Characteristics of solids, BOD5 and VFAs in liquid swine manure treated by short-term low-intensity aeration for long-term storage

A laboratory-scale experiment presents data that reveal the temporal characteristics of solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the aerated liquid swine manure for minimizing odor generation potential during 190-day storage. The performance of 15-day aeration of liquid manure with initial total solids (TS) content from 0.5% to 4.0% was examined at low-intensity aeration rates, i.e., +35 mV oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), 1.0 mg O2/l and 3.0 mg O2/l dissolved oxygen (DO). Odor generation potential was evaluated using VFAs. The aeration process contributed remarkably to the decomposition of TS, total volatile solids (TVS), BOD5 and VFAs. Moreover, the stabilization of manure due to aeration could last up to 190 days. The TS reduction on day 190 ranging from 6.3% to 32.7%, 20.2% to 39.1%, 19.0% to 41.0% were realized under the intensities of +35 mV ORP, 1.0 and 3.0 mg O2/l, respectively. At the same time, the reduction of BOD5 and VFAs reached around 7.8% to 69.5%, 17.2% to 79.9% and 21.9% to 91.1%; 0.4% to 91.0%, 60.4% to 95.0% and 70.4% to 94.1%. The liquid manure with low solids (e.g., TS of 0.5% and 1.0%) offered an advantageous condition for aeration treatment, particularly for biodegradation of BOD5 and VFAs. The odor generation potential could also be evaluated by the levels of solids and BOD5 in the manure. Increasing aeration intensity would significantly diminish the odor generation potential for given levels of solids and/or BOD5. Fifteen-day aeration with intensity of 1.0 mg O2/l may be recommended at farm level for both odor control and energy savings.     

Grain 15N of crops applied with organic and chemical fertilizers in a four-year rotation

Variations in crop grain and soil N isotope composition (δ¹⁵N) in relation to liquid hog manure (δ¹⁵N of total N was +5.1‰), solid cattle manure (+7.9‰) and chemical fertilizer (+0.7‰ for urea and −1.9‰ for ammonium phosphate) applications, and control (no fertilizer application) were examined through a 4-year crop rotation under field conditions. Canola (Brassica napus), hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and canola were grown sequentially from 2000 (year 1) to 2003 (year 4). From year 2, hog manure or chemical fertilizers, but not cattle manure, treatments increased grain N concentrations over the control. Grain δ¹⁵N (+0.3 to +2.5‰) of crops applied with chemical fertilizers was lower than those in the other treatments, reflecting the effects of the N source with a lower δ¹⁵N, while the manure treatments tended to increase grain δ¹⁵N. The higher grain δ¹⁵N of crops applied with hog manure (+5.6 to +8.4‰) than those applied with cattle manure (+2.2 to +4.1‰) reflected the higher N availability of liquid hog manure (up to 70% as NH ₄ ⁺ ) than solid cattle manure (99% organic N) and higher potentials for ammonia volatilization loss in hog manure rather than differences in manure δ¹⁵N signatures. Soil total- and extractable-N concentrations and δ¹⁵N tended to vary with the application of N sources with different N isotope composition and availability. Our study expanded the application of the δ¹⁵N technique for detecting N source (organic vs chemical) effects on N isotopic composition to field conditions and across a 4-year rotation, and revealed that N availability played a greater role than the δ¹⁵N signature of N sources in determining crop δ¹⁵N under the studied conditions. Section Editor: H. Lambers     

