畜禽粪便堆肥过程中各种氮化合物的动态变化及腐熟度评价指标

对不同畜禽粪便在堆肥过程中各种含氮化合物的动态变化进行了研究,结合综合性腐熟度评价指标——种子发芽指数（GI）,探讨了畜禽粪便堆肥过程中与氮有关的腐熟度评价指标.结果表明：随着堆肥的进行,除奶牛粪外,其它畜禽粪便的全氮（TN）含量均呈先下降而后平稳变化趋势,奶牛粪则呈先增加而后平稳变化趋势;各种畜禽粪便中,碱解性氮（HN）含量先增后降;NH₄⁺-N含量先下降而后保持平稳;NO₃^- -N含量则持续增加;NH₄⁺ -N/NO₃^- -N迅速降低.堆肥腐熟度指标中,除综合性评价指标GI值外,HN/TN和NH₄⁺ -N/TN也可作为评价畜禽粪便腐熟程度的优选指标,而NO₃^- -N/TN只能作为一般性评价指标.根据综合性评价指标GI值达到腐熟要求的标准（GI>0.50）,除仔猪粪外,其它畜禽粪便在HN/TN<20.77％、NH₄⁺ -N/TN<10.06％及NO₃^- -N/TN>0.38％时基本达到腐熟要求.     

长江三角洲地区雨水中NH4+-N/NO3--N和δ15NH4+值的变化

2003年6月至2005年7月,利用自行设计的雨水收集器对位于长江三角洲地区的常熟、南京和杭州3个观测点进行了全年性雨水观测,分析了雨水中NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N和铵态氮自然丰度(δ¹⁵NH₄⁺)值的变化.结果表明：研究区3个观测点雨水中NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N和δ¹⁵NH₄⁺值均呈相似的季节性变化规律,两者的规律性变化在以田间农事耕作为主的常熟观测点尤其明显,而位于市区的南京观测点和位于城乡结合部的杭州观测点的规律性次之;雨水中NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N的峰值出现在6月下旬到8月上旬,然后逐渐下降,冬季降到最低;雨水中δ¹⁵NH₄⁺值在6月下旬到8月中旬为负值,在8月下旬到11月中下旬为正值,12月至翌年3月又变为负值,5至6月中旬又转变为正值.雨水中NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N和δ¹⁵NH₄⁺值的季节变化与不同作物生育期间氮肥的施用、当地气候的季节性变化以及其他NH3释放源的NH3挥发有关（人和动物排泄物、氮污染水体及有机氮源中的氨挥发）,其对大气湿沉降中NH₄⁺的来源、形态组成及陆地不同NH₃排放源的强度具有明显的指示意义.     

施氮水平对水稻生育后期地上部氨挥发的影响

采用温室盆栽模拟试验,研究了不同施氮水平下水稻开花后地上部氨挥发及其影响因素.结果表明：不同品种水稻开花后地上部日氨挥发量和开花至成熟期的氨挥发总量均随施氮量的增加而增加,且不同施氮水平间存在一定差异.花期和成熟期水稻地上部氨挥发量（y）与功能叶片谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性（x₁）呈显著负相关,而与功能叶片质外体NH₄⁺浓度（x₂）呈显著正相关:y=-0.37846x₁+0.41821x₂+0.04925（R²=0.9471,n=16）.水稻氮素收获指数（x₁）和氮肥生理利用率（x₂）均与地上部氨挥发总量（y）呈显著负相关：y=-0.02117x₁+0.75186(R²=0.8426,n=8）和y=-1.10386x²+35.52676（R²=0.8489,n=8）,说明高氮水平下水稻氮肥利用率的下降与水稻地上部氨挥发量的增加有关.     

