Colonized beads as inoculum for marine biodegradability assessment: Application to Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate

An innovative biodegradation test system was developed in order to fill the current gap for cost effective and environmentally relevant tools to assess marine biodegradability. Glass beads were colonized by a biofilm in an open flow-through system of seawater with continuous pre-exposure to Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) (20 μg/L). Thereafter, such colonized beads were added as inoculum in different test systems. [¹⁴C]-LAS (5–100 μg/L) was added and primary and ultimate biodegradation were assessed. The bacterial density collected on the beads (10⁹ bact./mL beads) was ca. 3 orders of magnitude higher than the typical seawater content. The LAS mineralization lag phase duration decreased from 55 to < 1 days and the mineralization extent increased from 53 to 90% as the colonized beads volume increased from 10 to 275 mL. This is the first demonstration of marine bacteria's ability to mineralize LAS. On the opposite, less than 13% LAS was mineralized in seawater only. The colonized beads possibly enhanced the probability to encounter the full degraders' consortium in a low volume of seawater (100 mL).     

Biodegradation of phthalic acid esters by immobilized microbial cells

Microorganisms capable of degrading di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) were immobilized by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and used for DBP degradation. The characteristics of DBP degradation by immobilized and free cells were investigated. The experimental results showed that the degradation rate of immobilized cells was higher than that of free cells. The optimal pH and temperature for DBP degradation were determined to be 7.0 and 25°C, respectively. The semi-continuous degradation test demonstrated that high-frequency feeding of low concentration (50 mg/L) was more favourable than low-frequency feeding of high concentration (150 mg/L) for DBP degradation. The main intermediates of DBP degradation by immobilized cells were identified using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. The results revealed the presence of monobutyl phthalate, phthalic acid, and protocatechuate. A tentative pathway for DBP degradation was proposed, which demonstrated that the metabolic mechanism of immobilized cells remained the same as that of the free cells.     

Azo dye biodegradation by microbial cultures immobilized in alginate beads

Microbial degradation of azo dyes usually starts in anaerobic conditions with a reductive cleavage of the azo bond, followed by an aerobic step necessary for the degradation of the aromatic amines formed. Because some reductive processes take place also in presence of molecular oxygen, a one-step azo dye degrading process has been investigated. A microbial consortium able to degrade ethyl orange in aerobic conditions has been selected and immobilized in alginate beads coated with polyacrylamide resin. Different concentrations of ethyl orange have been completely degraded in the presence of 1% glucose or starch as cosubstrates, and different beads preparation procedures have been studied to determine the best condition for microbial degradation. The catalytic activity of the immobilized consortium improved during five serial processes carried out for 30 days at room temperature. Three pure cultures were then isolated from the consortium. The one with the greatest degrading activity, a filamentous fungus, had a degradative capacity similar to that of the whole consortium.     

Cadmium biosorption by cells of Spirulina platensis TISTR 8217 immobilized in alginate and silica gel

The biosorption of cadmium by immobilized Spirulina platensis on alginate gel and silica gel was studied. The maximum biosorption capacities for alginate immobilized cells and silica immobilized cells were 70.92 and 36.63 mg Cd/g biomass, respectively. Temperature did not have an influence on metal sorption, whereas an initial pH solution did. Sorption occurred in a wide pH range (pH 3-8). The highest adsorption of alginate immobilized cells was at pH 6, while silica immobilized cell adsorption was not affected at pH between 4 and 7. The immobilized cells were reused in consecutive adsorption-desorption. The results showed that immobilized cells could be repeatedly used in the sorption process up to five times.     

污水处理生物技术的应用

针对环保要求日益严格，而水源污染却越演越烈的现象，选择性地综述了湿地工艺、固定化藻类和活性污泥等生物技术在污水处理中的应用实例及其在净化废水、减轻水体富营养化方面的显著作用。三项生物技术的共同特点是高效快速、低耗节能、简易实用、管理方便且能耐受高负荷污水的冲击。净化污水主要通过基质的过滤吸附、微生物的分解代谢、植物根系或藻类的吸收利用等理化和生物的协同作用。确保和提高污水净化效果的关键因素是：湿地系统——水力负荷与停留时间、有机污染物负荷、根系发达的植物种类；固定化藻类——载体的传导性能和孔径、校固定藻类的细胞粒径、密度和生长状态、藻类生长的最适pH和温度条件；活性污泥技术——单位体积内好气性微生物的浓度及其与其他活性生物的比例、活性污泥的循环速度与回用、系统中的溶氧浓度和好气条件。     

