Assessment of the ecological security of immobilized enzyme remediation process with biological indicators of soil health

This study used the enzymes extracted from an atrazine-degrading strain, Arthrobacter sp. DNS10, which had been immobilized by sodium alginate to rehabilitate atrazine-polluted soil. Meanwhile, a range of biological indices were selected to assess the ecological health of contaminated soils and the ecological security of this bioremediation method. The results showed that there was no atrazine detected in soil samples after 28 days in EN?+?AT (the soil containing atrazine and immobilized enzyme) treatment. However, the residual atrazine concentration of the sample in AT (the soil containing atrazine only) treatment was about 5.02?±?0.93 mg?kg^?1. These results suggest that the immobilized enzyme exhibits an excellent ability in atrazine degradation. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme could relieve soil microbial biomass carbon and soil microbial respiration intensity to 772.33?±?34.93 mg?C?kg^?1 and 5.01?±?0.17 mg?CO₂?g^?1?soil?h^?1, respectively. The results of the polymerase chain reaction–degeneration gradient gel electrophoresis experiment indicated that the immobilized enzyme also could make the Shannon–Wiener index and evenness index of the soil sample increase from 1.02 and 0.74 to 1.51 and 0.84, respectively. These results indicated that the immobilized enzymes not only could relieve the impact from atrazine on the soil, but also revealed that the immobilized enzymes did no significant harm on the soil ecological health.     

Batch and continuous biodegradation of Amaranth in plain distilled water by P. aeruginosa BCH and toxicological scrutiny using oxidative stress studies

Bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa BCH was able to degrade naphthylaminesulfonic azo dye Amaranth in plain distilled water within 6 h at 50 mg?l^?1 dye concentration. Studies were carried out to find the optimum physical conditions and which came out to be pH?7 and temperature 30 °C. Amaranth could also be decolorized at concentration 500 mg?l^?1. Presence of Zn and Hg ions could strongly slow down the decolorization process, whereas decolorization progressed rapidly in presence of Mn. Decolorization rate was increased with increasing cell mass. Induction in intracellular and extracellular activities of tyrosinase and NADH-DCIP reductase along with intracellular laccase and veratryl alcohol oxidase indicated their co-ordinate action during dye biodegradation. Up-flow bioreactor studies with alginate immobilized cells proved the capability of strain to degrade Amaranth in continuous process at 20 ml?h^?1 flow rate. Various analytical studies viz.—HPLC, HPTLC, and FTIR gave the confirmation that decolorization was due to biodegradation. From GC-MS analysis, various metabolites were detected, and possible degradation pathway was predicted. Toxicity studies carried out with Allium cepa L. through the assessment of various antioxidant enzymes viz. sulphur oxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase along with estimation of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels conclusively demonstrated that oxidative stress was generated by Amaranth.     

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in human serum and their relation with age,gender, and BMI for the general population of Bizerte,Tunisia

Human serum samples (n?=?113) from Bizerte, northern Tunisia, collected between 2011 and 2012 were analyzed for 8 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, dieldrin, and heptachlor and 12 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners. Concentrations of these residues in serum were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detector and total cholesterol (CHOL) and triglycerides (TG) levels were evaluated by enzymatic colorimetric method. HCB, p,p′-DDE, PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180, were the most abundant organochlorine compounds (OCs) detected in >95 % of the study subjects. The mean levels of p,p′-DDE and HCB in serum were 168.8 and 49.1 ng?g^?1 lipid, respectively. The sum PCBs concentrations ranged from 37.5 to 284.6 ng?g^?1 lipid in the samples, with mean and median value of 136.1 and 123.2 ng?g^?1 lipid, respectively. The PCB profile consisted of persistent congeners, such as PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180 which contributed for approximately 82.7 % to the ∑PCBs. Statistical analysis showed that most OCs correlated significantly with age, considering all samples together or with gender differentiation. The present study shows that the levels of p,p′-DDE and ∑DDTs were significantly higher in females than in males (p?<?0.05), while PCBs levels were significantly higher in male (p?<?0.05) than in females. No statistically significant association was found between body mass index and concentration of any organochlorine pesticide or PCB congeners 153, 138, 180, or ∑PCBs.     

