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PubMed1993

Controlling environmental nitrogen through microbial metabolism.

The major sources of environmental nitrogen are the result of process intensification by human activities such as the chemical synthesis of nitrogenous fertilizers, internal-combustion engines, intensive farming and the use of xenobiotic chemicals in industrial processes. Recent advances in the biochemistry, genetics and ecology of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria can now be exploited in the control of environmental pollution from these sources. However, frequently, biotreatment must be combined with physical and chemical processes to achieve satisfactory remediation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2002

Ecosystem management and ecological modeling.

It is the intention of this paper to demonstrate that environmental technology must be supplemented by other tools to be able to solve environmental problems properly. Five cases are used to illustrate the possibilities of ecological engineering, a new engineering field based on ecology, as chemical engineering is based on chemistry. It encompasses restoration of ecosystems, utilization of ecosystems to the benefit of both mankind and nature, construction of ecosystems, and ecologically sound planning of ecosystems from a holistic point of view. Ecological engineering requires a good knowledge of the system properties of ecosystems to be able to fully utilize the possibilities that ecosystem management offers. Models reflecting the ecosystem properties are furthermore needed to be able to quantify the effects of the ecological engineering solutions to the environmental problems. This is clearly demonstrated in two of the five case studies presented in the paper.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of carbaryl and lead on phenols, chlorophyll and proteins of the microalga Ankistrodesmus falcatus].

Considering that Ankistrodesmus falcatus is very sensitive to different pollutants, in this work the effect of lead, carbaryl and a mixture of both pollutants on protein, chlorophyll and phenols concentration in this microalga have been studied. At different lots of Ankistrodesmus falcatus in the middle of the log growth phase, different concentrations of lead, carbaryl and a mixture of both pollutants were added, during 24, 48 and 72 h. Chlorophyll, proteins and phenols concentration was measured. The results show that the mixture of lead-carbaryl produces a major toxic effect than the xenobiotics by themselves, so it has been suggested that to establish permissible limits it is necessary to consider the synergism presented in simultaneous exposure to both xenobiotics. It is suggested to use phenols determination as a primary indicator of environmental impact in an aquatic ecosystem.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2001

Biodegradation of polyesters containing aromatic constituents.

Polymers, which undergo a controlled biological degradation by micro-organisms came to remarkable interest during the last years. Composting for instance could so be established as an alternative waste management system for parts of the plastic waste. Within this group of innovative polymer, polyesters play a predominant role, due to their potentially hydrolyzable ester bonds. While aromatic polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) exhibit excellent material properties but proved to be almost resistant to microbial attack, many aliphatic polyesters turned out to be biodegradable but lack in properties, which are important for application. To combine good material properties with biodegradability, aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters have been developed as biodegradable polymers for many years. This article reviews the attempts to combine aromatic and aliphatic structures in biodegradable plastics and work, which has been done to evaluate the degradation behaviour and environmental safety of biodegradable polyesters, containing aromatic constituents.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1981

Clinical evaluation of injectable biodegradable contraceptive system.

A new long-acting injectable contraceptive system was tested in 24 women. The system consists of microspheres made of biodegradable d,l-polylactic acid in which micronized crystals of norethisterone (NET) are homogeneously dispersed. In previous animal studies we showed that NET is slowly released from the microspheres for 6 months, and after the drug is released, the microspheres biodegrade into lactic acid by the process of hydrolysis. The serum levels of NET, estrogen, and progesterone were monitored by radioimmunoassay, and the effects of treatment on ovarian function and menstrual bleeding were evaluated. The doses ranged from 29 to 370 mg of microspheres containing 7.25 to 94.5 mg of NET or 0.134 to 2.30 mg of NET/kg of body weight. The duration of the NET release was 6 months, and the serum NET profiles in women were similar to those previously described in subhuman primates. Following a small burst, there was a gradual decline in the serum levels of NET over 6 months after treatment. The serum levels of NET varied in proportion to the dose. Doses less than 0.267 mg of NET/kg had no discernible effect on either ovarian function or menstrual bleeding. Doses ranging from 0.419 to 2.30 mg had variable effects on ovarian function and menstrual bleeding. Higher doses caused suppression of ovarian function for longer periods of time, increased the interval between episodes of menstrual bleeding, and decreased the quantity of blood loss during each episode. The treatment was well tolerated by all subjects, and, with the exception of spotting and irregular menstrual cycles, there were no adverse side effects. Based on this initial study, it was determined that doses ranging from 1.33 to 3.45 mg of NET/kg are necessary to suppress ovulation for 6 months. Additional studies with the use of higher doses are currently under way.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Microbial degradation of the organophosphate pesticide, Ethion.

