A study of pilot sludge treatment reed beds for sludge dewatering and treatment under a hot and arid climate.

In the effort to identify sustainable sludge management options, pilot-scale sludge treatment reed beds (STRBs) were tested and assessed in the Sultanate of Oman in the first integrated experimental study of this nature-based solution in the Middle East region. A total of 18 pilot STRB units were established and monitored for almost 2 years; half were planted with native Phragmites australis reed species, and half served as unplanted control units. Employing a randomized complete block design, the study examined varying sludge loading rates (SLR) of 75, 100, and 125 kg/m2/year. Results underscored the effectiveness of STRBs in reducing the sludge volume, with observed reductions reaching 98.0% of the applied sludge volume, particularly prominent in the SLR75 units. During the final resting phase, the STRBs showed slightly higher concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP) compared to the unplanted beds, while maintaining concentrations lower than those of the applied activated sludge. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations were consistently diminished in the STRBs compared to the unplanted beds, aligning with the established national and international standards for sludge reuse in agricultural contexts. The results of this study provide the first valuable insight into the potential of STRBs as an effective, sustainable, and climatically suitable approach for sludge dewatering. Specifically, an SLR of 100 kg/m2/year is proposed as an optimum loading rate for the hot and arid Middle East climate. This study advances our understanding of STRBs as a pivotal component in the realm of arid-region sludge treatment, shedding light on their capacity to facilitate enhanced dewatering, mineralization, and nutrient removal, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable waste management practices.

A pilot system integrating a settling technique and a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland for the treatment of polluted lake water.

An integrated system was tested at pilot-scale for treating polluted water from the Marriot Lake in Egypt, comprising a settling technique followed by three parallel horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HFCWs) units operating under a continuous flow mode; one HFCW unit was planted with Typha angustifolia and contained a perforated pipes network for enhanced passive aeration (CWA), one unit was planted without the perforated pipe network (CWR) and one served as a Control unit (unplanted and without perforated pipes). Changes in physicochemical parameters, BOD5, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), microbial community, and trace metals at different hydraulic retention times (HRT; 0.5-6 h) and hydraulic loading rates (HLR; 750, 1000, 1250, and 2000 L/m2/d) were monitored. The CWA unit had an overall better performance than the CWR unit, while both planted units outperformed the Control unit. CWA showed the highest performance at HLR of 1000 L/m2/d and 4-6 h-HRT with 95.3% removal for turbidity, 83% for BOD5, 99.3% for ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N), 70.8% for Total Nitrogen (TN), and 66.7% for Total Phosphorus (TP), while higher NO3-N and NO2-N effluent concentrations were observed. Trace metals levels were significantly reduced and accumulated in plant tissues. Microbial communities' densities fluctuated in the CWA unit. The integrated system with the settling stage and the planted CWA unit was proved to achieve a high removal efficiency and reached the national discharge limits, thus representing a novel nature-based solution for the sustainable remediation of polluted lake water.

Internalisation of Salmonella spp. by Typha latifolia and Cyperus papyrus in vitro and implications for pathogen removal in Constructed Wetlands.

ABSTRACTFreshwater contamination by enteric pathogens is implicated in the high frequency of diarrhoeal diseases in low to middle income countries, typically due to poor wastewater management. Constructed Wetlands are a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional/mechanical treatment technologies, but the pathogen removal mechanisms in Constructed Wetlands are not fully understood. This study investigated for the first time the internalisation of Salmonella spp. by Typha latifolia and Cyperus papyrus in hydroponic microcosms. Presence of Salmonella spp. within roots, rhizomes and shoots was assayed using agar-based methods over a period of 12 days. Concentration of Salmonella spp. in growth media showed 2.7 and 4.8 log unit reduction with T. latifolia and C. papyrus, respectively, and 1.8 and 6.0 log unit in unplanted units. Salmonella spp. was recovered from root and rhizome tissues of T. latifolia (up to 4.4 logCFU/g) and C. papyrus (up to 3.4 logCFU/g), and the bacteria were highly concentrated in the epidermis and cortex. However, Salmonella spp. was not detected in the stems and leaves of the two plant species. The present study demonstrates for the first time that these macrophytes internalise cells of Salmonella spp., which could be one pathogen removal mechanism employed by wetland plants.

