In lakes, fish and zooplankton can be both sources and sinks of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) through the consumption of organic N and P, and subsequent excretion of bioavailable inorganic forms. These source/sink dynamics, known as consumer-driven nutrient recycling (CNR), may, in turn, control the availability of potentially limiting nutrients for algal primary production. In this dissertation I investigate the importance and controls of CNR as a source of inorganic N and P for primary production (Chapter 2). I then examine zooplankton CNR as a mechanism for increasing nutrient mean resident time (MRT) in the mixed layer of lakes (Chapter 3). Finally, I assess whether zooplankton communities dominated by different taxa can affect N versus P deficient conditions for phytoplankton production through differential N and P recycling rates (Chapter 4). Direct excretion of N and P by fish communities was modest in arctic lakes, and accounted for < 4 % of the N and P required for primary production. Recycling of N and P by zooplankton communities was relatively high, and the fraction of algal N and P demand supplied by zooplankton CNR ranged from 4 - 90% for N and 7 - 107% for P. MRT of 15N, measured in the mixed layer of an arctic lake, was ~16 days, compared to 14 days predicted by a ecosystem model simulation with zooplankton N recycling and 8 days in a model simulation where zooplankton N recycling was absent. The 75% increase in N MRT between model simulations with and without zooplankton recycling suggests that zooplankton N recycling is an important mechanism for retaining N in lake ecosystems. I observed relatively high negative correlations between precipitation and phytoplankton N (r = -0.33) and P (r = -0.30) deficiencies. I also observed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.42, p = 0.03) between zooplankton communities with higher copepod biomass, relative to cladoceran biomass, and phytoplankton N-deficient conditions. These results suggest that when precipitation is high N and P deficiency is low in the phytoplankton. When precipitation is low, however, zooplankton communities composed primarily of copepods contribute to N-deficient conditions for phytoplankton production.

The cycling of nutrients is a fundamental process in streams and rivers, and scientists are increasingly recognizing the importance of animal communities to nutrient dynamics in these ecosystems. Despite growing evidence that animal excretion (i.e. urine) can supply limiting nutrients to primary producers in small streams, the importance of excretion is uncertain in large rivers. Accordingly, I used three estimation approaches based on past and new excretion rate data to determine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) excretion inputs from insect communities in four large rivers (discharge > 10 cubic meters per second) in North America, and I compared these rates to both the total demand for nutrients by primary producers and background nutrient levels. Additionally, I compared the ratio of excreted nutrients (N:P) to water nutrient limitation (N-limitation or P-limitation) to understand whether excretion by insects could serve as a potential source of limited nutrients to free-floating primary producers in large river ecosystems. Across all three estimation approaches, total insect community N excretion rates ranged from 18.9 to 1070.1 μg N m-2 hr-1, while community P excretion rates ranged from 16.3 to 378.7 μg P m-2 hr-1. Across all rivers and estimation approaches, community N and P excretion was equal to 0.7 to 32.4% and 0.1 to 6.0% of total N and P demand, respectively. Additionally, excreted N and P was equivalent to 0.5 to 62.3% and 0.2 to 5.5% of background N and P levels, respectively. Excreted N:P ratios suggested that excretion may serve as an important pathway in the alleviation of nutrient limitation for some primary producers in large rivers, although additional research will be required. Compared to smaller stream ecosystems, in which animal excretion can supply >50% of total N demand, and also match > 100% of background N levels, insect excretion appears to play a smaller role in nutrient dynamics of large rivers, although excretion may contribute significantly in rivers with high animal biomass and low background nutrient levels, as for N in the North Platte River in this study.

