The effect of Bacillus sp.(B43) on the growth of Pak choy and Red tilapia in aquaponics system

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Bacillus sp. (B43) which were cultured into aquaponics system to enhance the red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) and Pak Choy (Brassica rapa) growth performance. Six aquaponics sets have been setup, three (3) for control (without the addition of Bacillus sp. (B43) culture) and another three (3) for bacteria treatment. The plant seedlings was transplanted into the aquaponics set a week after the fish were released into the tank. The experiment started by culturing the Bacillus sp. (B43) into the tank at 4x105/ml. Parameters such as fish length, fish body weight, plant height, number of leaves, ammonia content, nitrate content, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), were recorded  weekly. The dry weight of the plants was recorded at the end of the experiment. All the data has been analysed by using IBM SPSS Statistic version 25. Independent Sample T-test was chosen to compare the mean of every data collected by weeks. For plant height, the result showed that there is no significant differences between the control and bacteria treatment. However mean for control at week fourth for plant height  was 5.678 ± 1.366 g lower than bacteria treatment 5.700 ± 1.211 g. Analysis for a number of leaf and dry weight of Pak Choy also show no significant difference between bacteria treatment and control. However, the mean for dry weight for control was 0.904 ± 0.355 g and for bacteria treatment is 0.947 ± 0.573 g. The fish weight and fish length showed there is no significant difference between the bacteria treatment and control. As a conclusion, the addition of Bacillus sp. (B43) at 32x106/80ml into at 190 liter  aquaponics system of cultivating red tilapia (30 tails) and Pak Choy (6) does not show any significant difference in fish and plant growth as well as the water quality for ammonia and nitrate content

Phylogenetic classification of the world's tropical forests

Knowledge about the biogeographic affinities of the world’s tropical forests helps to better understand regional differences in forest structure, diversity, composition, and dynamics. Such understanding will enable anticipation of region-specific responses to global environmental change. Modern phylogenies, in combination with broad coverage of species inventory data, now allow for global biogeographic analyses that take species evolutionary distance into account. Here we present a classification of the world’s tropical forests based on their phylogenetic similarity. We identify five principal floristic regions and their floristic relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. Our results do not support the traditional neo- versus paleotropical forest division but instead separate the combined American and African forests from their Indo-Pacific counterparts. We also find indications for the existence of a global dry forest region, with representatives in America, Africa, Madagascar, and India. Additionally, a northern-hemisphere Subtropical forest region was identified with representatives in Asia and America, providing support for a link between Asian and American northern-hemisphere forests.</p

Immobilization of Metanil Yellow Decolorizing Mixed Culture FN3 Using Gelling Gum as Matrix for Bioremediation Application

In this study, the Metanil Yellow (MY) decolorizing mixed culture, namely FN3, has been isolated from agriculture soil. The mixed culture was immobilized using gellan gum. In order to optimize the immobilization process for maximal dye decolorization, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was performed. The optimal conditions for immobilization predicted by desirability function are 130 mg/L of MY dye concentration, 1.478% of gellan gum concentration, 50 beads and 0.6 cm of beads size with the percentage of decolorization of 90.378%. The correlation coefficients of the model (R2 and R2 adj) are 0.9767 and 0.9533, respectively. This indicates that the established model is suitable to predict the effectiveness of dye decolorization under the investigated condition. The immobilized beads of mixed culture FN3 were able to be reused up to 15 batches of decolorization. The immobilized cells also have high tolerance towards heavy metals. This was proven by higher dye decolorization rate by the immobilized cells even with the addition of heavy metals in the media. The decolorization potential of the mixed culture indicates that it could be useful for future bioremediation of soil contaminated sites and treatment solutions of water bodies polluted with MY dye

Design, Operation and Optimization of Constructed Wetland for Removal of Pollutant

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are affordable and reliable green technologies for the treatment of various types of wastewater. Compared to conventional treatment systems, CWs offer an environmentally friendly approach, are low cost, have fewer operational and maintenance requirements, and have a high potential for being applied in developing countries, particularly in small rural communities. However, the sustainable management and successful application of these systems remain a challenge. Therefore, after briefly providing basic information on wetlands and summarizing the classification and use of current CWs, this study aims to provide and inspire sustainable solutions for the performance and application of CWs by giving a comprehensive review of CWs&rsquo; application and the recent development of their sustainable design, operation, and optimization for wastewater treatment. To accomplish this objective, thee design and management parameters of CWs, including macrophyte species, media types, water level, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and hydraulic loading rate (HLR), are discussed. Besides these, future research on improving the stability and sustainability of CWs are highlighted. This article provides a tool for researchers and decision-makers for using CWs to treat wastewater in a particular area. This paper presents an aid for informed analysis, decision-making, and communication. The review indicates that major advances in the design, operation, and optimization of CWs have greatly increased contaminant removal efficiencies, and the sustainable application of this treatment system has also been improved

Phylogenetic classification of the world's tropical forests.

Knowledge about the biogeographic affinities of the world's tropical forests helps to better understand regional differences in forest structure, diversity, composition, and dynamics. Such understanding will enable anticipation of region-specific responses to global environmental change. Modern phylogenies, in combination with broad coverage of species inventory data, now allow for global biogeographic analyses that take species evolutionary distance into account. Here we present a classification of the world's tropical forests based on their phylogenetic similarity. We identify five principal floristic regions and their floristic relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. Our results do not support the traditional neo- versus paleotropical forest division but instead separate the combined American and African forests from their Indo-Pacific counterparts. We also find indications for the existence of a global dry forest region, with representatives in America, Africa, Madagascar, and India. Additionally, a northern-hemisphere Subtropical forest region was identified with representatives in Asia and America, providing support for a link between Asian and American northern-hemisphere forests