元素硫和双氰胺对蔬菜地土壤硝态氮淋失的影响

采用温室盆栽淋洗试验,以NH₄HCO₃为氮肥源,研究了元素硫(S₀)和双氰胺（DCD）对种葱和不种作物土壤NO₃^--N淋失量和NO₃^--N、NH₄⁺-N浓度的影响.结果表明,在12周试验期间,与对照相比,S₀+DCD和S₀处理NO₃^--N淋失量分别低83%～86%和83%;NH₄⁺-N淋失量分别高16.8～21.0 mg·盆^-1和20.4～25.0 mg·盆^-1;而同期无机氮（NO₃^--N、NH₄⁺-N）淋失量则低60%.试验结束后,,S₀+DCD和S₀处理土壤无机氮含量分别比对照高79.9%～85.4%和74.9%～82.6%,以NH₄⁺-N为主.S₀+DCD处理无机氮淋失量比S₀和DCD处理分别低4.6%～14.4%和15.4%～30.1%;试验结束后土壤无机氮分别高6.1%和16.8～36.0%.在Na₂S₂O₃+DCD、Na₂S₂O₃和DCD处理中也发现类似结果.可见S₀施入土壤具有与DCD同样的氨稳定和硝化抑制作用.S₀与DCD配合施用可使DCD的硝化抑制性增强,其作用机理是S₀氧化中间体S₂O₃^2-、S₄O₆^2-,具有抑制硝化和DCD降解作用,延缓DCD硝化抑制效果.S0与DCD配合施用可用于延缓太湖流域蔬菜地土壤NH₄⁺-N向NO₃^--N转化,减少氮向水体迁移风险.     

红豆草与土壤氮含量对大气二氧化碳浓度升高的响应

在封闭的植物培养箱中,通过盆栽实验,研究了红豆草和土壤氮含量对CO₂浓度增加的响应.结果表明,与正常CO₂浓度(355～370 μmol·mol^-1)相比,CO₂浓度升高(700 μmol·mol^-1),植物生物量增加25.1%(P＜0.01),但植物体氮浓度降低25.3%(P＜0.001),植物全氮没有显著的变化.经3个月盆栽实验后,与原始土壤相比,两种CO₂浓度处理土壤全N、NO₃^--N和NH₄⁺-N都有所降低,而土壤微生物氮则显著增加,这可能与植物生长有关.不同CO₂浓度处理土壤NH₄⁺-N浓度基本一致,但在高CO₂浓度下,土壤NO₃^--N浓度显著降低,而微生物生物氮显著增加.对整个土壤-植物系统而言,盆栽实验后,整个系统全氮有少量增加,但变化不显著,特别是在高CO₂浓度条件下,土壤-植物系统全氮最大,这可能与培养材料红豆草为豆科植物,而且在高CO₂浓度下生物量增加,导致氮的固定量增加有关.     

大气NH3浓度升高对不同氮效率玉米生理指标及生物量的影响

 该试验采用开顶式气室(Open top chambers)装置,在两种大气NH₃浓度水平(大气背景浓度值为10 nl&;#8226;L^－1和高NH₃浓度1 000 nl&;#8226;L^－1)和两种 供氮介质水平(高供氮介质和低供氮介质)下,对两种氮效率玉米(Zea mays)基因型(‘氮高效5号’(NE5)和‘氮低效四单19’(SD19))的叶绿素 指标值(SPAD值)、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s )、生物量和根冠比等生物学和生理学指标进行了测定。结果表明,大气NH₃浓度升高对两种 氮效率玉米基因型各生理指标有显著影响(p<0.05)。与大气背景NH₃浓度相比,当大气NH₃浓度为1 000 nl&;#8226;L^－1 时,生长在高供氮介质中‘氮 高效5号’的SPAD值、P_n和G_s分别降低7.0%、14.0%和6.5%,而‘氮低效四单19’的对应指标分别降低9.0%、11.0%和6.9%;生长在低供氮介质 中的两种氮效率玉米基因型各生理指标均显著增加(p<0.05)：‘氮高效5号’的SPAD值、P_n和G_s分别增加5.7%、7.1%和17%,‘氮低效四单19’ 的对应指标分别增加7.0%、11.0%和22.0%。高供氮介质中NH₃浓度升高对氮低效基因型玉米冠层生物 量抑制作用小于对氮高效基因型玉米的抑 制效应,而低供氮介质中NH₃浓度升高对氮高效基因型玉米冠部的促进作用显著高于对氮低效基因型玉米的促进作用(p<0.05);两种大气NH₃营 养下玉米根冠比的变化与采样时期有关。说明从大气中吸收NH3有利于改善生长在低供氮介质上玉米的氮素营养状况,而且对氮低效基因型玉米 的促进作用比对氮高效基因型玉米更加显著。     

