Mineral Treatment Research Articles

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae and extraradical mycelium of subtropical tree species on soil nitrogen mineralization and enzyme activities.

Through symbiosis with plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi effectively improve the availability of soil nitrogen (N). However, the mechanism through which AM and associated extraradical mycelium affect soil N mineralization remains unknow. We carried out an in situ soil culture experiment by using in-growth cores in plantations of three subtropical tree species, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Schima superba, and Liquidambar formosana. We measured soil physical and chemical properties, net N mineralization rate, and the activities of four kinds of hydrolase (leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), β-1,4-glucosidase (βG), cellobiohydrolase (CB)) and two kinds of oxidases (polyphenol oxidase (POX) and peroxidase (PER)) involved in soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization in treatments of mycorrhiza (with absorbing roots and hyphae), hyphae (hyphae only), and control (mycorrhiza-free). The results showed that mycorrhizal treatments significantly affected soil total carbon and pH but did not affect N mineralization rates and all enzymatic activities. Tree species significantly affected net ammonification rate, net N mineralization rate and activities of NAG, βG, CB, POX and PER. The net N mineralization rate and enzyme activities in the C. lanceolata stand were significantly higher than that in monoculture broad-leaved stands of either S. superba or L. formosana. There was no interactive effect of mycorrhizal treatment and tree species on any of soil properties, nor on enzymatic activities or net N mineralization rates. Soil pH was negatively and significantly correlated with five kinds of enzymatic activities except for LAP, while net N mineralization rate significantly correlated with ammonium nitrogen content, available phosphorus content, and the activity level of βG, CB, POX, and PER. In conclusion, there was no difference in enzymatic activities and N mineralization rates between rhizosphere and hyphosphere soils of three subtropical tree species in the whole growing season. The activity of particular carbon cycle-related enzymes was closely related to soil N mineralization rate. It is suggested that differences in litter quality and root functional traits among different tree species affect soil enzyme activities and N mineralization rates through organic matter inputs and shaping soil condition.

Evaluation of the role of insulin-like growth factor-1 and some minerals in treatment of hypothyroid rats

Untreated hypothyroidism can contribute to hypertension, dyslipidemia, infertility, cognitive impairment, and neuromuscular dysfunction. The management of hypothyroidism focuses on ensuring that patients receive appropriate thyroid hormone replacement therapy and monitoring their response. Hormone and supplement therapy should have beneficial effects. The present study was designed to evaluate IGF-1 and some supplements in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) concentrations in response to treatment with T4, IGF-1, Zn, Se, and Vit.B12 in experimentally induced hypothyroid rats. Forth-week-old male Wistar albino rats (weight 180–250 g). Rats were given methimazole to induce hypothyroid and were randomly divided into seven groups including those treated with levothyroxine T4, IGF1, T4 + IGF1, T4 + Zinc, T4 +Selenium, T4 +B12, and T4+Zinc+ Selenium+ B12. The body weight was evaluated for each group before and after the treatment. The concentrations of TSH and thyroid hormones were measured using the ELISA technique. The data showed that the animal model of hypothyroidism had increased body weight in comparison to the control groups (P≤0.05). The body weight of rats in treatment groups with IGF-1 was significantly increased from (221 ± 16.8) g to (276.2 ± 25.9) g.

Paracelzus, pionir urgentne medicine i hirurgije, otac toksikologije i farmakologije, preteča homeopatije i hemoterapije

In the entire constellation of doctors, pharmacists, physicists, alchemists, anatomists, pioneers of medicine, there are few who have left as much controversy behind as Paracelsus did. Paracelsus' real name was Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim and he was essentially an alchemist, physicist, astrologer and practiced the occult. His medical practice introduced numerous revolutionary treatments for that time, although many contemporaries considered his works to be a collection of superstitious and repulsive folk remedies. He wrote: "If you prevent the infection, nature will heal the wound on its own." This treatment brought him fame in the circles of Western medicine. He was also the first to introduce the use of various chemicals and minerals in treatment o illnes, the first to give the name zinc and introduced tin powder as an anthelmintic. In long ago 1530 Paracelsus wrote a clinical description of syphilis, in which he claimed that the disease could be successfully treated with orally, carefully measured doses of mercury compounds. During his stay in the mines holles, he wrote that the "miner's disease" (silicosis) was caused by inhaling metal fumes and that it was not a punishment for the sin used by mountain spirits. The first stated that, if given in small doses, "what makes a person sick also cures him" - expectation of the modern practice of homeopathy. It was written that Paracelsus cured many plague-stricken people in the city of Stertzing in the summer of 1534 by giving an oral tablet made of bread and secretion from the pustule. Paracelsus is often referred to as the father of toxicology. In that sense, his sentence is especially significant: "All things are poisonous and nothing is without poison; it's just the dose that makes a thing not poison." This remains the basic principle of toxicology to these days. Although he is often called a quack doctor, he is rightly among the 100 most influential scientists in all of human history.

