Co-composting of pharmaceutical wastes in soil

AIMS: Soils at a commercial facility had become contaminated with the pharmaceutical chemical residues, Probenecid and Methaqualone, and required remediation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Soil composting was investigated as an alternative to incineration for treatment. In laboratory trials, a factorial experimental design was used to evaluate organic matter amendment type and concentration, and incubation temperature. In pilot scale trials, Probenecid was reduced from 5100 mg kg(-1) to < 10 mg kg(-1) within 20 weeks in mesophilic treatments. An 8 tonne pilot scale treatment confirmed that thermophilic composting was effective under field conditions. In the full-scale treatment, 180 tonnes of soil were composted. Initial concentrations of the major contaminants in the full-scale compost treatment were 1160 mg kg(-1) and 210 mg kg(-1), for Probenecid and Methaqualone, respectively. Probenecid concentration reached the target level of 100 mg kg(-1) in 6 weeks, and removal of Methaqualone to < 100 mg kg(-1) was achieved after 14 weeks. CONCLUSION: Co-composting was effective in reducing soil concentrations of Probenecid and Methaqualone residues to acceptable values. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Co-composting is a technology that has application in the remediation of pharmaceutical contaminants in soil.     

Phytoremediation of toxic aromatic pollutants from soil

The enormous growth of industrialization, and the use of numerous aromatic compounds in dyestuffs, explosives, pesticides and pharmaceuticals has resulted in serious environmental pollution and has attracted considerable attention continuously over the last two decades. Many aromatic hydrocarbons, nitroaromatic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, diauxins and their derivatives are highly toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic to natural microflora as well as to higher systems including humans. The increasing costs and limited efficiency of traditional physicochemical treatments of soil have spurred the development of new remediation technologies. Phytoremediation is emerging as an efficient treatment technology that uses plants to bioremediate pollutants from soil environments. Various modern tools and analytical devices have provided insight into the selection and optimization of remediation processes by various plant species. Sites heavily polluted with organic contaminants require hyperaccumulators, which could be developed by genetic engineering approaches. However, efficient hyperaccumulation by naturally occurring plants is also feasible and can be made practical by improving their nutritional and environmental requirements. Thus, phytoremediation of organics appears a very promising technology for the removal of contaminants from polluted soil. In this review, certain aspects of plant metabolism associated with phytoremediation of organic contaminants and their relevant phytoremediation efforts are discussed.IMTECH Communication No. 013/2002     

Phytoremediation of toxic trace elements in soil and water

Toxic heavy metals and metalloids, such as cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and selenium, are constantly released into the environment. There is an urgent need to develop low-cost, effective, and sustainable methods for their removal or detoxification. Plant-based approaches, such as phytoremediation, are relatively inexpensive since they are performed in situ and are solar-driven. In this review, we discuss specific advances in plant-based approaches for the remediation of contaminated water and soil. Dilute concentrations of trace element contaminants can be removed from large volumes of wastewater by constructed wetlands. We discuss the potential of constructed wetlands for use in remediating agricultural drainage water and industrial effluent, as well as concerns over their potential ecotoxicity. In upland ecosystems, plants may be used to accumulate metals/metalloids in their harvestable biomass (phytoextraction). Plants can also convert and release certain metals/metalloids in a volatile form (phytovolatilization). We discuss how genetic engineering has been used to develop plants with enhanced efficiencies for phytoextraction and phytovolatilization. For example, metal-hyperaccumulating plants and microbes with unique abilities to tolerate, accumulate, and detoxify metals and metalloids represent an important reservoir of unique genes that could be transferred to fast-growing plant species for enhanced phytoremediation. There is also a need to develop new strategies to improve the acceptability of using genetically engineered plants for phytoremediation.     

Phytoremediation of arsenic in submerged soil by wetland plants

Wetland aquatic plants including Canna glauca L., Colocasia esculenta L. Schott, Cyperus papyrus L. and Typha angustifolia L. were used in the phytoremediation of submerged soil polluted by arsenic (As). Cyperus papyrus L. was noticed as the largest biomass producer which has arsenic accumulation capacity of 130-172 mg As/kg plant. In terms of arsenic removal rate, however, Colocasia esculenta L. was recognized as the largest and fastest arsenic remover in this study. Its arsenic removal rate was 68 mg As/m2/day while those rates of Canna glauca L., Cyperus papyrus L. and Typha angustifolia L. were 61 mg As/m2/day, 56 mg As/m2/day, and 56 mg As/m2/day, respectively. Although the 4 aquatic plants were inferior in arsenic accumulation, their high arsenic removal rates were observed. Phytostabilization should be probable for the application of these plants.     