双氢胺对土壤裂缝产生过程中N2O释放的影响

模拟稻田土壤在加入不同量的 (NH₄)₂SO₄和双氢按(DCD)抑制剂的溶液后先进行淹水培养,然后让土壤自然蒸发变干,直至土壤产生裂缝到裂缝稳定,最后在裂缝稳定后的复水的连续培养试验。通过模拟对土壤进行复杂的、动态的水分含量变化过程中试验,探讨双氢胺抑制剂对其N₂O释放的影响。每天监测土体释放的N₂O通量,以及渗漏液中溶解的N₂O浓度和pH值。这些监测结果表明：在相同的水分管理条件下,土壤中没有氮肥加入,只有DCD加入的A处理释放N₂O气体最少,其平均释放通量为340.91 μg m^-2 h^-1; 土壤中有高剂量的氮肥和DCD加入的E处理释放N₂O最多,其平均释放通量为9280.23 μg m^-2 h^-1。裂缝产生稳定后的复水能减少N₂O向空气中的释放。渗漏液中的N₂O浓度都是过饱和的。当土壤中肥料(NH₄)₂SO₄加入量(每千克土壤中外加N≤3g)相对较少的情况下,DCD抑制剂能抑制裂缝产生过程中的N2O释放;当土壤中肥料(NH₄)₂SO₄加入量(每千克土壤中外加N≥6g)相对较多的情况下,DCD抑制裂缝产生过程中的N₂O释放效果不明显。此外还得出(NH₄)₂SO₄和DCD的加入量比是10:1 时,其抑制N₂O排放的效果比(NH₄)₂SO₄和DCD的加入量比分别是10∶1.5和10∶2要好。土体释放的N₂O通量和渗漏液中溶解的N₂O浓度之间不存在相关性,土体释放的N₂O通量和渗漏液中的pH值之间也不存在相关性。但是渗漏液中的N2O浓度和pH值之间存在显著的正线性相关关系。     

浓度升高对不同氮效率玉米生理指标及生物量的影响

该试验采用开顶式气室(Open top chambers)装置,在两种大气NH₃浓度水平(大气背景浓度值为10 nl&#8226;L^－1和高NH₃浓度1 000 nl&#8226;L^－1)和两种 供氮介质水平(高供氮介质和低供氮介质)下,对两种氮效率玉米(Zea mays)基因型(‘氮高效5号’(NE5)和‘氮低效四单19’(SD19))的叶绿素 指标值(SPAD值)、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s )、生物量和根冠比等生物学和生理学指标进行了测定。结果表明,大气NH₃浓度升高对两种 氮效率玉米基因型各生理指标有显著影响(p<0.05)。与大气背景NH₃浓度相比,当大气NH₃浓度为1 000 nl&#8226;L^－1 时,生长在高供氮介质中‘氮 高效5号’的SPAD值、P_n和G_s分别降低7.0%、14.0%和6.5%,而‘氮低效四单19’的对应指标分别降低9.0%、11.0%和6.9%;生长在低供氮介质 中的两种氮效率玉米基因型各生理指标均显著增加(p<0.05)：‘氮高效5号’的SPAD值、P_n和G_s分别增加5.7%、7.1%和17%,‘氮低效四单19’ 的对应指标分别增加7.0%、11.0%和22.0%。高供氮介质中NH₃浓度升高对氮低效基因型玉米冠层生物 量抑制作用小于对氮高效基因型玉米的抑 制效应,而低供氮介质中NH₃浓度升高对氮高效基因型玉米冠部的促进作用显著高于对氮低效基因型玉米的促进作用(p<0.05);两种大气NH₃营 养下玉米根冠比的变化与采样时期有关。说明从大气中吸收NH3有利于改善生长在低供氮介质上玉米的氮素营养状况,而且对氮低效基因型玉米 的促进作用比对氮高效基因型玉米更加显著。     

