Thermal treatment for pathogen inactivation as a risk mitigation strategy for safe recycling of organic waste in agriculture

Thermal treatment at temperatures between 46.0°C and 55.0°C was evaluated as a method for sanitization of organic waste, a temperature interval less commonly investigated but important in connection with biological treatment processes. Samples of dairy cow feces inoculated with Salmonella Senftenberg W775, Enterococcus faecalis, bacteriophage ?X174, and porcine parvovirus (PPV) were thermally treated using block thermostats at set temperatures in order to determine time-temperature regimes to achieve sufficient bacterial and viral reduction, and to model the inactivation rate. Pasteurization at 70°C in saline solution was used as a comparison in terms of bacterial and viral reduction and was proven to be effective in rapidly reducing all organisms with the exception of PPV (decimal reduction time of 1.2 h). The results presented here can be used to construct time-temperature regimes in terms of bacterial inactivation, with D-values ranging from 0.37 h at 55°C to 22.5 h at 46.0°C and 0.45 h at 55.0°C to 14.5 h at 47.5°C for Salmonella Senftenberg W775 and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively and for relevant enteric viruses based on the ?X174 phage with decimal reduction times ranging from 1.5 h at 55°C to 16.5 h at 46°C. Hence, the study implies that considerably lower treatment temperatures than 70°C can be used to reach a sufficient inactivation of bacterial pathogens and potential process indicator organisms such as the ?X174 phage and raises the question whether PPV is a valuable process indicator organism considering its extreme thermotolerance.     

Contribution of additives Cu to its accumulation in pig feces： study in Beijing and Fuxin of China

Massive amounts of pig manure are produced by intensive pig farm in China, and the composition of pig manure has changed much due to the use of feed additives. However, little is known about the exact Cu （copper） feed as additives or present as contaminants in pig feed and the residues in feces. One hundred and thirty-seven feeds and one hundred and forty-two fecal samples from 48 pig farms were collected in Beijing and Fuxin cities in 1999 and 2005, respectively. The concentrations of Cu were in the range of 6.86-395.19 mg/kg in the feed samples, and the mean values were in the order of weaner〉 grower-finisher〉 sow＇s feeds. The high concentrations over EU recommendations implied that excessive levels of Cu are fed on many pig farms in Beijing and Fuxin. Cu was also present in high concentrations in feces, and concentrations were highly variable. Cu concentrations in the feces from grower-finisher and weaner pigs were significantly greater than feces of sows. The super-intensive and small-scale farms had higher levels of Cu in feces than the middle farms. Cu concentrations in pig feces were approximately 5-times greater than in pig feeds. Feed management in grower-finisher pigs on super-intensive and small-scale pig farms is needed to reduce high Cu concentrations in feces and risks to soil contamination while feces are land-applied.     

Specific biomagnification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula), common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) and their prey from Lake Shinji, Japan

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/DFs) were detected in waterfowl such as common cormorants, tufted ducks, and their prey, namely fish and bivalves from Lake Shinji, Japan. The concentration of total PCDDs/DFs-TEQ was found to be higher in the muscle tissues of common cormorants than in those of tufted ducks. The results of hierarchical cluster analysis implied that the residue distribution pattern of PCDD/DF homologues was considerably different between these two species. Furthermore, biomagnification factors (BMFs) were estimated from bivalves as prey to tufted duck muscles as target organs. Despite the highest concentrations of 1,3,6,8- and 1,3,7,9-TeCDD in tufted ducks and their prey, however, the BMFs of these isomers were calculated to be lower than those of the toxic 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs/DFs. On the other hand, log BMF of toxic 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs/DFs were significantly higher for lower chlorinated isomers than those of the higher chlorinated isomers. The biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of PCDDs/DFs were also estimated using shijimi clam and fish samples against sediment from Lake Shinji. The average BSAFs were estimated and ranged from 4.0×10⁻³ to 2.2×10⁻¹ and 2.0×10⁻⁴ to 2.0×10⁻¹ for bivalve and fish samples, respectively. Based on calculated BMFs and BSAFs, the total PCDD/DF-TEQ levels in the tufted duck were estimated to have been lowest (2.0 pg TEQ/g dry weight basis) in 1947 and highest (9.8 pg TEQ/g) in 1971.     

