Biological Recycling Research Articles

The effect of vertical nutrient redistribution on surface ocean δ13C

Processes that shift nutrients from mid to lower ocean depths may or may not increase the ocean's vertical carbon pump. Redistribution of δ13C produced by these processes is compared in two box models: a vertical three‐box ocean and a thirteen‐box ocean. In the former there is no δ13C fractionation laterally between surface waters, and the ocean nutrient and δ13C distributions are linearly correlated. This correlation is not changed when these tracers become redistributed, and if the model surface ocean is nutrient limited, the surface δ13C cannot change. In the 13‐box ocean there is a transfer of negative δ13C from the cold surface water through the atmosphere into the warm ocean. Its δ13C is therefore lower than it would be as a result of the carbon pump by itself. If a middepth nutrient depletion occurs because of lower nutrients in Antarctic waters, the warm surface δ13C increases. If the vertical nutrient shift occurs because of ocean circulation or biological recycling changes, the warm surface water δ13C change depends on the ratio of its vertical CO2 fluxes, i.e., exchange of atmospheric CO2 versus upwelling total CO2 and net biological production. If this ratio remains about the same, then little change occurs in surface δ13C, and the δ13C of Pacific deep water decreases about 0.3%. In this case, no change in the average ocean δ13C is required to explain observations from sediment data. This would imply that the ice age land biota carbon mass was about the same as that of today. The vertical CO2 flux ratio could be an important consideration if greater wind‐driven upwelling is a factor in the nutrient redistribution.

Terrestrial approaches to integration of waste treatment

Solar energy driven physical, chemical and biological recycling of nutrients is the characteristic of the Earth-Sun system which permits life on earth to continue. Natural recycle of nutrients on Earth may literally require thousands or even millions of years to be complete, but for modern civilization to continue on Earth or in space, mankind must take charge of, and accelerate, the recycle of all essentials of life. In this paper we describe studies of two accelerated recycle systems; a solar powered energy system and an integrated feed lot. Both systems require special infrastructures permitting the accelerated physical, chemical and biological processing to occur. These systems do not integrate respiratory carbon dioxide as must be done in a complete closed ecological life support system (CELSS). The Algatron, a more complete system involving microalgal bacterial waste treatment with water, oxygen and carbon dioxide recycle was designed for use in Space Stations over 20 years ago.

Deep-water renewal and biological production in Lake Baikal

The physics of mixing in deep temperate lakes is strongly constrained by the existence of a temperature of maximum density for fresh water; and by the pressure dependence of that temperature. The world's deepest lake is well suited to the study of such deep-water renewal processes, and also to the determination of the rates of renewal using time-dependent chemical tracers. The mean rates of biological recycling of oxygen, carbon and nutrients for the entire lake can then also be determined.

Terrestrial approaches to integration of waste treatment.

Solar energy driven physical, chemical and biological recycling of nutrients is the characteristic of the Earth-Sun system which permits life on earth to continue. Natural recycle of nutrients on Earth may literally require thousands or even millions of years to be complete, but for modern civilization to continue on Earth or in space, mankind must take charge of, and accelerate, the recycle of all essentials of life. In this paper we describe studies of two accelerated recycle systems; a solar powered energy system and an integrated feed lot. Both systems require special infrastructures permitting the accelerated physical, chemical and biological processing to occur. These systems do not integrate respiratory carbon dioxide as must be done in a complete closed ecological life support system (CELSS). The Algatron, a more complete system involving microalgal bacterial waste treatment with water, oxygen and carbon dioxide recycle was designed for use in Space Stations over 20 years ago.

Arsenic, antimony and vanadium in the North Atlantic Ocean

New measurements of arsenic, antimony and vanadium in samples from vertical profiles at nine stations between 50° and 70°N in the Atlantic Ocean are presented. Antimonate concentrations exhibit little variation with depth and location, the average concentration being 1.16 nmol 1 -1. The vertical distribution of arsenate is similar to that reported for the South Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, with somewhat lower surface concentrations (14 to 18 nmol 1 -1) and uniform deep water concentrations (mean, 19 nmol 1 -1). Uniform vertical profiles for vanadium with a mean concentration of 32.6 nmol 1 -1 are in agreement with data for the Central Atlantic, but differ from profiles in the Pacific which exhibit surface water depletion. The presented data for As and V have extended the limited basis for comparison, so that inter-ocean fractionation processes can now be recognized. The concentrations of both As and V show regular increases in the ocean deep water as it passes from the North Atlantic (As 19.0; V 32.6 nmol 1 -1) via the South Atlantic (As 21.1 nmol 1 -1) and Indian Ocean (As 22.5; V 35.6 nmol 1 -1) to the Pacific Ocean (As 24.0; V 36.4 nmol 1 -1). The magnitude of biological recycling for V and As, as deduced from interoceanic fractionation, is consistent with estimates based on particle or algal compositions.

Novel biological recycling water purification system for use in fish toxicology studies.

A major problem with fish toxicity testing has been maintaining an adequate supply of healthy, acclimated fish in the laboratory setting from which test populations can be obtained. The build-up of metabolic waste (ammonia) in holding tank environments leads to a stressful situation for the fish, resulting in mortality or erroneous toxicity data. Ammonia is the principal nitrogenous waste product of catfish and is excreted primarily as the toxic unionized ammonia from the gills. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel biological filter system which facilitates the nitrification process, thereby removing or controlling the build-up of toxic metabolic waste products in holding tanks in the laboratory. This system would provide a healthy, non-stressful environment for blue channel catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) fingerlings prior to their use in LC50 determinations of various insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides currently employed in the vicinity of catfish ponds or farms.