秸秆还田方式对东北水稻土理化性质及微生物群落的影响

【目的】研究秸秆还田方式对东北黑土理化性质及微生物群落的影响。【方法】试验周期为2019年12月至2021年10月,秸秆还田采用2种方式： 秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ(strawdirect return+microbial agent WJ;MD),秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ(straw compost return +microbial agent WJ;MC)。分析土壤肥力、酶活和微生物群落。【结果】分析两种方式土壤有机质(SOM)、腐殖酸(HS)和富里酸有机碳(FA-C)含量,发现秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ分别增加2.28g/kg、7.82g/kg和5.26g/kg。土壤铵态氮(NH4⁺-N)、速效磷(AP)略高于秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ,均在6月份达到峰值。胡敏酸有机碳(HA-C)含量下降。此外,土壤脲酶、转化酶、纤维素酶活性和碱性磷酸酶活性对比发现,秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ分别高8.55%、15.46%、4.35%和6.19%。高通量测序结果显示,秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ中细菌和真菌的多样性均比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ丰富。其中Anaerolinea、Bacteroidetes、Pseudomonas为优势细菌,Tausonia、Mrakia、Mrakiella为优势真菌。【结论】秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ更有利于土壤有机质、腐殖酸、土壤酶活性和微生物多样性的增加,这说明秸秆添加WJ菌剂直接还田可以减少有机养分的流失,保持田间土壤肥力。     

不同饲料添加剂对樱桃谷鸭生长性能及鸭舍有害气体含量的影响

选用1600羽出壳1 d的樱桃谷鸭随机分为8组,分别饲喂不同配比和组合的抗生素、沸石、微生态制剂(EM)、中草药和甘氨酸微量元素螯合物等添加剂饲料,探讨了不同饲料添加剂对肉鸭生长性能的影响,并对鸭舍的有害气体含量进行了研究。结果表明：饲料中添加沸石、EM、中草药对提高肉鸭的日增重和降低料肉比有显著效果(P＜0.05)。在1～14 d阶段,以混合添加沸石和EM对肉鸭体重、采食量和日增重的效果为最好(P＜0.05);添加抗生素、混合添加抗生素与沸石均能明显(P＜0.05)降低1～14 d樱桃谷鸭料肉比。在15～35 d阶段,添加沸石、EM、中草药均能提高肉鸭的饲料利用率,以混合添加沸石与中草药及甘氨酸微量元素螯合物效果最好,可显著(P＜0.05)提高肉鸭体质量、采食量和日增重,降低料肉比。添加沸石、EM、中草药均能降低鸭舍内NH₃、H₂S和CO₂的浓度,尤以添加沸石、甘氨酸微量元素螯合物、沸石与中草药混合物分别对降低NH₃、H₂S、CO₂浓度效果最好。说明沸石、中草药和EM可有效提高肉鸭生长性能,降低鸭舍内有害气体浓度。     

Changes in nitrogen isotopic compositions during composting of cattle feedlot manure: effects of bedding material type

