Natural Resources Research Institute Research Articles

Establishment of Regional Phytoremediation Buffer Systems for Ecological Restoration in the Great Lakes Basin, USA. II. New Clones Show Exceptional Promise

Poplar tree improvement strategies are needed to enhance ecosystem services’ provisioning and achieve phytoremediation objectives. We evaluated the establishment potential of new poplar clones developed at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) from sixteen phytoremediation buffer systems (phyto buffers) (buffer groups: 2017 × 6; 2018 × 5; 2019 × 5) throughout the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan watersheds. We divided clones into Experimental (testing stage genotypes) and Common (commercial and/or research genotypes) clone groups and compared them with each other and each NRRI clone (NRRI group) at the phyto buffers. We tested for differences in clone groups, phyto buffers, and their interactions for survival, health, height, diameter, and volume from ages one to four years. First-year survival was 97.1%, with 95.5%, 96.2%, and 99.6% for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 buffer groups, respectively. All trees had optimal health. Fourth-year mean annual increment of 2017 buffer group trees ranged from 2.66 ± 0.18 to 3.65 ± 0.17 Mg ha−1 yr−1. NRRI clones ‘99038022’ and ‘9732-31’ exhibited exceptional survival and growth across eleven and ten phyto buffers, respectively, for all years. These approaches advance poplar tree improvement efforts throughout the region, continent, and world, with methods informing clonal selection for multiple end-uses, including phytotechnologies.

Vectors of Efficiency in Hybrid Poplar Genotype Testing

Abstract The Natural Resources Research Institute Hybrid Poplar Program breeds and tests genetically improved clones for bio-mass production and environmental services. The testing process progresses from Nursery Progeny Tests (NPT) to Family Field Trials (FFT) to Clone Trials (CT) to Yield Blocks (YB), with limited replication of many clones in FFT and CT and a limited number of highly selected clones set out in monoclonal blocks (YB) to approximate the conditions of commercial plantations. We used correlation vectors, R2 (coefficient of determination) and rs (Spearman’s Coefficient) for growth (DBH2) and McFadden’s Pseudo R2 for canker severity score, to determine where testing times could be altered (age – age correlations) and whole testing steps eliminated. FFT can be shortened from 5 years to 4 years. In CT, rank correlations between age 5 (half-rotation) and age 9/10 (full rotation) were significant (R2 = 0.39 – 0.72), but age 5 selection missed 44 % of the top ten clones at age 9/10. Clone rank in CT at full, but not half, rotation was correlated with rank at full rotation in YB. Choosing clones at 9 years in CT adds 4 years but allows possible elimination of YB for clone selection. Both FFT and CT are necessary. Canker abundance and severity in CT at full rotation cannot be determined at earlier ages. An aggressive strategy saves 6 years of testing.

Mobility of total petroleum hydrocarbons in Shambat soil in Sudan

Purpose – A laboratory experiment was conducted in the soil laboratory in the Department of Environment and Environmental Pollution, Environment and Natural Resources Research Institute, National Centre for Research. The purpose of this paper is to study the movement of crude oil through soil column. Design/methodology/approach – Polyvinyl chloride columns were filled with Shambat soil, amended with three concentrations of light crude oil (0.16, 0.32, and 1.28 ppm), obtained from Petrodar Oil Company. Soil samples were taken from 5 and 10 cm depths after two, 14 and 28 days from crude oil addition. At each sampling date, the recovery of petroleum hydrocarbons measured. Findings – The results obtained indicated that high by significant differences among the different concentrations, different depths and different sampling durations. Moreover, the downward mobility of petroleum hydrocarbons decreased with increasing crude oil concentration. Originality/value – Results of the experiment revealed the importance of studying the fate and mobility of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soils in order to facilitate a proper reclamation practice specially in oil polluted sites.

