Mass-transfer processes of chromium(VI) adsorption onto guava seeds

The chromium(VI) biosorption onto guava seeds, as an alternative method for Cr⁶⁺ removal from aqueous solutions, was investigated. The parameters affecting kinetics and equilibrium of Cr⁶⁺ adsorption onto guava seeds were studied. An external mass-transfer diffusion coefficient k and intra-particle diffusion coefficient k_i were determined to measure the rate-limiting step of adsorption. A single external mass-transfer diffusion model and intra-particle diffusion models were used. The effects of initial pH, sorbent mass, and initial Cr⁶⁺ concentrations on mass-transfer coefficients were investigated. The external mass-transfer coefficient has an average value of 7.2×10^-3 cm s^-1, while the intra-particle mass-transfer diffusion coefficient was 0.34 mg g^-1 min^-0.5. This indicates that external diffusion to the guava seeds surface and intra-particle diffusion are both involved in the sorption process. The isotherm equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich models with an average correlation coefficient R²=0.98. The maximum removal of Cr⁶⁺ was obtained at pH 1 (about 100% for adsorbent dose of 15 g l^-1 and 25 mg l^-1 initial concentration of Cr⁶⁺). The results indicated that the guava seeds exhibit acceptable sorption capacity.     

Challenges to Introducing and Managing Disturbance Regimes for Holocarpha macradenia, an Endangered Annual Grassland Forb

Abstract:  Introducing rare plants to new sites for conservation to offset effects of habitat destruction requires detailed knowledge of habitat requirements, plant demography, and management needs. We conducted a factorial experiment replicated at three coastal prairie sites to test the effects of clipping frequency and litter accumulation on seed germination, seedling survival, reproduction, and seedling recruitment of introduced populations of the endangered, tall-stature, annual forb, Holocarpha macradenia (DC.) E. Greene. Clipping favored H. macradenia , primarily by enhancing seed germination and flower production. Litter accumulation had no effect on seed germination, even after 5 years of treatments. Seedling recruitment was highly site specific with large numbers of recruits recorded at only one of three sites. Although recruitment of seedlings was higher in clipped plots for 2–3 years, by 4–5 years after introduction very few seedlings survived to reproduction in any treatment. We attribute this result to a combination of poor habitat quality, small population size, and lack of a seed bank. We were unsuccessful in introducing this relatively well-studied species of concern to apparently suitable habitat at multiple sites in multiple years, which suggests that translocating rare plant populations to mitigate for habitat destruction is an expensive and highly uncertain endeavor.     

Role of post-dispersal seed and seedling predation in establishment of dandelion (Taraxacum agg.) plants

Dandelion Taraxacum agg. (formerly Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers) is a common weed species associated with pastures, grasslands and no-tillage cropping systems throughout its native range in Europe, and more recently introduced into North America, Australasia and elsewhere. Following wind-dispersal from the parent plant, its seeds are subject to predation from a host of invertebrate predators. Similarly, seedling predation may also significantly limit dandelion recruitment. Although such post-dispersal mortality is central to our understanding of dandelion population dynamics and therefore weed control, the precise spatio-temporal role played by different putative seed and seedling predators is poorly understood. Here we studied how seed viability, and seed and seedling predation influenced dandelion recruitment at two contrasting sites in central Europe. The abundance in the field and seed and seedling consumption in the laboratory were determined for the main groups of predators—ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabiade), terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) and molluscs (Gastopoda: Pulmonata). At particular sites, seed viability and seedling predation were negatively correlated while the percentage of seeds that succumbed to seed predation was similar. Combined factors accounted for the death of 98% and 87% of exposed seeds. Ground beetles (particularly Amara spp.) and terrestrial isopods (Armadillidium vulgare) were efficient and dominant seed predators, while slugs (Arion lusitanicus) and isopods were important predators of seedlings. While there was no seasonal trend in the intensity of seed predation it decreased towards autumn in parallel with the feeding activity of the declining population of A. lusitanicus. The mortality factors thus varied in their importance, largely between sites and less with the course of the season. Although seed inviability, seed and seedling predation did not stop the recruitment of dandelion seedlings they are crucial factors limiting dandelion populations. Methods of increasing the efficiency of predation of seed as a means of managing weeds are worthy of further study, particularly in areas where dandelion is an invasive species.     

3个品种水稻种子萌发对酸雨胁迫的响应

为了探索不同水稻种植区水稻品种对酸雨胁迫的响应规律,采用室内实验方法研究pH值为2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0、5.0的模拟酸雨对隆安优8、天协1、协优57水稻品种种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和异状发芽率5个指标的影响.结果表明:酸雨持续胁迫7d后,上述3个品种的发芽势(率)、发芽(活力)指数随胁迫强度增加(pH值为5.0～3.0)呈先增后减的变化,pH值为2.5时种子仅有异状发芽,pH值为2.0时均不发芽;3者的发芽势(率)、发芽(活力)指数等均与胁迫时间(1～7d)呈显著负相关(异状发芽率呈正相关).综合分析认为,酸雨对3个水稻品种的伤害阈限为pH值2.5～3.5;一定胁强(pH值为2.5)下,3类种子上述5项萌发指标与CK呈显著差异的胁时不同:隆安优8、协优57(4d,2d,2d,2d,4d)大于或等天协1(3d,2d,2d,2d,3d),表明3者对酸雨的抗性存在一定差异,即隆安优8、协优57大于天协1.     

