Effect of nickel on biological methane generation from a laboratory poultry waste digester

Nickel added in concentrations as low as 10muM significantly increased biogas production in a laboratory poultry waste digester utilizing excreta from laying hens as the organic energy source. It was shown that the initial rate of biogas production increased as early as 4 h after the addition of nickel to the laboratory cultures. Analysis of the excreta for nickel content prior to addition of exogenous NiCl(2) showed appreciable amounts of nickel present. The data indicate that nickel naturally present in layer excreta is suboptimal or unavailable to the bacteria for biogas production purposes.     

Interaction between nickel and copper in the rat

Two 42-d experiments were conducted with weanling male rats to study interactions between nickel and copper. In Experiment 1, a low-copper basal diet was supplemented with copper at 0 or 30 ppm and nickel at 0 or 30 ppm. Copper was added in Experiment 2 to a basal copper-deficient diet at a level of 0 or 15 ppm and nickel was supplemented at 0, 15, or 225 ppm. Responses to dietary nickel were dependent upon copper nutriture and experimental duration. Nickel had little effect on growth during the first 21 d of either study when added at low levels (15 or 30 ppm) to copper-deficient diets. Nickel supplementation depressed gains between 21 and 42 d in rats fed copper-deficient, but not copper-adequate, diets. Hematocrits and hemoglobin concentrations were not significantly affected by dietary nickel at 21 d. Nickel supplementation decreased hematocrits and hemoglobin values in copper deficient rats at 42 d in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2. Absorption of copper apparently was not reduced by nickel, since tissue copper concentrations were generally not decreased by increasing dietary nickel. Nickel supplementation increased lung and heart copper concentrations in Experiment 2. Liver iron was not affected by nickel, but spleen iron concentrations were reduced by nickel supplementation in copper-deficient rats in Experiment 2. The present studies suggest that nickel acts antagonistically to copper in certain biological processes.     

Interaction Between Nickel and Protein Source in the Ruminant

Eighty growing steers were used to determine the effect of nickel supplementation on performance and metabolic parameters of steers fed corn silage-based diets supplemented with different crude protein sources. Crude protein sources examined included: (1) soybean meal, (2) blood meal, (3) urea, and (4) blood meal-urea (two-thirds of supplemental nitrogen from blood meal and one-third from urea). The protein sources differed in ruminal degradability, nitrogen solubility, and nickel content. Nickel was added within each protein treatment to supply either 0 or 5 ppm of supplemental nickel. The experiment was 84 d in duration and rumen fluid and blood samples were collected on days 42 and 80. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected by nickel supplementation. The addition of 5 ppm supplemental nickel greatly increased rumen bacterial urease activity regardless of protein source. When samples were collected prior to feeding on day 80, nickel increased serum urea nitrogen concentrations in steers fed urea, but decreased circulating urea concentrations in animals fed blood meal or the blood meal-urea combination.Ad libitum intake of trace mineral salt was greatly reduced in steers receiving 5 ppm supplemental nickel. The present study suggests that the source of protein may influence ruminant responses to dietary nickel.     

Effects of temperature, and dietary magnesium and nickel levels on magnesium and nickel concentrations during the moult-cycle in Oniscus asellus (Porcellionidae, Isopoda, Crustacea).

Mean magnesium concentrations in intermoult Oniscus asellus, caged at 20 degrees C for 10 days, ranged from 1,059.15 +/- 51.9 ppm on diets containing 10 ppm nickel, to 6,827.6 +/- 314.1 ppm on a mixture of 500 ppm magnesium + 10 ppm nickel. Mean nickel concentrations ranged from 89.4 +/- 4.3 ppm on diets containing 500 ppm magnesium, to 314.0 +/- 14.8 ppm on a mixture of 500 ppm magnesium + 10 ppm nickel. At 30 degrees C, magnesium tissue concentrations ranged from 4,149.8 +/- 153.5 ppm on diets with 10 ppm nickel to 12,602.6 +/- 529.3 ppm on 500 ppm magnesium. Nickel concentrations at 30 degrees C varied from 156.8 +/- 6.7 in isopods in the control to 490.5 +/- 23.5 ppm on those on 500 ppm magnesium + 10 ppm nickel. Magnesium in intermoult isopods was mainly stored in other tissues, including the exoskeleton, and nickel in the hepatopancreas. Differences in both magnesium and nickel concentrations between males and females were not significant. Magnesium and nickel concentrations in postmoult isopods, on the average, amounted to 367.6 +/- 16.5 ppm and 18.7 +/- 0.7 ppm, respectively, at 20 degrees C, and 369.9 +/- 16.3 ppm and 30.9 +/- 1.3 ppm, respectively, at 30 degrees C. Differences between males and females, and between various treatments were not significant at P greater than 0.01. It is suggested that both hepatopancreas and other tissues, including the exoskeleton, are used as sinks to get rid of excessive tissue magnesium and nickel during the moult-cycle.     

