Feasibility of using constructed wetland treatment for molasses wastewater treatment

The surface flow constructed wetland (SFCW) with Cyperus involucratus, Typha augustifolia and Thalia dealbata J. Fraser was applied to treat anaerobic treated-molasses wastewater (An-MWW) under the organic loading rates (OLRs) of 612, 696, 806, 929 and 1,213 kg BOD(5)ha(-1)day(-1). The results showed that both removal efficiency and plant growth rate were increased with the decrease of organic loading rate (OLR). All tested-plant species could not grow under OLR of higher than 696 kg BOD(5)mg l(-1) (p>0.05). Also, the plant-biomass of the systems was reduced by 10.4%, 26.5%, and 64.7% of initial plant-biomass under the OLR of 806, 929 and 1,213 kg BOD(5)ha(-1)day(-1), respectively. However, all tested-plant species showed the same pattern on the plant-biomass production yield and removal efficiency. The highest SS, BOD, COD, total phosphorus, NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-) and molasses pigments (MP) removal efficiencies of 90-93%, 88-89%, 67%, 70-76%, 77-82%, 94-95% and 72-77%, respectively were detected under the OLR of 612 kg BOD(5)ha(-1)day.     

An off-line filtering ditch–pond system for diffuse pollution control at Wuhan City Zoo

An off-line filtering ditch–pond system was designed and constructed to control the small point and runoff pollution at the Wuhan City Zoo, Hubei Province, China. The quantity and quality of wastewater discharge and runoff from 16 rainfall events were measured to test the effectiveness of the off-line treatment train. The results showed that the water quality was improved and high retention rates for water and pollutants were also achieved by the off-line treatment train. In the outflows, the event mean concentrations (EMCs) of TSS, COD, TN, TDN, TP and TDP were reduced by 75%, 50%, 50%, 57%, 74% and 80% compared to the inflows. In 2005, the annual inflow volume in the catchment was 6783 m³ and the water retention rate was 80.1%. The retention rates in the annual loads of TSS, COD, TN and TP came to 86.4%, 85.5%, 83.9% and 82.9%, respectively. Therefore, the off-line filtering ditch–pond system was shown to be an effective and economical measure to control diffuse pollution. It would be worthwhile to extend the off-line treatment train to regions with limited land resources, especially in urban areas.     

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17.0m²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P18.49 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.     

Effects of coypu (Myocastor coypus) abundances and diet selection on a wetland of the Patagonian steppe

We assessed diet selection, impact on vegetation, and explored habitat relationships with marsh birds of coypus (Myocastor coypus) in a steppe lagoon in Argentinean Patagonia. In two consecutive springs, abundance and spatial use of the coypus and nesting marsh birds were estimated by direct counts. The coypu was a selective consumer with seasonal variations in food items, and Myriophyllum sp. and Schoenoplectus californicus dominated its diet. Coypus and marsh birds showed a differential spatial use when rushes cover was high. However, when rushes cover decreased by coypu browsing, there was a similar use of space, and marsh birds were displaced to nest on the open water and other poorly protected areas of the rushes. Our results suggest that high abundances of coypu can have a detrimental effect on wetland ecosystems. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of their effects on wetlands in recently colonized areas is recommended.     

广州市湿地公园植物调查与分析

为更好地提高湿地公园的生态服务能力、加强湿地公园的物种保育功能并促进湿地公园建设和发展质量,对广州地区20个湿地公园植物进行了实地调查。结果表明,调查区域共有205种湿地植物;对其物种组成、生活型、生态习性、优势科属及应用频度等的分析表明,湿地公园的植物群落结构比较简单,主要植物种类同质化现象很严重,保护和珍稀植物种类应用较少等。基于此,推荐了55种本土植物作为广州市湿地公园进行生态改造和景观配置的候选物种,同时还提出了对未来湿地公园的建设和管理的若干建议。     

Carbon uptake in Eurasian boreal forests dominates the high-latitude net ecosystem carbon budget

Arctic-boreal landscapes are experiencing profound warming, along with changes in ecosystem moisture status and disturbance from fire. This region is of global importance in terms of carbon feedbacks to climate, yet the sign (sink or source) and magnitude of the Arctic-boreal carbon budget within recent years remains highly uncertain. Here, we provide new estimates of recent (2003–2015) vegetation gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R_eco), net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE; R_eco − GPP), and terrestrial methane (CH₄) emissions for the Arctic-boreal zone using a satellite data-driven process-model for northern ecosystems (TCFM-Arctic), calibrated and evaluated using measurements from >60 tower eddy covariance (EC) sites. We used TCFM-Arctic to obtain daily 1-km² flux estimates and annual carbon budgets for the pan-Arctic-boreal region. Across the domain, the model indicated an overall average NEE sink of −850 Tg CO₂-C year⁻¹. Eurasian boreal zones, especially those in Siberia, contributed to a majority of the net sink. In contrast, the tundra biome was relatively carbon neutral (ranging from small sink to source). Regional CH₄ emissions from tundra and boreal wetlands (not accounting for aquatic CH₄) were estimated at 35 Tg CH₄-C year⁻¹. Accounting for additional emissions from open water aquatic bodies and from fire, using available estimates from the literature, reduced the total regional NEE sink by 21% and shifted many far northern tundra landscapes, and some boreal forests, to a net carbon source. This assessment, based on in situ observations and models, improves our understanding of the high-latitude carbon status and also indicates a continued need for integrated site-to-regional assessments to monitor the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change.     

