Share Of Biomass Research Articles

Comparative abundance and distribution of major filter-feeders in the Antarctic pelagic zone

The filter-feeding plankton, herbivorous copepods, salps and euphausiids, form the basic level of metazoans in the Antarctic pelagic trophic web. This paper sets out to determine the comparative share of these taxonomic groups in the total biomass and annual production. Their most abundant representatives, four copepod species ( Calanus propinquus, Calanoides acutus, Rhincalanus gigas and Metridia gerlachei), all salps and krill Euphausia superba were studied. For the first two groups net samples from six Russian expeditions in different sectors of the Antarctic were used. In total 752 samples from 118 stations were considered. The mean fresh biomass of filter-feeding copepods in the 0–1500 m layer was 18.0 g m −2 and in the entire Antarctic 576 10 6 t. The biomass of salps in comparatively restricted rich regions exceeded 500 g m −2 and in the remaining area was 1.2±0.8 g m −2, giving a total quantity of 882 10 6 t. The krill abundance estimation was based on published data, using a map of its quantitative distribution compiled from commercial trawling made by Soviet fishing and scientific ships during 17 seasons [Parfenovich, S.S., 1980. O zakonomernostyakh razmeshcheniya i regionalnoi differentsiatsii mestoskoplenii krilya v Yuzhnom Okeane. VNIRO, Moskva, in Russian.]. Three main zones based on commercial characteristics were determined by this author: (1) zone of regular occurrence of dense concentrations; (2) zone of rare occurrence of concentrations; (3) zone of low-abundance dispersed krill. All available data on E. superba biomass in the Antarctic were grouped together according to these zones and their means were calculated. The biomass of krill was found to be 60.1±11.2, 3.3±1.3 and 0.8±0.4 g m −2 fresh mass in zones 1, 2 and 3, respectively, with a total of 272 10 6 t. All estimates are compared with the literature data and their validity is discussed. For the annual production determinations the obtained biomass characteristics were multiplied by published P/B coefficients. For the copepods its value was taken as 4.4 and for krill as 0.79. The total annual production of copepods was estimated as 2534 10 6 t and that of krill as 215 10 6 t (fresh mass). Salp production could not be evaluated, for lack of a sufficient database. In terms of fresh mass, the main share of filter-feeder biomass on the entire Antarctic scale belongs to salps, due to their local maxima; the second place belongs to copepods and krill comes in the third position. But after recalculation in terms of dry mass, copepods shift to the first place and salps to the last. The annual production of copepods significantly exceeds that of krill.

The influence of ants on the guild structure of Acacia insect communities in Mkomazi Game Reserve, north‐east Tanzania

A total of 41,099 insect specimens of 133 families and 492 morphospecies were collected from 31 trees of six species of Acacia in north‐east Tanzania, representing one of the largest insect samples ever analysed from a tropical savannah habitat. Herbivores (sapsuckers and chewers) and parasitoids had the highest diversity shares, whereas the highest biomass shares were obtained by phytophagous chewers, ants and predators. The percentage biomass of ants was correlated positively with the diversity share of sapsuckers and negatively with the diversity share of tourists. A positive correlation was found with the residual biomass share of phytophagous sapsuckers, indicating a protective function of ants for this guild. Diversity and abundance share was much higher in egg and coccoid parasitoids compared to larval parasitoids, probably due to predation by ants on larval parasitoids. Their low diversity supports the hypothesis of a decline towards the equator in ichneumonid diversity.

Effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide on Plant Biomass Production and Competition in a Simulated Neutral Grassland Community