The Effect of Different Fertilization Treatments on Wheat Root Depth and Length Density Distribution in a Long-Term Experiment

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sixty years of contrasting fertilization treatments on the roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at sites with different soil and climate conditions. The depth and length density distribution of the wheat roots were determined between 2014 and 2016 in a crop rotation experiment established in 1955 at three sites: Lukavec, Čáslav, and Ivanovice (Czech Republic). Three fertilization treatments were examined: Zero fertilization (N0), organic (ORG) fertilization, and mineral (MIN) fertilization. The fertilization, site, and year all had a significant effect on the total root length (TRL). The average TRL per square meter reached 30.2, 37.0, and 46.1 km with the N0, ORG, and MIN treatments at Lukavec, respectively, which was the site with the lightest soil and the coldest climate. At Čáslav and Ivanovice (warmer sites with silt and loamy soils), the average TRL per square meter reached 41.2, 42.4, and 47.7 km at Čáslav and 49.2, 55.3, and 62.9 km at Ivanovice with the N0, MIN, and ORG treatments, respectively. The effect of fertilization on the effective root depth (EfRD), the depth at which the root length density dropped below 2.0 cm cm−3, was significant, while the maximum root depth (RMD) was only marginally affected. With the sites and years averaged, the MIN-treated plants showed a greater EfRD (102.2 cm) in comparison to the N0 (81.8 cm) and ORG (93.5 cm) treatments. The N0 treatment showed no signs of an adaptive reaction to the root system, with potential improvement for nutrient acquisition, while optimal fertilization contributed to the potential for resource depletion from the soil profile.

Insights into heterogeneous catalytic activation of peroxymonosulfate by natural chalcopyrite: pH-dependent radical generation, degradation pathway and mechanism

In this study, natural chalcopyrite (NCP) was employed in the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for bisphenol S (BPS) degradation. Firstly, the NCP catalyst was characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) techniques. Then, several key parameters such as catalyst dosage, PMS dosage and initial pH were investigated in NCP/PMS system. Furthermore, the transformation of various free radicals (SO4•−, •OH and O2•−) with the changes of initial pH were investigated by quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) study. Also, sulfur species cycling of copper and iron species were investigated via exogenous Cu2+ and Fe3+ addition experiments and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the result indicated that sulfur species promoted Fe3+/Fe2+ and Cu2+/Cu+ cycles on the NCP surface. Furthermore, thirteen major degradation intermediates of BPS were detected by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and density functional theory (DFT) method was used to illustrate possible reaction pathways of BPS. Finally, a reasonable reaction mechanism of NCP/PMS system for BPS degradation was proposed on the basis of the comprehensive analysis. In brief, this work helps to provide useful information for the application of natural metallic sulfide minerals in treatment of contaminated waters.

Non-Steady State and Steady State Silicate Dissolution: Non- Carbonate Acid Neutralisation for Long-Term Acid and Metalliferous Drainage Control

The dissolution of silicate minerals has been largely examined under steady state conditions. The primary aim of this study was to understand the potential of the non-steady state dissolution of silicate minerals in treatment of acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) resulting predominantly from pyrite oxidation. To this end, flow-through dissolution cell experiments were carried out using selected silicate minerals (biotite, chlorite, olivine and K-feldspar), all commonly found in AMD environments, under various pH and flow rate conditions, for comparison to pyrite dissolution carried out under the same conditions. Both acid generation rate (pyrite) and steady-state and non-steady state acid neutralisation rates (silicates) were calculated and compared. Results showed that the non-steady state acid neutralisation rates due to silicate dissolution were greater than the steady-state neutralisation rates and that all silicate minerals investigated in this study, except K-feldspar, can provide acid neutralisation rates to match the acid generation rate due to pyrite dissolution under certain conditions.

