Inf3 Sup Research Articles

Solubility of Pt and Pd sulfides and Au metal in aqueous bisulfide solutions

An experimental study of the solubility of Pt and Pd sulfides and Au metal in aqueous bisulfide solutions was conducted at temperatures from 200° to 350 °C and at saturated vapor pressure. A 500-mL Bridgemantype pressure vessel constructed of titanium, and equipped with a motor-driven magnetic stirrer was employed. The pH and the oxidation state were buffered by the coexistence of H2S/HS−/SO inf4 sup2− . The pH at temperature was calculated to be in the range 5.91–9.43, and ∑S was 0.3–2.2 m. Under the experimental conditions, the measured solubility of gold is about two to three orders of magnitude greater than that of either platinum and palladium, and the measured solubility of platinum is, in general, approximately equal to that of palladium, in molal units. The solubilities are found to be in the range: platinum 4–800 ppb, palladium 1–400 ppb, and gold 2–300 ppm. The solubility data can be modeled adequately using the following reactions: Au+H2S+HH−=Au(HS) 2 − +1/2H2 (K14); PtS+HS−+H+=Pt (HS) 2 0 (K15); PdS+HS−+H+=Pd (HS) 2 0 (K16); PtS2+H2=Pt (HS) 2 0 (K21).

Assessment of methylammonium as an analog for ammonium in plant uptake from soil

We tested radioactive methylammonium (14CH3NH inf3 sup+ ) as a tracer for ammonium (NH4 +) in root uptake measurements from soil. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Moll. cv T5) in 3 L pots filled with loamy sand soil received 40, 200, or 600 μmol 14CH3NH3 + or 15NH4 +. During a 4 h period, the plants absorbed 14CH3NH3 + at slower rates than 15NH4 +. Estimates of NH4 + absorption based on 15NH4 + absorption were 0.9–7.9 μmol NH4 + g−1 plant dry weight h−1, whereas those based on 14CH3NH3 + absorption were 0.2–1.0 μmol NH4 + g−1 plant dry weight h−1. After 4 h, approximately one-half of the applied 15N was not recovered in the plants or soil KCl extracts; apparently, this 15N was either immobilized or nitrified and denitrified by soil biota. By contrast, almost all the 14CH3NH3 + remained in the soil solution after 4 h, but after a 10 d incubation, approximately 20% had been released as 14CO2. These differences in plant absorption rates and movement through soil pools indicate that CH3NH3 + cannot be used reliably as an NH4 + analog in soil.

Microbial activity and leaching during initial oak leaf litter decomposition

The decomposition of oak leaf litter was studied by means of a litterbag experiment in an oak forest in the Netherlands. The contribution of microbial activity and leaching to weight loss and element dynamics during the first 6 weeks of decomposition was investigated by means of frequent respiration measurements and extractions of the litter and by a qualitative comparison of throughfall and litter percolation water chemistry. The oak-leaf litter lost 9.3% of its initial dry weight during the first 6 weeks. In total, 90% of this observed weight loss was explained by the processes studied. About 5.9% (64% of the total) of this weight loss was attributed to microbial tespiration and 0.5% (5%) to the loss of inorganic solutes. Leaching of dissolved organic compounds was estimated to account for 2.0% (21%). The results indicated a fast leaching of K and Cl out of the fresh litter during the first 2 weeks, while Mg, Fe, Mn, Si, ortho P, and dissolved organic N were released at a much lower rate. At the same time, small amounts of H+, NH inf4 sup+ and NO inf3 sup- were retained in the litter.

Near-infrared characteristics of forest humus are correlated with soil respiration and microbial biomass in burnt soil

Near-infrared spectroscopy and soil physicochemical determinations (pHH2O, organic matter content, total C content, NH inf4 sup+ , total N content, cation-exchange capacity, and base saturation) were used to characterize fire-or wood ash-treated humus samples. The spectroscopic and the soil physicochemical analysis data from the humus samples were used separately to explain observed variations in soil respiration and microbial biomass C by partial least-square regression. The first regression component obtained from the physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization explained 10–12% and 60–80% of the biological variation, respectively. This suggests that information on organic material collected from near-infrared spectra is very useful for explaining biological variations in forest humus.

Glucoamylase production by Aspergillus niger on rice bran is improved by adding nitrogen sources

Corn steep liquor, peptone or NH inf4 (sup+) salts increased the yield of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger growing in a solid-state fermentation on rice bran up to 360 IU/g dry substrate over 96 h at 30°C.

