Phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil: part I. Dissipation of target contaminants

Phytoremediation has been demonstrated to be a viable cleanup alternative for soils contaminated with petroleum products. This study evaluated the application of phytoremediation to soil from a manufactured gas plant (MGP) site with high concentrations of recalcitrant, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Two greenhouse studies investigated the potential dissipation and plant translocation of PAHs by fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the first experiment and zucchini (Curcubita pepo Raven) in the second. The MGP soil was highly hydrophobic and initially inhibited plant growth. Two unplanted controls were established with and without fertilization. In the first experiment, concentrations of PAHs decreased significantly in all treatments after 12 mo. Plant biomass and microbial numbers were statistically equivalent among plant species. PAH concentrations in plant biomass were negligible for fescue and switchgrass. In the second experiment, zucchini enhanced the dissipation of several PAHs after 90 d of treatment when compared to the unvegetated soil. Plant tissue concentrations of PAHs were not elevated in the zucchini roots and shoots, and PAHs were not detectable in the fruit.     

Impact of microbial/plant interactions on the transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rhizosphere of Festuca arundinacea

The promotion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation was demonstrated in the rhizosphere of Festuca arundinacea with Pseudomonas fluorescens. P. fluorescens 5RL more significantly interacted with salicylate and dextrose in the agar containing tall fescue than agar without plant roots. Although the presence of tall fescue did not promote catabolic enzyme induction in the absence of salicylate, an increase in dioxygenase activity relative to no plant controls implies that this plant may enhance the degradation of PAHs or facilitate the genotypes that are capable of transforming PAH in the rhizosphere.     

Phytoremediation of polycyclic hydrocarbon contaminated soil: part II. Impact on ecotoxicity

Several biological assays were used to evaluate the toxic effects of contaminants in soil after phytoremediation. During the treatment process, significant decreases in overall toxicity were observed. Specifically, earthworm survivability and lettuce germination increased over the study period. Microbial respiration improved, but only in planted treatments. Toxicity and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations showed some correlation, but the relationships generally were not significant. Soil moisture was less of a predictor for biological responses. The presence of plants did not provide a clear advantage for improving toxicity compared to unplanted treatments.     

Removal of water-borne microorganisms in floating media filter-microfiltration system for water treatment

Floating plastic media pre-filter (PP) in combination with microfiltration membrane (MF) was applied to the removal of water-borne microorganism from surface water. The system was operated with and without coagulant addition. Jar-test results suggested that alum and polyaluminum chloride could effectively remove turbidity, fecal coliforms (FC) and algae at their optimum doses. Nevertheless, none of those coagulants could accomplish high coliphage (CP) removal. Microorganism removal in the system was increasing along with time in the PP unit operated at 5-m³/m²/h filtration rate but opposite trend was observed at higher filtration rates (10-15 m³/m²/h). Different coagulant types and filtration rates employed in the PP unit also affected microorganism removal in MF unit. The operation of PP unit at a filtration rate of 15 m³/m²/h and MF unit at a filtration rate of 0.6 m³/m²/d could achieve satisfactory turbidity and overall microorganism removal.     

The impact of different operating conditions on membrane fouling and EPS production

The main goal of this research was to investigate how different factors influence membrane fouling. The impact of the different concentrations of activated sludge and the amount of extracellular polymer substances (EPS) were monitored. Two pilot plants with submerged membrane modules (hollow fiber and flat sheet) were operated and the raw wastewater was used.Humic substances were identified as the major components of EPS in the activated sludge (more than 34%) in both pilot plants. As the basic constituent in permeate, humic substances were identified as the most dominant components in the effluent (61%) in both pilot plants. Conversely, proteins were mostly analyzed in permeate and supernatant below the detection limit. The total amount of EPS [mg g⁻¹ (VSS)] was similar for concentrations of activated sludge 6, 10 and 14 g L⁻¹. Carbohydrates were identified as the component of EPS which tends most to clog membranes.     

Impact of indigenous microorganisms on Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth in cured compost

Both autoclaving and dry-heat treatments were applied to dairy manure-based compost to achieve target populations of indigenous microorganisms. A 3 strain-mixture of Escherichia coli O157:H7 of ca. 2 log CFU/g was inoculated into acclimated autoclaved compost (AAC) and dry heat-treated compost (DHTC) with different moistures, and stored at 8, 22, or 30 °C. Only selected groups of microorganisms grew in AAC during acclimation, whereas the relative ratio of each group of microorganisms was maintained in DHTC after heat treatment. E. coli O157:H7 grew more in AAC than DHTC in the presence of same level of indigenous mesophiles. However, control compost (no heat treatment) did not support E. coli O157:H7 growth. Our results revealed that both the type and population of indigenous microorganisms is critical for suppressing E. coli O157:H7 growth in compost, and dry-heat treatment can result in a compost product which resembles cured compost with different levels of indigenous microorganisms.     

基于城市土地利用类型的地表温度与植被指数的关系

以沈阳市三环作为研究区域,基于QuickBird、Landsat/TM遥感影像和GIS空间分析技术,获取城市土地利用信息,陆地表面温度(LST)以及归一化植被指数(NDVI),定量分析了LST与NDVI在不同城市土地利用类型之间的差异及空间关系.结果表明:LST和NDVI具有明显相反的变化趋势,城市不同土地利用类型的LST与NDVI平均值也具有显著的差异性;多重比较发现,LST和NDVI在两两土地利用类型之间的差异不同;LST与NDVI相关性的显著程度受空间尺度的影响,LST与NDVI的相关性随空间尺度变化呈现出先增加后降低再逐渐增加的趋势.研究结果可为城市规划以及城市绿地系统规划中缓解城市热岛效应提供科学依据.     

新型脱氮微生物与水体脱氮新工艺研究进展

氨氮是河流等淡水资源有机污染的主要污染指标之一。生物脱氮具有低成本、高效、无二次污染和易操作等优点,极具发展前景。重点概述了水体净化系统中新型脱氮微生物的种类及研究进展,介绍了厌氧氨氧化、短程硝化-反硝化和分段进水生物脱氮等高效节能新工艺的工艺原理。     

微生物铝毒害和耐铝毒机制研究进展

在酸性土壤中,铝毒是限制农作物生产的关键问题之一,铝同样对微生物产生毒害作用。研究微生物的铝毒害和耐铝毒机制可以为植物耐铝毒机制的研究提供一种新视角。目前的研究表明,铝作用于微生物细胞的细胞壁、细胞膜、细胞核和细胞器,影响微生物的物质和能量代谢,抑制微生物的生长和发育。针对这些毒害作用,铝毒耐受微生物通过多途径全方位的机制适应外界的铝毒环境。该文结合作者的研究工作,综述了微生物的铝毒害和耐铝毒机制。     

Characterization of composted olive mill wastes to predict potential plant disease suppressiveness

Despite its proven agronomic value, the plant disease suppressive effect of composts from olive waste has not been adequately investigated. In the present study, the disease suppressive potential of two olive waste (OW) composts against soil-borne plant pathogens was investigated. Both OW composts showed sizeable, active microbial populations, which were able to grow actively on chitin and cellulose. In plate inhibition trials, OW compost water extracts (CWEs) exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of the pathogens Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol), Pythium ultimum, Phytophtora infestans, Sclerotina sclerotiorum and Verticillium dahliae; and in pot experiments, the OW composts significantly reduced P. ultimum damping-off and Fol wilt diseases on tomato seedlings. The disease suppressive effect of OW composts seems to be due to the combined effects of suppression phenomena caused by the presence of microorganisms competing for both nutrients and space as well as by the activity of specific antagonistic microorganisms.