Using open-top chambers, four prominent species (Lolium perenne, Cynosurus cristatus, Holcus lanatusandAgrostis capillaris) of Irish neutral grasslands were grown at ambient and elevated (700 μmol mol-1) atmospheric CO2for a period of 8 months. The effects of interspecific competition on plant responses to CO2enrichment were investigated by growing the species in a four-species mixture. The results indicate that the species differ in their ability to respond to elevated CO2. CO2-enrichment had the largest effect on the biomass production ofH. lanatus, but substantial stimulations in biomass production were also found for the other three species. The CO2-stimulation of biomass production forH. lanatuswas accompanied by increased tillering. In addition, reductions in specific leaf area were found for all species. Exposure to elevated CO2increased the community biomass of the four-species mixture. This increase can be mainly attributed to a significant increase in the biomass ofH. lanatusat elevated CO2. No statistically-significant changes in species composition of community biomass were found. However,H. lanatusdid increase its share of community biomass at each of the harvests, with the other three species, mainlyL. perenne, suffering losses in their shares at elevated CO2. The results show that: (1) the species varied in their response to elevated CO2; and (2) species composition in natural plant communities is likely to change at elevated CO2, but these changes may occur rather slowly. Much longer periods of exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2may be required to permit detection of significant changes in species composition.

98/01342 Design and operation of a biomass gasifier producing MHV fuel gas: Wu, C. et al. Taiyangneng Xuebao, 1997, 18, (1), 1–6. (in Chinese)

Biomass not only has a considerable potential as an additional fuel source but it also shows a reasonable cost level in comparison to other renewable energies. The practicable fuel types are both residual material from forestry and agriculture, such as wood or straw, and especially cultivated reproducible feedstock such as Miscanthus Sinensis, whole cereal plants, poplars, or willows. Besides, as single fuel, it is also considered to be sensible to utilize biomass in co-combustion in existing firing systems, such as pc-fired power stations. In order to promote the employment of biogenetic fuels, the European Union, within the framework of the APAS Clean Coal Technology Programme, initiated a research project concerning the co-combustion of biomass in existing firing systems. The focus of the investigations in experimental and industrial-scale plants was to establish the impact of co-combusting biomass and sewage sludge in coal-fired systems with regard to combustion behaviour and pollutant formation. The investigations were carried out on laboratory scale and pilot scale, as well as in large-scale plants. The task of the Institut fur Verfahrenstechnik und Dampfkesselwesen (IVD), University of Stuttgart, within the EU clean coal technology programme, was to investigate the effects of co-combustion of solid biomass (Miscanthus, straw) and municipal sewage sludge together with the primary fuel hard coal. The experimental plant used was a semi-industrial pulverized fuel test rig (0.5 MW). Within the scope of this publication, a synopsis shall be given of the outcome of the project, with special regard to the effect of co-combustion on emissions. The investigations reveal that biomass addition has a positive effect on emissions. Since biomass in most cases contains considerably less sulphur than coal, an increasing biomass share in the thermal output makes the SO2 emissions decrease proportionally. In addition, SO2 can partly be captured in the ash by the alkaline–earth fractions of the biomass ash. As for sewage sludge, the emissions of SO2 correlate with the sulphur content of the fuel and, hence, rise with an increasing share of this biomass. Due to the high volatile content of the biomass, low NOx emissions can be achieved both by air staging and by reburning.

Effect of co-combustion of biomass on emissions in pulverized fuel furnaces

Biomass not only has a considerable potential as an additional fuel source but it also shows a reasonable cost level in comparison to other renewable energies. The practicable fuel types are both residual material from forestry and agriculture, such as wood or straw, and especially cultivated reproducible feedstock such as Miscanthus Sinensis, whole cereal plants, poplars, or willows. Besides, as single fuel, it is also considered to be sensible to utilize biomass in co-combustion in existing firing systems, such as pc-fired power stations. In order to promote the employment of biogenetic fuels, the European Union, within the framework of the APAS Clean Coal Technology Programme, initiated a research project concerning the co-combustion of biomass in existing firing systems. The focus of the investigations in experimental and industrial-scale plants was to establish the impact of co-combusting biomass and sewage sludge in coal-fired systems with regard to combustion behaviour and pollutant formation. The investigations were carried out on laboratory scale and pilot scale, as well as in large-scale plants. The task of the Institut fur Verfahrenstechnik und Dampfkesselwesen (IVD), University of Stuttgart, within the EU clean coal technology programme, was to investigate the effects of co-combustion of solid biomass (Miscanthus, straw) and municipal sewage sludge together with the primary fuel hard coal. The experimental plant used was a semi-industrial pulverized fuel test rig (0.5 MW). Within the scope of this publication, a synopsis shall be given of the outcome of the project, with special regard to the effect of co-combustion on emissions. The investigations reveal that biomass addition has a positive effect on emissions. Since biomass in most cases contains considerably less sulphur than coal, an increasing biomass share in the thermal output makes the SO 2 emissions decrease proportionally. In addition, SO 2 can partly be captured in the ash by the alkaline–earth fractions of the biomass ash. As for sewage sludge, the emissions of SO 2 correlate with the sulphur content of the fuel and, hence, rise with an increasing share of this biomass. Due to the high volatile content of the biomass, low NO x emissions can be achieved both by air staging and by reburning.

