Annals of Environmental Science

Transport of Nitrate in the Mississippi River in July-August 1999

Richard H. Coupe — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:26:10 PDT

Lagrangian sampling was conducted on the Mississippi River in late July through early August 1999 to test the hypothesis that nitrate (NO₃^-) is transported conservatively in the Mississippi River. Three different approaches were pursued to test the hypothesis: (1) a mass balance for NO₃^- was evaluated for evidence of net gains and losses, (2) stable isotopes of NO₃^- were measured (δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O) to determine if fractionation occurred, and (3) the concentrations of dissolved gases (N₂O, N₂ and Ar) in river water were measured and compared to theoretical equilibrium concentrations. Integrated water samples and flow measurements were obtained at 10...

A Study of the Fertility and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Rice Soil with Respect to the Application of Biochar and Selected Amendments

Shanthi Prabha V — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:56:38 PST

A study was carried out to assess the effect of biochar on the carbon dynamics of wetland rice soils and on the growth and grain yield of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.). Pot experiments were conducted with amendments of chemical and organic origins in addition to wood-derived biochar. Maximum soil carbon storage was observed with biochar compared to organic amendments such as composts and chemical fertilizer. Major soil carbon sequestration parameters like soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were found to be greater with biochar. Aggregate formation was also significant under biochar trials....

How p-benzoquinone inhibits growth of various freshwater phototrophs: different susceptibility and modes of actions?

Hanno Bährs — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:26:11 PST

Interactions of polyphenols with freshwater phototrophshave been the focus of many studies, since polyphenols of various classes and their oxidation products (quinones) belong to natural organic matter in any freshwater body. Most of these studies were lacking information regarding the possible physiological modes of action. Therefore, we challenged eukaryotic and prokaryotic phototrophs by exposing them to p-benzoquinone (PBQ).Both groups of phototrophs showed clear stress responses which led to inhibition of growth and photosynthetic capacity. Two modes of action were elucidated for the short-term effects in the range of minutes to 24h: PBQ lowered the relative photosynthetic electron transport rate (rETR)...

Incorporation of Fluoride in Vegetation and Associated Biochemical Changes Due to Fluoride Contamination in Water and Soil: A Comparative Field Study

Kartick chandra Pal Research scholar — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:55:54 PST

High fluoride concentrations in natural groundwater of Nowapara and Junidpur villages of the Birbhum District in India has recently been highlighted as a serious environmental concern. A study has been conducted to estimate fluoride concentrations and water quality along with the translocation of fluoride into vegetables through soil and the stress effect of fluoride on some biochemical parameters in this area. The result has been compared with a non-contaminated area of Burdwan University farm of the Burdwan District as a control zone by collecting equal numbers and types of samples. The results showed a positive correlation of fluoride concentration with...

A Retrospective Assessment of Artificial, Formulated and Synthetic Sediment

Adrian M. Gonzalez — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:26:01 PST

Understanding aquatic sediment’s inherent complexity requires multiple assessment tools and lines of evidence to explain its composition, character and function. Data quality of sediment assessments can suffer from a lack of suitable “control” or “reference” sediment material; natural sediment is too dynamic and heterogeneous to serve this role. One promising solution is to create surrogate sediment substrates (3S) composed of synthetic materials. The development of 3S has not progressed beyond a few, decades-old approaches. Taking inventory of current conditions often can clarify context and goals, and inspire new ideas to overcome the current stagnation. To this end, the author reviewed...

Storm NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ Exports in Stream, Overland Flow, and Tile Drains of the US Midwest

Philippe Vidon — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:36:13 PDT

A better understanding of the dynamics of nitrogen (N) losses to streams during storms in agro-ecosystems of the US Midwest is critical to better understand how to mitigate N pollution in the Mississippi River Basin. This study investigates storm NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ concentrations and fluxes in tile drains, overland flow and stream water in relation to bulk precipitation and antecedent moisture conditions. For moderate size spring storms (1.0 - 4.5 cm bulk precipitation), the occurrence of overland flow was primarily associated with high antecedent moisture conditions, but had no direct effect on stream NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ concentrations. Mean storm NO₃^-...

Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria to Groundwater, Malibu Lagoon and the Near-Shore Ocean, Malibu, California, USA

John A. Izbicki — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 09:31:02 PDT

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) used to treat residential and commercial sewage near Malibu, California have been implicated as a possible source of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) to Malibu Lagoon and the near-shore ocean. For this to occur, treated wastewater must first move through groundwater before discharging to the Lagoon or ocean. In July 2009 and April 2010, δ¹⁸O and δD data showed that some samples from water-table wells contained as much as 70% wastewater; at that time FIB concentrations in those samples were generally less than the detection limit of 1 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (mL)....

