Removal of dyes from aqueous solutions using low-cost sorbents made of solid residues from olive-mill wastes (JEFT) and solid residues from refined Jordanian oil shale

The effectiveness of processed solid residue from olive-mill waste (JEFT) and solid residue of pyrolyzed oil shale in removing methylene blue as a cationic dye and methyl orange as an anionic dye from aqueous solutions has been investigated and compared with that of a commercial activated carbon, namely coconut-shell carbon. All three sorbents showed significant methylene-blue removal, but only the coconut granular-activated carbon showed notable methyl-orange removal. The oil-shale sorbent showed no removal and the olive carbon showed poor removal of methyl orange. The removal of both methylene blue and methyl orange increases with the lapse of time, and attains equilibrium in 100 min. Received: 12 May 1999 · Accepted: 1 November 1999     

Vicia sativa–rhizospheric bacteria interactions to improve phenol remediation

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the interaction of Vicia sativa with a bacterial strain capable of using phenol as sole carbon and energy sources can moderate adverse effects of this pollutant in plant tissues. A bacterial strain identified as Bacillus sp., isolated from a heavily polluted environment, was inoculated at different stages of growth. In root elongation assay, inoculated seeds showed higher values of relative root elongation and germination index than uninoculated ones in the presence of high phenol concentrations. Thus, common vetch–Bacillus sp. association could be important at the first stages of development allowing this plant to grow in highly polluted environments. Besides, phenol removal was largely accelerated in phenol-spiked soils, after 48 h of treatment with uninoculated/inoculated plants rather than by adsorption or biodegradation of the bacterial strain. Peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities increased significantly in uninoculated plants, while superoxide dismutase activity, chlorophyll, malondialdehyde, and H₂O₂ levels of aerial parts remained unaltered in uninoculated/inoculated plants treated with the pollutant, demonstrating that the efficient response to oxidative damage did not depend on the inoculation.     

Polycarbonate biodegradation by isolated molds using clear-zone and atomic force microscopic methods

The accumulation of dry waste containing synthetic polymers due to their resistance to microorganisms and other environmental factors has posed some serious problems to the environment in recent years. On the other hand, plastics constitute the foundations of economy as they are widely used in agriculture, constructions, packaging, health care and also medicine. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of different isolated fungi in the degradation of polycarbonate polymers. For this purpose, sampling was done using the garden soil and waste leachate from Isfahan Waste Management Organization. Samples were enriched in the liquid mineral salt medium supplemented with polycarbonate and then were transferred to the same medium solidified with agar to isolate and identify different fungi. Finally, their biodegradation activity was investigated with the help of clear-zone and atomic force microscopic (AFM) techniques, and also lipase and amylase production was tested. Among 15 isolated genera of mold fungi, Fusarium, Ulocladium, Chrysosporium and Penicillium showed biodegradation activity. According to the diameter of clear zone around the fungal colonies and also AFM results, the highest rate of degradation was related to Fusarium. Lipase activity of all isolated fungi was positive, but amylase activity of Ulocladium was negative. It can be concluded that some fungal strains such as Fusarium can be used for the biodegradation of plastic materials as it leads to a very eco-friendly biodegradation process.     

Growth and Cu accumulation by plants grown on Cu containing mine tailings in Cyprus

The Skouriotissa Cu mine in the northern part of Cyprus has produced large amounts of mine waste. Phytoremediation could stabilise the erosion or extract the metals of this waste. The aim of this study was to find out if Pistacia terebinthus, Cistus creticus, Pinus brutia and/or Bosea cypria could grow and tolerate or maybe accumulate Cu from the mine waste containing up to 787 mg Cu (kg DW)⁻¹. Another aim was to see if the liquid wine waste product Vinassa, containing organic acids and having a low pH, or chicken fertilizer could improve plant growth and/or Cu accumulation. The four species were planted at the mine waste site untreated or with the addition of Vinassa or chicken fertilizer as mine waste modifiers. After 3 months, shoot length growth was measured and the plants were analysed for Cu concentration. The pH and Cu concentration of the mine waste mixture in the different treatments was also measured. To find out if plants accumulated Cu to the highest extent in roots or shoot, a greenhouse study was undertaken where the plant species were cultivated for 3 weeks in Cu spiked soil. The results showed that all of the tested species survived and grew on the mine waste site, which indicates that they tolerate the high level of Cu at the mine waste site. The leaves of C. creticus had the highest Cu accumulation of all tested species. Copper accumulation varied with plant species. They seemed to have different distribution strategies for Cu: in Pistacia terebinthus and C. creticus most of the Cu was found in the roots, while B. cypria accumulated most of the Cu in the leaves. Addition of Vinassa and chicken fertilizer did not increase plant growth or Cu accumulation, but did affect the Cu distribution in B. cypria.     

