Inorganic Phosphorus Concentrations Research Articles

Evaluation of the Effects of Environmental Factors on Seasonal Variations in Fish Diversity on a Coastal Island in Western Japan

Coastal habitats are crucial for supporting ecological processes and serve as vital ecosystems for diverse fish species, providing essential functions such as feeding, nursery provision, and reproductive habitats. Fish communities are ecologically important components of coastal ecosystems and are affected by multiple environmental factors. Despite their importance, determining the effects of environmental factors on seasonal variations in fish species diversity and community dynamics remains a challenge. The advent of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, an environmentally conscious approach, has resulted in considerable advancements in recent years and has been progressively adopted for marine fish population monitoring. Here, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to study seasonal variations in fish community structure on a coastal island, and we assessed the effects of environmental factors in structuring these communities. Our findings revealed a rich diversity of 72 fish species across 40 families and 23 orders in the seawater surrounding an island of the Seto Inland Sea (SIS), Western Japan. Notably, the composition of fish communities varied significantly between seasons, with seawater temperature, salinity, and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentration identified as important factors correlated with fish communities’ structures. In conclusion, our study provides useful information of fish diversity, and we suggest that eDNA is a valuable technique for monitoring fish diversity in coastal areas. These findings are crucial for ecological studies and the environmental monitoring of oceanic coastal environments.

Characteristics and Release Risk of Phosphorus from Sediments in a Karst Canyon Reservoir, China

With the continuous improvement of surface water environmental quality in China, sediment has gradually become the focus of research on internal pollution in reservoirs. To investigate the forms, distribution, and migration patterns of phosphorus in karst canyon reservoir sediments, we employed an improved sequential graded extraction method to determine phosphorus content in the sediments of the Wanfeng Reservoir. We studied the spatial distribution characteristics and release risk of phosphorus form in the sediments. The results showed that the total phosphorus (TP) content ranged from 79.37 to 438.04 mg·kg−1, while inorganic phosphorus (IP) content ranged from 77.32 to 424.64 mg·kg−1. Iron–aluminum-bound inorganic phosphorus (Fe/Al-Pi) accounted for 36.41% and was found to be the dominant form of IP. Organic phosphorus (OP) content ranged from 1.84 to 13.59 mg·kg−1, with weakly adsorbed organic phosphorus (H2O-Po) being the dominant form of OP. Potentially active inorganic phosphorus (NaHCO3-Pi) showed a highly significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) with Fe/Al-Pi, residual phosphorus (Res-P), and TP. This indicates that potentially active phosphorus (NaHCO3-P) is a significant potential source of phosphorus (P) in the reservoir. Biologically active phosphorus (BAP) content ranged from 66.97 to 201.46 mg·kg−1, with BAP/TP ratios ranging from 55.6% to 59.6%. The risk of phosphorus release from Wanfeng Reservoir sediments is high. The release of various forms of phosphorus from sediments is one of the important factors leading to the deterioration of water quality in the reservoir area in the future. To effectively manage water ecology in karst canyon reservoirs, it is essential to reduce the risk of endogenous phosphorus release.

Biochar as a potential tool to mitigate nutrient exports from managed boreal forest: A laboratory and field experiment

AbstractForest management in drained forested peatlands can negatively affect water quality due to the increase in exports of organic matter and nutrients. Therefore, new methods to alleviate this impact are needed. In laboratory conditions, biochar has been shown to be a strong sorbent of organic and inorganic nutrients due to its high surface area and ion‐exchange capacity. However, evidence of the adsorption capacity in field conditions is lacking. Here, we studied the water purification performance of two different biochar feedstocks (wood‐ and garden residue‐based) in a 10‐day laboratory experiment where we incubated biochar with runoff water collected from drainage ditches in clear‐cut peatland forests. We measured changes in pH and concentrations of inorganic phosphorus (PO4), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The biochar with the best adsorbent capacity in the laboratory experiment was then tested in field conditions in a replicated catchment‐scale experiment, where both clear‐cutting and ditch cleaning were performed. We determined the nutrient concentration of water at the inlet and outlet of biochar filters placed in outflow ditches of four catchments. We found that under laboratory conditions wood‐based biochar efficiently adsorbed TDN and DOC, however, it released PO4. Furthermore, we found that the biochar filters reduced TDN and DOC concentration in field conditions. However, the percentage decrease in concentration was dependent on the initial concentrations of nutrients in the water and could be considered low. Moreover, we found that the biochar in the filters increased in TN content over the course of the experiment. This suggests that a wood‐based biochar filter has the potential to be a water protection tool for reducing the export of nutrients from catchments with high nutrient concentration. And that the biochar from the ditches could be applied back to the regenerating forest catchment as a potential soil amendment, closing the nutrient cycle.

