From saline to salty? Heterolepidoderma sinus (Chaetonotida, Chaetonotidae) from subsaline coal mine settling ponds 

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4559 (3) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAŁGORZATA KOLICKA
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Sand Filters ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitats ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Settling Ponds

Gastrotrichs are a permanent and common element of meiofauna communities. They inhabit wide range of aquatic and semi-aquatic niches, including a variety of anthropogenic habitats, such as the sand filters of a cold marine mesocosm (Parent et al. 2001) or palm houses (e.g. Kolicka et al. 2013), and extreme natural habitats like hot springs (Guerne 1888) or hydrothermal vent zones (Kieneke & Zekely 2007). 

scholarly journals Genome analysis of Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210 suggests multicopper oxidases catalyze manganese oxidation required for cylindrospermopsin transformation

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Berenice Martínez-Ruiz ◽  
Myriel Cooper ◽  
Jimena Barrero-Canosa ◽  
Mindia A. S. Haryono ◽  
Irina Bessarab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calvin Cycle ◽  
Multicopper Oxidase ◽  
Genomic Islands ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
High Similarity ◽  
Multicopper Oxidases ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Manganese Oxidation ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background Cylindrospermopsin is a highly persistent cyanobacterial secondary metabolite toxic to humans and other living organisms. Strain OF001 and A210 are manganese-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) able to transform cylindrospermopsin during the oxidation of Mn2+. So far, the enzymes involved in manganese oxidation in strain OF001 and A210 are unknown. Therefore, we analyze the genomes of two cylindrospermopsin-transforming MOB, Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210, to identify enzymes that could catalyze the oxidation of Mn2+. We also investigated specific metabolic features related to pollutant degradation and explored the metabolic potential of these two MOB with respect to the role they may play in biotechnological applications and/or in the environment. Results Strain OF001 encodes two multicopper oxidases and one haem peroxidase potentially involved in Mn2+ oxidation, with a high similarity to manganese-oxidizing enzymes described for Pseudomonas putida GB-1 (80, 83 and 42% respectively). Strain A210 encodes one multicopper oxidase potentially involved in Mn2+ oxidation, with a high similarity (59%) to the manganese-oxidizing multicopper oxidase in Leptothrix discophora SS-1. Strain OF001 and A210 have genes that might confer them the ability to remove aromatic compounds via the catechol meta- and ortho-cleavage pathway, respectively. Based on the genomic content, both strains may grow over a wide range of O2 concentrations, including microaerophilic conditions, fix nitrogen, and reduce nitrate and sulfate in an assimilatory fashion. Moreover, the strain A210 encodes genes which may convey the ability to reduce nitrate in a dissimilatory manner, and fix carbon via the Calvin cycle. Both MOB encode CRISPR-Cas systems, several predicted genomic islands, and phage proteins, which likely contribute to their genome plasticity. Conclusions The genomes of Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210 encode sequences with high similarity to already described MCOs which may catalyze manganese oxidation required for cylindrospermopsin transformation. Furthermore, the analysis of the general metabolism of two MOB strains may contribute to a better understanding of the niches of cylindrospermopsin-removing MOB in natural habitats and their implementation in biotechnological applications to treat water.

scholarly journals Improving Habitat Quality at the Local and Landscape Scales Increases Wild Bee Assemblages and Associated Pollination Services in Apple Orchards in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panlong Wu ◽  
Piaopiao Dai ◽  
Meina Wang ◽  
Sijie Feng ◽  
Aruhan Olhnuud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Wild Bee ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bee Diversity ◽  
Landscape Scales

Bees provide key pollination services for a wide range of crops. Accumulating evidence shows the effect of semi-natural habitats at the landscape level and local management practices on bee diversity in fields. However, most of the evidence is derived from studies in North America and Europe. Whether this paradigm is applicable in China, which is characterized by smallholder-dominated agricultural landscapes, has rarely been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate how bee diversity affected apple production, and how landscape and local variables affected bee diversity and species composition on the Northern China Plain. The results showed that bees significantly increased apple fruit set compared to bagged controls. Wild bee diversity was positively related to apple seed numbers. Higher seed numbers reduced the proportion of deformed apples and thus increased fruit quality. Wild bee abundance was positively correlated with flowering ground cover, and both the abundance and species richness of wild bees were positively affected by the percentage of semi-natural habitats. We conclude that apple quality can benefit from ecological intensification comprising the augmentation of wild bees by semi-natural habitats and flowering ground cover. Future pollination management should therefore reduce the intensification level of management at both the local and landscape scales.

scholarly journals Bees use anthropogenic habitats despite strong natural habitat preferences

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Á. Collado ◽  
Daniel Sol ◽  
Ignasi Bartomeus
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitats ◽  
Bee Diversity ◽  
Northeast Usa

ABSTRACTHabitat loss and alteration is widely considered one of the main drivers of the current loss of pollinator diversity. Unfortunately, we still lack a comprehensive analysis of habitat importance, use and preference for major groups of pollinators. Here, we address this gap analysing a large dataset of 15,762 bee specimens (more than 400 species) across northeast USA. We found that natural habitats sustain the highest bee diversity, with many species strongly depending on such habitats. By characterizing habitat use and preference for the 45 most abundant species, we also show that many bee species can use human-altered habitats despite exhibiting strong and clear preferences for forested habitats. However, only a few species appear to do well when the habitat has been drastically modified. We conclude that although altered environments may harbor a substantial number of species, preserving natural areas is still essential to guarantee the conservation of bee biodiversity.

