Isolation,identification, and the degradation characteristics of a BDE-47 degrading strain北大核心CSCD

In an effort to remove BDE-47 residues from the environment, a bacterial strain that is capable of utilizing BDE-47 as the sole carbon source was isolated and screened from soil collected from an e-waste recycling area in Tianjin to analyze the degradation properties. The strain was preliminarily identified as Enterobacter sp. according to a 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The strain degraded 35.8% of 525 μg/L of BDE-47 in 35 d when the initial concentration of bacteria was 7.1 × 105 cells/ mL. The product of the biodegradation of BDE-47 was BDE-28. The biodegradation of BDE-47 fit well with first-order kinetics, and its degradation kinetics was ln Ct = - 0.104t + 6.22. With the addition of an electron acceptor, such as Fe3+, SO4 2- and NO3 -, the BDE-47 degradation rate was significantly increased to 49.8%, 59.1%, and 67.3%, respectively. The above results revealed that the strain could degrade BDE-47, which is of importance in the application of environmental bioremediation of BDE-47. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Volatile components and their corresponding synthetic gene expression profile in the fruits of Actinidia chinensis北大核心CSCD

This study aimed to identify the difference in volatile aromatic components and the relationship with the expression pattern of their corresponding bio-synthesis genes in six kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) varieties (Cuiyu, Jintao, Jinyan, Chuhong, Donghong, and Xixuan). To provide a foundation for kiwifruit variety recognition, fruit quality evaluation, and molecular-assisted breeding, the volatile aromatic components in the ripe fruits of six kiwifruit varieties were evaluated by head space-solid phase micro extraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The aroma-synthesis-related genes, including acyltransferases (AcAT16), lipoxygenase (AcLox2), and terpene synthase genes (AcTPS1), were detected by the real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) during the postharvest stage of fruits. Ninety-two aroma chemicals were identified in the tested kiwifruit cultivars. There were 35, 32, 30, 44, 28, and 17 of aromatic compounds in Cuiyu, Jintao, Jinyan, Chuhong, Donghong, and Xixuan, respectively. Esters were the main aroma components in Cuiyu, Jintao, and Jinyan. The major aromatic compounds of Chuhong, Donghong, and Xixuan were aldehydes and terpenoids. The expression level of AcATs16 and AcLox2 increased, and then decreased during the ripening of kiwifruit fruits. The expression of AcATs16 was significantly higher in Cuiyu and Jinyan than in other varieties. AcLox2 indicated significant abundance in Cuiyu and Chuhong. AcTPS1 was up-regulated in Jintao, Donghong, and Xixuan with fruit ripening; however, this was not observed in Cuiyu, Chuhong, and Jinyan. The difference in the composition and content of volatile aromatic components contributes to the difference in aroma in different kiwifruit cultivars. The diverse expression of AcATs16, AcLox2, and AcTPS1 might be closely related to the synthesis of ethyl butyrate, (E)-2-hexenal, and eucalyptol, respectively. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Duckweed Landoltia punctata purifies micro-polluted surface water and produces starch北大核心CSCD

Aquatic plant duckweed has remarkable potential in nutritional water purification and starch accumulation; at present, it has received increasing attention. This study aimed to investigate the ability of duckweed in nutrient recovery from micro-polluted surface water; further, the starch accumulation capacity of duckweed was evaluated. The results showed that duckweed can achieve better depth treatment of the micro-polluted surface water, within 1-day treatment, by duckweed. Ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus status of Class V and worse than class V water was improved to a superior level; moreover, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates were 98.5% and 82.9%, respectively. In addition, duckweed can rapidly accumulate starch during water treatment. The starch content of duckweed was 28.38% and 21.57% (dry weight) in Class V and worse than class V wastewater after 3 days of treatment, respectively, and reached 52.15% and 49.58% on day 15. Moreover, additional carbon dioxide (CO2) supplementation promoted the starch production. The starch content increased by 55.7% compared with that of control, and the average starch accumulation rate increased by 2.72 times in 3 days. Therefore, duckweed can not only rapidly purify micro-polluted water, but also accumulate a large amount of starch. This study forms the basis for wastewater treatment and post-treatment utilization of duckweed biomass. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Mechanism of limestone corrosion by Gongronella butleri NL-15北大核心CSCD

