Adaptive and cross resistance to cadmium (II) and zinc (II) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BC15

Cadmium and zinc appear in the combined forms and they are co-pollutants. Cd is the most hazardous metal ion for human beings and causes renal dysfunction, liver and lungs damage, bone degeneration and blood damage. Though Zn is an essential nutrient, excess of Zn is toxic. Biological process was more important because conventional methods fail to remediate these pollutants due to high costs and less affordability. The screening and understanding of the functioning of microorganism plays an important role in removal and recovery of metals from heavy-metal-polluted water and soil. In our study, the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa BC15 was isolated from oil-mill-treated waste water and it showed to be highly resistant to 6 mM Cd and 20 mM Zn in the solid and liquid media. The growth studies of BC15 strain in the medium without induction exhibited high tolerable capacity when compared to other microbes. Pretreatment of P. aeruginosa BC15 with sub-lethal concentrations of Cd induced adaptive resistance to lethal doses of Cd. Cadmium-induced cells also showed cross resistance to lethal concentration of zinc. The organism had high resistance against Cd and Zn. This has been clearly proven through biosorption studies: Cd was absorbed up to 62% and Zn about 60% in single solution, whereas in binary solution Cd was biosorbed up to 82% and Zn 85%. In conclusion, this study reveals the significance of using the strain P. aeruginosa BC15 in the bioremediation of Cd and Zn from industrial waste water and contaminated soil.     

Copper removal from an industrial waste by bioleaching

Summary Copper contained in a solid industrial waste produced in a silicone manufacturing process was leached with spent iron medium from aThiobacillus ferrooxidans culture. Most effective leaching was observed in a continuously fed, dual reactor system. Spent iron medium was generated by growingT. ferrooxidans in 0.9 K iron medium at pH 1.5 in the first reactor, and was transferred to a second reactor in which it leached the copper from the waste. Leaching was effective at a pulp density of the waste material as high as 20%. In experiments run at a pulp density of 2.5%, the spent iron medium was most efficient in leaching copper when it was first diluted 100-fold with a mineral salts solution at pH 1.5. Removal of the copper from the waste appeared to involve its displacement by acid, dissolved mineral salts, and ferric iron. Potentials for practical application of this process are discussed.     

Extraction, isolation and cadmium binding of alginate from Sargassum spp.

Sargassum brown algal species have recently shown promise for use in flow-through column systems that rely on a passive ion-exchange mechanism for the remediation of toxic heavy metals such as Pd, Cd, and Zn from contaminated waters. To elucidate the metal binding mechanism and optimise this so-called biosorption process, detailed information on the biochemistry of the raw biomass and the alginate in particular is essential. This study focuses on the detailed characterisation (e.g., percentage of yield, block co-polymer structure) of the various fractions of material isolated from S. fluitans and S. oligocystum following a (i) standard neutral, (ii) alkaline (NaOH) and (iii) high-temperature alkaline alginate (80 °C; Na₂CO₃) extraction. Results indicate that the alginate yield was independent of the temperature or the extraction method employed (21.1 to 22.8% and 18.9 to 20.5% yields for S. fluitans and S. oligocystum, respectively). Furthermore, ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses revealed that the alginates isolated by the three methods displayed nearly identical doublet -L-guluronic acid frequencies (F _GG; between 0.55 to 0.58 for both S. fluitans and S. oligocystum). Cadmium binding experiments (pH 4.5) further demonstrated that the three alginate extracts have similar metal binding capacities (uptake ranging from 1.59 to 1.81 mmol Cd/gram). The implementation of the high-temperature alkaline extraction procedure resulted in the isolation of a new acid-soluble fraction (ASF), capable of binding cadmium at pH 4.5, which cannot be isolated by the standard neutral extraction protocol. A preliminary characterisation of this ASF revealed the presence of minor quantities of proteins and sulphated polysaccharides, as well as traces of alginate and possibly other low-molecular weight uronic acid-containing polymers.     