Clinical Impact of Cytokine Release Syndrome on Prolonged Hematotoxicity after Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy: KyoTox A-Score, a Novel Prediction Model

Prolonged hematotoxicity is the most common long-term adverse event in chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T). To evaluate the impact on prolonged cytopenia of inflammatory status after CAR T infusion, we performed a single-center retrospective study and analyzed patients with B cell lymphomas after CAR-T. Among 90 patients analyzed at 90 days after infusion, the cumulative incidence was 57.5% for prolonged neutropenia, 36.7% for anemia, and 49.8% for thrombocytopenia. Patients who experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS) had significantly higher incidence and longer duration of prolonged cytopenia. In addition, we found that among patients with grade 1 CRS, those with a longer duration of CRS-related symptoms (>5 days; grade 1b in modified CRS grading [m-CRS]) had a significantly higher incidence and longer duration of prolonged cytopenia than those whose CRS-related symptoms resolved within 5 days (grade 1a m-CRS). Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher m-CRS grade (grade 1b or 2; hazard ratio [HR], 2.42), higher peak CRP (≥10 mg/dL; HR, 1.66), longer duration of elevated CRP (≥10 days; HR, 1.83), and a decrease in serum inorganic phosphorus concentration (≥30% from baseline; HR, 1.95) were associated with significantly higher cumulative incidence of prolonged neutropenia, as well as anemia and thrombocytopenia. Using these factors, we developed a new predictive scoring model for prolonged hematotoxicity, the KyoTox a-score, which can successfully stratify the incidence and duration of cytopenia independent of the existing model, CAR-HEMATOTOX, which is based on laboratory data at lymphodepletion. Thus, this newly developed post-CAR-T inflammation-dependent score is accurate and useful for predicting prolonged hematotoxicity.

Study on the existing forms and recovery efficiencies of phosphorus in biochar from excess sludge.

With the background of carbon neutrality, the resource and energy utilization of excess sludge (ES) have become the focus of future research. The pyrolysis of ES can produce biochar and enrich phosphorus (P). In this paper, the existing forms and recovery efficiencies of P in biochar from ES (BCES) were investigated. The results showed that the total phosphorus (TP) content of BCES at 850 °C was 65.1 mg/g, and the inorganic phosphorus (IP) content was 64.2 mg/g. The TP content of BCES was two times heavier than that of ES. The main ingredient of ES was quartz (SiO2), while the main phases of BCES were quartz (SiO2) and aluminum phosphate (AlPO4) at 650 -850 °C, and P mainly existed in the form of AlPO4. When the pyrolysis temperature was 800 and 850 °C, two new minerals appeared: Ca5(PO4)3OH and CaZn2(PO4)2·2H2O. Based on the conditions of a leaching time of 150 min, a H2SO4 concentration of 0.2 mol/L, a stirring rate of 220 rpm and a liquid-solid ratio of 50 mL/g, the leaching efficiency of P in BCES was found to be 100%. The pyrolysis temperature had no effect on leaching efficiencies of P; however, a higher pyrolysis temperature promoted metal leaching content.

