Mangrove recruitment after forest disturbance is facilitated by herbaceous species in the Caribbean.

Plant communities along tropical coastlines are often affected by natural and human disturbances, but little is known about factors influencing recovery. We focused on mangrove forests, which are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, to examine how facilitation by herbaceous vegetation might improve forest restoration after disturbance. We specifically investigated whether recovery of mangrove forests in harsh environments is accelerated by nurse plants and whether the beneficial effects are species-specific. Quantification of standardized effects allowed comparisons across performance parameters and over time for: (1) net effect of each herbaceous species on mangrove survival and growth, (2) effects of pre- and post-establishment factors associated with each herbaceous species, and (3) need for artificial planting to enhance growth or survival of mangrove seedlings. Mangrove recruitment in a clear-cut forest in Belize was accelerated by the presence of Sesuvium portulacastrum (succulent forb) and Distichlis spicata (grass), two coastal species common throughout the Caribbean region. The net effect of herbaceous vegetation was positive, but the magnitude of effects on mangrove survival and growth differed by species. Because of differences in their vegetative structure and other features, species effects on mangroves also varied by mechanism: (1) trapping of dispersing propagules (both species), (2) structural support of the seedling (Distichlis), and/or (3) promotion of survival (Sesuviumn) or growth (Distichlis) through amelioration of soil conditions (temperature, aeration). Artificial planting had a stronger positive effect on mangrove survival than did edaphic conditions, but planting enhanced mangrove growth more in Sesuvium than in Distichlis patches. Our study indicates that beneficial species might be selected based on features that provide multiple positive effects and that species comparisons may be improved using standardized effects. Our findings are not only relevant to the coastal environments found in the Caribbean region, but our assessment methods may be useful for developing site-specific information to restore disturbed mangrove forests worldwide, especially given the large pool of mangrove associates (>45 genera) available for screening.     

溶藻菌发酵液及其溶藻产物的生物急性毒性试验

应用发光细菌（Photobacteriumphosphoreum）急性毒性试验,研究了溶藻菌（Streptomycessp．HJC-D1）发酵液及其对铜绿微囊藻（Microcystisaemgmosa）抑制产物的生物急性毒性。结果表明,溶藻菌发酵液本身对发光细菌具有一定的低毒性,发酵3-5d时其相对发光度为（67．59％1：3．11％）-（72．35％±2．76％）;体积分数5％的溶藻菌发酵液可有效抑制初始质量浓度高达（O．1483±0．0032）mg-L-1的铜绿微囊藻生长,其抑藻率达85％以上,且藻液毒性明显低于对照组;以微囊藻毒素为主要溶藻产物进行毒性试验发现,其半抑制质量浓度为1096．92μg·L-1,水体藻毒素质量浓度低于20μg·L-1时其生物毒性较低。     

等毒性配比法研究镉、铬和铅对淡水发光细菌的联合毒性

当待测生物暴露在混合污染物中时,由于混合物中各组分相互影响,会产生联合毒性作用,表现为加和作用、协同作用和拮抗作用。为了深入了解重金属混合物的联合毒性对发光细菌的作用,利用淡水发光细菌——青海弧菌Q67(Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.nov-Q67)发光值的测定方法,采用联合毒性单位法,在测定了硝酸镉、重铬酸钾和硝酸铅单一毒性EC50的基础上,对硝酸镉 重铬酸钾、硝酸镉 硝酸铅、硝酸铅 重铬酸钾3种重金属二元混合物的联合毒性进行了评价。结果表明,硝酸镉 重铬酸钾、硝酸铅 重铬酸钾是拮抗作用,硝酸铅 硝酸镉是协同作用。     

