Isolation and 16S DNA characterization of soil microorganisms from tropical soils capable of utilizing the herbicides hexazinone and tebuthiuron

Six non-fermentative bacteria were isolated from Colombian (South America) and Hawaiian (USA) soils after enrichment with minimal medium supplemented with two herbicides, hexazinone (Hex) and tebuthiuron (Teb). Microscopic examination and physiological tests were followed by partial 16S DNA sequence analysis, using the first 527 bp of the 16S rRNA gene for bacterial identification. The isolated microorganisms (and in brackets, the herbicide that each degraded) were identified as: from Colombia. Methylobacterium organophilum [Teb], Paenibacillus pabuli [Teb], and Micrmbacterium foliorum [Hex]; and from Hawaii, Methylobacterium radiotolerans [Teb], Paenibacillus illinoisensis [Hex], and Rhodococcus equi [Hex]. The findings further explain how these herbicides, which have potential for illicit coca (Erythroxylum sp.) control, dissipate following their application to tropical soils.     

Carbon sequestration via afforestation as a sustainable action to mitigate climate change in Western Iran

Climate change involves increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration which is driven by anthropogenic emissions. Afforestation, which is the establishment of forests on previously non‐forested lands, could be a suitable climate change mitigation strategy. The aim of this research is to evaluate the carbon sequestration capability of the Eucalyptus and Prosopis species in the Reza‐Abad afforestation park in western Iran. For this aim, three stands of any species were selected. For quantitative assessment, a transect was implemented at the length of 100 m. In trees located of transects, the general characteristics of species were measured. Also, for estimating the amount of litter, a sample plot has been measured at the center of the quadrate. These samples were taken from the afforested area, the control area inside the afforested area and another control area outside. In each stand, species were selected randomly and one‐eighth of the whole stand was taken for calculating the percentage of carbon and aerial biomass. Then the aboveground organs were weighted and after the transfer of different plant organs to the laboratory, the conversion factor of carbon sequestration of the plant organs was determined individually by combustion method. Also, soil samples were also collected from two depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm in each of the cultivated and control parts. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the species and Prosopis has higher carbon sequestration than Eucalyptus. The carbon sequestration among different organs showed a significant difference, carbon sequestration was 19.24 t/ha for Eucalyptus and 18.43 t/ha for Prosopis. After an economic calculation, it was concluded that afforestation has a positive effect on the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Hence, these results allow decision makers to change land use from desert area to forest, and planting the Prosopis species is more recommendable than Eucalyptus for afforestation in such areas which are economically profitable.     

Effect of Humic Acids and Fungal Inoculations on Cesium and Lead Concentrations in Lettuce Plants Grown in Contaminated Soils

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of humic acid additives, applied either individually or in combination with Fusarium oxysporum fungi, on uptake and translocation of cesium and lead in cultivated Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown on Mostorud (clayey) and El‐Gabal El‐Asfar (sandy loam soil) soils in a complete randomized block experimental design. The selected soils from contaminated areas (Mostorud soil was irrigated with contaminated industrial water for more than 30 years and El‐Gabal EL‐Asfar soil was irrigated with sewage effluent for more than 50 years). The results indicated that the cesium and lead content was reduced by all treatments of humic acid application individually or when combined with Fusarium oxysporum inoculations, especially at 200 mmol/kg compared to a control and other treatments. On the other hand, retention of cesium and lead occurred in roots more than shoots. ©2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prediction of the PCDD/F and dl-PCB 2005-WHO-TEQ content based on the contribution of six congeners: Toward a new screening approach for fish samples?

Current European Union regulation regarding polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in food and feed is based on Toxic Equivalent Quotient (TEQ) concept. For confirmatory purpose, the isotope-dilution method associated to a measurement by gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry is usually the method of choice for precisely measuring the 29 target congeners in three separated fractions. Time and cost related to these analyses are very significant. Various kinds of screening concepts can be considered. In the present study, we elaborated and validated a prediction model for the 2005 World Health Organization TEQ in fish, based on the measurement of 4 PCDD/F and 2 non-ortho dl-PCB congeners, potentially analyzable in a single extracted fraction by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Large independent datasets have been used for model elaboration (n = 108) and validation (n = 363, n = 357 and n = 6).     

