Aerobic spore-forming bacteria from the region of salt mining

Seven strains of Gram-positive microorganisms capable of forming endospores have been isolated from soils of the region of potassium salt mining (Berezniki, Perm krai) by the method of enrichment cultures. Their typing by means of REP- and BOX-PCR has shown that four strains—I23 (= VKM V-2504), I26 (= VKM V-2505), I27, and I28—are of the same genogroup (type I), while strains SN501 (= VKM V-2508), I10b (= VKM V-2507), and I12b (= VKM V-2506) represent three different genogroups (types II, III, and IV, respectively). A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences has shown that strains I10b and SN501 belong to the genus Paenibacillus, and the remaining strains, to the genus Bacillus. These bacteria are tolerant of high salinity and alkalinity: they can grow at pH 7.0–9.0 and NaCl content of 90–110 g/l in the culture medium. They are also capable of utilizing diesel fuel and individual aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

Halotolerant bacteria of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter</Emphasis> degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Eight strains of bacteria capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been isolated from soils and bottom sediments sampled in the region of Verkhnekamskoe potash deposit (Berezniki, Perm krai) and classified with the genus Arthrobacter on the basis of phylogenetic analysis (16S rRNA genes) and morphological and chemotaxonomic characters. According to the results of 16S rDNA sequence alignment, strains B905, SMB11, SMB145, SF27, and DF14 show the highest sequence homology to the type strain of A. crystallopoietes (99.7%), and strain SN17, to the type strain of A. arilaitensis (99.8%). The isolated strains are capable of growing on naphthalene and phenanthrene (as the sole sources of carbon and energy) in the presence of 60 mg/l NaCl. Their cells contain large plasmids ranging in size from 85 to 130 kb. Plasmid elimination from Arthrobacter sp. SF27 has proved to result in the loss of capacity for growing on naphthalene and phenanthrene, suggesting a plasmid localization of genes responsible for degradation of these compounds.     

Response of atmospheric deposition and surface water chemistry to the COVID-19 lockdown in an alpine area

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on deposition and surface water chemistry were investigated in an area south of the Alps. Long-term data provided...     

The green-agile supplier selection problem for the medical devices: a hybrid fuzzy decision-making approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The supplier selection problem (SSP) is known as one of the major issues in the supply chain management area. In this field, the literature shows that...     

Current State of Planktonic and Benthic Communities in the Mouth Part of the Northern Dvina River

Russian Journal of Ecology - The Northern Dvina River, one of the largest watercourses in the European northeast of Russia, is exposed to a multifactorial anthropogenic impact, which leads to...     

Adaptive Morphofunctional Transformations of the Mole Vole (Ellobius talpinus Pall.) upon Being Moved to the Northern Border of the Area

Russian Journal of Ecology -     

Haematological changes in fluorotic adults and children in fluoride endemic regions of Gaya district,Bihar, India

Groundwater used for drinking and cooking was analysed for fluoride (F), and health surveys were conducted in Bodh Gaya, Amas and Bankebazaar blocks of the Gaya district, Bihar, India. Amas and Bankebazaar blocks were F endemic areas with mean F = 2.36 ± 0.23 mg/L (N = 27). Bodh Gaya was considered as control area with mean F = 0.59 ± 0.03 mg/L (N = 11). Health survey showed that more than 50 % of adults and more than 55 % of children had complaints of gastro-intestinal (GI) disturbances in the F endemic areas, while less than 20 % of adults and less than 10 % of children complained of GI problems in the control areas. Haematological analyses were conducted on age- and sex-matched fluorotic subjects (N = 93) of F endemic areas, and non-fluorotic subjects (N = 52) of control area showed lowered haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in the fluorotic subjects, suggesting the occurrence of anaemia in the fluorotic subjects.     

Dynamics of the timberline in high mountain areas of the nether-polar Urals under the influence of current climate change

Changes in the altitudinal position of the timberline in high mountain areas of the Nether-Polar Urals and basic factors that influence such changes have been revealed on the basis of comparison of the age structure of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and arctic birch (Betula tortuosa) tree stands and photographs made in different years. On the mountain slopes studied, an upward shift of the timberline took place in areas covered in winter with thick snow (in the late 18th century), with Siberian larch being the pioneer species. Larch began colonizing areas with a thin snow cover in the 20th century. Birch appeared later and has since strengthened its positions. The increase in winter temperatures and precipitation facilitated the expansion of the forest.