Using Zinc in Management of Subfertile Male Patients: a Clinical Trial

Background: The use of minerals in treatment of different diseases is as old as man himself. zinc is the most famous trace mineral related to male sexual function. Oligoasthenozoospermic subfertile patients were treated with zinc sulphate for three months.
 Objectives: Aim of the research is to investigate the role of Zinc and if it affects the abnormalities of some semen parameters and to study the possible role of pharmaceutical preperations of zinc in amelioration of male subfertility as well as to assess the ability of Zinc to induce changes in the serum and semen zinc levels in addition to the levels of reproductive hormones (FSH and Testosterone).
 Type of the study: The study is a single group pretest-posttest experimental prospective comparative self-control; clinical trial research.
 Methods: The patients were tested before and after the treatment for semen analysis via Computerized Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) dynamic analysis report I and II as well as for FSH and Testosterone hormonal levels, serum and semen zinc levels .
 Results: Zinc administration induced a significant increase(p≤0.001) in FSH, Testosterone, serum and semen zinc level as well as in the total and progressive sperm motility percentages .
 Conclusions: Zinc administration induced significant changes (p≤0.001) towards improvement in the total and progressive sperm motility percentages in oligoasthenozoospermic patients by CASA dynamic analysis report I and II.

INFLUENCE OF INOCULATION OF OAT AND PEA SEEDS WITH BIOPREPARATIONS WHEN USING MINERAL FERTILIZERS IN DIFFERENT DOSES ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF GREEN MASS

Within three years, the effectiveness of the use of various biological products for inoculation of oat and pea seeds when using mineral fertilizers, as well as their influence on the yield and quality of green mass has been studied. The experiment was laid out at the experimental station of Ivanovo state agricul-tural Academy. The soil is sod-podzolic medium loamy. As a result of the agrochemical analysis of the soil on the experimental site, the content of humus in the soil was 1.7%, mobile phosphorus 190 mg/kg and mobile potassium 156 mg/kg, pH -5.6. Inoculation of seeds with biopreparations was carried out on the day of sowing, before sowing soil treatment mineral fertilizers were introduced, in some variants bi-omineral fertilizer was used. Mineral fertilizers in the form of ammonium nitrate, double superphosphate and potassium chloride were introduced under presowing cultivation according to the scheme of experi-ence. On the day of sowing, oat seeds were treated with extrasol at the rate of 100 ml per hectare. The inoculation of pea seeds previously treated with rizotorfin, was performed with mushroom of arbuscular- vezikuliar mycorrhizae in the dose of 400g. Biomineral fertilizer was prepared by mixing Bisolbifit with mineral fertilizer in the dose of 40 g per 1 kg of fertilizer. According to the results of the research it was found that the combined use of biopreparations for inoculation of pea and oat seeds with phosphorus-potassium and complete mineral fertilizer allowed to obtain a reliable increase in yield and a positive trend was observed to increase the yield and quality of the green mass.

Physiological mechanisms of influence of table and treatment mineral waters based on the balgeneological measure “Magnesium Oil” on some systems of health organism in experiment

Physiological mechanisms of influence of table and treatment mineral waters based on the balgeneological measure “Magnesium Oil” on some systems of health organism in experiment

Características de carcaça, componentes não-carcaça e morfometria em ovinos submetidos a diferentes estratégias de suplementação

The objective of the research was to evaluate carcass characteristics, non-carcass components and morphometry in sheep subjected to different supplementation strategies. It was used 24 male sheep, not emasculated, products crossing the Santa Inês breed with animals without definition of race (WDR), with average weight of 20.58 kg. The animals were distributed in four treatments in a completely randomized design with six replicates per treatment. The experimental period lasted 83 days, 20 days of adaptation to environment and diet and 63 days of the experiment itself. All animals were fed ad libitum hay and Tifton 85 have been treated with different supplements: Treatment Mineral = mineral supplement; Treatment mineral associated with urea = mineral supplement + urea + ammonium sulfate; Treatment protein = protein supplement; Treatment concentrate = concentrate supplement. The concentrated treatment provides higher final live weight, average daily gain in live weight, hot carcass weight, carcass yield in relation to the final live weight and yield of meat, in kilograms, compared to treatments mineral, mineral associated with urea and protein. The treatments did not influence the percentage of non-carcass components. The concentrated treatment results in increased width of the chest and leg circumference measured in vivo and measures in the housing, respectively. The morphometric measurements on the carcass can be used to more accurately predict the average daily gain in live weight and hot carcass yield that morphometric measurements in vivo, emphasizing the width of the chest and perimeters of hip and leg.

