Enhancing Performance of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum in Bioremediation Phenanthrene Contaminated Sand

Many biodegradation studies have focused on survival of isolated bacteria to increase the bacteria population and subsequently enhance the efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biodegradation. However, there is limited research on enhancing the performance of isolated bacteria through reinoculation. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of reinoculation on the performance of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum in degradation of phenanthrene contaminated sand. Experiments were performed in three different reactors. Inoculation was performed once (day 0) in reactor 1. In reactor 2, inoculation was performed twice (day 0 and day 5). The bacteria was isolated from reactor 2 and inoculated into reactor 3. The study results show reactor 3 having the highest degradation rate (13.61 mg/kg/day) and percentage removal (95.36 percent). In contrast, without reinoculation in reactor 1, 68.93 percent of phenanthrene was removed. Thus, the performance of S. spiritivorum in phenanthrene degradation can be enhanced through reinoculation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Genotoxicity and histological alterations in grey mullet Mugil liza exposed to petroleum water-soluble fraction (PWSF)

Petroleum hydrocarbons are considered one of the main organic chemicals found in water bodies. In the present study, the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was estimated for mullet Mugil liza after acute exposure to petroleum water-soluble fraction (PWSF). Furthermore, histopathological studies and micronuclei frequency were also performed in order to observe deleterious effects of medium-term exposition to PWSF. Mullets (25?±?2.3 g) were exposed to chronic concentrations (1.7, 3.5 and 7 % of PWSF), plus the control group, for 14 and 7 days of clearance time. Throughout the experimental period (1, 4, 14 and 21 days), blood samples were collected for analysis of micronucleus (MN) and liver and gills for histopathological study. For these procedures, seven fish were sampled per concentration tested. The LC₅₀-96 h was estimated at 37.5 % of the PWSF. The time required for MN induction was 96 h of exposure. The time of clearance was sufficient to achieve a MN frequency similar to that of the control group. Histopathological studies showed severe changes in the gill and liver tissues. The most relevant histopathology in the gills was telangiectasia. Hepatic histopathology such as cholestasis, dilated sinusoids and inflammatory infiltrates were commonly described. The MN test and histological study effectively detected damages caused by medium-term exposition to the PWSF, and despite the toxicity, a few days without exposure can minimize PWSF genotoxicity in juveniles of M. liza.     

Population dynamics,delta vulnerability and environmental change: comparison of the Mekong,Ganges–Brahmaputra and Amazon delta regions

Tropical delta regions are at risk of multiple threats including relative sea level rise and human alterations, making them more and more vulnerable to extreme floods, storms, surges, salinity intrusion, and other hazards which could also increase in magnitude and frequency with a changing climate. Given the environmental vulnerability of tropical deltas, understanding the interlinkages between population dynamics and environmental change in these regions is crucial for ensuring efficient policy planning and progress toward social and ecological sustainability. Here, we provide an overview of population trends and dynamics in the Ganges–Brahmaputra, Mekong and Amazon deltas. Using multiple data sources, including census data and Demographic and Health Surveys, a discussion regarding the components of population change is undertaken in the context of environmental factors affecting the demographic landscape of the three delta regions. We find that the demographic trends in all cases are broadly reflective of national trends, although important differences exist within and across the study areas. Moreover, all three delta regions have been experiencing shifts in population structures resulting in aging populations, the latter being most rapid in the Mekong delta. The environmental impacts on the different components of population change are important, and more extensive research is required to effectively quantify the underlying relationships. The paper concludes by discussing selected policy implications in the context of sustainable development of delta regions and beyond.     

Measuring and modeling nitrous oxide and methane emissions from beef cattle feedlot manure management: First assessments under Brazilian condition

Intensive beef production has increased during recent decades in Brazil and may substantially increase both methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from manure management. However, the quantification of these gases and methods for extrapolating them are scarce in Brazil. A case study examines CH₄ and N₂O emissions from one typical beef cattle feedlot manure management continuum in Brazil and the applicability of Manure-DNDC model in predicting these emissions for better understand fluxes and mitigation options. Measurements track CH₄ and N₂O emissions from manure excreted in one housing floor holding 21 animals for 78 days, stockpiled for 73 days and field spread (360 kg N ha^?1). We found total emissions (CH₄ + N₂O) of 0.19 ± 0.10 kg CO₂eq per kg of animal live weight gain; mostly coming from field application (73%), followed housing (25%) and storage (2%). The Manure-DNDC simulations were generally within the statistical deviation ranges of the field data, differing in ?28% in total emission. Large uncertainties in measurements showed the model was more accurate estimating the magnitude of gases emissions than replicate results at daily basis. Modeled results suggested increasing the frequency of manure removal from housing, splitting the field application and adopting no-tillage system is the most efficient management for reducing emissions from manure (up to about 75%). Since this work consists in the first assessment under Brazilian conditions, more and continuous field measurements are required for decreasing uncertainties and improving model validations. However, this paper reports promising results and scientific perceptions for the design of further integrated work on farm-scale measurements and Manure-DNDC model development for Brazilian conditions.     

Charcoal burning as a source of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in waterpipe smoking

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content from seven commercial waterpipe charcoals were determined during the smoking process to estimate how much PAHs would not be trapped by the water trap and could reach the lungs of the smokers. Naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene were the most abundant PAH compounds produced during smoking. Naphthalene was the highest in all of the smoke contents and levels of 5 to 405 μg/15 minutes could be inhaled by the smoker. The amounts of PAHs produced during the smoking events in absence of tobacco varied greatly among different brands of charcoal. The amount and composition of the emitted PAH were not related to the amount and composition of the original chemicals in the charcoal prior to burning. Our findings suggest that public health agencies should regulate smoked charcoal products alongside tobacco.     