The organophosphate pesticide, Ethion, remains a major environmental contaminant in rural Australia and poses a significant threat to environmental and public health. The aerobic degradation of Ethion by mesophilic bacteria isolated from contaminated soils surrounding disused cattle dip sites was investigated. Two isolates, identified as Pseudomonas and Azospirillum species, were capable of biodegrading Ethion when cultivated in minimal salts medium. The abiotic hydrolytic degradation products of Ethion such as Ethion Dioxon and O,O-diethylthiosphosphate were not detected. The data suggest the rapid degradation of Ethion to support microbial growth. The results have implications for the development of a bioremediation strategy.

Azospirillum↗
PubMed1998

Nuclear magnetic resonance in environmental engineering: principles and applications.

This paper gives an introduction to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in relation to applications in the field of environmental science and engineering. The underlying principles of high resolution solution and solid state NMR, relaxation time measurements and imaging are presented. Then, the use of NMR is illustrated and reviewed in studies of biodegradation and biotransformation of soluble and solid organic matter, removal of nutrients and xenobiotics, fate of heavy metal ions, and transport processes in bioreactor systems.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2004

Tebuconazole dissipation and metabolism in Tifton loamy sand during laboratory incubationt.

The fungicide tebuconazole is widely used to control soil-borne and foliar diseases in peanuts and other crops. No published data are currently available on the extent and rate at which this compound degrades in soil. Unpublished data summarized in registration documents suggest that the compound is persistent, with 300-600 days half-life. We conducted a 63-day laboratory incubation to evaluate tebuconazole's dissipation kinetics and impact on soil microbial activity in Tifton loamy sand. Tifton soils support extensive peanut production in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of Georgia and Alabama. Products containing tebuconazole are applied to an estimated 50% of the peanut acreage in the region. At the end of the incubation, 43 (+/-42)% of the parent compound was recovered in soil extracts. The first-order kinetic model, which gave a good fit to the dissipation data (r2 = 0.857), yielded a soil half-life (t1/2) of 49 days. This is 6-12 times more rapid than t1/2 values described in unpublished tebuconazole registration documents. Four degradates were identified. Tentative structural assignments indicated that degradates were derived from hydroxylation of the parent compound and/or chlorophenyl ring cleavage. Cleavage products showed a steady increase during the incubation, and on a molar basis were equal to 63% of the time zero tebuconazole concentration. No significant effect on soil microbial biomass was observed, indicating that when the compound is applied at normal agronomic rate it does not impact soil metabolic activity. Use of the soil-half life data derived in this study should improve the accuracy oftebuconazole fate assessments for Coastal Plain peanut production. The study also indicated that environmental assessment of selected degradates may be needed to fully evaluate risks of tebuconazole use.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2007

Production of feather protein hydrolysate by keratinolytic bacterium Vibrio sp. kr2.

A feather protein hydrolysate was produced using the keratinolytic bacterium Vibrio sp. strain kr2. Complete feather degradation was observed in medium containing up to 60 g L(-1) raw feathers. Cultivation on 40, 60 or 80 g L(-1) feathers for five days resulted in similar amounts of soluble protein, reaching maximum values around 2.5 g L(-1). Maximum yields of soluble protein were achieved at 30 degrees C and initial pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0. Strain kr2 was effective in producing keratin hydrolysate from chicken feathers. Bacterial feather hydrolysate has the potential for utilization as an ingredient in animal feed or as organic fertilizer, thereby reducing the environmental impact of feather waste from the poultry industry.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Stereoselective degradation kinetics of theta-cypermethrin in rats.

