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Plantinga P, Rahman S, Rizkalla K, Shepherd JG, Phua CW. Splenic Angiosarcoma with Bone Marrow Involvement Initially Diagnosed as Systemic Mastocytosis: A Case Report. Cureus 2019; 11:e5804. [PMID: 31720194 PMCID: PMC6823090 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.5804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the case of a 67-year-old female patient presenting with constitutional symptoms and rapid decline. Two bone marrow core biopsies were performed, with spindled cells identified and thought to represent marrow involvement by systemic mastocytosis on the first biopsy. A diagnosis of metastatic vascular malignancy with sarcomatoid features was favored on the second core biopsy. The patient rapidly deteriorated and passed away. The post-mortem examination revealed a splenic angiosarcoma with metastasis to the liver and bone marrow. Splenic angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive entity, with bone marrow metastasis even more uncommon. This report perceives this as a diagnostic consideration on bone marrow biopsies with spindled cells and explores the diagnostic dilemma and overlapping features of systemic mastocytosis and angiosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Plantinga
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, CAN
| | - Sadaf Rahman
- Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, CAN
| | - Kamilia Rizkalla
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, CAN
| | - Jessica G Shepherd
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Science Centre, London, CAN
| | - Chai W Phua
- Hematology, London Health Sciences Centre, London, CAN
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2
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Buss W, Assavavittayanon K, Shepherd JG, Heal KV, Sohi S. Biochar Phosphorus Release Is Limited by High pH and Excess Calcium. J Environ Qual 2018; 47:1298-1303. [PMID: 30272768 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2018.05.0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Aside from its use for improving soil properties, biochar is increasingly promoted as a direct nutrient provider for sustainable recycling of waste materials. However, incomplete understanding of the interacting factors that determine P release from biochar may limit the efficiency of P recycling from biochar to soil. In particular, the contrasting pH of biochar and soil need to be considered. In this study, soil-free biochar (rice [ L.] husk, 700°C) extractions were performed under different pH (4.6-9.9) and extractant conditions to test how solution composition affects biochar P release. When solution pH was in the range of 7.6 to 8.6 and excess Ca was present in the solution or in biochar, P release was low-only 1 to 7% of the total P was released compared with ∼20% under most other conditions. Importantly, we demonstrate that biochar total Ca concentration is closely related to P availability ( = 0.76) and could be used to predict biochar P release. The results suggest that for maximum P release, low Ca concentrations in biochar and (soil) solution are needed and/or a pH <7.5 at the soil-biochar interface. This novel understanding will help engineer sustainable biochar fertilizers optimized for P provision.
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3
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Joseph S, Kammann CI, Shepherd JG, Conte P, Schmidt HP, Hagemann N, Rich AM, Marjo CE, Allen J, Munroe P, Mitchell DRG, Donne S, Spokas K, Graber ER. Microstructural and associated chemical changes during the composting of a high temperature biochar: Mechanisms for nitrate, phosphate and other nutrient retention and release. Sci Total Environ 2018; 618:1210-1223. [PMID: 29126641 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of the nutrient status of biochar and soils prior to its inclusion in particular agricultural systems. Pre-treatment of nutrient-reactive biochar, where nutrients are loaded into pores and onto surfaces, gives improved yield outcomes compared to untreated biochar. In this study we have used a wide selection of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to investigate the mechanisms of nutrient retention in a high temperature wood biochar, which had negative effects on Chenopodium quinoa above ground biomass yield when applied to the system without prior nutrient loading, but positive effects when applied after composting. We have compared non-composted biochar (BC) with composted biochar (BCC) to elucidate the differences which may have led to these results. The results of our investigation provide evidence for a complex series of reactions during composting, where dissolved nutrients are first taken up into biochar pores along a concentration gradient and through capillary action, followed by surface sorption and retention processes which block biochar pores and result in deposition of a nutrient-rich organomineral (plaque) layer. The lack of such pretreatment in the BC samples would render it reactive towards nutrients in a soil-fertilizer system, making it a competitor for, rather than provider of, nutrients for plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Joseph
- Discipline of Chemistry, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; University of New South Wales, School of Material Science and Engineering, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of NSW, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Electron Microscopy Centre, Australian Institute for Advanced Materials, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW 2517, Australia.