Selection of soybean plant leaves which yield mesophyll cell isolates with maximal rates of CO2 and NO inf2 sup? photoassimilation

A problem often encountered when assaying mesophyll cell isolates prepared from mature soybean leaves, was that of poor reproducibility in rates of net (14)CO2 photoassimilation and NO2 (-) photoreduction. It was known that soybean source leaves repeatedly displayed their most active net CO2 photoassimilation in the period from attainment of maximal leaf area to approximately two to five days subsequent to that point. Advantage was taken of the fact that when soybean leaflets of each leaf reach their maximal area they also have reached their maximal leaf length from base to tip. This facilitates a more rapid determination of the point in time in which leaflet areas had reached Amax. Soybean plants (Glycine max cv. Williams) were propagated in the growth chamber with a 12 h light-12 h dark cycle, 25δC, 65% RH, and 700 microeinsteins per meter squared per second. At 24 d post-emergence, the third leaf (numbered acropetally from the unifoliates) of each plant had just attained maximum leaflet areas (≈110 cm(2)) and lengths (≈13 cm). For this study, leaf mesophyll cells were enzymatically isolated, using commercially prepared pectinase, from leaflet sets of leaves selected from each of the second, third, and fourth leaf positions. Maximal rates of net (14)CO2 photoassimilation (with 5 mM HCO3 (-)) for the second, third and fourth leaf (leaflet) isolates were, respectively, 27.0, 57.0, and 41.7 μmol (14)CO2 assimilated per milligram chlorophyll per hour; simultaneously maximal rates of NO inf2 (sup-) photoreduction (1 mM NO inf2 (sup-) ) were, respectively, 4.4, 8.1, and 0.0 μmol NO inf2 (sup-) reduced per milligram chlorophyll per hour. These studies made it clear that in order repeatedly to attain reproducible maximal rates of leaf cell isolate net (14)CO2 photoassimilation and NO inf2 (sup-) photoreduction, it always was necessary to select the newest, fully expanded leaves (e.g. leaf number 3) for cell isolation. Leaves from several plants only were pooled if they were excised from identically the same node on each of the plants.

Denitrification and nitrogen immobilization as affected by organic matter and different forms of nitrogen added to an anaerobic water-sediment system

The effects of wheat straw and different forms of N on denitrification and N immobilization were studied in an anaerobic water-sediment system. The water-sediment system was supplemented with various combinations of wheat straw and 15N-labelled and unlabelled (NH4)2SO4 or KNO3, and incubated anaerobically at 30°C for 10 days. 15N-labelled and unlabelled NO inf3 sup- , NO inf2 sup- , NH inf4 sup+ , and organic N were determined in the water-sediment system. The gases evolved (N2, CO2, N2O, and CH4) were analyzed by gas chromatography at regular intervals. Larger quantities of 15N2−N and organic 15N were formed in wheat straw-amended systems than in non-amended systems. Trends in CO2 production were similar to those of N2−N evolution. The evolution of N2O and CH4 was negligible. Denitrification processes accounted for about 22 and 71% of the added 15NO inf3 sup- −N in the absence and presence of wheat straw, respectively. The corresponding denitrification rates were 3.4 and 12.4 μg 15Ng-1 dry sediment day-1. In systems amended with 15NO inf3 sup- −N and 15NO inf3 sup- +NH inf4 sup+ −N without wheat straw, 1.82 and 1.58%, respectively, of the added 15NH inf3 sup- −N was immobilized. The corresponding figures for the same systems supplemented with wheat straw were 5.08 and 4.10%, respectively. Immobilization of 15NO inf4 sup+ −N was higher than that of 15NO inf3 sup- −N. The presence of NO inf3 sup- −N did not stimulate NH inf4 sup+ −N immobilization.

Nitrite uptake by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells immobilized in calcium alginate

When an initial cell loading of about 30–40 µg chlorophyll (Chl)·g−1 gel and alginate suspension of 3% (w/v) were used for immobilization of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the resulting cell beads showed optimum nitrite uptake rate, at 30° C and pH 7.5, of 14 µmol NO inf2 sup− ·mg−1 Chl·h−1, the photosynthetic and respiratory activities being about 120 µmol O2 produced·mg−1 Chl·h−1, and 40 µmol O2 consumed ·mg−1 Chl·h−1, respectively. The nitrite uptake activity required CO2 in the culture and persisted after 8 days of cells immobilization, or in the presence of 0.2 mm ammonium in the medium. Our data indicate that alginate-entrapped C, reinhardtii cells may provide a stable and functional system for removing nitrogenous contaminants from waste-waters.