Bioaccumulation potential of heterotrophic bacteria for lead, selenium, and arsenic.

Metal compounds are essential for the development and survival of all life forms and bacteria play a major role in the geochemical and biological recycling of these compounds. In the marine environment, one of the most significant metal-microbe interactions is the uptake of metal compounds by bacteria. Such metal-bacterial bioaccumulations can be beneficial, as well as detrimental, to the ecology as a whole or to individual members of the biota. Fundamental studies on the ability of bacteria to bioaccumulate metals have not been extensively undertaken although this type of study is an essential aspect of pollution investigations. Such studies are also critical to the development of biological systems for use in toxic waste removal as well as for the optimization of recovery processes for the metals of industrial and commercial value. This paper describes two simple experiments which were designed to obtain information on the potential of marine bacteria to bioaccumulate lead, selenium and arsenic.

Biomass recycle as a means to improve the energy efficiency of CELSS algal culture systems

Algal cultures can be very rapid and efficient means to generate biomass and regenerate the atmosphere for closed environmental life support systems. However, as in the case of most higher plants, a significant fraction of the biomass produced by most algae cannot be directly converted to a useful food product by standard food technology procedures. This waste biomass will serve as an energy drain on the overall system unless it can be efficiently recycled without a significant loss of its energy content. We report experiments in which cultures of the algae Scenedesmus obliquus were grown in the light and at the expense of an added carbon source, which either replaced or supplemented the actinic light. As part of these experiments we tested hydrolyzed waste biomass from these same algae to determine whether the algae themselves could be made part of the biological recycling process. Results indicate that hydrolyzed algal (and plant) biomass can serve as carbon and energy sources for the growth of these algae, suggesting that the efficiency of the closed system could be significantly improved using this recycling process.

Ultrafiltrable plasma testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone as measured across the human testes

It has been confirmed that within the human plexus pampiniformis a venous-arterial transfer of testosterone (T) (5.95%) and of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (16.58%) occurs. It could be established that in the testicular artery the percentage of ultrafiltrable DHT was significantly lower compared with the venous compartment. It is assumed that by this means a biological recycling of the active androgen DHT into the testis is achieved.

Aspects of carbon and nitrogen cycling in a shallow marine environment

Studies on the water column of a semi-enclosed bay (Roskeeda Bay, Co. Galway) showed a close association between photosynthesis and respiration. Gross annual production of both the water column and the sediment was lower than the total annual decomposition. Sediment traps showed evidence of constant resuspension of fine sediment surface material, which frustrated the direct measurement of the transfer of particulate organic material from water to sediment. Fluxes of inorganic nitrogen compounds across the sediment-water boundary were measured by using an in situ bell jar technique. Mean rates of release of nitrate and nitrite were insignificant compared with the release of ammonia, which was equivalent to 20% of the phytoplankton nitrogen requirement over the summer. An approximate diffusion coefficient of 4.5 × 10 −5 cm 2·s −1 was estimated for ammonia release from the sediment. Ammonia release was strongly correlated with oxygen uptake by the sediment and less strongly with temperature. During the productive season nitrogen supply to the water column from the biological recycling of organic material in both water and sediment was in excess of phytoplankton requirements. As standing levels of inorganic nitrogen did not increase significantly over this period, it is suggested that the intertidal macrophyte community acts as both a sink of inorganic nitrogen and a source of organic carbon for the system. A tentative annual carbon budget is presented.

Some chemical problems in the recycling of plastics

The effect of the processing operation on the photolytic stability of plastics is reviewed and its implications for the reprocessing of contaminated mixed domestic waste plastics is discussed. It is concluded that if reprocessed products are to have adequate environmental stability, the development of effective metal deactivators/photo-stabilisers will be necessary. The merits of the alternative biological recycling processes involving incineration and biodegradation of plastics are compared favourably with materials recycling.

An urban agro-ecosystem: The example of nineteenth-century Paris

One hundred years ago a sixth of the area of Paris was used to produce annually more than 100,000 tons of high-value, out-of-season, salad crops. This cropping system was sustained by the use of approximately one million tons of stable manure produced each year by the horses which provided the power for the city's transport system. Sufficient surplus “soil” was produced to expand the production area by 6% yr −1. In energy, mass and monetary terms the inputs and outputs of the Parisian urban agro-ecosystem exceed those of most examples of present-day, fully industrialized crop production. The productive biological recycling of the waste products of the city's transport system contrasts favourably with the requirements and consequences of the simplified, present-day urban ecosystem.

Mica Genesis in Hawaiian Soils

AbstractA soil mica having a formula Na0.11 NH40.06 K1–24 (Al, Si) (Al, Fe, Mg) O20 (OH)4 has been identified in soils of the wet uplands in the Hawaiian Islands. It contains 7.2% potash and is predominantly a mixer‐layered mica with vermiculite‐montmorillonite and chlorite. The mica is concentrated in the surface horizons, and its concentration increases with soils formed under increasing rainfall and elevation. Biological recycling of potash is proposed as a mechanism for its formation.