High‐Performance Lithium‐Iodine Flow Battery

A cathode‐flow lithium‐iodine (Li–I) battery is proposed operating by the triiodide/iodide (I₃^?/I^?) redox couple in aqueous solution. The aqueous Li–I battery has noticeably high energy density (≈0.28 kWh kg^?1_cell) because of the considerable solubility of LiI in aqueous solution (≈8.2 m ) and reasonably high power density (≈130 mW cm^?2 at a current rate of 60 mA cm^?2, 328 K). In the operation of cathode‐flow mode, the Li–I battery attains high storage capacity (≈90% of the theoretical capacity), Coulombic efficiency (100% ± 1% in 2–20 cycles) and cyclic performance (>99% capacity retention for 20 cycles) up to total capacity of 100 mAh.     

Cd AND Zn TOLERANCE AND ACCUMULATION BY SEDUM JINIANUM IN EAST CHINA

Field survey, hydroponic culture, and pot experiments were carried out to examine and characterize cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) uptake and accumulation by Sedum jinianum, a plant species native to China. Shoot Cd and Zn concentrations in S. jinianum growing on a lead/Zn mine area reached 103–478 and 4165–8349 mg kg^?1 (DM), respectively. The shoot Cd concentration increased with the increasing Cd supply, peaking at 5083 mg kg^?1 (DM) when grown in nutrient at a concentration of 100 μmol L^?1 for 32 d, and decreased as the solution concentration increased from 200 to 400 μmol L^?1. The shoot-to-root ratio of plant Cd concentrations was > 1 when grown in solution Cd concentrations ≤ 200 μmol L^?1. Foliar, stem, and root Zn concentrations increased linearly with the increasing Zn level from 1 to 9600 μmol L^?1. The Zn concentrations in various plant parts decreased in the order roots > stem > leaves, with maximum concentrations of 19.3, 33.8, and 46.1 g kg^?1 (DM), respectively, when plants were grown at 9600 μmol Zn L^?1 for 32 d. Shoot Cd concentrations reached 16.4 and 79.8 mg kg^?1 (DM) when plants were grown in the pots of soil with Cd levels of 2.4 mg kg^?1 and 9.2 mg kg^?1, respectively. At soil Zn levels of 619 and 4082 mg kg^?1, shoot Zn concentrations reached 1560 and 15,558 mg kg^?1 (DM), respectively. The results indicate that S. jinianum is a Cd hyperaccumulator with a high capacity to accumulate Zn in the shoots.     

Soft interactions and volume exclusion by polymeric crowders can stabilize or destabilize transient structure in disordered proteins depending on polymer concentration

The effects of macromolecular crowding on the transient structure of intrinsically disordered proteins is not well‐understood. Crowding by biological molecules inside cells could modulate transient structure and alter IDP function. Volume exclusion theory and observations of structured proteins suggest that IDP transient structure would be stabilized by macromolecular crowding. Amide hydrogen exchange (HX) of IDPs in highly concentrated polymer solutions would provide valuable insights into IDP transient structure under crowded conditions. Here, we have used mass spectrometry to measure HX by a transiently helical random coil domain of the activator of thyroid and retinoid receptor (ACTR) in solutions containing 300 g L^?1 and 400 g L^?1 of Ficoll, a synthetic polysaccharide, using a recently‐developed strong cation exchange‐based cleanup method [Rusinga, et al., Anal Chem 2017;89:1275–1282]. Transiently helical regions of ACTR exchanged faster in 300 g L^?1 Ficoll than in dilute buffer. In contrast, one transient helix exchanged more slowly in 400 g L^?1 Ficoll. Nonspecific interactions destabilize ACTR helicity in 300 g L^?1 Ficoll because ACTR engages with the Ficoll polymer mesh. In contrast, 400 g L^?1 Ficoll is a semi‐dilute solution where ACTR cannot engage the Ficoll mesh. At this higher concentration, volume exclusion stabilizes ACTR helicity because ACTR is compacted in interstitial spaces between Ficoll molecules. Our results suggest that the interplay between nonspecific interactions and volume exclusion in different cellular compartments could modulate IDP function by altering the stability of IDP transient structures. Proteins 2017; 85:1468–1479. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