Effect of organic matter on availability of nickel

Summary Additions of organic matter to a red soil resulted in the solubilization of the native and added nickel during the early days of its decomposition due to the production of various organic acids. It has been observed that as the incubation period advanced, more and more nickel was transformed into less soluble form so that after 80 days, only 8.1–8.8 and 14.1 ppm nickel could be recovered with berseem and glucose respectively when added along with 100 ppm nickel. The berseem has been found to have a tendency to fix greater amount of nickel in the soil than glucose. The available phosphate in the soil was also found to increase initially and then decrease. A greater content of organic carbon in the berseem-treated soil was closely related to the fixation of nickel in the soil. Formation of a complex between nickel and organic matter has been envisaged. re]19730806     

Effects of vanadium,nickel and sulphur dioxide on polar lipid biosynthesis in jack pine

Biosynthesis of polar lipids (phospho- and glycolipids) from [1-¹⁴C]acetate was observed in mature needles from hydroponically grown jack pine seedlings. Treatment of the seedlings with vanadium (V) or nickel (Ni) produced marked concentration-dependent inhibitions in the biosynthesis of all polar lipids. Nickel appeared to be more inhibitory than V at 10 ppm. Fumigation of seedlings with gaseous SO₂ (0.34 ppm) also resulted in reduced biosynthesis of polar lipids. Combined treatment of plant seedlings with metal (V or Ni) and SO₂ produced inhibitory effects that were very similar to those produced by metal alone; however, SO₂ did produce an additive inhibitory effect at 10 ppm V.     

The influence of lead,cadmium, and nickel on the growth of ryegrass and oats

Summary A 2⁴ factorial experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions. Factors and levels in the experiment were soil pH at 4.5 and 6.4, and cadmium, lead, and nickel added to the soil to provide soil concentrations of 50, 250, and 50 ppm, respectively, above background levels. Two species were grown in succession in the same experimental pots. Ryegrass (Lolium hybridum Hausskn. cv. Tetrelite) was harvested three times and then one crop of oats (Avena sativa L. cv. Garry) was grown and harvested. Plant tissue concentrations of cadmium, lead, and nickel were monitored throughout the experiment.Addition of cadmium to the soil lowered the dry matter yields in all three ryegrass harvests and also reduced the yield of oat grain. The application of lead nitrate to the soil enhanced the yield of ryegrass obtained at the first harvest and also increased the yield of oat grain. Nickel, added to the soil at 50 ppm, was relatively innocuous to ryegrass and oats.The presence of added cadmium, lead, or nickel to the soil resulted in enhanced tissue concentrations of these metals in both ryegrass and oats. This effect was particularly enhanced by a soil pH of 4.5. A single exception to this observation was that lead was not detected, under any of the conditions of this experiment, in oat grain.The presence of lead in the soil enhanced cadmium concentrations in ryegrass tissues. The presence of cadmium in the soil decreased lead tissue concentrations in ryegrass and oat straw. Soil pH interacted with both nickel and lead in the second ryegrass harvest with subsequent changes in tissue cadmium concentrations. At a soil pH of 4.5, the presence of added lead or nickel to the soil significantly increased the ryegrass tissue cadmium concentration beyond that observed at a soil pH of 6.4 with or without enhanced nickel or lead concentrations.     

Accumulation of vanadium, manganese, and nickel in Antarctic tunicates

The vanadium, manganese, and nickel contents of nine species of Antarctic tunicates were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The Antarctic species Distaplia cylindrica contained significantly more vanadium (1,445 ppm dry weight) than the other Antarctic tunicates investigated. Antarctic Ascidia sp. was also shown to accumulate considerable amounts of vanadium (567 ppm). Low levels of bioaccumulated manganese (<50 ppm) and nickel (<15 ppm) were observed in all tunicates examined.     