Assessment of spawning and nursery habitats of hilsa in the Tetulia and Meghna river estuaries

The Meghna River estuary (MRE) and Tetulia River estuary (TRE) are tropical estuaries on the middle coast of Bangladesh. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), is one of the most important anadromous fish (ascending rivers from the sea for breeding), migrates into the Meghna and Tetulia River estuarine systems from the Bay of Bengal. This study assessed the spawning and nursery habitats of hilsa in the Tetulia and Meghna River estuaries by examining the environmental parameters of both estuarine ecosystems. Water samples were collected from nineteen selected sampling sites along and across the estuaries from January to December 2021 covering both the dry and wet seasons. Salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentration varied significantly (p < 0.05) between the MRE and TRE during the dry season. In contrast, no significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in the salinity, DIN and DIP between the MRE and TRE during the wet season. In addition, no significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in chlorophyll-a concentration between the MRE and TRE during the dry and wet seasons. The salinity tolerance range is an important driver for the spawning (salinity <0.1 psu) and nursery (salinity <0~2 psu) habitat of hilsa. This study explored that the TRE is suitable for spawning and nursery habitat (salinity <0.09 psu) for hilsa all year round because the TRE acts as a freshwater ecosystem (salinity <0.1 psu) annually. Therefore, the government should focus on protecting and conserving juvenile hilsa (jatka) and brood hilsa in the TRE year round. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 57-69

Bioavailability transition path of phosphorus species during the sewage sludge incineration process

Sewage sludge incineration ash (SSIA) is rich in phosphorus (P), thus being considered as a reliable source of phosphorus recovery. Different P species behaved significant bioavailability. Based on this, a comprehensive investigation into the bioavailability transition path of P species during sewage sludge (SS) incineration was conducted. P predominantly existed in the form of inorganic phosphorus (IP) in SS with a higher concentration of non-apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP) and less concentration of apatite inorganic phosphorus (AP). During the SS incineration process, OP existed in the flocs and cell structures of SS underwent destruction, the released P then combined with metal elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, and Al to form AP species (Ca/Mg–P) and NAIP species (Fe/Al/Mn–P), and the NAIP decomposition to release into gas phase. This was the initial step for enhancing the bioavailability of P species. As temperature increased and the incineration process progressed, the low-temperature-resistant NAIP dissociated, and the metal-binding sites of Al, Fe and Mn in NAIP species were gradually replaced by the Ca and Mg thus forming thermal stability AP species (Ca/Mg–P, such as CaHPO4, Ca2PO4Cl, and Mg3(PO4)2 et al.). This step was crucial for the bioavailability improvement of P species during the incineration process. Therefore, the IP proportions in TP were extremely high (＞98%), and this value gradually increased as incineration temperature raised. The higher incineration temperature, the lower NAIP concentration and higher AP concentration. Besides, additives such as coal/rice husk/eggshell played a significant affect. Additives wither higher Ca content were inclined to react with P to form Ca/Mg–P (AP), while the presence of SO2 would react with Ca metals to form CaSO4 thus inhibiting the formation of AP species (such as CaHPO4 and CaPO4Cl). This results could provide theoretical support for the efficient and directional migration of P during sewage sludge incineration.

Long‐term stability of sapling dynamics is regulated by soil phosphorus availability in subtropical forest

Abstract The abiotic and biotic factors that regulate stability in species‐rich forests are poorly resolved, and this limits the ability to predict how climate change and other perturbations impact forest dynamics. Phosphorus limitation and nitrogen deposition are important factors affecting the dynamics and functioning of tropical and subtropical forests, but how long‐term temporal stability of tree communities is affected by availability and heterogeneity of soil phosphorus and nitrogen remains unclear. We collected annual dynamic data of 20,768 regenerating saplings, which were censused from 2008 to 2019 in a subtropical forest, to investigate how soil nutrients affect the temporal stability of productivity at both population and community levels. We found that concentrations of soil inorganic phosphorus were significantly and positively correlated with sapling richness and phylogenetic diversity, leading to significantly higher species asynchrony and community temporal stability. By contrast, higher concentrations of organic phosphorus weakened community stability via a negative effect on species richness. Structural equation models provide further strong evidence that increasing concentrations of soil inorganic phosphorus strongly promoted community temporal stability via increased species diversity, species asynchrony and population stability, while organic phosphorus displayed opposite effects. Meanwhile, soil concentrations of available and unavailable forms of nitrogen showed much weaker and negative associations with community stability. Synthesis. Using a 12‐year data set of sapling demography from a subtropical forest of south China, our study demonstrates that soil phosphorus is an important determinant of the long‐term stability of sapling dynamics and consequently the whole‐community structure, and the composition of soil phosphorus pools predicts the temporal stability and diversity of tree communities in phosphorus‐limited forests.

