scholarly journals Wastewater Biofilm Photosynthesis in Photobioreactors

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Guzzon ◽  
Francesca Di Pippo ◽  
Roberta Congestri

Photosynthetic performance of algal-bacterial biofilms from an Italian wastewater treatment plant was studied in a flow-lane photobioreactor at different irradiances, temperatures, and flow regime to evaluate the effects of these environmental parameters on biofilms’ functioning, in view of application of these communities in wastewater biological treatment. Pulse amplitude modulated fluorescence was used to estimate the effective quantum yield of PSII (ΔF/Fm’) of the light-acclimated biofilms and to perform rapid light curves (RLCs) for the determination of the photosynthetic parameters (rel.ETRmax, α, Ik). Chl a, ash free dry weight (AFDW), and dry weight (DW) were measured to assess phototrophic and whole biofilm biomass development over time. From the analysis of photosynthetic parameter variation with light intensity, temperature and flow rate, it was possible to identify the set of experimental values favoring biofilm photosynthetic activity. Biomass increased over time, especially at the highest irradiances, where substrata were fastly colonized and mature biofilms developed at all temperatures and flow conditions tested.

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 2312-2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Meacham-Hensold ◽  
Peng Fu ◽  
Jin Wu ◽  
Shawn Serbin ◽  
Christopher M Montes ◽  
...  

Abstract Photosynthesis is currently measured using time-laborious and/or destructive methods which slows research and breeding efforts to identify crop germplasm with higher photosynthetic capacities. We present a plot-level screening tool for quantification of photosynthetic parameters and pigment contents that utilizes hyperspectral reflectance from sunlit leaf pixels collected from a plot (~2 m×2 m) in <1 min. Using field-grown Nicotiana tabacum with genetically altered photosynthetic pathways over two growing seasons (2017 and 2018), we built predictive models for eight photosynthetic parameters and pigment traits. Using partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis of plot-level sunlit vegetative reflectance pixels from a single visible near infra-red (VNIR) (400–900 nm) hyperspectral camera, we predict maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (Vc,max, R2=0.79) maximum electron transport rate in given conditions (J1800, R2=0.59), maximal light-saturated photosynthesis (Pmax, R2=0.54), chlorophyll content (R2=0.87), the Chl a/b ratio (R2=0.63), carbon content (R2=0.47), and nitrogen content (R2=0.49). Model predictions did not improve when using two cameras spanning 400–1800 nm, suggesting a robust, widely applicable and more ‘cost-effective’ pipeline requiring only a single VNIR camera. The analysis pipeline and methods can be used in any cropping system with modified species-specific PLSR analysis to offer a high-throughput field phenotyping screening for germplasm with improved photosynthetic performance in field trials.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-136
Author(s):  
Rafael J. Mendes ◽  
Nuno Mariz-Ponte ◽  
Cristiana V. Correia ◽  
Maria Celeste Dias ◽  
Miguel Leão De Sousa ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this work was to evaluate the photosynthetic performance of Pear trees (cv. ‘Rocha’) infected with Erwinia amylovora, three months after suffering a pruning of infected branches (P-trees) compared with asymptomatic trees (C-trees) of the same orchard. Three months after pruning, P-trees looked healthy and were negative for the presence of E. amylovora. In September of 2018, fully expanded leaves of both P- and C- trees were sampled and analysed for photosynthetic parameters related to chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange, alongside with pigments, total soluble sugars, starch, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) contents. No significant differences were found in chlorophyll and carotenoids levels, but anthocyanins significantly decreased in P-trees. Also, despite the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) significantly decreased in P-trees, the effective quantum yield of the PSII was maintained, paralleled with no changes in gas exchange parameters (PN, gs, Ci, E, iWUE, PN/gs), nor in RuBisCO relative content. Finally, the maintenance of the levels of total soluble sugars and starch also supports that the photosynthetic performance of P-trees, three months after pruning, reached values similar to those of the C-trees, contributing to the normal development and ripening of the fruit. Data support that pruning represents a reliable control measure against this quarantine pathogen. This work is the first evaluation of pruning in fire blight management regarding carbon metabolism in P. communis trees.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Pedro García-Caparrós ◽  
Cristina Velasquez Espino ◽  
María Teresa Lao

