Survival,growth and physiological responses of juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus,Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) exposed to different dissolved oxygen concentrations and stocking densities

The aim of this study was to determine to what extent juvenile Japanese flounder can adapt to different stocking densities in captivity and to examine whether growth and some physiological parameters critical for welfare might be affected by different dissolved oxygen levels. Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) juveniles (initial weight 1.27 ± 0.04 g/fish) were reared at five stocking densities (500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 ind/m³) and two levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration (5.5 ± 0.5 mg/L or 14 ± 2 mg/L) with duplicate tanks for each treatment in water‐recirculating systems for 40 days. Survival and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were not affected either by stocking density or dissolved oxygen, whereas final body weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of fish under low DO concentration decreased significantly with increasing stocking density. In contrast, growth of fish reared in high DO levels were unaffected by the stocking density. Furthermore, fish in this group had a higher feed intake and, consequently, grew faster (SGR) and achieved a higher final weight than fish reared at the low DO level. A significant reduction in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count of fish were recorded as DO concentration increased. Furthermore, the activity of protease decreased significantly with increasing stocking density and increased significantly with increasing DO concentration. The ventilation frequency results indicate that gill ventilation decreased significantly as DO levels increased. This study demonstrates that stocking density can affect the growth performance and physiological parameters critical for welfare of juvenile Japanese flounder. Also shown is that pure oxygen supplementation is an effective way to improve the growth of juvenile Japanese flounder when reared at a high stocking density.     

Effect of different macrophytes in abating nitrogen from a synthetic wastewater

An experiment conducted in an unheated glasshouse from October 2006 to March 2008 studied the efficiency of different macrophytes in reducing NO₃-N and NH₄-N concentrations and loads in synthetic wastewaters. The experimental setup consisted of plastic tanks, filled with gravel and vegetated with Carex elata All., Juncus effusus L., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin., Typhoides arundinacea L. Moench (syn Phalaris arundinacea L.) var. picta and Typha latifolia L. There was also a control without vegetation. From January to July, a solution of 50–60 ppm of NH₄-N and NO₃-N was applied monthly; then the input concentration was doubled. The total load at the end of the experimental period was 70.4 g/m² of NO₃-N and 67.3 of NH₄-N. At the end of each month, water was discharged from the tanks and analysed to determine the two nitrogen forms. At the end of the experiment, 33 g/m² of total N (almost 24% of applied N) had disappeared in the control. Among species, the highest abatement was detected in T. latifolia (72 g/m², almost 52% of applied N) and the lowest in J. effusus (35%).A weekly chemical analysis in July showed that a large amount of NH₄-N quickly disappeared in all treatments, while NO₃-N only decreased in the vegetated tanks. In December, NH₄-N had similar dynamics, while NO₃-N increased.All water volumes entering and exiting the tanks were measured in order to evaluate evapotranspiration. T. latifolia showed the highest water consumption, reaching a cumulative value of above 1000 mm.At the end of the experiment, J. effusus presented the highest amount of nitrogen stored in the aerial parts (5.63 g/m²) and T. latifolia the lowest (1.92 g/m²).     

Growth and carrageenan quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kappaphycus striatum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">sacol</Emphasis> grown at different stocking densities,duration of culture and depth

