Analysis of the phenolic compounds in root exudates produced by a subalpine coniferous species as responses to experimental warming and nitrogen fertilisation

In terrestrial ecosystems, plant root exudates clearly play a crucial role in the belowground ecosystem. However, there have been few reports on root exudates from field-grown plants or mature trees in situ, especially when exposed to experimental warming. In this study, we adopted and modified a culture-based cuvette system developed especially for root exudation collection in the field to collect soluble root exudates of a subalpine coniferous species, Abies faxoniana, under experimental warming and nitrogen fertilisation treatments. We then analysed the chemical composition and relative abundance of root exudates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major chemical constituents of root exudates were phenols and their derivatives of all the different treatments, such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. Experimental warming had significant effects on the relative contents of major compounds and an increase effect on the total phenolic acid compounds. By contrast, there were small significant effects of N fertilisation on root exudation and no significant effects of the warming×N fertilisation interaction. Meanwhile, warming also markedly increased soil polyphenol oxidase activity and it may be soil ecological adjustment response to changes of root exudation under global climate warming.     

Sex- and performance-based escape behaviour in an Asian agamid lizard,Phrynocephalus vlangalii

In lizards, males are predicted to sprint faster and run for longer than females by virtue of higher testosterone levels and differences in morphology. Consequently, escape behaviour is also predicted to be associated with sex and locomotor performance, yet these links have rarely been explored. Here, we tested whether escape behaviour is associated with locomotor performance in the toad-headed agama, Phrynocephalus vlangalii, and whether it is sex-dependent. This species is also characterized by elaborate tail displays, which we examined as a potential pursuit-deterrent signal. Tail waves were performed by a very small proportion (2/58, 3 %) of individuals during predatory trials, suggesting that tail signalling functions exclusively in a social context. To understand the relationships between sex, escape behaviour and performance, we first measured escape behaviour (flight initiation distance, flight distance—measured differently compared to previous studies of lizard escape behaviour, and refuge use) in the field before measuring maximal sprint speed and endurance on the same individuals in the laboratory. Flight initiation distance did not differ between the sexes and was unrelated to performance capacity (maximal endurance and sprint speed) but was positively related to body size with larger individuals fleeing earlier. Males fled farther than females, but flight distance was also unrelated to either endurance or sprint speed. Interestingly, faster females were less likely to enter a refuge than slower females, whereas sprint speed and the probability of taking refuge were unrelated for males. Our results suggest that when males and females are not obviously sexually dimorphic, they are more likely to overlap in escape tactics.     

Trophic mode and organics metabolic characteristic of fungal community in swine manure composting

Fungal trophic modes and substrates utilization ability was observed in composting. Fungi had the higher diversity and more trophic types in thermophilic phase. Fungi had the higher metabolic potential in fresh swine manure and mature production. Redox potential, organics and moisture are main factors impacting fungal community. Composting reduced pathogenic fungi and enrich dung saprotroph fungi in swine manure. The succession of fungal community, trophic mode and metabolic characteristics were evaluated in 60 days composting of swine manure by high-throughput sequencing, FUNGuild and Biolog method, respectively. The result showed that the fungal community diversity reached to the highest level (76 OTUs) in the thermophilic phase of composting, then sustained decline to 15 OTUs after incubation. There were 10 fungal function groups in the raw swine manure. Pathotroph-saprotroph fungi reached to 15.91% on Day-10 but disappeared on Day-60. Dung saprotroph-undefined saprotroph fungi grown from 0.19% to 52.39% during the treatment. The fungal community had more functional groups but the lower substrate degradation rates in the thermophilic phase. The fungal communities on Day-0 and Day-60 had the highest degradation rates of amino acids and polymers, respectively. Redundancy analysis showed that ORP (49.6%), VS/Ash (45.3%) and moisture (39.2%) were the main influence factors on the succession of fungal community in the swine manure composting process.     

Economics analysis of food waste treatment in China and its influencing factors

• Economics of food waste treatment projects at 29 pilot cities in China was examined. • Roles of location, population size, processing technique, and income were studied. • Economic benefits were limited with a profit to cost ratio of 0.08±0.37. • Service population size affects construction economics significantly (P = 0.016). • Choice of food waste processing technique affects operating economics notably. This study examines the economic benefits of food waste treatment projects in China and factors affecting them. National-level pilot projects for food waste treatment located in 29 cities were selected as samples. The economics of food waste recycling from the investors’ perspective, in terms of investment during the construction phase and cost and benefit during the operation phase, was assessed. Results indicate that the average tonnage investment of food waste treatment projects was RMB 700.0±188.9 thousand yuan, with a profit to cost ratio of 0.08±0.37. This ratio increased to 0.95±0.57 following the application of government subsidies. It highlights the limited economic benefits of food waste treatment facilities, which rely on government subsidies to maintain their operations in China. Further analysis using a multi-factor analysis model revealed that regional location, service population size, processing techniques, and urban income exerted varying impacts on the economy of food waste treatment. Population size exerted the highest impact (P = 0.016) during the construction stage, and processing techniques notably influenced the project economy during the operation stage. The study highlights the need to prioritize service population size and processing techniques during economic decision-making and management of food waste recycling projects. The results of this study can serve as a valuable practical reference for guiding future policies regarding food waste treatment and related planning.     

