In the present study, biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by the cells (cells-AuNPs) and cell-free extracts (extracts-AuNPs) of a new fungus Mariannaea sp. HJ was reported. The as-synthesized particles were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of different parameters on AuNP biosynthesis were investigated, and initial gold ion concentration of 2 mM, pH 7, was demonstrated to be suitable for both cells-AuNP and extracts-AuNP syntheses. The cells-AuNPs were of various shapes, including sphere, hexagon, and irregular shapes, with an average size of 37.4 nm, while the extracts-AuNPs were almost spherical and pseudo-spherical with an average size of 11.7 nm. XRD pattern suggested that the crystal structure of both AuNPs was face-centered cubic. FTIR spectra implied that some biomolecules from the fungal cell walls or cell-free extracts were involved in the formation of AuNPs. The as-synthesized AuNPs were demonstrated to have excellent catalytic activities for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with the catalytic rate constants of 5.7 × 10?3/s for cells-AuNPs and 24.7 × 10?3/s for extracts-AuNPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on AuNP biosynthesis by Mariannaea sp. 相似文献
Heavy metal-contaminated sediments posed a serious threat to both human beings and environment. A biosurfactant, rhamnolipid, was employed as the washing agent to remove heavy metals in river sediment. Batch experiments were conducted to test the removal capability. The effects of rhamnolipid concentration, washing time, solution pH, and liquid/solid ratio were investigated. The speciation of heavy metals before and after washing in sediment was also analyzed. Heavy metal washing was favored at high concentration, long washing time, and high pH. In addition, the efficiency of washing was closely related to the original speciation of heavy metals in sediment. Rhamnolipid mainly targeted metals in exchangeable, carbonate-bound or Fe-Mn oxide-bound fractions. Overall, rhamnolipid biosurfactant as a washing agent could effectively remove heavy metals from sediment.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a sustainable technology to treat cattle manure slurry (CMS) for converting chemical energy to bioelectricity. In this... 相似文献
We quantified horizontal transport patterns and the net exchange of nutrients between shallow regions and the open sea in the Baltic proper. A coupled biogeochemical-physical circulation model was used for transient simulations 1961-2100. The model was driven by regional downscaling of the IPCC climate change scenario A1B from two global General Circulation Models in combination with two nutrient load scenarios. Modeled nutrient transports followed mainly the large-scale internal water circulation and showed only small circulation changes in the future projections. The internal nutrient cycling and exchanges between shallow and deeper waters became intensified, and the internal removal of phosphorus became weaker in the warmer future climate. These effects counteracted the impact from nutrient load reductions according to the Baltic Sea Action Plan. The net effect of climate change and nutrient reductions was an increased net import of dissolved inorganic phosphorus to shallow areas in the Baltic proper. 相似文献
We report observations of disappearance of Erica tetralix in wet heathland, which is unlikely to be caused by competition, as E.tetralix is dying before its place is taken up by other species. To investigate the causes, we used both old and new data. Results showed that presence of Molinia caerulea and Calluna vulgaris were substantial in the former E.tetralix dominated areas. Measurements of the C/N ratio in the morlayer were between 21 and 26 under the E.tetralix stands. As the expected C/N ratio in a healthy nutrient poor ecosystem like the E.tetralix wet heathland is around 30, this indicates that the ratio is probably decreasing and, correspondingly, the probability of nitrogen leaching from the ecosystem is increasing. The morlayer pH was extremely low—between 3.03 and 3.78. This represents a pH decline since the 1960s, where pH values generally were above 4. This supports the hypothesis that the decrease in morlayer pH is the major factor explaining the disappearance of E.tetralix and that measures to increase pH should be considered as part of the recommendations for relevant future management.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-012-0251-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. 相似文献
Here we investigated whether the assay system (10-d) in Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to evaluate chronic toxicity of chromium (Cr(VI)) at environmental relevant concentrations ranging from 5.2 μg L−1 to 260 μg L−1. The results indicated that lethality, locomotion behavior as revealed by head thrash, body bend, and forward turn, metabolism as revealed by pumping rate and mean defecation cycle length, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production were severely altered in Cr chronically exposed nematodes at environmental relevant concentrations. The most surprising observations were that head thrash, body bend, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production in 13 μg L−1 Cr exposed nematodes were significantly influenced. The observed adverse effects of Cr on survival, locomotion behavior, and metabolism were largely due to forming severe intestinal autofluorescence and ROS production. Therefore, our findings demonstrate the usefulness of chronic toxicity assay system in C. elegans in evaluating the chronic toxicity of toxicants at environmental relevant concentrations. 相似文献
High concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) sometimes recorded in free-range hens' eggs are thought to be due to
soil ingestion. Of the three stereoisomers of HBCD (α-, β-, and γ-HBCD), γ-HBCD is the main component in the commercial mixture,
as well as in environmental matrices, whereas the isomer profile is α-dominated in biota. In fish and in mammals, this shift
is thought to be due to a rapid elimination of γ-HBCD and to its bioisomerization to the more persistent α-HBCD. The aim of
the current controlled study was to better understand the fate of ingested HBCD in laying hens. The isomer profile in soil
being γ-dominated, excretion kinetics of γ-HBCD into egg yolk, and accumulation in liver and in abdominal fat were investigated. 相似文献