The reuse of drainages for cultivating more salt tolerant crops can be a useful tool especially in arid regions, where there are severe problems for crops water management. Dracaena deremensis L. plants were cultured in pots with sphagnum peat-moss and were subjected to three fertigation treatments for 8 weeks: control treatment or standard nutrient solution (D0), raw leachates from Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl plants (DL) and the same leachate blending with H2O2 (1.2 M) at 1% (v/v) (DL + H2O2). After harvesting, ornamental and biomass parameters, leaf and root proline and total soluble sugar concentration and nutrient balance were assessed in each fertigation treatment. Plant height, leaf and total dry weight had the highest values in plants fertigated with leachates with H2O2, whereas root length, leaf number, RGB values and pigment concentration declined significantly in plants fertigated with leachates from C. lutescens with or without H2O2. The fertigation with leachates, regardless of the presence or absence of H2O2 increased root and leaf proline concentration. Nevertheless, root and leaf total soluble sugar concentration did not show a clear trend under the treatments assessed. Regarding nutrient balance, the addition of H2O2 in the leachate resulted in an increase in plant nutrient uptake and efficiency compared to the control treatment. The fertigation with leachates with or without H2O2 increased nitrogen and potassium leached per plant compared to plants fertigated with the standard nutrient solution. The reuse of drainages is a viable option to produce ornamental plants reducing the problematic associated with the water consumption and the release of nutrients into the environment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2098205
Author(s):  
Katekanya Tadsuwan ◽  
Sandhya Babel

Plastic waste has become a global environmental concern. One type of plastic waste is microplastics (MPs), which can spread easily in the environment. Wastewater effluent is one of the land-based sources of MPs. This study investigates the amount of microplastic (MP) pollution in an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Thailand. Water samples were collected and examined to find the types, morphology and sources of MPs. Wastewater was filtered through a set of sieves ranging from 5 mm to 0.05 mm. Sludge samples were also collected to find the potential risk from the application of dried sewage sludge. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the types of MPs. The amount of MPs in the influent was 26.6 ± 11.8 MPs/L. More than one-third of MP particles were removed after a grit trap, followed by 14.24% removal in the secondary treatment. If the peak flow rate of the WWTP is reached, 2.32 × 109 MP particles can be released daily. The amount of MPs in a sludge sample was 8.12 ± 0.28 × 103 particles/kg dry weight. Dry sludge is one of the potential sources of MP contamination in agricultural soil. Most MPs in the liquid fraction and sludge sample were fibres. Results from FTIR analysis showed that the major types of MPs in the WWTP were polyester fibres, followed by polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone polymer and polystyrene. This finding indicates that a conventional WWTP may act as a path by which MPs enter the environment.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Haoyun Wang ◽  
Xizhou Zhao ◽  
Zhongke Lu ◽  
Xueguang Sun ◽  
...  

Masson pine is an important afforestation species in southern China, where seasonal drought is common. The present study focused on the effects of Suillus placidus, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, inoculation on the growth and physiological and biochemical performance of masson pine seedlings under four different watering treatments (well-watered, mild drought, moderate drought, and severe drought) to evaluate the symbiotic relationship between S. placidus and masson pine seedlings. Ectomycorrhizal-inoculated (ECM) and non-inoculated (NM) seedlings were grown in pots and maintained for 60 days using the weighing method. Results showed that seedlings’ growth, dry weight, RWC, chlorophyll content, PSII efficiency, and photosynthesis decreased as drought stress intensified in both ECM and NM plants. This suggests that drought stress significantly limits the growth and photosynthetic performance of masson pine seedlings. Nevertheless, increased An/gs and proline contents in both NM and ECM prevented oxidative damage caused by drought stress. In addition, increased peroxidase (POD) activity is an essential defense mechanism of ECM seedling under drought stress. Compared with NM, ECM seedlings showed faster growth, higher RWC, and photosynthetic performance, and lower lipid peroxidation in cell membranes under drought stress, as indicated by higher POD activity and lower proline and malondialdehyde (MDA). Our experiment found that S. placidus inoculation can enhance the drought resistance of masson pine seedlings by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, water use efficiency, and proline content, thereby enhancing growth under water-deficiency conditions. S. placidus can be used to cultivate high-quality seedlings and improve their survival in regions that experience seasonal droughts.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1464
Author(s):  
Leon Katona ◽  
Yvonne Vadeboncoeur ◽  
Christopher T. Nietch ◽  
Katie Hossler

