Recovery of dairy manure nutrients by benthic freshwater algae

Harnessing solar energy to grow algal biomass on wastewater nutrients could provide a holistic solution to nutrient management problems on dairy farms. The production of algae from a portion of manure nutrients to replace high-protein feed supplements which are often imported (along with considerable nutrients) onto the farm could potentially link consumption and supply of on-farm nutrients. The objective of this research was to assess the ability of benthic freshwater algae to recover nutrients from dairy manure and to evaluate nutrient uptake rates and dry matter/crude protein yields in comparison to a conventional cropping system. Benthic algae growth chambers were operated in semi-batch mode by continuously recycling wastewater and adding manure inputs daily. Using total nitrogen (TN) loading rates of 0.64-1.03 g m(-2) d(-1), the dried algal yields were 5.3-5.5 g m(-2) d(-1). The dried algae contained 1.5-2.1% P and 4.9-7.1% N. At a TN loading rate of 1.03 g m(-2) d(-1), algal biomass contained 7.1% N compared to only 4.9% N at a TN loading rate of 0.64 g m(-2) d(-1). In the best case, algal biomass had a crude protein content of 44%, compared to a typical corn silage protein content of 7%. At a dry matter yield of 5.5 g m(-2) d(-1), this is equivalent to an annual N uptake rate of 1,430 kg ha(-1) yr(-1). Compared to a conventional corn/rye rotation, such benthic algae production rates would require 26% of the land area requirements for equivalent N uptake rates and 23% of the land area requirements on a P uptake basis. Combining conventional cropping systems with an algal treatment system could facilitate more efficient crop production and farm nutrient management, allowing dairy operations to be environmentally sustainable on fewer acres.     

乌梁素海野生芦苇群落生物量及影响因子分析

 对内蒙古乌梁素海湿地野生芦苇(Phragmites australis)生物量的调查基础上,探讨了富营养化湖泊湿地水体的物理化学性质对芦苇生物量的影响。结果表明：1）由于环境因子的影响,芦苇群落生物量变化较大,介于1.73～3.00 kg·m-2之间;地下和地上生物量之比介于1.14～2.19之间;2）芦苇群落生物量受多种因素的影响,其中水深是最主要的限制因子,水上生物量和地上生物量随着水深的增加而增加,而地下与地上生物量的比值则随水深的增加而减少,这主要是由于水深改变了芦苇群落的结构（群落密度）和个体形态(株高和株茎);3）芦苇群落生物量随着水体N浓度增加而增加。芦苇各器官（叶、茎、根状茎和根）的N∶P为7.59～12.21,小于14,这也说明该水体中的N负荷是影响芦苇生长的主要限制因子;4）土壤有机质分解对芦苇生长没有产生毒害作用。     

Biomass Yield and Nutrient Removal Rates of Perennial Grasses under Nitrogen Fertilization

Perennial grasses may provide a renewable source of biomass for energy production. Biomass yield, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient removal rates of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Shrad.) Nees], kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.), and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) were evaluated at four N fertilizer rates (0, 56, 112, or 168?kg?N?ha^?1) on a Minco fine sandy loam soil in southern Oklahoma. Species were established in 2008 and harvested for biomass in winter of 2009 and 2010. Biomass yield (dry matter basis) did not show a strong relationship with N fertilizer rate (p?=?0.08), but was affected by year and species interactions (p?<?0.01). Weeping lovegrass and kleingrass produced 29.0 and 16.0?Mg?ha^?1 in 2009, but only 13.0?Mg?ha^?1 and 9.8?Mg?ha^?1 in 2010, respectively. Biomass yields of giant reed, switchgrass, and Johnsongrass averaged 23.3, 17.8, and 6.0?Mg?ha^?1, respectively. Giant miscanthus established poorly, producing only 4.7?Mg?ha^?1. Across years, giant reed had the highest biomass yield, 33.2?Mg?ha^?1 at 168?kg?N?ha^?1, and the highest nutrient concentrations and removal rates (162 to 228?kg?N?ha^?1, 23 to 25?kg?P?ha^?1, and 121 to 149?kg?K?ha^?1) among the grasses. Although giant reed demonstrated tremendous biomass production, its higher nutrient removal rates indicate a potential for increased fertilization requirements over time. Switchgrass had consistently high biomass yields and relatively low nutrient removal rates (40 to 75?kg?N?ha^?1, 5 to 12?kg?P?ha^?1, and 44 to 110?kg?K?ha^?1) across years, demonstrating its merits as a low-input bioenergy crop.     

