Reduction of toxicity of antimicrobial compounds by degradation processes using activated sludge,gamma radiation,and UV

The occurrence and persistence of pharmacologically active compounds in the environment has been an increasingly important issue. The objectives of this study were to investigate the decomposition of aqueous antimicrobial compounds using activated sludge, γ-irradiation, and UV treatment, and to evaluate the toxicity towards green algae, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, before and after treatment. Tetracycline (TCN), lincomycin (LMC) and sulfamethazine (SMZ) were used as target compounds. Gamma (γ)-irradiation showed the highest removal efficiency for all target compounds, while UV and activated sludge treatment showed compound-dependent removal efficiencies. TCN and SMZ were well degraded by all three treatment methods. However, LMC showed extremely low removal efficiency for UV and activated sludge treatments. Overall, the algal toxicity after degradation processes was significantly decreased, and was closely correlated to removal efficiency. However, in the case of γ-irradiated TCN, UV and activated sludge treated LMC as well as sludge treated SMZ, the observed toxicity was higher than expected, which indicates the substantial generation of byproducts or transformed compounds of a greater toxicity in the treated sample. Consequently, γ-radiation treatment could be an effective method for removal of recalcitrant compounds such as antibiotics.     

一株高效MC-RR降解菌的分离鉴定及其降解特性

为了得到一株具有降解微囊藻毒素-RR(MC-RR)特性的产芽孢菌株,采用加热富集芽孢菌的方法,从太湖分离到一株MC-RR降解菌CM1,该菌对MC-RR具有强烈的降解特性。通过形态学特征、生理生化特征及16S rDNA序列分析鉴定该菌株属于耐硼赖氨酸芽孢杆菌(Lysinibacillus boronitolerans)。通过研究温度和pH值对菌株CM1降解MC-RR能力的影响,发现菌株CM1在60 h将MC-RR由12.77μg/mL降解到1.67μg/mL,降解率达86.90%,最适降解温度为37℃,最适pH值为7.0。CM1菌株的胞外物质和胞内物质均能降解MC-RR,但胞内物质具有更强烈的降解特性,12 h可以将7.27μg/mL的MC-RR完全降解。为丰富MC-RR降解菌纯菌种研究以及在去除水体中MC-RR应用研究方面提供了理论基础。     

Cd、Ni单一及复合污染对土壤酶活性的影响

采用外源添加重金属和露天盆栽实验研究了Cd、Ni对含羞草、三叶草根际土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性的影响。结果表明,Cd、Ni单一污染条件下,低浓度的Cd、Ni对含羞草组、三叶草组的脲酶、过氧化氢酶有激活作用,高浓度的Cd、Ni对土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶有一定的抑制作用;对蔗糖酶有较强的抑制作用。在Cd、Ni复合污染条件下,对含羞草组、三叶草组的脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶产生抑制作用;Cd、Ni单一及复合污染对土壤酶活性的抑制大小顺序为:脲酶>蔗糖酶>过氧化氢酶,其中土壤脲酶可以作为Cd、Ni污染的预警指标。含羞草能显著提高土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶的活性,修复能力大于三叶草,在Cd、Ni污染修复方面有很好的应用前景。     

斜生栅藻的无菌化培养及其在原油降解中的应用研究

选用组合抗生素结合溶菌酶/SDS预处理方法对斜生栅藻进行无菌化培养,对不同抗生素组合的除菌效果进行了比较。青霉素+庆大霉素对斜生栅藻和附生菌都有强烈的抑制性能,而青霉素+利福平和青霉素+四环素组合除菌不彻底。青霉素+卡那霉素组合能彻底除去附生菌并且对藻的抑制作用最小,可得到无菌斜生栅藻。将斜生栅藻与石油组分降解菌构建菌藻共生体系,未除菌藻的附生菌与石油组分菌之间不能很好地相互适应,使得原油降解效果反而降低。纯栅藻则对石油降解菌表现出非常良好的促进作用,利用除菌后的斜生栅藻与石油组分降解菌构建了一个高效降解原油的菌藻共生体系,充分肯定了微藻无菌化培养的积极意义。     