| | - Claudia I Kammann
- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Working Group Climate Change Research for Special Crops, University Geisenheim, Von-Lade Str. 1, D-65366 Geisenheim, Germany.
| | - Jessica G Shepherd
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, EH9 3BZ, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Pellegrino Conte
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Palermo, viale delle Scienze ed. 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Hans-Peter Schmidt
- Ithaka Institute for Carbon Strategies, Ancienne Eglise 9, 1974 Arbaz, Switzerland
| | - Nikolas Hagemann
- Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tuebingen, Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anne M Rich
- Solid State and Elemental Analysis Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Christopher E Marjo
- Solid State and Elemental Analysis Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jessica Allen
- School of Chemical Engineering University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia.
| | - Paul Munroe
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of NSW, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - David R G Mitchell
- Electron Microscopy Centre, Australian Institute for Advanced Materials, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW 2517, Australia.
| | - Scott Donne
- Discipline of Chemistry, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; University of New South Wales, School of Material Science and Engineering, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Kurt Spokas
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Soil and Water Management Unit, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Ellen R Graber
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O.B. 15159, Rishon LeTzion 7528809, Israel
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Cecchini MJ, Shepherd DL, Shepherd JG. A Case of Localized Pulmonary Calcification Presenting as a Persistent Mass Lesion in an Immunosuppressed Patient Following Treatment of a Pseudomonas Pneumonia. Cureus 2017; 9:e1765. [PMID: 29234569 PMCID: PMC5724809 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.1765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of a persistent right upper lobe opacity following treatment for a Pseudomonas infection in an immunosuppressed patient with a recent renal transplantation. The patient underwent a surgical lung biopsy for definitive diagnosis of the mass. The lesion was composed of extensive calcifications deposited throughout the lung with associated fibrosis. The patient had a history of a remote parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism; however, the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the calcium levels were still mildly elevated. No other calcified lung lesions had developed in a follow-up after the initial resection. Pulmonary calcification has been classically associated with varicella pneumonia; no viral cytopathic changes were identified for varicella or other viruses in this case. The calcification appears to be secondary to the recent Pseudomonas pneumonia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Pseudomonas pneumonia resulting in extensive localized pulmonary calcification. This is an important diagnostic consideration as this benign entity should be considered in patients with persistent opacities following treatment for pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Cecchini
- Department of Pathology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, CA
| | - Dominic L Shepherd
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, CA
| | - Jessica G Shepherd
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Science Centre
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Shepherd JG, Joseph S, Sohi SP, Heal KV. Biochar and enhanced phosphate capture: Mapping mechanisms to functional properties. Chemosphere 2017; 179:57-74. [PMID: 28364649 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A multi-technique analysis was performed on a range of biochar materials derived from secondary organic resources and aimed at sustainable recovery and re-use of wastewater phosphorus (P). Our purpose was to identify mechanisms of P capture in biochar and thereby inform its future optimisation as a sustainable P fertiliser. The biochar feedstock comprised pellets of anaerobically digested sewage sludge (PAD) or pellets of the same blended in the ratio 9:1 with ochre sourced from minewater treatment (POCAD), components which have limited alternative economic value. In the present study the feedstocks were pyrolysed at two highest treatment temperatures of 450 and 550 °C. Each of the resulting biochars were repeatedly exposed to a 20 mg l-1 PO4-P solution, to produce a parallel set of P-exposed biochars. Biochar exterior and/or interior surfaces were quantitatively characterised using laser-ablation (LA)-ICP-MS, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray. The results highlighted the general importance of Fe minerals in P capture. XPS analysis of POCAD550 indicated lower oxidation state Fe2p3 bonding compared to POCAD450, and LA-ICP-MS indicated stronger covariation of Fe and S, even after P exposure. This suggests that low-solubility Fe/S compounds are formed during pyrolysis, are affected by process parameters and impact on P capture. Other data suggested capture roles for aluminium, calcium and silicon. Overall, our analyses suggest that a range of mechanisms for P capture are concurrently active in biochar. We highlighted the potential to manipulate these through choice of form and composition of feedstock as well as pyrolysis processing, so that biochar may be increasingly tailored towards specific functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica G Shepherd
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK.