Engaging the Youth Community in Environmental Management: A Participatory Approach

Sajid Noor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:03:36 PDT

Youth, an asset of the community, can contribute its strength in environmental management. Pakistan currently has the largest group of youths (10-24 yrs), nearly 54.2 million individuals constituting 34 percent of its total population. These numbers are expected to increase to 64.8 million by 2025. The main objective of this descriptive research article is to propose the strategies by which youth communities can be utilized as an active agent of change for improving the environment for sustainable development in Pakistan. First, this paper identifies the importance of the youth population of Pakistan to participate in local environment upgrading. Next, the...

Spatial Variation in Phytoplankton Diversity in the Sabarmati River at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Rita N. Kumar — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:10:40 PDT

Biological assessment is a useful alternative for rating the ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems since biological communities integrate the environmental effects of water chemistry. Phytoplankton are assemblages of heterogeneous microscopic algal forms whose movement is more or less dependent upon water currents. To know the nature of species composition of phytoplankton and their significance, the present observations were made for a period of twelve months in the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad, India from three selected sites, i.e. upstream (site 1), midstream (site 2) and downstream (site 3). The study revealed the occurrence of 48 species of phyto-plankton; among these, 21 species...

Measuring the Humic Acids Content of Commercial Lignites and Agricultural Top Soils in the National Soil Project

Elham A. Ghabbour — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:47:40 PDT

Radiocarbon dating studies have demonstrated that soil organic matter (OM) consists of two pools: a labile, short-lived pool that is an energy source for microbes, and a much longer-lived humic substances (HS) pool that is protected from microbial attack and represents the sequestered carbon in a soil. The longer-lived pool has three operationally-defined fractions: fulvic acids (FA, soluble at all pH), humic acids (HA, insoluble below pH ≈ 2) and humins (HU, insoluble at all pH). HA and FA can be extracted from soils and low-rank coals with aqueous bases and fractionated by acidification of the basic solutions. Several other...

Applicability of Standard Antibiotic Toxicity Tests to the Ambient Aquatic Environment

Ferdi Hellweger — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:12:29 PST

Antibiotics enter the aquatic environment via wastewater and other sources, where they may promote selection of resistant bacteria, and thus add to the global reservoir of antibiotic resistance. Ambient concentrations typically are several orders of magnitude below the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) or minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which suggests this is unlikely. However, the dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentration in conventional MIC laboratory assays is typically three orders of magnitude higher than in the ambient aquatic environment. Partitioning of antibiotics on DOM could affect their bioavailability making the laboratory MIC values inapplicable to the ambient environment. This question was...

Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management (Case Study: Sarab County, Iran)

Azadeh Jamshidi — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:34:23 PST

Due to rapid population growth and industrial development in Iran, problems arising from increased generation of solid waste and its subsequent physical and chemical changes are foreseeable in the near future. Existing waste collection and disposal systems will not be able to meet the needs of sustainable waste management. In Iran, the collection, disposal, recycling and solid waste management have significant differences with other countries regarding the type and quality of waste. Applying technology without knowledge of the waste materials and adaptation to local factors is not worthwhile. In other words, when proposing a proper waste management plan it is...

Calcite Growth – Rate Inhibition by Fulvic Acids Isolated from Big Soda Lake, Nevada, USA, the Suwannee River, Georgia, USA and by Polycarboxylic Acids

Michael M. Reddy — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:03:37 PDT

Calcite crystallization rates are characterized using a constant solution composition at 25°C, pH=8.5, and calcite supersaturation (Ω) of 4.5 in the absence and presence of fulvic acids isolated from Big Soda Lake, Nevada (BSLFA), and a fulvic acid from the Suwannee River, Georgia (SRFA). Rates are also measured in the presence and absence of low-molar mass, aliphatic-alicyclic polycarboxylic acids (PCA). BSLFA inhibits calcite crystal-growth rates with increasing BSLFA concentration, suggesting that BSLFA adsorbs at growth sites on the calcite crystal surface. Calcite growth morphology in the presence of BSLFA differed from growth in its absence, supporting an adsorption mechanism...

Diversity of Monument Deterioration-Causing Fungi at Gwalior Fort (M.P.) India

A. K. Pandey — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:41:04 PDT

Fungi are complex communities of microorganisms that damage historic monuments. The present study was made to examine the diversity of fungi associated with deteriorated monuments sites. In the present investigation, 40 stone samples were collected from 15 deteriorating sites of Gwalior Fort. A dilution plate method was used for isolation of fungi. Twenty-three fungal species containing 19 genera isolated from fifteen deteriorated monument sites are reported in this paper. The most frequent isolated fungal species from the historic monument sites are Alternaria sp, A. nidulans, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger, Beauveria sp., Bipolaris sp., Curvularia sp., Cochliobollus...