Kappaphycus striatum var. sacol was grown in two separate studies: (1) at two stocking densities, and (2) at four different depths, each for three different durations of culture (30, 45 and 60 days) in order to determine the growth rate of the seaweed and evaluate the carrageenan content and its molecular weight. The results demonstrated that stocking density, duration of culture and depth significantly (P < 0.01) affected the growth rate, carrageenan content and molecular weight of K. striatum var. sacol. Decreasing growth rate was observed at both stocking densities and at four depths as duration of culture increased. A lower stocking density (500 g m⁻¹line⁻¹) showed a higher growth rate for the shortest durations, i.e. 30 days, as compared to those grown at a higher density. Likewise, decreasing growth rate was observed as depth increased, except at 50 cm after 60 days of culture. A 45-day culture period produced the highest molecular weight at both stocking densities (500 g m⁻¹line⁻¹ = 1,079.5 ± 31.8 kDa, 1,000 g m⁻¹line⁻¹ = 1,167 ± 270.6 kDa). ‘Sacol’ grown for 30 days at 50 cm (1,178 kDa) to 100 cm (1,200 kDa) depth showed the highest values of molecular weight of carrageenan extracted. The results suggested that K. striatum var. sacol is best grown at a stocking density of 500 g m⁻¹line⁻¹, at a depth of 50–100 cm, and for a duration of 30 days in order to provide the highest growth rate, carrageenan content and molecular weight.     

鲢鳙鱼养殖小型水库底栖动物群落季节动态

底栖动物是鱼类重要的天然饵料,评估水体中底栖动物的现存量可以指导渔业生产中鱼类的放养数量。为了探究淡水生态养殖水库中底栖动物群落的季节动态,于2013年4月、7月、10月和2014年1月对三河水库的底栖动物群落进行了调查分析。研究共采集到7个属的底栖动物,隶属于颤蚓科、摇蚊科和蠓科,未采集到软体动物。相对重要性指数(IRI)计算结果表明,菱跗摇蚊属Clinotanypus(IRI=7136)、颤蚓属Tubifex(IRI=6734)和尾鳃蚓属Branchiura(IRI=1384)是优势类群,分别占总捕获数量的34.26%、50.38%和10.96%。不同季节之间底栖动物的总密度和生物量差异显著(P0.05),均为冬季春季夏季秋季。冬季总密度(4100个/m~2)和总生物量(10.14 g/m~2)最高,春季(1446个/m~2;1.07 g/m~2)次之,夏季(579个/m~2;0.66 g/m~2)较低,秋季(492个/m~2;0.64 g/m~2)最低。非度量多维尺度分析(MDS)和群落相似性分析表明底栖动物群落结构季节差异显著(P=0.001),2013年三河水库的底栖动物群落可明显划分为3个:春季群落、夏秋季群落和冬季群落。皮尔森相关分析表明,底栖动物总密度与溶氧和营养盐呈正相关关系,与其他水理化因子呈显著负相关关系(P0.05)。冗余分析表明,氨氮、盐度、pH和浊度是三河水库底栖动物群落季节差异的显著影响因子(P0.05),总氮对底栖动物群落的季节差异具有边缘显著影响(P=0.08)。     

Enrichment and granulation of Anammox biomass started up with methanogenic granular sludge

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) seeded with methanogenic granular sludge was started up to enrich Anammox (Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation) bacteria and to investigate the feasibility of granulation of Anammox biomass. Research results showed that hydraulic retention time (HRT) was an important factor to enrich Anammox bacteria. When the HRT was controlled at 30 days during the initial cultivation, the SBR reactor presented Anammox activity at t = 58 days. Simultaneously, the methanogenic granular sludge changed gradually from dust black to brown colour and its diameter became smaller. At t = 90 days, the Anammox activity was further improved. NH₄⁺-N and NO₂⁻N were removed simultaneously with higher speed and the maximum removal rates reached 14.6 g NH₄⁺-N /(m³ _reactor·day) and 6.67 g NO₂⁻-N /(m³ _reactor·day), respectively. Between t = 110 days and t = 161 days, the nitrogen load was increased to a HRT of 5 days (70 mg/l NH₄⁺ and 70 mg/l NO₂), the removal rates of ammonium and nitrite were 60.6% and 62.5% respectively. The sludge changed to red and formed Anammox granulation with high nitrogen removal activity.     

