Macro-arthropod succession in grassland growing on bauxite residue

Ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling are crucial components of revegetation programmes for bauxite residues and other tailings. Whilst vegetation establishment on bauxite residue is well studied, little is known about the development of the soil-biota. Macro-arthropod assemblages have been used to monitor and evaluate restoration success on a variety of mine spoils, but there is no information on its presence in bauxite residues.In order to understand the colonization and community development of macro-arthropods in revegetated residue, we compared species from two revegetated residues with an unamended site using pitfall and pan trap techniques. Whilst relatively few immobile species were present in the unamended site, high diversity was recorded for the revegetated sites. A number of species representative of predatory and carnivorous trophic structure were identified for the two vegetated sites. Additionally, many species identified are indicative of later stages of succession.These findings indicate that bauxite residues can be successfully restored to a functioning grassland type ecosystem. Monitoring of key arthropod species is recommended as part of the restoration evaluation process.     

Nitrification and ammonia volatilisation losses from urea and dicyandiamide-treated urea in a sandy loam soil

Summary Nitrification and ammonia volatilisation losses from urea and dicyandiamide (DCD)-treated urea were studied in a sandy loam soil. Laboratory experiments indicated that 20 ppm (of soil) DCD effectively inhibited nitrification of urea over sixty days. If the urea was treated with DCD (20 ppm), ammonia emission from the soil was extended over 105 days; with urea alone, it was negligible after 15 days. A field study indicated that DCD treatment increased volatilisation losses of ammonia tremondously if urea was applied to the soil surface; these losses were minimised if the urea was placed at 5 cm depth. It would seem that nitrification inhibitors must be combined with a placement technique.     

生物炭对农田土壤氨挥发的影响机制研究进展

降低土壤氨挥发量是农田生态系统中减少土壤氮素损失、提高氮肥利用率的关键途径之一。生物炭具有独特的理化性质,施入土壤后可改变土壤理化性状,影响土壤氮素循环,并对农田土壤中氨挥发产生重要的影响。本文首先介绍了稻田和旱田两种土地利用方式下农田氨挥发过程及其影响因素(气候条件、土壤环境、施肥管理等);其次,重点综述了生物炭对农田生态系统氨挥发影响的研究进展,并从物理吸附机制、气液平衡机制、生物化学过程调节机制等方面探讨了生物炭介入下农田土壤氨挥发的响应机制,认为土壤氨挥发减排的响应主要是基于生物炭表面含氧官能团对土壤NH₄⁺和NH₃的吸附作用及促进土壤硝化作用;而生物炭增加土壤氨挥发排放主要与生物炭提高土壤pH值和透气性、增强土壤有机氮矿化微生物活性有关。最后,对生物炭减少土壤氨挥发、提高氮肥利用率的研究方向进行了展望。     

生物炭及其老化对农田NH3挥发及N2O排放的影响

生物炭具有减缓农田NH₃挥发和N₂O排放的重要潜力,但在施入环境后常常存在“老化”现象,这为其缓解全球变暖的长期有效性带来了不确定性。为了探明生物炭的长期效应,人工加速模拟了自然界中水分、温度、氧气、土壤矿物质及微生物多种老化因素,结合多元表征手段对比不同老化方式对生物炭性质的影响,利用主成分分析法建立新的生物炭性质综合指标来反映老化强度。再通过大田控制试验,采用原位通气法和静态箱—气相色谱法监测夏玉米生长周期内老化前后生物炭施用对农田NH₃挥发和N₂O排放的影响,为生物炭的可持续应用提供科学依据。结果表明,老化过程增加了原生物炭(BC)的氧含量、比表面积(S_BET)、总孔容(V_t)及含氧官能团数量,降低了灰分、碱性、碳含量、平均孔径及其芳香性,各老化作用强度排序为：氧化老化生物炭(OBC)>矿化老化生物炭(KBC)>微生物老化生物炭(MBC)>干湿循环老化生物炭(WBC)>冻融循环老化生物炭(FBC)>BC。生物炭的添加减少...     

