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the-lonelyshepherd · 1 month ago

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wrote up a whole thing on salmon for my friend @wherethatoldtraingoes2 so figured i would share. keep in mind there might be inaccuracies this is all straight from my evil twisted mind

so before we get into the history of salmon farming, we gotta look at 18th century and talk about a man named robert bakewell so bakewell was an english farmer who changed the way people bred livestock by introducing selective breeding with sheep before bakewell, most farmers just let animals breed however they wanted but bakewell realized that if he picked the best animals to breed, he could create sheep that were bigger, had more meat, and better wool his methods completely changed farming and became the basis for modern animal breeding eventually, these ideas found their way to fish farming, particularly in norway, where salmon farmers took bakewell’s selective breeding techniques and applied them to salmon by controlling which fish were allowed to breed and in what conditions, norwegian farmers were able to produce salmon that grew faster and were more suited to farming environments than wild salmon it was all about efficiency—creating more fish in less time with fewer resources and in many ways they pulled it off, just like bakewell did with his sheep righr

salmon farming as we know it really started to take off in the 1970s, though the practice itself stretches back centuries, if not millennia, to indigenous peoples in the pacific northwest who had been managing salmon runs long before the arrival of european settlers!!!! but the industrial scale farming that now dominates the industry was born in norway, where the cold, clean waters and deep fjords provided the ideal environment for salmon aquaculture (yayyy)

norwegian scientists and entrepreneurs began experimenting with breeding salmon in captivity after the collapse of wild fisheries due to overfishing and pollution . the reason it worked better than the sheep is simply bc salmon reproduce so fast and have so many babies compared to like sheep or cows so the advances in efficiency happened way faster and with way more strains of salmon to choose from. rught so during the 20th century they developed methods to breed and raise salmon in ocean pens, which allowed them to mass-produce fish to meet growing demand by the 1980s, salmon farming had spread to scotland, canada, and chile (current second biggest producer i think) creating a global industry that produced millions of tons of fish every year by the 1990s, the boom had begun, and salmon farming was celebrated as a solution to the world's hunger for fish without further depleting already strained wild populations

but the expansion of salmon farms has come with a slew of environmental and social consequences the dense concentration of fish in the pens creates an ideal breeding ground for DIESEASESSSSS, parasites, and pollution …. sea lice infestations are one of the most notorious problems cause they often spread to wild salmon passing near the farms, weakening the wild fish populations that are already vulnerable due to habitat loss and climate change etc etc etc we’re overdeveloping our waterways that salmon have relied on for FOREVER. salmon farms also release vast amounts of waste into the surrounding waters like uneaten food, feces, and chemicals used to treat diseases so this can lead to eutrophication which js a process where excess nutrients in the water create algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels, harming local ecosystems and killing off marine life :(( oh and the feed used for farmed salmon often relies on wild-caught fish like anchovies and sardines, which means that farming salmon doesn't actually reduce pressure on wild fish stocks—it just shifts the burden to other species!! crazy!!!

then there's the issue of escapees in rough weather or when nets tear, so farmed salmon can escape from their pens and mingle with wild populations in places like norway and canada, these farmed fish can interbreed with wild salmon, diluting the genetic pool and making the wild fish less fit for survival cause the farmed salmon are bred to grow quickly and resist diseases, but in the wild, they can disrupt the delicate balance of local ecosystems bc they compete with native species for food and spawning grounds in some places, like chile i think. farmed salmon are an entirely non-native species, and their escape has led to the establishment of feral populations that are altering local food chains because farmed salmon are literally like a whole speetare thing at this point compared to wild salmon

then there there are human costs too cause rise of industrial salmon farming has displaced small-scale fishers and indigenous people who relied on wild salmon runs for their livelihoods in places like alaska and scotland, fishing communities that once thrived on the seasonal rhythm of wild salmon harvests now find themselves sidelined by multinational corporations that control the aquaculture industry the sheer scale of salmon farming has made it difficult for wild-caught fish to compete in the marketplace cause farmed salmon are cheaper to produce and can be sold year-round, while wild salmon are seasonal and much more expensive to catch for obvious reasons. this shift transformed the global salmon market and altered the cultural significance of the fish in many regions where salmon fishing was once a way of life,,, leaving places feeling. placeless

so rn salmon farming produces more than two-thirds of the world's salmon consumption im pretty sure BUT it remains a highly controversial industry while some see it as a necessary response to the growing global demand for protein, others view it as an unsustainable practice that is wreaking havoc on both the environment and traditional fishing communities as well as like there was some stuff about health problemss . is that good . yayy. slaamon

#shep speaks #shep talks fish #salmon

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thisvisionofmyspirit · 1 month ago

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This is the same anon who sent the ask about leather that was longer than I realized! I wanted to thank you for reading all of that and being kind about it, and I hope that it didn't seem judgmental or anything like that. Getting tone to come across correctly with just text can be difficult! Also I really hope it didn't seem like I was suggesting that you blamed poor people for pleather, or that I blame people for that either, because of course income can be a huge barrier for people when they are making purchase choices, and I didn't think that you were trying to fault individuals for that. I don't mean this to seem argumentative either, just sharing some information.

That is absolutely also true that something that happens to be free from animals doesn't automatically mean that it is safe or environmentally friendly, especially looking at something like palm oil and the harm it causes (many vegans also avoid palm oil for that reason actually), and I don't like seeing false or exaggerated claims about that either, it is just that there is also a lot of misinformation about vegan and plant-based products that frames those as bad even when it isn't backed up by evidence, and there are some people who put blame on vegans specifically for failings in those products, when, realistically, it isn't possible for anyone to live in a way that has zero impact on the world, but even though plant-based and vegan lifestyles have significantly less of an environmental impact, they still get a lot of blame for not being able to live perfectly. But I do think it is understandable that people who aren't vegan aren't going to be as exposed to as much information about vegan and plant-based products and the environmental impact of those things simply because they aren't as involved with plant-based products and the research being done.

