Removal of hydrocarbon from refinery tank bottom sludge employing microbial culture

Accumulation of oily sludge is becoming a serious environmental threat, and there has not been much work reported for the removal of hydrocarbon from refinery tank bottom sludge. Effort has been made in this study to investigate the removal of hydrocarbon from refinery sludge by isolated biosurfactant-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa RS29 strain and explore the biosurfactant for its composition and stability. Laboratory investigation was carried out with this strain to observe its efficacy of removing hydrocarbon from refinery sludge employing whole bacterial culture and culture supernatant to various concentrations of sand–sludge mixture. Removal of hydrocarbon was recorded after 20 days. Analysis of the produced biosurfactant was carried out to get the idea about its stability and composition. The strain could remove up to 85?±?3 and 55?±?4.5 % of hydrocarbon from refinery sludge when whole bacterial culture and culture supernatant were used, respectively. Maximum surface tension reduction (26.3 mN m^?1) was achieved with the strain in just 24 h of time. Emulsification index (E24) was recorded as 100 and 80 % with crude oil and n-hexadecane, respectively. The biosurfactant was confirmed as rhamnolipid containing C₈ and C₁₀ fatty acid components and having more mono-rhamnolipid congeners than the di-rhamnolipid ones. The biosurfactant was stable up to 121 °C, pH 2–10, and up to a salinity value of 2–10 % w/v. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the potentiality of a native strain from the northeast region of India for the efficient removal of hydrocarbon from refinery sludge.     

Particle size distribution of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) in urban and industrial aerosol of Algiers,Algeria

The distribution of ambient air n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated to particles with aerodynamic diameters lesser than 10 μm (PM₁₀) into six fractions (five stages and a backup filter) was studied for the first time in Algeria. Investigation took place during September of 2007 at an urban and industrial site of Algiers. Size-resolved samples (<0.49, 0.49–0.95, 0.95–1.5, 1.5–3.0, 3.0–7.2, and7.2–10 μm) were concurrently collected at the two sampling sites using five-stage high-volume cascade impactors. Most of n-alkanes (~72 %) and PAHs (~90 %) were associated with fine particles ≤1.5 μm in both urban and industrial atmosphere. In both cases, the n-alkane contents exhibited bimodal or weakly bimodal distribution peaking at the 0.95–1.5-μm size range within the fine mode and at 7.3–10 μm in the coarse mode. Low molecular weight PAHs displayed bimodal patterns peaking at 0.49–0.95 and 7.3–10 μm, while high molecular weight PAHs exhibited mono-modal distribution with maximum in the <0.49-μm fraction. While the mass mean diameter of total n-alkanes in the urban and industrial sites was 0.70 and 0.84 μm, respectively, it did not exceed 0.49 μm for PAHs. Carbon preference index (~1.1), wax% (10.1–12.8), and the diagnostic ratios for PAHs all revealed that vehicular emission was the major source of these organic compounds in PM₁₀ during the study periods and that the contribution of epicuticular waxes emitted by terrestrial plants was minor. According to benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent carcinogenic power rates, ca. 90 % of overall PAH toxicity across PM₁₀ was found in particles ≤0.95 μm in diameter which could induce adverse health effects to the population living in these areas.     

Determination of phenols and pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewaters from Polish treatment plants by ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction followed by GC–MS

A method combining ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction (USAEME) with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of four acidic pharmaceuticals, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, and diclofenac, as well as four phenols, 4-octylphenol, 4-n-nonylphenol, bisphenol A, and triclosan in municipal wastewaters. Conditions of extraction and simultaneous derivatization were optimized with respect to such aspects as type and volume of extraction solvent, volume of derivatization reagent, kind and amount of buffering salt, location of the test tube in the ultrasonic bath, and extraction time. The average correlation coefficient of the calibration curves was 0.9946. The LOD/(LOQ) values in influent and effluent wastewater were in the range of 0.002–0.121/(0.005–0.403) μg L^?1 and 0.002–0.828/(0.006–2.758) μg L^?1, respectively. Quantitative recoveries (≥94 %) and satisfactory precision (average RSD 8.2 %) were obtained. The optimized USAEME/GC–MS method was applied for determination of the considered pharmaceuticals and phenols in influents and treated effluents from nine Polish municipal wastewater treatment plants. The average concentration of acidic pharmaceuticals in influent and effluent wastewater were in the range of 0.06–551.96 μg L^?1 and 0.01–22.61 μg L^?1, respectively, while for phenols were in the range of 0.03–102.54 μg L^?1 and 0.02–10.84 μg L^?1, respectively. The removal efficiencies of the target compounds during purification process were between 84 and 99 %.     