<p>For a complete picture of the lake ecosystem, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms regulating biomass and nutrient status (nutrient limitation, optimal supply, or surplus) of benthic algae, which are important primary producers and a food resource for grazers. This thesis gives an overview of the natural variation of benthic algae at different scales of space and time and on different substrates, and unravels some of the underlying factors. Algal nutrient status was assessed using the C:N:P (carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus) ratio of the entire natural benthic community. A review, observations, and experiments confirmed that a C:N:P ratio of about 158:18:1 (molar basis) represented an optimal nutrient supply, and that substantially higher C:N, N:P, or C:P ratios reflected algal growth limitation caused by an N or P nutrient deficiency. </p><p>Horizontal variation of benthic algal biomass and nutrient status was patchy, of similar amount for all investigated distances, substrates, and lakes, and constituted a dominant proportion of the total variation. For example, patches of nutrient limited algae were found within only 10 m distance from patches with a nutrient surplus. Thus, horizontal variation should not be neglected when sampling benthic algae in lakes. Field observations suggested an impact of wind, nutrients, and grazers on the horizontal variation. Light and nutrients might have caused the observed vertical and temporal variation. Field experiments confirmed a simultaneous control of benthic algal biomass by nutrients and grazing, mediated by light and temperature. Grazing effects were larger than nutrient effects, but the comparison of natural communities in lakes of different trophy suggested that benthic algal biomass was controlled by nutrients in the long run. </p><p>An important nutrient supply was animal excretions, causing a low C:N:P ratio of epizoon on zebra mussels, and algal communities associated with macrograzers. A field experiment revealed that 15N circulated one week longer in epizoon associated with a sessile caddisfly than in surrounding epilithon. In conclusion, the regulation of benthic algal biomass and nutrient status in lakes is complex, and benthic animals should be looked at not only as grazers, but also as a nutrient source.</p>

For a complete picture of the lake ecosystem, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms regulating biomass and nutrient status (nutrient limitation, optimal supply, or surplus) of benthic algae, which are important primary producers and a food resource for grazers. This thesis gives an overview of the natural variation of benthic algae at different scales of space and time and on different substrates, and unravels some of the underlying factors. Algal nutrient status was assessed using the C:N:P (carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus) ratio of the entire natural benthic community. A review, observations, and experiments confirmed that a C:N:P ratio of about 158:18:1 (molar basis) represented an optimal nutrient supply, and that substantially higher C:N, N:P, or C:P ratios reflected algal growth limitation caused by an N or P nutrient deficiency. Horizontal variation of benthic algal biomass and nutrient status was patchy, of similar amount for all investigated distances, substrates, and lakes, and constituted a dominant proportion of the total variation. For example, patches of nutrient limited algae were found within only 10 m distance from patches with a nutrient surplus. Thus, horizontal variation should not be neglected when sampling benthic algae in lakes. Field observations suggested an impact of wind, nutrients, and grazers on the horizontal variation. Light and nutrients might have caused the observed vertical and temporal variation. Field experiments confirmed a simultaneous control of benthic algal biomass by nutrients and grazing, mediated by light and temperature. Grazing effects were larger than nutrient effects, but the comparison of natural communities in lakes of different trophy suggested that benthic algal biomass was controlled by nutrients in the long run. An important nutrient supply was animal excretions, causing a low C:N:P ratio of epizoon on zebra mussels, and algal communities associated with macrograzers. A field experiment revealed that 15N circulated one week longer in epizoon associated with a sessile caddisfly than in surrounding epilithon. In conclusion, the regulation of benthic algal biomass and nutrient status in lakes is complex, and benthic animals should be looked at not only as grazers, but also as a nutrient source.

Nyanza Gulf is a large, shallow and long river-influenced embayment located in northeastern Lake Victoria. The gulf opens to the main lake through the narrow and deep Rusinga Channel, the exchange zone between the two ecosystems with different physical chemical and biogeochemical conditions. The main goals of this study are to characterize physicochemical and nutrient gradients along the gulf-main-lake transect, characterize and quantify the water and nutrient fluxes between the gulf and the main lake, and assess the response of phytoplankton community and photosynthesis to the spatially varying physical and nutrient conditions along the study transect. Between March 2005 and March 2006, measurements of physicochemical profiles as well as nutrient and the phytoplankton community analysis were conductued monthly along the study transect. Additionally, analysis of different surficial sediment phosphorus fractions was done in order to asses the potential role of bottom sediment in contributing to phosphorus enrichment in the lake water column. A box mass balance model was used to calculate the exchange of water and nutrient fluxes between different zones along the study transect and to estimate ecosystem metabolism in the gulf and the channel. Spatial variability in physicochemical and biogeochemical conditions was observed along the study transect, especially between the shallow and river-influenced inner-gulf, the deep and physically active Rusinga Channel, and the main lake, mainly in response to river inputs and varying morphometry along the study transect. The gulf had significantly higher electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, total nitrogen (TN), and dissolved reactive silica (DRSi) but the levels declined monotonically along the channel in response to mixing with the main lake water. The channel and the main lake had, respectively, significantly