Microbial fuel cells demonstrate high coulombic efficiency applicable for water remediation

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) convert biomass into electricity by the metabolic activity of microorganisms and are also used for remediation and water treatment. Power output was compared for a dual chambered membrane MFC using either E. coli or two Yamuna river samples, Yamuna (before the Sangam region)--slow flow (sample 1) and Sangam region--fast flow (sample 2). E. coli and the two river water samples 1 and 2 gave a maximum voltage of 779, 463 and 415 mV respectively. Using E. coli the maximum power density obtained with a 100 omega resistor was 220.66 mW/cm2 and the highest power generated 6068.41 mW. The results demonstrate E. coli, river sample 1 and river sample 2 have a comparable coulombic efficiency of 85.2, 71 and 77% respectively when using 0.4% sucrose as substrate. The decrease in chemical oxidative demand of all river water samples using MFC technology demonstrates efficient remediation of inland water.     

利用水生植物原位修复污染水体

在实验围隔系统中,夏季利用凤眼莲、冬季利用耐寒型沉水植物伊乐藻等恢复水生生态系统,研究水生植物对水体氮、磷营养盐、透明度等理化性质的影响.结果表明：水生植物处理围区营养盐水平均显著低于围区对照和大湖水体.最初15 d,凤眼莲生长速度快,覆盖面积从100 m²增加到470 m²;44 d后,覆盖面积达到65％,处理围区的水质最佳,总氮(TN)、铵态氮(NH₄⁺ -N)、亚硝态氮(NO₂^- -N)、高锰酸钾盐指数(COD_Mn)和叶绿素a浓度最低,透明度达到1.7～1.8 m(水底).10月份后,处理围区水体总磷(TP)维持在0.1 mg·L^-1左右.处理围区透明度提高后,伊乐藻逐渐成为优势种(覆盖面积达到总水域的1/3),在净化水质、维持水质理化性质稳定和提高透明度方面作用显著.表明水生植被恢复可以有效降低水体营养盐,控制浮游植物增长,是改善富营养湖泊水质的重要措施.     

基于富营养化水体修复的凤眼莲放养及采收条件研究

为实现富营养化水体的修复,对影响凤眼莲〔Eichhornia crassipes(Mart.)Sloms〕高产高效的放养及采收条件(包括初始放养日期、采收标准和采收比例)进行了研究,并对凤眼莲的生长曲线以及N、P和K的积累量进行了分析。实验结果表明:在总氮、总磷和钾含量分别为3.41~7.18、0.05~0.27和2.24~5.18 mg.L-1的水体中,在生长前期由于产生分蘖和植株个体生长,凤眼莲生物量快速增加;当植株生长至一定高度,生物量增幅减小;通过这一生长过程,凤眼莲的最高生物量可达28.28 kg.m-2。初始放养日期对凤眼莲的生长曲线和生物量均有明显影响,随初始放养日期的推迟生物量逐渐增大,在4月10日、4月17日、4月24日、5月1日和5月8日放养的凤眼莲经过63 d的放养,生物量均明显增加,其中,5月8日放养的凤眼莲总生物量最高,达到24.36 kg.m-2。采收标准和采收比例对凤眼莲的采收频率和累计采收量以及N、P和K积累量具有显著影响。按照10~15、15~20、20~25、25 kg.m-2以上及最高生物量的采收标准以及1/2和2/3的采收比例进行采收,凤眼莲的累计采收量均高于一次性采收(对照),且与其生物量呈抛物线型关系,但采收频率则与生物量成反比;采取不同的采收标准及采收比例,凤眼莲的干物质含量及N、P和K含量及总量均有一定的差异,但除干物质含量外,N、P和K含量及总量均明显高于一次性采收;总体上,采用20~25 kg.m-2的采收标准及2/3采收比例,凤眼莲的累计采收量最高、采收频率较少,对N、P和K的积累量最大。综合比较结果显示:在南京地区凤眼莲可于4月初开始放养,4月至5月分蘖,6月以后正常生长,并可按照20~25 kg.m-2的采收标准和2/3的采收比例进行采收。     

Ecological responses and remediation ability of water fern (Azolla japonica) to water pollution

