SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Digital Commons @ ESF (State University of New York)Not a member yet
1478 research outputs found
Sort by
Growth Rate and Ecology of the Giant Heteromorph Ammonite Diplomoceras maximum Using Stable Isotopes of Accretionary Shell Carbonate
Get PDFDiplomoceras maximum is a large, hamitocone heteromorph ammonite with a shell that resembles a giant paperclip. A 1.5 meter long specimen representing more than 3 meters of linear shell growth from the late Cretaceous Lopez de Bertodano Formation of Seymour Island, Antarctica , now resides at the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) in Ithaca, NY. Its growth rate and ecology have been the subject of much discussion but are completely unknown. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of serially sampled shell material can provide insight into the growth and habitat of these peculiar cephalopods. A roughly half-meter section of shell containing a hook and both adjoining portions of shafts, with aperture diameter ~15 cm, was sampled at a resolution of 5 samples per sculptural rib on the shell (total of 145 analyses). 5180 values vary between +1.9 to -1 .7%0, roughly the same range expressed by co-occurring benthic mollusks. A 15-point moving average defines a broad sinusoid that likely reflects ~1 .5 years of shell growth. If so, and if accretion were constant, the PRI animal would have been about 9 years old at death. Superimposed on this sinusoid is regular variation of up to 2%o that corresponds to sculptural ribs and covaries with o13C, suggesting the potential for disequilibrium effects during precipitation of ribs or, potentially, repeated vertical migrations through the water column. Carbon isotope values overlap those of typical benthic mollusks and other ammonites, but also include extremely negative values (+1.7 to -30%0). Values are low between ribs and higher on them; regular swings to low values become significantly more extreme in the hook than they are in the shafts. If related to disequilibrium and/or incorporation of metabolic CO2, this suggests more rapid growth in the hook section. Exceedingly negative i5 13C values may also reflect precipitation in the presence of methane, as suggested in the literature by unusual carbonate precipitates, chemosymbiotic cold-seep bivalve taxa , and very low o13C values of cemented burrow fills. Taken together, our data suggest a pelagic habit near the bottom, with a vertically oriented shell, closely associated with cold methane seeps. Shell growth is fast, consistent with living coleoids, and large individuals are likely less than 10 years old at death
Contribution of macrophytes to nitrogen removal in free water surface and submerged bed constructed wetlands
Get PDFIn constructed wetlands, macrophytes and bacteria are considered the drivers of nitrogen removal. Understanding how well macrophytes contribute to nitrogen removal and the influencing factors can be used as a design consideration for the improvement of these systems. This study investigated the nitrogen removal through uptake by Cyperus alternifolius and Typha angustifolia in constructed wetlands. Cyperus alternifolius and Typha angustifolia contributed 2.87% – 15.9% of the total nitrogen removal under slightly stressed conditions in the constructed wetlands when the plants were slightly stressed by high concentrations of ammonia
Comparison of 1-D and 2-D Tests in Geotextile Dewatering Applications
Get PDFIn this study, two different one-dimensional tests (only vertical flow) (Pressure Filtration Test and Suction Filtration Test) were compared to determine variability in the results due to different forms of pressure application. In addition, an innovative Two-Dimensional Filtration Apparatus (with both vertical and radial flow) was developed in order to determine the effect of radial flow on the results. This apparatus will more accurately imitate the real-life dewatering application of geotextile tubes. Unlike on-site “hanging bag” and “Pressurized Geotextile Dewatering” tests, this laboratory apparatus was designed in a form that will facilitate the studying of dewatering rate vertically and radially separately. It will also be used by mathematicians, as its geometric form will be more conducive to the analysis of dewatering. This will aid in the creation of a simple and fast mathematical model to determine geotextile dewatering rate, which will reduce the need and cost of experimental testing prior to actual dewatering in the site
American Chestnut SEM Portfolio
No full textScanning electron microscopy micrographs of transgenic american chestnut pollen and anthers. Chinkapin anthers and pollen imaged also
Adaptation of Recombinant Escherichia Coli LSBJ for PHA Production in a Bioreactor