生物炭对菜园土壤微生物功能多样性的影响

研究生物炭的施用及其与不同肥料混施对菜园土壤中微生物群落功能多样性的影响,为农业废弃物的合理利用和菜园土优化培肥提供科学依据和理论指导。以清远市连州县代表性菜园土(属肥熟旱耕人为土)为研究对象,通过盆栽试验,利用BIOLOG方法对10个施肥处理(对照CK(0%生物碳+无肥)、T1(0%生物碳+0.1%商品有机肥)、T2(0.1%生物碳+无肥)、T3(0.25%生物碳+无肥)、T4(0.5%生物碳+无肥)、T5(1%生物碳+无肥)、T6(100(N)+30(P_2O_5)+75(K_2O)mg/kg干土)、T7(0.1%生物碳+0.1%商品有机肥)、T8(0.1%生物碳+100(N)+0(P_2O_5)+75(K_2O)mg/kg干土)、T9(0.1%生物碳+100(N)+30(P_2O_5)+75(K_2O)mg/kg干土)、T10(0.1%生物碳+0.1%商品有机肥+100(N)+0(P_2O_5)+75(K_2O)mg/kg干土))的土壤微生物群落功能多样性进行分析。结果表明:(1)T1和T3处理比其它处理显著提高土壤微生物对碳源的利用率(P0.05),但生物炭施用量增加会降低平均颜色变化率(AWCD值);(2)T1处理可以显著提高土壤微生物的群落物种均匀度(Mclntosh指数),而T3处理显著提高土壤微生物的物种丰富度和均匀度(Shannon和Mclntosh指数);(3)T1和T3处理对聚合物类、碳水化合物类、羧酸类、氨基酸类和酚类碳源利用率最高;(4)添加化肥处理中磷肥的施用可以提高土壤微生物活性,增加土壤微生物碳源利用能力,而氮肥和钾肥的添加显著降低了土壤微生物的碳源利用能力;(5)主成分分析表明,T1、T2和T3处理的微生物碳代谢功能群结构相似;单施有机肥或适量生物炭对土壤微生物群落结构的影响较混合施用更为显著;化学磷肥的添加及在施用化肥的基础上配施适量生物炭改变了土壤微生物对碳源种类的利用。     

Evaluation of enrichments of sulfate reducing bacteria from pristine hydrothermal vents sediments as potential inoculum for reducing trichloroethylene

The evaluation of enrichments from pristine hydrothermal vents sediments on its capability of reducing trichloroethylene (TCE) under sulfate reducing conditions with lactate and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as substrates was performed. Effect of the possible TCE biodegradation intermediates cis and trans 1,2 dichloroethenes on sulfate reduction (SR) was also evaluated. The influence of cyanocobalamin (CNB₁₂) and riboflavin (RF) on the SR and biodegradation of TCE was also determined. Sediments from the vents were incubated at 37°C and supplemented with 4 g l⁻¹ SO₄ ²⁻, lactate or VFAs and amended in the corresponding treatments with either CNB₁₂ or RF in separated experiments. A percentage of TCE removal of 86 (150 μmol l⁻¹ initial concentration) was attained coupled to 48% sulfate depletion with lactate as substrate. Up to 93% removal of TCE (300 μmol l⁻¹ initial concentration) and 40% of sulfate was reached for VFAs as electron donor. A combination of lactate and CNB₁₂ yielded the best SR. The overall results suggest a syntrophic association in this microbial community in which sulfate reducers, dehalogenating, and probably halorespiring bacteria may be interacting and taking advantage of the fermentation of substrates differently, but without interruption of SR in spite of the fact that TCE was always present. It was also clear that sulfate reduction must be established in the cultures before any degradation can occur. The microbial community present in these hydrothermal vents sediments could be a new source of inoculum for bioreactors designed for dechlorination purposes.     

Long-Term Effect of Manure and Fertilizer on Soil Organic Carbon Pools in Dryland Farming in Northwest China

An understanding of the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) as affected by farming practices is imperative for maintaining soil productivity and mitigating global warming. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of long-term fertilization on SOC and SOC fractions for the whole soil profile (0–100 cm) in northwest China. The study was initiated in 1979 in Gansu, China and included six treatments: unfertilized control (CK), nitrogen fertilizer (N), nitrogen and phosphorus (P) fertilizers (NP), straw plus N and P fertilizers (NP+S), farmyard manure (FYM), and farmyard manure plus N and P fertilizers (NP+FYM). Results showed that SOC concentration in the 0–20 cm soil layer increased with time except in the CK and N treatments. Long-term fertilization significantly influenced SOC concentrations and storage to 60 cm depth. Below 60 cm, SOC concentrations and storages were statistically not significant between all treatments. The concentration of SOC at different depths in 0–60 cm soil profile was higher under NP+FYM follow by under NP+S, compared to under CK. The SOC storage in 0–60 cm in NP+FYM, NP+S, FYM and NP treatments were increased by 41.3%, 32.9%, 28.1% and 17.9%, respectively, as compared to the CK treatment. Organic manure plus inorganic fertilizer application also increased labile soil organic carbon pools in 0–60 cm depth. The average concentration of particulate organic carbon (POC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in organic manure plus inorganic fertilizer treatments (NP+S and NP+FYM) in 0–60 cm depth were increased by 64.9–91.9%, 42.5–56.9%, and 74.7–99.4%, respectively, over the CK treatment. The POC, MBC and DOC concentrations increased linearly with increasing SOC content. These results indicate that long-term additions of organic manure have the most beneficial effects in building carbon pools among the investigated types of fertilization.     