Bacterial amelioration of bauxite residue waste of industrial alumina plants

The high alkali content of bauxite residue deposits from alumina production plants in industrial nations poses a challenge to reestablish flora and fauna at the deposit sites. The present study demonstrated that low levels of injured bacterial cells in the bauxite residue actively grew using various added nutrients and/or hay. The organisms grew from less than 10 to more than 10⁹ cells g⁻¹ bauxite residue and formed organic acids that lowered the pH from 13 to about 7.0. A total of 150 cultures was isolated from treated bauxite residue and included species of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium and Enterobacter. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated that untreated particles (control) of the bauxite residue were clumped together, and in treated bauxite residue these particles were highly dispersed with microcolonial structures. Furthermore, the treated bauxite residue supported growth of several plants and earthworms that survived for over 300 days. In a test plot bioremediation on a residue deposit at Alcoa Point Comfort, TX, the Bermuda grass hay used was effective mulch material and encouraged water filtration, leading to establishment and growth of salt-tolerant vegetative species. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 228–233. Received 20 January 2001/ Accepted in revised form 11 July 2001     

Genotypes of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) show differential tolerance to manganese deficiency and toxicity when grown in bauxite residue sand

The physical and chemical characteristics of bauxite residue sand (BRS) affect the availability of a number of nutrients to plants, especially manganese (Mn). Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) has been chosen as a BRS revegetation species because of its deep-rooting habit and tendency to tolerate moderately alkaline and saline soils, even though it is still prone to Mn deficiency stress. Sixteen commercially available lucerne genotypes were grown in BRS after addition of 5, 50 or 500 g Mn g^–1 BRS in a glasshouse. Manganese deficiency and toxicity symptoms were observed in 5 and 500 g g^–1 treatments, respectively. Symptom expression varied in severity between genotypes. Relative tolerance to Mn deficiency was defined by shoot dry weight at 5 g Mn g^–1 as a percentage of shoot dry weight at 50 g Mn g^–1. Salado, a genotype tolerant to Mn deficiency, and Sirosal, a genotype intolerant to Mn deficiency, were then grown with 0, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 or 800 g Mn g^–1 BRS and found to have critical shoot Mn concentrations of 17.7 (Salado) and 26.6 g g^–1 (Sirosal). The use of genotypes with high relative Mn deficiency tolerance is recommended to help improve sustainability of BRS revegetation as well as to improve productivity on Mn-fixing agricultural soils.     

A novel acid-producing fungus isolated from bauxite residue: the potential to reduce the alkalinity

Abstract

Globally, bauxite residue is creating extensive environmental problems. Nevertheless, there are numerous functional microorganisms that exist in this extreme environment, and fungus has an essential role in the pedogenesis of bauxite residue. This study describes a microbial method to reduce the alkalinity of bauxite residue through the actions of a functional fungus to produce acidic substances. Bauxite residue samples were screened for fungal activity, and fungal tolerance was assessed using saline and alkaline media of varying concentrations, using aniline blue-PDA medium to evaluate acid production. A tolerant fungus with the ability to produce acidic substances was selected and named EEEL01 (Environmental Ecological Engineering Laboratory No. 01). Further morphological and molecular characterization identified this fungus as Penicillium oxalicum. Factors including pH, NaCl concentration, carbon and nitrogen sources were used to test the efficiency of acid production by the fungus. Based on optimal growth conditions, bauxite residue inoculated with EEEL01 reduced pH from 10.26 to 6.48 over 11?days. These results suggest that EEEL01 could effectively grow and release organic acids under extreme alkaline and saline conditions, which provide the potential for remediation.     