Enhancement of nitrogen and phosphorus removal from eutrophic water by economic plant annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) with ion implantation

Severe eutrophication of surface water has been a major problem of increasing environmental concern worldwide. In the present study, economic plant annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was grown in floating mats as an economic plant-based treatment system to evaluate its potential after ion implantation for removing nutrients in simulated eutrophic water. The specific weight growth rate of L. multiflorum with ion implantation was significantly greater than that of the control, and the peroxidase, nitrate reductase, and acid phosphatase activities of the irradiated L. multiflorum were found to be greater than those plants without ion implantation. Higher total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies were obtained for the L. multiflorum irradiated with 25 keV 5.2?×?10¹⁶ N⁺ ions/cm² and 30 keV 4.16?×?10¹⁶ N⁺ ions/cm², respectively (p?L. multiflorum itself was directly responsible for 39–49 and 47–58 % of the overall N and P removal in the experiment, respectively. The research results suggested that ion implantation could become a promising approach for increasing phytoremediation efficiency of nutrients from eutrophic water by L. multiflorum.     

Pentachlorophenol dechlorination and simultaneous Cr6+ reduction by Pseudomonas putida SKG-1 MTCC (10510): characterization of PCP dechlorination products, bacterial structure, and functional groups

It is the first report in which a novel psychrotrophic Pseudomonas putida SKG-1 strain was evaluated for simultaneous bioremediation of pentachlorophenol and Cr⁶⁺ under various cultural and nutritional conditions. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) dechlorination products, bacterial structure, and functional groups were characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS), scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. The strain was extremely tolerant to excessively higher individual concentration of PCP (1,400 mg l^?1) and Cr⁶⁺ (4,300 mg l^?1). Increasing concentration of PCP and Cr⁶⁺ exerted inhibitory effect on bacterial growth and toxicants’ removal. The strain exhibited growth, and concomitantly remediated both the pollutants simultaneously over a broad pH (7.0–9.0) and temperature (28–32 °C) range; maximum growth, PCP dechlorination (87.5 %), and Cr⁶⁺ removal (80.0 %) occurred at optimum pH 8.0 and 30 °C (from initial PCP 100 mg l^?1 and Cr⁶⁺ 500 mg l^?1) under shaking (150 rpm) within 72 h incubation. Optimization of agitation (125 rpm) and aeration (0.4 vvm) in bioreactor further enhanced PCP dechlorination by ~10 % and Cr⁶⁺ removal by 2 %. A direct correlation existed between growth and bioremediation of both the toxicants. Among other heavy metals, mercury exerted maximum and cobalt minimum inhibitory effect on PCP dechlorination and Cr⁶⁺ removal. Chromate reductase activity was mainly associated with the supernatant and cytosolic fraction of bacterial cells. GC–MS analysis revealed the formation of tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and 2,6-dichlorophenol as PCP dechlorination products. FTIR spectrometry indicated likely involvement of carbonyl and amide groups in Cr³⁺ adsorption, and SEM–EDS showed the presence of chromium on P. putida surface. Thus, our promising isolate can be ecofriendly employed for biotreatment of various industrial wastes contaminated with high PCP and Cr⁶⁺ concentrations.     