Effects of organic amendments on the mobility of Pb and Zn from mine tailings added to semi-arid soils

The effects of mine tailings and three organic amendments (compost, bokashi and vermicompost) on the mobility factor for Pb and Zn and on the potential C and N mineralization in semi-arid agricultural and rangeland soils were examined. During the experiment, soil samples were analyzed periodically for CO2-C evolution, inorganic N, dehydrogenase activity and percent Pb and Zn mobility during 169 d of incubation. The dehydrogenase activity and CO2-C evolved were strongly inhibited by mine tailings mixed with organic compost in both agricultural and rangeland soils (37 to 43 %), followed by N mineralization in treatments with mine tailings plus bokashi or compost (13 to 26.5 %) at 169 d incubation. The highest % mobility of Pb and Zn were observed in soils amended with mine tailings alone, while the lowest was observed in agricultural soils treated with vermicompost plus mine tailings. The CO2-C evolved was fitted to first order E, while the cumulative N mineralization was fitted to the linearized power function. Mine tailings were found to influence the potential C and N mineralization rate constants in both soils. The models for C and N mineralization could be used to evaluate the effects of mine tailings, which include intrinsic parameters in the soil.

Effectiveness of Combined Empirical Therapies and Double IUI Procedures in Treatment of Male Factor Infertility

Objective: Current information on using anti-estrogenic compounds, antioxidant vitamins and minerals in treatment of male factor infertility still remains controversial. Herein, we investigated the pregnancy outcome in male factor infertile patients using a combination of non-specific empiric modalities and Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) procedures. Subjects and Methods: The study involved a group of 33 infertile couples with mild male factor infertility who previously failed two IUI attempts. The patients received tamoxifen, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium for three months prior to their third IUI treatment cycle. Four important parameters were mainly noted: sperm concentration, motility, forward progression and the percentage normal forms. Results: There was no difference between these parameters in semen samples of our study group in the first and second IUI treatment cycles (p<0.96, p<0.23, p<0.59, p<0.84 respectively). However, after completion of the empiric therapy course and in the third IUI treatment cycle, significant differences in overall values for the four semen parameters were detected in comparison to the earlier two IUI cycles (range p<0.005 to p<0.0005), except for semen volume and sperm normal forms, resulting in a chemical pregnancy rate of 30.3%, a clinical pregnancy rate of 21.2% and a delivery rate of 18.1%. Grouping the female patients according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) showed imperative differences in pregnancy outcome, yet there was no clear effect of age over pregnancy success rates in our study group. Conclusion: Combined empirical therapies can improve semen parameters in infertile men with mild male factor. Double insemination procedures with improved semen samples, can contribute in increasing the chances of pregnancy and life birth more significantly in females with lower BMI.

Adding an empirical factor to better represent the rewetting pulse mechanism in a soil biogeochemical model

The rewetting of a dry soil causes a pulse in decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM). This mechanism may dominate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles in arid, semi-arid and Mediterranean ecosystems. Existing biogeochemical models perform poorly for systems characterized by pulsed events. In this study, we added a rewetting factor into the DAYCENT soil biogeochemical model to better represent the drying–rewetting pulses. Based on a 4-month laboratory incubation from a parallel study, we developed a simple rewetting factor for representing the enhanced mineralization pulse by rewetting stimulation. The rewetting factor was then incorporated into DAYCENT by modifying the soil moisture factor. The DAYCENT modification significantly improved model performance in predicting soil C respiration rates in drying–rewetting treatments through the capture of rewetting pulses. The modification also improved prediction performance for net N mineralization in treatments with shorter rewetting intervals, but did not improve predictions in treatments with longer rewetting intervals. The model modifications were validated by using a laboratory incubation data set from a different field site. The modified DAYCENT predictions showed that active and slow SOM pools were major contributors to mineralization pulses while the contribution from the passive pool was minimal. The modifications we made improved model performance and should be considered in future field representations of biogeochemical processes.

ARE ORGANIC N FERTILIZING STRATEGIES ABLE TO IMPROVE LETTUCE YIELD, USE OF NITROGEN AND N STATUS?

