Identification of potential electrotrophic microbial community in paddy soils by enrichment of microbial electrolysis cell biocathodes

Electrotrophs are microbes that can receive electrons directly from cathode in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). They not only participate in organic biosynthesis, but also be crucial in cathode-based bioremediation. However, little is known about the electrotrophic community in paddy soils. Here, the putative electrotrophs were enriched by cathodes of MECs constructed from five paddy soils with various properties using bicarbonate as an electron acceptor, and identified by 16S rRNA-gene based Illumina sequencing. The electrons were gradually consumed on the cathodes, and 25%–45% of which were recovered to reduce bicarbonate to acetic acid during MEC operation. Firmicutes was the dominant bacterial phylum on the cathodes, and Bacillus genus within this phylum was greatly enriched and was the most abundant population among the detected putative electrotrophs for almost all soils. Furthermore, several other members of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria may also participate in electrotrophic process in different soils. Soil pH, amorphous iron and electrical conductivity significantly influenced the putative electrotrophic bacterial community, which explained about 33.5% of the community structural variation. This study provides a basis for understanding the microbial diversity of putative electrotrophs in paddy soils, and highlights the importance of soil properties in shaping the community of putative electrotrophs.     

Preparation of solar-enhanced AlZnO@carbon nano-substrates for remediation of textile wastewaters

Photoactive aluminum doped ZnO(AlZnO) was synthesized by sol-gel method.After that,AlZnO photocatalyst was deposited on five carbon-based materials(CBMs) using ultrasonic route followed by solid-state mixing using ball mill.The CBMs used were poly aniline(PANI),carbon nitride(CN),carbon nanotubes(CNT),graphene(G),and carbon nanofibers(CNF).The crystal phases,elemental compositions,morphological,and optical properties of the AlZnO@CBMs composites were investigated.Experimental results revealed that two of AlZnO@CBMs composites exhibited superior bleaching efficiency(100% removal) and photocatalytic stability(three cycles) for 50 μmol/L Methylene Blue(MB) contaminated water after 60 min irradiation in visible light at pH 6.5,0.7% H_2O_2,and 5 g/L inorganic salts.Under optimum conditions,AlZnO@CBMs nanocomposites were employed for the treatment of mixed dyestuffs composed of MB,Methyl Orange(MO),Astrazone Blue FRR(BB 69),and Rhodamine B(RhB) dyes under dark,ultraviolet,visible,and direct sunlight.For mixed dyestuffs,the AlZnO@G achieved the highest dye sorption capacity(60.91 μmol dye stuffs/g) with kinetic rate 8.22 × 10~(-3) min~(-1) in 90 min via multi-layer physisorption(Freundlich isotherm) on graphene sheet.In additions,AlZnO@CN offered the highest photo-kinetic rate(K_(photo)) of～54.1 × 10~(-3) min~(-1)(93.8% after 60 min) under direct sunlight.Furthermore,the selective radical trapping experiment confirmed that the holes and oxidative superoxide radicals are crucial on dyes photodegradation pathway.Owing to their superior performance,AlZnO@G and AlZnO@CN nanocomposites can offer an effective in-situ solar-assisted adsorption/photocatalytic remediation of textile wastewater effluents.     

Synergistic effects of Cu species and acidity of Cu-ZSM-5 on catalytic performance for selective catalytic oxidation of n-butylamine

In this work, a series of Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios (25, 50, 100 and 200) were synthesized and investigated in n-butylamine catalytic degradation. The n-butylamine can be completely catalytic degradation at 350°C over all Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts. Moreover, Cu-ZSM-5 (25) exhibited the highest selectivity to N₂, exceeding 90% at 350°C. These samples were investigated in detail by several characterizations to illuminate the dependence of the catalytic performance on redox properties, Cu species, and acidity. The characterization results proved that the redox properties and chemisorption oxygen primarily affect n-butylamine conversion. N₂ selectivity was impacted by the Brønsted acidity and the isolated Cu²⁺ species. Meanwhile, the surface acid sites over Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts could influence the formation of Cu species. Furthermore, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra was adopted to explore the reaction mechanism. The Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts are the most prospective catalysts for nitrogen-containing volatile organic compounds removal, and the results in this study could provide new insights into catalysts design for VOC catalytic oxidation.     