Glutamine synthetase and arginine inhibition of nitrate reductase activity in Anabaena cycadeae

Wild-type Anabaena cycadeae with normal glutamine synthetase (GS) activity utilized arginine as sole N source whereas a mutant strain lacking GS activity did not. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity, higher in the mutant strain than the wild-type strain, was inhibited by arginine though arginine-dependent NH 4 (+) generation was higher in the mutant strain than in the wild-type. This suggests that (1) NR activity is NO inf3 (sup-) -inducible and arginine-repressible; and (2) while GS activity is required for the assimilation of arginine as sole N-source, it is not required for arginine inhibition of NR activity.

Effects of ammonium and nitrate on the growth of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizalErythrina poeppigiana O.I. Cook seedlings

Erythrina poeppigiana, a woody tropical plant, was inoculated with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungiGlomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdeman,G. mosseae Nicol. and Gerd. Gerdeman and Trappe, orG. intraradices Schenk and Smith. Growth, N uptake, and nutrition were evaluated in VAM-inoculated plants and controls fertilized with two levels (3 or 6 mM) of either NH inf4 sup+ -N or NO inf3 sup- -N. The response by the mycorrhizal plants to N fertilization, according to N source and/or level differed significantly from that of the control plants. In general, the growth of the mycorrhizal plants was similar to that of the non-mycorrhizal plants when N was provided as NH inf4 sup+ . When the N source was NO inf3 sup- the control plants grew significantly less than the VAM plants. Inoculation with VAM fungi gave yield increases of 255 and 268% forG. etunicatum-colonized plants, 201 and 164% forG. mosseae-colonized plants and 286 and 218% forG. intraradices-colonized plants fertilized with 3 and 6 mM NO inf3 sup- -N, respectively. The increased growth and acquisition of nutrients by plants fertilized with NO inf3 sup- -N and inoculated with VAM shows that VAM mycelium has a capacity for NO inf3 sup- absorption. The results also showed thatE. poeppigiana seedlings preferred NH inf4 sup+ as an N source.G. etunicatum was the most effective endophyte, not only increasing N, P, Ca, Mg, and Zn uptake in the presence of NO inf3 sup- fertilizer but also P and Mg in the presence of NH inf4 sup+ applications. From these results we conclude that VAM symbiosis affects N metabolism inE. poeppigiana plants and that this species can overcome limitations on the use of NO inf3 sup- -N by the mediation of VAM fungi.

Evaluation of denitrification losses by the acetylene inhibition technique in a permanent ryegrass field (Lolium perenne L.) fertilized with animal slurry or ammonium nitrate

In a field experiment, the effect of animal slurry, (with and without the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide on total denitrification losses estimated by the C2H2 inhibition technique was measured over 2 years (1989–1990). During this period, four different plots (each with four replicates) were fertilized six times with 150 kg N ha-1 in the form of cattle-pig slurry or NH4NO3. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were analysed at regular intervals for NH inf4 sup+ and NO inf3 sup− concentrations. The soil water content was determined gravimetrically. During the first year (1989) total denitrification losses from unfertilized, mineral-fertilized, and animal slurry-amended plots (with or without dicyandiamide) were estimated as 0.2, 3.1, 0.7, and 0.6 kg N ha-1, respectively. During the second year (1990) the denitrification losses were 0.4, 1.3, 0.7, and 0.7 kg N ha-1, respectively. There was a clear relationship between the NO inf3 sup− concentration or soil water content and the denitrification rate. The results are siteund experiment-specific and cannot be generalized so far.

Apparent availability of nitrogen in composted municipal refuse

The use of composted municipal refuse on agricultural land requires prior knowledge of the interactions among compost, soil, and plants. Research into the availability of N in highly matured municipal refuse compost is particularly important considering the current concern about groundwater contamination by NO inf3 sup- -N. A greenhouse pot bioassay was conducted to determine the percentage of short-term apparent bioavailable N of a highly matured refuse compost and its relative efficiency in supplying inorganic N to the soil-plant system in comparison with NH4NO3. Municipal refuse (after 165 days of composting) was applied at rates equivalent to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 t ha-1 to a ferrallitic soil from Tenerife Island (Andeptic Paludult). NH4NO3 was applied at rates equivalent to the total N content of the compost treatments. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown in 3-kg pots and the tops were harvested at regular intervals after seedling emergence. The compost increased dry matter yield, soil mineral N, and plant N uptake proportional to the applied rate. These increases were significantly higher than the control at an application rate of 20 t ha-1. After 6 months the apparent bioavailable N ranged from 16 to 21%. The relative efficiency was 43% after 30 days. This suggests that large inputs of inorganic N into soil can be obtained with high rates of this kind of compost, with a potential for NO inf3 sup- -N contamination. However, applied at moderate rates in our bioassay (<50 t ha-1), compost showed a low N-supplying capacity to ryegrass, i.e. a small fraction of the mineralized compost N was used by plants in the course of time. This was ascribed to a partial biological immobilization. This pattern of N availability in highly matured municipal refuse compost, positive net mineralization but partial immobilization, is similar to the pattern of N availability in biologically active soils and is therefore extremely interesting for the conservation of N in agro-ecosystems.

