Mechanism of the uptake of metal cations by Algal Cell Walls

Nondisintegrated sprayed dried cells of Scenedesmus obliquus have been applied for the study of the cumulation of metal cations. It has been found that algal cell walls behave predominantely as polyfunctional weakly acidic cation exchangers. Equilibrium constants for different exchange reactions have been determined radiometrically which allow to calculate the form of algal cell walls in various experimental conditions. Metal cations present in microconcentrations may be cumulated predominantly by another cell wall ligands in comparison with the cumulation of macroconcentrations of the same cations.     

Algal purification of pretreated landfill Leachate

The efficiency of microalgae in removing various pollutants in landfill leachate after pretreatment by free stripping or air stripping was tested by a laboratory batch system. The results showed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus sp. had similar removal efficiencies with regard to ammoniacal‐nitrogen, oxidized‐nitrogen, orthophosphate and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The COD removal by algal treatment was better in Junk Bay (JB) leachate than in Gin Drinkers’ Bay (GDB) leachate (14–21% and 0.4–7% respectively). No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in removing other nutrients including ammoniacal‐nitrogen, oxidized‐nitrogen and orthophosphate between leachate from the two landfills, regardless of the pretreatment used. The removal efficiencies of ammoniacal‐nitrogen and phosphorus were found to be higher in air‐stripped leachate than in free‐stripped one. Removal of ammoniacal‐nitrogen and phosphorus in air‐stripped leachate was 30% and 87% respectively. Poor removal of ammoniacal‐nitrogen was probably due to a deficiency in phosphorus (high N : P ratio) for algal growth in leachate. The two‐stage leachate treatment (ammonia stripping followed by algal purification) resulted in overall reduction of COD (38–51%), ammoniacal‐nitrogen (72–96%) and orthophosphate (79–96%).     

Isolation and characterisation of a carbofuran degrading Burkholderia sp. PCL3 from carbofuran-phytoremediated rhizosphere soil

A bacterial strain capable of degrading carbofuran as the sole carbon source was isolated from carbofuran-phytoremediated rhizosphere soil of rice. A 16S rRNA study identified the strain as Burkholderia sp. (isolate PCL3). Free cells of isolate PCL3 possessed inhibitory-type degradation kinetics with a q _max of 0.087 day^?1 and S _m of 248.76 mg·L^?1. Immobilised PCL3 on corncob and sugarcane bagasse possessed Monod-type degradation kinetics with a q _max of 0.124 and 0.098 day^?1, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature with the highest degradation rate coefficient of carbofuran were pH 7.5 and 35 °C, respectively.     

Assessment of phenol-degrading ability of Acinetobacter sp. B9 for its application in bioremediation of phenol-contaminated industrial effluents

Successful bioremediation of a phenol-contaminated environment requires application of those microbial strains that have acquired phenol tolerance and phenol-degrading abilities. A newly isolated strain B9 of Acinetobacter sp. was adapted to a high phenol concentration by growing sequentially from low- to high-strength phenol. The acclimatised strain was able to grow and completely degrade up to 14?mM of phenol in 136?h. The degradation rates were found to increase with an increase in the phenol concentration from 2.0 to 7.5?mM. The strain preferred neutral to alkaline pH range for growth and phenol degradation, with the optimum being pH 8.0. The optimum temperature for phenol degradation was found to be in the range of 30–35°C. Transmission electron micrographs showed a disorganised and convoluted cell membrane in the case of phenol-stressed cells, showing a major effect of phenol on the membrane. Enzymatic and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies show the presence of an ortho-cleavage pathway for phenol degradation. Efficient phenol degradation was observed even in the presence of pyridine and heavy metals as co-toxicants showing the potential of strain in bioremediation of industrial wastes. Application of strain B9 to real tannery wastewater showed 100% removal of initial 0.5?mM phenol within 48?h of treatment.     

阿特拉津对铜绿微囊藻和四尾栅藻生长的影响

在实验室内利用MA培养液培养,通过测定藻生长量和叶绿素a含量,研究不同浓度下的阿特拉津对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)和四尾栅藻(Scenedesmus quadricauda)生长的影响,并以藻细胞数表示的最大比生长率为指标,评价2种藻对阿特拉津的敏感性.结果表明,在0.001～5.000 mg·L-1质量浓度范围内,阿特拉津对铜绿微囊藻和四尾栅藻的生长表现出低浓度刺激、高浓度抑制的效应,且阿特拉津对四尾栅藻的刺激效应明显大于铜绿微囊藻.     

