#nutrientcycle

[naturalscientist]

How Land and Sea Shape Fisheries!  #sciencefather #scientist #researchawards #predation 

Estuarine fisheries are dynamic ecosystems where land-sea interactions play a critical role 🌊🌍. Nutrient inputs from rivers and land-based sources can boost primary productivity, supporting the growth of fish populations 🐟🌿. However, these benefits can be offset by intense fishing effort 🎣 and natural predation 🦈, which together shape the overall harvest and sustainability of these fisheries. Understanding how nutrient enrichment, fishing pressure, and predator-prey relationships interact is essential for managing these vital coastal resources effectively 🔬🌐. These interconnected forces highlight the complexity of estuarine systems and the importance of integrated ecosystem-based management 🧠📊. 

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[nedsecondline]

Climate change is overhauling marine nutrient cycles, scientists say…

Computer models reveal how human-driven climate change will dramatically overhaul critical #nutrientcycles in the ocean… #marinescience #…Climate change is overhauling marine nutrient cycles, scientists say…

[supedium]

The Role of Algae in Aquatic Ecosystems

https://supedium.com/ecosystem-and-environment/the-role-of-algae-in-aquatic-ecosystems-2/ #Algae #Aquaticecosystems #HarmfulAlgalBlooms #macroalgae #Nutrientcycling #Phytoplankton The Role of Algae in Aquatic Ecosystems https://supedium.com/ecosystem-and-environment/the-role-of-algae-in-aquatic-ecosystems-2/

[friendsafforestation]

(via Germination and Growth in the Afforestation Areas) 🌿🌳 Discover the beauty of nature's resilience with our latest article! 🌱✨ From the germination of Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadiensis) to the towering Scots Pine and the rich tapestry of life in our afforestation areas, dive into the world of plants and their vital role in our ecosystems. 🌼🍃 Learn about the intricate dance of life, the environmental benefits of trees, and the importance of preserving these natural habitats. 🌍💚 Join us in exploring the journey from seedling to mature plant and see how each element in our environment contributes to the delicate balance that supports our world. 🌎🌲 #CanadaGoldenrod #SolidagoCanadiensis #Germination #Dicotyledon #TwoCotyledons #ScotsPine #Afforestation #Ecosystem #Biodiversity #NativeSpecies #EnvironmentalBenefits #SoilStabilization #WaterRetention #NutrientCycling #WildlifeSupport #EcologicalBalance #TreePlanting #Preservation #NatureResilience #EcologicalRestoration #HabitatCreation #GreenSpaces #ForestEcology #PlantDiversity #EcoFriendly #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEducation #NatureLovers #PlantScience #EcoConservation #ForestManagement #HabitatRestoration #EnvironmentalBalance #SeedlingCare #EcosystemHealth #NatureConservation #PlantGrowth #TreeLove 🌳🌿🌼 www.friendsareas.ca  Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas

[biglisbonnews]

Over 170 trillion plastic particles are now floating in the ocean A newly released study published in the science journal PLOS ONE reveals the average number of plastic particles in the world’s oceans may have reached over 170 trillion as of 2019. Read more... https://qz.com/170-trillion-plastic-particles-in-the-ocean-study-finds-1850212918

[biophytopharm]