The metabolic fate of 14C‐parathion by some fresh water phytoplankton and its possible effects on the algal metabolism

Abstract

The growth and total carbohydrate contents of Nostoc muscorum and Tolypothrix tenuis were greatly and significantly reduced by the application of parathion. “Chlorophyll a”, carotene biosynthesis and the rate of glucose absorption were enhanced after supplementation of parathion to the culture media of both cyanobacteria. Nitrogen released to the media, total nitrogen content and total nitrogen fixed were increased in both organisms‐ Increase in protein content was accompanied by remarkable drop in amino, peptide and ammonia fractions‐ Phosphorus uptake, RNA, DNA and total phosphorus content were accelerated to reach maximum accumulation at the highest insecticide level. In metabolism study using ¹⁴C‐labelled compound, parathion was readily degraded by Nostoc and Tolypothrix. Following ten days incubation, the aqueous fractions contained 21.1% and 18.1% of the initial activity in Nostoc and Tolypothrix respectively. TLC analysis of the hydrolytic products revealed the presence of three metabolites: p‐aminophenol, p‐nitrophenol and aminoparathion.     

Immobilization of copper ions laden kaolin waste: influence of thermal treatment on its immobilization in cement paste

This work aims to study the influence of thermal treatment of Cu²⁺ laden kaolin wastes on its immobilization efficiency in cement paste. Compressive strength and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) of 5–20 % kaolin waste blended cement pastes were tested. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results illustrate that adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions modify the crystal structure of kaolinite mineral. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results indicate that the adsorption sites on the kaolin surface that were occupied with free water molecules have been replaced with Cu²⁺ ions adsorbed from aqueous solutions. The thermal treatment of kaolin waste improves fixation ratio of Cu²⁺ in cement pastes containing up to 20 % of thermally treated waste. This is due to: pozzolanic activity of calcined kaolin, conversion of leachable adsorbed Cu²⁺ ions into encapsulated unleachable phase that does not retard the hydration of cement as well as adsorption of much of leachable Cu²⁺ ions on surfaces of hydration products and occlusion in its lattice structure as illustrated from XRD, FTIR, thermogravimetric, scanning electron microscopy and TCLP results. The fixation ratio of Cu²⁺ in cement paste blended with 20 % of thermally treated kaolin waste, reaches maximum value of about 97 % compared to 82 % for cement paste blended with 20 % of untreated kaolin waste.     

Chemical and biological release of 14C‐bound residues from soil treated with 14C‐p,p'‐DDT

Abstract

¹⁴C‐p,p'‐DDT‐bound residues in soil can be released by treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid at ambient temperatures. Within 6 days, about 70% of the bound residues was released. Bound residues released after 9 months incubation with ¹⁴C‐DDT showed the presence of DDT and DDE only while bound residues released after 18 months, contained in addition 13% DDD.

Release of bound ¹⁴C‐residues also occurs readily following inoculation of the soil‐bound residues with fresh soil or with individual microorganisms. Almost complete release of bound residues was observed after incubation for 45 days. The rate of release was rapid during the first two weeks and decreased thereafter. TLC and HPLC analysis showed that the released residues contained DDE (about 80%) and a smaller amount of DDD. The disappearance of DDT from the released residues may be attributed to its microbiological degradation to DDE and DDD, shortly after its release.     

Protective role of a methanolic extract of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) against Pb toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings: beneficial effects for a plant of a nutraceutical used with animals

Spinach extracts contain powerful natural antioxidants and have been used to improve the response of animal cells to various stress factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a methanolic extract of spinach (SE) used at two concentrations (21.7 and 217 ppm) on the growth, certain enzymes and antioxidant systems in wheat seedlings under lead stress. When wheat seedlings were grown for 7 days in a solution containing Pb(NO₃)₂ (3 mM), germination and growth were impaired, while signs of oxidative stress were observed. SE (217 ppm) pretreatment was able to protect seedlings from Pb toxicity by both reducing Pb uptake and Pb-induced oxidative stress. As a consequence, almost normal germination, elongation, biomass and α-amylase activity were restored by SE (217 ppm) pretreatment of wheat seedlings, in spite of the presence of Pb. Our results support the protective role and the antioxidant effect of SE against Pb. These results show an amazing similarity to the effects of SE in animals, which suggests that providing “nutraceuticals” to plants could improve their “health” status.