Effect of struvite and organic acids on immobilization of copper and zinc in contaminated bio-retention filter media

Few studies have been carried out to connect nutrient recovery as struvite from wastewater and sustainable utilization of the recovered struvite for copper and zinc immobilization in contaminated soil. This study revealed the effect of struvite on Cu and Zn immobilization in contaminated bio-retention soil in the presence of commonly exuded plant organic acids. The research hypothesis was that the presence of both struvite and organic acids may influence the immobilization of Cu and Zn in soil. The outcome of this research confirmed that more than 99% of Cu and Zn was immobilized in bio-retention filter media by struvite application. Water-soluble Cu and Zn concentrations of struvite treated soil were less than 1.83 and 0.86 mg/kg respectively, and these concentrations were significantly lower compared to the total Cu and Zn content of 747.05 mg/kg in the contaminated soil. Application of struvite to Cu- and Zn-contaminated soil resulted in formation of compounds similar to zinc phosphate tetrahydrate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂?4H₂O) and amorphous Cu and Zn phases. Struvite was effective in heavy metal remediation in acidic soil regardless of the presence of Ca impurities in struvite and the presence of plant organic acids in soil. Overall, this study revealed that struvite recovered from wastewater treatment plants has potential for use as an amendment for heavy metal remediation in contaminated bio-retention soil.     

底泥原位洗脱过程中氮磷含量与形态变化特征

随着城市化进程的不断推进,城市河流底泥中内源氮磷污染问题日益突出.为研究原位洗脱技术对污染底泥中氮、磷物质和成分的作用效果,以北京市凉水河作为研究对象,分别比较了现场试验洗脱与对照组0~30 cm分层底泥以及实验室模拟洗脱处理前后0~10 cm底泥中pH、E_h（氧化还原电位）、容重、含水率、OM（有机质）、TN、TP和氮、磷形态分布的变化特征.结果表明:①现场洗脱对0~5 cm厚度底泥的处理和模拟洗脱处理均对底泥中pH、E_h、含水率的改变以及其中TN、TP的去除效果表现显著,其中,现场试验洗脱组0~5 cm范围底泥中w（TN）、w（TP）分别较对照组降低了66.4%±17.4%、40.8%±24.4%,模拟洗脱处理对底泥中OM、TN、TP的去除率分别达70.1%±4.8%、66.8%±2.0%、43.1%±3.1%.②原位洗脱技术对底泥中TN的去除主要通过对PON（颗粒态有机氮）的去除来实现,现场和模拟试验过程中PON对TN去除的贡献率分别达55.0%和73.6%.③原位洗脱对底泥中TP的去除主要通过对Al-P（铝结合态磷）、OP（有机磷）的去除来实现,现场和模拟试验中Al-P、OP对TP去除的贡献率分别达37.0%、66.2%和31.3%、43.7%.研究显示,原位洗脱技术可有效去除城市河流底泥处理层中的氮磷物质,并以有机氮、磷物质的去除为主.      

