基于能量得率的棉秆热裂解炭化工艺优化

为了从能源利用角度设计和优化棉花秸秆热裂解制生物炭的热解炭化工艺,该文使用了产率、热值及能量得率3个指标来衡量工艺的优劣。首先,研究了热解温度、保留时间和原料粒径3个工艺条件分别对生物炭产率和热值的影响。结果表明,在3个工艺条件下生物炭产率与热值均呈负相关,即高产率和高热值目标无法同时满足。因此,引入能量得率(单位原料所产生物炭的总能量)作为全面评价生物炭产率和热值的综合指标,重点利用响应面分析法分析了3个工艺条件及其交互作用对能量得率的影响,并经过检验得到优化后的能量得率模型。模型预测结果表明,在炭化温度为429℃,保留时间为1.29 h,原料粒径为0.32 mm时,能量得率达到最大值,为78.95%,通过验证试验证明了模型的有效性。该模型能够用于指导生产高能量得率的生物炭,为生物炭能源高效利用目标的实现提供参考。     

卧式连续生物炭炭化设备研制

针对中国生物炭设备中存在的运行不稳定、炭产出率低、副产品回收利用难等问题,该文设计了卧式连续生物炭炭化设备,热解反应器采用双层套筒结构,内层为炭化室,内置螺旋输送机,外层为高温烟气套筒,利用炭化自身产生的高温烟气燃烧产生的热量进行炭化。选择了热解参数,开展了热工设计和可燃气燃烧器热计算,并对炭化室、高温烟气套筒等关键部件进行了结构设计。采用稻壳原料进行了炭化试验,试验结果表明,卧式连续炭化设备实现了连续稳定运行,炭化设备设计合理,原料适用性广,小时生产率为45kg/h,稻壳炭化终温为500℃,炭化得率质量分数为42%。实现了设计目标,提高了炭化得率,为中国生物炭产业的发展提供了理论基础和技术支持。     

生物质连续炭化中试系统产物特性及其运行效果评估

为分析中试规模条件下的生物质连续炭化特性并系统评估中试设备运行性能,以棉秆、稻壳和果木剪枝等典型农林废弃物为原料,进行了生物质连续炭化中试系统生产测试,分析了炭化温度对产物理化性质、组分分布和产率的影响规律,并在此基础上对设备运行过程、能量平衡、能量转化效率和应用前景等进行了系统评估。结果表明:系统运行过程中温度和压力控制精准,物料滞留时间为36 min,炭化温度分别为550、600、650℃时,炭化温度对产物特性与产率影响明显,炭化温度越高生物炭中固定碳含量越高,650℃时的果木剪枝炭化比550℃时固定炭含量提高12.7百分点;炭化温度越高热解气产率越大,650℃时果木剪枝炭化比550℃时产气率提高7.8百分点;炭化温度在600℃时处理棉秆,系统能量转化效率为74.10%,能流分析表明,此条件下部分燃气回用加热可支撑系统热解。该研究为生物质连续炭化工程装备的开发和示范推广提供了重要技术支撑。     

不同炭化温度下玉米秸秆和沙蒿生物炭的结构特征及化学特性

掌握不同生物炭材料的结构特征和化学特性是合理利用生物炭的基础。通过无氧炭化法制备了不同炭化温度下的玉米秸秆生物炭和沙蒿生物炭,对比了不同材料和不同炭化温度下生物炭性质的差异。结果表明:炭化温度低于400℃时,两种材料生物炭的孔隙结构保存完整,600℃以上时,两种材料生物炭的蜂窝状结构均遭到破坏,玉米秸秆生物炭被破坏得更严重;同一炭化温度下,玉米秸秆生物炭的比表面积及总孔容和平均孔径均大于沙蒿生物炭,两种生物炭的比表面积随炭化温度的升高均增大,总孔容呈"V"形变化;两种材料的生物炭均呈碱性,炭化温度越高,pH越大,400℃~800℃,每升高10℃,玉米秸秆生物炭和沙蒿生物炭的pH均以0.02的幅度增加,同一温度下,玉米秸秆生物炭的pH大于沙蒿生物炭,在400℃、600℃和800℃下分别比沙蒿生物炭高0.31、0.35和0.29单位;随炭化温度的升高,玉米秸秆生物炭和沙蒿生物炭的C、P、K和灰分含量增加,400℃~800℃,玉米秸秆生物炭的C、P、K含量以炭化温度每升高10℃分别增加2.94、0.11、0.20 g/kg的幅度变化,沙蒿生物炭也以4.35、0.07、0.24 g/kg的幅度增加,与此同时,玉米秸秆生物炭的N、H含量以每升高10℃分别以0.13 g/kg和0.86 g/kg的幅度降低,沙蒿生物炭的N、H含量分别以0.04 g/kg和0.82 g/kg的幅度下降,S含量无明显变化,C/N和C/H增大,且不同材料生物炭的元素含量差异显著;两种材料生物炭的N、P、K有效性随炭化温度的升高均下降,400℃~600℃,玉米秸秆生物炭和沙蒿生物炭的速效N含量分别下降了57.89%和19.05%,800℃时两种生物炭的速效N均接近0 mg/kg,400℃~800℃玉米秸秆生物炭和沙蒿生物炭的速效P含量分别降低了67.41%和52.36%,此时速效K含量也分别降低了45.62%和90.16%。总之,不同材料和炭化温度对生物炭的物理特征和化学特性都有较大影响。     