氮磷硅添加对青藏高原高寒草甸垂穗披碱草叶片碳氮磷的影响

以甘南高寒草甸常见牧草垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)为研究对象,比较不同氮磷硅添加下,垂穗披碱草叶片对元素添加的反应。研究发现:氮添加显著提高土壤中硝态氮和铵态氮的含量;磷添加提高了土壤中全磷和速效磷的含量;高浓度的硅单独、硅与氮或磷混合可提高土壤中硝态氮的含量或全磷和速效磷的含量;氮和磷单独添加分别能提高垂穗披碱草叶片全氮和全磷含量,高浓度的硅单独、硅与氮或磷混合添加都能提高垂穗披碱草叶片全氮和全磷的含量。就硅元素而言,高浓度的硅添加,硅与氮或磷混合添加能提高土壤硝态氮、全磷和速效磷的含量,促进垂穗披碱草对土壤中氮磷的吸收,从而使植物叶片中氮磷的含量增加。     

Removal of nitrogen by heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification of a novel halotolerant bacterium Pseudomonas mendocina TJPU04

Excess inorganic nitrogen in water poses a severe threat to enviroment. Removal of inorganic nitrogen by heterotrophic nitrifying–aerobic denitrifying microorganism is supposed to be a promising and applicable technology only if the removal rate can be maintained sufficiently high in real wastewater under various conditions, such as high concentration of salt and wide range of different nitrogen concentrations. Here, a new heterotrophic nitrifying–aerobic denitrifying bacterium was isolated and named as Pseudomonas mendocina TJPU04, which removes NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N and NO₂⁻-N with average rate of 4.69, 5.60, 4.99 mg/L/h, respectively. It also maintains high nitrogen removal efficiency over a wide range of nitrogen concentrations. When concentration of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N and NO₂⁻-N was up to 150, 150 and 50 mg/L, 98%, 93%, and 100% removal efficiency could be obtained, respectively, after 30-h incubation under sterile condition. When it was applied under non-sterile condition, the ammonia removal efficiency was slightly lower than that under sterile condition. However, the nitrate and nitrite removal efficiencies under non-sterile condition were significantly higher than those under sterile condition. Strain TJPU04 also showed efficient nitrogen removal performance in the presence of high concentration of salt and nitrogen. In addition, the removal efficiencies of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N and TN in real wastewater were 91%, 52%, and 75%, respectively. These results suggest that strain TJPU04 is a promising candidate for efficient removal of inorganic nitrogen in wastewater treatment.

     

黄土丘陵区退耕地土壤可溶性氮组分季节变化与水热关系

为探究黄土丘陵区退耕地植被恢复土壤有效氮素养分累积的季节动态变化特征及水热驱动效应,以邻近坡耕地为对照,分析了植被恢复15 a的刺槐、柠条、荒草地土壤可溶性氮组分密度、分布比例在4—10月份内的动态变化状况及其与土壤温度和含水量间的关系。结果表明,整个采样期间,0—30 cm土层土壤硝态氮、可溶性有机氮和可溶性全氮动态变化显著,且各可溶性氮组分中仅硝态氮随土层变化差异显著。其中土壤硝态氮变化幅度整体为0.13—1.71 g/m~2,占可溶性全氮的5.1%—52.1%,其最大值出现在4月份,最小值出现在10月份;可溶性有机氮整体变化幅度为0.29—2.92 g/m~2,占可溶性全氮的30.9%—85.3%,在4月份和8月份分别达最小值和最大值;铵态氮动态变化不显著,4—10月份整体变化幅度为0.17—0.74 g/m~2,占6.4%—21.4%,其最小值出现在10月份,最大值出现在4月份;可溶性全氮整体变化幅度为1.25—3.52 g/m~2。可溶性氮组分中,各组分所占比例为可溶性有机氮硝态氮铵态氮,并且可溶性有机氮与硝态氮所占比例动态变化趋势相反。刺槐、柠条林和荒草地0—30 cm土壤硝态氮平均约为耕地的3.42倍、2.54倍和1.26倍,铵态氮平均为耕地的1.71倍、1.37倍和1.30倍,可溶性有机氮约为1.64倍、1.31倍和1.23倍。可溶性氮组分受土壤含水量的影响大于土壤温度,硝态氮对土壤含水量的变化最为敏感,而可溶性全氮则对土壤温度变化最为敏感。综上所述,人工林植被恢复有利于提高土壤可溶性氮组分,增加氮的有效性,同时除铵态氮外,土壤可溶性氮组分随季节变化显著。     