Kinetics of acid- and iron(III)-catalysed aquation of cis-(salicylato)-(methyl/ethylamine) bis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III)

The kinetics of spontaneous, acid- and FeIII-catalysed aquation of cis-[Co(en)2(RNH2)(SalH)]2+ complexes (R = Me, Et; SalH = C6H4(OH)CO inf2 sup- ) were studied in acid perchlorate medium, I = 1.5 mol dm−3 (NaClO4) at 70–80°C. The FeIII-catalysed aquation proceeds via formation of a binuclear species, the evidence of which follows from aquation, complexation and equilibrium studies. The spontaneous aquation rate shows steric acceleration with the increase of the nonlabile amine chain length, while that of acid- and FeIII-catalysed aquation shows the opposite trend. An attempt is made to explain the discrepancy in the rate on the basis of solvent cosphere effects.

Soil phosphorus dynamics in cropping systems managed according to conventional and biological agricultural methods

The effects of conventional and biological farming systems on soil P dynamics were studied by measuring some microbiological parameters after 13 years of different cropping systems. The treatments included control, biodynamic, bio-organic, and conventional plots and a mineral fertilizer treatment. The farming systems differed mainly in the form and quantity of nutrients applied and in the plant protection strategies. The results of a sequential fractionation procedure showed that irrespective of the form of P applied, neither 0.5 M NaHCO inf3 sup- nor 0.1 M NaOH-extractable organic P, but only the inorganic fractions, were affected. The residual organic P, not extracted by NaHCO3 or NaOH was increased in the biodynamic and bio-organic plots. The soil microbial biomass (ATP content) and the activity of acid phosphatase were also higher in both biologically managed systems. These results were attributed to the higher quantity of organic C and organic P applied in these systems, but also to the absence of or severe reduction in chemical plant protection. The relationship between acid soil phosphatase and residual organic P was interpreted as an indication that this fraction might be involved in short-term transformations. The measurement of the intensity, quantity, and capacity factors of available soil P using the 32P isotopic exchange kinetic method showed that P could not be the factor limiting crop yield in the biological farming systems. The kinetic parameters describing the ability of P ions to leave the soil solid phase, deduced from isotopic exchange, were significantly higher for the biodynamic treatment than for all other treatments. This result, showing a modification of chemical bonds between P ions and the soil matrix, was explained by the higher Ca and organic matter contents in this system.

Nitrogen metabolism of Frankia strain, Cc01, Mg+, At4 and Hr18

The composition and levels of amino acids in four Frankia strains isolated from different actinorhizal plants, were determined. Minor differences in the amino acid profiles were noted with GLN (GLU) being the major amino acid in all four strains. Enzyme actives of ammonia metabolism, GS (glutamine synthetase), GOGAT (glutamate synthetase), and GDH (glutamate dehydrogenase), were also measured. In strains At4 and Hr18, GS and GOGAT activity levels were elevated in N2-grown cells but significant amounts of GDH activity were present in ammonia-grown cells. No GDH was detected in strain Cc01 and Mg+. The characters of heat-stable and heat-labile GSs were described. In N2-fixing cells, the ATP and amino acid content was much lower, but ammonia content was higher than in NH inf4 sup+ -grown cells.

Influence of culture density, pH, organic acids and divalent cations on the removal of nutrients and metals by immobilized Anabaena doliolum and Chlorella vulgaris

The potential of alginate-immobilized Anabaena doliolum and Chlorella vulgaris was assessed for removal of nutrients (NO inf3 (sup-) and NH inf4 (sup+) ) and metals (Cr2O inf7 (sup2-) and Ni(2+)) at different biomass concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.49 and 1.22 g dry wt l(-1)) and pH values (4 to 10). Though uptake of all these substances was higher in concentrated algal beads (0.25, 0.49 and 1.22 g dry wt l(-1)), their rate of uptake was significantly (P<0.001) lower than that of low (0.05 g dry wt l(-1)) cell density beads. For A. doliolum, there was no significant difference in uptake rates for beads having densities of 0.05 and 0.1 g dry wt l(-1). Chlorella vulgaris, however, showed maximum efficiency at 0.1 g dry wt l(-1). Uptake of both the nutrients and the metals was maximal at pH 7 followed by pH 8, 6, 9, 10, 5 and 4. Of the different substances (organic acids and divalent cations) used, humic acid was most efficient in decreasing metal uptake. Mg(2+) was, however, more efficient than Ca(2+) in decreasing Ni(2+) uptake. Immobilized algae with a cell density of 0.1 g dry wt l(-1) were the most efficient for nutrient and metal removal at pH 6 to 8.