石油烃降解菌对环己烷及环己酮的降解作用

原油中的环烷烃难以被微生物利用,能长期存在被污染的环境中,对环境造成严重持久的污染.针对环烷烃的污染问题,就微生物降解环己烷,环己酮的特性进行了研究.从胜利油田石油污染土壤中分离到1株能够分别以环己烷、环己酮为唯一碳源的降解菌A-1,经形态及生理生化特征和16 SrDNA的全序列测序分析,初步鉴定为节杆菌属(Arthrobacter sp.).通过摇瓶试验得出其最适生长条件为温度35 ℃,pH 7.0.当盐质量浓度在1020 g·L-1,环己烷体积分数在0.15 0.35 μL·mL-1,环己酮体积分数在0.200.30 μL·mL-1时,菌株A-1处于最佳生长状态.通过GC-MS分析,菌株A-1还能利用原油中C36C39的链烃,此外还能降解丙酮,辛烷,甲苯等链烃和芳烃.菌株A-1的生长条件和比较宽的底物利用范围的这一研究,为其更广泛的污染环境的生物修复提供了理论依据.     

铅锌污染耕地中重金属耐受细菌调查

对铅锌矿冶炼厂周围耕地中的细菌总数和抗性细菌群体数进行了调查。结果表明 ,随着污染的加重 ,土壤中可培养的细菌数量急剧减少 ,抗性细菌的比例增加。但是 ,细菌对Pb、Zn胁迫的适应进化反应不一样。经过长期的选择作用后 ,多数细菌群体能够耐受低浓度的Pb污染 (<2mmol·L-1) ,部分群体对低浓度Pb(0 .5mmol·L-1)有依赖性 ,但没有观察到能够耐受Pb浓度大于 4mmol·L-1的群体 ;0 .5mmol·L-1的Zn对细菌有抑制作用 ,但在所调查的样品中都存在能够耐受 4～ 6mmol·L-1Zn污染的群体 ,有的群体甚至能耐受 8mmol·L-1的Zn污染。能同时耐受Pb、Zn 2种重金属污染的群体数量较少 ,且耐受水平也较低 ,仅达到 2mmol·L-1。     

Degradation of crude oil by a mixed population of bacteria isolated from sea-surface foams

A mixed bacteria population (EM₄) was isolated from foams formed on the surface of a zone chromically polluted by hydrocarbons (Gulf of Fos, French Mediterranean coast, October 1981). The population was able to degrade crude oil very effectively in the presence of sea water supplemented with nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. The percentage of hydrocarbon degradation was 81% at 30°C, pH 8, and partial oxygen pressure of 100%. After 12 d incubation, 92 and 83% of satured and aromatic compounds (mono-, di- and triaromatics) were degraded, respectively, as well as 63% of polar products and 48.5% of asphaltenes. Maximum degradation was attained at a sodium chloride concentration of between 400 and 800 mM with Population EM₄, which is constituted of 8 strains, four of which are weak halophiles. Bacterial growth on hydrocarbons induces the production in the culture medium of surface-active agents which are able to emulsify the substrate. There is high specificity between the nature of the growth substrate and such emulsifying activity, particularly as far as petroleum is concerned: only the culture medium from Population EM₄ is able to emulsify petroleum. These surface-active agents contain sugars and lipids (fatty acids, mono- and diglycerides). The foams, which always contain a high concentration of both hydrocarbons (100 to 180 mgl^-1) and bacteria that are able to grow on these types of substrates, have a strong emulsifying activity. Our results would seem to demonstrate the importance of biosurfactants in the elimination of hydrocarbons from polluted biotopes.     

Decomposition of organic and solubilisation of inorganic phosphorus compounds by bacteria isolated from a marine sandy beach

The ability to decompose organic and to solubilise inorganic phosphorus compounds was studied in heterotrophic bacteria isolated from a sandy beach in Sopot, southern Baltic coast. Bacteria able to hydrolyse DNA and phytin were most numerous, while only a small percentage of the studied strains was able to depolymerise glycerophosphate. The ranking of the potential of the studied bacteria to solubilise metallic phosphate salts as follows: calcium hydrogen phosphate>ferric phosphate>magnesium phosphate>calcium phosphate>aluminium phosphate. There were marked differences in the level of depolymerisation of organic compounds of phosphorus and solubilisation of inorganic phosphorus between bacteria inhabiting different parts of the studied beach, while there were generally no differences between the surface and subsurface sand layers. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was higher than that of acid phosphatase.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Flow cytometric analysis of fish leukocytes as a model for toxicity produced by azadirachtin-based bioagrocontaminant