Evaluation of Acinetobacter sp. B9 for Cr (VI) resistance and detoxification with potential application in bioremediation of heavy-metals-rich industrial wastewater

Present work demonstrates Cr (VI) detoxification and resistance mechanism of a newly isolated strain (B9) of Acinetobacter sp. Bioremediation potential of the strain B9 is shown by simultaneous removal of major heavy metals including chromium from heavy-metals-rich metal finishing industrial wastewater. Strain B9 tolerate up to 350 mg L^?1 of Cr (VI) and also shows level of tolerance to Ni (II), Zn (II), Pb (II), and Cd (II). The strain was capable of reducing 67 % of initial 7.0 mg L^?1 of Cr (VI) within 24 h of incubation, while in presence of Cu ions 100 % removal of initial 7.0 and 10 mg L^?1 of Cr (VI) was observed with in 24 h. pH in the range of 6.0–8.0 and inoculum size of 2 % (v/v) were determined to be optimum for dichromate reduction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies suggested absorption or intracellular accumulation and that might be one of the major mechanisms behind the chromium resistance by strain B9. Scanning electron microscopy showed morphological changes in the strain due to chromium stress. Relevance of the strain for treatment of heavy-metals-rich industrial wastewater resulted in 93.7, 55.4, and 68.94 % removal of initial 30 mg L^?1 Cr (VI), 246 mg L^?1 total Cr, and 51 mg L^?1 Ni, respectively, after 144 h of treatment in a batch mode.     

Assessment of volatile organic compound removal by indoor plants—a novel experimental setup

Indoor plants can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. The majority of knowledge comes from laboratory studies where results cannot directly be transferred to real-life settings. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental test system to assess VOC removal by indoor plants which allows for an improved real-life simulation. Parameters such as relative humidity, air exchange rate and VOC concentration are controlled and can be varied to simulate different real-life settings. For example, toluene diffusion through a needle gave concentrations in the range of 0.10–2.35 μg/L with deviations from theoretical values of 3.2–10.5 %. Overall, the system proved to be functional for the assessment of VOC removal by indoor plants with Hedera helix reaching a toluene removal rate of up to 66.5 μg/m²/h. The mode of toluene exposure (semi-dynamic or dynamic) had a significant influence on the removal rate obtained by H. helix.     

Chromium (VI) remediation by a native strain: effect of environmental conditions and removal mechanisms involved

A native bacterial strain with high capability for Cr (VI) removal was isolated from tannery sediments located in Elena (Córdoba Province, Argentina). The strain was characterized by amplification of 16S rRNA gene and identified as Serratia sp. C8. It was able to efficiently remove different Cr (VI) concentrations in a wide range of pHs and temperatures. The addition of different carbon sources as well as initial inoculum concentration were analyzed, demonstrating that Serratia sp. C8 could reduce 80 % of 20 mg/L Cr (VI) in a medium containing glucose 1 g/L, at pH 6–7 and 28 °C as optimal conditions, using 5 % inoculum concentration. The mechanisms involved in Cr (VI) removal were also evaluated. The strain was capable of biosorpting around 7.5–8.5 % of 20 mg/L Cr on its cell surface and to reduce Cr (VI). In addition, approximately a 54 and 46 % of total Cr was detected in the biomass and in the culture medium, respectively, and in the culture medium, Cr (III) was the predominant species. In conclusion, Serratia sp. C8 removed Cr (VI) and the mechanisms involved in decreasing order of contribution were as follows: reduction catalyzed by intracellular enzymes, accumulation into the cells, and biosorption to the microbial biomass. This strain could be a suitable microorganism for Cr (VI) bioremediation of tannery sediments and effluents or even for other environments contaminated with Cr.     

Isolation and characterization of novel phorate-degrading bacterial species from agricultural soil

Based upon 16S rDNA sequence homology, 15 phorate-degrading bacteria isolated from sugarcane field soils by selective enrichment were identified to be different species of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Brevibacterium, and Staphylococcus. Relative phorate degradation in a mineral salt medium containing phorate (50 μg ml^?1) as sole carbon source established that all the bacterial species could actively degrade more than 97 % phorate during 21 days. Three of these species viz. Bacillus aerophilus strain IMBL 4.1, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans strain IMBL 2.1, and Pseudomonas fulva strain IMBL 5.1 were found to be most active phorate metabolizers, degrading more than 96 % phorate during 2 days and 100 % phorate during 13 days. Qualitative analysis of phorate residues by gas liquid chromatography revealed complete metabolization of phorate without detectable accumulation of any known phorate metabolites. Phorate degradation by these bacterial species did not follow the first-order kinetics except the P. fulva strain IMBL 5.1 with half-life period (t½) ranging between 0.40 and 5.47 days.     

