Papers by Keyword: Algae

Abstract: Functional foods containing minerals, nutrients, as well as other active ingredients are essential to support physiological functions. The Chlorophyta macroalga Ulva lactuca (“sea lettuce”) is a popular natural food source due to its abundance in intertidal zones across Indonesia. To further examine its efficacy to the human physiology, analysis of proximate composition (carbohydrate, protein, fat, crude fibre, ash, and moisture content), macronutrient (Na, P, Ca, K, and Mg), micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, and Cr), heavy metal (Pb, Hg, and Cd), and fatty acid contents need to be done. Results showed that the highest composition of macromolecules is carbohydrates. Macronutrients and micronutrients with the highest values are Mg and Fe, respectively, with Ca also showing a high concentration. Pb and Hg contents are considered safe, but the Cd content exceeds the safety limit regulated by BPOM 2008. The fatty acids contained include methyl octadecenoate and the unsaturated fatty acid linolelaidic methyl ester. Mg, Ca, and Fe have important roles in the body’s systems, i.e., metabolic processes, growth and development, and enzyme activation. The presence of these elements suggests U. lactuca’s potential in maintaining the body’s physiological functions; however, the relatively high content of Cd must be noted.

Abstract: Mold and algae are primitive organisms that cause biological degradation of many type of construction materials. Subsequent remediation of damaged structures is very demanding and it is therefore necessary to take into consideration the high preventive protection against these microorganisms. In practice, as the prevention it is often use chemical products as a classical biocidal compounds. One of the modern methods of protection investigate the use of nanotechnology with biocidal ingredients, which is the main topic of this article. Silver ions and silver nanoparticles were selected as a biocide for the experiment. Research revealed that the silver in the form of nanoparticles and ions have biocidal effect against fungi and algae and it is conform to use theoretically possible them as a preventive protection against mold and algae.

Abstract: The present study focuses on the preparation and use of biosorbents produced from eggshells. Hen eggshells are produced as a by-product in large quantities by food manufacturers. The costs associated with eggshell disposal (mainly on landfill sites) are significant and expected to continue increasing as landfill taxes increase.The environmental significance of phosphorus arises from its role as a major nutrient for both plants and microorganisms. The adsorption efficiency of phosphate ions from the obtained biosorbents - raw eggshell powders - is studied at room temperature in static conditions. The effect of phosphate concentration and sorbent mass on the efficiency of the process is evaluated, as well as sorption kinetics are investigated. The structure, phase composition, porosity, specific surface area and morphology of obtained biosorbents is determined. The utilization of eggshells as an abundant, cheap and biodegradable material for the removal of phosphates is studied and discussed.

Abstract: The purpose of the facade insulation is to reduce transmission heat loss from the heated interior to exterior. After some time, it can be said that the insulation of the building envelope served its purpose and significantly reduce heat use for heating of insulated buildings. Time, however, showed the risks of external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS). One side effect of reducing transmission heat loss of buildings by using of ETICS can be considerable aesthetic devaluation of facades. Sometimes façade with ETICS become a suitable substrate for the growth of microorganisms. These are algae, fungi and cyanobacteria, which creates unsightly green and black growths on facades. The article deals with the connection between thermal insulation of external walls and the presence of vegetation microorganisms.

Abstract: The paper has the ambition to point out the validation of conceptual and a strategic reasoning in the design of solution of “green façade” with external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS). The text deals with selected information derived from long-term research on contamination of ETICS by biological materials (mostly unicellular organisms - algae). The paper concludes with a draft of decision-making process.

Abstract: Nutrients supplies play a crucial role in population distribution of food webs, and it is one of the most important challenges in both theoretical and applied ecology to better understand the ‘bottom-up’ effect. Here we analyzed a realistic food web containing one limiting nutrient and two producer-consumer interactions. Through the simulations of the mean population size and the variability of each species, we found that 1) in infertile environment the coexistence of species increases with nutrient supply; 2) the mean values of species abundance increase dramatically at then remain constant with the increase of nutrient supply; and 3) the stability of each population also increases and then remains constant. These results are inconsistent with the traditional predictions known as the ‘paradox of enrichment’, and our analysis may provide a solution to this paradox.

Abstract: In the last decade we have been confronted with problems with biotic infestation of facades in engineering practice. The presence of microscopic algae and funguses on the facades of thermal insulation buildings distorts the appearance of buildings with green, brown or black coating. The reason for biotic pests beginning to appear on the facades of buildings very often is mainly the enlargement of thickness of thermal insulator ETICS. Thanks to the thermal insulation of facades with large thickness less thermal energy penetrates into the surface or plaster surface. The outer side is warmed up less and therefore it has lower outer surface temperature. Lower outer surface temperatures enable hypothermia of the surface of facades. The hypothermia of facades appears especially at night. The resulting aqueous film is the basic source of the necessary damp needed for the life of algae and funguses on facades of buildings. The presence of damp on the outer surfaces rises significantly depending on the better thermal insulation of walls.

Abstract: The external plaster are currently the most common finish coat of buildings. The characteristic technological and chemical properties of plasters protect supporting structure against weather and temperature extremes. Quality of plaster is determined by its durability, which depends primarily on the quality of raw materials, the quality and porosity of the substrate, the temperature during application, concentration of carbon dioxide and humidity of the ambient air. The physical and chemical and biological degradation of plaster is caused due to weathering and exposure to aggressive substances of environment. The paper deals with the analysis of the causes of degradation (green facades) and the possibilities of remediation of biotic attack of plasters buildings with External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS).

Abstract: In the last decade we have been faced with a problem with biotic infestation on frontages in engineering practice. This phenomenon has been detected especially on a panel building on which additional contact thermal insulation is applied. The contribution is concentrated on the particular panel building of the series T0 6B-BTS from which samples of the external plaster were taken.

Abstract: This paper mainly focuses on the temporal and spatial variation of nutrients in the Yangtze River Estuary. Observations show that the high level of nitrate concentration appears in the coast waters and gradually decreases toward the continental shelf both in summer and in winter; while the ammonium and phosphate concentrations show the relatively high level in the bottom layer of the water column in summer, since ammonium and phosphate can be regenerated on the sediments and reenter the bottom layer of the water column to make up their contents. In winter, the nutrients are well-distributed in the vertical due to the strong mixing mechanism. The further examination of the nutrient limitation, according to the Redfield theory, shows that the phosphorus limitation dominates in the river mouth and then shift to the nitrogen limitation toward the continental shelf gradually. The variation of the nutrient limitation may be dependent on the relative strength between the Changjiang Diluted Water and the Intrusion Branch of the Kuroshio Current.