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At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Emissions modeling of fluidised bed co-combustion of poultry litter and peat.

Gaseous emissions from the fluidised bed co-combustion of 50% w/w chicken litter and peat were monitored and recorded. Emission data were used to create a dispersion model for a proposed site on a poultry farm in Ireland. Variables within the combustion unit influenced both combustion and emission levels of pollutants such as SO(2) and NO(x), CO. Concentrations of atmospheric pollutants decreased with use of the correct ratio between fluidising and secondary air. Dispersion modelling of combustion at a proposed poultry unit predicted that ground level concentrations for the set of emissions data would be below the limits and guidelines set by air quality standards.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Quantitative estimation of peat, brown coal and lignite humic acids using chemical parameters, 1H-NMR and DTA analyses.

Humic acids extracted from peats (P), brown coals (BC) and lignites (L), were characterized using different (chemical, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis) techniques. Fourteen variables were obtained from these analyses and only five were selected because uncorrelated in multiple partial correlation. The chosen variables were C concentration, aliphatic and aromatic components and the heat of reaction of the second exothermic peak. The multivariate discriminant analysis was performed on these variables and a discriminant function was obtained which was able to efficiently separate the P, BC and L. This function enables simple predictions on samples of unknown origin. The straightforward method proposed and the results obtained are discussed.

Coal↗
PubMed2000

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies on stable and transient radicals in humic acids from compost, soil, peat and brown coal.

Quantitative EPR method was applied to characterise four types of humic acids (HA) derived from composts, soil, peat and soft brown coal. For each sample of HA the level of native (indigenous) radicals was estimated. Interactions of the HA with various gaseous agents and organic solvents were investigated. Strong effects of gaseous ammonia and aliphatic amines on spin concentration enhancement were observed; additionally, higher values of g-value were found to be associated with the formed 'transient' radicals. Correlation of copper(II) ions uptake by different HA with effect diminishing primary spin concentration was established. It was recognised that the radical centres, which are enhanced by 'ammonia effect' are quenched in the formed HA-Cu(II) complexes. The both opposite effects are competitive from each other, where 'copper(II) quenching effect' prevails. Reaction of nitrogen dioxide with the humic acids was also examined. The presence of diketones and/or other compounds with active methylene group results in formation of the iminoxy radicals; these radicals are immobilized in the solid (macromolecular) matrix of the humic acids.

Coal↗
PubMed2002

New peat bog record of atmospheric lead pollution in Switzerland: Pb concentrations, enrichment factors, isotopic composition, and organolead species.

A peat core collected at Etang de la Gruère, an ombrotrophic bog in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland, was analyzed for organolead species (DEL, TEL, DML, and TML) using GC-MIP AES, Pb isotopes using TIMS, and total Pb using XRF and age-dated using 210Pb. The earliest occurrence of quantifiable alkyllead is found at a depth of 24 cm, which is dated at AD 1946 +/- 3; this finding is consistent with the introduction of leaded gasoline in Switzerland in 1947. The maximum concentration of alkyllead (2.89 ng/g) is found at 5 cm, which is dated at AD 1988 +/- 2. This same sample yielded 206Pb/207Pb = 1.1254, which is the least radiogenic value in the entire 2K core and comparable to the isotopic composition of Pb in leaded gasoline. The highest concentrations of DML (906 ng/g) and DEL (1906 ng/g) also were found in this sample. Total alkyllead never accounts for more than 0.02% of total Pb in any given sample. The spatial and temporal variations in organolead species is matched by the changes in the isotopic composition of Pb over the same interval. Despite this, the decline in anthropogenic Pb pre-dates the maximum in total alkyllead and minimum 206Pb/207Pb, indicating that atmospheric Pb emissions had already begun their decline prior to the introduction of unleaded gasoline. In fact the decline in anthropogenic Pb was probably in response to the introduction of legislation, first in Germany and later in the European Union, establishing a maximum allowable concentration of Pb in gasoline.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

History and environmental impact of mining activity in Celtic Aeduan territory recorded in a peat bog (Morvan, France).

