Uso de Leersia hexandra (Poaceae) en la fitorremediación de suelos contaminados con petróleo fresco e intemperizado / Use of Leersia hexandra (Poaceae) for soil phytoremediation in soils contaminated with fresh and weathered oil

ResumenLa industria petrolera ha generado derrames crónicos de petróleo y su acumulación en Gleysoles en zonas anegadas en el estado de Tabasco, en el sureste de México. El anegamiento es un factor que limita el uso de tecnologías de remediación por el alto costo y los bajos niveles de degradación del petróleo, sin embargo, Leersia hexandra Sw. es un pasto que crece en estas zonas contaminadas con petróleo intemperizado. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la densidad de bacterias, producción de biomasa vegetal y fitorremediación de L.hexandra en suelo contaminado con petróleos fresco e intemperizado, bajo condiciones experimentales de anegamiento. Se realizaron dos experimentos (E1 y E2) en un túnel de plástico. El E1 se basó en ocho dosis: 6 000, 10 000, 30 000, 60 000, 90 000, 120 000, 150 000 y 180 000 mg kg-1 base seca (b.s.) de hidrocarburos totales de petróleo fresco (HTPF), y en el E2 se evaluaron cinco dosis: 14 173, 28 400, 50 598, 75 492 y 112 142 mg kg-1 b. s. de hidrocarburos totales de petróleo intemperizado (HTPI), con ocho repeticiones en cada experimento, además se utilizó un testigo con 2 607 mg kg-1 b. s. de HTP de origen biogénico. Las variables evaluadas a los tres y seis meses fueron 1) densidad microbiana de las bacterias fijadoras de nitrógeno de vida libre totales (BFN), del grupo Azospirillum (AZP) y Azotobacter (AZT), por cuenta viable en placa seriada; 2) producción de materia seca total (MS), se cuantificó por el peso seco por gravimetría, y 3) el porcentaje de descontaminación de los hidrocarburos (DSC) por extracción en equipo soxhlet. En suelos con HTPF, la población de BFN, AZP y AZT se estimuló hasta cinco veces más que el tratamiento testigo a los tres y seis meses; sin embargo, concentraciones de 150 000 y 180 000 mg kg-1 b. s. inhibieron entre un 70 y 89 % la densidad bacteriana. A su vez, en suelos con PI, la inhibición se registró hasta en un 90 %, a excepción del tratamiento con 14 173 mg kg-1 b. s., el cual estimuló las BNF y AZT en 2 y 0.10 veces más que testigo, respectivamente. La producción de MS fue continua en los experimentos hasta los seis meses, con valores de 63 y 89 g en PF y PI, respectivamente; sin diferencias significativas con el testigo (p ≤ 0.05). El DSC alcanzó valores del 66 % al 87 % en HTPF como HTPI a los seis meses, respectivamente. Estos resultados demuestran la habilidad del L. hexandra para desarrollar una rizósfera con alta densidad de BFN, producir biomasa vegetal y fitorremediar Gleysoles con petróleo fresco e intemperizado en ambientes tropicales inundados.

Abstract:The oil industry has generated chronic oil spills and their accumulation in wetlands of the state of Tabasco, in Southeastern Mexico. Waterlogging is a factor that limits the use of remediation technologies because of its high cost and low levels of oil degradation. However, Leersia hexandra is a grass that grows in these contaminated areas with weathered oil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the bacteria density, plant biomass production and phytoremediation of L. hexandra in contaminated soil. For this, two experiments in plastic tunnel were performed with fresh (E1) and weathered petroleum (E2) under waterlogging experimental conditions. The E1 was based on eight doses: 6 000, 10 000, 30 000, 60 000, 90 000, 120 000, 150 000 and 180 000 mg.kg-1 dry basis (d. b.) of total petroleum hydrocarbons fresh (TPH-F), and the E2, that evaluated five doses: 14 173, 28 400, 50 598, 75 492 and 112 142 mg. kg-1 d. b. of total petroleum hydrocarbons weathered (TPH-W); a control treatment with 2 607 mg.kg-1 d. b. was used. Each experiment, with eight replicates per treatment, evaluated after three and six months: a) microbial density of total free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) of Azospirillum (AZP) and Azotobacter group (AZT), for viable count in serial plate; b) dry matter production (DMP), quantified gravimetrically as dry weight of L. hexandra; and c) the decontamination percentage of hydrocarbons (PDH) by Soxhlet extraction. In soil with TPH-F, the NFB, AZP y AZT populations were stimulated five times more than the control both at the three and six months; however, concentrations of 150 000 and 180 000 mg.kg-1 d. b. inhibited the bacterial density between 70 and 89 %. Likewise, in soil with TPH-W, the FNB, AZP and AZT inhibitions were 90 %, with the exception of the 14 173 mg.kg-1 d. b. treatment, which stimulated the NFB and AZT in 2 and 0.10 times more than the control, respectively. The DMP was continued at the six months in the experiments, with values of 63 and 89 g in fresh and weathered petroleum, respectively; had no significant differences with the control (p≤0.05). The PDH reached values of 66 to 87 % both TPH-F and TPH-W at six months, respectively. These results demonstrated the ability the L. hexandra rhizosphere to stimulate the high NFB density, vegetal biomass production and phytoremediation of contaminated soils (with fresh and weathered petroleum), in a tropical waterlogging environment. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 21-30. Epub 2017 March 01.