Temporal changes in delta(15)N of cattle feedlot manure during its composting with either rice hull (RHM) or sawdust (SDM) as bedding materials were investigated. Regardless of the bedding material used, the delta(15)N of total N in the manure increased sharply from +7.6 per thousand to +9.9 per thousand and from +11.4 per thousand to +14.3 per thousand, respectively, in RHM or SDM, within 10 days from the commencement of composting. Such increases could be attributed primarily to N loss via NH(3) volatilization and denitrification based on the very high delta(15)N values (greater than +20 per thousand) of NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-) in the co-composted manure. The delta(15)N of total N in RHM was substantially lower (by more than 3 per thousand) than that in SDM, suggesting that the delta(15)N of the composted manure was affected not only by N loss but also by the type of bedding material used. Specifically, the higher N concentration in the rice hull than in the saw dust could lead to a greater (15)N isotope dilution.     

Isolation of thermophilic ammonium-tolerant bacterium and its application to reduce ammonia emission during composting of animal wastes

A thermophilic bacterium, strain TAT105, was isolated from compost made of animal wastes. TAT105 had high tolerance to ammonium nitrogen up to 1200 mM, and highly assimilated nitrogen during the growth on swine feces. The strain was classified into Bacillus, close to Bacillus pallidus. To evaluate the effect of adding TAT105 to ammonia (NH3) emission during the composting process of animal wastes, laboratory scale composting was done. NH3 emission tended to be lower and nitrogen loss was smaller in the TAT105-added material than in the control material to which TAT105 was not added. Thermophilic ammonium-tolerant bacteria in the TAT105-added material increased to about 8x10(9) CFU/g of dry matter on the average during the tests, and most of them were judged to be TAT105 from morphological colony discrimination. These results suggested the possibility of reducing NH3 emission from composting of animal wastes by adding TAT105.     

Patterns and quantities of NH(3), N(2)O and CH(4) emissions during swine manure composting without forced aeration--effect of compost pile scale

To evaluate the NH(3), N(2)O, and CH(4) emissions from composting of livestock waste without forced aeration in turned piles, and to investigate the possible relationship between the scale of the compost pile and gas emission rates, we conducted swine manure composting experiments in parallel on small- and large-scale compost piles. Continuous measurements of gas emissions during composting were carried out using a chamber system, and detailed gas emission patterns were obtained. The total amount of each gas emission was computed from the amount of ventilation and gas concentration. NH(3) emission was observed in the early period of composting when the material was at a high temperature. Sharp peaks in CH(4) emission occurred immediately after swine manure was piled up, although a high emissions level continued after the first turning only in the large-scale pile. N(2)O emissions started around the middle stage of the composting period when NH(3) emissions and the temperature of the compost material began to decline. The emission rates of each gas in the small and large piles were 112.8 and 127.4 g NH(3)-N/kg T-N, 37.2 and 46.5 g N(2)O-N/kg T-N, and 1.0 and 1.9 g CH(4)/kg OM, respectively. It was found that changing the piling scale of the compost material was a major factor in gas emission rates.     

Comparison of organic matter degradation and microbial community during thermophilic composting of two different types of anaerobic sludge

Changes in organic matter degradation and microbial communities during thermophilic composting were compared using two different types of anaerobic sludge, one from mesophilic methane fermentation, containing a high concentration of proteins (S-sludge), and the other from thermophilic methane fermentation, containing high concentrations of lipids and fibers (K-sludge). The difference in the organic matter degradation rate corresponded to the difference in the organic matter constituents; the CO(2) evolution rate was greater in the composting of S-sludge than of K-sludge; moreover, the NH(3) evolution resulting from the protein degradation was especially higher in the composting of S-sludge. Then the differences in the microbial communities that contributed to each composting were determined by the PCR-DGGE method. Ureibacillus sp., which is known as a degrader with high organic matter degradation activity, was observed during the composting of S-sludge, whereas Thermobifida fusca, which is a well known thermophilic actinomycete that produces enzymes for lignocellulose degradation, were observed during the composting of K-sludge.     