Isolation, Identification and Cultural Optimization of Indigenous Fungal Isolates as a Potential Bioconversion Agent of Municipal Solid Waste

S. P. Gautam — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:01:35 PDT

Native populations of fungi were isolated from different areas of garbage and their diversity was characterized. In all habitats, total colony-forming units (cfus) of fungi varied significantly (p=0.05) and were almost positively correlated with the characteristics of the habitat. On the basis of cultural and microscopic characteristics, the isolated strains were identified as Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Curvularia sp. and Fusarium sp. A potato dextrose broth medium was suitable for massive growth of Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus fumigatus whereas the Czapeck Dox broth medium was suitable for Aspergillus niger and Curvularia sp. The optimum ranges of pH and temperature...

Investigation of the Effect of Leaves, Branches and Canopies of Trees on Noise Pollution Reduction

Kobra Maleki — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:30:33 PDT

In order to determine the effects of tree branches, leaves and their canopies on noise pollution, different types of trees from the Chitgar forest park in Tehran were investigated and compared in the seasons of spring and fall. Noise values were taken with noise meter equipment at four points of measurement: (a) an open area as the control treatment (without trees), urban forests of pure stands of (b) Pinus eldarica, Robinia pseudoacasia, and (c) a mixed stand at 7 distances (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75 and 100 meters from the source of the noise which was located behind the...

Physico-Chemical Analysis of Sugar Industry Effluent and its Effect on Seed Germination of Vigna angularis, Vigna cylindrical and Sorghum cernum

Kailas M. Doke — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:01:37 PDT

We assessed physico-chemical parameters of treated waste water effluents from a sugar industry and determined the effect of various concentrations (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80 % and 100%) of effluent on seed germination, germination speed, peak value and the germination value of Mung (Vigna angularis), Chavali (Vigna cylindrical) and Jowar (Sorghum cernum) seeds. The low effluent pH (4.35), total dissolved solids, (TDS, 720 mg/L) and chemical oxygen demand, (COD, 1330 mg/L) indicate the high inorganic and organic content with an acidic load. Germination percentages and germination values decrease with increasing concentration of effluent in all the seeds tested.

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Selected Natural Humic Materials Induce and Char Substrates Repress a Gene in Caenorhabditis Elegans Homolog to Human Anticancer P53

Shumon Chakrabarti — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:29:49 PST

Humic substances (HSs) and char substrates are major carbon compartments of contrasting origin, the latter being increasingly applied as an amendment of sandy soils. HSs are known to interact with exposed organisms and to induce transcriptionally controlled responses. Intrigued by anti-carcinogenic properties of HSs in human cell cultures, we checked whether tropical HSs from two Brazilian coastal lagoons modulate the gene (cep-1) in the invertebrate model Caenorhabditis elegans, which is a homolog to the human key anticancer gene p53. The modulation of this gene can also be indicative of effects caused by char substrates, because this carbon compartment originates from...

A Comparison of Variable Economic Costs Associated with Two Proposed Biochar Application Methods

Morgan M. Williams — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:31:54 PST

The addition of biochar to agricultural soils has been shown to improve crop productivity and sequester carbon in soils over a millennial timeline. However, little formal research has assessed the logistics or economics of transitioning to a biochar economy. This paper examines the problem of biochar application to soil. Specifically, we look at two methods of application-broadcast-and-disk and trench-and-fill and provide cost estimates for each under varying rates of saturation. Our findings show that the broadcast process is generally cheaper; however, we consider a trench-and-fill method to be more suitable for storing large quantities of biochar in soil. For broadcast...

A Rural Revitalization Scheme in Japan Utilizing Biochar and Eco-Branding: The Carbon Minus Project, Kameoka City

Steven R. McGreevy — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:50:28 PST

Like rural areas in many countries, Japanese rural society is experiencing decline in all spheres (depopulation, aging, lack of economic opportunity, and so on). Uncertainty in the future viability of agricultural livelihoods coupled with the collapse of the forestry sector has decreased the ecological resilience of the Japanese countryside, increasing overgrown forests, habitat and biodiversity loss, and costly wildlife damage to crops. As these rural crises are compounded by the climate crisis, the need for multifunctional solutions that increase the sustainability of rural society and environment as well as promote a shift to a low-carbon economy is great. Biochar implementation...