Current issues of eliminating odor pollution of the environment by poultry by-products: a review
N.V. Syrchina, T.Ya. Ashikhmina, M.H. Kheto
Section: Theoretical problems of ecology
The operation of modern poultry farms is accompanied by the formation of a significant amount of by-products, chicken manure (CM) is among them. The accumulation of manure near poultry farms causes odor pollution of residential areas. Odor-forming substances (OFS) are formed during the metabolism of undigested feed residues a variety of microorganisms that enter the manure from the intestines of chickens and the external environment. Short-chain fatty acids, volatile sulfur compounds (H2S, thioalcohols, thioethers, etc.) and nitrogen (NH3, biogenic amines, etc.) make the main contribution to odor formation. Such bacteria as Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, as well as fungi Mucor, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium dominate in fresh CM. The microbiota composition changes significantly during storage or composting. In particular, the number of Firmicutes decreases and the number of Actinobacteria increases. The microbial community transformation is accompanied by a change in odor. Fresh CM have the most intense odor. Active research is underway to develop methods to deodorize CM. Methods involving the use of microbiological preparations, acidity regulators, and natural sorbents are of greater practical interest. Materials used as deodorants inhibit OFS-producing putrefactive microbiota or eliminate odor by destroying, immobilizing, and masking of OFS. Chemical and physical-chemical methods of deodorization are more convenient for industrial processing of CM into commercial forms of fertilizers. The combined effect of lime (a chemical reagent) and glauconite (a sorbent) followed by drying the mixture leads to a significant reduction of CM odor. The disadvantages of this method include significant losses of nitrogen (in the form of NH3) during the decomposition of ammonium salts in an alkaline medium. To prevent the NH3 emission into the atmosphere, it is possible to use the technology of absorption of this gas by an acid solution (for example, sulfuric acid). The ammonium sulfate formed in this way can be used as a nitrogen fertilizer.
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-006-020
Views: 13
Monitoring of protected species on the territory of Bushkovskiy forest State Nature Reserve
O.N. Perestoronina, S.V. Shabalkina, Е.А. Domnina
Section: Population ecology
Based on long-term studies (2004–2023), the data on the distribution of rare and in need of constant monitoring of animal, plant and fungi species in the territory of Bushkovskiy forest State Nature Reserve of regional significance was updated. The Bushkovskiy forest Reserve is located in the Urzhumsky district of the Kirov Region. The territory was not glaciated and retained a dense gully network. There is a hydrological natural monument “Shaitan Lake” within the reserve. Many small rivers flow through the forest. The above Nature Reserve is one of the largest specially protected natural areas in the Kirov Region, which is intended to preserve the region’s broad-leaved fir-spruce forests with their unique flora and fauna. Seven animal species, two vascular plant species, two moss species, four lichen species, and one fungus species included in the Red Data Book of the Kirov Region were identified in the studied area. Of these, five species – Epipogium aphyllum Sw., Meesia longiseta Hedwig, Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst., Thymallus thymallus (Linnaeus, 1758) – are listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. Four species of Angiospermae and eight species of Invertebrata were identified from the list of rare and vulnerable species that need constant monitoring in the region. The confirmation of the conservation of previously noted rare species and the discovery of new ones indicate the high conservation effectiveness of the Bushkovskiy forest Nature Reserve.
Keywords: biodiversity, Red Data Book, specially protected natural area, rarity status, rare species, taxon
Twenty-six strains of Trichoderma fungi were isolated from samples of sod-podzolic soil, bark of coniferous and deciduous trees, decaying wood, and sporocarps of basidiomycetes. The antagonistic activity of these strains was studied using samples of phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, as well as 8 strains of Fusarium. Two isolates (K-01P and K-02T) of the studied Trichoderma strains showed the highest antifungal activity. Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 genome region determined that these strains belong to T. atroviride and T. koningii. T. atroviride strain K-01P was selected for further studies. It showed higher degree of conidiogenesis, cellulase activity, and broad spectrum of antifungal action compared to T. koningii K-02T. The selected isolate K-01P showed a broad spectrum of antagonistic activity against micromycetes of Fusarium, Aureobasidium, Alternaria genera. Additional laboratory studies showed that the T. atroviride strain was compatible with nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum, Rhizobium trifolii, and Fischerella muscicola. Synergism of their action and phytostimulating properties during inoculation of higher plant seeds with these associations were proved. A consortium of T. atroviride + Azotobacter chroococcum, strains was identified to have not only has growth-stimulating properties, but also the ability to degrade cellulose and dissolve phosphates at a higher level than the Trichoderma monoculture. The suspension of strain K-01P with the recommended titer of 2·105 conidia/g showed no acute toxicity in biotests using the “Ecolum” preparation based on Escherichia coli and crustaceans Daphnia magna.