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Ponds Contaminated by Wastewater of Livestock Enterprises by Fish Biomarkers

The morphometric characteristics of internal organs, the morphological composition of blood, and indicators of metabolic processes in the blood plasma and hepatopancreas of the two-year-old carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i> L.) from the conditionally clean pond and contaminated with sewage from a livestock enterprise pond were examined. It was established that the considered contamination caused increase of the spleen mass and its index respectively 1.63 and 1.65 times, but did not affect live weight, body length and height, body structure index, hepatopancreas mass and its index. The hemoglobin concentration, number of erythrocytes, thrombocytes and monocytes in blood of carps from the contaminated pond was lower than in control, whereas number of the segmented neutrophils and ESR were higher, and the number of leukocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes and rod-nucleated neutrophils did not differ. Wastewater from the livestock enterprise affected metabolic processes in carp, particularly caused increase of the glucose and total protein concentration, the lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activity in blood plasma and hepatopancreas. At the same time, there were no differences between specimens from the conditionally clean and contaminated pond in terms of content of triglycerols, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, AlAT and AsAt activity in blood plasma and hepatopancreas and total protein content and LHD activity in hepatopancreas, content of total protein, glucose, creatinine, urea, the glucose content in hepatopancreas. The established changes in internal organs, morphological composition of blood and metabolic parameters, particularly concentration of hemoglobin and the erythrocytes number in blood, glucose and total protein content, and activity of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in carp enabled to propose to use these parameters as supplementary over assessment of the ecotoxicological state of ponds contaminated by wastewater from livestock enterprises.

Characteristics of Cyanobacteria at Different Stages of Existence of the Kyiv Reservoir

The paper deals with the patterns of Cyanobacteria long-term succession at different stages of existence of the Kyiv Reservoir. The main ecological factors responsible for Cyanobacteria succession include current velocity, hydromorphological characteristics of the reservoir, the content of inorganic nitrogen (primarily of ammonium) and phosphorus, ΣN : P ratio, global climate changes, and the competition with higher aquatic plants in the shallow water zone. The trophic state of the hydroecosystem changed from mesotrophic (at the stage of the non-regulated river) to eutrophic (at the present time) depending on the intensity of Cyanobacteria development. With possible further deterioration of water quality, possible climate changes with an increase in water temperature within the range of even 1-2°C, the intensity of Cyanobacteria development will increase, especially in the pelagic zone of the reservoir, where they have practically no natural biological competitors.

Influence of 19-Nortestosterone on the Content of Steroid Hormones, Hematological Indicators and Individual Links of Metabolism in Tissues of Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The influence of different concentrations of the synthetic steroid 19-nortestosterone on the body mass and indexes of internal organs, hematological parameters, testosterone, progesterone and cortisol content, certain links of metabolic processes and enzymatic activity in the tissues of carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i> L.) was studied. Under the short-term impact of 50 μg/dm<sup>3</sup>, 19-nortestosterone increased the total protein and albumins content, creatine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase activity, decreased the inorganic phosphorus and iron content, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activity in the blood plasma and did not affect the respiratory rate, external body features, the mass of hepatopancreas and spleen and their indexes, hematological indicators, the steroid hormones concentration in blood plasma and hepatopancreas, content of glucose, triglycerides, creatinine, calcium, inorganic phosphorus in blood plasma. Under 200 μg/dm<sup>3</sup>, the respiratory rate and ESR increased, as well as the cortisol and testosterone content in blood plasma and hepatopancreas, whereas progesterone in blood plasma decreased and in hepatopancreas increased. High concentration of 19-nortestosterone caused elevated protein and albumin content, creatine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase in the blood plasma activity, whereas glucose, inorganic phosphorus, iron, alkaline phosphatase activity was lower. The 19-nortestosterone did not affect the mass and index of hepatopancreas and spleen, hemoglobin concentration, the erythrocytes, leukocytes and lymphocytes number and ratio of eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes, as well as triglycerides, creatinine, calcium content, lactate dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase activity in blood plasma. The conclusion was made about the carp's ability to adapt to low concentrations of the synthetic steroid 19-nortestosterone under its short-term impact by modification of the certain links of metabolism and enzymatic activity. High concentration of 19-nortestosterone significantly affected the hormonal status and metabolism of carp.