Impacts of reduced sulfur components on active and resting ammonia oxidizers

While there has been significant research on the nature and extent of the impact of inhibitory reduced sulfur with respect to anaerobic (e.g., methanogenic and sulfidogenic) microbial systems, only limited study has yet been conducted on the comparable effects of soluble sulfides which might occur within aerobic wastewater treatment systems. Admittedly, aerobic reactors would not normally be considered conducive to the presence of reduced sulfur constituents, but there do appear to be a number of processing scenarios under which related impacts could develop, particularly for sensitive reactions like nitrification. Indeed, the following scenarios might well involve elevated levels of reduced sulfur within an aerobic reactor environment: (1) mixed liquor recycle back through sulfide-generating anaerobic zones (e.g., in conjunction with biological nutrient removal processes, etc.), (2) high-level side-stream sulfide recycle via sludge digestion, etc., back to aerobic reactors, and (3) high-level influent sulfide inputs to wastewater treatment facilities via specific industrial, septage, etc., streams. The objective of this study was, therefore, to determine the subsequent metabolic impact of soluble sulfide under aerated and unaerated conditions, focusing in particular on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria due to their critical first-step role with nitrification. The obtained results indicated that, under catabolically active conditions, cultures of ammonia oxidizers were extremely sensitive to the presence of sulfide. At total soluble sulfide concentrations of 0.25 mg l^–1 S, active ammonia oxidation was completely inhibited. However, immediately following the removal of this soluble sulfide presence, ammonia oxidation started to recover; and it continued to improve over the next 24 h. Similar sulfide impact tests conducted with inactive ammonia oxidizers exposed during anaerobic conditions, albeit at higher dosage levels, also revealed that their subsequent aerobic activity would correspondingly be retarded. These results indicated that, after sulfide exposure under unaerated conditions, subsequent aerobic oxidative activity rates rapidly decreased as the soluble sulfide exposure was increased from 0.5 gm l^–1 S to 5 mg l^–1 S and that further reductions in this activity progressively developed as the concentration was increased to 200 mg l^–1 S. The recovery following unaerated exposure to sulfide was significantly higher at pH 7, as compared with pH 8, and although the specific nature of this variation was not established, a hypothetical explanation appeared warranted.     

不同磷水平配施生物炭对土壤磷有效性

生物炭在提高土壤磷素有效性及促进作物生长方面具有显著作用,但其效果因土壤类型不同存在较大差异。试验以赤红壤(pH 4.91)和褐土(pH 7.24)为供试土壤,设置3种磷肥水平(0、30、90 kg P·hm^-2,分别以不施磷、低磷、高磷表示)配施稻秆生物炭(0、4%)的大豆盆栽试验,研究了不同磷水平下配施生物炭对土壤磷有效性、磷酸单酯酶活性和植株磷吸收的影响。结果表明: 不同磷水平配施生物炭显著提高了两种土壤的速效磷和全磷含量,且低磷水平添加生物炭处理速效磷增幅最大,在赤红壤和褐土的增幅分别为192.6%和237.1%。与低磷相比,赤红壤中低磷配施生物炭处理的碱性磷酸单酯酶活性显著增加78.9%,活性有机磷含量降低39.3%,同时显著促进了植株生长与磷吸收;生物炭添加显著降低了褐土活性有机磷含量,但不同处理对土壤磷酸单酯酶活性和植株生长无显著影响。土壤活性有机磷含量与速效磷含量均呈显著负相关。综上,生物炭对土壤磷有效性的作用因土壤类型和磷肥水平差异而不同,其在赤红壤上对植株生长和磷吸收的促进效应强于褐土,且在低磷条件下效果更佳。本研究为生物炭在减施磷肥和促进大豆磷吸收,特别是在赤红壤上的应用提供了科学依据。     

Nutrient status of vegetation grown in alkaline bauxite processing residue amended with gypsum and thermally dried sewage sludge - A two year field study

Although the treatments for overcoming the high pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of bauxite residue are well known, there is little information on long-term nutrient management of vegetation after rehabilitation. The present study examined the chemical and physical amendment of fine fraction residue (red mud) at the Aughinish Alumina Ltd. Bayer Plant, Ireland followed by a two-year field investigation. Gypsum and sewage sludge were incorporated into the residue and amended mud sown with Lolium perenne and Holcus lanatus. Aerial portions were harvested and nutrient composition determined annually for the first two years growth. Amended substrate was low in manganese and magnesium. After year one herbage contained adequate calcium levels, but there were deficiencies for nitrogen, manganese, potassium and magnesium. Sodium levels were not considered excessive and levels declined further in year two. Levels for nitrogen, calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium were also reduced in the second year. As levels were already deficient in year one the further decreases suggest severe nutrient shortage in the residue substrate. For long-term success of revegetation of bauxite residue, even after gypsum and organic amendment, the deficiencies of nutrients in the substrate must be overcome.     