Neurotoxicological evaluation of microcystin-LR exposure at environmental relevant concentrations on nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Previous studies have not examined the adverse effects of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) at environmental relevant concentrations on the development and functions of nervous system. The neurotoxic effects of MC-LR exposure on neurotransmitter systems were investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. After exposing L1 larvae to 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg?l^?1 of MC-LR for 8 and 24 h, the adverse effects on GABAergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic neurons were examined. The expression levels of genes required for development and functions of GABAergic neurons were further investigated. Body bend frequency and head thrash frequency decreased significantly after MC-LR exposure for 8 h at concentrations more than 1 μg?l^?1 and after MC-LR exposure for 24 h at concentrations more than 0.1 μg?l^?1. Loss of GABAergic neurons increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner after MC-LR exposure at concentrations more than 0.1 μg?l^?1. In contrast, no obvious neuronal losses or morphologic changes were observed in cholinergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic neurons in MC-LR-exposed nematodes. Quantitative real-time PCR assay further showed that expression levels of unc-30, unc-46, unc-47, and exp-1 genes required for development and function of GABAergic neurons decreased significantly in nematodes exposed to MC-LR at concentrations more than 0.1 or 1 μg?l^?1. MC-LR at environmental relevant concentrations caused neurobehavioral defects, which may be largely due to the neuronal loss and the alterations of expression level of genes required for GABAergic neurotransmitter system in C. elegans.     

Spatial and temporal variations of nitrous oxide flux between coastal marsh and the atmosphere in the Yellow River estuary of China

To investigate the spatial and seasonal variations of nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes and understand the key controlling factors, we explored N₂O fluxes and environmental variables in high marsh (HM), middle marsh (MM), low marsh (LM), and mudflat (MF) in the Yellow River estuary throughout a year. Fluxes of N₂O differed significantly between sampling periods as well as between sampling positions. During all times of day and the seasons measured, N₂O fluxes ranged from ?0.0051 to 0.0805 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1, and high N₂O emissions occurred during spring (0.0278 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1) and winter (0.0139 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1) while low fluxes were observed during summer (0.0065 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1) and autumn (0.0060 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1). The annual average N₂O flux from the intertidal zone was 0.0117 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1, and the cumulative N₂O emission throughout a year was 113.03 mg N₂O m^?2, indicating that coastal marsh acted as N₂O source. Over all seasons, N₂O fluxes from the four marshes were significantly different (p?<?0.05), in the order of HM (0.0256?±?0.0040 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1)?>?MF (0.0107?±?0.0027 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1)?>?LM (0.0073?±?0.0020 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1)?>?MM (0.0026?±?0.0011 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1). Temporal variations of N₂O emissions were related to the vegetations (Suaeda salsa, Phragmites australis, and Tamarix chinensis) and the limited C and mineral N in soils during summer and autumn and the frequent freeze/thaw cycles in soils during spring and winter, while spatial variations were mainly affected by tidal fluctuation and plant composition at spatial scale. This study indicated the importance of seasonal N₂O contributions (particularly during non-growing season) to the estimation of local N₂O inventory, and highlighted both the large spatial variation of N₂O fluxes across the coastal marsh (CV?=?158.31 %) and the potential effect of exogenous nitrogen loading to the Yellow River estuary on N₂O emission should be considered before the annual or local N₂O inventory was evaluated accurately.     