scholarly journals Coal Mine Methane Utilization in Gas Turbine Units for Electricity and Heat Production

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Кулаков ◽  
D. Kulakov ◽  
Щёголев ◽  
N. Shchegolev ◽  
Тумашев ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Coal Mining ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Ecological Situation ◽  
Modern Approach ◽  
Coal Mine Methane ◽  
Wide Range

Coal mining is accompanied by the release of coal mine methane. Its emissions into the atmosphere within methane-air mixture have a negative impact on the ecological situation. The modern approach involves the use of methane-air-mixture for heat boilers or units to generate electricity. For the generation of heat and electrical energy the coal mine methane could be used in cogeneration gas turbine plants with an altered sequence of processes. Thermo — and gas dynamics studies were conducted in a wide range of parameters of gas turbine plants. For small power plants recommended are: 2.8 compression ratio, turbine inlet — 1173 K, gas cooler inlet temperature — 303 K, 0.8 regeneration ratio. In this case the electrical efficiency of gas turbine plant is 25–26% and even 63–64% if produced heat is counted. Cogeneration gas turbine plant with an altered sequence of process has smaller capital and operating costs compared to traditional gas turbine unit. The use of methane-air mixture as fuel in such gas turbine units increases the profitability of coal mining and improves the ecological situation in the region.

Embryonic and larval development of the caridean shrimp Palaemon argentinus (Decapoda, Caridea): effects of salinity and diet

Crustaceana ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-62
Author(s):  
Carolina Tropea ◽  
Liane Stumpf ◽  
Laura S. López Greco
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Artemia Salina ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Larval Performance ◽  
Larval Rearing ◽  
Caridean Shrimp ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract The caridean shrimp Palaemon argentinus is a species of commercial and ecological interest. Its numerous larval stages, the lack of knowledge on their nutritional requirements, and their ability to survive in a wide range of salinities raise questions on the optimum conditions for larval rearing in captivity. The present study was aimed at evaluating embryonic development under different salinities and larval development under different combinations of salinities and diet regimes, in order to define alternative, cheaper culture conditions. We tested salinities usually encountered by the species in natural habitats (0.1, 1 and 5 ppt) and a highly protein-inert diet (Tetracolor®) as a potential replacement for live food (nauplii of Artemia salina). The incubation period and fecundity were similar among salinity treatments. Overall, the number of survival days and percentage of zoeae that moulted two, three and four times were higher when embryogenesis occurred at 5 ppt and when larvae were exposed to 5 ppt. These results suggest that the conditions experienced by embryos affect the performance of the first larval stages, and probably reflect the lower energetic requirements of zoeae to osmoregulate as water and haemolymph osmolarity become closer. On the other hand, larval performance was better when fed A. salina nauplii than Tetracolor®. The latter may not cover the nutritional requirements of zoeae or may have low digestibility due to insufficient enzymes in the undeveloped larval digestive system. Based on the present results, we conclude that a salinity of 5 ppt combined with a diet consisting of Artemia sp. nauplii is optimal for larval culture at early stages.

Is the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, really a threat to Australia’s biodiversity?

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. Vanderduys ◽  
A. S. Kutt
Keyword(s):  
Current Evidence ◽  
Human Influence ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hemidactylus Frenatus

Invasive animals can have a wide range of impacts in natural systems. The introduced Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus has invaded widely in Australia, but is largely restricted to human-altered landscapes. Hoskin (2011) has argued that H. frenatus has the potential to negatively impact Australian ecosystems by invading natural habitats. We examine this contention by reviewing an extensive standardised fauna survey dataset collected in northern and central Queensland during the key period of H. frenatus expansion from the 1990s to 2012. In light of these data we also re-examine data from other areas that suggest H. frenatus is a benign threat and is unlikely to become an environmental pest within Australia. On current evidence, we conclude that H. frenatus is unlikely to spread much beyond areas of human influence.

scholarly journals Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities

2009 ◽  
Vol 364 (1526) ◽  
pp. 2115-2126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Hopewell ◽  
Robert Dvorak ◽  
Edward Kosior
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Renewable Resource ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Product Reuse

Plastics are inexpensive, lightweight and durable materials, which can readily be moulded into a variety of products that find use in a wide range of applications. As a consequence, the production of plastics has increased markedly over the last 60 years. However, current levels of their usage and disposal generate several environmental problems. Around 4 per cent of world oil and gas production, a non-renewable resource, is used as feedstock for plastics and a further 3–4% is expended to provide energy for their manufacture. A major portion of plastic produced each year is used to make disposable items of packaging or other short-lived products that are discarded within a year of manufacture. These two observations alone indicate that our current use of plastics is not sustainable. In addition, because of the durability of the polymers involved, substantial quantities of discarded end-of-life plastics are accumulating as debris in landfills and in natural habitats worldwide. Recycling is one of the most important actions currently available to reduce these impacts and represents one of the most dynamic areas in the plastics industry today. Recycling provides opportunities to reduce oil usage, carbon dioxide emissions and the quantities of waste requiring disposal. Here, we briefly set recycling into context against other waste-reduction strategies, namely reduction in material use through downgauging or product reuse, the use of alternative biodegradable materials and energy recovery as fuel. While plastics have been recycled since the 1970s, the quantities that are recycled vary geographically, according to plastic type and application. Recycling of packaging materials has seen rapid expansion over the last decades in a number of countries. Advances in technologies and systems for the collection, sorting and reprocessing of recyclable plastics are creating new opportunities for recycling, and with the combined actions of the public, industry and governments it may be possible to divert the majority of plastic waste from landfills to recycling over the next decades.

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