Microbial degradation and impact of Bracken toxin ptaquiloside on microbial communities in soil

The carcinogenic and toxic ptaquiloside (PTA) is a major secondary metabolite in Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) and was hypothesized to influence microbial communities in soil below Bracken stands. Soil and Bracken tissue were sampled at field sites in Denmark (DK) and New Zealand (NZ). PTA contents of 2.1 +/- 0.5 mg g(-1) and 37.0 +/- 8.7 mg g(-1) tissue were measured in Bracken fronds from DK and NZ, respectively. In the two soils the PTA levels were similar (0-5 microg g(-1) soil); a decrease with depth could be discerned in the deeper B and C horizons of the DK soil (weak acid sandy Spodosol), but not in the NZ soil (weak acid loamy Entisol). In the DK soil PTA turnover was predominantly due to microbial degradation (biodegradation); chemical hydrolysis was occurring mainly in the uppermost A horizon where pH was very low (3.4). Microbial activity (basal respiration) and growth ([3H]leucine incorporation assay) increased after PTA exposure, indicating that the Bracken toxin served as a C substrate for the organotrophic microorganisms. On the other hand, there was no apparent impact of PTA on community size as measured by substrate-induced respiration or composition as indicated by community-level physiological profiles. Our results demonstrate that PTA stimulates microbial activity and that microorganisms play a predominant role for rapid PTA degradation in Bracken-impacted soils.     

Functional mouthpart morphology of the squat lobster Munida sarsi, with comparison to other anomurans

 The mouthparts of Munida sarsi Huus, 1935, including the labrum and paragnaths, are described using LM and SEM, with special attention to the setal composition and its function. We also used high-resolution macrovideo equipment to record the feeding processes and monitor setae in action. This combination of morphological and preliminary behavioral data enabled us to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the functional morphology. M. sarsi was found to be an opportunist and capable of handling and eating most kinds of animal tissue. The species can also be a selective deposit feeder, sorting the sediment by quality and not by size. This sorting is performed by the setae on the medial rim of the bases of maxilla 1, maxilla 2 and maxilliped 1. Many of the other mouthpart functions ranging from food detection to ingestion are mapped with comparison to what has been found for other anomurans. Grooming was shown to be a significant function of many mouthparts, especially the endopod of maxilliped 3. In general the mouthparts closest to the mouth have the least complex movements and functional scheme, with the mandibles being able to perform only one movement, i.e. cutting or crunching food objects. Some functions are attributed to the paragnath, the endopod of maxilla 2 and the epipod of maxilliped 1. Received: 3 October 1999 / Accepted: 22 March 2000     

Cadmium accumulation in the female shore crab Carcinus maenas during the moult cycle and ovarian maturation

 The influence of moulting and ovarian maturation on cadmium accumulation in the tissues of female shore crabs Carcinus maenas exposed to 1 mg Cd l⁻¹ in the water was investigated. Cadmium accumulation in all tissues examined was markedly increased in crabs in the postmoult stages (A and B) compared to crabs in all other moult stages. During the moult cycle, average cadmium accumulation in the midgut gland ranged from 29 μg Cd g⁻¹ dw at premoult stage (D₂) to 589 μg Cd g⁻¹ dw at postmoult stage (A). Average cadmium concentrations in the haemolymph ranged from 0.56 μg Cd ml⁻¹ at intermoult stage (C₄) to 4.6 μg Cd ml⁻¹ at postmoult stage (A), while the gills accumulated from 103 μg Cd g⁻¹ dw in intermoult stage (C₃) to 352 μg Cd g⁻¹ dw in postmoult stage (A). Cadmium concentration in gills and haemolymph was also significantly higher in crabs in late premoult stage (D₃) compared to C₄-crabs, while midgut gland cadmium concentration remained elevated in C₁- and C₃- intermoult stages relative to C₄. During ovarian maturation the cadmium accumulation in midgut gland, gills, ovaries and haemolymph decreased. Average cadmium concentration in the midgut gland decreased from 63 μg g⁻¹ dw in ovarian Stage I to 19 μg g⁻¹ dw in ovarian Stage VI. The same pattern was observed for gills, haemolymph and ovaries. The present study demonstrates that cadmium accumulation in the female shore crab strongly depends on the physiological status of the animal. A possible association between physiological calcium requirements and cadmium accumulation during moulting is discussed. Received: 20 January 2000 / Accepted: 20 July 2000     

水稻耐氨固氮菌施用效应研究

早、晚两季的田间试验结果表明,在电脑推荐施N水平上,耐氨固氮菌的增产效果不显著;在低N情况下(每公顷减纯N37.5kg),耐氨固氮菌的增产效果达显著水平,早、晚稻分别增产8.41％和7.21％。15N示踪盆栽试验结果表明,耐氨固氮菌对根系生长有明显的促进作用,在秧苗期明显增加秧苗对肥料15N的吸收．禾苗分蘖盛期则增强了禾苗根系的吸氮能力。     