Persistence,variance and toxic levels of organochlorine pesticides in fluvial sediments and the role of black carbon in their retention

The present study assesses the persistence and variation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their regulation by total organic carbon (TOC) and black carbon (BC) in freshwater sediment. Sediment samples from the Yamuna River, a major tributary of the Ganges (one of the most populated and intensively used rivers in Asia), had high levels of Σ₂₀OCPs (21.41 to 139.95 ng g^?1). β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was the most predominant component. ΣHCH and Σdichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) constituted ~86 % of Σ₂₀OCPs. Isomer ratios indicated fresh usage of lindane, DDT and technical-grade HCH. Toxicological comparison with freshwater sediment quality guidelines showed γ-HCH and DDT at high levels of concern. β-HCH, α-HCH, endrin, heptachlor epoxide, dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDD), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene and chlordane were above some of the guideline levels. TOC and BC had mean concentrations of 1.37?±?0.51 % and 0.46?±?0.23 mg g^?1, respectively. BC constituted 1.25 to 10.56 % of TOC. We observed low to moderate correlations of BC with isomers of HCH, p,p′-DDT and methoxychlor while of TOC with Σ₂₀OCPs, γ-HCH, endosulfan sulfate and methoxychlor. Principal component analysis enabled correlating and clustering of various OCPs, BC and TOC. OCP distribution was related with pH, electrical conductivity, soil moisture and finer fractions of sediment. OCPs with similarity in properties that determine their interactions with carbonaceous components of sediment clustered together. A number of factors may, thus, be involved in the regulation of interactive forces between BC and OCPs. BC in this study may be more important than TOC in the retention of some OCPs into fluvial sediments, thereby reducing their bioavailability. The finding is probably the first of its kind to report and emphasises the role of BC in the persistence of OCPs in fluvial sediments.     

Distributions, sources, and ecological risks of hexachlorocyclohexanes in the sediments from Haihe Plain, Northern China

The levels of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the sediments from Haihe Plain, China, were measured by a gas chromatograph with a ⁶³Ni microelectron capture detector. The spatial distributions, possible sources, and potential ecological risks of these compounds were analyzed. The residual level of total HCHs was 33.84?±?173.37 ng?g^?1 dry weight (d.w.) with ranges of 0.13?～?1,107.41 ng?g^?1 d.w. Much higher ΣHCH contents were found in the lower reaches of some rivers and in the mouth of the main stream receiving tributaries. The predominance of β-HCH (36 %) in the sediments was similar to that in the soils from Haihe Plain. The high percentages of γ-HCH (23–41 %) could be detected at 25 % of the sampling sites in the seven river systems. There were statistically significant positive relationships between the contents of HCHs and total organic carbon. Lindane was identified as the primary source of HCHs in the sediments, and it seemed that recent illegal lindane inputs still existed in some areas in Haihe Plain, as indicated by the α-/γ-HCH and β-/(α?+?γ)-HCH ratios. Severe potential ecological risks of γ-HCH to benthic organisms at some sampling sites were found based on the consensus-based sediment quality guidelines.     

Diversity and characterization of culturable bacterial endophytes from Zea mays and their potential as plant growth-promoting agents in metal-degraded soils

In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic diversity of culturable bacterial endophytes of Zea mays plants growing in an agricultural soil contaminated with Zn and Cd. Endophytic bacterial counts were determined in roots and shoots, and isolates were grouped by random amplified polymorphic DNA and identified by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. Endophytes were further characterized for the production of plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances, such as NH₃, siderophores, indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide and extracellular enzymes, and for the capacity to solubilize phosphate. The endophytes producing higher amounts of IAA were screened for their tolerance to Zn and Cd and used as bioinoculants for maize seedlings grown in the Zn/Cd-contaminated soil. The counts of endophytes varied between plant tissues, being higher in roots (6.48 log₁₀ g^?1 fresh weight) when compared to shoots (5.77 log₁₀ g^?1 fresh weight). Phylogenetic analysis showed that endophytes belong to three major groups: α-Proteobacteria (31 %), γ-Proteobacteria (26 %) and Actinobacteria (26 %). Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Variovorax and Curtobacterium were among the most represented genera. Endophytes were well-adapted to high Zn/Cd concentrations (up to 300 mg Cd l^?1 and 1,000 mg Zn l^?1) and showed ability to produce several PGP traits. Strains Ochrobactrum haematophilum ZR 3-5, Acidovorax oryzae ZS 1-7, Frigoribacterium faeni ZS 3-5 and Pantoea allii ZS 3-6 increased root elongation and biomass of maize seedlings grown in soil contaminated with Cd and Zn. The endophytes isolated in this study have potential to be used in bioremediation/phytoremediation strategies.     