Influence of phosphate and zinc on growth,nodulation and mineral composition of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under salt stress

Zn²⁺ at 5 ppm and phosphate at 20 and 40 ppm improved the growth and nodulation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at two levels of salinity (4.34 and 8.3 dS m^–1). Augmentation with Zn²⁺ at 5 ppm provided protection to the plant under saline conditions by reducing the Na⁺:K⁺ ratio in the shoot. The shoot nitrogen content with 5 ppm Zn²⁺ and 20 ppm phosphate was equal to that of a non-saline control. No significant effect on nitrogenase activity was observed.     

Effect of nickel(II) chloride on iron content in rat organs after oral administration

The effect of oral administration of nickel(II) chloride on iron content in serum and certain body organs of rats was investigated. The male adult rats were given 300 and 1200 ppm Ni in drinking water for 90 d. The iron content in serum, liver, kidney, lung, spleen, and brain was analyzed 30 and 90 d postexposure. The hemoglobin, hematocrit, and body and organ weights were also measured. Nickel given in drinking water led to a pronounced increase in iron content in serum and the liver, as compared to control rats. This effect was related to Ni concentration in the water. There was not great time-dependent difference in the iron content as a response to continuous nickel treatment, except the lung of 1200-ppm Ni-treated rats. In relation to hematological parameters, Ni supplementation did not affect any of them. Body weight significantly decreased, and lung weight was significantly increased in 1200-ppm Ni-treated rats. The results of this study indicate that nickel ingestion (300 and 1200 ppm in the drinking water) induces the iron uptake by serum and some organs of rats. The highest amount of iron was found in the liver of all exposed animals, and the time-dependent difference in iron content was observed in the lung of 1200-ppm Ni-treated rats.     

Sensitivity of coliphage T1 to nickel in fresh and salt waters

Coliphage T1 was more sensitive than its host bacterium,Escherichia coli B, to nickel (Ni). A 5-h exposure to 100 ppm Ni in nutrient broth did not adversely affect T1, whereas 10 and 20 ppm Ni extended the lag phase of growth ofE. coli B, and no growth occurred with 40 or more ppm Ni. 5 ppm Ni enhanced the survival (after 4 wk) of T1 in sea or simulated estuarine water but was toxic (i.e., reduced viral infectivity) in lake water; 50 ppm Ni was not toxic to T1 in sea water, was moderately toxic in estuarine water, but was highly toxic in lake water; and 100 ppm Ni was toxic in all systems, with the sequence of loss in viral infectivity being lake > estuarine > sea water. 100 ppm Ni was not toxic to T1 in nutrient broth, even after 3 wk of exposure, probably because of the protective effect of the organic compounds in the broth.     

Effects of sodium and magnesium sulfate in drinking water on mallard ducklings

One-day-old mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings were given drinking water for up to 28 days that contained concentrations of sodium and/or magnesium similar to those found in saline wetlands. Growth, tissue development, and biochemical characteristics of these ducklings were compared to those reared on fresh water. Much of the ingested salt was excreted by passage of voluminous fluid excreta. This effect occurred in birds given water with as little as 500 ppm Mg or 1,000 ppm Na. The supraorbital salt gland was active within 4 days in ducklings drinking water containing greater than or equal to 1,500 ppm of Na. Feather growth was decreased in ducklings drinking water with greater than or equal to 1,500 ppm of either Na or Mg. Ducklings drinking water with 3,000 ppm of either ion, or 1,500 ppm of each, grew more slowly than control birds. Ducklings drinking water with 3,000 ppm of either Na or Mg had reduced thymus size and bone breaking strength. Those drinking water with 3,000 ppm of Mg, or 3,100 ppm Na and 1,300 ppm Mg also had less trabecular bone and enlarged adrenals. Birds drinking the latter water had an elevated concentration of Na and calcium, and a decreased concentration of phosphorus and chloride in their serum, and elevated plasma protein levels. Ducklings reared on fresh or slightly saline water adapted very poorly to an abrupt change to more saline water (specific conductivity = 15,250 microns hos/cm) at 14 days of age. These birds stopped eating, became inactive and some died within 3 days; survivors had many tissue and biochemical abnormalities at 20 days of age. The level of salinity in these trials was similar to that in "brackish" or "moderately saline" wetlands and lower than that previously found to have effects on growth and feathering of ducklings. Many of the sublethal effects were subtle and non-specific manifestations of stress, and would be difficult to detect in wild ducklings on saline wetlands.     