Assessment of plant-driven uptake and translocation of clofibric acid by Scirpus validus

Pharmaceutical compounds are now considered as emerging contaminants of environmental concern. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the uptake and translocation of clofibric acid (CA) by the macrophyte Scirpus validus growing hydroponically. A set of the three replicates was established for each exposure time and for each CA concentration. Plants were grown in 4 L vessels (four plants per vessel corresponding to the three exposure period studies, i.e., 7, 14, 18, and 21 days) which contained an aerated modified Hoagland nutrient solution that was spiked with CA at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg?L^?1. At each exposure period, CA concentration was measured in the nutrient solutions. A sea sand disruption method was employed for the extraction of CA from plant tissues. The determination of the pharmaceutical concentration was carried out using solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by chromatographic analysis. The quantification of CA concentrations in both nutrient solutions (after SPE) and plant tissues (after extraction) was conducted by chromatographic analysis. CA concentrations of 5.4–26.8 μg?g^?1 (fresh weight) were detected in the roots and 7.2–34.6 μg?g^?1 (fresh weight) in the shoots after 21 days. Mass balance calculations showed that S. validus uptake alone accounted for a significant contribution (6–13 % for the roots and 22–49 % for the shoots) of the total loss of CA. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) based on fresh weight for the roots ranged from 6.6 to 23.2, while values for the shoots ranged from 9.5 to 32.1. All the BAFs for the shoots were greater than those in the roots, implying that CA has greater tendency to be translocated to the shoots, rather than the roots of S. validus. All the shoot-to-root concentration ratios were more than 1, denoting that the shoots of S. validus do preferentially accumulate CA. We demonstrated that CA can be actively taken up, subsequently translocated and accumulated by aboveground tissues of S. validus. Since S. validus could account for the removal of 28–62 % of the total mass loss of CA from the system, such phytoremediation technology has great potential for the removal of pharmaceuticals such as CA from inflowing waters.     

Enhanced degradation of ortho-nitrochlorobenzene by the combined system of zero-valent iron reduction and persulfate oxidation in soils

ortho-Nitrochlorobenzene (o-NCB) in soil poses significant health risks to human because of its persistence and high toxicity. The removal of o-NCB by both zero-valent iron (ZVI) and chemical oxidation (persulfate) was investigated by batch experiments. The o-NCB removal rate increases significantly from 15.1 to 97.3 % with an increase of iron dosage from 0.1 to 1.0 mmol g^?1. The o-NCB removal rate increases with the decrease of the initial solution pH, and a removal efficiency of 90.3 % is obtained at an initial pH value of 6.8 in this combined system. It is found that temperature and soil moisture could also increase the o-NCB removal rate. The o-NCB degradation rate increases from 83.9 to 96.2 % and from 41.5 to 82.4 % with an increase of temperature (15 to 35 °C) and soil moisture (0.25 to 1.50 mL g^?1), respectively. Compared to the persulfate oxidation system and ZVI system, the persulfate–iron system shows high o-NCB removal capacity. o-NCB removal rates of 41.5 and 62.4 % are obtained in both the persulfate oxidation system and the ZVI system, while the removal rate of o-NCB is 90.3 % in the persulfate–iron system.     

Start-up of sequencing batch reactor with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thiosphaera pantotropha</Emphasis> for treatment of high-strength nitrogenous wastewater and sludge characterization

