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Diatoms are a type of photosynthetic phytoplankton that can acclimate to the light level of their environment. Diatoms from different habitats exhibit different photoacclimation characteristics; those from relatively low-light intensity habitats present relatively high photosynthetic activity, high light-harvesting pigment (Chla) content, and low xanthophyll content. Conversely, diatoms from high-light intensity environments have lower photosynthetic activity, less Chla content, and efficient xanthophyll cycling. Hence, diatoms can maintain high growth and photosynthetic activity within a wide range of light intensities. Whether the mechanisms of such adaptability are a consequence of biological photoacclimation to different light intensities or interspecific differences is unknown. Here, we show that differences in photoacclimation ability are more significant than species differences. We found similar species compositions in low- and high-light habitats of the Hanjiang River, China; however, there were remarkable differences in rapid light-response curve parameters. The photoacclimation of algae and trends in their photosynthetic activity can be estimated by rapid detection techniques. We isolated three diatom species common to both habitats and grew them under various light intensities, finding that they have an excellent ability to acclimate to local light conditions. Diatoms can use physiological strategies to handle light fluctuations, but only for short periods. Our results provide a theoretical basis for controlling algal blooms through light management. With knowledge of the photoacclimation characteristics of diatoms and according to the availability of local water conservancy facilities, it is possible to use light management to control diatom blooms more efficiently than with conventional techniques, thereby reducing water usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic products are important sources of animal proteins in human diet, especially in developing countries. As such, the safety of aquatic products is of primary concern. In this study, a standard method is used to detect malachite green (MG) and chloramphenicol (CAP) and to analyse the contents of these banned chemicals in turtle, mandarin fish and grass carp sampled from the region surrounding Dongting Lake area in Hunan, China. Results showed that 10.6% of the samples were MG-positive, most of them turtles. CAP was found in 8.3% of the samples, mostly in mandarin fish. These data indicated that these banned substances are still used in the surveyed area. Hence, adequate strategies must be implemented by the local government to control these banned substances. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of boron (B)-permeated goethite on soil B fractionation and the availability of this B fraction to rape seedlings (Brassica napusL.). For this purpose, goethite and two kinds of B-permeated goethite were synthesized and their processes in soil were simulated. Plant availability of B adsorbed or occluded on goethite was investigated with rape seedling. Results found that both ad-B-goethite and oc-B-goethite significantly increased the water soluble B (WS-B), specifically adsorbed B (SPA-B), B occluded in amorphous iron (Fe) and aluminum (A1) oxides (AMO-B) and crystalline Fe and Al oxides (CRO-B) content in the soil, compared with ordinary goethite. Also the B-permeated goethites improved B content of the rape seedling and therefore enhanced the rape shoot and root dry weight. Correlation analysis demonstrated that water soluble B (WS-B) plays the most important role in rape B uptake and accumulation, moreover the specifically adsorbed B (SPA-B), nonspecifically adsorbed B (NSA-B), amorphous Fe and A1 oxides (AMO-B) was also significant correlated with the B content or B accumulation of the rape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rape (Brassica napus L.) seedling pot experiments were performed with a red soil treated with goethite which had boron (B) either adsorbed (ad-B-goethite) or occluded (oc-B-goethite). Soil acidity, different forms of manganese in the soils and different elements content of the rape seedlings were determined. It was found that the addition of boron-containing goethite to the soils resulted in increased rape growth, elevated soil pH and decreased exchangeable acidity. Compared with the control, boron-containing goethite elevated the content of exchangeable manganese (Mn) (EXC-Mn), organic matter bound Mn (OM-Mn), reducible oxide Mn (RO-Mn) and residual Mn (RES-Mn) which were difficult to use for plant. Low labile organic matter was significantly correlated with easily reducible oxide Mn (ERO-Mn) (P < 0.01) and RO-Mn (P < 0.05). Middle organic matter and soil pH was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with RES-Mn. Stepwise regression was used to select the combination of variables that best estimates shoot and root dry weight of rape seedling. Among them, soil pH, EXC-Mn, OM-Mn, RO-Mn and RES-Mn significantly influenced the dry weight of rape seedlings. The addition of boron-containing goethite improved the uptake of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) element and decreased the uptake of Mn and zinc (Zn) element in rape seedling. The results suggested that boron-containing goethite could provide a better soil acidity environment for plant growth; it was also an important agent increasing a part of manganese difficult to use for plant and reducing the activity of soil manganese, which was beneficial to altering rape seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aims of this work are to test whether boron (B) may alleviate soil acidification and aluminum (Al) phytotoxicity to rape (Brassica napus L.) in acidic soil. The Al hydroxide that reacted with borax was called ad-B-Al hydroxide. Point of zero charge (PZC) of Al hydroxide (pH 4.86) was greater than that of ad-B-Al hydroxide (pH 4.68). Compared with the control, ad-B-Al hydroxide raised the soil pH significantly by 0.10 pH units. Rape was planted in the control soil, the soil treated with Al hydroxide, and the soil treated with ad-B-Al hydroxide. It was found that the B content of the soil and rape seedlings grown on the soil treated with ad-B-Al hydroxide was greater than the others. Biomass production of rape seedlings grown in the soil treated with ad-B-Al hydroxide was significantly increased compared to that in the others. These demonstrated that ad-B-Al hydroxide can be an important source of B for plants and alleviate acidity of acidic soils because it can decrease exchangeable acid and Al toxicity in soil significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine plant availability of boron (B) and relaxation of soil acid to rape seedling exhibited by B-doped goethite in acidic soil. For this purpose, two kinds of B-doped goethite were synthesized: one was goethite with adsorbed B prepared by reacting goethite with borax solution, and the other was goethite with occluded B by synthesizing goethite in the presence of boric acid. The reaction process in soil-like natural minerals of the B-doped goethite was simulated in a rhizobox culture system. Results showed that the B-doped goethite can provide available B for rape growth. Its addition on acidic soil can alleviate soil acidification by increasing soil pH and decreasing soil exchangeable acid. The observation that nutrient uptake was improved supports the view that the B-doped goethite improved soil quality, as also proved by the increase of root morphology and dry weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]