Effect of water-driven changes in rice rhizosphere on Cd lability in three soils with different pH

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of water management,namely continuous flooding(CF),intermittent flooding(IF) and non-flooding(NF),on Cd phytoavailaility in three paddy soils that differed in p H and in Cd concentrations.Diffusive gradients in thin films(DGT) technique was employed to monitor soil labile Cd and Fe concentrations simultaneously at three growth stages(tillering,heading and mature stage)of rice.The Cd phytoavailability were generally in the order of NF > IF ...     

Stimulants and donors promote megaplasmid pND6-2 horizontal gene transfer in activated sludge

The activated sludge process is characterized by high microbial density and diversity, both of which facilitate antibiotic resistance gene transfer. Many studies have suggested that antibiotic and non-antibiotic drugs at sub-inhibitory concentrations are major inducers of conjugative gene transfer. The self-transmissible plasmid pND6-2 is one of the endogenous plasmids harbored in Pseudomonas putida ND6, which can trigger the transfer of another co-occurring naphthalene-degrading plasmid pND6-1. Therefore, to illustrate the potential influence of stimulants on conjugative transfer of pND6-2, we evaluated the effects of four antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamycin, kanamycin, and tetracycline) and naphthalene, on the conjugal transfer efficiency of pND6-2 by filter-mating experiment. Our findings demonstrated that all stimulants within an optimal dose promoted conjugative transfer of pND6-2 from Pseudomonas putida GKND6 to P. putida KT2440, with tetracycline being the most effective (100 µg/L and 10 µg/L), as it enhanced pND6-2-mediated intra-genera transfer by approximately one hundred-fold. Subsequently, seven AS reactors were constructed with the addition of donors and different stimulants to further elucidate the conjugative behavior of pND6-2 in natural environment. The stimulants positively affected the conjugal process of pND6-2, while donors reshaped the host abundance in the sludge. This was likely because stimulant addition enhanced the expression levels of conjugation transfer-related genes. Furthermore, Blastocatella and Chitinimonas were identified as the potential receptors of plasmid pND6-2, which was not affected by donor types. These findings demonstrate the positive role of sub-inhibitory stimulant treatment on pND6-2 conjugal transfer and the function of donors in re-shaping the host spectrum of pND6-2.     

Herbicide promotes the conjugative transfer of multi-resistance genes by facilitating cellular contact and plasmid transfer

The global dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs), especially via plasmidmediated horizontal transfer, is becoming a pervasive health threat. While our previous study found that herbicides can accelerate the horizontal gene transfer(HGT) of ARGs in soil bacteria, the underlying mechanisms by which herbicides promote the HGT of ARGs across and within bacterial genera are still unclear. Here, the underlying mechanism associated with herbicide-promoted HGT was analyzed by detecting intr...     

Role of interfacial electron transfer reactions on sulfamethoxazole degradation by reduced nontronite activating H2O2

It has been documented that organic contaminants can be degraded by hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) produced by the activation of H₂ O₂ by Fe(II)-bearing clay. However, the interfacial electron transfer reactions between structural Fe(II) and H 2 O 2 for • OH generation and its effects on contaminant remediation are unclear. In this study, we first investigated the relation between • OH generation sites and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation by activating H₂O₂ using nontronite with different reduction extents. SMX (5.2–16.9 μmol/L) degradation first increased and then decreased with an increase in the reduction extent of nontronite from 22% to 62%, while the • OH production increased continually. Passivization treatment of edge sites and structural variation results revealed that interfacial electron transfer reactions between Fe(II) and H 2 O 2 occur at both the edge and basal plane. The enhancement on basal plane interfacial electron transfer reactions in a high reduction extent rNAu-2 leads to the enhancement on utilization efficiencies of structural Fe(II) and H 2 O 2 for • OH generation.However, the • OH produced at the basal planes is less efficient in oxidizing SMX than that of at edge sites. Oxidation of SMX could be sustainable in the H 2 O 2 /rNAu-2 system through chemically reduction. The results of this study show the importance role of • OH generation sites on antibiotic degradation and provide guidance and potential strategies for antibiotic degradation by Fe(II)-bearing clay minerals in H 2 O 2 -based treatments.     