Enrichment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a contaminated soil after rehabilitation

Abstract Spore counts, species composition and richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and soil glomalin contents were evaluated in a soil contaminated with Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb after rehabilitation by partial replacement of the contaminated soil with non-contaminated soil, and by Eucalyptus camaldulensis planting with and without Brachiaria decumbens sowing. These rehabilitation procedures were compared with soils from contaminated non-rehabilitated area and non-contaminated adjacent soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities attributes were assessed by direct field sampling, trap culture technique, and by glomalin contents estimate. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was markedly favored by rehabilitation, and a total of 15 arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi morphotypes were detected in the studied area. Species from the Glomus and Acaulospora genera were the most common mycorrhizal fungi. Number of spores was increased by as much as 300-fold, and species richness almost doubled in areas rehabilitated by planting Eucalyptus in rows and sowing B. decumbens in inter-rows. Contents of heavy metals in the soil were negatively correlated with both species richness and glomalin contents. Introduction of B. decumbens together with Eucalyptus causes enrichment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species and a more balanced community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores in contaminated soil.

Carbazole degradation in the soil microcosm by tropical bacterial strains

In a previous study, three bacterial strains isolated from tropical hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and phylogenetically identified as Achromobacter sp. strain SL1, Pseudomonas sp. strain SL4 and Microbacterium esteraromaticum strain SL6 displayed angular dioxygenation and mineralization of carbazole in batch cultures. In this study, the ability of these isolates to survive and enhance carbazole degradation in soil were tested in field-moist microcosms. Strain SL4 had the highest survival rate (1.8 x 107 cfu/g) after 30 days of incubation in sterilized soil, while there was a decrease in population density in native (unsterilized) soil when compared with the initial population. Gas chromatographic analysis after 30 days of incubation showed that in sterilized soil amended with carbazole (100 mg/kg), 66.96, 82.15 and 68.54% were degraded by strains SL1, SL4 and SL6, respectively, with rates of degradation of 0.093, 0.114 and 0.095 mg kg−1 h−1. The combination of the three isolates as inoculum in sterilized soil degraded 87.13% carbazole at a rate of 0.121 mg kg−1 h−1. In native soil amended with carbazole (100 mg/kg), 91.64, 87.29 and 89.13% were degraded by strains SL1, SL4 and SL6 after 30 days of incubation, with rates of degradation of 0.127, 0.121 and 0.124 mg kg−1 h−1, respectively. This study successfully established the survivability (> 106 cfu/g detected after 30 days) and carbazole-degrading ability of these bacterial strains in soil, and highlights the potential of these isolates as seed for the bioremediation of carbazole-impacted environments.

General Factors of the Korean Exposure Factors Handbook / 예방의학회지

Risk assessment considers the situations and characteristics of the exposure environment and host. Various physiological variables of the human body reflects the characteristics of the population that can directly influence risk exposure. Therefore, identification of exposure factors based on the Korean population is required for appropriate risk assessment. It is expected that a handbook about general exposure factors will be used by professionals in many fields as well as the risk assessors of the health department. The process of developing the exposure factors handbook for the Korean population will be introduced in this article, with a specific focus on the general exposure factors including life expectancy, body weight, surface area, inhalation rates, amount of water intake, and soil ingestion targeting the Korean population. The researchers used national databases including the Life Table and the 2005 Time Use Survey from the National Statistical Office. The anthropometric study of size in Korea used the resources provided by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards. In addition, direct measurement and questionnaire surveys of representative samples were performed to calculate the inhalation rate, drinking water intake, and soil ingestion.

Soil properties affecting metal extractability patterns in periurban calcareous agricultural soils in the mediterranean area

The potential risk of metal accumulation in periurban agricultural areas is a matter for concern. The climate characteristics and carbonate content of calcareous agricultural Mediterranean soils typical in these areas favour metal accumulation at the surface level; however there is also a risk of potential metal mobility. Our study focuses on the soil properties affecting metal mobility in these soils. Metal extractability patterns were assessed in soils after they were spiked with a mixture of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn and incubated up to 12 months, using one-step extraction methods [NaNO[3], a mixture of low molecular weight organic acids - LMWOA and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid -DTPA-]. The concentration of extractable Cd was 50% lower in the soil with the highest carbonate content. LMWOA-extractable Cu was highest in soils with the lowest organic matter [OM] content at day 1 of the incubation experiment and in soils with the lowest carbonate and recalcitrant OM contents at 12 months. Fine mineral fractions determined the lowest DTPAextractable Cu. The highest Pb retention was in soils with the highest carbonate and clay contents. However, we were unable to establish any soil component affecting Pb extractability patterns. The Zn extractability pattern was related to particle-size distribution, which was highest in soils with a low proportion of fine mineral fractions. To summarise, carbonate, particle-size distribution and OM are relevant to potential metal mobility in these soils. The high DTPA-extractable metal values are evidence of a potential risk of metal mobility in the soils in the study

Soil mycofloral responses following the exposure to 2, 4-D.

