Mutagenicity tests with gallic and tannic acid in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome assay

Gallic acid, tannic acid mixture and a purified fraction of tannic acid were evaluated for possible mutagenic activity in three strains of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98, TA100, and TA1535. These chemicals were not mutagenic either before or after activation with rat and woodchuck microsomal and cytosolic enzymes. However, tannic acid mixture and tannic acid fraction both gave a significantly (p = 0.05) dose-related reduction in the number of the revertant colonies, compared to the normal spontaneous revertants with no apparent toxic effects in the background lawn. With an agar diffusion assay, the chemicals exhibited toxic effects at 5000 micrograms/disc.     

Degradation of poly (lactic acid) and nanocomposites by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis</Emphasis>

Background, aim, and scope  

The disposal problem due to non-degradable petroleum-based plastics has raised the demand for biodegradable polymers. The degradation of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has been studied for several years, but the understanding of involved mechanisms is still incomplete. Based on our previous studies, and it is hypothesized an enzymatic involvement, the aim of this study was to continue investigations on the degradation of PLA and its nanocomposites by Bacillus licheniformis.     

Transformation of atmospheric ammonia and acid gases into components of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>: an environmental chamber study

Introduction  

The kinetics of the transformation of ammonia and acid gases into components of PM_2.5 has been examined. The interactions of existing aerosols and meteorology with the transformation mechanism have also been investigated. The specific objective was to discern the kinetics for the gas-to-particle conversion processes where the reactions of NH₃ with H₂SO₄, HNO₃, and HCl take place to form (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄NO₃, and NH₄Cl, respectively, in PM_2.5.     

Copper complexation by tannic acid in aqueous solution

The speciation of titrated copper in a dissolved tannic acid (TA) solution with an initial concentration of 4 mmol organic carbon (OC)/l was investigated in a nine-step titration experiment (Cu/OC molar ratio = 0.0030–0.0567). We differentiated between soluble and insoluble Cu species by 0.45 μm filtration. Measurements with a copper ion selective electrode (ISE) and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) were conducted to quantify unbound Cu(II) cations (‘free’ Cu) and labile soluble Cu complexes. For the DGT measurements, we used an APA hydrogel and a Chelex 100 chelating resin (Na form). Insoluble organic Cu complexes (>0.45 μm) was the dominant Cu species for Cu/OC = 0.0030–0.0567 with a maximum fraction of 0.96 of total Cu. At Cu/OC > 0.0100, Cu-catalysed degradation of aggregate structures resulted in a strong increase of free Cu and (labile) soluble Cu complexes with a maximum fraction of 0.28 and 0.32 of total Cu, respectively. Labile (i.e. DGT-detectable) soluble Cu complexes had a relatively high averaged diffusion coefficient (D) in the APA hydrogel (3.50 × 10⁻⁶– 5.58 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹).     

Degradation and detoxification of acid orange 52 by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> mt-2: a laboratory study

Introduction  

Acid orange 52 (AO52), extensively used in textile industries, was decolorized by Pseudomonas putida mt-2. AO52 azoreduction products such as N,N′-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) and 4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid (4-ABS), were identified in the static degradation mixture. These amines were identified only in media of static incubation, which is consistent with their biotransformation under shaken incubation (aerobic conditions).     

Salicylic acid minimizes nickel and/or salinity-induced toxicity in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) through an improved antioxidant system

Introduction  

This study was hypothesized that salicylic acid elevates the level of antioxidant system that will protect plants from the stress generated by nickel and/or salinity.     

Degradation of 2,4-D in soils by Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles combined with stimulating indigenous microbes

Purpose  

Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in soils by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles combined with soil indigenous microbes was investigated, and the effects of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on soil microbial populations and enzyme activities were also studied.     

Selective recovery of chromium,copper, nickel,and zinc from an acid solution using an environmentally friendly process

Purpose  

Real electroplating effluents contain multiple metals. An important point related with the feasibility of the bioremediation process is linked with the strategy to recover selectively metals. In this work, a multimetal solution, obtained after microwave acid digestion of the ashes resulted from the incineration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contaminated biomass, was used to recover selectively chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc.     

海藻酸钠包埋凹凸棒土颗粒吸附剂的制备及其对单宁酸的吸附

利用海藻酸钠和氯化钙成球原理,包埋制备有机凹凸棒土颗粒(GOAT)吸附剂,通过SEM图和红外谱图进行表征,通过批量实验考察了凹凸棒土颗粒吸附剂对水体天然有机质单宁酸的吸附行为,结果表明,凹凸棒土颗粒吸附剂内部形貌和粉体吸附剂(POAT)相比无明显变化;平衡吸附量(142 mg/g)稍低于粉体吸附剂(148 mg/g);吸附速率较快,100 min时吸附趋于平衡,吸附行为符合准二级动力学方程;吸附等温线符合Freundlich等温方程,吸附为放热反应;pH为6时吸附性能最佳。     

Fractionation and bioavailability of Cu in soil remediated by EDTA leaching and processed by earthworms (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lumbricus terrestris</Emphasis> L.)

