Interaction of carbonaceous nanomaterials with wastewater biomass

Increasing production and use of carbonaceous nanomaterials (NMs) will increase their release to the sewer system and to municipal wastewater treatment plants. There is little quantitative knowledge on the removal of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene oxide (GO), or few-layer graphene (FLG) from wastewater into the wastewater biomass. As such, we investigated the quantification of GO and MWCNTs by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and FLG using programmable thermal analysis (PTA), respectively. We further explored the removal of pristine and oxidized MWCNTs (O-MWCNTs), GO, and FLG in a biomass suspension. At least 96% of pristine and O-MWCNTs were removed from the water phase through aggregation and 30-min settling in presence or absence of biomass with an initial MWCNT concentration of 25 mg·L⁻¹. Only 65% of GO was removed with biomass concentration at or above 1,000 mg·L⁻¹ as total suspended solids (TSS) with the initial GO concentration of 25 mg·L⁻¹. As UV-Vis spectrophotometry does not work well on quantification of FLG, we studied the removal of FLG at a lower biomass concentration (50 mg TSS·L⁻¹) using PTA, which showed a 16% removal of FLG with an initial concentration of 1 mg·L⁻¹. The removal data for GO and FLG were fitted using the Freundlich equation (R² = 0.55, 0.94, respectively). The data presented in this study for carbonaceous NM removal from wastewater provides quantitative information for environmental exposure modeling and life cycle assessment.     

Microprofiles of activated sludge aggregates using microelectrodes in completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) reactor

Microsensor measurements and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis were combined to investigate the microbial populations and activities in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON). Fed with synthetic wastewater rich in ammonia, the SBR removed 82.5±5.4% of influent nitrogen and a maximum nitrogen-removal rate of 0.52 kgN·m⁻³·d⁻¹ was achieved. The FISH analysis revealed that aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AerAOB) Nitrosomonas and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) dominated the community. To quantify the microbial activities inside the sludge aggregates, microprofiles were measured using pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), NH4+, NO2− and NO3− microelectrodes. In the outer layer of sludge aggregates (0–700 μm), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) showed high activity with 4.1 μmol·cm⁻³·h⁻¹ of maximum nitrate production rate under the condition of DO concentration higher than 3.3 mg·L⁻¹. Maximum AerAOB activity was detected in the middle layer (depths around 1700 μm) where DO concentration was 1.1 mg·L⁻¹. In the inner layer (2200–3500 μm), where DO concentration was below 0.9 mg·L⁻¹, AnAOB activity was detected. We thus showed that information obtained from microscopic views can be helpful in optimizing the SBR performance.     

DOW CORNING 1-2577 Conformal Coating as an efficient diffusion material for cathode in the microbial fuel cell

In this study, DOW CORNING 1-2577 Conformal Coating was proposed for the cathode diffusion layer of the microbial fuel cell (MFC). In MFCs, stainless steel mesh cathodes using DOW CORNING 1-2577 Conformal Coating/carbon as the diffusion layer and two poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/carbon diffusion layers and carbon cloth cathode with four poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) diffusion layers were constructed for comparison. Under the same operational condition, the MFCs with the DOW CORNING 1-2577 Conformal Coating/carbon diffusion layer produced the maximum power density of 1585±52 mW·m^-2, compared with those using poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) diffusion layers (1421±45 mW·m^-2) and poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/carbon diffusion layers (1353±49 mW·m^-2). The DOW CORNING 1-2577 Conformal Coating could be an alternative for the diffusion layer construction in the MFC due to its remarkable performance and much simple construction procedure.     