城乡交错带土壤氮素空间分布及其影响因素

城乡交错带土壤氮素是城乡生态系统中最重要的氮源与氮汇,但是城市化下的土壤氮素分布及其影响机制还不清楚,基于3S平台研究了土壤氮素在成都西郊城乡交错带的空间分布特征及城市化对土壤氮素的影响。结果表明,研究区内土壤全氮(STN)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)和铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)含量均值分别为(1.46±0.06)g/kg、(50.04±3.59)mg/kg和(6.72±0.53)mg/kg。区内土壤氮素含量从近郊向远郊逐渐增高,STN和NO_3~--N含量为中部高于南北部,NH_4~+-N含量则由西北部和东南部向中部递增。方差分析表明,区内不同土地利用方式下STN、NO_3~--N和NH_4~+-N含量差异显著(P0.05)。回归分析显示STN含量与建筑密度(BD)、道路密度(RD)均呈现显著线性负相关(P0.05),NO_3~--N含量与道路密度呈极显著线性负相关(P=0.001),与建筑密度关系不明显(P=0.217)。土壤NH_4~+-N与建筑密度呈显著负线性相关(P=0.001),与道路密度呈显著指数相关关系(P=0.021)。研究结果显示城市发展使得城乡交错带土壤氮素含量降低,这种影响伴随着建筑面积的增加,道路长度的增加而加强。     

Spatial variation in taxonomic distinctness of ciliated protozoan communities at genus-level resolution and relationships to marine water quality in Jiaozhou Bay,northern China

Taxonomic distinctness of ciliated protozoan communities at genus-level resolution was studied over a 12-month period (June 2007–May 2008) in Jiaozhou Bay, northern China. Samples were collected biweekly from three different depths at each of five sites. A range of physico-chemical parameters were also measured in order to determine water quality. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that (1) spatial patterns of ciliated protozoan communities were significantly different among the five sampling sites (P < 0.05); (2) there were no significant differences among the three depths at each site (P > 0.05); (3) the taxonomic patterns of ciliate communities at genus-level resolution were significantly correlated with the spatial variation of environmental variables, in particular nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), sum of NO₃-N and nitrite nitrogen (NO _n -N), and soluble reactive phosphate (SRP); (4) the Margalef’s index did not show a significant correlation with chemical parameters although it was higher for the less eutrophic than the more eutrophic sites (P > 0.05); (5) the average taxonomic distinctness (Δ⁺) and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ⁺) of the ciliate communities at genus-level resolution were significantly negatively correlated with the combination of NO _n -N and SRP; (6) the paired taxonomic biodiversity indices (Δ⁺ and Λ⁺) showed a clear decreasing trend of departure from the expected taxonomic breadth in response to water quality. These results suggest that spatial patterns and taxonomic distinctness (especially the paired Δ⁺ and Λ⁺) of ciliated protozoan communities at genus-level resolution can be used as potential indicators for assessing marine water quality while minimizing costs in terms of the time and resources needed for sample analysis.     

Optimal stocking density for beluga,Huso huso,and ship sturgeon,Acipenser nudiventris during the grow‐out phase

