Biosorption of cadmium and nickel ions using marine macrophyte,Cymodocea nodosa

ABSTRACT

Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) ability to remove cadmium and nickel ions from single metal solutions was investigated in the present study. Metal ions were measured in the solution using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Various operational parameters (initial pH, biomass dose, metal ion concentration, and contact time) were tested and found to affect the uptake capacity of Cd (II) and Ni (II). More than 70% of biosorption capacity occurred in the first few minutes for both metal ions. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model were found to best fit the experimental data of Cd (II) and Ni (II) biosorption. The maximum uptake capacity (q_max) was 11.6 and 16.7?mg.g^?1 for Cd (II) and Ni (II), respectively. The biosorbent was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The infrared spectrum demonstrated that hydroxyl, carboxyl, and phenolic functional groups are the major binding sites for Cd (II) and Ni (II) metals. The ion exchange mechanism plays an important role during biosorption process as shown in EDX analysis. Our results conclude that marine macrophyte C. nodosa can be used as a low-cost biosorbent for the removal of Cd (II) and Ni (II) in wastewater.     

Quantitative analysis and sorption of cadmium in environmental samples with a functionalized synthetic polymer

Quantitative analysis of cadmium in environmental samples was achieved with a polymeric sorbent synthesized by copolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide and allyl glycidyl ether/iminodiacetic acid as chelating monomers with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as cross-linker. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The sorption capacity of the functionalized sorbent was 70 mg g^?1. The equilibrium sorption data of Cd(II) on polymeric sorbent were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich–Peterson models. Based on equilibrium adsorption data, the constants at pH 4.2 and 20 °C were determined for the first three as 0.33 (L mg^?1), 17.5 (mg g^?1) (L mg^?1)^1/n, and 12.9 (J mol^?1). Recovery of 94% of the metal ion was obtained with 0.5 mol L^?1 nitric acid as an eluting agent.     

Utilization of aluminum hydroxide waste generated in fluoride adsorption and coagulation processes for adsorptive removal of cadmium ion

Although Al-based coagulation and adsorption processes have been proved highly efficient for fluoride (F) removal, the two processes both generate large amount of Al(OH)₃ solid waste containing F (Al(OH)₃-F). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of utilizing Al(OH)₃-F generated in Al(OH)₃ adsorption (Al(OH)₃-F_ads) and coagulation (Al(OH)₃-F_coag) for the adsorption of cadmium ion (Cd(II)). The adsorption capacity of Al(OH)₃-F_ads and Al(OH)₃-F_coag for Cd(II) was similar as that of pristine aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃), being of 24.39 and 19.90 mg·g^–1, respectively. The adsorption of Cd(II) onto Al(OH)₃-F_ads and Al(OH)₃-F_coag was identified to be dominated by ion-exchange with sodium ion (Na⁺) or hydrogen ion (H⁺), surface microprecitation, and electrostatic attraction. The maximum concentration of the leached fluoride from Al(OH)₃-F_ads and Al(OH)₃-F_coag is below the Chinese Class-I IndustrialWastewater Discharge Standard for fluoride (<10 mg·L^–1). This study demonstrates that the Al(OH)₃ solid wastes generated in fluoride removal process could be potentially utilized as a adsorbent for Cd(II) removal.     

Determination of sorbent point zero charge: usefulness in sorption studies

Potentiometric mass titration (PMT) technique has been adapted to determine the pH _pzc of four vegetable wastes: grape stalks, cork, yohimbe bark and olive stones wastes used for Cu(II) removal. The pH at the point zero charge (pH _pzc), determined by PMT, are compared with that obtained by two classical techniques: mass titration (MT) and immersion technique (IT). PMT has been found to be an easy and appropriate technique to determine pH _pzc of the studied materials. From the results, the knowledge of sorbents pH _pzc provides information about the possible attraction and repulsion between sorbent and sorbate but in any case enables to ensure that electrostatic force is one of the mechanisms that takes place in metal sorption.     