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-140-150
Views: 1
Length of the willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) cecum in the Northern Krasnoyarsk Region
P.V. Kochkarev, M.A. Perevozchikova, A.A. Sergeev, V.V. Shiryaev, V.N. Piminov
Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
The birds’ caecum ferments the undigested nutrients and modulates the gut microbiom. In addition it is involved in the recycling of nitrogen and toxic compounds that enter the body with food items. We obtain new data on the morphometric parameters of the intestinal tract of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus Linnaeus, 1758) in the north of Krasnoyarsk Region. The caecum length was reliably determined by the territorial factor and was significantly higher in areas contaminated with heavy metal compounds. The lead, cadmium, and iron content in the skeletal muscles of willow ptarmigan was also higher in impact sites compared to background sites. However, no statistically significant correlations were found between the lead, cadmium, iron, and copper content and the length of the caecum. The reasons for the differences in the caecum length in the impact and background areas may be either the direct effect of toxic elements on the bird’s body and the difference in the quality of feed, or the impact of contaminated feed on the abundance and composition of gut microbiom. Further research into this issue is needed. The obtained data can be used in the near and distant future for environmental monitoring of the study polar areas under high technogenic load on natural complexes. Consumption of partridge meat of willow ptarmigans by the population in the industrial areas of the northern Krasnoyarsk Region may pose a risk due to contamination with cadmium, lead and other pollutants, the content of which significantly exceeds permissible concentrations for food products.
Keywords: willow ptarmigan, food, avian caeca, heavy metals, pollution, biomonitoring
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-062-072
Views: 7
The effect of extractive compounds of spruce greenery on the growth and structural features of Pinus sylvestris seedlings
Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
The results of a two-year experiment on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings growing in a forest nursery are presented. Pine seeds were pre-treated with extractives (neutral and acidic components) isolated by emulsion method from spruce green left after timber harvesting. Phenolic acids dominated in acidic components. Essential oils, polyprenols, carotenoids and other biologically active substances are among the neutral components of spruce greenery. We assessed biometric parameters and structural features of seedlings. The intensity of mycorrhization of roots was determined in 1-year-old seedlings, and the elemental composition of needles and the wood density of stems were studied in 2-year-old seedlings. The analysis of pine needles revealed a higher potassium content in the K-Ca pair when acidic components of the biopreparation were applied. This indicates more active photosynthetic processes and transport of assimilates to the plant organs, providing active growth of seedlings in this variant. Acidic components at a dose of 0.5 g/kg of seeds stimulate the growth of seedlings when the process of cell hardening and lignification of increment lags. Neutral components have a positive effect on the formation of the main morphometric characteristics and physical properties of wood. At a dose of 0.012 g/kg of seeds, they increase seedlings preservation in adverse weather conditions. Based on the totality of the studied characteristics, a more in-depth study of neutral components effect is necessary, since neutral components of spruce greenery had a positive effect on seedlings preservation and contributed to both the activation of growth processes and the formation of optimal physical parameters of plants.
Keywords: spruce greenery, extractives, pine seedlings, elemental composition of needles, wood density
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-120-129
Views: 0
Assessment of Quercus robur L., Acer plantanoides L., Ulmus glabra Huds. allelopathic activity in natural and artificial phytocenoses of the Southern Urals using multivariate analysis
I.A. Getmanet, D.Y. Nokhrin, P.V. Levchenko
Section: Methodology and research methods. Models and forecasts
The Quercus robur, Acer plantanoides, Ulmus glabra allelopathic activity in natural relict communities and forest plantations of the Southern Urals was studied. We also examined the contribution of factors affecting the variance of allelopathic transfer indicators. Among them are transfer agents (extracts from leaves, leaf fall, root zone soil), habitat type (natural/artificial), concentration of water extracts (1:100, 1:50, 1:25, 1:10), and type of donor plant species (Q. rour, A. platanoides, U. glabra). Various combinations of species pairs in the donor–acceptor system were studied in classical laboratory experiments. Allelopathic activity was evaluated by growth responses (germination and root length) of classical test subjects Lepidium sativum L., Linum usitatissimum L., Viola tricolor L. The exposure time was 120 h, under illumination with a photoperiod of 15 h of daylight and temperature 21±1 °C. An array of primary morphometric measurements (720 indicators) was obtained.