某垃圾焚烧厂投产前后周边土壤二英类化合物的分布

为研究垃圾焚烧厂运行对周边土壤二英类化合物（PCDD/Fs）含量的影响,采集了珠三角地区某垃圾焚烧厂投产前和投产后周边土壤样品,分析研究了该垃圾焚烧厂运行对周边土壤中PCDD/Fs含量和组分的变化.结果表明:①2012年（投产前）珠三角地区某垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤PCDD/Fs含量较低,范围为163~591 ng/kg（毒性当量范围为0.198~0.863 ng I-TEQ/kg,I-TEQ为国际毒性当量因子折算的毒性当量值）;2017—2019年（投产后）周边土壤PCDD/Fs含量范围为151~1.75×103 ng/kg（毒性当量范围为0.812~3.88 ng I-TEQ/kg）,与其他研究相比处于较低的水平.②投产后,距该垃圾焚烧厂较近（1.5 km）的采样点（S1）土壤PCDD/Fs含量逐年增长,在较远（5.2 km）但人口较密集的采样点（S3）土壤PCDD/Fs含量整体较高,但呈逐年下降趋势.③投产后,土壤中的17种PCDD/Fs单体组分中,毒性当量贡献率最高的单体为八氯二苯并二英（OCDD）和2,3,4,7,8-五氯二苯并呋喃（2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF）,二者毒性当量贡献率范围为15.7%~45.4%.④在同一采样点土壤PCDD/Fs单体组分年间差异不明显,但同一年份不同采样点差异明显.研究显示,目前该垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤PCDD/Fs含量较低,但仍需要长期监测其可能带来的风险.      

外加氮源影响下铁铝氧化物在土壤氮素转化中的作用

土壤中铁铝氧化物在团聚体稳定性和有机碳吸附方面具有重要作用,而氮添加对土壤氮循环影响的变化也可能与其有关,但是目前尚缺乏在氮循环方面的研究.为了探究铁铝氧化物在土壤氮素转化中的作用,选择福建省建瓯罗浮栲森林土壤为研究对象,采用选择性溶提技术准备不同的土壤——未经处理（T1）的土壤和去除游离态铁铝氧化物（T2）土壤、去除非晶质铁铝氧化物（T3）土壤、去除络合态铁铝氧化物（T4）土壤,在这些土壤中添加不同形态氮（40 mg/kg）——丙氨酸（氨基酸态氮,AA）、硫酸铵（铵态氮,AN）、硝酸钠（硝态氮,NAN）和亚硝酸钠（亚硝态氮,NIN）,进行室内培养试验,分析氮含量变化和氮素转化情况.结果表明:①与CK处理相比,AA和AN处理均增加了T1土壤中w（NH₄+-N）,NAN处理增加了w（NO₃--N）,但低于添加量,表明添加氨基酸和铵态氮均会促进氮矿化,添加硝态氮会增加NO₃--N的固定且抑制其硝化.②在CK处理下,与T1土壤相比,T2和T4土壤中w（NH₄+-N）、w（NO₃--N）和w（氨基酸）均降低,但T3土壤中w（NH₄+-N）和w（氨基酸）增加、w（NO₃--N）降低,表明土壤中游离态氧化铁铝和络合态氧化铁铝的存在有助于氮素矿化,非晶质氧化铁铝有助于硝化.③在不同氮处理下,各土壤的氮含量及其转化速率与CK处理规律相似.与CK处理相比,各氮处理均未显著增加T2和T4土壤中w（NH₄+-N）,且AA和AN处理均未影响T2、T3和T4土壤中w（NO₃--N）和w（氨基酸）.结果显示,氮添加并没有改变铁铝氧化物的作用,其中,矿化和氨化作用均表现为游离氧化铁铝>络合氧化铁铝>非晶质氧化铁铝,硝化作用表现为非晶质氧化铁铝>游离氧化铁铝>络合态氧化铁铝.因此,土壤铁铝氧化物的不同存在状态应该是调节氮素转化的重要土壤条件.      

