Results of compact facility work with anaerobic treatment of highly concentrated runoffs

This scientific work is devoted to the results of the local treatment facilities’ work for food enterprises sewerage. The complex under consideration is intended for the anaerobic processing of whey, formed during fermented milk production. Whey is one of the specific organic substances, which main component is lactose (sucrose). It is converted under anaerobic conditions into lactic acid, which is a metabolic dead end. The capacity can be used as a homogenizing tank, obtained in this way. In the future, it is proposed to increase the homogenizer volume to 100 m3. It is recommended to use ammonium hydroxide or sulfate to ensure the required ratio between COD and biogenic element (nitrogen) in the loaded whey. Possible biogenic additives can be sewage sludge or slurry. The experience of adjustment was shown that slurry from cattle farms was quite simple, inexpensive and quite effective. Slurry can be injected in 3-4 m3 every 2-3 days. The stability of pH values in the bioreactor can be ensured by the correct placement of sensors for monitoring this indicator and by changing the method of alkali introduction. It is recommended to install pH control sensors at the bottom of the bioreactor, instead of whey loading pipeline. In order to provide for fractional injection of alkali, we should introduce part of the alkali at the homogenization stage, and part directly into the bioreactor. For an unimpeded build-up of anaerobic biomass, it is recommended to replace the centrifuge thickener operating with flocculant with the classic version of thickening in a compactor without flocculant adding.

Image processing algorithms application for the modeling biogeochemical cycles of the Azov Sea

In the article biogeochemical processes of the Azov Sea were researched. Mathematical non-stationary 3D model is proposed which describes the development dynamics of the two most common species of phytoplankton populations in the summer, the growth of which is limited by a single biogenic element, is proposed the linearization of continuous mathematical model on a uniform temporal grid is made. For a continuous model, a discrete analogue is constructed and an optimal method for grid equations solving is selected. To determine the boundary of the considered computational domain of a complex shape an image processing algorithm has been developed, implemented as a software module on Python, which makes it possible to obtain a dynamically changing contour of the Azov Sea from satellite images.

Local-Scale Damming Impact on the Planktonic Bacterial and Eukaryotic Communities in the Upper Yangtze River

Dam construction and reservoir formation alters hydro-morphology of rivers, thereby restructuring microbial communities and biogenic element cycles in river ecosystems. The ecological responses and mechanisms of planktonic communities showed notable changes upstream and downstream of dams. Yet, less is reported about how the ecological mechanisms structuring planktonic communities at the closest area upstream and downstream of dams. In this study, we hypothesized that planktonic communities remained the connectivity or similarities but show distinctive ecological responses to changing environment at the closes area upstream and downstream of dams. Three large dams in the upper Yangtze River were chosen in the study. Field data revealed that the alpha diversity indexes slightly increased downstream of the dams. In addition, more eukaryotic ASVs solely occurred downstream of the dams, indicating that a large proportion of eukaryotes was formed downstream of the dams. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that the keystone species of planktonic bacteria and eukaryotes decreased downstream of the dams, and the modularity increased. The robustness of the co-occurrence relationships among the eukaryotic communities was more strongly influenced by these dams than that among the planktonic bacteria. The variance partitioning analysis results indicated that dam-related variables and local environmental variables mainly shape the assembly of the planktonic microbial communities closest to the dams. In conclusion, dams exert a greater impact on planktonic eukaryotes than on bacteria in near-dam areas, and planktonic bacteria can better adapt to changing environments. Our study provides a better understanding of the ecological effects of river damming.

Reducing the Environmental Hazard of Spent Cleaning Masses from the Production of Acetylene Carbide

Methods of reducing the environmental hazard during storage of spent cleaning masses formed in the production of acetylene by the wet method are considered. The optimal conditions for the process of neutralizing the waste of the cleaning mass accumulating at the stage of trapping phosphine and hydrogen sulfide in the process of obtaining acetylene by the carbide method have been established. Ways of regeneration of a solid carrier included in the composition of cleaning masses are proposed. The possibility of secondary use of the regenerated solid support — expanded pearlite — has been investigated. A scheme for the neutralization of wastes from the production of carbide acetylene is presented. Methods for restoring the absorption capacity of a solid carrier are proposed. The prospect of using partially regenerated waste from the stage of washing soluble compounds containing sparingly soluble phosphates for mulching soils and increasing the influx of an important biogenic element for plant nutrition and growth is shown.