The enantioselective degradation and chiral conversion of theta-cypermethrin (TCYM) in rats have been studied via intravenous (i.v.) injection. The degradation kinetics and the enantiomer fraction (EF) were determined by means of normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection (DAD) and a cellulosetris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-based chiral stationary phase (CDMPC-CSP). The degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The degradation of the (+)-TCYM was much faster than that of the (-)-TCYM in plasma, heart, liver, kidney, and fat after administration of racemic TCYM (rac-TCYM). The EFs were over 0.500 in these tissues and muscle. The results showed the conversion of (+)-enantiomer to (-)-enantiomer in plasma after injection of (-)- and (+)-TCYM separately. The results for the major differences in the degradation of the enantiomers may have some implication for the environmental and ecological risks assessment for chiral pesticides.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Degradation of nonionic surfactants and polychlorinated biphenyls by recombinant field application vectors.

Degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment is limited by their aqueous solubility and the degradative competence of indigenous populations. Field application vectors (FAVs) have been developed in which surfactants are used to both increase the solubility of the PCBs and support the growth of surfactant-degrading strains engineered for PCB degradation. Surfactant and PCB degradation by two recombinant strains were investigated. Pseudomonas putida IPL5 utilizes both alkylethoxylate [polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POL)] and alkylphenolethoxylate [Igepal CO-720 (IGP)] surfactants as growth substrates, but only degrades the ethoxylate moiety. The resulting degradation products from the alkyl- and alkylphenolethoxylate surfactants were 2-(dodecyloxy)ethanol and nonylphenoldiethoxylates, respectively. Ralstonia eutropha B30P4 grows on alkylethoxylate surfactants without the appearance of solvent-extractable degradation products. It also degrades the 2-(dodecyloxy)ethanol produced by strain IPL5 from the alkylethoxylate surfactants. The extent of degradation of the alkylethoxylate surfactant (POL) was greater for strain IPL5 (90%) than for B30P4 (60%) as determined by the cobaltothiocyanate active substances method (CTAS). The recombinant strain B30P4::TnPCB grew on biphenyl. In contrast, the recombinant strain IPL5::TnPCB could not grow on biphenyl, and PCB degradation was inhibited in the presence of biphenyl. The most extensive surfactant and PCB degradation was achieved by the use of both recombinant strains together in the absence of biphenyl. PCB (Aroclor 1242) and surfactant (POL) concentrations were reduced from 25 ppm and 2000 ppm, respectively, to 6.5 ppm and 225 ppm, without the accumulation of surfactant degradation products. Given the inherent complexity of commercial surfactant preparations, the use of recombinant consortia to achieve extensive surfactant and PCB degradation appears to be an environmentally acceptable and effective PCB remediation option.

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed2003

Seasonal variations in compostability and production of vermiprotein by Eisenia fetida.

The potential of E. fetida to degrade wastes into vermicompost and to produce vermiprotein in the form of worm-biomass during different seasons was evaluated. Results revealed that the environmental factors prevailing during different seasons did influence directly the life activities of the worm and indirectly the compostability of the wastes. Feeding activities of E. fetida reduced the time of production of an efficient organic pool with energy reserves as vermicompost. Further, the amount of vermicompost produced by the worm activity depended primarily on the environmental factors and secondarily on the nature of organic wastes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Thermochemical characteristics of 2,4-dichlorophenol degrading strain Pseudomonas GT241-1 of growth metabolism by microcalorimetry.

By using LKB-2277 Bioactivity Monitor, ampoule method, the heat output of the growth metabolism of a 2.4-dichlorophenol degrading bacteria strain, Pseudomonas strain GT241-1, has been determined at 30 degrees C. From the thermogenic curves, it can be established that thermokinetic equation of their growth metabolism is Pt = Pt = 0 exp(k(m) t), dP/dt = k(m)P1, with the order of growth metabolism n = 1. The experimental results indicate that the relationship between the metabolic power (P) and the cell concentration (C), and relationship between the metabolic power of each cell (P0) and the cell concentration can be characterized by the following thermal equation: C = a + kP, InC = a' + k'P0 or dC/dP0 = KC1. The order of the P0-C equation n is also 1. These results are very significant in environmental sciences, biology and thermochemistry.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2005

[Aging of spiked pyrene in two paddy soils and their particle-size fractions after soil incubation and changes in extractability and bio-availability to earthworm].

