DOCSLIB.ORG

Carbon Farming with Algae

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Carbon Farming with Algae Carbon Farming with Algae CO2 & Nitrogen from Atmosphere TerraSync Dramatic Reduction in Emission of Biofertilizer Nitrous Oxide - 2.5 micron Rehabilitates Replaces Conventional Distressed Soil N Fertilizer Carbon Sequestered in Soil Dramatic Reduction in N compounds to surface water runoff Dramatic Reduction in N compounds to groundwater Mark Allen, P.E. VP Integrated Carbon Solutions Accelergy Corporation July 2018 2 TerraSync Biofertilizer – Synthetic N Replacement 3 Cyanobacteria (Blue Green Algae) – as old as dirt • Free living autotrophic photosynthetic nitrogen fixing • Photosynthesis splits water into oxygen and hydrogen • Hydrogen and an enzyme split carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon • Heterocyst’s fix elemental nitrogen to ammonia nitrogen Heterocyst TerraSync BioFertilizer – Local Algae Strains for Production 4 Chinese Academy of Sciences – Shanghai Advanced Research Institute Shanghai Chongming 27 local strains isolated Project for consideration B1611 is a research reference strain B1611 is a research reference strain TerraSync BioFertilizer – Local Algae Strains for Production 5 Chinese Academy of Sciences – Institute of Hydrobiology Kubuqi Desert Kubuqi Desert Restoration – Inner Mongolia Shanghai Chongming Fully inoculated PBR ready for harvest, Staged inoculation,Project over several days, of PBR multi-strain culture of nitrogen fixing with four indigenous strains of nitrogen cyanobacteria will be applied to desert soil fixing cyanobacteria. for plant cultivation. TerraSync™ BioFertilizer Development – DOE NETL Funded 6 Yellowstone Wheat - Depleted Montana Soil (1) (2) Control Conventional Fertilizer TerraSync • Control – no NPK fertilizer • (1) - 35-0-0 – standard application of Nitrogen fertilizer • (2) - Hoagland’s - all macro & micro nutrients • TerraSync Algae Strain B1611 – ONLY nitrogen fixing Root development, (control on cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) at eqv. standard left – TerraSync Strain 16 nitrogen application rate biofertilizer on right) is • No macro or micro nutrients were applied with Strain 16 indicative of overall healthy plant development 7 Control Hoagland Strain 16 7 8 Control Hoagland Strain 16 8 9 TerraSync BioFertilizer – Camelina Seed Oil Energy Crop Camelina seed oil crop is used in crop rotation with wheat every third year • Left - without fertilizer • Right - ONLY Strain 16 cyanobacteria biofertilizer, applied at the standard nitrogen fertilizer application rate 10 TerraSync BioFertilizer – Lettuce Field Trials 28 days 34 days 39 days Control Chemical Fertilizer Organic Fertilizer Algae Algae + Organic 0 days 7 days 14 days 20 days • Algae fertilizer yields 28% more plant weight over chemical fertilizer • Algae raises vitamin C by 20% • 13% greater plant available N in soil • 70% greater total organic carbon in soil 11 TerraSync BioFertilizer - Organic Rice Production in China • Local strain of blue-green algae • Increased Yields of 15+% Per Acre • High Quality Organic Rice for Premium Market • Now Evaluating Single vs Multiple TerraSync Applications for Long Term Benefits • Reduced CO2 emissions from conventional N fertilizer production and reduced NO3 emission from field 12 200 Acre Algae Biofertilizer Demonstration – Arizona Farm • Algae applied to previously abandoned farm land • Algae distributed through drip irrigation system 12 Weeks to harvest and a week sooner to market Yosemite Melons Germination 2X With Early Growth 2.5X Algae Biofertilizer Without Plant Size & Density 3X Algae Early Melon Maturity 2X Biofertilizer Mature Melon Size 1.4X Mature Melon Weight 1.5X Taste (blind panel test) 14:1 13 TerraSync™ Carbon Farming – Terrestrial Sequestration TerraSync Carbon Sequestration Atmospheric Anthropogenic CO2 Carbon Sink CO2 Carbon Transport by 6H O + 6CO C H O + 6O TerraSync & Green Plants 2 2 6 12 6 2 Photosynthesis Soil Carbon Capture SOC Carbohydrates consumed C H O Soil Organic Carbon SOC residence time - days to years 6 12 6 by soil microorganisms (SOC) Soil microorganisms metabolize SOC and trace Soil Carbon Sequestration Humus is made up of complex high molecular minerals to form Humus through successive weight organo mineral aggregates that are highly decomposition, in a timeframe of weeks to months