Azadirachtin is one of the most promising natural biopesticide used to overcome the hazardous effects of different organic pesticides and believed to be more environmentally friendly due to the unique nature of biodegradability. In the present study, the impact of no-observed-effect level (NOEL) dose of an azadirachtin-based bioagrocontaminant, Neemsheild, on the blood profile of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, was examined. The 96-hr LC₅₀ value of Neemsheild was found to be 44.61 ppm. The total erythrocyte count (TEC), hematocrit (Hcrt), and Hb (hemoglobin) values showed a gradual decrease throughout the experimental period, whereas total leukocyte count (TLC) showed an initial increase followed by decline. Flow cytometric analysis subdivided the entire leukocyte population into four separate groups: thrombocytes together with small lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and basophils. The fluctuation in leukocyte subpopulation indicated an immunotoxicological effect due to azadirachtin. Clustering of different cell types and similarity percentage values were found to differ greatly from control. It was evident from the study that the cell population comprising small lymphocytes and thrombocytes indicated predominant changes as physiological response of fish to different doses of azadirachtin. Thus, flow cytometric analysis of leukocyte populations may be considered as a biomarker to assess fish toxicity.     

固定化菌藻系统及对污水中氮磷营养盐的净化效果

利用海藻酸钙分别包埋固定小球藻、活性污泥及其两者混合物.研究固定态小球藻与悬浮态小球藻对污水中氮磷营养盐的处理效果,实验结果表明固定态藻对氮磷的去除效果明显优于悬浮态藻,其原因主要由于海藻酸钙凝胶对氮磷的吸附,系统pH值提高引起氨的气提及磷酸盐的沉淀作用.研究固定化藻、同定化活性污泥及共固定化菌藻分别对污水中氮磷营养盐的处理效果,在同等条件下,固定化菌藻对氮磷的去除效果优于固定化活性污泥和固定化藻类.这项研究显示菌藻共生在污水处理中具有较大的潜力.     

Productivity of bacteria and microalgae and the effect of grazing by holothurians in sediments on a coral reef flat

Bacterial productivity in sandy sediments on reef flats at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef was determined from the rate of incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA. The study was conducted during January 1982 and July 1983. A small diurnal increase occurred in sediments having a dense population of microalgae. Bacterial production was 120 to 370 mg C m^-2 d^-1 in summer on reef flats, which was equivalent to 30–40% of primary production by benthic microalgae. In winter, rates of primary production by benthic microalgae and secondary production by bacteria were about one-half to one-fifth of those in summer. There was much variation in production, due to patchiness in the distribution of benthic microbes, especially microalgae. Doubling times for the bacteria in surface sediment were 1 to 2 d in summer and 4 to 16 d in winter on the reef flats. These high productivity values for bacteria indicated that a net input of organic matter to the sediment was needed to support the growth of bacteria. Sediment bacteria thus have a very important role in transforming organic matter on the reef flats. Grazing by Holothuria atra depressed both primary production and bacterial production. It was estimated that these holothurians ate about 10 to 40% of bacterial carbon produced each day in summer, and thus have an important role in the carbon cycle. Harpacticoid copepods were numerically important components of the benthic meiofaunal community and probably had a significant impact on bacterial density as grazers.     