微塑料污染的水生生态毒性与载体作用

近年来,微塑料的水生生态环境污染与生态毒害问题引起了科学界的广泛关注。在总结国内外相关研究的基础上,本文对水生态环境中微塑料的来源、形成与分布展开分析;对微塑料污染的生态毒性研究进展给予评述;并深入探讨了微塑料在生态系统中扮演的多重载体角色。鉴于微塑料污染的严峻现实,我国应尽快开展有关微塑料环境污染和生态毒理方面的系统研究,并辅以政策引导和经济支持。     

基于生物光谱技术的污染物毒性效应研究进展

生物光谱技术能够有效反映生物、组织以及细胞等样本中生物化学的综合信息,能够精确检测和评价生物分子成分或构象的微观变化,具有快速、客观、无损、重现性好等优点。本文系统综述了生物光谱技术在环境污染物毒性效应研究方面的进展,其中常用的2种技术是红外光谱和拉曼光谱技术。红外光谱技术目前已被广泛用于单一污染物(重金属、有机污染物、纳米材料等)以及复合污染对细胞、植物、动物以及微生物的蛋白质、氨基酸、脂质、DNA/RNA、多糖以及碳水化合物等方面的影响研究之中;拉曼光谱技术包括常规拉曼技术和表面增强拉曼光谱技术,二者均可以用于污染物的毒性效应研究之中,表面增强拉曼光谱技术具有信噪比高、检测限低、灵敏度高等特点,并提供丰富的细胞生物化学指纹图谱信息。数据处理是生物光谱技术应用的重要一环,光谱数据分析大致分为光谱数据预处理、提取光谱信息特征、以及信息分类和光谱特征峰解析3个部分。本研究结果将为进一步系统地开展生物光谱技术在污染物毒性效应方面的研究提供支持。     

Release of elements from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash

The element-release behavior of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash was explored through leaching test with continuous set-point pH (pH_stat test) and serial single reaction cell (SSRC) tests. First, the relationship between element release and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) consumption was examined with a pH_stat test. Four types of release behaviors were identified which are characteristic for different elements: (1) release curves that were almost linear with ANC consumption (Ca, Zn, and Cd); (2) release that was significantly faster than ANC (Na, K, and Cl); (3) curves that featured a strong increase with ANC consumption, after a transient release, followed by an almost equal decrease (Si and S); and (4) release that is strongly retarded compared with ANC consumption (Cr, Cu, and Pb). In the SSRC system, it the existence of a pH front and a wash-out phenomenon is demonstrated. Combining the results from the SSRC test with the kinetic analysis of the ANC system in the pH_stat test, it was inferred that less than one-third of the ANC measured from a batch pH titration plays a neutralization role in a field situation. The methodologies described may provide a powerful set of tools for systematic evaluation of element release from solid wastes.     

用苎麻生物脱胶废水生产热带假丝酵母单细胞蛋白

采用热带假丝酵母处理苎麻生物脱胶废水。将COD为23 060 mg/L的苎麻生物脱胶废水稀释1倍后进行发酵处理,COD去除率最高,为60.85%。发酵条件的正交实验结果表明:在发酵温度为35℃、初始发酵pH为7.0、接种量为10%、发酵时间为48 h的条件下,苎麻生物脱胶废水COD去除率最高;发酵温度为30℃、初始发酵pH为7.0、接种量为10%、发酵时间为48 h的条件下,单细胞蛋白生成量最高。发酵时间为48 h时,灭菌的发酵培养基的COD去除率为75.75%,单细胞蛋白生成量为5.375 g/L;未灭菌的发酵培养基的COD去除率为72.25%,单细胞蛋白生成量为2.875 g/L。     

Vocal competition in male Xenopus laevis frogs

Male Xenopus laevis frogs produce underwater advertisement calls that attract gravid females and suppress calling by male competitors. Here we explore whether groups of males establish vocal ranks and whether auditory cues alone suffice for vocal suppression. Tests of male–male pairs within assigned groups reveal linear vocal dominance relations, in which each male has a defined rank. Both the duration over which males interact, as well as the number of competitive opportunities, affect linearity. Linear dominance across the group is stable for about 2 weeks; rank is dynamic. Males engage in physical interactions (clasping) while paired but clasping and vocal rank are not correlated. Playbacks of advertisement calls suppress calling and calls from high- and low-ranking males are equally effective. Thus, auditory cues alone suffice to suppress vocal behavior. Playback intensities equivalent to a nearby male advertising effectively suppress calling while low-intensity playbacks are either ineffective or stimulate vocal behavior. X. laevis advertisement calls are biphasic, composed of alternating fast and slow click trills. Approximately half the males tested are more vocally suppressed by all slow than by all fast trills; thus, these males can distinguish between the two phases. The fully aquatic family Pipidae diverged from terrestrial ancestors approximately 170 mya. Vocal suppression in the X. laevis mating system may represent the translation of an ancient anuran social strategy to underwater life.