Effect of initial ratio of heavy metal to biomass on growth yield in batch culture of activated sludge

The effect of heavy metal on the observed growth yield (y_obs) was observed in batch culture of activated sludge. However, no attention has been paid to quantitatively describe the relationship between heavy metal concentration and y_obs so far. In this study, a growth yield model in relation to the ratio of initial heavy metal concentration (C_m) to initial biomass concentration (X ₀) was proposed for batch culture of activated sludge, and was verified with experimental and literature data. A significant decline in Y_obs was found with the increase of the C_m/X₀ ratio. It was clearly demonstrated that for a given initial heavy metal concentration, real strength of heavy metal exerted on unit biomass would be reduced with the increase of initial biomass concentration. This study for the first time revealed that the toxicity of heavy metal to microbial growth should be correlated with the C_m/X₀ ratio rather than to C_m only. A concept of effective C_m/X₀ ratio, namely (C_m/X₀ )₅₀ was then developed for more reasonably and reliably assessing toxicity of heavy metal to microorganisms.     

Determination of cadmium in water and herbal medicine by Penicillium chrysogenum immobilized on silica gel for flame atomic absorption spectroscopy

Penicillium chrysogenum was immobilized on silica to develop a simple and cost effective method for solid phase extraction of Cd(II) and determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The sorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and packed into a column. The conditions for quantitative sorption and desorption of Cd(II) were optimized. The preconcentration factor was 100 while detection limit was 0.61 µg L^?1 with a relative standard deviation of 1.0%. The method was applied for determination of Cd in herbal medicine and tap water.     

Accumulation of cadmium and zinc in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Evodiopanax innovans</Emphasis>

The use of tree species for phytoremediation of contaminated soil offers the advantage of a large biomass in which to store contaminants. We investigated the cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) accumulation ability of Evodiopanax innovans, a common deciduous tree species belonging to the Araliaceae family and widely found in secondary forests in Japan. Sampling was conducted at an old silver mine. Leaf samples were collected from nine tree species, including E. innovans. The seasonal variation of metal concentrations in the leaves and the detailed distribution of metals in the leaves and twigs of E. innovans were measured. We also analyzed the contents of organic acids in the leaves. The highest concentration of Cd in the leaves of E. innovans was 118 μg/g, which exceeds the threshold level for being considered a Cd hyperaccumulator (100 μg/g). For Zn, the highest value was 1040 μg/g in leaves, which is less than required to qualify as a Zn hyperaccumulator. Both Cd and Zn were found to accumulate in the petioles and veins of leaves and the bark of twigs. Since the oxalic acid content of leaves showed a weak correlation with Cd concentration, oxalic acid may play an important role in the accumulation of Cd. Taking both the Cd concentration level and the biomass of this woody plant into consideration, it may be possible to use E. innovans for the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils.     

Metabolic responses of Azolla pinnata to cadmium stress: photosynthesis,antioxidative system and phytoremediation

This present study deals with the growth, photosynthesis, oxidative stress and phytoremediation character of Azolla pinnata L. exposed to different levels (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg·L^?1) of cadmium (Cd). Significant accumulation of Cd in Azolla fronds was noticed after 24 and 96 h of exposure and the accumulation rate was dose and time dependent. Growth of A. pinnata increased significantly after both exposure times with and without metal. At lower Cd doses (0.05 and 0.1 mg·L^?1), growth and photosynthesis of A. pinnata showed a marginal increase over the respective control, however, at higher Cd doses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg·L^?1), a decreasing trend was noticed. At lower doses, Azolla fronds could counterbalance the negative effect of enhanced levels of superoxide radicals (SOR) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) through the greater activity of antioxidative enzymes. The decaresing trends in catalase and peroxidase activity at higher Cd doses suggest that Azolla fronds were not able to mitigate the negative effects of H₂O₂, hence an increase in malondialdehyde content was noticed. The study concludes that up to 0.1 ,mg·L^?1 Cd, A. pinnata can flourish and be used as biofertiliser and for phytoremedial purposes in Cd-contaminated fields; beyond this concentration poor growth may restrict its application.     