2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a post emergence herbicide. The tests were conducted to study the toxicity of 2,4-D using EC50 value in four dilutions. 2,4-D was applied at concentration of 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 300 mg l(-1) in the potato Dextrose agar medium. The effect of this herbicide was evaluated as the colony forming unit (CFU). EC50 value for 10(-3) dilution of soil was 138 +/- 5.944 mg l(-1). Soil physico-chemical parameters and mycofloral properties were also evaluated. Qualitatively 10 genera of fungi were observed in untreated soil, whereas 4 genera were found in 2,4-D administered dose.

Rizoremediação de pentaclorofenol em um solo argiloso por sphingomonas chlorophenolica ATCC 39723 / Pentachlorophenol rhizoremediation in a loamy soil by sphingomonas chlorophenolica ATCC 39723

O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a degradação de PCP por Sphingomonas chlorophenolicaem solo argiloso na presença e ausência de trigo. As concentrações de PCP foram determinadas através de Análises de Alta Performance de Cromatografia Líquida. Os efeitos tóxicos de PCP foram estudados através do monitoramento do crescimento das plantas. A biodegradação de PCP por S. chlorophenolica foi acompanhada por testes de bioluminescência de Escherichia coli HB101 pUCD607 e contagens bacterianas no solo e nas raízes. A degradação de PCP ocorreu de forma mais rápida no solo plantado e inoculado quando comparada ao solo sem plantas. Houve um aumento significativo nas populações dos organismos testados nas raízes quando comparadas com as populações presentes no solo. O monitoramento do crescimento da planta mostrou o papel protetor exercido pela S.chlorophenolica contra a toxicidade do PCP.

The main objective of this study was study the PCP degradation by Sphingomonas chlorophenolica in a loamy soil in the presence and absence of plants (Winter wheat). Measurements of PCP concentrations were carried out in a laboratory basis using High performance liquid chromatography analysis (HPLC). The toxic effect of PCP on plants was studied through the monitoring of the plant growth. The biodegradation of PCP by S. chlorophenolica in soil was assessed with a bioluminescence assay of Escherichia coli HB101 pUCD607 and bacterial analyses in roots and soil. The planted and inoculated soil showed a faster degradation when compared to the inoculated soil without plants. There was a significative increase in the populations of the organisms tested in the roots when compared to the soil. The monitoring of the plant growth showed a protective role of S. chlorophenolica against the toxicity of PCP in the loamy soil.

Dynamics of lead (Pb) in different soil conditions.

Four soil samples were collected from various locations having wider range of pH and EC for incubation experiment. These soil samples were added with Pb (NO3)2 salts, and samples were taken on 1st, 35th, 45thand 60th day. Soils samples were fractioned by sequential extraction to estimate the concentration of lead in different fractions viz, water soluble, exchangeable +adsorbed, organic, carbonate and residual fraction. The result reveals that concentration of organic and carbonate bound-Pb was high in waterlogged condition and soil pH has been comprehensively identified as the single most important soil factor controlling the availability of lead (Pb) in soil. Low content of Pb in exchangeable + adsorbed (KNO3) and water soluble (H2O) fraction in all soils (except in S1) could signify low availability of Pb to plants. Bioavailable fractions, viz. water soluble and exchangeable + adsorbed, were low in all soils (except S1) well below critical limits, which may not pose any toxicity in the food chain.

Interaction of potassium phosphonate fungicide in laterite soil.

Potassium phosphonate is a fungicide widely used to control Phytophthora fungi species in many crops all over the world. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the interaction of potassium phosphonate with soil under varying pH and calcium level. Several reports available in literature indicate that the phosphonate in organic form adsorb strongly on almost all mineral surfaces and natural materials like soil and sediments. The present study conducted on laterite soil of Kerala using 2 mm sieved sample indicated that phosphonate obeys Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Though at lower concentrations, Langmuir model equally fits well, deviation was observed at higher concentrations. pH and calcium content of the soil had striking influence on the interaction of the chemical with the soil. The calcium source also appeared to influence the adsorption phenomenon. Since potassium phosphonate is extensively used to control Phytophthora fungi species in black pepper (Piper nigrum) plantations in India and liming is a standard practice followed as soil amendment in acid soils to increase the soil pH, this study may help to maintain good soil quality.