98/01346 Energy and nutrient analysis of upland phyto-fuel species: Chen, R. et al. Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao, 1997, 8, (2), 147–150. (in Chinese)

Biomass not only has a considerable potential as an additional fuel source but it also shows a reasonable cost level in comparison to other renewable energies. The practicable fuel types are both residual material from forestry and agriculture, such as wood or straw, and especially cultivated reproducible feedstock such as Miscanthus Sinensis, whole cereal plants, poplars, or willows. Besides, as single fuel, it is also considered to be sensible to utilize biomass in co-combustion in existing firing systems, such as pc-fired power stations. In order to promote the employment of biogenetic fuels, the European Union, within the framework of the APAS Clean Coal Technology Programme, initiated a research project concerning the co-combustion of biomass in existing firing systems. The focus of the investigations in experimental and industrial-scale plants was to establish the impact of co-combusting biomass and sewage sludge in coal-fired systems with regard to combustion behaviour and pollutant formation. The investigations were carried out on laboratory scale and pilot scale, as well as in large-scale plants. The task of the Institut fur Verfahrenstechnik und Dampfkesselwesen (IVD), University of Stuttgart, within the EU clean coal technology programme, was to investigate the effects of co-combustion of solid biomass (Miscanthus, straw) and municipal sewage sludge together with the primary fuel hard coal. The experimental plant used was a semi-industrial pulverized fuel test rig (0.5 MW). Within the scope of this publication, a synopsis shall be given of the outcome of the project, with special regard to the effect of co-combustion on emissions. The investigations reveal that biomass addition has a positive effect on emissions. Since biomass in most cases contains considerably less sulphur than coal, an increasing biomass share in the thermal output makes the SO2 emissions decrease proportionally. In addition, SO2 can partly be captured in the ash by the alkaline–earth fractions of the biomass ash. As for sewage sludge, the emissions of SO2 correlate with the sulphur content of the fuel and, hence, rise with an increasing share of this biomass. Due to the high volatile content of the biomass, low NOx emissions can be achieved both by air staging and by reburning.

Predation by birds on blue mussel Mytilus edulis beds of the tidal flats of Spiekeroog (southern North Sea)

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 146:61-72 (1997) - doi:10.3354/meps146061 Predation by birds on blue mussel Mytilus edulis beds of the tidal flats of Spiekeroog (southern North Sea) Hilgerloh G Predation by birds on mussel beds was evaluated in the tidal flats of the East Frisian island Spiekeroog (Lower Saxony, Germany) based on measurements in 1991 and 1994. In May 1991, 32 locations with blue mussels Mytilus edulis covered an area of 5.2 km<+k-15>2<+k0>, 311 t AFDW blue mussels being available in the whole study area. Areal extent decreased thereafter. In May 1994, there were 20 locations covering an area of only 2.3 km2, a total biomass of 48 t AFDW being available. After the strong spatfalls in the summers of both years, 1290 t biomass were available in the study area in 1991, and 550 t in 1994. Herring gulls Larus argentatus, oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus and eiders Somateria mollissima are the main predators on blue mussels. During one year (1992), oystercatchers were present on 3.7 million bird days, eiders on 1.1 million bird days and herring gulls on 0.7 million bird days. The annual consumption of blue mussels by birds in the intertidal flats was estimated at 165 t AFDW. The highest proportion of total consumption was by oystercatchers (54%), while eiders consumed 39% and herring gulls 7%. Consumption by all 3 species amounted to 32 g AFDW per m2 of mussel bed in 1991 and to 71 g AFDW per m2 in 1994. Predation could be compensated by 12% of production in 1991 and by 29% in 1994. In order to evaluate the relevance of predation for the mussel stocks, the share of the total biomass eliminated annually by predation was assessed on the basis of standing stock and annual production. Predation was responsible for 7% of total elimination in 1991 and for 15% in 1994. Thus, factors other than predation were responsible for 85 to 93% of elimination of mussel biomass. Predation · Tidal flats · Lower Saxony · Blue mussels Mytilus edulis · Oystercatchers · Haematopus ostralegus · Eiders Somateria mollissima · Herring gulls Larus argentatus Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 146. Publication date: January 30, 1997 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1997 Inter-Research.