Biosorption of cadmium by biomass of marine algae

Biomass of nonliving, dried brown marine algae Sargassum natans, Fucus vesiculosus, and Ascophyllum nodosum demonstrated high equilibrium uptake of cadmium from aqueous solutions. The metal uptake of cadmium from aqueous solutions. The metal uptake by these materials was quantitatively evaluated using sorption isotherms. Biomass of A. nodosum accumulated the highest amount of cadmium exceeding 100 mg Cd(2+)/g (at the residual concentration of 100 mg Cd/L and pH 3.5), outperforming a commercial ion exchange resin DUOLITE GT-73. A new biosorbent material based on A. nodosum biomass was obtained by reinforcing the algal biomass by formaldehyde cross-linking. The prepared sorbent possessed good mechanical properties, chemical stability of the cell wall polysaccharides and low swelling volume. Desorption of deposited cadmium with 0.1-0.5M HCI resulted in no changes of the biosorbent metal uptake capacity through five subsequent adsorption/desorption cycles. There was no damage to the biosorbent which retained its macroscopic appearance and performance in repeated metal uptake/elution cycles. (c) 1993 Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sphingopyxis sp. YF1吸附镉的特性及其机制

【背景】水中的重金属污染是一个严峻的环境问题,严重危害人体健康,利用微生物吸附剂修复重金属污染的水体是一种高效环保的方法。Sphingopyxis能够去除重金属,但是其去除水体中镉的研究很少,且其吸附镉的机理尚不清楚。【目的】以从水体中分离的Sphingopyxis sp. YF1为对象,探究该菌对镉的吸附特性和机制。【方法】分析在不同pH、接触时间及重金属初始浓度条件下YF1活菌和死菌对Cd²⁺的吸附效果,对其进行动力学模型和等温模型拟合,通过扫描电镜和能谱(scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, SEM-EDS)观察镉在活菌和死菌细胞表面的富集,并通过傅里叶变换红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR)和X射线光电子能谱(X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS)分析确定YF1菌中参与吸附Cd²⁺的官能团,阐明YF1对镉的吸附机理。【结果】当pH值为3.0-5.0时,随着pH值的升高,活菌与死菌的镉吸附量都随着增加,pH值为5.0-7.0时,活菌与死菌的镉吸附量均无较大变化,吸附主要发生在前10 min,之后吸附速率逐渐降低,活菌和死菌吸附Cd²⁺的过程更符合准二级动力学模型,表明菌体对镉主要是以化学吸附的方式进行;活菌和死菌等温模型拟合都更符合Langmuir模型,说明YF1对Cd²⁺的吸附为均相吸附;活菌和死菌对Cd²⁺的吸附量分别达到36.20 mg/g和62.98 mg/g;吸附后的活菌和死菌的细胞表面均有Cd(II)沉积在菌体表面,活菌和死菌的-OH、C-(O,N)和-NO₂等基团参与了镉的吸附。【结论】Sphingopyxis sp. YF1菌具有较强的Cd²⁺去除能力,该菌株在去除水体Cd²⁺方面具有良好的应用前景。     

Screening of waste biomass from Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus lentus fermentations for removal of Cu,Zn and Cd by biosorption

Three by-products of fermentations containing Bacillus lentus, Aspergillus oryzae or Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass were tested for the capacity to absorb Cu, Cd and Zn. The composition of the three biomasses was first determined and showed high contents of ashes in both B. lentus and A. oryzae biomass and high amounts of lipids in the bacterial biomass. Metal ion binding experiments were performed by contact of 0.1 g of biomass (protonated for all the metal tests and not protonated only for the Cd test) with 50 ml of solutions containing each of the metals in the concentration range from 10 to 500 mg/ml, at pH 4.5, 3.5 and 2.5. The final metal ion concentrations were determined using a plasma absorption spectrometer, and the metal removal levels for isotherm plots were determined using the Langmuir model. The results showed that B. lentus protonated biomass had the best sorption capacity for Cu and Cd, followed by protonated A. oryzae and S. cerevisiae biomass. The sorption of Zn was low for all tested biomasses, as also was the binding of all metals at acidic pH (2.5 and 3.5). A significant increase in Cd sorption was obtained using non-protonated biomass from B. lentus and A. oryzae.     

The mechanism of cadmium removal from aqueous solution by nonmetabolizing free and immobilized live biomass of Rhizopus oligosporus