The ability of the water fern Azolla japonica to remediate phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and iron (Fe) contamination, and its physiological responses to three common sources of water pollution (landfill leachate, swine lagoon sewage, and fish farm sewage) and standard solution were investigated. The biomass, water content, and chlorophyll content of Azolla japonica in each solution were measured, and the concentrations and accumulation rates of polluting elements in the solutions were determined. A. japonica showed over eight-fold increase in biomass within only 20 d in every solution except in swine lagoon sewage, extremely high in N concentration. Consistent chlorophyll and water contents of the plant in most solutions showed that A. japonica can adapt to highly concentrated solutions. N, P, and Fe concentrations of the solutions decreased significantly within the 20 d. In most treatments, A. japonica showed high N accumulation and also showed total uptake of P and Fe from the solutions. In reference to this result, using this species as a phytoremediator plant would have additional benefits of helping maintaining endangered populations of A. japonica. Therefore, the plant??s fast growth, good element remediation efficiency, and conservation needs makes A. japonica a suitable plant species for pollution remediation.     

好氧反硝化细菌及其在微污染水源水修复中的应用研究进展

相比于氨氮,天然水体中的硝酸盐氮通常更稳定,导致更难将其从水中去除。由于好氧反硝化可以在有氧环境下进行反硝化作用去除硝酸盐氮,该过程对含有较高溶解氧的天然水体中硝酸盐氮处理有重要作用。本文综述了好氧反硝化菌的分离纯化现状、微生物代谢机制和环境影响因子,并介绍了功能菌群在微污染饮用水源水生物修复的应用研究进展。与一般的厌氧反硝化类似,好氧反硝化菌的种属分布较广,常见的如假单胞菌属(Pseudomoas)、产碱杆菌属(Alcaligenes)、副球菌属(Paracoccus)和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)等所属部分微生物均有好氧反硝化能力。大部分好氧反硝化菌株在最佳生长条件下(25–37℃、溶解氧浓度为3–5mg/L、pH为7–8、碳氮比为5–10)具有高效的脱氮效率。但目前好氧反硝化作用在微污染饮用水源水的生物修复方面的应用仍有着脱氮性能不稳定、菌剂流失等不足。此外,目前较少相关中试及实际工程应用的研究,需要进一步的深入探究。     

Phytoremediation through Bidens pilosa L., a nonhazardous approach for uranium remediation of contaminated water

Abstract

A few plant species are recognized for uranium bioaccumulation, particularly as upper accumulator. Uranium has a dynamic impact on the physiological, biochemical, and photochemical reactions. Therefore, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), soluble sugar, protein, photochemical reactions, and accumulation of uranium characteristics were studied in Bidens pilosa L. while applying altered concentrations of uranium in the form of C₄H₆O₆U. It was done to measure the capacity of B. pilosa L. to remediate uranium from wastewater. In this study, the results showed that B. pilosa L. not only has the ability of uranium accumulation but it can accumulate in the upper parts i.e. leaves and stem. Overall it can accumulate as much as 1538?mg/kg on a dry weight basis. Uranium accumulation is a complex process which changes both physiological and biochemical index in plant species under different treatments. SOD decreased in leaves and stem in response to all treatments whereas POD and CAT increased at treatment 3 and 72?h up to 1335?μ/g-FW and 47?μ/g-FW at 72?h, respectively. This increase was followed by a downward trend. The correlation coefficient between fluorescence ratio F_v/F_m and the concentrations of uranium treatment were significantly negative i.e. ?0.928. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis also highlighted that uranium does not change the basic chemical composition of B. pilosa L., but has an effect on the contents of chemical constituents. From the study, it is concluded that B. Pilosa L. has shown a capacity for uranium enrichment, especially as an upper accumulator.     

