Sponge Volume Research Articles

АНАЛИЗ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ ГУБКИ ИЗ СЕМЕЙСТВА SPONGILLIDAE, ПРОИЗРАСТАЮЩЕЙ В ВОДОЕМАХ РЕКИ ВОЛГИ, В ПЕРИОД РЕГРЕССИИ КАСПИЙСКОГО МОРЯ

The article describes the habitat, systematics and species of freshwater sponge ( Badiaga spongia fluviatilis ) inhabiting water bodies of Russia. There have been characterized the hydrological features of water bodies - sponges’ habitats, and their ecological function has been characterized. In freshwater bodies of the central Russia there occur two most common and numerous types of sponges - lake badiaga ( Spongilla lacustris ) and river badiaga ( Ephydatia fluviatilis ) presenting a valuable raw material for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The attention is focused on the fact that sponge colonies can reach the commercial volumes only in the floodplain waters and the delta of the Volga River. Retrospective data on volumes of sponge fishery in the Astrakhan region suggest the reason for decreasing sponge productivity and volume of the sponge industry: a lack of reclamation works in small rivers in the Volga delta. There has been given a comparative analysis of the data on microscopic studies of sponge structure caught on experimental zones in the water bodies of the Astrakhan region and the information found in the scientific literature. Characteristics of soils where significant sponge plantations were found are analyzed. It has been stated that in the watercourses of the Astrakhan region there prevail species of lake sponge ( Spongilla lacustris ), whose biomass should increase tenfold taking into account the cyclicity of the regression processes of the Caspian Sea, carrying out complex ameliorative works on the waterways of the Volga and development of agriculture and livestock breeding. It has been recommended to prepare a scientific and production base for the rational and effective development of the potential of this natural resource for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.

EcoFlex Sponge with Ultrahigh Oil Absorption Capacity.

A paraffin microsphere-templated 3D porous EcoFlex sponge was prepared to selectively absorb oil or chemicals from water. The technology for producing this EcoFlex sponge does not need complicated synthesis processes or instruments, and the materials applied in this work are ecofriendly. Therefore, this sponge can be employed in the environmental field. EcoFlex sponges showed high hydrophobicity (contact angle = 140-143°) and oleophilicity. The developed sponge exhibits a porous three-dimensional framework inside with excellent internal connectivity, which contributes both better absorption capacity and faster absorption rate. For instance, the absorption capacity for chloroform can reach3400 wt %. Theabsorption capacity of the sponge was optimized using different size of paraffin microspheres and these sponges exhibit relatively high absorption capacity in a short time (2 min). The volume of sponge expands in some oils and organic solvents: the increased volume capacity for hexane can reach 2200%. This sponge also has great recovery capability and durability; it keeps its original shape and absorption capacity after 15 cycles of oil absorption and compression.

Exhalant jet speed of single-osculum explants of the demosponge Halichondria panicea and basic properties of the sponge-pump

Sponges are modular organisms in which each aquiferous module draws water through a canal system by means of pumping units (choanocyte chambers, CC), and the filtered water leaves the module as an exhalant jet through a single opening (osculum). A constant density of CCs in sponges would imply that the filtration rate must be proportional to the sponge volume, but it is less obvious how the osculum cross-sectional area (OSA) scales to sponge volume. Here, we present data obtained on single-osculum sponge explants (i.e. single aquiferous modules) of the demosponge Halichondria panicea to gain insight into important basic properties of the sponge-pump. In the experimental study of 27 explants (volume Vs = 14 to 1977 mm3), osculum cross sectional area (OSA), exhalant jet speed (U0) and filtration rate (F = OSA × U0) were measured. The observed scaling with size (OSA ~ Vs0.66; U0 ~ OSA0.45; F ~ OSA1.45) was found to be close to that inferred from the hypothesis of volume based CC density. Thus, the volume-specific filtration rate (= pumping rate) could be approximated as F (ml min−1) ≈ 2.3Vs (cm3) which is of the same order of magnitude as that of the demosponge Haliclona urceolus, F (ml min−1) ≈ 3.5Vs (cm3). This suggests that for the two sponge species CCs are very likely of similar size, with similar individual pumping rate, and of similar uniform distribution over the sponge volume. By comparing the observed increase of U0 with increasing OSA to literature data on other leuconoid sponge species this revealed a power function with an identical exponent 0.45 and maximum values of U0 = 6 to 8 cm s−1. This indicates that U0 of a single-osculum explant, or U0 of an individual osculum in a multi-oscula sponge approaches an upper limit as the sponge grows, implying that a module of a multi-oscula sponge may increase only to a certain size. Time-lapse video-microscope recordings of sponge explants showed temporal variation in OSA during spontaneous contractions. Exposure to a neurotransmitter (GABA) as well as overloading with ink particles triggered contractions that correlated with both decreasing OSA and U0 that eventually became zero. Video-microscope recordings revealed that it was contraction of the endopinacoderm lining the excurrent canals that effectively restricted or stopped the water flow.