Green Roofs Towards Circular and Resilient Cities.

Green roofs are gaining interest as nature-based solutions (NBS) to counteract with several environmental and socio-economic problems associated to urban sprawl and climate change. The challenge is to transform the built environment through the inclusion of NBS. Taking advantage of the existing space in the top of the buildings, the integration of green roofs will support the cities' transition towards circularity and resilience. They provide several ecosystem services and can act as multifunctional and decentralized units. In order to boost these services, green roofs need to be effectively incorporated and replicated in the urban landscape. Different configuration of systems may be considered depending on the challenges that the city foresees. To fully implement green roofs, it is important that (i) barriers are identified and overcome, (ii) standardization is set to grant liability, (iii) policies, incentives, and strategies are properly established, (iv) organizations delivering NBS services are leveraged, and (v) awareness and dissemination promotion, as investment in education, are considered. This paper intends to give an overview of the importance of green roof integration in the urban environment considering the dimensions of the building and the city, having underlined their contribution to circularity and cities' resilience.

Hydraulic characterization and removal of metals and nutrients in an aerated horizontal subsurface flow "racetrack" wetland treating primary-treated oil industry effluent.

Constructed wetlands (CW) are an attractive technology due to their operational simplicity and low life-cycle cost. It has been applied for refinery effluent treatment but mostly single-stage designs (e.g., vertical or horizontal flow) have been tested. However, to achieve a good treatment efficiency for industrial effluents, different treatment conditions (both aerobic and anaerobic) are needed. This means that hybrid CW systems are typically required with a respectively increased area demand. In addition, a strong aerobic environment that facilitates the formation of iron, manganese, zinc and aluminum precipitates cannot be established with passive wetland systems, while the role of these oxyhydroxide compounds in the further co-precipitation and removal of heavy metals such as copper, nickel, lead, and chromium that can simplify the overall treatment of industrial wastewaters is poorly understood in CW. Therefore, this study tests for the first time an innovative CW design that combines an artificially aerated section with a non-aerated section in a single unit applied for oil refinery wastewater treatment. Four pilot units were tested with different design (i.e., planted/unplanted, aerated/non-aerated) and operational (two different hydraulic loading rates) characteristics to estimate the role of plants and artificial aeration and to identify the optimum design configuration. The pilot units received a primary refinery effluent, i.e., after passing through a dissolved air flotation unit. The first-order removal of heavy metals under aerobic conditions is evaluated, along with the removal of phenols and nutrients. High removal rates for Fe (96-98%), Mn (38-81%), Al (49-73%), and Zn (99-100%) generally as oxyhydroxide precipitates were found, while removal of Cu (61-80%), Ni (70-85%), Pb (96-99%) and Cr (60-92%) under aerobic conditions was also observed, likely through co-precipitation. Complete phenols and ammonia nitrogen removal was also found. The first-order rate coefficient (k) calculated from the collected data demonstrates that the tested CW represents an advanced wetland design reaching higher removal rates at a smaller area demand than the common CW systems.

Effect of design and operational parameters on nutrients and heavy metal removal in pilot floating treatment wetlands with Eichhornia Crassipes treating polluted lake water.