NiO(s) (bunsenite) is not available to Alyssum species

To determine if the Ni-hyperaccumulator Alyssum corsicum can absorb Ni from the kinetically inert crystalline mineral NiO(s) (bunsenite). A. corsicum and A. montanum plants were grown for 30 days in a serpentine Hoagland solution. NiO was provided at 0 or 0.1 g L^?1 (1.34 mmol L^?1) as reagent grade NiO particles <1 μm diameter, continuously mixed by aeration. A. corsicum and A. montanum shoots contained 19.4 and 5.2 mg Ni kg^?1 DW with NiO, and 3.0 and 1.1 mg Ni kg^?1 DW shoots, respectively in the control treatment. A. corsicum normally absorbs over 12,000 mg Ni kg^?1 shoots when supplied 300 μM soluble Ni. Roots were coated with the NiO particles and contained 3–5% Ni at harvest. Despite the small Ni accumulation in the NiO treatment above control, A. corsicum is not capable of dissolving and hyperaccumulating Ni from NiO.     

Caffeine antagonizes several central effects of diazepam

In spinal cats, caffeine (3–30 mg·kg^?1 i.v.) reduced the increase of dorsal root potentials (DRPs) caused by diazepam (0.1–1 mg·kg^?1 i.v.) without affecting the prolongation of DRPs evoked by phenobarbitone (10–20 mg·kg^?1 i.v.). Caffeine antagonized the depression by diazepam, but not that by phenobarbitone, of the ventral root-evoked Renshaw cell discharge. In unrestrained cats, 50 mg·kg^?1 caffeine i.p. abolished the elevation induced by 1 mg·kg^?1 diazepam i.p. of the threshold for eliciting a rage reaction by stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus, but was ineffective against the threshold increase caused by 20 mg·kg^?1 phenobarbitine i.p. In the horizontal wire test in mice, caffeine was more potent in reversing the depression of performance induced by diazepam that that by phenobarbitone (ED50 1.8 mg·kg^?1 and 139 mg·kg^?1 p.o., respectively). The reduction of skeletal muscle tone in mice produced by diazepam was antagonized by low doses of caffeine (ED50 0.53 mg·kg^?1 p.o.). While caffeine at low doses (0.3-3 mg·kg^?1 p.o.) abolished the anticonflict effect of diazepam in rats, high doses (ED50 160 mg·kg^?1 p.o.) were necessary to antagonize the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam on pentylene-tetrazole-induced seizures in mice. The interaction between caffeine and diazepam is not due to a competition at the benzodiazepine receptors but may involve purinergic mechanisms.     

Dose‐response effects of the antioxidant α‐lipoic acid in the liver and brain of pompano Trachinotus marginatus (Pisces,Carangidae)

This study evaluated the effect of different doses of the antioxidant α‐lipoic acid (LA) administered by intraperitoneal injection on the detoxifying capacity (activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase, GST) and oxidative damage (lipids and proteins) in the pompano, Trachinotus marginatus. The plasma glucose levels showed that there were no differences between the treatments (P > 0.05). In the brain, GST activity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish injected with 40 mg LA kg^?1 when compared with the control group. In the muscle, GST activity was not influenced by LA treatment (P > 0.05). In the liver, fish injected with 20 mg LA kg^?1 showed higher GST activity than the control group (P < 0.05); however, higher doses (40 and 60 mg LA kg^?1) led to a reduction of GST activity in the liver, which was comparable to that observed in the control group (P > 0.05). The two highest LA doses (40 and 60 mg kg^?1) had opposite effects, depending on the tissue examined: LA was an antioxidant in the brain, reducing lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05), and a pro‐oxidant in the liver, augmenting oxidative lipid damage (P < 0.05). The latter effect was accompanied by an increase in the free iron concentration in the liver at higher LA doses. These results indicate the need to thoroughly evaluate the antioxidant effects on aquatic organisms, since at some doses and/or in some organs their beneficial effects can be lost.     