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by the culm of bamboo grass treated with concentrated sulfuric acid

We prepared a carbonaceous sorbent for Cr(VI) from the culm of Sasa kurilensis by dehydration with concentrated H₂SO₄. The removal of Cr(VI) by the sorbent was highly solution pH dependent and mainly governed by physicochemical sorption. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir isotherm model and indicate the endothermic nature of the Cr(VI) sorption. The desorption experiments suggest that the Cr(VI) sorption is generally irreversible, owing to strong interaction of HCrO₄⁻ with the active sites of the sorbent.     

菲和镉单一及复合污染条件下在毛蚶体内的富集动力学研究

采用室内半静态双箱动力学模型实验,研究了菲和镉单一及复合污染条件下在毛蚶(Anadara subcrenata)体内的生物富集,通过对富集与释放过程中毛蚶体内菲和Cd的富集量进行非线性曲线拟合,获得了菲和Cd单一及复合污染条件下在毛蚶体内的吸收速率常数k1、释放速率常数k2、生物富集因子BCF、生物半衰期B1/2和平衡状态下最大富集量CA max等动力学参数。实验结果表明,菲和Cd在实验前期富集速率较高,8 d以后富集速率减缓,释放阶段与富集阶段相似。毛蚶对菲的BCF值为37.80,远大于Cd的BCF值13.12,且生物半衰期时间更长,菲更容易在生物体内富集。菲和Cd联合暴露条件下,在毛蚶体内的CA max和BCF值均大于单一作用,说明二者同时暴露时,毛蚶对菲和镉的吸收富集均有所增强。实验模型拟合度较好,输出值和实测值之间无显著性差异,拟合方程和拟合参数可信。     

Trichoderma harzianum: a green sorbent for Pb(II) uptake from aqueous solutions

This investigation describes the use of specially cultivated, nonliving biomass of Trichoderma harzianum as a biosorbent for the batch removal of Pb(II) from a stirred system under different experimental conditions. The metal removal depended upon pH, sorbent particle size, initial Pb(II) concentration, shaking speed, and sorption time. The optimal experimental conditions for the removal of Pb(II) by T. harzianum with an initial metal concentration of 100 mg L^?1 were obtained at a particle size of 53 μm, a pH of 4.5, a shaking speed of 200 rpm, and a contact time of 720 min. The results were analyzed in terms of adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. The Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo second-order model fitted well in the data. T. harzianum proved to be a good biomaterial for accumulating Pb(II) from aqueous solutions (q = 460 mg g^?1).     

Ultrastructure of pedal muscle as a function of temperature in nacellid limpets

Temperature and mitochondrial plasticity are well studied in fishes, but little is known about this relationship in invertebrates. The effects of habitat temperature on mitochondrial ultrastructure were examined in three con-familial limpets from the Antarctic (Nacella concinna), New Zealand (Cellana ornata), and Singapore (Cellana radiata). The effects of seasonal changes in temperature were also examined in winter and summer C. ornata. Stereological methods showed that limpet pedal myocytes were 1–2 orders of magnitude smaller in diameter (≈3.5 μm) than in vertebrates, and that the diameter did not vary as a function of temperature. Mitochondrial volume density (Vv_(mt,f)) was approximately 2–4 times higher in N. concinna (0.024) than in the other species (0.01 and 0.006), which were not significantly different from each other. Mitochondrial cristae surface density (Sv_(im,mt)) was significantly lower in summer C. ornata (24.1 ± 0.50 μm² μm⁻³) than both winter C. ornata (32.3 ± 0.95 μm² μm⁻³) and N. concinna (34.3 ± 4.43 μm² μm⁻³). The surface area of mitochondrial cristae per unit fibre volume was significantly higher in N. concinna, due largely to the greater mitochondrial volume density. These results and previous studies indicate that mitochondrial proliferation in the cold is a common, but not universal response by different species from different thermal habitats. Seasonal temperature decreases on the other hand, leading preferentially to an increase in cristae surface density. Stereological measures also showed that energetic reserves, i.e. lipid droplets and glycogen in the pedal muscle changed greatly with season and species. This was most likely related to gametogenesis and spawning.     