All about Nutrient and Nutrition

All about Nutrient and Nutrition

All about Nutrient and Nutrition

Carbohydrates

Complex (Good) carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates are believed not to feature any added refined sugar. Foods that are thought to be rich in complex carbohydrates include brown rice, barley, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. They are reported to feature naturally occurring sugars that the body can simply and slowly metabolize for improving brain function, raising energy levels and improving mood levels. Refined (Bad) Carbohydrates Refined carbohydrates are thought to contain large amounts of sugar and it is believed that consuming vast amounts of this is not ideal for general health. Examples of food which contain high amounts of refined carbohydrates include biscuits, sweets, chocolate and anything that is created with refined sugar, flour or processed white rice. While the carbohydrates are being refined it is believed that most of the minerals and vitamins are eliminated and these foods may behave like pure sugar as they go into the bloodstream. Once they enter into the bloodstream they may stimulate blood glucose disturbances and this may result in sugar cravings, which may then lead to hyperactivity and mood swings. It is thought that people who eat high amounts of refined carbohydrate foods may suffer from behavioral problems, depression and are irritable in general. Eating refined carbohydrates is believed to promote weight gain and may weaken the immune system. Another problem associated with consuming high amounts of refined carbohydrates is that it may result in diabetes.

Fiber

Consuming vast amounts of fiber is reported to be essential for aiding digestion. Fiber comes in two different forms, soluble and insoluble and both are believed to play an important role in monitoring blood sugar levels and speeding up the passage of food through the system. Soluble fiber is reported to be essential for slowing the rate at which glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream and for helping control blood sugar levels. It may be discovered in such foods such as Brown rice, pulses, and oats. Insoluble fiber, which is also known as roughage, is believed to speed up the passage of food residues through the digestive tract, and this, in turn, is said to help keep the intestines in great working order and decrease the risk of bowel cancer and gallstones. Roughage may be found in foods such as nuts, rice, whole grains, and vegetables.

Nutrition - Good Fats

Many individuals consider fat to be a negative aspect of a diet, as it is believed to cause both cellulite and obesity. However, eating low amounts of fat is said to have huge health risks. There are reported to be two different kinds of fats, good fats, and bad fats. Bad fats, for example, saturated fats, may cause obesity, heart disease, and cancer and may be found in foods such as margarine and fatty cuts of red meat. They are reported to be solid when at room temperature. Unsaturated fats made up of monounsaturated and polyunsaturates are believed to be beneficial in sustaining cell structure, locking in skin moisture and are reported to be required for producing hormone-like substances named prostaglandins that monitor the menstrual cycle and reproduction. Consuming too few of these fats may cause an individuals health to suffer, and may often present itself in the form of dry skin or behavioral problems. These fats are reported to be liquid when at room temperature. Omega 6 fats Omega-6 fats are a segment of the polyunsaturated fat family and consuming foods containing them may help in lowering cholesterol. It has been stated that Omega-6 fats should be consumed via natural sources, from seeds, fish and vegetable oils. Monounsaturated fats Monounsaturated fats are reported to help in lowering cholesterol levels and improving the balance between (HDL) and  (LDL) types of fat. They are said to be more stable than polyunsaturates as they are much less likely to degrade and form cancer-promoting products in the body when exposed to heat. The largest source of monounsaturates is reported to be olive oil, however nuts, rapeseed and avocados are also great sources. Omega 3 fats Omega-3 is anti-inflammatory and is reported to keep blood clot- free. They are reported to play an essential role in fetal development. By far the finest source of omega-3 is considered to be oily fish, including salmon and mackerel; however, flaxseed is also a rich form. The human brain is reported to require omega- 3 fats in order to grow and function well, they are said to be essential during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infancy. Due to its anti-inflammatory content, omega- 3 fats may help in reducing asthma and other allergies. Omega- 3 fats may also reduce the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, help in aiding digestion and improving the health condition of nails and skin. Fat foods which are said to be good for you Nuts- Nuts are said to be a great source of monosaturated fats as well as the omega- 6 fats. Nuts also feature minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. They feature vitamin E, which is believed to help in stopping polyunsaturated fats becoming oxidized inside the body. Oily Fish- This is reported to be a great source of omega- 3 fats. Nutritionists have advised consuming between 2-3 oily fish meals per week. Linseeds- Linseeds are also known as flaxseeds and are known to be one of the best vegetable sources of omega - 3 fats, especially the essential fat alpha-linolenic acid. Green leafy vegetables, soybeans, rapeseed oil, and walnuts - These feature omega-3 oils in tiny quantities. Pumpkin seeds- They are a rich source of the omega-6 fats and linoleic acid. Pumpkin seeds contain vast amounts of zinc, iron and other minerals. Avocados- They are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats and are a fantastic source of vitamin E. The properties featured in avocadoes are reported to help in maintaining a healthy heart. Supplements: Fish oils- Consuming on fish oil supplements is said to be a concentrated way of having omega-3. Fish oil supplements are said to be useful for easing joint pain and protecting a healthy heart. Flaxseed oil – Flaxseed oil supplements are said to be a concentrated omega- 3 supplement, helpful for vegetarians or anyone else who does not enjoy eating fish. Starflower oil and evening primrose oil- These provide long chain omega- 6 fats that are reported to be beneficial for people who can not make them from essential fatty acids found in food. Evening Primrose Oil – This contains essential fatty acids, reported to be beneficial for the brain. Tuna Oil- Taking tuna oil supplements on a daily basis is believed to help in improving concentration and help in keeping one focused.

