Earth Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Microorganisms In Rare Earth Elements Bioaccumulation, Maedeh Soleimanifar

Dissertations

Rare earth elements (REE) are valuable raw materials in our modern life. Extensive REE application from electronic devices to medical instruments and wind turbines, and non-uniform distribution of these resources around the world, make them strategically and economically important for countries. Current REE physical and chemical mining and recycling methods could have negative environmental consequences, and biologically-mediated techniques could be applied to overcome this issue.

In this research, the first objective is to investigate the bioextraction of cerium oxide and neodymium oxide nanoparticles (REE-NP) by a pure culture Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 (ATCC®14718™). Results show that adding up to 1,000 ppm …

Paleodepositional Environment And Sequence Stratigraphy Of Miocene Sediments In Well Tn-1, Coastal Swamp Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria, Jerry Osokpor, Efetobore G Maju-Oyovwikowhe

Tanzania Journal of Science

This research focused on the interpretation of paleodepositional environment and development of a sequence stratigraphic framework for the well TN-1 section, located in the coastal swamp depositional belt of the Niger Delta Basin. Integration of interpreted litho- and biofacies data sets that facilitated the interpretation of the paleodepositional environment enabled the erection of a sequence-stratigraphic framework. Three lithotypes (sand, clay, and shale) distributed within fourteen facies variants were integrated with palynomorph components to delineate five paleodepositional cycles ranging from distal delta plain to bathyal. Eight systems tracts (closely related to depositional cycles, but transcended depositional boundaries in some intervals) that …

Analogue Sandbox Scaled Modelling Of Oblique And Orthogonal Extension Rifting In Rukwa Rift Basin, Tanzania, Tonny Ojok, John Bk Duot, Majorine Namaganda, Nasra Sadiki, Michael Msabi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Fault evolution in oblique and orthogonal rift systems in the brittle upper crust of the Rukwa rift basin was simulated using scaled sandbox modelling by varying the angle between the rift axis and the extension direction, α, through 45° and 90°, over a 10 cm displacement. The 45° oblique model exhibits a half-graben architecture bounded by a planar fault, intra-rift faults and a conjugate fault in some vertical sections. The map view of the model’s basin trends in the NW-SE direction, and is comparable with the Rukwa rift basin orientation. The 90° oblique model forms a basin structure which is …

Long Term Observation Of The Grassland Vegetation Used Intensively Or Extensively And Ecologically, H.-D. Matthes, J. Matthes, W. Jentsch, V. Pastushenko

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of the present paper was to study alterations of the grassland flora from 55 plots following a more extensive management under long term observation within 6 years. Extensification of grassland use leads to an increase of the numbers of plant species by 32%, “Red-list-species” included. The moisture number of the soils slightly increased and the reaction and nitrogen numbers decreased. Results are presented for different vegetation units.

Influence Of Extensive Management On Botanical Composition Of Permanent Meadow Sward, K. Mlynarczyk, E. Korona, E. Marks

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of undertaken investigations was to find the possibilities of grassland management with special respect to the biodiversity and the landscape conservation. Changes in botanical composition of the meadow sward against a background of different mowing utilization were examined on the semi-natural meadows situated on the peat-mursh soil in Masurian Landscape Park (north-east Poland). The areas mown with biennial pause and completely turned off from uses followed gradual simplifying of species composition and increasing of bog species participation. Results show on advisability of passing one harvest each year or with one-year pauses.

Vegetation Changes In Sown Grassland In The Uk After Nine Years Of Extensive Grazing Management, C. A. Marriott, G. T. Barthram

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effect of extensive grazing management with sheep on vegetation change in sown pastures (initially containing Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens) in the uplands of Scotland was investigated from 1990-1999. One treatment was representative of current more intensive management systems; it was fertilized, and maintained at a sward surface height of 4 cm. Two treatments were unfertilized and were maintained at sward surface heights of 4 cm or 8 cm; the ewe numbers carried on these treatments averaged 74% and 44%, respectively, of those on the fertilized treatment. In all treatments the sheep were Scottish Blackface ewes. Their single …

The Influence Of Rising Atmospheric Co2 On Grassland Ecosystems, J. A. Morgan, P. C. D. Newton, J. Nösberger, C. E. Owensby

