Comparative use of bacterial, algal and protozoan tests to study toxicity of azo- and anthraquinone dyes

Toxicity of two azo dyes (Reactive Orange 16 (RO16); Congo Red (CR)) and two anthraquinone dyes (Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR); Disperse Blue 3 (DB3)) were compared using bacterium Vibrio fischeri, microalga Selenastrum capricornutum and ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. The following respective endpoints were involved: acute toxicity measured as bacterial luminescence inhibition, algal growth inhibition, and the effects on the protozoa including viability, growth inhibition, grazing effect and morphometric effects. In addition, mutagenicity of the dyes was determined using Ames test with bacterium Salmonella typhimurium His(-). DB3 dye was the most toxic of all dyes in the bacterial, algal and protozoan tests. In contrast to other dyes, DB3 exhibited mutagenic effects after metabolic activation in vitro in all S. typhimurium strains used. Of the methods applied, the algal test was the most sensitive to evaluate toxicity of the dyes tested.     

Investigating the sources of the mutagenic activity found in a river using the Salmonella assay and different water extraction procedures

In the routine São Paulo state (Brazil) surface water quality-monitoring program, which includes the Salmonella microsome mutagenicity assay as one of its parameters, a river where water is taken and treated for drinking water purposes has repeatedly shown mutagenic activity. A textile dyeing facility employing azo-type dyes was the only identifiable source of mutagenic compounds. We extracted the river and drinking water samples with XAD4 at neutral and acidic pH and with blue rayon, which selectively adsorbs polycyclic compounds. We tested the industrial effluent, raw, and treated water and sediment samples with YG1041 and YG1042 and compared the results with the TA98 and TA100 strains. The elevated mutagenicity detected with YG-strains suggested that nitroaromatics and/or aromatic amines were causing the mutagenicity detected in the samples analyzed. Positive responses for the blue rayon extracts indicated that mutagenic polycyclic compounds were present in the water samples analyzed. The mutagen or mixture of mutagens present in the effluent and water samples cause mainly frameshift mutations and are positive with and without metabolic activation. The Salmonella assay combined with different extraction procedures proved to be very useful in the identification of the origin of the pollution and in the identification of the classes of chemical compounds causing the mutagenic activity in the river analyzed.     

Toxicity of ferric chloride sludge to aquatic organisms

Iron-rich sludge from a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) was investigated regarding its toxicity to aquatic organisms and physical and chemical composition. In addition, the water quality of the receiving stream near the DWTP was evaluated. Experiments were carried out in August 1998, February 1999 and May 1999. Acute toxicity tests were carried out on a cladoceran (Daphnia similis), a midge (Chironomus xanthus) and a fish (Hyphessobrycon eques). Chronic tests were conducted only on D. similis. Acute sludge toxicity was not detected using any of the aquatic organisms, but chronic effects were observed upon the fecundity of D. similis. Although there were relatively few sample dates, the results suggested that the DWTP sludge had a negative effect on the receiving body as here was increased suspended matter, turbidity, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and hardness in the water downstream of the DWTP effluent discharge. The ferric chloride sludge also exhibited high heavy metal concentrations revealing a further potential for pollution and harmful chronic effects on the aquatic biota when the sludge is disposed of without previous treatment.     