higher dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) compared to the gulf. Spatial variability in morphometry and exposure to varying wind forcing lead to differential mixing and differential heating and cooling along the transect, resulting in density driven fronts and horizontal exchange of water and nutrients between the gulf and the main lake. Upwelling and downwelling maintained mixing conditions in the channel which consequently influenced nutrient recycling, the light environment and hence affecting phytoplankton community composition and productivity. The net residual water flow from the gulf to the main lake was 36 m3/s but the mixing flux was approximately 20 times higher and both fluxes accounted for a gulf exchange time of 1981 days. The advective and mixing fluxes between the gulf and the main lake resulted in net export of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP; 400 kg P/d) from the main lake into the gulf and net export of DRSi (10 t Si/d) from the gulf into the main lake. In the deep, narrow and physically active Rusinga Channel there was net production of dissolved nutrients whereas in the gulf there was net consumption of dissolved nutrients, which helped to maintain high net ecosystem production (NEP; 566 mg C/m2/d) in the gulf in contrast the channel which showed net heterotrophy. The high NEP in the gulf and the associated high nutrient demand coupled with possibly low SRP to DIN supply ratio lead to P limitation of algal growth in the gulf as indicated by all indicators of nutrient status. This has important implications for management since increased P input into the gulf will translate into increased algal blooms in the gulf and therefore compromise water quality. Spatial variability in physical conditions and nutrient status along the study transect influenced phytoplankton community composition and photosynthesis. The shallow and turbid gulf was dominated by cyanobacteria but diatoms dominated in the channel in response to reduced turbidity and increased physical mixing and nutrient availability (DRSi, SRP). In the main lake seasonal stratification and deep mixing depth favoured both cyanobacteria and diatoms. The phytoplankton community in channel had a higher photosynthetic capacity (Fv/Fm, PBm) compared to both the gulf and the main lake.

Nyanza Gulf is a large, shallow and long river-influenced embayment located in northeastern Lake Victoria. The gulf opens to the main lake through the narrow and deep Rusinga Channel, the exchange zone between the two ecosystems with different physical chemical and biogeochemical conditions. The main goals of this study are to characterize physicochemical and nutrient gradients along the gulf-main-lake transect, characterize and quantify the water and nutrient fluxes between the gulf and the main lake, and assess the response of phytoplankton community and photosynthesis to the spatially varying physical and nutrient conditions along the study transect. Between March 2005 and March 2006, measurements of physicochemical profiles as well as nutrient and the phytoplankton community analysis were conductued monthly along the study transect. Additionally, analysis of different surficial sediment phosphorus fractions was done in order to asses the potential role of bottom sediment in contributing to phosphorus enrichment in the lake water column. A box mass balance model was used to calculate the exchange of water and nutrient fluxes between different zones along the study transect and to estimate ecosystem metabolism in the gulf and the channel. Spatial variability in physicochemical and biogeochemical conditions was observed along the study transect, especially between the shallow and river-influenced inner-gulf, the deep and physically active Rusinga Channel, and the main lake, mainly in response to river inputs and varying morphometry along the study transect. The gulf had significantly higher electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, total nitrogen (TN), and dissolved reactive silica (DRSi) but the levels declined monotonically along the channel in response to mixing with the main lake water. The channel and the main lake had, respectively, significantly higher dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) compared to the gulf. Spatial variability in morphometry and exposure to varying wind forcing lead to differential mixing and differential heating and cooling along the transect, resulting in density driven fronts and horizontal exchange of water and nutrients between the gulf and the main lake. Upwelling and downwelling maintained mixing conditions in the channel which consequently influenced nutrient recycling, the light environment and hence affecting phytoplankton community composition and productivity. The net residual water flow from the gulf to the main lake was 36 m3/s but the mixing flux was approximately 20 times higher and both fluxes accounted for a gulf exchange time of 1981 days. The advective and mixing fluxes between the gulf and the main lake resulted in net export of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP; 400 kg P/d) from the main lake into the gulf and net export of DRSi (10 t Si/d) from the gulf into the main lake. In the deep, narrow and physically active Rusinga Channel there was net production of dissolved nutrients whereas in the gulf there was net consumption of dissolved nutrients, which helped to maintain high net ecosystem production (NEP; 566 mg C/m2/d) in the gulf in contrast the channel which showed net heterotrophy. The high NEP in the gulf and the associated high nutrient demand coupled with possibly low SRP to DIN supply ratio lead to P limitation of algal growth in the gulf as indicated by all indicators of nutrient status. This has important implications for management since increased P input into the gulf will translate into increased algal blooms in the gulf and therefore compromise water quality. Spatial variability in physical conditions and nutrient status along the study transect influenced phytoplankton community composition and photosynthesis. The shallow and turbid gulf was dominated by cyanobacteria but diatoms dominated in the channel in response to reduced turbidity and increased physical mixing and nutrient availability (DRSi, SRP). In the main lake seasonal stratification and deep mixing depth favoured both cyanobacteria and diatoms. The phytoplankton community in channel had a higher photosynthetic capacity (Fv/Fm, PBm) compared to both the gulf and the main lake.