Seasonal variations of soil bacterial communities in Suaeda wetland of Shuangtaizi River estuary, Northeast China

Estuarine wetland is the transitional interface linking terrestrial with marine ecosystems, and wetland microbes are crucial to the biogeochemical cycles of nutrients. The soil samples were collected in four seasons(spring, S1; summer, S2; autumn, S3; and winter, S4) from Suaeda wetland of Shuangtaizi River estuary, Northeast China, and the variations of bacterial community were evaluated by high-throughput sequencing. Soil properties presented a significant seasonal change, including p H, carbo...     

Root-associated (rhizosphere and endosphere) microbiomes of the Miscanthus sinensis and their response to the heavy metal contamination

The plant root-associated microbiomes, including both the rhizosphere and the root endosphere microbial community, are considered as a critical extension of the plant genome. Comparing to the well-studied rhizosphere microbiome, the understanding of the root endophytic microbiome is still in its infancy. Miscanthus sinensis is a pioneering plant that could thrive on metal contaminated lands and holds the potential for phytoremediation applications. Characterizing its root-associated microbiome, especially the root endophytic microbiome, could provide pivotal knowledge for phytoremediation of mine tailings. In the current study, M. sinensis residing in two Pb/Zn tailings and one uncontaminated site were collected. The results demonstrated that the metal contaminant fractions exposed strong impacts on the microbial community structures. Their influences on the microbial community, however, gradually decreases from the bulk soil through the rhizosphere soil and finally to the endosphere, which resulting in distinct root endophytic microbial community structures compared to both the bulk and rhizosphere soil. Diverse members affiliated with the order Rhizobiales was identified as the core microbiome residing in the root of M. sinensis. In addition, enrichment of plant-growth promoting functions within the root endosphere were predicted, suggesting the root endophytes may provide critical services to the host plant. The current study provides new insights into taxonomy and potential functions of the root-associated microbiomes of the pioneer plant, M. sinensis, which may facilitate future phytoremediation practices.     

In situ preparation of g-C3N4/Bi4O5I2 complex and its elevated photoactivity in Methyl Orange degradation under visible light

A graphite carbon nitride(g-C₃N₄) modified Bi₄O₅I₂ composite was successfully prepared insitu via the thermal treatment of a g-C₃N₄/Bi OI precursor at 400°C for 3 hr.The as-prepared g-C₃N₄/Bi₄O₅I₂ showed high photocatalytic performance in Methyl Orange(MO) degradation under visible light.The best sample presented a degradation rate of 0.164 min^-1,which is...     

热处理重组质粒DNA的复性及其在水环境中的降解特性

为了考察热处理后的重组DNA进入水环境后可能存在的环境风险,以pET-28b质粒为材料,以质粒相对转化效率为指标,考察了热变性重组质粒DNA的复性可能性,并在此基础上构建了人工模拟水环境系统,研究了热变性质粒DNA在水环境中的降解速率和影响因素.结果表明,热变性pET-28b质粒经过30min后,其转移活性可以得到恢复,在4～37℃之间,温度越高越有利于热变性质粒的复性.热处理过程中未被降解的质粒DNA进入水环境后,在pH值为7、8时降解速率相对较慢,在pH值为5、6、9的条件下,降解较快,但在任何pH下,1.0h后仍存在未降解的质粒DNA.水环境中的NaCl对热处理质粒DNA有一定的保护作用,而且这种作用是随着NaCl质量分数的提高而增强.进入水环境中的热变性DNA有足够的时间复性,从而可能发生基因转移.因此,这些热处理的质粒DNA进入环境后理论上存在一定的生态风险.     

Interactions of extracellular DNA with aromatized biochar and protection against degradation by DNase I

With increasing environmental application, biochar (BC) will inevitably interact with and impact environmental behaviors of widely distributed extracellular DNA (eDNA), which however still remains to be studied. Herein, the adsorption/desorption and the degradation by nucleases of eDNA on three aromatized BCs pyrolyzed at 700 °C were firstly investigated. The results show that the eDNA was irreversibly adsorbed by aromatized BCs and the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models accurately described the adsorption process. Increasing solution ionic strength or decreasing pH below 5.0 significantly increased the eDNA adsorption on BCs. However, increasing pH from 5.0 to 10.0 faintly decreased eDNA adsorption. Electrostatic interaction, Ca ion bridge interaction, and π-π interaction between eDNA and BC could dominate the eDNA adsorption, while ligand exchange and hydrophobic interactions were minor contributors. The presence of BCs provided a certain protection to eDNA against degradation by DNase I. BC-bound eDNA could be partly degraded by nuclease, while BC-bound nuclease completely lost its degradability. These findings are of fundamental significance for the potential application of biochar in eDNA dissemination management and evaluating the environmental fate of eDNA.     