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and climatic change will have significant effects on the ecology of grasslands. This paper evaluates results from four CO₂ enrichment studies in contrasting grasslands. A Swiss study investigates the effects of elevated CO₂ (600 μL L^-1 CO₂) on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L), a New Zealand study examines how elevated CO₂ (475 μL L^-1 CO₂) affects a botanically diverse pasture, and studies in the Kansas tallgrass prairie and the Colorado shortgrass steppe investigate the effects of an approximate …

Elevated Co2 Enhances Productivity And The C/N Ratio Of Grasses In The Colorado Shortgrass Steppe, J. A. Morgan, A. R. Mosier, D. R. Lecain, W. J. Parton, D. G. Milchunas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations have been increasing since the industrial revolution, and are projected to double within this century over today's concentration of 360 µmol mol^-1 . This study used six open-top chambers in the Colorado, USA shortgrass steppe to investigate how increasing CO₂ will affect productivity and C and N status of indigenous perennial grasses and forbs. From March until October, chambers were placed on two plots in each of the three blocks. In each block, one chamber was assigned an ambient CO₂ treatment (~360 µmol mol^-1), the other an elevated CO₂ treatment …

Rangeland Desertification In China, Wang Tao

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Land desertification is one of the most serious environmental and social-economic problems in the North China. The processes of desertification mainly have being controlled by the interaction of human activities and fragile eco-environment, that means the pattern and intension of landuse are major factors for development or reverse of desertification. Because of the increasing pressure of population, the rangeland in the North China has being cultivated decade by decade, which changed landuse from grassing to cropping in a large area and destroyed the natural vegetation cover. The result is to let the wind erosion become easier and the desertification has …

Grasslands, Communicating The Benefits, D. Keeney

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The multiple benefits of perennial agriculture , including forages and grasslands, for building soil quality, protection of natural resources, enhancement of biodiversity and wildlife, are well known to us, but little understood by the public. This is not a situation where “more education” would necessarily increase recognition. Rather, we must build in the public a desire for the enhancement of green space, clean water and air, and diverse landscapes that multiple purpose agriculture can bring. We seek such environments intuitively and now that much of the world’s people are “trapped” in urban settings of steel and concrete, this desire is …

Effect Of Dry Oxidation And Thermal Annealing On Aln/Gan/Aln/Si (111) And Evaluation Of Its Electrical Characteristics, Mohd Zaki Mohd Yusoff, Azzafeerah Mahyuddin, Zainuriah Hasssan, ‪Muhammad Syarifuddin Yahya

Makara Journal of Science

We proposed a technique for improving the platinum (Pt) Schottky contact dark current of the AlN/GaN/AlN/Si(111) substrate. The AlN/GaN/AlN/ heterostructure sample was successfully grown on a silicon substrate by radio frequency molecular beam epitaxy. The high quality of the interlayer heterostructure sample was verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From the TEM image, a good quality single interface layer with spacing less than 1 nm was detected. The strong significant peaks obtained by X-ray diffraction measurement indicated that the sample has a high structural quality for each grown layer. Dry oxidation and thermal annealing were used in conjunction to effectively …

Mercury Contamination In Selected Edible Plants And Soil From Artisanal And Small-Scale Gold Mining In Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia, Grace Serepina Saragih, Ely Rahmi Tapriziah, Yunesfi Syofyan, Siti Masitoh, Yohana Sari Hotmatua Pandiangan, Andriantoro Andriantoro

Makara Journal of Science

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities often pollute soil, water, and air, thereby achieving widespread proliferation, and contaminating the surrounding biota including plants. Mercury contamination on agricultural land around ASGM areas has been widely reported. This study aims to determine the total mercury contamination in plants and soil around active ASGM sites in Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia, namely, Waluran, Lengkong, and Ciemas Districts. Total mercury (Hg) content was measured from 27 plant samples (including cassava [Manihot utilisima], rice [Oryza sativa], and papaya [Carica papaya]), 7 rhizosphere soil samples, and 7 non-rhizosphere soil samples. Data …

