Swirl Flow Bioreactor coupled with Cu-alginate beads: A system for the eradication of Coliform and Escherichia coli from biological effluents.

It is estimated that approximately 1.1 billion people globally drink unsafe water. We previously reported both a novel copper-alginate bead, which quickly reduces pathogen loading in waste streams and the incorporation of these beads into a novel swirl flow bioreactor (SFB), of low capital and running costs and of simple construction from commercially available plumbing pipes and fittings. The purpose of the present study was to trial this system for pathogen reduction in waste streams from an operating Dewats system in Hinjewadi, Pune, India and in both simulated and real waste streams in Seattle, Washington, USA. The trials in India, showed a complete inactivation of coliforms in the discharged effluent (Mean Log removal Value (MLRV) = 3.51), accompanied by a total inactivation of E. coli with a MLRV of 1.95. The secondary clarifier effluent also showed a 4.38 MLRV in viable coliforms during treatment. However, the system was slightly less effective in reducing E. coli viability, with a MLRV of 1.80. The trials in Seattle also demonstrated the efficacy of the system in the reduction of viable bacteria, with a LRV of 5.67 observed of viable Raoultella terrigena cells (100%)

The Bionomics of an African <i>Megarhinus</i> (Dipt., Culicidae) and its possible use in Biological Control

Living specimens of Megarhinus brevipalpis were transported from southern Natal to Johannesburg to establish an insectary-bred colony. The natural habitat of these predatory mosquitos consisted of small isolated patches of sub-tropical forest, in which the rainfall is 40–50 ins. (102–127 cm.) with a mean winter temperature of 64°F. (17·7°C.) and an annual range of 27°–33°F. (15°–18°C). The breeding places were leaf axils of Strelitzia nicolai (a plant resembling a wild banana), small rot holes in trees and larger ones in Strelitzia stumps. The larvae were collected from leaf axils with an apparatus consisting of a rubber bulb to which were attached lengths of glass and rubber tubing.The insectary was a room 9 ft.×8 ft. 6 ins. and 9 ft. high which was kept at tropical heat and humidity. Mating of the adults was observed, copulation being effected while at rest or in flight. Oviposition was usually accomplished in flight but also while at rest on the surface of the water. In the summer time two females, which were tested, laid about 85 eggs each during the month following emergence from the pupa, six or seven days elapsing after emergence before the first oviposition. In the middle of the winter, oviposition (with later generations) became very irregular in spite of the temperature and humidity remaining constant. The adults, which were comparable to those of the natural habitat, were fed on sugar solution, honey and fruit juice. One bred out as a gynandromorph.When given an abundant supply of larvae of laboratory bred Aëdes aegypti, the life-cycle of M. brevipalpis was normally : egg (incubation), less than two days ; larva, 11–20 days (average 14·5 days) ; pupa, five days. This does not include a small number of exceptional cases in which the life as a fully grown larva was abnormally prolonged (in one case nearly four months) for reasons which are not absolutely clear. The larvae killed from 100 to 200 or more Aëdes larvae during the normal larval life, but many of these were not eaten when the brevipalpis were in the late fourth instar. By a special technique they were also induced to eat dead tissues including minced pork brawn, minced maggots and minced flies. Except for the latter these were not satisfactory foods although there was slow development.Fourth-instar larvae were kept out of water for three to four weeks (without food), in a damp atmosphere, and afterwards when fed most of them developed normally, but pupation was sometimes suspended for a considerable time. They have been sent by post (out of water) in tubes with damp cotton wool and filter paper.The egg differed from that of other Megarhinus species in having a crown of projections at one end with a cup-like structure in the centre. The exochorion had roughly hexagonal cells but without numerous tubercles as in other species.First-instar larvae remained in the egg-shell after hatching when the eggs-were out of water but on a damp surface and in a saturated atmosphere. They survived like this for up to six days or about the same time as the larvae survived in tap water if there was no food. When liberated in water the head of the first-instar larva was comparatively small with the mouth parts folded in. Within two hours of liberation in water the head enlarged considerably and the mouth parts came into position ; the larva was then ready to catch its Culicine prey. When in water containing dead leaves, these larvae survived from a few days to over four weeks and some grew to the third instar without any Culicine food.Cannibalism was investigated. Fourth-instar larvae did not attack each other readily ; they devoured smaller larvae of their own species and small to medium size larvae resorted to cannibalism, particularly in the absence of Culicine prey. There was evidence that fourth-instar Aëdes aegypti occasionally ate first-instar Megarhinus.The discussion traces attempts which have been made in certain Pacific islands, notably Hawaii and Fiji, to use Megarhines for biological control of disease-carrying mosquitos. M. brevipalpis has a shorter life-cycle than the species introduced into these islands and the conclusion reached is that laboratory breeding, to enable large numbers to be released in certain areas, would be a suitable adjunct to a programme of general control, in this part of the world. Airmail consignments of larvae are being sent to Hawaii with the object of starting a laboratory colony there.</jats:p