Morphological Variability Among Broods of First-Stage Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Zoeae.

External morphology has been shown to influence predation and locomotion of decapod larvae and is, therefore, directly related to their ability to survive and disperse. The first goal of this study was to characterize first-stage blue crab zoeal morphology and its variability across larval broods to test whether inter-brood differences in morphology exist. The second was to identify possible correlations between maternal characteristics and zoeal morphology. The offspring of 21 individuals were hatched in the laboratory, photographed, and measured. Zoeae exhibited substantial variability, with all metrics showing significant inter-brood differences. The greatest variability was seen in the zoeal abdomen, rostrum, and dorsal spine length. A principal component analysis showed no distinct clustering of broods, with variation generally driven by larger zoeae. Using observed morphology, models of drag induced by swimming and sinking also showed significant inter-brood differences, with a maximum twofold difference across broods. In contrast to trends in other decapod taxa, maternal characteristics (female carapace width and mass and egg sponge volume and mass) are not significant predictors of zoeal morphology. These results suggest that brood effects are present across a wide range of morphological characteristics and that future experiments involving Callinectes sapidus morphology or its functionality should explicitly account for inter-brood variation. Additionally, inter-brood morphological differences may result in differential predation mortality and locomotory abilities among broods.

Experimental investigation of a passive solar still with and without tetrahedral sponge in basin

In this work, an experimental study is carried out to investigate the influence of the presence of porous media on the performance of solar still. Two different shapes of sponge pieces, namely cube and tetrahedron, are considered for this study. Experiments are conducted on a single-slope solar still with condensing cover of 30° inclination. This study was performed in Indian coastal climatic condition for 24 h. The experimental study emphasises on the overall distillate yield, and the efficiency of the still with sponge cubes and tetrahedrons is compared with the conventional still. The size of the pieces is selected such that the volume of both shapes is the same. As the surface area to volume ratio is more for tetrahedral sponge piece, the highest distillate production is observed in that of sponge cube. It is observed that the maximum distillate yield is produced at optimum values of water depth at 5 cm, single piece sponge volume of 216 cm3 and sponge volume of 30% of the basin water volume. The increase in yield is due to the capillary effect and high evaporation rate and it varies from 45% to 219% with tetrahedral sponge pieces when compared to conventional still.

Amazing Properties of Fractal Figures

This article describes the process of research of the properties of geometric fractals by high school students. The general formulas of calculating the length and the area of the Sierpinski carpet have been derived in the article. The total surface area and the volume of the Menger sponge have been calculated in the paper. The amazing facts of geometric fractals have been revealed. For instance, if n→∞, the length of the Sierpinski carpet is Ln→∞, and its area is Sn→0, similarly, if n→∞, the total surface area of the Menger sponge is Sts(n)→∞, and its volume is Vn→0.