Delayed neurotoxicity of cyanofenphos in chickens

Abstract

Delayed neurotoxic ataxia, similar to that caused by neurotoxic organophosphorous compounds, has been shown to occur in hens after oral administration of Cyanofenphos (O‐ethyl‐O‐Cyanophenyl phenyl phosphonothionate) following either single or repeated oral doses. Axonal and myelin degeneration affecting the long tracts in spinal cord, peripheral nerves and medulla was demonstrated. The distal fibers with large diameters were particularly affected. This finding is a new contribution which has not been previously recorded. It implies that a thorough study of the structure‐activity relationships of phosphonothionates regarding their delayed neurotoxic effect is warranted.     

Hydrotalcites and organo‐hydrotalcites as sorbents for removing pesticides from water

Abstract

This paper reports on the adsorption of different organic pesticides by hydrotalcite, hydrotalcite heated to 500°C and organo‐hydrotalcite in aqueous medium by employing adsorption isotherms, and using X‐ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy techniques. The results suggest that the adsorption capacity of the different materials depends on their nature as well as on the structure, polarity and hydrophobic or anionic nature of the pesticides. The results also show that hydrotalcite, both natural and after calcination at 500°C, is not a good sorbent of hydrophobic pesticides. The data demonstrated that both types of hydrotalcite, however, are very good sorbents of glyphosphate. Furthermore, the organo‐hydrotalcites may be as good sorbents as organo‐montmorillonites for hydrophobic pesticides.     

Development of a prefabricated treatment plant for diluted pig wastewater

Abstract

In order to develop a prefabricated treatment and reuse plant for diluted pig wastewater, an entrapped‐mixed‐microbial‐cell (EMMC) process was evaluated for its process performance and economic analysis. At the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 30 hrs (loading rate of 1.0 g TCOD/L/d) and intermittent aeration of 1 hr of aeration and 1 hr of non‐aeration, it was found that, by using the pretreatment of the ammonium crystallization, both the medium and large carriers were able to reduce TCOD, SCOD, and T‐N by 83.51, 84.11, and 95.10%, respectively. The EMMC unit and lime post‐treatment followed by ammonium crystallization can reduce BOD₅, TCOD, SCOD, TSS, T‐N, and T‐P, respectively by 99.22, 93.85, 92.67, 97.73, 96.43, and 97.27%. The treated wastewater, after disinfection, is able to meet the requirements of the standards issued by the USEPA for reuse of food crops. The economic analysis indicates that based on the process performance of the EMMC unit, a prefabricated wastewater treatment plant for 2000 pigs has comparable net present worth (NPW) comparing intermittent aerated biological systems and less operation and maintenance and land requirement than conventional biological processes for removal carbon and nitrogen. A farm operation of more than 2000 pigs meets the unit cost of US$4.91/pig/yr. This will minimize the problems pertaining to technical factors or considerations that heavily influence planning, construction and operation of a pig wastewater treatment system.     

Use of zeolitised coal fly ash for landfill leachate treatment: a pilot plant study

Treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate generally results in low percentages of nutrient removal due to the high concentration and accumulation of refractory compounds. For this reason, individual physical, chemical and biological processes have been used for the treatment of raw landfill leachate and sometimes for the mixture of domestic wastewater and landfill leachate. In this work, the possibility of treating landfill leachate was tested in a bench-scale pilot plant by a two-step method combining adsorption and coagulation-flocculation. Zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired power stations, was used in this study both as a decantation aid reagent and as an adsorbent of COD and NH4-N. The coagulation-flocculation step was performed by the use of aluminium sulphate and a polyelectrolyte (ACTIPOL A-401). The leachate was collected directly from a storage unit of the organic fraction of MSW, before it was composted. For this reason the raw leachate was diluted before treatment. The sludge was recirculated to enhance the removal efficiency of nutrients as well as to optimize flocculant saving and to decrease sludge production. The results showed that it is possible to remove 43%, 53% and 82% of COD, NH4-N, and suspended solids, respectively. Therefore, this method may be an alternative for ammonium removal, as well as a suitable pre- or post-treatment step, in combination with other processes in order to meet regulatory limits.     

Pesticide bioconcentration modelling for fruit trees

The model presented allows simulating the pesticide concentration evolution in fruit trees and estimating the pesticide bioconcentration factor in fruits. Pesticides are non-ionic organic compounds that are degraded in soils cropped with woody species, fruit trees and other perennials. The model allows estimating the pesticide uptake by plants through the water transpiration stream and also the time in which maximum pesticide concentration occur in the fruits. The equation proposed presents the relationships between bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the following variables: plant water transpiration volume (Q), pesticide transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), pesticide stem-water partition coefficient (K(Wood,W)), stem dry biomass (M) and pesticide dissipation rate in the soil-plant system (k(EGS)). The modeling started and was developed from a previous model "Fruit Tree Model" (FTM), reported by Trapp and collaborators in 2003, to which was added the hypothesis that the pesticide degradation in the soil follows a first order kinetic equation. The FTM model for pesticides (FTM-p) was applied to a hypothetic mango plant cropping (Mangifera indica) treated with paclobutrazol (growth regulator) added to the soil. The model fitness was evaluated through the sensitivity analysis of the pesticide BCF values in fruits with respect to the model entry data variability.