Algal toxicity induced by effluents from textile-dyeing wastewater treatment plants

This research aimed to evaluate the alga Scenedesmus obliquus toxicity induced by textiledyeing effluents(TDE).The toxicity indicator of TDE in alga at the physiological(algal growyth),biochemical(chlorophyll-a(Chl-a) synthesis and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity) and structural(cell membrane integrity) level were investigated.Then we further study the relationship among toxicity indicators at physiological and biochemical level,and supplemented by research on algal biomacromolecules.According to the analysis of various endpoints of the alga,the general sensitivity sequence of toxicity endpoints of Scenedesmus obliquus was:SOD activity Chl-a synthesis algal growth.The stimulation rate of SOD activity increased from day 3(57.25%～83.02%) to day 6(57.25%～103.81%),and then decreased on day 15(-4.23%～-32.96%),which indicated that the antioxidant balance system of the algal cells was destroyed.The rate of Chl-a synthesis inhibition increased gradually,reaching19.70%～79.39% on day 15,while the rate of growth inhibition increased from day 3(-12.90%～10.16%) to day 15(-21.27%～72.46%).Moreover,the algal growth inhibition rate was positively correlated with the inhibition rate of SOD activity or Chl-a synthesis,with the correlation coefficients were 0.6713 and 0.5217,respectively.Algal cells would be stimulating to produce excessive reactive oxygen species,which would cause peroxidation in the cells,thereby destroying chloroplasts,inhibiting chlorophyll synthesis and reducing photosynthesis.With increasing exposure time,irreversible damage to algae can lead to death.This study is expected to enhance our understanding of the ecological risks through algal tests caused by TDE.     

Metabolic diversity of the heterotrophic microorganisms and potential link to pollution of the Rouge River

The heterotrophic microbial communities of the Rouge River were tracked using Biolog Ecoplates to understand the metabolic diversity at different temporal and spatial scales, and potential link to river pollution. Site less impacted by anthrophogenic sources (site 1), showed markedly lower metabolic diversity. The only substrates that were utilized in the water samples were carbohydrates. Sites more impacted by anthrophogenic sources (sites 8 and 9) showed higher metabolic diversity. Higher functional diversity was linked to the physico-chemical and biological properties of the water samples (i.e. higher concentrations of DO, DOC, chlorophyll, and bacterial density). Biolog analysis was found to be useful in differentiating metabolic diversity between microbial communities; in determining factors that most influence the separation of communities; and in identifying which substrates were most utilized by the communities. It can also be used as an effective ecological indicator of changes in river function attributable to urbanization and pollution.     

Metabolism of the Nonylphenol Isomer [Ring-U-14c]-4-(3′,5′-Dimethyl-3′-Heptyl)-Phenol by Cell Suspension Cultures of Agrostemma githago and Soybean

Abstract

The biotransformation of the nonylphenol isomer [ring-U-¹⁴C]-4-(3′,5′-dimethyl-3′-heptyl)-phenol (4-353-NP, consisting of two diastereomers) was studied in soybean and Agrostemma githago cell suspension cultures. With the A. githago cells, a batch two-liquid-phase system (medium/n-hexadecane 200:1, v/v) was used, in order to produce higher concentrations and amounts of 4-353-NP metabolites for their identification; 4-353-NP was applied via the n-hexadecane phase. Initial concentrations of [¹⁴C]-4-353-NP were 1 mg L^?1 (soybean), and 5 and 10 mg L^?1 (A. githago). After 2 (soybean) and 7 days (A. githago) of incubation, the applied 4-353-NP was transformed almost completely by both plant species to four types of products: glycosides of parent 4-353-NP, glycosides of primary 4-353-NP metabolites, nonextractable residues and unknown, possibly polymeric materials detected in the media. The latter two products emerged especially in soybean cultures. Portions of primary metabolites amounted to 19–22% (soybean) and 21–42% of applied ¹⁴C (A. githago). After liberation from their glycosides, the primary 4-353-NP metabolites formed by A. githago were isolated by HPLC and examined by GC-EIMS as trimethylsilyl derivatives. In the chromatograms, eight peaks were detected which due to their mass spectra, could be traced back to 4-353-NP. Seven of the compounds were side-chain monohydroxylated 4-353-NP metabolites, while the remaining was a (side-chain) carboxylic acid derivative. Unequivocal identification of the sites of hydroxylation/oxidation of all transformation products was not possible. The main primary metabolites produced by A. githago were supposed to be four diastereomers of 6′-hydroxy-4-353-NP (about 80% of all products identified). It was concluded that plants contribute to the environmental degradation of the xenoestrogen nonylphenol; the toxicological properties of side-chain hydroxylated nonylphenols remain to be examined.     

