Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) Current Research Information System (CRIS) Reports


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ACCESSION NO: 0188571 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: WVAX-BIOPLEX AGENCY: CSREES WVAX
PROJ TYPE: OTHER GRANTS PROJ STATUS: EXTENDED
CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO: 2001-38850-10529 PROPOSAL NO: 2002-036203
START: 15 JUN 2001 TERM: 14 JUN 2003 GRANT YR: 2002
GRANT AMT: $561,600

INVESTIGATOR: Chatfield, J. M.; Liedl, B.; Huber, D.; Ruhnke, T.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
BIOLOGY
WEST VIRGINIA STATE COLLEGE
PO BOX 1000
INSTITUTE, WEST VIRGINIA 25112

ORGANIC WASTE TREATMENT USING THERMOPHILIC ANAEROBIC DIGESTION (BIOPLEX) PHASE 2

OBJECTIVES: 1) Develop a fermentation laboratory containing continuous stir tank, anaerobic filter and fluidized bed anaerobic bioreactors. Establish physical and biochemical parameters to maintain and transfer these discoveries to the industrial sector. 2) The reduction in pathogens during digestion will be studied, with emphasis on Cryptosporidium, Salmonella and E. coli. 3) Determine the feasibility of using microbial protein from anaerobically digested poultry litter as a substitute for fishmeal in trout feeds will be determined. 4) Evaluate the microbial community dynamics of thermophilic anaerobic digesters. 5) Demonstrate the efficacy of digested poultry litter solids as a replacement for commercial fertilizers. As well as, evaluate a hydroponic system for capacity to remediate liquid effluent.

APPROACH: Fifty-liter laboratory digesters and a 10,000-gallon pilot plant digester will be used to refine the biology, biochemistry and control of anaerobic digestion. Promising discoveries will be demonstrated in the pilot plant thus establishing immediate industrial application. Fish feedstock and fertilizer experiments using both solid and liquid degester effluents are planned to establish novel applications and potential commercial value.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Increasing production of agricultural waste associated with farming activities impacts health, economic and environmental welfare. The "Bioplex" project is comprised of five research projects involving the utilization of agricultural waste and thermophilic anaerobic digestion. Innovations and developments resulting from these studies will result in both more efficient and commerically viable digesters.

PROGRESS: 2001/01 TO 2001/12
1. Construction of the fermentation lab was completed and 3 digester model types were seeded to establish microbial communities. 2. A 20-day Cryptosporidium muris oocyst removal study was performed. Results showed a 97% removal of oocysts. Experiments using Cryptospordium parvum have commensed. 3. Aquaculture experiments have be delayed due to troubleshooting of the water cooling system in the aquaculture lab. Feed trials using recovered microbial proteins from the pilot plant digester will begin in June. 4. Characterization of the microbial community in the pilot plant reactor is underway. Using Bacteria and Archea specific primers, we have PCR-amplified 16S rDNA from extracted total community DNA. These were used for construction of two 16S rRNA gene libraries using TA cloning. 5. Raised bed fertilizer trials consisted of 4 treatments and a control on blueberries, tomatoes, potatoes and corn. Results showed clear responses to fertilization using the digested litter.

PUBLICATIONS: 2001/01 TO 2001/12
Stafford, DA; Ruhnke, T, Huber, D; Chatfield, M and Hubbard, H. 2002. Microbial Diversity of Thermophilic Anaerobic Digesters and Control in cryptosporidium muris Oocyst Removal. World Water Congress Proceedings (April 2002 Melbourne, Australia).

PROJECT CONTACT:

Name: Morris, K. R.
Phone: 304-766-4165
Fax: 304-766-4199
Email: morriska@mail.wvsc.edu

ACCESSION NO: 7001809 SUBFILE: ICAR
PROJ NO: 16970 AGENCY: UNIVERSITIES TERM: 30 APR 1998 FY: 1997

INVESTIGATOR: MOCCIA R; TECH

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1

DEVELOPMENT OF QUANTITATIVE PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES OF THE WELFARE STATUS OF CULTURED SALMONID FISHES.

CONTACT:

Name: Moccia, R.
Phone: 519-824-4120

ACCESSION NO: 7001647 SUBFILE: ICAR FY: 1997

INVESTIGATOR: GRANT J W A; ROBB S; STEINGRIMSSON S; TECH

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West
Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8

RESOURCE DEFENCE BEHAVIOUR IN FISHES

NARRATIVE: IMPACT: Our research has implications for aquaculturists who want to maximize production of uniformly sized fish. This can be accomplished by presenting food in such a way to reduce aggression and monopolization of food within groups. We have developed a simple regression model to predict stocking densities of salmonid fish in the wild and in aquaculture conditions.

OBJECTIVES: To determine how resource distribution (food and mates) influences the aggressive behaviour and uneven distribution of resources within a group of fishes. To determine whether territory size limits the density of stream-dwelling salmonid fishes.

PROGRESS:
Aggressive behaviour and monopolization of resources increase when resources are spatially clumped, temporally dispersed and spatially predictable. Territory size is a good predictor of the maximum density of juvenile salmonids in streams and of the occurrence of density-dependent population regulation.

PROJECT CONTACT:

Name: Grant, J.
Phone: 514-848-3421
Fax: 514-848-2881

FUNDING ESTABLISHMENT:
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Constitution Square
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1H5 (F111053)