Trace element geochemistry of soils and plants in Kenyan conservation areas and implications for wildlife nutrition

Trace element concentrations in soils, plants and animals in National Parks and Wildlife Reserves in Kenya are assessed using geochemical mapping techniques. Soil trace element concentrations are shown to be related to soil parent material and possibly to pedological and hydrological factors. At Lake Nakuru National Park, plant trace element concentrations vary with plant species and the geochemical conditions that influence uptake are discussed. Impala at Lake Nakuru National Park and black rhino at Solio Wildlife Reserve are shown to have a lower blood copper status than animals from other areas. The trace element status of wildlife is assessed also with respect to critical concentrations used for domestic ruminants. It is suggested that at Lake Nakuru National Park, the low soil copper content and high molybdenum content of some plants contributes to the low copper status of impala and may also influence the nutrition of other species.     

铜陵新桥矿区土壤中耐Cu微生物的筛选研究

选择安徽铜陵新桥矿区富Cu的污染土壤,充分利用微生物受自然环境重金属胁迫而产生耐性这一特点,进行土壤中耐Cu微生物的筛选研究。实验过程中分别配制三种不同的培养基,细菌、真菌和放线菌培养基。在水浴恒温振荡器中对土壤中耐受重金属的微生物进行驯化,将得到的对cu2＋耐受性最高的液体培养基作为菌源,在琼脂平板培养基上进行划线分离,并将得到的纯菌株在光学显微镜下进行形态观察,菌种经试管斜面富集培养后保存在4℃冰箱中以便后续使用。研究发现,土样中细菌和真菌对cu的耐受性低,最高耐受质量浓度分别只达到500mg·L-1和1100mg·L-1。而放线菌表现出cu高耐受性,分离得到的放线菌耐受Cu的质量浓度最高达到10000mg·L-1,初步鉴定该放线菌株为链霉菌属。该放线菌菌种可能同时对Cu有吸附降解特性,具有成为污染土壤生物治理的高效耐受吸附菌种的潜力巨大。     

Large-scale green synthesis of Cu nanoparticles

This article reports a novel, eco-friendly herbal method to synthesize Cu nanoparticles in large scales. Cu nanoparticles are an alternative to Ag and Au nanoparticles and have potential applications in many industrial areas. Many synthetic routes have been documented for the preparation of copper nanoparticles, but very few routes are eco-friendly and large-scale. We report here the preparation of Cu nanoparticles from aqueous CuSO₄ using non-toxic and inexpensive materials like curd, milk, and herbal extracts such as tamarind and lemon juice as capping agents. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that produced particles are nanocrystalline copper 20–50 nm in size with a face-centered cubic structure. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy evidences the role of organic acids in the capping process. The novelty of this work is the synthesis of Cu nanoparticles from CuSO₄ without electricity and using non-toxic, cheap capping agents.     

Impact of anaerobically treated and untreated (raw) distillery effluent irrigation on soil microflora, growth, total chlorophyll and protein contents of Phaseolus aureus L

Impact of distillery effluent (untreated and treated) irrigation on soil microflora of the pots used for growing Phaseolus aureus L. was investigated. The growth of the P. aureus plants as affected by distillery effluent irrigation was also evaluated. The irrigation of the pots by 1-10% distillery effluent (anaerobically treated) stimulated the growth of the soil microflora (increased number of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) and P. aureus plants (increased shoot and root lengths, biomass, chlorophyll and protein contents). Further, 15-20% distillery effluent (anaerobically treated) had toxic effect on soil micro flora as indicated by reduced number of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Reduction in shoot, root, lengths, biomass, chlorophyll, protein contents of P. aureus was also observed when irrigated by 15-20% treated distillery effluent. All the concentrations of raw distillery effluent reduced the bacterial population. However, the treated distillery effluent concentrations <10% had stimulatory effect on fungal and actinomycetes population. However, raw effluent concentrations >5% reduced the same. Raw distillery effluent was more toxic to P. aureus than treated distillery effluent as concentrations >5%, had reduced the growth (shoot, root length and biomass) of the test plant. Raw distillery effluent had adverse effect to total chlorophyll contents and all the test concentrations reduced the total chlorophyll level. However, untreated (raw) distillery effluent stimulated the protein content initially. It has been concluded from-present study that lower concentrations of the raw distillery effluent (1-5%) and treated distillery effluent (1-10%) had stimulated the growth of P. aureus and soil microflora except soil bacteria (inhibited by all the concentration of the raw effluent). However, higher concentrations (raw effluent: 10-20%; treated effluent 15-20%) had toxicity to test parameters.     