Gasoline-derived methyl tert-butyl ether as a potential obesogen linked to metabolic syndrome

正The power and efficiency of gasoline engines is often improved through the use of fuel with high octane ratings.The octane rating of fuel could be further increased with oxygenate additives such as alcohols and ethers, with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) being one of the most common gasoline additives. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease     

Microbial biomass yield and turnover in soil biodegradation tests: carbon substrate effects

Most of the standardized biodegradation tests used to assess the ultimate biodegradation of environmentally degradable polymers are based solely on the determination of net evolved carbon dioxide. However, under aerobic conditions, it has to be considered that heterotrophic microbial consortia metabolize carbon substrates both to carbon dioxide and in the production of new cell biomass. It is generally accepted that in the relatively short term, 50% of the carbon content of most organic substrates is converted to CO₂, with the remaining carbon being assimilated as biomass or incorporated into humus. The latter is particularly important when the metabolism of the organic matter occurs in a soil environment. A straightforward relationship between the free-energy content of a carbon substrate (expressed as the standard free-energy of combustion) and its propensity for conversion to new microbial biomass rather than mineralization to CO₂ has been established. This can potentially lead to underestimation of biodegradation levels of test compounds, especially when they consist of carbon in a fairly low formal oxidation state and relatively high free-energy content. In the present work, the metabolism of different kind of carbon substrates, especially in soil, is reviewed and compared with our own experimental results from respirometric tests. The results show that conversion of highly oxidized materials, such as the commonly used reference materials, cellulose or starch, to CO₂ may be significantly overestimated. The addition of glucosidic material to soil leads to greatly increased respiration and is accompanied by a very low conversion to biomass or humic substances. In contrast, relatively less oxidized substrates metabolize more slowly to give both CO₂ and biomass to an extent which may be significantly underestimated if glucosidic materials are used as the reference. The need for an overall carbon balance taking into account both the carbon immobilized as biomass and that volatized as CO₂ must be considered in standard respirometric procedures for assessing the biodegradability of slowly degrading macromolecules.     

水体中磺胺甲唑间接光降解作用

间接光降解是水体药物类污染物的主要去除途径之一,而有色溶解有机物(CDOM)是间接光降解的主要参与者.CDOM经过光照作用后产生大量活性中间体,与药物类污染物进行反应,完成间接光降解.本文着重研究了4种来源不同的CDOM对磺胺甲噁唑(SMZ)的间接光解作用和影响因素.结果表明,CDOM对于SMZ具有显著间接光降解作用,这种间接光降解具有双重性,既可以通过生成各种活性中间体来促进SMZ的间接光降解,又可以通过光屏蔽作用以及活性中间体掩蔽作用抑制SMZ的光降解.SMZ的间接光降解主要由CDOM产生的3CDOM*、HO·、1O2等活性中间体控制,其中3CDOM*为SMZ间接光降解的主要参与者.另外,pH、盐度和硝酸根离子对SMZ的间接光降解均具有显著影响作用,而碳酸氢根离子对于SMZ间接光降解的影响作用不明显.     