Blood plasma proteins and the content of metabolites of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the hepatopancreas of fish during the action 19-nortestosterone

The aim: study the effect of the synthetic anabolic steroid 19-nortestosterone on the fractional composition of blood plasma proteins, as well as the total protein and albumin content, indicators of the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, macro- and microelements in the fish hepatopancreas. Materials and methods. The experiments were conducted on two-year-old carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), which were kept for 24 hours in aquariums with a volume of 40 dm3 with different concentrations of 19-nortestosterone in water at optimal temperature, oxygen content, and pH. Spectrophotometric methods and an automatic biochemical analyzer were used to determine metabolic indicators in fish, and disk electrophoresis in PAGE was used to determine the fractional composition of proteins. Results. It was established that the steroid hormone 19-nortestosterone, the concentration of which in the water of the fish of the experimental groups was 50 and 200 μg/dm3, respectively, increased the level of total protein and albumin, the concentration of glucose, triglycerides, creatinine, inorganic phosphorus and iron in the hepatopancreas and did not affect the calcium content . In the blood plasma of carp, kept in water with a concentration of 19-nortestosterone of 50 μg/dm3, the content of proteins with a molecular weight of 240-231 increases; 215-179; 169-146 and 105-95 kDa, decreases - 35-33 kDa, fractions of proteins with a molecular weight of 228-220 appear; 116-105 and 48-44 kDa. An increase in the concentration of 19-nortestosterone in water to 200 μg/dm3 increased the content of proteins with a molecular weight of 240-231 and 215-179 kDa in the blood plasma of fish, and decreased it by 35-33 kDa, causing the redistribution of individual protein fractions due to the appearance of proteins with a molecular weight of 240 -228; 116-105 and 48-44 kDa in the absence of proteins 42-41; 38-36 and 24-20 kDa. Conclusions. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that the anabolic synthetic steroid 19-nortestosterone stimulates the biosynthesis of proteins, the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and its effect on the content of minerals in the hepatopancreas and the fractional composition of blood plasma proteins in carp fish was proven

Coupling electrokinetic technique with hydrothermal carbonization for phosphorus-enriched hydrochar production and heavy metal separation from sewage sludge

Hydrothermal carbonization is a promising treatment technology for wet organic solid wastes, due to its energy-efficient production of functionalized carbonaceous materials. However, the usage of sewage sludge (SS) derived hydrochar as phosphorus (P) fertilizer for agricultural soil is inhibited by the presence of heavy metals (HMs). Appropriate HM removal technology is required prior to its land application. In this study, an innovative FeCl3-assisted electrokinetic technique coupling with hydrothermal carbonization (FEK–HTC) is proposed to produce SS hydrochars with reduced HM content and increased P-retention. FEK–HTC treatment showed synergistic effects in terms of P retention and HM content reduction (56–64 % for Ni, Cu, and Zn). Furthermore, the toxicity of the remaining HMs was dramatically reduced, e.g., by 39.35 % in the case of Zn. Additionally, FEK–HTC transformed P species in hydrochars into highly bio-available form. Electrokinetic treatment resulted in decreased pH values of SS feedstock and promoted the solubilization and erosion of Ca-associated P, resulting in higher non-apatite inorganic phosphorus contents (12.47 to 23.19 mg·g−1) compared to hydrochars from untreated sludge. The P migration patterns during the FEK-HTC treatment were assessed based on the combined result of chemical extraction, 31P NMR, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), and diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT). DGT analysis showed that the addition of treated hydrochars greatly increased the available P content in the soil. The results provide new insights into applying FEK-HTC technique for SS management.

