Biodegradation of indole by a newly isolated Cupriavidus sp. SHE

Indole, a typical nitrogen heterocyclic aromatic pollutant, is extensively spread in industrial wastewater. Microbial degradation has been proven to be a feasible approach to remove indole, whereas the microbial resources are fairly limited. A bacterial strain designated as SHE was isolated and found to be an efficient indole degrader. It was identified as Cupriavidus sp. according to 16S rRNA gene analysis. Strain SHE could utilize indole as the sole carbon source and almost completely degrade 100 mg/L of indole within 24 hr. It still harbored relatively high indole degradation capacity within pH 4–9 and temperature 25°C–35°C. Experiments also showed that some heavy metals such as Mn^2 +, Pb^2 + and Co^2 + did not pose severe inhibition on indole degradation. Based on high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrum analysis, isatin was identified as a minor intermediate during the process of indole biodegradation. A major yellow product with m/z 265.0605 (C₁₅H₈N₂O₃) was generated and accumulated, suggesting a novel indole conversion pathway existed. Genome analysis of strain SHE indicated that there existed a rich set of oxidoreductases, which might be the key reason for the efficient degradation of indole. The robust degradation ability of strain SHE makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of indole containing wastewater.     

Significance of adverse outcome pathways in biomarker-based environmental risk assessment in aquatic organisms

In environmental risk assessments (ERA), biomarkers have been widely used as an early warning signal of environmental contamination. However, biomarker responses have limitation due to its low relevance to adverse outcomes (e.g., fluctuations in community structure, decreases in population size, and other similar ecobiologically relevant indicators of community structure and function). To mitigate these limitations, the concept of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) was developed. An AOP is an analytical, sequentially progressive pathway that links a molecular initiating event (MIE) to an adverse outcome. Recently, AOPs have been recognized as a potential informational tool by which the implications of molecular biomarkers in ERA can be better understood. To demonstrate the utility of AOPs in biomarker-based ERA, here we discuss a series of three different biological repercussions caused by exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and selenium (Se). Using mainly aquatic invertebrates and selected vertebrates as model species, we focus on the development of the AOP concept. Aquatic organisms are suitable bioindicator species whose entire lifespans can be observed over a short period; moreover, these species can be studied on the molecular and population levels. Also, interspecific differences between aquatic organisms are important to consider in an AOP framework, since these differences are an integral part of the natural environment. The development of an environmental pollutant-mediated AOP may enable a better understanding of the effects of environmental pollutants in different scenarios in the diverse community of an ecosystem.     

微囊藻毒素微生物降解途径与分子机制研究进展

随着大量含氮和磷的废水流入湖泊和江河,导致淡水蓝藻水华污染现象日趋严重.蓝藻水华污染的最主要危害是产生和释放以微囊藻毒素(microcystins,MCs)为主的多种藻毒素.由于MCs对动植物具有很强的毒性,且其在水体中很难被传统的处理方法有效去除,因此如何有效控制蓝藻水华污染和去除MCs是摆在中外环境科学领域的一个难题.针对MCs的结构与毒性、降解菌株、酶催化降解、降解基因和生物降解途径与分子机制的研究进展进行了综述,并对今后微生物降解MCs的研究方向进行了展望,以期为解决我国日益严峻的湖库水体MCs污染和饮用水安全问题提供参考.     

纳米零价铁降解水中多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)及降解途径研究

纳米零价铁(nZVI)法是多溴联苯醚(polybrominated biphenyl ethers,PBDEs)脱溴的有效方法.其反应动力学与途径对阐明PBDEs降解机制具有重要意义.本研究采用液相还原法制备的nZVI,在含有表面活性剂聚乙二醇辛基苯基醚(Triton X-100)的条件下,46 h内完全降解商用八溴联苯醚(octa-BDE)混合物中高溴代物质(7~9个溴代的同系物),其降解过程符合类一级反应动力学(pseudo-first-order)方程,平均降解速率常数(k)为0.106 h-1.本研究利用数量结构保留关系(quantatitivestructure retention relationship,QSRR)模型建立了在缺乏全系标准样品的情况下PBDEs降解产物的有效分析方法.通过混标中39种PBDEs各标准物在气相色谱中的保留时间,再以BDE47和BDE183的平均保留时间归一化后得到每种标准物的相对保留时间(relative retention time,RRT),再将数据库中的相对保留时间指数(relative retention time index,RRTI)与实验测得的相对保留时间拟合,得到QSRR模型.利用该模型对octa-BDE降解产物进行定性分析,推导得出nZVI对octa-BDE的还原降解途径.结果表明,nZVI对PBDEs的逐级脱溴过程中,间位的溴原子最容易被取代.     