Note on a ciliate protozoon, probably <i>Glaucoma Pyriformis</i>, parasitic in culicine mosquito larvae

1. Stained specimens of two forms of a ciliate parasite resembling Lambornella stegomyiae Keilin which is probably Glaucoma pyriformis Ehrenberg are discussed. These were collected from the haemocoel of culicine mosquito larvae at Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia. The form previously referred to as type A (Muspratt, 1945) is the fast multiplying form which destroys the larva and that referred to as type B is considered to be either an encysting or degenerate form.2. In nature the larva of Aëdes (Finlaya) fulgens Edw. is the most suitable host of the parasite because the normal (type A) parasitic ciliates are dependent on escaping from the larval host before death by the rupture of the anal papillae. This occurs most frequently in parasitized larvae of the above species.3. The encystment of the organisms on the cuticle of the larvae is discussed with reference to statements by previous workers. Stages in the penetration of the cuticle by the organisms and the formation of cuticular resting cysts have been observed.4. Larvae of A. aegypti used in laboratory experiments proved to be unsuitable as: (a) The anal papillae do not rupture easily. (b) After some time the reproductive power of the ciliates degenerates if they are transmitted from larva to larva of this species only.5. Attempts to destroy anopheline larvae with the parasite were negative although the ciliates entered the haemocoel.6. A suggestion as to the possible life-cycle is appended in the form of a diagram.</jats:p

LXIII. On the salts of sulphurous acid

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Map of the country between Rangoon & the British Frontier, shewing the routes examined in 1867 /

Map of Burma showing routes surveyed for a railway between Rangoon, the Salween river and into China. Relief shown by hachures.; Ms. signed: J.M. Williams, Captain I.C.E. [Jackson Muspratt Williams] and C.H. Luard, Captain R.E. [Charles Henry Luard]; At head of title: China route survey.; Title from publisher's catalog: Burma, China route survey.; In right upper margin: 28 I. Return, Rangoon and western China.; Facsimile.; Publisher's no. from their catalog of maps of India, Pakistan, & Burma: 17.; Also available online: http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-vn6293341; Originally published in: Rangoon and Western China. Copies of the survey report of Captains Williams and Luard, dated 15 June 1867, and of the journals maps, sections, &c. attached thereto, respecting Rangoon and Western China; of the letter forwarding the report to the Chief Commissioner; and, of all correspondence on the subject, by telegram or letter, between the Governor General and Chief Commissioner subsequent to 30 June 1867; and between the Governor General and Secretary of State for India subsequent to 15 August 1867; &c. (in continuation of parliamentary paper, no. 421, of session 1867). [London] : Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 3 December, 1867. House of Commons Papers, 1867-1868, paper 28-I, v. 51, page 687-.Burma, China route survey.China route survey