Closing the Loop on Lignocellulosic-based Solid Waste Management: Production of Biochar for Agricultural Land and Contaminant Adsorption Applications and for Climate Change

This research project is focused on examining the feasibility of converting lignocellulosic -based solid waste streams destined for landfill, into a valuable biochar product. Biochar has many applications including a soil amendment to improve soil fertility and in low-cost adsorption applications such as control of odorous sulphur pollutants in air emissions, and as an adsorption surface for toxic metals in industrial waste streams. We have completed an inventory of lignocellulosic –based waste from municipal sources (and expanded our study to include university, demolition and garden wastes), We have produced small amounts of biochar samples and chemically tested their properties for applications stated above. This a long term project, however, through funding from the Harris Centre’s applied research Fund we have been able to address some of the objectives outlined in the original proposal aimed at diverting a major solid waste stream from landfills to the production of a useful biochar product

The role of 3’,4’-dihydroxyphenyl-γ-valerolactone, the gut microbiota metabolite of (−)-epicatechin, in reducing insulin resistance

Background: Hydroxyphenyl-γ-valerolactones (HPVLs) are microbiota-derived metabolites of monomeric catechins and comprise about 33 % of total human catechin metabolites. HPVLs could therefore contribute to the previously reported beneficial effects of (−)-epicatechin (EC) on high-fat (HF) diet induced weight gain and insulin resistance (IR) in mice. Aims: Assess the bioavailability and metabolism of 3’,4’-dihydroxyphenyl-γ-valerolactone (34DHPVL) and determine its effects on IR, body weight gain, steatosis and hepatic gene expression changes when fed directly to mice on HF or low-fat (LF) diets. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed LF (10 % kcal) or HF (60 % kcal) diets with or without 20 mg/kg body weight (BW) supplementation of EC or 34DHPVL for 15-weeks. A fasted glucose tolerance test was performed at week-13 to assess IR. Plasma and liver lipids were quantified, and the effects on global gene expression assessed via RNA-sequencing analysis of liver tissue. Results: Gavaged 34DHPVL was highly bioavailable and present in plasma solely as sulfated and glucuronidated conjugates. 34DHPVL dietary supplementation reduced plasma glucose A.U.C (p-= 0.12) albeit non-significantly (ns), paradoxically increased plasma insulin (p-<-0.01) and liver lipids (ns) but had no effect on HF diet-induced BW gain. EC dietary supplementation improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, p-=-0.07), and mitigated HF diet-induced BW and liver weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation (all p-<-0.05). Both EC and 34DHPVL protected against HF diet-induced increases in expression of genes involved in glucose production and increased expression of insulin signalling genes, but the effects of EC were much stronger. Conclusion: These data suggest that 34DHPVL may contribute modestly to the beneficial effects of EC consumption on HF-diet induced IR, but it is clear that the effects of the parent EC are stronger. 34DHPVL is not responsible for the mitigation of HF diet-induced BW gain caused by EC, which suggests that this effect is caused by EC conjugates

Biosorption of Silver using Metal-Imprinted Thiourea-Modified Glutaraldehyde-Crosslinked O-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Beads

Chitosan, an abundant biopolymer obtained from deacetylation of chitin, has been proved to be a promising biosorbent for metal uptake. Grafting new functional groups on the chitosan backbone was also reported to be efficient in increasing either the sorption capacity or sorption selectivity for the target metal. In this study, silver-imprinted thiourea-modified glutaraldehyde-crosslinked O-carboxymethyl chitosan beads were prepared to selectively adsorb Ag (I) from a bimetallic aqueous solution. The biosorbent was synthesized by using prepared O-carboxymethyl chitosan beads to first absorb Ag (I) ion, then crosslinking with a polymeric Schiff’s base of thiourea/glutaraldehyde. To obtain the best performance sorbent, the degree of carboxymethylation substitution, and the amount of crosslinking agent used were studied. Results indicated the highest selective uptake capacity of Ag (I) occurred when a molar ratio of amino group of chitosan to carboxymethylation agent to crosslinking agent of 6:15:16 is used in the synthesis.Batch sorption tests were carried out for isotherm and kinetic studies using the sorbent which provides the best selective uptake capacity of Ag (I). All isothermal and kinetic experiments were performed at 25 °C. The maximum uptake of Ag (I) was found to be 137.5 mgg-1 at pH 5.0 with the initial concentration of Ag (I) being 1.75mmolL-1. The sorbent demonstrated extremely good selectivity towards Ag (I) as equal mole of Cu (II) present in the solution was scarcely absorbed over a pH range from 1.0 to 6.0. The experiments also revealed that the biosorption process of Ag (I) fits well with a Langmuir model and Lagergren’s Pseudo-second-order kinetic

Constructing the emotions of childhood: an analysis of Margaret Mahy’s use of emotion in her literary contribution to the School Journal