Though having an economic and ecological impact on Marriott Lake management in Egypt, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an aquatic floating macrophyte with a known phytoremediation potential. In order to assess its remediation potential, pilot floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) with E. crassipes were built in duplicates to evaluate the removal of nutrients and heavy metals from the polluted lake water. The experimental design included units with different water depths (15, 25, and 35 cm; D15, D25, and D35, respectively) and plant coverage (90, 70, 50, and 0%; P90, P70, P50, and P0, respectively). The pilot FTWs were monitored over a 7-day operation cycle to identify the optimum combination of design (plant coverage, water depth) and operation (hydraulic retention time; HRT) parameters needed for maximum BOD5, TN, NH4-N, and TP removal. NH4-N removal reached 97.4% in the D25P50 unit after 3 days, BOD5 75% in the D15P90 after 3 days, TN 82% in the D25P70 after 4 days, and TP 84.2% in the D35P70 after 4 days. The open-water evaporation rate was higher than the evapotranspiration rate in the planted units, probably due to the warm climate of the study area. Metals were also sufficiently removed through bioaccumulation in plant tissues in the order of Fe > Pb > Cu > Ni (62.5%, 88.9%, 81.7%, and 80.4% for D25P50, D25P70, D25P50, and D25P90, respectively), while most of the assimilated metal mass was translocated to the plant roots. The biochemical composition of the plant tissue was significantly different between the shoot and root parts. Overall, the FTW with 70% E. crassipes coverage, 25-cm water depth, and an HRT of 3-5 days was identified as the optimum design for effective remediation of the polluted Marriott Lake in Egypt.

Feeding of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) to sheep infected with gastrointestinal nematodes reduces faecal egg counts and worm fecundity.

The present study explored the anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins (CT) in carob (Ceratonia siliqua) pods fed to sheep against gastrointestinal nematodes. Three independent in vivo trials tested whether i) carob pod (CaBP)-containing feed had an anthelmintic effect and if yes, which was the optimal concentration in the diet; ii) whether this effect could be attributed to tannins through the polyethylene glycol (PEG) test and iii) whether there were any synergistic effects when combined with another tannin-containing feed (e.g. sainfoin). In all trials 6-month old nematode-naive lambs, experimentally infected with both Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, were used. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed regularly and at the end of each trial adult worm counts (AWC) and female worm fecundity were recorded. In trial 1, 35 lambs (five groups of seven lambs) were fed different CaBP concentrations ranging from 0% to 12 % w/w. FEC declined up to 39.2 % only in the group fed with 12 %CaBP, while a declining trend (P < 0.06) was demonstrated for the AWC of T. colubriformis, which was associated with the increasing concentration of CaBP in feed. Female worm fecundity was reduced in groups fed CaBP for both parasites, however this was only significant for H. contortus (P < 0.001), in a dose dependent manner. In trial 2, four groups of six infected lambs each were used, which received the carob diets CaBP or CaBP + PEG, and the tannin-free diets with or without PEG (C or C + PEG). Results showed that FEC of Groups C, C + PEG, and CaBP + PEG were comparable throughout the trial, while the group receiving only CaBP showed lower FEC from DAY 25 onwards. AWC showed a reduction (67.7 %) only for H. contortus (P < 0.03). Reversal of the anthelmintic effect of CaBP after PEG administration suggested that CT contributed to the anthelmintic action. However, no effect of CaBP was observed on T. colubriformis AWC and on female worm fecundity for both species. Finally, for trial 3 four groups of six lambs each received a diet based on CaBP, sainfoin (S) or a combination (CaBP + S) and were compared to a control (C) diet of lucerne. On DAY 37 FEC values in groups CaBP + S and S tended to be lower compared to the two other groups (C, CaBP), while for AWCs no significant differences were observed for both parasites. The fecundity of H. contortus and T. colubriformis demonstrated significant differences between the treated and control groups, with lower values in the animals receiving CaBP + S. Overall, the results supported the hypothesis that carob had an anthelmintic effect due to its CT, but there was no clear indication of a synergistic effect with sainfoin.

Treatment of cork boiling wastewater using a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland combined with ozonation.