Feeding Jerusalem artichoke reduced skatole level and changed intestinal microbiota in the gut of entire male pigs

Different levels of dried Jerusalem artichoke were fed to entire male pigs 1 week before slaughter. The objective was to investigate the effect on skatole level in the hindgut and in adipose tissue, as well as the effect on microflora and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the hindgut. Five experimental groups (n = 11) were given different dietary treatments 7 days before slaughtering: negative control (basal diet), positive control (basal diet + 9% chicory-inulin), basal diet + 4.1% Jerusalem artichoke, basal diet + 8.1% Jerusalem artichoke and basal diet + 12.2% Jerusalem artichoke. Samples from colon, rectum, faeces and adipose tissue were collected. Effect of dietary treatment on skatole, indole and androstenone levels in adipose tissue and on skatole, indole, pH, dry matter (DM), microbiota and SCFA in the hindgut was evaluated. Feeding increasing levels of Jerusalem artichoke to entire male pigs reduced skatole in digesta from colon and in faeces (linear, P < 0.01). There was also a tendency towards a decreased level of skatole in adipose tissue (linear, P = 0.06). Feeding Jerusalem artichoke decreased DM content in colon and faeces and pH in colon (linear, P < 0.01). Increasing levels of Jerusalem artichoke resulted in a reduced level of Clostridium perfringens in both colon and rectum (linear, P < 0.05) and a tendency towards decreased levels of enterobacteria in colon (linear, P = 0.05). Further, there was an increase in total amount of SCFA (linear, P < 0.05), acetic acid (linear, P < 0.05) and valerianic acid (linear, P < 0.01) in faeces. In conclusion, adding dried Jerusalem artichoke to diets for entire male pigs 1 week before slaughter resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in skatole levels in the hindgut and adipose tissue. The reduced skatole levels might be related to the decrease in C. perfringens and the increase in SCFA with subsequent reduction in pH.     

Biological Control of Hog Waste Odor through Stimulated Microbial Fe(III) Reduction

Odor control and disposal of swine waste have inhibited expansion of swine production facilities throughout the United States. Swine waste odor is associated primarily with high concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Here, we demonstrate that stimulated Fe(III) reduction in hog manure can rapidly remove the malodorous compounds and enhance methane production by 200%. As part of these studies, we enumerated the indigenous Fe(III)-reducing population in swine waste and identified members of the family Geobacteraceae as the dominant species. These organisms were present at concentrations as high as 2 × 10⁵ cells g⁻¹. Several pure cultures of Fe(III) reducers, including Geobacter metallireducens, Geobacter humireducens, Geobacter sulfurreducens, Geobacter grbiciae, Geothrix fermentans, and Geovibrio ferrireducens, readily degraded some or all of the malodorous VFAs found in swine manure. In contrast, Shewanella algae did not degrade any of these compounds. We isolated an Fe(III) reducer, Geobacter strain NU, from materials collected from primary swine waste lagoons. This organism degraded all of the malodorous VFAs tested and readily grew in swine waste amended with Fe(III). When raw waste amended with Fe(III) was inoculated with strain NU, the VFA content rapidly decreased, corresponding with an almost complete removal of the odor. In contrast, the raw waste without Fe(III) or strain NU showed a marked increase in VFA content and a rapid pH drop. This study showed that Fe(III) supplementation combined with appropriate bioaugmentation provides a simple, cost-effective approach to deodorize and treat swine waste, removing a significant impediment to the expansion of pork production facilities.     

Phytoavailability and Leachability of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soil Treated with Composted Livestock Manure

A study was carried out with maize as the test crop to investigate the bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals (HM) from HM-contaminated soils treated with composted manure. The application of composted manure increased the maize shoot growth by 32.3% and root growth by 30.5% compared with fresh manure. The concentration of HM in maize shoot varied in the order lead (Pb) > nickel (Ni) > zinc (Zn) > chromium (Cr) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). Whether for the shoot or root, the heavy metal concentrations decreased as the length of manure composting increased, but concentrations were higher in the root than the shoot. Composting decreased the bioavailability and leachability of HM and, hence, their export to the environment more effectively than direct use of fresh manure. Thus, the use of composted manure in place of fresh manure in polluted soils would be more beneficial for mitigating HM pollution.     