The Influence of Varying Algal Biomass On Contaminant Exposure in Benthic-Planktonic Mesocosms: Copper (Ii)

A series of mesocosms was exposed to a suite of light treatments and nutrient enrichment in order to generate algal communities of varying biomass. the influence of this biomass on the speciation of copper (II) was studied. Distribution coefficients (_Kd,Lkg-1) were relatively high (log_Kd = 5 to 7), indicative of robust trace metal sequestration, and were likely controlled by the particulate organic carbon content (foc). Differences in _Kd over time and among treatments were significant, as was the relationship between _Kd and foc. Fluorescence quenching was used to determine binding capacities (_Lt, M) and their associated binding constants (_Kcond,M^-1) in order to model the solid phase copper speciation. the _Kcond ranged between 2.1 and 5.2 × 10¹²M^-1, indicating a very strong copper-ligand complex, and was higher in mesocosms that received more light. the light _Lt increased over time, dramatically after the nutrient enrichment, but did not vary systematically among light treatments. _Lt ranged from 7.2 × 10- 7 to 4.9 × 10- 5 M. the large magnitudes of _Kd, _Kcond and _Lt ensured that greater than 97% of total copper in the mesocosms was complexed by organic matter. the total copper concentration ([Cu]_T, M) needed to reach a target dissolved copper concentration of 10^-12.5 M (pCu = 12.5) was determined for each mesocosm over time. [Cu]_T was between 8.02 × 10^-5 and 3.41 × 10^-2 M, and increased over time. the [Cu]_T normalized to the target pCu (Effective Dose Ratio, EDR) increased directly with increases in algal biomass, indicating a direct link between system productivity and copper exposure. Approximately 45% of the variance in EDR was explained by variance in total biomass, while the residual variance in EDR was due likely to differences in the strengths of particle associations and magnitude of binding capacities.     

Co-present Pb(II) accelerates the oxidation of organic contaminants by permanganate: Role of Pb(III)

• Simultaneous removal of organic contaminants and Pb(II) was achieved by Mn(VII). • Pb(II) enhanced Mn(VII) oxidation performance over a wide pH range. • Pb(II) did not alter the pH-rate profile for contaminants oxidation by Mn(VII). • Mn(VII) alone cannot oxidize Pb(II) effectively at pH below 5.0. • Pb(III) plays important roles on enhancing Mn(VII) decontamination process. The permanganate (Mn(VII)) oxidation has emerged as a promising technology for the remediation and treatment of the groundwater and surface water contaminated with the organic compounds. Nonetheless, only a few studies have been conducted to explore the role of the heavy metals (especially the redox-active ones) during the Mn(VII) oxidation process. In this study, taking Pb(II) as an example, its influence on the Mn(VII) decontamination performance has been extensively investigated. It was found that, with the presence of Pb(II), Mn(VII) could degrade diclofenac (DCF), 2,4-dichlorophenol, and aniline more effectively than without. For instance, over a wide pH range of 4.5–8.0, the dosing of 10 μmol/L Pb(II) accelerated the DCF removal rate from 0.006–0.25 min⁻¹ to 0.05–0.46 min⁻¹ with a promotion factor of 1.9–9.4. Although the UV-vis spectroscopic and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses suggested that Mn(VII) could react with Pb(II) to produce Mn(IV) and Pb(IV) at pH 6.0–8.0, further experiments revealed that Pb(II) did not exert its enhancing effect through promoting the generation of MnO₂, as the reactivity of MnO₂ was poor under the employed pH range. At pH below 5.0, it was interesting to find that, a negligible amount of MnO₂ was formed in the Mn(VII)/Pb(II) system in the absence of contaminants, while once MnO₂ was generated in the presence of contaminants, it could catalyze the Pb(II) oxidation to Pb(IV) by Mn(VII). Collectively, by highlighting the conversion process of Pb(II) to Pb(IV) by either Mn(VII) or MnO₂, the reactive Pb(III) intermediates were proposed to account for the Pb(II) enhancement effect.     