真菌漆酶介导自由基偶联和接枝反应在绿色化学中的应用

漆酶(p-苯二醇:分子氧氧化还原酶;EC 1.10.3.2)是自然界中普遍存在的一类胞外含铜多酚氧化还原酶.漆酶能够以环境中氧分子作为电子接受体,催化4个底物分子的单电子氧化形成4个相应的反应活性自由基或醌类中间体,随后这些活性中间体在酶促位点外发生步进式偶联反应,生成多种具有复杂结构的大分子C—C、C—O—C或C—N—C共价聚合产物.该反应过程中仅生成唯一副产物水,具有反应温和、底物广谱、催化效率高、操作可控和经济环保等优点.目前,真菌漆酶介导低分子有机物和高分子化合物的自由基偶联和接枝反应已经被应用于生物技术领域,该技术克服了传统物理化学方法存在的弊端,在保护人群健康和生态安全等方面具有广泛地应用前景和商业价值.本文详细地概述了真菌漆酶催化不同底物分子的自由基偶联和接枝反应在环境修复、生物监测、食品加工、纤维改性、纺织染色、制药行业和有机合成等绿色化学中的最新研究进展,旨在为开发和拓展真菌漆酶在绿色化学技术领域中的多功能应用提供科学的理论依据和技术指导.     

Control of microbial growth and of amphipod grazing by water-soluble compounds from leaves of Zostera marina

The role of minor components of the leaves of Zostera marina L. in altering the activity of micro-organisms directly (and indirectly by affecting amphipod grazers) was investigated in laboratory experiments, using plants collected at Roberts Bank (49°2N; 123°8W) on the west coast of Canada. Water-soluble extracts of eelgrass leaves inhibited the growth of a micro-alga (Platymonas sp.) and many marine bacteria at concentrations equivalent to as little as 10 mg dry leaf l^-1. The potency of leaf extracts was higher (1) in young, actively metabolizing tissue than in older leaves, and (2) in leaves collected during rapid growth in summer 1980 than during the following winter. Water-soluble inhibitors (especially phenolic acids) may explain the low biomass of epiphytes on actively growing leaves. Three phenolic acids inhibited the test micro-organisms at concentrations as low as 0.3 mg l^-1; caffeic acid was more potent than either protocatechuic or gentisic acid. Extracts of young leaves also inhibited grazing by amphipods [Eogammarus confervicolus (Stimpson)] on dead leaves. The time required for leaching of soluble inhibitors may account for the delay between the loss of leaves from the plants and the onset of grazing. Thus, interactions among the biotic components of the detritus ecosystem may be significantly modified by minor compounds in the leaves of Z. marina     

Composition,dispersion, and health risks of bioaerosols in wastewater treatment plants: A review