Effect of the solid content on anaerobic digestion of meat and bone meal

The effect of the solid content on anaerobic digestion of meat and bone meal (MBM) was investigated in batch reactors at MBM solid contents of 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%. There was no significant difference in the specific methane (CH₄) production potential with respect to the total volatile MBM solids (TVS) applied at these solid contents, which ranged from 351 to 381 ml CH₄/g TVS. However, the highest CH₄ yield with respect to the removed volatile MBM solids (RVS) was 482 ml CH₄/g RVS at the MBM solid content of 5%; the CH₄ yields were 384–448 ml CH₄/g RVS at the other MBM solid contents. The lag time of CH₄ production rose with the increase in the solid content. The longer lag time at MBM solid contents of 5% and 10% was due to inhibition caused by high concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and free ammonia in the reactors, but the inhibition was reversible. The production of VFAs during the digestion varied with solid contents: at the solid content of 1%, only acetic acid was detected; at 2%, both acetic and propionic acids were detected; and at 5% and 10%, acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids were detected. After 93-day digestion, the volatile MBM solid reduction was 92%, 91%, 79% and 80% at MBM solid contents of 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%, respectively.     

Integrated effects of organic,inorganic and biological amendments on methane emission,soil quality and rice productivity in irrigated paddy ecosystem of Bangladesh: field study of two consecutive rice growing seasons

Aims

Effects of different soil amendments were investigated on methane (CH₄) emission, soil quality parameters and rice productivity in irrigated paddy field of Bangladesh.

Methods

The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications. The experimental treatments were urea (220 kg ha^?1) + rice straw compost (2 t ha^?1) as a control, urea (170 kg ha^?1) + rice straw compost (2 t ha^?1) + silicate fertilizer, urea (170 kg ha^?1) + sesbania biomass (2 t ha^?1 ) + silicate fertilizer, urea (170 kg ha^?1) + azolla biomass (2 t ha^?1) + cyanobacterial mixture 15 kg ha^?1 silicate fertilizer, urea (170 kg ha^?1) + cattle manure compost (2 t ha^?1) + silicate fertilizer.

Results

The average of two growing seasons CH₄ flux 132 kg ha^?1 was recorded from the conventional urea (220 kg ha^?1) with rice straw compost incorporated field plot followed by 126.7 (4 % reduction), 130.7 (1.5 % reduction), 116 (12 % reduction) and 126 (5 % reduction) kg CH₄ flux ha^?1 respectively, with rice straw compost, sesbania biomass, azolla anabaena and cattle manure compost in combination urea and silicate fertilizer applied plots. Rice grain yield was increased by 15 % and 10 % over the control (4.95 Mg ha^?1) with silicate plus composted cattle manure and silicate plus azolla anabaena, respectively. Soil quality parameters such as soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, soil redox status and cations exchange capacity were improved with the added organic materials and azolla biofertilizer amendments with silicate slag and optimum urea application (170 kg ha^?1) in paddy field.

Conclusion

Integrated application of silicate fertilizer, well composted organic manures and azolla biofertilizer could be an effective strategy to minimize the use of conventional urea fertilizer, reducing CH₄ emissions, improving soil quality parameters and increasing rice productivity in subtropical countries like Bangladesh.     

Effect of faecal soiling on skatole and androstenone occurrence in organic entire male pigs

Production of entire male pigs could be a future strategy for organic pig production. However, production of entire males leads to increased risk of carcasses with elevated boar taint levels. It is hypothesized that skatole levels in pig meat are affected by faecal soiling and that organic housing facilities can increase the risk of pigs being heavily soiled. Therefore, the overall aim of this study was to investigate if increased pig and pen soiling increases skatole concentration in entire male pigs. In five herds, 1174 organic entire male pigs were reared in four batches across two seasons, summer and winter. Measurements of pig and pen soiling, as well as fat skatole and androstenone concentration and human nose sensory tests of fat odour, were performed. Skatole and androstenone concentrations varied greatly within and between herds with a 10% and 90% percentile for the overall population of 0.02 and 2.25 µg/g for skatole and 0.53 and 4.84 µg/g for androstenone. Human nose positive tests averaged 18.3% with great variation between herds and seasons. Pen soiling had significant effects on pig soiling. Moreover, outdoor pen soiling significantly affected skatole concentration in interactions with herd and season (P<0.001 and P=0.003) and affected human nose positive risk in interaction with herd (P=0.005). Soiling on indoor pen areas did not affect skatole levels and no effect on androstenone was found for any pen area. Soiling of pigs affected both skatole and androstenone levels, with the size of the head and abdomen body areas covered in manure showing significant positive effects on skatole concentration. No effect of density of the manure layer was found on either boar taint measure. Herd significantly affected both skatole and androstenone in fat as well as the human nose positive risk. The human nose test revealed no effect from pig soiling. A large variation in the different boar taint measures was found for both high and low scores of pen and pig soiling, and only a small difference in skatole and androstenone concentrations between the high and low soiling categories was found. Therefore, while increasing the hygiene management could be a strategy for reducing boar taint in production of organic entire male pigs, it should be emphasized that other factors would also need to be considered.     

