Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) is a general term used to indicate non-gaseous reduced phosphorus compounds that are transformed into phosphine gas upon reaction with bases or acids. Antarctic seabird guanos and ornith...Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) is a general term used to indicate non-gaseous reduced phosphorus compounds that are transformed into phosphine gas upon reaction with bases or acids. Antarctic seabird guanos and ornithogenic soils were used as materials to compare the different digestion methods for transforming matrix-bound phosphine into phosphine gas. The results demonstrated that more phosphine gas in most of Antarctic environmental materials was formed of matrix-bound phosphine by caustic digestion than by acidic digestion. The comparative study on different digestion methods also revealed that the fraction of MBP converted to gaseous phosphine during the digestion depended on the temperature. The optimal digestion temperature was close to 70℃and the optimal digestion time was about 20 min. Acidic conditions were more favorable for the release of matrix-bound phosphine compared to the neutral conditions. A proper water dilution can increase the production and emission of phosphine from the Antarctic penguin guanos.展开更多
Abstract: Organic carbon isotopes in sediments have been frequently used to identify the source of organic matter. Here we present a study of organic δ13C on two sediment profiles influenced by guano from Guangjin a...Abstract: Organic carbon isotopes in sediments have been frequently used to identify the source of organic matter. Here we present a study of organic δ13C on two sediment profiles influenced by guano from Guangjin and Jinqing islands in the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea. Organic matter from ornithogenic coral sand sediments has two main sources, guano pellets and plant residues, and their organic δ13C (δ13CoM) are significantly different. Organic carbon δ13Cguano is much higher than δ13Cplant, and δ13CoM of bulk samples is intermediate. Based on a two-end-member mixing model, the proportions of guano- and plant-derived organic matter in the bulk samples were reconstructed quantitatively. The results showed that seabirds began to inhabit the islands around approximately 1200-1400 AD, and that guano pellets have been an important source of soil organic matter since then. With the accumulation of guano-derived nutrients, plants began to develop prosperously on the islands in the last 200 years, which is reflected by the significant increase of plant-derived organic matter in the upper sediment layer. However, guano-derived organic matter decreased greatly in recent decades, indicating a rapid decrease in seabird population. Our results show that organic 6~3C can be effectively used to quantitatively determine different source contributions of OM to bulk ornithogenic coral sand sediments.展开更多
In this study, we report Monopis crocicapitella (Clemens, 1859) (Tineidae), which was collected from bat guano in a cave in the southern region of Korea, for the first time from East Asia. We briefly redescribe an...In this study, we report Monopis crocicapitella (Clemens, 1859) (Tineidae), which was collected from bat guano in a cave in the southern region of Korea, for the first time from East Asia. We briefly redescribe and illustrate the external morphology and genital structures of both sexes. Also, we discuss the local habitat characteristics and some of the ecological information that was observed during our field investi-gation.展开更多
Bat guano from six different karst caves in Slovenia was screened by PCR for the presence of Geomyces destructans [1]. Two identical DNA sequences from guano heaps in two of the caves with recent bat droppings were re...Bat guano from six different karst caves in Slovenia was screened by PCR for the presence of Geomyces destructans [1]. Two identical DNA sequences from guano heaps in two of the caves with recent bat droppings were retrieved. These sequences were closely related to several unidentified Geomyces clones and to pathogenic G. destructans, but definitive identification remained elusive. Despite the presence of Geomyces species, thus far there has been no report of Whitenose syndrome (WNS) symptoms in bats in Slovenia. Overall physical and chemical conditions in guano, particularly in large guano heaps, offer a suitable environment which might serve as a reservoir for pathogenic Geomyces strains and could represent a permanent reservoir for in situ infection of bats. Screening of guano and analysis of more data related to guano ecology could lend clues to control WNS outbreaks and mortality linked to G. destructans.展开更多
