Sludge-grown algae for culturing aquatic organisms: Part I. Algal growth in sludge extracts

This project is aimed at studying the feasibility of using sewage sludge to prepare culture media for microalgae (Chlorella-HKBU) and the use of the sludge-grown algae as a feed for some aquatic organisms. Part I of the project included results on preparing sludge extracts and their use on algal culture. By comparing two culturing techniques, aeration and shaking, it was noted that both lag and log phases were shortened in the aeration system. A subsequent experiment noted that algal growth subject to aeration rates of 1.0 and 1.5 liters/min had similar lag and log phases. In addition, both aeration rates had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) final cell density than that of 0.5 liters/min. A detailed study on the variation of growth conditions on the algal growth was done. The results indicated that pH values of all the cultures declined below 5 at day 12. The removal rates of ammonia N ranged from 62% to 70%. The sludge-grown algae contained a rather substantial amount of heavy metals (µg/g): Zn 289–581, Cu 443–682, Ni 310–963, Mn 96–126, Cr 25–118, and Fe 438–653. This implied that the rather high levels of heavy metals may impose adverse effects on higher trophic organisms.     

Government plans and farmers intentions: a study on forest land use planning in Vietnam

In 1998, the Vietnamese National Assembly approved a Five Million Hectare Reforestation Program, (5MHRP) 1998-2010. It would increase forest cover by some 45%, use barren hills, produce wood, and generate socioeconomic development. It would, however, also put demands on Vietnamese planning. Experiences from a former development project and two case studies from a commune and village are used as a basis for analyzing the planning system. The study describes the objectives and strategies of government and farmers in one commune and one village and analyzes how planning data influence scenarios on future development. Official planning data do not reflect reality but are derived through negotiations. In the commune and village studied, it would be difficult for the 5MHRP to materialize, as most of the forest land, officially not yet used, is actually used for food production. The approach and method used by the study offers alternatives to current planning practices.     

Organotin concentrations in three intertidal neogastropods from the coastal waters of Taiwan

This study was aimed to determine organotin concentrations in the muricids Thais clavigera, Thais tuberosa and Morula granulata on an island wide scale and to find an adequate bioindicator species for long-term monitoring purpose. Samples were collected from the coast of Taiwan and vicinity islands with organotin analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Because triphenyltin (TPT) could not be discriminated from tributyltin (TBT) by the extraction method, organotins were measured as TBT + TPT and total hexane extractable organotins. Severity of imposex in the muricid population samples expressed as relative penis size (RPS) indices were calculated and compared to determine a suitable bioindicator species. In T. clavigera, T. tuberosa and M. granulata, TBT + TPT were 17-157, 1-44 and 117-1343 ng Sn g(-1) dry wt, respectively. And total organotins varied in the range of 181 to 1125, 23 to 44 and 229 to 1402 ng Sn g(-1) dry wt, respectively. A positive correlation was found between TBT + TPT and total organotins in M. granulata (TBT + TPT = Total organotins x 1.01-110.79; R2=0.97; p<0.001). At the site of Dapaisha, total organotins in M. granulata was 10 times higher than in T. tuberosa (i.e. 242 versus 23 ng Sn g(-1) dry wt). No signs of imposex were found in T. tuberosa (a single site in two subsequent years) and in M. granulata (seven collection sites). The degree of imposex (RPS) of T. clavigera varied from 0.2 to 38.1%. The RPS indices from fishing harbors were not higher than from rocky shores and oyster culture sites. No correlation was found between RPS indices and concentrations of TBT + TPT or total organotins. M. granulata seemed to be insensitive to organotin pollution although organotins were also detected. Our results indicate that organotin pollution is wide spread in coastal waters of Taiwan and pollutants at least include butyltins and phenyltins. As a bioindicator species, T. clavigera is more appropriate than T. tuberosa and M. granulata to monitor organotin contamination.     

Risk evaluation with waste scenario: lead emissions in solder waste treatment

In this work, an estimate of the elevation of airborne lead concentrations via the lead solder contained in domestic electricity installations and an investigation into the effects of human exposure were conducted using a simulation method. The elevation of airborne lead concentrations due to incineration was calculated to be 0.001 µg/m³ maximum. The simulation results of the calculations indicated that blood lead concentrations could reach as high as 10⁻⁵ µg/dl. These concentrations could primarily be attributed to the inhalation of airborne lead particles. In addition, we discuss the influences of lead solder disposal on the ecosystem via soil and water.     

Community concerns about landfills: A case study of Hanoi,Vietnam

This paper examines the nature of community concerns about a landfill in Hanoi, Vietnam and compares these concerns to those found in studies of North American landfills. Based on a survey of 174 households living near Hanoi's landfill, it was found that concerns were uniformly high within the study area. Although the community initially believed the proponent's claims that the landfill would not pollute the environment, their faith in those claims disappeared once the landfill opened and began to produce numerous negative impacts on the community. Residents called for a variety of technical, management and economic measures to mitigate these impacts.     

Influence of bacteria and diatoms in biofilms on metamorphosis of the marine slipper limpet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crepidula onyx</Emphasis>

Larvae of the slipper limpet Crepidula onyx metamorphose in response to marine biofilms. In this study, we investigated how the percentage of larval metamorphosis in this species was affected by biofilms that differed in certain attributes. To manipulate bacterial and diatom cell densities and community composition, we developed biofilms in the laboratory (1) at different temperatures (16, 23 and 30°C) and salinities (20, 27 and 34‰), (2) with or without addition of antibiotics, and (3) in the light or in the dark. We also allowed biofilms to develop at three field sites with different prevailing environmental conditions so as to generate biofilms with different, but natural, attributes. Bacterial and diatom community composition in biofilms were determined using a DNA fingerprinting technique and microscopic examination, respectively. The effects of biofilms on metamorphosis were investigated in laboratory assays. The percentage of larval metamorphosis correlated with bacterial and diatom cell densities in only one of the three experiments conducted, but was substantially affected by differences in bacterial and diatom community composition in all three experiments. It also appears that metamorphosis of C. onyx depends on the simultaneous presence of both bacterial and diatom communities in biofilms.     

Early prenatal diagnosis of genetic microcephaly

We report a new case of prenatal diagnosis of recessive microcephaly by ultrasound examination allowing termination of pregnancy at 25 weeks gestation.     

Web-building spiders attract prey by storing decaying matter

The orb-weaving spider Nephila edulis incorporates into its web a band of decaying animal and plant matter. While earlier studies demonstrate that larger spiders utilise these debris bands as caches of food, the presence of plant matter suggests additional functions. When organic and plastic items were placed in the webs of N. edulis, some of the former but none of the latter were incorporated into the debris band. Using an Y-maze olfactometer, we show that sheep blowflies Lucilia cuprina are attracted to recently collected debris bands, but that this attraction does not persist over time. These data reveal an entirely novel foraging strategy, in which a sit-and-wait predator attracts insect prey by utilising the odours of decaying organic material. The spiders habit of replenishing the debris band may be necessary to maintain its efficacy for attracting prey.