Water quality and harmful algae in Southeastern coastal stormwater ponds

Several long-term monitoring studies describing the water quality and biological condition of Southeastern estuaries (National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment Project, South Carolina Estuarine and Coastal Assessment Program (SCECAP), Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), South Carolina Harmful Algal Bloom Program (SCHAB), South Carolina Tidal Creek Project, and others) have been developed. Many of the same water quality issues determined for open estuaries are also found in coastal stormwater ponds, and there are important interactions between the man-made ponds and the natural systems. Researchers have highlighted problems such as nutrient eutrophication, bacterial and chemical contamination, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms (HABs). This technical memorandum summarizes the state-of-the-knowledge of water quality indicators (dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and chlorophyll a), and harmful algae in Southeastern coastal stormwater ponds. (PDF contains 31 pages)

Assessment of phytostabilization of Pb/Zn mine soils with organic amendments and a native metallicolous ecotype of Festuca Rubra l.: implications for amendment selection and recovery of soil health

La contaminación del suelo es una de las principales amenazas para los ecosistemas y la salud humana. Actualmente, desde un punto de vista tanto económico como ambiental, la fitoestabilización es la mejor tecnología para remediar suelos contaminados con elevadas concentraciones de metales como son los suelos mineros. La fitoestabilización asistida consiste en el empleo de plantas y enmiendas orgánicas y/o inorgánicas con el fin de reducir la movilidad y la biodisponibilidad de los contaminantes y recuperar la salud de suelo. En este trabajo se han realizado ensayos en microcosmos y en campo centrándonos en la salud del suelo minero contaminado con Pb y Zn durante un proceso de fitoestabilización empleando enmiendas orgánicas (purines vacunos, gallinaza, estiércol de oveja y lodos de papelera mezclados con gallinaza) y/o la especie metalífera Festuca rubra con el objetivo de (i) estudiar las interacciones suelo-enmienda responsables de los cambios inducidos por el proceso de quimioestabilización en las propiedades físicoquímicas y biológicas del suelo, (ii) evaluar la efectividad del proceso de fitoestabilización sobre suelos vegetados y de la revegetación sobre suelos desnudos (iii) valorar la idoneidad de distintos indicadores químicos y biológicos (parámetros microbianos y de la vegetación) para monitorizar la efectividad de la fitoestabilización asistida en términos de reducción de la biodisponibilidad de metales en el suelo, mejora de la vegetación y de la recuperación de la salud del suelo. La aplicación de enmiendas al suelo minero supone una entrada de materia orgánica y nutrientes que conduce a una disminución de la biodisponibilidad de metales, facilitando la colonización de las plantas y el crecimiento de la vegetación nativa, además de estimular la actividad microbiana del suelo. El pH del suelo es un factor crítico que condiciona la movilidad de los metales y la toxicidad del suelo. Las poblaciones microbianas de las enmiendas no modificaron la diversidad funcional de las comunidades microbianas nativas de la mina. Los purines vacunos y los lodos de papelera mezclados con gallinaza son los tratamientos más efectivos en el proceso de fitoestabilización asistida bajo condiciones de campo. La gallinaza fue el tratamiento que más estimuló el crecimiento de la vegetación nativa y la colonización en los suelos desnudos. El bioensayo de elongación radical de lechuga es un test sensible, sencillo y barato para evaluar la biodisponibilidad de metal y la ecotoxicidad del suelo. Los tocoferoles son biomarcadores de exposición a metales con potencial para su implementación en bioensayos de toxicidad. Este trabajo permite concluir que la población metalífera de F. rubra, combinada con enmiendas orgánicas, es una excelente candidata para los proyectos de fitoestabilización asistida. Además, la monitorización simultánea de los parámetros fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos del suelo y de su ecotoxicidad permite una evaluación adecuada de la salud del suelo, así como la selección de enmiendas apropiadas para el desarrollo de un proceso fitoestabilizador.

