Function of bacterial cells and their exuded extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in virus removal by red soils

The potential influence of autochthonous microorganisms on virus fate in soil is usually determined through extreme conditions of sterilization vs. nonsterilization; however, the relative importance of microbial cells and their exudates remains unclear. In this study, bacterial cells (cell) were harvested, and their exuded extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were extracted from three strains of bacteria, namely, Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. This study aimed to evaluate virus removal in solutions in the presence of cell, EPS, and their combination (cell/EPS), as well as to investigate how their presence affects virus removal efficiencies by four red soils based on batch experiments. Results showed that virus removal percentage in solutions ranged from 11 to 23 in the presence of cells only and from 12 to 15 in the presence of EPS only. The removal percentage in the combined cell/EPS treatment can be estimated by summing the results achieved by the cell and EPS treatments, separately. Meanwhile, cell presence had a negligible effect on virus removal by red soils. EPS and combined cell/EPS significantly reduced virus removal by 20 to 69 % and 16 to 50 %, respectively, which indicated that EPS served a dominant function in reducing virus removal. This study clearly demonstrated that the prediction of virus removal by red soils must consider the effect of bacteria, especially those producing large quantities of EPS, which can be responsible for the underestimation of viral load in certain studies.     

Specific resistance to filtration of biomass from membrane bioreactor reactor and activated sludge: effects of exocellular polymeric substances and dispersed microorganisms.

This study investigates the effect of dispersed microorganisms and exocellular polymeric substances on biomass dewaterability. Specific resistance to filtration (SRF) was measured for biomass from a membrane bioreactor and a completely mixed activated sludge system. Both laboratory-scale reactors were fed with synthetic wastewater and operated at a high food-to-microorganism ratio (F/M) (1 to 11 kilograms chemical oxygen demand per kilogram mixed liquor volatile suspended solids per day [kgCOD/(kg MLVSS.d)]) and short solids retention times (0.25 to 5 d). The SRF values were affected by strong interactions of three parameters: (1) the mixed liquor suspended solids concentration, (2) the amount of dispersed microorganisms, and (3) the exocellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration. At F/M smaller than 2 kg COD/(kg MLSS.d) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration higher than 2000 mg/L, increasing amount of dispersed microorganisms in the biomass yielded higher SRF values. However, at high F/M (> 5 kg COD/kg MLSS.d) and low MLSS concentrations (< 600 mg/L), lower EPS concentrations resulted in slightly smaller SRF values, even though the amount of dispersed microorganisms in the biomass was much higher. Thus, at low MLSS concentrations, EPS concentrations rather than the amount of dispersed microorganisms tend to control SRF.     

Microbial biomass and activity in a Brazilian soil amended with untreated and composted textile sludge

This laboratory study examines the effect of application of untreated and composted textile sludge on microbial biomass and activity in a Brazilian soil. The soil was amended with untreated and composted sludge at rates equivalent of 6.4t ha(-1) (0.64 g per 100g of soil) and 19t ha(-1) (1.90 g per 100g of soil), respectively, and were incubated at 28 degrees C for 60 days and daily sampled for microbial activity. An additional experiment, in the same condition, was conduced for evaluation of microbial biomass and enumeration of microorganisms at 15, 30 and 60 days after incubation. The application of composted sludge increased significantly the microbial biomass and activity, and bacteria number of soil. There were not differences in the microbial activity and bacteria number among the control and untreated sludge amended soils. In conclusion, after 2 months of incubation, the effects of the two amendments on soil microorganisms were: microbial biomass, soil respiration and bacteria number were increased only in composted sludge treated soil. qCO2 and fungi number were not affected by untreated and composted sludge.     

Interaction between water flow and spatial distribution of microbial growth in a two-dimensional flow field in saturated porous media

