Microbiological mechanism for "production while remediating" in Cd-contaminated paddy fields: A field experiment.

Security utilization measures (SUMs) for "production while remediating" in moderate and mild Cd-polluted paddy fields had been widely used. To investigate how SUMs drove rhizosphere soil microbial communities and reduced soil Cd bioavailability, a field experiment was conducted using soil biochemical analysis and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that SUMs improved rice yield by increasing the number of effective panicles and filled grains, while also inhibiting soil acidification and enhancing disease resistance by improving soil enzyme activities. SUMs also reduced the accumulation of harmful Cd in rice grains and transformed it into FeMn oxidized Cd, organic-bound Cd, and residual Cd in rhizosphere soil. This was partly due to the higher degree of soil DOM aromatization, which helped complex the Cd with DOM. Additionally, the study also found that microbial activity was the primary source of soil DOM, and that SUMs increased the diversity of soil microbes and recruited many beneficial microbes (Arthrobacter, Candidatus_Solibacter, Bryobacter, Bradyrhizobium, and Flavisolibacter) associated with organic matter decomposition, plant growth promotion, and pathogen inhibition. Besides, special taxa (Bradyyrhizobium and Thermodesulfovibrio) involved in sulfate/sulfur ion generation and nitrate/nitrite reduction pathway were observably enriched, which effectively reduced the soil Cd bioavailability through adsorption and co-precipitation. Therefore, SUMs not only changed the soil physicochemical properties (e.g., pH), but also drove rhizosphere microbes to participate in the chemical species transformation of soil Cd, thus reducing Cd accumulation in rice grains.

[Research progress on the ecological roles of 'marine ecosystem engineers'.] / "海洋生态系统工程师"åŠå ¶ç”Ÿæ€ä½œç”¨.

'Marine ecosystem engineers' are marine species that can shape habitats and benefit other marine organisms, which are widely found in marine plants, animals and microorganisms. Their ecological roles are the basis of marine ecological functions. By analyzing the relevant literature, we systematically reviewed the research progress of the ecological roles of 'marine ecosystem engineers', and proposed the main research direction and content in the future. In general, 'marine ecosystem engineers' play an active role in a particular marine environment. However, once they become invasive species, they may have negative impacts on the invasive sea area. In addition, some 'marine ecosystem engineers' can have both positive and negative impacts simultaneously. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen researches on the role of 'marine ecosystem engineers' in marine biological beds, marine biogenic reefs, marine biofilms and composite ecosystem engineering, effectively utilize their positive roles and prevent and control their negative impacts, so as to realize the comprehensive development, utilization and protection of the ocean.

Interactive effect of water level and flushing rate on population dynamics of a harmful cyanobacterial species: Raphidiopsis raciborskii.

Changes in water level and flushing rate directly affect to a large extent the biomass of harmful cyanobacteria, and drive the shift of phytoplankton composition between cyanobacteria dominance/non-dominance in eutrophic waters. Here, we gave a theoretical formula describing the combinational effect of water level and flushing rate on cyanobacterial biomass in eutrophic and well-mixed waters. We also formulated an equation predicting the water level and flushing rate at which cyanobacteria become non-dominating in such water columns. The formulae were confronted with field observations of a low-light adapted cyanobacterium in a large coastal reservoir of southern China. Our formulae demonstrate that water level and flushing rate have an interactive effect on the equilibrium biomass of low-light adapted cyanobacteria in mixed and turbid waters. The formulae were well fitted to the field observation of Raphidiopsis raciborskii population in the reservoir during four dry seasons. In agreement with the theoretical analysis, multiple regression analysis also showed that the interaction between water level and flushing rate is able to interpret the variation of R. raciborskii biomass in the water column. The two formulae are applicable for predicting the response of low-light adapted cyanobacteria to local climate change. Our findings have practical significance in designing measures against the dominance of low light-adapted cyanobacteria in reservoirs.

[Effects of Phytoplankton Classifications on the Relationship Between Phytoplankton Community and Environment in Summer Subtropical Reservoirs, Southern China].