95/06161 The structure and efficiency of the publicly owned electric power industry of Greece

Among renewable energy sources, the share of biomass in total energy consumption in Turkey is increasing. Fuelwood and animal waste biomass are extensively used for heating and cooking in urban and rural areas. It has been estimated that Turkey has recoverable energy potential mainly originating from agricultural, livestock breeding, wood and forest processing, and municipality wastes. Annual production of wastes in the country amounts to 30 million tons. Turkey also produces 1.5 million tons of biodiesel, 3 million tons of bioethanol and 2.5–4.0 billion m3 of biogas per year. In Turkey, total biomass production is expected to reach a level of 52.5 Mtoe by 2030. Malaysia produces annually approximately 168 million tons of biomass, including timber, oil palm waste, rice husks, coconut trunk fibers, municipal and sugarcane wastes. Every year, nearly 58 million tons of palm oil mill effluent are produced in Malaysia. It has been estimated that the country has the potential to generate around 15 billion m3 of biogas annually. Estimates also show that Malaysia can produce more than 2400 MW of biomass and 410 MW of biogas, however, only 773 MW of the total potential was harnessed until 2011. The National Biomass Strategy 2020 proposes a scenario according to which an additional 20 million tonnes of oil palm biomass could be utilized by the year 2020 for higher value uses, which could significantly contribute to improving Malaysia's economy. Both countries have good potential to use biomass resources, but political backing and sustainable planning are necessary. In this review article, we try to compare future energy scenarios, renewable energy and biomass potentials of Turkey and Malaysia, while providing an insight into data on different biomass availability and its probable contribution to both nations’ economies.

Growth Dynamics of Cladophora Glomerata in Western Lake Erie in Relation to Some Environmental Factors

Cladophora was monitored at two sites in western Lake Erie during 1979 and 1980 as part of a lake-wide Lake Erie Cladophora Surveillance Program. Two distinctive zones within the littoral region were colonized by the alga, the eulittoral (splash zone) and infralittoral (defined in the present study as the 0.5–4 m depth zone). Cladophora of the eulittoral zone became established in May and remained present until late fall. The infralittoral zone Cladophora exhibited a bimodal growth pattern related to the seasonal temperature regime, with growth occurring from April to July and again from September to November. The infralittoral zone supported the largest share of biomass, which resulted in nuisance accumulations upon the beaches in the island region. Peak biomass was observed from mid-June to early July, obtaining maximum values of 102 gDW/m 2 and 214 gDW/m 2 for the 1979 and 1980 seasons, respectively. The depth to which Cladophora colonized was limited by light availability; maximum depth of growth occurred between 2 and 4 m in western Lake Erie due to the turbid nature of the basin. Phosphorus and nitrogen were not limiting to Cladophora growth in western Lake Erie; tissue nutrients remained above the critical levels defined by Gerloffand Fitzgerald (1976) throughout the season.

THE RELATIVE PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY OFASTERIONELLA FORMOSAHASS. (BACILLARIOPHYTA) IN NATURAL PLANKTON ASSEMBLAGES1

ABSTRACTThe relative photosynthetic efficiencies of net vs. nanoplankton and diatom vs. non‐diatom plankton were estimated weekly in Woodcock Creek Reservoir, Pennsylvania, from April to November 1979, using carbon‐14 in conjunction with size fractionation and germanium as a diatom inhibitor. The nanoplankton contributed a proportionally greater share of the community carbon assimilation than their share of the community biomass would indicate. Diatoms, specificallyAsterionella formosaHass. were photosynthetically inefficient and contributed significantly less than expected. The mechanism of periodic diatom dominance in lakes remains unexplained.