Colonization and development of Oribatida mite communities (Acari: Oribatida) in the forest reclaimed limestone mine dumps

In order to study the colonization and development of moss mites (Oribatida) communities in a Scots pine forest of a reclaimed limestone mine dump in Northern Poland, 3 plots from the dump were chosen. The selected plots differed in age, 5 years old, 35 and 50 years old. From a total of 30 samples 499 mites (Acari) were extracted in Tullgren funnel from which 262 were Oribatida. Abundance (N) was analyzed in all mites and after determining the species of both, juvenile and adult stages of oribatids, the following indices were analyzed: Abundance (N), Dominance (D), Species diversity (S), Species richness (s) and Shannon’s diversity index (H). Regarding to the results obtained; oribatid mites were dominant with the highest abundance in all assemblages (Plot 1: 139 Oribatida /299 Acari. Plot 2: 40/55 and Plot 3: 83/145). Tectocepheus velatus showed a very high dominance (45,99%) in plot 1; the highest value for Shannon’s diversity index belonged to plot 3. On the other hand, juvenile’s percentage was significantly higher than adult’s percentage, especially at plot 2 (95,02%). These results made us to conclude that the high abundance of oribatids in the youngest forest is due to T. velatus’s high abundance and that plot 3 is the best habitat for mites. Finally, the high occurrence of juvenile stages requires keeping on studying the area.

An approach to valuing ponds within farming systems for aquaculture

[PDF contains 37 pages]

The Affects of acid mine drainage on the water quality, and benthic macroinvertebrate and fish population in streams in Maryland

The purpose of this study was to measure and evaluate relationships between populations of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, as well as variations in water quality in streams affected by acid Mine drainage. (PDF contains 21 pages)

The effects of supplemental feeds containing different protein: Energy ratios on the growth and survival of Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus) in brackishwater ponds

A research was conducted in thirty approximately 100 sq.m earthern ponds of the Brackishwater Aquaculture Centre (BAC), College of Fisheries, University of the Philippines, Leganes Iloilo from November 7, 1982 to March 7, 1983 to evaluate the effects of nine supplemental feeds containing different protein: energy ratios on the growth and survival of Tilapia nilotica in brackishwater ponds. Nine supplemental feeds formulated were with protein levels of 20%, 25%, and 30% each at three energy levels of 3,000 kcals; 3,500 kcals; and 4,000 kcals. There was a control treatment with no feeding so that mean weight gain growth rate, feed conversion rate, and survival were determined. Fish fingerlings were acclimated from 0-29 ppt. salinity before the experiment and 20% of fish in each treatment were sampled after every 30 days. Growth rates were significantly different and increased with increasing energy level at the 30% protein feeds but decreased at high energy levels in the 20% and 25% protein feeds. Feed conversion was significantly different due to interaction between protein and energy levels in the feeds, and was better at the 30:3,500 kcals feeds having a feed conversion of 1.55 g. Survival was not significantly different

Investment prospects in the production of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in freshwater ponds

Since the introduction of Common carp Cyprinus carpio in Oyo State (Nigeria) from Israel in 1964, various local breeding methods have been employed in carp rearing to improve the survival rate at all stages of development during breeding. The physico-chemical parameters of the ponds which were simultaneously investigated for carp rearing in this study includes temperature (t), dissolved oxygen (DO) and hydrogen-ion concentration (pH). However, high rates of water displacement in the breeding ponds were unfavourable to the development of zooplankton which play important role in the food web of C. carpio. The survival rates of 15.88-69.50% and 19.60-33.83% obtained for the egg-hatchling and hatchling-fingerling stages respectively were encouraging. A breeding performance of this magnitude was found to be viable, breaking even in the fourth year. However, an increase in size of this trial project would be more profitable and increase fingerling supply as well as provide employment opportunities. This study thereby provides some baseline information on some local techniques and progress in the propagation of C. carpio and scope for further improvement

Effects of different types of fertilizers on plankton productivity in earthen ponds