Effect of aging on bioavailability and extractability of persistent organic pollutants has recently been paid much attention in environmental studies. This study deals with aging of spiked pyrene, a four-ring polycyclic hydrocarbon, in two paddy soils and their particle-size fractions under laboratory incubation and change in its extractability and bioavailability. The bioavailability of aged pyrene was tested by an assay of exposure to earthworms (Eisenia foetida). The extractability of spiked pyrene was decreased by 15% to 23%, and the bioavailability to earthworm was decreased by 37% to 67% after incubation for 90 d compared to under no incubation. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the pyrene extractability between incubation with different size fractions of a single soil. Soil incubation resulted in lower extractability and, thus, lower environmental risk of the organic pollutants after incorporation in paddy soils and their aggregates. The different size fractions of paddy soils may exert different bioavailability when exposure to soil fauna. Thus, content and chemical extractability may not be appropriate index for assessing the potential environmental risk and bioavailability to soil fauna for persistent organic pollutants in paddy soils.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Environmental chemistry of phosphonates.

Phosphonates are anthropogenic complexing agents containing one or more C-PO(OH)(2) groups. They are used in numerous technical and industrial applications as chelating agents and scale inhibitors. Phosphonates have properties that differentiate them from other chelating agents and that greatly affect their environmental behavior. Phosphonates have a very strong interaction with surfaces, which results in a significant removal in technical and natural systems. Due to this strong adsorption, little or no remobilization of metals is expected. No biodegradation of phosphonates during water treatment is observed but photodegradation of the Fe(III)-complexes is rapid. Aminopolyphosphonates are also rapidly oxidized in the presence of Mn(II) and oxygen and stable breakdown products are formed that have been detected in wastewater. The lack of information about phosphonates in the environment is linked to analytical problems of their determination at trace concentrations in natural waters. Further method development is urgently needed in this area, including speciation of these compounds. With the current knowledge on speciation, we can conclude that phosphonates are mainly present as Ca and Mg-complexes in natural waters and therefore do not affect metal speciation or transport.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2002

An examination of the physical properties, fate, ecotoxicity and potential environmental risks for a series of propylene glycol ethers.

Propylene glycol ethers (PGEs) are comprised of mono-, di- and tri-PGEs and several of their acetate esters. The nature of the range of applications that use PGEs suggests that there is a potential for both intentional and unintentional entry of the materials into the environment. Selected physical/chemical properties, fate characteristics, aquatic toxicity data and calculated environmental concentrations were used to assess potential risks from the manufacture, handling, use, and disposal of PGEs. In general, the PGEs are low to moderately volatile, have high aqueous solubilities, low octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow), and bioconcentration factor values of <10, which indicate they are unlikely to accumulate in aquatic food chains. Both abiotic and biological degradation processes reduce environmental concentrations of PGEs. In air, vapor-phase PGEs react with photo-chemically produced hydroxyl radicals and have half-lives ranging from 5.5 to 34.4 h. A variety of ready and inherent biodegradation test methods, as well as tests that simulate biodegradation in wastewater treatment plants, surface water and soil have been conducted on PGEs. Significant aerobic biodegradation was generally observed, with a range of biodegradation half-lives on the order of 5-25 d. Acute aquatic toxicity studies with PGEs resulted in LC50 values ranging from approximately >100 to >20,000 mg/l for freshwater fish, the pelagic invertebrate Daphnia magna, green algae Selenastrum capricornutum (now called Pseudokirchneriella capricornutum) and bacteria. Level 3 multi-media modeling (EQC model of Mackay) was used to simulate regional-scale concentrations of PGEs in air, soil, water, and sediment. Toxicity thresholds were then compared with regional-scale water, soil and sediment concentrations to determine hazard quotients. Based upon this analysis, concentrations of PGEs are unlikely to pose adverse risks to the environment.

Animals↗