This qualitative content analysis research study examines how Margaret Mahy used emotion in the School Journal to form insights into reader appeal, reader response and the social construction of childhood. This research study examines Mahy’s contribution to the School Journal. The study explores this body of work in terms of how its author uses emotion to captivate readers by evoking the feelings associated with childhood. The underlying objective of the study was to provide insights into why Mahy’s work is so treasured and memorable; to explain how she uses emotion to captivate readers, and how this contributes to the social construction of childhood. The prose and poetry Mahy contributed to the School Journal prove to be a significant, rich and uncharted resource for the purposes of this research investigation. Analysis of this body of work has allowed for greater insights and understanding into Mahy’s contribution to children’s literature. It has also allowed for a greater appreciation of how Mahy’s use of emotion contributes to the social construction of childhood. This type of content analysis research study proves to be invaluable in the development of reader’s advisory services to young people. The employment of a content analysis methodology, underpinned by a discourse analysis approach, enabled the emotional narratives of Mahy’s text to be explained and understood. The study’s findings, that lightness and aliveness are the most prevalent and persuasive emotions operating within Mahy’s text, was substantiated through analysis of actual reader responses. This investigation is most applicable to school librarians, children’s librarians and educators. The study has broader implications for the improvement of client interaction and collection development in youth library service

Functional groups and common pyrolysate products of Odontopteris cantabrica (index fossil for the Cantabrian Substage, Carboniferous)

Foliage of the tree-fern Odontopteris cantabrica (Order: Medullosales) is considered a reliable plant-fossil index for the Cantabrian Substage (Carboniferous, 306 Ma). Compared are two preservation states from Canada (fossilized cuticles) and the Czech Republic (compression-cuticles), representing relatively uncommon and common preservation states, respectively. The main objective is deriving spectrochemical parameters for refining the taxonomic circumscription of the species. For the comparison, five sample categories (fossilized-cuticle, macerated fossilized-cuticle, compression, cuticle, and alkaline solution) are analyzed by methods of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, complemented by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for the Canadian sample. Variation of FTIR data in the latter sample is explained by the geochemical model for the formation of fossilized-cuticles by natural maceration.As a result, we propose a set of semi-quantitative FTIR ratios (spectral regions 1800-1000 cm-1 and 3000-2800 cm-1) as spectrochemical-taxonomic parameters for the index fossil: CH2/CH3, Al/Ox, C=O/C=C, C=O cont, Ar/Al and Ar/C=C. They contain molecular structural information related to aliphatic, aromatic and oxygen-bearing moieties. As expected, small overall spectrochemical differences occur, given converging preservation states, or similar fossilization trends for the cantabrica-plant inhabiting the Variscan Forelands of the ancestral Canada-Czech geographical regions. Some chemical differences occurred due to preservations in the sample categories (i.e., fossilized-cuticle and compression) with the oxygen-bearing structures, the length and branching of polymethylenic side chains and aromatic structures. A biomacropolymeric structure is confirmed by Py-GC/MS, and deduced for the Czech sample from the higher CH2/CH3 ratios.Fil: Zodrow, Eewin L. Cape Breton University; CanadáFil: D`angelo, José Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Helleur, Robert. Memorial University of Newfoundland; CanadáFil: Simunek, Zbynek. Czech Geological Survey,; República Chec

Characterization of Seafood Proteins Causing Allergic Diseases

[Extract] Food allergy is increasing at a faster rate than any other allergic disorder (Gupta et al., 2007). In the last few decades, a large movement toward healthier eating makes seafood one of the major foods consumed worldwide (Wild & Lehrer, 2005). Consequently, the international trade of seafood has been growing rapidly, which reflects the popularity and frequency of consumption worldwide. The United States has become the third largest consumer of seafood in the world, with 1.86 billion kg of crustaceans in 2007 (6.04 kg/capita/year)(Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2007). Since seafood ingestion can cause severe acute hypersensitivity reactions and is recognized as one of the most common food allergies, the increased production and consumption of seafood has resulted in more frequent health problems (Lopata & Lehrer, 2009; Lopata et al., 2010). Exposure to seafood can cause a variety of health problems, including gastrointestinal disorders, urticaria, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated asthma and anaphylaxis (Bang et al., 2005; Lopata & Lehrer, 2009; Malo & Cartier, 1993; Sicherer et al., 2004; Wild & Lehrer, 2005)

Lepidodendron dawsonii: functional groups and pyrolysates of compression and fossilized-cuticle (Late Asturian, Canada)