The effect of a duckweed cover on sulphide volatilisation from waste stabilisation ponds

The effects of a duckweed (DW) cover on the surface of waste stabilisation ponds on sulphide emissions were studied in a laboratory scale set-up of an anaerobic pond-reactor, followed by two algae (A) pond-reactors and two duckweed (Lemna gibba) pond-reactors. The concentrations of various S-components were measured at different depth in the reactors, while sulphide emissions were measured at the surface. Presence of a duckweed cover on the anaerobic pond-reactor resulted in a reduction of 99% in sulphide emission. In algae pond-reactors, sulphide emissions were negligible through chemical and biological conversion of sulphide. In the duckweed pond-reactors, colourless sulphur bacteria (Beggiatoa sp.) were observed on the duckweed roots. Batch tests showed that both micro-biological and possibly chemical oxidation occurred in a typical duckweed pond environment. The duckweed cover reduced H₂S volatilisation via two mechanisms, by forming a physical barrier and by providing attachment area for sulphide oxidising bacteria.     

Deep placement of manganese fertiliser improves sustainability of lucerne growing on bauxite residue: A glasshouse study

Successful revegetation of bauxite residue sand (BRS) requires large inputs of nutrients such as manganese (Mn), yet Mn deficiency is still encountered, raising doubts about sustainable revegetation of BRS disposal areas. The application of deep placement of Mn, a measure common in agriculture, was examined as a method for improving productivity and sustainability when lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is used as a species for BRS revegetation. In pots containing BRS, Mn was banded at 2.5-, 10- and 20-cm depths at rates of 10, 20 and 50 g g^–1 BRS. Two lucerne genotypes used were Salado, a Mn-deficiency-tolerant variety, and Sirosal, a Mn-deficiency-sensitive variety. Banding at 10-cm depth produced the best shoot growth of Sirosal at each Mn rate. Greatest shoot growth in Salado was found at 2.5-, 10- and 20-cm depths for 10, 20 and 50 g Mn g^–1 BRS, respectively. Deep banding 20 g Mn g^–1 BRS at 10-cm depth significantly increased lucerne growth compared with mixing through the profile. Banding at 20 cm produced Mn deficiency symptoms in lucerne during early growth, but symptoms were alleviated when sufficient amounts of roots proliferated in the banding zone. Dissolution and movement of Mn away from the fertiliser band were also investigated. In pots without plants, water throughput from watering twice weekly to 110% field capacity had no effect on the amount of extractable Mn at distances more than 1 cm away from the original Mn band position. Whilst not only providing a more effective supply of Mn for BRS revegetation over one growth period, deep-banding of adequate rates of Mn may also result in a longer residual value, reducing the need for frequent broadcast applications.     

Impacts of calcium water treatment residue on the soil-water-plant system in citrus production

Background and aims

Long-term use of copper (Cu) based fungicides has accelerated Cu contamination in soils and subsequently its export to the environment. Field trials were conducted in representative commercial citrus groves in the Indian River area, South Florida to evaluate the effectiveness of calcium water treatment residue (Ca-WTR) for stabilizing Cu in soil and its subsequent influence on Cu loading in surface runoff and citrus growth.

Methods

Soil and surface runoff samples were monitored over a 3-year period on two field sites under navel orange and Ruby Red grapefruit production.

Results

Soil amendment with Ca-WTR generally raised soil pH and soil available Ca, but decreased available Cu. The mean concentrations of Cu in surface runoff water were reduced by 36 % and 28 % for the navel orange and grapefruit site, respectively. The results of species distribution of Cu in the runoff water using MINTEQ indicated that the application of Ca-WTR decreased the concentrations of free Cu²⁺ by 61 % and 39 % for the two sites. Fruit quality and yields were improved, because of the improved nutrient availability and other soil conditions.

Conclusions

The results indicate that in situ application of Ca-WTR may provide a cost-effective remediation method for the Cu-contaminated soils without affecting citrus production.     

