Application of rotating cylinder method for ecotoxicological evaluation of antifouling paints

The environmental impact of two biocide-free antifouling paints, fluoropolymer and silicone types, painted on a test cylinder was assessed using a battery of ecotoxicity test and chemical analyses for organic micro-pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A biocide paint containing zinc pyrithione (ZnPT₂) and cuprous oxide was assessed as a positive control. A standardized laboratory rotating-cylinder method using each test cylinder with artificial seawater was performed for 45 days. After 1?h rotation, the leaked seawater was subjected for bioassay and chemical analyses twice weekly. The seawater extracts from the biocide paint showed adverse effects on bacteria, algae, and crustaceans, but those from the biocide-free paints did not. The leakage seawater from biocide-free paints, after 7-day continuous rotation, contained the same concentration levels of PFAS as blank seawater used to conduct the tests. Thus, no significant toxicities of the biocide-free paints were found under the conditions of this study. Simultaneous analysis of ZnPT₂ and copper pyrithione (CuPT₂) was developed using an HPLC with a polymeric resin column, showing that ZnPT₂ was converted to CuPT₂ by trans-chelation in the leakage seawater from the positive control paint. The experimental results using a laboratory rotating-cylinder method demonstrated that biocide-free paints did not markedly affect three species tested and no PFAS was detected. In contrast, biocide paint was significantly toxic to test species and toxicity of the extract on bacteria was partly responsible for CuPT₂ produced in leakage seawater. Thus, a laboratory rotating-cylinder method may be applied for ecotoxicological assessment of antifouling paints.     

Genetic toxicology of metal compounds: An examination of appropriate cellular models †

Bacterial systems have not had success predicting metal carcinogenicity. Hypotheses explaining this failure are examined. Using a broad genetic endpoint, λ prophage induction, under sub‐toxic growing conditions, genotoxicity is seen for compounds of chromium, manganese, lead, molybdenum and tungsten. Copper, manganese, arsenic and molybdenum compounds enhanced UV mutagenesis in E. coli WP2.

The toxicity of metal compounds to cultured mammalian cells correlates well with rat oral LD₅₀ values. Whereas insolubility can present problems in bacterial studies, concentrations of metal compounds toxic to mammalian cells can be determined even in the presence of precipitate, and sometimes [Pb(NO₃)₂, BaCl₂ and BeCl₂] occurs only in its presence. PbS and MnS, which are insoluble, are much more toxic than the more soluble compounds Pb(NO₃)₂ and MnCl₂. These results demonstrate the importance of cellular phagocytosis of insoluble metal compounds as a factor in studying the toxicity and genotoxicity of metal compounds.     

Large plasmids governing multiple resistances to heavy metals: A genetic approach∗

Gram negative bacteria classified as Alcaligenes eutrophus and carrying large resistance plasmids (generally two) were found in various industrial sites highly contaminated by heavy metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺,...). These strains were detected by DNA hybridization with a probe made with a 9kb fragment (ccz⁺ fragment) encoding for resistances to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺, and cloned from plasmid pMOL30. This plasmid was isolated from the representative strain A. eutrophus CH34 which harbours the plasmids pMOL30 (240 kb) and pMOL28 (165 kb). Phenotypes related to pMOL28 and pMOL30 include the tolerance to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Cr0₄ ⁼, Cu⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺, Ni⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺. The described genetic properties of these plasmids refer to some cloned or mapped functions and to some plasmid rearrangements. Plasmid pMOL85 (250 kb) which is related to pMOL30 was also described. Its host (A. eutrophus DS185) was isolated from a zinc desert. pMOL85 can efficiently self transfer in plasmidfree derivatives.     

