Chromate reduction by Serratia marcescens immobilized on activated carbon

Serratia marcescens, isolated from tannery effluents, was resistant to chromate (0.5 mM) under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. A stable biofilm was developed, using activated carbon as a support. Extracellular precipitate suggests that insoluble chromium hydroxide was formed. The strain showed an enhanced cell growth in an aerobic culture medium, although under anaerobic conditions chromate reduction was carried out more efficiently. About 95% of chromate was reduced in 4 days.     

Degradation of 4-aminophenol by hydrogen peroxide oxidation using enzyme from Serratia marcescens as catalyst

This paper reports on the degradation of 4-aminophenol using hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer and the enzyme from Serratia marcescens AB 90027 as catalyst. The effecting factors during degradation and the degrading mechanism were studied. Also, the location of the enzyme in the cell, which could catalyze the degradation of 4-aminophenol, was analyzed. The results showed that to degrade 50 mL of 4-aminophenol whose concentration was 500 mg/L, the optimal conditions were: volume of H₂O₂ = 3 mL, temperature = 40–60°C and pH = 9–10. In the degradation process, 4-aminophenol was first converted to benzoquinone and NH₃, then organic acids including maleic acid, fumaleic acid, and oxalic acid were formed, and then finally CO₂ and H₂O were generated as final products. The enzyme that could catalyze the degradation of 4-aminophenol was mainly extracellular enzyme.     

Biosorption of chromium(VI), nickel(II) and copper(II) ions from aqueous solutions using Pithophora algae

The biosorption of heavy metals is considered to be one of the best alternatives for the treatment of wastewater. The metal binding capacity of algae and acid-treated algae is investigated to find out the removal characteristics of Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions from single metal solutions. Batch experiments are conducted and the study is extended to investigate the effect of pH, amount of adsorbent and adsorbate concentration on the extent of biosorption. The results indicate that the adsorption capacity of algae depends strongly on pH. The maximum adsorption of Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Cu(II) occurs at pH values of 2, 7 and 4.3, respectively. The adsorption process follows first-order kinetic equation. The data obtained are correlated with Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms.     

Toxic effect of transition metal complexes on Salmonella typhi,Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens

The present article describes the synthesis, structural features and toxicological studies of the complexes of the type [M(L)(dipy-amine)(H₂O)] or [M(L)(bendan)(H₂O)] where M?=?Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), H₂L?=?salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol, dipy-amine?=di(2-pyridyal)amine, or bendan?=?bis(benzylidene)1,8-diaminonaphthalene. The complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, electronic spectra, magnetic measurement and thermogravimetric analyses. The nature of the bonding has been discussed on the basis of infrared spectral data. A thermal study of the complexes has been carried out to ascertain their thermal stability. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectral data suggest a six-coordinated octahedral structure for these complexes. The complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) are paramagnetic, while Zn(II) and Cd(II) are diamagnetic in nature. The toxic effects of the investigated complexes were tested against three Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens by the “Disc Diffusion Method”. It is observed that the complexes show higher toxic effects as compared to the ligands, metal salts and control (DMSO), but moderate toxic effects as compared to the standard drug (tetracycline) and the results are discussed.     