Fate, behavior and effects of surfactants and their degradation products in the environment

Surfactants are widely used in household and industrial products. After use, surfactants as well as their products are mainly discharged into sewage treatment plants and then dispersed into the environment through effluent discharge into surface waters and sludge disposal on lands. Surfactants have different behavior and fate in the environment. Nonionic and cationic surfactants had much higher sorption on soil and sediment than anionic surfactants such as LAS. Most surfactants can be degraded by microbes in the environment although some surfactants such as LAS and DTDMAC as well as alkylphenols may be persistent under anaerobic conditions. LAS were found to degrade in sludge amended soils with a half-lives of 7 to 33 days. Most surfactants are not acutely toxic to organisms at environmental concentrations and aquatic chronic toxicity of surfactants occurred at concentrations usually greater than 0.1 mg/L. However, alkylphenols have shown to be capable of inducing the production of vitellogenin in male fish at a concentration as low as 5 microg/L. More toxicity data are needed to assess the effects on terrestrial organisms such as plants.     

Derivation of predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for marine environmental risk assessment: application of different approaches to the model contaminant Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS) in a site-specific environment

Four sediment-dwelling marine organisms were exposed to sediments spiked with increasing concentrations of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS). The selected endpoint mortality was reported daily and acute LC(50) (96 h), as well as final LC(10) values were calculated for the derivation of environmentally safe predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for the sediment compartment. PNECs were estimated by both application of assessment factors (AF) and the equilibrium partitioning method (EPM) as proposed by the EU TGD. Finally, environmental risk assessment in a site-specific environment, the Sancti Petri Channel, South Iberian Peninsula, was carried out at three different sampling stations with known environmental LAS concentrations. PNECs obtained by the assessment factor approach with acute toxicity data were one to two orders of magnitude lower than those from the equilibrium partitioning method. On the other hand, when applying lower AFs to the estimated LC(10) values, the PNECs obtained by both approaches were more similar. Environmental risk assessment carried out with the estimated PNECs in a site specific environment with known sediment LAS concentrations revealed that PNECs obtained with acute toxicity data were over conservative whereas those obtained with AF=10 on LC(10) data and EPM produced more realistic results in accordance with field observations carried out in the study area.     

Enchytraeus albidus (Enchytraeidae): a test organism in a standardised avoidance test? Effects of different chemical substances

Enchytraeids (Enchytraeus albidus) directly improve the pore structure of the soil and are indirectly involved in regulating the degradation of organic matter. Due to their behavior they are able to avoid unfavorable environmental conditions. Avoidance tests allow a first assessment of toxicity of a contaminated or spiked soil within 48 h, by using the reaction of the enchytraeids as measurement endpoint. In this period, the organisms can choose between the control soil and the test soil. In the tests reported here, enchytraeids were exposed to LUFA 2.2 soil spiked with the following set of toxic substances: copper chloride, zinc chloride, cadmium chloride, phenmedipham, benomyl, carbendazim, dimethoate, atrazine, pentachlorophenol, chlorpyriphos, lindane, TBTO, Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates (LAS) and boric acid. Different chemical concentrations were tested. EC50s ranged from 8 mg/kg (Carbendazim) to >1000 mg/kg (e.g. LAS). While the tested heavy metals showed clear dose-response relationships, the effect pattern differed considerably in the tests with organic chemicals, e.g. no avoidance behaviour was observed in LAS, even at very high doses. Here we proposed to standardize the Enchytraeid avoidance test in a way similar to what is currently done for the earthworm and collembolan avoidance tests by the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO).     

人工湿地小试系统藻类去除效果的变化研究

夏季在水力负荷为800mm/d间歇式进水条件下,研究了人工湿地不同工艺流程的8套小试系统SSP（system of small plot）内部水流方向上藻类去除率的变化。结果表明：人工湿地小试系统中,藻类生物量沿水流方向逐渐减少,除藻率在出水处均达到最大值。藻类的去除主要发生在湿地水流方向的前几层,而系统其他层对藻类只有微弱的去除效果。由下行池与上行池构成的湿地系统中,去藻是上、下行池共同作用的结果。在有推流床或塘处理系统参与的湿地系统中,它们对藻类的去除均有一定的作用。去藻作用主要是基质的拦截,不同的水流方向、植物和微生物也起到了一定作用。湿地对藻类的去除率在夏季一般都能达到90%以上,证明人工湿地是一种有效的除藻生态-生物方法,对除藻要求比较高水体的湿地构建及工艺流程的设计、组合具有重要意义。     

