ABSTRACT
The aim of this research was to select plant species that could be effective in the phytoremediation ofa former oil-sludge pit. Seven crop plants (Triticum aestivum L., Secale cereale L., Avena sativa L., Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor L Moench, Panicum miliaceum L, and Zea mays L.),five wild grasses (Lolium perenne L., Bromopsis inermis, Agropyron cristatum L., Agropyrum tenerum L., and Festuca pratensis Huds.), and three legumes (Medicago sativa L., Trifolium pratense L., and Onobrychis antasiatica Khin.) were screened for phytotoxicity, including the assessment of germination, shoot biomass, and root biomass, in a pot experiment. The estimation of oil-sludge degradation in the root zone of the tested plants showed that rye accelerated cleanup most effectively, degrading all of the main contaminant fractions in the oil sludge by a total of 52%. Although alfalfa had a lower phytoremediation potential than did rye, it maintained large numbers of soil microorganisms, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degraders, in its rhizosphere. Rye and alfalfa were chosen for a large-scale study to remediate an oil-sludge pit on the grounds of a petroleum refinery. Remediation monitoring confirmed the effectiveness of rye: the oil-sludge content decreased consistently for 3 years and remained low in comparison with the results from other plant species.
Subject(s)
Biodegradation, Environmental , Petroleum/analysis , Petroleum/metabolism , Plants/metabolism , Soil Pollutants/chemistry , Soil Pollutants/metabolism , Soil/analysis , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Studies of degradation of non-ionic surfactants (NISA) in a model purification plant of an original design demonstrated an high rate and depth of degradation processes compared with periodic cultivation of free or immobilized degrading strains. A virtually complete primary degradation (99-99.5%), with destruction of the oxyethyl moiety of the molecule, was observed. In addition, NISA molecules were degraded to a greater extent, including considerable degradation of the hydrocarbon radical, partial degradation of aromatic structures in Neonol, and utilization of biologically "unyielding" fractions of commercial NISA preparations: polyethylene glycol (PEG) and long-chain fractions of polymer homologues.
Subject(s)
Industrial Microbiology , Industrial Waste , Surface-Active Agents/metabolism , Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism , Biodegradation, EnvironmentalABSTRACT
Degradative capability of bacterium Pseudomonas putida immobilized in polysaccharide (agar-agar or furcellarane) gels towards a nonionic surfactant sintanol DS-10 was studied. The immobilized cells were shown to retain their ability to degrade the substrate in the model experiments as well as in the real waste water. The substrate was degraded after adsorption to the carrier beads.
Subject(s)
Organic Chemicals , Pseudomonas putida/metabolism , Surface-Active Agents/metabolism , Agar , Alginates , Biodegradation, Environmental , Gels , Plant Gums , PolysaccharidesSubject(s)
Hirsutism/metabolism , Skin/metabolism , Testosterone/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Binding Sites , Female , HumansABSTRACT
A study was made of the endogenous testosterone (T) level in the blood plasma, the rate of T decomposition and the level of 5 alpha-dehydrotestosterone in the pubic skin of women with hirsutism of different genesis. As to T amounts the investigated form of androgenization can be placed in the following sequence: diencephalic form of ovarian polycystosis greater than congenital adrenogenital syndrome greater than ovarian form of polycystosis (before operation) greater than idiopathic form of hirsutism greater than ovarian form of polycystosis (after operation) greater than healthy women. The rate of T transformation into 5 alpha-dehydrotesosterone was higher but in patients with the idiopathic form of hirsutism whereas the level of 5 alpha-dehydrotestosterone was significantly decreased in all the patients. The highest amount of the metabolite was found in the patients with idiopathic hirsutism, the lowest in the diencephalic form of polycystosis and congenital adrenogenital syndrome. In all the investigated clinical forms of androgenization there is a reduced period of the presence of 5 alpha-dehydrotestosterone in the skin cells. An enhanced process of 5 alpha-dehydrotestosterone transformation into androstenediols is likely to be the most probable cause of this phenomenon. An assumption has been made as to a stimulating effect of androstenediols on the virile pattern hair growth in women.
Subject(s)
Hirsutism/metabolism , Skin/metabolism , Testosterone/metabolism , Adolescent , Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/complications , Adult , Dihydrotestosterone/metabolism , Female , Hirsutism/etiology , Humans , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/complicationsABSTRACT
A study was made of 5 alpha-reductase activity, transformation of 3H-testosterone to 3H-dihydrotestosterone in the liver, kidneys prostate an in the skin of the scrotum, as well as of the level of plasma testosterone in male Wistar rats at varying age periods of postnatal ontogenesis. The data obtained indicate that by the moment of birth the androgen-sensitive organs of male rats include functionally active 5 alpha-reductase. During body development, periods of the enzyme activation were discovered. It was shown that by senility androgen metabolism in the organs under study decelerates whereas, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone tends towards accumulation by the cells.