Biological treatment of high-strength nitrogenous wastewater is challenging due to low growth rate of autotrophic nitrifiers. This study reports bioaugmentation of Thiosphaera pantotropha capable of simultaneously performing heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification (SND) in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). SBRs fed with 1:1 organic-nitrogen (N) and NH₄ ⁺-N were started up with activated sludge and T. pantotropha by gradual increase in N concentration. Sludge bulking problems initially observed could be overcome through improved aeration and mixing and change in carbon source. N removal decreased with increase in initial nitrogen concentration, and only 50–60 % removal could be achieved at the highest N concentration of 1000 mg L^?1 at 12-h cycle time. SND accounted for 28 % nitrogen loss. Reducing the settling time to 5–10 min and addition of divalent metal ions gradually improved the settling characteristics of sludge. Sludge aggregates of 0.05–0.2 mm diameter, much smaller than typical aerobic granules, were formed and progressive increase in settling velocity, specific gravity, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, protein, and polysaccharides was observed over time. Granulation facilitated total nitrogen (TN) removal at a constant rate over the entire 12-h cycle and thus increased TN removal up to 70 %. Concentrations of NO₂ ^?-N and NO₃ ^?-N were consistently low indicating effective denitrification. Nitrogen removal was possibly limited by urea hydrolysis/nitrification. Presence of T. pantotropha in the SBRs was confirmed through biochemical tests and 16S rDNA analysis.     

Cr(VI) and COD removal from landfill leachate by polyculture constructed wetland at a pilot scale

Four subsurface horizontal-flow constructed wetlands (CWs) at a pilot scale planted with a polyculture of the tropical plants Gynerium sagittatum (Gs), Colocasia esculenta (Ce) and Heliconia psittacorum (He) were evaluated for 7 months. The CW cells with an area of 17.94 m² and 0.60 m (h) each and 0.5 m of gravel were operated at continuous gravity flow (Q?=?0.5 m³ day^?1) and a theoretical HRT of 7 days each and treating landfill leachate for the removal of filtered chemical oxygen demand (COD_f), BOD₅, TKN, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^?, PO₄ ^3?–P and Cr(VI). Three CWs were divided into three sections, and each section (5.98 m²) was seeded with 36 cuttings of each species (plant density of six cuttings per square metre). The other unit was planted randomly. The final distributions of plants in the bioreactors were as follows: CW I (He-Ce-Gs), CW II (randomly), CW III (Ce-Gs-He) and CW IV (Gs-He-Ce). The units received effluent from a high-rate anaerobic pond (BLAAT®). The results show a slightly alkaline and anoxic environment in the solid-liquid matrix (pH?=?8.0; 0.5–2 mg L^?1 dissolved oxygen (DO)). COD_f removal was 67 %, BOD₅ 80 %, and TKN and NH₄ ⁺ 50–57 %; NO₃ ^? effluents were slightly higher than the influent, PO₄ ^3?–P (38 %) and Cr(VI) between 50 and 58 %. CW IV gave the best performance, indicating that plant distribution may affect the removal capacity of the bioreactors. He and Gs were the plants exhibiting a translocation factor (TF) of Cr(VI) >1. The evaluated plants demonstrated their suitability for phytoremediation of landfill leachate, and all of them can be categorized as Cr(VI) accumulators. The CWs also showed that they could be a low-cost operation as a secondary system for treatment of intermediated landfill leachate (LL).     

Long-term disruption of growth,reproduction, and behavior after embryonic exposure of zebrafish to PAH-spiked sediment

A natural sediment spiked with three individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; pyrene, phenanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene) was used to expose zebrafish embryos and larvae during 4 days. The total PAH concentration was 4.4 μg g^?1 which is in the range found in sediment from contaminated areas. Quantification of metabolites in the larvae after exposure confirmed the actual contamination of the larvae and indicated an active metabolism especially for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene. After a transfer in a clean medium, the larvae were reared to adulthood and evaluated for survival, growth, reproduction, and behavior. Measured endpoints revealed a late disruption of growth (appearing at 5 months) and a trend toward a lower reproductive ability. Adults of embryos exposed to sediment spiked with PAHs displayed lethargic and/or anxiety-like behaviors. This latter behavior was also identified in offspring at larval stage. All together, these effects could have detrimental consequences on fish performances and contribution to recruitment.     