A preliminary study on the removal of cadmium by nonmetabolizing live biomass of Rhizopus oligosporus from aqueous solution is presented. The equilibrium of the process was in all cases well described by the Langmuir sorption isotherm, suggesting that the process was a chemical, equilibrated and saturable mechanism which reflected the predominantly site-specific mechanism on the cell surface. A curve of Scatchard transformation plots reflected the covalent nature of Cd²⁺ adsorption by the cells. The maximum cadmium uptake capacities were 34.25 mg/g for immobilized cells and 17.09 mg/g for free cells. Some factorial experiments in shake flasks were performed in order to investigate the effect of different initial cadmium concentrations and biomass concentrations on the equilibrium. Experimental results showed a reverse trend of the influence of the immobilized and free biomass concentration on the cadmium specific uptake capacity. The immobilized cells had a higher specific cadmium uptake capacity with increasing biomass concentrations compared to free cells. In a bioreactor, the cadmium uptake capacity of immobilized cells (q_max = 30.1–37.5 mg/g) was similar to that observed in shake flask experiments (q_max = 34.25 mg/g) whereas with free cells the bioreactor q_max of 4.8–13.0 mg/g; was much lower than in shake flasks (q_max = 17.09 mg/g), suggesting that cadmium biosorption by immobilized cells of R. oligosporus might be further improved in bigger reactors. EDAX and transmission electron microscopic experiments on the fungal biomass indicated that the presence of Cd²⁺ sequestrated to the cell wall was due to bioadsorption.     

Valve closure responses of the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea exposed to cadmium and zinc

The valve movement patterns of immobilized Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea) were monitored during exposure to constant concentrations of cadmium (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mg 1^–1) or zinc (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.9 mg 1^–1) for 24 h following a 24-h acclimation period. Data indicate that the duration of response was concentration dependent and toxicity related. Durations of periods with valves parted declined as the concentration of heavy metal increased. Behavior was consistent for both mean time to first closure following the initial exposure and mean time per valve parting episode over a 24-h exposure period. Mean time per valve parting episode during the 24-h exposure period ranged from 600 minutes for control trials to 36 and 69 minutes for the highest concentrations of cadmium and zinc tested, respectively. There was no association between durations of periods with valves sealed and solutions of cadmium; however, lengthening durations of periods with valves sealed coincided with exposure of clams to progressively more concentrated zinc solutions. In addition, Asiatic clams demonstrated a greater rate of response (decline in the duration of periods with valves parted) to progressively more concentrated solutions of cadmium than to comparable increases in the concentrations of zinc solutions.     

Perturbation of monovalent cation composition in Ulva lactuca by cadmium, copper and zinc

Discs of thallus cut from the macroalga Ulva lactuca were incubated in filtered seawater containing cadmium, zinc, copper or cobalt (30 m). The metal uptake rates differed for each metal in the order Cu > Zn > Cd > Co. Exposure of the macroalga to metals resulted in a disruption of intracellular monovalent cation composition. Intracellular potassium was irreversibly lost and sodium was accumulated by cadmium- or copper-treated U. lactuca, which was assumed to indicate irreversible disruption of the plasmalemma. Exposure to zinc caused an increase in sodium concentrations, whereas potassium concentrations were not significantly different from the controls, suggesting that the integrity of the plasmalemma had been maintained at the zinc concentration used. Intracellular magnesium was also lost from copper-treated algae, which again indicated a loss of integrity of the cell membrane.     

Lead biosorption by waste biomass of Corynebacterium glutamicum generated from lysine fermentation process

Biomass waste, mainly Corynebacterium glutamicum, is generated from large-scale lysine fermentation process. In this study, protonated C. glutamicum biomass was evaluated as a biosorbent for the removal of lead from synthetic wastewater. As Pb2+ were bound to the biomass, the solution pH deceased, indicating that protons in the biomass were exchanged with lead ions. The Corynebacterium biomass bound Pb2+ at up to 2.74 mmol g(-1) at pH 5, where lead does not precipitate. Compared with other biosorbents and conventional sorbents, such as natural zeolite, activated carbon and synthetic ion exchange resin, the protonated C. glutamicum biomass was considered to be a useful biomaterial for lead biosorption.     

Biosorption of thorium (IV) by a Pseudomonas biomass

Lyophilized biomass of a Pseudomonas soilisolate adsorbed thorium (IV) (430 mg g^–1 dry wt) optimally at pH 4, with 91% of equilibrium loading being reached in 1 min. Equilibrium metal sorption showing conformity to Langmuir isotherm model suggested a monolayered thorium binding. Thorium binding remained unaffected or slightly affected (< 20% inhibition) in presence of equimolar (430 M) concentration of several interfering ions except Fe³⁺ (40% inhibition). More than 90% of loaded thorium could be recovered using 1 M CaCO₃, though mineral acids and Na₂CO₃ were also effective.     