Residue incorporation depth is a controlling factor of earthworm‐induced nitrous oxide emissions

Earthworms can increase nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, particularly in no‐tillage systems where earthworms are abundant. Here, we study the effect of residue incorporation depth on earthworm‐induced N₂O emissions. We hypothesized that cumulative N₂O emissions decrease with residue incorporation depth, because (i) increased water filled pore space (WFPS) in deeper soil layers leads to higher denitrification rates as well as more complete denitrification; and (ii) the longer upward diffusion path increases N₂O reduction to N₂. Two 84‐day laboratory mesocosm experiments were conducted. First, we manually incorporated maize (Zea mays L.) residue at different soil depths (incorporation experiment). Second, ¹³C‐enriched maize residue was applied to the soil surface and anecic species Lumbricus terrestris (L.) and epigeic species Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister) were confined to different soil depths (earthworm experiment). Residue incorporation depth affected cumulative N₂O emissions in both experiments (P < 0.001). In the incorporation experiment, N₂O emissions decreased from 4.91 mg N₂O–N kg^?1 soil (surface application) to 2.71 mg N₂O–N kg^?1 soil (40–50 cm incorporation). In the earthworm experiment, N₂O emissions from L. terrestris decreased from 3.87 mg N₂O–N kg^?1 soil (confined to 0–10 cm) to 2.01 mg N₂O–N kg^?1 soil (confined to 0–30 cm). Both experimental setups resulted in dissimilar WFPS profiles that affected N₂O dynamics. We also found significant differences in residue C recovery in soil organic matter between L. terrestris (28–41%) and L. rubellus (56%). We conclude that (i) N₂O emissions decrease with residue incorporation depth, although this effect was complicated by dissimilar WFPS profiles; and (ii) larger residue C incorporation by L. rubellus than L. terrestris indicates that earthworm species differ in their C stabilization potential. Our findings underline the importance of studying earthworm diversity in the context of greenhouse gas emissions from agro‐ecosystems.     

Heterotrophic production of Chlorella sp. TISTR 8990—biomass growth and composition under various production conditions

The green microalga Chlorella sp. TISTR 8990 was grown heterotrophically in the dark using various concentrations of a basal glucose medium with a carbon‐to‐nitrogen mass ratio of 29:1. The final biomass concentration and the rate of growth were highest in the fivefold concentrated basal glucose medium (25 g L^?1 glucose, 2.5 g L^?1 KNO₃) in batch operations. Improving oxygen transfer in the culture by increasing the agitation rate and decreasing the culture volume in 500‐mL shake flasks improved growth and glucose utilization. A maximum biomass concentration of nearly 12 g L^?1 was obtained within 4 days at 300 rpm, 30°C, with a glucose utilization of nearly 76% in batch culture. The total fatty acid (TFA) content of the biomass and the TFA productivity were 102 mg g^?1 and 305 mg L^?1 day^?1, respectively. A repeated fed‐batch culture with four cycles of feeding with the fivefold concentrated medium in a 3‐L bioreactor was evaluated for biomass production. The total culture period was 11 days. A maximum biomass concentration of nearly 26 g L^?1 was obtained with a TFA productivity of 223 mg L^?1 day^?1. The final biomass contained (w/w) 13.5% lipids, 20.8% protein and 17.2% starch. Of the fatty acids produced, 52% (w/w) were saturated, 41% were monounsaturated and 7% were polyunsaturated (PUFA). A low content of PUFA in TFA feedstock is required for producing high quality biodiesel. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1589–1600, 2017     

Lactic acid production from submerged fermentation of broken rice using undefined mixed culture

The present work aimed to characterize and optimize the submerged fermentation of broken rice for lactic acid (LA) production using undefined mixed culture from dewatered activated sludge. A microorganism with amylolytic activity, which also produces LA, Lactobacillus amylovorus, was used as a control to assess the extent of mixed culture on LA yield. Three level full factorial designs were performed to optimize and define the influence of fermentation temperature (20–50?°C), gelatinization time (30–60 min) and broken rice concentration in culture medium (40–80 g L^?1) on LA production in pure and undefined mixed culture. LA production in mixed culture (9.76 g L^?1) increased in sixfold respect to pure culture in optimal assessed experimental conditions. The optimal conditions for maximizing LA yield in mixed culture bioprocess were 31?°C temperature, 45 min gelatinization time and 79 g L^?1 broken rice concentration in culture medium. This study demonstrated the positive effect of undefined mixed culture from dewatered activated sludge to produce LA from culture medium formulated with broken rice. In addition, this work establishes the basis for an efficient and low-cost bioprocess to manufacture LA from this booming agro-industrial by-product.     

