PCB removal,soil enzyme activities,and microbial community structures during the phytoremediation by alfalfa in field soils

Purpose  

An in situ phytoremediation trial was developed in order to investigate the function of alfalfa during a 2-year bioremediation of an agricultural soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The study was conducted with the aim to better understand the application potential of PCB phytoremediation at field scale.     

Herbicide degradation and copper complexation by bacterial mixed cultures from a vineyard stormwater basin

Purpose  

The use of stormwater basins as constructed wetlands for the bioremediation of agricultural runoff waters contaminated with pesticides has great potential. The structure and dynamics of the bacterial community in such system, and its function with respect to contaminant removal, remain to be investigated in detail.     

Bioremediation of atrazine: recent advances and promises

Purpose

Atrazine is one of the most widely used herbicides to control broadleaf and grassy weeds for many crops in the world. Its contamination has become a growing public concern because atrazine is the most commonly detected pesticide in soil and groundwater. Studies have indicated that atrazine may cause damages to the central nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system. The aim of this review was to update our understanding of recent development of atrazine bioremediation for its improved application.

Materials and methods

Bioremediation, an economical and eco-friendly approach, has emerged as the most advantageous technique for cleaning up atrazine contamination in soil and water. A large number of atrazine-degrading bacteria and fungi have been isolated. The genetic pathways for atrazine remediation/detoxification have been well characterized in bacteria, fungi, and plants.

Results and discussion

To enhance bioremediation, transgenic microbes and plants expressing atrazine-degrading enzymes have been developed. Co-application of transgenic microbes and transgenic plants has been proposed to get synergistic effect for bioremediation of atrazine.

Conclusions

In summary, although effective bioremediation methods of atrazine removal have been successfully employed, it should be noted that there has been a series of disappointing failures, along with tremendous successes in the laboratory. Overall, future research should be geared toward narrowing the gaps between bioremediation in laboratory and environmental applications.     

Biodegradation of pyrene and catabolic genes in contaminated soils cultivated with Lolium multiflorum L

Background, aim, and scope  

In the soil environment, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs) are of great environmental and human health concerns due to their widespread occurrence, persistence, and carcinogenic properties. Bioremediation of contaminated soil is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and publicly acceptable approach to address the removal of environmental contaminants. However, bioremediation of contaminants depends on plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. The microorganisms that can mineralize various PAHs have PAH dioxygenase genes like nahAc, phnAc, and pdo1. To understand the fate of pyrene in rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils in the presence or absence of Pb, pyrene biodegradation, bacterial community structure, and dioxygenase genes were investigated in a pot experiment.     

An efficient approach towards the bioremediation of copper,cobalt and nickel contaminated field samples

Purpose

The synthetic soil based bioremediation approach as reasonable and sustainable practice at the farming level where desired bioremediation could be established at lower cost.

Materials and methods

Metal-tolerant bacteria from different environmental field samples, (a) a municipal dump site, (b) an agricultural field and (c) sludge of electro-plating industries, were screened and characterized. Bioremediation of metal contaminants through isolated bacteria was compared under two different conditions, synthetic soil and basic minimal media containing copper, cobalt and nickel.

Results and discussion

The pollutants arising from industrial effluents are imparting a huge negative impact on agricultural land. Microbes are predominant in heavy metal-contaminated sites, which signifies as a potential opportunity for the researchers towards bioremediation. Three bacterial species showed high metal tolerance; 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) analysis revealed that the organisms were Proteus vulgaris strain, Stenotrophomonas sp. and Bacillus thuringiensis. Percentage removal of metals was also analysed under different concentrations and pH.

Conclusions

The current tested methods are helpful in streamlining the natural compliance of fragile elements and its uptake into the microbial system under in vitro and in situ conditions.

     

Enhanced bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soil by immobilized bacteria with plant residue and biochar as carriers

Purpose

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are largely accumulated in soils in China. The immobilized-microorganism technique (IMT) is a potential approach for abating soil contamination with PAHs. However, few studies about the application of IMT to contaminated soil remediation were reported. Due to recalcitrance to decomposition, biochar application to soil may enhance soil carbon sequestration, but few studies on the application of biochars to remediation of contaminated soil were reported. In this study, we illustrated enhanced bioremediation of soil having a long history of PAH contamination by IMT using plant residues and biochars as carriers.

Materials and methods

Two PAH-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas putida and an unidentified indigenous bacterium, were selected for IMT. The extractability and biodegradation of 15 PAHs in solution and an actual PAH-contaminated soil amended with immobilized-bacteria materials were investigated under different incubation periods. The effects of carriers and the molecular weight of PAHs on bioremediation efficiency were determined to illustrate their different bio-dissipation mechanisms of PAHs in soil.