SPECIAL ASPECTS OF MIGRATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE ORGANIC SUBSTANCE AND BIOGENIC ELEMENTS IN SOD-PODZOLIC SOIL DEPENDING ON FERTILIZATION SYSTEM AND MICROBIAL PREPARATIONS

Objective. To study special aspects of vertical migration of products of biological transformation of organic matter and biogenic elements in sod-podzolic soil under different modes of root nutrition of plants. Methods. Lysimetric experiment, agrochemical, mathematical and statistical. Results. Based on studies conducted in a long-term lysimetric experiment on sod-podzolic soil, periodically washed type of water regime was established, as a result of which 37 mm of moisture, 23 kg/ha of water-soluble humic substances, nitrogen (NO3–) 55 kg/ha, calcium oxide 91 kg/ha and magnesium oxide 26 kg/ha magnesium oxide is lost at the background without inoculation per crop rotation when using mineral fertilization system. The use of microbial preparations reduces the loss of these elements to 33 mm, 20 kg/ha, 52 kg/ha, 83 kg/ha and 25 kg/ha, respectively. It was established that the average infiltration of moisture from the layer 0–155 cm under crops of continuous sowing was 25–37 mm at the background without the use of microbial preparations and 22–33 mm at the background of inoculation. The mineral fertilizer system increased the losses of the soil solution by 9 mm and 7 mm versus the control variants, respective to the backgrounds. The lowest losses of productive moisture were reported in the variants where sidereal fertilizers were used. When replacing the mineral fertilization system with sidereal-mineral and organo-mineral fertilizers without compromising the yield of crop rotations, it is possible to reduce the loss of productive moisture by 1.5 times, reduce the loss of labile soil organic matter by 1.7–1.8 times, nitrate nitrogen by 8–10 %, calcium by 18–24 % and magnesium by 40–50 %. Due to the use of biopreparations, there is a reduction in losses of nitrate nitrogen by 5–18 %, magnesium — by 5–14 %, calcium — by 6–16 %. Conclusion. To reduce non-productive losses of moisture, water-soluble organic matter and biogenic element compounds, it is advisable to use green mass of green manures and microbial preparations at the background of the mineral system and fertilizer system NPK+manure. The use of microbial preparations helps to reduce the loss of nitrate nitrogen by 5–18 %, magnesium — by 5–14 %, calcium — by 6–16 %.

AGROCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF BIOPREPARATIONS IN A HIGHLY CROP ROTATION

Objective. Determine the parameters of uptake of organic matter and biogenic elements withby-products of crops under the use of mineral and green-manure-mineral fertilization systems andmicrobial preparations. Methods. Field experiment, agrochemical, balance, statistical. Results.Under the conditions of short crop rotation “winter wheat – intermediate green manure – corn forgrain – soybean – winter wheat”, the influence of microbial preparations Biogran (on the basis ofnitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense 410 and physiologically active substances) forcorn and Nitro-Legu (on the basis of complex of diazotrophs Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Azospirillum brasilense and polysaccharide) for soybeans on crop yields, uptake of by-products in the soil,balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium depending on fertilization systems. Under exposureto biopreparations, uptake of corn by-product in the soil increased by 1.41–2.12 t/ha, soybeans —by 0.51–0.71 t/ha of dry matter, depending on the agrarian backgrounds, which, taking into account the humification factors, can provide soil replenishment with humus at the level of 0.31 to0.47 t/ha and 0.12–0.17 t/ha, respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus balances, as well as their intensity under the mineral fertilization system were positive. Green-manure-mineral fertilization system and pre-sowing bacterization of seeds helped to improve the parameters compared to the mineral fertilization system. Potassium balance was slightly deficient (–16.2 to 20.4 kg/ha at a balanceintensity of 78–80 %) under exposure to the mineral fertilization system and positive under exposure to green-manure-mineral system. Microbial preparations helped to improve parameters. Additional uptake of the biogenic element compounds in the soil provided an increase in the yield ofwinter wheat. According to the results of the evaluation of the balance of the key nutrients, a satisfactory ecological balance was created in the short crop rotation under exposure to green-manuremineral fertilization system and pre-sowing bacterization of corn and soybean seeds. Conclusion. Upon evaluation of the efficacy of microbial preparations in crop cultivation technologies, theparameters of uptake of organic matter and biogenic element compounds with by-products in the arable soil layer should be taken into account along with their direct effect on yield formation andproduct quality.