Get PDFPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are plastic biopolymers produced by bacteria under stressful conditions. PHAs are biodegradable and can be made to exhibit similar properties to petroleum-based plastics, which makes mass production of them highly desirable. In this study, we adapted E. coli LSBJ for high biomass production in a 2.2 L New Brunswick Scientific Bio Flo 310 bioreactor and began studies toward high production of PHA polymer in this setting. With the modified ~-oxidation pathway of the LSBJ strain of E. coli, the repeating unit length and resulting properties of the PHA polymer can be controlled. The LSBJ strain was modified with several genetic manipulations (!),aas, !),arcA, !),did, crp*) to assist in future polymer production in the bioreactor, and a method for high biomass production of the strain in this setting was developed. This method has consistently achieved high cell densities, with optical densities at 600 nm in the range of 30-50 and as high as 74, similar to what has been previously demonstrated for E. coli fermentations. This method has also consistently produced biomass several fold higher than shake flask procedures with the LSBJ strain, as evidenced by cell dry weights. With this method fulJy developed for the 2.2 L bioreactor, PHA production methods at high biomass in this vessel can be investigated beyond the preliminary studies already conducted. Scale-up procedures to larger vessel volumes can then be started, beginning the process toward mass production of PHA using the LSBJ strain
Comparisons of Mycorrhizal Colonization between Transgenic and American Chestnut
Get PDFThe American chestnut tree was once a common and important species. It has been reduced to an understory shrub by a fungal pathogen. This decimation of a once majestic tree prompted considerable restoration efforts. These have culminated in transferring genetic resistance to the chestnut by transformation with Agrobacterium. The past events (genetic lines from a single transformed cell) have not been shown to vary significantly in root colonization by ectomycorrhizal fungi. This experiment used three recent events to assess colonization. There was no significant variation among two of the events and the American chestnut. The significantly different event was explained by confounding experimental factors
Presence of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Soil Irrigated with Municipal Wastewater
Get PDFPharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are largely produced, consumed, and detected readily in wastewater effluent. Municipal wastewater land application to managed forests is an important treatment and disposal practice globally, with 86 municipal facilities located in North Carolina. However, the concentrations and transport of PPCPs and their potential impacts in these systems are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to assess PPCPs in forested soils at a municipal land application site in North Carolina, U.S.A. Soil cores were hand-augured at the surface (0-10 cm) and at depth (50-60 cm) along two transects within the wastewater irrigation area and at a reference site outside of the irrigation area. Thirty-three PPCP analytes were targeted using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and concentration, and separated and quantified via liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Relationships between PPCP analyte concentrations and soil characteristics (e.g. soil depth, soil texture, carbon concentration, humic matter content, cation exchange capacity, and pH), were evaluated. From this study, 25 of the 33 targeted PPCP analytes were detected in the soil at very low concentrations (ng/g of soil), indicating leaching and potentially some mitigation by the forest system. Generally, PPCPs were present at higher concentrations in the surface soil. No significant correlations were observed between soil characteristics and the presence and concentration of PPCPs; however, cation exchange capacity and carbon content did positively correlate with the concentration of carbamazepine, a rather persistent chemical detected at every site in only the surface horizon
Cranberry Lake Biological Station Research Symposium, Session D
Get PDFEcological Monitoring and Biodiversity Assessment (EFB202) is the one of the keystone courses in the Environmental and Forest Biology curriculum. Students enrolled in this immersive course live at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station for three weeks. During the first two weeks of the course, students study a wide variety of taxonomic groups of organisms, and are introduced to a broad range of field, laboratory and analytical methods. Students then complete a group research project during the third and final week of the course. The research projects require proficiency in field sampling methods, basic experimental design and statistical analysis, and the ability to cooperatively solve problems. The course culminates in a research symposium during which groups present their findings to their peers and a panel of judges
Institutional Repositories: Inquiry and Success
Get PDFThis poster was presented at the SUNY Council of Library Directors spring 2016 meetin