Phytoremediation of soil contaminated by heavy oil with plants colonized by mycorrhizal fungi

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of phytoremediation on soils contaminated with heavy crude oil using plants infected by mycorrhizal fungi. Five plant species, Vetiveria zizanioides, Bidens pilosa, Chloris barbata, Eleusine indica, and Imperata cylindrica, infected with the species of mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae, were selected for this study. The degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soils and several physiological parameters of plants such as shoot length and biomass were analyzed. Out of the 5 plant species tested, only V. zizanioides, B. pilosa, and E. indica could take up the G. mosseae. Out of these three, V. zizanioides showed the greatest growth (biomass) in soils with 100,000 mg kg^?1 total petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition, B. pilosa infected with G. mosseae was found to be able to increase degradation by 9 % under an initial total petroleum hydrocarbons concentration of 30,000 mg kg^?1 in soils after 64 days. We conclude that plants infected with mycorrhizal fungi can enhance the phytoremediation efficiency of soils contaminated with high concentrations of heavy oil.     

丛枝菌根影响土壤-植物系统中重金属迁移转化和累积过程的机制及其生态应用

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)是在自然和农业生态系统中广泛存在的一类专性共生土壤微生物,能够与80%左右的陆地植物建立共生关系。AMF从宿主植物获取碳水化合物以维系自身生长;作为回报,AMF能够帮助植物从土壤中吸收矿质养分和水分。很多研究表明,AM共生体系对于植物适应各种逆境胁迫(如贫瘠、干旱、环境污染等)具有重要作用。在土壤重金属污染情况下,AMF能够通过多种途径影响植物对重金属的吸收、累积和解毒过程,并对植物产生保护效应。本文围绕AM对土壤-植物系统中重金属迁移、转化和累积过程的影响机制,系统评述了金属元素种类及污染程度、宿主植物和AMF种类,以及土壤理化性质等因素对AM植物吸收累积重金属的影响,并从AMF对土壤-植物系统中重金属行为的直接作用(包括菌丝吸收和固持,以及改变根际重金属形态等),及AMF改善植物矿质营养促进植物生长从而间接增强植物重金属耐性两方面讨论了AM增强植物重金属耐性的机理,系统总结了相关研究领域的前沿动态。最后,对菌根技术在农田和矿区重金属污染土壤生物修复中的应用前景进行了展望。     

Effects of chromium on seed germination, root elongation and coleoptile growth in six pulses

The ecotoxicological effects of Cr²⁺ on germination and early seedling growth of six pulses were investigated. Seeds of these plants were exposed to seven different concentrations of Cr (0–3.2 mM). The results indicated that root elongation and coleoptile growth of six pulse plants were more sensitive than seed germination for measurement of the toxic of Cr²⁺ pollutions. Different species show different levels of tolerance to Cr²⁺ pollution. Lablab purpureus and Glycine max are the most sensitive to Cr²⁺, their germination percentage, root and coleoptile length were significantly lower than other tested species, by contrast, Lathyrus odoratus and Dumasia villosa are the most resist species, their germination and seedling growth almost were not influenced by Cr²⁺ pollution significantly comparing the control. There were significantly negatively correlations between seedling growth and increasing concentration of Cr²⁺ for Glycine max, Vigna radiate and Lablab purpureus. The significantly negative correlations between germination and increasing concentration of Cr²⁺ were shown for Glycine max, Vigna radiate and V angularis.     

The characterization of axenic culture systems suitable for plant propagation and experimental studies of the submersed aquatic angiospermPotamogeton pectinatus (Sago Pondweed)

Clonal lines of the submersed aquatic angiospermPotamogeton pectinatus were grown in three culture systems. The first, which used sucrose as a carbon source in a liquid medium, supported vigorous vegetative growth and can be used to propagate large numbers of plants in axenic conditions. In this culture system, plants were responsive to increasings photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) photon flux density (PFD) and were photosynthetically competent. However, their growth was heterotrophic and root development was poor. When these plants were transferred to a second nonaxenic culture system, which used 16-1 buckets containing artificial sediments and tap water, growth was autotrophic and plants were morphologically identical to field-harvestedP. pectinatus. The last culture system which consisted of a sand substrate and inorganic nutrient bathing solution aerated with 135 ml min^?1 ambient air enhanced to 3.0% CO₂ was axenic and supported autotrophic growth by plants that were also morphologically normal.     