真菌和细菌对染料吸附脱色的高效共培养体系研究

在含有真菌G 1培养液中加入染料厂污水排放口的污泥样品 ,从发生快速脱色降解染料的混合培养液中分离出 2株染料脱色细菌L_1和L_2 ,经API鉴定系统鉴定 ,确定菌株L_1为Enterobactersp .,菌株L_2为Peudomonassp .。研究比较了单一和不同组合混合的真菌G_1菌株 (Penicilliumsp .)、细菌L_1菌株 (Enterobactersp .)和L_2菌株 (Pseu domonassp .)对偶氮染料红M - 3BE(C .I .ReactiveRed 2 41)和蒽醌染料艳蓝KN -R(C .1.ReactiveBlue 19)的去除情况 ,发现G - 1真菌和 2种细菌组合的共培养体系对 5 0mg/L红M - 3BE和艳蓝KN -R处理 5h去除率达 10 0 %和 97.9% ,并且是以脱色降解作用为主 ,建立了染料脱色降解菌的最佳组合 ;进一步测定了此最佳共培养体系对另外 13种不同结构染料的脱色降解 ,结果表明 ,除对蒽醌染料R - 478脱色降解较差外 ,对其他染料均可在lh— 3d被完全脱色降解 ,表现出脱色降解染料的广谱性 ;向培养 4d的共培养体系中依次加入 8种染料 ,菌体可对染料连续脱色 ,维持脱色能力达 8d左右     

Biological treatment of dye wastewaters using an anaerobic-oxic system

Three dye solutions, namely, C.I. Acid Yellow 17, C.I. Basic Blue 3, and C.I. Basic Red 2, were treated in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor followed by a semi-continuous aerobic activated sludge tank. When hydraulic retention time was about 12 hours, no significant color removal was observed in the aerobic stage. In the anaerobic stage, Acid Yellow 17, Basic Blue 3, and Basic Red 2 were removed by 20%, 72%, and 78%, respectively. To treat wastewater from a dye manufacturing factory with COD concentration of 1200 mg/l and Color of 500 degree (dilution factor), an UASB reactor (4.5 liters) and an activated sludge tank (5 liters, adjustable), COD and color were removed by more than 83% and 90% at a COD loading rate of 5.3 kg COD/m³-day in the anaerobic stage, and at the hydraulic retention time of 6-10 hours for the anaerobic stage and 6.5 for the aerobic stage. The anaerobic stage of the A/O system removes both color and COD. In addition, it also improves biodegradability of dyes for further aerobic treatment.     

Determination of mutagenic potential and organic contaminants of Great Lakes drinking water

Extracts of organic compounds were obtained, using XAD-2 macroreticular resin, from drinking water supplies in 12 Great Lakes municipalities. The extracts were tested for mutagenic potential using the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay and analysed for organochlorine pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organophosphorous pesticides and trialkyl-arylphosphates. Grab samples of drinking water were also analysed for volatile organic compounds. Dose-related increases in mutagenicity were found in extracts from 11 of the drinking water supplies.     

长江、嘉陵江(重庆段)源水有机提取物的致突变活性及其季节变化

为了确定并比较重庆主城区段长江、嘉陵江源水有机提取物的致突变性及其季节变化规律，分别于春、夏、冬季采用GDX－120大孔树脂，对位于城区上游、城区中段、城区下游以长江、嘉陵江源水的5个水厂的进厂水进行了有机物的浓缩提取。提取物的致突变活性采用经典的Ames试验平板掺入法评估，测试菌株为TA98及TA100，同时做加与不加S9的比较。结果显示，嘉陵江及长江源水的有机提取物均有不同程度的致突变活性。嘉陵江源水明显大于长江源水，城区中段源水明显大于上游段及下游段源水。多数断面显示平水期致突变活较为显著并且移码型致突变性大于碱基置换型致密变性。研究结果提示，城市污染源已导致长江、嘉陵江源水具备致突变活性，控制两江沿岸的各种水污染源已成为当务之急。     

The influence of application rate on the bacterial mutagenicity of soil amended with municipal sewage sludge

The mutagenic potential of two soils amended with a municipal sewage sludge at two application rates was monitored over a 2-year period using Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay. Samples were collected from undisturbed monolith lysimeters of Weswood sandy clay (Fluventic Ustochrept) and Padina sandy loam (Grossarenic Paleustalf) amended with dried sewage sludge at 50 and 100 Mg/ha. Soil samples were collected and sequentially extracted with methylene chloride and methanol. The residues from these extracts were tested for mutagenicity at five doses with and without metabolic activation in Salmonella strain TA98. In general, the mutagenic potential of the amended soils of both application rates for the first 8 weeks following sludge application increased and then slowly decreased. The maximum mutagenic response observed in the soil extracts was 222 revertants at a dose of 10 mg of residue. This response was induced by the methanol extract from the Weswood soil collected 56 days after the application of 50 Mg/ha sewage sludge as compared to the 100 Mg/ha application which induced 202 revertants/mg. The mutagenicity of all fractions extracted from the sludge-amended soil at both application rates collected 717 days after application were not appreciably different from extracts from the unamended soils. The data indicate that chemicals that were mutagenic in bacteria persist in the soil and that at the higher application rates, as much as 2 years may be required for the mutagenic potential of the soil to return to background levels.     