The influence of three different initial stocking densities (SD) in flowthrough systems was evaluated on growth performance and feed utilizaition in beluga, Huso huso, and ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, juveniles in three different grow‐out phases for 228 days. In each grow‐out phase, fish were randomly distributed in 18 concrete square tanks (2.0 × 1.0 × 1.2 m³; 2 m³ of volume) according to the experimental SD. At the first phase, both fish species were subjected to three SD including 1.5, 3 and 6 kg/m² for 60 days. In the second phase, fish were submitted to three SD including 3, 6 and 9 kg/m², whereas in the third phase, beluga were stocked at 6, 9 and 12 kg/m² and ship sturgeon were stocked at 6, 8 and 10 kg/m² and each phase lasted for 12 weeks. In both species, the growth performance and feed intake (FI) significantly decreased with increasing SD at the end of the first phase (p < 0.05). In the second phase, growth performance and FI in beluga decreased with increasing SD, whereas in ship sturgeon neither growth nor FI were affected by SD. Interestingly, the growth performance and feed utilization in both species were not decreased with increasing SD in the third phase indicating adaptability of these species to high stocking density during grow‐out period. According to the result of this study, the appropriate initial SD for beluga within the range of 100–500, 500–2,000 and 1,500–3,000 g were at 1.5, 6 and 12 kg/m², respectively in an open flow‐throw system. Regarding to ship sturgeon, initial SD at 1.5 and 10 kg/m²recommended for fish within the range of 100–300 and 300–1,200 g, respectively in an open flow‐throw system.     

Bioremediation efficiencies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria verrucosa</Emphasis> cultivated in an enclosed sea area of Hangzhou Bay,China

Due to the discharge of nutrients into the East China Sea, severe eutrophication has appeared in Hangzhou Bay. Therefore, we cultivated Gracilaria verrucosa on a large scale in the Jinshan enclosed sea with an area of 1.72 km² in the northern part of Hangzhou Bay to perform bioremediation. The Fengxian enclosed sea with an area of 2.3 km² and 50 km far from Jinshan was used as the control. The results showed that the Hangzhou Bay was severely eutrophicated before G. verrucosa cultivation. During the period of cultivation between August 2006 and July 2007, the annual growth rate of G. verrucosa was 9.42% day⁻¹, and the sea water quality was improved from worse than grade IV to grades II–III, with the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and PO₄-P significantly lower than that in the Fengxian enclosed sea (p < 0.01). The concentration of NH₄-N, NO₃-N, NO₂-N, and PO₄-P after G. verrucosa cultivation was decreased by 54.12%, 75.54%, 49.81%, and 49.00%, respectively. The density of phytoplankton in the Jinshan enclosed sea with cultivation of G. verrucosa was 6.90 –126.53 × 10⁴ cells m⁻³, which was significantly lower than that in the Fengxian enclosed sea. In addition, species diversity, richness, and evenness was significantly increased after cultivation of G. verrucosa in the Jinshan enclosed sea compared with that in the Fengxian enclosed sea. The density of Skeletonema costatum, Prorocentrum micans, and Prorocentrum donghaiense, which were the usual species of red tides at the coastal sea of China, in the Jinshan enclosed sea with cultivation of G. verrucosa was significantly lower. Based on these results, if the water quality in the Jinshan enclosed sea were to be maintained at grade I (DIN ≤0.20 mg  L⁻¹) or II (DIN ≤0.30 mg  L⁻¹), 21.8 t or 18.0 t fresh weight of G. verrucosa need to be cultivated, respectively. These results indicated that large-scale cultivation of G. verrucosa could play a significant role in the bioremediation of Hangzhou Bay.     

The effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B and nitrogen supply on growth,photosynthesis and nutrient status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies faxoniana</Emphasis> seedlings

Abies faxoniana is a key species in reforestation processes in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. The changes in growth, photosynthesis and nutrient status of A. faxoniana seedlings exposed to enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B), nitrogen supply and their combination were investigated. The experimental design included two levels of UV-B treatments (ambient UV-B, 11.02 KJ m⁻² day⁻¹; enhanced UV-B, 14.33 KJ m⁻² day⁻¹) and two nitrogen levels (0; 20 g N m⁻²). The results indicated that: (1) enhanced UV-B significantly caused a marked decline in growth parameters, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), photosynthetic pigments and F _v/F _m, (2) supplemental nitrogen supply increased the accumulation of total biomass, Pn, photosynthetic pigments and F _v/F _m under ambient UV-B, whereas supplemental nitrogen supply reduced Pn, and not affect biomass under enhanced UV-B, (3) enhanced UV-B or nitrogen supply changed the concentration of nutrient elements of various organs.     