Multivariate statistical technique – Redundancy analysis – was used to evaluate the contribution of factors determining allelopathic activity of donor plants. Statistical significance of the effects was confirmed by randomisation procedure at p≤0.05. The effect of each factor in the variation of allelopathic activity values is explained based on primary indicators. The hierarchy of regressors (factors) by contribution to the variance of allelopathic activity indicators was established. The impact of transfer agents is statistically significant (F(2/69)=18.91; p<0.001) and demonstrates a contribution to the variance of germination and root length indices of acceptor plants by 35.4%. Regressor – donor species – determines less variability (16.0%) of the above indicators of acceptor plants at statistical significance (F(2/69)=6.58; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed a statistically significant inverse relationship between the concentration of aqueous extracts of all
donor species and the inhibitory effect on seed germination of the biotests. The minimum contribution to the variance was found for the regressor, habitat type. In the gradient between natural and artificial communities, the contribution to variance is 1.95% and is not statistically significant. Thus, the feasibility of using multivariate statistical analysis to compare allelopathic effect is shown.
Keywords: biotests, regressors, transfer agents, redundancy analysis, allelopathy, donors, acceptors, natural and artificial communities
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-021-029
Views: 3
Transformation of soil cyanobacterial-algal cenoses affected by urbanization in the South Ural urban areas
Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
The paper presents the results of long-term studies of soil cyanobacterial-algal cenoses (CAC) in urban areas, including 18 South Ural settlements. The studied soil algae and cyanobacteria species diversity includes 487 species with varieties and forms (Chlorophyta – 231 species, Cyanobacteria – 131 species, Ochrophyta – 58, Bacillariophyta – 52, Streptophyta – 13, Euglenophyta – 2). The edaphophototrophs’ biodiversity is represented by 6 divisions, 12 classes, 32 orders, 89 families, 176 genera. The CAC flora ratio of the South Ural urban areas is 5.4 for species/family, 2.6 for species/genus, and 2.1 for genus/family. Chlamydomonadaceae, Phormidiaceae, Chlorococcaceae, Nostocaceae, and Pseudanabaenaceae are the top five families by the number of species. They account for 33% of the total number of species. We identified groups of frequently occurring algae and cyanobacteria species in the South Ural soil biotopes exposed to recreational or technogenic stress. The CAC taxonomic structure of the settlements in the South Ural forest, forest-steppe, and steppe zones and their mountain counterparts (while maintaining zonal features), has a significant similarity due to the leveling of soil and climatic conditions in cities and synanthropization effect accompanied by introduction of anthropogenically disturbed habitat species into
the CAC. We identify the patterns of CAC formation in urban ecosystems, and develop a scheme of CAC transformation in South Ural urban areas. General patterns are associated with changes in the algae and cyanobacteria species diversity and other CAC characteristics with an increase in anthropogenic pressure, as well as with gradual transformation of zonal CAC into azonal ones with subsequent disappearance of autotrophic microbiota. Particular features result from the predominance of one of the leading anthropogenic factor (technogenic pollution or recreational stress). The persistence of Hantzschia amphioxys, Vischeria magna, Botrydiopsis eriensis, etc. decreases with increasing recreational stress, but the persistence of Microcoleus autumnalis, Leptolyngbya foveolarum, Luticola ventricosa, etc. increases. In other words, when the role of some species is weakened, the importance of others increases.