Removal of heavy metals from stainless steel effluents by waste biomass from Brazilian alcoholic beverage production

The capacity of waste biomasses from sugar-cane aguardente, a traditional Brazilian spirit, for metal biosorption was assessed. Free biomass and biomass immobilized onto chitin and Dowex (ion-exchange resin) were utilized to remove chromium, iron and nickel from both synthetic solutions and stainless steel effluents. The best performance in terms of metal sorbed was observed in with free biomass, with the following adsorption capacity: 70% chromium, 50% iron and 20% nickel at pH 4.0.     

Biosorption of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate by seaweed biomass

Samples of various Sargassum species were collected in the Hong Kong marine environment and used for studies on biosorption of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to determine the removal capacity and removal efficiency of the biosorbents. The DEHP removal ability was similar among beached seaweed and three freshly collected Sargassum species. Different physico-chemical factors were evaluated in order to enhance the performance of the biosorbents. Under optimized conditions (25 mg biomass, initial pH 4, 25 °C, 40 mg L^–1 DEHP), the mean removal capacity of beached seaweed and Sargassum siliquastrum was 5.68 and 6.54 mg g^–1, respectively. Examination of the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms showed that the biosorption phenomenon by these biosorbents could well be described by these models. Desorption of DEHP was also assessed with methanol, which showed the most satisfactory desorbing ability. Further study in multiple adsorption–desorption of DEHP by the biosorbents demonstrated the reusability of both beached seaweed and S. siliquastrum for biosorption of DEHP.     

Assessing the potential for zinc and cadmium phytoremediation with the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens

Thlaspi caerulescens is a Zn and Cd hyperaccumulator, and has been tested for its phytoremediation potential. In this paper we examine the relationships between the concentrations of Zn and Cd in soil and in T. caerulescens shoots, and calculate the rates of Zn and Cd extraction from soil. Using published data from field surveys, field and pot experiments, we show that the concentrations of Zn and Cd in the shoots correlate with the concentrations of Zn and Cd in soils in a log-linear fashion over three orders of magnitude. There is little systematic difference between different populations of T. caerulescens in the relationship between soil and plant Zn concentrations. In contrast, populations from southern France are far superior to those from other regions in Cd accumulation. Bioaccumulation factors (plant to soil concentration ratio) for Zn and Cd decrease log-linearly with soil metal concentration. Model calculations show that phytoremediation using T. caerulescens is feasible when soil is only moderately contaminated with Zn and Cd, and the phytoremediation potential is better for Cd than for Zn if the populations from southern France are used. Recent progress in the understanding of the mechanisms of Zn and Cd uptake by T. caerulescens is also reviewed.     

Zinc removal from model solution and wastewater by Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis biomass

The biosorption of zinc from model solution as well as wastewater by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass was studied. Adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of contact time between adsorbent and zinc, the initial metals and sorbent concentration, pH value, and temperature. The ability of Arthrospira biomass for zinc biosorption exhibited a maximum at the pH range 4–8. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model as well as the Freundlich model with maximum adsorption capacity of 7.1 mg/g. The pseudo second-order model was found to correlate well with the experimental data. Different thermodynamic parameters, ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were evaluated and it has been found that the sorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature. The process of zinc removal from industrial effluent was studied at different time of sorbat–sorbent interaction and different sorbent dosage. Maximum zinc removal (83%) was obtained at sorbent concentration 60 g/L during 1-h experiment. The results indicate that Arthrospira platensis biomass could be effectively used for zinc removal from industrial effluents.     

Uptake of lead,cadmium and zinc by the fairy shrimp,Branchinecta longiantenna (Crustacea: Anostraca)

Individuals of the fairy shrimp, Branchinecta longiantenna, were subjected to 5 concentrations (0.1 to 15 mg l^–1) of Pb in diluted habitat water at 13 °C. Lead concentrations (mg kg^–1 wet weight) in the animals were determined at 2-day intervals by digestion in nitric acid followed by atomic absorption analysis. The shrimp were also subjected to 0.1 mg l^–1 media of Cd and Zn, separately.Uptake rates by the fairy shrimp for the three metal ions at 0.1 mg l^–1 were: 0.111, 0.0885, and 0.0460 mg kg^–1 day^–1 for Zn, Pb, and Cd, respectively. After 2 days in 1.0 mg l^–1 Cd or Zn, the animals expired; but they surviced for 8 days in a 10 mg l^–1 Pb medium and for 2 days in 25 mg l^–1 Pb. Lead uptake demonstrated a linear dependence on the Pb concentration in the media.Shrimp survived at much higher tissue accumulations of Pb compared to Zn and Cd. Estimated lethal doses were 20, 1.2–2.4, and 0.4–1.4 mg kg^–1 wet weight for Pb, Zn, and Cd, respectively. Pb was found to be at much lower concentration than Cd or Zn in the natural pond water but between Cd and Zn levels in the sediment. Thus Cd and Zn probably present a greater threat to B. longiantenna than Pb, although Pb may be in higher concentration in the environment.Contribution 47, Laboratory of Ecology, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711, USA. Send reprint requests to Clyde Eriksen.     