Bioaccumulation Of Trace Metals For Daily Fish Consumption From Selected Former Tin Mining Ponds In Peninsular Malaysia: A Review On Safety Of Fish Consumption, Mohd Hafiz Rosli, Amirul Azuan Md Joni, Nur Khaliesah Abdul Malik

Makara Journal of Science

Tin mining was the predominate mining industry in Malaysia, especially during the mid-19th century. Most of the former mining areas have been reused for aquaculture purposes. Fish produced from former mining areas have been misunderstood as a high health risk if consumed due to their likelihood of containing high heavy metal content in their tissue. Therefore, we review national information on trace metals levels in the tissue of fish from selected former mining ponds in Peninsular Malaysia, together with background concentration of trace metals in their surroundings and food security and human health implications. Seven trace metals (Cu, Zn, As, …

Magnetically Separable Fe3o4/Sio2/Tio2 Photocatalyst Composites Prepared Through Hetero Agglomeration For The Photocatalytic Degradation Of Paraquat, Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi, Adel Fisli, Ridwan Ridwan, Yuni Krisyuningsih Krisnandi, Didier Robert

Makara Journal of Science

A photocatalyst supported on magnetic material allows the simple technique by using an external magnetic material to separate photocatalyst from the treated water. Thus, it is a magnetically separable nanoparticles photocatalyst (MSNP). The use of superparamagnetic nanoparticles that do not pose spontaneous magnetic moment thus could be dispersed in water and can be recollected easily by an external magnetic bar. We prepare Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/TiO₂ composite by hetero agglomeration of Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ and TiO₂ at a pH range of 3 to 6.2 in an aqueous slurry_.The Fe_{3 …}

Agropastoral Systems An Alternative To Revert Pasture Degradation In The Cerrados Of Brazil: Preliminary Results, Manuel C. M. Macedo, J. A. M. Bono, A. H. Zimmer, F. P. Costa, Tsutomu Kanno, Cesar Heraclides Behling Miranda, A. N. Kichel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A long term experiment was set to test the hypothesis that agropastoral systems could improve crop and animal production, being more profitable and sustainable relative to economical, biological and environmental aspects, than continuous and traditional crop and grazing pasture systems. Five farming systems are being tested: two traditional (continuous soybean annual cropping and continuous pasture cropping) and three agropastoral systems (two combinations of four by four years of rotational crop-pasture systems and one by three years of crop-pasture rotation). Animal production in continuous pasture cropping measured as liveweight gain/ha (LWG) are declining along the years in the sub-treatment without fertilizer …

Evaluation Of A Number Of Grass Species For Restoring Degraded Semi-Arid Rangelands In Southern Africa, K. Kellner, S. De Wet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The biophysical environment is an important determinant of land degradation in both commercial and communal land tenure systems in South Africa. According to a recent study on the status of land degradation, approximately 25% of the total land cover in South Africa is degraded. Several technologies exist to restore the soil and vegetation degraded areas in natural pastures. To improve the production and biodiversity potential for agricultural and conservation uses in these rangelands, a common restoration technology includes the cultivation the eroded and compacted soil surfaces by rip- ploughing and the re-vegetation with high productive, palatable and perennial species. Five …

Dynamic Relationship Study Between The Observed Seismicity And Spatiotemporal Pattern Of Lineament Changes In Palghar, North Maharashtra (India), Biswajit Nath, Ramesh P. Singh, Vineet K. Gahalaut, Ajay P. Singh

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The Palghar region (north Maharashtra, India), located in the northwestern part of the stable continental region of India, experienced a low magnitude earthquake swarm, which was initiated in September 2018 and is continuing to date (as of October 2021). From December 2018 to December 2020, ~5000 earthquakes with magnitudes from M1.2 to M3.8 occurred in a small region of 20 × 10 km². These earthquakes were probably triggered by fluid migration during seasonal rainfall. In this study, we have used multi-temporal Landsat satellite data of the year 2000, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020, extracted lineaments, and studied the …