In recent decades, polar regions of the planet have witnessed an increase in human presence. Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine regions of the world, but it could be affected by pollution owing to anthr...In recent decades, polar regions of the planet have witnessed an increase in human presence. Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine regions of the world, but it could be affected by pollution owing to anthropogenic activities, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula. Human presence can increase the levels of some trace metals in Antarctic environments, an issue that needs to be evaluated. To acquire data of trace metal contamination in the Antarctic Peninsula region, concentrations (dry weight) of Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Hg and Zn in fresh excrement of Ad61ie penguins were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. During the 2012/2013 austral summer, samples were collected from four important nesting sites on the Antarctic Peninsula: Arctowski Base, Kopaitic Island (both sites in the northern Antarctic Peninsula), Yalour Island and Avian Island (both sites in the southern Antarctic Peninsula). Data showed that Ad61ie penguin excreta had significantly higher levels (mg.kg~) of As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Cu at Arctowski Base and Kopaitic Island, both sites that have major anthropogenic activities that probably contributed to increased metal levels. The levels of trace metals in Ad61ie penguins were similar to those reported in excreta of Antarctic species in previous studies, and lower than those in excreta of other Antarctic animals. Data suggest that metals ingested by these penguin species that feed in the sea, end up in terrestrial ecosystems.展开更多
Bats play crucial ecosystem services as seed dispersers,pollinators,controllers of insects,and nutrient recyclers.However,there has not been a thorough global review evaluating these roles in bats across all biogeogra...Bats play crucial ecosystem services as seed dispersers,pollinators,controllers of insects,and nutrient recyclers.However,there has not been a thorough global review evaluating these roles in bats across all biogeographical regions of the world.We reviewed the literature published during the last two decades and identified 283 relevant studies:78 dealt with the control of potential insect pests by bats,80 related to the suppression of other arthropods,60 on the dispersal of native or endemic seeds,11 dealt with the dispersal of seeds of introduced plants,29 on the pollination of native or endemic plants,1 study on pollination of introduced plants,and 24 on the use of guano as fertilizer.Our literature search showed that queries combining the terms“seed dispersal,”“insectivorous bats,”“nectarivorous bats,”“use of guano,”and“ecosystem services”returned 577 studies,but half were experimental in nature.We found that the evaluation of ecosystem services by bats has been mostly conducted in the Neotropical and Palearctic regions.To detect differences across relevant studies,and to explain trends in the study of ecosystem services provided by bats,we performed generalized linear mixed models(GLMM)fitted with a Poisson distribution to analyze potential differences among sampling methods.We identified 409 bat species that provide ecosystem services,752 insect species consumed by bats and 549 plant species either dispersed or pollinated by bats.Our review summarizes the importance of conserving bat populations and the ecological services they provide,which is especially important during the current pandemic.展开更多
In Antarctica, the marine ecosystem is dynamically interrelated with the terrestrial ecosystem. An example of the link between these two ecosystems is the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. Bio- vectors, such as peng...In Antarctica, the marine ecosystem is dynamically interrelated with the terrestrial ecosystem. An example of the link between these two ecosystems is the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. Bio- vectors, such as penguins, transport phosphorus from sea to land, play a key role in this cycle. In this paper, we selected three colonies of penguins, the most important seabirds in Antarctica, and computed the annual quantity of phosphorus transferred from sea to land by these birds. Our results show that adult penguins from colonies at Ardley Island, the Vestfold Hills, and Ross Island could transfer phosphorus in the form of guano at up to 12 349, 167 036, and 97 841 kg/a, respectively, over their breeding period. These quantities are equivalent to an annual input of 3.96× 10^9-1.63 × 10^10 kg of seawater to the land of Antarctica. Finally, we discuss the impact of phosphorus on the ice-flee areas of the Antarctica.展开更多