Combined process of biofiltration and ozone oxidation as an advanced treatment process for wastewater reuse

The effluent of a wastewater treatment plant was treated in a pilot plant for reclaimed water production through the denitrification biofilter (DNBF) process, ozonation (O₃), and biologic aerated filtration (BAF). The combined process demonstrated good removal performance of conventional pollutants, including concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (27.8 mg·L⁻¹) and total nitrogen (9.9 mg·L⁻¹) in the final effluent, which met the local discharge standards and water reuse purposes. Micropollutants (e.g., antibiotics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals) were also significantly removed during the proposed process. Ozonation exhibited high antibiotic removal efficiencies, especially for tetracycline (94%). However, micropollutant removal efficiency was negatively affected by the nitrite produced by DNBF. Acute toxicity variations of the combined process were estimated by utilizing luminescent bacteria. Inhibition rate increased from 9% to 15% during ozonation. Carbonyl compound concentrations (e.g., aldehydes and ketones) also increased by 58% as by-products, which consequently increased toxicity. However, toxicity eventually became as low as that of the influent because the by-products were effectively removed by BAF. The combined DNBF/O₃/BAF process is suitable for the advanced treatment of reclaimed water because it can thoroughly remove pollutants and toxicity.     

Removing phosphorus from aqueous solutions by using iron-modified corn straw biochar

Iron-modified corn straw biochar was used as an adsorbent to remove phosphorus from agricultural runoff. When agricultural runoffs with a total phosphorus (TP) concentration of 1.86 mg·L⁻¹ to 2.47 mg·L⁻¹ were filtered at a hydraulic retention time of 2 h through a filtration column packed with the modified biochar, a TP removal efficiency of over 99% and an effluent TP concentration of less than 0.02 mg·L⁻¹ were achieved. The isotherms of the phosphorus adsorption by the modified biochar fitted the Freundlich equation better than the Langmuir equation. The mechanism of the phosphorus adsorbed by the modified biochar was analyzed by using various technologies, i.e. scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the surface of the modified biochar was covered by small iron granules, which were identified as Fe₃O₄. The results also showed that new iron oxides were formed on the surface of the modified biochar after the adsorption of phosphorus. Moreover, new bonds of Fe-O-P and P-C were found, which suggested that the new iron oxides tend to be Fe₅(PO₄)₄(OH)₃. Aside from removing phosphorus, adding the modified biochar into soil also improved soil productivity. When the modified biochar-to-soil rate was 5%, the stem, root, and bean of broad bean plants demonstrated increased growth rates of 91%, 64%, and 165%, respectively.     

Mass-transfer processes of chromium(VI) adsorption onto guava seeds

The chromium(VI) biosorption onto guava seeds, as an alternative method for Cr⁶⁺ removal from aqueous solutions, was investigated. The parameters affecting kinetics and equilibrium of Cr⁶⁺ adsorption onto guava seeds were studied. An external mass-transfer diffusion coefficient k and intra-particle diffusion coefficient k_i were determined to measure the rate-limiting step of adsorption. A single external mass-transfer diffusion model and intra-particle diffusion models were used. The effects of initial pH, sorbent mass, and initial Cr⁶⁺ concentrations on mass-transfer coefficients were investigated. The external mass-transfer coefficient has an average value of 7.2×10^-3 cm s^-1, while the intra-particle mass-transfer diffusion coefficient was 0.34 mg g^-1 min^-0.5. This indicates that external diffusion to the guava seeds surface and intra-particle diffusion are both involved in the sorption process. The isotherm equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich models with an average correlation coefficient R²=0.98. The maximum removal of Cr⁶⁺ was obtained at pH 1 (about 100% for adsorbent dose of 15 g l^-1 and 25 mg l^-1 initial concentration of Cr⁶⁺). The results indicated that the guava seeds exhibit acceptable sorption capacity.     

