Effect of drying methods on the powder and compaction properties of microcrystalline cellulose derived from Gossypium herbaceum

The effect of drying method, a process variable, on the powder and compaction properties of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtained from the partial acid hydrolysis of bleached alpha (α) cellulose content of matured linters of Gossypium herbaceum (GH) was investigated. A portion of the wet MCC obtained was fluid bed dried at 60 ± 1 ºC, inlet air of 30 m3 min-1 for 3 h (coded MCC-GossF). The second portion was lyophilized at - 45 ± 2 ºC for 6 h (coded MCC-GossL). The physicochemical, scanning electron micrographs, X ray diffraction patterns and micromeritic properties of the derived MCCs were determined using standard methods. The cohesiveness and compactibility of the powders were investigated using Kawakita model while the deformation and compressibility pattern were determined using Heckel model. Avicel® PH 102 (AV-102) was used as comparing standard. Ash values of < 2%, pH (6.54 ± 0.23 to 6.58 ± 0.08), degree of polymerization, DP (231.50) was obtained. MCC-GossF had higher moisture content, swellability, better flow indices, and lesser porosity than MCC-GossL. Kawakita model demonstrated good consolidation and compactibility for both powders. Compacts of MCC-GossL were significantly (p < 0.05) harder than those of MCC-GossF. Heckel analysis demonstrated good compressibility and deformation pattern that was comparable with AV-102. Compacts of MCC-GossL had better mechanical and tablet compression properties than MCC-GossF

Fish assemblages in three fringed mangrove bays of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Marine Reserve / Ensamblaje de peces en tres bahías con bordes de manglar en la Isla Santa Cruz, Reserva Marina de Galápagos

Abstract Mangrove-fringed bays are highly variable ecosystems that provide critical habitats for fish species. In this study we assessed the fish assemblage in three mangrove-fringed bays (Punta Rocafuerte, Saca Calzón and Garrapatero) in the Southeast side of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Marine Reserve. Using gillnets, we carried out a total of 108 fieldtrips from January 2010 to December 2011. A total of 1 773 bony and 740 cartilaginous fishes belonging to 26 species and 15 families were identified at the same sampling sites. Species richness was higher in the protected bay (Garrapatero) than in those open to fishing (Punta Rocafuerte, Saca Calzón). Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus, n= 729), Thoburn's mullets (Mugil thoburni, n= 492), Peruvian mojarras (Diapterus peruvianus, n= 440), milkfish (Chanos chanos, n= 206) and the yellow fin mojarras (Gerres cinereus, n= 197) were the most common species across sites and season (cold and warm). The abundance of the most common species varied seasonally, with C. limbatus and C. chanos being more abundant in the warm season (December to April), and M. thoburni, C. limbatus and G. cinereus in the cold season (June to October). Temperature was the most important driver of abundance in C. limbatus and C. chanos, while salinity influenced Umbrina galapagorum. This study represents the first evaluation of the fish assemblage composition and dynamics in mangrove-fringed bays in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 674-687. Epub 2018 June 01.

Resumen Las bahías de manglar son ecosistemas muy variables que proveen hábitats críticos para especies de peces. En este estudio se evaluó los ensamblajes de peces de tres bahías de manglar (Punta Rocafuerte, Saca Calzón y Garrapatero) ubicadas en el sureste de la isla Santa Cruz, Reserva Marina de Galápagos. Usando redes de trasmallos iguales a los usados por la pesca artesanal, se llevaron a cabo un total de 108 salidas de campo entre enero 2010 y diciembre 2011. Un total 1 773 peces óseos y 740 peces cartilaginosos correspondiendo a 26 especies y 15 familias fueron capturados, identificados y liberados con vida. La riqueza de especies fue mayor en Garrapatero (sitio protegido) que en Punta Rocafuerte y Saca Cazón (sitios abiertos a la pesca). Las mayores capturas estuvieron representadas por el tiburón punta negra (Carcharhinus limbatus; n= 729), seguido la lisa rabo negro (Mugil thoburni; n= 492), la mojarra peruana (Diapterus peruvianus; n= 440), la diabla (Chanos chanos; n= 206) y la mojarra rayada (Gerres cinereus; n= 197). A pesar que éstas especies fueron consistentemente las más importantes a través de los sitios y temporadas (caliente y fría), se observó una mayor abundancia de C. limbatus y C. chanos durante la temporada caliente (enero a abril), y de M. thoburni, C. limbatus y G. cinereus durante la temporada fría (junio a octubre). La temperatura fue determinada como el factor más importante que influye en la abundancia de C. limbatus y C. Chanos, mientras la salinidad lo fue para Umbrina galapagorum. Este estudio representa una importante contribución para el entendimiento de la composición de los ensamblajes de peces en las bahías de manglar de la Reserva Marina de Galápagos.