Phytoplankton communities are sensitive to environmental changes and are used to assess water quality and ecosystem states. However, their responses to environment are affected by the classifications. To understand the impact of different classifications, the response relationship between phytoplankton communities and environment were compared with five phytoplankton classifications (species, genus, phyla, morphology-based functional groups, and functional groups) by investigating eight reservoirs in summer in the southern subtropical region. The eight reservoirs were mesotrophic and their environment was characterized by a high temperature (32.6±1.1)℃ and low light bioavailability (Zeu/Zm was 0.48±0.28). The variance of dissolved nutrients contributed to the main environmental differences between the eight reservoirs. The environmental gradient, in terms of dissolved nutrients concentration, was significantly higher than in terms of total nutritional status, temperature, and light bioavailability (P<0.05). The number of species and genus was higher but their biomass was lower than those of other classifications. This contributed to the higher Bray-Curtis distance and lower species gradient (SCBD) and location gradient (LCBD) of phytoplankton communities with species and genus classifications than other classifications. A statistical analysis showed that only the phytoplankton community gradient with MBFG and phylum classifications was significantly correlated with environmental gradient, in particular the gradient of pH value and PO43--P concentration. A significant regress was detected between the TSI gradient and the phytoplankton community gradient with MBFG and phylum classifications. In conclusion, as the variance of environment stemmed from the supply of nutrients, the response of the phytoplankton community classified with MBFG and phylum was more sensitive than other classifications.

Seasonal variation of microcystins and their accumulation in fish in two large shallow lakes of China.

Bioaccumulation of microcystins (MCs) has been widely observed in aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, but its seasonal and specific variations remain unclear. In the present study, dissolved MCs in water, algal cell-bound MCs and muscle tissue MCs of nine fish species were investigated monthly in two of the largest shallow lakes in China: Lake Taihu and Lake Chaohu. The fish species were grouped as carnivorous, planktivorous, and omnivorous fish. Seasonal variations in dissolved and algal cell-bound MCs in water and MCs contents of fish hepatopancreas and muscle were investigated in the two lakes from 2009 to 2010. Dissolved MCs in water ranged from 0.35 to 2.56 µg l-1 in Lake Taihu and 0.16 to 2.45 µg l-1 in Lake Chaohu, and showed seasonally a unimodal distribution. Algal cell-bound MCs also showed a similar seasonal variation in both lakes, but dissolved MCs in water peaked about one month later than algal cell-bound MCs. The MCs content in the Fish muscle was higher MCs from October to December than in the other months. For most of the fish species, it exceeded the tolerable daily intake value established by the WHO. The averaged MCs content in the muscle of carnivorous, planktivorous, omnivorous fish was 48.2, 28.7 and 37.8 µg kg-1 in Lake Taihu, respectively, and 27.8, 18.6 and 20.4 µg kg-1 in Lake Chaohu. It was significantly higher in carnivorous fish than in planktivorous and omnivorous fish, indicating that carnivorous fish has a higher exposure risk to the local people when consuming the harvested fish. The average ratio of hepatopancreas to muscle MCs contents was 13.0, 25.2, 13.8 for carnivorous, planktivorous, omnivorous fishes in Lake Taihu, respectively, and 18.0, 24.9, 14.8 in Lake Chaohu. These ratio for planktivorous fish almost doubled that for carnivorous and omnivorous fish. High correlation of MC content in carnivorous, omnivorous and planktivorous fish indicates that MCs can be delivered along trophic levels in the food chains.

Species diversity and seasonal dynamics of filamentous cyanobacteria in urban reservoirs for drinking water supply in tropical China.