The present study aims to document historical mining and smelting activities by means of geochemical and pollen analyses performed in a peat bog core collected around the Bibracte oppidum (Morvan, France), the largest settlement of the great Aeduan Celtic tribe (ca. 180 B.C. to 25 A.D.). The anthropogenic Pb profile indicates local mining operations starting from the Late Bronze Age, ca. cal. 1300 B.C. Lead inputs peaked at the height of Aeduan civilization and then decreased after the Roman conquest of Gaul, when the site was abandoned. Other phases of mining are recognized from the 11th century to modern times. They have all led to modifications in plant cover, probably related in part to forest clearances necessary to supply energy for mining and smelting. Zn, Sb, Cd, and Cu distributions may result from diffusional and biological processes or from the influence of groundwater and underlying mineral soil, precluding their interpretation for historical reconstruction. The abundance of mineral resources, in addition to the strategic location, might explain why early settlers founded the city of Bibracte at that particular place. About 20% of the anthropogenic lead record was accumulated before our era and about 50% before the 18th century, which constitutes a troublesome heritage. Any attempts to develop control strategies in accumulating environments should take into account past human activities in order to not overestimate the impact of contemporary pollution.

Archaeology↗
PubMed2004

Thermodynamics of peat-, plant-, and soil-derived humic acid sorption on kaolinite.

Humic acids (HAs) form coatings on clays and minerals that can play an important role in nutrient and contaminant migration in soil and water. Humic acid-clay mineral interactions are known to be affected by pH and ionic strength, but little attention has been paid to the effects of temperature. In this paper we report the stoichiometry and thermodynamics of interactions of aqueous HAs (isolated from two peats, two soils and a marine alga with a method that removes lipids) with kaolinite clay, Al2Si2O5(OH)4, at seven temperatures from 5.0 to 35.0 degrees C in 0.05 M NaCl at pH 3.5. All the sorption isotherms exhibit consecutive steps ascribed to HA monolayer and bilayer formation, respectively. Site capacity comparisons suggest different HA molecular conformations on kaolinite. Linearly correlated enthalpy and entropy changes for HA sorption point to the importance of hydration and dehydration in the sorption mechanism.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Glass transitions in peat: their relevance and the impact of water.

This contribution aims to expand the macromolecular view of fractionated natural organic matter (NOM)to organic matter in whole soils. It focuses on glass transition behavior of whole soil organic matter (SOM) and its interrelation with water through use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA). Three processes of structural relaxation related to macromolecular mobility were distinguished. Process I occurs in thermally pretreated and very low water-content samples and corresponds to classic glass transition behavior. Process II occurs in water-containing samples, where water is believed to act as an antiplasticizing agent in the peat at water contents below 12%, causing decreased macromolecular mobility and increased glass transition temperature. We suggestthe formation of hydrogen bond-based cross-links being responsible for this antiplasticizing effect. Process III represents a slow swelling process induced by water uptake with a time constant of swelling in the order of days, with water acting as a plasticizing agent. Results from this work are of particular importance for environmental systems as changes in environmental conditions (e.g., water content, temperature) may induce slow structural relaxation processes in NOM over periods of time ranging from days to weeks. These influences on NOM macromolecular mobility lead to continuous changes in physicochemical properties that may greatly influence sorbate-sorbent interactions in surface and subsurface environments.

Glass↗
PubMed2001

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-polluted dredged peat sediments and earthworms: a mutual interference.

In lowland areas of the Netherlands, any peat sediments will gradually become enriched with anthropogenically derived Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Due to Dutch policy standards these (anaerobic) sediments are not allowed to be dredged and placed onto land. Under aerobic conditions, however, biodegradation of PAH is greatly enhanced. This degradation is further stimulated by colonisation of the sediments by earthworms. Laboratory experiments show that although earthworms do not avoid PAH-contaminated sediment, their burrowing-activity is reduced. Furthermore, these sediments have no significant ecotoxicological impacts on earthworms. Experimental introduction of earthworms into PAH-contaminated OECD-soil will result in a decrease in overall PAH content. In field surveys no significant differences in earthworm numbers between locations with fresh and old sediment could be found. It is concluded that dredging of PAH-contaminated sediment poses a very limited environmental threat, and that putting these sediments on land will improve PAH-biodegradation, partly through the colonisation by and activities of earthworms.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Isolation of a novel acidiphilic methanogen from an acidic peat bog.