The mutagenic potentials of tap water samples in Shanghai

The tap water samples were collected from the users' ends in several areas of Shanghai, which is located in Taihu Lake basin, Eastern China. Source water samples were also collected from two municipal source water facilities at the same time. Samples were assayed by three different short-term mutagenicity test systems: Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test), the Arabinose resistance test (Ara test) and the SOS/umu test. The data showed that two source water samples did not display direct mutagenic potentials. Two tap water samples from city north, which were directly from Yangtze River, were also not mutagenic. Water samples from city south and middle which used source water originating from Taihu Lake were proved to be contaminated with mutagenic potentials by three different assay techniques. The boiled water displayed an even stronger mutagenic potential compared to its original tap water. The molecular mechanism of mutagenicity was associated with a reading frame-shifting potential. GC-MS analysis of tap water extracts from city middle and corresponding source water was compared. Qualitatively similar spectra were observed except for the peaks of three chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, which existed only in the tap water. Since the water source has been polluted, raw water was heavily chlorinated in order to sterilize. More toxic compounds, including mutagens, might form during the multi-chlorination. Caution about the possibility of elevated cancer risks in the population that consumes heavily chlorinated water should be kept in mind. A cohort study in the residents of Shanghai is required.     

不同形式电极与染料溶液的反应及其能耗

本研究对分散红E-4B、还原深蓝BO和酸性红B等三种染料分别用三维电极法和平板电极法进行了电解,结果表明三维电极法比平板电极法节能可达70%以上;并且电解效果越好的染料,采用三维电极法电解节能效果越明显.并且在不同pH值条件下,对酸性红B进行电解实验,结果表明在不同pH值条件下,色度去除率基本相同,中性条件下TOC的去除效果较好.     

姚江水源及饮用水Ames试验研究

对宁波姚江原水及梅林水厂各净水工艺进行了致突变性研究,研究结果表明,姚江水源已受到污染,传统的净水工艺难以保证饮用水的安全,极需提高受污染原水的净化程度。     

Azo dye decolourisation by anaerobic granular sludge

The decolourisation of 20 selected azo dyes by granular sludge from an upward-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor was assayed. Complete reduction was found for all azo dyes tested, generally yielding colourless products. The reactions followed first-order kinetics and reaction rates varied greatly between dyes: half-life times ranged from 1 to about 100 h. The slowest reaction rates were found for reactive dyes with a triazine reactive group. There was no correlation between a dye's half-life time and its molecular weight, indicating that cell penetration was probably not an important factor. Since granular sludge contains sulphide, eight dyes were also monitored for direct chemical decolourisation by sulphide. All these dyes were reduced chemically albeit at slower rates than in the presence of sludge at comparable sulphide levels. Increasing sulphide concentrations, even when present in huge excess, stimulated the azo reduction rate. The results indicate that granular sludge can decolourise a broad spectrum of azo dye structures due to non-specific extracellular reactions. Reducing agents (e.g., sulphide) in sludge play an important role. The presence of anaerobic biomass is probably beneficial for maintaining the pools of these reduced compounds.     