Effect of turning regime and seasonal weather conditions on nitrogen and phosphorus losses during aerobic composting of cattle manure

Cattle manure from stock bedded on straw was aerobically composted under ambient conditions, turning with either a tractor-mounted front-end loader or a rear discharge manure spreader. Three composting experiments, each of approximately four months duration, were conducted to investigate the effect of turning regime and seasonal weather conditions on nitrogen and phosphorus losses during aerobic composting of cattle manure. Manure stacks of 12-15 m(3) initial volume were constructed in separate 5 x 5 m concrete compartments. Experiment 1 (January-April 1999) compared manure heaps turned once (T1) or three times (T3) using a front-end loader with an unturned static (S) control manure stack. Experiment 2 (June-September 1999) compared the same treatments as Experiment 1. Experiment 3 (September-December 1999) compared T1 and T3 turning regimes using a front end loader with turning by a rear-discharge spreader (TR1 and TR1T2) for more effective aeration of the manure. Turning took place at 6 weeks for the one turn treatments, and after 2, 6 and 10 weeks for the three turn treatments. Leachate losses were dominated by NH(4)-N during the first three weeks of composting, after which time NH4-N and NO3-N concentrations in leachates were approximately the same, in the range 0-20 mg N l(-1). The concentrations of both NH4-N and NO3-N in leachate were higher after turning. Molybdate-reactive P concentrations in leachate tended not to be significantly influenced by turning regime. Gaseous losses of NH3 and N2O rose quickly during the initial phases of composting, peaking at 152 g N t(-1) d(-1) for the T3 treatment. Mean NH3 emission rate (25-252 g N t(-1) d(-1)) for the first two weeks of Experiment 2 conducted during the period June-September were an order of magnitude greater (1-10 g N t(-1) d(-1)) than Experiment 3, conducted during the colder, wetter autumn period (September-December). Nitrous oxide emission rates ranged between 1-14 g N t(-1) d(-1) and showed little influence of turning regime. Total N and P concentrations in turned (T) and static (S) manure were elevated at the end of all experiments, due to loss of dry matter. Mean total N losses were 30.4% (T1) and 36.8% (T3) and total P losses 28.2% (T1) and 27.4% (T3).     

微生物在有机固废堆肥中的作用与应用

好氧堆肥是实现有机固体废弃物资源化利用的主流处理方式.堆肥腐熟是一个由微生物主导的生理生化过程,堆料通过微生物发酵实现矿质化、腐殖化和无害化,转变成腐熟的有机肥.传统的好氧堆肥存在发酵周期长、养分损失、恶臭及温室气体排放等不足.在堆肥过程中添加微生物是弥补传统好氧堆肥缺陷、提高堆肥品质和功效的有效方法.近年来,国内外在...     

两种微生物菌剂对西番莲果渣高温堆肥腐熟进程的影响

研究了在西番莲果渣堆肥体系中加入两种微生物菌剂（福贝和榕风）后的温度、C／N、NH4^＋ -N和NO3^- -N的动态变化及对西番莲果渣堆肥产品品质的影响．结果表明,在西番莲果渣中加入微生物菌剂能增加高温分解持续时间,加快物料C／N降低的速率,促进NH4^＋ -N向NO3^- -N转化,加快西番莲果渣堆肥腐熟化进程．添加福贝和榕风菌剂后,堆肥高温持续时间分别比对照（4d）增加7d和8d;腐熟后堆肥的NO3^- -N浓度分别比对照增加58．0％和64．2％．添加菌种显著增加了西番莲果渣堆肥的N、P、K养分含量,降低了堆肥容重,提高了堆肥总孔隙度和持水孔隙度,改善了堆肥产品的品质．两种菌剂间对西番莲果渣高温腐熟进程的影响没有显著差异,但福贝菌剂更有利于改善堆肥品质．     