The key to soil spray-sowing technology is the use of the highly-effective rock-corroding strains, and the mechanism of rock corrosion will provide theoretical references to screen the strains. To investigate the corrosion mechanism of limestone by microorganisms, the dominant and highly-effective limestone-corroding strain Gongronella butleri NL-15 was isolated and purified from the microorganisms on the rock surface. The concentration of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium, and phosphorus was analyzed by ICP. The pH of the fermentation broth of the strain at different intervals was measured using a precise pH instrument. The content of organic acids (critic, succinic, lactic, fumaric, acetic, and propanoic acids) and the scanning electron microscope feature of rock particles in the fermentation broth at different intervals were also analyzed by HPLC. The results showed that the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the fermentation broth correlated negatively with the pH value (P < 0.01). The pH of control was 6.87, and that of the fermentation broth after 15 days dropped to 5.12. The concentration of Ca and Mg was 38.96 and 10.85 mg/L respectively, whereas that of the fermentation broth after 15 days increased to 367.56 and 76.16 mg/L respectively. The content of the total organic acids and lactic acid increased with increase in fermentation time. The content of the total organic acids on days 2, 5, 9, and 15 in the fermentation broth was 3.43, 5.40, 6.63, and 7.26 mg/mL, respectively, and the content of lactic acid was 1.79, 2.85, 5.16, and 5.04 mg/mL, respectively. The mycelium of the G. butleri NL-15 adhered to the surface of rock particles and threaded into unconsolidated rocks. Thus, the organic acids, especially lactic acid produced by the fungi G. butleri NL-15, caused unconsolidation of rock and improved the growth of fungi mycelium into the unconsolidated rock. This was the primary cause for limestone corrosion, and the release of Ca and Mg from the rock and its disintegration. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution and health risks in a main river in Huayuan County,Xiangxi, Hunan Province北大核心CSCD

To study heavy metal pollution and assess the health risk of river water in Huayuan County, Xiangxi, Hunan Province, 11 water samples were collected from the Huayuan River and Brother Rivers in August and December 2016. Heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Ni) concentrations were determined from the samples. The health risk assessment model recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was applied to assess the health risk of heavy metals in the main surface waters of Huayuan County. The results indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Ni) of surface water in the research area were 2.57 × 10-3, 4.66 × 10-4, 1.65 × 10-3, 6.27 × 10-4, 0.19, and 8.50 × 10-4 mg/L, respectively. The health risk of surface waters with heavy metals was high. Therefore, the chemical carcinogenic substance (Cr) health risk index was five or six times higher than that of chemical non-carcinogens (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni). The average health risk indices of non-carcinogenic substances were in the order Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni. The correlation and principal component analysis of surface water showed that the six heavy metal elements were composed of three main components in the main surface waters of the county. The first principal component was comprised of Fe and Ni (33.28%), which was mainly from internal pollution. The second component was comprised of Cu and Cr (26.98%), which was primarily due to industrial waste water, rainwater leaching mineral waste produced by heavy metal mining, and smelting enterprises. The third component, resulting from geochemical pollution, was Zn (17.10%). The health risk indices triggered by heavy metal in surface waters was high. Heavy metal pollutants in the research area need to be controlled in the order Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Field tests to study the dynamics of weed inhibition of allelopathic rice and microbial physiological traits of rice rhizospheric soils北大核心CSCD

The weed inhibition of allelopathic rice PI312777 and nonallelopathic rice Lemont, allelopathic potential of rice rhizospheric soils, as well as the microbial physiological traits of rice rhizospheric soils, were studied by field tests after weedremoving and weed treatments. The results showed that the inhibitory rate of PI312777 at the 7-leaf stage on paddy weeds was 85.82%. Results of the Soil-Agar Sandwich method revealed that the allelopathic potential of PI312777 rhizospheric soils on the inhibitory rate of plant dry weight of barnyard grass was significantly higher at the 5-leaf stage than that at the 3-leaf stage, and increased by 20.16% from the 3-leaf stage to the 5-leaf stage after weed treatment. When at the same leaf stage, the soil microbe biomass carbon and soil respiration, the number of soil bacteria, and activity of soil enzymes (urease, protease, and sucrase) were significantly higher in PI312777 rhizospheric soils than in Lemont rhizospheric soils; they were also higher after the weed-removing treatment than after weed treatment. The largest increase of soil allelopathic potentials and soil microbial physiological indexes in PI312777 rhizospheric soils appeared from the 3-leaf stage to the 5-leaf stage. In case of weed treatment, the allelopathic potential of PI312777 rhizospheric soils on the soil microbe biomass carbon, soil respiration, the number of soil bacteria, activity of urease, activity of protease, and activity of sucrase increased by 53.11%, 51.56%, 38.97%, 44.83%, 60.00%, and 41.92%, respectively, from the 3-leaf stage to the 5-leaf stage. These results indicated that rice allelopathy had a close relationship with the activity of rhizospheric soils. Rice allelochemicals lead to the change of soil microbes; rice allelopathy is a process based on plant-soil interaction. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Determination of zinc speciation in basic oxygen furnace flying dust by chemical extractions and X-ray spectroscopy