Background, aim, and scope  

Soil remediation with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) leaching is capable of removing only part of the total metal concentration in the soil, mostly the labile, bioavailable metal species (metal bioavailability stripping). However, reintroduction of remediated soil in the environment exposes the soil to various environmental factors, which could potentially shift nonlabile residual metals back to labile bioavailable forms. We studied the effect of autochthonous earthworm species as model biotic environmental factor on the fractionation and bioavailability of Cu residual in soil after remediation.     

Removal of 4-chlorobenzoic acid from spiked hydroponic solution by willow trees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix viminalis</Emphasis>)

Background  

Chlorobenzoic acids (CBA) are intermediate products of the aerobic microbial degradation of PCB and several pesticides. This study explores the feasibility of using basket willows, Salix viminalis, to remove 4-CBA from polluted sites, which also might stimulate PCB degradation.     

Influence of soluble microbial products (SMP) on wastewater disinfection byproducts: trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid species from the chlorination of SMP

Introduction  

Effluent organic matter from biological wastewater treatment plants is composed of degradation products and soluble microbial products (SMP). Protein, polysaccharide, humic acid, and DNA were major biomolecules of SMP. Little is known about the effects of SMP as microbially derived precursors on disinfection byproduct formation and speciation in biologically treated wastewater. In addition, there has never been any attempt to directly chlorinate the major biomolecules of SMP.     

Statistical analysis and isotherm study of uranium biosorption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Padina</Emphasis> sp. algae biomass

Introduction  

The application of response surface methodology is presented for optimizing the removal of U ions from aqueous solutions using Padina sp., a brown marine algal biomass.     

Toxic effect of tetracycline exposure on growth,antioxidative and genetic indices of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Introduction  

More attention has been paid to tetracycline contamination in view of its rapid increasing concentration in the environment. Therefore, it is important to set up rapid, simple, and accurate methods for monitoring tetracycline ecotoxicity.     

Enhanced coagulation of ferric chloride aided by tannic acid for phosphorus removal from wastewater

Phosphorus removal from wastewater is of great importance. In the present study, ferric chloride was selected as the coagulant, and tannic acid (TA), a natural polymer, as the coagulant aid to develop an effective coagulation process with the emphasis of phosphorus recovery from different types of wastewater. The results showed that TA can accelerate the settling speed by forming flocs with large size, reduce the residual Fe(III) to eliminate the yellow color caused by Fe(III), and slightly increase the phosphorus removal efficiency. The precipitate formed by TA-aided coagulation showed the advantage of releasing phosphorus faster than ferric phosphate, indicating the possibility of phosphorus recovery from wastewater as slow release fertilizer. To further understand the structural characteristics of the precipitate, analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry were employed. The analytical results indicated that TA–Fe–P complex was formed during the coagulation/flocculation processes. Solid phase in the precipitate consisted of TA–Fe–P complex, Fe–TA complex and/or ferric hydroxyphosphate.     

Uptake and distribution of metals by water lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis> L.)

Background, aim and scope  

Water quality impairment by heavy metal contamination is on the rise worldwide. Phytoremediation technology has been increasingly applied to remediate wastewater and stormwater polluted by heavy metals.     

Source apportionment of PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> at multiple sites in the strait of Gibraltar by PMF: impact of shipping emissions

Background  

The impact of shipping emissions on urban agglomerations close to major ports and vessel routes is probably one of the lesser understood aspects of anthropogenic air pollution. Little research has been done providing a satisfactory comprehension of the relationship between primary pollutant emissions, secondary aerosols formation and resulting air quality.     

Ecotoxicity assessment of lipid regulators in water and biologically treated wastewater using three aquatic organisms

Background, aim, and scope  

The high consumption of blood lipid regulators is leading to frequent reports of the occurrence of fibrates in natural streams and wastewater effluents. This paper describes a study undertaken to evaluate the acute toxicity of bezafibrate, clofibric acid, gemfibrozil, and fenofibric acid, a metabolite of fenofibrate whose ecotoxicity has not been previously reported.     

Zeolitic bagasse fly ash as a low-cost sorbent for the sequestration of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">p</Emphasis>-nitrophenol: equilibrium,kinetics, and column studies

Purpose  

The purpose of the research is to investigate the application of bagasse fly ash, a sugar industry solid waste for the synthesis of zeolites and their behavior for the sorption of p-nitrophenol (p-NP).     

Biomass reduction and arsenic transformation during composting of arsenic-rich hyperaccumulator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteris vittata</Emphasis> L.

Background, aim, and scope  

Composting is being proposed as a pretreatment step before disposal of metal-rich biomass after phytoextraction process. This study determined the biomass reduction and arsenic transformation during composting As-rich biomass of hyperaccumulator Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.).