Mutagenicity evaluation of industrial sludge from common effluent treatment plant

Sludge from common effluent treatment plant (CETP) receiving effluents from textile industries at Mandia Road, Pali, was analyzed to assess the level of mutagenicity. Mutagenicity assay using Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA 98 and TA 100 gave positive results, thus suggesting presence of genotoxic contaminants in the samples investigated. Further, mutagenic activity of chemical sludge was found to be lesser than that of biological sludge. This result is very surprising and unexpected as it is indicating that some mutagenic compounds are either being formed or certain promutagenic compounds are being converted into stable mutagenic metabolites during the biological treatment of the wastewater effluents. There have been no previous reports giving similar or contrary results. Most of the previous studies have reported effects of single combined sludge.     

The evaluation of electrical energy per order (E(Eo)) for photooxidative decolorization of four textile dye solutions by the kinetic model

Photooxidative decolorization of four textile dyestuffs, C.I. Acid Orange 7 (AO7), C.I. Acid Orange 8 (AO8), C.I. Acid Orange 52 (AO52) and C.I. Acid Blue 74 (AB74), by UV/H2O2 was investigated in a laboratory scale photoreactor equipped with a 15 W low pressure mercury vapour lamp. The decolorization of the dyes was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics, and hence the figure-of-merit electrical energy per order (E(Eo)) is appropriate for estimating the electrical energy efficiency. The E(Eo) values were found to depend on the concentration of H2O2, concentration and basic structure of the dye. This study shows that these textile dyes can be treated easily and effectively with the UV/H2O2 process with E(Eo) values between 0.4 and 5 kW h m-3 order-1, depending on the initial concentrations of dyes and H2O2. The kinetic model, based on the initial rates of degradation, provided good prediction of the E(Eo) values for a variety of conditions.     

Simultaneous adsorption of Remazol brilliant blue and Disperse orange dyes on red mud and isotherms for the mixed dye system

The paper presents the adsorption of Remazol brilliant blue (RBB) and Disperse orange 25 (DO25) dyes from aqueous solution of the mixture of dyes onto concentrated sulphuric acid-treated red mud (ATRM). First-order derivative spectrophotometric method was developed for the analysis of RBB and DO25 in mixed dye aqueous solution to overcome the limitations arising due to interference in the zero-order spectral method. The optimum conditions to maximize RBB adsorption favoured the adsorption of RBB, and those for DO25 favoured DO25 adsorption from the mixed dye aqueous solutions. Presence of a second dye always inhibited the adsorption of a target dye. The uptake and percentage adsorption of each of the dyes onto ATRM from the aqueous solution of the mixture of dyes decreased considerably with increasing concentrations of the other dye showing the antagonistic effect. Monocomponent Langmuir isotherm fitted the mixed dye adsorption equilibrium data better than the monocomponent Freundlich isotherm. However, monocomponent models are suitable for the fixed concentration of the other dye. Modified Langmuir isotherm model adequately predicted the multi-component adsorption equilibrium data for RBB-DO25-ATRM adsorption system with a good accuracy and is more generic from the application point of view.     

Comparison of drinking water mutagenicity with leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water distribution pipes

The primary objectives of this study were to examine the changes in concentration of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the possibility of changes in mutagenic potential of treated waters as a result of their passage through commonly used distribution pipes. With the exception of the finished water taken at one treatment plant in which the total concentration of the six PAH was 138.5 parts per trillion (ppt), the total initial concentration in all other treated water ranged from 0 to 13.4 ppt. The corresponding total PAH concentration in water after passage through the distribution pipes varied from 0 to 61.6 ppt. This demonstrated that PAH concentration in water can increase as a result of their passage through coated distribution pipes. Mutagenic activity was also detected in many of the treated water samples, however, the levels of this activity did not correlate with either the transit of water through the distribution system or the levels of PAH in the water. There was some evidence to indicate that the water treatment process itself may have contributed to the mutagenicity observed in the finished water.     