Despite the importance of fertilizing practices in the crop yield improvement, nitrogen (N) utilization, and N status, their management by farmers is still rather empirical, especially when new organic materials are applied. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the possible bio-products (anaerobic digestates and on-farm compost) applications and to evaluate their effects on lettuce performance, N efficiency and soil properties. The plant and soil N indicators were also investigated to reduce the N supply in lettuce production. To accomplish these objectives a three-year field experiment was carried out comparing the following N fertilization strategies: organic, with anaerobic digestates, based on stabilized wine distillery wastewater (SAD) and not stabilized wine distillery wastewater (NSAD) and on-farm compost, based on olive pomace compost (OPC); mineral (MIN), with ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate; mineral-organic, with a slow N release commercial fertilizer (CORG). All treatments received 140 kg N ha−1 and they were compared with an unfertilized control (CONTR). The organic material application increased the marketable yield of 25.6, 20.3 and 10.1% for SAD, NSAD, and OPC treatments, respectively, in comparison with the CONTR. No significant reduction was found for both anaerobic digestates in respect to conventional fertilizers, while the OPC application significantly decreased the crop yield compared to MIN and CORG treatments. Moreover, the marketable head weight showed no significant difference among MIN, CORG, and SAD treatments, while a significant reduction of the weight was observed for NSAD and OPC. These findings highlighted the importance of organic fertilizer choice to sustain lettuce yield. The anaerobic digestates also enhanced head weight of 18.9 and 11.9% for SAD and NSAD, respectively, compared to CONTR, pointing out that the by-products application could be a valid agricultural practice to provide nutrients. Besides, no significant difference in N utilization parameters was found between SAD, MIN and CORG, indicating the effectiveness of the stabilized wine wastewater. Among the plant and soil N indicators tested, our results suggested that the leaves green index and nitrate contents in the leafstalks not only were the most reliable methods for evaluating N status, but they also offered potential advantages of both an easier sampling and a higher positive correlation with lettuce performance. Finally, since the agro-industrial residues did not significantly increase the soil potentially toxic elements level, the findings of this research pointed out that the organic materials can be usefully applied, at least in the short-term period.

EFFECT OF PRECEDING CROPS, SEEDING RATE, BIO AND MINERAL NITROGEN FERTILZER ON WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY.

Two field experiments were conducted at Sers EL-Lian Agricultural Research Station (EL-Minufiya Governorate) during 2005 / 2006 and 2006 / 2007seasons to study the effect of some preceding summer crops (cotton, soybean and maize ) ,seeding rates (50, 60 and 70 kg seeds / fed )and three treatments mineral and bio-Fertilization (70 kg mineral N/fed, 70 kg mineral N/fed + Cerialein500g/fed and 70 kg mineral N/fed + Cerialein750g/fed) / fed on grain yield ,yield components and protein yield of wheat cultivar Sakha 94. Split- split plots design with three replication was used. The results indicated that yield, yield components and protein yield of wheat recorded the highest values when wheat was sown after soybean followed by cotton and recorded the lowest values when sown after maize. The results showed that plant height, number of spikes / m2, spike length (cm), number of grains / spike as well as 1000- grain weight (g), grain yield/fed and protein yield were significantly increased by increasing seed rates in both seasons, except grain weight /spike and straw yield /fed were not significantly in the first season and the number of spikelets/spike in both seasons. Increasing mineral and bio- N fertilizer levels up to 70 kg mineral N/fed+ two package of Cerialein / fed, significantly increased all characters, except number of spikelets /spike. The highest values of these characters were obtained with 70 kg mineral N/fed + 750g Cerialein / fed) .The application of 70 kg mineral N/fed resulted in the lowest values in both seasons. Results also, indicated that interaction between preceding crops and seeding rates significantly affected on spike length, protein yield /fed and grain yield/fed in both seasons, number of spikes / m2 , weight of grains / spike and 1000-grain weight in second one. Also, the interaction between preceding crops and mineral or bio-N fertilization significantly affected on grain yield/fed and protein yield /fed in both seasons and 1000-grain weight in the second one only.