不同阳离子影响下小麦根吸收镉的动力学过程

生物配体模型(BLM)是基于稳定态假设的一个平衡模型,能够较准确地运用于预测重金属的毒性及其生物有效性.根据BLM模型的假设条件模拟土壤溶液,研究了Ca2+、Mg2+、Cu2+和Ni2+对小麦根吸收Cd2+动力学的影响,阐述了BLM在应用中存在的局限性.结果表明:在8h内的短期动力学吸收实验中,小麦根对Cd的吸收及吸附量呈线性增加,但未达到稳定值,这说明Cd2+在根-液界面未达到稳定平衡;并且小麦根对Cd的吸收是受溶液中Cd2+扩散速率影响的.小麦根对Cd的吸收通量与Cd2+浓度[Cd2+]和Cd与小麦根表上的配体结合浓度{Cd-Rcel}l都具有较好的线性关系,但随着Cd2+浓度的增加稳定常数KM-Rcell、渗透常数p和同化速率常数kint均呈降低趋势.Ca2+、Mg2+和Cu2+降低了小麦根对Cd2+的吸收通量,而Ni2+对Cd2+的竞争作用不显著.由于Cd与Ca、Ni有共同的吸收通道,Ca通道吸收达到饱和后可降低小麦根对Cd的吸收,但是Ca2+、Mg2+和Cu2+通过降低内化速率常数也可使小麦根对Cd的内化通量减少,因此不能完全用竞争效应解释其结果.另外,阳离子的存在会改变小麦根表的性质,Ca2+、Mg2+的存在会增加亨利系数KCd,即生物配体浓度{Rcel}l和(或)离子与生物配体结合稳定常数KCd-Rcell会增加,同时这些离子的存在还会降低渗透常数p和kint;Cu2+、Ni2+的存在会降低KCd;且p和k在低浓度Cd(0.01～0.05μM)条件下增加,在高浓度Cd条件下降低.     

Uptake of bacterial extracellular polymer by a deposit-feeding holothurian (Isostichopus badionotus)

A laboratory experiment shows that exopolymer (=mucopolysaccharide) produced by the estuarine marine bacterium Pseudomonas atlantica can be a source of nutrition for the deposit-feeding holothurian Isostichopus badionotus (Selenka). Holothurians fed sediment prepared with ¹⁴C-labeled exopolymer incorporated radioactive carbon into their rete mirabile.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and antimicrobial activity of nickel(II) tetrathiocyanato dicuperate(I) complexes with some acyl hydrazones

Heterobimetallic complexes of the type Ni[Cu(SCN)₂]₂ · L (where L = acetophenone benzoylhydrazone, acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone, acetophenone salicyloylhydrazone (ash), acetophenone anthraniloylhydrazone, p-hydroxy acetophenone benzoylhydrazone, p-hydroxy acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone p-hydroxy acetophenone salicyloylhydrazone (phash), p-hydroxy acetophenone anthraniloyl hydrazone), were synthesized and characterized. The complexes are polymeric, insoluble in common organic solvents and are nonelectrolytes. Magnetic moments and electronic spectral studies suggest a spin-free octahedral geometry for the complexes. IR spectra show the bidentate nature of all the ligands bonding through >C=O and >C=N–groups. The SCN group acts as a bridge between two metal centers. X-ray powder diffraction parameters for Ni[Cu(SCN)₂]₂ · ash and Ni[Cu(SCN)₂]₂ · phash correspond to orthorhombic and tetrahedral crystal lattices, respectively, for these complexes. The complexes show a significant antifungal activity against Rizoctonia, Stemphylium and Aspergillus sp. and antibacterial activity against Clostridium and Pseudomonas sp. The metal complexes are more active than the ligands.     

Alleviation of nickel stress by halophilic bacteria in mungbean(Vigna radiata)

Mungbean is an important, short-duration legume crop with high nutritive value for poor families, where protein and micronutrient scarcity are most pervasive. In developing countries, like Pakistan, where mungbean is one of the greatest sources of protein for underprivileged people, salinity and metal stresses are drastically limiting its yield. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the ways for promoting the growth of mungbean under stressed conditions. This study provides the basis for the use of two previously isolated halophilic and nickel-resistant bacteria [Bacillus subtilis and Halomonas aquamarina(1)] in promoting the growth of mungbean plant under nickel-stressed environments. These bacterial strains were previously found to improve the growth of plants under salinity because of their good biofilm-forming abilities. We hypothesized that these two halophilic and nickel-resistant biofilm-forming bacteria can help the plants to grow under nickel-stressed environments by promoting soil aggregation as they were previously reported to resist salinity and nickel stress, as well as were found to promote plant growth under saline environments. The results revealed that under nickel stress, both bacteria promote plant growth by facilitating the formation of soil aggregates through an increase in their extra polymeric substance(EPS) production.     