• Bioaerosols are produced in the process of wastewater biological treatment. • The concentration of bioaerosol indoor is higher than outdoor. • Bioaerosols contain large amounts of potentially pathogenic biomass and chemicals. • Inhalation is the main route of exposure of bioaerosol. • Both the workers and the surrounding residents will be affected by the bioaerosol. Bioaerosols are defined as airborne particles (0.05–100 mm in size) of biological origin. They are considered potentially harmful to human health as they can contain pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review summarizes the most recent research on the health risks of bioaerosols emitted from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in order to improve the control of such bioaerosols. The concentration and size distribution of WWTP bioaerosols; their major emission sources, composition, and health risks; and considerations for future research are discussed. The major themes and findings in the literature are as follows: the major emission sources of WWTP bioaerosols include screen rooms, sludge-dewatering rooms, and aeration tanks; the bioaerosol concentrations in screen and sludge-dewatering rooms are higher than those outdoors. WWTP bioaerosols contain a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria, fungi, antibiotic resistance genes, viruses, endotoxins, and toxic metal(loid)s. These potentially pathogenic substances spread with the bioaerosols, thereby posing health risks to workers and residents in and around the WWTP. Inhalation has been identified as the main exposure route, and children are at a higher risk of this than adults. Future studies should identify emerging contaminants, establish health risk assessments, and develop prevention and control systems.     

Antimicrobial activities of marine sponges from the Mediterranean Sea

Extracts from marine sponges collected along the French coast of Mediterranean in 1983 have been tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The distribution of antimicrobial activities against five classes of microorganisms (5 Gram-positive and 5 Gram-negative terrestrial bacteria, 10 marine bacteria, 15 human pathogenic fungi and 5 phytopathogenic fungi) among 28 species of marine demosponges is reported. Antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (77%) is much more frequent than against Gram-negative bacteria (53%). Activity against marine bacteria and yeast is less frequent (32%). Those sponges which contain a large quantily of symbiotic bacteria display a weak antifungal activity.     

Copper fractal growth during recycling from waste printed circuit boards by slurry electrolysis

• Copper fractal growth was observed during WPCBs recycling by slurry electrolysis. • Dendrites fractal growth could be controlled by additive during electrodeposition. • Additive was proved to be an effective way to refine the copper crystal. • These findings contribute to enrich the study of slurry electrolysis. Superfine copper particles could be directly prepared from waste printed circuit boards by slurry electrolysis. Meanwhile, copper fractal growth could be observed. To better understand this phenomenon, the factors that affect copper dendrites in a point-cathode system were discussed in detail. These results showed that the fractal degree of copper dendrites increased as the increase of applied voltage and the decrease of copper sulfate and gelatin concentrations. Sodium lauryl sulfate and hydrochloric acid concentrations could not significantly impact the fractal degree of copper dendrites, while gelatin concentration could. The minimum copper fractal dimension was 1.069 when gelatin and copper sulfate concentration was 120 mg/L and 0.1 mol/L, respectively with an applied voltage of 11 V. Moreover, the results diffusion-limited aggregation model demonstrated that particle translational speed, particle numbers and binding probability significantly affected copper dendrite patterns. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the three additives greatly affected the refinement of the copper crystal. These findings contribute to enrich the theoretical study on metals recovery from e-waste by slurry electrolysis.     

Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of Origanum majorana L. (Sweet marjoram)

In-vitro microbicidal activity of the methanol extract of Origanum majorana L. was tested against seven fungi (Fusarium solani, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, A. parasiticus, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizoctonia otyzae-sativae and Altemaria brassicicola) and six bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, Escherichia coil, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). The methanol extract of O. majorana can be used as an effective herbal protectant against different pathogenic bacteria and fungi. High toxicity against the growth of Aspergillus niger was diagnosed.     