纤维素降解菌的筛选及其产酶特性

纤维素降解菌在纤维素类物质降解的过程中起着重要作用。通过滤纸条崩解和液态产酶实验,从腐烂的树叶中筛选出1株对纤维素有较强降解能力的菌株SY2,通过形态学特征以及生理生化反应,初步鉴定该菌株为荧光假单胞菌(Pseudomonas fluorescent)。产酶培养基及培养条件优化的实验结果表明:SY2的最佳产酶培养基为麸皮与秸秆粉的质量比1∶4、(NH4)2SO41%、pH8、固液比1∶2;最佳产酶条件为培养温度30℃、接种量7.5%、培养时间72 h;在酶液中添加Fe2+和VB12可使纤维素酶活力分别达到174.89μmol/(g.min)和165.99μmol/(g.min),提高了33.5%和26.3%。SY2对麸皮、滤纸的降解效果较好,降解率分别达到45.0%和33.3%。     

一株芴降解菌的分离鉴定及其对多环芳烃的降解广谱性研究

从某焦化厂活性污泥中筛选出一株芴的优势降解菌株W-1,经形态学观察、生理生化实验和16S rDNA基因序列分析,确定W-1为粪产碱杆菌.在接种量10%(V/V),初始芴浓度40 mg/L,pH 7.0,温度30℃的条件下,接种培养11 d后,菌株W-1对芴的降解效率达到87.8%.菌株W-1对多环芳烃的降解具有广谱性,...     

一株高效微生物絮凝剂产生菌的筛选鉴定和培养条件优化

从土壤中筛选到一株高效絮凝剂产生菌,经生理生化实验鉴定及16S rDNA序列分析,X14被鉴定为地衣芽胞杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)。经培养条件优化,其最佳的培养条件为:淀粉10 g/L,氯化铵0.51 g/L,3 g/L K2HPO4和1 g/L KHPO,初始pH值为8,接种量采用1%,摇床转速采用140~160 r/min的变速控制,37℃培养48 h。     

乙酰甲胺磷对斜生栅藻的毒性及细菌降解研究

采用血球计数法测定斜生栅藻细胞数目,研究了乙酰甲胺磷对斜生栅藻的毒性作用,并通过藻类培养液中接种经过筛选得到的乙酰甲胺磷高效降解菌测定其对乙酰甲胺磷毒性的去除影响。研究结果表明,乙酰甲胺磷对斜生栅藻的抑制中浓度(EC50)大于159 mg/L,急性毒性为低毒。但进一步研究发现,在7 d后,EC50为174.68 mg/L,明显低于24 h的1 128.57 mg/L,存在亚慢性毒性。通过藻类培养液接种高效降解菌Y-6,乙酰甲胺磷对藻类的生长抑制程度减轻。     

Impact of glyphosate on the development, fertility and demography of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): Ecological approach

Few ecotoxicological studies have used life table analysis to evaluate the toxicity of pesticides on beneficial organisms. This study is the first report of the effect of the herbicide glyphosate on a predator insect, Chrysoperla externa, using a demographic approach. This predator is associated to soybean pests and has a potential role as a biological control agent in the Neotropical Region. The objective of this work was to evaluate the side-effects of glyphosate on the development, fertility and demography of C. externa, treated orally by ingestion of glyphosate-dipped eggs of Sitotroga cerealella in laboratory conditions. The data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. Development from third larval instar to pupae and adult longevity were shorter in glyphosate-treatment than in the control. Adult pre-reproductive period was longer in glyphosate-treatment than in the control. Fecundity and fertility were deeply reduced, as well, being fertility greater affected. A high important reduction was registered in all population parameters. Most eggs from glyphosate-treated cohort looked abnormal, smaller than control, dehydrated and became black 2 d after oviposition. In addition, adults developed tumours in the abdomen region at 20 d after emergence, being the effect more drastic in females than males. It is beyond the scope of our study to speculate on the effects of this herbicide on C. externa field populations. However, it seems likely that populations under continuous use of glyphosate would be exposed at greater detrimental effects in the long term.     

Phytoremediation potential of the novel atrazine tolerant Lolium multiflorum and studies on the mechanisms involved

Atrazine impact on human health and the environment have been extensively studied. Phytoremediation emerged as a low cost, environmental friendly biotechnological solution for atrazine pollution in soil and water. In vitro atrazine tolerance assays were performed and Lolium multiflorum was found as a novel tolerant species, able to germinate and grow in the presence of 1 mg kg⁻¹ of the herbicide. L. multiflorum presented 20% higher atrazine removal capacity than the natural attenuation, with high initial degradation rate in microcosms. The mechanisms involved in atrazine tolerance such as mutation in psbA gene, enzymatic detoxification via P₄₅₀ or chemical hydrolysis through benzoxazinones were evaluated. It was demonstrated that atrazine tolerance is conferred by enhanced enzymatic detoxification via P₄₅₀. Due to its atrazine degradation capacity in soil and its agronomical properties, L. multiflorum is a candidate for designing phytoremediation strategies for atrazine contaminated agricultural soils, especially those involving run-off avoiding.     