The effect of synthesis conditions on structure and phase formation during SHS-hydrogenation of titanium

The SHS-hydrogenetion process of titanium sponge has been investigated under the conditions of hydrogen deficiency and excess. Using the time- of-flight mass spectrometry, H + non-uniform distribution thorugh the sponge volume during synthesis under the conditions of H 2 deficiency and H + uniform distribution under the conditions of H 2 excess is obtained. The compositions of the hydrogenated sponge are accordingly TiH 1,5 + Ti and TiH 2 . The structure of Ti-sponge surface before and after SHS-hydrogenetion is compared by SEM. Increase in hydrogenated sponge structure foliation ir- respective of H 2 contents is observed as compared with the initial sponge. The layers acquire correct geometric shape; they are arranged in a certain order, which motive is iterated. Distances between layers vary from micrometer ones to nanosized ones. The phase formation mechanism during ti- tanium hydrogenation is studied by time-resolved X -ray diffraction. Finished product formation passes through a number of intermediate phases ac- cording to solid-phase mechanism: α-Ti α-Ti[H] β-Ti[H] TiH 2 .

Influence of habitat and host morphology on macrofaunal assemblages associated with the sponge Halichondria melanadocia in an estuarine system of the southern Gulf of Mexico

AbstractSponges are inhabited by a wide variety of organisms and have been regarded as one of the richest biotopes in tropical seas. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the host morphology and selected environmental conditions on macrofaunal assemblages associated with the sponge Halichondria melanadocia in an estuarine system of the southern Gulf of Mexico. This sponge exhibits different growth forms when it inhabits mangrove prop roots of Rhizophora mangle (thickly encrusting form) and adjacent seagrass beds (massive, amorphous or ramose form). From a total of 50 sponge specimens collected in each habitat, a total of eight taxa (of epi‐ and endobionts) was found associated with this sponge, with polychaetes, echinoderms and crustaceans the most abundant groups. In both morphotypes (thickly‐encrusting and massive‐ramose forms), taxon richness was positively related to sponge volume and oscular diameter. The overall mean abundance of associated fauna was also positively related to sponge volume in both morphotypes and with the oscular diameter (in the seagrass morphotype only). These findings suggest that H. melanadocia constitutes an important microhabitat for a wide variety of fauna, independent of its morphology and habitat type. However, when comparing the two morphotypes, the mangrove individuals, despite having smaller sizes, smaller oscular diameter and less structural complexity, displayed an overall mean abundance of fauna 17 times higher [0.36 ± 0.18 individuals (ind.)·ml·sponge−1] than that recorded in the seagrass individuals (0.021 ± 0.01 ind.·ml·sponge−1). There were also marked differences in the proportions of the major taxonomic groups; in fact, some of them were found exclusively in one morphotype. The variability recorded in the composition and abundance of associated fauna between the morphotypes seems to be influenced by differences in sponge morphology, environmental conditions (e.g. sedimentation rate and light intensity), substrate orientation and the fauna inhabiting the surrounding area.

Membrane fouling control using a rotary disk in a submerged anaerobic membrane sponge bioreactor

Despite significant research efforts over the last few decades, membrane fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) remains an unsolved problem that increases the overall operational costs and obstructs the industrial applications. Herein, we developed a method for effectively controlling the membrane fouling in a sponge-submerged AnMBRs using an anaerobic rotary disk MBR (ARMBR). The disk rotation led the effective collision between the sponge and membrane surface; thus successfully enhanced the membrane permeability in the ARMBR. The effect of the disk rotational speed and sponge volume fraction on the membrane permeability and the relationship between the water flow direction and membrane permeability were investigated. The long-term feasibility was tested over 100days of synthetic wastewater treatment. As a result, stable and economical performance was observed without membrane replacement and washing. The proposed integrated rotary disk-supporting media appears to be a feasible and even beneficial option in the AnMBR technology.