Bioethanol production from dedicated energy crops and residues in Arkansas, USA

Globally, one of the major technologic goals is to achieve cost-effective lignocellulosic ethanol production from biomass feedstocks. Lignocellulosic biomass of four dedicated energy crops [giant reed (Arundo donax L.), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach), Miscanthus × giganteus (Illinois clone), and (clone Q42641) {hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. and Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim)}, Hack. called giant miscanthus, and sugarcane clone US 84-1028 (Saccharum L. spp. hybrid)] and residues from two crops [soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) litter and rice (Oryza sativa L.) husk] were tested for bioethanol production using cellulose solvent-based lignocellulose fractionation (CSLF) pretreatment and enzymatic (cellulase) hydrolysis. Giant miscanthus (Illinois), giant reed, giant miscanthus (Q42641), elephantgrass, and sugarcane all yielded higher amount of glucose on a biomass dry weight basis (0.290-0.331 g/g), than did rice husk (0.181 g/g) and soybean litter (0.186 g/g). To reduce the capital investment for energy consumption in fermentation, we used a self-flocculating yeast strain (SPSC01) to ferment the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates. Bioethanol production was ～0.1 g/g in dedicated energy crops and less in two crop residues. These methods and data can help to develop a cost-effective downstream process for bioethanol production.     

Rotating algal biofilm reactor and spool harvester for wastewater treatment with biofuels by-products

Maximizing algae production in a wastewater treatment process can aid in the reduction of soluble nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the wastewater. If harvested, the algae-based biomass offers the added benefit as feedstock for the production of biofuels and bioproducts. However, difficulties in harvesting, concentrating, and dewatering the algae-based biomass have limited the development of an economically feasible treatment and production process. When algae-based biomass is grown as a surface attached biofilm as opposed to a suspended culture, the biomass is naturally concentrated and more easily harvested. This can lead to less expensive removal of the biomass from wastewater, and less expensive downstream processing in the production of biofuels and bioproducts. In this study, a novel rotating algal biofilm reactor (RABR) was designed, built, and tested at bench (8 L), medium (535 L), and pilot (8,000 L) scales. The RABR was designed to operate in the photoautotrophic conditions of open tertiary wastewater treatment, producing mixed culture biofilms made up of algae and bacteria. Growth substrata were evaluated for attachment and biofilm formation, and an effective substratum was discovered. The RABR achieved effective nutrient reduction, with average removal rates of 2.1 and 14.1 g m(-2) day(-1) for total dissolved phosphorus and total dissolved nitrogen, respectively. Biomass production ranged from 5.5 g m(-2) day(-1) at bench scale to as high as 31 g m(-2) day(-1) at pilot scale. An efficient spool harvesting technique was also developed at bench and medium scales to obtain a concentrated product (12-16% solids) suitable for further processing in the production of biofuels and bioproducts.     

不同坡位对琉球松人工林凋落物及其养分归还量的影响

对日本冲绳岛北部不同坡位的琉球松人工林凋落物量及其养分归还量进行了为期3年的观测研究,结果表明,琉球松成林年凋落物量为6．54～8．05Mg·hm^-2·年^-1,其凋落高峰出现在6、7月份．台风干扰对年凋落物量及其季节动态影响显著．凋落物不同组分的养分含量差异明显．年均养分归还总量为113．4～154．6kg·hm^-2·年^-1,其中氮素归还量最大,占42．2％;各养分归还量的大小依次为N>Ca>K>Mg>Na>P．两调查林分由于立地条件的显著差异,年均凋落物量及其相应的养分归还量亦存在明显差异．在立地条件较好的下坡,林分P1的年均凋落物量达8．05Mg·hm^-2·年^-1,高于立地条件相对较差的上坡的林分P2的23．1％;其相应的年养分归还量为：N66、04,P1.63,K17．42,Ca48.31,Mg14.65和N。6、57kg·hm^-2·年^-1,分别高于林分P2的39.7％、48.8％、39．4％、32.9％、24.8％和49.3％．两林分凋落物的养分利用效率分别是N为122和138,P为4934和5945,K为462和523,林分P1明显低于林分P2,这与林分P2的立地条件较差相关．可见,所调查的琉球松林是一种高效的养分利用系统。     