Heavy metals,occurrence and toxicity for plants: a review

Metal contamination issues are becoming increasingly common in India and elsewhere, with many documented cases of metal toxicity in mining industries, foundries, smelters, coal-burning power plants and agriculture. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead, chromium and mercury are major environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Heavy metal accumulation in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food safety and marketability, crop growth due to phytotoxicity, and environmental health of soil organisms. The influence of plants and their metabolic activities affects the geological and biological redistribution of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil. This article details the range of heavy metals, their occurrence and toxicity for plants. Metal toxicity has high impact and relevance to plants and consequently it affects the ecosystem, where the plants form an integral component. Plants growing in metal-polluted sites exhibit altered metabolism, growth reduction, lower biomass production and metal accumulation. Various physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metals. The contemporary investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted by the growing metal pollution in the environment. A few metals, including copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc and chromium are, however, essential to plant metabolism in trace amounts. It is only when metals are present in bioavailable forms and at excessive levels, they have the potential to become toxic to plants. This review focuses mainly on zinc, cadmium, copper, mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, manganese and iron.     

Engineered nanomaterials for biomedical applications and their toxicity: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of biomedical sciences with smart approaches of imaging and treatment. This transformation has led to the development...     

UV-radiation versus grazing pressure: long-term floating of kelp rafts (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrocystis pyrifera</Emphasis>) is facilitated by efficient photoacclimation but undermined by grazing losses

Large quantities of floating macroalgae are traveling in coastal waters of the SE Pacific and in other temperate climate zones. While afloat, these algae are potentially exposed to full solar radiation, including UVA and UVB, which can have profound effects on their physiological and growth performance. Latitudinal variations in UV-radiation (UVR) are hypothesized to affect floating algae differently with higher impacts at low latitudes than at high latitudes. In addition, UVR together with grazing might accelerate the demise of floating kelps. This hypothesis was tested with outdoor laboratory experiments in which sporophytes of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh were exposed to a combination of different UVR regimes (PAR only, PAR + UV) and grazing at three sites along the Chilean coast (20°S, 30°S, and 40°S). A latitudinal trend in irradiance was detected with increasing values from 40°S to 20°S. Surprisingly, floating M. pyrifera responded with a high acclimation potential within this latitudinal UVR gradient. At 20°S, floating kelps were slightly sensitive to UVR, which was reflected in reduced blade growth. At 30°S, physiological responses were hardly affected by the prevailing irradiance but sporophyte growth and thus persistence mainly depended on the presence or absence of amphipod grazers. At high latitudes, grazing had only minor impacts on algal biomass and blade growth, and kelps thrived well under all tested environmental conditions. Overall, our results reveal that floating M. pyrifera was only slightly affected by UVR and that sporophytes can efficiently acclimate over a latitudinal UVR gradient that spans from 20°S to 40°S. Given this high acclimation potential, we suggest that these (and possibly other) positively buoyant algae are important dispersal agents over a wide range of temperate latitude conditions.     

Biodegradation and phytotoxicity assessment of phenanthrene by biosurfactant-producing Bacillus pumilus 1529 bacteria

ABSTRACT

Phenanthrene is a toxic and mutagenic pollutant that can cause severe environmental and human health issues. The bioremediation of these polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is possible with a biosurfactant by enhancing hydrophobicity. In this study, the production of a biosurfactant by Bacillus pumilus 1529 and its effects on the phenanthrene biodegradation pathway were examined. Biosurfactant production was determined using hemolytic activity, emulsification index, and surface tension. For phenanthrene metabolite detection, samples at 0, 7, 14, and 21 incubation days were analysed by gas chromatography-mass (GC-mass) spectrometry. The results showed that Bacillus pumilus 1529 can reduce surface tension to 22.83?±?1.1?mN?m^?1. Furthermore, the GC-mass spectrometry analysis showed that 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, benzaldehyde, o-phthalic acid, and phenylacetic acid were notable phenanthrene metabolites produced during phenanthrene biodegradation. Biodegraded phenanthrene and its metabolites have a less toxic effect on the germination of safflower seeds than non-biodegraded phenanthrene. The IC50 of phenanthrene on seed germination after biodegradation was increased to approximately 113?mg?L^?1. In general, biodegradation aided by biosurfactant producing bacteria contributed to turning the toxic phenanthrene into less harmful metabolites with lower phytotoxicity effects, indicating that its application in the bioremediation of PAHs is promising.     