Recent studies suggest that photophysiological parameters for intact substrates with depth (e.g., periphytic biofilms, microphytobenthos) are overestimated by pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. This overestimation results from depth-integration effects, following the activation of deeper photosynthesizing layers by an attenuated light signal. To mitigate this error, we propose a novel slide-based thin-film technique in which fluorescence is measured on a vertically representative subsample of the biofilm, spread evenly on a microscope slide. We compared bias and precision for photosynthetic parameters estimated through conventional PAM fluorometry on intact biofilms and through our novel slide-based technique, both theoretically and empirically. Numerical simulations confirmed the consistent overestimation of key parameters for intact biofilms, with relative errors up to 145%, compared to, at most, 52% on thin films. Paired empirical observations likewise demonstrated that estimates based on intact biofilms were consistently higher (up to 248%, p<0.001) than estimates from thin films. Numerical simulation suggested greater precision with the slide-based technique for homogeneous biofilms, but potentially less precision for heterogeneous biofilms with improper subsampling. Our empirical comparison, however, demonstrated some improvement in precision with the slide-based technique (e.g., the coefficient of variation for the maximum electron transport rate was reduced 30%, p=0.009). We recommend the use of the slide-based technique, particularly for biofilms that are thick or have small light attenuation coefficients. Care should be taken, however, to obtain vertically representative subsamples of the biofilm for measurement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
I Made Andi Purnama Wijaya ◽  
Yohanes Setiyo ◽  
I Wayan Tika

Suhu tanah adalah salah satu sifat fisik tanah yang secara langsung mempengaruhi pertumbuhan tanaman pakcoy. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) untuk menganalisis suhu di zona perakaran, (2) menganalisis hubungan antara dosis pemupukan mempergunakan kompos dengan suhu di zona perakaran dan (3) untuk menganalis suhu yang optimum untuk produktivitas dan kualitas pakcoy yang dihasilkan saat panen. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan rancangan acak lengkap, dengan lima perlakuan dan tiga ulangan. Perlakuan tersebut adalah P0 : dosis kompos 0 kg/m2, P1 : dosis kompos 1 kg/m2, P2 : dosis kompos 2 kg/m2, P3 : dosis kompos 3 kg/m2, dan P4 : dosis kompos 4 kg/m2. Parameter yang diamati pada penelitian ini adalah suhu udara, suhulingkungan, kadar air tanah dan produktivitas. Padamalam hari suhu tanah di zona perakaran lebih tinggi 0,59 oC dari pada suhu lingkungan. Suhu tanah di zona perakaran terendah dan tertinggi adalah 18,02 oC dan 21,94 oC. Suhu tanah malam hari dan siang hari untuk dosis 0-5kg/m2 masih toleran pada tanaman pacoy. Berat kering tanaman pakcoy tertinggi pada perlakuan dosis kompos 4kg/m2 denganberat 92,21 gram/tanaman dan terendah pada perlakuan kontrol dengan berat 71,82 gram/tanaman.   The temperature of the soil is one of the physical properties of the soil, this soil physical properties direc2tly affect plant growth pakcoy.  The purpose of this research are (1) to analyze the temperature at root zone, temperature inside and out of the mini greenhouse, (2) analyze the relationship between temperature at root zone  with doses of compost fertilizer application and 3) to analyze the optimum dose of compost based on productivity and quality of the pakcoy is generated when the harvest. The design of the research used randomized complete design, with five treatments and three replicates. The treatment is P0: a dose of compost 0 kg/m, P1: a dose of compost 1 kg/m2, P2: a dose of compost 2 kg/m2, P3: the dose of compost 3 kg/m2, and P4: a dose of compost 4 kg/m2. The parameters observed in this research is the air temperature, the temperature of the environment, ground water levels and productivity.  At night the temperature of the soil rooting zone higher at 0.59 ºC than at the temperature of the environment. Soil temperature at root zone the lowest  and the highest  are 18.02 oC and 21.94 oC.  The temperature of the soil the night and during the day for dose 0-5 kg/m2 was still tolerant plants pakcoy. Dry weight of the plant the highest pakcoy on the treatment dose of compost 4 kg/m2  with a weight of 92.21 grams/lowest at the treatment plant and the control by the weight of 71.82 grams/plant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Sun ◽  
Suiqi Zhang ◽  
Jiakun Yan