Also, in your reply to my ask, you brought up plant milks like almond and soy, and I can't send links over ask, but there is a really good article from Our World in Data titled "Dairy vs. plant-based milk: what are the environmental impacts?" that has a chart showing the comparison of land use, greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater use, and eutrophication of different kinds of plant milks versus dairy, and it does show that dairy is shockingly worse than even the most damaging of plant milks, and like with almond milk you mentioned, it does use a concerning amount of freshwater, but the amount of water used is nearly half that of dairy, (though I do still think it is important that people try to lessen their impact even when choosing the less harmful options). That particular article also has information about deforestation in the Amazon and how the soy being grown there is largely used for animal feed for livestock animals, rather than being the soy that is most used for humans. The article includes sources for the information from reputable organizations so a person can do further research on it.

If you are interested to learn more about the environmental and human impact of leather, here are some studies that you should be able to find easily by searching for the titles :

Pollution and environmental impact of leather production

• "Leather tanning: Life cycle assessment of retanning, fatliquoring and dyeing" Website: Science Direct

• "Measuring the Environmental Footprint of Leather Processing Technologies" Website: ResearchGate

• "Treatment of leather industrial effluents by filtration and coagulation processes" Website: Science Direct

Environmental impact of raising animals to slaughter weight before they are skinned

• "Half of the world’s habitable land is used for agriculture: More than three-quarters of global agricultural land is used for livestock, despite meat and dairy making up a much smaller share of the world's protein and calories." Website: Our World in Data

• "A Global Assessment of the Water Footprint of Farm Animal Products" Website: Springer Link

• "Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods" Website: Nature Journal

• "Livestock – Climate Change’s Forgotten Sector: Global Public Opinion on Meat and Dairy Consumption" Website: Chatham House

Health hazards to humans in leather tanning

• "Occupational cancers in leather tanning industries: A short review" Website: National Institutes of Health

• "Occupational health risks among the workers employed in leather tanneries at Kanpur" Website: National Institutes of Health

Health hazards to humans in slaughterhouses

• "Workers in the animal slaughtering and processing industry have higher incidence rates of injury or illness than the overall average for private industry workers" Website: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

• "The Psychological Impact of Slaughterhouse Employment: A Systematic Literature Review" Website: National Institutes of Health

• "Respiratory Disorders Among Workers in Slaughterhouses" Website: National Institutes of Health

This really isn't to try to portray pleather as being faultless either though, only showing it in comparison to leather, but using neither or purchasing second-hand is definitely best whenever possible if a person does need something made from leather or pleather.

Thanks again for all the info and the sources! And sorry if I appeared defensive in my first reply. I didn't feel attacked in any way by your tone. The continued attack on consumers - as opposed to corporations - is a much bigger pet peeve of mine so I wanted to make sure whoever read my reply knew that I agree.

I'll definitely check these out!

#veganism #leather vs pleather

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cookie-nom-nom · 3 months ago

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The Impacts of Agricultural Practices on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

By popular demand (one single person) I present a semster's worth of research into the scientific uncertainty surrounding Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as pertaining to agriculture because oh boy. is there some uncertainty. Which is a boring way of saying the world is ripe with potential and the mycology is a blossoming field of research! Yippee!

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have potential to increase the efficiency of modern agricultural practices due to its beneficial impacts on crops. AMF are a broad category of fungi species that live in the soil and connect to the roots of plants, forming symbiotic relationships between them and other plants connected through the mycelium network. Due to their fine mycelium and ability to extract nutrients from inorganic compounds, AMF can access nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil and exchange it with for carbon compounds generated in photosynthesis by their plant hosts (Hodge and Storer 2014). This can provide crucial, often limiting nutrients to crops which otherwise deplete the nutrients in the soil with each harvest. AMF have also been found to increase plant resistance to pathogens, drought, or salinity (Cheng et al. 2023; Buysens, de Boulois, and Declerck 2014). However, the benefits of AMF to crops vary wildly, and in the wrong conditions AMF can become parasitic to their hosts (Hodge and Storer 2014). The complexity of AMF networks makes it difficult to ascertain their impacts, with variables such as available nutrients, soil conditions, or species involved in the symbiosis changing the results of studies. One component of addressing its potential use comes from examining how current farming practices impact the effectiveness of AMF for agriculture and the uncertainty obfuscating it.

Nutrients

Modern agriculture depends on ample fertilizer use to maintain yield output, which has heavy environmental costs, from excess nutrients causing eutrophication, to being carcinogenic and potentially radioactive, to the damage from mining and processing phosphate (Lubkowski 2016). One of the main advantages of AMF symbiosis is increased access to nutrients for the crop hosts, thus positioning it as a potential alternate source of nutrients. Understanding both the impact of fertilizers on AMF networks and how they compare in enriching crops is crucial when considering the potential of AMF in agriculture.

