Fungal biodegradation of CCA-treated wood and removal of its metal components

In the present study, 5 isolates of brown-rot fungi were used for fungal bioprocessing (FB) of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood wastes: Antrodia vaillantii SEL8501, Fomitopsis palustris TYP0507 and TYP6137, and Crustoderma sp. KUC8065 and KUC8611. The isolates showed notable capacity for the degradation of treated wood and removal of CCA components via the American Wood Protection Association soil block test. Among them, Crustoderma sp. KUC8611 effectively decayed the treated wood, causing a mass loss of up to 60%. F. palustris caused extensive leaching of CrO₃ of up to 79% and As₂O₅ of up to 87%, but only moderate leaching of CuO of up to 50%. This high capacity for removal of CrO₃ and As₂O₅ showed a strong logarithmic relationship with the amount of oxalic acid produced in the decayed wood. The majority of metals removed from treated wood during the decay process were deposited in the soil and feeder strip. Further investigation will be required to establish the capability of selected fungi for FB of full-sized lumber treated with CCA.     

微囊藻毒素生物降解的研究进展

蓝藻水华污染造成的最主要危害之一是产生和释放以微囊藻毒素(microcystins,MCs)为主的多种藻毒素,其在饮用水中的存在可以导致人类癌症,因此对人们的健康构成了严重威胁.从MCs降解微生物菌种、酶催化降解途径和降解基因3个方面,介绍了近年来国内外MCs生物降解的研究进展.     

Fungal biodegradation of naphthalene: microcosms studies

The present work is aimed to ascertain naphthalene biodegradation capability of P. chrysosporium and T. harzianum in soil microcosms. Considering the high naphthalene volatility, a suitable soil microcosm was set-up and used. Several degradation tests were conducted with different C/N ratio media for the two fungi in order to enquire the best range of working conditions. The kinetic studies were conducted at a maximal naphthalene concentration of 600 mg kg(-1). During experimental time course naphthalene concentration, CO2 evolution as well as phytotoxicity tests were performed as monitoring parameters. The results shown in the current paper, put in evidence that T. harzianum, differently than in liquid culture, is not able to biodegrade naphthalene directly in soil microcosm, while P. chrysosporium in the same conditions biodegrades the PAH till about 600 mg kg(-1). As concern the founded kinetics for P. chrysosporium, a saturation shape in presence of N-limited medium (high C/N ratio) was evaluated while a growing form more than linear in no-N limited medium (normal C/N ratio) was determined.     

Effects of cyanobacteria producing microcystins on seed germination and seedling growth of several agricultural plants

The effects of cyanobacteria aqueous extracts containing Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on the seed germination and growth of Pisum sativum, Lens esculenta, Zea mays and Triticum durum were investigated. Experiments were carried out on a range of doses of the extract (equivalent to 0, 1.6, 2.9, 5.8, 8.7 and 11.6 mu g MC-LR/mL). The results confirm that these plants were sensitive to cell-free extracts of a toxic Microcystis and that germination inhibition was dose dependent. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that P. sativum is the most sensitive tested species with a 97% germination rate reduction and L. esculenta was the most resistant. At the 8th day, the exposure to the microcystins (MC) resulted in a significant decrease of plant epicotyls length, roots length and a net inhibition of lateral root formation. It is concluded that MC could affect also terrestrial plants seedling germination and growth. Therefore, the use of water for irrigation contaminated by MC could exert negative biochemical effects on seed and plant metabolism which might influence the agricultural crops.     

Effects of cyanobacteria producing microcystins on seed germination and seedling growth of several agricultural plants

The effects of cyanobacteria aqueous extracts containing Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on the seed germination and growth of Pisum sativum, Lens esculenta, Zea mays and Triticum durum were investigated. Experiments were carried out on a range of doses of the extract (equivalent to 0, 1.6, 2.9, 5.8, 8.7 and 11.6 μ g MC-LR/mL). The results confirm that these plants were sensitive to cell-free extracts of a toxic Microcystis and that germination inhibition was dose dependent. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that P. sativum is the most sensitive tested species with a 97% germination rate reduction and L. esculenta was the most resistant. At the 8th day, the exposure to the microcystins (MC) resulted in a significant decrease of plant epicotyls length, roots length and a net inhibition of lateral root formation. It is concluded that MC could affect also terrestrial plants seedling germination and growth. Therefore, the use of water for irrigation contaminated by MC could exert negative biochemical effects on seed and plant metabolism which might influence the agricultural crops.     

Arsenic removal methods for drinking water in the developing countries: technological developments and research needs

Arsenic pollution of drinking water is a concern, particularly in the developing countries. Removal of arsenic from drinking water is strongly recommended. Despite the availability of efficient technologies for arsenic removal, the small and rural communities in the developing countries are not capable of employing most of these technologies due to their high cost and technical complexity. There is a need for the “low-cost” and “easy to use” technologies to protect the humans in the arsenic affected developing countries. In this study, arsenic removal technologies were summarized and the low-cost technologies were reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of these technologies were identified and their scopes of applications and improvements were investigated. The costs were compared in context to the capacity of the low-income populations in the developing countries. Finally, future research directions were proposed to protect the low-income populations in the developing countries.     

