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).     

Degradation of 2,4-D in soils by Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles combined with stimulating indigenous microbes

Purpose  

Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in soils by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles combined with soil indigenous microbes was investigated, and the effects of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on soil microbial populations and enzyme activities were also studied.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> source apportionment in the surroundings of the San Vicente del Raspeig cement plant complex in southeastern Spain

Introduction  

The concentrations of trace metals, ionic species, and carbonaceous components in PM₁₀ (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 μm) were measured from samples collected near an industrial complex, primarily composed of cement plants, in southeastern Spain, from September 2005 to August 2006.     

Degradation of poly (lactic acid) and nanocomposites by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis</Emphasis>

Background, aim, and scope  

The disposal problem due to non-degradable petroleum-based plastics has raised the demand for biodegradable polymers. The degradation of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has been studied for several years, but the understanding of involved mechanisms is still incomplete. Based on our previous studies, and it is hypothesized an enzymatic involvement, the aim of this study was to continue investigations on the degradation of PLA and its nanocomposites by Bacillus licheniformis.     

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.     

The effect of paraoxon on spermatogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dugesia gonocephala</Emphasis> from the Chilean Altiplano: proliferation and apoptosis

Introduction and aims  

The Chilean Altiplano ecosystem is conserved free from contaminants and pollutants because of the absence of major local human activities such as agriculture or other industries. We studied the effects of paraoxon on proliferation and apoptosis of testicular cells during active spermatogenesis in Dugesia gonocephala collected from a pristine river (Guacollo) in the Altiplano region nearby Visviri town, Chile.     

Phytoremediation of a sulphonated azo dye Green HE4B by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glandularia pulchella</Emphasis> (Sweet) Tronc. (Moss Verbena)

Purpose  

The dyes and dye stuffs present in effluents released from textile dyeing industries are potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic. Phytoremediation technology can be used for remediating sites contaminated with such textile dyeing effluents. The purpose of the work was to explore the potential of Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. to decolorize different textile dyes, textile dyeing effluent, and synthetic mixture of dyes.     

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.     

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.     

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).     

Biomass reduction and arsenic transformation during composting of arsenic-rich hyperaccumulator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteris vittata</Emphasis> L.

Background, aim, and scope  

Composting is being proposed as a pretreatment step before disposal of metal-rich biomass after phytoextraction process. This study determined the biomass reduction and arsenic transformation during composting As-rich biomass of hyperaccumulator Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.).     

Assessment of Cr and Ni phytotoxicity from cutlery-washing waste-waters using biomass and chlorophyll production tests on mustard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sinapis alba</Emphasis> L. seedlings

Background, aim, and scope  

The aim of this work was to determine phytotoxicity of washing waste-waters from a cutlery production line with high content of Cr and Ni. These waters were previously classified, without verification, as dangerous and it is now necessary to question the justice of the present classification under the new legislation for waste management (Waste Law No. 223/2001) in the Slovak Republic.     

Photocatalytic degradation of dichlorvos in aqueous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> suspensions

Introduction  

In the present work, we explored the kinetics of dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorvinyl dimethyl phosphate, DDVP) decay through UV-A light-induced TiO₂ photocatalysis at pH 4 and 9, and the formation of degradation intermediates and final products under specific experimental conditions. Experimental observations and theoretical considerations allowed us to suggest the degradation mechanism of DDVP by the UV/TiO₂ process in aqueous solution.     

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.