Photocatalytic degradation of the fungicide Fenhexamid in aqueous TiO(2) suspensions: identification of intermediates products and reaction pathways

Liquid-chromatography interfaced with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF/MS) was used to separate and characterize the transformation products arising from TiO₂-photocatalytic degradation of the fungicide Fenhexamid (FEX) in aqueous solution under simulated solar irradiation. Prior to identification, irradiated solutions of FEX (10 mg L⁻¹) were concentrated by solid-phase extraction. Assignments of the mass spectra ions were aided by elemental composition calculations, comparison of structural analogues and available literature, and acquired knowledge regarding mass spectrometry of related heterocyclic compounds. The primary transformation intermediates identified were hydroxyl and/or keto-derivatives. Several positional isomers are typically produced as a consequence of the non-selectivity of the OH radical attack. Moreover, products resulted from the cleavage of the amide and NHdichlorophenol bonds were formed. Finally, cyclic - benzo[d]oxazole intermediates are also formed through an intramolecular photocyclization process and cleavage of halogen - carbon bond. In the case of the hydroxy and/or keto-derivatives, the generic fragmentation scheme obtained from the interpretation of the ESI-TOF-MS data cannot be diagnostic to precisely localize the position of the entering substituent on the FEX molecule, and thus to characterize all its possible oxygenated derivatives by assigning a plausible structure with confidence. On the basis of identified products different pathways of photocatalytic degradation of FEX were proposed and discussed.     

石油烃对翅碱蓬生理特性的影响及植物-微生物联合降解

通过盆栽实验,测定在低浓度石油烃浓度下翅碱蓬的生长生理指标及沉积物和翅碱蓬中石油烃含量的变化,研究石油烃对翅碱蓬生理特性和抗氧化酶系统的影响及植物-微生物联合修复效果。结果表明,翅碱蓬抗氧化酶能够快速提高活性来抵御逆境,植株还可通过增加其叶绿素含量等来适应或补偿逆境造成的损失。同时还发现,当植物处于石油烃污染沉积物时,它体内污染物的分布会与自然情况下有所不同,自然情况下分布为茎>叶>根,受污染时分布为根>茎>叶,该结果可以作为判断沉积物是否受到污染的依据。实验的不同处理(加植物加菌组、只加菌未种植物组、种植物未加菌组)去除率分别为70.87%、63.66%和60.26%,翅碱蓬-降解菌处理的沉积物中石油烃残留浓度最低、去除量最高,表明植物-微生物联合作用更有利于石油烃污染沉积物的修复。     

Toxicity and metabolism of copper pyrithione and its degradation product, 2,2'-dipyridyldisulfide in a marine polychaete

We conducted acute toxicity tests and sediment toxicity tests for copper pyrithione (CuPT) and a metal pyrithione degradation product, 2,2′-dipyridyldisulfide [(PS)₂], using a marine polychaete Perinereis nuntia. The acute toxicity tests yielded 14-d LC₅₀ concentrations for CuPT and (PS)₂ of 0.06 mg L⁻¹ and 7.9 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Sediment toxicity tests resulted in 14-d LC₅₀ concentrations for CuPT and (PS)₂ of 1.1 mg kg⁻¹ dry wt. and 14 mg kg⁻¹ dry wt., respectively. In addition to mortality, sediment avoidance behavior and decreases in animal growth rate were observed; growth rate was the most susceptible endpoint in the sediment toxicity tests of both toxicants. Thus, we propose lowest observed effect concentrations of 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ dry wt. and 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ dry wt. for CuPT and (PS)₂, respectively, and no observed effect concentrations of 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ dry wt. for both CuPT and (PS)₂. The difference in the toxicity values between CuPT and (PS)₂ observed in the acute toxicity test was greater than the difference in these values in the sediment toxicity test, and we attribute this to (PS)₂ being more hydrophilic than CuPT. In addition to the toxicity tests, we analyzed conjugation activity of several polychaete enzymes to the toxicants and marked activity of palmitoyl coenzyme-A:biocides acyltransferase and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase was observed.     

