Proteomic insights into Lysinibacillus sp.-mediated biosolubilization of manganese

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There has been alarming depletion of manganese (Mn) reserves owing to the ongoing extensive mining operations for catering the massive industrial...     

Evolution, radiation and chemotaxonomy of Lamellodysidea, a demosponge genus with anti-plasmodial metabolites

Sponges of the family Dysideidae (Dictyoceratida) are renowned for their diversity of secondary metabolites, and its genus Lamellodysidea, particularly Lamellodysidea herbacea, is the most studied taxon biochemically. Despite its importance, the taxonomic status of L. herbacea—whether it is a distinct species or a species complex—has never been assessed. Recent biochemical profiling revealed anti-plasmodial activity of brominated compounds in Lamellodysidea of the Pacific. Here, we present a comparative chemotaxonomic and molecular analysis of selected Dysideidae from the Pacific and the Indian Ocean (New Caledonia, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, Mayotte, Guam, Palau). We investigated the phylogenetic relationships between the populations and assessed their bioactive (PBDE) compounds in order to unravel the taxonomic status of this commercially important group of sponges and assessed patterns of dispersal and biochemical variation. The molecular phylogeny was based on the internal transcribed ribosomal spacer and compared against a PBDE phylogeny for several specimens. Molecular data revealed a diversity of Indo-Pacific L. herbacea populations, also reflected by different PBDE compound profiles. Molecular and biochemical data also revealed a Lamellodysidea species new to science. Several specimens misidentified as Lamellodysidea were detected based on their position on different clades in the molecular phylogeny and their production of different halogenated compounds (brominated vs. chlorinated). The direct comparison of molecular and biochemical data also provided evidence for the occurrence of a host switch event and support for the theory that abiotic factors, such as sedimentation, affect the chemical constituents produced in L. herbacea.     

Distribution and temporal changes of lead in the surface seawater in the western Pacific and adjacent seas derived from coral skeletons

We determined Pb contents together with Pb isotopic compositions in coral skeletons (Porites spp.) collected from the western Pacific and adjacent seas to examine distribution of Pb in sea surfaces. Temporal records of Pb were also investigated using coral skeletons from Hainan and Ogasawara Island, located in China and Japan, respectively. The spatial distribution of Pb showed a clear dilution pattern of Pb from Asian continent to the open ocean. Also the similar trend was found in the Java Sea from Jakarta to the offshore. In addition to the spatial distribution, Pb contents in Ogasawara coral have gradually increased during last 108 years. It may be attributed to Pb emission mainly from industrial activities in Asian countries. Hainan coral, which provided 10 years record of Pb, showed a remarkable decline around 1997 probably due to the partial introduction of unleaded gasoline in China.     

Overview on recent advances of magnetic metal–organic framework (MMOF) composites in removal of heavy metals from aqueous system

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Developing a novel, simple, and cost-effective analytical technique with high enrichment capacity and selectivity is crucial for environmental...     

Water quality assessment of river Hindon at Ghaziabad, India: impact of industrial and urban wastewater

Spontaneous combustion on industrial-scale stockpiles causes environmental problems and economic losses for the companies consuming large amounts of coal. In this study, an effective monitoring and prediction system based on internet was developed and implemented to prevent losses and environmental problems. The system was performed in a coal stockpile with 5 m width, 10 m length, 3 m height, and having 120 t of weight. The inner temperature data of the stockpile was recorded by 17 temperature sensors placed inside the stockpile at certain points. Additionally, the data relating to the air temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind velocity, and wind direction that are the parameters affecting the coal stockpile were also recorded. The recorded values were analyzed with artificial neural network and Statistical modeling methods for prediction of spontaneous combustion. Real-time measurement values and model outputs were published with a web page on internet. The internet-based system can also provide real-time monitoring (combustion alarms, system status) and tele-controlling (Parameter adjusting, system control) through internet exclusively with a standard web browser without the need of any additional software.     

Endocrine disrupter nonylphenol and bisphenol A contamination in Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan--within coral reefs and adjacent river mouths

Certain chemicals possess the potential to modulate endocrine systems, and thereby interfere with reproduction and developmental processes in the wild. We analyzed endocrine disrupters nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) levels at various sites in Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan. River-water samples showed undetectable to low concentrations of NP and BPA at most of the sites investigated. However, an appreciable amount of BPA was detected in sediments at one coral reef site. In addition, significant numbers of river sediment samples showed appreciable amounts of NP and BPA. Most of the sampling sites for this study are located within a distance of 1 km from the coral reefs, which are under influence of river-waters to a variable extent. Therefore, influence of endocrine disrupters may have already begun on adjacent coral reefs. Both endocrine disrupters were positively correlated with human population densities, but not with the contents of red soil generated by farm land reformation. Therefore, it is concluded that NP and BPA pollution is a consequence of human waste discharge, both domestic and industrial, and not by agricultural activities.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in Hindon River sediments: a chemometric and geochemical approach

The aim of this study was to assess the level of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surface sediments of the Hindon River, India that receives both treated and untreated municipal and industrial discharges generated in and around Ghaziabad, India. Mean metals concentrations (mg kg⁻¹) were in the range of; Cu: 21.70-280.33, Cd: 0.29-6.29, Fe: 4151.75-17318.75, Zn: 22.22.50-288.29, Ni: 13.90-57.66, Mn: 49.55-516.97, Cr: 17.48-33.70 and Pb: 27.56-313.57 respectively. Chemometric analysis was applied to identify contribution sources by heavy metals while geochemical approaches (enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index) were exploited for the assessment of the enrichment and contamination level of heavy metals in the river sediments. Chemometric analysis suggested anthropic origin of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni while Fe showed lithogenic origin. Mn and Cr was associated and controlled by mixed origin. Geochemical approach confirms the anthropogenic influence of heavy metal pollution in the river sediments. The study suggests that a complementary approach that integrates chemometric analysis, sediment quality criteria, and geochemical investigation should be considered in order to provide a more accurate appraisal of the heavy metal pollution in river sediments. Consequently, it may serve to undertake and design effective strategies and remedial measures to prevent further deterioration of the river ecosystem in future.     

Coral skeletal tin and copper concentrations at Pohnpei, Micronesia: possible index for marine pollution by toxic anti-biofouling paints

We present 40 year-long skeletal chronologies of tin (Sn) and copper (Cu) from an annually-banded coral (Porites sp.) collected from Pohnpei Island, Micronesia (western equatorial Pacific). Both the elements are present in antifouling marine paints and are released inadvertently into ambient seawater. Especially, Sn has often been used in the form of tributyltin (TBT). Based on a stepwise pretreatment examination, Sn and Cu both inside and outside the aragonite lattice of the coral skeleton show a potential for providing marine pollution indicators. High values of extra-skeletal Cu/Ca and Sn/Ca atomic ratios were found between late 1960s and late 1980s during a period of active use of TBT-based antifouling paints worldwide. However, a significant decrease in both the ratios in the beginning of 1990s can be attributed to regulation of the use of TBT on cargo ships by countries such as the USA, Japan and Australia.