| | - Stephen Joseph
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Office C325, Chemistry, Callaghan, New South Wales, 2308, Australia; School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia; Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Department of Applied Physics. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Saran P Sohi
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Kate V Heal
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
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6
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Shepherd JG, Buss W, Sohi SP, Heal KV. Bioavailability of phosphorus, other nutrients and potentially toxic elements from marginal biomass-derived biochar assessed in barley (Hordeum vulgare) growth experiments. Sci Total Environ 2017; 584-585:448-457. [PMID: 28131454 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Biochars produced from marginal biomass feedstocks are a potential source of recycled nutrients for agriculture, but may also contain potentially toxic elements (PTEs) which can cause phytotoxicity. We assessed the potential for nutrient recycling from such materials against potential environmental risks in 17 biochars containing high concentrations of various PTEs and nutrients. Methods for investigating the risk of biochar-derived PTEs were developed and assessed. Short-term (21days) growth experiments with barley (Hordeum vulgare) in 5% biochar/sand mixtures were used to present the 'worst-case scenario' of high dose and low pH buffering. We compared plant nutrient and PTE concentrations with amounts extracted from the same biochars using 1M NH4NO3 or 0.01M CaCl2 (buffered and unbuffered, respectively) and Mehlich 3 to analyse whether such extractions could be used to predict bioavailability. The yields of barley grown with biochars "EPOCAD550", and "WLB550" were significantly higher than the control (p<0.05). Total phosphorus (P) concentration in above-ground biomass was higher than the control for the EPOCAD550 treatment (p<0.01). Both buffered and unbuffered 0.01M CaCl2 biochar extractions were significantly positively correlated with plant leaf concentration for six of the 18 elements investigated, more than any of the other extractions. CaCl2 extractions provided the most representative assessment of element bioavailability from marginal biochars compared to more resource-intensive growth experiments. Our results provide new insights into the bioavailability of elements in biochar and the standardisation of methods which accurately assess this attribute, which is necessary for promoting use of biochars from marginal biomass for recycling nutrients from wastewater and to agricultural production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica G Shepherd
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK.
| | - Wolfram Buss
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Saran P Sohi
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Kate V Heal
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
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7
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Buss W, Graham MC, Shepherd JG, Mašek O. Risks and benefits of marginal biomass-derived biochars for plant growth. Sci Total Environ 2016; 569-570:496-506. [PMID: 27362631 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 19 biochars from marginal biomass, representing all major biomass groups (woody materials, grass, an aquatic plant, anthropogenic wastes) were investigated regarding their content of available potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and nutrients (determined by NH4NO3-extractions) and their effects on cress (Lepidium sativum) seedling growth. The objective was to assess the potential and actual effects of biochar with increased PTE content on plant growth in the context of use in soil amendments and growing media. It showed that the percentage of available PTEs was highest for biochars produced at the highest treatment temperature (HTT) of 750°C. On average, however, for all 19 biochars, the percentage availability of Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn (<1.5% for all) was similar to the percentage availability reported in the literature for the same elements in soils at similar pH values which is a highly important finding. Most biochars exceeded German soil threshold values for NH4NO3-extractable PTEs, such as Zn (by up to 25-fold), As and Cd. Despite this, cress seedling growth tests with 5% biochar in sand did not show any correlations between inhibitory effects (observed in 5 of the 19 biochars) and the available PTE concentrations. Instead, the available K concentration and biochar pH were highly significantly, negatively correlated with seedling growth (K: p<0.001, pH: p=0.004). K had the highest available concentration of all elements and the highest percentage availability (47.7±19.7% of the total K was available). Consequently, available K contributed most to the osmotic pressure and high pH which negatively affected the seedlings. Although a potential risk if some of these marginal biomass-derived biochar were applied at high concentrations, e.g. 5% (>100tha(-1)), when applied at agriculturally realistic application rates (1-10tha(-1)), the resulting smaller increases in pH and available K concentration may actually be beneficial for plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Buss
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Margaret C Graham
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Jessica G Shepherd
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Ondřej Mašek
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK.