Phytoremediation of toxic trace elements in soil and water

Toxic heavy metals and metalloids, such as cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and selenium, are constantly released into the environment. There is an urgent need to develop low-cost, effective, and sustainable methods for their removal or detoxification. Plant-based approaches, such as phytoremediation, are relatively inexpensive since they are performed in situ and are solar-driven. In this review, we discuss specific advances in plant-based approaches for the remediation of contaminated water and soil. Dilute concentrations of trace element contaminants can be removed from large volumes of wastewater by constructed wetlands. We discuss the potential of constructed wetlands for use in remediating agricultural drainage water and industrial effluent, as well as concerns over their potential ecotoxicity. In upland ecosystems, plants may be used to accumulate metals/metalloids in their harvestable biomass (phytoextraction). Plants can also convert and release certain metals/metalloids in a volatile form (phytovolatilization). We discuss how genetic engineering has been used to develop plants with enhanced efficiencies for phytoextraction and phytovolatilization. For example, metal-hyperaccumulating plants and microbes with unique abilities to tolerate, accumulate, and detoxify metals and metalloids represent an important reservoir of unique genes that could be transferred to fast-growing plant species for enhanced phytoremediation. There is also a need to develop new strategies to improve the acceptability of using genetically engineered plants for phytoremediation.

     

Phytoremediation of subarctic soil contaminated with diesel fuel

The effects of several plant species, native to northern latitudes, and different soil amendments, on diesel fuel removal from soil were studied. Plant treatments included Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Poplar (Populus deltoides x Wettsteinii), a grass mixture (Red fescue, Fesuca rubra; Smooth meadowgrass, Poa pratensis and Perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne) and a legume mixture (White clover, Trifolium repens and Pea, Pisum sativum). Soil amendments included NPK fertiliser, a compost extract and a microbial enrichment culture. Diesel fuel disappeared more rapidly in the legume treatment than in other plant treatments. The presence of poplar and pine enhanced removal of diesel fuel, but removal under grass was similar to that with no vegetation. Soil amendments did not enhance diesel fuel removal significantly. Grass roots accumulated diesel-range compounds. This study showed that utilisation of selected plants accelerates removal of diesel fuel in soil and may serve as a viable, low-cost remedial technology for diesel-contaminated soils in subarctic regions.     

Phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soil with polymer-coated EDTA

EDTA-assisted phytoextraction of lead (Pb) has been developed, but concerns have arisen due to the possibility of leaching of both Pb and EDTA to ground water caused by uncontrolled release. We developed five types of controlled-release EDTA (polymer-coated EDTA) by coating the EDTA with a polyolefin polymer. A test of the release rate showed that the duration for the release of 75% of total EDTA ranged from 3 to 210 days. A pot experiment was conducted to compare the effect of these polymer-coated EDTA and non-coated EDTA on the concentrations of Pb and EDTA in soil solution, and Pb accumulation in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. cv. EARLY SUMAC) in a Pb-contaminated soil. One of the polymer-coated EDTAs, C-EDTA-4, with a release period of 80 days proved to be the best in decreasing Pb and EDTA concentrations in soil solution, and increasing Pb accumulation in sorghum shoots compared to the direct application of EDTA. Our results suggest that polymer-coated EDTA has a potential for phytoextraction of Pb with a reduced environmental risk.     

汞污染土壤植物修复技术研究进展

汞是一种全球性污染物,汞污染土壤的修复问题,一直倍受各国科学工作者关注,土壤汞污染的植物修复技术是近年来发展起来的新兴技术.其中,汞污染土壤的植物提取技术是最有发展前途的一种汞污染土壤植物修复技术.本文对国内外有关汞污染土壤的植物修复技术进行了系统分析,对有关汞污染土壤的植物修复应用技术,如植物挥发、固化及提取等修复方法进行了评述,探讨了植物修复技术在汞污染土壤修复中的应用前景.加快对汞超积累植物的筛选和植物体对重金属耐性机制的研究,对今后开展汞污染土壤的植物修复工作具有重要的现实意义.     