真菌的生物地质作用及其在环境修复中的应用

真菌在自然界中作为有机体的分解者、动植物的病原菌和共生菌,广泛分布于地表和土壤环境,并通过一系列生长 及代谢活动,与周围环境中的岩石或矿物基质发生作用,进而影响地球化学过程。真菌的生物地质作用主要包括：真菌促 进下岩石或矿物的风化,真菌诱导下次生矿物的形成,以及与上述过程相对应的营养元素和金属离子的迁移与固定。近年 来,由生物风化发展而来的生物浸取技术,已经在生物采矿、选矿以及受污染土壤和工业垃圾的生物治理等多个方面得以 应用。而将真菌用作吸附剂的生物吸附研究,则显示其能有效祛除工业废水及受污染地下水中所含的金属和有机污染物。 因此,无论是从地球化学循环的角度出发,还是考虑资源与环境效应,研究真菌的生物地质作用都具有十分重要的意义。 文中从真菌生物风化、生物矿化和环境修复等方面综述了真菌生物地质作用研究的最新进展,并对今后的研究工作进行了 展望,旨在加深真菌在地质微生物学作用过程中的认识,促进相关领域的进一步发展。     

Protection of biodiesel and oil from degradation by natural antioxidants of Egyptian Jatropha

Residue of methanolic extract of Egyptian Jatropha curcas contains bioactive substances such as phenolic compounds, which succeeded to be used as natural antioxidants for the protection of oils and their corresponding biodiesel against oxidative deterioration. In the present work, the residue of Jatropha roots were extracted with methanol and resulting residues, were investigated regarding their content of total phenolic compounds by folin-Cioalteau assay. Further, the antioxidant activities of the extracts were characterized by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical method and proved remarkable results. Oxidation stability of Jatropha oil, used fried oil and olive oil and their corresponding biodiesel obtained by conventional transesterification were tested using thermal oxidation. Natural antioxidants such as (α-trocopherol), synthetic antioxidants as butylated hydroxytoluene and natural Jatropha root extract were used in the present study in comparison to investigate their addition effect on the oxidative stability of oils and their corresponding biodiesel. In the rapied thermal treatment test, results showed that addition of butylated hydroxytoluene 0.25 % was able to stabilize Jatropha oil 6 h, but poorly stabiliz biodiesel. Addition of 0.25 % α-trocopherol to Jatropha oil showed less oxidation stability after 2 h thermal treatment. Crude root extract addition at 0.25% to Jatropha oil showed good stability up to 4 h thermal treatment while addition of root extract at 0.25 % to biodiesel showed better stability up to 6 h thermal treatment. Besides addition of 220 ppm crude root extract to biodiesel was enough sufficient to occure oxidative stabilization. Also Jatropha root residue addition at 400 ppm was effective antioxidant for fresh Jatropha oil.     

The influence of subsurface hydrology on nutrient supply and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) production in a developing barrier island marsh

The supply of nutrients from surface and subsurface water flow into the root zone was measured in a developing barrier island marsh in Virginia. We hypothesize that high production of tall-formSpartina alterniflora in the lower intertidal zone is due to a greater nitrogen input supplied by a larger subsurface flux. Individual nitrogen inputs to the tall-form and short-formS. alterniflora root zones were calculated from water flow rates into the root zone and the nutrient concentration corresponding to the source of the flow. Total dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) input (as ammonium and nitrate) was then calculated using a summation of the hourly nutrient inputs to the root zone over the entire tidal cycle based on hydrologic and nutrient data collected throughout the growing season (April–August) of 1993 and 1994. Additionally, horizontal water flow into the lower intertidal marsh was reduced experimentally to determine its effects on nutrient input and plant growth. Total ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) input to the tall-formS. alterniflora root zone (168 μmoles 6 h^?1) was significantly greater relative to the short-form (45 μmoles 6 h^?1) during flood tide. Total NH₄ ⁺ input was not significantly different between growth forms during ebb tide, and total nitrate (NO₃ ^?) and total DIN input were not significantly different between growth forms during either tidal stage. During tidal flooding, vertical flow from below the root zone accounted for 71% and horizontal flow from the adjacent mudflat accounted for 19% of the total NH₄ ⁺ input to the tall-formS. alterniflora root zone. Infiltration of flooding water accounted for 15% more of the total NO₃ ^? input relative to the total NH₄ ⁺ input at both zones on flood tide. During ebb tide, vertical flow from below the root zone still accounted for the majority of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? input to both growth forms. After vertical flow, horizontal subsurface flow from upgradient accounted for the next largest percentages of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? input to both growth forms during ebb tide. After 2 yr of interrupted subsurface horizontal flow to the tall-formS. alterniflora root zone, height and nitrogen content of leaf tissue of treatment plants were only slightly, but significantly, lower than control plants. The results suggest that a dynamic supply of DIN (as influenced by subsurface water flows) is a more accurate depiction of nutrient supply to macrophytes in this developing marsh, relative to standing stock nutrient concentrations. The dynamic subsurface supply of DIN may play a role in spatial patterns of abovegroundS. alterniflora production, but determination of additional nitrogen inputs and the role of belowground production on nitrogen demand need to also be considered.     