Cork boiling wastewaters (CBW) are strongly coloured complex aqueous solutions with high organic load of biorecalcitrant and toxic nature. The feasibility and efficiency of a CBW treatment process combining ozonation as pre- and post-treatment of a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSFCW) was assessed. Over an extended monitoring period of 390 days, two lab-scale HSFCW units were tested; one planted with P. australis (CWP) and one unplanted-control (CWC) operated at average organic loads rates (OLR) of 5 and 10 g COD/m2/d. CWP always outperformed the control unit. The ozonation trials were run at pH values of 8.15-8.21 and 5.39-5.45 (without adjustment) at ozone to COD ratios of 0.25-0.29 and 0.24-0.59 when implemented as pre- and post-treatment, respectively. Average removals (calculated through mass balance basis) were 78-88%, 86-91%, 71-89% and 43-89% for COD, BOD5, Total Phenols (TPh) and colour when ozonation was implemented as post-treatment. For ozonation as pre-treatment, respective figures were 77-80%, 79-92%, 78-85% and 19-73%. Regardless of the treatment scheme and OLR, ozonation was very effective in biodegradability increase (i.e., BOD5/COD) from 0.18 to 0.42 when applied as pre-treatment, and decolourization after the HSFCW increased from 21% to 91% (post-treatment) with respective ozone consumed yields of 67-69% and 72-85%. The best results were obtained for the scheme CWP + Ozonation at OLR of 5.33 g COD/m2/d with COD reductions from 1950 mg/L to 81-88 mg/L in the effluent and TPh from 125 mg/L to 5-6 mg/L at limited ozone amounts of 0.21-0.45 g O3/m2/d.

A novel pilot and full-scale constructed wetland study for glass industry wastewater treatment.

Industrial wastewaters represent a serious threat to the environment due to their variable and complex composition. Though mostly mechanical systems are used for treatment of such wastewater, there is growing need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions, especially in low-income regions. In this study, a horizontal sub-surface flow Constructed Wetland (HSFCW) system was used for the first time to treat wastewater from a glass manufacturing industry in Iran. In order to de-risk the treatment approach, a pilot system consisting of a settling tank and a HSFCW was first tested for 4 months. The results of the pilot study were then used to build the full-scale CW system treating 10 m³/day. In general, the tested design proved to be very effective reaching high removal rates of BOD5, COD, and TSS (90, 90, and 99, respectively), as also for TN and TP (>90%). The high efficiency of the tested system allowed for the recycle and reuse of the treated effluent in the glass manufacturing processes, reducing this way the fresh water consumption in the glass industry and the related operational costs.

Investigation of pilot-scale constructed wetlands treating simulated pre-treated tannery wastewater under tropical climate.

Tannery wastewater is characterized by high and variable concentrations of diverse pollutants, which makes it difficult and costly to treat. In the search for sustainable treatment options for tannery effluents, two pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow (HSF) constructed wetlands (CW) were built and operated for the treatment of synthetic water of quality similar to that of pre-treated tannery effluents. Five different loading phases were examined with gradual increase of inflow COD, NH4+-N and Cr loads until reaching and exceeding the typical composition of a tannery effluent. High COD and NH4+-N removals were observed (82 and 96%, respectively), and almost complete Cr removal in the outflow, which met the Venezuela national standards for environmental discharge. Plant uptake was measured, but microbial processes appear to be the main ammonium transformation/removal mechanism. Nitrogen, chlorophyll and Cr in the plant aerial parts and roots indicated the capacity of Phragmites sp. to grow and survive even under high loads. The measured heterotrophic bacteria in the substrate and rhizomes indicated the biofilm development and the oxidation of organic matter and nitrogen. Water losses via evapotraspiration were also measured and reached 14%. Overall, the tested CW design proved to be a sustainable and feasible alternative for the treatment of tannery wastewater in tropical climates.

Investigation of lab-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands treating industrial cork boiling wastewater.