Avloppsvatten innehåller näring, bland annat kväve och fosfor som kan orsaka övergödningom det kommer ut i sjöar och vattendrag. Samtidigt behöver stora mängder näringsämnen tillföras i jordbruket för att producera mat. Ett sätt att effektivt ta till vara på näringen i avlopp och återföra den till jordbruket skulle kunna vara källsortering av avlopp. På så sätt samlas näringsämnena i en mindre volym och blandas inte med bad-, disk-, och tvättvatten. Examensarbetet syftade till att undersöka rötning som behandlingsmetod och teknik för att utnyttja energin i latrin. I rötning bryter mikroorganismer ner organiskt material anaerobt och producerar energirik biogas som kan användas till värme, el eller fordonsbränsle. Rötresten som blir kvar efter rötningen innehåller näringsämnen men också föroreningar. I studien undersöktes latrinens innehåll av tungmetaller och läkemedelsrester och hur läkemedelshalten påverkades under rötningsprocessen. För att utvärdera rötning som behandlingsmetod av latrin gjordes 44 satsvisa utrötningsför-sök i laboratorium. Latrinen hämtades från en latrininsamling i Norrtälje. Ymp från två aktiva rötningsanläggningar blandades med latrinen i gastäta glasflaskor vilka sattes på skakbord i ca 60 dagar. En del flaskor innehöll en tillsats av läkemedel lösta i metanol. Två parallella försök utfördes i olika temperaturer, i mesofil temperatur (37ºC) och i termofil temperatur (52ºC). Gasproduktion och gasens metanhalt mättes under försöksperioden för att beräkna latrinens biogaspotential. Efter avslutad rötningsperiod separerades vätskan och det fasta materialet i rötresten och frystes in i väntan på analys av läkemedelsrester. Biogasproduktionen var drygt 250 Nml CH4/g VS (ml metan per gram organiskt material vid tryck 1 atm och 0ºC) efter 60 dagar, vilket antas vara biogaspotentialen hos latrin. Det är i samma nivå som biogaspotentialen från hönsgödsel och svinkletgödsel. Gasproduktionen i flaskorna med tillsats av läkemedel var något högre och någon inhibering av processen kunde alltså ej påvisas. Kvävehalten i latrinen var 3,7 g/l, fosforhalten 1,0 g/l, kaliumhalten 1,0 g/l. Latrinens tungmetallhalter var under Naturvårdsverkets föreslagna gränsvärden för avloppsfraktioner som tillförs åkermark och skulle därför kunna användas som gödsel med dagens regelverk. Kadmiumfosforkvoten var 25 mg Cd/kg P vilket är lika mycket som medelvärde av Revaq-certifierat avloppsslam. Flera saker tyder på att latrinen som användes innehöll mer fekalier än urin i förhållande till vad som borde produceras och därmed inte fullt ut representerar ett komplett toalettavfall. Analyser gjordes av läkemedelskoncentrationer i vätskefasen av rötningsmaterialet före och efter olika långa perioder av rötning. Rötning visade sig inte vara någon effektiv metod för att rena latrin från läkemedel. Det var i fler fall som koncentrationen av läkemedel ökade än minskade under rötning. Ökningen kan bland annat ha att göra med att adsorptionsegen-skaper hos materialet förändras under rötningen och därmed frigörs substanserna och syns bättre i analysen av vätskefasen. Förekomsten av läkemedel i miljön är relativt väl undersöktmen däremot behövs mer förståelse för riskerna med läkemedel i vattenmiljö men framför-allt i jordbruksmiljö där kunskapsluckorna är stora / Wastewater contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous which can cause eutrophi-cation in lakes and streams. Meanwhile, large quantities of nutrients are used in agriculture in order to produce food. One way to utilize nutrients in wastewater and return them to agriculture could be source separation of sewage. This way, nutrients are collected in smallvolumes and are not mixed with bathing, washing, and cleaning water. This thesis aimed at investigating anaerobic digestion as a treatment method and technology to make use of the energy in latrine. In anaerobic digestion, microorganisms degrade organic material and produce energy rich biogas that can be used for heating, electricity, or vehicle fuel. The residue remaining after digestion contains nutrients but also pollutants. The study examined the content of heavy metals and drug residues in latrine, and to what extent the digestion process affected the pharmaceutical content. To evaluate the anaerobic digestion as treatment of latrines, 44 batch experiments wereperformed at laboratory scale. Latrine was taken from a collection basin in Norrtälje. Inoculum from two active anaerobic digestion plants were mixed with latrine in sealed glass bottles and put on shaking tables for approximately 60 days. Some bottles contained an addition of eight drugs dissolved in methanol. Two parallel experiments were performed one at mesophilic temperature (37ºC) and one at thermophilic temperature (52ºC). The volume of gas produced and methane content was measured for calculation of the biogas potential. After completion of the digestion period, the liquid and solids were separated and frozen pending analysis of drug residues. The biogas produced was a