Soil Organic Matter (SOM), resistant to further decomposition by soil microbial and years Humic Substances (Humus) activity Sequestration Efficacy Humic Acids the fraction of humus that is not soluble in water at any Carbon Mean Residence Conversion of SOC pH and that cannot be Time 1235 years to Humic extracted with a strong Substances is rate base, commonly black in limited by available color nutrients (should be satisfied by Humin the fraction of humus that is TerraSync), soil soluble in water, except for Carbon Mean Residence Time moisture, soil conditions more acid than pH 1140 years temperature, and 2, common colors are dark length of growing brown to black season. Fulvic Acids the fraction of humus that is Carbon Mean Residence soluble in water under all pH conditions, color is commonly Time 870 years light yellow to yellow-brown TerraSync™ Accelerates Nature - Wide Range Of Benefits 14 Including Beneficial Use of CO2 and GHG Mitigation Addition Of Carbon CO & Nitrogen from To The Soil 2 Improves: Atmosphere • Crop yield and quality TerraSync • Water retention Dramatic Reduction in Emission of • Soil permeability Biofertilizer Nitrous Oxide - 2.5 micron • Nutrient controlled release capability Can Replace Rehabilitates Replaces Conventional Nitrogen Fertilizers Distressed Soil N Fertilizer Dramatic Reduction Of: Carbon Sequestered in Soil • NOX P2.5 Off Gassing Dramatic Reduction in N compounds to • Nitrogen surface water runoff Compounds in Run Dramatic Reduction in N compounds to groundwater Off • Nitrogen Compounds in Ground Water 15 Monetizing CO2 with TerraSync BioFertilizer - KEY POINTS • CO2 Emissions can be used to grow algae • Algae Biofertilizer can be used to grow crops • Algae Biofertilizer can replace conventional nitrogen fertilizer • Each ton of CO2 used to grow algae biofertilizer off-sets 2 to 4 tons of CO2-e from the production of conventional nitrogen fertilizer • Additional CO2-e off-set comes from substantially reduced nitrous oxide off gas from farming • Live algae pump atmospheric carbon (simple sugars) into the soil • Over time, on a net basis, 10 to 50 times the carbon emission consumed to initially grow the algae is stored in the soil long term • On many areas of the planet agricultural and other soils have been severely depleted of carbon – a large carbon sink is available • CO2 emissions can be utilized today to make money .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Effects of Biofertilizers Combined with Different Soil Amendments on Potted Rice Plants
    RESEARCH 157 EFFECTS OF BIOFERTILIZERS COMBINED WITH DIFFERENT SOIL AMENDMENTS ON POTTED RICE PLANTS Arshad Javaid1* ABSTRACT This pot study investigated the effect of the combined application of two commercial biofertilizers viz. Biopower and EM (Effective Microorganisms) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and yield in soils amended with farmyard manure, green manure, and NPK fertilizers. Biopower is a product of the Nuclear Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Pakistan, which contains species of associative and endophytic diazotrophs. EM (effective microorganisms), a product developed by Japanese scientists, consists of co-existing beneficial microorganisms, mainly species of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, as well as yeast. Applying Biopower adversely affected plant growth and yield in NPK fertilizer amendment. Conversely, this biofertilizer markedly enhanced plant growth and yield in green manure amended soil while its effect was not significant in farmyard manure amendment. In green manure amendment, applying EM enhanced grain yield by 46%. Co-inoculation of Biopower and EM evidently improved root and shoot growth in farmyard manure amended soil. This study concludes that the two biofertilizers clearly enhanced shoot biomass and grain yield in green manure amended soils. Key words: Associated N2-fixers, Biopower, effective microorganisms, rice, soil amendments. INTRODUCTION several bacteria may be isolated from sterilized surface roots of flooded rice plants, suggesting endophytic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is probably the most important colonization (Raimam et al., 2007). The most likely cereal in the world and serves as food for about 50% of candidates for biological N fixation in rice are species the world’s population (Ladha et al., 1997).