2个镉耐性差异箭舌豌豆品种中镉的化学形态及亚细胞分布

通过溶液培养实验,研究了镉胁迫下2个箭舌豌豆(Vicia sativa)品种(镉耐性品种L3,镉敏感品种ZM)中镉的积累、镉的亚细胞分布和化学形态以及非蛋白巯基化合物(NPTs)的响应。结果表明2个箭舌豌豆品种根较地上部积累更多的镉。镉在箭舌豌豆根、茎和叶中主要分布于可溶性组分,敏感品种ZM根中可溶性组分的镉含量和占总镉的比例显著高于耐性品种L3。细胞壁结合镉占总镉的比例在2个品种中均为叶>茎>根。镉在箭舌豌豆根和茎内主要以去离子水(d-H2O)提取态和1 mol·L-1氯化钠(Na Cl)提取态存在,ZM根中d-H2O提取态镉的含量和比例显著大于L3。箭舌豌豆叶中镉主要以2%醋酸(HAc)提取态存在。ZM叶中80%乙醇提取态镉的比例大于L3,0.6 mol·L-1盐酸(HCl)提取态镉和残渣态镉的比例小于L3。2个品种根和茎中NPTs的含量在镉胁迫下显著升高,ZM根中NPTs的含量显著大于L3。研究结果表明,箭舌豌豆镉解毒的主要机制包括限制镉由根部向地上部转运和液泡隔离。此外,根和茎中镉与有机酸结合和NPTs螯合,叶中镉以移动性低、毒性低的形态存在也是箭舌豌豆镉解毒的重要机制。ZM较L3根中更多镉以移动性高的形态存在,L3较ZM叶中更多镉以难移动的形态存在,是L3较ZM具有更高镉耐性的重要原因。     

镉在北京褐潮土中对玉米幼苗及其根际微生物的毒性效应

通过温室盆栽实验,研究了镉在北京褐潮土中对玉米(品种郑单958)幼苗的毒性效应及其生物富集特性,并通过聚合酶链式反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)技术,探讨了镉对玉米根际微生物群落结构的影响。结果表明,高浓度(>100mg·kg-1)镉对玉米幼苗的生长发育有明显的抑制作用,北京褐潮土中镉引起玉米幼苗株高下降1/2的效应浓度(EC50)为654.6mg·kg-1,引起玉米根部和地上部干质量下降1/2的EC50分别为323.6和110.2mg·kg-1,玉米幼苗地上部生物量(干质量)可作为评价重金属生态毒性的适宜终点。玉米幼苗对镉有一定的吸收累积效应,镉在玉米幼苗各组织中的浓度分布为根>茎>叶,其中根部对镉有一定的富集作用(生物富集系数BAF>1)。镉污染可引起玉米根际微生物群落结构发生改变,高浓度(1000mg·kg-1)镉可导致部分微生物种群数量减少甚至完全消失,表明镉污染可对植物幼苗、植物根际微生物以及植物-微生物之间的相互作用造成重要的干扰和威胁。     

Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) in the phyllosphere of Thalassia testudinum

N₂ fixation (C₂H₂ reduction) associated with the leaves of the sea grass Thalassia testudinum was investigated at 5 sites in South Florida (Biscayne Bay) and one site in the Bahamas (Bimini Harbor). Significant activities were correlated with the occurrence of a heterocystous blue-green alga (Calothrix sp.) on the leaves. C₂H₂ reduction was not stimulated by organic compounds, either aerobically or anaerobically in the light or dark. Therefore, other physiological types of microbes were not important in N₂ fixation. Diurnal and seasonal variations in N₂ fixation occurred, with maximal rates during the daytime and in the late spring and early summer. N₂ fixation was negligible at four stations in Biscayne Bay. At the fifth station, near Fowey Rock, about 5 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 was fixed. In the summer, the N₂ fixed per day (4–5 mg N m^-2) could provide 4 to 23% of the foliar productivity demands of T. testudinum at this site and the station in Bimini Harbor. N₂ fixation at the periphery of a sea-grass patch, near Fowey Rock, could provide 8 to 38% of the daily nitrogen requirement for leaf production, and thereby might compensate for a less effective trapping and recycling of nitrogen from dead leaves in such regions.     

