Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Avian Faecal Droppings and Their Impact on Survival of Avian Influenza Virus

Environmental specimens such as faecal droppings are considered important for the detection of avian influenza viruses (AIV). In view of lower rates of AIV isolation from avian faecal droppings, characterization of droppings is imperative to elucidate contributing factors. However, there are no reports on morphological and biochemical characteristics of droppings. The objective of the present study was the characterization of droppings from different avian species and their impact on the AIV detection and isolation. A total of 373 droppings belonging to 61 avian species from 22 families of apparently healthy wild migratory, resident, domestic birds and poultry were studied during five winter migratory bird seasons between 2007 to 2012 and 2016–2017. The colour, morphology and size of the droppings varied from species-to-species. These data could be useful for the identification of avian species. Droppings from 67% of the avian species showed acidic pH (4.5–6.5); nine species showed neutral pH (7.0), and 11 species showed alkaline pH (7.5). The infectious titers of AIV in droppings with acidic pH were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of the droppings with neutral and alkaline pH. However, acidic pH did not hamper AIV detection by real-time RT-PCR. In order to avoid the impact of acidic pH, collecting fresh droppings into viral transport medium (pH 7.0–7.5) would help improve the rate of AIV isolation.     

Comparative investigation of coal- and oil-fired boilers based on emission factors, ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation potentials of VOCs

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are the important precursors of the tropospheric ozone(O_3) and secondary organic aerosols(SOA),both of which are known to harm human health and disrupt the earth's climate system.In this study,VOC emission factors,O_3 and SOA formation potentials were estimated for two types of industrial boilers:coal-fired boilers(n=3) and oil-fired boilers(n=3).Results showed that EVOCs concentrations were more than nine times higher for oil-fire d boilers compared to those for coal-fired boilers.Emission factors of ΣVOCs were found to be higher for oil-fired boilers(9.26-32.83 mg-VOC/kg) than for coal-fired boilers(1.57-4.13 mg-VOC/kg).Alkanes and aromatics were obtained as the most abundant groups in coal-fired boilers,while oxygenated organics and aromatics were the most contributing groups in oil-fired boilers.Benzene,n-hexane and o-ethyl toluene were the abundant VOC species in coal-fired boiler emissions,whereas toluene was the most abundant VOC species emitted from oil-fired boilers.O_3 and SOA formation potentials were found 12 and 18 times,respectively,higher for oil-fired than for coal-fired boilers.Total OFP ranged from 3.99 to 11.39 mg-O_3/kg for coal-fired boilers.For oil-fired boilers,total OFP ranged from 36.16 to 131.93 mg-O_3/kg.Moreover,total secondary organic aerosol potential(SOAP) ranged from 65.4 to 122.5 mg-SOA/kg and 779.9 to 2252.5 mg-SOA/kg for the coal-fired and oil-fired boilers,respectively.     

Tillage and nutrient source effects on water quality and corn grain yield from a flat landscape

Beneficial effects of leaving residue at the soil surface are well documented for steep lands, but not for flat lands that are drained with surface inlets and tile lines. This study quantified the effects of tillage and nutrient source on tile line and surface inlet water quality under continuous corn (Zea mays L.) from relatively flat lands (<3%). Tillage treatments were either fall chisel or moldboard plow. Nutrient sources were either fall injected liquid hog manure or spring incorporated urea. The experiment was on a Webster-Canisteo clay loam (Typic Endoaquolls) at Lamberton, MN. Surface inlet runoff was analyzed for flow, total solids, NO(3)-N, NH(4)-N, dissolved P, and total P. Tile line effluent was analyzed for flow, NO(3)-N, and NH(4)-N. In four years of rainstorm and snowmelt events there were few significant differences (p < 0.10) in water quality of surface inlet or tile drainage between treatments. Residue cover minimally reduced soil erosion during both snowmelt and rainfall runoff events. There was a slight reduction in mineral N losses via surface inlets from manure treatments. There was also a slight decrease (p = 0.025) in corn grain yield from chisel-plow plots (9.7 Mg ha(-1)) compared with moldboard-plow plots (10.1 Mg ha(-1)). Chisel plowing (approximately 30% residue cover) alone is not sufficient to reduce nonpoint source sediment pollution from these poorly drained flat lands to the extent (40% reduction) desired by regulatory agencies.     

Automatic model calibration applying global optimization techniques

This paper summarizes a study aimed at the application of global optimization techniques for the purpose of quantitative characterization of the Wolfville formation located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Aquifer parameters (transmissivity, storativity, areal recharge and boundary flux) are calibrated in order to yield the best possible match with the available field observations. The calibration is accomplished using a global approach to the inverse procedure in “black box” systems optimization which makes possible the simultaneous fitting of several tens of parameters. This study indicates that, even for a limited number of optimized parameters, a global search procedure should be considered. Numerical results are presented and discussed to show the validity of the approach.     

Quantification of transition metals in biological samples and its possible impact on ferro-alloy workers

Increased risk of ill-health and diseases has been associated with employment in the ferro-alloy factory. Since measurement of transition metals in human blood and hair along with respective exposure rates, provides a means of assessing individual risk, it has been the most important part of the study. In the study majority of the elements in the transition series, such as, vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt, (Co) nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) were considered which are randomly emitted from the source, that is, manganese ore (used during ferro-alloy manufacturing process). The commonly available transition, metals, observed in biological samples of ferro-alloy workers, were found to be Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V Mn and Mo in blood, while in hair, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V and Mo were present in decreasing order Surveillance of bio-concentration of these metals in workers, exposed to close proximity of the coke-ovens and smelting furnaces, revealed that the workers were prone to several physical disorders.     