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Shepherd JG, Sohi SP, Heal KV. Optimising the recovery and re-use of phosphorus from wastewater effluent for sustainable fertiliser development. Water Res 2016; 94:155-165. [PMID: 26945452 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Recovery and re-use of phosphorus (P) from wastewater treatment systems as agricultural fertiliser presents an important and viable target for P waste reduction and recycling. In this study novel biochar materials for P filtration of wastewater were designed and produced using waste feedstocks, with consideration of the plant accessibility of the P captured by the biochars. The biochars were produced using batch slow pyrolysis at 450 °C and 550 °C from a) AD: anaerobically digested sewage sludge and b) OCAD: a 1:1 mixture of anaerobically digested sewage sludge and ochre, a mineral product from mine drainage treatment. A set of experiments was designed using pH buffering to provide a robust framework for assessing the P recovery capacity and affinity of the biochars compared to other potential P recovery materials (unprocessed ochre, activated carbon and zeolite). After 5 days of repeated exposure to a P solution at a wastewater-relevant concentration (0.02 g P l(-1)) replenished each 24 h, relatively high masses of P were recovered by ochre (1.73 ± 8.93×10(-3) mg P g(-1)) and the biochars OCAD550 (1.26 ± 4.66×10(-3) mg P g(-1)), OCAD450 (1.24 ± 2.10×10(-3) mg P g(-1)), AD450 (1.06 ± 3.84×10(-3) mg P g(-1)), and AD550 (0.986 ± 9.31×10(-3) mg P g(-1)). The biochar materials had higher removal rates than both activated carbon (0.884 ± 1.69×10(-2) mg P g(-1)) and zeolite (0.130 ± 1.05×10(-2) mg P g(-1)). To assess the extractability of recovered P, P exposure was followed by repeated extraction for 4 days with pH 7-buffered deionised water. The AD biochars retained 55% of the P recovered, OCAD biochars 78% and ochre 100%. Assessment of potentially toxic element concentrations in the biochars against guideline values indicated low risk associated with their use in the environment. Our successful demonstration of biochar materials highlights the potential for further development of P filters for wastewater treatment systems from anaerobic digestate produced and pyrolysed on-site with energy recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica G Shepherd
- School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, The King's Buildings, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, The University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK.
| | - Saran P Sohi
- School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, The King's Buildings, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; UK Biochar Research Centre, The University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Kate V Heal
- School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, The King's Buildings, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
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Buss W, Graham MC, Shepherd JG, Mašek O. Suitability of marginal biomass-derived biochars for soil amendment. Sci Total Environ 2016; 547:314-322. [PMID: 26789369 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The term "marginal biomass" is used here to describe materials of little or no economic value, e.g. plants grown on contaminated land, food waste or demolition wood. In this study 10 marginal biomass-derived feedstocks were converted into 19 biochars at different highest treatment temperatures (HTT) using a continuous screw-pyrolysis unit. The aim was to investigate suitability of the resulting biochars for land application, judged on the basis of potentially toxic element (PTE) concentration, nutrient content and basic biochar properties (pH, EC, ash, fixed carbon). It was shown that under typical biochar production conditions the percentage content of several PTEs (As, Al, Zn) and nutrients (Ca, Mg) were reduced to some extent, but also that biochar can be contaminated by Cr and Ni during the pyrolysis process due to erosion of stainless steel reactor parts (average+82.8% Cr, +226.0% Ni). This can occur to such an extent that the resulting biochar is rendered unsuitable for soil application (maximum addition +22.5 mg Cr kg(-1) biochar and +44.4 mg Ni kg(-1) biochar). Biomass grown on land heavily contaminated with PTEs yielded biochars with PTE concentrations above recommended threshold values for soil amendments. Cd and Zn were of particular concern, exceeding the lowest threshold values by 31-fold and 7-fold respectively, despite some losses into the gas phase. However, thermal conversion of plants from less severely contaminated soils, demolition wood and food waste anaerobic digestate (AD) into biochar proved to be promising for land application. In particular, food waste AD biochar contained very high nutrient concentrations, making it interesting for use as fertiliser.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Buss
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Margaret C Graham
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Jessica G Shepherd
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Ondřej Mašek
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK.
