the taiga zone in general and bog ecosystems in particular. The phytocenotic organization of algal groups can serve as an indicator of bog trophicity, since a certain trophicity level is characterized by an individual combination of dominant species, life forms, morphotypes, and ecological groups of soil algae.     

三峡库区藻类种群结构与密度变化及其与氮磷浓度的相关性分析

2003年1月~2004年12月对三峡湖北库区江段5个采样点及其一级支流——香溪河流域6个采样点的浮游藻类进行了为期2周年的调查,共采集和鉴定浮游藻类定性和定量水样1 000余个,获得有效数据2 000多个。数据显示,蓄水前（2003年1月~2003年6月）、蓄水1周年（2003年6月~2004年5月）和蓄水1.5年（2004年6月~2004年12月）3个时间段之间,被调查水域的浮游藻类群落结构、细胞密度和水质状况均存在一定的差异。总体而言,藻类的群落结构干流江段以硅藻为主,绿藻次之;支流水域以绿藻占据首位,硅藻次之。被调查水域藻类的细胞密度随蓄水时间的延长呈增长趋势,并显示一定的季节性差异;藻类细胞密度与TP的相关性比与TN的相关性更为密切。目前干流江段和支流水域的水质状况分别为中营养型和中－富营养型,较建坝蓄水前的水质有所下降。在分析导致藻类种群结构和细胞密度变化原因的基础上,建议加强对库区水质的检测和保护,以杜绝和防止库区的水域环境进一步恶化。     

The removal of uranium from mining waste water using algal/microbial biomass

We describe a three step process for the removal of uranium (U) from dilute waste waters. Step one involves the sequestration of U on, in, and around aquatic plants such as algae. Cell wall ligands efficiently remove U(VI) from waste water. Growing algae continuously renew the cellular surface area. Step 2 is the removal of U-algal particulates from the water column to the sediments. Step 3 involves reducing U(VI) to U(IV) and transforming the ions into stable precipitates in the sediments. The algal cells provide organic carbon and other nutrients to heterotrophic microbial consortia to maintain the low E(H), within which the U is transformed. Among the microorganisms, algae are of predominant interest for the ecological engineer because of their ability to sequester U and because some algae can live under many extreme environments, often in abundance. Algae grow in a wide spectrum of water qualities, from alkaline environments (Chara, Nitella) to acidic mine drainage waste waters (Mougeotia, Ulothrix). If they could be induced to grow in waste waters, they would provide a simple, long-term means to remove U and other radionuclides from U mining effluents. This paper reviews the literature on algal and microbial adsorption, reduction, and transformation of U in waste streams, wetlands, lakes and oceans.     

汉江水华水文因素作用机理--基于藻类生长动力学的研究

在相关文献的基础上总结影响汉江水华的水文因素包括流量、流速和水面比降,根据河流动力学理论,讨论了它们之间的内在联系。在此基础上,从生物生长动力学的角度,将连续流反应器原理应用于汉江水华现象,提出了汉江连续流生物反应器模型,并根据Monod方程分析,认为汉江中的藻类浓度与水流速度应成指数关系。由此,建立了汉江藻类浓度与水流速度关系数学模型a = m exp(k/ν)。利用汉江1992年至2000年实测资料,通过回归分析进一步确定了汉江的藻类浓度与水流速度函数关系中的常数m=8.9759、k=0.9054,相关系数r=0.924 4。最后,对流速、流量和长江水位对汉江水华的作用机理进行了分析,揭示了水文因素影响汉江水华的作用机理。     

