scholarly journals Frugivorous bats drink nutrient- and clay-enriched water in the Amazon rain forest: support for a dual function of mineral-lick visits

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J. Ghanem ◽  
Hans Ruppert ◽  
Thomas H. Kunz ◽  
Christian C. Voigt
Keyword(s):  
Stream Water ◽  
Secondary Compounds ◽  
Video Observation ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Clay Material ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Amazon Rain Forest ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
Mineral Licks

Abstract:In Central Amazonia, large mammals create water-filled puddles when consuming soil. These mineral licks are visited by pregnant and lactating frugivorous bats; possibly for two reasons. Frugivorous bats could supplement their mineral-depleted fruit diet by drinking salty water, or they could buffer dietary plant secondary compounds by consuming soil. We analysed bat fruits from Ecuador and showed that they are depleted in elemental concentrations (Na, K, P) compared with similar fruits collected from Costa Rica, where no mineral licks occur (n = 32). Analyses of water from Ecuador revealed that water samples from six mineral licks contained more physiologically relevant elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca) than four samples from river and stream water control sites (Mann–WhitneyU-test). In support of the nutrient supplement hypothesis, we observed bats drinking mineral-enriched water at these licks (video observation). Furthermore, blood collected from 68 bats differed in composition with respect to physiologically relevant minerals (Na, K, Mg, Fe) from that of frugivorous bats captured at control sites. To test whether frugivorous bats also consumed clay for detoxification, we checked for soil tracer elements in 31 faecal samples. Soil tracers are insoluble in water and, thus, are not included in a strict fruit diet. Bats from mineral licks showed higher aluminium soil tracer concentrations in their faeces than bat species that never visit licks, suggesting that frugivorous bats take up clay material at mineral licks. Our results provide evidence that frugivorous bats ingest soluble mineral nutrients and insoluble soil by consuming soil-enriched water at mineral licks, thus supporting the hypothesis that frugivorous bats of western Amazonia may derive a dual benefit from drinking water from mineral licks.

scholarly journals Geological Composition and Structure of the Filling Zone and Its Water-Resisting Property Evaluation on the Top of Ordovician Limestone

Geofluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Qiqing Wang ◽  
Wenping Li ◽  
Qiangqiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
North China ◽  
Clay Material ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Ordovician Limestone ◽  
Mining Depth ◽  
Property Evaluation ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Lithological Composition

With the gradual increase in mining depth of coal fields in North China, the threat posed by karstic Ordovician limestone water to the safe stoping of mines is becoming increasingly prominent. Investigating the water-resisting property of the filling zone on the top of the Ordovician limestone provides the key to safe mining under pressure. This paper analyzed the formation process of the filling zone on the top of Ordovician limestone in North China, and by combining analysis results of several geological field investigations on Ordovician outcrops, the filling zone on the top of Ordovician limestone was divided into three water-resisting structures: (1) completely filled, (2) incompletely filled, and (3) nonfilled. Based on the lithological composition, logging curves, and the water inflow status of several field boreholes, various characteristics of these clay-filled zones were used to determine the mudstone content from top to bottom. Using the interbedded mudstone thickness ratio, relative argillaceous content, impermeable filling zone thickness, rock quality designation (RQD), and faulting as evaluation factors, this paper evaluated the water-resisting property of the filling zone in the study area based on feature-weighted fuzzy C-means clustering (WFCM) algorithm and determined the extent of each zone. The completely filled zone accounts for 46.9% of the total area, incompletely filled zone accounts for 23.9%, and the zone not filled with clay material accounts for 29.2%. As indicated by field investigations on the boreholes, the actual percent of each zone is similar to the theoretical results. The study results present a vital guide for Ordovician limestone water control in deep mining.