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Abstract
The climate change that we are experiencing now is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities, including burning fossil fuels, agriculture and deforestation. There is now widespread belief that a global warming of greater than 2(°)C above pre-industrial levels would be dangerous and should therefore be avoided. However, despite growing concerns over climate change and numerous international attempts to agree on reductions of global CO(2) emissions, these have continued to climb. This has led some commentators to suggest more radical 'geoengineering' alternatives to conventional mitigation by reductions in CO(2) emissions. Geoengineering is deliberate intervention in the climate system to counteract man-made global warming. There are two main classes of geoengineering: direct carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management that aims to cool the planet by reflecting more sunlight back to space. The findings of the review of geoengineering carried out by the UK Royal Society in 2009 are summarized here, including the climate effects, costs, risks and research and governance needs for various approaches. The possible role of geoengineering in a portfolio of responses to climate change is discussed, and various recent initiatives to establish good governance of research activity are reviewed. Key findings include the following.- Geoengineering is not a magic bullet and not an alternative to emissions reductions. - Cutting global greenhouse gas emissions must remain our highest priority. (i) But this is proving to be difficult, and geoengineering may be useful to support it. - Geoengineering is very likely to be technically possible. (i) However, there are major uncertainties and potential risks concerning effectiveness, costs and social and environmental impacts. - Much more research is needed, as well as public engagement and a system of regulation (for both deployment and for possible large-scale field tests). - The acceptability of geoengineering will be determined as much by social, legal and political issues as by scientific and technical factors. Some methods of both types would involve release of materials to the environment, either to the atmosphere or to the oceans, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The intended impacts on climate would in any case affect many or all countries, possibly to a variable extent. There are therefore inherent international implications for deployment of such geoengineering methods (and possibly also for some forms of research), which need early and collaborative consideration, before any deployment or large-scale experiments could be undertaken responsibly.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Shepherd
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
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Lampitt RS, Achterberg EP, Anderson TR, Hughes JA, Iglesias-Rodriguez MD, Kelly-Gerreyn BA, Lucas M, Popova EE, Sanders R, Shepherd JG, Smythe-Wright D, Yool A. Ocean fertilization: a potential means of geoengineering? Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2008; 366:3919-45. [PMID: 18757282 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2008.0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The oceans sequester carbon from the atmosphere partly as a result of biological productivity. Over much of the ocean surface, this productivity is limited by essential nutrients and we discuss whether it is likely that sequestration can be enhanced by supplying limiting nutrients. Various methods of supply have been suggested and we discuss the efficacy of each and the potential side effects that may develop as a result. Our conclusion is that these methods have the potential to enhance sequestration but that the current level of knowledge from the observations and modelling carried out to date does not provide a sound foundation on which to make clear predictions or recommendations. For ocean fertilization to become a viable option to sequester CO2, we need more extensive and targeted fieldwork and better mathematical models of ocean biogeochemical processes. Models are needed both to interpret field observations and to make reliable predictions about the side effects of large-scale fertilization. They would also be an essential tool with which to verify that sequestration has effectively taken place. There is considerable urgency to address climate change mitigation and this demands that new fieldwork plans are developed rapidly. In contrast to previous experiments, these must focus on the specific objective which is to assess the possibilities of CO2 sequestration through fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Lampitt
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, UK.
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Abstract
As early as 1930 sunlamps claiming to provide ultraviolet (UV) exposure to make vitamin D were sold to the public in the US and Canada for home use. Today even with dietary supplementation of vitamin D many people do not get enough solar UV exposure to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels. There is growing interest in the availability of sunlamps for this purpose. The original Sperti Sunlamp, with label claiming vitamin D benefit was approved by the American Medical Association in 1940 as a sunlamp. This intermediate pressure mercury lamps ultraviolet B emission lines, at 297, 302, and 313 nm are able to convert 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin to vitamin pre-D3 initiating the natural process of vitamin D formation. Today's KBD Vitamin D lamp, an updated model of the earlier type source. In order to comply with modern safety guidance, the source is filtered to remove unnecessary UVC radiation and is equipped with a timer to control the dose administered. The 5 min timer provides an exposure, at 20 in. from the user's skin, of one standard erythemal dose (SED). The SED represents a suberythemal dose for even the most sensitive skin type I individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Sayre
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.