嘉陵江下游江段春季浮游藻类特征及污染现状

2006年春季,通过水质分析和浮游藻类调查,应用污生谱分析法及生物多样性指数法,对嘉陵江下游江段春季浮游藻类特征及污染现状进行了研究。结果发现,该江段共有浮游藻类7门42属85种（包括变种）;优势种群并不单一,以黄藻、绿藻和硅藻占优势,优势种为黄藻门中的黄丝藻,绿藻门中的小球藻和硅藻门中的小环藻。5月份藻类的种类和个数均比4月份有所减少,可能与5月份降雨量比4月份多有关;流速最快的石门大桥具有最低的藻类细胞密度,流速最慢的化龙桥具有较高的藻类细胞密度,说明流速对浮游藻类种类和数量产生一定的影响。嘉陵江下游沿岸一带的氨氮含量都很高,氨氮已经形成全江段水系的主要污染,磷酸盐含量也较高,均超过水体富营养化的氮、磷含量最低限制标准,该江段水质污染较严重。污生谱分析法及生物多样性指数法的评价结果表明,该江段整体污染状况为中度污染,农业和工业污染不容忽视。〖     

丰水期赣江流域着生藻类群落结构及其与水环境因子的关系

着生藻类在水质监测与水生态健康评价中发挥着重要作用。以江西最大的河流赣江为研究对象,对赣江丰水期着生藻类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系进行研究。选取53个点位对赣江全流域进行着生藻类群落结构的调查研究,共鉴定着生藻3门42属175种,其中硅藻门有23属151种,绿藻门有9属12种,蓝藻门有10属12种。硅藻门舟形藻属为丰水期赣江流域着生藻类优势属,该属生物密度百分比为14.080%。下游着生藻类以硅藻门桥弯藻属和舟形藻属为优势属,该属生物密度百分比分别为13.088%和12.935%;中游着生藻类以硅藻门桥弯藻属为优势属,该属生物密度百分比为12.849%;上游着生藻类以硅藻门异极藻属为优势属,该属生物密度百分比达10.150%。通过蒙特卡罗显著性检验发现,赣江流域下游总氮、溶氧、叶绿素a和电导率对着生藻类有显著影响,中游主要海拔、流速、河宽和总磷对着生藻类有显著影响,上游总氮、河宽、浊度和流速对着生藻类有显著影响。将其与着生藻类群落结构进行冗余分析(RDA),结果发现影响下游着生藻类群落结构的主要水环境因子为叶绿素a和电导率,影响中游、上游着生藻类群落结构的主导水环境因子分别是海拔和总氮。可见赣江流域丰水期下游和上游的着生藻类群落可在一定程度上反映水质状况,中游着生藻类群落结构主要反映的是流域地貌因子。     

水温分层对香溪河库湾浮游植物功能群季节演替的影响

三峡水库水环境问题近年来引起社会广泛关注,以浮游植物功能群为基础,通过对2010年1~12月香溪河库湾水温、浮游植物等进行跟踪监测,探究支流库湾浮游植物群落结构演替趋势及其影响因子。结果表明：香溪河库湾2010年共出现18个浮游植物功能群,其中B、X1、P、Y、X2、D、LO、J、MP、G是代表性功能群;水温分层的季节性发育和消失是浮游植物群落结构演替的主要影响因素;冬季以耐受水温及光照限制的CS/S策略藻种为主;春季弱分层时,CR/R策略藻种适宜生长;夏季汛期时,呈现CR/R/C/CS多种策略藻种混生格局,强分层时,适宜稳定生境的S型策略藻种占据优势;秋季分层被打破,群落结构演替为耐受频繁波动环境的R型群落格局占优势     

Environmental significance of nitrogenous organic compounds in aquatic sources

The presence of nitrogenous organic compounds in raw water sources for municipal supplies is of environmental concern because many of them exert significant chlorine demand, while some produce complex stable mutagenic products upon chlorination or are precursors to haloform formation. Seven N-organic compounds have been identified in municipal water concentrates (adenine, 5-chlorouracil, cytosine, guanine, purine, thymine, and uracil) at concentrations ranging from 20 to 860 μg/L. Eight compounds (adenine, cytosine, purine, pyrrole, thymine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and uracil) have been found in filtrates from cultures of either Anabaena flos aquae or Oscillatoria tenuis. Calculated CHCl₃ levels which might have formed at pH 7 in the water supplies were well below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.1 mg/L proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for total trihalogenated methanes. Calculated levels of CHCl₃ which might have been formed under more alkaline conditions, however, were more than 10% of the MCL and were therefore significant. Calculated levels of combined forms of chlorine yielding falsely positive tests for free chlorine in some samples were slightly less or exceeded the 0.5 mg/L free chlorine residual generally taken as an acceptable level of disinfection. The demonstration of a parallel increase in organic nitrogen content with population density in two laboratory grown blue-green algal cultures, and the finding of elevated organic nitrogen values in a water supply sample collected during the occurrence of a blue-green algal bloom, suggested that summer algal bloom occurrence can add considerably to the organic nitrogen content and the trihalomethane potential of water supplies.     