Toxic and genotoxic impact of fibrates and their photoproducts on non-target organisms

Lipid regulators have been detected in effluents from sewage treatment plants and surface waters from humans via excretion. This study was designed to assess the ecotoxicity of fibrates, lipid regulating agents. The following compounds were investigated: Bezafibrate, Fenofibrate and Gemfibrozil and their derivatives obtained by solar simulator irradiation. Bioassays were performed on bacteria, algae, rotifers and microcrustaceans to assess acute and chronic toxicity, while SOS Chromotest and Ames test were utilized to detect the genotoxic potential of the investigated compounds. The photoproducts were identified by their physical features and for the first risk evaluation, the environmental impact of parental compounds was calculated by Measured Environmental Concentrations (MEC) using the available data from the literature regarding drug occurrence in the aquatic environment and the Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNEC) based on our toxicity data. The results showed that acute toxicity was in the order of dozens of mg/L for all the trophic levels utilized in bioassays (bacteria, rotifers, crustaceans). Chronic exposure to these compounds caused inhibition of growth population on rotifers and crustaceans while the algae seemed to be slightly affected by this class of pharmaceuticals. Genotoxic and mutagenic effects were especially found for the Gemfibrozil photoproduct suggesting that also byproducts have to be considered in the environmental risk of drugs.     

Accumulation of Cu,Zn, Cd,and Pb by Scenedesmus obliquus under nongrowth conditions

The aim of this work has been to assess the accumulation of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead by a test alga, Scenedesmus obliquus, under nongrowth conditions. The results provide an evidence that metals can be readily accumulated by algae and that accumulation is a function of the metal-to-algae exposure ratio. When the metals were added in combination in equimolar concentrations, the following order of affinity to algal surface was detected Zn > Cu ? Cd > Pb. However, when EDTA was added to the test water, metal accumulation was greatly retarded. Moreover, when algae loaded with one of the metals were washed with EDTA solution the major part of the accumulated metal was mobilized, indicating that EDTA had stronger metal binding affinity than any ligands liable to exist on algal surface. Metal accumulation by algal cells isolated from a culture in the logarithmic growth phase was of much higher magnitude than that displayed by cells isolated from a culture in the decline phase.     

The removal of uranium from mining waste water using algal/microbial biomass

We describe a three step process for the removal of uranium (U) from dilute waste waters. Step one involves the sequestration of U on, in, and around aquatic plants such as algae. Cell wall ligands efficiently remove U(VI) from waste water. Growing algae continuously renew the cellular surface area. Step 2 is the removal of U-algal particulates from the water column to the sediments. Step 3 involves reducing U(VI) to U(IV) and transforming the ions into stable precipitates in the sediments. The algal cells provide organic carbon and other nutrients to heterotrophic microbial consortia to maintain the low E(H), within which the U is transformed. Among the microorganisms, algae are of predominant interest for the ecological engineer because of their ability to sequester U and because some algae can live under many extreme environments, often in abundance. Algae grow in a wide spectrum of water qualities, from alkaline environments (Chara, Nitella) to acidic mine drainage waste waters (Mougeotia, Ulothrix). If they could be induced to grow in waste waters, they would provide a simple, long-term means to remove U and other radionuclides from U mining effluents. This paper reviews the literature on algal and microbial adsorption, reduction, and transformation of U in waste streams, wetlands, lakes and oceans.     

丰水期赣江流域着生藻类群落结构及其与水环境因子的关系

着生藻类在水质监测与水生态健康评价中发挥着重要作用。以江西最大的河流赣江为研究对象,对赣江丰水期着生藻类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系进行研究。选取53个点位对赣江全流域进行着生藻类群落结构的调查研究,共鉴定着生藻3门42属175种,其中硅藻门有23属151种,绿藻门有9属12种,蓝藻门有10属12种。硅藻门舟形藻属为丰水期赣江流域着生藻类优势属,该属生物密度百分比为14.080%。下游着生藻类以硅藻门桥弯藻属和舟形藻属为优势属,该属生物密度百分比分别为13.088%和12.935%;中游着生藻类以硅藻门桥弯藻属为优势属,该属生物密度百分比为12.849%;上游着生藻类以硅藻门异极藻属为优势属,该属生物密度百分比达10.150%。通过蒙特卡罗显著性检验发现,赣江流域下游总氮、溶氧、叶绿素a和电导率对着生藻类有显著影响,中游主要海拔、流速、河宽和总磷对着生藻类有显著影响,上游总氮、河宽、浊度和流速对着生藻类有显著影响。将其与着生藻类群落结构进行冗余分析(RDA),结果发现影响下游着生藻类群落结构的主要水环境因子为叶绿素a和电导率,影响中游、上游着生藻类群落结构的主导水环境因子分别是海拔和总氮。可见赣江流域丰水期下游和上游的着生藻类群落可在一定程度上反映水质状况,中游着生藻类群落结构主要反映的是流域地貌因子。     