镉和温度预暴露对小麦吸收镉的影响

土壤中重金属Cd污染是一个累积过程,污染历史会影响植物对土壤中Cd的吸收.近年来,随着全球气候的变暖,温度对Cd的生物有效性的影响日益引起关注.通过模拟土壤溶液,研究了Cd的浓度、温度和预暴露时间对小麦吸收Cd的影响.小麦在浓度为0.01和0.1μmol·L-1的Cd中经过不同时间的预暴露后进行6h的短期吸收实验.结果发现,经1d预暴露后,小麦根部吸收Cd的量有增加趋势,这说明Cd对小麦产生了刺激作用,小麦地上部分的含Cd量也有所增加但不显著.经5d预暴露后,小麦对Cd产生了抗性,这使得小麦根部降低了对Cd的吸收量;并且当Cd为0.1μmol·L-1时,根部Cd吸收量的降低最为明显;由于Cd从根部向地上部迁移是一个复杂的生理过程,预暴露对地上部分Cd含量的影响没有根具有规律性;经过37℃高温胁迫4h后,小麦根部及地上部分的Cd含量减少高达40%;预暴露和高温共同作用后,其减少量更多,这说明预暴露和高温共同作用能够减少小麦对Cd的吸收量.     

Impact of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) on biogassification of potato waste

A study was conducted on anaerobic digestion of potato waste and cattle manure mixture, inoculated with 12% inoculum and diluted to 1:1 substrate water ratio at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. Initially pH of substrate was found to be 4.5 to 5.0. Lime and sodium bicarbonate solutions were employed to adjust the pH to 7.5. Biogas production continued up to 10 and 7 days, when lime and sodium bicarbonate solutions were used to adjust the pH, respectively. Biogassification potential was studied in response to different ratio of waste and cattle manure. Biogas production rate was higher when potato waste and cattle manure were used in 50:50 ratio. Effect of two different concentrations (2.5 and 5.0 ppm) of three heavy metals viz. (Ni (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II)) on anaerobic digestion of substrate (potato waste--cattle manure, 50:50) was studied. At 2.5 ppm, all the three heavy metals increased biogas production rate over the control value. The percentage increase in biogas production over the control was highest by Cd, followed by Ni and Zn. In all the treatments, methane content of biogas increased with increase in time after feeding. Various physico-chemical parameters viz. total solids, total volatile solids, total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand considerably declined after 7 days of digestion and decline was greater in presence of heavy metals as compared to control. The physico-chemical parameters revealed maximum decrease in the presence of 2.5-ppm concentrations of heavy metals with the substrate. Among all the three heavy metals employed in the study, Cd++ at 2.5 ppm was found to produce maximum biogas production rate. The use of three heavy metals to enhance biogas production from potato and other horticultural waste is discussed.     

Uptake and translocation of selenium by maize (Zea mays) from its environmentaly important forms

Pot culture studies were conducted to examine the effect of selenite (SeO3(2-)) and selenate (SeO4(2-)) on the uptake and translocation of root absorbed selenium in maize Zea mays plants grown in sand and soil culture. Increasing selenium supplementation (0.5-6.00 microg/ml), increased the selenium retention in roots, but there was little transfer of selenium from shoot to grains. The study indicates that selenite species (less mobile) also accumulates in maize plants when supplied in solution form. Selenium does not cause any adverse effect on the maize plants (dry matter yield vs concentration, no significant correlation, p>0.05).     

