利用上流式双层厌氧滤器启动厌氧氨氧化研究

厌氧氨氧化是一种高效的脱氮处理工艺,但其启动和运行过程困难,高效反应器是解决此问题的有效手段。本文利用改进的上流式双层厌氧滤器开展厌氧氨氧化启动反应的试验研究。在反应器填料上分别接种反硝化污泥、厌氧污泥、混合污泥,通过模拟废水提供自养反硝化条件,并逐步提高基质浓度和水力负荷,促使菌群向厌氧氨氧化反应转变。试验发现,反硝化污泥、厌氧污泥、混合污泥均可启动厌氧氨氧化反应,启动时间分别为42、54 d和45 d。以反硝化污泥为接种物的启动效果最好,启动时间较短且废水氮素去除率高,总氮去除率最高达到82.2%。双层填料的反应器有效提高了厌氧氨氧化的稳定性,该反应器中厌氧氨氧化菌对氨氮、亚硝氮的适宜浓度负荷为270、360 mg·L~(-1),废水中COD浓度不宜超过150 mg·L~(-1),系统中存在厌氧氨氧化和甲烷化共存的效应。     

好氧颗粒污泥的研究新进展

好氧颗粒污泥是近年发现的,在好氧条件下自发形成的微生物细胞之间自身固定化的一种形式,具有良好的沉降性能、较高的生物量和在高容积负荷条件下降解高浓度有机废水的良好生物活性.污泥颗粒化过程是一个多阶段的过程,取决于废水组成、操作条件和适当的选择压等因素.COD和DO浓度对好氧颗粒污泥的同步硝化反硝化反应有明显影响.COD浓度在400～1200mg/L范围内,好氧颗粒污泥去除COD的能力均在85%以上.颗粒污泥能吸附有机物,使废水中COD浓度快速下降.COD浓度＜800mg/L,,好氧颗粒污泥具有良好的脱N能力,N去除率最高达85.3%.在溶氧浓度为1～4 mg/L条件下,颗粒污泥对COD去除率均在90%以上.不同的溶氧浓度对N的去除率有一定影响,在溶氧浓度3mg/L时,N去除率最高,达83%.本文对好氧颗粒污泥的基本特征和微生物相、好氧颗粒污泥形成的主要影响因素及其颗粒化反应器等进行综述,并对好氧颗粒污泥在环境工程中的进一步应用提出展望.     

脉冲循环式渠槽厌氧反应器处理太湖腐熟蓝藻性能

为实现太湖腐熟蓝藻的资源化处理,研究新型厌氧反应器——脉冲循环式渠槽厌氧反应器处理太湖腐熟蓝藻的效能及其运行特点。以城市污水处理厂剩余污泥为种泥,污泥接种量混合液挥发性悬浮固体浓度(MLVSS)为20g/L,进水化学需氧量(COD)质量浓度2000mg/L,水力停留时间(HRT)为5d,中温(30～35℃)厌氧条件下,反应器可在30d内成功启动并达到初步稳定运行,COD去除率达到60%左右,产气率为0.08L/(L·d);当进水COD容积负荷3.5kg/(m3·d)时,仍能实现安全稳定运行,COD去除率可以稳定在80%左右,产气率在1.2L/(L·d),表明反应器抗冲击负荷能力较强,同时沼液中藻毒素(TMC-LR、EMC-LR)去除率为90%以上。稳定运行期间反应器厌氧颗粒污泥对腐熟蓝藻甲烷化的最大比基质降解速率为1.253mg/(mg·d),半饱和常数为11770mg/L,甲烷产率系数为0.256mL/mg;电镜观测发现稳定运行期颗粒污泥以产甲烷的八叠球菌为主,伴有丝状菌和杆菌等,同时发现其蛋白酶、TTC-脱氢酶和辅酶F420活性相对较高。研究发现脉冲循环式渠槽厌氧反应器能够有效地处理太湖蓝藻,这对其资源化利用具有一定的指导意义。     