Nitrate leaching and nitrogen recovery following application of polyolefin-coated urea to potato

High N fertilizer and irrigation amounts applied to potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) on coarse-textured soils often result in nitrate (NO3) leaching and low recovery of applied fertilizer N. This 3-yr study compared the effects of two rates (140 and 280 kg N ha(-1)) of a single polyolefin-coated urea (PCU) application versus split applications of urea on 'Russet Burbank' potato yield and on NO3 leaching and N recovery efficiency (RE) on a loamy sand. Standard irrigation was applied in all years and excessive irrigation was used in another experiment in the third year. At the recommended rate of 280 kg N ha(-1), NO3 leaching during the growing season was 34 to 49% lower with PCU than three applications of urea. Under standard irrigation in the third year, leaching from five applications of urea (280 kg N ha(-1)) was 38% higher than PCU. Under leaching conditions in the first year (> or = 25 mm drainage water in at least one 24-h period) and excessive irrigation in the third year, PCU at 280 kg N ha(-1) improved total and marketable tuber yields by 12 to 19% compared with three applications of urea. Fertilizer N RE estimated by the difference and 15N isotope methods at the 280 kg N ha(-1) rate was, on average, higher with PCU (mean 50%) than urea (mean 43%). Fertilizer N RE values estimated by the isotope method (mean 51%) were greater than those estimated by the difference method (mean 47%). Results from this study indicate that PCU can reduce leaching and improve N recovery and tuber yield during seasons with high leaching.     

Transformation of food in the fish Megalops cyprinoides

Comparative studies on feeding, digestion, absorption and conversion have been made in the fish Megalops cyprinoides fed with mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, and prawn, Metapenaeus monoceros, (Pandian, 1967). Feeding as well as digestion rates are faster in individuals fed with Gambusia than in those fed with prawn. The extent of the differences in food intake is more pronounced in smaller individuals than in larger ones. The prawn exoskeleton prolongs the duration of digestion and thus further reduces rate and amount of food intake. Changes in food quality do not affect absorption efficiency. Both, rate and efficiency of food conversion, are higher in M. cyprinoides fed with Gambusia than with prawn.     

Groundwater quality and water quality index at Bhandara District

The present investigation reports the results of a monitoring study focusing on groundwater quality of Bhandara District of central India. Since, remediation of groundwater is very difficult, knowledge of the existing nature, magnitude, and sources of the various pollution loads is a prerequisite to assessing groundwater quality. The water quality index (WQI) value as a function of various physicochemical and bacteriological parameters was determined for groundwater obtained from a total of 21 locations. The WQI during pre-monsoon season varied from 68 to 83, while for post-monsoon, it was between 56 and 76. Significantly (P < 0.01) lower WQI for the post-monsoon season was observed, indicating deterioration of the groundwater overall in corresponding season. The study revealed that groundwater from only 19% locations was fit for domestic use, thus indicating the need of proper treatment before use.     

Biotechnological interventions in food waste treatment for obtaining value-added compounds to combat pollution

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Over the last few decades, the globe is facing tremendous effects due to the unnecessary piling of municipal solid waste among which food waste holds...     

A Life-Cycle Comparison of Alternative Automobile Fuels

ABSTRACT

We examine the life cycles of gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), and ethanol (C₂H₅OH)-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) automobiles. Port and direct injection and spark and compression ignition engines are examined. We investigate diesel fuel from both petroleum and biosources as well as C₂H₅OH from corn, herbaceous bio-mass, and woody biomass. The baseline vehicle is a gasoline-fueled 1998 Ford Taurus. We optimize the other fuel/powertrain combinations for each specific fuel as a part of making the vehicles comparable to the baseline in terms of range, emissions level, and vehicle lifetime. Life-cycle calculations are done using the economic input-output life-cycle analysis (EIO-LCA) software; fuel cycles and vehicle end-of-life stages are based on published model results.

We find that recent advances in gasoline vehicles, the low petroleum price, and the extensive gasoline infrastructure make it difficult for any alternative fuel to become commercially viable. The most attractive alternative fuel is compressed natural gas because it is less expensive than gasoline, has lower regulated pollutant and toxics emissions, produces less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and is available in North America in large quantities. However, the bulk and weight of gas storage cylinders required for the vehicle to attain a range comparable to that of gasoline vehicles necessitates a redesign of the engine and chassis. Additional natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure is required for large-scale use of natural gas for transportation. Diesel engines are extremely attractive in terms of energy efficiency, but expert judgment is divided on whether these engines will be able to meet strict emissions standards, even with reformulated fuel. The attractiveness of direct injection engines depends on their being able to meet strict emissions standards without losing their greater efficiency. Biofuels offer lower GHG emissions, are sustainable, and reduce the demand for imported fuels. Fuels from food sources, such as biodiesel from soybeans and C₂H₅OH from corn, can be attractive only if the co-products are in high demand and if the fuel production does not diminish the food supply. C₂H₅OH from herbaceous or woody biomass could replace the gasoline burned in the light-duty fleet while supplying electricity as a co-product. While it costs more than gasoline, bioethanol would be attractive if the price of gasoline doubled, if significant reductions in GHG emissions were required, or if fuel economy regulations for gasoline vehicles were tightened.