Nutrition - Protein

Bodybuilders and athletes commonly consume high amounts of protein, as it is believed to be essential for forming strong bones and cells in the body and there are different kinds of a protein believed to help. Vegetable proteins are said to be easy to a breakdown in the body. An example of a vegetable protein is Quinoa, which is said to be easily absorbed. Sprouts are considered to be a healthier protein in relation to meat. The combination of beans and grains is believed to form a complete healthy protein, it is easily digestible and boosts the metabolism. However, some proteins may not be great for the body, depending on the digestive system. Red meats, for instance, are said to be very hard to break down in the digestive system. Another disadvantage that has been linked with consuming too many high- protein fatty foods is that it may toxify the body and acidify the blood. It may also eliminate away calcium, overwork both the liver and kidneys, trigger indigestion and ward off many beneficial bacteria. All these may result in Colon and bowel disorders, kidney stones, constipation, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Protein from cow’s milk is believed to be hard to digest. It may also trigger allergic reactions such as sinusitis, skin rash and congestion. Amino acids During the digestive process, enzymes break down the protein content of the food eaten into polypeptides, then into dipeptides, then into peptides and lastly into small components of amino acids. There are over 22 types of amino acids, half of which are synthesized by the body. Once they are absorbed the original amino acids are transformed into other amino acids, and they are joined together to form the kinds of protein the body requires. There are 8 vital amino acids that the body cannot generate or synthesize from other amino acids. It is believed that the only way to acquire these amino acids is from other foods. Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest Read the full article

[mentormaven777]

Breaking the Cycle: How to Overcome Weight Loss Plateaus

Weight loss plateaus can be frustrating and demotivating, but they are a common part of the weight loss journey. Don't let them discourage you! In this article, we will explore effective strategies to break through weight loss plateaus and continue making progress towards your goals.

Assess Your Current Routine: Take a closer look at your eating habits, exercise routine, and lifestyle factors. Identify any areas where you may have slipped into old habits or become too comfortable in your routine.

Calorie Adjustments: As your body adapts to your current calorie intake, you may need to make adjustments. Calculate your daily calorie needs and consider reducing your intake slightly to create a calorie deficit again.

Nutrient Cycling: Incorporate nutrient cycling by varying your macronutrient ratios or calorie intake throughout the week. This can help prevent your body from adapting to a consistent routine.

Introduce New Workouts: Shake up your exercise routine by trying new activities or increasing the intensity of your workouts. Challenge your body with different exercises to keep it guessing and prevent adaptation.

Strength Training: Increase your focus on strength training exercises. Building lean muscle mass can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories, even at rest.

Track Your Progress: Keep a detailed record of your food intake, exercise, and measurements. This will help you identify patterns and make necessary adjustments to get back on track.

Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues. Eat slowly and savor each bite. Avoid mindless snacking and emotional eating, which can contribute to weight loss plateaus.

Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Water can help with digestion, metabolism, and overall body function, aiding in weight loss efforts.

Manage Stress: High stress levels can hinder weight loss progress. Incorporate stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or engaging in hobbies to support your overall well-being.

Stay Positive and Patient: Remember that weight loss plateaus are normal and temporary. Stay positive, trust the process, and be patient with yourself. Celebrate non-scale victories and focus on overall health and well-being.

Breaking through a weight loss plateau requires a combination of adjusting your routine, challenging your body, and maintaining a positive mindset. With determination and perseverance, you can overcome plateaus and continue your weight loss journey.

[rawrtransformations]

I made a thing... and my Dad helped. Haha . Deep water rafted and wicking aquaponics system using expanded clay and rock wool in netcups. . Wicking provided in part by Dr. David Suzuki. Well, technically an organic cotton tshirt that had his 70's likeness on it. But same same. . Experimenting with lettuce to see if there is a need to bag the root systems to avoid the fresh roots getting chomped. . Starring: myself as me, Draco, Percival, Snitch, Jumper, Cam, Butters and the other one I can't remember. . #lifeoutside #quarantineideas #gogreen #gardening #putteringinthegarden #dracoandperc #fatherodragons #selfsustaining #Koifishpond #koi #aquaponics #verticalfarming #nutrientcycling #newagefarm #rawr #davidsuzuki @ben.new.man.transforms (at Royston, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Bps3MBp88/?igshid=1cmmc5vku7fmi

[plantman-dan]

Dog vomit slime mold (Fuligo septica) Is a type of slime mold most often found on moist, shady areas and on decaying organic materials such as fallen trees, leaf litter, and untreated lumber, or mulch in urban areas after heavy rain or excessive watering. Their spours can cause minor lung irritation but other than that they're a welcomed site in the garden. _ 🍄 If it's too unsightly or of concern, then just shovel under and flip it under the soil. _ ⛏ #dogvomitslimemold #Fuligoseptica #slimemold #fungi #fungus #fungusamongus #moremulch #heavymulch #feedthesoil #decomposition #decomposers #nutrientcycling #protectthesoil #suelo #soil #inthegarden #optoutside #findyourway https://www.instagram.com/plantman_dan/p/BxVfar0nW85/?igshid=1n4dklkuhdzfv

[conservationlinks]

The third component of our organic compost mix is ash. The tea factories use wood to make their tea. Could consider it to be a form of bio char, packed with nutrients too. Nimal, Sunil, Wimaladasa, Samarsinghe and Shantha all pitched in to load, bring and unload the ash. #compost #composting #organicfarming #organic #permaculture #nutrients #nutrientcycling #ecosystem #cycling #permaculturedesign #conservation #conservationlinks #spices #tropics #sustainability #waste (at Kotmale, Sri Lanka) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxMYroknOOj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yutnnkup01bu

[ryanfamilyfarm-blog]

12 cu yds of #cascadecompost to amend the planting beds. Using #compost helps close the loop - turning your food waste back into food and keeping it local. #nutrientcycling #wastenotwantnot #localfood #raisedbeds #smallscalefarming #piercecountywashington #ryanfamilyfarm (at Ryan Family Farm)

[supedium]

Algae and Microbial Interactions in Ocean Health

https://supedium.com/phycology/algae-and-microbial-interactions-in-ocean-health/ #Algae #HarmfulAlgalBlooms #Marineecosystems #microbialinteractions #Nutrientcycling #OceanHealth Algae and Microbial Interactions in Ocean Health https://supedium.com/phycology/algae-and-microbial-interactions-in-ocean-health/

[parkerta]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Parker Anderson (@greener_golf)

#fall is in full effect. Love this sound. #crunch #mn #nutrientcycle #seasonschange (at University Of Minnesota-St Paul Campus)

[modernharvestfarms]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Modern Harvest Farms (@modernharvestfarms)

Killing the compost game. People say that you can't compost citrus and still get worms. #citruscompost #compost #vermiculture #worms #recycle #nutrientcycle #alotofworms

[ecoheirlooms]

I want to now share some of my work and reflections from two projects that I completed over the last two years in the Master in Development Practice (MDP) program at Cal Berkeley.