little over 250 Nml CH4/gVS after 60 days being comparable to production from pig and chicken manure. The bottles containing added substances showed no inhibition of the biogas process since the gas production was slightly greater in these. The nitrogen content of latrine was 3.7 g/L, the phosphorus content 1.0 g/L and potassium content of 1.0 g/L. The cadmium-phosphorus ratio was 25 mg Cd/kg P, same as the average of Revaq certified sewage sludge. The heavy metal concentrations were below the limits allowed for sewage fractions applied on arable land as proposed by the Swedish Environ-mental Protection Agency. The latrine could be used as fertilizer with current and proposed regulations. Several things indicate that the latrine used contained a higher feces-urine ratio than expected and therefore does not fully represent a complete blackwater. Analyses on drug concentrations were preformed on the liquid phase of the material before and after various periods of anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion proved not to be an effective method to reduce pharmaceuticals in latrine. There were more cases where the concentration of the drug increased rather than decreased during digestion. The increase could be due to changes in adsorption properties of the material during digestion, making them more observable in the analysis. The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is relatively well known but more understanding is needed on the hazards of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic and especially agricultural environment.

abstract: Non-native consumers can significantly alter processes at the population, community, and ecosystem level, and they are a major concern in many aquatic systems. Although the community-level effects of non-native anuran tadpoles are well understood, their ecosystem-level effects have been less studied. Here, I tested the hypothesis that natural densities of non-native bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) and native Woodhouse's toad tadpoles (Anaxyrus woodhousii) have dissimilar effects on aquatic ecosystem processes because of differences in grazing and nutrient recycling (excretion and egestion). I measured bullfrog and Woodhouse's carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus nutrient recycling rates. Then, I determined the impact of tadpole grazing on periphyton biomass (chlorophyll a) during a 39-day mesocosm experiment. Using the same experiment, I also quantified the effect of tadpole grazing and nutrient excretion on periphyton net primary production (NPP). Lastly I measured how dissolved and particulate nutrient concentrations and respiration rates changed in the presence of the two tadpole species. Per unit biomass, I found that bullfrog and Woodhouse's tadpoles excreted nitrogen and phosphorus at similar rates, though Woodhouse's tadpoles egested more carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. However, bullfrogs recycled nutrients at higher N:C and N:P ratios. Tadpole excretion did not cause a detectable change in dissolved nutrient concentrations. However, the percent phosphorus in mesocosm detritus was significantly higher in both tadpole treatments, compared to a tadpole-free control. Neither tadpole species decreased periphyton biomass through grazing, although bullfrog nutrient excretion increased areal NPP. This result was due to higher biomass, not higher biomass-specific productivity. Woodhouse's tadpoles significantly decreased respiration in the mesocosm detritus, while bullfrog tadpoles had no effect. This research highlights functional differences between species by showing non-native bullfrog tadpoles and native Woodhouse's tadpoles may have different effects on arid, aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, it indicates bullfrog introductions may alter primary productivity and particulate nutrient dynamics. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Biology 2015

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-06-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:18:05Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_af_me_ilha.pdf: 749987 bytes, checksum: 0c81f46a542c9187e2e4d0fc5ae7f098 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O potássio (K) é o segundo nutriente requerido em maior quantidade pela cultura da soja. Com a utilização de altas doses de potássio na semeadura da soja em solos com baixa Capacidade de Troca Catiônica (CTC) e precipitação pluvial intensa ocorrem perdas de K+ por lixiviação, necessitando de um melhor manejo dessa adubação. As plantas de cobertura podem ser opções eficientes para a reciclagem de K+ do solo e disponibilização gradativa à cultura subsequente. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o efeito da antecipação da adubação potássica da soja em culturas de cobertura para a produção de palha e disponibilização gradativa de potássio para a soja em sucessão, em semeadura direta num Latossolo Vermelho distrófico argiloso (LVd) na região de cerrado, em comparação às aplicações usuais na semeadura e/ou em cobertura. O experimento foi conduzido no ano agrícola 2009/2010 na área experimental da Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão da Faculdade de Engenharia/UNESP – Campus de Ilha Solteira, localizada no município de Selvíria –MS. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com os tratamentos dispostos em esquema fatorial 3x3x5, com quatro repetições. Os fatores consistiram de culturas de cobertura (milheto e painço) e um controle (pousio), doses de K2O (0, 50 e 100 kg ha-1) e formas de aplicação de K2O (100% na semeadura das culturas de cobertura; 100% na semeadura da soja; 100% em cobertura na soja; 50% antecipada nas culturas de cobertura + 50% na semeadura da soja; 50% na semeadura da soja + 50% em cobertura na soja). Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: Estado nutricional e massa seca das culturas de cobertura, estado nutricional das plantas de soja, altura de plantas, altura de inserção de primeira vagem, número de vagens por planta e grãos por vagem, produtividade de grãos, massa de 100 grãos e teor... / The potassium is the second nutrient required in greater quantity by crop soybean. With the utilization of high doses of potassium in soybean sowing in soils with low Cationic Exchange Capacity (CEC) and intense rainfall occurs losses of K+ by leaching, requiring better management of fertilizer. Cover crops can be efficient options for the recycling of K the soil and gradual availability to subsequent crop. In this sense, aimed to evaluate the effect of anticipation potassium fertilization of soybean in cover crops for the production of straw and gradual availability of potassium soybean in succession, in no-tillage in a clayey Distrofic Red Latosol, in savannah, comparing to the usual applications at sowing and/or cover. The experiment was conducted in the crop season 2009/2010, in the experimental farm of São Paulo State University, campus of Ilha Solteira, located in Selvíria, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with treatments arranged in a factorial scheme 3x3x5, with four replications. The factors consisted of cover crops (Pennisetum glaucum and Panicum miliaceum) and a control (fallow area), doses of K2O (0, 50 e 100 kg ha-1) and application forms of K2O (100% at sowing of cover crops; 100% at sowing of soybean; 100% at cover in soybean; 50% at sowing cover crops + 50% at sowing of soybean; 50% at sowing of soybean + 50% at cover in the soybean). We evaluated the following variables: nutritional state and dry matter of cover crops, nutritional state of soybean plants, plant height, height of insertion of first pod, number of pods per plant and grains per pod, grains productivity , mass 100 grains and macronutrient content in soybean seeds. The pearl millet as cover crop soybean predecessor, had dry matter and potassium content higher than the proso millet, independent of dose and application form of K2O. In soil with high potassium... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

abstract: Biofuel from microbial biomass is a viable alternative to current energy production practices that could mitigate greenhouse gas levels and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Sustainable production of microbial biomass requires efficient utilization of nutrients like phosphorus (P). P is a limited resource which is vital for global food security. This paper seeks to understand the fate of P through biofuel production and proposes a proof-of-concept process to recover P from microbial biomass. The photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is found to contain 1.4% P by dry weight. After the crude lipids are extracted for biofuel processing, 92% of the intercellular P is found within the residual biomass. Most intercellular P is associated with nucleic acids which remain within the cell after lipids are extracted. Phospholipids comprise a small percentage of cellular P. A wet chemical advanced oxidation process of adding 30% hydrogen peroxide followed by 10 min of microwave heating converts 92% of the total cellular P from organic-P and polyphosphate into orthophosphate. P was then isolated and concentrated from the complex digested matrix by use of resins. An anion exchange resin impregnated with iron nanoparticles demonstrates high affinity for P by sorbing 98% of the influent P through 20 bed volumes, but only was able to release 23% of it when regenerated. A strong base anion exchange resin sorbed 87% of the influent P through 20 bed volumes then released 50% of it upon regeneration. The overall P recovery process was able to recover 48% of the starting intercellular P into a pure and concentrated nutrient solution available for reuse. Further optimization of elution could improve P recovery, but this provides a proof-of-concept for converting residual biomass after lipid extraction to a beneficial P source. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2012