Experimental Study of Gas-Liquid Interfacial Properties in a Stepped Cascade Flow

Gas-liquid interface measurements were conducted in a strongly turbulent free-surface flow (i.e., stepped cascade). Local void fractions, bubble count rates, bubble size distributions and gas-liquid interface areas were measured simultaneously in the air-water flow region using resistivity probes. The results highlight the air-water mass transfer potential of a stepped cascade with measured specific interface area over 650 m^–1 and depth-average specific area up to 310 m^–1. A comparison between single-tip and double-tip resistivity probes suggests that simple robust single-tip probes may provide accurate, although conservative, gas-liquid interfacial properties. The latter device may be used in the field and in prototype plants. Notation a = specific interface area (m^–1); a _mean = depth-average specific interface area (m^–1): a _mean=frac1Y ₉₀limits sup> Y ₉₀ sup ₀(1–C)dy; C = local void fraction; C _gas = dissolved gas concentration (kg m^–3); C _mean = depth-average mean air concentration defined as: C _mean=1–d/Y ₉₀; C _s = saturation concentration (kg m^–3); D = dimensionless air bubble diffusivity (defined by [1]); d = equivalent clear-water flow depth (m): d=limits sup> Y ₉₀ sup ₀(1–C) dy; d_ab = air bubble diameter (m); d_c = critical flow depth (m); for a rectangular channel: d _c=sqrt[3]q _w ²/g; F = air bubble count rate (Hz); F _max = maximum bubble count rate (Hz), often observed for C=50%; g = gravity acceleration (m s^–2); h = step height (m); K _L = liquid film coefficient (m s^–1); K = integration constant defined as: K=tanh ^–1 sqrt0.1)+(2D)^–1 [1]; L = chute length (m); N = velocity distribution exponent; ———– ^*Corresponding author, E-mail: h.chanson@mailbox.uq.edu.au Q _w = water discharge (m³ s^–1); q _w = water discharge per unit width m² s^–1); t = time (s); V = local velocity (m s^–1); V _c = critical flow velocity (m s^–1); for a rectangular channel: V _c=sqrt[3]q _w g V _max = maximum air-water velocity (m s^–1); V ₉₀ = characteristic air-water velocity (m s^–1) where C = 90%; W = channel width (m); x = longitudinal distance (m) measured along the flow direction (i.e., parallel to the pseudo-bottom formed by the step edges); y = distance (m) normal to the pseudo-bottom formed by the step edges; Y₉₀ = characteristic distance (m) where C=0.90; Y ₉₈ = characteristic distance (m) where C=0.98; = slope of pseudo-bottom by the step edges; = diameter (m).     

Synthesis,structural elucidation,electro-chemical behaviour and fungitoxic activity of transition metal(II) mixed-ligand complexes with some Schiff bases

The Schiff bases, potassium salt of salicylidene-β-alanine [KHL], bis(benzylidene)ethylenediamine [SB¹] and thiophene-o-carboxaldene-p-toluidine [SB²], and mixed-ligand complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) have been prepared. They were characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analyses (t.g.a.), infrared spectra and electronic spectra. The mixed-ligand complexes were found to have the general composition [M(L)(SB)(H₂O)]. All the mixed-ligand complexes were found to have six-coordinated octahedral geometry. The fungitoxic activity of the ligands, metal salts, control (DMSO), bavistin, emcarb, and mixed-ligand complexes were screened against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus. All the mixed-ligand complexes show higher fungitoxic activity as compared to the Schiff bases, metal nitrate and control (dimethyl sulphoxide, DMSO), and moderate fungitoxic activity as compared to the fungicides (bavistin and emcarb).     