热解温度对玉米秸秆炭产率及理化特性的影响

【目的】通过对不同热解温度条件下玉米秸秆炭理化特性的分析,探索玉米秸秆炭具有较高利用价值的炭化温度。【方法】以玉米秸秆为原料,采用低氧升温炭化法,在不同热解温度下 (100℃、200℃、300℃、400℃、500℃、600℃、700℃、800℃) 分别炭化2 h,制备生物炭,收集并测定了固体产物生物炭产率及特性。【结果】生物炭的产率随热解温度的升高逐渐降低。生物炭全碳含量和碳氮比随热解温度升高而升高,全氮含量在400℃以后随热解温度升高而降低。阳离子交换量 (CEC) 在400℃～600℃达到较高水平,为70.87～83.48 cmol/kg。随热解温度升高,玉米秸秆炭表面碱性含氧官能团增加、酸性含氧官能团减少,pH随着热解温度的升高逐渐增加,当温度达到400℃及400℃以上时呈碱性甚至强碱性。红外光谱分析表明,热解温度达到500℃时,纤维素和半纤维素已经完全分解;高温热解使玉米秸秆中–CH₃、–CH₂、–OH、–C=O间发生缔合或消除,促进芳香基团的形成。随着热解温度的升高,玉米秸秆炭的比表面积和比孔容均是先变大后变小,孔径先变小后变大,在400℃～600℃条件下,玉米秸秆炭的孔隙相对较为丰富,不同热解温度下玉米秸秆炭的比表面积和比孔容呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.01)。【结论】综合各项指标,玉米秸秆的最佳热解温度为400℃～500℃,此温度下制备的生物炭产出率相对较高,氮、碳养分损失少,生物炭的理化性能和养分利用均达到最优。     

秸秆热解工艺优化与生物炭理化特性分析

以肥料化利用为目标,优化秸秆热解工艺,实现秸秆生物炭的高值化利用。该研究以水稻、小麦、玉米、油菜和棉花秸秆为原料,以炭化温度、保温时间和升温速率为因素进行正交试验,采用综合评分法优化热解工艺,并分析最优工艺条件下生物炭的理化特性。结果表明,影响秸秆生物炭品质因素的主次顺序为炭化温度、保温时间、升温速率。以生物炭的肥料化利用为目标,5种秸秆炭化的最优工艺参数组合是炭化温度500℃、保温时间30 min、升温速率10℃/min。在最优工艺条件下,5种秸秆生物炭的炭产率约为32%~38%,固定碳的质量分数大于45%,C元素的质量分数大于53%,N元素的质量分数为0.7%~2.5%,K元素的质量分数为3.41%~6.81%。生物炭表面有含氧官能团且内部有丰富的介孔结构。该研究为秸秆生物炭的肥料化利用提供数据支撑。     