Characteristics and mechanisms of the hydroponic bio-filter method for purification of eutrophic surface water

The hydroponic bio-filter method (HBFM) was adopted to purify eutrophic surface water. The average removal efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) was 16.8% and 30.8%, respectively, at the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 3.0 m³ (m² d)⁻¹. The mass removal rate of TN and TP accordingly reached 1.0 and 0.1 g (m² d)⁻¹ separately. The sedimentation of particulate nitrogen and phosphorus played a major role in removal of nitrogen and phosphorus, which contribute 62.2% and 75.9%, respectively. The optimal HLR of HBFM ranged from 3.0 to 4.0 m³ (m² d)⁻¹. The sediment in midstream reached a maximum nitrification potential of 4.76 × 10⁻⁶ g (g h)⁻¹, while upstream it reached a maximum denitrification potential of 8.1 × 10⁻⁷ g (g h)⁻¹. The distribution of nitrification potential corresponded to the ammonium-oxidizing bacteria density. The key for improving nitrogen removal efficacy of HBFM system consisted of changing the nitrification/denitrification region distribution and accordingly enhancing the denitrification process. The sum of dissolved nitrogen removed by denitrification and plant assimilation was nearly equal to the amount released by sediment. Secateur length of Nasturtium officinale had some effect on its uptake rate. The length of cut should be less than 10 cm at a time. The harvesting frequency of once a month for N. officinale had no influence on nitrogen and phosphorus removal.     

Biofiltering efficiency, uptake and assimilation rates of Ulva clathrata (Roth) J. Agardh (Clorophyceae) cultivated in shrimp aquaculture waste water

The growth, biofiltering efficiency and uptake rates of Ulva clathrata were studied in a series of outdoor tanks, receiving waste water directly from a shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) aquaculture pond, under constant aeration and two different water regimes: (1) continuous flow, with 1 volume exchange a day (VE day^-1) and (2) static regime, with 1 VE after 4 days. Water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), phosphate (PO₄), chlorophyll-a (chl-a), total suspended solids (TSS), macroalgal biomass (fresh weight) and tissue nutrient assimilation were monitored over 12 days. Ulva clathrata was highly efficient in removing the main inorganic nutrients from effluent water, stripping 70–82% of the total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) and 50% PO₄ within 15 h. Reductions in control tanks were much lower (Tukey HSD, P < 0.05). After 3 days, the mean uptake rates by the seaweed biomass under continuous flow were 3.09 mg DIN g DW day⁻¹ (383 mg DIN m⁻² day⁻¹) and 0.13 mg PO₄ g DW day⁻¹ (99 mg PO₄ m⁻² day⁻¹), being significantly higher than in the static regime (Tukey HSD, P < 0.05). The chl-a decreased in seaweed tanks, suggesting that U. clathrata inhibited phytoplankton growth. Correlations between the cumulative values of DIN removed from the water and total nitrogen assimilated into the seaweed biomass (r = 0.7 and 0.8, P < 0.05), suggest that nutrient removal by U. clathrata dominated over other processes such as phytoplankton and bacterial assimilation, ammonia volatilization and nutrient precipitation.     