Biosorption of uranium (VI) by immobilized Aspergillus fumigatus beads

Biosorption of uranium (VI) ions by immobilized Aspergillus fumigatus beads was investigated in a batch system. The influences of solution pH, biosorbent dose, U (VI) concentration, and contact time on U (VI) biosorption were studied. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity was strongly affected by the solution pH, the biosorbent dose and initial U (VI) concentration. Optimum biosorption was observed at pH 5.0, biosrobent dose (w/v) 2.5%, initial U (VI) concentration 60 mg L⁻¹. Biosorption equilibrium was established in 120 min. The adsorption process conformed to the Freunlich and Temkin isothermal adsorption models. The dynamic adsorption model conformed to pseudo-second order model.     

Presence, biotransformation and effects of sulfophenylcarboxylic acids in the benthic fish Solea senegalensis

The presence of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and their degradation intermediates, sulfophenylcarboxylic acids (SPCs), with concentrations up to 100 ppb has been found in surface waters taken from the estuary of the river Guadalete (Cádiz, SW of Spain). Higher concentrations were found at the sampling site located adjacent to the discharge outlet of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The concentrations decreased downstream to a few ppb as a result of dilution, sorption, and degradation processes, which were taking place along the estuary. Once the presence of both xenobiotics was confirmed in the environment, an in vivo assay was conducted to study their biotransformation and effects in the benthic fish Solea senegalensis. A flow-through system was employed, consisting of an exposure phase (120 h) with environmental levels of the surfactant (200, 500 and 800 microg/L of 2?C(10)LAS), followed by a depuration stage (72 h). The generation of SPCs has been quantified during these phases in both water and fish, with LAS biotransformation shown in all cases. The antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), the phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the phase III acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP, ALP) were also estimated and utilized as biomarkers.     

Evaluation of the sensitivity of marine microalgal strains to the heavy metals, Cu, As, Sb, Pb and Cd

The sensitivity of nine marine microalgal species (consisting of five divisions and seven genera) to the five heavy metals, Cu(II), As(V), Sb(III), Pb(II) and Cd(II) was studied by using a fluorometric growth-inhibition assay with 96-well microplates. The algal strains studied were Cylindrotheca sp. and the LPP group that respectively characterize aggregating and filamentous types, and Chlorococcum littorale, Chlorococcum sp., Isochrysis galbana, Tetraselmis tetrathele, Heterocapsa sp., Synechococcus sp. and Prasinococcus sp. for types that occur as single cells. A good linear relationship was observed between the chlorophyll a concentration and intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence (485-nm excitation filter and 645-nm emission filter) when the chlorophyll a concentration was within the range of 0.10-5.0 microg ml(-1). A starting cell concentration of 0.10 or 0.25 microg Chl a ml(-1) was therefore selected. In accordance with OECD 201 standard procedures, the IC(50) value (concentration of a metal producing 50% growth inhibition relative to the control) was determined 72 h after adding a heavy metal by using the biomass integral. The microplate toxicity test used in this study is considered to be applicable to diverse algae, not only enumerating species but also hardly enumerating ones.     

淀山湖浮游植物营养限制因子的研究

通过藻类增长的生物学评价(Nutrient Enrichment Bioassay)研究淀山湖浮游植物生长限制性因子,并采用析因方差分析和事后比较方法分析营养盐（PO^3-₄P、NH₃N、NO^-₃N）对浮游植物生长速度、平均最大现存量和平均最大特定增长率的影响。研究表明：磷对浮游植物生长有明显的促进作用,能提高浮游植物的生长速度和现存量,且促进作用随磷浓度（0.13～0.53 mg/L）的增加而加强,磷是淀山湖浮游植物增长的第一限制性因子;低浓度硝氮（2.91～5.91 mg/L）对浮游植物生长有微小的促进作用,但高浓度（5.91～8.91 mg/L）的硝氮表现出抑制作用;氨氮对浮游植物生长有抑制作用,并随浓度（1.25～7.25 mg/L）的增加而增大;添加磷+硝氮能明显促进浮游植物生长,磷与硝氮之间存在一定的交互作用.     