Evaluation of hexachlorocyclohexane contamination from the last lindane production plant operating in India

Purpose

??-Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), ??-HCH, and lindane (??-HCH) were listed as persistent organic pollutants by the Stockholm Convention in 2009 and hence must be phased out and their wastes/stockpiles eliminated. At the last operating lindane manufacturing unit, we conducted a preliminary evaluation of HCH contamination levels in soil and water samples collected around the production area and the vicinity of a major dumpsite to inform the design of processes for an appropriate implementation of the Convention.

Methods

Soil and water samples on and around the production site and a major waste dumpsite were measured for HCH levels.

Results

All soil samples taken at the lindane production facility and dumpsite and in their vicinity were contaminated with an isomer pattern characteristic of HCH production waste. At the dumpsite surface samples contained up to 450?g?kg^?1 ?? HCH suggesting that the waste HCH isomers were simply dumped at this location. Ground water in the vicinity and river water was found to be contaminated with 0.2 to 0.4?mg?l^?1 of HCH waste isomers. The total quantity of deposited HCH wastes from the lindane production unit was estimated at between 36,000 and 54,000?t.

Conclusions

The contamination levels in ground and river water suggest significant run-off from the dumped HCH wastes and contamination of drinking water resources. The extent of dumping urgently needs to be assessed regarding the risks to human and ecosystem health. A plan for securing the waste isomers needs to be developed and implemented together with a plan for their final elimination. As part of the assessment, any polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) generated during HCH recycling operations need to be monitored.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in soils surrounding the Tanggu Chemical Industrial District of Tianjin, China

The spatial distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was examined in soils surrounding the Tanggu Chemical Industrial District in Tianjin, China. The concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorobenzenes (HCBs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in 70 surface soils using accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The results showed that the ranges of ∑HCH, ∑DDT, ΣHCB, and ∑PCB concentrations in soils were 2.1–12,549 μg?kg^?1 (average, 965 μg?kg^?1), n.d.–2,033 μg?kg^?1 (average, 88.4 μg?kg^?1), n.d.–1,924 μg?kg^?1 (average, 349 μg?kg^?1), and n.d.–373 μg?kg^?1 (average, 46.2 μg?kg^?1), respectively. Of these, HCHs were the dominant POPs, accounting for 75 % of the total organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues. Overall, the spatial distribution of OCP concentrations showed a decreasing trend from the center of the Tanggu District to the surrounding areas. Two major pollution sources were Tianjin Dagu Chemical Co., Ltd. in the district center and the Tianjin Chemical Plant in Hangu District. In contrast, PCB concentrations were relatively high in the Haihe estuary to the east and low to the west of the study area. Component analysis of OCPs in these soils showed that they mainly came from industrial point sources. Compared with soils in other regions, soil DDT pollution was at a medium level in the Tanggu Chemical Industrial District, but associated HCH, HCB, and PCB pollution was relatively heavy. By multivariate statistical analyses, Tianjin Dagu Chemical Co., Ltd. was recognized as the main source of POPs, and soil properties were clarified to play an important role on the distribution and composition of POPs, especially the organic carbon content.     