Assessing the impact of agro-industrial olive wastes in soil water retention: Implications for remediation of degraded soils and water availability for plant growth

Olive solid waste (OSW) is a toxic by-product of olive oil production. Disposal of OSW is a major problem in many Mediterranean countries leading to increased interest in its potential as an organic fertiliser. Relatively little is known regarding the impact of augmentation with OSW and olive solid waste compost (OSWC) on soil hydraulic properties. The effect of OSW and OSWC on the hydraulic characteristics of common agricultural soils with high sand but very different silt and clay contents was analysed. Increased organic inputs induced reductions in soil bulk density and increases in air capacity, hydraulic conductivity and the water content available for plant growth (AWC) in the Sandy Clay Loam (SCL) soil. Similar patterns were observed in Loamy Sand (LS) soil augmented with OSW, but OSWC caused reductions in hydraulic conductivity, air capacity and AWC. Nonetheless, over longer timescales OSWC may benefit the hydraulic properties of loamy sand soils as the compost becomes fully incorporated within the soil structure. Augmentation with organic olive waste induced the hydraulic parameters of the sandy clay loam soil to become identical to those loamy sand (LS) with a higher available water capacity; suggesting that soil augmentation with OSW and OSWC may be an effective tool in remediating and improving degraded or organic poor soils. In terms of the improvement of hydraulic parameters, application rates of 6–8% OSW/OSWC were most beneficial for both soil types.     

间歇曝气对微污染源水生物接触氧化修复系统脱氮性能的影响

针对寡营养生境下生物脱氮过程碳源不足等问题,开展不同间歇曝气方式对微污染源水生物接触氧化修复系统脱氮性能的影响研究,探究修复系统短程硝化反硝化的可行性与过程机理.结果表明:在停曝-曝气时间为8 h-16 h的间歇曝气方式(Ⅰ)下启动的生物接触氧化修复系统,其铵态氮(NH+4-N)、高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)、总氮(TN)的平均去除率分别稳定在93.0%、78.1%、19.4%;而在停曝-曝气时间为16 h-8 h的间歇曝气方式(Ⅱ)下运行修复系统,其NH+4-N、CODMn平均去除率仍能分别维持在81.2%、76.4%,体系内NO-2-N发生积累,TN去除率增至50%以上.对工况Ⅱ下修复系统周期内氮素转化特性分析发现,在确保出水NH+4-N、溶解氧(DO)浓度达标的前提下,缩短曝气时间可将体系DO长时间控制在0.5～1.5 mg·L-1,亚硝酸氧化菌(NOB)生长及其活性受到抑制,NO-2-N明显累积,最终实现了微污染源水生物接触氧化修复系统的短程生物脱氮.     

纳米材料在污染水体和土壤修复中的应用

纳米材料由于其特有的理化性质,如强的吸附性能、高的催化效率,不仅克服了传统污染水体和污染土壤修复技术的不足,而且表现出更高的修复效率。因此,利用纳米材料对污染环境进行修复已成为当今环境领域的研究热点。本文对纳米Fe0、表面修饰的纳米材料、纳米螯合剂等纳米材料近几年在污染水体和污染土壤修复中的进展进行了归纳和总结,并且对其在环境科学与工程领域应用的研究重点进行了展望。     

Using triage for environmental remediation in Antarctica

Remediation of sites impacted by human activity in Antarctica is a difficult and resource intensive process. With increasing activity and climate change, the extent of damage from human activities is expected to increase and it will not be feasible to protect the environment entirely. We recommend a triage process be used to provide informed and transparent management decisions for comprehensive and adequate environmental remediation in Antarctica. We provide examples that demonstrate realistic outcomes where we have avoided tying up resources on disturbed sites that will recover naturally, are stable, or too damaged to recover, and that also incorporate feasible operational practices. Not all disturbed sites will be remediated and many of those that are, are unlikely to be returned to pristine condition. The decisions around remediation are not based solely on the desired environmental outcome. In the absence of effective legal obligation, we recognize that financial, social, policy, health and safety, technological confidence, and operational feasibility are part of the decision‐making process.     

