Sequential extractions on mine tailings samples after and before bioassays: implications on the speciation of metals during microbial re-colonization

Mine tailings may be remediated using metal tolerant microorganisms as they may solve the limiting conditions for healthy development of plants (i.e., low organic mater content and poor physical conditions). The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of microbial colonization on the chemical speciation of trace metals. Surface samples from the Valenciana mine tailings (Guanajuato, Mexico) were used for long-term bioassays (BA), which consisted in the promotion of microorganisms, development on tailings material under stable laboratory conditions (humidity, temperature, and light exposure). A five-step sequential extraction method (exchangeable, carbonate/specifically adsorbed, Fe–Mn oxides, organic matter (OM)/sulfide, and residual fractions) was performed before and after BA. Extraction solutions and leachates were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. OM content, cationic exchange capacity, and pH values were also assessed before and after BA. The results indicate that trace elements are generally present in nonresidual fractions, mainly in the Fe–Mn oxides fraction. The concentration of total Zn, As, Se, Pb, and exchangeable Cu and Pb is above the recommendable limits for soils. Despite the high bioavailability of the former elements, biofilms successfully colonized the tailing samples during the BA. Cyanobacteria and green algae, heterotrophic fungi, aerobic bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria composed the developed biofilms. Chemical controls of trace elements could be attributed to absorption onto inorganic complexes (carbonates, metal oxides), while biofilm occurrence seems to enhance complexation and immobilization of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb. The biofilm developed does not increase the bioavailable forms and the leaching of the trace elements, but significantly improves the OM contents (natural fertilization). The results suggest that biofilms are useful during the first steps of the mine tailings remediation.     

海洋沉积物中反硝化细菌的分离及去除硝酸盐氮的模拟试验

从长江口沉积物中筛选分离出了海洋反硝化细菌,模拟了该细菌对不同浓度水平硝酸盐氮的去除效率。研究结果表明,分离出的海洋反硝化细菌能有效去除海水中硝酸盐氮,在硝酸盐氮的初始浓度为 1 mg/L,1 d 内硝酸盐氮去除率就达到了 70 %;在 100 mg/L 硝酸盐氮模拟试验中,约在一周内能将 90 % 硝酸盐氮去除。试验证明反硝化细菌的生长与水体中硝酸盐氮浓度有一定的相关关系,一旦生物修复过程完成,反硝化细菌就会大量死亡,水体重新恢复到清澈透明状况。     

Bioremediation of contaminated coastal sediment: Optimization of slow release biostimulant ball using response surface methodology (RSM) and stabilization of metals from contaminated sediment

The aim of the present study is to optimize the slow release biostimulant ball (BSB) for bioremediation of contaminated coastal sediment using response surface methodology (RSM). Metals contamination and stabilization of metals in coastal sediments using BSB were investigated. The effects of BSB size (1–5 cm), distance (1–10 cm), and time (1–4 months) on the stabilization of metals including Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb were determined. The maximum stabilization percentages of Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb, of 64.5%, 54.9%, 63.8%, and 47.6%, respectively, were observed at a 3 cm ball size, 5.5 cm distance, and a period of 4 months; these values are the optimum conditions for effective treatment of contaminated coastal sediment. The determination coefficient of the R² value suggests that > 91.55%, 89.97%, 96.10%, and 86.40% of the variance is attributable to the variables of Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb, respectively.     

Influence of bioturbation by the polychaete Nereis diversicolor on the structure of bacterial communities in oil contaminated coastal sediments

Patterns of change in the structure of bacterial communities monitored by ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) in oil contaminated sediments inhabited or not by the marine polychaete Nereis diversicolor were studied during 45 days under laboratory conditions. Results supported by principal component analysis showed a marked response of the bacterial communities to the oil contamination and to the presence of N. diversicolor. Phylogenetic affiliation of specific RISA bands showed that, in the contaminated sediments, the presence of the marine polychaetes favoured the development of bacteria which may play an active role in natural bioremediation processes of oil polluted environments.     