Bacterial diversity of extremely alkaline bauxite residue site of alumina industrial plant using culturable bacteria and residue 16S rRNA gene clones

Bauxite residue (red mud), generated during the extraction of alumina from bauxite ore is characterized by high pH, high concentrations of soluble ions with low or virtually no organic matter. These extreme conditions along with numerous nutrient deficiencies, limit the microbial growth and vegetation establishment. In the present study, diversity of both cultivable and non-cultivable bacteria present in the red mud was investigated by 16S rDNA sequence analyses. The cultivable bacteria were identified as Agromyces indicus, Bacillus litoralis, B. anthracis, Chungangia koreensis, Kokuria flava, K. polaris, Microbacterium hominis, Planococcus plakortidis, Pseudomonas alcaliphila and Salinococcus roseus based on their 16S rDNA sequence analysis. These isolates were alkali tolerant, positive for one or more of the enzyme activities tested, able to produce organic acids and oxidize wide range of carbon substrates. For non-cultivable diversity of bacteria, DNA was extracted from the bauxite residue samples and 16S rDNA clone library was constructed. The 16S rDNA clones of this study showed affiliation to three major phyla predominant being betaproteobacteria (41.1 %) followed by gammaproteobacteria (37.5 %) and bacteroidetes (21.4 %). We are reporting for the first time about the bacterial diversity of this unique and extreme environment.     

Treatment of turkey processing wastewater with sand filtration

This research investigated the feasibility of coarse/fine sand filtration for removing organic materials from turkey processing wastewater. Sand filtration was tested with three organic and hydraulic loadings. Six two-layer sand bioreactors were in three groups, each with 5 cm layer of pea gravel at the bottom to support layers of fine sand (46 cm) and coarse sand (15 cm) to a height of 66 cm. The bioreactors were inoculated with a mixture of 20% (vol/vol) of wastewater lagoon sludge, 40% (vol/vol) of turkey processing wastewater, and 40% (vol/vol) of BOD(5) dilution water before starting the column operation with turkey processing wastewater. The wastewater contained 1270+/-730 mg COD/L and was applied to each sand bioreactor at hydraulic loading rates of 94% during 80 days of column operation at low and medium hydraulic loading rates (132 L/m(2)/day). The removal at the highest hydraulic loading rate (264 L/m(2)/day) declined after the appearance of a black zone in the top layer of fine sand on day 30 for one reactor and day 50 for the other. The sand filtration in this study represents a feasible treatment for turkey processing wastewater and its efficiency and the life span of the process are associated with the extent of hydraulic loading of the sand bioreactors.     

自然风化过程对赤泥团聚体有机碳组分的影响

以华中地区某氧化铝企业赤泥堆场为研究对象,采集不同时间赤泥堆场(1a,10a,20a)0—20 cm样品,采用物理分组方法,研究自然风化过程对赤泥团聚体有机碳组分的影响。结果发现,赤泥轻组有机碳分配比例随堆存时间的延长呈上升趋势。重组有机碳约占赤泥总有机碳的97.24%—99.11%,以粗颗粒有机碳和矿物结合态颗粒有机碳为主。3种堆存时间(1a,10a,20a)赤泥团聚体颗粒有机碳含量变化范围分别为1.21—1.85、2.62—2.95、3.52—4.15 g/kg。颗粒有机碳含量在2—1 mm粒级赤泥团聚体中最高,随赤泥粒级减小而降低,其中矿物结合态颗粒有机碳分配比例最高,游离态颗粒有机碳分配比例最低。这表明自然风化过程增加了赤泥有机碳组分含量,提高了赤泥中有机碳库的稳定性。     

Impacts of diesel fuel exposure on the microphytobenthic community of an intertidal sand flat