Lepidodendron dawsonii BELL 1938 is an endemic species of Late Asturian age in the Canadian Sydney Coalfield, with conspicuous elongate leaf cushions. The study specimen, 35 cm long and 10 cm wide, represents a dichotomous bough from the tree crown in which the inner part of one side is black and compression-preserved, whereas the one in contact with the entombing rock matrix is dark-amber in colour and fossilized-cuticle preserved. Only stomatal pits and cuticular details are preserved. Comparison of these preservation states, based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, and flash pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS), demonstrate sufficient differences in chemistry to be able to link the two preservation states with differing pathways of organic matter transformation (diagenesis). The aliphatic-hydrocarbon chains of the cuticles are comparatively shorter and more branched than the longer chains of the compressions. Py-GC/MS results support the presence of hydrocarbon markers of plant cuticles. The high abundances of C1 and -C2 alkylphenols and C1 and -C2 alkylbenzenes in pyrolysates are likely derived from maturing lignin or lignin-like biomacromolecules. We suggest comparison of L. dawsonii’s cuticles with Lepidodendron coal macerals in Chinese Permian Leping coal, and with suberinite.</p

Pyrolysis of waste plastic fish bags (polyethylene and polypropylene) to useable fuel oil

The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of pyrolysis of waste plastic fish feed bags to heating oil. Pyrolysis is a thermal treatment without oxygen and produces three products (gas, oil, and solid), the yields depend on the feedstock and operating conditions. The fish feed bags are polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) and are typically contaminated with a small amount of residual fish feed. This limits the treatment and disposal options. Thermal decomposition of the bags to their original oil base could potentially produce a fuel for use in heating and possibly power for the plant. Unused and used bags were pyrolyzed and compared to determine the impact of the fish feed on the oil and the residual solids and gas evolved during the process. The temperature for the pyrolysis temperature is a function of the feed material. For waste plastic the temperature can range between 400−550°C depending on the type of plastic. In this work a series of pyrolysis experiments were performed where key factors that would impact the oil quality produced, were varied including; temperature of pyrolysis 400−550°C) type of bag (PE, PP, and mixtures of the two), mass of residual fish feed retained in bag (0-40% by mass of feedstock) and gas residence time. Based on these experiments the optimum operating conditions were obtained. A temperature of 500°C produced the maximum wax/oil yields, 69-75wt% of feedstock with a solids (residue) between 6-7wt%, and gas between 23-25wt%, depending on the feedstock. The melting point of wax/oil samples varied between 53-62°C. The melting point of the wax/oil samples decreased slightly with increasing amounts of fish feed. The increase in wax/oil yield is likely a result that the FF pyrolysis products are predominantly lipids, this would both add to the overall oil content and possibly decrease the uncondensable gas content through co-pyrolysis. The heating values of the wax/oil samples varied from 42.8- 45.7 MJ/kg. The pure fish feed heating value was 25.47 MJ/kg. The heating values of all waxes are comparable to standard fuels, 44-46 MJ/kg petrol/gasoline, 43 MJ/kg for diesel, and from 43-44 MJ/kg for fuel oil. Although, the wax/oil samples are solid (wax) at temperatures below 50oC, heating to above 60oC produces a liquid oil with a high heating value. The gas produced in 2 the pyrolysis, largely methane and ethane, could be used as a fuel gas. Based on 100 metric tonnes of waste bags per year this translates to 2.8 MJ/yr from the oil and 1.38 MJ/yr from the gas

Organic Waste in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Review of Available Agriculture, Fishery, Forestry and Municipal Waste Literature

Re-utilisation of organic waste is globally widely employed to maximise both economic and environmental sustainability of human activities. Re-utilisation of organic waste nutrients of biochars produced from such wastes do offer a critical element for enhancing soil fertility and thus supporting sustainable agriculture. Newfoundland and Labrador produces a variety of organic waste streams ranging from municipal to farm, fishery and timber production. We carried out a best estimate of the amount of these waste streams with a goal to understand the potential utility of each as a source of nutrients or biochar for sustaining agricultural activities in the province. Municipal sources, i.e. municipal organic waste streams and wastewaters, and fishery waste were estimated to offer the largest potential for nutrient recovery. Dairy industry is the largest producer of nutrient rich organic waste among agricultural activities. The dairy industry might possibly produce most of the nutrients required to fertilise their own land base; note that the dairies in the province still import a significant portion of their feed and that is reflected in the waste stream. Nutrients currently available in the estimated waste streams are likely sufficient to support most fertilisation needs of the current land-base, or nearly double the current land base in the case of phosphorus. Given the estimated balance of waste nutrients in the province any expansion in agricultural land base would require supplementary imports of fertilizers or, preferably, an integrated livestock and crop agriculture expansion. A secondary estimation was carried out to assess the value of the same organic waste streams for biochar production. This offered an alternative to nutrient reutilisation, an alternative that is also in support of soil fertility. Sawmill waste, that carried little nitrogen and phosphorus value, was also included in biochar estimates. The assessment has shown a significant potential for biochar production mainly for fishery and municipal organic waste. However, pursuing a biochar agenda for these materials would require a trade-off with the nutrients lost during pyrolysis. The assessment presented here confirms that organic wastes are a valuable resource for agricultural production and sustainability. However specific decisions would require a more detailed analysis of the geographic integration of waste streams and agricultural production