Detection of antibiotic resistance and tetracycline resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the Pearl rivers in South China

This study investigated antibiotic resistance profiles and tetracycline resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae family isolates from the Pearl rivers. The Enterobacteriaceae isolates were tested for susceptibility to seven antibiotics ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, tetracycline and trimethoprim. In Liuxi reservoir, with an exception to ampicillin resistant strains (11%) no other antibiotic resistance bacterial strains were detected. However, multiple drug resistance in bacterial isolates from the other sites of Pearl rivers was observed which is possibly due to sewage discharge and input from other anthropogenic sources along the rivers. Four tetracycline resistance genes tet A, tet B, tet C and tet D were detected in the isolates from the rivers. The genes tet A and tet B were widely detected with the detection frequencies of 43% and 40% respectively. Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin resistant enteric bacteria were also isolated from the pig and duck manures which suggest a wider distribution of human specific drugs in the environment. This investigation provided a baseline data on antibiotic resistance profiles and tetracycline resistance genes in the Pearl rivers delta.     

Influence of Na2S on the degradation kinetics of CCl4 in the presence of very pure iron

This paper presents the results of kinetic studies to investigate the effect of FeS film formation on the degradation rate of CCl(4) by 99.99% pure metallic iron. The film was formed by submersing metallic iron grains in an oxygen free HCO(3)(-)/CO(3)(2-) electrolyte solution. When the grains had reached a quasi steady-state value of the corrosion potential, Na(2)S((aq)) was injected. Upon injection, a microm thick poorly crystalline FeS film formed immediately on the iron surface. Over time, the iron became strongly corroded and both the FeS film and the metallic iron grains began to crack leading to exposure of bare metallic iron to the solution. The effect of the surface film on the degradation rate of CCl(4) was investigated following four periods of aging, 1, 10, 30, and 60 days. Relative to the controls, the 1-day sulfide-aged iron showed a substantial decrease in rate of degradation of CCl(4.) However, over time, the rate of degradation increased and surpassed the degradation rate obtained in the controls. It has been proposed that CCl(4) is reduced to HCCl(3) by metallic iron by electron transfer. The FeS film is substantially less conducting than the bulk iron metal or non-stoichiometric magnetite and from the results of this study, greatly decreases the rate of CCl(4) degradation relative to iron that has not been exposed to Na(2)S. However, continued aging of the FeS film results in breakdown and stress-induced cracking of the film, followed by dissolution and cracking of the iron itself. The cracking of the bulk iron is believed to be a consequence of hydrogen embrittlement, which is promoted by sulfide. The increase in CCl(4) degradation rate, as the FeS films age, suggests that the process of hydrogen cracking increases the surface area available for charge transfer.     

Direct and indirect effects of ammonia, ammonium and nitrate on phosphatase activity and carbon fluxes from decomposing litter in peatland

Here we investigate the response of soils and litter to 5 years of experimental additions of ammonium (NH₄), nitrate (NO₃), and ammonia (NH₃) to an ombrotrophic peatland. We test the importance of direct (via soil) and indirect (via litter) effects on phosphatase activity and efflux of CO₂. We also determined how species representing different functional types responded to the nitrogen treatments. Our results demonstrate that additions of NO₃, NH₄ and NH₃ all stimulated phosphatase activity but the effects were dependent on species of litter and mechanism (direct or indirect). Deposition of NH₃ had no effect on efflux of CO₂ from Calluna vulgaris litter, despite it showing signs of stress in the field, whereas both NO₃ and NH₄ reduced CO₂ fluxes. Our results show that the collective impacts on peatlands of the three principal forms of nitrogen in atmospheric deposition are a result of differential effects and mechanisms on individual components.     

pH、接种量及固形物含量对氧化亚铁硫杆菌LX5煤炭生物脱硫的影响

高硫煤燃烧释放SO2污染环境。采用摇瓶实验,以FeS2驯化的嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans)LX5为供试菌株,研究了pH、接种量及煤粉数量对菌株LX5进行生物脱硫的影响。实验结果表明,在15 d的反应周期中反应液的起始pH为2.0、2.5、3.0和4.0时,菌株LX5的脱硫效率分别为43.1%、73.3%、61.9%和37.3%;将菌株LX5的接种量控制为5%、10%及15%时,其脱硫效率分别为44.2%、68.1%及72.2%;将煤粉含量调整为5%、10%及15%时,LX5的脱硫效率分别为73.1%、72.2%及56.3%。摇瓶实验确定的最合适的生物脱硫条件是:培养液起始pH为2.5,LX5接种量为培养液体积的10%,煤粉加入量为培养液质量的10%。在5 L序批式反应器进行煤炭生物脱硫的启动实验,研究表明,反应15 d后煤炭脱硫率达到69.2%,而煤中黄铁矿硫的脱硫率可达78%。     