For my practicum project, I accepted a design assignment for an ecological sanitation (Ecosan) project in South India. Specifically, the challenge was to design a more compact and affordable dry compost toilet system for individual households in a rural village setting. My client, a small NGO called EcoPro, had previously built 28 urine-diversion dry-toilets (UDDTs) in the village of Boodheri. Facing the need to build 200 more for the remaining households, Ecopro determined that a more cost-effective and compact structure design would be necessary to avoid overcrowding the village’s small properties.

After extensive research and consultation on the Berkeley campus (see my thread in the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance Forum), I completed a recommendation package for EcoPro which included three potential designs. The director, Dr. Lucas Dengel, was pleased with my recommendations and welcomed me to visit his headquarters in Auroville to build the prototype.

Within a week of arriving in India, I had inspected the existing UDDTs in Boodheri (not a glamorous task by any means, but I was surprised to find that the households took great pride in their personal toilets, which all included a shower space that afforded the women in particular much-needed privacy.) After seeing the UDDTs and experiencing the climate of the dry tropical forest firsthand, I scrapped my early designs and begin anew.

The bulk of my research phase had been dedicated to searching for a suitable material for the containers in which feces and ash were collected separately from urine. EcoPro requested that I find a bio-degradable container, specifically ‘non-plastic’. Most examples that I found involved UDDTs with removable containers and on-site storage using large plastic barrels. By identifying the limiting design factors, I was able to rule out metal, wood, ceramics, and cement as potential materials.

Cost: The total cost of the containers for each UDDT must not exceed the savings in construction costs achieved by reducing the building size.

Availability: The container material must be locally abundant and accessible to village people.

Weight: The containers must not be too heavy for a single woman to transport ( less than 30 Kilograms)

Durability: The container must not break over continued use for at least five years.

Usability: The container must be easy for users to close and transport. It also must prevent any contact with or exposure to unsanitized feces. Management of the container should not cause disgust.

Climate: The container must resist the hot and wet conditions of tropical India with annual monsoons, and thus be immune to rot and rust.

Animals & Pests: The containers must not allow dogs, rats, mice, snakes, cockroaches, and other insects to damage or nest inside the container.

Theft: The container must not be too valuable as an asset so as to attract thieves or require expensive storage conditions.

With not a little disappointment, EcoPro and I begrudgingly accepted that without manufacturing an entirely new product, recycled 55-liter plastic barrels would be the only feasible solution for a containerized household UDDT system. However, I learned that these barrels were ubiquitous throughout South India and that a neighboring fabric dye business generated extra barrels every few weeks. Sometimes, design forces us to compromise. In this case, our primary goal was to develop a safe sanitation system for users.

Pros of the containerized UDDT

·      Sanitized feces is ready for transport in barrel; no shoveling necessary.

·      If necessary, additional barrels may be added to the cycle.

·      Risk of contamination of a barrel during storage is almost zero because the barrel has been removed from beneath the pan. Whereas in the cement chamber system previously constructed by EcoPro, users can potentially contaminate the entire storage chamber by mistake.

Cons

·      Barrel must be changed at various intervals. More frequent management.

·      Barrels may tip over and spill.

·      Barrels may slow desiccation – ventilation holes required

After completing a digital mock-up with the dimensions of the recycled 55-liter barrels, I then collaborated with Auroville’s renowned environmental architect, Suhasini, whose local experience provided four critical design suggestions, including the recommendation that I create a short presentation/binder of slides to give potential users the choice between the previous design which is lower maintenance and more expensive or the new barrel-system design. Her insight into the user standpoint—providing options—is an excellent example of good design thinking in development contexts.