Sorption of cadmium(II) and copper(II) by soil humic acids: temperature effects and sorption heterogeneity

Sorption by humic acids is known to modify the bioavailability and toxicity of metals in soils and aquatic systems. The sorption of cadmium(II) and copper(II) to two soil humic acids was measured at pH 6.0 using ion-selective electrode potentiometric titration at different temperatures. Sorption reactions were studied with all components in aqueous solution, or with the humates in suspension. Adsorption reactions were described using a multiple site-binding model, and a model assuming a continuous log-normal distribution of adsorption constants. Adsorption of Cu²⁺ was more favourable than adsorption of Cd²⁺. The log-normal distribution model provided the closest fit to observations and allowed parameterisation of adsorption data using a mean adsorption constant (log K _μ). Sorption of Cd²⁺ to dissolved humic acids increased slightly in extent and sorption affinity with increasing temperature, but the effect was small (log K _μ 2.96–3.15). A slightly greater temperature effect occurred for sorption of Cd²⁺ to solid-phase humic acids (log K _μ 1.30–2.08). Sorption of copper(II) to both aqueous- and colloidal-phase humates showed more pronounced temperature dependence, with extent of sorption, and sorption affinity, increasing with increasing temperature (log K _μ 3.4–4.9 in solution and 1.4–4.5 in suspension). The weaker adsorption of Cd²⁺ than Cu²⁺, and smaller temperature effects for dissolved humates than suspended humates, suggested that the observed temperature effects had a kinetic, rather than thermodynamic, origin. For any metal-to-ligand ratio, free metal ion concentration, and by inference metal bioavailability, decreased with increasing temperature. The consistency of the data with kinetic rather than thermodynamic control of metal bioavailability suggests that equilibrium modelling approaches to estimating bioavailability may be insufficient.     

Uptake and loss of radioactive cadmium by the sea-skater Halobates robustus (Heteroptera: Gerridae)

Sea-skaters, Halobates robustus Barber, caught around the Galápagos Islands, were exposed over a period of 3 days to radioactive cadmium dissolved in seawater. Although ^115mCd (metastable ¹¹⁵Cd) was accumulated by the insects, they did not concentrate it above the seawater level. The experiments clearly showed that cadmium is taken up into the body, not merely adsorbed onto surfaces. The uptake of Cd followed a biphasic time course. When sea-skaters labelled in this way were transferred back into unlabelled seawater, the rate of loss of Cd was likewise biphasic. During uptake and loss, the biological half-life times for the first compartments were almost identical (0.64 and 0.79 h), indicating that the same compartment might be involved. On the other hand, the biological half-life times for the second compartments were different (1.7 days during uptake, 19.5 days during loss), indicating that the site or chemical form of bound Cd in the sea-skater had changed. For an adult female, weighing about 8.5 mg wet weight, the drinking rate of seawater was estimated at 2.5 l day^-1, equivalent to 29% body weight.     

Uptake and translocation of phosphorus in eelgrass (Zostera marina)

The uptake and translocation of phosphorus in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) was studied in two-compartment chambers using ³²P and autoradiography. Eelgrass was able to take up phosphorus both with leaves and rootrhizomes. Only a small amount (less than 4%) of the total amount of phosphorus taken up from either source was translocated within the plants during an incubation time of 120 h. Release of translocated phosphorus from the plant tissues to the surrounding water was not detected. The autoradiographs showed that the translocated phosphorus was localized mainly in the actively growing plant tissues, i.e. the stem and young leaves, and nodes of the rhizomes and young roots. The uptake of phosphorus in leaves and the bidirectional translocation in the plants was significantly lower in the dark. The uptake of phosphorus in rootrhizomes was unaffected by light-conditions. The concentration of phosphate in the water of one compartment did not affect the phosphorus uptake by the plant parts in the opposite compartment. However, the translocation was significantly reduced when both compartments were supplied with identical phosphate concentrations. The results of the present investigation indicate that the quantitative significance of eelgrass in the cycling of phosphorus between sediment and water may have been greatly overestimated in earlier studies. The amount of phosphorus taken up by root-rhizomes and subsequently translocated to leaves is probably insignificant during most of the growing season in comparison to the amount taken up by the leaves from the surrounding water. However the uptake of phosphorus by root-rhizomes may be significant in the nutrition of eelgrass during periods with low phosphate levels in the water.     