The feasibility and treatment efficiency of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSFCW) was assessed for the first time for cork boiling wastewater (CBW) through laboratory experiments. CBW is known for its high content of phenolic compounds, complex composition of biorecalcitrant and toxic nature. Two lab-scale units, one planted with Phragmites australis (CWP) and one unplanted (CWC), were used to evaluate the removals of COD, BOD, total phenolic compounds (TPh) and decolourization over a 2.5-years monitoring period under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Seven organic and hydraulic loading rates ranging from 2.6 to 11.5 g COD/m2/d and 5.7-9.1 L/m2/d were tested under average hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5 ±â€¯1 days required due to the CWB limited biodegradability (i.e., BOD5/COD of 0.19). Average removals of the CWP exceeded those of the CWC and reached 74.6%, 91.7% and 69.1% for COD, BOD5 and TPh, respectively, with respective mass removals rates up to 7.0, 1.7 and 0.5 (in g/m2/d). Decolourization was limited to 35%, since it mainly depends on physical processes rather than biodegradation. CBW concentration of nine phenolic compounds ranged from 1.2 to 38.4 mg/L (for the syringic and ellagic acids, respectively) in the raw CBW, with respective removals in the CWP unit ranging from 41.8 to 76.3%, higher than those in the control unit. Despite CBW high concentration of TPhs (average of 116.3 mg/L), the HSFCW reached organic load removals higher than those of conventional biological treatment methods.

A novel horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland: Reducing area requirements and clogging risk.

The use of Constructed Wetlands (CWs) has been nowadays expanded from municipal to industrial and agro-industrial wastewaters. The main limitations of CWs remain the relatively high area requirements compared to mechanical treatment technologies and the potential occurrence of the clogging phenomenon. This study presents the findings of an innovative CW design where novel materials were used. Four pilot-scale CW units were designed, built and operated for two years. Each unit consisted of two compartments, the first of which (two thirds of the total unit length) contained either fine gravel (in two units) or random type high density polyethylene (HDPE) (in the other two units). This plastic media type was tested in a CW system for the first time. The second compartment of all four units contained natural zeolite. Two units (one with fine gravel and one with HDPE) were planted with common reeds, while the other two were kept unplanted. Second cheese whey was introduced into the units, which were operated under hydraulic residence times (HRT) of 2 and 4 days. After a two-year operation and monitoring period, pollutant removal rates were approximately 80%, 75% and 90% for COD, ammonium and ortho-phosphate, respectively, while temperature and HRT had no significant effect on pollutant removal. CWs containing the plastic media achieved the same removal rates as those containing gravel, despite receiving three times higher hydraulic surface loads (0.08 m/d) and four times higher organic surface loads (620 g/m2/d). This reveals that the use of HDPE plastic media could reduce CW surface area requirements by 75%.

Treatment of table olive washing water using trickling filters, constructed wetlands and electrooxidation.

The production of table olives is a significant economic activity in Mediterranean countries. Table olive processing generates large volumes of rinsing water that are characterized by high organic matter and phenol contents. Due to these characteristics, a combination of more than one technology is imperative to ensure efficient treatment with low operational cost. Previously, biological filters were combined with electrooxidation to treat table olive washing water. Although this combination was successful in reducing pollutant loads, its cost could be further reduced. Constructed wetlands could be an eligible treatment method for integrated table olive washing water treatment as they have proved tolerant to high organic matter and phenol loads. Two pilot-scale horizontal subsurface constructed wetlands, one planted and one unplanted, were combined with a biological filter and electrooxidation over a boron-doped diamond anode to treat table olive washing water. In the biological filter inlet, chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations ranged from 5500 to 15,000 mg/L, while mean COD influent concentration in the constructed wetlands was 2800 mg/L. The wetlands proved to be an efficient intermediate treatment stage, since COD removal levels for the planted unit reached 99 % (mean 70 %), while the unplanted unit presented removal rates of around 65 %. Moreover, the concentration of phenols in the effluent was typically below 100 mg/L. The integrated trickling filter-constructed wetland-electrooxidation treatment system examined here could mineralize and decolorize table olive washing water and fully remove its phenolic content.

Removal of dimethylphenols and ammonium in laboratory-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands.