Acidic peatlands are among the largest natural sources of atmospheric methane and harbour a large diversity of methanogenic Archaea. Despite the ubiquity of methanogens in these peatlands, indigenous methanogens capable of growth at acidic pH values have resisted culture and isolation; these recalcitrant methanogens include members of an uncultured family-level clade in the Methanomicrobiales prevalent in many acidic peat bogs in the Northern Hemisphere. However, we recently succeeded in obtaining a mixed enrichment culture of a member of this clade. Here we describe its isolation and initial characterization. We demonstrate that the optimum pH for methanogenesis by this organism is lower than that of any previously described methanogen.

Acids↗
PubMed2001

The effect of a peat-based preparation on mitogen-induced proliferation of thymocytes in non-treated and hydrocortisone-suppressed mice.

The studies were carried out on Balb/c mice (5-6 weeks of age) treated with a peat-based preparation (PBP), administered i.p. once or four times at 24 h intervals at doses of 0.01; 0.1 or 1 mg/kg. Additionally, hydrocortisone was injected i.p. to selected mice at a single dose of 125 mg/kg. The results show that PBP temporarily enhances the proliferative capability of murine thymocytes stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The effect of PBP depends on the number of subsequent doses, but does not depend on the dose applied. A single PBP administration does not affect the proliferative response of thymocytes to Con A and PHA. A single injection of PBP (doses from 0.01 to 1 mg/kg) does not change the number of thymic cells and weight ratio of this organ. Increased doses of subsequent PBP injections (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg) do not affect the number of thymocytes, but temporarily increase the weight ratio of the thymus two days after the last injection. Administration of PBP prior to hydrocortisone prevents the suppressive effect of the drug on proliferative response of thymocytes stimulated in vitro with Con A and PHA, at the same time increasing the proliferative response of thymic cells to the two mitogens in relation to the control group (hydrocortisone-free). The effect of a single dose of PBP depends on the dose applied--the weakest preventive effect was observed at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg. An increase in the number of subsequent PBP doses, irrespective of a dose applied, prolongs the protective action of the drug on proliferative activity of thymocytes stimulated in vitro with these mitogenes. Moreover, the results obtained in the studies show that PBP partially prevents the suppressive effect of hydrocortisone, as the number of thymic cells and weight ratio of this organ drastically decreased. PBP accelerates regeneration of the thymus, but this depends on a dose applied and the number of subsequent doses. The result was the strongest and the fastest when PBP was injected four times at a dose of 1 mg/kg. It seems quite likely that the thymic regeneration due to PBP is connected with the effect of this drug on maturation and differentiation of thymic cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2004

A mechanistic model for m-xylene treatment with a peat-bed biofilter.

The painting of vehicles in the automobile industry generates large quantities of gaseous emissions which contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) like xylenes. This polluted air has a high moisture content and a temperature around 15-20 degrees C. It is thus possible to consider its treatment by a biological way. In this paper, laboratory tests are described which led to the choice of packing material to make a biofilter having good removal efficiency. Moreover this technique is known for its simplicity and low energy cost. The maximum treatment capacity was obtained with peat. A mathematical model which makes it possible to specify the different limiting steps of the process was carried out. This considered both physical parameters of the biofilter and properties of the biofilm. By choosing a lower Henry's constant than typical air:water system, we obtain a better simulation of the xylenes concentration according to the biofilter length and applied load.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Microbially treated peat-cellulose fabric as a biodegradable oil-collection cloth.

