Individual and Synergistic Effects of Metronidazole,Amoxicillin, and Ciprofloxacin on Methane Fermentation with Sewage Sludge

Methane fermentation is widely used to dispose of sewage sludge at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), due to production of renewable energy in the form of biogas. Antibiotics present in wastewater may accumulate in a sewage sludge. The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of three antibiotics from different classes in three different doses on methane production from sewage sludge. For this purpose, metronidazole (MET), amoxicillin (AMO), and ciprofloxacin (CIP) are individually added to anaerobic reactors with sewage sludge collected from municipal WWTP. The antibiotics’ highest concentration (1024 mg kg^?1 of AMO; 512 mg kg^?1 of MET and CIP) lowers methane production and methane content in biogas. MET exerts the most marked effect and lowers methane production to 36.8 ± 3.7 mL CH₄ kg^?1 volatile solids. Tested antibiotics probably inhibit methanogenic archaea, which results in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) accumulation. Addition of MET results in accumulation of many kinds of VFAs with the highest concentration of acetic acid (17.52 ± 1.85 g L^?1). The addition of of AMO results in accumulation of butyric acid only (253.00 ± 15.89 g L^?1). However, addition of CIP results in accumulation of mainly acetic acid (7.58 ± 0.82 g L^?1) and isovaleric acid (2.01 ± 0.41 g L^?1). Next, synergistic effect of these antibiotics in a low concentration of 16 mg kg^?1 of AMO, 8 mg kg^?1 of MET, and 2 mg kg^?1 of CIP is measured in semi‐continuous conditions and causes inbibition of methane production and accumulation of VFAs.     

Seismicity of Czorsztyn Lake Region: A Case of Reservoir Triggered Seismic Process?

Czorsztyn Lake is an artificial water reservoir backed up by the hydropower plant Niedzica earth dam on Dunajec River in south Poland. Its filling began in 1995 and ended in 1997. The reservoir of 234.5 million m3 capacity is shallow, between 20 to 50 m of water column, on average. Until 2011 the seismic activity in this region was sparse, some 1 event trimonthly. However, in November 2011 more than 60 events occurred. Such bursts of activity, separated by low activity periods, continue to appear. Since August 2013 the area is monitored by a local seismic network. The setup allows to accurately locate the epicenters and to determine source mechanisms for stronger events. The events are clustered and aligned along NE-SW direction and their mechanisms are very similar, indicating N-S strike slip faulting. This and the irregular pattern of activity suggest that this seismicity is triggered by the reservoir impoundment.     

Lightcurves and the axis of rotation of 433 Eros

Ten lightcurves and UBV photometry of 433 Eros were obtained between August 1972 and May 1975. The absolute magnitude of the lightcurve maximum is 10.75 and the phase coefficient is 0.025 mag/deg. There may be a small difference in B-V color between the northern and southern hemispheres. The pole of the axis of rotation is directed toward λ₀ = 16°, β₀ = 12°, ecliptic longitude and latitude, respectively, and the rotation is direct with a sidereal period of 0.^d219599 or 5^h16^m13^s4 ± 0.^s2. The dimensions derived from the polarimetric albedo and the lightcurve amplitudes are 12km × 12km × 31km for a smooth cylinder with hemispherical ends.     

The structure of voids

Presented here are high spatial and spectral resolution Chandra X-ray observations of the famous interacting galaxy pair, the Mice, a system similar to, though less evolved than, the well-known Antennae galaxies. Previously unpublished ROSAT High Resolution Imager data of the system are also presented.
Starburst-driven galactic winds outflowing along the minor axis of both galaxies (but particularly the northern one) are observed, and spectral and spatial properties, and energetics are presented. That such a phenomenon can occur in such a rapidly evolving and turbulent system is surprising, and this is the first time that the very beginning – the onset, of starburst-driven hot gaseous outflow in a full-blown disc–disc merger has been seen.
Point-source emission is seen at the galaxy nuclei, and within the interaction-induced tidal tails. Further point-source emission is associated with the galactic bar in the southern system. A comparison of the source X-ray luminosity function and of the diffuse emission properties is made with the Antennae and other galaxies, and evidence of a more rapid evolution of the source population than the diffuse component is found. No evidence for variability is found between the Chandra and previous observations.     

Molecular and isotopic characterization of organic samples from the wreck of the Saint-Etienne merchant ship (XVIIIth century): Identification of pitch,fat, hair and sulfur

The wreck U Pezzo, excavated within the Saint Florent Gulf in northern Corsica was identified as the pink, Saint Etienne, a merchant ship which sank on January 31, 1769. In order to determine the composition of organic materials used to coat the hull or to waterproof different parts of the pink, a study of several samples, using molecular biomarker and carbon isotopic analysis, was initiated. The results revealed that the remarkable yellow coat, covering the outside planks of the ship’s bottom under the water line, is composed of sulfur, tallow (of ox and not of cetacean origin) and black pitch which corresponds to a mixture called “couroi” or “stuff”. Onboard ropes had been submitted to a tarring treatment with pitch. Hairs mixed with pitch were identified in samples collected between the two layers of the hull or under the sheathing planking. The study also provides a key model for weathering of pitch, as different degrees of degradation were found between the surface and the heart of several samples. Accordingly, molecular parameters for alteration were proposed. Furthermore novel mixed esters between terpenic and diterpenic alcohols and the free major fatty acids (C_14:0, C_16:0, C_18:0) were detected in the yellow coat.     

The circulation, water masses and sea-ice of Baffin Bay

The oceanographic, meteorological and sea-ice conditions in Baffin Bay are studied using historical hydrographic, satellite and meteorological data, and a set of current meter data from a mooring program of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Baffin Bay is partially covered by sea-ice all year except August and September. The interannual variation of the ice extent is shown to be correlated with winter air temperature. Available hydrographic data were used to study the water masses and the horizontal and vertical distribution of temperature/salinity. Three water masses can be identified – Arctic Water in the upper 100–300 m of all regions except the southeast, West Greenland Intermediate Water at 300–800 m in most of the interior of Baffin Bay, and Deep Baffin Bay Water in all regions below 1200 m. The temperature and salinity in Baffin Bay have limited seasonal variability except in the upper 300 m of eastern Davis Strait, northern Baffin Bay and the mouth of Lancaster Sound. Summer data have a temperature minimum at 100 m, which suggests winter convection does not penetrate deeper than this depth. Current meter data and results of a circulation model indicate that the mean circulation is cyclonic. The seasonal variation of the currents is complex. Overall, summer and fall tend to have stronger currents than winter and spring at all depths. Among the different regions, the largest seasonal variation occurs at the mouth of Lancaster Sound and the Baffin Island slope. Model generated velocity fields show a basic agreement with the observed currents, and indicate strong topographic control in the vicinity of Davis Strait and on the Greenland shelves. The model also produces a southward counter current on the Greenland slope, which may explain the observed high horizontal shears over the Greenland slope. Estimates of the volume and fresh water transports through Lancaster, Jones and Smith Sounds are reviewed. Transports through Davis Strait are computed from the current meter data. The balance of freshwater budget and sensitivity of the thermohaline circulation to freshwater transport are discussed.