Biodegradation of starch blended polyvinyl chloride films by isolated Phanerochaete chrysosporium PV1

The accumulation of plastics in the environment is raising great concerns with respect to long-term environmental, economic and waste management problems. The aim of the present research was to investigate the biodegradability of starch blended polyvinyl chloride films in soil burial and controlled laboratory experiments using selective fungal isolates. Clear surface aberrations as color change and minor disintegration in polyvinyl chloride films were observed after 90 days and later confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. The fungal strains showing prominent growth and adherence on plastic films were isolated. One of the strains showing maximum activity was selected and identified as Phanerochaete chrysosporium PV1 by rDNA sequencing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated considerable structural changes and transformation in films in terms of appearance of new peaks at 3,077 cm^?1 (corresponding to alkenes) and decrease in intensity of peaks at 2,911 cm^?1 (C–H stretching). It was supported with a significant decrease in the molecular weight of polymer film from 80,275 to 78,866 Da (treated) through Gel permeation chromatography in shake flask experiment. Moreover, the biodegradation of starch blended polyvinyl chloride films was confirmed through release of higher CO₂ (7.85 g/l) compared to control (2.32 g/l) in respirometric method. So fungal strain P. chrysosporium PV1 has great potential for use in bioremediation of plastic waste.     

Anaerobic digester sludge as nutrient source for culturing of microalgae for economic biodiesel production

After decades of ‘living dangerously’, the human kind has paused to think of Mother Nature. Alternate energy sources are being developed as a part of this realization. The use of indigenous sources of nutrients would considerably bring down the cost of production. A mixed consortium of Chlorella vulgaris, Arthrospira platensis, and tap water-originated Scenedesmus dimorphus was cultured using natural seawater, anaerobic digester sludge, and its growth was compared with synthetic commercial media like Zarrouk’s media, NaNO₃ media, and NH₄Cl media. A spectrophotometric method was standardized for regular biomass estimation. The dry biomass of a 15-day pure, batch culture of Arthrospira was found to yield around 600 mg/L in anaerobic digester sludge, whereas the pure batch culture of chlorella’s growth was hindered mainly due to the presence of bacteria and grazers. Regular microscopic observation and biomass monitoring revealed a drastic reduction in grazing activity, with the use of autoclaved AD sludge, resulting in a strong and stable microalgal mixed consortia. The consortia growth in AD sludge was found to be better than with the synthetic media with no cost of nutrient. The mixed consortia yielded a biomass up to 600 mg/L and lipid of 21.18%. The lipid generated from AD sludge had around 95% unsaturates and contained around 5% omega-3 fatty acids. The use of anaerobic digester sludge in a non-sterile condition reduces the total cost of the biodiesel production process as a whole and introduces a decentralized system for waste water treatment as well.     

Evaluating heavy metal concentration of plants on a serpentine site for phytoremediation applications

The chemical analysis of plants and soils is a frequently used approach in understanding a serpentine ecosystem. Studies on vegetation growth in serpentine soils focused on various plant species for remediation purposes of soil contamination with heavy metals, emphasizing their role in the metal extraction or stabilization in the soil. The aims of this study were to measure the concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Ni in the soils and plants and to elucidate the phytoremediation potential of the studied plants. This study was performed at an abandoned site of serpentine mining in eastern Taiwan. Seven plant species were collected for analysis of Cr, Mn, and Ni, including Crotalaria micans, Miscanthus floridulus, Leucaena leucocephala, Bidens pilosa, Pueraria lobata, Melilotus indicus, and Conyza canadensis. The Cr and Ni concentrations in all studied plants were higher than those in general plants. In all species, the mean concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Ni in the shoots were lower than those in the root. None of the collected specimens exhibited hyperaccumulation of Cr, Mn, and Ni. All studied species may be used to remediate contaminated soils through phytostabilization of Cr and Mn, whereas M. floridulus and M. indicus are appropriate plants for phytostabilization of Ni. However, C. micans, L. leucocephala, B. pilosa, P. lobata, and C. canadensis have the potential to remove Ni from contaminated soils for the purpose of phytoextraction.     