    [Show full text]
  • Algae & Marine Plants of Point Reyes
    Algae & Marine Plants of Point Reyes Green Algae or Chlorophyta Genus/Species Common Name Acrosiphonia coalita Green rope, Tangled weed Blidingia minima Blidingia minima var. vexata Dwarf sea hair Bryopsis corticulans Cladophora columbiana Green tuft alga Codium fragile subsp. californicum Sea staghorn Codium setchellii Smooth spongy cushion, Green spongy cushion Trentepohlia aurea Ulva californica Ulva fenestrata Sea lettuce Ulva intestinalis Sea hair, Sea lettuce, Gutweed, Grass kelp Ulva linza Ulva taeniata Urospora sp. Brown Algae or Ochrophyta Genus/Species Common Name Alaria marginata Ribbon kelp, Winged kelp Analipus japonicus Fir branch seaweed, Sea fir Coilodesme californica Dactylosiphon bullosus Desmarestia herbacea Desmarestia latifrons Egregia menziesii Feather boa Fucus distichus Bladderwrack, Rockweed Haplogloia andersonii Anderson's gooey brown Laminaria setchellii Southern stiff-stiped kelp Laminaria sinclairii Leathesia marina Sea cauliflower Melanosiphon intestinalis Twisted sea tubes Nereocystis luetkeana Bull kelp, Bullwhip kelp, Bladder wrack, Edible kelp, Ribbon kelp Pelvetiopsis limitata Petalonia fascia False kelp Petrospongium rugosum Phaeostrophion irregulare Sand-scoured false kelp Pterygophora californica Woody-stemmed kelp, Stalked kelp, Walking kelp Ralfsia sp. Silvetia compressa Rockweed Stephanocystis osmundacea Page 1 of 4 Red Algae or Rhodophyta Genus/Species Common Name Ahnfeltia fastigiata Bushy Ahnfelt's seaweed Ahnfeltiopsis linearis Anisocladella pacifica Bangia sp. Bossiella dichotoma Bossiella
    [Show full text]
  • Bio-Fertilizers- Power of Beneficial Microorganisms in Soils
    DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.04.001076 Nur Okur. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res ISSN: 2574-1241 Mini review Open Access A Review: Bio-Fertilizers- Power of Beneficial Microorganisms in Soils Nur Okur* Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Ege University, Turkey Received: May 01, 2018; Published: May 16, 2018 *Corresponding author: Nur Okur, Departmentof Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Ege University, Turkey Abstract uptake of nutrients by their interactions in the rhizosphere when applied through seed or soil. They accelerate certain microbial processes Bio-fertilizers are defined as preparations containing living cells or latent cells of efficient strains of microorganisms that help crop plants’ important components of integrated nutrient management, as they are cost effective and renewable source of plant nutrients to supplement thein the chemical soil which fertilizers augment for sustainablethe extent of agriculture. availability of nutrients in a form easily assimilated by plants. The use of bio-fertilizers is one of the Keywords: Bio-fertilizer; Sustainable agriculture; Liquid bio-fertilizer Abbreviations: PGPB: Plant Growth Promoting Bio-Fertilizer; KSB: Potassium Solubilizing Bio-Fertilizer; KMB: Potassium Mobilizing Bio- Fertilizer; SOB: Sulfur Oxidizing Bio-Fertilizer; NFB: Nitrogen Fixing Bio-Fertilizers Introduction Some strategies increasing the quality of the soil are needed to ensure sustainability in soil fertility. Increasing the population of a) more cost-effective than chemical fertilizers, availability of nitrogen
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Multifunctional Biofertilizers on Tomato Plants Cultivated Under a Fertigation System ABSTRACT Malaysian Nuclear A
    Assessment of multifunctional biofertilizers on tomato plants cultivated under a fertigation system Phua, C.K.H., Abdul Wahid, A.N. and Abdul Rahim, K. Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia (MOSTI) E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) has developed a series of multifunctional bioorganic fertilizers, namely, MULTIFUNCTIONAL BIOFERT PG & PA and MF- BIOPELLET, in an effort to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizer for crop production. These products contain indigenous microorganisms that have desired characteristics, which include plant growth promoting, phosphate solubilising, antagonistic towards bacterial wilt disease and enhancing N2-fixing activity. These products were formulated as liquid inoculants, and introduced into a fertigation system in an effort to reduce usage of chemical fertilizers. A greenhouse trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of multifunctional biofertilizers on tomato plants grown under a fertigation system. Multifunctional biofertilizer products were applied singly and in combination with different rates of NPK in the fertigation system. Fresh and dry weights of tomato plants were determined. Application of multifunctional biofertilizer combined with 20 g NPK resulted in significantly higher fresh and dry weights as compared to other treatments. ABSTRAK Agensi Nuklear Malaysia (Nuklear Malaysia) telah membangunkan satu siri baja bioorganic pelbagai fungsi, iaitu MULTIFUNCTIONAL BIOFERT PG & PA and MF-BIOPELLET, dalam usaha mengurangkan pergantungan terhadap baja kimia dalam penghasilan tanaman. Produk ini mengandungi mikroorganisma setempat yang menpunyai ciri yang dikehendaki seperti penggalak pertumbuhan, pengurai fosfat, antagonis terhadap penyakit layu bakteria dan menggalak aktiviti pengikat N2. Produk ini difomulasi dalam bentuk cecair dan diperkenalkan ke dalam sistem fertigasi untuk mengurangkan penggunaan baja kimia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Unicellular and Colonial Organisms Prokaryotic And
