Ionic homeostasis, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini under nitrogen forms and salt stress

This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the effects of nitrate and ammonium ions on nutrient accumulation, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini (cv. Caserta) grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse utilizing an experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of two forms of nitrogen (nitrate - NO3- and ammonium - NH4+) and 5 electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1). The analysis of the results indicated that supply of N exclusively in NH4+ form promotes greater damage to the leaf membrane and reduction in accumulation of macronutrients and higher Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ and Na+/Mg++ ratios in the shoots of zucchini plants. Electrical conductivity of irrigation water above 2.0 dS m-1 reduces the accumulation of nutrients in shoot and yield of Italian zucchini plant. The toxicity of NH4+ under Italian zucchini plants overlap the toxicity of the salinity, since its fertilization exclusively with this form of nitrogen inhibits its production, being the NO3- form the most suitable for the cultivation of the species.

Atmospheric Deposition on the Southwest Coast of the Southern Basin of Lake Baikal

A precipitation monitoring station in Listvyanka was set up to determine the potential impact of the coastal area on the state of the adjacent air environment above Lake Baikal on its southwest coast. This article presents the results of studying the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition (aerosols and precipitation) at this station in 2020, and of their comparison with the data from previous years (from 2000 to 2019). In 2020, the ionic composition of atmospheric aerosols and precipitation had changed compared to previous years. In the modern period, the total amount of ions in aerosols, accounting for 0.46 ± 0.40 μg∙m−3, was lower by an order of magnitude than between 2000 and 2004. The average annual total amount of ions in precipitation in Listvyanka was almost unchanged from the average values in 2000–2010 and was 10% lower than that from 2011 to 2019 (7.3 mg/L). The ratio of major ions of sulphates and ammonium changed in the aerosol composition: compared to the period from 2000 to 2004, in 2020, the contribution of ammonium ions had decreased significantly, from 32% to 24%; the contribution of sulphates had increased to 43%, and the contribution of calcium had increased from 8 to 13%. Since 2010, the contribution of K+ ions has increased to 8–10%, indicating the effect of smoke aerosols from wildfires. In precipitation, despite the dominance of sulphates (26%) and calcium (18%) throughout the year, the contribution of nitrates increases to 19% during the cold season (from October to March), while the contribution of ammonium ions and hydrogen ions increases to 13% and 17%, respectively, in the warm season (from April to September). In 2020, as in previous research years, the acidity of precipitation at the Listvyanka station was elevated (pH 5.1 ± 0.5); 50% of precipitation in 2020 had pH ˂ 5. We quantified ions in atmospheric aerosols and precipitation on the underlying surface of the coastal southwestern part of Lake Baikal. Ion fluxes with precipitation were the highest in the warm season, which corresponds to the annual maximum precipitation. Unlike previous years (from 2000 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2019), wet deposition of most ions—especially calcium, ammonium and nitrates—had decreased in 2020. There was a 35-fold decrease in nitrogen fluxes and a 5-fold decrease in sulphur fluxes in aerosols, as well as 1.6-fold and 1.3-fold decreases, respectively, in precipitation.

Nitrogen as a Probe Molecule for the IR Studies of the Heterogeneity of OH Groups in Zeolites

One of the methods of IR studies of the heterogeneity of Si–OH–Al groups in zeolites is the investigation of the frequency shift of the band of free OH bands restored upon the adsorption of ammonia and subsequent desorption at increasing temperatures. We extended this method by following the shift of the band of the OH group interacting by hydrogen bonding with nitrogen. The advantage of nitrogen, compared with CO, which has been commonly used as a probe molecule in studies on hydrogen bonding, is that for nitrogen the frequency shift is smaller than for CO and therefore there is no overlapping of shifted OH band with the bands of ammonium ions. For zeolites NaHY, HMFI, and HBEA, the frequency shift of IR bands of both free and hydrogen-bonded Si–OH–Al with the increase of ammonia desorption temperature evidences the heterogeneity of these hydroxyls. On the other hand, in zeolite HFAU of Si/Al = 31, Si–OH–Al were found to be homogeneous. Heterogeneity of OH groups may be explained both by the presence of Si–OH–Al of various number of Al near the bridge and of Si–OH–Al of various geometry.