Seasonal Dynamics of Aboveground and Belowground Biomass and Nutrient Accumulation and Remobilization in Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.): A Three-Year Study on Marginal Land

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is a perennial rhizomatous grass that shows promise as a bioenergy crop in the Mediterranean environment. The species has spread throughout the world, catalyzed by human activity, though also as a result of its intrinsic robustness, adaptability, and versatility. Giant reed is able to thrive across a wide range of soil types and is tolerant to drought, salinity, and flooding. This tolerance to environmental stresses is significant and could mean that growing energy crops on marginal land is one possible strategy for reducing competition for land with food production and for improving soil quality. We devised an experiment in which we cultivated giant reed in a sandy loam soil with low nutrient availability. Our goal was to evaluate the dynamics of aboveground and belowground biomass and assess the nutrient dynamics of this grass species, focusing particularly on nutrient accumulation and remobilization. The species demonstrated good productivity potential: In the third year, aboveground dry biomass yield reached around 20 t?ha^?1, with a corresponding rhizome dry biomass yield of 16 t?ha^?1. Results for this species were characterized by low nutrient contents in the aboveground biomass at the end of the growing season, and its rhizome proved able to support growth over the spring period and to store nutrients in the autumn. Nevertheless, the adaptability of giant reed to marginal land and the role of its belowground biomass should be investigated over the long-term, and any further research should focus on its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain soil fertility.     

一种新发现的铜积累植物——密毛蕨

对铜尾矿上生长的密毛蕨(Petridium revolutum)进行了野外调查分析和温室营养液砂培实验.结果表明,密毛蕨所生长的废铜矿土壤中Cu含量平均为2 432 mg·kg^-1 DW,最高达7 554 mg·kg^-1 DW;地上部生物量平均为18.33 g·plant^-1 DW,最高达40.05 g·plant^-1 DW;地上部Cu含量平均为201 mg·kg^-1 DW,最高达567 mg·kg^-1 DW;地下部Cu含量平均为346 mg·kg^-1 DW,最高达1 723 mg kg^-1 DW;密毛蕨对Cu的转移系数平均为0.81,最高达3.88.在营养液砂培的条件下,Cu 7 mg·L^-1处理没有抑制密毛蕨地上部的生长;密毛蕨体内的Cu含量随着介质中Cu浓度的增加而显著增加,但是大部分的Cu积累在地下部.密毛蕨对Cu具有较强的忍耐和较高的积累能力,可作为修复Cu污染土壤的新材料.     

辽东山区落叶松人工林地上生物量和养分元素分配格局

落叶松是我国北方最主要的人工用材林树种,由于人工林树种单一、结构简单等原因,导致土壤养分循环出现失衡.研究落叶松生物量和养分元素分配规律,可以为落叶松人工林的合理经营和养分循环研究提供科学参考.本文以辽东山区19年生二代落叶松人工林(胸径12.8 cm,树高15.3 m,密度2308株·hm^-2)为对象,研究其地上各器官(干、枝、皮、叶)生物量、碳和养分元素含量(N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn)的积累规律和分配格局.结果表明：单株落叶松生物量为70.26 kg,林分水平落叶松生物量为162.16 t·hm^-2,各器官生物量差异显著,排序为：树干>树枝>树皮>树叶;单株落叶松养分积累量为749.94 g,林分水平落叶松养分积累量为1730.86 kg·hm^-2,其中,大量元素和微量元素的养分积累量均为树干显著高于树枝、树皮和树叶.全叶期每砍伐一棵落叶松(19年生),平均从系统中带出749.94 g养分元素;如果将树皮、树枝、树叶留在林地仅仅带走树干,带出的养分元素可减少40.7%.
     