S-nitroso albumin enhances bone formation in a rabbit calvaria model

Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator involved in bone regeneration. We therefore examined the effect of the novel NO donor, S-nitroso human serum albumin (S-NO-HSA) on bone formation in a rabbit calvaria augmentation model.Circular grooves (8mm diameter, two per animal) were created by a trephine drill in the cortical bone of 40 rabbits and titanium caps were placed on the rabbit calvaria bone filled with a collagen sponge soaked with either 100μL S-NO-HSA (5%, 20%) or human albumin (5%, 20%). After 4 weeks the titanium hemispheres were subjected to histological and histomorphometric analysis. Bone formation and the volume of the residual collagen sponge were evaluated.S-NO-HSA treatment groups had a significantly higher volume of newly formed bone underneath the titanium hemispheres compared to the albumin control groups (5%: 15.5±4.0% versus 10.6±2.9%; P<0.05; 20%: 14.0±4.6% versus 6.0±3.8%; P<0.01). The volume of residual collagen sponge was also significantly lower in the S-NO-HSA groups compared to the control groups (5%: 0.4±0.5% versus 2.6±2.4%; P<0.05 and 20%: 1.5±2.7% versus 13.0±18.7%; P<0.01).This study demonstrates for the first time that S-NO-HSA promotes bone formation by slow NO release. Additionally, S-NO-HSA increases collagen sponge degradation.

Effect of sponge volume fraction on the performance of a novel fluidized bed bioreactor

A novel fluidized bed bioreactor (FBBR) was designed by integration of anaerobic granular activated carbon and aerobic sponge reactors. This FBBR was evaluated at different sponge volume fractions for treating a synthetic wastewater. Polyester urethane sponge with cube size of 1 × 1 × 1 cm and density of 28-30 kg/m(3) with 90 cells per 25 mm was used as biomass carrier. The results indicate that the FBBR could remove more than 93% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The highest nutrient removal efficiencies (58.2% PO4-P and 75.4% NH4-N) were achieved at 40% sponge volume fraction. The system could provide a good condition for biomass growth (e.g. 186.2 mg biomass/g sponge). No significant different performance in specific oxygen uptake rate was observed between 30, 40, and 50% sponge volume fractions.

Direct Treatment of Settled Sewage by DHS Reactors with Different Sizes of Sponge Support Media

The down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor, which was developed for post-treatment of effluent from up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process treating sewage, uses polyurethane sponge as media to retain biomass. Wastewater is trickled from the top of the reactor and purified by microorganisms retained both inside and outside of the sponge media as the wastewater flows vertically down through the reactor. Three DHS reactors employing different sizes of sponge media with the same total sponge volume were used for the direct treatment of settled sewage. All the reactors exhibited excellent performance in removal of COD, ammonium nitrogen, and fecal coliform at a fixed hydraulic retention time of 2.0 h based on the sponge volume. It was shown that smaller sponge media produced better removal efficiencies for all the parameters listed above. The most reasonable explanation for this might be that smaller sponge media allows better oxygen uptake in the stream flowing down through the reactors.

Brachyuran crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) associated with the green sponge Amphimedon viridis (Demospongiae) from Itaguá Beach, south-eastern coast of Brazil

This study provides information on the community structure of brachyuran crabs associated with the green sponge,Amphimedon viridisDuchassaing &amp; Michelotti, 1864, from a beach on the south-eastern coast of Brazil. Monthly collections from May 2002 through August 2003 were carried out on the rocky bottoms off Itaguá Beach (23°27′07″S 45°02′49″W). Crabs on the green sponge banks were hand-caught during snorkelling sessions, and 638 crabs belonging to 31 species, 19 genera, and 10 families were obtained. Biological parameters, including sponge volume, number of individuals, density, richness, diversity, evenness, and dominance changed considerably over time. Species recruitment and foraging habit are some of the factors that drive the richness, dominance, and diversity patterns of this community. The green sponge banks are important sites for recruitment, refuge, and feeding of many species of brachyurans. Therefore, they are also important for the conservation of this group on the south-eastern coast of Brazil.