Optimizing synthesis conditions of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) through aqueous reactivity assessment

Nanoscale iron particles (nZVI) is one of the most important engineered nanomaterials applied to environmental pollution control and abatement. Although a multitude of synthesis approaches have been proposed, a facile method to screen the reactivity of candidate nZVI materials produced using different methods or under varying synthesis conditions has yet been established. In this study, four reaction parameters were adjusted in the preparation of borohydride-reduced nZVI. The reductive properties of the resultant nanoparticles were assayed independently using two model aqueous contaminants, Cu(II) and nitrate. The results confirm that the reductive reactivity of nZVI is most sensitive to the initial concentration of iron precursor, borohydride feed rate, and the loading ratio of borohydride to ferric ion during particle synthesis. Solution mixing speed, in contrast, carries a relative small weight on the reactivity of nZVI. The two probing reactions (i.e., Cu(II) and nitrate reduction) are able to generate consistent and quantitative inference about the mass-normalized surface activity of nZVI. However, the nitrate assay is valid in dilute aqueous solutions only (50 mg·L⁻¹ or lower) due to accelerated deactivation of iron surface at elevated nitrate concentrations. Additional insights including the structural and chemical makeup of nZVI can be garnered from Cu(II) reduction assessments. The reactivity assays investigated in this study can facilitate screening of candidate materials or optimization of nZVI production parameters, which complement some of the more sophisticated but less chemically specific material characterization methods used in the nZVI research.     

Suitability of various chemically prepared activated carbons for the removal of copper(II) ions

Studies on the suitability of various chemically prepared activated carbons (CPACs) like straw carbon (SC), sawdust carbon (SDC), dates nut carbon (DNC) and commercial activated carbon (CAC) for the removal of copper(II) ions by adsorption from simulated wastewater have been carried out under batch mode at 30?±?1°C and the results are compared. The percentage removal of Cu(II) ions increased with a decrease in initial concentration, particle size and added electrolytes (ionic strength) and increased with an increase in contact time, dose of adsorbent and initial pH of the solution. The adsorption data were fitted with the Langmuir isotherm. The applicability of the first order kinetic equation viz. Lagergren equation was tested by correlation analysis. The adsorption process is concluded to be a spontaneous, first order reaction, occurring with increased randomness at the solid–liquid interface. Studies on the desorption of Cu²⁺-loaded activated carbons (ACs) were carried out with nitric acid (0.2–1?N). The possibility of reuse of the regenerated ACs in cycle (in cue-one after another) was tested. SC was found to be a suitable adsorbent alternative to CAC among CPACs for the removal of metal ions, in general, and Cu²⁺ ions, in particular.     

Dechlorination of 2,2＇,4,4＇,5,5＇-hexachlorobiphenyl by thermal reaction with activated carbon-supported copper or zinc

Activated carbon （AC）-supported copper or zinc made from ion exchange resin （IRCu-C and IRZn-C） have an increased metal load of 557.3 mg·g^-1 and 502.8 mg·g^-1 compared to those prepared by the traditional method involving impregnation with AC and copper （II） citrate or zinc citrate solution （LaCu-C and LaZn-C） of 12.9 mg·g^-1 and 46.0 mg·g^-1 respectively. When applied to decompose 2,2＇,4,4＇,5,5＇-hexachlorobiphenyl at 250 ℃, IRCu-C achieved higher activity of 99.0% decomposition efficiency than LaCu-C of 84.7%, IRZn-C of 90.5% and LaZn-C of 62.7%. When the reaction temperature rose to 350 ℃, all the four kinds of reactants can decompose PCB- 153 with efficiency above 90%. Further, X-ray photoelec- tron spectroscopy characterization of IRCu-C before and after the reaction indicated transformation of 19.1% of Cu atoms into Cu^2＋, illustrating that Cu is the active ingredient or electron donor promoting the decomposition of PCB- 153. The mechanism underlying this process differs from a traditional H donor. However, there is no significant change on the surface of IRZn-C before and after the reaction, suggesting that Zn acts as catalyst during the process of PCB-153 decomposition.     