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-092-104
Views: 5
The study of the physiological characteristics of plants in the conditions of petroleum products disposal under the soil layer
T.A. Trifonova, Yu.N. Kurbatov
Section: Ecotoxicology
The illegal disposal of petroleum products under the soil layer was simulated in laboratory conditions. The samples of medium loamy urban soil were studied. We study the effect of the tank with waste oil on the physiological state of plants of three families: Legumes (Trifolium pratense L.), Cruciferous (Sinapis alba L.), and Cereals (Avena sativa L.). Wild plants were selected for the experiment. This allows us to assess the effect of the illegal dumping of petroleum products into the natural environment on plants physiological state. We reveal the negative effect of this pollution on phytomass, germination rate and germination energy. Plants showed different adaptive potential to the pollutant effect. The content of photosynthetic pigments in plant leaves was studied. We found that plants’ assimilation apparatus reacts ambiguously to the pollutant. The clover showed high adaptive capacity to soil contamination with petroleum products at concentrations of 10 and 20 g/kg. Mustard better tolerates increased contamination (20 and 40 g/kg). At the beginning of the experiment, oat plants experienced a stimulating effect, expressed in a rapid increase in phytomass, high rates of germination and germination energy. Later this effect was replaced by a sharp wilting, accompanied by the destruction of assimilation pigments (at 10 and 20 g/kg doses of waste oil). However, in the variant with a 40 g/kg dose, the stimulating effect of the pollutant continued: there was an increase in chlorophyll b and carotenoids content compared to the control.
Section: Methodology and research methods. Models and forecasts
We assessed the potential of using a computer vision-based neural network to identify undigested parts of the diet in Steller sea lion feces samples. These samples were previously examined and identified by experts. We studied 19 types of bones and otoliths from 13 fish species found in the diet samples and accurately identified by expert morphologists. Each object was photographed against a black background in various projections using a microscope with a +10–15 magnification. This process resulted in 1513 photographs. To identify the undigested diet parts, we utilized the neural network model VGG 16, pre-trained on ImageNet data containing 1.4 million animal and plant images. The model was trained on 1469 photographs of diverse food residues using the R environment and the ‘keras’ package. The training accuracy over 60 epochs reached 99%. We tested the model on 44 images of Steller sea lion diet objects, not used during the training process. The model accurately identified fish remains with 100% accuracy. Computer vision enables quick and precise identification of food residues, reducing the analysis time and cost. It automates the identification process, eliminating human error. Our experiment involved a small data set and needs further research. To improve the feeding objects’ identification accuracy, a larger data set should be used, and the model should be validated on ad ditional test data. The main challenge of using computer vision to identify fish bones is obtaining sufficient photographs of different types of undigested food remains at different stages of digestion from all potential Steller sea lion prey items.
Article published in number 1 for 2025 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-4-030-039
Views: 3
Variability of agroecosystem carbon cycle in Grey-Luvic Phaeozems Hortic treated with live cultures of cyanobacteria and microalgae
N.P. Nevedrov, E.D. Budaeva, V.A. Lukyanov
Section: Ecology and climate change
Agroecosystem soils contribute significantly to the variability of carbon cycling in the biosphere. Intensive agricultural development has led to historic losses of organic carbon in soils in recent decades. According to FAO, greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector have doubled over the past 50 years. In the coming decades CO2 emissions are expected to increase by another 30%. We studied the effect of treating Gray-Luvic Phaeozems Hortic with biological products based on the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme Hariot and microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana Shihira & R.W. Krauss on soil CO2 emissions under Glycine max (L.) Merr., Hordeum vulgare L., Avena sativa L., and Secale cereale L. in the Kursk agglomeration. We revealed that the above soil treatment changes the intensity of soil carbon cycling. In laboratory and field studies we found that soil surface treatment with C. sorokiniana live culture increases the main groups of soil microorganisms abundance (bacteria – 25.6 times, fungi – 37.9 times and actinomycetes – 57.3 times). In addition, it can result in both an increase in soil CO2 emission rate of 6.0 to 41.8%, and decrease of 6.1% to 50.8% depending on the cultivated crop. Cultivating G. max, A. sativa, and S. cereale in Gray-Luvic Phaeozems Hortic treated with C. sorokiniana, reduced the total amount of organic carbon emitted into the atmosphere by 10.8%. The application of a biological product based on C. sorokiniana in spring and summer decreased the CO2 emission rate, while autumn treatment, on the contrary, promoted soil CO2 emission. Regardless of soil treatment with microalgae-based biopreparation, losses of soil organic carbon were observed in the topsoil in the studied time period, which under different cultivated crops ranged from 0.6 to 3.4 t/ha.