The impacts of re-introducing Mississippi River water on the hydrologic budget and nutrient inputs of a deltaic estuary

Most wetlands of the Mississippi deltaic plain are isolated from riverine input due to flood control levees along the Mississippi River. These levees have altered hydrology and ecology and are a primary cause of massive wetland loss in the delta. River water is being re-introduced into coastal basins as part of a large-scale ecological engineering effort to restore the delta. We quantified freshwater, nitrogen, and phosphorus inputs to the Breton Sound Estuary for three climatically different years (2000, 2001, and 2002). Water budgets included precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, the diversion, stormwater pumps, and groundwater. Precipitation contributed 48–57% of freshwater input, while the diversion accounted for 33–48%. Net groundwater input accounted for less than 0.05% of freshwater inputs. Inputs of ammonium (NH₄-N), nitrate (NO₃-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were determined for each of the water sources. Atmospheric deposition was the most important input of NH₄-N (57–62% or 1.44 × 10⁵–2.32 × 10⁵ kg yr⁻¹) followed by the diversion. The diversion was the greatest source of NO₃-N (67–83%, 7.78 × 10⁵–1.64 × 10⁶ kg yr⁻¹) and TN (60–71%). The diversion contributed 41–60% of TP input (1.17 × 10⁵–2.32 × 10⁵ kg yr⁻¹). Annual loading rates of NH₄-N and NO₃-N were 0.17–0.27 and 1.2–2.3 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively, for the total basin indicating strong retention of nitrogen in the basin. Nitrogen retention through denitrification and burial was estimated for the upper basin.     

Ecological indicators of nutrient enrichment, freshwater wetlands, Midwestern United States (U.S.)

Vegetation and soil indicators of nutrient condition were evaluated in 30 wetlands, 10 each in 3 Nutrient Ecoregions (NE) (VI-Corn Belt and Northern Great Plains, VII-Mostly Glaciated Dairy Region, IX-Temperate Forested Plains and Hills) of the Midwestern United States (U.S.) to identify robust indicators for assessment of wetland nutrient enrichment and eutrophication. Nutrient condition was characterized by surface water inorganic N (NH₄-N, NO₃-N) and P (PO₄-P) concentrations measured seasonally for 1 year, plant available and total soil N and P, and aboveground biomass, leaf N and P and species composition of emergent vegetation measured at the end of the growing season. Aboveground biomass, nutrient uptake and species composition were positively related to surface water NH₄-N (N) but not to PO₄-P or NO₃-N. Aboveground biomass and biomass of aggressive species, Typha spp. plus Phalaris arundinacea, increased asymptotically with surface water N whereas leaf P, senesced leaf N and senesced leaf P increased linearly with N. And, species richness declined with surface water N. Soil total P was positively related to surface water PO₄-P but it was the only soil indicator related to wetland nutrient condition. Individual regressions for each NE generally were superior to a single regression for all NEs. In NE VI (Corn Belt), few indicators were related to surface water N because of the high degree of anthropogenic disturbance (85% of the landscape is cleared) as compared to NEs VII and IX (24–53% cleared). Of the indicators evaluated, stem height (r² = 0.42 for all NEs, r² = 0.56 for NE VII + IX) and percent biomass of aggressive species, Typha spp. plus Phalaris, (r² = 0.46 for all NEs, r² = 0.54 for NE VII + IX), were the best predictors of wetland nutrient enrichment. Vegetation-based indicators are a promising tool for assessment of wetland nutrient condition but they may not be effective in NEs where landscape disturbance is intense and widespread.     

Heterotrophic nitrification by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achromobacter xylosoxidans</Emphasis> S18 isolated from a small-scale slaughterhouse wastewater