Over time, conventional fertilizers' usage greatly decreased the diversity of AMF species and their impact on crops (Oehl et al. 2004; Wang et al. 2018; Peng et al. 2023). Organic fertilizers resulted in nearly double the amount of AMF species compared to the plots using artificial fertilizers (Oehl et al. 2004). The composition of the fungal species was also different, with the species prevalent under organic farming more closely resembling those of a natural ecosystem. Furthermore, the dominant AMF species under long term, high intensity artificial fertilizer were less beneficial to crops (Peng et al. 2023). Potentially less efficient AMF species were selected for by high input farming as the crop would trade for phosphorous less readily due to the abundance from the fertilizer (Oehl et al. 2004). Less diversity in AMF resulted in decreased benefits to crops, suggesting that farming techniques that increase the diversity of AMF will be more beneficial to farmers (Oehl et al. 2004; Wang et al. 2018). However, Peng et al. found that the lower AMF diversity in fertilized fields did not cause lower crop yield, but did find increased soil stability and nutrient cycling (2023). As it was the diversity of the AMF being measured, the diverse and partially conflicting results are logical because of the different AMF species and dynamics present in each study. AMF diversity appeared to relate to multiple but inconsistent positive effects for agriculture and was clearly harmed by the use of conventional fertilizers.

Fertilizer negatively impacted the root colonization of AMF (Oehl et al. 2004; Sheng et al. 2012; Peng et al. 2023). Cultures taken from organic farming plots had a higher chance of inoculation and faster root colonization compared to traditional fertilizer use (Oehl et al. 2004). AMF species that quickly and more fully colonize roots would be highly valuable in modern agriculture, which prioritizes annual plants and thus would need to quickly renew relationships with AMF networks in order to benefit from the symbiosis. Potentially the particular species predominate under organic farming was well suited to swift colonization of the crops used. Alternatively, the diversity of the AMF species may have been the cause due to an increased chance of having a fungal species suited to the crop species. More testing is necessary to ascertain which variable has the greatest impact on root colonization.

Other indicators of fertilizer impact on AMF growth were not so clear-cut, as hyphal and spore density had conflicting responses to long-term fertilizer use. Sheng et al. posited that the limited benefits of AMF in fertilized fields could be attributed to added phosphorus causing limited hyphal growth in the top layers of soil, reducing the amount of root connections with crops (2012). However, Peng et al. found that hyphal length density increased with the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus in tandem but having neutral impact separately (2023). Potentially the negative impact Sheng et al. noted was influenced by a lack of nitrogen, but that would not fully explain the anathema results. Additionally, in two experiments fertilizer increased the spore density, potentially due to the fungi being in unfavorable conditions and consequently switching from an emphasis on hyphal growth to spores to increase their long-term survival (Sheng et al. 2012; Peng et al. 2023). In contrast, Oehl et al. found a decreased abundance of spores in fertilized fields (2004). The reason for the stark contrast in results is unclear, and could be contributed to different crop species, duration of studies, soil characteristics, or any other plethora of variables that without further study will not be elucidated.

Soil Organic Matter (OM) also influenced the relationship between AMF, fertilizer, and harvest due to influencing the amount of nutrients available to plants. The benefit of fertilizer on inoculated raspberries was significantly less pronounced in high OM environments, where the weight of berries had a negative relation to the amount of fertilizer (Chen et al. 2022). In low nutrient conditions with low OM and fertilizer usage, inoculated raspberries had small berries, potentially due to the host and fungi competing for limited nutrients. A similar trend was found with the fruit set, or percentage of flowers that produced berries. In an inoculated field with low OM, fertilizer increased the fruit set but in high OM it decreased (Chen et al. 2022). Furthermore, the highest fruit set belonged to an inoculated field with high OM and no fertilizer. Therefore, there is likely a limited range of available nutrients (whether from OM or fertilizers) wherein AMF are beneficial to crops, suggesting that future experiments concerning AMF and fertilizer must take pre-existing soil nutrients into consideration. Further testing is required to determine the optimal combination of OM and fertilizers to achieve the benefits of AMF, because as of yet the impact of nutrients on AMF networks is still not fully understood.

Crops

The AMF represent only one half of the symbiotic relationship, and so the hosts available to them greatly determine the impact of AMF. The harmful effects of annual monocultures are well established, resulting in decreased biodiversity and nutrient loss that could negatively impact AMF networks (Crews, Carton, and Olsson 2018). The prevalence of monocultures in modern agriculture raises the question of how the limited selection of hosts impacts AMF networks.

Crop diversity is clearly linked to AMF diversity. Oehl et al. suggested that the seven- year crop rotation method used in their experiment contributed to the high diversity of species, as they had more similar numbers of species in wild grasslands than is found in cropland that utilizes the same monoculture every year (2004). Intercropping systems were likewise found to sustain richer and more diverse AMF communities than monocultures (Lu 2018; Cheng et al. 2023). It is likely that the variety of the hosts provides a variety of symbiosis opportunities for differently adapted AMF species to bond with, thus increasing the AMF diversity and richness.

But as previously discussed, AMF diversity is not a clear indicator of benefit. Crop diversity may benefit AMF networks, but farmers are more interested in how that impacts crops. Intercropping results in a significant increase in yield compared to monocultures, known as over yielding. Cheng et al. found a positive correlation between intercrop yield and AMF diversity, though Wang et al. clarified that not all inoculated crop species in an intercrop system experienced an increased yield, further cementing how varied AMF-crop interactions are (2023; 2018). Lu hypothesized that the AMF nutrient transfers explained over yielding in intercropping system but due to confounding variables it was difficult to ascertain (2018). Notably, the yield benefits of intercropping were diminished in fields with high amounts of phosphorus from added fertilizer (Wang et al. 2018). Combined with the theory that less beneficial AMF were selected for in fertilized fields, the success of intercropping beneath conditions favorable to AMF suggests AMF could be a contributing factor to the over yielding phenomena found in intercropping and thus practice that support AMF are vital to intercrop systems (Oehl et al. 2004; Peng et al. 2023).