On Issue of Permissible Content of Ammonium Ions in Chemical Additives for Concrete

Nitrogen-containing compounds that enter concrete together with raw materials, in particular with chemical modifiers of concrete mixture and concrete, as well as those present in Portland cement, are capable of forming ammonia as a result of decomposition. The processes of formation and emission of ammonia cause both a deterioration of the atmosphere of residential premises and are the reason for a decrease in the strength and operational safety indicators of reinforced concrete structures. These circumstances necessitate research and development of methods for determining the safe amount of ammoniumcontaining additives in concrete. Most often, nitrogen-containing compounds contain plasticizing additives, antifreeze and complex additives, as well as setting and hardening accelerators. According to Amendment No 2 STB (Standards of the Republic of Belarus) 1112–98 “Additives for Concrete. General Requirements”, the content of ammonium ions in additives should not exceed 100 mg/kg (except for antifreeze). At the same time, some additives, including plasticizers, which have been successfully used for more than one year without identified problems with ammonia emission, do not fit into the established norm. To determine the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of ammonium salts in concrete, it is necessary to know the dependence of the emission of ammonia from concrete on various factors, in particular, on the mass content of salts in concrete, the surface area from which ammonia is emitted, the mass of concrete structures, temperature, humidity and air exchange rate in the room. To a lesser extent, the ammonia emission will be affected by the characteristics of the concrete and the reaction conditions for the hydrolysis of salts in the concrete. The paper provides formulas for calculating the emission of ammonia from concrete with the introduction of various ammonium-containing additives. It is shown that, in spite оf the above-standard content of ammonium ions in additives C-3, LST and UP-4, the emission of ammonia from concrete in some cases does not exceed the established maximum permissible concentration (MPC). The volume of ammonia emission from concrete is determined not only by the amount of ammonium ions in the additives, but also to a large extent by the structural and technological scheme of the building and the parameters of the concrete loading of the room. With the known MPC in the air of the room, the given parameters of loading the room with concrete, the formula allows you to calculate the maximum concentration of the additive in the concrete mixture, not exceeding which will ensure compliance with the MPC for ammonia in the air of the premises.

Dinamica compușilor azotului mineral în apele râului Prut

In this article the results on the content of mineral nitrogen compounds (ammonium ions, nitrites and nitrates) during 2020 year in the Prut River Braniște – Giurgiulesti sector are presented. In the study is examinated the seasonal dynamics of these parameters in the winter – spring – summer – autumn period. The range of ammonium ions in the waters of the Prut River varies from 0.002 to 0.26 mgN /L, of nitrite – from 0.002 to 0.02 mgN /L and of nitrates – from 0.002 to 0.73 mgN /L, the maximums being lower than in 2009-2010, and much lower than in the 80s-90s of the last century.

Dynamics of mineral nitrogen compounds in the waters of the Dniester River

This article presents the results of studying the content of mineral (ammonium ions, nitrites and nitrates) and organic nitrogen compounds in water samples collected from the Dniester river in 2020. In the study are examines the seasonal dynamics of the forms of mineral nitrogen, total nitrogen and the correlation between organic and mineral nitrogen. Limits of ammonium ion concentration in the Dniester river varied between 0.002 mg N/l and 0.93 mg N/l, nitrite ions 0.002 mg N/l and 0.05 mg N/l, nitrate ions 0.002 mg N/l - 1.36 mg N/l.

Comparative Studies of Recirculatory Microbial Desalination Cell–Microbial Electrolysis Cell Coupled Systems

The recirculatory microbial desalination cell–microbial electrolysis cell (MDC–MEC) coupled system is a novel technology that generates power, treats wastewater, and supports desalination through eco-friendly processes. This study focuses on the simultaneous efficient removal of Fe2+ and Pb2+ in the MEC and ammonium ions in the MDC. It also evaluates the performances of dual-chambered MEC (DCMEC) and single-chambered MEC (SCMEC), coupled with MDC with Ferricyanide as catholyte (MDCF) in heavy metals (Pb2+ and Fe2+) removal, in addition to the production of voltage, current, and power within a 48-h cycle. The SCMEC has a higher Pb2+ (74.61%) and Fe2+ (85.05%) removal efficiency during the 48-h cycle than the DCMEC due to the simultaneous use of microbial biosorption and the cathodic reduction potential. The DCMEC had a higher current density of 753.62 mAm−2 than that of SCMEC, i.e., 463.77 mAm−2, which influences higher desalination in the MDCF than in the SCMEC within the 48-h cycle. The MDCF produces a higher voltage (627 mV) than Control 1, MDC (505 mV), as a power source to the two MECs. Stable electrolytes’ pH and conductivities provide a conducive operation of the coupled system. This study lays a solid background for the type of MDC–MEC coupled systems needed for industrial scale-up.

L-Asparaginase-Based Biosensors

L-asparaginase (ASNase) is an aminohydrolase enzyme widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Although currently its main applications are focused on the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acrylamide reduction in starch-rich foods cooked at temperatures above 100 °C, its use as a biosensor in the detection and monitoring of L-asparagine levels is of high relevance. ASNase-based biosensors are a promising and innovative technology, mostly based on colorimetric detection since the mechanism of action of ASNase is the catalysis of the L-asparagine hydrolysis, which releases L-aspartic acid and ammonium ions, promoting a medium pH value change followed by color variation. ASNase biosensing systems prove their potential for L-asparagine monitoring in ALL patients, along with L-asparagine concentration analysis in foods, due to their simplicity and fast response.