Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

供水管网生物膜有机物的二氯乙腈与二氯乙酰胺生成特性

在饮用水输配系统中,来源于管壁生物膜的有机物可能耗氯并生成消毒副产物(DBPs),包括二氯乙腈(DCAN)与二氯乙酰胺(DCAcAm)等高毒性含氮DBPs(N-DBPs).研究考察管网常见的细菌与其胞外聚合物(EPS)以及模拟管壁生物膜氯化与氯胺化后DCAN与DCAcAm的生成,并与天然有机物(NOM)和水源水有机物进行比较.结果显示,铜绿假单胞菌、恶臭假单胞菌与藤黄微球菌与氯反应生成的DCAN、DCAcAm浓度分别为1.48～2.02、0.21～0.38μg·mg~(-1)(mg~(-1)以TOC计),高于同反应条件下NOM的生成量;相比于氯化反应,3株细菌细胞氯胺化生成的DCAN与DCAcAm浓度明显更低.3株菌的EPS也是氯与氯胺化反应生成DCAN与DCAcAm的前体物,且其氯胺化反应生成的DCAcAm浓度高于氯化反应生成的.与NOM、水源水相比,模拟管壁生物膜氯化后生成的N-DBPs与三氯甲烷(TCM)浓度比更高,表明生物膜有机物比NOM与水源水有机物更倾向生成DCAN与DCAcAm类N-DBPs,且模拟管壁生物膜氯胺化的DCAcAm生成量高于氯化反应的,说明管壁生物膜有机物是供水管网系统中DCAN与DCAcAm类N-DBPs的重要前体物.     

Ni2+对好氧颗粒污泥系统性能的影响

以城镇污水处理厂A²/O工艺的回流污泥作为接种污泥,在序批式反应器（SBR）中培养好氧颗粒污泥（AGS）,探究Ni²⁺对AGS系统的影响.结果表明：在25℃的条件下,50d左右培养出成熟的AGS,其形态多呈球状或椭球状,外表分布着少量丝状菌,颗粒污泥粒径主要在2~4mm,MLSS达6000mg/L,SVI维持在40~50mL/g.将Ni²⁺作用于培养出的成熟AGS,Ni²⁺在0~2mg/L的浓度范围内会提高AGS的稳定性,使MLSS上升,SVI降低;同时会促进AGS分泌胞外多聚物（EPS）,EPS组成成分中的蛋白质（PN）明显多于多糖（PS）;Ni²⁺对好氧颗粒污泥去除总氮（TN）的抑制程度要大于COD,最终COD去除率可维持在95%以上,TN去除率可维持在70%以上.     

生物基聚合物PHBV和PLA复合材料在不同介质中的生物降解及其影响因素

传统工艺的塑料生产不仅依赖石油资源的持续开发利用,同时给环境造成了前所未有的压力,近年来生物基聚合物（聚（3-羟基-3-戊酸酯）-PHBV,聚乳酸-PLA）日渐成为传统石油基塑料的替代产品.本文采用呼吸测试手段,旨在揭示均质复合材料在不同环境介质（土壤、熟化堆肥、水体）条件下及有机添加剂（木质素）,无机添加剂（蒙脱石）和天然有机物链增长剂（Joncryl）作用下的生物降解特征.结果表明：当链增长剂Joncryl添加量为5%时,对所有介质PHBV和PLA复合材料产生显著抑制作用.Joncryl添加量为0.2%时,未对所测样品的生物降解行为产生干扰作用.在熟化堆肥介质中,PLA复合材料比PHBV基质混合物的生物降解速率明显降低.有机木质纤维添加剂（榛子壳粉末）单独在聚合物中添加或者和链增长剂Joncryl以及非有机添加剂（Dellite72T）共同作用下都可促进PLA聚合物中各组分的相容连接性.实验结果表明,新型添加剂在不同介质中以二元或三元添加的方式对生物降解过程产生重要影响,该研究将为新型材料使用后的生物降解效应提供理论依据.     