Results and discussion

The IMT can considerably enhance the removal of PAHs. Carriers impose different effects on PAH bio-dissipation by amended soil with immobilized-bacteria, which can directly degrade the carrier-associated PAHs. The removal of PAHs from soil depended on PAH molecular weight and carrier types. Enhanced bio-dissipation by IMT was much stronger for 4- and 5-ring PAHs than for 3- and 6-ring ones in soil. Only P400 biochar-immobilized bacteria enhanced bio-dissipation of all PAHs in contaminated soil after a 90-day incubation.

Conclusions

Biochar can promote bioremediation of contaminated soil as microbial carriers of IMT. It is vital to select an appropriate biochar as an immobilized carrier to stimulate biodegradation. It is feasible to use adsorption carriers with high sorptive capabilities to concentrate PAHs as well as microorganisms and thereby enhance dissipation of PAHs and mitigate soil pollution.     

Bioremediation of cadmium-dichlorophen co-contaminated soil by spent <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentinus edodes</Emphasis> substrate and its effects on microbial activity and biochemical properties of soil

Purpose

Soil contamination resulting from industrial and agricultural activities has caused high concerns in recent years. Compared with single pollutant, co-contaminants of heavy metal and organic pollutant in soil are quite complicated. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of spent Lentinus edodes substrate (SLS) as an organic amendment for bioremediation of cadmium (Cd) and dichlorophen (DCP) co-contaminated soil.

Materials and methods

Pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of SLS on the distribution of Cd and dissipation of DCP. The microbial counts and soil respiration rate were determined. The ligninolytic enzymes (manganese peroxidase and laccase) and soil enzymes (dehydrogenase, urease, and acid phosphatase) were analyzed. Variations of Cd fractions in soil were determined following the modified BCR sequential extraction procedure. DCP in soil was detected on a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Agilent 6890N GC–MS).

Results and discussion

Results showed that the addition of SLS or sterilized SLS (SSLS) could facilitate soil biological properties including microbial counts, respiration intensity, and soil enzyme activities compared to control soil. The HOAc extractable Cd decreased by 10.94–17.09 and 9.63–12.02 % in SLS and SSLS amended soil, respectively. As for the dissipation of DCP, the SSLS amended soil recorded 82.4–92.8 % while the SLS amended soil recorded 85.0–96.9 % compared to the non-amended soil (68.3–84.1 %). The presence of available residual nutrients in the substrate could promote the growth of indigenous microbes, which could contribute to the dissipation of DCP.

Conclusions

This study investigated the potential of SLS on the bioremediation of sites co-contaminated with Cd and DCP. The SLS-facilitated removal of soil DCP was due to SLS-promoted soil biological properties including the microbial numbers and soil respiration as well as the ligninolytic enzymes. The addition of SSLS and SLS resulted in a decrease of Cd extractability in soil, and significantly facilitated the activities of dehydrogenase, urease, and acid phosphatase. The results demonstrated the potential of SLS in ex situ bioremediation of soil co-contaminated with Cd and DCP, providing an attractive reusing option of this organic waste.

     

Emerging resistant microbiota from an acidic soil exposed to toxicity of Cr, Cd and Pb is mainly influenced by the bioavailability of these metals

Purpose

The effect of pollutants in soil microorganisms is an important issue in order to understand their toxic effects in the environment, as well as for developing adequate bioremediation strategies. In this sense, the main objective of this study was to assess the involvement of the indigenous microbiota of an acidic forest Mediterranean soil by artificial pollution with heavy metals, and to detect and isolate resistant microorganisms that could be useful for bioremediation.

Materials and methods

Samples from a previously unpolluted acidic forest soil were amended with Cr(VI), Cd(II) or Pb(II) at total amounts ranging from 0.1 to 5,000 mg?kg^?1. These soil microcosms were incubated under controlled laboratory conditions for 28 days. Soluble fractions of metals were determined from aqueous extracts. Both activity and composition of the microbial community were assessed, respectively, by respirometric assays and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). The isolation of metal-resistant microorganisms was attempted by culture plating from microcosms incubated with high concentrations of metals. Isolated strains were tested in cultures with minimal medium to check for their metal resistance and their capacity to reduce the presence of toxic Cr(VI).