Relationship between P and Mn in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Summary Phosphorus and Mn relationship was studied in chickpea at two stages of growth in pot culture using 0, 7.5, 15 and 30 ppm P and 0, 5, 10 and 15 ppm Mn. The dry matter yield increased with P at both stages of growth. Manganese improved the yield only in the first stage. Initial levels of Mn enhanced while higher levels had a depressing effect on tissue P. Addition of 7.5 ppm P enhanced Mn concentration at first stage and at higher levels a marked reduction in Mn content was observed at both the stages.     

Trichothecene mycotoxins produced byFusarium sporotrichioides strain P-11

A highly toxic strain ofFusarium sporotrichioides Sherb. (P-11) isolated from wheat in Poland produced on rice culture up to 11 trichothecenes, which are: T-2 toxin (750 ppm), neosolaniol (300 ppm), HT-2 toxin (75 ppm), acetyl T-2 toxin (35ppm), 3′-hydroxy-T-2 (20ppm), T-2 triol (12.5ppm), 3′-hydroxy-HT-2 (1.2ppm), 4-acetoxy-T-2 tetraol (1.1 ppm), 15-acetoxy-T-2 tetraol (0.65 ppm), 8-acetoxy-T-2 tetraol (0.45 ppm), and T-2 tetraol (0.2 ppm). The presence of most of these trichothecenes, including the 3′-hydroxy-derivatives, in the excreta of animals treated with T-2 toxin indicates the existence of some correlation between T-2 toxin metabolism in animals and microorganisms, respectively.     

Vegetative survival and reproduction under submerged and air-exposed conditions and vegetative survival as affected by salts,pesticides, and metals in aerial green alga<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trentepohlia aurea</Emphasis>

Trentepohlia aurea vegetative cells do not survive submerged conditions for more than 5 months, but can survive air-exposed conditions for more than 1 year. Disintegration and rapid death of algal cells was observed to a higher extent under submerged than air-exposed condition. Under submerged conditionsT. aurea did not form any sporangium while prolific formation occurred under air-exposed conditions. Under submerged conditions algal cells formed few-celled, filamentous, cytoplasmic type setae. Vegetative cells were resistant to some extent to various levels of salt (NaCl, ≤0.8 mol/L), pesticides (DDT, 2,4-D or captan, 2000 ppm) and ‘heavy’ metals (zinc or nickel, 200 ppm; cobalt, ≤100 ppm.)     

Bioleaching and bioprecipitation of nickel and iron from laterites

Abstract: Leaching of silicate ores, particularly nickel laterites, with the aid of heterotrophic organisms has been briefly reviewed. Samples of laterite ores from Greece were characterised mineralogically and a number of microorganisms isolated from them. One of these organisms (code FI) was successfully acclimatized to 6400 ppm nickel. Samples of the high-grade Greek Kastoria nickel laterite were leached with sulphuric acid and a number of organic acids. Sulphuric and citric acids extracted over 60 and 40% of the contained nickel, respectively, but the other acids employed were less efficient leachants. Oxalic acid precipitated nickel oxalate. Roughly the same extraction of iron was observed. The main leaching parameter was confirmed to be hydrogen ion concentration, although complexation with organic anions was a contributor. Organism FI (a strain of Penicillium ) was used in comparison with organisms from various culture collections to bioleach nickel from samples of the low-grade Greek Litharakia nickel laterite. The organisms were cultivated in a mixture of a sugar-based nutrient mineral medium and finely ground ore. Several penicillia and aspergilli leached 55–60% of the contained nickel and cobalt, and 25–35% of the iron when sucrose was the carbon source, but FI was not efficient. However, in molasses medium, Fl extracted nearly 40% of the nickel. Biosorption and bioprecipitation reactions were observed. The mechanism of bioleaching or in situ leaching is discussed in terms of close physical and chemical association between the fungal hyphae and mineral phases in the ore. This accounted for the low overall hydrogen ion concentration observed during bioleaching.     

Influence of lead,cadmium, and nickel on the growth ofMedicago sativa (L.)

