Field-scale bioremediation of soil contaminated with crude oil

Field-scale remediation of oil-contaminated soils from the Liaohe Oil Fields in China was examined using composting biopiles in windrow technology. Micronutrient-enriched chicken excrement and rice husk were applied as nutrition and a bulking agent. The lipase activities of indigenous micro-organisms were analyzed, and three indigenous fungi with high lipase activities was identified. An inoculum consisting of the three indigenous fungi and one introduced (exotic) fungus was applied to four different types of oil-contaminated soils. The results showed that the inoculum of indigenous fungi increased both the total colony-forming units (TCFU) and increased the rate of degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in all contaminated soils but at different rates. In sharp contrast to other studies, the introduction of exotic micro-organisms did not improve the remediation, and suggests that inoculation of oil-contaminated sites with nonindigenous species is likely to fail. On the other hand, indigenous genera of microbes were found to be very effective in increasing the rate of degradation of TPH. The degradation of TPH was mainly controlled by the compositions of aromatic hydrocarbons and asphaltene and resin. Between 38 to 57% degradation of crude oils (with densities ranging from 25,800 to 77,200 mg/kg dry weight) in contaminated soils was achieved after 53 days of operation. The degradation patterns followed typical first-order reactions. We demonstrate that the construction and operation of field-scale composting biopiles in windrows with passive aeration is a cost-effective bioremediation technology.

Rapeseed (canola) oil and other monounsaturated fatty acid-rich vegetable oils

Rapeseed (canola) and other monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich oils are viewed as good candidates to replace, at least partially, the fish oil normally included in aquaculture feeds (aquafeeds). In fact, their utilization as a dietary lipid source for aquatic animals has some advantages over other readily available terrestrial alternative oils and fats; however, this is not without difficulties. MUFA are, indeed, easily digestible and a good source of available energy, and their deposition into fish flesh is considered to be less detrimental than other fatty acid classes, from a human nutritional viewpoint. This chapter attempts to review the principal information available regarding the utilization of MUFA-rich vegetable oil (VO) in aquaculture feed. Initially the chapter focuses on the rapeseed oil eRa) industry, agronomy, quality improvement, processing, and uses, and the main chemical and physical characteristics of rapeseed oil and other MUFA-rich va such as olive oil, peanut oil, and rice bran oil, amongst others. Following this, the potential advantages and challenges of using these alternative oils in the aquaculture feed industry are presented and discussed.

Youth depression alleviation: the Fish Oil Youth Depression Study (YoDA-F): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment trial.

US authorities have recommended 'black-box' warnings for antidepressants because of the increased risk of suicidality for individuals up to age 25. There is thus a clinical and ethical imperative to provide effective treatment for youth depression with an acceptable risk-benefit balance. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in a range of physiological processes in living organisms. Supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs has been shown to have a range of beneficial effects on both physical and mental health, and results of previous trials suggest that omega-3 PUFAs may be a safe and effective treatment for depression. However, conclusions from these trials have been limited by their relatively small sample sizes.