Assessing the phytoplankton and water quality of Kingston Harbour and Hellshire coast, Jamaica, after the implementation of a waste water treatment facility / Evaluación de la calidad de las aguas de la Bahía de Kingston y la costa Hellshire, Jamaica, después de la implementación de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales

Deteriorating water quality of Kingston Harbour, due primarily to sewage discharge and its effect on nearby Hellshire Coast, has been an issue since the 1970s. The implementation of a new sewage treatment facility in 2007 to receive the harbour’s waste at Soapberry was expected to make a positive difference. Physico-chemical and biological parameters were used to assess water quality to determine the effect of the facility. Eleven stations used in earlier studies (1990 to 1998) were re-sampled to represent Kingston, Hunts Bay and North East Hellshire coastline over a four week sampling regime between May and June 2011. While temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH remained unchanged between the 1990’s and 2011, BOD5, faecal coliform and nitrate concentrations indicated that the water quality had improved minimally in Kinsgton and Hellshire,and deteriorated significantly in Hunts. Phytoplankton biomass decreased in Kingston (from 3.84 mg m-3 in 1998 to 2.81 mg m-3 in 2011) and increased significantly in Hunts (from 14.69 mg m-3 in 1998 to 24.17 mg m-3 in 2011). Biomass along Hellshire was similar (2.15 mg m-3 in 1998; 2.45 mg m-3 in 2011). In 1998 the nanoplankton biomass (2.7 to 20μm) dominated throughout the Harbour. In 2011 Hunts Bay was dominated by net-plankton (>20μm), indicative of eutrophic waters.

El deterioro de la calidad del agua del puerto de Kingston es debido principalmente a la descarga de aguas residuales y su efecto en los alrededores de la Costa de Hellshire, esto ha sido un problema desde la década de 1970. La implementación de una nueva planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales en 2007 para recibir residuos del Puerto de Kingston en Soapberry se esperaba hiciera una diferencia positiva. Parámetros físico-químicos y biológicos fueron utilizados para evaluar la calidad del agua y determinar el efecto de la planta de tratamiento. Once estaciones que fueron utilizadas en estudios anteriores (1990-1998) se muestrearon nuevamente para representar el puerto de Kingston, Bahía Hunts y la costa North East Hellshire sobre un régimen de muestreo de cuatro semanas entre mayo y junio de 2011. Mientras la temperatura, salinidad, turbidez, oxígeno disuelto y pH se mantuvieron sin cambios entre los años noventa y 2011, BOD5, coliformes fecales y concentraciones de nitratos indicaron que había mejorado la calidad del agua del puerto y la costa mínimamente mientras que la calidad del agua en la bahía Hunts se había deteriorado significativamente. La biomasa del fitoplancton disminuyó en el puerto de Kingston (de 3.84mg m-3 en 1998 a 2.81mg m-3 en el 2011), y aumentó significativamente en bahía Hunts (de 14.69mg m-3 en 1998 a 24.17mg m-3 en el 2011). La biomasa en la costa permaneció similar (de 2.15mg m-3 en 1998 a 2.45mg m-3 en 2011). En 1998 la biomasa de nanoplancton (2.7 a 20μm) dominó a lo largo del puerto. En el 2011 la bahía Hunts era dominada por neto-plancton (>20μm), indicativo de aguas eutróficas.

Avaliação da infestação e diversidade de Teredinidae (Mollusca - Bivalvia) ao longo da costa do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Evaluation of the infestation and diversity of Teredinidae (Mollusca - Bivalvia) along the coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

In order to evaluate the diversity and infestation level of Teredinidae wood-boring molluscs, ten satations were chosen along the coast of Rio de Janeiro State. Using five pine-wood panels in each station, it was possible to distinguish five areas according to species dominance. Ilha Grande Bay is characterized by the dominance of Lyrodus floridanus (Bartsch, 1922); Sepetiba Bay, by Bankia fimbriatula Moll & Roch, 1931, Tijuca Lagoon by Teredo navalis Linnaeus, 1758; Guanabara Bay by Notoredo knoxi (Bartsch, 1917) and Araruama Lagoon by Teredo furcifera Martens, 1894. Specific composition and dominance of these species were due mainly to abiotic factors such as salinity whereas infestation level was associated not only to salinity but also to other factors such as the quantity and quality of fouling, the presence of larval dispersion focus and the wood supply in each area.