Comparative study of Cr(VI) uptake and reduction in industrial effluent by Ochrobactrum intermedium and Brevibacterium sp.

Two chromium-resistant bacterial strains, CrT-1 and CrT-13, tolerant up to 40mg K₂CrO₄ ml^–1 on nutrient agar, 25mgml^–1 in nutrient broth, and up to 10mgml^–1 in acetate-minimal media, were identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium and Brevibacterium sp., respectively, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Uptake of chromate was greater in living cells than in heat-killed on dried cells. CrT-1 reduced 82%, 28% and 16% of Cr(VI) at 100, 500, and 1000gml^–1 after 24h while CrT-13 reduced 41%, 14% and 9%. Other heavy metals at low concentrations did not affect these reductions. At 150 and 300gml^–1 in an industrial effluent sample Cr(VI) was reduced by 87% and 71%, respectively, with CrT-1 and by 68% and 47% with CrT-13.Revisions requested 17 May 2004; Revisions received 2 July 2004     

Biosorption of Cd, Zn and Cu by Sargassum sp. waste biomass

Biosorption is becoming an important component in the integrated approach to the treatment of aqueous effluents. The economics of biomass technical applications are improved by using waste biomass instead of purposely-produced biomass. Biomass derived from an alginate extraction industry - Sargassum sp. - was examined for its ability to function as a biosorbent for metals such as cadmium, zinc and copper. For use in column applications, biomass should be immobilized. To the algae reinforcement, the biomass was embedded in polyethleneimine (PEI), followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. Equilibrium Zn and Cu isotherms were analysed using the immobilization ratio that showed the best Cd performance. Either Freundlich or Langmuir models can describe the passive biosorption equilibrium of cadmium, zinc and cooper. The preference for this series of metals by the biomass was found to be Cd > Zn > Cu, with maximum uptake values of 157.8, 118.5 and 77.4 mg/g dry weight biomass for Cd, Zn and Cu. respectively. The metal binding capacity by non-living biomass is an important quality for industrial use.     

Preparation and characterization of chitosan encapsulated Sargassum sp. biosorbent for nickel ions sorption

A new biosorbent - Sargassum sp. encapsulated with epichlorohydrin (ECH) cross-linked chitosan (CS) was investigated for nickel ions removal. The prepared biosorbent with Sargassum sp. to cross-linked chitosan of 3 (weight ratio) had the highest sorption capacity. The biosorption kinetics can be well fitted by the diffusion-controlled model. The organic leaching of CS was 77-88% less than that of algae at different pH. The biosorption capacity of nickel on CS was much higher than that of cross-linked chitosan (CLC) bead and lower than that of raw algae due to encapsulation. In addition, the reusability of CS was further evaluated and confirmed through five adsorption-desorption cycles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated that the nickel ions sequestration mechanism included ion exchange and nickel complexation with the carboxyl, amino, alcoholic and ether groups in CS.     

Identification of novel denitrifying bacteria Stenotrophomonas sp. ZZ15 and Oceanimonas sp. YC13 and application for removal of nitrate from industrial wastewater

Two novel denitrifying bacteria were successfully isolated from industrial wastewater and soil samples. Using morphological, biochemical/biophysical and 16S rRNA gene analyses, these two bacteria were identified as Stenotrophomonas sp. ZZ15 and Oceanimonas sp. YC13, respectively. Both of these two bacteria showed efficient NO₃ ⁻-N removing abilities under a semi-anaerobic condition without obvious accumulation of NO₂ ⁻-N, N₂O-N and NH₄ ⁺-N. NO₃ ⁻-N removal from paper mill wastewater was also successful by treatments with either a denitrifier or an immobilization method. Therefore, this study provides valuable denitrifying bacteria in biotreatment of industrial wastewater and other environmental pollution caused by NO₃ ⁻/NO₂ ⁻.