Phosphorus loads from different urban storm runoff sources in southern China: a case study in Wenzhou City

Storm runoff from six types of underlying surface area during five rainfall events in two urban study areas of Wenzhou City, China was investigated to measure phosphorus (P) concentrations and discharge rates. The average event mean concentrations (EMCs) of total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) ranged from 0.02 to 2.5 mg?·?L^?1, 0.01 to 0.48 mg?·?L^?1, and 0.02 to 2.43 mg?·?L^?1, respectively. PP was generally the dominant component of TP in storm runoff, while the major form of P varied over time, especially in roof runoff, where TDP made up the largest portion in the latter stages of runoff events. Both TP and PP concentrations were positively correlated with pH, total suspended solids (TSS), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)/chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations (p?<?0.01), while TDP was positively correlated with BOD/COD only (p?<?0.01). In addition, the EMCs of TP and PP were negatively correlated with maximum rainfall intensity (p?<?0.05), while the EMCs of TDP positively correlated with the antecedent dry weather period (p?<?0.05). The annual TP emission fluxes from the two study areas were 367.33 and 237.85 kg, respectively. Underlying surface type determined the TP and PP loadings in storm runoff, but regional environmental conditions affected the export of TDP more significantly. Our results indicate that the removal of particles from storm runoff could be an effective measure to attenuate P loadings to receiving water bodies.     

Enzymological mechanism for the regulation of lanthanum chloride on flavonoid synthesis of soybean seedlings under enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation

In order to probe into the enzymological mechanism for the regulation of lanthanum chloride (LaCl₃) on flavonoid synthesis in plants under enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, the effects of LaCl₃ (20 and 60 mg l^?1) on the content of flavonoids as well as the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate?:?coenzyme A ligase (4CL), and chalcone synthase (CHS) in soybean seedlings under enhanced UV-B radiation (2.6 and 6.2 kJ m^?2 day^?1) were investigated. Enhanced UV-B radiation (2.6 and 6.2 kJ m^?2 day^?1) caused the increase in the content of flavonoids as well as the activities of PAL, C4H, 4CL, and CHS in soybean seedlings. The treatment of 20 mg l^?1 LaCl₃ also efficiently increased these indices, which promoted the flavonoid synthesis and provided protective effects for resisting enhanced UV-B radiation. On the contrary, the treatment of 60 mg l^?1 LaCl₃ decreased the content of flavonoids as well as the activities of C4H, 4CL, and CHS in soybean seedlings except increasing the activity of PAL, which were not beneficial to the flavonoid synthesis and provided negative effects for resisting enhanced UV-B radiation. In conclusion, enhanced UV-B radiation caused the increase in the flavonoid synthesis by promoting the activities of PAL, C4H, 4CL, and CHS in soybean seedlings. The treatment of LaCl₃ could change flavonoid synthesis in soybean seedlings under enhanced UV-B radiation by regulating the activities of PAL, C4H, 4CL, and CHS, which is an enzymological mechanism for the regulation of LaCl₃ on flavonoid synthesis in plants under enhanced UV-B radiation.     

Source,distribution, and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban street dust from Tianjin,China

To better assess and understand potential health risk of urban residents exposed to urban street dust, the total concentration, sources, and distribution of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 87 urban street dust samples from Tianjin as a Chinese megacity that has undergone rapid urbanization were investigated. In the meantime, potential sources of PAHs were identified using the principal component analysis (PCA), and the risk of residents’ exposure to PAHs via urban street dust was calculated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) model. The results showed that the total PAHs (∑PAHs) in urban street dust from Tianjin ranged from 538 μg kg^?1 to 34.3 mg kg^?1, averaging 7.99 mg kg^?1. According to PCA, the two to three- and four to six-ring PAHs contributed 10.3 and 89.7 % of ∑PAHs, respectively. The ratio of the sum of major combustion specific compounds (ΣCOMB)?/?∑PAHs varied from 0.57 to 0.79, averaging 0.64. The ratio of Ant/(Ant?+?Phe) varied from 0.05 to 0.41, averaging 0.10; Fla/(Fla?+?Pyr) from 0.40 to 0.68, averaging 0.60; BaA/(BaA?+?Chry) from 0.29 to 0.51, averaging 0.38; and IcdP/(IcdP?+?BghiP) from 0.07 to 0.37, averaging 0.22. The biomass combustion, coal combustion, and traffic emission were the main sources of PAHs in urban street dust with the similar proportion. According to the ILCR model, the total cancer risk for children and adults was up to 2.55?×?10^?5 and 9.33?×?10^?5, respectively.     