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Abstract
Pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma is an unusual benign tumour of uncertain histogenesis. In the past 50 years, hundreds of cases have been described. A case of sclerosing hemangioma with some unusual features, including a false-positive fine needle aspiration biopsy and histological evidence of lymph node metastases, is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Chan
- Department of Pathology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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Shepherd JG, Wang L, Reeves PR. Comparison of O-antigen gene clusters of Escherichia coli (Shigella) sonnei and Plesiomonas shigelloides O17: sonnei gained its current plasmid-borne O-antigen genes from P. shigelloides in a recent event. Infect Immun 2000; 68:6056-61. [PMID: 10992522 PMCID: PMC101574 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.10.6056-6061.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2000] [Accepted: 07/18/2000] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli Sonnei has an O antigen identical to that of Plesiomonas shigelloides O17, and its O-antigen gene cluster is located on a plasmid. By sequencing the chromosomal O-antigen gene cluster of P. shigelloides O17 and comparing it with that of Sonnei, we showed that Sonnei gained its O-antigen genes recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Shepherd
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Shepherd JG, Chen JR, Tsao MS, Duguid WP. Neoplastic transformation of propagable cultured rat pancreatic duct epithelial cells by azaserine and streptozotocin. Carcinogenesis 1993; 14:1027-33. [PMID: 8099312 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/14.5.1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of duct cells in the histogenesis of pancreatic carcinoma was studied using a propagable cultured pancreatic duct epithelial cell line derived from a Fischer-344 rat. Tumorigenic transformation was induced by treatment with two experimental pancreatic carcinogens, azaserine and streptozotocin, or spontaneously using a 'selective' culture condition. Tumors arising from spontaneously transformed cells were anaplastic carcinomas, while those from streptozotocin-transformed cells were well or moderately differentiated ductal adenocarcinomas. Azaserine-treated cells produced moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. Ultrastructural evidence of acinar or endocrine differentiation was absent. The biochemical phenotypes of representative tumor cell lines established from these tumors were studied. As compared to the parental cell line which expressed high activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) and negligible activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), the tumor cell lines displayed variably increased levels of GGT, and a diminution or loss of CA activity. The tumor cell lines also showed heterogeneity in proto-oncogene and growth factor/receptor expression. The transforming growth factor-alpha mRNA expression was increased in all tumor cell lines, especially in those induced by azaserine. In contrast, mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor receptor was markedly down-regulated in all tumor cell lines. All chemically induced tumor cell lines showed marked overexpression of the c-myc and c-Ki-ras mRNAs, whereas the spontaneously transformed tumor cell line showed only a significant overexpression of the c-Ki-ras. Point mutation of this proto-oncogene at codons 12, 13 or 61 was absent. The results show that azaserine and streptozotocin are potent carcinogens in vitro for cultured rat pancreatic duct epithelial cells, and the phenotype of the tumors is modulated by the method or agent used for their transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Shepherd
- Department of Pathology, Montreal General Hospital, Quebec, Canada
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Hunt GJ, Hewett CJ, Shepherd JG. The identification of critical groups and its application to fish and shellfish consumers in the coastal area of the North-East Irish Sea. Health Phys 1982; 43:875-889. [PMID: 7152951 DOI: 10.1097/00004032-198212000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Control of radioactive waste disposal to the environment, based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), necessitates an identification of the critical group of members of the public exposed from a given practice. Criteria for identification of critical groups based mainly on ICRP recommendations are discussed. Methods existing up to 1974 are briefly reviewed in the light of these criteria. Two more recent methods are described and compared on the basis of previous data; these methods, which are complementary, are based on homogeneity considerations and satisfy the criteria generally rather better than do the earlier methods. The application of the newer techniques to recent surveys of fish and shellfish consumption in the coastal area of the North-East Irish Sea is described, in relation to discharges from the Windscale reprocessing plant. The results of this survey are presented, and estimates are given of the effective dose equivalent to members of these critical groups in recent years, to show the effect of liquid discharges from Windscale in terms of public radiation exposure.
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