The aim of this work was to study the use of a fully biodegradable peat-cellulose fabric as a first aid in collecting and removing spilled oil. The fabric itself was made from entirely biodegradable natural components. Another aspect investigated was whether drying microbial suspension--specifically enriched for the degradation of oil hydrocarbons while maintaining a high survival rate and rapid initial growth--to the fabric would improve the degradation of absorbed oil along with the fabric. The results show that the oil absorption capacity of the biodegradable fabric was comparable to commercial products, and that the oil absorbed to the fabric degraded readily when incubated at various conditions. The microbial inoculum enhanced the degradation rate to some degree in sand, but in garden soil no significant difference existed. It was concluded that an oily fabric can be disposed of by biodegradation, e.g., by composting, but that a microbial inoculum is not essential for this purpose.

Absorption↗
PubMed2005

Function and potential of constructed wetlands for the control of N and P transport from agriculture and peat production in boreal climate.

The use of constructed wetlands (CWs) for the treatment of the runoff waters from field cultivation and peat production in boreal climate is reviewed on the base of the authors' own research experiences and a literature study. The main water purifying mechanisms are presented, and the effectiveness of different types of CWs as well as the design and dimensioning parameters at the bottom of the effectiveness are discussed. In our view, CW area in relation to its catchment and hydraulically efficient CW shape are the main issues that a CW designer should focus on. This is because water purifying processes need time for efficient functioning, and both of these factors increase the actual residence time of water in a CW. Although both these factors stand up to as general guidelines, drawing conclusions from direct comparison of CWs in different locations is often misleading because of the differences in climate, catchment properties etc that highly effect the retention performance. Landscape improvement and increased birdlife are raised as examples of the ancillary benefits of CWs. The potential significance of CWs in water protection is dealt with at catchment scale. Comprehensive catchment management with variety of pollution control measures is needed if sustainable water quality improvement is aspired. When designed and located appropriately, CWs can make a useful contribution to this.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1985

Radioactivity of size fractionated fly-ash emissions from a peat- and oil-fired power plant.

Concentrations of gamma-emitting natural radionuclides and 137Cs were analyzed in the size fractionated fly-ash emissions from a 100-MWt peat- and oil-fired power plant. The emitted fly ash was separated into five size fractions with a high-volume impactor with cut sizes of 1.3 micron, 2.1 micron, 4.2 micron and 10 micron. The greatest activity emissions were associated with the smallest size fraction, below 1.3 micron. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of the fly-ash particles after the electrostatic precipitator was 1.9 micron with a geometric standard deviation of 3.0 and the median of the 32 fly-ash emission samples was 8.73 mg MJ-1 with a geometric standard deviation of 1.3. Lead-210 gave the greatest particulate activity emission per input fuel energy, 18.7 mBq MJ-1, and showed a strong enrichment onto small fly-ash particles.

Carbon↗
PubMed2000

Methylocella palustris gen. nov., sp. nov., a new methane-oxidizing acidophilic bacterium from peat bogs, representing a novel subtype of serine-pathway methanotrophs.

A new genus, Methylocella, and a new species, Methylocella palustris, are proposed for three strains of methane-oxidizing bacteria isolated from acidic Sphagnum peat bogs. These bacteria are aerobic, Gram-negative, colourless, non-motile, straight and curved rods that utilize the serine pathway for carbon assimilation, multiply by normal cell division and contain intracellular poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate granules (one at each pole). These strains use methane and methanol as sole sources of carbon and energy and are moderately acidophilic organisms with growth between pH 4.5 and pH 7.0, the optimum being at pH 5.0-5.5. The temperature range for growth is 10-28 degrees C with the optimum at 15-20 degrees C. The intracytoplasmic membrane system is different from those of type I and II methanotrophs. Cells contain an extensive periplasmic space and a vesicular membrane system connected to the cytoplasmic membrane. The strains grew only on media with a low salt content (0.2-0.5 g l(-1)). All three strains were found to possess soluble methane monooxygenase and are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen via an oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase. No products were observed in a PCR with particulate methane monooxygenase-targeted primers; hybridization with a pmoA probe was also negative. The major phospholipid fatty acids are 18:1 acids. The G+C content of the DNA is 61.2 mol%. The three strains share identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and represent a novel lineage of methane-oxidizing bacteria within the alpha-subclass of the class Proteobacteria and are only moderately related to type II methanotrophs of the Methylocystis-Methylosinus group. The three strains are most closely related to the acidophilic heterotrophic bacterium Beijerinckia indica subsp. indica (96.5% 16S rDNA sequence similarity). Collectively, these strains comprise a new species and genus Methylocella palustris gen. nov., sp. nov.; strain KT (= ATCC 700799T) is the type strain.