Results and discussion

A decrease in the soil respirometric activity and changes in the microbial community composition were detected from 10/100 mg?kg^?1 Cr and 1,000 mg?kg^?1 Cd and Pb. Presumably resistant bacterial and fungal populations developed in most of these polluted microcosms; however, the microbiota was severely impaired at the highest additions of Cr. Even though Cr was the most damaging metal in soil microcosms, if the soluble fractions of metals are considered instead of their total added amounts, the comparison among their toxic effects suggests a similar potential toxicity of Cr and Pb. Isolated multiresistant microorganisms were related mainly to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Ascomycota. Some of them showed the capacity to reduce Cr(VI) concentrations between 54 % and 70 % of the initial value. These strains were affiliated to several species of Streptomyces and Bacillus.

Conclusions

The combination of respirometric assays with molecular methods has been useful to assess the effect of metals on the soil microbial community, which can greatly be explained by their differential bioavailability. Cultivation-dependent and -independent approaches have proved the presence and development of multiresistant microorganisms in a previously unpolluted soil. Due to their properties, some of the isolated strains are potentially useful for soil bioremediation.     

Efforts to improve coupled in situ chemical oxidation with bioremediation: a review of optimization strategies

Purpose  

In order to provide highly effective yet relatively inexpensive strategies for the remediation of recalcitrant organic contaminants, research has focused on in situ treatment technologies. Recent investigation has shown that coupling two common treatments—in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and in situ bioremediation—is not only feasible but in many cases provides more efficient and extensive cleanup of contaminated subsurfaces. However, the combination of aggressive chemical oxidants with delicate microbial activity requires a thorough understanding of the impact of each step on soil geochemistry, biota, and contaminant dynamics. In an attempt to optimize coupled chemical and biological remediation, investigations have focused on elucidating parameters that are necessary to successful treatment. In the case of ISCO, the impacts of chemical oxidant type and quantity on bacterial populations and contaminant biodegradability have been considered. Similarly, biostimulation, that is, the adjustment of redox conditions and amendment with electron donors, acceptors, and nutrients, and bioaugmentation have been used to expedite the regeneration of biodegradation following oxidation. The purpose of this review is to integrate recent results on coupled ISCO and bioremediation with the goal of identifying parameters necessary to an optimized biphasic treatment and areas that require additional focus.     

The effect of concentrations and properties of phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo(a)pyrene on desorption in contaminated soil aged for 1 year

Purpose

The choice and timing of microorganisms added to soils for bioremediation is affected by the dominant bioavailable contaminants in the soil. However, changes to the concentration of bioavailable PAHs in soil are not clear, especially when several PAHs coexist. This study investigated the effects of PAH concentration and chemical properties on desorption in meadow brown soil after a 1-year aging period, which could reflect changes of PAH bioavailability during bioremediation.

Materials and methods

Based on the percentage of different molecular weights in a field investigation, high-level contaminated soil (HCS) and low-level contaminated soil (LCS) were prepared by adding phenanthrene (PHE), pyrene (PYR) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) to uncontaminated meadow brown soil. The concentrations of HCS and LCS were 250 mg?kg^?1 (PHE, PYR, and BaP: 100, 100, and 50 mg?kg^?1) and 50 mg?kg^?1 (PHE, PYR, and BaP: 20, 20, and 10 mg?kg^?1) respectively. The soils were aged for 1 year, after which desorption was induced by means of a XAD-2 adsorption technique over a 96-h period.

Results and discussion

The range of the rapidly desorbing fraction (F _rap) for PHE, PYR, and BaP in HCS and LCS was from 1.9 to 27.8 %. In HCS, desorption of PYR was most difficult, and the rate constant of very slow desorption (K _vs) of PYR was 8 orders of magnitude lower than that of BaP, which had similar very slow desorbing fractions (49.8 and 50.5 %, respectively). However, in LCS, desorption of PYR was the easiest; the K_vs of PYR was 8–10 orders of magnitude higher than those of PHE and BaP. In HCS, the time scale for release of 50 % of the PAHs was ranked as BaP?>?PYR?>?PHE, while in LCS this was BaP?>?PHE?>?PYR.

Conclusions

The combined effect of PAH concentrations and properties should be taken into account during desorption. The desorption of PAH did not always decrease with increasing molecular weight, and the desorption of four-ring PAHs might be special. These results are useful for screening biodegrading microbes and determining when they should be added to soils based on the dominant contaminants present during different periods, thus improving the efficiency of soil bioremediation.     

Remediation of a grey forest soil contaminated with heavy metals by means of leaching at acidic pH

Purpose

The purpose was to study the heavy-metal leaching from topsoil when acidolysis or combination of acidolysis/complexolysis was applied as an approach for in situ soil remediation. The question was how the acidolysis of ferric iron hydroxides from topsoil would effect on the heavy-metal leaching when soil pH was lowered with sulfuric acid in or without the presence of cut straw into the soil.