Annual crops dominate modern agriculture and thus their relationships with AMF are valuable to examine. The disruption of the soil from the tillage necessary for annual crops results in severe soil and nutrient erosion in a way that is unsustainable (Crews, Carton, and Olsson 2018). Tillage has a harmful impact on AMF due to severing the mycelium networks, so the practices associated with annual crops are already known to harm AMF communities due to severing mycelial networks and causing changes in nutrients (Peng et al. 2023; Sheng et al. 2012). Periods of bare soil between yearly annuals and destruction of weeds result in stretches of time when AMF have reduced host possibilities. Overall, the associated farming techniques used for annuals are not beneficial to AMF.

Annual crops also face the added complication of new plants having to re-establish their symbiosis with AMF. Due to the lag in benefit from AMF, short-lived plants may be less likely to invest in a symbiotic relationship with them. Perennial legumes with AMF networks had more growth than annual species, with increased nitrogen and phosphorous given to the crops (Primieri et al. 2021). It was possible the AMF reinvested in perennials over and over because they have proven to be good symbionts, whereas there was a time lag in reinvesting in a new year of annuals. Therefor agriculturalists using perennials may have even more investment in using practices that compliment AMF as they have an increased impact. However, the study’s results should be treated with caution as the perennial crop was an undomesticated crop species due to farming crops being mostly annuals and comparisons show that domesticated species can be less able to support AMF (Primieri et al. 2021). Because species react differently to AMF symbiosis, studies between annual and perennials were difficult to construct. However, combined with the associated practices of tilling and periods with decreased access to hosts, it is likely that AMF is more helpful to farmers in perennial systems. Though there is some uncertainty, the consensus of research is that perennial and diverse crops have more beneficial symbiotic relationships with AMF.

Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fungicides oh my!

Conventional farming heavily relies on utilization of hazardous chemicals to kill organisms that pose threats to crops, be they rivalrous weeds, hungry herbivores, or fungi plagues. While pesticides seek to target specific species or groups, the introduction of toxins in the environment often has unintended side effects that could be influencing mycorrhizal networks. Studies conflict greatly whether pesticides help or hinder AMF, in part thanks to the plethora of confounding variables involved.

The species involved in the system are a large factor in the effect pesticides have on AMF. Different AMF species have various methods of dealing with toxins in their environment, such as compartmentalization, producing protective molecules, and transporting pollutants (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Therefore, the response an AMF network has to pesticides will depend on the predominant fungal strains. As AMF are in symbiosis with plants, their species are also relevant. The application of herbicides to weeds limits the number of hosts the AMF are able to rely on. However, in some studies the AMF were able to recover after a few weeks, though their ability to do so was dependent on the crop species they were partnered with (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Other studies even found herbicides had a neutral or positive impact on AMF. Soil bacteria that associate with AMF can also vary in quantity and quality within the same field, especially species that biodegrade pesticides and influence their persistence (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Due to AMF being symbiotic networks, the species at play, be they fungal, plant, or bacteria, can all highly influence how the system responds to pesticide disturbances.

Fungicides potentially pose a threat to AMF due to being designed to target fungi. At IC50 threshold to control a fungal pest, three fungicides had no impact on AMF except for flutolanil decreasing root colonization (Buysens, de Boulois, and Declerck 2014). Pencycuron had no effect on AMF at threshold concentrations and was contact based compared to the other tested fungicides, which were systemic and infiltrated the body of the plant (Buysens, de Boulois, and Declerck 2014; McGrath 2004). Potentially the integration of flurolanil in the host plant made it more hazardous for AMF. Alternatively, contact fungicides applied through foliar spray could be less likely to contaminate the soil (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Azoxystrobin, like flurolanil, was a systemic fungicide but had lower systemic activity, which could be why it did not have adverse effects on AMF at the threshold level. Pencycuron and flutolanil were species specific fungicides, so the difference in impact could be attributed to increased effectiveness against a fungus similar to AMF species (Buysens, de Boulois, and Declerck 2014). At levels exceeding the threshold all three fungicides had significant negative impact on spore production, mycelium and root growth, and germination. Therefore, carefully choosing the type and quantity of fungicide is crucial to not harm beneficial fungal species.

When the pesticide is applied also greatly impacts the AMF as certain stages of its life cycle are more vulnerable to interference than others. Certain pesticides impeded germination, but multiple studies found that germination was not completely terminated, and that once the pesticide was removed germination was no longer impeded and AMF were able to establish (Buysens, de Boulois, and Declerck 2014; Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). In early stages of its lifecycle, AMF had a limited time to find a host and will die if one is not found. Pesticide interference should be avoided in this stage so the AMF and crops can form symbiosis (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Once established, AMF will be harmed if most of its plant hosts die, so non-selective herbicides can threaten them. They could depend on spores and colonized root fragments should they lack a host, however.

Pesticides vary in effectiveness based on environmental and agricultural conditions, confounding their impact on AMF. The history of the field being tested could greatly affect AMF networks. Practices like tilling and other soil disturbance made AMF colonies more vulnerable to being negatively impacted by pesticides, possibly due to not being as well established as an undisturbed network and thus less resilient. The sheer number of variables involved in studying pesticide’s impact on fungi deeply confound the results of studies.

The amount of exposure to the pesticide impacts to what degree AMF are affected, but it is highly influenced by confounding factors that make it difficult to assess its impact. Practices like tilling and other soil disturbance made AMF colonies more vulnerable to being negatively impacted by pesticides, possibly due to not being as well established as an undisturbed network and thus less resilient (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). The persistence of the pesticide depended greatly on soil condition, including type, pH, moisture, organic matter, and the ability for microflora to degrade substances, all influencing how much exposure the AMF had long-term (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Furthermore, the type, dose, and application method of pesticide was dependent on the crop being grown, creating even more variation in AMF reaction, and thus confounding studies. In one experiment, going over the recommended dose of a pesticide could either impact the AMF negatively, positively, or not at all, but in another it reduced the effectiveness of symbiosis and the amount of phosphorus transported to the plant (Hage-Ahmed, Rosner, and Steinkellner 2018). Due to the variety of conditions impacting AMF exposure to pesticides, it was difficult to gauge their impact on AMF, and uncertainty in this aspect of studying agricultural AMF held great uncertainty.