Carbonate-induced enhancement of phenols degradation in CuS/peroxymonosulfate system: A clear correlation between this enhancement and electronic effects of phenols substituents

This study investigated the enhancement effects of dissolved carbonates on the peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation process with CuS as a catalyst. It was found that the added CO₃²⁻ increased both the catalytic activity and the stability of the catalyst. Under optimized reaction conditions in the presence of CO₃²⁻, the degradation removal of 4-methylphenol (4-MP) within 2 min reached 100%, and this was maintained in consecutive multi-cycle experiments. The degradation rate constant of 4-MP was 2.159 min⁻¹, being 685% greater than that in the absence of CO₃²⁻ (0.315 min⁻¹). The comparison of dominated active species and 4-MP degradation pathways in both CO₃²⁻-free and CO₃²⁻-containing systems suggested that more CO₃•⁻/¹O₂ was produced in the case of CO₃²⁻deducing an electron transfer medium, which tending to react with electron-rich moieties. Meanwhile, Characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetry measurement verified CO₃²⁻ enabled the effective reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺. By investigating the degradation of 11 phenolics with different substituents, the dependence of degradation kinetic rate constant of the phenolics on their chemical structures indicated that there was a good linear relationship between the Hammett constants σ_p of the aromatic phenolics and the logarithm of k in the CO₃²⁻-containing system. This work provides a new strategy for efficient removal of electron-rich moieties under the driving of carbonate being widely present in actual water bodies.     

Colonization of Penicillium oxalicum SL2 in Pb-contaminated paddy soil and its immobilization effect on soil Pb

Penicillium oxalicum SL2 (SL2) is a previously screened Pb-tolerant fungus that can promote crops growth. The relationship between SL2 colonization and Pb immobilization was studied to provide a theoretical basis for microbial remediation of Pb-contaminated paddy soil. In this study, green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled SL2 was inoculated into different Pb-contaminated paddy soils (S1-S6). The Pb extracted from the soil by HNO₃, EDTA and CaCl₂ were used to characterize the available Pb. The results showed that the colonization of SL2 was divided into lag phase (0-7 days), growth phase (7-30 days), and mortality phase (30-90 days). SL2 colonized well in sandy soils rich in clay and total phosphorus with initial pH of 4.5-7.0. In addition, SL2 increased soil pH and decreased soil Eh, which was beneficial to immobilize Pb. In different soils, the highest percentages of CaCl₂-Pb, EDTA-Pb, and HNO₃-Pb immobilized by SL2 were 34.34%-40.53%, 17.05%-20.11%, and 7.39%-15.62%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the percentages of CaCl₂-Pb and EDTA-Pb immobilized by SL2 were significantly positively correlated with the number of SL2 during the growth phase. SL2 mainly immobilized Pb in the growth phase and a higher peak number of SL2 was beneficial to the immobilization of Pb.     

The impact of preozonation on the coagulation of cellular organic matter produced by Microcystis aeruginosa and its toxin degradation

Ozonation pretreatment is typically implemented to improve algal cell coagulation. However, knowledge on the effect of ozonation on the characteristics and coagulation of associated algal organic matter, particularly cellular organic matter (COM), which is extensively released during algal bloom decay, is limited. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of ozonation applied before the coagulation of dissolved COM from the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. Additionally, the degradation of microcystins (MCs) naturally present in the COM matrix was investigated. A range of ozone doses (0.1–1.0 mg O₃/mg of dissolved organic carbon – DOC) and ozonation pH values (pH 5, 7 and 9) were tested, while aluminium and ferric sulphate coagulants were used for subsequent coagulation. Despite negligible COM removal, ozonation itself eliminated MCs, and a lower ozone dose was required when performing ozonation at acidic or neutral pH (0.4 mg O₃/mg DOC at pH 5 and 7 compared to 0.8 mg O₃/mg DOC at pH 9). Enhanced MC degradation and a similar pattern of pH dependence were observed after preozonation-coagulation, whereas coagulation alone did not sufficiently remove MCs. In contrast to the benefits of MC depletion, preozonation using ≥ 0.4 mg O₃/mg DOC decreased the coagulation efficiency (from 42%/48% to 28%–38%/41%–44% using Al/Fe-based coagulants), which was more severe with increasing ozone dosage. Coagulation was also influenced by the preozonation pH, where pH 9 caused the lowest reduction in COM removal. The results indicate that ozonation efficiently removes MCs, but its employment before COM coagulation is disputable due to the deterioration of coagulation.     