Processes of natural soil and vegetation recovery on a worked-out open pit coal mine (Bol’shezemel’skaya tundra)

The processes of soil and vegetation recovery after cessation of surface coal mining operations have been studied for the first time in the far north of Europe. Three stages of primary succession—from primitive algal groups to closed plant communities—have been identified, with the main role being played by soil algae at the zero stage, by herbs at the first stage, and by grasses at the second stage. A close relationship between the early stages in the development of phytocenoses and the stages of posttechnogenic soil formation is demonstrated.     

Estrogenic activity in extracts and exudates of cyanobacteria and green algae

Here is presented some of the first information on interactions of compounds produced by cyanobacteria and green algae with estrogen receptor signaling. Estrogenic potency of aqueous extracts and exudates (culture spent media with extracellular products) of seven species of cyanobacteria (10 different laboratory strains) and two algal species were assessed by use of in vitro trans-activation assays. Compounds produced by cyanobacteria and algae, and in particular those excreted from the cells, were estrogenic. Most exudates were estrogenic with potencies expressed at 50% of the maximum response under control of the estrogen receptor ranging from 0.2 to 7.2 ng 17β-estradiol (E₂) equivalents (EEQ)/L. The greatest estrogenic potency was observed for exudates of Microcystis aerigunosa, a common species that forms water blooms. Aqueous extracts of both green algae, but only one species of cyanobacteria (Aphanizomenon gracile) elicited significant estrogenicity with EEQ ranging from 15 to 280 ng 17β-estradiol (E₂)/g dry weight. Scenedesmus quadricauda exudates and extracts of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae were antagonistic to the ER when coexposed to E₂. The EEQ potency was not correlated with concentrations of cyanotoxins, such as microcystin and cylindrospermopsin, which suggests that the EEQ was comprised of other compounds. The study demonstrates some differences between the estrogenic potency of aqueous extracts prepared from the same species, but of different origin, while the effects of exudates were comparable within species. The observed estrogenic potencies are important namely in relation to the possible mass expansion of cyanobacteria and release of the active compounds into surrounding water.     

人工控制条件下水流速对香溪河库湾浮游植物影响的初步研究

为了揭示三峡水库不同藻类对水流速度的响应,2008年8月,利用香溪河库湾原水进行了人工控制条件下水流速度对浮游植物生长和群落组成影响的研究。结果表明,在水温、光照及营养盐相同的条件下,水流条件对藻类的细胞密度和组成会产生显著的影响。单因素方差分析的S N K多重比较结果表明,在实验设定的流速范围内针杆藻(Synedra sp.)在高流速(0139 m/s)下的细胞密度显著高于其他流速组(p<005),相对密度最高;盘星藻(Pediastrumspp.)在中流速(0075 m/s)下的细胞密度显著高于其他各处理组(p<005);微囊藻(Microcystisspp.)各实验组间细胞密度无显著差异（p>005）,但在低流速（0046 m/s）下的细胞密度和相对密度均高于其他各组;小环藻(Cyclotella sp.)细胞密度在水流动组间无显著差异（p>005）,但都显著高于0 m/s实验组的细胞密度（p<005     

Distribution of (226)Ra-(210)Pb-(210)Po in marine biota and surface sediments of the Red Sea, Sudan