Materials and methods

Four zero-suction lysimeters were used in this study. The heavy-metal acidolysis was studied by the soil irrigation with diluted solutions of sulfuric acid or its in situ generation as a result of the bacterial oxidation of S° by Acidithiobacilus thiooxidans.The sulfur requirement was calculated having in mind the higher amount of acid soluble iron in the topsoil due to its contamination by AMD. The combination of acidolysis/complexolysis was studied by cut straw addition to S° at ratio 1:1 and 3:1, respectively. Regular sampling and analyses of the pregnant soil solutions was applied. The pollutant content, their distribution among the geochemical fractions, and the content of amorphous ferric iron hydroxides were determined before and after soil bioremediation.

Results and discussion

The reducible mobile fraction was the main fraction in which almost 50 % of each heavy metal was entrapped as a result of the soil pollution by AMD. The combination of acidolysis/complexolysis, realized by elemental sulfur and cut straw addition to horizon A of the AMD-affected soil at ratio of 1:1, allowed the concentration of lead, uranium, and arsenic after 9 months of remediation to be decreased near the relevant maximum admissible concentration (MAC), as their content in the exchangeable and specific adsorbed mobile fraction were drastically reduced. It determined the lower bioavailability of the pollutants at the end of the leaching stage.

Conclusions

A mixture of elemental sulfur and cut straw at a ratio of 1:1 was an efficient method for in situ bioremediation of AMD-affected soil. The heavy-metal leaching from easily leachable fractions was a result of the joint action of acidolysis/complexolysis, and as a result, the contaminant content in horizon A was significantly reduced.

     

Bioavailability of Cd in 110 polluted topsoils to recombinant bioluminescent sensor bacteria: effect of soil particulate matter

Purpose  

In this study, bioavailability and water extractability of Cd in a panel of 110 natural aged heavy metal-polluted soils from northern France containing up to 20.1 mg of Cd per kilogramme was evaluated.     

Enhancing maize grain yield under salt-affected field conditions using salt-resistant maize hybrids and higher planting density

Background

In arid and semiarid countries, grain yield of maize is increasingly impaired by soil salinity. Beside soil amelioration, the development of salt-resistant cultivars is a possibility to enhance crop yield on salt-affected soils.

Aims

This study aimed at testing yield performance in the field of salt-resistant maize hybrids on a salt-affected soil. In addition, planting density was optimized under the saline conditions.

Methods

Four salt-resistant maize hybrids (Zea mays L. SR-05, SR-12, SR-15, and SR-16) were grown under control (EC = 2.0–2.5 dS m⁻¹) and saline (EC = 10.0–12.0 dS m⁻¹) field conditions and compared to the salt-sensitive maize cv. Pioneer-3906. Planting density (5, 8, or 11 plants m⁻²) was optimized for saline soil conditions for SR-12 and the local hybrid EV-78.

Results

Yield of Pioneer-3906 was significantly reduced under salinity because of inhibited kernel setting, whereas the SR hybrids showed no decrease in grain yield. Based on grain yield, the optimum planting density was 8 plants m⁻² with no further increase with 11 plants m⁻². In contrast to SR-12, for cv. EV-78 no increase of harvest index with 8 relative to 5 plants m⁻² was observed.

Conclusions

Vegetative growth of Pioneer-3906 and the SR hybrids was decreased due to Phase-I effects but neither due to water deficiency nor ion toxicity. The experiment corroborated the salt resistance of the SR hybrids under field conditions. Under saline conditions, optimum planting density of salt-resistant cultivars may be higher than under nonsaline conditions when sufficient water supply by artificial irrigation is guaranteed.     

Spatial distribution of sediments and transfer properties in soils in a stormwater infiltration basin

Purpose  

The aim of our study was to characterise the heterogeneity of sediment distribution in a stormwater retention/infiltration basin (Pont de Cheviré, Nantes, France) and to determine the impact of this distribution on water transfer properties in the soil.     

Biochar-application rate and method affect nutrient availability and retention in a coarse-textured,temperate agricultural Cambisol in a microcosm experiment

Background

Agricultural soils often require organic amendments, which improve crop yield and ecosystem services. Biochar has been proven to increase nutrient availability and retention in fine-textured, tropical soils.

Aims

Here we determine how coarse-textured, temperate soils react to different biochar-application rates in different tillage systems.

Methods

We conducted a 6-month laboratory incubation experiment in microcosms filled with a coarse-textured, temperate agricultural soil to determine the effects of biochar-application rate (none, low, or high, i.e., 0, 20, or 40 t dw ha⁻¹, respectively) and application method (mixed into the soil or applied to the soil surface) on microbial activity and biomass, and nutrient availability and leaching.