AbstractEight dryland winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.), which were widely cultivated from the 1940s to the 2010s in Shaanxi Province, China, were selected and grown in plots, and two water treatments (irrigation and drought) were used to identify the contribution of ears, leaves and stems to grain weight and grain number associated with cultivar replacement. The plant height and stem dry weight of the dryland wheat decreased significantly during the cultivar replacement process, but there was a remarkable increase in the dry matter translocation of stems under irrigation. Shaded-ear and defoliation treatment could decrease the grain number and grain weight, and the grain weight was more influenced. Both the leaf and ear are important photosynthetic sources for dryland wheat, and the contribution of ear assimilates showed a significant increase over time; however, the contribution of leaf assimilates showed a negative correlation with cultivation over time. The accumulation of stem assimilates and ear photosynthesis both increased the grain weight potential. In the future breeding process, cultivars with more assimilates stored in the stem and greater assimilative capacity of ears, especially a greater contribution of ear assimilates, are expected to increase the grain yield.


2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Pieruschka ◽  
Denis Klimov ◽  
Zbigniew S. Kolber ◽  
Joseph A. Berry

Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements have been widely applied to quantify the photosynthetic efficiency of plants non-destructively. The most commonly used pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) technique provides a saturating light pulse, which is not practical at the canopy scale. We report here on a recently developed technique, laser induced fluorescence transient (LIFT), which is capable of remotely measuring the photosynthetic efficiency of selected leaves at a distance of up to 50 m. The LIFT approach correlated well with gas exchange measurements under laboratory conditions and was tested in a field experiment monitoring the combined effect of low temperatures and high light intensity on a variety of plants during the early winter in California. We observed a reduction in maximum and effective quantum yield in electron transport for Capsicum annuum L., Lycopersicon esculentum L. and Persea americana Mill. as the temperatures fell, while a grass community was not affected by combined low temperature and high light stress. The ability to make continuous, automatic and remote measurements of the photosynthetic efficiency of leaves with the LIFT system provides a new approach for studying and monitoring of stress effects on the canopy scale.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3698
Author(s):  
Jolanta Grochowska ◽  
Renata Augustyniak ◽  
Michał Łopata ◽  
Renata Tandyrak

The research was carried out on Karczemne Lake, a water reservoir located in Kartuzy (northern Poland, Pomeranian Lake District). Monitoring of the water and bottom sediment of Karczemne Lake showed a very high level of contamination of the reservoir by a long-term inflow of untreated municipal sewage. The trophic status index of total phosphorus (TP) was unusually high at 101, and the TP content in the bottom sediments—31 mg g−1 (dry weight)—was the highest value recorded worldwide in a lake. Based on the monitoring results, to achieve constant improvement of the water quality, we recommend a completely new, safe and economically justified method of bottom sediment removal and management. A very important aspect of this method is the prevention of uncontrolled sewage discharge back into the lake basin. Removed sediment with interstitial water will be pumped through a pipeline and transported to a sewage treatment plant. In the sediment mining field in which the sludge will be removed, the first phase of phosphorus inactivation will be carried out to chemically precipitate pollutants distributed in the water column as a result of sediment resuspension. After the deepening of the entire lake basin, the method of phosphorus inactivation will be carried out on the entire surface of the lake as the next stage of restoration. A supporting activity will be biomanipulation. Before the restoration is started, the municipal sewerage system will be modernized.


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