高效降解微囊藻毒素食酸戴尔福特菌USTB-04的培养与活性研究

主要针对筛选的高效降解微囊藻毒素(microcystins,MCs)的食酸戴尔福特菌USTB-04(Delftia acidovorans,DA菌)的培养方法进行了研究.结果表明,以葡萄糖、甘油和乙醇作为惟一碳源时,与氯化铵和尿素相比,酵母粉是支持DA菌生长的较好氮源.在以酵母粉作为惟一氮源时,与甘油和乙醇相比,葡萄糖是提高DA菌生长速度的较好碳源.进一步研究显示,以葡萄糖和酵母粉作为碳源和氮源时,可以支持DA菌的快速稳定生长,但在以甘油和酵母粉作为碳源和氮源时.培养出的DA菌降解MCs的比活性最高.此研究在培养高细胞浓度DA菌作为生物催化剂用于饮用水源中的MCs去除方面具有重要意义.     

巢湖蓝藻的机械清除工艺以及藻水分离实验研究简

对巢湖蓝藻进行机械清除以及藻水分离实验研究,实验采用的浮式围栏引导-机械清除-投加剥离液辅助机械清除工艺处理量大,除藻效率高,筛网过滤-浓缩-卧螺离心机脱水成藻泥的藻水分离工艺较为理想,藻泥含水率仅为89%。2011年5—10月在巢湖运用上述方法清除湖面水华蓝藻,共处理富藻水1.6万m³,得到藻泥970 t,累计清除蓝藻106.7 t（干重）。按照所清除蓝藻的总氮、总磷的平均含量计算,相当于从湖中移除了氮6.25 t,磷2.1 t。表明在富营养湖泊中水华蓝藻大量暴发时,采用上述方法除藻,对控制蓝藻水华污染,有效降低内源氮、磷等污染物负荷具有十分重要的作用。     

巢湖蓝藻的机械清除工艺以及藻水分离实验研究

对巢湖蓝藻进行机械清除以及藻水分离实验研究,实验采用的浮式围栏引导一机械清除．投加剥离液辅助机械清除工艺处理量大,除藻效率高,筛网过滤-浓缩-卧螺离心机脱水成藻泥的藻水分离工艺较为理想,藻泥含水率仅为89％。2011年5-10月在巢湖运用上述方法清除湖面水华蓝藻,共处理富藻水1．6万m3,得到藻泥970t,累计清除蓝藻106．7t（干重）。按照所清除蓝藻的总氮、总磷的平均含量计算,相当于从湖中移除了氮6．25t,磷2．1t。表明在富营养湖泊中水华蓝藻大量暴发时,采用上述方法除藻,对控制蓝藻水华污染,有效降低内源氮、磷等污染物负荷具有十分重要的作用。     

Identification of microcystins in cyanobacteria from the Bleiloch former drinking-water reservoir (Thuringia, Germany).

The presence of microcystins in cyanobacterial samples collected from the Bleiloch reservoir, formerly an important drinking-water supply in Thuringia, Germany, was proven by application of a combination of recently developed analytical methods. The raw extracts were cleaned by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) or solid-phase extraction (SPE). The determination of microcystins was achieved by different HPLC separation followed by the application of alternative detection methods (UV, diode array detection (DAD), and mass spectrometry (MS), respectively). Furthermore, the different results of clean-up by SPE and SEC are demonstrated. The identity of microcystins was verified by MS/MS measurements. In the cyanobacterial sample from 1998, microcystin-RR, -LR and -YR were found, whereas in 1999 only microcystin-LR and -YR were detectable. In addition to detection of cell-bound microcystins, in 1999 traces of dissolved microcystins in water from the Bleiloch reservoir were detected. It can be assumed that not only the Bleiloch reservoir is contaminated with hepatotoxins but also many similar lakes still used for drinking water supply.     

A review of plant-based coagulants for turbidity and cyanobacteria blooms removal

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In recent years, the proliferation of Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms (CyanoHABs) has increased with water eutrophication and climate change, impairing...     

Role of cyanobacteria in the biodegradation of crude oil by a tropical cyanobacterial mat

Cyanobacterial mats are ubiquitous in tropical petroleum-polluted environments. They form a high biodiversity microbial consortium that contains efficient hydrocarbons degraders. A cyanobacterial mat collected from a petroleum-contaminated environment located in Indonesia was studied for its biodegradation potential. In the field, the natural mat was shown to degrade efficiently the crude oil present in the environment. This natural mat demonstrated also a strong activity of degradation on model crude oil under laboratory conditions. In axenic cultures, the monospecific cyanobacterium Phormidium animale that constitute the bulk of the biomass did not exhibit any degradative capacity on hydrocarbons in the range of C13-C35 carbon atom number either in autotrophic or heterotrophic conditions. It was concluded that this cyanobacterial strain living on a heavily contaminated site had no direct effect on biodegradation of crude oil, the degradation activity being exclusively achieved by the other microorganisms present in the microbial consortium of the mat.     

Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: a recent review of occurrence,analysis, potential impacts,and research needs

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The utilization of plastics has now become a threat to the environment as it generates microplastic particles (<5 mm in size). The increasing...     

Temporal dynamics of microcystins in two reservoirs with different trophic status during the early growth stage of cyanobacteria

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are increasing in frequency and severity, which makes their toxic secondary metabolites of microcystins (MCs) have been...     

湖泊底泥中蓝藻越冬和复苏行为研究进展

富营养化湖泊蓝藻水华暴发是重大水环境问题.深入了解越冬期间蓝藻在底泥中的活动过程及其习性,为对此阶段采取有效措施抑制蓝藻复苏提供理论依据,为湖泊蓝藻治理提供新思路.综述了越冬期蓝藻细胞形态、活性、藻毒性、上浮能力等变化以及外部条件如温度,光照强度、DO、营养盐等对其复苏的影响,指出现阶段研究中存在的问题,明确未来的研究...     

Assessing biodegradation potential of PAHs in complex multi-contaminant matrices

This study sought to extend validation of a cyclodextrin based extraction method for the assessment of PAH-biodegradation potential to complex multi-contaminant matrices. To this end, four reference materials (RMs) were produced by blending, in different proportions, soils impacted with diesel, lubricating oil and spent oxide. These reference materials had modest ∑PAH (16 US EPA) concentrations that ranged from 5.6 ± 0.5 to 44.4 ± 4.5 mg kg⁻¹. However, extractable petroleum hydrocarbon (EPH) concentrations were comparatively high (up to 2520 ± 204 mg kg⁻¹). To complement these RMs, two further soils from a municipal gas plant (MGP) with highly elevated concentration of PAHs ranging from 877 ± 52 to 2620 ± 344 mg kg⁻¹ were also tested. Results showed, regardless of matrix complexity, that PAH biodegradation within the four RM substrates, and two MGP soils correlated well with biodegradation predicted by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) extraction.     

Heavy metals research in Nigeria: a review of studies and prioritization of research needs

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nigeria is experiencing continuous economic and industrial transformations, typical of many developing nations. In addition to its well-established...     

不同存放时间太湖蓝藻产沼气潜力

对不同存放时间蓝藻(新鲜蓝藻、存放3个月、6个月和9个月)进行厌氧消化处置,分析反应过程中沼气量、代谢产物和酶活等变化,获得各自的产沼气潜力。研究结果表明,存放6个月蓝藻组的产沼气率最大,为120.5 mL/g TS,是新鲜蓝藻组的1.29倍。Gompertz模型拟合表明,随着存放时间的延长,最大产沼气量(Pmax)先增大后减小,最大比产气率一直增加。存放3个月蓝藻组的VFA在第6天达到最大,为1 575.4 mg/L,而存放9个月蓝藻组的VFA在第2天达到最大,为1 116.5 mg/L。存放3个月蓝藻组的最大中性蛋白酶酶活为1 203.4μg/(g TS.h),比新鲜蓝藻组提高212.8μg/(gTS.h)。脱氢酶酶活随着蓝藻存放时间的增加呈现先增加后减小的趋势。     

Microbial siderophores and their potential applications: a review

Siderophores are small organic molecules produced by microorganisms under iron-limiting conditions which enhance the uptake of iron to the microorganisms. In environment, the ferric form of iron is insoluble and inaccessible at physiological pH (7.35–7.40). Under this condition, microorganisms synthesize siderophores which have high affinity for ferric iron. These ferric iron-siderophore complexes are then transported to cytosol. In cytosol, the ferric iron gets reduced into ferrous iron and becomes accessible to microorganism. In recent times, siderophores have drawn much attention due to its potential roles in different fields. Siderophores have application in microbial ecology to enhance the growth of several unculturable microorganisms and can alter the microbial communities. In the field of agriculture, different types of siderophores promote the growth of several plant species and increase their yield by enhancing the Fe uptake to plants. Siderophores acts as a potential biocontrol agent against harmful phyto-pathogens and holds the ability to substitute hazardous pesticides. Heavy-metal-contaminated samples can be detoxified by applying siderophores, which explicate its role in bioremediation. Siderophores can detect the iron content in different environments, exhibiting its role as a biosensor. In the medical field, siderophore uses the “Trojan horse strategy” to form complexes with antibiotics and helps in the selective delivery of antibiotics to the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Certain iron overload diseases for example sickle cell anemia can be treated with the help of siderophores. Other medical applications of siderophores include antimalarial activity, removal of transuranic elements from the body, and anticancer activity. The aim of this review is to discuss the important roles and applications of siderophores in different sectors including ecology, agriculture, bioremediation, biosensor, and medicine.