Bacterial growth and its interaction with water flow was investigated in a two-dimensional flow field in a saturated porous medium. A flow cell (56 x 44 x 1 cm) was filled with glass beads and operated under a continuous flow of a mineral medium containing nitrate as electron acceptor. A glucose solution was injected through an injection port, simulating a point source contamination. Visible light transmission was used to observe the distribution of the growing biomass and water flow during the experiment. At the end of the experiment (on day 31), porous medium samples were destructively collected and analyzed for abundance of total and active bacterial cells, bacterial cell volume and concentration of polysaccharides and proteins. Microbial growth was observed in two stripes along the length of the flow cell, starting at the glucose injection port, where highest biomass concentrations were obtained. The spatial distribution of biomass indicated that microbial activity was limited by transverse mixing between glucose and nitrate media, as only in the mixing zone between the media high biological activities were achieved. The ability of the biomass to change the flow pattern in the flow cell was observed, indicating that the biomass was locally reducing the hydraulic conductivity of the porous medium. This bioclogging effect became evident when the injection of the glucose solution was turned off and water flow still bypassed the area around the glucose injection port, preserving the flow pattern as it was during the injection of the glucose solution. As flow bypass was possible in this system, the average hydraulic properties of the flow cell were not affected by the produced biomass. Even in the vicinity of the injection port, the total volume of the bacterial cells remained below 0.01% of the pore space and was unlikely to be responsible for the bioclogging. However, the bacteria produced large amounts of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which likely caused the observed bioclogging effects.     

Enhanced uptake of As, Zn, and Cu by Vetiveria zizanioides and Zea mays using chelating agents

Vetiveria zizaniodes (vetiver) is commonly known for its effectiveness in soil and sediment erosion control. It can tolerate to extreme soil conditions and produce a high biomass even growing in contaminated areas. Zea mays (maize) can also produce a very high biomass with a fast growth rate and possesses some degree of metal tolerance. A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using vetiver and maize for remediation of arsenic (As)-, zinc (Zn-), and copper (Cu)-amended soils and evaluate the effects of chelating agents on metal uptake by these plants. Vetiver had a better growth (dry weight yield of root and shoot) than maize under different treatment conditions. The effects of different chelating agents on As, Zn, and Cu extraction from soil to soil solution were studied. Among the nine chelating agents used, it was noted that 20 mmol NTA could maximize As and Zn bioavailability, while 20 mmol HEIDA could maximize Cu bioavailability in the soil solution. The surge time in maximizing metal uptake ranged from 16 to 20 days which indicated that timing on plant harvest was an important factor in enhanced metal accumulation. In general, vetiver was a more suitable plant species than maize in terms of phytoextraction of metals from metal-contaminated soil. Application of NTA in As-amended soil and HEIDA in Cu-amended soil at the rate of 20 mmol kg(-1) increased 3-4-fold of As and Cu in shoot of both plants, whereas application of NTA (20 mmol kg(-1)) increased 37- and 1.5-fold of Zn accumulation in shoot of vetiver and maize, respectively. The potential environmental risk of metal mobility caused by chelating agents used for phytoextraction should not be overlooked.     

Inefficiency of Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum PCP-1 to enhance mineralization of pentachlorophenol in soil microcosms

We examined the mineralization of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in sterile and non-sterile soil with or without added bacteria (Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum PCP-1). The soil used had no history of PCP contamination. Microcosms (30 g dry weight of soil) were incubated with labelled PCP (6.76% 13C, a non-radioactive stable isotope, 22 mg kg-1 dry weight) for 60 days. M. chlorophenolicum PCP-1 (7.8 x 10(6) cells g-1 dry weight) was added to some samples. 50% of the PCP was mineralized in non-sterile soil with or without the exogenous bacteria. Only 5% of the PCP was mineralized in sterile soil with or without bacteria. These data suggest that the PCP was not accessible to M. chlorophenolicum and that the indigenous soil microflora can mineralize PCP.     

Effects of organic acids on the photosynthetic and antioxidant properties and accumulations of heavy metals of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melilotus officinalis</Emphasis> grown in Cu tailing

The effect of citric acid (CA), acetic acid (Ac), and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the photosynthetic and antioxidant properties and the accumulation of some heavy metals (HMs) of Melilotus officinalis seedling growing in Cu mine tailings for 25 days were studied. Results showed that the formation of photosynthesizing cells of M. officinalis was inhibited by EDTA at 2 mmol/kg. Photosynthetic pigment contents under EDTA of 2 mmol/kg were reduced by 26, 40, and 19 %, respectively, compared to the control. The proline contents in aboveground and underground parts increased as the level of EDTA was enhanced. CA and Ac enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the aboveground parts and EDTA inhibited the activity of POD in the underground parts. The addition of CA promoted significantly the growth of M. officinalis, while the biomass decreased significantly under 2 mmol/kg EDTA. Cu contents in the aboveground parts treated with 0.5 and 2.0 mmol/kg EDTA reached 175.50 and 265.17 μg/g dry weight, respectively. Ac and EDTA treatments promoted Cd to translocate from root to aboveground parts. The result indicated that M. officinalis was a tolerant species of Cu tailing and can be used to remediate Cu contaminated environment, and rationally utilization of organic acids, especially EDTA, in the phytoremediation can improve the growth and metals accumulation of M. officinalis.     