Phenolic compounds in industrial wastewaters are toxic pollutants and pose a threat to public health and ecosystems. More recently, focus is being directed toward combining the treatment of these compounds with a cost-effective and environmentally sound technology. The removal efficiency of dimethylphenol and ammonium nitrogen was studied, for the first time, in three different laboratory-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands planted with Juncus effusus. Two of the wetlands used were filled with gravel. One of these was planted and the second left without vegetation. The third wetland was a hydroponic system. It was found that the removal efficiencies of dimethylphenol was dependent on the inflow loading of the contaminant and was higher in the planted systems. Both planted systems yielded 99% removal efficiency up to loads of 240 mg/d, compared to only 73% for the unplanted constructed wetland. Factors and processes such as redox dynamics, methanogenesis, reduction of ammonium and low nitrate and nitrite concentrations imply simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic dimethylphenol transformations. A significant surplus of organic carbon was detected in the planted wetlands, which may originate from intermediates of the dimethylphenol transformation processes and/or organic plant root exudates. The present study demonstrates that horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands are a promising alternative system for the treatment of effluents contaminated with dimethylphenol isomers.

Higher PUFA and n-3 PUFA, conjugated linoleic acid, α-tocopherol and iron, but lower iodine and selenium concentrations in organic milk: a systematic literature review and meta- and redundancy analyses.

Demand for organic milk is partially driven by consumer perceptions that it is more nutritious. However, there is still considerable uncertainty over whether the use of organic production standards affects milk quality. Here we report results of meta-analyses based on 170 published studies comparing the nutrient content of organic and conventional bovine milk. There were no significant differences in total SFA and MUFA concentrations between organic and conventional milk. However, concentrations of total PUFA and n-3 PUFA were significantly higher in organic milk, by an estimated 7 (95 % CI -1, 15) % and 56 (95 % CI 38, 74) %, respectively. Concentrations of α-linolenic acid (ALA), very long-chain n-3 fatty acids (EPA+DPA+DHA) and conjugated linoleic acid were also significantly higher in organic milk, by an 69 (95 % CI 53, 84) %, 57 (95 % CI 27, 87) % and 41 (95 % CI 14, 68) %, respectively. As there were no significant differences in total n-6 PUFA and linoleic acid (LA) concentrations, the n-6:n-3 and LA:ALA ratios were lower in organic milk, by an estimated 71 (95 % CI -122, -20) % and 93 (95 % CI -116, -70) %. It is concluded that organic bovine milk has a more desirable fatty acid composition than conventional milk. Meta-analyses also showed that organic milk has significantly higher α-tocopherol and Fe, but lower I and Se concentrations. Redundancy analysis of data from a large cross-European milk quality survey indicates that the higher grazing/conserved forage intakes in organic systems were the main reason for milk composition differences.

Composition differences between organic and conventional meat: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Demand for organic meat is partially driven by consumer perceptions that organic foods are more nutritious than non-organic foods. However, there have been no systematic reviews comparing specifically the nutrient content of organic and conventionally produced meat. In this study, we report results of a meta-analysis based on sixty-seven published studies comparing the composition of organic and non-organic meat products. For many nutritionally relevant compounds (e.g. minerals, antioxidants and most individual fatty acids (FA)), the evidence base was too weak for meaningful meta-analyses. However, significant differences in FA profiles were detected when data from all livestock species were pooled. Concentrations of SFA and MUFA were similar or slightly lower, respectively, in organic compared with conventional meat. Larger differences were detected for total PUFA and n-3 PUFA, which were an estimated 23 (95 % CI 11, 35) % and 47 (95 % CI 10, 84) % higher in organic meat, respectively. However, for these and many other composition parameters, for which meta-analyses found significant differences, heterogeneity was high, and this could be explained by differences between animal species/meat types. Evidence from controlled experimental studies indicates that the high grazing/forage-based diets prescribed under organic farming standards may be the main reason for differences in FA profiles. Further studies are required to enable meta-analyses for a wider range of parameters (e.g. antioxidant, vitamin and mineral concentrations) and to improve both precision and consistency of results for FA profiles for all species. Potential impacts of composition differences on human health are discussed.