Copper(II) ions’ removal from aqueous solution using green horse-chestnut shell as a low-cost adsorbent

The adsorption of copper(II) ions from aqueous solutions by the green horse-chestnut shell was studied in a batch adsorption system. It was determined how the parameters of the adsorption process, such as time, pH, copper(II) ions concentration and sorbent dose, influence the effectiveness of copper(II) ions’ removal. The adsorption process was fast and equilibrium was established about 10?min, and near 95–97% of Cu(II) ions were removed from aqueous solution. Maximum copper(II) ions’ adsorption occurred at around pH 5. The adsorption kinetics are also described, using pseudo-first-order model and pseudo-second-order model of type 1 and 2. A comparison of the kinetics models on the overall adsorption rate showed that the adsorption system was best described by the pseudo-second-order model of type 1 (r²?=?0.999) for all initial concentrations. Another key part of this study was the use of the Freundlich model to determine the adsorption isotherm and the experimental data were in strong correspondence with this model.     

Cadmium tolerance and accumulation in fifteen wetland plant species from cadmium-polluted water in constructed wetlands

Variations in cadmium (Cd) tolerances and accumulations among fifteen wetland plant species in moderately (0.5 mg·L⁻¹) and heavily (1.0 mg·L⁻¹) Cd-polluted wastewaters were investigated in constructed wetlands. Cd removal efficiencies from the wastewaters were more than 90%, and 23.5% and 16.8% of the Cd in the water accumulated in wetland plants for 0.5 and 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ Cd treatments, respectively. The variations among the plant species were 29.4-fold to 48.7-fold in plant biomasses, 5.4-fold to 21.9-fold in Cd concentrations, and 13.8-fold to 29.6-fold in Cd accumulations. The plant species were also largely diversified in terms of Cd tolerance. Some species were tolerant of heavy Cd stress, and some others were sensitive to moderate Cd level. Four wetland plant species were selected for the treatment of Cd-polluted wastewater for their high Cd accumulating abilities and relative Cd tolerances. Plant Cd quantity accumulations are correlated positively and significantly (P <0.05) with plant biomasses and correlated positively but insignificantly (P >0.05) with plant Cd concentrations. The results indicate that the Cd accumulation abilities of wetland plant species are determined mainly by their biomasses and Cd tolerances in growth, which should be the first criteria in selecting wetland plant species for the treating Cd-polluted wastewaters. Cd concentration in the plants may be the second consideration.     

A Cu-modified active carbon fiber significantly promoted H2S and PH3 simultaneous removal at a low reaction temperature

• Cu_0.15-ACF performs the best for H₂S and PH₃ simultaneous removal. • 550°C and 90°C are separately calcination and reaction temperatures. • The reason why Cu_0.15/ACF shows better performance was found. • The accumulation of H₂PO₄⁻ and SO₄²⁻(H₂O)₆ is the deactivation cause of Cu_0.15/ACF. Poisonous gases, such as H₂S and PH₃, produced by industrial production harm humans and damage the environment. In this study, H₂S and PH₃ were simultaneously removed at low temperature by modified activated carbon fiber (ACF) catalysts. We have considered the active metal type, content, precursor, calcination, and reaction temperature. Experimental results exhibited that ACF could best perform by loading 15% Cu from nitrate. The optimized calcination temperature and reaction temperature separately were 550°C and 90°C. Under these conditions, the most removal capacity could reach 69.7 mg/g and 132.1 mg/g, respectively. Characterization results showed that moderate calcination temperature (550°C) is suitable for the formation of the copper element on the surface of ACF, lower or higher temperature will generate more cuprous oxide. Although both can exhibit catalytic activity, the role of the copper element is significantly greater. Due to the exceptional dispersibility of copper (oxide), the ACF can still maintain the advantages of larger specific surface area and pore volume after loading copper, which is the main reason for better performance of related catalysts. Finally, increasing the copper loading amount can significantly increase the crystallinity and particle size of copper (oxide) on the ACF, thereby improving its catalytic performance. In situ IR found that the reason for the deactivation of the catalyst should be the accumulation of generated H₂PO₄⁻ and SO₄²⁻(H₂O)₆ which could poison the catalyst.     

