Manure and adoption of modern seeds in cereal‐based systems in West African drylands: linkages and (non)complementarities

Using a stepwise approach that combines several econometric methods, we assessed whether or not the adoption of modern seeds and the use of manure in cereal‐based systems are linked and, if so, what are the driving forces of the linkages between these two agricultural technologies under dry‐climate conditions in West Africa. We found complementary and substitutability linkages arising from jointness and endogeneity between the two technologies. Specifically, our findings reveal positive joint determination along with negative endogeneity between the two technologies indicating that, controlling for observable variables, both technologies are positively linked, but unobserved factors that affect one adoption decision are negatively correlated with the other. After controlling for jointness and endogeneity, we found significant complementarity linkages showing a significant positive effect of manure use on the adoption of modern seeds, which is also significantly and positively affected by the number of cash crops grown and remittances. The two technologies are reversely affected by schooling and the incidence of soil fertility problems within the farm, whereas the amount of healthy land has a positive effect on both. The study suggests that organic fertilizer can serve as an enabling factor for greater adoption of modern seeds, especially in less favourable climate areas, and strongly supports the argument behind the need to breed seeds suitable for the use of organic fertilizers. These findings provide avenues for re‐orientation of policies that promote the use of modern seeds in dryland areas in sub‐Saharan Africa, with a possibility of breeding and promoting them in packages with organic fertilizers to upscale their adoption.     

初始pH值和物料配比对高温混料厌氧发酵进程的影响

为了研究高温条件下初始p H对厌氧发酵进程的影响,以猪粪、玉米秸秆为发酵原料,设置3种比例(干物质质量比30∶70、50∶50、70∶30)下6个水平(6.0、6.5、7.0、7.5、8.0的初始p H值以及一个不调控初始p H的处理作为对照)进行批次发酵试验.结果表明,初始p H值和物料配比都会显著影响厌氧发酵过程的启动时间和甲烷产量.当初始p H值为7.0时,VS降解率趋于稳定.COD去除率随着粪便含量的增加而逐渐降低.高温猪粪玉米秸秆混合发酵最佳挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)/碱度比值范围为0.05~0.3;猪粪可以作为一种缓冲材料,适量添加可增大消化系统的缓冲能力.通过建模优化,预测出当初始p H值为6.95、猪粪/玉米秆为70∶30时,可得到每克挥发性固体最大理论单位甲烷产量169.22 m L·g-1.     

Positively charged microporous ceramic membrane for the removal of Titan Yellow through electrostatic adsorption

To develop a depth filter based on the electrostatic adsorption principle, positively charged microporous ceramic membrane was prepared from a diatomaceous earth ceramic membrane.The internal surface of the highly porous ceramic membrane was coated with uniformly distributed electropositive nano-Y_2O_3 coating. The dye removal performance was evaluated through pressurized filtration tests using Titan Yellow aqueous solution. It showed that positively charged microporous ceramic membrane exhibited a flow rate of 421 L/(m~2·hr) under the trans-membrane pressure of 0.03 bar. Moreover it could effectively remove Titan Yellow with feed concentration of 10 mg/L between pH 3 to 8. The removal rate increased with the enhancement of the surface charge properties with a maximum rejection of 99.6%. This study provides a new and feasible method of removing organic dyes in wastewater. It is convinced that there will be a broad market for the application of charged ceramic membrane in the field of dye removal or recovery from industry wastewater.     

南通市畜禽粪便排放量与农田负荷量分析

在确定畜禽粪便年排放量的估算方法和畜禽粪便排泄系数的基础上,根据2009年南通市畜禽养殖数据,估算南通市畜禽粪便产生量及其主要养分含量,并对畜禽粪便的环境效应进行评价.结果表明,2009年南通市畜禽粪便总排放量约为792.3万t,其中以生猪和鸡排放量较高,分别占总量的44.9％和27.0％.农田畜禽粪便负荷量平均为17.23 t/hm2,农田N、P养分负荷量分别为112.79 kg hm-2和34.86kg·hm-2,畜禽粪便所产生的环境问题已不容忽视.     

造纸污泥应用于人工速生桉培肥地力的资源化策略研究

造纸污泥是一种富含氮磷和有机质养分的有机废物,其中的养分资源可循环应用在速生桉培肥地力工程上.客观剖析了生物质能产业发展背景下,中国南方地区人工速生桉存在的环境生态效应,提出轮伐期缩短和忽视对有机肥的补充是造成当前速生桉地力退化严重的主要原因.基于现状,提出将造纸污泥好氧发酵无害化处理后,生产桉树专用有机肥,可最大化循环利用造纸废物养分资源,推进"林-纸-泥"一体化循环发展模式;提出资源化策略配套的发展资金和政策支持建议.     

