Accelerated Biodegradation of Cellulosic Substrates.

Utilization of appropriate chemical/physical/micro­ biological techniques for pretreatment of cellulosic sub­ strates was shown to significantly accelerate cellulose biodegradation processes under both laboratory and in situ marine conditions. Initially an overlay plating system was developed for the isolation of cellulolytic bacteria. The procedure involved a double-layer agar system, with the basal portion consisting of a mineral salt/yeast extract agar and the upper portion, an alkali-treated cellulose­ agar overlay. The system was shown to have limited appli­ cation in the enumeration of cellulolytic bacterial populations. An in situ rate of 3.8 mg solubilized/24 hr/gram substrate was determined for the decomposition of untreated, purified cellulose. Introduced (purified cellulose) sub­ strate was degraded, in situ, at a rate 2.7 times slower than that for the indigenous substrate, Spartina. This indicates that processed cellulose wastes are even more recalcitrant than are natural cellulosics. A combination of nitrite-photochemical, alkali, and bacteria seeding pre­ treatments was shown to increase the rate of cellulose solubilization by a factor of 6.5. In laboratory studies, pretreated cellulose samples were solubilized in cadoxen and analyzed for determination of their degree of polymerization (DP). Ball-milling or UV-nitrite irradiation lowered the DP to a greater extent than did alkali treatment or UV-no nitrite irradiation. However, bacterial degradation rates for the cellulosics indicated that in effecting an increase in cellulolytic rates, DP is of secondary importance compared to the degree of swelling or bacterial accessibility of the cellulose fiber. Low DP, highly crystalline substrates were shown to have lower digestion rates than did higher DP, less crystalline celluloses. Pretreatments for accelerating cellulose biodegra­ dation were also examined with respect to their action on compounds occurring concomitantly with cellulosics. Electron-capture gas chromatographic studies indicated that a 90+\ reduction of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) residues in cellulosics could be achieved by appropriate UV irradia­ tion. PCB\u27s in untreated cellulosic substrates were shown to remain stable throughout conventional cellulose decompo­ sition processes and to be concentrated in the microbial­ cellulose biomass during biodegradation. A proposal was presented which suggested incorporation of UV irradiation treatment into waste cellulose-SCP systems (or any recycling processes) where bioconcentration of PCB re idues may pre­ sent a significant potential danger. The study indicated that environmental considerations of accelerated cellulose biodegradation parallel similar problems in microbial SCP-cellulose processes. Objectives of suc;1 increased cellulose utilization technology include maximizing substrate conversion to desirable compounds con­ currer,t with removal of toxic materials. Substrate pre­ tr atment tP hniques were shown to have potential as solu­ tions in meeting the above objectives

Characterization of the exopolysaccharide produced by a whey utilizing strain of Klebsiella oxytoca

Physical, chemical and rheological properties of a polysaccharide produced by an isolate of Klebsiella oxytoca were characterized. Freeze dried samples of the polysaccharide were neutral and werecompletely soluble in water. Samples did not form gels even in the presence of salt treatments. The major monosaccharide constituents of the polysaccharide were rhamnose (37%, w/w) and glucose(34%, w/w). Residues of cellobiose were detected, suggesting that the polysaccharide had a cellulose backbone. The gum was more comparable to broth apparent viscosities of xanthan gum than to gellangum. The K. oxytoca polysaccharide (KOP) produced high solution viscosity at low concentrations. At a gum concentration 0.5% (w/v), an apparent viscosity of 400 cP at 24 s-1 was obtained. Rheologicalbehavior showed that the KOP formed non newtonian fluids, indicating that it is a pseudoplastic biopolymer. Although the KOP solutions displayed pseudoplastic behavior, increases in shearing timedid not result in significant changes on the apparent viscosity. This indicated that the gum is neither thixotropic nor rheopectic. The conclusion reached about the potential application of the gum was thatit could be suitable for use as a stabilizing or suspending agent rather than a gelling agent

The California Art Quilt Revolution

The American studio art quilt movement that emerged in the last decades of the twentieth century had its primary origins in Ohio and California, and to a lesser degree, Massachusetts. There is no study that considers the early quilt artists in California as a group nor are there studies that consider their work from an art historical viewpoint. Many of the artists who began making quilts in the 1960s and 1970s are now in their seventies and eighties and there is some urgency to capturing their oral histories and documenting their work. This paper examines the lives of nine female artists who were making quilts in California between 1966 and 1986, the twentieth century culture that inspired them to become quilt artists, and the work they created. Based on artist interviews conducted by the author in late 2009, the narratives provide insight into the birth of new art and quilt movements and a glimpse of the pioneers who charted the new territory. Seeking a multi-discipline approach to the subject, this paper combines cultural, oral and art histories The decades leading up to the emergence of art quilts in the 1960s portray a complex picture involving the intersection of art, craft, universities and the traditional American quilt. Three national cultural developments resulted in the reevaluation of quilts as a suitable art medium and increased artists’ awareness of quilts: the art museum’s legitimization of the quilt as art, the junction of art and craft at the university level, and social, political and fashion trends that brought quilts to national prominence. Compelling personal motivations also played a significant role in an individual’s choice to combine art practice with quilt making. Examples of the artists’ work reflect the dual heritage of quilt history and art history, one that blends quilt making techniques and implicit historic cultural associations with principles of contemporary art. Adviser: Michael F. Jame