A comparison of the effects of pirenzepine and atropine on gastric acid secretion,salivary secretion and pupil diameter in the rat

The ability of pirenzepine and atropine, given i.v., to inhibit gastric acid and salivary secretion and increase pupil diameter has been assessed in the rat. Pirenzepine had a similar potency against acid secretion, ED50 0.71 (0.41 to 1.1) mg.kg^?1, and salivary secretion, ED50 0.50 (0.43 to 0.59) mg.kg^?1, whilst its potency was less in the eye, ED50 1.8 (1.6 to 2.1) mg.kg^?1. Astropine however, was more potent in reducing salivary secretion, ED50 0.012 (0.010 to 0.016) mg.kg^?1, and increasing pupil diameter, ED50 0.028 (0.025 to 0.031) mg.kg^?1 than in inhibiting gastric acid secretion, ED50 0.056 (0.037 to 0.083) mg.kg^?1. Therefore, that quantity of pirenzepine which inhibits gastric acid secretion by 50% will have only a slight effect on the eye and will inhibit salivary secretion by a similar magnitude. In contrast, the amount of atropine required to inhibit acid secretion by 50% will significantly increase pupil diameter and abolish salivary secretion.     

Simultaneous Removal of Mn(II) and Nitrate by the Manganese-Oxidizing Bacterium Acinetobacter sp. SZ28 in Anaerobic Conditions

A novel bacterium, strain SZ28, identified as Acinetobacter sp., showed anaerobic denitrification ability using Mn(II) as the electron donor. Nitrate-nitrogen concentration decreased from nearly 16.52–mg L^?1 to 4.4–mg L^?1, without accumulation of nitrite as an intermediate, with a maximum of 0.063–mg NO₃^?-N L^?1 h^?1, reaching a peak of 0.085–mg NO₃^?-N L^?1 h^?1 in sodium acetate. The nitrate removal rate reached 0.067–mg NO₃^?-N L^?1 h^?1, 0.059–mg NO₃^?-N L^?1 h^?1, and 0.078 mg NO₃^?-N L^?1 h^?1 using Mn(II), S(II), and Fe(II) as electron donors, respectively. The optimum pH was 6.0, with a removal rate of 0.063–mg NO₃^?-N L^?1 h^?1     

STUDY ON BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HETEROTROPHIC MARINE MICROALGA—SCHIZOCHYTRIUM MANGROVEI PQ6 ISOLATED FROM PHU QUOC ISLAND,KIEN GIANG PROVINCE,VIETNAM1

Schizochytrium sp. PQ6, a heterotrophic microalga isolated from Phu Quoc (PQ) Island in the Kien Giang province of Vietnam, contains a high amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n‐3). In this study, the culture conditions are developed to maximize biomass and DHA production. Nucleotide sequence analysis of partial 18S rRNA gene from genomic DNA showed that PQ6 has a phylogenetic relationship close to Schizochytrium mangrovei Raghu‐Kumar. The highest growth rate and DHA accumulation of this strain were obtained in 6.0% glucose, 1.0% yeast extract, 50% artificial seawater (ASW), and pH 7 at 28°C. In addition, carbon and nitrogen sources could be replaced by glycerol, ammonium acetate, sodium nitrate, or fertilizer N–P–K. Total lipid content reached 38.67% of dry cell weight (DCW), in which DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n‐3) contents accounted for 43.58% and 0.75% of the total fatty acid (TFA), respectively. In 5 and 10 L fermenters, the cell density, DCW, total lipid content, and maximum DHA yield were 46.50 × 10⁶ cells · mL^?1, 23.7 g · L^?1, 38.56% of DCW, and 8.71 g · L^?1 (in 5 L fermenter), respectively, and 49.71 × 10⁶ cells · mL^?1, 25.34 g · L^?1, 46.23% of DCW, and 11.55 g · L^?1 (in 10 L fermenter), respectively. Biomass of PQ6 strain possessed high contents of Na, I, and Fe (167.185, 278.3, and 43.69 mg · kg^?1 DCW, respectively). These results serve as a foundation for the efficient production of PQ6 biomass that can be used as a food supplement for humans and aquaculture in the future.     