Removal of phenolic compounds in olive mill wastewater by silica–alginate–fungi biocomposites

This study aims to attempt a treatment strategy based on fungi immobilized on silica-alginate (biocomposites) for removal of phenolic compounds in olive oil mill wastewater (OMW), OMW supplemented (OMWS) with phenolic compounds and water supplemented (WS) with phenolic compounds, thus decreasing its potential impact in the receiving waters. Active (alive) or inactive (death by sterilization) Pleurotus sajor caju was encapsulated in alginate beads. Five beads containing active and inactive fungus were placed in a mold and filled with silica hydrogel (biocomposites). The biocomposites were added to batch reactors containing the OMW, OMWS and WS. The treatment of OMW, OMWS and WS by active and inactive biocomposites was performed throughout 28 days at 25 °C. The efficiency of treatment was evaluated by measuring the removal of targeted organic compounds, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and relative absorbance ratio along the time. Active P. sajor caju biocomposites were able to remove 64.6–88.4 % of phenolic compounds from OMW and OMWS and 91.8–97.5 % in water. Furthermore, in the case of OMW there was also a removal of 30.0–38.1 % of fatty acids, 68.7 % of the sterol and 35 % of COD. The silica–alginate–fungi biocomposites showed a high removal of phenolic compounds from OMW and water. Furthermore, in the application of biocomposites to the treatment of OMW it was observed also a decrease on the concentration of fatty acids and sterols as well as a reduction on the COD.     

Microbial communities in bentonite formations and their interactions with uranium

A reliable performance assessment of deep geological disposal of nuclear waste depends on better knowledge of radionuclide interactions with natural microbes of geological formations (granitic rock, clay, salts) used to host these disposal systems. In Spain, clay deposits from Cabo de Gata region, Almeria, are investigated for this purpose. The present work characterizes the culture-dependent microbial diversity of two bentonite samples (BI and BII) recovered from Spanish clay deposits. The evaluation of aerobe and facultative anaerobe microbial populations shows the presence of a high number of cultivable bacteria (e.g. Stenotrophomonas, Micrococcus, Arthrobacter, Kocuria, Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, etc.) affiliated to three phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. In addition, a pigmented yeast strain BII-R8 related to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was also recovered from these formations. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of uranium for the growth of these natural isolates were found to range from 4 to 10.0 mM. For instance, strain R. mucilaginosa BII-R8 was shown to tolerate up to 8 mM of U. Flow cytometry studies indicated that the high U tolerance of this yeast isolate is a biologically mediated process. Microscopically dense intracellular and cell wall-bound precipitates were observed by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy-High-Angle Annular Dark-Field (STEM-HAADF). Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) element-distribution maps showed the presence of U and P within these accumulates, indicating the ability of cells to precipitate U as U(VI) phosphate minerals. Fundamental understanding of the microbial diversity of clays and microbial interaction with radionuclides will be useful in predicting the microbial impacts on the performance of the waste repositories, as well as in the development of bioremediation strategies for U contaminated sites.     

Effect of irrigation water qualities on Leucaena leucocephala germination and early growth stage

The evaluation of nonconventional water resources on seed germination and seedling growth performance at early growth stages is still in progress, especially on multipurpose forest trees. This study was designed to test the effect of four water qualities [treated wastewater, industrial, gray and distilled water (control)] on germination and early seedling vigor of Leucaena leucocephala. The results showed that germination was not significantly affected by different water qualities. Seed germination reached a maximum after 17, 14, 14 and 21?days under gray, industrial, treated wastewater and control irrigation, respectively. The highest mean of shoot length was scored under gray water irrigation. Likewise, the highest mean of root length was scored under control, which was not significant from gray water. The means of shoot fresh and dry weight were the highest under treated wastewater. The means of root fresh weight and root dry weight were not significantly different under water treatments. The shoot/root ratios under all water qualities treatments were significantly higher than the control. Growth performance was in progress with no mortality during 21?days of growth. The best nonconventional water quality alternatives based on cleanness, nutrients and toxicity are the gray, treated wastewater and industrial water, respectively.     