两种厌氧反应器培养颗粒污泥的对比试验

以养猪场废水作为试验用水,对在IC和UASB反应器内培养厌氧颗粒污泥的过程进行了对比试验,并对培养出的颗粒污泥的特性进行了对比分析。结果表明：经过54d培养,通过不同孔径的筛网进行测试,发现IC反应器内形成的颗粒污泥的直径多数在1～4 mm之间,其中2～3 mm的污泥质量占污泥总质量的比例最大,为28.5％,并且有大于5 mm的颗粒污泥产生;而UASB内形成的颗粒污泥直径多数在1～3 mm之间,其中1～2 mm的污泥质量占污泥总质量的比例最大,为38.7％,且没有发现大于5 mm的颗粒污泥。     

集约化猪场废水强化生化处理工艺试验研究

该文采用新型厌氧反应器技术和强化生物脱氮及硝化技术处理猪场废水。试验结果表明：新型厌氧反应器容积COD_Cr负荷可达8 kg/(m³·d)以上,稳定运行COD_Cr平均去除率为75％;生物脱氮及硝化采用一体式A/O反应器,缺氧段水力停留时间为1 h,好氧段水力停留时间为3 d,氨氮浓度可控制在10 mg/L以下。总出水COD_Cr平均550 mg/L,BOD₅平均53.0 mg/L,NH₃-N平均8.8 mg/L,总COD_Cr去除率87%,总BOD₅去除率96%,NH₃-N总去除率在98％以上;采用原水碳源优化分配强化生物脱氮,TN去除率为77.11%左右。总出水BOD₅/COD_Cr约0.10,出水COD_Cr中难生物降解成分占绝大多数,需经过后续物化处理才能达到广东省水污染物控制标准(DB44/26-2001)。     

养殖固体废弃物作碳源的海水养殖废水反硝化净化效果

由于养殖废水C/N低且溶解氧（DO）含量高,需要补充碳源并有效脱氧,才能保证高效反硝化。该文开展了以养殖固体废弃物作碳源,海水养殖废水水解、反硝化净化工艺的试验研究。结果表明,养殖废水（水解种污泥与养殖固体废弃物体积比为1︰1、水温20℃）经过10 h水解,水解液DO质量浓度降至0.2 mg/L,NH4+-N、NO3--N、总有机物（TCOD）和总固体（TS）的去除率分别为62.8%、43.5%、24.0%和13.6%。当水解种污泥与养殖固体废弃物体积比为1︰1.5～1︰2.5时,养殖废水在20℃条件下水解6 h,水解液中挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）质量浓度和溶解性有机物/总有机物（SCOD/TCOD） 分别增加32.0%～49.3%和3.5%～9.1%。利用厌氧活性污泥对养殖废水的水解液（体积比为1︰4、水温20℃）进行反硝化净化,NO3--N和TCOD的3 h去除率分别达99.6%和88.3%,而养殖废水直接反硝化10 h, NO3--N和TCOD的去除速率分别为36.5%和75.9%。这表明,在海水循环水养殖系统中,利用养殖固体废弃物作碳源,养殖废水水解、反硝化工艺,能有效脱氧和补充有机碳源,养殖废水反硝化净化效果显著。     