Aphids are unaffected by the elemental defence of the nickel hyperaccumulator Streptanthus polygaloides (Brassicaceae)

Summary. Nickel hyperaccumulation, resulting in plant Ni contents of >1000 mg kg^у dry mass, has been shown to defend plants against folivorous herbivores. We determined whether this elemental defence tactic protected hyperaccumulating plants from attack by a phloem-feeding herbivore. We used the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, and the Ni-hyperaccumulating plant Streptanthus polygaloides. Aphids were allowed to colonize mixed arrays of S. polygaloides in which plants either were hyperaccumulating Ni, not hyperaccumulating Ni and treated with a systemic insecticide, or not hyperaccumulating Ni. Aphid numbers g^у dry mass of plant biomass were lowest for the insecticide treatment, intermediate for low-Ni plants, and highest for plants hyperaccumulating Ni. Artificial liquid aphid diet, amended with varying levels of Ni, resulted in decreased aphid survival at 2500 mg kg^у Ni dry mass (or 5.03 mM Ni). We concluded that Ni levels in the phloem of hyperaccumulating plants of S. polygaloides were < 5.03 mM and, as a result, were not effective in defending plants against aphid attack.     

真菌对铜离子生物吸附的研究

从电镀废水污泥中分离、纯化获一高抗铜菌株,经鉴定为枝孢霉菌(Cladasporium sp.),并采用不同的化学试剂对枝孢霉菌进行预处理。考察了不同因素如溶液的pH、摇床转速、接触反应时间对未处理菌和预处理菌的吸附能力的影响。结果表明：经0．2mol／LNaOH预处理的菌体具有最佳吸附效果。pH、摇床转速对菌体的吸附具有较显著影响。未处理菌吸附的最佳pH值为4.0,摇床转速为100r/min,预处理菌吸附的最佳pH为5．0,格床转速为100r/min。在一定的浓度范围内(10-150mg/L)菌对铜离子的吸附较好地符合Langmuir模型。生物吸附过程中pH变化呈一定的规律。     

Uptake and depuration of organic contaminants by blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) exposed to environmentally contaminated sediment

Experiments were designed to expose blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) to contaminated sediment collected from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA in 1982. Measurements were taken to allow comparisons of the uptake and depuration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In addition, concentration factors in the mussels were calculated separately against the dissolved and particulate phase concentrations and the results from the exposure and control systems were compared. Both PAHs and PCBs were rapidly accumulated by the mussels exposed to the contaminated sediment. After the mussels were transferred to control seawater, individual PAHs were depurated with half-lives ranging from 12 to 30 d. Individual PCBs showed depuration half-lives which ranged from 16 to 46 d. Concentration factors in the mussels calculated against the particulate phase concentrations were very different in the exposure and control systems. Concentration factors calculated using only the dissolved phase concentrations (bioconcentration factors) showed excellent agreement in the two systems, possibly an indication that the dissolved phase was the direct source of the contaminants accumulated by the mussels. The bioconcentration factors for PCBs were higher than those of PAHs when compounds with similar n-octanol/water partition coefficients were compared.     

A convenient and eco-friendly way to synthesize Pt(II) and Pd(II) porphyrins in ionic liquids by microwave activation