Estimating Population Size of Elusive Animals with DNA from Hunter-Collected Feces: Four Methods for Brown Bears

Abstract:  Noninvasive genetic methods can be used to estimate animal abundances and offer several advantages over conventional methods. Few attempts have been made, however, to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the estimates. We compared four methods of estimating population size based on fecal sampling. Two methods used rarefaction indices and two were based on capture-mark-recapture (CMR) estimators, one combining genetic and field data. Volunteer hunters and others collected 1904 fecal samples over 2 consecutive years in a large area containing a well-studied population of brown bears ( Ursus arctos ). On our 49,000-km² study area in south-central Sweden, population size estimates ranged from 378 to 572 bears in 2001 and 273 to 433 bears in 2002, depending on the method of estimation used. The estimates from the best model in the program MARK appeared to be the most accurate, based on the minimum population size estimate from radio-marked bears in a subsection of our sampling area. In addition, MARK models included heterogeneity and temporal variation in detection probabilities, which appeared to be present in our samples. All methods, though, incorrectly suggested a biased sex ratio, probably because of sex differences in detection probabilities and low overall detection probabilities. The population size of elusive animals can be estimated reliably over large areas with noninvasive genetic methods, but we stress the importance of an adequate and well-distributed sampling effort. In cases of biased sampling, calibration with independent estimates may be necessary. We recommend that this noninvasive genetic approach, using the MARK models, be used in the future in areas where sufficient numbers of volunteers can be mobilized.     

Duck Populations as Indicators of Landscape Condition in the Prairie Pothole Region

The Prairie Pothole Region of the northern GreatPlains is an important region for waterfowl production becauseof the abundance of shallow wetlands. The ecologicalsignificance of the region and impacts from intensiveagriculture prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to select it as one ofthe first areas for developing and evaluating ecologicalindicators of wetland condition. We examined hypothesizedrelations between indicators of landscape and wetlandconditions and waterfowl abundance on 45 40 km² study sites in North Dakota for1995–1996. Landscape condition was defined a priori as the ratio of cropland area to total upland area surroundingwetlands. Measures of waterfowl abundance included estimatednumbers of breeding pairs (by species and total numbers) and , a species-specific correction factor which effectively adjusts breedingpair estimates for annual or area-related differences in pondsize. Landscape indicators and waterfowl measures varied among regions. Results indicated that most areas in the Coteau region are ofmuch higher quality for ducks than those in the Drift Plain,and areas in the Red River Valley are of the poorest qualityfor ducks. Regression models demonstrated the impact ofagricultural development on breeding duck populations in the PrairiePothole Region. The most consistent landscape indicators ofwaterfowl abundance were percent of cropland and grassland. Models were inconsistent among years and species. Thepotential biotic indicators of landscape and wetland condition examined here wouldbe appropriate for temporal trend analyses, but because ofinherent geographic variability would not be appropriate forsingle-year geographic trend analyses without more extensiveevaluations to improve explanatory models.     

Impact of Disturbance on Waterfowl Wintering in a UK Dockland Redevelopment Area

One of the UK's largest flocks of pochard Aythya ferina and tufted duck A. fuligula winters in Manchester's busy dockland redevelopment area. I examined the effects of human disturbance on the population, and used this information to recommend minimal land-use restrictions that will help ensure the population's continued use of the site. Birds fed at the docks every night, but on 75% of days, the flock flew to suburban or rural refuges in response to disturbance. The common causes of disturbance, particularly pedestrians, did not affect the duck greatly, but disturbances associated with building and redevelopment of the site (e.g., machinery) often made duck evacuate the dock. While birds were no less likely to evacuate the docks as the winter progressed, they did show some short-term flexibility in their responses to disturbance. For example, birds appeared able to sit out disturbances throughout the afternoon if they had avoided evacuation of the docks during the morning. Birds spent only a small proportion of time feeding, and feeding activity was not heightened following periods of exclusion from the docks due to disturbance. Daytime feeding activity was elevated during periods of lowering temperatures, and despite heavy disturbance at the site, the impact of disturbance may only be significant during the coldest period of the winter. During very cold spells, it is important to limit the incidence of unusual disturbances, such as evening concerts and waterborne activities which tend to make duck evacuate the site.     

Effect of nitroethane and nitroethanol on the production of indole and 3-methylindole (skatole) from bacteria in swine feces by gas chromatography

Indole and 3-methylindole (skatole) are odor pollutants in livestock waste, and skatole is a major component of boar taint. Skatole causes pulmonary edema and emphysema in ruminants and causes damage to lung Clara cells in animals and humans. A gas chromatographic method that originally used a nitrogen–phosphorus detector to increase sensitivity was modified resulting in an improved flame ionization detection response for indole and skatole of 236% and 207%, respectively. The improved method eliminates the large amount of indole decomposition in the injector. A 10 μ g mL^–1 spike of indole and skatole in water and swine fecal slurries resulted in recovery of 78.5% and 96% in water and 76.1% and 85.8% in fecal slurries, respectively. The effect of the addition of nitroethane and nitroethanol at 21.8 mM in swine fecal slurries was studied on the microbial production of indole and skatole. Nitroethane and nitroethanol decreased the production of skatole in swine fecal slurries at 24 h. The nitroethane effect on l-tryptophan-supplemented fecal slurries after 6 and 24 h incubation resulted in a decrease of 69.0% (P = 0.02) and 23.5% skatole production, respectively, and a decrease of 14.9% indole at 6 h, but an increase in indole production of 81.1% at 24 h.     