酵母生物转化生产2-苯乙醇的研究进展

主要论述了利用酵母菌生物转化合成天然2苯乙醇的研究进展,从应用微生物学的角度介绍了2苯乙醇生产菌株的筛选,分析了2苯乙醇合成过程中几方面因素的影响和培养条件的选择,并对产物原位转移技术作了简要说明.并从分子生物学的角度出发,对生物转化的重点途径———艾利希途径在基因水平上作了诠释,且例举了利用从头合成途径进行的基因工程育种,旨在为利用微生物生产2苯乙醇的研究开发提供参考.图1参40     

The Valuation of Health Effects Caused by Stationary Sources–Related SO2 Emissions: The Adaptation of Impact Pathway Approach in Taiwan

This paper presents the externalities of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in the Taichung metropolitan, Taiwan. The human effects of SO₂ from stationary sources are a key element for local air quality management. A methodology to evaluate those effects in monetary term had been adapted and applied. This method was modified from the EU-based impact pathway approach link to the skill of geographic information systems. The studied area was divided into 66 districts and the quantity of SO₂ was allocated to each district. Then, the ambient concentration of SO₂ was estimated by using the ordinary kriging method. A risk analysis was employed to characterize the health impacts caused by SO₂. Finally, a monetary transfer approach based on the European data was conducted to estimate local damage costs per ton of SO₂. Health impacts, especially acute mortality, dominate in term of costs. The calculation showed that damage costs ranged from 0.56 to 7.38 USD/kg SO₂ based on the 2002 emission data. The results could be used in the internalization of SO₂ externalities and management of the stationary sources in the studied area. This paper also concludes that the externalities caused by stationary-related SO₂ emissions are some 28.5 million US dollars in Taichung metropolitan (Taiwan) in 2002.     

生物视觉的研究

生物视觉是目前科学技术研究的热点之一。笔者通过对生物视觉形态学方面的深入研究 ,探讨了生物视觉产生、发展的结构与机制 ,尤其研讨了视觉通路的解剖结构、感受野分层等级假设、视觉信息的并行处理性质及视觉皮层间的反馈和整合作用等。同时还介绍了当前生物视觉方面的研究进展     

Five Potential Consequences of Climate Change for Invasive Species

Abstract:  Scientific and societal unknowns make it difficult to predict how global environmental changes such as climate change and biological invasions will affect ecological systems. In the long term, these changes may have interacting effects and compound the uncertainty associated with each individual driver. Nonetheless, invasive species are likely to respond in ways that should be qualitatively predictable, and some of these responses will be distinct from those of native counterparts. We used the stages of invasion known as the "invasion pathway" to identify 5 nonexclusive consequences of climate change for invasive species: (1) altered transport and introduction mechanisms, (2) establishment of new invasive species, (3) altered impact of existing invasive species, (4) altered distribution of existing invasive species, and (5) altered effectiveness of control strategies. We then used these consequences to identify testable hypotheses about the responses of invasive species to climate change and provide suggestions for invasive-species management plans. The 5 consequences also emphasize the need for enhanced environmental monitoring and expanded coordination among entities involved in invasive-species management.     

红球菌CDT3降解氯氰菊酯的特性及途径

以一株降解氯氰菊酯的红球菌(Rhodococcussp.)CDT3为材料,研究了CDT3降解氯氰菊酯的最适条件(温度、pH值、接种量、培养时间、添加营养物).结果表明,在温度30℃,pH8.0时,CDT3对氯氰菊酯的降解率最高,添加少量葡萄糖、蛋白胨、酵母汁均能促进它对氯氰菊酯的降解.研究了CDT3降解氯氰菊酯的代谢途径,通过GC-MS分析,证实氯氰菊酯被CDT3降解后的产物是3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-PBA)和二氯菊酸(DCVA),推测氯氰菊酯是由CDT3产生的羧酸酯酶降解的,作为验证,提取了CDT3的粗酶液,并且通过聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)检测了羧酸酯酶.     

高级氧化技术处理水中人工甜味剂的研究进展

介绍了几个国家在地表水、污水处理厂进出水等水环境中检测出的人工甜味剂的含量,简介了人工甜味剂对人体的危害,综述了基于臭氧氧化和紫外光照射的高级氧化技术处理水中人工甜味剂的研究进展,剖析了人工甜味剂的降解产物和降解路径以及在降解过程中的矿化效果和毒性变化,对后续的研究方向进行了展望。