Selection of surrogates for a genetically engineered microorganism with cellulolytic capability for ecological studies in streams

1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 848-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Bott ◽  
L. A. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Stream Water ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Cladophora Glomerata ◽  
Cellulolytic Bacteria ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Cellulomonas Fimi ◽  
Cellulomonas Flavigena ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Cellulomonas Uda

Aerobic cellulolytic bacteria were ranked according to ability to degrade cellulose azure and to clear cellulose agar. Cellulomonas uda NRRL B404 and Cellulomonas sp. NRC 2406 showed greater clearing of cellulose agar than other isolates, but differences in cellulose azure decomposition were not statistically significant. Isolates were tested for ability to accelerate decomposition of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) leaves and Cladophora glomerata (Chlorophyta) detritus in stream water. There was significantly more cellulose lost from leaves exposed to Cellulomonas flavigena NRC 2403, Cellulomonas fimi NRRL B402, Cellulomonas sp. NRC 2406, and Cellvibrio gilvus ATCC 13127 and NRC 2407 than in the stream-water control, and the weight losses of leaves exposed to some isolates were significantly greater than in the control. There was significantly more cellulose lost from Cladophora glomerata detritus exposed to these and five other isolates, and there were greater weight losses than in the stream-water control. Cellulomonas uda NRRL B404 was the slowest growing isolate, although growth rates of isolates did not differ statistically. Cellulomonas uda NRRL B404, Cellulomonas sp. NRC 2406, Cellulomonas fimi NRRL B402, Cellulomonas flavigena NRC 2403, and Cellvibrio gilvus ATCC 13127 were selected as the best candidates for larger scale experiments. Persistence of Cellulomonas uda, Cellulomonas sp. NRC 2406, and Cellulomonas sp. CS1-1 in stream-bed sediments was studied in flowing-water microcosms, using fluorescent antibodies and epifluorescence microscopic counts to asses densities of target cells. Isolate densities declined from postinoculation maxima, but organisms were detected 2–4 weeks later in three different experiments. Key words: cellulolytic bacteria, detritus, decomposition, population dynamics, microcosms.

scholarly journals Black and brown carbon over central Amazonia: Long-term aerosol measurements at the ATTO site

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Saturno ◽  
Bruna A. Holanda ◽  
Christopher Pöhlker ◽  
Florian Ditas ◽  
Qiaoqiao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Wavelength Dependence ◽  
Brown Carbon ◽  
Amazon Rain Forest ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
Measurement Period

Abstract. The Amazon rain forest is considered a very sensitive ecosystem that could be significantly affected by a changing climate. It is still one of the few places on Earth where the atmosphere in the continent approaches near-pristine conditions for some periods of the year. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) has been built in central Amazonia to monitor the atmospheric and forest ecosystem conditions. The atmospheric conditions at the ATTO site oscillate between biogenic and biomass burning (BB) dominated states. By using a comprehensive ground-based aerosol measurement setup, we studied the physical and chemical properties of aerosol particles at the ATTO site. This paper presents results from 2012 to 2017, with special focus on light absorbing aerosol particles. The aerosol absorption wavelength dependence (expressed as the absorption Ångström exponent, åabs) was usually below 1.0 and increased during the presence of smoke transported from fires in the southern and eastern regions of the Amazon or advected from savanna fires in Africa. In this study, the brown carbon (BrC) contribution to light absorption at 370 nm was obtained by calculating the theoretical wavelength dependence of åabs (WDA). Our calculations resulted in BrC contributions of 17–29 % (25th and 75th percentiles) to total light absorption at 370 nm (σap 370) during the measurement period (2012–2017). The BrC contribution increased up to 27–47 % during fire events occurring under the influence of El Niño, between September and November 2015. An extended time series of ATTO and ZF2 (another Amazon rain forest sampling site) data showed enhanced light scattering and absorption coefficients during El Niño periods in 2009 and 2015. Long-range transport (LRT) aerosol particles that reached the central Amazon Basin from Africa or from southern Amazon exhibited a wide range of black carbon (BC) to carbon monoxide (CO) enhancement ratios (ERBC) (between 4 and 15 ng m−3 ppb−1) reflecting the variability of fuels, combustion phase, and removal processes in the atmosphere. Higher ERBC were measured during the dry season when we observed values up to 15 ng m−3 ppb−1, which were related to the lowest single scattering albedo (ω0) measured during the studied period, (0.86–0.93). A parameterization of åabs as a function of the BC to OA mass ratio was investigated and was found applicable to tropical forest emissions but further investigation is required, especially by segregating fuel types. Additionally, important enhancements of the BC mass absorption cross‑section (αabs) were found over the measurement period. This enhancement could be linked to heavy coating of the BC aerosol particles. In the future, the BC mixing state should be systematically investigated by using different instrumental approaches.