Difference of gut microbiota between patients with negative and positive HBeAg in chronic hepatitis B and the effect of tenofovir alafenamide on intestinal flora.

Severe liver diseases, such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, are mainly caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). This study investigated the differences between gut microbiota in HBeAg-positive and negative groups of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and investigated the effect of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) on gut microbiota. This prospective study included patients with CHB not taking nucleoside antivirals (No-NAs group, n = 95) and those taking TAF (TAF group, n = 60). We divided CHB patients into two groups according to the HBeAg status of the subjects on the day of data collection. Phase 1 are HBeAg-negative patients and phase 2 are HBeAg-positive patients. We investigated the improvement of clinical symptoms by TAF, as well as differences in gut microbiota between different groups by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Gut microbiota demonstrated significant differences between patients with HBeAg-positive and -negative CHB. Both the No-NAs and TAF Phase 2 subgroups demonstrated significantly increased microbiota richness and diversity, showing greater heterogeneity. Additionally, the Phase 2 subgroup exhibited a low abundance of pathways associated with glucose metabolism and amino acid metabolism. The TAF group demonstrated a significantly decreased HBV load, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase and a significant increase in prealbumin compared with the No-NAs group. No significant difference was found in uric acid, creatinine, blood calcium, inorganic phosphorus, eGFR, and β2-microglobulin concentrations between the two groups. Additionally, the urea level in the TAF group was significantly lower than that in the No-NAs group, but with no significant effect on other indicators such as eGFR and β2-microglobulin. This study revealed significant differences in gut microbiota composition and function between patients with HBeAg-positive and -negative CHB.

Establishment of an NPK nutrient monitor system in yield-graded cotton petioles under drip irrigation

BackgroundThe determination of nutrient content in the petiole is one of the important methods for achieving cotton fertilization management. The establishment of a monitoring system for the nutrient content of cotton petioles during important growth periods under drip irrigation is of great significance for achieving precise fertilization and environmental protection.MethodsA total of 100 cotton fields with an annual yield of 4500–7500 kg/ha were selected among the main cotton-growing areas of Northern Xinjiang. The nitrate nitrogen (NO3−–N), inorganic phosphorus (PO43−–P) and inorganic potassium (K+–K) content and yield of cotton petioles were recorded. Based on a yield of 6000 kg/ha as the dividing line, a two-level and yield-graded monitoring system for NO3−–N, PO43−–P and K+–K in cotton petioles during important growth periods was established, and predictive yield models for NO3−–N, PO43−–P and K+–K in petioles during important growth periods were established.ResultsThe results showed found that the yields of the 100 cotton fields surveyed were normally distributed. Therefore, two yield grades were classified using 6000 kg/ha as a criterion. Under different yield-graded, the NO3−–N, PO43−–P and K+–K content of petiole at important growth stages was significantly positively correlated with yield. Further, the variation range of NO3−–N, PO43−–P and K+–K content in petioles could be used as a standard for yield-graded. In addition, a yield prediction model for the NO3−–N, PO43−–P and K+–K content of petioles was developed. The SSO-BP validation model performed the best (R2 = 0.96, RMSE = 0.06 t/ha, MAE = 0.05 t/ha) in the full bud stage, which was 12.9% higher than the BP validation model. However, the RMSE and MAE were decreased by 86.7% and 88.1%, respectively.ConclusionThe establishment of NPK nutrition monitor system of cotton petioles under drip irrigation based on yield-graded provides an important basis for nutrition monitor of cotton petiole under drip irrigation in Xinjiang. It also provides a new method for cotton yield prediction.