丁草胺污染对高产水稻土微生物区系的影响

土壤微生物多样性是表征土壤质量最有潜力的指标,与农田生态系统的稳定性和生产力密切相关。云南永胜涛源乡是保持我国水稻小面积超高产纪录的特殊生态区,常年施用丁草胺作为选择性芽前除草剂,因此,了解丁草胺对其土壤微生物物种多样性的影响意义重大。采用平板菌落计数法,研究了模拟条件下不同丁草胺剂量（有效成分质量分数0.15、0.30和1.5 mg·kg^-1）对高产水稻土中好氧细菌（aerobic bacteria）、放线菌（actinobacteria）和真菌（fungi）,以及功能微生物自生固氮菌（nitrogen fixing bacteria）、磷酸盐溶解菌（phosphate solubilizing bacteria）和硅酸盐细菌（silicate dissolving bacteria）数量的影响。结果表明：施药7 d,中、高质量分数（0.30和1.50 mg·kg^-1）丁草胺处理好氧细菌数量比CK分别高出78.6%和153.8%,而后数量逐渐下降,表现出先刺激生长、后抑制活性的作用,低质量分数（0.15 mg·kg^-1）丁草胺对好氧细菌的生长和增殖影响不明显;施药7 d,高质量分数处理放线菌数量超过CK 75.1%,表现出明显的刺激作用;施药15 d,中等质量分数处理放线菌数量比 CK 高出125.0%,丁草胺浓度越高,刺激作用越迅速,低浓度丁草胺对放线菌则主要表现为抑制作用。低浓度丁草胺对真菌的生长和增殖基本没有影响,中等浓度有先抑制后刺激的作用,施药30 d后其真菌数量超过CK 56.9%,高浓度丁草胺则表现为抑制作用,施药7、30和45 d其真菌数量始终显著低于CK;不同浓度处理丁草胺均能刺激自生固氮菌的数量显著增加,施药7 d,低、中、高质量分数处理自生固氮菌数量分别高出CK 237.1%,179.9%和138.1%,刺激作用显著,但随培养时间延长,高浓度开始表现出抑制作用;不同浓度丁草胺均能抑制磷酸盐溶解菌的生长和增殖,低浓度处理抑制作用微弱,中、高浓度处     

Toxic effects of oxytetracycline and copper,separately or combined,on soil microbial biomasses

The production of commercial livestock and poultry often involves using with antibiotics and feed additives, such as oxytetracycline (OTC) and copper (Cu). These are often excreted into the soil by animal feces; hence, combined pollutants may contaminate the soil. To evaluate single and combined toxic effects of OTC and Cu on the soil ecology, changes in quantities of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in the soil were studied over a 28-d incubation period by a plate count method, microbes numbers counted on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Abundances of ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene expression by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in soil samples also were tested by real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) on day 21. The results revealed that the numbers of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes and amoA genes copies of AOA and AOB were reduced seriously by exposure to Cu (1.60 mmol/kg). Similarly, the combined pollution treatments (mole ratios of OTC: Cu was 1:2, 1:8, and 1:32) also had inhibitory effect on bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes numbers and amoA gene copies of AOA and AOB; the inhibitory rate was on obvious growth trend with the increasing mole ratios. Effects from single OTC pollution were found on bacteria (days 7 and 14), fungi (days 7, 14, 21, and 28), and AOA-amoA gene copies (day 21), with promotion at a low concentration (0.05 mmol/kg) and suppression at higher concentrations (0.2 and 0.8 mmol/kg). Also, numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes decreased with longer culture times. Combining OTC and Cu led to a higher inhibition of soil microbes than when either chemical was used alone. However, there was no significant relationship between single and combined toxic chemicals because of their complicated interactions, either antagonistic or synergistic. The results also indicated the sensitivity of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes on toxic chemicals existed difference and that the AOA were more tolerant than the AOB to these chemicals.     

The enumeration and characterization of bacteria and fungi associated with marine wood-boring isopods,and the ability of these microorganisms to digest cellulose and wood

Bacteria and fungi associated with the marine wood-boring isopods Limnoria lignorum and Sphaeroma serratum, and with their wood burrows and seawater were investigated. Plate counts using nutrient agar and Czapex Dox agar media in natural and in artificial seawater were used. The diversity and number of bacteria associated with the two isopods were much higher than those associated with wood or seawater, whereas the opposite was true for fungi. The hydrolytic activity of the predominant genera on carboxymethylcellulose and on different types of wood was investigated. The magnitude of fungal cellulase activity exceeded that of bacteria. Activities of bacterial extracellulases exceeded those of intracellulases, while the opposite was observed for fungi. Cellulolytic activity of the predominant isolates biodegraded labkh, peach, white oak and mahogany in decreasing order of activity. Evidence provided by the cellulolytic activities, detected in woodcontaining cultures, suggests that the predominant micro-organisms isolated may play an important role in the woodboring process. Specimens used in the present study were collected from Port Fouad at Port Said Harbour, Egypt.     