Conclusions

The intense networks of factors involved in agriculture systems mean measuring the impact of farming techniques on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is difficult. Given the variety of the fungal species involved in AMF networks, it may not be fully possible to have fully accurate generalizations about the impact of farming. With each system of unique combinations of hosts, fungi, and other soil microbiota comes new dynamics to be studied. This is further compounded by soil conditions, nutrient availability, tilling, and potentially many other variables not discussed in this paper. Uncertainty is rampant in this area, particularly as the usefulness of AMF have been discovered only relatively recently. The most evident example is in the realm of pesticides, where the intensity of the variability of results obfuscates broader patterns. However, there is growing evidence that many conventional farming practices such as fertilizers, monocultures, and annuals are damaging to AMF colonies and potentially diminish the benefits they can offer crops. If farming is to become sustainable while still providing enough food for the growing human population, healthier farming practices must be utilized. Though there is uncertainty, there is also great potential once we understand the factors influencing successful AMF symbiosis.

Bibliography

Buysens, Catherine, Hervé Dupré De Boulois, and Stéphane Declerck. 2014. “Do Fungicides Used to Control Rhizoctonia Solani Impact the Non-Target Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Rhizophagus Irregularis?” https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-014-0610-7.

Chen, Ke ID, Jeroen Scheper, Thijs P M Fijen, and David Kleijn. 2022. “Potential Tradeoffs between Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation, Soil Organic Matter Content and Fertilizer Application in Raspberry Production.” https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269751.

Cheng, Yunlong, Xing Xu, Yang Zhang, Xudong Gu, Haohie Nie, and Lin Zhu. 2023. “Intercropping of Echinochloa frumentacea with Leguminous Forages Improves Hay Yields, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Diversity, and Soil Enzyme Activities in Saline–Alkali Soil.” Agronomy 2356: 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092356.

Crews, Timothy E., Wim Carton, and Lennart Olsson. “Is the Future of Agriculture Perennial? Imperatives and Opportunities to Reinvent Agriculture by Shifting from Annual Monocultures to Perennial Polycultures.” Global Sustainability 1 (2018): e11. https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2018.11.

Hage-Ahmed, Karin, Kathrin Rosner, and Siegrid Steinkellner. 2018. “Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Their Response to Pesticides.” Pest Management Science 75 (3): 583–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5220.

Hodge, Angela, and Kate Storer. 2014. “Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen: Implications for Individual Plants through to Ecosystems.” Plant and Soil 386 (1-2): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2162-1.

Lu, Xingli. 2022. “Effect of Intercropping Soybean on the Diversity of the Rhizosphere Soil Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Communities in Wheat Fields.” Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2100014: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.202100014.

Lubkowski, Krzysztof. 2016. “Environmental Impact of Fertilizer Use and Slow Release of Mineral Nutrients as a Response to This Challenge.” Polish Journal of Chemical Technology 18 (1): 72– 79. https://doi.org/10.1515/pjct-2016-0012.

McGrath. 2004. “What Are Fungicides.” What Are Fungicides. https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disimpactmngmnt/topc/Pages/Fungicides.aspx.

Oehl, Fritz, Ewald Sieverding, Paul Mäder, David Dubois, Kurt Ineichen, Thomas Boller, and Andres Wiemken. 2004. “Impact of Long-Term Conventional and Organic Farming on the Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.” Oecologia 138 (4): 574–83. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40005539.

Peng, Zhenling, Nancy Collins Johnson, Jan Jansa, Jiayao Han, Zhou Fang, Yali Zhang, Shengjing Jiang, et al. 2023. “Mycorrhizal Effects on Crop Yield and Soil Ecosystem Functions in a Long- Term Tillage and Fertilization Experiment.” New Phytologist 2023: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19493.

Primieri, Silmar, Susan M Magnoli, Thomas Koffel, Sidney L Stürmer, St ̈ Stürmer, James D Bever, and W K Kellogg. 2022. “Perennial, but Not Annual Legumes Synergistically Benefit from Infection with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobia: A Meta-Analysis.” New Phytologist 233: 505–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17787.

Sheng, Min, Roger Lalande, Chantal Hamel and Noura Ziadi. 2013. “Effect of long-term tillage and mineral phosphorus fertilization on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a humid continental zone of Eastern Canada.” Plant and Soil 369 (1-2): 599-614. http://dx.doi.org.webster.austincollege.edu/10.1007/s11104-013-1585-4.

Wang, Guangzhou, Chengcheng Ye, Junling Zhang, Liz Koziol, James D Bever, and Xiaolin Li. 2018. “Asymmetric Facilitation Induced by Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Leads to Overyielding in Maize/Faba Bean Intercropping.” Journal of Plant Interactions 14 (1): 10-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2018.1550218.

#amf #fungi #Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi #science #agriculture #is it okay if i put cottagecore as a joke bc i mean mushrooms farming its basically cottagecore lmao #sustainability #something to nom on #environmental science #environmentalism

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boycritter · 1 year ago

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before high levels of nutrients enter my body and i begin the process of eutrophication who wants to admit they have a crush on me

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rgenvs3000f23 · 1 year ago

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Blog 5

Hey! This week we were asked to write whatever was on our minds (presumably still related to nature interpretation).