Two are the critical factors in the commercial production of ornamental plants: the substrate and the fertilization method, since the "sustainable floriculture" discourages the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers...Two are the critical factors in the commercial production of ornamental plants: the substrate and the fertilization method, since the "sustainable floriculture" discourages the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and peat-based substrates. The aim of this paper was to test a peat/compost based substrate and a guano + mycorrhizal inoculum fertilizer mixture, in order to obtain a sustainable quality yield of geranium plants. Geranium cuttings (Pelargonium zonale cv. real polaris and Pelargonium grandiflorum cv. lotus) were grown for two months in a glasshouse. Peat, in the growing substrate, was replaced with high quality compost (20% and 40% as reduction percentages). The fertilizer mixture was made up of guano (3 g/L) and mycorrhizal inoculum (7.5 L/m^3). Plants of Pelargonium cv. Real polaris, grown on a substrate made up of peat and 20% of high quality compost, presented the better trade features, so to satisfy the "sustainable floriculture" need.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Sci-ence Foundation of China (No. 40676005)
文摘Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) is a general term used to indicate non-gaseous reduced phosphorus compounds that are transformed into phosphine gas upon reaction with bases or acids. Antarctic seabird guanos and ornithogenic soils were used as materials to compare the different digestion methods for transforming matrix-bound phosphine into phosphine gas. The results demonstrated that more phosphine gas in most of Antarctic environmental materials was formed of matrix-bound phosphine by caustic digestion than by acidic digestion. The comparative study on different digestion methods also revealed that the fraction of MBP converted to gaseous phosphine during the digestion depended on the temperature. The optimal digestion temperature was close to 70℃and the optimal digestion time was about 20 min. Acidic conditions were more favorable for the release of matrix-bound phosphine compared to the neutral conditions. A proper water dilution can increase the production and emission of phosphine from the Antarctic penguin guanos.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41376124,41402148 and 41076123)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(JZ2017HGTB0201)
文摘Abstract: Organic carbon isotopes in sediments have been frequently used to identify the source of organic matter. Here we present a study of organic δ13C on two sediment profiles influenced by guano from Guangjin and Jinqing islands in the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea. Organic matter from ornithogenic coral sand sediments has two main sources, guano pellets and plant residues, and their organic δ13C (δ13CoM) are significantly different. Organic carbon δ13Cguano is much higher than δ13Cplant, and δ13CoM of bulk samples is intermediate. Based on a two-end-member mixing model, the proportions of guano- and plant-derived organic matter in the bulk samples were reconstructed quantitatively. The results showed that seabirds began to inhabit the islands around approximately 1200-1400 AD, and that guano pellets have been an important source of soil organic matter since then. With the accumulation of guano-derived nutrients, plants began to develop prosperously on the islands in the last 200 years, which is reflected by the significant increase of plant-derived organic matter in the upper sediment layer. However, guano-derived organic matter decreased greatly in recent decades, indicating a rapid decrease in seabird population. Our results show that organic 6~3C can be effectively used to quantitatively determine different source contributions of OM to bulk ornithogenic coral sand sediments.
基金supported by National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Korea Forest Service(Forest Science&Technology Projects,Project No.S121213L110110)
文摘In this study, we report Monopis crocicapitella (Clemens, 1859) (Tineidae), which was collected from bat guano in a cave in the southern region of Korea, for the first time from East Asia. We briefly redescribe and illustrate the external morphology and genital structures of both sexes. Also, we discuss the local habitat characteristics and some of the ecological information that was observed during our field investi-gation.
文摘Bat guano from six different karst caves in Slovenia was screened by PCR for the presence of Geomyces destructans [1]. Two identical DNA sequences from guano heaps in two of the caves with recent bat droppings were retrieved. These sequences were closely related to several unidentified Geomyces clones and to pathogenic G. destructans, but definitive identification remained elusive. Despite the presence of Geomyces species, thus far there has been no report of Whitenose syndrome (WNS) symptoms in bats in Slovenia. Overall physical and chemical conditions in guano, particularly in large guano heaps, offer a suitable environment which might serve as a reservoir for pathogenic Geomyces strains and could represent a permanent reservoir for in situ infection of bats. Screening of guano and analysis of more data related to guano ecology could lend clues to control WNS outbreaks and mortality linked to G. destructans.