丛枝菌根真菌对羊草凋落物降解作用的研究

丛枝菌根真菌（Abuscular mycorrhizal fungi）能够影响植物生长及养分含量,从而影响凋落物的降解。采用根袋的方法研究了接种两种丛枝真菌Glomus mosseae和Glomus claroideum对羊草（Leymus chinensis）地上部及根系凋落物降解的影响。结果表明,随时间的延长,凋落物的重量逐渐减少,凋落物氮、磷含量均表现出先下降后逐渐升高的趋势。接种对地上部凋落物的养分含量及降解速度未产生显著性影响,但显著降低了根系氮磷含量及降解系数。接种Glomus mosseae和Glomus claroideum羊草根系氮、磷含量均显著低于CK;接种与未接种相比羊草根系k值显著降低;根系C：N未接种处理显著低于接种处理。说明丛枝菌根真菌可能间接影响草原生态系统中有机物质的分解和养分释放。     

Ecosystem development and natural succession in surface coal mine reclamation

Biotic and abiotic factors involved in surface coal mine reclamation were evaluated on 81 mine sites in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, USA. Soil moisture and organic content were the two most important factors in determining the establishment and growth of vegetation on mined lands. Soil bacteria and fungi populations were also related to these soil conditions, and soil micro-organisms were important in the decomposition of organic materials as well as factors in the rate and type of natural succession occurring on these lands. The succession of native plant species increases the density and stability of plant communities on mined lands. The importance of natural succession in mined-land reclamation and the use of these lands by wildlife is discussed.Supported by Grant-In-Aid, Natural Geographic Society.     

Variation in trace element mobility and nitrogen metabolism of Verbascum olympicum Boiss. under copper stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu) stress on accumulation and transport of trace elements, nitrogen assimilation, and growth parameters of Verbascum olympicum. Eight-week-old seedlings were grown in Hoagland's solution and exposed to 0, 50, 250, or 500?µM CuSO₄ for seven days in laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation of trace elements (boron, bismuth, cobalt, Cu, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, zinc) in the roots and leaves was determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after one, three, and seven days. Chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase activities, soluble protein content, and biomass were determined. Copper accumulated in the roots and leaves (up to 19609.8 and 256.2?mg?kg^?1 dry weight, respectively). Other trace elements accumulated to higher levels in the roots of Cu-treated plants compared with those of control plants. High Cu concentrations decreased nitrogen-assimilatory enzyme activities. Compared with control plants, those treated with high Cu concentrations showed lower chlorophyll contents, total protein contents, and biomass. Nitrogen assimilation and growth parameters of V. olympicum were negatively affected by Cu treatment but mineral nutrition was not severely disrupted. The results support the suitability of V. olympicum as a candidate for phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soils.     

微生物源槐糖脂对水果致腐真菌的抑制作用

致腐真菌是诱发水果采后病害,造成水果在运输、货架期间和贮藏过程腐败变质的主要原因.从腐烂水果上分离得到17株菌,其中9株为致腐真菌,研究了由拟威克酵母发酵产生的槐糖脂对该9株菌的作用,包括抑菌圈直径、抑菌率和对菌丝蔓延的影响.发现槐糖脂对9株致腐真菌有很好的抑制作用,浓度达到2.0 g L-1时,致腐菌(孢子)抑制率达...     