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol and vegetation on microbial characteristics in a heavy metal polluted soil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil microbial characteristics in historically heavy-metal polluted soil, which was also affected by organic co-contaminants, 2,4-dichlorophenol or pentachlorophenol, which often occur due to the conventional use of pesticides. It was observed that the normalized microbial biomass (microbial biomass per unit soil organic C) of the contaminated soil was very low, less than 1% in both non-planted and ryegrass planted soil, and showed a decreasing trend with the treatment of organic co-contaminants. The microbial biomass and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) in the ryegrass planted soil were much larger, as compared with the non-planted soil with or without organic pollutants. The different resistant bacterial community and its physiological diversity in the rhizosphere further suggested that the effect of vegetation on microbial activity was not just a general increase in the mass or activity of pre-existing microorganisms, but rather acted selectively on microbial growth so that the relative abundance of different microbial groups in soil was changed. In sum, high concentrations of organic co-contaminants, especially pentachlorophenol (PCP), could strengthen the deterioration of microbial ecology. The adverse effect of heavy metal-organic pollutants on the soil microbial biomass and activity might be the reason for the slow degradation of PCP that has high chlorinated and high toxicity. Vegetation might be the efficient way to assist in improving and restoring the utilization of agricultural ecosystems. The beneficial microbial effect of vegetation could cause the rapid dissipation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) that has less chlorinated and less toxicity in the planted soils.     

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol,pentachlorophenol and vegetation on microbial characteristics in a heavy metal polluted soil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil microbial characteristics in historically heavy-metal polluted soil, which was also affected by organic co-contaminants, 2,4-dichlorophenol or pentachlorophenol, which often occur due to the conventional use of pesticides. It was observed that the normalized microbial biomass (microbial biomass per unit soil organic C) of the contaminated soil was very low, less than 1% in both non-planted and ryegrass planted soil, and showed a decreasing trend with the treatment of organic co-contaminants. The microbial biomass and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) in the ryegrass planted soil were much larger, as compared with the non-planted soil with or without organic pollutants. The different resistant bacterial community and its physiological diversity in the rhizosphere further suggested that the effect of vegetation on microbial activity was not just a general increase in the mass or activity of pre-existing microorganisms, but rather acted selectively on microbial growth so that the relative abundance of different microbial groups in soil was changed. In sum, high concentrations of organic co-contaminants, especially pentachlorophenol (PCP), could strengthen the deterioration of microbial ecology. The adverse effect of heavy metal-organic pollutants on the soil microbial biomass and activity might be the reason for the slow degradation of PCP that has high chlorinated and high toxicity. Vegetation might be the efficient way to assist in improving and restoring the utilization of agricultural ecosystems. The beneficial microbial effect of vegetation could cause the rapid dissipation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) that has less chlorinated and less toxicity in the planted soils.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mediated uptake of lanthanum in Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.)

A glasshouse experiment was carried out to study the effect of mycorrhizal formation by Gigaspora margarita, Glomus intraradices or Acaulospora laevis on plant growth and lanthanum (La) uptake of Astragalus sinicus L. in soils spiked with La at five levels (0, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg kg(-1)). La application decreased mycorrhizal infection frequency and activity of fungal succinate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. Increasing La concentrations in soil led to increased La accumulation in tissues of both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants, but inoculation with Gig. margarita or G. intraradices reduced La concentrations in shoots and roots at higher concentrations of La in the soil. Plant biomass and P concentrations in shoots and roots were reduced by La application, but increased by inoculation with Gig. margarita or G. intraradices. The results showed that appropriate AM fungi colonization could be effective in alleviating La toxicity in A. sinicus.     

从矿区土壤中筛选微生物对Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋吸附的研究

从铅锌矿区土壤中分离到12株细菌和10株真菌,通过其干菌体对Pb^2＋和Zn^2＋的吸附试验,筛选出具有较强生物吸附能力的细菌菌株B6和真菌菌株F1。探讨了pH值、吸附时间、菌量和Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋的初始浓度对B6和F1菌株的吸附影响,结果表明：2株菌对Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋吸附是一个快速的过程,pH值为5.0-6.0是菌体吸附的较适范围。Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋初始浓度在150-300 mg/L内,B6和F1菌株吸附效果明显。当B6菌株的菌量超过0.1 g,F1菌株的菌量超过0.2 g后吸附率趋于平缓。应用Langmuir和Freundlich吸附等温线研究,Langmuir吸附等温线更为适合模拟B6和F1菌株的吸附过程。B6和F1菌株吸附Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋的动力学过程都可以用准二级动力学方程进行描述。16S rDNA基因序列分析表明,B6菌株属于里拉微球菌（Micrococcus lylae）。用形态及理化特征鉴定,F1菌株属于镰刀霉菌属（Fusarium sp.）。     