餐厨垃圾生物有机肥对贫瘠黄褐土改良的研究

为了阐明餐厨垃圾生物有机肥改良贫瘠土壤的作用机制,以贫瘠黄褐土为研究对象,通过不施肥、长期（>5 a）施用化肥、中长期（5 a）施用少量餐厨垃圾生物有机肥和短期（1 a）施用大量餐厨垃圾生物有机肥4种施肥方式,分别记为CK组、CF组、LOF-5组和MOF-1组,对比分析不同施肥方式对土壤OM（有机质）、活性有机碳、营养元素和团聚体等的影响.结果表明:①施用餐厨垃圾生物有机肥可显著提高土壤OM、活性有机碳含量,其中,MOF-1组提高效果最显著,与CK组相比,w（OM）可提高173.29%,w（ROC）（ROC为易氧化有机碳）增加了39.17%,w（POC）（POC为颗粒有机碳）和w（DOC）（DOC为可溶性有机碳）分别是CK组的13.85和10.32倍.②中长期（5 a）施用少量餐厨垃圾生物有机肥可增加土壤中较大粒径团聚体的占比,且更有利于提高土壤团粒结构的稳定性,LOF-5组>2 mm粒级的团聚体占比是CK组的4.68倍;与CK组相比,LOF-5组MWD（平均重量直径）增加了100.00%,GMD（几何平均直径）增加了82.98%,>0.25 mm水稳定性团聚体质量占比（DR_0.25）增加了27.20%.③中长期（5 a）施用少量餐厨垃圾生物有机肥可增加土壤中w（TN）（TN为全氮）和w（AN）（AN为速效氮）,与CK组相比,LOF-5组w（TN）和w（AN）分别增加了77.42%和20.82%.施用餐厨垃圾有机肥也可同时增加土壤中w（AP）（AP为速效磷）和w（AK）（AK为速效钾）,MOF-1组增加效果较佳,w（AP）和w（AK）分别是CK组的9.43和3.39倍.研究显示,中长期（5 a）施用少量餐厨垃圾生物有机肥可提升土壤固碳能力,提高土壤养分利用的有效性,从而提升耕地土壤质量,减少化肥施用量,是我国贫瘠黄褐土改良的有效施肥模式.      

病毒在土壤中的存活时间与传播能力及其影响因素

土壤是病毒在自然界主要的分布场所,也是病毒传播的一种媒介.对流感病毒、肠道病毒、甲型肝炎病毒和冠状病毒在土壤中的存活与传播进行了系统分析,并探究了病毒在土壤中吸附与存活的主要影响因素.结果表明:流感病毒、肠道病毒、甲型肝炎病毒和冠状病毒均能在土壤中存活较长时间,并能以土壤为介质进行传播,进而导致人体暴露;土壤微生物、含水量、土壤类型及温度是影响病毒在土壤中吸附与存活的主要因素,土壤微生物的存在、含水量的降低以及温度的升高可能阻碍病毒在土壤中的存活,黏粒含量及pH较高的土壤中病毒的吸附量与存活率较高,而金属氧化物及有机质含量较高的土壤中病毒的吸附量与存活率较低.基于上述分析,对病毒在土壤中存活与传播的研究提出了有针对性的建议,如系统开展我国土壤病毒的调查研究,加强病毒在土壤中存活、传播规律及影响因素的研究等.研究显示,土壤在病毒的环境传播过程中具有重要作用,不可忽视病毒经土壤传播产生的风险.      

尕海湿地植被退化过程中有机碳及相关土壤酶活性变化特征

以青藏高原东缘尕海湿地不同植被退化程度样地为研究对象,采用定位研究与室内试验相结合的方法,研究植被退化过程对土壤有机碳和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明：植被退化显著影响土壤有机碳含量和土壤酶活性,降低了土壤有机碳的含量和酶促反应效率,且这种影响随土层深度变化有所不同。四种植被退化阶段有机碳含量和酶活性均值总体上（0~100 cm）表现为未退化>轻度退化>中度退化>重度退化。不同土层中,20~40 cm土层的有机碳含量中度退化>轻度退化;0~10 cm土层中淀粉酶和纤二糖酶中度退化阶段活性值较高;20~100 cm土层中蔗糖酶重度退化阶段活性值最高,纤二糖酶活性重度退化>中度退化。同一退化程度土壤有机碳含量、蔗糖酶和纤二糖酶活性随土层深度增加显著降低（P<0.05）;淀粉酶和纤维素酶活性在>40 cm土层中活性值有所上升,整体呈波动下降趋势。