Mid Sweden University

The objectives of our article are to describe causalities on the impact on crayfish from introduction of the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci (Shikora) to Europe and to explore possibilities to govern and improve the situation for Astacus astacus (Linné) through establishment of production of renewable energy. The anthropegenic spread of A. astaci is driven by the introduction of non-indigenous crayfish species (NICS) associated with A. astaci and impacts survival of European indigenous crayfish species such as A. astacus severely. To conserve A. astacus reintroduction of crayfish populations with genetics similar to the original ones into water bodies without presence of NICS is recommended. Lack of populations to reintroduce might increase introductions of NICS. However, heated water from the production of renewable energy in P2X systems is an opportunity to create biosecure areas preserving crayfish and producing crayfish suitable for reintroduction. P2X means that surplus from renewable energy production is converted to something else (X). We found a need for further research on how industrial symbiosis and regulations on environmental hazardous activity can be used to improve the situation for A. astacus, on how to connect an industry with surplus of heat and oxygen in a biosecure way to a crayfish farm, and how to maintain a crayfish farm for reintroduction purposes for a very long time. 

The pulp and paper industry in Sweden annually produce millions of tons of side-stream materials as black liquor, pulp and paper mill sludge, sulfite liquor and lignosulfonate. These lignocellulosic based materials can be more utilized today in biorefinery processes with microorganisms to produce high-value products as lipids, proteins and biofuels. In this work, we used five side-stream materials as carbon source in fermentation with two oleaginous yeasts, Lipomyces starkeyi and Rhodotorula toruloides. We analyzed lipid production, fatty acid profiles, inhibitors, phenolics, free sugars and metals before and after batch fermentation in 2 L bioreactors. Steam-exploded hardwood media was used as reference as it's known to be a good substrate for the oleaginous yeast species and after fermentation the lipid yield for R. toruloides was 17 % (w/w) and for L. starkeyi 13 % (w/w). The side-stream materials contained less than 30 % of free sugar compared to the reference media and the total lipid yield was thus less than 2.7 %, (w/w). R. toruloides utilized various sugars during fermentation and L. starkeyi mostly consumed glucose and xylose. Both yeast species also showed a possible ability to utilize various phenolics indicating their metabolic potential to convert depolymerized lignin along with wood-based sugars to lipids and proteins.

River Ljungan in Sweden has suffered from crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astacii), resulting in the extinction of noble crayfish (Astacus astacus). At the same time, P2X industries such as hydrogen gas production is developing in the region. The Swedish Hydrogen and Crayfish research project explores how the residue products from the production of hydrogen gas; oxygen, and heat, can be utilized to disinfect crayfish plague and facilitate the growth and survival of crayfish. The temperature of process water varies between 48 and 73°C and coulddisinfect water from crayfish plague as spores of crayfish plague die from a short exposure to 60°C. Ozone disinfection and UV light are common techniques to neutralize microorganisms in drinking water. It is unclear how these techniques affect the survival of crayfish plague spores. This presentation outlines a study, in which solutions for direct or indirect water supply from hydrogen production to crayfish farms will be proposed. The goal is to ensure that crayfish farming can be freed from crayfish plague and has a temperature that favors the survival and growth of the crayfish. Laboratory experiments will test different methods to disinfect crayfish plague. The presence of crayfish plague and the survival of crayfish in the treated water will then be investigated. Crayfish plague occurrence will be measured with a real-time PCR Thermocycler before and after treatment of water. The genotype of the crayfish plague will be analyzed with TaqMan MGB real-time PCR. We will present the experimental design and would appreciate your input.

The aim of this poster is to present a new research project called Hydrogen Gas and Crayfish (VOK). The research project was initiated by the local fisheries management NGO in Ånge municipality in Sweden. Their challenge for future generations is to be able to fish for Noble crayfish (Astacus Astacus) in river Ljungan since the area has been hit by crayfish plague. At the same time, Ånge municipality is situated within the Swedish green industry belt that is currently under development. This means that P2X industries such as hydrogen gas production is developing in the region. Residue products from hydrogen gas production is oxygen and heat. To ensure the long-term survival of the crayfish and sustainable fishing of crayfish in river Ljungan for future generations, the use of water needs to be governed. Also, public, non-profit associations, municipalities and companies need to be involved in the work to promote the crayfish and prevent the spread of crayfish plague. The aim of the research project is to study how water management in hydrogen gas production can be used to ensure the survival of the crayfish. In doing so, the project can contribute to a better understanding of how new P2X industries can contribute to the sustainable use of water resources, thus improving biodiversity and creating sustainable rural development. We are doing this through a blue innovation that involves creating an ark site for Noble crayfish in connection with a hydrogen gas factory.