Filamentous cyanobacteria have been observed to become the dominant species in reservoirs, especially in small reservoirs for drinking water supply in southern China. The occurrences of filamentous cyanobacteria blooms in such reservoirs add additional costs for water plants by decreasing the filtration efficiency and the potential of toxin production. To serve the purpose of drinking water supply, the effective risk assessment requires the dynamic pattern of filamentous cyanobacteria. This study seasonally collected samples from 25 reservoirs in Dongguan, one of the most important 'world factories' in China in July, December and March, and investigated the temporal dynamics of phytoplankton, particularly cyanobacteria community. Our investigation showed that filamentous cyanobacteria, Planktothrix sp, Limnothrix sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii dominated in these reservoirs and climate-related water temperature was the primary factor for the seasonal shift of filamentous cyanobacteria. High abundance of filamentous cyanobacteria occurred in the high water level period with increasing temperature but less relevant with nutrient conditions. Our study observed the seasonal dynamics of filamentous cyanobacteria in tropical urban reservoirs and highlighted the association between temperature and filamentous cyanobacteria. our data and analysis provided an evidence that increased temperature could increase the likelihood of frequency and intensity of filamentous cyanobacteria blooms. In the scenario of global warming, more frequent monitoring of filamentous cyanobacteria and the potential to produce toxin should be considered for water quality and reservoir management.

Effects of organic acids on the photosynthetic and antioxidant properties and accumulations of heavy metals of Melilotus officinalis grown in Cu tailing.

The effect of citric acid (CA), acetic acid (Ac), and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the photosynthetic and antioxidant properties and the accumulation of some heavy metals (HMs) of Melilotus officinalis seedling growing in Cu mine tailings for 25 days were studied. Results showed that the formation of photosynthesizing cells of M. officinalis was inhibited by EDTA at 2 mmol/kg. Photosynthetic pigment contents under EDTA of 2 mmol/kg were reduced by 26, 40, and 19 %, respectively, compared to the control. The proline contents in aboveground and underground parts increased as the level of EDTA was enhanced. CA and Ac enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the aboveground parts and EDTA inhibited the activity of POD in the underground parts. The addition of CA promoted significantly the growth of M. officinalis, while the biomass decreased significantly under 2 mmol/kg EDTA. Cu contents in the aboveground parts treated with 0.5 and 2.0 mmol/kg EDTA reached 175.50 and 265.17 µg/g dry weight, respectively. Ac and EDTA treatments promoted Cd to translocate from root to aboveground parts. The result indicated that M. officinalis was a tolerant species of Cu tailing and can be used to remediate Cu contaminated environment, and rationally utilization of organic acids, especially EDTA, in the phytoremediation can improve the growth and metals accumulation of M. officinalis.

Pb uptake and toxicity to Iris halophila tested on Pb mine tailing materials.

Pb tolerant mechanisms, plant physiological response and Pb sub-cellular localization in the root cells of Iris halophila were studied in sand culture and the Pb mine tailings. Results showed that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the underground parts and the activity of catalase (CAT) in the aboveground and underground parts increased as Pb level was enhanced. Glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents increased by Pb treatments. Pb deposits were found in the middle cell walls or along the inner side of epibiotic protoplasm of some cells which accumulated a large quantity of Pb and died. The dry weights (DWs) of aboveground parts under all Pb tailings treatments decreased insignificantly, while the DW of the underground parts growing in the pure Pb tailings decreased significantly. Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn contents increased significantly as the levels of Pb tailings were enhanced and Pb contents in the aboveground and underground parts reached 64.75 and 751.75 µg/g DW, respectively, at pure Pb tailings treatment. The results indicated that I. halophila is a promising plant in the phytoremediation of Pb contaminated environment. Some antioxidant enzymes, antioxidants and compartmentalization of Pb were played major roles in Pb tolerance of I. halophila.

[Assessment of aquatic ecosystem health based on principal component analysis with entropy weight: a case study of Wanning Reservoir (Hainan Island, China)].