Potential of Sonchus Arvensis for the Phytoremediation of Lead-Contaminated Soil

Sonchus arvensis is one of the pioneer plant species that were found in the abandoned Bo Ngam Pb mine in Thailand. S. arvensis was collected from three sites. The highest Pb shoot concentration was 9317 mg kg^?1 and the highest translocation factor (TF) and bioaccumulation factor (BF) values were 2.5 and 6.0, respectively. To investigate Pb uptake capacity of S. arvensis, a hydroponic experiment was performed for 15 d. S. arvensis exposed to 5 mg L^?1 Pb solution had the highest Pb shoot accumulation (849 mg kg^?1). In a pot study, S. arvensis was grown in Pb mine soils amended with organic and inorganic fertilizers for 2 mo. The addition of organic fertilizer to the soil increased plant dry biomass sharply. All treatments with ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) had Pb accumulation in shoots greater than 1000 mg kg^?1 and the highest Pb shoot accumulation was found in S. arvensis grown in soil amended with organic fertilizer and EDTA (1397 mg kg^?1). In a field trial study, S. arvensis was grown at three sites in the mine area for 6 mo. S. arvensis could tolerate a total Pb of 100,000 mg kg^?1 in the soil and accumulated Pb in the shoots up to 3664 mg kg^?1 with high TF (2.19) and BF (2.38) values. These results suggest that S. arvensis is a good candidate for Pb phytoremediation.     

Experimental evaluation of using calcein and alizarin red S for immersion marking of bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson, 1845) to assess growth and identification of marks in otoliths,scales and fin rays

In order to evaluate the effects of immersion marking with calcein (CAL) and alizarin red S (ARS) on growth and mortality of juvenile bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis, and assess mark quality in otoliths, scales, and fin rays, CAL from 50 to 200 mg L^?1 and ARS from 150 to 300 mg L^?1 concentrations were used. With the exception of non‐lateral line scales from 50 mg L^?1 CAL treatments, immersion for 24 h produced detectable marks in sagittae, lateral line and non‐lateral line scales, and fin rays (dorsal, pectoral, ventral, anal, and caudal) at 100 days post‐marking. Detectable fluorescent marks in sagittae were readily observed at concentrations of 150–200 mg L^?1 CAL or 150–300 mg L^?1 ARS. Marks were poorly visible in all non‐lateral line scales from both CAL‐ and ARS‐treated groups. Fluorescent marks were readily detected in lateral line scales at 100–200 mg L^?1 CAL or 150–300 mg L^?1 ARS, and in fin rays at 150–200 mg L^?1 CAL or 150–300 mg L^?1 ARS. In particular, optimal marks were observed at the highest concentrations investigated in sagittae (300 mg L^?1 ARS), lateral line scales (150–200 mg L^?1 CAL or 250–300 mg L^?1 ARS), and fin rays (200 mg L^?1 CAL or 250–300 mg L^?1 ARS). However, fluorescent marks visible to the naked eye were not produced by any of the CAL or ARS treatments in sagittae, scales, or fin rays during this experiment. In addition, there was no significant difference on survival and growth of marked fish compared to controls throughout the experiment (P > 0.05).     