    The Unicellular and Colonial Organisms Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells As you know, the building blocks of life are cells. Prokaryotic cells are those cells that do NOT have a nucleus. They mostly include bacteria and archaea. These cells do not have membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotic cells are those that have a true nucleus. That would include plant, animal, algae, and fungal cells. As you can see, to the left, eukaryotic cells are typically larger than prokaryotic cells. Today in lab, we will look at examples of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic unicellular organisms that are commonly found in pond water. When examining pond water under a microscope… The unpigmented, moving microbes will usually be protozoans. Greenish or golden-brown organisms will typically be algae. Microorganisms that are blue-green will be cyanobacteria. As you can see below, living things are divided into 3 domains based upon shared characteristics. Domain Eukarya is further divided into 4 Kingdoms. Domain Kingdom Cell type Organization Nutrition Organisms Absorb, Unicellular-small; Prokaryotic Photsyn., Archaeacteria Archaea Archaebacteria Lacking peptidoglycan Chemosyn. Unicellular-small; Absorb, Bacteria, Prokaryotic Peptidoglycan in cell Photsyn., Bacteria Eubacteria Cyanobacteria wall Chemosyn. Ingestion, Eukaryotic Unicellular or colonial Protozoa, Algae Protista Photosynthesis Fungi, yeast, Fungi Eukaryotic Multicellular Absorption Eukarya molds Plantae Eukaryotic Multicellular Photosynthesis Plants Animalia Eukaryotic Multicellular Ingestion Animals Prokaryotic Organisms – the archaea, non-photosynthetic bacteria, and cyanobacteria Archaea - Microorganisms that resemble bacteria, but are different from them in certain aspects. Archaea cell walls do not include the macromolecule peptidoglycan, which is always found in the cell walls of bacteria. Archaea usually live in extreme, often very hot or salty environments, such as hot mineral springs or deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
    [Show full text]
  • Coral Reef Algae
    Coral Reef Algae Peggy Fong and Valerie J. Paul Abstract Benthic macroalgae, or “seaweeds,” are key mem- 1 Importance of Coral Reef Algae bers of coral reef communities that provide vital ecological functions such as stabilization of reef structure, production Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and productive eco- of tropical sands, nutrient retention and recycling, primary systems on the planet, forming heterogeneous habitats that production, and trophic support. Macroalgae of an astonish- serve as important sources of primary production within ing range of diversity, abundance, and morphological form provide these equally diverse ecological functions. Marine tropical marine environments (Odum and Odum 1955; macroalgae are a functional rather than phylogenetic group Connell 1978). Coral reefs are located along the coastlines of comprised of members from two Kingdoms and at least over 100 countries and provide a variety of ecosystem goods four major Phyla. Structurally, coral reef macroalgae range and services. Reefs serve as a major food source for many from simple chains of prokaryotic cells to upright vine-like developing nations, provide barriers to high wave action that rockweeds with complex internal structures analogous to buffer coastlines and beaches from erosion, and supply an vascular plants. There is abundant evidence that the his- important revenue base for local economies through fishing torical state of coral reef algal communities was dominance and recreational activities (Odgen 1997). by encrusting and turf-forming macroalgae, yet over the Benthic algae are key members of coral reef communities last few decades upright and more fleshy macroalgae have (Fig. 1) that provide vital ecological functions such as stabili- proliferated across all areas and zones of reefs with increas- zation of reef structure, production of tropical sands, nutrient ing frequency and abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origin of Alternation of Generations in Land Plants