Biochar-Induced Priming Effects in Young and Old Poplar Plantation Soils

The priming effect (PE) induced by biochar provides a basis for evaluating its carbon (C) sequestration potential in soils. A 60 days’ laboratory incubation was conducted, which involved the amendment of biochar (1% of soil mass) produced from rice straw at 300ºC (B300) and 500ºC (B500) to young (Y) and old (O) poplar plantation soils, with the aim of studying the responses of biochar-induced PEs to poplar plantation ages. This incubation included six treatments: Y + CK (control), Y + B300, Y + B500, O + CK, O + B300, and O + B500. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the B300 amended soils, while it was decreased in the B500 amended soils compared to the CK. The primed CO₂ emissions were 2.35 times higher in the Y + B300 than the O + B300 treatments, which was measured to be 18.6 and 5.56 mg C·kg^-1 with relative PEs of 12.4% and 3.35%, respectively. However, there was little difference between the primed CO2 emissions in Y + B500 and O + B500 treatments, which were measured to be -24.9 and -29.6 mg·C·kg^-1 with relative PEs of -16.6% and -17.8%, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was significantly lower in the young poplar plantation soil than that in the old poplar plantation soil regardless of biochar amendment throughout the incubation, indicating greater C-limit of soil microorganisms in the young poplar plantation soil. Using ¹³C isotope tracing, neither B300 nor B500 decreased native soil-derived DOC, which indicated that the negative B500-induced PEs were not due to a reduction in the availability of native soil-derived C. In conclusion, the response of biochar-induced PEs to poplar plantation age depends on biochar types while soil available C indirectly affects biocharinduced PEs. Further studies should focus on how the interactive effects between soil C availability and microbial community impacts biochar-induced PEs.     

Catabolic Pathway for the Production of Skatole and Indoleacetic Acid by the Acetogen Clostridium drakei, Clostridium scatologenes, and Swine Manure

Skatole (3-methylindole) is a malodorous chemical in stored swine manure and is implicated as a component of foul-tasting pork. Definitive evidence for the skatole pathway is lacking. Deuterium-labeled substrates were employed to resolve this pathway in the acetogenic bacterium Clostridium drakei and Clostridium scatologenes and to determine if a similar pathway is used by microorganisms present in stored swine manure. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) was synthesized from tryptophan by both bacteria, and skatole was synthesized from both IAA and tryptophan. Microorganisms in swine manure produced skatole and other oxidation products from tryptophan, but IAA yielded only skatole. A catabolic mechanism for the synthesis of skatole is proposed.     

Photochemistry of heteropoly electrolytes: the 1:12 tungstates

1:12 tungstates are photosensitive in near visible and ultra-violet areas at the oxygen to metal charge transfer bands, in the presence of a great variety of organic reagents. Photosensitivity results in multi- electoral reduction of tungstates with concomitant oxidation of oganic compounds. Photosensitivity follows the order PW₁₂O_4o^3? > SiW₁₂O_4o^4? > FeW₁₂O_4o^5? > H₂W₁₂O_4o^6?, which is the same order with the increasing negative redox potentials. Maximum quantum yield ～ 15% is obtained with high concentrations of organic reagents (1–10 M). The reduced heteropoly compounds (HPC) are eacily re-oxidized by atmospheirc oxygen. They are also capable of reducing hydrogen ions and this limits the extent of photoreduction.     