There is a growing concern regarding the environmental and public health risks associated with airborne particulate matter (PM). The basic oxygen furnace is one of the most important atmospheric dust sources of the steel manufacturing process. It emits dust enriched in heavy metal such as Zn, which is assumed to contribute to the toxic potential of atmospheric PM. Dust collected before and after the filtration system was analyzed to determine Zn speciation. To this end, a variety of analytical tools were used and a sequential extraction protocol has been specifically developed for iron and steel dust. The Zn speciation results obtained by EXAFS and sequential extraction were in excellent agreement. Before filtration, the speciation of Zn in BOF was 43% ZnFe₂O₄, 23% ZnCO₃ and 16% ZnO. The same species were detected after filtration with different proportions. BOF dust after filtration contains more soluble Zn phases which may play a role in the toxic effects of the emissions.     

Bulk deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an industrial site of Turkey

Ambient air and deposition samples were collected in the period of July 2004-May 2005 in an industrial district of Bursa, Turkey and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds. The overall average of fourteen bulk deposition fluxes for PAHs was 3300+/-5100 ng m(-2) d(-1). PAH depositions showed a seasonal variation and they were higher in winter months. This was probably due to increases in residential heating activities and decreases in atmospheric mixing layer levels. Ambient air samples, measured with a high volume air sampler, were collected from the same site. The average total concentration including gas and particulate phase was about 300+/-420 ng m(-3) and it was in the range of previously reported values. Some of the ambient air and bulk deposition samples were collected simultaneously in dry periods. Both concurrently measured values were used to calculate the dry deposition velocities whose overall average value was 0.45+/-0.35 cm s(-1).     

Theoretical study on the chemical properties of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ levels were performed to obtain the equilibrium structures, thermodynamic properties, and electron affinities (EA) of 14 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in the gas phase. All congeners except for those of symmetric BDE are found to have two or more conformational isomers. The optimized geometries of the most stable conformational isomers are in agreement with recently published X-ray crystallographic data. The thermodynamic properties of the congeners with a given number of bromine substitutions are strongly dependent on the substitution pattern, whereas the EA values also depend on the number of bromine substitutions. The vertical electron affinities (EA(Ver)) calculated for the selected BDE congeners at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level are all positive except for di-BDEs, and are correlated with the initial reductive debromination rate constants obtained recently [Keum, Y.-S., Li, Q.X., 2005. Reductive debromination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by zerovalent iron. Environ. Sci. Technol. 39, 2280]. All adiabatic electron affinities (EA(Ada)) are positive, and suggest that the BDE congeners act as electron acceptors when reacting with receptors in living cells. The calculated EA(Ada) values differ considerably from those of EA(Ver) because of the large geometrical relaxation from the neutral to the anionic BDE congeners, highlighted by the lengthening of a C-Br bond. The elongated C-Br bond, which occurs at the alpha position, is directly involved in the debromination of n-bromodiphenyl to (n-1)-bromodiphenyl ethers in the reductive debromination experiments.     

Precipitable water modelling using artificial neural network in Çukurova region

Precipitable water (PW) is an important atmospheric variable for climate system calculation. Local monthly mean PW values were measured by daily radiosonde observations for the time period from 1990 to 2006. Artificial neural network (ANN) method was applied for modeling and prediction of mean precipitable water data in Çukurova region, south of Turkey. We applied Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) learning algorithm and logistic sigmoid transfer function in the network. In order to train our neural network we used data of Adana station, which are assumed to give a general idea about the precipitable water of Çukurova region. Thus, meteorological and geographical data (altitude, temperature, pressure, and humidity) were used in the input layer of the network for Çukurova region. Precipitable water was the output. Correlation coefficient (R²) between the predicted and measured values for monthly mean daily sum with LM method values was found to be 94.00% (training), 91.84% (testing), respectively. The findings revealed that the ANN-based prediction technique for estimating PW values is as effective as meteorological radiosonde observations. In addition, the results suggest that ANN method values be used so as to predict the precipitable water.