Detection of metallothionein in the intestinal mucosa and brain with 109cadmium∗

Metallothionein (MT) has a great capacity of binding metal ions showing an interesting connection with metal toxicology, as a biochemical marker for environmental metal pollution.

To normal male Wistar rats (200±10 g) and other groups with ferropenic anemia, are administered 1 mg Cd/Kg/day, during 6 days, and MT labelled with the administration 2 h before sacrifice of 3 μCi ¹⁰⁹CdCl₂, also through intragastric catheter. The MT concentration in the intestinal mucosa is expressed in μg MT/g fresh tissue, being for control rats 1.4 ± 0.5; for rats administered with 6 doses of Cd 2.5 ± 0.6 (P<0.05); with ferropenic anemia 4.3±0.7 (P<0.001), and for anemic rats treated with 6 doses Cd 12 + 0,3 (P<0.001) μg MT/g fresh tissue respectively. PAGE 15% T, 2% C_Bis show for intestinal mucosa 2 MT peaks and for brain 3 MT peaks. Anemia induce MT accumulation and increases cadmium incorporation, being anemic subjects eligibles to be submitted first to control and detoxication than the rest of the population, and also MT should be studied as biochemical marker of the pollution.     

Metals and metalloids in PM10 in Nandan County,Guangxi, China,and the health risks posed

Intense mining, smelting, and tailing activities of polymetallic ore deposits have affected the environment in Nandan County, Guangxi, China. Samples of particulates with aerodynamic diameters low or equal 10 μm (PM₁₀) were collected in Nandan County to investigate the concentrations of and health risks posed by 17 metals and metalloids in the PM₁₀. The metal and metalloid concentrations were lower than those found in other industrial cities. The mean Cr concentration was 7.48 ng/m³. Significant higher metal and metalloid concentrations were found in PM₁₀ from mining areas (Dachang and Chehe) than from the control area (Liuzhai) (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, Na, and Sr were resuspension of the soil produced through mineral erosion, the main sources of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn were smelting and mining activities, and the main source of Ni was fossil fuel combustion. Higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were posed in Dachang and Chehe than in Liuzhai. The non-carcinogenic risks posed to adults and children by individual metals and metalloids in PM₁₀ at all the sites were low, but the non-carcinogenic risks posed to children by all the metals and metalloids together exceeded the safe level (i.e., risk value > 1). The carcinogenic risks posed by Cd, Ni, and Pb were negligible at all sites, while As, Co, and Cr posed potential carcinogenic risks to the residents.

     

Differential effects of UV-B radiation fluence rates on growth,photosynthesis, and phosphate metabolism in two cyanobacteria under copper toxicity

This work was undertaken to ascertain the impact of different fluence rates of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on two cyanobacterial biofertilizers, Phormidium foveolarum and Nostoc muscorum, growing under copper toxicity. Copper (2 and 5?µmol?L^?1) and high UV-B fluence rate (UV-B_H; 1.0?µmol?m^?2?s^?1) decreased the growth, pigment content, photosynthetic oxygen yield, phosphate uptake, and acid phosphatase activity in both the strains analyzed after 24 and 72?h of experiments, and combined exposure further enhanced the toxic effects. Respiration and alkaline phosphatase activities were stimulated appreciably. The damaging effect was shown on the order on pigments: phycocyanin?>?chlorophyll a?>?carotenoids, and on photosystems: whole chain photosynthetic reaction?>?photosystem II?>?photosystem I. Partial recovery in the photosystem II activity in the presence of artificial electron donors; diphenyl carbazide (DPC), hydroxylamine (NH₂OH), and manganese chloride (MnCl₂) pointed out the interruption of electron flow on the oxidation side of photosystem II. Unlike UV-B_H, low UV-B fluence rate (UV-B_L; 0.1?µmol?m^?2?s^?1), rather than causing damaging effect partially, alleviated the toxic effects of Cu. This study suggests that the cyanobacterium P. foveolarum is less sensitive against UV-B_H and excess Cu (2 and 5?µmol?L^?1), thus P. foveolarum may be used as a biofertilizer for sustainable agriculture.