Effect of substituents in hydroxyl radical-mediated degradation of azo pyridone dyes: Theoretical approaches on the reaction mechanism

Understanding the degradation behavior of azo dyes in photocatalytic wastewater treatment is of fundamental and practical importance for their application in textile-processing and other coloration industries. In this study, quantum chemistry, as density functional theory, was used to elucidate different degradation pathways of azo pyridone dyes in a hydroxyl radical(HO ·)-initiated photocatalytic system. A series of substituted azo pyridone dyes were synthesized by changing the substituent grou...     

土壤中酚类化合物降解菌筛选及应用

以苏州某化工场地污染土壤为菌源,以目标污染物为唯一碳源,通过连续培养、分离纯化筛选出高效酚类化合物降解菌。利用16S rDNA基因测序、构建基因树等分子生物学技术手段确定菌株种属,并研究了菌株对酚类化合物耐受性和降解效果。结果表明:以4-甲基苯酚(4-MP)和4-氯-3-甲基苯酚(4-C-3-MP)为唯一碳源筛选出了2株菌,分别为嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌(NM)和香茅醇假单胞菌(NCM)。菌株NM对4-MP耐受性良好,4-MP浓度为400 mg/L时仍能生长繁殖;菌株NCM对4-C-3-MP耐受性较差,4-C-3-MP浓度≥200 mg/L时,菌株NCM受到完全抑制,停止生长。菌株NM不能降解土壤中苯酚,对4-MP和4-C-3-MP去除效果良好,第20天时去除率分别达到43%和22%;菌株NCM对土壤中苯酚、4-MP和4-C-3-MP均有降解效果,第20天时苯酚、4-MP和4-C-3-MP去除率分别为20%、26%和28%,较第15天时去除率分别提高了18、3和6个百分点。     

土壤中嗪草酮迁移和降解的研究

 通过两季马铃薯大田试验，研究了嗪草酮在灌溉沙壤土中的消失和移动情况。结果表明，表层土壤中，嗪草酮施用后最初7～15天内其含量急剧降低，此后随时间推移降低幅度平缓，1993年和1994年试验结束时的残留量分别为5.9μg/kg和2.3μg/kg。两年共采集的379个土样（分布在15～75cm各土层）中只有5个检测到有嗪草酮。1994年大田135cm土层处的水样中，嗪草酮的检测率高达66％，检测浓度范围为0.06～15.85μg/kg，平均浓度为1.94μg/kg。相比较，嗪草酮在大田试验中的消失速率远大于实验室控制条件下的降解速率。     

Anthraquinone acted as a catalyst for the removal of triphenylmethane dye containing tertiary amino group: Characteristics and mechanism

Herein, we found that anthraquinone (AQ) acted as a catalyst for the rapid and effective removal of triphenylmethane dye containing tertiary amino group (TDAG). Results showed that AQ had an enhanced catalytic reactivity towards the removal of TDAG compared to hydro-quinone, which was further proved and explained using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. AQs could achieve a TDAG removal efficiency and rate of approximately 100% and 0.3583 min⁻¹, respectively, within 20 min. Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests indicated that the superoxide radical (O₂^•−) generated through the catalytic reduction of an oxygen molecule (O₂) by AQ contributed to the effective removal of the TDAG. In addition, it was found that the electrophilic attack of the O₂^•− radical on the TDAG was the driving force for the dye degradation process. Decreasing the pH led to protonation of the substituted group of AG, which resulted in formation of an electron deficient center in the TDAG molecule (TDAG-EDC⁺) through delocalization of the π electron. Therefore, the possibility of the electrophilic attack for the dye by the negative O₂^•- radical was significantly enhanced. This study revealed that the H⁺ and the O₂^•− generated by the catalytic reduction of O₂ have synergistic effects that led to a significant increase in the dye removal rate and efficiency, which were higher than those obtained through persulfate oxidation.     