Removal of xylenol orange from its aqueous solution using SDS self-microemulsifying systems: optimization by Box–Behnken statistical design

The aim of present study was to develop and evaluate sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) self-microemulsifying systems (SMES) for the removal of an anionic dye xylenol orange (XO) from its bulk aqueous media via liquid–liquid adsorption. The composition of SDS SMES was optimized by Box–Behnken statistical design for the maximum removal of XO from its aqueous solution. Various SDS formulations were prepared by spontaneous emulsification method and characterized for thermodynamic stability, self-microemulsification efficiency, droplet size, and viscosity. Adsorption studies were conducted at 8, 16, and 24 h by mixing small amounts of SDS formulations with relatively large amounts of bulk aqueous solution of XO. Droplet size and viscosity of SDS formulations were significantly influenced by oil phase concentration (triacetin), while surfactant concentration had little impact on droplet size and viscosity. However, the percentage of removal of XO was influenced by triacetin concentration, surfactant concentration, and adsorption time. Based on lowest droplet size (35.97 nm), lowest viscosity (29.62 cp), and highest percentage of removal efficiency (89.77 %), formulation F₁₄, containing 2 % w/w of triacetin and 40 % w/w of surfactant mixture (20 % w/w of SDS and 20 % w/w of polyethylene glycol 400), was selected as an optimized formulation for the removal of XO from its bulk aqueous media after 16 h. These results indicated that SDS SMES could be suitable alternates of solid–liquid adsorption for the removal of toxic dyes such as XO from its aqueous solution through liquid–liquid adsorption.     

Sources of polycyclic hydrocarbons and pesticides in soluble fraction of deposition samples in Kocaeli,Turkey

A wet–dry deposition sampler was located at The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-National Metrology Institute (TUBITAK-UME) station, and a bulk deposition sampler was placed at the Kad?ll? village to determine the atmospheric deposition flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides (organochlorine and organophosphorus) in soluble fraction of samples in Kocaeli, Turkey. The 28 samples for each wet, dry, and total deposition were collected weekly from March 2006 to March 2007. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the samples which were prepared by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) method. The sum of volume weighted mean of deposition fluxes was obtained as 7.43 μg m^?2 day^?1 for wet deposition, 0.28 μg m^?2 day^?1 for dry deposition and 0.54 μg m^?2 day^?1 for bulk deposition samples for PAHs and 9.88 μg m^?2 day^?1 for wet deposition, 4.49 μg m^?2 day^?1 for dry deposition, and 3.29 μg m^?2 day^?1 for bulk deposition samples for pesticides. While benzo(a)anthracene had the highest fluxes among PAH compounds for all types of depositions, guthion and phosphamidon had the highest deposition flux compared with the other pesticides. Benzo(ghi)perylene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, and acenaphthene were not detected in any of the samples. Beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, and endrin aldehyde were the only compounds among 18 organochlorine pesticides to be detected in all deposition samples. The main sources of pesticides were the high number of greenhouses around the sampling stations. However, all of the organophosphorus pesticides were detected in all deposition samples. The pollution sources were identified as coal and natural gas combustion, petrogenic sources, and traffic for TUBITAK-UME station whereas coal and natural gas combustion and traffic were the main sources for Kad?ll? station by considering the results of factor analysis, ratios, and wind sector analysis.     

Distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and dust particle size fractions adherent to skin in indoor dust,Pretoria, South Africa

In order to determine human exposure to the indoor toxicant, selection of dust fraction and understanding dust particle size distribution in settled indoor dust are very important. This study examined the influence of dust particle size on the concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners, assessed the distribution of dust particle size and characterized the main indoor emission sources of PBDEs. Accordingly, the concentrations of PBDE congeners determined in different indoor dust fractions were found to be relatively higher in the order of dust particle size: 45–106 μm?>?(<45 μm)?>?106–150 μm. The finding shows arbitrary selection of dust fractions for exposure determination may result in wrong conclusions. Statistically significant moderate correlation between the concentration of Σ₉PBDEs and organic matter content calculated with respect to the total dust mass was also observed (r?=?0.55, p?=?0.001). On average, of total dust particle size <250 μm, 93.4 % (m/m%) of dust fractions was associated with less than 150 μm. Furthermore, of skin adherent dust fractions considered (<150 μm), 86 % (v/v%) is in the range of particle size 9.25–104.7 μm. Electronic materials treated with PBDEs were found the main emission sources of PBDE congeners in indoor environment. Based on concentrations of PBDEs determined and mass of indoor dust observed, 150 μm metallic sieve is adequate for human exposure risk assessment. However, research in this area is very limited and more research is required to generalize the fact.     

