Bioremediation of artificially crude oil polluted soil of veritas University Abuja using poultry manure

The removal of hydrocarbon compounds from the environment has always been a difficult undertaking for people all over the world. As a result, remedial efforts are required to safeguard the environment as well as to restore agriculture. This study looked at how poultry manure (dung) could help in the bioremediation of Veritas University's intentionally crude oil polluted soil. The physical properties of the soil and total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the crude oil polluted soil were determined, followed by the isolation and identification of microorganisms present in the soil and poultry manure before and after pollution with crude oil. These analyses were done according to standard operating procedures. Within a six-month timeframe, the natural attenuation and poultry manure amendment option for remediating the crude oil-polluted soil were monitored and the residual hydrocarbon content of the polluted soil after remediation evaluated. There was an overall decrease in pH level during the experimental units containing 4 g amendment, 2 g amendment and the untreated polluted soil in the order 8.4 to 7.1, 8.4 to 7.2 and 8.1 to 6.7, respectively. Temperature was within 27oC and 31oC, the treated soil that contained 4 g dung had an initial moisture content of 58%, and 35% after remediation. The hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas species, Staphylococcus species, and Bacillus species, while the hydrocarbon utilizing fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani and Candida albicans. There was more significant microbial increase in the sample containing 4 g poultry manure treatment than 2 g poultry manure treatment and natural attenuation. Total hydrocarbon quantity significantly decreased after six months with the complete removal of C4, C7, C19 and C37 from the treated sample containing 4 g poultry manure. This indicated that the negative effects of crude oil on the environment can be mitigated by adding poultry manure.

Combined application of animal manure and straw benefit soil fauna community in dryland farming

Addition of organic wastes such as animal manures and straw is a feasible practice to alleviate soil degradation, and the mitigation is closely related to the activities of soil-dwelling fauna. In this study, the community structure of soil fauna were compared under four treatment regimes: straw only, and straw combined with the use of chicken manure, ox manure and pig manure. A total of 12459 soil fauna were captured, belonging to 23 groups. Treatments animal manure combined with straw led to increased the number of soil fauna groups and individuals, diversity index, richness index and dominance index, while reduced the evenness index of soil fauna. Compared to the other treatments, maize straw plus chicken manure and maize straw plus pig manure treatments had the largest number of soil fauna groups. Among all the treatments, Oribatida, Astigmata, Desoria and Folsomia were the dominant species, accounting for 69.94 % of the total number of individuals. Maize straw plus pig manure treatment had the largest diversity index soil fauna community. The richness index of soil fauna community in maize straw plus chicken manure and maize straw plus pig manure treatments were higher compared to other treatments. The highest dominance index of soil fauna was recorded in maize straw plus ox manure treatment. In conclusion, our findings suggested that animal manure combined with straw, especially the application of maize straw plus pig manure was the most effective treatment for enhancing soil fauna community.

Untangling the Governance of Public Health Aspects of Manure in The Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in terms of people and livestock and is the second largest exporter of agricultural products worldwide. As a result, the Netherlands has a manure surplus. Excess application of manure can lead to environmental problems; therefore, manure needs to be treated and discharged. Manure can contain zoonotic pathogens, but whether exposure to manure and manure treatment also poses a risk to public health is still unknown. This study analysed the regulations, relevant actors, and responsibilities in the complex system of manure and public health in the Netherlands. Interviews and system mapping have demonstrated interlinkages between environmental, economic, and health aspects. Constraints and opportunities for public health protection have been identified. This study reveals the complexity of the Dutch manure policy, its scattered responsibilities, the challenge to deal with uncertainties, and, most importantly, the need for a microbial risk assessment in order to adequately communicate and manage possible risks to protect the health of animals, the environment, and people.

Results of researching the process of treatment of cattle manure in a vortex layer apparatus

The results of studies of the of cattle manure treatment in the vortex layer apparatus are presented. It has been found that these devices can treat manure having a moisture content of more than 93% and a particle content of maximum 7 mm in size. With an increase in the moisture content of manure from 93% to 96%, the energy intensity of the dispersion process decreases from 0.7 kWh / t to 0.53 kWh / t, the productivity increases to 22 t / h, and the weight of ferromagnetic elements loaded into the apparatus should be in the range of 285 g to 400 g.

The Effect of Some Soil Amendments (Manure and Biochar) on the Bioaccumulation Capacity of Hexavalent Chromium by Two Species of (Salicornia Persica) and (Salicornia Perspolitana) From Contaminated Soil

Heavy metals are among the most dangerous contaminants in the environment. Application of organic compounds and plant species with the ability to accumulate and stabilize heavy metal in their organs is the best option for remediation of these elements in the soil. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of manure and biochar on the accumulation of heavy metals by Salicornia species. Two species of Salicornia ,including S. persica and S. perspolitana, were cultivated outdoor in experimental pots. The effects of experimental treatments ,including hexavalent chromium concentrations, manure ,and biochar on the two studied species, were investigated. The results indicated a significant effect (P < 0.05) of biochar on the accumulation of heavy metals by two species ,S. persicaand S. perspolitana, so that chromium concentrations in the roots and shoots were 258 and 5.41 mg/kg, respectively. Also, chromium accumulations under manure treatments in the roots and shoots were 334.34 and 9.79 mg/kg, respectively. Plant dry weight and height for both species in manure treatment were higher than control and biochar treatments. S. persica showed higher growth than S. perspolitana species. The content of photosynthetic pigments in both S.persica and S. perspolitana species under biochar treatment was higher than control and manure treatments. In general, one can conclude that the accumulation of chromium in S. perspolitana was higher than in S. persica ,and the application of biochar and manure amendments could stabilize chromium in soil and reduce chromium accumulation in both S. persica and S. perspolitana species.

Effects of green manure of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) on cucumber rhizosphere fungal community

In pot culture, we evaluated the effects of green manure of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) rhizosphere fungal community composition. Cucumber rhizosphere fungal composition was analyzed by high-throughput amplicon sequencing of fungal ITS regions. Results showed that cucumber seedling rhizosphere fungal community composition was different between the fallow treatment and green manure treatment. However, green manure treatment did not affect the cucumber seedlings fungal community alpha diversity. Compared with the fallow treatment, cucumber grown in green manure of wild rocket had higher relative abundance of phylum Ascomycota but lower relative abundance of phylum Zygomycota. Moreover, green manure of wild rocket decreased operational taxonomic units (OTUs) classified as Pseudallescheria and Kernia spp. but increased OTUs classified as Humicola and Fusarium spp. in cucumber rhizosphere.