一稻两鸭共作对稻田土壤养分动态的影响

鸭稻共作是有效减少化肥和农药施用的重要技术,对稻田土壤养分消耗具有一定的缓冲和调控作用。但在鸭稻共作有机生产模式中,外源性化肥投入的缺乏常常成为水稻高产的限制因素。为更好地解决有机种植中土壤养分供应的问题,对常规鸭稻共作进行了调整,建立了2种＂一稻两鸭＂共作生态农业模式。通过田间试验对常规稻作、常规鸭稻共作、一稻两鸭轮养及一稻两鸭套养4种种植模式下的土壤养分进行定位监测。结果表明：相对于常规稻作,3种鸭稻共作模式均能在一定程度上提高土壤全钾、全氮的含量,同时减小碱解氮的消耗。与比生产前期相比,生产结束后常规水稻种植模式下土壤有机质含量有所下降,而3种鸭稻共作模式下土壤有机质含量比生产前期均有不同程度的增加。4种种植模式下土壤全磷含量在生产结束后均有不同程度的下降,然而一稻两鸭套养和一稻两鸭轮养模式下土壤全磷含量的降低程度低于常规稻作。早稻生产结束后,一稻两鸭套养和一稻两鸭轮养模式下的土壤全磷含量比常规稻作分别高出13.53%和11.01%。与常规鸭稻共作模式相比,一稻两鸭轮养和套养模式增加了全氮以及全钾有机物的积累,同时减缓了碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量的下降。晚稻生产结束后,一稻两鸭套养模式下土壤碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾的含量分别比常规鸭稻共作模式高出3.7%,10.39%和7.59%。产量测定结果表明,早稻时期一稻两鸭套养模式下的水稻产量比常规鸭稻共作模式高12.90%,晚稻时期则比常规鸭稻共作高12.19%。一稻两鸭共作模式中,由于两批鸭子的存在,其排便和中耕作用几乎贯穿于水稻的整个生长发育过程,因此培肥效果与常规鸭稻共作相比有了进一步的提高,对系统内的养分循环利用起到了更好的促进作用。     

鲴对食微囊藻鲢鳙排泄物及藻活性的作用研究

开展室内模拟实验,研究鲢、鳙和鲴不同混养系统中排泄物的量及微囊藻活性的变化.实验设置鲢鳙组合,鲢鳙鲴组合以及对照组,其中鲢鳙生物量放养比例为3：1,鲢鳙鲴组合中生物量放养比例为3：1：1,实验周期14d.结果显示,鲢鳙组和鲢鳙鲴组均能降低微囊藻密度,两组无显著差异（P>0.05）,但是均极显著小于对照组（P<0.01）.混养鲴鱼可以降低排泄物的量及微囊藻的被消化率,鲢鳙鲴组排泄物的量在第4d开始下降,实验结束时是鲢鳙组的16.08%.鲢鳙鲴组微囊藻的被消化率,第5d后快速增长,至实验结束达到85.9%,极显著高于鲢鳙组（P<0.01）.鲢鳙组和鲢鳙鲴组排泄物中的氨基酸和总氮含量相比未被摄食微囊藻减少率分别为33.17%、53.62%和34.97%、54.27%.鲢鳙鲴组和鲢鳙组排泄物光能活性（Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、Yeld、qP及NPQ表示）和生长活性差异（EPS、Chla表示）较大,鲢鳙组微囊藻叶绿素荧光参数（除NPQ外）值经过短暂的下降后开始增长,而鲢鳙鲴组Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、Yeld及qP在培养过程中下降显著,且至第5d后叶绿素荧光参数（除NPQ外）均极显著低于鲢鳙组（P<0.01）.鲢鳙鲴组NPQ呈上升的趋势,且第7d后极显著高于鲢鳙组（P<0.01）.在排泄物培养期间,鲢鳙鲴组排泄物中微囊藻的胞外多糖（EPS）含量、叶绿素a（Chl a）浓度不断下降,至实验结束极显著低于鲢鳙组（P<0.01）.结果表明,在鲢鳙控藻的基础上,混养鲴鱼可以减少鲢鳙摄食微囊藻后的排泄物,同时降低排泄物中微囊藻活性,减少了因鲢鳙排泄物引起的水环境污染和生态影响.     

冀东某县农村养殖粪污处理环境风险与对策研究

生猪养殖粪污是农村面源污染来源之一,冀东某县是河北省养猪大县,养殖产生的粪污主要采用能源生态处理方式进行处理与利用,在养殖粪污的现有利用方式中,存在土壤中重金属积累风险、粪便中病菌抗生素风险、生猪散养的环境风险.针对冀东某县生猪养殖粪污处理利用存在的环境风险,对规模化养殖场采用粪便堆肥发酵制有机肥工艺进行处理利用;散养型粪污,依托规模化养殖场进行处理利用;政府依据种养结合的原则,制定养殖规划,确定养殖规模,建立制度化管理,保护农村环境.