Acclimation of Photosystem 2 Function of Norway Spruce Induced during First Season under Elevated CO2 in Lamellar Domes

Since July 28^th, 1997 the two experimental mini-stands of young Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] have been grown in lamellar domes at ambient (AC) and elevated concentrations of CO₂ [EC, i.e., ambient + 350 µmol(CO₂) mol^–1]. Before the start of exposure to EC (June 1997) the dependencies of photosystem 2 (PS2) quantum yield (Y) on irradiance, estimating the efficiency of PPFD utilisation in PS2 photochemistry, were the same for AC and EC shoots. After one month of EC simulation (August 1997), Y values were higher for EC needles as compared with the AC ones (by 1–42 %), whereas two months later (October 1997) an opposite effect was observed (decrease of Y by from 1 to 33 %). By chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence induction the effects of EC on PS2 function were further characterised. During the first month a moderate improvement of PS2 function was estimated for EC needles from slightly higher potential yield of PS2 photochemistry (F_V/F_M, by 1 %) and reduced amount of inactive PS2 reaction centres (relative F_p1 level, by 15 %). However, the prolonged exposure to EC led firstly to a slight but significant decrease of F_V/F_M (by 3 %), secondly to a reduction of half time of fluorescence rise (t_1/2, by 14 %), and finally to pronounced accumulation of inactive PS2 reaction centres (by 41 %). From the gradual response of individual Chl a fluorescence parameters we suggest a probable sequence of events determining the stimulation and subsequent depression of PS2 function for Norway spruce during the first season under EC.     

The Synergistic Effects of High Nitrate Concentrations on Sediment Bioreduction

Groundwaters at nuclear sites can be characterized by low pH and high nitrate concentrations (10–100 mM). These conditions are challenging for bioremediation, often inhibiting microbial Fe(III)-reduction which can limit radionuclide migration. Here, sediment microcosms representative of the UK Sellafield site were used to study the influence of variable pH and nitrate concentrations on microbially-mediated TEAP (terminal electron accepting processes) progression. The rate of reduction through the terminal electron accepting cascade NO^? ₃ > NO^? ₂ > Mn(IV)/Fe(III) > SO^2? ₄ at low pH (～5.5) was slower than that in bicarbonate buffered systems (pH ～ 7.0), but in the low pH systems, denitrification and associated pH buffering resulted in conditioning of the sediments for subsequent Fe(III) and sulfate-reduction. Under very high nitrate conditions (100 mM), bicarbonate buffering (pH ～ 7.0) was necessary for TEAP progression beyond denitrification and the reduction of 100 mM nitrate created alkaline conditions (pH 9.5). 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that close relatives of known nitrate reducers Bacillus niacini and Ochrobactrum grignonense dominated the microbial communities in this reduced sediment. In Fe(III)-reducing enrichment cultures from the 100 mM nitrate system, close relatives of the Fe(III)-reducing species Alkaliphilus crotonatoxidans and Serratia liquifaciens were observed. These results highlight that under certain conditions and contrary to expectations, denitrification may support bioreduction via pH conditioning for optimal metal reduction and radionuclide immobilization.     

稻田土壤氧化态有机碳组分变化及其与甲烷排放的关联性

稻田土壤有机碳是甲烷排放的关键底物之一,不同研究者由于采取的有机碳研究方法不同而得出稻田甲烷排放与土壤有机碳关系的结论不一.为明确影响稻田甲烷排放的土壤有机碳组分,设计了稻田施用不同外源有机碳(稻草还田、鸡粪和猪粪)的田间试验,对稻田甲烷排放和土壤有机碳组分的动态变化及其关联性进行监测和分析.结果表明,猪粪处理的甲烷排放与化肥处理无显著差异,而鸡粪和稻草2个处理的甲烷排放分别比化肥增加1.67倍(P＜0.05),2.69倍(P＜0.05);甲烷排放量与土壤易氧化有机碳含量显示相同顺序:稻草＞鸡粪＞猪粪＞化肥;通径分析表明,土壤易氧化有机碳组分1(被33 mmol/L KMnO4氧化的有机碳)与甲烷排放直接相关,其他有机碳组分仅通过组分1间接作用于水稻生育后期甲烷排放,且排放量较低.由此推断,易氧化有机碳组分1是甲烷排放的主要底物,通过有效措施降低肥源中易氧化态有机碳组分1是减排甲烷的关键技术之一.     