Drying out fish ponds, for an entire growth season, as an agroecological practice: maintaining primary producers for fish production and biodiversity conservation

Agroecology largely focusses on terrestrial agroecosystems, but it can also be applied to fish farming. Indeed, ponds are typically used for fish production in Europe, but are also important reservoirs of biodiversity. Numerous studies demonstrate that both fish production and biodiversity are strongly determined by human management. One key practice in extensive fish farming, although more rare in Europe, is to dry out ponds. They are left dry for a complete year after several years of fish production. However, the extent to which this practice affects the functioning of the ecosystem, its biodiversity and fish production remain unclear. We investigated data from 85 fish ponds in the Dombes region, France, sampled between 2007 and 2014. We related variation in key abiotic characteristics to the time since last dry out. The dataset included organic matter content in pond sediments and concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the water column, and biotic components such as macrophytes cover and richness, phytoplankton concentration and richness, macroinvertebrates density, and fish yield. Our results show that drying out facilitates the mineralization of organic matter in sediments and results in higher concentrations of inorganic nitrogen in the water column. Macrophytes cover is highest during the first year after drying out, and gradually declines after at the expense of increasing phytoplankton concentration. The diversity of both is highest in the first year after drying out and declines rapidly, especially for macrophytes. Fish yield is at its maximum in the second year. Drying out fish ponds appears to be an important agroecological practice in extensive fish farming with an application every three to four years. By nutrient recycling, this practice has a positive impact on the balance between primary producers and indirectly on the whole food web during two years. It optimizes fish production and allows biodiversity conservation.

Effect of probiotic biologics on morpho-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken blood

In the production of broiler poultry products, market operators use intensive technologies that involve the use of various, environmentally friendly nutraceuticals, in particular, probiotic preparations. In the technology of raising broiler chickens, probiotic preparations are necessary as a means for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, stimulating the growth and increasing the productivity of poultry. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of probiotic biologics on haematological parameters when it is fed to broiler chickens. The experiment used 20 broiler chickens, which were given a probiotic from 28 to 42 days in the following amounts: 0.5 g/10 dm3 , 2.0 and 4.0 g/10 dm3 of water. It was found that the morpho-biochemical parameters of poultry blood corresponded to the physiological standards for broiler chickens of the established age and confirmed the absence of pathophysiological changes in their body. On days 35 and 42 of rearing, an increase in the number of leukocytes from 4.4 to 17.2% and the haemoglobin content by 3.9 and 6.2%, respectively, was observed in the blood of broiler chickens fed the probiotic at a dose of 4.0 g/10 dm3 compared to the control group. On day 35 of the study, a 1.2-fold increase in total serum protein was observed when drinking a probiotic in poultry, respectively, at doses of 2.0 and 4.0 g/10 dm3 of water, and on day 42 – 1.0 times for its drinking at a dose of 4.0 g/10 dm3 of water. It was found that the content of inorganic calcium and phosphorus in the poultry blood serum corresponded to physiological limits, which indicates a sufficient level of mineral nutrition in the body of broiler chickens. The absence of changes in the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, the content of total lipids, cholesterol, and creatinine in the blood serum of broiler chickens of the experimental groups indicates the hepato- and nephronethoxicity of the probiotic. Based on the results obtained, the drug under study can be recommended to increase the resistance of the poultry body and regulate metabolism

Trigger Mechanisms of Cypermethrin-Induced Changes of Metabolism: An Experimental Study

Background: The purpose of this work was to study the triggering mechanisms of metabolic changes in experimental animals after a single injection of cypermethrin at a dose of 55 mg/kg of body weight. Methods and Results: Sixty rats were randomly divided into four groups (15 rats in each group). Rats of the control groups (G1 and G3) were injected with saline into the stomach. Animals of the experimental groups (G2 and G4) were injected once with the synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin at a dose of 55 mg/kg of body weight, which is 1/5 LD50. Before being withdrawn from the experiment, blood was taken in vivo under anesthesia, and the liver was removed. The glucose, lactate, uric acid, and total bilirubin concentrations were determined in blood serum by unified research methods. The content of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was determined in erythrocyte hemolysates. In liver homogenates, the content of total protein, glycogen, uric acid, and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) was determined by unified methods, as well as MDA, GSH, activity of G6PDH, microsomal oxygenase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR). Administration of cypermethrin to laboratory rats at a dose of 1/5 LD50 causes adaptive changes in metabolism. After one day, there was an increase in the content of glucose in the blood serum against the background of a deficiency of carbohydrates in the liver tissue. At the same time, there was an increase in anaerobic oxidation and an increase in purine catabolism, which was associated with the activation of lipid peroxidation (LP) of cell membranes and the depletion of the pool of antioxidants. GSH deficiency was exacerbated by an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and xenobiotic biotransformation systems. Seven days after the administration of cypermethrin, rats retained a high rate of breakdown of purines to uric acid. This process was enhanced by a decrease in the RBC, a deficiency of carbohydrates, and inhibition of the activity of G6PDH, GPx, and GR. This ultimately led to the development of oxidative stress. Conclusion: The triggers for the development of oxidative stress under cypermethrin exposure are lactic acidosis and increased catabolism of purine mononucleotides, accompanied by an increase in the production of free radicals and inhibition of the function of the antioxidant system. A decrease in the blood RBC, carbohydrate deficiency, and suppression of the activity of the pentose cycle 7 days after the administration of cypermethrin aggravate this condition.