Diversity of corals and benthic algae across the shallow-water reefs of Andaman Islands: managing the valuable ecosystems

The Andaman Islands characterize one of the relatively unexplored coral reef zones of the Indian subcontinent. A few benthic biodiversity studies have been carried out to date, but several coral and algal species still remain to be evaluated in terms of their abundance, vigour and conservation priority. In absence of a comprehensive, reliable dataset, inter-relationships between anthropogenic impacts and climate alterations with the coral reefs cannot be assessed authentically. This paper addresses the coupled themes of biodiversity and reef management in the Andaman Islands by examining the percentage cover of corals and benthic algae from shallow-water ecosystems across the coasts of Havelock, Neil, Ross, Jolly Buoy Islands and Chidiyatapu beach proximal to Port Blair. Four major reef types were observed: coral-dominated, algae-dominated, neutral setting and algae overgrowing dead reefs. Jolly Buoy Island had the highest percentage cover of scleractinian corals and crustose coralline algae. Turf algae were most abundant at the Ross Island, while other macroalgae showed highest abundance at Chidiyatapu. Overall species diversity values for corals and algae were highest at the Jolly Buoy and Chidiyatapu, respectively. Given that corals and algae are critical reef components, management paradigms must consider the abundance and frequency of both these biogenic entities in the seascape. The needs, expectations and objectives of the people dependent on coral reef ecosystems also need to be considered. Long-term monitoring is imperative in understanding the natural typology of reefs and managing the possible algal encroachments. Refined management efforts that include greater thrust on development of marine protected areas and reserves; establishment of connectivity between various coral ecosystems of the region; control of invasive algae; and increasing awareness among the local people as well as tourists will ensure continued support of ecosystem to maintain healthy reefs. Collectively, the results are used to promote some strategies to conserve the Andaman coral reefs and cope with the detrimental anthropogenic and climate changes in these coastal habitats.     

韩国南汉河的浮游植物及营养水平

对韩国南汉河的浮游植物进行了周年的调查,结果显示,该河浮游植物的种类组成以绿藻为主,占总种类数的５１．４％,其次为硅藻和蓝藻,分别占总种类数的２６．７％和１２．４％,其它４门藻类共计仅发现１０种,占９．５％。细胞密度以蓝藻的贡献最大,占总细胞密度的３６％￣７０．７％,绿藻次之,硅藻居第三位。相反,蓝藻的生物量却远不及硅藻和绿藻,硅藻对总生物量的贡献最高时可达９３．７％。各站平均,浮游植物的细胞密度     

太湖主体湖区对梅梁湾藻类影响定量化研究

针对太湖梅梁湾独特的地理位置和富营养化严重的问题,利用太湖水量水质模型和梅梁湾藻类生长模型,在对模型进行了率定、验证的基础下,模拟了在东南风和西北风两种常见风向的条件下,太湖主体湖区对梅梁湾内营养盐浓度和藻类浓度的影响情况,并将其影响定量化。本次模拟较好地反映了太湖主体湖区在两种常见风场的条件下对梅梁湾内水质影响情况。模拟得到以下结果：在不考虑风场和流场的情况下,梅梁湾内部2001年8月藻类平均浓度为43.18 mg/m³,总氮浓度为2.48 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.248 mg/L,只考虑东南风引起流场的情况下,藻类浓度为41.92 mg/m3,总氮浓度为2.07 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.231 mg/L;考虑东南风风场和流场两个因素的情况下,藻类浓度为53.86 mg/m3,总氮浓度为2.06 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.229 mg/L;同期,只考虑西北风风场的情况下,藻类浓度为42.55 mg/m³,总氮浓度为2.19 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.232 mg/L;考虑西北风风场和流场两个因素的情况下,藻类浓度为50.71 mg/m³,总氮浓度为2.17 mg/L,总磷浓度为0.233 mg/L。结果表明,梅梁湾内部的氮、磷等营养盐浓度受到由太湖主体湖区的风场变化引起的湖流扰动的一定影响;太湖主体湖区对梅梁湾内部藻类浓度的影响主要是由藻类漂移引起的,由营养盐浓度改变而引起的藻类浓度变化非常小。