Stable isotope probing reveals Trichosporon yeast to be active in situ in soil phenol metabolism

The aim of this study was to extend the results of our previous stable isotope probing (SIP) investigation: we identified a soil fungus involved in phenol biodegradation at an agricultural field site. DNA extracts from our previous study were examined using fungi-specific PCR amplification of the 18S-28S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. We prepared an 80-member clone library using PCR-amplified, (13)C-labeled DNA derived from field soil that received 12 daily doses of (13)C-phenol. Restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism screening and DNA sequencing revealed a dominant clone (41% of the clone library), the ITS sequence of which corresponded to that of the fungal genus Trichosporon. We successfully grew and isolated a white, filamentous fungus from site soil samples after plating soil dilutions on mineral salts agar containing 250 p.p.m. phenol. Restreaking on both yeast extract-peptone-galactose and Sabouraud dextrose agar plates led to further purification of the fungus, the morphological characteristics of which matched those of the genus Trichosporon. The ITS sequence of our isolated fungus was identical to that of a clone from our SIP-based library, confirming it to be Trichosporon multisporum. High-performance liquid chromatography and turbidometeric analyses showed that the culture was able to metabolize and grow on 200 p.p.m. phenol in an aqueous mineral salts medium within 24 h at room temperature. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of (13)CO(2) respiration from laboratory soil incubations demonstrated accelerated phenol mineralization in treatments inoculated with T. multisporum. These findings show that T. multisporum actively degraded phenol in our field-based, soil experiments.

Effect of agricultural pesticides on the degradation of medium spill concentrations of Bonny light crude oil in a tropical rain forest soil

The effect of three agricultural pesticides; K-othrin (deltamethrin), dichlorvos (2,2 dichlorovinydimethy phosphate) and carbofuran (2,3–dihydro–2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-y1methylcarbamate, on the degradation of medium spill concentrations of Bonny light crude oil in a tropical rain forest soil in the Niger Delta was investigated. Hydrocarbon (crude oil) loss within a 56-day period was monitored using photometric method. Mineralization (ultimate biodegradation) for the same period was monitored using the ratio of inorganic carbon to that of total organic carbon. Two positive control systems were employed one consisting of soil impacted with 5000 ml/m2 of olive oil while the other consisting of soil impacted with 5000 ml/m2 of crude oil. Negative control consisted of soil impacted with 5000 ml/m2 of olive oil and 200 g of sodium azide. Other treatment options involved soils impacted with 5000 ml/m2 of Bonny light crude oil with pesticide at manufacturers recommended doses and soil impacted with pesticides alone. Soil with no treatment also served as a test system. Results suggested that there was a significant difference at 0.05 probability levels in the percentage hydrocarbon left when the mean value of treatment with pesticide alone was compared with treatment with pesticide/crude oil mixtures. There was also a significant difference in the percentage hydrocarbon left when pesticide/crude oil mixtures treatments were compared with the two positive controls. Percentage hydrocarbon left decreased in the following order; Negative control > pesticide alone > pesticide/crude oil mixtures > crude oil alone > olive oil alone. Results suggested that percentage mineralization of organic carbon was greater in options involving pesticide alone when compared with options containing pesticide/crude oil mixtures. Percentage mineralization levels in pesticide/crude oil mixtures treatments were similar to values obtained in negative control and positive control involving crude oil. Percentage mineralization in treatments decreased in the following order; olive oil alone > pesticide alone > pesticide/crude oil mixtures = crude oil alone = negative control. Results showed that the application of pesticide to tropical soil impacted with medium spill levels of Bonny light crude reduced hydrocarbon degradation and mineralization in a 56 day period. Hydrocarbon degradation (loss) was significantly lower in pesticide alone options than in pesticide/crude oil mixtures suggesting possible enhancement of crude oil degradation in the latter treatments. Hydrocarbon loss was greater in crude oil alone options than in the other two treatments suggesting toxic influence of pesticide. Mineralization was, however, greater in pesticide alone options than in pesticide/crude oil mixtures suggesting greater degradability of these pesticides over pesticide/crude oil mixtures. Key words: Pesticides, Bonny light crude oil, mineralization, hydrocarbon, treatment.

Production of adsorbents from clay minerals for treatment of petrochemicals

In investigating the kinetic relationships by decantation, an aqueous suspension with a dry-substance concentration of 10% was used. The washing was monitored on the basis of the washwater content of Na +, K +, and Ca=+ cations. The index used to rate the degree of washing was a relative value characterizing the quantity of salts remaining in the clay after each decantation. The static equilibrium with respect to Na +, K +, and Ca 2+ in the process of a given contact is established within 2 h; the potassium salts are almost completely removed after three decantations, whereas the calcium and sodium salts are removed after five and eight decantations, respectively. Washing the clay free of sodium, potassium, and calcium salts permits an increase in the specific quantity of olefins removed amounting to 45-50%. Here the maximum increase in clay activity is observed upon removal of 40-50% of the water-soluble salts, this being achieved by a single decantation with a settling time of about 2 h.