Efficacy of Si fertilization to modulate the heavy metals absorption by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Silicon-based fertilizers and soil amendments can have direct and indirect positive influences on cultivated plants. The solid forms of Si-based substances, the most widespread in use, are efficient only at high application rates due to their low level of solubility. Several types of Si-based substances such as fumed silica, slags from the iron and steel industry, modified slags, and a Si-rich product were tested using barley and pea as silicon accumulative and non-accumulative plants, respectively, at two application rates. The plants were grown under toxic concentrations of heavy metals in a greenhouse. Si-rich materials high in water-soluble Si had a positive effect at both the low and high application rates, and for both plant species. This type of substance can be regarded as Si fertilizer, demonstrating greater efficiency at a low application rate and lessened efficiency at a high application rate for protection of the cultivated plants against accumulation of the heavy metals.

     

Think Global,Buy National: CSR,Cooperatives and Consumer Concerns in the Norwegian Food Value Chain

In a world where issues of food safety and food security are increasingly important, the social responsibility of central actors in the food chain—producers and the main grocery chains—becomes more pressing. As a response, these actors move from implicitly assuming social responsibilities implied in laws, regulations and ethical customs, towards explicitly expressing social responsibilities. In this paper, we discuss the ethical values relevant for the social responsibility of central food producers and retailers in Norway, one of the most subsidized and protected areas of food production in the world. How do the actors perceive and express their social responsibility, and—given their position in the local, national and global market—how should they handle these responsibilities? We analyze Tine and Nortura, two producers owned by farmer cooperatives with market regulator function, as well as Coop—a dominant grocery chain in Norway, with basis in the same public ownership model as the farmer-owned cooperative producers. While the complex roles of these key actors in the Norwegian food market have been criticized from several angles, we argue that these multifaceted roles put them in a good position to promote informed consumer choices in a globalized market.     

人工湿地污水处理系统的蛭石缓冲单元及缓冲能力生物再生研究

针对当前人工湿地污水处理中普遍存在的冬季处理效果差等问题,研究了在处理系统中构建天然蛭石缓冲单元及其吸附饱和后进行生物再生的可行性.结果表明,在水力负荷为1.4 m3·m-2·d-1(COD:150～350mg·L-1、NH 4-N:10～30 mg·L-1、TP:1.0～4.5 mg·L-1)和蛭石层填充高度≥60cm的条件下,无植物天然蛭石缓冲单元可至少在45d内保持出水各项水质指标达到一级排放标准(GB 18918-2002),从而可基本满足人工湿地在植物换季时期的处理需要,而且,增加系统含氧量和蛭石用量可提高体系缓冲性能.在夏秋季温度较高的条件下(25～30℃),利用微生物的硝化与反硝化作用和植物根系的吸收与复氧功能,可有效提高蛭石再吸附的能力,其中有植物的湿地单元90d后蛭石吸附容量的再生率可达88.2%～91.3%,生物再生过程的动力学方程符合指数关系,植物种类、干湿交替时间和碳源对蛭石生物再生过程有较为显著的影响.     

基于生态压力视角的长三角地区生态安全格局构建与优化

人类经济活动对生态环境造成的压力,是威胁区域生态安全的重要因素,基于生态压力视角构建生态安全格局对维持区域生态安全具有重要意义。以长三角为研究区,在形态学空间格局分析(MSPA)基础上采用景观连通性指数识别生态源地,基于能值生态足迹模型并结合夜间灯光数据识别生态压力热点区,通过最小累积阻力模型(MCR)提取生态源间廊道和生态压力需求廊道,从而构建生态安全格局。结果表明:(1)研究区生态源地总面积为25 581.47 km²,占研究区总面积的24.20%,主要分布在太湖流域和浙西浙东等地;生态压力热点区集中在上海、苏州等城市化水平较高的地区;生态源地与生态压力热点区在空间上并无重叠,生态供需存在一定程度的空间失耦。(2)生态廊道网络由生态源间廊道和生态压力需求廊道组成,生态源间廊道总长度为2 459.13 km,呈现"两纵一横"的空间格局,适宜修建宽度为1 200 m;生态压力需求廊道总长度为1 186.71 km,呈现以生态源地为核心的空间组团特征,一般、较高、高压力需求廊道的适宜修建宽度分别为750、550和100～200 m。(3)划分了生态保育区、生态控制区...     

焚烧飞灰熔融过程重金属迁移特性中试研究

通过中试试验研究垃圾焚烧飞灰熔融过程重金属Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu、Cr和Ni的迁移特性,着重研究重金属在熔渣中的固化效果,考察了温度（1 290℃、1 320℃、1 360 ℃）、助熔剂（10 %的玻璃粉）、冷却方式（水冷、空冷）对重金属固定率的影响.结果表明,温度的提高使Pb、Zn、Cu、Cr和Ni的固定率都有一定的提高;加入10%的玻璃粉使各种重金属的固定率都有显著提高,只有Zn例外;对Zn、Cu、Cr和Ni,空气冷却方式下的重金属固定率比水冷方式下的高.