Exploring micromycetes biodiversity for screening benzo[a]pyrene degrading potential

Twenty-five strains of filamentous fungi, encompassing 14 different species and belonging mainly to Ascomycetes, were tested for their ability to degrade benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in mineral liquid medium. The most performing isolates for BaP degradation (200 mg?l^?1) in mineral medium were Cladosporium sphaerospermum with 29 % BaP degradation, i.e., 82.8 μg BaP degraded per day (day^?1), Paecilomyces lilacinus with 20.5 % BaP degradation, i.e., 58.5 μg BaP day^?1, and Verticillium insectorum with 22.3 % BaP degradation, i.e., 64.3 μg BaP day^?1, after only 7 days of incubation. Four variables, e.g., biomass growth on hexadecane and glucose, BaP solubilization, activities of extracellular- and mycelium-associated peroxidase, and polyethylene glycol degradation, were also studied as selective criteria presumed to be involved in BaP degradation. Among these variables, the tests based on polyethylene glycol degradation and on fungal growth on hexadecane and glucose seemed to be the both pertinent criteria for setting apart isolates competent in BaP degradation, suggesting the occurrence of different mechanisms presumed to be involved in pollutant degradation among the studied micromycetes.     

Occurrence and distribution of veterinary antibiotics and tetracycline resistance genes in farmland soils around swine feedlots in Fujian Province, China

Six antibiotics, tetracyclines (TCs), and quinolones (QNs) in farmland soils from four coastal cities in Fujian Province of China were investigated. Oxytetracycline was most frequently detected, followed by enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, chlorotetracycline, ofloxacin, and tetracycline, with maximum concentrations of 613.2, 637.3, 237.3, 2668.9, 205.7, and 189.8 μg kg^?1, respectively. Samples from Putian City contained the highest maximum concentration of ∑TCs (3,064.2 μg kg^?1), whereas those from Fuzhou City contained the highest maximum concentration of ∑QNs (897.8 μg kg^?1). It is noteworthy that the ∑TCs and ∑QNs in 46.4 and 28.6 % of samples exceeded the ecotoxic effect trigger value (100 μg kg^?1), respectively. The concentrations of these antibiotics and five tetracycline resistance genes in four soil plots at depth profiles were quantified thereafter. In most cases, both antibiotics and resistance genes decreased with the increase of depth. Some antibiotics can be detected at a depth of 60–80 cm where the abundance of tetO, tetM, and tetX reached up to 10⁷ copies g^?1. Additionally, the sum of all tet genes (normalized to 16S rRNA genes) correlated with ∑TCs significantly (r?=?0.676). Our results suggest that resistance determinants can migrate to deeper soil layers and would probably contaminate groundwater by vertical transport.     

Influence of the organic loading rate on the performance and the granular sludge characteristics of an EGSB reactor used for treating traditional Chinese medicine wastewater

The effects of the organic loading rate (OLR) on the performance and the granular sludge characteristics of an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor used for treating real traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wastewater were investigated. Over 90 % of the COD removal by the EGSB reactor was observed at the OLRs of 4 to 13 kg COD/(m³ day). However, increasing the OLR to 20 kg COD/(m³ day) by reducing the hydraulic retention time (HRT 6 h) reduced the COD removal efficiency to 78 %. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was 512.22 mg/L, resulting in an accumulation of VFAs, and propionic acid was the main acidification product, accounting for 66.51 % of the total VFAs. When the OLR increased from 10 to 20 kg COD/(m³ day), the average size of the granule sludge decreased from 469 to 258 μm. There was an obvious reduction in the concentration of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the granular sludge. The visible humic acid-like peak was identified in the three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectra of the soluble microbial products (SMPs). The fatty acid bond, amide II bond, amide III bond, and C–H bond bending were also observed in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the SMPs. Methanobacterium formicicum, Methanococcus, and Bacteria populations exhibited significant shifts, and these changes were accompanied by an increase in VFA production. The results indicated that a short HRT and high OLR in the EGSB reactor caused the accumulation of polysaccharides, protein, and VFAs, thereby inhibiting the activity of methanogenic bacteria and causing granular sludge corruption.