Co-Composting of Soil Heavily Contaminated with Creosote with Cattle Manure and Vegetable Waste for the Bioremediation of Creosote–Contaminated Soil

Mispah form (FAO: Lithosol) soil contaminated with >380 000 mg kg^?1 creosote was co-composted with cattle manure and mixed vegetable waste for 19 months. The soil was mixed with wood chips to improve aeration and then mixed with cattle manure or mixed vegetable waste in a ratio of 4:1. Moisture, temperature, pH, ash content, C:N ratios, and the concentrations of creosote in the compost systems were monitored monthly. The concentrations of selected hydrocarbons in the compost systems were determined at the end of composting. Temperature rose to about 45°C in the cattle manure compost within two months of incubation while temperature in the control and vegetable waste remained below 30°C until the fourth month. Creosote concentration was reduced by 17% in the control and by more than 99% in the cattle manure and vegetable waste compost after composting. The rate of reduction in concentration in the mixed vegetable waste compost was initially lower than in the cattle manure compost. The reduction rate became similar in later months with only small differences towards the end of the composting. The concentrations of selected creosote components were reduced by between 96% and 100% after composting. There was no significant difference in reduction in concentration in both compost systems at p 0.05. Microbial activity correlated with reduction in creosote concentration.     

Minimally managed composting of beef manure at the pilot scale: Effect of manure pile construction on pile temperature profiles and on the fate of oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline

Oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) are broad-spectrum antibiotics used in livestock production. Although laboratory-scale studies have shown that extractable concentrations of these compounds decrease over time within treated and untreated manures and soils, there is relatively little information from farm-scale experiments. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of management on manure pile temperature profiles and on the fate of OTC and CTC in manure from therapeutically treated calves. Four treatments were designed to span a range of management options – from simply piling up the manure to amending it with straw to increase aeration and adding insulating layers of straw. Replicate samples of antibiotic-containing calf manure were held at ambient temperature or placed in three locations within replicate 3 m³ piles of beef manure. During the 28-day incubation period, concentrations of buffer-extractable OTC and CTC/ECTC (the summed concentrations of CTC and its epimer 4-epi-chlortetracycline (ECTC)) in manure samples incubated at ambient temperature (11–24 °C) decreased 75% (from 18 to 4.6 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight (DW)) and 90% (from 192 to 16 mg kg⁻¹ DW), respectively. Concentrations of the CTC metabolite iso-chlortetracycline (ICTC) decreased 90% (from 37 to 3 mg kg⁻¹ DW). OTC and CTC/ECTC concentrations in samples incubated for 28 days within a non-amended manure pile decreased 91% and >99%, respectively. During that period, the manure pile temperature ranged from 36 °C to 45 °C. Manure piles insulated with a blanket of straw and/or amended with straw (3:1, v/v) attained temperatures up to 70 °C and contained very low levels of OTC, CTC/ECTC, and ICTC (ranging from <0.1 to 0.4 mg kg⁻¹ DW) after 28 days.     

Biological control of hog waste odor through stimulated microbial Fe(III) reduction

Odor control and disposal of swine waste have inhibited expansion of swine production facilities throughout the United States. Swine waste odor is associated primarily with high concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Here, we demonstrate that stimulated Fe(III) reduction in hog manure can rapidly remove the malodorous compounds and enhance methane production by 200%. As part of these studies, we enumerated the indigenous Fe(III)-reducing population in swine waste and identified members of the family Geobacteraceae as the dominant species. These organisms were present at concentrations as high as 2 x 10(5) cells g(-1). Several pure cultures of Fe(III) reducers, including Geobacter metallireducens, Geobacter humireducens, Geobacter sulfurreducens, Geobacter grbiciae, Geothrix fermentans, and Geovibrio ferrireducens, readily degraded some or all of the malodorous VFAs found in swine manure. In contrast, Shewanella algae did not degrade any of these compounds. We isolated an Fe(III) reducer, Geobacter strain NU, from materials collected from primary swine waste lagoons. This organism degraded all of the malodorous VFAs tested and readily grew in swine waste amended with Fe(III). When raw waste amended with Fe(III) was inoculated with strain NU, the VFA content rapidly decreased, corresponding with an almost complete removal of the odor. In contrast, the raw waste without Fe(III) or strain NU showed a marked increase in VFA content and a rapid pH drop. This study showed that Fe(III) supplementation combined with appropriate bioaugmentation provides a simple, cost-effective approach to deodorize and treat swine waste, removing a significant impediment to the expansion of pork production facilities.