玉米秸秆连续干馏条件下能量平衡分析

为分析外源加热与分段连续干馏技术工艺条件下的生物质热解特性,以玉米秸秆为原料,通过自行开发的生物质连续热解炭气油联产平台,开展了生物质连续干馏试验测试,分析了炭气油三态产物的理化性质、组分分布和受工艺参数影响的基本规律,并在此基础上进行了系统热量衡算和能量平衡分析。结果表明,连续热解条件下,玉米秸秆炭品质受物料在反应室的滞留时间影响大,滞留时间一般应不低于30 min,热解气热值可达到15~20 MJ/m~3,热解油组分极其复杂;玉米秸秆炭携带热量最多,约占产物总能量的47.88%,热解气占产物总能量的36.17%,木焦油和轻油分别占13.14%和1.74%;连续热解系统能耗比为0.97,能量回收率为75.7%。该研究可为外加热分段连续式生物质炭化设备的开发和推广应用提供重要的基础支撑。     

内加热移动床生物质炭化中试设备监控系统开发

针对目前生物质炭化设备生产率低、炭化工艺参数控制困难等问题,在研制内加热移动床生物质炭化设备的基础上,以组态王软件为控制平台,采用反馈控制机制和串级控制技术,开发了内加热移动床生物质炭化设备监控系统。监控系统主要包括上料控制系统、炭化环境监控系统、出炭控制系统以及其他辅助软件系统等,炭化温度与炉内负压监控主、副控制器分别采用位置式PID(proportional,integral,derivative)和增量式PID控制方法。生产试验结果表明:监控系统运行稳定可靠,可实现对设备作业过程的有序控制和炭化环境的定向调控,与手动控制相比,设备生产率提高18.3%,生物炭得率提高2.3个百分点。监控系统的开发应用可为炭化设备的产业化推广提供技术支撑。     

秸秆炭定向调控工艺优化试验

秸秆炭化是秸秆综合利用的重要技术路径,秸秆炭品质是市场化推广的主要指标,其生产工艺调控是关键。该研究依托连续式作物秸秆炭化联产系统,设计炭化工艺正交试验,对生产的秸秆炭测算其热工特性参数和燃烧特性参数,以秸秆炭产量、燃料比、碱性指数和无量纲综合燃烧指数等指标为秸秆炭的品质评价指标,利用灰色关联分析法和综合品质评分法对评价指标和影响因素进行分析,通过CCD中心复合试验设计的响应面法优化秸秆炭定向调控生产工艺。研究结果表明:温度是影响秸秆炭品质的首要因素,除秸秆炭产量外的五种秸秆炭品质评价指标重要性排序为,综合燃烧指数、碳氢原子含量比、燃料比、碱性指数、高位热值,生产的秸秆炭品质稳定,接近于烟煤燃烧品质。CCD响应曲面优化后的最佳工艺参数为,铡切后的玉米秸秆经600℃保温炭化50 min后,秸秆炭产量为53.05%,其综合燃烧指数为0.726 6。经验证试验,试验值与预测值相差不足0.2%,拟合模型和响应曲面优化法准确可行,且最优炭化工艺生产的秸秆炭燃烧品质有大幅度提升。通过该研究的炭化工艺可定向调控秸秆炭品质,形成了可复制推广的高品质燃料化秸秆炭精准定向调控方法,为连续式生物质炭化设备的推广应用提供支撑。     

不同热解温度制备的水稻秸秆生物炭理化特性分析

以不同热解温度(100～800℃)制备的水稻秸秆生物炭为研究对象,研究在不同热解温度下制成的生物炭的理化特性。结果表明,热解温度为100～300℃制成的水稻秸秆生物炭呈弱酸性,400℃以上时呈碱性;水稻秸秆生物炭表面碱性含氧官能团数量随着热解温度的升高而增加、酸性含氧官能团则减少;水稻秸秆生物炭中的官能团C=C、C-O-C、-OH和-C=O在较高的热解温度下发生缔合或消除,促进了芳香基团的形成;随着热解温度的升高,水稻秸秆生物炭的阳离子交换量(CEC)、比表面积、孔径、比孔容、氮气吸附量和颗粒表面的分型维数(D1)均先增加后降低,阳离子交换量(CEC)在300～500℃时、其它性状在400～600℃之间达到最大值;以不同热解温度制成的水稻秸秆生物炭颗粒的孔隙结构均以孔隙宽度2～50 nm的中孔为主。随热解温度的升高,水稻秸秆生物炭的产率逐渐降低;400～500℃炭化2 h,生物炭产率最高,其孔隙结构最为复杂,所以可以认为400～500℃是水稻秸秆炭化的最佳温度。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.