Ammonium regeneration and carbon utilization by marine bacteria grown on mixed substrates

We examined the impact of exposing natural populations of marine bacteria (from seawater collected near Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA) to multiple nitrogen and carbon sources in a series of batch growth experiments conducted from 1989 through 1990. The substrate C:N ratio (C:N_s) was varied from 1.5:1 to 10:1 either with equal amounts of NH ₄ ⁺ and different amino acids or an amino acid mixture, all supplemented with glucose to maintain the C:N_s ratio equal to that of the respective amino acid, or with combinations of glucose and NH ₄ ⁺ alone. A common feature of the experiments involving amino acids was the concurrent uptake of NH ₄ ⁺ and amino acids that persisted as long as a readily assimilable carbon source (glucose in our case) was taken up. There was no net regeneration of NH ₄ ⁺ , even though catabolism of amino acids occurred. Regeneration of NH ₄ ⁺ was evident only after glucose was completely utilized, which usually occurred at the end of exponential growth. The contribution of¹⁵NH ₄ ⁺ to total nitrogen uptake by the end of exponential growth varied from ~60 to 80% when individual amino acids were present and down to ~24% when the amino acid mixture was added. These estimates are conservative because we did not account for possible isotope dilution effects resulting from amino acid catabolism. When NH ₄ ⁺ and glucose were the sole nitrogen and carbon sources, there was a stoichiometric balance between glucose and NH ₄ ⁺ uptake over a wide range of C:N_s ratios, leading to a constant bacterial biomass C:N ratio (C:N_B) of ~4.5:1. As a result NH ₄ ⁺ usage varied from 50% when the C:N_s ratio was 3.6:1, to 100% when the C:N_s ratio was 10:1. Gross growth efficiency varied from ~60% when NH ₄ ⁺ plus glucose were added alone or with the amino acid mixture, to 47% when the individual amino acids were used in place of the mixture. It is thus evident that actively growing bacteria will act as sinks for nitrogen when a carbon source that can be assimilated easily is available to balance NH ₄ ⁺ uptake, even when amino acids are available and are being co-metabolized.     

Uncommon heavy metals,metalloids and their plant toxicity: a review

Heavy metals still represent a group of dangerous pollutants, to which close attention is paid. Many heavy metals are essential as important constituents of pigments and enzymes, mainly zinc, nickel and copper. However, all metals, especially cadmium, lead, mercury and copper, are toxic at high concentration because of disrupting enzyme functions, replacing essential metals in pigments or producing reactive oxygen species. The toxicity of less common heavy metals and metalloids, such as thallium, arsenic, chromium, antimony, selenium and bismuth, has been investigated. Here, we review the phytotoxicity of thallium, chromium, antimony, selenium, bismuth, and other rare heavy metals and metalloids such as tellurium, germanium, gallium, scandium, gold, platinum group metals (palladium, platinum and rhodium), technetium, tungsten, uranium, thorium, and rare earth elements yttrium and lanthanum, and the 14 lanthanides cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lutetium, neodymium, promethium, praseodymium, samarium, terbium, thulium and ytterbium.     

Dispersal, density dependence, and population dynamics of a fungal microbe on leaf surfaces

Despite the ubiquity and importance of microbes in nature, little is known about their natural population dynamics, especially for those that occupy terrestrial habitats. Here we investigate the dynamics of the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (Ap) on apple leaves in an orchard. We asked three questions. (1) Is variation in fungal population density among leaves caused by variation in leaf carrying capacities and strong density-dependent population growth that maintains densities near carrying capacity? (2) Do resident populations have competitive advantages over immigrant cells? (3) Do Ap dynamics differ at different times during the growing season? To address these questions, we performed two experiments at different times in the growing season. Both experiments used a 2 x 2 factorial design: treatment 1 removed fungal cells from leaves to reveal density-dependent population growth, and treatment 2 inoculated leaves with an Ap strain engineered to express green fluorescent protein (GFP), which made it possible to track the fate of immigrant cells. The experiments showed that natural populations of Ap vary greatly in density due to sustained differences in carrying capacities among leaves. The maintenance of populations close to carrying capacities indicates strong density-dependent processes. Furthermore, resident populations are strongly competitive against immigrants, while immigrants have little impact on residents. Finally, statistical models showed high population growth rates of resident cells in one experiment but not in the other, suggesting that Ap experiences relatively "good" and "bad" periods for population growth. This picture of Ap dynamics conforms to commonly held, but rarely demonstrated, expectations of microbe dynamics in nature. It also highlights the importance of local processes, as opposed to immigration, in determining the abundance and dynamics of microbes on surfaces in terrestrial systems.     