Mathematical Descriptors for the Prediction of Property, Bioactivity, and Toxicity of Chemicals from their Structure: A Chemical-Cum-Biochemical Approach

This review article covers major aspects of mathematical chemistry, QSAR, chemoinformatics, bioinformatics, and molecular modeling research carried out by Subhash C. Basak and coworkers during 1968 to the present time in three distinct phases: 1) Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta and Charuchandra College, India (1968-1981); 2) Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Duluth, USA (1982-1987), and 3) Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, UMD-NRRI (1988-date). Topics discussed include development of novel mathematical descriptors of molecules and biomolecules; QSAR, HiQSAR, DiffQSAR and I-QSAR studies using chemodescriptors and biodescriptors; formulation of arbitrary quantitative molecular similarity analysis (QMSA) and tailored QMSA methods and their applications. The role of proper statistical methods in QSAR formulation and validation as well as the critical role of such methods in the molecular descriptor landscape of the twenty first century are also addressed.

Effects of Organic and Microbial Fertilizers on Striga Hermonthica in Maize

A pot experiment was conducted at the Environment and Natural Resources Research Institute, NCR, Sudan to investigate the effect of organic (Elkhairat (T) and Elkhasseb (X)) and microbial (Azospirillin (A) and Phosphobacterin (B)) bio-fertilizers and their combinations on S. hermonthica growth and development in Maize. Results showed that all treatments reduced emergence of the parasite, except inoculation with A which enhanced Striga emergence compared to control. Treating maize plants with Striga, irrespective to treatments reduced maize height as compared with free maize. Plants fertilized with T sustained the highest plant growth at 4 weeks after sowing (WAS). It increased maize height by 79% as compared to infested control. At 6 WAS fertilization with X, B+T and A+B+T were significantly increased plant heights as compared to infested control. Leaf number was affected due to Striga infestation. At 6 WAS, all treatments significantly increased leaf numbers except B, A+B and X as compared to infested control. While at 10 WAS, results showed that only A+B+T was significantly increased leaf numbers compared to infested control. Averaged across all fertilization treatments, maize plants infested with Striga had smaller leaf areas than did uninfected plants. At 6 and 10 WAS, X sustained the highest leaf area index compared to all other treatments. Maize treated with X and A+B+T sustained the highest shoot dry weight as compared to infested control . Maize fertilized with X, A+T and A+X showed the highest root dry weight as compared to infested control.

Corrigendum to “The flavonoids apigenin and luteolin suppress ultraviolet A-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression via MAPKs and AP-1-dependent signaling in HaCaT cells” [J. Dermatol. Sci. 61 (2) (2011) 23–31

Corrigendum to ‘‘The flavonoids apigenin and luteolin suppress ultraviolet A-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression via MAPKs and AP-1-dependent signaling in HaCaT cells’’ [J. Dermatol. Sci. 61 (2) (2011) 23–31] Yong Pil Hwang , Kyo Nyeo Oh , Hyo Jeong Yun , Hye Gwang Jeong * Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea College of Pharmacy, Chosum University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea Natural Resources Research Institute, Jngheung-gun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea

Durable phosphate-bonded natural fiber composite products

The University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) and the Wisconsin Business Innovation Corporation (WBIC) conducted a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of producing composite building products utilizing waste pulp and paper mill residues and Ceramicrete ®, an innovative chemically-bonded phosphate ceramic binder developed by the United States Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). Specifically, the project was able to demonstrate that waste pulp and paper mill residues can be added to Ceramicrete ® to create durable building materials, determine that the products have potential to meet industry performance standards and consumer acceptance tastes, and determine the preliminary manufacturing costs and economic feasibility of producing the new value-added products. We are beginning an extensive 3-year study to conduct the necessary technical and business/market developments tasks to bring the product concepts to commercialization.