In situ net N transformations in pine, fir, and oak stands of different ages on acid sandy soil, 3 years after liming

The effect of liming on in-situ N transformations was studied in two stands of different ages of each of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco], and common oak (Quercus robur L.). The stands were located on acid sandy soils in an area with high atmospheric N input. The organic matter of the upper 10-cm layer of the soil, including the forest floor, had a relatively high N content (C: N ratio <25) in all stands. Using a sequential core technique, N transformations were measured in both control plots and plots that had been limed 3 years previously with 3 t ha-1 of dolomitic lime. Limed plots had a higher net NO inf3 sup- production and a higher potential for NO inf3 sup- leaching than the controls in all stands except that of the younger oak. Net N mineralization did not differ significantly between limed and control plots in oak stands and younger coniferous stands but was significantly lower in the limed plots of the older coniferous stands. It is concluded that long-term measurements of net N mineralization in limed forest soils are needed to evaluate the effect of liming with respect to the risk of groundwater pollution.

The predicted effect of SO2 emission controls on the water quality of eastern Canadian lakes

Changes in SO inf4 (sup2-) deposition predicted to occur in response to implementation of announced SO2 emission control programs in Canada and the U.S.A. have been used as input to water chemistry models thereby giving an estimate of the changes in lake acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and pH that can be expected from these programs. Eastern Canada has been divided into 22 subregions for the purpose of this analysis. Relative to the current level (1982-86) of SO inf4 (sup2-) deposition (Scenario 1), the effect of the Canadian SO2 emission control program alone (Scenario 2) is compared to that obtained when controls are implemented throughout North America (Scenarios 3 and 4). SO2 emission reduction will effect a shrinkage of the high wet SO inf4 (sup2-) deposition field in NE North America such that under Scenario 4 conditions, almost no area will remain in Canada that receives >20 kg ha(-1) yr(-1). The greatest decrease in deposition and resulting change in lake chemistry occurs in southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. ANC distributions shift to higher concentrations and the percentage of lakes having pH<6 decreases in these areas. The Atlantic Provinces will obtain only a minor benefit from the control programs, i.e. experiencing only a small decrease in deposition and improvement in water quality. High sensitivity of the terrain in many parts of Atlantic Canada means that large numbers of lakes will remain acidic (i.e. ANC<0) and/or have pH<6 (an important biological threshold) even after full implementation of the current plans for SO2 control in Canada and the U.S.

Evaluation of the effects of acid precipitation in eastern Canada using the raison system

Evaluations have been made of the key chemical factors in the aquatic effects upon surface waters due to acidic precipitation in eastern Canada. The region of Canada east of the Manitoba/Ontario border was divided into 22 aggregates and assessments of inorganic and organic ion chemistry appraised relative to sulphate deposition rates and distributions. Aquatic sensitivity is largely dominated by the concentration, distribution and magnitude of SO inf4 (sup2-) (sulphate) deposition and by the prevalent geology and derived soils found in each aggregate. The RAISON system provided an adaptable and highly flexible platform to evaluate interactively, multiple data sets of divergent characteristics. Attributes usually associated with geographical information systems are significantly augmented by quantitative numerical and stochastic capabilities that were used extensively in this study.

Mixed culture hydrogenotrophic nitrate reduction in drinking water

Isolation and identification of the bacteria from a hydrogenotrophic reactor for the denitrification of drinking water revealed that several microorganisms are involved. Acinetobacter sp., Aeromonas sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Shewanella putrefaciens were repeatedly isolated from the hydrogenotrophic sludge and postulated to be of primary importance in the process. Nitrate reduction to nitrite appears to be a property of a diverse group of organisms. Nitrite reduction was found to be stimulated by the presence of organic growth factors. Thus, in a mixed culture, hydrogenotrophic denitrification reactor, NO inf2 (sup-) formed by NO inf3 (sup-) -reducers can be converted by true denitrifiers thriving on organic growth factors either present in the raw water, or excreted by the microbial community. Mixotrophic growth also contributes to NO inf2 (sup-) reduction. Finally, chemolithotrophic bacteria participate in the nitrite to nitrogen gas conversion.