    Theoriginof alternation of generations inlandplants: afocuson matrotrophy andhexose transport Linda K.E.Graham and LeeW .Wilcox Department of Botany,University of Wisconsin, 430Lincoln Drive, Madison,WI 53706, USA (lkgraham@facsta¡.wisc .edu ) Alifehistory involving alternation of two developmentally associated, multicellular generations (sporophyteand gametophyte) is anautapomorphy of embryophytes (bryophytes + vascularplants) . Microfossil dataindicate that Mid ^Late Ordovicianland plants possessed such alifecycle, and that the originof alternationof generationspreceded this date.Molecular phylogenetic data unambiguously relate charophyceangreen algae to the ancestryof monophyletic embryophytes, and identify bryophytes as early-divergentland plants. Comparison of reproduction in charophyceans and bryophytes suggests that the followingstages occurredduring evolutionary origin of embryophytic alternation of generations: (i) originof oogamy;(ii) retention ofeggsand zygotes on the parentalthallus; (iii) originof matrotrophy (regulatedtransfer ofnutritional and morphogenetic solutes fromparental cells tothe nextgeneration); (iv)origin of a multicellularsporophyte generation ;and(v) origin of non-£ agellate, walled spores. Oogamy,egg/zygoteretention andmatrotrophy characterize at least some moderncharophyceans, and arepostulated to represent pre-adaptativefeatures inherited byembryophytes from ancestral charophyceans.Matrotrophy is hypothesizedto have preceded originof the multicellularsporophytes of plants,and to represent acritical innovation.Molecular
    [Show full text]
  • JUDD W.S. Et. Al. (2002) Plant Systematics: a Phylogenetic Approach. Chapter 7. an Overview of Green
    UNCORRECTED PAGE PROOFS An Overview of Green Plant Phylogeny he word plant is commonly used to refer to any auto- trophic eukaryotic organism capable of converting light energy into chemical energy via the process of photosynthe- sis. More specifically, these organisms produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of chlorophyll inside of organelles called chloroplasts. Sometimes the term plant is extended to include autotrophic prokaryotic forms, especially the (eu)bacterial lineage known as the cyanobacteria (or blue- green algae). Many traditional botany textbooks even include the fungi, which differ dramatically in being heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that enzymatically break down living or dead organic material and then absorb the simpler products. Fungi appear to be more closely related to animals, another lineage of heterotrophs characterized by eating other organisms and digesting them inter- nally. In this chapter we first briefly discuss the origin and evolution of several separately evolved plant lineages, both to acquaint you with these important branches of the tree of life and to help put the green plant lineage in broad phylogenetic perspective. We then focus attention on the evolution of green plants, emphasizing sev- eral critical transitions. Specifically, we concentrate on the origins of land plants (embryophytes), of vascular plants (tracheophytes), of 1 UNCORRECTED PAGE PROOFS 2 CHAPTER SEVEN seed plants (spermatophytes), and of flowering plants dons.” In some cases it is possible to abandon such (angiosperms). names entirely, but in others it is tempting to retain Although knowledge of fossil plants is critical to a them, either as common names for certain forms of orga- deep understanding of each of these shifts and some key nization (e.g., the “bryophytic” life cycle), or to refer to a fossils are mentioned, much of our discussion focuses on clade (e.g., applying “gymnosperms” to a hypothesized extant groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Cephaleuros Species, the Plant-Parasitic Green Algae
    Plant Disease Aug. 2008 PD-43 Cephaleuros Species, the Plant-Parasitic Green Algae Scot C. Nelson Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences ephaleuros species are filamentous green algae For information on other Cephaleuros species and and parasites of higher plants. In Hawai‘i, at least their diseases in our region, please refer to the technical twoC of horticultural importance are known: Cephaleu- report by Fred Brooks (in References). To see images of ros virescens and Cephaleuros parasiticus. Typically Cephaleuros minimus on noni in American Samoa, visit harmless, generally causing minor diseases character- the Hawai‘i Pest and Disease Image Gallery (www.ctahr. ized by negligible leaf spots, on certain crops in moist hawaii.edu/nelsons/Misc), and click on “noni.” environments these algal diseases can cause economic injury to plant leaves, fruits, and stems. C. virescens is The pathogen the most frequently reported algal pathogen of higher The disease is called algal leaf spot, algal fruit spot, and plants worldwide and has the broadest host range among green scurf; Cephaleuros infections on tea and coffee Cephaleuros species. Frequent rains and warm weather plants have been called “red rust.” These are aerophilic, are favorable conditions for these pathogens. For hosts, filamentous green algae. Although aerophilic and ter- poor plant nutrition, poor soil drainage, and stagnant air restrial, they require a film of water to complete their are predisposing factors to infection by the algae. life cycles. The genus Cephaleuros is a member of the Symptoms and crop damage can vary greatly depend- Trentepohliales and a unique order, Chlorophyta, which ing on the combination of Cephaleuros species, hosts and contains the photosynthetic organisms known as green environments.