多基质时厌氧氨氧化菌、异养反硝化污泥活性及抑制特征

以厌氧氨氧化污泥(AAOB)和各种有机物混合,AAOB分别与异养甲醇反硝化菌和城市污水处理厂活性污泥相混合为研究对象,考察了多种基质(醇类、糖类)时自养、异养反硝化菌群的活性及其相应的抑制特征.结果表明,醇类有机物对AAOB的活性有明显抑制作用,甲醇的抑制性最强,当甲醇为5.48mmol/L时,AAOB活性了损失2/3.而乙酸钠对AAOB有一定的促进作用,另外,葡萄糖、乳糖和蔗糖等糖类有机物对AAOB的影响较小.此外,试验发现经驯化的甲醇反硝化菌能利用各种醇类完成异养短程反硝化.对于活性污泥,利用乙酸钠实现短程反硝化的能力优于甲醇、乙醇、葡萄糖和乳糖.混合试验中,正丙醇导致AAOB和甲醇反硝化菌混合菌群中AAOB活性下降,并且在与甲醇反硝化菌的竞争中处于劣势.乙酸钠对于AAOB和活性污泥混合菌群中AAOB的影响较小.     

湖泊沉积物中氨氧化微生物的amoA基因数量

采用定量PCR方法测定了4个湖泊沉积物中氨氧化微生物的amoA基因数量,并分析了其与环境因子之间的关系. 结果表明:小南湖AOA(氨氧化古菌)和AOB(氨氧化细菌)的amoA基因数量最多,分别达2.1×104和2.8×103copies/g(以干质量计,下同);梁子湖仅检测到了AOA amoA基因的存在,平均值为4.9×103copies/g. 东湖和汤逊湖的AOA amoA基因数量比较接近,约为3.0×103copies/g,然而AOB的amoA基因数量在这2个湖泊中仅分别为37和86copies/g;在这些采样点中,AOA的amoA基因数量是AOB的3~278倍. 统计分析发现,随着湖泊营养水平和间隙水中ρ(NH₄+)的上升,AOA和AOB的amoA基因数量均呈增加趋势,但ρ(NH₄+)增加对AOB的促进作用要大于AOA,导致AOA和AOB的amoA基因数量比值与间隙水中ρ(NH₄+)呈显著负相关. pH上升对2类氨氧化微生物的抑制作用则与ρ(NH₄+)增加对它们的促进作用相反. 沉积物中amoA基因数量与间隙水中ρ(NO₂-)无显著相关性,但与ρ(NO₃-)呈显著正相关. 由于ρ(NH₄+)与ρ(DO)之间呈显著负相关,因此认为ρ(DO)与氨氧化微生物amoA基因数量之间的显著负相关可能更多的是对ρ(NH₄+)与氨氧化微生物amoA基因数量之间紧密关系的一种间接反应.      

Characterisation and identification of carbofuran-utilising bacteria isolated from agricultural soil

A total of 96 bacterial cultures were isolated from soil. Seventeen bacterial isolates were selected following their cultivation on solid media containing 100 mg · L^?1 carbofuran as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Of the 17 isolates, 10F, 11M, 17N, 23B and 26M were specifically chosen because of their relatively higher growth efficiency and genetic diversity based on Box-polymerase chain reaction analysis. These bacterial cultures had 16S rRNA gene sequences that were most similar to Acinetobacter baumannii (10F), Agrobacterium tumefaciens (11M), Ochrobactrum anthropi (17N), Escherichia coli (23B) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens (26M) with 97, 95, 93, 95 and 94% similarity in their 16S rDNA gene sequence, respectively. Degradation rates of carbofuran in soil inoculated with these isolates were 1.9, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 and 1.6 times, respectively, faster in comparison with uninoculated soil after 10 days of incubation. The maximum degradation rates of carbofuran (45 and 91%) were detected in soil inoculated with A. baumannii (10F) after 10 and 20 days’ incubation, respectively. These data indicate that these isolates may have the potential for use in bioremediation of pesticide contaminated soil.     

Impact of heavy metals of industrial plant wastewater on benthic communities of Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia)

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of human impact on the characteristics of sediments heavy metal concentration, grain size and its influence on the structure of the microbial and meiofaunal community assemblages. A survey was carried out in July 2013 within six sites located in the Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia), both downstream and upstream of industrial effluents. The highest total sediment metal concentrations were detected in stations located close to the industrial sewage discharge points. In these stations, the lowest densities of the total meiofauna (33?±?13?ind/10?cm^?2) and conversely the highest densities of cultivable bacteria that are heavy metal resistant have been reported (16?±?80.34?CFU?g^?1). Univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (MDS/CCA) analyses demonstrate high dissimilarity (0.06) in meiofaunal and bacterial community structures between downstream and upstream industrial sewages. Furthermore, canonical correspondence analysis CCA results indicated that heavy metal sediment contamination promoted bacteria that are resistant to heavy metals, while heterotrophic bacteria supported the development of meiofauna taxa. The results highlight the importance of bacteria/meiofauna interactions, as both meiofaunal and microbial communities give indications of the ecological impact of heavy metal contamination in sediment.     