UV和UV/H2O2工艺对水中二嗪磷的降解

在低压汞灯（LPUV,253.7nm）光照条件下,研究了过氧化氢（H₂O₂）加入量对二嗪磷降解动力学、产物生成和降解途径的影响规律与作用机理.结果表明,二嗪磷水溶液在单独UV和UV/H₂O₂工艺中的降解反应均符合准一级反应动力学,且反应速率常数（k）随H₂O₂加入量的增加而增大,H₂O₂加入量为0,5,10mg/L时的k分别为0.0234,0.0301,0.0341min-1.在UV光照处理条件下,二嗪磷水溶液中的溶解性有机碳（DOC）随H₂O₂加入量的增加而降低,但其矿化度均相对较低（光照120min时的DOC去除率均低于20%）.此外,UV光照处理时,H₂O₂的加入对二嗪磷光氧化降解产物的种类及生成量均存在显著影响.二嗪磷水溶液单独UV光照处理60min时检出了8种中间/降解产物,但经UV/H₂O₂工艺处理60min时仅检出了6种中间/降解产物,且不同H₂O₂加入量时的光氧化降解产物生成量或浓度及随UV光照处理时间的变化幅度与趋势均存在较大程度的差别.基于二嗪磷及其降解产物的定性、（半）定量分析结果,提出了二嗪磷水溶液在单独UV和UV/H₂O₂工艺中的降解途径与机理.     

水体中布洛芬的间接光降解作用机理研究

为阐明布洛芬（IBP）在海水中的间接光降解机理,研究了4种不同来源的溶解有机物（DOM）以及溶液初始pH值、盐度、NO₃^-和HCO₃^-对IBP间接光降解的影响.结果表明,4种DOM均可促进IBP的间接光降解作用,降解过程符合准一级反应动力学,4种DOM对IBP间接光降解的促进效果从大到小为：腐殖酸（JKHA） > Suwannee河腐殖酸（SRHA） > Suwannee河富里酸（SRFA） > Suwannee河天然有机物（SRNOM）.DOM主要通过产生活性自由基促进IBP的间接光降解过程,其中¹O₂和·OH的作用较显著.在初始pH5~11的范围内,IBP的光降解速率先降低后增加,在pH5时最快.盐度、NO₃^-和HCO₃^-初始浓度的增加均会促进IBP的间接光降解.     

Anaerobic phenanthrene biodegradation with four kinds of electron acceptors enriched from the same mixed inoculum and exploration of metabolic pathways

Anaerobic phenanthrene biodegradation enriched process was described in detail. The enriched bacterial communities were characterized under four redox conditions. The enriched archaeal communities were stated under high percentage conditions. Relatively intact pathways of anaerobic phenanthrene biodegradation were proposed. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread and persistent contaminants worldwide, especially in environments devoid of molecular oxygen. For lack of molecular oxygen, researchers enhanced anaerobic zones PAHs biodegradation by adding sulfate, bicarbonate, nitrate, and iron. However, microbial community reports of them were limited, and information of metabolites was poor except two-ring PAH, naphthalene. Here, we reported on four phenanthrene-degrading enrichment cultures with sulfate, bicarbonate, nitrate, and iron as electron acceptors from the same initial inoculum. The high-to-low order of the anaerobic phenanthrene biodegradation rate was the nitrate-reducing conditions>sulfate-reducing conditions>methanogenic conditions>iron-reducing conditions. The dominant bacteria populations were Desulfobacteraceae, Anaerolinaceae, and Thermodesulfobiaceae under sulfate-reducing conditions; Moraxellaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Comamonadaceae under methanogenic conditions; Rhodobacteraceae, Planococcaceae, and Xanthomonadaceae under nitrate-reducing conditions; and Geobacteraceae, Carnobacteriaceae, and Anaerolinaceae under iron-reducing conditions, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that bacteria populations of longtime enriched cultures with four electron acceptors all obtained significant changes from original inoculum, and bacterial communities were similar under nitrate-reducing and iron-reducing conditions. Archaea accounted for a high percentage under iron-reducing and methanogenic conditions, and Methanosarcinaceae and Methanobacteriaceae, as well as Methanobacteriaceae, were the dominant archaea populations under iron-reducing and methanogenic conditions. The key steps of phenanthrene biodegradation under four reducing conditions were carboxylation, further ring system reduction, and ring cleavage.