Base Composition↗
PubMed2005

Bacillus acidicola sp. nov., a novel mesophilic, acidophilic species isolated from acidic Sphagnum peat bogs in Wisconsin.

A mesophilic, acidophilic, spore-forming bacterium, strain 105-2(T), was isolated from an acidic Sphagnum peat bog in Wisconsin, USA. Strain 105-2(T) has 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Bacillus sporothermodurans DSM 10599(T) and Bacillus oleronius DSM 9356(T) of 97.4 and 97.8%, respectively. The primary lipoquinone is MK-7 and the major fatty acids are 15:0 iso, 15:0 anteiso and 17:0 anteiso. The predominant polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and a glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was found to be 43.2 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses identified strain 105-2(T) as a novel Bacillus species, for which the name Bacillus acidicola is proposed. The type strain is 105-2(T) (=DSM 14745(T)=ATCC BAA-366(T)=NRRL B-23453(T)).

Bacillus↗
PubMed2005

Micromonospora eburnea sp. nov., isolated from a Thai peat swamp forest.

Two actinomycete strains, LK2-10T and LK2-5, which produced single, non-motile spores, were isolated from peat swamp forest soil in Yala Province, Thailand. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic position of these strains. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of these strains coincided with those of the genus Micromonospora. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences also indicated that these strains should be classified in the genus Micromonospora and clearly separated from their closest relative, Micromonospora nigra DSM 43818T. Furthermore, a combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and physiological and biochemical properties indicated that these strains were distinguished from all recognized Micromonospora species. These strains therefore represent a novel species, for which the name Micromonospora eburnea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LK2-10T (=JCM 12345T=PCU 238T=DSM 44814T=TISTR 1531T).

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed2006

Rhodoblastus sphagnicola sp. nov., a novel acidophilic purple non-sulfur bacterium from Sphagnum peat bog.

An isolate of purple non-sulfur bacteria was obtained from an acidic Sphagnum peat bog and designated strain RS(T). The colour of cell suspensions of this bacterium growing in the light under anaerobic conditions is purplish red. Cells of strain RS(T) are rod-shaped, 0.8-1.0 microm wide and 2.0-6.0 microm long, motile by means of polar flagella, reproduce by budding and have a tendency to form rosette-like clusters in older cultures. The cells contain lamellar intracytoplasmic membranes underlying, and parallel to, the cytoplasmic membrane. The photosynthetic pigments are bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids; the absorption spectrum of living cells shows maxima at 377, 463, 492, 527, 592, 806 and 867 nm. The cells grow photoheterotrophically under anaerobic or microaerobic conditions with various organic carbon sources or grow photolithoautotrophically with H(2) and CO(2). Strain RS(T) is a moderately acidophilic organism exhibiting growth at pH values between 4.8 and 7.0 (with an optimum at pH 5.2-5.5). The major fatty acids are 16 : 1omega7c and 18 : 1omega7c; the major quinones are Q-10 and Q-9. The DNA G + C content of strain RS(T) is 62.6 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate is most closely related (97.3 % sequence similarity) to the type strain ATCC 25092(T) of the moderately acidophilic purple non-sulfur bacterium Rhodoblastus acidophilus, formerly named Rhodopseudomonas acidophila. However, in contrast to Rbl. acidophilus, strain RS(T) is not capable of aerobic growth in the dark, has no spirilloxanthin among the carotenoids and differs in the pattern of substrate utilization. The value for DNA-DNA hybridization between strain RS(T) and Rbl. acidophilus ATCC 25092(T) is only 22 %. Thus, strain RS(T) represents a novel species of the genus Rhodoblastus, for which the name Rhodoblastus sphagnicola sp. nov. is proposed. Strain RS(T) (=DSM 16996(T) = VKM B-2361(T)) is the type strain.

Bradyrhizobiaceae↗