A new assessment method based on principal component analysis (PCA) and entropy weight for ecosystem health was applied to Wanning Reservoir, Hainan Island, China to investigate whether the new method could solve the overlap in weighting which existed in the traditional entropy weight-based method for ecosystem health. The results showed that, the ecosystem health status of Wanning Reservoir showed an improvement trend overall from 2010 to 2012; the means of ecosystem health comprehensive index (EHCI) in each year were 0.534, 0.617, 0.634 for 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively, and the ecosystem health status was III (medium), II (good), and II (good), respectively. In addition, the ecosystem health status of the reservoir displayed a weak seasonal variation. The variation of EHCI became smaller recently, showing that Wanning Reservoir tended to be relatively stable. Comparison of the weight of indices in the new and the traditional methods indicated that, the cumulative weight of the four indices (i. e., DO, COD, BOD, and NH(4+)-N) had a stronger correlation of 0.382 for the traditional one than that (0.178) for the new method. It suggested the application of PCA with entropy could avoid the overlap in weighting effectively. In addition, the correlation analysis between the trophic status index and EHCI showed significant negative correlation (P < 0.05), indicating that the new method based on PCA with entropy weight could improve not only the assignment of weighting but also the accuracy of the results. The new method here is suitable for evaluating ecosystem health of the reservoir.

Organic acids on the growth, anatomical structure, biochemical parameters and heavy metal accumulation of Iris lactea var. chinensis seedling growing in Pb mine tailings.

The effect of citric acid (CA) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the growth, anatomical structure, physiological responses and lead (Pb) accumulation of Iris lactea var. chinensis seedling growing in Pb mine tailings for 30 days were studied. Results showed that the dry weights (DW) of roots decreased significantly under both levels of CA. The DWs of leaves and roots treated with 2 mmol/kg EDTA decreased significantly and were 23 and 54 %, respectively, lower than those of the control. The tolerant indexes of I. lactea var. chinensis under all treatments of organic acids were lower than control. The root tip anatomical structure was little affected under the treatments of 2 mmol/kg CA and 2 mmol/kg EDTA compared with control. However, the formation of photosynthesizing cells was inhibited by the treatment of 2 mmol/kg EDTA. The concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids in the leaves treated with 2 mmol/kg EDTA significantly decreased. Higher CA level and lower EDTA level could trigger the synthesis of ascorbic acid and higher level of EDTA could trigger the synthesis of glutathione. CA and EDTA could promote Pb accumulation of I. lactea var. chinensis and Pb concentration in the leaves and roots at 2 mmol/kg EDTA treatment increased significantly and reached to 160.44 and 936.08 µg/g DW, respectively, and 1.8 and 1.6 times higher than those of the control. The results indicated that I. lactea var. chinensis could be used to remediate Pb tailing and the role of EDTA in promoting Pb accumulation was better than CA did.

Stable isotope composition of suspended particulate organic matter in twenty reservoirs from Guangdong, southern China: implications for pelagic carbon and nitrogen cycling.

We studied seasonal variations in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) of particulate organic matter (POM) in the surface water of 20 man-made reservoirs in southern China during March, August and December 2010. These reservoirs are located from subtropical to tropical region, varied in trophic states and were influenced by several types of human activities. The geomorphometric and biogeochemical gradients in tropical/subtropical regions are complicated and poorly understood because of low variation in temperature and high variation in hydrological processes. The POM samples were collected from all the reservoirs to assess the seasonal variation patterns of δ(13)CPOM and δ(15)NPOM. Variation in δ(13)CPOM followed seasonal thermal and hydrological cycles. By contrast, δ(15)NPOM did not seasonally differ, which may have been complicated by phytoplankton assimilation of N originating in agricultural waste entering the reservoirs and of atmospheric nitrogen during the wet season as well as an increased relative contribution of animal waste in the reservoirs in the dry season. Within each sampling period, nutrient availability is more important than thermal and solar radiation inputs in the summer, and these physical drivers are more important during the dry and cold winter month in controlling δ(13)CPOM and δ(15)NPOM. On an annual basis, trophic states (total P, total N and chlorophyll a) are the primary drivers for the changes in both δ(13)CPOM and δ(15)NPOM across reservoirs. When the seasonal effect is removed using annual averages from each reservoir, we found that latitude, trophic states, pH, rainfall, water temperature, reservoir age, catchment area to reservoir area (CA:RA) ratio and together explained about 80% of the variance in both δ(13)CPOM and δ(15)NPOM. Our findings also suggest that the trend of δ(15)NPOM is less predictable than δ(13)CPOM. The consistent (15)N depletion and enrichment of POM in different reservoirs point to the importance of different anthropogenic sources of nitrogen in the reservoirs.

Distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in surface sediments from a subtropical bay affected by the Special Economic Zone, China.

The concentrations of nine metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Al) in surface sediments from 14 sampling sites in Shantou Bay were determined in order to understand current metal levels and spatial distribution due to the rapid development of the Shantou Special Economic Zone. Results showed that metal concentrations in surface sediments varied from 0.31 to 1.74 mg kg(-1) for Cd, 35.98 to 74.19 mg kg(-1) for Cr, 24.43 to 79.24 mg kg(-1) for Cu, 428.45 to 809.87 mg kg(-1) for Mn, 16.91 to 31.51 mg kg(-1) for Ni, 35.59 to 64.84 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 84.91 to 246.51 mg kg(-1) for Zn, 2.93 to 3.93% for Fe, and 5.25 to 9.28% for Al. Although all metal concentrations in sediments meet Chinese National Standard Criteria for Marine Sediment Quality, both enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) show Pb and Cd pollution existed in the upper and middle bay, and pollution of other metals is also recorded in some sites depending on the sources; river input, sewage discharge, and port activities are the main sources of pollutant to the bay.

Distribution and geochemical speciation of heavy metals in sediments from coastal area suffered rapid urbanization, a case study of Shantou Bay, China.

Eight metals in sediment samples at 15 sites from the Shantou Bay were analyzed with BCR sequential extraction protocol to obtain the metal distribution patterns in the bay. The results showed that the heavy metal pollutions in upper bay were more severe than in middle and down reaches of the bay. Both total and non-residual fractions of metals with a exception of Mn showed a seaward decrease trend. More than 54% of the total concentrations of Cd, Mn and Zn existed in the acid soluble fraction. Ni, Co, Cr and Fe mainly (more than 51%) occurred in the residual fraction. While Pb and Cu dominantly presented in the reducible (50%) and oxidable (33%) fraction respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the heavy metals in the non-residual fractions resulted from largely anthropogenic sources, including river input, city runoff and port discharge. These contributing sources are highlighted by cluster analysis.

[Characteristics of sediment heavy metal pollution in three water supply reservoirs in Huizhou, Guangdong Province of South China].

To understand the present status of the heavy metal (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg) pollution of the sediments in water supply reservoirs in Huizhou, sediment cores were sampled from three representative reservoirs. The heavy metal concentrations were analyzed by ICP-MS, and the pollution status was assessed by geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (RI). In the meantime, the possible sources of the heavy metals were analyzed by the principal component analysis (PCA). In the sediments of the three reservoirs, the test heavy metals had different vertical distribution, some had less change, the others decreased or increased with depth, and the distribution patterns differed with the reservoirs. According to the Igeo, the sediments in the reservoirs were seriously polluted by Zn and Pb (Zn: 49.98-640.29 mg x kg(-1); Pb: 21.94-300.66 mg x kg(-1)), reaching slight to high pollution, and the middle or bottom part of the sediments was slightly polluted by Cu (16.85-45.46 mg x kg(-1)). On the whole, the sediments were not polluted by Cr, Cd and Hg. According to the RI and the potential ecological risk coefficient [Er(i)], the sediments in the three reservoirs were under low potential ecological risk. Based on the PCA and relevant information, the human activities such as mining and smelting, urbanization, and agriculture and forestry had great contribution to the heavy metal pollution. The Zn and Pb pollution mainly originated from mining and smelting, Pb pollution also came from motor vehicle exhaust emission and domestic wastes, and Cu pollution mainly derived from agriculture and forestry.

Evidence of iron cyanides as supplementary nitrogen source to rice seedlings.