scholarly journals A Case-Controlled Comparison of Behavioural Arousal Levels in Urine Spraying and Latrining Cats

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ramos ◽  
Archivaldo Reche-Junior ◽  
Priscila Luzia Fragoso ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Patricia Handa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Video Observation ◽  
Initial Population ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Group A ◽  
Fcm Analysis ◽  
The One ◽  
And Control

It is often suggested that both latrining and spraying in the home are associated with increased stress in cats. However, the scientific evidence for this is weak. We therefore examined faecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) levels in subjects using a case-control design. Eleven spraying and 12 problematic latrining cats (assessed as healthy after detailed medical examinations on an initial population of 18 spraying and 23 latrining cats) were assessed along with behaviourally normal and similarly healthy control subjects from the same multi-cat (n = 3–9) households. Individual faecal samples were collected by owners from both “case” and “control” cats after observing them defecate in all but one pair in each group. A total of five samples per cat (typically taken on a weekly basis) were collected and submitted to extraction procedures prior to FCM analysis via an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Participant cats, both “cases” (nine “sprayers” and eight “latriners”) and controls, were also individually video recorded (together with the owner) for 5 min in a dedicated room. FCM levels were significantly higher in individuals (“sprayers” and their controls) from spraying households than from the latrining households (“latriners” and their controls), but there was no significant difference between cats from the same household. Within a video observation test, cats from spraying houses spent proportionally more time moving (as opposed to stationary), but again there was no difference between cats from the same house. These results indicate that households in which a cat exhibits urine spraying, are generally more aroused, but “sprayers” are not more aroused than their housemates. Accordingly, we suggest appropriate management needs to be applied to the whole household to help alleviate the potential stress of all the cats in the home, and not just the one expressing this through urinary spraying behaviour.

SEM study of quartz grains from recent sediments: Western Iraq

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 860-861
Author(s):  
F. Al-Kufaishi
Keyword(s):  
Factor Loading ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Clay Material ◽  
Crustal Material ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Sem Study ◽  
Recent Sediments ◽  
Quartz Grains ◽  
Positive Factor

Two localities (Al-Marij and Laik) were selected to investigate the type of Quartz Grains from crustal material formed by evaporation of waters discharged by springs in Hit area, western Iraq, Previous studies on the crustal material (1,2) showed that the water discharged by these springs are associated with Abu-Jir fault system which run parallel to the Euphrates river,Factor analyses of the crustal and soil materials (50 samples analysed for 16 variables)(2) showed five factors; the first factor includes SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2 with positive factor loading, and CaO, L.O.I. with negative loading and hence lead to the conclusion that the distribution of these variables is a reflection of transported clay material.This study concentrates on the use of SEM to investigate the contribution of Quartz grains found in the crustal material on two selected sites.

Look at that—the positive effect of video observation on physical stair climbing performance.

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1195-1201
Author(s):  
Dorothée Altmeier ◽  
Otmar Bock ◽  
Daniel Memmert
Keyword(s):  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Video Observation ◽  
Positive Effect

Commissioning brownstock washing controls for an evaporator limited mill

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 459-464
Author(s):  
RICARDO SANTOS ◽  
PETER HART
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Separation Point ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Oxygen Delignification ◽  
Percentage Points

An automated shower water control system has been implemented to reduce the volume and variability of weak black liquor being sent from the pulp mill to the evaporators. The washing controls attempt to balance the need for consistent and low soda carryover to the bleach plant with consistently high weak black liquor solids being sent to the evaporators. The washer controls were implemented on two bleachable grade hardwood lines (one with oxygen delignification, one without oxygen delignification) and one pine line. Implementation of the control program resulted in an increase in black liquor solids of 0.6 percentage points for the hardwood lines. Significant foam reduction was realized on the pine line since the pine black liquor solids were able to be consistently maintained just below the soap separation point. Low black liquor solids excursions to the evaporators were eliminated. Bleach plant carryover was stabilized and no negative impact on chemical consumption was noticed when controlling weak black liquor solids to recovery.

Sodium silicate-based composition used for water control in producing wells

2020 ◽  
pp. 82-84
Author(s):  
I.G. Fattakhov ◽  
◽  
A.S. Zhirkeev ◽  
A.K. Sakhapova ◽  
R.R. Stepanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Silicate ◽  
Water Control
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