生物反应器电子受体反硝化聚磷PAOs-GAOs竞争及N2O释放特性

利用厌氧-缺氧-好氧序批式生物反应器（Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxic-Sequencing Batch Reactor, An/A/O-SBR）,以乙酸钠为电子供体,NO3-/NO2-为电子受体,控制反硝化电子受体电子需求为90 mmol/L,经长时间驯化,考察了不同电子受体驯化SBR反硝化除磷及N2O释放特性,并利用化学计量法确定了聚磷菌（Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms, PAOs）和聚糖菌（Glycogen Accumulating Organisms, GAOs）间竞争关系。结果表明,NO3-还原过程中,SBR系统总氮（Total Nitrogen, TN）和总磷（Total Phosphorus, TP）去除率均达95%以上,平均N2O产率为2.4%,PAOs转化碳源（CODin）和反硝化脱氮比例分别为62.0%和76.2%。NO2-增加,厌氧段糖原（Gly）酵解性能增强,Gly消耗与碳源转化比例（ΔGly/CODin）由0.67增至0.80,PAOs活性受抑制,聚磷（Poly-P）合成减少,GAOs竞争优势增强。NO2--N为30 mg/L,SBR内TP去除率降至50.5%,平均N2O产率达9.9%,PAOs转化碳源和脱氮比例分别降至36.0%和50.6%。PAOs-GAOs共生体系内,GAOs反硝化脱氮过程,削弱了高NO2-对PAOs反硝化除磷的抑制,缺氧阶段NO2-/HNO2积累耦合GAOs反硝化脱氮比例增加,导致高NO2-下TP去除率下降和N2O产率增加。     

UASB处理养猪场废水条件下进水浓度对污泥颗粒化的影响

UASB能够在很高负荷下稳定运行的重要原因在于反应器内形成的厌氧颗粒污泥。该文研究了利用UASB处理猪场废水时进水COD浓度对污泥颗粒化的影响，结果发现：颗粒直径随进水浓度的上升而增高，受传质过程中所能进入颗粒内部的营养量所控制，因此要根据COD去除率的情况适时提高进水浓度，及时地随微生物数量的增加补充营养，促进污泥颗粒化；也可以避免因浓度变化太快引起细菌生长过快，污泥结构松散，沉降性能下降，COD去除率和产气率降低。     

光合细菌强化高浓度酵母废水厌氧生物处理效果研究

高浓酵母废水的厌氧生物处理效率对废水处理系统的运行成本和经济可行性具有至关重要的作用。该文采用光合细菌强化厌氧污泥的方法处理酵母废水,考察了废水在厌氧处理前后的化学需氧量、色度变化以及光合细菌加入前后微生物的OTU分布、厌氧污泥细菌的物种门类、污泥古菌聚类结果序列数量的变化。结果表明:光合细菌加入后,单段厌氧反应器处理酵母废水化学需氧量和色度去除率分别由原来的58.20%、47.50%显著提升至75.12%和62.04%,光合细菌强化厌氧生物处理过程效果明显。微生物多样性分析发现在厌氧污泥驯化和添加光合细菌强化过程中,优势菌种不断累积,特异性增强,物种门类数目减少。光合细菌与其他异养细菌存在共生关系,加入光合细菌后污泥中产甲烷优势群落微生物明显增多,从而提高厌氧系统的处理效果。研究结果为高浓工业有机废水的有效处理提供了参考。     

两次投加竹炭对UASB反应器污泥颗粒化的促进作用

为考察竹炭不同投加方式对UASB反应器污泥颗粒化过程的影响,以猪场废水为培养基质,对比分析了试验组（启动初期和颗粒污泥形成后两次投加粉末竹炭）和对照组（仅在启动初期投加1次粉末竹炭）两台UASB反应器中污泥颗粒化过程。结果表明：在颗粒污泥出现后再次投加粉末竹炭可促进颗粒污泥的增殖与稳定,有利于大粒径颗粒污泥的形成和致密化,改善颗粒污泥沉降性能,进而提高有机物去除效果。试验运行至第57 天,试验组反应器底部和上部污泥颗粒化程度（SGR）分别为94.5%和60.7%,比对照组分别高出了7.9%和17.3%,其中试验组反应器底部粒径大于 1.7 mm的颗粒污泥质量分数达到了41.7%,而对照组仅为32.4%;试验组反应器化学需氧量（COD）去除率为81.6%,明显高于对照组（75.7%）。试验结果证明,在UASB污泥颗粒化过程中,于颗粒污泥出现后再次投加粉末竹炭,可加快UASB 反应器的启动。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.