一株氧化亚铁硫杆菌的筛选及生长条件研究

从广东省大宝山矿区尾矿中分离纯化得到一株嗜酸细菌,对其进行DNA提取和16S rRNA扩增后测序,将测序结果与国际基因数据库Genbank中已有相关菌株序列进行相似性比对后,发现该菌株与氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacil-lus ferrooxidans)Tf-49菌位于系统发育树的同一分支中,二者相似度高达99%以上,确定其为氧化亚铁硫杆菌并命名为DBS-8菌。另外,通过设计5因素4水平的正交实验,研究了接种量、培养温度、硫酸铵浓度、初始pH和初始亚铁浓度对该菌株生长状况的影响。结果表明适宜该菌株生长的最佳初始条件为:20%的接种量、3.0 g/L硫酸铵、9.0 g/L初始亚铁、pH=2.0和28℃培养,各初始条件对细菌生长影响的顺序为:pH初始亚铁浓度接种量温度硫酸铵浓度。     

Acute effects of copper and mercury on the estuarine fish Pomatoschistus microps: Linking biomarkers to behaviour

The main objective of the present study was to investigate possible links between biomarkers and swimming performance in the estuarine fish Pomatoschistus microps acutely exposed to metals (copper and mercury). In independent bioassays, P. microps juveniles were individually exposed for 96 h to sub-lethal concentrations of copper or mercury. At the end of the assays, swimming performance of fish was measured using a device specially developed for epibenthic fish (SPEDE). Furthermore, the following biomarkers were measured: lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione S-transferases (GST), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). LC₅₀s of copper and mercury (dissolved throughout metal concentrations) at 96 h were 568 μg L⁻¹ and 62 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Significant and concentration-dependent effects of both metals on swimming resistance and covered distance against water flow were found at concentrations equal or higher than 50 μg L⁻¹ for copper and 3 μg L⁻¹ for mercury (dissolved throughout metal concentrations). These results indicate that SPEDE was efficacious to quantify behavioural alterations in the epibenthic fish P. microps at ecologically relevant concentrations. Significant alterations by both metals on biomarkers were found including: inhibition of AChE and EROD activities, induction of LDH, GST and anti-oxidant enzymes, and increased LPO levels, with LOEC values ranging from 25 to 200 μg L⁻¹ for copper and from 3 to 25 μg L⁻¹ for mercury (dissolved throughout metal concentrations). Furthermore, significant and positive correlations were found between some biomarkers (AChE and EROD) and behavioural parameters, while negative correlations were found for others (LPO, anti-oxidant enzymes and LDH) suggesting that disruption of cholinergic function through AChE inhibition, decreased detoxification capability due to EROD inhibition, additional energetic demands to face chemical stress, and oxidative stress and damage may contribute to decrease the swimming performance of fish. Since a reduced swimming capability of fish may reduce their ability to capture preys, avoid predators, and interfere with social and reproductive behaviour, the exposure of P. microps to copper and/or mercury concentrations similar to those tested here may decrease the fitness of wild populations of this species.     

Historical alteration in the nitrogen concentration and N natural abundance of mosses in Germany: Indication for regionally varying changes in atmospheric nitrogen deposition within the last 140 years

Historical alterations of nitrogen deposition in the western part of Germany were investigated by comparing nitrogen concentrations and ¹⁵N natural abundance of historical and recent samples of the two pleurocarpous mosses Pleurozium schreberi and Scleropodium purum. Pooling of the data revealed only slight tissue N increases over the past 140 years which were significant nevertheless. At closer examination on the single site level historical increases of N concentrations were found particularly for some sites in regions where agricultural activities were considerably intensified during the second half of the 20th century. The comparison of δ¹⁵N values showed a strong depletion of ¹⁵N natural abundance in areas currently heavily influenced by livestock management. This indicates an increased impact of NH_y compounds. However, the almost unchanged δ¹⁵N values in some low mountain range areas with only moderate intensification of agriculture point to a more or less constant ratio of NH_y/NO_x input over time. Significant correlations of both tissue N concentrations and ¹⁵N natural abundance between the two species justify the assumption that they use the same nitrogen source, probably atmospheric deposition.