土著细菌对江汉平原浅层含水层沉积物中砷迁移的影响

对江汉平原水文地质调查发现,该地区地下水砷含量已远超国家饮用水标准。以沉积物培养的土著细菌混合液为生物材料,以江汉平原高砷含水层沉积物为研究对象,在实验室内模拟地下水系统,研究厌氧环境条件下,不同生物量土著细菌和pH值对沉积物中砷迁移转化的影响,以及土著细菌活动下砷在不同沉积物中的迁移转化。结果表明,不同生物量菌悬液都能促进沉积物中As的释放,增加总As和As(III)的浓度,但150mL处理组,在研究后期,总As和As(III)的浓度呈现减缓趋势;在初始生物量一定的条件下,沉积物中As含量越高,细菌活动下总As相对释出量就越低,而且As(III)占所释出总As的比值就越高,但两个高砷含量沉积物组的差异较小;在初始pH值为5、7和9的培养条件下,细菌都能加速砷的迁移,但pH值为5的处理组(简称pH5处理组)最弱,在前8天,pH9处理组较pH7处理组的低,随后超过pH7处理组。研究表明,土著细菌悬液能加速As从沉积物中释出,并且释出的As以As(III)为主;在耐受的弱碱性环境条件下,细菌对砷的迁移和转化随环境的pH值增加而增强。     

链霉菌的抗砷特性及其对蜈蚣草富集砷的作用

本文研究了链霉菌Streptomyces sp.的耐砷特性及其对蜈蚣草富集砷的影响。结果表明,Streptomyces sp.可在100mmo·lL-1的砷酸盐溶液中生长,具有较强的抗砷毒害能力,且在48h内对As(Ⅴ)的还原率达96.5%。施用Streptomyces sp.能促进植物对砷的吸收,蜈蚣草地上部砷浓度为930mg·kg-1,地上部砷累积量达到对照组的2.09倍。加入Streptomyces sp.后,能促进根际土壤中As(Ⅴ)还原成As(Ⅲ),大幅度降低根际土壤残渣态砷含量,从48.15mg·kg-1下降至28.75mg·kg-1。Streptomyces sp.通过影响蜈蚣草根际环境,提高根际土壤pH,增加DOC含量,促使砷形态变化,从而增加砷生物可利用性。该菌可作为强化蜈蚣草修复砷污染土壤的材料。     

城市污水处理厂微生物气溶胶污染和粒径分布特征

城市污水处理厂微生物气溶胶的污染与控制逐渐成为人们关注的热点问题。为明确城市污水处理厂微生物气溶胶浓度和粒径分布特征,选择鄂尔多斯市某城市污水处理厂的格栅间、配水池、氧化沟、二沉池、污泥脱水间和厂区门口6个功能区为对象,对各功能区产生的异养细菌、真菌和放线菌气溶胶浓度分布、污染特性和微生物粒子粒径分布特性进行研究。结果表明,该污水处理厂不同功能区内异养细菌、真菌和放线菌的浓度分布存在显著性差异,其中二沉池和污泥脱水间产生的异养细菌和放线菌浓度均较高,真菌浓度较高的区域为厂门口和二沉池;根据相关微生物气溶胶污染评价标准,污泥脱水间逸散的异养细菌浓度均达到污染级,二沉池、氧化沟和厂门口逸散的异养细菌浓度达轻微污染级,格栅间和配水池未受污染,而真菌浓度在各个功能区均未受到污染;各功能区产生的异养细菌、真菌和放线菌粒子粒径分布无明显差异,异养细菌、真菌和放线菌粒子粒径分别集中在第1、4级,第3、4级和第1、2、3级,大体上均呈正态分布;各功能区均逸散出一定比例的可以直接吸入人体呼吸道的微生物粒子,可能对人体健康具有一定的潜在风险。研究结果可为城市污水处理厂运行过程中微生物气溶胶的污染控制提供科学依据。