Kinetics of phenol biodegradation at high concentration by a metabolically versatile isolated yeast Candida tropicalis PHB5

A highly tolerant phenol-degrading yeast strain PHB5 was isolated from wastewater effluent of a coke oven plant and identified as Candida tropicalis based on phylogenetic analysis. Biodegradation experiments with C. tropicalis PHB5 showed that the strain was able to utilize 99.4 % of 2,400 mg l^?1 phenol as sole source of carbon and energy within 48 h. Strain PHB5 was also observed to grow on 18 various aromatic hydrocarbons. Haldane model was used to fit the exponential growth data and the following kinetic parameters were obtained: μ _max?=?0.3407 h^?1, K _S?=?15.81 mg l^?1, K _i?=?169.0 mg l^?1 (R ²?=?0.9886). The true specific growth rate, calculated from μ _max, was 0.2113. A volumetric phenol degradation rate (V _max) was calculated by fitting the phenol consumption data with Gompertz model and specific degradation rate (q) was calculated from V _max. The q values were fitted with Haldane model, yielding following parameters: q _max?=?0.2766 g g^?1 h^?1, K _S ′?=?2.819 mg l^?1, K _i ′?=?2,093 (R ²?=?0.8176). The yield factor (Y _X/S ) varied between 0.185 to 0.96 g g^?1 for different initial phenol concentrations. Phenol degradation by the strain proceeded through a pathway involving production of intermediates such as catechol and cis,cis-muconic acid which were identified by enzymatic assays and HPLC analysis.     

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.     

Characterization of Cd-, Pb-, Zn-resistant endophytic Lasiodiplodia sp. MXSF31 from metal accumulating Portulaca oleracea and its potential in promoting the growth of rape in metal-contaminated soils

The aim of this study was to characterize the features of a Cd-, Pb-, and Zn-resistant endophytic fungus Lasiodiplodia sp. MXSF31 and to investigate the potential of MXSF31 to remove metals from contaminated water and soils. The endophytic fungus was isolated from the stem of Portulaca oleracea growing in metal-contaminated soils. The maximum biosorption capacities of MXSF31 were 3.0?×?10³, 1.1?×?10⁴, and 1.3?×?10⁴ mg kg^?1 for Cd, Pb, and Zn, respectively. The biosorption processes of Cd, Pb, and Zn by MXSF31 were well characterized with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The biosorption isotherm processes of Pb and Zn by the fungus were fitted better with the Langmuir model, while the biosorption processes of Cd was better fitted with the Freundlich model. The biosorption process of MXSF31 was attributed to the functional groups of hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl, and benzene ring on the cell wall. The active biomass of the strain removed more Cd, Pb, and Zn (4.6?×?10⁴, 5.6?×?10⁵, and 7.0?×?10⁴ mg kg^?1, respectively) than the dead biomass. The inoculation of MXSF31 increased the biomass of rape (Brassica napus L.), the translocation factor of Cd, and the extraction amount of Cd by rape in the Cd?+?Pb-contaminated soils. The results indicated that the endophytic fungus strain had the potential to remove heavy metals from water and soils contaminated by multiple heavy metals, and plants accumulating multiple metals might harbor diverse fungi suitable for bioremediation of contaminated media.     