Strategic Pore Architecture for Accommodating Volume Change from High Si Content in Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes

To be a thinner and more lightweight lithium‐ion battery with high energy density, the next‐generation anode with high gravimetric and volumetric capacity is a prerequisite. In this regard, utilizing high silicon (3579 mAh g^?1) content in the electrode for the anode has been highlighted as a practically relevant approach. However, there still remains a crucial issue related to intrinsic volume expansion (>300%) of silicon upon lithiation, which can directly affect severe electrode swelling as well as accelerate its capacity fading by triggering structural degradation and electrical contact loss between particles. Herein, macropore‐exploited design, which can accommodate the volume change of high silicon content within the extended pore of graphite upon repeated cycling, is introduced. Such unique macropore‐exploited design leads to much less electrode swelling, by preserving its morphological integrity and contact between particles, than that of the comparative group with different sized pore and silicon distribution. As a result, this anode (914 mAh g^?1) demonstrates notable gravimetric (220 Wh kg^?1 at 6000 W kg^?1) and volumetric energy density (623 Wh L^?1 upon full lithiation after 100 cycles), exceeding that of a nano‐silicon blended graphite anode (127 Wh kg^?1 and 229 Wh L^?1) in the full‐cell system.     

Reference values for selected hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858) juveniles under intensive aquaculture conditions

This work aims to establish normal reference intervals for selected hemato‐biochemical parameters, based on their potential clinical relevance, and which may contribute to evaluating the health, nutritional and welfare status of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858) juveniles. Thirty‐one healthy Senegalese sole juveniles grown under intensive aquaculture conditions were used in the study. Based on the robust method with Box–Cox transformation data the established reference intervals for hematological parameters were: hematocrit 12–26%, hemoglobin 2.8–6 g dl^?1, erythrocytes 90–97.0% total, leucocytes 4–10% total; erythrocyte indices and differential leucocytes counts were also evaluated. Reference intervals for biochemical parameters were (g dl^?1) glucose 19–86 mg dl^?1, total protein 2.6–6.3, albumin 1–2.34, globulins 1.8–4.1, lipids 0.7–1.3, triglycerides 0.3–1.8, total cholesterol 0.1–0.9 g dl^?1, HDL‐cholesterol 4–65 mg dl^?1, LDL‐cholesterol 7–532 mg dl^?1, sodium 124–202 mmol L^?1), potassium 1.1–4.6 mmol L^?1, calcium 7.6–13.2 mg L^?1, magnesium 1.8–4.8 mg L^?1, inorganic phosphorus 3.4–9.5 mg L^?1, alkaline phosphatase 93–598 U L^?1, aspartate aminotransferase 118–605 U L^?1, lactate dehydrogenase 8.7–782 U L^?1, and creatine phosphokinase 31.5–552 U L^?1. This data is expected to provide a valuable tool to monitor the stress, health and nutritional conditions of Senegalese sole juveniles under aquaculture production.     

The environmental disaster of Aznalcóllar (southern Spain) as an approach to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene mass extinction event

Biotic recovery after the Cretaceous – Palaeogene (K–Pg) impact is one unsolved question concerning this mass extinction event. To evaluate the incidence of the K–Pg event on biota, and the subsequent recovery, a recent environmental disaster has been analysed. Areas affected by the contamination disaster of Aználcollar (province of Sevilla, southern Spain) in April 1998 were studied and compared with the K–Pg event. Several similarities (the sudden impact, the high levels of toxic components, especially in the upper thin lamina and the incidence on biota) and differences (the time of recovery and the geographical extension) are recognized. An in‐depth geochemical analysis of the soils reveals their acidity (between 1.83 and 2.11) and the high concentration of pollutant elements, locally higher than in the K–Pg boundary layer: values up to 7.0 mg kg^?1 for Hg, 2030.7 mg kg^?1 for As, 8629.0 mg kg^?1 for Pb, 86.8 mg kg^?1 for Tl, 1040.7 mg kg^?1 for Sb and 93.3–492.7 p.p.b. for Ir. However, less than 10 years after the phenomenon, a rapid initial recovery in biota colonizing the contaminated, ‘unfavourable’, substrate is registered. Nesting of the ant Tapinoma nigerrima (Nylander) has taken place through the tailing layer, with arranged particles from inside the soils showing similar values in pollutant elements as the deep soils. This agrees with recent ichnological evidence of a rapid colonization of the K–Pg boundary layer, classically interpreted as an inhabitable substrate, by organisms with a high independence with respect to substrate features (i.e. Chondrites trace makers). The dramatic consequences of the K – Pg boundary impact and the generalized long ‐ time recovery interpreted after the event (in the order of 10⁴–10⁵ years) could have been overestimated due to the absence of a high ‐ temporal resolution in the range of 10²–10³ years.     