Applicability of the Arrhenius model for ammonia oxidizing bacteria subjected to temperature time gradients

The aim of this work is to identify the range of applicability of Arrhenius type temperature dependence for Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) subjected to temperature time gradients through continuous titrimetric tests. An innovative online differential titrimetric technique was used to continuously monitor the maximum biologic ammonia oxidation rate of the biomass selected in a pilot scale membrane bioreactor, as a function of temperature time gradients. The monitoring technique is based on the measurement of alkalinity and hydrogen peroxide consumption rates in two parallel reactors operated in non-limiting substrate conditions for AOB; both reactors were continuously fed with mixed liquor and in one of them AOB were inhibited with allylthiourea. The effects of temperature decrease rates in the range 1 to 4°C·h⁻¹ were evaluated by controlling the titrimetric reactor in the temperature range 10°C–20°C. The dependence of growth kinetics on temperature time gradients and the range of applicability of Arrhenius model for temperature dependency of AOB growth kinetics were assessed. The Arrhenius model was found to be accurate only with temperature gradients lower than 2°C·h⁻¹. The estimated Arrhenius coefficients (θ) were shown to increase from 1.07 to 1.6 when the temperature decrease rate reached 4°C·h⁻¹.     

Response of indigenous Cd-tolerant electrochemically active bacteria in MECs toward exotic Cr(VI) based on the sensing of fluorescence probes

Electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) on the cathodes of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) can remove metals from the catholyte, but the response of these indigenous EAB toward exotic metals has not been examined, particularly from the perspective of the co-presence of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) in a wastewater. Four known indigenous Cd-tolerant EAB of Ochrobactrum sp X1, Pseudomonas sp X3, Pseudomonas delhiensis X5, and Ochrobactrum anthropi X7 removed more Cd(II) and less Cr(VI) in the simultaneous presence of Cd(II) and Cr(VI), compared to the controls with individual Cd(II) or single Cr(VI). Response of these EAB toward exotic Cr(VI) was related to the associated subcellular metal distribution based on the sensing of fluorescence probes. EAB cell membrane harbored more cadmium than chromium and cytoplasm located more chromium than cadmium, among which the imaging of intracelluler Cr(III) ions increased over time, contrary to the decreased trend for Cd(II) ions. Compared to the controls with single Cd(II), exotic Cr(VI) decreased the imaging of Cd(II) ions in the EAB at an initial 2 h and negligibly affected thereafter. However, Cd(II) diminished the imaging of Cr (III) ions in the EAB over time, compared to the controls with individual Cr(VI). Current accelerated the harboring of cadmium at an initial 2 h and directed the accumulation of chromium in EAB over time. This study provides a viable approach for simultaneously quantitatively imaging Cd(II) and Cr (III) ions in EAB and thus gives valuable insights into the response of indigenous Cd-tolerant EAB toward exotic Cr(VI) in MECs.

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Using crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol polymer membrane as a separator in the microbial fuel cell

Separator between anode and cathode is an essential part of the microbial fuel cell （MFC） and its property could significantly influence the system perfor- mance. In this study we used polyvinyl alcohol （PVA） polymer membrane crosslinked with sulfosuccinic acid （SSA） as a new separator for the MFC. The highest power density of 7594-4 mW-m-2 was obtained when MFC using the PVA membrane crosslinked with 15% of SSA due to its desirable proton conductivity （5.16 x 10-2 S.cml）. The power density significantly increased to 11064- 30 mW.m-2 with a separator-electrode-assembly config- uration, which was comparable with glass fiber （11704- 46 mW.m-2）. The coulombic efficiencies of the MFCs with crosslinked PVA membranes ranged from 36.3% to 45.7% at a fix external resistance of lO00f2. The crosslinked PVA membrane could be a promising alter- native to separator materials for constructing practical MFC system.     