基金supported by project INACH T 1809project FONDECYT 1140466project INACH RG 09-14
文摘In recent decades, polar regions of the planet have witnessed an increase in human presence. Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine regions of the world, but it could be affected by pollution owing to anthropogenic activities, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula. Human presence can increase the levels of some trace metals in Antarctic environments, an issue that needs to be evaluated. To acquire data of trace metal contamination in the Antarctic Peninsula region, concentrations (dry weight) of Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Hg and Zn in fresh excrement of Ad61ie penguins were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. During the 2012/2013 austral summer, samples were collected from four important nesting sites on the Antarctic Peninsula: Arctowski Base, Kopaitic Island (both sites in the northern Antarctic Peninsula), Yalour Island and Avian Island (both sites in the southern Antarctic Peninsula). Data showed that Ad61ie penguin excreta had significantly higher levels (mg.kg~) of As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Cu at Arctowski Base and Kopaitic Island, both sites that have major anthropogenic activities that probably contributed to increased metal levels. The levels of trace metals in Ad61ie penguins were similar to those reported in excreta of Antarctic species in previous studies, and lower than those in excreta of other Antarctic animals. Data suggest that metals ingested by these penguin species that feed in the sea, end up in terrestrial ecosystems.
基金support (doctoral scholarships) during the development ofthis review.
文摘Bats play crucial ecosystem services as seed dispersers,pollinators,controllers of insects,and nutrient recyclers.However,there has not been a thorough global review evaluating these roles in bats across all biogeographical regions of the world.We reviewed the literature published during the last two decades and identified 283 relevant studies:78 dealt with the control of potential insect pests by bats,80 related to the suppression of other arthropods,60 on the dispersal of native or endemic seeds,11 dealt with the dispersal of seeds of introduced plants,29 on the pollination of native or endemic plants,1 study on pollination of introduced plants,and 24 on the use of guano as fertilizer.Our literature search showed that queries combining the terms“seed dispersal,”“insectivorous bats,”“nectarivorous bats,”“use of guano,”and“ecosystem services”returned 577 studies,but half were experimental in nature.We found that the evaluation of ecosystem services by bats has been mostly conducted in the Neotropical and Palearctic regions.To detect differences across relevant studies,and to explain trends in the study of ecosystem services provided by bats,we performed generalized linear mixed models(GLMM)fitted with a Poisson distribution to analyze potential differences among sampling methods.We identified 409 bat species that provide ecosystem services,752 insect species consumed by bats and 549 plant species either dispersed or pollinated by bats.Our review summarizes the importance of conserving bat populations and the ecological services they provide,which is especially important during the current pandemic.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.40730107,41106162)the Chinese Polar Environment Comprehensive Investigation and Assessment Programs(Nos.CHINARE 2014-04-01,CHINARE 2014-02-01,CHINARE 2014-04-04)the Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of China(No.20103402110023)
文摘In Antarctica, the marine ecosystem is dynamically interrelated with the terrestrial ecosystem. An example of the link between these two ecosystems is the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. Bio- vectors, such as penguins, transport phosphorus from sea to land, play a key role in this cycle. In this paper, we selected three colonies of penguins, the most important seabirds in Antarctica, and computed the annual quantity of phosphorus transferred from sea to land by these birds. Our results show that adult penguins from colonies at Ardley Island, the Vestfold Hills, and Ross Island could transfer phosphorus in the form of guano at up to 12 349, 167 036, and 97 841 kg/a, respectively, over their breeding period. These quantities are equivalent to an annual input of 3.96× 10^9-1.63 × 10^10 kg of seawater to the land of Antarctica. Finally, we discuss the impact of phosphorus on the ice-flee areas of the Antarctica.
文摘Two are the critical factors in the commercial production of ornamental plants: the substrate and the fertilization method, since the "sustainable floriculture" discourages the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and peat-based substrates. The aim of this paper was to test a peat/compost based substrate and a guano + mycorrhizal inoculum fertilizer mixture, in order to obtain a sustainable quality yield of geranium plants. Geranium cuttings (Pelargonium zonale cv. real polaris and Pelargonium grandiflorum cv. lotus) were grown for two months in a glasshouse. Peat, in the growing substrate, was replaced with high quality compost (20% and 40% as reduction percentages). The fertilizer mixture was made up of guano (3 g/L) and mycorrhizal inoculum (7.5 L/m^3). Plants of Pelargonium cv. Real polaris, grown on a substrate made up of peat and 20% of high quality compost, presented the better trade features, so to satisfy the "sustainable floriculture" need.