    [Show full text]
  • Photosynthesis... Using Algae Wrapped in Jelly Balls
    Student Sheet 23 www.saps.org.uk Photosynthesis... using algae wrapped in jelly balls Algae can be considered as one-celled plants, and they usually live in water. You are going to use algae to look at the rate of photosynthesis. The algae are tiny and are difficult to work with directly in the water so the first part of the practical involves ‘immobilising’ the algae. This effectively traps large numbers of algal cells in ‘jelly like’ balls so that we can keep them in one place and not lose them. We use sodium alginate to help make the jelly. Sodium alginate is not harmful to the algae. When these algae are ‘wrapped up’ in the jelly balls they are excellent to use in experiments on photosynthesis. These algal balls are: • cheap to grow and easy to make – you will be able to make hundreds in a very short time • easy to get a standard quantity of plant material because each of the balls is approximately the same volume • easy to keep alive for several weeks so you can keep them for future experiments 1. First you need to obtain a 2. Now you have millions of algal 3. Finally we’re going to make the concentrated suspension of algae. cells in a small volume of liquid. balls… Do this by removing some of the It’s time to mix them into your liquid medium in which they are ‘jelly’. Pour the green mixture through growing in one of two ways. an open-ended syringe into a 2% Pour about 2.5cm3 of jelly (sodium solution of calcium chloride.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Chemical, Organic and Bio Fertilizers on Photosynthetic Pigments, Carbohydrates and Minerals of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum
    Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2016). 3(2): 296-310 Research Article SOI: http://s-o-i.org/1.15/ijarbs-2016-3-2-40 Effect of Chemical, Organic and Bio Fertilizers on photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates and minerals of Wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) Irrigated with Sea Water Amany S. Al-Erwy*, Abdulmoneam Al-Toukhy and Sameera O. Bafeel Dept. Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences King Abdul Aziz Univ, KSA *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of chemical, organic and bio-fertilizers on photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, non-soluble sugars, total carbohydrates and mineral elements in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown under different concentrations of sea water (0%, 20% and 40%). Chemical fertilizer was used at concentrations of 0, 250 and 500 kg/ha; Rhizobium and Azotobacter were used as Biofertilizers; and Humic acid in concentrations of (0, 5 and 10 kg/ha) was used as organic fertilizer. The obtained results showed that photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates and nutrient elements were markedly reduced at the high levels of sea water particularly 40% ratio. While, fertilizer treatments had an observed promotion effects on those constituents, particularly Bio and organic fertilizers that were more effective than chemical fertilizers even at high concentrations of sea water. This may be because of the potential effect of organic and bio- fertilizers on providing the nutrient elements needed by plants besides some other beneficial compounds that help plants to withstand high salt stress conditions. Keywords: Sea water, fertilizers, wheat, pigments, carbohydrates, minerals. Introduction Wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) is one of the most Saudi Arabia as well as other arid and semi-arid important crops in most countries of the world regions all over the world (Almaghrabi, 2012).
    [Show full text]
  • CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE) BLOOMS When in Doubt, It’S Best to Keep Out!
    Cyanobacteria Blooms FAQs CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE) BLOOMS When in doubt, it’s best to keep out! What are cyanobacteria? Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water. These single-celled organisms live in fresh, brackish (combined salt and fresh water), and marine water. These organisms use sunlight to make their own food. In warm, nutrient-rich (high in phosphorus and nitrogen) environments, cyanobacteria can multiply quickly, creating blooms that spread across the water’s surface. The blooms might become visible. How are cyanobacteria blooms formed? Cyanobacteria blooms form when cyanobacteria, which are normally found in the water, start to multiply very quickly. Blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Cyanobacteria blooms need nutrients to survive. The blooms can form at any time, but most often form in late summer or early fall. What does a cyanobacteria bloom look like? You might or might not be able to see cyanobacteria blooms. They sometimes stay below the water’s surface, they sometimes float to the surface. Some cyanobacteria blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats, particularly when the wind blows them toward a shoreline. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red. Blooms sometimes look like paint floating on the water’s surface. As cyanobacteria in a bloom die, the water may smell bad, similar to rotting plants. Why are some cyanbacteria blooms harmful? Cyanobacteria blooms that harm people, animals, or the environment are called cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms.
    [Show full text]