Lignocellulose-bearing sediments are legacies of the previously unregulated wastewater discharge from the pulp and paper industry, causing large quantities of toxic organic waste on the Baltic Sea floor and on the bottom of rivers and lakes. Several km2 are covered with deposits of lignocellulosic residues, typically heavily contaminated with complex mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants, posing a serious threat to human and ecological health. The high toxicity and the large volume of the polluted material are challenges for remediation endeavours. The lignocellulosic material is also a considerable bioresource with a high energy density, and due to its quantity, it could appeal to commercialization as feedstock for various marketable goods. This study sets out to explore the potential of using this polluted material as a resource for industrial production at the same time as it is detoxified. Information about modern production methods for lignocellulosic material that can be adapted to a polluted feedstock is reviewed. Biochemical methods such as composting, anaerobic digestion, as well as, thermochemical methods, for instance, HTC, HTL, pyrolysis, gasification and torrefaction have been assessed. Potential products from lignocellulose-bearing sediment material include biochar, liquid and gaseous biofuels, growing substrate. The use of a contaminated feedstock may make the process more expensive, but the suggested methods should be seen as an alternative to remediation methods that only involve costs. Several experiments were highlighted that support the conception that combined remediation and generation of marketable goods may be an appropriate way to address polluted lignocellulose-bearing sediments. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] 

Environmental context. Spreading recycled wood ash in forests may counteract acidification and nutrient losses, but the process may also affect symbiotic fungi in these eco-systems. We show how fungal species react when exposed to ash solutions; for example, by an increased release of organic acids and other compounds. These effects can influence pH and metal availability in forest soils treated with ash.. Recycling of wood ash may counteract acidification and losses of base cations resulting from whole-tree harvesting in boreal forest ecosystems. The effects of ash treatment on growth and exudation of eight ectomycorrhizal fungal species were investigated in this study. Six basidiomycetes and two ascomycetes were grown in liquid pure culture with different levels of ash amendments. Biomass production, pH and the exudation of 17 low-molecular-mass organic acids (LMMOAs), 23 amino acids (AAs) and 9 hydroxamate siderophores (HSs) were recorded after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of incubation. Ash did not affect fungal growth, but resulted in higher exudation of the investigated compounds, in particular LMMOAs. Ash also influenced the composition of the exudates. We measured exudation of LMMOAs and AAs up to millimolar and micromolar concentrations respectively. For example, Rhizopogon roseolus mainly produced oxalic acid, whereas Lactarius rufus and Tomentellopsis submollis produced the highest concentrations of AAs. Ferricrocin, the only HS detected, was exuded at the nanomolar level. Exudation responses were also highly species-dependent, e.g. the ascomycetous isolates that produced the largest biomass released low amounts of exudates compared with the basidiomycetes, and were the only ones producing siderophores. This growth–exudation response to ash is likely a trade-off in carbon allocation whereby the mycorrhizal fungal species invest carbon in either higher biomass production or higher exudation.

We developed a straightforward, robust, and relatively fast method for the analysis of amino acids by mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The method does not involve derivatization and allows the detection of 21 amino acids, representing a wide range of isoelectric points, in less than 40 min. Chromatographic separation was governed by a silica-based mixed-mode column providing simultaneous hydrophobic and ion exchange separation mechanisms. The use of tandem mass spectrometry increased selectivity, reducing potential problems associated with poor selectivity in the chromatographic system. For an injection volume of 1 μL, we obtained detection limits <3 μM for the majority of analytes. For all analytes, a linearity of r > 0.99 was obtained, recovery in matrix was >86%, and the retention times were highly reproducible. The method was successfully applied to soil solution and fungal culture samples, demonstrating the advantages in successfully avoiding issues associated with high amounts of substances that may interfere with derivatization-based methods. This method represents an alternative to derivatization-based methods and can be applied in areas where sample matrices are highly complex.

This study investigated the i) kinetics, and ii) proportion of photolysis of 30 relatively stable active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) during artificial UV irradiation for 28 d in ammonium acetate buffer, filtered and unfiltered river water. Buffer was included to control removal kinetics under stable pH conditions and without particulate matter. Dark controls were used to determine removal due to other processes than photolysis and calculate the proportion of photolysis of the total removal. The removal of each API in each matrix was determined using online solid phase extraction/liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (online SPE/LC-MS/MS). Most APIs transformed during the 28 d of UV irradiation and the dark controls showed that photolysis was the major removal process for the majority of the APIs studied. The half-lives ranged from 6 h (amitriptyline) in unfiltered river water to 884 h (37 d, carbamazepine) in buffer. In unfiltered river water, the proportion of APIs with short half-lives (<48 h) was much higher (29%) than in the other matrices (4%), probably due to additional organic carbon, which could have promoted indirect photolysis. Furthermore, two APIs, memantine and fluconazole, were stable in all three matrices, while alprazolam was stable in buffer and unfiltered river water and four additional APIs were stable in buffer. Considering the relatively long-term UV-exposure, this study enabled the investigation of environmentally relevant half-lives in natural waters. Many APIs showed high persistence, which is environmentally concerning and emphasizes the importance of further studies on their environmental fate and effects.