Mineralogical and microscopic evaluation of coarse taconite tailings from Minnesota taconite operations

Eighteen coarse taconite tailings samples were collected in 2000–2001 from five western Mesabi Range taconite (iron ore) operations located in northern Minnesota, i.e., EVTAC, Hibbing Taconite (Hibtac), USX Minntac, Ispat Inland (Minorca), and National Steel Pellet Company (NSPC), to test their physical, geological, chemical, and mineralogical properties [Zanko, L.M., Niles, H.B., Oreskovich, J.A., 2003. Properties and aggregate potential of coarse taconite tailings from five Minnesota taconite operations, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Local Road Research Board, St. Paul, MN, Report No. 2004-06 (also as Natural Resources Research Institute technical report, NRRI/TR-2003/44)]. The goal was to assemble a body of technical data that could be used to better assess the potential of using a crushed taconite mining byproduct like coarse tailings for more widespread construction aggregate purposes, primarily in roads and highways. An important part of the mineralogical assessment included X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and microscopic (polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, i.e., PLM, SEM, and TEM, respectively) evaluation of the size and shape (morphological) characteristics of potentially respirable microscopic mineral particles and fragments. Quantitative mineralogy, based on XRD analyses, showed that the dominant mineral in all samples was quartz (55–60%), followed by much smaller amounts of iron oxides, carbonates, and silicates. Specialized microscopic analyses and testing performed by the RJ Lee Group, Monroeville, PA, on both pulverized (−200 mesh, or 0.075 mm) and as-is sample composites showed that no regulated asbestos minerals or amphibole minerals were detected in the western Mesabi Range samples. A small number (26) of non-asbestos and non-amphibole mineral cleavage fragments/mineral fibers were detected by SEM out of 1000 fields analyzed, but most were identified as minnesotaite and talc, silicate minerals common to the Biwabik Iron Formation. Amphibole minerals, absent in coarse tailings samples from the five western Mesabi Range taconite operations, were present in a single eastern Biwabik Iron Formation sample collected in 2003 for Lake County from the Cliffs Northshore operation in Silver Bay, MN. Importantly, the Superfund Method for the Determination of Releasable Asbestos in Soils and Bulk Materials [United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 1997. Superfund method for the determination of releasable asbestos in soils and bulk materials, EPA 540-R-97-028, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington], as modified by Berman and Kolk [Berman, D.W., Kolk, A.J., 2000. Modified elutriator method for the determination of asbestos in soils and bulk materials, Revision 1: Submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, May 23, 2000] failed to generate any protocol fibers, i.e., fibers longer than 5 μm and thinner than 0.5 μm, from either the western coarse tailings samples or the single eastern Biwabik Iron Formation sample. The combined findings suggest coarse tailings and other taconite mining byproducts should be treated with the same common sense safety and industrial hygiene approach practiced for all mineral-based materials that have the potential to generate respirable dust.

Linking Data, Public Outreach and Education: A Local and Regional Collaborative – Lakesuperiorstreams.org

The City of Duluth, the University of Minnesota-Duluth (Natural Resources Research Institute and Minnesota Sea Grant) and other regional partners collaborated to develop Lakesuperiorstreams.org, a website that utilizes real time data (temperature, flow, precipitation, turbidity, specific conductivity) in an easy to understand animated graphical format to educate the public about (1) how streams function, and (2) the impacts of human activities on water quality, habitat, and aquatic organisms. In support of the data, the website provides a comprehensive library of information on stream parameters and information on local streams and surface water issues. It covers land use impacts on streams and positive approaches to protecting water quality. For example, a site design tool kit provides information and examples of approaches to building and maintaining homes and businesses while reducing stormwater impacts. The website also serves as a repository for regionally relevant school curricula for K-12 schools and colleges. The website has been the catalyst that has brought together regional agencies and communities, who have established the Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT), designed to develop one voice for surface water education and technical assistance for communities at the head of Lake Superior.