Application of constructed wetlands in recycling, agriculture and agroforestry : water management for changing flow regimes

Increasingly, constructed wetland systems are being utilized for treatment and buffering of effluent and runoff water, functioning in nutrient removal, disinfection and also as transitional environments in recycling applications. Agriculture and agroforestry opportunities are abundant for water treated by wetland systems. Progressively, wetland use as a component in potable recycling may be more acceptable in areas as changing flow regimes impact on water supply. This paper examines an innovative wetland application, the McGraths Hill Wetland Complex in the Hawkesbury District of NSW, Australia. The system has operated for more than a decade, founded on a concept to develop approximately 100 ha of land as an integrated reuse and wetland system with the objectives of (a) minimising effluent derived pollutants discharged to receiving waters and increasing water and nutrient reuse while meeting EPA requirements; (b) improving the visual amenity of the entrance to the local township through enhancement of the natural environment; (c) providing an economic return while reducing management costs; (d) providing and improving floodplain wetlands, receiving water riparian zones and other potential habitats; (e) providing a passive recreation resource and educational and research opportunities. The system is considered a success and, in addition to significantly reducing direct nutrient discharge to receiving waters, has produced of the order of 10,000 bales of lucerne hay (approximately 4200 T) per year and provided a woodlot resource. The integrated treatment complex is suggested as a key model for “treatment train” approaches to wastewater management. Changing flow regimes brought about by climate change and increased water abstraction are making multi-function, green technologies critical for community sustainability

LWR/2004/078 Evaluation and Adoption of Improved Farming Practices on Soil and Water Resources, Bohol Island, the Philippines

Soil erosion, associated loss of crop productivity and degraded water resources are serious threats to agricultural livelihoods in upland areas of the Philippines. Soil erosion is particularly important in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, due to high seasonally concentrated rainfall, steep slopes and highly erodible soils. The impacts of common, traditional, cropping systems on soil and water degradation and farm incomes in the lnabanga watershed were studied in project LWR/2001/003 (2002 to 2006). The main cropping systems that were identified and studied included: agroforestry; woodland; oil palm; corn/cassava; grassland; irrigated rice and rainfed rice. Key environmental and socioeconomic effects of these land use systems were determined. Corn/cassava cropping on steeply sloping, highly erodible soils was determined to be a major contributor to soil erosion and also resulted in the lowest economic returns to the farmers. The project was initiated following an external review of an earlier project LWR/2001/003, ACIAR continued its focus on Bohol with the implementation of a new project in 2007. The project, reported here, built on the soil erosion, hydrologic and financial lessons learned in Project LWR/2001/003 and joined forces with community-based implementation activities funded by ACIAR and other agencies. The Project was developed after discussions and close consultation with the Philippine agencies: Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and built on the experience and expertise developed through the earlier ACIAR Projects LWR/2001/003 and ASEM/2002/051. Key objectives of the project were to demonstrate, quantify and provide examples to farmers of the environmental and farm-level economic benefits that can be realised by implementing selected best management practices for soil, water and crop management in shallow sloping landscapes

Asylum Procedure in the Czech Republic

Katedra správního práva a správní vědyDepartment of Administrative Law and Administrative SciencePrávnická fakultaFaculty of La

Environmental engineering with a touch of green : effective water resource management using soft options and imagination

There are considerable opportunities through use of environmental engineering to link recycling, agriculture and agroforestry. Increasingly, "natural" systems are being recognized and utilized in the treatment and buffering of effluent and runoff water, functioning in nutrient removal, disinfection and also as transitional environments in recycling applications. Agriculture and agroforestry opportunities are abundant and, progressively, potable recycling may be more acceptable in areas with changing flow regimes. This paper will examine a number of "green system" applications, in the Western Sydney District of NSW, Australia. A pioneer "green" system has operated for more than a decade, founded on a concept to develop approximately 100 ha of land as an integrated reuse and wetland system

Constructed wetlands for atmospheric gaseous pollutant management : how important is foliar uptake

The technology for using constructed wetlands in effluent treatment, stormwater and diffuse runoff is now well established. Wetland formats in variations of free-water surface, horizontal-flow submerged, vertical-flow and hybrid configurations are commonly used in domestic, industrial and agricultural aqueous waste applications. An application that has not been extensively investigated, however, is the use of wetland systems for vapor-phase, foliar uptake, pollutant management. The “Biofilter/Biofilm” concept, integral to constructed wetland systems treating aqueous wastewaters, may be equally important in treating gaseous-phase atmospheric pollutants using “Vegetated Biofilter” or suspended, non-inundated, wetland components for gaseous pollutant management. This approach has been applied in a limited number of applications and is being used in the development of a pollutant management system for a semi-commercial biogas digester installation. The concept is proposed to be an “unintended” beneficial environmental service provided by numerous vegetated architectural and green-space installations