Selective sensing of mercury(II) using PVC-based membranes incorporating recently synthesized 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]crown ionophore

The construction and electrodes characteristics of poly(vinylchloride) (PVC)-based polymeric membrane electrode (PME) and coated graphite electrode (CGE), incorporating 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]crown as ionophore for estimation of Hg(II) ions, are reported here. The best potential response was observed for PME-1 having membrane composition of: ionophore (6.2 mg), PVC (100.0 mg), 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (2-NPOE; 200.0 mg), and sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB; 2.0 mg); for CGE-1 with the membrane composition: ionophore (3.5 mg), PVC (40.0 mg), 2-NPOE (80.0 mg), and NaTPB (2.0 mg). The electrodes exhibits Nernstian slope of 29.16 mV/decade with PME-1 and 30.39 mV/decade with CGE-1 for Hg(II) ions over wide concentration range, i.e., 1.0?×?10^?1 to 5.0?×?10^?6?M with PME-1 and 1.0?×?10^?1 to 5.0?×?10^?7?M with CGE-1. Lower detection limits were found to be 9.77?×?10^?6?M for PME-1 and 7.76?×?10^?7?M for CGE-1 with response time varying from 10 to 20 s. Also, these electrodes work within pH range of 2.0–6.0 for PME-1 and 1.5–6.5 for CGE-1. Overall, CGE-1 has been found to be better than PME-1. CGE-1 has been used as indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of Hg(II) ions with EDTA as well as successfully applied for determination of Hg(II) content in wastewater, insecticide, dental amalgam, and ayurvedic medicines samples with very good performance (0.9974 correlation coefficient in the comparison against volumetric method).     

Identification and quantitative detection of Legionella spp. in various aquatic environments by real-time PCR assay

In this study, a SYBR green quantitative real-time PCR was developed to quantify and detect the Legionella spp. in various environmental water samples. The water samples were taken from watershed, water treatment plant, and thermal spring area in Taiwan. Legionella was detected in 13.6 % (24/176), and the detection rate for river water, raw drinking water, and thermal spring water was 10, 21.4, and 16.6 %, respectively. Using real-time PCR, concentration of Legionella spp. in detected samples ranged between 9.75?×?10⁴ and 3.47?×?10⁵?cells/L in river water, 6.92?×?10⁴ and 4.29?×?10⁵?cells/L in raw drinking water, and 5.71?×?10⁴ and 2.12?×?10⁶?cells/L for thermal spring water samples. The identified species included Legionella pneumophila (20.8 %), Legionella jordanis (4.2 %), Legionella nautarum (4.2 %), Legionella sp. (4.2 %), and uncultured Legionella sp. (66.6 %). The presence of L. pneumophila in aquatic environments suggested a potential public health threat that must be further examined.     

Effects of realistic concentrations of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and ZnO nanoparticles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prochilodus lineatus</Emphasis> juvenile fish

The impact of nanoparticles on fish health is still a matter of debate, since nanotechnology is quite recent. In this study, freshwater benthonic juvenile fish Prochilodus lineatus were exposed through water to three concentrations of TiO₂ (0.1, 1, and 10 μg l^?1) and ZnO (7, 70, and 700 μg l^?1) nanoparticles, as well as to a mixture of both (TiO₂ 1 μg l^?1?+?ZnO 70 μg l^?1) for 5 and 30 days. Nanoparticle characterization revealed an increase of aggregate size in the function of concentration, but suspensions were generally stable. Fish mortality was high at subchronic exposure to 70 and 700 μg l^?1 of ZnO. Nanoparticle exposure led to decreased acetylcholinesterase activity either in the muscle or in the brain, depending on particle composition (muscle—TiO₂ 10 μg l^?1; brain—ZnO 7 and 700 μg l^?1), and protein oxidative damage increased in the brain (ZnO 70 μg l^?1) and gills (ZnO 70 μg l^?1 and mixture) but not in the liver. Exposed fish had more frequent alterations in the liver (necrosis, vascular congestion, leukocyte infiltration, and basophilic foci) and gills (hyperplasia and epithelial damages, e.g., epithelial disorganization and epithelial loss) than the control fish. Thus, predicted concentrations of TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles caused detectable effects on P. lineatus that may have important consequences to fish health. But, these effects are much more subtle than those usually reported in the scientific literature for high concentrations or doses of metal nanoparticles.