Three fertilizer types (NPK, Super-phosphate and cow dung) were applied at two levels (Low, 0.3 kg/25m super(2)/2weeks and High, 0.7kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks) to 12 ponds with two ponds serving as control. Each pond had an area of 25 m super(2). Application of fertilizers and monitoring of plankton productivity and water quality parameters continued fortnightly for 52 days. Results obtained were subjected to Statistical Variance Analysis. The abundance of phytoplankton was in the order: Chlorophyceae > Bacillariophyceae > Cyanophyceae > Desmideaceae. While that of zooplankton followed the order: Crustacean > Rotifer > Protozoan. Primary productivity showed a variation between treatments with lowest value of 5592 mg/O sub(2)/m super(3)/day obtained in the control and cow dung low application rates (1.5 kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks). The highest value for primary productivity was obtained at M sub(2) (0.7 kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks, N.P.K) with primary productivity value of 7200 mg/O sub(2)/m super(3)/day, closely followed by M sub(4) (0.7 kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks, super phosphate) with 6792 mg/O sub(2)/m super(3)/day.

Preliminary study of the aquatic macrophytes of selected fish ponds and reservoirs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

A five months survey was conducted to identify the aquatic macrophytes in fishponds and reservoirs in Makurdi (Benue State, Nigeria) between August and December 1999. A total of 3-prominent aquatic macrophytes were identified: Ipomoea aquatica, Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis at two-study sites (site 1, receives organic manure effluent from a cattle ranch, site 2, receives inorganic fertilizer through application). Ipomoea aquatica were found restricted to site l, while Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis were found associated with site 2. Analysis of the results indicates high level of ammonia-nitrogen at site 1 compared to site 2. Mineral analysis of the plant tissues indicate high level of iron in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus. Mineral concentration were found to be significantly higher (P,L, 0.05) in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus when compared with concentration in Echinochloa pyramidalis

Design and construction of portable surface aeration pump for tanks and small ponds

The maintenance of adequate dissolved oxygen level is very important in the economy of any aquaculture system. An easy to construct aerating device was created using 0.5 hp water-pump, shower rose, Styrofoam, and rubber hose. The aerator works by drawing water from below and discharging it into the atmosphere as a spray. The spray is aerated as it splashes into the water surface. The aerating device has an average spray of 1.2 unit and doubles the dissolved oxygen content of 37.8 m super(3) tank in one hour

Preliminary study of the aquatic macrophytes of selected fish ponds and reservoirs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

A five months survey was conducted to identify the aquatic macrophytes in fishponds and reservoirs in Makurdi (Benue State, Nigeria) between August and December 1999. A total of 3-prominent aquatic macrophytes were identified: Ipomoea aquatica, Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis at two-study sites (site 1, receives organic manure effluent from a cattle ranch, site 2, receives inorganic fertilizer through application). Ipomoea aquatica were found restricted to site l, while Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis were found associated with site 2. Analysis of the results indicates high level of ammonia-nitrogen at site 1 compared to site 2. Mineral analysis of the plant tissues indicate high level of iron in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus. Mineral concentration were found to be significantly higher (P,L, 0.05) in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus when compared with concentration in Echinochloa pyramidalis

Measurements Of In Situ Stress And Mining-Induced Stress In Beiminghe Iron Mine Of China

In order to obtain the distribution rules of in situ stress and mining-induced stress of Beiminghe Iron Mine, the stress relief method by overcoring was used to measure the in situ stress, and the MC type bore-hole stress gauge was adopted to measure the mining-induced stress. In the in situ stress measuring, the technique of improved hollow inclusion cells was adopted, which can realize complete temperature compensation. Based on the measuring results, the distribution model of in situ stress was established and analyzed. The in situ stress measuring result shows that the maximum horizontal stress is 1.75-2.45 times of vertical stress and almost 1.83 times of the minimum horizontal stress in this mineral field. And the mining-induced stress measuring result shows that, according to the magnitude of front abutment pressure the stress region can be separated into stress-relaxed area, stress-concentrated area and initial stress area. At the -50 m mining level of this mine, the range of stress-relaxed area is 0-3 m before mining face; the range of stress-concentrated area is 3-55 m before mining face, and the maximum mining-induced stress is 16.5-17.5 MPa, which is 15-20 m from the mining face. The coefficient of stress concentration is 1.85.