Distribution and Release Potential of Soil Phosphorus Fractions in Water-level Fluctuation Zone of the Tributary Bay, Three Gorges Reservoir

After repeated wetting-drying cycles, the migration and transformation of phosphorus in the water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) are accelerated, and the eutrophication of tributary bays in the reservoir becomes increasingly serious. Soils in the WLFZ of a typical tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir were collected, and then phosphorus forms and the degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) were determined to analyze the phosphorus release potential. The results showed that, ① the average contents of total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), and organic phosphorus (OP) of soils in the WLFZ were 771.80, 485.33, and 166.30 mg·kg-1, respectively. The non-labile IP and OP were the dominate speciation of IP and OP, respectively. ② The distribution of P forms of soils in the WLFZ was affected by wetting-drying cycle. The contents of Ex-P and NaHCO3-Po of soils in the WLFZ were significantly higher than those in the contrasted soils, whereas the contents of Fe-P, HCl-Po, and Fulvic-Po decreased significantly along the elevation (P<0.05). The alternative wetting-drying cycle promoted the generation of labile P and the release and accumulation of moderately labile P of soils in the WLFZ. ③The content and proportion of bioavailable phosphorus (Bio-P) of soils in the WLFZ were in the range of 49.19-148.78 mg·kg-1 and 7.17%-24.78%, and the degree of phosphorus sorption (DPS) was in the range of 5.85%-22.00%. At present, the phosphorus release risk of soils in the WLFZ was low. The soil at 170 m elevation requires further attention. Fe-P, HCl-Po, and Fulvic-Po contributed significantly to phosphorus release. The increase in pH promoted the release of Fe-P. Alkaline phosphomonoesterase (ALP) was an important participant in the transformation of OP. Additionally, organic matter (OM) was the main source of OP.

Influence of various phosphoric concentrations on tissue and intracellular metabolism of Cyprinus Carpio L. in aquatic habitat

The research relevance is predefined by the fact that under the influence of various factors of the aquatic environment, changes in the speed and direction of the metabolic processes of hydrobionts are recorded. The research aims to study the influence of different inorganic phosphorus content in the aquatic environment on the indicators of phosphorus-calcium exchange in fish. The methods of thin-layer chromatography and variational statistics were used. Glandular tissues of the gills, liver and kidneys of fish were analyzed. To study the influence of inorganic phosphorus in the water environment on some indicators of intracellular metabolism, mitochondria were isolated in osmoregulatory organs. It was found that when the concentration of phosphorus increases to 0.3-0.6 mg/L in the water environment, it accumulates in the liver, and gills and decreases in the kidneys, while the concentration is maintained at a relatively constant level in the blood serum of fish. An increase in the concentration of inorganic phosphorus in the water environment significantly affects the processes of energy generation in the mitochondria of fish livers. A change in the phosphorus content in the habitat of fish has a significant impact on tissue bioenergetic processes, which is manifested in a change in the adenosine triphosphate content, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Significant changes in these indicators are observed in the gills and kidneys. The research results can be used for the formation of adaptive and compensatory regulatory mechanisms in the organism of hydrobionts during their adaptation to certain conditions of cultivation and reproduction