Biodegradation of dispersed marine fuel oil in sediment under engineered pre-spill application strategy

Biodegradation of marine fuel oil was studied by monitoring changes in residual oil and populations of microorganisms in marine sediments. Biodegradation rates for dispersant and soap water were 2.09 and 2.27 g/kg per day, respectively, under pre-application strategy, suggesting that the strategy may promote MFO dispersion and provide with sufficient source of food. The effect of temperature on the effectiveness of pre-application strategy is particularly obvious for the growth of fungi and Pseudomonas maltophilia. The effect of pre-application of soap water on the tolerance of aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and P. maltophilia, was gradually diminished within 25–33 days.     

Multi-factors on biodegradation kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Sphingomonas sp. a bacterial strain isolated from mangrove sediment

Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated sediment is an attractive remediation technique and its success depends on biodegradation kinetics, and the optimal condition for the PAH-degrading isolates; however, information on this aspect is still scarce. The effects of multi-factors on biodegradation of phenanthrene, a 3-ring model PAH, in contaminated sediment slurry by Sphingomonas sp. a bacterial strain isolated from surface mangrove sediment, were investigated using the orthogonal experimental design (form L₁₆(4⁵)). The most significant factors were salinity and inoculum size, while the effects of phenanthrene concentrations, nutrient addition and temperatures were insignificant. The optimal biodegradation condition in contaminated mangrove sediment slurry was 30 °C, 15 ppt salinity, a carbon/nitrogen ratio of 100:1 (the background ratio in sediment) and an inoculum size of 10⁶ most probable number g⁻¹ sediment. The phenanthrene biodegradation could be best described by the first order rate model, C = C₀e^−kt, where k (the rate constant) is equaled to 0.1185, under the optimal condition. The kinetic model was verified and its validity in predicting biodegradation by Sphingomonas sp. at various phenanthrene concentrations was proved by experimental data.     

Response Surface Analysis to Improve Dispersed Crude Oil Biodegradation

In this research, the bioremediation of dispersed crude oil, based on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus supplementation in the closed system, was optimized by the application of response surface methodology and central composite design. Correlation analysis of the mathematical‐regression model demonstrated that a quadratic polynomial model could be used to optimize the hydrocarbon bioremediation (R² = 0.9256). Statistical significance was checked by analysis of variance and residual analysis. Natural attenuation was removed by 22.1% of crude oil in 28 days. The highest removal on un‐optimized condition of 68.1% were observed by using nitrogen of 20.00 mg/L and phosphorus of 2.00 mg/L in 28 days while optimization process exhibited a crude oil removal of 69.5% via nitrogen of 16.05 mg/L and phosphorus 1.34 mg/L in 27 days therefore optimization can improve biodegradation in shorter time with less nutrient consumption.     

日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica)土池生物膜原位修复低碳养殖技术的研究

采用水体中设置生物膜净水栅对比实验的方法,在12口土池开展生物膜原位修复技术对土池淡水养殖日本鳗鲡的节水减排、养殖效益及机理的研究。结果表明,在172d的养殖期间,处理组比对照组节水减排78%(P<0.01);处理组的氨氮、NO2-N、CODMn、溶解性正磷酸盐和浊度分别低于对照组31.7%、49.7%、29.6%、24.2%和26.2%(P<0.01);藻类密度的变化幅度及蓝藻相对密度分别低于对照组58.8%、52.6%(P<0.01);净产量、起捕尾重和生长速度分别高出对照组38%、22.7%和27.1%(P<0.01);饲料系数低于对照组14.2%(P<0.01);处理组每公顷池塘增加养殖利润约77.25万元。池塘生物膜原位修复低碳养殖技术具有成本低、节水减排、增产增收、操作简便与易推广等优点,具有广阔的应用前景。