磷肥种类对李氏禾富集铜、铬的影响及其生理响应

植物修复是现下环境和生态领域研究的热门话题.环境中的铜、铬等重金属复合污染问题越发严重,在水环境修复和治理的方法中,植物修复技术的优越性越发显著.该文旨在加深磷对李氏禾累积重金属铜和铬复合污染的认识.施磷是一种重要的农艺措施,其在提高植物修复复合污染水体效率方面的效果不容忽视.该实验研究李氏禾(Leersia Hexa...     

The performance of nitrate-reducing Fe(II) oxidation processes under variable initial Fe/N ratios: The fate of nitrogen and iron species

•Bacterially-mediated coupled N and Fe processes examined in incubation experiments. •NO₃⁻ reduction was considerably inhibited as initial Fe/N ratio increased. •The maximum production of N₂ occurred at an initial Fe/N molar ratio of 6. •Fe minerals produced at Fe/N ratios of 1–2 were mainly easily reducible oxides. The Fe/N ratio is an important control on nitrate-reducing Fe(II) oxidation processes that occur both in the aquatic environment and in wastewater treatment systems. The response of nitrate reduction, Fe oxidation, and mineral production to different initial Fe/N molar ratios in the presence of Paracoccus denitrificans was investigated in 132 h incubation experiments. A decrease in the nitrate reduction rate at 12 h occurred as the Fe/N ratio increased. Accumulated nitrite concentration at Fe/N ratios of 2–10 peaked at 12–84 h, and then decreased continuously to less than 0.1 mmol/L at the end of incubation. N₂O emission was promoted by high Fe/N ratios. Maximum production of N₂ occurred at a Fe/N ratio of 6, in parallel with the highest mole proportion of N₂ resulting from the reduction of nitrate (81.2%). XRD analysis and sequential extraction demonstrated that the main Fe minerals obtained from Fe(II) oxidation were easily reducible oxides such as ferrihydrite (at Fe/N ratios of 1–2), and easily reducible oxides and reducible oxides (at Fe/N ratios of 3–10). The results suggest that Fe/N ratio potentially plays a critical role in regulating N₂, N₂O emissions and Fe mineral formation in nitrate-reducing Fe(II) oxidation processes.     

Assessment of metals in soil extracts and their uptake and movement within Tamarix nilotica at Lake Nasser banks, Egypt

This study aims to determine heavy-metal levels in soil from the banks of Lake Nasser, the ability of Tamarix nilotica to accumulate such metals from soil and hence its potential for phytoextraction. Soil and Tamarix samples were collected from the banks of four bights around Lake Nasser and analysed for Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Na and K were measured by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Three different methods of extraction were used for the soil samples. Lead, copper and zinc were equally distributed between the exchangeable phase and Fe/Mn oxide-bound form, while other measured metals were mainly present in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction. With the exception of iron, all metals studied showed total concentrations within the geochemical background values. T. nilotica exhibited elevated concentrations of Na (36.2-48.5 mg g^-1) and K (2.74-4.33 mg g^-1) in stems, and relatively high concentrations of Pb, Cd and Co (0.39-1.03 µg g^-1, 0.24-1.3 µg g^-1 and 1.94-5.3 µg g^-1, respectively) are found in plant leaves. Bioaccumulation factors of Na and K (9.3 and 12.63, respectively) were high in T. nilotica stems. While the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Co and Ni (2870.1, 2035.4, 10.5 and 5313.2, respectively) was high in plant leaves, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were accumulated relatively equally in plant stems and leaves. T. nilotica was found to secrete high amounts of Na, Ca and K, in addition to small amounts of all accumulated metals except Cd and Cu. These secreted metals appeared as salt crystals (67.5% Na; 25.8% Ca; 5% Mg; 1.5% K and 0.16% trace and minor elements) on the plant surface. The concentrations of all the metals studied in T. nilotica were higher than in the salt crystals. Statistical analysis of the database suggests bioaccumulation of these metals from soil to T. nilotica. This reflects the importance of using T. nilotica as a model in the phytoremediation process as an established environmental clean-up technology.