福建东山滨海沙地木麻黄林生态系统的能量特征

对福建东山县海岸带红壤性风积沙土与均一性风积沙土木麻黄群落的生物量、生产力、各组分干重热值、去灰分热值及能量分布与结构特征进行了研究.结果表明,红壤性风积沙土木麻黄群落的现存生物量和能量分别为1 681.84 g·m^-2和317 79.31 kJ·m^-2;均一性风积沙土木麻黄群落现存生物量和能量分别为 129.87 g^-1·m^-2和10 71.0kJ·m^-2;红壤性风积沙土的木麻黄群落各组分热值范围为19.84～21.70 kJ·g^-1,各组分能量在群落中所占比例为:干(38.09%)＞枝(19.48%)＞根(17.09%)＞叶(16.86%)＞皮(6.83%)＞枯枝(0.88%)＞果(0.77%),凋落物能量归还量为9 070.47 kJ·m^-2·yr^-1,群落能量的净固定量为31 298.70kJ·m^-2·yr^-1;均一性风积沙土木麻黄群落各组分热值在19.98～21.39kJ·g^-1,其中枯枝热值最高,根最低;各组分能量在群落中所占比例为:干(46.93%)＞根(16.44%)＞枝(13.92%)＞枯枝(12.28%)＞皮(5.87%)＞叶(3.90%)＞果(0.66%),凋落物能量归还量为2 061.77 kJ·m^-2·yr^-1,群落能量净固定量为12 662.82 kJ·m^-2·yr^-1.红壤性风积沙土上的木麻黄群落现存生物量和能量现存量均要高于均一性风积沙土,原因是红壤性风积沙土的沙土层薄(＜20 cm),土壤保水肥的能力要强于沙土层厚(＞100 em)的均一性风积沙土.     

An investigation of a fertilizer-tap water medium for mass algal production in outdoor plastic-enclosed systems

The feasibility of using two fertilizers (urea plus superphosphate) in tap water as a medium for the mass culture of green algae (Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus) in outdoor plastic-enclosed minipond systems was investigated. Experiments in which the basic fertilizer-tap water medium was enriched with micro- and/or macronutrients revealed no nutrient deficiency symptoms in the algal biomass produced. Biomass production was found to be quantitatively related to the concentration of fertilizer added and maximal production (> 15 g/m(2) day) was achieved following the addition of 30 mg N/L (1.89 g N/m(2) day) and 4.5 mg P/L (0.28 g P/m(2)/day).     

Treatment of dairy manure effluent using freshwater algae: algal productivity and recovery of manure nutrients using pilot-scale algal turf scrubbers

Cultivating algae on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in animal manure effluents presents an alternative to the current practice of land application. The objective of this study was to determine values for productivity, nutrient content, and nutrient recovery using filamentous green algae grown in outdoor raceways at different loading rates of raw and anaerobically digested dairy manure effluent. Algal turf scrubber raceways (30m(2) each) were operated in central Maryland for approximately 270 days each year (roughly April 1-December 31) from 2003 to 2006. Algal biomass was harvested every 4-12 days from the raceways after daily additions of manure effluent corresponding to loading rates of 0.3 to 2.5g total N (TN) and 0.08 to 0.42g total P (TP) m(-2)d(-1). Mean algal productivity values increased from approximately 2.5g DW m(-2)d(-1) at the lowest loading rate (0.3g TN m(-2)d(-1)) to 25g DW m(-2)d(-1) at the highest loading rate (2.5g TN m(-2)d(-1)). Mean N and P contents in the dried biomass increased 1.5-2.0-fold with increasing loading rate up to maximums of 7% N and 1% P (dry weight basis). Although variable, algal N and P accounted for roughly 70-90% of input N and P at loading rates below 1g TN, 0.15g TP m(-2)d(-1). N and P recovery rates decreased to 50-80% at higher loading rates. There were no significant differences in algal productivity, algal N and P content, or N and P recovery values from raceways with carbon dioxide supplementation compared to values from raceways without added carbon dioxide. Projected annual operational costs are very high on a per animal basis ($780 per cow). However, within the context of reducing nutrient inputs in sensitive watersheds such as the Chesapeake Bay, projected operational costs of $11 per kgN are well below the costs cited for upgrading existing water treatment plants.     

Control of methanol vapours in a biotrickling filter: performance analysis and experimental determination of partition coefficient

Methanol vapours were treated in a biotrickling filter (BTF) packed with inert polypropylene spheres. The effects of the nitrogen concentration in the nutrient solution, the empty bed residence time (EBRT) and the methanol inlet concentration, on the BTF performance, were all examined. The elimination capacity (EC), the biomass and the carbon dioxide production rates were all increased with the rising of the nitrogen concentration and the EBRT. The EC also rose with increasing methanol inlet load (IL) when the methanol inlet concentration and the EBRT were varied, from 0.3 to 37.0 g m(-3), and from 20 to 65 s, respectively. The BTF reached its maximum EC level of 2160 g m(-3) h(-1) when it was operated at an IL level of 3700 g m(-3) h(-1). The input methanol was removed through two mechanisms: biodegradation and absorption in the liquid phase. The partition coefficient for the methanol in the BTF was determined at five EBRTs and along the packed bed. It generally followed the Henry model, having an average value of 2.64 x 10(-4)[mol L(-1)](gas)/[mol L(-1)](liquid).     

Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by Eucalyptus and Populus at a tertiary treated municipal wastewater sprayfield

Various progenies of Eucalyptus grandis and E. amplifolia, and clones of Populus deltoides, were evaluated for plant removal of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for 26 months at a municipal waste spray field in north Florida. Tertiary treated wastewater containing 2.73 mg L(-1) nitrate N and 0.30 mg L(-1) total P was applied using sprinkler irrigation (93.8 m3 ha(-1) d(-1)) to fast growing trees utilized for bioenergy. Eucalyptus amplifolia and E. grandis survived and grew very poorly as the result of severe winter injury in two successive years and were not evaluated for nutrient removal. Survival and growth of P. deltoides demonstrated suitability for phytoremediation, and selected clones were evaluated for biomass and nutrient content. Removals of total N (TN) and total P (TP) were greatest for main stem (36% and 44%, respectively) and foliage (44% and 36%, respectively). Low biomass producing clones generally had higher nutrient concentrations, but high biomass producing clones removed more TN and TP. Approximately 789 kg ha(-1) TN and 103 kg ha(-1) TP were removed by the highest biomass producing P. deltoides clone, representing 215% of N and 615% of P inputs.     

The temperature-determined growing season of a submerged hydrophyte

SUMMARY. Temperature determines the growing season of Utricularia purpurea , a common rootless, carnivorous plant at depths of 0–6.5 m in a dimictic oligotrophic lake (Mirror Lake, New Hampshire, U.S.A.). The dynamics of thermal stratification limit the growing season to 8 weeks at a depth of 6 m compared to 17 weeks at 2 m. Light may limit growth at 6 m during the short growing season, but is not limiting in midsummer at 2 m or 4 m. Plants of equivalent size produce 60–75% less biomass annually at 6 m than at 2 or 4 m. The seasonally maximal biomass (in mid-August) is equivalent to the annual net production as calculated from periodic inventories of new, old and senescent tissue (thus P/B = 1.0). Uptake of nutrient elements (N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, K) is synchronous with biomass production. Nutrients do not become enriched in the overwintering tissue (52% of the maximum biomass). This species is unusually rich in Zn (1000 μg g dry wt⁻¹), relatively rich in N (2.9% dry wt). but quite poor in P (0.084%).     

密云水库水源保护区板栗林主要养分元素生物循环研究

对密云水库北京集水区板栗林主要养分元素循环进行了研究。结果表明,22年生板栗林的生物量为38638kg·hm^-2;板栗林5种主要养分元素N、P、K、Ca、Mg贮存量为315．38kg·hm^-2,各器官中5种元素贮存量大小排序是干>枝>根>叶>花>果苞>果。板栗林生态系统乔木层每年从土壤中吸收的5种养分元素量为79．17kg·hm^-2,吸收量占0～30cm土层5种养分元素总量的0．15％,占0～30cm土层中5种元素有效养分量的1．95％。年吸收量中存留量为11．25kg·hm^-2,枯落物归还量为58．08kg·hm^-2。雨水及雨水淋溶输入到板栗林生态系统的养分元素量为38．63kg·hm^-2,果实输出量为9．84kg·hm^-2。雨水和雨水淋溶量与枯落物归还量之和大于吸收量,表明研究期间板栗林生态系统养分元素的收入略大于支出,5种元素的吸收系数排序为N>P>K>Ca>Mg,利用系数排序为K>N>Mg>P>Ca。循环系数排序为K>N>P>Mg>Ca。周转期排序是Ca>P>Mg>N>K。     

风车草和香根草在人工湿地中迁移养分能力的比较研究

为研究风车草（Cyperus alternifolius）和香根草（Vetiveria zizanioides）迁移养分的能力,建立17.0 m²风车草潜流式人工湿地和13.3 m²香根草潜流式人工湿地处理猪场废水,在四个季节末测定植物生物量和组织氮、磷、铜、锌含量.结果表明,香根草地下部生物量大于风车草,地上部生物量则是风车草大于香根草.风车草年地上部收获量为3406.47 g·m^-2,比香根草的1483.88 g·m^-2高2.3倍;风车草的氮含量为22.69 mg·g^-1,比香根草的15.44 mg·g^-1高7.25 mg·g^-1;风车草的磷含量为6.09 mg·g^-1,比香根草的5.47 mg·g^-1高0.62 mg·g^-1.植株含铜、锌量风车草略比香根草高.风车草每年迁移N 68.72 g·m^-2和P 18.49 g·m^-2,香根草迁移N 8.93 g·m^-2和P 3.69 g·m^-2.风车草人工湿地每年由植物迁移的氮、磷、铜、锌比香根草高4～7倍.     