生物炭负载P掺杂g-C3N4复合光催化剂制备及其对萘光催化降解机制

采用农业资源废弃物玉米秸秆为生物质原材料,双氰胺为前驱物,（NH₄）₂HPO₄为磷源,通过高温煅烧和浸渍法成功制备了可循环使用的生物炭负载P掺杂g-C₃N₄复合光催化剂,并采用X射线衍射（XRD）、红外光谱（FTIR）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、紫外可见漫反射（UV-vis DRS）和光致发光光谱（PL）等手段对所制备样品的化学结构、表观形貌和光学特性进行了表征.结果表明,成功将P元素引入g-C₃N₄结构中,可有效改变其能带结构,降低其光生载流子复合几率;此外,生物炭作为载体,具有较好的稳定性和特殊的光电性能,不仅有利于g-C₃N₄的光电荷分离,还可提高其对可见光的响应能力.选取多环芳烃萘作为研究对象来探究不同种类光催化剂的光催化性能及对萘的去除效率.结果表明,质量比为1：1的生物炭负载P掺杂g-C₃N₄对萘表现出了最优的光催化性能,去除率为76.41%,一级动力学反应速率常数为0.0084 min^-1,是纯g-C₃N₄的3.1倍.此外,通过自由基捕获实验提出了光催化降解萘的可能机理.     

Electrochemical reduction of Cr(VI) in the presence of sodium alginate and its application in water purification

Chromium (Cr) is used in many manufacturing processes, and its release into natural waters is a major environmental problem today. Low concentrations of Cr(VI) are toxic to human health and living organisms due to the carcinogenic and mutagenic nature of this mineral. This work examined the conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) via electrochemical reduction using gold electrode in an acidic sodium alginate (SA) solution and subsequent removal of the produced Cr(III)-SA by the polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) technique. A solution of SA in nitric acid was used both as an electrolytic medium during the voltammetric measurements and bulk electrolysis and as an extracting agent during the PEUF technique. The electroanalysis of Cr(VI) was performed by linear sweep voltammetry in the presence of acidic SA solution to study its voltammetric behavior as a function of the Cr(VI) concentration, pH, presence of Cr(III), SA concentration and scan rate. In addition, the quantitative reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was studied through the bulk electrolysis technique.The results showed efficient reduction with well-defined peaks at approximately 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl, using a gold working electrode. As the pH increased, the reduction signal strongly decreased until its disappearance. The optimum SA concentration was 10 mmol/L, and it was observed that the presence of Cr(III) did not interfere in the Cr(VI) electroanalysis. Through the quantitative reduction by bulk electrolysis in the presence of acidic SA solution, it was possible to reduce all Cr(VI) to Cr(III) followed by its removal via PEUF.     

Water-lifting and aeration system improves water quality of drinking water reservoirs: Biological mechanism and field application

Reservoirs have been served as the major source of drinking water for dozens of years. The water quality safety of large and medium reservoirs increasingly becomes the focus of public concern. Field test has proved that water-lifting and aeration system (WLAS) is a piece of effective equipment for in situ control and improvement of water quality. However, its intrinsic bioremediation mechanism, especially for nitrogen removal, still lacks in-depth investigation. Hence, the dynamic changes in water quality parameters, carbon source metabolism, species compositions and co-occurrence patterns of microbial communities were systematically studied in Jinpen Reservoir within a whole WLAS running cycle. The WLAS operation could efficiently reduce organic carbon (19.77%), nitrogen (21.55%) and phosphorus (65.60%), respectively. Biolog analysis revealed that the microbial metabolic capacities were enhanced via WLAS operation, especially in bottom water. High-throughput sequencing demonstrated that WLAS operation altered the diversity and distributions of microbial communities in the source water. The most dominant genus accountable for aerobic denitrification was identified as Dechloromonas. Furthermore, network analysis revealed that microorganisms interacted more closely through WLAS operation. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and total nitrogen (TN) were regarded as the two main physicochemical parameters influencing microbial community structures, as confirmed by redundancy analysis (RDA) and Mantel test. Overall, the results will provide a scientific basis and an effective way for strengthening the in-situ bioremediation of micro-polluted source water.     

Seasonal variation characteristics of hydroxyl radical pollution and its potential formation mechanism during the daytime in Lanzhou

Hydroxyl free radicals(OH radicals) play the main role in atmospheric chemistry and their involving reactions are the dominant rate determining step in the formation of secondary fine particulate matter and in the removal of air pollutants from the atmosphere.In this paper,we studied the seasonal variation characteristics of OH radicals during the daytime in Lanzhou and explored the potential formation mechanism of high concentration OH radicals.We found that the OH radicals in four seasons was ...