Waste-to-Carbon: Is the Torrefied Sewage Sludge with High Ash Content a Better Fuel or Fertilizer?

Sewage sludge (SS) recycling is an important part of the proposed ‘circular economy’ concept. SS can be valorized via torrefaction (also known as ‘low-temperature pyrolysis’ or ‘roasting’). SS can, therefore, be considered a low-quality fuel or a source of nutrients essential for plant growth. Biochar produced by torrefaction of SS is a form of carbonized fuel or fertilizer. In this research, for the first time, we tested the feasibility of torrefaction of SS with high ash content for either fuel or organic fertilizer production. The research was conducted in 18 variants (six torrefaction temperatures between 200~300 °C, and three process residence times of 20, 40, 60 min) in 5 repetitions. Fuel and fertilizer properties and multiple regression analysis of produced biochar were conducted. The higher heating value (HHV) of raw SS was 21.2 MJ·kg−1. Produced biochar was characterized by HHV up to 12.85 MJ·kg−1 and lower H/C and O/C molar ratio. Therefore, torrefaction of SS with high ash content should not be considered as a method for improving the fuel properties. Instead, the production of fertilizer appears to be favorable. The torrefaction increased C, N, Mg, Ca, K, Na concentration in relation to raw SS. No significant (p < 0.05) influence of the increase of temperature and residence time on the increase of biogenic elements in biochar was found, however the highest biogenic element content, were found in biochar produced for 60 min, under the temperature ranging from 200 to 240 °C. Obtained biochars met the Polish regulatory criteria for mineral-organic fertilizer. Therefore SS torrefaction may be considered a feasible waste recycling technology. The calculation of torrefaction energy and the mass balance shows energy demand <2.5 GJ∙Mg−1 w.m., and the expected mass yield of the product, organic fertilizer, is ~178 kg∙Mg−1 w.m of SS. Further investigation should consider the scaling-up of the SS torrefaction process, with the application of other types of SSs.

Бинарные наносистемы на основе амфифильных молекулярных щеток, загруженных фотосенсибилизатором Радахлорином или наночастицами селена

The morphological, spectral and molecular conformational characteristics of amphiphilic molecular brushes with polyimide main chain and polymetacrylic acid side chains loaded with a second-generation photosensitizer Radachlorin® or nanoparticles of the biogenic element – selenium in the zero–valence form were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-vis spectroscopy and dynamic/static light scattering. The influence of the side chains grafting density of amphiphilic molecular brushes and the hydrophobic preparation/agent loaded into them on the morphological, spectral and molecular conformational characteristics of synthesized binary nanosystems is shown.

Biochemical status of the sow body with the use of vitamin and mineral supplement in the diet

The diet of monogastric animals should be adjusted for vitamin and mineral nutrition during the period of growing and economic use. They affect all types of metabolism, especially in the last third of gestation of sows and the development of young pigs in the postnatal period. For sows throughout the period of gestation and suckling, it is important to include in the diet such biogenic element as folic acid, as well as a set of essential trace elements (copper, zinc, cobalt, manganese) and group B vitamins, the use of which during the entire production cycle helped to improve prolificacy of sows by 15.2%, the average increase was 8.8% and the safety of young pigs dairy period of cultivation is 7.2%, which reduced the cost of feed for growing one reared pig by 10.6-18.1 %.

Foliar Fertilizer Based on Calcined Bones, Boron and Molybdenum—A Study on the Development and Potential Effects on Maize Grain Production

Phosphorus is a biogenic element with a high importance within the food chain. Regrettably, there are limited amounts of phosphorus within minerals naturally occurring in the environment. Its scarcity leads to a necessity of closed loop economy, where this element could be obtained by the processing of various waste materials. Modern agriculture needs to provide sufficient amounts of phosphorus to plant organisms encountering problems with the bioavailability of nutrition. In this research, a post-processed animal waste material (calcined bone) was utilized to reclaim phosphorus and reintroduce it into the environment in a form of foliar fertilizer. The calcined bones were subjected to chemical transformation with nitric acid solution. The solubilization of bones was followed by laboratory-scale pot experiments, in which the fertilizer was used for the cultivation of maize plants. In the field experiments, the fertilizer was additionally fortified with boron and molybdenum elements. It was observed that the utilization of the fertilizer had a positive impact on maize plants, i.e., improvement in the biomass production of aboveground and underground parts of the plants. The amount of chlorophyll increased in comparison to control plants. Maize grain production was increased by approximately 600 kg ha−1).