Isolation,identification, Pb(Ⅱ) biosorption isotherms and kinetics of a lead adsorbing Penicillium sp. MRF-1 from South Korean mine soil

A heavy metal contaminated soil sample collected from a mine in Chonnam Province of South Korea was found to be a source of heavy metal adsorbing biosorbents. Chemical analyses showed high contents of lead (Pb) at 357 mg/kg and cyanide (CN) at 14.6 mg/kg in the soil. The experimental results showed that Penicillium sp. MRF-1 was the best lead resistant fungus among the four individual metal tolerant fungal species isolated from the soil. Molecular characterization of Penicillium sp. MRF-1 was determined using ITS regions sequences. E ects of pH, temperature and contact time on adsorption of Pb(II) by Penicillium sp. MRF-1 were studied. Favorable conditions for maximum biosportion were found at pH 4 with 3 hr contact time. Biosorption of Pb(II) gradually increased with increasing temperature. E cient performance of the biosorbent was described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Adsorption kinetics was studied using pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models. Biosorbent Penicillium sp. MRF-1 showed the maximum desorption in alkali conditions. Consistent adsorption/desorption potential of the biosorbent in repetitive cycles validated the e cacy of it in large scale. SEM studies given notes on surface modification of fungal biomass under metal stress and FT-IR results showed the presence of amino groups in the surface structure of the biosorbent. In conclusion, the new biosorbent Penicillium sp. MRF-1 may potentially be used as an inexpensive, easily cultivatable material for the removal of lead from aqueous solution.     

城市富营养化水域的生物治理和凤眼莲抑制藻类生长的机理

应用凤眼莲生态系统治理了上海市区一条富营养化河浜,使水质改善,由于藻类生长受到控制而水变澄清。凤眼莲抑制藻类生长的作用机制除了对光和矿质营养的竞争外,主要是由于凤眼莲根系向水体分泌化合物,能伤害和清除藻类(剋制作用Allelopaihic effect)。根圈栖生的一种软体动物——水蜗牛,以藻类为食,也是凤眼莲生态系统清除藻类的一个因素。     

低pH值,铝及钙铝比对斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)谷胱甘肽含量影响研究

本文研究了低pH值条件下,铝及钙铝比对斜生栅藻生长及细胞中谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平的影响.结果表明,低pH值和铝对藻的生长具有抑制作用,而对细胞中GSH水平则有显著激发作用;当培养基中加入适量钙离子,一定程度降低藻细胞中GSH水平.这说明钙对低pH值及铝的毒害具有一定缓解作用,其缓解程度主要取决于钙与铝的相对量;并讨论了钙缓解作用的可能机理.     

Compliance with Regulations by “Swim-with-Dolphins” Operations in Port Phillip Bay,Victoria, Australia

Managing the activities of commercial wildlife viewing tends to involve either restricting the number of industry participants and/or regulating the activities or industry participants. We report on operator compliance with regulations regarding humans swimming with free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. A total of 128 commercial dolphin-swim trips was studied between September 1998 and April 2000. Four permit conditions were investigated: approach type, swim time, time in proximity of dolphins, and presence of “fetal fold” calves. Results demonstrate noncompliance by operators to all of the four permit conditions studied. Compliance with temporal conditions was poorer than with other conditions. When conducting studies on the extent to which tourism affects cetaceans, investigators should consider whether tourist operations comply with existing regulations or guidelines.     

叉鞭金藻净化废水中微量铅的研究

以叉鞭金藻作为生物吸附剂，去除废水中微量Pb^2 。结果表明，培养4d左右的叉鞭金藻对Pb^2 的去除能力最强；随着藻细胞密度的增大，藻体对Pb^2 的去除率也增大；当pH为5～7时，藻细胞对Pb^2 有较好的吸附作用。研究还表明，叉鞭金藻对Pb^2 的生物吸附经历了快速的吸附和缓慢的吸收两个步骤；离子强度Pb^2 的吸附有一定的抑制作用；在一定的浓度范围内，叉鞭金藻对Pb^2 的生物吸附符合Freundlich等温吸附模型。