Topical Beclomethasone in the Therapy of Smelling Disorders—A New Application Technique

Systemic corticosteroid is the first-line-treatment for olfactory dysfunction of sinonasal origin but is afflicted with many side-effects. Topic corticosteroid does not reach the same efficacy but has a remarkable safety profile. In this trial we investigated the efficacy of topic therapy with beclomethasone (BDP) -spray. The drug was applied precisely to the olfactory cleft by a special spraying top-part. In addition we determined extinction and volume of a gelaspon sponge placed in the olfactory cleft to show the difference of the topical spray application. 18 patients with anosmia or hyposmia of different genesis and duration applied BDP-spray twice daily for four weeks. The olfactory function was determined using the TDI score ('Sniffin'-Sticks test battery'). Factors correlated with therapy efficacy were assessed. The median TDI score increased from 13.5 (0-25) at the beginning to 18.5 (1-26) after therapy of four weeks (P = 0.005). The extinction and volume in the moistened sponge was more than two times greater with the top-part than without. The direct application of BDP-spray to the olfactory cleft attained superior therapeutic effects than a usual applied mometasone spray, but did not perform as good as systemic corticosteroid treatment.

Sponge host characteristics shape the community structure of their shrimp associates

Both body size and habitat architecture have pervasive effects on the form, function, and inter- actions of organisms, and can play especially impor- tant roles in structuring intimate associations between host organisms and their obligate associates. In this study, we examined how body size is related to host use in a diverse clade of closely related snapping shrimp species (Synalpheus) that live in the interior canals of sponges. Using data from an extensive survey of sponge-dwelling Synalpheus from Jamaica, we tested how sponge morphology (interior canal size and individual sponge volume) was related to the identity and diversity of Synalpheus inhabitants. In cross- species comparisons, we found a strong positive cor- relation between Synalpheus species body size and sponge host canal size, using both raw species cor- relations and phylogenetic independent contrasts. Shrimp abundance increased with sponge volume in all sponge hosts tested, and species richness increased with volume in 2 host sponge species. Despite this evi- dence for a strong constraining influence of habitat architecture on shrimp communities, simulation stud- ies demonstrated that shrimp used only a subset of appropriately sized sponges, indicating that size match- ing is not the sole determinant of sponge host use. Closely related sponges hosted more similar shrimp communities than unrelated sponges (despite moderate similarity in canal size between unrelated sponges), suggesting that additional genus-specific sponge traits also influence host use. Our study suggests multiple sponge traits likely limit Synalpheus host use, and has important implications for understanding how host use influences speciation of this diverse group.

Demographics of increasing populations of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta in the Florida Keys

The structure of Caribbean coral reef communities has been altered by numerous anthropogenic and natural stressors. Demographic studies of key functional groups have furthered efforts to describe and understand these changes. Little is known, however, about the demographics of sponges on coral reefs, despite their abundance and the important functions they perform (e.g., increased habitat complexity, water filtration). We have monitored permanent plots on reefs off Key Largo, Florida, USA, to study the demography of a particularly important species, the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta. From 2000 to 2006, population densities of X. muta significantly increased at sites on Conch Reef by a mean of 46% (range = 16-108%) and on Pickles Reef by a mean of 33%. In 2006, densities of X. muta on Conch Reef ranged from 0.134 to 0.277 sponges/m2, and mean sponge volume was 1488 cm3/m2, with the largest size class of sponges constituting 75% of the total volume. Increased population density resulted from a significant increase in the number of sponges in the smallest size class. Recruit survival did not significantly change through time; however, a significant interaction between season and year on recruitment suggests that large recruitment pulses are driving population increases. Mean yearly recruitment rates ranged from 0.011 to 0.025 recruits x m(-2) x yr(-1), with pulses as high as 0.036 recruits/m2. To explore the demographic processes behind the population increase and determine future population growth of X. muta under present reef conditions, a stage-based matrix modeling approach was used. Variable recruitment pulses and mortality events were hypothesized to be large determinants of the demographic patterns observed for X. muta. Elasticity and life table response analysis revealed that survival of individuals in the largest size class has the greatest effect on population growth. Projections indicate that populations of X. muta will continue to increase under present conditions; however population growth may be negatively affected by continued mortality of the largest individuals from a recently described pathogenic syndrome.