Experimental studies on the effects of copper on a marine food chain

Effects of copper sulphate on a marine food chain were investigated in large tanks at Loch Ewe on the west coast of Scotland. The food chain consisted of phytoplankton, the bivalve Tellina tenuis da Costa, and O-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L). During initial months after settlement, T. tenuis siphons are an important food for juvenile plaice, which feed by grazing the siphon tips; these subsequently regenerate. Copper dose rates of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1 were investigated; the distribution of added copper was monitored and its metabolic effects were determined. Copper levels in water, sand, in algae on tank walls, in T. tenuis shell and flesh, and in plaice muscle and viscera were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Copper accumulated in sand, T. tenuis flesh and shell, and plaice viscera. Accumulations were dose-dependent and in no case was a plateau concentration reached. Most of the added dose was taken up by the sand; accumulations in T. tenuis shell were small — less than twice background in all cases. High levels were found in T. tenuis flesh, where concentrations after 100 days were 270, 470 and 1100 μg Cu/g dry flesh for dose concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1, respectively. The mean control concentration was less than 50 μg Cu/g dry flesh. There was no accumulation of copper in plaice muscle. Visceral accumulations after 100 days were 71, 147 and 567 μg Cu/g dry flesh for dose concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1, respectively. The mean control level was 30 μg Cu/g dry flesh. The effect of copper on phytoplankton metabolism was investigated by measuring plant pigment levels and rates of primary photosynthetic fixation of C¹⁴-labelled bicarbonate. All dose concentrations reduced both the standing crop and the rate of photosynthesis per unit of chlorophyll a. The effects of copper on growth and condition of T. tenuis and P. platessa were investigated. All dose concentrations adversely affected T. tenuis condition (dry flesh weight for standard individual). The effect was most marked during deposition of winter reserves. In the absence of plaice predation, there was a decrease in the mean siphon weight for T. tenuis exposed to 30 and 100 μg Cu/1. For plaice, all dose concentrations of copper resulted in reduced growth, but there was no significant change in condition or biochemical composition. The ash weight of fish exposed to copper was significantly higher than for controls.     

铜陵新桥矿区土壤中耐Cu微生物的筛选研究

选择安徽铜陵新桥矿区富Cu的污染土壤,充分利用微生物受自然环境重金属胁迫而产生耐性这一特点,进行土壤中耐Cu微生物的筛选研究。实验过程中分别配制三种不同的培养基,细菌、真菌和放线菌培养基。在水浴恒温振荡器中对土壤中耐受重金属的微生物进行驯化,将得到的对Cu2+耐受性最高的液体培养基作为菌源,在琼脂平板培养基上进行划线分离,并将得到的纯菌株在光学显微镜下进行形态观察,菌种经试管斜面富集培养后保存在4℃冰箱中以便后续使用。研究发现,土样中细菌和真菌对Cu的耐受性低,最高耐受质量浓度分别只达到500mg·L-1和1100mg·L-1。而放线菌表现出Cu高耐受性,分离得到的放线菌耐受Cu的质量浓度最高达到10000mg·L-1,初步鉴定该放线菌株为链霉菌属。该放线菌菌种可能同时对Cu有吸附降解特性,具有成为污染土壤生物治理的高效耐受吸附菌种的潜力巨大。     

Fungicidal activity of Cu nanoparticles against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> causing crop diseases

In India more than 60 % of the population relies on crops for their livelihood. However, crop diseases are one of the major factors limiting productivity. Hence, nanotechnology appears as a new means to control diseases and enhance yield. Here, stable copper nanoparticles were synthesized using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and copper nitrate at room temperature, then characterized by UV–Visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and zeta potential measurement. The antifungal activity was evaluated against three common crop pathogenic Fusarium spp. We found that stable copper nanoparticles synthesized using 0.030 M cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and 0.003 M copper nitrate have the maximum activity against Fusarium equiseti with a 25 mm zone of inhibition, followed by F. oxysporum (20 mm) and F. culmorum (19 mm).