Phytoremediation of pyrene in a Cecil soil under field conditions

We evaluated the effects of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and phosphorus (P) availability on the dissipation of pyrene added at a concentration of approximately 600 mg kg-1 dry soil in the top 7.5 cm of a Cecil loamy sand (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) in a 10-month experiment under field conditions in Clemson, South Carolina. Plastic canopies were installed to prevent flooding of plots and raindrop dispersion of pyrene. Treatment factors were pyrene, vegetation, and available P levels. Each of the eight treatments had four replicates. The soil was adjusted to low and high P concentrations (an average of 41 and 66 kg extractable P ha-1, respectively). After a 175-d lag period for all treatments, the rate of pyrene removal followed first-order kinetics. The first-order rate constant was significantly higher in nonvegetated (0.098 d-1) than vegetated treatments (0.034 d-1). These data suggest that the presence of easily biodegradable organic matter from plant roots slowed the removal rate of pyrene. The levels of available P did not affect the rate of pyrene dissipation. Pyrene decreased below the detection limit of 6.25 mg kg-1 dry soil in all treatments after 301 d.     

Phytoremediation potential of paragrass--an in situ approach for chromium contaminated soil

The present in situ phytoextraction approach uses paragrass (Brachiaria mutica (Forssk) Stapf) as a hyper accumulator for attenuation of chromium level in soil and mine waste water at South Kaliapani chromite mine area of Orissa. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for Cr was maximum (0.334) in 100 days grown paragrass weeds. Transportation index (Ti) i.e. 6.16 and total accumulation rate (TAR) i.e. 8.2 mg kg(-1)day(-1) was maximum in 125 days old paragrass grown in Cr contaminated experimental cultivated plots. Cr bioaccumulation in roots was nearly 1000 times more than shoots. Paragrass showed luxuriant growth with massive fibrous roots when grown over Cr contaminated soils (11,170 mg/ kg dry soil). Cr bioaccumulation varies significantly with plant age, biomass and level of Cr contamination in irrigated mine waste water and soil. Paragrass could be used as hyperaccumulators as it showed rapid massive growth with a high tolerance to Cr.     

Phytoremediation potential of some halophytic species for soil salinity

Phytoremediation potential of six halophytic species i.e. Suaeda nudiflora, Suaeda fruticosa, Portulaca oleracea, Atriplex lentiformis, Parkinsonia aculeata and Xanthium strumarium was assessed under screen house conditions. Plants were raised at 8.0, 12.0, 16.0, and 20.0 dSm^?1 of chloride-dominated salinity. The control plants were irrigated with canal water. Sampling was done at vegetative stage (60–75 DAS). About 95 percent seed germination occurred up to 12 dSm^?1 and thereafter declined slightly. Mean plant height and dry weight plant^?1 were significantly decreased from 48.71 to 32.44 cm and from 1.73 to 0.61g plant^?1 respectively upon salinization. Na⁺/K⁺ ratio (0.87 to 2.72), Na⁺/ Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ (0.48 to 1.54) and Cl^?/SO₄^2– (0.94 to 5.04) ratio showed increasing trend. Salinity susceptibility index was found minimum in Suaeda fruticosa (0.72) and maximum in Parkinsonia aculeata (1.17). Total ionic content also declined and magnitude of decline varied from 8.51 to 18.91% at 8 dSm^?1 and 1.85 to 7.12% at 20 dSm^?1 of salinity. On the basis of phytoremediation potential Suaeda fruticosa (1170.02 mg plant^?1), Atriplex lentiformis (777.87 mg plant^?1) were the best salt hyperaccumulator plants whereas Xanthium strumarium (349.61 mg plant^?1) and Parkinsonia aculeata (310.59 mg plant^?1) were the least hyperaccumulator plants.     

A model study of pesticide biodegradation in soil

This study addresses the efficiency of microbial preparations to degrade pesticide residues in soil. A method to degrade pesticides DNOC and pendimethalin using Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter bacteria with a fertilizer is described.     