Effect of sponge volume on the performance of down-flow hanging sponge system treating UASB reactor effluent

The performance of down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) system treating UASB reactor effluent at different sponge volume of 38.2, 28.7, 19.1 and 9.6% was investigated. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) and flow rate were kept constant at 2.6 h and 0.46 m(3)/day, respectively. The results obtained indicated that reducing the sponge volume of the DHS system from 38.2 to 19.1% significantly decreased the removal efficiency of COD(total) from 80 +/- 8 to 62 +/- 14%; COD(soluble) from 71.2 +/- 10 to 53.7 +/- 18% and COD(particulate) from 86 +/- 10 to 62 +/- 15%. With further reduction of the sponge volume down to 9.6%, the removal efficiency was dropped to 54 +/- 15% for COD(total); 44.1 +/- 14% for COD(soluble) and 42 +/- 12% for COD(particulate). Likewise, the nitrification efficiency and fecal coliform (FC) removal was strongly affected by decreasing the sponge volume of the DHS system, i.e., the nitrification efficiency was dropped by a value of 48.3% when reducing the sponge volume of the DHS system from 38.2 to 19.1%. At sponge volume of 38.2%, the DHS system removes 2.6 +/- 0.3 log(10)/100 ml of FC which is significantly higher than that at sponge volume of 28.7, 19.1 and 9.6%. Accordingly, it is recommended to design and operate such a system at a bulk sponge volume not exceeding 38.2% of the total reactor volume and at an HRT of 2.6 h.

Roles of polyurethane foam in aerobic moving and fixed bed bioreactors

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of sponge as an active mobile carrier for attached-growth biomass in three typical types of aerobic bioreactors to treat a high strength synthetic wastewater. The results show that sponge thickness deteriorated the organic and nutrient removal and 1 cm is the optimum thickness for fixed-bed sponge biofilter (SBF). The sponge volume had significant impact on phosphorus removal rather than organic or nitrogen removal, and 20% volume of sponge could achieve 100% T-P removal within 3 h in a sponge batch reactor (SBR). When sponge coupled with submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR), the single system show outstanding ammonium (100% at filtration flux of 10 and 15 L/m 2 h) and phosphorus (>91% at all fluxes range) removal with optimum pH range of 6–7.

Sewage treatment using an integrated system consisting of anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) and downflow hanging sponge (DHS)

This paper presents an evaluation of a combined wastewater treatment train consisting of an anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) followed by a downflow hanging sponge (DHS) system. The combined system was operated at a total constant hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 h (AHR: 6.0 h and DHS: 2.0 h) and an average organic loading rate of 1.9 kg COD/m3.d for AHR and 2.1 kg COD/m3.d for the DHS. The combined system was able to remove 95 and 89% of the BOD5total and CODtotal with residual values in the final effluent of only 10 and 49 mg/L, respectively. Ammonia concentration was reduced by 83%. The geometric mean of faecal coliform count was reduced by 4.7 log10. Residual count in the final effluent ranged from 102 to 103 MPN/100 ml. Average concentration of trapped biomass amounted to 20 g VSS/L of sponge volume. The SRT of DHS system was 121 d. Calculated average sludge yield coefficient for the DHS system was 0.08 g TSS/g CODremoved. Analysis of wastewater samples collected at the outlet of each segment along t...

A Novel Sponge‐Submerged Membrane Bioreactor (SSMBR) for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

Membrane fouling has been regarded as one of the biggest challenges to widespread application of membrane bioreactor (MBR). This study focuses on minimizing the membrane fouling and improving the performance of submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) by porous sponge addition. The effects of sponge addition on sustainable flux and membrane fouling were investigated. Acclimatized sponge could significantly increase the suspended growth in SMBR with biomass of 16.7 g/L(sponge). With the sponge volume fraction of 10%, SSMBR could enhance sustainable flux up to 50 L/m2 · h compared with sustainable flux of SMBR (only 25 L/m2 · h). SSMBR also exhibited excellent results in terms of DOC removal (over 95%), COD removal (over 97%), lower transmembrane pressure development, and oxygen uptake rate. Over 89% of NH4‐N and 98% of PO4‐P were removed when SSMBR was operated with a MLSS concentration of 15 g/L.