The effect of iron cyanides on activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) of plants was investigated. Young rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L. cv. XZX 45) were grown in the nutrient solutions containing KNO(3) or NH(4)Cl and treated with ferro-cyanide [K(4)Fe(CN)(6)] or ferri-cyanide [K(3)Fe(CN)(6)]. Total cyanide and free cyanide in solutions and in plant materials were analyzed. Activities of NR and GS in different parts of plants were assayed in vivo. Results indicated that all rice seedlings exposed to either ferro- or ferri-cyanide showed positive growth. The phyto-assimilation rates of both iron cyanide species by rice seedlings were positively correlated to the doses supplied. Seedlings grown on NO(3)(-) showed significantly higher assimilatory potential for both ferro- and ferri-cyanide than those on NH(4)(+). Rice seedlings grown on NH(4)(+)-containing nutrient solution accumulated more cyanide in plant materials, majority being in roots rather than shoots, than these grown on NO(3)(-)-containing nutrient solution, suggesting that the presence of ammonium (NH(4)(+)) in the nutrient solution caused a negative impact on botanical assimilation of both iron cyanides. Sensitivity of NR and GS in rice seedlings exposed to ferro- and ferri-cyanide was identical, where conspicuous effects were only observed at the highest concentration supplied. The evidence offered here suggests that both iron cyanides can be a supplementary source of nitrogen to plant nutrition.

Novel polymorphism of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and their utilization in phylogenetic analysis of Neanthes glandicincta (Annelida: Polychaeta: Nereididae).

Sequences of internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) are increasingly being used to infer phylogenetic relationships at or below species levels. Here we report a novel case of ITS polymorphism within Neanthes glandicincta (Annelida: Polychaeta: Nereididae). Two types of ITS sequence (Type I and Type II) were cloned and sequenced, which showed significant differences both in nucleotide composition and length. Variations of these two types sequences also differed from each other with Type I was highly divergent while Type II was highly conserved. Phylogenetic trees inferred from ITS1 and ITS2 sequences showed striking discrepancy in N. glandicincta. Non-concerted evolution of multi-gene is suggested to be responsible for the high degree of polymorphism in ITS regions. Due to the two divergent types of ITS presented within a single N. glandicincta individual, the utilization of ITS regions for delineation of population or closely related species cannot be substantiated. The finding of different types of ITS in a single individual also stresses the need for analyzing a large number of clones whenever ITS sequences obtained by PCR amplification and cloning are being used in phylogenetic reconstruction.

Survivals of D. galeata in sub-tropical reservoirs: harmful effects of toxic cyanobacteria in food source.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that massive occurrence of cyanobacteria as food source is one of the factors limiting the distribution of the zooplankton Daphnia galeata in the warm water reservoirs of South China. D. galeata was fed with Chlorella pyrenoidosa, 4 strains of cyanobacteria (three strains of Microcystis aeruginosa: MC1, MC2 and MC3, and one strain of Pseudoanabaena sp. :PA), a mixture of C. pyrenoidosa and cyanobacterial strains, and natural particles from the reservoir where the animal was initially collected. On medium and high food levels (1 and 1.5 mg C L(-1)) of C. pyrenoidosa, D. galeata showed a typical Type III of survivorship, and had a high intrinsic rate of population increase (0.37-0.41). On low food levels, the intrinsic rate of population increase declined but lifespan largely increased (84 days). When feeding with natural particles, the intrinsic rate of increase was evidently reduced (0.19), but the maximal body length (2 mm) was much longer than that of individuals observed in the fields implying that D. galeata was strongly preyed upon by size-selective predators. Applying a mixture of Chlorella and cyanobacteria, the strain and proportion of cyanobacteria significantly affected life history variables of the animal and its somatic growth. On the sole diet of each stain of cyanobacteria, D. galeata failed to reproduce. Microcystin and colonial morphology of Microcystis strains reduced clutch size and somatic growth rate. In comparison, the less negative effect of the strain MC3 indicates that the morphology was critical for actual ingestion of toxic cyanobacteria by the zooplanktons. Pseudoanabaena sp. had a short filament (15 µm), can be easily used as a food by D. galeata. Composition of phytoplankton community plays a significant role in survival and population sizes of D. galeata and massive occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms limits the distribution of D. galeata in the reservoirs of South China.

Humic analog AQDS and AQS as an electron mediator can enhance chromate reduction by Bacillus sp. strain 3C3.