Water-Use Efficiency And Infiltration Under Different Rangeland Conditions And Cultivation In A Semi-Arid Climate Of South Africa, Hennie A. Snyman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of rangeland in different botanical composition classes (good, moderate and poor), on water-use efficiency (WUE: crude protein produced per unit of evapotranspiration) and soilwater content. The same measurements were also made on an undisturbed bare soil surface and soil cultivated twice per annum. Evapotranspiration was determined by quantifying the soil-water balance equation with the aid of runoff plots and soil-water content measurements done by a neutron hydroprobe. Water-use efficiency declined significantly (P ≤ 0.01) with rangeland degradation. Rangeland in good condition averaged a WUE of 0.28 kg crude protein ha …

Community Structure Of Serrated Tussock (Nassella Trichotoma) Infested Grasslands, Warwick B. Badgery, David R. Kemp, D. L. Michalk, W. Mcg. King

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is the most serious perennial grass weed in southeastern Australia, extending over more than a million hectares. Previous control techniques using herbicides and oversowing with competitive pastures are no longer feasible in many of the lower fertility, infested areas. New management solutions need to be found, based upon a better understanding of the ecology of this species. A survey was done to determine the community structure of serrated tussock infested grasslands. Winter growing C3 grasses were closely associated with serrated tussock, while C4 perennial grasses appeared not to be. It is not known if …

Valuing The Pasture Resource - Importance Of Perennials In Higher Rainfall Regions Of South Eastern Australia, P. M. Dowling, R. E. Jones, David R. Kemp, D. L. Michalk

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The premature decline of perennial grass based pastures in southern temperate Australia results in poor productivity and unstable pastures that allow invasion by less desirable weedy species and the potential for soil degradation. The loss of perennial species is attributed to overgrazing arising from an undervaluation of the pasture resource. Resowing pastures is largely uneconomic so maintenance of, or increasing the perennial, is dependent on improved grazing and pasture management practices. A key to changing perceptions is valuing the true worth of the perennial component. Results are presented from a model that takes into account the seasonality of production of …

Using ‘Traps’ (Transect Recording And Processing System) In Woody Weed Control Studies In Australia, P. V. Back

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The ‘TRAPS’ (Transect Recording And Processing System) methodology has proven to be a powerful and versatile tool for studying the effects of various woody weed control strategies in studies carried out in Queensland, Australia. ‘TRAPS’ allows the tracking of individual woody plants even when destructive control techniques such as bulldozing, ploughing and burning are used. This methodology also allows the investigator to discriminate between plants present before any treatment is imposed and plants recruited after the treatment.

Importance Of Haresfoot Clover (Trifolium Arvense) As A Nitrogen Fixer In Semi-Arid Grasslands Of New Zealand, C. C. Boswell, W. L. Lowther, P. R. Espie

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of the study was to determine the distribution of annual haresfoot clover (Trifolium arvense) in a depleted indigenous short tussock grassland catchment in the dry subhumid MacKenzie Basin, South Island, New Zealand. Haresfoot clover was present on all landscapes, and widely distributed on lower sunny aspects, suggesting that it is an important component of the nitrogen cycle in these environments even in the absence of fertiliser application. The study was conducted during an atypically moist summer when a bloom of the annual clover occurred. Nitrogen inputs will vary with landscape and spring/summer rainfall and it is …

The Future For Savanna And Tropical Grasslands: A Latin American Perspective, R. R. Vera

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of the paper is to briefly review the main trends in the tropical lowlands of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with particular emphasis in the neotropical savannas. These tropical native grasslands cover occupy approximately 210 million hectares, and constitute major portions of the territory of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana and Venezuela. Many analysts consider that intensification of their use is a valid alternative to the expansion of the livestock and crop industries into the rainforest.

The evidence reviewed shows that since the late 1980s, the LAC agricultural sector has shown dynamism not seen for many years. Despite …

Ecophysiology And Management Response Of The Subtropical Grasslands Of Southern South America, E. J. Berretta

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The subtropical grasslands of Southern South America (campos) are located approximately in the range of 24° S to 37° S latitude. These grasslands are dominated by C₃ and C₄ grasses, and in a lesser extent to herbaceous plants, shrubs and dispersed trees, with some exceptions in particular regions. Previous to the introduction of large herbivores, at the beginning of the XVII century, like cattle and horses, shrubs and tall grasses dominated the vegetation. Then, associated with greater grazing pressure and partially due to fire, the original campos are maintained, actually in a pseudo-climax herbaceous phase. These native communities …