Evapotranspiration,crop coefficient and water use efficiency of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.) in a Mediterranean environment.

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.) are two perennial rhizomatous grasses (PRGs), considered as promising sources of lignocellulosic biomass for renewable energy production. Although the agronomic performance of these species has been addressed by several studies, the literature dedicated to the crop water use of giant reed and miscanthus is still limited. Our objective was thus to investigate giant reed and miscanthus water use by assessing crop evapotranspiration (ET_c), crop coefficients (K_c) and water use efficiency (WUE). The study was carried out in central Italy and specifically designed water-balance lysimeters were used to investigate the water use of these PRGs during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Giant reed showed the highest cumulative evapotranspiration, with an average consumption of approximately 1100 mm, nearly 20% higher than miscanthus (900 mm). Crop evapotranspiration rates differed significantly between the species, particularly during the midseason (from June to September), when average daily ET_c was 7.4 and 6.2 mm in giant reed and miscanthus respectively. The K_c values determined in our study varied from 0.4 to 1.9 for giant reed and 0.3 to 1.6 for miscanthus. Finally, WUE was higher in miscanthus than in giant reed, with average values of 4.2 and 3.1 g L⁻¹ respectively. Further studies concerning water use under nonoptimal water conditions should be carried out and an assessment of the response to water stress of both crops is necessary to integrate the findings from this study.     

Colossal aggregations of giant alien freshwater fish as a potential biogeochemical hotspot

The ubiquity and fascinating nature of animal aggregations are widely recognised. We report here consistent and previously undocumented occurences of aggregations of a giant alien freshwater fish, the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis). Aggregative groups were on average composed of 25 (± 10 SD, ranging from 15 to 44) adults with estimated average total biomass of 651 kg (386 - 1132) and biomass density of 23 kg m(-2) (14 - 40). Aggregations always occurred within the same location. No foraging, reproductive or anti-predator behaviour were observed during the aggregations. A mass-balance model estimated that these colossal aggregations of an alien species can locally release, through excretion only, up to 70 mg P m(-2) h(-1) and 400 mg N m(-2) h(-1), potentially representing the highest biogeochemical hotspots reported in freshwater ecosystems and another unexpected ecological effect of alien species.     

Restoring Soil Ecosystems and Biomass Production of Arundo donax L. under Microbial Communities-Depleted Soil

In recent years, giant reed (Arundo donax L) has received considerable attention as a promising plant for energy production. Giant reed is able to grow in a range of environments, including wetlands and marginal soils, and has shown promise in phytoremediation efforts. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the ability of giant reed to restore ecosystems of different soils, including bauxite-derived red mud-amended soil and pure red mud (red mud—a waste generated by the Bayer process in the aluminum industry—is strongly alkaline and has a high salt content and electrical conductivity (EC) dominated by sodium). Samples were exposed to high temperatures, which simulate the effects of bushfires. Selected soil properties that were measured included soil dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, urease and catalase activities, soil organic carbon, soil pH, EC, available soil macronutrients NPK, and above- and below-ground plant biomass yield. The results showed that giant reed reduced EC in all autoclaved soils and red mud-contaminated soils by 24–82 %. Significantly, available N was increased, and a slight increase was recorded for available K. The presence of giant reed enhanced the soils’ enzyme activities to recover in all tested autoclaved soils and red mud-contaminated soils; specifically, dehydrogenase activity increased by 262 and 705 % in non-autoclaved and autoclaved soils, respectively, and urease and catalase activities increased by 591 and 385 % in autoclaved soils, respectively. Total bacterial and fungal counts were higher in autoclaved soils than non-autoclaved soils after cultivating giant reed for 12 weeks. Autoclaved soils enabled higher biomass production for giant reed than non-autoclaved soils. These results demonstrate that giant reed is not only able to survive on soil that has lost its microbial community as a result of heat, but can also yield significant amounts of biomass while assisting recovering soil ecosystems after bushfires.