Some observations on the age and growth of thin-lipped grey mullet, Liza ramada Risso, 1826 (Pisces, Mugilidae) in three North African wetland lakes: Merja Zerga (Morocco), Garâat Ichkeul (Tunisia) and Edku Lake (Egypt)

Age and growth characteristics of the thin-lipped Grey Mullet (Liza ramada) were investigated in three North African wetland lakes: Merja Zerga (Morocco), Garâat Ichkeul (Tunisia) and Edku Lake (Egypt). Age structure of the mullet populations was very similar in all three study lakes. Small differences in growth were indicated, especially for the Moroccan population, where growth tended to be slower than for the other two populations. The fastest growth was observed in the Edku population while the best condition was observed in the Ichkeul population. Compared with some European populations, the sampled North African populations have faster growth and better condition factors.     

Effects of Cadmium on Chlorophyll Content,Photochemical Efficiency,and Photosynthetic Intensity of Canna indica Linn.

The effects of cadmium (Cd²⁺) on growth status, chlorophyll (Chl) content, photochemical efficiency, and photosynthetic intensity were studied on Canna indica Linn. Plant specimens that were produced from a constructed wetland and precultivated hydroponically in 20 L of 1/10 Hoagland solution under greenhouse conditions for 1 week were exposed to cadmium in concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg L^―1 Cd²⁺, respectively. The results show that leaves were injured in the Cd²⁺ solution by the third day of exposure and the injury became more serious with an increase in the applied heavy metal. Under 3.2 mg L^―1 Cd²⁺ treatment, growth retardation, the decrease of chlorophyll content from 0.70 to 0.43 mg g^―1 FW, and a decrease in Chl a/b ratio from 2.0 to 1.2 were observed. Chl a was more sensitive than Chl b to Cd²⁺ stress. The decrease was the same with photochemical efficiency. Photosynthetic intensity decreased by 13.3% from 1.5×10⁴ μmol m^―2s^―1 CO₂ in control to 1.3×10⁴ μmol m^―2s^―1 CO₂ in the treatment of 3.2 mg L^―1. Because Canna species are used in heavy metal phytoremediation, these results show that C. indica can tolerate 0.4 to 0.8 mg L^―1 Cd²⁺. Therefore, it is a potential species for phytoremediation of cadmium with some limitations only at higher concentrations.     

Changes in cell structure during the formation of root aerenchyma inSAGITTARIA LANCIFOLIA (Alismataceae)

In many wetland species, root aerenchyma is produced by the predictable collapse of root cortex cells, indicating a programmed cell death (PCD). The objective of this study was to characterize the cellular changes that accompany this PCD in the marsh species Sagittaria lancifolia. Structural changes in membranes and organelles were examined during development of root cortex cells to compare with previous examples of PCD. The organization of cortical microtubule (CMT) arrays in root cells from S. lancifolia was also evaluated as a possible predictor of cell lysis. Nuclear fragmentation and condensation were the earliest changes observed in cells undergoing lysis. Breakdown of the tonoplast and other organelles and disruption of the plasma membrane followed. After loss of cytoplasm, cells collapsed to form gas spaces. These results were compared to collapse of root cortical cells of Zea mays and Oryza sativa during aerenchyma development. Changes in the appearance of the cytoplasm of all three species were similar at later stages of aerenchyma development. The relative timing of disintegration of the tonoplast and middle lamella appeared to differ among the three species. Changes in the organization of CMT arrays did not appear to be a predictor of PCD in S. lancifolia. Aerenchyma production in plants involves a type of PCD that is morphologically distinct from PCD described from many animals.     

Effects of land use on aquatic macrophyte diversity and water quality of ponds

1. Aquatic macrophyte diversity and water quality of 55 ponds in western Japan were related to land use and morphometric variables to identify the environmental factors that sustain biodiversity and the spatial extent at which these factors operate. 2. The relevant spatial extent for floating‐leaved macrophyte richness (500 m from pond edge) was larger than that for submerged macrophyte occurrence (10, 75 and 100 m), whereas emergent macrophyte richness was best explained at much larger extents (1000 m). Total macrophyte richness was explained at the extent of 500, 750 and 1000 m. The extents relevant for explaining the physicochemical condition of pond water (100 and 250 m) were similar to those for submerged and floating‐leaved macrophytes, suggesting that these two growth forms are more sensitive to water quality compared to emergent macrophytes. 3. Diversity of all three growth forms and that of total macrophytes collectively were inversely related to turbidity and nutrient concentration; among the three growth forms, submerged macrophytes were most affected by water quality. 4. Negative relationships were found between the proportion of urban area and the diversity of the three growth forms and that of total macrophytes and water quality. Species richness of emergent, floating‐leaved and total macrophytes decreased with depth and increased with surface area up to about 5000 m², above which it declined. 5. Urbanisation and enlargement of ponds were the two main factors that decreased aquatic macrophyte diversity in irrigation ponds. To alleviate the adverse effects of urban areas on aquatic macrophyte diversity, our results suggest that management efforts should focus on the creation of buffer zones within the relevant spatial extent from the pond edge.