This semester I’m in the process of completing an independent research project on aquatic plants, so needless to say they’ve been on my mind quite a bit recently. I thought my some of my experiences with the project and things I’ve learned so far fit in well with this class. There are two topics I wanted to write about today, the first being aquatic ecosystems in general, and the second being science communication and some thoughts on the readings for this week. The project I’m working on focuses on freshwater macrophytes. Macrophytes are aquatic plants that function as carbon sinks and important sources of oxygen, in addition to providing food and habitats to a variety of species (Bornette & Puijalon, 2011). I’m looking at their physiology, and determining how abiotic environmental parameters contribute to their survival and success. Specifically, my project focuses on pH (how acidic or basic the water is), and how aquatic plants respond to changes in water pH. The pH of freshwater systems is affected by climate change, in ways that are less predictable than marine systems (Hasler et al. 2016). If the pH of a lake changes to a level that its macrophytes can’t handle as well, they are at much greater risk of being outcompeted by photosynthetic algae (Sayer et al. 2010). This contributes to algal blooms, an issue that’s become quite prevalent recently. So, having a greater understanding of aquatic plants can assist with preventing algal blooms, as well as restoring damaged freshwater ecosystems. Reviews have found that most research on aquatic plants focuses on marine ecosystems, and very little research is done on freshwater ecosystems (Hasler et al. 2016). In my own (very non-qualitative) analysis from watching nature documentaries, it definitely seems like there’s a much greater focus on marine environments. While there is certainly more water in oceans than anywhere else, I think it’s important not to forget about freshwater ecosystems. So many of us, especially in Canada, get to enjoy being surrounded by so many beautiful lakes and rivers. It can definitely be easy to take them for granted. The readings for this week focused on interpreting nature through science, which is something I’ve been learning a lot about while working on my project. Currently, I’m in the process of learning how to communicate something I care about in a way that’s accessible to a variety of audiences. Part of the course is writing papers on the topic, as well as giving presentations. It’s made me realize how easy it can be in the sciences to get excited about a relatively niche topic (ex: freshwater botany) and essentially start speaking in a language that few people are going to understand. And if someone can’t understand a topic, they’re probably a lot less likely to care about it. So, it’s made me think about how important communicating science is when it comes to nature interpretation, as well as conservation.

References: Bornette, G. & Puijalon, S. (2011). Response of aquatic plants to abiotic factors: a review. Aquat Sci, 73, 1–14.

Hasler, C.T., Butman, D., Jeffrey, J.D. & Suski, C.D. (2016). Freshwater biota and rising pCO 2 ? Ecol Lett, 19, 98–108.

Sayer, C.D., Burgess, A., Kari, K., Davidson, T.A., Peglar, S., Yang, H., et al. (2010). Long-term dynamics of submerged macrophytes and algae in a small and shallow, eutrophic lake: implications for the stability of macrophyte-dominance. Freshwater Biology, 55, 565–583.

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nunuisancenewt · 1 year ago

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Kooky proposal:

The largest crop by area of land in Europe is wheat, which produces 4 million calories per acres a year,

Before wheat was introduced ( convenient, grows quickly unlike trees), Europeans mainly ate and grew hazelnuts( in a sort of food forest type poly culture system alongside smaller plants of course ) , 15,000-6,000 years ago

Hazelnuts provide 5 million calories per acre

I would expect a modern Europe fed by Hazelnuts to be more environmentally friendly, in terms of using less land for food, less soil erosion/eutrophication ( annuals are horrible for this) , hazelnut orchards are a “ natural” environment by the holocene start date I usually default towards, one european species coexisted with for millennia,

Will this ever happen? No, is there a ton of other lower hanging fruit of improving plant based agriculture? Yes, are the flaws of plant based agriculture nothing next to the moral atrocity of livestock farming? Yes, I just think this is neat to think about

While we are at it, I am going to express my frustrations with The Land Institute, who are working to create high yielding perennial versions of common oil and grain crops, amazing and important work, but aren’t using genetic modification for it which of course makes the whole process slower:(,

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alleycat4eva · 2 years ago

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Fixing eutrophication!!! What inspired you to want to do this, it sounds so very interesting ! I've read that in some places, eutrophication is a natural process, but it has been amplified by human interference

Very simple answer: I love the ocean and rivers and the deadzone needs to be fixed. The places I visited and had so much joy in as a child are changing very quickly. The rivers I swam and fished in now have algae problems and are warmer, the lakes I swam in are almost completely unsafe for human swimming, and the ocean, my beloved... I can feel it on my skin and in the stones when I visit. There is less there, when diving and fishing and even in the tide pools out west. There is less life in her and it genuinely fucks me up. I wanna have kids, and I wanna share these things with them. As it is now, they won't know because of what is being done.

And yes, absolutely eutriphication is a natural process. But it usually it takes hundreds of year or longer, as it happens on a geological time scale. It's not supposed to happen within half a human life span. Not at all this quick. I know people say oh but the rivers used to be on fire and there was x pollution. Like bruh it ain't on fire but man this invisible slow shit is way more insidious.

#rivers #water #eutriphication #rip #lake hogan #white river #skull river #pardee lake #sana cruz #bja #ensenada #seven point

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wbtservicesltd · 4 days ago

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How Effective Sewage Treatment Can Save Ecosystems Worldwide

Introduction

As urban centers burgeon and industrial landscapes expand, our ecosystems stand at the frontline, often facing relentless pollution from untreated or inadequately treated sewage. Effective sewage treatment is no longer just a matter of convenience or urban planning; it is an essential measure for safeguarding aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. From freshwater bodies to coastal marine areas, untreated sewage seeps into these delicate environments, overwhelming natural processes and contributing to the erosion of biodiversity and natural resources. In addressing this growing challenge, we must consider a holistic approach that champions sustainable sewage treatment methodologies, preserves water quality, and supports environmental resilience.