Distribution of tritium in estuarine waters: the role of organic matter

Tritium is an important environmental radionuclide whose reactivity with ligands and solids in aquatic systems is assumed to be limited. We studied the fractionation and sorption of tritium (added as tritiated water) in river water and seawater, and found that its distribution appears to be influenced by its affinity for organic matter. Tritium rapidly equilibrates with dissolved organic ligands that are retained by a reverse-phase C18 column, and with suspended sediment particles. Significantly, a measurable fraction of sorbed tritium associates with proteinaceous material that is potentially available to sediment-feeding organisms. These characteristics have not been reported previously and cannot be accounted for solely by isotopic exchange with hydrogen. Nevertheless, they are in qualitative agreement with available measurements of tritium in estuarine and coastal waters where its principal discharge is as tritiated water. Further research into the estuarine biogeochemical behaviour of tritium is required and radiological distribution coefficients and concentration factors that are assumed for this radionuclide may require reconsideration.     

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) for bioelectricity generation from organic wastes

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have gained a lot of attention recently as a mode of converting organic matter into electricity. In this study, a compost-based microbial fuel cell that generates bioelectricity by biodegradation of organic matter is developed. Grass cuttings, along with leaf mold, rice bran, oil cake (from mustard plants) and chicken droppings (waste from chickens) were used as organic waste. The electric properties of the MFC under anaerobic fermentation condition were investigated along with the influence of different types of membranes, the mixing of fly ash, and different types of electrode materials. It is observed that the maximum voltage was increased by mixing fly ash. Cellophane showed the highest value of voltage (around 350 mV). Bamboo charcoal is good for anode material; however carbon fiber is better for the cathode material in terms of optimization of power generated. This developed MFC is a simple cell to generate electricity from organic waste.     

Dissolved Organic Carbon and Estrogen Transport in Surface Runoff From Agricultural Land Receiving Poultry Litter1

Dutta, Sudarshan, Shreeram Inamdar, Jerry Tso, Diana S. Aga, and J. Tom Sims, 2012. Dissolved Organic Carbon and Estrogen Transport in Surface Runoff from Agricultural Land Receiving Poultry Litter. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(3): 558-569. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00634.x Abstract: Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) provides a reactive substrate for the transport of organic contaminants with runoff. Very few studies have investigated the export of DOC from agricultural land, especially those receiving manure applications. We investigated exports of DOC in surface runoff from agricultural fields receiving various treatments of poultry litter (raw vs. pelletized). In addition, we also investigated how estrogens in runoff were associated with DOC. Different forms of estrogens studied were: estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, and their conjugates. Experimental agricultural plots were 12 m × 5 m long and had reduced tillage and no-till management practices. The aromatic content of DOC was characterized using specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA). Flow-weighted concentrations of DOC and SUVA in surface runoff from plots with poultry litter were significantly (p ≤ 0.10) greater than the control (no litter) plots. Compared to pelletized poultry litter, reduced-tillage plots with raw litter yielded higher DOC concentrations and SUVA values. No significant differences (p ≥ 0.10) in DOC and SUVA were observed between litter treatments for plots with no-till. Total estrogen concentrations (including all forms) were positively and significantly (p ≤ 0.10) correlated with DOC. These results can help select and guide agricultural management practices that can reduce the exports of DOC and associated contaminant from agricultural land receiving manure applications.     

Membrane bioreactor technology: A novel approach to the treatment of compost leachate

Compost leachate forms during the composting process of organic material. It is rich in oxidizable organics, ammonia and metals, which pose a risk to the environment if released without proper treatment. An innovative method based on the membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology was developed to treat compost leachate over 39 days. Water quality parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were measured daily. Concentrations of caffeine and metals were measured over the course of the experiment using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) respectively. A decrease of more than 99% was achieved for a COD of 116 g/L in the initial leachate. Ammonia was decreased from 2720 mg/L to 0.046 mg/L, while the nitrate concentration in the effluent rose to 710 mg/L. The bacteria in the MBR system adjusted to the presence of the leachate, and increased 4 orders of magnitude. Heavy metals were removed by at least 82.7% except copper. These successful results demonstrated the membrane bioreactor technology is feasible, efficient method for the treatment of compost leachate.     

Use of residence time distribution for evaluation of gaseous pollutant volatilization from stored swine manure

Abstract

A quantification analysis for evaluation of gaseous pollutant volatilization as a result of mass transfer from stored swine manure is presented from the viewpoint of residence time distribution. The method is based on evaluating the moments of concentration vs. time curves of both air and gaseous pollutants. The concept of moments of concentration histories is applicable to characterize the dispersal of the supplied air or gaseous pollutant in a ventilated system. The mean age or residence time of airflow can be calculated from an inverse system state matrix [B]‐1 of a linear dynamic equation describing the dynamics of gaseous pollutant in a ventilated airspace. The sum elements in an arbitrary row i in matrix [B]‐1 is equal to the mean age of airflow in airspace i. The mean age of gaseous pollutant in airspace i can be obtained from the area under the concentration profile divided by the equilibrium concentration reading in that space caused by gaseous pollutant sources. Matrix [B]‐1 can also be represented in terms of the inverse local airflow rate matrix ([W]‐1), transition probability matrix ([P]), and air volume matrix ([V]) as, [B]‐1 =[W]‐1[P][V]. Finally the mean age of airflow in a ventilated airspace can be interpreted by the physical characteristics of matrices [W] and [P]. The practical use of the concepts is also applied in a typical pig unit.