Goats To Control The Encroachment Of Undesirable Brush And Woody Species In Cattle Pastures, J-M. Luginbuhl, J. T. Green Jr., M. H. Poore, A. C. Conrad

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Field studies were initiated in an abandoned, overgrown 8.4 ha orchard left untouched for 15 years to evaluate the effectiveness of using goats (Capra hircus hircus) to manage undesirable vegetation. Goats alone (G: 30 does/ha) or cattle (Bos taurus) with goats (GC:17 does/ha and 3 steers/ha) were mob-grazed twice a year during four grazing seasons. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.) canopy area decreased from 12 to 2.5 m² in grazed pastures and multiflora rose live canes were 100% in the control, 0% in G, and only 8% in GC at the completion of the …

Herbaceous Vegetation Dynamic After Cut And Burn Shrub Plants In Southern Brazil, A. M. Girardi-Deiro, M. L. Porto, J. Riboldi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A savanna area at "Serra do Sudeste" in southern Brazil, was studied during four years to evaluate the influence of cutting and burning shrub plants on dynamic of herbaceous vegetation. The cover of each species in 44 permanent quadrats (0,25 m²) and in each area (cut and burned) was evaluated. The results suggested that grasses and legumes were favored by cutting shrub plants. Burning favored forbs in the first years after disturbance and retarded the development of native forage species desirable for grazing.

Characterization Of Forage Selected By Cattle On Communal Range In Manhiça, Mozambique, O. Faftine, A. Alage, J. P. Muir

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage selection by 10 cattle herds was observed monthly over 2 years on a communal rangeland. Plants grazed were hand-plucked as representative of both species and plant portions being cropped by cattle. Herds were led to green pasture year-round. Nutrient concentration of species and plant portions selected by cattle indicated adequate crude protein and calcium but phosphorus deficiency during the dry season. Well-drained escarpments and uplands were more important during the rains while upland depressions and the Nkomati valley were essential for adequate forage intake during the dry seasons.

Deforestation For Pasture Development – Has It Been Worth It?, W. H. Burrows

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Differing scenarios leading to deforestation for pasture development in savanna (woodland) and closed forest communities in the tropics – sub-tropics are compared and contrasted. Australian and Brazilian examples are highlighted. No simple answer is given to the question of whether deforestation for pasture development has been worth it, since both commercial and non-commercial values have equal validity and need to be taken into account. These issues are addressed in the context of land assigned by governments for agricultural purposes. It is concluded that technology and ecological understanding are now available to maintain sustainable production from converted forest systems. However emphasis …

Back To The Future – Pastoral Land Use In A Forest Land – Sustainability Challenges For The 21St Century, J. Morgan Williams

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To contribute meaningfully to a session entitled “Deforestation” with a proposed paper title of “Trees in Pastoral Zones; Landuse Standards in the 21^st Century” necessitates I carefully define the scope of my contribution. My paper will draw on my experiences as an ecologist working in the pastoral lands of New Zealand in roles that have led me to delve increasingly into what constitutes sustainability (of people, land and economy) for a tiny multicultural nation maturing amidst the remnants of a unique Gondwanaland ecosystem. As New Zealand’s Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) I now examine a very wide range …

Carbon Accumulation In Soils Under Brachiaria Pastures In The Atlantic Forest Region Of The South Of Bahia, Brazil, R. M. Tarré, R. Macedo, R. B. Cantarutti, C. De P. Rezende, J. M. Pereira, E. Ferreira, B. J. R. Alves, S. Urquiaga, R. M. Boddey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to investigate the change in carbon stocks in soil following deforestation of the Atlantic forest in the South of Bahia State (Brazil) and replacement with productive pastures of Brachiaria humidicola either in monoculture or with the introduction of the forage legume Desmodium ovalifolium. Carbon stocks in the 0-30 cm layer were 44.5 Mg ha^-1 under the original forest and found to be approximately 42 Mg ha^-1 C 10 years later. At this time pastures of B. humidicola with or without the presence of D. ovalifolium were formed and grazed continuously for …