This study employed simulated spills of weathered diesel fuel and measured the initial effects on the intertidal sand flat microphytobenthic (MPB) communities. The goals were to examine the impacts of short-term (hours) and longer-term (days) exposure to petroleum on the native sand flat MPB in coastal North Carolina and to assess recovery of the community following the exposure. We assessed changes in biomass (chlorophyll a), primary productivity (¹⁴C bicarbonate incorporation), photophysiology (P vs. I curves) and species composition (microscopy) and compared diesel exposed samples to unamended controls. We found that short-term impacts of diesel fuel pollution were confined to primary productivity and photophysiology of sand flat MPB. Short-term effects were only detected at relatively high concentrations that are not common outside of a major spill event. In the longer term, diesel fuel was again found to have effects on primary productivity, but at higher concentrations than would be likely to occur in industrialized coastal areas. However, negative impacts on photophysiology were detected at diesel fuel concentrations slightly above typical ambient conditions in coastal waters in industrialized areas. Biomass as measured by chlorophyll a was not affected by any concentration in the longer-term exposure to diesel fuel. Cell counts in the longer-term experiments found cyanobacteria had larger negative impacts from diesel fuel exposure than did diatoms. The recovery portion of this study showed the sand flat MPB communities were fairly resilient following both additions of diesel fuel. However, photophysiology and cell counts did not return to conditions equivalent to the control. Data from this study indicate that the effects of petroleum pollution on the MPB community of tidal sand flats should be considered alongside effects on other coastal microalgae in ecological and damage assessments.     

Impacts of management and antecedent site condition on restoration outcomes in a sand prairie

Landscape context and site history, including antecedent site conditions, may constrain restoration potential despite the efforts of restoration practitioners. However, few experimental studies have investigated the relative importance of antecedent site conditions and the intensity of on‐site management in driving restoration outcomes. We established small‐scale prairie restoration experiments within the Lost Mound Unit of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Illinois, U.S.A. We investigated the effectiveness of two restoration treatments, herbicide application and seeding of native plants, on removal of invasive crown‐vetch (Securigera varia) and recovery of sand prairie plant communities. We replicated treatment plots across 15 locations with three levels of antecedent condition and fire treatment (burned, undegraded; burned, degraded; and unburned, degraded) to determine whether antecedent condition constrained the effectiveness of on‐site restoration. Two years after initial herbicide application crown‐vetch cover was significantly reduced relative to untreated controls. This effect was more pronounced in plots treated twice with herbicide. However, removal of crown‐vetch facilitated invasion by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Addition of native prairie seed had little effect on restoration outcomes, regardless of herbicide application. Native community recovery was greater in plots restored in less degraded locations. Herbicide application tended to increase native species cover, but importantly, this effect was significant only in the least degraded locations. Intensive restoration management conducted in degraded landscapes can result in undesirable outcomes such as secondary species invasion. Reestablishment of native species following restoration is more likely where the surrounding remnant communities are intact.     

The volatilisation losses of nitrogen from added urea in some soils of Bangladesh

Summary Considerable volatilisation loss of nitrogen from added urea was recorded in the Coastal saline and Madhupur red soils of Bangladesh under laboratory conditions. The loss was highly magnified by the presence of decomposable organic materials having high C/N ratios.     

Bauxite residue sand has the capacity to rapidly decrease availability of added manganese

Bauxite residue sand, even though a poor substrate for plant growth because of very high pH, salinity and sodicity, is required to be revegetated. Manganese deficiency is observed in residue-grown plants because broadcast applications of manganese fertiliser to the surface of residue deposits have a low residual value. In a laboratory experiment, manganese (as MnSO₄) was added to fresh and 4-year-old residue sand and a sequential fractionation procedure performed at 0, 1, 4, 8 and 24 h and 6, 14, 21, 43, 73, 103 and 130 d. Extraction with DTPA estimated plant-available Mn, while sequential fractionation with various extractants yielded the following fractions: readily soluble [Ca(NO₃)₂]; weakly adsorbed [CaDTPA-B₄O₇]; carbonate-bound [HNO₃]; and oxide-bound [NH₂OHHCl]. Residual Mn was calculated as a difference between the sum of all these forms and total Mn in residue sand. Transformation of manganese from the initially dominant readily soluble form to the less-available forms was very rapid (< 24 h). A change to fertilisation strategies is required if better efficiency of manganese application and uptake is to be achieved for plants growing on bauxite residue.