Notice that the barrels are stored beneath the shower space in an sheltered area enclosed with metal mesh. By utilizing this area, the design removes the need for a second concrete storage chamber and results in a 33 percent saving in size, labor, and concrete cost.

The door for the chamber beneath the pan required attention to detail. Taking suggestions from the EcoPro team, I designed a simple door made of a thin granite slab, which is locally available in Tamil Nadu and surprisingly inexpensive. The slab rests against a lip inside the door frame. On either side of the frame, gouges in the cement allow users to grip the slab from the side.

For the pilot site, EcoPro selected a forest sanctuary several kilometers west of Auroville. The sanctuary is commonly used as an environmental education center for school children. The compost toilet would be a living lesson, whether EcoPro decided to use it for the remaining 200 households in the village or not. 

After weeks of delay, local masons and I began construction in late July. The first day, the masons dug a foundation larger than the design specs. I realized that they were unable to read the technical blueprint. The next day I returned with a basic blueprint drafted in Illustrator. Together we dug the correct foundation and I helped them lay the mix of gravel and concrete. Over the next few days we laid the brick courses. The Tamil language is extremely difficult to learn, but we managed to communicate, mostly through gestures and much laughter at my expense.

Another scheduling delay with the masons pushed back completion a month and I was forced to return to Berkeley for the fall semester without seeing my prototype finished. EcoPro eventually sent the following picture.

Because UDDT sanitation requires a year of storage, testing for my prototype was scheduled for December 2015. To assess sanitation: 12 months after the first barrel of the pilot UDDT is closed for storage, EcoPro planned to test for pathogens using the standard proxy means of less than 1 helminth egg and 1,000 E. coli bacteria per gram (Source: WHO). As of this writing, in January of 2016, I have not heard back from EcoPro. Things move at a different pace in India; I am confident that EcoPro will assess the prototype’s effectiveness—as soon as possible.

Of the many insights I gleaned from my experience working on this project, perhaps the most striking came from an observation made by one of the woman at the forest sanctuary. She was relatively better educated and more wealthy than the servant girls who worked at the Sanctuary. One day she said that she would never change out the barrel in the toilet; she would have a servant do it. Upon hearing this, I realized just how important the element of behavior change is in such situations. My design had created a chore.

The woman in this anecdote is not so different from any of us. She was disgusted. Who wants to manage their own waste? The common practice for many people in India is to simply poop in the bushes and walk away. In the “developed world”, our flush toilets distance us from the reality of our place in the great nutrient cycle. Ecosan, in contrast, restores us to a responsible pattern within the nutrient cycle. Properly managed, our piss and shit becomes gold in the form of a rich compost amendment safe for mixture into the subsoil of gardens or around trees. Until our societies can close the nutrient loop, however, we will continue down a linear waste path of our own making—from field to store to table to toilet to sanitation plant to ocean or landfill—at a massive cost in water and public funds.

Another anecdote that EcoPro’s director Lucas Dengel often tells in his presentations is that the length of the sewage plumbing in the United Kingdom would stretch to the moon. That is 384,000 kilometers of metal pipe for a mere 69 million people. In contrast, half of India’s 1.1 billion people lack access to a toilet. There is simply not enough water or resources to construct a comparable sewage system in India. Ecosan designs like the barrel-system UDDT I co-designed with EcoPro offer feasible strategies for a sustainable future—if only we can get past the disgust factor and recognize that our bodies do not generate waste, we generate a resource.

Thank goodness everybody poops!

[supedium]

The Science of Ecosystem Ecology

https://supedium.com/ecosystem-and-environment/the-science-of-ecosystem-ecology/ #Biodiversityconservation #Climatechange #Ecologicalmodeling #Ecosystemdynamics #Energyflow #Nutrientcycling The Science of Ecosystem Ecology https://supedium.com/ecosystem-and-environment/the-science-of-ecosystem-ecology/