Carbon-14 and tritium in plants of a wetland containing contaminated groundwater

Although plants obtain essentially all of their C from the atmosphere, they can also become contaminated with ¹⁴C in settings where the soil is contaminated with ¹⁴C. Attempts to characterize this transfer of ¹⁴C from soils to plants using the traditional concentration ratio have proven problematic because the soil-atmosphere-leaf pathway likely dominates in most hypothetical contamination scenarios. This study investigated plant concentrationsof¹⁴C in a wetland and that has been contaminated by groundwater ¹⁴C and ³H over the past 30 a. The accumulation of ³H in the plants is by the soil-root-leaf pathway, and variations in the ¹⁴C³H ratio inthe plants would suggest that another pathway is dominant for ¹⁴C accumulation. The vertical distribution of ³H in cedar (Thuja occidentalis) foliage was quite constant, 46.7 ± 4.8 Bq g⁻¹ dry weight, while the ¹⁴C decreased with height, from 6.9 Bq g⁻¹ at 2.2 m to 1.5 Bq g⁻¹ at 11.2 m. Along a transect through the wetland, the ¹⁴C³H ratio in the pore water was uniform whereas both moss and white spruce (Picea glauca) vegetation showed marked variation. We conclude that the soil-atmosphere-leaf pathway was a major contributor to plant ¹⁴C, and speculate that this will be typical of releases from underground nuclear waste disposal.     

Application of indigenous microbial consortia in bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils

Bioremediation of oil spillage in soils using consortia of microbes beckons much exploration. The present study involves bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils from north Chennai, India, using indigenous microbial consortia. Totally, 32 positive oil degrading isolates were obtained from 3 different locations, i.e., petrol filling stations, automobile workshops and oil refineries. Substrate utilization patterns of individual isolates and the consortial sets were observed. Mixture of three common hydrocarbons (petrol, diesel and engine oil) was used for studies. The substrate oil utilized by consortia was taken for thin-layer and column chromatography which perfectly resulted in varied fractions of oil compared to the unused oil as control. The best consortia were used directly for bioremediation experiment. Three different oil-contaminated soils were used and bioremediation patterns were observed. The rate of bioremediation differed within soils, nevertheless all soils were almost 100 % reclaimed within 30 days. Bioremediation kinetics showed that the process corresponds to first-order kinetics and kinetic constants for the different soils ranged from 0.051 to 0.077/day. Assessment of detoxification of acute phytotoxicity owing to the pollutant oil was done, and results observed were significant. An increase of 25, 300 and 212 % in germination index, average growth index and sustenance index, respectively, of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. in treated soils was observed, compared to untreated soils. Thus, this study confirmed that microbes in ‘Consortial Union’ serve as better treating agents in bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils than individual microorganisms.     

白云鄂博矿区土壤和植物中稀土元素的分布特征

白云鄂博矿区是稀土的主要产出地,在矿山开采和选炼等过程中,稀土元素通过迁移、富集等作用进入植物体,研究稀土元素的分布特征和迁移规律,可为白云鄂博矿体闭坑后的生物修复提供数据支持。本文设置了7个土壤采样点,采集铁花、沙蒿、沙打旺、沙朋、青蒿、小叶杨、猪毛菜七种植物,用电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定土壤和植物的根、茎、叶及整株的稀土含量,研究稀土元素在土壤和植物中的分布特征和迁移规律。统计分析结果表明:随着采样区与主矿区的距离增加,土壤样品中的稀土含量逐渐减少;在七种植物中,铁花的稀土含量最高,青蒿最低;对不同植物的整株稀土含量和各部位(根、茎、叶)稀土含量进行多元线性回归分析,叶(或花)的稀土含量在整珠植物中的占比最大。此外在不同季节,植物中的稀土含量基本保持不变,含量较高的稀土元素为Ce(0.0035%～0.020%)、La(0.0012%～0.011%)、Nd(0.0010%～0.0094%)和Pr(0.00036%～0.0046%),其中Ce最高。本研究提出:根据土壤样品中的稀土含量逐渐减少的特征,矿区周围土壤的稀土来源可能是矿石在采、选过程中的扩散造成的;根据植物富集稀土的能力,在矿山闭坑后,可种植富集稀土能力强的植物——铁花,进行矿山生物修复。