Effect of alternative on-site wastewater treatment on the viability and culturability of Salmonella choleraesuis

The objective of this study was to determine how alternative on-site wastewater treatment systems (i.e. subsurface flow constructed wetlands, intermittent sand filters and intermittent peat filters) affect the viability and culturability of Salmonella choleraesuis (serotype typhimurium, ATCC 23567). Influent was a high strength septic tank effluent (BOD5 240-344 mgL(-1), TN approximately 100 mgL(-1), TP approximately 15 mgL(-1)) at the Natural Resources Research Institute's (NRRI) alternative treatment system test facility in northern Minnesota. Treatment systems were inoculated with cultures of S. choleraesuis for 5-7 consecutive days in summer and winter during 1998-99. After the seeding, outflow samples were taken until Salmonella counts were sustained at background levels. In addition to culture-based enumeration, S. choleraesuis abundances were also measured using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) alone and in combination with the direct viable count method (DVC) to determine if plate counts underestimated total and viable Salmonella abundances and if the Salmonella cell viability changed after passing through the treatment systems. In most cases, total and viable cell abundances in treatment system effluents were several orders of magnitude higher than cultured cell abundances. Our results indicate that the culture-based method underestimated viable concentrations of the model pathogen, S. choleraesuis. Salmonella cell viability decreased in effluents during the summer but increased during the winter. Using a culture-based enumeration method alone to determine removal efficiencies of bacterial indicators and pathogens for wastewater treatment systems may result in artificially high estimates of effective treatment.

Seasonal Pathogen Removal by Alternative On‐Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

Subsurface-flow constructed wetlands, sand filters, and peat filters near Duluth, Minnesota, were studied to determine their seasonal performance for removing pathogens from wastewater. Influent was a high-strength septic tank effluent (mean values of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus were 294, 96, and 15 mg/L, respectively) at the Natural Resources Research Institute's alternative treatment system test facility in northern Minnesota. Each treatment system was inoculated with cultures of Salmonella choleraesuis (serotype typhimurium) for 5 to 7 consecutive days in summer and winter during 1998 to 1999. After the seeding, outflow samples were taken until Salmonella counts were sustained at background levels. The removal of Salmonella was calculated for each system, although the exact removal mechanisms were not determined. During the summer, the wetlands removed 99.6 to 99.999 4% (2.4 to 5.3 log10 reduction) of the culturable Salmonella. The sand filters demonstrated a greater than 7 log10 removal of Salmonella cells, whereas the peat filters were responsible for a greater than 8 log10 loss of cells. Fewer Salomonella cells were removed by all of these systems during the winter, although the pattern of removal was similar to their summer operation. During the winter, the wetlands and sand filters removed greater than 1 log10 of culturable cells, but the peat filters were responsible for a greater than 5 log10 loss of cells. Fecal coliform removal patterns reflected those for Salmonella by treatment systems for summer and winter periods. Based on Salmonella and fecal coliform removal, the peat filters operated most effectively followed by the sand filters and the constructed wetlands.

Mineralogic and Oxygen Isotopic Studies of Open System Magmatie Processes in the South Kawishiwi Intrusion, Spruce Road Area, Duluth Complex, Minnesota