The Gravity of Untreated Sewage on Ecosystems

Untreated sewage contains a cocktail of contaminants, ranging from organic waste and pathogens to hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. When this waste infiltrates our waterways, it alters the very chemistry of these ecosystems. Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus — key elements in untreated sewage — can lead to nutrient pollution, resulting in rampant algal blooms. While these blooms may seem harmless on the surface, they deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating hypoxic zones where few organisms can survive. This phenomenon, known as eutrophication, devastates fish populations and disrupts entire aquatic ecosystems.

Beyond the water, untreated sewage impacts soil quality, groundwater, and terrestrial habitats. Pathogens from sewage infiltrate these areas, posing threats not only to wildlife but to human health as well. In essence, untreated sewage sets off a domino effect, impairing entire ecosystems and reducing the resilience of natural habitats to withstand environmental stresses. To tackle this issue at its core, implementing robust sewage treatment systems is imperative, capable of effectively removing contaminants before they interact with the environment.

Key Elements of an Effective Sewage Treatment System

A truly effective sewage treatment system operates on the foundation of innovation, sustainability, and environmental consideration. Modern systems utilize a multi-stage process to isolate, treat, and neutralize harmful pollutants in wastewater. Here are a few fundamental components of an advanced sewage treatment plant:

Primary Treatment — This initial stage involves the physical separation of large solids from wastewater. Using screens and settling tanks, the sewage treatment system removes floating debris and allows solid waste to settle at the bottom. This sludge is then collected and treated separately.

Secondary Treatment — Here, biological processes are harnessed to break down dissolved organic materials. By introducing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, wastewater is metabolized, reducing the presence of harmful pathogens and organic pollutants. This step is essential for ensuring that effluents meet environmental standards.

Tertiary Treatment — To further purify the water, tertiary treatment uses advanced filtration, chemical disinfection, and nutrient removal techniques. This stage targets residual nutrients and chemicals, transforming wastewater into water that is safe for release into the environment or for reuse.

Sludge Treatment — Sludge is a byproduct of sewage treatment and requires its own distinct treatment process. Through digestion, dewatering, and stabilization, sludge is transformed into a manageable, less toxic material. Efficient sludge treatment not only protects the environment but opens possibilities for converting waste into energy.

Slurry Separation — Industrial and agricultural wastewater often contains a mixture of solid and liquid waste, making slurry separators a critical tool for effective waste management. Slurry separation technologies help isolate solid waste from liquid effluent, facilitating safer disposal and reducing the burden on treatment systems.

Each of these steps is an integral piece in the overall framework of sewage treatment, enabling waste to be managed efficiently, responsibly, and sustainably. These processes, when optimized, yield effluents that can be safely returned to the environment, creating a cycle that supports ecosystem preservation.

Advanced Technologies Shaping the Future of Sewage Treatment

To meet the challenges of modern sewage treatment, innovation is essential. With climate change impacting water scarcity and quality, advanced treatment technologies are stepping up to reduce the environmental footprint of wastewater management. Let’s explore a few promising technologies that can redefine the sewage treatment landscape.

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) — MBRs combine biological treatment with membrane filtration, offering exceptional filtration capacity for both solid and dissolved contaminants. These systems are ideal for areas facing limited water resources, as they enable treated wastewater to be reused with minimal environmental impact.

Anaerobic Sludge Digesters — Utilizing the anaerobic digestion process, these digesters transform organic sludge into biogas, a renewable energy source. This dual-purpose approach not only reduces sludge volume but also contributes to the sustainable energy grid, making it a win-win for environmental and energy goals.

Eco-friendly Disinfection Systems — Traditional chlorine disinfection poses its own risks to aquatic environments. In response, eco-friendly alternatives like ultraviolet (UV) and ozone disinfection are gaining traction. These systems eliminate pathogens without releasing harmful byproducts, ensuring that treated water reenters ecosystems without compromising native flora and fauna.

Smart Valves and Automation — Efficient water flow management is crucial in sewage treatment. Slide valves offer precise control over wastewater movement within treatment facilities, allowing systems to respond in real timeto varying loads and environmental conditions. Automated monitoring ensures that treatment plants operate with maximum efficiency and minimal waste.

These technological advances representa shift towards more responsible and efficient wastewater treatment. By integrating these solutions into sewage treatment infrastructure, municipalities, and industries can mitigate the environmental footprint of wastewater, protecting ecosystems from excessive nutrient pollution, pathogen introduction, and chemical contamination.

Environmental and Economic Benefits of Effective Sewage Treatment

Effective sewage treatment delivers a host of benefits that extend beyond environmental protection. Economically, investing in advanced sewage treatment infrastructure can save governments and organizations significant costs in the long term. The costs of cleaning polluted ecosystems, managing waterborne diseases, and repairing degraded natural resources are substantial. Sewage treatment, therefore, is not merely an operational expense but a preventative measure that yields returns through avoided ecological damage, health-related expenses, and resource degradation.

Ecologically, sewage treatment helps restore the balance of natural systems. By curtailing the influx of pollutants into waterways, treatment systems create an environment conducive to biodiversity and habitat stability. Clean water enables fish populations to flourish, vegetation to thrive, and larger predators to sustain themselves without the bioaccumulation of toxins. In coastal areas, proper sewage treatment safeguards coral reefs and other sensitive marine ecosystems, which are often the first to be affected by nutrient and chemical pollution.

Global Examples of Sewage Treatment Success

Several countries have pioneered exemplary sewage treatment programs, showcasing the profound positive impact these systems have on local and global ecosystems.