Due to the slow rate of incorporation of inert-metal ions into free-base porphyrins compared to other transition metals, several methods have been proposed to accelerate the rate of metalation. However, these methods have disadvantages such as low yields, difficulties of purification of final products, and environmental effects. To avoid those disadvantages, we reacted Pt(II) and Pd(II) salts with H₂(TPP), H₂(TMPyP)⁴⁺, and their β-pyrrole derivatives, H₂(Br₈TPP) and H₂(Br₈TMPyP)⁴⁺, in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim]⁺Br⁻) under microwave irradiation. The combination of microwave heating and ionic liquids provides efficient thermal energy transfer among the porphyrins and metal salts. In addition, ionic liquids stabilize charged species as well as their intermediates, due to their high dipole moment and high boiling point. This not only shortens the reaction time but also gives high yields of products at relatively low temperatures, of about 100°C compared to conventional synthesis methods: 150°C for DMF, 190°C for DMSO. Here, we demonstrate that Pt(II)/Pt(II) metalloporphyrins are synthesized at high rates, e.g. 6–30 min for 100% metalation, with high yields of 79–93% in [bmim]⁺Br⁻ by microwave activation.     

小麦根对镉离子的吸收机制及镉的亚细胞分布

小麦作为毒性实验推荐的标准物种之一,了解其对Cd的吸收过程及其致毒机理具有重要意义.应用Ca离子通道抑制剂LaCl3、巯基抑制剂N-乙烷基顺丁烯二酰亚胺(NEM)及能量代谢抑制剂2,4-二硝基苯酚(DNP),研究了小麦根对Cd的吸收;借鉴水生动物的亚细胞分离方法,在原有植物亚细胞分离方法上进行了改进,考察了Cd在小麦根中的亚细胞分布.8h的暴露吸收实验结果表明,LaCl3作为Ca离子通道抑制剂抑制小麦根对Cd的吸收高达30%;巯基抑制剂NEM没有表现出抑制效应,关于Cd与巯基的结合没有明确证据;在低浓度Cd条件下(0.25、1.0μM),DNP抑制其吸收,表明Cd是需要消耗能量进入细胞内,而在高浓度Cd条件下(5.0μM)则提高了Cd的吸收.Cd进入细胞内依次分布于胞液、细胞残渣、细胞器、微粒体,分布比例:胞液>细胞残渣、细胞器>微粒体;3种抑制剂均通过降低细胞器、提高胞液和微粒体中Cd分布来维持细胞的正常功能,降低Cd的毒性.     

Microbial electrolysis cells with biocathodes and driven by microbial fuel cells for simultaneous enhanced Co(II) and Cu(II) removal

Cobalt and copper recovery from aqueous Co(II) and Cu(II) is one critical step for cobalt and copper wastewaters treatment. Previous tests have primarily examined Cu(II) and Co(II) removal in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) with abiotic cathodes and driven by microbial fuel cell (MFCs). However, Cu(II) and Co(II) removal rates were still slow. Here we report MECs with biocathodes and driven by MFCs where enhanced removal rates of 6.0±0.2 mg?L⁻¹?h⁻¹ for Cu(II) at an initial concentration of 50 mg?L⁻¹ and 5.3±0.4 mg?L⁻¹ h⁻¹ for Co(II) at an initial 40 mg?L⁻¹ were achieved, 1.7 times and 3.3 times as high as those in MECs with abiotic cathodes and driven by MFCs. Species of Cu(II) was reduced to pure copper on the cathodes of MFCs whereas Co(II) was removed associated with microorganisms on the cathodes of the connected MECs. Higher Cu(II) concentrations and smaller working volumes in the cathode chambers of MFCs further improved removal rates of Cu(II) (115.7 mg?L⁻¹?h⁻¹) and Co(II) (6.4 mg?L⁻¹?h⁻¹) with concomitantly achieving hydrogen generation (0.05±0.00 mol?mol⁻¹ COD). Phylogenetic analysis on the biocathodes indicates Proteobacteria dominantly accounted for 67.9% of the total reads, followed by Firmicutes (14.0%), Bacteroidetes (6.1%), Tenericutes (2.5%), Lentisphaerae (1.4%), and Synergistetes (1.0%). This study provides a beneficial attempt to achieve simultaneous enhanced Cu(II) and Co(II) removal, and efficient Cu(II) and Co(II) wastewaters treatment without any external energy consumption.