The South Kawishiwi intrusion, located along the western margin of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, is one of several composite intrusions that are found in the Complex. The Duluth Complex is the principal exposed plutonic portion of the 1-1 Ga Midcontineni Rift system. In the Spruce Road area the South Kawishiwi intrusion is divided into seven distinct units that are part of the broader South Kawishiwi Troctolite Series defined by Severson (Tech. Rep. NRRI/TR-91/13a, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1994). Units may be characterized as follows: Unit I—basal accumulation of heterogeneous gabbro, troctolite, and norite; Unit II—norite with abundant inverted pigeonite; Unit III—troctolite and olivine gabbro with local oxide-rich layers; Unit IV—melatroctolite, troctolite, olivine gabbro; Unit V— increased plagioclase abundance in troctolites and leucocratic troctolites; Unit VI—strongly altered troctolite; Unit VII— similar to Unit V, troctolite and leucocratic troctolite. Country rocks in the Spruce Road area are granodiorite to quartz monzonite of the Archean Giants Range Batholith. Sutfide mineralization, consisting of 1-5 vol. % of disseminated pyrrhotite, cubanite, chalcopyrite andpentlandite, occurs in Units I, II, III, and VI. Oxygen isotopic analyses indicate that Unit II has experienced extensive crustal contamination. 5O values of Unit II range from 69 to 7-l%o and are 0 enriched compared with values of 5-1-6-8%o found in other units. Silica contamination is indicated based not only on 5' 0 values, but also by the predominance of orthopyroxene in the unit. Possible high-' 0 contaminant rocks include the Giants Range Batholith and pelitic rocks of the Lower Proterozoic Virginia Formation or Biwabik Iron Formation. Mass balance computations suggest that units in the Spruce Road area may be related through varying degrees offractionation of a high-Al, olivine tholeiite magma. Modeling of trace element concentrations and variations in mineral chemistry suggest that discontinuities within the major units developed by in situ boundaryAayer equilibrium crystallization of solidification zones ~ 20—50 m in thickness, followed by recharge of fresh magma. Upward enrichment of incompatible elements, olivine Fa content, and plagioclase Ab content may be effectively explained by this process. 5 0 values of uncontaminated rock types are strongly correlative with modal mineralogy, and can also be modeled by boundary-layer fractionation. A parental magma 5 0 value of ~6-3%o is calculated for Unit VII based on olivine and plagioclase values, and is similar to that of several other large, layered mafic intrusives.

Proposed Nautical Units of Length and Time

NAVIGATIONVolume 13, Issue 1 p. 12-22 Proposed Nautical Units of Length and Time DR. JOHN C. BELLAMY, DR. JOHN C. BELLAMY Dr. Bellamy is a Past President of The Institute and the Director of the Natural Resources Research Institute of the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo. He presented this paper at The Institute's Annual Meeting in Long Beach, Calif., on June 21, 1965.Search for more papers by this author DR. JOHN C. BELLAMY, DR. JOHN C. BELLAMY Dr. Bellamy is a Past President of The Institute and the Director of the Natural Resources Research Institute of the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo. He presented this paper at The Institute's Annual Meeting in Long Beach, Calif., on June 21, 1965.Search for more papers by this author First published: Spring 1966 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-4296.1966.tb02159.xCitations: 1 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume13, Issue1Spring 1966Pages 12-22 RelatedInformation

Requirements for High-Altitude Meteorology, 1965-1975

NAVIGATIONVolume 8, Issue 2 p. 85-94 Requirements for High-Altitude Meteorology, 1965–1975 JOHN C. BELLAMY, JOHN C. BELLAMY Dr. Bellamy is currently Director of the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie, and Vice President of The Institute of Navigation's Western Region for 1961–62. He presented this paper during the June 20th session of the Supersonic Transport Symposium.Search for more papers by this author JOHN C. BELLAMY, JOHN C. BELLAMY Dr. Bellamy is currently Director of the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie, and Vice President of The Institute of Navigation's Western Region for 1961–62. He presented this paper during the June 20th session of the Supersonic Transport Symposium.Search for more papers by this author First published: Summer 1961 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-4296.1961.tb02468.x AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume8, Issue2Summer 1961Pages 85-94 RelatedInformation

Wyoming Natural Resources Research Institute in Fifth Year of Operation

THE Natural Resources Research Institute became a part of the University of Wyoming in 1943 after the state legislature voted a special appropriation car-marked for its establishment. In November of that year the institute started operations with a part-time chemist and a laboratory and office room in Science Hall on the university campus. From this modest start the institute has grown to a staff of nine full-time persons and from six to eight part-time students and assistants. The move of the Bureau of Mines Petroleum and Oil Shale, Laboratory to its new building on the university, campus made available to the NRRI the petroleum building which the Bureau of Mines formerly occupied. This building, which housed a staff of 15 people for the Bureau of Mines, has made an ideal office and laboratory for the Natural Resources Research Institute. In addition, an auxiliary brick structure has just been completed for the coal work of the ...