Phytoremediation: an overview of metallic ion decontamination from soil

In recent years, phytoremediation has emerged as a promising ecoremediation technology, particularly for soil and water cleanup of large volumes of contaminated sites. The exploitation of plants to remediate soils contaminated with trace elements could provide a cheap and sustainable technology for bioremediation. Many modern tools and analytical devices have provided insight into the selection and optimization of the remediation process by plant species. This review describes certain factors for the phytoremediation of metal ion decontamination and various aspects of plant metabolism during metallic decontamination. Metal-hyperaccumulating plants, desirable for heavily polluted environments, can be developed by the introduction of novel traits into high biomass plants in a transgenic approach, which is a promising strategy for the development of effective phytoremediation technology. The genetic manipulation of a phytoremediator plant needs a number of optimization processes, including mobilization of trace elements/metal ions, their uptake into the root, stem and other viable parts of the plant and their detoxification and allocation within the plant. This upcoming science is expanding as technology continues to offer new, low-cost remediation options.     

Phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soil by Sinapis arvensis and Rapistrum rugosum

Nowadays, public concern relating to ecological deleterious effects of heavy metals is on the rise. To evaluate the potential of Rapistrum rugosum and Sinapis arvensis in lead- contaminate phytoremediate, a pot culture experiment was conducted. The pots were filled by soil treated with different rates of leadoxide (PbO) including 0 (control), 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg Pb per 1 kg soil. Germinated seeds were sown. Surprisingly, with increasing concentration of Pb, dry weight of R. rugosum and S. arvensis did not decrease significantly. In both of species, the concentration of Pb was higher in roots than shoots. In general, S.arvensis was absorbed more Pb compared to R. rugosum. The results revealed high potential of R. rugosum and S. arvensis in withdrawing Pb from contaminated soil. For both species, a positive linear relation was observed between Pb concentration in soil and roots. However, linear relationship was not observed between Pb concentration in the soil and shoots. Although both species test had low ability in translocation Pb from roots to shoots but they showed high ability in uptake soil Pb by roots. Apparently, these plants are proper species for using in phytoremediation technology.     

Phytoremediation of potentially toxic elements in a polluted industrial soil using Poinsettia

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution has become a serious environmental threat, particularly in developing countries such as China. In response, there is a growing interest in phytoremediation studies to identify plant species as designated hyperaccumulators of PTEs in polluted soils. Poinsettia was selected as a candidate species for phytoremediation of six PTEs (Zn, Pb, Hg, Cr, As, Cu) in this study. A pot cultivation experiment (randomized incomplete block experimental design with 5 treatments and 4 blocks) was conducted using contaminated soils gathered from an industrial area in southcentral China. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (TF), and bioconcentration factor were analyzed to determine the phytoremediation potential of poinsettia potted in different ratios of polluted soils. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test showed that poinsettia had significant uptake of Zn, Pb, Cu (BAF < 1 and TF < 1, p < 0.05) and Hg (BAF < 1 and TF > 1, p < 0.05). Poinsettias can therefore effectively accumulate Zn, Pb, and Cu in their lateral roots while extracting and transferring Hg into their leaves. Moreover, poinsettia exhibited tolerance towards As and Cr. Interestingly, it was also observed that PTEs can inhibit the height of potted poinsettia at a certain concentration.     

Method for rapid screening of pesticide mineralization in soil

A method has been developed for the analysis of (14)CO(2) evolution from the mineralization of (14)C-labelled organic compounds in soil samples. The new method is less space demanding and substantially cuts down laborious manual work compared to the traditional incubation bottle method used. Furthermore, the use of scintillation cocktail is largely reduced with the new method. In the new method, (14)CO(2) is trapped in filter paper held in the lid of a 20 ml glass vial by surface tension. The trapping solution used is Ca(OH)(2), which fixates CO(2) in the filter paper and the analysis of trapped (14)CO(2) is done using the Cyclone trade mark Storage Phosphor system. The lids are placed in a 32 well holder and exposed to a phosphor screen prior to scanning in a Cyclone trade mark scanner. The new filter method has been tested and compared to results obtained using the traditional method. The results show good agreement but due to a smaller capacity for CO(2) with the filter method compared to the traditional method, the interval between sampling has to be shorter using the filter method when the CO(2) development is high. The detection limits for the filter method is higher compared to the traditional method. With the filter method, the level of radioactivity has to exceed 300 dpm before detection is possible, while the same limit for the traditional method is around 30 dpm. On the other hand, the gas trapping faster and the efficiency is higher with the filter method.     

Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline-alkali soil by wild ornamental Iridaceae species

As a green remediation technology, phytoremediation is becoming one of the most promising methods for treating petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs)-contaminated soil. Pot culture experiments were conducted in this study to investigate phytoremediation potential of two representative Iridaceae species (Iris dichotoma Pall. and Iris lactea Pall.) in remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline-alkali soil from the Dagang Oilfield in Tianjin, China. The results showed that I. lactea was more endurable to extremely high concentration of PHCs (about 40,000 mg/kg), with a relatively high degradation rate of 20.68%.The degradation rate of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in soils contaminated with 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg of PHCs was 30.79% and 19.36% by I. dichotoma, and 25.02% and 19.35% by I. lactea, respectively, which improved by 10–60% than the unplanted controls. The presence of I. dichotoma and I. lactea promoted degradation of PHCs fractions, among which saturates were more biodegradable than aromatics. Adaptive specialization was observed within the bacterial community. In conclusion, phytoremediation by I. dichotoma should be limited to soils contaminated with ≤20,000 mg/kg of PHCs, while I. lactea could be effectively applied to phytoremediation of contaminated soils by PHCs with at least 40,000 mg/kg.     

Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with cadmium, copper and polychlorinated biphenyls

A pot experiment and afield trial were conducted to study the remediation of an aged field soil contaminated with cadmium, copper and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (7.67 +/- 0.51 mg kg(-1) Cd, 369 +/- 1 mg kg(-1) Cu in pot experiment; 8.46 +/- 0.31 mg kg(-1) Cd, 468 +/- 7 mg kg(-1) Cu, 323 +/- 12 microg kg(-1) PCBs for field experiment) under different cropping patterns. In the pot experiment Sedum plumbizincicola showed pronounced Cd phytoextraction. After two periods (14 months) of cropping the Cd removal rates in these two treatments were 52.2 +/- 12.0 and 56.1 +/- 9.1%, respectively. Total soil PCBs in unplanted control pots decreased from 323 +/- 11 to 49.3 +/- 6.6 microg kg(-1), but with no significant difference between treatments. The field microcosm experiment intercropping of three plant species reduced the yield of S. plumbizincicola, with a consequent decrease in soil Cd removal. S. plumbizincicola intercropped with E. splendens had the highest shoot Cd uptake (18.5 +/- 1.8 mg pot(-1)) after 6 months planting followed by intercropping with M. sativa (15.9 +/- 1.9 mg pot(-1)). Liming with S. plumbizincicola intercropped with M. sativa significantly promoted soil PCB degradation by 25.2%. Thus, adjustment of soil pH to 5.56 combined with intercropping with S. plumbizincicola and M. sativagave high removal rates of Cd, Cu, and PCBs.     

Degradation of organic nitrogenous wastes by a soil streptomycete

A soil streptomycete degraded hair, silk, wool, feather and leather which were collected from solid wastes. The organism was identified taxonomically and designated Streptomyces sp. A956. It degraded leather to the maximum extent and solubilized 35.9% of the total nitrogen, 2.32 mg of glycine equivalent amino nitrogen could be obtained by degradation of 100 mg leather.     

土壤农药污染与细菌农药-抗生素交叉抗性研究进展

土壤农药污染和细菌耐药性是环境领域研究的热点问题。近年来,越来越多的研究表明土壤农药污染与细菌农药-抗生素交叉抗性的形成有关。本文依据近年来国内外研究进展,阐述了国内外土壤中农药(杀虫剂、除草剂和杀菌剂)的污染现状,并介绍了细菌对农药的降解及抗性、细菌对抗生素的抗性以及农药-抗生素交叉抗性等问题。最后,对未来有关农药-抗生素交叉抗性的研究重点进行了展望。