Degradation of reactive dyes I. A comparative study of ozonation, enzymatic and photochemical processes

The environmental problems associated with textile activities are represented mainly by the extensive use of organic dyes. A great number of these compounds are recalcitrant and shown carcinogenic or mutagenic character. In this work three processes were studied for degradation of an anthraquinone dye (C.I. reactive blue-19). The ozonation process leads to complete decolorization with a very short reaction time; however, effective mineralization of the dye was not observed. The enzymatic process promotes quick decolorization of the dye; nevertheless, maximum decolorization degrees of about 30% are insignificant in relation to the decolorization degree achieved by the other processes. The best results were found for the photocatalytical process. The use of ZnO or TiO2 as photocatalysts, permits total decolorization and mineralization of the dye with reaction times of about 60 min.     

Decolorization and degradation of H-acid and other dyes using ferrous-hydrogen peroxide system

In this study, advanced oxidation process utilizing Fenton's reaction was investigated for the decolorization and degradation of two commercial dyes viz., Red M5B, Blue MR and H-acid, a dye intermediate used in chemical industries for the synthesis of direct, reactive and azo dyes. Effect of Fe2 +, H2O2, pH, and contact time on the degradation of the dyes was studied. Maximum color and COD removal was obtained for Red MSB, H-acid and Blue MR at 10-25 mg/l of Fe2+ dose and 400-500 mg/l of H2O2 dose at pH 3.0. The initial oxidation reaction was found to fit into first order rate kinetics and the rate of oxidation of H-acid was higher than the other dyes. Release of chloride and sulfate from the Fenton's treated Red M5B dye and sulfate from H-acid and Blue MR indicates that the dye degradation proceeds through cleavage of the substituent group.     

Mutagenicity of anaerobic fenitrothion metabolites after aerobic biodegradation

Previous studies have revealed that the mutagenicity of fenitrothion increases during anaerobic biodegradation, suggesting that this insecticide's mutagenicity could effectively increase after it pollutes anaerobic environments such as lake sediments. To investigate possible changes to the mutagenicity of fenitrothion under aerobic conditions after it had already been increased by anaerobic biodegradation, batch incubation cultures were maintained under aerobic conditions. The mutagenicity, which had increased during anaerobic biodegradation, decreased under aerobic conditions with aerobic or facultative bacteria, but did not disappear completely in 22 days. In contrast, it did not change under aerobic conditions without bacteria or under continued anaerobic conditions. These observations suggest that the mutagenicity of anaerobically metabolized fenitrothion would not necessarily decrease after it arrives in an aerobic environment: this would depend on the presence of suitable bacteria. Therefore, fenitrothion-derived mutagenic compounds may pollute the water environment, including our drinking water sources, after accidental pollution of aerobic waters. Although amino-fenitrothion generated during anaerobic biodegradation of fenitrothion was the principal mutagen, non-trivial contributions of other, unidentified metabolites to the mutagenicity were also observed.     

Biogenic sulphide plays a major role on the riboflavin-mediated decolourisation of azo dyes under sulphate-reducing conditions

The effect of high concentrations of sulphate on the reductive decolourisation of different azo dyes by anaerobic sludge was studied in batch cultures. Sludge cultures were pre-incubated under sulphate-reducing conditions prior addition of dyes. Little or no effects of sulphate (5-10 g sulphate l(-1)) on the rate of decolourisation of Reactive Orange 14 (RO14), Direct Blue 53 (DB53) and Direct Blue 71 (DB71) were observed when no external redox mediator was provided. However, an increase in sulphate concentration, in the presence of riboflavin (20 microM), enhanced the decolourisation of all dyes. The first-rate constant of decolourisation (k) was increased up to 2-, 3.6- and 2-fold for RO14, DB53 and DB71, respectively, by supplying high sulphate concentrations, compared to the controls lacking sulphate, in the presence of the redox mediator. Sulphate reduction did not take place during the course of azo reductions, but was only evident before dye addition and after complete decolourisation, suggesting azo dyes reduction out-competed sulphate reduction for the available reducing equivalents. The experimental data suggest that reduction of azo dyes by riboflavin, which had been reduced by biogenic sulphide, was the major mechanism implicated during decolourisations, which was corroborated by abiotic incubations. Riboflavin greatly accelerated the abiotic reduction of RO14, so that the k value was increased up to 44-fold compared to the control lacking riboflavin.