Pseudomonas fluorescens dynamics in the soil surface to subsurface transect

Microbial displacement in the soil is an important process for bioremediation and dispersal of wastewater pathogens. We evaluated cell movement in surface and subsurface red-yellow podzolic soil driven by advection and microbial motility and also survival of a microbial population at high pressure as is prevalent in deep soil layers. Pseudomonas fluorescens Br 12, resistant to rifampycin and kanamycin, was used as a model organism traceable in non-sterile soil. Our results showed that more than 40% of the P. fluorescens population survived under high pressure, and that microbial motility was not a major factor for its displacement in the soil. Cells were adsorbed in similar amounts to surface and subsurface soils, but more viable cells were present in the leachate of surface than in subsurface soils. The nature of this unexpected cell binding to the subsurface soil was studied by EPR, Mossbauer, NMR, and infrared techniques, suggesting iron had a weak interaction with microbes in soil. P. fluorescens movement in soil resulted mainly from convection forces rather than microbial motility. The transport of this bacterium along the transept toward groundwater encountered restricted viability, although it survived under high pressure conditions simulating those in deep soil layers.     

污泥负荷对UASB处理低浓度污水运行效果和污泥性质的影响

采用升流式厌氧污泥床（UASB）反应器处理低浓度生活污水,探讨了不同污泥负荷对运行效果及污泥性质的影响。通过考察有机物去除率、有机酸积累、污泥粒径、污泥比产甲烷活性、溶解性微生物产物（SMP）、胞外聚合物（EPS）等生化指标,得出如下结论：在受试条件下,污泥负荷率的升高不利于有机物的去除;有机酸特别是乙酸的积累,以及受基质缺乏及污泥洗脱限制的污泥积累,是影响处理效果的因素;稳定阶段污泥的胞外聚合物以紧密附着型EPS为主,污泥负荷升高将导致其浓度升高,而对SMP和松散附着型EPS没有显著影响,EPS的浓度及其组成不影响污泥性质。高的污泥负荷下污泥的产甲烷活性较高。在本实验中,F/M=0.4 g COD/（g MLSS·d）是最佳的污泥负荷条件。     

Fixed-bed study for lanthanide (La, Eu, Yb) ions removal from aqueous solutions by immobilized Pseudomonas aeruginosa: experimental data and modelization

A fixed-bed study was carried out by using cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa immobilized in polyacrylamide gel as a biosorbent for the removal of lanthanide (La, Eu, Yb) ions from aqueous solutions. The effects of superficial liquid velocity based on empty column, particle size, influent concentration and bed depth on the lanthanum breakthrough curves were investigated. Immobilized biomass effectively removed lanthanum from a 6 mM solution with a maximum adsorption capacity of 342 micromolg(-1) (+/-10%) corresponding closely to that observed in earlier batch studies with free bacterial cells. The Bohart and Adams sorption model was employed to determine characteristic parameters useful for process design. Results indicated that the immobilized cells of P. aeruginosa enable removal of lanthanum, europium and ytterbium ions from aqueous effluents with significant and similar maximum adsorption capacities. Experiments with a mixed cation solution showed that the sequence of preferential biosorption was Eu3+ > or = Yb3+ > La3+. Around 96+/-4% of the bound lanthanum was desorbed from the column and concentrated by eluting with a 0.1 M EDTA solution. The feasibility of regenerating and reusing the biomass through three adsorption/desorption cycles was suggested. Neural networks were used to model breakthrough curves performed in the dynamic process. The ability of this statistical tool to predict the breakthrough times was discussed.     