Humus as an electron mediator is recognized as an effective strategy to improve the biological transformation and degradation of toxic substances, yet the action of humus in microbial detoxification of chromate is still unknown. In this study, a humus-reducing strain 3C(3) was isolated from mangrove sediment. Based on the analyses of morphology, physiobiochemical characteristics, and 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain was identified Bacillus sp. Strain 3C(3) can effectively reduce humic analog anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) and anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) with lactate, formate, or glucose as electron donors. When the cells were killed by incubation at 95°C for 30 min or an electron donor was absent, the humic reduction did not occur, showing that the humic reduction was a biochemical process. However, strain 3C(3) had low capability of chromate reduction under anaerobic conditions, despite of having strong tolerance of the toxic metal. But in the presence of humic substances AQDS or AQS, we found that chromate reduction by strain 3C(3) was enhanced greatly. Because strain 3C(3) is an effective humus-reducing bacterium, it is proposed that humic substances could serve as electron mediator to interact with chromate and accelerate chromate reduction. Our results suggest that chromate contaminations can be detoxified by adding humic analog (low to 0.1 mM) as an electron mediator in the microbial incubation.

[Isolation and characterization of a humic-reducing bacterium Shewanella strain W3 from mangrove sediment].

A humus-reducing bacterium strain W3 was isolated from the mangrove sediment. Based on the analysis of morphology, physiobiochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequence, this strain was identified as Shewanella sp. W3. Strain W3 was able to reduce humic with lactate, formate and pyruvate as electron donor and the humic reduction rates to 1 mmol/L AQDS were 96%, 40% and 10% respectively within 48 hours. In addition, the bacteria can grow coupled with the humic reduction. Strain W3 grew to maximal density of 1.77 x 10(8) CFU/mL after complete reduction of 1 mmol/L AQDS. However, the growth of strain W3 was light increase in the control experiment in the absence of electron donor. The optimal initial pH, NaCl concentration, and temperature for strain W3 reducing humic were pH 7-9, 5-30 g/L, and 30-35 degrees C, respectively. Combined experimental results showed that the humic reduction was a biochemical process and strain W3 could conserve energy to support growth from lactate oxidation coupled to humic reduction. It is suggested that humic reduction by Shewanella bacteria may play important roles in biogeochemical circulation of elements and have potential application in the microbial bioremediation to contaminations.

The physiological response and sub-cellular localization of lead and cadmium in Iris pseudacorus L.

The seedling development and physiological responses of Iris pseudacorus L. to Pb and Cd and their combination were studied for 28 days liquid culture and sub-cellular localization of Pb and Cd in the root tip cells treated with 2,070 mg L(-1) Pb and 1,000 mg L(-1)Cd for 16 days sand culture was evaluated. Results showed that the dry weights (DWs) of shoots and roots of I. pseudacorus were significantly decreased at 500 mg L(-1)Pb and 25 mg L(-1)Cd + 500 mg L(-1)Pb treatments and the root DWs under all treatments were significantly decreased in comparison with that of control. The concentrations of Chla in the leaves were decreased at all treatments, while, the concentrations of Chlb and total carotenoids were not significantly decreased under 25 mg L(-1)Cd and 25 mg L(-1)Cd + 500 mg L(-1)Pb treatments. The MDA and proline concentrations and POD activities in the shoots and roots were increased under treatments of 500 mg L(-1)Pb and 25 mg L(-1)Cd + 500 mg L(-1)Pb, but POD activities in the shoots and roots and MDA concentrations in the shoots were significantly decreased at 25 mg L(-1) Cd treatment. The results of sub-cellular localization of Pb and Cd showed that numerous Pb deposits were found on the inner surface of died cell walls in the cortex treated with 2,070 mg L(-1) Pb and Cd deposits were found in the cell wall treated with 1,000 mg L(-1) Cd. Pb and Cd deposits were not found in the cytoplasm. The results indicated that POD and proline showed strong beneficial properties against Pb and Cd stress and there were some mechanisms keeping most cells with normal activities in the plant from Pb toxicity by sacrificing a few cells that accumulated a large amount Pb. Sub-cellular localizations of Pb and Cd in the root tip cells of I. pseudacorus were little difference with the localizations in other species of Iris in the previous studies.