Singapore — Known for its sustainable water management, Singapore treats wastewater to potable quality using its NEWater initiative. Through advanced treatment techniques, including microfiltration and UV disinfection, Singapore produces high-quality reclaimed water that supplements its drinking supply, minimizing the environmental impact on surrounding water bodies.

Netherlands — The Dutch sewage treatment system is renowned for its integration of anaerobic digestion and biogas production, effectively converting wastewater into energy. Additionally, the Netherlands has invested in nutrient recovery technologies, ensuring that phosphorus and other valuable nutrients are recycled, reducing reliance on fertilizers.

Japan — Japan’s sewage treatment plants are equipped with high-efficiency sludge processing systems, allowing for energy recovery and minimal sludge disposal. This has significantly reduced pollution in its rivers and coastal areas, preserving native aquatic species and sustaining local fishing industries.

These examples serve as a testament to the power of sewage treatment, underscoring that with the right technology and commitment, ecosystems can be safeguarded even amid urban and industrial growth.

The Path Forward: A Global Mandate for Ecosystem Preservation

In a rapidly urbanizing world, effective sewage treatment is indispensable to ecological resilience. To realize its full potential, stakeholders — ranging from policymakers and industries to local communities — must collaborate in building robust sewage treatment frameworks. Legislation and regulatory standards must evolve to enforce sustainable sewage treatment practices, while public awareness campaigns can foster a deeper understanding of the issue.

From enhancing local treatment facilities to investing in cutting-edge technologies like MBRs and biogas generation, the solutions are within reach. As we collectively move towards a future of sustainability, the role of effective sewage treatment in saving ecosystems cannot be overstated. It is our responsibility to ensure that these technologies and practices are not confined to affluent nations but are accessible globally, particularly in regions facing the highest environmental risks.

Conclusion

With a proactive approach, sewage treatment can become a global movement toward ecosystem preservation, helping to restore and protect our waterways, forests, and coastal habitats. As we step forward with purpose and resolve, every advancement in sewage treatment brings us closer to a world where ecosystems and human communities coexist harmoniously, grounded in mutual respect and sustainable stewardship.

#Sewage Treatment

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crystalherbalism · 8 days ago

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The Importance Of Lake Dredging Equipment In Environmental Management

The importance of lake dredging equipment in environmental management cannot be overstated. As lakes accumulate sediments over time, they can become shallow, reducing their capacity to support diverse aquatic life. Excessive sedimentation can lead to eutrophication, where nutrient overloading causes algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in the water, harming fish populations and other aquatic organisms.

Understanding Lake Dredging Equipment: Key Features And Functions

Understanding lake dredging equipment is essential for effective environmental management and restoration efforts. Various types of equipment are designed to perform specific dredging tasks, each with unique features and functions. For instance, hydraulic dredgers are popular for their ability to efficiently remove large volumes of sediment while simultaneously transporting the material to designated disposal sites.

Choosing The Right Lake Dredging Equipment For Your Project

Choosing the right lake dredging equipment for your project is a critical decision that can significantly influence the project's success, efficiency, and environmental impact. The selection process begins with a thorough assessment of the project requirements, including the type and volume of sediment to be removed, the depth of the lake, and any existing environmental conditions that may affect dredging operations.

Lake Dredging Equipment: Maintenance Tips For Longevity And Efficiency

Maintaining lake dredging equipment is essential for ensuring longevity, efficiency, and reliability during operations. Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of the machinery but also prevents costly breakdowns that can delay projects and increase operational expenses. One of the fundamental aspects of equipment maintenance is establishing a routine inspection schedule to check for wear and tear on critical components such as pumps, hoses, and hydraulic systems.

The Economic Benefits Of Investing In Lake Dredging Equipment

Investing in lake dredging equipment offers a range of economic benefits that extend beyond the immediate costs associated with purchasing and operating the machinery. One of the most significant advantages is the potential for increased property values in areas surrounding well-maintained lakes. Clean and navigable lakes are more attractive to homeowners and businesses, leading to a rise in real estate demand and property prices.

Environmental Regulations Impacting Lake Dredging Equipment Use

Environmental regulations play a crucial role in shaping the use of lake dredging equipment, ensuring that dredging activities are conducted in a manner that minimizes environmental impact and protects aquatic ecosystems. Regulatory frameworks at local, state, and federal levels often dictate specific requirements for dredging operations, including permitting processes, environmental assessments, and adherence to best management practices. These regulations aim to mitigate potential negative effects associated with dredging, such as habitat disruption.

Comparing Lake Dredging Equipment: Choosing Between Different Types

Comparing lake dredging equipment is essential for selecting the most suitable machinery for specific dredging projects. Each type of dredging equipment offers distinct advantages and capabilities, making it critical for stakeholders to understand the nuances of available options. For example, hydraulic dredgers are favored for their efficiency in removing large volumes of material and their ability to transport dredged sediments over considerable distances through pipelines.

Future Trends In Lake Dredging Equipment: What To Expect?

The future of lake dredging equipment is poised for significant advancements driven by technological innovation and evolving environmental priorities. One notable trend is the increasing adoption of environmentally-friendly dredging technologies, aimed at minimizing ecological disturbances during dredging operations. For instance, equipment manufacturers are developing quieter and more efficient machines that reduce noise pollution and energy consumption, aligning with growing concerns over environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Lake dredging equipment is integral to effective environmental management, providing the tools necessary for maintaining the health and functionality of aquatic ecosystems. As urbanization and environmental challenges continue to evolve, the importance of efficient and environmentally responsible dredging practices becomes ever more pronounced. From understanding the various types of dredging equipment and their functions to navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance.

#lake dredging equipment

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