Biodegradability: An assessment of commercial polymers according to the Canadian method for anaerobic conditions

The degradation of several biodegradable polymers was measured as a result of exposure to an anaerobic medium. The polymers investigated included materials based upon polylactic acid, polylactone, and poly(hydroxy butyrate/valerate) as well as those incorporating starch-based materials. The degradation was monitored by methane and carbon dioxide evolution. In addition, the physical and chemical changes were noted as a result of exposure. These measurements included changes in mass, dimension, and molecular weight. FTIR, UV-vis, proton, and¹³C NMR spectra were also recorded prior to and after exposure. The results clearly indicated that several biological and chemical degradation processes were occurring with the biodegradable polymers studied.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Second National Meeting, August 19–21, 1993, Chicago, Illinois.Issued as NRCC No. 37549.     

改进型EGSB处理配置污水的小试研究

通过对不同上升流速下改进型EGSB和EGSB处理人工配置城市污水效果的比较研究,提出了一种更为有效的处理城市污水的反应器--改进型EGSB反应器,在上升流速为5.41m/h时,其出水的COD值稳定在60mg/L左右,出水SS明显要低于未改进的EGSB。同时还考察了运行期间改进型EGSB反应器内颗粒污泥的胞外多聚物、辅酶变化等,在高的上升流速下,改进型EGSB反应器中颗粒污泥的胞外多聚物含量和辅酶F420含量比未改进EGSB中的要高。     

聚合物对反渗透处理水系统中碳酸钙垢的控制

结垢是反渗透水处理过程中经常遇到的问题，碳酸钙是最常见的垢型之一。介绍了碳酸钙垢的形成及危害，通过加入微量聚合物抑制其结垢，并采用电镜对膜表面碳酸钙垢进行了分析。实验表明添加上述聚合物能有效阻止碳酸钙垢生成。     

生物降解高分子材料的研究现状及应用前景

目前,处理高分子材料的一些传统方法,如焚烧法、掩埋法、熔融共混挤出法、回收利用等都存在一定的缺陷和局限性,给环境保护带来严重的困难。因此,开发环境可接受的降解性高分子材料是解决环境污染的重要途径。生物降解高分子是指通过自然界或添加的微生物的化学作用,将高分子物质分解成小分子化合物,再进入自然的循环过程。论述了生物降解高分子材料的研究现状,并对生物降解高分子材料的降解机理、影响因素及其在医学、农业、包装业和其他领域的潜在应用前景进行了探讨。     

分子生物学技术在水处理中的应用研究进展

利用现代分子生物学技术对微生物进行分析和研究,以解决传统微生物分析成本高、速度慢、准确度较低和灵敏度较差等缺点。介绍分子生物学技术在水处理中的应用现状,并对未来发展方向提出建议。目前分子生物学技术在供水工程中主要用于水中细菌、病毒、原生动物、蠕虫等病原微生物的快速检测以及管网微生物种群的分析,在污水处理中主要用于脱氮除磷过程菌群数量和空间分布的剖析、污泥膨胀成因分析以及监测微生物种群多样性来优化处理工艺。分子生物学技术的深入研究将进一步促进水行业的发展。     

外源Ca2+对SBR启动期活性污泥胞外多聚物的动态影响

利用无机物如Ca~(2+),加快活性污泥反应器启动,强化活性污泥絮体性能和结构稳定性,受到越来越多的重视.采用序批式反应器,研究进水中添加Ca~(2+)对反应器启动期活性污泥沉降性能和胞外多聚物的影响.结果表明运行至28 d,与进水中不添加Ca~(2+)的反应器(对照反应器)相比,进水中添加150 mg·L~(-1)外源Ca~(2+)的反应器中活性污泥MLSS和MLVSS值分别高出了89.6%和75.6%,SVI值则降低了47.9%;活性污泥胞外多聚物总量增加了76.4%,多糖增加了28.8%,蛋白质减少了31.6%,添加150 mg·L~(-1)外源Ca~(2+)的反应器中污泥胞外多聚物中多糖/蛋白质值为68.8,对照反应器的活性污泥胞外多聚物多糖/蛋白质值仅为36.6.三维荧光光谱和红外光谱分析表明外源Ca~(2+)导致活性污泥胞外多聚物组分发生了变化.实验结果为进水中添加外源Ca~(2+)改善活性污泥沉降性能提供了基础数据.