Results

Microbial activity and biomass and contents of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in leachates were higher in biochar-addition treatments (by 134%, 37%, 372%, 28%, and 801%, respectively) than in the no-addition treatment. The effect was stronger with the low than with the high biochar-application rate. Biochar applied by both methods acted as a slow-release fertilizer, but this effect was stronger when biochar was mixed into the soil. Although available nutrient contents in the soil remained high, nutrient leaching decreased with incubation time. This effect was especially evident when biochar was mixed into the soil.

Conclusions

Biochar is an effective organic amendment in coarse-textured soils providing available nutrients. On the other hand, nutrient-retention mechanisms develop slowly after biochar application and may be greater when biochar is mixed into the soil than applied on the soil surface.     

Soil carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes in permanent upslope pasture and downslope riparian buffers with varying vegetation

Background

Riparian buffers are primarily implemented for their water quality functions in agroecosystems. Their location in the agricultural landscape allows them to intercept and process pollutants from immediately adjacent agricultural land. Vegetated riparian buffers recycle soil organic matter, which elevates soil carbon (C), which upon processing, processes and releases carbon dioxide (CO₂). The elevated soil C and seasonally anoxic environments associated with riparian buffers promote denitrification and fermentation, further increasing soil CO₂ production.

Aim

Against this context, a replicated plot-scale experiment was established at North Wyke, UK, to measure the extent of soil CO₂ emissions in permanent pasture served by grass, willow, and woodland riparian buffers, as well as a no-buffer control.

Methods

Soil CO₂ was measured using the static chamber technique in conjunction with soil and environmental variables between June 2018 and February 2019.

Results

Cumulative soil CO₂ fluxes were in the descending order: woodland riparian buffer; 11,927.8 ± 1987.9 kg CO₂ ha^–1 > no-buffer control; 11,101.3 ± 3700.4 kg CO₂ ha^–1 > grass riparian buffer; 10,826.4 ± 2551.8 kg CO₂ ha^–1 > upslope pasture; 10,554.6 ± 879.5 kg CO₂ ha^–1 > willow riparian buffer; 9294.9 ± 1549.2 5 kg CO₂ ha^–1. There was, however, no evidence of significant differences among all treatments of the current study.

Conclusions

Despite the lack of significant differences, the results from our short-term study show that the woodland riparian buffer had relatively larger soil CO₂ emissions than the remainder of the other riparian buffers and the upslope pasture it serves. Our short-term findings may be useful in developing soil CO₂ mitigation strategies through careful selection of riparian buffer vegetation and may be useful in calibrating mechanistic models for simulating such emissions from similar agro systems.     

Vertical distribution of phosphorus in a sandy soil fertilized with recovered manure phosphates

Purpose  

The aim of the study was to evaluate the environmental fate of recovered manure phosphates for their effective use as crop fertilizers.     

Development of sediment quality criteria in Norway

Introduction  

A Norwegian system for classification of environmental quality of contaminated marine sediments has been in force since 1997 and was revised in 2007.     

Effect of environmental conditions on polychlorinated biphenyl transformations and bacterial communities in a river sediment

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to evaluate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) removal in relation to the associated bacterial community composition in Ohio River sediments (USA) using field and laboratory approaches.     

Hydroxyl release by maize (Zea mays L.) roots under acidic conditions due to nitrate absorption and its potential to ameliorate an acidic Ultisol

Purpose

Hydroxyl ion release by maize (Zea mays L.) roots under acidic conditions was investigated with a view to develop a bioremediation method for ameliorating acid soils in tropical and subtropical regions.

Materials and methods

Two hydroponic culture experiments and one pot experiment were conducted: pH, nitrogen state, and rhizobox condition, which investigated the effects of different nitrogen forms on hydroxyl release by maize roots under acidic conditions.

Results and discussion

The pH of the culture solution increased as culture time rose. The gradient of change increased with rising NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ molar ratios. Maize roots released more hydroxyl ions at pH 4.0 than at pH 5.0. The amount of hydroxyl ions released by maize roots at a constant pH was greater than those at a nonconstant pH. Application of calcium nitrate reduced exchangeable acidity and increased the pH in an Ultisol rhizosphere, compared with bulk soil. The increasing magnitude of soil pH was greater at higher doses of N. The absorption of NO₃ ^?–N increased as the NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ molar ratios rose, which was responsible for hydroxyl ion release and pH increases in culture solutions and rhizosphere.

Conclusions

Root-induced alkalization in the rhizosphere resulting from nitrate absorption by maize plants can be used to ameliorate acidic Ultisols.