Visible and microscopic injury in leaves of five deciduous tree species related to current critical ozone levels

Because the current critical level of ozone (O(3)) for forest trees is based only on one species, the responses of five deciduous tree species were differentiated in a climate chamber experiment. The number of symptomatic leaves per tree was significantly increased, and stomatal conductance was decreased under 50% ambient+30 nl l(-1) O(3) as compared to 'normal' senescence at 50% ambient [O(3)]. Species with a high stomatal conductance did not show earlier or more leaf injury symptoms. The additional 30 nl l(-1) O(3) induced specific pectinaceous cell wall protrusions, phenolic cell wall incrustations, tonoplast vesicles, and inhomogeneous, condensed/precipitated phenolic material in the vacuoles. Due to added O(3), cell senescence was accelerated with increased electron-density of the cytoplasm, and initial chloroplast degeneration. The slow degeneration process started in mesophyll cells, and expanded into epidermal and finally guard cells. Because of the large variance in biomass between individuals and species, the current critical level is supported by the assessment of visible leaf symptoms rather than growth reduction.     

Effects of trifluralin on soil microbial populations and the nitrogen fixation activities

Effects of trifluralin on soil microbial populations and the nitrogen fixation activity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum and Bradyrhizobium japonicum and the decomposition of trifluralin by soil microorganisms were studied. Trifluralin at lower concentrations from 0.5 mg microg(-1) dry soil to lower than 10.0 mg microg(-1) dry soil appeared to stimulate the growth of soil bacteria, actinomycetes, mould, and the pure cultures of Br. japonicum and A. chroococcum. Not only the colony amounts of these two species of nitrogen-fixing bacteria increased, grown on agar medium containing lower concentrations of trifluralin, but also these colonies also enlarged in size and appeared obviously in shorter formation time. However, trifluralin at higher concentrations would inhibit the development of microbial colonies both in amount and size. Trifluralin inhibited the activity of acetylene reduction of A. chroococcum when it was added at the same time of inoculation with A. chroococcum, but it showed a noteworthy stimulation to nitrogen fixation of A.chroococcum when it was put into culture after the cells of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium had grown well. The observation that soil microorganisms could use trifluralin as sole carbon and nitrogen resources for their growth, indicated that microorganisms could decompose trifluralin well.     

A remediation strategy based on active phytoremediation followed by natural attenuation in a soil contaminated by pyrite waste

Phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils can be promoted by the proper use of soil amendments and agricultural practices. A 4-year phytoremediation programme was applied to a site affected by the toxic spill of pyrite residue at Aznalcóllar (Spain) in 1998, contaminated with heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) and arsenic. This consisted of active phytoremediation, using organic amendments (cow manure and compost) and lime and growing two successive crops of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., followed by natural attenuation without further intervention. Changes in soil pH, extractable metal and As concentrations, organic carbon content and microbial biomass was evaluated. The initial oxidation of metal sulphides from pyrite residues released soluble metals and reduced soil pH to extremely acidic values (mean 4.1, range 2.0-7.0). The addition of lime (up to 64 t ha(-1)) increased soil pH to adequate values for plant growth, resulting in a significant decrease in DTPA-extractable metal concentrations in all plots. The natural attenuation phase showed also a decrease in extractable metals. Organic treatments increased the soil total organic carbon, which led to higher values of microbial biomass (11.6, 15.2 and 14.9 g kg(-1) TOC and 123, 170 and 275 microg g(-1) biomass-C in control, compost and manure plots, respectively). Active phytoremediation followed by natural attenuation, was effective for remediation of this pyrite-polluted soil.     

Natural and enhanced biodegradation of propylene glycol in airport soil

Aircraft de-icing fluids (ADF) are a source of water and soil pollution in airport sites. Propylene glycol (PG) is a main component in several commercial formulations of ADFs. Even though PG is biodegradable in soil, seasonal overloads may result in occasional groundwater contamination. Feasibility studies for the biostimulation of PG degradation in soil have been carried out in soil slurries, soil microcosms and enrichment cultures with and without the addition of nutrients (N and P sources, oligoelements), alternative electron acceptors (nitrate, oxygen releasing compounds) and adsorbents (activated carbon). Soil samples have been taken from the contaminated area of Gardermoen Airport Oslo. Under aerobic conditions and in the absence of added nutrients, no or scarce biomass growth is observed and PG degradation occurs by maintenance metabolism at constant removal rate by the original population of PG degraders. With the addition of nutrient, biomass exponential growth enhances aerobic PG degradation also at low temperatures (4 ° C) that occur at the high season of snowmelt. Anaerobic PG degradation without added nutrients still proceeds at constant rate (i.e. no biomass growth) and gives rise to reduced fermentation product (propionic acid, reduced Fe and Mn, methane). The addition of nitrate does not promote biomass growth but allows full PG mineralization without reduced by-products. Further exploitation on the field is necessary to fully evaluate the effect of oxygen releasing compounds and adsorbents.