Summary Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cv. Iroquois, was grown in the greenhouse in soils amended with additions of either lead, cadmium, or nickel. Metals, at rates varying from 0–250 ppm, were not uniformly mixed but were placed close to the soil surface so as to simulate surface deposition. In one series of experiments the sulphate salt of each metal and two soils were used. In a second series of experiments the nitrate salts and one soil were used. Neither salt of lead significantly depressed alfalfa yields. Both salts of either cadmium or nickel significantly depressed yields. Additions of all metals to the soil resulted in both increased metal uptake and concentrations in alfalfa tissue, particularly for cadmium and nickel. The highest tissue concentrations of cadmium and nickel were associated with plant stunting and necrosis. However, at rates of 125 ppm and less, substantial increases in cadmium and nickel concentrations were obtained frequently without serious yield reductions. Generally, metal concentrations were greatest in the first harvest following metal application. Concentration and uptake of lead and cadmium were greater when the metal was applied to the soil as nitrate than when applied as the sulphate salt.     

Stimulation by nickel of soil microbial urease activity and urease and hydrogenase activities in soybeans grown in a low-nickel soil

Summary The concentration of nickel in some soils may be insufficient to meet the requirements of enzymes such as urease in soybeans and hydrogenase in Rhizobium. In an initial evaluation of nickel availability, several soils were examined for nickel content and microbial urease activity. Total and extractable nickel were determined by atomic emission spectrometry. Purified glucose and urea were added to soils to stimulate microbial growth and urease activity, the latter of which was monitored by the rate of decomposition of¹⁴C urea. Nickel also was added to some samples to determine if the indigenous supply was limiting. In one low-nickel soil (total Ni 13 ppm) urease activity increased 150% in response to additional nickel, while other soils (total Ni 22–3491 ppm) failed to respond to nickel. However, additional nickel did stimulate urease activity (up to 109%) in 3 out of 10 soils to which purified CaCO₃ was added. Presumably the rise in pH associated with this treatment decreased nickel availability. Additions of Co, Mn, Fe, or Cu had no consistent effect on urease activity, thus indicating that the response to Ni was specific. Nickel fertilization increased leaf urease and nodule hydrogenase activity of soybeans grown in low-nickel soil, however, yield was not improved. These results may have practical implications in the nutrition of plants and micro-organisms that metabolize H₂ and urea.     

Ultrastructural changes and diosgenin content in cell suspensions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigonella foenum-graecum</Emphasis> L. by ethylene treatment

This paper studies the effect of different concentrations of ethephon (an ethylene releasing compound) on the level of the steroidal sapogenin diosgenin in cell suspensions of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. The results reveal that diosgenin synthesis and/or accumulation was stimulated by 5 ppm ethephon treatment, an increase of 126% being observed, while concentrations of 25 ppm and 50 ppm reduced the levels of this secondary compound. Changes in the isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase activity, increased cell diameter, decreased cell packing (with all the ethephon concentrations assayed), increased cytoplasmic density (5 ppm ethephon treatment) and alterations in the membrane structures (25 and 50 ppm ethephon treatments) were also observed.     

The effect of nickel on the growth, photosynthesis, and nitrogenase activity of Anabaena inaequalis.

Anabaena inaequalis was sensitive to nickel ion in the order of decreasing sensitivity of growth, photosynthesis, and acetylene reduction. At a culture density of 9 x 10(4) cells per millilitre, growth after 12 days was completely inhibited by 0.125 ppm (microgram/mL) Ni2+. Nickel caused the increase of both the lag phase of growth and the culture doubling time, and caused the retardation phase to be sooner. Photosynthesis and acetylene reduction were completely inhibited by 10 and 20 ppm Ni2+, respectively, at a cell concentration of 1.3 x 10(6) cells per millilitre. Preincubation for 24 h in the presence of nickel ion significantly increased the sensitivity of photosynthesis and acetylene reduction. Under these conditions acetylene reduction was more sensitive than photosynthesis. Nickel ion reduced culture growth by 35% at a level of 0.05 ppm and inhibited that culture's acetylene-reducing ability by 29% while leaving photosynthesis unaffected. Nickel caused some damage to filament apical cells and induced pigment bleaching in aged cultures. Nickel toxicity was proposed to be due to poisoning of intracellular enzyme systems by nickel ions.