Heterotrophic carbon utilizing microbes were acclimatized in the laboratory by inoculating sludge collected from the waste discharge pond of a small-scale rural abattoir in India in a nutrient solution intermittently fed with glucose and ammonium chloride. Cultures of 10 well-developed isolates were selected and grown in a basal medium containing glucose and ammonium chloride. Culture supernatants were periodically analyzed for ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺-N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Polyphasic taxonomic study of the most active nitrifier (S18) was done. Half saturation concentration (K _s), maximum rate of substrate utilization (k), yield coefficient (Y) and decay coefficient (K _d) were determined from the Lineweaver–Burk plot using the modified Monod equation. S18 was able to remove 97 ± 2% of (NH₄ ⁺-N) and 88 ± 3% of COD. Molecular phylogenetic study supported by physiological and biochemical characteristics assigned S18 as Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Nitrification activity of A. xylosoxidans was demonstrated for the first time, while interestingly, the distinctive anaerobic denitrification property was preserved in S18. K _s values were determined as 232.13 ± 1.5 mg/l for COD reduction and 2.131 ± 1.9 mg/l for NH₄ ⁺-N utilization. Yield coefficients obtained were 0.4423 ± 0.1134 mg of MLVSS/mg of COD and 0.2461 ± 0.0793 mg of MLVSS/mg of NH₄ ⁺-N while the decay coefficients were 0.0627 ± 0.0013 per day and 0.0514 ± 0.0008 per day, respectively. After a contact period of 24 h, 650 ± 5 mg/l solids were produced when the initial concentration of COD and NH₄ ⁺-N were 1820 ± 10 mg/l and 120 ± 5.5 mg/l, respectively. This is the first report on the kinetic coefficients for carbon oxidation and nitrification by a single bacterium isolated from slaughterhouse wastewater.     

九龙江河口区养虾塘沉积物-水界面营养盐交换通量特征

通过对九龙江河口区陆基养虾塘水样和沉积物样品采集分析及结合室内模拟实验,探讨了虾塘在不同养殖阶段沉积物-水界面营养盐通量时间变化特征及其主要影响因素。虾塘沉积物向上覆水体释放NO_x~--N(NO_2~--N和NO_3~--N)、NH_4~+-N和PO_4~(3-)-P能力均呈现随养殖时间推移而降低的特征。沉积物在养殖中期和后期分别呈现对上覆水体NO_x~--N和PO_4~(3-)-P的吸收现象,但总体表现为释放(平均通量分别为(1.87±1.15)、(1.58±0.52)mg m~(-2)h~(-1)和(1.22±0.62)mg m~(-2)h~(-1))。沉积物-水界面溶解无机氮交换以NH_4~+-N为主(沉积物平均释放通量为(46.18±13.82)mg m~(-2)h~(-1))。沉积物间隙水与上覆水间的营养盐浓度差(梯度)及温度对上述交换通量的时间动态特征具有重要调控作用。研究结果表明养殖初期或中期沉积物较高的无机氮(尤其是NO_2~--N和NH_4~+-N)释放是养殖塘水质恶化的一个极具潜力的污染内源,可能会对虾的健康生长产生负面效应,控制沉积物无机氮释放是养虾塘养殖初期和中期重要的日常管理活动之一。     

Belowground responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea asperata</Emphasis> seedlings to warming and nitrogen fertilization in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

The impacts of global climatic change on belowground ecological processes of terrestrial ecosystems are still not clear. We therefore conducted an experiment in the subalpine coniferous forest ecosystem of the eastern edges of the Tibetan Plateau to study roots of Picea asperata seedlings and rhizosphere soil responses to soil warming and nitrogen availability from April 2007 to December 2008. The seedlings were subjected to two levels of temperature (ambient; infrared heater warming) and two nitrogen levels (0 or 25 g m⁻²year⁻¹ N). We used a free air temperature increase from an overhead infrared heater to raise both air and soil temperature by 2.1 and 2.6°C, respectively. The results showed that warming alone significantly increased total biomass, coarse root biomass and fine root biomass of P. asperata seedlings. Both total biomass and fine root biomass were increased, but coarse root biomass was significantly decreased by nitrogen fertilization and warming combined with nitrogen fertilization. Warming induced a prominent increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) and NO₃ ⁻-N of rhizosphere soil, while nitrogen fertilization significantly decreased SOC and NH₄ ⁺-N of rhizosphere soil. The warming, fertilization and warming × N fertilization interaction decreased soil microbial C significantly, but substantially increased soil microbial N. These results suggest that nitrogen deposition combined with warmer temperatures under future climatic change possibly will have no effect on fine root production of P. asperata seedlings, but could enhance the nitrification process of their rhizosphere soils in subalpine coniferous forests.