葡萄籽对猪粪秸秆高温堆肥中微生物群落与碳氮含量的影响

以猪粪与秸秆(鲜质量10.5∶1)为基础,在自制的强制通风静态堆肥反应箱中进行堆肥化试验,研究添加8%葡萄籽对猪粪秸秆高温堆肥中微生物群落演替和碳氮转化的影响.在堆肥化的30 d里,分7次采集不同时期的堆肥样品,测定堆肥中微生物区系、微生物生理群的数量及堆肥碳氮含量.结果表明：添加葡萄籽使堆肥中细菌数量略高、放线菌数量显著增加、真菌数量明显降低,细菌/放线菌下降;氨化细菌和反硝化细菌数量降低;而硝化细菌、固氮菌和纤维素分解菌数量增多;铵态氮和有机碳含量下降,而硝态氮含量明显提高.堆肥中硝态氮含量与放线菌数量呈极显著正相关关系.添加葡萄籽使堆体升温快且高温期稳定,堆肥含水率波动较小,从而使堆肥高温期放线菌和亚硝化细菌的波动较小,数量较高,有利于堆肥中硝态氮含量的增加.     

Co-composting of soybean residues and leaves in Hong Kong

The goal of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of co-composting of soybean residues and leaves and the effects of turning frequency on compost quality. Soybean residues were mixed with leaves and sawdust in 1:1:3 (w/w wet weight) for achieving a C/N ratio of about 30. Three heaps of about 4 m3 of compost mixtures were prepared receiving a turning frequency of daily (pile A), 3-day (pile B) and weekly (pile C) turning. Different turning frequencies did not significantly affect the changes in pH and volatile solids throughout the composting period. High turning frequency caused a lower electrical conductivity and NH4-N contents as well as a shorter duration of thermophilic phase, because of a high heat loss by evaporation and volatilization of ammonia in the pile. The highest C decomposition of 4% occurred in the pile with a 3-day turning period, which coincided with the higher-nitrogen content in this treatment. All treatments with different turning frequencies reached maturation at 63 days as indicated by the soluble organic carbon, soluble NH4-N, C/N ratio and cress seed germination index. However, increasing the aeration during composting period was beneficial in accelerating the maturation process. Taking into consideration less labour and lower operation costs as compared to daily turning, it can be suggested that a 3-day turning frequency would be more appropriate for reaching acceptable quality of compost and ease in operation.     

Acute toxicity of ammonia on Litopenaeus vannamei Boone juveniles at different salinity levels

Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles (total length 22+/-2.4 mm) were exposed to different concentrations of ammonia-N (un-ionized plus ionized ammonia as nitrogen), using the static renewal method at different salinity levels of 15 per thousand, 25 per thousand and 35 per thousand at pH 8.05 and 23 degrees C. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of ammonia-N on L. vannamei juveniles were 59.72, 40.58, 32.15, 24.39 mg l(-1) at 15 per thousand; 66.38, 48.83, 43.17, 35.4 mg l(-1) at 25 per thousand; 68.75, 53.84, 44.93, 39.54 mg l(-1) at 35 per thousand, respectively. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of NH(3)-N (un-ionized ammonia as nitrogen) were 2.95, 2.00, 1.59, 1.20 mg l(-1) at 15 per thousand; 2.93, 2.16, 1.91, 1.57 mg l(-1) at 25 per thousand; 2.78, 2.18, 1.82, 1.60 mg l(-1) at 35 per thousand, respectively. As the salinity decreased from 35 per thousand to 15 per thousand, susceptibility of ammonia-N increased by 115%, 132%, 140% and 162% after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h exposure, respectively. The "safety level" for rearing L. vannamei juveniles was estimated to be 2.44, 3.55, 3.95 mg l(-1) for ammonia-N and 0.12, 0.16, 0.16 mg l(-1) for NH(3)-N in 15 per thousand, 25 per thousand and 35 per thousand, respectively.