Evaluation of electrocoagulation,flocculation, and sedimentation harvesting methods on microalgae consortium grown in anaerobically digested abattoir effluent

Microalgae dewatering is a major bottleneck for biomass production in a large-scale microalgal production system which accounts for 20–60% of production cost. In this study, three dewatering systems of electrocoagulation, flocculation, and pH-induced flocculation were evaluated for microalgal consortium grown in anaerobically digested abattoir effluent at pH 6.5 and 9.5. At the shortest time (15 min) and the highest current density (0.08 A cm^?2), the highest microalgae recoveries of 78 and 84% were obtained with the corresponding power consumptions of 1.25 and 1.07 kWh kg^?1 for cultures at pH 6.5 and 9.5. For microalgae suspension at pH 6.5, the highest biomass recovery of 77% was obtained when 100 mg L^?1 of FeCl₃·6H₂O (after 15 min) or 100 mg L^?1 of Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O (after 30 min) was added. However, microalgal recoveries significantly increased when FeCl₃·6H₂O or Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O was used with the culture at pH 9.5. pH-Induced experiments showed that cultures adjusted at pH 10.5 had 36% higher biomass recovery compared to that in cultures at pH 8.5 after 2 h. The results of this study showed that cultures at higher pH (9.5) had a better microalgae recovery in all dewatering systems than cultures at lower pH (6.5).

     

Effects of 2‐phenoxyethanol anaesthesia on juvenile meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

This study was performed to evaluate the effective concentration of the anaesthetic 2‐phenoxyethanol (2‐PE) on juvenile (1.3 ± 0.03 g) meagre (Argyrosomus regius, Asso, 1801) and establish the LC₅₀ (through a series of exposure concentrations) and LT₅₀ of 2‐PE at 20 ± 0.5°C, salinity 38 g × L^?1, pH 8.2–8.4 and dissolved oxygen >7 mg × L^?1. The induction time decreased and the recovery time increased with increasing concentrations. Conflicting results were found only in recovery time and there were no significant differences among the recovery times from all concentrations. The most suitable concentration of 2‐PE was 0.3 ml × L^?1 for about or over 15 min exposure time. The LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ for the 3–60 min exposure periods were estimated for juvenile meagre. The toxic effect of 2‐PE on survival rates of A. regius juveniles increased depending on the exposure period. In addition, 2‐phenoxyethanol LT₅₀ (median survival time) values, slope function (S) and lower and upper 95% confidence limits were estimated.     

Speciation of trace metals in chromated-copper-arsenate contaminated sediment of Ogba River

Abstract

The impact of storm water run-off from a location of intensive application of CCA in wood treatment on the quality of sediment of the receiving water body was examined. Sediment samples were collected along Ogba River. Physico-chemical characteristics as well as total levels of As, Cr and Cu in sediment samples were determined. Physico-chemical analysis of composite sediment samples upstream and downstream showed pH of sediments to be neutral (6.95 upstream and 6.90 downstream). The sand content for downstream sediment was 90.52 and 87.52% for upstream sediment sample. Total levels of 3.3–14.9 mg kg^?1 As, 3.1–116.6 mg kg^?1 Cr, and 13.7–16.4mg kg^?1 Cu were obtained for downstream sediment samples and 2.2–2.3mg kg^?1 As, 8.1–13.1 mg kg^?1 Cr, and 6.0–7.4mg kg^?1 Cu were obtained for upstream samples. Sequential extraction procedure involving six steps was used to evaluate the partitioning of As, Cr and Cu in the sediments. The results showed that the bioavailable fraction of sediment 20 m downstream was 10%, 100% and 20% of the total levels of As, Cr and Cu respectively in the sediment.