扰动强度对菹草浸泡过程中氮磷碳释放的影响

以在北京前海采集的菹草（Potamogeton crispus）为实验材料,研究了在不同扰动强度下菹草残体浸泡过程中氮磷及高锰酸盐指数（PI）的释放特征和规律.结果表明,扰动可以加快菹草中总磷（TP）和PI的释放,在240 h的高强度扰动下,水中的氨氮（NH 4^＋-N）和总氮（TN）出现了显著（ANOVA,p〈0.0...     

晶种法处理含氟废水与氟化钙沉淀砂状化研究

采用晶种法对含氟废水进行了处理,考察了pH和Ca/F对出水F-浓度和CaF2沉降性能的影响,得到了含水率低、沉降性能好的砂状化CaF2颗粒.实验结果表明,晶种的加入对提高除氟效果、促进CaF2的砂状化有重要作用.当pH为中性偏酸性且0.5＜Ca/F＜1时,除氟效果较好且所得到的CaF2具有较好的沉降性能;当pH=5.5...     

垃圾渗滤液浸种对玉米代际遗传效应的研究

采用实验室早期栽培实验,主要探讨了垃圾渗滤液浸种对玉米代际的遗传效应。结果表明:垃圾渗滤液会影响玉米代际早期的生长发育,低浓度垃圾渗滤液(10%)促进代际玉米种子的萌发及幼苗的生长;而高浓度渗滤液(50%)则对其产生抑制效应。再者,相比于经垃圾渗滤液浸种处理过的F1代玉米种子而言,对F2代产生的毒性效应相对减弱,仅高浓度组与对照组相比出现差异,50%处理组的萌发率、根长、芽长及叶绿素含量分别为对照组的81%,83%,79%和89%。此外,渗滤液浸种对代际玉米根尖细胞有丝分裂均表现出"低促高抑"的作用,对根尖微核损伤也均呈现剂量-效应关系。这说明低浓度垃圾渗滤液对玉米F1代及F2代的生态毒性风险依然存在,不容忽视。研究选用玉米为模式植物具有一定的实际意义,其结果可为垃圾渗滤液的生态风险评价提供理论依据。     

生物炭早期植物毒性评估培养方法研究

为更加科学地评估生物炭潜在植物毒性,采用生物炭(B)、生物炭+土壤(B+S)、生物炭水浸提液+土壤(AE+S)、生物炭+石英砂(B+Q)、生物炭水浸提液+石英砂(AE+Q)5种不同的培养方法进行早期植物毒性效应实验。比较分析不同培养方法中西红柿种子发芽率、根长、芽长对生物炭的响应。结果表明:在5种培养方法中,随生物炭剂量增加,西红柿种子发芽率、根长、芽长呈现先增后降的变化趋势。虽在低剂量生物炭处理下(10.0 g·kg~(-1)),种子萌发表现出促进作用。但随剂量增加,除B+S和AE+S外,均表现出一定的抑制作用,且当剂量为160.0 g·kg~(-1)时,抑制作用达到最大。对比有土和无土培养方法中种子萌发情况发现,在高剂量下,无土培养方法中种子发芽率,根、芽生长所受抑制作用显著高于有土培养方法。无土方法中,尤其AE+Q方法中,高剂量生物炭对种子发芽率、根长、芽长表现出最大的抑制作用,其中发芽率抑制率为91.1%,根长抑制率为77.7%,芽长抑制率为93.7%。综合比较分析,生物炭水浸提液+石英砂(AE+Q)的培养方法干扰因子少,可提高毒性响应灵敏度。因此,在生物炭早期植物毒性效应评估中,该法可作为推荐的培养方法。     

Possible cause of inhibition of seed germination in two rice cultivars by heavy metals Pb2+ and Hg2+

Seeds of two rice cultivars (Oryza sativa) cv. PR-116 and Pant Dhan-12 subjected to heavy metal lead (Pb²⁺) and mercury (Hg²⁺) exposure showed an inhibition in germination percentage, shoot and root length, and lower fresh and dry weight after 7 days. Both Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ inhibited the solubilization process of starch due to reduction in α-amylase activity, which is also evident from greater starch content and reduced soluble carbohydrate content of endosperms of treated seeds of the two cultivars. Mercury was more tolerated by Pant Dhan-12 when grown under in vitro culture medium containing 2% sucrose. The inhibitory effect of Pb²⁺ on embryo growth was not only abolished but also accelerated by 2% sucrose. The inhibitory effect, however, was not significantly blocked in Hg²⁺-treated embryos grown in vitro in sucrose containing medium. Embryos did not grow normally in a medium devoid of sucrose in either case. Data indicated that Pb²⁺ inhibited germination and seedling growth by impairing the solubilization of endosperm starch without markedly affecting the embryo, while Hg²⁺ inhibited germination and seedling growth by damaging the embryo itself.     

Antidiabetic effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed powder in a rat model

Free radical production and oxidative stress are known to increase in liver during diabetes and may contribute to oxidative damage. In this study, the effect of oral feeding of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed powder (TSP) has been studied on blood glucose, membrane-linked ATPases, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, lipofuscin content and membrane fluidity in livers of a diabetic rat. Diabetes was induced by administration of alloxan monohydrate. Hyperglycemia during diabetes has been shown to entail free radical generation, with a concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin content, inhibition of membrane-linked ATPases, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased membrane fluidity. TSP treatment reverses the changes to near normal levels thereby ameliorating the management of diabetic complications.