Anthelmintic effect of carob pods and sainfoin hay when fed to lambs after experimental trickle infections with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

The aim of the study was to compare the in vivo anthelmintic activity of sainfoin hay (Onobrychis viciifolia) and carob pod meal (Ceratonia siliqua) against gastrointestinal nematodes. Seven days before infection, 64 naive lambs were assigned to four different groups: Group S received sainfoin hay and group CAR was fed with carob pods. The remaining lambs received lucerne hay (Medicago sativa) and were assigned to positive (non-treated, NT) and negative (treated, T) control groups (treatment with albendazole). On day 0, lambs were artificially trickle infected for 6 weeks, with a mixture of infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Parasitological and pathophysiological parameters were measured repeatedly during the 2-month study. Compared to the NT group, decreases in egg excretion were observed in the CAR and S groups with significant differences only found for sainfoin (p < 0.05). At necropsy, group S showed decreases in the total worm numbers of both nematode species with significant differences for H. contortus. In contrast, no differences were noticed for the CAR group. Compared to the NT group, lower values for fecundity of female H. contortus were found in the S and CAR groups, however differences were non-significant. No differences in body weight gains were found between groups. Consistent results were found showing significantly higher packed cell volume (PCV) values in the T and S groups compared to NT and CAR groups. Overall, these results confirm a positive effect associated with the feeding of lambs with tanniniferous resources on host resilience (PCV values) and against gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes by affecting some biological traits of worm populations (e.g. eggs per gram of faeces and worm numbers). However, the anthelmintic effects differed between the two tannin-containing resources, which might be associated with the quantity and/or quality of secondary metabolites (condensed tannins and/or other polyphenols).

In vivo and in vitro efficacy of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) against Eimeria spp in lambs.

The effect of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) against ovine coccidia was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. In 3 in vivo trials weaned lambs were allocated into two treatment groups receiving diets with either lucerne (Medicago sativa) or sainfoin. During the trials, which lasted for 7 (trial 1) or 8 weeks (trials 2 and 3), oocysts per gram of faeces (OPGs), faecal scores and weight gain were recorded. In two of the experiments (trials 1 and 3) a reduction in the mean oocyst excretion rates was observed, starting three to four weeks after sainfoin hay feeding. This reduction ranged between 21.3% (trial 1) and 61.7% (trial 3) compared to the control values. As a result, a decrease in the total number of oocysts excreted (expressed as the mean area under the curve of the OPG) was observed from week 4 to the end of the two trials, respectively (trial 1: 42.6% reduction, p=0.05; trial 3: 52.4% reduction, p=0.06). The results did not show any significant diet effect on lamb growth rates and faecal scores. In the in vitro experiments the effect of 39 sainfoin extracts were tested in an oocyst sporulation inhibition assay. The Eimeria oocysts sporulation inhibition throughout the experiments did not exceed 10.7%, showing that extracts of this forages do not have a significant inhibitory effect on Eimeria oocyst sporulation. This was an initial attempt to investigate a possible anticoccidial effect of sainfoin and further studies are needed in order to better understand its mode of action against Eimeria.

Heavy metal fate in pilot-scale sludge drying reed beds under various design and operation conditions.

Thirteen pilot-scale sludge drying reed bed (SDRB) units have been constructed and operated under various settings. The beds included a cobbles lower layer, where perforated PVC aeration tubes were placed, and two gravel layers on top. The setup included planted beds with common reeds and control units. Three sludge loading rates (SLR) were examined: 30, 60 and 75 kg dm/m(2)/yr. Heavy metal (HM) accumulation in the residual sludge layer was negligible or low, and was found to increase with sludge layer depth. Plant uptake was low; the belowground biomass accumulated significantly more HMs compared to the aboveground biomass. Less than 16% of the influent HM left the bed through drainage. HM accumulation in the gravel layer was the major metal sink in the mass balance. On the whole, the HM content of the residual sludge was below the legal limits proposed by the EU for land application.