Bioaugmentation of a biological contact oxidation ditch with indigenous nitrifying bacteria for in situ remediation of nitrogen-rich stream water

In this study, specialized bacteria were domesticated and cultivated with polluted stream water. The bioaugmentation of specialized bacteria would significantly enhance the removal efficiency of TN and NH₄⁺-N from 25.9% to 50.3%, and from 34.5% to 60.1%, respectively. Concomitant increases in the number of microbial communities and the proportion of nitrifying bacteria were also identified by the most probable number (MPN) method. PCR-DGGE profiles revealed that the bacterial community could be successfully enriched and the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria communities were shown predominant by the species of Nitrosomonas. The biological contact oxidation ditch (BCOD) system augmented with specialized bacteria can be a viable alternative for treating polluted stream water to achieve improved nitrogen removal.     

Design of biomass-based renewable materials for environmental remediation

Various materials have been used to remove environmental contaminants for decades and have been an effective strategy for environmental cleanups. The current nonrenewable materials used for this purpose could impose secondary hazards and challenges in further downstream treatments. Biomass-based materials present viable, renewable, and sustainable solutions for environmental remediation. Recent biotechnology advances have developed biomaterials with new capacities, such as highly efficient biodegradation and treatment train integration. This review systemically discusses how biotechnology has empowered biomass-derived and bioinspired materials for environmental remediation sustainably and cost-effectively.     

A review on remediation technologies for nickel-contaminated soil

Abstract

With the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization, the environmental safety of soil is a worldwide concern. In China alone, one-fifth of the arable land is reported to be contaminated with heavy metals including nickel. In this review, current research on nickel remediation, specifically the various remediation technologies including physical and chemical remediation methods, such as immobilization, soil washing, encapsulation, soil replacement, and electrokinetic methods; phytoremediation; and bioremediation, is summarized. Further, the mechanisms underlying the presented remediation technologies, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. The lacunae in available technologies for nickel remediation are also briefly discussed. The review concludes with a scheme for successful soil remediation.     

Cell-free synthetic biology for environmental sensing and remediation

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Biological technologies for the remediation of co-contaminated soil

Compound contamination in soil, caused by unreasonable waste disposal, has attracted increasing attention on a global scale, particularly since multiple heavy metals and/or organic pollutants are entering natural ecosystem through human activities, causing an enormous threat. The remediation of co-contaminated soil is more complicated and difficult than that of single contamination, due to the disparate remediation pathways utilized for different types of pollutants. Several modern remediation technologies have been developed for the treatment of co-contaminated soil. Biological remediation technologies, as the eco-friendly methods, have received widespread concern due to soil improvement besides remediation. This review summarizes the application of biological technologies, which contains microbial technologies (function microbial remediation and composting or compost addition), biochar, phytoremediation technologies, genetic engineering technologies and biochemical technologies, for the remediation of co-contaminated soil with heavy metals and organic pollutants. Mechanisms of these technologies and their remediation efficiencies are also reviewed. Based on this study, this review also identifies the future research required in this field.     

Textile-based cyanobacteria biocomposites for potential environmental remediation applications

Journal of Applied Phycology - Microalgae and cyanobacteria are effective platforms for environmental remediation (phycoremediation), particularly of air and water. There is limited scope to deploy...     

Comparison of Distichlis spicata and Suaeda aegyptiaca in response to water salinity: Candidate halophytic species for saline soils remediation

Distichlis spicata and Suaeda aegyptiaca are two potential halophytic plant species for bioremediation of salt degraded soils, and development of saline agriculture. The physiological responses of the species to different levels of salinity (EC 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 dS/m) in a controlled environment experiment were studied. Both species showed a high level of tolerance to elevated concentrations of salt in the irrigation water. The shoot fresh and dry weights in S. aegyptiaca increased till 36 dS/m and were sustained under 48 dS/m while in D. spicata, both parameters decreased as salinity increased. Glycine betaine accumulation did not change in D. spicata with increasing salinity, whereas proline content revealed a marked increase of 7.13 fold in 48 dS/m salinity compared to the control, which showed its critical osmoprotection role in the plant. In S. aegyptiaca, both osmolytes content significantly increased at high salinity levels (36 and 48 dS/m) up to 3.22 and 2.0 folds, respectively. Overall, S. aegyptiaca had a better potential of Na⁺ phytoremediation, and tolerated higher salinity compared to D. spicata. In contrast, the vigorous root and rhizome growth in D. spicata made it a proper solution for protecting the soils against further erosion under saline conditions.