Uranium biosorption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Padina</Emphasis> sp. algae biomass: kinetics and thermodynamics

Introduction  

Kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium isotherms of the biosorption of uranium ions onto Padina sp., a brown algae biomass, in a batch system have been studied.     

Statistical analysis and isotherm study of uranium biosorption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Padina</Emphasis> sp. algae biomass

Introduction  

The application of response surface methodology is presented for optimizing the removal of U ions from aqueous solutions using Padina sp., a brown marine algal biomass.     

Earthworm production in cattle dung vermicomposting system under different stocking density loads

Introduction  

This work illustrates the productivity of composting earthworm Perionyx excavatus under different stocking density (in milligrams biomass per cubic centimeter vermibed space) gradients in cattle dung decomposing system.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls in farmed and wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onchorhynchus kisutch</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onchorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis> from the Chilean Patagonia

Purpose  

This paper analyses the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in escaped: farmed and wild salmons in southern Chile, analysing their concentrations and congener profiles in two species (Oncorhynchus kisutch and Oncorhynchus mykiss).     

Selective recovery of chromium,copper, nickel,and zinc from an acid solution using an environmentally friendly process

Purpose  

Real electroplating effluents contain multiple metals. An important point related with the feasibility of the bioremediation process is linked with the strategy to recover selectively metals. In this work, a multimetal solution, obtained after microwave acid digestion of the ashes resulted from the incineration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contaminated biomass, was used to recover selectively chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc.     

Bacterial community composition characterization of a lead-contaminated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcoleus</Emphasis> sp. consortium

Introduction  

A Microcoleus sp. consortium, obtained from the Ebro delta microbial mat, was maintained under different conditions including uncontaminated, lead-contaminated, and acidic conditions.     

Zeolitic bagasse fly ash as a low-cost sorbent for the sequestration of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">p</Emphasis>-nitrophenol: equilibrium,kinetics, and column studies

Purpose  

The purpose of the research is to investigate the application of bagasse fly ash, a sugar industry solid waste for the synthesis of zeolites and their behavior for the sorption of p-nitrophenol (p-NP).     

How life history contributes to stress response in the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Within the last decade, numerous studies have investigated the role of environmental history on tolerance to stress of many organisms. This study aims to assess if Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum may react differently to cadmium exposure and trematode parasite infection (Himasthla elongata) depending on their origin and environmental history in Arcachon Bay (France).     

Potential influence of confounding factors (size,salinity) on biomarkers in the sentinel species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scrobicularia plana</Emphasis> used in programmes monitoring estuarine quality

Introduction  

To use biomarkers in monitoring programmes, potential confounding factors must be considered. In the clam Scrobicularia plana, the influence of size and salinity on biomarkers at different levels of biological organisation has been examined.     

Removal of 4-chlorobenzoic acid from spiked hydroponic solution by willow trees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix viminalis</Emphasis>)

Background  

Chlorobenzoic acids (CBA) are intermediate products of the aerobic microbial degradation of PCB and several pesticides. This study explores the feasibility of using basket willows, Salix viminalis, to remove 4-CBA from polluted sites, which also might stimulate PCB degradation.     

Biomonitoring the genotoxic effects of pollutants on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tradescantia pallida</Emphasis> (Rose) D.R. Hunt in Dourados,Brazil

Purpose  

This study aimed to associate the intensity of vehicular traffic in the city of Dourados (Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil) with mutagenic effects and alterations in leaf physiology as measured by the quantity of micronuclei and the leaf surface parameters of Tradescantia pallida.     

Enzymatic basis for fungicide removal by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elodea canadensis</Emphasis>

Purpose  

Plants can absorb a diversity of natural and man-made toxic compounds for which they have developed diverse detoxification mechanisms. Plants are able to metabolize and detoxify a wide array of xenobiotics by oxidation, sugar conjugation, glutathione conjugation, and more complex reactions. In this study, detoxification mechanisms of dimethomorph, a fungicide currently found in aquatic media were investigated in Elodea canadensis.     

Chlorpyrifos degradation by the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechocystis</Emphasis> sp. strain PUPCCC 64

Background, aim, and scope  

Indiscriminate use of insecticides leads to environmental problems and poses a great threat to beneficial microorganisms. The aim of the present work was to study chlorpyrifos degradation by a rice field cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PUPCCC 64 so that the organism is able to reduce insecticide pollution in situ.     

Performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleocharis macrostachya</Emphasis> and its importance for arsenic retention in constructed wetlands

Introduction  

Arsenic (As) can be removed from water via rhizofiltration using phytostabilizing plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of Eleocharis macrostachya in constructed wetland prototypes, as well as the plant's arsenic mass retention and the distribution of As along the wetland flow gradient and the soil in the wetland mesocosmos.     

Some microbial characteristics of mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>) in coastal city area

Purpose  

The aim of this work was to determine some microbial characteristics of Mytilus galloprovincialis harvested from four stations, located in Izmir coastal area (Eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey). The area along the Izmir coast is densely populated, and it includes extensive agricultural lands, industrial and domestic discharge. Shellfish contamination from sewage-polluted waters is very important for public health.     

Calcium invigorates the cadmium-stressed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L. plants by strengthening their photosynthetic system

Introduction  

Cadmium (Cd) in plants interrupts numerous metabolic processes and reduces the water and nutrient uptake that cause chlorosis, growth retardation, and ultimately plant death. Response of Brassica napus L. to calcium (Ca) enrichment in growth medium for reducing Cd toxicity stress by strengthening the photosynthesis organelles and their functionality was explored in this study.     

Assessment of heavy metals in the particulate matter of two Brazilian metropolitan areas by using <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Tillandsia usneoides</Emphasis> as atmospheric biomonitor

Purpose  

The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface.     

The bioaccumulation and translocation of Fe,Zn, and Cu in species of mushrooms from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Russula</Emphasis> genus

Introduction  

Many previous studies revealed a high ability of mushrooms to accumulate heavy metals from environment. This paper concerns the capacity of some wild macromycetes belonging to Russula genus to accumulate heavy metals in natural condition of pH (between 6.5 and 6.8) and the pattern of metal translocation in the fruiting body.     

Degradation and detoxification of acid orange 52 by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> mt-2: a laboratory study

Introduction  

Acid orange 52 (AO52), extensively used in textile industries, was decolorized by Pseudomonas putida mt-2. AO52 azoreduction products such as N,N′-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) and 4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid (4-ABS), were identified in the static degradation mixture. These amines were identified only in media of static incubation, which is consistent with their biotransformation under shaken incubation (aerobic conditions).     

Composition changes in the cuticular surface lipids of the helophytes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus effusus</Emphasis> as result of pollutant exposure

Aim of the study  

Helophytes like rush and reed are increasingly used for phytoremediation of contaminated water. This study characterises the response of rush and reed plants to chemical stressors such as chlorobenzene, benzene and methyl-tert-butyl ether. The extractable wax layer of the cuticle was chosen for detailed investigations due to its multiple, particularly, protective functions for plants and its easy availability for analysis.