硫酸盐还原菌对酸性废水中重金属的生物沉淀作用研究

在小型连续搅拌槽式反应器（CSTR）中,研究了持续低pH条件下,硫酸盐还原菌的生物沉淀作用对人工配制酸性重金属废水的处理效果。试验设置反应器进水pH值依次为4-3,3．5和2．6三个处理,进水中Cu^2＋、Zn^2＋和Cr^3＋含量分别为65、36和10mg·L^-1,SO4^2-含量约为6200mg·L^-1,接种物为经耐酸驯化的混合硫酸盐还原菌,试验时控制水力停留时间为36h,通过定期测定反应器出水pH、氧化还原电位（ORP）、碱度、SO4^2、S^2-以及重金属含量变化等指标来考察废水生物沉淀的处理效果。研究结果表明：对于进水pH值为2．6～4.3的酸性重金属废水,硫酸盐还原菌的生物沉淀作用均有较好的处理效果。处理后,反应器出水pH值大幅升至6．5～8．0,碱度由起始的300～2000mg·L^-1增至7500-4600mg·L^-1,废水中S041-还原率达72％～80％,Cu^2＋和Zn^2＋的去除（沉淀）率达99．9％,Cr^3＋去除率达99．1％。此外,随着进水pH值由413降至2．6,反应器出水pH和碱度均呈现逐步下降的趋势,而S04}的生物还原和重金属的去除效果变化不大。从反应器运行稳定性考虑,控制酸性重金属废水的进水pH值为3．5较适宜今后的实际应用。     

Biodegradation of anthracene and phenanthrene by bacteria isolated from oil-contaminated soil of Bangladesh

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants entering into the environment through natural and anthropogenic activities. Owing to their toxicity to various life forms including humans, detoxification of PAHs is crucial to reduce their effects on cells. In this study, we have isolated two bacteria capable of degrading two common PAHs, anthracene and phenanthrene, from contaminated soil samples by using selective enrichment culture supplemented with test PAHs as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolated bacteria were identified and affiliated as Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain KD and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain RC based on their 16s rRNA gene sequences. The degradation of anthracene and phenanthrene was estimated indirectly by measuring the decolourisation extent of a redox indicator, 2, 6-dichlorophenolindophenol, incorporated into PAH-supplemented mineral salt media. In the case of anthracene, ≥90% decolourisation was recorded at 20 and 48 days for P. aeruginosa and S. Maltophilia, respectively. On the other hand, ≥94% decolourisation was recorded at 56 and 52 days for P. aeruginosa and S. maltophilia, respectively during the utilisation of phenanthrene.     

萘乙酸和Zn对大豆Cd胁迫伤害的缓解效应

为探讨植物生长调节剂对大豆Cd胁迫伤害的缓解效应,采用营养液培养试验方法,研究了喷施萘乙酸(NAA)和加Zn处理对3个Cd胁迫大豆幼苗的影响.结果表明,加Zn和喷施NAA均可降低Cd胁迫大豆幼苗叶片丙二醛(MDA)和脯氨酸(PRO)含量,可减轻膜脂的过氧化作用及蛋白质的水解;喷施NAA还可降低Cd胁迫大豆幼苗POD活性,提高硝酸还原酶(NR)活性;加Zn对Cd胁迫大豆幼苗NR活性的降低缺乏抑制作用,但降低沔1101叶片中POD活性,提高湘04-6和特早熟毛豆的POD活性,品种之间表现明显的差异性.