Activity concentration levels and ratios of (226)Ra, (210)Pb and (210)Po are presented in multicellular marine algae, molluscs, coral as well as in surface marine sediments collected from the shallower waters of the fringing reefs area extending towards north and south (Flamingo bay) of PortSudan harbour, Sudan. The analyses were performed adopting alpha-spectrometry, liquid scintillation and Cerenkov counting techniques. Surface sediments from this coastal region are poor in their radioactivity content in contrast to similar data reported from different coastal areas around the globe. There is surface enrichment of (210)Pb and (210)Po with respect to their progenitor (226)Ra as it is evident from the activity ratios of (210)Pb/(226)Ra (3.03+/-1.79) and (210)Po/(226)Ra (2.23+/-1.56). Among marine plants and animals investigated, the green algae species, Halimeda, and coral species, Favites, show substantial concentration of radium at 8.2Bq/kg and 21.9Bq/kg dry weight, respectively. Similarly, the highest concentration of (210)Po was met in Favites at 38.7Bq/kg followed by brown algae, Cystoseria sp., at 32.6Bq/kg. There is no variation seen among algal species for (210)Pb uptake, however, converse to radium and polonium, Favites (coral) was found to contain the minimum concentration of lead (3.88Bq/kg). In most species there is preferential accumulation of polonium over its parent radium as indicated by (210)Po:(226)Ra activity ratio with Cystoseria (brown algae) showing the highest value at 8.81. On the other hand, (210)Po:(210)Pb activity concentration ratio revealed that coral species Favites (9.97) and the brown algae Sargassum (1.85) have a greater tendency to accumulate (210)Po over (210)Pb, while in the rest of species; this ratio is less than unity.     

Bioaccumulation of Ra by plants growing in fresh water ecosystem around the uranium industry at Jaduguda, India

A field study has been conducted to evaluate the ²²⁶Ra bioaccumulation among aquatic plants growing in the stream/river adjoining the uranium mining and ore-processing complex at Jaduguda, India. Two types of plant group have been investigated namely free floating algal species submerged into water and plants rooted in stream & riverbed. The highest ²²⁶Ra activity concentration (9850 Bq kg⁻¹) was found in filamentous algae growing in the residual water of tailings pond. The concentration ratios of ²²⁶Ra in filamentous algae (activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra in plant Bq kg⁻¹ fresh weight/activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra in water Bq l⁻¹) widely varied i.e. from 1.1 × 10³ to 8.6 × 10⁴. Other aquatic plants were also showing wide variability in the ²²⁶Ra activity concentration. The ln-transformed filamentous algae ²²⁶Ra activity concentration was significantly correlated with that of ln-transformed water concentration (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra in stream/riverbed rooted plants and the substrate. For this group, correlation between ²²⁶Ra activity concentration and Mn, Fe, Cu concentration in plants were statistically significant.     

Effect of insolation and overhead canopy on macrozoobenthos of tropical freshwater ponds

Distribution and abundance of macrozoobenthic species were investigated in open and shaded sites of tropical freshwater pond ecosystems in Kolkata. Water temperature of open sites was higher than the shaded sites but transparency value was lower at the lighted sites presumably related with the production of phytoplankton in the presence of sunlight. Diversity of species was recorded highest (26 species) along with total benthos density (5999 no/m²) at slightly illuminated open site. Mean biomass was also highest at the slightly illuminated open site. Total benthos density of macrozoobenthos was lower at the fully shaded and fully lighted sites. The greater occurrence and abundance of most macrozoobenthic species-including total benthos density and biomass at the slightly illuminated open site was probably associated with microhabitat suitability supported by moderate presence of macrophytes. Higher quality food (algae and algal detritus) and thermal suitability as well as phototactic attraction of motile epibenthic gastropods and other organisms contribute to the greater abundance and production of biomass at this site.     

On the Classification of Aquatic Communities: An Example of Zooplanktonic Cenoses of Karst Lakes in the North of European Russia

Nine lakes in the Arkhangelsk oblast were analyzed with respect to their morphometry, hydrology, and hydrochemistry, and their zooplankton was studied for three years. The data on zooplankton abundance, biomass, the ratio of filter-feeders and predators, the Shannon index of species diversity, and average individual weight of zooplankters were obtained. Differences in the structure of zooplanktonic cenoses were revealed in lakes differing in morphometric parameters, prevailing ions (HCO₃ ^–, SO₄ ^2–), and their concentration.